Thanks for all of the reviews, everyone! As much as I would like to send Jack to each of you who requested him, his schedule does not permit the vast amount of time this would entail, so...I'm keeping him for myself! Muwaa ha ha ha!

That week, Sam truly learned what being "in the zone" felt like. She and Jack were nailing their dances like nothing.

Raddeus announced that he and Sariah were moving the U.S. which resulted in much hugging and celebration.

"This is great!" Nick shouted.

Nicky was happy too and the boy went around hugging everyone. He stayed with Jack most of the time, however. Whenever his hero was dancing with the Sam, the child would stand at one side and try to immitate him. Nick noticed his nephew could keep the rhythum and excitedly told Raddeus. His brother agreed, and Nicky was started with his own dancing lessons from his uncle and aunt.

The boy absolutely adored Jack and it was obvious that Jack was very fond of him, too. He never minded Nicky's habit of following him everywhere and he was very patient with him.

"Tell me a story." Nicky said one day as they were sitting outside on the front step of the studio sharing some ice cream together.

"About what?"

Nicky considered a moment.

"Tell me about your son."

Jack closed his eyes and tried to fight back the wave of emotion that swept over him. A small body climbed into his lap and a pair of little arms were around his neck. Hugging Nicky tightly, he found his voice.

"Charlie was a baseball player. He loved to play and we would always go play catch in the park on Saturday when he didn't have games."

He breathed heavily and Nicky patted him on the shoulder, an oddly adult gesture from one so young.

"He wanted to be a pro baseball player when he grew up and play for the Minnesota Twins."

Water finally escaped his eyes.

"He never got the chance."

Two tiny hands wiped Jack's face and he opened his eyes to find Nicky staring at him solemnly.

"You miss him." Nicky said wisely.

"Yeah, I miss him." Jack replied.

Again the child hugged him, seeming to sense that this stranger needed him right now. Jack clung to him as though the boy was a lifeline.

"I love you, Jonathan." Nicky declared.

Jack looked at him and just knew beyond all doubt that Nicky meant it.

Resting his chin of top of his comforter's head, Jack allowed a smile to come out. He was never more grateful for the simple, unselfish love of a child.

"I love you too, Nicky."

Sam could see the pair through the window and was shocked when Jack was crying. Her heart melted when Nicky took it upon himself to comfort his new friend.

"Nicky's been good for him." Raddeus commented from behind her.

She whirled around, not knowing he was there.

"Yes, I think he has."

Looking at her seriously, Raddeus said softly, "I don't know precisely what Jonathan has been through, but my fiance was killed when I was 20. I lost someone permanently and had to crawl back through the darknessto find love again. I see the way he looks at you and I'm pretty sure he cares about you. You just may have to wait a bit."

Sam bit her lip.

"It's been 8 years already."

Raddeus smiled.

"Sariah had to wait 12 for me."

Her eyes went wide.

"12 years?"

He nodded.

"Just let him know you're there...he'll do the rest. See you later, Samantha."

Jack and Sam worked like dogs the rest of the day and came back the next day to attempt the Rhumba. Nicky was removed from the studio, much to his disappointment and disgust. His wails of protest could be VERY clearly heard!

They performed it, and the Kosovichs were pleased.

"You're relating to each other well now, but I think you both need an extra bit of work on your own sensuality." Nick commented.

Sam looked at Jack in alarm and he looked just as panicked as she did. Neither of them knew what on earth this was going to entail!

Nick dragged Jack into another room and left Sam with Lena.

"Okay Sam, I look at you and immediately know you are a tomboy." Lena said. "Believe it or not, I used to be one myself."

Sam's head shot up.

"You?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes and it took me some time to realize that being a girl is not a bad thing." Lena chuckled. "In your line of work, being girly is NOT something that usually comes up, but for dancing we have to go a bit more feminine."

The Major's eyes narrowed.

"Such as?"

"Such as the way you walk and carry yourself. Right now, anyone would be able to tell you're military."

A reluctant smile appeared on Sam's face.

"Also, what do you think of your own body?" Lena asked seriously.

"Well, I've been on a diet for a while now, I exercise.."

"No. I don't mean that...what I mean is, do you like your body? Are you comfortable in it?"

Sam shook her head no.

"Honestly, as a dancer, I can tell you that many girls I know would KILL to have your figure."

"What figure?" Sam snorted.

"Even though you disguise it well, you do have one. I have a mantra that I want you to chant everytime you go to do the Rhumba."

Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Which is?"

Lena smiled, a little too evilly for Sam's taste.

"I am a hot mammacita."

Groaning, Sam pleaded.

"Anything but that!"

Lena gave her a look, and Sam remembered Jack's advice about listening to the Kosovichs.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it...Emperess."

Nick sat Jack down.

"Jack, when you think of Latin dance, what do you think?"

"Skimpy costumes and LOTS of hips."

The dancer laughed appreciatively.

"While all of that is true, you have to think about your own attitude, and the way you hold yourself. Right now, you scream "stiff military man" to me. When you do Latin, you have to walk out onto that floor feeling loose and believing that you are THE hottest thing to hit the planet. Lena has a system that she uses, and that is, you are given a personal mantra and you must repeat it every time you do the dance or even think about it."

Jack had a bad feeling about this.

"Okay...what is mine, anyway?"

Nick's grin was positively Satanic.

"You must look into a mirror and say, "I am dead sexy" at least 5 times."

Glaring at his instructor, Jack muttered, "I don't like you anymore."

Nick threw his head back and howled with laughter.

"Yes, but you'll love me when you win!" the Australian quipped.

"Hmmm..." came a low growl.

Standing up, Nick motioned to the mirror in front of them.

"Try it."

"Right now!" Jack asked.

"Right now, Jonathan."

Heaving a heavy sigh, Jack got to his feet and faced the mirror. "I am dead sexy." he mumbled.

Nick snorted. "My 85 year old grandma could do better!" he scoffed.

"I am dead sexy."

"Again." Nick replied, shaking his head.

"I am dead sexy." Jack said, standing a little straighter this time.

"Better, but not good enough. Before you say it this time, imagine that the way you say this phrase will determine weither or not Samantha comes back to the hotel with you tonight." Nick said suggestively.

Jack looked at the mirror and allowed a small, devastating smile to appear on his face.

"I am dead sexy." he purred.

"That's my boy!" Nick crowed. "One more time."

This time, Jack allowed a hand to rest on his hip and he again gave his little smile.

"I am dead sexy."

"Now you're talking!" Nick told him, clapping him on the shoulder.

When they walked out of the room, Nick could see Lena teaching Sam how to walk in high heels. Jack was already drooling but Nick cuffed him lightly on the back of the head.

"She catches you..." the dancer whispered.

"You're right about that...thanks for saving my life, Nick!" Jack joked.

"All in a day's work..." Nick sighed.

Okay people...you know what to do. Hit the button whose hue is currently under debate (I STILL say it's lilac) and let me know what you think. The more review there are, the happier I am. The happier I am, the sooner I type. Hop to it or Teal'c will come line dance on you!