Transfering data from laptop to desktop

Hi all.
I’m new to this site. I’m currently studying some MCP’s and the lab I have is a Dell Inspiron 5000e laptop with Win XP and a Dell 8100 desktop duelbooted with Win ME and Win 2000.
My question is, How can I get the two computers talking to each other via a modem. I have a NIC card in the desktop but not in the laptop.
The laptop has the modem, which works, and the conection would be over a LAN.
I am thinking of creating a RAS connection but not sure if this is the best way forward.My apologies for the lack technical data but if anyone could help or point me in the right direction then I would be most gratefull.
Thanks
Paul
P.S I have tried Technet but cannot find anything which would help.