Still own nothing.

"What do you thinks wrong with Amy?" Penny asked Bernadette, "She seems a little down tonight." She and Bernadette were sitting at a table in Penny's favorite bar. Amy had just headed to the restroom.

"I could say the same for you," the petite blonde replied. "You just got engaged to a wonderful man. You should be ecstatic, but you've hardly said anything and barely touched your drink."

"Oh, I'm unbelievably happy about the engagement, I've just got something on my mind."

"I thought so," Bernadette said. "You going to spill?"

"It's a family thing. Sorry, it's not something I feel like sharing right now," Penny replied. "Can we get back to Amy?"

"Alright, if you feel that way," Bernadette looked around to make sure Amy wasn't on her way back yet before continuing, "On the drive over to your place Amy mentioned something about Sheldon not asking her to be his new roommate."

"I wonder if there's something I could do to help move the Shamy along." Penny said.

"She also seemed pretty upset that you don't want her as your maid of honor." Bernadette added.

"I totally want her to be," Penny replied, "The thing is, I have this friend back in Nebraska, and we kinda made a pact that we'd be each others maid of honor when the time came."

"And how long ago was that?" Bernie asked.

"Well," Penny said. "We were like eight or nine. And she's eloped. Twice."

"Then I don't see it being an issue," Bernadette smiled at her, shaking her head.

"Yeah, guess your right. Wait 'til I tell Amy, she'll freak," Penny said, "And just for the record, I wish you both could be maid of honor."

"Thanks," Bernadette replied. "And that family thing? You really should talk to someone. It couldn't hurt and it might help."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Penny said.


When Penny got home, she found Leonard dozing on the couch in a rather awkward position. She smiled at how cute he looked and at the fact he'd tried to wait up for her. Things had gotten a little crazy when she'd told Amy her decision. Well, Amy-crazy at any rate. For a while it had taken her mind off other worries. Now her smile faded and with a sigh Penny kicked off her shoes and went over to the couch to sit beside her future husband. She leaned over to kiss him and whispered his name in his ear.

"Hi," Leonard whispered when he opened his eyes to see her next to him. "I must have died in my sleep and went to Heaven. Are you an angel?". Her tight lips and lack of a flippant response brought him fully awake. Leonard sat up and took Penny's hands in his. "What's up, Honey?" he asked gently. Penny placed his arm around her shoulder and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I have something I need to talk to you about," she said quietly. Leonard gave her a reassuring squeeze and she continued, "My mom's been sick quite a bit lately, Sis says it's been going on for a while and nobody can really figure out what's wrong."

Leonard considered this. "Your parents haven't said anything about it to you?"

"They wouldn't," Penny sighed, "Dad pretends to be the strong silent type and you know what mothers are like."

"Well, I know what my mother is like."

"Oh, right. Sorry. Anyway, Leonard, I'm really scared!" Penny said, more than a hint of anguish creeping into her words.

Leonard gave her a sympathetic look. "What do you need?" he asked.

"I think I need to go home." she said, close to tears.

"So than, we're going to Nebraska."

"Really?" Penny asked, with a catch in her voice. "You'll go with me?"

"Of course," Leonard answered without hesitation.

Penny threw her arms around him in a tight hug, burying her face in his shoulder with a she finally let go and caught her breath, Penny asked, "Are you sure you can? What about work?"

"Won't be an issue," Leonard answered. "They have contingencies for family illness." he stated matter-of-factually.

"Family?" Penny asked with an odd look in her eye. Leonard simply nodded.

"Family." Penny stated firmly, a small smile coming to her face for the first time since she had awakened Leonard.