Wow, this chapter was very difficult to write. I didn't realize how heart wrenching it would be. Hopefully you all like the way it panned out. I went through two versions of it.

I don't own TBBT, but if anyone wants to share… no? Okay, :(

Penny sat in the backseat waiting, her stomach in knots. Finally, her phone pinged and a simple text read, Coast is clear.

She let out her breath and leaned forward to wrap her arms around the leather passenger seat.

"Sheldon said we're good to go. Any word from Bernadette?"

"She's heading straight over after work."

"What did you tell her?"

"'Emergency. Bring wine.'"

Penny smiled to herself. She felt like she didn't deserve such fantastic friends, but she promised herself she was going to do everything in her power to change that feeling.

"Well, I suppose we should head upstairs," Penny said getting out. Amy followed and they made their way up. Everything felt so different and strange, like walking through a dream. Between last night and today her entire life had been flipped. The person who annoyed her most was now her comfort and someone she had been ready to spend the rest of her life with was now a stranger.

Once the apartment door was closed she felt much better. She kicked off her shoes and sat on the couch clutching a pillow to her chest. Amy sat next to her and removed her bag.

"You know, Ames. I really feel like this is it. It's really over. As different from all the other guys Leonard was, he still ended up being just a creep who didn't respect me. I've officially lost hope."

"Don't say that. Just because your relationship is over doesn't mean your life is. Aren't you still attending PCC?"

"Yea, I got a B on my midterm."

"See! You just need to shift focus."

"I suppose so, but its sooo hard!" Penny whined burying her face in the pillow.

Amy smiled at her friend's reaction and then shifted focus as her phone buzzed. She looked at the caller ID.

"Is that Bernadette already?"

"Um, no…it's – I'll call him back."

Unless Penny was mistaken, which she knew she wasn't she could swear the woman was blushing.

"What was that?" Penny asked incredulously.

"The actual reason I texted you yesterday and today, though given current circumstances I believe it can wait," Amy replied setting her phone down.

"Because of me? Look this is nothing I haven't dealt with before. If you need to talk I'm here to listen. Besides, I could use a distraction. So spill, what's going on?" Penny leaned forward giving her full attention.

"Well, do you remember me mentioning our new hire down at the lab?"

"Yea, Dr. Kupal, Kuthal…"

"Kumal. Dr. Joshua Kumal."

"Right, what about him."

"Well, he's been a valuable asset to the company and has created a great program for my research. He and I have become good friends."

The tone and giant smile told Penny there was a story beneath the surface.

"Uh huh, and when did you fall for him?"

"Somewhere between our lunches and the text messages."

Penny wouldn't have believed it had Amy confessed last week, but the universe was all wacky and upside down, so why not? Amy was having thoughts about another man. Penny felt a protectiveness stirring in her gut. Sure, she probably had no right to be offended considering her own actions, but anger at the thought of Sheldon getting hurt was a natural instinct.

"So what are you going to do?" Penny asked concerned. "You have to tell him."

"Of course I do, I was going to tell him today, but with Leonard moving out his whole world would fall apart if I told him right now. Meanwhile, Dr. Kumal sent me this."

Amy showed her a text message photo of some kind of chemical design.

"What's that?"

"Oxytocin. The chemical our brain produces when we feel pleasure."

"Hmmm, I know all about that all right," Penny felt a blush of her own coming on. This was the moment of truth. She could tell Amy all about last night, risking the end of their friendship. Even if Amy was moving on there was no doubt she would still be angry. Nothing good came of kissing somebody else's boyfriend.

Penny opened her mouth to speak, but there was a knock on the door. Her words fell away as she got up to answer it, feeling like a coward. Bernadette was on the other side with the biggest bottle of wine she'd ever seen.

She took in Penny's appearance and frowned.

"Okay, whose ass do I have to kick?" Bernadette said.

Yep. There was a whole lot of awesome in Penny's friends and she couldn't risk losing them.

Somewhere between glass one and two Penny told them all about Leonard's proposal and how much of an ass he was.

Between glass two and three she told them about how much of an idiot she had been.

At glass four Amy told them about Dr. Kumal who came from Nepal and Penny burst into giggles because "Dr. Kumal of Nepal" was the best rhyme she had ever heard.

Around glass six… no… yea, six Penny was in tears again. They were all sitting around the living room, Penny and Amy on the couch and Bernadette in the armchair.

"I am such an idiot! I can't believe I was going to marry him! Wh- what am I gonna do-o?! I'm unemployed, single and I gained five pounds last week!"

Bernadette stood up and faced Penny hands on her hips.

"Snap out of it! You've gotten through this before, you'll get through it again!" She turned to Amy, "And you are going to give Sheldon that paper in person and tell him exactly what's going on!"

Both Amy and Penny snapped to attention at the woman's tone, sobering slightly.

"Bernadette, you're gonna be a really good mom someday," Amy slurred in awe.

"Yea, that was really good," Penny agreed. "I'd totally listen to you if you were my mom."

"Awww, thanks guys," Bernadette said smiling and sitting down again clumsily. "Seriously though, Penny, after about a week or so you'll have guys swarming the place. Plus, even if you're role has been taken over by a guy in a gorilla suit, you're still in a movie. I'd call the director and ask to use him as a reference."

Penny leaned her head back on the armrest groaning, "Ugggh, I'll do it tomorrow!"

"Fine," Bernadette said going to take another drink but her glass was empty. "Damn. Well I'd better tell Howie to come pick me up when he gets back."

"Wait, did he drop you off?" Penny asked.

"Yea…" she paused looking guilty. "He was helping Leonard get his stuff, then they were going to the airport."

"Tonight?!"

"Apparently he doesn't start 'til next week, but he wanted to leave tonight so he changed his ticket."

"So… he's gone."

Both girls looked at Penny concerned, but the tears didn't come. Apparently, there weren't any more left.

Sheldon sat in his spot the next morning looking over the contract that Leonard had left on his desk. It was written exactly as he wanted it. He couldn't find any errors to nitpick. Naturally, that frustrated him. His stood up and filed it away in his desk and looked around. Everything looked almost the same, but items here and there were missing.

If only he had made a clause forbidding less than 24-hours' notice.

He felt a vague pang of annoyance that his friend hadn't even said a proper goodbye. Just a note on the fridge.

Sorry, I just can't be around HER anymore. I'll see you in a few weeks when I get the rest of my stuff. Take care, buddy.

-Leonard

A loud knock on the door made him jump. He observed the time on his watch. 9:37am.

He wandered over wondering if it was Penny, but knew she and her female companions were most likely up late drinking. His stomach twisted as for probably the thousandth time he imagined Penny's lips. He suppressed it immediately finding it easier than before.

Sheldon opened the door to find Amy, clutching the strap of her handbag.

"Hello, Amy, this is unexpected," he said warily. Something in her eyes looked very fierce.

"Good Morning, Sheldon. I need to speak to you and I'm afraid it can't wait."

Sheldon's heart dropped as he moved out of the way. He could only assume that last night in her drunken duress Penny had let slip what had happened between them. He really wished he hadn't had Captain Crunch this morning.

He watched as Amy came to a stop in the middle of the room.

"Sheldon, I have a confession to make."

"I can explain-," he stopped realizing what she had said. "Wait, you have a confession?"

"Yes, and I'm afraid I cannot wait as it is unfair to you," she took a deep breath then spoke in a rush. "Iwishtoterminateourrelationshipagreement."

Her words processed slowly and when they he understood their meaning he felt… confused. Or was it anxious…

"Under what terms?" He asked.

"I'm afraid… I have feelings for someone else, Sheldon." Her eyes reflected the emotion he was feeling.

Pain? Yes, that seemed the most logical. His fear and concern had been correct. He was good at a great many things, however this entire model eluded him.

"I understand, well, I suppose I'll expect your paper-," his words faltered. Odd. He cleared his throat. "Paperwork."

Amy crossed to stand in front of him her distress written all over her face. "Sheldon, I am so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen! I just wanted companionship I never thought…"

He put his hand on her shoulder. How strange that it had been so difficult for him before. He let his hand slide down to her hand and held it for a second. He met her eyes and found that she was crying.

He tried to muster a smile, but found it more difficult than he'd anticipated.

"I hope that you are very happy with your new beau Amy Farrah Fowler."

She threw her arms around his waist and Sheldon felt very uncomfortable. He had no experience with this situation. Should he comfort her? A hot beverage seemed greatly inadequate. Plus, who was going to make him one.

He patted Amy on the back softly before she pulled away.

"I hope that we can retain our friendship paradigm," Amy said wiping her eyes.

"Of course." Sheldon said and he meant it whole heartedly.

They both stood there awkwardly for a moment. Neither knowing what to say.

"Thank you, Sheldon. You've given me so much. I have friends and it's thanks to you."

Sheldon shook his head. "No, Amy that was all on your own. I merely introduced you. Your friendships are your own."

Amy smiled and hugged him again, more quickly this time before going to the door. "I'm so sorry, but I have to go."

"Okay," he said watching her hesitate. She reached into her purse and pulled out a folded up paper and handed it to him. He was beginning to loathe paperwork. He took it and watched as she left leaving him in an empty apartment and for once in his life, he felt burdened by loneliness.

That was pretty difficult for me, but hopefully you'll all forgive me for ending ShAmy. On to the Shenny. Next chapter soon!