Chapter 9 - Getting Comfortable

Leonard actually picked his new car up later that Saturday, after he had his encounter with Sheldon, and along with Penny was leaving the dealership and heading to the coast by 6 PM that evening. To be accurate about his new vehicle, it really wasn't a car but was a small hybrid SUV, which fit all the criteria Leonard had, plus even he had to admit, that a small SUV was safer than a small economy car, though he would never admit that to Sheldon. However, since it was a hybrid it also got good gas mileage, it could hold five people and it had one of those large sunroofs that extended from above the front seats to over the back seat which made it seem a little like a convertible. He also hated to admit but his decision was as well influenced by Penny who really liked it too, her commenting that it looked rugged and outdoorsy, another significant point that actually made Leonard finally decide to purchase it. Anyway, since it met all his requirements and quite few of Penny's, which was very important to him, since they were now living together, he was happy to buy it. He even let her pick the color, which turned out had been fun to watch her get all excited as she took two days to decide what it should be, him thinking that he knew what she was going to pick, red, but entirely surprised when she picked a nice blue which he like too.

Leonard actually was feeling really great, him and Penny were doing fine as roommates and now he had a nice new car to drive around that they both liked so he decided to celebrate by taking Penny to dinner and maybe a walk on the beach later. Of course, Penny was ecstatic about the whole idea, when she found out his plans for the evening, and they happily chatted away as they drove to the coast to a restaurant right along the beach. It actually worked out perfect for Leonard because during their dinner the sun provided the most romantic sunset for the both of them while they sat looking out the window next to their table. The evening ending perfectly with the both of them walking along the beach, illuminated by the other restaurants and business making it even more romantic. Of course, the evening didn't really end there because as soon as they ended up back at their apartment Penny decided to show Leonard how much the evening really meant to her in their bedroom that night.

Looking back Leonard and Penny would probably say that the introduction of the new car into their lives would become a turning point for them, because with the revelation Penny had about moving in with Leonard while they looked for it and the times they would have after purchasing it. That time they spent just buying it had made Penny realize what Leonard meant to her which made her consider their next step, making a significant change in their relationship. This change continued the next day, as Leonard surprised Penny with a mysterious trip out into the California countryside, the new car/SUV being the perfect vehicle for such a trip. Ever since the "bug report" fiasco Leonard had tried to plan at least once a month a really nice date for Penny, so with the moving and everything else, he had set something up for the day after they picked up the car. Penny was both thrilled and intrigued about what he had planned, but she ended up squealing in pure excitement when he turned down the dirt road to the horse-riding ranch, their SUV taking the bumpy dirt road like a champ.

It had turned out to be another perfect day for them, to end a perfect weekend, and they were only half way home when Penny insisted that Leonard pull into a roadside rest area so she could use the bathroom. However, Leonard became very confused when Penny returned from the bathroom and got in the backseat of the vehicle they were in, him turning to look at her in confusion, "Did I do something wrong."

Penny smiled, she had very recently realized that the vehicle Leonard bought had another feature that she appreciated and intended to use, the windows behind the front passenger compartment were heavily tinted, so tinted that anyone standing outside would have a hard time trying to see what was happening in the back seats during the daytime. "No Sweetie, you have nothing wrong. Actually, you have been doing everything right." she continued to smile at him. "I'm actually a little lonely back here and could use some company, if you know what I mean." she them told him in her sexiest voice.

Even Leonard got what she meant, as his eyes got wide. "Here?...Now?"

Penny smiled and shrugged, "Unless you got someplace else to be or don't wanna."

Leonard thought about that for a whole nanosecond, then climbed in the backseat with Penny, her immediately rewarding him for his excellent choice by kissing him deeply. To them, that day would be the day that Leonard's car was officially christened and what officially christened meant would never be explained to Sheldon for as long as Leonard and Penny owned that car. It would also be the first of many adventures Leonard and Penny would have in the new car, again, resulting in their relationship being changed forever.

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The next few weeks, now living in apartment 3A, was not totally perfect and did take some adjusting for Leonard and Penny, moving in together and then moving into 3A had sort of scared the both of them, though they neither admitted it to each other. Although there was the usual getting use to each other's quirks, there was also that strange feeling that Penny had to overcome that she had gotten so use to calling 4B her home and making it comfortable enough to call home. So now she wasn't sure the new place would be the same though she really did want to make it a home for both of them. This would actually work out for Leonard and their relationship in the long run, since Leonard and Penny had moved into 3A at the same time, therefore Penny never once thought of throwing Leonard out when she got mad at him because in her mind it was his home as much as hers. So, any argument they had usually resulted in one of them going to their room for a short time, that short time enough to cool down and remember why they were living together.

Leonard's insecurity caused some difficulties for him during their first few weeks together, too, he would overthink things in the beginning and then worried they were moving too fast, not for him but for Penny. His worry would make him sensitive to Penny's moods and even how she talked to him, him concerned that any moment she would panic and stop the whole living together step, and then maybe even break up with him. Consequently, it was with these fears that the both of them suffered after moving their stuff into 3A, each too scared say anything each thinking that it would jinx their new relationship step.

However, concerning Penny's feelings of home, everything piece of furniture Penny owned had been moved from 4B to 3A, her actually having an apartment full of her furniture which made 3A immediately livable and familiar to her. Since it was a 2-bedroom place, like Leonard's old place, they took Leonard's bed for the second bedroom, the only other piece of furniture them taking out of 4A being the chair Leonard most always sat on, leaving everything else, especially the couch for Sheldon. Therefore, walking into 4A, it was hard to notice that Leonard moved out unless you noticed his chair missing, went to his now empty bedroom or noticed that his stuff on the shelves or around the apartment had now be replaced by Sheldon's collectables.

These furniture items almost filled the apartment so they just added a wide seated recliner to the living room, which had seating just wide enough for a small couple like her and Leonard to both sit on comfortably with both their hips touching each other, which both of them enjoyed. They also found that they even had room for a decent size table near the window, getting a counter top size, the same height as Penny's old table, so that it was easy to look out the window when they ate. It soon actually started to look like a home, with enough of each other's stuff to remind them of their old homes while making it comfortable and familiar to be their new home.

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Living together for the first whole month had actually turned out to be a surprise to both of them, the fears and concerns of what would happen slowly disappearing as they both understood it just felt right. Yes, they still had small fights, but now they were living together so they had to face their anger and that resulted in them making some kind of compromise before they went to bed. It seemed the doorway to their bedroom was a filter for all anger, and every night ended the same way, both of them wrapped into each other's arms or pressed closely together, happy and content, the most relaxed either of them had ever been in their lives. It seemed seeing each other so much more each day, by living together, had made them even closer and they now both completely enjoyed being each other's roommates.

There were also other things happened as the weeks stretched into the first and then a second month, Leonard and Penny got to know each better. Penny learned more about what Leonard did at work and worked on, becoming more interested in what he did each day at the university. Leonard, also became more supportive of Penny's attempt at an acting career and started to seriously understand how much it really meant to her, it made him want to really help her anyway he could. He started to research into castings and other possible parts in movies and TV shows for her, but like her wasn't able to find much more that she had found. He could actually empathize with her disappointment, when she would go to an audition and not get the part or would go for days without even seeing an audition to go to. However, his trying to help her also made him get an idea, so one evening, after Penny returned home after a weekday afternoon shift, he decided try and convince her to try it.

It was about 6 PM and Penny walked into the apartment and just flopped onto the recliner, kicking off her shoes and moving the lever to raise her sore feet and legs to a more comfortable position. Leonard watched her, not saying a thing, just stirring the gravy for the steak and potatoes he made as a treat for her, knowing she would be tired when she got home. It wasn't till she got settled and looked at him that he decided she was ready to talk to him. "Do you want something to soak your feet in."

Penny shook her head, "No, just having them raised up like this helps a lot." she then looked at the chair she was sitting in, "This is the best piece of furniture I ever bought." she said matter-of-factly.

Leonard nodded and smiled, she was right of course, many the day since they got the recliner, she had returned from work to flop down in it and raise her feet. She would usually just sit there for a half hour before she would then ask him to join her so she could cuddle him. "Well then just stay there and I'll feed you in a couple of minutes."

Penny's eyes then got wide, "Steak, I smell steak, please tell me we are having steak."

Leonard chuckled, "Your sense of smell is still extraordinary, yes we are having steak."

Penny frowned, "Yeah, don't remind me, I still remember when Sheldon told me I could probably sniff out explosives at the airport, like some dog."

Leonard smiled, "A very cute dog."

Penny looked at him a small obvious fake glare, "You're lucky you are feeding me steak, otherwise I might be mad at you." she then smiled, she was now comfortable at home talking with Leonard and kidding around, she had gone from being tired from work to now happy and she knew it was because of him.

"Well then I better feed you quickly." he then turned off the heat to the gravy and got a couple plates out. Leonard then opened the broiler and took out the steaks, their smell now filling up the apartment.

The smell made Penny's mouth water, she tried hard not to eat much meat, but every so often she couldn't help herself from craving steak and this was one of those moments. "That smells SOOO good, why didn't I have you move in with me earlier." she said casually.

Leonard smiled as he looked at her, she had become more relaxed and less guarded when she talked to him since they moved in together and would make little comments about him that let him know she really cared for him, more than she ever let on before. He quickly fixed their plates and took them to the living room, giving Penny's hers first as she almost snatched it from his hand, making him chuckle at how cute she was acting. "Would you like some wine with you steak." he said with a bow like a waiter, which almost made her choke as she laughed because she already had a piece of steak in her mouth."

Penny finally caught her breath after a couple of seconds, "Leonard don't do that while I'm eating." she scolded him while smiling at him, "I would like water please. I don't want to mask the taste of my steak with anything tonight."

Leonard smiled and nodded, getting them both waters, before he sat on the couch and ate with her, taking little glances at Penny as she inhaled her food, enjoying every mouth full. Leonard quietly ate, his heart full of happiness as he still couldn't believe she was his girlfriend, she loved him and that they lived together. He would make her steak every night if she wanted it, but tonight he had a different motive for feeding her, her favorite food, and making sure she was happy. So, he just ate and waited till she was finished and got that content look she always got when she was comfortable and happy.

Penny finished her last piece of steak, making sure to soak up the last gravy on her plate before putting it in her mouth and audibly sighing. She then put her plate on the coffee table next to the recliner and unbuttoned the last two buttons on her Cheesecake Factory uniform shirt to expose her belly which she then began to rub, "I'm so full." she said as she lightly rubbed her exposed belly, then she looked at Leonard, "I love you so much right now."

Leonard smiled and chuckled at her being so adorable, "I would be flattered now if I didn't know you were on an endorphin high from eating steak." he then stood up to take her plate and his to the kitchen.

Penny gave him wink, "The thing is I will still love you when my high is over." she then looked at him in the eyes, however that only lasted a second before her face turned from smiling to shock. "What are you doing!"

Leonard looked at her in surprise and then followed her eyes to his plate and his uneaten steak still on it. He had a large lunch and ate all his potato first so he couldn't finish all his meat, a third of it on his plate. "I thought you were full?" he asked her, not able to hide his amusement in his voice.

"Gimme, Gimme." was all she said as she held out her hands for his plate.

Leonard just transferred the steak to her empty plate and tried not to laugh as she scooped it up almost immediately and started cutting into the meat. He then took his plate to the sink and stood there watching her in the few short minutes she consumed his steak, too. Again, trying not to laugh as he went to get her now clean plate, again. "Did you even taste it before you swallowed." he teased her as he carried her plate back to the kitchen, only getting her sticking her tongue at him in response.

Penny then started to rub her belly again, "Now I'm really full."

Leonard chuckled, her sticking tongue out at him again as she now slipped her skirt down to her panties while she rubbed her more exposed belly more seductively to tease him. She was happy and playful now, so he thought he maybe be able to tell her his idea, and she would listen. The worse that could happen would be she would turn him down and maybe say he was being stupid, but he didn't think she would get mad, especially if he didn't press too hard like he use to before he really got to know her.

So, Leonard brought over two glasses and a bottle of wine to the coffee table between them and filled both glasses before he spoke. "Penny can we talk."

Penny smiled, but her mind was doing flips, the wine and the 'can we talk' was making her head go to dark places that she told herself Leonard would never do to her or take her. However, she was not able to keep the seriousness and worry out of her voice, "What do you want to talk about?"

"Could we talk about your acting career?" he asked.

The relief that flowed through Penny's body was very obvious to her and she slightly relaxed now as she asked, "What about my acting career?" she was now more curious about what he wanted to talk about and not as scared as before.

"I was thinking maybe you should devote more time to it." he said softly

Penny was both taken back and curious again, she really thought he was going to tell her to give up acting, so this was a surprise. However, she had been trying her best to get an acting job and he had even helped her the last few weeks, surely, he could understand she was devoting all the time she had to trying to be an actress. "Leonard how could I do more, you've seen how little work there is out there and you know I go to any audition I can." It actually was depressing to her, she had been doing this for years now with not luck, maybe she should quit, she thought.

"I know you are trying hard. I'm just thinking maybe you should go all out, pull all the stops and devote all your time to it." he now explained.

Penny smiled a sad smile, "I really don't think there is anything else to find out there Leonard, besides I also have to work."

"You could quit the Cheesecake Factory. I can support us." Leonard said cautiously.

Penny just stared at him, she couldn't believe he just offered that, it was sweet for him to offer, but she still wasn't happy he did. "Leonard I can't let you support me."

Lucky Leonard had a backup idea, "Okay maybe not quit but maybe cut your hours in half. That way you could still contribute to our home and have more time to work on your acting."

He was really sweet she thought, but, "Leonard it won't do any good, like I said before, the jobs out there are two few and taking off more time from work is not going to give me more opportunities."

"It could." Leonard now had to tell her is whole plan. "There are a lot of openings as 'Extras' we have seen and if you didn't work that much at waitressing you could do them."

Penny again just stared at him a moment before she spoke, "Leonard those jobs as Extras pay less that the Cheesecake Factory. They are not really acting either."

"I know they don't pay much, but they do pay and you will be in movies and shows and you will be working where you want to work. Isn't that better than being something you hate?"

Penny just stared at him, it made sense in a crazy way, but then she told herself it wasn't acting. "Leonard it is a sweet idea but it is not what I really want."

"I know that Penny, but it is getting you closer, it is moving towards your goal and sort of lowers that wall between what you are doing now and what you want to do with your life." Leonard sort of pleaded to her.

"I don't know." she said softly back to him.

Leonard knew he was convincing her and he had to concentrate not to smile now that she was really listening to him. "Penny it is just taking baby steps but at least those steps are in the right direction."

Penny looked at him and sighed, "I guess." she then looked at her hands, "I need to think about it Leonard."

Leonard gave her an understanding smile, "I understand."

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The next week Penny went from a 40-50-hour week to a 20-24-hour week, the only day her working a long shift being one day on the weekends, otherwise her working a couple nights during the week for only half shifts. It was also during that first week she worked one day as an extra, not making hardly any money but coming home to Leonard that night excited to tell him about all the TV stars she saw. It seemed all the TV shows were taping now and there were many extra jobs for a day or two to support these shows in different scenes. The next week her actually getting two days of extra work for a one-hour TV show, NCIS, where she was ironically a coffee waitress at coffee bar that one of the main characters visited three times in that episode.

The pay she got for those two days was horrible and it didn't pay as well as the Cheesecake Factory, however, Leonard could see that Penny was happier coming home from being an extra all day then working as a waitress, That happiness being very obvious as she told him she got to give Sean Murray a cup of coffee at his table in that scene even though she was hardly shown at all and never had a line in the show. He chuckled later that night when he heard her talking on the phone to her mother telling her the same thing, she told him, and also telling her when that episode would be on TV.

Penny soon adjusted to working only part time at the Cheesecake Factory and spending more time devoted to trying to be a full-time actress, even though getting an actual acting job eluded her, the work she did as an extra seemed to now soften the disappointment in her. This made a noticeable change in her that Leonard definitely noticed and it also created a change for Leonard that he soon learned to appreciate. Again, the new car became a factor, since soon after she started to go to Hollywood regularly Leonard insisted Penny take the SUV each day for going to Hollywood, it was a much longer drive for her than him to Cal Tech and he didn't want to worry about her. Therefore, it now meant he drove her car to Cal Tech, so as soon as he started taking Sheldon with him again to work, he noticed a very positive outcome of that decision. After their first trip to work Sheldon refused to ride with him again in Penny's death trap. This led to Sheldon taking the bus again and that lead to Sheldon finally realizing he needed a new roommate quickly to attend to his needs.

So, Sheldon's desperation to quickly find a new roommate that could also drive him around lead to Sheldon's acceleration of his roommate hunt. The problem was after only two weeks he didn't find a single qualified candidate and the people applying seemed to getting worse as the days went on. It got Sheldon frustrated and a little scared because the bus driver on the bus he rode now was threatening to ban him from the bus if he didn't stop annoying the other riders. He was desperate now and like everyone else who got desperate Sheldon had to do something extraordinary to solve his problem.