They almost lost Bernadette. Can Penny convince Sheldon to let her return to the fold and search out the traitor before someone else dies?

Now that they knew Bernadette was going to be okay, that same old jealousy reared it's head as Leonard looked at Penny and Sheldon's clasped hands. He glanced at Amy and saw she was angry also. When he looked back he saw Penny watching him without any expression whatsoever. She sighed and shook her head.

"You are never happy, are you?" she asked. "You always want what you don't have, no matter what you do have. Here you are in a relationship with a woman who wants the same things you do, and all you can do is be mad. I don't understand it, Leonard."

He narrowed his eyes and looked at Sheldon briefly before looking back at her. "Him? Well, I don't get that. How can you want him? What does he have that I don't? A couple of IQ points?"

Sheldon shuffled uneasily and would have hid behind Penny, but she moved forward, toward Leonard.

"He's sincere. He's honest. He's genuine." Penny shook her head slowly. "Don't you get it, Leonard? I like you. I like Amy. I would love to be friends with you both. But you were always trying to change me. You were jealous of my friends, you were never honest about how you feel, always trying to be someone you're not because you thought it would make others respect you more. You built me up into some sort of ultimate fantasy, but you never bothered to really see me. You never bothered to really see Sheldon either. Yes, he's awkward and socially backwards, but he's also warm, generous, loyal and supportive. He sees my good and bad sides. He treats me like an individual. He annoys the hell out of me, and I infuriate him. But we also laugh, and have fun."

Penny shrugged. "Leonard, you're not a bad guy. But you're not the good guy either. You need to get over your mommy issues and be a man. Stop looking for some sort of status symbol to make other people envy you. Be a man and you will get the respect you want."

Penny turned to Amy. "You're smart, funny, and generous. You have many good qualities. But you need to get over high school. I get that it sucked for you. I'm sorry you were so lonely. I really do miss our girl's nights and hanging out. But I won't apologize for loving Sheldon. I won't give up what he and I have for anyone. I want you to be happy and find a love that is wonderful. I want you to have someone who cherishes you, and makes you feel special. Sheldon was never going to be that guy for you, and you know it. You deserve a Howard/Bernadette kind of love. Did you see them? His whole world is her. Don't you want someone who looks at you like that? Someone you don't have to try and coerce into a kiss? Something better than mere convenience."

Penny looked at them both. "I just want you both to be happy. But I won't sacrifice my own love for your jealousy." She turned and walked over to Sheldon.

He automatically pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. He looked at his former girlfriend and best friend. "I regret the pain we caused you. We still care about you both. We hope someday we can restore the closeness we once had. Please excuse us. Raj, please let Howard and Bernadette know we will return this afternoon."

He led Penny out of the waiting room and to the elevators. They were quiet on the way to the car. Once they were in, and buckled up Sheldon turned to her. Penny reached out to turn the key but he stopped her. Sheldon shuddered and took a steadying breath.

"I was wrong," he said in a timid voice. He looked at her with wide, fearful eyes. "I don't want to say this. I would give my Detective Comics #4 to never have to say this." Sheldon took her hand in his and his face paled.

"You need to go back into the field," he whispered. "I understand that now. You need to find this person before they hit again." His eyes teared up. "This person almost killed Bernadette, Penny. You can stop them if you go back in, can't you?"

Penny pulled him as close as she could. "I'll be careful, baby. I swear I will. I will take every precaution."

He clung to her and nodded, trying desperately to not break down. He had never felt so fearful in all his life. After a long moment they separated and Penny started the car. They needed to get home so she could prepare for her return to her former life.

Three days later, Bernadette came home from the hospital. Raj, Leonard and Amy were a bit confused by all the strangers who always seemed to be visiting her, but Howard explained that they were various relatives and co-workers. What else could he say? Hey guys, these people are armed guards here to make sure assassins don't get a second chance to kill my wife. No, better to lie and keep the others in the dark.

However, it resulted in Amy and Leonard feeling like they were being replaced. Like the group was moving on with new friends and leaving them behind. All because of Penny and Sheldon.

Amy was draped across Leonard's chest listening to their heartbeats return to normal when Leonard spoke. "We need to act fast if we're going to get the group back the way we want it."

Amy nodded. "We should put the wheels in motion tonight. Who do we start with?"

Leonard shrugged. "I say we start with Sheldon. He's the weak link here. I'll make the call and you get ready to handle your end of it."

Amy nodded and sat up. She reached for her clothes and began to get dressed. She paused a second and looked back at Leonard. "What about this? Once I have Sheldon back and you have Penny, are we going to stop having sex?"

Leonard grinned. "Why? We'll have to be more careful about when and where we do it, but what they don't know won't hurt them."

Amy nodded, feeling only the faintest tendril of guilt. "Good. I want Sheldon, but I like sex, too."

Leonard reached for her and pulled her back down onto the bed. "I'll call later. I want you again, first."

Amy smirked and pulled her bra back off. She was always eager.

The phone in the living room rang out shrilly and a feminine hand picked it up. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Cooper? It's Leonard. I'm sorry to call you, but Sheldon's acting strange. He broke up with Amy for no reason. And well, I hate to say it like this, but all he wants to do anymore is spend time with our neighbor. She's got pretty loose morals, and I'm worried about him, and what he might …um, catch."

Mary's eyes narrowed ominously. Her little Shelly in the clutches of a harlot? Not if she could help it! "I'll be there on the next flight out," she promised. She hung up and pulled a suitcase from the closet. She packed some clothes and her bible. Then she paused as an idea came to her. The one person Shelly listened to every time. She picked up the phone and dialed quickly.

"Mother? Shelly's in trouble. I'm flying out there as soon as I can. Do you think you're up for a trip to California? Okay. I'll make the reservations and pick you up soon."

Penny finished packing the few things she would need and sighed. Tomorrow she was going back into the fray. As a precaution, she was, temporarily, cutting ties with the group. Raj, Amy and Leonard would think she had moved back to Nebraska. Howard, Bernadette and Sheldon knew better, but she was not going to be in much contact with them until the job was done. She turned as she heard Sheldon at the bedroom door.

He looked at the suitcase with worried eyes. Fear was a large, cold stone in his stomach. "I don't like this," he said softly.

Penny walked over and hugged him around the waist. "I know, sweetie. Neither do I. But I won't put you at risk. I won't put Howard or B or any of the others at risk. It won't be forever. I'll be back as soon as I am done. I swear it."

Sheldon held her tightly. "What if you forget me?" he whispered.

Penny looked up at him. Slowly she stepped back and reached for the waistband of his chinos. She unsnapped them and Sheldon grabbed her arms. He kissed her hungrily and walked her backwards to the bed. Penny gasped as he laid her down and reached for the hems of his shirts. He pulled them over his head and reached for her shorts.

Penny grabbed his wrists and looked at him worriedly. "Are you sure?"

Sheldon whipped the shorts down her legs and bent to kiss her. "I'm sure. I want this. I want you. We do not know how long we will be separated, and I need to spend this night with you."

Penny drew him down onto her body. "I could never forget you," she whispered. "I love you more than anything else, Sheldon. Make love to me. Let's make a memory to hold on to until I get back."

Sheldon and Penny undressed each other fully, kissing deeply after each article was removed. There was something almost desperate about their kisses. As if they were afraid they would never have this chance again.