A/N Here's the next one. I'm on the road, but I completed this before leaving. All I had to do was to upload it tonight. One thing to mention for this chapter, yes, I did get her permission before writing this. Penny explaining the lunch will be in the next chapter, you'll figure it out. I was able to one complete first draft chapters, one, I'm almost done with, and am working on a third (Chapter 64). So first drafts are going well. Enjoy.

Chapter 42

Studio 44, NY 2:00 PM Thursday October 11th 2012

Penny was sitting in her dressing room, waiting for the run through at three, reading several different articles on line. Again, she had gotten quite a few good comments on her appearance on David Letterman's show the previous night and, again, Jim and Kelli were thrilled.

She had made the introduction of the clip extremely funny, telling Letterman about a mistake that happened while taping, which had him laughing and pounding on his desk. She had also told Letterman about her boyfriend and other friends, who often confused her with their science and fandom talk.

She admitted she had learned quite a bit from them. Dave asked for something in particular, and Penny told him the meaning of Einstein's equation for energy and mass conversion. Penny had felt good about the comments Dave had made the previous night, in her dressing room and the good comments in the articles.

However, she wasn't all that happy about how the days rehearsal had gone. She made more mistakes, Steve had jokingly mentioned all the fame going to her head, and driving out her blocking. However, her continued struggles didn't seem all that funny to her, it just made her wish she was at home, so she could grab a glass of wine.

There was a call over the loudspeaker system for everyone to come down to the stage for the afternoon run through. Penny got up, grabbed her script and a pencil and walked down to the stage.

The two guys were gathered in front of their apartment. Penny was in front of her apartment, but she didn't see Jeanie. The producers, director, and a couple of writers walked down to the guys' apartment, as everyone prepared for the guys' scene. Penny sat in her chair running over her script.

It was ten minutes later when the production crew were walking toward the women's apartment. Penny got up and walked to her starting spot, although she still didn't see Jeanie. Tina walked up and moved to Jeanie's starting place.

Penny looked confused, until Tina said, "Jeanie went in to talk to Kelli. She's had a family emergency, and is taking off for Boston early for the weekend. I have her blocking and I'll be doing her blocking and lines this afternoon." Penny nodded, and started wondering what kind of emergency Jeanie had.

She was so caught up in her thinking, she missed moving to the kitchen and her first line. They stopped and started again and a bit later, waiting for Tina to complete the line, her mind wandered again, and Penny missed her cue. Yeah, I'm so talented. I can't get even simple moves and lines down. God I need a drink. They reset and started the scene again.

Studio 44, NY 4:00 PM Thursday October 11th 2012

Penny was just getting ready to leave when there was a knock on her dressing room door. She continued packing up her bag, yelled, "Come in," and the door opened and Kelli walked in.

"Hi Kelli," said Penny, "What's up?"

"I just got a call from Gail, at Warner Brothers," said Kelli. "You are booked on The Tonight Show next Wednesday. When you get to LA next Wednesday, you need to call her, so she can give you the particulars for that show. And, yes, we have a clip we're going to be sending."

Penny froze for a second, "The Tonight Show?" Penny said questioningly.

"Yeah," said Kelli, "it surprised us as it's not on their network. But, they mentioned something about how they liked you on Letterman, and how you are getting some nice reviews and how you would be the only one, of the cast, out there next week, so they firmed it up for next Wednesday."

Penny was feeling overwhelmed. She remembered watching the show with her mother some in the early 2000s. To be meeting Jay Leno was a bit of a shock. She managed to get out, "Ok, I'll call her when I get out there."

"Also, Gail has a lunch interview set up, on Thursday, with a Glamour Magazine TV writer, her name is, a," Kelli checked her notebook, "let's see, Jessica Radloff."

Penny was floored again, while she didn't know Radloff, Glamour was one of her favorite magazines. She nodded, then thought a second, "Kelli, what's going on with Jeanie?"

"Not sure," said Kelli, "she asked if she could leave for Boston today, her mother has some sort of medical problem, I'll find out more tomorrow. She told me to tell you not to worry."

"Ok, then I'll see you tomorrow," said Penny.

Kelli said, "Goodbye," and left. Penny also said goodbye, and finished packing. Before getting home, she was going to the store for some food, and definitely some wine. She really felt the world closing in on her and just wanted a glass or two of wine tonight.

She was going to have dinner, have some wine, study her script some, and drink some more wine while she waited for Leonard's call, after her show was over on the west coast. She turned off the light, locked her door, and left the studio for the store, wondering what was wrong with Jeanie's mother.

Studio 44, NY 9:30 AM Friday October 12th 2012

Penny had just arrived, and took her bag up to her dressing room. She had had, several glasses of wine the night before, but didn't feel hungover. She had also had an extended "Skype" session with Leonard, afterward joking with him that she won three to one. So she was feeling quite relaxed.

She grabbed her script out of the bag, and went down to the stage. She stopped at craft services for a cup of coffee, and took it to her directors chair, looking around for Jeanie, before realizing she wouldn't be here today. Kelli walked up to her, "Penny."

Penny looked up and said, "Hi, Kelly, what's up?"

"I just got a call from Jeanie," said Kelli. "She told me and I'm supposed to tell you that they are doing a biopsy on her mother today. So she won't be back until Sunday or Monday."

Penny looked worried, as she said, "Is her mother going to be all right?"

"She doesn't know," said Kelli.

While she was worried about Jeanie's mother, she had never thought about something like this would affect the show, and asked, "Will this screw up our taping on Tuesday?"

"We don't know right now," said Kelli. "We're working on some emergency plans. Obviously, we gave her today off, so she has a three day weekend and we are off for a week after the taping on Tuesday, so the plan is for her to return to Boston for the hiatus week."

"After that, I guess it will depend on exactly what her mother has to have done and when. She said she'll be here for the week after the hiatus so we're looking at moving scripts around to take advantage of that. For now, we'll just have to wait and see."

"Can I do anything for her?" said Penny.

"No, just be there if she wants to talk," said Kelli. "She actually said to tell you not to worry, she'll talk to you when she gets back. Possibly Sunday, but more likely Monday, before we do the run through."

"I guess I'll talk to her then," said Penny.

Just then quite a few of the production staff were showing up for the run through scheduled at 10:30. Kelli smiled at Penny and said, "I've got to go get my notes and get back." Kelli's voice dropped to a whisper, "But, not a word to anyone. She told me to tell you, but she isn't ready for the rest of the cast and crew to hear about it."

Penny nodded and waved as Kelli walked off, then looked at her script, finding her first scene, to be ready when everyone else showed up.

Studio 44, NY 10:00 AM Monday October 15th 2012

Penny happily went back to work on Monday morning, the weekend had been very lonely. She had run to the store Saturday morning, and had thought about going to another club Saturday night, but decided against it, and just stayed in the rest of the weekend, studying her lines, watching TV and talking to Leonard.

Penny was sitting in her director's chair, sipping her coffee and studying her lines, waiting to start the run through scheduled for ten. A few seconds later, Kelli came out and said the run through would be delayed until 11:30, and the group started breaking up. Kelli walked over to Penny, telling her Jeanie's train had been delayed, and by the time she caught a cab, she wouldn't be there until almost 11.

The run through started at 11:45 and went very well, Penny marveled at Jeanie's ability to hit all her marks, even though she hadn't rehearsed in four days. While, herself, after studying all weekend, just barely made it through without an error. After lunch, they ran the pre-taping scenes, with both Penny and Jeanie sailing through flawlessly.

After getting off work, her and Jeanie had dinner out, then returned to Penny's apartment. Jeanie told Penny how they had found a mass of material in her mother's lower abdomen, and she would get the biopsy results this coming week, then if needed, surgery in a couple of weeks. Finally, Jeanie told Penny she just wanted to be there to help her mother and father.

Penny did have a question, "Jeanie, when we did the pilot, your dad was there, I just assumed he lived in LA."

Jeanie chuckled, "No, he just happened to be out there on business, so I thought I'd have him watch the pilot."

"Oh, OK," said Penny, "it just threw me when Kelli told me about Boston."

They continued talking until around 9 PM, when Jeanie left to get to bed, she was tired after having to catch an early train. After Jeanie left, Penny cleaned up, and started some packing for her trip home tomorrow night, while she waited for Leonard's call.

Caltech Laser Lab, 4:30 PM Tuesday October 16th 2012

Leonard entered his lab and put down his bag. He had been running tests on the various lasers, since this morning and hadn't been to his lab, all day. He saw he had messages and hit play. The third message was from Geoff:

Hi, Leonard, just letting you know the only time I'll be able to go over the files with you is tomorrow morning, at 7:30 AM your time. We're still two researchers down, so apologies if this is inconvenient.

Cheers.

Dammit, thought Leonard, Penny is due in tomorrow at 7:30 AM, and I'll never make it back here in time. I'll have to get someone to get her. He started by texting her, telling her to call when she got a chance. He then dialed Amy's number, preparing to ask her to pick Penny up the next morning.

Studio 44/Apt 4A, 10:30/7:30 PM Tuesday October 16th 2012

Penny, was packing up her things, getting ready to walk to Jake's. Picking up her phone, she noticed a text from Leonard. Reading it, she called, and it was several rings before he answered. She could hear the disappointment in his voice as he explained why he couldn't get her in the morning, and Amy was going to pick her up.

While she herself was disappointed, she could tell Leonard was very unhappy about it. So, she acted as if it didn't matter, and tried to get Leonard's mind off of it, by telling him exactly what she intended to do to him the next night, then reminding him of the Skype session a few days before. Leonard felt somewhat better after talking to Penny, Penny finally telling him she had to go, but would see him at Caltech in the morning. With that, they each said, "I love you", before saying their goodbyes, and disconnecting.

Caltech Laser Lab, 7:30 AM Wednesday October 16th 2012

Leonard was going over his notes, waiting for the call from Geoff. He was struggling a bit, as his more recent notes weren't all that organized, and the additions he would be getting from Geoff were just going to make that worse. He was startled out of his thoughts by the phone ringing. He answered with a "Hello," and after a brief pause said, "hi, Geoff, good to hear from you, I didn't realize it was that late."

The 405, 9:30 AM Wednesday October 17th, 2012

Penny was riding in Amy's car, talking to Gail, who was giving her all the information about getting to The Tonight Show. Gail had a limo coming for her at 3:30, with her hair and makeup people. Penny requested Shelia and Mindy, and Gail agreed.

She told Penny they would have a dress for her, then told her she should be done around 6:30 or a bit later, and home by 7 PM. Penny had written everything down, thanked Gail, then said goodbye. Penny started texting Leonard, to let him know she would be busy until 7, then they could go out for dinner.

Caltech Cafeteria, California 9:30 AM Wednesday October 17th 2012

Leonard was sitting in the cafeteria, with a cup of coffee. He was a bit tired, from having to get up so early to take the call. He was thinking of the information Geoff had passed along to him, but thoughts of Penny kept intruding. She should be here any moment.

He heard, "Hi Dr Hofstadter," and turning, saw Alex. He extended his arm, inviting her to sit down. Alex was twirling her hair when she sat down, then asked how things were going. Leonard explained how he was having trouble organizing the data and files he had received from Geoff.

Unknown to either of them, Penny and Amy had arrived and were watching from the entrance to the cafeteria.

Penny turned to Amy, "Do you know who she is?"

Amy nodded and said, "Yes, she's Sheldon's new assistant. She's supposed to go through his old work notebooks and some tapes he records when he's sleeping and see if there is anything in there, that could be used as an avenue for some research."

"Leonard told me Sheldon is also using her as a gofer, having her get his lunch, any drinks he wants, and sending her to the store. I was worried she was going after Sheldon, but after watching this, that skank is your problem, not mine."

Alex said, "Can you do me a favor, Leonard?"

"What?"

"I finished reviewing Dr Cooper's sleep tapes today, and I need the next group. Dr Cooper won't be home tonight, and I have a dentist appointment right after work. Can you get the box, with the tapes, and bring them to my apartment, so I can start labeling and organizing them tonight? I have several meetings tomorrow and would have to wait until Friday to start listening to them, if I had to wait until tomorrow to pick them up. Around 5:30 would be good."

Leonard thought about it, Penny was going to be busy until 7 or later, so he nodded, pulled out his phone, and said, "Sure, what's your address."

While Leonard typed it into his phone, Alex recited her address, then put her hand on his arm and said, "Thank you. If you bring his tapes, I'll help you with your files."

"I can't pay you, Alex."

"Don't worry about it, Leonard," said Alex rubbing his arm, "It isn't necessary."

Penny hadn't seen Leonard doing anything untoward, but between the twirling of her hair, and touching his arm, this woman's actions were bothering her. After she saw Alex rubbed his arm, Penny thought, That's enough of that. Penny walked through the door, toward their table, Amy had to hurry to catch up to Penny.

"Leonard," said Penny, walking up to him.

"PENNY," he said loudly, as he jumped up and enveloped her in a hug.

Penny intentionally broke the hug and kissed Leonard. Not a simple peck but a serious, wet, tongue kiss, which was something she didn't normally do in public. After breaking the kiss, she could see Alex out of the corner of her eye, looking shocked. Seeing the reaction, she thought, Yeah, he's mine, bitch, so take your reaction down the road.

After breaking the kiss, Leonard said, "Oh, Penny, this is Alex, she's Sheldon's assistant. She's also asked about my work, and comes in here every so often to talk about it."

Penny gave her, her best acting smile and said, "Nice to meet you," while thinking I bet you do talk, but not just about his work.

Alex managed a smile, not much of one, thought Penny, and said, "Nice to meet you too, Leonard's told me a lot about you."

Penny just nodded and turned to Leonard, "You ready to go to brunch, sweetie?"

"Yes, I am," said Leonard. "Let's go get your luggage from Amy's car, then we can go to brunch, before I get you home." He turned to Alex, "I'll see you later, Alex." Leonard started toward the door.

Penny, again giving one of her acting smiles said, "It was nice to meet you, Alex." She started to walk away, but turned to Amy, and said softly, but just loud enough for Alex to hear, "I can't wait to get some brunch and then get Leonard home and into bed."

She saw Amy grin, but was more interested in Alex's reaction. Looking past Amy, she could see Alex wasn't happy and thought, yeah, I got the reaction I was hoping for. You're not going to get him, bitch. Penny turned and grabbed Leonard's arm and started walking away, holding on to Leonard, with Amy following.

Alex watched them walk away. At first she looked mad, then thoughtful.