Chapter 9
After a couple of days, Leonard decided to get out of the apartment and walk around their block and go to the park near their building to get some fresh air. He took his phone and inhaler before locking the door, going down the stairs and being careful not to move too fast or else make his wounds hurt again. He got out of the building and walked towards the park, hopeful that his asthma wouldn't act up because of the dust and smoke from the street and sidewalk. He saw a coffee shop and decided to get himself something to drink, maybe a fruit juice or an iced coffee he thought. He walked inside and immediately saw Abby waiting in line behind a couple of customers, getting their orders taken. He decided to walk up to her to say hello and maybe catch up on each other.
"Abby is that you?" he said.
Abby turned around and saw him, giving him a big smile. "Leonard hi! What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Well, I was gonna take a walk to the park and I just passed by to get myself something to drink." he said smiling back at her.
Abby looked him straight in the eye. "Wait a minute. Are you stalking me?" she slyly asked.
Leonard immediately became nervous and choked on his answer. "Uh, no! No! No!" he said.
Abby laughed out loud, amused by his reaction. "Don't worry Leonard, I was just joking around." she said, tapping his shoulder.
Leonard took a deep breath and gave her a week smile. "Good." He said. "Hey, uh why don't I buy you a cup of coffee huh? My treat!" he said.
"Leonard, we already had coffee the other day right?" she said.
"Yeah, but that was for returning my comic book." he quickly said. "This one's for saving my life." he added.
Abby nodded. "Okay, I guess you wouldn't mind if I throw in a slice of blueberry cheesecake in there would you?" she said.
Leonard laughed. "No problem. You can order the whole cake if you want!" he said making Abby laugh. "So, what are you getting, beside the cake?" he asked.
"Just a tall latte. How about you?" she said.
"I'm gonna get a cappuccino and maybe some of that cinnamon pastry." he said. "Why don't you get us a seat and I'll order for us?" he said.
"Sure. Thanks Leonard." Abby said smiling at him. She went and found a small table in the corner and waited for Leonard to join her. After a few minutes, Leonard went to their table, holding a receipt and a number so the waiter can bring them their order.
"They'll bring our order in a couple of minutes." he said as he sat down facing Abby on the table.
"Thanks again Leonard." said Abby.
"Hey don't mention it. It's a small price to pay for my life." he said smiling at her.
"So, how's your wound? Does it still hurt?" she asked.
"Not as much as before." he said. "So, how are things at the hospital?" he asked trying to keep the conversation going.
"Well, it's the same as before I guess. People coming and going." she said.
Leonard nodded. "Hey I haven't asked where you're from?" he said.
"Oh? My dad's originally from lowa but my mom is from England." she said.
"Really? So, are they here with you or are they living in lowa now?" he asked.
"No. They're living in Manchester with my younger brother." she said. "My parents met when dad's job took him to the U.K. for a year. From then, they decided to live in Manchester where my mom is from." she added.
"Did you grow up over there or here?" he asked.
"I was born there. But we moved back here when I was probably four and we lived here in the states until after I graduated from college when my parents decided to move back to the U.K. with my brother." she said.
"So why did you decided to work here in the U.S.?" he asked. "Wouldn't your folks want their daughter to be with them?" he asked.
"They do, but they're very supportive of my choices and I make it a point to visit them once in a while." she said.
"Wow! Your family seems great huh?" he said.
"Yeah. As long as I'm happy, they're fine with it." said Abby as the waiter brought them their order.
Leonard raised his cup to her. "To getting stabbed by Wolverine!" he said, smiling at her.
Abby laughed, almost spilling her coffee on the table. "That's not funny Leonard!" she said, putting her cup down. "You almost died!" she added.
"I'm alive thanks to you." he said.
"You don't have to thank me Leonard. It's my job and I would've done it for anyone." she said, taking a sip from her cup.
"Even so. I could be dead right now and Sheldon would be looking for a new roommate!" he said making Abby laugh again.
"You have a morbid way of thinking. You know that?" she said.
"Well, I guess having a near death experience changes your view on things." he said looking her in the eye.
"I get what you mean. I almost quit the first time I lost a patient. I couldn't handle it but then my colleagues and friends assured me that it wasn't my fault and that I did my best to save her." she said. "If people only knew how heavy that burden is." she added, taking a bite out of her cake. "Kinda makes you feel grateful for being alive huh?" she added.
"I know what you mean. Almost dying kinda made me think that we should not be wasting our limited time." he said.
"Well, I'm a doctor so time is always limited, especially when you're holding another person's life in your hands." she said.
"With great power comes great responsibility." he said raising his cup to her.
Abby smiled at him. "That is so insightful. Is that Lincoln or JFK?" she asked.
"Peter Parker." he said smiling.
"Who?" she asked.
"Spiderman!" he said making Abby laugh out loud.
"You're so funny Leonard." she said. They continued talking, exchanging stories about their life and experiences. Abby told him about her work and travels to the UK while Leonard told her about his crazy adventures with the guys, especially in trying to get girls, to Abby's amusement. After finishing their food and drinks, they decided to get out of the cafeteria and take a walk to the park a few blocks away.
"So, when are you gonna go back to work?" asked Abby.
"A week from now." he said as they continued their stroll, looking at a few children playing and running around.
"I haven't asked you what is it that you do exactly." she said.
"I'm an experimental physicist." he said.
"I know but what does that exactly mean?" she asked, slightly amused.
"Well, I work primarily with high-powered lasers." he said.
"Wow! That must be so cool?" she said. "Are you close to making a laser gun?" she asked, laughing a little.
"Yeah, more like a death ray for mice." he answered making Abby laugh. "But I did use some of the equipment to make my own bat signal!" he proudly said.
"You are such a nerd." she said.
"I'm not just a nerd, I'm the king of nerds!" he said with Abby laughing harder.
"So, you'll punish anyone who offends you with your mice laser?" she said teasing him.
"Not only that, I'm not gonna help them setup their printer!" he said proudly.
Abby chuckled giving his arm a squeeze. "You're so funny Leonard." She said smiling at him. They continued to walk around the park, taking rest in one of the park benches to cool down from time to time. It was almost eleven in the morning when Abby told Leonard that she had to leave for her afternoon shift at the hospital.
"I gotta go Leonard. I really enjoyed talking to you." she said, smiling at him.
"Me too." he said. "Hey, uh, do you wanna maybe, hang out again?" he asked.
Abby looked at him, slightly amused. "Leonard, are you asking me out?" she asked.
Leonard became a little nervous. "Uh yeah. I guess I am." he said.
Abby looked at him and thought for a while, trying to process what he said. "But what about Penny?" she asked.
Leonard looked at her, slightly confused. "What about her?" he asked.
"Leonard, I don't want to be a rebound. I don't want things to get weird between the three of us." Abby said.
Leonard sighed. He can't believe that Penny would still give him a hard time even if they've been broken up for several months now. He took a deep breath and looked Abby in the eye. "I told you I'm done with her. I'm not gonna put myself in that situation again." he said. "And we've been broken up for how many months now so it's technically not a rebound." he added. "You know what it's fine. Don't worry about it. Thanks anyways." he said as he turned around, walking away and feeling humiliated while Abby looked at him. She took a deep breath and covered her face with her hand, unsure of what to think.
Later that night, the guys were having dinner around the coffee table in Leonard and Sheldon's apartment.
"You asked her out?" Howard asked Leonard.
"Yeah, and she shot me down." said Leonard. "It's not the first time, so what else is new." he added.
"I'm sorry dude." said Raj. "At least she didn't strung you along, like Penny did." Raj added.
"I don't want to talk about Penny alright!?" said Leonard, almost raising his voice as Raj bowed his head and turned his attention back to his food.
"I knew you were flirting with her." Howard said.
"I wasn't flirting with her Howard." answered Leonard. "I told you, I ran into her this morning at the cafeteria and we had coffee together. She was kind enough to hang out with me but I guess that's all there is to it?" he said.
"Don't worry Leonard, I'm sure you'll find someone." said Howard as they all went back to eating.
"I think she'll be great as your girlfriend." Sheldon said, surprising the three.
"Why do you say that Sheldon?" asked Leonard.
"Well, you're both highly educated, she didn't look down on your nerd hobbies like, like you know who." Sheldon said, being careful not to mention Penny's name. "And she's already seen you half naked so that mystery is already out the door." he added.
Leonard smiled at Sheldon's comment. "Thanks Sheldon but I guess I'll try my luck with someone else." Leonard added as they continued eating their take out food around the coffee table.
After a few minutes, they heard a knock on the door. Howard stood up to open it and was surprised to see Dr. Abigail standing in the hall.
"Dr. Benson, hi!" said Howard.
"Oh? Hi! ls Leonard here?" she said as Leonard stood up, walking towards the door. Howard took a step back, sensing the two needed some space while Sheldon and Raj put their food down and stayed in their seats, looking at them.
Leonard and Abby looked at each other, waiting on who would speak first. "Why do you wanna go out with me?" she asked.
He knew that this was his one chance of getting it right so he took a deep breath and spoke. "I like you. I now we barely know each other and I would like to get to know you better. You're a nice person and didn't really judged me for being a nerd. I mean, anyone whose job it is to save lives is pretty great right?' he said hoping she'd say yes.
"I'm telling you, if I feel something, even an ounce that I'm just your rebound, I'm out the door. You got that!?" she said looking him straight in the eye.
Leonard nodded, not breaking eye contact with her. "You got it." he said.
Abby nodded, giving him a weak smile. "Okay Leonard, I'll give you a chance." she said. "Give me your phone." she said as Leonard pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. Abby quickly typed her number on the phone and handed it back to Leonard. "That's my number. Text me with a time and place and I'll be there." she said.
Leonard looked at his phone, making sure he saved the number. "Got it. Thanks." he said smiling at her.
"No problem. I guess I better get going now." she said. "Bye Leonard!" she said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Leonard was surprised and touched his cheek, smiling at her.
"Bye Abby!" he said. Leonard closed the door and pumped his fist, grunting with joy for his 'success' only to wince in pain from his wounds with the guys jumping and laughing with him, happy for their friend.
Abby was already a few steps from Leonard's door when she heard the boys howl at Leonard's 'achievement' only to hear him grunt in pain from his wound. She shook her head, smiling as she walked down the stairs and out of the building.