A/N: We're closing in on the conclusion to this tale and the final chapter will likely go up either later today or sometime tomorrow (unless another site problem comes up)
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35 – The Romantic Revelation
Penny drove herself, Sheldon and Cyndee back to 2311 North Los Robles. Penny carried a sleeping Cyndee while Sheldon carried Cyndee's suitcase. On the way in Penny noticed her suitcases were still by the mailboxes. Sheldon noticed her looking over at them.
When they got to the fifth floor Sheldon turned to Penny.
"Penny, I'll bring those suitcases up from the lobby right away."
"Sheldon, you really don't need to."
"I want to."
"Take your time. Let me put her to bed and then come on up. We need to talk. About a lot of stuff."
"Alright."
A half-hour later Sheldon brought the suitcases up and knocked on Penny's door.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Penny.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Penny.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Penny.
"Hi, sweetie. Come on in."
"Penny…"
"Sheldon, I need to start. I am so, so sorry for how I've treated you. First I blamed you for the app failing and now we know that wasn't even your fault. Then Leonard wouldn't let me speak to you and I was so scared I didn't even try. And then you saw me with him at the gala and I can't even imagine how you felt and what you must have thought of me. And even after all that you drop everything to help me get Cyndee back. What did I do to deserve such a loyal friend?"
"You were you. You're Penny and that is all you ever have to be for me. I've missed you both so much. I know you don't like the word but I've never felt like this about anyone ever. I love you Penny. I would do anything for you. And for Cyndee. And I hope that maybe you'll love me someday. And if you don't, that's okay. I will satisfy myself being your friend."
"I know I said I wasn't ready to use the "L" word and maybe part of that is when I used it before I didn't really know what it meant. But I do know that the way I feel about you is something I've never felt before either. I really, really want us to figure this out. I think I want us to be together. I just need to get past what happened with Leonard."
"I believe that between the two of us we can work this out. After all, you are reasonably smart and I'm a genius. And if we need to involve professionals such as therapists we will do that. If the two of us can't work this out then nobody can. I propose we reset everything to where it was before I went to San Francisco. Howard has repaired the app. All elements related to Leonard have been removed."
"Sheldon, that's all fine, but you need to understand that it may take some time until I'm comfortable again having a physical relationship, but I know that eventually that's what I'll want. You've always been okay with kissing but enjoyable as that is, it's probably not enough for me. Can you see yourself doing that?"
"If that is what is necessary to make our relationship work than I will do it."
"Sheldon, you're making it sound like a distasteful obligation. I hope it will be anything but that."
"I trust that you will be able to educate me in that area. I look forward to it."
"Sheldon, what are you going to do about Leonard?"
"Doug has spoken with the police and they will serve him with Orders of Protection. They will also question him about his taking advantage of you sexually and charges may be brought against him. Some would call that rape. However, my primary objective is to remove him from our lives and I have a thought about that."
"So what now?"
"Well, it's been twenty-three days since we've kissed. And longer since I've seen you dance."
"Let's start with the kissing."