I apologize for my saneness. Unfortunately, it comes back EXACTLY when I DON'T want it to. Phooey.

**Disclaimer** I still don't own Outlaw Star. Foo unto the copyright laws. FOO I SAY!!!

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It was now three days after Gene and Melfina's talk about Jim's education. Gene and Jim sat in the middle school's counselor's office deciding on what classes Jim was to take, whispering various things to each other (mostly "Look at the size of his NOSE!!!" and "...Who wears a pocket protector anymore?") in the process.

"First of all," the counselor began, "you'll be needing a math, science, and English (or Japanese? Interesting...) class for your grade's requirements. Now-" the counselor turned to Gene. "What grade level of math do you think your son be needing? Fourth? Fifth? Sixth?"

Gene and Jim exchanged glances at the mention of Jim being Gene's son, and another time at the meek selection of math classes.

"Do you have anything more... advanced?" Jim piped up after a brief pause in discussion.

The couselor gave Jim a skeptical look, but typed something on his computer, paused and paused for a moment. "The most advanced math class we have available for the fifth grade is seventh..." Jim stifled a laugh. "..but I think we'll be starting you out in sixth to see how you do, okay, Jimmy?"

"Jim," the eleven-year-old corrected, a bit irritated. "And I think I'll be doing just fine in seventh."

"We'll see," the counselor continued. "As far as science goes, I think you'll be alright in our current fifth grade curriculum." Gene and Jim snickered. The couselor glared, but continued. "For your English requirement, I'll be putting you with the Language Arts class, and next semester you can move on to Literature."

Jim seemed a bit worried about the English requirements... everyone had their strongpoints, and his were most everything... except for English. Gene knew what Jim was thinking, but neither of the pair said anything.

***

Jim ended up being enrolled in Physical Education, Social Studies, and Computer I in addition to his first three classes, and he was to start the next week. Gene and Jim decided to go shopping for school supplies in the meantime--

"Hey, Jim, why don't you get THIS backpack?" Gene teased, flashing a pink and purple bag with rainbows and ponies on it. Jim glared.

"I think this whole school crap is a lousy idea," Jim stated for the thirteenth time that day.

Gene rolled his eyes. "Well, Melfina thinks it's a good idea, so I figure that you could give it a shot..."

"What you REALLY mean is that you think you might be able to score with Mel if you do what she says."

Gene stopped in his tracks, thinking of some way to combat Jim's all-too-correct point. "We're already engaged..." he mumbled at last. "I don't NEED any help scoring now."

"Whatever," Jim replied, shaking his head. He studied a rather complex looking black backpack-- it had six side pockets, nine front pockets, and four main pockets. "How about this one?"

Gene checked the price tag, and did a double-take. "70 WONG?? Just go with the pink horsie one, 'kay?"

"Oh..." Jim said, noticing the price tag as well. "Yeah, I guess that could be a problem..." He looked around. "How about this one?" Jim suggested, pointing at a black leather bag for twice as much. He grinned.

Gene grimaced. "On second thought, let's just go with that one..." Gene checked the shopping list as Jim removed the backpack from its rack. "Next, it says you need a three-ring binder... what the hell is that??"

Jim shrugged. "Beats me... why don't we ask someone? Look, there's a sales attendant over there..." He pointed at an unintelligent looking man with a nametag that read "Igor".

Gene balked. "Why don't we find someone more--"

"Attractive?" Jim finished for him mockingly.The man grunted at nothing in particular, as if to prove Gene's point.

"Well... yeah." Gene scanned the area. "Look, there's a babe over there."

"She doesn't work here, Gene."

"Damn."

Jim walked over to Igor himself. "Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me what three-ring binders are and where they're located in your st--"

The man interrupted Jim with a grunt, and merely pointed at an aisle that was identified by a sign as "School Supplies".

"Oh... umm... okay. Thanks..."

"*Snort.*"

Jim joined Gene and they walked together to the aisle. After much difficulty, they found a shelf marked "3-Ring Binders".

"Well, here they are..." Jim said quizzically. "...what do they do??"

Gene opened one cautiously. "...It has these things in it with all your school subjects on 'em," he said, stating the obvious as Jim looked over his shoulder. "And there's this one marked 'Paper'."

"'PAPER'??" Jim repeated, then laughed. "This school I'm going to must be ANCIENT!!" Then he stopped and thought for a moment. "Gene, don't make me go!" he pleaded on his knees.

Gene cocked an eyebrow and looked at him, shaking his head sadly. "You're pathetic."

"At least I'm not a space cherry." Jim shot back, getting back on his feet.

"Up yours!"

Ah, yes, the end of another chapter. It didn't flow as well as I may have liked, but whatever. And I would also like to say that Gene, as far as my knowledge goes, is still a space cherry (because I have a feeling some of you may disagree with me), but I would like to remind you that he never really "popped" his cherry, and that he can only pilot the Outlaw Star because of the Physical Navigation System (courtesy of Episode #5: "The Beast Girl, Ready to Pounce"). So neener.

Anywho, it'll be a while until my next update because of a rather *nasty* move my parents are making that I'm helping with, so I'll add another chapter whenever I get the chance (or really, whenever they get their computer hooked up). In any cause, ja for now, and the next chapter will *hopefully* make more sense.

~Nekofujin, Queen of the Midget People Republic