AN-Okay, sorry I kept you all waiting so long! I was really busy and had almost no time to write, however, I'm back! This is my longest chapter so far, and possibly one of my best. It's a bit more Shenny-centric than the previous ones.
Can I just say now, the end AN is really long, and isn't really a necessary read. It's really two replies to some flames I received from Lisa and Ms. G, but read it anyway, and tell me what you think of the two opinions. I have to end AN's, and the first one (in italics) is the one you should read. It contains the questions and other information. Please read! (There's a little… umm…present?, in there)
This chapter is written for Stock2007, for reviewing every chapter and helping me with the story. A massive thank-you to you!
Disclaimer-I do not own the Big Bang Theory.
It had been almost week since he and Leslie had told everyone at the University about Sheldon's relationship, and he hadn't cracked, no one of them had. Sheldon spent as little time in the apartment as possible. Leonard didn't know what he did, but he guessed he spent a lot of time with his girlfriend; the one person Leonard had fallen in love with. He remembered Penny saying she was writing a movie about her life, and he almost laughed. It was such a typical romance movie. He fell in love with her, but she was interested in his best friend. Had curses existed, he would've cursed the stupid love triangle. He had spent all week alone and silent. No one would go near him, and no one talked to him either, so what choice did he have? Suddenly feeling incredibly bored, he remembered something. He had left one of the cameras from his first plan up in Penny's apartment! Should he look at it, or ask to remove it? He had given up on trying to break his friends… ex-friends, up, so he didn't need to look at the camera, but if he went over there and asked to take it down, Penny would probably kill him. He couldn't wait 'til they left for laundry night either. Penny had given the emergency key to Sheldon, and Sheldon only, to keep it away from Leonard. He didn't know what to do, but he wasn't going to think about it too much. The answer would come to him if he didn't worry.
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Penny was walking down the stairs to the laundry. It was Saturday night, 8:15, and of course her laundry basket was full. It felt strange not having Sheldon with her, as if her right arm had been removed. She giggled. Funny comparing Sheldon with her right arm; it wasn't really the right way to describe being away from him. It was more like her heart had been removed. He had had to go back into his apartment to get his basket of clothes, so she headed down alone to secure the two machines that were always available on Saturday nights at 8:15. Only once had she found someone try to use one of their machines. If it had been hers, she may not have minded, but it was Sheldon's, so she told the young girl about to dump the clothes in that if she used that machine, Hell would break loose. She never used it again, or even came to the laundry on Saturdays.
As usual, the machines were free. She opened each one to make sure no one had left anything in them, or that there was no detergent or powder left. Sheldon would've gone insane if his clothes to powder ratio was off. As she sorted out her clothes into different machines, Sheldon walked in. As soon as he saw her, his face lit up, and it was like watching a shooting star. One second it was there, the next it wasn't, but while it lasted, it was amazing.
It wasn't as if anything new happened. It was Laundry Night, and that was that. They behaved no differently around each other than they normally did. It's just that they were so comfortable with each other and it had become a routine thing. Nothing, including a relationship, was going to change that. Penny didn't mind much either. Sure it would've been nice if they acted like regular couples, but with Sheldon a part of it, regular was out of the question. This time, as was usually the case, she started their conversation, though the topic she had in mind was a little different than usual. "Sheldon? What would you consider… you know… this?" He stopped and thought for a second, they way he normally does, then picked up his work again and answered. "Penny, by 'this', I really don't know what you are talking about. 'This' could mean the word, or, considering you were holding a football T-Shirt, which I find to be a more likely subject matter, I would have to say I consider it to be no more than a T-Shirt supporting a sport in which large, strong and actually quite scary men chase a ball around a field, attempting to run it to the other end, while sometimes deliberately running into one from the opposing side and attempting to render them unconscious. You know, Penny, I really don't understand what you find so appealing about the game." Penny had no words for that. As usual, he had managed to completely misunderstand what she had said, and completely changed the topic. "No, Sheldon, I mean what would you consider us? And don't you dare say homo sapiens or humans or whatever! You know what I mean!" she warned, looking almost menacing. Sheldon, however looked proud. It was a look Penny had only rarely seen on her father's face. "Impressive, Penny. It seems as though spending time with me has rubbed off on you." Penny smiled. "In any case, however, as an answer to your poorly worded sentence, I would have to classify us to be in a, and I'm sorry but I don't know how else to phrase this as I really have no experience in the matter, girl/boy/not quite dating status." Her face, which had fallen as soon as he had said "poorly", once again had a smile on it. Leave it to Sheldon to put a smile on her face after insulting her. She was surprised to actually hear him say the word "dating" even if it had the words "not quite" in front of it. She had grown used to masking her true feelings for Sheldon, and during that time she had convinced herself slightly that he had basically no feelings that went beyond love for his work or his feelings for his friends. Of course she knew he felt hate, Leslie Winkle, Kripke and Wil Wheaton proved that for her, but hate wasn't really what she had in mind when she said "feelings". Either way, she was incredibly happy, and she felt she could've kissed him right there, but she wasn't going to get ahead of Sheldon.
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Leonard had the answer. The guilt had gotten to him so much, he simply couldn't live with it. So while Penny and Sheldon were doing laundry, he packed. He only packed the essentials: some clothes, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, his spare glasses, shoes, socks and the like. He figured Sheldon would let him come back to get the rest of his belongings after he found a place to live. He also quickly wrote a note to Penny, explaining where the camera was and why it was still there. He also mentioned that Sheldon would most likely know where it was and how to remove it.
Dear Penny,
The guilt of what I have done has become too much, and I am leaving. I don't know where yet, but most likely I'll stay with my mother, which is my only option at this point, until I find a place of my own.
Anyway, more to the point, I hope you and Sheldon are happy together, even though it may not have seemed like it at times, because I haven't. I never got over you, but now realise that you and I will never work out. I am sorry for what I have done in the recent past, and hope you will someday forgive me.
Yours sorrily,
Leonard
PS-There is still a camera in your apartment. I forgot to take it out when I did the others, and only just remembered it. It is right next to your fridge, attached to the wall at the top-back-left hand side. In case that didn't make any sense, Sheldon probably knows where it is and how to remove it.
He folded the letter in half and picked up his bag. Walking over to the door, he almost felt like tearing the letter and unpacking again, but this time his decision was final, and he would have to live with the consequences. Forcing himself forward, he dropped his key in the bowl by the door, opened the door, and walked out a few steps. He bent down at Penny's door, and pushed the letter through the gap. He checked the time on his phone. 8:30. Penny and Sheldon would be up soon, and he didn't want to run into them on his way out. He hurried to stand, feeling slightly dizzy, but persevered and all but ran down the stairs. He started his car and began the long trip to his mother. He then realised there was a much easier option. He would stay with Leslie. Although they didn't get on great, he could surely use the excuse of "you owe me" under the fact that she destroyed his friendships, and used him as a "Friend with Benefits". If he said it would only be for a few days or weeks, she would probably still say no, but it was worth a shot. He was glad he hadn't called his mum (AN-I'm not American, so I don't use the "o", it isn't a mistake, just the way I was taught) as he turned the car towards Leslie's apartment.
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Penny and Sheldon walked in sync, up the stairs that evening. She had instinctively grabbed his arm and linked it through hers, and although he looked repulsed at first, he quickly adjusted and, surprisingly, left his arm there. It was a Laundry Night miracle. They didn't speak; they had nothing to talk about, but they were comfortable in the silence. They were balancing their baskets of washing with both of their hands, though most of the weight was on the free hand, so they were slightly uncomfortable physically, but it was barely noticeable. They reached their apartment floor, and went their separate ways. They didn't speak, just unlinked their arms and left. They had made arrangements for later that night anyway, and would see each other in only a few minutes. Sheldon opened his apartment door. He noticed nothing unusual, just that it seemed empty. He assumed Leonard had gone out somewhere, most likely a bar of some sort, and thought nothing of it. He moved to his bedroom so he could put away his clean laundry, when he heard Penny call his name. He didn't want to leave his laundry on his bed where it currently lay, but Penny called again, so he left it and half ran to her apartment, stopping only to open the door,
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Penny had walked into her apartment, washing in hand, well, basket in hand, and had noticed a piece of paper on the floor next to her door. She put the washing on her couch and bent to pick up the note. She gasped and needed to sit down, but her laundry was on the couch. Instead she collected herself and called Sheldon. He didn't come, so she called again. He came running in that strange way of his. "What's wrong?" he asked, making sure she wasn't hurt. She saw his expression change to relief when he realised she was fine; then he saw the note she was holding. "It's from Leonard," she explained. He took the note from her hands slowly and read it, twice. He walked over to the fridge and removed the camera in less than a minute. He dumped it in the bin, with a touch of anger in his movements and expression. She wasn't sure what he was angry about. Was it Leonard leaving a camera up, Leonard leaving, or her reaction to him leaving? Or all three? She wasn't sure what she was feeling, there was feelings of sadness, anger, happiness, and love that would surface and disappear, then rise again. She wasn't a genius, but she knew that Leonard had left, and it was her fault. No, said a flash of anger, Leonard had left because he was weak. He couldn't handle her dating, or almost dating, Sheldon of all people. Then her anger subsided, and she felt calm as an arm reluctantly wrapped around her. She smiled, taking the chance to do something she'd always wanted to do. Her confused state of emotion changed again, and she started to cry, and she cried into Sheldon's chest. She felt his move away, but she put an arm around him to stop him from moving anywhere, and even though he struggled, he couldn't pull out of her grasp. Again, her feelings changed, and she laughed. She laughed at the fact that Sheldon, a male twice as tall as her, couldn't get away. She dried her tears and looked up to Sheldon. "So, should we continue with our plans? Movie and popcorn?" she asked. Sheldon was looking at his tear-stained shirt, but nodded. Penny got up and started to get the popcorn out. She could see the spot where Leonard had hidden that camera. It was a bit above her eye level, maybe 2 inches above her head, and realised that she hadn't seen it, because she had trusted Leonard, and, not only that, she had never looked above her head in the kitchen that week, or at least not near the fridge. She felt stupid and ashamed, two more feelings to add to that night's list. She was just about to open the popcorn packet when Sheldon spoke. "Penny, do you think we should invite Howard and Raj over?" She was a bit surprised at his question.
"Why?"
"Because they have a right to know that Leonard is gone. They were his friends as well," he pointed out. He made a good point, even if it was strange that Sheldon was caring for Howard and Raj now, perhaps she was getting through to him. "Sure sweetie, you can invite them over, but could you invite Amy and Bernadette to the list? They might feel left out if they aren't invited." Sheldon shook his head.
"Amy isn't a fan of brilliant Sci-Fi movies, and I believe Howard may have mentioned something about Bernadette being under quarantine again," Sheldon said with derision. Penny almost laughed again, but held it in. "Okay, then how about you call them while I take a shower?" Sheldon nodded in agreement, and walked back out of the apartment. She knew he was going to do his laundry first, but figured that was just an excuse for a longer shower.
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Leonard had convinced Leslie to let him stay with her, and had already found an apartment that was available. It was small, but he would have no room-mate and it wasn't far. In fact it was only a floor below Leslie's, so he wouldn't have too much trouble moving his belongings from apartment 4A. He had talked with the current resident, and discovered that no-one else was interested in it, because it was small. He had said people these days wanted more space than they needed. Tomorrow, he would talk to the building manager and ask to move in to the apartment. Another good thing was that he wouldn't have to live with Leslie for long, and the next apartment was rather cheap. Maybe things would turn out alright after all. In fact, he was going to get changed and go to a bar right then. Hopefully he would meet a girl and forget about Sheldon and Penny and the disaster he had created for himself.
AN- So yeah... How is it? PLEASE tell me, because it took me ages to finish this one and I appreciate it if you can review after reading. Feedback, suggestions and constructive criticism welcome! (If you have a flame, please turn it into concric). Also, I realise some of you may think Leonard shouldn't have left, but bare with me. He will still be in the story and it will actually make it a lot more interesting. If I must, I'll give an incentive to review… review, and I'll give you a hint about something that will most likely be coming… (Oh yeah, that's the "present").
Oh, while I remember, please check out my new Shamy fic "Never be Alone", and visit the forum "Shamy Shippers Here" (Yeah, I know, lame name. Let me know if you have a better suggestion). I'm looking for moderators at the moment.
Thank-you for being so supportive!
-Maddy
AN (2)- So, recently, I received some flames from some readers. In case you (Lisa and Ms. G) are reading this, I have some replies for you here, seeing as I couldn't PM you.
Lisa: Penny is not a dumb character! She DOES desire to be with Leonard, as clearly shown in the TV show, and, perhaps I should've started with this, if you don't like the story, or Penny, don't read it! You reviewed chapter 6, which kind of implies you read it all, so please think about that.
Ms G.: I, in fact, am actually kind of a geek, and I love Star Wars. I have also seen every episode of The Big Bang Theory shown so far, and understand the characters fairly well. I known Sheldon loves Star Wars, but doesn't really like the latest George Lucas films. ("Sheldon loves Star Wars but thinks the latest stuff by George Lucas is not so good." From the wikia, which is very true) He also states that in an alternate universe (which sounds more like his idea of a perfect world) the Phantom Menace would be an all-time classic. As an added note, he even bought Star Wars pyjamas! Clearly showing he likes Star Wars! So I do know what I am talking about, thank-you. Also, I don't think that little comment is a reason to stop reading this story. For all you know, I may actually have made a tiny mistake, but the rest is absolutely fantastic. I'm sure if you made a mistake (this is hypothetical, by the way), lots of people would still keep reading, and simply point it out politely.
By the way, to the both of you if you are reading this, this is not necessarily "true". It could be AU, OOC etc.
I don't mean either of these replies as an attack or anything, rather as an expression of my opinion, as you shared yours. I thank the both of you for your reviews, but suggest that you maybe check your facts before sharing. If you have any further comments, and this applies to anyone with flames, I request that you either PM me or leave a signed review, so that I may PM you, and not have to use my AN (where I post questions, requests and other important messages) to explain my point of view. Thank-you.
