"Leonard Speaking"
'Leonard Thinking'
Los Angeles International Airport
Leonard came out of the airport, his tall figure, dressed in a white shirt and black suit, along with his dark cane, made a commanding impression. His sabbatical ended tomorrow, but he decided to leave Albuquerque a day early. While Gus, or rather Stan, could not directly join Chaldea before he took out the Cartel, Leonard had already given him the information about Chaldea and its operations.
Thinking back to his company, he thought about his meetings with various giants in the technology sector. While the great minds who joined with Chaldea were its true wealth, the patents Leonard registered for many low level technology products represented a highly marketable asset for him. From better camera units for smartphones, to medical devices with much greater sensitivity; his inventions, almost backward by his own standards, represented a giant technological leap in the industry. This allowed him to leverage his patents for licensing agreements, earning him his first bit of profit. Coupled with his development of a platform like Instagram, Chaldea was on its way to be a fabulously profitable venture.
With a CEO like Stan, Leonard could take a step back and focus on research and development. Chaldea, being much bigger than Leonard, took up a lot of his time. Before he could devote himself to it, he needed to free himself from his own problems. One of those problems was his life at Pasadena. No matter what he did, some parts of Pasadena stayed with him. Be it his slight guilt at not attending Howard's wedding, his memories of Penny and Priya, his work at Caltech, Sheldon's shadow in his life, even the awkward times where his mother visited him, Leonard could not forget about Pasadena.
Leonard took a deep breath, as if he was filling himself with a piece of L.A. and Pasadena, before exhaling loudly. His eyes sharpened as his grip on his cane tightened. He quickly flagged a taxi, smoothly getting into it, instructing the driver to go to Caltech.
Caltech, Pasadena
'Why do I even bother with Sheldon?', President Seibert thought for the thousandth time.
As a well known physicist and the President of Caltech, he is someone with a respectful status and connections. Yet, there was a problem that Seibert couldn't handle by himself. When he had approved of Leonard's sabbatical six months ago, he had thought that a grant would be extremely helpful, but now, he realized that no grant could make up for the torture Leonard's absence could put him through. At least Leonard tempered a lot of the craziness Sheldon brought with him.
Suddenly, he heard a knock on his cabin door. Seibert, who was still worrying about the ongoing dispute between Sheldon and Howard Wolowitz on the use of Sheldon's parking space, welcomed this interruption, while hoping this interruption did not come from Sheldon. He quickly gave permission to enter, welcoming a tall, sharply dressed man into the cabin.
The stranger greeted, "Afternoon, President Seibert. It has been a while."
Seibert kept trying to place the stranger from his memory. He did not seem to remember meeting this man, yet his face held a strange familiarity. The tone, a rich, measured voice, brought this uncanny sense of familiarity that Seibert felt his brain burn. Finally, Seibert asked, "Good afternoon to you as well, but please tell me, who are you?"
The man chuckled good naturedly, "Come on President. I know it has been six months since we last saw each other, but I don't think I have become completely unrecognizable."
Suddenly, the answer came to Seibert like a thunderclap. He asked warily, "Leonard?"
The man grinned, confidence and amusement shining in his eyes, "In the flesh President."
That answer was enough to utterly shock Seibert. The last time he had seen Leonard, he had been short, awkward, wearing thick glasses and casual clothes. Now, seeing him without his glasses, wearing well tailored formal clothes, without his signature glasses, and most importantly, about a head taller than before, Seibert could not believe that the man in front of him was the same Leonard Hofstadter.
Seibert asked, "What happened to you? You look so different from before…"
Leonard interrupted, "A lot can change in six months. Besides, corrective eye surgery, a height extension surgery, physical exercise and a change in clothing preference can bring about these changes."
Seibert was silent, accepting the answer given. While the changes seem surprising, they were not so shocking that it becomes unbelievable. Still, a part of Seibert was relieved at Leonard's return.
Seibert was still processing Leonard's changes when Leonard stood up from his chair and handed an envelope to him.
Leonard said, "This is what I promised you. A million dollar donation to Caltech Physics Department from Chaldea Research Organisation. I really impressed them with my work."
Seibert was delighted. Swiftly putting the cheque in his drawer, Seibert stood up and asked, "Welcome back Leonard. Ready to start work? I will not assign any experimental work, but please mediate this argument Mr. Wolowitz has with Sheldon."
Leonard's smile dimmed. He informed Seibert, "That is not something I can help with. When I left, Sheldon and I parted on bad terms. I doubt that he would be willing to listen to me."
Seibert sighed, "Sheldon really knows how to burn bridges. In that case, you can rejoin tomorrow. It's good to have you back."
Leonard gave a curt nod and left. Seibert sat down again before sighing, "looks like I need to wait some more. If the quarrel doesn't end, I will give both Cooper and Wolowitz a warning."
Leonard quickly left Caltech and hailed another cab. Normally, he would go back to the apartment, but he remembered something. Quickly asking the driver to move towards the storage facility. He still remembered the day, a day that changed his life. He had just used the Pill, giving him clarity as well as courage. He had moved all of his stuff to a storage locker. Now, he stood in the locker that carried his memories.
Leonard took in his collection of comic books, toys, small games, collectibles and other paraphernalia. For a large part of his life, these things were his escape. His escape from his judgemental mother, his bullying schoolmates, his awkward romances, loneliness, depression and much more. For a while, these books saved him from himself. But now, they are a reminder of that life. A life where he lived on other's terms, without choice.
Leonard looked at his small R2-D2 model. He smiled and started speaking, "Hey R2, how has it been? I hope you haven't been lonely, standing with Superman instead of Luke and Leia. I just don't understand people sometimes; placing you here, away from your loved ones. I also have someone similar to you now. I named him QBot."
Without wasting any time, Leonard started to rearrange and organize the closet. He placed comics in neat piles, ordering them by the series, issues and various other criteria. Toys and collectibles were sorted according to their fandoms. In one hour, the previously messy storage locker became neatly organized. He picked certain items that were too dear to him, like his Batman flash drive keychain, his model of the Millennium Falcon, a green lightsaber, and some small models of beloved characters. The rest, he decided, belonged to someone else.
Leonard left the facility after locking his unit. He decided to get another car, his Jaguar was still in DC after all. Leonard raised his hand, calling another cab, instructing the driver to head to a Mercedes Benz showroom. It took him about three hours before he drove his new wine-coloured S300 out of the showroom.
Leonard quickly pulled out his phone, dialing Raj's phone number. Raj picked up his phone after two quick rings.
Raj greeted in his accented English, "Hey Leonard, how have you been? It's been such a long time since you called. Where are you?"
Leonard patiently listened to Raj ramble on about recent happenings. When Raj stopped to breathe, Leonard asked, "Where is everyone right now?"
Raj answered, "They are at the Cheesecake Factory. Howard and Sheldon have been having an argument about the university parking space. This fight even spread to the girls. Now, they have reconciled, and everyone is eating there to celebrate. Are you coming as well?"
Leonard asked Raj to keep it a secret. He pulled out two keys from a small bag, pocketing them quickly before driving to the Cheesecake Factory.
The Cheesecake Factory, Pasadena
Howard raised his glass, announcing, "I'd like to propose a toast, to burying the hatchet."
Sheldon, sitting beside Amy, raised his own glass in kind, "To burying the hatchet."
Bernadette and Amy followed through as everyone clinked their glass together, savouring the end of a divisive argument. The matter had really escalated, with Amy and Bernadette fighting, and Penny getting hurt. Usually, Leonard was the one who convinced them to stop fighting, but with Leonard gone for his sabbatical, Raj convinced Howard to end the fight. Sheldon, who would have kept escalating the fight, miraculously backed down as well.
Sheldon took a sip of juice, contemplating his recent behaviour. Previously, he would have gone to great lengths to get his revenge. But overtime, with Leonard gone, Sheldon seemed to have matured a little. He was still petty and immature, but the first month without Leonard was horrendous. Slowly, Amy filled the void left by Leonard. But Sheldon learned a little about taking things too far. Now, he would unconsciously de-escalate situations, when he felt that he was going too far.
Penny, with two black eyes and a plaster across her nose, courtesy of Amy and Bernadette was relieved as well. She cheered, "Yeah, everybody's happy, great."
As the group kept eating, Raj occasionally looked towards the door. The room was filled with laughter. It was at that time, unnoticed by all, Leonard entered the restaurant, his suit and cane striking a sharp figure. His aura made many customers in the room stare as he walked towards the celebrating group with measured steps.
As Leonard approached the group, he commented, "Quite a lively group you got there."
Various heads snapped towards the voice, their faces took a flabbergasted expression as they beheld the person before them. Seibert did not see Leonard often, so he found it difficult to recognize him at a glance. But the group recognized him quickly. And the surprise was evident.
Raj spoke in wonder, "Dude, you look awesome. Totally different from before."
Everyone else at the table nodded unconsciously, unable to reconcile the idea of Leonard Hofstadter with this tall, muscular man in an expensive suit. Penny's mouth hung open as she took in Leonard's changed appearance.
Leonard smiled, "Looks like exercising did not go to waste. It's good to meet you again."
Under the awestruck gaze of the group Leonard smoothly sat at a chair. He looked at Penny with her black eyes, wincing slightly at her pain, "Oh, that must have really hurt. It seems to be healing nicely though."
Penny smiled softly, nodding her head to Leonard's statement. The group started grilling Leonard about his sabbatical, though Sheldon, who was calmly observing Leonard, kept quiet. Leonard answered all the questions patiently, giving details, telling stories. The ease with which he handled himself surprised Sheldon the most. Previously, Leonard had always been his awkward, hesitant self, who would never open up so easily.
Suddenly, Leonard interrupted, "I almost forgot. Congratulations on your wedding Howard, Bernadette. You make a great couple."
Howard beamed at Leonard, while Bernadette looked at Howard shyly. Leonard suddenly looked apologetic, "I must apologize. I was too busy to attend the ceremony. I didn't even send you any wedding gifts."
Sheldon interjected, "Wedding gifts are a useless social tradition. They take a long time to pick out, and most couples don't even use them."
Leonard looked at Sheldon in amusement, "Looks like I don't have to pick something for your wedding in the future. Good to know."
The table suddenly burst into laughter, though Sheldon looked irritated. He was not ready for marriage yet, even though his relationship with Amy had bloomed a little over the past half year.
Leonard continued, "Still, a wedding gift is a must. I have brought them with me, so it would be a waste to not give it now."
Howard tried to refuse, "It is really not necessary…"
Leonard interrupted Howard, handing the couple two keys he fished out of his pocket. The keys themselves were unremarkable.
Sheldon giggled, "Keys…"
Leonard started speaking, "Howard, the key in your hand opens a storage locker. When I left Pasadena six months ago, I placed everything I owned in that locker. Now, I have removed some of the stuff that you will not need, like the bed, and some stuff that had a symbolic value to me. The rest, I give to you. It has all of my comic books, figurines, video games, props, costumes and other such paraphernalia. I have no use for them any longer. You can keep it, or sell it if you need money."
Howard, Raj and Sheldon were shocked at that. Leonard had been collecting those things for years. Just like them, he kept a close eye on his belongings, carefully curating everything. Even if they were not nerds, the value of those things could reach about two hundred thousand. To think that he would give everything to Howard as a gift.
Sheldon exclaimed, "Hey, as your best friends, those things should have gone to me."
Leonard interrupted with a smile, "I thought you didn't want any wedding gifts."
Sheldon grumbled and bit out, "Okay, but I want something similar at my wedding."
Howard was overcome with emotion. While he was much closer to Raj than Leonard, the gift Leonard gave represented more than just monetary value. He knew how jealously he would guard his own collection. But Leonard gave that collection up without missing a beat. Bernadette, sensing her husband's mood, squeezed his hand supportively.
Leonard turned to Bernadette, "Bernadette, you came to this group much later, but you have had a great impact on Howard. His growth is inseparable from your presence. While I don't have something of similar emotional value, and Howard already bought a car, the key in your hand opens a lab. I had someone fit it with equipment to study microbiology. The lab is fully paid for, and the land deed is in your name. While the equipment is not the most high end, it is comprehensive. The most expensive piece is a SEM. You will have to pay the operational costs yourself.Congratulations Bernadette."
Bernadette froze as she processed Leonard's words. A lot of scientists work with corporations due to the costs of renting equipment, space and the operational costs of research. She dreamt of having her own lab, being able to perform her own experiments. And now, just after her wedding, she is given a fitted experimental lab as a wedding gift. Tears slipped from her eyes as she rubbed her eyes to wipe them.
At the side Amy watched enviously. She had to fund her lab through a Saudi Arabian prince. She knew that Bernadette had passed a massive hurdle in independent research. She was envious, but happy for her friend.
Sheldon interrupted, "Now that is over with, when are you moving back to the apartment?"
Everyone perked up at that. Leonard sipped his Gin and Tonic, before looking at Sheldon, "I never said I was moving back to the apartment. When I left, I was quite clear that I was moving out."
Sheldon and the group froze, remembering how Leonard had burned the roommate agreement to ashes before leaving. They thought that it was due to his breakup, but now, it seemed that he was quite serious.
Sheldon questioned, "Then where will you live?"
Leonard sipped his drink. Suddenly his phone rang, interrupting the group's attention. With one hand, he picked up the call, "I have already asked someone to find me a place. This is her call."
Leonard quickly got the details from Ellie before he disconnected. Howard asked, "Who was that just now?"
Leonard spoke offhandedly, "That was Ellie, my assistant. It seems that the house is ready. I have to leave now, make sure everything is in order. I'll see you at the university tomorrow."
With those words, Leonard finished his drink, picked up his cane, and left the restaurant, leaving a dumbfounded group of friends behind.
AN: The first chapter of the California Arc. Enjoy
AN2: A shout out to my Patrons: James Turnbull, zwarrior0596, cade hue, calvin, emahue64, Emanuel Lucas Duarte de Farias, Scott, phil, RavenSystem, Sam Becker, Cujo, Neveaj Strudivant, madao, Brody Mcdermott, Warsame Warsame, jacob hixson, Luke Bohlander, upgrade, Rickard Gustavsson, Kameron Krueger, Lamar Naugles, TyrantGod, Randomdepressed, Nathan, Matthew Hankins, Darth Melkor, Taz, Haku and Darren Burns. Thank you very much for your support.