Chris stood at the edge of the pool, watching the rest of the guys get ready to film with the dolphins. There were some perks to being a super star, okay admittedly, a lot of perks, but Chris wasn't sure this was one of them.

All the other guys were in wetsuits. Justin was trying to dunk Lance, who was clinging to Joey and trying to shake Justin off.

JC swam up to where Chris was standing on the edge. "Are you sure, man? This is a lot of fun."

"I'm sure. I'll just stay over here, nice and dry and away from large mammals that could drown me in an instant, and watch."

"Mr. Adventurous." JC smiled fondly. "They're dolphins, Chris. Not killer whales."

"Hey, I'm adventurous. I ride a Harley," Chris rejoined.

"So, you're not scared of having your face smooshed into the asphalt. But you're scared of the big fish?"

"Scared is not the right word, JC. The idea of it just kind of makes my skin crawl or something."

"Why?"

"I don't know. But don't let my issues stop you from having a good time. Looks like they're getting ready to release the hounds. You'd better get back over there."

JC shrugged. "Okay."

"Hey, Kirkpatrick! Heads up!" Justin suddenly sent a mini-tidal wave over JC's head, also soaking Chris.

Chris jumped back. "You prick, Infant! You'll pay for that later."

Joey swam up to the edge of the pool. "Since you're already wet, why don't you join us, Chris?"

"No thanks."

"I tried, Joey. It's no use," replied JC, wiping the water away from his eyes.

"Guys c'mon!" called Lance from across the pool. "It's time."

"See ya, Chris," said JC.

Chris flapped his hand at them. "Go on, have fun."

JC looked slightly nervous as the trainer came to let the dolphins in.

"It's cool, Jayce, I've done this before," Lance said reassuringly.

"I'm good. I just...don't have a way with animals like the rest of you do."

"It'll be fine, you'll see."

Chris sat down and dangled his feet in the pool, watching as the trainer gave instructions. Then he let in the dolphins. For a while, they just swam around the humans, letting them get comfortable. Then the trainer set Lance up to be propelled by his feet by the dolphins. The camera crew liked how it looked so much, everyone had to wait around for them to get the shot set up to tape it.

"Now, JC, if you want to get her to come out of the water hold her fins like this, and make this sound," the trainer explained.

JC tried his hardest, held onto the dolphin's flippers, but she just struggled to get away.

"I can't do it," he said, annoyed with himself.

Chris watched as JC struggled repeatedly to make the proper sound. He was kind of surprised that JC of all people was having trouble with something that was so close to music.

It was really kind of sweet the way he scrunched up his face while he listened to the trainer. Finally, JC tried something different, and off they went, the dolphin pulling JC easily around the perimeter of the pool. When he passed Chris, he gave him such a wide grin that Chris felt it in his gut. He just gave JC a thumbs-up and yelled, "Go C!"

JC grinned brilliantly and cried, "I did it! I did it!" like a 7-year old boy. "Chris, look! She likes me."

When they completed the circuit, JC swam to the center of the pool with his dolphin, held her fins properly and gave the right pitch. When she came out of the water he moved in and kissed the top of her nose.

"Eww!" was Chris' first thought, followed rapidly by wondering how easily he could get a hold of a huge bottle of Listerine, because JC was going to have to gargle the whole thing before Chris would kiss him again.

~end~