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

A/N: Thanks again for the reviews and thanks for reading.

In 4b Penny had just finished telling Amy and Bernadette her version of what happened last night while they ate Italian food that Penny picked up for dinner from her and Leonard's new haunt for their romantic and sometimes naughty lunches. She knew Sheldon and Howard already told them what they saw so she wanted to set the record straight with her two best friends as soon as possible. Amy and Bernadette sat on the couch with their food listening carefully to every word Penny said.

"So that's it" said Penny. "That is what happened."

Bernadette put her plate down on the coffee table. "So how did he take it?"

"He took it pretty well" she said. "At one point I thought he was going to get mad and then he calmed himself down. He saw that I was feeling bad too and he was very sweet to me."

"They should start the process of canonization" said Amy. "Leonard is a saint."

"Leonard could never hurt you Penny even if you hurt him" said Bernadette.

"I know" said Penny in a high voice with tears falling from her eyes. She stood up and headed for the kitchen. "Does anyone want any wine?"

"Ok" replied Amy.

"No we don't" replied Bernadette.

Amy looked at Bernadette. "We don't?"

Bernadette shook her head. "No we don't."

"No wine for me Penny" said Amy smiling.

Penny looked at her two friends as she got down a bottle of wine and a glass from the cupboard wondering what was going on between the two of them.

"Penny you don't need to have any wine either" said Bernadette

"Oh yes I do" she said looking for a corkscrew.

"If you are going to have wine me and Amy are leaving" said Bernadette.

"We are" asked Amy.

"We are" replied Bernadette.

Penny gave them a confused look. "What is up with you guys? Why can't I have wine?"

"Look Penny you cannot be running to a bottle every time you're sad or feel bad" said Bernadette. "You did it last night and it made you do something that hurt Leonard and it wasn't the first time either."

Penny stopped looking for the corkscrew. "I told you Leonard wasn't really mad. He knows I didn't do it purposely."

"Do you think everything is going to be back to normal when Leonard gets back" asked Bernadette.

"Not right away but eventually" she said frowning.

"It may take a long time and it might not be the same between you two" said Bernadette. "You said the two of you were so close and so in love with each other before this happened. Do you think you and Leonard will get that back?"

Amy turned to Bernadette with her eyes opened wide shocked that Bernadette would ask Penny that in the fragile state she was in.

Penny stood in the kitchen looking down into a utensil drawer. A tear rolled down her cheek. "He said that even if we couldn't be together he would still love me more than I would ever know so yes I do think we'll get it back."

"Penny did you hear what you just said" asked Bernadette. "He said even if we couldn't be together."

Penny slowly pushed the drawer closed and put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my god did I lose Leonard" she said now fully crying.

Amy and Bernadette quickly went to Penny and hugged her and then brought her over to the couch. "You're not going to lose Leonard" said Amy consoling her. Amy gave Bernadette a stern look shaking her head. "Was that necessary?"

Penny sat in the middle of the couch with Amy on one side and Bernadette on the other holding her hand. "I'm sorry Penny but I would be remiss if I was to tell you everything is going to be ok."

Penny used a tissue to dab the tears in her eyes. "I asked him if he was breaking up with me and he said no."

"Of course he doesn't want to break up with you" said Amy.

"Penny if Leonard was by himself when he saw you with Stuart the three of you could have kept it a secret" said Bernadette. "But Howard and Sheldon were with him and now his whole social group knows about it. I think you hurt his pride. Pride is very important to a man but also damaging to relationships."

"But he said he wasn't embarrassed by me" said Penny sniffling.

"No but he decided that you should take a break from each other so maybe he was reacting to how he thought his relationship with you was perceived by his friends and peers" said Bernadette. "We can only guess what was really bothering him."

"Regardless when most men feel their pride is hurt they make rash and impulsive decisions which many times, causes them to end the relationship" said Amy. "Fortunately I don't see Leonard acting so impetuous. He may not even realize why what he saw last night bothers him."

"So what does all this mean" asked Penny. "What should I do?"

"It means you have to start taking your relationship with Leonard more seriously" said Bernadette. "You two were engaged. Leonard should have been moving in with you and you should have started making plans with him. Now you're going to have to wait and feel him out. Don't put any pressure on him just let him know you're ready to start building a life together. Also Penny, from now on please only drink around us and Leonard."

"Ok I can do that" said Penny.

"And you're not alone" said Amy. "We will both be here for you."

Penny put her arms around both of her friends and pulled them in close. "You guys are the best. Thank you for coming over."

Bernadette stood up from the couch. "I'm sorry that the things I said were hurtful Penny but I rather be helping you and Leonard than just making you feel better."

Penny stood up and hugged Bernadette. "I do feel better now that I know what I have to do.

Amy stood up next. "I'm going to go say goodnight to Sheldon. Could we help you clean up Penny?"

Penny then went to Amy and hugged her. "No thanks you guys helped enough tonight. Thanks Amy.

Amy and Bernadette left 4b and walked out into the hall and looked at each other. "Don't you think you were a little too rough on her" said Amy.

"Look Amy, she has to stop drinking and fooling around and start taking things seriously. She owes that to Leonard. She is practically engaged now. It's time to stop the nonsense.

"I guess you're right. Goodnight Bernadette" said Amy heading to 4a.

"Goodnight Amy" she said heading down the steps.


After Amy and Bernadette left Penny couldn't wait to call Leonard. She got his text earlier that said he got there ok but now she needed to listen to his voice and hear him say that he missed her and loved her. She wished she could tell him that he could move in with her when he gets back. She quick-dialed Leonard and when the call connected she heard loud music and loud talking behind someone saying hello. "Leonard" she asked speaking loudly.

"Penny?"

"Yes. What is all that noise? Where are you?"

"I'm in a pub that is really popular with the students. The food here is great. How are you?"

Penny was immediately jealous that he was having a good time and probably around a lot of young female college students while he was taking a break from her. "I'm fine. Are you having dinner now?"

"Yes I was doing a little sightseeing before."

"C'mon Dr. Hofstadter" a female voice yelled out.

"Who was that" asked Penny.

"That was Melanie. She is one of the students that are showing me around."

"I better let you go" she said not wanting him to hear her getting upset.

"Ok I'll call you later. Bye Penny."

"Bye Leonard." She ended the call crestfallen. He was happy while being away from her and she was miserable. She knew he would not hurt her but she started to wonder if she deserved this and then hated herself for blaming him for this. She watched TV until midnight waiting for him to call back. Penny sighed and stood up feeling discouraged. She took her phone and headed to bed.

The next morning Penny awoke and immediately grabbed her phone from the nightstand and checked for missed calls and voicemails. Seeing none she laid back down and thought about Leonard. Her phone still in her hand started to ring. She looked at the screen and saw the call was from home and quickly sat up. "Hello."

"Hey slugger."

"Hi daddy, how are you" she said feeling a lump starting to form in her throat.

"I'm good, how are things in Pasadena"

"Just fine daddy, why are you calling?"

"What I can't call my daughter on a Friday morning just to talk to her."

"Of course you can I'm sorry daddy."

"So how's Leonard doing?"

Penny felt the tears begin to well up and tried her hardest to keep them back but remembering last nights phone call brought her pain to the surface flooding her eyes with tears.

"Penny?"

"Oh daddy I made him go away and now he's happy because I'm not there with him" she said her voice quavering.

"Ok what did you do?"

"I can't tell you it's too embarrassing."

"Oh no you didn't..

"Daddy how can you think that. I would never cheat on Leonard."

"I'm sorry honey but I'm out of the loop here. Maybe if you called us more often we would know what's going on in your life."

"I'm sorry daddy. Everything is just going wrong."

"So what can you tell me" asked Wyatt.

"Well my friends said that I hurt his pride."

"Oh boy not stupid male pride. I know all about that. Where did Leonard go?"

"He went up to San Francisco. He said we needed to take a break from each other."

"When is he coming home?"

"I think Sunday" she said sniffling.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here honey. I think Leonard is too smart to let all that stupid male pride get to him."

"Oh daddy he is so smart. You should see him in his lab he is amazing.

"Maybe it's not as bad as it seems" said Wyatt.

"I don't know. He didn't get mad but he was sort of upset about it. He didn't even want to hug me until he realized I was hurting too. Daddy what if Leonard doesn't want me anymore" said Penny with more tears falling.

"I can't believe that honey. He'll be home in a few days. Just try and hold it together."

"I feel like coming home and seeing you and mom."

"No I think you should be there when Leonard gets home. You do whatever you have to do to straighten this out."

"I'll try daddy."

"What happened to my confident I'm not taking any crap daughter who once she gets something in her head she doesn't give up on it."

"I don't know daddy."

"Let me tell you a story" said Wyatt. "There once was this very pretty five year old girl who saw a little wooden chair in Oscar's General and Farm Supply store. She asked her father to buy it for her but he said no so she went behind his back and asked her poor old granddad to walk her to Oscars where she talked him into buying the chair. Not only that, she made him carry the chair home with her sitting in it like some kind of queen."

Penny laughed while her father told the story since she heard it many times but never tired of it. "Thank you for making me laugh daddy."

"So you just stay there slugger and if I know you Leonard will be carrying you home and over the threshold."

"I love you so much daddy."

"I love you too honey."

"Is mom there?"

"No she went out early to go shopping with your sister."

"Ok then tell them I love them." Her phone beeped. "Hold on daddy." She looked on the screen and got excited when she saw it was Leonard. "Daddy I have to go Leonard's calling, love you." Before he could finish saying goodbye she picked up Leonard's call. "Leonard" she said smiling.

"Hi Penny I'm sorry I didn't call you back last night. I was in bed checking my work email and I fell asleep."

"That's ok. I guess you were up late. Leonard could I tell you something and you promise not to get mad at me."

"It's not anymore dominatrix kind of stuff" he asked cautiously.

"Leonarrrd I feel bad enough about that stop making fun of me."

"I'm not making fun of you. When you asked me not to get mad I thought you might have more about that to tell me."

"I'm going to hang up now" she said feeling sorry for herself. "Maybe our break should include not talking as well. Goodbye Leonard."

"Wait Penny I'm sorry. That was rude of me. What was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"If you're done making me feel bad I just wanted to say that you are having such a great time on your break from me and I'm miserable. Why would you want to come back for me? "Do you even miss me?"

"I do miss you Penny. I think about you all the time."

"You do" she asked sheepishly.

"From the very first time I laid eyes on you until right now you have always been on my mind" he said softly.

"Leonarrrd, I love it when you say things like that to me. Now I miss you even more. You never run out of beautiful things to say to me."

"It's easy when you are in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, beautiful inside and out."

What Leonard had said brought tears to Penny's eyes again. "Oh crap" she said disgusted that she was crying again.

"Huh" said Leonard confused.

"I'm sorry I'm just mad that I'm crying again".

"Have you been crying a lot Penny?"

"Well yes" she said sheepishly.

"Why are you crying now" he asked.

"Because I'm happy that you still love me and sad because I don't deserve you."

Leonard now had a better understanding of what she was going through when she said she was miserable. "Penny, do you want me to come home now?"

"Oh Leonard I love you so much for wanting to do that and I honestly couldn't think of anything I would want more but you are already there and maybe you're right about us taking a break. I will be ok for a few more days."

"Why don't you go clothes shopping tomorrow" he asked her. "That always cheers you up. See if Amy and Bernadette can go with you."

"I don't really have enough money to make it cheer me up" she said.

"No problem. I just got a new debit card and my old one is in the bottom of my t-shirt drawer of my dresser. It's still good. Take it and buy whatever you like."

"Leonard you have to stop being so nice to me. After what I did I don't think I want you buying me clothes right now."

"Ok but it would make me feel better" he said trying to convince her. "Even if we were not together I would still want you to be happy."

Penny couldn't believe he said it again. "That's the second time you said that Leonard. Why are you giving me mixed signals" she asked a little irritated.

"What did I say" asked Leonard.

"You said even if we were not together. Why do you keep saying that? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No and you need to just take a minute and calm down" he said. "I don't know why I'm saying it but regardless it's true. When we broke up I still loved you and wanted you to be happy. I'll just stop saying it if it's going to get you upset."

"It doesn't matter" said Penny. "I think deep down you want to break up with me."

"So this is what you're focusing on after I tell you that I have thought about you all the time since we first met" he said with irritation in his voice. "I also said I would come home right now if you needed me to."

"You said it twice Leonard."

"Penny is there anything that I could do that will make you happy?"

"You didn't say that you didn't want to break up with me Leonard."

"Did the things I said to you before sound like I wanted to break up with you?"

"No."

"That's right. Why don't you have more faith in me" he asked.

"I do but after what I did and you not wanting to come near me like I had the plague and then you left, I don't know what to think anymore. I wouldn't have thought of any of this if you were here holding me in your arms right now."

"I guess you're right" said Leonard. "I should have been more in tune to what you are going through. I'm sure if our roles were reversed I would be doing much worse than you. I'm sorry Penny."

"That's ok. I guess I should have started with that."

"Maybe, after you go shopping tomorrow you guys can have a night out together. Get dressed up real nice and go dancing. It will make you feel better."

"Why so you won't feel guilty when you're out sucking face with Melanie"

"What are you ..there's no out and there's no sucking" he said. You just cannot let anything go can you. Maybe you were right we should include not talking on our break."

"You would just love that wouldn't you" said Penny loudly.

"With the way you are right now I would" he replied loudly.

"Fine then" yelled Penny. "Since you're doing so well there without me why don't you just stay there and never come back."

"That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll go see if there are any interim professor positions open at the college. Let me know when the real Penny gets back and have her call me."

"Don't count on it" she said waiting for his response but there was none. "Leonard" she called out, again in tears realizing he ended the call. "What is wrong with me I'm such a mess." She desperately wanted to call him back but she knew she needed to get her head on straight first. Her phone then beeped indicating a new text message. She grabbed the phone hoping it was Leonard but it was from Stuart. 'Hi Penny, if you still want to work at the store you can work from 5 to 7 tonight if you want.' 'Maybe that's just the distraction I need to clear my head. 'Hi Stuart, yes I still want to work at the store. I'll be there at 5.'


Bernadette was at work at her desk when her phone rang. Picking it up, she saw that it was Leonard and answered it. "Hi Leonard."

"Hi Bernadette how are you?"

She thought he sounded despondent. "I'm fine. How is Berkeley?"

"It's very nice. The weather is up and down but ok for the most part."

"So what's up" she asked.

"Bernadette I'm worried about Penny."

"What's wrong" she said with worry in her voice.

"I just talked to her and her emotional state was just all over the place. One minute she's mad and the next she's happy and then she's sad. Finally she picked a fight with me and told me to never come back."

"You're right to be worried Leonard. Amy and I saw her Thursday night. She was upset but not like what you just said."

"Does that sound like a nervous breakdown" he asked.

"I don't think it does" said Bernadette. "Penny is strong willed and stubborn. I think she could handle the emotional rollercoaster. What I'm worried about is that she will drink to get herself through this. We know what happens when she drinks."

"She gets herself into trouble" replied Leonard.

"Leonard, Penny told me that lately the two of you have been very close and spending almost every second you can with each other."

"That's true" Leonard replied smiling with images in his mind of Penny in his arms. "It was like we couldn't stop pouring our hearts out to each other. This is going to sound weird but it seemed like our love was a drug and we were addicted to it. When we were not together we wanted to be so badly."

"It sounds like the two of you took the typical deep emotional bond to the next level if that even exists. Did you ever figure out what caused this change in your relationship that affected the both of you in the same way?"

"Actually Penny figured it out. We are both currently free of mental distractions and stress. Penny because she only works about six hours a week at the comic book store and me because what I'm working now is not requiring any mental workout for me."

"So without those distractions and stress all your feelings and emotions towards one another came to the surface uninhibited" said Bernadette. "Wow that would be like a drug." Immediately Bernadette's eyes went wide. "That's what her problem is."

"What is it" said Leonard anxiously.

"She needs the drug. She needs you Leonard. She's in withdrawal."

"I guess this break was a bad idea."

"Not for you Leonard you needed time away to get past it especially seeing it the way you did."

"So what should I do" he asked.

"I will explain it to Penny and let her know what's going on in her pretty little head. Then you will tell her that you understand and you don't blame her for the things she said."

"Ok great. I think I will come home a day early and surprise her. Oh yeah I told her to go shopping with you and Amy tomorrow. I thought it would cheer her up. Can you do it?"

"I can but I don't know about Amy. I'll find out."

"Thanks Bernadette. Make sure Penny takes my debit card. She knows where it is."

"Don't you worry Leonard. We will get this whole thing straightened out."

"You're a lifesaver Bernadette."

"Yeah I know. Bye Leonard."

"Bye Bernadette."


Penny thought things might be awkward between her and Stuart now since the last time they were together she had him chained up in his boxer shorts. She decided she would need a buffer between herself and Stuart at the store so she convinced Sheldon to come with her. Of course that meant picking him up from work and buying him comics and dinner. Penny and Sheldon walked into the comic book store and greeted Stuart at the counter.

"Stuart I'm hosting a party for Leonard on Sunday evening" said Sheldon. "Can you attend?"

"Hold up" said Penny. "You're hosting a party?"

"That is what I just said Penny. Why are you repeating it?"

"Is it Leonard's birthday" asked Stuart.

"No, it's a party for Leonard's friends and colleagues to show their appreciation of his friendship and generosity" explained Sheldon.

"Ok stop" said Penny holding up both hands. "I'm still stuck on you hosting a party. You don't know the first thing about throwing a party."

"That is true" replied Sheldon. "I did research the topic but found it incredibly mundane so I asked Amy to do it."

"I don't think Leonard would want me at his party Sheldon" said Stuart.

"Leonard's not mad at you Stuart" replied Penny. "I told him it was all me."

Just then a woman walked into the store that Stuart recognized. She had brunette hair in a ponytail and piercings in her ears and eyebrow. She wore a black low cut tank top embellished with an angel that she wore off the shoulder under which was a black lace off the shoulder tee. Under that she had on a blood red lace bra. She also wore ripped stud leggings and black slingback clog heels. She looked around the store than walked over to the counter.

"Hello you're Alice right" asked Stuart.

"Yeah how do you know me" she asked.

"About two and a half years ago you met Leonard Hofstadter here and he got his picture up on the wall" replied Stuart.

"Don't remind me" said Alice. "What an ass he was."

"Hey Leonard's not an ass he's a great guy and you blew it not being friends with him" said Penny walking directly up to her. I remember him telling me about you."

"What are you all Leonard's fan club" asked Alice sarcastically.

"We're Leonard's friends and we don't take too kindly of you bad-mouthing him" said Penny angrily.

"Then I guess he didn't tell you what he did or you think two timing with your girlfriend is ok" replied Alice.

"He told me" nodded Penny. "What you didn't let him tell you was that his girlfriend went back to India and he had no idea when she was coming back. He really liked you but he was confused as to what to do. He didn't want to hurt two people and he didn't want you completely out of his life and that's why he asked you to be his friend. Maybe he could have told you up front but I think he thought you would have wanted nothing to do with him. That night after your date his girlfriend told him she slept with her ex-boyfriend and he ended with her. Leonard is the sweetest, kindest, most loving man you could ever meet."

"I liked him a lot too" said Alice. "I guess that's why I got so mad and didn't give him a chance to explain."

"So you don't think he's an ass anymore" asked Sheldon.

"No I guess not" she replied.

"Great" said Sheldon. "Would you like to come to a party for Leonard on Sunday evening?"

"Is it his birthday" asked Alice.

"No it's to show your appreciation of his friendship and generosity" Sheldon said smiling.

"Ok why not" replied Alice. "I guess I could apologize and who knows, maybe we could rekindle what we had."

"I'm sorry" said Penny with a smirk. "There won't be any rekindling going on. Leonard has a girlfriend now."

"Now Penny we don't still know that" said Sheldon. "Most likely Leonard was devastated by seeing you and Stuart performing your half naked sadomasochistic ritual. That is why he had to leave and why he now probably finds you to be an unsuitable mate."

Penny's eyes shut and Stuart silently walked away.

"What is he talking about" asked Alice.

Penny opened her eyes. "Don't listen to him he's crazy."

"I'm not crazy…

"My mother had me tested" said Penny interrupting him.

"So you're Leonard's girlfriend" asked Alice pointing at Penny.

"Yes I am."

"I would still like to come to the party. Does Leonard still live in the same place?"

"Yes he does" replied Sheldon. "2311 north Los Robles avenue."

"Ok thanks I'm going to look around now" said Alice walking away.

"Sheldon, why are you having this party? Leonard was not devastated. I talked to him today."

"Penny Leonard is my friend and roommate and I want to keep it that way. We have achieved a symbiosis where our relationship is beneficial to both of us. This is also known as mutualism if that helps you understand it better. If Leonard was to leave my life would be fall into chaos. I want this party to show him what he stands to lose if he takes that job at Berkeley."

"What the interim professor job" asked Penny.

"No the Experimental Physicist position."

"Ok back up. What are you talking about?"

"Leonard told me he met the head of the Physics department at Berkeley. This piqued my interest so I went on the physics department's web site and noticed an open position for an Experimental Physicist. I'm sure Leonard is finding that offer extremely attractive. Knowing Leonard just living in San Francisco alone could make up his mind."

"Leonard told you he was offered the position" asked Penny.

"Penny, of course they would offer it to Leonard. They would know him from his work on the Hawking project."

"Excuse me Sheldon" said Penny walking away. She took out her phone to text Leonard. 'Leonard, were you offered an experimental physicist position at Berkeley. Love Penny xoxo.' Penny waited to see if he would text right back.

He texted back in about a minute. 'Yes I was. I'm guessing Sheldon figured it out. Love Leonard xoxo.'

Penny texted back. 'Are you considering it?'

'We will talk when I get back.'

She replied with tears in her eyes. 'I need you back in my life Leonard.'

He texted back. 'I need you too. I'll be home soon.'