Heart To Heart || The Big Bang Theory

IX

Elena sat in the backseat of Leonard's car, looking outside into the Pasadena streets, with her belongings she bought from Target the other day, and the bag she barely packed after getting discharged when they stopped by her apartment to pick up clothes so she can stay another couple days at Sheldon and Leonard's apartment. Sheldon was also quiet as he sat in the passenger seat, looking outside. Leonard was so happy that the car ride was finally silent, but this time it didn't feel right. He could tell that this wasn't tension, it was sadness. As if a sleepover between two kids was cut short and everyone is bummed in result of it.

Leonard cleared his throat, "Who all from your family is coming to visit, Elena?"

Elena was too zoned out and did not answer, but Sheldon did, "Her mother, Lucia, her father, Arturo, and her twin brothers, Fernando and Eduardo."

Elena heard her family member's names and was pulled out of her spell, "Huh?"

Sheldon turned to look at Elena, "Oh, Leonard asked about who in your family is coming to visit you."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, all of them are coming. Except for Antonio and Daniel. I think. At this point, I wouldn't put it past them for them to suddenly come," Elena said.

"That's a lot of brothers," Leonard commented.

"Yes, it is."

Leonard parked in front of Elena's apartment complex, "Well, thank you for staying with us, Elena. You have been wonderful."

"No, thank you both. You guys have done so much by letting me stay at your apartment, I appreciate you both for helping me during this time," Elena said, grabbing her things.

"Of course," Leonard said. He looked over at Sheldon, who unbuckled his seatbelt and exited his car.

"I'm going to assist Elena up to her apartment," Sheldon stated.

Leonard nodded, thinking it was strange since he didn't get off when Elena went to pick up her things earlier in the day.

Elena's eyes softened when she heard Sheldon say that.  She smiled, and exited Leonard's car with her belongings in hand. Sheldon went around the car to grab her things, "Oh dear lord, what do you have in this bag?"

Elena rolled her eyes, "Don't exaggerate, it's not that heavy."

Elena bid farewell to Leonard and one last thank you to him. Sheldon and Elena then made their way inside the apartment complex, Sheldon following behind and looking around at the lobby. It seemed like an old building with modern decorations. It also smelled like a home for older people.

As they entered the elevator, Elena faced Sheldon, "At least my apartment complex has an elevator."

Sheldon rolled his eyes at Elena as the elevator doors closed, "You may have an elevator but you are missing out on every day cardio, which you're not getting because you take an elevator."

Elena chuckled in response, but then his bruises on his face caught her attention. The purple shadow underneath his eye seemed darker, then she leaned forward to see the other bruise.

"It's impolite to stare."

Elena shook her head, "I'm sorry. I just haven't seen your bruises this up close."

The elevator doors opened, Sheldon and Elena walking out together. Sheldon couldn't help but feel immense guilt over yesterday's incident. Seeing her covered in injuries, hearing her voice be slightly hoarse, all because he hesitated. He compared this version of Elena to the one before all of this, and it only saddened him more. It was a huge change.

They soon reached Elena's door, Elena pulling out her keys to unlock the door.

Sheldon watched as she did, his mind was racing. The one thing that truly made sense is that he is the one to blame for Elena's strangulation. Had he not hesitated, it wouldn't have gotten that far. He didn't understand what was going on with him. His mind was fixated on the—