A/N Isn't much to tell you here, just some things building toward the end. Also, I want to thank my Canadian reader (and possibly another) who discovered my various stories this past week. You have single-handedly (we'll there might be two) put Canada as number one t, so far, for views of my stories this month.
Chapter 69
Apt 4A, 1:30 PM Tuesday December 11th 2012.
"Er…ah…um…what?" asked Leonard.
"Why are you packing up all of your figurines?"
Leonard thought quickly, "I…er…I'm taking them down to clean them."
"I thought that at first too," said Sheldon. "But, some things that have been down for a few days…"
Damn, he noticed.
"…haven't been put back up. And, if you were cleaning them, those would be back up, and you wouldn't be wrapping these up. So, why are you packing your figurines away?"
I might as well tell him what I'm doing with them, "I'm taking them to Stuart's, to sell," said Leonard.
"But, why?" asked Sheldon. "If you need money, you can always sell blood, or semen, like we've done before. If you don't want to do that, I can lend you the money."
"It's not the money, Sheldon," said Leonard.
"Then what is it?" Asked Sheldon.
"I'm getting rid of all of my collectibles," said Leonard. "I've picked out some for you, Howard and Raj, and I'm selling the rest."
"But, you haven't told me why," said Sheldon. "Is this another thing like when you wanted to get rid of everything, after you bought the time machine, and Penny…this has something to do with Penny, doesn't it?"
Dammit, he caught that. Well, I would have to tell him tomorrow, so I might as well do it now. Leonard sighed,"Sheldon, sit down, I have to tell you something."
"Where should I sit, Leonard?" asked Sheldon. "You have all that paper in my spot."
Leonard rolled his eyes, then moved the paper. He also moved the box from his chair and they both sat down. He was looking at Sheldon, trying to figure out how to start. He decided to start with a different direction. "Sheldon, it does have something to do with Penny. You know how upset I've been, because Penny broke up with me, right?"
"Yes, I've seen you upset," said Sheldon, "and you've been listening to all those breakup songs, by that band Coldbay, or something like that, but that's your own fault. If you wouldn't have invited that woman to lunch five years ago, or thought it was a good idea to get back together with her, none of this would have happened."
"Yeah, well, I understand that," said Leonard, the feeling of getting kicked in the gut returning, "but, please listen to me…"
"Why would I listen to you…"
"Sheldon!" yelled Leonard. "Just listen, so you understand why I'm packing up my figurines."
Sheldon had jumped when Leonard yelled, and was now looking at Leonard strangely and nodded.
Leonard took a deep breath and said, "I will be leaving CalTech in a week."
"To go where?"
"I'll be working at a different university" said Leonard, "starting with the January semester."
"Where? UCLA?" said Sheldon. "Or are you going to the University of Southern California, and will you be working from your computer here? But, if you're doing that, why do you have to sell your things?"
"No," said Leonard, "I'll be moving to England, to Oxford."
"Oh, you can't do that," said Sheldon, matter of factly, "you have to give 30-days-notice, according to the Roommate Agreement."
"I don't know what to tell you, Sheldon," said Leonard, shrugging. "But, I have to be at Oxford on the 26th, and I have a couple of stops to make before I get there, so I'm leaving on the 19th, which is a week from tomorrow."
"No, that is unacceptable," said Sheldon, standing. "You can't go, I won't let you."
"You can't stop me."
"You can't leave, and leave me here alone," said Sheldon, sounding panicked. "Who's going to drive me to work? Who's going to take me to get sheets or towels? Who's going to get food? Who is going to do all those things you do for me? Who is going to be my best friend? I tell you, you cannot go. You can't abandon me, I won't stand for it."
Sheldon turned and walked to his room, entered and slammed the door behind him.
Leonard sighed, he knew it was going to be difficult for Sheldon to accept, but he was leaving, and he wouldn't let Sheldon stand in his way. There was a knock on the door, and Leonard answered it. It was FedEx, with a small package. Leonard took it, thanked the driver and took it to his room. He was expecting this, and he would have to stop by the Verizon store tomorrow.
Studio 44, 10:30 PM Tuesday December 11th 2012.
Penny had everything packed up, and was just waiting for Jeanie. The taping had gone well, she had gotten the next script, the last one before Christmas break, and was reading it, while waiting for Jeanie. There was a knock on her door, and she opened it, to see Jeanie there. Penny grabbed her pack, her purse, and then left her dressing room. She closed and locked her door, before walking with Jeanie, out of the studio.
As they got to Jake's, Jeanie asked, "Are you coming in tonight?"
"I don't think so," said Penny,
"Are you going home to call Leonard about going home for Christmas?" asked Jeanie.
"No, that has nothing to do with it," said Penny. "It's just I'm not interested in sitting at a table with Brent."
"He won't be sitting with us, you'll see, come on," said Jeanie. "We'll limit it to one glass of wine, how's that?"
Jeanie led Penny into the bar, to the bar, where they ordered their drinks. They each got a glass of wine and as they started back to the table, Brent walked in.
Jeanie handed her glass to Penny, "Here, take this to the table, I'll be right there."
Penny took the glass from Jeanie and walked to the rear of the bar, to their usual table. As Penny sat down, she saw Jeanie talking to Brent. He was shaking his head no. Jeanie said something else to him, and it looked like he became absolutely livid. He gave Jeanie the finger, then turned and left the bar.
Jeanie came back to the table, sitting next to Penny. Penny looked at Jeanie and said, "What did you say to him?"
"Nothing much, I persuaded him not to come back to the table," said Jeanie.
"How the hell did you do that?" asked Penny. "I saw his reaction."
"Let's just say that's my secret for now, and has to do with some information I got this week," said Jeanie with a smirk. "Enjoy your ONE drink, tonight." With that, Jeanie turned to talk to Tina, leaving Penny wondering what exactly Jeanie had said to Brent.
Apt 4A, 7:45 PM Tuesday December 11th 2012.
Leonard had been working on his figurines since Sheldon ran into his bedroom. He had taken a break around six, and had eaten some leftover pizza. He was back to wrapping his things by 6:30. He now took the last box back to his room, came back out to watch some TV, and had just sat down, when the door opened, and Amy walked in.
"Oh, hi, Amy, I didn't know you had a key," said Leonard, as he stood.
"Yeah, Sheldon was worried that if he had some sort of problem, when you weren't here, no one would be able to get in to help him," said Amy.
"What sort of problem?"
"Well, he said something about having the flu," said Amy, "and he would be in bed and unable to get food or unlock the door so someone could get him food, so he insisted I take a key and then forced me to sign a Key Agreement."
"When did this happen?"
"Back when you and Penny went to New York," said Amy, "and then on your vacations."
Amy saw Leonard's face go white, as he appeared to fall back into his chair. Tears appeared in his eyes.
Thinking about what Sheldon had told her about Leonard leaving, she took a guess, "I'm sorry Leonard. Is Penny the reason you're leaving here?"
When he spoke, she could hear him choking up. "How do you know about that?"
"Sheldon told me you were leaving," said Amy, "he's upset, and asked me to come over."
Leonard gathered himself, and sighed, "Yeah, I told him this afternoon, he caught me wrapping up all my collectibles."
"But, why Leonard?" asked Amy.
"I can't stay here Amy," said Leonard sadly, "there are too many memories here. I walk out my door, there's her apartment. I go to work, I see The Cheesecake Factory, but if I try to avoid it, I'm thinking about it, and, of course, her. I saw the decorations going up for Christmas, and thought of how she got me to enjoy Christmas." He paused for a second, then continued, again choking up, "There are other things, other places…I just can't be around here anymore."
Amy looked at Leonard with pity. From her brief talks with him, she understood the breakup, and the time leading up to it, had crushed him. And, it now appeared, he couldn't take the memories anymore, and was taking action to remove himself from those memories. While she was a neurobiologist, she had some knowledge of psychology, and understood some of what was driving Leonard. Still, she had to try, "Are you sure this is what you want to do? You'll be leaving all your friends, heading off to somewhere you've never been. Somewhere that has no friends that can help you. If you stay, we can help."
Leonard sadly shook his head, "I don't think so. You can't help get rid of that feeling in the pit of my stomach, whenever something reminds me of her, and what if none of you are available? At least in England, there won't be anything to remind me of her. And, they are very short of people there, which means I'll have a lot of work, to keep me busy. I don't see any other way."
"I understand Leonard," said Amy, "if that's what you need to do, you need to do it. But, if you need to talk about anything, let me know. Sheldon isn't the best at talking through your problems."
A small smile formed, "Yeah, he's not the greatest at that. But every so often, he does have some insight. Thanks, Amy."
"You're welcome, Leonard," said Amy. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I have my boyfriend to console, something about him designing a tractor beam to keep his roommate from leaving." She rose and turned to leave.
"Amy, hold on," said Leonard.
She stopped and turned back to Leonard, "Yes?"
"I am concerned about Sheldon, after I leave," said Leonard. "There won't be anyone to drive him around…"
"I can do that," said Amy. "You ask me to do it every now and then, now."
"Yes," said Leonard, "but that is an inconvenience to you. You have to leave early, or get home late when you take him. I want to run something by you."
"OK, what?"
"I want to recommend to Sheldon," started Leonard, "that you move into my room…"
"Shut your ass," said Amy excitedly.
Leonard grinned, "Yes, I do. You'll be here, you're compatible with him, you don't mind his quirks, I just think it's best for him, and I believe you're willing."
Amy had a grin on her face, "Yes, I'm willing. Do you want me to tell him, or do you want to do it?"
"I think we should wait until he brings it up," said Leonard. "Not just me leaving, but about having no one to help him. If he's worried about it, then he may be more accepting of the idea. If he brings it up, you suggested it, I'll support you when I see him. If I end up suggesting it, you support it, when you see him. But, make sure he's the one that first brings it up."
Amy nodded, "Thank you, Leonard, for thinking of him, and for thinking of me."
"One last thing," said Leonard, "can you take him in all week, starting tomorrow morning? I have some things I have to do here and in town, and I'm pretty much finished doing anything at work."
"Yes, I can do that," said Amy. "Will I need to bring him home also?"
"Yeah, you'll have to do that, too" said Leonard. "And, one other thing, can you hold off on telling Bernadette, and let Howard do it? Let Sheldon tell the guys, he'll probably try to think of a way he can enlist Howard and Raj to help him get me to stay. It won't work, but it will make him feel better."
Amy nodded.
"Now, you better go talk to him," said Leonard, "and calm him down, if you can."
Amy looked at Leonard, "I'm sorry this happened Leonard, like I said, if you need to talk, just ask me." Amy got up and walked toward the hallway. Leonard turned and clicked the remote to turn the TV on.
Apt 314, 1:45 AM Wednesday December 12th 2012.
Penny had gotten home from Jake's with Jeanie, who had gone up to her apartment. Entering hers, Penny hung up her coat, and put her things on the kitchen table. She decided to have one more glass of wine, only one more tonight, she reminded herself. Pouring a glass, she took it to her couch and turned on the TV. Sitting there, she thought about Jeanie asking if she had called Leonard. Should I call Leonard tonight? No, it's late, he's probaby in bed. I'll call him tomorrow afternoon, after the table read.
She took a drink of her wine, and started flipping through the channels. She didn't really find anything to watch, and after looking at all the channels, and realizing she had finished her wine, she decided to go to bed. She turned off her lights, and walked toward the bathroom, to start preparing for bed.
Amy's car, 8:00 AM Wednesday December 12th 2012.
Amy was driving Sheldon to work, as Leonard had asked. Sheldon was very quiet, something Amy noted, and knew indicated he was not happy. He had been so upset, the previous night, he didn't even think of calling Raj or Howard. But, she had called them, telling them to be in the cafeteria at 11:30 AM, as she and Sheldon had something to tell them. When they each tried to ask questions, Amy cut them off, telling them they would find out the next morning.
"Sheldon," she said, "don't you think you should tell Howard and Raj what you found out last night?"
"No, I don't," said Sheldon. "It's not my job, it's Leonard's. After all, he's the one that's leaving."
"Yes, but you are going to see them first," said Amy. "You could tell them at lunch today."
"No, I will not Amy." said Sheldon, "This topic is closed."
Amy sighed, he was still upset by the whole thing. She thought of another way, she might get him to tell them. Amy smiled inwardly. I'll get him to tell them, when we see them at lunch.
Pasadena Verizon Store, 9:00 AM Wednesday December 12th 2012.
Leonard was at the store, right as they opened, and so he got the first available clerk. He explained he was moving to the UK, and his phone from there arrived yesterday and he needed to disconnect his current number and close his account. Geoff had gotten him a plan that would give him an hour of time here in the US, which would be enough for the week he had left. He could call the UK at anytime, without charge, since he now had a UK number. Leonard pulled out his credit card, and paid off his account, closing it.
He left the store, and drove to the university thinking about what he had left to finish. After today, he would have a few final things, like turning in his key, his badge, and several last pieces of paperwork. Those would be done in Gablehauser's office, and then HR, on Friday. Arriving at his lab, he started his final packing. It would only take about an hour and would be the last thing he did in his lab. When he finished, he tried to call Howard, but the university communications department had already disconnected his line and voicemail. So, he left the two boxes and started towards Howards office.
Apt 314, 2:30 PM Wednesday December 12th 2012.
Penny had left the studio alone, Jeanie had some sort of weird costume she had to wear for a scene at a New Year's party, and she was at the costume shop. It had made Penny think of the New Year's Eve party at the comic book store, and it made her feel bad, thinking about Leonard. Arriving home, Penny put her things on the kitchen table, took off her coat and started making a light lunch. Her and Jeanie were planning on going out for dinner, before working on their scripts, so she didn't want to eat too much. After eating, she put her dishes in the sink, and did a quick read through. When she finished, she decided, that even though she was nervous about talking to Leonard, she at least needed to tell him she would be home for Christmas and she really needed to talk to him.
Nervously, she pulled out her phone, selected his name and selected call. She listened, waiting for the ring, but what she heard was a high-pitched tone, followed by "The number you have reached is no longer in service. Please check the number and dial again. Message 402"
She disconnected, selected his name again and pushed call. She waited, but again heard the same message. Puzzled now, she looked up the number and dialed it manually, but again, she got the message saying the number was no long in service. She looked up his work phone, selected that and waited. She heard a rapid busy signal, hung up, tried again, and got the same result. Now, completely puzzled, she tried calling the apartment, but when it went to voicemail, she hung up. Penny looked at her phone, wondering what the hell was going on.