Ok, been a while. Tried to get some of the others opinions in there! HUGE thanks to xMidnightLilliex for helping me out with this :)
Howard had entertained Penny on their non-date. Stories of his childhood, college, of him and the guys. She told him stories of Nebraska, and some of the better times she had there. 'Howard, I can't help but feel like this is a real date.' She eyed him nervously, awaiting his reaction. 'I kinda wish it was, but we're just friends, right? That's all we can ever be, you made that pretty clear.' He didn't mean to upset her. He had long come to terms with the fact that they could only be friends. Sure, it hurt, but she was a permanent presence in his life now, and he wasn't willing to give that up. But as soon as the words left his mouth, Penny looked a little disappointed, as if she were trying to reign her emotions in. But what if I don't want to be just friends anymore? She thought. She had just been shot down by Howard Wolowitz; the man she told no woman would find attractive if he were the last man on earth. Gutted didn't even begin to describe it.
Leonard had always been a patient person. He waited patiently for his parents to show him any sort of love. He waited patiently for the bullies to stop beating him up. He waited patiently while Sheldon had his fits. But when it came to Penny, something in him just snapped. And when he found out Howard had taken Penny (HIS Penny) on two dates, well, he felt he couldn't be held responsible for his own actions.
'Leonard, trust me, it wasn't a date. No, we haven't kissed. No! I didn't try. I was a gentleman the whole time. We went to dinner as friends!' Howard seemed to get more agitated with each question that had obviously been asked. Penny walked over and snatched the phone. 'Leonard, we aren't dating, we broke up. Howard and I are friends, ok? You have no right to interrogate him! Leave Howard and I alone before I go all Nebraska on your ass!' Seeing Penny like this made Howard want Penny even more. She was beautiful when she got angry.
Howard and Penny were no longer welcome at Leonard and Sheldon's apartment. Sheldon was unhappy, his routine had been altered due to Leonard's inability to let go. Sheldon had tried alternating between his apartment and Penny's, but it was no use. His spot at Penny's apartment wasn't like his spot at home.
Sheldon was aware that Howard and Penny were attracted to each other. He could practically smell it on them whenever they were together in front of him. He understood why Leonard was upset, but didn't understand why he was being such a douche to Penny and Howard when it was none of his business who Penny spent time with. Leonard was definitely an idiot in Sheldon's book.
Sheldon was glad Penny returned Howard's affections, and thought they were tiptoeing around each other. He didn't understand why they weren't together already.