A/N Thank you again for all your reviews. They really are important to me. This will be the final chapter followed by an short epilogue. I want to thank all of you who have honored me by staying with me. I know I have not been the best at updating and appreciate your patience. I will soon be returning these characters to their rightful owners.

Marie suddenly found herself setting alone at a table, her friends were all up and dancing. She had decided to sit one out. It was the first time since the open house had started she had some time to herself

She looked around at the familiar surroundings. It suddenly hit her that in a couple days it could some time before she would see it again. She was excited about starting her college career but also felt a little trepidation. It would be the first time she would be away from her parents for such a long time.

She had thought of going to school in California, but wanted to go to her father's alma mater. Although he had never pressured her in any way, but she had known it would please him. She smirked, she also knew it would bug Sheldon.

Ever since Shari had married Sheldon, the two families had been close. She and Carla had been inseparable growing up. She felt a twinge of guilt, she had not spent much time with her lately. She had been so busy working with her dad and Sheldon, they had kind of drifted apart.

She was surprised and pleased to see Carla and another girl heading toward her. She had wondered if Carla was going to join them. She recognized the other girl as somebody in Carla's grade, what was her name? Oh yeah, Marsha something.

Carla had watched for some time to see if she would have a chance to talk to Marie. She felt a moment of sadness knowing she had not told Marie about Marsha earlier, but Marie had been so busy. She had always known at some point Marie would break away from her. She knew Marie was special that she was destined for great things.

As they reached the table, Carla was surprised to find she was nervous, after all, this was Marie. Maybe it was because she knew Marsha was nervous herself, she was kind of in awe of Marie. Marsha also knew that Carla loved Marie and had once had thoughts of them being together.

"Hi, Marie, can we join you?"

Marie smiled, "You have to ask? Sit down, I was hoping you would join us." She turned to Marsha, "Hi. It's Marsha, isn't it?"

They sat down as Marsha nervously answered, "Yes, Marsha Andrews."

There was an awkward silence, broken by Carla, "There is something we want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Carla reached out and took Marsha's hand, "Marsha and I are seeing each other."

Marie smiled broadly, "That's great. How long has this been going on?"

"We have been seeing each other for awhile but it has been serious for about two weeks."

Carla hesitated, "I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but..."

"You don't have to apologize. I should apologize to you. I know I have been really busy."

Marie smiled at them, "So, let me know everything."

When Carla broke the news to the others in the morning, Penny and Leonard were surprised to see that Sheldon didn't give anything away.

Everyone was at the airport to send Marie off to college. Leonard and Penny traveled with her and stayed after she was settled in, They spent time seeing the sights and spending some time in New York.

When they returned home, they missed Marie, but soon found ways to challenge each other. While Leonard developed enjoyment in going to the beach and other outdoor activities, highlighted by a water-rafting trip, Penny became a regular at Comicon.

As for Marie, she continued to excel. Her reputation continued to grow. She regularly published scientific papers. To Leonard and Penny's pride and a little sadness, she spent her summers after her freshman and sophomore years traveling around the world, attending scientific seminars and other events.

Then, to Penny's joy she started to explore the world of entertainment. She found small parts in television shows and much to Sheldon's chagrin, who felt it was beneath her, appeared on Jeopardy. She won nine times for a total of over $200,000. The day she lost, she had a total of $42,000.

When she returned for the Tournament of Champions, she won it all.

When Carla graduated from High School, she shocked Shari and especially Sheldon when she decided not to go to college. She married Marsha and they opened a small business together. Sheldon recovered and turned out to be a big help on the financial side.

Then, a few weeks before Marie was scheduled to come home for Christmas her Senior year, Penny got a call, "Mom, this is Marie... I've met someone."

Marie looked exasperatedly at her roommate, "Will you please leave me alone. I am not interested in going to a party. You know I have a midterm on Monday."

Linda smirked at her, "Come on, you know you're going to ace it. Besides, you can study tomorrow. I don't want to go alone."

Marie sighed, "What is this thing again?"

"It's a party at one of the fraternities. Betty from my English class told me about it. Evidently they can always find room for more girls."

Marie grimaced, She loved Linda but she sometimes was something of a pain. At the same time she had to admit Linda was right, she really didn't need to study. After Linda kept after her, she finally caved, but said she was leaving early.

Marie was bored. As soon as they arrived, Linda had left her, running off with some guy. She wasn't sure why she just couldn't get into what was going on. Part of it was she had never been much of a drinker and it seemed everyone was drunk.

She was wondering if she could just leave. She probably should try to tell Linda but hadn't seen her for some time. She really didn't want to go looking for her.

"You don't look like you are having a very good time."

A little startled, Marie turned toward the voice. Her breath caught a bit as her eyes met those of the man standing near her. He wasn't classically handsome but had more of a rugged look.

She smiled, "Didn't realize it was that obvious."

"It isn't really except I was feeling the same" He hesitated, "I'm John Hampton."

"Marie Hofstadter. Do you belong to this fraternity?"

To her surprise he laughed. "No. When I was in college, I ran with a slightly different crowd."

"So you are not a student here?"

He smiled again, "Princeton? A little out of my class."

Somehow, Marie felt he was mocking her. "So, what are you doing here with us snobs?"

John looked apologetic, "I didn't mean to imply that. It's just Princeton was out of my league. As for why I am here, I was invited by the son of one of my friends. It didn't really sound like something I would enjoy but I was curious."

He went on, "Why don't we get some air?"

Marie surprised herself when she agreed.

They went outside and sat on the steps. John spoke first, "So, what's your story? Why weren't you enjoying yourself?"

Marie wondered what she was doing. For some reason she was intrigued by him. "I don't know. I guess I just am not in the mood to party. My roommate talked me into it."

She turned toward him, "So, what do you do?"

"I am a New York firefighter."

Marie was surprised and impressed, "Wow, that's amazing"

John blushed a little, "So how about you? What are you studying?"

"Physics."

Now it was John's turn to be amazed, "Really?"

Marie found herself getting a little miffed again, "What, surprised a girl could be interested in such things?"

"No, No. I am just impressed."

Just then Linda came out the door, "So, here you are. I have been looking everywhere." She looked at John, "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?"

"John, this is Linda Travis, Linda, this is John Hampton."

They exchanged greetings and Linda went on, "I was going to see if you wanted to head out but I see you are busy."

Marie smiled, "We were just talking. I am ready to go."

As they got up, Marie realized she needed to relieve herself. She excused herself and headed back inside. After a moment John said, "So you guys are roommates?"

Linda smiled, "Yeah. So, is anything going on?"

"No, we just started talking" He hesitated, "She said she was a Physics major?"

Linda smiled, "Bet you were surprised. You wouldn't expect someone as pretty as her to be involved with that."

She went on, "You would be more surprised to know she is the smartest person I have ever met. I mean, she impresses everyone, even the professors."

John was amazed and was surprised that he found that made her even more attractive, "Is she seeing anyone?"

Linda smiled, "No one in particular"

Just then Marie returned, "Okay, I am ready" She turned to John, "It was nice to meet you."

John decided he didn't want it to end, "I know this is a little sudden, but could I have your number?"

Marie surprised herself and Linda when she agreed.

".. I've met someone."

Penny had wondered when this call come. She was happy but also a little sad. It was a further sign her daughter was grown up.

"Tell me all about him."

The whole gang flew out to New York for the wedding. John and Marie had come out to California so everyone could meet him at Christmas. Everyone, even Sheldon, who would normally look down at someone without academic credentials, agreed they made a wonderful couple.

For his part, John was visibly impressed with Marie's family and their friends.

After the wedding, they moved into John's apartment. After Marie graduated they moved to the suburbs. Although Penny and Leonard were disappointed that they were not going to live in California, they understood how important John's job was to him

Marie was three months pregnant when she received her doctorate in Physics. Six months later Mary Penelope Hampton was born. Named after John's mother who, along with his father had been killed in a house fire when John was ten. Being rescued by a fireman made him know what he wanted to do.

Marie took a position at Princeton and began work on an idea she had for some time. When she realized she needed the aid of an Experimental Physicist, she never hesitated. Although Princeton would have preferred she choose someone from the University, they did not want to lose her. So Leonard was thrilled to work on her project with her.

When Mary was ten, Marie and Leonard became only the second Father/Daughter duo to win a Nobel Prize in Physics All the gang attended the ceremony.

After Mary graduated from college she found a job teaching. She fell in love with a professor and married Jack Simpson, who had a doctorate in Neurobiology.

Leonard and Perry were thrilled when they became great-grandparents when Mary gave birth to twin boys.

Through all the years, Penny and Leonard stayed madly in love. Their friendship with Sheldon and Shari also continued and was a big part of all their lives.

In spite of the distance between them, Leonard and Marie stayed close.

.