One last time... I own nothing. This story has been fun on my part. I am truly sorry if I offended anyone with the experience Penny endured, but I felt it was part of her route to understanding the deep feelings that Leonard had for her and really, the feelings she always had for Leonard.

Enjoy...

It was almost a year after the costume party. Christmas was quickly approaching. The apartment was decorated once again for the happy season. Penny had made a promise to herself that Leonard would never again spent the holidays without fully knowing that he was loved. She often had surprises for him. They watched the holiday specials, the movies on the Hallmark network, and best of all, cuddled watching all her favorite Christmas DVD's.

Penny had let the Pixy cut grow out and had her long wavy locks again that Leonard loved. The trial period for living together was over and to Sheldon's displeasure, Leonard had started moving his stuff over to 4B. He still had most of his things over in 4A and the group still met in 4A for dinner. However, Leonard spent all his nights in 4B. They rarely spent any nights in 4A, usually only if Sheldon had watched a scary movie and needed the company. When that happened, they drew the line and insisted that Sheldon sleep in his own room in his own bed.

There were telltale signs that this was no longer just Penny's apartment. The large painting of Penny and Amy was allegedly moved to storage for when the new couple had outgrown the small one bedroom apartment. Amy was crushed, but accepted Penny's reasoning that having the both of them so visible, would be far too intimidating to Leonard's fragile libido. There were also some of Leonard's super hero and science fiction action figures around on the shelves. His Video games were under the coffee table and at least parts of his comic book collection were divided between their bedroom, the living room and his old room in 4A. In one of the book cases, there was a picture of Leonard and Penny as Hal Jordan and Arisia Rrab in their Green Lantern costumes taken that night at the comic book store, both holding out their Power Rings. Also on the shelf were the trophies they had won, the one from the comic book store, and the one from the convention. Along with the trophies and the picture, the two Power Rings nestled together in a display case.

Leonard was sitting on the couch in THEIR apartment with his laptop working on a problem with the current data run he had performed that day. He was completely engrossed in his work. So much so, that he didn't hear the door open and Penny walking in. Before she said anything, she noticed that he was deep in thought with his work.

Penny softly put her purse on the table next to the door and her keys in the newly placed bowl by the door. She stepped out of her shoes and quietly snuck up from behind. She got to the couch and stood directly behind Leonard, bent over slightly and put her arms around his neck and shoulders while placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Leonard immediately stopped working, reached up with his arm taking hold of his girlfriend for a hug, closed his eyes, inhaled deeply the scent she carried with her, smiled and moaned softly.

Penny went to the refrigerator, retrieved the wine they had opened the night before and poured two glasses. She brought them to the couch and handed one to Leonard before sitting on the couch, putting her feet in his lap. Leonard took a sip of the wine, placed the Glass on the coffee table and started to massage Penny's feet. Penny smiled, closed her eyes and remarked "Oh my god, Leonard, your massages get better and better as the time goes by. That feels so good."

Leonard smiled, "it is completely my pleasure". I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you with a smile on your face."

Penny sat up and moved to sit next to Leonard. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. When she pulled back, she looked deeply into his beautiful Brown eyes. She looked at him with a new excitement. The type of excitement a child has on Christmas morning. The feeling of awe one has when they see something incredible for the first time. The feeling of understanding that one gets when a problem they have been working on FINALLY gets solved.

Penny looked softly into his eyes, one hand on the side of his face caressing his cheek. The other hand placed gently over his heart. "Leonard, I can't believe how STUPID I have been all this time. I have been afraid to commit to you…., to US…, I have said that there was something that was missing. I said I was working on it…

The only thing that was MISSING was the realization that I DIDN'T have to WORK on it. I now know that it wasn't a fear of commitment…., it was a fear that you would leave me. I know you assured me time and time again that it would never happen, but we can never really know…..

I know that you love me, because of the way you treat me. I know that I love you because of the way I feel only when you are with me, and maybe more importantly, when you are not. I have such a desire to have you near, I would do anything to make that happen. I have such a feeling of relief when you are around. I never really needed to WORK on anything….

All I needed to do was let whatever was going to happen… HAPPEN!…. I just needed to have enough confidence in myself….. Confidence in what was happening..., what I was feeling..., was the real deal... I know that what I have with you in my life is so much more than what I have had with any other guy. I can't thank you enough".

Leonard just sat holding her and looking back deeply into those piercing green eyes. "Penny, I told you that you had nothing to worry about. I never understood what scared you so much. Maybe because I never had long relationships with any of the girls I knew. Even the relationships with Stephanie and Priya, they were not anywhere close to what I had… HAVE with you. Even when I thought I might be in love with Priya, I was fooling myself. That's why it didn't hurt that much when we broke up. I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. That is not going to change. I Love you."

Penny smiled at him and slipped off the couch to one knee. "Leonard Leakey Hofstadter…. Will you Marry me? I know you wanted the whole nine yards. I know there are no flowers. I know you wanted it to be special. These last months have been so great. I never want them to change. I love you so much.

Yes, I'm still afraid that things may not work out. I will do anything that I have to do to MAKE it work out.

Yes it still freaks me out a little, but I simply can no longer justify NOT trying. Seeing what will happen, where we go, what we do. I Love you…. Will you Marry me?"

Leonard could hardly believe the words he was hearing coming from the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. In a voice sent straight from Heaven…. Leonard got up and ran out of the apartment and across to 4A.

Penny was bewildered at what was happening, still on one knee watching Leonard run out of the apartment. "Leonard… Where are you going?"

Penny got up and sat on the couch. Thinking to herself, "See, this is why I have been afraid to ask him,….. I KNEW it…. Now what are we going to do… this is a disaster….. I'm so embarrassed".

Leonard opened the door to 4A and walked in, briskly passing Sheldon while he was watching an episode of Dr. Who. Sheldon commented, "I see that you have let all forms of social decorum and protocol fall by the wayside. Leonard, if this is any indication of the lasting effects of your relationship with Penny, chaos will rule the day".

Leonard sped back out of 4A and into 4B, practically ignoring Sheldon. He stood in the doorway looking at Penny with a big smile on his face.

Penny looked back at him. She was a little angry that he ran out on her just as she asked him the most important question ever. "Leonard… What the Hell…"

Leonard came into the apartment and sat next to Penny. He held out a small box for her to take from his hand. "Penny, of course I will. Of course I will Marry you." He pulled her into a deep hug. When he pulled away, he opened the box and took out a diamond engagement ring and held it out to her.

Penny looked at the ring…., looked up to Leonard…., back to the ring…., and finally back to Leonard. "Leonard it's beautiful. When did you….."

Leonard responded softly, "I bought it after you said you loved me. I had it with me that night in the restaurant when you shot me down. I just figured that if you ever DID ask me, I would give it to you then… So…. Will you do me the honor and wear this ring?"

Penny put her right hand to her mouth and her eyes started to fill with tears. She held out her left hand, shaking a little.

Leonard took her hand and put the ring on her. "I know it's early... and it wasn't wrapped or anything...so... Merry Christmas?"

Penny took her hand..., looked at the ring... then threw herself at Leonard knocking the two of them to the floor and knocking the wind out of Leonard. She kissed him like he had never been kissed before. When she pulled away, they both had wide grins on their faces. "I can't believe you did this. I love you so much!" She kissed him again.

Leonard tried to gasp for air before the second kiss. When Penny was finished, he started to breathe heavy and started to wheeze. His chest was getting tight and soon he started to have a whooping sound as he was breathing. He barely squeaked out "I love you too" before looking around desperately for his inhaler.

Penny jumped off him and ran into the bedroom. "Ohmygod….Ohmygod….Ohmygod" She quickly returned shaking the device and handing it to Leonard. Leonard was wheezing heavily gasping for every breath. "Please Leonard…. Don't die!"

Leonard took a puff and immediately started to laugh, which made him short of breath again and he started to gasp for air through his laughter.

Penny's eyes went large and she slapped his arm as he took another puff, "DAMMIT Leonard, DON'T DO THAT!"

Leonard got his breathing under control sitting next to the coffee table. "I'm fine…. I'm not going anywhere….. It took….. this long to…. finally get you to propose… WHEW…. You won't get off that easy… NO BACKSIES…."

Penny smiled and this time gently pulled Leonard into a tender embrace. "You got it…. No Backsies….. Best Christmas EVER"

There you have it... A journey for Penny?... Yes. Penny ultimately understands that love is much deeper than what can be easily perceived on the surface. Leonard was his usual ever present factor in her life just waiting. Some think that Leonard deserves better than Penny, that he is weak for just taking all she does to him. Leonard really just shows his strength and perseverance and his belief in his love of Penny. I thank you all that have read and commented.