A/n: sorry for the long wait. Hopefully it's like the old saying absence makes the heart grow fonder. Anyway I've just been super busy with work yada yada yada same old song and dance. Like I said before my updates will most likely be a month apart. Sorry if that upsets anyone I just never have free time except at really late at nights free I get home from work and by then I'm exhausted. Again please note that I type this on my phone so autocorrect might change something and I might not always catch it. I feel that this a/n is long enough so on with the new chapter. Again I don't own anything except certain dialogue.

Penny and Sheldon walked in silence for awhile. Both knowing what was going to or needed to be said; neither wanting to be the one who spoke up.

They reached the B level promenade; penny knew she needed to tell Sheldon that she couldn't see him anymore. Things were just so complicated she didn't want him to be brought into it. She stopped and leaned against the railing. Looking out at the water in silence; thinking how only 3 days ago she would of done anything to get off thus ship. But now she wished she could live on Titanic forever with Sheldon.

"Sheldon I need to say something" Penny began. "It is very hard for me to say it. To actually put what I need to say into words without sounding cruel."

"You can say anything to me Penny. Never fear if hurting my feelings; I most likely wont even be able to notice." He laughed at his own flaw which made Penny laugh. Penny attempted to control her laughter. "No I'm serious Sheldon. Last night after I left you I was confronted by my sister Bernadette. She was waiting up for me and she had sent Howard to follow me. She knows I've been sneaking off to see you. I'm also pretty positive Leonard knows as well. She got me thinking of all the things I'm putting in jeopardy. It's just things are so crazy in my life I don't want to see it drag you down. You're going to be a famous scientist; everyone is going to call you Lee Cooper. I think what would be best is if this be the last time we see each other."

Sheldon who hadn't moved not even a face twitch during her whole speech nodded as he took in what she said. He slowly began to speak " three days ago you were willing to end your life so you wouldn't have to deal with your sister and fiancé. Now you're telling me that what they think matters?"

"It's not that simple" Penny argued.

"Penny, Penny,Penny they have you brainwashed into thinking you need them. When in reality it is them who need you. You are such a funny , talented all around amazing girl. I mean woman. You need to see that they are trapping you to be someone your not. I know I don't have much to offer nor do I always express my feelings. But Penny I know how the world works heck I even know how the universe works I am going to be a physicist you know. You just can't let them run your life."

Penny's stomach knotted. Her heart broke at his words. He was so wonderful to her and she loved him which is why she didn't fight back. Penny carcasses his cheek "Thank you for the kind words and while they may or not be true this is what I feel is the right thing for our well being."
She gently kissed his cheek, he didn't flinch at all, and she walked away.

Sheldon touch his cheek where she kissed it. He had to make one final plea. "Penny?" He called to her. She turned back to face him biting her lip so her tears wouldn't escape.

"Penny I want you to know in trying to save you; you're to strong for that; but you don't need to fight your battles alone. You know where to find me." With that he left. Penny quickly turned so her tears that were building up could finally fall without Sheldon seeing. Sheldon wiped his own eyes of tears as he walked away. He cursed himself for letting his emotions show but he just couldn't help it. His heart was truly breaking for the first time.

XXX

Penny snuck into her bedroom. Everyone was out so it was easy. She flung herself onto the bed and cried. She thought she had fine the right thing but now she didn't have a clue what was right anymore. Why was her life so complicated. She wished she travel to a far off. Place where she could leave her troubles behind her. Somewhere like OZ.

A knock had come on her door stirring Penny awake. She has fallen asleep to the rhythm of her crying. The knock came once again but more forceful this time.

"You may enter" Penny called rubbing her eyes.

Leonard entered "are you just waking? You've missed lunch and its almost supper. Are you alright?"

Penny slipped off the bed and took a seat at her vanity to freshen up. "Almost supper? Wow. No I just fell back asleep after my morning walk. I must of not gotten enough sleep last night." She brushed the powder on her cheeks.

Leonard came up behind her and rubbed her shoulders. She fought the urge to flinch; his grasp was so tight. "I can imagine you would be exhausted after a night of dancing" Leonard said.

Penny slowly traced the brush over her face not quite eyeing him in the face through the mirror. She could see he was frowning. "I know where your were. Did you take me to be a fool?" He released his hold on her.

Penny turned to look at him not saying a word.

Leonard continued " I am wiling to forget the whole thing if you marry me right now. We'll have Captain Smith officiate or the chaplain. We can begin our life together.

Penny was unsure of what to say. She only managed to whisper "I don't want to get married on the ship".

"Well I don't want my wife fraternizing with another man. You are to never see him ever again" Leonard snapped.

"I'm not your wife yet. Nor am I one if your employees you can order around. I am my own person" Penny snapped back.

"Like I said the other day you are my wife in everyday except on paper. I'm tired of having this same fight with you. If you just did what I asked I wouldn't have to order you around. You're making a complete fool of not only yourself; but of your sister and myself. You can't honestly believe people don't notice and aren't talking about it. What would your parents think if the saw what you were doing."

"Do not speak of my parents. You didn't know them and don't you dare try and guess what they would think." Penny said with tears in her eyes. She had to look away.

Her parents had many flaws but they taught both her and Bernadette to be strong. Penny just took it to another level. She was sure they were questioning her actions lately but she felt in her heart they were on her side.

Leonard saw he crossed a line. "Forgive me." He caressed her hair making her look at him. "I just don't want to lose you. I love you Penelope and you seem to be changing." He pulled the other chair in front of penny so they would be level. Not that he was much taller when he stood while she sat. Penny thought to herself as she watched him ; I'm not changing , I'm just finally being myself.

Leonard took her hand in his. His hand was warm but not in the good way like Sheldon's. No Leonard's hands were slimed from sweat. "Penelope you are just nervous about getting married. It happens to a lot of young woman. In fact it happened to my sister you while she was courting her now husband. So that's why I forgive you for making a fool out of yourself with that steerage man. You were only acting foolish out of nervousness. Now you must be starving let's change and get you something to eat. That way you won't be sick and we can finally share the bed for the first time this voyage. " Leonard kissed her which she barely returned.

The words Sheldon said earlier " they have you brainwashed into thinking you need them. When in reality they need you" ran through her mind during Leonard's speech. Sheldon was right. She understood that now.

She didn't say anything in response to Leonard. She only nodded when he asked if she was hungry. " I am a bit famished." She knew Leonard would take her silence on him forgiving him as a battle won. However in reality she was plotting how to leave him for good.