I hadn't updated this in a while because I haven't had too much inspiration to write for this fandom, so added to my personal issues, it just wasn't happening. But today on Fanforum we were talking about how Leonard and Penny are so supportive of each other and making decisions together and are slowly beginning to act more and more married, and I felt like one day, it might just hit them. They aren't married yet because neither one currently wants more – they're so happy as they are – and one day they're going to realize that all that's missing is the paper and they'll want to complete it. At least, that's how I'd love to see it happen. So here's my take on it. I apologize if it feels a little rushed, I had to put three or four examples of their domesticity.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. As usual.

"Hey." Penny said, smiling as she came through front door of the condo. "Can we…can we talk?"

Leonard put down his magazine. "Something wrong? Is it your mother? Is it my mother? Oh my gosh, it's Sheldon's mother."

"No, not exactly," Penny said.

"It's not exactly Sheldon's mother?"

Penny stuck her tongue out at him. "It's not exactly something bad."

"I'm not sure if I should be relieved or not."

"You know that supporting role in the Jennifer Lawrence movie that I tried out for?"

"The big sister with all the dogs?"

"Yeah," Penny said. "I got it."

Leonard smiled broadly as he stood up to hug her. "That's fantastic, congratulations!"

"I get to hug Jennifer Lawrence two whole times!" Penny said. "Or, well, maybe. We're shooting right here in Boston. And there's no way the part would get cut because I'm in one of the most important scenes."

Her point about the location hit home. "Oh," Leonard said, looking conflicted for a brief instant. "It's okay. We'll stay put."

"I just feel so bad," Penny said. "You were so excited about Oxford. Are you sure you don't want to discuss it? Because I fully understand if…" she trailed off at the amused look on Leonard's face. "Okay good because I came to Massachusetts with you, like hell I wanna run away from this movie!"

He laughed, hugging her. "And a year later, I'll stay in Massachusetts with you. Sound good?"

"Leonard?"

"Hmmm?"

She pulled back. "We have a joint bank account."

"Yes."

"We took care of that rescued lab mouse together."

"We did. And made the difficult decision to let Amy take it," Leonard said, smirking.

"We babysat the neighbors' boys and they made it back healthy and relatively happy. And this is the second time we've made career decisions together."

"Well, the third time if you count you accepting my lovely gift of a car so you didn't have to waitress anymore."

Penny kissed him. "Point being…" She cocked her head at him. "We're like a married couple, aren't we?"

"Just about," Leonard said.

"I have one more idea," Penny said. "And I promise it will beat the lab mouse," she added to a laugh from Leonard. She grabbed his hand and dropped down on her knee. "Will you stay in Massachusetts as my husband?"

"Related question."

"What?"

"Would this be happening if I said I wanted to go to the United Kingdom?"

"I was planning on asking if you would do this for me in return."

Leonard smiled down at her, then dropped to his knees and pushed the hair back behind her ears. "I'll marry you if you promise to think of me when you hug J. Law."

"Leonard, sweetie," Penny said. "I love you, but it's J. Law."

He laughed, and leaned over to kiss her. "I'll marry you anyway."

She smiled through the kiss. "I'm glad."

I was trying to think of different ways they could make decisions together, and oddly enough, the lab mouse came up first. I was trying to structure this chapter around that, then decided the career thing is not only easier, but more relevant to the current season, as tenure is still up in the air, Penny is focusing on her acting, etc. And career changes are pretty big for couples, both married and unmarried, so showing they've worked that one out is the best way I know to show that they are essentially married already.

Also, anyone waiting for an update to It All Started With A Big Beep – hopefully soon. As I said, I've had some personal things to work through recently, and I haven't felt much like writing for this show. Hopefully I'll get back in the groove in the near future.