A/N Thanks again to all who honor me with their reviews. Sorry has been so long but my computer crashed and then there was the debacle that was the end of Cruel Secret. I got the distinct idea the ending was a big disappointment. Anyway here's a new chapter. I still don't own anything.

The next morning they showered together and then Penny accompanied Leonard when he went to pick up Warren. Ignoring the look on Bernadette's and Howard's faces, they informed Warren they were going to Disneyland.

They spend a wonderful day, taking Warren on rides and holding hands as they walked. They then went out for supper and with Warren falling asleep on the ride back to the apartment, Penny accompanied him while Leonard carried Warren up to the apartment. Together they got him ready for bed.

Afterwards, they sat together on the couch, Penny leaning into him as they occasionally kissed.

Finally, Penny broke free, "I'd better go, I have a lot to do before I go. I have to meet with my agent and finish up work on the soap." She smirked, "My character is going on a trip. Whether she comes back alive will depend on how the play goes."

Leonard smiled, "Let's hope she dies a terrible death."

Penny laughed, then grew serious, "Oh, Leonard, I wish I didn't have to go. I am still not sure I am not making a big mistake."

Leonard reached out and hugged her, "We both know you need to go." He pulled back and smiled, "After all, I don't want to miss the chance to have a Broadway star as a girlfriend."

As she was leaving, she told him she was scheduled to leave in four days and would be sure to come over and say goodbye to him and Warren before she left.

After they kissed passionately one more time, Penny left. Leonard did his nightly duties and went to bed. After tossing and turning for some time, he managed to fall asleep.

In the next couple days, Penny said goodbye to the others. She also told Bernadette and Sarah about her and Leonard. Then after wondering if she was doing the right thing, she called Amy and told her as well. Amy was thrilled she called and told her how happy she was for her.

Two days before Penny was due to leave, Leonard had put Warren down for a nap when there was a knock on the door.

Hoping it might be Penny, he went to open it. He was stunned to see the last person he would expect to see.

Claudette smiled broadly at the look on his face, "Hi, Leonard."

As Leonard just stood there, she smirked, "Are you going to ask me in?"

Still stunned, Leonard moved out of the way.

She walked in and looking around, turned back toward him, "Why don't you shut the door and come over and sit down?"

Finally starting to recover, Leonard shut the door and joined Claudette on the couch.

She spoke first, "You are probably wondering what the hell I am doing here."

When Leonard nodded, she said, "As you know, I sometimes work for a Paris fashion company. As it turns out, they needed someone to attend a fashion show in Los Angeles. When I realized it would give me a chance to see you and Warren, I volunteered."

"By the way, where is Warren?"

Finally somewhat recovered, Leonard said, "He's sleeping."

Claudette nodded, "I need to freshen up, where is the bathroom?"

Leonard indicated it was off the bedroom and as she got up, she said, "Why don't you get me a glass of wine? I'll be right back."

Leonard went into the kitchen. When he returned, he somehow managed not to drop it. Claudette was standing by the couch, striking a seductive pose. To Leonard's shock, she was stark naked except for her boots.

Caught completely off guard, he could only stare. She was a beautiful woman.

She walked over to him and taking the glass from his hand took a sip.

Leonard finally managed to say, "What are you doing?"

Claudette smiled and setting down the glass, brushed up against him, "I would think it is obvious, I want you to make love to me."

Leonard jumped back as if he were burnt, "This isn't right, Claudette. Put your clothes back on and we'll discuss this."

"It's been a long time since Monique died, I think she would want you to be happy." She moved toward him again, "She told me how great a lover you are."

She reached out and touched his cheek, "I want you, Leonard. Please let me show you how much I need you."

She stepped back, "Don't you like what you see?"

Leonard sighed, "You are very beautiful. But I can't do this." He hesitated, "Penny and I have found we still have feelings for each other."

"Penny? After how she hurt you?"

Before Leonard could answer, the door suddenly opened and to everyone's shock, Penny came through the door.

"Hey, Leonard, I noticed the door..."

Penny froze at the sight before her, Leonard was standing next to a completely nude beautiful woman. Stunned she managed to stammer, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..."

Then she screamed out, "What the hell, Leonard?"

Feeling herself tearing up, she had to get out of there, she turned and raced out the door.

Leonard recovered and called out, "Penny, wait, it's not what you think..." and started after her.

Just then Warren, awoken by the noise, started crying.

Leonard stopped, torn between following Penny and going to Warren.

Claudette, hurriedly pulling up her panties and pulling her dress over her head, "You take care of Warren, I'll go after her."

Instinctively, Leonard nodded and headed toward the bedroom.

As Claudette exited the door, she saw the elevator door closing. She quickly headed down the stairs.

Reaching the lobby she saw Penny going out the door. She quickly ran after her. When she saw her getting into her car, she called out, "Penny, wait. We need to talk."

It looked like Penny was going to ignore her but then she closed her car door and turned back toward her.

Relieved, Claudette walked up to her, trying to catch her breath.

"Penny, what you saw, it's not what you think. Leonard did nothing wrong. It was me trying to seduce him, but he was having nothing of it." She smiled, "I think he was about to throw me out, dressed or not."

Penny was stunned but was starting to relax.

Claudette went on, "Why don't you and I go somewhere and talk? You better call Leonard though and tell him it's okay and that we are going to talk."

Penny wasn't sure what was going on, but had to admit she was curious. She called Leonard and assured him it was okay and that she and, she looked at Claudette, Claudette smiled and said, "Claudette" were going to have a talk."

Leonard sounded surprised and a little worried but was relieved Penny seemed to be all right. Penny assured him she would come back to the apartment when they were done.

They drove in silence to a bar nearby. After they were fortified with a beer, Claudette spoke first, "I suppose I should introduce myself, I am Claudette Monet, I was Monique's best friend. I had known her since we were children."

Penny was still a little stunned; this had all happened so fast. "Why are you in America?"

"I sometimes do some work for a fashion house. I am their representative at a conference starting in Los Angeles tomorrow."

"Why were you with Leonard?"

Claudette couldn't help but smile, "I would think that would be apparent, I wanted to have sex with him."

"Why Leonard? Have you been with him before?"

"No. We did talk and went out to dinner once while he was still in Paris after Monique died, but it was all just friendly."

"What made you think he would want sex with you? Are you interested in him?"

"I am conceited enough to think that if I appeared naked to a man, and he was not involved, he would be interested."

She hesitated, "But he said he was interested in getting back with you. I was quite surprised and perhaps both a little jealous and angry. After all, you had your chance."

Penny still wasn't sure what to make of this woman. "You didn't answer my question, are you interested in him?"

"You mean as a long term relationship? No. To be frank, I have found I have had no success doing so. You might say I have a problem with commitment." Pauses, "I must admit I do wish I could. Leonard is a great guy. I know how wonderful he was to Monique, but I was planning no further than being with him."

She went on, "As I said before, it was quite embarrassing. It isn't often men want me to put my clothes on."

She took a drink, "So, what is it with you two? After the way you treated him, how is it he is interested in getting back together?"

Penny was about to tell her it was none of her business, but was suddenly struck by how Claudette was a lot like she had been with Leonard.

"When he told me he loved me, I realized I wasn't willing to make that kind of commitment. I think the reason I cheated on him with Sheldon was that was the only way he would give up on me."

"Monique always wondered how you ever let him go. It's funny, it is a lot like me and Monique's brother Gerard. I couldn't give him what he wanted and cheated on him with someone that was going out with Monique."

She hesitated, "I know I am hardly the one to judge you, but how do you know you won't just hurt him again. And how about Warren?"

Penny sighed, "I don't but I do believe it is different. I am different. I also know that I love Warren."

She paused, "I also know that I will always have to share him with Monique."

Penny took a drink and went on, "You said you were Monique's friend, how do you think she would feel about this?"

"Above all, she would want Leonard to be happy and for him to find someone that loved him and Warren."

She went on, "So what now. You two are going to date, move in together?"

"Those things may never happen. I am leaving in a couple days for New York. I have an audition for a Broadway play. I could be gone a long time." She paused, "I wonder if I should go."

Claudette was stunned. This would be what she had always dreamed about. She surprised Penny by saying, "You have to go. It is the chance of a lifetime. I would give almost anything to be in your shoes."

Penny recovered and said, "I am going, Leonard knows how much it means to me and would never stand in my way."

Claudette shocked her by reaching out and touching her arm, "I know it means nothing coming from me, but I am beginning to think you and Leonard deserve a second chance. I may be an old romantic, but I think it will all work out somehow."

She then rose, "Well I better be going, I have a meeting tomorrow and should get some rest."

She smiled, "Tell Leonard I am sorry about trying to seduce him, but also tell him I am sorry it didn't work out, that he doesn't know what he missed."

Seeing the look on Penny's face, she laughed, "Tell him I'll stop by to see him and Warren before I head back to Paris. Tell him I'll stay clothed this time."

"It was interesting to meet you, Penny. Although I am afraid you may be too much like me, I still find myself hoping you guys can make it work. Good luck on your audition."

Penny wasn't sure what to say so just thanked her, told her goodbye, and watched as she walked away.