8.2 – Chapter 2

As he expected, the hospital was overwhelmed with patients. And as the earthquake happened in the middle of the night, the hospital was staffed with the 11-7 shift only. Their already thin resources were swamped. Folding chairs were randomly set up around the crowded room to accommodate the overflow.

Due to the nature of her complaint, Mrs. Gunderson was taken back to the treatment area and seen right away. Penny and Sheldon filled out the requisite paperwork and had to wait their turn.

Sheldon argued volubly that his 'massive head trauma and concussive episode' warranted that he be seen immediately. He showed the bruise on his brow as evidence. Alma, the short middle-aged nurse who was nearly as wide as she was tall, was in no mood for Sheldon's histrionics. "You'll be triaged accordingly. Now sit down and be quiet and take comfort in the fact that a 'massive head trauma' who can speak clearly, walk steady, write, argue, and throw a hissy fit is no massive head trauma. I know this from experience. Now sit." She smiled unpleasantly. "And hope I don't bump you further down the list."

Sufficiently chastised, with clipboard in hand and mumbling to himself, Sheldon took the seat beside Penny that she had been saving for him. Leonard had watched the exchange with amusement. He was relieved that it was just three of them in Pasadena this night – at least the majority of their group had been out of harm's way. Cell phone reception was still spotty and he hadn't been able to contact anyone. But as he watched Sheldon argue with the short, loud, formidable nurse, it seemed oddly familiar and a thought crossed his mind. There was a member of their group who was alone and, as far as he knew, unaccounted for.

Mrs. Wolowitz.

Leonard made his way around the clusters of folding chairs.

"Penny, I'm just going to stand outside and see if I can contact Mrs. Wolowitz. I just want to check in with her."

"Oh, my God. Good idea. I had forgotten about her."

Standing in the parking lot, Leonard dialed Howard's home number. The connection was made and the phone was ringing. The very ordinariness of this, that the phone lines were working, was as a tremendous relief.

The phone was picked up in the first few rings.

"HELLO!"

"Hey, Mrs. Wolowitz. It's Leonard. I'm just calling to check in with you. How are you making out? Is everything OK?"

"OH, HELLO LEONARD. I'M AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED WHEN A MOTHER FINDS OUT THAT HER ONLY SON HAS ABANDONED HER AT A TIME LIKE THIS."

"Now, Mrs. Wolowitz. Howard is away for the weekend with Bernadette. I'm sure he's very upset that he happened to be away when this occurred."

"HE'S NOT UPSET ENOUGH TO CALL HIS MOTHER."

"Well it seems like the phone service is just starting to get reliable. I've been calling and I've only just been able to get through," Leonard lied.

"YOU'RE A GOOD BOY, LEONARD. IT'S A SHAME YOUR MOTHER DOESN'T LOVE YOU AND ONLY USED YOU AS AN EXPERIMENT."

Leonard rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Thank you, Mrs. Wolowitz. But are you OK? Your electricity's on? Can I do or get anything for you?"

"THANK GOD EVERYTHING'S FINE HERE. JUST SOME PICTURES OF A SON WHO DOESN'T LOVE HIS MOTHER FELL OFF THE WALL."

"Very good, Mrs. Wolowitz. You have my number? You'll call me if you need anything?"

"I'LL CALL. BUT HOW ARE YOU AND THE SKINNY WEIRDO DOING?"

"Well, not too good actually. Sheldon hit his head and Penny, our neighbor, twisted her ankle. So we're at the hospital right now. But they're doing OK, I think. And the pipes broke in our building so everything's flooded."

"WELL YOU CAN'T GO BACK THERE! STAY HERE WITH ME UNTIL EVERYTHING'S FIXED!"

Leonard grimaced. He hadn't thought about that. They would need a place to stay. "Are you sure that's all right? There are three of us and we wouldn't want to be an imposition."

"IT'S NO IMPOSITION! THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM! IT WOULD BE A PLEASURE TO HOST MY NO GOOD SON'S GOYIM FRIENDS!"

"Well, thank you Mrs. Wolowitz. That's very kind of you. I'll let the others know."

Leonard threaded his way carefully through the sea of folding chairs and made his way back to Sheldon and Penny. "I have good news and bad news," he said as he knelt down before them.

"What's the good news?" Sheldon asked.

"We have a place to stay while the apartment is flooded."

"What's the bad news?"

"It's with Mrs. Wolowitz."

Penny took in sharp breath of air while Sheldon made a pained expression.

"Now, come on. It won't be that bad. We need a place to stay. You saw the water everywhere," he held an open hand to Penny, "and we probably won't be allowed back in until the building is cleared by structural engineers. It was very kind of her to offer."

Alma started calling out over the group of patients. "Leonard Hofstadter. Is there a Leonard Hofstadter here? If Leonard Hofstadter is here, you're needed at the front desk."

Sheldon looked surprised. "Leonard, Nurse Ratched is calling you."

"I wonder what she wants," Penny added.

"Oh, God. It probably has something to do with Mrs. Gunderson. I'll be right back."

Leonard made his way to the desk and spoke to Alma. "I'm Leonard Hofstadter."

"Good. Come back with me. The friend you brought in wants to speak with you."

"Is she all right?"

"She's doing fine but she'll be spending a few days with us."

Alma led him through the treatment area to the stretcher where Mrs. Gunderson lay. Propped up on the gurney, she was wearing oxygen. It looked like she was sleeping.

Leonard lightly put a hand on hers. He called softly. "Mrs. Gunderson?"

Her eyes popped open. "Leonard! I just wanted to thank you for everything. They're going to be keeping me here for a few days."

"I heard."

"You've been wonderful. But can I bother you for just one more thing?"

"Sure. Anything."

"Camille. She'll be alone for days. And there's all the water in the building."

"Don't say another word. I'll gladly take care of her while you're here."

"Thank you, Leonard."

…..

The plan had been made.

After checking with Mrs. Wolowitz that it would be OK to bring the kitten, and as Sheldon and Penny were still waiting to be seen, Leonard would go over to the apartment. He would get them all some changes of clothes and a few personal effects, collect Camille, and then they'd all head over to Howard's mother house.

The sun was shining as Leonard drove through the streets heading back to the apartment, listening to the radio. No music was to be found, as all the stations were talking about the quake and playing public service messages. Registering 8.2 and lasting just under a minute, the epicenter was deep in the Mexican Sonoran Desert. But despite being over a thousand miles away, the powerful quake was able to cause moderate damage throughout southern California.

Leonard listened as the speaker from the USGS made the comment that, this time, Los Angeles had 'dodged a bullet.' If the 8.2 quake had its epicenter in LA, quite likely nothing would be left standing.

Leonard then made the resolution to participate more whole-heartedly in Sheldon's Emergency Preparedness Drills. Saturated by the news, he had enough and turned the radio off.

Driving slowly down the streets, the daylight revealed more of the damages: chunks of concrete and bricks had fallen from structures and crushed the cars beneath them; broken glass, smashed from the windows of the buildings, lay glittering in the streets; single family homes listed and crumpled as they were lifted from their foundations.

Reflecting on everything that happened, Leonard shook his head in disbelief. Just over four hours had passed since the earthquake struck. The events of last night seemed like a lifetime ago.

Beyond exhausted, Leonard longed for a shower and a bed. And on the positive side, the air was cooler today making breathing easier.

Glancing over at the park as he arrived home, Leonard noted that the young mother and her son were no longer there.

Good, he thought. The husband must have come for his family. Hopefully, they were all together and safe once again.

Back in the apartment building, Leonard noted that the water had stopped running down the walls, but there were puddles at least four inches deep throughout the lobby. The electricity was still out and although the sun was up, there was little ambient light. Leonard was glad that he had brought the flashlight in with him. Making his way carefully up the slippery carpets, he stopped in 4A and then 4B, gathering the items Sheldon and Penny had requested and some things he thought they would need. He put everything in a duffel bag and slung it across his back.

Looking like a sweating and dirty homunculus Santa Claus, Leonard made his way down to 3A, Mrs. Gunderson's keys jingling in his hand. He had some worry that there would be a protracted hunt for Camille in the unfamiliar apartment. But luckily, the kitten came bounding out to greet him when he called her name, overjoyed for the companionship. He quickly located her food supply and pet carrier. After putting a towel in the bottom of the carrier for her comfort, Leonard put Camille in and headed for the steps, all the bundles and supplies in hand.

It was an awkward balance as Leonard walked down the steps. The pet carrier was unwieldy and kept slapping against his thigh. The heavy duffel bag was bulky and kept sliding down off his shoulder, pinning his arm to his side and throwing the light from the spot where he had it shining on the steps.

Exhausted and frustrated, once again Leonard hefted the bag on his shoulder, taking his hand from the security of the railing. The heavy load shifted on his back just as his right foot slid behind him. Pitching forward, he fumbled to regain his footing on the slippery carpeting.

The sudden sensation of falling was alarming.

Floundering, Leonard made a desperate grab for the railing but with his arm pinned once again by the bag, he missed. Helpless, unable to check his momentum, he fell forward down the steps. His head slammed hard on the stairs and his body went limp as he continued to roll down head-over-heels, boneless, like a rag doll.

As he fell, he caught glimpses of the flashlight and the pet carrier flying through the air. The clothes he had packed cascaded around him as the duffel bag split open.

In the disorienting sensation of the free fall, Leonard had the passing thought that he may be able to stop himself on one of the landings. But his speed and momentum were too great and he continued tumbling in the uncontrolled descent. His head impacted with the lobby floor. Colored lights exploded before his eyes and the excruciating pain that followed threw him into darkness. He lay motionless and twisted awkwardly at the bottom of the stairs, breathing in the water that was puddled in the lobby.

…..

Alerted by small sounds and restless movement in the bed, Penny moved to Leonard's side.

"Leonard? Can you hear me?" A gentle hand was placed on his arm and warm fingers curled around his hand.

Dark eyelashes fluttered.

"Leonard?"

Leonard began to blink rapidly as he desperately and ineffectively tried to bring the world into focus. He stared perplexed at the vaguely familiar face floating above him.

"Penny?" His voice was a soft whisper.

Penny smiled as she squeezed his hand. "Hey, you! It's good to see you awake! How are you feeling?" She caressed the back of his hand with her thumb.

"Terrible. Sore."

"I'm not surprised. You took a bad fall down the apartment stairs."

Leonard looked at her in hazy confusion.

"The earthquake? Sheldon and me were at the hospital? You went to get some things at the apartment? You never came back for us. Howard and Bernadette cut their trip short and called Sheldon. When Sheldon told them you were missing in action, they stopped by the apartment. They found you at the bottom of the steps laying in water that had collected."

Leonard nodded. He remembered the puddles of deep water. Groaning, he tried shift his position in the bed slightly and his lacerated body protested the movement. Penny winced in sympathy. He lifted a hand to rub his aching head and noticed the intravenous line inserted there and stared at it for a long second.

"Hospital?" He whispered, confused.

"Yep. You've been here for three days, just sleeping. You're pretty much one big bruise from head to toe. You also had to get a bunch of stitches in your head. You've got this huge bandage on."

"It's sore … and itchy," Leonard said as he gently lifted his hand and felt the bulky gauze dressing encircling his head.

Penny shuttered once again at the scene a frantic Bernadette described to her. Leonard lay crumpled at the foot of stairs, his face turned to the side, half in, half out of the water. Bernadette said if he had been turned only a fraction more, he would have fully been in the water and would have drowned in the lobby. The head wound bled profusely and mixing with the water, covered the lobby floor, coloring it red.

Penny gently lifted his left arm, showing him the cast, already covered with magic marker signatures and get-well wishes. "You broke your wrist, too. Anyone who has visited has signed it already. Can you see the name written at the very top of the cast? Where it starts just below your knuckles?"

Squinting, Leonard read the name with confusion. "Jack?"

"Jack is the baby who you gave the bear to. His mother and father stopped by to thank you. They were there when Howard and Bernadette found you."

Leonard smiled. "The baby. I remember the baby. And Camille?"

Penny smiled. "She's safe. Howard and Bernadette found her in her carrier on the landing. She never made down into the water in the lobby."

Leonard gave a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."

"You know, Mrs. Gunderson is going to have a fight on her hands trying to get her back. Howard's mother is in love with her."

"Glad to hear they're getting along. Your ankle?"

"Oh, fine. Like you said, it was just a sprain. Not even bad enough to earn a pair of crutches," Penny pouted. "Just got an ace wrap and instructions to keep it elevated."

"And Sheldon?"

"Nothing could dent that thick skull of his. He's fine. I'm surprised he didn't shatter the floor when he hit it and topple down right into Mrs. Gunderson's bedroom."

Leonard winced. "Ouch. Bad visual."

Penny laughed. "And she's doing fine too, by the way."

"Good."

"So basically, you're the only one who's a mess."

Leonard smiled. "As usual. The apartment?"

"The structural engineers are there today, so hopefully we'll know soon. We've already been told the pipes will take at least three weeks to fix so we're all displaced until then."

"Are you with Mrs. Wolowitz?"

"No. Just Howard and Bernadette. Sheldon decided he was most comfortable staying with Amy, who is thrilled. She said she can continue with her experiments of trying to advance their relationship without being interrupted."

"Good for them. I hope she gets some success with that."

"And I am staying at Bernadette's apartment. She said there was no need for me to driven crazy by Howard's mother."

"She's just saying that. I think Bernadette really likes her."

"Hey, look what I got for you," Penny said smiling as she walked to a shelf by the window, covered in balloons and flowers. She returned to the bedside with a pink teddy bear in hand. The bear was wearing a yellow ski hat and vest.

"Since we're buying bears that look like ourselves, "Penny said with a teasing smile in her voice, "see? This is a girl bear for you that looks like me, I think. She doesn't have blonde hair, but I think the yellow hat counts. And look, she's wearing something very special under her vest."

Penny undid the vest to reveal …

Leonard smiled. "A snowflake necklace! Very sweet."

"Well, obviously she is a skiing bear and snowflakes are very important to her."

"I can see that."

"They're important to me too," Penny said as she leaned forward and touched his brow and cheek. "You were wonderful that night, Leonard. Thank you for everything that you did for us. For all of us."

"Hey! Look who's finally awake!" Leonard heard Howard's voice fill the room.

Leonard watched as his friends circled his bed. Everyone was speaking at once.

"Leonard!" Sheldon came to his side and put a warm hand over his. "It's a pleasure to see you return to consciousness! Although it was self-evident the way you've been mumbling and tossing in the bed these past few hours."

"It's good to see you too, Sheldon. How are you feeling?"

"Quite well, thank you. No residual effects from my concussive episode."

"Yeah! Sheldon's concussive episode!" Howard said laughing. "You should have see it! When we brought you in, this loud, monster of a nurse turned to Sheldon and said, 'now that's a head injury'. I can just imagine how Sheldon went off on the staff about that bruise on his eyebrow."

"Well, it did look pretty bad at the time," Leonard said, supporting his roommate.

"Talk about looking pretty bad!" Raj put a comforting hand on Leonard's shoulder. "They told me looked awful but I didn't believe it! Dude, you are one big giant bruise! You're purple everywhere. Like the Grimace. You know the McDonald's character," he added for clarification as he smiled and nodded to his friends.

"Raj! It's good to see you! Welcome home to the destruction of Los Angeles. How was your trip?"

"Not as bad as yours obviously."

Sheldon stood with his arms folded across his chest, a hand resting on his chin. "You know the Grimace is a purple being of an indeterminate species with short arms and legs and a slow-witted demeanor. That does sound like Leonard."

His friends all nodded in thoughtful agreement.

"It does," said Howard.

"It really does," said Raj concurring.

Leonard sighed.

"Howard, I just want to thank you and Bernadette. Penny said that you found me in the lobby."

"Oh! Now that was awful! You were at the bottom of the steps, all covered in clothes, half submerged in the water. You could have drowned! And the blood! Oh my God! It was everywhere! The whole floor was red. That woman you helped earlier, well her and her husband stopped by to thank you. They saw your car parked out front of the apartment. He helped me carry you out."

"It's an ill wind that blows no one good," Sheldon happily recited the proverb, "and on that note, I have some very good news, Leonard. Your mother heard about your injuries and is coming to visit."

"Aww!" Leonard whined and made an ever further pained expression. He brought his hands up to hold his now even worse aching head and, forgetting about the cast, he hit his tender head squarely with the fiberglass cast.

His friends winced and hissed in sympathy.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Keeping his face covered by his hands, he moaned from behind the cast, "Why? Why? Why couldn't I have just drowned in the lobby?"

Penny intervened. "All right, guys. I think Leonard's had enough good news for today. How about we let him get some more rest, OK?" She started to usher them from the room.

"See you later, Leonard." Raj called over his shoulder.

"Get some rest buddy, we'll be back later." Howard added.

"It perplexes me to no end why Leonard doesn't appreciate his lovely and brilliant mother," Leonard heard Sheldon say as they exited into the hallway.

"Well maybe because she's a cold-hearted, overly analytical, loveless, emotionally distant individual who never gave Leonard an ounce of affection or support as a child and experimented on him like one would a lab rat," Howard offered.

"No. That can't be it," Sheldon mused.

Penny came to Leonard's bedside. And after putting a comforting hand to brow, she carefully stroked his hair. "You all right?"

"Just tired, that's all," he said as Penny's thumb stroked the tender skin between his eyes. Leonard began blink furiously as he tried to stay awake.

"Sleep then," Penny said in a whisper soft voice, "and I'll be here when you wake up."

Exhausted, Leonard only had the strength to mouth the words 'thank you.' And with that, he fell into peaceful sleep.

…The End…

A/N - As always, I'd like to thank you for reading this far and I hope you enjoyed the story. And as always, comments, criticism, reviews are always welcome and will be gratefully accepted. I got very distracted by 8.2 but now I am going to return my attention to my other in-progress story. Thank you again!