The end of the Episode of  Hofstadter v Hofstadter

Shoring Up

Penny stood in a long yellow silk robe looking out the window with her back to Leonard. He was seated on the tan leather couch behind her a blue blanket wrapped around him. Behind Leonard is a white brick fireplace and chimney taking up the entire wall. There is a large golden sunburst disk in the middle of the brick chimney a gas fire in grate below burning brightly. To each side of the grate are pictures of their family and friends and themselves covering the brick. Penny continues to stare out. Leonard continues to stare at her back.

Penny brought her hand up to her mouth, “I always forget how beautiful the lake is here. It such a dark blue but so clear that all the mountains around it are reflected back at you.”

Leonard nodded slowly, “The view was what sold us on the house. I would have missed it.” He paused looked down for instant then wiped his eyes, “I would have missed you more.”

Penny got a crooked grin on her face, her back still to Leonard, “It never felt real until we were sitting in that courtroom the other day. It was like just a continuation of the fight”

Leonard frowned slightly, “I know what you mean. What would have happened if Sheldon hadn’t showed up?”

Penny turned toward him, “I don’t know but we probably wouldn’t be here. I’d still be crying most likely. I wasn’t mad anymore, hadn’t been for a while now. Leonard I couldn’t swallow my pride and say I was sorry and that we should try again. I never have, I always let you be the one to make peace. Why didn’t you this time?”

Leonard shook his head still frowning, “It was that stupid Couples Growing Closer training we went to. You told me I needed to man up, be more assertive and stop groveling. The guy kept talking about love being about never saying you’re sorry and you went on about how I always say I’m sorry. So we got into a fight and I never said it.”

Penny nodded seriously, “Yeah going to that was a mistake. Bernadette recommended it.”

Leonard smirked, “I’m sure it really worked for them. Howard and Bernadette only have his mother to fight about. Howard always has to apologize. Now that I think about it love is all about being able to say you’re sorry and the other person accepting it.”

Penny was nodding again but a small grin had crept on her face, “So after our fight you stayed at our old house in Pasadena and wouldn’t even talk about it.”

Leonard lay back on the couch, “Oh I wanted to, but I was supposed to wait until you apologized this time.”

Penny came over and got under the blanket beside him, “Bet the call from the lawyer must have been quite the shock then.”

Leonard grimaced, “Yeah then I got mad and got my own lawyer. Before I knew it they had a settlement worked out and had us filing jointly. Why’d you get the lawyer Penny?”

Penny snuggled into his shoulder his arm sliding around her. A natural move as if neither had planned it just memory kicking in.

“Mark my agent said I needed to be protected. He called the lawyer saying we would need to get officially separated before I started the new movie or you would get half.”

Leonard sneered, “I hate that guy, bet it came as quite the surprise that I really wasn’t interested in money or anything just you and the kids. My lawyer was certainly surprised she said I could get alimony.”

Penny ran her hand up his chest, “Yeah it might be time for a change in agents. Sweetie never again, no more lawyers. Even if we break up we’ll just stick it out and see what happens. Sheldon is right we’ll come back together. Oh and I would have given you alimony.”

Penny leaned up and kissed Leonard’s cheek, “By the way, I’m sorry.”

Leonard chuckled, “That’s the really silly part I was being an ass and I should have apologized. No more classes, seminars or lectures. I say we muddle through just like your parents. They’re still married.”

Penny smiled, “Yep, sound good. Let’s go back to bed then for a walk by the lake. We’ll call and check on the kids when we get back.”

Penny rolled on top of Leonard and their lips met.

Yep, he still lives in 4A

Sheldon looked up from his laptop as Penny came through the door in a light blue dress and matching flats. Leonard followed in a pair of jeans and khaki jacket over a black hoody and purple t-shirt.

Penny looked around, “Hey Sheldon, where’s the kids?”

Sheldon swiveled in his chair, a new red flash t-shirt over the top of a grey long sleeved shirt.

“I had Amy take them and Erwin to the park.”

Leonard chuckled, “Still hard to believe you named your infant son after Erwin Schrodinger. I see you have on the shirt we gave you for Christmas.”

Penny looked at Leonard, “I thought you called to let them know when we’d be here?”

Leonard shrugged, “I did before we left.”

Sheldon motioned to the couch then walked toward his spot, “I had Amy take them to the park so we could have a short discussion. Please sit down.”

Penny looked over a Leonard, “He did save us from getting divorced.”

Leonard nodded and they both sat on the couch. Sheldon handed each of them a thin binder of paper.

“Penny I’ve tried to keep this relationship agreement short and simple so as to not tax your reading capacity. This is long overdue you two really should have had one of these years ago. It codifies those things that I have noticed in your relationship and gives you several ways of settling any grievances you might have with each other. In that way you will be happier in your marriage and I won’t have to risk going to jail again.”

Leonard was looking through the binder now, “Okay this looks pretty good so far. Let’s see we are both required to talk through any fights we’ve had within 72 hours. If we can’t do that then we have to start talking to each via a blog. Oh wait a second, if we are unable to resolve the dispute an independent arbiter will decide it for us? Let’s see that’s in appendix 3. Sheldon you’re the arbiter?”

Penny frowned then started looking at her copy, “Well there are a lot of other good things in here. We have to spend a weekend together at least once a month. When we are having a fight we should both let it go and go play with the kids together. Oh you’re required to get me a gift if you’ve wronged me jewelry preferred. We talked about some of this in Tahoe Leonard, about looking for a new house and selling the other two.”

Sheldon smiled now, “I saw no need for a coitus section with you two. That’s never been a problem in the past. But I could add one if you would prefer a more structured”

Penny was shaking her head Leonard was way ahead of her, “That won’t be necessary Sheldon. Now back to this part about you being the final arbiter. I think both Penny and I.”

Leonard looked over at Penny then grasped her hand, “Penny let me know if this doesn’t work. Sheldon I think you and Amy together should be the final arbiters. A woman and a man would be better.”

Penny looked back at Sheldon, “I think it would have to be that way Sheldon. Leonard will need someone on his side.”

Sheldon looked in thought for a moment, “Acceptable, though I assure you both I can be unbiased.”

Penny looked back over at Leonard. She was still holding his hand, “What do you think sweetie. It’s more than we have now?”

Leonard looked into her face, “It’s structured and meticulous and because it’s not involving Sheldon very fair to us both. It’s not all that different from our beta test from years ago, why not?”

Penny took the pen that Sheldon was offering, “Gees Leonard you once signed that stupid roommate agreement, at least I know who I’m living with.”

Penny signed her copy then handed the pen to Leonard who signed also. Sheldon took the signed copy and handed then back a copy.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and held it to his mouth, “The eagle has landed you can come home.”

Amy’s voice came from the other side of the door and the phone at the same time, “Here we come”

The door flung open, Leonard and Penny both turned to the door. Their face were all smiles, bright and glowing”

Two small voices one a girl and one a boy blended together, “Mommy, Daddy”

I like to think of this as my own little pilot for down the road when TBBT has been gone for a while. Hofstadter v Hofstadter the new TBBT series

Will I write more? Maybe later, right now I have a new book to start writing but I’m sure I’ll be back.

SOK

 

It’s down the road 11 years, Penny and Leonard are married but things have gotten out of hand. Will someone be there to save the day? I hope so! this is what happens when I get bored. SOK , and yes the first chapter of the new book is coming soon.

Hofstadter v Hofstadter

The bald judge sat behind the bench with his glasses perched on his crooked hawkish nose.  The black robes he was dressed in buttoned to the top.  He shuffled the papers in front of him and looked over at the court reporter/clerk sitting to the side of the tall dark walnut bench.

“Call the next case Alice.”

Alice looked to be the court reporter right from central casting.  She was a large woman with dark hair in a bouffant style from 1960’s, only the post and the wheels of the stool she was perched on could be seen.  The seat obscured by her ample bottom wrapped in a grey skirt.  Her white top had small grey polka dots that matched the skirt exactly.  She had matching shoes that her large ankles and calves made it seem as if they were several sizes too small.

Leonard took this all in as he sat next to his attorney at the right hand table.  He stared at the court reporter not daring to look to his left where Penny sat beside her attorney at the next table.

The court reporter handed up a file to judge, “Hofstadter v Hofstadter judge final disposition of assets and decree of dissolution of marriage.”

The judge looked up at the parties.  Leonard felt nervous.  He reached up and straightened his tie then pushed his glasses up his nose before running his hand over his hair.  He took a small sideways glance at Penny.  She was dressed in a business type skirt and jacket.  A light brown with a pink blouse her blond hair was down over her shoulder.  She didn’t look over at him.  Leonard steeled himself.

The judge looked down at the file, “I see everyone has their counsel with them.  Judge Clemens has been handling your case but unfortunately he was injured on the job several weeks ago and won’t be returning for quite some time.  So you’re so very lucky to have my services today.”

Leonard listened to the judge’s flat monotone voice the last line dripping with sarcasm.  He leaned over to his attorney and whispered, “Oh yeah he seems happy to be here.”

Leonard’s attorney did not respond just nodded her head very slightly.

The judge was reading through the file, “So you two have decided to call it quits after ten years of marriage citing irreconcilable differences.  You have two children a boy four and a girl 8.  You’ve decided to have joint custody with the primary domicile being with the father.  Okay fair enough.  The property settlement is agreed upon.  Mrs. Hofstadter will be keeping the house in Brentwood, Mr. Hofstadter the house in Pasadena.  You are selling and dividing the proceeds of the vacation home in Lake Tahoe.”

The judge looked back up at the parties and smiled, “Wish my divorce had been this neat and tidy.  This is the point in the proceedings where either party gets a chance to say we’ve changed our minds.  Anything?  Any objections or amendments before I sign this?”

“I have an objection”

Leonard turned toward the familiar voice from the back of the court room.

“Sheldon, what are you doing here?”

Sheldon was standing now before the last set of benches in the courtroom.  He had on his black suit Penny had picked out for him years before though the white shirt and black tie were new.  Leonard looked over at Penny.  She looked from Sheldon to Leonard her eyes wide and mouth open.  Leonard shrugged at her and she got that look of exasperation on her face.

The judge looked amused, “And you are?”

Sheldon didn’t move, “Dr. Sheldon Cooper your honor, you may remember me. Twelve years ago you found me in contempt in traffic court.  It’s good to see you’ve moved up the judicial ladder.”

The judge was suddenly not amused, “I remember you now Dr. Cooper and I still have traffic court on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  What are your objections to this divorce?”

Sheldon walked up the aisle and stood between the council tables, “Oh I have several.  To start it’s Dr. Hofstadter who gets the house in Pasadena.  Leonard may be a subpar scientist but he does have his doctorate and deserves to have his title used.”

The judge looked over his glasses at Sheldon, “Duly noted, Alice let the record show I will now refer to Dr. Hofstadter with the proper title. What are your other objections Dr. Cooper?”

“Your Honor I think it would be a miscarriage of justice to grant a divorce to two people who still obviously love each other.”

The judge looked at both Leonard and then Penny, “Is this true?  Do you still love each other?”

Leonard looked over at Penny and she was staring down at the table.  He was about to speak but Sheldon was quicker.

“Of course they do.  Just look at their divorce.  They aren’t fighting about anything.  The entire thing is very equitable, they each are giving to other.  I believe they even have a visitation section regarding the family dog.  I know neither one of them have started dating again.”

The judge was truly fascinated now, “And you know that how?”

Penny is my wife’s best friend, Leonard is my best friend.  My wife and I talked about it.  Leonard has several females interested in him at work and he’s ignoring them.  Penny is in a new movie with that hot Australian fellow and hasn’t slept with him yet.”

Penny looked over at Leonard at the mention of several interested females.  Leonard shook his head slowly, Penny for the first time smiled at Leonard.  He returned it with his own.

“Your honor I suffered through seven years of these two dating.  It was on again, off again.  Happy then fights before going back to happy.  There was no logic to it whatsoever.  She broke up with him in a bowling alley.  He asked her to marry him during sex once.  She had him fake that they were together for her father.  They had a bug list for their relationship.  She pined for him for two years when they were broken up.  If you grant this divorce they will just get back together in a few more months.  In fact I believe she had him stay over several weeks ago.”

Leonard looked back at Penny and watched her blush.  She turned her head slowly toward him smiling.  Leonard remembered the weekend.  They had almost got back together.

Sheldon was still not done, “You honor I believe in divorce.  I actually typed up the divorce papers for my own mother when I was eleven but she wouldn’t do it.  These two imperfect people have loved each other for over fifteen years.  Through thick and thin, together or apart they are symbiotic.”

The judge nodded again then repeated his question, “Do you two still love each other.”

Leonard thought he was answering first but Penny and he spoke at the same time, “Yes”

The judge nodded, “Very well then.  I’m going to set aside this decree and order you two to go spend the next week alone at a neutral location.  I suggest the house in Lake Tahoe.  The children will be watched by Dr. Cooper and his wife while you’re gone.”

Sheldon got a small grin on his face, “Very well decided your honor”

“Why thank you Dr. Cooper at least I didn’t have to send you to jail today.  Alice we’re adjourned, get me a sandwich I’ll be in chambers.”

The judge stood and walked toward the side door behind the bench.

Leonard stood and walked over to Penny.  She had stood and towered over him in her high heels.  Penny stepped out over them to be at the same height as he was.

Leonard took both her hands, “This really got out of hand didn’t it?  Of course I still love you.”

Penny was almost crying, “Yeah it was just a fight, having more than one house let us run away from each other.  I love you too Leonard, I miss you everyday”

Leonard pulled her to him and the tears started to flow from both of them.

The two attorney’s picked up there briefcases and walked down the aisle toward the door.

Leonard’s attorney turned toward Penny’s, “Well that was a first.  Judge Clemens would never have done that.  What happened to him anyway?”

Penny’s attorney looked around and then quietly he spoke to her, “Judge Clemens has a thing going with Alice.  They were in chambers doing a little dictation and she slipped off the desk and fell on him it broke his leg in three places.”

Leonard’s attorney chuckled, “Ain’t love grand? What did Clemens’s wife say?”

“I’m not sure I’m representing him in his divorce, she got other counsel”

Yes all is revealed, just something for fun and entertainment.  Hope you enjoyed it, SOK

Broken Bridges (The first part of this story is in the preceding post below this one.)

Friday Morning Penny’s Bedroom

Penny awoke her arm sweeping across the bed where Leonard should be.  The spot is empty.  She sat up in her pink camisole.  Penny looks over at the clock beside her bed.

“Eight o’clock, it’s still night time.  Oh it’s only Friday he has to work.”

Penny lay back down snuggling into the spot where Leonard had been, “He hasn’t been up long it’s still warm, hmm”

Penny lay in Leonard’s spot for several seconds before her eyes flew open. She started to get up.

Leonard and Sheldon’s Apartment

Leonard fully dressed is sitting at his laptop sipping on his coffee when the door opens and Penny slips in dressed in her short pink robe and slippers.

“Hi, what are you doing up Penny?”

Leonard takes another sip of his coffee.  He has on another new shirt.  This one is purple with black horizontal strips across the chest.  His purple hoody and tan jacket is on the chair behind him.

“Hey Leonard, I just wanted to see you before you went to work today.  I wanted to warn you that things might be a little awkward with Alex today.”

Leonard looks puzzled, “You didn’t threaten her or anything right?”

Penny smirked, “Well not in so many words but I’m sure I got my point across.  I’m just saying you might be prepared for a little different approach from her.  She will either give you the cold shoulder or redouble her efforts to hit on you.”

Leonard kept from smiling, “I’m sure I can handle Alex either way.  She really is very nice, I’ll try to repair the damage and remain friends.”

Penny gave him a withering look, “Right, like you have any experience with the brush off.  Remember you tried it on me once?”

Leonard got a concerned look on his face, “Oh yeah, well I guess I’ll just have to do my best.”

Penny continued to look unconvinced, “Just be firm if she is hitting on you Leonard.”

Leonard got a wicked little grin, “Might be easier if you had said yes when I proposed?”

“It would have been easier if you had asked at an appropriate time remember what Raj said weak coffee.”

Leonard chuckled, “Weak tea actually, you know you have nothing to worry about, right?”

Penny came over and wrapped her arms around him as he sat, “I know Leonard, and you know too.  I’m just worried about you being uncomfortable and me causing it.”

Leonard kissed her for a moment, “Nothing to worry about.  What are you going to do today?”

Penny rolled her eyes, “Just hanging out this morning then I’m going to Bernadette’s later to see the wedding album.”

“Still want to go to the physics lecture tonight.”

Penny smiled, “Oh I’m in but if I fall asleep don’t wake me unless I start snoring.”

“Deal”

Penny turned and left the apartment. Leonard looked up to see Sheldon enter the room wearing the iron man helmet.

Leonard shook his head, “You and Howard are still fighting I see.”

Muffled by the helmet Sheldon answered, “Wait until he sees Amy’s car parked in the space this morning with my name on it.”

Leonard shook his head, “This will not end well.”

Caltech Cafeteria Friday Afternoon

Leonard sat at the table by himself drinking his coffee.  He nervously looked toward the buffet line.  Alex came around the corner with a cup in her hand.  She smiled at Leonard and approached the table.

“Hi Dr. Hoftstader”

Leonard smiled back, “Hi Alex, its still Leonard.  Join me.”

Alex looked around as if to see if Penny was lurking.  She sat across from Leonard.

Leonard looked at her with a caring sympathetic face, “It’s okay Alex, Penny told me she had a chat with you.”

Alex raised her eyebrows in disbelief, “She scared me to death. The look on her face was malevolent Leonard.  She didn’t threaten me or anything but she was pretty clear.”

Leonard nodded, “I wish I could say her bark is worse than her bite but I’d be lying.  When Penny’s mad or in a protective mode it can be pretty intense.  But that said she’s a wonderful person and I love her very much.”

Alex nodded slowly.  Leonard went on, “Were you really hitting on me or was Penny just over reacting?”

Alex blushed and looked down, “I was hitting on you.  I kept wondering when you’d notice.”

Leonard pouted and shook his head, “It figures, I guess I’m still pretty clueless when it comes to women sometimes.”

Alex shook her head, “I don’t think you’re clueless Leonard, you’re just horribly in love with your girlfriend.  If you hadn’t been in a relationship I think you would have noticed because then you would have been looking for someone.  I didn’t know that or I wouldn’t have been testing the water.”

Leonard nodded at that, “I would probably have been awkward and botched the whole thing actually.  Well that’s all out in the open, friends?”

Leonard offered his hand across the table.  Alex took it in hers, “Friends.”

Leonard and Sheldon’s Apartment early evening

Leonard looked over at Sheldon sitting behind his desk.  Iron man helmet still on as he worked on his laptop.

“Sheldon are you going to take that thing off soon?”

Sheldon shook his head in the helmet, “You get used to it after a while.”

“I wonder what’s keeping Penny we have to get going to the lecture pretty soon.”

His phone suddenly rang.  His ring tone of Shania Twain’s Man, I feel like a Woman telling him it was Penny.  He quickly answered, “Hey Penny, where are you at?”

“What, are you alright?  What hospital.  I’ll be right down.  Oh so you’re leaving now and Bernadette will bring you home.  I’ll meet you when you get here.  No I don’t care what you look like I’ll be downstairs.”

Leonard hung up the call.  He stood up and walked over to Sheldon then pulled the helmet off his head.  Sheldon began to protest.

“Sheldon this whole thing about the parking spot has got to end.  Find a way, Amy tried to hit Bernadette with her purse tonight.  She missed and hit Penny in the face and broke her nose.  Find a way to end this where everybody saves face or so help me I’ll call your mother.”

Leonard turned and stalked out of the apartment.

Sheldon’s face was anxious and slightly terrified.

Penny’s Apartment

Leonard sat Penny down on the couch.  Her nose had a bandage across it.  Both her eyes were black and blue.  Leonard looked at her concerned.

“I’ll get an ice pack”

Penny just sat back in a snuffed up voice replied, “Thanks honey, sorry we missed the lecture.”

The three quick knocks on the door made Leonard look up.  He didn’t wait for Sheldon to finish and opened the door as Sheldon uttered, “Leonard and”

“Just come in and apologize to Penny Sheldon you can knock six more times on the way out.”

Sheldon looked at the door unsure if he should knock again or come in.  He came into the apartment with a mug in his hand.  He walked to the couch and handed it Penny.

“I’m sorry Amy hit you Penny, here’s some hot chocolate.”

Sheldon sat down next to Penny.  Leonard was about to speak when Sheldon started, “Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.”

Okay that’s it all she wrote, or actually he wrote for this small little fiction to join episode 8 and episode 9.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I had blast.  Now back to Hiatus and a little reading time.

SOK

Recursive Role Reversal

A little ditty about Lenny and Penny without a tasty freeze but perhaps a shady lab or a tardis.

Caltech late Thursday afternoon

Penny poked her head into Leonard’s lab.  The lights were off though a distinct whirring sound was being produced by one of the boxes on the work bench.  She pulled her black sweater a little closer around her, the sweater coming down over her bright blue pants and red top peeking out.

“Leonard, are you in here?”

No reply was heard.  Penny looked at her watch, it was 3:30.  Maybe he was in the cafeteria.  Penny turned and headed that direction.

She reached the open doors to the cafeteria and looked in.  Leonard was at the table in his green jacket and black stripped white hoody with a cup of coffee in his hand.  He had his back to the door.  Across from him was Alex in a pink blouse and jeans.  Leonard was talking.

”So then Sheldon jumps further into the ball room and won’t come out.  He keeps jumping up and yelling bazinga it took me an hour to get him out of there.  That’s how Loony Tunes your boss can be.”

Penny watched as Alex smiled back at him brightly.  She watched as Alex reached over and patted Leonard on the arm.

“You’re so funny Leonard.  Dr. Cooper is really hard to work for.  He can be condescending, overbearing and snobby but it’s been worth it to get to know you.”

Alex looked embarrassed for a moment then looked down, “and the other professors.”

“You forgot neurotic and crazy. Do you feel like you’re learning anything from him?”

Alex laughed, “I think how not to treat my subordinates and colleagues. He does have some fascinating papers in his early work but it’s mostly just how amazing that the work could come from somebody so young.  I haven’t come across anything earth shattering.”

She continued to smile at Leonard as he took a sip of his coffee.

Penny walked into the cafeteria now.  She had seen and heard enough.

Alex looked up and stopped smiling for a moment then a smile spread back onto her face.  Penny smiled back thinking, “Caught you didn’t I.  I see your fake little smile there not like the one you were giving Leonard a minute ago as you were patting his arm and making eyes at him.”

“Hey Alex, Hey sweetie I was looking for you in your lab.”

Leonard looked up smiling at her, “What a nice surprise, I didn’t know you were coming by today.  I just needed a cup of coffee in the afternoon so I came down here.”

Leonard pulled out the chair beside him, “Take a seat, can I get you something?”

Penny kept the smile on her face as she sat beside Leonard.  She slid her hand onto the top of the table and wrapped his hand in hers, she leaned over and kissed him quickly.

“Thanks honey, I’ll take a coffee”

Leonard got up and walked toward the cafeteria’s buffet.  Penny smiled until he was out of sight.  Her face suddenly became very tense.  Alex raised her eyebrows and pulled back as if she’d been struck.

Penny got a viscous grin on her face, “I guess my subtle hint the other day about not being able to work with Leonard wasn’t clear enough.  Leonard is my boyfriend and we’ve been together for a long time so keep your hands off him.”

Alex stuttered to respond but nothing came out.  Penny got the sweet smile back on her face, “Maybe it would be a good time for you to leave.”

Alex stood shaking slightly leaving her cup on the table then walked out just as Leonard returned with a coffee for Penny.

He sat down and smiled at her as he set her cup on the table, “Where’d Alex get to?  She’s a very nice girl you should get to know her.”

Penny took a sip of her coffee and smiled very sweetly back, “Oh she didn’t say.  Do you talk to her a lot?”

Leonard took another drink, “No, not really.  I see her at lunch sometimes but she does tend to show up when I have my afternoon coffee.  She must get that same afternoon fatigue I do.”

Penny just nodded, “So after you have your coffee are you going to show me what you’re working on?”

Leonard gave her a raised eyebrow and a leering grin, “I’d be glad to.  It’s pretty cool and I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of it.”

Penny smiled and put her hand on his arm, just where Alex’s had been, “I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of the new sexy bra and panties I got yesterday that I have on”

Leonard took a big drink of his coffee, “Let’s go”

Penny’s apartment later that evening

Penny sat across from Leonard at the table picking at the salad on her plate.  Leonard was busily eating his looking up he saw her looking at him.

Leonard smiled, “The salad is good Penny what’s the main course?”

Penny smiled, “I have chicken in the oven, shake and bake it should be done in a while, Leonard can I ask you something?”

Leonard had taken another bite and just nodded.

“Do you know that Alex is hitting on you?”

Leonard looked surprised, “Really, why would you think that?”

Penny put her fork down, “Because I watched her today when she was talking to you in the cafeteria.  She pretty much came out and said as much. I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that she shows up in the cafeteria in the afternoon at the same time you do.  She knows you’ll be there.”

Leonard looked at her with a piercing look.  Penny blushed slightly.

“What did you say to her?”

Penny swallowed hard, “I told her you were my boyfriend and to keep her hands off you.”

Penny stood and walked to the kitchen.  Leonard rose and followed her.  She turned around to face him expecting him to be angry.

Leonard looked into her face, “I guess the shoes on the other foot now.  Penny, you’re the one I’m with and you know I love you.  You taught me something that day, it’s not who hits on you.  It’s what you do about it.  If you love me you’ll stay true and so will I.”

Penny swallowed a couple of more time and her chin began to tremble, “Leonard I know you love me and now you know I love you.  I do know when guys are hitting on me most of the time.  I need to tell you that you were right about Cole.  Right after we did our oral report he started sexting me and really hitting on me.”

Penny had tears running down her face.  Leonard was close to tears as well.

“I knew it”, Leonard managed to get out.

Penny swallowed hard, “Yeah, I didn’t see it coming either.  I handled it, he won’t be around anymore.”

Tears were running down Leonard’s cheeks now as he wrapped Penny in a hug, “See you were right I had nothing to worry about and neither do you so we can both relax.”

Penny sniffed and held on tight, “I love you Leonard, we have nothing to worry about.”

Leonard had stopped crying and held her tight, “Well we kind of do, it’s one thing to undercook spaghetti but if you did it to the chicken we’ll both regret it.”

Something just for fun, but then again aren’t they all.

SOK

Reflections

This story takes place after Penny finally tells Leonard she loves him.

(I used to disclaim everything, but it got kind of old and I got a rash, so you know the drill)

Leonard dropped his bag into his chair then reached up to wipe the tears from behind his glasses.  He moved to the end of the couch taking a seat then removed his glasses.  Leonard retrieved a cloth from his pocket and started to wipe his glasses.

“Penny loves me, she really loves me.”

He slid the glasses back onto his nose then sat back into the couch.  A smile spread across his face then turned slowly into a look of consternation.

“I wonder why she never said it before.  She’s right I did know she loved me but I just wouldn’t let it sink in.  If she loves me it doesn’t matter how tall I am.  It doesn’t matter that I have asthma and allergies.  That I’m king of the nerds and awkward in a lot of social situations.”

Leonard took his phone out of his pocket.  He was tempted to text ‘I love you’ to Penny but then thought better of it.  She was right he needed to not make a big deal about it.  Leonard knew he would go over the top too quickly.  It had happened to them before.  Things would happen and he would try to move to fast.  Then it would be back to weird again.  He had to play it cool this time.  Don’t make a big deal out of this just like she said.

Leonard couldn’t turn off his emotions.  He was excited and still teary.  He wanted to hear her say those words again when she wasn’t mad at him.  Then be able to hold her close and say them back to her.  Why was their relationship so weird?

It hit him then that what was weird in their relationship was that they were opposites.  He didn’t guard his emotions.  He let his mouth just spurt out what he was thinking.  Penny was the opposite, she thought about everything she said.  If she hadn’t been mad tonight she probably still wouldn’t have said it.  She did show how she felt though.  They spent a lot of time together.  She had started coming to his lab every week just to see him.  They ate together and she was starting to trust him.

He did trust Penny.  He knew better looking and taller guys hit on her all the time.  Leonard had also seen her shut those guys down.  Sometimes simply by introducing him as her boyfriend or suddenly holding his hand or putting an arm around him.  She never showed she was embarrassed to be with him even when he thought she should be.

“How can I be so stupid sometimes?  Why haven’t I noticed any of this earlier?”

Leonard shook his head, “It’s because I’m insecure and I think she deserves better than me.”

“Who deserves better than you?”

Sheldon had walked through the door he closed it behind him.

“I certainly do.  Do you know Alex kept asking questions about you the entire time she drove me home.  You are much quieter. I may have to get a new assistant.’

Leonard looked over at him, “I think Alex is very sweet to drive you home.  Most assistants would draw the line at being your driver.”

Sheldon walked to his desk then sat down, “So who deserves better than you?”

Leonard got a solemn look on his face, “Penny does”

Sheldon snickered, “Really Leonard, you should think it through.  You deserve each other.  You both have huge flaws in your character.  She fills your flaws rather nicely and you hers.  Though this sounds like a cliché she completes you.”

Leonard sat back for second.  Sheldon was right.  How did that happen?  How could Sheldon Cooper be right about a relationship issue?

“How did you come up with that Sheldon?”

Sheldon was typing on his laptop now, “Oh all the classical romances I’ve seen are like that.  Han Solo and Princess Leia, Superman and Lois Lane, Spiderman and Gwen.”

Leonard almost laughed sci-fi and comic books were Sheldon’s resource material.  He looked at his watch then over at Sheldon.

Sheldon looked over at him, “Should we go out for Chinese tonight or Thai food?”

“I’m staying right here Sheldon so I can spend time with the woman that loves me”

Leonard had put the emphasis on the word love.  Sheldon looked at him puzzled for a second, “Is you mother in town?”

This little one shot was inspired by Nicole’s (WeBuiltThePyramids) story Expression.  Think of it as prequel if you like.  So zip over and read that story to see what happens when Penny comes home from work.  Thank you Nicole for Expression and all your wonderful work.

Link to Expression on Fanfiction.com

SOK