A/N: As always, a big thank you to all those who have read and reviewed.
Here's chapter 9. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from The Big Bang Theory. I don't own any of the characters.
CHAPTER 9
More than a month had passed since Leonard and Penny were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Penny now worked as a waitress in the Cheesecake factory and also had begun to take acting lessons. Penny didn't like the job in the Cheesecake factory and considered herself a terrible waitress, even more terrible than in Omaha, but she became friends with two colleagues, named Cheryl and Kim. It was nice for her to have female friends in Pasadena, so she was able to stage a girl's night now and then. A really pleasant surprise were her acting lessons. It wasn't just that the atmosphere in the class was very enjoyable, but also her acting teacher, a nice middle-aged woman with purplish hair, immediately saw a huge talent in her and supported and encouraged her in every way. In addition her relationship with Leonard became stronger and stronger with every day. They enjoyed their time together immensely, but there was one person who apparently tried to limit this time, so his own needs could be better pleased. This person was Leonard's roommate Sheldon.
It was dinner time in apartment 4A. Leonard, Penny, Howard, Raj and Sheldon wered gathered around the table in the living room, eating their takeout. After talking about the events of the day, Sheldon hijacked the discussion and began to talk about his schedule for the following days, which included a long monologue about train stores in southern California and ended with a blunt order at Leonard to take him to a train store approximately 40 miles south of Pasadena.
"No Sheldon," Leonard exclaimed. "I'm not going to take you to the good model train store in Garden Grove tomorrow."
"But the one here in Pasadena has gotten too big for its britches. I told you this a few minutes ago. Why do you never listen?" Sheldon complained.
"I don't care," Leonard replied. "I promised Penny to go to the stage play of her acting class tomorrow."
"Are you seriously telling me, you choose a silly stage play of your girlfriend over a car ride to a train store with me?" Sheldon asked in disbelief.
"No, of course not," Leonard answered sarcastically.
"Ah, I knew you would eventually come to your senses." Sheldon was pleased. Looking around and seeing all others either shaking their head or giggling, he sighed. "Oh, I see. Sarcasm." He turned to Leonard, but also gave Penny a glare. "This girl has really a bad influence on you. I wish you had never met her."
Penny, who sat next to her boyfriend, rolled her eyes. "But he did. So deal with it!" She leaned over to Leonard and gave him a firm smooch on his lips.
"Eww." Sheldon crunched his nose. "Your public displays of affection are highly irritating."
Penny stuck her tongue out at Sheldon, while Leonard broadly grinned. "Well, it looks like you have to find another one who takes you to this train store," he said.
"No, I don't," Sheldon objected. "You have to take me. You are obligated."
But Leonard didn't give in. "Again, Sheldon. I'm not taking you to this train store."
Sheldon got up from his spot on the couch and went to his desk, taking a document out of a file box. "Wrong, sir. Wrong. Under section 35 of the roommate agreement, weekly duties, you are obligated to take me to a train store of my choice." He held the paper right under Leonard's nose. "See? It's right here."
Leonard became angry now. "You know what, I am sick of the roommate agreement. It's ridiculous. I'm your roommate, not your chauffeur."
Sheldon was horrified. "But the roommate agreement that you signed four years ago says otherwise," he whined.
Leonard put him off. "Whatever. I'm done."
"Hold on. What do you mean? Do you want to invoke clause 209?" Sheldon asked flabbergasted.
Leonard sighed. "Clause 209? I don't know what that is, but if it means I can go to Penny's play, instead of taking you to this train store, then yes."
"Think carefully here," Sheldon added for consideration. "Clause 209 suspends our friendship, and strips down the roommate agreement to its bare essentials. Our responsibilities toward each other would only be rent, utilities and a perfunctory chin jut of recognition as we pass in the hall." He demonstrated the latter. "'Sup?"
Leonard shook his head. "Where do I have to sign?" he asked.
Sheldon went to his desk again, taking another document out of the file box and gave it to Leonard, together with a pen. "This document will enforce clause 209. Sign on the line at the bottom of the page."
Leonard took the pen and signed. "There. Done."
Penny rubbed Leonard's back and grinned gleefully at Sheldon.
"All right." Sheldon said matter-of-factly. "That's it. We are now no longer companions, boon or otherwise. We are now merely acquaintances. To amend the words of Toy Story, you haven't got a friend in me."
"It was the right decision," Penny assured Leonard.
He looked at Penny and smiled. "Absolutely! In order to see my girlfriend on a stage, I accept this."
"Yeah, well. Tell it to someone who cares." Sheldon replied.
When they finished their take out thirty minutes later, Howard and Raj went home and Sheldon watched TV. Leonard and Penny adjourned to apartmant 4B, where they let the evening fade out, watching a film.
The Christmas holidays drew nearer and both apartment 4A and 4B were decorated in a festive way, complete with really nice Christmas trees. Although living with a roommate agreement was now easier for Leonard, since it was stripped down to its bare essentials, he spent most of the time at Penny's place.
It was the night before Christmas Eve. Leonard and Penny sat on Penny's couch huddled up to one another under a blanket and watched a random show on TV.
Muting the TV during a commercial break, Penny looked up to Leonard. "This will be our first Christmas as boyfriend and girlfriend. You'll get a very special present from me."
Leonard chuckled. "Is it the same you gave me last night? Because that was indeed very special."
Penny grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. "Always thinking of that. No, it's really something special. You'll see."
"I can't wait to get it," he said with a smile.
"Umm, by the way. What about this weird roommate agreement you and Doctor Wackadoodle have. Is it still in a basic mode?" she asked.
"Yes, still stripped down to its bare essentials," Leonard answered. "I think I will reinstate it again next month, but not without essential modifications. Oh, and the section concerning you needs a complete revision."
Penny was flabbergasted. "A section concerning me?"
He chuckled. "Oh, sorry I didn't told you yet. Sheldon added a Penny-specific section on the day you moved in."
Penny shook her head. "That's crazy."
"It is," he agreed. "Will you support me in the negotiations to make this roommate agreement an affair among equals?"
"Absolutely!" Penny assured him. "You are my boyfriend. What concerns you, also concerns me. Together we form an united front against the hardships caused by Sheldon Cooper.
"That's my girl," Leonard said. Laughing and bumping their fists, they continued to watch TV.
Sleeping at his place during the night before Christmas morning, Leonard was awakened by the tone of an incoming message on his phone. With drowsy eyes he looked at the phone and read the message.
Good morning and Merry Christmas. It's time for exchanging the presents. Please come over. xoxo
He leapt out of bed and grabbed his present for Penny, that was stored in his closet. Putting on his robe, he went out of his room and walked over to Penny's apartment.
When he strode through the living room, he greeted Sheldon, who sat on the couch and watched TV. "'Sup?"
Sheldon greeted back. "'Sup?"
A few moments later Leonard stood in front of Penny's apartment door and knocked. "Come in," he heard her saying. He opened the door and entered Penny's place. Closing the door, he looked around but couldn't see her. "Penny?", he asked a little bit confused. She slowly came out of the bedroom, making a sexy pose in front of Leonard, who almost dropped his present. She wore something that must be the hottest Christmas-style dress ever. A very short red minidress with white plush at the hem, white fuzzy boots and a Christmas hat. It was a delightful sight.
"Wow! Penny! You are really full of surprises." He put down his present on the coffee table.
"That's the way I am," she smiled and took a wonderfully wrapped package from under the Christmas tree and passed it to Leonard. "Here's my gift for you."
"Thank you," he said and unpacked it. "Wow, this is so beautiful." It was a framed pencil drawing of Leonard and her. "Did you draw this?"
Penny nodded, happy about Leonard's excitement. "I hope you like it."
"I love it," he exclaimed. "It will get a special place in my bedroom."
Engulfing Penny in a hug, he kissed her cheek and took his present from the coffee table. "And here's my gift for you."
"Wow, this is really heavy," she said after he handed the rather big rectangular package to her, which she slowly unpacked. "A World History of Art," she exclaimed full of joy. "Thank you Leonard, this is absolutely wonderful. But these kind of coffee-table books cost a fortune. You shouldn't have!"
"For my beautiful angel I spare no expense," he smiled.
"Aww, Leonard. You're the best." She put the book on the couch, hugged him and planted a firm kiss on his lips. "I don't deserve you."
Leonard was all smiles. "How about breakfast?" he asked.
Penny smiled back seductively. "Breakfast can wait." She took Leonard's hand and pulled him into her bedroom.
Shortly after Christmas they were both unexpectedly invited by Penny's parents to visit them in Nebraska during the first week of the new year. Because the invitation was so short-term, Penny's parents Wyatt and Susan generously agreed to pay for their expenses. Fortunately Leonard and Penny could take a few days off from work. But prior they had a wonderful New Year's Eve, standing on the roof of the apartment building and kissing at midnight while the fireworks around them iluminated the night sky.
On January 2 they boarded a plane to Omaha. Penny was extremely excited. Now she could show Leonard all the places she told him in her stories. Leonard was excited too, but principally he was nervous. How would Penny's parents react to him?
The flight from Los Angeles to Omaha was an extraordinary and adventurous experience for Leonard and Penny. Sitting in their seats after nearly two hours in the air, both surreptitiously looked around in the passenger cabin. "Wow, who would have thought that? Penny giggled. "We have just joined the mile-high club."
Leonard's face was red as a beet. "We could have been arrested. Sex on board a flying aircraft is certainly not allowed," he wispered.
"Well, nobody saw what we were doing in that lavatory," Penny grinned. "Plus...No risk, no fun."
"That's true," Leonard chuckled and gave her a kiss.
The plane arrived Omaha at 15.15 p.m. On approach they could see that the city and the surrounding areas were covered in snow. After a smooth landing and getting their baggage, Leonard and Penny were on their way to the public section of the airport's arrivals area. Penny's parents already waited for them there.
Penny noticed her parents at first and waved at them. "Hi mom. Hi dad," she exclaimed happily.
"Sweetheart!" her mother Susan joyfully replied after seeing her daughter. She came up to her with open arms and hugged her.
With a bright smile on his face, her father Wyatt hugged Penny too. "Come here slugger."
Now Penny proudly introduced Leonard to her parents. "This is my boyfriend Leonard. Leonard, these are my parents."
Susan hugged him warmly. "Leonard, it's so nice to meet you. We've only heard good things about you."
"Nice to meet you too," he replied a little bit shy.
Wyatt greeted Leonard with a firm handshake. "Yeah, it's good to finally meet you, son."
"It's good to meet you too, sir."
"How was your flight?" Wyatt asked.
Penny looked over to Leonard and grinned. "Delightful!"
Leonard blushed heavily."Umm...yes, very pleasant."
They walked to the car of Penny's parents, which was parked directly in front of one of the exits of the arrival area. After loading their baggage into the trunk of the car, they drove to the farm, which was located in a rural suburb of Omaha.
The farm was beautiful, just like in a picture book. Together with the snow covered landscape around the farm it was a true brumal countryside idyll. Leonard and Penny settled down in Penny's old room, which was more or less in the same state since she moved into her own apartment in Omaha when she started to go to the Community College.
Leonard's nervousness with regard to Penny's parents was completely unnecessary. Wyatt and Susan locked Leonard in their heart from the moment they met him. After visting the horses in the nearby stable, they all had a nice dinner. The evening was spent with watching TV in the living room. Wyatt and Susan called it a night around ten o'clock, while Leonard and Penny continued to watch TV, snug on the couch under a warm blanket.
The next day Leonard and Penny drove into the city with Wyatt's old pickup. She showed him some places of interest, before stopping for a bite to eat at a cozy diner around noon. They were about to leave the diner, when suddenly a big hunk of a man stood next to their table.
"Penny?"
Startled by the voice she knew too well, she turned her head sideways and looked up. "Oh, Kurt."
Leonard appeared to be intimidated by Kurt's appearance, which didn't escape Penny's notice. She immediately reached out across the table and took hold of Leonard's hand.
Kurt ignored this. "How are you?" he asked.
"I'm fine." Penny answered curtly, not asking him how he was, since she didn't care.
Kurt stayed at the table. "It's been a while since I saw you the last time. We need to go out again. Talkin' about old times. Maybe we can settle our differences. What do you think?"
Penny looked at Kurt with a disapproving expression on her face. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm sitting here with someone."
Kurt looked at Leonard, who tried to avoid any eye contact. "Wait a minute. Aren't you the dwarf I saw in front of my apartment?"
"How dare you! Don't call him that," Penny said angrily. "His name is Leonard."
"Ah, c'mon. Our Mister Dwarfy here can stand this," Kurt scoffed and mussed up Leonard's hair.
"Stop it!" Leonard said in a harsh tone.
"Uhh." Kurt raised his hands. "Dwarfy is getting angry."
"Leave my boyfriend alone," Penny almost yelled.
Kurt looked disbelievingly at Penny then at Leonard. "Are you kidding me? He is your boyfriend?" He started to laugh, which caused several people from other tables to look at them. "You waste your time with someone like him?"
Penny was really infuriated now. "The only time I wasted, were those four years with you. Time I will never get back." Turning towards Leonard she smiled at him lovingly. "Meeting Leonard was the best thing that ever happened to me." Turning towards Kurt again, she looked him directly in the eyes. "And now get lost."
Kurt just shrugged and walked away.
Penny apologized. "I'm so sorry, Leonard."
"Nah! You couldn't know he would be in here."
When they left the diner a few minutes later they continued to stroll around the city. They even found a comic book store, where they spent considerable time. Leonard couldn't resist to buy some comics. Late in the afternoon, after having a small treat at a coffee shop, they returned to the farm.
The rest of their time on the farm was mostly spent in the house, since the weather became really bad. On the last day before Leonard and Penny returned to Pasadena the sky cleared up and the sun came out. The cold sunshine in the blue winter sky let the snow glisten, that had fallen the night before.
After lunch Leonard and Penny decided to go for a walk. Standing on the porch, well wrapped up in warm winter clothes, they breathed in the cold winter air and started their walk. Holding their gloved hands, they went along the farm roads to a long lane which separated the farm of Penny's parents from their neighbors. Walking up a small hill, they reached an idyllic place with a view that stretched for miles.
"This was my favorite place as a child and when I was a teenager," Penny said. "Isn't this place beautiful?"
Leonard nodded. "It's wonderful."
"I came here, when I was sad or when I had a fight with my parents or my sister or brother. The silence here and the wonderful wide view over the open landscape had a calming effect on me. I was always by myself when I went to this special place. But today I wanted to share it with someone." She looked at Leonard and smiled. "With you. Because you are special."
Leonard just looked in Penny's beautiful eyes and kissed her. Holding hands, they stood in contented silence and savored the view from the hill.
"I have an idea," Leonard smiled and took a pocket knife out of his coat. He walked over to a tree that stood on top of the hill and bagan to carve letters into the trunk of the tree. After a few minutes he was finished. Penny came over to him and looked at his carving. It was a heart with a cupid's arrow and L+P inside. For other people this probably would have been corny, but for Penny it was the most romantic thing ever in this moment. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Now she knew it for sure. Leonard was the one. And Leonard felt the same. Penny was the one. They were meant to be together.
Later in the evening, after having a delicious dinner with Penny's parents and a lot of fun playing board games in the living room, Leonard and Penny lay in bed facing each other. It was their last night on the farm, before they would return to California the next day. They just had made love in a way that could only be described as making love in the truest sense of the word.
"Leonard, this was the most beautiful experience I ever had."
"And I'm lying here with the most beautiful girl in the world. It's like a dream come true."
"Oh, Leonard. You make me cry."
Leonard smiled and cupped Penny's cheek. Looking into her mesmerizing green eyes he couldn't hold back the words that came out of his mouth. "I love you, Penny."
She couldn't believe what he just said. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she had to process these words. Oh my god, he loves me.
Leonard who expectantly waited for an answer began to worry. Oh no, it was too soon. She can't say it back. Or worse, she doesn't love me.
It took her a few moments, which must seemed like an eternity to Leonard, but Penny was sure. She knew exactly what she felt, and she felt it for quite some time now. "I love you too, Leonard. I love you so much."
They looked into each other's eyes, smiling. Tears began to well up in both of their eyes, and moments later their lips crashed.
From this moment on nothing could come between Leonard and Penny. Sure, there were ups and downs in their relationship and both Leonard's work and Penny's rapidly developing acting career led to hard times of separation they had to endure. For instance, when Leonard had to participate in an Arctic expedition for several months or an equally long research trip on board a ship in the North Sea. And Penny's obligations as an actress also resulted in times, where they were apart for some weeks. But nothing could endanger the love they had for each other. On the contrary. Their love became stronger from day to day and from year to year.
To be continued...one more chapter left.
A/N: While this story will come to an end with the next chapter, there's a possibility I write further stories in the future that will refer to this one, meaning they will play within the framework of "The Road Trip Coincidence". We'll see. ;-)