THE BREAK

Some rough times for this couple that belongs solely to the powers that be behind The Big Bang Theory. I make no claim to Penny and Leonard, but sometimes, you don't know what you are missing until it is gone...

On the off chance that they might find themselves alone, Donnie had packed protection into his wallet. Seeing Penny standing in front of him totally naked… her red gown balled up and in the corner of the barn… almost ended the night early. Penny came over and kissed him… calming him slightly. She then lay down on his jacket and pulled him in for some close contact. Donnie had done all the things he had the first time they were together in the playground as foreplay and Penny began to breathe heavily. When Donnie sat up to get his wallet, Penny pushed him onto his back. She then stroked him until she could see that he was ready. Donnie fumbled with the foil packet until Penny took it from his hands and placed it on him. She then ran herself along his length increasing the arousal for them both. Donnie's eyes were closed when Penny sat up and sank down on him gasping as she settled. He immediately grabbed her hips and started to meet her grinding with his own efforts. Penny firmly planted her hands on Donnie's chest as she ground her hips on him. When she threw her head back, Donnie followed her motion and flipped Penny onto her back and increased his pace. Penny was now writhing beneath him moaning and clawing at him. Penny wrapped her legs around Donnie's waist and rolled her hips to his rhythm… All of a sudden,… Penny's eyes went wide and she clamped her thighs tightly around Donnie. The increased tightness around him pulled Donnie over the edge just as he felt Penny's contractions and spasms.

Donnie collapsed on Penny's chest. Penny's legs fell to sides leaving Donnie on top of her… holding him in a tender embrace. The twitching within her brought a smile to Donnie's face. He had done something that no one else had said they could do… Penny was satisfied.

As they came down from their high, Penny felt a little ashamed… She clamored from beneath Donnie and quickly put her gown on… stuffing her panties into her clutch purse. She got herself together as best as she could and gave Donnie a quick kiss on the cheek… She then left the barn and went to the house. Donnie was left to get dressed and drive home in his car. He did that with a little bit of a puzzled look on his face.


Leonard met a very excited Geri outside the school. The day had not yet begun and she practically leapt into his arms. "Really and truly? You're going to Princeton?"

Leonard looked around… this was something that NEVER happened to him. "Ummm… Sure… "

Geri let go of Leonard sensing his anxiety. "This is going to be so much fun… with you there… Are you going to live on campus?"

Leonard shrugged. "I hope so… I mean… it would be much better than living at home."

Geri smiled. "Well… when you move into the Dorms… I'll help get you set up… It'll be fun…" She then leaned in and kissed Leonard making him blush. Geri pulled back and giggled. "You're cute". She then ruffled his hair like he was a little kid. "You're going to need a woman's touch if you plan on entertaining…"

Leonard looked confused. "Entertaining?"

Geri sighed. "Leonard… If I'm going to be in your room… or any other girl… we don't need to be looking at posters of superheroes. It's college… Leonard… COLLEGE!"


Penny went straight to her room and was immediately surprised when she found Denise sitting in her bed. "What the HELL Denise… you almost gave me a heart attack." Penny looked around. "Does Mom know you're here? Where's Benny?"

Denise smiled. "Mom's worried about you… she did ask me to talk to you… but I'm here because I had a fight with Frank… He thinks that it's so easy to take care of a baby?... So I told him I was coming over here and he could just see how "easy" it is…"

Penny kept looking around… not making eye contact. "So you probably should get some rest then."

Denise got off the bed and walked over to Penny. She picked a piece of straw out of Penny's hair and another from the back of Penny's gown… "What kind of formal dance were you at? It looks like you were 'Rolling in the hay!'" Denise then dusted away a smudge of barn floor dirt from Penny's gown.

Penny pulled away from her sister and blushed.

Denise grabbed Penny's purse and opened it… pulling out a pair of panties. "OH my god!... I thought I recognized the walk of shame!... SPILL!"

Penny pulled the panties away from Denise and put them on while taking off her dress and replacing it with a t-shirt. The two girls sat on Penny's bed and started to talk. Penny shrugged after telling Denise what happened. "Seriously though… Sure it felt great… but it didn't feel like it meant anything… I thought it would be different."

Denise waved her hand. "That's the way it is most of the time… you'll see… if it's special… you'll know it."


The calls between Penny and Leonard did not stop, they were just very infrequent, often not returned if either wasn't available when called. When they did talk… the conversations became more about events rather than personal things going on… any time a more personal question was asked, the conversations would get awkward until the subject was changed or the call ended. Letters were even less used. It seemed that there was far more effort and less desire into writing, trying to get ones feelings and intent across was just too hard.

The rest of the year went along pretty much the same… except for the calls between Penny and Leonard. The time between them actually talking became longer and longer until they stopped calling altogether.


Leonard spent more and more time with Geri. She would follow him on his trips here and here when his parents would give talks in the area and when Leonard wanted to go to the Planetarium or any of the museums. He in turn was allowed to accompany her when her family went on vacation to the Jersey Shore.

Leonard came out of the house with a wide brimmed hat and t-shirt. "Ready to go. All I need is help with the sunblock".

Geri laughed as she stood in her bikini. "Are you sure they had sun back in Nebraska? You look like you've never done this before."

Leonard smiled. We spent most of the time in the water or on a porch. This is actually a beach. There is quite a bit of reflection off the sand."

When they got to the beach, Geri spread a blanket under the huge umbrella Leonard had rented. "Okay… that about does it… now give me the sunblock and lie down... and for God's SAKE!... take off that t-shirt..."

Leonard looked a little worried staring back at Geri... When she didn't budge, he took off the t-shirt and let Geri put on the sunblock. The feeling of her soft hands on his bare chest was like heaven to him... It seemed to have other affects on him also... Suddenly, Leonard sat up. "Okay... my turn... He then took the sunblock from Geri and asked her to lie down. He then started to apply the sunblock to her back and upper thighs..., spreading the sun block on her smooth shoulders, back and legs while somehow focusing mostly on her backside. All he could think of was: "Nope... this isn't any better..." HE then attempted to get more comfortable in his swimming trunks.


Penny was happy to have Donnie. They were closer than ever and even Penny had accepted that he was her boyfriend. He was more than happy to accommodate her plans into his day. Penny was more curious about their official "first time". She enjoyed the sex, but still found the experience emotionally empty. Expecting things to get better, Penny and Donnie often wandered away from their friends when they were at parties.

It wasn't long before Donnie was actually bragging about his abilities with Penny. This was something Penny was not too happy about. Penny never said much about her relationships except to her very close friends and Denise. When private details started to get out, the whole thing seemed to be spiraling out of control by the summers' end and Penny had broken up with Donnie.

This left Penny once again disheartened with a boy she had thought understood her and she thought she could trust. Clearly Donnie was in the relationship for himself. Penny decided that she was going to stay single… boyfriends were not working out for her.


Leonard found himself being dropped off at his college dorm by Geri's parents. Beverly was at a symposium in Trenton and Lyndon had some pressing duties at the University. He just wouldn't be able to help Leonard with his room. Geri's parents thought that Leonard was a fine young man and were happy to see their daughter and he were close. He was just the type of boy they were hoping she would get close to... good grades... good family.

Geri had just finished putting the final touches to Leonard's room when she kicked the door closed and pushed Leonard down on the bed and started kissing him.


When Penny went back to school, it was her junior year… this was something a little new for her. The power structure for the school had turned over. She was not just one of the most popular girls in her grade… she was part of the popularity elite. As much as she had resigned herself that she was single and she was okay with that… she had every eligible guy in school "sniffin-around-the-goods". She could literally have any guy she wanted. This was not something that sat very well with Valerie.

Valerie Mosbacher was losing ground to Penny at an almost alarming rate. Penny was by every one's measure… prettier… thinner… more athletic and… AVAILABLE. As much as Val liked having Curtis at her every beck and call, she might have to rethink that strategy. One thing was for sure… There was going to be a new head cheer leader this year… and Val needed to win that spot at all costs. Her first solution was to exercise and lose weight… she needed to out cheer Penny… that meant getting lean… and mean.


Leonard had been surprised by Geri's affections. He knew she was hoping for something more… but she seemed to be pushing. The first few days at college, were a complete eye opener for him. There were upper classmen that would actually do almost nothing but drink... it seemed like EVERY NIGHT. Leonard's roommate hadn't shown up with the early arrivers. That essentially left him in a "single". This wasn't all that big a problem for him, it meant that he could study more easily. Unfortunately, it also meant that he was avoiding all the normal activities that new college freshmen get initiated into... unintentionally, but he was not socializing with the other students just the same.

One evening, the rest of the guys on his floor had had enough of the "stuck up book worm" and knocked on Leonard's door. Upon opening his door, Leonard was grabbed by the biggest of them and held up before the others who managed to take his pants, lock his door and then leave him in the hallway. Leonard chased after them into the cool evening air, falling behind and in need of his inhaler… which happened to be in the right front pocket of his pants… which he didn't have. Once outside Leonard turned to get into the building only to find it locked. He turned around again to see his pants high on a pole. He then turned to see a group of kids descending the path toward the dorm and laughing at him as he stood in his superman boxer shorts. Leonard did nothing more than stand still hanging his head as the group passed by. Fortunately for him two of the people in the group were Geri and her roommate.

Geri smiled as Leonard blushed being caught outside in his boxer shorts. "Leonard?... this is my roommate Gilda…" Gilda smiled and waved slightly. Leonard smiled back weakly. It wasn't long before the three of them retrieved Leonard's pants. Getting into the dorm was no problem considering Leonard's keys were in his pocket along with his inhaler… something he fished out rather quickly and used.

Leonard opened the door to his room and let the two girls in. Geri sat on Leonard's bed while Gilda took a seat in Leonard's desk chair. Geri looked around. "So… no roommate yet?" She had what Leonard thought was a hopeful tone followed by a smile.

Leonard shook his head. "Nope… nobody yet… and me being alone seems to be acceptable with the other freshmen… considering there are three triples on the floor and no one wants to move in here".

Geri smiled wider. "Huh… well that's too bad… for THEM". She then winked at Leonard and giggled.

Leonard stood and went to the door. "What do you say we get something for dinner…"


Penny found that every eligible single boy in her class were literally at her feet. She was constantly warding off advances. Fortunately for her, she had a few moves that were not part of the rumors but would soon get high exposure. Roy Austin came up behind her and put his arm around her waist and then grabbed her ass and gave it a tight squeeze… which got him nothing but pushed away and then sharply punched… right in the neck… Roy crumpled to the ground holding his throat and coughing… each breath had a stinging feel to it. Penny looked down at him and pointed an accusing finger. "There's plenty more where THAT came from… and don't you forget it!" Word quickly got around that Penny was not someone to be fooled with. This made all the boys consider carefully what they wanted from Penny.

It was pretty apparent to Penny that her simple "display" calmed anyone that was interested in her because of all the rumors that went around about her. It also pretty much stopped the rumors from surfacing… at least most of them. Penny went about her business with the girls. Unfortunately, she found herself getting bored without a boyfriend. Being she pretty much now had her pick… she selected Bobby Austin. Mostly because he was cute… partially because he was Roy's twin brother and she wanted to dig it in a little more that Roy could have been the one if he wasn't so forward and kept his hands to himself. Of the two… Roy was always the more willing to try things and he almost always convinced Bobby to follow along. Bobby got himself into some tight places solely because he was with his brother. Bobby was much quieter and he was really quite shy around most girls. When Penny picked him, he was surprised but didn't shy away from anything that she had said she wanted to do. And Penny wanted to do plenty!


As is often the problem with freshmen in college… the allure of no longer being under the watchful eyes of your parents can be a strong influence in your actions… and not always in a positive fashion. Leonard and Geri had gotten closer. It was pretty much understood by Gilda to stay away from Leonard. The three were friends, but Geri had staked her claim. The fact that Leonard often had Geri as company had his floor mates confused and dismayed. Leonard just savored the time with Geri. She would come and spend the night... always kissing Leonard good bye at the open door where all the other guys could see.

Geri however, seemed to gravitate far closer to the social aspects of college life than Leonard. As time passed, Leonard was often seen bringing Geri back to the dorm in less and less coherent states. To say her grades were affected would be an understatement... and they were not helped by all the time spent away from studying.


Penny found herself at yet another Party. Only this time, she had actually followed her boyfriend up the stairs to one of the unoccupied bedrooms. Penny had decided that she could hold her liquor and put on quite the exhibition. Taking a break from pounding down some shots, Penny found her boyfriend and he seemed to be all over her with his hands. This was not at all like Bobby, but it was a nice change. Penny had already resigned herself to the fact that she would have to initiate their activities and she was rarely disappointed these days when she got her boyfriend in the right mood. Tonight however, it was completely different. HE was like a man possessed. They quickly closed the door and got down to business. He seemed to be in a hurry and that was fine with her. Turning off the lights… not even removing all their clothes… he was all over her.


Leonard would never deny anything Geri wanted to do and he always tried his best to please her. This night was no different. He brought her back to his room and she was all over him, pulling his shirt off along with hers. Usually things progressed between them and they were tender. Tonight however, Geri just wanted to have sex… she seemed okay at first… It certainly wasn't their first time together… She was looking deeply into Leonard's eyes. Then… suddenly… she stopped… and made Leonard stop… then she broke down in tears.


Penny rolled to the side and smiled… satisfied once again… Denise was right… it WAS more fun to take it out and play with it… "Boy… Bobby… what got into YOU tonight? That was pretty amazing…" Just then, Penny heard a giggle coming from her boyfriend. She sat up straight, turned on a lamp and looked down. "You sonofaBITCH!" Penny grabbed her pants and quickly put them on. "You DO know that I'm sleeping with your BROTHER right?... UGH! I have to find Bobby."

Roy looked up and yelled after her as Penny left the room. "Hey… I just wanted to know if you could tell the difference…"


Leonard held Geri until she stopped crying. He was at a complete loss as what to do. Finally he wound up calling Gilda. It was awkward, but Gilda came over and together with Leonard's help, the managed to get Geri back to her room. Leonard really needed to understand what had just happened.

After making sure Geri was settled into her bed and asleep, Gilda came out of their room and into the common area where Leonard was sitting. She sat next to him and put a hand on his knee. "You're a good guy Leonard… you didn't have to stay… it's not the first time I've had to deal with 'Drunk Geri'…"

Leonard looked confused. "Not the first time? She hasn't been like this before! I've never seen her like this before… never THIS drunk..."

Gilda smiled a sad smile. "No… I don't suppose you have… look… Leonard… there's something you should know…"


Penny had spent the next week trying to tell Bobby what had happened between her and Roy… When she left the room with Roy… she was told that Bobby had left the party with Tim and Brad. That pissed her off even more. What was going on here? Were Brad and Timmy in on Roy's plan? Telling Bobby was going to be hard… Bobby was more sensitive than Roy was… How the HELL couldn't she tell them apart?

Finally, Penny had found Bobby, she asked him to come over to the farm, she had some work to do with Buttercup. Bobby came as requested… he always did… Penny sighed as she looked into Bobby's eyes… something was bothering him. It seems as that Roy was egging him on about something… Penny had an idea she knew what it was. Bobby just shrugged and leaned in for a hug… One thing led to another and there they were… fooling around in the barn… just like she did with Donnie after the prom… there was something seriously wrong with her. Now that she had figured out how to be satisfied by a boy, she had turned into some kind of sex monster… there was a name for girls like her… and no matter how much Penny liked having sex… people would find out… people could and would get hurt. Just because she felt no emotional attachment to any of the boys… doesn't mean she wasn't hurting THEM…

Penny sat up and pulled her t-shirt on to cover most of herself. "Look… Bobby… there's something I need to tell you…"


Leonard sat and listened to Gilda tell him about what was going on with Geri. He had suspected that something was going on… sometimes when he called or would come over… Geri was not there. He was told, and had no reason to dispute it… that she was working hard on her grades, which Leonard knew had slipped… considerably… especially for someone as smart as Geri. Leonard finally looked into Gilda's face. "Were there other guys?"

Leonard thought he had something special with Geri. She had practically forced him to have sex with her when he first didn't have a roommate. As surprised as Leonard was... he never really tried to stop her... and never really wanted to. She would come over and spend the night at least four or five times a week. Lately Geri would only come over once or twice… sometimes… not at all. Leonard steeled himself for the answer to his question.

Gilda shrugged her shoulders and looked away.


As much as Penny had questions about her activities with boys, and how she really didn't like what her reputation was turning into, she enjoyed all the attention that she got from all the available boys in school. And she REALLY enjoyed the sex. The only way she could, even in a small way, approximate the attention she got was to really put her all into the Drama Club and the plays that they would put on. It wasn't long before Penny was the lead female role in anything she was working on. Her interest in math and the sciences suffered accordingly.

There were still all the issues and occurrences with Valerie, but Penny easily maintained her top spot in popularity. Actually, her new found affinity for "extracurricular activities" just enhanced her popularity. And as far as Cheer Leading was concerned. Penny again seemed to be pulling away from Valerie. Penny was light and athletic... that meant that she was part of ALL the more complicated tumbling and spinning throws... always the very top of the pyramids. Unfortunately, her popularity was also tied to her and her boyfriends. Penny could break up with one and had another within a few days. Penny wasn't proud of all this boy stuff, but she didn't deny herself anything just shrugging it off... she was having a great time in the last years of High School.


Leonard was a good friend to Geri as long as she could keep up her grades to stay in school. Gilda helped him... help Geri. They would look out for her and try to make sure that she wasn't taken advantage of. Leonard had broken up with Geri on a sexual level even though he was ever grateful that she had introduced him to what pleasures they had together. Leonard wasn't prolific in his pursuit of sexual partners, although he wouldn't let the occasional dalliance pass by. Gilda was ever present and at one point the two of them had even discussed whether they should strike up a relationship. They were actually far more alike than Leonard and Geri were. In the end... they decided... after a particularly awkward semi-drunken half naked attempt at intimacy... that it would be better to just maintain their friendship. They had their hands full with Geri and the time they spent together worked out for them as a release valve for the pressures of going to College at Princeton.

A/N: I have hijacked another character originally slotted for the series that was part of the unaired Pilot... Gilda is all theirs although, her actions have been modified to fit this story.