Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own anything to do with The Big Bang Theory (except DVDs). CBS, Chuck Lorre, and Bill Prady have that honor. I am just a fan.

Chapter 9

Anything Can Happen Thursday

A few weeks later everyone was gathered in Sheldon and Leonard's apartment. Things had been tense between Penny and Katherine so they had been avoiding each other as much as possible. However, the gang was gathered for Anything Can Happen Thursday, so they were forced to be in the same room for an extended period of time.

Katherine and Penny thought that they had done a good job in acting like nothing was wrong, but they hadn't realized how observant Raj was. He had noticed the glances that Penny gave Leonard when she thought no one was looking. And he watched how Penny and Katherine were avoiding each other; and how carefully polite they were being when they were forced to be together.

Since the four women were present Raj had been drinking; and he had been drinking enough to be mischievous. Raj decided to propose a game. "Hey, you know what would be fun? Truth or Dare?"

Katherine and Penny tried to convince everyone that it was a bad idea but they were voted down by everyone else. Penny and Katherine were tense, afraid of what could be revealed by the game.

The first few turns were harmless truths. Sheldon chose dare on his turn. Katherine dared him to let Amy sit in his spot for 30 seconds. He agreed to the dare much more readily than anyone would have guessed.

When it was Penny's turn, she quickly chose dare. Raj dared her to kiss the person she liked best in the room.

"Right here bestie." said Amy, but Penny's eyes went to Leonard. Penny was taking a little too long to kiss someone.

"Penny?" Leonard asked, puzzled.

Katherine said with quiet fury "Damn you Penny." Penny turned toward her.
Penny and Katherine stared at each other while Leonard looked at both of them. Everyone but Raj is confused.

Leonard grew concerned "What's going on?"

"Nothing. Let me kiss Amy and we can finish the dumb game." Penny said brusquely.

"If you are going to kiss Amy, why is Katherine so mad?" Katherine sat with her arms crossed and refused to meet Leonard's eye.

"This is stupid I'm going home." Penny ran out of the apartment.

Leonard was bewildered. "What the hell is going on?"

"How can you be so stupidLeonard?" Katherine said contemptuously and stormed out after Penny. After a stunned pause, Leonard followed the girls across the hall. Katherine was comforting Penny when Leonard barged in.

Leonard demanded "Will either of you tell me what the helljust happened back there?"

Penny rose from couch "Are you really that oblivious Leonard? Fine, let me make it clear to you."

"Penny don't." Katherine entreated.

"It's too late now." Penny replied.

Katherine sighed and slumped against the couch, defeated "You're right"

Penny took a breath and said simply but sadly "I still have feelings for you Leonard."

Leonard looked at Katherine for her reaction but there was none but resignation. "Why aren't you upset about this?" Realization dawned "You knew! You knew and didn't tell me!"

Katherine stood up "Of course I didn't tell you, you schmuck!" she said furiously.

Leonard was determined to get to the bottom of things "Why?"

Katherine's anger faded, she looked away from Leonard and said quietly "Because I was afraid"

Leonard was perplexed "Afraid of what?"

Katherine looked at him again "Afraid that if you had to choose between Penny and me, you'd choose Penny." Penny was stunned by her admission. Leonard was silent.

Katherine was on the verge of tears "That's all the answer I need." She fled the apartment.

Penny said hesitantly "Leonard."

Leonard looked torn. "I have to go after her."

"I know."

Leonard raced out of apartment and down the stairs after Katherine. He caught up to her in the lobby just before she opened the door. "Katherine wait!" Katherine turned toward him.

"I don't know what to say, I just don't want it to end like this."

Katherine said sadly "So it's definitely over?"

"I think we both know it wouldn't have lasted much longer."

Katherine sighed "I know. I just kept hoping it would turn into something more."

"If it hasn't by now I don't think it's going to." Leonard took her hand and pulled her over to stairs where they sat down.

"We've been more like friends with benefits than anything else, haven't we?"

"The benefits were pretty great though."

Katherine chuckled "Definitely." Leonard put his arm around Katherine and she leaned her head on his shoulder

"Leonard, if we're so smart, how come we can't figure out how not to get hurt?"

Leonard smiled "If I was smart enough to figure that out I'd have twelve Nobel Prizes by now." They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Katherine eventually said "I know this is crazy, but I'd still like us to be friends. Not right away, but eventually."

Leonard responded "I'd like that." He spotted tears in Katherine's eyes and tried to lighten the mood. "You don't fool me though Levin. You'd only use me to get to Sheldon."

"Sheldon? Hmmmm." She said thoughtfully.

"You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking?"

"Well, I have always had a thing for super villains and with Sheldon I'd be getting in on the ground floor."

"I'll miss how you make me laugh."

Katherine said "Back at you." She stood up to leave. "Leonard, as someone who cares about you I'm going to give you some advice. Don't rush into things with Penny."

"I'm really not comfortable with this topic right now."

"Leonard, I think part of our problem was that we were both rebounding. Don't get me wrong, Penny's great. As much as I'd like to accuse you of thinking with your hormones right now, I can't. She's a wonderful person and I can see that the two of you would make a great couple. But I think you both need to be sure before you start dating again or you'll both wind up getting hurt again."

Leonard shook his head. "I can't believe you're giving me advice on my next relationship while we're in the middle of breaking up."

Katherine smiled "I'm just doing it to show you what a fabulous girl you're giving up Hofstadter."

"I'm well aware. Way too fabulous for me."

Katherine "Don't sell yourself short. You're pretty fabulous too." She softly kissed him. "Goodbye Leonard." He watched her walk out the door then slowly climbed the stairs to his apartment.

When he reached the fourth floor; Penny was waiting for him. "Leonard," she began.

Leonard held up a hand. "Penny, I know we need to talk but I can't do it right now. I just had to hurt someone I care about very much and I need to process some things before I can deal with anything or anyone else." Penny looked disappointed but nodded and went into her apartment. Leonard went into his own home and was surprised to see it empty except for Sheldon.

"Where is everyone?" Leonard asked, grateful that they were gone as he didn't want to explain or be fussed over.

"They left after Penny, Katherine and you departed." Sheldon frowned "You appear to be upset. Would you like me to make you a hot beverage?"

"No thank you Sheldon; I'm going to bed."

"Leonard?"

"Yes?"

"I heard shouting. Did you and Katherine terminate your romantic relationship?"

"Yes."

"Oh that is a shame. She had just made my list of treasured acquaintances."

"Good night Sheldon."

Author note: Thanks everyone for the positive reviews on this story. They really inspired me to continue even when I had writer's block.

For those of you who got attached to Katherine I have an idea for a sequel that gives her the happy ending she deserves; please PM me or review if you would like to read it. If there is enough interest I will write it.

I would love to hear your thoughts, feedback & constructive criticism so please review.