And so it ends. Thanks for the great reviews guys! I may be writing another big bang theory soon, so keep your eyes open.
---
Penny went to work right away. She quit her job at the cheesecake factory, and spent the next five days with Sheldon non stop. Of course, he questioned about her time off, and she simply told him that she was given a small holiday for working so hard. A lie, of course, as she had barley worked at all the past weeks. She begged him to take some time off too, which he did. They did everything together for the next few days. They made a day trip to Disneyland, went to the San Diego zoo, and did many tours around LA. Sheldon loved every minute, but something in the back of his mind knew something was off. He ignored it, of course, he didn't want anything to ruin this wonderful time with the girl he loved.
All of this, of course, tormented Penny. She tried so hard to enjoy every moment with Sheldon, but she found herself plastering on a fake smile every time. Every part of her screamed the truth at her, and she knew her mental health couldn't take much more of this lying.
Finally, the day she had dreaded for the past two weeks came. It was three in the morning, and Sheldon was sound asleep on her bed, in his normal Dracula position.
In the kitchen, Penny was quickly writing a note.
Sheldon,
I am so sorry this had to happen. I didn't know what else to do. It torments me every time you look at Leonard's door. With me gone, you two will figure it out. You'll become friends again. You'll survive without me.
You'll fall in love Sheldon, have kids. And they will love you, as well as your wife. Hold on to her Sheldon, and never let her go.
Don't try to follow me, I'm not going home. I'm going somewhere far away, where you won't be tempted to come after me.
Don't worry about the apartment; I've set something up with the landlord. Once you and Leonard become friends again, he'll sell the apartment. I'll be paying for it until then.
I'll always love you, Sheldon. Always.
P
Her hand was shaking, and she couldn't even finish writing her name. Tears were pouring down her cheeks, her dark eyes become increasingly darker.
She walked back to her bedroom soundlessly, and stared at Sheldon.
She kissed him lightly on the head before heading out the door, not looking back.
--
Sheldon woke around six, and sat up, rubbing his eye vigorously. He smiled, turning to look at penny's sleeping face.
He was surprised to find her side of the bed empty.
He rose quickly, that part of his brain screaming at him, and he found himself listening to it.
Look for a note, it told him, she probably left you a note.
He found it, lying on the coffee table. Smiling to himself, he grabbed it.
His smile quickly faded.
He reached for the couch, struggling to find support behind him.
He read it twice. Three times.
She was gone.
He tore through her clothes, looking for anything out of place. And, sure enough, just enough clothing for a small bag was gone.
He stood there, his fingers now white from his strong grip on her dresser. His mind searched for where she could be, and ticket pricing flashed through his head.
She could be anywhere.
He glanced out of the room, towards the apartment door. He didn't know what else to do.
He knew Leonard would be up by now, working, maybe.
He knocked only twice on the door. Two sharp knocks.
The door opened after a few moments. He found Leonard, in his underwear and socks, pushing up his glasses.
There was a silence.
"What do you want, Sheldon?" Leonard mumbled. He was obviously still tired. Tears formed at Sheldon's eyes.
"She's gone Leonard. I don't know what to do."
Leonard frowned, and looked at Sheldon's hands. He took the note from him, and read it over. Twice.
"Oh my god." Leonard glanced up at Sheldon's tall figure. "Where the hell do you think she would of went?" He beckoned Sheldon into the room. Leonard was already on the move to get dressed, and Sheldon followed suit. They listed many places writing feverishly on the white board. They had maybe 40 cities listed. Finally, leonard's quiet voice broke the silence.
"I'm sorry I punched you."
He was staring at the ground, and Sheldon looked at him, surprised.
"It's okay." He breathed. Sheldon paused, and then made his decision. He crossed the room, and embraced Leonard in a hug. Leonard, a little shocked, returned the hug. It was unsurprisingly awkward.
A pause.
"You can move back in, if you want."
Another pause. Both men move away from each other. Sheldon sighs.
"What are we doing, Leonard? She didn't want to be followed. If we do find her, it will always be a constant battle between us. A constant chase. We'll both always love her. Always." Tears poured down both men's eyes. "She's gone."
--
And Sheldon was right, she was gone. She'll move to New York, to try her acting career there. She won't have much luck, but she's happy to hear of Sheldon and Leonard's friendship. She'll eventually move back to Nebraska, forgetting her dream about her acting. She'll become a teacher, a high school drama teacher. It fits for her. And she'll meet a guy, Mark, the school's science teacher. She knows the reason she's attracted to him, and she searches for other reasons. She'll eventually find them, and they'll fall in love. Marriage comes quickly enough.
The boys are not invited, but it's not like the thought hadn't crossed her mind.
Kids come soon after that. Two girls.
Mary and Beverly.
--
And, like Penny says, Sheldon will meet someone. A spunky waitress, Lucy, that he meets researching for a paper. He knows why he's attracted to her, and he searches for other reasons. He'll eventually find them, and they'll fall in love. Marriage takes a little longer, but Leonard tells Lucy to give him time. And, after some time, a beautiful wedding.
She's not invited, but the thought had crossed Sheldon's mind.
A kid comes quicker.
Penelope. Middle name: Queen.
--
And, of course, Leonard will marry. Leslie, as it turns out. They have twins, a boy and a girl.
Sheldon and Leonard will remain great friends, best men at their weddings, best friends for life.
And, finally, eight years later, Penny, Mark and the kids move back to Pasadena.
And Penny's phone will ring.
And she'll get an invite to the nobel prize banquet. Sheldon and Leonard's.
And she'll accept.
And she'll smile, knowing that dirt, that grime that has stayed on her for the past eight years, can be washed off the next shower she has.
THE END