Sunrise over the tango factory: Squeals in delight at reviews Ooohh...thank you so much! I'm actually really enjoying writing this little story...as I get to listen to angsty music...well I do anyway but what the heck. Because of the lovely reviews...i'm going to thank you all personally.
Okay, big 'thank you's go out to: Rack, Lar-ton, FantasySci5, cazflibs, Jumana, felineranger, smegginitlarge, anon (whoever you are), lexx34, Starquality and VirginsBurnAlot. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Sunrise XXX
Oh yes,enjoy!
Few words can describe the feelings a person experiences when someone close to them is hurt.
After watching Lister sink to the floor, Rimmer's brain battled to make him feel several emotions at once: fear, apprehension and confusion to name a few. And because Rimmer's brain was preoccupied trying to decide what to make him feel, for a few seconds he stood frozen to the spot, simply watching Lister.
His brain eventually gave up on choosing Rimmer's emotions and opted to get his body to do something useful.
'What are you waiting for?' it snapped rather rudely "help him!'
Rimmer gave his head a sharp shake to clear his senses and raced to Lister's side,
"Lister-" he said, lightly tapping the side of his face, hoping, praying that he'd wake up. Upon receiving no response, Rimmer was gripped by an overwhelming sense of panic.
"Lister, please" he pleaded "Wake up!" but still he lay motionless on the floor.
"Smeg!" swore Rimmer angrily, slamming his fist down on the floor in his frustration, he felt a something sharp prick his hand, and looked down to see a shard of glass on the floor. He hastily picked it up and noticed the label attached…he swore for a second time when he read the label and felt a cold sense of dread descend onto him.
"Kryten!" he yelled frantically, before scooping Lister up into his arms. Rimmer tried his hardest to ignore the fact that Lister already felt cold and his body was limp like a rag doll.
The mechanoid arrived at the door and when he saw the scene that lay before him, choked on his words.
"Medi-bay, quickly!" Rimmer ordered, tightening his hold on Lister, for his own sake rather than anyone else's.
Kryten nodded mutely before racing towards the medi-bay after him, "Mr Rimmer sir, what's the matter? What happened? Is there anything I can do?" he gabbled.
"I think he's taken an overdose," replied Rimmer, "found a bottle of smashed pills next to him…empty"
Kryten pace slowed in shock "overdose" he repeated in a hoarse voice "you mean…he did this on purpose...b...but why?"
"Why is not important right now" barked Rimmer "Lister needs our help or else he might…"
Not surprisingly Rimmer couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, instead he placed Lister gently down on the medi-bay bed before running from the room, leaving Kryten to tend to Lister.
Rimmer was physically sick after he'd fled the medi-bay, he was shaking non stop and he was trying to wrap his head around what on Io could possibly have driven Lister to suicide.
All the while images of Lister's lifeless body flashed inside his mind, causing him to shudder.
Time wore on a snails pace...the minutes stretched into hours and the hours lasted for what seemed like days.
Rimmer felt like a spare part, he was aching to do something to help but he couldn't bring himself to enter the medi-bay. So instead, he paced the corridor, eyes staring straight ahead, his face blank.
The door of the medi-bay eventually opened, and a grave looking Kryten stepped out.
Rimmer felt his heart hammer at his ribcage; his throat dried up and speaking became impossible, so he waited for news rather than asking for it.
"Alive" said Kryten simply, "but these next few hours are critical…."
Rimmer felt weak with relief, but it was tinged with worry at the word' critical'
"Can I?" he whispered, gesturing to the medi-bay. Kryten nodded and stepped aside.
Rimmer timidly entered the room, not really knowing what to expect. He inhaled sharply as he saw Lister.
He was hooked up to a heart monitor, which bleeped every few seconds as if to comfort Rimmer, reassuring him that Lister was alive.
He looked frail…as if even the slightest movement could finish him off. Rimmer suddenly felt very nervous…he contemplated leaving the medi-bay now, rather than having to continue seeing Lister's in this condition. He decided against it, and sat down beside Lister and held his hand softly, scared of hurting him.
Rimmer sat and watched Lister's chest slowly rise and fall, before putting his head in his hands. The feeling of helplessness that filled him was indescribable. He racked his brains trying to come up with a way he could make this situation better…but none came.
Suddenly overwhelmed by everything, Rimmer broke into silent tears.
He stayed by Lister's bedside for nearly 8 hours, his eyes darting over the heart monitor every few seconds to check if as was wall.
Kryten frequently came in to check on Lister but also to try and persuade Rimmer to rest.
"I don't want to leave him," said Rimmer, in a quiet voice
"I know that," replied Kryten understandingly "but please-"
Rimmer hesitated, he made half and effort to leave the chair next to Lister and allowed Kryten to gently lead him away when he failed to leave properly.
It was when he reached the door when Rimmer heard a sound that will remain with him for the rest of his days.
"Smeghead?"