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Amy and Penny landed in San Francisco shortly after 6pm, picked up a car rental and because Penny knew where she was going, drove the short distance to the hotel, as they pulled up in the car park outside the Oceano Spa Hotel, Amy was stunned at how beautiful the hotel was and what a beautiful location with views of the harbour and the Pacific Ocean.
"Like it? Asked Penny watching Amy's expression.
"Love it, come on lets check in" replied Amy eagerly.
They quickly retrieved their cases from the back seat and made their way into the hotel, they didn't take long to book in, the receptionist told them that dinner would be served until 11pm, Penny and Amy made a reservation for 1 hours time and then a butler showed them to their room overlooking the front of the bay, they had a double room with a bedroom and a lounge area, that had a sofa, table and chairs and came with a mini bar they opened the balcony doors and stepped outside, that also had a table and chairs set out.
"I love coming here" commented Penny.
"How many times have you been? Asked Amy.
"This is my 4 or 5th time, it's the perfect place to get away from it all" replied Penny.
"I quite agree, when was the last time you were here?
"About two months ago, I was given vouchers by a client"
Amy turned her head away so Penny couldn't see the tear rolling down her eye, she suddenly missed Sheldon like crazy, but she was doing this for herself and knew it was the right thing to do.
"Shall we unpack now or later? Asked Amy a moment later.
"Leave it until after dinner, lets have a look at the treatments they offer and book some" suggested Penny showing Amy the spa brochure.
After sometime perusing the brochure, they settled on a Deep Tissue massage for the next day and a Seaweed wrap for the day after which Penny had had previously, they then dressed for dinner, Penny in a summery blue dress and Amy in a denim skirt and pink cotton top and made their way to the restaurant, a waiter showed them to their table and left them with the menus, Amy looked around to see who else was dining but it was mostly couples, Penny noticed this and tried to take her mind off things.
"I'm going with the Asian Chicken Salad for starter, how about you?
"I guess I will have the same, look at the happy couples here, being free and happy with each other" commented Amy.
"Forget about them Amy, tomorrow I will get you to open up about what you want with Sheldon, tonight we are going to just have fun, ok?
"Ok"
Amy gave Penny a shaky smile as the waiter returned to take their starter and main meal where they both chose Steak Fritters and Fries, then they shared a chocolate brownie for dessert before ending the evening sipping cocktails from the outside bar, both of them returned to their room slightly tipsy but alert enough to change into nightclothes before going to sleep.
Amy woke the next day and realised that since speaking to Sheldon and asking him to give her space, she had slept better than she had done in a long time, she was going to make sure that whatever happened with them in the future that her happiness and wellbeing in the relationship should at least count for something, she stepped out onto the balcony and started taking pictures of the view and uploading them to her Facebook page, then she heard Penny stirring in the bedroom and went through to her.
"Morning bestie" said Amy happily
"Morning to you, how are you feeling?
"I feel good and looking forward to this massage"
"Me too, I had a message from Leonard but I am not looking at it or answering it yet, what was you thinking when you were looking at the couples last night?
"Just how happy they looked, I know Sheldon and I are not going to be the sort of couple where we have public displays of affection and that's fine, we enjoy what we do together without scrutiny but it reminded me of the good times we have had" replied Amy
"See its not all bad"
"I know but I shouldn't have to fight with him just to get a bit of romance, I don't know much about relationships but that's not healthy in my book and ever since he came back from his train trip, I feel like I've been treading on eggshells with him, wondering if the slightest thing will set him off again" replied Amy
"Have you told him this?
"No, I don't even know how to begin such a subject, anyway lets go have breakfast and this massage" replied Amy trying to change the subject
"I have to tell you the massages are awesome here" commented Penny
"Excellent" replied Amy
Two hours later Amy felt like her body had turned to jelly and she felt wonderful, she had groaned in contentment at the massage much to her embarrassment and apologies to the masseuse who waved her apology away, then she and Penny returned to their room to collect beachwear, they had also collected a pre ordered lunch from the restaurant, it was just after 1pm and the beach was quiet apart from some dog walkers.
"Come on lets get a tan" said Penny as they made themselves comfortable on some towels and tucked into their lunch.
"Shall we go for a swim after this? Asked Amy
"Sure, we don't have to worry about valuables either because we left them in our room"
"Good point, so what are you going to do about Leonard?
"I really don't know, obviously I love him but the fact that he kissed another woman and kept it a secret bothers me, he was quick enough when we were not dating to ask me about that Alice woman when he was dating Priya, I don't understand his thinking here"
"I think the question is whether you can get past this and trust him again" suggested Amy
"Well like you, I am going to need time to think about it but I wont let Leonard rush me into making a decision, I know that for sure" replied Penny
"Getting away is good for the both of us then" commented Amy
"Back to Sheldon though Ames, you need to tell him your fears like you told me, just be straight with him, you never know he might respond positively"
"I know but a part of me is still worried that I may not like the answers, you know?"
Penny nodded her agreement and they finished their food before they applied sun cream lotion to each others backs before laying back down on the towels and enjoying the sun, both of them dozed off for a while before they went for a swim in the sea and Penny suggested they eat out at a Pasta place she knew a few miles away which also had a bar inside, the next few days were spent relaxing and enjoying the area and even Amy started to feel much better about things, Penny noticed Amy was looking better as well.
On Sunday morning the girls returned back to Pasadena, as they left LAX Penny asked Amy if she could stay at her apartment for a few more days.
"Of course you can, I have no problems with that"
"Thank you, I meant it when I said I want some space from Leonard and I can't do that if I am living opposite him"
"No problems, roomie! Amy chuckled to herself
"What if we were roomies" pondered Penny suddenly.
"You want to live with me? Asked Amy to be sure.
"Yes, it's been fun the last week and if we got somewhere together that would be better"
"Well I agree of course, I know my landlord has another block in Glendale that has two bedroom apartments, when we get back I could ask him if he has any available"
"I wasn't sure you would agree, I know how much you want to live with Sheldon though" replied Penny
"Sheldon and I are not going to be living together for some time, I know that for sure" replied Amy
"You seem certain about that?
"Well I know his feelings on us living together and if I all can get is a distracted makeout session and the occasional overnight stay then I am certain, shall we do this then?
"Yes for sure" replied Penny.
As it was when they arrived back to her apartment, Amy found the landlord who just happened to have a two bedroom apartment that was fully furnished and had been available for a few days, he took Amy and Penny to see it and they both liked it, the landlord agreed to sign it over to them immediately and wait to receive a deposit as he know Amy and could trust her, he also gave them the key to the apartment.
"Do you have to give notice to your landlord? Asked Amy to Penny once they were back in her apartment.
"Yes one month but I will just pay my rent in full and give notice, it wont take long to pack up my own belongings, we saw how much stuff the apartment has already"
"Shall we do it next weekend then? I am going to be crazy at work next week so can't do anything until then anyway" asked Amy.
"I agree, I can only imagine how Sheldon and Leonard are going to react to this"
"It's our happiness that counts right now, remember Penny"
"Agreed, lets raise a toast to ourselves"
Penny took a bottle of wine from Amy's fridge and poured them two glasses, they clinked them together happily, later that day Penny returned to her apartment, grabbed some work clothes and left quickly without being spotted by Leonard and on Sunday Bernadette came over and was surprised to hear their news about living together and their respective problems with their partners, she had of course heard via Howard the news but was waiting to hear from the girls themselves, but agreed to keep quiet about the girls living arrangements until they were ready to tell Sheldon and Leonard, she offered advice to them about their relationships as well.
Amy was right about being busy that week at work, she caught up on the study and kept herself in the lab working long hours and on Friday attended the fund raising event at a local hotel, all of Caltech's scientists were there, Amy already had her own funding from her Saudi Prince but was determined to help her Neuroscience department get more funding and spent the whole night with her fellow colleagues successfully gaining finance for the following year, she was acutely aware of Sheldon watching her from the other side of the room, she greeted Howard and Raj when they came over to her but Sheldon stayed away from her.
On Saturday two weeks after she had told Sheldon she needed space, she helped Penny pack up her belongings, she had heard from Bernadette that the boys were out paintballing so knew they wouldn't be disturbed for a few hours, they heard Leonard and Sheldon come home and quietly took the last boxes downstairs before returning back to Penny's apartment. They looked at each other for a moment, both of them needing each others encouragement.
"Are you ready to do this then? Asked Penny to Amy who was looking nervous.
"Not really, but its something I need to do, what about you?
"Same with you really"
"Alright let's do this" replied Amy taking Penny's arm and leading her to 4A.
I guess nobody was expecting them to be sharing an apartment!
Next chapter up soon
