Train of Thoughts

by X-Ray

Continuation fic after 24th tv episode.

1. Chapters 1-3

Train of thoughts

Standard Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax,
all characters used from that series are theirs. All names are (TM) and (C) by
their respective owners.


Well.. I liked NGE very much , even if I haven't seen all the tapes and the films..

My knowledge on the subject is based on the anime-book series published in my country ,
along with the Manga and the news from the Net .

So , I could have some flaws on my personal story's reconstruction .. besides ,
I think that there are too many dark spots to allow a full understanding of the
NGE's meanings .. :)

Anyway , I started writing this fanfiction without knowing why , like it
was a necessary thing .

Now I've even made an home page! Well..

The story starts after 24ø episode .

I hope you'll enjoy reading it .

***

Train of Thoughts

Chapter 1

Standard Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax,
all characters used from that series are theirs. All names are (TM) and (C) by
their respective owners.

I've never written long texts in English , and this is my first try to write a fan
fiction . What else to say ? I think I started quite well , without any dialogue ,
later things get worse.. Maybe I must study harder..

Feel free to send any comment , suggestion , flame , job opportunity etc. etc.

This is a revised version , EBJ helped me a lot . He is my only pre-reader , and
he'll get an headache sooner or later . I owe him a lot . If you like it , thanks
him as well , so I can continue disturbing him ...

Anyway , starting from the pile of trash that is my draft , some errors could
escape , so you are advised ... even EBJ can't correct them all.. :(

r.giammanco@datastudio.it
e.barone@flasnet.it

Well , Take a seat , and enjoy yourselves .

________________The night brings advice/Don't run away from me_____________________

Shi: 'Black .Not to think . Not to be .
Nothing to do , nothing to say , nothing to live . Nothing .
This is my desire , not to think . But I can do nothing to reach my goal .
Even when I dream , I remember all the pain , all the things I haven't done
and I have to do . So when I awake , I'm more tired than before going to
sleep . I have to do something , anything . All the night I make a lot of
promises , but I've never accomplished even one. I'm only a weak boy , a
crying worthless child , I'm nothing .'

From outside , nothing can be seen , only a fourteen years old boy trying to
sleep , searching the right place where to sleep in his bed . Misato every night
stands for perhaps more than two hours outside his room's door , opening and
closing his door silently , every time on the verge of entering and speaking with
him .
She is very worried , and absolutely unable to even think about something to say .
Not only Shinji , but even Asuka , Rei , Ritsuko ... all is going nuts , every
single thing in her life is screwed up . Only her work seems to be fine .
Mpf! Her job!
Now Misato is under the shower , trying to relax even a single nerve of her rigid
body . Her job .... The worse thing of all is seeing almost every day that bastard
of Ikari , the commander . 'Shit , if only were the two of them , in a room ,
closed...'

But to do what ? All has already happened , nothing can be changed .. 'Kaji ... if
only you were here' . A sob can be heard outside the shower's curtains , and a
muffled cry . Now Misato grabs the curtains , holding all herself to it , with the
only result of falling on the ground , crying and cursing the responsible for his
death .

Standing up , still wet and covered of soap , she makes a promise... she will
confront the supreme bastard , for the sake of the children , herself , and of all
the people she cares about .

But ... what if he was right , what if his choices were for the best ? They are
still alive , the most of ...

Sure , Ikari has done a lot , but in the wrong way . She will not ask simply
why , but rather why in that way : Ritsuko gone , Kaji dead , the children in such
condition...

Sure , this is a promise , and she is sure that it will be fulfilled , at any
cost .

With this new resolution she comes to a rest , on the continuos fight in her
heart ; maybe the demons that are strangling her heart and her soul will leave her
alone this night . Now she looks her reflected image in the mirror , and manage a
weak smile : 'it's just a start , but you can't win the lottery if you don't have
any ticket , can you ?' . She turns on her heels to come back to her interrupted
shower when she sees Pen-Pen .

Pen-Pen , who is taking a bath , a hot bath .

In the bathroom .

With her .

Misato is suspended for a while , she can't really remember if she has ever taken a
bath with Pen-Pen ; if she has so , probably she was drunk , so this is the first
time for all she knows . And she really doesn't like the kind of glare the penguin
is reserving for her naked body .
But , 'hell! , he his just a pet , isn't he' .

So she finishes her shower paying little or less attention to the penguin who is
relaxing and enjoying the view : she wasn't really like that babe he has seen on a
documentary on the penguins in the Mexico-City Zoo , but there is nothing more to
see in that damned house .
Strange , that girl with long red hair hasn't been around for a long time , he'd
like to know where she was ...

With that last thought in mind Pen-Pen pops open a beer and drink all the can .
Misato finishes to dry herself just in time to see his last act ; with the towel on
her right hand and the left on her scary .

Mis: 'Maybe I can consider the option of a skin implant... But this is not the
most important thing to do .'

Exiting the bathroom , with her night-dress on , she looks at the clock , 2:00 am .
It wasn't very late , except the fact she was not drunk , a good point for her ;
smiling to herself , she walks to her room , ready for a good sleep , as she hasn't
had for a long time , to be ready for tomorrow's fight , that will be very hard to
win .
In the process of her walking , she can hear something , like a sob , and a soft
sound of fabric being thrown away .

There wasn't any possibility of error , there was only another person in her
house ... She has done so much for a single night , but could she manage to
confront Shinji ? All the strength she has recalled , all her firmness seemed to
escape , and she was already heading with fast step to her room when a single
thought hit her head like a bolt , or a revelation :

Mis: 'What if the one who is always running away was I ?'.

Running from Shinji , running from Ikari , running from Asuka , running from ...
Kaji , running from the truth ..

Sure , it is hard to face the truth , knowing that one hasn't done all of one's best ,
but this is only a quote , due the fact that she has never faced the truth , or
something similar . She has never faced her father , and now he is dead and his
demons are after her ; she has never faced in the right way Kaji , being hurt from
her feeling .

And Shinji... Has she ever faced Shinji? Does she care about him ? What if Ikari
decides to bring him away , away from her ? Like giant hands , she can almost see
the fear biting her heart , like a physical pain born in her chest .. with both
hand crossed over her left breast , she walks back to Shinji's door , standing for
a moment , opening the door , entering the room , and closing the door behind her .

With the heart at full rate , she stands in the dark room , except for the
moonlight beam passing through the window , and landing on the bed . 'But how he
can even think to sleep , if tomorrow morning the sun will wake up him early in the
morning ?' With this thought she comes closer to the window and closes the
curtains , resting for a while there thinking about what to do next .

Strange thoughts came to her mind ... when she was only a girl of 7 or maybe 8
years , on the Sunday's mornings , she used to sneak in her parent's room to find
the candy she was supposed not to eat . She can perfectly remember the feeling of
the fear to be found with the hands in the jam , or on the candy , and almost laugh
about her tactics : two step , wait , control dad's snorting , check mom's eyes ,
another step , and so on . Now she is sure , her parents were probably well aware
of her presence in the room , and smiling themselves about their child ...

Mis: 'Mom , if only you were here ...'.

She hadn't known very well her mother , but she is sure that she would do the right
thing in the few moments to come ... Releasing a loud sigh , she turns and heads
towards the bed , but with a slow pace , as if not willing to do more noise that
necessary .

Shinji is obviously awake , and he is following all her movements if not with his
eyes , for fear of being found awake , with all his other senses .

Shi: 'Misato ? What is she doing here ?'.

Other times she had been standing outside his door , and sometimes opening it ,
speaking to him from there .

Now was different , like a new and strange behavior : 'I can feel there is
something different , and I'm afraid . What does she want from me , why is she here ? I
hope she thinks I'm sleeping hard' . But a person who is sleeping hard doesn't rest
firm in his position like a mummy in his coffin , so Shinji tries , time to time ,
to make some little movement , to make his rule of beauty sleeping more
convincing .

Shi: 'Wait ! What is happening ?'.

All his body tightening , he holds his breath : Misato is walking towards him , now
is over him ... now she is sitting on the bed , his left side . She has her hands
in her lap , and now she moves them , and caresses his cheek . Misato almost
smiles:

Mis: 'If he thinks he can fool me acting so , he is really dumb : even a dead
could fell his nerves , they are so tense they'll break free in a few
instants , but I wont let him to be the first , I'm the Major here , and I
must take the offensive.'

Mis: "Shinji , open your eyes. I know you are not sleeping."

Nothing . Misato almost giggles.. then thinks about a joke... She is surprised :

Mis: 'Am I in the mood of thinking about a joke ? That is great , it is the right
thing to do , think positive , Misato !'.

"Well , if he is sleeping I can always give him a sweet dreams kiss on his
lips."

And , while talking , she approaches his face . It's hard to describe Shinji's
thoughts : he is shocked , literally . He is frozen in fear , not knowing what to
do . Now he is not thinking about angels, his father , Asuka ,Rei ..

He is fighting with himself not knowing what to do : he doesn't want to speak with
Misato , but he really can't remember why ; so he is faking sleep . Now she wants
to kiss him on the lips !!

Shi: 'God , what to do !'

He is shaking , while Misato , noticing all his inner trouble can only smile while
slowing her movements ...
He now can feel her regular breath on his skin... it is warm .. it is a strange
feeling ... it's like a feeling from his childhood ..... All his mind is now
after this feeling , and he forgets about Misato ..

Something inside him screams : "remember , remember.." ...

It's the same feeling he has felt inside the entry-plug....

Shi: 'Mother ? Is Misato like my mother ? Is she acting like a mother towards
me ? But why then does she want to kiss me ?'

But in response , he can feel the touch of a pair of lips on his forehead , and a
warm flow coming from them in his head , in his body , in his heart .. His eyes
snap open , and he looks in disbelief in the darkness , due to the darkness in
itself , due to the fact that he's had his eyes closed for a long time now .

After a bit , Misato gets up from his head and looks down on him , a smile in her
face , and after a smirk :

Mis: "I knew you were awake , Shinji . But you can't act so with all the girls ,
or you'll never get married. Well, to tell the truth , there are more women
than men , so maybe you will be the object of some man-hunting , after all.."

'Gosh , I'm really in a good moon tonight' , smiles Misato to herself .

Shinji is trying desperately to say something , when he thinks a bit more about
what has just happened and begin to blush furiously , lowering his glare only to
stare at Misato's breasts ..

Shi: 'God , she's not wearing a bra !'

So he snaps back his eyes in hers , blushing more than a normal human being can
do , like unit 2 , for example .

Finally he manages a weak smile and asks her : "Yes , Misato , can I do
anything for you ?"

Mis: "Not really .. it's like neither you or I can sleep , why don't we have a
milk party together ?"

Shi: "I don't know if there is any milk left in the fridge.."

Mis: "Can't tell until you see . Stand up and go to the kitchen , I'll wear
something more appropriate , you little pig! I could almost be your mother !
You Oedipus! "

Shi: 'Man , and I thought sometimes that I was more adult that her .. but I can't
face her now , not after I've seen her ... and she knows! Argh...' .

With all his speed Shinji darts outside the room , and runs to the kitchen .
Misato , half thrown away form Shinji's burst , is laughing softly , when she comes
to a rest .

Mis: 'I don't want to think about the bad things , now : when there is the sun ,
there's no need for an umbrella , and I don't want to take one with me . For
now , I want to relax , and tease my little Shinji.'

After that , she is seen by a yawning Pen-Pen heading to her room .

Shinji , meanwhile , is on the verge of a crisis : the kitchen is a mess! How many
days hasn't he been washing the dishes , collecting the garbage and shopping ? He
can't say . Now he must hurry ! He can be seen darting from a corner to another ,
making three enormous bags of trash , when Misato enters the Kitchen .

Shi: "Misato!"

Is all Shinji can say , standing in front of him a sort of arabian woman :
foulard , see-through fabric and so on .

Mis: "eh, eh! I was sure you'd like it , my little kid !"

Shinji , turning away , shots back :

Shi: " Man , I can't believe ! What are you thinking about ? It's not Halloween ,
do you know? And here there isn't any costume party! Please , leave and dress
yourself in a more convenient manner !"

Mis: "So you don't like me?" An angry Misato replies .

Shi: "That's not the point!"

Mis: "Then , what?"

Shi: "You are embarrassing me! What have you eaten ? Oysters ? How much have you
been drinking ?"

From the back of his ears , Misato can see that Shinji's could probably win the
annual contest for the biggest tomato of Osaka-2 , so she leaves teasing him
another bit :

Mis: "If you don't know how to treat a lady , than don't speak at all!"

Shi: "A real lady doesn't seduce a kid!"

Mis: "I've heard you ! You'll pay for this , pilot Ikari!!"

'Damn, I've made it . Now he'll fall again into depression , curse my mouth !
I'd kick myself if I could..'

But to her relief , she can see Shinji trying desperately to wash an enormous
amount of dishes and glasses in the kitchen , so she is reassured . 'Whef! He's
okay! It is very easy to tease him , not like .... No , I don't want to think him..
Kaji.. Why.. .'

Coming back in the kitchen , Misato is in her usual home attire , to Shinji's
relief , and starts helping him in cleaning the kitchen . Meanwhile , Shinji is
pondering about vogue matters : 'Sure , now it's better , I'm used to her shirts
and shorts , but that's not implies necessary that is right . Probably she doesn't
even know the word "Decency" , or she thinks I'm still a baby . Even when there are
Kensuke and Toj..'

Like a statue , now Shinji is standing over the water looking his hands and
muttering under is breath "Toji"...

Misato is following Shinji too closely not to catch that single world and all that
it implies .

Mis: "It's not your fault."

Shi: "Yes , it is."

Mis: "No , it's not . It wasn't you who hurt him. It was the dummy plug . It was
you father."

Shi: 'father...'

Shi: "But why was he there ? He was there for his sister ! And who hurt her in the
first place ? Tell me , Misato , who ?"

Now Shinji's eyes are watering slightly , and he's trying to hide them from a very
close Misato .

Mis: "It wasn't your fault. There was an angel. Would you have liked it better
that everyone died ? And besides .. What if the pilot wasn't Toji , or
Kensuke , what if was a stranger ? You are worried about Toji much because
he was a friend of yours , and you can't find the courage to speak to him .
Do you want to know something , something they told me but I forget , while
I was running around ? Toji asks the nurses to see you , but they are
ordered to keep you away from him . Commander Ikari orders."

Shi: "WhaaT? How can h"

Mis: "And you , have you ever thought to visit him?"

Shi: ...

Mis: "So , commander Ikari hasn't done anything : if you don't want to visit him ,
his orders are as never spoken . Shinji , you mustn't run away from your
friends , you have so few of th.."

Mis: "Friends? Friends? Which friends? I had only three friends in my life ! One
was an angel , I almost killed the second and destroyed the other's house !
I'm nothing ! I'm an ass-hole , a creep .. It would be better if I had never
born!"

More than the skin , Shinji felt the air burning : Misato grabbed him from behind ,
turned him to her face , and then slapped him .

Mis: "Don't ever dare to say such things again." , glaring coldly him in his
eyes .

Raising an hand to touch his cheek , Shinji remembers his run after the 4th
angel...

Shi: "This is the second time you're angry at me."

It is with tears in his eyes that he speaks . At that Misato expression soften ,
and she caresses his scratched cheek .

Mis: "You mustn't regret your life : it's a gift from God . Even if maybe it is
God who is trying to kill all of us with his angels.."

Shi: "But I thought all was over ! They told me that there were only 17 angels to
fight! And I haven't been at HQ for almost two weeks!"

Mis: "You know , your father doesn't think about it the same way : unit one is
under repair , if they'll ever be able to fix it , while Maya is doing some
strange experiment on Rei , perhaps to fix the troubles caused by Ritsuko
with the Dummy Plug production facility ... I really don't know exactly what
is in your father's mind , but I think he has some other use for Rei and Dummy
Plug.. Now that Asuka can't pilot anymore and you are refusing , even if not
explicitly , to pilot unit-01 , Rei is again holding all the weight given her
by your father , and I haven't done nothing to stop him . But things must
change and they'll change , I swear , perhaps from the very tomorrow ."

Listening to that outburst , Shinji gets worried , and shows his apprehension :

Shi: "Misato , what are you going to do? You aren't willing to face my
father , are you ? He'll kill you , or he'll have you jailed like Ritsuko ,
please , don't be a fool!"

Mis: "Now the time to obey is over , it's time to ask Commander a few
question ."

Realizing the implication of this words , Shinji can only think about his father :
'what he'll do? He only uses people , like he used me , Asuka and Ritsuko . Misato
is still useable , if he thinks there are still enemies to fight , but a good
soldier don't questions his orders . If Misato shows explicitly her intentions ,
she will be probably discharged . I can't allow this .'

Shi: "Father will kill you." .It's not a question .

It's not a conditional . It's the truth . A truth that Misato has already accepted
and archived , so comes her natural reply .

Mis: "I know ."

Shi: "You will betray me."

Misato wrinkles a bit , unsure about the meaning of this statement .

Mis: "What?"

Shi: "You are pursuing your death . Not willing to help yourself or others , you
are trying to find a way to die making an apparently courageous act , like
confronting my father . This is not courage , this is stubbornness ."

Misato arches an eyebrow 'Is this the Shinji I know? Have I been such a bad tutor
to not follow his evolution , his improvements ? Maybe he is more adult than I
thought : even in my house , he's been alone very often , and I haven't done
anything to get closer to him.'

Mis: "I've heard you sometimes say under your breath : 'I mustn't run away' ..
now it's my turn , I must confront Commander Ikari , for your sake ."

Shaking his head , Shinji reply is hard :

Shi: "It's not the same thing : I was cornered into situation in which running
away would've led to the harm or the death of someone or all human kind . Now
you can make your choice : not confronting my father is not like running
away , but is the best thing to do , now . You must take care about me ,
about Asuka , about Rei . You must be ready to act when absolutely
necessary , to prevent my father from acting . You could have stopped him
from using the Dummy Plug with Toji."

Mis: "I... I... didn't know what the commander was going to do , and beside , I
wasn't even in the HQ , remember?"

Shi: "Yes, you're right, but did you get the point ?"

Mis: "I .. think so."

Shi: "Do you promise me to not face my father? At least , not now?"

Mis: "Yes , Shinji , I promise you." .

'But I'm not sure I'll be able to keep this promise , my little kid . Too
many objections I haven't pronounced , knowing or not knowing well what was
going on . Perhaps I'll follow your advice and search further before making
any step ; there are too many dark spots in Nerv to enlighten , and I'll need
time . If only Ritsuko were on my side! She knows a lot more of me , and I
can't reach her ! Now that she would be in the mood to tell me everything!
Being betrayed from the one you love must be unforgivable , and I can almost
comprehend her .. Kaji.. Why didn't you speak to me ? Why Had you to act
alone , leaving me in the dark ? '

Shi: 'I'm not sure that she'll keep the promise , because of her temper . But then
again , what can I do ? I wasn't able to do anything to prevent the harm to
my friends .. Toji.. Kensuke .. Asuka.. Asuka?! I still don't know where she
is !'

"Misato!! Where is Asuka? Why hasn't she come back yet? It's been since
the attack from Kaor.. from the last attack I haven't seen her , Is she
okay , and where is she ?"

Misato , lowering her head and thinking.

Mis: 'He is coming out from his previous state , but can I tell him the truth ,
what if it is too hard to stand , and he closes again in himself ? I can't
lie to him , but I must choose the words carefully , not worry him .'

"It was time you asked me! Aren't you two in love?"

Misato tries to tease Shinji , without any other result than inciting him even more .

Shi: "I am really not in the mood to joke , Misato! I've made you a question .
I know I don't have the right to ask , because I was the first who didn't
care about anyone else for a bit . Now I don't want to think about the
reasons of my behavior , because the last days seem to me like a long ,
endless nightmare . Now I'm free from that weight , and I understand that I
was in fact , again , running away . I'm only a weak boy , and I'll always
be . But I can't face the adversities only inside the Eva . It's time for me
to do something more , and this is will be for example visiting Toji
tomorrow , and asking about Asuka . Where is she , tell me , Misato!"

Mis: "She is in the hospital , Shinji ."

Shi: "But why ? She didn't fight during the last assault , and she was fine
before . Even Rei , after her last accident , was fine.." , 'she was
strange , tough , a bit stranger than usual , now that I think of it..'

Mis: "She has fallen in a depressive state , like the one you were falling in the
last days. It's incredible : it's like you've overridden all you fear and
trouble , and you are again worrying about others , I wish Ritsuko could see
you!" , 'But I've improved too . It's like I'm not alone anymore . We are
helping each other.. how the psychologists call it ? Group therapy ?'

Shi: "It's horrible!"

Then , after thinking a bit about :
"tell me , are there orders from my father I can't see her?"

Spoke Shinji with an angry tone .

Mis: "I don't know. Probably not . When he ordered to keep away you from Toji ,
there were still other angels to fight . When Asuka had fallen in this
state , you weren't paying attention to her absence anymore , being in fact
relieved from it . So I don't think there will be any problem if you want to
check her ."

Shi: "..."

Mis: "Shinji?"

Shi: "Were you observing my behavior? Were you spying me again?"

Mis: "No , Shinji . It wasn't my job anymore . I've asked and obtained the
reassignment a long time ago . I'm not here to write down papers for your
father , at least not to tell all the truth . But there are other persons
watching you , and they don't have any problem to collect what they think is
the truth. I've read similar things on the reports coming from the
surveillance."

Shi: "... Sorry, Misato , I didn't want to offend you.. I just wanted to.."

Mis: " It's all right , Shinji , you're getting older and suspicious , and I'm
happy of your growth. Time will came when I'll cook for my grandsons!" Misato
smiled , faking a tear from his left eye .

Shi: "What.., No .. Don't you ever think to cook for my sons , or you'll ruin their
stomachs !"

Mis: "How do you dare ! Are you saying I can't heat a pot of milk for a baby?"

Shi: "I'm not sure you're even able to make a decent tea . But that's remind me ,
weren't we supposed to have a milk party?" .

Mis: "Yeah , Yeah , Whatever you want , but I'll be the one to heat the milk! You
have to finish cleaning the room!"

Shi: "Sure, Shinji , take all the dirty works! You know , a lady wouldn't have her
slips washed by a teenager." .

Mis: "So , what's the matter ? Do you prefer washing Asuka's? Or Rei's? You little
pig?"

Turning a bright shade of red , Shinji lowers his head , getting back to cleaning
the messed room , with that Misato , happy for getting her last word , starts
triumphant to put the milk into a full force fire .

Shi: 'Not milk , maybe some derivative ...' Shinji thought hearing strange noises
coming from the pot

End chapter 1 . Stay tuned and fight for the future !
____________________________________________________________________________________

X-Ray: 'What an odd thing to say..'

EBJ: 'That's right...'

X-Ray sweatdrops and hides X-files' magazines , t-shirts , pants ...

_____________________________________________________________________________________

One last note : My home page is on http://members.xoom.com/fantasticare .

***

Train of Thoughts

Chapter 2

Standard Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax,
all characters used from that series are theirs. All names are (TM) and (C) by
their respective owners.

I've never written long texts in English , and this is my first try to write a fan
fiction . What else to say ? I think I started quite well , without any dialogue ,
later things get worse.. Maybe I must study harder..

Feel free to send any comment , suggestion , flame , job opportunity etc. etc.

This is a revised version , EBJ helped me a lot . He is my only pre-reader , and
he'll get an headache sooner or later . I owe him a lot . If you like it , thanks
him as well , so I can continue disturbing him ...

Anyway , starting from the pile of trash that is my draft , some errors could
escape , so you are advised ... even EBJ can't correct them all.. :(

r.giammanco@datastudio.it
e.barone@flasnet.it

Well , Take a seat , and enjoy yourselves .

________________A man can't stay alone/Don't betray me_____________________________

The next morning , Shinji overslept . Not because he wasn't able to fall asleep
until late in the night ( say 4 or 5 o' clock ) , rather because after the little
discussion with Misato he had a peaceful and refreshing sleep . He woke maybe
around 11:00 , but he chose to continue sleeping , how he was tired from the last
days . It was very odd for him to wake up around 14:00 .. His first thought was
about the incoming evening : 'how the hell I'm supposed to go to bed around 22:00 ?
I'll shift the night with the day... ho! Who cares!'

So he started to get dressed , picking up some school clothes . Realizing he had
been absent from school for the last weeks , and thinking that the school was
probably closed due to the last angel attacks , he started searching something
else .

His wardrobe was a complete mess ; he had to search a lot before finally finding
something decent to wear , not before heavily ironing them . With a bit of luck he
was finally able to get out dressed in casual clothing . He was a bit surprised in
seeing that Misato had already left ; at least she had something to do , like
carrying out her job . He wandered a bit in a city that was like a ghost town :
no one was walking on the streets , and only a couple of cars were running like
bolts on the streets . A car almost knocked him down while he was crossing a street
far from any traffic-lights . Shinji had almost to jump back to avoid the impact :

Shi: "WOW! Not killed by any angel , but knocked down by a crazy car. I don't like
what they would probably write on my grave." .

After a thought crossed his mind :

Shi: 'I wonder where that crazy driver had learned how drive .'

A picture of Misato giving driving lessons made him shiver and shake furiously .

Shi: 'I must ask her to let me see her driving license ; I wouldn't be surprised
if I'd find out she hasn't any.' .

A car... How weird , he thought a lot about him driving a car , like a sports car ,
and going around the city and outside , in the country for a pic-nic . The car
would be an old one , from the 70's .. a foreign car .. maybe an european car ;
while he was still in his old house , his sensei had a lot of magazines about old
cars , he was very attracted by them .
To tell the truth , Misato had similar magazines too , but he didn't even open
them once . How strange..

Shinji had often occasions to read those magazines back in his old house . Now he
was slowly remembering the photos , models he had seen .

Shi: 'Mhh.. which kind of car... I'd like a sports car , maybe a two seated
only..'

When he was about to thinking about the other occupants , his brain was hit by a
series of images of Asuka , crying , and Rei , bleeding .

Holding his head between his hands , and painting heavily , he finally was able to
pass the point thinking :

Shi: 'It wouldn't be fair , a car for only two : what about all my other friends?
Weird , last night I told Misato that I haven't friends.. now I can only
think about Kensuke , with his hair at the wind , rambling about cars and
supercars .. about Hikari , trying to feed an embarrassed Toji , about Asuka
cursing in German about my driving , and Rei , silently watching the view .
That would be six person ! Where I can put them ? I can't buy a van!'

Chuckling , Shinji solved the problem :

Shi: 'Maybe Kensuke would buy a car, so he , Toji and Hikari can go by themselves,
meanwhile I can go with Asuka and Rei .'

He continued :

Shi 'Which car then ? Why not a Ferrari ?'

Fortunately he was alone and the street , because otherwise they could think he was
crazy : laughing alone in the middle of a city street..

Shi: 'Yeah , and were I can find the money? Maybe I can ask Misato to loan me some
money... well , I'm only dreaming , so that's not a problem , but a car like
that is beyond my dreams . Some other car , less expensive , but still
Italian.. they had cars like Alfa-Romeo , Lancia ...'

Yes , there were a lot of interesting cars and he had once been attracted by an old
Lancia .. its name was Fulvia or something similar , he couldn't remember better .
It was a sportive coupe , from which they derived a race version , all white
outside with an all back cockpit , four speed gear , a good engine and very
attractive performances .
He couldn't describe it very well , but all he remembered was that it looked
beautiful .

Shi: 'One moment , would our gasoline be fine for her?'

He had already referred to the car with a familiar 'her' ..

Shi: 'Well , I think that wouldn't be any problem to find the right propellant .
I must talk about my idea with Misato . I think she has a good taste about
cars , at least I hope so . I wonder what Auska's going to think about all
this...'

Whit that , his expression hardened , and his glare darkened , he contracted all
his facial muscles , like he was going to fight for his dear life .. From then on ,
he kept thinking about the second child , not leaving this subject until he reached
the Nerv hospital , the first cranial nerve section , his and other pilot's
frequent destination . He asked at the reception , and a nurse offered to bring him
to her room :

Nur: "She's always so lonely .. no one comes to visit her."

She hadn't any intention of speaking directly toward Shinji , but he felt those
words like a multitude of needles piercing his heart . With a weak voice he asked
about her conditions.

Nur: "I'm not supposed to talk in place of a doctor , but it's evident that she is
in a depressive state , which led her to attempt a suicide .."

A loud gasp , almost a cry , followed her words . The nurse , turning on her heels
worried , talked to Shinji , who was trembling :

Nur: "You.. You didn't know ? I.. I'm terribly sorry .. I didn't mean to .. Well..
This is the truth. She has been very bad . And now we keep her under
sedatives . It's not the proper therapy for her case , but I guess there are
security reasons.."

Shinji's eyes burned with rage , and he shouted back "damn him!"" .

Shi: 'Father! Father! How could you.. Why not kill her ? Why not kill all of us
now that you don't need us anymore?'

After he recalled Misato's words : " I think he has some other use ".

Shi: 'So he's up to something else .. I must get Asuka out of here , and quickly!
But how ! Security men won't allow me to bring her away , I must do something
here.'

Shi: "Excuse me , nurse , what's your name?"

Nur: "Well , haven't you read it on my robe?"

Shi: "No , I prefer ask the people rather than inspect them ."

A wide smile crossed the nurse's face , and Shinji noticed that she was , in fact ,
a really cute girl , maybe 22 or 21 years old , with long black hair collected on
her head , gray eyes , a small nose and perfect teeth . She was really cute , and
while she answered "Oh my , if you want to become a playboy , you are on the right
path." , he blushed .

Nur: "It was only a joke , but I'd like to hear words like yours more often ,
Shinji Ikari."

Shinji stopped on his tracks . "You know my name? How ?".

The nurse was forced to stop and to turn back :

Nur: "Who do you think assists you pilots ? I had seen you a few times , even if
you can't remember : I wasn't often here to assist you , but now we are
short of personnel .. you know.. so I'm in charge for the second pilot ,
Langley ."

Shi: "That reminds me.. every time they brought me here.. were you the one who ..
who .."

Looking the curious nurse's look Shinji lowered his head blushing..

Shi: "You know.. I always woke up almost naked.."

Now the nurse was laughing , more to Shinji's embarrassment .

Nur: "Yeah! Yeah ! I've had care of you one time , you know? You must go to the
gym and get some muscles , because you really need them ! The girls like
them , you know?"

Now Shinji was trying to calm down , and searched a way to avoid any other
discussion about that nasty subject :

Shi: "You haven't told me your name , nurse."

Nur: "If you looked at me , instead of admiring your shoes you'd know . Anyway I'm
Ai Koraki , pleased to meet you ."

Shi: "Miss Koraki .. I need to ask you a favor .."

Some moments later , Shinji finally entered Asuka's room , with a worried Ai bHeynd
him .

Kor: "I'm not supposed to disobey orders! And besides she needs these
medicines .."

Shi: "If I don't remember wrong .. You told me that this isn't the right way to
cure her illness ..."

Kor: "Yeah! Yeah! But how can you think of asking me to trash her daily dose ? I
do.."

Shi: "Why did you become a nurse?"

Kor: "What?"

Shi: "Why are you doing this job?"

Kor: "What do you mean?"

Shi: "Is this just a job , or is it something else? Damn , aren't you and the
doctors supposed to help the patients ? She is a dear friend , and I want her
back . You told me she was in a depressive state .. being sedated can't help
her . Please , stop giving her sedatives : I'll stay here night and day , and
I'll speak to her , I'll try to make her feel better . I swear I will always
be here .. and is she gets violent and tries escape or hurt herself .. well ,
I'll be the first to sedate her . Please help us . We are only pilots , but
we've fought against the angels , and we have saved your life . Now it's your
turn , will you help us?"

Shinji wasn't a little child anymore . He had reasoned , he had seen a possibility
on the nurse , and now he was trying to bring her to his side . He was still
panicking inside :

Shi: 'what if she reports to her superiors ? What if father finds out it ? But I
must try !'

Kor: "I.. I.."

Shi: "Please .. Look at her.."

With that Shinji points to Asuka , taking for the first time a glance in her
direction . What he saw chilled him to the bones : a feminine figure , laying on a
bed , with a tiny white sheet covering her lower body .
Her beautiful hair was a mess , above and under the pillow , dirty and tangled .
Her mouth was open , and the eyes were looking blanking to the ceiling .

Something like the smell of death came from her...

Shinji wanted to run away, but again, he kept telling himself 'I mustn't run away ,
I mustn't run away , I mustn't run away!' and continued speaking to the nurse ..

Shi: "You are our only hope , help us , don't tell others about our discussion. I
beg your help."

Kor: "I.. I don't know ... If I can.."

Shi: "Please! Do you want to be responsible for Asuka's death?"

Kor: "Who is telling she is going to die , kid?"

Shi: "You , because if she doesn't get better , and she isn't going to get better
in this way , for 'security reasons' she could be killed!"

Kor: "Killed ! You are using your imagination.."

Shi: "Do you believe in your words? Miss Koraki , think about it for a while .. Do
you think that what I had proposed you could harm Asuka ?"

Kor: "I .. think not , in a way.. but.."

Shi: "Give me a chance! For a couple of days! Couldn't be flawed medicines that
didn't have effects?"

Then a thought bolted in his mind :

Shi: 'Oh my god! Microphones! Cameras! What a fool I am ! I'm going to ruin this
girl! How I couldn't think about it! How idiot!'

While he was mumbling , came the reply , weak , soft , resolute :

Kor: "I will"

Shinji , started nervously looking around , and making moves to the nurse to keep
quiet .. than in a low tone of voice asked her:

Shi: "Do you think there are microphones here?"

Getting the same realization , the nurse paled...

Kor: "I.. I don't know.."

Shi: "Tell them it was my fault , tell I was the responsible .. don't get harmed ,
or I'll have to regret your fate too.."

Kor: "My dear Shinji.. I'm afraid too... But you're right . It's not human to
treat her like that . I'll do it. I don't know , but perhaps they can't spy
us right now . I've heard about some noises in the machines due to unstable
tension . If we are lucky , we won't get caught ."

Truth be told , there were some microphones , and even a camera , but they were
off duty right now.. the guy in charge of control was gone for a beer , and he
hadn't bothered to start the tape : 'Who would came to see that bitch? She is only
that! So much time lost going after her under the rain..'

Koraki smiled and exited the room , and Shinji started to look around ... 'How I'm
supposed to find microphones or cameras? If only Kensuke was here.. Hey!'

Taking his cellular phone out of his pocket , he dialed Misato number.

Shi: "Misato , take the phone , take the phone.."

Mis: "Shinji , is that you ?"

Shi: 'Thanks to our warranted privacy...'

Shi: "Yeah! Misato , I have to find Kensuke's address and phone number , it's very
urgent."

Mis: "Who you think I am? A phone list service?"

Shi: "Misato ! Please , I need his help now! I must " , lowering his voice ,
"secure Asuka's room from any ears and eyes!"

Mis: "And you are using a unsecured line!"

Shi: "Sorry if my name isn't James Blood! Can you help me , yes or no ?"

Mis: "Do you think Kensuke could help you ?"

Shi: "Maybe you could ask Kaji ... I haven't seen him for a while.."

Mis: "I.. I'll search Kensuke's number. I'll call you back soon."

Shi: "Wait , Mis.. Damn , why so fast? Anyway .. let's start. A camera can't be
as small like a microphone.. let's see."

If Asuka could see Shinji , she'd laugh for at least two or three hours. He
wandered around like an ant , up and down the room , looking in every single spot ,
knocking on every wall , lifting every single object , going under the bed , always
avoiding to look at Asuka.. Maybe her eyes saw him , but she probably couldn't
process the information .

Shi: 'A moment.. A camera must be in a particular place to take a good view of the
room: it must be in a high position , and pointed toward the door and the
bed. Where could it be fixed ? By the door and bed's position , it would have
to be placed on the left corner of this wall... Uh? And what is that?'

A suspicious grating was placed about two meters from the floor near the corner
that Shinji was examining . It looked like a speaker , but it was a strange
position for a speaker..

Shi: 'I need a screw-driver.. I'll look up for the nurse.. Koraki , to tell her
I'm leaving for a while.'

After a bit he was at a tool-store getting the screw-driver when :

Shi: 'If they are looking at me , they'll get suspicious.. I must fool them , like
buying something else and bringing all at home in the first place .'

He was making plans , when his phone went off ringing .

Shi: "Yes, Who's speaking?"

The number shown in the display was in fact new to him .

Ken: "Shinji! It's me , Kensuke!"

Shi: "Kensuke! Oh , man , I'm so glad to hear you! Listen , I need your help for a
secret mission."

Ken: "A mission ? Secret ? What going on?"

Shi: 'Kensuke looks excited, well , I'm sure he'll be of great help.'

"Where are you?"

Ken: "At my uncles' . Why do you ask?"

Shi: "Would you come to my place to spend a couple of days?"

Ken: "Well.. It's not Saturday , you know.."

Shi: "Oh, Kensuke , I beg you ! I really help you help!" a sudden thought crossing
his mind "it was Misato who suggested me to ask you.."

Ken: "Really!!! Wow ! I'm coming! I'll be at your place .. let's say for dinner..
it's a bit far from here , and I have to make prepare stuff ."

Shi: "Bring with you all your electronic devices. They would be of great help."

Ken: "It's the first time you seem interested in electronic .. What are you doing
Shinji? And the angels , where are they? And Toji ? I couldn't reach him ,
they told me th"

Shi: "One thing at the time , Kensuke . I'll see you this evening , bye."

Ken: "Wait a mom"

Shi: 'Sorry , but I'm not ready to talk about Toji..'

Shinji spent the next hours buying food and cleaning stuff for the house . When he
reached home with the hands full of bags , he almost dropped them when he saw who
was standing beside his door...

Shi: "Ayanami!"

The silent Ayanami , pilot of unit-00 , was clearly expecting our hero , because
she turned to face him and told him

Rei: "Good evening , Ikari . I was told to came and see you ."

Shi: "Who.. Who asked you to do so?" , replied Shinji , fear in his voice , almost
trembling .

Rei: "I met Major Katsuragi back in NERV , and she told me that you wanted to
speak with me."

No hint of emotion was audible in his voice , and her deep eyes didn't betray any
feeling..

Shinji recalled the view of the Terminal dogma .. all those bodies .. the truth
about Rei..

Shi: 'A clone.. an artificial being.. Her room .. the place where she was given
birth.. the dummy plug .. is she a monster? An .. No , it's my father. It's
all his fault. She is alive , and he took away from her every feeling , every
emotion , to use her like a doll . I'm not like Asuka , but now I can share
her point of view.. perhaps her girl's intuit..'

Shi: "Do you remember when I talked to you in the hospital ?"

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "You told me you were the third."

It was almost unpercievable , but Shinji could notice like a ghost of fear in her
face.

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "I didn't understand then.. but now I think I can. Do you remember me?"

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "Do you remember my house?"

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "I need your help then."

Rei: "How come?"

Opening the door and pointing the mess inside :

Shi: "I need you to help me in cleaning this disaster."

Without any other words Shinji entered the apartment , directed to the kitchen ,
were he put all the things he had bought in the right place , and hiding in a sure
place a certain bag coming from the tool-store . After that he noticed Rei by the
door staring at him .

Shi: "The kitchen is almost okay , I've cleaned it last night . We must collect
all the dirty clothes and bring them to the laundry . I'll take care of my
clothes , can you collect Misato's and Asuka's?"

Rei felt uneasy , that was clear : "I must .. collect.. robes?"

Shi: "Make yourself at home" shouted Shinji darting in his room .

'Damn.. I can't stand in her presence , not after what I've learned about
her..'

He thought about Rei : Rei bleeding the first time he saw her , Rei in the
hospital, Rei naked in her room , Rei after the fifth angel , Rei smiling ..

'Father! Damn you'

Shinji almost ran searching for Rei , and found her in the middle of the dining
room , hands resting to her sides .

Shi: "Ayanami?"

Rei: "Ikari."

Shi: "What are you doing?"

Rei: "I was waiting."

Shi: "For me."

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "To help you?"

Rei: "Yes."

Shi: "Why?"

Rei: " I have never collected anybody else's robe before."

He couldn't stand it , that voice's tone , serious in the intention , but
tragically comic in the meaning made Shinji roll on the floor laughing loudly .

Rei looked shocked.

Shi: "OOHHH AHA! I.. I'm sorry , Rei",' I've just called her by name? Why? She's
not a monster , she's.. she's only a poor girl to me , poor because of my
father. May hell take him!' , "It's just the way you said it.."

Rei: "I used my normal voice."

It looked like she was upset , Shinji got the idea and asked , dead serious :

Shi: "Are you angry at me?"

Rei: "What?"

Shi: "Are you angry?"

Rei: "No , I'm not."

Shi: "Once you told me you didn't know how to react to some situations , do you
remember?"

Rei: "Yes . It was after the fifth angel."

Shi: 'How can she remember? If she is the third , how can she have her memories? I
don't know , but this is not the time for further investigations.'

"Well , this is the time to be angry , like the time you slapped me ."

Rei: "You talked about Commander Ikari ."

It was a statement , a reconstruction of the episode , without any emotion .

Shi: "Yes , I don't want to be slapped again , so I won't say anything about my
father. But did you feel something similar a few moments ago ?"

Rei: "I.. I think so."

Shi: "In that case , I'm very sorry , Rei . I apologize for my behavior and I'll
help you in your work. Follow me in Misato's room."

Shinji started to dig in the middle of a pile of clothes lying in a corner of the
room , followed by Rei . They made two bags full of clothes , leaving a more vacant
room .

Shi: 'I wonder what Rei thought seeing me holding Misato bra and underwear.. Asuka
calls me pervert for nothing , but I'm the one who always washes her robes..
I must tell her..'

"Can you continue alone? In Asuka's room? It's over there."

Rei: "I think so."

Shi: "Good. When you're done , tell me so."

In his room , Shinji was trying not to think about Rei , when she entered the room
and started collecting his robes , catching a pair of Shinji's boxers . Shinji
almost fainted , and launched himself to prevent the act , falling on the
aforementioned boxer almost throwing Rei away.

Shi: "What are you doing, Ayanami!" He almost shouted , blushing furiously .

Rei: "I have finished in Asuka's room . I've put her bag next the others and I'm
helping you now"

Shi: "But this is my room!"

Rei: "I know . I've followed the sounds and seen the sign outside the door."

Shi: 'I knew I shouldn't have allowed Misato to put that stupid sign on my door.'

"Anyway , you can't stay here . Wait for me in the dining room ."

Rei: "You told me you needed my help."

Shi: "Yes, I told you . But I must take care of this personally."

Rei: "Why can't I collect your clothes , while I can collect Misato's and
Asuka's ?"

Shi: "Because .. Because.. Because those are my clothes an I am a boy."

Rei: "But you collected Misato's and Asuka's."

Shi: 'Damn! Why is it so hard! But she is right. I must invent some excuse .'

"Well.. I am the one in charge of washing the clothes , so I am forced to
take girl's clothes , even if I shouldn't."

'Well.. this isn't an excuse.. this is the truth..'

Rei: "Why not?"

Shi: "Oh, god! Would be you pleased if I saw your underwear?"

Rei: "You have already seen them."

Shinji almost died . Well , he probably died for a couple of seconds , just the
time to see himself been lowered into a hole in a cemetery . He then snapped
alive .

Searching for air he was able only to murmur :

Shi: "I.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to .. sneak in your apartment.. It was.."

Rei: "It's okay."

Shi: "Uh?2

Rei: "It's okay. It was you . It doesn't matter."

Shinji's eyes went wide : "It was me?"

Rei looked him a bit strangely : "Yes , it was you . You don't have to worry about
it."

Shi: "What if.. "

Rei: "What if?"

Shi: "What if it was someone else?"

Rei looked hit be this question : "Someone.. else?"

Shi: "Yes , do you think you'd forgive him?"

Rei: "Forgive ?"

Shi: "Yes, what if Kensuke saw you .. without clothes?"

'I can't believe , she is embarrassed! Thank god!!' Rei , was , in fact
blushing a bit .

Rei: "I .. I don't now.. "

Shi: "Would you slap him?"

Rei: "I think so."

Shi: "Ahha! I was sure!" With that Shinji hugged Rei , who was really shocked by
such an act , and releasing her : "Listen , If you wait the time I collect my
underwear , I'll let you help me with the other clothes, okay?"

Still a bit red on her cheeks , Rei simply nodded and left the room.

Shi: 'And I haven't even asked her to leave the room ! Wait father! I'll give back
to Rei what you've taken away .'

With this , he started chasing his pants like a predator with his preys.

Outside the door , a rather shocked Ayanami was leaning against the wall.

Rei: 'Why is my heart beating so fast? It is because I want to became one with
Ikari , mind , soul and body ? But , when I saw him for the fist time back in
the hospital , I didn't feel any emotion . I was barely able to recognize
him . To tell he was Commander's son , pilot of unit-01 . I can remember I
asked myself who I was , where I was . I didn't find any answers . I only
knew I was the third . Who told me that , or how I knew it I can't tell . So
I'm different . Different form the Commander , different from his son . Why I
want to became one with Ikari ? After I saw him for the first time , every
time I met him , some pieces of a past I never lived came alive . Why can I
recognize others , persons I know I've never seen before and still know their
names ? And .. there is a hole on my memory , I don't remember about the last
angel I've fought . Still , I know what to do , what to say, what my life is
for . But I've had some strange feelings.. I've cried , I've smiled , I've
been angry , and embarrassed . Is it good ? I wasn't supposed to act so
towards other persons than Commander . Who is he ? I know I owe him my life .
Is he a father to me ? And how exactly a father acts towards a daughter ? Am
I his daughter ? No . I know who I am . I am I . I am what makes me . I am my
flesh , my blood , my mind , my soul . I am the bound between the angels and
the humans . My life as a sole purpose , this is why I'm here . I was born
with my fate written in my flesh . I shouldn't share friendship with others .
But why Ikari hugged me ? Why did I .. like it ? Is this a sign of that
friendship I should avoid ? He cares about me . I'm sure of this . I can
remember he was the most friendly to me , together with Commander Ikari .
Father and son , bound to me . I can say that Ikari doesn't like his father .
I .. I don't understand well . Before , the Commander was all my world , the
eva my bond . Now.. I'm feeling something else , something different.. Can ..
Can I.. follow another.. path?'

Rei: "Ayanami! You can come in now ."

Rei entered the room and helped Shinji to compete his task , then they were ready
to go to the laundry .

Shi: "Have you ever been to a laundry , Ayanami?"

Rei: "Yes. I wash my school uniform every Thursday."

Shi: 'Dumb. You're an idiot, Shinji.'

"You're right , It was a stupid question. Anyway , here we are . I like this
place because the price is low and there are only family's mothers . But it
seems there is no one... all the better for us ."

Rei: 'mother? He's already talked about being a mother.. he told me..'

"Once you told me I resembled a mother."

Shi: 'Damn, curse my mouth !'

"Well , it was only an impression . I really don't know very well how exactly
a mother is . I know this figure only trough others , through mirrors like
TV , cinemas.. A distorted image you could say.."

He lowered his head , sadness in his voice :

"I was very little when.. when my mother died. So I can't remember her very
well . Piece of memories.. like a smell , a warm embrace , a whisper .. I
don't know why I told you so , but you looked so peaceful , so .. I thought
that if a good mother could exist , you would be . I couldn't help myself ."

Rei: "I see."

After entering the laundry , and setting their clothes to wash , the two teenagers
sat together against a wall on a couple of chairs. Rei was silently looking at the
machine , while Shinji was thinking hard :

Shi: 'Should I ask her about her childhood , about her mother , her father... She
told me she is the third .. Does she really understand the meaning of it ?
What does she think about herself and others ? Does she think that she is
different ? What can I do?'

He remembered bodies in orange water staring at him .. a shiver crossed his spine
and he was about to speak when :

Str: "Hey , cute one , do you want to go for a ride?"

From his position , he couldn't see a guy , probably from high school , staring
down with a smirk at Rei . He couldn't see him immediately , because he was hidden
to him by a nearby wall's corner , so the guy could only see Rei . He was leaning
against the wall with his left hand , the other in a pocket , his legs crossed .

Shi: 'What the hell?'

After standing up , making a step forward and looking around , he saw him and was
about to say something when the guy spoke again.

Str: "Doing laundry with a friend ? Riding my motorbike would be more exciting .
What do you think?" He made the keys into his pocket tinkle ..

Shi: 'Incredible.. That's guy must be crazy.. one moment.. once I've heard someone
back at school saying how Ayanami was cute.. Really , when she smiled me , I
was astonished.. She is a beautiful girl , with her strange eyes , so
piercing sometimes.. It's not that strange that some guy tries to make a move
on her . But what will she do ? What should I do?'

Divided between the will to protect Rei , and to see her reaction , Shinji moved
back and forth over his legs , unsure about what to do.

The boy was only a few feet from Rei , and when he left his macho position to grab
Rei's arm , Shinji overrode his brain and used his heart .

Stepping towards him , almost hitting the wall's corner with his forehead , Shinji
grabbed his arm , tight , and told him hardly : "Don't touch her."

The guy was surprised , he didn't expect such a reaction from who he thought was a
wimp . Taking back his left arm , he moved both hands to his hips , looking down
at Shinji , being taller about ten or more centimeters.

Str: "What do you want? Isn't it time to go back to your mother, kid? You know ,
it can be dangerous walking outside in these days.."

It was time to think for Shinji . The guy had made his move .

Shi: 'Ok , now it's time for next move.' .

The security guards would help him , if he was in danger , but he didn't want to be
helped by them .

'I can't leave without my clothes , and I don't want to look like a coward in
front of Ayanami. I must help myself , and try to avoid a fight .. if only
Toji was here.. Wait.. Once I hit him with a punch , and it seemed well
aimed.. what if I..'

Before he could finish his thought , the guy grabbed his collar and almost lifted
him to his face : "Get out of here , kid ."

Shinji was squeezing to be released when Ayanami , who was now standing in front of
her chair , behind Shinji , spoke :

Rei: "Let him go."

The boy looked over Shinji head and sighed : "It's only a kid , why don't you come
with me ? I'll offer you a cup of tea in some good place ."

Rei: "I said , let him go."

This time the tone was like steel , a commanding tone . She stepped aside to face
the aggressor , with anger clearly depicted on her face .

Shi: 'I can't let Rei help me . I am the man , am I not ?'

With that he lifted his hands and started to break free his neck , when the boy
looked back at him and with "What do you think you are doing?" he hit Shinji with a
punch .

Shinji was on the floor , in pain , rubbing his jaw 'Blood.. what a bastard..' when
he Saw Ayanami.. 'It's no good.. I don't want to think what is going to happen
next..' Before anyone could make a move , a group of NERV guards entered the
laundry , picked the guy , and threw him out , with no further ceremonies .

Shi: 'Whew.. I owe them one.. But it's not fair .. I was supposed to defend myself
and Rei... I'm a coward..'

Rei was still staring with an angry expression where the guy had been , and
lowering his eyes , Shinji spoke:

Shi: "I'm sorry."

Rei: ".."

Shi: "I'm sorry , Ayanami . I was the one supposed to defend you , not NERV
security . The next time I'll be the first at hitting others."

Rei: ".."

Shi: "Was it the first time?"

Rei: ".."

Shi: "Ayanami?"

Rei: "Yes?"

Shi: "Are you okay?"

Rei: "I guess so."

Shi: "Was it the first time someone asked you to go with him?"

Rei: "No."

Shinji gasped : "No? Wha.. What happened the other times?"

Rei: "NERV security protected me , like this time. But.. You knew too . Why didn't
you just wait for them to act?"

Shi: "I've told you : I was the one supposed to defend you ."

Rei: "Why?"

Shi: "Because I'm the boy , and I had to protect you ."

Rei: "What if I was Soryu ."

Shi: "How come?"

Rei: "What if I was Soryu ."

Shinji laughed.

Shi: "Asuka would have killed him!"

Rei: "So you prefer her."

Shinji was shocked .

Shi: "What?"

Rei: "If Soryu had been here , you wouldn't have been hurt."

Shi: "Who cares about a fight!"

Rei: "Still , you are hurt."

Standing and approaching Rei , Shinji noticed her eyes.. they were like.. watering.

Shi: 'Could it be?'

"I don't care. I've tried to protect you , and even if I didn't succeed , I'm
glad that I tried."

Rei: "You didn't regret protecting me?"

Shi: "To Regret defending such a lady? Do you think I'm a fool?"

With that , her expression lightened. She looked like.. relieved. And she .. yes ,
she turned to face him for the first time and smiled to him , such a precious
smile . Shinji couldn't help but stare , stare at her with his mouth open , causing
her to notice the cut in his lips.. a worried expression crossed her face.

Rei: "Ikari. You are bleeding."

Shi: "where ? Whe.. oh.. It's nothing.. see?"

She took out a handkerchief and put it on his lips , to stop the bleeding , still
with that worried expression . Shinji froze . Even his heart stopped beating .
After a bit , his physiological needs won and he started breathing softly , taking
gently the handkerchief from Rei's hands , touching briefly her fingers.

Shi: "Tha.. Thanks , Rei.."

Rei: "You're welcome. We have to go and have a doctor check on you."

Shi: "It's okay , I'm alright now."

Shinji turned his attention to the machine , which had , in fact , already stopped
washing and drying their contents , so he and Ayanami could retrieve their clothes
and head back home. They were silent , more than the usual . Shinji still holding
his hand pressed against his lips , Ayanami walking on his side. At a general
store , Shinji realized that the fridge was certainly almost empty , and he would
have a guest at home .

Shi: "Ayanami , I need to buy something to eat for dinner.. wait, Why don't you
stay for dinner at my place?"

Rei: "I.. I don't kn"

Shi: "Oh , come on! You owe me this! I got hurt to protect you!"

Rei: "...Alright . I'll stay."

Shi: "Okay! That's right! What would you like to eat? No meat , right?"

Rei: "Yes , I prefer not to eat meat , if I can.."

Shi: 'Strange girl.. I wonder why she doesn't eat meat.. Why has she made such
decision?'

"Why don't you want to eat meat?"

Rei: "It doesn't feel right to me to eat an animal who was once alive."

Shi: "But the vegetables were alive as well."

Rei: "They don't have a soul."

Shi: "Do you think a cat has a soul?"

Rei: ".."

Shi: "Ayanami?"

Rei: "The cats.."

Shi: "Yes?"

Rei: "I scare them."

Shi: "what?"

Rei: "They escape when I approach."

Shi: "AH! It's just natural, you see, they are wild animals.."

Rei: "No. I have seen a cat receive food from a child , and escape from me. I'm
sure of it."

She looked sad.

Shi: 'Could it be.. animals feel her nature ? Not completely human?'

"Pen-Pen wouldn't run away from you."

Rei: "Uh?"

Shi: "I'm sure of it , and I'll prove it . Now I'll buy some Italian spaghetti for
you , and some tomato sauce ."

Shinji entered the store , leaving a stunned Ayanami outside .. after a moment..

"Ikari. Wait for me."

Shinji almost grinned hearing that .

Meanwhile , Misato was having trouble filing her reports.

Mis: "Why I even bother.. I hope Shinji will buy something to eat.."

Back at his apartment , there was someone waiting for Shinji , leaning against his
door :

Ken: "Shinji! .. Oh.. Hello , Ayanami."

Shi: "Hi , Kensuke! You're early!"

Ken: "Good evening , Aida."

Ken: 'Did she greet me? Why it doesn't feel right?'

"Yes , I've find a good way to reach you in a short time. Now, what's the
mission?"

Shinji gasped: 'Not in front of Ayanami.. what if she tells everything to father?
Wait.. I can't treat her like a spy .. I have to involve her in our little work..'

Shi: "Ayanami.. there is something I'd like to discuss with you and Kensuke.."

After putting the things in their respective places , Shinji finished explaining
his plan , not before turning the water on without any apparent reason.

Ken "Are you crazy? Trick Nerv security?"

Shi: "Shhh!! Maybe there are microphones here too!"

Rei: ".."

Ken: "But.."

Shi: "We must act so , or Asuka will get worse."

Ken "But .. They are professionals! How can you think to fool them?"

Shi: "Weren't you supposed to be half a genius in electronic?"

Ken: "We'll get arrested!"

Shi: "Put that way: they'll find your ability and they'll pick you up."

Ken: "That doesn't work in reality! I don't want to be closed in a jail for the
rest of my life!"

Shi: "I beg you , Kensuke!"

Kensuke watched Shinji doubtful , but at last ..

Ken: "I think I owe you my life.. more than once.. But remember , Shinji! My ghost
will haunt you for all the eternity if something happens to me!" , he Added
smiling .

Shi: "Oh thank you , Thank you! Kensuke!"

Shinji took his hands in his and shaked them . Meanwhile Ayanami was silent and a bit confused.

"What about you , Ayanami?"

Shinji asked , turning to face her .

Rei: "Why do you want to hide your action from your father?"

There was sort of an accusation in her voice . Shinji knew well that he had to
choose carefully the words :

Shi: "Listen , Ayanami . My father gave the orders , but he is not a doctor , he
doesn't know what is better for Asuka."

Rei: "He knows what he does."

Shi: "Well , I'm not saying he's wrong , but I want to help Asuka by myself , and
I'm asking your help."

Rei: "You care about her."

Shinji tensed.

Shi: "Yes , she is a friend of mine , of Kensuke's . She doesn't like you very
much , but no she needs your help too."

Rei: ".."

Shi: "I know that she doesn't like you.. I know how she calls you.. but if you
help her , maybe .. maybe she'll be grateful to you.."

Ken: "I don't know , Shinji .. she's a very arrogant one.."

Shi: "Kensuke! What are you trying to do?"

Ken: "Sorry..."

Rei: ".."

Shi: "Ayanami , listen , I've chosen to tell you about my plan , because I trust
you , and I need your help."

'which kind of help could give me Rei , Anyway ? I'm such a fool..'

"Don't make me regret my decision."

Rei: "...Alright. I'll help you , Ikari. But I won't lie to Commander Ikari if I'll
be asked."

Shi: "Okay , if we act in the right way , my father won't suspect anything . Now
Kensuke, what about a way to discover microphones and cameras ? I think I've
found a camera , but I can't just blind it while they are seeing through
it.."

Ken: "That could be a problem.. Let's check the net."

Shi: "Do you mean you can find such things online?"

Ken: "Man , I could build a N2 home made mine if I'd wish! Let me handle this!"

Shi: 'Mh.. perhaps it wasn't a good choice...'

When Misato was back at home , she could say there was something different from the
outside ..

Mis: 'What is this smell? It's like someone is cooking a steak in the soap!'

Once she came in , she went pale : in the dining room there was Ayanami washing the
floor .

Rei: "Good evening , Major."

Mis: "Rei! What are you doing here?"

Rei: "You told me to came and see Ikari."

Mis: "Yes , but .."

"Misato!" Kensuke was coming out from Shinji's room , and walked toward her with a
firm expression "I'll do my best to overr"

Shinji's hand closed his mouth just in time : "Shh! She doesn't Know!"

Kensuke's eyes went wide : "MFGD ADFSFD DFGFG" after , breaking free : "You told me
she suggests my name!" .

Shi: "A small lie."

Ken: "Ohhhh!"

Mis: "What's going on Shinji?"

Misato Asked , not following the fast words exchanged between the two boys : 'Are
they really thinking to trick Nerv security ? It couldn't be..'

Shi: "It's nothing , Misato . I've almost finished cooking , rice with sushi for
us and Spaghetti with tomato for Rei ."

Mis: "WOW! Shinji , let's eat! Rei , come here !"

Rei: "Yes , Major."

Mis: "Kensuke , what were you doing in Shinji's room?"

Ken: "Oh.. nothing , he needed me to fix his laptop."

Mis: "Really? I've never see you using it before , Shinji."

"There must be a first time for everything." Said Shinji putting the rice on the
dishes , after Misato and Kensuke sat around the table in the kitchen . Rei was
standing in the doorway , when Pen-Pen made his appearance .

Pen: "Qwaak! Qwaak!"

Shi: "Don't worry , Pen-Pen! Here , Rei , give him his food."

Rei: "Why.. Why do you ask me?"

Shi: "Look, Pen-Pen is already at your feet . You don't want him to stay without
food , do you?"

Slowly , always followed by Pen-Pen , Ayanami reached Shinji , took the food he was
bringing and gave it to Pen-Pen , who started to eat voraciously . Rei stayed
looking the penguin half kneeled down for a while , when Pen-Pen turned to face her
and exclaimed : "Qwaaaak!!"

"Wow, Rei , It looks like Pen-Pen likes you!" Said Misato not mentioning that
the Penguin was starving , and he'd probably greeted the very Commander Ikari..

Ayanami stood up quickly , turning to Shinji who was smiling warmly : "I told you ,
Rei. It's just a matter of time."

Misato arched an eye-brown : 'Rei? That's strange.. Something must've happened that
I don't know.' after she took another bite of her sushi , loosing herself in the
sensation.. 'delicious!'

Shi: "Here , Rei , sit down . These are your spaghetti."

A very confused Ayanami set in front of an enormous amount of Spaghetti , a fork to
their side.

Rei: "I.. I don't know how to use a fork."

Shi: "If you want , you can use chopsticks , but to eat them properly , you must
use the fork . It's not so difficult , just be careful not to stain yourself
with the tomato sauce."

So Shinji took the fork and Rei's right hand , trying to teach her how to use it.

Shi: "You have to roll them completely up and then eat them in a single bite ,
it's not like eating ramen , you know .."

"What a cute couple!" said Kensuke , while Misato was giggling . It was like a
bolt . Shinji turned red , but the very surprise was Rei : she was rather blushing
before , but now she looked very embarrassed .

"Kensuke! You'll never stop teasing me , will you?" Shouted an angry Shinji , while
Misato was laughing and Rei was resuming her usual paleness , keeping on eating her
food .

ken: "Sorry , man! It was a strange scene.. I wish Toji could see you.."

Shi: "Arghh!!"

Ken: "Take it easy , and eat your rice . We've almost finished , while you haven't
still touched anything."

Rei: "Ikari , I can't eat all this.. Let me share it with you."

Misato arched first an eye-brown , then the other , then touched her chin with his
left hand . 'There is definitely something wrong here.. but that could only damage
commander Ikari.. So be it!'
________________________________________________________________

End chapter 2 . Stay tuned and use the security belt !

X-Ray: 'FerrariTM...'

EBJ: 'Are you afraid of some legal action?'

X-Ray runs to his lawyer ..
__________________________________________________________________

One last note : My home page is on http://members.xoom.com/fantasticare .



Train of thoughts

Chapter 3

Standard Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax,
all characters used from that series are theirs. All names are (TM) and (C) by
their respective owners.

I've never written long texts in English , and this is my first try to write a
fan fiction . What else to say ? I think I started quite well , without any
dialogue ,
later things get worse.. Maybe I must study harder..

Feel free to send any comment , suggestion , flame , job opportunity etc. etc.

This is a revised version , EBJ helped me a lot . He is my only pre-reader , and
he'll get an headache sooner or later . I owe him a lot . If you like it ,
thanks him as well , so I can continue disturbing him ...

Anyway , starting from the pile of trash that is my draft , some errors could
escape , so you are advised ... even EBJ can't correct them all.. :(

r.giammanco@datastudio.it
e.barone@flasnet.it

Well , Take a seat , and enjoy yourselves .

____________Midnight ghosts/Don't hide your face from me_______________________


Sometimes Misato can be worse than a demon . Because only a devil could screw up
things like she did . After the dinner , Ayanami was leaving , while Kensuke was
helping Shinji back in the kitchen . Misato had accompanied Ayanami to the
door , not a typical Misato action , but Shinji had other things to do than
observe her behavior, so he missed what was happening .

Mis: "Did you enjoy the meal ?"

Rei: "Yes . It was very good ."

Mis: "You know , without Shinji we could only eat instant ramen ."

Rei: ".."

Mis: "He is a strange boy . This afternoon he and you have washed our clothes ,
brought something to eat , cleaned the rooms . These are things that a boy
isn't used to do .. but he keeps doing them , helping me and Asuka...
There have been difficult moments, like after the last angel.. but now he
seems fine."

Rei: "..What are you trying to tell me , Major?"

Mis: "Would you like to stay here , tonight?"

Rei: "How come?"

Mis: "Would you like to stay here , tonight? You know , Kensuke is sleeping in
Shinji's room , and I feel jealous.. Why don't you sleep in my room? It
was a long time since I slept with someone else.." , 'well, at least with
a girl..'

Rei: ".."

Mis: "If you want , you can sleep in Asuka's , but I'm not sure she'd
appreciate it.. you know her.."

Rei: "I understand."

Mis: "So you'll stay here?"

Rei: "Yes , Major."

Mis: "Okay ! Hey , guys ! Come here!"

Ken: "Yes , Major!"

Shi: "What do you want , Misato?" asked Shinji , drying his hands on his
trousers 'they are dirty anyway...'

Mis: "Great news! Rei is staying here tonight!"

Ken: "Ayanami ? Well , it's a nice idea , Major. What if we ask someone else ,
like Horaki ?"

Shinji was too shocked to think about Kensuke had just said : 'Ayanami ? Here ?
I can only think this is all Misato's fault . I .. How could .. Where does she
.. When..'

Mis: "Horaki ? Do you like her , Kensuke?" Asked Misato with a broad smile on
her face.

Ken: "Well , in a way... She lives not far from Tokyo-3 , maybe half an hour by
car.."

Mis: "Hmm.. It's not too late.. Phone her and ask , Shinji doesn't look right
just now."

Shinji was , in fact , frozen like a statue , thinking hard , with his hands
still rubbing on his trousers ...

Ken: "I'll do it right away. I'll tell her that we'll came to pick up her with
your car , if you can ."

Mis: "Nothing to object , it's time to scare a bit my little Shinji with my
drive !"

Misato was disappointed noticing Shinji still rambling .. 'Damn.. he doesn't
even bother to listen to me when I tease him..'

Kensuke disappeared into the kitchen , and was heard talking at the phone.
Finally Shinji became able to say something again:

Shi: "Misato.. "

Mis: "Yes , Shinji ."

Shi: "It was an idea of yours , wasn't it?"

Mis: "Do you think that Rei proposed this?"

Shinji paled a bit , and replied , without watching in Rei's direction : "No ,
I'm sure she didn't . But , at least , have you asked her opinion ? Did you
force her to accept?"

Mis: "Rei , tell Shinji if you had been forced to stay here."

Rei: "Ikari, I accepted Major's proposition by my own will."

Shi: "You.. You did.."

Rei: "Yes , it would be a new experience."

Misato seemed surprised : 'I can't believe it ! Rei reassuring Shinji! Things
are getting very interesting lately..'

Shi: "Are you sure?"

Rei: "Yes."

Kensuke chose that moments to come back from the kitchen : "It's Okay! Horaki is
waiting for us in forty minutes. We have even enough time to drop by Ayanami's
apartment to get her night dress."

Rei: "It doesn't matter."

Ken: "Don't worry , we won't be late , thanks the Major's driving style."

Rei: "I don't need any night dress."

There was an embarrassed silence , while Shinji started blushing furiously , and
Kensuke was hit by the thought with a copious nose-bleeding .. Misato was a bit
surprised too.

Shinji looked at Kensuke and grabbed his wrist : "What are you thinking ,
Kensuke ?" with a angry voice.

Ken: "I.. It wasn't my fault.. you are blushing too , Shinji.."

Misato came back to her good mood : "I don't know if it is a good think for
three frail girls to sleep in the same house with two bad boys thinking such
nasty things..."

Kensuke and Shinji could only stare at their shoes in complete silence , feeling
like thieves found in the middle of a robbery . Ayanami was a bit confused :

Rei: "Did I say something wrong?"

Nobody answered , so finally Misato told her : "Tonight I'll teach you a couple
of tricks.."

...

In the car , Shinji and Kensuke were in the back seats , thrown back and forth
by Misato's continuos use of brake and accelerator .

Ken: "Way to go, Major!"

Exclaimed an excited Kensuke , after a rather long jump .

Shi: "Ouch! Misato ! We have plenty of time ! Why are you driving so fast!"

Mis: " We're going to a 24 hours open dress shop . I want to buy something for
Rei."

"I.." , stopped by a sudden deceleration , Ayanami then continued " don't need
anything , Major."

Mis: "Don't worry , It'll be okay!"

The car killed a couple of ants running over a wall.

...

In a parking area , a couple of boys were groaning in a sportive car.

Ken: "Ahh.. Better then a Carousel!"

Shi: "How can you say that? We've risked our lives at least ten times!"

Ken: "Well , there is no excitement without a bit of danger.."

"A bit!" sighed Shinji. Than , since the girls were absent "What the hell were
you thinking , Kensuke?"

Ken: "Uh?"

Shi: "About Horaki."

Ken: "Well.. You are going to help Asuka , challenging Nerv security.. She is
very close to her , and we could need her help .. not to mention that
often she called me to ask news about Toji.. She was very happy when I
told her she could see Asuka and Toji.."

Shi: "..."

Ken: "Shinji?"

Shi: ".."

Ken: "Hello? Is anybody in?"

"What do you want?" nearly shouted an upset Shinji.

Ken: "You haven't visited him yet."

Shi: ".. No. I haven't."

Ken: "It wasn't kind of you.."

Shi: ".."

Ken: "Horaki saw him a couple of times , before going away the city. Do.. Do
you know that.."

Shi: "I know. Misato told me."

Ken: "..."

Shi: "..."

Ken: "It wasn't your fault."

Shi: ".."

Ken: "Did you hear me?"

Shi: "I wish I could believe these words.."

"Shinji.." Kensukes's words were interrupted by an half ton of bags thrown
inside the car by rather powerful hands.. "umpf!"

Shi: "Misato! What did you buy?"

Mis: "I've only bought a couple of things for us."

Shi: "A couple? This car is already small , and we have to pick another person
with her belongings .. why don't you use the trunk?"

Mis: "Ehr.. It's already full."

Shinji raised an arch-brown "Really? I wonder what's inside it .. I wouldn't
know .."

Grabbing Rei , opening her door , throwing her down , closing the door , jumping
over the car , entering the car , buckling the seatbelt , turning on the
engine , and leaving about two inches of rubber on the macadam , were like a
single move for Misato .

Shinji found himself pierced into the seat , unable to breathe .

"Were you saying anything , Shinji?" Misato looked with an evil grin into the
mirror at Shinji , who could barely move to shake his head.. Misato slowed
down , even if she was running at 120 Kph in a city street , that meaning the
limit was supposed to be of about 50Kph.

Mis: "Perfect. We have bought a collection of useful things for Rei , like a
night dress and a sun dress ."

Shinji looked confused : 'A sundress? Ayanami? I've never seen her in other
clothes than her school uniform and plug-suit.. well to tell the truth I've
seen her nak.. What am I thinking ! I'd like to kick my ass right now!'

Shi: "Damn!"

"Shinji! What happened?" Shinji looked forward to se three couple of eyes
staring intensely at him .. "Misato! Watch out!" Misato turned to look at the
street just in time to avoid a car that was normally running on the street , at
a normal speed..

Mis: "Phew!! That was a close one. What did happen to you , Shinji?"

Shi: "Ehr.. Nothing.. I was only thinking aloud."

Mis: "Hm..."

Shi: "Misato.."

Mis: "Yes?"

Shi: "Can I ask you a question?"

Mis: "Spit it out."

Shi: "I'm not sure , but you are driving faster than usual . Why ?"

Mis: "Mpf. You have to be so clever more often , Shinji."

Shi: "?"

"What do you mean?"

Quickly , Misato turned on the stereo , at an incredibly high volume .

Shi: "Ouw!!! What th"

Mis: "Silence. Before I had lost the NERV security car that was following us ,
but it was again after us at the shopping mall. Why?"

Shi: "Uh?"

"I got it . In this car there must be a tracking device." Said Kensuke adjusting
his glasses on his nose.

"Right." , turning off the stereo , Misato added : "Nothing interesting in the
air". Then she looked at Rei , who was silently looking at the street. 'Rei. She
is still a mystery to me.. but I hope she'll be on our side.. I can see she
really likes Shinji , not to mention that she killed herself to protect him..
But that was another Rei.. Argh! Why things must be so complicated!'

...

It took only twenty minutes for them to reach Horaki's new residence . She was
already ready , and after kissing her parents and sisters , she got in the car .

Hik: "It was very kind of you to invite me, Major."

"You must thank Kensuke , he got the idea." Replied Misato , driving carefully ,
under the worried glance of Horaki's parents .. 'Hell , she is an high officer
of Nerv.. I can't think she can't take care of my daughter ..' was a worried dad
thinking..

"Really? Thanks a lot Kensuke." Hikari was now in the back seat between Rei and
Kensuke ; Shinji was sitting in the passenger's seat , side to Misato . Hikari's
tone , so sincere and grateful , made Kensuke feel a warm sensation inside his
heart, spreading to the rest of the body.. It only lasted a few seconds .
He held her glance for a bit , after replied , confusion in his voice : "Well ..
you know..
I thought you could like to see Toji and.."

"I know. I owe you one." With that the two-pig-tailed girl kissed softly Kensuke
on the cheek , a very soft kiss , but one that caused a storm in the ocean of
emotions inside the already confused Kensuke , who started to blush
furiously..

"Wow! Kensuke! I'll tell Toji about that! He'll kick you to the stars!" Nearly
shouted Shinji , while Misato was in the dark , using , once a time , her eyes
to look at the street : "What was that? What happened back there ? Kensuke ,
What are you doing to those two defenseless girls?"

Kensuke didn't have the time to reply , and even if he'd have had , he was in
such a state , he couldn't say a coherent word. Hikari spoke for him.

"He didn't do anything bad Major. He's really a good friend of Toji . I'm glad
I know him." She tried to calm down , but her tension was clearly audible : a
single tear was flowing down her left cheek , noticed by an always silent Rei :
'That is a tear . She is crying . Why? What makes her feel sad ? It is the
fourth pilot ? Does she share a bond with him ? Does she care about him ?
Tears..'

Everyone fell silent . Even Misato felt herself oppressed from sadness , that
girl looked so frail , so unhappy .. It was obvious that she was fighting with
herself to not burst into tears. She even slowed the car , while some rain drops
made their appearance on the car's panes .

Shinji cursed himself , and turned to look at the street , a sad expression
painted on his face 'Her too. You made her unhappy too , father .'

But the person who had more to think was indeed Kensuke , who was staring
blankly outside through the pane to his right .

'A kiss. On my cheek . It's not the first time , but why do I feel so
strange ? Why did I feel that warm sensation ? Once , I was walking on my
own along a street to the computers' store , when a very little kid
carrying some bread in a hand , and some money in the other , stopped me .
He asked me to cross the street , and I did so without thinking a bit . I only
wondered why his parents send him to buy food alone . He could have been six or
seven , too little to wander alone in those dangerous streets .. He was indeed
already disappeared , into some side street . After a bit , I felt like a warm
fire in my chest . It is the result of a good action ? Something similar has
just happened . Hikari had me feel like then . I've done something very
important for her , and she has thanked me . It wasn't like a kiss from a girl ,
in the sense a girl is seen from a boy .. It looked like.. like was my mother
kissing me.. It was .. a kiss from a sister.. a sister I've never had , and a
mother I've lost too early..'

Without even realizing that , Kensuke was crying . A flow of tears was coming
down form his eyes , and he started to sobbing quietly .

'I can't remember my mother.. I've always seen her in photos , but It's
not the same thing . I've grown envying others child when I saw them with
their mothers , while I was alone . I had thought I was strong now , I
wasn't be a child anymore , but now I feel alone.. Why did you die ,
mother ? Why ?'

Now his view was blurred from the tears , and he wiped them without any attempt
to hide his state . Every one in the car was aware of this , except Horaki , who
was still trying to send back her tears . Ayanami was looking at his back ,
while Shinji , not understanding the reasons , was anyway unable to say
anything . He turned to face Misato , who quickly whispered "Leave him alone for
now." .

After a bit , Kensuke dried his eyes , adjusted his glasses and sighed, sitting
straight in his seat . Misato asked him : "It's every alright , Kensuke?"

Ken: "Yes , Major. Everything it's alright .. as always."

Mis: "You know Kensuke , it's like you are growing up . All of you. It's a good
thing to see. And I have no doubt that you'll become a group of wonderful
persons."

Horaki listened to this short conversation but she couldn't find a sense to it ,
so she turned and asked to Kensuke : "What happened , Kensuke ?" and looking at
his red and lucent eyes , she grew a worried expression .

Ken: "Nothing.. It's just .. Well.. I've ... I've thought about my mother..
Your kiss reminded me about a long time ago.. Ah! Well.. You know.."

Hik: "I'm sorry about.."

Ken: "Yes. I know. Hell! It had never happened to me before.."

Mis: "I told you , Kensuke. You're getting stronger. A strong man is one that
can remember his past and not forget it . Because our past is what makes
us what we are , and trying to avoid it is only a pathetic running away."

'Yes, like I've done up to now , running from my father , from Kaji.. from
my responsibilities.. How can I give life's lessons , when I am the first
to need them..'

Ken: "Thanks , Major. Now I feel better. You know , class rep.. I'll tell Toji
how is lucky to have such a good girl around him.."

Horaki smiled blushing , turning her head to not face Kensuke , who was staring
at her direction , adding "I'll follow his example and I'll look for a gentle
girl like you."

"I can't believe it , Kensuke! You are abandoning your former activities to
become a Latin-lover?" Remarked Shinji , nearly choked by the security belt
while he was turning on his seat to face Kensuke .

Ken: "I never said that. I'll look for a girl with my same interests.."

Shi: "It'll be hard for you to find a girl who wants to become an Eva pilot!"

Ken: "Maybe I could ask Asuka out.."

"Oh!" Shinji went dead serious , but he didn't have the time to think , because
Kensuke quickly added "but don't worry , I prefer not be near a such arrogant
girl.."

"Who are you calling arrogant , Aida?" Said an angry Hikari.

"Gosh! We aren't in class , class representative ! You don't have any power over
me here!" Kensuke snorted , crossing his arms over his chest , enjoying his
little revenge when he felt something caressing his ear .. 'caressing?' "Ouch!
Ouch! It hurts! Let it go, class rep! Let.."

Hik: "Haven't you anything to say?"

Ken: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I apologize and Asuka is a wonderful person!"

Hik: "Well done , Aida . And don't forget to think before speaking from now
on."

Kensuke rubbed his hurt ear mumbling something about Adam and Eve , but his
words couldn't be audible because they were covered by a loud laugh coming from
forward.

"Ah! Ah! Poor Toji! I don't envy him! He has chosen a tough one!" said a finally
relaxed Misato.

Hik: "Hey! I wasn't chosen! I chose him!"

Other laughs , this time even Kensuke joined the party , while Ayanami turned
her head to look trough the window..

Rei: 'Choosing.. Do I have the ability to make my own choices? Am not I
supposed to have a purpose? Still.. Is that what I want?'

Misato chose that moment to turn on the stereo , finding the station she liked
the most : "Well boys , this is my favorite radio : no shows , no bulletins , no
DJs rambling about the singers and the Majors.. Only , good , old , damned
music!"

"So this is why you don't even know who Shiroh Sagisu(1) is , Misato?" asked a
smirking Shinji.

Mis: "Uh? Who is he?"

"The one singing the song , Major.." added Kensuke , growing a little
sweat-drop .

Mis: "Really? Well.. I bet he'll became a great singer!"

Shi: "Misato.. He's already a star.."

Mis: "The Hell! If you want , I can shut down this damn radio now and fast!"

Shi: "It's okay! It's okay! I'd like to listen to music , and I'm missing my
earphones.."

Mis: "Umph!"

Back in their seats , Kensuke and Hikari were chuckling softly , while Ayanami
was listening to the song , being enraptured by that melody . That was strange ,
that music was.. was breaking the ice of her heart , with the words speaking
about the pain of loosing someone close.. It was a feeling she knew , in a way ,
like if in a remote corner of her mind she had felt a similar experience ,
before..

A tear crossed her left cheek , falling on her hands , crossed over her
lap .

'Is this a tear? Why I'm crying? I feel an emptiness in me , like I'm
missing something.. or someone..'

She turned to observe Shinji , who was carefully and thoughtfully looking at the
stereo . After a bit , perhaps feeling observed , he turned his head to look
over his shoulder , and met Rei's gaze . He held his glance for a bit ,
and then :

Shi: "It's a wonderful song , isn't it , Ayanami?"

She was a bit confused , and tried to dry her tear , making evident its presence
to a Shinji who most likely was aware of the girl's state .

Rei: "Yes , it is."

Shi: "I've never asked you if you like music."

Rei: "I don't have many occasions to listen to it."

Shi: ".. You know , I can barely remember when I was gifted with a walkman.. I
was eight , or nine , but from that moment , I used it to evade from
reality , to run away , thinking about the words of the songs ,
mentally recalling them..
Now I can see that I was wrong , because music isn't supposed to
substitute life .
In the opposite way , music , art , books can open our mind.."

Rei: ".."

"What do you mean , Shinji?" Asked an interested Misato .

Shi: "It's simple , Misato . I'd like to give my walkman to Ayanami . Maybe she
could have a better use for it."

"A .. gift?" Rei spoke quietly , like speaking to herself .

Turning to her again Shinji nodded.

Shi: "Yes.. Sort of.. When we're back at home I'll explain to you how to use
it. It's not really difficult , it's only an old model ."

"..Thanks , Ikari." Her voice was trembling , not even trying to hide her
emotion . Hikari and Kensuke were observing what was happening with a live
interest , making mental notes to ask to Shinji later .

Shi: "You're welcome , Rei."

'I've called her Rei again.. It's like I call her that way when I can talk
about something.. strange.. different from usual.. when she is not so
cold..'

Every one then closed into heavy thinking , helped by a soft music coming
out the stereo.

Misato lowered the speed of another ten kilometers per hour , driving in a civil
way under a little rain . A black car , following them half a kilometer back ,
was the place of an interesting discussion :

Man1: "I don't get her . She was missing two children , so she got four of
them ?"

Man2: "Maybe was the new boy's idea to ask for the other girl."

Man1: "Yeah , maybe you're right.. But , why did he go to her house in the first
place ?"

Man2: "I don't know. I think it was the commander's son who invited him.
Unfortunately , when he called his friend , he was in that tool-store ,
full of steel and electronic devices . I wasn't able to pick all the
discussion . Nothing serious , anyway . It Sure is strange . Suddenly , he
visited the other pilot back in the hospital.. I'd like to know what he
did there.."

Man1: "You know how it is.. We work separately , and our reports are tilted
together back at H.Q. So we can't really know what they are up ."

Man2: "I know . I don't think it's a good idea . We may miss something
important ."

Man1: "Don't worry about it. We aren't paid enough to do others job."

Man2: "Still.."

...

The rest of the trip went on normally , and soon they arrived home . They
were too many to get in the elevator all together , because it was for four
people only , but Misato was of another opinion..

Mis: "Well, we are all underweight , and I'm very slender too. I don't think
there will any problem."

Shinji tried to argue a bit , but was blocked by a death glare from Misato. Just
in time for the bell to ring and the doors to swing open.

Misato was the first , obviously Kensuke was after her (having resumed his usual
behavior ) , then Hikari , Ayanami , and finally , Shinji. He had a little
trouble in sneaking into the already filled elevator. The worse thing was to
avoid
to smashing the parcels Misato had bought into that night mall . It was like
entering in a room filled with eggs.

Shi: "See? I told you."

"Oh , shut up and press the button , Shinji!" replied an angry Major.

Easier said then done : he had to turn on his heels , to face the panel ,
finding it covered by Rei .

Shi: "Ehm.. sorry , Rei .. could you get away from the wall?"

She simply complied , leaning forward , practically over his left shoulder . He
tensed a bit , but realizing he had to do something and fast , he lifted his
head and used the other arm to push the right button , actually nearly circling
with it Rei's shoulders.

He had just pressed it and was going to retire his arm when Hikari , who was
standing on the other wall , giggled a bit and said "Oh , my! Shinji , are you
trying to make a move on Ayanami?"

Rei looked at her , an interrogative look . But she felt well . Like when he
had hugged her . 'It's so.. reassuring. It's like being near a warm fire. It's
good..'

But Shinji nearly jumped , the elevator nearly stopping suddenly .

Mis: "Hey! Watch-out! I don't want to be stuck in here all the night!"

Shinji had regained his stance , and was no really upset : "Oh , Yeah? Don't you
remember who wanted to go up all together?"

Mis: "Are you telling me it would be my fault?"

Shi: "You said it."

Mis: "Whaat!!!"

Fortunately , the doors swung open , and they landed on the floor , as if they
had been kicked out from somebody invisible...

Ken: "Whew! Me made it!"

MIS: "See? What I told you , Shinji?" Misato asked triumphantly .

"Yeah! Yeah! Whatever you want." Said Shinji said unlocking the door and
entering the house . "I'm gonna sleep. Kensuke , are you coming?"

Ken: "Coming! Who does use the bathroom first?"

Shi: "Be my guest. We guys need it for far less time. I guess it's okay with
you."

Mis: "What a perfect gentleman! You'll never be a dandy , Shinji!"

Shi: "I had a good teacher. Good night."

He was lucky she hadn't anything to throw at him . She thought about shooting a
bullet near his right temple , but then reconsidered it : 'better leave this to
a more proper occasion , like arguing about girls and boys...'

After a bit , Kensuke returned from the bathroom , and lied on the floor ,
fantasizing he was , like he hoped , squeezed against the abundant
Major's breasts..

Shinji simply lied on bed and started listening to his walkman , for the last
time. 'How will I manage to sleep without it? Oh , I'll find a way.'

There were strange sounds coming from Misato's room , but they were muffled by
the closed door , so he disregarded them .

..

After a bit , perhaps an our , he felt the need to .. well.. to use the
bathroom, you know! So he stood up and went for it . While he was opening the
door, a light pierced his eyes , coming from the bathroom's door . There was
someone standing in the doorway closing the door , putting an arm inside to turn
off the light . Before he could do that , Shinji had a glimpse of his figure .
It was white.. White? Draped with a see-through fabric . He was stunned ,
because he couldn't even imagine who it could be .. the figure's hair were
enclosed by a night hat , and all suggested he was , in fact one of the two
girls .
He hadn't any doubt : 'It must be Hikari. Her night dress is very different from
Asuka's .. I must ask her to talk to Asuka about it..'

His thoughts were interrupted when the figure turned on the corridor's lights.

"WHAAA!!!!" It was a choked shout that died before escaping his throat.. Shinji
felt his heart jump in his throat . Standing besides him was clearly a ghost ,
with that white face and dressed in that way . It didn't help the fact her eyes
were closed , and looked like missing in all that whiteness .
Then they snapped open , revealing deep red eyes.. Shinji passed out .

The next thing he felt was a smooth thing behind his head , like he was resting
in his bed and he had the pillow under his head . But the other part's of his
body weren't so comfortable : it was cold and hard , like a floor . While he was
trying to figure out where he was , he started to open his eyes , searching for
any clue . The first thing he saw was a ceiling , he knew that ceiling . 'At
least I'm home. This seems to be the corridor , but what am I doing lied here ?
And where I'm resting my head?' He rolled his eyes up and right , only to see
the chest of a girl , and her face , covered by a white substance , thanks to
the moonlight coming from the near balcony 'It must be full moon...' .

This time he was able to clearly distingue between her neck's skin and all that
white . 'A beauty cream?' After he took a glimpse of a lock of blue hair
escaping from that night hat . Then he remembered what happened , and started
wondering : 'So this is what Misato bought her.. Well , for once she has done
something useful . But I can't understand why she has bought that cream too.
I've never seen her using stuff like this . Maybe she bought this to have fun
with Rei and Hikari.. I wouldn't be surprised if they are all masked like Rei..
But , still, why am I in this situation? When I passed out , what did Rei do?
I'm probably too heavy for her to carry or drag me , so she decided to stay with
me on the floor? It must've been a long time , since she's fallen asleep.. Why
Misato didn't notice her absence ? What a guardian she is.. '

Now Shinji was slowly standing up , first to his knees.

'What do I have to do? I can't bring her into Misato's room.. Not when there
are two girls sleeping inside.. Maybe I can put her in Asuka's room..
Sorry Asuka , but I can't act otherwise . You have to understand this ..
and a lot of other things , I guess , once you'll get better.'

So he put his left arm under Rei's neck , and his right under her knees. He was
surprised by how light she weighted . It wasn't like carrying a person , more
like a child , even if he hadn't had such an opportunity in the past .
Fortunately , Asuka's door was left ajar , so he opened it with his back and
proceeded backwards until he could turn easily avoiding to harm the girl who was
resting in his arms . He located the bed in the soft light coming from the
window , and carefully dropped Rei over the sheets . Then he managed to cover
her pulling them from under her and lying them over her body . When all was
finished , he looked at her figure in silence . Her head was resting on the
pillow , slightly turned on her left side , and the sheets over her chest were
moving due her regular breathing. He stood for perhaps five minutes looking at
her , like she was a wonderful statue , then he moved closer to her face and
whispered :'Good night , Rei , and sweet dreams.' Due to the cream , he wasn't
able to kiss her forehead or her cheek , so he stroked a bit her hair through
her hat . After closing the window curtains , like Misato did the last night ,
he left silently , knowing perfectly how to move in the complete darkness . He
closed the door behind him , and rested for a bit in the corridor , before
finally entering his room and lying on his bed : 'my curtains are opened.. but
I'm too tired to stand up again and close them.. Next time , Misato.' He thought
before finally falling asleep.

Misato wasn't having a very pleasurable dream : she was on the beach , and she
couldn't find a good place where to put her towel . There were stones
everywhere , and the sand was like cement . At last , she found what she judged
to be a good place , but it had a damn sharp stone piercing her back . She tried
to suit better , but her pain was even worse , when the stone began to tremble..
'What? An earthquake?'

Then her eyes opened , and she could heard a low sound coming from behind her ,
just where she was sensing that pain.. Realizing she was lying over her alarm
clock, she quickly turned aside and sat on her futon. She turned off the alarm
and looked around . Since the curtains were closed , it was pitch dark.
"Rei , Hikari , wake up , it's almost eight o clock." , she opened the
curtains .

A tired Hikari said "uhm.. good morning , Major."

Mis: "There is no need to be so formal.. Just call me Misato."

Hik: "Well..." , yawing , "good morning Misato."

Smiling , Misato looked around for Rei , but she didn't find her. 'Uh?
Where she's gone? Maybe she is in the bathroom..' She left her room and looked
into the bathroom , but no one was there . She looked herself into the mirror ,
and looked at her face covered by a white cream.. 'How pathetic I am.. an
anti-aging cream..' Sighing , she started to search the house , and started
thinking that maybe she had already left , when she saw in her room Rei's usual
dress. 'No , she must be here.. but where? Maybe in Shinji's.. but it can't be!
Anyway , I can always ask him if he know where she is..'

Entering his room , she opened the curtains and began to shout loud : "Wake up ,
guys! It's late ! We've got a lot to do!"

Kensuke raised his sheets over his head mumbling something , while Shinji opened
his eyes , focusing them on the ceiling. Misato kneeled closer to him and
asked :

Mis: "Shinji , I can't find Rei. Do you know where she is?"

Shi: "In Asuka's."

Misato arched an eye-brown , thinking of having misunderstood.

Mis: "Come again?"

Shi: "She's sleeping in Asuka's room."

Mis: 'I hadn't heard wrong , after all..'

"What is she doing there?"

"I've told you." Shinji was stretching his arms over his neck.

Misato decided to do some further investigations before asking more , so she
silently left almost kicking Kensuke in the head , and entered Asuka's room . It
was dark there , but she could immediately locate someone sleeping in the bed .
She came closer to the bed and asked :

Mis: "Rei?"

Slowly , the figure in the bed started moving , and Misato opened the curtains
and the windows , turning to face a fully awaken first children .

Rei: "Good morning , Major."

Mis: "Good morning. Do you mind if I ask you why are you here?"

Rei looked around and then said : "I don't know."

Mis: "What do you mean you don't know!"

Rei: "The last thing I remember was sitting on the floor holding Ikari's head."

Misato was astonished : "Shinji's head? What the hell happened last night? Has
Shinji done something wrong?"

Rei was very quiet : "I was leaving the bathroom , when I met him. I don't
know why , but he passed out falling to the ground without saying a word . I
tried to wake him , but I didn't succeed . I tried to bring him back to his
bed , but I wasn't able . So I sat down and held his head over my legs , to make
him feel comfortable . Later I fell asleep , and I don't remember anything else
until now ."

Misato couldn't believe what she'd just heard : 'Is she serious?'

Mis: "Well.. It must be Shinji who brought you here , then.."

Rei: "Ikari? When? Is .. Is this Asuka's room? "

Misato , not even listening to her , continued "Now he is in his room.. maybe
early in the morning he awakened and carried you here.." with that , she left
the room heading to Shinji's , when she saw him entering the bathroom and
stopped him.

Mis: "What the hell happened last night? Is it true you passed out?"

A hint of anger passed in Shinji's eyes : "Sure I passed out! And do you know
who is responsible for this ? Look at your face! You are still wearing that
disgusting white stuff ! I nearly died when I saw Ayanami in that white dress
and with a nearly completely white face !"

Misato blushed out of embarrassment , but it wasn't visible due that white
substance Shinji was talking above.. so she tried to hide her state : "So you
are so weak to faint for nothing ! I wonder how you survived all those angels!"
She turned over her heels and walked away umphing . But Shinji's words make her
stop : "Anyway, you bought her a wonderful nightdress."

She smiled , and turning her head a bit over her shoulder to look at Shinji with
the corner of her eye , she said good-moodedly : "You have yet to see her
sundress!" She could see Shinji blush under the comment, and she left giggling
.. 'Nothing serious..' Passing by Asuka's room , she poked her head inside and
called up Rei , who was still looking around with interest at Asuka's room .
When she had collected the dirty robes , she hadn't really paid much attention
to the room . So a few moment before she hadn't been able to recognize it ..

Mis: "Come on , Rei . You are scheduled to meet Maya at eleven , don't you
remember ?"

Rei: "I know. I'll be there in time , Major."

Mis: "Well, I need to leave right now, so you'll have your breakfast here with
the others."

From the corridor Shinji , who was still looking at Misato , asked : "Are you
sure you don't want anything to eat , Misato?"

Shaking her head , without turning to face him Misato replied : "It won't be the
first time I eat nothing in the morning . Don't worry , Shinji."

Then she disappeared in her room , where Hikari was trying to remove that cream
from her skin : "Maj.. I mean , Misato , are you sure was a good idea to wear
this .. thing?"

Misato giggled : "Believe me , it was a wonderful idea!" In no time she grabbed
all she needed to dress and went to the bathroom , nearly strangling Kensuke to
prevent him to get in it before her : "Sorry Kensuke , but I'm in a hurry."
After she left the apartment tossing her belongings into her room's open door ,
nearly over Hikari , and with a loud "I'll se you later" , she closed the door .

The children , left alone , tried to carry out what they thought were their
duties : Kensuke dressed himself and started searching the net about any ways to
avoid electronic and human surveillance . Shinji started cooking , while
Hikari , after getting dressed , helped Rei to wear her new dress . Rei wasn't
very cooperative , though ..

Hik: "Ayanami! Help me! Lower your hand.. and put this on!"

Rei: "In this way?"

Hik: "Geez no! The other way! This is ridiculous ! Even my sister can wear
that!"

Ayanami seemed hurt by these words , and Hikari realized that she was acting
like Asuka : 'Damn, I don't like her behavior, and now I'm just acting like her
with Ayanami.. I must apologize to her."

Hik: "I'm sorry , Ayanami . I didn't mean to offend you . Look , you have to
wear this earring in that way : it's a clip , so you won't feel any
pain."

Rei: "I see. .. Thank you , Horaki."

Hik: "Don't even mention it. Often I helped Asuka to choose dresses .. We were
used to go shopping together , when she was .. was.."

Rei: "I'm sure he'll help her."

Fighting to repress a tear , Hikari looked surprised at Rei.

Hik: "He? Who are you talking about?"

Rei was wearing her green skirt , and said looking down at her new cloth :
"Ikari. He's going to help her."

The hope that was growing in Hikari's heart disappeared like an image in a pool
of water hit by a stone .

Hik: "Oh."

Then , with more animatedly : "But what can he do? He's just a kid! It's not
like he's doctor , or a psychiatrist ! He.."

Rei: "He saved all our lives from the angels , and in the future he'll fight
again to protect us . Trust him . He deserves our trust and needs our
help . Right now he and Kensuke are thinking how to help Asuka. He asked
me too , even if he knows I'm close to Commander Ikari , who he think is
the responsible for all his problems."

It was like a whisper , not audible a meter away from her , but all her
movements, her voice's tone , her face's expression were hardening while she
was spoke . Hikari seemed worried , she would've never thought that Ayanami
could've been capable of such an outburst .

Hik: "I.. Why am I here , then?"

Rei's expression softened: "You are here to help them. I'll help too, I promised
Ikari I'd help him. You should ask him for further information , but preferably
in another place , because it is possible somebody is listening our
conversations." In fact , she was still speaking with a low tone of voice .

Hikari lightened : "Really!! He'll help Asuka? And Toji too?"

Rei: "Shut up! What did I tell you?"

Hikari was shocked . Being yelled by Ayanami!

Hik: 'She's not the old Ayanami anymore . Something has changed about her .
It's like she has changed not only her dress , but her personality .
Could it be that some exterior changes could have such an impact on her
mind and behavior? Well.. when I wear my favorite cardigan I'm more
friendly , communicative .. Maybe she's like me.. She surely is very
pretty with this new dress : a green skirt , blue shoes with mid-sized
heels , a yellow shirt with short leaves , and a light pullover , green
too. And , if these weren't enough , she is wearing a very cute couple of
earrings , with the shape of a half moon... If Asuka was here.. I
think she has a new rival .. even if she wouldn't admit she likes
Shinji.."

Rei , checking her wristwatch , said : "It's getting late . I must go now . But
first I'll say goodbye to Ikari."

Hik: "Wait! I think he's cooking something to eat , aren't you going to stay?
He'll be disappointed.."

Now she was smiling, like an bear with a salmon in his hands..

Rei checked her watch again . "I must leave within thirty minutes ."

Hik: "They'll be enough . Now into the kitchen! This smell means bacon and
eggs! Well, it appears that our Shinji can cook quite well .."

Shinji was , in fact , preparing something for four people . It wasn't a
problem , since he was used to cook for three people , where one of them
was always very hungry.. 'Asuka.. I hope you'll get better very soon..'

He was distracted from that subject by some strange sounds from behind his back,
like somebody being pushed in the room, and somebody else leaving it while
giggling .
He also heard Hikari calling Kensuke to see something . He turned with
a fork in his hand , with the bacon and eggs in the other .

What he saw was behind his imagination , and he dropped the fork , being at
least able to keep the food from hitting the floor.

He was breathless .. he was staring directly to her , who was clearly blushing .

Shi: "Rei... You.. You look wonderful.."

Kensuke , peeking from the door teased him : "Way to go , Shinji! You lucky
dog!"

Shinji didn't bother to reply , instead : "This is the dress that Misato bought
you yesterday evening?"

Rei: "Yes. Do.. Do you like it?"

Shi: "Of course! You look beautiful .."

A deep shade of red covered her cheeks..

"..Thank you.. I feel strange with these clothes.. and these earrings.." , she
slowly reached and touched the moon-earrings.

Shi: "It's a nice change from your usual clothing , you know.. I think you'll
get used to it pretty soon.."

Rei: ".."

Shi: "Really.. I must tell Misato she has done , for once , a clever thing.."

Rei: ".. I've given a better look at Asuka's room."

Shi: "You've found it pretty messed , don't you?"

Rei: "I don't know.. It's so strange.. so filled with hundreds of things.."

Shi: "Well.. I think it looks like a normal girl's room.."

Seeing Rei's mortified reaction , Shinji cursed himself : 'Hell! How could I say
her such a thing!'. He put the food on the table and approached Rei , under the
glances of Kensuke and Hikari , who was wearing a blaming expression ..

Shi: "I'm sorry , Rei . I didn't mean to.."

Rei: "It's okay."

Shi: ".. Well.. I.."

Rei: "Maybe I must take more care of my apartment.."

Shi: "It's not a good idea.."

Rei looked surprised : "Why not?"

Shi: "Your apartment is located in an old block of flats , in an bad zone.. I
think you should ask the NERV accommodation office to be moved to some
other destination. You know , that place isn't the best for a young good
looking girl like you.. I'm sure that Misato , Asuka and Hikari could help
you to fill your new apartment with the right stuff a girl would need..
like a stereo .. that reminds me.."

He left suddenly , almost smashing into Kensuke and Hikari , entering his room
and searching a bit .

Ken: "That's strange! I didn't think Ayanami could really act like a normal
girl.."

Hik: "Oh, Yeah? And who are you to say such a thing ? I don't think a boy
like you could ever really understand us girls!"

Kensuke was annoyed , and hit her hard : "Don't tell me you haven't ever thought
Ayanami was weird!"

Hikari seemed worried , looking suspiciously at Rei's back and after lowering
her voice : "That doesn't mean anything. Ayanami was a little solitary , and
that's it."

Kensuke wasn't able to reply because Shinji had returned : "Here , Rei , this is
my gift for you . My walkman . I've found the instructions, so the only thing
you really need is to read them . The batteries are new , and there is my
favorite tape inside . Here there is its case . I've get to you a purse that
Misato doesn't use anymore , that looks perfect for your outfit . Here ,
everything's inside it .." Shinji handed the purse to Rei , who didn't do
anything to get the gift..

Rei: "I.."

Shinji smiled , and grabbed her right hand , circling with it the gift : "Now
it's better if we eat something. I'm starving. Kensuke , class rep. , would you
make us the honor of joining us ?"

An embarrassed couple of teenagers entered the kitchen and sat at the table .
Only Rei was still standing , while Shinji was serving the food he had
prepared.

Shi: "Rei? Aren't you hungry?"

Rei: "I.. I must go now." So , she almost ran outside the kitchen and the
house , leaving them a bit astonished .

"What's the problem with that girl?" Asked Kensuke while he was biting two same
at the same time : "Hey! Shinji! This tastes great!"

Hik: "Maybe she wants to be alone.. It had happened a lot around her .. don't
you think, Ikari?"

But Shinji was thinking , and a smile appeared on his face , and quickly widened
until he seemed a maniac of some sort , with a huge and almost devilish grin .

Ken: "uhm.. Shinji? Why are you smiling?"

'I hope he didn't put some poison in this plate, he looks like a maniac..'

Almost laughing hysterically , he replied "I'd like to see my father's face when
he'll see her.."

Kensuke whispered to Hikari : "Man , he's going nuts!" .

Hikari , almost terrified, nodded vigorously.

...

In the elevator , Rei was still breathing hard . She calmed down looking at her
reflected image on the mirror , and kept watching it even after the doors swung
open.. 'This purse is a gift . A gift from Ikari. He told me I looked
wonderful..' she blushed a bit. 'He asked me to find another accommodation..
it's still early for the test.. I can go and ask the office.. Should I ask
Commander Ikari?'

Now she was debating with herself about what was the right thing to do.. Because
she was sure that asking that without informing the Commander would be betraying
him , in a way . Her new outfit , she could sense it was something the Commander
wasn't going to like . So she decided to come back home and change . She was
walking to her home , when she saw a black van : 'NERV guards. They've already
seen me . Changing my clothes would seem more suspicious . I'd better go
straight to Nerv .' With that , she stopped , turned on her heels , almost
falling down , not being used to her new shoes , and walked to the nearest
entrance to the geo-front .

In the van assigned to "watch" over Rei...

Man1: "What the hell happened to her?"

Man2: "I don't know , but that's something we must report immediately to
Commander."

Man1: "uh? Aren't we supposed to report at the end of the shift?"

Man2: "I feel something's up with her.."

Man1: "Listen , the less I talk with Commander , the better I feel. That man
makes me uneasy . And the girl just bought a new dress. It's not
really that strange."

Man2: "But.."

Man1: "Oh, come on! What do you think would happen?"

Man2: "Okay, but you are going to buy the donuts."

Man1: "Shit.. Okay , glass or Nutella covered?"

______________________________________________________________________________

End chapter 3 . Stay tuned and have a good lunch !

X-Ray: "Nutella .. uwah .. uwah.. Marge , give me some Nutella donuts.."

Ebj: "Aren't you going to drench with Nutella the whole keyboard that
way?"

X-Ray: "First the milk , then the Nutella cream .. uwah.. Milk-Nutella-
Keyboard.. uwah.."

______________________________________________________________________________

(1) Well.. To decide this name me and EBJ had fought a lot .
My first idea was Lorento , that reminded me of a LP's series of a good
pop singer. EBJ didn't like it , because : "it's awful !" . Then I
suggested Kimafuso Lamoto , a very old joke in my country , and EBJ told
me : "yeah.. maybe Eroito Nakakata.."

At the end , he suggested the Eva's music compositor..

EBJ:"One of the best composers of all times!"
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Stop the post!

A couple of good news for the next chapters !

First , James Edwards will help EBJ in the pre-reading.

Second , I'm finally building an Home Page on my personal Server ( No Xoom
or Geocities) .

Finally , would you like to know something about the next chapter ? :)

Well , I can give you an early version title :

ToT ( I like it ! ) Chapter 4 : The need to lie/Don't stop fighting

Have a nice day!

This section hasn't been corrected.. Don't blame EBJ or James .. The latter
hasn't yet
started! :)
________________________________________________________________________________

One last note : My home page is on http://members.xoom.com/fantasticare .