Author's note: Thank you for all the positive feedback.

Chapter 11

For the next several days, Penny has found herself hanging out in Leonard's place for dinner. Penny thought this was better than eating alone in her apartment. They maintained texting everyday just to catch up on things. After eating, they would usually watch TV, play a video game or play a board game. Leonard was glad to see that Sarah enjoys spending time with Penny. Sarah would sometimes explain to Penny the TV show they are watching in case she gets confused at what's going on in the show. One time, they happen to see an old Star Trek episode. Sarah pointed out who Spock is and told her that Sheldon talks like him.

"Whats up with Spock? Why does he have pointy ears?" She asked Sarah.

Leonard tried to explain to Penny. "Well...Spock's mother is human but his dad is Vulcan….you see Vulcans are aliens of pure logic and reason with as little emotion as possible…" he told Penny.

"So Sheldon is like Spock?...Half logic and half emotion?" Penny guessed.

"Exactly right!" Leonard smiled at him. "Oh and when you meet him you should greet him with 'Live Long and Prosper'." Leonard said while putting up the Vulcan Salute for Penny to see.

Penny tried to copy his hand. "Like this?"

"Yeah you got it!" Leonard exclaimed. "Oh...he's gonna like you when you meet him!"

"Live Long and Prosper Sheldon!" Penny mockingly said while displaying her Vulcan salute.

The three of them burst into laughter.

It was a Friday night and they are in the living room eating takeout Chinese food. Sarah was asking Penny about her life back in Nebraska. She told her about their family's farm, their animals, their barn and her family back home.

"Daddy I want a pet pig too!" She asked her father.

"Oh honey, we don't have the place to keep a pig in this building...I'm sorry" Leonard said to Sarah.

"Your father's right sweetie...pigs need a lot of mud to roll around onto…" she sadly said to her.

"If you want honey, we could get you a goldfish or a turtle...they're pretty easy to take care of..."Leonard smiled at her daughter.

"It's alright daddy, I understand." Sarah said as she took a bite of her food.

A few minutes later, Penny's phone rang. She stood up to take the call by the door.

"Are you serious! Really!?" She became more excited. "Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!...Thank you very much! I'm so happy!" Penny exclaimed.

Leonard stood up and asked her what's going on.

"The commercial Leonard!...I got the TV commercial!" she said jumping with excitement.

"Oh my god that is so amazing Penny! Congratulations!" Leonard exclaimed.

She ran towards him. "Thank you so much!" The next thing she knew, her lips was on his lips as her arms was draped around his neck.

Leonard was caught by surprise and didn't move as his eyes were locked onto Penny's face. Her eyes were closed. It took about ten seconds for Penny to break off her lips from his.

"Eeewww! That's gross daddy!" Sarah exclaimed as she covered her eyes.

Penny and Leonard stared at each other and didn't know what to do next.

Penny spoke in a low voice. "Oh my god...I'm so sorry!" She turned around and hurriedly walked back to her apartment.

Once inside, she began to panic as she couldn't believe what just happened. It was spur of the moment but somehow felt right and natural. How could she have done such a thing and in front of a child no less? She couldn't shake the image of Leonard in her mind. Somehow she longed for his embrace ever since their dinner last week. She decided to go to her bathroom to freshen up and get ready for bed. She knew sleep would not come easy tonight.

Leonard stood there for almost a minute. All he could think of was Penny's lips tasted like strawberries. He decided shake the thought of Penny in his head and sit on the couch beside his daughter as she finished eating her food. After Sarah was done eating, he cleaned up the coffee table and told his daughter to get cleaned up in the bathroom and brush her teeth. He then helped her daughter change her clothes for bed. He also cleaned himself up and changed into his boxer shorts and t-shirt. He put on his robe and returned to the living room. They watched TV for almost an hour when he saw that Sarah was already asleep leaning onto his side.

He picked up his daughter and put her to bed with her teddy bear. Leonard kissed her on the forehead and pulled the blanket over her. He closed her bedroom door and turned off the light. He then went to his bedroom, put his glasses on his nightstand and slipped under the covers. He stared blankly at the ceiling and tried to shake off the events that happened an hour ago. He was starting to doze off when his phone beeped. It was Penny.

P: [You awake?]

L: [No. {smiley face}]

L: [Can't sleep]

P: [Sarah asleep?]

L: [Yeah]

P: [You wanna talk?]

L: [Yeah]

P: [Come over]

Leonard thought for a minute and stood up. He put on his robe and glasses and made his way to the door. He quietly opened it and stepped outside and saw Penny already in the hall dressed in her robe. He looked at her as she walked towards him. She placed a finger on his lips.

"Do not overthink this." she whispered. She quickly put her arms around Leonard's neck and kissed him hard and deep. Leonard was surprised but found himself returning her kisses as he slowly put his arms around her waist. Penny broke off and took his hand, guiding him back to her apartment.

"Penny?" Leonard tried to talk.

"No talking!" she told him as she quickly closed the door and led him to her bedroom.

She pushed him to sit on her bed and started to straddle him while holding onto his shoulders for balance. She kissed him hard again while trying to remove his robe. Leonard was doing the same with her.

"Penny…..I…..have…..no….." Leonard said as Penny won't stop kissing him.

"What?" Penny said slightly annoyed.

"Protection." Leonard whispered.

"Oh...don't worry I'm good…." she assured him as they continued to undress one another.

Leonard tried to break off.

"What's wrong!?" Penny asked.

Leonard sighed. "Penny...it's been a long time…I don't think..."

"Hey...it's been a long time for me too.." she smiled at him. "Just relax…" She said as she resumed kissing him while he wrapped his arms around her.

They laid on the bed after two hours of making love. Both of them were out of breath but displayed big smiles across their faces.

"That was amazing Leonard...you're really a genius…." Penny said as she took a deep breath.

"Yeah…" was all Leonard could say as he tried to catch his breath hoping his asthma would not act up.

After a few minutes, Leonard sat up on the side of the bed.

"Hey….what are you thinking?" Penny asked as she turned on her side and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I am thinking of this...us…" he said softly as he looked at her.

"Well...do you wanna talk about it?" she asked.

"I was hoping if maybe we could take this...further…."he said back.

"I was hoping the same thing…." Penny replied as she rubbed her hand on his back.

"Good….because I really like you Penny…" he told her. "It's just that...I'm scared of this…"

"What are you afraid of?" Penny asked as she sat up and put her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Penny...if we screw this up...not only do we hurt each other...we hurt my daughter too…" he explained to her. "I don't think I could do that to my little girl…" he continued. "I don't mind getting hurt...but my daughter..."

"Leonard...I'm a little scared too….but does that mean that we can't give it a try?" she said. "We can always take it slow…"Penny whispered.

Leonard sighed. "Penny...are you sure?"

Penny sighed. "I don't know...but somehow it kinda feels right…you know what I mean right?" Penny said back. Leonard nodded.

They were silent for a few minutes while Penny was still hugging him. "What do you wanna do now?" she asked him.

"Well...If we're gonna give it a try, I guess I should take you out on a proper date...you know...just you and me." he said looking at her.

"What about Sarah?….who's going to look after her?" she inquired.

"Well actually...my sister will be visiting in a few days. She could watch over her while we're out...I'm sure she wouldn't mind..." he said back.

"Oh...ok...what are you planning to do?" Penny asked.

"Uhh...I don't have a plan now...but I know I can think of something fun to do!" he smiled at her.

"Ok...sounds great!" she smiled and kissed him.

They decided to lay back on the bed while Penny rests her head on his chest. After a while, Leonard spoke.

"Penny I have to go back...my daughter's alone over there…" he said sadly.

"I wish you wouldn't go…" she said as she hugged him tight.

"I'm sorry but I have to…" he said as he kissed her head.

"Mmmmm..." her hug got tighter.

"Well...I think the only solution here is for you to put on your robe and sleep with me in my bed…" he blurted out.

Penny suddenly looked up to him smiling. "You really are a genius!" she kissed him and quickly jumped off the bed to get dressed.

Leonard looked at her. "What are you doing?" he asked puzzled.

She chuckled. "You're so cute when you're clueless...You said the only way for us to stay together tonight is if we sleep in your bed so you could watch over Sarah….I'm going there with you." she said as she tied her robe.

"Oh…ok...I guess I better get dressed then…" he stood up and put on his clothes.

He took Penny by the hand and made their way to his apartment. He quietly opened the door as they tip-toed their way inside. He flicked the lights on and what they saw next made them feel as if they were being gutted alive. They gasped and froze as they saw Sarah standing on the hallway entrance to the bedrooms. She was crying as she looked up to her father with Penny.

Leonard immediately ran up to his daughter visibly worried. "Sarah honey!? Why are you up?" he hugged her trying to calm her down.

Sarah didn't answered him. Leonard looked at Sarah as he wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Oh Honey...did you have a bad dream?"

Sarah nodded and spoke. "Daddy...can I sleep with you?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"Of course honey. You can sleep with me…" Leonard said as he hugged his daughter while rubbing her back.

Sarah looked up to Penny. "Hi Penny."

"Uh..hi sweetie...don't cry...it's just a bad dream." Penny said nervously.

"Did you have a bad dream too?...Daddy...Penny should sleep with us too." the child said to her father.

Penny and Leonard looked at each other stunned with what Sarah said.

"Yeah...I had a bad dream too sweetie..." Penny said trying to look sad.

"You know what honey….sure….Penny can sleep with us too." Leonard told his daughter not wanting to prolong the situation. He walked with Sarah to his room as he tilted his head to Penny, telling her to follow. Penny bit her lip as she followed them.

Leonard helped his daughter get up on the bed while he looked at Penny take the other side. He slipped under the covers and Penny did the same. Leonard switched off his lamp as the three of them settled on his bed. Sarah turned to Penny and cuddled with her. Penny placed her arm over the child while Leonard looks on smiling at them.

Penny raised her eyebrows at Leonard giving him the 'What?' look.

Leonard smiled and shook his head giving her a 'nothing' look.

Penny rolled her eyes as she sighed with relief. She moved her hand and intertwined it with Leonard's as they try to get some sleep. They both slept with a smile on their faces.

Leonard suddenly stirred as he felt something moving in the bed. He reached for his glasses and put them on as he saw Penny walking around the bed.

"What are you doing?" he asked her in a low voice.

"Shhhh...I put Sarah in her bed….don't worry she's sleeping tight." she took off her robe and slipped in under the covers. "I'm not done with you yet mister!" as she moved on top of Leonard and started kissing him hard.

"Penny…" he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't worry….we'll be quiet…" Penny said as she buried her face onto Leonard's. They made love for the third time. They slept facing each other wrapped in their embrace.

Leonard woke up around seven in the morning and realized that Penny has already left. He sat up and put on his glasses, then stood up to put his robe on to go to the bathroom. After freshening up in the bathroom, he heard music from the living room at a low volume. He walked to the living room and found Penny merrily singing along in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.

Penny saw him and gave him the loveliest smile he has ever seen. "Good morning!" she winked at him.

"Good morning….what are you cooking?" he inquired.

"Oh!...I'm making french toast...scrambled eggs...bacon and later….I'll slice up some fruits" she said smiling while filling a cup with coffee. "and for my man...black coffee, no sugar!" she walked towards him.

"Hmmm...I like it…" he smiled as he took the cup and sipped his coffee. He put his arms around her waist. "So...I'm your man huh?"

"Of course honey…what else would you be?" she put her hands around his neck and kissed him. "you're my man...actually not just my man...you're my stud!" she said playfully.

"Stud?...I like it!" he smiled as he kissed her back.

Penny felt something move underneath Leonard's robe.

"Hmmm...someone's getting excited!?" she teased him.

Leonard blushed as he tried to break off from her embrace. She didn't let him go. "Honey, it's alright...It's kinda cute actually but you need to save some for tonight." she kissed him again.

They broke off their kiss as they heard the bathroom door open. Sarah's awake. Sarah walked out into the living room and saw the two preparing the kitchen island for breakfast.

"Good morning sleepy head!" Penny greeted the child as she was slicing up some fruits.

"Good morning Penny!...Good morning daddy!" she said as she yawned.

"Good morning honey….Penny made french toast and scrambled eggs…" He led his daughter to the kitchen island and helped her to the chair.

They started to eat while Penny and Leonard exchange glances.

"Wow! This french toast is delicious!" Leonard said as Sarah happily eats the same. "Sarah honey, slow down ok...you don't want to choke on your food."

As they were finishing up eating, Sarah asked Penny. "Penny, are you my daddy's girlfriend?"

Leonard almost fell off his chair while Penny almost spit out the apple slice she was eating.

"Who told you that?….where did you learn that word?" Leonard asked his daughter calmly while looking over to Penny.

"I saw it on TV." she innocently said while taking her last piece of bacon.

Leonard decided to quickly change the topic before it gets out of hand. "Well little miss. I think it's time for your bath so we could go to the park." he said while helping her down from her chair.

"We're going to the park today Penny...are you coming with us?" Sarah asked her.

"Oh gee sweetie...I have the morning shift at the restaurant today...maybe next time ok?" Penny gave her a half-smile.

"Promise?" Sarah demanded.

"Promise!" Penny said holding up her hand smiling at her.

"Yay!" Sarah exclaimed as she ran to the bathroom. Leonard followed her to make sure she doesn't slip on the floor.

Penny started to clean up the kitchen island when Leonard returned.

"Penny let me do that….you were kind enough to cook breakfast…" as he started to clean up the plates.

"Thanks. Listen, I gotta go or I'll be late for work...We'll hang out later ok?" Penny smiled at him.

"Yeah of course!" he replied smiling back at her. "Penny thank you for this...a little bit of 'normal' for Sarah….I really appreciate it…It means a lot." he said looking deep into her eyes.

Penny moved closer to him and put her hands on his cheeks. "Hey...don't worry about it...last night was amazing!" she kissed him on the lips as he kissed her back. Leonard felt like he was floating as he tasted Penny's sweet lips.

They broke off kissing and Penny placed her forehead against his. "Bye honey!" she gave him another kiss on the lips before turning around and going out of the apartment.

Leonard sighed deeply as he heard Penny's door close.

After locking her door, Penny ran to her bedroom and laid on the bed. She hugged a pillow and looked at the ceiling. She thought about what happened last night and somehow cannot stop herself from smiling.