A/N: This short story is its own story and not part of the previous story, so don't expect it to be a continuation of that story. I hope you enjoy it, there is so much chemistry between Leonard and Penny, sometimes these stories just write themselves.
SEND ME A SHIP AND A NUMBER AND I'LL WRITE A SHORT FIC
Number 37 - Meeting in prison AU
Penny started her long climb up the stairs to the guard tower, like she had done for almost every day for the last six months she had been there. It wasn't that it was hard on her physically, she was probably in the best shape she had ever been in her life, but sometimes the monotony got to her, day after day. But who was she really kidding, it wasn't actually the monotony that made her depressed to go on duty in the guard tower, it was actually, that for eight hours each day, she would need to control herself, control herself from killing them all.
The climb took a couple of minutes and Penny divorced herself from the work of climbing with a backpack on and a rifle over her shoulder, as she thought back to just three years before. The four young woman, all in their 20's, Penny only 21, who decided to join the Marines and have an adventure. They had been guaranteed assignment in the same unit, and with a lot of difficulty the Marines kept their promise, but the girls never fathomed what it would be like to serve in the Middle East. Though they all trained hard, how do train to survive an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), you couldn't fight it, because it didn't give you a chance, it was one of the horrors of war, they read about but soon got to experience first hand. All four of them had been in the HUMVEE, but Katie was in the wrong place, the blast happening under her seat crushing her against the roof, the only good thing about the whole episode was it occurred so fast Katie didn't know what was happening to her.
They were all hurt in the blast, Penny's leg being completely broken a few inches above the ankle, the doctors not even sure they could save it. So after a year in country, all three of the girls were sent home to an Army hospital to recover, get well and then get reassigned. That is what found them here, at Guantanamo Bay, they were finishing out their enlistment as guards at the prison, none of them wanting to stay in the Marines anymore after loosing Katie, the adventure of it all still bitter in their minds. She wished she could cope like Amy and Bernadette did about Katie, getting back into their college courses, pursuing the degrees they would soon have when they got out, but Penny was never good at school, so she just drank to cope. It helped make her forget and the pain to go away, but then every day she had to go back to the tower, to guard the people who were responsible for her friend's death. So Penny wanted to kill them all, wanted to sit in the tower and shoot everyone one of terrorists in the yard, with her rifle, she was a great shot and she knew she could get them all before they got up into the tower to stop her.
Penny was so deep in her thoughts that it surprised her when she got to the top, however that surprise turned to disgust, when she met the man she was going to relieve. Kurt was one of the big mistakes that happened when you drowned your sorrows in booze, she woke up one morning in his bunk and regretted it ever since. Even now as she approached him, for her shift change brief, she could see the smirk on his face, because like he told all the guys in the Company, he did that. So she just sucked up the urge to throw him from the tower and just blankly looked at him, "What is going on Corporal?"
"Aw babe, why be so formal. You know we could have a little fun up here before I go." Kurt wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Corporal, you will address me as Sergeant, and if you don't want to be written up for sexual harassment, I would shut your mouth now." Penny said in her most commanding tone, it was the only comfort she got around him, she was a Sergeant and he was only a Corporal, so she out ranked him.
"Yes Sergeant." Kurt spit out, he couldn't afford another sexual harassment complaint on him and she knew it, he would be a private before morning if she turned him in.
Penny grabbed the binoculars and looked down at the yard, so she wouldn't have to look at him while he briefed her. He really didn't have much to tell her and she listened to anything important he had to say as she scanned each of the terrorists that she wished she could just kill. Penny was just about finished scanning them all when she stopped to look at one detainee and just stood there in shock, her eyes going wide. "What the hell, Kurt!"
Kurt looked at her in surprise as she whipped around and took two steps toward him, she looked like an animal ready to kill. "What?" He asked suddenly a little worried.
"There is an American down there in the yard with those terrorists!" Penny spat out, "Are you people crazy!"
Kurt sort of relaxed, he had thought he had done something wrong. "Yeah he came in last night and they had him in a barracks by himself, but it came down we didn't have to treat him special so we just put him in the exercise yard with everyone else."
"And who's stupid idea was that? Those scum bags down there believe in killing everyone who doesn't think like them, especially Americans, did you guys ever think about that?" Penny was still shouting.
"Calm down, BJ authorized it and he outranks you, so chill. Plus he has been out there for over an hour and no one has bothered him." Kurt acted like she was crazy as he dismissed her concern.
Penny tried to control her breathing, this was so ridiculous she couldn't believe it and it figured BJ would authorize it, he was the stupidest Captain and Company Commander she had ever met since she joined the Marines. But her anger wasn't over, she looked back up at Kurt and hissed. "Get the hell out of here before I hurt you."
Kurt snickered at first at the humor of the 5 foot 7 inch woman taking on him, but looking into her eyes, it suddenly didn't seem so funny anymore. The look in her eyes said 'KILL' and Kurt knew she had a hot temper, plus he was convinced she was slightly crazy, so he decided maybe it was better he left before something did happen. "Yeah, well you have fun." Kurt then turned and headed down the stairs.
Penny watched Kurt leave, suppressing the strong urge to hurt him, knowing that if she did, like her friends said, she would be put in the hospital for PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). She needed to put it out of her mind so she quickly got her equipment out of her pack and got set up for her shift. However the man out there alone with THEM, brought back memories of Katie, so Penny went back to balcony of the tower to look back down at the yard with the binoculars. The man was keeping to himself and she thought he looked scared, she knew she would be if she was him, and she couldn't help the feeling growing inside her to protect him, especially from THEM. Penny got her rifle, a SDM-R (Squad Designated Marksman Rifle), sighted in specially by her for her, and locked the bolt back, then inserted a loaded magazine in it, they weren't allowed a loaded round in the chamber, but all she had to do was hit the bolt release and it would be ready to go. She pulled the scope covers off and then checked to make sure the scope was dialed in for the range the yard was at. That was all she could do, as she settled in on the seat positioned against the rail with her binoculars, her rifle laying against her leg, and watched.
Leonard was terrified, he had never been to prison, much less one that was filled with terrorists, if was like a nightmare coming true. He had tried to keep to himself all morning, but he still couldn't help seeing the eyes of the other inmates looking towards him as they talked among themselves. He couldn't understand what they talking about but their nodding towards him to their friends and the sneers on their faces made him understand they were talking about him.
Leonard cursed himself for ever getting into this mess, he was so pathetic, he should of known a pretty girl like Joyce Kim was after him for a reason. He did report her after she took the rocket fuel, he brought to show her, and they did catch her before she left the country, but he still had committed a crime and was expected to pay. He actually knew the Government had let him off easy, only six months in prison to teach him a lesson, a misdemeanor instead of career ruining felony, plus he would still have his project when he came back, the Government still needed him. But being sent here was not what he expected, especially now being in this pen with these men who obviously hated him.
Another hour went by and Leonard, felt the men in the yard were looking more and more at him, making him extremely nervous. They were suppose to be in the yard another hour and Leonard found he kept watching minutes go by on his watch, pleading for them to go faster, he never had been so scared in his life. He was just looking at his watch, when he heard the shout and looked up to see the men fighting in the other corner of the yard, he was just memorized by the scene in front of him, like the guards watching the yard. Leonard, along with his guards, didn't see the two men moving slowly towards him or the makeshift knife the one had is in hand before it was too late. Leonard raised his arm to try and protect himself, temporarily blocking the mans swing, but getting stabbed in the forearm, it only saved him for a second as the mans second jab put the knife deep into Leonard's shoulder, the pain so intense, Leonard screamed.
Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion, Leonard could see, through tear filled eyes, the man bring the knife up again, and in his mind Leonard knew he was going to die. Then as the knife started to come down, the man's head exploded, it was the last thing Leonard remembered before he passed out. The man's body fell to the ground, the knife falling out of his hand, and the man who had come with him reached for the knife to finish the task.
Penny centered the cross hairs on the second man's head as he picked up the knife, gently squeezing the trigger as she been trained, not even registering the recoil of the bullet leaving the barrel, as the second man met the fate of his accomplice. Her mind and eye were now completely focused on the view through the scope, as she scanned for other threats, subconsciously biting her lip as she tried not to just kill them all in the yard. She kept telling herself 10 feet, anyone within ten feet of the poor man, they would die, and with that restriction in her mind she just kept scanning the yard, her finger on the trigger of her rifle.
The yard was in full lockdown now, prisoners on their bellies, their hands on their heads, while guards poured in to secure the situation. The scene was quickly cleared, the prisoners herded into their barracks and Leonard rushed to the post infirmary, while the two bodies and the area around them secured as a crime scene. It was only after Leonard had been taken out of the yard and put into an ambulance, that Penny relaxed, taking the rifle off her shoulder and putting it against her leg again, while she wrapped her arms around herself and began to sob.
The next several hours Penny spent in an interrogation room as she gave her statement over and over to the interviewers. She had started her shift at 1000 hours, the incident ending at 1115 hours and now it was 1600, Penny had spent over fours hours being interrogated and it was not over yet, she had to see her Company commander next. So Penny entered Captain Brandon Johnson's (BJ) office, coming to attention and saluting as she stood before his desk, Johnson watching her with distain. "Sergeant who in the hell do you think you are!" he shouted.
"Sir, I don't understand."
"You think playing stupid will get you out of this, you are dreaming. You killed two men without permission, you are in big trouble Sergeant." BJ spit out. BJ was an jerk, that is why everyone called him BJ behind his back, because the term BJ had something to do with dicks and BJ was the biggest dick anyone there had ever met.
"Sir they were killing that man." Penny shot back.
"So, that is not your problem. You were there to make sure they don't escape, not shoot them in the yard. You screwed up big time." BJ still was yelling.
"Sir they were attacking an American." Penny responded.
"That doesn't make a difference, they are all here because of terrorism, he was no better than the rest of them." BJ told her.
Penny suddenly questioned her actions, was the man just another terrorist? She didn't know what to say, did she really just kill those men because she wanted to kill them or was she really trying to save the other man. Did she kill two terrorists to save another, suddenly Penny felt sick.
BJ saw the confused look on Penny's face, "Sergeant, you are going to pay for this. You will be taken to the brig, under arrest, until we determine what we are going to do with you. Now I…" BJ's next sentence was stopped by the loud knocking on the door. It only made him more pissed, because he told no one to interrupt him, and he stormed to the door to admonish the person who had the nerve to disturb him.
Penny wanted to cry, but would not let herself cry in front of BJ, he was an asshole and she would not look weak before him. She was also in a little pain, she had been standing at rigid attention since she walked in, BJ keeping her that way to make her more uncomfortable as his yelling went on, it was obviously a form of punishment. However Penny was now getting to the point that she didn't care anymore, let them lock her up, what hell did it matter anymore.
Penny jumped when she heard BJ yelling again. "What the hell do you want Lieutenant, I told everyone, I didn't want to be disturbed."
The Lieutenant swallowed, "Sir the General is here." Then the Lieutenant opened the door a little more so BJ could see Major General Scott staring at him.
BJ now swallowed, opening the door all the way. "Sir, I didn't know you were coming."
"I'm here to find out what the fuck happened here, Captain." The General was pissed, which was obvious to everyone around him.
BJ actually felt lucky, because he had his scapegoat standing in his office right now. "Sir please come in and I will fill you in."
The General, followed by a Major and Captain, went with BJ back into his office and BJ closed the door behind them. "Sir, this is the Sergeant that shot the two men in the yard without getting authorization. I have ordered her locked up until charges are presented against her." BJ said with a satisfied smirk.
The General looked at Penny then back at BJ. "Charges? I'm recommending this Sergeant for a commendation, she seems to be the only one in your command that has a pair."
Penny's eyes went wide at the same time Captain Johnson's did. "Sir I….I don't understand." BJ now stammered.
"Captain who put that man in general population?" The General asked, holding his temper in check.
"I did sir, he came in late last night." BJ was now trying to justify his actions.
"Did you read his package?" Everyone could see the General was getting more pissed.
BJ now looked scared. "Umm…..I didn't have time, they called me at the barracks to tell me he showed up, so I just followed SOP."
"Your Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to just put new people in general population, without finding why they are even here!" The General's voice got higher.
"Yes Sir." BJ was now scared.
"Who's stupid idea was it to make that SOP." The General demanded.
BJ swallowed, "Mine Sir."
The General just stared at him, then said in a tone that left no question what he wanted, "Captain wait outside while I talk to the Sergeant."
BJ swallowed again. "Yes Sir." BJ then left the room.
The General then looked at the Captain that came with him, "George, watch him. I don't want him going anywhere, until I talk to him later."
The Captain nodded, "Yes Sir." Then followed BJ out the door.
The General now looked at Penny. "At ease Sergeant." Penny immediately going into a more comfortable parade rest. The General then walked over and pulled up a chair to the front of the Captain's desk, "Please sit down Sergeant." Penny just did as told, as the General went to sit in the Captains desk chair. The Major with him then sat in the couch against the wall.
"Sergeant, so you took it upon yourself to be Dr Hofstadter's guardian angel today?" The General began.
"I'm sorry sir, who?" Penny was confused, she didn't know the man's name.
The General chuckled, the first humor he showed since he got there, "The man who owes you his life, is one Dr Leonard Hofstadter. And I like to thank you for the Marine Corp for saving his life today. His dying would not have been good for the Marine Corp or the US Government in general."
Penny was now confused. "Sir is he a terrorist?"
"No Sergeant, he is not, he is on our side."
"Then why is he here sir." Penny was now more confused.
"He is being punished for being stupid, but he was only suppose to go to the minimal security section, not here. The Government wanted to put him someplace where he wouldn't be around real criminals and get in trouble." The general then shook his head in disgust. "Some one screwed up big time and I will have some scalps on my belt before this is over." The General said those words as a promise not a threat.
Penny just nodded, a small warm feeling flowing through her that she did the right thing, she saved some one from the terrorists, she wasn't just a killer. "Yes sir."
The General looked at her for a few seconds, thinking, before he made up his mind. "Sergeant, there is a theme in stories that if you save a person's life you are now responsible for them." He stopped to look at Penny to see if she understood what he was saying, and was pleased at the curious look she gave him. "So Sergeant, I want you to be responsible for Dr Hofstadter while he is here."
"Sir?" Penny was surprised, no shocked was a better word, "Me Sir?"
The General couldn't help but smile at her response, he liked this Marine, she seemed like just the person he needed to make sure Hofstadter survived his stay. "Yes, You. I consider this a personal favor if you would take this assignment, but understand this, you have to volunteer, I will not force you to do something I consider important." The General's serious demeanor was now back in place.
Penny was overwhelmed, 'Personal favor', how could she say no. "Yes Sir, I volunteer sir."
The General smiled again, "Good, very good Sergeant. You are now assigned to me and will report to Major Evans or me personally, if she is not available." The General nodded over to the female Major sitting on the couch who just nodded. "Your job is to make sure no harm comes to Dr Hofstadter, and if anyone gives you a problem, you contact Evans or me. Understand Sergeant?"
"Yes Sir. Sir I have a question." Penny was nervous.
"Yes Sergeant."
"Sir am I suppose to watch over him, 24/7 by myself?" She cautiously asked.
The General got a big smile on his face and nodded to Evans who also smiled. "Good catch Sergeant. Pick two people you trust to help and provide their names to Evans. They will also be assigned to me."
Penny knew exactly the two people she was going to choose, Amy and Bernadette, the three of them would easily keep Hofstadter out of trouble. "Yes sir, I already have two in mind, Sergeants Rostenkowski and Fowler." Penny noticed the General nodding to the Major and the Major writing the names down.
"Is there anything else Sergeant?"
"No Sir, I won't let you down." Penny sincerely told the General.
The General smiled again and nodded. "I believe you Sergeant. Go with Major Evans and she will give you a staff cell phone and numbers to call if you have problems with anyone. Also here is Dr Hofstadter's file." The General handed Penny the file. "Read it and get familiar with him, then give the file back to Major Evans." The General stood up and Penny and Major Evans stood with him. The General then put his hand out to Penny, obviously to shake it. "Sergeant welcome aboard. Go with Major Evans and she will take care of all you need." Then the General got serious again, "Joan, take care of her and send George and our Company Commander back in so we can talk."
Penny and Joan then both came to attention and saluted the General both saying, "Yes Sir." After the General returned their salute, Penny did her best about face and followed the Major out of the room.
As soon as the Major left the room she went over to the Captain, "George, the old man wants to see the Company Commander." The Captain nodded and BJ just swallowed hard like a man going to the gallows.
The two captains entered the office and the Major started to talk to Penny when the shouting started from the office. Everyone outside the office, eye's went wide, before the Major looked at them and they all went back to their work. The Major and Penny then left the room to go back to the headquarters area to get Penny everything she needed.
Leonard slowly woke up from his surgery, even though the knife wounds didn't hit his organs, they cut deep into the tissue and the doctors had to open the wounds and sew the cut layers of muscle and tissue back together again. As Leonard's eyes focused he started to make out a person standing over him, staring intently at him, and for a moment her beautiful eyes made him think he had died and was now looking at an angel. However slowly his senses returned and he realized he was in a hospital bed and the woman looking at him was a soldier. His next thoughts were that he was happy to be alive and he couldn't understand how it happened.
"What happened?" He asked his companion
"You are out of surgery and in stable condition. No serious damage done." Penny responded.
"That is easy for you to say, you weren't stabbed." Leonard responded.
Penny sighed, "Yes you are right."
"Are you my nurse?" Leonard asked
"No, just the guard. Do you need something?" Penny was more than a little concerned. She couldn't help the feeling that was growing in her that she was responsible for him and him needing something suddenly became her greatest concern.
"No, I can't feel where they stabbed me, so I guess that they still have me very medicated. I'm okay for now. Thanks for asking." A very small smile formed on Leonard's lips directed at her.
Penny swallowed, she didn't expect him to be so nice and easy to talk to, she was confused about her feelings about all this now. "The nurse said when you woke up that you shouldn't be in any pain for a few hours, so everything you said seems normal at this point." Penny hoped she didn't sound like she was rambling.
"Good….Good…" Leonard close his eyes and immediately fell back to sleep. Penny was told that by the nurse too, that he would probably fall asleep again after he woke up, so everything was normal. Penny sat back down in the chair near his bed just looking at him, a strange feeling in her gut she couldn't explain, when she heard the soft knocks on the door to see Amy and Bernadette looking through the door window. Penny immediately got up to go to her friends in the hall, she had called them only an hour before so their appearance was anticipated.
Once outside the room, Penny turned to her friends. "Hey Guys."
"Penny what is going on. The whole Company is going crazy, they said the General fired BJ and some Captain from Headquarters is now temporarily in charge. We also heard you had to take out two terrorists in the yard….. Are you okay?" Amy said everything so fast the words almost ran together. Amy looked into Penny's eyes and got the answer she needed, moving close to her friend and taking her into her arms as Penny sniffled.
Bernadette moved in close too, rubbing her friends back. "Honey we're here, everything will be okay." she sweetly said trying to comfort her friend.
They all stood there a couple of minutes, until Penny finally composed herself and lifted herself off of Amy's shoulder. "Are you going to be okay Penny?" Amy cautiously asked.
Penny nodded, "Thanks I needed to get that out. I'm better now." She honestly responded.
"What happened Penny." Bernadette cautiously asked.
"That idiot BJ put a minimum security American prisoner in with those low life's we guard and they tried to kill him, of course." Penny spat out.
Amy shook her head, "Why would they do that?"
Penny nodded, "That is what the General couldn't understand. BJ really screwed the pooch this time."
"You were there!" Bernadette asked in surprise.
Penny nodded, "BJ called me in to chew my ass and then lock me up for an unauthorized shooting."
"Really!" Bernadette looked surprised at her words.
Penny nodded again, "I was so screwed, then in came the General and suddenly, I'm a hero."
"You are shitting me." Amy responded.
Penny chuckled as she thought back, it was really funny when she thought about it now. "Nope, the guy they were trying to kill, was some big deal, and BJ did something stupid that put him in the situation, so BJ was punished and I was given a pat on the back."
Amy snickered, "Yeah that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee."
Penny got serious, "Well not exactly, there is more and it involves you guys."
"Okay, involves us good or involves us bad?" Bernadette asked cautiously.
"I guess it depends. The General asked me to take personal care of him until he leaves in 6 months." Penny nodded to the door. "I told him I couldn't do it 24/7, so he said to pick two people to help, that I trusted." Penny cocked her head to one side, watching her friends, as what she said sunk in.
"Minimum security, huh. And it would be just the three of us?" Amy asked.
"I'm in." Bernadette quickly said, making Penny smile.
"Yeah, me too. You guys would get in trouble without me." Amy added, getting a even bigger smile from Penny.
Penny felt really good inside, the best she felt all day. "Okay why don't you come in the room, he is waking up off an on, but I want you to meet him as soon as you can." She then lead them to the room.
The girls talked quietly for the next half hour, while Penny gave them more details about her day. So it was a surprise when Amy looked at the bed to see the man looking their way at them. "Penny." Amy pointed to the man in the bed.
Penny got up and walked over to the side of the bed as the other two girls came up on the other side. Leonard was confused and seeing three pretty girls around his bed in Marine uniforms was even more confusing. Leonard looked at Penny, he remembered her, "I don't understand what is happening?"
The confused expression on his face was adorable and Penny couldn't help as pure compassion come out of her tough Marine exterior, "Sweetie, we are your security detail."
Leonard looked from Penny to the other two girls in bewilderment. "So I did die and this is heaven?" All three women broke out in giggles, feeling like girls again, instead of Marines.
Leonard was released a week later, to a cell in the minimum security area, guarded by his own private guard of female Marines. The other prisoners and guards teased Leonard about his situation, but no one messed with him, Penny making sure everyone knew, what a revengeful sadistic bitch she could be if anyone screwed with him. The other guards especially had respect for her, because by now every guard knew it was Penny who took out the two terrorists in the yard with head shots, she was a legend among the guards.
It was at first simple, Leonard was in a cell and during the day, Penny took him out into a yard for exercise and to meals making sure no one came around to bother him. However after the first week, Penny couldn't stand seeing him in the yard alone just sitting and reading a book, he looked so little and alone out there, it actually bothered her. It seemed so boring to her, and while she could talk to other guards, he only had her to talk to and was locked in the yard by himself, she couldn't even imagined how he felt. So one day while he was in the yard, she left her gun belt at the security desk and went out in the yard with a basket ball to join him. It took her almost 20 minutes for her to convince him but eventually they both spend the rest of the afternoon shooting hoops.
It was the beginning, and as Penny spent more and more time, actually with Leonard each day, it became enviable that after a few weeks they became friends. The other two girls, also after knowing him for weeks, also became close to him and soon they too became his friend. So it wasn't long afterwards that Leonard, now as their friend, began helping Amy and Bernadette with their plans for degrees and actually got them both preliminarily accepted into UCLA when their enlistments ended in 7 months. Penny however was special and since she worked the day shift guarding him, they spent a lot of waking time together. It was one thing to guard him, another thing to spend hours with him talking and doing things together.
They had started taking long walks during the recreation period, since Leonard had his own guard, he was able to wander around with his guard along side him. They also talked, talked a lot, and as one month turned into the next, Penny opened up to Leonard, telling him all that was bothering her and even crying once after she told him about Katie. Penny never met someone like him before, he was sweet and gentle, extremely smart and just a really nice guy, she had never felt closer to a man in all her life.
It was after almost three months had gone by that it happened, and Penny knew she was screwed. She had began to take Leonard to the gym as she worked out and it wasn't long before she had him working out too, them both spotting for each other while the other lifted their weights. Then two weeks later she had him on the track too, starting to run with her, it was becoming like they enjoyed just being together. Then it happened, one day as they both walked back side by side to the jail after a hard work out, Penny instinctively took his hand and held it as they walked, not even realizing what she was doing until almost back inside fence. The realization of what she did hitting her like a slap as she stopped outside the fence just staring at him, releasing his hand.
They just stood there looking at each other for over a minute, until a curious guard came out of the building to see what was wrong. "Sergeant is there a problem?"
It broke Penny from the trance, "No, the professor here was just telling me something." Penny then gave the other guard a false chuckle, everyone knew Leonard in the minimum security area and they all called him the professor.
"Okay, just checking. Hey professor how much weight you pumping."
Leonard chuckled half heartedly at the man, "I'm only up to 150, the Sergeant still has almost a 100 on me."
The guard chuckled and gave them both a wave as he went back in the building, leaving Penny and Leonard to just stare at each other again. "Leonard, I…."
Leonard knew she didn't know what to say so he thought he would try to lighten the mood, "Everything is cool, you just wanted to make sure I didn't run off."
Penny smiled, "Like you could run from me." she teased him. "No Leonard, what I did was wrong and I can't do that again."
Leonard nodded, "I'll make sure to tell you if happens again."
Penny wanted to tell him it wouldn't happen again, but she actually wasn't sure, "Good, thank you." Penny then took Leonard back to his cell, excusing herself to get a shower in the locker room. She stood in the shower a long time trying to think of what just happened and no matter how she twisted it in her mind, it always came out the same way, she liked him, really liked him a lot. She had not felt that way about any other man like the way she felt about him, and no matter how she tried to convince herself any other way, she couldn't deny she cared for him. She also realized the last two months she couldn't wait to get to work to see him and she had recently been stopping by to see her friends there, while they worked, just to see him more. Penny rubbed her face letting the water pour over her, it was so wrong what she was doing and feeling, but she didn't want it to stop.
The next two months it was worse, Penny got closer and closer to him, not even trying to keep it professional between them. They would laugh and carry on, when they walked and when no one was around, she would instinctively reach for his hand like a girlfriend would. There was even the moment during the fifth month, when the day had been so wonderful and they found themselves alone, that Penny kissed his cheek and gave him a little hug. It was that day that Penny finally understood and it was that day she became scared, because Penny realized she loved Leonard.
However even though they had talked so much over the months and practically told each other their life stories, there was only one thing Penny kept from him and that was she was the person that saved his life the first day in the yard. She didn't want to think about that day anymore and the time she had been with Leonard had made her think about the future, a future where she didn't want to kill them all anymore. Still she didn't want Leonard to know how she was before, she wanted him to only know her now, she was different now and the difference was because she was around him.
So it was only two weeks before Leonard was scheduled to be released, when playing Chess with Bernadette late one evening, that things started to come out. "You really stink at Chess." Bernadette teased.
"I don't stink at Chess." Leonard said defensively
"Checkmate." Bernadette giggled.
Leonard looked at the board, trying to find a way out, then sighed, "Yeah, I stink at Chess." he admitted. "But in my defense, you play very aggressively."
"Yeah right, you know Penny, Amy and Me tell each other everything and I know both of them beat you regularly too."
Leonard chuckled, he had no defense, "Yeah, I really do stink." Bernadette giggled at the funny face he made.
"So what are you going to do about Penny?" Bernadette looked at him a very serious expression now on her face.
Leonard was taken by surprise, "What do you mean?"
"Come on Leonard, you know how close the three of us are. I have never seen two people, even married people, so in to each other, and you both never even had sex yet." Bernadette told him
Leonard blushed, then looked at her, "You know you are a prison guard and I am a prisoner, you are suppose to be guarding me, not setting me up with your girlfriend."
"Yeah right." Bernadette looked at him seriously. "Leonard everyone knows this is one of the easiest jobs in the Marines, guarding you. If the General didn't like that Penny saved your life, we wouldn't even be here and…" Bernadette stopped when she saw Leonard's eyes go wide. "Uh Oh" Bernadette said under her breath.
"Penny shot those two men in the yard?" Leonard asked incredulously
Bernadette just slowly nodded, afraid to open her big mouth again.
Leonard sat back in his chair, "I guess even knowing you girls were Marines, and were in the Middle East, I guess I never considered you killed people."
"Well just Penny, Amy and I never…." Bernadette covered her mouth, what was wrong with her, suddenly she had diarrhea of the mouth.
Leonard stared at her again, making Bernadette want to hid under the table their chess board was on. "How many people has she killed?"
Bernadette wanted to run, but Leonard's stare kept her seated in place, she took the cowards way out. "I don't know."
It was so easy to see Bernadette was lying, "Bernadette what happened?"
Bernadette sighed, "She told you about the IED and Katie, right?" Leonard nodded. "The HUMVEE was blown through in the back on the side Katie was on, but the top of it was pretty much okay, so when the terrorists tried to press home an attack, Penny stood up in the gun turret and opened up on them with the M2. What a 50 caliber heavy machine gun bullet does to a human body is indescribable." Bernadette got quiet, obviously thinking back.
"I'm sorry Bernadette." Leonard didn't know what else to say.
Bernadette shook her head, "Nothing to be sorry about, it happened, Katie died and we lived. It sucks but we have to go on living, for her, you know, and never forget her."
Leonard nodded, "Can I ask you something, Penny said she broke her leg in two and she showed me the surgery scar, how did she stand up?"
Bernadette shook her head again, "I've got no idea. She was in the back on the other side and saw what happened to Katie, they were talking and Penny saw her die. She let out this horrible scream then the next thing I knew she was in the turret firing, maybe it was adrenaline or just plain hate, but she did it, somehow she did it." Bernadette then looked at Leonard, "Leonard, she was messed up for a long while, and she even told us she thought about killing all the terrorists in the yard from her tower, but knew she couldn't do it. That has all changed since she met you, she is better, she is back to herself again." Leonard just nodded.
It was the next day after their morning jog, that Penny and Leonard found themselves just walking around the track. Leonard looked at Penny, who had a smile on her face and he thought he could finally say what he been thinking about all night. "Thank you Penny."
Penny gave him a little smirk, "For making you exercise."
Leonard shook his head, "No, for saving my life."
Penny's smile dropped as she stopped and stared at him, her breath coming in gasps. "Why…..How…Who told you?"
"One of the guards." Leonard sort of lied, Bernadette was actually one of the guards.
Penny thought she should have realized one of those bastards would tell him. She looked at Leonard, he was such a nice guy, really innocent to the world, why would he want someone who was a killer. "We need to get back to the compound."
Leonard was surprised at her response, "Penny please talk to me, I didn't mean to upset you."
"Leonard we need to get back, you promised on the first day you would do everything we say without question, are you now going to give me trouble." Penny said harshly.
Leonard looked at her and shook his head, quietly following her back to the compound. They never said a word the whole time and after Penny made sure Leonard was locked in his cell she left to sit in the monitor room. The rest of the shift she sat there watching the monitor of his cell, watching him, trying to keep her face impassive, trying not to cry. Bernadette knew something was up when she relieved Penny, but Penny just briefed her and left, not saying a word when Bernadette asked her what was wrong.
Bernadette and Leonard talked a lot that night over a Chess board that none of the pieces seemed to move all night. It was almost 2200 hours before Bernadette got a call to answer the phone, and she left him, to find a upset Amy on the other end of the line. "What the hell happened to Penny." Amy asked Bernadette
"Leonard knows about Penny saving his life and thanked her this afternoon, she has been acting weird ever since." Bernadette told her friend.
"Weird doesn't even describe it, Bernadette she went to the NCO club and got drunk as a skunk, then got into a fight with that goon Kurt. She is seriously messed up, she has never done shit like that before." Amy explained.
"Oh my God." was all Bernadette could say at first, then "Amy how bad is she hurt."
"She has a broken nose, bruised ribs and black eyes. They are going to keep her a day or two in the hospital, to make sure she will be okay. It is hard for her to breath, especially with her ribs and nose being both damaged at the same time."
"I swear to God, I'm going to kill Kurt. Wait till I get my hands on that bastard." Bernadette was practically shouting on the phone, she was so mad.
"Well you are going to have to wait till he gets out of the hospital, she broke his jaw and cracked his ribs, plus he may never have kids again." Amy told her friend.
"Oh!" Kurt's condition being worse than Penny's calmed Bernadette down some. "How much trouble in Penny in."
"None I think. Everyone said Kurt started it. What I heard was that Penny was drunk as hell, and Kurt thought she was drunk enough to screw him again. Well he was wrong and she told him where he could put his stuff and he got pissed and grabbed her ponytail to force her to kiss him. She kicked him to get him to let her go and then all hell broke loose, they beat the crap out of each other." Amy explained.
"Crap." Bernadette was impressed but still worried for her friend. "Did they arrest her?"
"No, but I understand Kurt is going to the brig after his hospital stay, for attacking a superior, starting the fight and overall misconduct. He was already on thin ice, so nobody I've seen, at the company, cares much what happens to him. The new Captain was even been here, checking that Penny was okay, he never went to see the condition of Kurt." Amy explained.
"Amy she needs help." Bernadette knew Penny had been a mess since the Middle East, the only person that seemed to be helping her was Leonard.
"Yeah, I know, I thought she was getting better ever since Leonard. She seems to really care about him." Amy went quiet for a second, "Bernadette I think she loves him."
Bernadette looked around to make sure no one was listening, "Amy, I'm almost positive she does. I've never seen her so happy when she is around him anymore."
"Yeah, I've seen how she looks at him." Amy sighed, "I'm going to spend the night with her, but I'll relieve you about noon."
"Okay, let me know if there is any change." Bernadette hung up.
It was 0900 hours, the next day, and Bernadette had just finished eating breakfast with Leonard, when Major Evans showed up unannounced, surprising Bernadette. "Is there something wrong, ma'am?"
Evans nodded, "You know Dr Hofstadter has been helping with the rocket fuel experiment, by computer, on at an unclassified level, since he got here?" Bernadette nodded. "Well they had an accident and blew up the test chamber, while tweaking the classified formula. So to make a long story short, his sentence has been reduced by whatever time he has left, for good behavior, and he is being released, to go back and fix the problem. There is a C-130 on the pad being held for him, so they want him gone today and on his way back." Bernadette looked at the Major in shock. "Is there a problem Sergeant?" Evans was now concerned that something had happened that she didn't know about.
Bernadette got control of her feelings, "No ma'am."
Evans was confused, but happy to hear that there were no problems. "Okay, then get him processed out as soon as you can and get him to the airplane ASAP."
Bernadette nodded, then went to attention to salute the Major, "Yes Ma'am." Evans returned the salute and was about to leave, but then turned. "You Marines did a good job, I'll make sure the General knows." Evans then nodded to Bernadette and left.
Leonard was straightening his cell when Bernadette suddenly appeared again. "Leonard, pack up you stuff, you're leaving."
Leonard looked at her is shock, wondering why they were moving him and were was Penny. "I don't understand."
"You have been released. You are free. We need to get you processed out and on a plane quickly because it is waiting." Bernadette quickly explained.
It was so much to take in at once and so unexpected, however it only made Leonard think of one person, "Where's Penny?"
His question caught Bernadette off guard and she didn't know what to say, so she lied, "Penny has a cold, but I will let her know you are leaving, maybe she can see you before you go."
Leonard sadly nodded, then turned to start packing his stuff into a duffle bag, Bernadette had gave him a moment ago. The two of them spent the next two hours getting him processed out and it wasn't till Leonard was getting his release physical that Bernadette was able to get to a phone. "Amy?" She practically shouted when someone said 'Hello'.
"Yeah, Bernadette, is everything alright?" Amy was immediately worried.
"Amy, what condition is Penny in?" Amy looked over at Penny who was in the hospital bed with her eyes closed, a towel with ice in it on her forehead, making soft moaning sounds every so often.
"She is back with the living, but the only thing she has said is 'please shoot me'." Amy explained.
"Amy, listen closely…" Bernadette then explained what was happening.
By the time Bernadette was done, Amy just sat their in shock. "Okay, I'll tell her, but Bernadette, I don't think they are going to let her out of the hospital." Amy then hung up, sighed, and got up to walk over to Penny's bed. Amy then leaned down and shook Penny.
"Leave me alone." Penny moaned.
Amy swallowed, then quietly whispered to her. "Penny, Leonard is leaving today."
Penny's eyes opened to slits so she could look at Amy, "What?" she whispered back.
Amy knew now she had her attention, "They released Leonard, some emergency back where he works, they need him, so they are sending him home today. Bernadette says as soon as he gets done with his physical, they sign the release papers and he is off to the plane."
Penny's eyes got wider, about as wide as they could with being swollen, then tears started to form in them. "No." she whispered. Penny tried to get up then folded over in pain, gasping, as Amy went down to a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Penny, are you okay?"
"It hurts Amy and I'm so dizzy." Penny whimpered.
"Penny, you can't leave the hospital." She told her friend.
"I have to…..Leonard." Penny pleaded.
"I'm sorry Penny, you are not winning this one." Amy then called the for the nurse so she could give something to sedate Penny.
Leonard stood in base operations with Bernadette, waiting to be called to the plane, a sad look on his face, like he had just lost his best friend, which was close to what was actually happening. Bernadette didn't know who she felt sorrier for, him or Penny, because it the last 24 hours she realized something she probably should have understood earlier, they were both so obviously in love with each other. "I'm sorry Leonard, but she was pretty sick, I even think she was going to the hospital." she lied.
Leonard looked now more concerned, "The Hospital?"
Bernadette quickly recovered, "Yeah, don't worry, she will go just to get stronger cold medicine, they don't offer us anything over the counter here stronger than aspirin, so we have to go to the hospital to get real medicine. The Marines you know."
Leonard nodded, slightly relieved but still sad because she wasn't there. However that lasted only a couple seconds as Leonard suddenly turned when he heard the operations clerk call his name to board the aircraft. He turned back to Bernadette, a lost expression now on his face, as he realized he really had to go. "I guess I have to go."
Bernadette nodded, "Leonard this is not goodbye, you set us up at UCLA in a couple of months, so we'll see each other again." Leonard just blankly nodded. Bernadette gave him a small smile then pulled him down to plant a kiss on his cheek, as she whispered into his ear, "You'll see her again, I promise you, even if I have to hog tie her myself and deliver her to your door."
Leonard pulled back a small smile on his face. "Thank you Sergeant."
Bernadette smiled back, "Hey no more Sergeant, you are a free man now, so you can only call me Bernadette." Then she got serious, "You have everything, our email addresses and stuff, right?"
"Yes….Bernadette, I have it all in my bag and I will contact you as soon as I get settled back." Leonard then got serious. "I can't help think, it was extreme good fortune to get locked up here so I could meet all three of you."
Bernadette felt her eyes water up. "Stop Leonard, or you will have me crying and Marines don't cry."
"Dr Hofstadter, are you ready to go?" The clerk asked him.
Leonard nodded then leaned over to Bernadette to whisper in her ear, "You three are the most amazing Marines, Women, People, I have ever met." He then kissed Bernadette's cheek, stood up, turned and followed the clerk to the door and out to the aircraft.
Bernadette got out her handkerchief to dab her eyes, from the tears that didn't seem to want to stop. She couldn't see the tears in his eyes as he walked out to the airplane, fighting his heart that just wanted him to run back to find Penny. The plane left shortly after Leonard boarded, Bernadette watching until she couldn't see it anymore, and as she was about to leave the flight operations center, a private approached her, "Sergeant Rostenkowski, you have a phone call."
Amy and Bernadette sat in the room while Penny slept, she wasn't in any danger, they just wanted her to stay in the hospital for a couple days so that they could give her pain medication for her swollen face and the pain from her bruised ribs, from the night before. It was a little after 1800 hours when Penny woke from the sedative she was given, acting a little loopy from the medications she was on. "How are you feeling, girl." Amy asked.
Penny smiled a goofy smile she always had when she was drunk. "Not too bad. I think the doctors gave me the good stuff." she then giggled.
Amy smiled at Bernadette, who just nodded. However Penny, even in her happy state, noticed that both girls were there. "Who is watching Leonard?" her face now full of concern.
Bernadette sighed, it was hard to understand the feelings, but she found she missed him too now that he was gone. "Penny, Leonard…..Um…..Leonard had to…." Bernadette never finished.
"Oh my God, he's gone." Penny's eyes went wide as it came back to her.
Bernadette nodded, and once she saw the tears forming in Penny's eyes, she couldn't take it anymore, so she sat on Penny's bed and leaned down to take her friend in her arms as they both cried on each others shoulders. Amy just watched them, tears now coming down her cheeks, Leonard had become their friend and his leaving did hurt. Amy sat down on the bed too and put her arms around her two friends as all three girls let their sorrows out, they had not cried like this for a long time, not since they had met in the hospital they were in, one day, after Katie died.
The next month was rough on Leonard, he had contacted Bernadette by email a few days after his return, but even though he emailed Penny she wouldn't return his emails. Bernadette told him the truth about everything that had happened and that Penny felt she wasn't good enough for him and when he tried to tell her she was, her email account was closed, by her. So now after a month his only information about Penny was what Bernadette told him second hand.
The last week though had been worse, the girls discharge had been moved up and they were being processed out that week, so Leonard had lost all contact with them. Bernadette told them they would show up during that week and Leonard had the apartment on the fifth floor all set up for them, the security deposit and first months rent paid, the apartment furnished with rental furniture, he had one of the women at the university help him pick out. The only thing that worried him was if Penny would actually come there with Amy and Bernadette, and how he would find her if she didn't.
It was with those thoughts about the girls that Leonard trudged up the stairs to the fourth floor, to his apartment, mentally tired and worried about what to do next. He lived in apartment 4B now, because Sheldon told him he couldn't live with a convicted criminal and he would have to move. However when he reached the fourth floor landing, he felt his heart would explode from his chest, because sitting outside his apartment on her duffle bag was Penny. He stopped and just stared at her, hoping beyond hope that she wasn't some illusion his tired mind had dreamed up, but as she stared back at him, he realized she was real.
Penny stared at him then took a deep breath to calm herself for the butterflies that seemed to be present in her stomach right then. Seeing him again brought up every emotion she had for him when they were together at Guantanamo Bay, except now they were just a man and woman alone together. "Hey."
"Hey." Leonard didn't know what else to say at the moment, his surprise was so complete.
Penny nodded, then looked at her hands, she was scared, she wanted him so badly and she didn't know if she could take it if he rejected her. "I'm sorry about the last month. I guess I have some problems." The sadness in her voice was evident.
"Nothing to be sorry about." Leonard tried to comfort her, she seemed upset.
"Yeah there is. We would have been here a week earlier, but I had to see the shrink everyday for the two weeks, before they would let me go, and even then the General pulled some strings for me." Penny confessed.
Leonard got concerned, "Penny what is wrong."
"Me Leonard, I'm stupid." She quickly responded, her voice cracking with every word.
"No Penny you're not stupid." He tried to defend her from her own words.
"No I am. The shrink said we all had cases of PTSD and mine was the worse. Amy and Bernadette were overcoming theirs by planning their futures, school and everything, they were fixing themselves. Me though, I was sinking deeper, until I had a life line thrown to me, falling in love with you, but then I threw that away too." She was almost crying now.
Leonard looked at her stunned, did he actually hear her right? She was still not looking at him, just at her hands, which she kept rubbing together, and it broke his heart to see her this way. Leonard walked up to her and took her by the shoulders to lift her up to a standing position, she offered no resistance. "Penny, you know I love you too."
If there was anything that could break the dam that held back her tears those three words where the ones. Penny wrapped her arms around Leonard's neck and just sobbed on his shoulder. She had been terrified to tell him truth, terrified of his rejection, she had never let her feelings be laid bare to a man and now he just proved how special he was, he took her fear and turned it to happiness. Between sobs she whispered, "Leonard I love you."
Leonard just returned her words, not knowing what else to say that would be better, "I love you too."
They were out in the hall just holding each other until Penny's sobs turned to whimpers and then finally she just became quiet as she hung on to him. It was during this quiet time, she started to talk again, "I heard you were looking for a roommate." she said quietly, hoping she wasn't pushing herself on him too much.
Leonard was surprised, but quickly warmed to the idea of her living with him, "Yeah, I was, until now." He felt Penny pull herself tighter to him and he squeezed her a little tighter. "Do you want to see your new apartment?" he finally said to her.
Penny lifted off of him and just looked at him biting her lip and nodding, "I'd like that."
Leonard effortlessly picked up her duffle bag, and she saw he had obviously been working out like she had taught him. "So still hitting the gym, I see." Penny now checked out his body stopping for a second on his cute ass, as she followed him in the apartment and looked around.
"Yeah, you sort of got me into the habit and you know how habits are hard to break. I also jog every other day." Leonard confessed as he closed the door behind them.
Penny smiled and continued to look around the apartment a big smile coming to her face, "You really are a nerd, aren't you." she giggled.
"Not just a nerd, I am King of the Nerds." Leonard said proudly
Penny now laughed out loud at how cute he was acting. "So what does being King of the Nerds, mean." she teased.
"Well if you piss me off, I won't set up your printer and I have magical powers to drive off all pretty girls." He replied with a smile.
Penny walked up to him and put her arms around his neck. "I'm glad those powers don't work on me." Penny loved him, they had become best friends while at Guantanamo Bay and found something deeper between them a closeness she never felt with any other man. But now Penny wanted to take their relationship physical, she had dreamed of this moment with him ever since she found she cared for him. Penny brought her lips to his, and it was like the Fourth of July, she immediately became hungry for him and as their mouths smashed against each other, their tongues found each other, Penny now crushing her body against him like she did her mouth only moments before. Penny had one hand on his back pulling him close while the other was in his hair, running through his soft locks, she was loosing herself and it was the greatest feeling in the world.
Neither of them knew how long they kissed, but finally they separated and stared at each other, only inches apart, their noses brushing against each other. They were both panting and Penny thought she couldn't be any more aroused, without screaming and tearing his clothes off. She whispered to him again, "Leonard, people have told me I'm aggressive in bed when I want something. Sweetie, please forgive me, but I want you." Penny then clamped her mouth over his again as her hands started to strip him and herself. She had them both nude in no time and as she resumed kissing him, she practically climbed on him as soon as she found he was ready.
Leonard cradled her ass as she jumped up on him her arms around his neck and legs locked around his body, him easily sliding into her. With her in his arms, he carried her to the bedroom, and except for a pizza and drinks they ordered several hours later, they never left the bedroom that night. It was the next morning when they woke up late, around noon, both holding each other tight, their bodies intertwined with each other. Penny never realized how amazing sex could be with someone you loved, it was like her friend Katie had once told her, love gave you a special connection with the person that made everything more intense and wonderful. Penny thought about Katie, and said a silent prayer for her friend, hoping that her soul was content.
Leonard actually woke up after her, to find her looking at him, a big smile on her face as she quickly kissed him as soon as his eyes opened fully. "Good morning to you too, sunshine." he teased her.
Penny giggled, "Sorry, I couldn't help looking at you. You look so cute sleeping, it took all my willpower not to wake you up."
"No problem, I love being woken up by kisses." he smiled back at her.
Penny giggled again and then she had a sly smile form on her lips, "That is not how I would have woke you up." she wiggled her eyebrows as her eyes moved down to his waist.
Leonard tried to give her his best fake shocked look, "Penny you are insatiable!" then he broke down chuckling.
Penny gave him a pout, sticking her lower lip out, "I told you Sweetie, I had a problem with guys I was hot over. Is that going to be a problem."
Leonard smiled and shook his head, "No, that is no problem at all."
Penny smiled, "Good." Then she practically climbed on top of him, her mouth quickly finding his.
It was an hour later when they both came out of the bedroom both wearing one of Leonard's two robes, the one she had being very thin and oversized on her. "Honestly you don't have pajamas or a robe?"
"Nope, Marines travel light, I would sleep in my panties and a t-shirt and I didn't use a robe because I was in my own room with shower." Penny then looked at him, "Though sometimes at Guantanamo Bay it got really hot, so I would sleep nude on top of the sheets." She bit her lip as she watched him.
Leonard just stared at her and sighed, she was beautiful and the thought of her nude on a bed, immediately popped into his mind. "Umm….What about when you had guys over."
Penny got serious and walked the couple of steps to him, putting her arms around his neck. "I only slept with one guy there, and I had to be drunk and lonely to do that. It was a big mistake, so I didn't hook up with anyone else while I was there. I was fine with no one, until you came along." Penny swallowed, "You sort of swept me off my feet, I never knew anyone like you and I never got to know a person without sex somehow being involved. It was new for me, different and so much better, I fell in love with you, the person." Penny then kissed him, slowly separating from his lips and smiling, "It is just icing on the cake that the sex is so awesome too, like the guy." Penny gave him another kiss then turned to go into the kitchen area, "So where is the coffee and what is there to eat. You just bed me, so now you have to feed me." she teased.
Leonard just smiled, he never met someone so adorable in his life. "I have bagels and pretty good coffee, plus some fruit, I think" He then headed over to the kitchen to get things out for them to eat. Penny quickly got up, from the stool she had sat in, to help him, making everything take longer as she used every opportunity to rub against him, and distracted him when she let the tie on her robe come undone, he knew on purpose. Her teasing with the robe continued while they ate, when they cleaned up their breakfast mess, even to the point she still hadn't tied it back when they sat down at the couch to finish their coffee.
"You're going to torture me all afternoon aren't you." Leonard finally said to her.
Penny smirked, "Why Dr Hofstadter, I have no idea what you are talking about." she responded.
"Oh you don't." Leonard then put his coffee down and slipped his hand under her open robe, rubbing it across her breasts which were half way out already.
Penny shivered, and looked at him. "Now you did in Leonard." Penny then quickly swung herself over so she was in his lap straddling his legs facing him. Giggling at the surprised expression on his face as she immediately ground her crotch into his. It took only seconds to get the response she wanted and in one swift motion she lifted herself up enough to open his robe and slide herself down on him. The feeling was incredible to her and she closed her eyes and moaned in pleasure, before she brought her lips to his. They kissed for several minutes while Penny just sat in Leonard's lap, Leonard's manhood buried deep inside her, filling her up.
Penny's kissing him, now caused her a problem, it felt amazing being connected to him and she was so turned on she almost couldn't stand it. However her lips were now on his and she loved kissing him, both their tongues gently exploring each others mouths, added to that, his hands on her back rubbing it and Penny pressing herself as close to him as she could get. Penny was loosing track of reality and Leonard became the only thing in her world, his mouth on hers, the feeling of him deep inside her and their bodies pressed tightly against each other.
Penny adored this man, they had gotten so close over the months, her falling in love with him without any real physical relationship, she had been wanting this for so long. It was so amazing being with him now, better than she ever imagined, maybe it was true having sex with someone you love was actually making love, because that is what it felt like. Penny let go with no reservations, she was his and she couldn't be happier, she wanted this for the rest of her life. Penny ground her core into his crotch as she revisited his mouth with hers, pressing herself as close to him as she could physically get, giving herself to him totally.
It was much later when Penny finally rested, still in Leonard's lap, not wanting to loose the intimate contact they shared, she didn't know how long they made love on the couch, but both of them were now relaxed in each others arms and happy. The next half hour they just stayed on the couch and cuddled, Penny still in his lap but without him inside her. They couldn't seem to get enough of kissing each other, either long deep kisses or small quick kisses as they would talk to each other between each of their kisses. It was during one of those breaks that they were rubbing noses and giggling at each other they heard the commotion in the hall outside the apartment.
"YOU GUYS DOING ALRIGHT!" Bernadette shouted at the two guys helping them as her and Amy led the way with the boxes they had, to the fifth floor.
Penny looked towards the door, then back at Leonard, "That's Bernadette's voice." Then got up and went to the door, opening it to see her two best friends and walking quickly to them to get a hug.
"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, girl." Amy said while putting the box down and trying to prevent Penny from hugging her.
Penny stopped, surprised, "What's wrong?"
Bernadette nodded to Penny's robe, "Aren't you chilly?"
Penny looked down an blushed, she hadn't closed her robe for over an hour and had gotten so use to it being opened, her excitement to see the girls made her forget. "Sorry." was all she said as she brought the robe closed and tied the belt.
Amy took a step to hug her as soon as her robe was closed and Bernadette put her box down and joined her friends. "We were worried about you Penny." Amy told her.
"You were, I wasn't" Bernadette added, as she looked over at Leonard and gave him a wink.
Penny leaned back and looked at her friend, "You weren't?"
"Nope. You two are crazy about each other, you just needed to get together outside of the jail, so you could be together." Bernadette responded with a smile on her lips.
Penny smiled at her friend. "How long before you guys are going to be done, because we all need to have dinner together."
"Not long, we got some guys to help." Amy stood there smiling at Bernadette. Penny gave her a curious look and smile.
Bernadette just nodded, "You sure you too are up to it. Did you get enough sleep last night?" She looked at Penny in her robe. "You're not too tired from this afternoon?"
"We are fine." Penny said while she blushed, looking at Leonard who also was a little red.
"Yeah right." Bernadette looked at Leonard, "She didn't hurt you Leonard, did she."
Leonard chuckled and shook his head, "No, she was gentle with me."
Bernadette chuckled, "Yeah, I bet." Bernadette then looked at Penny, "We can be done in two hours, and yes I want to go. I wouldn't miss this for the world, finally getting to see you two outside the prison."
Amy added, "She is so right, I don't want to miss this either."
"But we are bringing the guys with us, they've been so good helping us and with all this sex talk, I know just the reward for them." Bernadette smiled at Penny.
"Plus they're civilians, fresh meat, we'll own their asses, tonight." Amy said with a giggle.
Just then Howard and Raj came up to the landing with boxes, Howard immediately seeing Penny only in a thin robe, obviously wearing little to nothing underneath. "Ummm, Hello." then he notice Leonard, "Hi Leonard."
Bernadette sighed, then unbuttoned the buttons of her shirt to the top of her bra, exposing all her cleavage outside her bra. She then turned to Howard, "Are you ready to get to those boxes upstairs, cutie?" she said with her sexiest voice.
Once Howard looked at Bernadette, his lock broke on Penny and immediately locked on Bernadette's cleavage. "Umm…Lead the way my lady." Howard never looked back as he followed Bernadette up the stairs like a puppy.
Amy was in tight jeans, which she knew flattered her ass, so she bent down to pick up her box making sure her jeans slid down to the top of the crack of her ass. It only took a second for Raj to lock on as he followed her up, giving Leonard and Penny a small wave goodbye. It was a second later they heard Bernadette's voice from the stairwell, "SEE YOU IN A COUPLE!"
Penny looked back at Leonard, who was shaking his head and chuckling, making her unable to keep an amused smile off her face, "Do you know them?"
Leonard chuckled, "Yes, I hate to admit it, but they are my friends."
Penny now giggled, "You know Amy and Bernadette are going to have their way with them, then probably throw them to the curb with smiles on their faces and bite marks on their asses."
"I bet they won't mind….wait a minute, bite marks on their asses!" Leonard looked at her surprised.
Penny smirked, "Sweetie you are so right about me being gentle with you."
Leonard took her hand to lead her back into the apartment. "Should I be worried?"
Penny could tell he was teasing, "I'm not sure, you have been working out, so maybe you will survive."
Leonard smiled, "Maybe I should rethink this roommate thing, then", he teased.
Penny put her arms around his neck and kissed him, whispering, "Too late you already agreed, so you are stuck with me."
"Okay." He then gave her a kiss that lasted longer than he originally intended.
When they broke, Penny just looked at him with dilated eyes. "I can get ready in under 10 minutes, you know being an ex-Marine and all. That gives us almost two hours till we need to go." She was biting her lip again, Bernadette was right, she was a little aggressive with someone she wanted and she wanted him for the rest of her life.
Leonard smiled at her, then brought his forehead to hers and closed his eyes as he wrapped her into his arms, she melted against him. "You're sure you want to do this again? We will need at least a half hour for our shower before we go."
Penny's eyes were closed too, the only thing going through her mind was that she never wanted to leave his arms. "Well then, I suggest we take a bath, and we will probably need to start that right now." She giggled, then turned serious. "I love you Leonard, I knew that before you left and the last 24 hours have only made me love you more." She then started to whisper. "I'm not as strong as you think, I have completely fallen for you and I'm sorry but I will love you forever."
Leonard kissed her nose, "I promise to love you forever and be with you for just as long." Leonard watched her eyes opened and she just stared at him, just before her mouth came crashing into his, only a moment later. They were late for dinner that evening.
Epilogue
Penny sat in the cafeteria eating her bagel and drinking decaf coffee, while Amy was telling them about this new guy she met named Zack, who was according to her, hung like a horse. Bernadette giggled and Penny chuckled, shaking her head as she flipped another page in her Psychology text book. Penny was in her last year of grad school for her Masters and already had a part time job lined up as a therapist in a local family therapy center. The last four years had flown by and she couldn't believe that she only had these two more semesters before she would have her Masters. She looked at her two friends who were both in Doctorate programs and smiled as she realized how far they all had come.
Penny watched as Bernadette giggled at Amy's description of her boyfriend Zack, while at the same time playing with the wedding ring on her hand, she had been married only six months now to Howard and they still acted like newlyweds every time they were together. Penny then watched Amy closely, she had been with Zack for a year now and Penny could tell it was getting real serious between them, Leonard telling her that Zack had already been asking him the best places to get engagement rings. Just thinking of Leonard made her smile, as Penny touched her own wedding ring, she was the old married woman of the group. She didn't know how it was possible to love a man more and more each day, but it still was a feeling she couldn't deny even after being married to him for almost four years.
Penny even smiled more as she moved her hand from her ring to her belly, there wasn't a bump there yet, after all it was only six weeks, but she felt she could feel the little life in her. The baby would come two months after she graduated and Penny couldn't be happier, the thought of having Leonard's babies making her proud beyond belief. Of course, Leonard's telling her constantly how amazing she was, and pampering the hell out of her, did tend to make everything even more exciting and wonderful. It was Bernadette shaking her hand that finally broke her out of her happy thoughts. "Huh?"
"Penny do you even pay attention in class or are you always going to that happy place where you and Leonard live in a shoe and have more children then you know what to do with?" Bernadette giggled.
Penny fake glared at her friend. "I'm not that bad."
Amy chuckled, "You didn't even notice when I said Zack kept me up all night Saturday pleasuring me."
"That's because Leonard and Howard do that with us all the time." Bernadette blurted out. "Right Penny."
Penny ran her hand over he belly again. "Yeah, they are great."
Amy sighed, "Says the girl who is ecstatic over her husband putting a bun in her oven. Could Leonard do anything wrong right now?"
Penny smiled, "No, he is too perfect."
"Oh God." Amy acted like she was putting her finger in her mouth to gag.
"I don't know Amy, watching the way Leonard is treating her, is making me wonder if maybe having a baby isn't as bad as I thought." Bernadette said seriously.
"It must be the water." Amy said quietly, getting stares from both her friends.
"Says the girl who is expecting a guy who adores her to propose any day now." Bernadette teased. "So Penny how long before Amy gets her oven filled do you think it will be."
"I bet she is pregnant when she gets married." Penny teased, however she saw that Amy wasn't laughing. "Something wrong Sweetie."
Amy looked between her friends, then pulled the ring out of her pocket and put it on, both girls eyes going wide. "Amy you're engaged!"
Amy nodded, "And pregnant."
THE END