AN: I am back! Yay!

I'm not quite proud of this chapter, but it needed to be written. We're halfway through the story, but I'd like to believe that this is only the beginning...

Reviews are highly appreciated! Thanks guys!

Standard "I don't own TBBT" disclaimers apply.

One year later

Penny and Bernadette were drinking wine on Bernadette's couch, watching crappy reality TV and talking about Penny's latest work.

"I'm actually waiting for a call from my assistant right now," Penny laughed.

Bernadette's eyebrows raised. "What for?"

"She'll tell me where we're gonna shoot the movie," she replied excitedly.

"Oh my goodness! You're actually gonna be shooting somewhere else?" Bernadette beamed.

Penny winked. "She said it could be another state,"

Bernadette's smile was almost up to her ears. "Oh, that's so exciting!"

"I know," Penny replied. "To think that three, four years ago I was such a loser."

Bernadette shook her head. "Oh come on. Will Leonard let you go shoot somewhere else?"

"I guess," Penny shrugged. "I mean, he has to, right?"

Bernadette shrugged as well. "Yeah, you're right." Penny's phone rang from the coffee table, and the two women looked at each other.

"That would be my assistant," Penny smiled. "Hello?" She said to the phone.

Bernadette watched as Penny's face turned from excitement to shock. "What's wrong?" She asked as soon as Penny hung up.

"Texas." Penny swallowed. "We're shooting in Texas."

Bernadette gasped at the realization. Penny pursed her lips.

And just like that, Bernadette's hope for Sheldon and Penny to be together resurfaced.

Amy was sitting on her spot on the couch, hands fumbling in her lap.

"Are you well, Amy?" Sheldon spoke. His eyes were still on the TV, and whatever god forsaken show he's watching, but he felt that Amy wasn't her usual self.

"Yeah." She replied. "No."

Sheldon's eyebrows raised. "No?"

"No." She sighed.

Sheldon was silent, waiting for her to tell him what's wrong. Amy mustered up all the courage that she could and spoke. "Alright. I'll tell you. But promise me that you will not flip out."

"Alright." Sheldon replied.

Amy shifted in her seat to look at Sheldon. "Faisal told me that if I didn't marry him I'd lose my funding."

Sheldon was still silent. "Sheldon?" Amy asked.

"And...?" He prompted.

"...and I might have said 'yes.'" Amy replied.

Sheldon blinked. "Why?"

"Because..." Amy swallowed. "Because I'd lose my funding, Sheldon," she lied.

He stared at her. "Does your funding mean more to you than our relationship?"

"Well... No..." Amy bit her lip.

Sheldon's expression was a mix of confused and angry. "So why did you say 'yes,' Amy?"

"Because," she sighed. "I've loved you for years now but not once did I feel like you genuinely loved me back!"

Sheldon stood. "I'm trying, Amy!"

"Trying?" Amy stood too. "Just admit it Sheldon, I'll never be more than... Whatever I am to you right now! Years, Sheldon, I've been with you for years! How long do I have to suffer?"

Sheldon exhaled. "How are you so certain that Faisal will give you what you want?"

"I'm not!" She was almost shouting now. "But at least I won't have to suffer with you anymore, trying to be someone I'll never be." Amy wiped her cheeks, which were dampened by her tears.

"What do you mean, Amy?" He asked silently.

Amy smiled sadly and replied, "Penny."

Amy uttered one name, and Sheldon sat back down on his spot on the couch. "Penny." He sighed her name.

"Yes, Sheldon. Penny." Amy's sad smile was still on her face.

"I was mean to her," he replied. But Amy wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "You should be with her."

Sheldon shook his head as she separated herself from him. "I need to go back to Texas. Meemaw and mom'll know what to do."

Amy nodded as she started to walk to the door. "Good luck, little lady," Sheldon called after her. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you, Sheldon." She replied and shut the door behind her.