:Reborn:

She knew she was playing with fire (so to speak), but she couldn't help it. She loved these people so much. Tired eyes looked around the room slowly. Leonard was sitting on the armchair, wolfing down a slice of cheese-less pizza. Raj was sitting cross-legged on the floor double-dipping his cheese sticks. Howard and Bernadette were together at the end of the couch with Howard on the arm and Bernadette leaning against him. Amy was in the kitchen wiping a dollop of sauce off the hem of her sweater. Sheldon was sitting beside her, back straight, eyes glued to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on TV.

With a weary sigh she leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. She paid no attention to the sounds around her. For several weeks she had felt the pressure building. Before long it would become too much. The thought of leaving left her weak and sad.

Letting herself get attached had been a mistake. She had known that. Every life had an expiration date and hers was almost up. She could feel the embers of her life slowly growing colder.

"Penny, if you insist on falling asleep, please do so at your own abode," Sheldon said snidely.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. She could see the light of battle in his eyes. He was itching for an argument. She just didn't have the energy. She pushed herself up and stood wearily. "Okay."

Sheldon stood and watched in astonishment as Penny closed the door behind her. She left? Without an argument or comeback? He turned at Leonard and Amy angrily. "She is uncomfortable in your presence! Must you parade your relationship so openly?!"

Leonard sighed and reached out to clasp hands with Amy. Two months earlier Leonard had gone to give Amy a ride home. They had ended up trapped in an elevator for 13 hours. By the time they were rescued they were a couple.

It had been difficult at first for the group to adjust to the new dynamic. Penny had tried to be okay with it, but everyone could see she was growing more and more detached from them all. Sheldon feared that soon she would be gone from their lives.

"We aren't trying to hurt anyone," Leonard said softly. "Penny said she was okay with me and Amy. I'm taking her at her word on this, Sheldon."

The Texan turned and walked swiftly to the door. "It is obvious, even to me, that she is not okay with it!" Sheldon crossed the hall and knocked quietly on Penny's door. He couldn't hear movement inside, but the door was slightly ajar, so he pushed it open. Penny was curled up on the sofa, her eyes on the tv.

He moved over and sat down gingerly. He had no idea what to say in this situation, but he despised seeing Penny so unhappy. She was his best friend, after all. He was trying to find something to say when he noticed how labored her breathing was.

"Penny?" He leaned closer, drawing his shirt over his chin and mouth. "Are you ill?"

She looked over at him finally, her eyes too bright and her cheeks flushed. "Waited too long," she whispered. A thud drew his attention to the floor where Penny had dropped her phone.

He reached out tentatively and touched her wrist, only to jerk away in alarm. "Penny, you are burning up!" He rushed over to the door. "LEONARD!" Two seconds later everyone was crowding into Penny's small apartment. "She's very ill," Sheldon said anxiously.

Leonard pulled his phone from his pocket. "I'll call an ambulance," he said quickly.

"No!" Penny choked out quickly. She struggled to sit up, and Raj slipped in beside her to help. "No doctor." Her voice cracked and she coughed a bit. "I called Zack."

"She's delirious," Sheldon said firmly.

"No, she's dying," Zack said from behind them. He pushed his way through the others to kneel in front of Penny. Everyone was stunned by the confidence and poise the man showed. Gone was the idiot who thought they could blow up the moon.

He placed his hands on her cheeks and brought his face in close and sniffed. He sighed sadly and leaned his forehead against hers. "You should have called me sooner. We'll never make it to the pyre," he said softly.

"Roof." Penny's voice was raspy. "Want them there."

He looked around the room with resignation. "You trust them so much?"

Penny struggled to look at each one of her friends. When she got to Sheldon she smiled softly. "I love them all," she answered.

Zack stood and picked her up into his arms. "Sheldon, grab my bag by the door. Howard, run ahead and open the roof door." His tone was steady and unyielding. None of them even thought of disobeying. They followed him up to the roof with confusion.

"She needs to get to the hospital," Bernadette said quickly. "She's burning up with fever."

"In about 6 minutes she's going to burst into flames," Zack said calmly. "I don't think it's a good idea to confine her to a small metal container."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Leonard demanded.

Zack laid Penny down on the roof and grabbed his bag from Sheldon. He pulled out a large fire retardant sheet and spread it flat. He grabbed four large crystals and placed one at each corner. In the center he poured a mound of white sand from a large pouch.

He stood and took a deep breath. "Penelope is a Phoenix. Her life cycle is ending and in moments she will be reborn. Normally this is done at the pyre in San Diego. She has chosen to do it here, with all of you in attendance."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Amy demanded. "Are you high?"

Raj squealed with alarm and everyone turned to see why. He pointed to Penny, and everyone took a step backwards except Zack and Sheldon. Zack watched as Sheldon slowly moved closer to Penny.

Her hair flew gently in the air despite the fact there was no breeze. Her normally hazel eyes were a dazzling emerald color. It was her skin that stunned everyone the most. It glowed from within. Every vein stood out in sharp relief against the almost blinding white of her skin. Penny coughed again and a tiny swirl of ash flew from between her lips.

Sheldon knelt down beside her and she reached out with one hand. He took it in his, amazed by the heat that spread through him. "Penny?"

She smiled tenderly. "I wish I could have known you all longer," she whispered. "You guys mean so much to me. I love you all."

Zack quickly removed his clothes and set them aside. He picked Penny up in his arms and moved to stand on the sand. "Stay well away from the flames," he cautioned. "It'll be over soon."

Bernadette gasped as small blue flames suddenly swathed Penny's hands. Inch by inch the fire spread until it completely enveloped her. Amy started to rush forward, but Leonard held her tight to his chest.

Immediately Penny's head shot back and a sound like none of them had ever heard before filled their ears. It was tender and pure, the most entrancing musical note any of them had ever heard. Despite the way he held her tight to his chest, Zack seemed unaffected by the fire. Ashes began to swirl around the two of them and in a few seconds the cloud completely obscured them from view.

After a long moment the sound was gone and the ash slowly began to settle. For two painful heartbeats they thought Zack was alone in the center. Then a tiny hand waved in the air from his folded arms. Zack collapsed to his knees and they all jumped forward.

Sheldon grabbed the baby while the others hurried to support the now exhausted man. He used one hand to cradle the tiny form while the other whipped his Flash shirt over his head. He used a corner of it to wipe away the soot from her face and neck before wrapping it around her carefully. When he was done he looked up to find Zack standing weakly beside him. The other man's expression was one of reverence and love, which made Sheldon want to sprint down the stairs and hide her away.

"I am her catalyst," Zack said softly. "Every life has an expiration date. When she needs me, I will return to see her through to the next life. Until then, will you keep her safe?"

Sheldon stared down at the tiny life in his arms. "She is mine," he said firmly. "I do not know how or why, but I know it is true."

Zack laid a hand on Sheldon's shoulder and the other on the baby's forehead. Sheldon gasped as the bond he felt between him and Penny strengthened and solidified. His daughter. Not of blood, but of love. There was no doubt that this was his life now.

Hours later Sheldon cradled her close and slipped the nipple of the bottle between her lips. Bernadette and Amy sat nearby, while the guys were quickly putting together the crib they had found in Penny's bedroom. It seems Penny had prepared everything for them already. Baby clothes, bottles, formula, even a crib and bouncy seat were waiting in her bedroom to be used.

Zack had said he would send men to collect Penny's things from the apartment the next day, so if they wanted any souvenirs they should collect them now. Sheldon had directed Raj and Leonard to move all of Penny's care bears into his room.

"What will you tell your family?" Bernadette asked.

He smiled as Penny's eyes held his. "I will tell her as much of the truth as possible. Penny died and I have custody of her daughter. I have named her after her mother, and I will raise her as my own."

"Do you think she'll accept that?" Howard asked.

He shrugged and looked up at his friends. "It does not matter to me. Penny needs me. I love her."

Leonard smiled and slipped an arm around Amy's shoulders. "We all do, Sheldon. You're not in this alone."

Sheldon settled back in his spot after burping Penny. She yawned widely and her eyes drifted closed. She had always been important to him, now more than ever. He was sure he would have questions later, questions Zack had promised to answer, but for now, he was content to simply sit and watch his daughter sleep.

A/N: Written for mariteri, not because she asked for it, but because she deserves it. Thank you so much for always keeping me on track and in line.