[M/NC-17] All in the Family (Rimmer/Lister; Red Dwarf)

"But I don't now."

"Ah'm sorry." She muttered. Todhunter was always going to leave her feeling inadequate for the job.

"Please don't apologise, you have every right to feel how you do, I just... need to know how I can best make things better when you feel like this."

"Not leavin me an still lovin me would make it bettah."

"I fully intend to do that, but I mean in the moments like now, when you need reassurance."

"Kiss me like ya mean it?"

Rimmer wraps her into his arms, pulling Lister so close they were almost the same person, and kissed her woth every ounce of passion he had.

She returned it, melting into his body.

That was how Hollister found them nearly five minutes later.

"Hey, Cap'ain!" She reluctantly pulled away.

"Rimmer," she nodded to the man, "Lister," she didn't seemed bothered she used the wrong last name. "We need to talk."

Lister carefully hid her anxiousness st the tone and wondered if this had to do with Todhunter.

"Can it wait until after lunch ma'am? We'd like to dine with our children." Rimmer wasn't about to let this woman push either of them around, and she seemed surprised by the firmness in his tone.

"Of course, see you in my office at 1400 hours."

"Yes ma'am." He just nodded his head and all but dragged Lister with him to leave.

When she was out of range of the Captain she voiced her concern.

"Ya think this gotta do with Todhunter?"

"No, it has to do with the plan. She gave us until the end of the week to iron out details, and tomorrow is the final day, but I suppose now that the whole ship knows, she's stepped up the time table."

She was relieved that Todhunter hadn't enacted some sort of revenge upon them.

"Um... but th plain ain't been completely ironed out yet."

"I know, but the final touches always required talking to her. Don't worry, i will make everything work."

She nodded.

"Ah sure didna add much ta th plan though."

"No, but you were great moral support for me," he told her honestly, squeezing her hand.

Lister sighed. She knew she had nothing brilliant to say as they ironed out how their civilization was going to work now.

"Hey, what you did add was wonderful, please don't think less of yourself."

"Ah thought we was gonna have lunch wit th kids?"

"We are, we're walking that way," he motioned.

She nodded and came across a very excited Cat. She was dressed up even more than usual and looked positively bursting with news.

"Heeeey! Guess where I'm going! C'mon, guess!" She spun around happily.

Rimmer looked at the outfit a long moment before guessing, "A date?"