Leonard's Decision!
This is traveling day for Leonard.
Disclaimer 1: I rarely, if ever, write cannon. I write how the story takes me.
Disclaimer 2: I don't own TBBT or any of their characters. To clarify, I OWN NOTHING.
Chapter 3: Execute
The following morning, Leonard woke to his alarm going off and jumped up ready to get started. He took a quick shower and dressed. He had already put everything in his car so when he went down he just threw his overnight bag in the car and was ready to go. He figured he would stop and get something to eat along the way but he was anxious to get out of California. According to his calculations, traveling on I-10, it would take him about 9 ½ hours to reach Arizona. The overall trip was about 22 ½ hours. He figured he would do the bulk of his driving on the first day so he could get out of California. He would drive about 10 hours the first day, 8 hours the next day and finish up with about 4 hours or so left. That would put him there at midday and he could get some paperwork done. He wanted to be processed and indoctrinated right away so he could get to work. So without any fanfare, Leonard was on his way to Texas. Leonard figured Dr. Connors would be in by 9:00 am so he would call him then and let him know that he was accepting the position. Since Leonard had started out so early, traffic was light and travel was enjoyable. Since he had no one in the car pestering him, he enjoyed the peacefulness of the drive along with the scenery. The first day went off without a hitch. Leonard called Dr. Connors at 9:00 am and informed him he would take the job. He was asked when would he be leaving and laughing, Leonard told him he was already on the road and would be there in another 2 days. Dr. Connors was ecstatic that not only had Leonard accepted the position but was already on his way to them. Dr. Connors assured Leonard that he would have everything ready for him when he arrived. Leonard reached his goal of leaving California when he saw the welcome to Arizona sign. He drove another ½ hour searching for one of the hotels the university would reimburse him for. It was a 5 star hotel and Leonard thoroughly enjoyed the accommodations'. He was up early the next morning refreshed and again was ahead of traffic and had an easy drive. Leonard was enjoying his trip while mentally putting together the outline of a training plan for the classes he would be teaching. Again he reached his goal. He was actually in Texas now and was excited. Again, the hotel he stayed in was 5 star and after a good meal, he took a shower and was out before his head hit the pillow. The next morning he was up before his alarm went off. He took a quick shower, enjoyed a hot breakfast as he didn't think he would have lunch and was off again. His calculations had been pretty good and he arrived about noon. He met Dr. Connors, who introduced him to Dr. Stevenson, the president of the university. They both said they would make time to show him around but he declined a tour of the campus asking if they could get right to signing all the paperwork so he would be prepared to start as soon as possible. Unknown to Leonard, this pleased both men. So far, the information they had received on Dr. Hofstadter was point on. They were told he would hit the ground running and he was prepared to do just that. They brought him back to the president's office where the representative from HR was waiting with all the papers. They went over them quickly and since Leonard had done this before, he knew what to look for on each form and was able to sign quickly seeing everything he needed. They also had the housing rep there. The housing rep took Leonard out and drove him around in golf cart so he could see the houses. Leonard asked which ones were closest to his lab. When he was shown the houses, he saw the one he wanted right off. It was overlooking the lake that was on campus. Beyond the lake was a tree line. He asked if that one was available and was told it was. He was taken on a tour inside and was pleasantly surprised to see the master bedroom window was facing the lake and tree line view. He told the housing rep he would take this one. She told him it was a 3 bedroom instead of a 2 bedroom but if he didn't mind the extra bedroom it was still ok for him to take it. He said he didn't mind at all. What he didn't know was in order to keep him happy, the president had told the housing rep to give him any house he wanted, no questions asked. They went back to the office to sign the papers. The housing rep told him that by the time he finished here today, his house would be ready for him to move in. The house would have a thorough scrubbing and all the utilities would be on. After cleaning, they would turn on the refrigerator for him so if he wanted to pick up a few things first, the refrigerator would be ready. Leonard spent the rest of the day signing papers and by the time he was done he was mentally drained. The last thing Dr. Connors did was show Leonard the classroom he would be teaching in and his new lab. Leonard was impressed with both and was pleased that his classroom was close by his lab. Dr. Connors told Leonard he was going to cut him loose now so he could get his equilibrium back on track. He gave Leonard his campus ID's, his car decals which allowed him to park anywhere except handicap, a list with names and numbers, a map of the campus, a map of the surrounding city and keys to his classroom and lab. He highlighted on the campus map how to get to his house. He told Leonard they had a store on campus if he wanted to pick up a couple of things without having to leave the campus. He highlighted that on his map also. Leonard told him he thought he was set for the evening and would be ok. Dr. Connors told him to come to President Stevenson's office at 9:00 am in the morning and they would start putting his teaching schedule and lab schedule together and then bid him goodnight. Leonard stop by the campus store and picked up a 6 pack of Dr. Pepper, a dozen eggs, pancake mix, milk, bread, orange juice, vegetable oil, butter, snacks, cold cuts and bacon. He thought this would be enough to get him through until he had time to go to a supermarket and shop. He saw there was a Chinese place by the store so he picked up some dinner to take home with him. He drove to his new home, and sure enough, the place looked spotless and smelled clean. He was happy the place came furnished. He was told he could replace anything he wanted with his own furniture but the place was tastefully done and he didn't think anything needed changing. He doubted if he would be entertaining any guest here and his taste were simple. Leonard got to work putting his perishables away so they wouldn't go bad and then brought everything in from his car. They had offered to have the moving people put it in for him but he told them he didn't have much so he didn't need them. Leonard got everything in and then sat down to eat his meal. After eating, Leonard went exploring his new house. He found there were three bathrooms. There was one in the master bedroom, one shared by the other two bedrooms and one in the hall. He was amused that there was a TV in each bedroom as well as the living room. He noticed that the bed in the master bedroom looked bigger than when he first saw it this afternoon. He must be more tired than he thought. Again, unknown to him, the president had instructed the housing rep that if there wasn't a king size bed in which ever house Dr. Hofstadter chose, to have one put in immediately. Leonard liked the fact that the house had both a front porch and a back screened in patio. Smiling, he thought yeah, I think I could get used to this. After he took a shower he put his pajamas on and got in between his nice soft sheets and was asleep instantly.
While Leonard had been driving across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, his ex-girlfriend and friends had been frantic. On Sunday, no one except Penny panicked. She desperately needed to talk to Leonard but he would not answer his phone and he was nowhere to be found. Everyone tried to get Penny to relax. Howard and Raj tried to reassure her that they would stand right beside him at work tomorrow and make him call her. Somewhat pacified, Penny said ok, she would try not to worry. That didn't last long as the guys were forced to call Penny and tell her Leonard had not shown up for work. They looked everywhere for him and could not find him. Since Leonard had mailed the letters he wrote to them on Sunday morning when he left California, his friends did not receive them until Tuesday. Everyone received a letter except Sheldon.
Raj Letter:
Hey Raj, I'm ok. I took a job in another state. Penny and I broke up and I felt I needed a fresh start. I value your friendship and hope that you will remain my friend. I'm sorry for saying goodbye with a letter but I didn't think I had it in me to do it in person. I will call you when I'm settled. I want you to know that I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I think you are one of the best if not the best astrophysicist. I heard this saying once and I think it especially applies to you. Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Your friend
Leonard.
Amy's Letter:
Hey Amy, I'm ok. I took a job in another state. Penny and I broke up and I felt I needed a fresh start. I love her but we wanted different things. I won't go into detail. I know she's your bestie and I'm glad because she probably needs you and Bernie more than she knows. Thank you for being such a good friend to her. Do me a favor and please keep an eye on her. Thanks.
Leonard
Howard and Bernadette Letter
Hey Howard and Bernadette, I'm ok. I took a job in another state. Penny and I broke up and I felt I needed a fresh start. You both have been very good friends to me and I thank you for that. You each deserve a separate letter of your own but I didn't want you guys to ever think there was anything secret between me and one of you. Howard, I have no doubt that intellectually, you know I only think of Bernie as a sister and would never try anything with her but when emotions come into play we can be blinded. I couldn't live with myself if I ever did anything to for you to doubt that so one letter for both of you. Howard, this unbelievable woman that is your wife, cherish her always. Your greatest accomplishment was not going to space. Your greatest accomplishment goes to sleep with you every night and wakes up with you every morning. Do not ever take her for granted. Remember, she fell in love with you. Not some act you were putting on. She fell in love and is in love with Howard Wolowitz. Bernie, I am so glad you married my friend. You saw in him what I always saw in him. This guy would give you the shirt off his back. He is one of the kindest guys I have ever met and has a heart of gold. I know I don't have to tell you this. Bernie, don't ever give up him. He loves you so much that I think it would really break him. The thing is, you guys are made for each other. I think about you two together and it makes me smile because two of the people who mean the most to me are to halves that make each other whole. I need two favors from you. One, please take care of each other. You guys deserve happiness. Two, please take care of Penny for me. I love her and will always love her and it would crush me if anything happened to her. Thank you for being my friends
Your friend always
Leonard
Penny's Letter:
Hey Penny, I'm ok. I took a job in another state. I just needed a fresh start. I'll make this short as I've already said everything I needed to say to you. I'm sorry I could not be what you wanted. I would have given anything to be that person. I love you and I'm afraid I will always love you. Maybe one day I will get up the courage to call you just to say hello. Anyway, don't worry, I'm fine. I hope you find what you are looking for. Please be happy.
Leonard
Everyone immediately headed over to Penny's when they had read their letters. Amy arrived first and didn't even bother to knock. She barged in calling Penny's name and stopped immediately as it was evident that Leonard knew Penny pretty well. She was on the floor crying with Leonard's letter clutched in her hand. Amy rushed over to her and sat on the floor with her and pulled her into her arms trying to comfort her as she silently cried with her bestie. Howard and Bernadette arrived next and both their hearts broke. Bernadette immediately went and sat on the other side of Penny and wrapped her arms around her as she also cried with her friend. Raj, being the only one without a car, arrived and immediately started crying at the scene he was watching. Howard went and got the blanket off of Penny's bed and wrapped it around the three friends. He told Raj they would go over to Sheldon's while Bernie and Amy comforted Penny. They closed the door on what was the saddest thing they had ever seen. Howard knocked on the door and Sheldon opened the door and let them in. He immediately started barking out orders for whatever night it was. Neither Howard nor Raj paid attention to him. Finally tired of being ignored, Sheldon asked them what was going on. Howard told him that Leonard was gone and had written everyone a letter explaining why he left.
"Why did he say he left?" Sheldon queried.
"He said he and Penny broke up and he got a job in another state." Howard responded.
"This is preposterous!" Sheldon yelled. "Leonard has not left. We have a binding roommate agreement that very clearly outlines the circumstances under which Leonard can leave. Breaking up with a girlfriend is not one of those reasons."
"Dude, you need to get a grip and take a look around this place. Nothing of Leonard's is here. Also, there is nothing binding about that roommate agreement. Leonard didn't do those things for you because of some cockamamie roommate agreement. He did them because he thought you were his friend." Raj stated.
"It's still not possible" Sheldon stated. "You said everyone received a letter. I did not receive a letter from Leonard."
"Why would he send you a letter?" Howard asked. "Sheldon, you treated Leonard like crap, well you treat everyone like crap, but you dumped on Leonard the most even though he was the one person who always stood by you. You constantly belittled Leonard and told him he was beneath you and was only good for driving you around. And why did you do that? Because your IQ scores are a few points higher than his. Both of your scores are in the genius range but your oversize ego just can't handle the fact that Leonard is also a genius. You didn't acknowledge his work even though his work with lasers is making major break throughs while your work has proven nothing."
"Still, social convention requires that Leonard send me a letter" Sheldon protested.
"Dude, you just don't get it, do you? Raj began. You didn't receive a letter because Leonard only sent letters to people he considers to be his friends. It's quite apparent that he feels you don't fit into that category." Raj finished.
"I can't stay here with him." Howard stated angrily. "I'm going to sit in the car."
"Wait up dude." Raj called out. "It's a little to stuffy in here for me too. I'm going with you."
"I did this!" Penny wailed. "I ran off the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm so stupid. I don't blame Leonard. It's amazing he stuck with me as long as he did. Do you know what he told me he wanted?" Penny started crying really hard.
Bernadette and Amy were getting very worried about their friend. They could not get her to calm down.
"Penny, please try to calm down!" Bernadette said to her. "You are going to make yourself sick."
"You don't understand!" Penny cried.
"Why don't you go ahead and tell us what he said wanted." Amy requested.
"He said he loved me and wanted to marry me and wanted to have babies with me and live in a house with me with white picket fence." Penny stated. "WHO TURNS THAT DOWN?" She screamed. "Just the idiot that sweet caring man had the unfortunate bad luck to fall in love with. He told me what every woman wishes a man would tell her. The only difference is you both know Leonard. He would do everything in his power to make that happen. His goal in life was to make me happy and there was nothing that would stop him from making that happen."
Penny put her head down and started crying again as she whispered between sobs
"Nothing except me." She cried miserably.
Seeing how miserable her friend was, was making Bernadette very nervous. She didn't think Penny would hurt herself but she wasn't going to take any chances. She pulled out her phone and called Howard.
"Hey Bernie." he answered. "How is she?"
"Howard, please go pack me an overnight bag. I'm staying here with Penny tonight."
"That bad huh?" He responded sadly. "Ok Bernie, I'm already at the car so I'll leave for home right now and pack a bag for you."
"Thanks Howard. I love you." She declared.
"I love you too Bernie." Howard responded and then hung up.
"Come on Raj, I need to run home and pack an overnight bag for Bernie. Apparently Penny is taking Leonard's leaving really hard so Bernie is going to stay with her tonight." Howard informed Raj.
Raj put his head down trying to keep from crying himself. Raj understood why Leonard felt he had to do what he did. He knew there was no way Leonard would be able to live across the hall from the woman of his dreams. It would all but kill him if he saw some other man come out of her apartment. But Raj was hurting for his two friends. He could not stomach the thought of two of the best people he knew living in misery. He got in the car with Howard and off they went to get Bernadette's overnight bag.