A/N Thank you for your thoughtful and interesting reviews. I know it has again been a long time between updates. Time has been slipping by. I will again try to improve. I still do not own these characters.

Penny hung up the phone. She smiled ruefully; her agent was probably wondering why she wasn't more excited. After all, this is something Penny had dreamed about, a chance to be in a Broadway play. This could be the first step in the career and life she had always wanted.

It wasn't that she wasn't excited and happy. But it was just an audition, that didn't mean she would get the part, although the fact they asked her made her chances look good.

She knew what really was tempering her enthusiasm was Leonard. Just when they were talking about the possibility of getting back together, this had come up. If she did get the part and went to New York, who knows when they would see each other again.

So, could she give up the chance? She knew that if Leonard ever found out she gave up this chance, he would feel guilty and insist that she go. No, she had to go. If she didn't she would always wonder what she had missed.

Maybe if it did look like she would be there for some time, Leonard and Warren could join her. Telling herself not to get caught up in wishful thinking, she sighed and realized she needed to talk to Leonard.

Leonard was watching TV when there was a knock on his door. Warren was spending the night with Halley and Michael and he was about to go to bed. When he checked he was surprised but happy when he saw it was Penny.

"Hi, Penny, come on in."

Seeing her look around, "I'm afraid Warren is spending the night with Halley and Michael."

"Oh." She walked in and sat on the couch, "I need to talk to you about something."

Leonard sat down beside her, "What is it? Has something happened?"

"Yes, but it is good news." She paused, "Could I have a glass of wine?"

"Sure, I'll be right back."

She watched him go. Now that she was here, she realized this was even going to be harder than she thought. For a moment, she reconsidered turning it down, but knew she had been right before.

He returned and handed her a glass and sat back down opposite her.

She took a big gulp of her wine and managed a smile, "I got a call from my agent, it seems a New York producer wants me to audition for a part on Broadway."

Leonard was stunned, his first reaction was joy for her, he knew how she had always dreamt of a chance like this, but at the same time he realized he didn't want her to go just when they were thinking of getting back together. He then chided himself, this was her big chance, he needed to be glad for her.

Penny watched him, wondering what he was thinking.

Leonard smiled, "That's amazing, Penny. I know how much you have wanted this to happen."

"It is just an audition."

"But they asked for you right? That means they think you are right for the part."

He went on, "What kind of a part is it? Is it a new play or one that's already on Broadway?"

"It's not the lead but it is a main supporting role. It's a new play scheduled to open in a month."

She smirked, "It may only last one performance even if I get the part."

"I'm betting it will be a hit and run for a long time."

Penny finished up her wine, then gathered her courage, "Leonard."

"Yeah."

"I don't have to take the part."

Leonard, stunned, "What do you mean? Why wouldn't you? This is what you have always wanted."

"It's just that you and I…" She looked in his eyes, "About us getting back together."

Leonard just stared at her; she was thinking of giving up this chance for them. For a moment, he was excited about it, but then he realized he couldn't let her do that. They would always wonder what would have happened. It would always be between them.

"I have to admit, I thought the same and I am thrilled you would even consider passing up this chance, but we both know you have to do this. If you don't you will always wonder what would have happened." Pauses, "And who knows what the future holds."

Penny, tearing up a little, "Oh, God, I just think I am someday going to regret this."

Leonard, smiling sadly, "Don't think of it that way. Go follow your dream. It does not mean that we may never get together, but you have earned this chance. I feel too strongly for you to allow you to give it up. "

She looked up at him, wiping at her eyes, "Could you hold me?"

He slid over and took her in his arms. They stayed that way for some time. Then Penny tentatively raised her head and kissed him on the mouth. What was meant to be affection quickly turned into something else. They pressed their lips together, their tongues seeking each other's out. She pushed her self against him. Suddenly, Leonard pulled back. Penny was stunned for a moment as Leonard said, "Penny, we can't do this."

Penny knew he was right, but she had forgotten how wonderful it was to be in his arms. She sadly released her arms. As they moved slightly apart, Penny sighed, "I'm sorry, Leonard. You're right, but I really want this, I really want you."

Leonard looked at her and realized it could be a long time before he would see her again. He also realized he wanted her as much as she wanted him. He stunned her by taking her back in his arms and kissing her again. Then he stood up and reached out his hand.

Penny started to say something, but he just smiled and put his fingers on his lips. She happily reached up and they walked together to the bedroom.

The lovemaking was slow and languid, each wanting to make it last. In some ways, it was like it was before, but it was also new and different. It also had a hint of sadness, knowing it may be a long time, if ever, they would be like this again.

Afterwards, they laid together, Penny snuggling into him. "That was wonderful, Leonard. No one has ever made me feel the way you do."

Leonard smiled and leaned over to kiss her softly. Penny returned it but noted sadly that he didn't say anything. She had managed to forget about Monique but now realized she would always be there, that she would have to accept how much Leonard had loved her. For a moment she wondered if she should give up on them, but she happily found she could accept that a part of him would always be lost to her. She knew she still loved him and wanted to be with him.

Leonard sighed. He was surprised a little that he did not feel guilty about making love again, but knew that Monique would want him to be happy. He felt a little sadness he couldn't say back to Penny what she said to him, but as wonderful as this had been, it would never be quite the same. Monique was still a part of him. He wondered if he was being unfair to Penny.

Penny looked over at him, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if he was thinking of Monique. Suddenly, she knew they needed to talk about it, otherwise it would always be between them.

"Leonard."

"What is it?"

"We need to talk about Monique."

Leonard, startled, "What about her."

"I know how much you loved her. I know she will always be a part of you, that I will always have to share you with her."

She smiled, "I just want you to know that I am okay with that. It is part of who you are, part of why I love you."

Leonard thought over what she was saying. Finally, he said, "You are right, Penny, she will always be a part of me and I will always love her, but I love you too, and I know Monique would want me to be happy."

Penny smiled happily, "And it is still true you are the best lover in the whole world."

Leonard smiled back, "It was wonderful, Penny."

Penny went on, "I also want you to know that I love Warren. I know I can never replace his mother, but I would give him all the love I can."

As they intertwined their hands, the real world suddenly rushed back over them and they remembered that she would be leaving. Once again they considered her staying but dismissed it immediately. They knew she needed to go.

Then, deciding they didn't want to think about that, Penny snuggled next to him and they fell asleep in each other's arms.