3 years later

"Baka!"

Shinji stopped at the familiar yell. He had just turned around when he was enveloped in a hug by Asuka.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back in Japan? Let me look at you!" Asuka took a step back, holding Shinji at arms length. Shinji looked pretty much the way he always had, just a little taller, and a little more self confident. The High school uniform had been replaced by 'work casual' cants and a button down shirt. Asuka had trimmed her hair into a short, no nonsense look, but otherwise still was a very attractive woman.

"I'm here for the for the wedding." Shinji smiled in bemusement at the former pilot's antics. The two were standing in the shopping district of academy city, and the other pedestrians had to make their way around the impromptu reunion

"You mean the slacker and the maid? You mean that's this week?" Asuka looked befuddled momentarily, then her eyes got big "I have nothing to wear!"

She grabbed Shinji and pulled him down the street "I completely lost track of time – I've been working in the lab crazy hours – I am defending my PhD Thesis next month. Come on, you can help me shop while we talk."

"Uhm, Asuka.." Shinji began hesitantly.

"We can find you a suit too, while we are at it. That is why you were in the shopping district, right?"

"Um, actually, I have a suit, I do need to get a present, though"

"Hah!" Asuka smirked, "Leaving things for the last minute like always!"

"I don't.." Shinji began

"So what are you doing with yourself nowadays?" Asuka interrupted as she power walked into a department store.

"I, ah, have a small practice in Osaka" Shinji replied.

Asuka paused "Practice? You? A lawyer?"

"No," laughed Shinji, "I am a psychiatrist. It well, it comes really naturally to me. I have always been good at listening, and since, um, you know, I have had a really deep understanding of people" 'especially with my voices providing added perspective'

"Hah! I never saw that coming" snorted Asuka. "Come on, I'll help you pick a present, before I make you carry all my stuff."

"Uhm, as to that.." Shinji replied, scratching the back of his head.

"What you think you can find a present on your own? You may not be a manly man, but you still suck at shopping." Asuka was just turning to scan the aisles for cookware 'that's always a good wedding present' when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.

She had had just turned around to look at Shinji again when she saw Misaka wrap her arms around Asuka's intended shopping mule and plant a rather intense kiss on his lips.

"Ok. I never saw that coming either."

Asuka waited for the two to come up for air.

Pause

"Uhm, guys, you're drawing attention."

Pause

"Shinji? You're embarrassing me."

Pause

"Uh, so, um, how long have you been together again?

Misaka 10031 turned to face Asuka, slipping a possessive arm around Shinji's waist. "Hi, Asuka. You here for the wedding?"

"No, I live here." Scowled the red head, her annoyance at being ignored building up.

Shinji smiled happily at her, "we got back together a couple of months ago." He turned to look at his girlfriend, who gave him a little nod, "We were going to wait until the wedding reception, but we might as well start now, since we have you here – will you do us the honor of being Misaka's maid of Honor?

Asuka's scream was hear halfway across Tokyo.

END

While this is not the end of Shinji and Misaka's adventures, it is the end of my story.

Hello guys, if you liked this story, you can read more: I am going to try my hand at original writing,

You can see my efforts here:

bonanza booths/Writeshop/

a selection will also be uploaded to my Fictionpress account

(link is my author page)