At eleven-fifty the next morning, a hopper drew up outside the main entrance of the hospital. As he climbed out, Rimmer leaned over to say something to the driver, who nodded and drove away.

Lister was sitting in one of the hard plastic chairs outside his room, bundled up in his new jacket and holding the bear Rimmer had bought for him. He smiled when he saw Rimmer coming down the corridor. A small part of him had still been concerned that this might all be some elaborate trick and that he might not show up. "You ready to go?" Rimmer asked, as soon as he reached him.

"I think so."

"Where's your scarf?"

"In the bag," Lister gestured to the carrier bag at his feet that Rimmer had left for him the day before. "Put it on. It's cold outside and you're still not completely well."

"Yes, mum," Lister smiled, fishing it out and wrapping it round his neck.

"Right," Rimmer adjusted it slightly, "Let's get going then."

After a few minutes of walking along various corridors, Lister felt compelled to speak. "Er...Arn? The exit's the other way."

"We're not going out the main door," Rimmer told him. He'd done a circuit of the hospital the night before to find another way out and was now leading Lister down to the A&E and the ambulance bay. "Why?" Lister asked.

"Because your friend Charlie is waiting outside in the car park, eager to take you home," Rimmer told him, "And we don't want to bump into him. We're sneaking out the back."

"How did they know I was being discharged today?" Lister was startled.

"They don't know," Rimmer assured him, "He's been out there keeping an eye on the place ever since you were brought in."

"I should have known," Lister said glumly. Rimmer reached over and squeezed his hand, "Don't think about it. You never have to see him again."

Once they reached the ambulance bay they made their way out between the bustling vehicles and down to the bottom of the drive. Just outside the open gate was a hopper waiting in the lane, right where Rimmer had instructed. They clambered in and Rimmer slammed the door shut behind them. "Ready to drive on?" the cabbie asked cheerfully.

"Yes, thank you," Rimmer called to him. They buckled themselves in and the hopper sprang off down the road.

"Where are we going?" Dave asked, with a hint of anxiety.

"The shuttle port," Rimmer told him.

"But," Lister protested, "I don't have a passport. How can...?"

"Oh yes you do," Rimmer interrupted. He unzipped the bag stowed in the luggage compartment and pulled out the documents. He handed them to Dave, who stared at them in disbelief. "You are also a fully-registered crew member of the JMC vessel Red Dwarf.Which is leaving in about," he checked his watch quickly, "Two hours."

"I don't believe it," Dave whispered, astounded. He studied the passport, "How did you...?" Rimmer smiled and put a secretive finger to his lips,

"Never mind that now."

Dave shook his head, "I can't get over this, man," he said weakly.

"Don't get too excited," Rimmer told him, "You're only a third technician, and I'm afraid the ship doesn't stop at Earth for another two years yet, but...well, let's just say I did the maths and if you'd carried on the way you were, you'd still have been stuck in that dump twenty years from now. This seemed like a better deal. You get room and board, and salary is 12k a year; so if you save up you'll be able to find yourself a place to rent as soon as you get home. Oh and er..." Rimmer looked down, slightly embarrassed, "I've arranged for us to share a room. No funny business, you understand," he said quickly, "Just so you'll have someone you know around while you get used to the place and make some friends..."

For Dave, the situation hadn't quite sunk in yet. "But what about Rudolph?...And Charlie...?" he said, sounding dazed. "What if they come looking for me?"

"With any luck we'll be out of orbit and on our way before they even realise you've checked out of the hospital," Rimmer said soothingly. "There's nothing back there you need is there?"

"No. All I had was some clothes and a rolled-up sock with forty quid in it. They can have them."

"Good. Then we can be on our way. It's another twenty minutes yet, so settle down and try to rest. Doctor's orders."

"You're not a doctor, remember?" Dave teased.

"No. But I am your superior officer now, so do what you're told. Get some rest."

"Yes, Sir." Dave rested his head on his shoulder and closed his eyes.