A/N This a completely different story than my others. I hope I can convey what I want to. It contains a major character death as well as a more minor character. I would appreciate any input you have whether good or bad.
As always, I am just borrowing these characters.
Penny awoke. For a few moments she was disoriented, still thinking of the dream. She looked over and saw Dave sleeping next to her.
Checking the clock, she saw it was 5:30. Sighing, she got out of bed; while being careful not to wake him, she made her way out to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. Sitting at the table, she thought back over the dream.
She and Sheldon were sitting on a porch watching their son Isaac, playing on the lawn. Leonard and his wife were there with them. As usual, when she would awaken, she would remember nothing about her, just that she was there.
After a time, Howard, Bernadette, and Raj arrived and joined them. They would just sit enjoying the evening before she would awaken.
She had experienced the dream off and on over the last four years.
Her reverie was interrupted when Dave came out and joined her. "You're up early. Couldn't sleep?"
He sat down across from her; he really was great-looking guy. They had gotten to being with each other every once in a while soon after the show started. He was separated from his wife and kid. They somehow had managed to keep their liaison a secret.
He looked up at her, "This is going to have to be the last time we do this." He paused and ran his fingers through his hair, "Jane and I are going to try to get back together. She and Ted are flying in today."
Penny had to smirk to herself, Yeah, they have a great chance. He sleeps with me the night before she arrives.
Aloud, she said, "I'll miss you, but I really do hope it works out this time."
"Thanks. Well, I better go home and get ready for work." As they both rose he awkwardly kissed her and saying he would see her on the set, headed out the door.
Penny took her cup with her and went into the bedroom. She replaced the sheets and pillowcases. She then opened a window to air the room out.
After taking a shower and doing her morning routine, she returned to the kitchen.
Deciding she would get breakfast on the way to work, she put her coffee cup in the sink and taking one more look around, set off for work.
It was lucrative and gratifying to have steady work. But it also was a lot of work being on a Sitcom. She was grateful that it was successful, but sometimes regretted not having more time alone.
She had to laugh at herself. Did she really want to go back to when she was a struggling actor, wondering if she would ever get another job? Did she want to go back to waitressing?
Then she realized this reminiscing was just reminding her again of the past. Was it really over four years ago?
When she had first met Sheldon and Leonard she had been intrigued by both of them. It was apparent that Leonard was enamored with her and she was flattered by it. She was impressed by him and his intelligence.
But it was Sheldon who got her attention. From the first, she found herself drawn to him. She somehow sensed that under that façade there was an innocence, a goodness.
She was determined to explore that, to help him come out of his shell. She was also amazed at his intelligence. When she learned about his growing up, she realized a lot of why he acted the way he did. It just made her want to reach him more.
When Leonard realized it was Sheldon she was interested in, it was awkward for a time. But she was happy and relieved when he came to accept it and even be happy for them. She hoped he knew she loved him too, just not the way he wanted.
She remembered the first time she and Sheldon made love. It had been amazing to see him grow and change. The three of them became inseparable.
That morning, she was just leaving her apartment. She smiled as she saw Sheldon standing outside their door, calling out to Leonard they would be late.
Leonard came out and they walked down the stairs together. When they reached her car, she leaned forward and kissed Sheldon on the lips. She then kissed Leonard on the cheek and wishing them a good day, drove off to work.
She would never forget the moment that Bernadette came to her at work, tears pouring down her cheeks. Leonard and Sheldon had been in a car accident.
The ride to the hospital, the news that they had been struck by a car that ran a red light, the wait. Then the horrible news that Sheldon was dead. With the overwhelming grief, they found some solace in the news that Leonard would be okay.
When the shock had worn off, when the arrangements had been made and the funeral was past, it became apparent that Leonard had been deeply affected by what happened. To everyone's dismay, he was consumed with guilt, blaming himself for the accident.
No matter that everyone assured him there was nothing he could have done, he believed he should somehow have prevented it.
To Penny's greater dismay, she soon realized that he felt even more guilt toward her. In Leonard's troubled mind, not only had he taken Sheldon from her, but he also still had feelings for her. He remembered when he heard Sheldon was dead, he could not stop the thought that Penny was now free from entering his mind. What kind of horrible person was he, having thoughts like that? The fact that he had feelings for her now disgusted him.
For Penny, it was heartbreaking. Not only had she lost Sheldon, but now she was losing Leonard as well. She found herself growing angry. Didn't he realize she needed him more than ever as a friend? To be there for him and he for her?
They all hoped that with time, Leonard would find some peace, but he completely withdrew. Finally, he left Caltech and returned to Princeton.
With both him and Sheldon gone, the group soon drifted apart. Bernadette got her doctorate and went to work for a big pharmaceutical firm. Soon Penny hardly ever saw her or Howard.
Raj returned to India and married a wife selected by his parents.
It was then that Penny got her big break, landing a national commercial. From there she found a job on a soap and then a part in a movie.
Two years ago she landed a job on the Sitcom. Along the way, she had moved into an apartment in Los Angeles.
She found new friends and returned to dating, but never felt anything for any of them like she had felt for Leonard and Sheldon.
She did her best to keep tabs on Leonard, but he had moved off all social media. She found herself excited when she would find a mention of him. She read all of his scientific papers, although she didn't fully understand them.
It was during their Christmas break from the Sitcom. She was returning to her apartment, wondering if she should go back to Nebraska for Christmas. She knew her folks would be excited to see her.
She was surprised when a woman approached her as she opened the door to the apartment building. There seemed to be something familiar about her.
"Excuse me, you are Penny, aren't you?"
A little hesitantly, Penny answered, "Yes."
"I am Hayley Jordon, Leonard's sister. Can I talk to you?"
Penny was stunned but managed to get out, "Of course."
After they were settled in, each with a glass of wine, Hayley spoke up, "I know this is a big surprise. I know I should have called ahead, but all I had was the address of the apartment building."
Penny took a sip, "How is Leonard?"
Hayley was quiet for a few moments, "Not good." She sat back, "He was a terrible mess when he first came back. All of us were surprised when mother was very understanding. Between her, Michael, and I, we were able to help him a little. But he has remained depressed. At one time we were afraid he might hurt himself."
Penny was stunned and felt herself tearing up.
After a small silence, Penny asked, "May I ask what brought you here?"
Hayley finished her wine, "Two weeks ago, Mother died."
Penny was stunned, "Oh, I am so sorry. Had she been sick?"
"Thank you. No, she a heart attack, it was a shock to all of us."
She paused, "Her death has undone all the progress Leonard had made. We finally had to put him in the hospital, we were afraid he would hurt himself."
Penny felt herself tearing up.
Hayley continued, "Michael and I were at our wit's end. We had no idea how to move forward."
She looked at Penny. "That's when we thought of you. Leonard has often talked about how close you, he, and Sheldon were, how guilty he felt about what happened. How he had loved you too."
She sighed, "I know this is a lot to ask and I would understand if you don't want to become involved."
She sat back, "As I say, we are desperate. But we wondered if you could come to New York. Frankly, we have no idea if you can help. It is possible you could make things worse."
She sighed, "Although I don't see how that is possible."
Penny could just sit there, shocked. She was almost overwhelmed with the emotions she was feeling. The thought of seeing Leonard again…
"To say the least, I am stunned." She hesitated, "It has been so long. I would do anything to help him but I wonder if I can." She sighed, "I don't know how he feels about me." To herself, or what I feel toward him.
She looked at Hayley, "But, if you think it is possible I can help, I am willing to try."
Hayley smiled, "Thank you." She paused, "I know about your show of course. When could you get away?"
"Actually, I am free now. I will need a few days to arrange to go."
"That should work out. I have a flight back tonight. If you want, you can stay with me or Michael. Unless you prefer a hotel."
"I think a hotel would be best. Let's plan for me to arrive on Monday. I am sure I can get a first-class ticket."
She paused, "Are you going to tell Leonard I am coming?"
"Michael and I discussed it. If you agree, we think it should be a surprise."
Penny nodded, "We agree then. I will call you from the hotel when I am checked in."
Hayley rose, "Thank you so much. I know Michael will want to thank you too." After a moment, "I really hope this will help Leonard."
Penny rose with her, "I do too."
Penny was surprised when Hayley impulsively hugged her. She returned it and after getting Hayley's phone number and exchanging goodbyes, Hayley left.
Penny poured herself another glass of wine and sat back down on the couch. As she took a sip, the full enormity of what had just happened hit her. She was gratified she was excited to see Leonard again, but that was quickly tempered about what he had and was going through.
She just hoped she could somehow be able to help him. She quickly pushed any thoughts about him and her out of her mind. She was going to help an old friend.
