A/N: After the wonderfulness provided in episode 7.23, it is a little difficult to proceed with a story that can be termed more than a little sad.

Something unusual happens here, but I'm going with it because I can see this group of friends acting in this way. Most of this was written way back in October and I've been anxious to put it out for reactions.

All of your reviews are so greatly appreciated. Thank you for them and for reading...

Chapter 21: Friendship, with love

With Wyatt and Josie returning to Nebraska, a certain routine began to fall into place, both at North Robles Avenue and on Monterey Street.

Penny put in short hours at the library, when she could manage. Her tired, worn-out times could be predicted, coming in the late afternoon and, of course, in the evening.

Each member of "Team Penny" continued to provide their assistance, never being a time when someone was not available to take their friend to appointments, shopping at the grocery (a task she insisted on continuing to do) and to work.

Along with the routine, there was also a malaise that would come over Penny at times. Try as he might, there were occasions where Leonard was unable to completely cheer her, try as he might.

Bernadette was the one who suggested the idea of a party. The Saturday before the next treatment was decided on. The thought was it would buoy her spirits both now and in the days to come approaching that next hurdle.

The plans came off without a hitch, with most of the group being available. Elyse was the only one unable to be there, as she would be out of town at a symposium the library was anxious for her to attend.

The day of the party was a beautiful day in Pasadena. Spirits were high, and all were enjoying the company of their friends. Food and drink were plentiful and Penny was completely enjoying herself.

Even though she was out of the sun, she could still feel its effects. She bent her head down and putting her hand on her forehead, she pushed her fingers through her hair, hoping that putting it back would help her to cool off. Her face fell when she saw that she had a fist full of long blonde hair.

"Dammit" she said. Not harshly, but sadly, in a whisper.

Leonard walked over to her. He saw immediately what was in her hand. He squatted down so he was in front of her as she sat in the chair. He put his hands on her thighs and looked deeply into her green eyes. She looked back at him as a sad smile brushed over her face. A single tear fell from her right eye. He leaned forward and caught it with a kiss. Still smiling she touched the side of his face; closed her eyes and nodded.

She put her hands on top of his, still on her thighs. They each squeezed and he went into the house. While he was inside, she signaled for Bernadette to come to her. She whispered something to her. Bernadette nodded and gave Penny a hug. Together they picked up the chair she was sitting in and carried it so it was on the patio blocks just outside the door, near an electrical outlet and a small outdoor table.

Leonard returned carrying several items including a black plastic case. He placed everything on the table and hugged Bernadette. He then knelt down in front of her as he had before, holding her hands in her lap as well as holding her gaze. He let go long enough to tuck a strand of her hair behind her left ear. She leaned her head into his hand. He caressed her, then returned to holding both her hands. Bernadette stepped behind her and picking up a brush from among the things Leonard brought outside, began brushing Penny's long blonde hair in an upwards motion. She gathered each strand between her fingers. When she was done she took two hair ties from the table. She tied one to the strand of hair at the end, wrapping it around several times to keep hair from slipping out and then repeated the action at the bottom about an inch and-a-half from Penny's head.

"Okay honey. It'll be real quick" Bernadette said softly.

"I'm ready" Penny said.

With one snip the strand was free. Penny took in a quick breath-a gasp. Bernadette gently handed it to Leonard. He kissed the hair and handed it to Penny. She held it in her lap and looked down at it, then up at Leonard. She shrugged her shoulders and said "step one."

Bernadette picked up a towel from the table and placed it over Penny's chest, draping it over her shoulders. She then took a pair of electric clippers out of the black plastic case, bent down and plugged them into the outlet. Resting the palm of her hand on Penny's cheek, she asked "ready?" Penny nodded yes.

By now everyone had noticed what was going on. Howard began to take some photos with his camera, discreetly.

Next there was a small click and Bernadette slowly began to shave Penny's head. She smiled and said "my head feels lighter already."

Leonard brought her hand to his lips, kissed it and said "Bernadette". She switched off the clippers so she could hear him.

"Bernadette, if you could do my hair just like that when you're done, that would be really great."

Penny looked at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. Tears forming in her eyes.

"Then me" Amy said walking up next to Penny, putting her hand gently on her left shoulder.

Penny quickly grabbed he hand, brought it to the side of her face and held it there. The tears were now falling.

"Okey-dokey, then you can do mine Amy" Bernadette exclaimed.

"I call next after Bernadette" Raj interjected. He then added "I've read that look is very in for the fall."

"I'll go after Raj. Maybe we can try an astronaut cut" Howard joked.

Finally Sheldon said "you know Penny is the only one of you rubes to have cut my hair. I would be most grateful if she could continue and complete the job she started the last time."

Her eyes were locked on Leonard's and his on hers. She was fighting back tears, but she was smiling. After several moments, she brushed away the tears, winked at him and gave him a grin.

"Hey Howard!" she called out. She was suddenly buoyant and full of the devil. "I hope you're getting pictures of this. It's a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence." She then let out a loud and long "Woooooo!".

Amy picked up on it immediately. "Yeah Wolowitz. Get snapping!" and hollered as well.

After that, all hell broke loose. Raj increased the volume on the stereo. Bernadette began dancing as she grabbed the electric clippers again. She handed them to Amy, who took a turn shaving a bit of her Bestie's hair. Amy then called over Sheldon, he did the same with a grin. "Payback Penny, unlike revenge, is a dish best served hairless" he said. Penny nearly choked with laughter. Leonard grinned widely. He felt a warmth spread through him.

Next Howard, handing the camera to Amy took his swipe at the golden locks, followed by Raj and then finally Leonard, who finished the job.

Bernadette had been sweeping up the hair as it fell and gathered it together and placed it into a plastic bag. She took a piece of tape and stuck it to the bag and marked it "Penny" with the date.

Penny stood up from the seat and said "Alright. Let me see." Bernadette handed her a mirror. She held it up and turned her now shaved head from side to side. "Wow! My ears are really cute". "Hubba, hubba" said Amy.

Leonard then sat down on the chair and said to Bernadette, who was still swaying and dancing to the music Raj had selected, "Let'er rip!"

She turned on the clippers and Penny yelled "wait! I'll just be a second. Wait!" Bernadette switched off the clippers while Penny ran into the house. She reappeared a few seconds later with a box of jumbo sized plastic sandwich bags.

"Okay Bernadette. I'm ready. HOWARD!" She shouted, trying her best, but sounding nothing like Mrs. Wolowitz. Everyone was laughing hysterically. "Get a picture of my baby getting his hair cut". More laughter.

Each friend stepped up to have their head shaved in solidarity with Penny. Amy and Bernadette took turns doing the honors. Just as Bernadette had done with Penny, both she and Amy had their long hair braided and snipped before the actual treatment with the razor/clippers occurred.

Penny spent her time laughing and gathering up each of her friend's hair in separate baggies. Getting the idea from Bernadette, Penny dated and labeled each bag. Howard and Raj took turns taking pictures of each "victim", before during and after.

At last Sheldon called Penny over and told her he meant what he said earlier. She was the only one to be entrusted with the task of shaving his head. He walked over to the chair and sat down. Penny followed and took the clippers from Amy, who had just finished with Raj.

In less than five minutes she had finished Sheldon's head. Each of the friends looked from one to the other and burst out laughing boisterously.

Sheldon walked up to Amy, tilted his head and said "I know it shouldn't surprise me Amy Farrah Fowler, but the shape of your head is quite elegant."

"You sure know the way to make a girl all week in the knees" she replied.

"None of that you two, you'll need to get a room if this goes any further" Bernadette yelled, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.

It was beginning to get dark and Leonard had started a fire in the pit at the other end of the yard. The friends made their way over, bringing some additional chairs so that everyone would have a place to sit.

Penny had begun to look tired. The excitement and activity, although fun and joyful, had worn her out. Leonard disappeared and came back a few minutes later with the rocking chair from the bedroom. Raj seeing him, jumped up to help him carry the chair the rest of the way to the fire pit.

"Dude, next time let me know. We would have given you a hand."

"I know. I didn't think it was as heavy as it turned out to be." Together they brought it the rest of the way to the group that was now ensconced around the pit.

"Hey you" Penny said to him dreamily and more than a little tired.

"Come sit here. You'll be more comfortable." He gently took her left hand and wrapped his am around her waist to help her up. She gingerly made it to the rocker and he helped her sit down. Once she had, she gave up a big sigh.

"I'll be right back." He went to walk away, but she held onto his hand and said with a tired smile "hurry."

Running to the house and to the closet in the entryway, he retrieved a blanket and her fuzzy boots. Although it had been warm earlier, he noticed that it had gotten quite cooler as the sun went down. He stopped before he got to the sliding door and rested his armload on the table next to the washing machine and trotted back to the closet for one last thing.

Making his way back to the group he dropped the boots on the ground next to her and covered her with the blanket. Bending down he carefully placed a boot on each foot and then he produced a knit cap. He placed it over her head saying "this will keep your head warm with that new 'do of yours."

She looked up and smiled at him saying "thank you baby."

The fire crackled and snapped while the friends murmured softly to each other. Talking, laughing , joking, giggling and teasing each other. There was a lot of rubbing heads going on. Both their own and one another's. Penny mostly just sat and smiled, drinking in the presence of all of her favorite people.

Leonard was talking with Sheldon when Bernadette caught his eye. She nodded toward Penny who was sound asleep.

He put down the stick he was poking the fire with, walked over to his 'sleeping beauty'. Putting one arm under her knees and the other around her back with his hand under her arm he picked her up. She stirred and half woke. Each friend said goodnight. Penny responded "goodnight. I love you all". Bernadette and Amy were sitting next to each other. They grasped hands. Each had tears in her eyes. Amy yelled out "we all love you too Penny."

Bernadette added "sweet dreams Penny" as her voice cracked. Howard and Raj each called "goodnight Penny!"

Sheldon sat alone with a far off look on his face.

It had become easier to carry her. Leonard would have liked to think that he was getting stronger, but he knew better.

They reached the second floor and he carried her into the bedroom. He placed her gently on the bed and helped her get into some sleeping clothes. He carefully lifted the knit cap off her head and placed it on the bureau on 'her side' of the room. Walking back to the bed, he noticed the red velvet bag with the draw string. It contained the 'snowflake'.

She watched him and followed his gaze. "It was the most amazing thing, an amazing feeling when you brought that back to me. I'd never had a gift that meant so much to me. It still does."

She closed her eyes and was drifting off again.

"Here, let me help you get under the covers."

"mmmmmm." She answered and complied almost unconsciously. "Thank you Leonard" she said as he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. Just then she moved so he would get her on the lips. "I may be sick, but you aren't getting away with a cheap kiss on the forehead. I'm not your aunt from Great Neck, New Jersey mister" she giggled.

Getting serious, she said again "Thank you Leonard. This was just the best day. I love you."

"I love you too." He drew up the covers to her chin and kissed her again.

Goodnight sweetie. Don't stay up too late. Come to me soon." She drifted off once again.

He turned off the light and softly closed the door.

Walking quietly down the stairs, he was surprised to see Sheldon waiting for him in the living room. He nodded to Leonard and directed his head to the kitchen.

Let's go back outside" he whispered. "I don't want to wake her up." Sheldon nodded and followed Leonard out the door.

Leonard reached the patio first just outside the laundry room door first and stopped. Sheldon walked past him. Leonard shrugged his shoulders and followed.

Sheldon walked around the side of the house to the front and waited for his friend to catch up to him. They stood on the sidewalk. Sheldon looked up at the night sky. It was clear and the stars were twinkling brightly.

"Leonard?" he asked softly. Leonard bent his head down and looked up at him over the rims of his glasses, waiting for him to continue.

"She's going to be alright, isn't she?"

He sighed and said "she just has to be Sheldon. I don't think I would survive if she…..if she…." He broke down.

Sheldon reached out and put his hand on Leonard's shoulder. He had seen his friend in a bad state before. Over breakups with women, including Penny, but he had never witnessed the abject sorrow that took hold of him now. At that moment, something clicked in Sheldon. A level of understanding, of empathy for his friend that he had never felt before. Ever. Leonard wasn't fearing the loss of Penny. It was the, well bluntly, the erasure of her existence. In the past, during any breakup, Leonard knew that there was a Penny. What he faced now was her elimination.

Sheldon moved his hand past his friend's shoulder and wrapped it around his back. He followed with the other arm, joining his hands behind Leonard's back.

"We're all here for you Leonard. Howard and Bernadette, Raj and Amy and me. We will do anything to help. To help you both."

Leonard cleared his throat and backed out of the embrace. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He reached out and took Sheldon's right hand in both of his.

"I know you will Sheldon. It means a lot to me to hear you say it."

"Okay then. Can we go back to the fire? I don't trust Wolowitz and Koothrapalli around open flames. There's no telling what sort of hi-jinx will ensue."

Leonard laughed and composing himself, they both started back to join their friends. Neither noticed the curtain in the master bedroom window fall back into place.