The letter was on the floor under her door. Frowning Penny bent to pick it up. Please don't let it be more demands from Sheldon! She had no intention of changing either her shampoo or her cleaning routine. Moving to the kitchen to get a glass of water Penny slit the letter open with one finger and pulled out a piece of white stationary that was obviously expensive. Unfolding it she read curiously. The curiosity quickly turning to concern, then putting down the bottle of unopened water she crossed to the door picking up a set of keys in her way. She let herself in to 4A quietly. She was not sure if they would be in and she was not quite sure what she was going to say even if they were.

The living room was empty. Penny checked her watch it was 11 pm. Hopefully both men were in their rooms. Moving quietly down the hall she opened the door to her boyfriends bedroom; she had done this plenty of times in the past and she was hoping if Sheldon had heard her he would guess it was a drunken booty call and simply put on his noise cancelling headphones. She would handle the fall out tomorrow.

Leonard awoke with a start. "Penny! What's going on? You want to get in?" Leonard grinned and pulled back the covers invitingly.

Penny shook her head and signalled for Leonard to follow her. As he went to speak she put her fingers to her lips and pulled at the sleeve of his t shirt. Realising he may as well just follow Leonard did just that. Penny led him out of his apartment and across the hall back to her own.

Closing the door she turned to him and said "You'd better sit down I think we may have a problem."

"Penny its gone 11. What on earth are you doing creeping about dragging me over here?"

Penny just handed him the letter.

Dear Penny

I don't quite know how to tell you this but I am leaving. I have accepted a job on the east coast and am leaving tonight. Penny you are my best friend and I can not bear to say goodbye to you. I know if I saw your big green eyes and golden locks I would turn down this offer and I really need to go.

Do not worry my apartment is all closed up and any belongings I need will have shipped.

Sheldon already knows of my plans so you don't have to worry about telling him. He also knows the reason for my decision; but I can not face telling you Penny hence my taking the cowards way out and writing this letter.

Please do not think too badly of me, but I needed to go.

You will always be my bestie

Amy

x

Leonard looked up at Penny

"I don't understand. Why has she gone? Why didn't Sheldon say?"

"Do you think he knows? I know it says she told him, but surely he would have mentioned it."

"Well I haven't seen him. Raj was taking him from work to the comic book store, then Raj was taking him to see Amy. By the time I got home he was in bed."

"Are you sure he is in there? Do you think we should check and see if he is OK?"

"Maybe, he wont thank us though if we wake him up!"

"OK, well you go back but text me in the morning; let me know if he says anything. I will try to get hold of Amy,"

With a quick kiss Leonard went back across the hall and Penny picked up her phone to call her friend. On receiving the discontinued tone Penny began to really worry. She hoped Amy was OK.

73~73

Sheldon was in his room. He had heard Penny come over, heard her and Leonard leave, and then Leonard return. He guessed Amy had delivered the letter as she had told him she would and that Penny had found it. For a while after Leonard returned Sheldon expected a knock at his door but it didn't come. He had until morning to figure out what to say.

73~73

Leonard could hear the shower running and checking his watch saw that Sheldon was right on schedule. Well that was as good sign he figured if Sheldon was upset surely his schedule would be off.

He heard the bathroom door open and Sheldon's bedroom door close. Sighing Leonard finished his coffee and made his way down the hall. He may as well keep his bathroom time, there was no need to upset Sheldon any more than he possibly was already.

By the time he returned to the living room Sheldon was washing up his breakfast dishes.

"Good morning Leonard."

"Morning Sheldon."

"I trust you slept well?" Sheldon looked over his shoulder at his room mate.

"I did you?" Leonard asked.

"Yes thank you. Now that the pointless morning pleasantries have been exchanged lets go!" And without another glance at Leonard Sheldon grabbed his bag and headed for the door. Leonard followed him puzzled.

The car journey was the same as every other morning that week, Sheldon commenting on the route, the speed and the need to pay due attention to every pedestrian in case they became suicidal. Ignoring the commentary Leonard glanced at his room-mate.

"Sheldon, Penny got a letter from Amy last night."

"Yes she said she would be dropping a note in before she left." Sheldon remarked calmly.

"But why though Sheldon? Why has she gone?"

"Leonard she asked me not to disclose her reasons."

"Oh. Are you OK though? With her going I mean Oh. will you still be in contact?"

"No, my contract with Amy Farrah Fowler ended yesterday at 8.37 pm."

"Sheldon are you sure you are OK? Do you want me to call you mother?"

"Why on earth would I want you to do that? No Leonard I am fine thank you for your concern."

Shrugging Leonard watched his room mate climb out of the car and make his way towards his office. Pulling out his phone he text Penny.

Sheldon seems OK. Routines followed to the letter. Knew Amy had left you a letter. Said he ended contact her with her last night but said she had asked him not to say why. L x

so what do we do? x

Just wait and see I guess. See you tonight x

73~73

In his office Sheldon looked at his whiteboards. Was Leonard right? Should he call his mother? He didn't see how that would help the situation at all. In fact if his mother found out he had engaged in coitus she would descend on them whether they wanted her there or not so Leonard needn't worry. It was better for every one if no-one knew.

73~73