39
Back at the Cooper Apartment
A short while after Howard and Raj left, Sheldon's phone rang.
"Dr. Sheldon Cooper."
"You idiot!"
"Hello, Bernadette."
"What kind of a scientist are you?"
"A theoretical physicist. I thought you knew that."
"I'm not so sure. A real scientist wouldn't let someone destroy their work and their reputation like you did, Sheldon."
"Howard told me that he explained what happened in the Arctic to you."
"Yeah my putz of a husband told me a lot of things last night. I just can't believe that you would let Leonard get away with that crap. He's supposed to be your friend."
"There were extenuating circumstances, Bernadette."
"Extenuating, shmextenuating, it's just a bunch of crap. You lived with that asshole. You stood by while Penny fucked that asshole and you never said a word to her or anyone else about what kind of person he really is."
"On multiple occasions I opined that their relationship was doomed."
"Yeah, but you never told her that is was doomed because your ex-roommate is a piece of shit. And now they're engaged. How could you let that happen?"
"I believe that Penny is reconsidering that situation."
"I haven't seen Penny in a few weeks, but the last time I saw her she couldn't take a crap without Leonard agreeing that it was a good idea."
"Things in Penny's life are beginning to change. She is now working for me and doing quite well. She has been offered a very interesting opportunity with Wil Wheaton."
"And you know that Leonard will do whatever he can to undermine her confidence. He's been doing it for years. And I'm sorry to say that I've been pushing her toward him along with your girlfriend."
"Amy Farrah Fowler and I no longer have a relationship of any kind."
"That isn't what she told me. She said that all she needs to do is get you alone and she'll convince you to do whatever she wants. And she wants Penny out of your life and your sister back in Texas."
"Amy Farrah Fowler has her own issues that I expect will soon require her full attention. She has been barred from my home and my workplace."
"Sheldon, the entire world knows your schedule. If she wants to see you she will."
"I suspect the FBI will have something to say about that."
"I don't understand."
"I suspect that Amy is assuming that the circumstances that eliminated all of her research funding and her position will be resolved in her favor quickly. I am given to understand that will not happen and that her situation will undoubtedly get worse."
"Sheldon, don't you feel any sympathy for her. You two were together for a long time."
"Amy is suffering for decisions she made long before she met me. And while we were together she forced and intimidated me into actions I was uncomfortable with then and regret now. I feel no remorse whatever over her situation."
"Remorse? Did you do something?"
Sheldon quickly defelected.
"Bernadette, I am sorry for anything that happens to Howard or to Raj because of the Arctic situation. I am grateful that they are finally taking responsibility for their actions. However, I do not blame them. I blame Leonard for the entire situation. Leonard now finds himself in a situation similar to that of Amy Farrah Fowler. Actions he took on his own are now coming back to haunt him. The Arctic situation only underscores the kind of scientist and person he is. Hopefully most of the judgment will fall upon him. I promise you, as I promised Howard and Raj, that I will do what I can to keep them in their positions. As for Leonard…"
"Sheldon, what about Penny. Whatever happens to Leonard will happen to Penny too."
"Hopefully not. Penny is already uncomfortable with Leonard's recent actions and things she has now heard about. She has the support of her friends, old and new. I believe she will come through this stronger. And hopefully without Leonard."
"She'd better, Sheldon. As for Howard, he needs to be a man and take any punishment coming his way from the university because that'll be easy compared to what'll still be coming from me."
A/N: Sorry. Pacing demanded that this chapter be inserted before Penny, Nora and gratuitous nudity. Next chapter. I promise.