Disclaimer: This piece of fiction has been written solely for the enjoyment of the readers (and the author) Disclaimer: This piece of fiction has been written solely for the enjoyment of the readers (and the author). No infringement of copyrights has been intended. This was inspired by this afternoon's reading of Jane Peyton's "Cave-In," which featured a very interesting conversation between a highly apologetic Kirk and an unusually crabby Spock. In my head, a DS version would go something like this.   FLOATING by Renny Ramos   It's cold in here. Cold? Nah. Sure, my lips are blue and my teeth are chattering like castanets, but no, it's not cold! Oh. I forgot. Of course you did. No. I should remember. Why should you? Sure, I've risked my life for you twenty-four times, but nah, you owe me nothing. I should remember. You're not as used to the cold as I am. Your basic RCMP politeness won't change the fact that we're drowning on dry land, Frasier. You're upset with me again. Upset? Nah. Me, upset? I'm actually being very, very nice right now! Ray, can't you see what's happening? What? What's there to see? We're drowning! You think you're the only one with a brain? Well, bite me, Frasier. You know what I think? Now, you decide to think! ... You're mad. No kidding. Well. I'm sorry we're in this mess. ... Yeah. ... Well, it was my fault, too. No. This is entirely my fault. If I hadn't activated the sprinkler system, we wouldn't be caught in this ... virtual flood and we wouldn't be wasting our air arguing. ... ... ... ... We're gonna die and float to the roof like bloated fish. ... ... ... ... I concede the possibility. Not a possibility, Frasier. More like a future event about to take place in ... oh, let me see ... five minutes. ... ... ... ... I'm sorry you got stuck with me, Ray. Poor company doesn't enhance poor situations. ... ... ... ... You must hate me. ... ... No, I don't hate you, Benny. I have the urge to throttle the living daylights out of you ... but no, I don't hate you. What we have right now is, well, friction. Friction? Yeah. Friction. Just like the sparks that fly when two rocks are rubbed vigorously against each other? Yeah. You mean, something like conflict, dissension, strife, agitation, discord, animosity ... If you want me to start hating you, Frasier, you're on your way ... Sorry. ... ... ... I've conceded error and personal deficiency to you. What else do I have to do? Well, for starters, you can shut up. Well. ... I'm sorry if I made you mad, Ray. No problem, Frasier. Being mad is my favorite past time, you know. No one can prevent me from indulging in it -- you, least of all. Ah. ... ... ... Cough. ... ... ... Well. Back to safe subjects. If you insist. Cold in here, isn't it? Colder than you think.   - The End - 10 May 1999   E-mail the author: Blue_Grey_Eyes@hotmail.com