19
Missy opened the door after Penny knocked.
"Penny, I didn't think we'd be seein' you tonight."
"Hi Missy. Yeah. Well, there's someone else who won't be seeing me tonight. Any of me."
"Sweetie, are you okay?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. I really don't."
"You know what I have to do now."
"Yeah. Peppermint tea, please."
Penny and Missy continued talking while Missy prepared the tea.
"I should be happy, shouldn't I? I'm engaged to a nice guy. I finally have a decent job."
"And?"
"Is this just an older, more mature version of happy? Because it kinda sucks."
"Penny, we've talked about this. A coupla times. You keep insisting things are good. Your own word."
"Yeah. Maybe you should probably stop listening to me."
"What do you want to do? Do you want to get drunk? I'll go out with you once Shelly gets home. I don't think he'll let us drink here."
"Probably not. Missy what am I going to do?"
"Penny, you know us Coopers are a blunt people. Now, I'm not a doctor. But you, girl, are depressed. And I'm not talkin' "Boohoo, I didn't get asked to the prom" depressed. I'm talkin' worse. Depression that won't let you do anything to fix your situation. Time and a chocolate sundae won't fix that. I think you find yourself a therapist right quick and you and them figure what else you do after that. Sheldon and I will do whatever we can to help. I promise."
"Okay. Should I tell Leonard that I'm doing this?"
"That's your call. But do you think he'll help or hinder your decision?"
"You're right. I'll tell him once I'm all set up."
"Penny, there's somethin' else I'm gonna say. You're definitely not gonna like it."
"Shoot."
"What are you holding in your right hand and what are you holding in your left?"
Penny was suddenly aware that she had a goblet of wine in one hand and the half-filled bottle in the other.
"Shit."
"I hate to say it but I think you might have a drinking problem."
"Part of me wants to argue with you and say it's just been a stressful day but I'd be lying. This could be any day. Every day. What's happening to me?"
Penny began to cry and Missy swept her up in her arms.
"There. There."
Through the tears Penny thought, "Of course they react to someone in tears the same way. They're twins raised by the very same mother."
Just then Sheldon came through the door with dinner.
"Koothrapali's car stank of McNuggets…" Sheldon immediately saw Missy comforting a weeping Penny."
"Penny. What's wrong?"
"Shelly, I'll fill you in later. For now just go brew another pot of peppermint tea. Okay?"
Penny looked Missy in the eye. She whispered "Thank you. I don't think I could deal with him on this right now."
"It's okay sweetie. I'll take care of my brother. Do you want to stay over here tonight?"
"I'd like that. The couch'll be fine."
"I've got a big bed. How about we share? We can talk all night if you like."
"But what about the baby?"
"It's a blessing that that baby could sleep through the apocalypse. No need to worry. I'll probably just need to feed him sometime during the night, but you've already seen that show."
"Okay."
"Shelly, Penny's staying over. She's gonna need one of your super-hero shirts to sleep in."
"She'll stretch it in odd places."
"Sheldon, Penny is your guest."
"Oh, all right."
"I'll buy you a new one, Sheldon. I'll take you to the comic shop on Wednesday and get you a new one."
"Oh, I hadn't even thought about new comic book day. Has Stuart reopened his comic book shop?"
"He did. He was closed for a couple of months doing renovations but he found some guy to partner with him on the store so between the insurance money and the new partner the store is better than ever. And he did a bunch of publicity about reopening and he's actually doing better business. At least Raj told me he was."
"That is gratifying to hear. I like Stuart's store. I accept your offer. Do you have a particular hero's emblem you'd like to wear?"
"You have to ask?"
"Penny, I have no Wonder Woman shirts."
"Flash, Sheldon. I'd like to wear Flash."
"Alright."
"Wait. Sheldon, never mind. Missy, can you go across the hall with me so I can grab some clothes for tomorrow? I'd rather not deal with any more of Leonard's crap alone."
"Sure."
Sheldon looked in on the baby while Missy and Penny went across the hall. Leonard looked up as they entered.
"About time you got back. Oh, hello Missy. Can you excuse us? Penny and I need to talk."
"Not in the mood, Leonard. I'm staying with Missy tonight. I'm a little tired of your me, me, me act tonight and I'm really not in the mood anymore to reward it. I'm just getting some clothes for work tomorrow."
Penny headed into the bedroom with Missy following. Leonard stood in the doorway.
"Penny, it's just a little misunderstanding. I promise I'll stop. You can stay here tonight."
"Fine. So where will you be staying, Leonard?"
"Here, with you, like every night."
"Wrong answer. Missy, I think I have what I need. Let's go."
"Penny. It's just a misunderstanding."
"Good night, Leonard."
After they got out the door, Penny sighed with relief.
"You okay?"
"Not really. I'm just a little surprised that the first thought I had when I just saw Leonard wasn't Here's my supportive fiancée who I've decided to spend my life with but it was Oh my God, what have I done?"
"Yeah, well we've been through part of that. I'm not sure we should continue talkin' about this in front of my brother. At least not yet."
"Yeah, I get that. But tomorrow we start on my therapy project."
"Yup."
As they returned to 4A, Sheldon called over from the kitchen.
"Penny, an appropriate Flash t-shirt is on Missy's dresser. If you are still staying the night, your assigned bathroom time is 6:45."
"Thank you, Sheldon. I hope I'm not inconveniencing either of you."
"You are not. It has been a long day and we have much to do tomorrow. I'm going to retire now. Good night, Penny. Good night, Missy."
"Good night, Sheldon," Penny and Missy replied in unison.
"So, Penny, what do you want to do now?"
"Y'know, I'm kind of pooped myself. It's been a really long day. I'm gonna turn in. You?"
"I gotta do a couple of things for the baby and then I'll join ya. If you're still up we can talk a little more."
"Okay."
After Missy finished up she went into her room to find Penny fast asleep in the large bed. She changed and crawled in with her. Penny slept through the 2am feeding.
Penny opened her eyes early the next morning and found herself tangled in the covers with Missy. She was having some trouble extricating herself when Missy started to stir.
"Mornin'."
"Um, Missy, nothing happened, did it?"
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, Penny. Looks like we're just a couple of cuddlers and that's what we did. Me, I kinda liked it. You feelin' better?"
"Well, I slept pretty good so, yeah."
"So we confirmed that we're not sleepwalking lesbians. I guess it's probably time to get up. You know how my brother gets if the bathroom schedule gets thrown off."
"Yeah, I got less than a minute to get in there. See you in a bit."