Chapter 9: Everything out in the open

A/N: This took a little longer to get out than I thought. I've been easily distracted this week. I so enjoyed your reviews for the last chapter. I very, very, very much love to receive them. It is very exciting to have one come into the inbox, so keep them coming! As always, I own absolutely nothing having to do with The Big Bang Theory. I just really enjoy and love it! Thanks!

Even though they did not put her "under", Penny had fallen asleep as a result of the anesthesia. Since she was the only patient in a post operation situation, they let Leonard sit with her in the recovery room. He sat in a chair next to the bed she lay in, gently stroking her hair. Teresa would check in every few minutes, giving Leonard a smile. After twenty minutes, she began to stir. Leonard tried to catch Teresa's eye. The nurse hustled over.

As she awoke, the automatic blood pressure cup began to inflate to take the reading. Penny looked down at the armband held fast to her bicep by the Velcro straps. She touched the medal he gave her. She then looked up at Teresa and asked anxiously, "where is Leonard?"

Teresa smiled down at her. Leonard answered "I'm right here" taking her hand. She shifted her head so she could look directly at him.

"Before I fell asleep" she said to him, her voice still groggy; dreamlike. "They had beautiful music playing. I asked what it was and they told me Dr. Harris likes classical music and that it was one of Bach's cello concertos-Leonard a cello; you were there with me, in that music." He smiled at her, touching her cheek. "It wasn't so scary after that."

"How is the pain Penny?" Teresa asked. Turning toward the nurse and gripping Leonard's hand she replied "um it hurts under my arm. Kind of a lot now that I'm thinking about it."

"I've got something here that will make that better. It's an injection, you'll feel a little pinch, so look at Leonard and I'll be quick."

True to her word there was a pinch and Penny breathed in quickly, her eyes never leaving Leonard's.

"Now we will need to have that pain decrease a little and keep an eye on your vitals. Hopefully you'll be able to go home in a few hours. If you want, you can stay overnight instead."

"I'd rather go home." she answered quietly.

"Okay. I'll check back in a little bit. The pain medication may cause you to sleep a little more, but that's alright. Just relax." Penny nodded at her. She then left them alone.

Penny smiled at Leonard. She blinked a few times and closed her eyes. She was asleep.

While she was in the operating room, Leonard took the chance to call Dr. Gablehouser. He told his department head that he needed to take vacation time, maybe two weeks to attend to a close friend who had a medical emergency. Dr. Gablehouser asked him if it was Penny. When Leonard told him it was, he told him to take as much time as he needed and to let him know how things were going.

"Thank you Eric" Leonard replied. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."

"Don't worry about anything Leonard. Take care of her and take care of yourself."

Leonard thanked him again and ended the call.

Leonard would need to speak with Penny as to what and how much to tell their friends. He had begun to receive emails and texts from Howard, Raj, Amy and Bernadette. Bernadette had also left a voice message on his cell phone, not quite panicking, but wondering why no one had seen Penny for several days. He had ducked that telephone call, but decided he would take the next he received.

Forty-five minutes later, Penny seemed to be totally awake. All of her vital signs were fine. The pain, although still there, had been minimized. Dr. Gray had stopped by and pronounced both tissue samples of the lymph nodes taken excellent and he did not see any reason why they would not know the results by late Monday morning. He wrote Penny a prescription for some pain medication and left her to Teresa.

"You won't be able to shower or bathe for the next few days. You can do a sponge bath, just so long as you stay away from under your left arm and the area on your lower back where the samples were taken. No exercising that left arm and be careful the way you twist and turn your back. I'd say yoga was out of the question for the time being. Do either of you have any questions?" After two beats of silence Teresa said "okay, let's get you back to the examining room your were in originally. You can get dressed and be on your way."

Leonard helped her into a wheel chair and let Teresa push her back to the room. He carried her purse and the flip-flops along with his work bag. When they arrived, Teresa picked up a folder on the counter in the room and handing it to Penny said "there are numbers for me and Dr. Gray there along with the number here for the center. You will also find some more detailed instructions, expanding on what we've talked about already. If you have any questions, or if the pain medication isn't working-any reason at all, give a call. If either of you just need to talk or shoot the breeze, feel free to call me. I guess we will see you on Monday."

They both thanked her for all her help. She put her hand on Penny's arm as she left the room and said "take care. See you soon."

The discharge complete, He walked Penny slowly out to his car. He opened the door and helped her into the passenger seat. He put her overnight bag along with her purse and his work bag in the back seat. Trotting around and getting behind the wheel, he looked over at her before starting the car. She sat there with a blank expression on her face.

"What time is it?" she asked. Swiping open his phone, he answered "4:58. Why"

"I think you'd better take me to my apartment. We need to talk to them."

Leonard nodded in agreement. "Do you want me to call and see that everyone will be there?" This time she nodded.

Leonard selected 'contacts' on his phone and scrolled to Bernadette's name and hit call. She answered immediately.

"Leonard! Thank God. You've had us worried sick. Howard said that you had requested an emergency vacation at the university. Is everything alright? What's going on? Is Penny with you?"

"I'm fine Bernadette. Yes I've taken some vacation time and yes Penny is here."

Bernadette let out a sigh of relief, then lit into him "listen bucko, you've got some explaining to do-"

Leonard interrupted her and said "Bernadette. I'm on my way now with Penny. We're going to her apartment. Can you make sure everyone is going to be around tonight? We'd like to see you all and-and well talk some things over."

Bernadette was silent for a few seconds, letting Leonard's request sink in. She answered quietly "I'll make sure everyone will be at Sheldon and Amy's place. How about 7:00?"

"That's great. Thanks Bernadette. See you all then" and he ended the call.

With a sense of dread, she hit Howard's icon on her contacts. "Hello beautiful" he answered.

"Howard. I heard from Leonard. He's coming by with Penny. Something is wrong. He won't say what, but I could tell from the way he was talking."

"I'm sure everything's alright honey" Howard said, trying to calm his wife.

"No Howard. There was something in his voice. Something is wrong" she repeated her fear. "Can you pick up Raj and bring him over to Sheldon's? I'll call him and Amy to let them know."

"Of course. I'm on my way."

"Thanks Howie. I love you."

"I love you too." They each signed off.

Bernadette thought for a moment, then picked up her purse and keys. Hitting Amy's number on her phone she began as soon as her friend said 'hello'.

"Amy. I just heard from Leonard. He is bringing Penny to her place. Something is going on. They want us all to meet at your and Sheldon's place at 7:00. Where are you and Sheldon now?"

"We're on our way home" Amy answered.

"Good" Bernadette countered. Why don't you stop and pick up some food? Do you and Sheldon mind if I let myself in with the extra key you gave me and Howard?"

"No. Please do. You may meet them as they're getting home. I'll let Sheldon know what's going on."

"Thanks Amy. See you in a little while."

Amy went on to explain the plan to Sheldon. He scoffed a bit at Bernadette entering their apartment before they got home. Amy mentioned that it was the social convention to make things easier for close friends when there was a crises looming. And Bernadette was not one to 'cry wolf' for frivolous reasons.

Sheldon agreed with Amy's reasoning and suggested that they stop for Thai food, because it was among Penny's favorites.

"Bernadette is going to make sure they are all going to be there" Leonard said. Penny nodded her head. "Do you feel up to this?"

"Yeah. It will just be sitting and talking. I'll be fine. As long as you're there with me." He smiled and gripped her hand. They pulled into the parking lot of 2311 North Los Robles Avenue.

It had taken everything out of Penny to walk up to the 4th floor. They hadn't really thought about the stairs when they planned on going to apartment 4B. She sat on her love seat with her feet on the coffee table, drinking a bottle of water, one of the few things remaining in the refrigerator. Leonard was sitting next to her. "It really seems like forever since I've been here" she said looking around the room. "But it's only been what four days?"

"Maybe that's because you've found a new home" he said with a smile.

She smiled back and said "that must be it." She scooted over to be closer to him.

There was a knock at the door, followed by Bernadette's voice.

"Penny. Leonard. It's me. Bernadette."

Leonard got up and walked to the door, opened it and greeted Dr. Rostenkowski-Wolowitz with a smile and a warm "Hi Bernadette. Come in."

Bernadette gave back a brief smile, walked over and sat next to Penny.

"Hi Bernadette" she said as brightly as she could manage.

"Hi honey" she returned.

Penny began making small talk, asking how things were and asking after Howard. Bernadette replied to each question, however she was on automatic pilot. She had begun to look Penny over. To study her for any "tells". It didn't take long for her eyes to fall on the medal she had pinned to her blouse. Bernadette had a strict Catholic upbringing. She knew most of the saints and what they were patrons of. She recognized Saint Peregrine. Though her eyebrows rose quickly, she was able to control her emotions. She cleared her throat and let her eyes shift toward Leonard. She watched him shift his weight uneasily. She had her answer.

Penny was surprised by the huge hug the Bernadette enveloped her in, without any warning. The shorter blonde, then stood up, hugged Leonard equally as hard and said "well, I'll see you two in just a little bit. I'm going back next door. Amy will be expecting me. They're coming with food and I'm going to get some things ready".

She smiled sweetly at the couple, walked quickly across the hall, closed the door and broke down in tears.

Bernadette was in the bathroom composing herself when she heard the door open. She called out "I'm in the bathroom." She looked at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied that she had erased all evidence of her tears and how upset she was. Proof of the nightmare her two friends may be in.

Walking out to the living area she greeted Amy and Sheldon.

"Thank you very much for getting here ahead of us Bernadette" Sheldon said. The essence of politeness.

"You're welcome Sheldon." It was the nicest thing he ever said to her. She smiled sweetly at her. He smiled back, with what Amy recognized as his 'koala smile'.

Bernadette continued "I went across the hall. Leonard and Penny are there."

Amy turned to her excitedly. "Should I go over and get them?" she asked quickly.

"I think that would be a great idea" Bernadette replied. As she finished the sentence, Amy was out the door.

"Bernadette?" Sheldon said. "Amy said you thought that something was wrong. What did you mean by that?"

"I'm not sure Sheldon." She wasn't entirely lying. "There was just something in Leonard's voice when I spoke with him on the phone. I guess we'll find out soon enough. Sheldon nodded, deep in thought.

Amy burst through the door pulling Penny by the hand. Leonard following. Just behind them were Howard and Raj. With Raj was Elyse Anderson. They were holding hands.

A huge 'hub-bub' ensued. The group teasing Raj and greeting Elyse. Leonard made his way to the easy chair he was accustomed to sitting in. Penny followed, waited for him to sit and then curled up in his lap. Her arms around his neck and head on his shoulder.

Everyone else found places to sit as well and began passing around the food for dinner. After people had finished, Bernadette got up and started to clear away the to-go boxes and plates. Penny rose at the same time.

"No-no sweetie. You sit right there. You look so comfy with Leonard. Howard will help me, won't you Howie?"

"Um sure Howard jumped up and picked up some additional dishes, following his wife to the kitchen. Amy got up as well asking who wanted coffee or tea. Getting her orders, she went about her task.

Twenty minutes later everyone was gathered back in the living room. Penny and Leonard looked at each other. She gave him a slight nod.

"Hey guys" he began. "We called Bernadette to get you all together. We have some news."

Howard interjected "from the position of a certain blonde, my guess would be that you two are back together?"

Penny smiled at Howard and tapped her nose with her finger, signaling that he was correct.

"That's part of it" Leonard answered with a smile. "We are back together and Penny has agreed to move in with me over on Monterey Street."

Gasps of delight from their friends. Amy hopped up and hugged the couple. The others wished them congratulations.

After a few moments, Penny's eyes met Bernadette's. Bernadette's smile was sad. Penny smiled back with tears forming in her eyes.

"There's more she said, sitting up straight, but still in Leonard's lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist. Her arms folded around his. The room was silent.

"Most of you know I've been having some issues lately with back problems and losing weight without even trying. I've also had some other things going on and I finally decided to go for a physical." Every eye in the room was on her. She looked down at her arms and Leonard's.

She continued in a monotone. Very matter-of-fact. "During the exam my doctor discovered I had a extremely swollen lymph node under my arm. Just to be safe, he wanted to do some more tests. This morning we went to the cancer center at the university and they gave me a CT scan. Along with the spot under my arm, they found additional nodes swollen in my back and in my chest." Amy gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Bernadette gripped Howard's hand and fought back tears. Raj looked down at the floor. Sheldon stared blankly at Leonard.

"They took a biopsy of the node under my arm and one in my lower back. We'll have the tests back on Monday." She sighed deeply and stood up.

Everyone in the room stood with her. Amy was the first to hug her, followed by Raj and Elyse. Howard and Bernadette with their arms around each other hugged her at the same time, each with their free arm. Sheldon followed suit.

Amy with tears in her eyes said as positively as she could "it may turn out to be something else entirely. You could have an infection or even some sort of virus. You lymph nodes could just be working overtime to fight off something other than….." her voice trailed off. Penny nodded her head in understanding.