A/N I've actually started on something else this week. Outlining, jotting down ideas, etc. Probably won't get to the actual writing until after Christmas. But I am working on something. Hint-it's from the final season. As for this chapter, see the A/N at the end. I had to put it there, cause it would give away a couple of things.

Chapter 71

Apt 4A 9:30 AM Thursday December 13th 2012.

Leonard had just finished his breakfast, and went back to his room. He looked at the four piles of things, one on his bed, the other three on the floor. On the bed, were his luggage, and a couple of things he would be taking with him on the plane. The largest pile on the floor were extra clothes, and personal items he wouldn't need until he arrived at Oxford. These would be packed tomorrow, by the movers. His bed and other furniture would also be taken, and put into storage, until Howard could sell it. He would go through the bookcases, packing those books that would also be shipped to Oxford. The other two piles were smaller. One contained items Leonard planned to give to the other guys, and the other was for items he planned to throw away.

He started with his closet. He picked several pairs of pants, and several shirts, along with his beloved hoodies, leaving those in the closet. Those items were going into his luggage and he put all his other clothes in the large pile on the floor.. He then did the same thing with his dresser, pulling out those things he wanted in his luggage, and putting them into the closet. The rest went into the pile that the movers would pack. The sweater Penny gave him for his birthday along with several other pieces of clothing she had given him, went in the discard pile. He got to the bottom drawer and hesitated. This is going to be tough. He sighed, opened it and looked. It contained various things Penny had given him through the years, most of them he put in the discard pile.

He turned back to the drawer, in the bottom were the last four things. He took the Star Trek transporter out, and looked at it. It had been taken out of the box, but only once. He had tears in his eyes, remembering what he had told Penny, It's from you, I'm never going to sell it. Leonard shook his head, coming back to the present. Well, at least I'm not selling it. He put it on the pile to give to the guys. Sheldon would soon have a not quite mint in box transporter, to replace his broken one. The largest item, was what appeared to be a blue blanket, but Leonard knew better. The blanket had sleeves, and Penny had given it to him before he had gone on the North Pole expedition. He took it out and over to the pile that would be thrown out. He paused, wanting to throw the blanket in that pile, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He thought about the night Penny gave it to him, and the nights he had used it at the North Pole, and how, after he returned, they would sit on the couch together, using it as a blanket, and he finally decided he couldn't toss it, and took it over to pile the movers would pack.

He returned and picked up a picture in a small frame, it was the picture Bernadette had taken. It showed him and Penny, along with the remains of their dinner on the coffee table. This, he also decided to keep, and laid it on top of the blue blanket. Finally, he pulled out a small blue case, and opened it. Inside, was a pair of cufflinks, and an old watch. Both belonged to his Uncle Floyd, one of the few relatives of his, who had shown him any affection. These had been sent to him by Floyd's widow, with a note that Floyd had wanted Leonard to have them. Also in the case, was the small ring, with the six prong setting, he had planned on giving to Penny. He never had the chance to give it to her, and now he had no use for it. He pulled it out and looked at it, tears forming in his eyes. He finally put it back in the box, and closed it. This, he decided, would be his memory box, for jewelry.

He looked around and saw other things in the room, that reminded him of Penny. He decided he had the ring, the picture and the blanket to remember the good times with Penny, and that was all he needed. So, most everything else in the room, that reminded him of Penny, went in the discard pile. Those few of the other items went into a new pile, to be given to Amy or Bernadette. He then took the clothes and other things that were on his bed, and put them in the closet, with the other clothes he was taking with him. By the time he finished, he was emotionally drained. Fortunately, he was finished and able to leave the room. He returned to the living room, to pack his various books. As he walked to the living room, he remembered he had to call Amy. I'll do that after I get the books packed, he thought.

Studio 44 4:30 PM Thursday December 13th 2012.

Penny was in her dressing room, waiting for Jeanie. The run-through had gone well, and they were finished for the day. Penny heard the knock, packed up her things and they started down the stairs. Coming up the stairs was Brent, and both Penny and Jeanie just smiled sweetly at him. He scowled and hurriedly walked past them. They continued down the stairs, and left the studio, with Penny extremely glad Jeanie was with her.

On the way home they were discussing the run-through, and as they approached their apartment building Jeanie said, "Did you get all your things done at lunch?"

Penny just nodded, not wanting to discuss it just yet. They got to the door and Jeanie said, "Have you talked to Leonard yet?"

Penny stopped, tears forming in her eyes. She tried to start speaking three times and couldn't, just shaking her head, tears were falling from her eyes.

Jeanie just pulled her forward, and they took the elevator up to the third floor. Jeanie got out with Penny, and they entered Penny's apartment. They put their things on the kitchen table and Jeanie said, "What's going on?"

Penny turned and walked to the couch, sat down and put her face in her hands, lightly sobbing. Jeanie walked to the couch and sat down next to her, gave her a hug, and said gently, "Come on Penny, talk to me."

Penny looked at Jeanie, with tears running down her cheeks. Why am I hesitating? I know, I know, it's because she'll tell me something I don't want to hear. Penny dropped her head, and sighed. She's my friend, the only one I have here. She's been so helpful, and I've been so bitchy toward her.

Penny looked back up and said, "I…I…called, and…I got a message telling me his phone wasn't in service. So I called one of my friends, you know, to ask why, and she told me Leonard was leaving Pasadena."

There was a sharp intake of breath from Jeanie.

"He's moving to England, to Oxford, to teach starting in January." said Penny sobbing, "he said… there were too many memories for him to stay there…" She broke down sobbing.

Jeanie leaned over and enveloped her in a hug, saying, "I'm sorry honey." She held her in the hug, until she stopped sobbing.

"Then you have to go back, for Christmas, like I told you," said Jeanie. "Talk to him then, before he leaves."

Penny sat up, looking at Jeanie. "It's too late, he's leaving Tuesday, and we have a taping on Tuesday. He'll be gone before I can get out there."

Jeanie looked at Penny sadly.

"There's more," said Penny, "since Leonard is leaving, I don't need my apartment there anymore. If I go back to visit, I can stay at a hotel, because seeing his old apartment would be too much for me. I'll call my girlfriends in California, to pack up the apartment."

"Why didn't you come to me before you did that?"

"And what would you have told me?" asked Penny. "Not to do it? Why? He's not going to be there, and if he's not there, I don't want to be there."

"Why?"

"He's not the only one who has memories," said Penny bitterly.

"So, what we have," said Jeanie, "is that Leonard is leaving, so you are giving up your apartment in California. What are you going to do, live here?"

"For now," said Penny softly, "I'll have to look for an apartment to move to, after the season is over, and through next year, if we're renewed. But, I'll really have to wait until the decision to renew the show is made."

Jeanie nodded, "That's good, but Penny, please, before you do anything like that again, at least talk to me, and listen to my ideas, OK?"

Penny nodded.

"And, hey, if you're serious about finding an apartment, maybe we could find one together, a two bedroom, two bath. We could be roommates, or maybe a three bedroom, so if we have any guests."

Penny smiled at that, "That would be nice,"

"Do you need me to stick around, tonight?" said Jeanie.

"No, why?"

"Well, you know how you get, and you were pretty down when we got home, and still are," said Jeanie.

"No, I should make it," said Penny. "I'll get dinner, go over my script, just kinda hang out."

"You could watch our show, tonight."

"Is it a new one?" asked Penny. "I haven't been keeping track, and I haven't been watching."

Jeanie chuckled, "I don't watch either, but I keep track of when and what show is on. This is the 11th show of the season, we'll pick up after the new year. If you're going to be OK, I'll leave and see you in the morning."

Jeanie picked up her things, and walked to the door, with Penny following. After Jeanie left, Penny closed and locked the door, and went to her kitchen to make some dinner. While she cooked, she remembered she needed to call Amy, later tonight. After eating, she cleaned up, and started looking at her script, but she couldn't concentrate. Between thinking of Leonard, trying to decide what she should have sent to New York, and what to leave in storage in California, she was distracted. This led her to think about that box in her closet, the one with all of the mementos of Leonard. Remembering the tickets, the rose, the letter he wrote, she started to cry, she decided she needed a drink. She opened a bottle of wine, and planned on drinking two glasses. But, the two glasses didn't make her feel any better, so she had a few more glasses. By 10 PM, she was pretty drunk, and had forgotten to call Amy. She did remember to take some aspirin and drink a glass of water before getting to bed, hoping her hangover would be lessened by this.

Apartment 4A 7:30 PM Thursday December 13th 2012.

Leonard opened the door, seeing, as expected, Amy there, with tonight's food. She entered and walked over to put the pizza, salad, and bread on the coffee table, where Leonard had put three plates and bowls.

"You remember what we talked about, right?" asked Leonard, as he paid Amy for the food.

"Yes, play up the experimental part," said Amy. She looked thoughtful, then said, "I don't know Leonard, he was pretty angry with me when I brought it up to him yesterday."

"I think it will work. While not really accepting it, he knows he can't stop me. He's been a little more concerned about it today. Now, remember, I'll point out about a five-month voyage to see if it will work and also how he'll get to write another roommate agreement."

"I just hope it will work," said Amy.

"It will," said Leonard, "if you remember the rest, about playing it calm, not being too excited or he'll think you are too eager."

"I know I know," said Amy, "I was so excited when you called. But, I have to be cool."

Leonard nodded and said, "Well, go get him, he won't come out for me. I've betrayed him."

"He's not all that thrilled with me right now, either," said Amy as she walked down the hall. Leonard could hear her knocking, then softly talking. Leonard sat in his chair, taking a few pieces of pizza and a bit of salad.

He could hear Sheldon behind him, "I thought you said he wasn't here."

"You asked if he was here, when I was standing by your room. He wasn't, he was in the living room."

"Sometimes you can be so tedious, Amy Farrah Fowler," said Sheldon.

"Now that you're here, get something to eat," said Amy, "Leonard and I have to talk to you about something."

"Why would I want to talk to the traitor, Leonard has become?" said Sheldon. "Or, you for that matter, with your silly suggestions?"

"I said Leonard and I," said Amy, "so Leonard and I, together, have something to talk to you about."

Sheldon rolled his eyes, but he did take some pizza, while Amy went to get two bottles of water, for her and Sheldon. She then made up a salad and they all ate.

They had cleaned everything up and put away the extra food, when Sheldon said, "I suppose we're going to talk now. But, I still don't want to talk to Leonard. He betrayed me, by breaking the roommate agreement, and leaving me no one to drive me around."

Leonard saw his opening, and said, "Sheldon, I'm leaving, you're going to have to get used to that. But, I've been going in and coming home, from work, way off of your schedule, for the last two weeks. So, who's been driving you?"

"Amy," said Sheldon, "but I can't rely on her all the time. She lives in Glendale, I live here in Pasadena. Amy picking me up in the morning, or talking me home after work is logical, because she has to go by our building, to get home from work. But, otherwise, it's out of her way to come and get me."

That's nice of you to think of her," said Leonard.

"That's not was I was doing," said Sheldon. "I'm just pointing out how illogical it is for me to have to wait for her to take me to and from work. You, will just have to stay to do that job."

"Well," said Leonard, "that objection would go away, if she was here all the time, right?"

"What do you mean, here all the time?" said Sheldon.

"I mean, here, all of the time," said Leonard.

"I don't understand," said Sheldon. "She can't be here all of the time, she has to go to work."

"Sheldon," said Amy, "What Leonard is trying to tell you, is what I mentioned yesterday. That if I were to live here, I would be here all the time."

"What do you mean, live here?" said a suspicious Sheldon.

"I mean, move into Leonard's room."

"Ummmmmmmmm"

"It would make everything much easier for me…errrr, you," said Amy. "I won't have to stop here, to drop you off, I'd just stop here. If you need to go out somewhere, I'd already be here to take you, making it faster. You wouldn't have to call me, or worry about making contact with me."

"Ummmmmmmmm"

"We could just go out to pick up food, on the weekends, instead of meeting you here, and then going out."

"Ummmmmmmmm"

"What do you say Sheldon, it's a good idea, right?"

"Amy," said Sheldon in a condescending manner, "you know I'm not equipped to live with you. We have different bathroom needs, and we can't be in there at the same time."

"Sheldon," said Leonard, "WE don't go into the bathroom at the same time, so why is this a problem?"

"Amy and I would be spending too much time together."

"What?" said Amy. "I come here in the morning and pick you up. Then we go to the cafeteria for breakfast. We separate for work and only get together during lunch. After work, I bring you home, then someone brings dinner here, and I'm here until you go to bed, when I leave to go home. If I moved into Leonard's room, we still wouldn't see each other much in the morning, because we would have different bathroom times. We would see each other about the same as we do now, when I drive you to work. At work, I would see you at lunch, and after work, as we get ready to come home, like we do now. We would be together for dinner, as we are now, and when you go to bed, I would go to my bedroom, instead of leaving for home, like I do now. Your argument about spending too much time together, is a fallacy."

Sheldon couldn't think of anything to say, so he turned to Leonard.

Leonard shook his head, "Sheldon, you will have a lot of trouble finding someone else to put up with your…your…quirks."

"Yes," said Amy, "you need me, because those quirks, Leonard mentioned, which some find abhorrent, or rage inducing, I find, cute as a button."

"See, Sheldon," said Leonard, "here you have someone in Amy, who actually likes your quirks, and is willing to drive you around. I don't see what other option you have."

"The other option is you staying here," said Sheldon, sounding angry.

"Another option would be for you to have to go through the process of finding another roommate, or take the bus," said Leonard. "You know how much you would enjoy that."

"I would not enjoy it," said Sheldon.

"That was sarcasm, Sheldon," said Leonard, as Sheldon stared at him angrily.

"Sheldon," said Amy, "you could think of this as an experiment. We could agree on an amount of time, say five months, and for those five months, we could gather data on both of us living here. After five months we can say the experiment was a success or a failure. Either way, we could then make a permanent decision, or possibly we decide we need more data."

"An experiment, eh," said Sheldon, now sounding interested.

"Or, think of it this way," said Leonard. "Instead of a five-year mission, for the Enterprise, this is a five-month mission, to explore the strange new world of living with Amy, in the same apartment , to boldly go where no Sheldon has gone before. Plus, if everything works out, you get to write a new roommate agreement and relationship agreement."

Sheldon nodded, "Like Star Trek, that's good."

"Well, what do you think, Sheldon?" asked Leonard.

"I'm still not sure."

"You only have a day or two," said Leonard.

"I know, I'll make the decision later, before then," said Sheldon.

"Can Amy do some checking in the room, so she can be ready if you decide it's what you will do?" asked Leonard.

"Of course."

Leonard started, "Amy, if you'll follow me…"

"Yes," said Sheldon.

Amy looked at Sheldon, confused, "Yes, follow him?"

"No," said Sheldon, "yes, to you moving into Leonard's room."

"That was awful quick," said Leonard, "and not much later."

"I really have no choice, since You are abandoning me," said Sheldon. "While I am uncomfortable with Amy moving into your room, I would be much more uncomfortable, having to ride the bus without my buspants, and bungee cord, or meeting all those strangers, to try to find a roommate who would be amendable to doing everything I need done. But what really made up my mind was the possibility of writing the new agreements, the Star Trek feeling, and the experiment idea."

"Completely understandable," said Leonard.

"Yes," said Amy, "It's only logical."

"Amy, you are not a fan of Star Trek," said Sheldon, "so you don't get to use Spock's phrase."

"But, it is only logical," said Leonard.

"See, you, Leonard, can use that phrase, you are a fan," said Sheldon.

Leonard looked at Amy and winked, and she winked back. He was proud of her, she had stayed calm. Leonard was relieved that Sheldon had agreed, as he would have someone to take care of him, as Leonard had done. Someone who loved Sheldon like he did, probably more than he did.

A/N You may have noticed I moved several things around. Penny gave them the transporters near the end of season 5, which would be around the time Penny and Leonard were in NY, so that fits. The comment, by Amy about "abhorrent and rage inducing" was in the spring of season six (about three months ahead of the time in this chapter). Sheldon's admonishment about not being a fan, to Amy, was a take off on Raj berating Penny for her comment about Jar-Jar, on Star Wars day, near the end of season seven. And, finally, the other comments (about an experiment) were in the beginning of season ten, so I did pull that ahead by four years, but it fit the situation, so what the hell. :)