From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE (oh boy, what a nasty title! :-) ) Before starting reading the story, you should read *THIS*: It's my FIRST attempt at writing a fanfic in English. I'm French and have already done some fanfics in French. Unfortunately, it seems there aren't many French people interested in fanfics, and translating the stories was very boring, so I aborted the translation. This story, which we may call "The beginning of a love story between our two sweetest children, Shinji and Asuka" (and VIVE ASUKA!) has been inspired by the extremely short (but extremely funny) fanfic "She's *WHAT*?" by The Flashman (my thanks to him). (his e-mail: mailto:mxjk67c@prodigy.com) (his website: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/3105/) And, by the way, Shin Seiki Evangelion is copyright of GAINAX. Each character belongs to this great anime series. Everything has been used without permission. ======================================================================= Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net) on January 24-26, 1999. ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca) on 1999 2 17-21 & 3 22-24. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 30, 6 21, 8 08-09, 9 02-03, 10 03 and 12 03. He should stop tinkering with it now. Version 1.4. ======================================================================= So, here is the sequel. THE BIRTH OF "THE CHILD OF LOVE": Misato was looking for the Second Child, Sohryu Asuka Langley, to get her to come to her weekly synchro test. She was nowhere to be found... but when a NERV doctor phoned Misato, her outburst, "She's *WHAT*?" was heard by everybody in Central Dogma, and it was justified: Asuka is *PREGNANT*. And who's the lucky man??? Don't tell me you couldn't guess! Yes, it's Shinji! As usual, Asuka found another absurd way to have fun when she was bored and...well, you can probably guess what happened... The first scene takes place in Misato's apartment. Shinji is not here yet because he wanted to talk with Ayanami Rei. --- -=FIRST MONTH=- The Day After the Announcement --- Misato: "I don't think you truly UNDERSTAND what you've done, young lady!!" Asuka: "Shut up! I was bored, okay!?" Misato: "But...but...but...BUT YOU DON'T FUCK SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BORED!!! That's insane! Sometimes I don't understand you!" Asuka: "There's nothing to understand, Misato. And you're hardly the one to lecture me, you hypocrite. I saw you doing that with Kaji last month..." Misato: "YOU SAW US!?! WHEN?! WHERE?" Asuka: "When, I don't remember exactly...but WHERE...oh, you were probably getting excited doing that in the park...where everyone could see you." Misato: "Was Shinji with you?!" Asuka: "Fortunately not! I was going to Hikari's place." Misato: "Phew...what a relief..." She then starts to forget what she was talking about with Asuka, and is going to leave the apartment for some reason, when she quickly remembers... Misato: "HEY!!! Asuka!" She turns around, but no one else is here now. Misato runs to Asuka's bedroom and tries to open the door, but it's locked. Misato: "Asuka...forgive me. I want to talk with you calmly...woman to woman...do you understand? I need to talk with you about...uhh... bees and flowers...ummm--" Asuka (from inside her room): "I don't want to talk to ANYONE right now!!! GO AWAY!" Misato (now in the kitchen): "Well...well...we'll talk later, then." (to herself:) "Those damn kids are gonna kill me one day..." She sighs. --- In the street, Rei is going home as usual... Shinji: "AYANAMI!" Shinji is running towards Rei. She turns her head towards him, stops walking and waits for him. Shinji: "Ayanami...hahhh...hahh..." He stands there panting, trying to catch his breath. Rei: "What is it, Ikari-kun?" Shinji: "Umm...the other day...err...anyway, I wanted to talk with you." Rei: "Really?" Shinji: "Yes." Rei: "Then, let's talk." She starts to walk again. Shinji walks beside her. Shinji: "Well, about what happened to Asuka yesterday..." Rei: "Oh. You mean Sohryu's pregnancy?" Shinji: "Errrr...y-yes..." Rei: "What is it, Ikari-kun?" Shinji: "I felt that...uh...well...I-I don't...I may be wrong here, but..." Rei (calmly, as usual): "Yes?" Shinji: "I saw you looking at her, and it looked kind of like you were jealous..." Rei suddenly stops walking. Shinji stops as well. He blushes a little. Shinji: "Did I...did I...are you getting upset because of what I just said?" Rei: "I don't know this feeling." Shinji: "You..." Rei: "What is being jealous?" Shinji: "You...you mean you weren't?" Rei: "What is being jealous?" Shinji: "Let's see...it's when you envy someone because he or she has something you don't or can't have for yourself...I mean...that's what I think." Rei: "So that is being jealous, then?" Shinji (barely certain): "Y-yeah..." Rei (starting to walk again): "Then perhaps I am jealous." Shinji: "So you are?" Rei: "I think." Shinji: "Are you angry with me?" Rei: "No." Shinji: "N-no?" Rei: "No." Shinji: "You sure? I mean...jealousy usually also brings anger..." Rei: "Really? Should I be angry?" Shinji: "I think so." Rei: "Then perhaps I am angry with you, Ikari-kun." He gulps. Rei: "But I can't be angry with you." Shinji: "W-why?" Rei: "I just can't." Shinji: "Ah..." A short pause. Shinji: "I-I must go now...Misato is probably waiting for me." Rei: "Is Major Katsuragi angry at you?" Shinji: "Ah? Hmm...I think she is, a little..." Rei: "Because she is jealous?" Shinji: "What? Don't say such things, Ayanami! Misato is our guardian. She's just angry because I didn't think about what I did BEFORE I did it." Rei: "You realize what you did?" Shinji: "Y-yeah...I feel sorry for Asuka." (to himself:) "But she provoked me! That bitch..." Rei: "That's good. Realizing your sins is the first step to repentance." Shinji: "Well...I have to turn here. See you tomorrow at school." Rei: "Goodbye, Ikari-kun." --- Shinji is on his way back to Misato's apartment. Shinji (to himself): "Well...I don't know why I always feel uncom- fortable with Ayanami. She isn't mad at me but I think she feels jealous...I'm probably a little crazy, too. Why am I thinking that every girl I know wants to get closer to me?" Pause. Shinji: "Poor Asuka...I'm sorry for what I've done...but, on the other hand, it was HER idea in the first place..." --- Flashback: Misato's apartment. Shinji is watching TV on the couch, but, strangely, he's listening to tracks 25 and 26 on his SDAT: "I... mustn't run away...You feel the same way...tadam, tadam...wap doo wap..." Asuka is sitting at the table. Asuka: "Hey, Shinji!" Shinji just sits there, unable to hear her over the music. Asuka: "HEY, SHINJI! GET THOSE EARBUDS OUT OF YOUR EARS OR I'LL KILL YOU!!!" No answer. Asuka: "Humph..." Pause. Asuka (seductively): "Shiiiiiinjiii...Rei just got out of the shower and *she's not wearing a towel*..." Shinji (turning his eyes to Asuka and removing his earbuds): "What?" Asuka (to herself): "You stupid pervert..." (to Shinji:) "Hey, I'm bored..." Shinji: "Oh, no...you don't wanna practice kissing again, do you? No way!" Asuka: "...wanna do something naughty?" Shinji: "Huh?" Asuka: "I mean, do you wanna fuck?" Shinji: "WHAT? Cut it out, Asuka! We're only 14! You can't be serious!" Asuka: "And what's the matter with that? Everything has to start somewhere." Shinji: "Are you serious?" Asuka: "Yeah, I'm serious. And really bored. What's the matter, are you scared or something?" She stands up from her chair and heads to Shinji. She then sits on the couch, close to him. Shinji: "Hmm...wait, Asuka...I don't think I'm ready and...you seem to be forgetting...WHAAA!!!" Asuka: "Don't tell me you're not a man. Or is it that you don't *want* to be a man?" She then undresses quickly and begins to do the same to him...and [Author's note: HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!! This isn't a lemonfic! You ecchi! We'll assume they each had their first sexual experience here. Let your perverted imagination take care of the rest if you want it that way. I can only tell you one thing: They were exhausted at the end of it all!] --- Back to the present. Misato's apartment. Shinji walks very quietly down the hallway. He seems to be trying to avoid something, or someone... Shinji: "Hope she isn't here..." The place seems totally quiet. Shinji walks into the kitchen and searches for something to eat in the refrigerator. He seems surprised that nobody else is at home. Shinji: "Phew...Asuka's not here..." Suddenly, he hears something coming from behind "Hell's Mistress'" door... Shinji: "Crying?" He slowly reaches for the doorknob with his trembling hand, and quietly turns it. For some strange reason, it's unlocked. The door is only half-open and it's pretty dark, but he can see the red-haired girl laying on her bed, facing the wall, crying and sobbing. Shinji (to himself): "For someone who pretends to be so strong, it's really strange to see her crying...but...she's human, after all..." He opens the door. Asuka (without even turning her head from the wall to see who has profaned her only...home...): "WHO'S THERE!?" Shinji doesn't answer. Not out loud, anyways. Asuka (louder): "WHO'S THERE!??" Shinji: "It's only me. Asuka-chan..." Then he thought, why did he call her "-chan"? He usually never said that. Always "-san." Why did he say this now? Asuka: "Shinji...get out of here. I don't want to see your face anymore." Shinji: "Asuka..." Asuka: "You heard me! Go away!" He comes a little closer to her, and sits on the foot of the bed. Asuka: "Don't come any closer! Or I'll kill you!" He gets up and then sits down in the chair by her desk. Asuka: "What do you want...Casanova?" She sobs louder. Shinji: "What's going on, Asuka?" Asuka: "YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!" Shinji: "...you're right. Forgive me." Pause. The sobs continue. Shinji: "What are you going to do...?" Asuka: "WHAT A STUPID QUESTION, YOU IDIOT! I'm going to get an abortion." Shinji: "Are you serious?" Asuka: "And why not? I'm not going to raise this child by myself! Besides, he has no father." Shinji obviously looks very hurt by this. Shinji: "What are you talking about? I'm...I'm his father, after all." Asuka: "What's that supposed to mean? That I'll have to marry you and that we'll have to live together forever? NO WAY!" Shinji (very quietly): "I'm really sorry...Asuka...I didn't want to--" Asuka: "You 'didn't want to'...DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID? You boys are all alike. You only listen to your hormones." Shinji: "That's not true!!! And besides, it was YOUR idea! And don't you DARE tell me you didn't enjoy doing it!" (to himself:) "What am I saying? Is this really me?" Silence. Seconds later, the sobs continue... Asuka: "I...I was just teasing you...but, no...you're a boy, you can't see that. You only saw that I wanted to sleep with you! You're disgusting!" Shinji (calmly): "No. You're the disgusting one. You provoked me into doing it with you. I can't believe you think it's only my fault. You brought the whole thing up in the first place, and you enjoyed it, too. I feel so ashamed. Not because of what I've done. I'm ashamed of YOU, Asuka!" Asuka: "You stupid...you don't understand anything..." Shinji: "Of course I understand! You're gonna have a baby because of ME! I can sense what you feel right now. You probably really hate me, even more than usual. But don't make others suffer for your personal hatred!" (Author's note: Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have quoted this one here... sorry :-) ) Asuka's eyes widen for a moment, and then start shedding more tears... Asuka (between sobs): "Why should I make you suffer? You don't care at all about my..." Her voice trails off. Asuka: "...my child..." Shinji: "OUR child. I was there, too, remember?" Asuka: "Hmph. Don't make me laugh. I'm his mother, you are nothing. Anyway, it will soon be a thing of the past. Don't worry." Shinji: "You can't do that! I'll do whatever it takes to stop you from doing this...this..." He trails off, unable to find the right word to express the horror he feels at the idea of abortion. Asuka: "Sounds funny coming from your mouth, ecchi--" Shinji: "Look, *I* have feelings, too! You're not the only one concerned! I'm fed up with this, Asuka! You never listen to others... you always shut yourself up in your room to escape reality! I know what I'm talking about. I've been down that road, too. And until recently, I was running away from my fears! I was even running away from you! When I realized that I gave you a child, I...I thought about myself, about others, about what I feel, and came to this conclusion: I mustn't run away from a girl who needs me!" (Author's note: Yeah, yeah...I shouldn't have put this one in, either...) Asuka: "...I don't need you, oberarsche [super asshole]..." Shinji (frustrated): "I'm tired of talking to someone who won't even listen to what I'm saying. I'm going out for a walk." Shinji puts the chair back in the nook of the desk, and leaves the room. Asuka realizes that she's alone again. Asuka (softly): "I wonder...what it's like to give birth?" --- Shinji makes his way out of Asuka's room. Someone is waiting for him in the hallway. Misato: "Very impressive, Shinji-kun. How is she?" Shinji: "Ah...Misato-san...well...I...I think I was a bit rude with her. I think I lost my temper." Misato: "I don't think so." Shinji: "You...you were listening!?" Misato: "Yeah." Shinji: "So...you know everything." Misato: "I already know it's not all your fault because she told me a few hours ago, when she came home from school." Shinji: "So, what are we going to do now? Will her pregnancy affect her piloting skills?" Misato: "I'm not sure, but...Ritsuko told me that her current condition could result in her synchro rate going down a bit." Shinji: "Damn, that won't be any help at all." Misato: "I know, I know. Anyway, I think it's best for her to not go to school for a few months until we understand the situation better." Shinji: "Okay." Misato: "Don't worry, Shinji-kun. I'll take care of her..." Shinji: "And what if an Angel attacks?" Misato (grinning): "Let's pray hard." Shinji (sarcastically): "I see..." --- The next morning, Ikari Shinji checks Asuka's room. The same bed, the same girl, the same setting. Without a sound, he goes off to school. He meets up with Kensuke, Toji and Hikari in the classroom. Kensuke: "Hi, Shinji!" Toji: "Hi." Hikari: "Ikari? Why is Asuka not with you?" Shinji: "Hmmm...She's ill. And it seems to be pretty serious." Kensuke: "Ah? The bitch is sick?" Hikari: "Kensuke! Don't talk like that about our friend Asuka! She doesn't deserve it!" Toji: "Any details?" Shinji: "Sorry, but Misato told me to be quiet." Kensuke: "Oh, come on, Shinji! You can tell us! We won't say anything! You trust us, don't you?" Toji: "Besides, she looked fine yesterday. Are you hiding something from us?" Shinji: "Of course not. She's ill because she inhaled too much of the liquid we use at our last synchro test last night." Hikari: "No need to keep this a secret, Ikari. By the way, where can I visit her?" Shinji: "I'm afraid you can't. She's staying in a high-security hospital room at NERV. I even had to summon Misato to enter." (to himself:) "For now, Misato's plan works..." Kensuke: "You seem very self-confident, Shinji. It's not like you." Toji: "You're right, Kensuke. Maybe he did some naughty things to her and now she's recovering from the ride...OUCH!!" A schoolbag connects with his head. Hikari's, obviously. Hikari: "Don't say such things, you pervert!" Toji: "Sorry, class rep." --- While Shinji is in class, Misato calls Ritsuko on the phone from home. Misato: "Hi, it's Misato!" Ritsuko: "Major, I've more important things to do than gossip." Misato: "Hey! I'm serious here!!!" Ritsuko: "You don't sound serious to me." Misato: "Awww, shut up..." Ritsuko: "So, what's the reason for this call, Major Katsuragi?" Misato: "I wanted to give you some news about Asuka, but since you don't sound very interested in this call, forget about it..." Ritsuko: "Stop joking. How is she?" Misato: "Very upset. She had a discussion with Shinji yesterday about this. And it was pretty, uh...stormy." Ritsuko: "I was expecting as much." Misato: "Don't play the bossy girl with me, Rit-chan! You're not a mother!" Ritsuko: "Neither are you." Misato: "But *I* take care of children, don't I?" Ritsuko: "Okay, one point for you." Misato: "Well...and then I talked with her a little earlier this morning..." Ritsuko: "She's not at school!?" Misato: "In her state, I don't think it would be a good idea." Ritsuko: "I guess you're right. And, what came out of this discussion?" Misato: "You won't believe this..." --- >From the other end of the testing room: Maya: "Huh? Sempai?" Ritsuko: "She's *WHAT*?!" Misato: "You heard me. She's willing to keep and raise her child..." Ritsuko: "Alone? That's ludicrous!" Misato: "Considering your mother and what you are now, I think you're right." Ritsuko grumbles a bit. That one hit pretty close to home. Ritsuko: "Anyway, she...she can't think about it! And if an Angel attacks late in her term, she won't be able to pilot Unit 02!" Misato: "Oh, you figured that out by yourself?" Ritsuko: "Stop making fun of me, Misato! THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE!" Misato: "I know!!! But ONE life is more important than NERV's schemes!" Ritsuko: "Perhaps you think that ONE birth is better than BILLIONS of deaths, do you?" Misato: "Okay, one point for you too." Ritsuko: "Well, what else?" Misato: "You know, I think I saw a *new* Asuka when I was talking with her. She's not like the brash, competitive one we're used to... I think she senses the woman in her now." Ritsuko: "Quit rambling, Misato." Misato: "I warned her about the synchro rate. At first, she was really depressed, but I told her that we would try to fix it..." Ritsuko: "YOU WHAT!?? That's going too far, Major! How could you tell her things we just possibly can't do!?" Misato: "Don't worry. I know Asuka. Her score really depends on her psychological state. If we tell her things that will reassure her, it'll be just fine." Ritsuko: "I hope so." Misato: "Hmmm...errrr...Rit-chan...I've got a little favor to ask you..." Ritsuko: "Oh, come on. I saw everything today! What is it *now*?" Misato: "I'm not an expert in pregnancy, and...I was wondering... should I put her on a special diet or something? Any advice?" Ritsuko: "Well...the first few months, she can do whatever she wants. After the third month, she must cut down on strenuous activities like sports--" Misato: "And EVA, I suppose." Ritsuko (sighing): "You suppose well. Now, about food: You must give her whatever she wants, even if it's too sugary. She needs to feed her child and herself, you know. She'll probably want specific foods. Even if they seem unusual, try to give them to her. Nothing with caffeine or alcohol in it, though." Misato (wincing a bit at the idea of doing without her two favourite substances): "I see." Ritsuko: "Anything else?" Misato: "No, I don't think..." Ritsuko: "Ah, and she MUST, at *any cost*, be HERE, every week. We have to study how this affects her synchronization with Eva, and have the doctors do ob/gyn checkups on her as well." Misato (sighing): "Yeah, yeah..." Ritsuko: "Misato?" Misato: "What?" Ritsuko: "Be a good nanny." *click* Ritsuko: "Misato...?" --- Misato's apartment. She is in her bedroom, and has just hung up the phone suddenly, a bit of a peeved look on her face. Someone knocks at her door. Misato: "Come in, Asuka." The door opens and a very livid Asuka walks in. Misato raises her eyebrows a bit, but otherwise doesn't move. Misato (a bit nervously): "What's...what's up, Asuka? You need something?" Asuka: "I'm hungry!!!" Misato (to herself): "Ah, here it comes..." (to Asuka:) "Okay, I'm going to buy some food. Is there anything you want in particular?" Asuka: "I can't wait!! What have you got here now?" A little later, Asuka ploughs through three bowls of ramen, two bowls of rice and 14 cups of fruit yogurt. [Author's note: Private joke to Mygard, Yankee and Sir Gordon!!] Misato sits in front of her at the kitchen table, her head resting in her hands. Misato: "Boy, you eat like a horse..." Asuka: "Whoa, that was great! I feel much better!" She rubs her stomach and can sense something moving. Asuka: "I swear I can feel it..." Misato: "You can?" Asuka: "I wonder when we can find out what sex it is?" Misato: "Patience! Ritsuko told me they can check it out in a few months." Asuka: "I'm dying to know!" Misato: "What's going on here? You're not the Asuka I talked with last night!" Asuka: "Cut that out!! You know I've changed my mind about that! I'm keeping it!" Misato: "Any ideas for a name?" Asuka: "Oh yeah, yeah! I already thought about it! If it's a boy, it'll be Axel, and if it's a girl, it'll be Teri." (Author's note: Don't sue me...don't sue me...ahahahah....I'M THE AUTHOR HERE! I DO WHAT I WANT! YOU'RE NOTHING, JUST A PATHETIC READER!!! Uh, just forget about that crazy rambling...hmm...) Misato: "These aren't exactly common Japanese names." Asuka: "I can call my child whatever I want..." Misato: "Of course you can. But did you talk with its father before choosing names?" Asuka: "Cut it out, Misato! I said I don't want to talk about HIM now." Misato: "Sorry about that. But will you tell him you're going to keep the child?" Asuka (tracing circles on the table with her fingers): "I don't know..." Misato: "You can tell me. This is between girls, after all! Oh, sorry. Between *women*." Asuka (smiling): "Okay, I'll tell him. But not now. Maybe later." Misato: "Good." Suddenly, the front door of the apartment opens and reveals Shinji and his schoolmates Hikari, Toji and Kensuke. Shinji (grimacing): "Sorry, Misato-san, I wasn't able to get rid of them." --- Everyone is now in the kitchen, sitting at the table. Asuka walks in. Strangely, Shinji is trying to avoid her gaze. Asuka: "Hi, everyone!" Hikari: "Asuka! You're here!!! But...Shinji told us you were very sick. I was worried." Asuka: "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTT!???????" Shinji tries to hide behind Misato. Asuka: "You lousy liar! I'll teach you..." Misato: "Hmmm...Asuka..." Asuka: "What! Why are you sticking up for him?" Misato: "I think you're a little too harsh...it was my plan. I didn't want to say anything about your...condition..." Toji & Kensuke: "'Condition'?" Hikari: "What's going on, Asuka?" Asuka: "Umm...well, I...nothing really important..." Misato: "She's very distressed because...because she lost someone close to her...please understand, it's very difficult for her." Asuka: "What the...?" Misato (quietly, to Asuka): "Shut up, I'm trying to save your butt. You'll thank me later." Asuka: "Oh, well..." Hikari: "Oh, that's why...sorry, Asuka. I understand." Toji & Kensuke: "So do we!" Asuka: "Thanks." Silence... Misato: "Hmmm...does anyone want noodles?" Asuka: "Misato, I ate everything in the apartment today, remember?" Misato: "Oh, you're right." Hikari: "What? You ate that much today?! You'll get fat if you keep doing that!" Asuka (reluctantly): "I know I'm going to get fat." Hikari puts her hand on Asuka's stomach. She begins to tickle and squeeze her friend's stomach. Hikari (teasing): "You see, you're already a bit plump!" Asuka has been on edge since she thought long and hard about her decision to keep the baby. To have someone touch her belly at this point was all she needed to push her over. Asuka (suddenly shouting loudly): "DON'T TOUCH ME THERE!!" Everyone jumps, gasps and rubs their ears. Misato knocks over her cup of coffee. Hikari: "Asuka, what's wrong? Are you THAT full?" Asuka (scrambling for an explanation): "That hurts, Hikari... please...don't touch me...there...it's..." Misato gets ready to say something, but-- Asuka: "It's my wound from the last fight." Hikari (worried): "Oh, I'm so sorry...I don't know what to do..." Asuka (smiling): "I'll be just fine. Don't worry." Toji (to Kensuke): "I never saw her smile before!" Kensuke (very quietly, to Toji): "Not when she wasn't being arrogant. And WHEN did she get that wound?! She seemed fine when she came back to class after the last Angel attack." Toji (to Kensuke): "Strange." Asuka (glaring at the two of them): "What are you two complaining about?" Toji & Kensuke: "Oh, nothing! Nothing!" Misato (softly): "What's the matter, Shinji-kun? You haven't said a word." Shinji (standing up): "Uh, I just...I think I'm gonna go to my room. I don't feel well." Misato: "As you wish." Shinji: "May I be excused?" Misato: "Of course." Shinji leaves the living room. Toji: "What's happening to Shinji?" Misato: "I think he just needs some rest." Toji: "Ahhh..." Misato: "Hikari." Hikari: "Yes, Major Katsuragi?" Misato: "Could you please collect the printouts of Asuka's lessons for a few months and get Shinji to take them home with him? She won't be at school for a while." Hikari: "O...of course, Major. But why?" Misato: "I can't tell you. Sorry." Hikari: "I...I understand." Asuka: "Yeahaar!! I'll skip classes for months!!!" Misato (trying to bring her back down to earth): "Hey, hey, you're not getting off that easy! You'll be at NERV almost every day. You won't have much time to relax." Asuka: "Scheisse [Shit]!" --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Misato: "So what'll happen to Asuka next? It's TOO calm, don't you think? Well, read the next chapter: "SECOND MONTH: A Nanny Needs Practice." And next time...I'll take off the top!!!!!! And be ready for some service, service!" Axel: "Awwww, shut up, Misato!" Misato: "Okay, okay..." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=SECOND MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 1999 3 02 & 3 22-23. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 30, 6 22, 8 09, 9 03 and 10 03. Thank Belldandy you had a version to read while he worked on this one. dB) Version 1.4. LAST CHAPTER: Asuka is willing to keep her child and raise it on her own, but the situation is getting more and more unusual; the matter must be hushed up because of the complications it may bring, as much with EVA as with her social life. Asuka's really too KAWAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!! (She's really cute!!!!!!!) (Yeah, I'm in love 8-> ) How long will our friends be able to resist telling everybody the good news? Is Asuka too young to have children? Why doesn't my cat purr when I caress him (and why doesn't Asuka purr when I does the same to her? 8-D) --- CAPTION: SECOND MONTH CAPTION 2: A Nanny Needs Practice --- At school. Ikari Shinji is looking outside from his desk. He looks at Ayanami, but she doesn't seem to notice him. Suddenly, a giant mass of paper hits the desk, right in front of him. Hikari: "Ikari, please give these printouts to Asuka..." Shinji (looking up at the class president, startled): "Ah! Of course." After his answer, he looks out the window again, in a Rei-like style. Hikari: "Shinji...what's happening to Asuka? You can tell me, can't you?" Shinji: "Sorry. I don't know anything." Hikari: "Of course you do! You and Major Katsuragi are hiding some- thing from us!" Shinji: "Honestly, I can't tell you." Hikari: "Won't you satisfy a girl's curiosity?" Shinji: "I have orders. I must obey them." Hikari: "You jerk! She's my best friend! I need to know!" Shinji: "If she wants you to know, she'll tell you. Don't worry." Hikari: "Is it that serious?" Shinji (blushing, unseen by Hikari): "Yeah...a little...but I think she's happy with...him..." Hikari: "Oh, I see. So she has another boyfriend...I'm...sorry, Shinji." (to herself:) "Why didn't she tell me about that? Strange..." Shinji (looking up at Hikari): "What? No, it's not what you think..." Hikari: "Oh, don't tell me you don't know at all...I know she likes you very much." Shinji: "Don't say such things..." Hikari (to herself): "Whoa...depressed..." Enter Toji. Toji: "Hey, class rep...what's goin' on?" Hikari turns to face Toji and talks with him. Shinji continues to look out the window, like he's trying to find something in the distance. Hikari: "I asked him about Asuka but it seems that..." She whispers something in his ear. Toji: "No...those two? Can't be! You sure?" Hikari (winking): "Yeah." Toji: "Congratulations, Shinji! I didn't knew you had it in you!" Shinji starts to beat his head against his desk repeatedly... --- Central Dogma. A screen reads HARMONICS TEST. The three children are doing their weekly harmonics tests in their entry plugs. Ritsuko: "Asuka has lost only two points. Incredible." Misato: "I told you! It's only psychological." Ritsuko: "Perhaps you were right, after all." Misato: "Have you seen the pregnancy report?" Ritsuko: "Not yet. I think we should wait a bit longer before doing this test again." Maya: "Sempai? Should I lower Asuka's depth from .02 to .05?" Ritsuko: "Try it. It may help her score go up." Maya: "Hai!" Seconds later... Ritsuko: "Yes. Asuka's harmonics are almost at the same level they were before her pregnancy!" Misato: "Hmmm...good." --- Harmonics Room. The three entry plugs open, the LCL spills out, and the pilots get out and head for the control room. --- Control Room. Misato: "Asuka, how was it?" Asuka: "Oh, fine, I guess. I'm just very tired right now..." Misato: "You should go now and get some sleep." Asuka: "And my harmonics test?" Misato: "No problem, your score hasn't changed." Asuka: "Really?" Shinji (trying desperately to find the right words): "W-well done, Asuka." Then, he realizes what he has said and puts his hands up in front of his face as Asuka glowers at him with a threatening look in her eyes. A few long seconds pass. Asuka (grinning): "Thanks, Shinji." Shinji (dumbstruck): "W-what?" Asuka: "I said, 'thanks,' Shinji-kun." Shinji (with a sigh of relief): "Ahh." (to himself:) "She called me 'Shinji-kun'? Is it because I called her 'Asuka-chan'? Or does she have a fever? Or is she just making fun of me?" Misato can't help but laugh. Misato: "Okay guys, stop teasing each other. Time to leave." Asuka: "Just a second! Dr. Akagi, and for...errr..." Ritsuko: "I'm sorry, but the test results aren't conclusive yet. I think we'll have to wait a little longer." Asuka: "Is that so?" Ritsuko: "Sorry. Right now the images are distorted due to the level of LCL in your system." Asuka (in her "so-innocent-little-girl" pose): "And when will I know?" Ritsuko: "Don't worry. We're working on it. The MAGI computers are analyzing them and filtering out the distortion. We'll know sooner or later." Asuka: "Thanks for everything." Misato and Shinji are completely amazed by their roommate's bizarrely calm (for her) behaviour. As usual, the First Child could think of nothing to say. --- The front door of Misato's apartment. Misato (as she opens the door): "Ah, we've got a little problem." Asuka: "Oh, no! What now?" Misato: "I forgot to buy some bread today." Shinji is going to say something, but he's interrupted by Asuka. Asuka: "I'll take care of that!" She makes her way towards the elevator. Misato: "Be careful." Asuka (while the elevator door opens): "Hey! I'm Sohryu Asuka Langley! Do you think anything's going to happen while I'm just going to the bakery? Huh?" Asuka darts into the elevator, and the door closes. The other two enter the apartment. Shinji tosses his schoolbag onto the couch. Misato (from inside her room, changing into more suitable clothes for home life): "Shinji-kun? I've got something to tell you." Shinji (from the living room, on the couch): "What is it, Misato-san?" Misato: "It's about Asuka..." --- Terminal Dogma. (Author's note: Yes, yes! And now, a little piece of mystery... ;-)) Gendo: "So?" Ritsuko: "So, the Second Child's state doesn't seems to affect her scores." Fuyutsuki: "But is that so simple?" Gendo: "Only time will tell." Ritsuko: "I think so. She is only in the early stages of her pregnancy. I can't say anything about what may happen in two or more months, since it's a new case for us." Gendo: "Everything is going as scheduled." Fuyutsuki: "You're sure it's not deviating from what SEELE is planning?" Gendo: "I can't tell you about theirs, But MY plan is almost complete." Ritsuko (to herself): "I see...you rotten bastard!" Gendo: "You are dismissed, Dr. Akagi." Ritsuko: "Yes, sir." She leaves. Fuyutsuki: "If the Second Child is involved in a battle, she might be in danger." Gendo: "I know that, Fuyutsuki. Don't worry. Everything is going as planned. The time will come soon." --- Misato's apartment. Misato and Shinji are sitting on the couch, talking about Asuka. Shinji (surprised): "She's *WHAT*?!" Misato: "Hey, calm down. She's willing to keep her child..." Shinji: "I-I thought she wanted to abort..." Misato: "I don't know what changed her mind, but she decided to keep it and raise it, and that's that." Shinji: "That means that I'd have to take care of it too, right?" Misato: "Hmm. You know...she likes you, but...I think it's only friendship. Nothing else. Well, okay, you did fuck each other...and, between friends, it's natur...oh, never mind..." Shinji (starting to blush): "Uh...uh...yes, it may be." Misato (grinning): "Are you disappointed?" Shinji: "Can I tell you the truth?" Misato: "Oh, come on! We're family, right? You wouldn't hide any- thing from me, would you?" Shinji: "Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed. I think I like her, too. But because she doesn't seem to open herself...I can't make a move..." Misato: "Isn't that what caused all this in the first place?" Shinji (blushing furiously): "You know what I mean, Misato-san! I mean, why didn't she tell me this herself--?" Misato (smiling): "I understand, Shinji-kun...you know, she wanted to tell you. Not right now, but a bit later. But I think I can see it in her silhouette now, so to speak. So I wanted to tell you this before you got too worried about her." Shinji: "Thank you..." They talk, talk, talk...and the clock shows that 45 minutes have passed since they returned home. Shinji (looking at the clock): "Mi...Misato-san..." Misato (from the kitchen, cooking): "What is it?" Shinji (a bit alarmed): "It's been 45 minutes. Don't you think that's too long just to go buy some bread!?" Misato: "OH, SHIT!!! ASUKA!!! I completely forgot about that!!!" The two tear out of the apartment and race for the stairwell. Forget waiting for the elevator now. At the entrance of the building... Shinji: "Misato-san!!! There she is!!" In front of the entrance to the building, Asuka is propped against the wall, her head slumped forward. Two long thin loaves of French bread are on the ground in front of her. Misato: "She-she collapsed!? Shinji! Help me get her into the apartment!" Shinji: "Right!!" --- In the apartment. Asuka is lying on the couch. Shinji is sitting next to her on a chair. He looks down at her, and softly rubs her cheek. Misato (on the phone): "Ritsuko! We've got a BIG problem here!" Ritsuko: "What is it now, Major?" Misato: "Asuka collapsed in front of the building's front door!" Ritsuko: "Weren't you supposed to look after her?" Shinji (to Misato): "Mi...Misato-san! I think she's feverish!" Misato (to Ritsuko): "Shinji is examining her! He says she has a high temperature!" --- One of the many labs in Central Dogma. Ritsuko is doing something with Maya (not *that* kind of thing, you ecchis!). Ritsuko: "He's examining her? What kind of 'examination' is he giving her now?" Misato: "Cut that out! I'M SERIOUS HERE!!!" Ritsuko: "Hmmm...is the Great Major Katsuragi losing her self-control?" *click* Ritsuko: "She gets upset too easily these days..." She gets up from her chair and makes her way to the exit. Maya: "Sempai? Is something wrong?" Ritsuko: "Asuka has collapsed and Katsuragi is panicking." Maya (laughing): "The Major is panicking? Quite funny." Ritsuko (opening the door): "I know. In front of Angels, she's cool as a cucumber, but when it comes to life matters, it's another story." Maya: "See you later, sempai." --- Misato's apartment. Misato: "Dammit, Ritsuko, this isn't the time to make fun of me...!" Shinji is looking down at Asuka. She has a dreamlike smile on her face. Shinji (to himself): "When she wants, she can be a real little angel..." Misato: "Hey, Shinji-kun! Is she okay?" Shinji (suddenly snapping out of his thoughts): "...Ah! Errr...I dunno. I'm no doctor." Misato: "Hope Ritsuko drives fast." She heads to the kitchen. Misato: "What were you thinking about, Shinji?" Shinji: "Huh, what? When?" Misato: "When I asked you if she was okay..." Shinji: "Oh...I guess I can tell you, after all...I was saying to myself that, when Asuka wants, she can be very nice and beautiful..." Misato (to herself): "What, just when she's unconscious?" Shinji rubs her cheek again. It's very warm and soft. Misato: "You...you're falling in love, aren't you, you little rascal?" Shinji: "Y-yes...errr...no...I mean...I don't know..." Pause. Shinji (blushing): "...but I know one thing: I care for her and for our child. Even if she denies it, this child's part of me. I can't leave those two alone. I just can't. Even if she pushes me aside, I can't leave her!!" Tears start to pool in Shinji's eyes. Misato: "Aha! I knew it! I always knew it!!! My two sweetest room- mates in love...and dry those tears, Shinji. You're a boy, aren't you?" Shinji (sobbing a little): "But...(sniff)...she doesn't feel the same way about me..." Misato: "With time, she'll learn to appreciate you." Shinji: "You sure?" Misato (winking): "Yeah. Trust in yourself and everything'll be okay." Misato walks to the kitchen to grab a nice cold beer (yeah, she missed her cans). Asuka: "Ma...ma..." Shinji: "Huh?" Asuka: "Mama..." Shinji (to himself): "Is she dreaming about her mother?" Misato (having just heard Asuka's voice now): "Hey, is she awake?" Shinji: "No, she's talking in her sleep, or something." Misato: "What?" She comes into the living room and leans towards Asuka. Asuka: "Mama...please..." Misato: "..." Shinji: "Why is she talking about her mother?" Misato (sadly): "I don't know if I can tell you. I promised her not to tell anyone..." Shinji (a bit sarcastically): "Oh, come on! We're family, right? You wouldn't hide anything from me, would you?" Misato (reluctantly): "Okay, I'll tell you, then..." --- Minutes later. Misato and Shinji are sitting at the kitchen table. Misato: "Now you know everything." Shinji (sadly): "I feel so sorry for her..." Misato: "It happened so long ago, but her mother still haunts her. She probably wants to forget about it and move on, but she can't." Shinji: "I saw her crying in her sleep once. Poor Asuka...I under- stand now how she feels." The doorbell rings. Misato (standing up): "Must be Ritsuko!" She heads down the hallway and opens the door. Ritsuko: "So, where's the patient?" Misato: "On the couch. Come in, Rit-chan." Ritsuko sits in the chair near the couch and gets ready to examine Asuka. She takes a stethoscope from a small leather bag and puts it around her neck. Ritsuko (feeling Asuka's forehead): "A bit feverish, but nothing to really worry about." She puts the stethoscope in her ears, puts the pad against Asuka's chest, and listens while looking at her watch. Ritsuko: "Heart rate normal." Shinji enters the living room, concern etched deeply into his face. Shinji: "Is she okay...?" Ritsuko: "Noth--" Suddenly, everyone hears Asuka's soft snoring. Asuka: "Rrronnnnnn.....zzzzzz......" There are now huge sweatdrops on everyone's heads (except for Asuka, of course). Ritsuko (face turning an angry red): "You IDIOTS! She was just TIRED! You DARED make me come all the way out here just for something like this? I don't believe this!!!" Misato: "Errrr...calm down, Ritsuko...I only thought...um...in her state...errr...in fact..." Major Katsuragi can't find the words to apologize to Ritsuko. Shinji: "She said she was tired at NERV, didn't she?" Ritsuko: "Okay, okay...sorry for blowing up at you. But I still think that you're not competent for this job, Misato..." Misato (smiling and shrugging): "Whaddaya expect? A nanny needs practice..." Shinji breaks out in a smile at this. --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Author's notes: Not bad for three days. But there's a little problem here: I know how to end this story, but there's some holes in my storyboard. I can only tell you that you'll see all nine months of Asuka's pregnancy. And the end should be...wonderful. In fact, I'm trying to choose between a happy end, and a bad one (but not that bad, actually). You can E-mail me (aterizak@club-internet.fr) with your comments and constructive criticism. New ideas are also welcome! [Retooler's note: Since this story is obviously finished, Axel doesn't need help with it anymore, but I think he'll still be open to any new ideas you may have.] In the next episode, there'll be a little surprise... (and now, some action!) My thanks to the Flashman, Patrick Drazen, Jim Lazar, ORBIT Productions, A1-l-Bus, Drakken Fyre and all the others who gave me inspiration and the will to do *this*. Please read the following fanfics (they are great!): ->She's *WHAT*? (available at SDAT-- http://members.xoom.com/superdat/) ->Evangelion: Ending-Beginning (available at SDAT) ->Garden Of Eva (please read my translations: Le Jardin d'EVA en francais! Available at: http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime) ->Evangelion: R (DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!! HTTP://WWW.EVA-R.COM) ->A New World For Asuka and Shinji (Available at SDAT> ->Imagine Normality? (Available at SDAT) ->Object of One's Desire (Available at SDAT) I've also translated some fanfics. WORK DONE: Evangelion: Ending, Beginning 1 to 4; Le Jardin d'EVA 0:1 to 0:5; Imagine Normality 1 WORK PLANNED: Le Jardin d'EVA 0:6 and those that will follow; Imagine Normality 2 to 5; EVA: R (will be loooonnnnnnggggg...) Thanks for reading this far! See ya soon! Axel Terizaki (This is my nickname...my pseudonym...It's definitely NOT my real name. Mine is a French-style name. ;-) ) NEXT CHAPTER: "THIRD MONTH: A New Threat." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=THIRD MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 1999 3 16, 22 & 23. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 30 & 6 23, 8 09, 9 03-04, 10 03 and 12 30. Version 1.3. LAST CHAPTER: Asuka's behaviour is changing. She's becoming more open, as well as nicer and more gentle. What's happening to her? Misato and Shinji want to find out why there's such a sudden transformation in Asuka's personality. Why did she fall asleep on her way back from the bakery? What are Gendo's plans for her? Will my phone bill be as big as I think it'll be? --- CAPTION: THIRD MONTH CAPTION 2: A New Threat --- Central Command Room, where the MAGI stand. Gendo, Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko are the only people here. Ritsuko is doing something on the MAGI. Ritsuko: "I've got it, sir." Fuyutsuki: "And?" Ritsuko: "Female, sir. MAGI reads a probability of 78% at this stage." Gendo: "As planned..." Ritsuko: "May I inform Major Katsuragi and the directly-involved one?" Gendo: "Of course. Proceed." Ritsuko: "I'll do that tomorrow, sir." --- The Second Child's bedroom. Noon. Asuka suddenly wakes up, her face covered with sweat... Asuka (to herself): "What a terrible nightmare..." She looks at her alarm clock. Asuka: "12:07...owwwww...Asuka! Get up!" She gets up from her bed and looks at herself in the full-length mirror. She is wearing only her nightdress. Asuka (rubbing and looking at her stomach): "Good morning, my child..." (to herself:) "I'm becoming a little chubby...scheisse..." She then goes to the kitchen and takes a full bottle of orange juice out of the fridge. She opens it, raises it to her lips and begins to drink. 62 seconds later, the bottle is half-full (or half-empty, or half-life, whichever you prefer ;-) ) Shinji: "You awake?" Asuka turns to see Shinji standing in the hallway, dressed in his school uniform and ready to leave. Asuka: "Guten Morgen, Shinji-kun!" Shinji (amazed): "Errr...guten morgen, Asuka..." Asuka: "Why are you being so shy?" Shinji: "Ummm...your stomach..." Asuka: "Oh, this! You know, it's already the third month...I know I'm now not as cute as I was before, but you have to admit that you can't resist my charms, can you?" Shinji: "Yeah, you're right...I almost forgot..." Asuka (more seriously): "Misato told you, didn't she?" Shinji: "Y-yes. One month ago." Asuka: "What a bigmouth...you can't tell her anything!" Shinji: "I think I have a right to know, at least." Asuka: "Of course, you're one of my dearest friends..." Shinji (disappointed): "A...'friend'?" Asuka: "Oh, come on! You were hoping I'd say something else? Don't hold onto any illusions, Shinji-kun..." Shinji: "By the way, why are you calling me 'Shinji-kun'?" Asuka: "You showed me a bit of friendliness last time...'Asuka-chan,' remember? Honestly, I-I really want to...oh! What am I saying!!?? I must be crazy!!!" Pause. Asuka: "Anyway, has anyone at school been worrying about me?" Shinji: "N-not really..." Asuka (sadly): "I knew it...no one cares for me...snif..." Asuka likes to wind Shinji up now and again by turning on the water- works and watching him fumble and try to find the right things to say to her. Now that she knows he knows about her, um, condition, it's going to be even more fun for her. Shinji (trying to reassure her): "Hey! Hikari told me she'd like to hear from you." Asuka (honestly surprised): "Really?" Shinji (smiling): "Yeah." Asuka (smiling back at him): "I'll call her, then!" Shinji: "Errr...yeah...have a good day." He leaves. Asuka (to herself): "Why didn't I really make fun of him just now? Am I becoming gentle? Well, I'll call Hikari this evening!" --- NERV HQ. Misato: "Really? A girl?" Ritsuko: "MAGI is 78% sure. At this stage of her development, it may be wrong, but 78% brings us good hopes." Misato: "Always talking with percentages..." Ritsuko: "That's the scientific way, Misato." Misato: "Yeah...So, I'll have a Sohryu Teri Langley in my apartment soon. Or may I call her Ikari Teri?" Ritsuko: "She already planned this far ahead?" Misato: "Yup!" Ritsuko (to herself): "She's not the only one..." (to Misato:) "And... if it were a boy?" Misato: "Errr...I think she said 'Axel'." Ritsuko: "Not a very Japanese name, either..." Misato: "Well, Japan isn't her homeland, remember." Ritsuko: "Good point." Misato: "Hey, Ritsuko-san! How would you like to have dinner at our place?" Ritsuko: "If you DON'T cook, I see no objection to this invitation, Major." Misato: "Good. I'll ask Asuka or Shinji to cook for us, then." --- Misato's apartment. Asuka is talking with someone on the phone. Asuka: "Ah? Shinji or I have to cook? No problem. Ah, Ritsuko's coming too...hey, Misato, has she...no? Already? So, so...??? I'm dying to know!!! No! I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THIS EVENING TO FIND OUT?? You're mean!!! Oh, come on, tell me!!! Please...I'm your dear little Asuka...(sniff)...you're evil...okay, okay, I'm preparing myself now. Don't worry, everything'll be ready when you get here...don't worry. No, Shinji's not back yet. I'll tell him, too. Of course I'll do it. See ya!" She hangs up the receiver. Asuka (sighing): "Well...Asuka! Ikuhayo [Here we go]!" She picks up the receiver and dials a number. Asuka: "Hi! Hikari!!!" Hikari: "Asuka! You're okay!? I was so worried about you! Ikari told me you'd call me!" Asuka: "That's what I'm doing." Hikari: "Where are you now?" Asuka: "In the apartment." Pause. Hikari: "What? ALL THIS TIME, you were just at Major Katsuragi's apartment!?" Asuka: "I must admit that time is pretty long without school." Hikari: "Please tell me...you're not sick, are you? What's hap- pening?" Asuka: "You really want to know?" Hikari: "Of course." Asuka: "Are you sitting down...?" Hikari (giggling): "Uh-oh...this is going to be interesting...so, what is it...?" Pause. Asuka: "I'm pregnant." Pause (longer). Asuka: "Hikari? You still there?" Hikari: "You got me! What a joke, I can't believe it!" Hikari begins to laugh. There is now a huge sweatdrop on Asuka's forehead. Asuka: "Hikari? I'm not joking AT ALL!" Third pause (even longer). Hikari: "Honestly?" Asuka: "Yes." Hikari (softly): "A-and...w-who is the...the father...?" Asuka: "It's Shinji." Asuka can hear Hikari's jaw dropping to the floor on the other end of the line. Hikari: "...I can't believe it...." Asuka: "But it's true! It's now my third month..." Hikari: "I don't know what to say...a boy or a girl?" Asuka (sighing): "Dr. Akagi will tell me this evening. Misato already knows about its sex, but she doesn't want to tell me anything yet! I'm so nervous..." Some people deal with sudden, shocking news by suddenly coming up with strange jokes out of nowhere. Hikari is this type of person. Hikari: "And if it were...you know...half-girl, half-boy? You know, with all these genetic mutations these days..." Asuka (now fearing the worst): "Don't say such things! You'll bring me bad luck!" Hikari (giggling): "Well...does Ikari know?" Asuka: "OF COURSE HE KNOWS, SINCE I DID *IT* WITH HIM!!!" Hikari: "Oops...sorry...so, you're actually going through with this?" Asuka: "At first, I thought about the...possibility...but I then thought it would be murder if I did it." Obviously, Asuka is not giving her friend the REAL reasons why she wants to keep this child. Hikari: "I understand...I know it's a big issue these days. But, tell me...it's already the third month and you don't know its gender yet? That's quite strange." Asuka: "You think so? Dr. Akagi told me they couldn't get a clear image of the ultrasound scans they took because of the LC--the liquid we work with at NERV in my system." Hikari: "Perhaps..." Asuka: "You think they might by trying to hide something from me?" Hikari: "..." Asuka (sighing, again): "I'm so worried...and if I lose it? I wouldn't want to live anymore. It's now part of me. I think I can feel what a mother feels. This child is everything to me. You know, I'm thinking about the EVAs, about all the things they ask us to do... I wonder if all these things might have any effect on my pregnancy." Hikari: "Perhaps. Believe in the power of science. It's the most important asset that humankind has!" Asuka (laughing): "Cut it out, Hikari! You sound like Wondergirl!" Hikari: "Hey, how about coming to my place tonight?" Asuka: "I'm afraid I can't. Sorry. I'm dying to find out!" Hikari: "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot." Asuka: "Well...it was a pleasure to talk with you, Hikari. I feel so much better now." Hikari: "No problem. I just wanted to hear from you." Asuka: "Okay, bye!" Hikari: "Bye!" Asuka hangs up. Asuka (to herself): "I wonder...why did I decide to keep it? I don't know what's happening, in my body or in my mind...whoa...I'm so tired... (yaawwwwwnn)...I'll just whip up something quick and then, I'll go to sleep...I'm dying to find out, but...I must sleep...I'm too tired... (yaaawwwwwnnnn)..." --- Later that evening at Misato's apartment. The front door opens. Shinji: "Tadaima [I'm home]..." Shinji walks into the apartment. Everything is quiet. Shinji: "Asuka must be sleeping..." He then sees a note on the kitchen table: "To my Shinji-kun (or anyone else), I'm probably sleeping right now. Shinji-kun, Misato will be having Ritsuko over this evening at 6:30 PM. Would you please cook them something? I was too tired to do it myself. Thanks, baka. Your sweety, Asuka-chan." Shinji (crumpling the piece of paper): "Oh, shit...what time is it?" The clock shows 6:20 PM. Shinji: "Oh, no! I knew I shouldn't have gone to AXL's Game Center with Toji and Kensuke!" He begins to cook something quickly... Shinji: "Okay, we still have some fish filets, and there's that box of bread crumbs in the cupboard...get the rice cooker started..." --- 6:30 PM (yeah, I know, punctual, aren't we?). Misato: "Tadaima!!!!" Shinji (from the kitchen): "Shhhhh...You'll wake her!" Misato: "Awww! Don't worry, Shinnn-chan! (hiccup) It'sh gonna be OK!" Shinji (to himself): "Oh, no...drunk AGAIN...!" Ritsuko is standing behind Misato, looking a bit embarrassed. Ritsuko: "Sorry, Shinji-kun. She wanted to stop for a drink on the way home." Shinji: "Yeah, I noticed that." Ritsuko: "I'll put her in bed before she does any more damage." Shinji (surprised): "Any *more* damage?" Ritsuko: "I think my car is trashed." Shinji: "Oh." --- Minutes later, Ritsuko shuts the door of Misato's bedroom. She then comes into the kitchen, where Shinji is cooking. Ritsuko: "What is it this evening?" Shinji: "Breaded fish and rice." Ritsuko: "Quite a...quick meal." Shinji: "When I arrived here, Asuka left a note for me to tell me that you'd be here with Misato-san in ten minutes. It's the only meal I could think to make in so little time." Ritsuko: "I understand." A little later, hey both sit down to eat. Ritsuko: "Shinji-kun..." Shinji: "Yes, Ritsuko-san?" Ritsuko: "Have you noticed anything strange about Asuka's behaviour?" Shinji: "Nothing, really." Ritsuko: "You sure?" Shinji: "I mean...yes, she's a bit nicer to me, but that's all." Ritsuko: "That's all?" Shinji: "I...I think so." Ritsuko: "Well, you'd better prepare yourself." Shinji: "What...?" Ritsuko: "Her behaviour as a woman and now as a mother will make her totally different from the *Asuka* we know." Shinji: "Ah?" Ritsuko: "In the last months, only her child will matter to her, even more than herself." Shinji: "Really?" Ritsuko: "You'll be there to help her, won't you?" Shinji (trying to relax the atmosphere): "Well...unless I get killed in an Angel attack, I think I'll be there." Ritsuko: "This is no joke, Shinji-kun. She needs you. Do you under- stand this?" Shinji: "O-of course...if you say so..." Ritsuko (after finishing her meal): "Gochisousama deshita [Thank you for the feast]. Is there somewhere I can sleep in this place?" Shinji: "Here?" Ritsuko: "I can't go anywhere without my car, so tomorrow I'll have to use Misato's." Shinji: "Oh, of course...there's my bedroom." Ritsuko: "Where'll you sleep?" Shinji: "On the couch..." Ritsuko: "Then I'll take the couch. Good night, Shinji-kun. And don't peek!" She smiles at Shinji. Shinji: "Don't worry..." --- Next morning. Misato wakes up with a strange and unpleasant, but very familiar feeling...a feeling of...a hangover. Misato: "What...oh, my head...I must have drank too much yesterday evening..." She hears the sound of sirens going off from every direction. Misato: "ARRRRGHHH! What's going on? That hurts!! Right, no more Suntory Sento, too weird, stick with Yebichu...WHAT THE--??" She looks towards the window and can now see a mysterious object flying over Tokyo-3! It's shaped like a thin feather with a sphere on the top. Misato: "An Angel!!!!!" She rushes into the hallway, banging on every door. Misato: "Come on, Children! We've got an emergency!!!!" She charges through the living room, and suddenly stops when she notices someone stirring on the couch. Misato: "Ritsuko? You slept there?" Ritsuko (waking up): "Don't you remember? You almost destroyed my car..." Misato: "Oh, I didn't know..." Ritsuko: "What's that sound...?" Misato: "Oh, yes! Wake up and get dressed! There's an Angel attack over Tokyo-3! We must get to HQ!" Ritsuko: "WHAT!!? NOW!? Why do they always have to attack at times like this?" Misato: "Come on! I'll try to get Shinji and Asuka ready." Misato knocks on Shinji's door one more time. Shinji (from inside his room): "Yeah, I heard, Misato-san! I'm get- ting dressed!" Misato: "Okay, hurry up! I'll wake up Asuka!" She knocks on Asuka's door. No answer. Misato: "Asuka! I know you're here! Wake up and get dressed! There's an Angel attacking out there!" She opens the door. Asuka lays there, curled up in her bed. Misato: "Asuka, did you hear me?" Misato walks over and puts a hand on Asuka's shoulder. She's trembling, sweating and grimacing. Misato feels Asuka's forehead... Misato: "Ritsuko! Asuka has a REAL fever this time!!!!! We're taking her with us!" Ritsuko (from the living room): "Great, just what we need now." --- Minutes later, in Central Dogma. Makoto: "Waveform pattern blue! It's an Angel!" Shigeru: "The U.N. said that this isn't in their line of duty." Fuyutsuki: "Well, as usual, we'll have to do the dirty work by ourselves..." Maya: "Major Katsuragi, Dr. Akagi and the Children have just arrived at Central Dogma, sir. Rei's already preparing." Gendo: "Anything else?" Maya: "The Major also said that the Second Child is unable to battle." Fuyutsuki: "It's too early..." Gendo: "I know...SEELE is playing with us." Misato bursts into the control room. Misato: "Sorry I took so long!" Maya: "Major, where's Dr. Akagi?" Misato (quickly): "Down in the hospital, taking care of Asuka. She's got a terrible fever, and she's shaking like a leaf." Maya (to herself): "It seems to be serious this time." Misato: "Hyuuga! Situation report!" Makoto: "It's an Angel, Major. And it's going down directly towards us. If we don't do something right now, Tokyo-3 will be crushed. And us, too, of course." Shigeru: "The target seems to use gravitational force as a power source. It may be as thin as a feather, but it has a weight of 3,000,000,000 tons." Misato: "Incredible...How are the EVAs!?" Maya: "Rei's plug is already inserted in Eva-00. Unit activated and ready for launch!" Seconds later. Maya: "Eva-01 activated and ready for launch!" Misato: "Shinji, Rei! Can you hear me?" Shinji and Rei: "Hai!" Misato: "Okay, guys. Here's the situation: All we know about this Angel is that it may appear light, but it's actually heavy enough to destroy this city if it lands, so advance with care and do NOT let it reach the ground!" Shinji: "Hai." Misato: "Eva-00 and -01! Ha-shin [Launch]!" Eva-00 and Eva-01 both rise from the ground in the seconds following Misato's order for launch. They both take their positions behind buildings. Misato: "If THIS thing comes into contact with even one of you, it'll crush you in no time. Understood?" Rei: "Hai." Shinji: "Misato-san. Where's Asuka?" Misato: "She's pretty ill, so she can't fight with you. Ritsuko is taking care of her." Shinji: "I'll fight for her sake!" Misato: "Good boy. Anyway! Rei, raise your AT Field and try to disable the target's one." Rei: "Diokai [Okay]." She then does as ordered. She raises her AT Field and tries to walk towards the target to reduce the Angel's own Field. But it doesn't seem to be working at all. The Angel's descent continues. Shinji: "AYANAMI!" He comes to her aid by raising his AT Field and coming closer to the Angel. Misato: "Shinji-kun! No! Don't get any closer! You'll get crushed! Rei! Move back!" But the two teens aren't listening... --- A hospital room in Central Dogma. Sohryu Asuka Langley is laying in bed, sleeping, dreaming. A nightmare, if the look on her face is any indication. Asuka's dream... Asuka: "Mama?" ... Asuka: "Mama? Are you there?" ... Asuka: "Mama! Look at me!" Voice: "My dear Asuka..." Asuka: "Mama! Is that you!? Look at me now!" Voice: "You're becoming like me, Asuka-chan." Asuka: "What do you mean? Is that because of...him?" Voice: "No..." Asuka: "Then, why? What do you mean! Answer me!" Voice: "Feelings..." Asuka: "Feelings...? My feelings...? What do you mean?" Voice: "Die, my Asuka...die!" Asuka: "Die...I want to die..." Asuka: "I want to die..." Asuka: "No! I don't want to die!" Voice: "Why?" Asuka: "Because of...him." Voice: "Why?" Asuka: "No...because of...them..." Voice: "Who?" Asuka: "...them..." Voice: "You don't want to die, my Asuka?" Asuka: "NO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" Voice: "Nice. Be free, Asuka. Be free." Asuka: "I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!" Voice: "Open yourself...be a good mother, my daughter..." Asuka: "Open...myself...? A good mother, me?" Voice: "You have to act on your feelings." Asuka: "..." Voice: "Do not withdraw into yourself...open yourself." Asuka: "Mama, is that you?" Voice: "Die!" Asuka: "No. I don't want to die." Voice: "Die!" Asuka: "I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" Voice: "Die! Come with me!" Asuka: "NO! *HE* DOESN'T WANT ME TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! HE NEEDS ME!" Voice: "Die!" Asuka: "SHUT UP! I'll do what I want to do! I'm free! People care for me!" Voice: "Be free." Asuka: "Free..." Voice: "Now, go..." Asuka: "...AH!" She then wakes up in her quiet hospital room, away from the emergency alarms in Central Dogma. --- On the surface... Shinji: "NNNNNNNGGGGGGG.........!" Rei: "NNNNNNGGGGG........" Misato: "Retreat! You can't handle this alone!" (to herself:) "A third one could make it...Asuka..." Ritsuko arrives. Ritsuko: "Major, what is the situation!?" Misato: "Shinji and Rei are working hard against the Angel, but..." Ritsuko: "Don't worry, Asuka is okay. Her fever's going down, and she's now sleeping. She's not sleeping that well, though. I think she's having nightmares..." Misato: "Oh, great..." --- Asuka's hospital room. She's in her bed, thinking... Asuka: "The same nightmare...again..." ...when she overhears the nurses. Nurse 1: "I heard that this monster is going to crush us all!" Nurse 2: "Don't panic, you know these robots protect us." Nurse 1: "Yeah...but...with only two of them...I think..." Asuka (to herself): "An Angel? An Angel attack? Rei and Shinji are taking care of it? By themselves? Scheisse! These dummies CAN'T defeat an Angel without my help..." She then jumps out of her bed and opens her door. Nurse 1: "Hey! Where are you going!?" Asuka: "On duty." Nurse 2: "What? Dr. Akagi told me not to let you out!" Asuka: "Would you rather get killed by this monster above us?" Nurse 1: "..." Asuka: "Then let me go." Nurse 2: "..." Asuka: "I'll assume the answer is 'okay'." She then opens the door and resumes her course...towards EVA-02's cage. --- EVA-02's cage. Asuka stands slumped over a bit, panting, out of breath. She then looks up at the Eva Unit 02. Asuka (hands on her hips): "Okay, Asuka! Ikuhayo!" --- Central Command. Ritsuko: "How can those two resist that much weight...?" Misato: "I dunno...but I don't think the Geofront can handle this any longer." Makoto: "Alert! EVA-02 has been activated!" Misato: "WHAT!?" Ritsuko: "Is there someone in the plug?" Misato: "Establish display of the camera inside!" On a screen, appears Asuka--still in her hospital clothes. Gendo is slightly smiling. Misato: "ASUKA!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THERE!?" Ritsuko: "You're supposed to be in bed! Your condition doesn't allow this!" Asuka: "...sorry. It seems that there is interference in the recep- tion. I can't hear you clearly. I'll cut the comm system and try to fix this." The output screen is now blank. Ritsuko: "Re-establish display!" Maya: "Dame desu [We can't]! The signal is being rejected from inside the plug!" Misato: "Asuka!" --- Inside the plug. Asuka: "Evangelion-02! Hashin!" --- Central Command. Maya: "Sempai...take a look at this..." Ritsuko (looking over Maya's shoulder): "...96.3%!?" Misato: "What's going on!?" Ritsuko: "Her synchro-rate has reached 96% !!! Unbelievable..." Misato: "You...you're joking!?" Maya: "MAGI gives an error percentage of 0.000000001%." Misato: "Asuka!" --- On the surface. Shinji: "Rei...I'm...letting it go..." Rei: "...nnnnngggggggg......." Shinji: "If.....only......Asuka......" EVA-02 suddenly appears from behind. Asuka: "Hey, you missed me, didn't you?" Shinji turns his head back to Asuka. Shinji: "ASUKA! You're safe!" He then turns his attention back to the job at hand. The Angel is now gaining ground... Asuka: "SHINJI NO BAKA [SHINJI, YOU FOOL]!!!!!!!!!" She then runs towards the Angel and stops its advance with only one hand. --- Central Command. Everyone: "Whoaaaa...." Misato: "BUT HOW THE HELL IS SHE DOING THIS!!!?? RITSUKO!" Ritsuko: "I don't know, either! Her synchro rate is almost at 100%!" --- Surface. Asuka: "What the hell are you two doing!? HELP ME!!!" Shinji (amazed by Asuka's fury): "O-of course..." Asuka: "You were probably thinking you would get all the glory, right? WRONG!" They are now beginning to push the Angel away. Asuka (demonstratively): "Yeah, and now?" Shinji: "Errr....Triple Progressive Knife attack...right?" Asuka (sarcastically): "Well thought out." (now angrily:) "OF COURSE, BAKA SHINJI!" The three take advantage of the fact that the Angel must now come back to the point where it was to to take their progressive knives out of their shoulder holsters. Asuka: "NOW!" They all aim the knives at the epicenter of the Angel. A loud inhuman scream comes out from nowhere. The Angel then explodes, taking two or three buildings with it. Fortunately, the EVAs seem to be okay. --- Central Command. Ritsuko: "Her synchro rate just dropped to 0%! Unthinkable!" Misato: "Re-establish display!" The camera of the plug is now reconnected to NERV Central Command. Asuka looks very tired. Asuka: "Misato...Akagi-san...please tell me..." Misato: "What?" Asuka: "A boy or a girl?" Ritsuko: "It'll be a girl, Asuka." Asuka: "...thanks." They can now all see a broadly-smiling Sohryu Asuka Langley sit back, put a hand over her stomach, close her eyes...and fall into a deep sleep. --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Author's notes: Okay, sorry for the "EVA: R"-style Asuka's dream. It was not intended at first, but when I re-read it myself, I found it quite similar to "EVA: R." Oh, and BTW, the Angel seems also a bit similar to Tzachquiel, the 10th Angel (Episode 12). You can see the similarity to "EVA: R" as respect, or as plagiarism... ;-) Don't you think this month NEEDED a little Angel Attack? I thought so... :-) Honestly, I think that Club-Internet (a French ISP) is taking the piss out of their subscribers. Who the hell do they think they are? Okay, the price is low, but that's no reason to put ads on our sites! GRRR....and 10 Mb is not enough (IMHO)...well, you can't be an EVA fan without seeing my website, so check out ASUKA's Notebook at http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/, and E-mail me at aterizak@club-internet.fr! Retooler's note: Suntory Sento is a Japanese brand of beer. Yebichu is what Misato usually drinks (remember, it's not just for breakfast anymore!). Thanks a lot for reading this far! See ya soon! Axel Terizaki. NEXT CHAPTER: "FOURTH MONTH: Something You Shouldn't See Behind This Door." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=FOURTH MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 1999 3 15 & 3 22-23. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 30 & 6 26- 27. Added rewrite by Terizaki, 1999 7 04. Further polishing by Watson, 1999 7 04, 8 09, 9 06 and 10 03. Version 1.4. LAST CHAPTER: Now, almost everyone knows everything about Asuka and Teri (Shinji and Asuka's unborn daughter). During their last fight against an Angel, the entire NERV staff--Misato, Ritsuko, Rei, Shinji, everyone--saw a *new* Asuka, in an inexplicable and unthinkable fury, hold off the Angel with only one hand. Ritsuko could not believe her eyes: 96.3%. This figure has been haunting her every night for the past month. That was Asuka's synchro rate during the raging battle. Ritsuko is doing everything she can in order to discover the story behind that rate. So WHAT'S happening to Asuka? Yeah, I know it's the same question every month, but in this one, you'll find the answers to your questions. Why will you find answers to your questions? Will you find ALL the answers to your questions? How many questions do you have? Will I ever stop asking stupid questions? ;-) NOTE: From this point, the story becomes a bit darker. Sorry, but, like in any story, there always are disruptive elements. --- CAPTION: FOURTH MONTH CAPTION 2: Something You Shouldn't See Behind This Door --- A hand is crossing out a date on a calendar with a pencil. We can see that it's now Sunday, the 27th of November, 2016. Misato looks a little further down the calendar. Misato (to herself): "Oh ho ho! Next Friday is Asuka's birthday! We're gonna have a PARTY!" For Misato, anything is a potential excuse for a party. Asuka comes into the kitchen. Asuka: "What's happening, Misato? Why are you so happy?" Misato turns back to Asuka and takes a good, long look at her stomach. Asuka (following Misato's look): "Hey, stop that! You'll make her blush!" Misato can't help laughing. Asuka: "W-what's so funny!?" Misato: "No, nothing!" (to herself:) "She doesn't seem to be aware that her birthday's coming up!" (to Asuka:) "Don't you see we're close to a special day?" Asuka: "What do you mean?" Misato (to herself): "Doesn't seem to be aware *at all*...perfect! I'll turn it into a surprise party, then!" Asuka: "My turn to ask questions now. What is THIS?" She shows a sign to Misato. Asuka: "Why did you put this on my door!?" Written on the sign: "Asuka and Teri-chan's Room." Asuka: "So? Still waiting!" Misato: "Yeah...errr...she's almost there..." Asuka: "Yeah, but not yet! WHEN she's there, I'll ask you for a new sign, okay?" Misato: "But I just wanted to welcome a new roommate!" Asuka: "I said that WHEN she's there..." Misato: "Okay, okay. I see..." Asuka: "By the way, where's Shinji?" Misato: "I think he said he would be at AXL's Game Center with Toji and Kensuke." Asuka: "Oh (sigh)." (to herself:) "I'm dying of boredom here, and *he* has fun with his friends...damn!" --- Central Dogma. Ritsuko is typing something on her laptop in her office. Maya comes over and reads over her sempai's shoulder. Maya: "The Second Child Pregnancy Report?" Ritsuko: "Yes. And it seems that there's a problem." Maya: "Huh?" Ritsuko: "The LCL seems to be having some sort of effect on Asuka's genes. And on those of her child, as well." Maya: "That's horrible! Can't we do anything about this?" Ritsuko: "I don't know. Besides, it doesn't seem to be the same LCL we use in the other entry plugs. Look at this--traces of something like tetra-9 hydrocannabinol. But strangely, it doesn't seems to affect the health of the pilot...but...yeah...wait a sec..." She keys in a few commands. Ritsuko: "Maybe..." Maya: "Maybe those molecules have something to do with the high synchronization rate, then." Ritsuko: "Yeah, that may be...I'll ask MAGI. Go and get some sleep. Maya: "You're right, sempai. It's already late." Ritsuko: "Yeah, we've all had a hard day. Good night. I'll see you tomorrow." Maya: "See you tomorrow, sempai." Exit Maya. Ritsuko rolls away from her laptop for a moment, and closes her eyes, reclining in her swivel chair. Suddenly, someone puts their hands over her eyes. Man's voice: "Guess who?" Ritsuko turns back, surprised. Ritsuko: "Kaji-kun! You've come back!" Kaji: "Yeah. Paris-2 was great, but I prefer Tokyo-3." Ritsuko: "I'm glad you're finally back." Kaji: "Did I miss anything?" Ritsuko (laughing): "Yeah, some things." Kaji (leaning over the laptop): "W-what? She decided to..." Ritsuko: "It seems your little protegee wants to raise a child..." Kaji: "Really?" Ritsuko: "Yes." Kaji: "Hey, I'll have to congratulate those two when I visit Katsuragi. By the way, is she around?" Ritsuko: "No, she's on holiday." Kaji (smiling): "Oh. Okay, then, I'll just date her when she comes back." Ritsuko: "..." (to herself:) "In your dreams..." Kaji: "So, see ya 'round, Rit-chan. I've been transferred to your section, you know..." Ritsuko: "I don't think Misato will appreciate..." --- TUESDAY. Shinji is on his bed, hands under his head, looking at the ceiling. He is thinking about...about how fierce Asuka was in her last battle. He can picture the rage on Asuka's face, as if she was possessed by some demon. Shinji (to himself): "How could she have done that?" Knock, knock... Misato (from outside): "Shinji-kun? Are you there?" Shinji: "Hai..." She enters and shuts the door behind her. She then sits on the bed, next to Shinji. Misato: "Do you know what day it is today?" Shinji: "Of course. It's Sunday. Haven't you looked at the calendar?" Misato: "Yes, but...in five days, it'll be...?" Shinji: "Friday." Misato: "...the...?" Shinji: "Fourth of December. What do you mean?" Misato: "You don't know!?" Shinji (after thinking a moment): "No." Misato (furious): "IT'S YOUR WIFE'S BIRTHDAY!!!! She'll be 15!" Shinji (realizing): "Hey! She's NOT my wife!.....her birthday?" Misato: "That's what I've been trying to tell you for five minutes now!" Shinji: "Oh...I see...I'll have to buy her a present..." Misato: "Yeah, of course. But I wanted to ask you if you could invite your friends to the party." Shinji: "Okay, I'll ask them tomorrow...but do you think they HAVE to know?" Misato: "Well, I don't think we can avoid the unavoidable any more." Shinji: "I guess you're right, Misato-san." The doorbell rings. Misato: "I'll go and see who's there." Shinji doesn't move, since he wants to take a little nap. Just when he closes his eyes, he hears an outburst coming from the doorway, destroying his moment of peace. Misato: "DAMMIT! *YOU* AGAIN?!" Kaji: "Hey, I just came back from France and that's how you welcome me? Why don't you treat me like you did one week before my trip, huh?" Misato: "Shut up! I was drunk, okay!? That'll never happen again!" Kaji: "May I trust your hormones or your words? (TM). I wanted to congratulate Ikari Asuka Langley first." Misato: "She's not here. And besides, they're not married! They'd kill you if they heard this!" Too late. Shinji heard it, but he's not really upset by it. He's now in the living room, and he sees Kaji. Shinji: "Kaji-san!" Kaji (turning his eyes towards Shinji): "Hi, Shinji. How are you? I heard that..." Misato: "THIS IS TOP SECRET, RYOUJI!" Kaji: "Hey, hey, hey! I have to know. I took care of Asuka before she installed herself here, remember? And I'll add that I'm now reintegrated as part of NERV, so..." Misato: "That's no reason, and it's definitely none of your concern." Shinji: "Oh, by the way, Kaji-san, would you like to come to a party?" Misato: "Huh?" Kaji: "What is it?" Shinji: "For Asuka's birthday, next Friday." Kaji: "Yeah, I remember...she'll be 15, right?" Shinji: "Yes." Misato is completely speechless. Kaji: "Of course. So, I--" Misato cuts him off by pushing him towards the front door. Misato: "So, you'll come to her birthday party, and you'll be her present, okay? Now bye." She shoves him out the door and locks the door behind him. Shinji: "Misato, he's a friend, I don't think..." Misato looks at Shinji angrily, with flames in her eyes. Shinji: "Uhh...never mind." --- WEDNESDAY MORNING. Asuka is up early this morning. She is fully dressed, her long red hair is tied behind her head and she's wearing an apron as she cooks breakfast. Shinji walks into the kitchen, dressed for school. Misato follows close behind him, dressed in her...hmm...well, you know how she dresses when she's on holiday... let's just say, quite light. Shinji (seeing Asuka cooking): "Gulp..." Asuka (frowning at him): "Hey! I CAN cook sometimes!" Misato: "Huh?....." Shinji: "W-what...you..." Asuka: "Oh, stop that! I have the right to dress any way I want and to tie my hair so you won't be hurt by its divine beauty!" Misato: "It's just...so unusual..." Asuka is fuming dangerously. Her two roommates knew that she is reaching her limit. Misato: "Hey, calm down. You prepared breakfast? How nice." She nudges Shinji. Shinji (quickly glancing at Misato, and then looking at Asuka): "Y-yeah...very nice." Asuka: "Okay, sit down, fools." They begin to eat their breakfast, but soon after that, Shinji stands up and heads to the front door. Shinji (without looking at Asuka): "Thanks, the food was excellent. Bye." Asuka (while Shinji is leaving): "Pfff... baka." Misato: "He's right. The food was excellent." Asuka: "It's a conspiracy! Suddenly, I decide to be nicer to you two and..." Misato (interrupting her): "Hey, I'm not joking! The food was really excellent, Asuka. You should cook more often. It's one of the best breakfasts I've ever ate!" Asuka: "You mean, it's one of the *first* breakfasts you've ever ate, don't you?" Misato is puzzled... Asuka (sarcastically): "Or...is it one of the first breakfasts you ever ate without Kaji's 'sauce'?" Misato (shocked): "W-what do you mean!?" Asuka: "Oh, nothing, nothing...!" --- >From outside the apartment, we can hear the two women arguing. Misato (shouting): "You're disgusting!!!" Asuka (laughing): "H-hey! You never stopped moaning his name while you were sleeping! 'Oh, Kaji! Yeeesssss!!! I want more!!!! That tastes so gooood!!!! Gimme more breakfast!!!'" Misato: "You bitch! You watched me sleeping!" Asuka: "Of course! I was wondering where all the noisy moans came from! I'm sure even Shinji heard you! You could wake the dead!" Misato: "I'll kill you for this!" Asuka: "Wait five more months, or it'll be a double murder!" Misato: "No, I won't wait!" Sounds of various objects flying and crashing on walls can be heard from outside... --- FRIDAY (yeah, I know, nothing interesting happens on Thursdays...but TODAY...the truth is here (errr... 'now' would be a bit more appropriate)). A hand violently slams a file folder down on a desk. Ritsuko is in front of Gendo's desk in Terminal Dogma. Ritsuko: "How do you explain THIS!?" Gendo: "There's nothing to explain." Ritsuko: "But...you're already using these children...and now a fetus...you've already used everyone here anyway..." Her voice is now breaking, and tears are starting to well up in her eyes. Ritsuko: "You're a madman..." Gendo: "My plan is almost complete, I will help giving birth to the first--" Ritsuko: "That's disgusting!!!!" She is now crying. Ritsuko: "They made this little girl with their love...and you...you want to snatch her out of their hands! Just to serve your dirty little plans..." Gendo: "..." Ritsuko: "WHY? Why are you using those DNA agents in this new type of LCL!? WHY does this child need these!? You know what the consequences of--" Gendo: "I know. But I can't allow this...detail to block my schedule." Ritsuko slaps Gendo's face with all the power she has. Ritsuko: "NO! That can't be!!! The fact that her synchro rate was high was only one symptom of what you've done! Now, I know that the side effects of this manipulation are going to be much more horrible! And you call this a 'detail'!? Shinji will kill you!" She really explodes into tears now... Gendo: "Calm down. Everything will go as planned. As soon as the 'manipulation' is complete, I'll return the child to them, in her original..." (his voice trails off:) "...state." Ritsuko: "I-I don't know if I can trust you...and something inside me tells me that I shouldn't. But I know one thing: Nobody, you hear? Nobody will forgive you for THIS!" Gendo: "You're dismissed now, Dr. Akagi." She leaves, lowering her head. Fuyutsuki appears from a dark corner... Fuyutsuki: "I don't think you're using the appropriate methods to get what we want." Gendo: "You know very well that SEELE is after this project, too. I can't allow them to disturb my plans. And besides, Rei couldn't do this for me. She has one purpose, and only one." Fuyutsuki: "You know you'll be a grandfather." Gendo: "Yes. I am thrilled to know that I'll be the grandfather of the first Genesis Child." --- In the elevator to the surface. Ritsuko (to herself, while wiping the tears from her face): "Poor Shinji..." --- SUNDAY (D-Day) MORNING. As usual now, Asuka is standing in the kitchen, cooking something for her roommates. Misato gets up earlier than usual and comes into the kitchen... Misato: "No!" Asuka (puzzled): "What's going on?" Misato: "You can't do anything today!" Asuka: "What?" Misato: "No way! Shinji's not awake?" Asuka: "Don't think he is." Misato: "I'll wake him up, then..." She goes into Shinji's room... Asuka (to herself): "What's up with her?" Misato then comes back in the kitchen with a still-sleepy Shinji. Misato: "Shinji, YOU cook." Shinji: "W-why me?" Misato: "You know why! You want to die!?" Shinji: "Oh, yeah..." Asuka: "You don't want to cook, Misato?" Misato: "I asked if you wanted to die..." Asuka (giggling): "Oh, I see..." --- EVENING. Asuka sits on the couch while Misato and Shinji tidy up the apartment. Asuka: "Why must I stay on the couch!?" Misato: "Are you blind or what?" Asuka: "No, why?" Misato: "It's your B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y!" Asuka: "..." Misato: "You're now 15! Let's party! Everyone will arrive in a minute!" Asuka: "You...you remembered?" She looks at Shinji. Asuka: "You too, Shinji?" Shinji: "Y-yeah...sort of." Asuka (looking down at her feet): "..." Misato: "What's happening?" Asuka: "It's just that...I can't remember the last time I celebrated my birthday..." Misato: "Oh, god, don't tell me it's the first time you..." Asuka: "I can't remember, sorry." Misato: "I see. So, have fun tonight! You WON'T be bored this time!" Asuka: "Thanks..." --- In the hallway of the apartment building, the elevator opens itself to reveal Hikari, Toji and Kensuke. After walking out, Hikari stops outside the apartment door, and turns to face the other two. Toji: "What's going on, Hikari?" Hikari: "You know why we were invited here, don't you?" Kensuke: "Yeah, it's Asuka's birthday." Hikari: "And you don't wonder why she has never been to school for nearly three months now?" Toji: "N-no...Ikari told us she was ill..." Hikari (looking down at the floor): "Well...in fact, that's not true. But promise me you'll keep your calm when you see her. Okay?" Kensuke: "Why? What's going on?" Hikari: "I have to tell you this now so you won't do or say anything awkward in front of her." Toji: "..." Hikari: "She's expecting a baby." Kensuke's jaw drops to the floor. Toji: "She's *WHAT*?" Hikari: "Shhhhhh! You understand now?" Kensuke (putting his jaw back in place): "You...you mean...all this time, she was--" Hikari: "She IS pregnant, okay? And I don't want to hear any vile comments during her birthday party! Keep things happy tonight, okay?" Toji: "Y-yeah, but...that came so suddenly...errr, wait a sec... S-Shinji's not--?" Hikari: "Yes, he is. By the way, I hope you didn't forget the present..." Kensuke: "Of course not!" We can see a bag in Kensuke's hands. Rei comes out of the same elevator they used a little earlier. Hikari: "Ayanami. Konnichiwa [Hello]!" Toji & Kensuke: "Konnichiwa!" Rei (softly, while walking up to the apartment door): "Konnichiwa." --- >From inside the apartment, we can hear some soft background music. DING DONG! Shinji: "Haaaii!! I'm coming!" He opens the door to reveal Hikari, Rei, Toji and Kensuke... Shinji: "Come in!" Kensuke drops the bag in the hallway. Toji (whispering to Shinji while entering): "You sly dog." Shinji blushes. While entering the living room, Toji and Kensuke can't help but stare at an Asuka they hadn't seen for months...and especially at her stomach. Hikari nudges them. They shake their heads. Toji: "H-hello, Asuka." Kensuke (trembling): "H-hi...how are y-you...?" Asuka: "I'm fine, thank you." Toji and Kensuke cannot believe their ears...or their eyes. Asuka then notices Rei behind them. Asuka: "Hi, Rei!" Rei (flatly): "Hello." Asuka (to herself): "Hmph, as usual, Wondergirl is extremely talka- tive." Hikari holds out the bag Kensuke had in his hands seconds earlier. Hikari: "Happy birthday, Asuka. This is from Toji, Kensuke and me." Asuka slowly takes the bag from Hikari's hands. Asuka: "Thanks a lot, you three..." She then smiles warmly and bows to them. Toji and Kensuke are floored yet again. To see such a display of politeness from the most arrogant girl they've ever known, who couldn't let a day pass without calling them some insulting name or other...they're on the verge of fainting. Toji (to himself): "Asuka...smiled and bowed...to me????" Kensuke rubs his eyes to make sure this isn't a dream, his imagination, or a hallucination. Asuka opens the bag and takes something covered in wrapping paper out of it. She drops the empty bag, rips the paper off and shows everyone the beautiful dress she's holding. It's a sun dress, nearly as red as her plug suit. She then holds it against her body to see if it would fit well. It seems like it will. Asuka: "Thank you all very much." She then delicately lays the dress on the couch where she was sitting moments earlier. Misato (nudging Rei): "Go on, Rei, give her your present." Rei: "Hai." She heads towards Asuka and gives her a small gift-wrapped parcel. Asuka: "Thank you, Rei." This time, however, she does not bow to Rei. She opens the package and takes out the nice mechanical pencil which was inside. Asuka (to herself): "I can't believe this! Wondergirl is so stingy! Well, at least she gave me something." She then smiles at Rei. Misato presents Asuka with a small photograph. Misato: "Here is mine, Asuka. Sorry, I didn't know what else I could give you this evening." The picture shows Kaji, half-naked, striking a slightly macho pose (you know, like in all those women's magazines...). Asuka: "Errr...quite cute...I never thought you had that in your room, Misato..." Misato (blushing): "Um, well, in fact, I found that in some old stuff..." Asuka (gazing at Shinji): "Hey, Shinji-kun, what about you?" Shinji: "Uh...sorry, Asuka...I...errr...I forgot to pick one up." Asuka (livid): "You *WHAT*?" Shinji: "Well...uh...." Misato is also looking at him, puzzled. Shinji can read, "What the fuck are you doing, Shinji!?" in her eyes. Rei is about to move for some reason when Misato speaks up. Misato: "Ritsuko and baka Kaji are still missing. I hope they'll get here soon." Asuka (face lighting up): "Kaji-san is back from France?" Misato: "Hmph, the fool got back last Sunday." Asuka: "Lucky! And you didn't tell me!? How unkind of you." Misato now looks at Shinji. In her expression, Shinji can now read, "You should thank me for saving your life, baka" (Shinji's very good at reading people's gazes...). --- Later, Kaji and Ritsuko arrived at about the same time. Ritsuko gave Asuka a kanji dictionary while Kaji offered some perfume he bought in Paris-2. Asuka was very happy. She knew then that she has friends and people who care for her. Not for what she's done, but for who she is. Ritsuko had a difficult time trying to concentrate on the festivities, knowing what she does about Gendo's plans and wanting so badly to tell somebody about it. However, given the setting and the company, she forced herself to stay quiet...for the time being. Ritsuko (to herself): "Let's not disturb this moment of happiness..." --- Everyone is sitting around the living room table, eating the cake Hikari baked for her friend's birthday. A thought strikes Asuka. She looks at Shinji, grinning almost triumphantly... Asuka: "Hey, baka Shinji." Shinji (gulps): "Uh, w-what?" Asuka: "I know how you'll rectify this omission." Shinji (gulps again): "I begin to fear..." Asuka: "You'll have to do all my chores for one month, okay? That's your punishment." Shinji thinks for a few seconds. Shinji (reluctantly): "Deal..." Misato (to herself): "Didn't he tell me he bought something yester- day...? What's the matter with you, Shinji?" Kensuke: "Poor Shinji...we pity you in your time of darkness. We'll miss you." Toji (taking a second piece of the cake): "This cake is damn good, Hikari. I'd like to try anything else you can make, like a bento or something like that." Hikari (blushing at the compliment): "Why not?" Toji (who didn't expect that): "You serious?" Hikari: "Of course." Toji is speechless. Asuka: "Toji, you shouldn't be that surprised, you know..." Everyone laughs as Toji and Hikari blush... Kaji (in front of Asuka): "And why not talk about the future, Asuka? Or should I say Ikari Asuka Langley?" Asuka turns a vivid shade of red while Shinji tries to hide himself under the table. Asuka: "Kaji-san, please understand that there's nothing between me and stupid Shinji, okay?" Everyone is grinning and staring at them, not really convinced by Asuka's words. Fate wants Shinji to sit by Asuka's side. But the two teens already know that Fate's second name in this apartment is Misato. Rei takes a quick glance at Shinji, but it seems that only Shinji notices this. She smiles at him. She only ever smiled at him or Gendo in her entire life. Shinji knew that well. For him, a smile from Rei is like some sort of protection spell. He feels like nothing bad can happen to him now. Shinji (to himself): "Thank you, Rei..." Pause. Asuka (standing up): "Okay, okay, everyone. I know I'm now 15 and that I'm too young to have children, but...well...okay, you win, I have no excuse for this. But Teri will be here in about four months and I hope you'll all welcome her to our sorry world." Shinji's reverie is broken by Asuka's manner of speech. He now feels as much like an outsider as Toji and Kensuke do, despite his role in what she was just talking about. Shinji (to himself, while looking at Asuka): "Why are you being so mean? It's your birthday, but still..." (frowning, still to himself:) "You could have talked a little bit about me, at least. I'm responsible for this situation, too. I'm Teri's father, Asuka. Please don't forget it..." While everyone else congratulates her, Shinji stands up and heads to his room without a word. You can hear him shut the door behind him. Asuka: "Pffff....what a baka." Misato (to herself): "Asuka...you're not being very fair with him..." Kaji: "And now, let's drink a little to celebrate these events! What about you, Katsuragi!?" Misato: "Okay, THIS time, I'll go along with you. Let's have a drink!" Big surprise, huh? It's part of Misato's ethics that she absolutely CANNOT refuse a drink. --- When everyone left, Misato had already collapsed from her drunken state. Shinji was already in his room, since he left the party two hours before it ended. Asuka is the only one still on her feet. She collects the presents she was given for her birthday. A red dress, a bottle of French perfume, a kanji dictionary... Asuka (to herself): "Well, where's that damn dictionary!?" She opens Shinji's door. Asuka: "Hey, Shinji-kun, have you s..." Her voice trails off when she sees Shinji on his bed, asleep with a very hard frown on his face. Asuka (to herself): "Either he's having nightmares, or he's feeling pain and regret for forgetting to buy me a birthday present, the baka!" She glances around his room, not looking for anything in particular, and her shin knocks against something on the floor. With the force of her Divine German Feet, Asuka pushes over Shinji's wastebasket. Fate, this time not directly linked to Misato, had decided that a little square box should bounce out and land at her feet. She crouches down and picks it up. Asuka (to herself): "What's this?" In the beam of light from the hallway, she can read, on a piece of paper tied to the box by a thin red ribbon, "To Asuka." Asuka (to herself, puzzled): "A...a present!? Why...?" Her thoughts trail off when she opens the little box. There is a beautiful silver ring with a fiery red ruby mounted in it. Asuka (to herself): "Shinji...baka...." She then stands up, and puts the ring on the third finger of her right hand. Asuka (to herself): "It's my size...why, Shinji? Why didn't you give this to me yourself...?" She then walks to his futon and leans over him...and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Tears now begin to flow from her eyes. Asuka (wiping away the tears with the back of her hand): "Why am I crying...? I can't be..." She runs into her room and shuts the door. She then curls up on her bed and begins to cry. Asuka: "NO! I CAN'T FALL IN LOVE!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I JUST CAN'T!!! THIS CAN'T BE LOVE...!" She puts her hands on her head... Asuka: "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I HAVE TO BE STRONG, I..." She has only one thing in mind now. Shinji. Pictures of him flow across her vision...she can't see anything else. Shinji. She can't see anyone else. Shinji...his image is now haunting her even more than the one of her own mother. She then remembers what she said to him, how he behaved. He looked so weak, she looked so strong. Like magnets, they were opposites, but they couldn't avoid each other. She was scornful, and he was always ready to hold out his hand...a warm sensa- tion surrounds her body, and penetrates her heart, like a progressive knife. Asuka (between sobs): "I...can't...love him....." But who can fight against love? --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Author's notes: Hope you weren't disappointed by the dark moments in this chapter. Yeah, now you know what's happening to Asuka, don't you? I told you you'd find out in this part. I was very happy to see that some people sent me their impressions on the RAAC and SDAT postings. Thanks to you all. And my special thanks goes to Alain Gravel (aka Rakna) for all the help and comments. Thanks again, my friend! The second place in my special thanks goes to Borderline Case, who helped me avoid publishing this part with the BIGGEST mistake I've ever made (I won't say what it was, I'm so ashamed)! And of course, thanks to my other pre-readers, EBJ and Al-l-Boogz (go and read "Imagine Normality"!) You cab send E-mail to: aterizak@club-internet.fr I answer ALL of my E-mails! Now, here are the answers to questions you may want to ask me: For the date, my 486DX 50 notebook made all the calculations...and don't laugh (I've owned this one since 1994)! What is AXL's Game Center, you'll ask? You'll find out in the next chapter...okay, that was a joke. AXL's Game Center is actually an arcade center in my fic. In the real world, it's the name of a network party I organize with a lot of friends. We all gather in a village hall or other great place and we play on LAN multiplayer games for almost four days non-stop. A real brain-washing party... :-) The structure: " May I trust your XXX or your YYY" is copyrighted material from Ryouji Kaji. :-> ) (thus the trademark notice). A 'bento' is a Japanese term to describe a boxed lunch consisting of rice and other small food items which can be eaten cold or heated. They can be prepared at home or bought at convenience stores and grocery stores in Japan, and range from the basic to the elaborate and colourful. The retooler ate a few of them while he was in Japan and he says that they're pretty good. If a girl prepares a bento for a boy, that means that...yeah, she has something for him, heh heh.:-) See ya soon, Axel Terizaki (Devoted follower of the AFC Sohryu Asuka Langley Fan Club) NEXT CHAPTER: "FIFTH MONTH: The Shield." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=FIFTH MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 1999 2 20. Corrected by EBJ (e.barone@flashnet.it), 1999. Re-retooled by The Author Himself of This Buggy Fanfic (I know... I know...). Re-corrected by EBJ. Re-re-corrected and retooled by The Author Himself, Who's Gonna Go Insane. Re-re-re-corrected by Watson (who IS insane, not to mention nitpicky) yet again, 1999 3 15 & 3 23. Polished and corrected yet again by Watson, 1999 5 30, 6 28-7 01, 8 09, 9 07 and 10 03 (what did I tell you?). Up the meds. Version 1.8! LAST CHAPTER: It was Asuka's birthday last month. Everything had gone as planned (by Misato) and the party was a success. Except for one boy. Ikari Shinji had not offered his present to Asuka that evening. However, Asuka discovered it by accident and now she's trying to understand the very uneasy feeling she's having these days because of this present: A ring. A beautiful ring enclosed in a little silk-lined box that Shinji had dropped in his wastebasket. Only this present made her feel like it was her birthday. Neither the sun dress Hikari gave her nor the perfume from her Kaji-san made her feel special this evening. Only this ring. Why did Shinji buy her a ring? Why did he keep it a secret, knowing that Asuka would be furious if he didn't give her a present? What was the meaning behind the ring? Was it the kind you would give to a girl as a sign of true friendship? Was the ring valuable and expensive? Why is the sky blue? --- CAPTION: FIFTH MONTH CAPTION 2: The Shield --- Christmas and New Year's Eve had been very strange days for Shinji. Since Asuka's birthday, everything had become VERY complicated for him. He tried to escape it by retreating to his bedroom after dinner every day for the past month. Shinji was trying to understand what was going on with Asuka. He even tried to talk to her about it a few times, but she always pushed him away. All in all, life wasn't that bad, just a little complicated. But an evil surprise awaits our friends... --- Asuka's dream. We are in an empty white space. Asuka: "Not another one...! What do you want NOW!?" Voice: "Are you happy with this situation?" Asuka: "Of course I am! Everything's okay!" Voice: "Are you sure?" Asuka: "..." Voice: "Are you sure?" Asuka: "Okay, you win. I'm an absolute fool. Shinji hates me and Wondergirl will probably take him away from me. Aside from those tiny details, everything else is all right." Voice: "Are you sure?" Asuka: "I SAID EVERYTHING IS OKAY!" Voice: "Are you sure?" Asuka: "I...I...I think..." Voice: "Are you sure?" Asuka: "No...I...I can't take this life anymore..." Asuka: "I want to die!" Asuka: "I WANT TO DIE!" Asuka: "I WANT TO DIE!!!" Voice: "You want to come with me to Heaven, Asuka-chan?" Asuka: "Mama...I'm coming..." Another voice (similar to Asuka's): "NO!" Voice: "Your father doesn't love us anymore. Come with me..." Asuka: "I'm...coming, mama..." Asuka feels herself starting to fly, rising upwards in the empty space, when suddenly... Other voice: "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! I NEED YOU!" The white space shatters and now a black void replaces it. Another Asuka appears from nowhere, a small one, with intense dark blue eyes, almost brown, or black. Asuka couldn't tell what color they were, but they were dark, like...like...Shinji's. Asuka: "You're..." Chibi-Asuka: "I'm nothing now, it seems." Asuka: "So, why do you need me?" Chibi-Asuka: "Because you were my first vision." Asuka: "You can't be..." Chibi-Asuka: "Yes. I am." Asuka: "Teri?! I must be going crazy. That's impossible." Teri: "Do you understand now why you cannot give up?" Asuka: "Don't give up? What are you talking about? No little girl is gonna tell me what to do!" Teri: "I'm your daughter. Don't I have any say in the matter?" Asuka: "..." Teri: "You tried to commit suicide." Asuka: "You're here to try to stop me from dying, aren't you?" Teri: "Yes. Hopefully, with *his* help, I'll be able to bring you back. I can't do it alone. You should thank him." Asuka: "What the..." Teri: "You understand now, why both of us need you?" Asuka: "Y-yes...I think." Teri: "Good. Don't ever do this again or I won't love you anymore! Now go, be free, and believe in yourself and in those around you...I love you, okasan [mother]." These last words echo in Asuka's mind a few seconds before she opens her eyes, in the real world this time. --- Asuka is in a room she knows very well. A NERV hospital room. She turns her head left and right, searching for something...or someone. Asuka (whispering to herself): "Quite smart for a little girl...like her mother, heh heh." Misato is behind the window in the corridor. She sees that the Second Child has awakened, and decides to come in. As she enters the room, she doesn't say anything. Asuka: "Misato..." Misato approaches Asuka and suddenly slaps her across the face. Misato (in a breaking voice): "Asuka no baka! You..." Tears escape from her eyes. Misato: "You're alive..." She begins to cry. Asuka sits up in her bed, looking at Misato, puzzled. Asuka: "Hey! Why did you hit me!?" Misato: "We...were so worried. What were you thinking? Why did you take those sleeping pills in the bathroom!!?" Asuka: "I...okay. Sorry, Misato...I regret what I did." Misato: "You should thank Shinji. He's the one who found you. If he hadn't been home......" Asuka: "..." Misato: "Instead of always picking on him, you should be grateful to him! You owe him your life now. No, you owe him two lives. He was in tears when he phoned me! You worried him so much! DO YOU UNDER- STAND THAT!?" Misato is obviously furious, but that doesn't scare Asuka at all. Asuka: "And him? How many times has he owed me for saving him in miss--" She's interrupted by another slap from Misato. This time, however, it feels more like a punch than a slap. Asuka is almost thrown from the bed by the impact. Misato: "I...can't understand what's wrong with you, Asuka!! You did *IT* with him, and now you reject him. For all these months, I REALLY tried to help you two! But you never made any effort on your part!" Asuka (rubbing her cheek in pain): "Hypocrite! Y-you do the same things with Kaji!" Misato: "You see this!?" She takes a ring from her jacket. Misato: "I found this ring in your room yesterday. I didn't ask Shinji about this, but I'm sure he gave this to you as your birthday present. Are you aware of the meaning behind such a ring, young lady?" Asuka: "N-no...er, I mean, y-yes, I..." This is one of the few times Asuka has problems finding words to say. Misato: "It's an engagement ring! You fool! Now take a look at this." She takes another ring from her jacket. It's a bit different. The gem mounted in it is blue in color, and smaller. Misato: "You see this? Kaji gave this to me when we were students. When I loved him. He said he wouldn't leave me. He didn't have the chance. I dumped him a few weeks later. And even now, I don't know why. But I know one thing: This present meant that he loved me, or at least tried to." Nothing on Earth could have made Asuka meet Misato's gaze at that moment. Except, perhaps, a certain EVA pilot... Misato: "Dammit! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" She takes Asuka's chin in her hand. Asuka doesn't show any resistance. Misato: "You KNOW what I mean, don't you!?" Asuka (trembling): "I...I...he loves me...?" Misato (releasing Asuka's head): "OF COURSE HE DOES! Why would a boy give such a beautiful ring to a girl if it wasn't to tell her that he loves her? You're really pathetic!" Asuka: "I...I know...I think I feel the same way." Misato is now stunned. Misato: "W-what!? You say you feel the same way and...you go on ignoring and snubbing him? Something is wrong here." Asuka: "Yes, maybe. But this is so complicated..." Misato: "Guess what? Love is a complicated thing." The two exchange a smile. Misato: "I'm glad to see you're okay." Asuka: "Thanks. May I look at those rings closer?" Misato: "Sure." She gives her the rings. Asuka takes one in each hand and takes a close, lingering look at each one of them. Misato: "What's on your mind?" Asuka: "Nothing. I was just realizing that the size of the two gems really reflects on their givers'." Misato (shocked): "W-what do you mean?" Asuka: "You heard me. I mean that Shinji's is bigger than Kaji-san's." Misato: "You can't be serious!" >From the corridor, Ritsuko arrives and overhears the women's 'two-way' conversation. Asuka: "Of course, since I SAW the two of them!" Misato: "You too!? But I really think Kaji's is bigger." Asuka: "Y-You saw Shinji's!?" Misato: "That was an accident!" (softer:) "Why? Jealous?" Asuka (shouting): "I'M NOT JEALOUS! You affenschwanz [idiot, stupid]!" Misato: "WHAT!?" Ritsuko chooses this moment to come in. Ritsuko: "Well, it seems our little adventurer is fully awake now, despite the large number of sleeping pills she swallowed." Misato: "Don't worry, Ritsuko, she's in full form!" Ritsuko: "Good. But let me tell you one thing: Using drugs, even if it's only sleeping pills, is not recommended at all during a pregnancy." Asuka: "I'm sorry, Dr. Akagi, I-I..." Ritsuko: "Well, at least you didn't commit a murder-suicide like--" She then notices what she's about to say. Ritsuko (lowering her head): "...sorry." Asuka: "..." Uncomfortable pause. Asuka: "By the way, Misato, what time is it?" Misato: "We should hurry home, Shinji'll be waiting for us. You slept for nearly 20 hours, you know." --- At the apartment. Misato (entering the apartment with Asuka): "Shinji-kun! I'm back!" Shinji (from the living room): "Welcome home, Misa--" He's very surprised to see Asuka there as well. Misato (to herself): "Let's see her get out of this tight spot." Asuka looks down, as if she's trying to say "I'm sorry" without having to use her voice. Shinji takes a long, sad look at her and heads to his room, shutting the door behind him. Misato: "You understand now?" Asuka: "Shinji's nothing but a baka." And she heads off to her own room. Misato (frowning, to herself): "You're nothing but ungrateful, Asuka!" --- Asuka's room. She lays on her bed, thinking about yesterday. FLASHBACK: The previous day. We see the same image of Asuka laying on her bed and thinking, similar to before the flashback. Asuka: "This can't be! This situation is almost impossible to handle...I can't look him in the eyes anymore...a MONTH! It's been going on for a whole month! Every time I see him, I can't control myself...I am someone else...but I don't want to be someone else! I'm Sohryu Asuka Langley! No one else...the only one I can think of now is him! WHY!? I'm strong!!! I can't be in love! I'll neglect my duties if I fall for him!" Pause. Asuka: "...but it seems now that it's already too late..." (tired sigh:) "I'm fed up with this life...the worst thing that could happen now would be him turning into a romantic...that would be the coup de grace for me...it's the only thing I can't resist...I *MUST NOT* LOVE HIM!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHH!!!! NO!!!!!!" Pause. Asuka (trembling): "No...I can't...hate him...but I don't want to love him...I have to find a solution..." She then thinks of something. Asuka: "...sorry, everyone." She gets up from her bed and heads to the living room, where Shinji is watching TV with Pen-Pen. Asuka: "Shinji-kun...do you know where could I find sleeping pills in this apartment?" Shinji (not listening very carefully): "Yeah, in the bathroom. Why?" Asuka: "I want to kill myself." Shinji (still paying more attention to the TV show): "That's nice. Don't make too much noise, please." Asuka (to herself): "Hmph. Baka." Minutes later. Shinji (realizing): "W-what did she just say...? She--no... ASUKA!!!!" He then runs to the bathroom. The door is locked. Shinji: "Damn! Why did Misato let herself be convinced to put a lock on this stupid door!?" He tries to force the doorknob... Shinji: "ASUKA! OPEN THE DOOR!!! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!!!! PLEASE! I...I..." (his voice trails off:) "...I'm sorry. Really. If you want to talk to someone, I'm here. I know how you feel...OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!" However, there's still no answer from Asuka. He tries to smash in the door with all his strength. After a few tries, he finally succeeds in getting into the bathroom. Asuka is laying on the floor, with a strange smile on her face, and an empty vial which once held sleeping pills beside her. --- THE PRESENT: A few days later. Central Dogma. Ritsuko and Maya are updating the MAGI. Maya: "The Second Child is okay now?" Ritsuko: "Miraculously, she awoke 20 hours after her suicide attempt." Maya: "Why did she do that? That's horrible..." Ritsuko (in a low voice): "Something worse is being prepared right now, you know..." Maya: "What?" Ritsuko: "Um, never mind. By the way, I need some of these green specimen bottles that arrived not long ago for a new experiment. They should be in warehouse #17 now." Maya: "A new experiment? What is it?" Ritsuko (smiling): "Sorry, Maya. I can't tell you. It's really top secret." Maya (leaving the room): "Okay, Sempai. You'll have them in a minute." --- Terminal Dogma. Fuyutsuki: "The suicide attempt was in your plans?" Gendo: "No, but the G-agent in her blood did the job very well. Even Akagi didn't notice anything." Fuyutsuki: "You're hiding so many things..." Gendo: "Common people wouldn't understand the future I have prepared for us." Fuyutsuki: "As usual." Gendo: "I should be grateful to SEELE. After all, they gave me the means to prepare my plan." Fuyutsuki: "You're using everyone here." Gendo: "Each Child has one use and only one. The Second will soon be useless when everything is finished." Fuyutsuki: "You mean...she'll be killed." Gendo: "You know she's the only one capable of giving birth. And that's one of the reasons she has been designated as the Second Child. Her death is only a detail. I'm sure she'll be proud of her role in humankind's evolution." Fuyutsuki: "You shouldn't be that confident, you know." Gendo: "I have planned this for years. Nothing can stop it now." Fuyutsuki: "You're going too far, Ikari. Yui wouldn't approve what you're about to do. She would probably wonder what happened to the Gendo she loved and married...and how could you call that 'humankind's evolution'?" Gendo: "..." --- In Tokyo-3, the sun is scorching the city. Perfect weather for the Obon festival. The people take advantage of the fact that no Angel has attacked for the last two months to relax, have fun and enjoy them- selves. In the apartment... Asuka: "HEY! It hurts! Be careful!" Misato: "Just stop wriggling and it'll be much easier." Misato is helping her on with a beautiful blue kimono. She is also wearing a kimono, this one green. Her hair's tied in a ponytail. Misato: "I know it's an old kimono, but this was the only one Maya had in her house. So please stop complaining!" Asuka: "Pfff...why do I have to wear this!? These Japanese festivals are so boring!" Misato: "As I already said, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Got it?" Asuka: "Hmph." Misato: "Do you want me to tie your hair differently?" Asuka: "No! It's perfectly fine the way it is." Misato: "As you wish." Asuka: "By the way, where's Shinji?" Misato: "He must be in his room. I'll go get him." --- Shinji's room. Shinji is wearing a yukata, laying on his bed, looking at the ceiling. Someone knocks on the door. Misato: "Shinji-kun. It's me." Shinji: "Come in." He turns his eyes towards the door and sees Misato in her kimono. Shinji (blushing): "Errr...you look very cute, Misato-san." Misato (giggling): "You flatterer, you! But I've got someone else to introduce to you." Shinji: "S-someone else?" Misato: "Come into the hallway." Shinji steps out of his room and sees Asuka in her kimono, wearing a red bow on the back of her head. Shinji: "It's...you, Asuka?" Asuka blushes, but tries to hide it. Misato: "You two. I want you to have fun together today, okay?" Asuka (protesting): "But..." Misato (with a look in her eyes that could turn an entire fanatic army into a bunch of chickens): "There's no 'but.' That's an order!" Shinji and Asuka: "Yes, ma'am!" Misato: "Now, get out there and enjoy yourselves!" Shinji and Asuka: "Yes, ma'am! Right away, ma'am!" --- The entrance of the apartment building. Asuka shields her eyes from the sunlight with her hand. Asuka: "I've never seen such a beautiful sun before!" Shinji: "..." Asuka: "Misato should have come with us. I wonder what she'll be doing today." Shinji: "..." Asuka: "Hey, Shinji-kun. Could you stop sounding like Wondergirl? I don't think that's very nice." Shinji: "You think you've been nice to me these days?" Asuka: "Err...okay. You're right. I haven't been very fair myself these past few weeks. But...errr...how do I say this...? I'm sorry... for what I did. There it is." Shinji (surprised): "You...apologized? To me? The sky will fall on us..." Asuka (frowning at him): "Come on! I'm a human being! I make mistakes sometimes, too!" Shinji: "Well...I-I guess I'll have to forgive you." Asuka: "Of course you have to. Will you make this a nice date today?" Shinji: "What!? A...date?" Asuka: "Why not? Are you afraid of dating the most beautiful woman in the whole universe?" Shinji: "I guess I have no choice..." Asuka: "Great! Then here we go!" They walk down the busy streets of Tokyo-3. Asuka takes Shinji's arm and rests her head on his shoulder. Shinji doesn't know how to interpret Asuka's actions... Shinji (to himself): "She MUST be teasing me again..." He then looks at her face. Shinji (in a very soft voice): "Damn, she's cute when she wants to be..." Asuka (looking at him): "Did you say something?" Shinji (realizing that he just said what he thought): "I-I...I was just saying that you were cute....err..." Asuka: "Really? I'm not so surprised. I know I'm cute. But anyway, thanks." Shinji (to himself): "Jeez...if you were any more egotistic, you'd die from it." (to Asuka:) "That kimono fits you very well." Asuka: "This is Maya's old kimono. But it's really tight. It's Teri's fault. Not even born yet, and she's already annoying me..." Shinji (smiling at the comment): "We'll have a cute little girl. I-I mean...YOU'll have a cute little girl...at least as cute as you." Asuka (to herself): "So NOW he comes out with the compliments...shit! I won't hold back any longer..." (to Shinji): "You like her name?" Shinji: "W-what?" Asuka: "I'm sorry. I didn't ask you before choosing names. I know I should have." Shinji: "...Teri is very nice...I think..." Asuka: "You think so?" Shinji: "Of course I think so. At least as nice as 'Asuka'." Asuka (to herself): "If he keeps this up, I'm gonna lose the upper hand." She lets out a slightly frustrated sigh. Asuka: "Thanks, baka." Shinji chuckles when he hears that word. He now thinks that Asuka is in her familiar 'scornful mode'. However, he's wrong. Asuka: "I heard there will be fireworks tonight. Wanna go and see them with me?" Now Shinji's really trying to figure out if this is a joke or something else. Shinji (a bit hesitantly): "If you want to..." Asuka (in her most kawaii [cute] voice): "Lucky!" Pause. Asuka (softly): "Anyway, thank you for saving our lives the other day..." Shinji: "'Saving our...lives'? What do you mean?" Asuka: "Teri-chan's and mine." Shinji: "I didn't do anything, really! I just phoned Misato when I saw you sleeping on the floor with that vial beside you...I was scared, you know..." Asuka (smiling at him): "Oh, forget it, never mind..." (to herself:) "He doesn't know about that..." Shinji (awkwardly): "By the way, may I...may I ask you...why did you do that?" Asuka: "..." Shinji: "Sorry..." Asuka: "No. I can't explain it to you...not right now." Suddenly, a voice calls out: "Asuka! Ikari-kun!" It's Hikari, in a red kimono, with Toji by her side. [NOTE: Hikari and Toji don't know that Asuka tried to commit suicide. Misato hushed up the matter very well.] Hikari: "Asuka-chan! You're so cute in that kimono! Don't you think so, Toji-chan?" Toji: "Yeah, yeah..." The two girls are now chatting excitedly. Toji pulls Shinji aside. Shinji (whispering): "What do you want?" Toji (also whispering): "Tell me how it was." Shinji: "What? What are you talking about?" Toji: "Five months ago, you know..." Shinji: "Huh?" Toji: "With Asuka? How was she? Did she taste good?" Shinji (flustered): "WHAT? Hmm....y-yeah...I guess." Toji: "Really...? Hey tell me, I'm your friend...was she a virgin?" Shinji (rolling his eyes): "Yeah, she was, as far as I can see. Stop asking me those sick questions, okay?" Toji: "Why? She's so cute! I want to hear more! Please tell me!" Shinji: "No. That's enough...please..." Toji: "You love her?" Shinji: "Y-yeah...I guess so. I love her." Toji: "And what about her? Does she love you?" Shinji: "I dunno. Sometimes she acts as we were lovers and sometimes she acts...normal...she's so unpredictable..." Toji: "Like every girl! Aha! Never thought the red-headed devil could have feelings." Shinji: "Wait a sec! She's no devil..." Toji: "So, she's an angel, then." Shinji: "Yeah, I guess she's an angel. Not one of those monsters that attack us all the time, of course..." Shinji keeps looking over at Asuka while he talks with Toji. She's talking with Hikari, totally ignoring Shinji. Shinji: "Hey, what are you doing here with the class rep?" Toji: "Shhhhh....she asked me to come here with her today. And for some reason, I just couldn't say no." Shinji (smiling): "Tsss....You should just say, 'Oh, I love her so much I decided to take her to the festival,' shouldn't you?" Toji: "Shut up! It's not like that!" Asuka: "Hey, baka Shinji!" Toji (grinning): "You see? She's a devil." Shinji: "No, not really..." Asuka: "Shinji! Listen to me, dummkopf!" Shinji (surprised): "What is it, Asuka?" Asuka: "Hikari told me about AXL's Game Center! It sounds fun! I want you to take me there, okay?" Shinji: "I don't know if..." Asuka: "Stop being so hesitant! You're getting on my nerves!" Toji (to Shinji): "Not yet married, and she's already henpecking you..." Shinji (nearly shouting): "Don't say such things about Asuka! She's actually really nice!" Asuka is a little stunned to hear this. Had he actually just said that to somebody else? Hikari: "Come on, Toji-chan! We're coming with them!" Toji (to Hikari): "Look, don't call me 'Toji-chan' in front of other people, okay?" Hikari (giggling): "Heehee! You're so shy! Hey, listen up! Toji- chan doesn't want to be called 'Toji-chan.' He's shy, isn't he?" Shinji (teasing): "Oh, come on, Toji-CHAN, you are coming with us, aren't you?" Asuka (also teasing): "Yeah, he's right! You're coming, too!" Toji (reluctantly): "Well..." --- They arrive at AXL's Game Center. A tall man with short brown hair and glasses welcomes our friends. Man: "Hello, everyone. Welcome to AXL's Game Center. My name is Guillaume, and I'm one of the managers here. I'm French, but as you can hear, I'm able to speak Japanese as well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. If I'm not around, you can speak with Yankee, Gordon, Mygard or Steffen. Let me remind you that...blabla- bla...blablabla...blabla..." Asuka (whispering to Hikari): "What a boring man...but he's cute, and what's more, he's a Frenchie!" Hikari: "Yeah! I like the way he wears his glasses! He looks so serious! Do you think he's good at French kissing?" Asuka (grinning): "I kinda wish I could find out!" Hikari: "You're right!" Shinji and Toji (in unison): "Hmph!" Guillaume: "...so, have fun in AXL's Game Center!" Another man: "Hi! You brought your girlfriends today!" Toji (turning his head towards the man): "Ah, it's Yankee." Guillaume: "You know them, Yankee?" Yankee: "Of course. This boy...Toji, right? He kicked my butt in Quarter-Life." Guillaume: "That old game from Sierra and Balbe?" Yankee: "Yeah." Guillaume: "You defeated Yankee? You're quite talented, young man. Then I'm sure you'll all appreciate a free afternoon in AXL's Game Center. Won't you?" Toji: "You...sure?" Asuka: "Thank you, sir!" Guillaume (to Asuka): "So it's your first time here, young lady?" Asuka: "Yes. My name's Asuka, but I'm half-German, half-Japanese." Guillaume: "What a coincidence! My old girlfriend was German, too." Asuka: "Really?" Guillaume: "And because you remind me of her, I'll do a special favour for you all..." He calls someone on his cell phone. Guillaume: "Mygard? Evacue tout le monde, on ferme." ("Mygard? Please evacuate the place, we're closing the Center.") Mygard (over the phone): "T'es con ou quoi?! C'est l'un des meilleurs apres-midis qu'on ait eu!" ("Are you stupid or what?! It's one of the best afternoons we've ever had!") Guillaume: "J'ai dit--" ("I said--") Mygard (reluctantly): "Bon, bon, d'accord...mais on en reparlera plus tard!" ("Okay, okay...but we'll talk about this later!") *click* Guillaume: "Please wait a minute." --- Minutes later. The Center is now empty, except for the staff and our friends. Guillaume: "I'll be on the second floor with the others, if you have any questions..." Shinji: "Yeah, yeah. We'll call you if we need help." Guillaume: "Good." He then gets into the elevator and disappears. Asuka: "Lucky!!! We're gonna play here all afternoon! That Guillaume is such a gentleman!" Hikari: "Yeah! Thanks, Toji-kun! At least you're not so useless." Toji (sarcastically): "Thanks for the compliment..." Asuka: "Don't forget me! I helped, too!" Hikari: "Oh, of course. Sorry, Asuka." Shinji looks a bit angry for some reason. Asuka (staring at Shinji): "Hey, Shinji! Jealous?" Shinji walks towards the nearest game, not even looking at Asuka. Shinji (in a bit of a huff): "Shut up, little girl. Come on, let's play." Asuka (surprised, then furious): "How DARE you talk to me like that? I'll show you, you dickhead!" Shinji (with a bit of a wicked smile): "We'll just have to see about that." --- Meanwhile, on a street, Misato is walking with Kaji... Misato: "I STILL can't believe I accepted this date with you!" Kaji: "You can't fight your true feelings, can you?" Misato: "Oh, shut up!" Kaji (grinning): "Hai, hai..." Pause. Kaji: "By the way, where are the Ikaris?" Misato: "I TOLD you, they're NOT married!" Kaji: "Oh, well...where are the Second and the Third?" Misato: "I dunno, I told them to have fun together and enjoy them- selves." Kaji (grinning again): "Heh, they're probably off doing nasty things someplace out of the way..." Misato: "That can't be! Asuka is ALREADY pregnant! And I doubt that Shinji will try anything with her..." Kaji: "Well, he certainly couldn't make her more pregnant than she already is, could he?" --- Meanwhile, at AXL's Game Center... Asuka (seductively): "Oh...yeah, Shinji...yesssss...deeper...I...I..." (suddenly furious:) "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!" Shinji: "Hey, it's not my fault if I always find the torpedo launcher when you're underwater!" Asuka: "THIS time I'll find it BEFORE you! And if I see you then, you can say goodbye to the warehouse key you have! You're winning because you can go and pick up ammo and health here! That's unfair!!!" Hikari: "The first one who reaches 50 frags wins, okay?" Asuka: "Not fair AT ALL! Shinji's almost at 46!" Toji: "Oh, The Great Sohryu Asuka Langley is giving up with just 20 measly frags to go?" Asuka is fuming. She and Shinji have been doing that a lot this month, haven't they? Shinji: "Hmm...Toji..." Toji: "What?" Shinji: "I think you should have stayed quiet...you'd better brace yourself." Toji: "What're you talking about...? What the...!" His screen turns red--the redness of his on-screen character's blood. However, he doesn't have the time to press 'START' again. Asuka's amount of frags jumps from 29 to 82 in nearly ten seconds! Asuka: "Aha! Not bad for a little girl! What do you think about that, baka Shinji?" Asuka had killed everyone on the screen in every drastic way a psychopath could think of. Shinji had been killed 22 times in the process, Toji once, Hikari 14 times and the bot player, named 'The Ripper,' had been killed 16 times, all by the same player, without dying: Sohryu Asuka Langley. Asuka: "Sooooooo, who's the best here?!" Toji: "Okay, it's you. I surrender!" Shinji (a bit frightened by how intense the game was): "Y-yeah... you're right. I give up, Asuka. You're the best." Asuka (relieved): "Ahhhh, it's so nice to hear you say that! Never thought this old game from the 90's could be so much fun!" --- Kaji and Misato are in a bar, sitting at a table. Misato (slightly drunk): "...m-maybe you're right, Kaji...I'm just afraid of my feelings...like A-Asuka..." Kaji: "Of course you are. Do you remember what we did years ago?" Misato: "O-of course I do! Pfff...sometimes I hate me...for not being a woman...I'm nothing but a slut! That's what I am!" Kaji: "Tssss...no....nothing on earth could make me leave you alone." Misato: "Y-you won't l-leave me? You promise? Even if I'm a slut?" Kaji: "No. You're wrong. I could never love a slut. And I love you, Mit-chan." Misato: "...baka..." --- The time for the fireworks finally came. Shinji and Asuka left Toji and Hikari behind as they left AXL's Game Center. The two are on a hill near Misato's apartment building. Asuka is *really* cute in her kimono. Really. And Shinji, being a man, can't help but notice this. They're sitting side by side, looking at the fireworks. Asuka (honestly elated): "I didn't have any idea that this would be so beautiful." Shinji: "It's been a long time since we had this festival, you know." Asuka: "Really?" Shinji: "Yeah." Pause. Asuka (softly): "Hey, Shinji..." Shinji: "What?" Asuka: "I'm bored." Shinji (grinning): "Uh-oh..." Asuka: "Wanna kiss?" Shinji: "I-I...don't know if...mmmphhhhhhhh...." Too late. Asuka takes Shinji's head in her hands and kisses him hard on the lips. The kiss feels like it could last for an eternity, while their tongues dance in their mouths. It's like when the two of them danced together while battling Israphel, the 7th Angel. The only sounds audible are the *pops* and *pams* from the fireworks behind them. Asuka can't believe the sensations that are forcing their way into her...she didn't want to fall for Shinji, but it's already too late. On the other side, Shinji returns the kiss with all his heart. He really loves Asuka, despite all the things she had done and said to him. Finally, Asuka breaks off the kiss. She has a big smile on her face. Shinji: "What was that for?" Asuka (after thinking about it for a moment): "For all the chores I made you do these past few weeks." Shinji smiles. Asuka: "You weren't that good the last time. Have you been practicing with Rei?" Shinji: "W-what!? Of course...not..." Asuka (giggling): "I was joking, don't worry!" Shinji (teasing her): "And you...you were practicing French kissing while I was away with Toji, weren't you?" Asuka (comically furious): "Of course not!!!" The two explode into laughter. Shinji then notices something on Asuka's right hand. Shinji: "The ring..." Asuka takes one of Shinji's hands in her right one and clasps it so that their palms are against each other and their fingers weave together. Asuka: "Yeah, thank you for the present. I think it was the only valuable gift I received that day..." Shinji: "You're not...angry at me?" Asuka: "Why should I be angry?" Shinji: "I...don't know. I didn't want to give it to you that evening because I would have been really nervous giving it to you in front of everybody else. And sometimes I feel so hurt by things you say that I want to throw everything out the window..." Asuka: "You're really an idiot sometimes, but when you want, you can be a really good friend..." (grinning now:) "...and a great lover." Shinji (grinning): "You too. Sometimes you can be a real pain, and then suddenly, you're so nice..." Asuka: "I think I get this from my German origins..." Shinji: "...and I bet you'll say my shyness is typically Japanese, right?" Asuka: "You cut the ground from under my feet!" Shinji: "Heh heh, sorry." Pause. Shinji (in an exceptional moment of openness): "When I was four, I was abandoned by my father. Not that I ever saw him that often even when Mother was alive...but...I can still feel the pain, Asuka. The loneli- ness...being rejected like that. I don't want my daughter to ever feel the same way. Not if I can make sure it doesn't happen. If you'll allow me to be there..." Asuka: "That won't happen, baka. I promise." Short pause. Asuka: "I never saw you like this before." Shinji: "What?" Asuka: "You opened yourself up to me. It's stunning." Shinji: "I'm a little surprised by you, too." Asuka: "I-I mean...you're speaking with confidence...you're so shy, usually. I think I'm like this because I trust you and I feel that I can put my trust in you. You're like a confidante." Shinji: "I...it's the same for me. We've got a lot in common, don't we?" Asuka: "You try to avoid pain by running away from people. I try to avoid pain by driving them away. But in the end, we just hurt our- selves more. Aren't we pathetic, Shin-chan?" It sounds more like a statement than a question. Shinji can't help but be surprised by this sudden truth coming from the mouth of the girl he normally knew to try to avoid it. Somehow, the suicide attempt, as bad as it was, seemed to have turned Asuka into a more mature person. Shinji: "You're right, Asuka-chan. It's kind of like...we're hiding ourselves from the pain behind a shield." Asuka: "But we just feel more and more pain." Shinji (nodding): "Yeah...you're right, we *are* pathetic." Pause. Asuka: "Do you love me?" Shinji (stunned): "I...I think so." Asuka: "Do you *really* love me?" Shinji (taking a long breath): "Yes, Asuka." Asuka: "Guess what?" Pause. Asuka (smiling): "I love you, too, baka." Shinji can't hear Asuka because of the sounds of the fireworks explod- ing drowning out her soft voice. But he doesn't need to hear the words to understand what she means. She rests her head against Shinji's shoulder, and he gently brushes some hair away from his redheaded goddess' face. They sit still in this position for some minutes, eyes closed, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies. Asuka (softly, in Shinji's ear): "Shinji?" Shinji (softly, in Asuka's ear): "What is it?" Asuka: "You'd never leave us, would you?" Short pause. Shinji: "I promise you, right here and now, that I'll NEVER leave you two...on one condition." Asuka: "Which is?" Shinji: "You must promise me you won't give up your life anymore like you tried to a few days ago. You're the two most precious things I have on this earth. I can't afford to lose either one of you. You or Teri. So, please, don't ever do that again. I'm sorry if I was rude to you after that, but I really didn't know how to handle it. I mean..." Asuka (smiling): "Don't worry. For Teri's sake, I won't do that again! Deal?" Shinji (now smiling, too): "Deal." A small, but very heavy pause. Asuka: "...I bet Misato told you about my past..." Shinji (nodding): "Hm...forget about that. There's no reason to dig into the past. I-I mean...let's think about the future, okay?" Asuka (sadly): "You know...I think I panicked when I thought about my mother...about my past. I didn't want to risk my daughter's life and mine against the Angels...it's not that I wouldn't want to be involved in battle, but I then thought that I would make you and Teri sad if I were killed. I didn't want to repeat my mother's mistakes so..." Her voice cracks badly and tears start flowing down her face. Asuka: "...so, I thought that I should end my life...and bring my daughter with me to Heaven...like my mother wanted to do with me. And besides...I didn't want to fall for you, and think about you all the time...because I would then neglect my duties and end up being killed senselessly. But it was already too late. That convinced me to...to kill myself..." She is now crying. Shinji can feel the tears falling on his shirt. Asuka (sobbing): "Then I saw you. I truly saw *you,* Shinji. And it reminded me of something. My dad didn't love us, my mom and me, but you...you love both of us...I'm so sorry, Shinji...(sob)...for what I did...to you, to Misato, to everyone...I'm so sorry, Shinji!" She reaches out and clutches his body to hers. It has to hurt for someone who once felt that showing negative emotions was a sign of weakness to say these things. But she had to say them sometime. She'd been waiting a long time to have someone she could say them to, but up until recently all she did was deny it. It was difficult, and very painful, but it had to be done. Shinji can't do anything else but put his arms around her and hold her closely and try to comfort her. He could never run away from her. Not now. Shinji: "Asuka...please don't cry. Seeing you crying makes me really sad. I don't want to see you unhappy, you know...besides, those tears ruin your pretty face." Asuka (sobbing and hugging Shinji harder): "Forgive me, Shinji! Forgive me!!!" Shinji: "There, there...I'm here...I forgive you, and I love you both, Asuka, Teri. Don't worry...I-I'll be there for you both..." Asuka finally stops sobbing, and eventually calms down. Shinji: "It's okay now..." Asuka: "Thanks, Shinji...I realize now that you're the only one I can really trust here..." Shinji: "You'll be a good mother for Teri...I'm sure of that." Asuka (closing her eyes, softly): "And you a good father..." That reminds Shinji of something...his own father. An image of him appears in his mind. He frowns at the thought. Shinji: "Hmmm...I'll try my best." Asuka: "When I was asleep, I saw a little girl who looked like me. She said she was Teri. She made me think about you. And then I realized that Sohryu Asuka Langley couldn't give up life just because of her past and...I realized that, somewhere on this earth, someone cared for me!" (more animated:) "I'm here to stay now! For Teri, for you, for me! And if anybody tries to get in the way of that, I'll make damn sure they're good and sorry!" Shinji (chuckling): "What a relief...the old Asuka is back." Asuka (smiling): "Hmph, don't worry, I won't hit you anymore like I did before." Pause. Asuka: "Oh, and one more thing." Shinji: "What is it?" Asuka: "No sex until Teri's birth, young man." Shinji (shocked): "Are you crazy?! Why would I...I...hey! And how could you dare say that to me? That's a bit gross! I mean..." Asuka (giggling): "I was joking, baka. We just have to be very care- ful from now on." He then calms down, and smiles. Shinji (whispering into Asuka's ear): "Say, why don't we go back home? It's late." Asuka: "No, please...I'm very comfortable here...give me a few more minutes, okay?" Shinji: "Okay." How could he refuse? The two girls he loves the most are in his arms. He feels comfortable, too. Five minutes later (Shinji couldn't push Asuka away, could he?). Asuka: "Okay, let's go home now..." They stand up and start walking back to the apartment. Shinji: "I was thinking about something..." Asuka: "Huh?" Shinji: "Perhaps, we're just two empty-headed kids after all..." Asuka: "What makes you say that?" Shinji: "...I don't know..." Asuka: "'I don't know'? Are you stupid!?" Shinji chuckles. --- Misato's apartment. Shinji and Asuka walk in. It's very dark inside. They carefully head through the living room towards their respective bedrooms. Shinji (softly): "Hey, Asuka! What are these...clothes...?!" He shows Asuka a jacket and a shirt on the living room couch. Asuka: "I dunno...let me see..." She picks up the clothes and looks at them. Her eyes widen. Shinji (worried): "What's going on?" Asuka: "These are...Kaji-san's clothes!!!" Asuka runs to Misato's room and half-opens the door. She sees her in Kaji's arms under the blankets. Asuka: "It seems these two were very busy while we were out." --- Asuka's room. Asuka shuts her door, carefully takes off and hangs up the kimono and puts her nightdress on. She then sits on her bed, ready to get in, then stops and puts her head in her hands... Asuka: "I feel weird all of a sudden......" --- The next morning. Asuka opens her eyes. She sees someone lying right in front of her, in her OWN bed...Shinji. Asuka (whispering): "Oh, no...this wet dream again...hmmmmm...." (closing her eyes:) "...I love you, Shin-chan..." She then proceeds to embrace him and then hug him very tightly. Shinji wakes up, too, as a result. Shinji (struggling a bit): "....hmm...Asuka...I...can't breathe....." Asuka then releases him and looks at him, very surprised. Asuka (to herself): "The...Shinji of my dreams wouldn't say this!" She then glares at him and turns bright red. Anger-red. At least as red as her plug suit. Shinji: "Errr...calm down...I...well...I heard...moans and then...er... I was worried...and er...hmm...I wanted to...keep an eye on you and... no...please don't....you love me, right?...um...so I thought...no...no, please!" --- Long shot of Tokyo-3. Each morning, Tokyo-3 normally wakes up with the sweet sunlight. However, this time, everyone is being waken up by ONE girl. Asuka: "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY BED!???? ECCHI!!!! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! MISATO!!!!!!!!!!!! KAJI-SAN!!!!!!! SHINJI, YOU PERVERT!!!!!" --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Author's notes: Before any of you flame me, please understand that this part *WAS* originally intended to be WAFFy and full of romance. You'll find out why later. Some people asked me why I decided to make Asuka try to commit suicide. It was a pure accident. At first, I decided to open this part on *another* Asuka's morning. And then, the suicide attempt idea sprouted from my mind... I'm a true Asuka fan, don't worry. If *sometimes* I'm a bit mean with her, I'll make up for it, you can be sure of that! Some people (some OTHER people) told me Asuka was too OOC in this part...that's right. But it's a fanfic, isn't it? I want to con- clusively prove that Asuka, perhaps deep in her mind, is one of the nicest girls in the world. If you know her better than in the series, if you understand her, if you SHOW her you care for her, she CAN be really nice. In fact, I truly think Shinji should have been more interested in her through the original EVA series, instead of always asking himself metaphysical questions, why everyone hated him, and all the other stuff. Honestly. In the thanks section now... All my pre-readers: Al-l-bus, Alain Gravel (aka Rakna), EBJ, Greg Thomas, Shinji Ikari the 10 O'clock Assassin, Borderline Case and Dave Watson. THE Special thanks go to Alain Gravel (ideas, misc. additions and corrections), EBJ (grammar and spell-checking and support), Shinji Ikari (some nice ideas about the kids' next trip to AXL's Game Center), Borderline Case (support, ideas, great C&C) and Dave Watson (style corrections, grammar/spelling/present-tense checking, etc.). I think that's all... And of course, please read "The One I Love Is..." by Rakna (look for- ward for the next parts, it's gonna be a VERY cool fic, I swear!) and "Reflections In Red" by Borderline Case (a true vision of Rei's life). If you have any questions/criticisms/comments/flames, mail me at: aterizak@club-internet.fr I click the REPLY button every time I receive something! To my rewriters/checkers: Please understand that a lot of people sent me fixed versions of my fic. I must look at all of them and do a mix. In fact, this part has been co-written by Rakna, EBJ and Dave Watson. Thanks to you all, and sorry if I offend you by modifying your work (but it's my story, isn't it?). Now, if only Watson can finally leave it alone... If you're interested in my translations, you'll find them on my website: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ See ya soon! Axel Terizaki NEXT CHAPTER: "SIXTH MONTH: Prove Your Love to Me." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=SIXTH MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson 1999 5 11-12. Polishing/corrections of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 20-21, 7 04, 8 09, 9 13-14 and 10 03. Version 1.3. LAST CHAPTER: Shinji and Asuka shared their feelings for each other under the Obon Festival's fireworks. It seems that Misato and Kaji did the same, too. Even though Asuka now admits to herself and Shinji that she's in love with him, she tries not to tell anybody else, much to his surprise. Nevertheless, when they're alone, she's a totally different person... Is she afraid of showing everybody how she feels for Shinji? Does she want to prove to Shinji that she loves him by giving him what she keeps from other people? Why did I make such a stupid mistake as writing "Hoayo" instead of "Ohayo" in an early draft of the Fourth Month? Why can't I think of anything but Metal Gear Solid? What's stronger, an elephant or a rhinoceros? --- CAPTION: SIXTH MONTH CAPTION 2: Prove Your Love to Me --- Shinji's dreams. Shinji: "Father..." Silence. Shinji: "Father! Why did you leave me alone?!" Silence. Shinji: "Mother! Say something!" Voice: "Shin-chan..." Shinji: "Shin-chan...Asuka calls me that now...I earned her love. I earned her care. She showed her soul to me, and so did I to her." Yui: "Shinji..." Shinji: "Mother? Is that you? Tell me what I must do! I don't know how to handle this situation...!" Yui: "There's no such thing as a difficult situation if you find someone who wishes to be there with you at those moments..." A still Asuka appears from nowhere. Shinji: "...Asuka? I love her. I don't want to leave her! Her smile, her hair, her eyes, *her*...and Teri...I can't leave them alone. Asuka carries my daughter. I have a duty now. I can't leave them. I must not run away. No, I *mustn't*." Yui: "My son...you'll be a father. I'm proud of you." Shinji: "A...father...no...like..." Yui: "No. Not like the man I no longer consider your father or my husband anymore." Shinji: "We are the same...if I...if I..." (his voice trails off:) "...and if I were like HIM?" Yui: "..." Shinji: "And if I were like him...!? I don't want my daughter to suffer because of me! Asuka will never forgive me if..." Yui: "Believe in yourself. You have the will to change everything. You can do it. Nothing is written. You have the power to change anything you wish. That's where you two differ. One of you believes that everything can be planned. The other one can change everything with his willpower. You are that other one. Don't forget it." Shinji: "Mother...I don't think I'll be able to handle it..." Yui: "I'll always be there. Nothing will happen to you, my dear Shinji..." Shinji: "NO!!! We're from the same blood! I'll be like my father!" Yui: "I am part of you, too. I won't let him hurt you or the mother of your child. I promise. If anything happens to you or your love, I promise you that he'll regret it." Shinji: "Mother..." Voice: "Shin-chan!" Shinji: "Mother..." Asuka: "Shin-chan! I'm not your mother, idiot! Wake up!" Shinji wakes up in his bed. Asuka leans over him with a reassuring smile on her face. Asuka: "Now, get up, Shin-chan, or you'll be late for school." With that, she turns around and goes back to the kitchen, where Misato is eating/drinking breakfast. Shinji (smiling, to himself): "She's been like that since the festival...but I still can't get used to her like that...(sigh). She's too nice to me. It's almost too good to be true. Well..." --- In the kitchen. Misato looks puzzled while drinking her Yebichu. Asuka notices this. Asuka: "What's wrong, Misato?" Misato: "Hmm...I think there's a problem here." Asuka: "What is it?" Misato: "You haven't called Shinji 'stupid' for weeks. That's really strange. Are you feeling all right?" Asuka: "Hmph...and what's wrong with that? I can be nice when I want to be." Misato: "You sure? And you didn't yell at him when he woke up late this morning...huh?" Asuka (trying to find something to say to avoid possible complications): "You were probably thinking about Kaji when I yelled at him and didn't notice anything, you fool." Misato: "Watch your mouth, young lady! And I'm pretty sure I wasn't thinking about him RIGHT NOW." Asuka (grinning): "Hmmmhmmmm...." Misato: "Let me remind you that you have to take your medication this morning." Asuka: "Hmph. I HATE these damn pills. They taste so bitter." Misato: "Ritsuko told me to give them to you. She said that you must take them for the good of Teri's health." Asuka: "She doesn't know what she wants. A month ago she told me that I shouldn't take any drugs while I'm pregnant!" Misato: "Listen, Asuka. If Ritsuko said that it's good for you, she has to be right. After all, she's a doctor." Asuka (barely convinced): "Maybe you're right. But that doesn't answer my question. Why do I have to take them? Is Teri in danger?" Misato: "I dunno. Ritsuko refused to tell me why. She just said it was necessary in order to carry out your pregnancy to full term. Maybe it has something to do with your high synchro rate in Unit-02 three months ago." Asuka (worried): "I hope it's nothing drastic...it's been a long time since I jumped into my precious Unit-02...!" Misato: "Unfortunately, you can't. You can't even get into your plug suit now." Asuka: "What about when I defeated that Angel the last time?! There wasn't any problem then!" Misato: "We're still trying to find out more about that, Asuka. In the meanwhile, you have to stay put right here." Asuka 'hmph's. Misato (looking at the calendar): "I'll talk to her today about it, if you want. I'll try to find out what I can about...hmmmmm!!!!!" Asuka: "What's wrong now?" Misato: "It's February the 14th today." Asuka: "Valentine's Day...?" Misato (teasing): "RIGHT! So you have to give something to Shinji!" Asuka: "Why him? I've got no reason to give anybody anything!" (to herself:) "Except myself, of course!" Misato sees the look on Asuka's face and concludes that she really doesn't mean what she just said. Misato: "And what about your heart? Will you offer him yours?" Asuka (crossing her arms): "No way. Why should I after all? It's *their* job to buy things for *us.*" Misato: "You seem to be forgetting something." Asuka (surprised): "What now?" Misato: "We're in Japan, not Germany. It's up to *us* girls to give *them* something today! You have to wait for White Day before he gets something for you." Asuka: "Anyways, I won't give him anything. I don't see why I should! It's ridiculous!" Misato: "Oh? And what about when I saw you two kissing on the couch two weeks ago? Was that a 'practice' or were you bored again?" Asuka (furiously blushing): "You saw us!!?" Misato: "Yeah, but something inside me told me not to interrupt you two!" Asuka: "That was because I was...I was making sure he brushed his teeth well! Nothing more!" Misato (to herself): "Without looking?" (to Asuka:) "I've got another question..." Asuka: "What now?" Misato: "What's this?" She points to a double-boiler pot on the stove with something gently bubbling in it. The unmistakable sweet smell of melting chocolate floats around in the air. Misato (grinning): "Making chocolates, huh? For whom?" Asuka (furiously): "It's none of your business!!!" And with that, she leaves the kitchen, obviously angry. Misato (grinning, to herself): "Heh heh. You won't resist, Asuka. You won't resist! I'm sure of that! You're a pretty bad liar, you know...!" --- At school. Lunch time. Shinji notices that Rei hasn't been eating any- thing at lunch time for several weeks now. He decides to do something. Shinji (going towards Rei's desk): "Ayanami?" Rei looks up at him. Shinji: "Have you been, uh, feeling lonely?" Rei: "I don't know what it is. It may be loneliness." Shinji: "Hmmm. How about coming to the apartment for dinner? I'll call Asuka and she'll cook us something." Rei: "If that's an order..." Shinji: "I'd rather say it's an invitation." Rei (standing up): "If you say so, Ikari-kun." --- After school. Shinji and Rei are walking down the sidewalk. Shinji: "Do you mind if we take a short detour?" Rei: "No, I don't care." Shinji: "Thanks." Shinji turns at the next corner. Rei follows him carefully. After a few minutes' walk, they stop in front of a bakery. He stares longingly at the 'Valentine' shelf behind the shop window. Shinji: "Which one do you like the most?" Rei (surprised): "I...I don't know." (to herself:) "Does Ikari-kun want to give me a present?" Shinji: "You sure? Maybe this one, then..." He points at one of the heart-shaped chocolate boxes. Rei (after thinking a moment): "To the left." Shinji moves his hand to the left, now pointing at a larger box with blue ribbons on it. Shinji: "This one?" Rei: "Yes." Shinji: "Good. Please excuse me." Shinji steps into the shop and talks with the salesgirl. Rei can hear what they're saying from outside. Shinji: "I'd like this one, please." Salesgirl: "Sure. Do you want a message card with it?" Shinji: "Errr...yeah. Please write 'To Asuka-chan'." When Rei hears this, she starts thinking about Asuka. Rei (to herself): "Sohryu. Designated pilot of Unit-02. Red. Unit-02 is red. Like her pilot. Red. Hatred, suffering. Pain. Red. Blood. Anger. Fury...child...Shinji's...they became one in body and soul. Soul...what is this soul? What am I feeling? Is this...jealousy? Jealousy. A bad feeling. Anger. Blood. Red? A color I hate. Pain? A feeling I hate. Suffering? A feeling I hate. Hatred? Is this hatred? Sohryu...red...I hate red. But I can't hate Sohryu. Why? Is this hatred? Is this jealousy? Is it because of their child? Is it..." Her thoughts are interrupted by Shinji leaving the shop. Shinji: "Is there anything wrong?" Rei: "...no." Shinji: "W-well. Let's go, then." He puts the bagged chocolate box in his schoolbag. --- The front door of the apartment. Shinji unlocks the door, walks in, holds the door for Rei and starts to take his shoes off. Shinji: "Tadaima..." Rei follows him and removes her shoes, too. Asuka pokes her head into the hallway. She's wearing an apron over a red dress. Asuka: "You're here, Shin-chan!" Shinji sniffs the delicious smell that's coming from the kitchen. It seems that everything is ready for their dinner. Asuka approaches. He wasn't very comfortable when he saw the look she had in her eyes... she suddenly hugs him and kisses him hard on the lips. Shinji's eyes widen. But seconds later, he was finally lost in the kiss, totally ignoring Rei, who was looking at them with her usual emotionless expression. From time to time, Asuka gives a quick glance at Rei. After an eternity, she finally breaks off the kiss, but continues to hug him tightly. Asuka (eyes closed): "How was your day, Shin-chan?" Shinji: "Errr...same as usual..." He glances at Rei briefly before turning his face towards Asuka's ear. Shinji (whispering): "What are you doing!? You said you didn't want to kiss me in front of other people!" Asuka (whispering): "Wondergirl won't say anything, will she? And besides, she's a *friend*." Shinji shudders, but doesn't know why. Perhaps it's because of Asuka calling Rei a "friend." That's not like her. Shinji (whispering): "You're right." (Now with a normal voice:) "So, what have you prepared us this time?" Asuka: "Ramen with curry sauce!" Shinji: "Hmmmmmmmm...." (to Rei:) "Is this okay, Ayanami?" Rei: "Yes." Shinji: "Well, then, let's sit down at the table and eat!" --- The kitchen table, a couple of minutes later. Shinji notices that Asuka seems very uneasy. Shinji: "What's wrong, Asuka?" Asuka: "I don't...feel well...I...think I..." She quickly jumps up and runs to the bathroom. Shinji then hears the sounds of vomiting. He wonders why, since the food wasn't that bad... Shinji (to Rei): "Err...excuse me. I'm going to see what's going on." Rei: "Hai." She doesn't move from her chair and continues to eat. --- Shinji runs into the bathroom and sees Asuka hunched over the washbasin, wiping her mouth. Shinji: "What's going on, Asuka? Is there something wrong?" Asuka (panting and recovering): "I...just felt faint. Nothing else... don't worry...go back to the kitchen and finish your dinner." Shinji looks down at the washbasin and sees an ugly, unnaturally green matter in it. He then glances at Asuka, who gives him a reassuring smile. A secret smile. A smile that she only shows him. When she smiles at him like that, Shinji feels relieved. He feels calm and appeased, and can't help but return the smile... Asuka: "Okay, sorry. I don't think I cooked very well..." Shinji: "Don't say that. Really, the food's excellent." (grinning:) "And Rei isn't throwing up. Not yet, anyways." Asuka (smiling again): "...baka..." She then hugs him and kisses him again. Shinji's eyes widen and he pushes Asuka away as fast as he possibly can. Asuka (surprised): "Wh...what the...you don't...?" Shinji (panting): "No...it's just that...you haven't rinsed your mouth out yet, and that taste...that was disgusting...ugh!" Asuka looks at him, puzzled at first, and then bursts out laughing. Asuka: "Ahah, sorry, Shin-chan!! I'm so sorry!! Hahahaha!!!" Shinji (scratching the back of his head): "Hmmm...no need to be so sorry, I..." Asuka: "Forgive me. I'll wash my mouth out and we'll pick it up again later, okay?" (with a wink:) "I'll try to make up for it!" Shinji (smiling): "Okay." Then, they freeze when they see Rei in the hallway, looking blankly at them. There's an uncomfortable pause, which Asuka then breaks. Asuka: "What do you want, Wondergirl?" Rei: "I've finished my dinner. I was waiting for Ikari-kun. We have to go to the harmonics tests." Shinji: "Oh, yeah, that's right. We're gonna be late, and Misato-san will be furious..." Asuka (frowning, to herself): "That bitch! She wants my Shin-chan! I have to do something or she'll take advantage of him on the way to head- quarters!" Images fly through Asuka's mind, including shooting a bazooka at Rei and putting her into several deadly wrestling holds. She brushes them away, since she doesn't own any guns, and wrestling isn't recommended during pregnancy. A quicker, more peaceful solution to the problem pops up in her mind, and she allows herself a quick, devilish smile while Shinji faces Rei. She then collapses inexplicably in front of them. They both suddenly turn to see her fall to the floor. Asuka (to herself): "Heh heh. With this, I'm sure he'll stay with me and tell Wondergirl to go to the tests and explain what happened to Misato! And then he'll be all mine!! I'm such a genius!" Shinji: "A...Asuka!? What's going on?" He runs to her, looking at her face. Shinji (to himself): "She...passed out?" He then takes her in his arms. Shinji (to Rei): "I'm going to put her to bed. Please wait." Rei: "Hai." Asuka (to herself): "Ha ha! It's working just as I planned! I surprise myself sometimes!" --- Shinji takes Asuka to her room, lays her down on her bed and gently covers her with the blankets. Asuka (to herself): "Mmmmmmm...stay with me, Shinji. Please stay with me." She then hears the door shutting. Asuka (to herself): "WHAT!??? He left me alone!?? That...that...hmph! I'm gonna kill him when he comes back!" Short pause. Asuka: "Well, I'll take a nap then..." --- Central Dogma. A dark corridor. Misato hangs up a receiver. Misato (furious): "I'm gonna kill them." Ritsuko: "Don't tell me they won't come..." Misato: "I'm afraid they won't, actually." Ritsuko: "Rei, too?" Misato nods. Ritsuko: "Damn them! These kids don't realize how important they are to humankind!" Misato (grinning): "I don't think this is quite so bad as you may think. It's perfect right now, actually." Ritsuko (surprised): "What do you mean?" Misato: "I want to ask you some questions." Ritsuko: "What do you want to know? We don't hide anything from you, Major Katsuragi." Misato: "I'm not doing this for my sake. It's for Asuka." Ritsuko (shuddering a bit at that name): "Well...I'm listening." Misato (seriously): "Teri isn't in danger, is she?" Ritsuko (hesitating): "...yes and no..." Misato (suddenly grabbing her by the collar): "What do you mean!? I want answers! I KNEW you were hiding something!" Ritsuko: "Calm down first, and then I'll explain everything!" Misato waits a few seconds before releasing Ritsuko. Misato (sighing): "Okay, I'm calm. But if what you're going to say may put Asuka, Teri, or even Shinji in danger, I'll make damned sure that you'll be sorry!" Ritsuko: "I hadn't done anything, really! It's Commander Ikari's fault!" Misato (frowning): "So...? What's he up to now?" Ritsuko: "I...Ikari's a madman. He wants...he wants to kill Asuka." Misato: "WHAT!!? WHY!?" Ritsuko (looking at the floor): "You know that SEELE has begun mass production of EVA Units all over the world...?" Misato: "I've heard it from the Special Affairs section. But why are they building EVA Units without us? They won't..." Ritsuko: "Ikari fears that they may come with the other Units and--" Misato: "That can't be! That's insane! Why!?" Ritsuko: "He wants us...to prepare ourselves...to face them in battle." Misato: "And what's the link with Asuka?! I don't understand anything! Talk!" Ritsuko: "No...I can't tell you...he'll kill me if..." Misato: "TELL ME, DAMMIT!!!" Ritsuko: "..." Misato (yelling): "TELL ME!!!" Ritsuko (her voice trailing off from time to time): "Asuka's daughter... has been...genetically modified...to be able to pilot the EVAs with a perfect 100% synchro rate...there it is (sigh)." Misato: "WHAT!!!? I can't believe this!!! When did that happen!? Did YOU do that to her!?" Ritsuko: "NO! The LCL in Unit 02 isn't the same kind we used in the other units. It contains some substance that...acts as a DNA modifier. I noticed that when I was writing her pregnancy report! It's not my fault!" Misato: "...that can't be...don't tell me that YOU'RE in this with him! Don't TELL me! What are the risks!? I hope Asuka won't..." Ritsuko: "I'm afraid she...she may not survive the childbirth..." Misato slaps her across the face. Ritsuko doesn't even move. Misato: "I've heard enough of this stupidity! I'm leaving!" She walks away, down the corridor. Ritsuko looks at the floor and rubs her cheek in pain. Ritsuko: "...Misato. It's not what you think..." --- Back in the apartment. Asuka slowly wakes up and sees two red lights shining in the darkness. It's sometime late in the afternoon. Rei: "You're awake." Rei is sitting in a chair by the side of Asuka's bed. Asuka suddenly sits up in her bed, surprised to see Rei here. Asuka: "R-Rei? What are you doing here...?" Rei: "I'm keeping an eye on you." Asuka: "What...do you mean!? Where's Shinji?" Rei: "He's in the kitchen." Asuka (grinning, to herself): "Hmmm...now is the time! Asuka, attack!" (to Rei:) "So...what's wrong? You're jealous because Shinji's mine, aren't you!?" Rei: "Maybe I am." Asuka (surprised by that quick answer): "H-how? Don't make me laugh. We're both girls here. I know you have something for him." Rei: "Yes. But that's something you couldn't understand." Asuka (irritated): "Is that so? You mean that I'm too stupid to under- stand your feelings, doll? What am I saying? I must be crazy! Dolls don't have any feelings." Rei: "I'm not a doll." Asuka: "Of course you are! You're nothing else. You always obey everything Commander Ikari says. He has full control over you! I'm sure that you'd kill yourself if he wanted you to!" Rei: "I just said that I'm not a doll." Asuka: "And who could believe that lie?" Rei: "No one could believe that lie, because it's not a lie." Asuka: "You won't take Shinji away from me, you stupid doll! I swear!" Rei: "Who told you that I would take him away from you?" Asuka: "What the..." (calming down a little, to herself:) "That bitch! She's right! I've been lying to myself from the start. What gave me that idea?" Rei: "Your hatred is consuming you, like the fire burning in your eyes." Asuka (realizing that she had lowered her defenses): "You're not gonna try to teach me any lessons!" Rei: "I won't let Ikari-kun's child be consumed by hatred." Asuka: "What's your problem!? You...you...you..." Shinji: "Asuka! Please stop that!" The two girls turn their eyes towards the doorway. They see Shinji walking towards them with some food and some of Asuka's medication on a tray. Asuka (softly): "Shinji..." Shinji: "Thank you, Ayanami. I'll take care of the rest. Sorry for the trouble. I explained everything to Misato-san. She understood." Rei stands up and heads to the door where Shinji was seconds earlier. Rei: "Sayonara." The sounds of a door sliding open and then closing are heard shortly after that. Asuka's room is silent again. Shinji sits down where Rei was earlier. Neither Asuka or Shinji dare say anything. After a few moments, Shinji finally opens his mouth. Shinji: "What were you thinking?! You said that she was a *friend*!" Asuka doesn't look at him. Instead, she lowers her head and looks away. Shinji: "Why are you so mean to Rei? She hasn't done anything to you!" Asuka: "I...(sigh)...I don't know...what's wrong with me. Yeah, that's right. I don't know." Shinji can see a single tear fall from her eye and run down her cheek. Shinji (softly): "...I'm sorry, Asuka. I didn't mean to--" Asuka (wiping her face): "Pff..." (chuckling a bit:) "Do you really think that you can be easily forgiven with an 'I'm sorry' for making me cry...?" She looks up at him with her usual peaceful smile. Shinji (surprised): "Hmmm...then, perhaps you'll like this..." He stands up and heads to the desk he had put the tray down on minutes earlier. He comes back towards Asuka with the heart-shaped box he'd bought after school. Asuka is bewildered. She can't believe that he'd done this for her, and it wasn't even White Day yet. He gives her the box. Her hands are trembling. Asuka: "For...me?" Shinji (a bit hesitantly): "May I be your Valentine tonight...? Will you give me your heart?" Asuka is a bit stunned by this. Shinji: "...err...will you?" She looks at him, blushes and accepts the chocolate box. Asuka (softly): "Of course, idiot..." Shinji's eyes soften. A warm feeling envelops his entire body. Shinji: "Really?" Asuka: "What gave you the idea that I wouldn't? Take a look under the bed, will you?" Shinji: "What?" Asuka: "Don't ask questions! Just do it!" Shinji (a bit sarcastically): "Yes, ma'am." He complies and takes a quick glance under the bed. Then his eyes widen. He reaches under the bed and pulls out a large heart-shaped chocolate wrapped in red foil paper. Shinji: "You...you made this?" Asuka (softly): "Yes...I made that with all my heart, and it's for you, baka." Shinji: "But...I thought that...you...you know...I wanted to do this like they do in Germany...I heard that boys there usually offer choco- late to the girls they love on this day, right?" Asuka: "Yeah, you're right. But let me remind you that we're in Japan. It's completely different here. I have to obey the traditions of this country..." Shinji (surprised): "You...? Obeying something? Let alone a tradition? You must be feverish!" Asuka: "Ahem, well...if I can't give you a present now, then I'll take this back if you don't want it!" Shinji: "...t-that's not what I meant!" Asuka (feigning sadness): "Don't try to hide your feelings...you love Rei, don't you? You lout! After what you've done to me! I can't believe this...sob..." Shinji (falling into Asuka's trap): "No...really, Asuka...really, I don't..." He leans forward and wraps his arms around Asuka before kissing her. Asuka (to herself): "Whoa! Shinji takes the situation in hand! If he thinks that I'll just let him do what he wants with me...!" She returns the kiss, more deeply than ever before, leaning on him. Shinji is very surprised by the sudden enthusiasm coming from his other half. After a while, they break off the kiss and Asuka rests her head against his shoulder. Shinji (softly): "You see now...? The One I Love is...You, Asuka." [Author's note: OK, OK, I shouldn't have written this. Sorry, Kami- Rakna-samaaaa!] Asuka (feigning her furious mode): "Hmph. Never kiss me again without my permission, okay!!?" Shinji: "S...sorry." Asuka: "How are you going to make this up to me...?" Then, she bursts out laughing. Shinji (puzzled): "What's so funny...?" Asuka (leaning back and pointing at him, still laughing): "Ahahah! You just fell into my trap!!! I'm a genius! Hohoho! I can't believe you REALLY can be sooooo dumb!!!" Shinji (standing up): "WHAT???" Asuka (giggling): "Yeah, I played the offended girl with a broken heart! And YOU fell for it! I love you, Shin-chan! Ahahahah!" She laughs for a while. When she notices that she's the only one laughing, she finally calms down. Asuka (panting): "Ahhhh...okay, seriously...you owe me one!" Shinji (smiling): "I-I guess...it's now my turn to take you on a date, then!" Asuka (surprised): "What?" Shinji: "Hm...wanna go somewhere? How about a restaurant?" Asuka: "I...err...well. I can't refuse, after all. Especially if you pay for everything." Shinji is stunned again, but he soon recovers his senses. He never thought that she could ask him to pay. He had no reason to be surprised, after all; he already knew how straightforward and blunt she could be. He had already decided that he would pay for every- thing, anyway, so it didn't throw him off that much. Asuka (sitting up in her bed): "Okay. Where are we going, then?" Shinji: "Misato showed me a fashionable French restaurant called 'Aux Deux Chandelles'. How about there?" Asuka: "If there's European food, I just can't say no!" Shinji (chuckling): "I'm going to get dressed...errr...what will you wear for the date?" Asuka: "I guess I'll need something fashionable..." Shinji (grinning, with a bad fake French accent): "De preference." Asuka, puzzled: "Wh...what did you say?" Shinji: "Preferably, in French. The staff at AXL's Game Center taught me some cool French phrases, you know." Asuka (with that devilish grin on her face): "Pfff...I HATE boys who try to impress me like that..." Shinji: "Err...sorry...I only thought that..." Asuka places a finger on his lips to shut him up. Asuka: "Stop thinking. Go to your room and get dressed. I'll be ready in a few minutes, okay?" Shinji: "...Okay." --- Two hours later. A foot is tapping impatiently on the floor. Shinji is wearing, for the first time, a dinner jacket Misato gave him for his last birthday. He never thought that, one day, he would actually wear it, but this evening is very special, so...he's been waiting for Asuka for over an hour and a half, since it didn't take him long to get dressed. He looks at the clock; It's 9:45 and Misato isn't here yet. Shinji is a bit worried by that... Asuka: "How do I look?" He turns his eyes towards the other end of the hallway, where he sees Asuka in a long red evening dress, with two matching long red gloves. She looked like a fully-grown woman. He blinked. It was unusual for Shinji to see her like that. He was speechless. Asuka makes a slow pirouette to show herself off to him from every angle. Asuka: "So, how do I look? Does it suit me well?" Shinji: "...Yes...very well...I can't find the words to describe you... really. Hmm...maybe except for your stomach, I think this suits you well." Asuka (sighing): "It's very tight in this, because of Teri...I hope this evening won't be too tiring." Shinji: "Did you do your breathing exercises today?" Asuka: "How do you know that I'm doing breathing exercises daily? Are you spying on me?" Shinji (gulped): "Well...I-I think it's normal that I...care about the girl I love the most on this earth." Asuka (blushing): "You don't need to tell me that...I knew how you felt since my mission in the volcano." (giggling:) "The look in your eyes has always betrayed you since then!" Shinji: "I'd rather say it was because you flashed me in your swimsuit when you helped me with my exercise on thermal expansion..." Asuka: "I was that...appealing?" Shinji: "Errr...yeah, but...that's not what attracts me the most about you, you know." Asuka: "And what's my most precious asset, then?" Shinji (blushing): "Errr...your face?" Asuka (chuckling): "Thanks, stupid." Before leaving, Asuka takes her purse into her room. Shinji (smiling): "Well, let's go or we'll be late. The reservation is for 10:30." Asuka: "And if I had refused your invitation?" Shinji: "I'd have cancelled everything and then thrown myself out of the window." Asuka: "Baka!" Shinji (smiling): "And why did you say 'I *was* that appealing' earlier? You're still very attractive now!" Asuka (blushing): "Oh, shut the hell up!!! You'll make me blush!" Shinji: "Too late!" Asuka: "Shinji, I'm bored. Wanna..." (feigning her 'furious mode' again:) "...get slapped again!?" Shinji chuckles. --- NERV, Terminal Dogma. Misato stands in front of Fuyutsuki, looking furious. Misato: "What are you DOING to her!? I need answers!" Fuyutsuki: "What do you mean, Major? Who are you talking about?" Misato: "Asuka! What are you doing to her!? Don't lie to me, Vice- commander!" Fuyutsuki (lowering his head): "You mean...her child." Misato: "As her guardian and Major of Tactical Operations, I have the right to know!" Fuyutsuki: "I can't explain it to you, and I wonder how you gained access to this classified information, Major Katsuragi." He gasps when he hears a *click*. Misato is aiming at him with her handgun. Misato: "Don't force me to kill you." Fuyutsuki: "I don't think this matter is worth a murder." Misato: "You're not the one I wanted to see. And you're not the one I want to kill. Where is that rotten Commander bastard?" Fuyutsuki: "He left two days ago for a meeting. He won't be back for a few months..." Misato: "Hmph! You REALLY think I'm gonna swallow that?" Fuyutsuki: "That's the truth, actually." Misato: "A meeting, huh? With who?" Fuyutsuki: "I can't tell you." Misato: "It seems that I won't get anything from you, will I?" Fuyutsuki: "I don't know why he left, either. Commander Ikari behaves so strangely these days." Misato: "We'll see that when he comes back. It would be better for you if he comes back as soon as possible, and it would be EVEN better for you if he comes back BEFORE Asuka gives birth. You know what I mean, don't you?" Without letting him answer, she puts the handgun back under her jacket and leaves quickly. --- The restaurant. Our happy couple sits at the table Shinji reserved earlier. The room is quite dark, only illuminated by two candles on each table. In fact, the restaurant was like its name described it; 'Aux Deux Chandelles' means 'At the Two Candles' in French. Asuka: "Aren't we too young to be here?" She looks around at all the older couples at the other tables. The waiter comes and takes their orders. Asuka orders frogs' legs and Shinji gasps when he sees the price, but nothing is too much for his love's happiness, he thought after that. Asuka: "I LOVE French food, you know." Shinji: "Yeah, I know. That's what Misato told me." Asuka: "You asked Misato?" Shinji (blushing): "Well, I really didn't know where I could take you tonight, so..." Asuka (smiling): "Hm...I understand. You're so sweet when you want to be!" Shinji orders ribs of beef with sausages on the side. However, after their food arrives, he has a bit of difficulty using his cutlery. This makes Asuka giggle. Shinji (frowning): "What's so funny?" Asuka, giggling: "Haha...you seem to be having trouble with your knife and fork...!" Shinji (blushing): "Errr...well...I rarely use them to eat, and..." Asuka slowly stands up, walks towards Shinji and takes position behind him. She then leans over his shoulder and puts her hands on his. Shinji feels his heart beating faster. He can also feel Asuka's heart going faster against his shoulder, as well as the warmth of her cheek close to his, and from her hands on his, even through her gloves. Asuka: "You have to do it...like this..." She makes him cut the beef with his knife and pick up a piece of it on his fork. Asuka (smiling): "Understood?" Shinji: "Y-yeah...I guess." Asuka (sitting back down in her chair): "Well, that's better." Shinji is mesmerized watching Asuka eating with so much ease. Asuka: "I've never had a Valentine before, you know." Shinji (shocked): "Never? There must have been somebody before me..." Asuka: "Oh, of course, SOME boys were my Valentine for the past few years. I accepted them to please them, but they only cared for what was on the outside, you know." She looks down at her plate. Shinji (shocked again): "...I-I'm not like any of them...I truly feel something special for you, Sohryu Asuka Langley. If you really want to know, I don't like you for what you do, nor for what you look like. I like you for what you really *are*: A human being and a very attractive young girl, in many ways." Asuka looks up and smiles at him. And he gets another reward... Asuka: "Thanks..." He braces for the eventual insult that accompanies her saying "Thanks." Asuka: "...Shinji." For Shinji, being called 'stupid' by Asuka was a compliment in itself. But being called by his own name was even more...pleasant. Shinji: "That's really how I feel, Asuka. I want to be with you, as long as possible. I mean it." Asuka: "Even after what I told you when we had sex...?" Shinji then remembers what she told him while she was atop him, several months earlier. He replays her words in his mind: ---FLASHBACK--- Asuka: "I'm only doing this because I'm bored! You're nothing but a toy to me! A toy to please myself, Shinji! Don't even think that I'm doing this because I love you, you pathetic little boy!" ---END OF FLASHBACK--- Asuka: "I'm really...sorry...if I did hurt you that time...I REALLY hate to say this, but I'm sorry. There it is." Shinji: "I think that, even if you're mean to me, even if you scorn me, I can't hate you. And I already told you why." Asuka: "I took my time in the apartment to realize that someone was caring for me after all. I didn't want to accept that, but I now know that I can't deny it. I love you, Shinji." Shinji: "So do I, Asuka...so do I." Asuka: "Well, then, how about another promise?" Shinji: "Hey! I'll have to write these all down on a piece of paper or I'll forget them all!" The two burst out laughing. Asuka (giggling): "May God protect us on the battlefield! Neither one of us is gonna die in battle, okay? For each other's sake! And for Teri's!" Shinji (cheerfully): "Yeah! And I swear that I'll protect you if any- thing happens!" Asuka (giggling): "And I'll do the same for you, too, I swear!" Shinji: "Deal!" Asuka: "Deal! Let's celebrate that with a drink!" Shinji (a bit fearful): "Errr...do you think it's wise to drink alcohol...at our age?" Asuka: "Oh come on, you're a man, aren't you? So, It'll be your first drink, won't it?" Shinji: "Yeah...sort of...before you arrived, Misato used to tease me by switching the drinks around in the fridge..." (blushing heavily:) "I once got drunk from only one can of Yebichu because of that..." Asuka (giggling): "Uh-oh! So, you're a real man!" Shinji: "By the way, I don't think you should drink alcohol when you're pregnant. Besides, they wouldn't serve it to us anyways." Asuka (a bit less cheerful): "Ah, you're right. Forget about that idea, then. Damn!" --- In someone's messy room, a phone rings. Kaji stirs in his bed and tries to pick up the receiver. He finally succeeds in this (hard) task. Kaji (in a slurred voice): "Hmmmmm? Whozit?" Misato (over the phone): "Kaji. We need to talk." Kaji: "Mi-chan...do you know what time it is?" Misato: "Yeah, one o'clock in the morning. But that's not the point. I hate to say this, but...I need your help." Kaji: "What's the problem? Trying to choose one of two new brands of gaijin beer? I recommend..." Misato: "Kaji. I'm serious. Our three proteges are in great danger." Kaji (more serious): "What's going on?" Misato: "Commander Ikari is insane." Kaji: "I already know that." Misato: "What?" Kaji: "Hm, never mind. Well, I'm listening." Misato: "Asuka's gonna die during her childbirth...and I'm afraid that we won't be able to do anything to save her." Kaji: "What the...?" Misato: "Ikari's playing genetic engineer." Kaji: "Don't tell me that...he WON'T do what I'm thinking about right now...will he?" Misato: "I'm afraid so." Uncomfortable pause. Misato: "Listen...I've got a plan. I hope you'll help me." Kaji: "I think we've got no choice." Misato: "Yeah, no choice at all. Besides, there's no time to waste." --- Somewhere in a park. Asuka and Shinji are walking silently side by side, hand in hand. Shinji (softly): "Asuka..." Asuka: "Yes?" Shinji: "You remember when you asked me why I pilot EVA:01? I told you I didn't know. But I think I've found the reason why I'm piloting now." Asuka: "So, what is it?" Shinji (hesitantly): "T-The reason, Asuka...is *you.*" Short pause. Asuka can't find the words. She wants to say something, but remains silent instead. Shinji: "I'll fight these damn Angels for you, Asuka. And for Teri. I want to fight in order to provide a peaceful world for our daughter!" Asuka: "..." Shinji: "I really love you, Asuka. I want to protect you. But...I don't know how to express my feelings towards you with words..." Asuka: "We don't need words for that...I mean..." She looks at him and sees that he has tears in his eyes. She takes a handkerchief from her purse and holds it out to him. Asuka: "Baka...you're so sensitive sometimes..." Shinji: "Y-yeah...I know..." Shinji wipes his tears with the handkerchief. She kisses his cheek. He blushes. Asuka (smiling): "I like you because of that. You're always honest with me, even when I'm mean to you..." Shinji: "We still have so many things to learn about each other, you know..." Asuka: "Yeah, and we've got plenty of time to do that..." Pause. Asuka (closing her eyes): "We should thank Teri for everything..." Shinji: "What?" Asuka (teasing): "After all, it's her fault that I fell in love with you!" Shinji: "Hey! It was YOUR idea at first!!!" Asuka: "Yeah, I know. I wanted to give you a chance to seduce me. It seems that it worked pretty well!" The two of them laugh heartily at that. Minutes later, the apartment is just in front of them. --- The apartment door opens and closes quickly, but quietly. They're still laughing. Asuka: "Honestly, if you had SEEN your face that time! It was sooooo funny!" Shinji: "It was YOUR fault at first, mind you!" Asuka: "But Sensei didn't punish me, did he?" Shinji: "You were just lucky because Kensuke took your defense, and I bet you didn't see how red his face was...!" Asuka: "Well...errr...I think we should be quiet. Misato may be sleeping. What time is it?" Shinji: "Three o'clock. That walk in the park took us quite a long time." Asuka (grinning): "Hey, Shinji..." Shinji: "What?" She approaches him and whispers something in his ear. Asuka (softly): "I don't want to sleep alone..." Shinji gulps. Shinji: "What do you mean?" Asuka (softly): "Wanna...stay with me tonight?" Shinji: "Well, you told me, no sex until Teri's birth, remember...?" Asuka: "Baka! Just sleep, nothing else! Were you thinking with your other head, you hentai? I just want to feel you next to me while I sleep." She does her 'Kawaii Asuka Heart-Melting Special Attack(TM)' at this moment. Asuka: "Please..." Shinji (unable to say anything but--): "...How could I refuse?" Asuka (smiling broadly): "I think that this'll be a beautiful Valentine's Night, wrapping up an ordinary Valentine's Day, Shinji. Thank you." --- Early in the morning. Misato steps into her apartment and quietly takes off her shoes. The night she just spent had been very exhausting. Misato (instinctively, in a quiet voice): "Tadaima..." She looks at the clock in the kitchen. Five o'clock. Misato (to herself): "I have to talk to her...she has to know, after all...now...how do I tell her?" She heads to Asuka's room and knocks on the door. No answer. Misato (to herself): "I HAVE to tell her..." (to Asuka, through the door:) "It's me, Asuka. I'm coming in!" She opens the door, and then stands there, completely speechless. Under the covers, there are Shinji and Asuka, both dressed in pyjamas, holding each other close but gently. Asuka is resting her head on his chest. The expression on their faces show that they are sharing a great moment of true happiness and peace in their lives. Misato feels very weird all of a sudden. For someone who was unaware of the situation, this would be a beautiful and cute scene. However, Misato was facing, in complete horror, what she dreaded since she heard about Gendo's plans: Her two roommates caring for each other, truly loving each other. She knew how Shinji would react if he knew what was going on. Yes, she knew that well. Too well, actually. But would it be worse not to tell him now and let him face Asuka's fate? Would it be wise? Misato couldn't tell at all. Still, she's a Major. She has to make decisions quickly and thoroughly. But now, this is too difficult for her...too difficult for a Major. It's definitely too difficult for any human being to choose what to do now. She quickly leaves the room and shuts the door quietly. She then heads to her own room, tears in her eyes. Misato (to herself): "This HAS to be a nightmare...!" --- TO BE CONTINUED... --- Author's notes: As always, thanks to all my pre-readers: Alain Gravel (aka Rakna), AI-l-Bus, EBJ, Greg Thomas, Shinji Ikari The 10 O'clock Assassin, and of course, Borderline Case, who gave me some great WAFFy ideas. The Child Of Love is archived on RAAC, SDAT, Rakna's Fanfiction archive (http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/2236), Addison Godel's Evangelion Fanfiction Archive (http://www.ummagurau.com/evafic.htm) and of course, on ASUKA's Notebook (http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/). Don't hesitate to send C&C! I read every E-mail, even ads! :-) (no, just kidding, ads just get a quick DEL strike on my keyboard!) Well, I think that's all I wanted to say to my beloved readers, heh heh :-). See ya soon! Axel Terizaki NEXT CHAPTER: "SEVENTH MONTH: I Am Not Worthy." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE -=SEVENTH MONTH=- Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net). ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson , 1999 5 12. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 21, 8 18-22 and 10 03. Version 1.3. LAST CHAPTER: There is now a crisis in Tokyo-3. Major Misato Katsuragi is now aware of Commander Gendo Ikari's dark plans, which seem to be part of the Instrumentality Project. However, she can't find the strength to face the present situation while Shinji and Asuka, her two roommates, seem to live in a perfect romance in their own world, unaware that Asuka's life is in grave danger... What is Misato going to do? Will she tell Shinji what's going on? How will Shinji react when he hears this? And Asuka? She's concerned, too, to say the least. What will she do? Who's gonna win in the "The One I Love Is..." fan fiction series? Asuka Langley Sohryu or Sohryu Asuka Langley? ;-) --- CAPTION: SEVENTH MONTH CAPTION 2: I Am Not Worthy --- AXL's Game Center, Tokyo-3. Asuka, Shinji, Toji, Kensuke, Rei and Hikari are in front of the entrance door. Shinji: "Are you feeling okay, Asuka?" Asuka (taking his arm): "Yeah...I think." Shinji: "You're not going to get sick today? You sure?" Asuka (annoyed): "I just said I was okay! Are you deaf?" Shinji: "No, it's just that I'm worried about you. You've been sick so often lately..." Asuka: "I don't know why I'm like this..." Hikari: "That's strange. Usually, this only occurs during the first few months..." Asuka: "I did feel sick during my first few months, you know. But it's so frequent these days..." Kensuke: "Well, how about going in? I wanna try this new game!" Toji: "He's right! Let's play!" --- Everyone enters AXL's Game Center. As usual now, Guillaume welcomes them. Guillaume: "Bonjour, Asuka. Tu as amen, tous tes amis?" [Hello, Asuka. You brought all your friends?"] Asuka: "Oui." [Yes.] Guillaume: "Comment vas-tu?" [How are you?] Asuka: "Errr...tres...bien." [Errr...fine.] Guillaume (smiling): "Hmmmmm...tu as bien travaille." [Hmmmm...you've been working hard.] Asuka: "C'est dur. Je fais beaucoup errr...d'efforts. Je remercie vous." [It is hard. I'm making many, errr...efforts. I you thank (I thank you).] Guillaume (applauding): "Not bad! Except for the thanks. It's 'je vous remercie'. You just got the words the wrong way." Asuka: "Damn! I'll never get it right!" Guillaume: "You'll get better at it, don't worry." He turns his head towards the others. Guillaume: "I guess you've all come here to see our new game?" Kensuke: "Yes, sir!" Guillaume: "Well..." (shouting at someone behind him:) "GORDON!!! Come here!!!" Gordon (from a short distance away): "Yeeees!!! I'm comin'!" A blond man just as tall as Guillaume appears from behind him. Guillaume: "Will you tell our guests about that new game?" Gordon: "Of course. Just step this way..." He points at a big arcade machine at the center of the room with six screens and six control pads around them. Gordon: "...'CAPCOM vs. SNK 2010: Next Generation'!" Everyone: "Woooah...." Gordon: "78 fighters, 1220 special moves to perform, 43 scenes, 129 mega hit combos, 23 fatal combos and the rare but almighty 3 Supreme Combos!" Guillaume taps on Gordon's shoulder. Guillaume: "Gordon...?" Gordon: "Yes?" Guillaume: "How much did this game cost?" Gordon approaches Guillaume and tells him something softly in his ear. Guillaume's eyes widen... Guillaume (worried): "Who decided to buy this game?" Gordon: "Mygard wanted that game at any cost. You know perfectly well how burdensome his tastes are." Guillaume: "Oh, gawd...he probably wanted to get revenge for the Obon Festival afternoon...!" Gordon: "I dunno." Guillaume (to the children): "Well, as usual, I'll let you take first crack at it. Have fun!" He then leaves with Gordon via the elevator. Shinji: "Pfff...why are you suddenly speaking French...?" Asuka: "Idiot! I just want to give my daughter a good education!" Shinji: "So you think that speaking French might help?" Asuka (humphing): "You don't understand anything!" Everyone (except Rei, who remains silent) laughs at the couple. Asuka: "SHUT UP, YOU FOOLS!!!" Everyone then stops laughing, visibly frightened of something. Hikari (trying desperately to relax the atmosphere): "Well, how about a little game?" Asuka: "Okay! Let's sit down and play! And may the best fighter win!" Shinji sees that Rei isn't doing anything. Shinji: "Ayanami?" Rei: "Yes?" Shinji: "Why aren't you sitting down? Don't you want to play with us?" Rei: "Playing is futile. It's just an attempt to escape reality." Shinji: "Well...it may be fun! Why not give it a try? I'd be happy if you'd play with us." Rei (looking up at him): "It would make you happier if I played with you, Ikari-kun?" Shinji: "Y-yes." Rei: "Well, then, I'll play this game with you." Asuka is fuming, seeing that Shinji's paying more attention to Rei than to her... Rei: "What are the rules...?" Shinji (surprised): "Ah...never played this kind of game before?" Rei: "Should I have?" Shinji: "Well, don't worry. It's very easy, just look at me..." --- The SEELE meeting room, at an unknown location. It is mostly dark, as usual. Ikari Gendo is at his desk, hands under his nose. SEELE 02: "Ikari, we know everything. Don't try to escape us this time." SEELE 05: "Don't play the fool any longer." SEELE 04: "Your silly project is now over." Gendo: "I don't hide anything from you." SEELE 03: "Still trying to lie?" Keel: "Listen carefully, Ikari. We know about the 'G-Child' Project. We also know that you intentionally modified Unit 02's water of life eight months ago." Gendo: "That information is falsified. MAGI hasn't reported anything." SEELE 04: "Of course, hiding facts is one of your favorite activities." SEELE 03: "Be careful, Ikari. Our patience is now limited." Gendo: "The Human Complementation Project will be completed soon. It's just a matter of time." SEELE 01: "Don't try to overtake the committee. You'd regret it." Gendo: "It's not my intention." Keel: "We'll see sooner than you expect. Watch your back, Ikari. This meeting is adjourned." This said, each SEELE symbol disappears. Gendo just sits there. He phones Fuyutsuki. Gendo: "Fuyutsuki. 'Megrael' is coming." Fuyutsuki: "Yes. Our satellites have already detected it from the stratosphere." Gendo: "Very good, old friend..." Fuyutsuki: "What was the committee's reaction to your 'manipulation'?" Gendo: "These old men are suspecting me of doing something behind their backs. They are more shrewd than I thought." Fuyutsuki: "But you said that this project was 100% planned, right?" Gendo: "There was only one mistake on my part. I won't let that happen again." Fuyutsuki: "You mean...your son?" Gendo: "Yes. I didn't think that the Second Child would use the Third to 'satisfy' her boosted hormones...this was a big mistake, and may result in complications." Fuyutsuki: "I see..." Gendo: "Is there anything else to report?" Fuyutsuki: "Except for the Angel attack, and Katsuragi obviously knowing some things about the project, everything seems normal." Gendo: "Katsuragi?" Fuyutsuki: "She is very 'upset' by the news, in fact." Gendo: "I see...arrest Dr. Akagi when the Angel is completely neutral- ized." Fuyutsuki (surprised): "Arrest her? Why?" Gendo: "She revealed classified information to someone outside of the project. Lock her away as soon as possible." Fuyutsuki: "I'm really not sure you're doing the right thing, Ikari." *click* Fuyutsuki: "Well..." --- Asuka: "Wondergirl! You're dead!" Our crew is sitting in an otherwise empty AXL's Game Center, around a giant console, each looking at their screen. Rei: "This is rather easy." Asuka (fuming): "Hmph...you'll see how unbeatable I am when I want to be!" Kensuke: "Hey girls, why not come and fight with us?" We can see on Asuka's screen a three-dimensional representation of an arena, in which fighters are battling against each other. Asuka and Rei are in a corner, trying to fight each other with super combos. The rest of the group are in the center, happily punching and kicking everyone else. Asuka: "When I've finished with her, I'll come and beat you, okay?!" Kensuke: "Oh, don't get too upset..." Suddenly, someone knocks at the glass door (which is obviously locked to prevent anyone from entering the Game Center while the kids are there). It's Misato, with an angry look in her eyes. The kids don't notice her. The sounds from the game are drowning her out. Guillaume, who was passing by, sees her and goes to see what's wrong with her. Guillaume (to Misato, through the glass door): "We're closed, miss. Please come back later." Misato: "I need to talk to these children! Please open up!" She takes her NERV ID card out of her jacket and shows it to Guillaume. Misato: "Open up, now!" Guillaume: "Oh, sorry, 'Major'." He unlocks the door. Misato walks in. Guillaume: "So, you're the famous Major Katsuragi. Pleased to meet you, ma'am. My name's Guillaume, and--" Misato (interrupting him): "Sorry, I've got no time to talk now." (to the Children:) "Hi, Children! This is your beloved Major of Tactical Operations. We've got an emergency, right here and now! Come on, hurry up!" This doesn't pull Asuka, Shinji and Rei away from their game (for once, Rei is actually interested in something...). Misato (softly): "Ahem..." (shouting:) "THERE'S AN *ANGEL ATTACK*!!!" Asuka: "Huh? Misato?" Shinji (turning his head towards Misato): "W-what is it, Misato-san?" Rei is now listening carefully. Misato (panting a bit, since her adrenaline is wearing off): "There... there's...an...Angel attack...pufff..." Everyone: "WHAT!!!?" Asuka: "You should have warned us earlier!" Toji: "But we don't hear the sirens yet!" As if by pure coincidence, the sirens start to blare. Misato: "Now, there they are! Come on! Kensuke, Toji and Hikari, hurry to the nearest shelter. I'm taking the three EVA pilots with me." Kensuke: "Well, two, in fact..." And with that, Asuka hits him on the back of his head, causing him to fall to the floor. Asuka: "Dummkopf! I'll show you--" Misato (interrupting her): "Shhh, come on, or Ritsuko will kill me...!" They run from the Game Center. --- In Misato's car. Rei is in the front seat while Shinji and Asuka are in the back, doing...well, they're in the back. Misato (on the phone): "Yeah, Ritsuko. They're with me now. Prepare a transport at gateway #7. I'll be there in a minute." Ritsuko: "Okay." Misato: "What's the situation?" Ritsuko: "Nothing that you don't already know...we'll see that later." Misato: "Well..." Misato hangs up the receiver. Misato: "Asuka, are you okay?" Asuka: "Of course I am! Why do you all want to know if I'm okay or not?!" Misato: "Because we all care about you..." (to herself:) "Damn, I shouldn't show how much I'm worried about her. Don't want her to get suspicious." In the back seat, Asuka puts her hand on top of Shinji's. Asuka (softly, to Shinji): "Do you remember our promise?" Shinji (nodding softly, to Asuka): "Yes...I know what I have to do. I will protect you, Asuka." Asuka: "Humph...if only I wasn't pregnant, I could go out there with you and kick that Angel's ass!!! I miss my Unit 02!" Misato: "Don't worry about the show. You'll be with me in the Control Room, okay? From there, you'll have a good view of the battle." Asuka: "Ah, good!" Shinji: "Asuka...?" Asuka looks him right in the eyes with that cute look on her face. Asuka: "Yes...?" Shinji: "I love you." Asuka (whispering): "Shinji...kiss me, now." Shinji (whispering): "But Misato and Rei are here..." Asuka (whispering): "I don't care. Besides, Misato is busy driving and Rei never sees anything...come on, kiss me, please..." With that, he leans over her and kisses her hard on the lips. They are soon locked in a tight embrace. Rei sees this in the car's rear-view mirror, but doesn't say or do anything. Misato sees them as well, and can't help grimacing as the pain tears her heart in half... --- NERV's Control Room. Ritsuko is talking with Misato. She takes a quick glance at Asuka's stomach before telling Misato more about the Angel. Ritsuko: "It seems that this Angel is keeping a stationary position above us. I don't know what its intentions are, but we just can't let it stay there like that!" Misato: "I understand. Give me a display of the target!" Makoto: "Right now, Major." MAGI displays the Angel stationed above Tokyo-3 on the screen. It looks like an Evangelion unit with wings. The likeness is unmistak- able. Asuka: "An...Eva?" Shigeru: "Blue pattern confirmed." Maya: "A.T. Field detected. The target is still stationary." Misato: "Okay guys, beginning of the tactical operations. Asuka?" Asuka: "W-what? What is it, Misato?" Misato (smiling): "Give this operation a name, will you?" Asuka: "Me? Give this operation a name? You're crazy! You're the Major here, aren't you?" Misato: "Hey, you have to participate in this a little bit, right?" Asuka: "Well, I really don't know...hmm...Operation 'Angel Override'?" (more animated:) "Whaddaya think of that?! Cool, isn't it?" Misato: "Okay! Beginning of Operation Angel Override. Everyone on Level 1 Battle Status!" A few minutes (and some defensive preparations) later, everyone is ready for the attack. Maya: "Angel still stationary!" Misato: "It won't move until we do something...report on the EVAs!" Shigeru: "Everything is okay. Ready for launch." Misato: "Well...Shinji, Rei. Can you hear me?" Two displays pop up on the screen. Rei & Shinji: "Hai!" Misato: "Asuka and I are going to lead this operation..." >From inside Unit 01, Shinji can hear a loud "WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT!!!?" coming from Asuka's mouth... Asuka: "Misato! You've been drinking too much! I'm a *pilot*! Not a strategist!" Misato (chuckling): "You're trying to tell me that you're *not capable* of thinking about a strategy to adopt?" Asuka (reluctantly): "Hmmmph...okay, okay..." Ritsuko (to herself): "This is insane..." Misato (turning her head towards Fuyutsuki): "Are there any objec- tions?" Fuyutsuki: "Of course not. Proceed with the attack." Misato (putting a hand on Asuka's shoulder): "Asuka, say the magic word!" Asuka: "Well, you asked for it...! Shinji, Wondergirl! Launch!!!" The two EVAs are then launched to the surface. Asuka (chuckling): "Hahaha! I'm sooooo good at this!" --- Minutes later, Unit 00 and 01 are each hiding behind a building, waiting for the right moment to lead the attack. Misato: "Report!" Shigeru: "Target still stationary, Major!" Misato: "Well...Rei, Shinji. Advance with caution." Asuka: "Why not rush towards that damn Angel?!" Misato: "Do you know the meaning of the word 'caution'?" Asuka: "Awww...that's boring! This attack needs some action! If only I was there..." As ordered, Shinji and Rei step slowly towards the Angel. Maya: "Energy concentration from the target!" Misato: "Rei, Shinji! Move back!" The two of them step back as a bright, wide beam of yellow light strikes the ground. Asuka: "Baka Shinji! Scatter!" Misato: "Shinji, raise your A.T. Field and try to disable the Angel's own!" Shinji tries to approach the Angel while the yellow light beams hammer the ground around him. Ritsuko (looking over Maya's shoulder): "The Angel seems to concen- trate its fire on Unit 01. It's emitting a beam of light of unknown nature at regular intervals ..." Asuka: "What can we do?" Ritsuko: "Destroy the target." Outside, Shinji is raising his A.T. Field. This seems to keep the light beams from reaching his EVA, but doesn't do anything else. Misato: "It seems that his A.T. Field stops the beam..." Ritsuko: "It's too early to say that..." Shinji (from his EVA): "...this is hard!" Asuka: "Come on, Shin-chan! You're strong! You can do it!" Shinji (looking at Asuka, smiling): "You're right, Asuka... ARRRRRGGHHH!" Maya: "No! Unit 01's A.T. Field is growing weaker! He won't hold off the beam much longer!" Asuka: "SHINJI!!! Move out of the way, you fool!!!" Too late. Unit 01 catches the beam right in the chest. Shinji: "UGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" The EVA falls to the ground. Asuka: "Shinji!!!" Rei: "Ikari-kun...!" Misato: "How's the pilot?" Makoto: "Reactions quite weak. Pulse not available! All systems have been shut down from inside the plug! We can't read anything!" Misato: "Send Recovery Teams A and B. Eject the plug!" Asuka: "..." Shigeru: "Ejection successful!" Misato: "Rei! Go and get Shinji's entry plug! Bring it to the 37th tunnel!" Rei: "Hai." Asuka: "Wondergirl! Move faster!!! DO SOMETHING, DAMMIT!!!!!!!" Misato: "Calm down, Asuka!" Asuka: "I'M CALM!!! THAT'S OBVIOUS, ISN'T IT!!?" Maya: "Sempai...look at this." Ritsuko (leaning over the console): "What? The Angel suffered some structural damage? Something got through its A.T. Field?!" Maya: "But it was minimal..." Asuka (to Misato): "...sorry, Misato..." Misato: "Shhh, don't worry. I understand how you feel..." Asuka (surprised): "You...you do?" Misato: "Hmmm...it's nothing, really. Just follow your feelings, Asuka." Asuka: "Okay...I...I'm sorry." Misato: "So, what's the situation, Ritsuko?" Ritsuko: "The Angel sustained some minimal structural damage, even to its A.T. Field. That's unbelievable..." Asuka: "I KNOW!!!" Everyone is stunned by Asuka's sudden exclamation. Asuka: "That's it! I know how to kill this bastard! I saw that in a video game! All we have to do is to get a giant mirror!" Makoto (to Shigeru): "What a ridiculous idea..." Shigeru (to Makoto): "Maybe she wants a mirror so she can put on some make-up!" The whole control room bursts out laughing. Asuka (to the room, through the speakers): "SHUT UP!!!!" Almost instantly, the control room goes silent. Misato: "Asuka, what's your idea?" Asuka: "Hmmm...why not...reflect its fire?" Ritsuko: "Of course! She's right! Since it's a beam of *light,* it can be reflected! All that we have to do is to send part of the beam back directly towards the Angel!" Misato: "Yes, it might just work. Don't we have anything like that someplace here?" Ritsuko: "Hmmm...I don't think so..." Asuka: "Hey!" Misato: "What now?" Asuka: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are solar panels in the Geofront, right?" Misato: "Yes!" Ritsuko: "Major! These solar panels are expensive! We'll need a lot of money to rebuild them if Rei fails! And running with only two independent generators is not really advisable..." Misato: "But that's the only thing we can use!" Ritsuko: "Well...you're right, but...okay. I approve." Misato (to Rei): "Rei! We're sending you two solar panels! Try to avoid enemy fire while they arrive, okay? Use them as mirrors to reflect the beam back towards the target! And be careful!" Rei: "Acknowledged." Asuka: "AND QUICKLY!!!" Misato: "Asuka..." Asuka: "Oops...yes, I'm calm...I'm calm..." A few minutes later, a pair of solar panels, like shields, pop out of a building. Rei quickly takes them and places herself in front of the beam just before raising her 'shields.' It perfectly reflects the beam. The Angel seems to be swallowed up by its own light and disappears without leaving any trace. Makoto: "Angel...neutralized." Shigeru: "MAGI can't find any sign of the enemy anymore. It completely vanished." Asuka (voice trailing off): "Where's...where's the recovery team...?" Maya: "They've retrieved the entry plug and are transferring the pilot to a hospital room in section 4." Misato: "Okay...we..." Before Misato can finish her sentence, four NERV Security Officers arrive, take Ritsuko's arms and handcuff her. Ritsuko: "What the...?" Fuyutsuki (from above): "Dr. Akagi, you're under arrest for disclosing top secret information. Lead her to her cell." Misato: "Vice-commander! What is this all about!? Who decided this?" Instead of answering, he leaves the room via an elevator. Ritsuko (being taken out of the Control Room): "Misato! Trust me, I--" One of the guards then clamps a hand over her mouth as she is led away. Misato (to herself): "That rotten bastard! He needed her to kill that Angel, and now, he puts her in a cell when she's useless to him...how kind of him..." Asuka: "What's going on, Misato? Why is Dr. Akagi--?" Misato (quietly): "That...we'll talk about it later, Asuka..." --- Shinji's mind. A dark void. Shinji: "Am I...dead?" Little voice: "No. You're not." Shinji: "Who's there...? Mother?" The little voice laughs. Little voice: "I'm someone close to you. You are...part of me. Otousan." Shinji: "Fa...father? I'm your...father? Teri? Is that you?" Teri: "Yes. I am." Shinji: "What is all this? Where are we?" Teri: "This is your mind. This is your dream. I can travel from dream to dream. It's one of my skills." Shinji: "What do you mean?" Teri: "That isn't important now, Otousan. Mom and I are in danger. Mom always told me that Grandpa is evil, but..." Shinji: "..." Teri: "...he's trying to kill her. And me." Shinji: "W-what did you just say?" Teri: "Please, Otousan. Mom needs you...and so do I. Both of us need you, to protect us." Shinji: "...I don't know..." Teri (angry): "You MUST make a decision, Otousan! If you don't do any- thing now, we'll die...we'll all die!" Shinji: "What am I supposed to do?! Where's the problem? What does father have to do with you and Asuka!?" Teri: "If you don't do anything...I'll be his toy...just like Auntie Rei..." [Author's note: Heh, heh, sorry, Eel (HERZ). It's just that I don't know what Teri could possibly call Rei, except for "Auntie."--Axel.] Shinji: "...'Auntie'?" Teri: "Enough said...come on, Otousan. Give me your hand. I'll bring you back to the real world." Shinji complies. When he takes his little girl's hand, a warm feeling spreads all over his body...he then wakes up in a hospital room. --- Back in the real world. Shinji is looking at the ceiling. Shinji, softly: "What is..." He feels warmth on his right hand, just like when he took his daugh- ter's hand seconds earlier in his mind world. He turns his head to the right, and sees a mass of red hair all over his arm. Asuka is sleeping, visibly exhausted, her face resting on his right hand. Shinji then realizes that Asuka's soft breathing is tickling his arm, but he doesn't care. Being alive with Asuka next to him is enough to make him happy. Well, sort of. He looks around the room and sees that there's a plate with some food on it on the table nearby. It was for Asuka, but it seems that she didn't take anything from it. Seconds later, Asuka wakes up, too. Asuka: "Hmmm...Shin-chan...you're awake...guten morgen..." Still, Shinji doesn't answer. Asuka rubs her eyes in order to clear her vision. She then leans over him and gives him a long, passionate kiss. Seconds later, however, Shinji breaks off the kiss. Asuka: "W-what's wrong...? I'm here waiting for you and that's how you thank me?" Shinji: "Asuka...please forgive me..." (turning his face away from her:) "I couldn't...protect you." This stuns Asuka. Asuka (with a comforting look on her face): "Tsss, it's over now... don't wor--" Shinji (interrupting her): "I'm not fit to be your boyfriend if I can't assure your safety! And therefore...I'm not fit to be Teri's father. So, please, Asuka, leave this room..." Shinji feels his bed start to shake violently. It's Asuka. Asuka: "You...you JERK!!! I can't believe this! You can't...you can't be serious!" Her voice trails off. Asuka: "Y...you can't do this! After ALL the things we did together! All those beautiful moments! You're just like all the other boys after all! Try to take advantage of me, and when...damn! This can't be!" Shinji: "Hate me if you must, but I'm afraid that..." He didn't realize how fast Asuka could run to the other side of a bed. She looked furious...even more than usual, if it could be possible. She looks him right in the eyes and slaps him, the sound of which resonates throughout the room like a gunshot. It was the second time in his life that Asuka had slapped Shinji. The first time was on the aircraft carrier. He looks up at her seconds later, and sees that she has tears in her eyes. Asuka (whispering): "Bastard..." She then nearly tears the door open and stomps out of the room and down the hall, almost running into Misato, who was passing by. Misato recovers quickly and wonders what just happened. She then decides to go visit Shinji, as she had intended to do at first. She looks back at where Asuka has just disappeared, and then walks into Shinji's room. Misato (shutting the door behind her): "So, Shinji-kun, how are..." She stops herself when she sees the angry red mark on his cheek. Misato: "Uh-oh...it seems that I came at a *bad* time." Shinji (sadly): "It's nothing, Misato-san. I'm just a weak little boy." Misato (puzzled): "Hey, what makes you say that? Are you okay?" Shinji: "I think...I am not worthy." Misato: "Not...what? What happened to Asuka? She was crying when I saw her just now! What did you do this time!?" Shinji: "You see? You're angry at me, too...you're so distant from us these days, Misato-san..." Misato: "No...that's not what I wanted to say...really, Shinji." Shinji: "I can't be Teri's father...I'm too weak!!!" Misato: "What the..." Shinji: "Please leave, Misato-san...I'm okay...well, sort of...but I want to be alone. Now." Misato (leaving the room): "Well, okay, If you say so. Take your time, Shinji-kun...but remember that there are a woman and a little girl who still need you. And please note that Asuka waited for you a long time...you slept there for two days, you know. Well, anyway, we'll talk about this later, okay?" Shinji: "O...okay..." She shuts the door, slumps against the wall of the corridor and puts a hand over her eyes. Misato (to herself): "Damn! This is getting worse and worse! Now, if Shinji has doubts about himself...well...I'd better go, or I'll miss my rendezvous with Kaji..." Back inside the room... Shinji (to himself): "Asuka...I'm..." --- Misato's car, somewhere in Tokyo-3. Misato and Kaji are inside. Misato: "Well, I'm listening...what have you found?" Kaji: "Being a spy isn't that easy, you know...but it's worth the risk! Look at this." He hands some papers to Misato. Misato (taking a look at the papers): "What is this?" Kaji: "LCL Analysis from Unit 02 in July 2016..." Misato: "One month before Asuka and Shinji..." Kaji: "Yes. Just before they had sex..." Misato: "What are those red dots everywhere in this picture?" Kaji: "According to Ritsuko's reports...those are hormone boosters. Sexual stimulants, if you prefer." Misato: "...w-what? You mean Commander Ikari...was planning this before the beginning of Asuka's pregnancy?" Kaji: "Yes. And Ritsuko possibly knew everything, too." Misato: "As I thought. Then it's probably a good thing that she's in jail now--" Misato catches herself and thinks about what she just said. Misato: "What am I saying? Poor Ritsuko...she wanted to warn me..." Kaji: "Or the reports she saw may have been tampered with...it's one of Ikari's specialties, you know..." Misato: "So, let me see if I have this right: Commander Ikari used sexual stimulants on Asuka in order to make it easier for her to become pregnant and 'create' a life form capable of using the Evangelions more effectively. But, since this life form's constitution is still unknown, it'll kill Asuka during childbirth. Am I right?" Kaji: "It *MAY* kill her. We could ask MAGI, but without Ritsuko now, it'll be harder to find out. As for the rest, I'm afraid so." Misato: "I could ask Maya, couldn't I? Do you have any information about how Asuka and Teri can be saved, by any chance?" Kaji: "Unless a miracle occurs, I think the best thing to do is to pray really hard..." Misato: "Goddammit, Kaji! Ikari's going too far! I knew he wasn't a saint at all, but there...Kaji, I beg you. We *must* stop him!" Kaji nods, then looks at the ceiling of the car. Kaji: "I've never been a saint, either, you know. However, because this is all about Asuka and Shinji, I feel that I have to do something, too. Really." Misato: "Thanks...in the end, you're not so..." Kaji (seeing that Misato is hesitating): "Not so what?" Misato: "Never mind. Any news about the committee?" Kaji: "From what I've heard, they are against Ikari's project, but that doesn't mean that those old men are with us. Quite the contrary, in fact." Misato: "I see. Still plotting something, right?" Kaji: "It seems so." Misato: "The big question is...what is the real motive behind Ikari's plans?" Kaji: "I don't know, either..." Misato: "Ritsuko told me that it was in order to prevent SEELE from entering Terminal Dogma..." Kaji: "This makes no sense at all. I mean, how could a newborn child use an Evangelion Unit? And besides, the committee seemed to be very hurried...no, he couldn't..." Misato: "What...?" Kaji: "He couldn't possibly trigger the childbirth to happen prema- turely if anything happens, could he?" Misato: "Does that mean that he *could* kill Asuka if he wanted to? My god!" Kaji: "Hey, don't fear the worst. It's only a hypothesis. Ikari may be a madman, but he's not stupid. If things are going to get too hot for him, he'll surely have more than one arrow in his quiver." Misato: "He could have planned it all...for all those months..." Kaji: "His scenarios are always perfect. He never leaves anything to chance." Misato: "Do you know where he is now...?" Kaji: "My sources on this point are quite blurred. Either the South Pole or Germany..." Misato: "Too far away...we'll have to wait until he comes back..." Kaji: "So, what are your plans?" Misato: "I don't know...I'm really overwhelmed by all these events." Kaji: "Have you told them?" Misato: "N...no...I'm afraid...of their reactions. They're only teens, after all, let's not forget that. I don't want to hurt them, especially when they're happy like this. I saw them kissing in my car before that Angel attack. It was...it was so sad to see them caring that much for each other while knowing that one of them will die, and...dammit! I don't know what to do! I'm so powerless! That fucking commander!!! They're so young and he's destroying their hopes!" She's on the verge of crying. Kaji: "Hey. hey, calm down...I have good contacts with expert bio- scientists. Maybe they can help us." Misato (wiping her eyes, sniffling): "Isn't it too late?" Kaji: "Maybe, but we have to give it a try..." Misato: "This is our last ray of hope. Okay then, where is your contact?" Kaji: "Let's go to the Research Lab in Osaka-2." Misato: "It's a little far away...I hope Shinji and Asuka won't do anything stupid...I'll phone their friends and ask them to go get our two lovebirds." (to herself:) "Okay, Ikari. Here we come. Better prepare yourself, bastard!" And with that, she starts her car and rushes out of Tokyo-3. --- TO BE CONTINUED... Author's notes: The last scenes were heartbreaking, don't you think? You *really* want to know more, right? I hope that, with the revelations about Gendo's plans, you will have a better opinion of Asuka. Did you REALLY think that she really wanted to do that with Shinji from the beginning? Maybe, maybe not...(I'm gonna kill the guy in the back who says that I'm asking too many questions without giving any answers, like in the original "Evangelion" series. :-) ) If you want to discuss Evangelion or these fanfics, you can go to the forum in ASUKA's Notebook. As usual, any comments, criticism or ideas are welcome! The one who wins my special thanks for this month is Shinji Ikari, the 10 O'clock Assassin [give him a hand] for his short but cool side story about the CAPCOM vs. SNK 2010 game. Thank you! Oh, and CAPCOM is copyright of Capcom and SNK is copyright of SNK...am I right ? :-) Second special thanks to EBJ for all the spell-checking and grammar corrections. Also, thanks to my pre-readers: Alain Gravel (aka Rakna), Al-l-Bus, Borderline Case, EBJ, Eva_Pilot00, Greg Thomas, Jon Byram, Readiosys Fisher, Shinji Ikari the 10 O'clock Assassin (him again!), Sudhoda'ya and SushiBoy. Thanks to you all!!! See ya soon, Axel Terizaki NEXT CHAPTER: "EIGHTH MONTH: You Are Not Alone." --- CAPTION: OMAKE (Extra) CAPTION 2: For my beloved readers: CAPTION 3: A hard moment in an author's life CAPTION 4: (actually, it's only an author's rambling) CAPTION 4: Okay, okay, no more captions... --- Asuka: "AXEEEEELLL!!!!" Axel: "Oh, no! What is it NOW?" Asuka: "Baka! Have you looked at my Notebook?!" Axel: "What's the problem?" Asuka: "'What's the problem'...IT'S A TOTAL MESS!!!!" Axel: "Hey! I have to write this fanfic! And I've got schoolwork to do!!! And the next AXL's Game Center is in ONE week! I've got OTHER things to do!!!" Asuka: "Humph, I hope you'll finish the English part because I'm tired of looking at French words littering my Notebook! I want people who can't read French to check it out!" Axel: "Well, gimme a few weeks, OK?" Asuka: "NO! I can't wait! I'm gonna kill you! For sure this time!" Axel: "Uh oh..." (to himself:) "Must be that time of the month. I'd better stay away from her..." Teri appears. Teri: "Okasan!" Asuka: "Teri-chan! Hmmm, come here, Teri-chan..." She takes her daughter in her arms and hugs her. Asuka: "What do you want, Teri-chan?" Teri: "Axel-sama said that it was probably that time of the month. What does that mean, Okasan?" Axel (slapping his forehead, to himself): "Oh, god! I knew I shouldn't have given Teri the ability to read minds!" Asuka frowns and puts Teri back down. Asuka (with a soft voice): "Axel?" Axel: "Y-yes...? Errr...hmmm..." Asuka (cracking her knuckles, to Teri): "Teri-chan?" Teri: "Yes, Okasan?" Asuka: "Go see your father. What going to happen next is not for young eyes." Teri: "Oh...I see. Axel-sama must have said something baka again." Asuka: "Yes, he has. Now, go, Teri-chan." Teri: "Okay, Okasan! Farewell, Axel-sama! I'll miss you very much!" She leaves the room, laughing. Asuka: "Now...let's get on with it!" She approaches Axel, who is beginning to cower in fear. Axel (grinning): "Oh, come on, Asuka...I was just joking...no, don't do what I think you're going to do..." Asuka (frowning): "Oh yes, I'm gonna do what you think I'm gonna do..." She cocks her arm back as if to slap him, but then stops at the last moment and rubs his cheek when her hand reaches it. Asuka (smiling): "You're not worth a slap from me, baka-chan...!" Axel: "Whew..." Instead, she kicks him hard in the groin... Axel: "Ouuuuuuuchhhhhh...." Poor Axel falls on the ground, in great pain. Asuka turns around and leaves the room. Asuka (winking back at him): "You deserved *that* instead, baka Axel!" --===--- [Author's note: Please E-mail me if you can make any sense out of that... :-) ] -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan Revision) From: "Axel Terizaki" NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: THE CHILD OF LOVE SEVENTH MONTH *EXTRA*: Capcom Vs SNK 2010: The Next Generation ROUND ONE: Jin Saotome Vs. Shermie Asuka Sohryu Langley, decked out in a "mecha-warrior" uniform, is facing against her opponent on top of a city building. Her opponent just happens to be Rei Ayanami, wearing the most luxurious of dance dresses and an unusually brilliant smile. Asuka: You're dead, Wondergirl! And with that, Asuka commences her attack. She footsweeps Rei, launches her into the sky, and then she calmly snaps her fingers...and a big giant mecha named "Brodia" catches her off guard and riddles her with laser blasts. A control panel pops on screen as Asuka rams the buttons like there's no tomorrow. Asuka: HAH!! How do you like THESE apples?! But Asuka's victory party didn't last very long. After she finished *Zapping,* Rei did a safety roll towards an open Langley and initiated her own special move. Rei grabs her opponent and completely slams her all over the place. She finally flings Asuka into the air, catches her between her thighs, and does a severe life-draining "Frankensteiner" slam. KO!! Shermie Wins! Rei: This is rather easy. Asuka (fuming): How DARE you!! ROUND TWO: King Vs. Rolento Shinji is wearing a yellow commando's outfit with a red beret on his head while Kensuke's wearing a bartender outfit. Shinji: My question, Kensuke: You're a military freak. Why the bar lady? Kensuke (wacky smile on his face): Because I've been reading Vegeta's fanfics... Shinji: Dang! You're as much of a hentai as Asuka says you are! Kensuke answers with a jumping knock-down kick, which Shinji blocks. Kensuke tries to combo off of him. And when he managed to create an opening, he proceeds to do his "Shadow Illusion" and starts auto-combo-kicking the hell outta Shinji. After Kensuke finished, though, he was left wide open for Shinji's "Patriot Circle." And then it turned into the "Take No Prisoners" super combo. Kensuke was grabbed by a thin wire, and then was hung on a hook for a while before it snapped, causing him to fall on the ground. ROUND THREE: Akuma Vs Billy Kane Toji's wearing a black gi and a "ready to kick butt" attitude while Hikari came in wearing jeans, a British jacket, a bandana, and a very large bo staff. Hikari: Jeez, Toji! Shotokan again?! I don't know why I even date you! Toji: I can't help it, babe! I can't be held back! The fight starts with Hikari attempting to hit Toji over the head with her cane, but she missed. He decides to start off with the "Annihilating Air Hadoken," but Hikari expected something like that and initiated her "Serpent Wave Cane." The initial strike of her cane was so powerful that it negated Toji's fireball and then sent the unsuspecting Shotokan scrub flying. Toji: Hey! That's not being fair! Hikari: And since when are _you_ the expert at being fair?! * * * * * * * * * * * * My apologies to Capcom and SNK for this. But it had to be done! Shinji Ikari, the 10 o'Clock Assassin (tyree3@pacbell.net) with the approval of Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr) Reformatting and a couple of small corrections by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 2000 1 13. -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: THE CHILD OF LOVE EIGHTH MONTH Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr; axelt@fanfiction.net; ICQ #34301980; IRCNet: #teri-chan) ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson , 1999 5 13. Polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 21, 8 13- 15, 11 02 and 2000 1 13. Version 1.3. LAST CHAPTER: Now the crisis is even worse: Due to his failure during an Angel attack, Shinji is full of self-doubt. He doesn't know if he will be able to protect Asuka and their unborn daughter Teri like he promised to. Obviously, Asuka is both furious and depressed because it seems like Shinji is abandoning her and their little girl... Damn! The situation seems hopeless! Asuka is basically condemned to death, Ritsuko is in prison and NERV Commander Ikari Gendo's where- abouts are unknown. The only two people left who capable of doing something to try to stop the insanity are Misato and Kaji. Our poor couple will need all the help they can get... Will Misato and Kaji find something in Osaka-2? Will Shinji pull himself together? When will Gendo come back? What is Asuka going to do *alone*? Knowing that, for the real AXL's Game Center, we use 12 PCs, that there are only two power outlets in the room and each PC needs one for its power supply, that 39% of the machines need their monitors to be plugged in and 43% also need another outlet for speakers, plus, in addition of that, we need outlets for a camcorder charger, a TV, a VCR, a sound mixer, a Sony Playstation, and a hi-fi (plus four speakers with one outlet per two speakers), the question is: How many plug adapters and extension cords will we need? Please structure your exercise and present it in time for next week. Thanks. No, no...I'm not asking for help :-) ) --- CAPTION: THE EIGHTH MONTH CAPTION 2: You Are Not Alone --- Misato's apartment. The front door slides open and reveals Misato, visibly exhausted. Misato (to herself): "Damn, these so-called bio-scientists couldn't help us at all! What an enlightening trip that was!!!" She steps into her apartment and sees that, during the week she was absent, her home hadn't changed a bit. It was as if there had been no one else except her in the house. She goes to Shinji's room, only to see that he's not there. The most worrying thing is that his belong- ings aren't there, either. Well, most of them. Misato (to herself): "Where could he have gone?" She then decides to look for Asuka. She sees the light through the crack at the bottom of the doorway. Misato: "Ah, at least she's here..." She knocks on her door. Asuka (softly): "Who is it?" Misato: "It's me, Asuka. I'm back!" Asuka: "Hmmmm...welcome home, Misato." Misato (to herself): "Uh-oh...Asuka's NOT mad at me because I left without any reason? I fear the worst..." (to Asuka:) "May I come in?" The answer comes only a second later. Asuka: "Yeah, come in..." Misato walks in and shuts the door behind her. She sees Asuka curled up on her bed, facing the wall. Misato: "Can I sit down?" Asuka: "...Yeah..." Misato sits, facing Asuka's back. Misato: "Hmmm...you...did anything happen while I was out?" Asuka: "No. Nothing really important." Misato: "Well...how was your week without me?" Asuka: "Boring." Misato: "Boring? I phoned Hikari and asked her to go get you. Didn't you go with her?" Asuka: "The first two days, yeah...but after that, no." Misato can see that Asuka's very sad. The exhausted, weary type of sad that doesn't allow any more tears to flow. An uncomfortable pause. Misato: "Do you...do you know where Shinji is n--" Asuka throws a pillow at Misato without letting her finish her question. Asuka: "I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT DUMMKOPF!!!!" Misato: "Hey, hey...calm down, please..." Asuka: "HOW CAN I CALM DOWN, MISATO?!! Seriously! How can I!!!? How can I when I think about that son of a bitch!!?" Misato: "Hey!! Don't talk like that about Shinji. He doesn't deserve that." Asuka: "Of course he does!!! Leaving Teri and me alone like that! He's nothing but a son of a--" Misato (interrupting her): "Please, Asuka. I don't want to hear those words anymore, especially if they're intended for Shinji." Asuka: "So, do you have any better ideas about what I should call *him*?" Misato: "Asuka...what happened? Please tell me. I don't know why you're like this now. I want to know why." Actually, Misato knows very well what happened, since she was (almost) there when it occurred. She just wants to hear Asuka's version of the story. Asuka: "After that last Angel attack, that idiot decided that he was no longer worthy to be Teri's father...in other words, he doesn't love me anymore! I can't take it...I just can't..." Tears finally begin to come. Slowly, but surely. Asuka: "I...I don't know why I'm telling you all this...you don't know anything..." Misato: "Do you think I'm blind, Asuka?" Asuka (sobbing a little): "Huh?" Misato: "Wait a minute here. My two roommates acting like lovers from one month to another...I'd have to be deaf *and* blind to not notice that. And I saw you two kissing in the car last week, remember? I bet that you forgot about the rear-view mirror. And what about the many times when I surprised you two? You were so embarrassed...and I also know that sometimes you've slept together in your bed. I'm not stupid, you know." Asuka: "..." Misato: "Come on. You can't hide the obvious facts anymore. I know you love him. And--" Asuka: "I LOVED him. Past tense, Misato." Misato: "I can't believe you, Asuka. You can't love someone and decide not to love him the next day. All you'll get from that is pain." Asuka: "So, you're telling me that you still love Kaji?" Misato (trembling): "Y-yes. Okay...I think I still love him. But that's beside the point. Don't try to change the subject..." Asuka: "Shinji's a bastard. Nothing more." Misato: "Asuka...tell me. Do you love him?" Asuka: "..." Misato: "Do you love him...?" Asuka: "..." Misato: "DO YOU LOVE HIM!?" Asuka: "N...." Misato (frowning): "DO YOU *LOVE* HIM!?" Asuka (between little sobs): "Yes... I..." Misato: "You what?" Asuka (again, between sobs): "I...I do...I love him...with all my heart, all my body, and all my soul..." Misato (smiling warmly): "Good." Asuka (screaming): "NO, THAT'S NOT GOOD, MISATO!!!" The smile leaves Misato's face immediately at this. Asuka's eyes shed more and more tears as the words come out. Asuka: "I love him! I gave him all the things that I kept in my soul from everyone else! I shared everything with him! Even my pain! And how does he return it to me? BY LEAVING ME ALONE!!! With our child!" Misato: "..." Asuka: "I gave him...everything...everything...I waited for that moment...the moment where I could finally say everything to someone in whom I could put all my trust, all my hopes...Shinji was the one. I was ready to love him back. To give him affection like I never did to anyone else. To offer him everything. I finally opened myself, as you told me to. Then I won what I was hoping for...comfort and consolation. He gave me all that. And now I regret it! Misato...I felt so safe with him...I felt so good...I wasn't myself with him but I enjoyed it. I really, really did. Two months later, he just destroys all my hopes and my efforts by saying, 'Asuka, please leave. I'm not able to protect you.'" Misato: "Asuka..." Asuka: "I was alone! ALONE! I was fine with that! But...now...I don't want to be alone anymore...it hurts! Being alone was nothing but pain! I...I then saw Shinji. The only one who could care for me. I had doubts about how he would see me. Despite all the terrible things I've said and done to him, he cared. I wanted to see what it was like to receive love from someone. I...I...dammit! Misato, why do I need him so badly? Is that love? Really? Is love pain? Why does it feel like a flame's burning into my body every time I'm near him? Is that what we call 'true love'?" She begins to cry louder. Misato had never seen her roommate in so much pain and sadness before. She lowers her head and puts a hand on Asuka's shoulder. Misato: "You're not alone, Asuka...I'm here, we're all here for you. You know that...and, yes, this is love. With all the happiness and sadness it can bring to you. Love is like a double-edged sword. One day it can make you the happiest person on earth, and the next day, it can make you cry like you never did before. I know what it is, Asuka. But love isn't a bad feeling. It's up to you to decide what to do with it. If you're prepared, if you *want* to give and receive it, love will bring you everything except sadness. Believe me." Pause. Misato: "Listen. I'll do everything I can to bring him back to normal!" Asuka (looking up at Misato, face still covered with tears): "W- what?" Misato (winking): "Yeah! Believe me, we'll have our old beloved Shin-chan back!" Asuka (sniffling and smiling slightly): "H-hey! I'm the only one who can call him 'Shin-chan'!" Misato (chuckling): "Who decided that?" Asuka: "Me, of course!" Misato (laughing): "Okay, then. Well, get some rest. You'll need it." Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Misato: "I'll go and see who it is." She opens the front door... Misato: "Yes...?" Hikari: "Hi, Major Katsuragi. I'm glad you're finally back. I'd like to see Asuka." Misato: "Welcome, Hikari. She's in her room..." Hikari: "How is she?" Misato: "I think I calmed her down...see for yourself." Hikari steps into the apartment. Misato: "Well. I'm leaving now. Please let Asuka know that, OK?" Hikari: "Hai, Major!" Misato (smiling): "You can call me Misato, you know..." Hikari: "O-okay, Misato-san." --- Outside. Misato jumps into her car and barrels toward Central Dogma at full speed. Misato: "Dammit...where are you, Shinji?" --- Somewhere else in Tokyo-3, Shinji is in a phone box, making a call. Misato's voice on the phone: "Please leave a message! I'll call you back soon!" Shinji (to himself): "Misato-san...where are you?" He hangs up the receiver without leaving a message. Toji and Kensuke are waiting for him nearby. Toji: "So...?" Shinji: "Still not there. I wonder what happened. She left one week ago..." Kensuke: "Hey, she's a Major at NERV, she can't possibly be in danger. She's a big girl, after all." Shinji: "I...I know that." Toji: "Shinji...ya still don't want to tell us why you're avoiding Asuka, right...?" Shinji: "No. I already said I don't want to talk about this right now. I won't change my mind." Toji: "Hey, if ya tell us, we might be able ta help ya!" Shinji: "Really, I don't think so. Not now." Kensuke: "Don't force him, Toji." Toji: "Well, we should go now, if ya don't want to talk. It's time for school now, anyway." --- Misato's Office in NERV HQ. She walks in and notices that it's more calm than usual... Misato: "Well..." She sits at her desk and sees that there are some messages on her voice mail. She picks up the receiver, enters her access code and listens to each message. All of them are from Shinji. In fact, Misato was sure they would be before she played them, since the only one who usually left messages was Kaji. Since he was with her all throughout their "trip," Shinji was the only one who could have done that. Now, the question is: Why? However, only one message made her really take notice: Shinji: "Misato-san. I...I'd like to talk with you...on Thursday, at 9:00 PM. You probably know where I want to meet you. You used to let me watch the view of Tokyo-3 from there when I was depressed. Don't bring any NERV escorts or anybody else, please. Just me and you. Thank you, Misato-san." Misato (to herself): "Today's Thursday. I'd better prepare myself." And with that, she leaves her office, forgetting why she went there in the first place. --- A splendid view of Tokyo-3 obscures the beautiful sunset. Misato parks her car and walks to the rendezvous point. It's where she took Shinji after the Third Angel's attack to show him the city he had helped protect. But now...many things have changed. She thinks about what has happened in the last few months. Two Angel attacks, one pregnant pilot, love troubles between her two roommates, and Commander Ikari...nothing really good, she thought. Suddenly, a voice calls out. Kensuke: "Major Katsuragi!" Misato turns her head to face Shinji's two classmates. Misato: "Suzuhara-kun...and Aida-kun...what are you two doing here?" Toji: "Well, we're here to assure Shinji that you aren't bein' followed by NERV Security." Misato: "No need to worry about that. I made arrangements. Every- thing's okay. I'm alone." Shinji appears from behind them. He has a determined look on his face. Misato had never seen Shinji look more mature than he does now. But, given the circumstances, she knows that looks can be deceiving. Shinji: "Toji...Kensuke..." Toji: "Okay, we're leavin'. Later." Kensuke: "Later..." The two boys disappear and leave Shinji and Misato in front of the beautiful sunset. The two of them don't speak for a while, until Shinji finally asks a question. Shinji (softly): "Where were you, Misato-san?" Misato: "I want to ask you the same question." Shinji: "Well...I was running away. As usual. You know me, don't you?" Misato: "That's true..." Long, awkward pause. Shinji: "Your turn, please." Misato: "I was at Osaka-2, with Kaji." Shinji: "Do you really think it was a good time to take a holiday?" Misato: "That wasn't a holiday or anything like that." Shinji: "Ah?" Misato: "Do you realize what you've done to Asuka, Shinji-kun?" Shinji (lowering his head): "I already told you. It's no use, a weak, scared little boy like me trying to protect her and her little girl." Misato: "You're not weak." Shinji: "THE HELL, I'M NOT WEAK!" Misato is surprised by this sudden outburst. Misato: "Shinji-kun, listen to me..." Shinji: "I failed to keep my promise! There's nothing worse!" Misato: "Of course there's something worse!" Shinji looks up at Misato. Misato: "You broke her heart. THAT is the worst thing I know!" Shinji: "I...she'll find someone else. Someone stronger. I'm nothing..." Misato: "You're SOMEONE, Shinji! You're Ikari Shinji! Designated Pilot of Evangelion Unit 01! Do I have to remind you of all the things you've accomplished?" Shinji: "..." Misato: "Shinji-kun, please come back home. Asuka's ready to forgive you. I'm sure of it. She's waiting to hug you and kiss you like you two have so many times! Well, I guess, so many times." Shinji: "No, Misato-san, I won't come back. Not now." Misato: "Goddammit, Shinji! If you don't do this for Asuka, do it for Teri, at least! These two girls need you!" Shinji: "..." Misato: "I know you, Shinji-kun. I know that you wanted Asuka's love from the very beginning of all this. Maybe even before. I'll bet that, from the first time you saw her, you knew that you *had* to live with her forever. My question is, why are you leaving your hopes and dreams behind when they've come true *now*? Are you afraid of them?" Shinji: "You may be right. I may be afraid. But I won't come back. I'm just pathetic." Misato (sighing): "You're right, Shinji-kun. You ARE pathetic. I can't believe I'm hearing this from you. Leaving a mother in pain like that, with her little girl...you're cruel, that's what you are." She then walks back to her car without any further words. Shinji (after a few moments): "Misato-san, wait!" Misato stops and turns to face him. Shinji: "Please tell Asuka that...that I...I...still...care for... for...for Teri. But I don't deserve her mother's love...I just don't." Misato: "I'll pass on the message to Asuka." And with that, she gets back into her car and drives off. Shinji walks away, towards Toji's house. --- Misato's car. Misato (to herself): "Damn! Why am I even bothering with all this? Asuka will soon...oh, god, I just can't think about it...it's too sad." Pause. Misato: "The only thing I can do now is to wait...and pray. Yes. Pray. Really hard." --- Misato's apartment. Hikari and Asuka are sitting on the edge of the pregnant pilot's bed. Hikari: "Do you want something to eat?" Asuka: "No, thanks." Hikari: "I bet you haven't eaten anything since a long time ago..." (smiling:) "And I'm sure Teri's hungry too." Asuka: "I said I wasn't hungry." But a call from her stomach tells both of them the exact opposite. Hikari (laughing): "Okay, I'll make something for you!" Asuka (reluctantly): "Well..." Hikari gets up from the bed and goes to the kitchen. Two minutes later, she's back in Asuka's room with a sandwich in her hand. She holds out the sandwich to Asuka. Asuka: "That's *all*?" Hikari (smiling): "Well, I thought you weren't hungry." Asuka (sighing): "Okay, you win, Hikari. I'm now *very* hungry, so..." She bites into the sandwich. Hikari (chuckling): "I'll be back in a few minutes, then. Just be patient." She then goes back to the kitchen and returns five minutes later with a tray. On it is a bottle of the orange juice that Asuka used to drink like water earlier in her pregnancy (Teri seems to like that brand :-) ), and a plate with three more sandwiches on it. Asuka devours all of it in short order. Hikari: "Do you feel better now?" Asuka: "Hmmm. Much better. Thank you." Hikari: "How about going somewhere?" Asuka: "Sounds good, but any idea where to go?" Hikari: "No...not really. I don't know...AXL's Game Center?" Asuka: "No, I don't feel like playing video games now. Maybe later." Hikari: "Okay, if you say so. How about coming to my place tonight?" Asuka: "Hmmm...why not? Sure. Just let me put something on and leave a note for Misato and I'll be right with you." Hikari: "Well, I'm waiting then...hmm, just one more thing..." Asuka: "What?" Hikari: "What are these pills on the kitchen table? Are they for you?" Asuka: "Oh, those? It must be my medication...but I haven't been taking them for a long time now. I hate how bitter they taste, and since Misato doesn't insist I take them anymore..." Hikari: "I think you should take them anyway. It might be for your safety, or for Teri's, you know." Asuka: "Who cares, after all? The father of my child left me. It must be my mother's curse." Hikari: "Hey, don't be so moody, Asuka. We're all here for you." Asuka: "Lies. You're still here because I haven't found the strength yet to push you away." Hikari: "It's too bad that you think that, Asuka. I've always been your friend, haven't I?" Asuka: "Yes. But how long will you keep being my friend, Hikari? Someday, you'll find someone better, more useful, and..." (lowering her head:) "more...well, more friendly." Hikari: "Oh, cut that out, Asuka! Who said that you were useless and unfriendly?" Asuka: "Everyone. Can't you see that yourself? I always push everyone I meet away and since I'm pregnant, I can't pilot my Unit- 02...damn you, Shinji!" Hikari: "So you can't pilot your Eva now. That's no big deal. Wait until Teri grows a little and your life will go back to normal soon--" Asuka: "Nothing will be like before, Hikari! I'm a mother now! You can't understand THAT! I have responsibilities! I have someone to protect, unlike that Ikari bastard! Teri means the world to me, you know...I just love her so much! Even if she isn't here yet, I love my daughter!" Hikari: "Calm down, Asuka. Let's go to my place now. Okay?" Asuka (lowering her head): "I...sorry, Hikari." Hikari (putting a hand on her friend's shoulder): "It's all right, don't worry." Asuka: "You know, Hikari, being pregnant is so damned irritating." Hikari: "I can understand, but remember that you're carrying a life in your belly, Asuka. And life is one of the most precious gifts on Earth. You should consider yourself lucky." Asuka: "You're right...I'm only thinking about myself. All the things I'm enduring now are for Teri-chan's sake. I should think more about her." Hikari: "I never saw you like this before, Asuka." Asuka: "Neither have I. I never thought that one day I could *not* be able to live normally without Shinji. Hikari, I...no, you'll think I'm such a fool..." Hikari: "Go on, say it. You trust me, don't you?" Asuka: "Hikari. I...need him. You'll think I'm a complete idiot, but...he's kinda like some drug to me. I can't live a day without thinking about him. And since he isn't here, I feel so bad..." Hikari: "You've changed, Asuka." Asuka (sarcastically): "Oh, you noticed that, too?" Hikari: "Errr...I mean...you're not the impulsive girl I used to know..." Asuka (nodding): "Hmmm...some people helped me to open myself..." Hikari: "I'm happy that you've changed, quite frankly." Asuka: "Really?" Hikari: "Yes. Act on your feelings and stop lying to yourself. Everything will be much better as a result." Asuka is speechless for a few moments while she quickly remembers the same words coming from her mother's voice, and from a discussion she had with Shinji once. She lowers her head and starts to cry. Hikari: "Asuka...? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry..." Asuka (wiping her tears): "No, don't worry about it, Hikari. And... thank you." Hikari: "Well, we should go now, don't you think?" Asuka (sniffling and wiping her tears again): "Okay. I'll be ready as soon as I put something on." Hikari: "Hey, where's the overexcited Asuka I used to know?" Asuka: "I SAID I'M COMING WITH YOU, OKAY!!!?" Hikari (cheerfully): "Ahh, that's better!" --- Even though Ikari Shinji hasn't been at Misato's apartment for the past couple of weeks, he was still going to school. Misato brought some personal things for him to Toji's house sometimes. Even though she was mad at him for leaving Asuka and his daughter like that, she was convinced that his 'runaway' period wouldn't last too long. She was wrong. She decided to help him whenever she could. Shinji wasn't her son, but it felt like he was. She had two children to care about, after all. --- School, two weeks later. Hikari approaches Shinji's desk. He's looking outside, like Rei usually does. Rei, in the desk beside her, is, as usual, not really interested in anything, except for the few glances she takes at Shinji from time to time. Hikari: "Ikari-kun?" For a moment, Shinji thinks that it's Rei, but quickly remembers that Rei doesn't speak in the tone of voice he just heard. Shinji: "What is it, class rep?" She holds out a letter to him. Hikari: "It's from...it's strictly administrative, don't worry." Shinji: "Well, I'll read it later. Thanks." Hikari: "I'm only doing my job." Shinji: "Errr...class rep..." Hikari: "Yes?" Shinji: "I wanted to ask you...because I know you two are always together...how is...Asuka?" Hikari: "You still care about her?" Shinji: "Well, I'd be lying if I said no." Hikari (taking a deep breath): "She's disappointed in you. I can only tell you that." Shinji: "...I understand." Hikari: "Ikari...she's very upset, you know. You should come back and apologize to her. You know how she is. Always so arrogant and strong. But deep inside she's one of the most fragile people I know." Shinji: "I won't. Sorry if I'm deceiving you, too." Hikari: "She needs you, Shinji. She's really depressed." Shinji: "I already said--" The teacher arrives, interrupting them. Hikari: "Oh." She stops the conversation and does her "Rise. Bow. Sit down." duty to the class. --- Lunch time. Shinji is alone in class. He finally decides to open the letter Hikari gave him earlier. Shinji (to himself): "It may be important. Who knows?" The letter reads: "Shinji, I'm waiting for you on the hill near the swimming pool. I need to talk to you. Toji." Shinji: "What does he want?" It doesn't occur to him that, since he stayed with Toji most of the time (because he's been living at his place for the past few weeks), he could have told him directly instead of writing him a note. So why did he have Hikari pass a message on to Shinji? --- On the aforementioned hill. Shinji is lying on the grass, looking at the sky, probably thinking about something. Then, he sees a large shadow fall over his body. Since the sun is behind it, he can only guess who it is by looking at the shape of the shadow. Shinji (surprised): "A-Asuka?" Shinji stands up and looks behind him. Asuka is there, looking down at him with a smile on her face. He tries to take a few steps backwards. Asuka: "Why are you running away, Shinji?" Shinji continues to back away from her. Asuka (walking towards him): "Why are you running away from us, Shinji?" Shinji finally hits a tree behind him. Shinji: "I...I'm not able to protect you, you already know that." Asuka: "And what's the matter with that? I'm strong. I can take care of myself. I don't need your protection. However, I need something else from you." She advances towards him. Shinji doesn't move, fearful of what might happen if he were to turn his back on Asuka. Their faces are very close to each other. Asuka looks him right in the eyes, takes his head in her hands and then plants a kiss on his lips. A hot passionate kiss. Shinji's eyes open wide, but soon close themselves as he joins her in the kiss. It lasts a few seconds before Asuka releases Shinji's head, only to see him fall on the ground with the release. He probably didn't recover all his senses in time to keep standing upright. Asuka (grinning and looking down at his surprised face): "Well. I had no idea my lips had THAT much power!" Shinji: "Ahhh...err...well..." Asuka (giggling): "You seem to be comfortable here. Can I lay down beside you?" Shinji (a bit hesitantly): "Well...I don't see any problem with that." Asuka: "Good." Shinji then lets himself slide down the tree until he is lying on the ground. Asuka lays down on his left. Pause. Shinji: "H-how are you, Asuka?" Asuka: "I'm fine, thanks." Shinji already had a hard time thinking about what he could say. He hoped that this question would open the conversation. Unfortunately, Asuka's answer isn't what he was expecting from her. It surprises him. Shinji: "Then I'm happy that you're fine." Asuka: "The sky is beautiful, don't you think?" Shinji: "How did you find I was supposed to meet Toji here?" Asuka (grinning): "My poor Shinji, you're hopeless." Shinji: "What?" Asuka: "*I* wrote that message, not Toji. Didn't you recognize my handwriting?" Shinji (ironically): "Well, that way of writing kanji so badly could only be yours. I should have guessed." Asuka (comically furious): "How DARE you!" Shinji: "Ha ha..." Asuka: "Shinji..." Shinji: "What?" She takes his wrist and puts his hand on her stomach, slowly rubbing their child with it. Asuka: "I think Teri feels better now." Shinji: "Asuka..." Asuka: "Shinji. Can you feel her? Can you hear her? She's begging you to come back home, too." Shinji is speechless. Asuka: "It's not important if you can't protect me as well as you want to. The most important thing is that we stay together, as long as we can." Shinji: "But..." Asuka: "There's no 'but', baka Shinji! You're staying with me now! Understood!? I need you so badly, you know..." Shinji (smiling): "Jawohl, mein Kommandant!" Asuka (laughing): "'Yes, Asuka' will be fine." Shinji starts laughing, too. Some moments pass until they stop laughing. Asuka (pointing at Shinji's chest): "Can I rest here, please? I'm so tired..." Shinji: "Of course you can. What a silly question." Asuka then puts her head on his chest, and with her right hand rubs it softly. She then closes her eyes, feeling like she's in the safest place in the world. Shinji can smell her graceful red hair. He puts one hand around her shoulder while the other caresses her cheek slowly. He then notices that the ring he bought Asuka is on her right hand. Shinji: "The ring...you kept it?" Asuka: "It's one of the only presents you gave me. And I value this like I never valued anything before." Shinji: "You're serious about that?" Asuka (smiling and looking up at him): "Shinji...you're so sweet to me. Like no one has ever been before. You succeeded in breaking all the barriers I had put up to protect myself. Even when I was hitting you, even when I was scorning you, you were calm. You wouldn't hurt me, because you loved me. And, for once, I, Sohryu Asuka Langley, am grateful to someone...for that." Shinji: "You're right...I wouldn't hurt you, I couldn't, and I won't. Never." Asuka: "And as for me, for the past months, I was with you, I am now, and I always will be, as long as life will let us live together, Shinji." Shinji (trembling): "Asuka...I don't know what to say, really. Will you forgive me one day for what I've done? For leaving you alone like that?" Asuka (grinning): "Hmmm...I don't know if I'll forgive you. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see about that later, but I'll make sure you pay the right price for that." Shinji: "Tease." Asuka: "Wimp." The two lovers chuckle. Short pause. Asuka (softly): "I won't stay here for too long...classes will start in a few minutes. I'll let you go, don't worry." Shinji: "I don't care." Asuka: "What?" Shinji: "As long as you're here, I don't care about skipping classes." Asuka (softly, almost a whisper): "Shinji, you idiot." Pause. Shinji: "Asuka, thank you...for being there." Asuka: "Thank you, too, Shinji...for giving me something I had never known before. Thank you for caring." They stay in this position for a long time and finally fall asleep under the tree, while the sun shines over Tokyo-3, and over their peacefulness. --- Misato's apartment. The whole place is very quiet. There's only Misato, head buried in her hands, sitting at the kitchen table. A can of beer sits on the table next to her, untouched since she set it down there. It looks like she's sleeping, but definitely isn't, as she whispers 'damn,' 'my god' and 'dammit' several times to herself. She lifts up her head when she hears the front door open, and eavesdrops on the conversation from where she sits. Shinji: "Pfff...you're so heavy..." Asuka: "Okay, then put me back down now, we're home! And how DARE you say that? Teri's the one who's heavy, not me!" Shinji (grinning): "Accusing your child, knowing she can't stand up for herself, is terrible proof of cowardice, Asuka." Asuka (giggling and putting a hand on her stomach): "Argh, she's kicking me! Teri-chan, I'm so sorry!" Shinji (chuckling): "Well, she CAN retaliate after all, heh heh..." Asuka: "We're home now. Put me down, already!" Shinji (smiling): "Okay, so we're home. But no, I won't put you down yet." Asuka: "Baka. Misato's gonna see us..." Too late. Misato is at the other end of the hallway, giving them a lingering and bewildered look. What she sees is Asuka in Shinji's arms, clinging to his neck with both hands, while he supports her with a hand under her back and the other under her knees. Misato is, to say the least, speechless. She even drops the can of beer she was holding, causing it to spill all over the floor. Asuka: "Misato, is something wrong?" Misato (trembling): "No...I just..." She then quickly runs to her room, shutting the door behind her. Asuka: "What's up with her?" Shinji: "I don't know, either..." --- Misato's room. Misato slumps against her door before slowly sliding down to a sitting position. She then looks up at the ceiling, revealing tears in her eyes. Misato: "God, why are you so cruel to these children!?" --- TO BE CONTINUED --- Author's Notes : Special thanks this time to EBJ for the grammar and spelling corrections and for all the help! And all of my pre-readers: Al-l-Bus (author of 'Imagine Normality' and 'A New World for Shinji & Asuka'), Alain Gravel (aka Rakna, author of 'The One I Love Is...'), Borderline Case (author of 'Reflections in Red'), Shinji The 10 O'clock Assassin (author of 'Many Fanfics', heh heh :-) ), Sudhoya'da, Sushi Boy, Sammy Sy, Jon Byram (author of 'Holy Knights'), EBJ, Eva_Pilot00, Greg Thomas, Readiosys Fisher, Dave Watson (author of the songfic 'Victory' and fanfic retooler), and Kaworu Nagisa (author of 'EvaLeSs'). Thanks to all of you, and enjoy the Ninth Month! See ya soon, Axel Terizaki LAST CHAPTER: "NINTH MONTH: A Final Purpose, a Final Promise." -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan From: "Axel Terizaki" NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: THE CHILD OF LOVE NINTH MONTH Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr; axelt@fanfiction.net; ICQ #34301980; IRC: #teri-chan) ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/ Retooled by Dave Watson from Terizaki's second draft, 1999 5 13-14, which he augmented further using Terizaki's final version, 1999 5 18. Further polishing and correction of own mistakes by Watson, 1999 5 21-23, 11 03-05 and 2000 1 13. No, he just can't leave well enough alone! --- -=SPOILER WARNING=- This Month contains many spoilers, including one for The End of Evangelion. Well, more than throughout the rest of this series, anyway. If you haven't seen the entire Eva series yet, well, I don't know what I can do to help you...oh, never mind. Just read this, and take any spoilers you see as my own inventions. ;) LAST CHAPTER: Our two lovers reconciled their relationship problems under a tree near their school, and now they seem to be happy together. But there's a giant rift between their actual life and the trials that await them--especially Asuka and Teri. The unavoidable seems to be coming up. And Ikari Gendo isn't back yet. Asuka's chances for survival are slim, and it seems that nobody can do anything to help her. Misato finds herself unable to bring herself to tell her, or even Shinji, about the Commander's dark plans! All she can do now is pray... Will the gods listen to her? Can faith change the fate of a young mother facing death? Is there any solution to save Asuka? Or will she manage to do it by herself by deciding who the master is of her own fate, her or Ikari Gendo? Is Pen-pen preparing a super counter- attack in order to make Gendo's plans fail? Please wish them all good luck! They'll need it. --- CAPTION: NINTH MONTH CAPTION 2: A Final Purpose, a Final Promise --- Terminal Dogma. Kaji stands in front of Gendo's desk. Kaji: "I hope you have a good explanation for the mess you've made, Ikari." Gendo: "I don't see why I should explain anything to you." Kaji: "Well, there's destroying two lives at the same time. Three, if we count your son." Gendo: "I'm not destroying any lives. I'm just giving the mother the chance to participate in mankind's evolution." Kaji: "Is that so?" Gendo: "And besides, I need 'her' to destroy any opposition by SEELE." Kaji: "I don't think you'll need her anymore." Kaji hands a small stack of papers to Gendo. Gendo (surprised, but still calm): "...how did this happen?" Kaji (smiling): "Let's just say that I gave them a hand." Gendo (putting the papers down on his desk): "So...SEELE is no more..." Kaji (seriously): "Now, give the child back to their parents, Ikari. You don't need her anymore." Gendo (even more seriously): "Nonsense." Kaji: "What do you mean?" Gendo: "I would have taken SEELE out sooner or later. You just sped things up for me. I should be grateful to you for this." Kaji: "Why do you still need her? Is it...personal?" Gendo: "You couldn't begin to understand. It's no use to try to explain it to you. She'll just serve my purposes as part of Instrumentality." Kaji: "Like the First Child, right?" Gendo: "Exactly. But it's another story for her. The time is coming, and I advise you to not interfere with my plans, Kaji. You may regret it." Kaji is about to leave the room. At the door, he turns and suddenly speaks. Kaji: "How much time is left?" Gendo (putting his glasses in place with his fingers): "Exactly 21 hours." --- Misato's apartment, at the same time. A room. A bed. Two teens are tucked under the sheets, wearing pajamas, sleeping peacefully in each other's arms. One of the two awakens. Shinji: "Hmmmm...." (to himself:) "My angel's still asleep...what time is it?" He turns back and looks at the alarm clock. It reads 10:21 AM. Shinji (to himself): "It's time to wake her up, but..." He looks down at a still-sleeping Asuka. Shinji (to himself): "She looks so cute. I wish I could stay with her now and go back to sleep...but we have to get up!" Pause. Shinji (softly): "Asuka-chan. Wake up..." Asuka (slowly waking up): "Hmmmm...Shinji...mmmmm..." She then suddenly throws her arms around him and hugs him tightly, surprising him. Shinji: "Asuka-chan, I can't breathe!" Asuka: "Oh, sorry, Shin-chan. I just need to give you a cuddle every morning in order to start a good day!" Shinji: "Well, I think I need to see you in order to have a good day, too." The two giggle. Asuka (sighing): "Ahhhhhh. When I think back that, nine months ago, I was just teasing you...and now, I'm ready to give birth. We're gonna see Teri soon." Shinji: "I'm sure she'll be at least as cute as you." Asuka: "You've already said that, baka." Shinji: "W-well...I just want to insist on that fact." Asuka: "Oh, stop that, you idiot! You know the only thing I'm vulnerable to is compliments." Shinji (chuckling): "Yes, I know that well..." Pause. Asuka: "So, should we get up?" Shinji: "Yeah." --- The two of them leave Shinji's room. The apartment is incredibly quiet. The calendar on the wall shows that it's the 22nd of May, 2016. Shinji: "Misato-san's at HQ again." Asuka: "Why is she trying to avoid us these days? She must be sooooo jealous of our love!" Shinji: "And why do you think that every woman's gonna take me away from you?" Asuka puts her arms around his neck. Asuka (seductively): "Because I want you all for myself, baka Shinji." He gently strokes her belly, and smiles with fatherly pride. Shinji: "Asuka, I will never be unfaithful to you. Never. Because you're more important to me than my own life, I won't deceive you. I won't hurt you, because in the end I'd just hurt myself." Asuka: "When you think that someone's more important than yourself, it may be love. And I think it's how I feel, too." Shinji: "You must be sure of that." Asuka: "Then, I'm now sure it's how I feel. I'm now sure that I love you, Shinji." Shinji: "So do I..." And the two are about to share another passionate kiss, when, suddenly, the doorbell rings. Asuka (casting a death glare in the direction of the front door): "Damn! I don't know who it is, but they're gonna pay for ruining the mood!" Shinji (nodding): "I'll go see who it is." He opens the door of the Katsuragi apartment, revealing Toji and Hikari. Toji: "Hi, Shinji!" Shinji: "Hello..." Toji (grinning): "Heh heh. We didn't...interrupt anything, did we?" Shinji is blushing furiously. Hikari: "Toji-chan! Stop that, you pervert!" Asuka: "Hi, Hikari! How are you?" Hikari: "Fine, and Teri?" Asuka: "She's fine, too! Wanna see the stroller I bought for her yesterday?" Hikari: "Oh, yes!" Asuka (dragging Hikari to her room): "Come on! Check it out, it's so cute!" Toji: "Well, well, well. Now you see what it costs to have a girl- friend." Shinji (frowning): "Toji! Don't say things like that! I would give up everything for her. Money isn't important. And besides, I think she used Misato's credit card to buy that stroller." Toji: "She's gonna kill you two." Shinji: "It's strange to always see you with the class rep." Toji (blushing a bit): "Oh, it's just that...okay, you win. I'm dating her, okay?" Shinji (chuckling): "Yeah, I'm happy now." Toji: "As for you, I still can't believe that you got the redheaded devil pregnant. And now, she's so different." Shinji: "She's the real Asuka. The one without all the pretences we know." Toji: "In that case, I really envy you, Shinji. You lucky dog!" Shinji: "Well, she's the girlfriend I always dreamed of having. Kind, attentive, cute..." Toji: "Yeah, I hear ya. It's the same thing with Hikari. I know how ya feel. By the way, where's Misato-san?" Shinji: "I don't know. We haven't seen her in two weeks. Either she locks herself in her room, or she's at HQ doing things." Toji: "She must be really busy. It must be important." Shinji: "That's what frightens me the most..." --- Dr. Akagi Ritsuko's Office at NERV HQ. Time: 15:42. Misato is looking over Maya's shoulder as she enters commands into Ritsuko's laptop. Misato: "You understand now, Maya?" Maya: "Yes, Major...I understand all too well. And I'll try to help you as much as I can." Misato: "Thank you. It's not really for me. It's for Shinji, Asuka and their daughter." Maya (nodding, while typing on the keyboard): "Here we are, Major." The screen shows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AKAGI RITSUKO Personal Files 2,3TB 03-07-2017 15:34 Properties of File: Access: Denied. READ ONLY Status: Password required. READ & WRITE Status: Password required. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maya: "We can't access it like this. We need a password." Misato: "Try different words about her or things she likes. You probably know these kind of things about her better than I do." Maya: "Okay, I'm trying." Screen: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PASSWORD: Caspar Invalid password. 5 tries left before Data Erase system activation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Misato: "Damn, she put protection on her files! We can't make any more mistakes. Let's concentrate...try the other MAGI systems." Maya: "Hai!" Screen: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PASSWORD: Balthazar Invalid password. 4 tries left before Data Erase system activation. PASSWORD: Melchior Invalid password. 3 tries left before Data Erase system activation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Maya: "This isn't working! We have to find something else!" Misato: "Hmmm...would she let someone see them? Me, perhaps? Or you?" Maya: "I don't know, Major." Misato: "Try...my name." Screen: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PASSWORD: Misato Katsuragi Invalid password. 2 tries left before Data Erase system activation. PASSWORD: Katsuragi Misato ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Misato (interrupting Maya): "No, no! Forget it! We have only two tries left. Be careful." Maya nods. Misato: "Well...try 2005." Maya: "2005?" Misato: "The year Ritsuko and I met for the first time." Maya: "Okay." Screen: -------------------------------------------------------------------- PASSWORD: 2005 Invalid password. 1 try left before Data Erase system activation. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Misato: "DAMN YOU, RITSUKO! Let's think some more about this..." Three minutes pass. Maya: "Maybe this..." She begins to key something into the computer, but Misato quickly removes her hands from the laptop. She then types another password. Screen: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PASSWORD: Trust Me Revision) From: "Axel Terizaki" THE CHILD OF LOVE... Written by Axel Terizaki ICQ # 34301980 ASUKA's Notebook Proofread/retooled by Dave Watson from an early draft, 1999 5 18. Final draft by Terizaki shortly afterwards. Retooled further by Watson, 1999 6 08, 13 & 21, 7 10 and 2000 1 13. Version 1.4. -=EXTRA=- -=BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?=- --- CAPTION: THE NINETY-NINTH MONTH CAPTION 2: Their Fifth Anniversary! --- It seems that we are in Misato's apartment. A door opens, revealing a little girl with long red hair. She's wearing a cute dark blue dress with a white ribbon around the collar. She walks silently into the kitchen, as if she's sleepwalking. She then pushes a chair up to the fridge, opens it, and moves the chair in front of it. She then climbs up onto the chair, takes a can of orange juice out of the fridge, climbs down onto the floor, pushes the chair back to the kitchen table, and closes the fridge door. She then jumps into another chair, puts the can on the table, opens it, raises it to her lips, then drinks half of it in one gulp. After that... ...the whole house is woken up by a loud "YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" coming from the little girl. She hears a couple of muffled voices and some rustling from another room after that. Little girl: "Oops..." Soon, the door next to the little girl's room opens and reveals a young woman with fiery red hair. She enters the kitchen. Young woman: "Teri-chan!!!!!!!" The little girl takes the orange juice can and tries to hide it in the sink. Of course, the woman sees her doing it. Teri: "Hmmm...y-yes, okasan?" Asuka: "Never do *that* again, okay!?" A young man appears just behind Asuka. It's a still-sleepy Shinji. Teri rushes up towards him and jumps into his arms. Asuka: "Teri-chan! Are you listening?!" Teri: "Hey, let me at least give otousan a cuddle..." Asuka: "'Otousan' is mine, Teri-chan!" Shinji is still very unresponsive to the scene in front of him. He never could get the hang of mornings. Teri: "Maybe, but for now, he's mine!" Teri sticks out her tongue at Asuka. Asuka (fuming): "Hmmmmmmrrrr........!" Shinji (realizing): "Hm, Asuka-chan, you're not gonna be mad at your own daughter just because she wants to give me a cuddle, are you?" Asuka: "Well...you're right. I shouldn't be jealous of my own daughter. It's bad." Teri: "Okasan is bad." Asuka (reluctantly): "Yeah, yeah, I am." Shinji: "You know, Teri-chan...imitating grownups is bad, too." Teri: "But Auntie Misato is a good person!" Shinji: "Of course she is, but drinking like her is bad. Especially first thing in the morning, understand?" Teri: "Yes, otousan. I won't do it again." Shinji: "Good girl." He fatherly strokes her auburn hair. Misato chooses this moment to make her appearance. She is already in her NERV Commander uniform. Misato: "Thank you, Teri-chan, for waking me up..." Teri then jumps from her father's arms to Misato's. Misato: "Hey, hey, hey! You're in good form, as always!" Teri: "Oh yes, Auntie Misato!" Asuka (to herself): "Grrr...she only acts like a nice and innocent little girl when there's other people--" Teri: "Oh, okasan. Don't say that I'm not a good girl! I always am!" Asuka (softly): "I forgot about that...damn..." Shinji puts his hands around Asuka's waist from behind and plants a kiss on the back of her neck. Shinji (whispering): "At least I'm a nice husband, aren't I?" Asuka: "Hmmm..." Shinji: "Something wrong, Asuka-chan?" Asuka: "No...nothing at all, my love..." She then turns her head back to him and kisses him tenderly on the lips. Teri looks at them carefully. Teri: "Otosan and okasan are kissing again!" Misato: "Heh heh. Your parents are in love, Teri-chan. That's normal." Teri: "In love? What does that mean, Auntie?" Misato (giggling): "Well, you'll find that out when you've grown up a little, Teri-chan. Don't worry." Teri: "Ah." Misato puts Teri back down. Misato (to herself): "Damn, she looks so much like her mother..." Teri: "Auntie Misato, why are you saying that I look like okasan? Do I look *that* much like okasan?" Misato: "Yes, you do, Teri-chan. Have you ever looked at yourself in a mirror?" Teri: "Yes, but...oh, you must be right, Auntie Misato." Asuka and Shinji finally break off their seemingly endless kiss. Asuka: "Oh, before I forget, Misato..." Misato: "What?" Asuka (shouting): "DON'T DRINK YOUR BEER IN FRONT OF TERI-CHAN, OKAY?!" Misato: "Oh, well...sorry..." Teri: "Why? Is drinking bad?" Asuka (tenderly): "Oh no, Teri-chan...drinking's not really bad. Just the way that Misato does it." Teri: "Oh...tell me, okasan..." Asuka: "What?" Teri: "Where's Axel-chan?" Asuka: "Ah...your brother is at Auntie Wond...Rei's house." Teri: "Why?" Asuka: "Well, because..." Seeing that her wife is hesitating, Shinji takes the initiative. Shinji: "You see, Teri-chan, you're now almost eight..." Teri nodded: "Yes! Auntie Rei said that I'm a big girl now!" Shinji: "Exactly. And it's now five years than your mother and I have been married..." Asuka (lovingly): "Five years in a few hours, baka Shinji..." The calendar shows that it is November 19th, 2024. Exactly five years ago, Sohryu Asuka Langley renounced her maiden name in favour of her new husband's one, Ikari. It somehow makes her feel free when others call her 'Ikari Asuka Langley'. She is now free from her mother, free from her past. She feels...even better than before. Shinji: "And so, tonight, I'm taking your mother to a secret place, just the two of us..." Teri (giving him one of her best kawaii looks): "Can't Axel-chan and I go with you?" Shinji: "No, Teri-chan...it's only your mother and I tonight." Teri (pouting): "Otousan's evil!" Asuka: "Maybe, but 'otousan' is right for now, Teri-chan." Shinji smiles and takes his daughter into his arms. He then whispers something into her little ear. Shinji (whispering): "But I'll give you and your brother presents when we come back. So be a good girl with Auntie Misato and Auntie Rei, okay?" Teri: "Okay, otousan." Shinji: "Your brother is at Auntie Rei's house because he has to get used to her and her new home...understand?" Teri: "I think." Shinji: "Good. So why not join him while otousan and okasan are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary, hm?" Teri: "Yes, yes! When are we leaving? I want to see Auntie Rei!" Shinji: "We'll leave soon, don't worry." Teri: "Don't do silly things with okasan, otousan." Shinji (stunned): "Huh?" Teri (grinning): "I don't want another brother or sister now, okay?" Shinji and Asuka are now turning deeply red with embarrassment. Misato can't help but laugh. Asuka: "By the way, Misato, where's Kaji?" Misato: "He's at HQ." Asuka: "Oh...doing 'things' again?" Misato: "Well, sort of...we're seeing if we'll accept the UN's proposition about helping them in the war in this country...well, I can't remember its name..." Shinji (sarcastically): "What a wonderful commander we have here..." Asuka: "You know perfectly well how we feel about this, Misato. Neither Shinji nor I want to be involved in a conflict and killing people." Misato: "I know that, don't worry. I just want you to...scare them." Asuka: "What, like destroying some little things with our young innocent hands in order to show them how powerful we are?" Misato: "That's it! And you have to accept it. They wanted to trade you-know-what, Shinji, for our help in this war." Shinji: "Then, I guess I have no choice. Don't worry, Misato-san. Asuka and I will take our places in Eva Unit 01 and 02 then." Asuka: "But what are you talking about? What are we 'trading' with the United Nations for this?" Misato (grinning): "Oh, you'll find out sooner or later, don't worry!" She looks down at Teri, who is listening carefully to the adults' conversation. Misato: "So...Teri-chan. I'm bringing you to Auntie Rei's house. Okay? Go take a bath and we'll leave after that." Teri: "Hai, Auntie!" Teri then heads towards the bathroom. --- Some minutes later, Shinji and Asuka are eating their breakfast at the kitchen table while Misato waits for Teri. Misato: "Oh, by the way...Asuka, Shinji...you're now 22 and...Kaji and I decided something." We can suddenly hear a loud squawk coming from the bathroom... Teri (from inside the bathroom): "Come on, Pen-pen! Don'tcha want to take a bath with me?" Asuka (to Teri): "Teri-chan! I already told you that Pen-pen's too old for you to play with him now! And you're too big to bathe with him anymore." Teri (disappointed): "Awwww!" Misato: "Don't worry, I'll take him with me..." Shinji and Asuka (surprised): "Huh?" Misato: "I'm going to live with Kaji. So, we decided to give you this apartment. I've taken care of all the administrative problems. This apartment's now under the name of the Ikaris. This is our present for your fifth wedding anniversary." Asuka: "You...you're leaving? And...we won't see you anymore?" Misato: "Of course you'll see me, just not as often as usual. I'm just going to live in Kaji's apartment. And besides, you'll soon need one more room for Axel-chan. He can't sleep in your room forever." Shinji (sighing in relief): "That's good. We'd really miss you if we never saw you again." Misato: "Not as much as I'd miss all of you. But I'd like a little more, uh, space to ourselves, you know?" Asuka: "That's a really big present you're giving us, you know...I don't know how to thank you..." Misato: "Don't worry, it's the least I can do for you two. You saved our planet, and you continue to fight for mankind's safety. I don't see why you shouldn't have your own piece of happiness, too..." Asuka: "Misato...I'm still happy being here with you and Shinji. As long as I'm with him, I feel good." Misato: "I know that, Asuka. I really thought that your wedding day would never come, because of Ikari Gendo, and because of your behaviour when you were together, always arguing...and even now, I almost feel as if it's a dream. My two roommates married, and with two children of their own. I feel like a grandmother when I see Teri- chan, because I lived with you and I've been your guardian for many years, and Teri-chan is the fruit of my efforts to bring you together. So, thank you, Ikari Shinji and Ikari Asuka Langley, for being the two children I never had." Asuka: "Hey, stop that! You're making it sound like we'll never see each other again!" Misato: "Yeah, you're right, Asuka. I'm giving away too much of my feelings..." Shinji: "Misato-san, thank you too for all the great moments together. And I hope that you'll come here to visit our family often...and I wish you a happy life with Kaji-san." Misato (brightening): "Thank you, Shinji-kun! Of course, I'll visit you, and I'll live as happily as I can!" The little girl finally comes out of her bedroom, washed, dressed and ready to leave. Misato: "Okay, time to go." Teri says goodbye to her mother and father, who have just stood up from the kitchen table, and gets ready to leave with Misato... Asuka: "And Misato, please drive carefully this time...I don't want Teri to get used to driving fast, okay?" Misato (reluctantly): "Yeah, yeah..." She looks down at Teri. Misato: "Sorry, Teri-chan. No more stepping on the gas. It's your mother's orders." Teri (disappointed): "Awww..." Misato (to Asuka and Shinji): "Okay, you lovebirds. Have a happy anniversary!" They then disappear behind the front door of the apartment. Asuka continues to glare at the door. Asuka: "Sometimes our daughter scares me." Shinji walks up behind her and puts his arms around her waist. He stands half a head taller than her now. Shinji: "I know...and she isn't aware of what's inside her...the power she really has." Asuka (closing her eyes): "You think so? I don't. I think she does know, but tries to hide it." Shinji: "Maybe...I hope she'll make good use of it, anyways." Asuka: "According to Ritsuko-san, Axel-chan doesn't have the same skills as her." Shinji: "Then the things my father did only affected Teri-chan. That's good to hear." Asuka: "Hmmm...I think we can trust Teri-chan, Shinji. She's really a good girl, and would never do any harm to anyone. After all, she inherited more than 90% of my genes, according to Ritsuko-san." Shinji: "We'll make sure she learns not to hurt anyone." Asuka (sadly): "When I think about what your father did to me...and to her..." Shinji hears a sniffle coming from his wife. He unlocks his arms, steps in front of her, and puts his hands on her shoulders. Shinji: "That's all in the past now, Asuka..." He looks into her beautiful blue eyes. They're full of tears. Asuka (crying): "But...she'll never be normal! She'll always be bothered about that! And what will people think of her when they find out? They'll think she's some kind of monster! Ritsuko-san talked to me about this! Shinji! She can read minds! She can move objects just by looking at them! And who knows what powers she'll have by the time she's grown up!? Oh, Shinji..." She buries her head in his chest. Shinji wraps his arms around her again. Shinji: "...I know, Asuka. I know that Teri-chan is...not a normal little girl. But she's our daughter. That's what's most important." Asuka (sobbing a little): "Sniff...and we can't do anything...if only I'd kept taking those pills when I was carrying her, none of this would be happening!" Shinji: "Don't say that, Asuka. It's not your fault. It's my father's...no. It's the former NERV Commander's fault." Asuka (now just sniffling a bit): "Hmmm...being in these strong arms feels so good, Shinji...please, hold me tighter..." He doesn't need to be asked twice. Asuka takes a deep breath and slowly recovers. Shinji: "Come on, Asuka-chan. Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. I'll make you happy today, like I did five years ago. I will never forget that smile you gave me when you said 'I do' in front of the priest. And it may take my entire life to repay you for that smile, but I'll do it." Asuka (softly): "Shinji..." Shinji: "Hm?" Asuka (whispering): "Where are we going tonight?" Shinji: "Tonight? That's a surprise..." Asuka (softly): "Oh come on, tell me..." Shinji: "I'm gonna take you where I should have told you that I love you from the beginning..." Asuka: "That doesn't answer my question, baka Shinji..." Shinji takes a piece of paper from his pocket and shows it to Asuka. Asuka (surprised): "Oh!!" Shinji smiles at her. Asuka (happily): "A boat ride! My sweetie baka Shinji!" Shinji: "Ha ha ha! Misato-san prepared everything for us...it's only for us. There'll be no one else there...except for the working crew, of course..." Asuka (smiling warmly): "Well, I don't think that a United Nations aircraft carrier is very romantic, but it'll do!" And with that, she kisses him passionately... --- THE END Author's notes: Okay, I needed to write that, mostly because a part of myself was willing to do it, but also because many of my readers wanted to see how Teri-chan would be as she grows up. Now that you know, leave me alone, okay? Ahaha, I'm kidding, don't worry. I have a few ideas for her teenage years, like the relationship she has with her brother and mother in particular, the evolution of her state, etc. I just have to write them down onto disk. But I don't know if I'll write that. Please understand, I need a good plot in order to write a good story, and unfortunately I don't have one for Teri's teenage years for now. Special thanks to all of my pre-readers: Al-l-Bus, Alain Gravel, Borderline Case, Dave Watson, EBJ, Eva_Pilot00, Greg Thomas, DJ Lesser, Kaoru Nagisa, Jon Byram, Pheaton, Readiosys Fisher, Sammy Sy, Shinji The 10 O'clock Assassin, Sudhoda'ya, and Sushi Boy! (I hope I got you all! :-) ) Note that some authors wrote things featuring Teri-chan, like "Ayanami's Lesson", "A Pilot's Day Off" and "Teri's Romance"! They're available on ASUKA's Notebook (and on other archives too, depending on the author's will). Anyway, thank you for reading this far. See ya soon! Axel Terizaki -- AxelTerizaki - ASUKA's Notebook ICQ# 34301980 IRCNet: #teri-chan