Rimmer spent the next day shopping for some things they were going to need. He resisted going in to see Dave, thinking it would be best to give him a full day to recover and, when he finally went in the day after, Dave was well and truly awake. He was lying down, but his eyes were open and they widened in surprise when he saw Rimmer. "Arnie?"
"Hi, there," Rimmer smiled, sitting down beside him. He'd slept well for the first time in ages and was feeling unbelievably good. He had a large carrier bag with him that he set down at his feet.
"How did you know I was here?" Lister asked, bewildered, sitting up weakly in bed.
"Because I brought you in," Rimmer told him matter-of-factly. He propped the pillows up behind his back for him so he could rest comfortably against the headboard. "Those gits back at...your place...had no idea how sick you were. I made them call an ambulance."
"They let you into the boss's area to see me?" Dave seemed impressed.
"I told them I was a doctor," Rimmer smiled.
"Are you?"
"No. But it worked."
He rummaged in the bag and brought out, with a hint of embarrassment, a fluffy teddy-bear. "Here. It's a get well present," he said awkwardly. Dave took it with a smile and tucked into the bed beside him, "Aw, cheers, man. He's adorable."
"I should be mad at you," Rimmer told him, mock-sternly, "You nearly blew the whole plan."
"Oh, yes, the master plan," Dave said with a smile, "How's that coming along?"
"It's complete," Rimmer told him, "All it needs is for you to come with me when I pick you up tomorrow."
"Are you serious?" Dave asked, blinking incredulously.
"Absolutely," Rimmer said, "It's all sorted. That is..." he faltered, "If you actually want to come with me. I mean, I realise we haven't known each other long, and it must be difficult for you to trust me, but I swear to you I would never..."
"Hey, hey," Lister put a hand on his arm to quiet him, "I want to come with you," he said earnestly.
"Really?" Rimmer smiled hopefully.
"Really. I want out, man. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in...that place. And if it's true that you brought me here and saved my life, then, yes; I trust you."
"Then I won't let you down," Rimmer said, squeezing his hand.
He picked up the bag by his feet and pulled out a long-sleeved t-shirt, a thick sweater, a jacket and a scarf. "These are for you. The doctor says you have to keep warm when we get out of here, and I intend to see you do. When I brought you in, you were only wearing a thin t-shirt and jeans so I thought you'd need some more stuff."
"Thanks," Dave said, obviously touched. He rubbed his cheek against the sweater, "Mmm, this is really soft. I can't remember the last time I had anything this nice." Rimmer beamed with pride. He hadn't actually picked the clothes, he had no idea about what was fashionable right now, but the woman in the shop had been very helpful.
Dave looked at the tag, "Size 15? Do you think I'm fat or something?"
"I got them big so they'll be warmer. I couldn't find any gloves, so I thought you could pull the sleeves down over your hands."
"Okay, I'll forgive you. Are you going to tell me what the plan is?"
"The plan is for me to pick you up here tomorrow at 12pm. I'll fill you in on the details then. We might have to make some last minute changes, depending on how lucky we are."
"Are you expecting things to go wrong?" Dave asked warily.
"You should always expect things to go wrong," Rimmer told him, "That way you'll be prepared if they do."
"And are you prepared?"
"I think so. We'll find out tomorrow."