A/N. Not much to say. I made a small error in some future chapters, and had to do a rewrite on three of them. Turned out it wasn't a big deal, and didn't have any effect on this chapter. This chapter, like last week, is a couple of hours early. Hope you don't mind. On to the chapter.

Chapter 68

Apt 314, 10:30 AM Sunday December 9th 2012.

Jeanie knocked on Penny's door and waited. She figured it would take a half a minute or so for Penny to get to the door. But, it had been almost two minutes and she hadn't heard anything. She knocked again, louder, and was rewarded with an angry, "I'm coming, I'm coming, quit knocking," and a few seconds later she heard the locks open, and then the door, with Penny standing there. Jeanie thought she looked rather rough.

"Come on in," said Penny sounding tired. She walked back to the table, and sat down, as Jeanie followed her in. Jeanie could see the two empty bottles of wine on the coffee table, and along with Penny's appearance, it was easy to see that Penny had been drinking again last night.

Dammit, I should have stopped here last night, thought Jeanie. She could feel her anger at Penny rising, but realizing that being angry would just make Penny angry, she took several deep breaths to calm down, then asked, "Can I get a cup of coffee?"

Penny pointed to the coffee pot, and Jeanie went and got a mug from the cupboard, poured herself a cup and brought it to the table, and sat down. She was still upset, and was not going to really push Penny on this one. She needed to talk to Leonard.

"So, on Friday, you said you were doing fine," said Jeanie, "what happened to get you drinking again?"

"I was lonely," said Penny. "I tried to call one of my girlfriends out in California, and she was out with another of my friends. They have each other now, and if not, they both have a boyfriend or husband to talk to. Then I realized I broke up my boyfriend, and didn't have anyone, got depressed and started drinking."

"You have me," said Jeanie.

"Yeah, but not all the time," said Penny, "and when you're not here, like yesterday, I don't have anyone. Besides, you have a life and I can't and don't expect you to babysit me all the time."

This was just the opening Jeanie was looking for, "So call Leonard and talk to him," said Jeanie. "Explain to him what happened, ask him to forgive you. I'm sure he would."

"You still don't understand," groaned Penny in frustration.

"Understand what?"

"I broke up with him, so I wouldn't hurt him again, the way I've hurt him before. I've done it before Leoanrd, I did it here with Leonard, and I'll more than likely do it again in the future."

"How do you know that," asked Jeanie.

"It's what I do," said Penny, sounding bitter. Hell, it's what I've done since high school. I hurt the good guys and I let the bad guys hurt me. It's my pattern and I just don't want to hurt Leonard anymore. Besides, he has a PhD, why would he even want to be with a stupid slut like me? He doesn't deserve it."

"Dammit Penny," said Jeanie, getting angry, "you are not a slut, do not call yourself that. You were drunk, maybe more than drunk, so you weren't able to make a decision and give consent. You need to tell him that, let him decide."

"No, no, no," said Penny, "it's already done, so why try to go back and cause him even more pain? I don't want to do that to him."

"So, you don't want to hurt him," said Jeanie. She stared straight at Penny and asked, "Do you still love him?"

"Well, yes…no…wait, I obviously don't," said Penny, "aw hell, I'm so confused I don't know."

"What are you confused about?"

"It's…it's, look," said Penny, "if I loved him, I wouldn't treat him as bad as I have, would I?"

"And if you didn't love him," said Jeanie, "you wouldn't be so worried about hurting him, now would you?"

Penny didn't know what to say.

"Well, don't you think he loves you?"

"He did," said Penny, "but, I don't know why. Although, I've probably destroyed that love now."

"Then don't you think you should give him a chance to decide what he wants to do?" said Jeanie. "You may not feel like you should be given another chance, but don't you think that should be his decision?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe, hell," said Jeanie, "he deserves it, and you know it. You call him, and arrange to go home over Christmas, and talk to him."

"I'll think about it," said Penny. "I have to figure some things out, before I make a decision and call him."

"No, dammit," said Jeanie, "there's nothing to figure out. You need to arrange to go home, and talk to him face to face. Do it over Christmas, it's only fair to him."

"I…I…I just don't know," said Penny, burying her face in her hands.

"Penny, you really need…"

"Jeanie, listen," said Penny, looking up and sounding frustrated, "I said I would think about it."

"No, you listen," said Jeanie. "You have to go home and talk to him. Then if you still want to break up with him, you do it in person, like he deserves. Not through some damn letter."

"No, dammit," said Penny, sounding angry, "I know he deserved better than breaking with him in a letter, but I told you I'd think about it, that's more than I've done before, so why don't you just leave it there. If you want to keep pushing me on this, just get the hell out."

Jeanie had nothing else, and she knew she couldn't push Penny any farther. She looked at Penny and said, "OK, I'll leave it there for now, but I'm going to ask you every couple of days until you call or tell me to stick it up my ass."

Penny looked surprised, then gave her a weak smile, "OK, I will."

Jeanie smiled, she had gotten Penny angry, but she had gotten her to at least think about going home for Christmas. And had managed to break the tension. Jeannie nodded, "Why don't you get a shower, I'll run up and get my script, and we can work on some things this afternoon?"

Penny nodded, got up and headed for her bathroom, while Jeanie went to her apartment for her script.

Apt 4A, 1:30 PM Sunday December 9th 2012.

Leonard was taking a break for lunch. He had spent all morning trying to get the final boxes of his memorabilia packed, and had just finished a few more. Looking around, he decided that he had two of his current sized boxes, or possibly one bigger box left to pack. He went to the fridge, pulled out a box of leftover Thai food and put it in the microwave, and started heating it for lunch. He was happy with the progress he had made, helped, no doubt, by the absence of Sheldon. Amy had put her foot down, and demanded that Sheldon accompany her to a basket weaving class, since she'd been going everywhere he had wanted to go, and she had extracted a promise from him, that he would go with her.

Thinking of Sheldon, he realized he would have to tell him he was leaving in the next couple of days, as the 19th was just over a week away. Geoff had arranged his flights from LA to London, and Leonard had made some changes, to make a couple of stops, on the way to New York. How to tell Sheldon was still a problem, without a solution, currently. Leonard knew what the roommate agreement said, but since he was leaving he wasn't really worried about it. He was, however, worried about Sheldon's reaction, and what would happen after he left. Leonard didn't want to leave Sheldon with no way to get around, and Sheldon needed someone here. He realized he would have to keep thinking about that.

This made him think about the rest of his friends. It wasn't going to be any easier telling Howard and Raj, and to a lesser extent Amy and Bernadette. I've been close to Howard since we met. With Raj, it's been awkward since that night I found out Priya was leaving. While the thing with Penny was part of it, Raj not telling me about Priya leaving to go back to India, is what pissed me off the most.

I just don't know how to tell all of them I'll be leaving. It's going to be difficult, and they'll probably try to talk me out of it. Leaving Cal Tech isn't going to be much easier, I'm going to miss the people and friends there. He had tried not to think about it all, because it just made him feel worse about everything, and he already felt bad enough. I guess that's why I think about Oxford, it's new and makes me excited to be going there. But, when I think about leaving the university and my friends, it just makes feel down about the whole thing.

He heard the "ding" of the microwave and went to get the container. He took out the container and opened it, eating straight from the carton, while he thought about his last call with Geoff. They had gone through all the paperwork that Leonard was going to need, once he arrived, some of which he would have to get here, in Pasadena. His passport, obviously, plus all the paperwork he would need to apply for his work visa. Geoff told him he would have to fill out his application at the airport, and he also gave him some information, from Oxford, he would need.

Geoff had also mentioned he had arranged for the movers to pick up Leoanrd's books, papers, clothes and other things. Leonard's rooms at Oxford, he was told, would have all the furniture he would need, so he planned on selling most of his furniture, and giving away anything else he didn't need. Except for his clothes, and a few other things, everything else would have to be packed up, so it could be taken to England.

His computer and his gaming system were both dual voltage. He was planning on taking his computer with him, and shipping the gaming system. Besides, he would need a new television to pick up the European systems, but he would get that in England. They would be coming, in a week, to pick up his things. He also reminded himself that Geoff was sending him a new phone, one that would work in Europe. He couldn't think of anything else, so he looked at the bookshelf. He was surprised that Sheldon hadn't commented on everything that was missing. As a matter of fact, he was thankful Sheldon hadn't been in his room, as the missing items were more obvious.

Leonard finished eating and threw out the container. He washed his fork, then started back to his bedroom, to begin going through the papers he was having shipped. Preparing everything else to be packed away, so they could be loaded into the crates when they picked up his things on Friday.

Wolowitz Apt 8:30 PM Sunday December 9th 2012.

Raj knocked on the door and waited, he hadn't seen Howard for a few days. He'd been working on something and had missed lunch all week. With Leonard missing lunch too, it was a shame about Penny breaking up with him, all Raj had was Sheldon and it had been driving him nuts.

The door opened and Bernadette said, "Hi Raj, what's up?"

"Is Howard here?" Asked Raj.

"He is, but he's busy," answered Bernadette. "Do you want to come in?"

"Yeah, OK, sure," said Raj. He walked in and Bernadette closed the door and followed him to the couch where they both sat down. "He's been busy at work too," said Raj, "what's he got, some big new project?"

Bernadette shook her head, "Kind of, but I'd better let him tell you." She rose and went into the bedroom. Raj heard some talking, then Howard came walking in.

"Hey buddy," said Howard, "what are you doing here? Run out of chick flicks to watch?"

Raj rolled his eyes, "No, I came to see you. You haven't been at lunch the last week, and except for a brief "hi" in the hallway, I haven't seen you. What's going on?"

Howard looked at Bernadette with a slight grin, then back at Raj. "I really didn't want to tell anyone yet, because all the details haven't been worked out, but I've been getting things set up, to get my PhD in engineering."

"What? Oh my God, dude," said Raj, jumping up and hugging Howard, "That's great. Is it in astronautical engineering?"

Howard disengaged himself from the hug, "Well, kinda, but no, I'm going to borrow a few of the things I worked with, on the space station, as my project…"

"Not the space toilet…"

"No, not the space toilet," Howard sighed. "I'm going to use how the computers control the A/C, heating, window covers, lighting, power, those kinds of things. I'm going to use a dedicated server, with voice commands, to set up control on a house or apartment."

"Oh, wow, that's really cool."

"Yeah, but I have classes to take, I have to work out when I'll work, when I have to take off for classes, and how I'll make up that time. Then study, and work on the project and thesis. It's going to keep me rather busy for the next few years."

"I get it," said Raj, "you've got to work to get the doctorate. We'll just have to cut back on our time together."

"That's just it Raj," said Howard, looking uncomfortable, "with all this extra work, I don't think there will be much time for us to get together."

"Sure there will," said Raj, "after your classes at night, or after you finished work, we can do it then."

"Ahhhh, I'm sorry buddy," said Howard, sounding embarrassed, "but, most of that time will go to Bernadette."

A look of comprehension came over Raj's face, along with sadness, "I see, I guess you won't have any time for me. I'll be going." He stood and started walking toward the door.

"Raj, wait," said Howard, "I'm sure we can find some time." He looked over at Bernadette who nodded, "and I'm sure there will be times when Bernie will be happy for me to come and see you."

"When?"

"How about tomorrow night?" said Howard. "Most of my stuff that's due Tuesday is done, so you can come over tomorrow and we can play some video games, how's that?"

Raj looked happier, "OK, I'll see you tomorrow night then." He went to the door turned and said, "Goodnight."

Howard and Bernadette both said "Goodnight," and Raj left, closing the door behind him.

Studio 44 2:30 PM Monday December 10th 2012.

Penny was sitting in her director's chair, waiting for Jeanie to finish her scenes. Jeanie had insisted on taking Penny to her dressing room, anytime they were both in the studio. Penny didn't mind, as Brent hadn't approached her, off of the set, since Jeanie started staying with her in the studio. Up until today, Steve had been happy with her and Brent's scenes. But, she had made several mistakes today, and Steve had pointed them out, causing her to snap at him.

Penny felt bad about it, as Steve didn't how much extra effort it took for her to work with Brent. Nor, did Steve know she had been wrestling with a personal decision, which had her upset. Steve had tried to calm her down, asking if there was anything bothering her. She told him there was, but it didn't have to do with work, and she apologized for snapping at him. He brushed it off and they finished the scene.

Jeanie came walking up, "You ready to go?"

"Yep, let me get some things from my dressing room, then we can go."

"Have you thought about going home for Christmas?"

Actually, she had, that was the personal decision Penny had been thinking about, since Jeanie brought it up the day before. Looking at Jeanie, Penny said, "Yes, I have, and I'll be calling Leonard later this week, to see if he's willing to talk to me when I go out there, after I treated him so badly. If he even takes my call."

Jeanie smiled, "That's great Penny, I'm glad, and I'm sure he'll take your call. Let's get our stuff and go home."

Wolowitz Apt 7:30 PM Monday December 10th 2012.

Bernadette was reading several reports of her current experiments, when she heard a knock on the door. She moved her footstool to the door, so she could look out of the peephole. When she looked, she saw Raj, so she moved her footstool back and opened the door.

"Hi Raj," said Bernadette, "what are you doing here?"

"Howard told me yesterday, to come over tonight," said Raj. "We haven't had any time together lately and he said we were going to play some video games."

"Oh yeah," said Bernadette, "I remember that from yesterday." She looked sad, "I'm sorry Raj, he's not here. One of his advisors had talked to him, and wanted more information about the computer software he planned on using. So he had to make some changes to the stuff he has to turn in tomorrow, he's at the library right now."

"Oh, I see," said Raj looking disappointed. "Yeah, he needs to work on that. I'll just go on home."

"I'd ask you to stay," said Bernadette, "but I'm doing some work and wouldn't be much fun, I'm afraid."

"No, that's OK," said Raj, "I'll just head on home. You have a good evening, and tell Howard its OK, I understand."

Thank you Raj, Good night," said Bernadette.

"Good night Bernadette," said Raj, looking sad as he turned to walk off. Bernadette closed the door, wondering why she felt so bad.

Apt 4A 1:30 PM Tuesday December 11th 2012.

Leonard had gone into work, and had taken Sheldon with him, but he had left around 11 AM. All he had done today was to talk to his four students for the last time, and write up his impressions of their work for their advisors to pass along to who ever was taking Leonard's place.

Getting back to the apartment just after noon, he started clearing off the bookshelves in the living room of all of his collectibles. He would be wrapping them, and putting them in the two boxes, to take to Stuarts later. Tonight, with all the empty space on the book shelves, he would have to tell Sheldon he would be leaving. But, he still hadn't thought of a good way to work into it.

He had put the first group of his collectibles on the coffee table. They were handy there as he had the box on his chair, and the paper to wrap them on Sheldon's spot on the couch. He started wrapping the first one, when he was surprised by the door opening, and Sheldon walking in. Forgetting what he was doing, he said, "What are you doing home?"

"Amy dropped me off," said Sheldon. "When you told me I needed to get her to drive me home, I called her and she told me she had a doctor's appointment, so if I wanted a ride home, we would have to leave by 1 PM, so she wouldn't be late for her appointment…"

Sheldon stopped and looked at the bookshelves and the collectibles on the couch, "Leonard," he said, "why are you wrapping all your collectibles and putting them in a box?"