37

The next morning

"Shelly. Ya got company," called Missy.

Sheldon came out of his room to find Howard Wolowitz and Rajesh Koothrapali waiting in the living room.

"I see Leonard has already sent his emissaries. I'll save you both some time. Penny is not here and I will not reveal her location."

"What are you talking about, Sheldon? We're not here to see Penny."

"No, we were hoping to speak with you."

"So Leonard didn't call upon you last night with a self-serving version of the events that transpired here?"

"No. I was out with Bernie."

"And I was with Emily."

"We had stuff we needed to explain to them."

"Leonard phoned us both but we ignored the messages. We did not wish to be distracted from our deliberations."

"I don't understand."

"The FBI coming around and asking about the rocket fuel last week sort of set us both off."

"Indeed. We were never involved with him taking that fuel."

"That was all him."

"But knowing Leonard we have a pretty good idea that he'll try to look innocent and eventually try to shift all the blame to the two of us. And you."

"You've known Leonard longer than I but I'm forced to agree."

"So Raj and I started talking last week."

"We've both decided to speak to Gabelhauser about what happened in the Arctic to give him a clearer picture of what type of scientist and person Leonard really is."

"You realize that this could possibly cost you both your positions."

"That's why we each took our sweeties out for a fabulous dinner last night. It's why we weren't even available to come by for the fireworks."

"We told them what we did and what we're planning to do in an attempt to set things right."

"We wanted their support, but we were also prepared to lose them. We had to be honest with them. It was the right thing to do. There should be no secrets."

"Bernie's still pretty pissed off at me. But she said that if I didn't speak up about it things would get worse. She used the "D" word."

"Emily is also quite angry with me. She isn't answering my calls. I hope I haven't lost her. But I am resolute."

"I can't ask you to speak with Gabelhauser on my behalf. What happened in the Arctic was my responsibility. I misjudged my ability to lead the expedition. I was unfortunately mistaken in selecting you two and Leonard to accompany me. And I jumped to an erroneous conclusion based upon the information you fed me at Leonard's behest. And then I sent that misbegotten email to everyone."

"Which would never have happened if we didn't feed you false results. Your career has suffered because of our actions and you've never said a word. We need to right the karmic scales, Sheldon. You must allow us to do this."

"Obviously I can't stop you. I will, however use whatever influence I have to keep you in your positions."

"That's not so important right now. So what exactly happened last night? And why would Leonard want us to speak to Penny."

"Leonard took it upon himself to invite Amy Farrah Fowler to last night's gathering and some disgusting activities of hers were exposed. And Penny announced some wonderful career-related news, which Leonard did not react to favorably. His role in subverting my career path was exposed. Penny asked Leonard to leave and she is temporarily staying elsewhere in order to determine her next actions."

"Wow, miss one dinner party…"

Next: Penny and Nora spend time together. What could happen?