A/N Thank you for all your reviews, they truly make my day, week, month. This chapter is a little short but sometimes they just want to end. I still own nothing.

When Leonard and Penny arrived at the bar, they joined Alex and Zack at a table. Zack smiled and held up his drink, "I am getting the first round but wasn't sure what you guys wanted."

Penny asked for a glass of wine and Leonard a beer. Getting the waitress over, they ordered the drinks and also their food. Burgers for Zack and Leonard while the girls had salads.

Zack raised his drink, "To Doctor Leonard Hofstadter and his wonderful speech."

Everyone smiled and took a drink.

Penny decided she would start her plan with a small step, "Alex, I just realized I have never asked about you and your family. Do you have any brothers and sisters? Are you from California?"

Alex looked a little surprised but answered, "No, I am an only child. I was born in upper New York but came to California when my father went to work for SETI."

Leonard interjected, "Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence."

Zack stared at her, "Wow. Have you met guys from outer space?"

Penny was relieved to see Alex just smiled, "No, I am afraid they just check for possible signals from outer space."

Zack looked disappointed for a moment and then smiled and said, "That's still pretty cool."

Penny plans were set back when Alex then had her reciprocate. After she finished, Alex smiled, "So that's where 'Going all Nebraska on me' comes from."

Before Penny could think of something else, their meals arrived.

After they finished and Zack grabbed the check, Penny suggested they go have a few dances.

Alex agreed but said she did have to leave early; she had a Skype session with her parents.

A little to Penny's surprise, Leonard was ready to do a fast dance but it was Penny who held back, wanting Alex and Zack to go out alone.

Alex was a little reluctant, but Zack talked her into it, telling her they would just have a couple and then she could leave.

Penny was gratified when they seemed to be enjoying themselves, staying out for three dances. On the third one, Penny and Leonard joined them. Penny noted that Leonard was doing much better and recalled how she had felt at the lecture. She decided they would be leaving early as well.

The next dance was a slow one. Alex knew she should get going but found she wasn't ready to leave. As she settled in his arms, she wondered what the hell she was doing. There was no way she and Zack should be together. Besides, she wasn't interested in a relationship right now. Was she?

Then she said what the hell and just let herself enjoy the time she was spending with him.

Penny was elated to see them together. She was surer than ever they were good for each other.

After the dance, Alex said she needed to get going. Penny quickly said, "If it is okay, Leonard and I would like to stay awhile. Zack, could you possibly take her home?"

She saw Alex looked a little inquisitively at her, but Penny just feigned innocence.

Zack smiled, "I'd be glad to. If it's okay with you, Alex?"

Alex turned toward him, "Thanks, Zack, I would appreciate it."

The exchanged goodbyes and with Zack congratulating Leonard one more time, they headed out.

As soon as they were gone, Penny started to put on her coat, "Okay, let's get out of here."

Leonard looked surprised but then smirked, "I thought you were not going to interfere?"

Penny looked surprised, "What did I do?"

Then she smiled at him, "I just wanted them to leave so we could go straight home to bed."

"It's only nine o'clock."

Then seeing the look she was giving him, he smiled and said, "You're right. Let's get out of here"

As they drove along, Alex looked over at Zack. She found herself wondering if there could be something between them. But then she asked herself, why are you interested in a relationship with him? Is it just because he is handsome and a great dancer? Why didn't it bother her more that he was so ignorant about science, that he was nowhere near her in intelligence?

She quickly admonished herself about that. Who was she to judge his intelligence? After all, he was apparently successful at what he did. Look at Penny and Leonard, they were happy together. She realized that he seemed to be a lot like Leonard. He was kind and understanding. She smiled to herself; he was like a gentle giant. She felt good around him. Then she smirked to herself, and he was a hunk.

As Zack drove, he stole glances at Alex and caught her looking at him. He was a little surprised how much he was attracted to her. Oh, she was pretty, but not the type he was usually involved with. And then there was her brains. Was that why he was interested? Only because it was part of who she was. He realized he just felt she would be nice to be around. She seemed open and friendly. She just seemed to be a good person, and like Penny, he felt she didn't look down at him when he made a mistake. And as far as them being different, how about Penny and Leonard? Then he smirked to himself, and there were those gorgeous legs.

When they got to her apartment, Zack walked her to her door. She turned to him, "It was nice to meet you, Zack. Thanks for a fun night. Perhaps we will run into each other again."

Zack then surprised and pleased her when he said, "Could we possibly exchange phone numbers? I really did have a good time and was thinking we could maybe get together sometime."

Trying not to show too much elation, "That sounds good. I would like that."

After exchanging numbers, they said their goodnights.

Amy was already at the apartment when Sheldon got there. "Hi, Sheldon, how did the lectures go?"

"It was as I expected. While Leonard was, I guess worth listening to, the others were quite pedestrian. Why they bothered to have them appear is beyond me. But when I reflect back on the questions we received afterwards, they probably were what that audience deserved."

Amy smiled, "Well, while they couldn't fully appreciate your genius, you may have shown them a little of where they fall short."

"I suppose that is possible." He hesitated, "Do you remember that Zack fellow I told you about?"

When Amy nodded, "He was there. He was sitting with Alex and Penny."

"From what you told me, that is surprising. From what you said, I cannot see where he would be able to understand anything."

"Apparently, he possesses a love of science. Even though he had difficulty with the most basic knowledge."

"Are Leonard and Penny in her apartment?"

"No, they all went out to a bar to eat and dance."

After a few moments, Sheldon went on, "I assume you had no problems at UCLA."

"They did try to convince me to return there, but I made it clear I was determined to continue my research at Caltech."

"I am glad. I would have missed seeing you every day."

Amy smiled to herself, then remembering how Sheldon had said she was beautiful, she decided to take a chance. "I would have missed you, too." Taking a small breath, "Sheldon, do you remember when you said I was beautiful?"

"Of course I remember, I have an eidetic memory."

Sighing, Amy plunged on, "You are beautiful to me as well. I am physically attracted to you."

Sheldon wondered what was going on. It was true that Amy was beautiful to him. She appreciated him and had an extraordinary mind. He felt more comfortable around her then with anyone else except perhaps Leonard and Penny. But then he realized it was more than that. He was surprised to realize he was physically attracted to her.

Amy grew fearful as she waited for Sheldon to say something. Had she gone too far?

Finally, he spoke, "I am pleased by that. You are beautiful to me. I am physically attracted to you as well."

Amy couldn't believe it. She impulsively moved toward him and kissed him. She was nervous again when he didn't respond at first but he didn't pull away either. Then he shocked her by putting his arms around her and intensifying the kiss. She quickly hugged him as well.

Afterwards, they both were a little shocked at what had happened. After a time, Sheldon said, "I suppose we should decide what we want for supper."

For a moment Amy was disappointed, but then she realized things had forever changed. That they had moved to a new phase of their relationship and there was no going back.

She smiled, "How about Chinese?"

Bernadette smiled as she looked over at a sleeping Howard. It was surprising, considering how Howard apparently had a past of hitting on women, that it had taken him so long to make the move on her. She had certainly given him enough hints. But in the end, it had been worth it. He had turned out to be good between them. But now she wondered what would happen next. She knew that her parents, especially her father, were not ready to accept Howard as a suitable suitor. She snuggled back next to him, deciding she would worry about that later.

When they reached Penny's apartment, if Leonard hadn't known in the car, Penny quickly made it clear what was going to happen. Between the lecture, the wine, and the dancing, she needed to be with him. For Leonard's part, he was more than agreeable. But once they were in bed, they both found they wanted to take their time, to enjoy being with each other. When they finally fell back in bliss, both were completely sated.

As Penny snuggled next to him, she remembered what she had thought about at the lecture. She would check with Amy, but whatever she said, she wanted Leonard to live with her. She knew it was a big step, but she had no doubt that Leonard felt the same.