A/N First off, thanks to Surfsupbra for letting me know they are still with me and have been through all 70 chapters. I do appreciate it and the sentiment you mentioned in your review. I know people are reading, by the number of people who are visiting the story. And, it's been increasing, so that makes me feel good, even with very few reviews.
The other was a comment in the reviews (and two in PMs), about Leonard not having his phone with him since Penny is close to being due. He did and does. It's just that Eric was using the university's communication system to call and leave a voice mail. Penny, if going into labor, would have certainly called Leonard's cell. Enjoy.
Chapter 71
Thursday 21 May, 10:20 AM
"You heard me," said Eric. "According to the people at Brookhaven, he was great. He explained the theory, listened to them, thanked them for doing the work to find the particles, he was just the perfect visitor."
Leonard still had a confused look on his face, "You asked me to talk to him about what he should do, and I did, but I never expected him to listen to me, so I also sent him to talk to his wife. To be honest, I never expected him to do what either of us told him to do. I figured if we got half of what was asked of him, we would be ahead. But, evidently, he took it all to heart."
"Well, I just want to thank you for guiding him," said Eric.
"I don't think I can take the credit," said Leonard. "I wasn't sure he listened to me, so had him talk to his wife and I have a sneaking suspicion that he listen to her a lot more than he listened to me."
"What would she have to do with it?" asked Eric.
"He listens to her more than anyone," said Leonard. "I simply suggested a few things that would help him work with them, and then said that he should go talk to her, especially after what she said to him in Stockholm."
"What did she say?" asked Eric.
"You'll have to ask them," said Leonard, evasively. "I don't think it's my place to reveal their private conversations."
"Well, by getting him to talk to his wife, you still got him to pay attention to what you said," said Eric.
"I don't think so," said Leonard. "The only thing I did, for sure, was to get him to talk to his wife. She probably pushed him more than I was able to push him."
"But, see, that's the thing that probably got him to change," said Eric. "You used your knowledge of him, both the professional and the private area, such as listening more to his wife, to make sure that when he went, he did it properly. That's what a good manager does."
"Well, I don't know if I'm a good manager," said Leonard.
"To be honest, I wasn't sure either," said Eric. "But, last year you became more decisive and you've done a great job on the entanglement team. The people that work for your team and the students who are part of it all love having you as their boss and you are getting results. You push yourself hard and trust me, they see that, but you are very understanding with them, as individuals, and treat them with respect. This makes it a pleasure to work in the lab, so they work hard. And, I'm hearing that your idea exceeded the number of entangled photons your experiment was expected to do."
"Well, I think I just got lucky," said Leonard. "We still have to go over and figure out why it ran so well."
"Yes, I know that," said Eric. "But, you're being modest, about being lucky. You came up with the idea to increase the number, and you have, by more than you thought possible. In addition, you're combining the science part with managing people, and you are doing a great job at it."
"For example, look at your friends. You took three disparate types of people in Dr. Cooper, Dr. Koothrapolli, and Mr. Wolowitz, and have managed to move them ahead in their careers, for their own good and the good of the school."
Leonard looked dumbfounded, "Er…sir, how do you know about that?"
"Well, it's my business to know how what's going on in my department," said Eric. "But, Dr. Cooper we just talked about and you are the one that pushed for getting Dr. Koothrapolli the job in planetary sciences. I want you to know, I've been getting very good reports from the astrophysical group and the Planetarium group at Griffith. We've been trying to get a foot in the door there for years, and, they love Dr. Koothrapolli's work, and we love his work here, it's a great match."
"Then how do you know about Howard?"
"It's interesting," said Eric. "While he's studying engineering work, I hear about it due to his work on the Space Station. I heard the story, from someone here on staff, about how you provided some ideas that pushed him to look deeper into the fix of the grip, which led him to go for his Ph.D."
Leonard was stunned. "All I did was ask some questions."
"Which led to him thinking, which lead to getting him to work on his Ph.D. You do it so naturally. But, enough of that, how much longer do you think you'll be working on the photon entanglement."
That question surprised Leonard, so he thought about it for a minute before answering. "Probably about three to four years, then another year to finish all the papers that will come out of the work, why?"
"I want you to think about something," said Eric. "You have the right temperament, and you've now shown us you can handle people, and your science is top-notch. I was a bit vague earlier this year, but now I want to get specific. You're one of the people I have on my radar for the head of the department when I leave. Obviously, nothing I say is official, I'm only telling you this, so you can think about it. Also, there may be times when I call you in on some decisions, to gain some insight into your thought processes."
Leonard again didn't know what to say, but he did have a few questions. "What about my friends, won't they be considered? I mean Sheldon has a Nobel. And what about others in the department?"
"No, they won't, and here's why," said Eric. "Dr. Cooper simply doesn't know how to manage himself, most of the time, much less other people. He has a Nobel, so he's already an asset to the university. Mr. Wolowitz will be starting too late with his degree, although I will say, with his work, we are definitely going to have a new slot for a professor, who can explain the effects of space on materials. Mr. Wolowitz, as an engineer with a PhD., would fit that slot nicely, but that may be for the next head of the department. As for Dr. Koothrapolli, he had a rather large lull in his career, and he just now coming out of it. He simply doesn't, and won't, have the needed number of publications to advance much farther. That may change in the next few years, but it will be rather late for him to get past full professor."
"As for you, again, this is all off the record," said Eric. "There are others I'm considering. I mean, something could happen that would prevent it from ever happening for you. Something like you considering continuing your work with the entanglement team, for example. Something else coming up that you get interested in or you just might not be interested in an administrative job. But, if I'm here for another four years, as I plan to be, and you're still here doing the great job you are doing and are available, you are who I would currently recommend."
"Thank you, sir," said Leonard feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what else to say.
"As this is unofficial, it goes without saying that you can't say anything to anyone else," said Eric.
"What about my wife?" asked Leonard.
"Well, I guess it would be okay, but she can't tell anyone else," said Eric.
Hmmmmmmm, maybe I can't tell her, she might tell the world, thought Leonard. "Okay sir, is there anything else?"
"Nothing from me, have a good day, and again, thanks for the great job on Dr. Cooper's trip."
Leonard rose and as he was leaving he stopped, turned, and said, "Thank you, sir."
Eric grinned, "Leonard, remember, just call me Eric, when we're alone."
Leonard nodded before leaving Eric's office.
Thursday 21 May, 11:30 AM
Penny had been angry all day, thinking about Priya at dinner last night. When her phone rang and it was Bernadette asking Penny go to lunch with her. Penny gave her a short, curt, "No."
Bernadette was taken aback and said, "What's wrong Penny?"
"Nothing," she said almost angrily, continuing in the same tone. "Why does there have to be something wrong?"
"There doesn't have to be," said Bernadette. "But, unless you're pissed off at me personally about something, you have no reason to be so short and angry with me."
"Okay, fine, there is something wrong," said Penny.
"Well, then why not come to lunch with me and get it out of your system?"
Penny actually smiled, "Yeah, okay, that might be best."
"Meet you in your office?" said Bernadette. "Say, around 12:15?"
"Okay, I'll see you then," said Penny, before hanging up.
Thursday 21 May, Noon
Leonard found the other three guys and sat down. They were talking about Raj being there. With his job split between Griffith Observatory and here at CalTech, some of it at Palomar, he seldom found the time for lunch in the cafeteria with his friends. While the other three talked, Leonard was thinking about what Eric had said.
While it was true it was some time in the future, he was still overwhelmed that they thought of him as a possible chair. 'They', he thought. Eric wouldn't have said anything if the university regents and President Siebert didn't already know and approve of it. I can't believe that they…
"Leonard, did you hear me?" said Sheldon.
He shook his head, "No, I didn't, I was thinking…I got to go." With that, Leonard stood and took his tray to the trash can. He took his sandwich with him, left the tray, and walked out of the cafeteria.
"Well, that was rude," said Sheldon. Howard and Raj look at the door where Leonard left in puzzlement.
Thursday 21 May, 12:15 PM
Penny and Bernadette walked over to the restaurant across the street from Penny's office in silence. Penny had told Bernadette she didn't want to talk about it until they got to the restaurant, so the walk to the restaurant was done in awkward silence.
After getting their drinks and ordering, Bernadette said, "Okay, we've ordered, what the hell is going on?"
"I'm just feeling like a whale," said Penny. "Bloated, I have to be careful walking…I'm just huge. After seeing that skinny bitch Priya looking so good, I…I…I'm just, so damn fat. And, my nipples are still leaking."
Bernadette let out a short chuckle.
"What's so funny?" snapped Penny, still looking angry.
Bernadette was still smiling, "Remember when I called you skinny bitch?"
Penny continued looking angrily at Bernadette until she started giggling. She almost started laughing, then remembered she might pee, so she tried to cut the laugh off. Bernadette continued to smile until Penny regained control of herself.
"Okay, you got me there," said Penny. "I guess all pregnant women feel this way at some point."
"I'm sure they do," said Bernadette. "I felt that way both times. And, I'm sure Priya felt that way with both of her kids."
Penny nodded, "Yeah, I shouldn't have said that I'm sure she did too. But, I mean I get sweaty, short of breath, I feel like a whale, and I have high blood pressure. I'm just tired of carrying this" she patted her stomach, "around."
"Well, you have how many weeks left?" asked Bernadette.
"About two months to get to forty weeks," said Penny. "But, only about 3-5 weeks left for twins, who usually come at 37 weeks."
"And, I'm sure you'll be back to your skinny self, with those ridiculous abs, not too long afterward," said Bernadette.
Penny sighed, "Yeah, thanks. I should be able to get back into shape, although I'm not sure my abs will ever be the same. We're looking at getting a nanny for two to four hours a day. If we have that, we should be able to handle it."
This time, Bernadette busted out in a full laugh, "You really think that two to four hours is going to give you enough time? There's no way. Penny you are going to be so exhausted. We were both so tired from taking care of one, then Michael came along, and we got almost no respite. Even with Raj, Stuart, and my parents, we wore ourselves out."
Penny looked frightened, but Bernadette continued, "Look, you will work through it, but you will be tired. It didn't happen all that much, but sometimes one would get to sleep and the other would wake up, sometimes waking the other. With twins, I expect you'll see that happening a lot more than we saw it. You'll have me and Amy, and yes a nanny will help. But, there is just so much to be done, with a newborn. And, you multiply that by two, and you just won't have time to take a nap, or get to sleep before one, or the other will wake up."
Penny looked sad, and Bernadette saw it, "However, it will be so worth it. You'll love those two little people so much. I mean, Raj had me talk to his dad, because I was down about not being excited about having a kid or wondering if I was going to love it. But, once Halley was born, I couldn't believe how much I loved her, and then Michael came along and I had the same feeling for both of them."
"Look, I'm not saying loving them will make it easy," said Bernadette. "You will get frustrated, confused, and upset among other things. And tired, oh will you ever get tired. But, you will think the world of those two little girls and you'll want to protect them, and nourish them, and just try to make them the best. It will work out. I know you said you didn't want kids, but you seem happy about having them now. You'll do great, you'll be tired, but you'll do great."
"Thanks, Bernadette," said Penny with a smile. "I guess I just have some doubts, and I'm frustrated with all the changes my body is going through. But, I guess I really needed that pep talk, because I'm feeling a lot calmer now."
"That's great, so just sit back and enjoy lunch, I'm buying," said Bernadette. Wanting to get Penny's mind off of her concerns, she changed the subject, "How are the sales coming along for the new product you worked on, Embryno, was it?"
Penny excitedly started talking to her about how well Embryno was selling and forgot about her earlier anger and frustration. Bernadette leaned back, listened, and smiled.
Thursday 21 May, 7:30 PM
Leonard wasn't sure what had happened with Penny, she was really surly this morning, but seem much better this evening. She seemed happy at dinner and practicing before class, and she enthusiastically waved at Dr. Samuels when she came in.
As it was now 7:30, Dr. Samuels stood up and said, "If you could come and get your pamphlets for this week. We'll be covering some possible complications, along with possible medical interventions during delivery. And, yes, that means we will be covering cesareans tonight."
"Does everyone have a pamphlet?" she asked, each pair held one up, "Good, then let's start with the minor problems and work our way up to the major ones, ready?"
Saturday 23 May, 3:30 PM
Leonard was working on his switch idea, he was sure they could start testing the switch this coming week, and possibly doing a run, where they would switch between ten and fourteen entangle photons. He heard Penny, who was in the living room, call out to him, "Leonard."
He stood and looked at her, "Yes?"
"Come here."
Leonard walked over to the couch and sat next to her," What do you need."
"I was going through the nanny sites," said Penny. "And, I think we're about ready to start doing interviews. I don't want to wait too much longer. I mean I'll be in my 32 week on Monday, and we may only have two weeks left if I'm a normal early. I just want to make sure we have everything ready. I've started going through my list…"
"Wait, you have a list?" asked Leonard.
"Yes, you know all those little things I've been asking you to do?" said Penny.
"Yes?"
"Well, all those were on my list," said Penny. "I've been doing those things on my part of the list and I'm almost done with all of them."
"That seems awfully unlike you," said Leonard. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you were doing them and didn't seem to have a problem," said Penny. "So, I didn't bother saying anything. And it may be unlike me, but I just want to make sure everything is done."
Leonard chuckled, "Okay, you're right and I had no problem with doing those things. If you wanted something done, I was there for it. So, where are we with the nannies."
"I want to start by interviewing four," said Penny. "I want to call the three agencies on Monday and get some names and information. I can go through the list and pick out four so we can do the interviews next week. Can you get off next Friday afternoon?"
"I'm sure I can," said Leonard. "Is that when you plan on doing the interviews?"
"A couple and a couple more on Saturday," said Penny. "That will give us Sunday to decide, and I can call with our decision on Monday. Then we can talk to the one we chose, and start negotiation. If we don't find one, we can redo the process the week after."
"Well, it sounds like you have everything planned out," said Leonard. "Let's go with it."
"Okay, I'll call on Monday."