A/N Well, this is it. A shout out, again, to Zhalen, Hokie, and Jen for their work reading over the first drafts and guiding me on characterization. And, I forgot to thank Tripper. It was during a discsussion with Tripper, I had several of the ideas that found their way into this fic.

Chapter 6

Leonard went to the fridge, grabbed a beer and they walked back out to the living room. Amy and Sheldon were still sitting on the couch, Sheldon staring at Amy with a disapproving look.

Penny handed the wine to Amy, the milk to Sheldon, and sat down in her chair, Leonard handed her wine to her and sat himself. Leonard looked uncomfortable, cleared his throat and looked at Sheldon. "Sheldon," he said, "I'm sorry I raised my voice."

"You should be, after all…"

"Shelllldonnnnn," said Amy reprovingly.

"Leonard, I'm sorry you…"

"No, Sheldon," said Amy.

"I don't think you…"

"Sheldon," Amy hissed.

"OK, fine," said Sheldon petulantly. "Leonard, I'm sorry I raised my voice at you also."

"Thank you, Sheldon," said Leonard, knowing he wouldn't get a thank you in return. He thought for a few seconds, working out how to tell Sheldon about when and who had changed, when they ate dinner, "I want to explain about what I mean when things are changing."

"Go ahead."

"How many time did we eat together this past week," asked Leonard.

"Just one," said Sheldon, "on Monday night."

"How many times last week," asked Leonard?

"It was Monday and Wednesday."

"How about the week before that?"

"Wednesday and Thursday," said Sheldon. "What's your point Leonard?"

Ignoring Sheldon, Leonard continued, "How about this week three years ago?"

Sheldon thought for a second, then said, "We ate together four nights that week."

"How about this week seven years ago?"

Again, Sheldon paused for a few seconds, "Every night that week."

"Was it just us?"

"No, for six of those nights, Howard and Raj ate with us," said Sheldon.

"And how many times have they eaten with us in the past month?"

"Three," said Sheldon.

"How many times did you eat with Amy last week?"

"Last week," asked Sheldon?

"Yes".

"Well, five nights," said Sheldon.

"Don't you see, Sheldon," said Leonard? "You've eaten dinner with Amy as many times as we've eaten together in the last three weeks and more than Howard and Raj."

Sheldon didn't say anything.

"Also, you're spending more time with Amy on the weekends," said Leonard. "Penny and I do various things on the weekend and you do things with Amy. Not to mention, we don't spend time alone anymore. Since Penny and I got married, almost every time you and I are together, Penny is here also. Howard and Raj don't come over to eat anymore. That's what I meant by things have changed."

"But, who's going to eat with me, on those nights you aren't there?"

"Well," explained Leonard, "you spend time with Amy".

"Well, she can't come over every night, who's going to eat with me then," ask Sheldon? "And who is going to drive me where I have to go?"

"Well, if you need to go somewhere," said Leonard, "I can take you."

Sheldon scoffed, "You're going to come all the way over to the apartment every time I need you?"

Penny spoke up, "Amy can drive you most of the time. You wouldn't mind that would you Amy?

"Not at all," said Amy. "I can take you where you need to go."

Sheldon snorted, "I can't make you come all the way over from her apartment either." He turned, "Leonard, you're leaving me with no one to turn to."

Penny smiled slyly, "Why doesn't Amy move in? Then she would be right there for dinner and if you needed to go somewhere, she'd be there. "

"Penny," said Sheldon, "you know I'm not comfortable with that. I know we recently had coitus, but that doesn't mean I'm ready for her to move in with me, to be just down the hall, sharing my shower." Penny could see how scared he was at that possibility.

Penny looked at Amy, noticing even she looked nervous. But she still broke into a sly grin, "Well, I wasn't talking about her moving in with you, I was talking about her moving into my old apartment. That way, you're not living together, but you would be close to each other."

Sheldon looked thoughtful, but Amy still looked unsure as she said, "I don't know Penny, you have a smaller apartment than I do."

Penny said, "Well, I'm sure we can figure something out.

Leonard spoke up, "You could put your desk and computer stuff where my desk was, next to Sheldon's desk. Think of it being an office for you. You could move your books, papers, all of that into the bookcases, where my books and papers were. And some of your decorations where my models and figurines were. That should give you enough room for all your things in the apartment."

"And Sheldon," Leonard said turning toward him, "so you don't have to worry about feeling like we've abandoned you, we'll set up an agreement to eat together one or two nights a week." He looked at Penny, she nodded, and he continued, "Maybe once here, once at your apartment." He paused, "But, you have to agree to moving things around to another night, if we find we have a conflict with the original night. We'll figure how many days, and the times later."

Amy and Penny were looking at each other, Amy gave a very slight nod, then moved her eyes toward Sheldon.

Penny understood. "You guys want another drink?"

Sheldon and Amy both pointed at their drinks, which were half-full.

As she stood, Penny said, "Well, I need one." She pulled Leonard up and said, "Come on, give me a hand." They went out to the kitchen, leaving Sheldon and Amy alone. Penny poured another glass of wine. Leonard grabbed another beer, turned and looked at Penny questioningly.

Penny saw his look and said, "Leonard, Amy agreed to moving into my apartment, she nodded to me. I'm giving her some time to convince Sheldon." Leonard nodded. He could hear them talking about it.

"That was pretty quick thinking about moving Amy in," said Leonard.

"Actually, I'd been thinking about it," said Penny. "I've still got six months on the lease."

"I know, but we figured we would have to pay for that."

"Yes," said Penny. "But, if we can get Amy to pay for those six months, it will help us, right?"

"True," said Leonard, nodding.

"You jumped right in with a good suggestion also."

"You told me to follow along with you," said Leonard. "It just made sense. She can make it like a home office. You've seen how cramped it is at her place. Her computer desk is crammed into the corner, almost no room on either side and she almost can use the chair on that side of her table. With her desk in Sheldon's apartment, she will almost have more room than she does now."

"Well, it was still a good idea. But, what's this about you driving him around?"

"Heheheh," chuckled Leonard. "I have a plan for that, see…"

Amy called out to them, Leonard grinned, grabbed his beer, and walked out toward the living room. Penny had no choice but to wonder what he was thinking and follow Leonard out. They got back to their chairs and sat down, looking expectantly at the Sheldon and Amy.

"Leonard, Penny," Sheldon started stiffly, "we think your idea is a good one."

Leonard and Penny looked at each other, knowing that Sheldon didn't actually think it was a good idea, they knew he just couldn't come up with a valid reason against Amy's arguments.

"So, we've decided that Amy will be moving into Penny's old apartment."

Amy spoke up, "Actually that works out for me, as I've got less than a month on my lease. They are telling me they were going to raise my rent, so this may be a good solution. Also, the apartment will be closer to Cal Tech. And, of course, I'll be there to take over the things you formerly did for him."

"I've got six months to go on my lease," said Penny as she broke into grin, "by then, Sheldon may be ready for you to move in."

Sheldon looked at her disdainfully, "I will not."

Amy looked at Penny and winked, Penny winked back.

"You will still be available to drive me Leonard," asked Sheldon, "when Amy isn't available?"

"Yes, Sheldon, I will," Leonard looked at Penny and smiled, "for six months."

Sheldon looked puzzled. "What?"

"That will give you enough time to get your driver's license," said Leonard. "You told us a year ago Amy's been working with you. Six months is more than enough time."

"But, Leonard, you know I'm not capable…"

Penny jumped in, "Amy, how's he been doing?"

Amy said, "Much better recently. The last time I didn't even have to correct…"

"Oh, very well," said Sheldon, sounding unhappy, "I'll get my license in six months."

"Just think, Sheldon," said Leonard. "If you get your license, you can get a car and get your parking spot back."

"So," said Penny, "we're OK?"

Amy and Sheldon looked at each other, and though Sheldon didn't look the happiest, he looked back to Leonard and Penny and nodded.

"Now, how about a tour of the house," said Penny rising.

Leonard and Penny took them through each of the rooms, mentioning the various pieces of furniture they would get for each of the rooms. Amy had some nice things to say, Sheldon remained quiet. They passed through the garage, into the back yard. They showed off the hot tub, the built in grill, but Sheldon was looking at the yard and foliage.

"Leonard?"

"Yes, Sheldon," said Leonard.

"Who's going to cut your grass, and trim the bushes and trees," asked Sheldon, still looking around.

"I will."

Sheldon scoffed.

"I will be helping him too," said Penny.

"Well," said Sheldon, "at least your Nebraska farming background will be of some use."

Penny rolled her eyes, then led Sheldon and Amy back into the house. They had just gotten seated again, when the doorbell sounded. Penny and Leonard rose and walked to their front door. Opening the door, they were greeted by a chorus of 'hellos' and 'hi's' from Howard, Bernadette, Raj, and Emily, which her and Leonard returned, then invited them all into the house.

Leonard was leading them to the living room when he looked back and saw Bernadette and Penny talking. He was looking at them, wondering what was going on, so It took Howard a couple of attempts to get Leonard's attention. After he did, he gave him a bottle of wine, which Leonard took to the kitchen. Just as he returned, Penny and Bernadette also came walking up.

The group were exchanging greetings when the doorbell rang. Penny gave Leonard a knowing look and walk to the door, and opened it. As she expected, it was Stephanie and her husband, Jack. Penny invited them in and walked with them to the group.

As they arrived at the table, Penny said, "Everyone, these are our new neighbors." Penny turned to Stephanie and Jack and said, "I'd like you to meet our friends." Penny turned to the group and introduced them individually, "This is Sheldon and his girlfriend Amy, Rajesh, we call him Raj, and his girlfriend Emily. And finally, this is Bernadette and…"

"Of course, Howard," said Stephanie sweetly, smiling.

Looking puzzled, Howard said, "Beg Pardon?"

Stephanie adding a sexy tone to her voice said, "Oh, Howard, don't you remember me? I could NEVER forget you."

Bernadette, with a question in her voice, whispered to Howard, "Howie, who is she?"

Stephanie continued, lowering her voice, "Oh, Howard offered to let me drive his car."

"Howie! When was this," said Bernadette?

Howard could hear the anger creeping into her voice. "I don't know," he said, sounding frustrated.

Stephanie said, "I'm glad to see your eye has healed and you don't need to wear that silly eye patch."

Howard peered at her intently.

"What eye patch, Howie," asked Bernadette, an accusatory tone in her voice.

"Stephanie," asked Howard?

At that, Stephanie, Penny, Leonard, and Bernadette broke into laughter. Jack looked amused, while Sheldon and Raj finally understood who Stephanie was.

Stephanie looked around, and seeing Amy still looked puzzled said to her, "I had a date with Howard quite a few years ago, but it didn't work out and I ended up dating Leonard for a while."

Sheldon said, "You didn't have a date with Howard, you left with…"

Leonard quickly interjected, "Yes, Sheldon, she was on a date with him."

It took a second or two, but Sheldon nodded knowingly.

"Penny," asked Amy, "did you know about Leonard and her dating?"

"Yes, Amy," said Penny, "I'll explain it later."

Stephanie said, "Before I forget, this is my husband, Jack. And, Bernadette, I'm sorry for playing the prank."

Bernadette giggled, "Don't worry about it, Stephanie. Penny let me in on it when we got here." She turned to Howard and gave him a hug. Howard just stood there, looking rather sheepish.

"Well, the drinks are in the kitchen, cold ones are in refrigerator," said Leonard. "Penny and I are going to set out the food, help yourself to the drinks."

After getting their drinks, they formed two groups, one of each gender. The guys questioning Jack about his work, hobbies and how he and Stephanie met, with Jack returning the questions for each of the other guys. They were all excited upon finding out that Jack was a Science Fiction fan. The girls asking Stephanie much the same questions, and with Penny, explained what had happened before Amy, Bernadette and Emily had become part of the group.

As the night went on, everyone started to get some of the food, and they broke into smaller, non-gender groups. Leonard and Penny took turns leading their friends through their new house. Everyone catching up with what had happened to Stephanie, and Stephanie finding out what had happened after her and Leonard broke up. And, of course Amy excitedly announcing she would be moving into Penny's old apartment.

After a few hours, Sheldon and Amy left. Amy explained they were both tired from the zoo. Stephanie and Jack also had to leave, their baby sitter had to be home by 10:00 PM, with the other four leaving about a half an hour later.

After everyone left, Penny and Leonard cleaned up. They were in the kitchen washing the glasses and putting the various things away. As they were cleaning, Leonard brought up the evening.

"I don't believe how well things worked out with Sheldon and Amy," said Leonard.

"I know," said Penny, "I expected him to put up much more of a fight."

"Well, we worked together," said Leonard. "Neither of us caved into him."

"Yeah," she said, "That's a first for us."

Leonard smiled at her, "You mean that's a first for you."

She gave him an angry look, but couldn't hold it, breaking into a smile, "Yeah, OK, you've been trying to get out of there for a while."

"And Amy was helpful, I still think you pointing out she could move into the empty apartment was brilliant."

"Of course," said Penny, "that's why you married me, my brains."

"Heheheheh," he chuckled, "Yeah, that's why."

She playfully slapped his arm, "Come on, were done."

They walked out of the kitchen and looked at all the chairs and the table in their living room.

Leonard said, "Well get those tomorrow night, right?"

Penny looked at him and said, "Right. Let's get ready for bed."

They again enjoyed the luxury of not having to take turns to prepare for bed, since they each had a sink. Finishing, their preparations, they went to their bed, and after getting in, they turned to each other, wrapped their arms around each other and enjoyed a soft kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Penny said, "Good night, Leonard. I love you."

"Night Penny, I love you, too."

Thanks to all those who read and enjoyed this. A special thanks to those who reviewed.