This chapter is devoted to my favorite couple. Leonard and Penny
Leonard and Penny were watching TV in Leonard apartment; Penny noticed how quiet Leonard was and wondered if there was something on his mind. Penny could tell something was bothering Leonard; he wasn't acting himself. They were waiting for the go-ahead from the agency to use the portal; it usually took a couple of weeks for approval unless it was an emergency. This gave Leonard and Penny time to get to know each other on a personal level. They spend a lot of time together. Leonard showing Penny his world. Some of it was familiar to Penny. They were McDonald's, cheesecake factories, her favorite shoe shops and even a Starbucks which Penny was glad for and many more. But it was also a lot different. World War Two never happened, Canada was part of the United States, and the capital was New York. Russia was still the Soviet Union. These differences were overwhelming but Leonard had warned her things will not be the same as her world, so it wasn't a big shock as she expected. Penny enjoyed spending time with Leonard, they went out for dinners and even went to a few bars, they also visited museums and galleries which were fascinating to Penny. Their worlds were closer than she thought.
Leonard and Penny were growing closer and closer and found themselves opening up to each other, sharing stories of their lives, talking comfortably about all kinds of subjects, their different world economies, politics and all other stuff. Strangers noticed how close they were and always mistook them for a couple. One woman commented how good they were together. It made Leonard and Penny blush, and the cute ways they tried to deny their feelings for each other by claiming to be just friends. They never talked about their feelings, but they both felt the other was wanting.
Leonard knew Penny was falling for him as her body language kept betraying her. No matter how hard she tried not to, she was always stroking or touching him without realizing until it's was too late. Leonard's thoughts were broken by Penny.
"I'm going on a limb here and say you are hiding something from me." Penny finally broke the silence between them.
"Why would you think that. I told you all I know." Leonard said, hoping Penny was still not hung up on the Penny's family saga. Leonard knew there could be consequences and hoped Penny would leave it. Leonard had promised to find out what happened to the Penny's family of his world and spend a few nights logging into the agency's network looking for information. He even had some friends from the agency helping out. After days of searching, Leonard finally had a breakthrough from a colleague. It was vague but enough to start a search. Leonard was reluctant to tell Penny until he had more information, and they got back to her world. He had a feeling if he told her, things might change with Penny.
"I'm hungry, do you fancy going out for dinner?" Penny asked Leonard. She wanted to get him out so they could talk in a neutral environment and maybe open up about their feelings, Penny hoped.
"Sure why not," Leonard answered.
"Good, and then you can tell me what's bothering you." Penny smiled at him.
Leonard raised his eyebrows. He told himself that he wasn't going to tell Penny his findings yet. In Leonard world, Penny was born in a different country and moved to the US when she was 22. That's why they couldn't find any records of her family. They did not live in the US. Leonard and Penny's worlds were almost identical but for some differences, which could explain the irregularities between their worlds. Such interaction could explain everything that is bizarre about parallel universes.
"Penny, nothing is bothering me, do you really want to go out for dinner? I could make us something." Penny was right, he was bothered by the information he had, he didn't like keeping things from Penny, but telling her might become a distraction in their hunt for Sheldon.
"It will be fun Leonard; I need to get out of this apartment. I found an Italian restaurant on the internet. It's a few blocks from her." Penny said.
"Is it the one next to the furniture store."
"Yeah, that's the one. Do you know it." Penny asked eagerly.
"No, never been." Leonard giggled.
Leonard led the way into the restaurant, he knew he was attracted to Penny, and he couldn't deny the feelings anymore, but coming from different worlds would be an obstacle.
Penny thought how she was going to tell Leonard. She was worried about his reaction if she told him her feelings. They were from different worlds, and it could get complicated.
Leonard got a table in a corner, pretty secluded, and they sat down. Penny took the chair opposite him. The waiters whose name was Jack from his name tag came bowing round them. Leonard and Penny looked at the wine list as Jack the waiter hovered outside the fringe. They finally settled for a bottle of white wine and some starters.
"So what's on your mind?" Penny asked.
"Nothing for you to worry about," Leonard replied nervously. He hoped she wasn't going to asked him about any updates on his promise.
"Well, there is something I need to tell you," Penny said. She was nervous and was glad in a way when Jack turned up with the soup and wine. Jack poured a glass each and took the main course order and left. Penny looked at her drink and then at Leonard.
"Perhaps you would prefer something stronger," Penny asked.
"No, I'm good." Leonard wondered why she asked him that.
Penny seemed satisfied with his answer and went off on a long-winded ramble about nothing at all. Penny did that when she was nervous. They went through dinner without getting anywhere, and Leonard guessed Penny was stalling until they had finished their meal. He was right.
"This is a delicate situation for me," she said, pursing her lips. Penny was falling for Leonard, and she wanted to tell him, but she was scared he might reject her. She had been trying to find ways of telling him how she felt, but each time she just couldn't bring herself to tell him. Been on this journey with Leonard made Penny realize she wanted to be with him. She lifted her arms and ran her fingers through her hair. "I want you to know how much I value you and since you came into my life, it's been the happiest for a long time." Penny blurted out.
"Penny you mean a lot to me too and want you to know I will always be here for you. Are you okay?" Leonard asked. He has never seen this side of Penny.
"I'm okay; you know what, we are here to have fun, let have fun." This is so hard, Penny though. She ordered another bottle of wine.
The rest of the evening was them talking, getting closer and flirting with each other. Penny touches Leonard every chance she had. Leonard noticed and smiled. He liked Penny a lot and couldn't figure how to tell her. Leonard knew it wouldn't work as they were from different worlds but his feelings and the urge to be close to her outweigh his worries. He looked into her eyes they both stared. He just wanted to kiss her, his lips moved toward hers, only to be interrupted by Jack, the waiter who left the bill on the table. Leonard and Penny both blushed and fondled for the bill at the same time as their hands met sending shockwaves through their bodies.
"So how come you haven't got a girlfriend," Penny asked after composing herself.
"Well, I have been busy and haven't really met anyone I like. But believe me, I have been trying the whole night." Leonard said confidently and grinned at Penny. She could feel the heat growing in her cheeks as she tried to suppress a smile.
The wine was getting to Leonard who continued to flirt with Penny. "I know what she'd look like if I had one. Do you want to see a picture of what she would look like." Leonard asked.
"Yeah, sure, why not?" Penny said, her heart sank a little as she wondered who this girl could be.
Leonard set his phone to the frontal camera and gave it to her. When she saw herself, she laughed and blushed.
Leonard looked at her, and he saw she had gone pale, her face flushed.
Leonard reached over and took the bill and said: "I wanted to impress you that is important. Penny, I know this might be too soon, but do you think we can….
"Hi, guys. How was your dinner"? Jack interrupted.
Leonard cursed under his breath. He could kill the waiter right now. "Jack, not now." He grinned his teeth.
He opened the door, and she walked past him. Penny stood in the doorway to the spare room where she slept, Leonard faced her. "Well, good night, Toots," he said with his wide grin, Penny pushes the spare bedroom door slowly, and when the door was nearly shut, Penny leaned forward. She leaned against the doorway; the door pulled against her hip.
Leonard stood there staring. "Thank you for a wonderful evening," Leonard said modestly and grinned.
She raised her eyebrows."So night." Penny said.
Leonard moved a little her way until he leaned against the wall, touching her shoulder. "Penny I think you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," Leonard said, his voice becoming tense. She raised her chin. Her lips invited his. "Thank you," she said longing for him.
He stopped in front of her, without saying a word, Leonard touched her lips with his, stealing a kiss. She gave in to the kiss. He brushed a strand of blonde hair away from her face, his hand slide over the neckline of her dress. Her heart pounding. Her arm slid around his neck and pulled his head down. She did not close her eyes, and when he looked into them, she held him hard. His skin was warm and smooth. Stormy, hungry wild eyes she had. Leonard stood there, his mouth crushed on hers, startled by her fierceness.
She brought her lips to his neck, and then brushed them up the side of his chiseled face, and up to his lips again. She suddenly drove her teeth into his top lip. The pain stung him, but he didn't care. She pulled away stood looking at him, her gold hair wild, and her eyes big and dark, with passion. She took a step back and slammed the door in his face and lean behind the door. She listened for a moment but couldn't hear any sound apart from the raindrops and the low rumble of thunder outside. She wondered if she had mess things up. She wanted him so badly but was scared of getting hurt. It took a lot to resist him.