A/N Thank you so much for the reviews. They are both a source of pleasure and great input. I am still just borrowing these wonderful characters.

Penny and Leonard were eating breakfast in their robes when there was a familiar yet strange knock on the door. It was the usual, "Penny and Leonard, Penny and Leonard, Penny and Leonard," but in a high-pitched voice.

When Leonard opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of the whole gang standing in the hallway with everyone but Sheldon carrying a big smile.

Bernadette beamed, "I always wanted to do that."

Sheldon muttered, "First my spot, now this," as Amy shushed him.

Penny came up behind Leonard and smiled, "So, what's this all about?"

Bernadette answered, "Get dressed and come down to 4A, we have big news."

Twenty minutes later everyone was in their usual spots. Penny spoke up, "Okay, what's so important you had to drag me out of my apartment at this time of the morning?"

Bernadette looked at Howard, who nodded. He took a breath, "My mother has given the okay for me to move in with Bernadette."

Everyone looked stunned for a moment and then Amy and Penny jumped up and hugged Bernadette, while Sheldon and Leonard congratulated Howard. Then everyone hugged, Bernadette even receiving a cursory Sheldon hug.

Penny stepped back, "I am so happy for you two." She turned to Howard, "Way to go."

Howard looked a little sheepish, "Actually, it was Bernadette who talked her into it."

Penny put her hand by her mouth, "Oops." She then scrambled, "Who did it is not important, the important thing is that you guys can now be together. Right?"

Bernadette quickly said, "Right."

Leonard broke in, "So, will you need help getting settled in?"

Howard answered. "That would be great. But first we need to figure out how much room we have. I will probably have to leave things at Mom's for the time being."

Bernadette sighed, "My apartment is kind of small."

Amy smiled, "Why don't you guys look for a place of your own?"

Howard answered, "We thought of that, but Bernadette still has 8 months left on her lease."

Leonard broke in, "You still can start to make plans. You might talk to your landlord, there are a lot of people looking for apartments. Maybe someone can take over your lease."

Amy smiled, "Maybe there is something open in this building."

Luckily no one was looking at Sheldon, he was struggling not to cry out. It was bad enough Howard was part of the group, but in the same building…

Bernadette said, "I suppose we could check."

As it turned out, nothing was available which resulted in a silent sight of relief not only by Sheldon, but Penny as well. She would be thrilled to have Bernadette live there but she was still not always comfortable around Howard. He still had the ability to sometimes creep her out.

It had been a month since Bernadette and Howard had got together. They had worked with Bernadette's landlord and were hopeful they could move before the end of the lease.

In the meantime, Howard had moved in. He was grateful and gratified when Bernadette was the one who suggested they spend at least one evening a week with Debbie including eating over there.

It was something of a surprise to Debbie how well it was going. She had discovered she and Bernadette really got along. But then, they both loved the same man.

Raj had started to meet regularly with the rest and started to take his lunches with the men at Caltech. None of them mentioned Priya.

Leonard had started work on the protocols for Asymmetry testing, but it was proving to be difficult. He continued to marvel at the complexity of the work Sheldon and Amy had done.

About two weeks after Raj had arrived and Bernadette and Howard had got back together, Penny had decided she wanted to spend every evening with Leonard and have free time during the day. She decided to quit her job at the Cheesecake Factory.

Since it had been her idea to go back to work, she was pretty sure Leonard wouldn't object, but decided she should discuss it with him before quitting.

Leonard had been putting in long hours working on the testing, so it was almost 8:00 on a Friday when Penny decided to bring up the subject.

"Leonard."

"Yeah."

"There is something I want to discuss with you."

Leonard hit pause and turned toward her, "What is it?"

"I want to quit working at the Cheesecake Factory."

"Did something happen at work?"

"No, I just decided I would rather spend more time at home and with you. With the hours you have been working and me working nights, we hardly see each other."

"Well, as you remember, it was your idea to work, so I am thrilled to have you quit."

He went on, "Is there anything special you would like to do?"

"I was thinking I could maybe take some classes."

Leonard smiled, "That would be great. But don't think you have to take them on my account."

Then he suddenly sat up, "Instead of that, why don't you take another shot at acting?"

Penny was stunned. At first she was excited, but then started to remember how it had been, "I don't know if I want to go through that again."

"I understand, but this time there would be no pressure, no timetable. I just remember how excited you were when you did have that commercial." He smirked, "If you could get that thrilled with a hemorrhoid commercial, think how you would feel if you got a great part."

He smiled, "I would love to see that."

Penny still was skeptical but he went on, "Just give it a try. If you don't enjoy trying, you can give it up."

Penny smiled, "I have a feeling I might regret it, but I am willing to give it a try."

"Great."

With all that had been happening, the girls decided to have a girl's night. It turned out to be a girl's afternoon. They met on a Sunday afternoon in Penny and Leonard's apartment with the guys, including Raj, playing video games.

With everyone fortified with wine, Penny started, "So, Bernadette, how's it going with you and Howard?"

"To be honest, it has sometimes been a struggle. I frequently have to remind Howard I am his girlfriend not his mother." She sighed, "Debbie really spoiled him."

She smiled, "But I am making progress. I do love being with him."

Amy broke in, "How's the apartment search going?"

"We still haven't found anyone to take over our lease but we have spent time looking and seeing what is available."

Amy turned to Penny, "How does it feel not working? Do you miss it?"

"Not at all." She paused, "Except I don't see Bernadette as much. But we didn't always have much time to talk at work anyway."

Bernadette looked like she was thinking about something, "Speaking of work, I was going to not discuss this until everything was set up, but I can't wait to share it."

As they looked at her expectantly, "I have been thinking about this for a long time but didn't have the courage to try it. But when I mentioned it to Howard, he told me to go for it. It helps that with his income, I can cut back my hours." She took a breath, "I have decided to go for my Doctorate."

Penny and Amy were stunned. Amy finally got out, "I had no idea you had ever thought about that or had that kind of schooling. What is your field and what do you have left to do?"

"It is in Microbiology and all I really have left is a few class hours and of course my thesis."

"Why didn't you finish it?"

"About that time my Mother got sick and I went home to help out. By the time everything was back to normal, I had just lost the drive to finish. I just wanted to get away from home and get on my own."

Penny sighed, "Damn it, now everybody will be a Doctor. Leonard, Sheldon, Amy, you. Even Raj has a doctorate."

Amy smiled, "Howard doesn't."

Penny smirked, "Somehow, that doesn't help."

Bernadette broke in, "I don't have it yet. As Amy well knows there are a lot of ABD's out there."

Seeing the puzzlement on Penny's face, Amy explained, "It stands for All but Dissertation. It refers to those who finish the class work but never write a thesis."

Penny smirked, "Sounds like ABP."

Seeing their faces, she laughed, it means someone who takes acting classes, auditions, does everything but All but Parts."

Amy smiled, "How has it been going?"

"I really haven't jumped back in. I did call my old agent and she agreed to work with me again. I am kind of waiting until Leonard has some free time. I hate to take the risk of cutting into what time we have."

Amy sighed, "I feel guilty about that. After all, he is working such long hours to try to help Sheldon and me."

Penny quickly said, "Don't think that for a moment, he is really excited about the work."

Bernadette broke in, "What is going on with the Theory? Have you heard anything?"

"There has been a lot of positive responses and requests for more information. We haven't heard of anyone else working on proving or disproving it."

Bernadette suddenly said, "Penny, did you ever hear anything more from that Wayne guy?"

"He called my Dad other day and asked him to thank me again and said he was leaving town." She paused, "I really think he is nothing like Roy. I hope we helped him think that at least a little."

Amy took a gulp, "Penny, you don't have to answer, but do you ever think about what happened with Roy?"

"No, I really don't. That is all in the past and I am embracing the present and looking forward to a future with Leonard."

Bernadette stood up, "Well, I need to get going. We are having supper with Debbie. I need to go drag Howard away from the others."

Amy got up too, "Well, good luck to both of you on your careers."

Penny smiled, "And good luck on getting the Nobel Prize."

She smiled broader, "Wouldn't it be cool if Amy won a Nobel, Bernadette became a doctor, and I won an Emmy."

Amy smiled, "An Emmy? Why not an Oscar?"

Penny laughed, "Let's not get silly."

Wayne and Barb rode down the Strip in Las Vegas. They had been taking their time, doing a lot of sightseeing on the way. As they rode, they passed a Las Vegas chapel. Barb was stunned when the thought of her and Wayne getting married flashed through her mind.

Whoa there, Barb. You need to reign it in. What the Hell was happening with her? She knew she felt strongly for Wayne, but marriage? She realized she really knew very little about his life. Oh, she knew the Prison Stuff, his obsession with Roy and his Dad, his mother. But what about just the normal things? What did he do for a living? Where did his money come from? What was he planning to do with his life?

When they had agreed to go on this trip, Barb had insisted that they share all expenses. She knew she was maxing out her credit cards but felt that was necessary.

She wondered if Wayne was doing the same.

She suddenly realized she needed to face some real life. She was rapidly eating through what savings she had. What was going to happen after they got to California? They had never talked about that. Was he going to leave?

As they pulled into a motel, Barb decided when they got to California, they needed to have a long talk. She shook her head; they should have had it before they left Omaha. But then she knew, she wouldn't have missed this for the world. She smiled ruefully; she had never been much of a risk taker. So where did this Barb Eddings come from?

As the got off the bike, she decided, what the Hell, she would worry about all that later.

As they headed for their motel room, Wayne realized that he was happier than he had ever been in his whole life. He looked over at Barb. What did he feel for her? Did he love her? He had never really thought about it, just wanting to enjoy what they had. But what did he really have to offer her? He had never really held a real job. What was he going to do when he used up the money he got from the insurance policy? Did he really want to live in Omaha? He hadn't even thought of settling down. He couldn't keep riding around.

He sighed, what was he thinking? Barb deserved someone who could take care of her, share a life with her, have children with her, not some bum who had no idea what he wanted in life. No, when they got to California, he needed to end this. He would go to Alaska and try to forget her.

Sanjay looked over at a sleeping Priya. He sighed; what power did this woman have over him? Why did he keep coming back? She had hurt him over and over.

He smirked, who was he kidding, he was obsessed with her, he had been for as long as he could remember. He loved her. How did she feel about him? He had been shocked when she had married that American. He thought he had moved on, but then when they visited, he had fallen right back into the old trap.

When she divorced him and started to go out with him, all the hopes and dreams came back. But she seemed satisfied with the status quo. He felt she was just using him again. He knew he should make her decide. Make her decide what was really between them. He sighed; he knew he was kidding himself; he would never take the chance of losing her again.

Sheldon, Amy, and Leonard waited outside Dr. Siebert's office, wondering why he had called for them to meet with him. As far as they knew, things were going well. Leonard was making real progress and hoped to show some results soon.

Leonard hoped it wouldn't take too long because he was supposed to have lunch with Penny. She had gone for an audition and had felt really good about it.

He was so glad he had talked her into trying again. Although she hadn't had a breakthrough yet, he was happy to see how excited she was. Maybe today would be the day.

The secretary told them they could go in. When they were all seated, Siebert began, "I called you all in here today because I have some good news and some bad news in regard to your theory."

He giggled, "Actually, it is the same news."

As they stared at him, "I have heard that there is another team working on proving or disproving your theory. The good news is that means we have another possibility of getting it done. The bad news is, they could beat us to it. If I could, I would much rather choose to have someone from Caltech be the one to do it."

Sheldon spoke up, "Who is this team? Where are they working on it?"

"Surprisingly, they are very close by. They are researchers at UCLA. They are a married couple. Their names are Steve and Mona Eddings. He has a Doctorate in Physics while she has one in Mathematics."

Leonard, "Eddings? Weren't they once in the running for a Nobel?"

"Yes. In fact, they were one of the nominees the year before you won yours."

He went on, "I know you are doing an excellent job and are getting close. I really have no suggestions to change our current path, but just wanted to keep you apprised of what was going on."

Amy spoke up, "Thank you, Dr. Siebert. We appreciate it."

When they left the office, Leonard spoke up, "Listen, I know you guys want me to be the one to do it, but it is good that someone else is working on it. We will probably end up confirming each other's work. That would be great for your chances of winning the Nobel."

Sheldon surprised him by saying, "I suppose that does make sense, but I know that Amy agrees that we want you to be the one." He paused, "We were thinking that you could still share in the Nobel."

Leonard smiled and said quietly, "Thanks guys, that means a lot to me."

Amy smiled, "You and Penny mean a lot to us."

Sheldon said quickly, "Leonard, don't you need to get going if you are going to have lunch with Penny."

Leonard smiled fondly at him, "Yeah, I do."

As Leonard left, Amy took his arm. "I am proud of you, Sheldon."

He looked down at her smiled, "We need to get some lunch ourselves."

Amy smiled as they walked off arm in arm.

Penny kept looking at the door of the restaurant, where was Leonard? She was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She had a part in a National Commercial. It sounded like it was even possible they might do a series of them. At that moment, he came through the door. Her heart seemed to swell, she loved him so much. She shuddered to think they almost had screwed it up.

Leonard saw her and headed toward her, she was so beautiful, he loved her so much. He was the luckiest guy in the world. To think they had almost never found out how much they meant to each other.