Word Count: 815
Summary: After the events of S12E07
Disclaimer: I don't own The Big Bang Theory or the characters.

Penny arrived late that day since Howard and Raj stayed in that hot tub for a long time. Once she entered the apartment, her husband appeared to be happy, even though he had been stressed over his grant money. She smiled when he smiled at her, and Penny wondered why he wasn't freaking out with three papers in front of him. She finally asked.

"Made your decision yet?"

"Yes. I did." He smiled at himself over his decision, and he was clearly happy with himself.

"And… what did you decide?" Penny asked, sitting next to him on the couch.

"I gave the money to myself. That way, everyone gets mad at me, it doesn't seem like I'm taking sides and I get a brand new laser. It's a win-win." His smile hasn't left his face yet, and she's glad. He's really happy about this.

"Wait? You can do that?"

"Yes. I just don't know how to tell everyone tomorrow at work. But I'll figure something out." He shrugs his shoulders and suddenly remembers something. Grinning, he asks her. "How's Halley's playhouse. Comfy?"

Penny bit her lip – she was caught. "I-… How did you find out?"

"Raj texted me telling me that. Why didn't you say something, I could have driven you there."

"I went there to get away from you." She confessed and looks away slightly, embarrassed.

"I get it." He started to explain, but never sounding hurt. "I've been a little stressed lately. Sorry, but this was making me a bit nervous. I don't like when people get mad at me, you know?" Leonard looks at his wife and offers her a smile that she reciprocates.

"So, you're okay with it? I mean, I lied to you!" Penny stares at him like he was the one that did something wrong but then backs off.

"I know you did, but still… a little lie doesn't hurt anyone, plus I knew you lied."

"You knew?" He nodded at her question. "Uh. Cool." She then lies down on the couch and puts her head on his thigh, and he was about to press play when she continues to talk. "Already know what you're telling everyone tomorrow at the university?"

He grunts. "I don't know. Maybe I'll just tell the truth. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't choose, decided to get the money for myself, end of story. Papa's got a new laser." He laughs at himself as Penny rolls her eyes and smiles a little, and then presses play.

The Next Day

Penny parked her car the next day at a normal time, without stopping at Halley's playhouse. She was a grown woman, she could just go to her big person's house and drink wine with her husband. And that was exactly what she was going to do.

But when she was almost entering the building, she noticed that Leonard's car wasn't in the parking spaces. Finding that odd, she took her phone and started to text him as she climbed the stairs. She wasn't getting any response, and once she arrived at the apartment, she saw why.

She found her husband lying on the couch, snoring softly as he laid on his stomach. She came closer and kneeled down by his side, watching him sleep. He wakes up almost immediately, getting scared when he sees her but smiling when he realizes who it is.

"What are you doing here so early?" He asks, with a sleepy voice.

"Early? I'm actually home at a normal hour, which means it's almost dinner time. Where's your car?"

He sits up at the couch, and Penny sits next to him.

"At the university." He sighs and she looks at him concerned. "There were crows on top, and then Sheldon ran. Raj said he wouldn't drive me home because I didn't take his project and I was selfish, and I knew Howard was already home and I didn't want to bother him. Real selfish move right there." He points out and then continues. "So I walked home. Because my sleepy self forgot that there are Uber and taxis and other public transportation I could've taken. And then I fell asleep."

"Poor guy." She gives him a half-hug, and smiles. "You could've called me."

He gets up and stares at her. "Seriously?" Penny looks at him, questioning his words. "I didn't think of that!"

"Aww… Come on sweetie, let's get you to bed." She gets up and offers him a hand to help him up.

"Before dinner?" He asks, getting up with her help.

"Babe, right now, I think that if you ate dinner you would fall asleep and your face would fall on the food. And as hilarious as that would be, I won't let you do that." She laughs as she pictured his face full of food and he smirks.

The End

I actually like this episode. We got a good Lenny scene, no Shamy, Sheldon wasn't there often and when he was I actually liked it – sorry, but that final scene when he ran! Loved it – and Bernie and Penny are so great. Love them. Oh!, Howard knowing about Bernadette being in the playhouse and then finding out that so was Penny! I stan one (1) smart boy that deserves better – I agree with Bernie. (Although I stan two (2) smart boys that deserve better – looking at you Leonard!)

I just didn't enjoy the whole "I'm being left out". Sorry Ames, but you don't have to be included all the time. Just, don't. My thoughts, sorry. Although, I liked her excitement. I'll give her that.