A/N Thank you again for the reviews and sticking with the story. ~Lynn
xTBBTx
Usually an empty whiteboard was a challenge for Sheldon to scrawl his knowledge across its plane but today he saw the beauty in its simple state. Some people would say it represented nothingness but it was full of something—possibilities. In this moment he stood before the creation of everything.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
He frowned at the vestige of his Christian upbringing. It would be nice: say a magic phrase and everything comes into being. It sounded as plausible as Loop Quantum Gravity at any rate. How Leslie Winkle could think the universe stemmed from the collapse of a previous universe was beyond him; especially since string theory offered a more plausible cyclical universe where new matter and energy came into being every trillion years when two extra-dimensional membranes collided.
Unfortunately, Sheldon didn't have a trillion years to wait nor could he affect extra-dimensional membranes to trigger another Big Bang. He was in the here and now examining the cosmic aftermath of a universe-forming explosion.
"You never say a lot of things but you sure imply an awful lot."
He had to work with what he was given. The Big Bang had occurred and within less than a microsecond since its birth the universe underwent a flurry of changes as the grand unification epoch gave birth to the electronuclear force followed by the electroweak, Quark, Hadron, Lepton, Photon epochs and reionization. The question was what to do with it all. How did he organize it so it made sense and put the universe in its proper order? This could be easily solved if he could contact one of the Sheldons in an alternate universe who'd already solved the riddle; however it would take away the challenge.
"'From childhood's hour I have not been / As others were; I have not seen / As others saw'," murmured Sheldon to himself.
Realizing he was at a standstill and needed a diversion he pulled out his phone and scrolled through Raj's email concerning a problem with Dark Matter. While he was not on Sheldon's scale the astrophysicist did have his moments.
"Unfortunately this isn't one of them," sighed Sheldon as he stepped to another board and began writing his solution. Raj's focus on dark matter was trivial in the light of quantum gravity. It was like measuring the dimensions of a puzzle piece without concern for how it relates to the other pieces or the picture itself. Nevertheless if that's what he wanted to work on who was Sheldon Cooper to tell him any differently? Best to be a team player now and argue its insignificance later.
The office door opened even as Leonard knocked. "Why haven't you messaged me back?" he said testily, the tone causing Sheldon to look at his roommate.
"As we're still 'on the clock' I thought it best to do what I'm paid to do. I check messages at lunch and at scheduled breaks with the next occurring at two forty-five." He put the cap back on his marker. "I hardly see the sense in coming all this way to see me since we go home in an hour and—"
"Penny's leaving."
At once Sheldon turned to face the whiteboard. "This couldn't wait until four o'clock?"
"Sheldon," Leonard growled. He did his best to control his breathing. A threat didn't seem as intimidating when followed by an asthma attack.
"Unless she's leaving before four pm I can see the interruption but even if that were the case it still begs the question: so what?" He uncapped his marker and started a second part to Raj's equation.
"Are you insane? Penny's leaving and it's 'so what'?"
"Leonard you've given me nothing else. Penny could be leaving for a variety of destinations and for a multitude of reasons. I can't see how I can make a pronouncement, positive or negative, without facts."
Raising his glasses so he could massage the bridge of his nose, Leonard did his best to calm himself and formulate a concise presentation. Sheldon was not being difficult per se; he was being Sheldon, although it'd been said the two concepts were synonymous.
"Amy called. She'd spoken to Penny who said she was going home—and no I don't mean back to the apartment. I mean Nebraska."
Sheldon's hand froze in mid air before resuming writing. "It's been a while since she's visited her family. I imagine financial constraint has contributed to the absence."
"Sheldon she's not coming back." There, he'd said it and even as the words died in the room Leonard still couldn't believe he uttered them. Sheldon stiffened and after a moment lowered his hand. He looked questioningly at Leonard.
"What about her belongings? Clearly she can't bring everything back to Nebraska on a plane and I doubt her car could make the trip."
Leonard shrugged. "I don't know. She's going home to look for a place and then coming back to pack. So yeah before you correct me I was wrong, she's coming back, but only so she can leave."
"Why would she do a thing like that?" Sheldon sat on the edge of his desk and put the cap on his marker. "Granted her attempts at an acting career have faltered and she's been stuck in a dead-end job for years but I'd assumed she'd accepted her mediocre lot in life." He noted the edge to Leonard's glare. "I just mean she's never done anything to improve her situation," he added evenly.
"Well I guess she is now," Leonard said unhappily.
"Hardly. I somehow doubt moving back to her parents' farm is a step forward in any sense of the word," said Sheldon as he crossed his arms. He almost dared Leonard to contradict him.
The shorter man sighed as he slumped against the door. "Just talk to her Sheldon." At this Sheldon straightened up and retreated behind his desk.
"What would I have to say?" he said as his eyes kept to the papers lying before him.
"Anything would be good."
"As you're aware Penny and I have already talked. We both agreed to maintain our friendship. I can't see how my position is in any way more advantageous than yours. In fact since you've dated you're the logical choice—"
Leonard slammed the door and crossed over to stand in front of the desk. "Fix it," he spat. Sheldon took a step back. He'd never seen his friend so upset.
"There's nothing to fix, Leonard," he said gently.
Leonard began to pace. "You know Sheldon, sometimes I get the feeling you're intentionally obtuse. There's no way you can't put two and two together on this and see why she's leaving."
"I know what you're intimating," Sheldon said darkly. "And frankly I reject your premise. Penny isn't leaving because of me. If anything our aborted attempt at dating is similar to when Penny dumped you and you both ended up good friends."
"So it's just a coincidence you decide to 'just be friends' and the next day she's going home? I thought you didn't believe in coincidences?"
Sheldon opened a drawer and pulled out a stapler. "I also don't ascribe to conjecture. Penny must have given Amy a reason for her departure. Surely you asked what it was?"
He took a few papers and tapped them until they were uniform.
Leonard stopped in the middle of the room, his fingers playing with his jacket zipper. "Penny said it was everything: her career, job, life choices. You. We can't fix the first three but you can undo the fourth."
"Don't you think if I could undo my actions I would?" Sheldon asked as he stapled the papers together. "Unfortunately our time course is linear—good God didn't Deep Space Nine teach you anything?"
"Just talk to her," Leonard whined.
"And say what? 'Penny, don't go'? She'll ask why and what then? She's living hand-to-mouth here so I can't just tell her to make changes to her life willy-nilly even though I believe California offers her better options than cornhusking in Nebraska." He took a second pile of papers and began sorting them.
"Tell her the options. Tell her you're sorry. Tell her anything at this point," Leonard said as he watched his friend staple more sheets.
"I've already apologized." The room fell silent save for the clicking of the stapler. "I suppose we could discuss her options although it's been my experience when Penny's determined to do something it's easier to dissuade Yosemite Sam."
"Well the sooner you do it the sooner we can all go back to normal," said Leonard as he turned to go.
"'Back to normal'. Please. Penny is contemplating moving home. It's not like she's off to the twenty-third century with Spock," Sheldon said haughtily.
"So you mean it's always normal for you to staple your recycling or are past due department meeting notices something you file for future reference?" Leonard snorted as he closed the door.
Sheldon took a moment to discern what he'd done before reaching into his desk for a staple puller.
XxX
There was no doubt about it—she had too many clothes. Worst of all, she'd gotten rid of most of her Nebraskan wardrobe so she had nothing to wear when it got colder and brother, Nebraska got cold. Penny folded another pair of sweat pants and squished them into her suitcase. She'd look like Bride of the Jock but at least she'd have something to wear besides shorts and mini dresses. Thank goodness she kept her Cornhusker sweater since it was as necessary as skin at home.
Home. God, she hadn't been home in three years. Not that she was avoiding it by any stretch; she just couldn't afford the air fare without making sacrifices to her lifestyle. You know those little extras like food, hydro and gasoline. Ok, maybe a pair of shoes. Or two.
Knock Knock Knock "Penny."
Knock Knock Knock "Penny."
Knock Knock Knock "Penny."
Sheldon waited at the door. Surely she would answer. It wasn't like they weren't friends. She'd answer the door and they'd talk. He'd make his points and she'd see reason and all this nonsense about her moving away would vanish. Of course all of this was moot if she didn't open the door. As he was about to embark on another round of knocks he heard her flip-flops stop at her door. Now he was in a quandary: did he give her time to think over whether to open the door or should he pretend he didn't know she was there and knock again? He felt his breathing begin to quicken. Anyone who says knocking at a door is 'no big deal' has obviously never knocked at the right one.
She knew he was there. The question was did she have enough strength to deal with him in here? Penny turned to look at her living room with the pile of dirty Kleenex and empty glasses on her coffee table, her comforter and pillow on the couch and clothing tossed here and there. Maybe he wouldn't have the strength to come in. She turned the lock and opened the door.
Standing in his red single cell to robot evolution shirt with his hands behind his back Penny had the feeling Sheldon wanted to be anywhere but here.
"Hey," she said softly.
While it was good she didn't show any sign of lacrimation Sheldon was unnerved by the absence of something in her eyes. Her green eyes dilated—she was pleased to see him—but their inner brilliance was faint as if he stood light years away.
"Hello Penny," he replied. "Leonard tells me you're planning to go back to Nebraska."
"Yeah."
"As your friend I want to hear your reasoning behind this move and determine its soundness." He said this as plainly as he could yet a frown still crossed her brow.
"So now I'm crazy too?" Before he could answer she turned to go back to her bedroom although she left the front door open.
Undaunted, Sheldon entered the apartment; his nostrils flared at the sight of the dirty Kleenex and made note not to touch anything unless absolutely necessary.
"I'm not ascribing a diagnosis, Penny. I only want to understand why you want to go." Why must you always make this so difficult?
"A lot of reasons," she called from the bedroom.
"As I've gathered. Could you list them?" He visualized the apartment without its clutter. Remembered what it looked like after the transvestite left the building. Stark. Empty.
"Well my acting career for starters. I'm twenty-six with a hemorrhoid commercial and a play staged over a bowling alley to my name. I should have a body of work by now and instead all people want is my body. Maybe I should've taken your advice and did the porn."
"I said no such thing," Sheldon said with indignation as he appeared at her bedroom door. "As I recall you erroneously arrived at a casting call for what was thought to be a cat food commercial but was instead a pornographic production. I merely asked if your audition was successful."
Penny rolled her eyes. "Yeah thanks about that. It so puts you in a better light." She picked out a few earrings from a small box and put them in a baggie.
"Please Penny, I don't want to argue every point." He had no idea why he'd said what he did; of course he knew she wouldn't have done the audition. It was just nice to hear her reject the notion aloud.
She looked to the ceiling and sighed deeply before she faced him. "I don't want to fight either. Maybe we should just call a truce and leave it at that."
"We most certainly are not going to end this conversation." He cleared his throat as he shifted his weight. "I only have one reason for your leaving. While I grant you that your career hasn't reached its potential are you sure you've done everything possible?"
Penny sat down next to her suitcase in a huff. "I've done the acting classes and the dancing classes. I've got an agent and even a contact or two but at the end of the day I've got nothing. This girl's too 'mid-Western' for Hollywood."
He thought over her statement and found her assessment sound. "Fair enough. What's your next reason?"
"I've been at the same crappy job for over five years. I barely make enough to support myself and I'm tired of eating Ichibon Noodles and having my cable cut." She pulled her hair into a pony tail before letting her hand slide down its length.
"Some of this might have to do with budgeting issues—which we won't get into," he said quickly as he caught the scowl forming on her face. "However I agree with your basic premise that the Cheesecake Factory provides insufficient income. Have you looked for other employment?"
"Different shovel, same shit." That's what her dad said when he talked about dealing with the government about subsidies. He had about a thousand euphemisms surrounding the word 'shit'. Must be a farming thing.
"Perhaps another business would have a better 'promote from within' policy."
"Yeah after what, four or five more years waitressing? No thanks. And before you say it, yes I did think about going back to school but I can't afford it. Not if I stay here." She looked down at her electric-blue painted toenails. "Dad said they'd help me out if I moved back to Omaha."
"That's generous," he said evenly. He couldn't find fault with the plan. Penny needed a new start and this would provide her the educational tools necessary for her to succeed. Oddly, he didn't feel comforted by the news.
"It is," Penny agreed. She wanted to hear Sheldon say it was a stupid plan and that she should stay. She couldn't read the look on his face and if there was ever a time she wanted to know what he was thinking it was now.
"The next reason for leaving?"
It kills me seeing you here standing like nothing's changed. "I miss my family."
"They have phone plans, Skype and transportation to take care of that. Next."
I remember the blue of your eyes as we danced. "I want to feel better about myself."
Sheldon hesitated before answering. "Where better to be than with your friends? We're all—fond—of you and want nothing but the best. I'm sure I speak for the rest of the group when I say you can count on us to do anything within our power to make you see your significance."
"Thank you Sheldon." She'd wondered what it would sound like to have Sheldon Cooper compliment her like a 'normal' guy. The words were still formal yet contained a passion she knew existed underneath his layered t-shirts. Too bad it didn't mean what it could have.
"Is there anything else we didn't address?"
The big ol' elephant in the room. "I don't know. Can you think of anything?" she asked as she wiped her eyes.
"It's not my list," he said quietly. Penny nodded as she sniffled.
"Sheldon." She got up and took three steps until she stood in front of him. "Thank you, Moonpie."
Sheldon braced himself for the hug but his arms were wooden as they clumsily encircled Penny. Her hair was soft against his hand and he found himself lost in her vanilla scent.
His jaw muscles clenched as he fought to contain himself. Leonard gave him the preposterous idea she was leaving because of their failed union. Obviously Penny had done a lot of thinking and knew her own mind. He wasn't the reason why she was leaving.
He sure as hell wouldn't be enough for her to stay.
Her hands eventually found his shoulders and gently she stepped back. For a moment Penny searched his eyes and immersed herself in the blue, a ghost of a smile touching her lips even as tears glistened. Without another word she walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
Feeling himself begin to panic Sheldon quickly exited the apartment.
"Shel—" Leonard's greeting died on his lips as his roommate passed by the couch.
Sheldon was never so happy to reach his bedroom. He closed the door and stole his way to his bed in the semi-darkness. With legs tucked upwards he curled himself into a ball. That's when he felt it. The double shirts kept the wetness from his skin but as his fingers stroked the damp cloth he knew he'd never be the same.
He sang softly to the night:
"Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty, Little ball of fur…."
xTBBTx
Leonard was already up and dressed by the time Sheldon came to the kitchen for breakfast. He didn't say anything even though his germ-phobic roommate was still wearing yesterday's clothes; from the sheer exhaustion marked on his face it was a miracle Sheldon was here at all.
"So you know you'll be taking the bus to work since I'm"—Leonard caught his friend's warning stare—"busy this morning." He'd told Sheldon last night he'd be bringing Penny to the airport. She'd taken a week off to look for an apartment and a job in Omaha. "I'll skip half my lunch so I won't have as much time to make up after work. If you don't mind waiting I'll take you home." Sheldon nodded as he prepared his cereal. Leonard checked his watch. "I should go over and see if—I'll be back," he stammered and exited the apartment.
Sheldon stared into his bowl for a minute before taking a spoonful of cereal. He wasn't particularly hungry but he knew better than to skip the most important meal of the day. Today would already see little output on his part and he didn't want his bowels to emulate his energy level. He checked the clock: Leonard wanted to leave about fifteen minutes ago but given Penny's propensity for lateness their departure time would be no earlier than seven oh five. He massaged a dull ache in his left temple as he finished his cereal. He'd take an aspirin when he got to the bathroom. There were no heroes when it came to tension headaches.
In apartment 4B Leonard discreetly checked his watch as Penny made sure her windows were left open a crack and that she'd unplugged unnecessary electronics.
"Ok, you've got the spare keys and I've got the ticket, phone, keys." She checked her purse. "Damn it not now."
"Are these them?" Leonard asked as he fished a set of keys out of a little bowl on her entertainment unit.
"Yup." Sheldon might have something there with the keys-in-bowl idea after all. "I guess that's it." Penny smiled sympathetically as the corners of Leonard's mouth turned bravely upwards even though he looked like someone shot his dog.
"I'll get your bag," he said as he extended the handle on the suitcase.
"No sweetie it's ok. It's heavy and I don't want you wheezing by the time we're at the lobby," said Penny as she took the bag.
"I'm not that bad," frowned Leonard as he lifted the suitcase with a grunt before setting it on the ground. "Although you sure packed an awful lot," he admitted.
"Look we had a deal: I handle the brawn and you the brainy stuff."
"That's not true. I like to think I performed quite well in the bedroom. You know, after a bit of practice."
Penny laughed as she rolled the suitcase into the hall. "And just what base do you think we'd have gotten on if I wasn't a 'big ol' five'?"
Leonard closed and locked the door. "I'd have gotten there eventually. Mind you evolution did take millions of years and the ability of physicists to ask out beautiful women is a recent phenomenon." He crossed over to his apartment. "Let me tell Sheldon we're off." He opened the door but the room was empty. Hearing the shower running he quickly took a piece of paper from his desk and wrote a note. He folded the paper so it stood upright and put it in the key bowl before closing the door.
"He's in the shower," he said to Penny as means of explanation.
She nodded as she lifted the suitcase and hit the stairs. It might be cowardice on her part but she was glad Sheldon wasn't there to say goodbye. After last night she learned that Penny plus Sheldon equaled Penny in tears and she didn't want to look the baby today. It was hard enough trying to appear grown up when flying home with her tail between her legs especially since her parents had paid for the ticket. Crap on a cracker.
Once the car was on the road the conversation fluctuated between upbeat chit-chat and moments of silence that only two people who'd cared about each other could share. Glancing at her as she sat quietly looking out the side window Leonard wondered if this was the moment he'd consider 'their moment'. Penny was a constant: five years of morning coffees and mailbox greetings until she became one of the gang. Except she wasn't. Not really. There was always something about Penny that was apart—not aloof—from everyone. Leonard would sometimes see it when she looked particularly pensive but those moments were few and far between.
Penny was twenty two when they'd met and her eyes were on Hollywood not solving the world's troubles. Next to her beauty it was her zest for life that got to Leonard. What could have seemed flaky came across as exuberance personified as she found the secret joy in things most people took for granted. She'd gotten him to try things he'd never even dreamed of doing; sometimes he even came back from these excursions without an injury. Penny never complained when she helped him hobble up the steps. She always took things in stride when it came to her coordination-challenged boyfriend. Except when I said I loved her. In that moment he ran into an insurmountable wall. He thought it was him. He never guessed her problem lay with her self-doubt.
Part of him was flattered that she didn't see herself as being in his league. Except in academics no one had ever looked at him in such a way and even then having Sheldon as a roommate made his career accomplishments pale by comparison. Perhaps that's why he never properly addressed the issue. He told her he liked her as she was yet kept putting his foot in his mouth by making suggestions for improvement. Penny was great. Penny two point oh would be amazing.
At the end of the day Leonard thought too much when he should have acted. More brawn, less brain. Now he found himself in a car driving the first woman he ever loved to the airport and he hadn't told her what she meant to him. He hadn't thanked her for showering him with her loveliness and showing him how to laugh. All they had was this moment with Leonard's mind whirling a million thoughts a second as Penny looked to the sky for something he knew he could never see.
"So are you nervous?" he asked as he took the exit ramp to the airport terminal.
"A little. Even putting everything else aside it's been three years. I know things will be different and yet the same." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled at Leonard. "I'll be fine."
"I'm glad one of us will be. Let me drop you off then find a place to park." He signaled and took a spot at the curb.
"You don't have to stay, Leonard. I've got my phone and I'll buy a couple of magazines."
"Penny." He grabbed her arm to keep her from exiting the vehicle. "You're leaving us not the other way around. I'm not going anywhere, ok?"
Forgetting her earlier promise not to cry Penny leaned over and gave Leonard a long and heartfelt hug.
That's the thing about Leonard Hofstadter: he may hem and haw and think things over twenty seven billion times but at the end of the day he comes through—even if it's at the eleventh hour.
XxX
The bus would be there in seven minutes if it was on time although it had been Sheldon's experience that the Pasadena Transit Commission schedule was more a suggestion than something he could set his watch. Nevertheless he should be out the door by now instead of sitting in his spot wearing his bus pants.
The thing was he had a problem and unless he learned how to control his fear of heights—which he hadn't—and go out the window it only had one answer. He picked up his keys and pretended to quickly lock a door. He repeated several more times before adding a new twist: after removing the key he turned his body to the left while keeping his head staring straight ahead.
Sighing as he got up Sheldon crossed over to the apartment door. He'd only have one crack at this so it had to be done right. He closed his eyes as he stepped into the hall, only daring to peek when he faced his own door. With a fluid motion he inserted his key in the lock and turned.
"Eyes right," he whispered to himself over and over like a revered mantra.
Sheldon raised his left hand to his eyes to help shield himself from the other side of the hall as he stared at the wall to his right while descending the stairs. He let out a breath as soon as he passed the first landing.
"Not bad," he said shakily. Adding together a week's worth of arrivals and departures he only had to endure seventeen more trips through the hall until Penny came back.
XxX
It was while she was walking through the Omaha airport that Penny realized she forgot to ask who was picking her up. She pulled out her phone and dialed home but no one answered. Hel-lo. Farmers. Either Dad was out in the fields or Mom was doing her own thing—her farm chores were always done in the morning so she'd have some 'me time' in the afternoon for quilting or Wii aerobics. After sport fishing with Leonard at the apartment her father Wyatt had to get himself a Wii for the winter months. Ann first frowned at her husband's idea until she tried out the bowling and died laughing as she relived her childhood Saturday mornings in the Little Lanes League. Penny had wanted to be there to see her parents play.
"Be careful what you wish for," she muttered to herself as she scoured the airport for a familiar person.
When she saw him she nearly died.
His hair was browner and shorter than she remembered but the relaxed way he leaned against the pillar quietly scanning the crowd screamed her brother Greg.
"Oh my God!" Penny squealed as she practically dragged her suitcase behind her. Greg gave a crooked smile as he let himself be pulled into a hug. "Mom and Dad didn't say you were home."
"How are you little girl?" As kids Greg always made it a point to stress Penny's femininity since Wyatt was raising her as the son he always wanted. Not that Greg wasn't welcome he just wasn't a farm boy.
"Up to my neck in problems as always," she grinned as they began walking through the airport.
"Yup. Mom told me some of the details but I wanted to hear it straight so I wouldn't get the PG version."
"There's not much dirt in the details. I struck out acting and need a second start," Penny shrugged.
A twinkle came to Greg's eyes. "So what's his name?"
"What?" She balked and turned red before she whapped her brother on the arm. "You're trouble, you know that?"
"Just tellin' it, Pen. You haven't made a move without a guy since you found out we're for more than playing tag in a corn field." He grinned as Penny flashed him a semi-serious glare.
"Well don't you be 'tellin' it' to Mom or your ass is grass, got it?"
"Yes Ma'am," he replied as he held open the door for Penny to pass.
They continued to chat about California in general until they got to the truck.
"You know, I really could do with an iced coffee before we head back," Penny said as she put on her seatbelt.
Greg checked his phone. "If we make it quick."
"What, Dad's got you under his thumb?" Penny laughed. In answer Greg lifted his left pant leg to reveal the monitor around his ankle.
"Something like that," he said with a little smirk.
"Holy crap on a cracker. How long've you had that?"
"Since I got out. Eight more months of good behavior and we can part ways. I'm only allowed off the farm for specific errands and even then Dad's pretty strict." He started the engine. "Starbucks ok?"
"Sure." Penny waited for the truck to move but nothing happened. She looked questioningly at her brother.
"Do I get a name?" he asked simply.
"Give me a break, Greg. I'm twenty-six years—"
"Fourteen minutes and counting before we go straight home," he warned.
Despite her frustration Penny giggled. "His name's Sheldon."
Greg put the truck in gear. "That's a new one. Dad only ever spoke about Leonard and even then he was a holy subject."
"Well Sheldon might not be new to Dad so just keep it quiet, ok?"
"Sheldon. Not exactly a California beach bum kind of name." He signaled right to get onto the strip towards downtown.
"He's a physicist from East Texas," Penny replied as she looked out the window. Omaha wasn't Los Angeles but it was a city of over four hundred thousand people—not bad for being located in farming country.
"Isn't Leonard a physicist?"
"Yup."
"Who knew a science geek could be the heartbreak kid?"
"I know what you mean," Penny said quietly. Greg stole a glance at her through the rear view mirror.
"You should've known scientists are trouble. Look at me."
She smiled. "The family chemist."
"Bet Mom sure regrets getting me '101 Science Experiments for Kids' when I was ten. As for me, I'm just happy I didn't blow myself up. Meth cooking isn't exactly done with an Easy-Bake Oven." At this Penny laughed out loud. "What?"
"Sheldon used his sister's Easy-Bake Oven to make a robotic arm to keep her out of his room."
"Cool stuff. Fortunately for me my sisters were better behaved than that."
"Naw, we just didn't get caught."
Greg pulled into a side street and parked. "I've got to go with you so I have someone to vouch for me."
Penny got out of the truck and waited for her brother. Joining hands, she swung their arms back and forth like a little kid.
"Make sure the coffee's sugar-free," he said drolly.
"Ha ha. I'll get you one too." She opened the door and he followed.
Greg couldn't help but smile as a guy sitting at a table practically choked on his coffee as he spotted Penny with her pink mini-dress and platform sandals.
"Welcome home girlie," her brother murmured.
xTBBTx
She remembered hearing the rooster and thinking this was way too early to get up. That was the last coherent thought Penny had until ten am when her eyes opened for the second time. It was sunny and cool with the breeze lazily poking at the curtains. She thanked her lucky stars she took down her butterfly wind chime although she was so tired last night it might not have made much difference.
Almost from the get-go it was gab, gab, gab with her mother and Greg; her dad choosing to listen and eat dinner as opposed to talk. Unless he had something to say or was enthused he said little, following his personal motto to say nothing and be thought a fool than speak up and remove all doubt. There was such a sense of relief that her youngest daughter was home that Penny's mom didn't bring up anything serious. There'd be time enough to discuss Penny's plans for moving and what she wanted to do in Omaha.
Tossing back the covers she got out of bed and slipped into an old pair of flip-flops she used as house slippers. Penny went to her closet and put on her blue housecoat; she was smaller than before and had to cinch in the belt. At least California living had done something for her hips. After refreshing herself in the washroom she made her way down the stairs into the kitchen for some orange juice. Opening the fridge her eyes couldn't believe the amount of food stuffed into its shelves and bins. She took out a wrapped plate of scrambled eggs and sausage along with the juice. While she was used to having cereal in the morning—it's Saturday which means he's eating bran cereal and a quarter cup milk while watching Dr. Who—she figured she'd make less trouble if she just followed the local menu.
While the bread was toasting she opened the newspaper to the want ads and began looking for her new life. Because of the recession there weren't a whole lot of jobs to choose from but there were some waitressing opportunities (ugh) available. Her experience at the Cheesecake Factory meant she could also apply for the bartending ads. With her looks and disposition she thought she'd be a shoo-in. Of course she'd thought she'd be golden in California so who was to say what would happen here.
As she ate she scanned the apartment listings and couldn't get over how inexpensive the rent was away from the coast. Even around the University of Nebraska—Omaha campus the two bedrooms were no more than what she paying for her small apartment. It was sad to say but if she could only transfer her job she'd actually be doing ok financially, especially if mom and dad were going to help her out with school.
Penny hated to admit it but the more she looked at the move the more it made sense. She really could start over here and hey, it wasn't like she'd have to give up California all together. She'd have a place to stay with Amy and could visit the guys and go clubbing and shoe shopping. It'd be the best of both worlds. Really. She sighed as she doodled in the newspaper margins. More importantly the move would give her time to come to terms with Sheldon and maybe salvage their friendship although she had the feeling it'd never be the same.
She wondered if she'd ever get back to some sort of normalcy. After hanging out with genius friends she found everyday conversation didn't engage her unless there was an odd reference to Star Trek or some science trivia that got her brain thinking about what really did exist in the universe. Not to say she couldn't name all the Kardashians and didn't follow TMZ religiously; she found balance between trash and treasure and knew she'd be hard pressed to keep it up without her friends. After a few years she wouldn't have anything in common with them and slowly but surely they'd fade from her life….
XxX
"—And that's when we learned Howard's still not over his fear of the ocean," said Bernadette as she closed the photo album tab on the laptop.
"Aren't you supposed to have that licked before you're off to the space station?" asked Raj.
"Yeah. Looks like it's back to the swimming pool next week," sighed the engineer.
"I'm surprised they're putting such an emphasis on swimming since the Russian Soyuz capsule is designed to land in the Kazakhstan desert," said Amy with a raised eyebrow.
"I think it's in case the landing's off," Leonard offered. "Although I don't know how comfortable I'd be flying in a space program that makes contingency plans for missing a continent."
"They're thorough." Raj gave Leonard a stern look then indicated Bernadette with his eyes.
"Not that I'm saying anything's going to happen," Leonard added hastily.
"I see you bought a yellow bathing suit," said Amy to change the subject.
"I wasn't going to but Penny and you went on and on about it being my color so I thought oh what the heck." At once the diminutive woman put her hand to her mouth. There had been a gentleman's agreement that Penny wouldn't be mentioned even though it was her absence that brought the newlyweds to the apartment the day they returned from their honeymoon.
As one the group looked around and let out a communal sigh as Sheldon hadn't come back into the room from whatever he was doing in his bedroom.
"Speaking of the unspeakable did anyone talk to Penny before she left?" asked Howard quietly.
"I spoke to her on Thursday, as did Sheldon. Obviously we were unsuccessful in our attempts to dissuade her from going home," replied Amy.
"Poor Sheldon," sighed Bernadette.
Almost as if in response Sheldon came into the room, laundry basket in hand.
"What's going on?" Leonard asked his roommate.
"It's eight fifteen. I should think it's obvious."
"Sheldon, we have guests."
"Are they planning on being here for at least fifteen minutes? Then we'll still have guests when I return." He stopped at the door and took a breath before dashing into the hall and down the stairs.
Raj looked at Leonard with a puzzled expression. "What's with that?"
"He doesn't want to see Penny's apartment." Leonard rolled his eyes. "I hope he gets over this before he misjudges a step and falls down the stairs."
XxX
Leonard was surprised to see the hall light on as he opened his bedroom door. It was after two am and while Sheldon didn't have to get up for work the late night would throw his sleep schedule even more out of whack. After going to the washroom he walked to the living room to find Sheldon looking at his whiteboard.
"Whatcha doing?" Leonard asked with a yawn.
"Sleep has eluded me so I'm trying to be productive."
Adjusting his glasses, Leonard glanced over Sheldon's equation. It was an odd combination of M-Theory, Quantum Loop Theory (Leslie would have a giggle fit) and—geometry? "What are you measuring?"
"What?" Sheldon asked, puzzled.
"You're solving for 'P'. Perimeter of what?"
"Of everything." Sheldon made to grab the dry eraser.
"Just a second. Let me see what's what before you wipe it. Maybe I can help."
Sheldon snorted. "I doubt it." Nevertheless he stood aside to let his roommate look over the board.
"So let me get this straight," said Leonard after a few minutes. "You're postulating a return to a self-contained state post Big Bang? Not going to happen."
"I disagree. If Quantum Loop Theory says the universe recreates itself and String Theory says a new universe forms from extra-dimensional matter colliding there's a moment when things essentially reset."
"There's nothing to suggest the universe resets," said Leonard as he put the kettle on to heat. "It could just as easily return as something completely different in composition."
"Hardly. It can only form from what's available." Sheldon added a new equation to the board. "The variants would be minute."
"Not necessarily. The cat's already out of the bag. The Big Bang's done. Pure states have been mixed and new elements formed. There's no going back." Leonard got out a mug and the box of chamomile tea. "Besides, what's the point of going back to a self-contained state when another Big Bang's only going to shake up the universe again?"
"Not if it's careful," Sheldon said quietly.
At once Leonard was still. String Theory my ass. Quickly he sought to translate the math into something more personal. "Sheldon, even if the universe is careful it still carries with it memories of the Big Bang. The Bang happened and the results are all over the place and not going away."
"The universe will adapt."
"But will it be happy?"
"Where do you get happiness out of this?" scowled Sheldon.
"Dark Matter."
Sheldon looked at his board. "I don't follow."
"The universe was very much alone all of its life. Oh sure, it met other universes and sometimes even tolerated them but it never really connected. Then in one moment the universe encountered something so extra-dimensionally beautiful and Bang—everything changed. New elements formed: friendship, empathy, happiness. Love." Leonard cleared his throat. He couldn't believe what he was hearing when Amy said Sheldon was in love with Penny; that Sheldon wasn't now arguing with him removed all doubt. "And if the universe now wants to pretend they don't exist it should know that its gravity numbers to support life will never balance out without accounting for things like dark matter. And dark matter, as we all know, is detected by its gravitational attraction. Believe me Sheldon, there's attraction. Both ways."
"It's too late."
Leonard sighed. "It's not too late. Like you said, all the elements are still there in the universe. All it has to do is reach out."
Sheldon thought about this for a moment as Leonard made tea. "What if the universe is too afraid to act?" the taller man said at last.
"Then it's an idiot. I know that extra-dimensional beauty first-hand and—oh for crying out loud Sheldon, talk to Penny."
"And say what?"
"You miss her. You like her." Sheldon looked at him incredulously.
"She left for a variety of reasons, Leonard. I highly doubt she'd return just because I—miss her."
"You never gave her a chance to decide. And yeah, it's going to be scary as hell and you may be right. You might not be enough to bring her back but at least you tried. Don't give up without a fight." Leonard gave Sheldon a friendly bump on the arm as he passed. "Goodnight Sheldon." He was just about to turn the corner when his roommate spoke.
"Leonard?"
"Yes Sheldon?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Beaming, Leonard practically strutted into his bedroom.
xTBBTx
A/N Wikipedia: Loop Quantum Gravity; Grand Unification Epoch;
'From childhood's hour I have not been / As others were; I have not seen / As others saw': 'Alone' by Edgar Allan Poe. This poem is so Sheldon it's scary.
Penny's brother: His name isn't mentioned on the show.