Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Outlaw Star or anything affiliated with said show.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho It's Off to Ballet We Go

Glancing around nervously, Gene quickly stuffed an object into his small black bag. "Well I'll be back later you guys." He said as he swiftly walked off the ship.

"Where's he going?" Jim asked Aisha, who was currently shoveling food down her throat.

"No clue, but who cares." She replied shrugging as she grabbed another plate of food. "Here, eat." Aisha told Jim as she held a plate out in-front of him.

Shaking his head, he declined. "No thanks. I think I'm gonna follow Gene and find out what he's up to."

"What do you mean?" Aisha asked between bites. "Why do you think he's up to something?"

Jim rolled his eyes. "Obviously you've failed to notice that every day this week, at exactly 2 o-clock, Gene packs up a black bag and leaves for two hours."

"Nyah." Aisha said cocking her head and tapping her chin in thought. "You're right, he does. But what difference does it make? Gene's a big boy now he can do what he wants."

Sighing, Jim rubbed his temples. Sometimes Aisha was really annoying. "Aren't you in the least bit curious?"

"Nope, don't care." She said getting back to her meal.

"Whatever, I'm still going." Jim said as he headed towards the exit.

Not raising her eyes from her food, Aisha halfheartedly waved him off. "Eh, do what you want."

Jim ran off the ship in search of Gene. 'He couldn't have gone that far.' He thought to himself as he looked around the docking area. Seeing a flash of red hair Jim smirked and took off after him, making sure to keep himself hidden from view. He followed Gene down a crowded street for many blocks until he stopped. 'What's he up to now?' Jim asked himself. He watched as Gene glanced around suspiciously and then he quickly fled down a dark alley. Jim was totally confused, why would Gene be hanging around in an alley? 'Oh well.' He thought following him around the corner. He made it just in time to see Gene walking into a poorly lit doorway at the end of the darkened alleyway. Once he was sure that he was inside, Jim walked towards the door to see where it led. Looking around he was surprised to see that the door had a sign that said 'Stage Entrance' on it. 'What the hell?' He thought confused. 'Stage Entrance? What is that all about?' Placing his hand on the cold doorknob he slowly began twisting it. "Well, here goes nothing." He said quietly as he threw the door open.

Jim was temporarily blinded by the bright stage lights, but as his vision cleared he really wished that he was still unable to see. At least then he never would have witnessed this. Gene was up on stage dancing in a pink unitard "Oh God, the horror." He whined pitifully as he covered his eyes quickly. Whatever he had thought Gene was doing, this was definitely not it. Never in a million years had Jim ever imagined that Gene would take up ballet. It just wasn't right. No Outlaw should ever do anything this…disturbing. After he got over the initial shock, Jim smirked evilly. Hey, as long as no one knew he was here, why not. Reaching into his pants pocket he pulled out his small video camera. 'I knew I'd get some interesting footage, but I never thought it would be this juicy.' He thought maliciously. Focusing on his friend; he smiled as he pressed record. Yes the others were going to just love this little show.

Hours later Gene walked back onboard his ship. "Hey everyone, I'm back." He said as he walked into the kitchen. Seeing everyone focused on something very intently, he made to ask them what was up. "What are you watc-." He stopped his sentence as he finally saw what they were looking at. It was some footage of his dancing. Gene paled. "W-where did y-you g-get t-this?" He asked stuttering.

"Shh, not now." Suzuka said waving her hand in a shushing movement. "It's getting good."

Gene just sat down and watched as his crewmates laughed at his performance. How he wished he could just crawl under a rock and never come out. It was so embarrassing to have them see that. His covered his face with his hands and he shook his head dejectedly. They were never going to let him live this down. Someone out there must really hate him.

When the show was over everyone started laughing, it was so darn funny watching the hot headed pilot prancing around on a stage with nothing but a pink form-fitting outfit on. Melfina was laughing softly, she didn't want to totally squash Gene's ego. Suzuka was just smirking; it was beneath her to laugh out loud. She still had her pride to maintain. Aisha, however, was laughing so hard she was crying. She never thought she'd see the day that Gene would do something so totally…un-Gene like. And Jim was simply sitting on a chair watching the others reactions. I mean come on; he'd already seen his little recording several times so it wasn't really a shock to him now. Scary, hell yes. Shocking, no. Okay, so maybe it was still a little shocking.

Mel, being the first to get her laughter under control, looked to Gene curiously. "Why did you do it Gene?" She asked, waving her hand at the TV screen.

Blinking, Gene looked up. However the answer he gave was not what she had been expecting. In fact it had shocked all of them.

"I lost a bet with Fred Luo and he decided that that would be my payment." Gene replied miserably.

"You did it because of a lost bet?" Jim asked making sure he heard correctly.

All Gene could do was nod.

"If you don't mind me asking." Suzuka pressed. "What was the bet for?"

"Moe rhd fbfd vb." Gene mumbled.

"What was that?" Asked Aisha.

"I bet Fred that I could beat him in a game of checkers." He said pathetically.

There was silence for a minute and then the laughter broke out again.

"Hahaaha. I can't believe you lost a bet over that." Jim said clutching his sides. "That's really pathetic, even for you."

Gene just nodded his head sadly and got up to leave. He could only take so much embarrassment in one day. Now it was time for him to hide in his room until the whole incidence could be forgotten. 'Yeah, and that's gonna happen.' He thought sarcastically.

The remaining four in the kitchen just continued to laugh as they watched him leave. Really, if he was stupid enough to bet against Fred, especially on something as silly as checkers, then he deserved whatever he got.