Author's note: OK, so, in chapter 8 I'm finally kicking off and getting nearer to a fanfic which is relevant to its title. That's what poor planning does.

Gemma knocked on the door she had found the night before. Despite Faiyre's warnings, she planned to continue going to see Rimmer.
"Hi, Gemma," Rimmer said brightly, "I was hoping you'd drop by."
Gemma smiled, "Really?"
"Yes. I, er, I was just thinking about something last night. I mean, you probably don't want to, but I think it's worth trying out."
"What is?"
Rimmer hesitated; this idea was insane. Gemma wouldn't agree. Even he thought he was crazy. But there was no harm in voicing it…
"I could be your tutor."
"But I already go to school…"
"I know, I know, I just thought you might want a little bit of out-of-school help."
"From you?"
"Yes."
Gemma tilted her head to one side in thought.
"Are you qualified?"
"Well…no, not technically. But I spent most of last night reading up on algebra and graphs, and I think I know enough to help you with it."
"You'd seriously do that for me?"
Rimmer nodded.
"With no payment or anything? You'd just…do it?"
"Yes. You deserve to succeed, Gemma. I don't see why one tetchy little man who clearly can't teach should stand in the way of that."
Gemma laughed at Rimmer's description of Mr Richardson. She thought about it again. Over the last few days they had really struck up a rapport, and Gemma loved being with him. It felt nice to know that she was with someone who had had a terrible childhood, just like she was having only far, far worse, and had lived through it to get his own life. That's what she craved more than anything, to shed her skin like a snake and slither into a new, happier one. And maybe Rimmer could help her with that. It would have to be totally in secret, and only for an hour or so after school each day otherwise higher authorities – and by that she meant Faiyre – would get suspicious.
"OK. OK, alright, let's do it!" she said happily.
"Excellent! Well, do you want to start today? I've got a paper on linear graphs just waiting to be…graphed…" Rimmer concluded feebly making Gemma giggle again.
"I would, but I've got to get home. I'll tell my mum I'm going to an after-school club or something and I'll come round tomorrow."
"OK. Bye, Gem."
Gemma waved and waltzed out of the door.