Another chapter, seeing as I was inspired after scrubbing my bathroom and tidying my bedroom!
He kissed her softly, as his hands came to rest on her waist, and hers went to the back of his neck. To Penny's surprise, there was nothing sexual about this kiss – not that it stopped the familiar warmth in her belly. She was finally kissing him. She was finally kissing Howard, the man who invaded her thoughts, and even her dreams. Just as she was starting to really get into it, almost ready for her tongue to ask permission from his lips, he stopped, and backed away slightly. He knew she wanted to continue, and so did he, but he wouldn't dare to rush anything about this – wouldn't dare to expect more from her other than what she wanted to give. 'Penny, I have waited so long for this, but I'm not Leonard. You don't have to jump me at work to boost my confidence or give me some sense of self. I want to take things as they come, not make you feel like you owe me anything. I don't want to rush this.' He had to know that she understood, and the pause between his small speech and her nod was agonising. But she knew. She knew what he was really saying – I won't make you do anything you don't want to do. I don't expect you to be the girl everyone thinks you are. And it warmed her heart.
Raj didn't understand why Sheldon wasn't siding with Leonard, if he was honest. But, when he expressed his concerns to the tall man, he simply replied with, 'Raj let me perfectly honest. Leonard is my roommate through sheer convenience, as well as his willingness to accommodate my 'quirks'. He is my so called best friend by default; I spent the majority of my time with him. Neither of those things means I must side with him. Neither of those things makes him any less confident in his belief that he deserves Penny or anything else that takes his fancy. In short, Leonard is an idiot, and I cannot side with him on this.' Although Sheldon sounded exasperated, Raj knew he had been waiting a long time to say these words. Raj had noticed the two drifting apart massively for a long time now, mostly due to Leonard's behaviour, how Sheldon had spent a little more time with Howard and Raj – especially during Leonard and Penny's relationship.
Now, Sheldon turned to his friend, 'Raj, do you think that things with Penny and Howard will end in disaster?' he asked, with concern etched on his face and in his voice. Raj simply smiled and shook his head, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. 'No, I don't. They like each other, Sheldon, and they like each other a lot. Howard isn't Leonard. Penny may take a while to realise that he will treat her differently, but all we can do is be there for each of them when they inevitably argue. Do you think you can do that?' Raj was more observant than people realised. He noticed that Sheldon didn't flinch at his touch, or Howard's. He only flinched at Penny's touch because Leonard was usually there. Raj knew that the genius had found it difficult to get used to being touched, but Sheldon trusted them. They always used to antibacterial alcohol gel he had in the apartment, and they understood his fear of germs. They also understood the other reasons for his flinching. They never asked him about it, but sometimes Penny would give him an understanding look, and sometimes Howard would give him a flash of sympathy. Raj had noticed all of this, and when his friend nodded and went back to his whiteboard, he wondered how things would change now.
Amy was pleasantly surprised when her bestie turned up at the lab, with the intention of buying lunch. Amy usually paid, knowing the blonde waitress had financial difficulty, but she never minded, and already knew she would offer to pick up the tab for today, despite the blonde's certain protests. She was looking at her best friend while she gave her all the details of the earlier encounter, and couldn't help but smile. It was the first time in months Amy had seen her friend truly happy without a glass of wine in her hand. 'I am really happy for you, Penny. I never knew Howard could be so thoughtful, or so articulate.' She took Penny's hand in her own. 'I knew you and Leonard weren't right for each other. I'm glad you and Howard have finally admitted your feelings to each other. I know Sheldon will be happy, too!' She smiled, but when she saw the shocked look on Penny's face, it faltered. 'I didn't even think of Sheldon! Oh my god, what is he going to say? He's going to go bat crap crazy when I mess with his schedule again!' She groaned, while Amy just laughed, and explained that Sheldon had been watching the newly coupled pair for a while, and told her he was relieved that she and Leonard were no longer together.
Back at the lab, after lunch, Amy had Skyped Sheldon, telling him her new concerns about Leonard and his reaction, which were not put to bed by his simple explanation of, 'Don't worry, I have a plan.', while sporting his koala face. Yes, Amy was worried for her friends, and worried about the man she used to call a friend. A man who believed he also had a plan.