Before I start I just want to send out a really big thank you for all the wonderful reviews I've received. It really means a lot to read them and to see that you guys really do enjoy some of my writing. I started this as a way to kind of let off some of the extra emotions that I've had racing through my head but as I continue I find myself writing more and more for you guys! Thanks so much for sticking with it and here is hopefully a chapter we've been waiting for. :)

Chapter 11: Clarity

"Forget about me for a second," Leonard said, when Penny started talking about his injuries. "I want to know what happened at the fair. Why was Kurt there? What did he want? And who did he shoot after me?"

Penny sighed, it was not going to be an easy topic to discuss, but she owed him that much to say the least. She took a deep breath to compose her self and stated simply, "Kurt was there because he was an idiot."

Leonard raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't really tell me anything I didn't know," he said half laughing. He stopped though when it caused pain to rack through his sides.

Penny put a hand on his stomach and continued, "he was drunk, he was depressed, and he was claiming I still owed him money from when were together."

Leonard looked confused, "that doesn't really make sense," he stated. "I thought he was the one who owed you money and we took care of that... I mean you took care of that," he corrected quickly, still not wanting to give away he had gone and talked to the big ogre about it.

Penny raised an eyebrow at him, "we?" she asked. "Nothing, never mind," Leonard responded quickly, "continue."

She looked unconvinced but kept going, "I think he was just jealous to be honest, he was mad that I still haven't taken him back despite his numerous attempts and he didn't like seeing me with someone else... especially someone like you."

Leonard looked nervous, "like me?" he asked.

"You know, opposite of him... Small, smart, and actually cares about what I think," she smiled at him.

"Oh okay," he started, "I thought you were gonna say-"

"Say what?" Penny interrupted, "Nerd? Cause I thought that was a given." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

"As long as you don't forget it," he shot back pulling her down for a kiss.

They broke apart and Leonard continued, "okay, so Kurt's crazy, I get shot, then what? I know I heard another shot, did he miss? I don't see how when he was so close."

Penny took a second to compose her thoughts and said, "no, he didn't miss... he wasn't even the one to pull the trigger."

Leonard just looked confused again. Before he could open his mouth to speak though Penny continued, "there was an off duty cop at the fair with us that day, it took him a while to figure out what was going on I guess but after you got shot and we both ended up on the ground it gave him the opening he needed I guess cause," she paused here as tears started to build around her eyes, "that was all she wrote."

"So you mean he's like-" Leonard started but found himself unable to finish, the words stuck in his throat.

Penny just nodded as the tears started dripping down her face. Leonard took her hand and pulled her closer to him so she was sitting on the bed. He hated not being able to hold her.

"Penny, I'm so sorry," he said simply.

She looked surprised at his words. "What? Don't apologize, he shot you, he almost killed you!"

"That doesn't mean I wanted him dead," he paused and thought about that sentence, "if he had hurt you, I may have made that happen but as it stands does it's far from my first choice of solution."

Penny smiled at him through her tear soaked eyes, "your such a good guy Leonard, do you know that?"

He smiled back and leaned in to kiss her. As they separated his next question came to his mind.

"Okay, so that explains what happened, but how long have I been here and why," he poked himself in the thigh a few times, "can't I feel my legs?"

The glistening smile vanished from Penny's face as the words left his mouth. Leonard could tell it was bad and talking about it wasn't going to be easy so he continued. "I kind of deduced I'm paralyzed... how bad is it? Is there any other damage?"

He grasped her hand as he saw her falter slightly, letter her know it would be okay. She took a deep breath to steady herself and started, "okay lets start with the easy stuff, the bullet deflected off one of you lower ribs, that's probably why it hurts to laugh."

She paused as she looked into Leonard's eyes, she could see in them that no matter what the next words out of her mouth were he wouldn't care. He had already accepted whatever had happened to him because she, Penny, was okay. That look, the one she had seen on his face right before he took the bullet instead of her was back, that look of true love. He had given his body and nearly his life for her and he didn't care, he was happy about it.

A small cry escaped her lips as she realized this and he quickly pulled her down to the bed fully so they were both laying together cramped on the tiny hospital bed. Neither cared, they were in each others arms, the safest place in the world.

"Shh shh," Leonard was saying, "its going to be okay, just tell me what else."

Penny wiped her eyes and started to continue, "when the bullet bounced off your ribs it kinda hit a kidney," she paused before adding, "they had to remove it." She waited for a response.

He smiled, "okay see, that's not so bad, lots of people have one kidney, some are even born that way."

Leonard was so positive, she knew that no matter what the next words out of her mouth he would just smile and say "okay." It only made it harder as she had to tell him the worst part.

"Sweetie, the last part, I know you know your paralyzed but its not a guarantee forever kinda thing. The doctors preformed some kinda cell surgery or something I don't know, Sheldon can explain it, but it means that the nerves in your spine can and should grow back over time."

Leonard didn't even blink as she told him... total acceptance, she thought, what have I done to deserve a guy like this?

"See," he said finally, "I'm going to be fine, it'll just take a little time that's all, did they say how long?"

"Umm, like six to eighteen months I think, or something like that," Penny said trying to remember.

"Well then," Leonard said pulling her closer, "I'll just have to make sure I have you to keep me company." He smiled as he leaned his face in and kissed her.

"Leonard," Penny said pulling back slightly, "you know I love you right?"

"What," he asked looking shocked for the first time. "Of course I do, where did that come from?"

"I don't know," Penny admitted, "When I was scared of losing you I was worried I hadn't made that clear enough," tears started to form in her eyes for what must have been the thousandth time that week.

"Hey," he said trying to comfort her, "believe me I know," he kissed her again. "And I want you to know that I would take a hundred more injuries like this one if it kept you from suffering one."

"I know you would," Penny said smiling through teary eyes, "but I wouldn't want you too."

"And that's exactly why I would," Leonard retorted as Penny snuggled up to him, her head on his chest.

He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close, as they both closed their eyes and drifted back to sleep enjoying each others warmth in what had been far too long.

So there we have it. What happened at the fair. I hope we liked the way it played out... it was kinda hard to give a reason for Kurt to be there the way he was so I went with a scene I went through when one of our families lawn care guys tried to break into my house claiming we owned money or something IDK I was little. Any who, still not sure how long this is going to be but I have several ideas for chapters while Leonard is recovering. The beauty of a story like this is that I can go on for as long as I want to really. If Leonard ever fully recovers who knows there could even be some smart/beautiful babies down the line. Who knows? I just play messenger as the characters come alive :)

As always thank you so much to all who read and keep my spirits up. Your reviews are some of the brightest parts of my day!