Big Bang Theory Season 13 Chapter 12
In New York, Leonard landed at JFK and was shocked to see a driver waiting at the curb with a Fox News placard with his name on it. He approached the driver, "I'm Leonard Hofstadter, is this car for me?"
He nodded, "It is sir, place, I'll take your bag and you can have a seat in the back."
Leonard climbed in and found it very plush and before he knew it they were headed for the city. Once there, the driver got his bag out and giving it to him, he directed him to the office where he found a smiling Harris Faulkner waiting for him. He put out his hand to shake her hand, but she bypassed his hand and drew him into her arms.
She hugged him and planted a soft kiss on his lips, "SO glad to see you Leonard, I've really been anticipating your arrival. When Sheldon told me you were coming to assist him in the hiring of the Fox Weather Channel, I couldn't wait to see you." She pulled back, "I'm hoping to re-ignite the good times we experienced in the past." She winked at him and she gave him a sly smile.
He was trembling, just thinking about the great time he had with Harris in the past, "I would love to have a quiet evening with you in the near future Harris."
She grinned at him, "How about tomorrow evening, my husband is out of town and I could use a companion to dine with?"
He nodded, "It's a date, I can't wait. Now could you please direct me to where I could find Sheldon?"
She led him down several halls to his office. She knocked on the door and he called out to her, "Come in." She opened it and Sheldon upon seeing Leonard, hopped up and doing the unusual, came around the desk and hugged Leonard rather firmly.
He pulled back and chuckled, "Yeah, I hug now, I think you're gonna like a lot of the changes I've made in my life,not so anal as before, but not totally free from my faults yet, but I'm working on them."
He sat down and they talked like two long lost friends. Leonard began, "I'm not sure if you are aware, but Penny and I divorced."
Sheldon closed his eyes and nodded, "Yes, she called me crying, wanting to know what to do seeing how she screwed up."
Leonard scoffed, "Screwed up is putting it lightly. Have you seen the videos online of what she did, or should I say,who she did?"
Sheldon nodded, "Yeah, I saw them. She told he she tried her best to resist, but with the medication they gave her, it lowered her resistance and after that, she couldn't and didn't want to resist. She did try, but it was too overwhelming. Now she said she can be herself without trying to resist and live a lie."
Leonard nodded, "I guess I'm sorta at fault. I tried to make her into something she couldn't and wouldn't be. I still can't forgive her for what she did. I made the mistake of marrying her, maybe she can find someone more like her and they can live in bliss. I'm so much happier now, now that I don't have that cloud of insecurity hanging over my head like a cloud waiting for the other shoe to fall."
"So, what other news of the old group?"
Leonard cleared his throat, "Have you heard about Amy?" He saw Sheldon stiffen when the mention of her name.
Sheldon took a sip from his bottled water, "What about Amy?"
"Aw, well, Amy and Bert got married last week. It was a simple, small ceremony, but Bernadette, Raj, Denise, Stuart and I were there, along with her parents."
Sheldon shifted in his chair, "How about Penny, was she there?"
He shook his head, "No, Amy didn't want the drama if she came and I told them if Penny was invited, I wouldn't be there."
Sheldon slowly nodded, "I can see you wouldn't want her there, but I think you didn't take Amy's feeling into it, did you? You know they were best of friends for years and with her not being invited, I think it devastated her."
Leonard nodded, "I can see that, but I told Amy she could invite her, but I wouldn't be there. So I guess Amy made the decision to have me there, rather than Penny. I think you forgot when she found out she couldn't have any children from you, it was all because you slept with Penny and that is how she found out. She still doesn't forgive her for fucking up our entire group. From our divorce, to yours, the death of Howard and her seeing how Penny's actions crushed me."
Sheldon stood up and came over to Leonard and put his his shoulder, "I guess she did have a lot to do with the demise of our group, but when Amy and I won the Nobel, that changed things too, some for the better, some for the worse. Overall, I think we were all evolving right before each other's eyes and none of us saw it and if we did, we didn't like or accept it, me just as much as the rest of us."
Leonard patted his hand, 'You know, for the first time in some time, I've got to agree with you. With that said, what's going on here? What did you propose and what did they agree upon? Why am I here and what's my part in your diabolical plan for these naive New Yorkers?"
Sheldon chuckled, "They have no idea what a genius from East Texas has planned for them." He gave him the whole lowdown of his plan and how receptive the CEO was on his entire plan.
Leonard stood up, "Listen, I had a rough couple of days, do you mind if I hit the sack early? I have a dinner date tomorrow with Harris Faulkner and would love to be well rested for our night out."
Sheldon grinned at him, "So you two, huh? Starting off where you two left off a couple years ago. Would you mind if we made it a double date?"
Leonard thought for a moment, "As a matter of fact, that would be great. I think it would take the pressure off of us and keep things light, who are you bringing on the date?"