Penny's phone beeping, semi woke her. Usually, she would ignore it until she is wide awake, but today Penny got up alert, knowing she had a guest and the smell of bacon. She sat upright to look around the sitting room. He was sitting at the kitchen table with two plates: one covered with scrambled eggs and the other covered in scrambled eggs with a side of bacon.
"You didn't have much in your fridge, but I found some eggs and bacon. The one with the bacon is your."
Penny got up immediately from the sofa bed and went and sat down at her tiny kitchen table, feeling embarrassed that he was sitting there while she slept and had made breakfast, probably while she was snoring.
"Thanks! Um… why don't you eat the bacon? Trying to be healthy?" she said, while he put the first piece of egg in his mouth.
"So what happened last night?" She asked as she picks on her scrambled egg.
He got up and went to the fridge to fetch her a bottle of water, he knew from the amount she and Bernadette drank at the bar, she was dehydrated and in pressing need of some water. He handed her the bottle and smiled.
"Well after you girls drank the bar dry we all got a taxi. You kept insisting I stay at your apartment and sleep on your sofa bed."
"Why would I be insisting?" Penny asked, confused.
"Because my hotel was too far and you wanted to talk to me about something apparently."
"Really, I don't remember anything after 12 o'clock." She looks at him shyly and asked. "Did we, you know do it?" She looks away embarrassed.
He smiled and took a long pause before answering. "No, we didn't. You just wanted to be held, so I did, and we fell asleep in each other arms. It was very nice." Leonard remembered that moment, lying with her head and arm on his chest, feeling safe in his arms, listening to his heartbeat and closing her eyes until sleep took her. Penny's phone beeping again brought Leonard's thoughts back. Penny groaned as she grabbed her phone and went to her bedroom.
Penny came out of the bedroom half an hour later; she had showered and changed into pink flippy shorts which show off her gorgeous legs and a tank top. Leonard was sitting on the sofa reading one of her magazines. Penny joined him.
"Sorry about last night. Penny genuinely said.
"What for? you didn't do anything wrong." Leonard said.
"I mean all the flirting and dancing with that guy. It meant nothing. I was just drunk."
"But you took his number." Leonard said sadly.
"I did it to be nice that's all. Penny rested her head on his shoulder.
Leonard smiled at Penny. "Apology accepted. So Penny, where are you originally from?" Leonard asked. She shifted on the sofa to get comfortable.
"I was born in Nebraska, a little town near Omaha."
"Oh is that where the saying, I go all Nebraska on your arse comes from." He smiled
"You could say that." She said sadly.
Leonard realized what he just said. "I'm really sorry I didn't mean to remind you of your family. I want you to know, If you need me I'll be here for you." Leonard said
"Thanks, that meant so much to me, talking to you last night really helped. You are a true friend Leonard. I lost my parents, elder sister and my younger brother. Not to mention, all those innocent people who lost their lives. I wish I could turn back time, yes Leonard I know that's not how it works.."
Leonard didn't know what to say or do. But his heart screamed for him to hold her. He did just that, let her cry if she wanted to let it all out.
"I grew up in an emotionally dysfunctional family in Nebraska; My childhood was not great, there were some fun times. My dad wanted a boy and treated me like one. He played catch with me until I turned 11 and started wearing sports bra." She sniffles. "He even had a nickname for me. Slugger."
"That's a cute name. I like it." Leonard chuckled to himself.
"My mum was timid and obsessed with what people thought of us and made sure we were on our best behavior when out. She didn't like people thinking bad about her family. There was not much affection from her, but she was devoted to us."
"Did you get on with your sister." Leonard asked.
"Well yes and no, My sister constantly excluded me and ignored me most of the time, but she was there for me during my rebel teenage years. I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. I miss them so much." Her dream was to become an actress. Penny worked at the cheesecake factory to pay for acting lessons but gave it all up when she joined the force. Even though they had ups and down Penny missed her family terribly, not one day went by without Penny thinking of how alone she felt. The only thing that kept her going was her job. It was a way out and distractions of the constant depressions, guilt and the painful memories for a few hours.
Leonard knew life would never be the same for Penny. The idea that time heals the pain makes it seem like there's a deadline for people who lose someone special to feel normal again, but for many, that will never happen. Leonard just held her tightly and wished he could wash the pain away. A silent tear slid down his cheek
Howard and Bernadette entered the communication room, accompanied by a brunette with glasses she was wearing a plain long skirt and a woolly stick jumper.
"Leonard, Penny. This is Amy." Bernadette introduced her.
"She may be able to help us locate Dr. Cooper." Howard said. They both look at Amy. Leonard thought that this might be some kind of joke as Sheldon wasn't a people person.
"Do you know where we can find him?" Penny asked.
"Not exactly but I'm worried something might have happened to him" Amy answered.
"Why do you think that?" Howard asked
"He always contacts me when he is away but he hasn't for over two weeks, and I'm worried."
"Okay who Dr. Cooper to you," Leonard asked.
Amy shyly looked away and said. "He is my boyfriend."
"Really, Sheldon. The one that doesn't want anything to do with the opposite sex and has a gem phobia." Leonard questioned.
"Yes, and for your info, he got over most of his phobia." She said defensively. She told them about herself and how she met Sheldon. Amy Farrah Fowler was a neurobiologist; she met Sheldon on a dating site because her mother forced her to date at least once a year. They got on so well that they became friends, they had a lot in common and eventually change their status to. In a relationship. Before Sheldon brought her to this world, she worked on primates and experiment on getting animals addicted to substances and studying their behaviors.
"So anyway why do you want to help us?" Penny asked.
"I just want him to be safe. I know he has done some bad things to you Leonard, he used to be your best friend."
"That was a long time ago. Tell us what you know, and I mean everything, or we wouldn't be able to help Sheldon," Leonard said.
"Sheldon came to see me before he disappeared he was with some men, and he looked scared. I think he was trying to tell me something, but it was hard to understand what he was getting at. I think he is been held hostage until he completes the time machine." Amy said.
"Do you know how long before he completes it?" Howard asked.
"I don't know I just know he dropped me off in the world and said he would be back for me in a few days. That was two weeks ago."
"Two weeks ago," Leonard raised a brow.
"Yes. Sheldon promised me." Amy began to cry. "He said he would never leave me and he loves me. Why would he say those things and abandoned me."
I don't think he has abandoned you. I think Sheldon has found a way to fool our sensors. We didn't even know he was here until yesterday." Howard said.
"If Sheldon has found a way to remain undetected, we cannot track him, and that is why he is always one step ahead of us." Penny frustratingly said.
"I'm scared for him and myself. I just want to go back to my world." Amy continues crying.
"Dealing with mobsters is never a good idea, and nothing good comes out of it," Howard said.
"We will find him. I promise you." Leonard sympathized.
"Is there anything you know that might lead us to his whereabouts, or these men that are allegedly holding him. Penny asked.
"I've told you all I know. I didn't leave the hotel the whole time I was here. I just want to go back to my world, If Sheldon loves me, he will find me." Amy said sadly.
"Is that what you really want, don't you want to wait for him.?" asked Bernadette. She offered Amy a cup of tea.
"It's for the best." Amy sadly replied.
"Okay Amy, I will accompany you and make sure you get home safely. I need to go back anyway to clear up some things."
"I'll come with you." Penny quickly said, being in a state of emotional dependency. She was scared Leonard wouldn't come back. She was in fear of losing someone close to her again.
Leonard was shocked. "Are you sure. Penny can I talk to you for a minute" she followed Leonard's out of the room.
"What's up," Penny asked.
"I don't think it is a good idea you coming with us." Leonard pushed.
"Why not, I'm coming end of the matter." Penny stubbornly replied.
"Going through a portal is not as fun as you imagine. There are risks."
"Leonard, I don't care I am willing to take risks."
Leonard tried a different approach. "My world is different from yours; the people are different, the landscape, vegetation and a lot more. I don't want you being in an emotionally-charged situation in which many of the people and things are unfamiliar to you."
"Leonard, I will be fine, I guess I want to see your world," Penny said sincerely and put her hand on his shoulder.
Leonard knew he could not resist Penny he had to be a supportive friend and the best thing he could do right now is be close to her. Even though Penny would not admit it, he knew that penny needed him and leaving her behind will pry on his mind and worry about her. "I don't know if it's a good idea both of us going, who will take charge while we are away," Leonard asked?
"Howard and Bernadette are capable, they have proven themselves, and our teams are professionals and can handle the capture of Sheldon if he shows up again."
Leonard thought about it. He could tell nothing was going to change her mind. She was stubborn, and anyway, he could do with the company.
"Okay. I'll arrange to use the next opening of the portal. But first I need to talk to Raj."
"Leonard what did you mean back then that you need to go back and clear up some things." Penny asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just need to look up someone."
"Your girlfriend," Penny asked with a hint of jealousy.
"No Penny, I'm single," Leonard replied.
Penny turns away, with a full grin on her face.
He unlocked the door and entered the makeshift cell that was temporary holding Raj. Leonard was going to take raj with him, but he also needed some answers. Raj was prowling restlessly around the room and seemed uneasy. Leonard felt sorry for Raj. He was a man of education, and that was something he respected but trusting Sheldon was his big mistake.
"Hi, Raj."
"Is Penny with you?" Raj looked towards the door.
"No, not this time. I need to talk to you alone."
Raj looked questioningly at him. "Are you sure she is not going to bust in and hurt me."
"I promise nothing like that will happen." Leonard senses how nervous Raj was. He laughs at the thought of Penny busting in and kicking Raj's arse and anyway it's not as if he could stop her.
"So Leonard what do you want to talk about?" Raj enquired.
"We are taking you back to our world; I thought you might like to know."
"I don't want to go back; I need to find my wife. Please, Leonard, don't let them take me," Raj begged.
"Raj we need to stop Sheldon from completing the time machine, we have reasons to believe he is been forced to complete the project."
"Look I know he has protection from the mob, but why would they want a time machine."
"So they could go back in time and change the past just like you want to do," Leonard said.
"Raj looked down at his shoes, "Yeah but it for a good cause."
"So do you believe that once Sheldon completes the Time Machine, he will keep his words and travels back in time to reunite you with your wife?"
Raj looked at Leonard. "I don't understand. He promised me that if I help him, I will see her again, I'm determined to get it right the second time, and I think I know what to do to change her fate."
"So if Sheldon is successful and manage to build the time machine and he can time travel, what about coming back?"
"Who said anything about coming back, I want to stay with my wife and protect her," Raj said.
Leonard could see how delusion and obsessed Raj has become, his only thoughts now were saving his wife."Have you consider the consequences of these actions."
"What do you mean?" Raj looked puzzled.
"The desperation you are showing to be with your wife might cloud your judgment, and you could plot the unthinkable. What about the past version of yourself." Leonard reminded him.
"You think I will murder my past self and take his place." Raj was so obsessed he had not considered the hurt his actions might cause to others.
"Look Raj. There are two ways this could go. You kill your former self, but your wife recognizes that you are not the man you used to be, you've changed, and your wife can see it in your eyes. She leaves you again."
"I never considered that. And the second reason." Raj asked.
"That's one of the obvious reasons. You kill your former self and be happily reunited with your wife, then the time paradox begins to kick in, and you vanish into oblivion."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take for love." And you could be wrong Leonard."
"Changing the past impact the present and the future. Any changes in the past will affect the future for better or worst. We don't know as we don't have any data on time travel yet, but speculations. I leave you with that thought."
Penny stood outside Leonard's two bedroom apartment balcony taking in the view. She thought of her world, and how different it was from Leonard's world. Penny had never seen so much nature. It was breathtaking. Everything was just so green, electric cars, the air was fresh and hardly any pollution. Unlike her world, global warming has an impact on the whole planet. They live in fear of one day living in underground cities and having to wear special cooling and anti radioactive clothing to protect them from the scorching heat. It saddens her what the last generation had done to the planet, and the next generation may never get to see trees, plants, and flowers growing in their natural environment. She was joined by Leonard who instantly notices how sad she looked.
"Are you okay. Leonard asked concerned. She wipes the tears threatening to fall and composed herself. Penny didn't want him to see her cry. She had been doing that a lot, and it made her feel weak, but there was something about Leonard that made her go weak in the knee. "Yeah, I'm fine I was just thinking." She turned to face him.
"How is Amy doing," Penny asked
"She is safely back at her apartment. We have someone watching the apartment just in case."
"I'm glad she is okay."
"Penny I've got to go to the office, "I'll be back in an hour. Are you going to be okay.?"
"I'll be fine. Can I use your laptop, that should keep me busy for a while. See you in an hour." Penny waved him goodbye.
Leonard sat at his office on his laptop. He was looking for something he searches through the database but could not find what he was looking for. Leonard put in his security credentials to access the more sensitive and secure databases. After hours of searching, He finally found what he was looking for. Leonard read through it as he swipes a tear from his eye. He wondered if he should share this information with Penny.
At the same time at Leonard's apartment, Penny was on Leonard's laptop accessing google. She was trying to find out about the Penny of Leonard's world.