A/N Thank you for the reviews. I hope I am doing a decent job of keeping everything straight. It is fun to write but a little challenging.
I still own nothing.
"How do you know my name?"
Penny3 felt all of her defenses rising. What was going on? It didn't surprise her completely that he recognized her, she had lived in Pasadena for a while. She snickered to herself, maybe he was even from Nebraska, she probably would never remember him even if she had seen him before.
What was really troubling her was how his hair and clothes had changed. There is no way she was wrong about that. The only possible explanation she could think of is that there were two of them, twins.
But how could that be? Did the other one follow them here? Was he hiding in the car? What were they trying to do? Did they actually think she wouldn't have noticed? And where was the other one? Was it just a game? Did they want a threesome?
She saw her purse by the door. He was between her and it. She would feel more comfortable if she had access to her gun. But then she realized that somehow, she felt these guys meant her no harm. There had been something about him from the first time she saw him in the car.
Leonard1 was struggling to absorb what was going on. What were they doing in this hotel room? Why did it seem she didn't even know who he was? Why was she dressed like that? What was with her hair?
He thought about just leaving but knew he couldn't do that. He needed to find out what was going on. He also realized he had no idea who he was in this universe. No, they needed to talk.
He finally managed to say, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. We need to talk."
Penny answered, "How about your twin? What are you guys up to?"
Leonard stared at her, what was she saying? He blurted out, "My twin?"
"Don't play innocent, you really didn't think I wouldn't notice that your hair and clothes were different? Where is he?"
Leonard realized what she was thinking. He realized from her point of view that was the only explanation. He was realizing something else. The sight of her breasts was becoming very arousing. They were just as beautiful as his Penny's. He found himself feeling guilty.
"There is no twin." Before she could say anything, he hurried on, "Please, just let me talk to you. I will explain everything."
He sighed, "And could you put your top back on?"
Penny was stunned to realize she believed him. She also had to admit her curiosity was being piqued. She smirked to herself, 'Besides, he had already paid for an hour of her time.'
But then she thought she must have misheard him, he wanted to put her top on? That was a new one.
She leered at him. "Are you sure you don't want it off?" She put her hands under her breasts and pushed them up, "Wouldn't you rather do something with them? After all, you already paid for the privilege."
Leonard was puzzled for a minute and then realized what she was saying. He was stunned when he realized she must be a prostitute and the other Leonard had paid her for her services. How had this happened to her?
"You don't know how much I want to do that, but please do what I ask."
Penny shrugged, "It's your dime. If you would rather talk…"
As she turned to get her blouse, she nonchalantly said, "Could you get me my purse?"
After she put her top on, he handed her the purse. Feeling more secure, she smiled, "Before we start, can you help me change these sheets?"
Leonard nodded and as they replaced them, he couldn't help but feel how surreal this was. He thought of all the times he had done this with his Penny.
After they finished, Penny said, "Do you want something to drink?"
"What do you have?"
She went over to a small refrigerator by the bathroom door and opened it, "Looks like we have water, beer, and wine."
"I'll take a beer."
She took two bottles out and tossed one to him. She then sat on the bed and motioned for him to sit down next to her. She smiled when he sat about as far away as possible. Once again she wondered what this was all about.
Just as he started to talk, she raised her hands and pulled the black wig off her head, shaking her head as her blond hair fell to her neck. "There, that feels better."
She took a drink and looked at her watch. She smiled, "Okay, I am all yours for the next forty-two minutes."
Leonard took a drink. Then taking a deep breath, wondering how he was going to explain this, he started, "Have you ever heard of Parallel universes?"
"No, what are they?"
"Many prominent scientists believe that there are universes like ours that exist in other dimensions. They believe that these universes are duplicates of ours. That the same people who exist in ours also exist in those. It is also assumed that their life experiences could be different. That means they could hold different jobs, fall in love with different people, etc.
Seeing the look on her face, "As unbelievable as it sounds, it may surprise you to know that this theory is considered to be true by some of our finest minds, including Steven Hawking."
Penny was stunned. This was so different that anything she had expected. She also found herself becoming enthralled. She was finding she liked to listen to him. She also realized he was quite impressive.
She finally said, "Isn't that the guy in the wheelchair they made a movie about?"
"Yes, that's him."
She looked at him, "I think I understand, at least a little bit." She looked inquisitively at him, "Why are you telling me this?"
Leonard took a deep breath, "Although, as I say, many scientists have subscribed to the theory that parallel universes exist, there has been no way to really confirm their existence up to now."
"He stopped, took a drink, and leaned forward to look in her eyes, "But now there is. I know they exist because I come from one of them."
Penny just stared, trying to absorb what he was saying. She sat back. Finally, she said, "Let me see if I understand. You are saying you come from somewhere else? So you're like an Alien?"
"No, I am just as human as you are. As I said, although these universes are separate, the same individuals exist on all of them. The person that hired you, the one you thought was a twin, was the Leonard Hofstadter of this world. Somehow, I have replaced him."
He took a deep breath, "You also have a counterpart in my universe. You asked me how I knew who you were. I knew because I am married to you."
Penny finished off her beer and got to her feet. She was struggling to comprehend, to deal with what he was saying. She got another beer and taking a drink, sat back down. She smiled sadly, "So, on your world, I assume I am not a prostitute."
"No, she works as a salesman for a Pharmaceutical company."
She smiled, "Do we have any kids?"
He smiled back, "No."
"And you, what are you?"
"I am an experimental Physicist at Caltech."
Penny sat back. To her amazement she realized she actually believed all this crap. She just felt she could trust him. "How did you get here and where is the other guy?"
Leonard ran his hand through his hair, "I don't know the answer to either of those. One day I was at work and I suddenly found myself in another universe." He smiled sadly, "This is the second one I have visited. I have no idea what caused it or how to get back to my universe."
"As for the other Leonard, I don't know either. I could surmise that he traveled to another universe as well."
"How long has this been going on?"
"About a month."
She took another drink and thought of something, "Why did you want me to put my top back on?"
He sighed, "Because it was making me think of things I had no right to." He looked up at her, "It reminded me of how much I miss her."
They sat there quietly until Penny spoke up, "So what happens now?"
"I need to see if I can find my friends. I also need to know who I am in this universe."
He suddenly asked her," Do you have a phone?"
She opened her purse and handed it to him.
With her help, he managed to access the internet.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing if I can find out anything about myself or my friends."
She moved over and looked over his shoulder as he googled his name. She was stunned when she saw all that came up. It was apparent he was someone of importance.
Leonard was relieved to see this Leonard was also an experimental physicist at Caltech. He quickly called up Sheldon and saw he was the same also.
Calling up their Facebook sites, he found Sheldon was in a relationship with Amy, but they were not married. His page showed no relationships.
He smiled to himself, 'Maybe that's why he was here.'
Penny watched him intently. She was finding himself more and more impressed. She was also stunned that she was experiencing feelings for him as well. She was attracted to him. She realized there had been something there from the moment she saw him.
On Sheldon's Facebook page there had been pictures of him that Leonard could tell were from the Apartment. He decided that would be a good place to start.
Thanking her and handing her back her phone, he started to get up.
Penny looked at him, "What are you doing?"
"I am going over to an apartment and see if Sheldon is there."
He turned to her, "I would really appreciate it if you could keep this to yourself."
She smirked, "Might as well, no one would believe me if I told them. Besides, I am not sure I completely believe it myself."
He nodded and headed toward the door. Suddenly she realized she didn't want him to leave. "Can I come with you?"
Leonard stared. Then he blushed a little, "Don't you have to work?" He stammered, "I mean, your pimp…"
Penny smiled, "I'll have you know I am an independent contractor. I work for myself."
She walked over to him, "I think I have earned a vacation."
Then she said, "Unless you don't want to be associated with me."
Leonard suddenly realized how much he wanted to spend time with her. No matter what had brought her to where she was, he realized she was still Penny.
"No, nothing like that. I would like for you to come with me."
He suddenly realized something, "How did we get here?"
"You drove." Then she smirked, "But I don't suppose you have your car keys?"
"No."
"I usually take a cab home. Why don't you ride with me and we will get my car."
Leonard nodded and they headed out the door.
When they reached her apartment door, she turned to him, "Maybe you should wait out here. I'll check to be sure everyone's decent."
When she went in, she was relieved that neither Darlene nor Brenda were there.
She signaled for him to come in.
When he was in and looking around, she said, "I am going to take a quick shower and change."
Leonard quickly nodded and sat in a chair. As she headed for the bathroom, she went on, "Make yourself at home. I am not sure what is left in the refrigerator."
Leonard watched as she went through the door.
He found the remote and turned on the TV. Finding nothing of interest, he turned off the TV and walked over to a table and looked at some pictures there. From what he could see, Penny's family were still farmers in Nebraska. There was also a picture of her as a cheerleader.
There was also a small desk with a checkbook on it. Feeling guilty, he looked inside. He was quite impressed by the amount. He smiled, wondering what occupation she put on her tax returns.
As he set it down, he found himself again wondering how she had arrived where she was at. Where had the history changed? He wondered if he should talk to her about it. He decided he would let her be the one to decide that.
He sat back and not realizing how stressed he had been, fell asleep.
Penny got out of the shower. Smirking to herself, she wondered if she should go back out before she was dressed. But then she remembered how he had been bothered by her nudity.
She quickly dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans and headed back to the living room.
When she saw him sleeping, she had to smile, he looked so adorable. Knowing she shouldn't, she walked over and leaning down, kissed him on the cheek.
Leonard awoke, lost as to where he was. Suddenly, he felt a kiss on his cheek. Looking up he saw Penny. Without thinking, still disoriented, he reached up and pulled her toward him and kissed her on the mouth.
Penny was shocked and quickly pulled back. She felt terrible when she saw the look on his face. He stammered, "I'm sorry, I didn't…"
Penny pulled herself together, "It was my fault, I shouldn't have done that."
He nodded. He didn't want to dwell on what had happened.
They walked down to her car and giving her directions, they drove off; both of them lost in their own thoughts.
Leonard was still struggling with what had happened to her. He also had to admit he still enjoyed being around her. He felt no need to judge her. As for the kiss, he knew he needed to forget that.
He did have to smile when he noted she drove just like his Penny.
Penny struggled to concentrate on her driving. What was she doing? She sighed, Darlene and Brenda were going to be wondering where she was. She knew she needed to call them but really didn't know what to say. 'I met my husband from another universe and we're going to hang out.'
She decided she would just tell them she needed a break, and they would have to just accept that.
Penny grew more and more apprehensive as they rode the elevator to the fourth floor. She was amazed at how much she had come to trust this man. She clutched her purse a little tighter.
After Leonard knocked on the door, he heaved a deep sigh of relief as he saw Sheldon standing there.
Sheldon stood aside, "It's about time you came home. Where have you been? Did you forget it is Pizza night?" He then saw Penny, "And who is this?"
Leonard started to answer when he saw Amy there. He was surprised when he realized how much he had missed seeing her in his previous stop. He wanted to go over and hug her but knew that would shock both her and Sheldon.
"Sheldon, Amy, this is Penny. Penny, this is Dr. Sheldon Cooper and his girlfriend Amy."
They nodded but then Sheldon looked pointedly at him. Remembering he evidently was supposed to bring Pizza and figuring this Sheldon had a similar opinion on uninvited guests, "Sheldon, Amy, you both better sit down. We need to talk."