A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read my fic and commented or liked it. I cannot thank you enough for your support, which has made me always keep in mind the fact that I wanted to complete this fic, which has a very special place in my heart. I have completed the first draft of the fic and now I'm just doing some small touch ups and editing. This means that I will update this fic once a week, every wednesday.

I would also like to thank the wonderful Manny Heatlook, whose support and friendship has been fantastic beyond words, and to whom I'd like to dedicate this fanfic. Thank you so much for all your beautiful comments Manny! You're the best! :D

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By midnight, the other research assistants had already left, but Jack was pumped on caffeine and sugar.

And stress.

So much stress.

"It will take us a while to go through your material," said the professor, thumbing through the pages of Jack's work compilation. "But despite that, I will make a strong appeal for you to be accepted into our robotics program right away. By the time they approve it, we should be ready to set up the work program we'll follow."

"Uhm, yeah…," said Jack, crossing his arms and avoiding the professor's stare. "Would I have to…you know, enroll? Like, would that be absolutely necessary?"

The professor lowered the papers and looked straight at Jack in a way Jack couldn't identify. Was he disappointed in his hesitation? Angry at him? Worried?

"Well Jack, you don't have a degree. In anything. The criticism for your work will be much harder if you do not have an institution behind you," he said. "And access to the lab is only granted to University students."

"I have a lab at home," mumbled Jack, already knowing it was a lost battle.

"I know you do. And I'm sure Herr Lionel Spicer doesn't skimp on providing you with any materials you require," said the professor. "But even private funding cannot do what an university can. And your credibility would not be criticized as long as our department stands behind you. And they all will, once we put some structure in your work and present it to them."

"I guess…," said Jack, still not convinced. "I don't really like the idea of classes though."

"I'm sure you don't. It's hard to go back to academia when you've been home schooled your whole life. Why don't you think about it for a while. I'll read through the details of your work, and call you back on a few days. How about next Friday? Just consider it, talk about it with your parents and see what they think about the whole idea. You don't have to give me an answer right now."

Jack scratched his head. "That sounds good, yeah. I…I'll be going then," he said.

"You want me to call you a cab?" asked the professor, escorting him outside the lab.

"No, my chauffer is waiting nearby," said Jack, taking out his phone and sending a message to the jackbot waiting on his father's car.

"Of course, of course," said the professor with a laugh. "Well then, I'll leave you. Call you on Friday."

Jack nodded and jogged down the stairs leading to the lab just as the car parked in front of the lab.

The whole thing had gone…strangely fine. He almost couldn't believe it.

As he got in the car, he realized he had already taken a decision.