A/N: I'd say set in season 6 AU. Leonard and Penny aren't dating. They have dated before but after it didn't work out Leonard realized they weren't meant for each other. Penny is single. Sheldon and Amy are together. And really its hard to explain what I'm going for.

It's obvious how they feel about each other. The simple way Penny looks at him. The way they banter. Or how she always sits next to him on the couch.

Penny was dating sure, but she turned every guy away at the door. She confided in Sheldon, even if he said he didn't want to hear it. He would always try and help and vice versa. No it was very obvious they cared for each other.

Sheldon always tried to help Penny. They tried to better each other. It took him a while to see it but now that he does, he realizes how right for each other they are.

It was only confirmed to him one late night when Penny stumbled in their apartment drunkenly, her eyes threatening to water.

"Oh, Leonard." She mumbled turning away quickly.

Leonard stood up, "Are you okay?"

"Fine. I came to tell Sheldon something but its late and…not that important." At this moment he shouldn't have smiled but he did.

"You like him don't you?" He couldn't wipe off the smile. He was right! They like each other…or…one down.

"Ugh, Shelbot? Dr. Whack-A-Doodle? Are you kidding me?" She rolled her eyes. They were still threatening to cry.

"Oh, Penny." Leonards voice became softer and he felt bad for smiling over something so trivial. "Why are you so upset about it? I'm sure he feels the same."

Penny plopped onto the couch Leonard sat next to her. She let out a huge sigh.

"No, he doesn't. He loves Amy. Above anything he loves himself. He doesn't feel the same way for me. I'm just stupid. Even if we could…I couldn't do that to Amy. And he can't stand being touched I'm just asking for trouble." The tears streamed down silently as she talked.

"I see how you guys are with each other. You two just work. In some weird, weird way you work." He said patting her shoulder.

"I don't know about that. Like I said even if we did…Amy is my bestfriend. I couldn't. That's wrong." She muttered, her heart was breaking with every word. Leonard saw the hurt and heart break etched into her face.

"Amy doesn't love him. They enjoy each others company. They're friends…I'll talk to her." Penny grabbed Leonards hand quickly.

"No! You can't let her know how I feel. Or anything." She shouted.

"No, I won't say that. I'll point out, to both of them, how inadequate they must feel and stunted. They both deserve better but should remain friends because they are good at that. Forcing a relationship isn't good." He said with a knowing look. Penny pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you sweetie but you don't need to do that."

"Its the least I could do." He said quietly.

"I should go home and sleep." She got up and walked home. Leonard sighed.

Yes, at one point he was attracted to Penny. Hell he still is. But they all deserve love. The right kind, the good kind that makes you happy and excited. It shouldn't be forced.

-*The next day*-

Penny walked over to 4A with a fuzzy conversation playing in her mind and mild hangover. She approached the door and heard frustrated yelling and lots of arguing. She walked in and no one noticed.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY AMY!" Sheldon yelled, and he rarely got that worked up.

"CALM DOWN I DIDN'T MEAN FOR ANY OF THIS TO HAPPEN!" Leonard tried to shout over Amy and Sheldon.

"WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST MAN UP AND LEAVE ME YOURSELF." Amy was on the verge of tears. Sheldon groaned and sat down.

Penny pieced together her conversation from last night. Oh shit.

"HEY!" Penny yelled over them and they turned to look at her. "Leonard wasn't breaking up with you for Sheldon. He was trying to save you…both from being in a failed, forced relationship. It may have started with me." Penny was tired of being a coward and tired of this nonsense.

"What are you saying bestie?" Amy asked her.

"You caused this?" Sheldon added.

"Amy you are my bestfriend. I promise you that. I never wanted to hurt anyone or cause any of this. Last night I told Leonard how I felt about a certain person and he said he would help. Now it kind of sounds like sabotage but I promise it wasn't. Leonards intentions were pure of heart."

"Oh sure we all know what his intentions are." Sheldon mumbled.

"I'm seeing Alex." Leonard blurted.

Penny smiled, "I'm happy for you sweetie. Anyway I told him I had feelings for you Sheldon. Okay? I didn't want anyone to get hurt, especially my friends. I was drunk and blabbering. I'm sorry." She said and felt this horrible guilt. She was getting sick.

Amy looked between Sheldon and Penny. "I thought we were besties."

"We are. Nothing has to change." Penny felt the wrongness of her words.

Suddenly Amys eyes softened. Sheldon looked ashamed. Penny was so confused.

Leonard spoke up, "You guys are good friends right? But you guys aren't good with intimate stuff. Remember when Zack came around and you were attracted to him and not Sheldon? You can't force chemistry. Believe me I've tried. It's going to fail and hurt you both."

Amy and Sheldon shared a look, "The science is there. I care about you Sheldon but I do need real love. Someone to care about me. I propose we terminate the relationship agreement and remain friends." Sheldon seemed to think it over hyper aware of Penny and Leonard.

"I believe you are correct." He said to Amy.

"I give you two my blessings." Amy said gesturing to Penny and Sheldon.

"Oh Jesus." Penny slapped her face into her hand and realized it was a bad idea as the mild headache started to grow into a migraine. "Are you sure this is what you two want?"

"Yes." They said in unison.

"I know I'll be jealous at first but I need to move on. I love you bestie." She hugged Penny for an odd duration of time.

"I'm not being anyone's rebound." Penny said to Amy.

"You're better than that." Amy left with that and Penny was confused and her head was pounding.

"Oh, um, I have to go." Leonard said grabbing his keys and leaving quickly.

Penny and Sheldon sat in silence for what seemed an eternity. Her confidence melted away. All that bravado she had minutes ago faded.

"I cared about you for a long time too." Sheldon said quietly.

"Really?" Penny said barely glancing up.

"Yes."

"I don't want to rush into this. I want you to get over Amy and be comfortable with the thought of us. Me." Sheldon stood abruptly and sat next to Penny. He hadn't realized he was sitting in the uncomfortable chair next to his spot. He placed a kiss on Penny's cheek.

She felt herself blush. "I am comfortable with you." He said.

"No, I mean you need time to get over Amy. Because she meant-means-a lot to you. I'll wait for you." She returned the favor and kissed him on his cheek. "Goodbye." She left and Leonard stumbled away from the door.

"Thank you Leonard. I admit the situation was really…weird but I hope everyone ends up happy." Leonard smiled and hugged her quickly.

"I know you guys will." They parted ways, went to their separate apartments, with separate reasons to smile.

I knew they were good for each other, Leonard thought when he saw the dazed smile on Sheldons oblivious face.

(Yes I made Leonard a Shenny shipper. I don't know why, but I loved it.)