"What do you think we should do?" Amy asked as Bernadette studied the magazine featuring photos of Brett and Penny at the concert and Leonard and Penny at the Rose Bowl Stadium on 4th July. It had been Amy that had first discovered the pictures having spotted it in the supermarket on her way home from work. Upon the startling discovery she had called Bernadette who was now in her apartment.

"We have to tell him before he finds out some other way… " Bernadette said shaking her head sadly at the pictures "He's gonna be so upset he's having a tough enough time as it is…this will only make things worse.."

The magazine was speculating that Penny was soon to be the next Mrs Harrison or 'wife no.4' as was the headline and was implying that Leonard had sought comfort in Alex's arms and that that were a couple. It was a classic case of the media twisting a story to suit their own interests without regard as to whether it was the truth, or what distress it might cause to those involved.

"I was on my way over to have dinner with Sheldon maybe you could come with me.." Amy suggested as she grabbed her purse and car keys. Bernadette nodded agreeing that the sooner they could break the news to Leonard the better. By the time they arrived Leonard had left the apartment to pick up the takeout meal. Opening the door Sheldon was surprised to see Bernadette accompanying Amy.

"Sheldon something's happened" Amy told him showing her boyfriend the magazine piece

"Oh dear it seems that my talk with Alex that time didn't work…" he sighed "I can see I'm gonna have to talk to her all over again…" although not unexpected Bernadette found Sheldon's constant lack of understanding of the actual situation and ability his to empathise to be totally infuriating.

"There's nothing going on between Leonard and Alex Sheldon" she yelled "Don't you understand that when Leonard finds out about this he's gonna be really upset?!"

"Find out about what?"

The three friends looked up to see Leonard depositing his keys in the bowl by the door while holding a plastic bag containing the takeout.

"What's going on guys?" he asked looking first to Sheldon and then over to Amy and Bernadette

"Leonard you need to see this" Bernadette said walking towards him holding out the magazine

Taking the magazine Leonard's facial expression turned into one of horror and disbelief scratching his head he silently cursed himself for not seeing it coming.

"It was just a friendly hug" he explained "I was upset over Penny Alex was just trying to comfort me…"

"We know that Leonard you don't have to explain to us…." Amy said sympathetically her heart going out to her friend.

"I have to go" Leonard said putting down the bag of takeout on the coffee table and retrieving his keys from the bowl.

"Leonard where are you going?" Sheldon asked peering into the bag and discovering that Leonard had forgotten to pick up the hot mustard sauce from the Korean store.

"Leonard you forgot the…"

The door slammed leaving Amy and Bernadette staring at Sheldon in exasperation.

"I'm sorry Amy but sometimes I really don't know why Leonard puts up with your boyfriend…" Bernadette said shaking her head and tutting leaving Sheldon looking flummoxed once more.

"Did I do something?..." he said

It was Alex's roommate Lauren that answered the door to Leonard. Standing there in doorway in his hoodie top and jeans she looked him up and down and liked what she saw.

"Erm hi is Alex at home please?" he asked mildly embarrassed that Alex's roommate was clearly checking him out.

"Alex! Someone's here to see you!" she yelled over her shoulder and continued to stare at Leonard while waiting for Alex to emerge from her bedroom. Alex appeared in the hallway wearing a floral print summer dress.

"Leonard hi" she said surprised to see him at her door

"Alex have you got a minute?"

"Sure" Alex motioned for Leonard to follow her to her bedroom where they could talk in private without Lauren's prying ears.

"So what's up?" Alex questioned as she closed the bedroom door behind her

Noticing that Alex's laptop was on with an open Word document on the screen Leonard apologised for interrupting what appeared to be a study session.

"Its fine Leonard …here take a seat" she said moving a pile of books from her bed so that Leonard could sit down. Leonard passed Alex the magazine and told her to open up to page three.

"Oh!" she exclaimed seeing carefully selected photos depicting her and Leonard cuddling at the carnival.

"Alex I'm so sorry that you got dragged into all of this" Leonard said sincerely

Alex shrugged

"You're not to blame Leonard….really there's no need to apologise to me.."

A cool breeze wafted into the room through the open window offering them both a brief respite from the blistering hot July day. The apartment's air conditioning was currently on the blink and Alex and Lauren were still hassling their landlord to get it repaired.

"Have you er spoken to Penny about it?..." Alex asked returning to her laptop and moving the mouse around.

"No" Leonard answered "From what I see she's having the time of her life out there in Paris with him" the very mention of Brett left Leonard with a foul taste in his mouth "I very much doubt she'd care even if we were a couple…."

There was a silence while another breeze blew the window drapes

"Anyway I just thought you should hear it from me first, no doubt it will be the talk of the university by tomorrow" Leonard continued as he got up from Alex's bed and got ready to leave "I guess I'll see you at work…"

"Leonard" Alex span round from her desk chair to catch him just before he opened the door

"Yeah?"

Pausing and taking a deep breath Alex felt the sensation of butterflies in her stomach once again and instantly lost her nerve.

"Thank you for coming over" she said with a smile "It was very thoughtful of you"

"No problem"

As Leonard descended the stairs of Alex's building his cell phone began to ring. He groaned when he saw it was Sheldon and assumed he was calling to complain about the forgotten hot mustard.

"Sheldon I'm on my way back now I'll pick up the hot mustard sauce…." he told him impatiently

"Leonard there's reporters outside our building" Sheldon said sounding flustered "Apparently they're looking for you…"

"Oh God" Leonard breathed

"What should I do Leonard?" Sheldon demanded

"Don't do anything and don't say anything just stay in the apartment ok?" Leonard answered as she took the final stair reaching the lobby only to be greeted by blinding camera flashes. Turning on his heels he dashed back up to the first floor landing and dialled Alex's number.

"Alex we have a problem…."

In the end the filming schedule for the movie over ran and the three months that had originally been predicted turned into four. Filming was now complete and the cast and crew were due to return home in a couple of days and with the final few days in Paris upon them Brett had hired Club Silencio to throw an end of filming party for all the cast and crew.

"Have I told you how sexy you look tonight?" Brett whispered into Penny's ear as he took advantage of the slit in her black dress and ran his hand up her silky smooth leg towards her thigh.

"You might have mentioned it once or twice…" Penny whispered back nuzzling closer to her now boyfriend

They were currently riding in the back of Brett's Mercedes on route to the post-filming party. Penny had to admit that Brett looked dashingly handsome in his tuxedo and the sensation of him delicately stroking her thighs was getting her into a state of arousal.

"Brett please stop it" she giggled swatting him away playfully

"Why don't we blow off this party and go back to the hotel for our own private party?..." he suggested allowing his finger to wander down from stroking her face to her exposed bosom. For the last month Penny had been sharing a suite at the Ritz with Brett.

"Aren't you the guest of honour?" Penny commented with a smile "People will be disappointed if you don't show up…"

"Ok ok maybe you got me there" Brett conceded "But we are definitely leaving early I have a surprise lined up for you young lady…"

Before Penny could open her mouth to press Brett for a clue as the surprise he had in store the car had pulled to a stop outside the club entrance and a doorman was opening the door. They emerged onto a red carpet to be greeted by reporters and photographers, by now it was something which Penny had learnt to take completely in her stride. Hand in hand they entered the club ignoring the shouted questions about an impending engagement. Once inside Brett disappeared to talk with some movie execs that he had invited to the party, he was already thinking ahead to his next movie project. Un phased by having to go solo Penny helped herself to a glass of champagne and immediately relaxed into the party; talking with ease to the array of celebrity guests.

"Tell them about the time you were in a haemorrhoid commercial Penny" Cleo urged stifling champagne induced giggle "Pleaaasse Penny its sooo funny…"

Penny and Cleo were currently engaged in conversation with some of the guys from the camera crew.

"Oh it was a long time ago" Penny said shooting Cleo an angry glare regretting that she had shared that particular episode in her acting career with her co-star.

"What was your joke again?" Cleo persisted

Penny sighed obviously there was to be no let up from the actress who was probably the biggest blabbermouth in Hollywood.

"Oh go on tell us Penny" one of the cameramen joined in

Penny rolled her eyes and started to explain how the commercial had featured her and an actress playing her mother going out horse riding together. A few minutes later she reached the supposed punch line.

"And then my line was…. "Sitting Pretty"

With that everyone around the table fell about laughing while Penny sipped on her champagne she had been very proud of it at the time, but now it was more than a little embarrassing. Feeling a light tap on her shoulder Penny turned around to see Brett for the first time since arriving.

"Hi sweetheart I'm really sorry I abandoned you I had to go talk business for a while" he said softly kissing Penny's hand

"No problem I've had fun" she answered

Brett lowered his head down so that he could whisper into Penny's ear without the others hearing.

"It's time for your surprise" he said

Taking Penny by the hand he led her outside into the street to his waiting car.

"Where are we going?" Penny asked as the driver opened the car door and Brett guided her into the back seat.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?"

From his pocket Brett produced a silk scarf which he proceeded to tie around Penny's head covering her eyes and plunging her into complete darkness.

"Brett what's going on?" Penny demanded feeling slightly unnerved by feeling the motion of the car but not being able to see where she was going.

"You're just gonna have to trust me honey.."

Penny felt Brett press his lips to hers and instinctively she reached up to touch the side of his face as she fell deeper into his embrace. Feeling the car come to a halt a short while later Brett pulled away.

"Are we there?" Penny asked breathlessly

"We're here"

It took a few seconds for Penny's eyes to adjust to her surroundings after Brett loosened the scarf form around her eyes. Peering out the car window she saw that the car had parked a short distance away from the Eiffel Tower all lit up with its searchlight circling the night sky.

"So tell me Penny" Brett began "How can somebody spend almost four months in Paris and not go up the Eiffel Tower?"

Penny shrugged

"I guess I just didn't get round to it…" she answered

"Ok well tonight we're gonna put that right" Brett said grasping Penny's hand they clambered out of the car and out into the cool night air.

"But it's gone midnight" Penny pointed out "Surely it will be closed by now…"

"Maybe…maybe not let's see"

Brett led Penny towards the entrance to the tower where an official looking man in a suit stood waiting holding a cashmere shawl over one arm.

"Bon soir Monsieur Harrison et Mademoiselle" he said welcoming his special guests

"Bon soir Philippe" Brett responded shaking the man by his hand

"So you are ready to go up le Tour Eiffel for the first time Mademoiselle?" Philippe asked directing his question towards Penny

Penny laughed nervously as Brett's big surprise was finally revealed.

"Oh I don't think I'm dressed for the occasion" she responded motioning at her slinky evening dress and high heel shoes.

"Pas de problem we have elevator take you right to the top" Philippe pointed upwards Penny followed his finger gazing up into the immense metal structure jutting into the night sky.

"Wow that's high" she exclaimed it was impossible to appreciate its enormity until you were close up.

"And I came prepared for the occasion" Brett added taking the shawl from Philippe and placing it over Penny's bare shoulders. Seeing the worried frown Penny was now wearing doubt began to creep in and Brett wondered whether his surprise was a good idea after all.

"What is it sweetheart?" he asked gently

"I'm scared of heights" Penny answered feeling a mix of embarrassment tinged with real fear "It's kinda like my big secret that nobody else knows…"

"Oh honey I'm sorry I had no idea" Brett apologised

"Its ok you couldn't have known…like I said nobody else knows.." Penny's voice trailed off and she lowered her head in defeat. Brett sighed his plan to dazzle Penny with a big romantic gesture had seemingly gone drastically wrong. Taking out his wallet he paid Philippe and thanked him for his time.

"No wait!" Penny cried "I think I wanna do this…"

"Are you sure honey because…"

"I'm sure" Penny cut Brett off midsentence "We have to try and conquer our fears right?"

Penny gripped the handrail so tightly in the elevator as it ascended the tower it made her knuckles turn white. At that moment at least she was unable to focus on anything other than Brett who was holding her from behind resting his chin on her shoulder and whispering words of encouragement. The elevator came to a stop and they stepped out at the top to be greeted by a spectacular panoramic view of Paris by night. Immediately Brett made a beeline to the railing while Penny hung back preferring to keep her distance from the edge.

"Its breath taking isn't it?" Brett remarked

"Uh huh it sure is impressive" Penny responded wrapping her shawl tightly around herself as a gust of cold wind blew.

"Here take my hand" Brett held out his hand and beckoned Penny towards him "I promise you'll be fine"

Slowly Penny edged towards Brett stopping every now and then when she felt giddy to take a deep breath.

"Good girl see you did it" Brett said proudly as Penny finally grabbed hold of the rail and let out a sigh of relief.

"You're never to tell anyone about this…" she warned wagging her finger at Brett

"Sure I promise sweetheart…pinky swear" he grinned

Penny turned her attention to the magnificent view and with her fear of heights now apparently conquered grabbed her cell phone from her purse so that she could take some photographs of the experience.

"Wow it really is beautiful" Penny breathed pleased that she had managed to pluck up the courage to go up to the top "Brett look I think I can see the apartment building I stayed in…"

Spinning around Penny saw that Brett was no longer stood beside her, it took her a few seconds to realise that he was now down on the ground perched on one knee.

"Penny" Brett cleared his throat

Seeing the gleaming solitaire diamond ring in the box that he was holding Penny gasped clasping her hand over her mouth in sudden realisation of what was about to happen.

"These last few months have been the most wonderful of my whole life and its all because of you…you make me so happy Penny and I'd really like the chance to make you happy too….for the rest of our lives in fact …Penny I love you will you marry me?..."