(Sheldon wants to bring Penny back into the fold.)


The next two week proved difficult for Penny. Sheldon had begun to pop up whenever she came home from work. She knew he was making an effort to remain friends, but that just made it harder. A couple of times, Amy had seen him trying to talk to her and the obvious disapproval made Penny feel more unwelcome. She knew that Leonard was trying to incorporate Raj back into the group, also. So was Priya. Penny didn't begrudge him that. She was his sister and they had been his friends longer than they had been hers. But seeing less of Raj escalated her loneliness.

They still got together once a week for a movie or some activity, but Penny knew eventually he would be back in the group and she would not. She also knew it was eating at Raj. He was torn between family and friend. Penny was well aware of how much Raj loved his sister. She didn't want to come between them but also knew he felt loyalty to her for sticking by him. He didn't want to leave her all alone.

So it was a bit of a relief one afternoon, when she heard her name in the mall. She turned and saw someone she never thought to see again. Stephanie Barnett had dated Leonard for a while. Penny remembered she was a surgeon of some sort. She smiled as Stephanie walked over.

"Hi," Penny said. "Wow, long time huh?"

Stephanie smiled back. "I almost couldn't remember your name. We only met the once. I was just going to get an iced mocha. Want to join me?"

Penny nodded and they set off for the food court. They collected their drinks and a couple of utterly sinful large brownies. Penny watched the doctor closely wondering what had prompted the invitation. Stephanie smiled.

"You are wondering why I approached you, huh?" Penny nodded. Stephanie sighed. "It's stupid, I know, but see I still haven't gotten over Leonard and when I saw you, I figured I would well, ask about him."

Penny watched the blush spread over Stephanie's cheeks. She took a bite of her brownie and considered her words carefully. "I wish I could help you, but I don't really have much to tell you. The guys don't really spend much time with me." Penny felt a lump in her throat as she spoke. "They all have girlfriends now, well except Raj, but his sister is part of the group now, and I … sorta, got pushed out a bit.'

Penny shrugged her shoulders. "So, I can't really tell you much. But I guess they are all happy. As far as I know." She looked up at her companion and saw understanding and sympathy. Stephanie leaned over and patted her hand.

"It must be rough for you," she said softly. "Especially with you being in love with him."

Penny's eyes widened. "Oh no! I don't love Leonard. Like he said before, we were only friends. We tried to date but it didn't work, I promise."

Stephanie shook her head. "No. I'm not stupid. I mean Sheldon. You love him, right? I saw it from the beginning. That's why I wasn't too upset when you came over so much. I knew it wasn't Leonard you sought out."

Penny felt tears begin to pour down her face. Instantly Stephanie was beside her with a hug. She had only ever admitted it to one person, Raj. And even then she had never used the word love. Only like, attraction, want. But now she found herself sobbing on the shoulder of a woman she barely knew, pouring out her heart. It felt good to speak it out loud. It didn't diminish the pain, but it helped to have someone else see it and share it. Stephanie loved Leonard. She knew heartache.

Some friendships develop over years of shared experiences. Some blossom from close proximity. And some rise from shared pain and the need for understanding and comfort. Penny had never had much in the way of female friends before. But they formed a bond right then that would last the rest of their lives.