Okay, in my opinion, this chapter wasn't my best writing, but it'll have to do for now. I hope you all still enjoy.

Chapter 5: The Zarnecki Incursion.

When the end credits of the latest rerun of Friends appeared on the screen, Penny picked up the remote and flicked through the channels. Her night with the girls had ended early once again. She used work in the morning as her excuse this time, though, everyone knew that she didn't care about her job that much. It was all she could think of when the girls questioned her. She really was running out of excuses. There's only so many times she could use "I'm just tired", "I have work", or "It's that time of the month", before her friends finally pressured her for a real reason.

Settling on an old episode of Gilmore Girls, Penny set the remote down beside her and brought her bare feet up to tuck underneath her. She stared at the untouched wine glass on the coffee table in front of her. Years ago, if you had told her she'd be sitting in her apartment on a Friday night, watching reruns of old shows, Penny would've laughed in your face. The only time she ever did this was while she was dating Leonard. But I had someone to cuddle then.

While Penny watched as the mother –daughter duo bantered back and forth on screen, her mind began to wander to earlier events of the day. Poor Sheldon. The man was distraught over losing all his make believe game thingies. She vaguely remembered him calling her, sounding close to tears, and rambling on about some flamingo named Glenn. Or maybe it was an Ostrich.

She knew day old cheesecake would do nothing to help him cope, but she had tried to cheer him up anyways. And, if Penny was being completely honest, it was her way of getting back into apartment 4A. Her only way of seeing Leonard for the first time in weeks. As selfish as it sounded, it was true. And as luck would have it, she'd run into Priya on her way out. She wondered if Leonard caught any Hell for that.

Throwing her head back and groaning, Penny closed her eyes, not even remotely paying attention to the show any longer, her thoughts taking over. She missed him. So much. Before she had missed the cuddling, the kisses, and the sex. God, did she miss the sex. But the whole time, she still had their friendship. She was still able to hear his voice, see his smile. She could still listen to him try to explain his latest experiment to her and try her hardest to follow along. She could still laugh at him mocking Sheldon or just enjoy his company as the gang had dinner together. She still had him.

Penny wondered if she'd ever get used to it. If this feeling of emptiness would drift away after time. If she could pass him in the hallway and just smile, without the sensation of her heart crumbling to a million pieces. If she could ever refer to him as "just my neighbor" and not think about all the memories they had together. I hope so.

Her eyes open and glanced towards her wine again. Well, I'm home. Alone. Might as well have a little fun. Right as she was sitting up to reach for the glass, her phone rang.

Thirty minutes later, after hanging up the phone on a screaming Sheldon and changing into more suitable clothing, Penny found herself in her car, driving down the freeway, still in shock. Leonard had called her for help. Her! Not his girlfriend! Penny's heart fluttered at the thought of him reaching out to her. She ignored the small voice suggesting that he might have called Priya first and she was busy. Penny continued to allow herself to think that he chose her first. Just that small thought made it worth driving all this way to pick them up.

He chose me. He chose..me.

Penny knew she couldn't keep repeating that over and over or by the time she showed up, it'd be clear on her face just how happy she was. And she wasn't entirely sure what she'd do when she saw him, while in that kind of mood. Probably leave the guys behind and go find a deserted parking lot. Penny smirked at the images that flashed through her mind of her and Leonard in the backseat of her car.

Okay, yeah. Need a distraction. Penny reached forward and turned her radio on, hoping for an upbeat song to sing along to. Instead, she heard the melody of what sounded like a country love song. Oh boy. Despite knowing that listening to this station would do her no good, she never changed it. Her curiosity got the better of her as she paid attention to the words that the broken hearted man sang.

"Wish I could close my eyes and not have to see you smiling."

With those words a vision of Leonard's smile appeared in her head. His adorable, amazing smile that always made her days better. Even if he had done something to make her angry, that smile could still stir up the butterflies in her stomach.

"Seems like your memory has got a map of my mind."

It was true. No matter where she was, work or home, something would cause a memory of the two of them together to haunt her. She just couldn't understand why this was happening. She had had break ups before. Granted none that she was best friends with. None that made this big of an impact on her life.

"I got you off of these walls. I got you out of my bed. Now I'm no better off, can't get you outta my head."

As the song was nearing it's end, Penny forced herself focus more on the road ahead of her and push the memories aside, praying that over time, it would get easier.

"This was so much fun!"

Penny smiled at Sheldon as they reached the fourth flood landing. The man was absolutely giddy. He had talked nonstop on the drive home about the night's events and how Zarnecki had fallen to a mighty warrior. Of course, Sheldon was referring to himself as the victor. Instead of correcting him though, Penny let him have his moment, her eyes meeting Leonard's and smiling.

"It was, indeed, Sheldon. It's been awhile since I've got to kick a guy in his 'happy place'." Penny laughed, stopping in front of their doorway.

"Aren't you going to thank Penny, Sheldon?" Leonard stopped Sheldon in his tracks as he unlocked the door.

Sheldon faced her and Penny's heart melted at his expression of gratitude. It was very rare for Sheldon and she felt honored. "Thank you, Penny," Sheldon stated and she thought for a second that she was going to receive a 'rare Sheldon Cooper' hug. Instead, he raised his right hand to his forehead and gave a strong salute. "Thank you for helping us conquer our quest tonight." With that, Sheldon turned and retreated to his fortress.

"Awh." Penny turned to the man beside her, "He just gets cuter and cuter, doesn't he?"

Leonard frowned, "Yeah, for a little while..until he opens his mouth again."

Penny smiled and then realized they were alone together. She felt nervous all of a sudden. She knew, soon, he'd return to his apartment and she to hers and they'd probably go weeks once again without talking. She didn't want tonight to end so soon. So instead of actually thinking about what to say, she blurted out the first thing on her mind. "So, why didn't you call your girlfriend again?"

Crap.

Leonard shrugged, suddenly finding his shoes interesting," She doesn't understand any of this." His voice softened, "She thinks it's dumb."

"So you called me?"

His eyes met hers," Well, even though you've complained in the past or mocked us a little, you've never flat out called it dumb. Or me a 'man-child'."

Leonard had mumbled the last part, but Penny still heard it. Her heart sunk while she felt angry at the same time. Had Priya really called him that? Sure, Penny hadn't completely understood all the quirks to the lovable four nerds across the hall, but she never called them such things. All of their geeky traits had grown on her and she couldn't help but feel protective. "Well that was rude of her."

Leonard shrugged again. Penny figured trash talking his current girlfriend to his ex-girlfriend was not something he really should be doing, so she quickly spoke up again," Maybe she was just having a bad day." At Leonard's silence, she continued," She'll get used to it. "

Leonard nodded and pointed to his door, "Well I had better be going in. Sheldon will probably be up all night with all of this excitement from today."

Penny agreed and tried not to let her disappointment show as she said goodnight. As she turned to enter her apartment, she heard him speak again.

"Penny?"

She glanced over her shoulder at him, hand on her doorknob," Yeah?"

He smiled the adorable smile that she still dreamed about and softly spoke, "Thank you. For coming to help."

Penny gave him a small smile back and nodded, "Of course. I'll always be there for you, Leonard." She probably shouldn't have said that last statement, but she meant it more than anything and felt he should know.

His face lit up, "And that means everything to me. Goodnight, Penny. I'll see you around."

With the sound of his door shutting echoing in her ears, Penny turned back to her own apartment. She didn't even try to keep the smile that had stretched across her face away. Her mood had been up and down throughout the day, with contemplating drinking the night away by herself being an option just hours ago. But now, she could go to sleep with a smile on her face. Leonard had chosen her tonight and not Priya. Penny had succeeded in making Leonard happy tonight and even though she knew tomorrow might bring more heartache, she would hold onto this feeling. Maybe she'd even be able to get through a girl's night out now.

Penny, now changed and ready for bed, finally crawled under the covers. She rolled over to the side of the bed that was once dubbed 'Leonard's' and buried her head into the pillow. If she tried really hard, she could still smell him.

That night Penny drifted off to a peaceful sleep, for the first time in a long time, with just one last thought floating around.

He chose me tonight.