(A/N): Right, so here is the first part, because my brain is stuck trying to get it into any sort of order, but I wanted something up before tonight's episode. Anyway, the basic plot is Jack and Nikki go to a bar and there's much dancing involved. Fluffy all the way, I think. I own nothing.

Dancing

Chapter 1

"I'm not dancing."

Jack shook his head, grinning despite himself at Nikki's stubborn statement. They'd gone out initially for a quiet drink at their local pub close to the Lyell, only to find it unexpectedly closed. They were both reluctant to part ways, so had agreed to go to whichever nearest bar had room for them in. Hence how they'd ended up at another bar ten minutes from their regular, which had a DJ night of all things. Most people were up dancing in the middle of the room and Jack had been watching the crowd dance along. Prompting Nikki's statement as soon as she'd spotted where Jack's attention was.

"Oh come on, quick sticks." Jack shook his head again, taking a sip of his pint. "You can't tell me you can't dance."

"I didn't say I couldn't dance, just that I'm not going to." Nikki rolled her eyes. "What do I want to make a fool of myself for?"

"Nikki, you are many things, but a fool isn't one of them." Jack leant back in the booth they were sequestered in, one arm draped lazily on the back close to the back of Nikki's neck. He just knew she'd be a great dancer, no matter what she said on the subject. Then again, she could say or do anything, and he'd probably still watch her in awe. His grin turned mischievous as he turned to her, eliciting a groan from his blonde companion that he ignored. "Alright, what about a deal?"

"Jack, no, I am not betting with you." Nikki shook her head firmly, all too aware that Jack's bets usually meant her doing things she didn't want to just because she was too stubborn to lose. She leant back herself in the booth, fighting a shiver as Jack's fingers brushed against her hair. Why did he always have to bring out such a reaction with her? One day, she was sure he'd notice.

"Chicken."

"Jack."

"Scaredy cat."

"Jack."

"Shortie."

"Fine." Nikki set her drink down on the table a little harder than she intended. "What's your so-called deal? And it better not be like last time." She held a finger at him in warning.

Jack let out a laugh. Last time he'd made a deal with Nikki had been in a very boring faculty wide meeting, where they'd had a game going. Every time the Dean made a stupid comment, they had to take a sip of their coffees. Every time one of the heads of schools plugged their own research, they had to link fingers with each other for a whole minute. Every time someone mentioned LSSE, they had to slump down in their chairs for a minute. There were more rules, but those were the biggest one. It had led to a much more enjoyable meeting, but also a lot of funny looks and a stern telling off from the Dean afterwards. "I don't see the Dean anywhere, so I think we're safe. No, my deal was about dancing."

"Jack, no, I told you; I'm not dancing."

Jack ignored the protest as he sidled a little closer to her, feeling a little thrill run up his spine as he took in her pouting features. "Every time I dance and you don't, you have to take a shot. Every time you dance and I don't, I have to take a shot. If both of us dance neither of us takes a shot, and if neither of us dance then neither of us takes a shot."

"You're ridiculous." Nikki couldn't help the smile at Jack's hopeful look, silently cursing herself for being so weak where he was concerned. He could ask her to do anything, and she'd probably do it, for him.

"We can start now." Jack hopped up and held out his hand as the music changed. "Come on, even you should know the Cha Cha Slide."

Nikki shook her head with a laugh. "I'd much rather take the shot thank you. But you, go ahead."

"Fine, I'll show you how it's done." Jack strode off to the dancefloor as Nikki settled back in her seat, content to watch him as he fell in line with the other dancers, most of whom looked far more inebriated than Jack. Nikki's attention completely focused on Jack as he began to move in time with the instructions in the music, fluid despite the ridiculousness of the dance itself. All too soon it was over, and Jack was back, carrying a full shot glass he'd picked up from the bar. "Here you go, just for you. Drink up."

Nikki downed the shot, feeling it burn down her throat. "Having fun out there?" She nodded to the dance floor.

Jack followed her nod and laughed. "It's much better with two, or so I'm told. There's rumour of the next one being the macarena. Come on Nikki."

"Okay fine, I vaguely remember the macarena. I think it came out when I was about sixteen, seventeen." Nikki let Jack take hold of her hand and pull her from the booth as the song came on, pulling her into line beside him and giving her a warm grin that filled her full of butterflies. She managed to remember the moves quite well, only stumbling a couple of times. The second time she stumbled, Jack reached out to catch her, his hands warm on her waist as he righted her. Both stared at each other for a moment, lost to the world, until the next movement of the song had someone bump into Jack and the moment was lost.

Stumbling back into their seats with fresh drinks, both of them agreed to sit out the songs until their drinks were finished. Neither of them fancied trying to dance with a drink in their hand and they'd seen too much of what happened to unattended drinks to even think about leaving them anywhere.

"See? You weren't that bad, a little rusty maybe." Jack complimented.

"Why do you want me to dance so much, Jack?"

Jack shrugged. "I don't know, Nikki. You deserve to let go once in a while, and you won't let me teach you any boxing. One night of dancing can't hurt." He grinned at her again. "You never know, you might even enjoy yourself."

To Be Continued