Sunrise over the tango factory's A/N: Angst, angst, angst! Oh how I love it! That's right folks, Lar-tons at it again. So if you enjoy heartbreak, tears, trauma, lost love, denial and indescribable amounts of angst…read on! If you don't…I dunno…go have a brew I suppose…meh…on with the story!

Raging Tree Trunks A/N: Well said Sunrise :D Ok, story time now children- Now. Are you sitting comfotably?

WARNING: CONTAINS MUCHO ANGST

Grabbing his hand, Lister half dragged a very disgruntled Arnold. J. Rimmer into the technicians stock cupboard and began absent mindedly nibbling his ear, whilst encircling his slim waist with one arm and gripping his wrist gently with his own free hand.

Lister grinned to himself as he relished in the knowledge that he and Rimmer were together.

Exclusively.

A couple.

A couple who were very much in love.

Lister brushed his lips against Rimmer's, loving every moment, the scent of his skin was intoxicating, and like a cigarette followed by a vindaloo curry washed down with lager- he wanted more.

They'd been together for about a year now, and Lister had never been happier.

It had all happened after they'd had another one of those intense arguments, Lister had finally made out with Krissy after months of hoping and waiting, yet he had felt nothing.

No fireworks or sparks whatsoever. Nothing. Zilch. Nadda.

This lack of consuming passion and overwhelming joy had of course confused Lister to no end, and had set him up for a bad mood for the rest of the day.

Rimmer on the other hand had turned in not one, not two, but three official complaints and was onto his fourth complaints notebook of the month putting him in a somewhat celebratory mood.

Their moods had clashed and a fight soon followed. It started off like any other of their arguments. They'd exchange insults, before they sulked for a bit and then having another go at each other.

Lister had been really getting into the argument. He wanted to vent some of his confusion; he wanted to get rid of it and the only way of doing that was yelling and screaming at his annoying roommate He leant close to Rimmer so he was only inches away from his face, opened his mouth but found words failed him. For the fist time in his life, Lister took a proper look at Rimmer. He looked deep into his eyes, and suddenly the whole world clicked into place. He twitched nervously as Rimmer stared back at him, waiting for the insult. Lister gave a small smile, "Sorry" he muttered, still not breaking eye contact.

Rimmer frowned only slightly "erm...right...okay"

Before Lister knew what he was doing, he had placed his hands either side of Rimmer's face, drew him close and kissed him. It started gentle as Lister dipped his toes in the water so to speak and gauged Rimmer's reaction.

Rimmer however, made no movement whatsoever and instead froze in shock at the action, wondering if it was some kind of joke and if he was having one of those dreams again.

Lister deepened the kiss in the hope of getting some response, even being pushed away would be better than him just standing there rigid.

When Lister eventually broke off the kiss, Rimmer swayed a little whilst his puzzled brain tried to make sense of what had just happened. He coughed and said the one thing that he thought would be acceptable in this situation.

"Thank you…"

Rimmer licked his lips liking how Lister tasted, and quickly decided to launch in for round 2. He awkwardly placed his hands on Lister's shoulders, and cringed at how it must look like he was about to head butt him rather than kiss him.

His cheeks glowed he leant in a kissed Lister, relaxing instantly as he found comfort like no other he'd ever experienced. For a second or two, they stood kissing; hardly daring to touch each other too much, as if what they were doing was a crime.

And so the relationship began...things were taken slowly. The fear of rejection made Lister and Rimmer hesitate before getting in too deep. But it soon dawned on both of them that everything about their relationship felt right.

When they were with each other, problems faded into obscurity. Lister felt safe and secure in Rimmer's arms, and would always without fail smile when he whispered 'I love you' in his ear.

This made it very hard to stay mad at Rimmer for too long, as he'd look at Lister with large eyes and say, "I love you" in a quiet voice. This was how most arguments ended, and this is what led to Lister and Rimmer currently being in a store cupboard.

Moving his hands down to Rimmer's pert bum, Lister gave it a cheeky squeeze, only to be met with Rimmer glaring angrily at him as he shoved him away with a strong push.

"God Lister, we have work to do." He sneered, glaring at Lister from beneath his lashes.

Lister frowned, and incoherently mumbled some nonsense that made no sense whatsoever. Rimmer, backed away and breathed deeply, "You're so... heavy..."

Lister's frown deepened, "Heavy? But I thought this is what you wanted, I thought you wanted us to be together, and we are" he paused "aren't you happy?" he asked, looking at Rimmer expectantly.

Rimmer scowled at him, "Look, maybe we should just- BREAK UP"

Lister's face dropped, Rimmer felt his heartstrings being tugged on like church bells and he softened his voice, "Look i'm sorry- it's been fun." and with that he walked out and went off to perform his duties.

Lister was left stood in complete shock. He laughed. Not a proper laugh of course. It was a nervous laugh, the sort of laugh someone performed when they didn't know what else to do.

Rimmer's words had penetrated into his brain…but they still failed to make any sense.

Break up?

Why would he want to do that?

Tears streaked down Lister's cheeks as he stumbled from the store cupboard, "Rimmer" he called, chasing after him.

Rimmer didn't turn around, didn't even acknowledge Lister.

"Rimmer, please" begged Lister catching up with him "Tell me you didn't mean it…tell me what you said back there was complete and utter bollocks!"

Lister choked on his own breath when Rimmer looked at him with cold, steely eyes. It was a look he'd not seen on Rimmer for a long, long time. "Please" murmured Lister, taking hold of his hand gently "please…don't do this to me"

Rimmer briefly looked at their clasped hands before jerking his own away, "We're finished, Lister" he said stiffly "and that's that!"