Life in Red... • RED DWARF • Arnold Rimmer x OC story

10. Drunk. Angry. Sexual frustration.

{{ Authors note; this chapter is extra long, but it also leads into how Rimmer comes back so I thought I'd be okay. For a short disclaimer, in the next few chapters the main character is very flawed. Rereading, I realize that she comes across sort of insane, but it's for the sake of story and character development.
Further disclaimer, this chapter has an event that conflicts with RimmerxOc, but it just had to be done. Thanks! }}

"Are you alright?!"

Somebody groaned, a long and agitated groan. They blinked against an abrasive light above them and cradled the back of their head as they sat up.

It took me a few moments to realize that this person was me.

"You're awake then. I think you lost consciousness... Hey! Don't get up."

My temples throbbed. My vision was hazy and indecisive. A pain struck me dumb for a few moments before I drew my fingers towards the bump that had recently taken residence on the back of my skull.

Maybe I had died. Maybe I'd lost consciousness and hit my head hard enough to just plainly stop living. An angel was crouched next to me, ushering me to the next life.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" It held it's hands towards me and I squinted.

The 'angel' came into focus. It, with it's yellow and flowered Hawaiian shirt, three-... no, four fingers, uniform-issue slacks and it's mullet. Had I believed in heaven and hell, I'd have panicked, as this was no angel but instead a raving demon.

"Get away from me..." I mumbled, attempting to rise to my feet.

He took my forearm and helped me stand, balancing me.

"She hit her head on the down, Dave." Holly's voice.

"I did not!" My temples throbbed. I wasn't dead. But, I was in hell. "Hm, god..." I moaned and took hold of my surroundings, scanning the man that held my arm. He had a tense expression, but offered me a friendly grin.

"Do you mind if I help ya down to the Medi-bay? Better safe than sorry."

We started walking, before I had the chance to answer. Where was I going again?

The drive room... Why was I going to the drive room?

I thought back; Hollister, Stasis, Rimmer, Stasis, Stasis, Stasis... Holly. Dead. The crew was dead.

"...Where is everybody?" I halted suddenly, peering at the man at my side. Holly propped up on the screen to our right and confirmed my suspicions.

"...Just don't faint again,"

"-Holly!" I barked, rubbing my face with my clammy palm. "They're dead... I know they are. They are, aren't they?" I asked, glancing at the man.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know when we passed in the hall. I guess you were in stasis too, eh? That's real lucky,"

"Unlucky." I mumbled. "They're dead... H-How? How is it that they're dead and I'm here? That can't be possible."

The man paused. I finally caught what felt like a proper glimpse of his face. Wide cheeks meant for smiling, round eyes that even now, had a sort of carefree look to them. I realized that not everyone had died. I was here. He was here.

He swallowed, his appearance sort of faltering. His podgy hand reached into a breast pocket and picked out a single cigarette to light. He looked up to Holly for an answer... or guidance, keeping the smoke, unlit, between his straight lips.