A/N Welcome to Chapter 62. It is also Part 4, and the final part, of this fic. The first part was 18 Chapters, the second 30, the third was 14 and this part will be around 20 or so. The parts were based on events in the story (for example, before Penny left Pasadena is Part 1. If you can't figure out what the other events are, feel free to PM me), so that is the reason for the differences, in the number of chapters. I actually had included some of the stories Jeanie was telling Penny, based on my own theatre experiences, but I had to cut them, the chapter ran too long (again, if you must know, PM me).

Part IV

Chapter 62

Apt 314 9:30 AM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

Jeanie was waiting at Penny's kitchen table, sipping on coffee and waiting for Penny to get ready. She had gotten up before Penny, went to her own apartment to get some clothes, and then came back to Penny's apartment. Jeanie woke up Penny and told her to go get a cup of coffee, while she got a shower and got ready. Afterward, when she told Penny it was her turn to get ready, Penny tried to tell Jeanie she really didn't want to go out, but Jeanie was insistent, telling Penny she didn't have a choice, and to go get a shower.

Penny asked what they were going to do, and Jeanie told her not to worry about it, she had it all planned out. She didn't want to put up with any more delay by Penny, so she raised her voice, "Don't argue with me, just go get your damn shower, now."

"OK, OK," said Penny, "you don't have to yell." Penny turned and started walking to get her shower.

Caltech Laser Lab, 6:45 AM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

"You want to do what?" asked Geoff.

"I want to apply for the job," said Leonard. "I have experience in both, although I haven't lectured in a while. On the other hand, I am working with grad students, and you know my work."

"Yes, I do, and it's exceptional," said Geoff. "Your lack of recent lecture experience isn't a problem, you'd be surprised to find how easy it all comes back to you. We've had the job advertised since the beginning of the semester, with no applicants, so we don't have to worry about the UK citizen requirement. But, are you sure you want to leave sunny California for comparatively dreary, damp England?"

"Yes, I'm sure," said Leonard. "Some things have changed here, and I've come to the conclusion its better for me to leave, than to try and stay here."

"Does it have anything to do with your employment at CalTech?" asked Geoff. "That could be a bit of a problem, if that is the case."

"No, nothing to do with my job," said Leonard, "it has to do strictly with some things in my personal life. So, what do you think?"

"I think it's a wonderful idea, Leonard," said Geoff. "One of the things we've had a problem with, due to our laws, is the mix of UK and foreign instructors and experimentalists. You not only would be a great fit work-wise, you will bring in some different ideas, thoughts, procedures, etc. And we shouldn't have a problem, since no one has applied to fill it."

"Well, can you do me a favor of broaching the subject to whomever you need to talk to, to get this moving along?"

"Yes, yes," said Geoff thoughtfully, "we would want to move quickly on this. That way, we could have you over here for the next semester. But, it could be a bit complicated."

"What do you mean, complicated?"

"Well, we are organized a bit differently than the American universities. Everyone in the department takes the same classes, but each college has its own culture, its own fellows, traditions, etc, which appeals to a specific type of individual. For example, I'm in University College, but my department head, who is my boss and would be yours, is at Merton College, and the open position is at Trinity College. Now, my boss, who knows of your work, would have to talk to the head of Trinity college, and then talk to the chancellor of Oxford."

"I thought I was going to be working for Oxford University."

"You still would be," said Geoff with a chuckle. "For example, with Physics, you would give your lectures and labs, to all students, but you would also have to do what are called, tutorials, for just your college. What makes this so good, is from what I know of you, and what I know of the faculty at Trinity, you would be a great fit there. So, if you wish me to, I'll talk to my boss, and both of us can contact the head of Trinity College, and then the Chancellor, and if everything works out, you may be offered the job by next Monday."

"Thank you Geoff," said Leonard, "I do appreciate it. When does your next semester start?"

"That would be mid-January," said Geoff, "but you would need to be here earlier than that, probably before the end of the year."

Leonard thought for a bit, "That sounds fine, Geoff. Thank you and get back to me after you talk to who ever you need to talk to about this."

"I will, it will be great having you here, Leonard. I'll talk to you later, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Geoff," Leonard hung up and looked at the phone, saying softly, and sadly, "I can't stay here any longer, it is better for me to leave."

Apt 601, 9:30 PM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

Jeanie and Penny were sitting in Jeanie's living room. They had found a "Friends" marathon, and were watching TV, while they sipped on their tea. Jeanie, worried about Penny's drinking lately, had pushed for both of them to drink tea. At the start of the day, they both went to their agents, then they had gone to the Second Stage Theatre, an off-Broadway theatre where one of Jeanie's friends was in rehearsal for new show.

Penny was fascinated by the rehearsal, and couldn't help notice how the rehearsal for the theatre show was very similar to their rehearsal for their show. She also understood that a performance would almost be like them taping a show, without the cameras, and other sets. Penny was impressed when she realized that the people here wouldn't be able to restart if they flubbed a line, or messed up their blocking. They would have to just keep going, and try to fix it. On their way home, Penny ask Jeanie about her time in live theatre and Jeanie confirmed Penny's thoughts, about performances. She also had Penny laughing at some of the stories about various actors blowing their lines, and trying to fix it, during a live performance.

After the theatre, they had gone out for dinner, and continued their talk, while eating and after getting back to Jeanie's apartment. Penny thanked Jeanie for the day, telling her it was her first stress free day since Thanksgiving. But, now, Penny was ready to go back to her apartment, and Jeanie was concerned about her being alone. Penny assured her she would be all right then thanked Jeanie, again, for such a great day. She appreciated being able to take her mind off of her problems and gave Jeanie a hug, before leaving.

After entering her apartment, she turned on the TV, and went to the kitchen, looking for something to drink. Looking in her fridge, she saw several bottles of wine. She hesitated at that, then grabbed one of the bottles of water. Taking it to her couch, she settled in to watch some TV. She was happy with the water for now. Because of her good day, her sadness over the breakup was buried far enough inside, that she didn't feel the need to drink tonight. She flipped through the channels, to find and watch the Friends marathon.

Wolowitz Home, 10:00 PM Thursday Nov 29th 2012.

Howard was nervous. He had talked to Leonard to get some feedback about his plan to get his PhD, and Leonard was enthusiastic for his friend to get his it. But now, he had to tell Bernadette what he planned to do, which is why he was nervous. They had just finished watching TV and were now preparing for bed. Howard had hurried through he routine and was already in bed, waiting for Bernadette. She finally finished and as she was getting into bed, he hesitantly started with, "Bernie, I've got something to tell you."

"What's it about?"

"Well, it's about our future, mine in particular."

Bernadette, looked at him sideways, and said sarcastically, "You want to move back into your mom's house."

"No, that's not it," said Howard. "You know those classes I've been taking, the ones I needed to help me keep up with the some of the new ideas in Engineering?"

"Yeah, what about them?"

"Well," said Howard slowly, "that wasn't the only reason I was talking those classes."

"The instructor had some new toy you wanted to look at?"

Howard, grimaced, "No, they were classes that were required for a PhD."

"Buy, why would you do that, Howard?" asked Bernadette. "You have your masters, you aren't getting your PhD…"

"Actually," said Howard with a smile, "I am planning on it. I've even got the project planned, that I'll base my thesis on."

"What?"

"Yeah," said Howard, "you and the guys give me a hard time now and then, about not having my PhD, but I figured out a project and a way to do it."

"Howie," said Bernadette with a grin. "That's great, I'm so proud of you."

Howard had a grin on his face, but he said, "I was worried you were going to think it was a waste."

"Not at all," said Bernadette. "Tell me all about it."

Howard spent the next half hour explaining everything he was going to have to do, how it would take up a lot of his time, and he wouldn't be home very much. And, even when he was home, he would be working on his classes, or project, or research for his thesis, that's why he was worried.

Bernadette told him not to worry about it, they would find time or sneak in some time together while he was working on it, and she repeated how proud she was of him. She grinned at him, and said, "Hey, you want to celebrate this, the way we celebrated me getting my PhD and job?"

Howard looked at her with a smirk on his face, "Which way, the sex or the fight about the watch?"

"The sex you idiot," said Bernadette, in a sharp tone.

Howard couldn't hold it in any longer and he just laughed. Bernadette slapped his arm lightly a couple of times, before he pulled her in to kiss her, and shorty after, started working on her bra clasp.

Office of Caltech Physics Head, 9:30 AM Friday Nov 30th 2012.

Dr Eric Gablehauser was late arriving to work, and wasn't in a good mood. He had to have an emergency re-installation of a crown done this morning and his mouth was sore. As he passed his secretary with a frown, she said, "Dr Gablehauser, President Siebert wants you to call him as soon as you get in."

He nodded as he walked by, entered his office, took off his coat, and started the coffee machine. He then unpacked his briefcase and looked through the envelopes in his basket, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. When it was ready, he poured a cup and sat down at his desk. He turned his computer on, then dialed President Siebert's private number.

He heard President Siebert say, "Hello," and answered with, "President Siebert, Gablehauser here, you wanted to speak to me?"

"Yes, Eric, I need to see you in my office in 10 minutes, I received a request today, and I want to talk to you about it."

"What is it?"

"Just get up here, we need to talk, goodbye."

What the hell could this be about? Thought Eric as he rose to start walking to President Siebert's office.

Apartment 314 1:00 PM Friday Nov 30th 2012.

There was a knock on Penny's door. Penny rose, walked to the door and looked out the peephole. Seeing Jeanie, she opened the door and let her in. Jeanie had a big smile on her face, as she walked in.

They both sat on the couch, with Jeanie continuing to smile, until Penny said, "What?"

Jeanie said, "I just got off the phone with Kelli, she'd been trying to call you but you weren't answering."

Penny looked at her phone and noticed all the calls. She checked and found she had the ringer turned all the way down, so she turned it up, and looked back at Jeanie and said, "What did she want?"

Jeanie, continuing to smile said, "Well, Kelli got some information today, but since she couldn't get in touch with you, she called me, so I get to tell you. People Magazine called her today, they wanted a picture and a bio, of you."

"Me, what for?"

"In their next issue," said Jeanie, "they are going to name you one of the most intriguing people for 2012."

"What?"

Jeanie continued, with a smirk, "Yes, it seems that they find your story, about being a waitress getting selected for a role on TV, and now really getting noticed, interesting somehow."

Penny sounding indifferent, said, "You said Kelli wanted to talk to me?"

"Penny, what's wrong?" asked Jeanie. "This is People Magazine, this is big."

Penny shrugged, "I know, but I told you, I'm feeling like I don't want to be an actress and thinking about going back to Nebraska, so …"

"Penny," said Jeanie sharply, "are you sure you don't want to be an actress?"

"Well, no," said Penny, "but, I'm thinking about it, so…"

"No buts," said Jeanie, "if you're not sure, you owe it, at least to Jim and Kelli, to do something to help the show."

Penny wasn't sure, and Jeanie could see it on her face.

"Look," said Jeanie, "if you're not sure, you should just do it. If it turns out you want to continue, it'll help. If you decide you don't, then doing this doesn't matter to you but it will help Jim and Kelli."

Penny, looking uneasy, but feeling a bit guilty about it nodded, "Yeah, that makes sense."

"Ok, then call her," said Jeanie. "because they want you to go down to the studio, so they can get some shots of you. They'll also probably ask you a few questions about yourself, so you can answer them. But you need to call Kelli."

Penny sighed, pulled out her phone, and dialed Kelli's number.

Office of Caltech President, 3:30 PM Friday Nov 30th 2012.

Leonard was waiting in the anteroom, of President Siebert's office, holding onto a folder. Siebert's secretary had called him and told him President Siebert wanted to talk to him at 3:30. Leonard had tried to beg off, saying he had another meeting to go to, but the secretary told him to be there at 3:30, and to cancel the other meeting, and if the other party had a problem to have them call Siebert.

The secretary looked at Leonard and said, "You can go in now, they're ready."

They're? I guess he called Gablehauser. Leonard rose and went to the door and entered the office. Along with President Siebert, was Dr Gablehauser, both of them seated at the conference table. They indicated where Leonard could sit and after a few brief exchanges of hellos, Leonard sat down.

He had suspected his recent inquiry into the position at Oxford is what brought this on. Of course the people at Oxford would call to ask about Leonard. When Siebert was adamant about talking with him, Leonard expected it would be about his leaving, which is why he had the folder. He hadn't expected Eric to be there, but it really didn't change things, and might actually help.

"Dr Hofstadter," started President Siebert, "I have been informed you are asking about an open position at Oxford."

"I am," said Leonard, "they seem to be short a lecturer/experimentalist there, and I thought I might be a good fit."

"Without talking to us?"

"I haven't told them I would take the position," said Leonard. "I was just doing an preliminary inquiry. Before I would accept, I would discuss it with Dr Gablehauser."

"What about with me?"

"Why with you sir?" asked Leonard. "These things go through my department head, not you."

"Yes, normally they would," said President Siebert. "But, you see, in this instance, your work is bringing in a lot of money to the university, which would stop, if you were to leave. So, in that case, I get involved." President Seibert smirked, "I just might not give you a good recommendation if your actions takes away the money."

Heheheheh, just what I thought, good thing I have this folder with Sheldon's and my work. He smiled at both of them, making them uncomfortable, "What if I were show you a way to continue to get the money, if I left?" Leonard continued with a sarcastic tone, "Would I then get a good recomendation?"

President Siebert ignored his tone, "How would you do that?"

Leonard held up the folder, "I have here, a summary of my work, but I've hit a dead end, so the money would stop coming in shortly, anyway. However, Dr Cooper has looked over my work, and he has some ideas. While I've hit a dead end, he sees a way forward, using the data that Oxford sends. The problem is that because they are short a couple of professors, they can't keep up with sending the experimental data. That doesn't matter as I've hit a dead end. However, if I go, Dr Cooper would start getting the information he needs, and the money would continue to come in. I will let Dr Gablehauser look over our work, and he can tell you whether or not what I say is true."

Leonard handed the folder over to Dr Gablehauser, who took it and opened it up. After briefly scanning it, he said, "This is going to take a bit of digging into, on my part."

"It shouldn't be that difficult," said Leonard, "you should be able to get the gist of it, over the weekend, with a minimal amount of research." Leonard smirked, "We made it simple."

"You seem to be in a hurry," said Eric, sounding concerned, as Leonard seemed to know something. "Do you really want to leave that quickly? Is it something we've done?"

"No, sir," said Leonard. "This is a very personal thing and has nothing to do with the university. But I must leave."

"Do you want to let us know what is happening?"

"No, sir, I do not," said Leonard, "As I said, it's personal, and there is nothing either of you can do."

President Siebert leaned over the conference table, "Suppose we decide not to let you go? What are you going to do then?"

Leonard stood up and gave them an evil smile, "It really doesn't matter. The University hasn't seen fit to give me tenure, so if I decide to leave, you will have my resignation, and there's nothing you can really do. Oxford is already happy to have me." He looked at them with a smirk, "Is there anything else for me right now?"

Both Gablehauser and Siebert looked at Leonard, a shocked look on their faces, and both shook their heads.

"In that case gentleman," said Leonard, "I will leave you. Please let me know what you decide after Dr Gablehauser reads through the work." Leonard walked to the door and left the office.

A/N Hello there, another A/N for your perusal. Everything in here about Trinity, and Oxford are based on what I could find by researching things. For instance, one of my readers pointed out that in the UK, there are strict procedures for bringing in foreign workers. So, if Leonard is to go to England, there would have to be an opening, that couldn't be filled by a citizen of the UK. There are a couple of things that will be wrong, but it's because of the limitation of this being a prequel and trying to match this story to the other. I'll be pointing things out as I go along, probably in a note at the end, like this.