The Big Bang Theory is owned by Chuck Lorre Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

A/N: I have no association, financial or otherwise with the Star Wars films or media franchise.

As the car passed each street Sheldon read the street signs to himself from the front passenger seat of the car. "Where are we going Leonard?"

"We are not going anywhere Sheldon. I asked you and Howard if we could just drive around for a while. I really don't feel like going home right now and facing Penny. I thought you could help me make sense of what we saw first."

"I think we should start with Penny's response to seeing us" said Sheldon. "We all know from past experience that when Penny says this is not what it looks like it is what it looks like. Now all we have to do is determine what it looked like."

"We should start with Stuart's hidden medieval dungeon replete with an assortment of bondage and torture devices" said Howard from the back seat. "Apparently Stuart is into that kind of stuff.

Leonard looked up into the rearview mirror. "Do you think Stuart is really into that or could he have been planning some kind of fantasy and D&D room?"

"He could have been planning that but we all saw him in only his boxers almost hanging from the ceiling by his hands with a chain being controlled by Penny" replied Howard. "I think that makes him into it."

"Do you think Penny's into it too" asked Leonard.

"Penny was probably not aware of the existence of that room before tonight so it's a good chance that Stuart coerced her" said Sheldon. "But it does beg the question why was Penny wearing the gold metal bikini from Return of the Jedi?"

"Could they have been acting out a scene from the movie maybe the one in Jabba's Palace" asked Leonard.

"Possibly but it looked a little twisted if you ask me" replied Howard. "The scene from Jabba's barge seems to come to mind if you can imagine that instead of Princess Leia strangling Jabba with the chain you have a severely malnourished Jabba the Hut played by Stuart who is bound by chains and hung from the ceiling by a blonde Leia."

"Leonard stopped the car at a red light and turned to Sheldon and Howard. "What I really need to know is what were they going to do next if we hadn't walked in?"

"Are you concerned that since they were wearing very little clothing that they were going to partake in coitus?"

"Of course not Sheldon" replied Leonard. "Penny wouldn't do that. I'm just thinking that if she is into that why is she doing it with Stuart instead of me?"

"The answer is obvious Leonard" said Sheldon. "You don't have a replica of a medieval dungeon like Stuart does."

"This is just creating more questions than answers" said Leonard as he turned the car around. "I should just go home and talk to Penny."

Penny sat on her couch going over in her head repeatedly as if it was a script the words she would use to explain to Leonard what happened tonight. She knew it looked bad but she also knew that Leonard would not think she would cheat on him. She would tell him about Stuarts date and trying to cheer him up and drinking a little too much. She remembered Kim telling her not to drink because it would get her into trouble. 'I didn't sleep with anybody but I'm sure I disappointed Leonard and that is bad enough'. She missed Leonard now but at the same time was not looking forward to what was to come which she knew will be nothing less than an argument. She wished she was wrapped up tight in his arms and that this night never happened but then there it was a soft knock on the door, her wish denied.

"Come in" she said softly.

Leonard walked in the apartment and stopped a couple feet from the door. "Hey."

"Hey" she said back glancing in his direction but not looking fully at him. She wanted to run and hug him but she knew that wouldn't be fair to him.

"Do you want to tell me what happened tonight" he said calmly.

"Would you sit next to me or at least on the couch" she asked.

He walked over and sat on the couch opposite from her.

Penny tried to say what she practiced before but her emotions took over. "I'm so sorry Leonard I would never purposely hurt you everything got so weird when we went back to the store in that room."

"Ok slow down" said Leonard sharply and then pausing to calm himself. "Just tell me how you and Stuart ended up in that room with you wearing that bikini and Stuart just in his boxer shorts doing whatever it is you were doing?"

Penny thought he was going to start yelling at her and was glad when he calmed down. "Could I start after you left the store because it will make more sense?"

Leonard nodded. "That's fine."

"Thank you. Ok well a little after you left Stuart came back by himself and said they ran into Anna's ex-boyfriend at the restaurant and that she went home with him, the ex that is."

"That sucks" said Leonard. "How did he take it?"

"He said he was fine and that he was used to things like that happening but he was only covering" said Penny. "No one would walk away from that without feeling some anger or betrayal."

"She seemed nice, why would she do that" he asked.

"Stuart said the ex talked her into it. Anyway I felt so horrible for him. I'm the one who told him to ask her out. He trusted me and I let him down. So I couldn't just leave him like that so I took him to the Cheesecake Factory for some free cheesecake."

"Ok so what happened after that" he asked.

"This is where you're going to get mad at me" she said.

Leonard thought she was getting to the dungeon room know. "Ok go on."

She looked down. "I thought Stuart would feel better if we had a few drinks so we did shots together" she said expecting him to get mad.

"How much did you have to drink" he asked.

"Just four shots each" said Penny relieved that he didn't get mad.

"Just four shots got you drunk enough to want to play nearly naked dungeon master with Stuart" he said loudly. "Penny is there something you want to tell me about you and Stuart."

"Leonard Stuart and I are just friends and coworkers you know that. I think I got a little too drunk because all I ate tonight was cheesecake."

Leonard put his head in his hands. "Ok I see you were drunk but I'm going to ask you again, why were you in that bikini, why was Stuart in his boxers and chained up like he was going to be tortured."

Penny stood up and headed to the kitchen. "I need to get some water." She took a bottle from the refrigerator and sat back down on the couch. "What did Stuart tell you?"

"He said that I better ask you" replied Leonard.

"Alright well first I thought that room was like this really cool dungeon and Stuart said that's what he set out to build but when he added the chains and stuff he thought people would think he's into bondage and S&M so he locked the room up and kept it a secret until I got a little too nosey and found it. So then I thought about you and I asked Stuart if he could show me how everything worked so you and I can use it" she said shyly looking down.

Leonard just stared at her for a few seconds. "So you thought you would just do a dress rehearsal? "Don't you think that was a little too intimate for you and Stuart?"

Still looking down Penny nodded. "Yes."

"Penny who's idea was it for you to wear the bikini and Stuart to undress down to his boxers?"

"Mine" she said looking at him. "When Stuart told me he had the gold bikini for me I got so excited just thinking of your reaction seeing me in it. Then I imagined you chained up without the boxers. No dinner and four shots later that's what you saw."

Leonard just stared straight ahead trying to understand why this bothered him so much when all this was just poor drunken judgment on Penny's part. He was disappointed in her and he knew her knowing that would hurt her more than if he was just mad. She already felt bad about what happened and the last thing he would ever do is hurt her but he couldn't just pretend it never happened. Penny looked at Leonard and wondered what he was thinking. So far she was glad he did not get really mad at her. "Leonard you're not talking what's wrong?"

"Penny why did you drink so much especially since you had an empty stomach?"

"I did have the cheesecake" she said apologetically. "I just felt so bad because the whole thing was my fault. After the first two shots I was feeling better and so was Stuart."

Leonard nodded. "I guess I can see that. That was the second date that involved you that ended badly for him. So why did you have two more shots?"

Penny gave him a confused look. "What second date that involved me? I never helped him get a date before."

Leonard gave her a double take. "Oh I thought you did. I guess it was someone else that set him up."

Penny always knew when he was holding something back. "Leonard you're not telling me something what is it?"

"It's really not important and not even worth bringing up" he said smiling at her.

"It's important enough for you to lie to me about it."

"I'm sorry I lied to you Penny but it's late and we don't need to get into anything else tonight."

"I guess after what I did tonight I deserve to be lied to and treated badly right Leonard" she said looking away from him sounding disheartened.

"No of course not" said Leonard. "I didn't yell at you or even get mad at you tonight."

A tear rolled down Penny's cheek. "You said you would always love me but you can't even bear to sit next to me."

Leonard moved closer and Penny stood then with one knee on the couch first sat back down with her legs tucked underneath.

"Better" he asked.

"Yes. So could you tell me what you were talking about and why you had to lie about it."

"I wasn't really thinking clearly when I said it but I was talking about the last date you had with Stuart that also ended badly for him. I lied because you're probably going to get mad that I know about it."

Penny had to think about what he said before she could remember back to that time and what happened with her date with Stuart. "Stuart told you about that?"

"Actually the next day after your date I went to apologize to him for giving him bad dating advice and then he told me."

"You gave him bad dating advice before our date" she asked.

Leonard was happy that she didn't get mad hearing that. "He asked me for advice and I did everything I could to avoid giving him any but then he came to my door before your date." Penny didn't say anything but just stared at him. "Well you didn't expect me to give him good advice" said Leonard.

"I guess not but you tried to sabotage my date Leonard."

"You did more damage than me when you said my name."

She gave him a half smirk. "You must have been so full of yourself when he told you that."

"Yeah I was but again you can't blame me" he said with a little smile. "Look we need to get back to talking about what happened tonight."

"Ok what do you want to know" she asked him.

"I know you were drunk Penny but what was your thought process when you decided it was ok to do this with Stuart."

"My thought process was you Leonard. All I was thinking about was me and you in that room together."

"Except I was not there Penny so I don't know what to make of this. Maybe I'm holding you back and you would be having more fun without me."

"How can you think that Leonard I've never been happier having you in my life."

"I don't know what to think" he said sounding frustrated. I know you would never cheat on me but Sheldon and Howard think that you were probably going to if we hadn't walked in on you."

"Since when do you care what Howard and Sheldon think?" Leonard did not respond right away but before he did Penny looked at him sternly. "Leonard, are you embarrassed by me?"

"No I just wish they weren't there to see you."

Penny stood up and headed for her bedroom. "The last thing I want to do is embarrass the great Dr. Leonard Hofstader. Please let yourself out" she said closing her bedroom door.

Leonard realized he did it again. He said the wrong thing and he hurt her. Even worse he hurt her when she was already down but he did not see a way that both of them would not get hurt over this. He walked to her bedroom door and opened it slowly. She was lying on her bed with her head turned away from him sniffing and whimpering. He sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "Penny I'm sorry if what I said made it sound like I was embarrassed by you. I guess it hurt me when Howard and Sheldon thought you would cheat on me. I never was and never will be embarrassed by you. We have all done questionable things. I've done plenty of things that I wish I never did."

"Did you ever do something that made someone stop loving you" she asked still turned away from him.

"I guess not. Why are you asking me that" he said looking confused.

"You haven't hugged me or kissed me. You don't even want to touch me. Before tonight you couldn't keep your hands off of me. I guess I broke the love spell."

Leonard wanted to kick himself in the head. He realized how stupid he had been. She was hurting and he was not comforting her. A conflict raged within him. He felt like holding her and never letting her go but at the same time something was holding him back. Was it so bad what she did? After all she was just thinking about him in that room in the comic book store. Regardless he had to resolve this conflict within him. He sighed knowing he was about to hurt her even more. "Penny you didn't break the love spell because it cannot be broken."

She turned her head towards him. "How do you know that?"

"Before I tell you that I wanted to tell you that I'm going away for a few days" he said with regret.

Penny quickly sat up. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going up to Berkeley to visit the school" said Leonard.

"Why are you going now" she asked with deep concern.

"I just think we need some time apart. Maybe take a break from each other."

"Are you breaking up with me" she asked him innocently.

"No at all" he said. "We will just be pushing our reset buttons and clearing our heads."

She stared at him trying to get a read on his feelings. "I don't believe you. I think you're ashamed of me and you don't want to be seen with me." She laid back down on the bed facing away from him.

He put his hand on her arm. "I'm not ashamed of you Penny. I just really think this will help us."

"Just go then and take your break from me" she said derisively.

All Leonard wanted to do was lay beside her and hold her but he knew things would be awkward between them for a while and he convinced himself that time apart would help them. He stood up and walked to the bedroom door but then stopped and turned. "Penny you asked me how I know the love spell can't be broken." He waited for her to respond but she remained silent. "It can't be broken because we are soul mates. Even if we can't be together I will still love you more than you could ever know." Again she still remained silent. "Goodbye Penny" he said and walked out. As he was about to leave the apartment she came out of the bedroom.

"Leonard" she called out with tears in her eyes. He turned and she quickly walked to him wrapping him in a hug with her head on his shoulder. "Please don't give up on me Leonard."

Being unable to resist Leonard hugged her back tightly. "I'm not giving up on you Penny." They stood there hugging for about a minute. "I will stop by in the morning before I leave."

"Thank you" she said lifting her head and kissing him on the cheek. "I love you Leonard."

"I love you too" he said. They parted holding hands and he looked at her tear stained face. He hugged her again and then left the apartment.

Penny felt better when he hugged her again. It gave her hope amidst the fear she had of Leonard giving up on her. She somewhat understood why he needed to get away now but it scared her to think that she may lose him out there. San Francisco was such a wonderful city with so much to offer. Leonard had told her it was one of the highest rated places to live in the U.S. She worried because that would be a great place to restart your life for anyone especially Leonard who said he wanted to hit the reset button on their relationship.

She realized how late it was and headed to her bathroom to get ready for bed. She washed her face, brushed her teeth and got into bed on Leonard's side. She sat up quickly happily remembering to set the alarm on her clock for eight in the morning. He would still be driving Sheldon to work and there was no way she was going to miss him leaving. She tried to think about their good times together instead of him leaving tomorrow knowing that she would never get any sleep otherwise.

Leonard was finishing his coffee in the kitchen when Sheldon came in dressed and ready for breakfast. "Good morning Sheldon."

"Good morning Leonard. You're up early."

"Yes I am" agreed Leonard. "Sheldon when you check your phone you will see an email from me letting you know that I will be away for about four days starting today. The details are in the email."

"I don't think so Leonard. According to the roommate agreement you are required to provide at least a week prior notice if you will be away from the apartment more than 24 hours" said Sheldon pouring cereal into a bowl.

"I'm sorry Sheldon but I'm going. I will drive you to work this morning but you will have to arrange something for Friday. I'm going to say goodbye to Penny. I'll be right back" said Leonard heading for the door.

Sheldon's eyes followed Leonard until he saw the bag that he packed for his trip on the floor by the door. "Leonard a word before you go talk to Penny."

Leonard stopped just before opening the door to leave then turned and watched Sheldon pour hot water over a tea bag in a mug.

"Are you leaving because of what happened last night" asked Sheldon as he poured milk over his cereal.

"Yes I am Sheldon. I think Penny and I need some time apart."

"Couldn't you just stay here and avoid each other for the next four days" asked Sheldon now sitting at the kitchen island eating his cereal.

"I'm sorry Sheldon but I can't explain my reasons for leaving to you now" said Leonard walking to the door.

"I know your reasons for leaving Leonard. By leaving you are disengaging yourself from your life here including any obligations, agendas and expectations past and future regarding Penny. You think by doing this your mind will be free to reconsider your relationship with her."

Leonard tilted his head to the side with a slightly confused expression. "Maybe that's right if you were to over analyze it."

"You know Leonard you could accomplish the same thing by staying here and using meditation. It's much simpler and extremely more effective than running off to wherever you're going. Where are you going?"

"I'm going up to Berkeley."

"Berkeley" said Sheldon surprised. "You need to go all the way up there when you can achieve the same results meditating in your room. This is all Penny's fault. She should be the one leaving. Maybe I can talk her into going back to Nebraska for a few days."

Leonard walked towards Sheldon looking angry. "Sheldon you are not to talk to Penny about any of this. Not about last night or going back to Nebraska or your analysis of why I am leaving. Do you understand?"

"Ok calm down man I understand. Oh my look at the time. We have to go now. We can discuss this further in the car."

"I need to go say goodbye to Penny" said Leonard walking back to the door.

"Do that on you own time" said Sheldon picking up his phone and jacket from his desk. "You will be inconveniencing me enough with this little trip of yours. Don't make me late for work too."

They both grabbed their keys from the bowl and Leonard grabbed his overnight bag. "Ok I will come back to say goodbye" said Leonard walking out and shutting the door.

Penny woke up before her alarm went off to prepare for seeing Leonard off. Her plan was simple. Leonard would always tell her how beautiful she looked so this morning would be no exception. After showering she put on a heart cut floral print dress with an open back. It was mid-thigh and showed her legs nicely. She put on makeup and fixed her hair. She told herself she wouldn't get all mushy and start crying at least not until he left. Looking at the clock and seeing that it was already nine she figured that Leonard already took Sheldon to work and he would come back to say goodbye to her without having to rush off. Just as she sat down on her couch her phone rang and saw that it was Leonard.

"Hey what's up" she asked smiling.

"Hi Penny, I hate to do this to you but is it ok if we just say goodbye on the phone. I wanted to stop by before I left to drive Sheldon to work but were talking about Sheldon here. I'm sorry but I really need to get on the road if I want to make good time."

Penny tried to hold back the tears and not sound upset but she was devastated. Just seconds ago she could hardly wait to see his reaction when she opened her apartment door and there he would be giving her that look she loved so much. On top of that she would not get to hold him before he left her missing him terribly.

"Penny, are you there, hello."

"I'm here" she said coughing. "I was drinking coffee and it went down the wrong pipe" she lied. "It's ok I know you have a long drive ahead."

"Are you ok Penny?"

"I'm fine. Did you remember to bring an extra inhaler and your allergy medicine?"

"I did but with the great air quality they have up there I shouldn't have to use them."

"Will you text me when you get there?"

"I will. Maybe you should spend some time with Amy and Bernadette this weekend. It's been a while since you guys had a girls night."

"I probably will. I'm going to miss you Leonard."

"I'm going to miss you too Penny."

"Promise" she asked holding back the tears again.

"Promise what" he asked.

"Promise you will miss me?"

"I miss you already" he said softly.

"I miss you already too. I love you Leonard."

"I love you too Penny."

"I better let you go. Bye Leonard. Drive carefully."

"I will. Bye Penny."

Penny put the phone down on the coffee table with a sigh. She felt much better now that he said he missed her already except she was now tired after the emotional rollercoaster she just rode in the last few minutes. She headed back to her bedroom deciding to go back to sleep snuggling Leonard's pillow.

A/N: Next chapter will have a fling from Leonard's past showing up.