61
When Missy got home she found the lights out and everything was quiet. She showered, changed for bed and tiptoed into Sheldon's bedroom to get the baby, bring him out to the living room, feed him and then replaced him in his crib in Sheldon's bedroom. Missy then went to bed and had a very restful sleep, so restful that she almost overslept. Sheldon and Missy rushed around in the morning in order to leave for work on time. It wasn't until they were driving to CalTech that they had a chance to talk.
"I trust you had a nice time yesterday evening."
"Mostly yes. I coulda done without Leonard throwin' up all over me though."
"Excuse me?"
"Leonard figured out where Penny was stayin' and decided to come by and try to drag her all the way to New Jersey."
"I suspect Penny did not take that well."
"No, she didn't. And neither did Alex, Nora or me. I am sick and tired of that troll actin' like Penny is his possession and expectin' her to follow him a round like a little puppy."
"Leonard's expectations of Penny do not include her thinking for herself. What happened?"
"I happened. I kinda blew a gasket, backed him up against the wall and threatened to drive him out to the desert, bury him up to his neck and leave him there."
"You got physical with him?"
"A little bit."
"And the vomiting?"
"After I let him go and we threatened to call the cops."
"I trust you discarded or laundered the clothing."
"All done before I ever came home."
"We need to be wary of Leonard until he finally departs. And now that you have had a physical confrontation…"
"What is he going to do, Shelly, tell on me?"
"Most likely. Who he tells is the question."
When Sheldon arrived at the office he found Penny and Alex were already there at work.
"Good morning. I understand there was some homunculus-themed excitement at last-evening's get-together."
"Sheldon, what am I going to do? Leonard refuses to accept reality."
"Penny, I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I suspect you may have to seek a legal remedy. You may have to involve the authorities."
"I was really hoping I wouldn't have to do that. I was hoping Leonard would take the hint and go away."
"Penny, you have done far more than hint that your relationship with Leonard is no more. You have stated it in front of witnesses on multiple occasions. I believe that Leonard has determined that he prefers to reside in a land of delusion."
"What do I do, Sheldon?"
"I suggest you speak with Howard Wolowitz and see whether his legion of attorney relatives includes an appropriate person to advise you on this matter. I intend to at some point have another conversation with Beverly. She needs to know what exactly she will be residing with."
"Okay, I'll give Howard a call when I get a chance. Where's the baby? Isn't this one of his days with us?"
"Missy and I were running a bit late this morning and she preferred to have him nearby today since she was not with him yesterday evening."
A short time later Sheldon's office phone rang.
"Good morning. Dr. Cooper's office. Penny speaking."
"Penny, it's Missy. Y'all need to come get the baby." Missy sounded panicky.
"Missy, what's wrong?"
"I'm bein' arrested. Your asshole of an ex filed assault charges against me. The cops are takin' me to the Pasadena Police Station. Tell Sheldon. My car keys are in my office, top drawer of my desk. I gotta go."
Penny ran into Sheldon's office, where he speaking with Dr. Gabelhauser.
"Excuse me for interrupting but Sheldon, we have to go. It's an emergency."
"Penny, what's wrong?"
"Leonard got Missy arrested. We need to get the baby."
"Dr. Gabelhauser, I apologize but…"
"No need, Dr. Cooper. Family trumps all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"Thank you."
"Sheldon, I'll go get Missy's car. You get the baby."
"Alright."
Once Sheldon had collected the baby and Penny picked him up in Missy's car he started making calls on his cell. He started with Howard Wolowitz.
"Hi, Sheldon."
"Howard, I require a favor."
"What's up?"
"Leonard had my sister Missy arrested for assaulting him."
"And I missed it. Damn."
"Missy requires an attorney at the Pasadena Police Station."
"I'll call my cousins and get someone down there as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Howard."
"Anything else?"
"I'm not certain."
"I'll meet you at the station and I'll bring Raj along."
"Alright. We'll see you there."
Sheldon's second call was to Beverly Hofstadter.
"Hello, Sheldon. Once again you've called outside our standard contact parameters."
"Leonard has had my sister arrested."
"Excuse me?"
"I thought my statement was rather concise and to the point."
"Perhaps a bit more detail is required. I was under the impression that Leonard and his fiancé, Penny, were on their way to New Jersey."
"Beverly, I'm not certain as to Leonard's location but Penny is sitting next to me at the moment and I am quite certain she has no intention of relocating to New Jersey or for that matter marrying your son."
Penny called over from the driver's seat. "Hi Beverly. Sheldon's right. And at the moment I kinda wish your son would just disappear off the face of the earth."
"Sheldon, can you please explain what is going on."
"After we last spoke, Leonard started packing the apartment assuming that Penny would accompany him to New Jersey. As she is currently employed as my assistant and is concurrently engaged by the SyFy Network she demurred."
"Leonard told me Penny was currently unemployed."
"Penny's employment status changed a few weeks ago. She is not only gainfully employed, she is likely earning more than Leonard was earning when last he was employed. And her future is quite promising, unlike Leonard's. In any case, Leonard was unwilling to accept Penny's decision and she chose to withdraw from their engagement."
"I don't blame her. She seems to be in the process of turning her life around. I would encourage her to continue."
"Unfortunately your son does not agree. He has been undermining her every effort. He attempted to rent her apartment out from under her and yesterday evening he attempted to physically drag her away from a group of friends. My sister stopped him and as a result she is now incarcerated."
"Sheldon, I'm not certain what I can do from here."
"I believe that I can handle matters here. However, I suggest you be prepared to take measures there when Leonard arrives. His mental state is quite confused and I am concerned for Penny's safety."
"Are you suggesting I have him institutionalized?"
"You are the professional, Beverly. I suggest you examine him upon his arrival and reach your own conclusions."
"I will take your suggestion under advisement."
"That is all I can ask. I will speak to you again at our regular time."
"Goodbye, Sheldon."
"Sheldon, what are you going to do?"
"I am going to attempt to remove Leonard from California as soon as possible."
Sheldon's next call was to the FBI.