Author's note: Yikes, this chapter was hard to write. I was in France last week on a music course and when I got back I found my creative flow had just stopped completely. Apologies if this chapter is the worst I write. R&R please!

Meanwhile on the Red Dwarf, Spanners was starting to find his way round and having a good time, too. It was a little disconcerting to see Mellie without a body, but, although she was a little scatty (well, a lot scatty), Holly had a lovely disposition. Kryten sometimes got on his nerves when he complained about missing Lister, but he was usually pretty much OK. And once he got used to the Cat he wasn't so bad. And Rimmer…well, almost at once they became the best of friends. They spent most nights discussing various themes such as telegraph poles (which Spanners didn't like that much), engineering (which Rimmer didn't like that much) and twentieth century fascist dictators (although they had different opinions on them, they had great fun debating about it!). But the theme that seemed to crop up the most was that of the old Lister; usually of how useless he is…was. It sometimes vaguely occurred to Rimmer that it felt a little empty without the little sod ruining things. And how Lister himself could be steering himself to an early grave - or a place in the insane asylum - by being with Ace. After all, Holly had once said the only thing that was keeping him sane was being with (or, more correctly, arguing with) Rimmer. Could Ace really do the job?
Still, the odd game of Risk kept his mind off analysing it too much.

Although he still had a few odd jobs to do just to keep the ship ticking over, Spanners found life much more relaxed. Instead of devoting his time to creating the latest craft design the Space Corps. had asked for, he found he could go and grab a bite to eat any time he wanted. Or take a nap. Or just sit around and chat.
"Feed me," Cat said to him one day, strutting into the sleeping quarters.
"Cat, Rimmer told you how to use the machines a long time ago, you can feed yourself, now."
"Damn. I'm so hungry!"
Spanners chuckled, "You ate less than an hour ago!"
Cat grinned innocently and Spanners laughed again.
"You know, I always wanted a cat. But pets are against Space Corps. regulations. Krissy always said it would be good for me to have something I could have responsibility for. 'Cos I was always a bit insecure about my independence. I was always so reliant upon other people: Kris, Ace, Bongo, Padre," he sighed, "Still, I never have to return to…that life," he spat.
"That's a great story!" Cat said with mock enthusiasm, "Can I eat it?"

Later that night the Dwarfers were gathered around for their weekly poker game.
"Are you sure you've never played this game before?" Rimmer asked Spanners suspiciously as he collected his winnings for the ninth time that night.
"No, never." Spanners said simply.
"Oh, come on, you haven't at least marked the cards or something?" he teased.
"No! I haven't!"
"Ignore him," Cat said in an undertone to Spanners, "he's just jealous 'cos it took us three weeks to teach him how to shuffle."
Rimmer shot him an evil glare.
"Who's turn to deal?" Holly asked.
"Me," said Cat picking up the deck and dealing them out, "One-eyed Jack is wild, everybody ante, first deal."
There was a chink of coins being dropped on the table.
"I'll take three," Rimmer said.
"Me too," reiterated Spanners.
"Dealer takes two. Any bets?"
"Two dollarpounds," Rimmer said throwing the money to the middle of the table.
"Ooh, calm down," Cat said sarcastically.
"Shut up. Any other bets?"
"Yes," said Spanners, "I'll see your two dollarpounds," he put two coins on the pile, "and raise you thirty."
"I see your thirty," Cat said, "and raise you…uh, one," Spanners stared at him, "What? You've wiped me out, bud!"
"Fine. Rimmer, any advance?"
"No way, Jose. I fold."
"Cat?"
"I'm out, too."
"Excellent!" Spanners smiled and swept up his newly gained cash for the tenth time that evening, "You know what; I think I'll call it a night. It's been a pleasure, gentlemen!"
And with that he sauntered out of the door.

A/n: Sorry about the totally irrelevant poker game, but I had to pad out the chapter somehow. And I guess it kinda shows how much fun he's having on Red Dwarf. Sort of… :-/