A/N - in this chapter we will discover what has been happening on Leonard, Howard and Raj's journey to Las Vegas. do they even make it their? lets find out...

Chapter 7 – On the road again

Ugh. The plan did not go as intended. First Raj had to stop to pee every 20 minutes saying that he was nervous about meeting women in Vegas. Then there was Howard who would scroll down the window and shout out innuendoes and crude jokes to hot women as they drove by which resulted in people staring at them in disgust. He wanted to get away from normal life and have a break. He never could catch a break. He is always running around for Sheldon. At least on this trip, there wasn't a neurotic theoretical physicist ordering him around. He should have left ages ago but he knew that what he has here was pretty good. Friends and hot blonde across the hall; he could live with Sheldon and it would be worthwhile just if he could get the girl for once. Although that doesn't really look too promising now seeing as the hot blonde has probably got another beef jock to shack up with and now that she is out of the question, life becomes a lot more difficult in apartment 4A ; especially when the main reason for staying is out of reach. Then again penny is still a great friend and Sheldon has his moments and when he is neurotic he can push past them most of time. Plus where would he go? Live with Raj? It's not like he has a girlfriend to move in with.

They were half way through their journey when Raj called out again asking for them to stop somewhere. They pulled up at a service station which was Sheldon-approved so they have been there before and knew that they could have food there as well as refill the tank with gas.

As Leonard parked the car in the gas station, Raj jumped out and ran to the restroom in the small diner followed closely by Howard. Howard was probably more excited to go female hunting rather than use the restroom though. After he filled the tank up and paid for the gas he went in the same direction as Howard and Raj.

He pushed open the diner door and looked up to see a familiar face. She caught his eye and smiled brightly at him. He made his way over to her at the two-seater table and took the free seat opposite her.

''hey Leonard, what are you doing here?'' asked Stephanie. She was eating alone at the table which he thought was a good sign and decided not to tell her the real reason for swinging out this far from Pasadena.

''Hey Stephanie, me Howard and Raj were just heading out this way to find something to do. No real plans though. How about you?'' trying to get past the subject of going to Las Vegas to find a girl.

''I got an emergency call so the hospital sent me out this way. I was heading back to Pasadena and stopped here for food. I'm glad that I bumped into you here though'' she smiled at him. They talked and he ordered some food from the waiter.

The guys ordered lunch a few tables over and got trapped into a debate about who would win in a fight against batman and superman. Obviously superman. Hands down. Their debate was paused while they both received emails at the same time. They looked down at their phones and froze in shock at what they found. They slowly raised their heads to face each; meeting each other's eyes at the same time and starring. They both then turned their faces slowly to look over to Leonard.

Leonard was eating his salad when his phone buzzed but he didn't care to look at it because things were going so well with Stephanie. He thought that maybe this was a sign. He came out to find someone and got someone. Maybe he should try again with her; after all they did want the same things. Their conversation was cut short when a scrunched up napkin hit him the face.

''What?'' he hissed to Howard and Raj as he turned sharply towards them. He instantly was taken aback by their shocked, gaping faces. That's weird.

Howard and Raj snapped out of it and got up to rush over to him and Stephanie. ''why don't you check your phone Leonard'' Howard spoke impatiently but trying to keep a smooth voice as if talking to a child.

He reached into his pocket and quickly apologised to Stephanie who was watching with interest. There was an auto forwarded email from Dr Gablehauser. Leonard now a little bit more interested in the situation quickly opened the email on his Smartphone.

''Holy crap on a cracker'' Leonard breathed.

''Sheldon did it!'' Raj exclaimed which followed by a small 'eep' when he caught Stephanie's eye.

''We have got to head back to Pasadena and check this out for ourselves.'' Howard starting to head for the door but was stopped short by Leonard.

''Wait a minute we can't leave yet I'm here with Stephanie'' Leonard whined as he looked back and forth between the guys and her.

''What is this all about?'' asked Stephanie feeling completely lost.

''We just received an email telling us that Sheldon just proved string theory!'' he told her with excitement.

Stephanie waited a few seconds for the information to sink in then she bolted up from her seat and raced Howard and Raj to the door.

''Where are you going?'' Leonard asked screeched as he tried to follow her out of the dinner.

''We are not going to miss this moment just to chat in a dirty diner. Now hurry up and get to your car. I will meet you outside of your apartment when we get there and we can catch up some more then.'' She informed him with a smile as they all got to their cars which were parked two spaces away from one another.

She was in her car in seconds and the Leonard was not far behind. The tires screeched as she left the car park first and headed to Pasadena with Leonard and the boys on her tail.

Leonard told Raj to text penny and Sheldon and to tell them that they are heading back home about 20 minutes away from the apartment complex. He could hear the tapping of Raj's fingers on his I phone as he sends of the text whilst he was silently grumbling to himself that penny probably wouldn't care. Howard decided to try call penny a few times but they all went to voicemail. Howard then starts pointing how much Sheldon is going to be all big headed about his achievement. This only makes Leonard grumble more; penny not caring and heading home to possibly the most arrogant Sheldon ever. Ugh.

They all run up the stairs to the fourth floor shortly after arriving at the same time. The anticipation was climbing as they reach each landing. There were questions flying out of everyone's mouths whilst they each answered with excitement. Stephanie clung to Leonard's hand in their short journey as she expressed her excitement by jumping up and down. She knew Sheldon from their previous relationship and knew how much this meant to him.

They finally reached the door and Leonard stepped forward to unlock apartment 4A.

''What the FRAK?!''

He walked in to find penny and Sheldon kissing on the couch with star trek on the TV and two tea cups on the coffee table.

Sheldon and penny broke the kiss and turned to look at everyone in the doorway. Leonard was seething with his hand clenched tightly at his sides. Stephanie was to his left shyly hiding behind him. Howard was to the right of Leonard with a creepy smile on his face. Finally, Raj was peering over Howard's shoulder and with big smile on his face, clapping his hands silently in front of him.

''Huh. We were right. Penny has been seeing someone else'' Howard mused smugly from over Leonard's shoulder.

''Hey guys!'' penny greeted them with a cheerful attitude, trying to ignore the fact that everyone just walked in on her and Sheldon kissing.

''Mind catching us up here?'' Leonard asked with his voice becoming high pitched towards the end.

''well it appears that you have just walked in to the apartment to find penny and I having a relaxing evening with Kirk and Spock after exchanging our completions of our life's goals.'' Sheldon replied flatly.

After a few moments of watching them gaping at the both of them, penny decided to break the awkward silence and get up.

She lightly patted Sheldon knee as she stood up. With this silent cue Sheldon got up and went to the kitchen to retrieve beverages for the new arrivals. ''Why don't you stop gaping at us and get in here. We have some things to tell you all…'' she caught sight of Stephanie and was pleased to have someone there to distract Leonard, ''hey Stephanie'' she called to her a little bit too eagerly.

''hi, I hope we haven't disrupted a moment between you two?'' she asks looking between the two of them.

''oh don't be silly'' she waved her hand as she reached her and hugged her. ''Get in here before Leonard's jaw drops off and save us both please'' she whispers in her ear pleading for help before releasing her with a smile.

''hello Stephanie would you like a beverage?'' Sheldon, noticing penny's diversion and heads down the same route; using Stephanie so that they didn't have to get bombarded with questions by the guys. He always thought Stephanie was the one that Leonard should never have let go of.

''Hey Sheldon'' she smiles and offers him a small wave before looking at Leonard. Noticing his clenched fists and pursed lips she unclenches his left one and intertwines their fingers. This is what penny asked help with. He visibly relaxes after remembering that she is there and seems to forget about why he was angry as she leads him over to the armchair. She takes the stool that Sheldon offers her and places it next to him and retrieves his hand again.

Everyone gathers around the coach leaving Sheldon's 'spot' free while he hands out drinks. Penny stands in front of the coffee table and waits for everyone to say there small 'thank you' s to Sheldon before he takes his place and she begins.

Penny starts by telling them how sorry she was for not being around lately and where she has been. She tells them about the movie and discusses what it has been like for her. She receives everyone's congratulations and shocked faces before turning to Sheldon.

He takes this silent cue again and stands from his spot to tell them his news. His arrogance level is seemingly reasonable but nobody moans because this time he definitely deserves to boast. He tells them a brief version of his research and what he has just accomplished because he knows that in the near future he will be involved in countless interviews where he can describe his achievements in greater detail. Right now he just wants to sit back down and not give a speech to his friends. He finishes and receives similar reactions from their friends as penny's news did; shocked faces staring at him appraisingly.

Penny was still standing by his side, looks up at him gives him a pointed look. He knows what is coming next but would rather have penny tell the details because he is not completely confident what they are yet and seeing as penny is more experienced in this matter, he shall give her the stage and let her tell their friends. He gives her a nod to signify her to continue and waits for her to tell their friends.

Crap! She doesn't know what to call them yet. She would definitely like to say boyfriend and girlfriend but they have only been on one date and she doesn't want him to suddenly freak out and change his mind. Then again, this Sheldon is here and he doesn't have experience in this matter so maybe if she takes the plunge he wouldn't even flinch. Here goes nothing!

''Sheldon and I are a couple now. For me it's been growing for a while and I feel…that all the excitement tonight has brought us both together. I'm not going to give you creepy nerds the details…especially you Howard, but I will say that we came together during our reactions to our big news and we couldn't be happier.'' Penny finished as Sheldon curled his arm around her back and settled his hand on her opposite hip, stepping closer to her side and watching their reactions.

There was Howard who was muttering ''I bet they came together…''into Raj's ear which his Vulcan hearing picked up. Shooting him a death glare and relaxing to see raj ignoring the comment and gently bouncing up and down on the floor in front of Howard. He was smiling and clapping his hands together; he had always thought that they shared a closer connection to one another. It was clear that he was happy for them both. Finally Sheldon turned to Leonard who seemed to be taking it rather well although they have to thank Stephanie for that.

As Sheldon and penny make their way over to their seats, Stephanie pulls Leonard up and begins to head for his bedroom laughing to each other. She stops just before the step to the hallway and turns to them both on the coach watching them go.

''Congratulations both of you. I am super thrilled for the two of you and we will be glad to plan a special evening to celebrate everything that has happened today.'' She spoke with sincerity. ''we can celebrate properly then but for tonight Leonard and I are going to catch up in his room. Goodnight'' she turned and left with Leonard eagerly following her and ignoring the others on the couch.

He can speak to them two at another time but it is probably best to have some time to calm down. ''goodnight'' he calls over his shoulder and then they hear his bedroom door click.

''that could have gone a lot worse'' mused penny.

''Yes, I for one am very pleased to not have to hear Leonards whining at the present time. From my observation, it appears to be the case of any odd women supplying coitus to Leonard will get him through his times of distress. I am also pleased that it was Stephanie and not Leslie Winkle.'' He picked up the TV remote and pressed play as penny snuggled into his side, absently nodding her head in agreement.

''well it looks as if you two are both celebrating together tonight so we will just skedaddle'' Howard says slowly as he stands up with Raj and heads for the door.

''good evening'' ''see ya later'' Sheldon and penny call to them whilst not taking their eyes away from the screen and not moving a muscle. She was too relaxed to give them a proper goodbye. Nothing could move her now.

They sat together in comfortable silence after the boys left. There was a soft glow from the TV hitting their faces from the contrast of the dark living room as they relaxed in one another's presence. There was the faint sound of Sheldon's phone vibrating on his desk chair, alerting him for incoming emails but he was too content to get up and check them. Furthermore, with the tight grasp that penny had on him; he didn't think she would let him check them even if he wanted to. Sheldon wasn't complaining though.

well that's out the way, now you guys can enjoy some more shenny cuteness as they continue on their journey. the next chapter is so much fun and i have been waiting to show it to you all but im going to be mean and not post until tomorrow because then you have something to look forward to. mhuhahahaha!