A/N: Well I'm glad you people are sticking by me through thick and thin. It's Christmas and you still find time to review. That greatly warms my heart. What is to behold in this chapter. As I actually write this, I do not know. All I know is that I'll get from this side of the chapter to the next. So here I go!
WARNING: Fairly mature content near the end of the chapter. Discretion is advised.
It had been quite a night for everyone at the Katsuragi residence, as it turned out, Shinji and Asuka had no recollection of the time where they were fighting the EVA Series up until they were on the floor a day and a half later. Asuka had a fit that some other girl was wearing her clothes and sleeping in her room, but was happy that this "Ashika" was gone.
After the rather abrupt 'loss' of Ashika, the rest of the week had passed by fairly quickly for the crew. It was Friday night, and Zack was getting ready to settle in for the night as it was almost midnight, and he had been talking to Elly on the phone for the last hour. However his favourite show Jerry Springer was coming on soon and he didn't want to miss it.
"So you're definitely up for it tomorrow?" pausing as he waits for her response, "That's great! I'll swing by at about 12:00pm tomorrow then." Zack listens to Elly speak for a few more moments, "Well, good night my princess." He then hung up.
Pen-Pen then enters the room with a bag of Dillicious flavoured Doritos in one flipper, and one can of beer and a can of root beer in the other. He too was fired up about Jerry Springer. He jumps on the pullout couch, opened the bag of chips and prepared to watch what some TV critics claimed as the worst show on television.
"All right," said Zack as the show came on. "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"
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Ivana and Rei's room
Ivana frowned in disgust as she lay on her futon. Zack was watching that stupid show again. 'How could a sane person actually like that show?' she wonders to herself. To her, the Jerry Springer show was the worst thing possible on TV next to the adult movies. To make the time pass by, she thought back to when she was in Russia, fighting for her country as one of the few trained child soldiers against Chechnya terrorists. She remembered the thrill of the battle, the thought of facing your enemy head on in battle, knowing that to win, you didn't just need a gun or a few grenades, but good instincts, confidence, no fear of death, and best of all, to strike with surprise, and impose fear and intimidation into the heart of your enemy, to break them before you engaged them. Actually, the resistance was finally crushed about two months before 3rd Impact and her transfer to Japan's NERV HQ.
The day had gone as planned for Rei. To go to school, and receive the day's education that it had to offer, however, there were a few minor obstacles. The first was how to apply Ashika's advice, and make herself appealing. Rei did understand what the formerly merged incarnation of Shinji and Asuka were saying, but was just unsure of how to apply what was needed. The second problem was the three jabs of pain she had felt throughout the school day. The first was felt during breakfast that morning, the second time was in math class, and the pain dissipated much like its appearance. The third time was during gym class. Coach Thunder had a fit at her, thinking she was looking for an excuse to slack off. Rei wondered for a moment if it was growing pains, as she learned that it was not uncommon for one to get such pains in parts of their bodies as they grow up. However, whenever she was experiencing this pain, it coursed completely through her. She closed her eyes as she tried to get some sleep, despite Zack and whatever show he was watching.
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Misato's Room
Misato was passed out and lying face down on her pillow after another binge of beer.
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Shinji and Asuka's Room
Shinji was also pondering the events of that day while lying on his futon. It was another day as usual, but this day went by with slightly unique twists. One was whatever had happened to Rei during the morning before she left for school. What could cause her such pain? It seemed to be a mystery, and it looked like he was the only one who noticed, because no one said anything about it. Cooking class was fun though, though Asuka seemed to be trying really hard to keep everyone else away. As bad as it seemed, she actually did some good without knowing it, as it gave him the space he needed to make the week's cooking project. The rest of the day went as planned; right down to Coach Thunder's constant bitching during gym class. However, he couldn't help but notice that Rei seemed to be in pain again.
Shinji then looked at the bundle that lay in his arms. Asuka, who despite whatever Zack was watching on TV, was out like a light and sleeping peacefully. Since they began sharing a bed, Asuka now seemed to use Shinji as her personal pillow. Not that Shinji minded at all. Not long after, sleep too claimed him.
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Morning
Shinji woke up to the smell of what he thought was bacon.
He moves to get up, however he remains pinned Asuka hadn't shifted her position since last night, "Asuka," he whispered, gently nudging her, "Time to wake up."
Asuka stirred a little bit, but didn't really wake up. Gently nudging her awake wasn't going anywhere; he opted to try to slowly move her off of him. This didn't work either, as once he started moving her; she tightened her grip on him.
"Shinji… a few more minutes please…" she mutter lazily muttered, as Shinji concluded that it would be a while before she's waking up.
Zack wanted to sleep in, as he was up late again watching his all time favourite show next to the Tonight Show, but the smell of bacon that was horribly cooked was keeping him from doing so. Deciding this was a battle he couldn't win; he slid off the couch and slipped on some clothes. Noticing that Misato was insulting all Canadians by badly cooking the bacon, he decided to split and grab some real food. Quickly scribbling a note onto a piece of paper, he left it on his pullout couch, and sneaked out the door.
"Okay, time to head off to NERV!"
Misato was pretty sure she was cooking this bacon right. She remembered how Zack was talking about how good bacon could be if it was cooked the right way. So of course, she decided to try and surprise everybody. So the only thing left to do was wake the others up. She went to Ivana and Rei's room, and knocked on the door. "Girls, wake up!" she called into the room. "Breakfast is almost ready!"
After that, she proceeded to Shinji and Asuka's room and knocked on their door. "Okay lovebirds, time to wake up and smell the bacon!" Next was to go and wake up Casanova. But instead, she saw a note where the so-called ladies man should have been sleeping.
To Whom It May Concern:
I noticed you were trying to make bacon; I'll give you a warning. Before you end up poisoning the other residents, as much as one of them should get sick, I would ill advise serving that mess in the frying pan.
Zack
Misato wasn't fazed by Zack's note. "He wouldn't know good cooking at all. He doesn't know what he's missing. I guess I'll have his share then."
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Tokyo-3
It was a wonderful October day in Zack's point of view. The sun was out, the wind wasn't blowing, and he had escaped Misato's death meal, and was off to meet Elly. 'How could things get any better?' he thought to himself. His answer was found out when he went to the bank. His latest transfer of money from his father in Canada had come in. This day would be excellent indeed. As he arrived at NERV HQ, staff members passing by as they enter notices a spring in his step as he happily hums Kryptonite.
Elly could be outside at the entrance waiting for him, wearing a pair of pink jeans and a pink sweater, "Hey!" she calls out running up to meet her date.
They quickly embraced and kissed, "Hey I thought you weren't allowed outside of NERV," said Zack.
"I'm not mate," replied Elly. "But Commander Ikari let me out for the day. Said my good cooking and behaviour was rewarding enough to do so. I knew those blokes loved my cooking."
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's have a blast today!" Zack suggests, with a big grin on his face.
"YEAH!" Elly shouts out in joy, jumping up as she does, "There's this awesome movie I wanna see."
"And what would that be?" Zack inquires, as he wraps and arm around Elly's waist as they leave.
"Could we go to see that new war movie, Hell in Hiroshima? It's supposed to be a kick ass movie!"
"Anything for my princess," said Zack acting like a medieval knight; he scopes up Elly in his arms, as he bridal carries her towards the movie theater.
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Misato's Apartment
After breakfast, which DID taste horrible, the occupants of the apartment minus Zack were planning what they wanted to do for the day.
"So what should we do today?" asked Misato, "How about a movie anyone?"
"How about Hell in Hiroshima?" Ivana suggests, as she gingerly rubs her stomach, "That is expected to be a fantastic movie."
"That sounds like an excellent idea," Misato replied, then turning her attention towards Shinji, Asuka and Rei, "Any objections from you three?"
"Sure. Better than some soppy romance movie," Asuka replies.
Misato looked at Shinji and notices he was lost in thought, "What's wrong Shinji?"
"Oh nothing really," he answered.
Misato growls as she was not in the mood for being shut out, "Shinji. Remember what I said about evasive action? Just say what's on your mind and I promise I won't get mad at you."
Shinji lets out a sigh as reluctantly speaks his mind, "It's kind of strange. We're watching a movie about one of the darkest moments in our country's history. Wouldn't that be something we should leave behind?"
"That's what was on your mind?" Asuka asks as she raises her eyebrows, completely surprised at her boyfriend's attitude, "Haven't you ever learned that you should learn from your past so you don't make the same mistakes in the future?"
"I guess so," the Third Child quietly replied.
Asuka decided to answer for him, "Then it's decided. Shinji is in. Even if he can't answer for himself."
So now it was down to Rei, "So you in as well Rei?" asked Misato.
"Yes," was the final answer they needed.
"Great. A unanimous decision," said Misato.
She looked at Rei again and frowned, "Are you okay Rei? You look pale. And I mean paler than usual."
"I am… fine," Rei firmly replies.
"Okay, if you say so. Let's go!"
Less than ten minutes later, the crew had arrived at the Cineplex Odeon Theater thanks to their guardian's maniacal driving, "Okay, we're here," Misato cries out to her exasperated passengers as they breath for dear life, "Here's the plan. Shinji!"
"Yes ma'am?" he quickly replies.
"Your job is to buy all the food for everyone," commanded Misato. "Large popcorn all around, and you know everyone's tastes in popcorn. Asuka!"
"What do you need me for?" the redhead asked with a touch of disinterest in her voice.
"Your job is to get everyone's drinks. And you know what we all like."
"Fine."
Misato then spoke again, this time to Rei. "Rei, your task will be to buy the movie tickets. One adult ticket and four student tickets."
"Understood," replied Rei, despite the fact she stilled looked very pale, much like a ghost. But she knew what she had to do.
Misato's final order was for Ivana. "And Ivana, you have the most important job. Secure the best seats for us by any means necessary."
"Yes ma'am," Ivana replies with a wide smirk on her face.
With that, the four children set off to do their assigned tasks, while Misato went to the arcade to sharpen her shooting skills.
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"Okay! We're here!" Zack states excitedly, "You can get down now!"
Zack finally lets her down, after the long walk to the Cineplex, "Yay!" she cries out as she stretches her arms and legs, "We're here! Let's get in quickly so we can get the best seats!"
Zack paid for the tickets, and gave Elly money to buy the necessary snacks for the show. Once that was done, they went into Cinema 9 through the left doors.
"Let's get the back row," said Elly. "You don't have to look up when you sit back there."
"Sure thing," replied Zack. As they went towards the back row, someone stood in their way, "What are you doing here?"
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"Is everything ready?" Misato asks excitedly. Shinji had five bags of popcorn stacked in his hands. Asuka was doing a balancing act with five large drinks. Rei had all their tickets, but Ivana wasn't back yet.
"Yeah," answered Shinji. "Can everyone grab their popcorn please?"
"I second that with the drinks," said Asuka.
"Tickets are ready to be presented," reported Rei. "But Ivana has not returned yet."
"Don't worry about Ivana," said Misato. "Maybe she actually had to clear a way for us."
After sorting out the items, they began their course towards Cinema 9. Upon entering, they noticed that everyone else was backed against the far wall. Misato opens her mouth to ask what was happening when a person whizzes past her fact and fell and slammed into the wall. The gang turned their heads to see Ivana. Seeing that someone had knocked her down the stairs, they looked up to see who it was, and to their surprise, it was Zack, and he was blocking the way to the back row.
"Had enough? You want more?" he called out to the Russian.
Ivana kick jumped back to her feet, and smiled. "If that is all you have, then this won't take long at all."
"I agree," replied Zack who mirrored her smile. "This won't take long at all."
Right as the two were about to clash again, a gunshot went off. Both combatants looked at where the shot went off, to see it was Misato who fired her gun into the air.
"Okay you two, that's enough!" She was furious. She just wanted a day where she could spend some quality time with her family, instead of playing referee, AGAIN!
"She tried to steal our seats!" Elly yells from the top of the stairs, "And we weren't about to let her walk all over us!"
"I was following orders, and this imbecile decided to get in my way," Ivana retorted.
"You threatened me!" Zack yelled out, pointing directly at her, "And I don't deal kindly to threats, especially from you!"
"Enough!" interjected Misato. "We'll all share the row then."
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2 and a half hours later
"Was that an atomic bomb, or was that an atomic bomb!" said Zack as they walked out of the theater.
"I couldn't hear anything over you and Elly making out," Asuka rudely replied, "You two ruined the whole movie."
"And you and Shinji were no different," Rei suddenly states in calm voice "You two were kissing for the majority of the movie."
"Hey!" yells a scandalized Asuka, "You were watching?"
"It was very… urgh!" suddenly dropping to her knees from some unknown force.
"Hey Rei, are you okay?" Misato asks worriedly as she lowers herself to Rei's level, "You still look really pale!"
Rei quickly gets back on her feet, "The pain has subsided. I am fine."
"I trust you Rei," Misato replies as she gets up, "Let's go guys." Everyone nods as they follow their guardian while Zack escorted Elly back to NERV.
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Home
"Have some orange juice Rei," Shinji suggests as he pours her a glass, "That will bring some colour back to your face."
"Thank you, Shinji-kun" Rei replies as she takes the glass.
"So what's on the agenda for nightfall?" Misato asks.
"Dinner, cooked by Shinji obviously," replied Asuka, "Then we do whatever we want for the evening."
"Works for me," interjected Zack who just came in. "What's cookin?"
"Whatever Shinji decides to make," said Misato.
"Sounds good. I'm off to watch some football." And with that he went off to the TV room.
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Later that night
Zack decided not to watch Jerry Springer that night. It had a long day, and between carrying Elly, fighting Ivana in the movie theater, and holding his breath for a long time during kisses, a guy could only handle so much before just dropping.
Pen-Pen came to the pullout couch, ready to watch the show, but Zack said otherwise, "Sorry buddy. Not tonight. Just too damn tired. Had a long day, and I got a feeling there'll be some bruises tomorrow. I may have had the upper hand today, but victory doesn't always come without its costs. She's gonna want to pound me tomorrow."
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Shinji and Asuka were still wide awake. They were just lying beside each other, looking each other in the eye.
"So Shinji, how much of the movie did you miss?" Asuka asks, still feeling very playful.
"I think I should have missed more," he replied tiredly.
"Really? If that's the case, would you like to make up for that lost time right now?"
Before Shinji can even muster an answer, Asuka quickly rolled on top of him and began to kiss him. This carried on for a couple of minutes before even Asuka had to catch her breath.
Asuka rolled off Shinji and began to pant heavily. "Wow. You're almost as good as me."
"Hey. I'm better than that," Shinji playfully retorts as he embraces her in a hug, "Wow, you're warm."
"Of course I am. I bet you enjoy holding me like this." They remain silent for a minute or two. It's still obvious that they are wide awake. Asuka got bored of lying like that. And when she got bored, there was the chance she may do something unorthodox.
"Hey Shinji, I'm bored."
"What do you want to do then?" he asked slowly becoming sleepy.
"I have a one-time offer your perverted mind won't be able to turn down. Do you want a feel?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" inquired Shinji not totally understanding the question on account of either drowsiness or plain ignorance.
"You don't know what a feel is?" Asuka asks, raising an eyebrow, "I guess for you guys actions speak louder than words." She began to undo the top few buttons of her pajama shirt, exposing her firm breasts underneath.
"Come on, I know you want to." She then positions herself overtop of him using her arms to keep herself off him so her chest was within easy reach.
Shinji literally freezes at Asuka's latest action. He had even stopped breathing. But he quickly regained his composure, and reached out with both hands toward his target. It felt like forever, but his hands eventually hit something soft: Asuka's breasts. Once there, he slowly began to massage her breasts, getting a positive reaction from Asuka. Once he knew she wanted more, he kept moving his hands all over her breasts.
"Ahh, that feels good. Don't stop…"
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Even later that night. (Give or take, let's say 1:45am)
As Ivana tries to sleep, she gets up to a strange ruffling noise. Looking around, she quickly realizes that it was coming from Rei.
"Rei?" she calls out worriedly. No response from Rei except for the stirring sound she was making. Ivana turns on the light on to see what was wrong with Rei, horrified at the sight she saw.
Rei was still very pale, and was tossing and turning, as if she was in a large amount of pain. She was also soaking wet. Ivana's first thought was that Zack did something he shouldn't have, however she then knew she would have noticed if that philanderer had dared march in uninvited. She walks over to Rei and feels her forehead, gasping as she pulls her hand back. She was burning up. She also felt a strange substance on her forehead, as it was all over her body as well. Realizing that the substance wasn't sweat, Ivana began to panic. Rei was REALLY sick.
Ivana quickly rushes to Misato's room, yelling out "Misato! Wake up!" It was just her luck, as she was drunk and had passed out.
"Wake up damn it!" this time shaking her roughly. Still failing to respond, she pulls out her gun, from underneath her nightgown and points it at the roof, and fires.
Misato slowly reacts to the gunshot. "What the hell is going on Ivana? Why the hell are you shooting a hole in my roof?" she asked groggily, as the hangover starts to work its magic.
Zack then came in, gun also drawn, "What the hell is going on?"
"It's Rei you fool! She's got some weird substance all over her body! And she's burning up!"
Despite her hangover, Misato forced herself to snap to attention and bolted into Rei's and Ivana's room. After taking a quick look at Rei, and taking her temperature, which read 105 degrees Fahrenheit, she quickly calls up Ritsuko.
"Misato… why are you calling this late at night?" was the dead tired response from Ritsuko on the other line.
"WAKE UP! WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY OVER HERE! SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH REI!"
A/N: And there you have it. It was tough, and there were a lot of obstacles to overcome (four of them actually) in this chapter's production. But in the end, the winner is… ME! This is symbolized by this chapter's completion. Oh yeah, and this was pre-read by Marine Brother Shran.
A/O/N: Shinji and Asuka did NOT do it in this chapter behind the scenes!
A/O/O/N: Happy New Year everyone! Be cool!
