Okay time for a real disclaimer, I don't own The Big Bang Theory the TV show. Happy now? Here's your sign, and I don't own Bill Engvall either. I'm listening to October by Bluebird so if this starts out sad it's her fault. Blame Kaley it's her sister.

Panic at the forum

Leonard was lying in bed with Penny cuddled into his left side. The daylight was waning through the patio door which was still open. An afternoon wind was rustling the plants outside and drapes beside the patio door. Sex in the pool was kind of fun but ending up in bed was even better. Penny's hair was still wet. He loved it when her hair was wet. When they did it in the shower had always been a favorite time. He reached over and ran his hand down her side stopping where her pelvis went to her flat tummy. Her left hand started down his chest. "Again", she whispered into his chest. What the hell, if the body is willing Leonard thought as he started to kiss her.

Penny came out of the bathroom, toweling her almost dry hair. Leonard was on his side sleeping quietly. She closed the patio door and opened the bedroom door. The dogs were patiently sitting there. "Oh aren't you good polite boys." She said rubbing their heads. She turned back for her robe when Leonard suddenly sat up in bed. He was breathing rapidly and looked panicked. Penny took two quick steps and was on the bed with her arms around him.

"Where's your inhaler honey?"

Leonard shook his head he'd caught his breath, though he still looked panicked.

"Bad Dream", he mumbled. He was calming down, looking a little embarrassed now.

"What was your dream about?"

"Liisa, near the end, I haven't had it in a long time", He held her tighter. "Sorry if it scared you, it must be talking about it these last few days have brought it back up"

Penny wasn't ready to let him go, she just held on. Einstein had his head on the bed whimpering. Leonard took his right hand off Penny and patted his head. "It's okay buddy, I'm fine"

Penny made herself not cry, poor Leonard she thought, it wouldn't help me crying. Leonard pulled back trying to smile at her. Putting on a face of normality she could see through but knew he wanted otherwise. "Hungry? What time is it?" Leonard said.

"After 5:00PM I was going to get dressed when you woke up." She stuttered slightly. "How about Italian for dinner, there's a nice place just down the road?"

Leonard was back to himself, "Idea buona signora bella". She looked back at him. "Good idea beautiful lady", he just smiled.

"Leonard Hoftstader how many languages do you speak?"

Leonard blushed, "Six if you count Klingnon and Sindarian."

"Sindarian?"

"Elvish in the Lord of the Rings, it's in the glossary", Leonard's blush increased.

"Any I might have heard of besides English, German and apparently Italian?"

"vous êtes la vision de la beauté, avec de grandes jambs. There's always French. That meant; you are a vision of loveliness, with great legs"

Penny kissed him, "I've been looking for the king of the nerds. Glad to see he can still fix my printer."

Penny got up and headed to the door, Einstein and Leaky in close pursuit.

The Show

Dinner at Trattoria Amore which Penny now knew meant "Inn Love" was nice. She was a regular and they always put her in a nice secluded booth. She hadn't even bothered with the disguise. No paparazzi where anywhere to be seen. Angelo the owner had greeted her with a hug and kiss. He even gave Leonard a rather uncomfortable hug. He'd insisted on giving them a bottle of Prosecco that Penny now knew from Leonard was Italy's version of Champagne to celebrate their engagement. They both had Shrimp linguine in a olive oil and spicy pepper sauce and split a tiramisu with cappuccino before heading home.

The dogs were fed. Leonard headed to the bedroom to get into something comfortable. Penny went to the wardrobe and undressed. She picked out some short soft pajama bottoms, light blue with little grey dolphins on them. The shirt she hadn't worn in a long time. She'd bought it to wear for Leonard in New York years ago. It was black with a white Pi symbol then below it said "Irrational but well rounded". She would wear it whenever she missed the guys. When she missed Leonard she would wear a hoody shirt. She had about a dozen of them.

When she got to the living room Leonard was on the couch next to the tree. He'd turned the tree lights and the fire place on. Leonard had on black soft silk pants and a purple t-shirt with the CERN LHC and a logo. She'd picked it for the color when she'd been packing him up.

"You look comfy?" He turned and looked her up and down.

"Ha, I love your shirt" He got up and came toward her. He leaned in and kissed her. "Very well rounded." He started walking toward the kitchen. "What would you like tonight? I'm for a touch of scotch. Penny thought about it for a moment. "Herbal Tea for me tonight please."

Leonard returned with their drinks and joined her on the couch. Penny took a large sip of her tea, he'd used honey like she liked and lemon. She watched him take a sip of his whisky and set the tumbler on a coaster on the table and stare at the tree. "Leonard can I ask you questions, well about you?"

He looked from the tree, back to Penny and smiled. "Sure", was his single word reply.

"When did you cease to be a nerd and become so, so sophisticated? What happened?"

Leonard looked at her. She could see his mind working it out.

"I guess the short answer is I'm still a nerd. I look forward to building model rockets with my daughter. Teaching her and showing her about science. I've just lost a lot of the attachments that go with geekdom. I grew up I suppose."

He switched his view to the tree then the fireplace and stared.

"When I got ready to leave Pasadena I started selling all my collectibles. I gave a few away to the guys but most of it went to Stuart to sell. He was still selling stuff when I left for Oxford. When I got there I was alone. It had been a long time since I had been alone. I had my own suite of rooms. Dinner was in the common hall with the other non-married professors. But with no Sheldon, Howard of Raj I couldn't continue to obsess over those characters, genres, movies."

"At the same time I was in a place that demanded a very high standard of conduct from their professors. The other physicist were nerds just like me, but most were older and had more mature interests. Take Professor Whatney for example. He taught me about wine and took me to Bordeaux for the first time. He used the Spectrum Analyzer on wine trying to unlock the secrets of the world's best wines. So I gravitated toward those other pursuits."

He reached for his scotch and took a sip, and looked back at Penny.

"I'm still a nerd, this scotch came from the Isle of Islay, It was distilled from barley that was dried with peat cut from the bogs in the northern part of the Island. It was then laid down in French oak barrels for 12 years in a warehouse by the sea. That's what give's the salty, smoky taste that only comes from Islay. See what I mean? I just know more about different stuff now. I still love good Sci-fi, both the movies and books. I just don't have any friends that wear their costumes to opening night of the movie."

Penny considered what he was saying. She saw it in him too. He was the same old Leonard he'd just grown, exchanged old passions for new ones. He'd traveled all over Europe, assimilated some of that culture. Penny had to face it. Leonard had become a refined, sophisticated wealthy gentleman and father. It was different, but she liked it.

"So no more gaming or blowing stuff up?"

"I did gaming in Europe until I went to CERN. Then I had the biggest most how powered gun to shoot. I can't express to you how exciting doing that work was. So it had been several years until I tried it again. It just never had the allure again. I couldn't stay up all night playing a game. I had responsibilities."

He stopped and was quiet. Penny knew what those responsibilities had been; a baby daughter and dying wife. She could see why gaming had been cast aside. Leonard was a good man. He had given up me so I could achieve my dream. He gave up his love of experimental physics for his daughter. It made Penny worry about what he would give up to be with her. She would need to make sure whatever it was it was worth it and she gave just as much.

Penny took Leonard's hand and held it palm down to her cheek. There was no better time.

"Leonard you are my super hero. You've given up so much. You gave up us so I could succeed. You gave up your life's work for Lisel. I don't want you giving up anything else for me unless we talk about it. We share whatever burden our relationship puts on the other. You have to promise me"

Leonard gave her the smile, took her hand to his lips and kissed it. "I Promise."

"That includes the apartment Leonard, maybe somewhere down the road but let's keep it"

Leonard was still smiling. "Well it's pretty clear that this would be the much better home for our family. Especially if it gets bigger I think we should live here. We can make the guest bedroom up for Lisel. We'll have to deal with space if we have another. But I knew I would keep the apartment. I'll need somewhere to go and you can find me when you go Nebraska on me"

He laughed,

"Not funny, you've been thinking about this I see?"

He looked at her, pleased with himself, "Not a lot to think about, you have the dogs and the cat and a lot more room. If we are together then we'll need somewhere like this community for some privacy. Besides not keeping the apartment isn't an option. I own the building."

Penny was slightly shocked, "You never told me that."

Leonard took another drink of scotch. "The management company wouldn't give me a lease to remodel it like I wanted to so I bought it. It looks like it will be a good investment so far though I only have one apartment that isn't rented. When 4B came open last month I told them not to rent it. I never could stand the thought of having another neighbor."

"But you told Sam Larson you rented it?"

"I did, I rented it from the Swiss holding company that owns the building. I just happen to control that trust. You're the only one that knows that not even Howard knows."

This man really is surprising. He used to be passive, and he still is but when he wants something he's pretty persistent now.

"That's enough questions from me, what do you want to know/"

Leonard looked at her, he was thinking.

"Nothing right now but I have something else you should know. When it comes to Oxford, CERN, Liisa and Lisel I have no regrets. I did and am doing my best for each of them. But I do have regret. I should have never let you go to New York on your own. I should have taken a sabbatical and went with you. It was the biggest error I ever made and I want you to know I'm sorry".

He was looking at the tree now.

Penny was tearing up. She put her arms around his neck and held him for a moment.

"Just don't let happen again." She whispered to him trying to be funny, but the tears were still coming. "I'm tired let's go to bed. " That got a better reaction. He silently got up and offered his hand and they walked toward the bedroom.

Like always reviews really help and encourage this tale. It's getting kind of long isn't it but I just outline it and they write the rest for me. If you want to follow how it's being created theirs a twitter feed just for follow ElipitcalThread on twitter.

Hope you enjoyed

T