A/N: The LAST chapter. Please do not be discouraged if it seems that is is a long one. Due to response to this story, I will be writing a sequel titled, "The Fallout Situation." Thank you to everyone for the support and reviews.

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"Sheldon?" Jennifer opened the door, to find Sheldon sprawled on the bed. It was early morning, the sunlight streaming in through the open windows. His laptop had slid off his laptop, and lay haphazardly across his thigh and on the bed. Jennifer fought back a grin. Despite his almost natural ability to look like a praying mantis, she could see why Penny had such affection for him.

Sheldon started awake. Groggily looking around, he finally turned his gaze to Jennifer.

"Jennifer?"

"Good morning, Sheldon. Would you like breakfast?"

"What time is it?" Sheldon asked, straightening himself up, and absent-mindedly flattening his hair.

"Nearly six o'clock."

"I'm late," he told her.

"Late for what?"

"My flight."

"You're flying home to California?"

"Texas," he admitted. He stood up and gathered his things, stuffing them quickly, yet somehow deliberately into his bag.

"You're going home to Texas?"

"Yes. My mother and grandmother insisted I came home. I was planning to visit them anyway later in the summer, so an early visit isn't out of the question."

"Can you tell Penny, when you see her, to telephone me. I would like to know what happens."

"How do you mean?"

"We would like to know where Penny went. She obviously had a reason." Jennifer sighed. "Finish packing. The bathroom's free. Once you're done, have some breakfast and Wyatt will drive you to the airport."

Sheldon nodded and waited for her to leave. He made his way to the bathroom, and found his toothbrush on the side. Confused, he slowly undressed and stepped into the shower. Noticing the lack of adhesive ducks on the base, he carefully showered, and dried off. With a look of disdain, he pulled on his old clothes, and brushed his teeth. Placing his toothbrush inside his bag, he headed downstairs to the kitchen.

"Did you touch my toothbrush?"

"Yes, Sheldon. I came to check on you last night, and saw you were asleep. I noticed your toothbrush was poking out of your bag, and nearly touching the floor. I remembered that Penny told me your were a bit germ-phobic, so I left it in boiling water and alcohol all night. Hopefully it was sterilized enough for you."

Jennifer placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. He sat down, and thought about pointing out that it was oatmeal day. Deciding against it, he took a bite.

"Thank you," he said, before taking another bite. "Thank you, also for my toothbrush."

"You're welcome, dear. How do you like it?"

"It's very good. Penny isn't much of a cook, and I tend to live on takeout food."

"Thank you, Sheldon. When is your flight?"

"Nine thirty."

Jennifer looked over, and saw a clear plate in front of Sheldon. Checking the clock, she judged that he still had ample time to make the short journey to the airport.

"You finished?" Sheldon nodded, and stood up, plate in hand. He walked over to the sink, and carefully placed it in the soapy water. He rolled up his sleeves, and meticulously washed the plate before placing it on the rack. He dried his hands, and slowly put the towel back on the table, in a neatly folded heap.

"Thank you, Sheldon," Jennifer commented.

"My mother always told me to be a good house-guest." They both turned their heads to the door, as they heard a car door slam shut. The jingling of keys preceded the sight of the front door opening, and Wyatt coming inside, a bag of groceries in his hands.

"Good morning honey. Sheldon." He kissed his wife on the cheek and placed the grocery bag on the table.

"Wyatt, Sheldon needs a lift to the airport." Wyatt turned to Sheldon.

"You're heading back to California, son?"

"Texas, sir. I'm visiting my mother and grandmother." Wyatt smiled at him.

"When's your flight?"

""Nine thirty."

"In that case, we'd better get moving. You packed?"

Sheldon nodded and followed Wyatt to the door. Jennifer kissed Wyatt goodbye, before turning to Sheldon. She reached out and pulled him into a hug. He went stiff, and patted her awkwardly on the shoulder-blade. After a moment, Jennifer released him, but still rooted him to the spot.

"You find her, Sheldon. You tell her to go home with you. Don't let her away. Let us know when you do find her. Tell her, I want to have a word." Jennifer's expression was serious, her eyes gazing directly into Sheldon's. Sheldon looked away, and down at the floor, before nodding.

"You promise me, Sheldon." He voice sounded hopeful. He nodded again. "Not good enough. I want you to tell me that you'll find her!"

"I will find her," he mumbled.

"Good," she said, smiling as she released her tight grip on his elbows. "Have a good flight and make it safely to Texas and then California."

Sheldon shuffled out of the house, and followed Wyatt to the car. Jennifer waved them goodbye, and Sheldon meekly returned it.

The drive to the airport was short and silent. Wyatt didn't make much conversation. Knowing that Sheldon had promised to find Penny, he didn't feel like talking. He pulled up outside the airport, and parked the car.

Both men climbed out, Sheldon pulling his bag with him. Sheldon made to go inside the airport, but Wyatt called him back. Staring the brilliant physicist in the eyes, Wyatt held out his hand.

Nothing was said between them, but Sheldon, begrudgingly, shook his hand. In that one handshake, more words were spoken than the previous night.

XXXXXXX

"Rise and shine, Penny. It's a beautiful day an' I made you breakfast." Penny's eyes shot open. The curtains were wide open, and sunlight streamed into the room. Bird's chirping came in through the opened window, and a steaming plate of breakfast was on the tray in Mary's hands. Penny sat up and Mary placed the tray in front of her.

"Thank you, Mary."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. I jus' got a text from Sheldon. He'll be here this afternoon. It seemed as if he was about to board the plane."

Penny smiled up at her, and tucked into her breakfast. Mary left her to it, as Penny continued to wolf down her breakfast. Quickly finishing the pancakes with bacon and syrup, she sat there drinking her coffee slowly.

Once the mug was empty, Penny got up and padded down the stairs and into the kitchen. She helped Mary wash up, before heading back upstairs to the bathroom. She smiled as she noticed the small ducks with umbrellas on the base of the shower.

Showering quickly, and dressing in something, which took her longer than usual to pick out, she headed back downstairs. Ida was sat at the table, talking with Mary over a cup of coffee.

"Hello, Penny," Ida greeted her.

"Hello, Ida."

"Penny, I was discussing you with Mary, and I wondered if you would like to go for a walk."

Penny hesitated. Ida had a little trouble with walking from the door to the kitchen the previous night.

"Err," she hesitated.

"Dear, it will only be a short walk. I'm afraid I'm not as young as I used to be." It seemed to reassure Penny who nodded. Ida smiled, and stood up, albeit slowly.

"Come on dear. No time like the present." Penny was caught off guard by Ida grabbing her hand and all but pulling her from the house.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, before sitting on a bench. They were surrounded by open fields. Birds sang from the branches nearest to them. Ida breathed in and smiled.

"Penny, Sheldon is a delicate creature. I can tell that you have feelings for him. I, along with his mother, had hoped that he would become someone who was more personable. I have always found Sheldon to be one of the kindest people on the planet. He does have his faults, but everyone has them. I have never known him to intentionally hurt someone for the sake of it." Ida turned to face her.

"Sheldon loves you, Penny. Whether he knows it or not, someone wouldn't fly from California, to Nebraska, to Texas, and only God knows where to get anyone back. Sheldon has a hard time changing, and accepting change. It seems that, despite himself, he is actually bringing change about. The actions that he has done, will have lasting effects on everyone. Not just you. But Leonard, and the rest of your friends. Sheldon has always known what he wants. More often than not he gets it.

He once told me that emotion was 'superfluous.' I laughed at him at the time. He was a child, and didn't have many friends. I asked him if he was angry or unhappy about it. It seems as if Sheldon doesn't believe in that anymore. He has grown to accepting new friendships and expanding his ways. I've told you, and so has Mary. It takes a lot for Sheldon to do anything outside his comfort zone. This is way out his comfort zone. He's doing it for you. He is at a loss. He went to the most logical place he could think of, looking for you. You weren't there. As brilliant as he is, he doesn't think you are here. You love him. He loves you. Don't let Sheldon get in the way of himself. Force him to admit when he's wrong. Force him to bypass all the stuff he usually does." Ida paused looking at the trees and sky.

"I'm an old lady, Penny. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but Sheldon is my favorite. George and Missy never had the same problems that Sheldon had and continues to face. Penny, it will be hard for both of you. Sheldon cannot be changed overnight. It will take a long time to change him. But, I have faith in you. You can open him up to things he had never thought of. A life beyond science, and his toys and comic-books. You've given him a glimpse. He needs more."

Ida patted her on the knee, and slowly stood up. Penny shot up and helped Ida straighten. Ida shot her a grin and they slowly walked home.

XXXXXXX

Sheldon stepped off the plane. Making his way quickly through the airport, he found himself outside. Hailing a taxi, he climbed in the back. Giving the driver the address, he sat in silence, observing the route, petrified of the driver making a mistake and crashing.

Sheldon handed over the fare and climbed out of the car. He looked up at the house, and a flood of memories hit him like a wave. Putting them to one side, he made his way up the quaint path and onto the veranda. He knocked on the door and waited.

He heard footsteps. The door opened to reveal his mother.

"Shelly! Welcome home. How was your flight." She smiled up at him, despite his stiffness when she hugged him.

"Fine mom, thanks for asking. I don't know what to do."

"Tell ya what. Hand me that bag and wait for me in the kitchen. I've already made up your room.

"Thanks mom." Sheldon flashed her a relieved, yet still awkward, smile. He walked through the house and into the kitchen. The sight stopped him in his tracks.

"Penny?"

XXXXXXX

"Hello Sheldon," Penny greeted meekly.

"What are you doing here?"

"I didn't want anyone to find me. I knew that you would never think I would come here. Besides Mary knows you better than my mom."

"Why did you leave Pasadena?"

"Sheldon, I couldn't take it anymore. What with Leonard moving on, and Bernadette marrying Howard and you and Amy..."

"What about me and Amy?"

"Well, you've got that Relationship Agreement thing."

"You require up-to-date information. I nullified the Relationship Agreement," he informed her simply.

"You ended it?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Penny breathed, hopefully.

"Due to Jennifer, Wyatt, Mom and Mee-maw, not to mention a particularly persistent son and mother, I came to realize that Amy forced the creation of the Relationship Agreement. Foreseeing a moment in time, in which either party would like to abandon the Agreement, I include a quick escape clause, so to speak. I, however, never envisioned that I would be the one to end it."

"You broke up with her."

"Yes, I do believe that is the common term."

"Why did you end it, Sheldon? You didn't answer my question."

"I cannot be without your presence Penny. I have discovered that you, despite your foibles and bad habits, are essential to my schedule and life. It would be unacceptable for you to leave my life. Upon reflection, I have discovered that I found it wholly unacceptable that you continued to return to Leonard, despite your numerous breakups, as I felt that you two were.. Incompatible. I learned, over the course of time, that I had feelings for you, ever since the time when you forced me to sing Soft Kitty 'as a round.' There was a perfectly good reason, why I made you my enemy. While I regret the decision, I feel that you should know.

You made my life unlivable. Every waking moment was filled by either your presence or thoughts of you. I couldn't work or sleep. You became the most important element in my life, and I could only think of one way to return my life to an acceptable paradigm. I listed you as a 'mortal enemy.' Over time, I managed to control my feelings and thoughts about you, and returned to my work, working as effectively and quickly as possible. While you continue to intrude on my life, beyond the parameters of my schedule, I find our exchanges both interesting and satisfying.

I..." Sheldon paused. "Love you, Penny. I opened an email from you and saw a photograph taken shortly after Howard's return. Your gaze wasn't at the camera. It was at me. I can only conclude, yet am willing to accept that I'm wrong, that you feel the same way."

Penny merely smiled at him.

"You're right Sheldon. I do love you." She threw her arms around him, and she felt him tighten immediately. Then, he started to relax. She felt his hands meekly rest on her back, his stiffened body molding to hers. This wasn't like the hug her gave her that Christmas. It was a real hug.

No more words.

She felt safe.

She felt warm.

She felt at home.