Penny sat just a little too close to Leonard, as they all told stories of what had been happening over the last few years, the disastrous situations they found themselves in, friendly arguments and rivalries that got out of hand. Howard even did his famous card trick, to 'give Sheldon another chance' of figuring it out. Penny felt like she'd never been away, that the walls were different but the friendship and love was still very much there, yet she found herself skirting questions about herself. She was proud of what she'd achieved but still in front of her friends she felt reluctant to tell her own story. She knew she was being silly, she knew they would be proud of her, well, maybe not Sheldon but that wasn't personal; he just didn't rate anyone else's abilities, but still she held back.

Penny squeezed Leonard's hand as she stood, "Guys as lovely as this is, I'm going to nip the bathroom and then I really need to get going. I'm sorry, I've missed you guys so much, but I'm exhausted and have a long drive in the morning." Everyone protested, but she smiled and headed towards the en-suite.

Leonard watched her go, smiling sadly. Once she was out of earshot he stood up and spoke in a loud whisper, "Everyone out." Everyone looked at him surprised and not moving. "Come on I mean it. Out."

Howard spoke up, "What? Your ex-girlfriend is here and you through us out, come on Leonard haven't you learned your lesson by now?"

"Yeah, yeah," Leonard responded as he ushered them towards the door, "this is my only chance to talk to Penny so just hurry up will you before she comes back."

The others file out silently, but Bernadette hung back and kisses Leonard on the cheek "Good luck," she tells him as she squeezes his arm gently.

Leonard closes the door, just as Penny walks back. She stops and looks around the room, surprised that everyone has deserted them. "Wow, was it something I said?" She jokes as she picks up her coat from the dresser, smiling awkwardly. "Listen I should go..."

"Wait," Leonard interrupted her, his voice urgent, "I have something for you."

Penny frowned, "Really, you bought me something. You didn't have to do that, I..."

"No, no, I" he stammered, "I didn't ... I'm returning something that already belongs to you." He reached into his duffle bag in the bottom of the wardrobe and took out a small jewellery box. "I found it last week when I was boxing some stuff up, and I wanted you to have it." Penny's heart stopped as she realised what was in there. "I would have posted it but as I was here..." he shrugged nervously, realising she hadn't moved only stared at the box. "Only if you still want it, I mean, it's okay if you don't, or you could just change the pictures..."

"No, I..." her voice started trembling as she came forward and took the box, staring at the missing locket, reaching in she opened it to reveal pictures of the two of them in happier times. Again her eyes filled with tears and she found herself launching into his arms again. She hugged him hard, but this time couldn't hold the tears back.

"Penny are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Penny sobbed, "I just missed you guys so much", she told him, "today has been so amazing but hard too you know." She drew back but he held her in a half hug, looking straight into her eyes, she could see concern there. "Thank you Leonard, this means so much to me, I can't..." stopped unable to continue. He smiled gently at her, holding her gaze, then slowly leaned forward and kissed her softly. It took barely a heartbeat for her to respond, closing her eyes and enjoying the soft, slow kiss. It was several minutes before she broke off, and pulled away, shakily. "I have to go" she told him as she avoided looking at him by grabbing her handbag from the floor but in her haste, Penny accidentally tips it up. Cursing under her breath, she kneels down to scoop it up, as Leonard comes over towards her to help. "I can do it. Please, just leave it." She tells him and he can hear the quiver in her voice. Feeling lost and unsure Leonard watches her repack her belongings and head to the door. Knowing this was his last chance, Leonard wasn't sure what to do. She started to open the door, when he called her name.

"Penny?"

She paused at the door, finally looking at him, "What?" she replied miserably.

"This." He said simply as he strode forward purposefully, taking her face in his hands he kissed her again, deeply, passionately as he gently presses her against the door. Her hands came up to his shoulders and he expected her to push him away but instead her arms wound around his neck as she kisses him back. After a few minutes he pulls back briefly to look into her eyes, and gently bump their noses before kissing her again, softly this time, before leading her to the bed...