复杂问题,再次请教:H1B gap with same employer

My NIW 485 is pending, I used AP, but not EAD. My current H1B won't
expire until 2009. But I need to terminate my current employment for
3 months (not fired, won't on payroll) and go to China for personal
reasons. Then I will be back and re-hired again by the same
employer (a University).

Will my H1B still be valid for work when I am back? In other words,
can I have a gap between employment with the SAME employer?
Also, can I apply for H1 visa in China to come back? I know I
can use AP.

If there is a problem, is there anything my employer and I can do
in this case?

Thanks a lot.