A/N This is a rather long chapter (but not the longest), but I had to get some things in here, for reasons you'll see at the end. You also get some Howard, here, something that ties in with the original story (remember that? :) ). Actually, there will be a lot of tie ins with the original story coming up. Anyway, here ya go.

Chapter 61

Apt 314 8:00 PM Monday Nov 26th 2012.

Jeanie wasn't letting Penny out of her sight. She had gotten back from her appointments to find Penny still crying when she answered the door. She made Penny clean up, and then took her out for dinner. Penny didn't want to cry in public, which was Jeanie's intention for taking her out.

After getting back to Jeanie's, from dinner, Jeanie had tried to talk to Penny about why she had broken up with Leonard, but Penny didn't want to talk about it, and just started crying. Jeanie had told her not to worry about it, and asked her about working on her mechanics with Jeanie. Penny declined, and told Jeanie she wasn't even sure she wanted to continue with the show anymore.

Penny had also asked for some wine, and Jeanie steered her toward some tea. Jeanie explained she was wary about Penny drinking, as it appeared Penny had been drinking heavily. Penny reluctantly agreed, and Jeanie went out to the kitchen and brought back two glasses of tea, then asked Penny what she meant by not wanting to work on the show. Penny explained that being an actress just didn't mean anything to her right now. She was so depressed about Leonard, she didn't care about being an actress, and she thought she might just go back to Nebraska.

Jeanie objected and told Penny she would need to work anyway, she was doing so well, and besides, she had a contract, so why would she quit? Penny didn't see it that way, and gave several reasons why it would be better for her to just go back to Nebraska. Jeanie countered by refuting Penny's reasons, and giving reasons why Penny should stay. The two of them went back and forth on this for several hours, until Penny said she was tired and was going back to her apartment.

Jeanie didn't want her being alone, she was afraid Penny would start drinking, so she convinced her to stay at Jeanie's for the night. Jeanie had an extra tooth brush, and a pair of pajamas, so Jeanie gave them to Penny, and they both went off to bed.

Apt 4A 6:30 PM Monday Nov 26th 2012.

Sheldon was watching Leonard. Howard had asked him to keep an eye on Leonard as both he and Bernadette were worried about him. Sheldon wasn't sure what he should do, Leonard was just sitting at his desk, looking at his computer. He hadn't eaten, and Sheldon supposed he should tell Howard that. Howard had pick something up for them, for dinner, on their way home, and Sheldon was now watching the short version of The Fellowship of the Ring, while he ate.

He would look at Leonard every so often, making sure he kept an eye on him. The movie was ending and Leonard closed his laptop, said goodnight, and started walking toward his bedroom. Sheldon watched him go and thought how much of a waste of time, watching Leonard had been, as he hadn't moved from his desk.

Sheldon did call Howard, to tell him that Leonard hadn't done anything all night.

"What did he do?" Asked Howard. "Did he eat?"

"No, he didn't eat," said Sheldon. "He just stared at his laptop all night," said Sheldon.

"What was he looking at?"

"Just his email," said Sheldon.

"All night?" said Howard. "He was just going through his email all night?"

"Not even that," said Sheldon, "he had a couple of his emails open, and just stared at them."

"Which emails?"

"I couldn't see from where I was sitting," said Sheldon.

Howard shook his head, he had an idea of which emails, and wondered how someone as brilliant as Sheldon, could be so dense. "OK, thanks, Sheldon. I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Talk to him about what?"

"Don't worry about it Sheldon," said Howard. "I'll handle it, goodbye."

"All right, goodbye."

Howard was was holding his phone, thinking. Maybe he could get Leonard's mind off Penny, by asking his advice about something Howard was thinking of doing. Something he hadn't told Raj, or even Bernadette about yet. Howard nodded, yeah, that should get Leonard off of thinking about Penny, at least for a little while. he started getting ready for bed.

CalTech cafeteria 12:30 PM Tuesday Nov 27th 2012.

Leonard wasn't eating, he was just pushing his food around. It had been a rough morning for him, again, much like the previous evening, and for the same reason. Howard drove past The Cheesecake Factory and then seeing 4B as they got to their apartment, reminding Leonard of Penny. And, although Leonard drove this morning, it was just as bad. Seeing 4B, he had thought about driving an alternate way to work, hoping to avoid The Cheesecake Factory, but he realized that by taking the alternate route, he was still thinking about it, and Penny. Will I ever be able to drive by there again?

He heard Howard's voice, "Hey there, buddy, what's up?"

He looked up to see Howard sitting down. He appreciated Howard and Bernadette's attempts to help him, but he wasn't really in the mood for it.

"I need some advice," said Howard.

"From me?" asked Leonard.

"Yeah, you're level headed," said Howard. "Well, most of the time, but not right now what with Pe…"

"What do you want Howard, I'm not in a mood to talk?"

"OK," started Howard, "I've been taking some classes, here and there, to keep up with some newer engineering stuff. I know I'm an Astronautical Engineer, but I have an idea to try and get my PhD, and move to another specialty. I'll have to have a project and write a thesis, and I'll still have to take several other courses, but I wanted to run my plan by you, for your thoughts."

Leonard interest was now piqued. He had always thought that Howard was a pretty sharp guy academically, and also thought he should get his PhD. But, he also understood why engineers didn't usually get them. He looked at Howard for a few seconds then asked, "OK, what do you have in mind?"

Howard was a bit nervous, he had been thinking of this for several years, but now it was time to put up, or shut up. "Here's what I'm thinking. I did the space toilet for the Space Station, and also several other smaller things. In every case, I had to link whatever piece of equipment to the on board computer, so the equipment could be controlled and monitored. Things like the temperature, air pressure, electricity, movement of the solar panels, all of that."

"What would that have to do with your project?" Asked Leonard. "Are you planning on something for the station?"

"No," said Howard, "I was thinking of using that experience to do something with applied engineering, which will also let me use my programming skills."

"Like what?"

"My project would be creating a partially automated home, where the main computer would monitor things like temperature, hot water, open and close windows and lock doors, and be able to turn lights and entertainment systmes off and on and maybe a few other things, as I think of them."

"What would you use as an interface?"

"Well, a regular computer interface, of course, to update programs or add something else to the automation. In general, for the user, my plan is to use voice control." said Howard. "Something like what Apple's working on, with SIRI."

"Of course, I would have to do a lot of research on that, and then program it, on my own. I'll also have to figure out what kind of servos and linkages to use on windows and such. What do you think?"

Leonard put his chin in his hand and thought about it. While the space toilet had been somewhat of a disaster, he knew the rest of what Howard had done for the space station was working just fine, and lot of what he did with the space station would be directly transferable to this project.

"Where would you go?" asked Leonard, "or would you stay here?"

"I'd stay here," said Howard, "I've already done some preliminary asking around, and they are willing to waive the five year limit, from my the date of my masters, and the limit of taking no more than four years, as long as I keep working on it, and keep working on my job here. Although they did say they might move me to, applied or computer engineering, something that fits with my thesis and project."

Leonard was nodding, "What does Bernadette think about this?"

"She doesn't know," said Howard. "I wanted to have everything ready, before I tell her. I think she'll be happy. She's ribbed me a couple of time about not having a PhD, and when I complain about it, she tells me to go get one, so that's what I'm going to do."

Leonard thought a bit more, then nodded his head again, "It sounds like you have a good plan, and a good project. I would say go for it. I think you would already have one, if you were in any other field."

Howard smiled, "Thanks Leonard, it makes me feel good to know you think I can do this."

"What's Raj think?"

"I haven't told him, either," said Howard.

"Why not?"

"Why would I tell him," said Howard, "if I haven't told Bernadette?"

Leonard nodded, "Well, you're closer to Raj…"

"Ha ha ha, hilarious," said Howard in a mocking tone.

Leonard looked serious and said, "Well, there's one thing I would make sure you do then."

"What?"

"Just make sure you tell Bernadette," said Leonard, "or she'll rip your head off."

"Oh, I know that," said Howard. "Believe me, I know that."

A small smile formed on Leonard's lips, the first one in three days, before disappearing quickly.

Apt 314 8:30 PM Tuesday Nov 27th 2012.

Jeanie sighed as she looked down on Penny. She was laying on the couch, drunk again. She was also crying, and repeating variations of "I'm sorry, Leonard, I'm so sorry Leonard," over and over again.

Jeanie had been gone since the early afternoon, running several errands and a dinner meet up with her publicist. After their discussion the previous night, Penny seemed to be pretty level, emotionally, when she left, and Jeanie did not expect to find her in this condition, when she got back. Jeanie helped Penny into her bedroom, and got her ready for bed, the led her to her bed. She put a glass of water and some aspirin on her nightstand. She walked out to the kitchen and looked back at the bedroom. Her heart went out to Penny, and Jeanie decided she was staying there tonight.

She had thought about calling Leonard. Penny seemed to be in really bad shape, and she wondered if Leonard was aware of the toll the breakup was taking on Penny. In the end, she decided that Penny didn't want to talk to Leonard, so it wasn't for Jeanie to decide to contact him. She went to her apartment, grabbed her toothbrush, and a pair of Pajamas, then came back down to Penny's apartment. When she returned, she found a pillow and blanket and made herself comfortable on the couch. Before drifting off, she thought about find something to do, on the next day, to help Penny.

Apt 4A 6:30 PM Tuesday Nov 27th 2012.

Leonard was eating some leftover Thai food. He really hadn't had an interest in eating lately, but he was actually hungry for a change, so he reheated the container and started eating, thinking about his afternoon.

He had a brief respite to his despair, due to the conversation with Howard, but by the time he got back to his office, he just didn't care about anything. He struggled all afternoon to work on anything, because he just kept thinking about Penny. He finally called Amy, asking her to bring Sheldon home, and he left early. He again thought about changing his route home, but as he did that, he was thinking about The Cheesecake Factory, and Penny. So he continued along the same, usual route.

He remembered,, after getting to the fourth floor, his eyes filling with tears after he reflexively looked toward 4B, and how he quickly turned and unlocked his door, making his way to his bedroom, where he laid down and was soon asleep.

Now he was awake, and not sure what to do. As he tried to figure out what to do, he realized he had no interest in doing anything, so after eating, he simply turned on the TV, not really watching. After Amy and Sheldon came home, they ate, and Amy tried to cheer Leonard up, but nothing seemed to be working. He finally told Amy that while he appreciated it, he was just going to go to his room. Amy watched him go, just shaking her head, with a sad expression.

Apt 314 9:30 PM Wednesday Nov 28th 2012.

Jeanie was again getting Penny's couch ready, as her bed for the night. She had gone to the doctor with Penny in the morning. While Penny knew she wasn't pregnant, she was relieved that the tests they had results for indicated she didn't have those particular diseases. It was going to take, several more weeks for the results for the rest, and up to six months, before she would be sure about the HIV test, so she would have to wait.

Once they got home, Jeanie had tried to get her to open up, throughout the day, until Penny became angry. Penny had quickly apologized for snapping at Jeanie, saying she had told Jeanie everything she felt comfortable saying right now. After that, Penny had spent most of the day quietly watching TV, and occasionally sobbing. After Penny's blowup, Jeanie was content to be there for her, if she decided to talk. Jeanie had made lunch and dinner for the both of them, and as she was still worried about Penny drinking, she decided to sleep on Penny's couch again.

She was desperately trying to come up with something for the next day, when she remembered she had a meeting with her agent. A plan began to form, and she made a few phone calls. By the time she had finished with the phone calls, she felt she had a good plan to keep Penny busy the next day. She shut off the light, laid her head down, and waited to get to sleep.

Apt 4A 7:30 PM Wednesday Nov 28th 2012.

Leonard was in his bedroom, going there as soon as he got home, laying on his bed, thinking. It had been a shock to him this morning, as he drove to work. The City of Pasadena was putting up Christmas decorations on the light polls along Colorado Boulevard. As he saw them going up, he thought about Christmas, how he really didn't celebrate it as a kid, and how it took Penny to make it a holiday for him. The Christmas decorations had made him think of Penny, and the good times she had made for him during Christmases they had spent together. His mood went even further down, and brought tears to his eyes.

He was struggling to do anything through the morning, and while he went to the cafeteria, he only got a cup of coffee. Around one PM, he had received an email from Geoff, letting him know they were behind again, and he wouldn't be able to send the latest file for a couple of days. I guess they are really behind, thought Leonard, it was nine PM, at Oxford, and he's still at work. Not that it matters, I'm not doing much of anything. I'll send him a note back tomorrow, telling him not to worry about it.

He didn't do much of anything for the afternoon, either, just basically staring at his computer screen. He got a couple of calls from his grad students, who had some questions, but he put them off, telling them he wouldn't be able to talk to them until next week. This, of course, made him feel guilty for not helping them, which just dragged him down more. Sheldon came and got him just after five PM. He packed his office up and they left around 5:15. Leonard knew they were doing Christmas decoration on Colorado, so he intentionally took California, to get to the apartment, without seeing the decorations. He was aware that he could also avoid The Cheesecake Factory, by taking that route.

They were just getting to the downtown area, when Leonard noticed the light poles along California were now, also, decorated with Christmas decorations. As soon as he noticed them, the feeling he had this morning had kicked in again. He struggled with his feelings, the rest of the way home, trying to keep them from Sheldon. He, of course, couldn't stop himself from looking at 4B, whenthey arrived home. It was at this point that he told Sheldon to call Amy to bring dinner, as he wasn't going anywhere, then went to his room.

Leonard had been thinking an idea for a couple of hours, weighing different things, in his mind. He knew it was going to be difficult to see various things in Pasadena, which reminded him of Penny, and had come to a decision, although he was still thinking about the details. He heard a single soft knock on his door. He looked up and said, "Come in, Amy."

Amy entered and asked, "How did you know it was me?"

Leonard had a half smile, "Well, you didn't knock three time and say my name, so it had to be you."

Amy nodded, "Makes sense. I brought you a plate of food, you really should eat."

"I'm not hungry," said Leonard.

"I understand that," said Amy, "but you really need to eat something."

"Put it on my night stand," said Leonard.

Amy turned to go, but before she could leave Leonard said, "Amy?"

"Yes?"

"Can you take Sheldon into work tomorrow?" Asked Leonard. "I have to go in early to call England about the data for my idea and experiment."

"Do I need to bring him home?"

"Yeah," said Leonard, "if it goes the way I expect, I'll have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Like what?"

"I'd…I really…let's just say until I talk to them, I won't know," said Leonard. "I've made a decision, about the lack of data for my hypothesis, and I'm going to go with it."

"What decision?"

Leonard ignored her question, "Can you bring him home?"

"OK, I can do it," said Amy. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Not really," said Leonard. "Good night."

"Goodnight, Leonard," she said, and left, closing the door.

Apt 4A 2:30 AM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

Sheldon came out of the bathroom, and noticed a light on in the kitchen. He walked out there and saw Leonard leaning on the island, a cup of tea in front of him.

"What are you doing up, Leonard," said Sheldon rubbing his eyes.

"I've been thinking about something and couldn't get to sleep," said Leonard. "So, I came out here for some tea."

"Thinking about what?"

"Things," said Leonard. He was silent for a few seconds then said, "The breakup just hurts so bad, Sheldon. I don't know what to do."

Sheldon noticed a far off look in Leonard's eyes, and said, "You're not done with her, are you?"

"Actually," said Leonard sadly, "I think I am."

Caltech Laser Lab, 6:30 AM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

Leonard was tired. He had struggled with sleep all night, and was now drinking his fourth cup of coffee. He dialed Geoff's number and waited. A minute later, and after a lot of tones and beeps, he heard Geoff's voice, "Hello."

"Hi Geoff, it's Leonard"

"Hi Leonard," said Geoff, "I take it you got my email?"

"Yes," said Leonard, "I wanted to ask you about that."

"It's still the same," said Geoff. "We're missing a lecturer, and a lecturer who is an experimentalist. Our current staff is trying to cover all the lectures, which means we have to take away from experimenting, which is why we don't have the data to send you, I'm sorry."

"No, no, I understand that," said Leonard. "But, I think I have a way to help you get around those problems."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"Geoff," said Leonard. "What do you think about me applying for your lecturer/experimentalist position?"

End of Part III