Invasion of Privacy!
Chapter 3: Changes
Sheldon commits an unthinkable breach of trust and Leonard is through with him.
Disclaimer 1: I rarely, if ever, write cannon. I write how the story takes me.
Disclaimer 2: I don't own TBBT or their characters. To clarify, I OWN NOTHING.
Caltech Cafeteria
After using his time off to get settle into his new place and spending a great amount of time with Penny, Leonard is finally back at work. It's lunch time and Leonard has chosen another table to sit at which is on the opposite side of the cafeteria from the one he normally sat at with the guys. Sheldon and Raj were already sitting at their normal table when Howard came in. He saw Sheldon and Raj but was wondering where Leonard was. He was about to go back out and check Leonard's lab when he spotted Leonard at another table with his back facing their normal table. Howard got his food and went over to the table Leonard was sitting at.
"Hey Leonard, why are you sitting over here" Howard asked.
"Hey Howard, I don't want to sit with Sheldon."
"Well, since I never wanted to sit with Sheldon is it alright if I sit here with you?"
"Of course Howard, take a load off."
As Howard sat down he asked "So, what did the nutcase do this time to piss you off?"
"I really don't want to go into that but I will tell you this much" Leonard stated as he pulled out an address card he had made up. "I've moved out and this is my new address" he stated as he handed Howard the card. "You and Bernadette are welcome over anytime but as for the rest, if it's ok with you Howard I would just assume we talk about something else."
"Ok buddy, not a problem" Howard replied as he accepted the card from Leonard. "Hey, did you see they're looking for someone to take over teaching Professor Zimborski's class for a couple of months?"
"No, I wasn't aware of that but then again I've been busy getting settled into my new place. Why do they need someone to teach his class?" Leonard asked.
"No one knows why exactly; just that he had to go back to Germany on personal business." Howard replied.
Neither Leonard nor Howard had been paying attention as Raj had spotted them and was making his way over to their table. He arrived and sat down giving them curious looks.
"Why are you guys sitting over here?"
"Because Leonard doesn't want to sit with Sheldon and I never wanted to sit with Sheldon." Howard explained.
"Dudes, you could have told me. I only sat with Sheldon because you guys were sitting with Sheldon." Raj whined.
"I'm sorry Raj, it's my fault." Leonard said as he pulled out another card. "But I want you to have this. This is the address of my new apartment. You are welcome to come by anytime." Leonard told him.
Howard could see the question in Raj eyes so when he opened his mouth to ask Howard beat him to the punch.
"Raj, just understand that Leonard has moved to a new apartment and let it go at that, ok."
Raj looked at Howard and then looked at Leonard before nodding his head. "Ok dude."
Sheldon who had been trying to get in contact with Leonard for days had kept his eyes on Raj trying to figure out what was going on. Raj had suddenly just gotten up with his tray and walked to the other side of the cafeteria. He watched him sit at a table and was surprised when he saw Howard and Leonard already sitting there. Why were they sitting on the other side of the cafeteria instead of here at their regular table? Why didn't Leonard return any of his messages? Sheldon got up and walked over to where they were sitting.
"Why are you all sitting over here? A change in seating arrangements must go through the proper protocols and be approved by me. This change was not approved." Sheldon stated.
"Well Sheldon" Leonard began "I can't speak for Howard and Raj, but I changed my seat because I don't want to sit with you. As a matter of fact, I don't want to converse with you either so please leave and go back to your table."
Sheldon looked at Leonard in shock. Who did he think he was to be speaking to him this way? He should be glad that he was allowed in his presence let alone be conversing with him. Sheldon left in a huff thinking he would have to find a way to put this underling back in his place.
Penny was driving home from work and it hit her all at once that she did not want to go to her empty apartment. Normally, it wouldn't bother her because she could just go across the hall or have Leonard come over to her apartment. Now that that was no longer an option, going home to her apartment just held no appeal for her. She got a smile on her face as she remembered that she didn't have to go to her apartment. She drove past her turn and headed to Leonard's. When she got there, she headed to the parking garage and got an even bigger smile on her face as she pulled out her garage parking card and activated the gate. She drove to her spot and noticed Leonard wasn't home yet. That didn't bother her as she knew he would be home soon.
Penny took the elevator up to Leonard's floor noticing that her mood had picked up even more just by getting on a working elevator. She pulled out her key and let herself into the apartment. The apartment was tidy and homey. She went into the bedroom and stripped out of her uniform. She went to the dresser and pulled open one of her designated drawers and just smiled at her neatly folded clothes. She closed that drawer and opened her night wear drawer. She pulled out a pair of hello kitty shorts and a half tank top and headed for the bathroom picking up her uniform on the way. When she walked in the bathroom, she put her uniform in the hamper and pulled the curtain back for the shower, she was almost giddy as she saw her brand-new body wash, shampoo, conditioner and exfoliating bath sponge hanging in the bath rack. She turned the water on as hot as she could stand it and then stripped out of her bra and panties tossing them into the hamper. She got under the spray and just let the hot water beat down on her.
When Leonard arrived home, he immediately got a big smile on his face as he saw Penny's car parked in the other spot. When Leonard walked into the apartment, he saw Penny's purse thrown on the couch and could hear the shower going. He quickly went into the bedroom and stripped before walking into the bathroom. He quietly pulled back the shower curtain and saw his beautiful girlfriend standing there facing the shower with her head down and her hands on the wall in front of her just letting the water beat down on her.
Leonard quietly got in the shower behind Penny and put his arms around her filling his hands with two soft mounds of breast in the process. Penny gave a little jump before smiling and leaning back into the arms of her man. Penny let her head fall back to one side on Leonard's shoulder as he started to suck on her neck while kneading her breast. Penny began to moan and started to grind her ass back into Leonard.
It was quite a while later when the two of them came out of the shower with big grins on their faces. They dried off and put their night clothes on. Leonard grabbed Penny's hand and pulled her out of the bedroom and into the kitchen with him. He sat her on one of the bar stools and gave her a kiss. He told her to sit there and tell him about her day while he whipped up dinner for them.
Penny couldn't seem to wipe the smile off her face. She chatted with Leonard as she watched him put a meal together for the two of them. Leonard asked her questions about the things she was telling him which she loved because it showed he was actually listening to her. He made them stir fry since it was quick and easy and always tasty. Before he dropped the chunked chicken into the cooking vegetables, he looked over at Penny with a question in his eyes. Still smiling, she nodded for him to go ahead.
Penny was determined to be a vegetarian but was not able to stick to it. Leonard had learned not to call her out on it. He would simply inquire as he had done with the chicken before adding meat to her portion of the meal. Even though the cooking vegetables smelled amazing to Penny, she craved meat tonight.
Leonard fixed two plates and took them over to the kitchen nook and placed them on the table. He then went a got some wine and poured them each glass and placed that on the table. He got them some silverware to eat with and then looked at the table to make sure everything was there.
Leonard turned and walked over to the bar stool where a smiling Penny was just watching him. He opened her legs and moved in between them and planted his hands on her ass as he leaned into her. Penny leaned forward meeting him half way and they kissed for a while. After they broke for air, Penny started leaning forward again to continue their make out session but was interrupted when they both heard her stomach rumble. Penny's eyes got wide before they both broke out laughing. Leonard leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips before helping her down and seating her at the table.
They dug into their meal with gusto. Leonard never said a word as he fixed Penny a second helping. They continued to chat about everything and nothing. When they were done, they cleaned the kitchen together and then headed into the living room. Penny went over to the stereo and put some soft music on. Leonard had gone and sat on the couch. Penny went over to the couch and grabbed his hand pulling him up and leading him over to the oversize lazy chair. She sat him down and told him to let it out. Once he complied, she grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and climbed into his lap and snuggled into him. This was the exact purpose she had insisted he get this chair.
No talking was necessary. They both had what they wanted. Penny was snuggled in the arms of the man she loved, and Leonard had the woman of his dreams in his arms. They were both content to just snuggle and let the music wash over them. They fell into a contented sleep.
Sometime during the night, Leonard woke up disoriented. It took him a minute to realize he was in his new apartment with a sleeping Penny on his lap. Her nose was tucked into the crook of his neck as she snored. He smiled and turned his head, so he could kiss her forehead. He let the chair back up and stood with Penny in his arms. Knowing Penny probably better than anyone else, Leonard headed to the bedroom but passed the bed and headed into the bathroom. By this time Penny was half awake. Leonard stood her on her feet pulled down her hello kitty shorts and sat her on the toilet. Penny wouldn't let go of Leonard's neck so he had to kneel down next to her while she went. On automatic pilot, Penny got tissue and wiped herself. Leonard got a wet wipe and cleaned her hands with it before he stood her up again and pulled up her shorts. He picked her up and took her into the bedroom and put her into bed. Leonard went back into the bathroom to do his business. After washing up, Leonard came back to the bedroom and got into bed. Still deeply asleep, it was as though Penny's body was programmed. She scooted back until she was being spooned by Leonard. She still didn't seem to be in a relaxed sleep until Leonard arms came around her. With a smile on her face she finally relaxed into her slumber.
Leonard was in his lab working. He was gliding around his lab making adjustments here and there. Without being aware of it, he was able to get an incredible amount of work done. His mind had such peace and clarity that he was able to do each experiment one time with no mistakes. Since his concentration was so keen, he was able to pick up on the most minute results leading him to the correct adjustments for better results. His documentation of each experiment and results were concise and complete. He did not notice the time as he was in his element and worked straight through lunch. This was not work for Leonard but something he enjoyed doing.
It never occurred to Leonard that cutting Sheldon out of his life might have been the best decision of his life both personally and professionally. Professionally, this was the most fun he had ever had conducting his experiments. He was getting greater results from his work than he had ever gotten before. His mind seemed as sharp as it had ever been. He started coming to work early and leaving late because it was like play time for Leonard.
Personally, his life was going just as well. It seemed like he and Penny saw each other more now than when they lived across from each other. It may have had something to do with the fact that Penny spent more time at Leonard's than she did at her place. Leonard enjoyed having someone to come home too. Leonard wanted to ask Penny to just move in with him and quit wasting money on her apartment but things were going so good with them that he didn't want to ruin it so he put it out of his head and just enjoyed his life with his beautiful girlfriend.
Penny's professional life had also picked up as a direct result of her personal life. Because Penny woke every morning happy with a smile on her face it would reflect in her performance at work. Instead of giving everyone a tired hello, Penny gave them a bubbly hi with a genuine smile. She engaged her customers in friendly conversation and her customers would pick up on her happy mood and would perk up themselves. By the time her customers left, they were in a better mood and had left a hefty tip for Penny.
Penny requested as many day shifts as possible. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Leonard, but she loved going to sleep wrapped in his arms and waking up the same way. Even though she didn't get to wake up in his arms much as his schedule put him at work much earlier than her, she was always aware of when he got up and was comforted by the sounds of him getting ready for work. Her favorite part was when he was ready to leave, he would always kiss her before he left. She loved that they cooked meals together; well Leonard cooked and she handed Leonard things. They did more activities together on the weekends and during the week they mostly just lounge around together after work. It never did occur to Penny that for all intents and purposes she was basically living with Leonard.
Leonard asked Penny if she would help him host a dinner for the gang. Penny was thrilled with idea. She told Leonard they had to go shopping which had him chuckling. It turned out they didn't have a lot to get as they had gone shopping not to long ago. Again, Penny wouldn't admit it to anyone but she loved grocery shopping with Leonard just because of the intimacy of it. When she looked in the basket and saw the things that she liked next to the things that he liked, it gave her a secret thrill. This also included putting the grocery away when they got home. They worked in tandem putting things in the refrigerator and the cabinets. She never recognized that whenever she thought of home, it was this apartment that popped up into her head.
On the evening of the dinner party, Penny put on a little yellow sun dress that she knew Leonard liked seeing her in. Leonard put on some comfortable slacks and a short sleeve shirt as Penny seemed to have some kind of a fetish with his arms and would not let him cover them as he usually did. Leonard never understood what she saw in his arms as they were not muscular or defined but he would do whatever Penny wanted if it made her happy.
As the gang came over, everyone got a tour of the apartment. Bernadette and Howard arrived first. As they got their tour, Bernadette had to work very hard not to snicker. This wasn't Leonard's apartment she thought to herself; this was their apartment. There was not one room in the apartment that did not shout that a couple lived here. There was not one room that Penny hadn't clearly marked and made abundantly clear that this was her man and her territory. Men, of course, could not see it but any woman that came in would know immediately, hands off.
When Amy arrived and received her tour, she had the same problem as Bernadette. As she came out of the last room into the open area, her and Bernadette looked at each other and broke out laughing. Penny might have the guys fooled but both the women understood nesting when they saw it. Every time Penny asked them what they were laughing at, it just made them laugh harder. The guys just looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders as they were all in silent agreement that they just did not understand women and probably never would.
The dinner was a huge success. Even Amy had a great time. She thought she would be miserable. She thought she would have to listen to the gang make jokes about Sheldon and drag him through the mud but Sheldon's name did not even come up. They had a great meal which they all ate at an actual dining room table before moving into the living room to talk. No one had to sit on the floor as there was plenty of space for everyone to sit comfortably.
Leonard served everyone non-alcoholic wine. He told them he had the real stuff too but he would only serve that on Fridays and Saturdays when no one had to work the next day. Everyone was actually cool with that and thanked Leonard for his thoughtfulness. They actually thought Penny would object but she was just as grateful. Since she and Leonard had started spending more time together, she had found her need to drink just wasn't there anymore. She still had a glass every now and then when they went out to eat or ate at home with dinner as she enjoyed the taste but that was it.
After a good meal and great conversation with friends, everyone went home with smiles on their faces. No one went home feeling sad, angry or humiliated because of hurtful words or snide innuendos. They all slept very well that night.
Penny and Leonard were cleaning up the kitchen. Leonard was so happy with the way the evening had turned out that he could barely contain himself. As they would pass each other, Leonard would give Penny a little love touch or kiss. Penny was enjoying Leonard's friskiness. She was trying really hard not giggle as he just could not keep his hands off her. Since Penny loved have Leonard's hands on any part of her body, she made sure she passed by him as many times as she could.
On one pass, Leonard just couldn't take it anymore and grabbed Penny and smashed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. Penny dropped the dish towel she had in her hand and wrapped her arms around Leonard neck kissing him back just as passionately. When they came up for air, they just looked into each other eyes smiling before letting each other go and getting back to work.
Leonard went to get the dishes off the dining room table as Penny began washing them. Penny turned on the radio and while washing the dishes started dancing in place to Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA. Leonard came back into the kitchen with an armload of dishes and stopped in his tracks. He stood motionless as he watched Penny turning and twisting as she danced and sang along to the music. He could hear the happiness in her voice as she sang and it always made his stomach do flips when Penny was happy. Leonard's throat suddenly went dry as a part of the song said something about moving her hips and Penny started moving her hips in a very suggestive way.
In a trance like state, Leonard put the dishes on the counter and walked up behind Penny. He wrapped his arms around her waist and began kissing and sucking on her neck as he started to grind his suddenly rock-hard erection into her ass. Penny stopped dancing as soon as she felt Leonard's arms come around her and tilted her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. As Leonard continued his ministrations on her neck, Penny began to moan. Without actually knowing she was doing it, Penny started to grind her hips back into Leonard's hard length.
"Leonard" Penny moaned. "If we start this now, we won't get the kitchen cleaned tonight" she said in a husky voice filled with passion. She would leave the decision up to Leonard but her vote was for him to take her right here and right now.
Leonard's answer was to move his hands up to her breast and start molding and caressing them through her dress as he continued to attack her neck. Even though Penny's mind was lost in a fog of passion, she smiled when Leonard hands cupped her breast. That was the very correct decision she thought. He really is a genius was her last coherent thought before they proceeded to abuse the hell out of the kitchen for a very long time.