A/N Hey, bonus, short Author's Note. This chapter's a bit scattered, and at the end, we get to find out whether or not Penny holds grudges.

Chapter 29

Wednesday 08 January, 7:30 PM

Everyone turned to look at Raj. Sheldon said, "What are you talking about?" "Look, all four of us were on the shortlist for tenure," said Raj. "That was six years ago. If you don't get tenure after seven years, they take you off the tenured track, and you usually end up having to leave the university. So, I didn't get tenure like you three, which means, next year, I'm gone. Why should I be happy for all of you?" Raj sounded bitter.

Howard said, "Buddy, you have a couple of more years, before the end of your seventh, so you can keep looking around."

"Yeah, great," said Raj angrily. "Like something is going to popup in that time, even though nothing has changed."

"Raj, look," said Leonard gently, "why don't you go in and talk to Eri, er, Dr Gablehauser, try to find something. Discuss taking on teaching a class. You may have to reduce your research time by several hours a week, but it should work. Look, you've discovered several things, although it's been a few years, and you published papers from that period. And, even through you haven't made a major breakthrough, you have publish papers on dark matter signals, recently. So, you have the research qualifications, you just need the teaching part. So, go in and talk to Gablehauser."

Raj looked thoughtful, "You may have a point, I should go in and talk to Dr Gablehauser. I'll make an appointment for next week. Thanks Leonard."

With Raj calming down, the rest went back to talking, Penny was explaining to Bernadette and Amy how she felt filled with energy right now, and was looking forward to getting everything ready for the convention. They guys were arguing about the new comic books. It was soon time for the Wolowitz's to gather their things, and their kids, and they left, with Raj. Amy and Sheldon said goodnight, and soon, Leonard and Penny were snuggled together on the couch.

"I'm so proud of you sweety," said Penny. "When they first announced you taking over the team, I was mad, because you deserved tenure too. So, tell me, how did all this happen?"

"Actually, for me, Mike suggested it," said Leonard. "He told Dr Gab…er…Eric, damm."

"What's wrong?" asked Penny.

"I keep wanting to say Eric, when I'm talking to the guys, and I have to say Dr Gablehauser. And, other times, like now, when I should say Eric, I say Dr Gablehauser."

"What is causing this?"

"Well, it's him, telling me, to call him Eric," said Leonard. "He started insisting that I call him by his first name when we're alone. And, he keeps talking to me about the different things going on in the department. It just feels weird, like I'm higher up in the department, when I'm not."

Leonard continued, "Anyway, Mike though that it would be a good idea, because it would keep me around as head of the team. Eric told him it might be difficult because tenure positions require teaching or being thesis advisors. So, Mike suggested to Eric that I take over his student, and that would fulfill the requirement. And, Eric agreed, so here I am. Of course, I'll have to take on more students, about one a year, since I am a professor, but it's not a problem."

"What about Sheldon and Amy?" asked Penny.

"They're in a different category," said Leonard. "As Nobel Laureates, the university wants to keep them around for fund raising and general prestige. So, it makes sense to give them tenure and make them professors."

"Yeah, but," said Penny, "I didn't hear that Sheldon had to teach someone, just people coming in from other places."

"Yes," said Leonard, "since it's his baby, he will be leading the research into super asymmetry, and explaining it to everyone else. From here on out, it will be mostly the math, so it will be mostly him, not Amy. I guess they are considering his meeting with others to promote his theory, as teaching. But, he still has the Nobel, so teaching is really seconday. However, I was serious about him going to other institutions."

"Amy, is going back to Neuroscience, and, like me, needed students to fulfill the teaching requirement. Having thesis students is much better than having to actually teach. Teaching would be three hours of lectures, then labs and discussions, call it six to eight hours, not counting planning and writing lessons and giving tests and all that."

"Now, what does having tenure exactly mean?" asked Penny.

"I told you before, it means I can't be fired except for cause and that's hard to do. One of the other professors jokingly said stealing the coffee pot in the physics lounge is one reason for cause, and the other would be gross immorality on the office furniture. But, I think it's okay on the floor."

Penny laughed, "Really? Maybe we'll have to try that."

"No, just kidding," said Leonard. "The different reasons are specified in the faculty handbook. It's there, so they can't just fire you because they don't like your science ideas. They do seriously look you over for a while, to make sure you have what it takes. In my case, it was simply the fact that I didn't have a teaching load, or doctoral students, because my research was more than sufficient. Now that I have one student, and am the lead on a rather prestigious project, I can see where it made sense for them to offer it."

"Do you get a raise?"

"Oh yeah, big one," said Leonard, with a smile. "and, it comes out of the university funds, I don't have to make sure I have grants every year, at least for my pay."

Penny suddenly stood up and walked over to the bookcase, behind the couch.

"Hey," said Leonard, "where are you going?"

"Just a minute," said Penny, and in a few seconds she was standing next to Leonard's chair. She was looking down at Leonard.

"What?" said Leonard.

From behind her back, Penny put on a pair of black, thick-frame glasses. She slid them to the edge of her nose and said, "Professor Hofstadter, I think I need someone to help me with my assignment, something about rubbing and friction, can you help?"

Leonard's eye went wide, then he stood up and said, "You need to come with me to my office. I think a some private lessons are in order." He started walking back toward the bedroom, Penny grinned and started walking after him.

Friday 10 January, 4:30 PM

Karen had picked up all of the slides, and was going to make the changes this weekend. Her arms were full and she was wondering how she was going to open the door, when it opened and she said, "Thank you Ms Rostenkowski-Wolowitz."

Penny looked up as Karen left and she said, "What's up?" "Just stoping in to see how you are doing," said Bernadette.

"What do you mean?" asked Penny. "I told you on Wednesday, I'm doing great. That tired feeling I had early in the pregnancy is gone. I've got a lot of energy."

"That's what I want to talk to you about," said Bernadette, pulling up a chair and sitting down. "You need to slow down Penny. You felt tired, at first, because of the hormones that a were getting the pregnancy started. Now, those early hormones are gone and you feel great. I did too, with Michael, and I ended up on bedrest. You have twins in your belly, you better take it easy."

Penny looked at Bernadette, quizzically.

"I'm not saying to stop working," said Bernadette, "just don't press you luck, try not to push yourself as hard."

"And, how do I do that," ask Penny, pointing to the pile of papers on her desk. "I've got the sales convention in less than a week and I still have a lot to do, to get ready for it. Then I have to get through convention itself. Where, exactly, do you want me to cut back?"

Bernadette sighed, Penny wasn't getting it, "Look, I'm not telling you to cut back, but just not push yourself so hard. What good is all this going to do, if you end up on bedrest? Look at me, I almost lost my job to that woman that was with Raj. In your case, if you go on bedrest, your position here, and your move to Ambu Medical, if you want to go, might be in jeopardy. And, none of that is even important, think of how you're putting your babies in danger. Just take care of yourself, is all I'm saying."

Penny paused for a few seconds, then nodded, "Okay, yeah, when you put it that way, it makes sense. I'll start watching myself. Not work late, or push myself too hard. You got through to me, okay?"

Bernadette nodded and smiled, "Good, cause I don't want you to lose those two babies."

Penny scowled and looked away, "Neither do I." She turned back with a concerned look on her face, "Oh, Bernie, do you think if I push myself too much, it could happen? That scares me."

"That's why I got put on bed rest," said Bernadette, "because they were worried about the baby. I just don't want the same thing happening to you."

Penny nodded, "I get it, I'll watch myself. Okay?"

Bernadette nodded.

Penny said, "What are you doing down here?"

"Just wanted to see how you were doing," said Bernadette. "I was on my way home and thought I'd stop in."

Penny looked around, "Well, I've got another hour or so of work, and then thirty minutes of emails, so I should get out of here by six. But I will be working all weekend."

Bernadette raised her eyebrow, and Penny added, "But, watching myself."

Bernadette laughed, then said, "Try to have a good weekend anyway, I'll see you after you get back. I figure you'll be too busy to see me on Monday."

Penny nodded, "You take care and we'll see you in a coupe of weeks, bye."

"Bye, Penny," said Bernadette, who walked over to give Penny a hug, then turned and left.

Penny looked at the piles of paperwork on her desk and said, "Sure, take it easy."

Sunday 12 January, 9 PM

Penny put the last pile of papers in the last container. She had brought home three, to hold all the promotional items, they intended to give out at the convention. She would have to drop them off at the printing shop, in the morning, so they could print it, then send it off, in the afternoon, so it would be there when she arrived at the convention center late Tuesday.

She had some partially packed clothes, and toiletries and she would have to finish packing on Monday night. But, for now she was done. She poured herself some cranberry juice, into a wine glass, and then sat down with Leonard, on the couch.

"You all finished?" asked Leonard.

"For now," said Penny, who took a sip. "I'll have a little bit more to do tomorrow, and then I'll have to pack tomorrow night, before we leave on Tuesday morning. You're still taking me, right?"

"Yes, I am, we're leaving here at 6 AM," said Leonard. "I'm really proud of you."

"For what," said Penny, sounding puzzled.

"You did a really good job of pacing yourself this weekend," said Leonard. "you never worked more than two hours, without taking a break. Took breaks for lunch and dinner, and just didn't push yourself too hard."

"Yeah," said Penny, "that's because of Bernadette."

"What?"

"Yeah, she stopped by my office on Friday," said Penny. "Mostly, I think, to caution me about working too hard."

"What? Why?"

"Leonard," said Penny sadly, "I don't want to lose our babies. Bernadette told me her doctor put her on bedrest, to protect the baby, because she was working too hard. I don't want the doctors to protect my babies, that's my…our job. So, I thought about it, and agreed with Bernadette that I needed to make sure I don't do too much and end up in bed like she did."

Leonard looked thoughtful, "You thought of that by yourself?"

"No, Bernadette told me about it," said Penny. "But, I took her advice to heart. Which is why I took all those breaks this weekend."

Leonard gathered Penny up into a hug, "I'm glad you did. Just remember that next week, and don't be out until all hours of the morning."

Penny chuckled, "The only time I did that, was at the first convention, with Bernadette. We were going out and drinking, and having a good time. Last time, I was too busy, to do any of that. This time, I'm drinking cranberry juice," she held up her glass, "and I'll be going to bed early, after calling you. Now, how about we head to bed early? I have a couple of things I'm going to be short of, over the next week, and I need to build up an inventory to get through."

Leonard laughed, "Build an inventory? Listen to Ms Salesperson. You know that's not how it works. You can't build an inventory of sex."

"Well," said Penny, "how about we just call it getting enough now, to get me through until I come back?"

"That's a good way to put it," said Leonard. "Come on." Leonard rose and taking Penny's hand, leading her back to the bedroom.

Tuesday 14 January, 1 PM

Penny looked at her watch, showing it was 1 PM. She had set her watch to Dallas time, upon getting on the plane, and they had just finished lunch. Now, her and Karen were enjoying the room of business class, while their intern, Roger, was in economy. She had an expense account for this trip, and, as lead for the team, was authorized business class. Karen had worked hard for this project and Penny felt she should be given an upgrade. So, when they arrived at the airport, for their 8 AM flight, Penny upgraded Karen to business class. Although she couldn't, by company rules, upgrade her, for no reason, Penny had written a note, to use when she filed her account, that the reason for the upgrade was so her and Karen could talk about the upcoming conference.

Penny came back from the lavatory, her second trip, and had asked for another cranberry juice and Karen asked if they were going to talk about the conference. Penny grinned and said, "Yeah, okay, you know how you were going to room with the intern?"

"Yeah, I was wondering about that," said Karen.

"Well, you aren't," said Penny, "you get your own room. I talked to Dan, and we decided that it wouldn't be appropriate for you two to be rooming together."

"Well, you could have pick a woman, intern," said Karen.

A wicked grin appeared on Penny face, and staring right at Karen, Penny said, "Yeah, funny how that worked out, huh? Imagine if I had picked the woman, you would have ended up sharing a room, instead of getting your own."

By the look in her eyes, Penny could tell Karen had figured it out. Karen looked a bit embarrassed, but said, "Thank you, for thinking of me. I didn't think you liked me."

Penny laughed, "What I didn't like was you stealing my yogurt. You quit doing that, so I have no reason to be upset with you, and you've done some great work on this project. You deserved the upgraded flight, and the room to yourself."

"Well, again," said Karen, "thank you."

"I think that's way more than enough talk about the conference, to cover the upgrade," said Penny. Penny grinned at Karen, and again Karen's eyes widened, understanding exactly what Penny had done with the upgrade. "Now, I think you can relax, for the next hour, because we'll have a lot of work to do tonight, to make sure we're ready for tomorrow." Penny finished her juice, leaned her chair back, and closed her eyes. She wanted to be rested and relaxed when they got into Dallas.