Disclaimer - all characters belong to Paramount. I'm just playing with 'em.
This story was inspired by comments made by the members of JetC15 about…well…you'll figure out what when you've read the story. So now you'll know what we talk about ;D
***
"Mmm. Oh, very impressive."
"Pardon?"
"You heard me."
"Well, yes, but I wanted to make sure I had heard right."
"Good for your ego huh?"
"You could say that."
"You weren't worried were you?"
"No, not worried. That's far too strong a term. More like…slightly concerned."
"I never knew you were so insecure."
"I'm not normally."
"I'd noticed."
"I suppose it's different with you because you're you. It matters what you think about me."
"That's sweet, but I can confidently say you have nothing to worry about."
"Had that much experience, have you?"
"Hey, I'm trying to pay you a compliment here."
"Sorry, I know you are. I guess I'm just…"
"…insecure?"
"Slightly."
"Surely others have commented about it."
"Nope. There haven't been that many others you know."
"Really? You strike me as a rather sexual man."
"I'm not saying that's not true. I just don't enter into relationships lightly."
"Unless you're being manipulated by a Borg…"
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
"So anyway, you have nothing to worry about."
"You're changing the subject."
"So are you."
"Hm. Well thanks, anyway."
"If no one ever commented on it, why were you so concerned about it?"
"I'm not really sure. Although I think part of it is that there's really not much basis for comparison, especially out here. I'm not sure what others are like."
"Do you really want to know what others are like?"
"Not particularly. I don't think I could face Neelix if I knew what he was like. Or Tuvok for that matter. Hey, you had sex with Tom…"
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
"Not a chance."
"Well I'm not telling you anything, except that we were both lizards. That has to affect what his looks like."
"I wonder if that's what B'Elanna thinks…"
"Didn't you ever see anyone's in the past?"
"Not really."
"What about in the bathroom?"
"Never been in a mens bathroom, have you? The urinals are all segmented now so you can't see a thing. Tom tells me that it used to be different."
"I can't say I'm surprised that Tom knows that little bit of information. His knowledge on the 20th Century seems never ending."
"Do you suppose bathrooms are his speciality?"
"I'm sure that's another thing B'Elanna appreciates about him."
"Come on, admit it. They're a cute couple."
"Oh of course they are. In fact I'm a little surprised that you're not more against their relationship."
"I have to admit that if it had been a year ago I would have objected strongly. But well…Tom's earned my respect. Just don't tell him that."
"You men and you male macho pride…at least I'll be able to compare notes with B'Elanna."
"You women and your unending need for gossip…"
"That is not true. We do not gossip. We chat."
"Sounds convincing."
"Oh be quiet."
"You're the one who started talking."
"True. Maybe we should stop talking altogether and resume what got us here in the first place."
"Good God!"
"What? Don't you like that?"
"Get that evil grin off your face…"
~FINIS