A/N Nothing really notable to pass along to everyone. I've finished chapter 72, in first draft. I do have a couple of answers for some questions poised in the reviews. First off, to Mr. Aanonymous, no, there are no lemons in this fic. The M rating is for graphic descriptions of several things, not really sex, but related to sex. To the guest review suggesting I'll be spinning this to get them back together, you'll have to figure this out. Hint: since this is a prequel, I'm kinda limited in what I can do. If you haven't figured out which story this is a prequel to, you'll just have to read until I finish, so you know this ending, and how the other story fits into this, after I tell you which one. I know, I'm evil. Anyway, here's the chapter.

Chapter 53

Apt 314, 9:30 AM Friday Nov 9th 2012

Penny was sipping coffee, waiting for Jeanie, so they could go to work. She was worried that Jeanie was going to press her about what had happened the previous night, and she still wasn't ready to say anything.

She was also tired. She hadn't gotten much sleep, because although she had cried herself to sleep, she kept waking up and was restless throughout the night. She finished her cup, and put it in her sink, then she filled her travel mug, and shut the coffeepot off.

It was right then that her doorbell rang. She packed everything up, and walked toward the door. She figured if they left right away, Jeanie wouldn't have time to ask about the previous day.

Penny opened the door, walked out, then closed and locked her door. She then said, "Good Morning," to Jeanie, before they walked to the elevator. The ride down was in silence, as was most of the walk to the studio. Finally, Jeanie mentioned she would be going to Boston for the weekend.

Upon hearing that, Penny face fell, which Jeanie noticed. While Penny didn't want to tell Jeanie about what happened, she had been looking forward to not being alone for the weekend. Even if she hadn't told Jeanie what happened, by her just being there made Penny feel better.

After a few seconds, Penny nodded, and said, "Checking up on your mom?"

"Yeah, I am," said Jeanie. "She still can't do a lot, and won't be able to do housework for another couple of weeks, so I'm going the next two weekends, to get stuff done for her."

Penny nodded and they walked the rest of the way in silence. Upon entering the studio, Jeanie and Penny walked toward the stairs. Penny noticed Brent, and many of the same men from yesterday, in a group. As her and Jeanie walked past them, Penny looked down, not wanting to look at them and possibly get some kind of gesture, reminding her of what had happened.

Jeanie noticed Penny's reaction, and getting to the bottom of the stairs, Jeanie watched as Penny hurried up the stairs and into her dressing room.

The morning run-through went well, and they were done in less than an hour. Jeanie and Penny had eaten lunch together, and Penny, after her first afternoon scene, was back in her dressing room, waiting for the next scene.

Later, her studio phone rang and after answering, she heard Tina tell her that her second scene was coming up next. Penny went to the set, and ran her scene with Jeanie. After finishing, Jeanie said she would come and get Penny when she was done. Penny said, "Thanks," and left.

Just before getting to the stairs, she saw one of the sound guys smile at her, before he stuck his tongue out at her, wiggling it up and down. Looking around she saw there wasn't anyone close, and she quickly turned and started up the stairs.

Just before getting to Brent's door, it opened and Brent walked out, and on seeing Penny, he smiled broadly. She tried to get by him, but he shifted just enough to bump into her. She got past him and practically ran to her dressing room. After getting inside and locking her door, she laid on the couch crying.

Studio 44, 4:30 PM Friday Nov 9th 2012

Jeanie walked up the stairs, heading for Penny's dressing room. Brent came out his, just as Jeanie got to his door. He looked at Jeanie, and grinned at her. What's that about? thought Jeanie. Why does he keep grinning at me?

She knocked on Penny's door, and was surprised when she didn't answer it. Did she leave early again? I told her I would come and get her. Jeanie knocked again.

"Who is it?" she heard Penny choke out.

It sounds like she's crying, thought Jeanie. "It's Jeanie," she said.

It was several seconds before she heard the lock open and the door swing back. There was a sharp intake of breath by Jeanie upon seeing Penny. Her mascara was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot, and Jeanie could see the tears in them.

Jeanie entered and closed the door to the dressing room, "Penny, what's wrong, why are you crying?" asked Jeanie, concern in her voice, "What happened?"

"What…what… do you mean?" said Penny.

"Come on, I mean, you didn't wait for me yesterday, and today I find you crying in your dressing room, what the hell is wrong with you?" said Jeanie. "Something happened while I was gone, and I think it has something to do with Brent. So, tell me, so I can help."

Tears were flowing down Penny's cheeks, "I can't, I can't," was all she could say.

Jeanie wasn't backing down, "You damn well can. You've been randomly crying, so something is bothering you. I'm your best friend here, you can tell me, let me help you.

"No, no," said Penny, "I'll be all right."

Jeanie was becoming frustrated with Penny. She had asked straight out, she had tried concern, she had tried letting it be, but nothing seemed to work, to get Penny to tell her what happened.

Maybe it was some time for anger. "NO, DAMMIT," yelled Jeanie. "If you won't tell me, I'm taking you with me to Boston tonight. I will not fucking leave you here by yourself, the way you've been acting all week. "

"Penny was shocked, she had never heard Jeanie use that particular word before."

Jeanie continued sternly, " So, you either tell me what the hell is going on with you, or you will go with me to Boston. Which is it?"

"Penny was now getting angry, "You can't tell me what to do." Her voice became mocking, "If I decide to do neither of them, there's nothing you can do."

"OK, then you leave me no choice."

"What?"

"If you don't tell me, and then say you're not going with me, I'll go right to Jim and Kelli and tell them something is going on between you and Brent and it's leaving you crying."

"NO," cried Penny, "you can't do that."

"I damn well can, and I damn well will," said Jeanie. "It's your choice. You now have three of them, what do you want to do?"

Penny was thinking. Most of all, she didn't want her going to Jim and Kelli, and telling her there was something happening with her and Brent. But, she wasn't ready to tell Jeanie yet and she was still feeling guilty and embarrassed, along with generally just hating herself. Which left me with, what option? I have no choice, I have to go and spend the weekend with Jeanie, in Boston. Maybe getting away with help clear my mind.

Although her crying had stopped, Penny still had tears sliding down her cheeks. She sighed, and said softly, "I'll go to Boston with you."

Jeanie said, "Thank you. I'm still going to keep bothering you about this. Something is wrong, and I can't help you, if I don't know what it is. I'm going to tell you, that you better figure it out. Because if you're still reacting this way in a week or two, and you haven't told me what's going on, I will go to Kelli and Jim. And, something else, I'm hurt that you don't trust me on this."

Jeanie was looking at Penny and the anguish on her face, was very apparent. Jeanie didn't know why, but Penny knew she was going to have to tell Jeanie what had happened. There was also regret because of the hurt Penny was causing Jeanie.

"OK," said Jeanie gently, "Let's get you cleaned up and get home to get ready to leave." Jeanie got Penny some tissues, which she used to wipe her eyes, then blow her nose. Jeanie told her she should wash her face also. After Penny finished, they packed up her stuff, locked her dressing room and walked down to Jeanie's dressing room.

They picked up Jeanie's things and they both left the studio. As they were leaving, Penny noticed Brent near the exit, but as her and Jeanie approached, he just turned, and walked away. Penny was puzzled as this was the first time he hadn't made a comment.

She really didn't know why he had left without making a comment and continued walking with Jeanie. That's when it hit her, Jeanie was with her, and she was someone that Brent couldn't count on to support his version.

Apt 314, 5:30 PM Friday Nov 9th 2012

Penny was finishing packing her luggage. Jeanie had helped her get started, then went to her apartment to get her luggage. Penny picked up her phone to put it in her purse. Suddenly, she stopped, looked at it, and laid it on the counter. She placed her iPad in her bag, and put that, her purse and luggage near the front door.

About five minutes later, Jeanie arrived, and Penny gathered her things, left the apartment and locked her door. A few minutes later, they were hailing a cab to take them to Pennsylvania station.

Jeanie had managed to get a first-class seat for Penny, so they could ride together. They had settled into their seats and were putting their things away. Suddenly Penny said, "Dammit."

Jeanie looked at her and said, "What's wrong?"

"I left me phone in my apartment," said Penny. "I thought I put it in my purse. I guess I'll have to learn to live without it this weekend."

"You still have your iPad," said Jeanie.

"Yeah, but, I can't get calls or texts on it," said Penny, "if it's not on the same network. So while I can get on the internet, I can't contact anyone through my phone or iPad."

"Well," said Jeanie, "if you need to make a call, you can use my phone, or my parents."

Penny nodded and leaned back in the chair. It was very comfortable, and with the headrest and footrests, it was very relaxing. The tension, from the events of the last few days drained away. She felt safe here, with Jeanie next to her and simply being away from Brent and his clique. Listening to the clickity-clack of the train wheels was hypnotic, and she was soon asleep.

Boston, near South Station,11:05 PM Friday Nov 9th 2012

Penny felt herself getting nudged and slowly opened her eyes.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," said Jeanie, "we're pulling into the station."

Penny looked out the window and indeed saw they had almost stopped. "Did, I sleep the whole way?" said Penny with a yawn.

"Yeah, pretty much," said Jeanie. "You looked so peaceful, I let you sleep. My dad is picking us up and he'll take us to the house. If you wish, you can go right back to sleep after we get in, I know I'm going right to bed."

Penny yawned and stretched, she was thankful Jeanie had let her sleep. This had prevented her from thinking about Leonard and Brent the whole trip. Guilt from what had happened and not talking to Leonard had been hard to live with. But, she now was having feelings of self-loathing, when she thought about it, and it had started to become overwhelming.

Five minutes later they were off the train, and Jeanie was waving to her father. She introduced Penny and her dad, while they walked to baggage claim. After getting their bags, they got in the car and her dad drove for about fifteen minutes before pulling into a driveway with a fairly large two story house.

They entered the house and Jeanie introduced Penny to her mom, and explained they were both tired and would like to go straight to bed, and they could talk in the morning. Her mom looked a bit disappointed, but let it go. Penny and Jeanie climbed the stairs. Jeanie showed Penny the guest room.

Penny's room had an attached bath and she decided she wanted to take a nice long soak in the tub. She asked Jeanie if she could take a bath this late and Jeanie told her to go ahead, then left to go to her room.

Penny spent the next half hour in the tub, then got out and dried herself. She next did her evening rituals and went back into the bedroom. She unpacked her pajamas, put them on and crawled into bed. Within a half hour she was asleep.

Jeanie's parent's house, 7:30 AM Saturday Nov 10th 2012

The alarm on Penny's iPad went off at 7:30. Penny woke up and disabled the alarm. She put on her robe and walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She could smell the aroma of coffee, and followed that to the kitchen.

She found Jeanie's mom in the kitchen, feeding their dog, and as Penny entered, she said, "Good morning, Mrs Corbette."

Jeanie's mom turned and said with a smile, "Good morning Penelope, and please, call me Helen."

"Thank you, Mrs. Cor… er… Helen," said Penny, "and please, call me Penny. Jeanie said it would be OK for me to use your phone, I left mine in New York. I have to tell me boyfriend. So, would it be all right if I used your phone? I'll pay you back for the call."

"Don't worry about paying for the call," said Helen. "Do you want a cup of coffee before you call?"

"Yes please," said Penny.

"How do you want it," asked Helen.

"Black," said Penny.

Helen turned to pulled a cup down from the cupboard.

"No, that's OK, I'll get it," said Penny. "You're supposed to be taking it easy to get better from your operation."

Helen chuckled, "I'm fine. I know my limits, and getting you a cup of coffee is well within my limits." Helen poured a cup and handed it to Penny. Penny thanked her then turned to go the living room, where she had seen a phone.

She dialed the number for the phone in apartment 4A, and when it went to voice mail, as she expected since it was 4:30 in California, she said, "Hi Leonard, I'm at Jeanie's, in Boston, for the long weekend. I left my phone in New York, so I won't be able to call or get messages, until I get back late Monday night. Sorry, I missed you last night, I had a bit too much to drink. I'll talk to you Tuesday night, goodbye."

Penny hung up, a bit relieved that she wouldn't have to talk to Leonard until Tuesday, giving her some time to come up with a coherent story. She sighed, realizing that she had to plan the call with Leonard, otherwise, she was afraid she would break down crying.

Add to that the increasing guilt she felt, also for lying to him, and she just wasn't sure about being able to talk to him. She grabbed her coffee and started toward the kitchen, to talk to Jeanie's mom, hoping it would take her mind off of all the thoughts jumbling around in her head.

Apt 4A, 8:30 AM Saturday Nov 10th 2012

Leonard walked into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. As he poured it, Sheldon spoke up, "You have a message on the answering machine, it's from Penny."

"What did she say?"

"I don't know," said Sheldon, "as soon as I heard it was from Penny, I shut it off, so as not to interfere with Dr. Who."

Leonard rolled his eyes, as he walked to the answering machine. He ran the message, and erased it when it was done. He then walked back to his bedroom, the message had given him a lot to think about, and he wanted to do that away from Sheldon.

In one sense, Leonard felt relieved, If she was pregnant, she wouldn't have been drinking until she was drunk. So, I don't think she's pregnant. But, if she isn't, why is she avoiding me?

I haven't talked to her all week, and now I get a message at 4:30 in the morning, when she knew I wouldn't be up. Why didn't she call when she knew I would be up?

For that matter, she would never forget her phone. She always has it with her, although there was that time a few weeks ago… He shook his head, She might forget it when she was running to the store, but knowing she'd be gone for two to three days, she would make sure she had it with her.

So, why would she intentionally not bring her phone with her? And why didn't she say I love you, when she finished the message. She's avoiding me, she's not saying she loves me.

Suddenly, Leonard was overwhelmed with sadness. She's avoiding me, because she's seeing someone else. Who could it be, wait, that can't be it, because she is still calling me. But, what else could it be?

Leonard had no idea what else it could be. He didn't want to continue to think about it, but try as he might, he couldn't get it out of his head.