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It was the Friday after Sheldon and Amy returned from their trip and everybody was hanging out at Sheldon's apartment
'So Penny how did things work out in Hollywood, asked Amy
'Well I went for a few auditions but there was only one that really interested me and I think I have a real chance of getting it, the director was very impressed' replied Penny
'What sort of work is it for' asked Bernadette
'It's for a web show series, oh hold on' said Penny as her message tone beeped and she looked at her phone
'Oh my god' shouted Penny
'What's wrong' asked Bernadette
'It's Leonard'
'What about him' asked Sheldon
'He's coming home!'
'When' asked Sheldon again
'Tomorrow he's landing at LAX at 3pm' Penny was shaking and hyperventilating
'Sheldon have you got a paper bag for Penny to breathe in' asked Amy
'Yes hold on a moment' Sheldon went to the kitchen and returned with the bag and gave it to Penny
Penny spent a few minutes regulating her breathing and then started panicking again
'What am I going to do, I'm working tomorrow and wont be able to meet him and I want to tell him what happened and I'm just not ready' Penny was running her hands through her hair in distress
'Penny calm down, take the bag again' said Amy
'How can I calm down' Penny was screeching by now
'Look Sheldon and I will go and collect him from the airport and as for telling him you knew this day would come, I thought you had planned what you had to say' said Amy
'I have but it doesn't mean I'm ready!
Penny looked at her phone again
'I wonder why he's coming home, they are not due back yet'
'Doesn't it say in the message? Asked Bernadette
'No it just says he will be at LAX at 3pm'
'Sheldon see if you have any emails from him' said Amy
'Ok I have a very short email from Leonard sent at the same time he text you saying that the project has ended early and everybody involved has been allowed to leave'
The next day
Sheldon & Amy went to the airport to pick up Leonard and had left Bernadette & Howard in charge of getting the food to bring back to the apartment and Raj and Alex were setting up decorations for what Raj described as a "Koothraparty" They had invited Kripke, Will Wheaton, Stuart and some others that Leonard worked with and some of the guys from the comic book store
They were holding hands in the arrivals hall when they saw Leonard walking towards them loaded down with luggage and as he came closer Sheldon ran up to him and gave Leonard a warm hug
'That was unexpected! Sheldon its good to see you and Amy, where's Penny?
'She couldn't get out of work in time, so she will see you back at the apartment later' said Amy
'Leonard I must say I'm very happy to see you' and he hugged Leonard again
'Wow what's happened to you? You hate physical contact' Leonard was surprised
'This beautiful girl is what happened Leonard' with that he kissed Amy
'I should go away more often if it brings this new happy Sheldon out' laughed Leonard
'We have a welcome home party ready for you when we get back and everybody in our social group will be there' said Sheldon as they finally reached the pick up point car park
Penny finished work at 330pm and rushed home so she could change from her work uniform into something more sexy for Leonard to see, she put her hair up in a pony tail and she put on a black v neck dress with heels
Back at the apartment Leonard had arrived to more hugs and hellos and then about 30 minutes after he got back the one person he really wanted to see arrived and Penny ran over to him and kissed him hard crying and hugging him
'Penny what's wrong?'
'Nothing I'm just so happy to see you' said Penny still in tears
They hugged and kissed for several minutes both happy to see each other and then Leonard noticed her dress and was admiring her figure
'You look gorgeous Penny' said Leonard truthfully
'Will you stay with me tonight' asked Penny
'Of course we have a lot of catching up to do!'
Penny just smiled at him and then the boys called him over to chat about the work he had been doing so the girls went into the kitchen chatting about anything and everything
'Penny don't you think you should tell Leonard now? You already said you want him to stay tonight, how can you say that and still not tell him' Bernadette asked
'I'm scared of what he will say'
'Well he deserves to know the truth' said Amy
'Yes but its not you about to do it' but then Penny got up and walked to Leonard
'Leonard can you come back to my place I need to talk to you'
'Sure' and he followed her out of the apartment
Everybody was watching them with some trepidation
Penny's apartment
Penny was shaking with nerves as she debated how to tell Leonard what was going on, she was standing in the kitchen and Leonard was sitting on the sofa
'Penny I can see something is wrong, please just tell me'
'Do you want a drink?
'No just come here and talk to me'
Penny poured herself a glass of wine and walked to the sofa and sat on the edge
'Ok I'm going to be very honest with you and I hope you forgive me and know how much I love you'
'What have you done?
'A couple of weeks after you left, I was feeling lonely and Sheldon was doing nice things for me and I mistook the niceness for something else
'What do you mean? Leonard was puzzled
'I was drinking a lot and stupidly made a pass at Sheldon'
'You made a pass at Sheldon? Shouted Leonard
'Yes'
'What exactly did you do and how did he respond'
'He and Amy had brought me back here when I was drunk and trying to ruin their evening and then Sheldon returned a bit later with some of your clothes for me, maybe he thought they would help me but I thought he was very sweet and I pulled him down on to the bed but he jumped up and ran out of the apartment and avoided me until I caught him and even then he didn't want to talk because he was waiting for Amy to skype him
'You sound like you were disappointed? Was you?
'Yes, no I don't know but that's not the worst of it'
'I'm not sure I want to hear this but go on' Leonard was wondering just how much worse it could get
'I saw him the next day and I apologised which he accepted but I made it worse by hinting that I wanted to go out with him'
'Penny what the hell is wrong with you? Leonard was shouting again and getting angry
'Let me finish please'
Leonard glared at her but said nothing so Penny continued
'He said no and then launched into all the reasons why and that he would never betray you or Amy and that he wasn't attracted to me, then a few days after that I realised he was avoiding me again and when I ran into him he basically banned me from his apartment and refused to speak to me and he also told Amy what I did'
'How did Amy react?'
'She was hurt but she said the same as Sheldon and that nobody would be getting in the way of their relationship and she's proved that by not telling me anything about it since'
'You can hardly blame her, you're supposed to be her best friend'
'I was confused'
'You needed to be if you were daft enough to go after Sheldon'
'I'm sorry Leonard'
'You know I'm glad it was Sheldon, anybody else may not have turned you down'
'That's exactly what he said'
'This is like the Raj debacle all over again'
'Leonard don't bring that up'
'Penny I can't believe this, after years of unstableness we were finally in a place where we could be committed and you were willing to throw that away' Leonard was getting angry and pacing the room
'I know and I mean it I am truly sorry'
'Right now sorry isn't good enough, do you remember what you said when I told you about the trip and I was worried I could mess things up? You said if I was going to mess things up it would here and not while I was away'
'Yes of course I remember, its coming back in harsh reality now, can you forgive me?
'I can't believe this Penny, you want me to forgive you? How the hell can I' Leonard was pacing the room by now
'Leonard please don't leave me, you can trust me I promise' cried Penny
'I can trust you? Here is the problem Penny I can't trust you anymore and I think its best you think about what you want from a relationship because I cant live my life constantly wondering if you love me or if you will go off with somebody else'
'I don't want anybody else but you' Penny was crying
'Right now I don't think we can see a way past this, there is the very real possibility of me going away again on more research trips, how can I go not being able to trust you and not be worried that you are going to look elsewhere for comfort' Leonard started to walk to the door
'But I told you nothing happened'
'The intent was there and that's more than enough for me Penny, if you really loved me you would not be looking elsewhere'
'Leonard please don't do this' Penny had never begged a man before and she was hating every minute of it but she couldn't let him go, she was holding onto him fiercely and crying
'Don't touch me, I'm going home, I need space and I need to talk to Sheldon' Leonard was shaking with rage and just wanted to get out of there
'No! Sheldon has done nothing wrong' Penny was trying to block his exit
'Penny just get out the way, before I say something I may not regret'
Penny moved aside and then fell to the floor crying as Leonard left
Sheldon's apartment
Leonard walked into 4a and saw that only Amy and Sheldon were left
'Amy can you go sit with Penny, I need to speak with Sheldon'
'I don't think so, I want to be here' said Amy noticing Leonard's anger
'Amy its fine I'm not going to hurt Sheldon'
'Are you sure?
'Yes'
Amy kissed Sheldon and left
As the door shut Leonard broke down crying and Sheldon reacted by taking Leonard in arms and trying to comfort him
'Thank you Sheldon that helps a bit, you know I can't believe her, I thought we were finally in a good place'
'Are you ok? Can I get you a drink? Social convention dictates that an upset person could do with a hot beverage'
'Thank you but nothing can stop me being upset right now'
'Leonard I'm sorry for what Penny did'
'You have nothing to be sorry about Sheldon, Penny is the one in the wrong here and right now I don't want to be near her'
'You're not angry with me?' asked Sheldon slightly confused
'No of course not, you did the right thing by banning her and not speaking to her, it's not like you led her on'
'Leonard you are my best friend and I would never betray you like that, despite what Penny thought'
'Thank you Sheldon, has she been drinking a lot while I've been gone?
'In the beginning yes but it stopped after I banned her but then after Amy and I got back from a weekend trip Penny got upset because Amy wouldn't give her details and it set her off again and I didn't invite her to one of the game nights and she stormed in demanding everybody cater to her woes'
'I see and what happened for you to be able to have her here today?
'Well I could see she was trying so I told her a few weeks ago that she could come here again but under my rules and regulations and never to come here when its just me here and she accepted though not without a bit more moaning'
You know that time you asked me to skype you and Penny was speaking with me in the bedroom I could see something was wrong but she wouldn't tell me'
'Yes Amy & Bernadettte were trying to get her to see sense and think about how to tell you what happened and she insisted on waiting till you got back'
'I think that's probably wise and I know why you didn't say anything either'
'I didn't think it was my place to do so anyway'
'Can we talk about something else now, I just want to forget about Penny for now'
Sheldon decided now was a good time to bring up the room mate agreement
'Leonard you being away made me realise just how much you did for me and I'm going to throw away the room mate agreement, we don't need it anymore'
'What brought that on?'
'I was selfish in demanding you do everything for me and I want you to know how much I appreciate you'
'Well I was happy to do them things for you but I will still drive you to work and anything else you need'
'How are things with you and Amy? I can see how close you have become'
'Fantastic, we have spent lots of time together and she stayed every weekend and we have had two trips away'
'So did she sleep in your room or mine?
'Yours to start with then she had a night terror so I brought her into my room and decided that that is where I wanted her to stay'
'Wow Sheldon you willingly had a girl in your bed!
'Well it wasn't unenjoyable'
'I can imagine, look I need to get some sleep I still feel like I'm on UK time and I want to forget this day ever happened'
Meanwhile in Penny's apartment
Penny was devastated and Amy was losing patience with her
'Amy he's going to dump me I know it, he was so angry, maybe I should call him
'He had every right to be, you were prepared to cheat on him and it was only that it was Sheldon that you didn't and if he told you to leave him alone then maybe you should'
'What did he say to Sheldon?
'Well he asked me to leave so I don't know anything other than Leonard saying he wasn't upset with him and rightly so'
'Amy why are you being so harsh'
'I'm just saying it how it is, look I need to go back now goodnight Penny'
Amy went back to 4a and greeted Sheldon noticing Leonard was not there
'How did it go? Is Leonard ok?
'It was as expected, Leonard is very upset and he has gone to bed'
'Do you think he will forgive her?
'I really don't know but he needs time but I did tell him I have thrown the Roommate agreement away and he was ok with that, all we can do is support him'
'I knew this day would come but what drama' sighed Amy
'Yes there has been too much of it lately' said Sheldon as he kissed and cuddled Amy to him
'I'm glad you're here with me Amy, I don't ever want to let you go'
'I'm glad to be here with you Sheldon, now let me clear everything up here and you can sort your laundry ready to go'
Sheldon though didn't want to let her go and continued kissing and holding her like he was seeking something safe
'Its ok Sheldon you and I are good together and I will never leave you or hurt you like Penny has done to Leonard'
'I know but with you I feel safe, can you come with me when I do my laundry?'
'Of course I can' Amy kissed and cuddled him again and they went about their chores
Later that night they went to bed safe in each others arms knowing that nothing could break them up, they were strong together which set Sheldon thinking
Leonard had turned his phone off while he was sleeping and he woke to multiple messages from Penny begging to see him but he ignored them and went to the kitchen where Amy & Sheldon were making breakfast
'Morning Leonard would you like Bacon and Eggs? Asked Amy as she cracked an egg and put it in the frying pan with some others
'Yes thank you Amy'
'How are you feeling after the events of yesterday' asked Amy
'Well I'm not happy with Penny and I can't understand what made her do that, I always thought she was strong, I thought that she would be fine whilst I was away'
'Has she tried to call you? Amy asked again
'Yes I have many messages from her but I just deleted them, I don't want to talk to her at the moment, I need time to think about what I want to do'
'Well that makes sense' said Amy and then she walked to Leonard and gave him a little hug
'I can see why Sheldon loves you so much Amy, that was very comforting'
'Your welcome' smiled Amy at Leonard
Later on after breakfast Amy was in the bedroom working on her laptop and Sheldon and Leonard were chatting in the kitchen, paintball and Sunday breakfast had been understandably cancelled as Leonard was still upset and Sheldon didn't want to leave him
'Leonard I have a question to ask Amy but I would like your approval first'
'Ok go ahead'
Next Chapter will be here shortly
