Self Help Ch. 2 – Various People Deal with Rei's Problems.
AN: This entire chapter was something of an insert to explain more cracky stuff coming up. Apparently, this story has to have serious bits too. Wish it had let me know beforehand.
Rei didn't know what to feel. Mr. Aoba ha left her hospital room as quickly as he had arrived. In the short moments he spent with her, he had turned her world upside down, inside out, and hit it with a baseball bat. She would never be allowed to die. She was excruciatingly glad she did not remember the life of the self that had performed her highest duty, yet not received the dearest reward.
Eternity stretched before her.
They would not let her rest.
This was perhaps the worst possible moment for Gendo to check on her. The second he walked in the door, she brought to bear the most wrathful, betrayed glare she could muster. It wasn't much, but on Rei it had all the greater impact. It was gratifying to see the Commander pale in fear.
"What do you want?"
It was a testament to the man's self-control how quickly he recovered.
"The man that was just here has taken the clones and corrupted them. We don't know what would happen if you died right now. We are growing more, but it will be a long, expensive process. There is no guarantee that he won't corrupt those as well. This body may be your last."
Rei looked down at her bandaged form, despair filling her heart. It felt like she could not move, even if she was whole. She was so weary.
The hospital bed creaked as a weight settled on it. An arm fell across her shoulders, holding her with a rare tenderness. She closed her eyes, accepting the embrace. They remained like that for a long time. Eventually, Gendo spoke.
"If there is anything that can make this life more bearable, you have but to ask."
Rei opened her eyes, her mind frustratingly bereft of ideas.
"I can't imagine anything like that."
Gendo sighed. This wasn't unexpected.
"I've heard new clothing has such an effect."
Rei blinked.
"I suppose that is where I will start."
Ritsuko had always been a little creeped out by the pale girl, the hybrid's flat affect, her utter seriousness (the bodies floating in the tank). Part of her wondered if this was how she would have ended up had she not met Misato and Kaji in college (except for the tank part). However, right now the girl was giving her a headache.
"It would appear that you have completely recovered from your injuries, two weeks ahead of schedule."
Rei blinked. Her lips turned up ever so slightly.
"I can go shopping today."
Ritsuko raised an eyebrow.
'I guess there is a teenage girl in there after all.'
Shigeru was tired. The meeting with the Commander was far more stressful than he had let show. He was still getting used to the Ree, and having to depend on them to such an extent was more than a little frightening. It had taken about two hours to teach them the concept of home and get them to stay at his home. Even then, one would occasionally pop out of nowhere to check on him, or pet his hair, or nuzzle his shoulder. It would have been substantially creepier if it wasn't a cute girl. Thank goodness they took to clothes easily, or else he would never go out in public. Life was already complex enough without the questions that would inevitably follow such an appearance.
The doors to the train compartment opened. Rei entered, carrying many, many, bags. For some reason she was wearing a white, gothic lolita dress.
"You."
Aoba sighed.
"Me."
"Why did you corrupt my clones?"
He rubbed his eyes.
"You are not replaceable. Not as you will be. The sooner you get used to that, the better."
He raised an eyebrow at the bags.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Rei looked away.
"My arms are tired. Strangers tried to engage me in conversation. My legs are sore."
Shigeru smiled at what she did not say.
"Sit, then. Would you like some help carrying your purchases home?"
Rei frowned at him.
"I require no assistance."
"Allow me to at least help clean up your apartment. It's the least I can do after taking so much from you."
Rei sat down, a brief expression of relief flitting across her face.
"My apartment meets my needs. It does not need to be cleaned."
"Ah, but you have changed. You deserve a clean apartment, if not a better one."
"I have no such need."
"If nothing else, something to hold your dresses and such. You did buy more than one dress, am I right?"
Rei glanced down at her bags, then back at him.
"I do not understand the source of your perseverance."
Shigeru leaned forward.
"You are important. It is time that you are treated that way. And I will carry those bags for you."
He also cleaned her apartment. (Tentacles are handy things.)
AN: I have something of a buffer right now, but don't expect a regular update schedule. Sorry. Another thing – normally, I wouldn't post a chapter this short, but for some reason, the fic fairly naturally splits up this way.
