"The English Shinji" Love Changes Everything by The English Shinji (I'm English, but sadly I'm not called Shinji) Setting: not meant to replace or join in at any point in either series. Its basically an alternate reality, another dimension if you wish (Using the theory that there are millions of other dimensions, all slightly different than the others (confusing isn't it)). Project Start: Tuesday 28th July 1998, between 14:00 & 15:00 approx. Project End: Tuesday 25th August 1998, 18:29:54 Evangelion is the property of Gainax (thank you, you wonderful people). ADV Films has the rights to the English translation. The Characters Aoi Tamashi, Seyoko Okazaki, Lyn Anouilh and Tenkei are all owned by those absolutely brilliant people at Orbit Productions, creators of the perfect second series for NGE, Neon Genesis Evangelion: R, used with their permission. This is my first ever fan fic and also the first piece of creative writing I have done for quite some time, so don't expect anything special. I haven't seen past episode 18 so far, so if I make guesses at mysteries that are answered at the end of the series, its only because I don't know the answers yet. I am now though thinking up some more theorys and ideas about the Eva -Universe- after reading Eva:R. What LCE is a romantic comedy (used to be just romantic, but I couldn't help myself, comedy keeps things from getting too heartbreaking at points...sometimes...or something like that (Christ I do rattle on when I'm on a roll)) , which, if the feedback is good, might go on for a little longer. I hate dragging on with things as they tend to get boring (unless I really like the idea) so I want get onto the other ideas I have as soon as possible. The idea came to me in a dream, and having wanted to write a fanfic of my own having already read so many others, I decided to note it down and try to write a fanfic on it. I have tried to write the characters in character (wonderful wording there) but the only one I have made a bit different is Rei (Undersatatement of the year) apologies to all those Rei fans out there. One little thing about the " and ' I am using. I am using ' as an indication of thouht and " as for speach. Lastly there should be a SPOILER WARNING as there might be some for those who haven't seen this far, seen the series or of course past this point in the series, so be wary, and there might be some of my theories on the answers to mysteries from the series, so if they sound weird or they are wrong, don't tell me the true answers but please comment. But enough of my mad ramblings, those are for later, on with the story. LIGHTS!...CAMERA!...ACTION!... ------------------------------------------------- LCE ver. 2.0 ------------------------------------------------- Rei lay on her bed. It was early morning and she had just woken up. She slowly opened her eyes and lay staring at the ceiling. She wore a puzzled expression as if she wasn't sure what she was doing or where she was. 'What are these words I have used, those of gratitude and more I cannot understand the meanings of.' This was because the recent events had made impressions on her. They had shaped her in ways she didn't know or understand, and now she felt as if she had awoken from a deep sleep. 'What are these feelings that I now feel, this warm tingly feeling within my stomach...' Rei thought 'I felt...helpless, when he disappeared, his screams echoing through my head. Why did I confront the second child? Did I hate those words of spite made towards him? And when he was safe, as I was by his bedside my reaction, comforting words...and a...smile? Something he asked me to do before. Does he care for me? Do I care for him? What are these strange feelings that have suddenly erupted from within? But that was so long ago. Why does he avoid me now?' She lay there for several minutes trying to sort out what her brain was telling her. After a few more minutes the corners of her mouth rose a fraction. Then slowly they formed a shy smile, which soon developed into a smile which simply emanated glee, then she began to giggle. As the giggles grew they changed to chuckles and not long after that, she was laughing. Loud and happily to herself. After a minute or two, she stopped and sighed a large sigh of relief. As if a large barrier had been taken from around her and she just lay there a large smile blossoming on her face again. She felt...good, happy, she needed to do something. Something she had not known she had wanted to do or been able to do. 'I will go to him today,' she thought, 'and......talk to him.' "WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Misato yelled after she had gulped down her morning can of beer. "Now that feels good. A nice cold drink in the morning just sends shivers down my spine and makes me feel all tingly inside." Shinji sat sipping his tea slowly and calmly as the usual parade of sounds were issued forth from his roommate. 'I must remind myself to make Asuka's lunch after I finish breakfast,' he thought to himself. 'I really had to get that homework done though........well I'll make our lunches after breakfast. She really is a lazy person when it comes to mornings, she doesn't get up for ages, oh well, she seems to always be up just in time anyway.' Just then Asuka's door slid open revealing the bleary eyed, sleepy face of Shinji's other roommate. "Morning Asuka," Shinji welcomed as she slowly made her way to the kitchen to make some breakfast. "Your up early today." she didn't reply, just some muffled mumblings from the kitchen. 'Oh well,' he thought 'no point pushing if she doesn't want to talk.' Recently Shinji had slowly begun to gain confidence again, and in a way a backbone. But after what had happened only a month or two ago, he was fairing quite well. Misato however seemed to the children just as cheerful as she'd always been. However this was not quite true. After nearly losing Shinji and the newly growing truths she was learning, she wasn't as unaffected as she was leading many to believe. But for now she wanted to be able to get away from all that, and breakfast was a good place to start. In the kitchen Asuka was trying to will the toaster to work faster. She had left that little piece of extra homework she hadn't had time for last night till this morning, 'Hey it wasn't a difficult piece of work and the rest had taken her several hours to finish, just an annoying extra piece of work. She had graduated from college at the age of 14 for crying out loud, it should be easy.' she had thought so she had left it till the morning, how wrong had she been, she'd been up since about 06:30. She now regretted that as she waited impatiently for her toast. Shinji had asked her why she was up earlier than usual, but she wasn't in the mood to reply, settling for mumbling in German to herself just loud enough for him to hear to warn Shinji not to try and carry on the conversation. The toast popped up and she hastily snatched the two slices of toast out of the toaster and quickly buttered it and so forth. She then tiredly tried to hurry back to her room. Shinji just tried to say something, but was cut short by a tired but still deadly glare at him, 'he is a nice guy but he has too little back bone', Misato, though, just carried on hungrily gulping down some more beer. 'Well, back to work, at least Shinji makes plenty of food for our lunches.' As Rei made her way from her apartment to school, there were definitely some signs that something with the girl had changed. Significantly. For one, instead of her usual emotionless face, she had a bright cheerful smile and a twinkle in her eye. Add to that that she was humming a familiar tune form the early 1900s she had heard on the radio which she had decided to listen to that morning, and was swinging ever so slightly to the tune. It was evident that little Miss Rei Ayanami had definitely changed slightly. Suddenly she remembered something. 'Shit, almost forgot.' all these new feelings had made her completely forget to pick up Tenkei. Tenkei was the most recent addition to the Eva pilots. Although only being 6, his age did not show how important he was. Tenkei was special in that when he was introduced into the entryplug with Rei, the synchronisation ratio skyrocketed, increasing the power of the eva tenfold. Problem was that when they'd tried it again, it didn't seem to work. His main job though was basically to reduce the risk to the pilot when synchronisation reached such high points. Rei picked Tenkei up to take him to school because, for some reason, the kid had a great affection for her. Rather like he did of Maya and even Ritsuko for some reason. The reason for it, or at least what they thought the reason was, was only known by the three of them. Rei, over time had grown to like the kid. He was cheery most of the time, in a way only little children can be, and this was nice in its own way to Rei. Now that she new how to feel, though, she wasn't sure how she was going to act in front of Maya (Ritsuko had decided that it was best Maya took him in), whether she should act her old self or not. She made her mind up when she arrived at her destination. She rang the door bell. The door opened to reveal a little white haired boy. At the sight of Rei, the kids face brightened, dropped the school bag he was holding and embraced her. Rei was trying to hold off the need to ruffle the kids hair, but she couldn't let Maya know. She didn't know why, but she felt she should keep it quiet. So she carried on as usual. "Where is Ms Ibuki?" she asked in her -normal- voice. The boy let go of her and looked up into that emotionless face. "She had to leave early," at this Rei lost her will to hold it in, so she smiled, "Hey, whats wrong with you your smiling?" "And so I am." Rei replied with faked surprise and bent down to his height. "But theres nothing wrong with me, I'm just feeling good today." she said cheerfully. Tenkei lost his smile and looked at Rei unconvinced. "Your strange Rei." he said, then a smile blossomed on his face again "But thats why I like you." he giggled out. "Well, thats nice to know," she grabbed him under the arms and lifted him up, picking up his bag at the same time, "Well, lets get going." She closed the door and they started off for the school. When Rei reached the school, she was holding Tenkei's hand as they walked towards in. This wasn't the thing that made a few heads turn though, it was the massive beaming smile she was wearing. Not just the boys or girls noticed, some teachers noticed too. This turn of events got, of course, everyone talking, some conversations she overheard from the boys saying how more pretty she looked now she even threw a playful wink at few of them, causing a quick blush from the targeted boy. Of course, boys being boys, a few plucked up some courage and tried a little small talk with this changed Ayanami, only getting short but sweet replies in a joy filled sweet little voice, much like her -normal- voice but with evident emotion in it. She kept the conversation short, as she wasn't too good at talking to people, let alone a full blown conversation, small quick sentences were easier, punctuating the end of conversation with a shy little smile. The three stooges, Shinji, Kensuke and Toji, were gobsmacked. Asuka hadn't arrived yet, as she hadn't left with Shinji as usual due to the piece of unfinished work. Lyn, on the way to school, as usual, had been -intercepted- by Aoi. Lyn, though he got rather embarrassed sometimes when she openly flirted with him in public, had begun to rather like the girl. It seemed all Japanese girls had some strange quirk to them, even those only 1/4 Japanese. It seemed to him, the only wholely sane people were usually the boys. "What are you thinking about 6, you seem rather thoughtful today?" That was the other thing about Aoi, she seemed persistent to not call him by his real name, preferring to refer to him by his Pilot number, 6. The only times she'd ever called him by his actual name was....well, she hadn't yet.....but thats not the point, Lyn snapped out of his daze at the sound of Aoi's voice "Oh, don't worry, I'm just still a little tired, that extra work we got yesterday was really hard, I stayed up most the night just trying to finish it." "That was hard? My dear 6, you may be in need for some tutoring." "Oh thanks Aoi, do remember I still have trouble reading the questions." Aoi smiles "Don't worry 6, I was only joking, it was quite hard." "Aoi?" "Yes 6?" "Could you please try and not show me up infront of Toji and Kensuke again, those two are right perverts when they get ideas." Aoi giggles "I'll try, I'll have to find some place more private then." with that she winks at him. Lyn turns a light shade of pink, "You know what I mean, Shinji ain't that bad he just teases me a bit sometimes, but Kensuke and Toji really rub it in." "Oh, their probably just jealous." Aoi grabs hold of his arm and leans affectionately on his shoulder, smiling sweetly. Lyn looks at her and can't help smiling back. 'I'd be jealous, if were them.' Then suddenly something catches his eye, a red blur speeding down the other side of the road. "Hey, was that Asuka? I wonder why she was running." he looks down at his watch...his eyes bulge as he notices the time. "Aoi, I think we better be hurrying along, we'll be late otherwise." "Oh 6, don't worry," she removes her head from his shoulder, "it doesn't matter if we're a little late?" "Well, I suppose. But.." "Oh stop worrying, That old man is so blind he wont notice if we're late." "I suppose." "Now stop worrying." Asuka, as she approached class 2-A had noticed a definite different air to the other students, as they all seemed excited or surprised or as if they'd seen a ghost, she noticed event the teachers were occupied with some subject. All she overheard was a few words here and there but not much else. Surprisingly the boys weren't gorking at her as she walked down the corridor, which spooked Asuka seeing as she was used to everyone holding their attention on her as she passed. She reached the door to the classroom and asked Hikari "Hikari, whats all the fuss, there a new student or something?" Even Hikari looked perplexed as Asuka looked at her friend, who just stuttered out in a whisper "I-i-its..er..Rei, shes...er...kinda different." "What?" Asuka uneasily asked her, Hikari simply indicated Rei's seat, Asuka had a weird feeling growing in her gut and it didn't feel too good, as Asuka's gaze steadily sped to the window seat of the quiet little pilot of Eva-00. What she saw didn't really look to her like the right person. She blinked as if trying to check she was seeing right. The original image was still there. She quickly pinched herself, she must be dreaming. She wasn't. "Is that Rei?". Hikari simply nodded, she was just as gobsmacked as all the other girls in the class. What Asuka saw was Rei leaning back in her chair wearing a sweet looking little smile and wistling a catchy little tune to herself. It was clearly audible over the hushed little conversations between the other students. Definitely not staring out the window with an emotionless blank face. Asuka's face suddenly hardened in determination, "Theres something wrong here, and its not me. I'm gonna check this out." She pushed past Hikari, who just wearily followed Asuka. She wanted to make sure Asuka didn't do anything serious, she knew just what the hot-tempered German could easily do if she was even slightly angered, and together with her persistent disliking of Rei, she might do something she would regret. Anyway she was Asuka's friend, and friends look after each other. Asuka made a straight deliberate line towards where Rei was sitting. Rei, though, didn't see her imminent arrival and so showed true sense of surprise at seeing Asuka bearing down on her as she grew closer. Asuka on the other hand took this as being sarcastic. Her actions were predictable, no time to think that Rei had never said or done anything sarcastic ever, but seeing her changed state, she probably suposed anything might be possible. Then again, maybe Asuka was simply a bit annoyed at not being the centre of conversations around the school today. She went on the attack. "Don't act sarcastic with me wonder girl," Asuka threw at her while pinning her with one of her laser stares "You hit your head or something, your smiling and not gawping out the window as usual." Rei didn't falter. Rather like the time when Shinji had been trapped inside an Angel. Without breaking eye contact she replied "Sorry Asuka, I didn't. Afraid you might have lost the number 1 spot again?" This reaction from anyone else would have simply put Asuka over the edge. But the speaker having been Rei, Asuka was, for once, speechless. "W...h...w...h..WHAT?" Asuka stumbled over the words as the sounds tried to eminate from her throat and out her mouth. "Oh, afraid Shinji might get ideas Asuka?" "What did you sa....." Asuka's reply was cut short by the class going deathly silent and Hikari's voice crying out her usual commands trying to get the class organised as the old teacher started to walk in the Classroom. Asuka got one last word out before stomping off to her seat, "Later!". "Anouilh?...Lyn Anouih?" the teacher of class 2-A starts calling out the register. "Hmmm, not here?". 'Strange' He moves onto the next name. "Ayanami?..." "Sir." He looks up at where Miss Ayanami sits. 'Strange, she there, but that didn't sound like her.' "Ayanami?" "Sir?", a few giggles emit from the back of the class. "Don't worry. err..." Suddenly the door opens and in steps Lyn and Aoi. But before they could move to get to their seats, the Teacher had looked their way. "Anouilh? Tamashi? Why are you late?" The two turn back towards the Teacher, the two look down at the floor, "errr....sorry, err... I...err...." Lyn stuttered out. "Nevermind, and you Tamashi? Why are you late?" "err..well..." "hmmm, nevermind. You two are on clean-up duty for a week, as punishment. Now sit down." The two looked up at the old teacher and looked very surprised, "Er, yes sir." they hurried off to their seats, as the teacher carried on the register. When he got to his seat, and switched on his laptop, the quiet beep of a message sounded. 'Great...I wonder who it is?' 'Great, them.' He looked up towards Kensuke and Toji, just a seat away, on the other side of Shinji. Both their faces giving away clearly what they had meant. Lyn blushed slightly at the thought, and replied. and cut the message. "So why were you late?" Shinji whispered. "Oh, had to finish off that extra work we got, I left it till this morning." "Oh, you found that hard too, huh?" "Yeah, I think Asuka left it till this morning to?" "Why'd you say that?" "Well, I saw her running on my way, so she must have left it quite late." "Hmmm, that must have been why she was up earlier today." "What do you mean earlier?" "Well...." "...Whoever is whispering, would they please be quiet? Thankyou." By the time the lunch bell rang Asuka wasn't in a good mood.What with that little episode with Rei and the consequent impossibility of her cooling down for quite a while, add to that Asuka was starving, having missed breakfast. She never knew being pissed off could make someone so hungry. Luckily Shinji, being a pretty good cook, usually made a good large portion for her lunch, he had found out from her complaints that even though she had a pretty slim body, she was no light eater. Asuka glanced round trying to locate Shinji. 'Now where has he gone...' Asuka thought "Aha! There he is, Shinji, why are you trying to hide behind Toji." Shinji, who had been cowering behind his good friend Toji replied a little shakily. "I wasn't hiding Asuka. What gave you that idea?", as he slowly withdrew from his defensive position. "Oh nevermind, now, wheres my lunch I'm starving?" What Asuka saw before her was a Shinji who had definitely lost his backbone and was starting to sweat. "Er...err....well, you see Asuka,...I kinda...well...er...." "Well, Spit it out will you?" "I..er..kinda....forgot to make our lunches." Shinji feebly replied, visibly starting to cower and sweat a bit more. Preparing for the explosion. "WHAT?" that one word reverberated within the classroom, even though it didn't usually echo in there. "You mean I have to go without both breakfast and lunch, god, you stupid little idiot, do you know how hungry I am? Hmmm? And now I have to go without anything to eat for another few hours. Christ, I really don't know why I put up with you Shinji, I really don't." "But..but..I had all this homework to do and...." "You did did you, you could have spared a thought for what you and I were gonna eat today. Sheist, your so pa..." she cut off in mid sentence as she noticed something. She spun on her heel in a perfect 180 degree turn and pinned the source of her annoyance. What she had noticed was someone giggling. That person was Rei. Now Asuka was really pissed. "And what do you think your laughing at wondergirl, what is it that you find so amusing?" Rei was sitting on a desk a little way down the classroom.Unnusual behaviour in itself, let alone giggling at someone, especially Asuka. "You two -chuckle- your so funny, you act like you were married -giggle-." At this, both Asuka and Shinji stared in amazement at the once quiet girl. The class erupted in laughter as the two of them blushed furiously in embarisment. Then Asuka blew her top. "Right, that does it wondergirl, your gonna die. I'm not gonna take that from you." Rei just kept on uncontrolably giggling and laughing on the desk as Asuka started for her. Luckily for Rei, Asuka never made it to her. Hikari stepped in, being the class rep she had to make sure things like this were sorted out peacefully, and Asuka didn't seem like she was gonna just use harsh words on Rei. So she stepped out inbetween the two girls "Asuka, stop it." "Get out of my way Hikari, you heard what she said, shes gonna pay for showing me up." "Asuka, don't you think your going a bit too far?" "I'll show you going too far, Hikari, just let me get at her...." "Asuka," this was an unexpected interuption from behind, the speaker was Shinji, "it was only a joke. Come on, I'm sure she didn't mean it as anything offensive, did you Rei?" Now it was Shinjis turn to face that deadly stare of Asuka's. But all she did was stare hard, "Can't you take a joke, Asuka, I'm sorry if you didn't like it, it won't happen again." said Rei, whio had visibly just about got her giggling fit under control. Asuka turned slowly and deliberately, "Just a little misunderstanding, right?" Hikari said weakly, "Just a joke Asuka." Asuka visibly softenend slightly, "Ha, ha. Just make sure it doesn't happen again Wondergirl, and what do you all think your staring at, BEAT IT!" With this Asuka turned to Shinji as everyone else scamapered away for lunch, Rei just jumped up off the desk, still smiling sweetly as if nothing had happened and turned to leave the classroom. Just as she reached the door, she looked back at Shinji, and gave him a quick wink, before dissapearing out of sight. Shinji just stared at where she had been, not noticing the icy cold stare of Asuka, as she approached. "I'll deal with you later, third child." Shinji nearly jumped as he heard it. He was about to reply when she suddenly turned and stomped off towards the door, Hikari in hot pursuit. 'Did Rei just wink at me, or am I just imagining things?' Shinji thought as he slowly sat down in his seat.Toji, Kensuke, Lyn and Aoi had disapeared off, not wanting Asuka to see their uncontrollable laughter. The classroom slowly emptied as the students went off to have their lunches. After a minute of two, Shinji snapped out of his trance, and got up to see if Toji, Kensuke or Lyn would give him some food. Later, at the end of the school day, Shinji was walking home. He was not with Asuka as she didn't want to be seen with him after the incident earlier that day. So he was walking home by himself, enjoying the peace and tranquility without Asuka's incessant chatter to disturb his thoughts. Suddenly, Shinji heard a sharp intake of breath form behind. He spun round to find two beaming red eyes staring him in the face. It was Rei. She was smiling a shy nervous smile, different from the confident one she had had earlier that day at school. She had obviously been about to say something and had taken a sharp breath of air, as if to bring up the courage to say something. "Christ, you surprised me there Rei...why are you right behind me, have you been following me?". Shinji wearily eyed Rei. 'She isn't acting normal but I wonder what is up'. It was obvious she had been following him for some time, as he was almost halfway home to Misato's appartment. "Could I..er..talk to you Shinji?" At this Shinji started to feel a bit uncomfortable. 'Rei has never called me by my first name. But she seems slightly less weird at the moment. But she still makes me feel uncomfortable' "Sure, do you want to talk on the way home?" "Er.. I'd rather somewhere a little...private." "Well...er..sure, where do you want to go?" It was Shinji's turn to be nervous. "Just follow me." And with that she started off. "Well, ok." Shinji wasn't sure about this. Rei still seemed....different. Something about her just told him something wasn't quite right. Shinji was starting to get nervous. They had been walking for quite a way now and they had been heading in the direction of the hill over looking Tokyo 3. Shinji didn't want to ask why they were going there, he wasn't sure he wanted to know, and so he kept his mouth shut. When they got there Rei seemed lost in thought as she stared out over the city. "Well, er, Rei, what was it you wanted to speak about? We've come an awful long way. Is it serious, are you okay?" Rei didn't turn to look at him as she spoke, "Shinji, do you remember what your first impression of me was?" This startled Shinji, he wasn't expecting such a question, to be quite ohnest, he didn't know what to expect. He didn't really know Rei all that well. "err..well, what makes you ask that?" "Have you even noticed that I'v changed Shinji?" There was a small amount of conviction in her voice now, "did you ever wonder why I was so quiet, so different from the other girls? Did you even wonder why I was acting different today?" "What are you talking about? Your not acting yourself today Rei, whats wrong? Is this all you wanted to do, was ask me questions?" Shinji was getting worried, Rei had never shown any sort of emotion before. But now she was acusing him of not noticing her? "Shinji, it was because of you," Rei now turned to look Shinji right in the eyes. Shinji almost lost himself in those eyes. As red as blood. He remembered that first time in the Geofront, in Unit-01s cage. "You're why I'v changed Shinji, I'd never known anyone else to have been so kind to me. To show any sort of real feeling toward me. You rescued me that night when I saved you from the Angels particle beam, and you showed me things I didn't understand." "Rei, what are you talking about? I don't understand what your saying to me, what are you trying to say?" "Don't worry Shinji, I understand now...I...want to thank you..Shinji...I.." Rei moved towards Shinji, Shinji took a step back. "What do you mean you want to thank me? Rei, your not yourself, you should go home, have a rest or something..." Rei was now almost upon Shinji. Shinji tried to turn away but she grabbed him and pulled him towards her. What happened next, Shinji wasn't prepared for. She kissed him. Shinji found himself in a very deep passionate kiss. His head was swimming, he felt strange. Rei, on the other hand was too involved in what she was doing to think about anything else. All she new was this felt good. She moved her hands round Shinji, embracing him, supporting him in one hand behind the back while holding the back of his head with the other. Shinji just stood still, not sure what to do. Rei's tongue was invading his mouth now and he felt nauseous. It felt good, being able to breath, unlike the time Asuka kissed him, but this time he hadn't had any choice in the matter. He was starting to panick as Rei carressed his back, moaning ever so slightly in his mouth. She slowly after about a minute, he'd lost track of time, she loosened up and 'disconnected'. Shinji's heart was beating furiously. Shinji suddenly recovered his thinking ability, and realised exactly what Rei had done. The problem was, she was still holding him. Now she was leaning her head on his shoulder, he had to fight not to fall over. She brought her head up level with his, and their eyes contacted. Rei's eyes were full of joy, but Shinji's were full of terror. He wasn't exactly used to girls jumping on him like that, especially not girls like Rei. He pushed himself out of her grasp easily and backed away slowly from the girl. She was confused. 'Why is he running away from me. All I wanted to do was give some pleasure back to him who cares for me', "Whats wrong Shinji," she almost whispers in confusion, "you don't have to be afraid of me." But Shinji was already backing further and further away. "St..st..stay away..fr..from me..." "All I wanted to do was give you back the love you've shown me, Shinji, don't you like me, don't you care for me?" "What?" but Shinji was too afraid to think. He didn't know what to do, he didn't understand what was happening. He just wanted to get back home. He turned and ran. "SHINJIII!.." As Shinji ran, thoughts raced through his mind. He wasn't sure what had gotten into Rei. They'd kissed passionately and he new he had enjoyed it to an extent. But he'd been confused and vulnerable. He didn't like the look in her eyes. They had contained lust, she had wanted to go further, he could tell. That had frightened him. So he ran. Ran away from her. Asuka had arrived home at Misato's appartement with Hikari in a bad mood. Hikari had tried to calm her down but Asuka seemed to have put part of the blame for her embarrisment on her and so wasn't listening to reason, not even from her. "Well, at least your home now. You don't have to worry about Rei. You can relax." Hikari tried, anything to calm her down. "Oh, just as usual Misato's not here. She never is anymore." Even though it was still late afternoon, her mind wasn't in the mood for thinking. Just blurting out complaints and bad things about certain people. "Not even Shinjis home, that jerk." "Actually about Shinji," said Hikari warily, she had to change the subject off Rei. Asuka had by now sat her self down on the sofar in the living room and was using up nearly all the room. "I'm surprised you didn't want to walk home with him. You usually do don't you?" "Yeah, but thats only because we work together. Anyway, I don't want to see his annoying face right now, especially after how he defended wondergirl today." "Why don't you talk to him about it Asuka, he seems a nice undersatnding type of person." "Yeah right. He's just a fat stupid spineless idiot. He would just say he was sorry, like he does for most things. He blames himself for everything." Asuka looks obviously adjitated about the subject of the conversation, fiddling with her dress and fidgeting. "You sure about that? From what I'v seen of the two of you, I think you like him." "I like HIM? Are you off your head Hikari. Why would I like an idiotic twerp like him. Just because we walk together alot doesn't mean I like him. Its what Rei said today that put that in your head isn't it Hikari?" Asuka was looking like she was about to pound Hikari's face in, "Asuka, calm down.I was only pointing out the obvious truth..." "What do you mean the 'Obvious Truth', are you feeling well?" "Its just that you always seem to say something about him every time he's brought in the subject and whenever hes around you seem to be on the offensive, its obvious he likes you, he puts up with all your comments and shouting at him, doesn't he? And you don't seem at all sure you like saying what you just said." Asuka was silent for a moment, as if she had hit a nerve. "He likes me?" This sounded just slightly hopefull, "Even after all the things I'v done to him? Are you crazy Hikari? I'd hate me if I was him." "Do I hear a hint of hope there Asuka?" Asuka just sat there staring into space. "If you really like him that much why don't you try being nice to him for once, see what he does." No reaction. "Or maybe I should go and tell him..." "No..." Asuka quietly interrupted, "...do you really mean that, that he still likes me, after all..." "Yes Asuka, I really think so. Do you like him?" "I..I..guess so..." "HAHA, I was right, I knew you liked him." Hikari beemed at Asuka. Asuka pinned her with her deadly stare, "That wasn't funny! I didn't mean it like that." "No it wasn't, I didn't mean it." Hikari puts up her hands defensively "Anyway, I'd say he likes you." "Hikari, will you just shut up...." "Come on, you two really do act as if your married or something." Asuka had to think now, it was obvious she couldn't try to deny it now, Hikari wasn't stupid, her face softened, 'Maybe he really does.' "Hikari...What should I do?" she looked at her friend hopefully. "I'd say you should tell him." the sound of the door opening and closing made Asuka jump, "Right now would be a good time." Hikari got up just as Shinji entered the room. "Oh, hi Hikari. Hi Asuka." Asuka just froze, she looked at Hikari, who just winked and got up to leave. "Your going now? You can stay for dinner if you want?" "No, thanks, I really must get home. See you tomorrow Asuka, bye Shinji." And with that she left the room, a michievous smile on her face. When the door closed behind her. Shinji turned to Asuka. "You hungry?" Asuka was just sitting there. Then she remembered her situation and turned to face Shinji. "er...yeah, its your turn to cook, right?" she smiled uneasily. She was still a bit nervous "Yeah, I'm gonna just rest a minute. I stopped over at Toji's for a little. So I'm tired. Its quite a way from his house. So...you'll have to wait a little, do you mind?". She shook her head. With that he went off to his room, leaving Asuka to wallow in her thoughts. 'Does he really like me? He can't. Not after all I'v said and done. Well, I suppose I haven't got much to lose, have I. Maybe when he come out of his room.' So she sat and waited. "What shall I say?" In Shinji's room, Shinji was in pieces. He was still confused about Rei. 'What had caused her to do that?' Rei was in a similar state. Confused. What had she done wrong? Did Shinji really care for her? Maybe he cared differently about her than she had thought. She sat on the cold floor on top of the hill. She hadn't moved since Shinji had left. She slowly rose, and started off towards her home. Funnily enough, Asuka was also rather confused. She wasn't sure anymore. 'Do I care for Shinji at all, if so how much do I care fo him? Do I love him?' Asuka sat on the couch staring at her lap, her eyes unfocused. 'What if he doesn't like me? Damn you Hikari, why'd you have to say that?' Shinji lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He'd calmed down now, which was good. He could think straight. 'Oh well,' he thought, 'I better not keep Asuka waiting, she'll probably be starving by now. She'll probably chew me out for earlier today.' But when he'd come in Asuka had been surprisingly quiet and he didn't like the look in her eyes when she'd answered his question. She'd looked...confused. He looked at the clock....christ, he'd been daydreaming for over half-an-hour, his stomach growled. 'Christ, I'm starving.' Asuka lay on the sofa staring up at the ceiling. She was in an unnusual state. She wasn't sure of herself. Not sure at all. The heart of the problem was her feelings towards Shinji. 'Maybe I shouldn't be so direct in my approach, Shinji isn't the type to let his feelings out openly, especially those involving feelings like these. If I asked him directly he'd probably freak. Yeah, I should be more myself.....hey, this lying around staring into space is Shinjis job not mine.' At that she sat up and decided to switch the TV on. It turned onto a cooking program, presented by a man putting on a really bad French accent. Before him was a feast fit for a king -"And Voila, you have a feast fit for a king,....." At that Asuka's stomach gave her a direct order, in the form of a very loud growl, to go get something to eat, very soon. "I almost forgot how hungry I was, Shinji better get out of that room of his and make me a feast fit for a queen." she spoke out loud. "SHINJI, get out of that damn room of yours and make me some food, I haven't eaten since breakfast, so you damn well better fix me something big." Shinji came out of his room, "Don't worry Asuka, I do remember.....hey, I thought it was your turn to cook today?" "Shinji, it was your fault I starved today so you make it your punishment." "Oh yeah I forgot, neither you or Misato bother to cook anymore...why'd I have to be a good cook..." Shinji mumbled to himself, unfortunately he did a bit too loudly. "What was that Shinji, did you say something?" "No, don't worry, nothing, your just hearing things........meine Fuhrer, heil Asuka....." Shinji hurriedly stammered out, making sure the last part was definitely inaudible. Shinji went off to find what there was to eat. It being Asukas turn today, she should have been the one to have done the shopping. But, probably due to her annoyance at what had happened that day, she obviously must have forgotten to get anything to eat. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on whether you like instant food or not, Misato always kept some instant stuff in the refridgerator. Unluckily the usually large store of the stuff had not been restocked recently, the options for food were not particularly pleasing to his stomach. 'Instant octopus dumplings & chili sausage, some sort of curry, a pot of Pot Noodles, and the usual assortment of refreshments.', including beer, beer, and more beer. 'I don't believe she actually eats this stuff, maybe the beer has eaten away her tastebuds?' He took the contents out to Asuka, "Well, heres what we have left. What do you want?" Asuka took her attention off the TV and looked at the choice, when she noticed what the contents were, her response was predictable, "EEEEUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHH, is that all we've got? I thought you had done the shopping?" her face showed her disgust even clearer. "Well, surprsingly enough, seeing that it was your turn to cook today, it also meant you were the one to do the shopping, now choose, or you won't get anything. Take it or leave it." the manner in which Shinji said this surprised Asuka. Shinji, for some reason seemed annoyed and wasn't going to put up with too much. "Christ, whats gotten into you all of a sudden? What are you so annoyed about?" "What do you mean, all I asked was for you to choose, I'm hungry too, if you haven't noticed, I was in the same position today, and now I have to look after you, I think I have a good reason to be a bit annoyed." "OK, OK, calm down, I'm sorry, don't chew me out. I was just asking, look, you choose first, ok?" Shinji noticebly calmed down, "Look, I'm sorry, we're both tired and hungry, I just lost it. Sorry. I'll make all of it and we'll pick out which bits we want, ok?" "Yeah, that would be fine....Shinji?" Shinji had turnd his back and stopped and turned to face her again. Their eyes met, and Asuka hesitated, "Look, I'm sorry too, that was as much my fault as yours, I should have been more...considerate. I'm sorry." haha, he didn't see that coming. Shinji looked at her, a quizzical look on his face, "Are you feeling ok, your apologising, to me?", 'Is this just another one of her jokes? Her face doesn't show any sign of this being any such thing, neither does her eyes...is she sincere? Or has she finally gone mad? Maybe she's on drugs?' Asuka just turned away to hide the smile about to blossom on her face, "No, I'm fine. Is it that unnusual for me to be nice once in a while?" "No, no. Don't worry.Your right...your not always a tyrannical dictator....." Shinji narrowly missed the large pillow that had been catapulting at great velocity for his head, trying hard to not drop the food in his hands. Asuka chuckled as she prepared to throw another, "Get out of here you traitor, or feel the strength of my wrath, away with you!" Shinji hurriedly scampered for the safety of the kitchen. Having reached it, poking his head back round the corner and shouting "YES, MEINE FUHRER! HEIL ASUKA!" in a fake German accent, then hurriedly ducking back into cover as another pillow flys through the space his head used to occupy. Chuckling to himself, he moved off to get their food ready. Then the familiar sound of the phone ringing caught his attention. "I'v got it!" and picked up the phone. "Hello?" Shinji cheerily asked, still chuckling slightly to himself. -"Hi Shinji, its only me. Just phoning to say I'm gonna be a bit late back tonight, Ritsukos just loaded me with a massive pile of paperwork to do. So don't wait up for me."- "Ok Misato. Do you want me save you something to eat?" -"No don't worry Shinji, I'll be having something later. Are you and Asuka fine, I hope you two aren't fighting again?"- "No, don't worry, we're fine. Asukas being a pain in the backside as usual....." "HEY, I HEARD THAT YOU BASTARD!" -"...Shinji, your sounding a bit happier than usual, what have you two been doing in my appartment?"- Misato interupted. "What do you mean by that? Nothings going on?...." -"Only joking, only joking. Don't worry, I don't think I could quite picture that happening anyway..."- "Shutup, nothings happened or is going to happen." -"hmm, I'll take your word for it then Shinji. Now, you two try and keep yourselves under control till I get back, bye Shinji."- "Bye Misato." 'Will that women ever stop teasing me? Probably never.' "I guess that was Misato on the phone?" "Yeah, she said she isn't going to be able to get back till late, and not to wait up for her." Asuka beamed, "That means its just you and me tonight huh?". Shinji squirmed, looking extremely nervous, the way she said it made him just a bit worried. "er..I guess..". Asuka chuckled to herself and left the room. Shinji wasn't sure he liked the way she had been acting. Ok, it had been fun a minute ago, more fun than having her shouting at him for what had happened that day, but it didn't seem right, especially after that incident with Ayanami.....he steered himself away from that line of thought. If anything like that happened tonight, there would be nowhere to go. Even his room wasn't going to be a sanctuary. 'Why don't we have locks on our doors?' Shinji nervously thought to himself as he stuck the instant food in the microwave and started some water boiling for the Pot Noodles. Asuka was mentally hitting heself. 'Idiot, your gonna frighten the shit out of him. You've got to go slower. Wait for the right moment....then pounce and devour...NO, NO, NO. Mustn't listen to the Hentai side of you. Christ, I think I'm going mad. Maybe if I get myself drunk I might be better at it....maybe if I get him drunk, heheheheeeee....shutup, your not gonna rape him. I'm not desperate for that. I'm not good at thinking in my head. Maybe I should just go by instinct.' Back in the kitchen, Shinji had calmed down, and was back in a cheary mood. The food was done, and it actually looked resanably apetising. Or maybe he was just very hungry. He had even started humming a little tune as he prepared the food for him and Auska. "Hey, Asuka, do you want it in there or on the table as usual?" "Lets have it in here for a change." Shinji picked up the tray of food and walked off for the living room. "Anything good on?" "No, not really." "Well, what are you watching then?" standing behind the sofa, Shinji looks at the screen, "Oh great, Godzilla re-runs." Shinji says with as much enthusiasm he can muster for the ancient movie. "Well theres nothing else on so we'll have to put up with it." "I never thought you liked Godzilla?" Shinji asks as the radiation-mutated dinosaur proceeds to destroy Tokyo. "I don't, I'm just bored and theres nothing else to watch." "Well, heres the food." Shinji rounds the sofa and proceeds to place the tray on the sofa between the two of them. Shinji suddenly realised that the lights were out and the only light was that emitted from the door to the kitchen and the TV. "Asuka, why are the lights out?" "Its more fun in the dark, anyone knows that, or maybe your just afraid of the dark?" Asuka teased. "Oh shutup, I am not. Well, heres that food you wanted." "Sure, sure, thanks," she looked at the tray, "Well...here goes." she picks up an octopus dumpling and nibbled at it experimentally. Her face screwed up ever so slightly for a split second, then she slowly replaced the dumpling and looked up at Shinji, "Sorry, I'm not that hungry." "Oh well, that leaves the pot noodles then." "........Shinji?" "Hmmm?" Shinji looks up from the tray. Asuka stares into his eyes, "....oh, nothing...." she looks back down to the food. "What is it Asuka? You were about to say something." "I said it was nothing." Shinji eyed her knowingly, he used to do that alot, "Asuka, you know what Misato said to me about avasive actions don't you, so what was it?" Asuka looked away, "Shinji? You remember, in the storm, on the school trip, in the cave?" "Yes?" "What you said to me then, about.....how you needed me...well, did you really meen that?" Shinji was surprised by this. Asuka wasn't the type to open up. Especially to him. He thought carefully before speaking, "Asuka....." he moved the tray behind on the floor then placed his hand on hers, Asuka looked up at him, their eyes locked, "...what I said, I meant it, I don't know where I'd be without you...." "....But, what about all those things I'v said to you, all the things I'v done.." "...Asuka, I don't care about that, no matter what, your special to me. If you were to never of woken from that coma, I don't know what I might have done. I was lost without you. Everyday, I would get up and make the breakfast, and have to stop myself from making food for three," Asuka could see tears welling in his eyes, "I'd wait each moment of the day, waiting for you to sneak up behind me, shout at me when I did something wrong, even call me stupid. All those days I missed you Asuka, I missed you so much. I needed you to be there....I...I..." he lost it and hung his head, sniffling. Asuka hadn't expected this, she had been so wrong about him. She'd been so wrong to him. 'Oh Shinji, you big softy, trust you to start crying.....christ, he really did miss me didn't he.'. Asuka put her hand on Shinjis, sqeezing slightly with both hands, this got his attention, making that tear streaked face look up again at her. As she looked into those eyes again, she could see them filled with emotion, then he broke down again, but this time falling onto her shoulder. Asuka held him gently rubbing his back soothingly and cooing softly in his ear "Its ok, its ok, I'm here, don't worry...." as he bawled into her shoulder. "Asuka...." he sniffed, "..I thought...you might never wake up...." "But I did, didn't I." Shinji started to calm down. Slowly he gained control of himself and raised himself off her shoulder, to look at her again. "I'm...sorry...I just couldn't control myself...." "Don't worry about it, you don't have to apologise......and, thanks...." "Wha..what for?" "For caring." Asuka smiled. Not her usual grin, but a nice warm smile. Shinji smiled back. And the two of them just sat there looking into each others eyes. Then Asuka made up her mind, and slowly moved in closer, slowly moving her arms up and around the back of Shinjis neck. Shinji backed away a bit, surprised, but quickly righted that and moved towards her as well, moving his arms up and around her waist. They both closed their eyes slowly as they came within milimetres of each others lips and......."HELLOOOO, I'M BAAACK, SHINJI, ASUKA?" Both jumped, as they both panicked. "Eaaaghhh" both yelped, *CRASH*. Misato, rushed into the living room at the sound....to find to noodle covered fourteen year-olds lying on the floor infront of the sofa. Misato couldn't help laughing at that. "And what were you two doing then?" Misato asked, as Shinji and Asuka untangled themselves from each other. Their heads both snapped towards Misato as they both unisoned "I..I..Its not what it looks like." "Sure it isn't, oh well, all the better I did manage to come home earlier than I expected." she moved off towards her room, "And I do hope your going to clear that mess up?" Shinji and Asuka sat on the floor, in the pool of noodles. They turned to each other, then slowly they started giggling, then they were laughing their heads off. As they slowly recovered they got up off the floor, and started to try and tidy up their mess. "That went well didn't it?" Asuka asked. Shinji looked at her skeptically "Which part? The bit where we almost killed ourselves or when Misato found us?" "Ok, so that bit didn't go very well....but.." "But?" "I'll leave that little detail up to you." She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. "Good night Shinji." Then walked off towards her room. Misato came out of her room, dressed now in her usual appartment casuals. She walked into the living room to fiind the mess cleared up and no sign of the two children. She found Shinji in the kitchen, washing up happily, with a smile on his face and humming a little tune. "Well, you two must have done something interesting tonight Shinji?" "Only the usual, sittingin front of the TV watching nothing in particular...." His reply surprised her. She had been expecting his usual denial that nothing had happened. 'Something happened tonight,' she thought '...they couldn't have...no, their a bit young for that.....oh well, at least their not fighting.' "....Sitting on my last pot of Pot Noodles, and spoiling what food I had left," Misato put in. "Yes, you two certainly seem to have been acting like usual. Tell me, just out of interest, how come neither of you seem to have done any shopping?" "Look Misato," Shinji turned to look at Misato, serious written all over his face "whatever it looked like nothing happened tonight, we were just...a bit on edge at that moment. About the food, Asuka was pissed off all day and so forgot about it being her turn to go get the food." Misato was even more surprised for Shinji to actually say something like that, she hid her surprise well, "You sure your feeling alright Shinji?" Misat put hand to Shinjis forehead. "Well thankyou Misato, do you know thats the nicest thing anyones said to me today?" Shinji said sarcasticaly. "I'm not sad and depressed, I'm all cheary and happy, and your complaining? You sure your not drunk Misato?" Misato had to smile at that, "Your right Shinji," she moved her hand up to ruffle his hair, the two let out their giggles, Misato removed her hand from messing the boys hair up "I really shouldn't be complaining, for once I'm not getting a head-ache from you and Asuka fighting." "Oh shutup will you, we don't fight that much." "I forgot your used to it." Shinji splashed some water out the sink at her. "Hey don't do that, or don't you want any food tonight?" Misato grinned michievously. "You've got food?" screamed Asuka as she ran into the room. "Yeah, it was for me, but seeing as you two must be starving, I suppose you can have some." "Yeah, you could say that. We've been dying of hunger since Shinji here forgot to make our lunches.." "..I said I was sorry about that. So stop blaming me for it." Shinji interupted. "..Sorry doesn't feed me, and stop trying to get out of it..." As Shinji and Asuka continue to argue, Misato sneeks off to get some asprin. 'Well, nothing seems to have changed there.' To be continued....... --------------------------------------- All comments and so forth to: theenglishshinji@hotmail.com --------------------------------------- Sneek peak for possible ideas for later parts or other fanfics There may be some movie tie-ins in later parts, due to me really wanting to see them introduced and I like trying to think how the Eva characters would react to them. So think Sci-Fi, think past the bounderies of sanity, into....... The Evangelion Twilight Zone And Also, the...... Evangelion: Movie Specials where Eva meets those great movies of the late 20th Century such as Godzilla, Gremlins, ChildsPlay and many more, Suggestons welcome. -------------------------------------- I am a big Asuka fan, and am a member of the Asuka Fan Club, if you like Asuka, go join it. http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/7453/ This FanFic, and all my next work will be able to be found at Addison Godel's Eva FanFic Archive at http://www.ummagurau.com and at SDAT Eva FanFic Archive http://members.xoom.com/superdat/ Eva:R Original FanFiction can be found at http://www.eva-r.com it is very highly recommended. Another highly recommended FanFic is At The End Of The World, written by Oni Ayanami, and can be found at her website at http://members.tripod.com/~Oni_Ayanami/index.htm