A/N The end of the convention, the flight home, and Leonard welcoming Penny back. There is some Leonard here, and a bit of a Mary Sue. One thing, I've been trying to put a new chapter out at noon, on Sunday. Well, real life is intruding, so from here on out, while I'll strive for noon, the new chapter will go up between 11 AM and 1 PM EST. For those of you outside of the US, that's between 1600 and 1800 UTC.

Chapter 32

Saturday 18 January, 8:10 AM

Penny smirked at Karen, "So, have a good time last night?"

"Ahhh…I…er…um…you see…"

Penny was still smiling and touched Karen's arm, "Don't worry about it, I won't say anything to anyone else."

"Ahhh, ahhh, um, thank you," said Karen, looking embarrassed. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to tell you that I'll be late to the booth, and to give you the keys," said Penny. "Al wants to talk to me about the presentation we're going to give to the sales teams this afternoon. So, you and ahhhh, lover boy," smiled Penny, "will have to start without me."

Karen buried her face in her hand, "Okay, enough, please?"

"Okay," said Penny, still smiling, "I've got to get going. I'll see you in an hour. Here," Penny handed Karen the keys to the booth, turned, and walked away.

Saturday 18 January, 9:00 AM

Penny got to the booth, in a little less than an hour, just as the hall was opening. She had Al with her and as they walked up to the booth, Roger and Karen turned their heads, away. Penny smiled inwardly and getting behind the counter, found the printed images of the slides used in the presentation, and gave them to Al. She had also sent a copy of the presentation itself to Al's email. Al wanted the slides, so he could make copies and pass it out to some of the sales team, that couldn't make it to the presentation Penny was giving. She got that done, and Al thanked her and told her he would bring them back to her for the 1 PM presentation.

Karen was already engaged with some people asking about Embryno, and Roger was filling the pamphlet and Brochure holders, so Penny started answering questions also.

Saturday 18 January, 12:45 PM

They had been rather busy all morning. Saturdays usually were, as those salesmen that were working during the week, usually showed up on Saturdays, as it was their only day to visit. Karen asked to go to lunch at 11:30, and Penny had gone at noon. Roger was now at lunch, and there wasn't anyone around, so Penny moved over to Karen and said, "So how was it last night?"

Karen turned red but didn't say anything.

"From the look I got at him this morning, it must have been a lot of fun for you."

"Penny, please stop," said Karen. "Okay, yeah we hooked up last night. We've hooked up before, back when we were both interns. Now, he's still an intern, and since I'm not quite a regular employee, there's nothing wrong with it."

Penny looked puzzled, "What do you mean, not quite a regular employee?"

"When I was an intern, during the Imflaminix launch, I got my intern salary," said Karen. "Now, my pay is split between the program pay and intern pay. I'm part of a program that hires promising interns, for a probationary period, and if they decide I did a good enough job, they hire me as a regular employee."

"Oh, now I get it," said Penny. "Regular employees can't get involved with interns, and since you aren't a regular employee, you can still fool around with him, right?"

"I wish you wouldn't put it like that," said Karen, "but yeah."

Penny got a wicked grin, "Look, as your team lead, what you two want to do, is not my concern. As long as what you are doing is during your time off, and it's not against company policy. But, as co-workers, if you and I are alone, I may give you a hard time about it." Penny smiled, "Speaking of hard…"

"Okay, okay," said Karen, throwing up her hands.

"Don't worry, I told you I won't say a word," said Penny, "I'll just needle you about it, every once in a while." Penny smiled at her.

Karen smiled weakly, and nodded, "Thanks."

Turning serious, Penny said, "I will let you know, I'll talk to Dan and Tim about a position, in sales, if that's what you want. Maybe that will help you." Or, maybe they already know and asked me about her, because they are thinking about a sales position job for her.

Karen looked grateful, "You'd do that?"

"Sure, you worked your ass off, for this project," said Penny. "I think you'd make a great salesperson and you deserve to have them know what a great job you did. And, since I'm your team leader, it's my job to let them know."

Karen looked at Penny gratefully, "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," said Penny. "Now, come on, let's get these things filled before Roger gets back, and you two find somewhere to run off to, before we have to leave for the presentation." Penny smiled and Karen just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Saturday 18 January, 2:00 PM

Penny and Karen were talking with Al, surrounded by a group of salespeople, from Texas. Al was very effusive in his praise, as were those salespeople who had come up, to offer congratulations. There were several questions, which Penny and Karen had answered. Finally, Roy came up, and Penny was annoyed. After the incident at the dinner, he just rubbed her the wrong way.

He looked at her and said, "Who did all these slides?"

"I did the research for most of them, and then wrote them," said Penny, trying to be polite. "Karen did about a quarter of the slides, and about a third overall, if you count the research."

"They're pretty slick," said Roy. "Very well written. Where did you go to college?"

"I didn't, except for one semester and a few other classes," said Penny.

"But, I thought you wrote this," said Roy. "Are you sure Karen didn't write this?"

"I did," said Penny through clenched teeth. "Do you think I have to go to college to write this?"

"I wouldn't expect something that's written so well, without you doing some college writing," said Roy.

Karen spoke up, angrily, "Yes, she did write this, and she directed my research for the slides I wrote. Who are you to claim otherwise."

Penny signaled Karen to be quiet, then turned to face Roy, trying to keep her anger in check. She knew she was the top salesperson in California, and knew where the other top salespeople, in the country, were, and Texas was not one of those places. She crossed her arms and said, condescendingly, "Awwww, are you upset that I'm a better salesperson than anyone in your district, or even your whole damn state, even though I didn't finish college?"

"Who? You?" said Roy, with a laugh. "That I don't see happening, as a matter…"

Penny was about to go all Nebraska on Roy, at least verbally, but Al spoke up, "Roy, I think you're you're in over your head."

"What do you mean?" asked Roy.

"This woman here," said Al, nodding at Penny, "is the top salesperson in California. She's also in the top five in the whole company. As a matter of fact, she's got a higher gross per office, and total gross, than anyone in Texas."

"That can't be right," said Roy. "How do you know?"

"Evidently, like her, and unlike you," said Al, with a dig, "I know where the top salespeople are. When I found out she would be leading the team, I looked into it. She's been at this for only five years, in her first year, she was in the top three, in her region. She's built on that and also led the team for the Inflaminix launch. So, her leading this team makes perfect sense, I'm surprised they haven't made her a DM yet."

Karen looked at Penny with new respect.

"So, I suggest you apologize and leave, and I'll talk to you on Monday."

Roy looked at Al, with puzzlement, but Al just stared at him, hard.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Hofstadter," said Roy. "Okay, Al, I'll talk to you Monday." He glanced at Penny, then turned and left.

"Thank you, Al," said Penny. "I was about to jump all over him."

Al laughed, "Maybe I should have let you. Penny, if you know you're doing a better job than the person you're talking to, don't take any shit from them. I wish I had you here in Texas because, from your record, you're probably better than several of my DMs. Give me a call, in a few weeks, I'd like to talk with you. It was a great pleasure meeting you and I hope to meet you down the road at some other meeting or company event." He held out his hand and Penny shook it.

Al turned to Karen, "Karen, you did a great job also, I think you have a great future with the company." He shook Karen's hand.

"You two have a safe trip back, and I'll make sure the materials that are left, make it back to you, goodbye." With that, Al turned and started out of the ballroom.

Saturday 18 January, 7:45 PM

Penny, Karen, and Roger were sitting at a table in the Bob's Steak House. After packing all the materials away, and closing the booth, Penny led them to the restaurant and told them they were celebrating, and she was buying. Penny was buying, because she was the team lead, and these two deserved it. Penny again ordered cranberry juice, and she offered two toasts. One for the conference going so well, and the second, to Roger and Karen, for doing such a great job. Roger was very quiet until Penny told him, everything was good. That she didn't care and wasn't going to say anything about it, to their superiors, so he could relax. They talked about Al saying he'd never seen a launch go so well, and Karen asked Penny about how she became such a good salesperson. Penny told her she would talk to Karen about it after they got back.

When they finished, Penny paid for the dinner, left a hefty tip, and the three of them walked out, toward the elevator. Penny reminded them, they had to check out early, as their ride would be there at 9 AM, for their 12:30 flight. They all decided to go back to their rooms, so they could finish packing and get to bed early enough. They each said goodnight as each of them got off the elevator. Penny was the last one on and she was looking forward to getting out of her starting-to-get-tight business clothes, getting ready for bed, and then calling Leonard.

Sunday 19 January, 12:45 PM

There was another hour before they landed, and Penny and Karen were talking about the convention, mostly trying to think of things they thought could have gone better. Fortunately, everything they could think of was minor. They were both in a good mood and Penny thought she could needle Karen one last time, and ask her about Roger. She didn't get very far, before Karen looked at her and said, "Really, Penny. Are you going to keep bugging me about it? Do you want a detailed description? Like how long he lasted or how big his dick is?"

Penny looked at Karen and started to smile. Karen was mad, but she, also, started to smile. Then they both started giggling, and then flat out laughing. Suddenly Penny stopped laughing and said, "Be right back."

Karen saw her go to the lavatory and shortly return. As she sat down, she said, "I'm sorry, Karen. I'm just teasing you. I found it funny."

"Well, I'm kind of embarrassed by you finding out," said Karen. Karen wondered what had happened, to cause Penny to run to the lavatory, but didn't ask.

"Okay," said Penny, "I'm sorry I'll stop. Besides, you don't need to tell me his size, I saw it remember?"

Karen laughed, "Well, you know, it looks quite different when it's ha…"

"Yes, I know it looks different, and no, I don't need specifics," said Penny, giggling, "we can leave it right here."

"Okay," said Karen, "but if you try it again, I'll come right back, and start from here."

With that they clinked their glasses and each pulled out their computer.

Sunday 19 January, 1:45 PM

Their flight touched down about 15 minutes early, and after the plane taxied to the gate, they collected their things and got off the plane. Leonard was waiting for Penny, just outside of security. They kissed and hugged. After they separated, Karen said hi to Leonard, and Penny introduced Roger. Leonard shook his hand, while thinking he looked a lot like Kurt. They started walking toward baggage claim when Penny waved them ahead and said she needed to stop at one of the shops and she and Leonard would be along shortly.

She told Leonard to wait outside, and she went in. A couple of minutes later, she came out and they started walking toward baggage claim. When they came to a women's bathroom, Penny again said wait, and she went in. After she came back out, Leonard said, "What's going on?"

"Leonard," said Penny, "I was on the plane, and Karen and I started laughing, and I started peeing. So I stopped laughing and ran into the lavatory, and wiped. When I went into the shop, I bought some pads for leaking, and now I have them on. I need to ask the doctor about that tomorrow."

They continued walking and getting to the baggage claim, Karen and Roger were still waiting. As they waited, Penny told Karen and Roger to take the next day off, because that's what she was doing. The luggage came, and they all got their bags off of the carousel. Penny asked if they had rides, and Roger said his roommate was on the way, and Karen said she had her car in long term parking. Penny again thanked them for the great job they had done and told them she would see them Tuesday. Penny and Karen said goodbye to Roger, and then, along with Leonard, walked out of the terminal, to the parking area. Karen started for long term parking, and Leonard led Penny to his car, put their luggage in, and started their trip back to 4A.

Sunday 19 January, 2:45 PM

On the way home, she had asked about Leonard's week, and he told her about having to choose the two additions to his team. He had a meeting with Eric on Monday. After getting home, Penny left her things packed and just asked Leonard to lay with her, on the bed, as she wanted to take a nap, and wanted it to be with Leonard. They had slept for about 45 minutes then Penny took a shower. Before leaving for the restaurant, she had called Dan and told him she had given Karen and Roger Monday off, and she was taking it off also. Dan was agreeable and told her he would talk to her on Tuesday.

Leonard was wondering if he was going to hear about any of the convention when Penny said, "Don't worry, sweety, I'll tell you all about it, at dinner."

Leonard and Penny had just gotten their food, when true to her word, she told Leonard about her week. How smooth everything went, how well Karen and Roger had done, how well her presentation had been received. She admitted that she was worried a bit about getting pissy with the senior vice-president, but he didn't seem to have a problem with her defending Roger and Karen. And, she did tell Leonard how Al had defended her, told her he wished she was in Texas, and spoke about it being one of the best launches he'd seen.

When they finished, they were both in a hurry to get home, so they skipped dessert and Leonard drove. Getting there, they turned off the lights in the living room, locked the doors, and managed to keep their clothes on, until they got to the bedroom. But, once there, the clothes were thrown and scattered around the room. After they were finished, they just laid in each other's arms for an hour, hugging, giving each other quick kisses, and just relaxing. Finally, they both go up, cleaned up, and got back into bed, falling asleep with Leonard's arm over Penny, their fingers entwined.

Monday 20 January, 7:30 AM

Penny had gotten up early, to have French Toast ready for Leonard, before he went into work. She ate with him, then cleaned up the kitchen, as he was getting his shower. They kissed goodbye, then Leonard left for work, and Penny went back to bed, to sleep in and just take it easy until she had to get ready for her doctor's appointment.

Leonard started working on some paperwork he needed to finish before he met with Eric at 9:30. Getting to Eric's office, his secretary told Leonard he could go right in. The two of them sat down and started going over their notes, for each of the individuals they had interviewed. After almost two hours, they made their decision, among the four. Leonard pushed hard for the candidate from Princeton, and one candidate from Caltech. Eric agreed with Leonard's choice from Caltech but disagreed with the other. So, they went over each of the applicants' academic credentials, and their demeanor, during the interview. Leonard finally agreed with Eric that the University of Wisconsin candidate would be a better fit, and they arranged that Eric would call the CalTech person into his office, to give him the good news. Leonard would call the person from Wisconsin, to let them know. They would wait to contact the other two, in case one of the candidates they selected, decided not to accept.

It was approaching noon, so Leonard headed for the cafeteria, and a quick lunch with the guys. They were already there eating when he arrived. He didn't say much, just a quick hi, then listened, while he ate his lunch. After finishing, he said he had to leave, for Penny's doctor's appointment and got up, put his things in the trash, and left the cafeteria.

A/N The Mary Sue is I attended the University of Wisconsin.