Author's note: This chapter has given Lister something to do, because, let's face it, he's done sod all so far. R&R as always you lovely, lovely people!

"Ouch!" Lister fell out of bed with a painful thud. Rimmer woke with a start and looked at Lister lying in a crumpled heap on the floor.
"Four mornings in a row," he mumbled, "What record are you trying to set? Most drinks in one evening, most hangovers in one week, or most bruises on your hip?"
"Shuddup," Lister murmured as he heaved himself off the ground and rubbed the back of his neck, "Where were you last night anyway? I came in here expecting to see you filling in your revision timetable and you were nowhere to be seen. Which, incidentally worked out pretty well for me!"
"Yes, I know. It reminded me to speak to the Captain about my idea for soundproof walls, actually."
"Ha ha."
"If you must know, Lister, I was on a date."
Lister looked at him, trying to figure out if he was serious.
"Really? You? A date?"
Rimmer nodded. Lister burst out laughing.
"Who in their right mind would agree to go on a date with you?"
"It's not such a crazy idea, Lister. Just because you've had half the female population of this ship and I…haven't."
"Well go on, who was it? Let's see if I've even heard of her."
"Nicole Adler."
Lister's eyes widened, "Wow, I actually know her!"
"You know her?"
"Well, I know of her. She's one of Kris's friends."
Rimmer rolled his eyes – trust Lister to somehow come up with a link to Kochanski.
"Well, yes, that's who it was. And I'd appreciate it if you, you know, kept yourself to yourself. I do rather like her, and I think she likes me back."
"Aw, Rimmer's in love!" Lister mocked, causing Rimmer to blush scarlet.
"No I'm not!"
"OK, OK. I promise I won't do anything to mess it up. But I think that maybe we should come up with some sort of system if we're both gonna be bringing back girls now, not just me. Maybe…I don't know, maybe we could slyly leave a shoe outside the door or something. What do you think?"
But Rimmer had stopped listening a long time ago. He knew Lister had only been joking when he had said Rimmer was in love with Nicole, but Rimmer wasn't sure if it was true or not, and it was bothering him. He certainly liked her a lot. But could you even fall in love after just one date? He'd always laughed at the whole 'love at first sight' thing, but maybe he'd been too cynical.
"Rimmer?" Lister asked snapping his fingers in front of Rimmer's face.
"Sorry," Rimmer muttered shaking his head, "I was…just thinking."
"About Nicole?"
"Yes, actually…" he ran his hand through his hair.
"Rimmer, are you OK?"
"Um…not sure…"
"Rimmer, you know I was only kiddin' around back then. Unless," Lister studied Rimmer's face, "Oh my God! Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"In love."
Rimmer shrugged, "How do you know?"
"You just do," Lister said, seemingly going into some sort of trance.
Rimmer thought hard, "Well, in that case," he said slowly, "I would have to say…yes I am."