Be careful who you hope for

After loading all the supplies needed on Red Dwarf Kathryn and Kris both agreed the salvage trip was a success and started to head back to Red Dwarf. As they were about to clear the proximity of the deteriorating ship an alarm sounded on Starbug as a red light began to flash. “I wonder who changed the bulb?” huffed Kathryn. “Forget the damn bulb! What the bloody hell is that?” asked Kris as she leaned over Kathryn’s seat and pointed at a white streak of light that seemed to be disrupting space. “I don’t know but it’s headed straight for us!” yelled Kathryn as she snatched the control stick left.
A loud clang could be heard as something large banged into the top of Starbug’s hull. Kathryn tried to right the Bug as it clipped the side of the wrecked ship. “I can’t get Starbug straight! We’re going down!” yelled Kathryn as she braced herself. The Bug hit the surface of the asteroid and slid a few miles before coming to an abrupt halt against a crater caused by the debris from the deteriorating ship. Kathryn was slumped over the cockpit flight control panels. She gritted her teeth as she rubbed her head.
“Kris? You all right?” asked Kathryn as she sat up. “Does it look like I’m alright?” snapped Kris as she untangled herself from fallen supplies and other scattered objects that was strew across the floor. “By the way nice landing there miss perfect. Do they give medals for crashing or are you just an exception?” added Kris as she dusted herself off. “No, but I’ll give you a purple eye for your attitude.” Quipped Kathryn as she tried to get a damage report from the computer. The cockpit started smoking and Kris ran to put out a small fire under the computer console.
“Other than your ego are you okay?” asked Kris. “Yeah, how about you hot head?” replied Kathryn. “I’m fine.” She huffed. With a sizzle and a pop the cracked vid screen flickered on and Lister’s worried stricken face appeared. “Well I was.” Corrected Kris. “Are you two alright?” Asked Lister. “We’re fine. Never better.” Answered Kris.
“Okay, hold tight we’re coming to get you.” Said Lister. “We?” asked Kathryn with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah me and Rimmer.” Answered Lister. “Well if I’d known that’s all it would take to get him motivated I would’ve crashed a long time ago.” Laughed Kathryn. “That’s not funny. You two could have been seriously hurt.” Said Lister in a scolding tone. “By the way do you guys know what hit us?” asked Kris. “We’re not sure yet but Holly’s on it.” Answered Lister.
There was a loud ‘clang clang’ at the hull door. Kris and Kathryn exchanged looks. “Wow, you guys were fast.” Said Kathryn in surprise. “No, we’re not. We just left Red Dwarf.” Said Lister just as Kris opened the hull door. Smoke rushed out of the cockpit and into the airlock. A tall figure emerged and entered the cockpit in a fur rimmed gold flight suite. Kris and Kathryn’s mouths dropped open in surprise as they gawked in silence.
“What is it? Girls are you okay? I can’t see!” shouted Lister from the vid. They ignored him as smiles began to spread across their faces. “Sorry about the mess. It was my fault so I came here to help. I’m sorry for the damage I caused. I didn’t mean to warp too close to your vessel. Just point me to the source of the problem and I’ll have a solution for it. Don’t worry ladies I’ll have you out of here before you can say smoke me a kipper.” Said the tall man with a gallant toss of his wheat color ear length hair. “What a guy.” Sighed Kris and Kathryn together in a dreamy voice. The tall man smiled. “Forgive me. I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Rimmer. Arnold Rimmer.”

What could have been

“You’re who?” gasped Kathryn in surprise. “Arnold Rimmer.” Repeated the man. And it was…in a way. It was Rimmer’s face and Rimmer’s voice but then again it wasn’t. “Oh my god! If it’s a disease I hope Lister catches it.” Squealed Kris. “Catch what?” asked Lister long forgotten on the vid screen. “Arnold, what happen to you?” asked Kathryn as she examined him.
“Nothing. I’m right here.” Said Rimmer on the vid screen. “Sorry love. I am Arnold Rimmer but not that Arnold Rimmer. Though my friends call me Ace.” Said the good-looking Rimmer look alike. Kathryn was a bit confused. He was gallant and charming. Something Rimmer wasn’t. He was also drop dead gorgeous. And Rimmer, let’s face it, was denied that gift. Not that it mattered to her mind you but it was a plus.
“Ace, is that you?” asked Lister as he leaned closer to the vid screen trying to get a better look. Ace walked around Kris and Kathryn and into the cockpit. “David, you ole blighter. How’ve you been?” asked Ace with a bright smile. “Oh bloody hell not you.” Grumbled Rimmer. “Ah hello Arn.” Added Ace a little less excited. Rimmer muttered and shook his head.
“I’m doing good Ace. What about you? What brings you back here to our dimension?” asked Lister. “I thought I’d drop by for a visit. Unfortunately I knocked these lovely ladies off their course and to take responsibility for my mishap I swooped in to help.” answered Ace as he turned and smiled at Kris and Kathryn, Who in turn blushed, giggled, and smiled back. “Why are you gawking at him like that? Asked Lister when he saw the girls’ reactions. “Like what?” asked Kathryn not taking her eyes off Ace. "Like he's dipped in chocolate and covered in whip cream." answered Lister in a half laugh.
"I wouldn't mind a taste of that.” Muttered Kris. Ace just smiled as Lister shook his head. "Oh for pity’s sake put your tongue back in your mouth and wipe the drool off your chin." fussed Rimmer. "Are these ladies yours?" asked Ace as he eyed Kris and Kathryn. "Yeah afraid so. The short brunette in the green flight suite is my sister.” answered Lister.
"Hi I'm Kathryn O’Rilley." She said as she extended out her hand for a casual handshake. Instead Ace grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Indeed. Very lovely to meet you." he said with half a charming smile, which looked more surprised than charming. "Oi! Keep your grubby hands off!” shouted Rimmer. “Ah, so you’re a man after all Arn?” said Ace. “More man than you dog food breath. She’s spoken for.” Huffed Rimmer.
“Not necessarily.” Added Kathryn. “Wait what?” asked Rimmer. “And the other lovely brunette?” asked Ace. “I’m Kristine.” She said as she held out her hand for a kiss. “Ah, Dave’s sweet heart.” Said Ace. “Ex-sweet heart actually.” She corrected him. “Hey now that hasn’t been decided yet. What about second chances?’ asked Lister.
“Oh please Listy you and I both know that ship has sailed.” Said Rimmer. “And what do you mean not necessarily? I thought…you…I mean…well you know that we…” stammered Rimmer as he leaned into the vid. Kris casually walked over to the vid. “I’m sorry we can’t hear you. You’re breaking up.” Said Kris as she hit the side of the screen. The image of Rimmer and Lister fumbling for excuses disappeared as the cracked glass from the screen shattered as shards showered the cockpit floor.
“Oh darn we lost them. Oh well we’ll have to find out what they were trying to explain later. So I’ll show you the damage while Kathryn goes and fetches you some tools.” Said Kris as she walked over and latched onto Ace’s arm. “Just point me in the right direction and I’ll get to work.” Said Ace as he took off his flight jacket and began to roll up his sleeves. Kathryn smiled and shook her head as she went to retrieve some tools from the supplies they salvaged. A thought occurred to her while she gathered the tools and headed back tot he cockpit. The thought quickly formed into a question she just couldn’t help but ask.
She handed Ace the tools and he smiled before ducking under the computer console. “Ace can I ask you something?” asked Kathryn as she crossed her arms and leaned against the console. “Sure love.” He said as he pulled out a tool and began messing with the wires over his head. “You introduced yourself earlier as Arnold Rimmer. How is that even possible when the real Rimmer is on Red Dwarf?” asked Kathryn. “You mean the real dead Arnold Rimmer.” Added Kris.
“Yes I am Arnold Rimmer but from a different dimension. Just as there is another Dave Lister and Kris Kochanski. There is also another Kathryn. We are all the same person but an important decision in life made us different. For example when Arnold here took one path I took another and that’s how we became two different people." explained Ace. "So what's my other self up to?” asked Kris as she leaned across the console. “She is married to Dave with two beautiful baby boys who are her whole world.” Answered Ace with a smile. “What!” yelped Kris in surprise. Kathryn silently pondered what her other self had done with her life when she caught Ace studying her.
“Do you want to know about the other Kathryn?” he asked looking a bit more sincere. “So you knew her?” asked Kathryn a bit interested. “Well you could say that after all she’s a family hero.” Answered Ace with a thoughtful look. “What do you mean?” asked Kathryn a bit nervous. “Well Frank had told me about how persistent he was about dating this one girl. I told him maybe it wasn’t meant to be. At the next family gathering Frank brings over this beautiful girl. Kathryn O’Rilley a highly respected space Captain. Mother couldn't be more proud. After dating a few months the relationship got more serious and they got married. Fought battles side by side as a team. They seemed invincible. But then there was a devastating battle where there was only one survivor my brother Frank. He told us how after you sacrificed everything to save him from his own wrecked ship you had forced him into the last working stasis pod aboard your ship to save his life.” Said Ace with a proud smile.
Kathryn was struggling to contain herself. “What happened to Frank?” she managed to ask. “I’m sorry Kathryn. He wasn’t the same after that. He took every suicide mission he could get. When he didn’t come home for Thanksgiving we knew he got what he wanted.” Said Ace with a shake of his head. Kathryn stood very still as tears began to form in her eyes. “I'm sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I didn't mean to upset you.” Said Ace apologetically. “No it's okay I just need a few minutes alone to process this." Said Kathryn with a shake of her head.
"I'm going to check the engines and make sure their still in good shape to get us back to Red Dwarf.” Said Kathryn mostly to Kris. Ace sat up and watched her walk away. “I really didn’t mean to upset her.” He said as he looked at Kris. “I’ll have to fill you in on why that’s a touchy subject with her." said Kris. "Maybe over dinner when we get back to Red Dwarf?” she added. “Sorry Kris but I’ll have to decline. Dave is a good friend of mine and I can see he still loves you. I won’t get in the way of that.” He answered as he reached for another tool and went back to work.
“And Kathryn?” asked Kris a bit scorned. “She’s a different story.” answered Ace. "No she's not. Rimmer loves her." said Kris as she leaned over the console again. "Yeah and I don’t care for the little sod.” Said Ace as he carefully picked his way through the wires. “But he’s you. Doesn’t that count for anything?” asked Kris slightly confused. “Yes but we’re not the same.” Answered Ace as he tried to repair the half fried circuit board. “So what's the difference then?" she asked. Ace smiled and laughed, "That between the two I'm the best.”