A/N Again I want to thank those who took the time to provided support and input. I really appreciate each and every one. Also, thanks to all of you who stick with me. Happy Holidays to all of you. I still own nothing.

Penny was a little disappointed at Leonard's last choice. But she supposed it was something that was important to him and something he would like to share with her. It just didn't seem to be much of a challenge. He, Sheldon, and two Doctors from UCLA were going to be involved in a four-hour symposium on Sub-atomic particles. Each of them speaking for one hour.

I mean all she had to do was avoid falling asleep or excessive yawning or playing with her phone… Maybe this wasn't going to be that easy after all.

She was a little heartened when she found out Alex was going to attend as well. She had prevailed on her to try to educate a little bit on what she was going to hear. She had also got some help from Leonard.

Alex walked a little apprehensively into the University Cafeteria. She and Leonard had been having lunch together on Tuesdays and Thursdays while he ate with Howard, Amy, and Sheldon the other three days. Then Leonard had decided that it was ridiculous to have her eat alone and asked her to join him and the others.

She and Leonard got their food and headed for the table where the others were waiting. Sheldon had not been enthused about Alex joining them. He still could not understand why Leonard had come to treat her as an equal. He did read the report from their first project together and had to admit it did have some value, but doubted that Alex contributed much.

He had thought once that it was just Leonard trying to ingratiate himself with her, but that theory was discarded when Penny and Leonard got together.

As they were sitting down, Howard smiled and said, "mademoiselle, tu es particulierment belle aujourd'hui."

Alex smiled to herself, she had learned on girl's night that Howard and Bernadette were dating, but Penny had also said that he was still a little creepy, "Excuse me?"

"I just told you that you were especially lovely today in flawless French."

Alex smirked and said, "s'il te plait ne recommence pas," thankful for once for her taking French.

Leonard had to laugh at the look on Howard's face. "What did you say to him?"

"Just not to do that again." She smiled at Howard, "Are you and Bernadette going out again soon?"

Seeing the look on Howard's face, she took pity on him. "It's okay, Howard. I appreciate the compliment but let's just forget about all that." She smiled, "Hi, Howard, I'm Alex, it's nice to meet you."

Howard smiled back, "Nice to meet you, too."

With that everyone managed to relax.

Alex had been worried about how Sheldon would react but he apparently had decided to accept her presence. She actually enjoyed watching him interact with the others. She could see why they were good friends. As usual she was impressed by Leonard. It was apparent he was the glue that held them together. He also made sure she did not feel like the odd man out.

Back at the apartment, Amy found herself asking again, "Sheldon, are you sure it is okay that I miss your lecture?"

"As I have said many times, it is necessary for you to attend your meeting at UCLA. I am much more interested in you moving to work at Caltech than the need to have you in the audience, even though you are probably the only one that may appreciate what I am saying."

"All right. I will be back around six o'clock."

"I will be here waiting." He hesitated, "It pleases my greatly that you will be working at Caltech. I would have missed you."

Amy smiled, "I would have missed you as well."

"You should be leaving just in case there is traffic. Leonard should be back to pick me up."

Penny and Alex arrived at the Symposium. Penny was surprised at the size of the crowd. It wasn't exactly standing room only, but it wasn't small either. They decided to sit in the third row. Penny had insisted she be on the aisle. Suddenly, she heard someone call out her name. Turning, she was stunned to see Zack heading toward her.

"Hey, Penny, thought I would see you here."

Alex had turned at the same time. She saw a tall, handsome guy headed toward them.

Penny smiled, "Hey, Zack, didn't know you were into something like this."

He showed surprise, "You know how much I love science. When I saw Leonard was speaking, you couldn't keep me away. Besides, I have always been interested in this small particle stuff."

Alex had to smile to herself, it was becoming apparent that this guy didn't really know what he was talking about.

Penny was saying, "Zack, this is Alex Jensen. Alex, this is Zack Johnson, a friend of mine and Leonard."

As they exchanged pleasantries, she went on, "Alex is a grad student at Caltech, she is working with Leonard on an important project."

Zack's eyes widened, "You work with Leonard? You must be really smart."

Alex had to smile, you just couldn't help but like this guy, "I don't know about that, but I do enjoy working with him."

Penny quickly interjected, "Don't be modest, Alex." She turned to Zack, "She is extremely smart. She and Leonard have worked together before."

As more people walked past them, Penny said, "We'd better find our seats."

Sitting in the third row with Penny on the aisle, Alex next to her and Zack next to Alex, they waited for the start of proceedings.

Sheldon was the first speaker and Alex had to admit he was impressive. Some of what he said was difficult even for her to follow, but she was pretty sure that was true of a lot of the audience. She still thought he was obnoxious, but interacting more with him had softened her feelings toward him. She reminded herself she still had to ask Penny how they had ever been together.

She looked over at Zack and had to suppress a giggle. He looked like he was looking into an abyss. She knew he didn't understand a word, but he was enthralled. She felt a moment of sadness. She thought she could understand a little of how he must feel, to want to understand, but not be capable of it. She also found herself thinking he really was good looking.

Zack sat in amazement. He had studied what he could before he had come. It hadn't made much sense to him but was really interesting. All of his life he had been fascinated by science. When he was younger, he was able to understand, but he wanted to know more. He knew deep down there were things he would never understand or comprehend, but he wasn't going to stop trying. Just then he felt something brush against him, he saw that Alex had moved and grazed his arm. He took a good look at her. She really was pretty. He was sure though that she had a real smart boyfriend.

Penny was hanging in there. The education she had got from Leonard and Alex was helping a little but most of what Sheldon was saying was jibber jabber to her. But as she looked around, she got the impression she wasn't the only one. She did feel a little pride in Sheldon. He had come a long way since she had first encountered him outside his apartment. She really hoped he and Amy could get it all figured out.

She looked over at Alex, who she assumed understood what Sheldon was saying. She had to smile as she saw Zack who she was sure did not understand much of anything, but she also knew she would not catch him missing a word.

Suddenly, she had a strange thought. Maybe she should try to get them together. Oh, they were probably even more mismatched than her and Leonard, but they were both really nice people and certainly both were very attractive. She would have to think a little more about that.

Without any connection to the next two speakers, Penny had to fight to keep concentrating. She was helped though by the fact she actually was able to follow them up to a point.

Alex was not impressed with the speakers and found her mind wandering. She looked over at Penny and was a little surprised she seemed to be listening intently. She realized her and Leonard's coaching might actually be of use here.

She also glanced at Zack. His expression had not changed. Evidently, he was faring no better understanding the current speakers. Just then he turned and caught her watching him. He smiled at her and she found herself blushing a little. What the hell was the matter with her? She wasn't interested in Zack. She had just met him. Besides, a guy like him probably had girls panting after him.

Zack caught Alex looking at him. She looked a little embarrassed when he smiled at her. Could she be interested in him? Nah, she was way too smart for him. No, he was just kidding himself. He decided he would go out to the club later where he belonged.

When Leonard began to speak, all three of them watched intently. Alex was again amazed by him. He was every bit as impressive as Sheldon but also engaged much more with the audience. She looked over at Penny and was stunned at the rapt look on Penny's face. She smirked to herself as she remembered how Penny had said she was turned on when he was at the fund raiser. She had a feeling it was happening again.

Penny was astounded at how much she admired Leonard. She had no problem concentrating on what he was saying. Her problem was that it was such a turn on. She also realized again how much she loved him. She told herself this was not the time to make decisions, but she knew she wanted to be with Leonard, that she could not imagine being without him.

After the question and answer period which was undoubtedly shortened by Sheldon putting down nearly every question, they all met by the outside door.

Leonard had been a little surprised when he saw Zack in the audience, but didn't show it when he saw him still with Penny and Alex. Sheldon just shook his head when he saw him but nodded when Leonard told him to be nice.

Zack greeted them, "Hey, Guys, you looked good up there." He smirked, "Boy, some of those questions were really lame, weren't they?"

Everyone had to struggle to not roll their eyes, hating to think what kind of questions Zack might have asked.

Penny gave Leonard a little hug and kissed him softly on the mouth, "You two were impressive up there." She smiled, "I could even follow some of it, thank to you and Alex."

Alex spoke to Sheldon, deciding to see his reaction, "Penny's right, I was very impressed. But I am afraid most of the audience couldn't appreciate what you were trying to convey. I know I found it difficult sometimes."

Sheldon was surprised, was she paying him a compliment? He looked suspiciously at her, but saw nothing but innocence, "Thank you, Alex, I am sure you understood more than most."

Leonard and Penny looked at each other, what was that all about?

Zack spoke up, "Why don't we go out and celebrate? I know a place where we could get something to eat that has a dance floor."

Sheldon answered, "As appealing as that sounds, I need to get back and meet with Amy. Leonard, we need to get going."

Leonard nodded and looked at Penny, "What do you think, Penny?"

Penny was torn. What she really wanted to do was drop off Alex and go home and take Leonard to bed. But she remembered what she had been thinking about Alex and Zack. She turned to Alex, "I guess that would be okay, how about you, Alex?"

Alex was about to say no when she saw Zack looking expectantly at her. She surprised herself by saying, "That sounds okay, but I have to get home early."

Leonard spoke up, "Okay. Zack, you'll need to give me the address. I'll be there as soon as I drop Sheldon off at home." He looked at Penny, "Do you know where he's talking about?"

Penny turned to Zack, "Are you talking about the bar on fourteenth?"

"That's the one."

Penny said, "Why don't we do this? I'll follow Leonard back home and then we can take his car and leave mine there. Alex, do you want to ride with me or go with Zack?"

Alex was surprised, Things were moving a little fast. But she said, "I guess I can keep Zack company. If that's okay with you, Zack?"

Zack smiled, "No problem at all." He turned to Penny and Leonard, "We'll see you there."

When they got back to the apartment, Leonard got rid of his jacket and tie, while Penny changed shoes. Before they left they were informed by Sheldon and Amy that Amy was going to move full time to Caltech. Amy said she was wondering whether she should try to get an apartment a little closer to Caltech.

Penny and Leonard headed out for the bar. Penny was thinking about what Amy had said and suddenly had an idea. Could Leonard move in with her and Amy take Leonard's room? She quickly dismissed it as being too early, but then remembered how she had felt at the Symposium about wanting to be with Leonard. She was pretty sure Leonard would go for it, but were Sheldon and Amy ready to be in the same apartment? Maybe she could discuss it with Amy.

Leonard spoke up, "Your kind of quiet. What were you thinking about?"

Not ready to say anything about what she was thinking, she said, "I was wondering about Alex and Zack."

"What about them?"

"Whether I should try to get them together."

Leonard was shocked, Zack and Alex? They were so different. Then he had to smirk to himself, sort of like Penny and him. Then he wondered, was he actually a little jealous thinking of Alex with someone else. He quickly put that out of his head, angry with himself for even thinking of it. But Zack? He was a nice guy and certainly attractive, but… But what? They could easily have more in common than he did with Penny. Finally, he got out, "Did they give any indication they were interested in each other?"

"Well, no. But Alex did agree to ride with him to the bar. I am not saying they should get married, but I think they could have some good times together. They are both really nice people and I just would like to see them have someone."

"Well, I think you should just let them find that out."

"Of course." But to herself, 'I might just try to give them a little nudge.'

Alex was a little surprised when she saw Zack's BMW. After they had drove for a time, Alex asked, "So, Zack, what do you do for a living?"

"I am in business with my Dad and sister, we make and sell menus." He went on, "It sounds easy, but there is some science to it."

Alex had to smile, but then she thought, 'Hell, there is probably science in everything.' Then speaking up, "So what do you specifically do?"

"I mostly do deliveries, although I do spend some time suggesting changes that I get from the customers, but Dad is the real designer. Kathy spends most of her time working with numbers."

Alex realized something, "Is that how you met Penny?"

"Yeah, the Cheesecake Factory is one of our biggest customers."

Then Alex had a thought but wondered if she should say anything. Deciding she was just curious, "Did you ever think of asking Penny out?"

"Yeah. Actually, we did have a couple dates until she got with Leonard. I have to admit, I was a little surprised at first, but then I realized they were really good together."

He looked over at her, "How about you. Did you ever think of getting with Leonard?"

Alex fought the quick moment of sadness, then answered, "Like you, we did go out on a couple dates, but then he got with Penny."

Zack might have been slow about science and other stuff, but he did have a sense of empathy. "You really liked him, didn't you?"

Alex was stunned. How did he know that? She looked at him but just saw him looking sympathetically at her. She surprised herself by saying, "Yeah. A lot. But I realized he belonged with Penny."

Zack reached out and touched her hand and then drew his back.

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

A/N I obviously got the French from Google. If I really said something stupid or something is wrong with it, please let me know. Thanks