Standard Disclaimer

Ouch my television up and died on me sadly. So no console gaming for a little while as I find a suitable replacement. Writing wise it should help a bit to be less distracted. Got some nice plans for this story, it is a bit odd wouldn't you agree? Hope you don't mind that, but then again if you did you wouldn't be on chapter three would you?

X-X

Bait and Switch

Staring at Shinji's visual feed, Misato felt a stabbing sense of regret and shame churning inside her gullet. Sipping her coffee, the major knew she owed the woman an apology for the rather harsh 'teasing' of the morning. Was it Shinji's fault what Kaji had done the night before, nope not in the slightest. But Misato couldn't see past that for long, and her growing sense of jealousy boiled over. She had only meant to make fun of the whole Rei using Shinji as a mattress and it…escalated. She knew she went too far when even Asuka told her it was too much. Of course Shinji hadn't said anything, she never did even when she should.

Thankfully Rei had been in the bath at the time or Misato doubted things would have gotten so far out of hand. "So how is she doing, and where di d you get a suit for her so quickly," Misato flinched her head at Shinji's monitor. That tranquil face, effortlessly attractive, Misato had a hard time remembering the boy she had grown to care for over the months. Things changed the other day when she came back, but Misato hoped she could come to terms. Glancing at Ritsuko, "Oh and how did the shopping go? The mountain of bags Shinji brought back, you guys leave any clothing behind?"

Hand poised just at the base of Maya's neck, Ritsuko stood focused on the monitor. "Jealous we didn't take you with us?" the doctor teased. Hands inputting several commands into the station, Ritsuko hummed and hawed. "Maya increase plug depth by another five percent, she's doing a lot better than expected," Ritsuko nodded appreciatively. Stretching her hands above her head, fingers laced together, "The suit was from one of the…earlier pilot candidates during initial testing."

Raising her eyebrow as suspicion latched onto her mind, Misato hid her speculation behind her coffee mug. A previous candidate that just happened to have the exact body as Shinji's mother, it didn't take much to suspect some missing details. Giving Ritsuko's relaxed form a good review, "You look to be in better spirits yourself. You didn't do something unseemly with the newest woman for the Nerv swimsuit calendar did you? Shinji was awfully tired when she got back if memory recalls." The booze she drank the night before had did a number on her memory, but Misato could always speculate.

"Doing really good, Shinji-kun, keep it up," Maya congratulated after following her sempai's instructions. Jotting down a few notes into an open notepad document, Maya spun around in her chair to get a look at Misato and down the way Makoto. "We didn't do anything other than a little shopping, ate at a nice restaurant, and answered some of her more delicate questions," Maya's face took on a rosy complexion. Waggling her finger at her superior, "And I'm upset with you Katsuragi-san. Some of the things you told her about women are just obscene!"

So Misato gave the (at the time) male Shinji a few unrealistic and exaggerated lines about women and how to deal with them. As Shinji's guardian and pseudo-parent, Misato wasn't going to have her boy mistreating or leaving a lady wanting. Exaggerations of male expectations, what women (well her at least) like, and a few half remembered drunken memories of how exactly to please a lady came to mind. "I thought it would do her good at the time. I expected some little girl to try making a name for herself by bagging the only male pilot. A little fear goes a long way, and I didn't want her to be a half-hearted lover if the time ever DID come," she scratched at her cheek avoiding eye contact.

Tapping her ear and then pointing at Makoto, Ritsuko singled that they currently had a small spy paying more attention than necessary. "Well what you said wasn't totally true, but demanding a three to one payment on finishing is hard for a man to do. Hell last few times I've been with a man it's been zeros on my scorecard. Anyway, any reason you're not looking are your lovely life partner, or is it just me over thinking?" she patted Misato's shoulder with just a bit excess force. Heading back to half-working, the woman tapped the readouts pensively.

"A woman can dream can't she?" Misato agreed with Ritsuko's assessment. Kaji hadn't been really on the successful end last night, his dialogue even worse. She had faked the first, sometimes the sounds got her partner exuberant enough to actually succeed on the second round. But being called another woman's name…a woman that wasn't a woman a month ago, well that just dumped a few gallons of gas on the jealousy fire. "As for Shinji," she rubbed her arms staring at the closed eyed woman, "I did something bad this morning. Not her fault but I made an illusion that Ayanami and she were taking things to far…and that Shinji was actually enjoying all the male attention."

Aghast, Maya went wide eyed and covered her mouth. "Katsuragi-san, that was totally unfair of you! Shinji-kun is having a hard time with this and you…you?" the timid woman was literally shaking with anger. Her fists were vibrating at her sides, fury in her eyes, "When I gave her the plug suit this morning she was…" Maya just stopped glared just a little more and spun back around. "You're almost done, Shinji-kun, your score is only a little down from before," as if Misato's comment never happened Maya sounded radiant.

Bristling at Maya's reaction, Misato went into full on justification mode. "Hey, I know it was wrong, but it's not ALL my fault alright?" she just took her frustrations out on the wrong person! Next time she saw Kaji it would be a whole lot of emasculation and size jokes to ridicule the man into a shape so small his self-esteem created a black hole. Shuffling over to the still fuming Maya, Misato leaned on close, "You haven't been called her name by somebody else in bed have you? I heard a few rumors about Ritsuko and you, don't believe them, but just picture that. Yeah it's not her fault, but HE wasn't around this morning for me to vent on."

Whatever anger in Maya fizzled out as Misato's comment found a home in her head and took roost. "I-but-that's…me and Shinji-kun in…"oh how Maya's body wobbled as an idea pulsated inside her. The typing she was doing went from fast and usable to an obscure code of mistyped words and a huge number of them. Broken speech and far too fast to make much sense out of, "I-I-I guess you have a point if that happened to me I'd be upset to and as long as you apologized and…" she continued rambling.

Waving Misato away from the bastion of wholesome and mind-numb that was Maya, Ritsuko chuckled at the show. "I think you broke her, Misato. Our dear Maya-chan I think is either a virgin or very inexperienced in the way of male failings," Ritsuko informed under her breath. Hearing the beep from the computer, "Shinji-kun, you're done. Get out and up here and we can talk about the details from your physical." Alternating from the visual feed to the software running the medical evaluations, "Maya once you get your brain out of your panty's, can you work on this too?"

Had there been a time when she had been so innocent in the ways of reality as Maya? Yes, but Second Impact and college did its work on those parts of her psyche, Misato didn't mind though. Being wide eyed and innocent was only fun for teasing, and Misato loved teasing. "So Maya-chan, is there any reason you've asked Shinji-kun over for dinner tonight? Thinking I should send her over with a bottle of wine as part of my apology. But remember she's innocent and new to all this," she found her new target. Not fair for Maya, but Misato needed to vent and teasing worked wonders.

"Katsuragi-san, we're having a few odd reports from around the kids' school. Think we should send some more guards over?" Makoto asked peeking at the gaggle of women. His monitor still keyed to both Shinji's feed and the police report from the school, he wasn't masking his spying well at all.

Was that worry in Makoto's voice, the man worried Shinji and Maya spending time together meant something, something for Misato to keep her eyes on. "Send another group to check into it. Likely just Asuka upset again that Shinji doesn't have to go to school, or Ayanami going off on another of her 'don't talk about my mom' rants. Girl really is taking this mother/daughter thing to far," Misato ordered. Though not having spent with her own mother, Misato didn't know exactly how she felt about Rei's mother love. And before Makoto could do anything, "And next time try eavesdropping a little less obvious alright?"

Maya, oh Maya, did not react in a mature and adult way to Misato's ribbing. Babbling even faster, Maya was writing her encrypted life story as she preened and daydreamed. "Katsuragi-san you're being silly! I wasn't planning anything for Ikari-kun at all! It was just an offer to get her more usable details on actual women. The things you told her are better suited for movies and…and the afterhours stories," but she was still bouncing in her seat. "A-and I have wine already a-any food allergies I should know about?" the girl was running a mile a second.

Rolling her eyes, Misato just pointed at the back of Maya's head and then twirled her other finger by the side of her head. Ritsuko laughed and Misato stopped by the time Maya jerked around to see what was so funny. "No allergies Maya, but I'd actually recommend you let her cook with you. She's great with her fingers, and makes a real mean meal. Just hope you know that Ayanami is going to be there too. She hardly lets Shinji out of her site anymore. Also be ready for some odd questions, if what Asuka was saying was anyway close to real," she could picture Maya's illusions. Shame she wouldn't be there for Rei to pick Maya's mind apart, it would be a show to remember.

Joining Misato in a big laugh at not only Maya but Makoto's expense, Ritsuko popped an unlit smoke into her mouth. "Misato's just being the perverted old woman she is, Maya. Don't let her mental issues ruin your date…sorry I meant your evening. If you don't mind think I might come over too. Just to keep an eye on Ayanami. It's all well and good she's reacting positively to this whole mess, but if it gets too far along it could be a problem," Ritsuko started pouring over some of the readouts. "If we turn Shinji back to normal and Rei has a breakdown it wouldn't be too good," her eyes hardened, lines cropping on her forehead and around her eyes as she focused.

Worried about Rei or worried about Maya getting too attached to the young Ikari, Misato wondered. "Ayanami will be fine, just as long as we keep an eye on the two of them. It's cute to watch Rei sleep on Shinji when she's a full grown adult. Now Rei laying on a teenage male Shinji, I doubt it'd be as wholesome or as clothed," it wasn't fair for Shinji to court ladies! Some little girl would take her Shinji away and then it would be an empty apartment and junk food again. She didn't want her Shinji gone! She…wait a minute! Bad Misato bad…she couldn't think of Shinji that way, she was like a sibling. Noticing Ritsuko's fixation on the paper, Misato was glad to have something distract her from the sudden brain-splosion, "What's got you so fixated over there?"

Gently, and by gently it is assumed to have been done with excessive force, Ritsuko removed Maya from her chair and sat. Fingers dancing at speeds that caused the still spying Makoto's nose to bleed, Ritsuko leaned in intimately to her monitor. "Maya take a look at this," Ritsuko ordered the woman she sent falling into a heap on the ground. Waving without looking at Misato, smacking Maya accidentally, "Misato take a look at this. You're not the smartest woman, so I'll talk slow. But this is very interesting."

Helping Maya off the ground, wincing at the blossoming bruise Ritsuko's accidental act of domestic abuse caused, Misato approached Ritsuko like one would a coiled snake. "Not going to hit me are you," Misato felt a creeping dread. Reading a little of the screen, seeing nothing but Shinji's read outs and details (her knuckles popped when reading Shinji's three sizes), Misato was at a loss for what was so significant. "Ritsuko, forget for a moment that I don't know anything about genetics, biorhythms, and the human nervous system and just tell me what I'm looking at," Misato just hoped it wasn't more bad news. Shinji had enough bad things in her life, adding mutant to the list would not due for a good day.

"You never studied," Ritsuko said dryly while exchanging a very close faced stare. After hearing Makoto crash to the ground, get up and dash out of the room, Ritsuko shook her head. Pointing at a listing of DNA memo groups said, "This is very interesting, and strange. Shinji has all of the right DNA pairings, but they're in some odd pattern. Compare it to a standard group of DNA it's totally out of alignment with the norm, AND I'm seeing some junk DNA turned on. What it's doing I haven't the foggiest."

Still feeling like Ritsuko's words were some foreign language, Misato favored herself a little fantasy. Asuka moved out to the adjoining unit, giving Shinji and her privacy but still visiting enough to fill Misato's 'teasing German' fill. Rei taking Asuka's room cause Misato knew that girl was now part of Shinji's life forever. And the freshly returned to male Shinji, aged still to a nice form, and she shared a meal he cooked and drank themselves into a nice and amiable mindset and retired to Misato's soundproof room. Ah yes, dreams are good…what was she looking at again? Ritsuko was still talking, Maya was commenting too, maybe she should pay attention.

Shoving Misato's shoulder, Ritsuko's perturbed expression told much, "Are you paying attention Misato or are you dreaming of a Yebisu bath again?" Grabbing Misato's chin, Ritsuko dragged the woman partially across her body and closer to the screen, "This is showing that Shinji's body, while looking thirty, has the DNA damage of a fourteen year old! She' thirty with the internal structure from before the transformation! This is ground breaking if we can reverse engineer it, a perpetual fountain of youth!"

Maybe a Yebisu bath WITH Shinji, now that would be a delicious bath…oh yeah Ritsuko had that vein throbbing, Misato stopped her daydream fast. "Well as long as you don't sequester her for months to explore these little findings…Maya not you too. What is so damn interesting about this!? Ritsuko said herself that they're the same as everybody else just in an odd order! Stop trying to terrify me with fake issues in Shinji so you can try and steal her!" Misato shouted.

"I have something wrong with me?" Shinji asked as she entered. Wearing a green skirt and shirt set, a towel draped over her shoulder sucking up the water dripping from her hair. "I came as fast as I could, but Ao-Makoto-san stopped me to talk for a little," the woman appeared fearful as she approached.

Scribbling down on a piece of paper, Maya licked her lips as she poured over something she was doing. "This looks like…Morse code actually. I did a paper about it in college. It was a way hide messages during wartimes, hidden in plain sight," she waved widely and smiled brightly at Shinji. "And you're fine, Shinji-kun, Sempai is just puzzled at some of the odder findings," she went back to her scribbles.

Urge to laugh rising…rising…need to tease must resist! Tease Shinji now and more damage would be done, Misato needed to go easier on her flatmate. "Yeah, Ritsuko is just trying to find some way of getting rid of her crowfeet using you as the catalyst. That or she's a scary old lady you should avoid like the…" Misato found herself cut off as Maya burst out laughing.

"It says…says…" Maya broke down laughing so hard that she fell off her borrowed chair to the ground. Shaking her hand, it had broken her fall fairly bad, Maya simply snickered and went to hand Shinji the paper, but it was intercepted by Misato. Wiping a tear from her eye, "It's too much and it doesn't make any sense at all."

Reading the paper, Misato wanted to join Maya in the giggles or a nice drink, All it says is 'I want a Divorce Gendo, Yui Ikari.' A divorce via DNA message in the son turned into the woman's body, yep. Check please. Misato just latched onto Shinji but kept the paper to herself, and joined Maya in temporary insanity. It wasn't time to drop whatever that meant on Shinji, hell she didn't even know what it meant.

X-X

Her lunchbox jostled in her hand as Asuka forced her way through the swath of her fellow students. Not the best day in her life for starters, but her lunch was dropping into Lovecraftian levels of madness. Why had so many of her fellow students taken to the roof so she couldn't eat there, her favorite bench outside was populated, and even the classroom was full. Damn snoops would be listening to her, it was a conspiracy! They knew she had something she didn't want made public knowledge and were spying!

"Asuka, can we just eat on the steps or something, we're running out of time," Hikari pleaded amid pants. The poor class representative, and the geek that followed the two women, was breathing heavy and sweating due to Asuka's death march from location to location. Pointing at an empty stairwell, "Look, nobody is there. We can just sit and talk quietly if you're so adamant about privacy."

Holding up a finger, Kensuke tried to speak but let out sickly coughs instead for several painful moments. Rather than speak, his red faced and watery eyes evidence he wasn't going to be ready in some time, he pointed to a janitors closet at the end of the hall. Good idea for privacy, also hinting at potential perversions on the only present stooge's part. "Nobody…think…checking," he wheezed and rubbed his side.

The freak had a point and it wasn't the one he was trying to hide in his pants, Asuka ground her teeth. A long and sharp fingernail went to Kensuke's chin, "Don't you get ANY ideas about this, nerd-boy. I don't really want you around, but you MIGHT have an idea about this that would be useful." Digging the nail in just a bit deeper, her eyes lightened as her victim whined. If she was having a bad day, everybody should…spread out the misery so nobody notices how bad you're feeling. Seeing a few fellow students given her a wide berth she muttered softly, "So what if I tossed that kid at a bus? He deserved it."

What was causing so many students to be extra leery of Asuka today, well aside the general opinion that the beautiful and intelligent German was unstable? Well a foolish classmate, Kentaro Mizaki, made the allegation that Rei's sudden shift in emotional status from dead turnip to bashfully happy had to do with the missing pilot. Either hoping it would get some points with Asuka or drive the perceived wedge between her and Shinji larger the boy put his foot so deep down his throat Asuka had to punt him to knock it out. 'So has Ikari administered a hot male injection to thaw out the ice queen?' So of course Asuka had to react, like any chemical reaction a scientist can say when known elements react. Asuka + Shinji + anger = pain. Well without Shinji around to absorb the pain, it went to Mizaki.

"Stupid looser just had to roll into the side of the bus…dumb driver had to freak out," Asuka shoved the door open. When nobody else was around to see them go in, she shut the door and reached for the light. "Where the devil is that stupid switch, Kensuke if you even THINK of touching me in the dark I'll tear your hand off!" she needed Kensuke's knowledge of Shinji, hence she suffered him. Flailing her arms about wildly, Asuka considered opening the door to get enough light to find the switch, when she struck the side of somebodies head, "Hikari?"

Turning the light on, Ayanami Rei shook her head slowly, "You are five minutes later than my prediction." Shuffling past the stunned trio of would be sneakers, Rei quasi flowed through the group like water. The dim light of the overhead bulb illuminated the room in a pale yellow brown glow. Boxes of toilet paper, cleaners, and soggy brooms filled the room with a noxious stench, but Rei opened her lunchbox regardless. "You are to speak on your accosting of Mizaki-kun for insinuating Shinji-kun and I are in a physical relationship, or is this in regards to your silence during the morning repast?" she took a bite of her lunch and let out a very unexpected moan of pure pleasure.

While Kensuke and Hikari gazed in astonishment at the girl who had been hiding in a closet for an unknown time, Asuka rolled her eyes. Brushing up against Hikari, it was that or Kensuke and Asuka rather grind sandpaper, she moved to the boxes of cleaning solution Rei sat on and joined her. Opening her own box, "More the later less the former. That jerk was being a pervert and trying to use you to get into my pants." Who didn't want in her pants, women cause they looked cute and had an impossibly slim waist, men cause she was of course the most desirable girl in the school

"Ayanami-san," Hikari started after sharing a worried look with Kensuke, "How long were you sitting in here?" Unfolding an uncomfortable looking chair in the corner, Hikari joined the other girls in eating. With a grimace, "Ew the smell in here really makes the food taste bad. Wait what are you two eating, looks really elaborate." A jealous gleam overtook Hikari's eyes as she leaned over to get a better view of the duo's food.

Snapping her chopsticks apart, Asuka did savor the aroma of Shinji's extra special lunch. "Baka-Shinji wanted to insure her daughter had a good lunch so made us lunches," Asuka poked at the food slowly. It looked delicious, smelled it, and was undoubtedly wonderful but she didn't feel like eating it all the sudden. Getting a chunk of meat, Asuka noticed Shinji made two wildly different meals for the two of them. "Idiot, hiding her problems, trying to keep us from thinking about it," but she didn't know how to approach her about it!

Unwrapping his sandwich, Kensuke tried his best not to drool over the overflow of tantalizing scents assaulting his nose. Leaning against the door, his eyes dancing over the tantalizing women before him, "So why are we hear then Soryu? If you want the footage of you sending Mizaki against the bus I can provide it. But aside that, why go through all this secrecy. If the police wanted you, you'd be gone by now right?" Taking a bite of the well-known bland sandwich, he emitted the exact opposite of Rei's moan.

Her stomach rumbled despite her mental block on eating Shinji's offering. Embarrassed, Asuka put on her mask of indifference and started eating. Flavor exploded in her mouth and she had to fight hard to not match Rei's indecent sound effects. If nothing else Shinji's hiding of her pain and anguish lead to impossibly good food. "Shinji. Here to talk about Shinji and how she's hiding her problems from us. I don't…I don't know how to talk to her about it. But she asked to talk to me before you graced us with sentience, Ayanami," Asuka examined Rei's almost empty box…girl was a black hole for food!

Hands moving with machine like speed and efficiency, Rei shoveled food into her gullet at inhuman speed. "You use words, m-Shinji will respond to any question if enough pressure is applied," she said between bites. As the others watched in a mixture of horror and wonder, Rei licked the plastic box for the last of the juices. Dabbing her face with a napkin she continued, "If she approached you about a desire to talk, it means she is willing. But the nature of her want to talk is suspect. Shinji has not shown any desire for relationships due to her shy nature. As such I doubt she wants to talk about romantic of physical appeasement."

"Are you still hungry Ayanami?" Kensuke asked as his hand went to the doorknob. "I have a few more sandwiches if you want." He reached into his bag with his free hand and held out a pork and shrimp bread. "And she is right about Shin-ma…Shinji," he corrected the term. Rubbing his nose as Asuka glared at him, "Shinji will answer if you keep up on it. We got him to answer a lot of our questions about Misato, nothing BAD mind you." Kensuke put his hands up as both Asuka and Hikari moved to stand, "Just stuff like 'how is it to live with her'. But if you go into things to personal about others she will keep silent. About herself though…"

Nodding, Hikari gently applied rice to face, "Makes sense from what I saw and what Suzuhara said before." Taking the sandwich from Kensuke's hand, Hikari extended it the rest of the way to Rei. "You can push Ikari-kun into things regarding herself, but others not so much," a sort of whimsy blossomed on the girl's face. Shaking whatever illusion that beset her mind, her voice just a trifle husky, "But Ayanami-san has a point. I doubt Ikari-kun would be asking you anything to different. Remember she did just change into her…mother. Maybe she just has questions about girl issues. Health class is one thing, but I doubted she paid attention to the girl's portion back then."

Possible, very possible Asuka thought. Her mind churned over how she would react if she turned into a man. Shoveling food into her mouth, stoking the coals of her mind, Asuka nearly screamed as a horrible idea came to mind. "W-what if she wants to know how to ma-mast…you know," her mind was a teenager's so Asuka wasn't immune to the fixation. Menstruation, clothing, body care…NOPE what first came to mind was self-pleasure. Shaking a finger at Kensuke, "Don't you give me that look you perv, I-I wouldn't know what to tell her anyway! I don't d-do that." Nobody believed her.

"I would be willing to show mother that, I have already stressed my willingness to her. Though I do not own the necessary appliances necessary, but Katsuragi did say she would allow me access to yours," Rei took the sandwich. Looking at the package, she opened it and sniffed several times and started eating it. Noticing the eyes on her, "The ingredients are all artificial and soy based and contains no actual meat. Or are you wishing to teach her yourself Soryu, Hokari? Speaking if which, Hokari, if given the chance would you be willing to…"

Covering Rei's mouth with her hand, Asuka did NOT want to hear Rei-Pimp trying to get another woman in the Shinji harem. Willing herself not to squeeze, oh how hard Asuka wanted to squeeze, she released her hold after Rei stopped resisting. It wasn't jealousy, not at all…she was just sick of Rei slipping and calling Shinji 'mother.' Shinji was NOT the damn girl's mom, she wasn't a parent at all. Thinking of mother's was a very sore subject for Asuka, and having that sanity breaking blue haired freak flaunting and boasting about how wonderful and how much she loved her newfound mother made her want to punch holes in walls.

Standing up, dusting the crumbs and rice off her skirt, Asuka huffed, "No more talk about that Ayanami. It's creepy. All of it." Imagining walking in on Rei trying to teach Shinji how to use a plastic friend, Asuka felt her lunch starting to rise. "I'm heading back to class. You've not been very helpful, but at least I know I can force her to answer me if needed," not something she didn't know, but to the degree was uncertain.

Following close behind, to close for Asuka's taste, Kensuke crossed his hands behind his head. "Think it would be good if we all were there for it? I've nothing going on tonight and wouldn't mind helping," he let his eyes stray just a little too far south. "We can make it another little party. Maybe you could take some pictures for us Ayanami, memories for when Shinji gets her old body back?" he pleaded as Rei walked past him.

Stupid sexy Shinji…both flavors popped into Asuka's mind making her come to a screeching halt. Stopping dead with Kensuke following so close, and not paying attention, Asuka felt the collision as Kensuke's 'point' made contact against her rump. The shock of the smallness of it, she had suspected Shinji was small during the nude walk turns out Shinji was packing in comparison, Asuka fell forward with Kensuke following in suit. Her arms went wild, hoping to brace against the impact, she saw with perfect clarity several girls from the younger grades gasping as she fell.

Her head made a wonderful thunk as it collided with the linoleum, but Asuka didn't feel any pain (not yet anyway). "I'm going to give you five seconds to get off, or I will break you," Asuka threatened as she coiled her arms in close to her center of mass. A hot flash of shock and utter rage filled through her, her stomach loosening and churning, as she felt a small grinding against her as Kensuke either went to capitalize on his position or just tried to get off of her.

A high pitched whimper escaped Kensuke's throat, not escaping his lips but vibrated out of him, as he got to his feet. Grabbing a camera from his bag quickly he tossed it to Rei, "Just in case I don't survive. Record it for prosperity!" And with a show of masculinity and bravery, Kensuke ran screaming like a little girl out of the school and did not return that day.

"He's a pervert" Hikari huffed as she helped Asuka to her feet. "You're not actually going to keep that are you Ayanami?" she pointed at the expensive and large video camera.

Turning the camera over in her hand, Rei actually appeared pensive for a moment. "I would like memories. If Shinji does return to her male form, I will lose a mother and gain a half-brother. I do not know…do you believe Shinji would mind being in an incestuous relationship, or should I continue to find her a suitable female partner. Hokari, are you still fixated on Suzuhara?" Rei's head tilted to the side questioningly.

Grabbing Hikari's hand, the class representative was too shocked to resist, Asuka grumbled and drug the girl off. Stupid Ayanami saying things that shouldn't be said! All Asuka wanted to do was ask Shinji's friend and her friend how to approach the woman. She wasn't going to let Shinji suffer alone, Shinji wasn't going to go mad like her own mother had. No, Shinji was different, Asuka wanted her sane and…well…there for her. A lot of self-examination had lead Asuka to know she cared for Shinji. To what degree she didn't know, but something was there that didn't even come close to her crush on Kaji.

All but flinging the still shell-shocked Hikari into her seat, Asuka took hers up and nearly tore a textbook in half. Damn frustrations! Did she love Shinji, if so how was it family or romantic. If it was romantic what did it mean if Shinji never turned back to normal? The bigger question was, the one that had her segregated the last day was…how did Shinji's actual mom feature into things? The circle of logic terrified Asuka. Shinji turned into his mother's body after being absorbed by his Eva, Rei is claimed to be Yui Ikari's daughter. Yui Ikari was dead before Rei was born…

Her mother went into her Eva and came out insane…what if…just what if…

X-X

"Just stop resisting and let me put the collar on!" Maya hunched forward with her hands out. The tiny belled collar was in her pocket as she wiggled her fingers in waves. Sweat was dribbling down her face, her white undershirt was clinging against her skin as she over exerted herself. "Uzumi I can't leave you running around quietly! Somebody might step on you," Maya ordered her ferret to stop being disobedient.

To the left or right, left or right? Maya watched as her pet's head weaved back and forth from her spot on the floor. The apartment was mostly well kept, Maya's attempts at collaring Uzumi leaving a swatch of destruction throughout though. Papers were on the ground, DVD cases spilled from a failed diving catch, and an upturned water dish left a big puddle glistening under the apartment lights. "Left!" Maya squealed and lunched with arms extended knowing she'd catch the devious ermine.

Uzumi deftly leapt to the right and out of Maya's grasp. Tripping over her footrest, Maya took a tumble to the ground, her chin sliding across the recently polished faux wood floor. "Fine! Let Shinji-kun step on you! See if I care," Maya raised the defeat flag. Once again Uzumi was victorious over the evil Ibuki regime. Rolling onto her back, her chest heaving with each deep breath, Maya rubbed her chin trying to get feeling back. Sliding her wrist up, she glanced at the time and groaned, "I've only an hour before she gets here!" Her heart was pounding faster at the thought of it.

Following behind Maya, Uzumi the ferret watched her master's state of near panic. Distracted by a nice juicy spider, Uzumi dined on the nice plump bug before slowly stalking behind Maya. The kitchen, complete with its tiny dinette set, was a maelstrom of ingredient boxes and bottles. Leaping up onto the table, the ferret knocked a few boxes of food to the ground as Maya rushed about checking for bots, pans, and spices.

Turning around with a yelp, Maya pressed herself against her counter and gripped the lip. "You're being a bad girl today! Keep this up and I'll lock you in the bedroom!" Maya waggled her finger at the ferret. Uzumi batted at Maya's finger continuing the game of tickles. Unable to keep her anger at her pet, Maya degraded into teasing and playing with her living companion. Using her free hand she put the proposed food for the night back on the table, "Please be good, Uzumi. Get along with her, you've heard me talk about Shinji-kun enough to know this is important."

Watch beeping, Maya froze up as her forty-five minute warning went off. She had told Shinji to be over for supper at six, knowing Shinji was hardly late she gave herself little leeway in getting prepped. Rushing to the bathroom, her work cloths torn off and thrown to the wayside, she had to get her shower in fast! Cleaning up the mess would come after she primped and prepped herself for the main event. While she did have a bit of a crush on the young male Ikari, she never would have perused anything thinking herself too old for the boy. But as Ritsuko had illuminated, Maya wasn't opposed to being with a woman. "And Shinji-kun is a very attractive 'older' woman," she giggled.

Ritsuko had teased about showing up for the meal, but Maya doubted it. Of all the times in the past where Maya had invited Ritsuko over, her sempai never once took Maya up on the offer. No reason to suspect she'd change her track record today, right? Taking care not to hit sensitive areas, Maya beset her dirty and sweaty skin with her arsenal of oils, shampoos, and scented soaps. It was just dinner, Maya knew not to expect too much, but first impressions were everything! The few boyfriends she had in the past had made terrible impressions, and she never got over that.

In a puff of steam, Maya continued her mad dash for the perfect first date preparation. It wasn't a date, well she never told Shinji it was, but she was going to treat it like one. After a quick dry off, Uzumi tried helping and succeeded in getting hair on Maya's leg, she picked up her garment for the evening. It was a formal light green kimono and yellow sash, a gift from her departed grandmother. "Grandma said I'm not supposed to wear any…" oh that sounded naughty, but could she do it?

The twenty minute alarm went off, Maya was just a little nervous about the evening, and she leapt into the air. Not knowing where her undergarments were, Maya swallowed hard and did her best to put the kimono on according to standards. "Too late to go back now," she felt squishy with the kimono against her skin. Brushing her hair as she moved about the apartment, she cleaned up as best as she could. Uzumi had fallen into her food bowl, but that was easily kicked over. Standing in her living room, Maya felt comfortable with the cleanliness of the rooms she expected to need, "And with ten minutes to spare."

There was a knock on the door, Maya's face instantly went full on red and her hand went to just over her heart. "S-she's here, I can do this!" Maya wasn't known for boldness. On the shyness factor she ranked just one notch above Shinji herself. That was part of Shinji's appeal to her, they were similar. Shinji was just so sweet, caring, and accommodating but at the same time Maya had seen her daring, bold, and courageous. Would be a shame if she never became a man again though, the read outs from the plug suit were just delicious. Going to the door, she took a deep breath and opened the door, "Good evening…sempai?"

Also opting for a more sensual choice in attire, Ritsuko was already leaning forward and taking her shoes off. Her standard apparel swapped out with a light orange evening dress, "Not to late am I, Maya? Train was a little late, something about a power line falling on the tracks." Placing her shoes alongside of Maya's, Ritsuko made her plans known. 'I'm not leaving until this is over.' Giving the apartment a nice review, "Nice place, Maya, lot nicer than mine. Big TV, lots of DVD's, is that a leather recliner? You know how to live it up." Ritsuko helped herself into Maya's vibrating recliner and cooed in appreciation.

A whole slew of bad words and angry expletives were dancing about Maya's head, Ritsuko KNEW Maya wanted this to be a more private affair! But, Maya wasn't the type to vent, "If you hit the buttons on the side it turns…" Maya couldn't help but smile as Ritsuko hit the button and the moan that came out of the woman was nearly obscene. Kicking a few pieces of paper under her couch, "Yeah, nice chair isn't it?" Arranging the remotes for the DVD player and TV on the coffee table, Maya had to reassess things. A romance movie now seemed a bit out of place, "I didn't expect you to come, Sempai. I offered to host you so many times before."

Her face flush, Ritsuko turned off the chair and forced it back into a standard position. Breathlessly, "I thought it might help Shinji-kun if we both talked to her again. She did well yesterday, and we know how shy she can be. So this way we insure we can get her to relax. And maybe we can tell her about some of the findings from the DNA testing. You weren't plotting something nefarious were you?" Ritsuko chuckled and got out of the chair, and tugged on Maya's kimono. Eyebrow rising, "This your normal relaxing attire?"

Drawing the kimono closed again, Ritsuko just had to open it enough to gaze inside, Maya held the fringe tightly. "Sometimes I do. It's relaxing and it feels nice. And you're right, this is all about showing Shinji-kun how to relax, and what is appropriate for women to do to unwind. I even got a bottle of wine for us. While I might not agree with the quantity of alcohol Katsuragi-san drinks, but a little drink now and then is fine," she just didn't know anything about alcohol. Having drank twice before, Maya was ill equipped to buy, serve, and drink in any capacity. But where was the fun in remembering that?

Before Ritsuko could offer any rebuttal, the doorbell rang again with deafening softness. The tiny bell, a single two toned chime, silenced both women who shared a telling look. Maya could tell Ritsuko had some unspoken reason for being over, and Maya couldn't hid her own excitement about what was to come. "Be right there!" she called out, "make yourself comfortable Sempai. I'm taking Katsuragi-san's suggestion and will let Shinji-kun help me cook."

A sly look graced her bleached blond head, "Of course Maya. Sounds like a good idea. Just don't get to distracted and ruin the meal." Wiggling her behind over to the DVD rack, Ritsuko started thumbing through them. "Oh you've forgot to put your adult films away Maya, or do you just leave them out," Ritsuko pulled out a very telling title and flashed Maya with it.

Wide eyed, Maya felt her stomach churn, oh yeah she did forget those hadn't she. A woman of the modern times, Maya wasn't adverse to taking care of her needs herself…maybe she took it a bit to far…but it felt good! Loneliness wasn't thought about when the either cheesy romance or the overwhelming passion hit her and one of her massagers worked its magic. "C-could you put them out of sight?" she pleaded as she left Ritsuko to hopefully do as she asked. Taking another deep breath, the kimono rubbing again, she opened the door, "Good evening Shinji-kun, oh hello Ayanami-kun." WHY!? Her mind raged!

Hefting up a bag of veggies and other ingredients, Shinji looked a trifle bashful and nervous, "Rei-san was adamant she come today so I brought some food to cook her a vegetarian option. You don't mind if she's here do you?" Shinji fidgeted apprehensively as Rei just gazed inside the apartment with the expression of a prison guard or secret service agent. After a moment of open ogling Maya, Shinji forced her eyes away from the daintily clad woman, "T-that looks very nice on you Maya-san. I-we feel underdressed for the occasion."

Standing to the side and gesturing inside, Maya allowed the fruit of her emotions blossom. She was just so darling and she even complimented on the kimono! "Not a problem at all Shinji-kun. I haven't spent enough time with Ayanami-kun," not that Maya had a big drive to in the first place. Shutting and locking the door behind her guests, Maya gave them the quick breakdown of the single bedroom apartment so they'd know where everything was. Finding Ritsuko again in the vibrating chair, DVD's not on the rack, "And if you don't mind Akagi-san is here as well."

Her shoes having been kicked out without any care, Rei buzzed through Maya's apartment with a highly appreciating eye. "Single bedroom, possible of holding two occupants without overly cramped status, acceptable," Rei reported back to Shinji.

A forced nervous laugh, Shinji handed the bag of food to Maya as she walked cautiously though the apartment. "D-don't mind her, Rei-san is just getting used to social settings is all. Hello Ritsuko-san," Shinji waved at the moaning woman. Alternating between the three women, Shinji scratched her cheek lightly. Unevenly, "Did you want to start cooking now, Maya-san? Rei can chat with Ritsuko-san while we cook?"

YES! Maya was all about getting a little private time with Shinji away from the others. Seeing the two at her door left her startled for a moment, they just looked so similar it was freaky. Genetics spoke to one thing, Maya was often told she looked a little like her mother, but for a daughter to look like a mini version of the mother was just hard to swallow. Pointing at the digital entertainment, "You two can watch a movie while you wait," she sweetened the deal.

Ritsuko made some noise that might have been a single that the chair needed to be cleaned or an 'ok', while Rei looked to Shinji expectantly. Shinji gave the girl a small node, and the tension on Rei's face vanished and she shuffled over to the television and movies. Swiping her arm in a theatric fashion, "After you, Maya-san," she bowed slightly.

Once out of sight of the two unwanted invaders, Maya felt her heart lighten and giddiness overtake her. "That was a little odd, Shinji-kun. Ayanami seemed worried, something about my place not to her liking?" she asked out of cordiality. This was a night for them to get to know one another, but it seemed Rei was going to be part of Shinji's life. So if Maya wanted to pursue Shinji, she was willing to take Rei along for the ride as well. She'd get a significant other AND a daughter…starting of a family. DOWN GIRL! Stop putting the carriage before the horse, had to get to know if she WANTED to be with Shinji first.

Gingerly taking the bag out of Maya's hands, Shinji shuffled over towards the table of food stock. Nearly falling, well falling and catching herself, Shinji yelped and gripped the edge. "Lot to choose from, how about we have a little fun with it? I've been cooking a lot lately, helps to keep me from…from thinking about things," Shinji plucked a tomato out of a bag and cleaned off a blemish. A moment of uneasy silence passed as Shinji's face darkened with unspoken fears, but after a moment it was gone and replaced by that gentle smile, "Shall we?"

Linking arms with Shinji, she told herself it was to keep the woman from falling again, Maya felt her resolve bolstered. "Lead the way, Shinji-kun, let's have some fun," in the purest sense of the world she meant. Maybe later there could be more adult fun, but for today with their audience it would be best to keep it simple. After Shinji got to the counter, "I didn't know what type of food you like, so I got ingredients to make a lot of different dishes."

Over the next hour, Maya was swept up in a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm and drown her. She was perfectly darling and yet so different than the idealized version of the pilot she had in her mind. Shinji could be a bit funny when she finally relaxed, but from time to time she caught Shinji sneaking peeks at her. It didn't hurt that Maya had 'accidentally' opened her kimono a bit more. Frustrated when the vegetables stuck to the pan, signs of low self-esteem, countered with calm thinking when hot oil got on her skin and she was in pain. The time spent cooking went to fast, oh how the smells made Maya's mouth water and more than one question of 'what you making' came from the living room.

Setting the table, four plates around the numerous dishes, Maya was totally love struck. A hand trailed down Shinji's back, she assured her it was to steady the wobbling cook. "Supper is ready, come and have a seat, and I'll get us something to drink. Ayanami is juice fine for you?" Maya had planned for a juice and alcohol combo for the rest. The woman at the counter assured her that the higher the proof the more likely her date would be to enjoy the night. So…Maya went for 100 proof.

Sitting down, Shinji performed the 'mother' role very well by dishing out Rei a salad and a helping of the vegi option. "Hope you like what I made, and thanks for helping with some of the more strange questions I've asked," Shinji rubbed her nose. Asking about menstruation had been a hard topic for Shinji to bring up, followed by asking if women had 'color dreams that require cleanup'.

"Springtime Cherry Blossoms, I've been meaning to see that for ages," Ritsuko teased as she took the seat opposite Shinji. Leaning over the food, showing the newly made woman a glimpse down the uncanny valley, Ritsuko sniffed loud and obviously. Licking her lips suggestively, "Oh this looks good. You two went all out. Complements to the two of you."

Seeing the appalling and teasing attitude from her sempai, Maya set the woman's drink down with excessive force. "Well I rented it the other day and haven't had a chance myself to watch it. It got good reviews," Maya spent over two hours looking for the perfect date move, and Ritsuko just exposed it. Sitting across from Rei, Maya handed Shinji the glass she prepared for her. "It does have alcohol in it so drink lightly. Want you to know that you're with friends and we'll make sure you don't go overboard. Enjoy, Shinji-kun ," she held her glass out over the food for the others to join.

After the toast, the meal began in earnest. Rei assaulted her dish with reckless abandon, commenting to Shinji from time to time to not drink too much. Ritsuko and Maya complemented all around for the food cooking, Ritsuko more general while Maya focused on Shinji. And all the while the bottle of alcohol lowered and lowered. After the pieces of short cake Maya bought for dessert, thankfully she got a whole cake and not just two slices, had been eaten, Maya was red faced and it wasn't just due to emotion. Moving to the living room, Rei taking the chair while Shinji was the meat in the Maya/Ritsuko sandwich, Maya was listing from side to side.

Oh she felt good, wonderful food, a nice drink (it tasted so sweet she drank far more than expected) Maya leaned heavily against her quasi-date. "Ssho Shinji-kun, dish you have a good time?" Maya drew her legs up on the couch, the slip of the Kimono showing off some nice shaved legs. If Ritsuko could be so brazen, why couldn't she!? But Ritsuko didn't mean it, well Maya thought Ritsuko was just playing around with Shinji. Swallowing hard as a rebellion in her stomach hit her, she quenched it with another drink, "Iz good to relax a bit with f-friends. Sshould do it mo often."

"Maya-san, are-are you feeling alright, you're sounding a bit tired," Shinji actually put an arm around the woman to stabilize her. Her own face red with a mixture of the two glasses she drank and the embarrassing situation of having a drunken Maya pawing her. Hoping to change the topic she asked, "So we have tests tomorrow right, a full test and not just me? T-think Rei-san and I should be going home for bed.

Opting to blow groups minds, Rei leaned forward examining the group. "I thought you would be staying here with them. This is a second date from my research, and that denotes the necessity for some level of physical contact correct? Research states at least a 'double' should occur on a second date or the relationship might be having problems," Rei shuffled her legs about and bounced her hands anxiously. "I would not mind sleeping here for you to continue the courtship ritual," she sounded eager actually.

As Shinji gasped out spurting denials, Ritsuko went pale and drew her own legs up closer to Shinji, Maya just nodded. "What makes ya tink this is isa date Rei-chan," butter up the daughter to get points! Rei wasn't a bad kid, over the course of the night Maya felt herself liking the quite kid more. Her own teenage years had been spent in solitude and coyness, Rei just needed more friends and Maya wanted to help with that. Waving her glass over Shinji and Ritsuko, spilling all over the, "W-we're all friends here."

Counting on her fingers, Rei's eyes never left Shinji, "One the two of you are wearing upper class clothing. Dressing for attraction. Two an event planned to spur emotions and further solidify emotional states of the two, the movie Akagi-san and I watched prematurely. Three the two of you are showing states of arousal in her presence. But I question, would you still desire a relationship if Shinji returns to her male form?" Rei reached forward and plucked the half full glass form Shinji's hand, "You've had enough for your body mass."

"Of course I would! Shin-chan was cute as a boy, but I'm to old fer her like that. I know da new laws about lowering age rates…but…I'm old and he had you…and dat bitch Asuka to pick from…why…why would she think about me like that?" Maya all but crushed herself against Shinji. Sniffling softly, "But like this…" turning Shinji's face to see it clearly her eyes glazed over.

At this part of the night Maya had already blacked out, and would have to be informed later of what happened, but the mess on the couch the next morning was telling. Maya forcing a sudden kiss upon Shinji that lasted a good twenty seconds, then..well…she expunged the meal and alcohol all over Shinji, Ritsuko, and the couch. The evening ended after that.

X-X

The one thing about being the first person in the apartment to wake up Shinji liked most was she could have herself a nice little breakdown. Hopes that she'd acclimate herself to her new body and station in but only a few days still hadn't worked yet. Just waking up and seeing all her old clothing lined up next to her new, well Shinji had to sit for a few minutes to recollect herself. But since her life had been one long stream of Murphy's Law, she bounced back quickly.

Grabbing her clothing for the day, black skirt and teal top, Shinji took a quick bath. "Only fell once yesterday, maybe tomorrow I can shower," she hoped as she sank in. Feeling lighter in the water, Shinji did give the notion of swimming another pass. Parts of her, the parts Misato glared at, seemed to offer more buoyancy. Touching said parts was still a no-no, her brain wasn't quite ready for that. Rei had offered to teach her how things worked…but Shinji doubted Rei actually knew herself.

Making her way to the kitchen after very carefully putting her clothing on, Shinji took several actual steps rather than shuffling. Grabbing out all the ingredients, Shinji tried not to think how the underclothing felt, Ritsuko said silk was best but having them on now she had her doubts. As she started cooking, memories of the previous night kicked in, "Maya-san is a very odd drunk, but I'll trust Ritsuko-san about what she said." It made more sense that Maya got confused when drunk rather than meant what she said. The vomit had helped with Ritsuko's opinion. Sniffing herself, Shinji had phantom fears of stills stinking.

Stirring the pot, Shinji did her best not to look at her hands, they still looked alien to her. Turning the heat down low, she made her way to the table and a waiting glass of orange juice. "I am me, just not the me I remember," she muttered a few times. It would take time and eventually she'd get used to things. Sipping the tart juice, she didn't like the sweet style, Shinji pressed the glass to her head. It was time to put on the happy or neutral face, people would be waking soon and Shinji wasn't going to let them see things. Hearing doors open, "They've enough to worry about."

"Shin-chan please tell me you have my beer ready and you don't have a nude Maya in your bedroom," Misato grumbled as she lumbered into the kitchen. Her hair frazzled and spiking in odd directions, dark circles under the eyes, Misato was hunched over like the cavewomen of old. "You came back late little lady, and no phone calls. Starting to think you're cheating on me," she teased as she collapsed into her chair. The tank top she slept in was falling off her shoulders, her short shorts were riding high as she sat crossed leg on her chair, "letch."

Setting a Yebisu in Misato's reach, Shinji sat across from her with her best neutral face on. "Things went later than expected I think. Maya-san drank more than she's used to, according to Ritsuko-san," Shinji realized she misspoke as Misato's eyes went wider. So much for keeping secrets, she was never going to be a master spy. Checking the timer on the stove, five minutes left for breakfast, "Yeah Ritsuko-san was over before Rei and I showed up." Launching into a full detail of the evening, Shinji headed to finish breakfast after recalling Maya's projectile finish.

"Coffee, Shinji, and with lots of cream and sugar," Asuka mimicked Misato's entrance and assent to the throne. Unlike the major, Asuka wrapped herself in a heavy red robe as she gazed out with red rimmed eyes. Grabbing blindly for the offering Shinji gave to appease her, she chugged as Misato did and the two slammed their respective drinks down and cheered, "How was your date with Ibuki?"

Date!? No! Rei was mistaken about that, it wasn't a date at all! "I told Rei-san the same thing I'll tell you two. I did not go on a date with Maya-san or Ritsuko-san," darn it she said it again. This time it was Asuka's still stocked face that sent Shinji back to the stove. Fixing up plates, she masked her heavy breathing and panic, once she was under control again, "Not really a date with three people involved right? They're just helping me get acquainted with everything. Asuka you know how Misato's explanations can go."

Taking her time eating, Misato showed signs of returning to reality and sentience, "I only told you the details I thought you needed to know." Picking at her fish, discreetly giving some to Pen-Pen, she did her best to play innocent in everything.

Watching as Rei wordlessly walking into the room, picked up the waiting glass of juice and made a b-line straight to the bathroom, Asuka grumbled. "There goes all the hot water. When is she going to move back to her own place?" she asked everybody and anybody willing to listen. As she, in a ladylike and refined fashion, shoved food down her gob, "And I guess that does make sense. I mean those two know you were a perverted boy so they wouldn't…unless Misato?"

Letting the two argue amongst themselves over whether Maya and/or Ritsuko were lesbians, Shinji went to the dishes. Thankful that they were taking care of distracting themselves, Shinji just thought the two were being helpful to a pilot in need. No reason to suspect otherwise, Shinji heard enough drunken rambling from Misato to place Maya's kiss in that category. Hell Misato used to hug Shinji and had wandering hands in dangerous places when she was drunk before. Reminiscing about the times she dragged Misato to her room only to have something odd happen, well Shinji didn't hear them talking.

"SHINJI! LUNCH!" Asuka yelled while polishing off her coffee. Darting a finger under Misato's nose, "And the shower is mine. You can have the cold water this morning since you don't have to sit in orange goop for a few hours!"

Pointing to the fridge, "Made them last night, yours is the bigger one," Shinji was well versed in defusing Asuka at this point. Averting her eyes from the towel clad Ayanami, Shinji spun to prevent any temptation. "Yours is in there too Rei-san," she listened to Rei shuffling off. The more time she spent with Rei the more she understood how the girl's mind worked. Rei only spoke when necessary, but she was easy to read after a little study. As Rei was constantly at her side when the option allowed, Shinji had a glut of time to learn.

Hoping up on the counter, hands between her legs gripping the edge, Misato had her teasing grin on. "You've gotten good at dealing with her in such a short time. Not really thinking of her as your daughter are you," she waggled her legs a little and her smile raised as she caught Shinji stealing a peek.

"If you didn't know us…would you not think she was?" Shinji couldn't keep the somberness out of her voice. Darn it, she was doing so good at keeping things hidden. But it was staring her in the face, well not Misato's no-no zone…she tried not to look at that but it was a black hole for her gaze. Another good thing about being a woman, she didn't have to hide her pup-tent since she never got one. But the surge of fear and confusion stole any sense arousal, "If you looked at us without knowing us, wouldn't they think we were mother and daughter. I can't help but wonder…how?"

Legs slowly falling off from the counter, Misato toned down the tease dial a few notches. "Look Shin-chan, we'll find out what all this means in time. So don't worry about it," she offered a sincere smile before slinking off the counter and up to Shinji's side. "Never realized it, but you're a little taller than me now," she laughed and kissed Shinji's nose. "Still too easy to fluster, still the boy I know," she hugged her arm once before heading off to get her own clothing for the day.

Feeling the phantom touch of Misato's lips on her nose, Shinji blushed beautifully. Yup, still attracted to women and it showed no sign of going away. Last night had been hard, Maya and Ritsuko were very attractive and nice women. It wasn't as if Shinji hadn't thought about them, she had, but like all shy and self-esteem challenged teens had no reason to suspect model caliber geniuses would care. Making a quick meal for Misato while she waited for the others to get ready, Shinji felt her heart beating hard. Maybe in time it would go away, but Shinji did hope she never became a 'normal girl' as the idea of dating a man was horrifying.

After more of Asuka's huffing and demanding, the quartet of ladies capable of inducing nose hemorrhages in all ages of men took off to Nerv. Misato had asked if Shinji wanted to drive, but the lack of an actual license ended that, and increased all save Misato's blood pressure. Rei had to have her hands pried off the back of Shinji's seat to get her out of the car. Much to Shinji and Rei's pain Asuka had cheered and pleaded for more speed as they drove, Misato happily obliged.

Waiting for the quartet at the garage, Ritsuko stood complete with clipboard and lab coat. "You actually got in on time for a change. I was hoping to get some work done while waiting," she mocked the terminally late Katsuragi. Leaning back as a halfhearted backhand came her way, Ritsuko ducked behind Shinji. Saddling up close to the woman, dismissing Rei's questioning look, "Maya called in sick today. Guess her hangover is something legendary. You two go get suited up, I have a few things to tell Misato and Shinji about the tests."

"If it has to deal with Shinji, I believe I should be present for it," Rei stepped between Shinji and Ritsuko. Either a perverse impulse or a very calculated move, Rei groped Ritsuko's chest and gave it several squeezes. Nodding, "Good heft, no drooping, sensitivity?" Rei gave it a more sensual touch causing Ritsuko to yelp, "Third under Shinji and Misato's."

"STOP THAT YOU PERVERT!" Asuka yelled, took Rei's hand and drug the girl off. Her voice was going fainter the further they moved, but many onlookers and early commuters were looking at the triumvirate of Nerv goddesses, "You just don't grab a woman's chest! I don't care how odd you are, you need to know better!"

Wondering just how Rei got away with all the harassment, Shinji avoided looking at the accosted expression on Ritsuko's face. Apparently Ritsuko was very sensitive in that little section of her body, "A-Akagi-san, you had some information for us?" Something good Shinji prayed, as any more bad news would just make her want to craw inside herself and disappear. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ritsuko still covering her bust, "Sorry about Rei, I told you last night, she's taking this a little too seriously but won't listen. She's trying to get me a g-girlfriend."

"Girlfriend but you're a…oh yeah Ikari-kun," Makoto gasped as he approached the women. Now if anybody could appear more uncomfortable and nervous than Makoto at the moment a singularity would have occurred. Shoving out his hands laden with folders, "Y-you said to get these to you o-once the decompiler was d-done Akagi-san." With the bevy of adult glory before him, Makoto was putty and in over his head. Scratching his head after Ritsuko took the folders, "H-how are you doing with the changes I-Ikari-kun? Adult life treating you well?"

What was this guy's name again? He hadn't tried talking to her before the accident, but Shinji thought she recalled him a little. If memory served he was the guy always at Misato's beck and call, "Oh you're Misato-san's assistant right? I'm dealing with the changes, haven't really tried any 'adult life' things." When Misato and Ritsuko burst out laughing and Makoto paled, Shinji felt dread overtaking her. Weakly, "I said something bad, didn't I?"

Bashfully back stepping from the ladies, Makoto forced out a laugh, "Not really her assistant. I'm in charge of the automated defenses for the city. Though with the amount of Katsuragi-san's work I do I guess I could see your mistake." After a longing look at all three of them, Makoto rushed off back to tend to his shattered ego.

"And look at him go, I think you hurt his feelings with that one Shin-chan," Misato laughed as she got alongside Ritsuko. Taking a few pages after Ritsuko read them, she scrunched her face up in confusion. Slapping the paper hard, "What is this all about, this isn't any medical reports it looks like your printer exploded."

Stealing back the pages, Ritsuko sneered at the philistine simpleton. Handing the combined papers to Shinji, "Here is your mother's code Shinji-kun. Just in case you wanted to know what was providing for you in the future. And if you can't understand it I can help." Waving towards the hallway, Ritsuko started walking regardless if they followed. "As for your tests, you're healthy and have the internal workings of a fourteen year old, Shinji. Any issues you're having though? Headaches, stomach pains, cramps, psychic powers?" she asked nonplused.

Dismissing Misato's passing comment about 'third dates being time for women to give it up' Shinji flipped through the pages. It made no sense, not being versed in programming caused that, "I guess I should. It looks interesting actually." If her mother made it, Shinji wanted to learn it. A simple want to have something in common with the woman she hardly remembered, but it was something. The good news about her health was an added boon, "Thanks for the update Ritsuko-san, and no I haven't felt any of those. Should I?"

Gasping, Misato went wide eyed and turned to Ritsuko. Not being able to keep her voice down, "She's going to have a period at some point isn't she!?" At which point, Misato had to catch Shinji as the shock caused her legs to lock up and she pitched forward. Holding Shinji close, Misato chuckled, "Yeah that's the reaction I thought you'd have."

Life…hated her…and she hated life. But with the support she was getting, she could overcome it.

X-X

Sitting in his office, much smaller and cozier than Gendo's, Fuyutski had his feet up on his oaken desk. Classical music played on his small player while the rich scent of cinnamon filled the air with a hearty aroma. Yes, it had been some good days to be the sub-commander of Nerv lately. With Gendo off recovering from whatever mental snap that finding your wife's body occupied by your son's mind caused, Kozo took the reins. Not as ruthless as ye old bastard king, Kozo had very little problems. Well that was until Ritsuko's first few discoveries into the effects LCL had on the younger Ikari.

"Seele, well everybody but Kehl, are changing their tunes," Kozo reached into his desk and pulled out a small cigar. Biting off the head of the intoxicant, Kozo lit up and took a drag. The no smoking rule didn't apply to the commander or sub-commander, it was good to be the king. Picking up a few of the secret missives from neigh all members of Seele, he snorted. Tossing them back down, "They just want to live forever. Guess living as a human beats being forced evolved."

The money and power of Seele was being shifted. No longer did they seem to want to continue with the original plan merging Lilith and Adam after all the angels were defeated. They had Akagi's purported rejuvenation from LCL that Shinji was showing. An unknown effects of the Red Earth Ceremony compared to sinking into LCL for a while, Seele was banking on LCL. What did worry Kozo was, "But they want to talk to Shinji-kun. Don't know if I want them sinking their claws into her."

Letting out a few large clouds of lung scrubber, Kozo got out of his plush leather chair and picked up his putter. "Maybe I'll get more time for this later," he hefted his club appreciatively. He had always wanted to get into golf, but the whole saving the earth thing took priority. Dropping a ball onto his fake green, Kozo bit harder into his stogie, "Without the subterfuge this job is boring. Just hope those who want to talk to Shinji-kun are just interesting in the whole sex-change thing and not…"

Throwing the office doors open, a wide eyed and delirious looking Gendo Ikari flung himself into the room in a whirling dervish of energy. Bottle of bourbon in hand, glasses in his pocket, the red eyed man had an unhinged quality about him. "Sensei! I've got it! We kill the batman!" Gendo blurted out as he ran towards the putting man. Latching onto Kozo's arms, Gendo's mouth opened in a smile that would send shivers down nearly everybody, "Then we take the Delorean back to 1985 and set the timeline back as it should be!"

Oh god this again, drunk Gendo was borderline insane Gendo. Pushing the ranting maniac back, Kozo felt his nose hairs shrivel at the booze breath. Exasperated Kozo dropped his putter depressed, "Where have you been the last few days? A lot of things have been happening while you've been drinking and lord knows what else." Last time Kozo had a lot of work covering up for the 'commander's twin' who had a very messy and unsatisfactory night for the ladies in the red light.

Taking a swig from the bottle, Gendo's eyes maintained their glazed and manic look. "I've been seeing the sounds of music! Dancing with Yui's soul in my apartment, and then the damn spirit detectives came for her. Oh and I smoked a lot of grass," he coughed harshly. Shambling over to Kozo's desk, Gendo took it upon himself to take the older man's chair and fall heavily into it. Pulling a baggy of green pungent smelling herb from his inner pocket, Gendo set about making himself something to fit is oral fixation.

It had been ages since he had partaken in that particular substance, but Kozo wasn't feeling too relaxed anymore. Leave it to Gendo to ruin a great party, and it would only get worse when he heard of the change in plans. Now how would the crazy man react to this, "Well best to let you know, Gendo, but Seele is backing out of the scenario. They are wanting Lilith destroyed soon. They're taking Akagi's reports from the Third Child as a safer alternative." Watching intently, Kozo was eager to see how Gendo reacted. He was not disappointed.

First Gendo's head listed to the right, eyes open wide and jaw hanging slack. Next the man's shoulder jerked in a spasm, his dirty uniform flecked dust and grim off as it spiraled. Finally his hands slowly ascended to the sides of his head, grabbing at his ears and hair, and let out an ear splitting scream of pure madness. After nearly breaking his vocal cords, the man appeared to have sobered up a little, "They're abandoning the scenario? Years of effort, planning, and sacrifice ruined when the Third Child stole the body of my wife?"

Oh, this was rich, Kozo thought. Just wait until he dropped the bomb he gleamed from hacking into Akagi's computer. If Yui came back now, well back in a body suitable for it, Kozo might ask her for a date. "I wouldn't say Shinji-kun stole Yui's body. Either it was an accident or…" he reached into his pocket and pulled out Maya's converted missive. Not wanting this news to get out early, news of the Eva's having human souls could cause a lot of problems, Kozo 'accidentally' deleted Ritsuko's initial report and replaced it. Holding back his laughter, "You might want to read this. It came from Akagi's lab, but I removed all evidence of it."

Pulling out his glasses, Gendo put them on and fixed his disheveled gloves. Picking up the report, he read it, re-read it, and crumpled it up. "This isn't admissible in court! She is not technically alive at the moment so she cannot request this!" Gendo slammed his hand down. The bottle of liquid courage jostled and splashed about inside the bottle. "Get Akagi to shift from the Dummy Plug work and from issues with Ayanami to get the Third Child back into his old body! If they have to work fourteen hours a day, every day, until this is back to how it should be. And discredit whatever is making Seele weak," Gendo's body vibrated with anger and fear.

Slowly shaking his head, Kozo was nearly breaking at this point, his face nearly splitting into a giant grin. "Akagi posted her findings to an internet scientific blog to confirm her findings. We can't put that genie back in the bottle, and we've had several prominent scientists wanting to get samples of LCL to try and find a synthetic…they don't want Nerv to have a monopoly," Kozo was tempted to let those brave men and women see what produced the LCL.

Gendo stood up in a massive gesture, crumpled up the paper and tossed it Kozo. "That is…that's…continue anyway! We can't abandon her to being trapped in that beast! If I can't have what I want…Nobody can!" Gendo yelled grabbed his bottle and disappeared again.

Bending at the knees, Kozo reclaimed his dropped putter and groaned. "I'm too old for this. But he doesn't have many options left," Kozo popped his back. Gendo was crafty and determined, but with most of the backers he was bilking abandoning him, the man was desperate. Lining up his shot, Kozo shifted his balance, "But if I tell them to much to soon it might break them. Hope this doesn't get worse. I'm thinking I like being human more than I'd like his plan."

He hit the ball, it rolled straight, rounded the hole but spun out, "Damn. Hope that wasn't foreshadowing."

X-X

Authors notes

Well this chapter was a bit of an all over the place. Setting some ground works, adding some funny, and plot advancing. No the story won't be the slow forever, next chapter will be speeding things up considerably. Just getting my last bouts of summer/swimming in so…bear with the delays please?

Ja mata

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