Whoops! When I copied and pasted Chapter 3 ready to upload it I missed off this bit by mistake, it doesn't work with the next bit so I'm kind of gaffa (duct) taping it on the end...
As they grabbed their jackets to meet the ladies for dinner, Leonard asked them not to make a big deal of things in front of Penny. He told them she didn't want to become 'Penny with cancer'; she wanted to just be Penny. This was the last couple of days of normality before her operation and then treatment and she wanted to enjoy it, with her oldest and closest friends. They guys had agreed silently, wanting to make things as easy as possible.
The men were already seated when the ladies joined them but they rose smiling to greet them and exchange hugs for those they'd not already seen, except Sheldon who just sat down staring at his napkin not speaking. Just as the others started to sit, Sheldon stood abruptly and rushed over to Penny, hugging her as he whispered as clearly as he could, "I love you Penny".
Penny was surprised. Sheldon may be more comfortable with physical contact now, but he never initiated it. She hugged him back smiling "I love you too Sheldon" she told him with tears in her eyes, "I love you too".
