This is a little steamy, although the steam itself is a little brief (I
can't write sex scenes!) so consider yourself warned!

CHAPTER 3

Some time later, they sat on the beach, still holding hands and looking
out over the calming sea. It felt as though they had known one another
for years. In the short hours since they'd been reunited, they felt
closer to one another that they'd ever been to anyone else.

"So why did you never call me?" Yvonne eventually asked him, gentle
curiosity on her face.

Rimmer paused. "I was waiting for you to call me." He sighed, then
continued. "I figured that if you'd picked up the phone to me, then at
least I'd know it was me you'd wanted to make love to you that night, and
not Simon, whoever the smeg he was." He remembered the memory with a
flush of humiliation. "When I didn't hear form you I assumed you'd
thought the experience was so bad you never wanted to repeat it." He
shook his head. "If only I'd known!" He leaned down and kissed her lips
tenderly. "I've been such an idiot."

When their lips parted, Yvonne slapped her forehead. "I was waiting for
you to call so that I knew it wasn't just some concussion-induced dream
I'd had!" She laughed, in spite of herself "When you didn't, I just
assumed that my brain had made it all up."

Rimmer turned to look at her once more. The setting sun cast a warm glow
on her features, softening the slightly long nose and adding a shine to
her eyes. "We were so stupid," he murmured. "To think of all that time we
wasted." He looked again at her face, the wavy dark hair curling softly
in the breeze, framing a pair of beautiful emerald green eyes and full,
slightly parted lips. To him, she was more than perfect, and more than he
knew he deserved.

Yvonne looked back at him and smiled gently. "But we're here now, and I
don't know how or why, but lets enjoy the time we have." With that, she
stood up, and taking Rimmer by the hand, led him to the small villa that
was set back from the prettiest part of the beach.

Night fell with caressing blue darkness all around the villa. The French
windows that framed the view from the bedroom to the beach were open,
adding a cooling breeze to the hazy summer warmth of the room. Two
figures were entangled in the sheets, still able to see each other in the
light from the small candles that gave their skin a warm glow. They had
waited three million years to be back in one another's arms, and now they
slipped into the ancient dance of lovers with ease and a passion that
astounded them both.

Yvonne looked down at Rimmer. He looked strangely at peace, even though
their actions of the past hours suggested otherwise. She traced the line
of his jaw, and very softly ran her fingers over the 'H' that adorned his
high, clear forehead. As he opened his eyes to look at her, she smiled at
him, and lowered her lips to his.

The long and blissful road to the bedroom had taken most of the evening,
and she now understood some of the frustrations that had been lurking
beneath his pseudo calm composure for so long. She saw how he had
suppressed his artistic side in repeated abortive attempts to pass the
officers exams. She had even encouraged him to sketch her against the
sunset, and was astounded by the result. He was an extremely gifted and
talented artist, and with a little encouragement had let his pen run
wild, sketching her face in detail that astounded her. The result was a
portrait of great honesty, and intense care. She had complimented him on
its beauty, and he had merely said "I was inspired by someone far more
beautiful," a slight blush colouring his face at the unexpected
compliment.

From that point on the passion that had been smouldering under the
surface of their conversation took hold. With a mastery that surprised
him, Rimmer gathered Yvonne up into his arms and carried her to the
bedroom, their lips never hesitating, their mouths in perfect harmony. He
gently returned her to her feet and ran his fingers through her hair,
marvelling at the feel of a body different to his own. In moments, his
arousal was obvious, both to him, and as her hand wandered teasingly down
to his shorts, to Yvonne.

"Come to bed Arnold," she murmured softly. In a move he had seen from too
many old films, Arnold gently unzipped Yvonne's dress and it fell to the
floor, revealing a body clad in the briefest and simplest of underwear.
The body he remembered from their last encounter together. It was the
body that had driven him wild with desire and longing not just then, but
for all time since. Her curving yet slender frame was lithe and tanned,
her breasts high and her body toned. Her long legs seemed endless, and
Rimmer heard himself moan as he looked at her and began to caress her,
running his trembling hands over her warm skin and savouring the touch
against his fingertips.

Likewise, Yvonne helped Arnold to disrobe, and soon their clothes were a
distant memory, discarded on the floor. She gazed at the man in front of
her and smiled. The legs she had appreciated from afar all those years
ago when he used to jog around Red Dwarf in the briefest of shorts were
still lean and tanned, the broad chest and arms firm and muscular. In
spite of his lack of confidence, and the fact that the Space Corps
uniform (the shorts excepted) had really done very little to show it off,
he had a fabulous body, and Yvonne felt her own arousal build even
further as she devoured him with her eyes. He was in excellent
proportion, and she knew that they were going to have a wonderful time.
She ran her hands down his chest, further.further.until they reached his
warm and firm manhood.

"Arnold," she whispered softly. "Make love to me."

Rimmer needed no further encouragement and he swept Yvonne into his arms
once more. The bed was soft and welcoming, and they were soon entangled
in the sheets, exploring one another with the passionate fervour of new
lovers. Rimmer gasped as Yvonne flicked her tongue teasingly over the tip
of his manhood, rushes of sensation flooding through him and driving his
passion higher. He didn't know how long he could contain his excitement,
but somewhere at the back of his mind he hoped it would be longer than
twelve minutes.

When she returned to kiss his lips, he gently caressed her warm core,
marvelling at her arousal. She moaned and thrust her hips towards him,
urging him to touch her. When the time came, he rose above her, savouring
the sensation of her long legs wrapped around him. Instinctively he began
to move, finding his own rhythm as she cried out, encouraging him
further. Her bloodheat drove him on, further and further on to his own
end, knowing that this time he would savour her for as long as he could.
The feel of her body so entwined with his in the most intimate caress
filled him with a joy so intense it was almost painful. They moved
together in harmony, both of them reaching climax at the same time. As
they cried out together, Rimmer felt a sense of completeness that
overlaid any sense of unease he still harboured about their chance
meeting. It no longer mattered.

"Evie," he moaned as he reached his climax. "I love you."

Now, as Yvonne looked down at Rimmer's peaceful face, she knew that years
ago they had both missed an opportunity. She hoped it wasn't too late to
catch up.

*G* Well, what can I say, I've always had a thing for Chris Barrie's
legs!! Hope this wasn't too hard to imagine *smiles*