Kurt looked down at him. "Do I know you?"
"Uh...no," Leonard lied. "I just think it's courteous to show appreciation. And I am thankful. I think I'm learning a lot from your class."
"Well, I won't be teaching next week," Kurt said. "I have to go to an aunt's wedding. But some lady's filling in for me."
"A lady?" Leonard asked. "Ladies do this?"
Amy cleared her throat, making him jump and turn quickly to look at his friends, all of whom stood just a few feet away.
"This one does. I hear she's a pro."
"You've never met her?" Leonard asked. "Aren't you worried?"
"Nah. If she tries to fight me fancy I'll just sit on her." He tossed his clipboard onto the closed box marked UNIFORMS and left the gym.
Leonard looked down at the clipboard and suddenly, in a fast movement, he had picked it up. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Amy asked.
"Nothing! Look who's filling in!" He turned the clipboard around so they could see the name.
"Jackie Chan," Amy read aloud. "Oh, that's a pretty name."
The guys gasped, looking offended. "What?" Amy asked.
"Jackie Chan is a male," Sheldon importantly informed her.
"Guys get named Jackie?"
"Amy, he's a martial artist. A professional indeed, and my hero," Sheldon said, swiping the clipboard from Leonard. He stared at it. "Here. He's coming here?"
"Thank you, Kurt's aunt," Leonard said gleefully.
"Excuse me, while I go black out," Howard said, and moved slowly away from the group, only to pump a fist and quietly say, "Yes."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand your enthusiasm," Amy said to Leonard.
"Then you must live under a rock," Raj answered. "Jackie Chan is the god of martial arts! And movies."
"He's a big star," Leonard added. Then, to the guys, he asked, "Do you think he'd hit me if I asked for an autograph?"
Amy blinked. "Leonard, you're fan-girling. Again. In public."
"Yes I am. I can't wait."
Sheldon reluctantly put the clipboard down and followed the group out the door, looking rather giddy.
"You actually have noooo idea who he is?" Leonard was asking.
"Sorry. I don't watch a lot of television."
"He's a big deal. And we're gonna meet him," Leonard gushed.
"We just got so much cooler," Howard practically squealed.
Amy rolled her eyes. "And just like that, it's gone again."
Howard turned and stopped, forcing the others to stop as well. "Hey, I have the complete series of Rush Hour. How about tomorrow evening we all go to my place, have a marathon, Amy can familiarize herself with his work. We have spaghetti and hot dogs," he told Sheldon, quickly making him reconsider.
"Sounds good," Raj said.
Nobody objected, and they continued to walk down the hall.
-0-0-0-0-
As Leonard parked the car on the side of the road beside the Wolowitz house, he and Sheldon both frowned at the increased amount of cars in the driveway. "Is it a party?" Leonard asked.
"I don't hear any laughter," Sheldon observed. "Nor do I see balloons tied to the mail box."
"They don't have a mail box."
"Precisely. That's why I don't see it."
Leonard sighed as they got out of the car. Upon being greeted and let in by Howard, they followed him to the living room and stopped. Something was wrong, they instantly knew. Josh, Penny and Bernadette's parents were there, too.
"What's going on?" Leonard asked expectantly.
"You heard about the marathon," Sheldon eagerly guessed. "When can we start?"
"Later," Howard said firmly, silencing him. "I only wanted everyone here at the same time because repetition hurts. Bernie?"
He sat as Bernadette took over, sounding more emotionally stable, "I took that modelling job to bring in some money. Last night I was let go, because they need a perfect attendance to get a grant. My boss at the pharmacy says if I miss too many days, he'll have to replace me because people need their...stupid medicine. So Howard and I have decided to sell the house."
The room went silent.
Sheldon looked at Leonard. "Definitely not a party."
"Where'll you go?" Penny asked, in a hushed voice.
"Someplace less extravagant, that's all we know right now," Howard answered.
"You know I offered him money, right?" Raj asked Bernadette.
"I know. And you're sweet, but we need to be able to say we can care for our own."
"Will you still be in Pasadena?" Josh asked.
"I...hope so. It all depends on what we can afford."
Another silence. Finally Raj said, "Okay, here's something. What if you took my money, and...gave me your house?"
Everyone looked at him.
"What?" Howard asked.
"I'll buy it. I'll buy your house. I'll be your landlord and you can stay right here!"
"Raj, you would do that?"
"I would. I will. If - you know, if we have a deal."
"We have a deal!" Howard exclaimed. They shook hands and hugged quickly.
"Thank you, Raj," Bernadette said happily.
"Well," Mike stood, "That was a long car ride for not much."
"It was plenty enough for me," Bernadette grumbled.
"Now can we start the marathon?" Sheldon pleaded Howard.
"Alright, no need to howl. Amy, would you do the honors?"
Amy turned and pulled out the first Rush Hour.
"Oh, cool, I love Jackie Chan!" Penny exclaimed, sitting eagerly beside Sheldon. He looked at her in surprise.
"Should I be jealous?" Leonard asked.
"No, no," she began, and then tilted her head. "Well..."
"Hey, can I stay?" Mike asked. "I haven't seen this in years."
"Of course you can!" Bernadette told him. "You all can."
"Whoa, hey!" Raj exclaimed. "That's something you should really run by your landlord first."
Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"And grape soda in my living room..." he continued. "I'm not sure I like that."
Everyone looked at one another.
"I'm just kidding," he chortled. He plopped down beside Penny and grabbed a soda.