Adam’s POV
I was at the gym working out and my cell phone rang, I usually ignore it as much as I can at the gym. Working out is my “me” time, it's when I focus on working out and clear my head of anything else. That had become more and more difficult after spending so much time with Penny. I couldn’t help thinking about her. When I heard the ringtone that I set for her calls, I didn't hesitate to answer.
“What's up P?” Our new little joke.
“Nothing much, Dr. G. Did I interrupt your workout?”
“You are never an interruption.”
“I think that's a big lie, but thanks.” She said. “I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight? I love to cook and I haven't had anyone to cook for.”
“I would love to be your victim; I mean your guest.”
“Very funny. I am a good cook, come to dinner and I will show you.”
My mind was thinking I wanted her to show me more than that, but I kept that to myself.
“Sounds great, I'll be there. I just need to shower and change.”
“You can do that here.”
“Okay, I'll be there in 20 minutes.”
I got there and rang the bell, I heard Penny through the speaker. “Come on in.” The auto door lock released and I walked in. I heard Penny call out.
“I'm in the kitchen!”
I walked in, she looked beautiful. She had on a light lilac summer dress, her purplish brown hair was cascading down her back and she was barefoot. The perfect combo of comfy, classy and casual. I felt at home and very aroused looking at her.
“Are you ready for the best meal of your life?” She asked as I walked in to the kitchen.
“I can't wait! Is it ready?”
“Not yet and you need to go take that shower we talked about.” She held her nose and stuck her tongue out at me.
I shook my head, “Very funny, P!”
She showed me to one of the guest bathrooms and went back to the kitchen. I showered quickly and as I was walking into the kitchen, I heard Penny yell and start to fall off of a high stool she was standing on.
I ran and caught her, she stood facing me.
“That scared the crap out of me! I never know where the housekeeper puts anything and I can't find the pasta dish.” She looked into my eyes. I could feel her heart pounding. “I'm glad you were here and caught me. My hero.” She said batting her eyes playfully.
I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't stop myself.
“Penny, I have to tell you something. I can't pretend and I can't hold back any longer.” Before I could go on, she placed a finger over my lips, shushing me.
“I want you too.” With that, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me softly. I put my arms around her and soon we were kissing hungrily. I stopped,
“Penny, we shouldn't do this.”
“I know it's wrong, but I can't hold back anymore either. I've been alone and wanted you for so long.” She grabbed my hand and led me to the guest room where I had taken a shower and changed. Soon we were undressed and kissing ravenously as I lowered her down onto the bed. I began kissing down her neck. Then my cell phone started ringing.
She stopped and looked at me. “Aren't you going to answer your phone?”
“No!” I smiled at her jokingly and began to kiss her again. She halted me.
“But the ringtone is Penny Lane.” She said.
“Wait, that's the ringtone when you call me. My phone is in your kitchen, it's not even here.”
“Adam, we aren't here.” She said.
“What?”
“You're dreaming.”
With that, I was jolted awake and realized my phone actually was ringing. I had to collect myself for a moment and then answered the phone.

“Hello”
“Hi Adam, I'm sorry to wake you.” It was the real Penny.
“I was just in the middle of a crazy dream. What's up?”
“I have a question to ask. I feel terrible bothering you.”
“You never bother me, and I told you to call me anytime. What's the question?” I asked, not telling her that I loved when she called and that the crazy wonderful dream was about her.
“I was wondering if it would be okay if just once I drank a little wine.”
“You know that drinking could be bad for you, in more ways than one. If you want to drink at nearly 1:00 AM, that is probably not good.”
“I know, but this wine would make me feel like I was with them.”
“What wine?”
“Gwyn sent me a bottle of wine from Italy.”
“What?” I knew this probably wasn't just any bottle of wine.
“Gwyn sent me a bottle of wine she bought in Italy. Isn't that cool?”
“No, it's not cool. You can't drink that wine!” I had to calm down or she would be able to tell I was more than just worried about her having alcohol.
“Okay, okay. You don't have to get all bent out of shape about it.”
“I just don't want you to drink, not only because of your recovery but because it's a depressant and you don't need to drink alone.”
“How about not alone? Why don't you come over and have a glass with me? Just one glass, that's all.”
I knew Gwyn had used her knowledge of Penny again. I couldn't just tell
Penny not to drink that wine, I had to get it away from her.
“Okay. But no starting without me, don't even open it until I get there. Otherwise, you might cheat.” I laughed trying to keep it light.
She laughed, “I promise I won't. It's a funny looking cork anyway, I'll let you do it.”
“I’ll be there in 15 minutes.” I dressed quickly and raced to get there.

Penny's POV
I was so excited when Gwyn’s package came. Then I read the note:

Brian and I loved this wine, I thought you would like it too.
Of course, you'll have to wait until you're better.

Even though Gwyn is my friend and I know Brian can't just sit around in his hotel suite because I'm not there. The thought of them sharing experiences together while I sit here stuck in this house, made me a little jealous. I almost just opened the wine and drank it, then I decided to have just one glass. I realized I wouldn't be able to have just one glass. I needed a friend to moderate me, so I called Adam. I didn't realize he would get so upset about me having wine. But at least he calmed down and agreed to come over.
I was surprised when he arrived in barely over 10 minutes. He pulled up to the house at practically full speed, screeching to a stop. I met him outside and walked up to his car.
“Hi Dr. G, you didn't have to break land speed records to get here. It's not an emergency.”
He smiled nervously. “I'm excited to try this wine and I knew you might decide to start without me.”
“Would I do that?” I winked at him. “Let's go in and crack it open.”
“Sounds good.” Once we were in the house he immediately asked where the wine was. I led him to the kitchen where I already had two wine glasses out. He picked up the bottle, looking it over carefully.
“Is there something wrong with the bottle?”
“Just checking it out, it came a long way. If it had any chips or anything, we probably shouldn't drink it.”
“I think it's fine. We're not going to swallow glass or anything, nervous Ned.”
“Very funny. Well, hand me the corkscrew. This could be difficult.” I'm not sure, but it almost looked like he had nervous perspiration on his forehead.
“Adam, are you okay? If you really think I shouldn't drink right now, I can just save it. I'll try not to give into weakness.”
“No! We should have it now.” He started to open it, but held it away from the counter. The bottle slipped out of his hand and crashed into a million pieces on the floor.
“NO!” I yelled. Seeing that bottle break apart felt like seeing my life break apart.
“Oh God, I'm sorry Penny.”
I bent down and without even thinking started scooping up the glass. I wanted to put it back together. I started crying.
“Don't do that Penny, you're going to cut yourself.”
“I don't care!” I said.
“Stop!” Adam grabbed me and pulled me away from the glass. “Penny, you've got to let it go!” I started pounding on his chest.
“How could you do that? I hate you!” I said. He wrapped his arms around me, trying to hold me still.
“I'm sorry, I didn't want or mean to hurt you. Please forgive me.”
I stopped and collapsed against his chest crying. He hugged me.
“Have your cry. I know it's not about the bottle of wine. It's okay.”
“I can't do this anymore, I need Brian.”
“Penny, if I had a way for you to go that I knew was safe…” I wished I could tell her why it was dangerous.
“I know, it's not your fault. I'm sorry for getting mad at you.”
“You have a right to be mad at me, I broke something that meant a lot to you.”
“I should clean it up.” I said.
“Why don't I clean it up, it's my mess.”
“Are you hungry? We could raid the fridge.”
“That sounds great.” He said.

Adam's POV
I hated having to drop that bottle, but it was the only thing I could do. I couldn't let her drink that wine, I couldn't take the chance that it was tainted. The pain and the disappointment in her eyes killed me. She'll never know that I did it for her.
I cleaned up the mess and we ate. Penny was very quiet.
“Are you going to be okay?” I asked.
“Yeah sure, I'm fine.” I could tell she was anything but that.
“Won’t Brian be calling soon?”
“He's probably getting ready to go on stage right now. He won't be able to call for several hours.”
“Maybe you should get some sleep until then.”
“I can't sleep, I'm so sick of being all alone in this house.” Then she caught me off guard. “Adam, let’s say I just got on a plane and flew to meet Brian.”
“NO Penny!”
“How hazardous can it be? I'll wear one of those masks. I won't even go to the shows or go sight-seeing. I'll just stay in the room and wait for Brian to come back. I bet Gwyn would probably even keep me company.”
“There is no way I will let you do that!” I said emphatically.
“Ummm, did you just say you're not going to let me do that?” She looked at me with anger.
“That came out wrong, I'm sorry. But doing that would be incredibly dangerous.”
“How dangerous can it be; you make it sound like going would be certain death.”
“I know it seems like I'm overreacting, but I'm trying to make you understand how risky it could be.” I could still see determination in her eyes. “I'm sure Brian would agree that you should not take the risk.”
“I just don't know how much longer I can do this.” She said looking dejected.
“It's not much longer and he'll be back. Meanwhile, I will help you through it. Penny, you're not alone. Would you feel better if I stayed a little longer?”
“Yes, I would love that.” She said with a smile.
“Okay. What do you want to do?”
“Let's eat cookie dough and watch a movie!”
“Gee, can we braid each other's hair too? I've never been to a girl’s slumber party.” I said imitating a young girl, mimicking twirling my hair.
She playfully punched my arm. “Asshole!”
“Seriously, let's do it.” I said.

She went and got the cookie dough and a bowl of popcorn then we settled in to watch a movie.
“Do you know who you remind me of?” She said.
“Who?” I asked.
“My oldest brother, Dale.”
“Really? Is he devastatingly handsome and smart?”
She laughed. “He was, at least to me. He passed away.”
“I'm sorry, I didn't know. How do I remind you of him?”
“He always took care of me and protected me. When everyone else was too busy for the bratty little girl, he would make time for me.”
“I am honored that I remind you of him.” I really meant it, but it was sort of disappointing that she thought of me like a brother.
We watched movies laughing and joking. I gave her a foot massage and she fell asleep halfway through the second movie. Her head was at the opposite end of the couch and her legs were stretched over my lap. I watched her peacefully sleeping and wondered if there was poison in that bottle. Whether there was or not, it was Gwyn making a point. She can get to Penny whether she is right here or out of the country. I still knew I had to keep Penny from meeting up with them.

Penny's cell started ringing and I gently nudged her. “Penny, Penny! Brian is calling you.” She jumped up and grabbed the phone.
“Bri!”

Brian's POV
“Hi Beautiful!”
“Hel-lo Handsome!” She said. “Do you mind holding on for just a minute?”
“Umm no, of course not.” That was different.
“I'll be right back.” I heard her set the phone down, then I could hear her talking to the other person there. I knew the voice right away.
“Penny, thanks for the slumber party. It was my first.” I heard Adam Gabriel say.
Slumber party! What the fuck? I felt like yelling it for Penny to hear me.
“It's been quite a while since I've had one.” Penny said laughing. “Seriously, thank you for coming over. Even though you broke the wine and we didn't get to have any.”
Wine? She's not supposed to drink! I was getting more and more angry and confused.
“I'm sorry again. You shouldn't drink anyway. I'll see myself out. Bye.”
“Bye Dr. G!” I heard Penny pick up the phone.
“Sorry about that.” She said.
“Penny, what the hell is going on?” I was trying to stay calm, it was taking all my self-control.
“You mean Adam being here?”
“Fuck yes, I mean Adam or should I say Dr. G? Why is he at our house at 4:00 AM and what's this shit about a slumber party?”
“Try to let me tell you the whole story before you go ballistic.”
“Penny, I don't know what man wouldn't be ready to go off if he heard what I just did.”
“I know it probably sounded funny.” She said.
“No shit!”
“Can you just calm down long enough for me to tell you?”
“Okay, I'll try. Go ahead, tell me.”
“The bottle of wine from Italy arrived.”
“What bottle of wine?”
“The one Gwyn sent me.”
“I didn't know she had sent you wine.”
“I'm surprised she didn't tell you.”
“I'll have to talk to her about that. Then what happened?”
She went on to tell me the rest of the story.
“I'm glad you didn't drink the wine; Adam was right about that.” I said. “I'm not sure why he decided to come over and drink it with you.”
“He wanted to make sure I didn't drink it all. He knew no matter what I would've opened it.”
“Penz, I know you think of Adam as a friend, but this over at our house all the time is starting to cross a line.”
“A woman can't be friends with a man?”
“My wife with a single man who's also her Doctor? Especially when he is constantly at our house. No.” I was starting to get angry again.
“Excuse me? Did you just say what I think you said?”
“Yes. Was I not clear enough? I will clarify.” I was about to put my foot in my mouth big time. “MY wife does not hang out alone with men that aren't part of the family, got it?”
“You mean the Avenged Sevenfold family?”
“Yes.”
“The family that left me here all alone? The husband half a world away?”
“Penny, you know I want you here more than anything. Everyone wishes you were here. I can't believe you said that.”
“You just can't stand that someone can actually care about me without an agenda because I'm Synyster Gates’ wife.”
“I know you don't believe me, but he has an agenda. You are the agenda; it has nothing to do with me.”
“You are being ridiculous; Adam has been my support system! You want me to just sit here in bed again? Watching the hours pass, wondering what great experiences you are having without me?”
“I'm sorry, this is hard on me too. We have to figure this out.”
“There's nothing to figure out, I am not shutting out the only person that is here for me.”
“What happened to ‘If you don't want me to be friends with him, I won't.’ I guess what I think doesn't matter anymore.”
“What you think? Do you THINK you get to control my life? Especially when you are in another country? I’m sick and fucking tired of men trying to tell me what I can and cannot do!”
“That's not what I meant, but you should care about how I feel.”
“Well of course, how you feel is all that matters!”
I could not believe she was being that way. “You know what, I need to get some sleep and you probably need sleep after your all night slumber party. I’ll talk to you later.”
I hung up on her, I had never hung up on Penny. What was happening to us? I needed someone to talk to, the best person I could think of was Gwyn. I needed to ask her about the wine and she knew Penny, maybe she could help.

Notes