Penny woke up to find herself hugging Sheldon's arm and a blanket draped over her. She slowly sat up and saw balloons floating behind her. "Get Well Soon" was printed on both of the balloons. She looked at the card and saw Howard and Raj's names. She assumed that they must have come back to visit, but left when they saw her sleeping. A note was sitting next to the card, saying "We still can't get in touch with Sheldon's mom. We let the doctor know, and he said we'll deal with the family situation later. Howard/Raj"

She got up and looked at Leonard. She trusted the doctors and was sure that he was going to be fine. Penny looked back at Sheldon and started crying again. She couldn't even remember the last time she said something nice to Sheldon.

"I've got to stop crying," said Penny. "I can't imagine what I look like right now…I need to be strong for these guys."

She sat back down and kept staring at Sheldon.

"Sheldon? Sheldon…"

Leonard moved slightly and Penny heard the rustle of bed sheets behind her. She quickly turned around and saw Leonard's arm moving.

Penny's voice perked up slightly. "Leonard! You're okay…"

Leonard opened his eyes and started mumbling.

"Penny…?" Leonard's voice was weak and hoarse.

Penny sat there, her body still facing Sheldon.

"Oh, Leonard, I'm so glad you're awake."

Leonard turned his head to face Penny, but she was blurry. He wasn't wearing his glasses, and so badly wanted to see her clearly.

"I-Is Sheldon okay?" Leonard immediately asked.

"Sweetie, I'm afraid not. The doctors said he might not make it." She looked back at Sheldon. "It wasn't even his fault."

Leonard felt like a dagger was shoved into his chest. She didn't say it directly, but Leonard got the feeling that she was blaming Leonard for all of this.

"Penny, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I didn't mean anything I said."

Penny was reminded of what Leonard said in front of her apartment. She couldn't help but ask.

In a soft voice, she asked, "…then why did you say it?"

Leonard was slowly gaining his strength. "Penny…you have to understand. I didn't want Kurt to hurt you again. Penny, I care about you. I can't stand seeing you being mistreated by jerks. You deserve better than that. I don't care if you don't want to go out with me, I just don't want you to end up with someone who doesn't even l-love y-you."

Leonard struggled to say what he's wanted to say for a long time. Penny looked at him. She was touched by his words.

"What are you trying to say, Leonard?"

Leonard opened his mouth and took a deep breath. "I'm trying to say that…I…I…"

The monitor next to Sheldon beeped and interrupted Leonard. Penny turned around and looked at Sheldon.

"Sheldon?! Sheldon? Are you okay?" The monitor beeped again. "Sheldon! Am I getting through to him?"

Penny put her hand on Sheldon's shoulder and sat closer to him.

Leonard felt his heart drop. "Penny…I need to tell you something…"

The monitor beeped again.

"Shh, Leonard! I think I'm getting through to Sheldon!"

Leonard stared at Penny. Despite his vision being almost completely obscured, he could see a blurry Penny put her head down on Sheldon's chest. He bit his lip and couldn't seem to stop the tears forming in his eyes. Leonard didn't notice that he was suddenly crying behind Penny.

Through his tears, he managed to say, "Penny… I love you."

Penny heard Leonard, but ignored him. She closed her eyes and put her arms around Sheldon as the monitor beeped again.

"Oh, Sheldon, I hope you're getting better…"

Leonard's tears were soaking his pillow as he stared at Penny and Sheldon.

He whispered, "I really do love you."

Leonard stared at the two of them for hours, tears still rolling down his face, before drifting off to sleep. Penny had already fallen asleep, her arms still gripping Sheldon's body.

Howard and Raj had come into the room again, only to see all three of them asleep. They were delivered the good news of Leonard waking up, but were enveloped in gloom for Sheldon's life. Howard walked over and placed a blanket on Penny before they left the room.

Penny woke up to the sound of the glass door closing behind Howard and Raj and straightened herself in the chair next to Sheldon's bed. She heard the occasional beep of the monitor next to Sheldon and smiled, sensing that it was a good sign. Penny turned and looked at Leonard, who was still asleep, his head facing Penny. As glad as she was that Leonard was going to be okay, she couldn't help thinking that this was all Leonard's fault. It was his fault for saying those things about Penny, which started the fight in the first place. The car accident was his fault too, thought Penny. But this was her best friend. She couldn't stay mad at him. But she couldn't help it…she was about to lose her other best friend, because of Leonard.

Penny looked back at Sheldon and thought of all the times that Sheldon acted like a civil friend. He was a good friend, he just said the wrong things at the wrong time.

She remembered when he lent her money, or when he helped her start her own business, or when she took care of him when he was sick, or when she let him stay in her apartment when he was locked out of his own. As annoying as he was, she tolerated him. As much as he didn't like her, he still helped her in the way any friend would. Penny enjoyed his company and felt a little more protected when Sheldon was there. She smiled at Sheldon, but started crying after realizing that she won't have someone like Sheldon to help her out the way he always did.

…

Leonard woke up from a slight pain in his chest, which he assumed was from being heartbroken about Penny. He looked over at Penny and saw her crying again, with her hand on Sheldon's bed. He felt that same pain shoot through his chest. Only this time, it didn't feel right. Leonard shifted in his bed in an attempt to make the pain go away. He sensed something was wrong when he felt it again.

"Penny-y…" Leonard mumbled from behind Penny.

Penny turned around. "What?"

Leonard heard a sense of annoyance in Penny's voice when she turned around. He stared back at her, wondering why she would use such a tone with him, he had never heard her talk to him like that before. But his train of thought quickly left as he felt another sharp pain radiate through his body.

"I-I think I need help."

Penny sensed that her tone was a little harsh with Leonard and calmed herself before speaking again.

"Leonard, you're fine. The doctors said you're on your way to a full recovery. Right now, we should be concerned about Sheldon, his chances of surviving are very low."

Leonard was almost begging her for help. "But—I…something hurts."

"I'm sure it's not much. Maybe it's your broken ribs? They haven't fully healed yet."

"No, this is d-different." He felt it again. "I really think I need help."

Leonard reached over to push the button next to him to call for a nurse, but stopped suddenly when he felt his chest tighten. He gasped. It was like someone reached into his lungs and stole his breath. He struggled to breathe as the oxygen stats on his monitor plummeted. The monitor beeped rapidly and rang through Penny's ears like a fire alarm. She shot up out of her chair and ran over to his bed.

"LEONARD?!!"