A/N: First, my apologies for keeping you hanging. I'm having an Internet access problem and I'm not sure how soon it will be resolved. Unfortunately it has also distracted me from writing. I only have a little more to go with this story and some of it is already written but it will probably take a bit longer than I'd prefer to get it to you. Please bear with me. I haven't even been able to read my email for three days.
62
By the time they arrived at the Pasadena Police Station, Penny could tell that Sheldon was very angry.
"Sheldon, sweetie, you can't go in there angry."
"Penny, I understand what you are saying, but I cannot allow Leonard Hofstadter to continue inserting himself into our lives leaving havoc in his wake. It is unacceptable and it will stop."
"I agree. And we will do something about it. But getting angry with the police won't solve anything. And chances are it'll land you in a jail cell. Remember the last time?"
Sheldon recalled battling a traffic ticket and winding up sharing a jail cell with a variety of miscreants.
"But, Penny, Missy is in jail."
"And I'm sure Howard's cousin will get her out as soon as he or she gets here. That's their job."
"I understand but I feel so helpless."
"Sheldon, you are not helpless and you know it. You are one of the most self-assured and capable men I have ever met. You are going to solve the mysteries of the universe. Remember, just a few months ago your entire world fell apart and look at where you are now. Your life is better than it was in every way and you even took the time to make my life better, and Alex's and Missy's too. Don't let Leonard provoke you into doing something stupid. That's what he wants. You're better than that. And you're more devious than that. Let's get Missy out of jail and go home and figure this all out."
"Alright. Besides, I'm not certain I can actually do very much while carrying the baby."
"And that's why the baby will be staying with you. Look over there. Howard and Raj are speaking to someone. That must be Howard's cousin."
Penny got out of the car and helped Sheldon put on the Baby Bjorn with the baby. They walked over to Raj, Howard and the stranger.
"Hi guys. This is my cousin Dina. She'll take care of getting Missy out."
"Hi, Dr. Cooper. Howard caught me up on what happened. This will be pretty straightforward. There will be a quick hearing. Sometimes they dismiss these things right away. It's more likely they'll set a trial date and set bail. We'll give them a check. Hopefully once I know all the facts I'll be able to make this go away before it ever makes it to trial."
"What do I need to do?"
"Just be quiet and let me do all of the talking. I understand that your sister has no criminal record…"
"I believe there may be some speeding tickets in Texas."
"That shouldn't be an issue. Your sister is gainfully employed, a single mother."
"And the troll she supposedly assaulted had just assaulted our friend Penny."
"As I said, Dr, Cooper, this is just a hearing. Those other facts will only come out if there is a trial."
Suddenly Sheldon saw Leonard Hofstadter in his corduroy suit walking down the street toward the police station with a big smile on his face. He walked right up to them.
"So, it looks like Sheldon Cooper doesn't have the upper hand any more. You know how to make this all go away, don't you Penny?"
Penny was about to say something when Dina Wolowitz stopped her.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hofstadter is it, I would prefer you not speak to my clients. And I would strongly advise that they not make any ex officio arrangements with you. I believe this complaint will be settled on its own merits at the appropriate time. And, Mr. Hofstadter, that time will be of our choosing, not yours."
"It's Dr. Hofstadter. And I am the injured party." Leonard pouted.
Dina Wolowitz led the group away, leaving Leonard on his own. They went into the station and went down a number of labyrinthine hallways to a hearing room. Luckily Dina had been there before and knew where the almost hidden hearing room was located. They found Missy there waiting for them. They sat down and waited for their turn in front of the judge, who surprisingly was the very same one Sheldon had dealt with before in his traffic mishap.
"Are you aright, Missy? Have you been treated appropriately?"
"I'm fine Sheldon. Everyone's been real nice. They told me they get these nuisance complaints all the time but they have to follow up. The police really don't like it when they think someone is wastin' their time and that's exactly what they think Leonard is doin'."
Missy's name was called. Dina joined her in front of the judge, pointed to Sheldon with the baby and her various friends. They talked for a minute. The judge mumbled something to the bailiff. "Ms. Cooper is released on $100 bond. Please be here for trial next month if this matter is not settled or dismissed before that, which I strongly suggest happens. By the way, where is the complainant?"
Leonard, who had just wandered into the room after nobody in the station would tell him where it, was walked up to the judge.
"I'm Dr. Leonard Hofstadter. I'm the one who was attacked."
"Really, Mr. Hofstadter, this young lady attacked you? For no reason?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Where did this attack take place?"
"Outside her friends' apartment."
"Where you were a guest?"
"Not exactly."
"Dr. Hofstadter, were you invited to be at that location?"
"Not exactly. But my fiancé was there so I had the right to be there."
"Ex-fiancé!" Penny called out.
"Dr. Hofstadter, this is beginning to sound less like assault and more like harassment. I'm not a big fan of men harassing women."
"We are engaged. We just had a little misunderstanding. I was trying to fix things."
"Dr. Hofstadter, I suggest you shut up. Trial will be in four weeks unless you choose to drop the charges."
"But I'm moving across the country. I can't afford to come back here for a trial."
"Then I suggest you engage an attorney and work out an agreement."
"But that's going to cost me money I don't have. I'm currently unemployed."
"I'm starting to see why your former fiancé made the decision she did."
"Judge, that is an inappropriate thing to say to someone who was assaulted. I demand to see your supervisor."
"Fine. He's on vacation at the moment. He'll be back in two weeks. Knowing his calendar I suspect you'll be able to get an appointment in six to eight weeks. Here's his number."
The judge handed Leonard a business card.
"I don't understand why you are making it so hard for me to get justice."
"Dr. Hofstadter, I'm not at all certain justice is what you're talking about."
"I demand that Missy Cooper go to jail for assaulting me."
"And that determination will be made at trial."
"A trial that will be very inconvenient and expensive for me to participate in."
"Welcome to the justice system, Dr. Hofstadter. Have you any further complaints?"
"Yes. I demand that you recuse yourself from the case because you obviously have no intention of hearing my side."
"An interesting proposal. My answer is no. You already have my supervisor's number. You can add that to your complaint. And I might point out that you are perilously close to being in contempt of this court."
"That's a joke. Just like you."
"I'm going to give you a chance to apologize."
"For what? Your inability to do the right thing?"
"Bailiff, please escort Mr., no, Dr. Hofstadter to a cell until he sees fit to apologize to this court."
Sheldon enjoyed watching the judge at work when he wasn't the one arguing with him. He didn't want to leave the courtroom until he saw Leonard led off to a jail cell.
"Penny, Leonard believed that by threatening Missy's freedom he would convince you to accompany him to New Jersey and a life by his side. Please promise me that no matter what he does you will not go with him. Whatever plot he hatches we will defeat. I promise you that."
"I know, Sheldon. I'm sorry that Leonard feels so strongly that he has to get what he wants. And I'm sorry that he's decided that what he wants is me. But just because he wants me doesn't mean he gets me. Leonard has turned his life into a pile of shit and there is no way that I'm jumping into that pile just because he wants me to. I just wish he would leave already."
Once Dina was through with the necessary paper work she came over to speak with Penny.
"Listen, I don't have all of the details, but it seems to me that you need an Order of Protection, Penny. That'll stop Leonard from coming near you or contacting you. The only reason that Missy ended up in jail was because she got between you and Leonard. Anyone else who comes between you two will likely end up dealing with him too."
"I was hoping to avoid stuff like this but if you think this is best I'll go along with it. But first I'm going to try to talk some sense to Leonard one last time."
"Would you like me to come with you?"
"I guess."