A/N Wow, thanks for the great reviews. I really love the input and ideas. I still own nothing.
For a moment, Penny was worried for him, but then saw he was breathing normally again. She couldn't believe how well it had worked out; she had waited in the lobby until she saw him coming and then rode the elevator. She had then held it up so he would have to take the stairs.
When she said, "Hi," he finally seemed to recover and said, "Penny, what…?" but she interrupted and said, "You say, "Hi," and then I say, "Hi, I'm Penny," and then you say Hi again and your name."
Leonard, still a little stunned, "Hi?"
"Hi, I'm Penny."
Leonard stared at her but he shrugged and said "Hi, I'm Leonard."
"Glad to meet you, Leonard, are you visiting someone?"
Wondering where this was going, but deciding to play along, "No, I live on top of you. Not on top of you, in 4B."
"Well, then I guess we are neighbors."
She reached behind her and held up a bag, "I ordered Indian food, but I have too much for just me. Would you like to share it with me? After all, Indian food is good for the colon."
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Could we eat in your apartment, mine is pretty messy?"
As Leonard nodded, Penny closed her door and they headed for the stairs. Suddenly, Penny stopped and said, "Almost forgot." She went over and released the elevator.
As they went up the stairs, Leonard said, "Okay, Penny, what is going on? What are you doing in 3B?"
"I thought it was obvious, I am moving in."
"You know what I mean."
"You are awfully nosy for someone I just met."
Leonard stopped and grabbed her arm, "That's enough. Why are you here?"
"As I said, I am moving in. The first time I did we got together, but I ended up messing it up. So, I figured we would start over and see if we can do it better this time."
"You plan on reliving the whole twelve years?"
"I kind of hoped we could speed it up this time."
"Penny, we agreed to give each other four months. Not only that, you have a movie to do. Do you expect to redo twelve years in a month?"
"Actually, I have a one-year lease. As far as the movie, I thought I would give an opportunity to some aspiring actor." She smiled ruefully, "But it looks like Kaley Cuoco is going to get the part."
As Penny started back up the stairs, Leonard stared at her, "You gave up your movie?"
"I think that's what I just said."
"Can you do that? Won't you get in trouble? Will it hurt your career?"
"I got a talking to from my agent and the producer. And the lawyers ran up some billing time going back and forth. But in the end, my agent didn't want to lose me as a client and I agreed to do two pictures in the future for the producer. As for my career, I am an Oscar winner and I have a good reputation for being a professional. I suppose I could maybe miss out on a part here or there but I think I'll be fine."
As Leonard moved to catch up with her, his mind was reeling. She had given up a movie role? Whatever she said, he had a feeling this was not good for her career. He then thought, she did this for me. She must really love me. But then he took a deep breath. He needed to be careful. This was a big step, but it didn't mean everything had changed, that everything was solved.
As they reached the apartment, Leonard opened the door and allowed her to pass through.
Penny sat the bag on the table and was gratified to see he had a white board, but realized it just had a grocery list on it.
Undaunted, she walked over to it and said with a little awe in her voice, "Leonard, is this your board?"
In spite of himself Leonard had to simile. He walked over and said, "Yes, that's mine."
"Wow, this is impressive, what is all this?"
Leonard, now smiling broadly, "Well, that says Soy Milk, and this stuff on the edges concerns a loaf of bread."
"You must be one of those beautiful mind guys."
"I am."
Penny headed back over to the couch and sat down.
Deciding he could play too, Leonard said, "That's my spot!"
Penny jumped a little, and then glared at him, "Very funny, Hofstadter," but her eyes were twinkling.
As they handed out the food and Leonard got them some water, he sat down in the chair.
Penny went on, "So, Leonard, what do you do for excitement around here?"
"Well, my neighbor and I recently played a game of Klingon Boggle."
"Klingon Boggle?"
"Yeah, it's like Boggle, but in Klingon… That's enough about me, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"
"Okay, let's see. I am a Sagittarius. That probably tells you most of what you need to know."
"I am a vegetarian, but I LOVE steak."
"I grew up on a farm in Nebraska. I came to California to be an actress, but in four years of trying, all I have to show for it is seven films, a nomination for an Oscar for supporting actress, and an Oscar for best actress."
Leonard smirked, "I am sure it will pick up."
"I know, right."
Then she started to tear up and Leonard could see she was not faking, "Then I fell in love and was married to a great guy, but I screwed it up."
She looked up at him, "But I still really love him, is that crazy?"
She then stood up and walked away. Not sure what to do, he finally went over to her, "No, it's not crazy, I bet he still loves you too."
Dabbing her eyes, "You think so?"
Smiling fondly at her, "I know so."
"I'm sorry to lay this on you. It's just that I am tired from moving in and my shower doesn't work…"
"My shower works."
"Really, do you think it would be weird if I used it?"
"No, it's through the bedroom."
"Thank you, Leonard, you really are a sweet guy."
As he watched her walk into the bedroom, Leonard wondered where she was going with this. He was amazed at the effort she was making. Then, he smirked to himself, how was she going to handle the others? How about Sheldon? He knew now he had to go along for the ride.
As he waited, he found himself wondering if she would come out and whether or not she would be wearing a towel. Unfortunately, that made him think of Sandi and wondered what she would think about Penny moving in and what Penny would think about Sandi.
He decided there wasn't anything he could do about that situation for the moment. His thoughts were interrupted when Penny come out wearing a towel. They went through the motions of pretending to fix the shower. As before, she threw the towel aside as she entered the shower, but this time she somehow mistimed it and he clearly saw her nude.
She then said, "Leonard, could you do me a favor?"
"Yeah, I can do that."
"Are your sure, it's not something you would normally ask someone you just met."
Now wondering where this was going, Leonard said, "Okaay."
"I have some furniture coming tomorrow and I wonder if you could let the delivery man into my apartment?"
Leonard had to smile to himself, "Sure, I can do that."
"Great, make sure I give you my extra key."
As Leonard moved back into the living room, Sheldon knocked on the door. Leonard had to smile, 'well, it looks like things may get interesting'.
