"Awww, Bogg, do I HAVE to?" Jeff's voice was more than a little displeased. He didn't really like the idea of going to school, let alone leaving Phineas Bogg alone with a Guidebook.

Phineas Bogg smiled at his young partner. Okay, the kid was now sixteen and as tall as he was, but he was STILL young!

"Listen, I know it's gonna be hard for you to stay in class, but it's time you went." Phineas put a firm hand on the young man's shoulder.

"But, I've all ready got TONS of hours and days put in as a Voyager! Why go now?"

Phineas sighed. "Listen, you won't be there for long. Just take a couple of math classes..."

Jeffrey made a face. "Math...blech!"

Phineas chuckled. "Wasn't my favorite subject, either. But, since you all ready know a lot of history, it wouldn't hurt for you to take some math. No telling when you'll need it,"

"As in NEVER,"

Jeffrey sat at his desk, his chin in his hand and starred at his partner. Why was Bogg doing this? Did he show signs of a need of schooling? School, such an UGLY word!

Phineas sat on a chair next to Jeffrey and made the boy turn to face him. He could tell Jeff wasn't pleased at all and to tell the truth, he wasn't either.

"Listen, the sooner you start, the sooner you'll finish and be back with me. Look, I don't like the idea any more than you do. Being away from you is gonna be a killer more than you know, but we have to do this."

Hearing that made Jeff feel a LITTLE better about going. He used to enjoy school when he was a kid, but now? He just knew he was gonna hate it!

So, the next day Jeff got up and got ready for school. He smelled eggs and bacon being cooked in the kitchen and smiled. Bogg sure doesn't want me to go hungry, that's for sure, he thought.

He came out in his typical jeans and polo and sneakers. Bogg turned to face him and smiled.

"That's my boy. Hungry?"

"Not really, but ,I'll eat." Jeffrey sat at the table that was all ready fixed and Bogg put a plate of food down.

His brown eyes widened. "Bogg, you cooked for an army!"

"Hey, don't your stomach growling during class, do I?"

Jeff took a mouthful of the eggs. "Guess not,"

"Lesson one: don't eat with your mouth full," Bogg teased him.

Jeffrey swallowed the food. "Funny, Bogg."

"I thought so,"

The younger Voyager finished the food off his plate and looked at Bogg curiously.

"So, what are you gonna be doing while I'm pouring over books?"

Phineas shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe enjoy some peace and quiet?"

Jeffrey heard the teasing in the man's voice. "Bogg, stop it." He groaned.

A big smile crossed Phineas's face. "Sorry, can't do it."

Jeff got up and got his coat. "Well, guess I'd better get going." he sighed as he went towards the door.

Phineas could feel a heavy set in his chest, like he was loosing someone.

"Jeffrey, wait.." Phineas went over to his son, who had turned to face him.

"What?"

Phineas pulled the boy to him and wrapped his arms around Jeff. "Knock them dead, kid."

"I will if you don't kill me first!"

Realizing he was squeezing the kid a little tooo tight, Phineas relunctantly let go.

"Okay, guess you'd better go before I change my mind." Phineas sighed.

Phineas watched Jeffrey go out the apartment and uses a finger to wipe a little tear that escaped from his eye....