A/N Again, life got in the way, and not in a good way. Nothing to really say except for some reason I again underestimated the how many chapters (Hell, I thought when I started I would have 7-9 chapters, missed it by, that, much.) So, I may get to 40-42 chapters, but they will be long (this one is 4500+ words, a new record) but I do have an end planned. Yeah, I don't own these people, except I think I own this version of Cheryl.
Chapter 36 Many Plans
The next morning, Penny never got her good bye kiss, but she never woke up. Leonard was used to getting up early and he wanted to let Penny sleep in, so he got out of bed and headed back to his apartment.
Penny awoke to her phone. Reaching for it, she hit answer and put it to her ear, "Hello," she mumbled sleepily.
"Hey, sleepyhead," she hear Leonard say, "it's 9:30, you wanted to get up early enough to do your laundry, so here's your wakeup call."
Penny grimanced, she'd gotten used to waking up slowly, this was a bit jarring. However, it was Leonard on the other end and she did love hearing him.
"OK, I'm getting up," she said. "You want to come over and have coffee with me?"
"Sure," said Leonard, "but in about 20 minutes, I have to get my first load out of the dryer. So, you have me for 20 minutes."
"I want more," she whined.
"I've got to get my laundry finished, pretty lady. See you in a couple."
She got up and went to the bathroom. While there she heard her door open and close. She finished and walk out to her kitchen, where she found a cup of coffee waiting for her.
She walked up to Leonard and gave him a kiss, "Thanks for the wake up and the coffee."
"Anytime, for you," as Leonard smiled. "So besides laundry, what's planned for today?"
"I don't know," Penny shrugged. "Maybe clean up around here."
Leonard looked around. There were a pair of shorts, a sock and a couple of shirts scattered around the living room and all the dishes were done. He chuckled.
"What's so funny? Penny said questionably.
"The way this place looks and you want to clean it," said Leonard.
"So? I don't get it." Penny looked lost.
"Look at it Penny."
"I don't understand," said Penny, still not understanding.
"Do you remember the night Sheldon and I straightened this place up?" Leonard asked.
Penny thought for a minute then giggled, "Oh, yeah."
"Do you remember what it looked like, compared to the way it looks now?" Leonard asked.
"Yeah, I do," Penny said. "Boy, this place was a disaster, back then. I guess I've gotten better."
"Well, you certainly have gotten a lot better since last fall," Leonard said. "It just seems this place has become neater."
Penny thought for a minute and said, "What's strange is I was just thinking about that yesterday. I put my uniform in the hamper, and the one I left on the floor the night before, I pick up and put in the hamper."
"It surprised me," said Penny, "and I was trying to remember when I started putting my clothes in the hamper. I don't know Leonard, I just feel like my outlook has changed. Like I...I think...I don't know. I can't explain it, I just feel like I have this whole different outlook or way of thinking since last weekend."
Leonard smiled. "You think that might have something to do with our discussion?"
"It probably does," said Penny thoughtfully. "I've been much happier about everything."
"Could be because we have a much better idea of where we are as a couple?"
She had that far away look in her eyes.
Finally, Leonard looked at the clock and said, "Well, my clothes should be ready, then I'm going to take a shower over at my place."
Penny nodded, "I'm going to finish this cup, load my clothes and then come back for another cup. You coming over after your shower?
"Sure," said Leonard, "we can plan something for the day. I can blow off the bit of work I have."
Penny laughed, "Oh, my rebel. OK, see you later."
Leonard walked over, gave Penny a kiss and left.
Penny sat there drinking her coffee. She finished her cup, put it near the coffeemaker and went to her room to grab her basket. She had just put her first load in when her phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, she was surprised to see it was Amy. She hit the answer button, "Hi Ames. What's up?"
"Hey Bestie," she said cheerfully, "can you help me with something this afternoon? I'll buy lunch."
"Well, I'm doing my laundry...give me a few minutes," Penny thought of Leonard. "If I don't call you back, I'll meet you at your apartment around noon, how that?"
"That sounds excellent, If I don't hear from you, see you then."
Penny hit end and thought about it. She smiled and headed out of the Laundry. Getting to 4A, she opened the door and walked in. Sheldon was watching TV.
"Why don't you ever knock anymore?" The annoyance in Sheldon's voice very apparent.
"Because this is my apartment too." Sheldon looked at her. "Now," she smiled at him.
Sheldon snorted in derision and spoke loudly, "Leonard, your other roommate is here."
"Don't worry, sweetie, I'll go to him," she walked through Living room down the hall and was getting ready to stop at Leonard's door, she was going to knock, but smiled, remembering he had just gotten a shower and just opened the door.
Leonard was facing his dresser, with nothing on, his towel in his hand, obviously just having finished drying himself. He spun around and seeing Penny, covered himself.
Penny laughed as she closed the door. "I've see it before Leonard, you don't have to cover up."
Leonard looked sheepish as he dropped his hands, "You just surprised me. When did you quit knocking?"
"When did you quit knocking on my door?" She asked sweetly, smiling.
Leonard looked surprised, "I hadn't thought about it that way."
Penny was still smiling, "Well, I figured you can come into my apartment all the time, I can come into your apartment and room. Although, I think Sheldon doesn't like me coming into the apartment without knocking."
Leonard looked thoughtful, "Hmmmmmm, maybe, I'll start knocking again"
Penny laughed, "Yeah, right. Hey, can you do something for me?"
"What do you need?" Leonard asked.
"Amy needs some help with something this afternoon," Penny explained, "and is offering to buy me lunch. I just put my clothes in. Can you put them in the dryer and pull them out when they're done?"
"Sure, when did you put them in?"
"I just did. Thanks," She walked over and kissed him. "I'll see you tonight, its your turn to cook."
Leonard looked pained, "Hey, wait a minute. Last night was my night. I called for reservations and paid for dinner last night, why do I have to cook?"
"Because you didn't cook on your night. Oh, and you got your reward," Penny said turning and opening the door.
"Well, so did you," Leonard said.
Penny turned and with a sly smile said, "Yes I did, but I had to do all the work. Remember, you couldn't move, because you didn't listen to me?" She spun and started out the door, "Thanks for taking care of my laundry," she said, her smile getting bigger.
Penny walk out of the room before Leonard could answer. She walked to the door of the apartment and said, "Bye Sheldon," and was out the door before he looked up.
Penny made it back to her apartment and took a shower. She put on jeans, a sleeveless flower print blouse and finally, a pair of coral loafers with a bow on the front of each one. They were comfortable and they went with her blouse. She added just a bit of makeup and a quick brush of her hair and she was headed down the stairs.
Twenty minutes later, Penny was parking in a guest spot at Amy apartment building. She walked up to apartment 314 and knocked on the door.
Amy answered, "Hi Penny, thanks for coming over."
"No problem Amy," said Penny, "What's up?"
"I'm looking for a proper dress," explained Amy, "I need one for a serious occasion.
"OK, Amy," said Penny, "do you know where you want to go and if you do why do you want me to come."
"First, I want you to come because of your absolutely perfect fashion sense," said Amy. "I'm counting on you to find a dress that's fashionable, yet conservative. As for where, I want to go to Forever 21, you know, where Bernadette got her dress."
Penny nodded, "Hmmmmm, I'll try, but why didn't you come over to our place, there's a Forever 21 a couple of blocks from our building."
"Oh, I didn't know that," said Amy. "I don't shop in Forever 21."
"I can help you there," said Penny. Can we go to lunch first? I didn't have breakfast."
"OK," said Amy simply.
They found a small cafe that served breakfast and lunch and they each ordered a salad. They started talking, then Amy paused and said, "So what happened the other night, when you ran out?"
Penny thought for a second. I'll giver her the overview. I don't want to get into it in detail. Oh, what do I tell her about Bernie? Oh, I know, and it's the truth.
Before she could start, their lunch arrived and as they started eating, Penny said to Amy, "Leonard and I had a long conversation, it went on for parts of three days.
Amy looked interested, "What type of long conversation, and was it a toothbrush in the bag Sheldon brought in."
Penny choked on her drink, "What?"
"Was it an electric toothbrush?" Amy asked. "Remember I told you to get one?"
Penny laughed as she realized she had to explain, "No Amy, it was a penis shaped vibrator."
Amy had a blank look on her face, "And how is that different from my toothbrush?
Penny shook her head, "Nothing really, except mine was shaped like a penis."
"Oh, OK," said Amy realizing what she meant. "Did you get it after I told you about the toothbrush?"
"No," Penny said with an embarrassed chuckle. "I had it before I met you. I'd rather not go into all the details. I got it right after I broke up with Leonard and it brought back some bad memories of right after I broke up with Leonard."
"Is that why you were upset?"
"Yes, that is why I was upset," said Penny. "Well, partially. Anyway ... we talked about a lot of things we never talked about before, going all the way back to when we broke up. We kinda cleared the air, so we're quite comfortable with where were at."
"Does that mean Leonard will be moving in and I get try again to move in with Sheldon?" Amy asked excitedly.
"Slow down," said Penny putting her hands up. "No, Leonard is not moving out. We are going to take moving in slowly. I'm feeling better about it, but I'm not there yet. We are going to wait until I feel ready."
Penny saw Amy face fall, so she quickly said, "I will tell you ahead of time, so you have a chance to work on Sheldon, but you can't tell Sheldon yet, OK?"
Penny saw Amy smile and smiled to herself, "Now, what are we looking for? OK, I didn't have to tell her about Bernie.
"Well, did you hear about that professor that died?
"Yeah," said Penny. "Leonard said something about it."
"Well," said Amy "there's a memorial, on Thursday, for the professor and I'll be going with Sheldon."
Penny was puzzled, Strange, Leonard didn't mention the memorial. I wonder why? I thought we agreed that we would talk over everything for the two of us. Doesn't he want me to go? A brief feeling of fear, thinking he didn't want her, flared up. Slow down Penny, talking it over is not something that we have been doing until now. It's new to the both of us, so I'll ask him or talk to him tonight. She said, "Did Sheldon ask you?"
"No, I told him I would go with him," explained Amy. "I want the committee to see that I will be a big help to Sheldon in getting donors to give to the school. After all, I have a lot of experience with the Prince in Saudi Arabia and in getting people to give to the university for the biology department, and I also know how the politics work."
Hmmmmmmm, thought Penny. There's something else I need to tell Leonard about. Out loud she said, "OK, let's go find you a dress." Her mind continued to work. Maybe I should find a dress too.
They had been walking around Forever 21 in the Glendale Galleria for half an hour. Penny wanted to help Amy, but she wondered how helping Amy, to help Sheldon, could affect Leonard negatively. She felt uncomfortable being stuck between the two, but she felt her loyalty was to Leonard. She found several floral print dresses and gave them to Amy to try on.
While she was waiting, she was looking at some other dresses. She found one and was holding it, hoping to try it on when Amy tried her other dress on.
Amy came out, in her dress and Penny was pleased with how it looked on Amy. Amy was happy with it, but Penny insisted that Amy try on the other dress.
With Amy in one of the other dressing room, Penny went into another and tried on the dress. She knew she looked great in it and with the special bra she had from Victoria's Secret, she knew she would look amazing in this dress. She changed out of it, put her clothes back on, and was waiting for Amy, so they could both check out.
Leonard slowly walked up the last flight of stairs. He had finally finished his and Penny's laundry and was carrying two baskets. These stairs were a killer today. My legs are so sore, I should have listened to Penny.
He walked into his apartment, to his room and put both baskets on his bed. He was getting ready start putting his clothes away, when it occurred to him that maybe he should take all of these over to ... he paused.
I was thinking our apartment, but it's not quite that yet, is it? Penny has seemed to be fine with it. She hasn't shown any problem with it the last couple of days, we've been together. I guess she's getting used to the idea and it's moving along nicely.
He grabbed both baskets and took them across the hall, thinking he was putting 'their' clothes away.
Leonard got the chicken out, turned on the oven. He coated the chicken, put it on the pan just as Penny came through the door, with what looked like a new dress. She went into her...our bedroom and came out a moment later.
"So what did you and Amy do today," said Leonard as he was sliding the chicken into the oven and then pour Penny a glass of wine.
Penny looked at him and said, "Give me a second."
Leonard looked at her, puzzled, but said, "Sure, you want to help me?"
"Do what," said Penny.
"Well, can you get the beans ready?" Leonard asked. He was pouring the sauce into the pot. "You know, rinse them off, take the ends off and put them in water until we steam them? He put the pot on the stove. Penny smiled and said, "Sure." She got the beans out, rinsed them and was now snapping off the ends and putting them into a collander.
"Do anything interesting today?"
"Oh, not really," said Penny. "I was out shopping with Amy. She wanted me to help her find something for this memorial thing"
"Wait," said Leonard defensively. "Sheldon's going to be there? We all promised we weren't going to go."
"Oh, what a jerk," said Penny.
"I know," said Leonard. "I was hoping to go without anyone finding out."
"Well, since Amy's going, do you want me there? You know, to support you?
"Oh, that's nice," said Leonard dismissively, "but it's just gonna be a room full of boring old men and I'm not sure how much help you'd be."
"Okay. I'm just gonna tie my shoe while you think about that," said Penny with a smirk. Penny got up, and facing the living room bent over, acting like she was tying her shoe, with her butt sticking up in the air.
Leonard's face was a study in desire as he looked at Penny butt, "Oh, yeah. No. Thanks, that would be great help." Leonard was now smirking. "You realize you might kill some of them."
"Oh, then you all can get tenure," Penny said. Leonard had a bemused expression on his face. Looking at it, Penny smiled, but then turned serious. "Leonard, why didn't you tell me about the memorial?"
Leonard turned to start the noodles and beans, thinking. "I don't know. I just didn't think about it. It was something that dealt with my work, and ..." his voice trailed off.
"Yeah, work, remember?" Penny asked. "Were supposed to talk about it now."
"Yeah, I remember," said Leonard with an embarrassed look. "I'm sorry, I'm still getting used to that. I'm still not quite used to you being willing to talk things over, OK?"
"Yeah, OK, I get that," Penny said with resignation. "I want you to know I had this brief moment thinking you didn't want me anymore."
Leonard looked surprised, "Are you still insecure?"
"Yes, Leonard, more so now than ever," Penny said with emphasis. "You mean so much more to me than any of the other guys, but, I worked through it. I thought it was just new to you, and that's what it turned out to be. But, we have to work at it. I'm trying. The first thing I thought of, when Amy told me, was how could I help you."
Leonard smiled, "That's always the first thing I think of when you need help. I don't worry about myself, but you."
Penny looked down, hiding a shy smile, nodding her head, "Yeah, I get that now...not you thinking that way, I've known that for a while, but that's how I've started thinking. I guess you rubbed off on me."
"OK," Leonard said. "What do you think you can do for me"
"How about we wait until after dinner for that?"
"Why?"
"Just wait," said Penny patiently. "It plays into something you said"
"OK," said Leonard. "I'll finish dinner, you go sit down"
Penny grabbed her glass and went to the couch. She turned and asked Leonard, "Did you get the clothes done?
"Yes, I did," said Leonard. "All yours are put away. Penny?
"Yes?"
"I brought over all the clothes, of mine, that I washed," said Leonard, slightly embarrassed. "You said bring more, but I'm not sure where I can put them."
Again, Penny froze for a second. She took a drink of her wine. Forcing an answer, to calm her fear, she said, "That's good sweetie, we'll find a place for them."
Leonard noted the tone of her voice, "You OK?"
"Yeah, fine."
Leonard look puzzled, but didn't press it. "OoooKay...anyway, let me finish getting dinner done and set the table." He turned back to the stove.
Penny was sitting on the couch, thinking about what just happened. I'm not ready...I think I am, but that fear is still pops up. For now, I'll just keep working on it. For now I can control it a little bit. If it gets too bad, I'll tell him, explain to him, he'll understand.
All the food was ready and Leonard had it on the table and called for Penny. While they ate, Penny explained what Amy had said about helping Sheldon. She paused, then said sadly, "Leonard, you know I can't help you like that."
"I know," he said with a sad smile, "but the board doesn't usually remember anything about significant others, unless there's something special about them or they do something that is memorable." Penny smiled at this, but remained quiet.
They had finished and took the dishes to the sink. Leonard had started washing them when Penny said, "Be right back," as she walked to her bedroom.
From the bedroom she asked Leonard, "What do you think I should wear to the memorial?"
"Oh," said Leonard. "Probably something dark. It is a memorial after all."
"OK, anything special besides being dark?"
"No," he said, "that should cover it, unless you're planning on wearing and ultra-short skirt or dress.
"OK, how about this?"
Leonard had one of the water glasses in his hand. He turned to see Penny in a short black dress, the hem about five inches above her knees, with thin straps, holding her breasts up. They look much larger than normal and Leonard wasn't sure how those thin straps were holding them up and in. There was a crash as the glass slipped from his hand, but he just kept staring at Penny.
Penny just smiled as she said, "I will look better once I get my hair right and my makeup on.
Leonard just continued staring, his mouth open.
"Shut your mouth sweetie," Penny giggled.
"Holy shit," exclaimed Leonard. "Where the hell did you get that?"
"Well," said Penny. "When Amy was looking for a dress today, I found this one. Whatdaya think?"
"W-w-well," stammered Leonard, "I'm just...just...just WOW."
"So, you think this will be memorable?" Penny said, as she spun.
"Hell, I know I'll never forget it," said Leonard. "I really was just kidding when I said you may kill some of those old men. Now, you really might."
Penny walked toward the couch, "Come here."
Leonard pointed to the glass and said, "Let me clean this up."
Penny said, "We'll get it later, come here."
Leonard shrugged and went to the couch.
"OK," Penny said seriously. "Really Leonard, is this going to help? I don't want to do something that can hurt you."
"No," he said thoughtfully, "they will certainly remember that outfit, and if you hang around with me, they'll remember me."
Penny smiled. "Good thing I got this then."
"Although," said Leonard, thinking about the dress and the memorial, "we might want to put a coat over you until the reception, after the memorial." The reception is a bit more...relaxed.
"That shouldn't be a probelm," said Penny. "I have a long coat, it will hide my outfit pretty good."
"OK," said Leonard. "We'll just show up, and if Raj or Amy and Sheldon show up, we'll surprise them. I won't say anything. Ahhhhh, Penny? How are your breasts staying like that? I don't remember them looking anything like that."
Penny giggled. "I have a special bra on. It's designed to push them up and together. It makes them look about a cup size or two bigger."
Leonard's eyes were still wide. "Well, it certainly looks like they are to me."
Penny laughed. "OK, I'm going back to my other clothes, you can finish the dishes and I'll clean up the glass."
"Penny," said Leonard seriously. "We'll talk about this some more this week. What time, what's going to be going on, who's going to be there, all of it. So you don't feel uncomfortable."
Penny smiled, "Thank you Leonard." I want to be understand what will be going on. I just want to help you get what you deserve. If I can, I will."
Leonard nodded and headed for the kitchen, Penny headed for the bedroom.
Leonard finished the dishes and Penny, after changing, cleaned up the glass. The rest of their night was quiet, and after the news, they went to bed.
The next day, they both slept in, awaking around 9:30. Leonard suggested Marston's for brunch again, and Penny agreed. After brunch, they returned to the apartment. Penny wanted to clean hers and Leonard had some work to do.
The English group had made some changes to their experiment, incorporating Leonard's recommendations, but, now they had some additional questions.
It took much longer today, the questions were more detailed and there were also some questions about how to possibly make the experiment even smaller. After answering, Leonard mailed it off, looked again, and found Hawking was still on the list to receive the E-mail.
After finishing, Leonard texted Penny.
Hey, Chinese tonight?
He waited for fifteen minutes, but there still wasn't an answer from Penny. He got up, went across the hall and was getting ready to knock when he remembered the previous day, so he walked right in.
Penny had her back to him, earplugs in, vacuuming. Leonard smiled. No wonder she didn't answer me. Walked up behind her and was going to grab her waist, then thought about it, she might start swinging. So, instead he yelled, "PENNY."
She spun around, with a surprised look on her face. She smiled, turned the vacuum off, and removed her earplugs, "What's up?"
Leonard shook his head, "I sent you a text and didn't get an answer."
"About what?"
"Do you want me to run and get some Chinese food for dinner?" Leonard asked.
"That sounds good," said Penny enthusiastically. "I'll finish this while you go get it, OK?"
"Sure."
Forty-five minutes later they were sitting on the couch, talking with the TV on.
Leonard said, "What days are you working this week, you didn't give me your schedule."
Penny remembered Cheryl, "Oh, tomorrow, I have the early shift, but, remember what I told you about Cheryl?"
"Yeah," said Leonard. "I haven't heard anything since. How are her and Jim doing?"
"That's just it, I don't know," said Penny, concern in her voice. "I've been calling all week, and she's never returned my calls. She also hasn't worked since that first day she told me. I finally saw her on Friday, she was begging to be off tomorrow night."
"The manager wasn't going to give it too her, but I told him I'd talk to her and then take her shift. I told her that I would take her shift if she comes in and talks to me, otherwise, she had to work. So, I may be working a double tomorrow."
Leonard looked thoughtful, "Well, I'll miss you, but Cheryl probably needs you more than I do tomorrow, so take care of her."
Penny smiled, it was so typical of Leonard, "Thanks."
"How about the rest of the week?"
"Well, Tuesday, Wednesday are lunch shifts, Thursday and Friday are dinner shifts," explained Penny. "I'm going to try to get Cheryl to work for me on Thursday night, for the memorial, but if she can't or won't, I'll just tell the manager I have to have off."
"OK, just want to know when I get to see you," Leonard said with a smile.
"Well," Penny said thoughtfully, "at least I've been there long enough that I get weekends off and I get the busier nights during the week."
"Yeah," Leonard got up, "You finished?"
"Yeah, here," as she handed him her container.
They watched some TV, and each read some, and after the news, got ready for bed. While brushing their teeth, they looked at each other and both realized there would be a delay in getting to sleep.
Their lips crashed together as soon as they finished brushing their teeth. They fell on top of the comforter and it was forty minutes later, before they finally got under the sheets and comforter. Fifteen minutes laster, spooning, they fell asleep.