A/N: Dear destructive and hateful Shamy shippers,
If you don't like a pairing, stay away from it. Don't harass people in an attempt to kill their spirit. Words hurt. Kindly fuck off.

Wyatt, Mary, and Meemaw had packed up and gone home a couple weeks ago, but Missy stuck around. She was a little uncomfortable with basically inserting herself into Penny's place in life, having taken over her job and apartment, but the others reassured her it was only temporary.

In the meantime, Missy waited tables and paid Penny's rent. She didn't want to completely take over, so her clothes and most of her belongings stayed in her suitcase, but she bought new bedding and toiletries in the interest of "making herself at home."

That being said, she didn't spend much time there. When she wasn't working or sleeping she was sitting with her brother, often accompanied by Amy.

Amy liked to reassure her that there was still hope. Missy was sure Amy just wanted to hear it, even if it was just from herself.

Missy didn't subscribe to any particular belief, but she was pretty sure that while Penny was improving every day, her brother wasn't so lucky. While all of Penny's physical injuries had healed, Sheldon was still covered in bruises. Their hearts no longer beat in sync; Sheldon's had just barely quickened, just enough to create two distinct rhythms. It grated on Missy's nerves after getting so used to the one beat and she knew it could only mean trouble.

~*DD*~*DD*~*DD*~

Leonard had adjusted surprisingly slowly to life alone in the apartment. Under normal circumstances he would take every opportunity to go against Sheldon's schedule and do his own thing, but Leonard hadn't so much as watched a single episode of Babylon 5 or even ate french toast on oatmeal day. He simply couldn't bring himself to get used to Sheldon being gone. He had to be ready for Sheldon and Penny's return.

When Leonard received a phone call from Siebert he was eating Thai food alone in his stuffed chair.

"Dr. Hofstadter, I've got a proposition for you. Stephen Hawking wants you on his North Pacific expedition."

Excitement and guilt warred within him. Finally he stuttered out a response.

"Uh, thank you so much, Dr. Siebert, it's an honor, but...do you think I could have a day or two to think it over? I mean, with Sheldon in the hospital I'd like to be sure... Y'know, I wanna know he'd be okay. If he woke up."

"Of course, Dr. Hofstadter, I completely understand. We also want to make sure Dr. Cooper makes a full recovery. He may be an asshat, but he's a brilliant asshat and I've gotten used to having him around." Leonard could tell Siebert's intent was sincere, even if the words themselves were less than ideal.

"Yes, sir."

~*DD*~*DD*~*DD*~

Leonard took the next day off to think things over and discuss them with the others, but mostly just sat with Penny and Sheldon.

Sheldon had gotten worse, but Penny was getting better. It was possible that she could wake up at any moment. There was no brain damage and her physical injuries had healed completely about a week ago.

Leonard didn't want to not be here when she woke up, but more than that, he didn't want to be stuck on a ship in the North Pacific if she woke up and Sheldon...didn't.

He told President Siebert he'd think about it and make a decision by the next day, but he just couldn't make up his mind.

In the end he decided to put his name down, but on the chance that one or both of them woke up before they left, he'd stay. Hawking agreed as long as Leonard knew that once they left they couldn't return for three months.