Sunrise and Rage would like to thank the following people for reviewing: Sojuske, cazflibs, boogle, smegginitlarge, and finally RimmersLittleVoodooDoll :D

Sunrise and Rage sends you all hugs, kisses, tidings of great joy and virtual pan fried noodles to eat whilst watching a Red Dwarf marathon on TV or alternatively reading Chapter 3 of Losing Hope! Toodles and Enjoy!

The rest of you... well we love you too, just not quite as much cos we're self confessed review whores an all ;)

"I'll see you soon" sighed Jessica, giving Rimmer a peck on the cheek, which he managed to force a dry smile for.

She blew him a kiss as she dashed out the door, leaving Rimmer completely alone.

The story of his life.

He was about to get ready when there came a knock at the door; he rolled his eyes and stomped back to the door.

'It's probably Jessica again' Rimmer thought bitterly, "What now?" he demanded as he opened the door.

Lister recoiled slightly at the cold welcome, it was what he was expecting but it still didn't stop it coming as a shock.

Rimmer froze as his eyes met Lister's "oh, it's you" he said softly, gripping the doorframe for support.

Lister swallowed nervously and nodded "yeah…I was wondering if we could…talk"

"Now is not a good time" replied Rimmer, with more venom then he intended.

"Please" begged Lister "It won't take long…"

Rimmer drummed his fingers against the wall as he contemplated what to do for the best, all the while Lister watched him tentatively.

"Oh all right" snapped Rimmer, moving aside to let him in "5 minutes"

Lister suddenly got the feeling this wasn't such a good idea. Once inside the room, he turned to say something to Rimmer, but stopped as he noticed his former lover was half naked. His eyes wandered across Rimmer's smooth, broad shoulders, and wondered how many times he must have wrapped his own arms around them. He became so engrossed in reminiscing about the past, he hardly noticed Rimmer getting increasingly agitated.

"You said you wanted something" he said, catching sight of Lister staring, who raised his eyes guiltily.

"Yeah" he mumbled, looking away.

Rimmer allowed a short silence to happen before he became impatient "well?" he enquired somewhat harshly.

Lister shoved his hands deep into his pockets in an attempt to look casual, it was in actual fact to hide his hands that were shaking, he sighed and looked up at Rimmer "you're not my Rimmer..." he said finally

Rimmer laughed, "I'm sorry" he teased "I don't think I heard you right...your Rimmer did you say?"

Lister didn't flinch at this show of mockery, instead he looked Rimmer straight in the eye and said "You're not the Rimmer I fell in love with...the Rimmer I knew worried about me, you don't...I've not come back here all night, and you didn't even ask where I was or was I okay..." he trailed off to try and regain some form of composure "Where's the man who used to come looking for me if I was 10 minutes late coming home from the pub?"

Rimmer coughed and rubbed his eyebrows, bringing his fingers together at the bridge of his nose, "Yea, well it was a momentary lapse in common sense. I'm over it now." He couldn't believe how cold his own voice sounded but continued on all the same, "Besides, you're nothing special really Lister- not really."

Rimmer's voice shook slightly as he tried to convince himself, before meeting Lister's eyes.They were glazed over and empty as he blinked repeatedly, his eyes watering and brimming with tears. Childishly Lister scrubbed his eyes, coughed, turned away and puffed his chest out, "Of course" he said, voice cracking, "of course" he whispered.

"Look-" began Rimmer, but the sound of the door sliding open drowned his out

"Arnie, I think I've left my purse here..." smiled Jessica, she stopped dead in her tracks and her face fell when she spotted Lister,

"Who's this?" she asked frowning and looking at Lister confused.

Lister narrowed his eyes "I was just about to ask the same question..."

Rimmer looked from Jessica to Lister, and licked his lips nervously "Jessica" he smiled "This is Lister, a friend" he added hastily, making Lister grimace inwardly, "Lister, this is Jessica...she's...she's my girlfriend"

Lister budged the floor with the toe of his shoe, "I better go now," he was about to finish with 'It was nice seeing you Rimmer,' but in actually fact it had been a rather hellish visit for the both of them and Lister felt it less than fitting to say it had been enjoyable.

Giving Jessica a brief nod, he headed for the door only to be intercepted by Jessica and given a tight hug. "I've been waiting to meet some of Snugglebear's friends! I thought he was embarrassed of me." She purred, lightly stroking Rimmer's arm and gazing at him lovingly.

Lister coughed, "Oh yeah? Rimmer hasn't mentioned having a girlfriend. You make it sound like you've been going out for a long time.

Jessica's smile dimmed a notch but didn't falter as Rimmer hastily explained that he had wanted to introduce his friends to her personally.

Jessica smiled and snuggled into his arm, she grimaced as Rimmer began mumbling his excuse for not mentioning her, "Honey Shush." She clucked and turned to Lister her smile back on full power, "We've been dating for like a few months now –haven't we Arn." She turned to look at Rimmer, for him to confirm their dating status.

Rimmer nodded grimily, looking anywhere but at Lister, whose heart felt like it had been ripped out, chewed up by some rabid dog, regurgitated and harshly shoved back in just under his ribcage. "A- A few months?" he repeated, trying to keep the grief out of his voice.

Jessica nodded again, "Yep," suddenly waving her arms manically she clawed at Lister's arm, "Oh, oh I have an idea!"

Rimmer turned his head to face her, "What?"

She ran a finger down his bare arm "Well, you know how Marcie had just broken up with Brett? Well- how about we set up Lister and Marcie, frankly they both look as miserable as each other" she looked at Lister, "-no offence- Anyway, they'd be like happy and stuff. Oh my GOD! We could double date, Arn!"

"I don't think that's a good idea," muttered Rimmer, scratching his head awkwardly,

"Oh, but it'll be fun..." she whined

"It's a great idea, Jessica" lied Lister "But I'll have to pass on it, I'm not ready for a relationship yet" he locked his eyes on Rimmer's guilty features "I'm still recovering from a bad break up..."

"Oh please" begged Jessica, "Marcie such a lovely girl, you'd make such a sweet couple!"

Lister sighed, "I'll…I'll think about it…"

This appeared to be good enough for Jessica, who squealed in delight and clapped her hands, "I've got to go, Arnie…oh, I nearly forgot. Have you seen my purse?"

"By the sink" said Rimmer, "You must have left it after brushing your teeth…"

Jessica quickly tottered over to the sink and retrieved her purse, she gave Rimmer a departing kiss and gave Lister a wave "Think about the double date thing" she giggled before leaving, only to return seconds later "Wait, would you like to come with me and Arnie for a drink tonight?" she asked,

Rimmer caught Lister's eyes and shook his head slightly, hoping he'd take the hint. Lister raised an eyebrow at him, he knew what Rimmer was up to. He didn't want Lister anywhere near Jessica, in case something was said.

Lister decided it was time for Rimmer to feel uncomfortable. "I'd love to" said Lister, turning back to Jessica and grinning.