A/N Thanks to everyone for their reviews. As I stated in Karma, I am going to try to finish my stories one at a time. This one is next. I am not sure how much longer it will be. I still own nothing.

Although everyone had decided they were all okay about Shari and Leonard, it still felt awkward. To spare Marie from having to listen to their lovemaking, Leonard would stay over at Shari's instead. Fortunately, the other eighteen-year-old's room was some distance away.

Even though Penny and Shari seemed all right, it still was awkward for them as well. Assuring them she was happy for them, Penny decided it was time for her to find a place of her own.

Shari and Leonard were deciding to take it slow, with him usually only spending one or two nights a week at Shari's. Leonard did not want to miss being with Marie. With Carla at school and her friends off to college, Marie found time on her hands during the day.

She knew she could go over to her Mother's or Shari's but decided she needed to spend some time alone.

Even after moving out, Penny did spend a couple of days a week at Shari's but she also started to spend some time during the day with people she worked with. She was thrilled with how things were progressing with her job and was finally starting to feel independent again.

When it became apparent that Penny was not after his precious collections, the divorce proceeded smoothly. She agreed that stuff would be considered obtained prior to the marriage. She did receive a portion of his other assets however.

With the divorce behind her, she began to tentatively date, mostly with groups of people from the restaurant. She did have to share with Shari when she had sex for the first time in a quite a while. Shari for her part was glad to see Penny being with someone else.

As the school year rolled on, Leonard wondered if he should have let tried to convince Marie to go to college right away. It wasn't that he didn't love spending time with her, because he did, but he felt he might be holding her back.

He did suggest that she should only stay out one year. She just smiled and told him she would think about it but he wasn't going to get rid of her that easily. She laughed and gave him a big hug when he got all flustered and said he never meant he wanted her to leave.

But it did make her decide she could spend some time working on some things on her own. She began to roam the web, reading scientific papers and gleaning what information she could. She was especially fascinated and impressed reading those prepared by her Dad and Sheldon.

Leonard was amazed when she came to him saying she wanted his opinion on something. She had apparently been reading a paper by a professor from England and had thought of how it could be expanded. She told him she had written down some ideas but wondered if he could take a look at them and perhaps give her some insight how to proceed.

As he read it, Leonard realized that as smart as he and Sheldon had known she was, they appeared to have greatly underestimated her abilities. For someone with only a high school education, it was almost unbelievable what she had accomplished.

Oh, it was rough and showed her inexperience but the way she had seen to expound on the original paper would be an accomplishment for even well, he or Sheldon.

He wasn't exactly sure how to proceed. He wanted her to know how proud he was, but also be sure she understood its shortcomings. He needed to not have worried. She turned out just wanting to learn. He was careful not to tell her anything specific but aimed her toward some sources he knew would be of help. He also suggested she work on how she presented the data.

As he was talking to her, he suddenly felt a little sad that they couldn't share this with Sheldon. He knew how proud he would be. He knew nothing really stopped them but wasn't sure how Marie would react. He also admitted he hated to share her with him. He did realize that at some point she would need to attack the math. Perhaps they could consider going to Sheldon then.

When Mark came home during a break, Marie realized how much she missed him. On one of the nights Leonard was at Shari's she and Mark made love in her bed. She began to think of going to the same school the next year, but had to smirk, thinking what Sheldon would think about her going to MIT. She even wondered how her Dad would react.

When Mark returned to school, Marie knew she had to tell someone what had happened. She didn't think she was ready to discuss it with her Dad. That meant she probably shouldn't discuss it with Shari either.

She finally decided to discuss it with her Mother. She was hesitant because she kind of felt she was going behind her Dad's back. In the end, though, she would trust what Penny recommended she should do.

As usual, Penny was thrilled when Marie called and asked if she could come over. Although she did see Marie on a regular basis, she still missed the times they had spent at Shari's.

When they both had refreshments, water for Marie and wine for Penny, Penny could sense this wasn't just a normal get together. Finally, she asked, "Okay, what's going on?"

Marie was surprised but realized she was probably pretty transparent. She took a breath, "As you know, Mark was home from school last week."

Penny sat up; she was now very interested. "How was he? How is he doing in school?"

"He's doing fine. He did say its tougher that he had expected."

There was a long silence as both took sips.

Marie suddenly blurted out, "Last Saturday, he and I had sex."

Penny was stunned for a moment but then realized she should have expected that is why Marie had come over, especially after she talked about Mark.

"Had you and he done it before?"

"No, this is the first time."

"Are you two serious? Do you love him?"

"No, I don't know. We have always been close and dated a few times, but I didn't think I felt this way about him."

"I hoped you used protection."

"Don't worry, Mom, you have taught me what can happen." She suddenly realized how what she said could be treated as an attack on her Mother, especially in light of her and Sheldon. But it appeared Penny had not taken it that way at all as she just nodded.

"What did your Father think about this?"

Marie lowered her head and said quietly, "I haven' t told him."

Penny was surprised, "Why not?"

"I just remember how freaked out he was when I was just going out on a date. I wasn't sure what this would do to him."

Penny smiled to herself, thinking she was probably right. She was glad that Marie had wanted to talk to her but was a little sad for Leonard. She felt a little guilty also as she realized this was something they could have dealt with as a family.

"Now that you have told me, you know you need to tell him. He will be hurt if he finds out you didn't trust him."

"I know, it's just…" Then she looked up, "Could you tell him?"

Penny was stunned. She took a sip to recover, "Maybe we should tell him together."

"Marie smiled, "That's a great idea." She thought for a moment, "How about Shari?"

Penny started to realize how complicated this was getting. When she had suggested they both tell Leonard, she had forgotten about him and Shari. She knew what she needed to do. Wishing it was different she told Marie, "I have to admit I didn't think about her. I am sorry about that"

She looked into her eyes, "You need to talk it over with both of them together."

Marie was going to object, that she wanted Penny to be there with her and her Dad, but realized Penny was right, it was Leonard and Shari that were together.

Penny spoke up, "I think it may be time for you to think about some form of birth control."

Marie was surprised but then nodded. Then she tentatively asked, "Should I tell them I talked to you?"

Penny wanted to tell her no, knowing Leonard could be hurt, but she knew she could not have Marie lie to him. "Yes, you must never lie to him." She reached out and touched her shoulder, "I think he will understand, just tell him what you told me."

Marie hesitated and then said, "I was thinking about going to MIT next year to be with Mark." She smirked, "I know Sheldon would freak out and I know Dad would love me to go to Princeton."

Penny looked her in the eye, "Listen to me, you should not let any of that effect your decision. You need to decide what is best for you, for your future, for what you want to do. Mark may be the one for you, but you should not make any rash life decisions that involve him. If he's the right one, there will be time to find out."

She smiled ruefully, "Believe me, I know what can happen when you let your hormones make your decisions."

She smiled, "But whatever you decide, we will all support you…" She paused, "Even Sheldon."

When Marie talked to Leonard and Shari, she knew her mother had made the right decision. They were thrilled that she had included Shari. For the first time, she really thought of them as a possible family. Leonard was a little hurt when Marie told them she had talked to Penny first, but Shari told him she could understand, that he should be glad she wanted to tell him at all. She smirked, "I would have never told my Dad in a million years."

Marie and Mark talked regularly on the phone for a couple weeks but then realized that although they liked each other a lot, neither of them were near ready for any kind of commitment. Promising to get together the next summer, they returned to their relationship before the sex.

Penny, Leonard, and Shari told her it was probably for the best. If the truth be told, they were all relieved.

Marie continued to work on her theory. Although she still discussed it with her Dad, it was apparent she was doing very well on her own. Leonard kept thinking how much this would mean to Sheldon and when she got to where she was working on the math, he suggested they discuss it with him.

Marie was surprised, but then realized how much she wanted to have him see it. But she felt that way because her Dad would be with her and she knew he wouldn't be hurt.

About this time, Penny had started to go out regularly with of all things, a local Minor League Baseball player. In one way it was a good idea for her, because he would be going back to Texas after the season.

It also worked out that he was free for a large part of the day as she was. Her only regret was that she rarely could see him play. But then one of her nights off corresponded to a home game. It was then that Penny had a crazy idea.

She kept telling it to go away, but then decided to see what the others would think. She started with Shari and asked her what she would think about everyone going to the game together. At first, Shari thought it was crazy but then decided, what the Hell, it could be fun.

Marie and Carla thought it was a great idea and poor Leonard found himself facing a united force of four women. He graciously capitulated.

It turned out to be a wonderful night. Everyone had a great time at the game. It helped that the home team won and Jerry got two hits.

Afterwards they joined the players and their partners at a local bar. Jerry was a little confused at first who was who, but then decided it really didn't matter.

Everyone even ended up on the dance floor. Shari and the girls had to smile as Penny and Leonard danced together. Carla was happy when Marie asked her to dance. They all were amazed when Penny and Shari showed them how it should be done.

When it was done, Marie drove everyone but Penny over to Shari's where everybody crashed. Penny and Jerry headed for their own celebration.

The next day, everyone agreed it had been a great success, that a lot of awkwardness had been laid to rest.

About a week after the game, Marie and Leonard headed over to Sheldon's. He had of course been amazed when they called, but quickly agreed to see them when he knew what they wanted.

As Leonard and Marie watched, Sheldon read the paper. Leonard had seen it before but Marie wondered what he was doing as he grimaced, smiled, and talked to himself as he read it.

When he finished, they looked expectantly at him, "While it is not up to Sheldon Cooper standards, understandable since Leonard was involved," he smiled, "This is quite brilliant." As Marie and Leonard smiled, he went on, "I must say, Marie, it appears that both I and Leonard have greatly underestimated your ability." Then to their amazement, he caused them both to tear up a little as he continued, "I am very proud of you and proud to call you my daughter."

Then he broke the mood by saying, "But you definitely need my expertise with the math. I assume Leonard was trying to assist you."

Marie quickly said, a little angrily, "He didn't have anything to do with it, he was the one who suggested we come to you." She went on, "He was very instrumental in the writing of the rest of the paper."

Again to their shock, Sheldon appeared to be contrite, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to disparage his contributions."

He went on, "Now if we want to all get together, I can go over where I think we need to go."

As they worked, both Marie and Leonard found themselves astonished at what was happening. Leonard knew he should be sad or angry at Sheldon, but he found himself enjoying what was happening. Oh, he would never be able to completely forgive Sheldon, but for now, he decided to just accept what was occurring.

For her part, Marie was amazed. She had known, of course, how smart everyone said Sheldon was but now she had advanced enough to appreciate it for herself.

Even though he was engrossed in what he was doing, Sheldon could not help but be surprised at what was happening and how much he was enjoying it. He also realized a little of how he had acted.

When they finished, they were surprised and pleased that they were reluctant to break up. They all knew it did not change the past, that it meant all was forgiven, but they all knew a small step had been taken.

As they got up to leave, Marie was shocked at a thought she had. She fought it, afraid of how her Dad would react but decided she needed to ask. She whispered in his ear. At first he showed shock and she could see the hurt in his eyes, but then it was gone and he smiled at her, "I think that would be okay."

As they went out the door, Marie turned, "Thank you for your help, Father."

Sheldon just stared and for a brief moment Marie and Leonard swore they saw a tear in his eye, but decided it was their imagination. Sheldon smiled and said, "Your welcome, Marie."