A/N Thanks again for the reviews. I do appreciate them. I still am just borrowing the characters.

After Bernadette got off work, she decided to talk to her Father about how it had gone between him and Howard. When she saw that Howard's car was still there, she decided to wait a while to see if he came out.

She had only been there about fifteen minutes when she saw him exit.

She could see he was thinking deeply about something. When she called out to him, she realized she had startled him, but he managed a small smile, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask my Dad how it went, but when I saw your car, I decided I would talk to you first."

She paused, "How did it go?"

"It was okay. Mike and I had a good talk." He hesitated like he was deciding about something. He took a deep breath and asked, "Why didn't you tell me your Great-grandfather was a Nazi?'

Bernadette was stunned, finally she got out, "Nazi? What are you talking about?"

"You didn't know?'

When she just stared at him, "He continued, "He was a member of the SS."

She was about to tell him that couldn't be true but then saw he was dead serious, "Are you sure?"

"Your Dad showed me a picture of him in his uniform."

She moved over toward him and hugged him, "I am so sorry, Howard, I swear I never knew."

After a moment he hugged her back, "I believe you."

He stepped back and she said, "All I never knew about him was that my grandfather said he died in the war."

She thought for a moment, "Dad told me my grandfather was in the Resistance. Was he lying about that?"

"No, Mike said he rejected his father and was in the Resistance."

Bernadette managed to recover a little, "That's good, isn't it?"

Howard managed another sad smile, "Yes, that's good. But I am afraid this all is going to be a big shock to my mother."

"But this all happened so long ago. None of us are those people. I don't see any reason why she should be so bothered by this."

Howard sighed and said under his breath, "My mother will think there are six million reasons."

Before Bernadette could ask, he hurried on, "I wish you were right but this is very personal for us."

"You're not going to let her stop us from seeing each other?"

"No, I told your father I have decided to keep seeing you." He managed a smile, "Until you dump me."

He went on, "But I don't know what will happen to my mother and I."

Bernadette teared up, "I understand." She smiled ruefully, "I feel a little like Romeo and Juliet." At the look on his face, "But I don't plan on killing myself."

Howard smiled and he was stunned as he realized something, he realized he had known for a long time. Gathering his courage, he reached out and took her hands and as she turned to him said, 'I love you, Bernadette Rostankowski."

Her eyes widened and she looked down at their intertwined hands, then she lifted her head and smiled, "I love you, Howard Wolowitz."

As his face lit up in joy, she moved forward and they took each other in their arms and kissed passionately.

Observing this from the house, Mike took his wife's hand, and smiling ruefully said, "I got to admit, he does look like he knows how to kiss."

He turned serious, "I hope his Mother can find a way to accept this."

After Zack left, Alex finished a bottle of wine and cried until she had no tears left. She smirked to herself, this was getting old, crying over a man. But then she realized this time she had brought it on herself. Why had she treated him like that? He didn't deserve it. But at the same time, she still felt something had to be done. Maybe she was just an arrogant bitch, but she really felt he needed to give up the obsession he had with science. He had so much going for him, he needed to let it go. It could only end up bad. She was probably kidding herself, but she still felt she was doing what was best for him, for them.

She felt she had told him the truth. She had told him how much she admired him, how she had feelings for him. Why was this science thing so damn important to him? She sighed, as much as she would miss him, how much she would regret not being together, she couldn't lie to him about how she felt.

She put up her defenses. After all, if he really wanted to be with her, he could respect her feelings on this. He should face the possibility that his refusal to understand where she was coming from was because he was only with her because she was smart and worked with Leonard.

Suddenly the stress and the wine hit her and she decided it could all wait until morning. She barely had time to change her clothes before she collapsed on her bed.

Zack took another long drink and sat the bottle back on the bar. After he had left Alex, he had driven around aimlessly for a while and then had decided to head out to the club and try to forget what had happened by dancing. But when he went to ask someone to dance, he realized his heart wasn't in it. He had retreated to the bar and was rapidly becoming soused.

He and the bartender Bill had known each other for a long time but Bill couldn't remember ever seeing him this bad. He knew it wasn't really his business, but he was getting a little worried. Finally, he made a phone call.

"Okay, Bill, get me another bottle."

"Zack, don't you think you have had enough. Why don't you let me call you a cab?"

"I'll tell you when I have had enough. Now are you going to serve me or do I have to take my business elsewhere?"

Bill knew he couldn't let him drive like he was. He was thinking he could give him one more, when he heaved a sigh of relief as he saw her come through the door.

She spotted him right away and gave a big sigh. She had hoped Bill was a little paranoid but she could see it was bad. She wondered what had driven him to this. She hadn't seen him like this before or since Adam…

She walked up and touched him on the shoulder, "Hey, Zack, let me take you home."

Zack turned and managed to focus, "Kathy, what are you doing here?" Then he turned and glared at Bill, "You called her!"

Kathy continued, "He is just being your friend. Now, let's get out of here."

Zack sighed, he had never been able to stand up to her, even when they were kids.

Throwing a twenty on the bar, he snarled, "Keep the change."

Seeing Kathy's inquisitive look, Bill assured her Zack had been paying for his drinks and told her to take the twenty. Kathy smiled and said, "No, you keep it." She then reached out and touched his hand, "Thank you, Bill."

"Your welcome, Kathy, I just hope he'll be all right."

Kathy sadly nodded and managed to get Zack out to her car.

As she drove him toward his apartment, she called her husband. "Yeah, I got him."

"It's really bad. I haven't seen him like this since Adam died."

"I don't know. I may have to stay with him all night. I'll let you know. Say goodnight to the kids for me."

"I love you, too. I'll talk to you later."

As they drove, Zack started to mutter, "Why, Kathy? What's wrong with me? Why did Alex say those things to me?"

Kathy sighed, so it had something to do with Alex. She knew Zack had liked her but she didn't know she could have this effect on him. He must really be serious about her. She wondered what had happened to cause him to act like this.

It was quite a struggle to get him on the elevator and into his room. She dumped him on the couch and made a big pot of coffee.

By the time she got three or four cups in him, he was beginning to come out of it a little.

He finally got up and went into the bathroom. When he came out she was gratified to see he had straightened himself up a little.

He sat down beside her, "My head feels like it is going to explode." In response to her inquiry he told her he had taken some pain pills.

After another cup of coffee, he sat back and ran his fingers through his hair, "I think I finally feel a little better." He turned toward her, "Thanks, Kathy for taking care of me. "

She smiled and touched his shoulder, "What are big sisters for?"

She hesitated, "What happened between you and Alex to get you like this?"

Seeing his look, she said, "You talked about her in the car."

He nodded, "I walked out on her. She said we were seeing too much of each other." He paused, "She also told me I needed to quit asking her about science."

He looked at her, "She basically told me I was too stupid to understand."

Kathy sighed inside; she had always been afraid that his obsession with trying to understand what he wasn't capable of would end up hurting him. She felt angry at Alex for apparently hurting him like this, but at the same time, she could almost understand. She knew how he could get. She could also understand how Alex would wonder why this was so important.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to try to get back with her?"

"I don't know. I want to, but I can't see where it will be any different. Maybe it's just better for everybody if I move on."

Then he sighed and looked at her, "But I really like her," he paused, "I think I am falling in love with her."

Kathy slid over and hugged him, tearing up a bit, "Let's not think anything more about it tonight."

She got up, "You get ready for bed."

As he headed toward his bedroom, "Can you stay, Kathy? I really don't want to be alone."

"Of course."

"Wendell won't mind?"

"No, I have already talked to him."

He turned at the last moment, "I love you, Sis."

Now tearing worse, "I love you, too. Now go get ready."

After he was ready for bed, Kathy got him settled and sat with him until he fell asleep. She then looked lovingly at him for a time before getting herself comfortable on the couch.

In the morning, Kathy told him he could take the day off, but he decided he would rather be working. He also told her that it was probably over between him and Alex. He couldn't see anything changing.

All day Kathy told herself she should stay out of it, but she just knew that whatever Zack was saying, he wanted to get back with Alex. It was apparent to Kathy that he felt deeply about her. She wondered how Alex felt about him.

Knowing she was probably making a mistake, she remembered that Zack had put down Alex's phone number and address as places where he could be reached in case of an emergency. Before she could change her mind, after she had been assured by Zack he would be okay and not do anything stupid, she got in her car and headed out, still wondering what the hell she was doing.

Alex had managed to get to work, resisting the urge to call Zack, thinking they needed to just let things go for a while. But it was apparent to Leonard that something was going on. When his feeble attempts were rejected by Alex, he called Penny.

When Alex returned to her apartment, she found Penny waiting for her with Chinese take out and a bottle of wine.

"What are you doing here?"

"Leonard called me. He told me something was bothering you." She smirked, "If Leonard could notice, I knew it was bad."

"Didn't you consider the possibility I might want to be alone?"

Penny smiled, "Nope. Now are we just going to stand her and let the food rot or are you going to invite me inside."

Seeing Penny had no intention of leaving, Alex decided maybe it would be better to have someone to talk to. Besides, Penny was the one who told her to talk to Zack.

While eating, Alex filled Penny in with what had happened. Penny was stunned to hear that Zack had walked out, but then realized how this all must have sounded to him. She wished she would have just stayed out of it. While she was wondering if there was anything she could say or do to help, both of them were shocked by a knock on the door.

When Alex opened it, she saw a woman she had not seen before but somehow looked familiar.

Kathy smiled, more than ever wondering what she was doing there, "Hi, I'm Kathy Winston, I wondered if I could take a little bit of your time."

When Alex stared at her, she went on, "I'm Zack's sister."

Alex relaxed a little, but still wondered what she was doing there. After an awkward silence, Kathy asked, "Can I come in?"

Alex looked embarrassed and stepped aside, "Of course, sorry."

Kathy nodded but as she entered, she saw a beautiful blond woman sitting on the couch. "Oh, I'm sorry, you have company…"

Alex smiled, "it's okay, this is Penny, a friend of mine."

Penny stood up, "Maybe I should leave."

Alex quickly said, "No. I am sure Mrs. Winston doesn't mind."

Actually, Kathy wanted to talk to her alone, but said, "Of course not, but please, call me Kathy."

Kathy sat down in a chair as Alex sat back down by Penny. Now that she was here, Kathy was even more convinced this was a bad idea, but there was no turning back.

"I know I should have called ahead, but I wasn't sure what to say on the phone. To be honest, I probably shouldn't be here and Zack will probably never speak to me again if he finds out, but I just felt I needed to do something."

She took a deep breath, "I know I have no right to ask this, and I will understand if you just tell me to get the Hell out. What are your feelings for Zack? Do you want to get back together with him?"

Penny and Alex just stared. Alex finally got out, "Why are you asking that? Did Zack send you?"

Kathy smiled sadly, "I knew this was a mistake. No, Zack didn't send me. I need to know how you feel about him because there is something I think you should know, but I need to know that you have strong feelings for him before I tell you." She hesitated, "It is something deeply personal."

Alex stared. Then she sipped at her wine, clearly trying to know what to say.

Finally, she sighed, "I like him very much. I told him we were getting too close, but the real problem is his obsession with science. I just can't avoid thinking that it is the most important thing to him. I just don't understand why he can't let it go. He has so much going for him; he is such a wonderful person. I know it shouldn't bother me so much, but I just don't understand why he is so consumed by it. It was getting to the point that is how we spent most of our time. I know I am a terrible person, but it just hurt me to see him struggle to understand knowing he never could."

"You're not a terrible person, Alex. Dad and I have often felt the same. I can't count the number of times I have seen people believe that he is stupid because of his need to talk science with them. They miss the chance to see what a wonderful person he is. It even took us not a little time to have him stop doing it with our customers. Although I am certain he still does it occasionally."

Penny nodded to herself, remembering when Zack had done so with her.

She went on, "I am going to take a chance. I do think you feel strongly about him, and I know he feels that way about you. I am going to tell you something that very few people know."

She smiled, "Could I have a glass of wine?"

As Alex got it, Penny asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

Alex called back from the Kitchen, "No, stay. I would just run over and tell you anyway."

After taking a sip, Kathy took a deep breath. "He never mentions him, but Zack had a twin brother. He was a fraternal twin and they were very different. Adam was not as big and strong. He was more of an intellectual. His main interest was science."

"Zack practically worshipped him and was always telling people how smart he was, that he would grow up to be a famous scientist."

Kathy paused and took a sip, obviously struggling. "Nine years ago, when they were seventeen, both of them were helping out in the summer, doing deliveries."

"One night, Zack snuck out and got drunk. The next morning he was due to make deliveries. Our Dad is a good guy but has little tolerance for anyone doing what Zack did, especially when he was supposed to work. Adam knew that and told Zack he would do the deliveries for him."

Kathy took a big gulp and they could see her tearing up, "During the deliveries, a driver ran a red light and smashed into Adam's car. He died three days later."

She looked up, tears now flowing, as Penny and Alex teared up as well. "Zack was inconsolable, he blamed himself. After the funeral, he ran away. We found him a week later. He had apparently been drinking the entire time. We got to him just in time. He had tried to kill himself."

"It took time and therapy but Zack finally recovered." She looked at them, dabbing at her eyes, "But ever since, he has been obsessed with accomplishing what he always dreamed of Adam doing, becoming a scientist. He just feels the need to see to it that he take Adam's place. Of course, deep down he knows he is not capable of it, but he can't let it go, it would be letting Adam go."

They all sat there for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Kathy decided it was time to go. Alex thanked her for coming and for sharing with her. She assured her she would think deeply about what she had said. She said she couldn't promise she would never tell Zack but it would only be if she thought it was necessary.

After they had a group hug and she left, Penny turned to Alex. "Wow. That was heavy. Do you have any idea what you are going to do?"

Alex smiled ruefully, "No, I just know I have a lot of thinking to do." She looked in her eyes, "I am glad you were here with me, Penny."

Penny was visibly moved and said, "I am too." She hesitated, "I just know it will work out." She smirked, "After all, I got you guys together and I am never wrong."

As Penny was leaving, she turned back, "I won't do it if you say no, but I want to tell Leonard. We are in a real good place and I want to share everything with him."

Alex smiled, "No, that's all right. I trust you both to let me handle this."

After Penny left, Alex cleaned up and then opening another bottle of wine, sat back down on the couch. She knew what she wanted, to get back with Zack. She just had to decide how she was going to do it. Although it was the obvious path, she was not just going to pretend the science didn't bother her. She was not going to live a lie. But she couldn't get back together out of pity either. They needed to be honest and find a way to feel comfortable about what they decided, but she just didn't know how the hell she was going to accomplish that.

When Penny told Leonard about what had happened, they discovered they were in complete agreement. Although they both wanted more than anything to help Zack and Alex, they needed to let them figure it out. So, unless either of them asked for their help, they need to stay out of it.

But it did bring them closer as Leonard was thrilled that Penny trusted him enough to share it with him. It also made them both realize how extremely lucky they were to be with someone they loved. As they lay together after making love, (twice) both thought of the path that had brought them there and each shuddered to think how close they had come to blowing it.

Leonard decided it was time to start looking for a ring.