A/N I so much want to thank bamadude, SRAM, Guest, and Khanyebuoy (2) for the wonderful reviews. They do mean so much to me. I know the lengthy delays make it seem I have abandoned this story but I assure you it has a way to go and I will finish it.
Well, at least this chapter has quantity. I hope it has quality as well.
These wonderful characters still belong to Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. I promise to return them when I am done.
Elizabeth Plimpton sighed as she watched Raj leave her hotel room. It was unusual for her to feel any sort of remorse for the way she acted.
As the door closed behind him, she sat back on the couch. She had been right about Raj. He had been an excellent partner and had really gotten into roleplay.
She had thought that he understood; that he realized it was a game, a sexual frolic. It was not until it was too late that she realized he had become enamored with her, that he believed the sex was a result of growing feelings between them.
She rose to her feet and began to pace. When she had realized it, she had made a mess of it. Although it was true they had only been together three times she should have sensed how deeply he felt. She had hurt him badly when she showed her disbelief. She had even mocked him.
When she realized what she had done, she tried to correct her mistake and apologized for her actions, but he told her she didn't need to apologize and that he knew what was going on, that he was a man of the world.
Although she tried to talk to him some more, he had again assured her he was fine and left.
Amy could not stop smiling. Even the fact that she would be heading back to the University in two more days could not dispel her joy. There were times when she had never believed that she and Sheldon would be intimate. She was suddenly struck by a strange thought. When Sheldon had broken up with her after getting with Penny, she had been crushed. But now she remembered how she and Sheldon were then.
Oh, they were happy and enjoyed being together. But looking back, she had to face the fact she had doubted whether it would ever lead to a physical relationship. Could it be possible that what happened with Penny made their current situation possible?
She realized they both had grown in the ensuing years. It was not that she wouldn't always regret the four years had been apart, it was just that she could be at peace with it.
Sheldon looked over at Amy lying next to him, wondering what she was thinking. He found himself marveling at how happy he was. When he thought of what had just happened he realized that it was so much more than he had ever felt with Penny. He had never felt so complete.
The next morning there was a small awkward moment but then they exchanged a soft kiss. Telling Sheldon she would meet him at the University for their meeting with Dr. Siebert, she exchanged a more passionate kiss and she left.
As soon as she got back to her room, she immediately called Penny and Bernadette to have them come over that night for a girl's night. She not only was bursting to tell them about her and Sheldon, but she was curious about how things were going with Leonard and Penny since she had suddenly returned.
After talking to Bernadette, who quickly agreed to get together, she called Penny.
"Hey, Penny, this is Amy."
"Hi, Amy, how's it going?"
"Great. I was wondering if you would like to join Bernadette and I tonight at my hotel room. It's been a while since we had a girl's night."
Penny was surprised when she realized how much she wanted to share what was going on with Bernadette and Amy. She and Leonard had decided they needed to tell the gang, but she discovered she would like to discuss it alone with Amy and Bernadette. She also realized she wanted to find out what was going on with Amy and Sheldon.
"That sounds like a great idea, but I want to run it by Leonard. Why don't I call you back?"
"Okay, but I really hope you can come."
"I do too. I am sure it will all right with him."
When she talked to Leonard, he smiled and told her it sounded like a great idea. He said he would try to get the men together and tell them.
After Penny talked to Amy, Leonard had her sit down next to him. He had come to realize there was something else they needed to do before they headed out.
"Penny, I wanted to discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
Leonard hesitated, "When we talk to Warren today about us going to New York and Paris, we also need to tell Warren about us. That we are a couple."
Penny was surprised but then realized he was right. She also felt herself becoming worried. How would Warren take the news? Would he think she was trying to take his mother's place? What if he reacted badly?
She took a deep breath, "You're right, Leonard, we need to talk with him. How do we want to handle this? Do you think you should talk to him first?"
Leonard hesitated a little, "I did some research on the internet. I think we should do it together."
Penny had to smile. Leave it to Leonard to Google it, "So what did you find?"
After they had talked for some time, they decided there was no reason to put it off. So that afternoon they were all sitting on the couch, Warren between them.
Not without some trepidation, Leonard started, "Warren, Penny and I have some big news for you."
"Are we getting a puppy?"
"No, Warren, not now." Seeing his disappointment, he hurried on, "The reason we are waiting is that we are going to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Paris."
Warren smiled happily, "Yay. When are we going?"
"In a couple weeks." He hesitated, "We are also going to stop in New York on the way."
Warren looked puzzled. Then he said worriedly, "Is Auntie Penny going to leave again?"
"No, Warren. We are just going to visit some people she knew." He paused, "Penny is going to go to Paris with us."
Warren's eyes widened, "Really?" He turned to Penny, "You are going with us?"
Penny smiled, "Yes, Warren." Meeting Leonard's eyes, she hesitantly went on, "What do you think about that?"
"It's great."
Both Leonard and Penny took a small sigh of relief, but then Leonard took a deep breath, "Warren, there is something else we want to talk to you about."
With Warren looking expectantly at him, "Warren, Penny and I are in love. We want to be together."
Warren absorbed what he was saying. He finally got out, "You want Auntie Penny to be my Mommy?"
Penny quickly broke in, "Warren, I will never be able to replace your Mommy. She will always be your mother. I know you will always love her. But I do love your father and you very much and I want us to be a family."
Leonard added, "I know this is all a lot to take in. Your Mommy will always be part of our lives. I know this may be a little scary." He smiled at Penny, "It is a little scary for us too."
When Warren sat quietly, they both decided they just needed to let him think about what was happening.
Just when Leonard was going to say that they maybe should talk about it later, Warren finally spoke, "Auntie Penny, would you want me to call you Mommy?"
Penny felt herself tearing up a little, "Only if you felt comfortable doing so."
Leonard spoke up, "Warren, do you want to take some time to think over what we have discussed? We know this is a big surprise to you."
"No, Daddy." He turned to Penny, "I will always miss my Mommy and I know Daddy does too." Then he brought tears to both Leonard's and Penny's eyes when he said, "But I love you, too."
Penny could no longer hold back, she began to cry as she reached over and took Warren in her arms, "Oh, Warren, I love you."
Warren returned the hug but then said, "Are you sad?"
Penny managed to smile as she wiped her eyes, "No, Sweetie, these are tears of joy."
When everyone was seated and fortified with a glass of wine, Amy spoke up, "I am so glad you guys could come tonight. She hesitated and said, "I have some big news."
With them looking expectantly at her, she smiled broadly and went on, "Sheldon and I had sex."
Afterwards, Penny and Bernadette would always wonder how they managed to not spill their wine. They both gushed at the same time, "No!"
When Amy just continuing smiling, Bernadette and Penny sat down their glasses and rushed over to her giving her a hug.
When they were seated, Penny smiled, "Okay, give us all the details. We want to hear everything."
Amy smiled, "Now, now. Somethings are between Sheldon and me." She leaned forward, "But, I can tell you, it was wonderful."
Penny smiled, "We are so happy for you, Amy. I know how long you have wanted this…" Here voice faded away as she realized how that could sound.
Amy quickly said, "Penny, I know what you are thinking, that you took Sheldon away from me for four years. I will never completely forgive you for that. She hesitated, "But I also realize that us being apart enabled us both to grow and change."
She smiled, "Anyway, that's all in the past. Let's just enjoy where we are now."
After a moment, she went on, "I have more big news. I have talked to both Universities and they have agreed to let me come back to Caltech."
Bernadette and Penny both smiled as Bernadette said, "That's great."
Penny hesitated, "It will be like old times."
Bernadette broke in, "Okay, Penny, now that we know that Amy got laid, what's going on with you? Why did you come back to California?"
When Penny had talked to Leonard about meeting with the girls and him talking to the men, they wondered what they should say. Should they tell the same story they told Sarah or should they tell the whole story.
They finally decided these were their friends. They needed to trust them with the truth.
Penny took a deep breath and told them about what had happened with Tom and the talk she had with Leonard when she came back.
She told them about their plans to go to New York and Paris. She finished up by telling them about their talk with Warren.
Bernadette and Amy tried to absorb all that she had said. They had been shocked when Penny had told them about Tom. They were a little surprised when they heard how Leonard had so quickly forgiven her, but then realized they shouldn't be.
When she told them about going to Paris, Bernadette remembered how the Goddards had reacted when they had heard that Leonard had spent time with Penny. She wondered how they would handle what was happening now.
Finally, Bernadette spoke up, "I frankly don't know what to say. I don't know if I am more surprised that you gave up your big chance or that Leonard took it so well."
Penny sighed, "I don't know if I would say he took it well. I know he was hurt." She looked at Bernadette, "I just know I am damn lucky that he and Warren love me."
Amy had been as shocked as Bernadette, but now she knew what she wanted to say, "I know you messed up, Penny. But I also know how much being on Broadway meant to you. How long you dreamed of being an actor. The fact that you gave that up to be with Warren and Leonard means they are damn lucky too."
Penny teared up a little, "Thank you, Amy" She hesitated, "But I have messed up so many times. I know I don't deserve to be where I am."
"If you are still thinking about you and Sheldon, I have already told you that is dead and gone. I am just so happy where we are now."
They sat quietly for some time and then Bernadette, who had been wondering if she should say anything could not hold back, "Penny, you know what I told you about how the Goddards reacted when they found you and Leonard had spent time together. Are you worried about meeting them?"
Seeing the quizzical look on Amy's face, Bernadette quickly told her what had happened in Paris.
For a while it seemed Penny wasn't going to answer. Bernadette was about to apologize for bringing it up when Penny finally spoke.
"When Leonard told me he wanted me to go to Paris with him and Warren, I was thrilled he wanted me to but was worried about their reaction."
"We decided to call Gerard first. When he heard about Leonard and me and what Leonard was planning, he suggested that maybe Leonard and Warren should just go alone for now."
"I started to tell Leonard I would understand but he never hesitated. He told Gerard I would be coming."
She took a sip, "Gerard was going to talk to his parents. We haven't heard back from him."
As they opened a new bottle, talk switched to how things were going with the Nobel Prize meetings.
As Elizabeth Plimpton's name came up, Amy wondered if she should say anything about her and Raj.
Smirking to herself that it seemed to be a night of shocking revelations…
"I probably shouldn't talk about this…"
Penny smirked, "But you're going to."
"Elizabeth Plimpton is a brilliant scientist, but she also has another reputation. Let's just say she has a certain appetite."
As she saw Bernadette's and Penny's eyes widen, she hurried on, "Apparently, she loves to sexually roleplay. It is also rumored that it is often with more than one man."
"It appears also that she scrupulously avoids getting involved. For her, it is just the sex."
She went on, "The reason I am bringing this up is that I am pretty sure she has been doing this with Raj since she has been in California."
Both Bernadette and Penny were stunned but then Bernadette smiled, "Let's see, I and Howard are having sex, Penny and Leonard are having sex, Sheldon and Amy are having sex, and now even Raj is having sex."
Penny smiled but then realized something, "I am glad for him but you know how he can get. From what Amy said about this Plimpton dame, I hope he doesn't do his falling in love thing."
Bernadette nodded, "I know what you mean. If he does, I hope she lets him down easy."
Soon after that, they broke up, still a little shocked at all that had happened. As Penny drove back to her apartment, she wondered how things had gone with the guys.
When Sheldon did his usual knock on the door to Leonard's apartment, Leonard called out for him to come in. As he and Howard entered, Warren came up to them, "Hi, Uncle Howad, Hi, Uncle Sheldon."
Howard smiled, "Hi, Warren. How's my big boy?"
Everyone was stunned when Warren said, "Auntie Penny is going to Paris with Daddy and me and she is going to be my new Mommy."
As Sheldon's and Howard's eyes widened, Howard managed to say, "Wow, that is big news." He smirked at Leonard, "I guess we have something to talk about."
Leonard who had been stunned by Warren's outburst, managed a smile, "Okay, Warren, I said you could stay up and say Hi, but now it is time for bed."
"But I haven't said Hi to Uncle Raj yet."
Leonard turned to Howard, "Where is Raj?"
"I offered to pick him up, but he said he would drive himself." He hesitated, "Have you guys noticed anything strange about him lately?"
Before they could answer there was another knock on the door and Raj came in. After Warren said Hi to him, Leonard took him off to bed.
After Howard, Leonard and Raj were fortified with beers and Sheldon, sitting in his usual spot on Leonard's couch, had his water, Howard wasted no time.
"You should have rode with us, Raj. You would have heard Warren tell us that Penny, Leonard, and Warren are going to Paris together and," he paused, "Penny is going to be Warren's new Mommy."
A stunned Raj spoke up, "You and Penny are getting married?"
Leonard sighed, "No. At least not yet." He then went on to tell them the whole story.
When he finished, there was a long silence as the three of them absorbed what they had heard. Finally, Raj spoke up, "What did the Goddards think about this?"
Before Leonard could answer, Raj saw the quizzical look on Sheldon's face and quickly explained what at happened in Paris.
Leonard sighed again, "I don't know. Penny and I talked to Gerard about it and he said he would talk to his parents. We haven't heard back yet how it went."
Howard spoke up, "How about Gerard? What did he think?"
"At first, he suggested that maybe for now, Warren and I should go alone but I let him know that was not acceptable. At the end, I thought he was a least a little supportive."
Raj broke in, "Wow, that's big about Penny leaving her show. I guess she does really love you guys."
As everyone sat quietly, thinking about what this all could mean, Sheldon wondered if he should say anything about him and Amy. Part of him wanted to scream it to the rooftops, a feeling he was not used to. Then he realized he had no choice. Amy no doubt would tell the girls and everyone would find out anyway.
He broke the silence by saying, "Amy and I have some big news too."
Raj, excitedly, "Did you find out something about the Nobel Prize?"
"No. Although that is looking very promising."
He hesitated took a deep breath, "Amy and I engaged in Coitus."
The others stared at him in shock. Finally Howard found his voice, "You Dog you. How was it? Did Amy have an orgasm?"
Sheldon looked disdainfully at him, "Really, Howard. I would never discuss such things." But then he couldn't avoid a smile, "But if you must know it was quite enjoyable."
Leonard smiled, "Really, Sheldon, that's great news. We are all so happy for you and Amy."
Howard and Raj quickly agreed. Raj asked, "So, what's next?"
"Amy has arranged to return to Caltech."
Leonard now smiled happily, "Good for her." He hesitated, "It will be like old times."
As they sat there, absorbing all that had been said, Howard realized he had something else he wanted to address.
"Raj, do you have anything to add? Before you say anything, I have noticed how you have been acting strangely lately. I was waiting for you to say something but now is the time to let us know what is going on."
At first Raj felt himself getting angry and was about to tell them it was none of their business, but then he realized these were his best friends and he needed to get it out.
"For the last few nights, Dr. Plimpton and I have been having sex."
Howard smiled broadly, "My God, who would have ever thought Raj Kootherpalli and Sheldon Cooper would be having sex at the same time."
He went on, "So tell us all about it. Are you going to go on seeing each other?"
"You know she is returning home in a couple of days. Besides, it wasn't exactly normal sex." Seeing the look on the other's faces, he hurried on, "She is into roleplay. You know the renter who can't pay her rent. A woman who can't pay the movers…"
Howard smiled, "You lucky jerk. Where was she when I was single?"
Leonard noticed that Raj wasn't acting like he would expect. He finally said, "Is there anything else, Raj?"
Raj looked at him, "I did it again. I thought it meant something. That she had feelings for me. But she was just doing it for kicks. She let me know this was something she had done with many others."
The other three looked at each other, internally shaking their heads. Surprisingly, it was Sheldon who broke the silence, "I think you should consider this a situation where you should consider the cup half full. You may not have the love you wanted, but you did engage in coitus."
The others stared at him stunned. Raj then shocked them by laughing, "You are right, Sheldon." Then he smirked, "I must say I was quite impressive."
Howard made a face, "Ew, way too much information."
After that, the conversation returned to more normal topics as Sheldon explained how the Nobel Prize meetings were proceeding. They then turned to safer grounds by discussing superheroes and video games.
When they broke up, Sheldon surprised everyone when he said he would like to stay and discuss something with Leonard who could then give him a ride home.
Wondering what that was all about, the others said their goodnights and left.
When they were alone Sheldon turned to Leonard, "I know this will be a surprise to you, but I wanted to talk about me and Penny."
When Leonard could only stare at him, he went on, "I know we hurt you deeply. I don't believe I ever apologized to you for that. I do so now. Being with Amy again has made me realize that I never really stopped having feelings for her. I believe I love her."
Leonard was shocked. He had never heard Sheldon talk like this. He gathered his thoughts.
"I appreciate you saying that Sheldon. I am also so happy that you and Amy have gotten back together. Have you told her you love her?"
"No. I believe I will wait until she returns to Caltech."
Leonard nodded, "Sheldon, I admit I was deeply hurt when you got with Penny." He paused, "But it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. It enabled me to meet and fall in love with Monique."
He said quietly, "It gave me Warren."
"I am not sure how to say this. If there had never been a Monique, I don't think Penny and I would have never gotten where we are now. We both needed to change."
Sheldon reflected on what he was saying, "I think I understand." He hesitated, "In a way, I think that is true of Amy and me, too. I frankly don't know if we would have ever gotten here from where we were."
They both sat there thinking back over the past, marveling at how life unfolds. Finally Sheldon spoke up, "Leonard, do you think we can ever be friends again? I mean, like we were before."
Leonard thought about what he was saying. He remembered how Sheldon had hurt him. He also remembered though how Sheldon had been when Monique had died. He thought about how it had been since he had come back to California. He finally said, "I don't know, Sheldon. But I know I would like to try."
Sheldon smiled sadly, "That is all I can ask."
The next morning Penny went over to Leonard's apartment. After they had finished breakfast, they wanted to talk about their respective meetings the night before but decided to spend time with Warren first. They were watching Saturday morning cartoons when Leonard's phone rang.
When he saw who was calling, he took a deep breath. Hitting the button, he said, "Hello, Gerard."
