DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Big Bang Theory I just love (and boy will I miss) these characters :(
Driving home from work Leonard couldn't stop himself from agonising over how he was going tell Penny about what had happened that day. Parking his car in the garage he caught a glimpse of his troubled self in the rear view mirror. "You're completely over thinking this Hofstadter," he berated himself, "Just go inside and tell her. It'll be fine..it's not that big a deal."
It had been whilst having lunch in the university cafeteria that President Webster had sought Leonard out to tell him about the theoretical physicist who was being seconded from the University of Iowa to collaborate on his latest research project.
"Her name is Dr. Alexandra Jenson. She'll be arriving tomorrow. I trust that you'll show her around? Make sure that she settles in ok?" he had said.
Pausing to take a deep breath, Leonard let himself through the front door to be greeted by Albert, who trotted down the hall wagging his tail excitedly. Taking off his jacket he hung it on the coat stand before making his way to the kitchen where he found Marlena preparing dinner. "Hi Marlena, is that chilli I smell?" he asked.
"Mrs Hofstadter told me that it's your favourite," Marlena said as she stirred a simmering saucepan on the stovetop. "Would you like to try some?" She said, offering Leonard a spoon.
"You know Marlena, I reckon you're the genius around her," he concluded with a boyish grin after tasting the chili. "Is Penny home?"
"She's out by the pool." Marlena answered, smiling contently to herself. The Hofstadter's were by far the nicest family she'd worked for and she loved them all as though they were family.
Venturing outside into the yard, Leonard found Penny seated beside the swimming pool reading a magazine. With winter approaching, there was a slight chill in the air and so she had a shawl draped around her shoulders. "Hey sweetie." She beamed at her husband.
Lowering himself onto the sun lounger beside Penny, Leonard loosened his tie."Where is everybody?" he enquired.
"I just put Maddie down for a nap, Bobby is at a friend's birthday party and Lauren has gone to the library to study." Penny answered before telling him about her day and how she had had lunch with Amy and Bernadette and later had done a yoga workout with Lauren. "You know I'm really loving having Lauren around. She's great company and she's fantastic with Maddie and Bobby." she admitted. Over the last few weeks Penny had grown very fond of Leonard's daughter who had moved into their home while she finished her studies.
"Actually I have some news," Penny started, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "Something amazing happened today."
"Oh?" Leonard said as he reached for the pitcher of orange juice on the table.
"Barbara my producer called," Penny continued, "She wants me to go to London to do an interview for the show."
"London, England?"
"Leonard this is big," Penny responded, nodding enthusiastically. "It's somebody really famous. She doesn't normally give interviews so it will be an exclusive."
Intrigued, Leonard took a sip of juice. "Can I ask who this really famous somebody is?" he asked.
Feeling torn, Penny chewed on her lower lip. Barbara had asked her not to reveal the identity of the celebrity in question, but she was desperate to tell someone and decided that it would be alright to tell Leonard.
"Meghan Markle. AKA the Duchess of Sussex." She squealed after swearing Leonard to secrecy. Amy and Bernadette had tried their best to tease it out of her over lunch, but she'd refused to tell them.
"You're right that is big," Leonard agreed, "When would you need to leave?"
"That's just it my flight leaves tomorrow afternoon," Penny sighed. Amy had agreed to help out taking care of the kids, but even so she didn't feel entirely comfortable about leaving at such short notice, particularly given that Maddie was still only two months old.
"Ok, it's short notice, but honey obviously you need to do this," Leonard said, practically. Penny hadn't said as much, but he guessed how much of an opportunity the interview represented for her career and for the ratings of her chat show. "It'll only be a few days, right?" he added.
"Thank you," Penny responded, softly. "That means a lot to me."
A few minutes later Marlena came outside to tell them that dinner was ready. In the dining room Leonard and Penny found that she had set the table with flowers and a candle.
"Wow, this chili smells amazing," Penny remarked as Leonard poured himself a glass of red wine and a sparkling water for her.
Taking a sip, Leonard wiped his mouth with his napkin and decided that was no sense in putting off telling Penny about Alex any longer. "Actually honey I have some news myself," he began."Do you remember I told you how I've been finding the latest phase of my latest research a bit challenging? That I really needed some theoretical input?"
"Uh huh."
"Well, as it happens as of tomorrow I will have somebody new working with me."
"That's great sweetie." Penny smiled.
Leonard cleared his throat. "Actually it's somebody you know," he continued, staring down at his plate. "She used to work at Caltech some years ago."
"Well?" Penny shrugged impatiently after Leonard hesitated to respond, "Who is it?"
"It's er... it's Alex Jensen."
"Right," Penny said stiffly after taking a moment to absorb. "And how is Alex these days?" Is she married? Or did she decide to make a career out of hitting on other women's boyfriends?"
Over the years Leonard had read several of Alex's papers, but had never met her in person since her departure from Caltech in the fall of 2013.
"Honey, nothing is going to happen between me and Alex. You must know by now that you're the only women I want."
"Leonard, it's not you I don't trust. It's her...Tondelaya Della Ventimiglia." Penny spat out, a sheepish smile forming across her face upon seeing Leonard's blank expression.
"Tondeleya Della who?"
"Ask Sheldon." Penny said, grinning at the memory of Sheldon Cooper's Council of Ladies.
"I don't get it, what has Sheldon got to do with this?"
Reaching across the table, Penny took hold of Leonard's hand. Aside from the news about Alex it had been a pleasant evening and she intended to make the most of the time alone with her husband. "Sweetie, let's not talk anymore about Alex. What do you say we leave the dishes and head upstairs?" she said, suggestively. "Then you can show me exactly how much you want me."
The following morning Penny woke early to pack for her trip and at 8am Amy arrived to take Bobby to school. Saying goodbye to her two children Penny started to feel apprehensive.
"We'll be fine," Leonard reassured his wife after seeing her eyes fill with tears as she got into the car which was to take her to the airport. "It's only a few days. You'll be back before you know it."
Penny nodded. It was Tuesday and she hoped to be on a flight back by Saturday morning at the latest. "You'll call me if you need me though?" she asked, sounding uncharacteristically panicked. She'd left a list of all the things which Leonard needed to take care of in her absence, including taking Albert to the vet and Bobby to his model train club.
Leonard bent down and kissed Penny through the open car window. "I promise," he said, "Have a great time."
"It's just work. I don't think I'll be dancing the night away at a Mayfair nightclub while I'm there." Penny responded, she was already missing her children and the recent cold snap in London had lessened its appeal.
"What I mean is you don't have to feel bad about being away. This is an amazing opportunity for your career and I want you to enjoy it without feeling guilty."
It was just what Penny needed to hear. "I love you Hofstadter." She whispered.
Penny's journey to the airport took over an hour in the busy LA traffic. After passing through security she made her way to the VIP lounge where she met with her producer Barbara and a two man camera crew. Two hours later she was about to board her flight when her cell phone rang. It was Jeffery, her accountant.
"I'm just about to get on a flight to London," She told him as she proceeded along the jet bridge toward the waiting airplane. It was unusual for him to call unless there was something amiss. "Is there a problem?" she enquired.
"I'm sorry Mrs Hofstadter I didn't realise you were going away on a trip," Jeffery apologised before asking about a substantial sum of money which he'd noticed had recently been withdrawn from the account she shared with Leonard. "Listen, don't worry it's probably a mistake on my part." he concluded after Penny confirmed that she that neither she nor Leonard had withdrawn any money.
After boarding the airplane Penny soon forgot about her conversation with Jeffery, instead she found that she was preoccupied with Alex returning to Caltech that day, and whether she still might have feelings for Leonard. Deciding that she needed a distraction, Penny took out her iPad and began to read the Duchess's autobiography, familiarising herself with her early life growing up in Los Angeles, her acting career and the years thereafter as a member of the British royal family. After eating a light meal, Penny reclined her seat to take a nap. Falling into a deep sleep, she awoke only when a flight attendant roused her to tell her that they had begun their decent into Heathrow. At the airport they were met by a driver who took them to their central London hotel. As soon as Penny was in her room, she phoned Leonard.
"How's London?" he asked. It was after midnight back home and Penny was exhausted after her ten hour flight, but he had insisted on her calling regardless of the hour.
So far Penny's overriding impression of London was of how cold and rainy it was compared with the temperate climate of LA, but as she peered around the window drapes she was excited to see that her room had a view of the Thames and the London Eye. "So, how was your day?" she questioned, with thoughts of Alex.
"Actually we made some really significant progress today," Leonard answered, sounding pleased.
"When you say we I suppose you mean you and Alex." Penny said, flatly.
"Honey, believe me there's nothing for you to worry about. She's completely changed." Leonard said after an uneasy pause.
"How is she changed? Did she get all fat and middle aged?" Penny persisted.
"What I mean to say is she's nothing like the old Alex. She's completely focused on her career. I don't think she even remembered me."
"Oh come on Leonard seriously? Alex doesn't remember the guy she tried to steal away from his girlfriend?" Penny said in disbelief.
"Ok, maybe she does remember me," Leonard conceded, "But I'm sure she's not interested in me in that way." Alex had spoken at length about how her marriage had broken down after her husband had cheated on her. "To be honest I think that relationships are the last thing on her mind." he added.
Over the next few days Penny worked tirelessly with Barbara preparing for the interview, and despite missing Leonard and her children was surprised at how quickly the time passed. On Friday morning a minivan arrived at the hotel to take her and her camera crew to Kensington Palace where the interview was to be filmed. After meeting with the Duchess's private secretary, they were escorted through the palace and via an elevator to a private residence.
"I can't believe this is happening," Penny whispered to Barbara as she surveyed the opulent surroundings of the apartment. "I don't usually get nervous, but I have to say my stomach is doing flip flops right now."
"Don't worry you're a pro, you'll be awesome." Barbara said, with a reassuring smile.
For Penny the next two hours passed in a surreal blur. Later that evening after returning to her hotel she Skyped Leonard at work to tell him about what had been one of the most memorable experiences of her life.
"I'm really proud of you honey." Leonard said after Penny seemed to finally pause to draw breath.
"You know I found her to be such an inspirational woman," she sighed wistfully. Much of the interview had focused on her charities and of her humanitarian work overseas. "She just had this way of putting me totally at ease; it was more like talking to an old friend. She even invited me to call her Meghan off camera."
Despite a promise to herself to remain professional, Penny couldn't resist telling the Duchess how much of a fan she had been of her on the TV show Suits.
"And guess what, she said that she was a fan of my acting work too, can you believe it?"
"Well, I can't wait to see it." Leonard said. The interview was scheduled to be aired early the following year and he was already planning to arrange a celebratory gathering of their friends to watch it.
"And I can't wait to get back home. I've missed you all so much," Penny admitted. The short nature of her trip hadn't afforded her much opportunity to explore London, although she had found time for a shopping trip to Harrods where she had purchased herself a new outfit and some gifts for Leonard and the kids. "Sweetie, are you ok? You look exhausted." she remarked.
"I'm fine. I was working late last night." Leonard said.
Penny was about to ask about Alex when she was interrupted by a knock on her room door. "That must be room service I ordered," she said, "Sweetie, can I call you back later?"
Promising to Skype Leonard later, Penny went to the door in her robe and slippers and was taken aback to find her former co-star Daniel Harrison standing in the hallway.
"Hey there kido." he grinned.
"Oh my God what are you doing here?" Penny screamed.
"Taking you out to dinner."
"You know what I mean," Penny said. "How come you're here in London?"
Daniel had decided to take a break from Matters of the Heart to star in a West End play. "When I heard you were here I just had to come by. So, how about it?"
"How about what?"
"How about going to dinner with me? I have a reservation at Gymkhana. You wouldn't believe the strings I had to pull to get us a table for tonight. "Daniel said of the Indian restaurant in Mayfair which was known for having a waiting list of several months. "I have a driver outside. Afterwards I thought after we could take in some of the sights."
"Oh I don't know Daniel," Penny sighed, she had planned on having a quiet night packing for her flight home followed by going to bed early.
"Oh come on," Daniel said, leaning against the doorway he folded his arms across his chest, "Are you seriously telling me that I got all dressed just to eat alone?"
Penny had almost forgotten just how charming and persuasive Daniel could be when he wanted. "Why is it I can never say no to you Daniel Harrison?" She laughed, with her hands on her hips.
Half an hour later Penny emerged from the elevator in the lobby bar wearing the silk Stella McCartney jumpsuit and a pair of stiletto heels she had purchased at Harrods.
"Is it ok to tell a married woman that she looks sensational?" Daniel asked as he helped Penny on with her pashmina.
"I won't tell if you don't." she said as they made their way outside through a revolving glass door to the waiting car. At the restaurant Daniel ordered a bottle of champagne and for a while Penny talked about her interview that day.
"So, is Leonard taking care of Bobby and Maddie whilst you're away?" Daniel asked after their appetisers had arrived. Penny had ordered the aloo chat and he the duck egg bhurji.
"Leonard is real busy with work so my friend Amy is helping out." Penny told him.
Almost immediately Daniel sensed that there was something bothering her.
"Let's just say I'm uncomfortable with somebody who Leonard is working with right now," Penny confessed after Daniel had asked her if anything was wrong. "She tried to steal him away from me once when we were still dating."
"And you don't trust her?" Daniel enquired, with a look of concern.
"Leonard says that I have nothing to worry about, but the Alex Jensen I remember was devious and calculating...and she had way more in common with Leonard than I did. Back then I couldn't help but feel insecure." she recalled.
Just then the waiter approached the table to replenish their glasses. "Well, if you want my opinion I don't think you have anything to worry about," Daniel began, "So what if she still has eyes for Leonard. As far as I can tell Leonard only has eyes for you. Besides, I don't think anyone in their right mind would mess with your husband. Not unless they were tired of living." he joked, lightening the mood and eliciting a tipsy giggle from Penny. The waiter arrived with their main courses and Daniel ordered a second bottle of champagne.
"Daniel I'm so glad we did this," Penny said, after tasting her food and finding it to be delicious. "Will Clarissa be coming to London?" she asked of Daniel's wife whom she and Leonard also knew well.
Setting down his fork, Daniel hesitated in his reply. "Clarissa is divorcing me." he said, eventually.
"Oh my God Daniel," Penny gasped, extending her hand across the table she touched his hand, "Why ever didn't you tell me this before?" she questioned with a sympathetic look.
"I didn't want to spoil the evening." Daniel answered, honestly.
"Daniel I'm so sorry. And here's me going on about me and Leonard and all the time you must hurting so badly," Penny said, feeling embarrassed. "What happened? Is there somebody else?"
"No, there's nobody else," Daniel answered. "She's just had enough of our life together. All the crazy hours I work. The constant media intrusion. She told me it's like being part of a circus that she never actually signed up for. The kids are devastated. Taylor practically begged me not to go." he said of his teenage daughter.
"You know a while ago Leonard and I went to see a marriage counselor, maybe I could give you her number." Penny offered only for Daniel to shake his head sadly, telling her that they had already tried everything to try and salvage their marriage. Unfortunately divorce was now inevitable.
"Things got really toxic between me and Clarissa, so I decided to come here to London to do this play," he confessed. "Well, that and I just don't care for the direction the show is going in right now."
After finishing their meals Daniel signaled for the waiter to bring the check, and was just reaching in his blazer pocket for his wallet when the maitre d' approached. Speaking in a hushed tone so as not to be overheard by the other diners, he informed Daniel of a gathering of paparazzi in the street outside the restaurant. "Perhaps Sir and Madam would prefer to use an alternative exit." he offered. It wasn't the first time that he'd helped some of his guests to avoid being ambushed by the media.
"Daniel, what's happening?" Penny asked after the maître d' had moved away.
"It seems that we have some unwanted company," Daniel answered, sounding irritated as he signed the check. "Don't worry I'm going to have my driver pick us up."
A few minutes later Daniel and Penny followed the restaurant manager out to the kitchen where they exited through a door into an alley way. "What the hell are they are doing here?" Penny said as they clambered into the back seat of the car which pulled away and turned right, gaining speed as it traveled along Piccadilly. It was then that Penny's cell phone began to ring in her purse.
"Ames? Is everything ok?" she said, instinctively sensed that something was wrong. "Is the kids?..Leonard?"
"Penny I don't know how to tell you this," Amy started in a shaky voice, "Joy's dead."
"Dead? Oh my God when?" Penny gasped.
"She was found at her gym this morning," Amy began. So far the details were sketchy, but the police had apparently discovered signs of there being a struggle in the upstairs office. Joy had been found at the foot of the staircase. "Penny there's something else...Leonard's been arrested."
All at once Penny felt her chest tighten and feared might to be sick. It made no sense. Leonard didn't have it in him to kill a spider, never mind another human being. Quickly her panic turned to Maddie and Bobby.
"Bobby doesn't know yet, "Amy confirmed, although she had no idea what she was going to tell him when Leonard failed to return home from work. "Bernadette is calling Grace and Joey." she added.
"Thank you." Penny whispered gratefully. She would always be thankful for her friends and the way in which they never failed to rally around in a crisis. In the seat beside her, Daniel placed his hand on her shoulder and felt her trembling. By the time she hung up on the call Penny was crying inconsolably.
"I have to get back home," she wept, after telling Daniel about Joy and what had happened to Leonard. "Where are we going?"
Instead of returning to the hotel, their car appeared to be heading away from London along an elevated dual carriageway.
"I think you should come with me to my brother's house," Daniel said. When driving away from the restaurant some of the paparazzi had given chase on motorcycles, causing their driver to swerve dangerously, narrowly avoiding a collision with an oncoming car. It seemed that they were willing to do anything necessary to get a picture of Penny with Daniel. "You'll be safer there."
"But I need to get my passport." Penny protested, her only thought was of getting to the airport and onto the first flight home.
"I'll make a call and arrange for your things to be brought to my brother's place," Daniel reassured. "I promise I'll get you to the airport."
With their car stationary at a junction, Penny and Daniel heard the roar of an approaching motorcycle which pulled up alongside them, its driver proceeding to photograph them in the backseat. Blinded by a succession of camera flashes, Penny buried her face on Daniels's shoulder until the traffic light changed to green and their car was finally able to speed away.
Parking her car in the street outside the Pasadena police department, Alex weaved her way through the lines of stationary traffic on North Garfield Avenue and ascended the steps leading to the entrance. Striding purposefully toward the front desk, she slammed her purse impatiently on the counter. Poised to take a bite from his sandwich, the officer seated behind the desk looked up from his computer to see a dark-haired lady in a navy pants suit eyeing him with a look of determination."Can I help you Ma'am?" he asked.
"I need to speak to somebody about Dr Leonard Hofstadter. I understand that's he's suspected of being involved in the murder of Joy Anderson."
Saying the words out loud for the first time, Alex realised exactly how crazy it sounded.
"And you are Ma'am?"
"Alex Jenson. Dr. Alex Jenson," Alex replied. Rummaging in her purse, she produced her university ID and placed it on the counter. "I work with Dr Hofstadter at Caltech." She was still reeling with the shock of Barry Kripke ceremonious announcement in the university cafeteria that Leonard had been 'awwested'. Abandoning her lunch tray, she had driven at speed through the afternoon traffic to get to the police department.
"There's been a mistake," Alex continued breathlessly. "Leonard didn't do this...he couldn't have."
"How so?" the officer enquired.
Having had very little time to figure out exactly what she was going to say, Alex felt her heart beating wildly as she began to speak. "Because I was with Dr Hofstadter at his house...We were together the whole night."