It took the friends a while to regroup after the sudden implosion. Leonard was in shock. Living with Sheldon he saw on a daily basis how the groups breaking had affected his room-mate, and whilst in total agreement with Penny about the magnitude of Sheldons betrayal of Amy, Leonard still felt a certain amount of empathy.
Sheldon was the friend he himself had treated badly in the past and whom had always forgiven him. Sheldon had been loyal to Leonard, and whilst crazy, regardless of a Dr report, Leonard knew Sheldon was hurting.
It was one evening when instead of paying Halo Leonard found Sheldon sat eating a bowl of soup instead of pizza, staring at his board from his spot on the couch, that Leonard decided to talk to his friend.
"Hey buddy, how are you doing?" He asked Sheldon gently.
"As well as can be expected." muttered Sheldon not looking Leonard in the eye.
"Do you want to talk? I promise I wont judge you, I just think maybe you need to talk, to clear your head. I'm worried about you Sheldon"
Half smiling Sheldon nodded. "Maybe this whole fiasco is affecting me. I haven't told anyone yet, but I have applied for a place on the latest expedition to the north pole. I figured it cant go any worse than the last time I was there!"
Blushing slightly Leonard nodded.
"I just feel it will be better for everyone if I am not here! I don't know what Penny has told you but I did go to visit Em." Pulling out his phone Sheldon showed Leonard the picture of himself holding Katy.
"She was perfect Leonard, absolutely perfect. She held my finger so tight. I have let down so many people and now I know I am letting this baby down too. I have to got prove myself. I know that sounds selfish, I know she may never understand, but I cant face her or Em again right now."
"Sheldon maybe Em doesn't want you to prove yourself, maybe she just wants her baby to have a father!"
"Maybe Leonard. I wouldn't know how to be a father to her though if I cant even look at myself in the mirror. I cheated on my girlfriend, I cheated on my friends in my deceit, and if I am ever going to be able to look Katherine in the eye again I need to know I have done something with my life that is more than lies."
"Sheldon that wont matter when your daughter falls over. When she wants tucking into bed at night. Believe me Sheldon I know. A cuddle is more important to a child than a paper or a doctorate!"
"Well the paper work has been sent, Siebert seemed more than happy. I should hear by the end of the week and then I will be out of everyone's hair for 3-6 months."
Sighing Leonard got up and made tea. This was more for himself than his friend. Suddenly it became clear that the daily routine imposed on him by his precise, demanding but loyal friend was going to change again.
~73~73~73~
Amy had taken a break from the group after calling of the wedding. Penny and Bernadette had texted daily wanting to make sure she was ok, and gradually Amy had come back to the group. Sheldons absence had made this easier.
Sheldon had sent Amy a text the morning he left, telling Amy he was sorry for his indiscretions and hoping she found the love she deserved. Whilst this seemed and inadequate apology to Penny, Amy knew Sheldon was sincere, and with the help of her friends gradually began socialising more. Raj had seen a strength in Amy he had not noticed before, and their friendship grew stronger and closer. Raj was even able to talk to Amy in private without the need for alcohol.
Whilst he initially put this down to the fact he did not find her physically attractive he was grateful for Amys friendship and privately he acknowledge there was much more to a relationship than looks.
The other members of their now smaller but close group had witnessed the growing friendship, but did not mention it when either Amy or Raj were present.
The group did not meet at 2311 Los Robles any more. They usually met at Raj's or Bernadette and Howards. This had been initially to avoid Sheldon, but even when Sheldon had left they continued with their new routine.
Leonard occasionally got an email from team members of Sheldon telling him Sheldon was pulling together some amazing results but remaining very isolated. Nobody, however, heard from Sheldon himself.
~73~73~73~
Em handed in her notice at work. She had some savings and had decided that she did not want to go back to life in the fast moving world of business. She wanted to be there for Katy, so when Katy was a little older she planned on retraining and moving into education. This way, when Katy was old enough to go to school, Em would be able to be there with her at the beginning and end of the day, and in holidays too.
Katy was growing fast. She was a happy baby, meeting milestones on time or early. She still had piercing blue eyes like her father but an easy smile and a very social nature. She spoke her first word "momma" at 6 months. She was walking by 8 months and was as happy playing with her toys as she was spending time with people. Not having any friends with babies to compare, Em just enjoyed her little girl.
~73~73~73~
12 years Later
Penny left her apartment at 2311 Los Robles quietly. Leonard had been working with the new lazers with Leslie Winkle and was still asleep. The couple had married 5 years ago after a long engagement. Penny was happy. She no longer worked at the cheesecake factory but at the local theatre company teaching acting to children.
Howard and Bernadette had moved in to the boys old apartment, and Stewart, from the comic book store, now rented Howards old room. He loved having Mrs Wolowitz fuss over him!
Raj and Amy had formed a close friendship. Raj was comfortable now talking in front of Amy, Penny and Bernadette without the need for alcohol, and he credited Amy with this achievement. The pair were still single but happily so.
Amy had and on again, off again relationship with Zack much to Pennys amusement, whilst Raj had agreed to an arranged marriage, with a girl who lived in India. He had met her 5 summers ago and she was due to be moving to America to formalise details for their wedding in a few months.
~73~73~73~
Katy was now 13 years old. She had a love of maths that left her mother bemused. Em had enrolled her in classes after school to satisfy her need to learn, but had made sure she stayed at the local school too. Em could see so many signs of Sheldon in Katy. She was very grown up in so many ways, but she loved Disney films, sleep overs with her friends, and reading the Harry Potter and Twilight books.
Katy did not really mention her father. Every year Em had taken a photo of Katy and sent it to Sheldon. He never replied, so Em was never even sure he still had the same number. Em made sure Katy knew her father was a leading physicist. She told her that the reason he was not with them was not because Sheldon did not love Katy, but because he had work that was important. Even she thought these words sounded hollow on nights when Katy was ill or having a teenage tantrum, but Em was proud of her daughter and loved the life they had built for themselves.
Katy had been accepted on a summer maths camp which she was very excited about and Em was thrilled to see her daughter embarking on this new adventure with her friends. Whilst Katy would be away Carmen had arranged for her and Em to take a short break together, they had maintained there friendship despite how different their lives had become and Em was thrilled to have time with her best friend to catch up and just be friends with no outside worries.
Em was shocked therefore when on Katys 3rd night away she received a text form Katy saying
"Hey Mom, you'll never guess, but the guest lecturer is Dr Sheldon Cooper! My DAD!"
Em stared at the text for a full minute before handing her phone to show Carmen.
"Oh God! Do you think Katy will be ok. Shall we go get her now. It'll only take a few hours by car." Carmen fussed. She was far more protective of Katy than Em and hated how forgiving Em was when talking to Katy about Sheldon.
"No, I have to let her do this. It is up to her if she wants to talk to him, take it further. I just hope he doesn't shun her, break her heart"
Em sat quietly, suddenly remembering how she herself felt, what seemed like a life time ago, meeting Sheldon for the first time.
Em didn't hear form Katy again until the next evening. Answering her phone with a smile she heard her daughters excited voice.
"Mom, I spoke to Sheldon last night. He told me I could call him Sheldon, not Dr Cooper! He was a little odd but he liked the presentation I gave and helped loads with the new stuff we have learnt. He has invited me to have pizza tonight but I said I wanted to check it was ok with you first."
"Katy it is lovely to hear your voice" smiled Em "I am glad you got to meet Sheldon.. If you want to go for pizza that's fine honey. He is your dad and I know you have lots in common"
"Thanks Mom. I cant wait to see you tomorrow. I have had a great time but I have missed you !"
Smiling Em replied "I've missed you too babe!"
~73~73~73~
Em closed her eyes as she hugged Katy outside the school. She was so delighted to have her baby girl back. Katy was bouncing with excitement and talked non stop all the way home. Camp had been a huge success. New friends had been made, Katy had been horse riding and swimming as well as seemingly doing maths morning noon and night.
Katy didn't mention Sheldon until Em asked "So how did you feel meeting your dad?"
Smiling shyly Katy replied " It was cool. My friends were so impressed! He told me last night he has been nominated for a Nobel! Can you believe it! He showed me pictures of me he had on his phone, the ones you had sent him. He said to tell you he was sorry for everything. He said thank you for the pictures."
Em smiled. "I am glad you met him baby. If you want to stay in contact that is fine by me. I am so proud of you Katy. I love you!"
~73~73~73~
A/N Thank you to everyone who stuck with this story. For my first go it has been really lovely to receive so many friendly comments. May even try this whole story writing thing again ;-) xx