You can stay without a job

I assume that your NIW 140 has been approved, EAD in the mail, AP waiting...

Yes, technically you can stay at home jobless for a short time, if you want to get out of the messy relationship with your boss. Alternatively, you can hang around in lab for a while till you find another job.

Just be alerted when you receive a RFE (usually employment verification letter if you change address), you need to provide an employment letter.

For travelling, you can use AP and go home for a short time, but don't forget to look for a job in US as well. You are not 100% sure in the next 6 months a RFE won't be issued. Plus, a jobless period cannot be too long. The adjudicator needs to see your persistency in working in your field as originally claimed in 140.