Chapter 23

a/n* I'm sorry for the wait in between chapters. I have been trying to find a way to make my chapters have more explanation/details rather than all this dialogue. Thank you to all who have reviewed and given me suggestions and tips. And for those who view but don't review, thank you too(: I hope you enjoy the chapter!

"I need a drink." Amy muttered under her breath. Without looking back, she brushed past Sheldon and made her way to the living room, leaving him staring at her back with the gentlest eyes.

"Bestie," Amy called in an angry tone. "Let's go." That was all she said before storming out the door. Penny and Bernadette exchanged a confused glance before Penny shrugged and Bernadette gave her a worried frown.

"Okay, but you should probably drive," Penny said, talking to no one because Amy was already far out of ear shot. "Come one Bernadette," she added impatiently. Bernadette nodded slightly and turned toward Howard, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Bye Howie, I'll be home soon," she was grinning like an excited school girl as her fiancé engulfed her into a tight embrace, kissing the top of her head gently. He then lowered his head, whispering into her ear.

"Did I already mention how beautiful you look tonight?" Bernadette's grin doubled in size and Howard's completely matched hers.

"Thanks Howie," the blonde giggled, reluctantly pulling away from his embrace. Before she could walk away to Penny, he grasped her arm and held her at arm's length, eyeing her seriously.

"Promise me you won't drink too much tonight," he said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. She brought her hand to her chest to cross her heart and they both broke out in enthusiastic smiles.

"Alright, Penny," Bernadette said reluctantly while breaking away from Howard's soft gaze. "Let's go." Penny nodded and followed her to the door slowly, her gaze distracted. There was a chorus of good byes from Howard and Raj as Leonard and Sheldon both sat in their rooms, lost in their own thoughts.

Silence hung in the air between the two girls as they made their way down the multiple flights of stairs. A few moments went by, where all they could hear was their feet slapping against the stairs. About halfway down the 2nd flight of stairs, Penny took a deep breath and spoke, shattering the silence between the two with her gentle voice.

"Amy looked pretty pissed." Sometimes she was just as blunt as Amy was. Bernadette didn't mind though. In reply to Penny's statement, Bernadette nodded her head slightly and continues walking, wrapped in her own thoughts. The air around the two in the building was warm, and almost moist. If the two were walking any faster, it may have been hard to catch their breaths. Walking in the building made Bernadette want to shrug her light jacket off her shoulders and carry, but she refrained from doing so due to limited room between her and Penny on the staircase. Their feet continued to slap against the stairs in unison as they continued on.

"Yeah she did." Bernadette said after several moments of silence. Her voice was steady and even, her words gentle. Her eyes were focused ahead but she could feel Penny's gaze on her, so she shifted her gaze onto her friend, only to see her biting her lip nervously and taking in a deep breath.

"I wonder what Sheldon did to piss her off like that."

"Knowing Sheldon, it could be anything."

The silence enveloped the two once again, and neither spoke until they were in the lobby of the building. Penny and Bernadette exchanged nervous glances and Bernadette fidgeted with her hands as Penny's eyes wandered over the room as if she'd never been in there before.

"I think they got back together." Bernadette explained quietly to penny as they exited the building. Penny was scanning the parking lot, her eyes searching for any sign of their lost friend. "But he messed it up again."

No reply escaped Penny's lips, and Bernadette could hear her friend's shallow breaths. The air was crisp and cold, unlike the air in the building. It tickled their throats and turned their cheeks rosy. A shiver was sent up Bernadette's back and she instinctively rubbed her hands together, crossing her arms against her chest for warmth.

Penny was positively bouncing on her toes, swiftly turning to Bernadette and making eye contact with her, a slight grin on her face. Her eyes looked a little livelier as well.

"So, did you think about where we're gunna go tonight?" In reply to Penny's question, Bernadette eyed her skeptically.

"No I didn't." she confessed, looking at the ground. "But I think we should find Amy first, I'm worried about her."

"Right, right," Penny reluctantly agreed, hearing her friend's voice dripping with worry and anxiety. "Where did she go anyway?"

"If I knew, then I wouldn't be asking you, now would I?" Bernadette was getting irritated and Penny gingerly took a step farther from her friend, afraid to upset her further.

When Bernadette felt Penny move away slightly, she glanced at her, to find her with pursed lips, crossing her arms. She immediately felt guilty.

"Sorry," she mumbled under her breath, fiddling with her hands. "I'm just really worried."

"Well, we could call her." Penny suggested, shrugging her shoulders. Bernadette relaxed slightly, silently relieved that they had come up with some fort of plan. Penny reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, typing several buttons before holding the phone away from her and pressing speaker phone. Bernadette edged closer to her and together they peered at the screen, patiently waiting for her to answer.

"Hi Bestie," Amy greeted in her usual tone. Penny disregarded that the Brunette sounded the same as always and went strait to the point.

"Amy, where the Hell are you?" Penny felt her nerves rising and silently hoped her friend was okay. The other line went silent for a moment, and the two blondes held their breaths, waiting for a reply.

"Down the road at the Coffee shop that Sheldon and I met at." Penny and Bernadette quietly exhaled, relieved that their friend was okay.

"Why would you walk all the way over there? What about our girls' night?" Upon listening to Penny's words, Amy shrugged, regardless of the fact that neither of her friend's could see her.

"I don't know," she grumbled, glancing out of the window of the little shop she was in. "Why don't you guys come here and we'll go from here." Her suggestion was half-hearted and she didn't really mind.

"Yeah, sure I guess," Penny's reluctance was evident in her voice, but Amy shrugged it off, sighing quietly. "We'll be there shortly sweetie." The two girls didn't wait for a reply before hanging up and turning to each other.

"Are we going to be there for long?" Bernadette asked innocently. Penny's lips formed a strait line and she shook her head slowly.

"I don't think so," Bernadette returned a small smile at Penny's words. The two stood there for a while, watching the cars pas by before Penny decided to start walking across the parking lot to where the sidewalk was located. Bernadette followed swiftly behind her, curiously asking why they weren't driving.

"Because I just don't feel like driving," Penny said, slowing her pace a little, allowing Bernadette to catch up.

"Well, I picked a good day to where my tennis shoes." Penny had a slight pip in her step and a small frown formed on Bernadette's lips.

"Speak for yourself," she grumbled, looking down at her heels she was wearing. She honestly didn't care, she was just teasing Penny.

Eventually, Penny slowed down enough for Bernadette to walk at the same pace as her. The two walked in a comfortable silence for a while, their eyes ahead. Neither felt the need to speak, both lost in their own thoughts. For a few seconds, their steps were actually in unison and Bernadette assumed that she was the only one who noticed. She shifted her gaze over to Penny to find her mouth slightly open as if she was about to say something. Bernadette kept quiet, silently edging her forward and encouraging her to say something. When Penny shut her mouth and dropped her gaze, Bernadette did the same.

The sun was just setting in the sky by the time the pair arrived at the coffee shop. Orange and pink streaks were mixed in the sky with the fading blue. There were a few thin, wispy clouds draping over their heads. The air was still crisp and it continued to chill their throats.

Walking into the small coffee shop, the aroma of hot chocolate and sugar-filled scones traveled into the girls' noses as the glanced around, their eyes searching for their friend. The shop wasn't busy, a few people filled the tables and booths, talking and laughing quietly with one another. Soothing music played overhead through the speakers, making the building all the more peaceful.

"There's Amy," Penny stated, nodding her head towards the brunette sitting by the window in a booth. Bernadette just exhaled quietly, making her way toward the counter.

"Penny," Bernadette called gently, a moment later. "Do you want anything?" Penny thought for a moment, suddenly remembering how cold she was and how good a warm drink sounded at the moment. She glanced back over at Amy before turning her attention back to Bernadette.

"Hot chocolate," she replied and Bernadette nodded her approval, turning back to the counter. Behind the counter stood a petite red head, watching her with a warm smile.

"Hello," the woman said quietly, her smile never faltering.

"Hi," Bernadette replied, her eyes grazing the women's shirt for her name tag. For some odd reason, she looked extremely familiar. "You look familiar," apparently she liked stating the obvious because the words tumbled out of her mouth before she had time to process them. The red head just grinned at her, stifling a giggle.

"Class of 97?" she asked, her grin turning wider.

"Yeah," Bernadette said, her confusion and curiosity growing. She stood their silently for a moment, processing all the information at once. "Charlie?" she asked.

"The one and only," the red head replied proudly. Bernadette's smile grew slightly and she shifted her weight from her left foot to her right foot.

"What are you doing here?" Bernadette asked curiously. Charlie looked at her with an amused look and the words that next came out of Bernadette's mouth were rushed. "And don't say hunting elephants." Charlie just chuckled in response.

"How are you?" Charlie asked, disregarding the blonde's previous question and shoving a piece of gum into her mouth.

"Good, what about you?"

"Great," she replied with a grin.

"What have you been doing since high school?" Bernadette loved this chance she was getting to reconnect with an old friend.

"After I graduated out of high school, I studied at MIT for a few years but I ended up getting knocked up, sooo…. You know, my career pretty much went down the hill and now I'm here." She shrugged her shoulders casually and locked eyes with Bernadette, who had a sympathetic smile on her face.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Did you really go to MIT?" she asked, astounded. Charlie nodded in response, her green eyes sparkling. "My fiancé went there."

"Wow, you're kidding. Please don't tell me your fiancé is Howard Wolowitz." Charlie looked amused and Bernadette frowned, feeling the need to defend her fiancé,

"Oh," Charlie said, her cheeks slightly blushing. "I suppose he's told you about that double date that we went on?" Bernadette's eyebrows flew up and she leaned in closer to her friend.

"Come again?" she asked.

"Oh yeah, Wolowitz was dating this girl, oh, what was her name, uh, Cindy, that's it. He was dating this girl named Cindy at the time, and I went with this one guy named Joey. Oh, I heard Cindy was back in town today because the reunion is Thursday. Anyway, he couldn't go 2 minutes without making some sleazy joke about sex." She sighed contently, a slight smile on her lips.

Bernadette blinked in confusion. Reunion? He hadn't mentioned a reunion. And who was this Cindy chick, anyway? Instead of voicing her concerns, she pushed them into the back of her mind to think about later and gave her friend a nervous smile. Charlie must have noticed that Bernadette hadn't ordered yet because she moved over to the cash register then, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Anyway," she said, smacking her gum around in her mouth. "What can I get ya?" her northern accent was showing in her voice and Bernadette fought the urge to giggle in response. Bernadette glanced up at the menu momentarily, silently reciting Penny's order to herself. When she returned her attention back to Charlie, her body slightly tensed.

"I'll take two hot chocolates," Bernadette stated, looking Charlie in the eye.

"Two hot chocolates," Charlie repeated, punching the order into the cash register. "You must be a thirsty girl," she joked, half-heartedly giggling to herself. Before Bernadette could reply, she turned, took a few steps towards the open kitchen doors and yelled for the two beverages. Bernadette winced at the sound, as it soundly strangely familiar to Howard's mom's voice.

"Thank you," Bernadette said, handing the red head the money she owed. Charlie gingerly took the money from her hands and placed it into the open cash register.

"Any time," she replied with a smile. "Any time," The blonde nodded slowly and flashed her friend one last smile before abandoning the counter, making her way over to Amy and Penny. She didn't make it very far however, before Penny came running up to her.

"What the hell took you so long?" she asked, frustration evident in her voice. "Amy's not talking." Bernadette saw her friend wince and she gave her a sympathetic smile. Looking towards the window area where Amy sat, Bernadette saw Amy leaning her body weight against the wall, staring blankly out the window. She turned her attention back to the blonde in front of her, thinking how she was going to answer her friend's question.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I got caught up talking to a classmate of mine back in 97" Penny nodded knowingly at her friend's words before grabbing Bernadette's wrists.

"Come on," she said, dragging Bernadette across the shop until they approached Amy's booth. Upon hearing People walking towards her, Amy immediately put on her emotionless expression and moved her head to look up at the two girls approaching her.

"Hi, Amy," Bernadette said with a shy smile. Amy returned her friend's gaze, her eyes slightly duller than they normally were.

"Hello," she replied, moving her gaze from Bernadette to her Bestie. Penny shifted uncomfortably when she felt both her friend's gazes on her.

"Mind if we sit?" Penny asked nervously, desperate to get the attention off of her. She was forced to ask with fake enthusiasm, which, fortunately for her, Amy missed. She nodded her consent and Penny and Bernadette took their seats; Penny next to Amy and Bernadette across form them. Scooting forward slightly, Penny gently rubbed Amy's shoulders, which were only accessible due to the fact that she turned her whole body to gaze out the window once again. After a moment of silence, Penny spoke up.

"Ames, look at me," Amy complied and turned to her Bestie just as she dropped her arms down to her sides. "What's wrong?" the blonde asked. Bernadette remained quiet, as did Amy. Penny's intense gaze on Amy made her feel uncomfortable and as a result, she squirmed in her seat slightly. Amy was silent for several moments, contemplating whether to answer her or not. When Amy still hadn't spoken after that, Penny repeated her question.

Amy silently prayed to herself, hoping something would happen so she had the opportunity to avoid Penny's questioning for a bit longer. Sure enough, seconds later, Charlie came with two steaming cups; one in each hand, the steam masking her pale face slightly.

"Here ya go, two cups of hot chocolate," she said with a smile. "I didn't know if you wanted to- go cups or not, so I just assumed you'd be staying." Bernadette smiled her thank you and carefully accepted her cup, wrapping both hands around it and inhaling the sweet smell. Penny looked over at Bernadette with a raised eyebrow. Hot chocolate didn't interest Amy at the moment, so she kept her gaze out the window, lost in thought.

"Penny," Bernadette said, momentarily forgetting May was sitting with them. 'This is my old high school friend, Charlie. Charlie, this is my best friend, Penny." She gave her a warm smile while introducing Penny, to which Charlie reciprocated the look.

"Oh," was all Penny could say at the moment. After a short pause, she forced a friendly smile towards Bernadette's friend. Amy had moved her gaze back to the red head for a moment, only to acknowledge her presence with a slight nod, before she moved her gaze to her Bestie who appeared to be squirming with discomfort.

Charlie, noticing penny's reluctance to converse, turned to Bernadette, her smile never faltering.

"I'll let ya enjoy your cocoa. Best in Pasadena! It was nice meeting ya guys, and great ta see ya Bernie," the red head gently slapped Bernadette on the shoulder and the awkwardness seemed to radiate off of her body as Charlie left. Penny let out a shaky breath and turned to Amy, who shifted her gaze back out the window once again.

"You okay, Sweetie?" she asked sweetly. Amy turned then, looking her strait in the eyes; her lips forming a strait line.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Amy replied bluntly, although quietly. Penny looked surprised, but without argument, she got up and watched Amy leave. As Penny sat back down, she noticed Amy's phone vibrating and the screen lit up. She subconsciously bit her lip, silently debating whether or not to intrude and see who was texting Amy. Slowly, without thinking, she leaned over and read Amy's screen, a shocked expression on her perfect face.

"Amy, I thought what we were doing was what you wanted? Do you not want it anymore? That would take a lot of the pressure off of me, but why were you so angry at me? I told you about the effects you had on me, yet you continued to believe all the people who told you that you were not, in their terms, 'beautiful'. So when I showed you, you got angry at me. What happened? –S."

Right after Penny finished reading the test, Amy's phone vibrated and another text came through, much to Penny's puzzlement. Did she even want to read the next one?

"I think as my Girlfriend, you owe me an explanation. I am not angry with you, upset, yes. But no, I am not angry with you. I just care about you…immensely…and hope you are not too angry with me. If it helps, I think you do meet everyone's standard for 'beauty', but in my book, you far surpass that standard."

After finishing reading the last text, Penny's expression turned to one of confusion.

"Does that mean they're back together?" she asked Bernadette, even though she didn't read any of the texts. After replacing Amy's phone back into it's original position, Penny turned her attention back to Bernadette.

"What?" Bernadette asked in response.

"The text," Penny attempted to explain. "Does it mean they're back together again?"

"Who's dating again?" Amy asked, clueless as she approached the booth. Bernadette fixed her eyes on the table, fully aware that Penny was talking about her and Sheldon, regardless of the fact that she hadn't directly read the text messages between the two.

"Oh, nothing sweetie," Penny replied nervously, unsure of whether she should tell Amy she knew or not.

Amy wanted to say, "If it's nothing than why can't you tell me?" However, she was too exhausted to argue so when Penny got up, she took her seat back against the wall and resumed looking out the window, ignoring her phone and the fact that it vibrated once again.