New York... New York

Own nothing

Leonard's plane landed and he quickly deplaned. He was in a hurry to see Penny. He wasn't going to be in New York for long, and he didn't want to miss a minute. Leonard went through the security gates and looked for Penny. He was surprised that she wasn't right there waiting for him. Leonard decided to go to baggage claim and get his bags. He pulled out his phone to text Penny where he would be.

Just as he was about to press send, a tap on the shoulder from behind got his attention. "Hello sailor, need a ride?" Leonard was surprised by the touch. Excited by the fact that his girlfriend was finally here, he turned quickly not really registering the voice was a touch deeper and had a distinct Brooklyn accent.

When Leonard turned, he exclaimed "Penn…. Umm… sorry… I thought…" He came face to face with a tall brunette smiling at him.

Sheila held out her hand. "You're Leonard right?"

Leonard was now confused. "Yeah?..."

Sheila smiled. "Relax Honey, Penny couldn't make it. She's at an audition and she asked if I could pick you up. I'm her agent Sheila".

Leonard smiled and shook her hand. "Oh… good… context".

Sheila looked at Leonard. "Penny said that those would be your exact words. She really knows you to a T". Leonard just smiled and nodded. Sheila continued. "We'll just drop off your things at her place and then I can take you over to where she is auditioning."

Leonard followed. "Fair enough"

The ride over to Penny's apartment was pleasant enough. Sheila asked about what Leonard was doing in London and how much time he would be spending in New York and what exactly it was that he did back in California. Leonard answered all the questions posed and asked some of his own as to what kind of auditions Penny was going on, what she had gotten and what Sheila thought of Penny and her prospects.

Sheila hedged at the last question. "Well, to be honest, the big shows in New York are a lot more musical than really suites Penny, She could be fine in a chorus, but starring roles are hard to come by without a good set of pipes…. Now…. That doesn't mean she can't make it, there are some really nice dramatic roles, just not that often. I'm trying to get her some modeling things to fill in the gaps. She's not too keen on the idea, but ya gotta pay the bills. This is a tough business". Leonard just nodded in agreement.

They dropped off Leonard's things quickly just inside the door and went off to the audition. Sheila let Leonard off in front of the theater and told him where to go so Penny wouldn't miss him. She then drove off and wished him luck.

Leonard went into the theater and went down the side aisle to the front of the theater and made his way to the wings of back stage. He saw small groups of people talking here and there and others off to themselves reading lines. It didn't take him long at all to find Penny off to herself going over some sheets of paper. Leonard was very quiet and stood just looking at Penny with a determined and concentrated expression on her face.

Penny came to the end of a page then closed her eyes to try and envision the scene. When she opened her eyes she looked off to her right and saw someone standing looking at her. She smiled, a little embarrassed before she realized it was Leonard. Penny immediately dropped her script and launched herself at Leonard covering the distance between them quickly. As she approached him, Penny leaped at Leonard almost knocking them both to the floor as she flung her arms around his neck and somewhat aggressively kissing him.

Leonard, for lack of a better term, caught Penny mid-flight and stumbled backward until he found his footing. He held her tight and returned the kiss with as much passion as he had in him.

When Penny pulled away, she hugged Leonard tightly and put her head on his shoulder. "Sweetie… I've missed you SO much…"

Leonard immediately took a large whiff of Penny as he buried his nose in her hair. "I've missed you too".

Just then, Penny's name was called. She gave Leonard a quick peck on the lips and went on stage.

Leonard looked after her "Good Luck". Leonard made his way down to the seats in the theater. He took a seat off to the side and where there was no lighting. He didn't want to make Penny nervous. He sat and watched as Penny went through a couple of readings. He was amazed how well she had done. It seemed to him that she had gotten better since he had last saw her act in one of the regional plays back home in California.

When she had finished, Leonard made his way back behind stage. He found Penny and he walked up and gave her a hug. "You were great! Are you finished?"

Penny smiled. "With this one, yes but Sheila has me going to another in a couple of hours and then I have a job tonight. Sweetie, are you hungry? You've been on the plane so long."

Leonard shrugged his shoulders. "I could eat".

They walked out of the theater and down a couple of blocks to a small place that Penny knew the food was good. It was also dark and cozy so they could talk. They took corner booth in the back of the Pub. Leonard got in first and Penny slid in next to him. She immediately snuggled into his side pulling her feet up on the bench next to her. "Leonard this is so nice. You must be so tired. I'll make it up to you. The next audition will be short and then we need to go back to my place. I have to pick up my costume for my job tonight. Then when I'm done….. I'm all yours. When do you have to leave tomorrow?"

Leonard yawned. "Well.. my flight is early afternoon so we'll have to get to the airport before noon." They both ordered a sandwich. Penny had water and Leonard ordered a Red Bull. He wanted to stay awake for her. The next audition was short just like Penny thought it would be. She knew the lines and she didn't have to do multiple scenes. This play was being put on by the same people that she was working with on the play that was closing. They already knew her work, they just wanted to get a feel for the material and see how she would look.

After the audition, Penny brought Leonard to her apartment and opened the door. She led him in somewhat embarrassed at the size of the apartment. Leonard smiled. "This is so cute, and homey".

Penny just laughed. "Yeah sure whatever". She then grabbed him and kissed him passionately. When they broke, Penny sighed and stared into his eye. "Boy, I wish I didn't have this job tonight. I'll bet you'll like it though, wait here." Leonard sat on the couch and waited.

Penny went into the small bedroom and came out a while later dressed in a Black Widow Costume. She came out to find Leonard dozing on the couch. Penny sat next to him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Leonard's eyes fluttered open and he pulled back seeing Penny in a red wig and a black body suit that would make most adolescent males eyes roll back in their head. "Penny? What's going on?"

Penny giggled. The job I have tonight is being a hostess at the Marvel Booth at the New York Comic Con. I was going to surprise you, but you look so tired."

Leonard stood up pulling Penny to her feet so he could see her better. "I'm good… I'm good… where's the Red bull"?

Penny smiled. "Are you sure?"

Leonard smiled back. "Are you kidding?... I've been trying to get you to Comic Con for a while now. I'm not missing this. And could you imagine the look on Sheldon's face when he sees the picture of us with Thor and Iron Man?"

Penny put on a long coat, took his arm and they left the apartment. "Yeah… Right?"

The convention was great. Leonard had a fantastic time walking around with Penny on his arm and going from exhibit to exhibit. He even sat in on a panel discussion for the new TV Show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It was a long night and Penny was finally done.

Penny and Leonard got back to her apartment late that night. Penny couldn't wait till they could be alone. When they got into the apartment, Leonard shed his clothes quickly and sat in bed waiting for Penny.

Penny had to get out of her costume and then take off the makeup she had on. When she finished hanging up the costume and putting away the wig, she was ready to get up close and personal with Leonard. When she went to get into bed, she found him sound asleep. He looked so peaceful and she knew he must have been exhausted. Penny just crawled into bed, pulled Leonard's arm around her and snuggled deep into his hold falling asleep a little disappointed, but with a small smile on her face.