A/N Thank you so much to W and Warriorcreed for their reviews. As usual, Warriorcreed, you give me a lot to think about.
I do not own Big Bang Theory or any of the related characters. The Big Bang Theory series was created and owned by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. All rights of Big Bang Theory belong to them. This story is a work of fanfiction and is meant for entertainment only. I am not making profit from this story.
Penny was silent all the way back to the apartment, struggling to deal with what had happened.
Although they were not yet supposed to know each other, Tort didn't want to leave Penny alone. They made it to his apartment without being seen.
Penny sat on the couch, still not saying anything. Tort made some coffee and sat down beside her.
Instinctively, he held out his arms and Penny leaned into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
They stayed that way for some time.
Penny was slowly recovering. She found she was grateful to Tort and felt comforted by his arms. But to her astonishment, she realized something. As much as she was grateful to Tort, it wasn't his arms she needed. As much as she fought to deny it, she wanted to be with Leonard.
Moving out of his arms, "Thank you, Tort, I needed that. But now I better get back to my room. Will you check outside to be sure no one is around."
Tort looked at her in amazement, "Are you sure you should be alone? We need to talk."
Penny managed a smile, "I'm sure. I know we have a lot to discuss but I have some thinking to do." She hesitated, "I'll call you in the morning and we can decide what to do."
She could tell Tort wasn't sure that he should let her go but he opened the door and looked around. Telling her the coast was clear, she thanked him and gave him a quick hug before leaving.
When she got to her room, she collapsed on the couch. She sat there for a long time. But no matter how long she thought, how hard she tried to convince herself it was a very bad idea, nothing changed. She wanted to be with Leonard; she needed him to comfort her.
Sighing, still not believing what she was about to do, she crossed over to his apartment. When Leonard opened the door, it took all of her control to not embrace him then. She managed to ask him if he could come over to her apartment, that she had something to discuss with him.
He quickly agreed and told Sheldon where he was going. Leonard was shocked when Penny added that it could be a while.
As soon as they were in Penny's apartment, she stunned Leonard by asking him to hold her. He quickly complied and put her arms around her as she clung to him.
Penny finally broke away and took him to the couch.
Taking a deep breath, pushing back all the reasons this was insane, she turned to him, "Leonard, I need you to listen to what I am about to tell you. It is going to be hard to believe but I need you to trust me. Can you do that, Leonard?"
Leonard was wondering what this was all about. But he knew one thing, he cared deeply for Penny. He could sense she was upset. "Of course, Penny."
Now that the time had come, Penny wasn't sure how to proceed. "Leonard you know how Star Wars had a Republic before the Empire."
Wondering why she was talking about that, he nodded.
"Well, there actually is a Galactic Republic."
Seeing the look on his face, she almost wanted to laugh, but hurried on, "I know it exists because my home planet is a member of it."
She looked into his eyes, "It is called Celara."
Leonard managed to find his voice, "You are telling me you are an alien?"
Penny reached out and held his hands, "Yes."
Leonard wondered what the Hell was going on. Was she making fun of him?
Penny continued, "I know it is hard to believe. I know it sounds insane."
She made him meet her eyes, "But I need you to believe me."
Leonard was stunned to realize he wanted to believe her. But…
He finally got out, "But you look human."
She sighed, "Celarians look virtually the same as humans. The only external difference is they have pointed ears, like Vulcans."
Seeing him looking at her ears, she smiled, "They surgically altered mine."
She went on, "If you did a deep analysis of my internal organs, you would find some differences due to the thinner air on my planet and the extremes in temperature."
Leonard was stunned that he was beginning to believe her. He knew it was mostly due to his feelings for her, that she would not make up such a story.
Finally, he said, "If what you are telling me is the truth, what are you doing on Earth?"
"I am here to observe. As planets reach out to space an agent is placed on the planet so that the Republic can be notified if the planet discovers Warp Drive. The Republic then contacts the planet to prepare them for their entry into the interstellar Community."
Penny hated to hide something from him but didn't want to tell him she was there to prevent them from acquiring Warp drive early.
Leonard tried to absorb what she was saying. He was shocked to realize he believed her. But then it struck him, "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because something terrible has happened and I need to confide in someone." She hesitated, "You are the one I need."
Leonard was stunned. She needed him. But then she realized what she had said. She was deeply upset. He knew he needed to do what he could to help her.
Leonard instinctively reached out and touched her shoulder, "What is it?"
Penny leaned into his caress. She sat back, "As I said I am from Celara, a planet in Sector 7 of the Republic." She hesitated, struggling to control her emotions.
Taking a deep breath, "Recently, the Starship that brought be here notified me that the Republic is being attacked by an unknown fleet."
She took a deep breath, "They bombarded one of the planets in the sector and," she fought her emotions, "There were reports of torture and rape."
She started to tear up. Leonard moved over and hugged her as she clung to him. After a time she recovered enough to release him, saying, "Thank you."
He nodded.
She managed to continue, "My home planet is likely to be the invaders next target." She hesitated, "I have a brother and his wife." She sighed, "They have a ten-year-old daughter, Mary, my niece."
Leonard was stunned. He could not imagine what she was going through. He wanted to help but felt inadequate.
Penny looked at him. She realized what she wanted to do. At the same time she knew what she was planning was wrong. Was she just taking advantage of him? She was shocked by her answer, she loved him.
She also realized she was not going to think about what that could mean.
As Leonard was trying to decide what he could say that might help, he was stunned when she moved over and climbed into his lap, crushing her lips and body against his.
He quickly recovered and returned her kiss. Instinctively he moved his hand and covered her breast as she moaned into his mouth.
They stayed that way for some time. Penny then broke free and standing, reached out her hand. When Leonard rose and took it she led him into the bedroom.
After undressing, they laid on the bed and explored each other's bodies. Penny was overwhelmed by the emotions and passion she was feeling. She could not get enough of him. For Leonard, it was just as exciting. When he finally entered her, they both had never felt such bliss. Both felt this was so right. Finally, Penny experienced more pleasure that she had ever known as she came. Leonard soon followed.
Afterwards, she could not get close enough to him, snuggling up to him. Leonard was amazed at what had happened. Before he could stop himself, he turned toward her, "I love you, Penny."
Although Penny was still affected by what had happened, she knew this was dangerous ground. But she also couldn't stop herself, "I love you, too."
They kissed and then Leonard fell asleep. Penny wished she could join him. But now that the passion had passed, she began to face what she had done. She knew that Leonard would not feel that way and she did love him, but she was still using him. She was depriving him of his future. She could not give him the love he deserved. She would live over hundred years longer than he would. If the Republic survived she would be leaving in twenty years. She could try to hide like Randall Smith did but she really had no desire to do so. Besides they would hunt her down.
She would stop him from being with a woman that could love him and bear his children. One that he could grow old with.
Suddenly, she knew what she had to do. She knew what she was giving up, but as much pain as it would cost her, she knew it was necessary.
She fought down the emotions that threatened to undo her decision.
Sadly she moved over Leonard and reluctantly took him in her hand. She stroked him softly.
Leonard woke up and was stunned to find Penny gently stroking him. Before he could even adjust to what was happening, she thrilled him as she lowered herself onto him.
Penny fought to ignore the pleasure she was feeling and with a sigh of resignation, put her palm on his forehead.
Knowing she needed to have an explanation why Leonard had spent the night, she created a memory of her telling him that her best friend from high school had died and that she asked him to hold her. Then she had told him she did not want to be alone and asked him to sleep on the couch. She of course erased all memories of what she had told him and their making love. She then put him to sleep.
She was about to exit from his mind when the was almost overcome by a deep feeling of regret and loss. For a moment she was tempted to undue what she had just done. But she knew she couldn't. She had a mission to finish. This was not her planet.
She sadly removed her hand.
She cleaned him up and putting on his undershirt and shorts, carried him out to the couch. She gathered his clothes and shoes and put them in them in the living room.
She changed the sheets on the bed and took a shower herself. She got a pillow and blanket and made him comfortable on the couch.
Dressing in night clothes, she returned to her bedroom but was unable to sleep. But she found she was satisfied with her decision as much as it hurt her. She also found that being with him had helped to ease her pain about what was happening on Celara.
When it was 6am, she woke him up and thanking him for his help, watched as he dressed. She walked with him to the door and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. She watched until he entered his apartment.
