Synchronization

Part two: Crossing Boundaries

"Okay, you two. Start now." Misato said. The two pilots complied and began the drill for the hundredth time. Shinji and Rei moved in perfect coordination, and as the music ended Shinji once again found himself wondering what he was doing living with a beautiful girl and not doing anything about it.

"Good job Ayanami." He said and smiled.

Rei looked at him. She had received encouragement before, but Shinji's sincerity was different. "You did well too, Ikari." She said. She only hoped it sounded as meaningful as she'd meant it.

"Thanks." he turned and walked to his room happy that Rei was becoming more open.

Misato put her hand on Rei's shoulder. "You ready for the battle tomorrow?"

Rei's face changed subtly, just enough for Misato to catch. Her eyes returned to the normal blandness that was usually found there.

"Yes."

This didn't faze Misato a bit. "You know....he's available." She said slyly. Rei turned toward her.

"I do not understand." She prayed Misato would back off, it would be embarrassing, to say the least, if she was exposed now.

"Aww, come on. You're no fun." And with that Misato retired to the kitchen for a tall can of something alcoholic.

"Ikari." Gendo said into the phone.

Rei paused, she didn't know if the Commander would like being interrupted from whatever he was doing. "Commander?"

"Rei? Is something wrong? Did anything happen with you at your new apartment?"

Rei thought a bit. It was true something did happen, but it wasn't wrong. She didn't think so, but that's why she called the Commander. "No, may I ask a question?"

"Of course." Gendo sat back, relieved. He couldn't afford to have anything happen to Rei.

Rei took a while to ask. She wanted the words to sound casual. "If you enjoy someone's company, and wish to see them more, does that constitute a relationship?"

Gendo was speechless. He knew less about relationships than, probably, his own son-// That's what this is about. She's becoming too close to Shinji.// Gendo had to think quick.

"That is not all a relationship is made of. You must know the person for a long time and you must act as one before the person is ready to commit. But, Rei....at your age, you should focus on piloting Eva and not on social matters."

Rei considered this. "I understand."

"If anything happens that you feel is worth contacting me, do so."

Rei nodded slightly. "Yes, sir."

"Goodbye, I lo-" He hung up the phone. Why had he almost said 'I love you' to Rei? //I must miss Yui more than ever// He thought sadly. Gendo looked around. Fuyustki wasn't around and that blasted Kaji was probably off at the NERV cafeteria. He quickly slipped open his desk drawer and pulled out a lone photo. //Yui.....why did you leave me?//

Shinji awoke to the sun in his eyes. He looked at his clock.

"Eight already?! Dammit! The mission is an hour!" Shinji hurried around his room, gathering his clothes. "I'll have to take a shower when I get to headquarters.....where's Ayanami?"

Rei pulled a towel over herself and stepped out of the bath. She'd woken up at six and spend the good part of two hours sitting and thinking of what Commander Ikari had said. Rei wasn't sure the Commander was being completely honest with her.

"I should focus on piloting Eva. Socializing is not a priority." She slid open the door to the bath and stepped out.

Shinji had pulled on his pants and was sprinting down the hall when a towel clad figure walked right into his way. The two collided, sending Shinji on top of Rei. Shinji was so busy apologizing to Rei that he missed the slight, almost non-existent smile that formed on her face. //Or is it?// She wondered.

"I'm sorry...really. Let me help you up-" Another thing Shinji had missed was Rei's clothing. Or lack of. "Ack!" He choked. A blush spread over his face and he tried to look away, he really did. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Rei actually found most of this amusing. "Ikari, we must hurry if we are to be on time for the mission." She added a bit of humor to her voice in hopes of lighting Shinji's mood.

"Where are they?!" Misato yelled, frustrated, at Maya. The younger woman shrugged and continued tracking the approaching Angel.

"Heh, I bet they're late because they're getting it on." Asuka said and confidently walked around the Eva cages. Maya stared incredulously at the young pilot.

"Asuka.....if they don't show up....do you think you could attack it alone?" Misato asked.

Asuka smiled. "Of course. I coulda done it the first time if that idiot hadn't screwed it up."

"Well, if it comes down to that then you're on your own."

Ritsuko stood up from her computer terminal. "It may not work. The attack plan that you used could be the only way to stop it."

"Wait! The First and Third Children are entering NERV main gates." Aoba shouted.

Mokota stared at his screen. "The Angel is advancing! It's past the number three defense line!"

"We're here!" Shinji panted as he ran into the Eva cage, plugsuit half on. A few seconds later Rei walked in behind him.

"I am ready also." She said. She climbed into Unit-00 while Shinji sat down in 01's entry plug.

Misato grabbed a communications radio. "Disengage external power!"

"Launching Evas!" Ritsuko said.

The two behemoth mechs catapulted through the shaft and out into the air. Shinji heard the music start and did a flip, along side Rei. They both simultaneously launched their sonic glaives at the Angel. It split into the two halves, just as predicted. Rei grabbed a beam cannon and barrage the Angels while Shinji strafed them with the rifle.

The Angels went on the offensive and shot linked blats of energy at the retreating Evas. Shinji and Rei back flipped until the stepped on the panel that activated a large metal shield. A blast hit the shield, making a good sized dent in it. Shinji and Rei saw their opportunity and opened fire with the rifles. The two parts both ascended into the air and sliced through the shields. Rei and Shinji ducked out of the way just in time.

"Fire all missiles! All units barrage!" Misato shouted. From all around the Angel missile launchers and rockets flew into the air to explode against it.

Shinji and Rei both gave the Angels an uppercut, and then kicked them. The Angels hit, and combined into one, the two cores aligning.

In one final move Rei and Shinji leapt into the air and delivered a bone crunching kick that detonated the Angels core.

After the explosion died down the screen on the bridge showed unit one on top of unit zero, their arms entangled.

"Both Evas are okay." Maya confirmed.

Misato slapped her hand against her head. "Oh, geeze!"

"Pathetic......" Ritsuko said.

Shinji crawled from the entry plug of 01. He picked up the phone that popped out of at tiny hatch.

"Hello?"

"Good job, Ikari." Rei said. Although he couldn't see from that distance, Rei was smiling. Some might call it beaming.

"T-thanks, Rei." Shinji waved over to his fellow pilot. Rei gave a small wave back.

Asuka was going to be sick. "I don't believe it! WonderGirl and the village idiot out performed me again!"

She stormed off into the depths of Dogma. Misato thought about going after her, but in her current pissed off mood, there was no reasoning.

"Shinji, you and Rei okay?" //Hey, that rhymed.....// "The recovery teams should be there in a moment."

"Commander Ikari was wrong.....socializing is a priority. Shinji.....will you teach me?" Rei said quietly.

Continued...........

*Authors note. I tried to stay true to the actual episode as I could. Sorry if the battle sequence was boring. Not much talking actually happened. So how'd I do for the second part? What will Shinji teach Rei? What indeed.......*Locks himself in a dark room with a computer* Heh, heh.....And thanks to Author X for pre-reading this. Your help is much appreciated.