I do not own own any part of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Hope everyone is staying safe during this crazy time.

As always, love and respect to keamoose for kicking my butt and proofreading my work. Very special thanks to Silvermoonlight GJ and jcmoorehead for their feedback and friendship.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

As always, constructive critiques, reviews and feedback are appreciated.

"Phew… it feels good to get outta this sweaty thing." Shinji shrugged the horse suit off his shoulders. Kneeling in the back of the van, his panic of two minutes ago was replaced with a mix of relief and excitement. "I totally freaked out back there before I realized it was you," he called out to Rei.

"Uh huh," she answered, watching him in the rearview mirror.

"You really saved my butt." He fumbled with the zipper as his temperature rose. The sweat was stinging his eyes as he worked to free himself. "I hadn't figured out where to go when I got off the train. I just started walking.

"You're welcome." She smiled, still snatching looks at him from the driver's seat. "God, that cowboy getup is even worse in person."

"Whadda you mean?" he asked, standing up, peeling the rest of the horse costume down and kicking it off.

"I mean, it looked bad the first time I saw it but..." She shook her head. "Gendo must really hate you or something.

Climbing into the passenger's seat, Shinji looked over. "I wasn't exactly thrilled with this ya know and what do you mean the first time you saw it?"

"Don't worry about that now," she urged. "Annnnnnnd you might wanna put the horse head back on until we get outta the city."

Shinji watched the turnoff for his apartment come up and disappear as the van sped by. "We're headed to your place?"

"Can't take a chance on that either. I've got a better idea, so hold on. And put on your head, OK!?" she called out over the revving engine.

Shinji reached back and fumbled for the mask. Slipping it on, he sat back and closed his eyes. Feeling the speed of the van push him back in his seat, Shinji started to drift off.

Rei popped a CD in and gripped the steering wheel tightly. Shinji was with her now and everything was going to be alright. Her heart was racing as she put her foot down. The music was hard, dark and fast, fueling her need to speed on. The noisy engine drove them away from everyone else and rushed them closer together. Everything else disappeared as Rei settled into the zone, eyes focused on the road, music flowing through her. Taking a chance, she moved one hand and rested it gently on Shinji's shoulder. Now they were connected.

"Snnaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggghhhhh!"

His loud snore made Rei jump. Her hand shot back to the steering wheel. "Fuck!"

Shinji's eyes snapped open and he sat up with a start. "I'm blind!" was his immediate thought. He breathed in quickly and suddenly felt dizzy. "What the hell?" he panicked.

All Rei heard was "Whaaahh wah waaah" coming from beside her. She turned to see the horse head staring back. She couldn't help but start laughing as she turned back and guided the van to a stop. "You…. pffffft… scared…. hahahahaha!" She collapsed onto his chest. "I can't believe you left the horse head…. hahahahaha!" She pushed back then carefully lifted the head off, revealing a stunned and sweaty Shinji gasping for breath.

"You… said… to… keep… it… on," he wheezed.

"OK, OK. I'm sorry. Are you alright? You scared the shit outta me when you snored so loud," she smiled.

"Rei? What's going on? Where are we going?"

"Actually…. we're here. So…." Rei responded.

Shinji looked around and saw the van's headlights shining out over a small grassy clearing. "How long was I asleep?"

"About twenty minutes. C'mon, I need your help." Rei opened her door and headed to the back of the van.

Shinji joined her, feeling a slight breeze against his face. "We're camping?"

"Let's call it a picnic." She flung open the back and flipped over a tarp covering a small cooler and basket. "I mean, it's," she checked her phone, "still your birthday. So I thought we could have this. No big presents but…"

She grabbed the blanket and picnic basket and turned, walking into the clearing. "Bring the cooler."

They found a spot and laid out the blanket. The moon was almost full and lit up the entire area. Shinji dropped down and let everything sink in. Everything before Rei's arrival seemed like a bad dream. He lay back, giggling quietly.

"What's up with you?"

"I dunno. It's just, everything is different." He grinned.

"Oh?" She grinned back.

"It's like I was never at that stupid party tonight. I don't know, it's like now is all that matters. Everything else is gone and there's nothing else but this place right here, right now. Sounds stupid but…" Shinji trailed off. His mouth scrunched up as he searched for the right words. He let out a sigh and smiled softly at Rei. "Thank you for this. It's perfect."

"You're very welcome. Not bad considering I basically just kidnapped you on your birthday," she joked. "Now, do you want your present?"

"Really? I mean, yes please!" His face lit up.

Rei reached into the basket and pulled out a small plain box, tied with a simple blue ribbon.

"Happy birthday. I hope you like it." She handed it over.

He was surprised how light it felt. He looked at Rei, who was staring intently at the present, then back at him. Carefully, he pulled at the ribbon, then slowly lifted the flaps. The inside was filled with coloured tissue paper so he made sure to be careful. As he pulled back the paper, he finally saw three pale objects that filled the bottom of the box. When he noticed the familiar, sweet smell, he pulled one out and held it up.

"Daifuku mochi?! That's so awesome. Thank you!" he said, beaming.

Rei breathed out and smiled back. "Happy birthday. I thought about making you a picnic meal, but then I realized you'd probably be stuffed from the fancy dinner so I made these instead. I hope it's OK there's only three."

"You made these? That's incredible!" He felt a huge blush coming on. "Thank you so much." He smiled.

Now it was Rei's turn to blush and smile. She was glad it was dark.

Shinji put the box down, reached in and gave Rei one of the strawberries. He took a bite of his and closed his eyes. The mochi was soft and sweet and the strawberry was a perfect mix of tart and juicy. His mouth watered with each small bite and he made unconscious yummy sounds as he finished his treat. He opened his eyes and saw Rei, still holding hers.

"It tasted so good. You haven't eaten yours yet?" he wondered.

"I was enjoying watching you eat yours," she replied quietly. "I'm glad you like them. Maybe you should keep them for yourself."

"I really want you to have one," he answered back.

She took a bite and smiled, knowing all her effort had turned out just right.

"Rei?"

"Mmm hmm." She was still enjoying the strawberry.

"You said something about seeing my outfit in person earlier. What did you mean? And come to think of it, how did you know to be waiting for me at the station?"

"Mmm… well, the party wasn't exactly a big secret. I mean, c'mon. All I had to do was check the NERV website. Gendo's gone a bit nuts with the promotions and products. I knew he couldn't pass up an opportunity like your birthday to promote himself. Hell, even I couldn't pass up watching the live stream," she said, grinning.

"Fuuuuuuck," Shinji muttered under his breath. His head sunk to his chest.

She gave him a quick squeeze. "Awwwwww… Wanna have a look?" She started to laugh.

"Really?" He gave her a sideways look.

"The part," she caught her breath, "when security took that pony into custody, that killed me." Her face broke and she doubled over laughing hysterically.

Shinji's eyes got wide and his face dropped as he watched Rei convulsing next to him. "What?"

"I mean…" she kept laughing, "who's that dumb? Whadda they got? Pony-sized cuffs? Excuse me madam, can you pick out the offending Equus Caballus from the line up?" She was almost in tears.

Shinji still looked confused so Rei pulled out her phone and brought up the replay video of the party. She shimmied over and they watched the highlights. For him it was almost an out-of-body experience watching himself going through the motions. They laughed at Kensuke booting Gendo in the butt and the pony being arrested. They watched Asuka ham it up for the camera and Mari take a turn on the mechanical bull.

"Looks like Mari and Asuka had a good time," Rei mentioned casually.

"Yeah, they're a lot of fun. I invited them to the Sumo matches Thursday to show them real Japanese wrestling. I can't wait to see their reaction! I know it won't be as flashy as the pro wrestling. Definitely no smashing chairs over people's heads or riding around in limos. That sure was a crazy night." He grinned and shook his head.

Rei listened quietly, feeling her stomach tighten.

"Yeah, we really…" He saw Rei's face and stopped. She was listening intently with an uncomfortable expression. He stopped and touched her hand. "I'm sorry, you did all this for me and here I am rambling on."

"It's not that," she started softly. "I was thinking about how you told me Asuka kissed you that time and…"

Shinji looked puzzled and leaned closer.

Rei leaned in quickly and kissed him without thinking. She immediately pulled back. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that, I just…" She was cut short as Shinji kissed her back. She closed her eyes as her mind raced. The kiss seemed to go on and on and she worried her heart might burst out of her chest. His lips were soft and his breathing was heavy and warm on her face. Everything was feeling hot and sticky, then just as suddenly it was over. Rei opened her eyes to see Shinji face to face, inches away, almost frozen in place.

"That was nice." She smiled quietly.

"Yeah it was." His eyes never left hers. "What were you saying before?"

"I don't remember." She stared back at him. After an awkward pause, Rei looked down, then back at him. "I... like you. Like, like like." Her ears felt hot as a lump formed in her throat. It was the worst, best feeling. "I like you and I like being with you and I hate when you're not around. I mean…" She was getting frustrated. "I don't just wanna be with you. I mean I do wanna…" She let out a frustrated sigh.

"I like you too." Shinji smiled calmly. "I feel the same way, but I didn't want to say anything cuz, you know, you're going through all your stuff."

She kissed him on the cheek. "I like you and it scares me because of everything else."

Shinji nodded thoughtfully.

"Shinji?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I… have a hug?" Rei asked.

Shinji reached out, wrapped his arms around Rei, and pulled her in. She was smaller than he realized, but she squeezed him tightly. All at once he noticed everything: the feel of her t-shirt, her smell, the curve of her back. It was perfect. For the first time, he relaxed and enjoyed holding her, gently rubbing her back. It didn't take long until their breathing synced up and Shinji felt like they were completely together.

"Mmmmmm," Rei reacted.

They stayed like this for a while, holding each other, enjoying the closeness, feeling truly happy for the first time.

Shinji finally moved his head back to look at Rei. When he saw her face and that beautiful smile, he gave her another soft kiss on the mouth. She kissed him right back, feeling her heart pounding again. Before she got too carried away though, Rei put her hand on Shinji's chest and broke the kiss.

"I need to say something." She touched his face. "You have no idea how much I want this…. and more." She smiled. "But I hope you understand, I need to go slow. I don't want to mess up this or my recovery so far." She wanted to make sure he wasn't confused.

Shinji hugged her again. "I understand. I just want you to be happy. Being with you is all I need." He was about to continue when his stomach growled.

Rei chuckled and looked at him. "So much for the big romantic moment huh?" She handed him the last mochi. "Here."

She watched him enjoying her present, then spoke up, "So, I guess I should tell you. I'll be back at uni on Monday."

Shinji almost choked. "Mwaaa?"

"I kinda… blackmailed Gendo into giving me my job back." She smiled nonchalantly.

Shinji was stunned.

"Relax, it's OK," she reassured him, and told him all the details. She finished by asking him not to say anything to the others until she could talk to them next week.

They spent the rest of the night cuddled together, laughing and kissing, until it was time to leave. Shinji was starting to drift off.

"C'mon you, It's time to go." Rei nudged Shinji.

"Rei?" Shinji said sleepily.

"Yes?" she answered sweetly.

"The pony ate my birthday cake."

She broke out laughing before she finally helped him to his feet.