Chapter 23 - Confession and Confusion
Leonard was woken by the sound of glass knocking against glass and then Penny' s voice "Oh Crap." He hadn't been sleeping well since he turned in, waking up about every so often, so the noise brought him wide awake. He got his, Leonard's, robe on and went into the living room to find Penny pouring something into a glass.
"Penny, are you drinking?" She quickly turned to look at him and he got closer to see what was in her hands, it was a vodka bottle.
Penny sighed, "That is what I do Leonard, drink. It helps me sleep." She then lifted the glass to her lips, her hand trembling slightly.
Leonard couldn't believe what he was seeing, so he grabbed the glass from her and put it back on the table, leaving her wide eyed just looking at him. "Penny tell me what is wrong."
Tears formed in her eyes and her voice became unsteady. "Leonard what do you think is wrong, my husband is missing, you are here and I don't know who you are even."
"Well if I am the real Leonard, I don't want you to drink and if I am a different Leonard, I don't want you to drink." Leonard just looked into her eyes until she turned away.
Penny then practically fell into the chair, quietly saying, "It hurts, it hurts all the time and I have been so lonely, I can't sleep unless I'm half passed out anymore."
Leonard felt his heart breaking for her, he couldn't let her do this to herself, so he did something he always did when she was upset, he took her hand, lifting her up from the chair and lead her back to her bedroom. "Penny get in bed."
"Leonard, I told you I can't sleep." She pleaded, tears still on her face.
"Please Penny, get in bed." She looked at him for a second, then crawled into the bed and looked up at him like a small child. Leonard then crawled into bed with her, taking her into his arms and held her tight against him.
Penny didn't know why she trusted him, but she did and she didn't know why she let him get in the bed with her, but she did. Maybe it was thoughts about him being the original Leonard, that she was at first his, she really didn't know, her mind was all over the place right now. So the feelings she now felt when he took her into his arms and spooned her, she didn't want to even think about, but it felt so good to be held by him and she just made herself believe it was her husband as she settled into his arms. He was warm and he actually made her feel secure, she still felt guilty, and she sniffled a little, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him to leave.
Leonard just held her hoping he was doing the right thing, he didn't want her to drink and this was all he could think of doing. She whimpered a first but then, to his surprise, fell into a deep sleep, softly snoring like his Penny did when she was dead tired. He was glad he had helped her and settled himself in to sleep too, not waking up again the rest of the night.
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Penny slowly woke up, because of the light in the room, surprised she didn't have an upset stomach from drinking her vodka last night, until slowly she realized something was different. Her back was comforting warm and it was pressed against another person, who was holding her tight, cuddling her, it both made her feel good and scared her. She quickly became alert and turned in the mans arms only to see Leonard looking at her, then suddenly it all came back to her. "Um…..Hi…..I mean good morning."
Leonard had released her and scooted back a little from her in the bed, as soon as she moved, like he had done something wrong. "Did you sleep okay."
Penny nodded, "Yes, thank you." It had been over a year since she had slept with her husband and it was so weird to wake up with him, or someone exactly like him and talk, she had missed it so much.
They just stared at each other for a couple of minutes, both wondering what the other one was thinking, it was weird for both of them, not knowing what to say to the other. "Are you hungry?"
Penny nodded, "A little."
"Why don't I make some coffee and bagels for us. You have that stuff don't you?" He gave her a little smile.
Penny gave him a little smile back, "The bagels are in the freezer."
Leonard got out of bed and put the robe on, heading off to the kitchen while Penny watched his every move, not knowing what to think. It was like having her old Leonard back, they guy she married 7 years ago, the guy she fell madly in love with, it was so much like him it was scary. The gentleness and the confidence he had after they wed, he was her rock and now he seemed to be back, she didn't really understand how that could happen. She had to find out more, so she got out of bed, and put on her robe, realizing how for the first time in a year she felt good and rested after waking up.
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Amy eventually fell asleep shortly before morning, therefore she slept late into the morning, finally waking up just before noon, not feeling really rested and a little aggravated at herself for sleeping so late. There was another thing that bothered her, she never slept this late since she was married, because she never fell asleep that late before and she always got up early when Sheldon did. Being married to Sheldon, and sleeping with him, made bedtime for her very relaxing and she would fall asleep instantly. Sheldon told her that he felt the same way, so they would both sleep well and get up early refreshed, also her night terrors seemed to have disappeared since their first night together. Sheldon wasn't no huge hunk but being with him at night made Amy feel safe and secure, so last night had been extremely stressful for her. So now awake, the only thing now on her mind, was finding her husband, she needed to see him before she did anything else that day.
Sheldon sat in his spot watching TV, at least Dr Who was still on TV in this timeline and the little details like that helped him relax. He had almost went into his room…..their room, several times this morning, but every time he went to the door he heard her heavy breathing and decided to let her sleep. Even watching his favorite TV show couldn't help the itchy feeling in his mind of being in his pajamas till noon, his schedule completely messed up already that day. He jumped slightly when he heard the bedroom door open and then heard the bathroom door close, it took a few more minutes before he turned to see Amy come into the room, her hair slightly combed and her eyes filled with concern.
"Good Morning Sheldon." Amy cautiously greeting him.
"Good Morning Dr Cooper." Sheldon responded, he actually liked calling her Dr Cooper, plus he also saw the small smile try to come on her face, so obviously she like being called that too. She walked a couple of steps closer to him and Sheldon's breath caught, she was wearing a gown that ended between her knees and ankles, which looked like a soft thin cotton, because it gently brushed against all her curves and Sheldon could tell she had nothing on under it.
"How are you feeling this morning? Are you sick." She asked him gently, only standing a couple feet from him, looking down at him.
Sheldon almost didn't register what she said, when she had stopped walking the fabric of her sleeping gown had laid flat against her chest, he could actually see the outline of her nipples under the cloth and it was scary. Sheldon shifted a little in his seat, trying to adjust his pajama pants from the new pressure in them, he was also having a little trouble keeping his breath normal, but the worst part was he couldn't take his eyes away from her breasts. Sheldon, didn't even realize his eyes had dilated.
Amy looked at him, he was staring at her breasts, he was checking her out and the look in his eyes, made her smile, forgetting at the moment the concerns she had. Ever since they got married, Sheldon would do this sometimes, just look at her with lust, it made her feel beautiful and desirable to him when he looked at her like that, especially like now, when she knew she looked like she was just getting up, but her husband still wanted her. "Sheldon….Honey." Amy softly said trying to get his attention.
Sheldon's head shot up a slight pink blush on his face and his normally blue eyes, looking very black, "Yes Amy." he said it so softly, Amy would not have heard it if the TV hadn't been put on mute.
"Are you feeling better Honey? Are you sick?" Amy now gave him a little smile.
Sheldon wondered if he was sick, he wanted her to sit next to him, he wanted to feel her next to him, "No I don't think so." he softly said.
Amy smiled and sat down next to him, Sheldon instinctively raising his arm so she could cuddle next to him and she took full advantage of the situation. Amy nuzzled herself as close as she could to him, pulled her feet up onto the couch, and pulled the blanket on the couch back over her as she got comfortable, a gentle sigh escaping her lips as he finally settled in. Sheldon closed his eyes as she settled in, a fight going on in his mind and body, where the fear of human touching was being battled by the feel of Amy and how his body tingled wherever it touched hers. When she stopped moving, Sheldon opened his eyes to look down at her, his eyes going wide as he was now looking down her unbuttoned gown, the first five buttons undone exposing her cleavage. Sheldon was way beyond fascinated, as he stared at her, with the sudden realization that he wanted more, and his mind now became completely centered around her.
Sheldon wanted to touch her, and as he thought about it, he realized he was allowed to, he didn't even have to ask, because they were married and that is what married people did, he had seen that so much from watching Leonard and Penny. Leonard would just grab and squeeze Penny's butt and all she would do was smile at him, so him touching Amy a little should not upset her at all. So Sheldon bought his arm down, over her shoulder, and his hand naturally settled on her baby bump, again making a small sigh come from Amy, letting Sheldon know he was okay.
Sheldon now laid his head back and closed his eyes, this was nice, he actually liked it, his senses seemed to be super sensitive to all these feelings, in a very good way. He felt the warmth at any point her body touched his, it actually felt soothing, and he felt her gentle breathing, which made him feel secure with her. He smelled her, and she smelt so good, it was Amy with a musky smell of her being just out of bed, it only made him feel more content. His mind was now able to relax and think so he went over everything, he had his Nobel now, and he had Amy, really had Amy, plus the added bonus of their protégé inside her. He would be able to do what he wanted when he got back to work, the Nobel made that possible and when he met the board, that would be a condition of him staying there he would demand. He had everything, his recognition, Amy and now he was in control of his future work and life, it was perfect and he was content. It was with those last thoughts, Sheldon drifted off to sleep, to join Amy, who had fell asleep on him as soon as he cuddled her and the baby.
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Penny took care of her morning routine in the bathroom quickly, she wanted to get to the kitchen and see him so badly, she still couldn't believe all this was happening and she was afraid she would turn one minute and it all would be gone. However on walking through the living room she could hear him and when she got to the kitchen he was still there, the relief she felt was almost overwhelming, as she quickly found a stool by the counter to sit down. Penny was giddy inside as she watched him finish up their small breakfast, the whole scene was so domestic and watching him made her feel like she never wanted it to end, but then her mind threw cold water over her sudden new found happiness, when she thought again, 'Was he really her husband?'
"Here you go." Leonard put a bagel and coffee in front of her, made just the way she liked them, she would have smiled, but her mind questioning everything, would only let a frown appear on her lips.
Leonard picked up her mood immediately, "I'm sorry, you probably don't take them that way anymore, right?"
Penny looked at him and sighed, "No Leonard, these are fine. It is just a lot has happened in the last 24 hours, and I'm still trying to get a handle on it."
Leonard nodded, "Yeah, even that I understand."
Penny couldn't help but giggle, "That is my line Hofstadter, If you start using it, it is going to take away one of my best come-backs when you say something I finally get." Penny looked at him, he was smiling at her and suddenly her mind went blank and she just wanted to kiss him.
Leonard smiled at her, amazed by the twinkle in her eye as she smiled back, he could look into those eyes forever, so he did, both of them just staring at each other for minutes. Finally Leonard started to think about his situation, yes that was his Penny, but it was very possible she was married to another man, another Leonard. "Maybe we should eat before it gets cold."
The trance was broken and Penny's smile fell, "Yeah, you're right." She then started silently eating with him.
They didn't talk again, until the bagels were gone and they had their second cup of coffee, then Penny started to ask questions. "Leonard, if you are not my husband, will he come back, when will he come back and what will happen if you meet?"
Leonard got real quiet, since a few hours after his arrival, he knew something was wrong and he had hoped, since meeting Penny again and finding out she was his wife, that maybe things were different than he thought. "Well let me see what I can actually answer." He watched Penny slightly nod to him, it was always her way of saying go ahead, some things never changed, "I don't know what will happen if we meet, maybe nothing or maybe one of us or both of us will vanish." Leonard stopped when Penny gasped and her face crinkled up like she was going to cry. "Penny I just don't know so don't assume anything."
Penny shook her head. "Leonard, I can't loose you." It took her a minute to think about what she said, it seemed that whenever she was upset in her life, her heart would take over and she would speak from her heart blurting out her true feelings, like now. She really didn't know what she meant when she said that, did she mean her husband or the man in front of her, where they one in the same?
Leonard stared at her and she stared back, to say it was awkward was an understatement, so Leonard decided to go on. "I don't know if I am your Leonard or another Leonard. It seems we were both time traveling at the same time, so it is possible we combined or just as possible we passed each other and we both exist." He looked at her and she was still staring at him, just not so intensely as before. "As to when he will come back…..there are still a lot of variables to consider."
Penny knew Leonard better than anyone on earth, so she knew he was holding something big back on that last statement. "Leonard tell me, I am his wife…or your wife…whatever I am, I have a right to know."
Again they stared at each other for a few moments, and like every staring contest he had with her, she most always won. "The thing is Penny, I don't know what they developed in the way of markers. His marker could be different than ours and allow him to come back at a different time."
Penny now understood his concern, "Your saying he should be back by now. He should have been back when I found you sitting in the room."
Leonard looked at her, slowly nodding, "Yeah if he has markers like us he should be back by now and since our markers worked in your time, his have to be very close to ours in how they work. Markers are time beacons that tell the machine exactly where you are, so it can retrieve you. The time machine constantly searches for them, so when you turn your's on, no matter where you are in time, it locks on to you and pulls you back. So you could have spent a year in a new time line, but as soon as you turn on your marker, the machine spots you in all time, which it will do within minutes of you leaving, after it automatically switches form sending to receiving. Sheldon and I arrived within 3 minutes of leaving from the timeline we were in to yours."
Penny looked at him, it actually made sense to her, her knowledge from her Physics degree making everything Leonard said seem logical and very possible. "That seems to support your earlier statement that you and my Leonard combined and you are actually my husband, just with your timeline Leonard's mind." Then Penny swallowed, "Or my husband is dead."
She was right of course and for the first time Leonard was sorry this changed Penny had a Physics degree, she understood everything too well. "Well, yeah, that could be true, the reason he isn't here is because we combined so we are both Leonard's from both timelines." He gave a soft chuckle. "Since I don't know anything of this time line, my mind might slowly change, after time, bringing back all those memories."
"NO!" Penny yelled, she stared at him in shock at his revelation, the tears immediately starting to fall down her face. When she found herself having trouble breathing she practically jumped up from the stool, she was in, and ran out of the kitchen.