A/N Sorry this chapter took so long to publish. The World Cup took up most of my writing time, and the lovely weather kept me out and about, so wasn't able to write much, but I finally finished this chapter. Enjoy.

A few days have passed since Sheldon was captured. Leonard and Penny could now relax and reflect on their relationship; their friendship had gotten stronger as their words became late night calls. Leonard wasn't allowed near Sheldon while he was in custody. Leonard and Penny didn't see each often as she now worked late hours trying to get information from Sheldon, as the days passed and Sheldon not talking wasn't helping. The more they spoke on the phone the closer they were getting and closer to the word we say "love."

Finally, Leonard was security cleared to see Shelden and be at his interviews. Thanks to Penny who fought his corner. Leonard was happy as he got to spend some time with Penny.

"Would you like to go out for dinner?" Leonard asked Penny one day.

"Why where are you guys going?" Penny was thinking Howard & Bernadette will be joining them.

"I mean just the two of us." Leonard shyly replied.

"Oh, okay I guess." She said shyly. A smile slowly forming on her face. Although the pace of their relationship had been slow, they both were hoping this was the beginning of something beautiful.

Leonard and Penny were sitting in a small Chinese restaurant. The silence was deafening; they waited for the waiter to take their order. They glanced at each other when they the other wasn't watching. Both nervous and scared of saying the wrong things. The silence finally was broken by Leonard.

"Penny can we cut the chase and get serious for once," Leonard said boldly. "I like you, I mean I really like you a lot, but my feelings go deeper than that, I feel like we are meant to be together. You know, with what happened to our other selves."

"Leonard, I don't know what to say I feel the same maybe it meant to be, maybe we are meant to fill the gaps that were left when Leonard of my world and the Penny of your world passed. I don't know." Penny waited as their food and wine were placed on the table. As the waiter left, Penny stole a look at Leonard; she thought he seems worried about something. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Leonard was still feeling guilty about not telling Penny about her family in his world. "Penny, your point of us filling the gaps left in our worlds, do you really believe that," Leonard asked.

Penny paused in thoughts before answering. "I do, and I don't, it just feels that way, the tragedies, our meeting and working together to defeat one common enemy in both our worlds. Is it our destiny to be together against all the odds? It up to us to find out I guess?"

Leonard thought about what Penny just said. He couldn't agree more, but he had doubts, how would they work, one of them would have to leave their world to be together. He cared about Penny, but there was so much he would be giving up if he was to stay here with Penny. "I fully agree and feel the connection. When I'm not with you, I feel like a part of me is missing and when I'm with you, I feel this strong bond that cannot be broken. I don't want ever to lose that bond."

Penny grabbed his hands and put them into hers. "I'm scared Leonard, I don't want to be hurt, I don't think my heart can't take any more pain, but it seems like our universes keep pulling us together."

"Oh penny, please do think like that. I will never hurt you. Leonard said sincerely.

"You say that now but, are you willing to give up your world for me."

Leonard was caught out by the question; he wasn't expecting it so soon. Penny could tell, Leonard was thinking about the question. She felt bad for putting him on the spot like that; it wasn't fair. Why would he give up his world for her?

Leonard tongue finally found the signals from his brain coming in, so he spoke. "Penny I want to be with you, I really do,"

"Here comes the but." Penny interrupted.

Leonard stared at Penny and continued. But it's not a decision to be taken lightly; there is a lot to lose, I will be giving up all I have ever known to start a new life in a new world."

"Well, it looks like you have already made your decision. There no point in carrying on with this conversation. Goodnight Leonard." Penny stood up and walked out of the restaurant.

Leonard sat there stunned. What the hell, he thought. Leonard felt terrible, the last thing he wanted to do was upset Penny. Leonard's heart raised when he saw Penny return.

She looked at him and then picked something off the table. "I forgot my fortune cookie." Penny softly said and left again.

Sheldon sat in a corner in a holding cell, hands on his knees, rocking back and forth. There were four chairs and a table and a 32ich mirror on the wall. From behind the mirror, Leonard, Penny, and Brennan watched him. A guard brought some fresh food for him, and then left with the words, "Have a good evening, I will come back tomorrow morning, good night!" Sheldon looked at and away from the food. He had no appetite and probably the food was not up to his standard. Sheldon had been taken back to a secret military base. The military had taken custody of Sheldon, and there was nothing Leonard could do. He tried to argue that he should be allowed to bring him back to face justice back in his world, but some questions needed answering before they would even consider letting Leonard take Sheldon or anywhere near him. He was finally given supervised access to him and was allowed to sit in his interrogation with recommendations from Penny.

"Does he look okay to you?" Penny asked Leonard.

Leonard looked at Sheldon, he looked pale, thinner and stressed. "I think so; he always acts like that when he is scared. I think we should go and speak to him."

"Are you sure, he doesn't look like he is in the right frame of mind. He hasn't spoken to me or any of our agents; he is acting crazy." Penny said.

"Yeah well, I always thought he was bat-crap crazy, but he insisted that his mother had him tested," Leonard replied.

"Did she get a second opinion?" Penny asked.

"No, but she should have." Leonard sighed.

Penny put an arm on his shoulder and said. "Leonard you are a nice guy, but I still don't understand how you put up with him, let alone lived with him," They walked toward the cell. "Oh and sorry about last night, it was insensitive of me to walk out like that," Penny said sincerely.

"It's okay; I'm sorry for upsetting you," Leonard said.

"Leonard, you didn't upset me, I upset myself, It wasn't fair on you to leave all that you have for me. it's a big decision not to be taken lightly."

"We will figure something out Penny; I just can't seem to do the right thing. I hate seeing you upset."

"Leonard, you didn't do anything wrong, we both have feelings of uneasiness and not willing to admit our fears. It's not a weakness, but a strength in the willingness to be vulnerable."

"I just want you to be happy Penny, and do the right thing," Leonard said.

Brennan waited for them to catch up with him and led the way as they entered the room to get answers from Sheldon.

"Sheldon, take a seat," Brennan ordered.

Sheldon just put his head on his knees in a comforting fold staring at the floor. Brennan repeated himself, this time louder and with authority in his voice. Sheldon shock as he slowly got up and sat on one of the chairs, avoiding all eye contacts.

Leonard couldn't help but feel sorry for Sheldon; he looked lost and scared. All three sat facing Sheldon. Leonard spoke in a kind manner "Sheldon, what were you doing in the farmhouse?"

Seeing Leonard for the first time after all those years and the way he had treated him came back to haunt him. Sheldon couldn't help it and began to cry, with one hand he took the soft cloth Leonard handed to him, Sheldon buried his face with the other hand and cried some more. They couldn't get anything out of him as he kept breaking down and the interview was terminated.