Epilogue

It's been five weeks since what happened, and things have changed. The five of them swore to secrecy over the events involving the symbiote. For the most part, things have gotten back to normal.

For Penny though, things have never been the same. Ever since the guys saved her from the alien, she's been plagued by nightmares. She'd wake up screaming in the night, her entire body covered in sweat. She would dream that the symbiote had survived, and that it re-bonded to her. While her relations with most of the guys has gotten back to normal or close to it, she's been avoiding Sheldon. Seeing him brought back memories of her being forced by symbiote to torture the man. Penny felt sick at remembering so much blood the alien parasite made her spill.

Mostly its Leonard who visits her apartment everyday, and Penny really enjoyed his company. The blonde still couldn't believe how determined he was that she can be saved, even when the alien took control. Penny knew that nothing she could do could repay such a debt that she owed to the experimental physicist.

As Penny pondered this on her couch, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Thinking its Leonard, the blonde tells the person to come in. But to her surprise, it was actually Sheldon. The two would stare at each other, both wondering who would speak first. Penny broke the silence. "I thought you knocked three times and say my name?" The blonde asked, hoping this will ease the awkwardness.

It seemed to work as Sheldon grinned slightly. "Yes, but if I did that, you wouldn't answer the door." He replied, his grin faltering. "Leonard has told me that you have been avoiding me." The theoretical physicist said, taking a seat next to the blonde. "I would like to clear the air between us." Sheldon added, staring Penny right in the eyes.

The blonde's eyes began to water. "Sheldon, I'm so sorry for what I've done to you. I…I..." Before she could continue, the scientist interrupted.

"No Penny. If anyone here is to blame for this entire debacle, it is me." Sheldon replied. "I never should have hurt you, I never should have kept such a dangerous alien organism in my room in the first place." He paused, his eyes filled with emotion. "I…I'm sorry." He whispered, engulfing the blonde in a deep hug.

Penny gave in, crying silently on his shoulder as the two neighbors silently reconciled. Feeling a heavy burden has lifted off her chest, the hug ended and Sheldon spoke. "Leonard also informed me that you have been having regular nightmares since what happened." He also informed the waitress, with Penny nodding that its true. Exhaling, Sheldon continued. "Would you like any kind of drug or pharmaceutical that can help ease your trauma?" He asked.

The blonde gave a reassuring grin. "Yeah, that would be nice. Thank you Sheldon." Penny thanked, the blonde tracing her fingers over the lanky man's chest. "How are you feeling?" She asked, also noticing the same hidden trauma he had in his eyes.

Sheldon slightly flinched at remembering the torture he was inflicted upon. "The wounds will heal." He replied briefly, knowing the physical body will take care of itself.

"Yeah…" Penny silently added, dropping her hand. They both know that things will never be the same. No matter how hard they try to forget, no matter how hard everyone tries to move forward, that event would remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Sheldon muttered in agreement before checking his watch. "I'm afraid I have to go, I promised Leonard to get us Thai food before he gets home from the lab." The scientist said, getting up and walking closely to the door. As he wears his coat, he turns to the blonde. "You are always welcome to join us for dinner." Sheldon offered though Penny shook her head slowly.

"That's okay sweetie." She replied softly, really wanting to be alone with her thoughts.

Sheldon nodded and began to leave. "Goodnight, Penny." The physicist said his farewell, opening her door to go.

Penny gave the lanky man a small smile. "Goodnight Sheldon." She responded, the scientist nodded with a grin in return before closing the door, once more leaving the blonde alone.

Immediately after Sheldon leaves, Penny pulls her knees up to her chest and lowers her head. Tears fall as the blonde cries softly over what she has done. As if they sky was feeling her never-ending agony, rain poured heavily over the streets of Pasadena. What was once a sunny city in California suddenly seemed tainted with haunted memories that will never go away.

Other Notes: And there it is, the ending to The Symbiote Complication. For new readers to the ones who have read this story since the beginning, I hope these chapters were good enough for my infrequent updates. If you feel the story feels too short, too long, please share any constructive criticism you may have in a review as I promise not to make the same mistakes in the future. For now, I just want to say thank you to those who still waited for future chapters and that this story is completed ever since I first wrote on this website. This is Logan GC signing out, and have a nice day.