International Friendship Day (First Sunday in August)

Sheldon watched her as she listened to whatever it was Priya was saying. It was her last day in the building. Everything was packed and in the morning a van would arrive to take all her things to L.A. This was possibly the last time he would ever spend with her, and he was too mad and hurt to speak with her. Sheldon glared down at the bottle of water he was holding.

"We've never had sex." Sheldon spun to see Mark watching him carefully. Sheldon opened his mouth but Mark cut him off. "I like Penny. She's smart, fun, and kind. She's beautiful inside and out. That night, we would have gone to bed and had sex. I don't deny it. We've both been alone for a long time. We were both lonely. But having you see us killed the mood. We slept together. That's it. Two people, lonely and needing a friend, sharing comfort."

Mark looked over at Penny before turning back to Sheldon. "Tomorrow she's going to move into my condo. I'm not going to lie to you. I'll take the first chance I get to make her mine. Penny doesn't love me, and I don't love her. But I believe we could make each other content. Because we care for each other, and we respect each other."

Sheldon clenched his hands, crushing his water bottle. His jaw hurt, it was clenched so tight. He glared at Mark with a vicious hatred. "Are you bragging, or is there a point to this little conversation?"

Mark nodded calmly. "You have tonight. It's your last chance. Talk to her. Give her a reason to stay. She loves you. If you love her like I think you do, if you're as smart as she says you are, you'll make this right. I'm 52. When I was 23 I met a woman I loved more than life itself. She died in a car crash 2 years later, a month before our anniversary. I've never met anyone I could love since. I'm telling you, as a man who has loved and lost, don't just throw away the greatest thing that has ever happened to you. Don't let her walk away if you really love her. You'll always regret it."

Mark turned and walked across the room to talk to Stuart and Howard. Sheldon was frozen, his thoughts all jumbled and chaotic. Mark said she loved him. Was he right? He knew she cared about him. They hadn't slept together. Why had she let him believe they had? Sheldon moved around the table and headed back to his room. He needed to think.

He sat down on his bed and tried to wade through his thoughts and emotions. His head jerked up as his door opened. Amy walked in with a smile.

"It appears everyone is enjoying themselves," she said.

Sheldon shuddered slightly. "People aren't allowed in my room," he said automatically.

Amy frowned with frustration. "I am your girlfriend. Surely I am exempt from that."

Sheldon sighed and gathered his courage. "Only Penny has ever been granted an exemption to my rule, Amy."

Her expression turned thunderous and she stepped closer. "What does that mean?"

He stood and walked over to her. "Amy, I like you. You are intelligent, humorous and a good friend."

"So why do I feel like I don't want to hear what else you have to say?" she asked tensely.

Sheldon looked at his friend sadly. "I have tried for months now to find a gentle way to end our relationship. I tried to find you a better mate. I do not want to lose your friendship. But I love Penny. I cannot lose her. I cannot let her move away from me. Please, forgive me."

Amy shook her head and backed away slowly. "Somehow I always knew this. I have always suspected that the reason you refused to move our relationship forward was because of her. You told me once I had no reason to be jealous of Penny. I knew then you were lying." Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. "Forgive you? You led me on, you tried to foist me off on someone else, and you want me to forgive you? I deserved better than that, Sheldon." She straightened her shoulders and wiped her eyes. "Excuse me. I don't think I can stand to be here any longer."

Sheldon waited a few minutes to give her time to leave with dignity and then he went back into the living room. He looked around with a frown, but Penny wasn't there. He walked across the room and opened the door to 4B. She wasn't there either. He turned and Mark was standing in the doorway of his apartment. He looked up at the ceiling and Sheldon headed for the stairs.

The door to the roof was standing open when he got there. He could see Penny. She was standing near the ledge, looking up at the night sky. Slowly he approached, drinking in the sight of her. She looked so ethereal in the moonlight.

She must have heard his footsteps because she turned to look at him. There was so much sadness and despair in her eyes that he felt his chest tighten painfully. She turned back away. "Please, Sheldon. I just want to be alone for a few minutes."

He straightened his spine and shook his head. "Not until I've said what I came to say."

Her shoulders hunched and she sighed. "Then say it quick."

"I love you."

She spun and looked at him in shock.

Sheldon nodded and drew closer. "I love you, Penny. I am sorry it took me so long to say it. I don't want you to leave, Penny. I can't let you go. You are everything to me."

"What about Amy?" she asked sadly.

He sighed and shook his head. "I ended the relationship. I hurt her, and I am sorry I did so. She has been a good friend. But I don't love her. I never have, and I never can. You are the only woman I want to be with. You are the only woman I have ever loved."

He took the last few steps separating them and reached up to cup her face in his hands. "Please give me a chance to make this up to you. I need you, Penny. I love you." His voice cracked and tears formed in the corners of his eyes. "Please, stay."

Penny looked up into his eyes. "Do you mean it, Sheldon? Do you really love me?"

He bent and kissed her gently. "More than anything in the world. Stay. Let me prove it to you."

Penny smiled softly. "Are you sure?"

Sheldon gathered her in his arms and kissed her hungrily. When he finally released her lips. They were both breathing heavily. Her arms had wound around his neck and his hands clutched at her waist. "Yes, Penny. About this, about us, I am absolutely sure."

She laid her head on his chest and smiled. "Then I'll stay."