Note: Brady & Chloe came over with the hermit crab while Lucas was holding class, so they decided to join in the fun. This one is dedicated in gratitude to everyone who reads.

Grasping at the ends of the towel slung around his shoulders, Lucas mopped the sweat from his brow as he nearly collapsed on the mat, leaning back to idly watch his pupils scrimmage, grateful for the much-needed breather.

What a work-out, he thought, happiness surging through his whole being.

He hadn't felt this tired in a long time, but it was a good tired, a clean one. Still, he couldn't help but smile in rueful self-derision because he was all too aware of the real reason behind his exhaustion, behind the unrelenting precision of his movements as he lead the class through their forms and demonstrated one new technique upon another, and another, and another, and another. It all boiled down to one word, or rather one infuriating golden haired hellion-Sami.

He had to give her credit though, recalling her fierce determination as he took her on as uki. She sure could put up a fight.

Unbidden, his gaze slid to her as she made her way across the gym and bent over to retrieve a twenty ounce from the cooler. For one brief blissful moment he followed the lines of her body from her long tan legs up to her shorts past her flat little belly along the ample curves of her black sports bra to the delicate arch of her neck, the softness of her pink mouth, her sprite's nose, her eyes a vivid blue dancing in the flushness of her face, a small thrill speeding up his spine as she carelessly tossed back her hair, straightened, and headed back towards him, taking a long swig from the plastic bottle in her hand. Oh, to be that bottle, he mused, to have her lips around his--

"This has got to stop".

Hunkering down next to him, she effectively broke up his dirty-minded reverie with an outstretched hand, a few words, and an offering of Gatorade.

"What? I didn't do anything."

Guiltily, he accepted the bottle and adverted his gaze, starring at his bare feet. Hmm. He was going to have to clip his toe-nails pretty soon. Focus on the toe-nails, Lucas, focus on the toe-nails. After all, they looked nothing like Sami or bottles or--

"Not you, those two."

She smacked him on the arm and pointed. His feet were going to have to wait.

"Chloe and Brady? They're sparring. So what."

Actually, it was more like they were playing a bad game of tag, what with Chloe striking repeatedly and Brady easily dodging her every throw.

"He's completely undermining her confidence. He's not letting her win, at all."

"Hmmm, imagine that. Maybe, it's because he's better than her. He's been training since he was three and she just started an hour ago. It's to be expected. Plus, if you hadn't notice, she's doing all the attacking. He hasn't laid a finger on her."

"Pleaze. Every other second, he's flipping her to the floor."

"Well, yeah…I meant except for that."

"And does he really have to lay on top of her like that? I don't see any of the other students laying on top of each other!"

"To be precise, I think he's pinning her to the ground, but I see what you mean…still, you have to remember, he Is from another country. For him, it could be a perfectly normal custom, like a follow through or something. You don't know. Besides, I think she likes it."

For a second, Sami stared at Lucas in incredulous amazement, like he suddenly turned into an alien or had sprouted a daisy from his head. Then she pushed him to the floor and stood up, erupting into a derisive scolding tirade, hands on her hips.

"LIKES IT?! Ha! Ha, ha, Ha!"

She trilled.

"And I'm madly in love with you! You're so delusional, completely clueless where women are concerned. It's pathetic, it really is."

She scowled.

"To be precise, it's called pinning."

She mocked.

"Pff! This isn't the WWF…Hello to the Kung-Fu master! I almost feel sorry for you…Likes it, that's a good one."

Chest heaving, she finally ran out of glory while his patience snapped.

He could handle many things, but to be called delusional by Sami Brady, the queen of twisted reality herself? It was too much. He was on his feet and in her face instantaneously.

"I'm telling you she Likes it. She has the Hots for him."

He invaded her personal space.

"The idea of his Sweaty, Rippling body covering hers gets her all…Excited."

His eyes blazed, raking her up and down.

"Mark my words, the Only reason they aren't kissing right now is because of all the innocent bystanders."

He crossed his arms and cocked his eyebrow, daring her to deny it.

"You're wrong."

She denied it.

"No. I'm not." Painstakingly slow, he enunciated in a dead on gaze as they stood locked in disagreement, until she finally gritted out a surprising command.

"Stop them."

"What?"

"You heard me. I want you to stop them. Change the exercise, give a lecture, whatever, but stop him from beating up on her like that."

"I told you, He's not beating her up!"

"Yeah? Well, he might as well be with the amount of self-esteem she's going to be left with! For God's sake, at least pull him aside and tell him to let her win a little!"

"No way!"

"Fine. Then I will."

Once more, his patience shattered as she whirled around, making to leave. He caught her by the arm.

"Don't even think about it."

"You're touching me."

"Yes I am. And I'm going to continue to do so until you come to your senses."

"Pretty bad example Lucas. Touching me, when I don't want you to. Didn't I just give a rousing sermon about this very subject? Do I have to shatter your nose?"

At her sugar sweet tone, he immediately released her and stepped back, changing tactics trying to de-escalate the situation with a little logic.

"Sami, you're making a mistake. Believe me, Chloe is not going to thank you for it."

"There's nothing wrong with giving my brother some friendly advice. Besides, You let me win."

"That's because I'm afraid of you." He mumbled before throwing up his hands in defeat with a 'God help me'.

"Alright class. That's enough! Um…I have a…a…agility/speed exercise I want to show you. So gather round and pay attention." He yelled out while Sami grinned in triumph.

"Thanks Lucas."

"I wouldn't be so quick with the appreciation, if I was you, oh darling assistant of mine. Because, for the record…this time, I'm not going to let you win."

*******----------------

Note: For those of you who are curious, the exercise Lucas shows the class is 'pull-away', you know, that game that's sort of like bloody-knuckles except with no knuckles and the only thing that gets slapped if you aren't quick enough is the top of your hands. Sami sucks at that game.