Disclaimer: Are you people really so thick you don't understand I don't own RD?

Anyway... I'd like to point out I felt VERY VERY uncomfortable writing this, so I hope you all apreciate that! - And thanks to Sian for liking it even though I felt like throwing my head into a wall.

For TheSummoningDark who's unexpected review today, made me decide to write this fic, and Ellie ET - the mistress of slash.

Take Things Slow

Lister laid on his bunk, watching an old episode of 'Scooby Doo' on the vid screen; he twisted one of his locks of hair round his finger and bit his lip.

"Cat?" He asked to the feline laid on Rimmer's bunk below him.

"Hmmmm?" Came the sleepy reply – Cat had never managed to stay awake during 'Scooby Doo' Lister thought with a smile – It bored him too much.

"Errr… You think the fisher guy is the jewel thief?" Lister asked, changing his mind about asking cat what he wanted.

"Which one's that bud?" Cat asked sleepily as he opened his eyes and yawned.

"Fat, balding one." Lister replied quietly.

"No idea, but he's guilty of processing terrible clothes." Cat said with a disapproving glance as he stood up.

"He's a cartoon!" Lister replied with a laugh.

"That's no excuse!" Cat retorted as it was revealed the fat, balding fisher guy did actually steal the jewels.

"Ha! – I was right!" Lister said with a grin as Cat rolled his eyes.

"Off." Cat said as he ran a hand through his hair and made to leave.

"Cat!" Lister called after him quickly, causing the feline to turn suddenly, so the pair were at eye level with each other

"What?"

Lister licked his lips nervously but said nothing.
"Come on bud – I have a date with a mirror and ain't nobody gonna stop me fr-" Cat stopped talking suddenly and stared into Lister's eyes in shock as he leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips.

Cat jumped back sharply, tripping over one of Lister's boots and falling uncharacteristically to the floor with a thud.

"Are you ok?" Lister asked with alarm as he scrambled off the bunk.

"..No." Cat said quietly as he looked at the hand Lister was extending to help him to the ground.

"Fine, stay there – Getting your suit covered in dust." Lister replied in a hurt tone as he retracted his hand.

"You just…I just… My head hurts." Cat said with a shake of his head.

"Is that all you can say?" Lister asked harshly as he climbed back onto his bed.

"Well what do you want me to say bud? Thanks for kissing me! Let's do it again?" Cat hissed back.

"I don't know." Lister muttered back.

Cat looked like he was about to scream something back in anger, but just sighed as he climbed to his feet and walked out of the room.

Lister stared at the doorway before biting his lip and jumping down from his bunk.

"Cat! Wait!" He called after him, he jogged down the corridor and touched Cat's shoulder, causing the feline to flinch slightly.

"I'm sorry… For kissing you."

Cat ran a hand through his hair and turned. "…Don't be." He whispered quietly.

"What?" Lister whispered back, slightly confused.

"You just don't get it do you bud?" Cat said with a sigh.

"Then explain it."

Cat sighed again and licked his lips nervously. "I don't know any of this stuff – Not really… And you can't just do something like that out of the blue and expect me to… Know what to do." Cat wondered if he was making sense but Lister seemed to understand.

"You're acting so out of character – Vulnerable and… " Lister finally said as he looked back into Cat's eyes.

"And scared about stuff like sex?" Cat continued bluntly.

"…Yeah."

"Maybe for once I'm in character." The feline replied as he allowed Lister to take him in his arms.

"Then let's take things slow." Lister said softly as he kissed Cat's forehead and the feline rested his head on Lister's shoulder…

The End