Suppresed Emotions, Hidden Desires

by GMTDM

Asuka Langley Soryu. A troubled girl, with a troubled past. She has had no one to really love since her mother died. Will that change? ShinjixAsuka. FINAL CHAPTER UP!

1. Chapter 1

Supressed Emotions, Hidden Desires

An AsukaxShinji Romance. Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I own NO part of Neon Genesis Evangelion, GAINAX does. And Evangelion's creator. NOT ME. But, Evangelion DOES own me.

Bold text between quotations " " means thought Non-bold means the opposite: SPEECH! Italics means a change in language.

Prologue and Intoduction:

Asuka Langley Soryu.

A girl with a...disturbing past. Her real mother, Kyoto Zeppelin Soryu, killed herself after going insane in an accident with Evangelion Unit 02, when Asuka was four years old. Her stepmother then rejected her, saying she acted 'too grown up' for her age. Her mother hung herself, and a doll that, after going insane from the unit 02 accident, she believed was her real daughter. Asuka ran home after they made her official pilot, and found her mother hanging from the ceiling of her kitchen, the doll beheaded, and beside her. Asuka then vowed that she would never cry again. She was a strong girl, but her ego often made her unbareable. She thought that she had to be the best in everything, including being an Eva pilot. She utterly despises anyone who can best her, and that means Shinji Ikari, Third Child.

Even though Asuka seems to hate Shinji, the pair ends up falling madly in love with one another, through a strange turn of events. Fate is mysterious.

Chapter 1: Two opposites

Asuka Langley Soryu was trying to run away. Trying to run away from her past. Her dreams are haunted by memories of her past, and she wants to forget those terrible images. Images of her mother, swaing from the light in their kitchen, the look of insanity crossing her face. The happiness Asuka felt when she rushed home to tell her mother that NERV had made her an official pilot of Evangelion Unit two. "Mama! Mama! Guess what! They made me an official pilot!" She cried as she flung open the door to her Berlin home. "M--Ma-mama!" She cried shakely as she saw her mother, swinging in a circle, with a dolls severed head and body, surrounded by droplets of blood. Asuka was four years old at the time. Her father then remarried, and her step-mother rejected her because she acted too mature. "She never cries, and she acts so professionally." Her step-mother said, behind closed doors. She was then put under the care of Ryoji Kaji. When she was fourteen, she was transferred to NERV's Tokyo-3 Branch. She was attacked by the sixth angel, Gaghiel on the way to Tokyo, and she was placed under new care, a twenty-nine year old alcoholic, by the name of Misato Katsuragi.

That's where her troubles began. That's where she met Shinji Ikari.

On the first day there, Asuka and Shinji found out that they were in the same class. Shinji didn't want to have to deal with this. He watched, wishing that she'd leave. She spoke, using a slightly sour tone. "Hello, my name is Asuka Langley Soryu, and I hope we can all be friends." She finished rather fast, but normally, she loved attention. She quickly took her seat, next to the class representative, Hikari Horaki. Hikari simply glanced at Asuka with a small smile, and then looked towards the front again. Shinji was trying to concentrate on the board, when he heard a faint beep.

"Not now..." He thought. All his classmates, him as well, were given personal laptops, and they could send private messages at anytime. This message was quickly accompanied by another one, one message was from Toji Suzuhara, and the other was from Kensuke Aida, Shinji's best friends.

He opened the first one, from Toji.

"Oh. Sweet. Buddha. DID YOU GET A LOOK AT THE BODY ON THAT FOREIGNER? DAMN! SMOKIN HOT!" It went on, but Shinji couldn't bring himself to read it. He then opened Kensuke's.

"Man, that new girl is HOT. I mean FLAMING. I'm not one to brag, but dude. She's nice." Kensuke's was short, and subtle, not like that horny dog Toji's.

Shinji shot a look at Asuka, and then the teacher, who was writing something on the board, and began typing back to both Kensuke and Toji. He said simply:

"I know. And, guys, she has to live with me." He sent the messages, and looked back. Toji's jaw dropped, and Kensuke simply smiled smugly and pushed his glasses up. He was glad there wasn't a noisy outburst from either of the two. Shinji got through most of the day without incident, although lunch was interrupted by his two friends.

"DAMMIT, Shinji! Why didn't you tell us that you are living with the second hottest girl in the world?" Kensuke and Toji had a crush on his Commanding Officer Misato Katsuragi, who was also his and Asuka's guardian. "Yeah Shinji, why didn't you tell us? We wouldn't tell anyone.." Shinji knew deep down that what Kenusuke just said was a lie. They told everyone everything that Shinji kept secret. They had to pry his secrets from him. "Yes, you would, Kensuke. I didn't tell you, because I didn't know. I swear. I just found out a few minutes before I sent those messages to you two." He spoke quietly, trying hard not to alert anyone in his general vicinity. Kensuke and Toji looked at each other in shock, then at Shinji. They then muttered, "Lucky mother FUCK." They left Shinji to think. "How will this effect my life?"

He worried too much. He walked home, with Asuka at his heels. "So...Shinji is it?" He nodded slowly. "Well, get used to seeing me. I'm living with you now."

"I...I know that...Asuka." She snorted, and walked ahead of him. Her voice then rang in his ears. "Hurry up, dumbkopf! I don't wanna be too late!" Shinji tried to hurry, but he couldn't run. He couldn't stop looking over her perfect figure. "When you're done ogling me, I want you to know, I don't let ANY man get near me, you hear that? So, handen auf!"

Shinji nodded slowly, and glanced away from her. She was stuck in his mind. He couldn't help it. He finally got to the run-down building that was the complex Misato lived in. Asuka jogged up the stairs to Misato's apartment, and her new home. Shinji walked up, very slowly. He couldn't help but think about what Asuka may do to him, if she took things he said the wrong way.

"Guten Tag! How are you, Miss Katsuragi?" Asuka said. Misato controlled herself from asking what she had said. "Uh...I'm fine...make yourself at home Asuka!" Misato said. "Danke! Where might my room be? If I have one, that is." She spoke with a slight eagerness, as if she wanted to get away from Shinji. "Down the...uh...hall." Asuka began to make her way down the hall, Shinji at her heels. Shinji didn't realize that Asuka's room was right next to his. Asuka didn't know about Pen-Pen yet. Shinji jumped out of his skin, as she bolted out of her room, and straight into Shinji's arms. She clutched onto him, like a scared owl on a branch. "Asuka! What's wrong?" She pointed towards her open closet, and Pen-Pen waddled out. He laughed, and spoke. "Asuka, that's Misato's...'pet.' It's a warm water penguin! His name's Pen-Pen. He won't hurt you." With that, Pen-Pen sqwaked, and ran to the kitchen. He grabbed one of Misato's many beers, and went inside his cooler. Asuka released her grip on Shinji, and walked into her room. Shinji walked to his room, wondering why Asuka was so frightened by a little bird. "She must scare easily" Shinji thought. He had never met a girl like Asuka. It was a little after 5:30, so he decided to get some relaxing time to himself. He shoved the bugs of his SDAT into his ears, and drifted away, only to be pulled back to reality by Asuka shouting at him, telling him dinner was ready. Shinji reluctantly pulled the bugs of his SDAT out of his ears, and walked with the red-headed German down the hall. He collapsed into the chair by the table, and wondered what Misato had pulled out from the back of the cupboards. Shinji glanced up, and saw some small white boxes, with the sign of their favorite tako-out place. She handed two to him, and he opened the first one. It was his favorite: Pork fried rice. The other contained Sweet and Sour chicken. Shinji happily grabbed a pair of chopsticks and began eating. Asuka stuck with the rice and chicken. She tasted a bit of the chicked and spoke. "Eh...not bad..." She continued eating, and Misato, eating what she normally got, was shoving the noodles down her throat. It disgusted Shinji to no end. He decided that if Misato died, he would have nothing to do with it. He laughed at his own humor. Shinji finished, and excused himself. Shinji looked at his watch, and it told him that it was 6:43. He didn't know what to do for the rest of the day. He went into his room, and was soon followed by Asuka. He wondered why she had followed him. "Hello Shinji. Since I'm going to be living with a pervert like you, let me tell you something." He was taken aback at the comment about him being a pervert, and listened on. "If try to grab my breasts, try to spy on me in the shower, try to mess around with me while I'm sleeping, I will kick your ass. You catch me?" The German barked. "Yes Asuka." He replied sheepishly. "Good." She snorted.

Shinji came out, and sat on the opposite end of the couch. He glanced Asuka's way, and quickly looked away. He and Asuka watched some T.V. show for quite a while, then he decided to head off to bed. He stood up, and walked over to Asuka, and leaned down to give her a hug, and whispered, "Good night." She welcomed his hug then after a second pushed him away. He stalked off down the hall, and said good night to Misato, who was working. Shinji opened his door, and flung himself on his bed. He soon fell into a deep sleep. He had slept for a few hours when he was woken up by the sound of crying. He opened his door, and found that it was coming from Asuka's bedroom. He thought something might be wrong, so he rushed in, to see Asuka sitting on the edge of her bed, with a sopping wet pillow. Shinji started advancing towards her, but he stopped when she spoke through her sobs.

"What do you want?" She barked.

"I...I'm just..I heard you crying and I thought something was wrong," he slowly advanced toward her and sat beside her.

"You wouldn't understand...it's about my mother." She took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Yes, I would Asuka. I lost my mother at a young age." Shinji also let tears fall freely as he spoke.

"You...you did?" She inquired. She wanted to know more, but was reminded of her promise. "Shinji, get out. NOW."

As much as he wanted to stay and comfort Asuka, he knew about her fiery temper, and complied. He walked put of her room, and upon closing the door, heard her say, "No...I want him to stay...but I don't want anyone to see me like this..." His heart was torn apart. Despite her tough appearance, she was still fragile. She was crying all night long. He finally heard her stop crying, and heard her almost scream, "So...KALT!" Shinji was devastated. His sleep was filled with Asuka's haunting wails and sobs.

He was awoken the next morning to Asuka's harsh voice. "C'mon Shinji! Offnen der Augen!" He was puzzled by her use of German, her native language. He arose and dressed in his school outfit, consisting of a white T-shirt and black jeans. Plain white shoes accompainied his wardrobe. He waited on Asuka, and when she finally got finished dressing, they began the trek to school. They were early, as Hikari and Rei were the only ones there. Shinji sat, and opened his laptop. He switched it on, but he saw no reason to. He really never used it. Slowly the children began filing in, one after another. Shinji kept glancing at Asuka, dwelling on what had happened last night. That morning's lesson flew by, and in no time, Shinji was talking to Asuka over lunch.

"So...about last night...what happened Asuka?" Shinji asked, hopefully.

"It...was nothing Shinji, I just freaked out..." She replied gloomily.

"It sure didn't sound like nothing last night. Honestly Asuka, my views for you will never change, no matter what." Asuka must've thought that he was trying to get romantic, so she put up her sheild.

"Why are you being so nosy?" She scowled at him while speaking.

"I...well...I just...I care about you Asuka! I hope you realize that." Asuka's deep, sapphire-blue orbs widened, and she gasped. She blushed, and stood up. She quickly dumped her tray, and stacked it on the pile. She then walked out of the lunchroom, oddly fast. Shinji returned to class, and was confronted by Asuka.

"Shinji, why did you say those things in the lunch room?" She asked, pinning him against the wall.

"Because, It's the truth. Has no one told you those things before?" Shinji said, pressing his figure against the wall.

"Well...no. You're really the first." Shinji's eyes also widened at this statement, not able to process what he had just heard.

"Are...are you...Serious, Asuka?" He spoke shakily, not able to believe her.

"Yes. I don't understand--OH SHIT. We'll talk about this later. Here come the kids."

And so, the day went on, like normal, until the end of school, and the trio had sync tests. They arrived at NERV, and went to the locker rooms, and changed.

Shinji was in his plug suit, along with Rei and Asuka, in a matter of minutes. They walked to their respective Eva's, and entered the Entry Plug. They sealed them in, and the plugs filled with LCL. They then went through the procedure. Rei got her normal scores, above normal, and Asuka scored in the same area. Shinji, however scored abnormally. "Oh, wow...over 100 sync rate! Congradulations Shinji!" Misato chimed. "Thank you..." Everyone should have been rather supportive of Shinji, but one person was rather upset. A certain red-headed foreigner. They exited their plugs, and headed for the locker rooms. They had just finished changing, when Asuka confronted Shinji. He could see that she was mad about something, yet he hadn't done anything to upset her.

"So Third, you think you're better than me? Huh?" Shinji was confused, and rather frightened. He didn't know why Asuka called him third, and not his first name.

"No...I...Don't think I'm better than anyone." He replied, gazing deep into her eyes. He had no idea what this was about.

"Well then, Mister Highest Sync Ratio, your scores really---" She was cut off by Shinji's sheepish laughter

"Asuka, are you mad because of our scores? No need to be. We all get better." He said, standing up straight. All this time, he had been crouching slightly.

"No, I don't get better, I am the best! Ich Bin Der MEISTER! The MASTER. You hear me?" Asuka yelled. She didn't wait for Shinji to say yes or no. She stormed off, leaving him to absorb her anger. Rei walked up beside him and spoke. "Do not worry, it is natural for the German race to have fiery tempers." That didn't offer him any comfort. He reluctantly walked home, as having to deal with Asuka would kill him. He then remembered tomorrow was his day off. Saturday. He didn't get his hopes up, as he knew angels would strike at any time. He walked through the door, and saw that Asuka and Misato were watching T.V. Shinji grabbed a soda from the fridge and went to his room. He picked up a book he had been reading, and started. He had read a few pages when Misato burst in. Shinji now paid more attention to the book then he had before. He couldn't look at Misato. She stalked up to him and sat on his bed, right next to him. "Shinji, I just wanted to congradulate you on your awesome test scores. Way to go, kiddo!" With that, Misato pecked him on the cheek, and walked up. He couldn't read now. He stood up and glared out his window. He walked out, and sat between Misato and Asuka. Shinji watched as the red-head slid as close to the couches arm, as if to get away. He looked her way, and she was mouthing something, so he looked away. Misato looked at Shinji and smiled. He sighed and got up, and walked into the kitchen. He strapped on the apron Misato kept in one of her kitchens many cabinet's. He had nothing to make, so he just boiled some water, and made some instant noodles. That normally was their dinner. They ate, but Shinji was rather uncomfortable around Asuka now. She had a constant scowl on her face. Shinji finished, and cleared the table of his dishes, and walked into his room. He jammed the bugs of his SDAT into his ears, and his entire body calmed. He soon drifted into a relaxed sleep. He awoke the next morning to an angry Misato. "GET UP! WE NEED TO GET TO NERV! AN ANGELS ATTACKING!" Shinji dressed quickly, and followed Misato and Asuka into her car. They arrived at NERV in a matter of minutes. They dressed in their plug suits, and ran to the Eva cages. The cages drained of the crimson coolant, and they climbed into their entry plugs. The plugs filled with LCL, and they were launched into battle. This was the sixteenth angel, Armisael. Asuka saw this as her chance to proove that she was better than Shinji. Asuka started to advance, without any idea what this angel did. The giant ring of light, just floated there, spinning clockwise. She rushed up to it, and suddenly, she began screaming. The angel had reached out to her, and had delved into her mind, bringing painful memories back, back from her sub-conscious. The angel was, so to speak, "mind-raping" her. Shinji became frantic. He didn't know what to do. The technicians in the Warroom directed him to talk to her. Try and calm her down. "I'll...try..." he stuttered. "Asuka? Speak to me. You'll be ok...we'll get you out...somehow..." Shinji got only a reply of screams, and finally she said, "NEIN! Das ist KEIN ENTRINNEN!"

Shinji was terrified. One of the only people he cared for was now dying before him. Thoughts raged in his brain.

"You have to save her. You love her, don't you?"

"Yes, I do...but she dosen't love me...what's the point?"

"She loves you. She just dosen't want you to know. Save her. Help her. She'll die if you don't."

"No! She could never love me! She despises me!" His mind was in turmoil. Finally, he passed out. While sleeping, he was standing in nothing. Black. Just plain nothing. "Wilkommen im Nichts" He heard a voice say. He spun around, to find that it came from behind him. He spun around to find the source of the voice.

There were two of him. His real self, and his sub-conscious. His sub-conscious self was, strangely, in the shape of his Eva. It's mouth didn't move, as if it was telepathically speaking with him.

"She does love you. You just don't want to admit it. You think she'll leave you, like anyone who ever loved you. You need to stop being afraid, Shinji Ikari."

"But why? Whats the point? She will reject me, who could ever love a weak boy like me?"

"You are not weak. You calmed her when she was upset, don't you remember? You helped her, and she thanks you for that. You told her you loved her, and cared about her. She does love you. When you see her again, she will not be able to speak. Stay by her, and when she awakens, she will admit a secret to you. Trust me."

"Wait, what is the secret? I want to know! I don't want to wait! Tell me now!"

"All will be revealed in due time." With that, his other self dissapeared, and he was staring into bright sunlight. Then, the figure of Misato Katsuragi appeared, blocking the sun. She collapsed onto him, saying, "Oh, thank God you're still alive!" She cried into his chest. He spoke lightly, still in a daze from when he slipped into unconscioussness. "Mi--Misato...Where's...where's A--Asuka.."

His speech was broken, and his mind was still hazy from what had happened. "Oh...Shinji...she's...in a coma...at the hospital." She said, still crying from the shock. Those words snapped Shinji Ikari into a state of alert. "Take me to her. Now." Misato was speculative about taking him, but he needed to see her. She guided him out, and they stalked off. Shinji changed back into his day clothes, and she drove him to the hospital. She flashed her NERV ID at the receptionist, and she found a doctor that led them to her room. Shinji gasped when he saw Asuka. He told Misato he wanted to be alone with her. She led him in, and spoke softly, as if not to upset him. "I'm sorry Shinji. Just be glad you killed the angel before it killed her." He didn't say anything. He wept as he stared at her lifeless body. She had a tube sticking out from her mouth, and countless wires and needles protruding from her flesh. Shinji tried to control his tears, but he couldn't stop them from flowing. He felt pathetic, crying over a woman that he loved, but she didn't love him back. He made a vow, that he would stay here, by her side. Then he remembered the words of his other self. She would tell him something, but he didn't know what. He was worried that she wouldn't make it through this. He didn't want to leave, but he didn't think she'd be too happy, if she awoke, and found him sitting next to her like she was. Her shirt was open, and she was bandaged from the lower chest down. He couldn't close her shirt, as two wires were connected to her breasts. He was distraught. He knew it was late in the day, and he wanted to sleep. But, he didn't want to have to awaken to find her dead. He sat by her side, grasping her freezing hand, wishing she would awaken. He fell into a light sleep, and he quickly awoke after dreaming that she had woken up. He then grasped her hand again, willing her to come back to him. He began crying again, but he made no sound. He just let his tears fall on Asuka's chest. He whispered to her, even though she may not hear him. Shinji spoke to her, "Asuka, I don't know if you can hear me, but...if you can, I...I love you...Asuka..." Shinji's eyes then widened as he saw her slowly smiled around the tube, and he felt her hand slightly tighten around his. He beamed, and spoke softly, "Oh...Asuka.." He squeezed her hand back, hoping she could feel it. It felt like days before the sun finally went down. A doctor came in and placed his hand on Shinji's shoulder. "Come on son. It's time to go. You can come again tomorrow." Shinji started to stand, but Asuka's feeble grip held fast. The doctor noticed the contact and realized that Shinji might help her awaken faster. "Nevermind son...stay as long as you like." He then walked out, leaving the two alone. Shinji didn't know what to do. He wanted to leave, but he had a promise to keep. He slept, still clutching Asuka's hand, and wondering how long it would be until she woke up.

He slept peacefully through the night, dreaming of what he would say when Asuka woke up. He would have plenty of time to think of that.

Shinji awoke the next day to find Asuka still sleeping, but more...lively. She had squeezed his hand harder now, and reacted somewhat to different things he said to her. Shinji didn't talk much next to her though, as she needed time to recover. He just squeezed her hand harder as she got better. Shinji couldn't wait for her to wake up. Shinji didn't cry now; instead, he smiled. He was glad he got this time alone with her. The doctor had hung a sign on the door that said, "DO NOT DISTURB!" Shinji was in his own little world inside that hospital room with Asuka. Shinji drew increasingly close to her, even though he knew she might be snatched away from him at any time. He sat there as the day dragged on, but he got a little suprise that day. Misato and, oddly enough, Rei walked in, and sat beside him. Rei had the same expression on her face as always, but Misato looked a little disgusted at the state their fellow pilot was in. She glanced at Asuka and then at Shinji. She spoke, "Shinji, have you been here this entire time?" He had forgotten that a day had passed since the accident. "Yes, I have. I would've come home, but she," He gestured towards Asuka, "wouldn't let me leave." Misato and Rei looked dumbfounded. "Uhhh...Shinji...what do you mean 'She wouldn't let you'? She's in a coma. She can't speak."

Shinji laughed. "I know that Misato, just watch." With that, the two stared at their hands. Their eyes widened as the watched Asuka's hand tighten around Shinji's. "Oh...that's what you mean." Misato said. Rei simply sat there, staring at them. Misato had brought something for Shinji in a paper bag. She told him not to open it until Asuka woke up, and then give whats in it to Asuka. He agrees, and they go on their way. He checks the time, and finds it to be around seven thirty. "Gah...I hope she wakes up soon...I can't stand it anymore!" He yells. Being a boy, he is 'exited' by Asuka in the state she's in, and he's had to deal with two days of it. He finally gives in to his desires, and has to physically separate himself from her. On his way to the bathroom, he hears a slight moan. A cold chill shoots down his spine. He turned around, and he saw Asuka's hand grabbing at thin air. "Oh...God...She's...She's trying to find me!" He walked back to her, and let her find his hand. She smiled around the breathing tube again, and squeezed his hand harder than ever. What he then saw made all his feelings for her rock-solid. Shinji watched as tears rolled down her cheeks. He wiped her eyes of the tears and spoke, "It's okay Asuka...I'm here...And I'll never leave again." She moaned again, and Shinji started crying. He didn't bother to wipe his tears, he let them fall freely. He never wanted to see that happen again. Shinji brought his chair as close to the bed as it would go, and laid his arm across her chest, trying to embrace her. He whispered again, "I'll never leave you...I love you Asuka..." He then slipped into a deep sleep.

He was having a nightmare. In this nightmare he woke up to find Misato and Rei, and the NERV Liutenants in the room. Rei was crying silent tears, Misato was sobbing in the corner, and Maya was comforting her, although she was sobbing as well. The other two Liutenants were standing there, staring at the floor. Shinji then looked over at Asuka. What he saw made his blood run cold. Asuka was covered in a white sheet, from her head to her feet, dead. Yet, she was still clutching his hand. Shinji screamed, "NOOO! NO! PLEASE, NO! PLEASE! COME BACK TO ME!" He then was shocked awake, to find her still asleep. He balled his free hand into a fist, and slammed it down on his leg. He squeezed Asuka's hand, willing her to open her eyes.

"Please Asuka...I need you...I want you to wake up...Please...Wake up..." He repeated those words over and over. Those were the magic words. After three and a half days, Asuka Langley Soryu opened her eyes. A beep eminated from a machine next to her bedside, and Shinji glanced up. His heart went aflutter. After three days, she woke up. Shinji remembered what Misato had given to him...all in due time. The doctors walked in, and moved him to the side. They removed the tube, and tested her memory, and tested her physical condition. She was fine, and they left them alone. "Asuka...Oh God, I thought I'd never speak to you again...I missed you Asuka!" Shinji threw his arms around her, but Asuka waved him away. "Shinji, what am I doing here?" Asuka asked. "Oh...right...you've been in a coma for three days. I've been right here the whole time." She gaped at him, and recalled the angels 'mind-rape' attack on her. "You...have? Oh...Shinji, thank you!"

She flung her arms around him, and he welcomed her hug, and her tears. "Yes...cry away Asuka...I don't care..." She was about to swipe at the tears flowing down her cheeks from her sky-blue orbs. Shinji then reached down, and pulled up the bag that Misato had given him. "What's that Shinji?" She asked. He replied honestly, "I have no idea...Misato came by and gave me this...she told me not to look until you woke up...oh...jeez...thank you Misato!" He pulled out this beautiful bouquet of red, blue, and yellow flowers. She gasped, and her eyes teared up again. "Oh Shinji...you swear she didn't get these because you told her?" She asked. Shinji replied honestly again. "I swear. Asuka, I'd never lie to you. I promise." With that, she embraced him, staining his white shirt with her tears. He wished that they didn't have to leave each other. "Shinji...warum liebst du mich? Why do you love me?" Shinji laughed at this question. "Asuka, I couldn't hate you, so I chose to do the opposite. I love you for all I'm worth Asuka. Nothing will change that." That made her cry harder and louder in his chest. "Oh...Asuka...please...don't be scared to cry in front of me...I don't care."

She poured every ounce of her passion for him into this one statement: "Oh...Shinji...you make me feel as if I can do anything with you...please...bleibst du an meiner seite...stay by my side...I love you too, Shinji." Shinji cried back into her shoulder, and said, "I never will Asuka. You can do whatever you want in front of me...it will never change the way I see you...I'll always see you as the strong, yet caring girl you always were...I'll go get a doctor and see if you're ready to---" He was cut off by Asuka grabbing his arm. "No...please stay...don't leave so soon...besides, you can buzz them right there...No, not yet, please." She said, as his arm went for the call button. "Shinji...come here...kuss mich...kiss me." Shinji's face drained as the request lingered in his ears. He was then pulled onto her lips by Asuka herself. Shinji struggled, squirming to get away. Asuka kept one hand on his head, holding it in place. With her other hand, she grabbed his arm, pulling it into a resting position. He then closed his eyes and welcomed her kiss. They were still kissing when the doctor walked in. He placed his hand on Shinji's shoulder, and he broke the kiss, and turned to face him. Asuka held fast to his arm. "Son, If you want, we can let the miss go home with you tonight, though you'll need to keep her company. We've set it up with your guardian." Shinji's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Asuka, who nodded frantically. Shinji offered to walk Asuka down, if she'd need it. She tried to stand, but stumbled. Shinji caught her, and half carried her, half supported her down to the car. He glanced at the time. 6:35. Shinji wanted to get home as soon as possible. With Misato driving, that request wouldn't be hard to fill. They were home by 6:40. Shinji carried Asuka all the way up the stairs, and over the threshold, which married couples usually do. Then, he carried her to her room, and sat her down. He then turned to leave, as Asuka didn't like him in her room. She beckoned to him to stay. He stopped, turned around, and walked over to her. He sat down, and was immediately engulfed in Asuka's body. She was kissing him, cuddling him, pouring her tears on him, and all he could do was smile, and hold her head in place. He too started crying, and wrapped his arms around her slim body. Shinji squeezed her body against his, their tears mixing, their lips meeting, and their feelings exchanged. Misato creaked the door open to tell them dinner was ready, but saw the two, and decided to let them be. Asuka spoke as softly as she could between her sobs. "Ah...having you in meine armen...ich leibe dich...I love you Shinji..." She bawled. Shinji replied as softly as she had to him. "As do I...my sweet...as do I...My sweet, sweet Asuka.." he said, stroking her fiery auburn hair. He laid her down, and then, he laid beside her. They held each other, and kissed one another until later that night, when Shinji picked Asuka up, and guided her out into the living room. There they found Misato passed out on the couch, a large meal sitting luke-warm before them. They sat down, and ate, not caring how it was. They were happy to have each other, and to be as in love as they were. They finished, and went back to Asuka's room. They laid down next to each other again and, finally, Asuka broke the ice. "Shinji...why did you stay next to me for three day when I was asleep?" Shinji cried as he said the answer, and so did Asuka. "I...Because. If you had died, I wanted to be there. I didn't want to have someone tell me. I wanted to be the first one to know. I don't know why though. It's just easier if I find out myself." Asuka began sobbing, and latched on to Shinji. "Oh...thank you...I...I...I want you to know...Shinji...I..I love you...I also want you to know...I don't want you to leave me...please...stay in here...tonight...please?" Shinji got away from himself, and began crying uncontrollably. He then replied, "Oh...yes. l'll stay with you...my sweet." Then, she did something that he had never seen him do. She removed her neural connectors, and placed them on her night table. She snuggled closer to Shinji, and buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. They squeezed each other closer to themselves, talking back and forth silently.
"Asuka...you make me happy...something I never thought I would be...I love you..." Shinji said, kissing her deeply.

"Shinji...I still can't believe you sat by meine seite for three days...and...I had acted like a total bitch to you before then..." Asuka whispered, stroking his hair.

"It's okay...I know you...No need to apologize...you're fine the way you are..." With that, his hand left her hair, and began stroking her back. That made the red-head hold him even tighter.

"Shinji...don't ever leave me..." She cooed. She loved him with everything she had. All her passion, every fiber of her being, everything. She wasn't expecting Shinji to say anything after what she had said to him.

"I won't Asuka. I've only got eyes for you..." He raised her face to his, and kissed her, making her eyes widen and fill with tears. She closed her eyes, and raised her hand. She rested it on Shinji's

cheek, and kissed him back for all she was worth.

Next Chapter: The Natural Attraction.

A/N: I know, that hospital scene was...odd...but I hate hospitals. I wanted to make it quick, because someone in my family was in a car accident once, and I couldn't wait for her to get out. I hate hospitals, and that's why I made it go fast. Shinji wanted her out, so I got her out. She was there for friggin weeks on end, and I didn't want that to happen to Shinji and Asuka. So...that explains it, to some extent. Also, it may seem that they are getting involved too fast. Asuka is just overwhelmed that, despite her attitude towards him, he stayed by her. She's just trying to make his efforts worthwhile. The next chapter will be longer, and I'll spice it up. Read + Review!

G.M.T.D.M.