Thank you so much to bamadude, Mario D and Warriorcreed for your reviews. I am always so impressed by you thoughts and appreciate them so much. These characters belong to Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. I just borrow them hoping it brings some enjoyment to my readers.

It had been two days since Penny had met with Hayley and the others. She had spent the time wondering how she was going to approach Leonard. Although it made no sense, she could not shake the feeling that she if she screwed up this meeting with Leonard, it would be difficult to recover.

She hesitated before she knocked on his door. For a moment, she almost fled. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

Leonard was surprised when he heard someone was at the door. He supposed it was Michael or Hayley, although they usually called ahead.

When he opened the door, nothing could describe the emotions that threatened to overcome him.

Penny had to smile at the look on his face. She quietly said, "Hey, Leonard."

Leonard finally managed to get out, "Penny, what are you doing here?"

"Aren't you going to let me in?"

Still stunned, Leonard stepped aside.

Penny entered and sat on the couch. Leonard finally had recovered enough to ask if she wanted anything to drink.

Penny smiled, "I don't suppose you have any wine?"

Leonard smiled, "Actually I do. I keep a bottle for Hayley."

After Penny had wine and Leonard had gotten himself a cup of coffee, they sat quietly.

Finally, Penny broke the silence, "In answer to your question, I am here because Hayley and Michael contacted me." She hesitated, "They hoped I could help after your mother died."

Again there was a long silence. Leonard broke it by saying, "It's good to see you."

Penny smiled, "It's good to see you too." She hesitated, "I have missed you."

"I was thrilled to hear about your success." He smiled, "I have seen everything you have done. I often watch your new show with Steven."

Penny smiled, "He told me he thought I was funny but Marsha is funnier."

Then she smirked, "How about you, Leonard, do you think Marsha is funnier?"

She felt it in her heart when she saw him get that look he always got when he felt embarrassed.

She went on, "It's okay, I think she is funnier too."

After another period of silence when they both took drinks from their beverage, Leonard asked, "How are the others?"

Penny said quietly, "All right. I hardly see Bernadette and Howard since she got her doctorate and Raj moved back to India."

Leonard absorbed that. He fought the urge to feel guilty for that as well. "I am sorry to hear that, but it's great that Bernadette got her doctorate."

"Yeah, she's working for a pharmaceutical firm and as she put it, making a buttload of money."

When Leonard smiled again, Penny realized how much she had missed seeing him smile. She went on, "And Raj is married. Although his parents arranged it, it sounds like they are in love."

Leonard stood up, I am going to get another cup of coffee, do you want some more wine?"

When Penny nodded, he headed for the kitchen. Penny looked after him. Although she would just like to have it stay like this, just being with him, she knew she needed to move forward.

When he returned and Penny had taken a sip of her wine, she sighed internally and gathering her courage, "Leonard, can we talk about what happened?"

Penny watched as Leonard finished his coffee, not showing any emotion. Just as she was wondering if he was going to say anything…

"What is there to talk about? I was careless. I always waited until I was sure no one was going to run the light. That morning I didn't and Sheldon died." He looked at her, "You and I can talk all we want about how I shouldn't feel guilty about that, but I do."

Penny pondered what he was saying. Had they all been wrong? Was that really all there was to it? Was it just that he felt guilty because he was driving?

She smiled ruefully to herself, realizing she wanted that to be true. That it had nothing to do with her. But then she sighed, she couldn't leave it like that. She needed to know the whole truth before anyone could really try to help him.

She looked into his eyes, "I don't believe that is the whole story. As horrible as that could make you feel, it does not explain the guilt and self loathing you apparently feel."

She took a deep breath, knowing she could deeply regret what she was going to say. After all, they could all be wrong. There was also the fact she would have to confront how she felt about him, "I think a large part of your guilt has to do with me."

Leonard took a deep sigh. This is what he had feared since he had first seen Penny at the door. He knew he should just pretend he didn't know what she was talking about and let her go on with her life. But he realized he was too weak to do that. Her being here had made him realize how much he had missed her. He knew he was being selfish, that he would just hurt her, but he wanted her somehow to be a part of his life. But he was not ready to reveal the total truth.

"If you mean that I feel guilty because I took Sheldon away from you, you're right. I know how much you loved him."

Penny was beginning to feel like someone trying to open a door only to find another door behind it. Again, she had a chance to let it go, to accept what he was saying. Maybe she should drop it and make an effort to at least stay in contact with him. Suggest they could work to be friends again.

But even as she thought that, she knew she couldn't leave it like this. She would always wonder about them. She knew there was a risk in moving forward for both of them. She would be forcing them both to face up to how they felt about each other. If she was wrong, it could make it difficult for them to be friends.

She reached out and ignoring the look of shock on Leonard's face, took his hands in hers. Looking into his eyes, "No, I don't mean that. While I do believe that is true, I also believe there is more." Taking a deep breath, "I think you feel guilty because you still had feelings for me, romantic feelings."

Leonard stared at their entwined hands. It was finally out in the open. He was dismayed to realize that although he had known that this moment could come, he was not prepared for it.

Suddenly, it was just too much for him. Pulling away from her hands, he fled into his bedroom.

Penny stared sadly after him, wondering what she should do now.

After waiting for a half hour, it appeared he was not going to come out. Taking out a writing pad she had gotten used to carrying with her, she wrote a note.

She then went over to the door, "Leonard, I am leaving now. I have left you a note. I hope we can stay in contact."

Waiting a few more minutes, she let herself out.

It had taken all of Leonard's willpower not to stop her from leaving but he just wasn't ready to face her.

When he did exit, he found the note.

Leonard, I am sorry that I upset you. It was great to see you again. I didn't realize how much I have missed you.

My cell phone number is 213-123-4567. I am staying at the Downtown Merriot in room 3279.

I will be in town for two more days.

If you do want to see me, we do not need to talk about what happened today. We can talk about my career and yours. We can talk about our families.

I do want to stay in contact with you. I hope we can somehow be friends again.

I am sorry I couldn't help you. I just want you to know, we all want to help. Whatever caused you to feel the way you do, it's time to put it behind us. We all miss you.

Your Friend, Penny.

It was the last day Penny would be in town. Her flight to LA left early the next morning. She had told Hayley and Michael what happened. They thanked her for trying and still had hope he would contact her. They all agreed to leave him alone until she left.

She was just finishing packing away what she wouldn't need for the night when there was a knock on the door.

Holding her breath, she went over and opened it. She smiled when she saw Leonard standing there. Before she could say anything, he stunned her when he said, "I love you, Penny."