Nergal Fan Fiction LLC
A division of Nergal Heavy Industries proudly presents:


The Best Laid Plans


Chapter Five "Switching Alliances"


by Ryoma




Disclaimer: Characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion have been used without permission. All characters contained in this work are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, AD Vision and Manga Entertainment.



"This is the best news I've heard since Lucas announced that Star Wars Episode Three was coming out next year," Kensuke said as he carefully typed an entry into his Palm to properly record the occasion. A slight breeze washed over the roof of the school as he placed his hand over the display to block the sunlight. Around him the sounds of the lunchtime crowd mixed with the day to day city life to create a steady, yet indistinguishable background noise. "I'm glad you came to your senses," he added while shutting off the device and putting it into his pocket. "What happened? Did the witch's enchantment wear off?"


"No," Shinji replied, "Asuka didn't have some magic spell on me."


"Did you stop taking drugs? Or perhaps did she stop GIVING you drugs?"


"No," the Third sighed.


"Were you having an out of body experience?" Kensuke pressed on, completely ignoring Shinji's head shaking rapidly back and forth in denial. "You know, those freaky one's where you're sitting in a folding chair on a dark theatre stage and you step back and analyze your life and stuff. I once had one of those...at the end everybody told me to 'Go to Hell'."


"No...No...NO!" the dark-haired boy protested, "it's nothing like that." As he took a deep breath and prepared to explain the situation, Shinji caught sight of the other Stooge as he gazed out over the schoolyard below. His silent reaction to the news was quite uncharacteristic. "Hello, Touji...are you in there?"


"Touji!" Kensuke shouted at the track-suited boy as he continued to ignore them. "Didn't you just hear what Shinji said?"


An uneasy silence followed as Shinji and Kensuke turned to look at one another, both shrugging their shoulders in bewilderment as Touji stood with his back to them, leaning out just a bit with his hands on the railing.


Kensuke prepared to ask the question again when Touji suddenly spun around, revealing a brilliant smile on his face. "Did I hear it? Did I hear it? Of course I heard it." He stepped forward between the two. "It's the single greatest thing these ears have ever heard!" Touji turned and faced the Third. "Could you..." he said as he put his arm on the pilot's shoulder, "please say it again...for me."


Shinji cocked his head a bit to the side in bewilderment as he observed a single tear of joy trickle down Touji's cheek. The elation was evident on the jock's face as he silently nodded in encouragement for his request. Shrugging his shoulders, the Third Child complied. "Hello...are you in there?"


"No!" Touji exclaimed, "not that one...the other one!"


"You mean 'Asuka and I aren't going out anymore, we broke up this morning,' that one?"


"Yes," came Touji's exasperated reply. "That one. Now say it again."


"Um...I just did," Shinji said hesitantly.


The taller boy scratched at the back of his head. "I guess you're right," he said before he pulled Shinji into an embrace. "I'm so happy..."


"T...Touji," the Unit 01 pilot gasped," you're...squeezing me...too hard...can't...breathe."


The eldest Suzahara child relaxed his grip just a bit. "Shinji?"


"What?" came the meek reply as Shinji fought to regain his breath.


"Could you say it again?"


"Argh...I'm not going to say it again," Shinji groaned as he pushed free from Touji's grip. "You two guys are really sick, do you know that," he said as he turned away in disgust.


"It's okay," Kensuke whispered to Touji. "I have it recorded right here," he said softly while pointing to his Palm. "I'll put it up on the website tonight," he added with a smile.


Touji grinned and gave his partner the thumbs up before composing himself and stepping forward to address their friend. "I'm sorry, we'll never ask you to say it again."


Shinji looked up and smiled. "Thanks. I was worried that you two would make a big deal out of this."


"Who us?" Kensuke protested, his expression the epitome of innocence.


"Well," Shinji said softly, "when we started going out you guys put up that stupid internet web page listing all kinds of reasons why you hate Asuka and why we would never make it as a couple."


Touji chuckled as he nervously ran his fingers through his hair. "Heh..heh...you saw that?" Shinji nodded in response. "Well it was all a joke really...and...um...how did you find out about it?"


"When Kensuke emailed you the address you must have accidentally forwarded it to the entire class."


Touji's jaw dropped as an embarrassed blush formed on his cheeks. Looking over he saw a very foul expression appear behind his friend's glasses. "Oops."


"Asuka's right," Kensuke muttered as he stared at his embarrassed friend, "you really are a moron."


"Soooooo...," Touji said, desperate to change the subject, "why did you break up?"


"Yeah," Kensuke said joining his friend in standing in front of Shinji, "what happened?"


Suddenly Touji's expression turned irate. "Did she try to force herself on you?"


"No," Shinji replied.


"Did she beat you up?" Kensuke inquired.


"No, she didn't beat me up," the Third laughed.


Touji looked at Shinji for a moment, his mind deep in thought. "Did she catch you in bed with...Rei?" he said with a smirk.


"No."


"Or Misato perhaps?" Touji quickly added.


"No, it's nothing like that!"


"Well something happened...did you catch HER in bed with Misato?" Kensuke pondered.


"What?" Shinji exclaimed as the line of questioning began to take a strange turn.


"Maybe you caught her in bed with Kaji?" Touji said remembering the Second's infatuation with the man.


"Or with Rei and Kaji?" Kensuke said excitedly as he abandoned the realm of plausible pairings with ever increasing speed. "Or Rei and Misato...yes Rei and Misato would be NICE."


"No, No, NO!" Shinji cried. "It was..."


"What are you, STUPID?" Kensuke said, cutting him off. "You don't think getting Rei and Misato in the sack would be nice?"


"No...I mean yes...I mean...," the Eva pilot stammered as he listened to the others continue to develop random pairings.


"Rei, Misato, and Dr. Akagi," Kensuke offered.


"Better still," Touji interjected, "me, Rei, Misato, Dr. Akagi, and...that cute NERV tech...what's her name?"


"Her name is Maya," Kensuke said quickly as visions of the young woman suddenly filled his thoughts. "Hey Shinji, should a chance be taken on her too?"


"Would you guys stop it!" Shinji protested loudly. "Nobody caught anybody in bed with anyone."


Kensuke shook his head slowly from side to side. "How boring."


Shinji took a few steps forward and gazed out over the busy schoolyard below. Taking a deep breath he decided to end the speculation. "Asuka asked me to do something that I refused to do."


"So she did force herself on you!" Touji said loudly, making a fist and slamming it into his free hand. "She is scum to take advantage of someone as helpless as you." He continued to pump his fist as he spoke. "I mean YOU would never take advantage of her if she was helpless...it makes me so mad."


"I'd like to whack her a few good ones," Kensuke interjected. "Whack her good."


"You've got it wrong," Shinji said softly and then cleared his throat before continuing. "Asuka didn't take our relationship seriously. To her it was all a big game. She wanted to see how upset she could make you guys and get more attention rather then spending time with me."


"I told you that girl was all wrong for you," Touji said with a smile.


Shinji nodded in approval. "I guess you two were right all along."


"Of course we were," Kensuke said. "So what happens now?"


"Well we'll still live together and stuff, but the relationship part of it is over. As for me I'll move on and go back to my old self again."


"Good, you can start by coming to the arcade with me and Touji after school."


"Yeah," Touji said as he turned around and leaned back against the railing next to Shinji. "Who needs girls when you have us."


The Eva Pilot hung his head down until his chin rested on the railing and stared down at the ground far below. After a few moments of silent reflection he turned to his left and observed Touji carefully studying something he dug out of his nose. Fighting back the nausea he quickly turned to the right and watched Kensuke clean his glasses, all the while murmuring something about Misato, Rei, and Asuka and whether his bed could accommodate all of them. With an audible sigh, Shinji decided staring at the ground offered the best solution for the time being. "No offense guys," he said without bothering to look up, "but I actually LIKED having a girlfriend. Even if it wasn't real, it was fun."


"But that's not reality!" Touji clamored, "you're just running away from the truth!"


"WHAT?"


"Huh? Oh, sorry...," Touji replied, "I heard somebody say that during the final episode of my favorite anime series and I always wanted to use it." He paused for a moment as he regarded the puzzled looks on his colleagues. "So...you'd rather have a girlfriend then hang out with us?" he said as he flipped his wrist rapidly in an attempt to dislodge something on his finger. "I'm hurt."


"No," Shinji replied as he watched his friend and his futile attempts to clean his finger without touching it, "I like hanging out with you guys, but there are benefits to having a girlfriend too."


"Are you saying that you want another girlfriend?" Kensuke said as he too found Touji's antics to be almost hypnotic.


"Maybe."


"Don't give me that crap," Touji exclaimed as he finally ended up wiping his finger across the railing. "You've got your sights set on someone, don't you?"


Shinji paused for a moment as he stared at the biological hazard, waiting for any sign of his friend was actually going to remove it. Deciding that Touji was intent on leaving the booby trap in place, Shinji made a quick mental note never to use the railings in school ever again. "Well...not so much a girlfriend...or anything...um...serious like that," he stammered, "but just...well...maybe...um...someone to talk to or something..."


"Who?" the other two Stooges said in unison.


"I'd rather not say, just yet..." Shinji replied, "I want to ask her out first." He watched as his friends nodded in agreement, though the looks on their faces conveyed some level of annoyance in his secrecy. "But let me ask you both a question," Shinji said softly.


"Sure," Touji said answering for both.


"Are either of you interested in anyone? I mean I don't want anyone to get mad at me for asking out a girl that they wanted to."


"Nope," Kensuke replied, "I've got over eight terabytes of women in storage, so as long as my computer and Palm holds out that should keep me occupied until my early twenties."


An eerie calm fell over the entire region as even the steady drone of the cicadas seemed to come to a sudden stop, the resulting silence giving an almost ethereal feel to the moment. It would forever be known as the Second Day that Tokyo-3 Stood Still. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of two young boy's bodies hitting the floor with a crash.


"O...okay," Shinji hesitantly started as he staggered to his feet and brushed himself off. "That's good to know but I was actually talking about REAL girls," he said while turning and looking at Touji. "Maybe even a girl at this school?"


Touji continued to stare blankly at Kensuke, his mouth hanging open in amazement at his friend's candor, and the fact he was still struggling to get past the net nanny software his sister had accidentally installed from her Cosmo Ranger Tubbies site. To this point he had only been able to download a GIF file of an old lady in speedos. "What?" he said, finally noticing Shinji's inquisitive gaze.


"Are you interested in any girls here at school?" Shinji reiterated.


"I got plenty of chicks," Touji said with a smile as he turned to his spectacled friend, "real ones."


"Oh really," Kensuke said mockingly. "Where?"


The track suited boy held his hand out and began flipping out and pointing to each finger, one at a time as he rattled off his roster. "I got a girl in Tokyo-2, and another in New Kobe. Plus there is this one hottie who works as a massage therapist at the Kodai Resort and Spa, not to mention all the one night stands."


"One night stands?" Shinji said.


"Sure, you know how it is. I'm fighting them off with a stick." The other two boys watched as Touji began to flex his muscles in front of them. "All the girlies want a piece of the Suzahara!"


"Hey...stud," Kensuke called out sarcastically, "how come we've never met any of these girls?"


"Oh...um...well," Touji stammered showing none of his earlier bravado. "Like I said they're all in different towns and besides I can't let them see me hanging around with a couple of dorks like you two."


"Hey!" Shinji protested.


"Sorry," Touji said apologetically, "you know what I mean."


"Actually I don't," Kensuke said as he pushed his glasses back up his nose, "but it doesn't matter because I don't believe a word you said anyway...and I don't think Shinji does either."


"But it's all true, I tell you!" Touji said loudly. "I have proof."


"You do?" the Third Child asked.


"Yup, I have an upcoming date with an absolute angel in Matsushiro...I'll bring her to see you Shinji."


"Sure you do," Kensuke quipped.


Touji's arm shot out and grasped the boy's throat. "I DO have a date with an angel and if you don't shut up I'll snap your little neck."


"Ok...okay," he meekly replied as he felt the grip begin to loosen. "I believe you."


Shinji waited until his friend seemed to calm down before he asked the question again. "Apart from all these other...girls, is there anybody in class that you like?"


"Well," he said as his face started to flush. "There might be one person..."


"Who? Who?" Kensuke begged as he gave Touji a curious stare. Realizing that his internal blush was rapidly becoming external, the taller boy quickly turned away to avoid any further embarrassment. "Come on! Spill!"


Touji took a deep breath and released it with a sigh. "Nobody."


"Huh...did you say nobody?" Shinji said, leaning forward to aid in his hearing.


"Yes...nobody," Touji said softly as he hung his head just a bit.


"That's what I thought," Kensuke said with a smile. "The great Touji Suzahara wouldn't demean himself by going out with any girls in our class."


Touji continued to stare down to the ground below with his back to the others. His head seemed to unconsciously shake back and forth although the pained expression on his face gave the distinct impression that his internal struggle would not be solved so quickly.


"Are you sure?" Shinji asked softly noticing his friend's plight.


"I told you, he wouldn't be caught dead with any of those pigs," the smaller boy said matter of factly.


The Eva Pilot glared at the boy. "Are these the same "pigs" that you sent a mass emailing to requesting a date with any one of them, no questions asked?"


"What? ...that," Kensuke said with a laugh, "it was a JOKE...ha, ha."


"Funny, you told me you were using the theory of 'They ALL Can't Say No'," Touji said as he turned to face them. "What happened...was your theory proven wrong?"


"Hey!" Kensuke protested loudly, "that theory was proven sound in the July 2014 issue of Playboy and besides that I'm not on trial here, you are."


"What are you talking about?" Touji said bewilderedly.


"The question here is whether or not you like a girl in our class, not my dating methods. Right Shinji?" The aforementioned boy nodded his head in agreement. "Good, now answer the question."


"No one," Touji declared loudly, "there is no one in the class that I like or am interested in dating." He crossed his arms on his chest as he gave Kensuke an evil stare before finishing his comments. "Are you happy now?"


"I rest my case," Kensuke smiled.


"Fine," Shinji sighed as he acknowledged the verdict, "I was only asking."


"Great," Touji said as he smiled at the two relieved for now that the questioning was over, "now lets get back to celebrating Shinji's return to bachelorhood."


"A potentially short stay," Kensuke reasoned out loud, "or did you forget that he is already looking to get hooked up again?"


"That's right," Touji said emphatically, his memories of the original argument returning. "Who's the lucky girl?" he said pondering the potential answers for a moment before offering a suggestion. "Is it Rei?" he said with a twinge of hopeful enthusiasm. "Or maybe Ryoko? She's hot!"


Shinji shook his head as in the background the bell rang signaling it was time for the students to return to class. "You are just going to have to wait and see," he said with a smirk as he turned and began walking towards the stairs. "You'll see..." was all he would say before the smile faded into a grimace as he looked down at his hand firmly grasping the railing where Touji had been standing...


---------


"Rise...bow...dismissed."


Hikari stood and spoke those familiar words as the school day ended. It was an age-old expression handed down from generation to generation and to each the meaning was the same. 'Ready...set...go.' The class rep barely had time to move aside as most of the class rushed towards the exit, anxious to achieve their freedom after a grueling day of schoolwork. Within moments the majority of the students had funneled out, leaving only six behind as a calm settled over the room.


Rei slowly and deliberately packed her books, stealing glances from time to time as the others converged at the front of the room. She continued with her role of silent observer as the drama unfolded before her.


"Asuka," Hikari called, pulling the redhead aside. "What happened between you and Shinji?"


"Nothing," she frowned, "he's just a big jerk, that's all."


"Come on, I'm supposed to be your best friend," she said, then paused and glanced around to ensure they had some privacy. "You can tell me."


Asuka hesitated for a moment as she watched Rei continue to arrange her book bag. "Well...okay," she whispered but not before checking one last time that Ayanami was indeed not eavesdropping. "He tried to make a fool out of me the other night at dinner."


"He did?" Hikari said softly, "I can't believe Shinji would ever do anything like that."


"He did," Asuka nodded, "and right in front of Kaji, Misato and Wondergirl."


"Oh my," the freckled girl gasped, "what did he do? It must have been pretty bad."


"It was," Asuka said flatly. The angry expression on her face softened a bit as she continued. "He refused me. Can you believe that weak little spineless Shinji Ikari refused ME?"


Hikari pondered her friend's statement for a moment. "So let me get this straight...you and Shinji broke up because he REFUSED you?" She watched as the Second Child nodded slightly in agreement. "And you broke up over THAT?" Again the girl waited for her friend to signal her acceptance before proceeding. "That sound's pretty STUPID if you ask me."


Asuka's jaw dropped at the comment. "But you don't understand," she protested, "Shinji ruined all my plans when he refused to help me." Asuka took a moment to review her next choice of words, not wanting to accidentally reveal too much information about what those plans actually were. "I don't want to get into the specifics, but suffice to say that he had a good thing going with me and he chose to throw it all away."


"Too bad," Hikari said after deciding not to press for more on Asuka's cryptic explanation. "I thought you two made the perfect couple."


"Never," Asuka said shaking her head, "I'll never forgive that dork...NEVER." Her face contorted into a sneer as Shinji and his friends approached. "What do you want?" she huffed.


"Look Shinji," Touji snickered, "it's your former girlfriend."


"Hikari, is it me or did it just get a whole lot dumber over here?" the German girl retorted, eliciting a little smile which her companion quickly turned away in an attempt to hide.


"EXcuse me?" Kensuke said, carefully emphasizing the first syllable. "I should have EXpected such an EXaggerated EXpression from someone who has gone through the pain of EXpulsion."


"Yeah," Touji added, "you...EX...EX...Ex-girlfriend!"


Kensuke slapped himself on the forehead and silently wished his friend would sometimes just shut up.


"Wunderbar," Asuka said with a sigh as she pointed to the smaller boy. "This moron is up to 'e' in the dictionary," her arm panned over until it was aimed directly at Touji. "While this idiot is still trying to figure out how to open the book."


"Oh the wails of the scorned lover," Kensuke offered, lowering his head and shaking it back and forth in mourning. "It's really quite sad."


"That's it!" the Second exclaimed as she gathered up her belongings and pushed past the laughing duo. Reaching the door, she flung it opened and prepared to leave. Standing in the doorway she stopped and turned around, immediately focusing on one person still in the room, Shinji Ikari. For a few long moments the two pilots continued to stare at one another, each seeming to be awaiting the other to say the first word. "Fine," she finally said, then turning on her heal she exited the room.


"Asuka," Hikari called out desperately as the Second Child slammed the door behind her. "You're supposed to help me clean...today," she said, her voice trailing off as she realized Asuka wasn't coming back. "Great," she mumbled as she turned back toward the others. "I don't suppose any of you would like to help?"


"No way," Touji said shaking his head and holding his hands out in front of him. "We had clean up duty last week."


"Please Touji," Hikari pleaded, "for me?"


The track-suited boy's throat instantly went dry as he saw the wanting look in her eyes, begging him not to abandon her. If ever there was going to be a time to make his move, this was going to be it.


"Come on, Touji...we have to go," Kensuke said coldly as he started toward the exit. "It's not our job to clean this place up and she can't make us." He watched as Touji turned his gaze away from the girl and squarely at him, only to have him break that stare and return to the girl. He repeated this a couple of times before Kensuke decided to press the issue. "Are you coming or not?"


"I'm...sorry," he said regretting the words the instant he saw their effect on the young girl. The hope in her eyes now replaced with despair, he was forced to walk away before they wounded him further.


"Thanks for nothing," she muttered as she pushed by them and walked to the front of the room. Reflecting on the task before her she sighed. With two people the job took about an hour, but as she knew from experience, alone it would take almost three. And the worst part of doing it alone, she remembered, wasn't the time so much as the loneliness of having no one to talk to pass the time. Glancing over her shoulder she just caught sight of Touji, head hung low as he passed by the out the door. Sure, doing all the cleaning alone was going to seem like an eternity, but at least the added time would help her forget about the big jerk. Without bothering to turn around she heard some whispering, followed by the classroom door opening and shutting, confirming that indeed the cleaning tasks were all hers. Fighting back a tear she slowly dipped a cloth into the bucket and wrung it dry.


"Mind if I help?"


The rag fell back into the bucket with splash as the startled class rep gazed up to determine the source of the question. "S...Shinji. What are you doing here?"


He crouched down and reached into the bucket. "I thought you might want some help," he said with a smile as he wrung the moisture from the rag. "That's okay isn't it?"


"Um...yeah...sure I guess," she stammered as she watched him stand and walk over to the board.


"Good then it's settled," he said as he started wiping off the day's lessons.


Hikari reached into the bucket and grabbed the other wash rag. Her mouth turned upward ever so slightly as she watched her companion diligently working. "Thanks," she said softly as she stood and joined him.


She carefully placed the cloth to the board and prepared to begin when she quickly turned around and scanned the empty classroom. "Hey Shinji," she said with a puzzled look in her face, "what happened to Rei? I thought she was standing at her desk?"


"Hey you're right," he replied as he stopped and inspected the room for himself.


"Funny, I never heard or saw her leave," the freckled face girl offered.


A memory resurfaced in Shinji's mind, his first recollection of his time spent so far in Tokyo-3. "Rei has a habit of coming and going like that," he said with a smile.


The two continued their task in silence, each occasionally stealing quick glimpses of the other as the afternoon wore on. The sun had not yet started to dip behind the mountains surrounding the city, yet it's angle in the sky was already casting long shadows in the classroom.


"Shinji," Hikari said breaking the quiet calm, "how come you didn't go with the others?"


He finished the last section of the board and dropped his rag into the bucket at his feet. "I didn't really want to go," he said as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "Besides it's not fair that you have to do this all by yourself."


"That's very nice of you, Shinji," she said softly. "Thank you again."


"Don't mention it," he replied, his smile soliciting a blush in return from the girl. Quickly turning away, she stared out the window for a few moments.


"Well...we better get back to work or we will be here all night."


"Yes, you're right."


Again an uneasy silence descended on the room as each went about their own tasks. Shinji had just finished sweeping the floor when he felt a presence behind him.


"Shinji? Do you mind if I ask you about Asuka?"


"Not at all," he responded without bothering to turn around. Placing the broom back into the closet he closed the door and faced the girl. "What do you want to know?"


"Well...um...I," she stammered, fidgeting with her hair, obviously quite uncomfortable with talking about personal matters. "I just wondered...well...why did you two break up?"


"Break up," Shinji reiterated in a mocking tone. "You actually have to be going out to break up." The confused look on the girl's face convinced him to continue. "Can you keep a secret?" he whispered despite the fact the no one else was present. After watching the class rep nod in approval, he resumed. "We weren't really dating, at least not in the way you all thought."


"Wait a minute, if you weren't dating, then what exactly were you doing?" Hikari exclaimed.


Shinji lowered his gaze, choosing to stare at the floor rather then be forced to look at the agitated young woman. "Asuka was mad at Misato...and came up with this plan and...well, it sort of got out of control."


"What?"


"I'm sorry," Shinji said, slowly shaking his head from side to side as he spoke. "It was all just a big joke that she was playing on everyone. It wasn't real...I'm sorry."


Hikari stood frozen, her mouth agape in astonishment of his admission. "Why that little...," she huffed clenching her fists and shaking them by her side. "Oooh, that makes me so mad! To think that she claims to be my best friend. Wait until I see her, I'll..."


Her tirade was cut short as Shinji placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure that Asuka didn't mean to hurt you," he said staring into her eyes. "You know how she gets."


"I know," Hikari nodded in response as she calmed down a bit, "but she could have told ME." Turning around she eased past a desk and began walking toward the front of the classroom. "Wait until I talk to her about this."


"You can't do that!" Shinji cried as he quickly strode up next to her. "She'll kill me if she knew I told...and you said you could keep a secret."


Hikari stopped and looked at him. "But that's not fair. On the one hand she says she's my friend and yet she goes off and makes a fool out of me...and I'm supposed to let her get away with it and act like nothing happened?"


Shinji nodded. "What good is it going to do either of us if you confront her? She'll just deny it and get all defensive."


"But it's still not right."


"I know that but could you imagine if the others knew the truth? She would be humiliated," he replied. Taking a moment to allow Hikari enough time to review his comments, Shinji continued. "Please don't say anything to her."


The class rep thought for a moment. "Fine, I'll keep your secret...but that doesn't mean I have to like it...and," she said with a frown, "don't be surprised if I act a little different towards her from now on."


"Fair enough," he smiled, "but deep down even you have to admit that Asuka is your friend and would never purposely hurt you."


"I guess you're right," Hikari said softly.


"Good," Shinji said as he turned and resumed walking toward the front of the room. "Let's get back to work or we'll be here all night."


---------


"Thanks again Shinji," Hikari said turning toward her companion as they stopped at the top of the stairs. All around them the halls were darkened and quiet, giving her voice a slight echo. "You're a real life saver."


"It was nothing," he replied, taking a step down and turning back to look at her. "Since in a way it was my fault that Asuka ran off and left all the cleaning to you, it was the least I could do."


"How was it your fault?" Hikari questioned as her face twisted into a small frown. "Seems to me that this was all her own doing."


Shinji smiled, drawing a blush from the class rep. "Well she seems to think it's my fault...and you know how she gets if someone tells her she's wrong."


"I sure do," the girl nodded, "but still it doesn't seem fair for her to blame you for something she did."


"She'll call me 'stupid' and 'moron' for a few weeks, but eventually things will get back to normal," he said taking a few more steps down the stairs, watching her follow. "I'd think it's better for everyone this way."


"Better for her maybe," Hikari said crossly, "but I still hate the fact she gets away with it."


"We both know the truth, and that's all that matters," Shinji replied as he reached the last step. "I really don't want to talk about this anymore, can we drop it for now?"


"Sure," the class rep said softly, "I'm sorry if I upset you."


"No it's alright," he said, shaking his head. A moment or two of awkward silence followed before they both turned and started walking toward the front door of the school.


"I still can't thank you enough for staying and helping me," she said glancing over her shoulder as the pair continued on. "I feel bad, I'm sure you would have rather gone to the arcade with the others."


Shinji shook his head from side to side. "I already told you it was nothing." Reaching the front door, he jumped in front of the girl and held it open.


"Thanks," she said with a smile. "You're a true gentleman."


"You're welcome," came his brief reply as he allowed the door to close behind him and quickly caught up to the girl. After a few more steps they were at the front gate.


The class rep turned and looked her companion in the eye. "Shinji, are you SURE there's nothing I can do to thank you for the help?"


The Third Child placed his hand on his chin, testament to his deep concentration. "Well...um...there is...possibly...one thing," he stammered, lowering his gaze at the sidewalk below. "But...no I couldn't ask you."


"No, it's okay...go ahead and ask," Hikari said quickly, "anything you want." As she finished her face flushed a deep shade of crimson at her open ended response. "Within reason," she hastily added, her dignity restored.


"Oh no, nothing like that," Shinji said as he glimpsed her obvious discomfort. He smiled and paused for a moment to allow her to regain her composure. Lowering his gaze he began watching as his foot swung around aimlessly beneath him. "I just wondered if...perhaps...you would like to go to the movies tomorrow night?"


"The movies?" she returned, startled initially by the request. "I don't know."


"That's alright," Shinji sighed, "I should have figured you would be busy." He picked up his head and stared into her eyes for just a moment before turning and preparing to walk away.


'Busy' Hikari thought to herself as visions of her past few Saturday nights replayed in her mind. 'Cooking, cleaning, homework...all wonderful activities to pass the time and solidify the fact you were all alone with no place to go.' Reaching out she grasped Shinji's shoulder. "It's not that I'm busy...quite the opposite."


"Then what's wrong?" he said as he turned to face her again.


"It's Asuka."


"Asuka?" he replied curiously, "what's she got to do with it?"


"Shinji," Hikari said through the wide smile on her face, "you have a lot to learn about women, don't you?" The Third simply shrugged his shoulders. "Can't you see that Asuka likes you?"


"Likes me?" he chuckled, "you must be kidding. The only person Asuka Langley Sohryu likes is Mr. Kaji...and perhaps herself," he added with a frown.


"You might be right," she nodded in agreement, "but I think some part of her might like you more then either of you realizes." The class rep turned away and she looked skyward as images of her own unrequited love appeared before her eyes. "You guys never see the signs," she whispered as the visions faded. "Believe me, I know."


Shinji watched as the girl slowly lowered her head and after a few moments, turned to face him again. "So...that's why you don't want to go?"


"Geez," Hikari said exasperatedly, "don't you understand. Asuka would be furious at me if I went on a date with you. Heck, I'm supposed to be hating you outright as it is. It's a girl thing Shinji. If I'd broken up with Tou-...somebody, I'd expect Asuka to immediately hate my ex too, no questions asked."


"Really?"


"Yes," she acknowledged with a nod, "it's an unwritten law, sort of like how girls never go the bathroom alone."


"I never know that," Shinji replied as his mind drifted off on what other rules he was missing. "But I really don't care what she thinks," he said as he returned to the subject. Stepping a bit closer to his companion, he took a deep breath as he continued. "All I understand is that I wanted to ask you on a date. Not Asuka, you. And if you don't want to go with me that's fine...but please don't say no because of something Asuka may or may not do. Even if she does like me...though I doubt it...even if she does, it does not mean the feelings are mutual."


The dark haired girl stood in shock as he finished his remarks. For a more then a few heartbeats she was reduced to staring into his deep blue eyes, her voice stolen by the truth in his commentary, and the emotional tug of war it was waging on her. "I...I...I can't," she sighed and frowned to match his. "I just can't." She contemplated for a moment whether or not to smooth over the situation with a lie, but decided that he deserved better. "Asuka is my friend...I'm sorry Shinji."


The Third Child turned and started to walk away. "I'm sorry I brought it up," he said quietly, " I just hope that someday you'll realize that Asuka doesn't run my life." He took a few more steps down the sidewalk before he stopped and abruptly turned around. "Good night Hikari...and please, PLEASE, don't let Asuka know that I told you about the trick she played on you."


"Yeah...sure, Shinji," she replied as she watched him turn and continue on his way. "Good night...and thanks again," she called out.


The Unit 01 pilot slowly made his retreat down the street, under watchful eye of a freckled faced observer. Hikari hadn't planned standing there, but something was holding her, making her think about all that had happened in the past few hours. 'Poor kid,' she thought to herself, 'being used by Asuka like that. She can be so mean sometimes...not that I'm any better. Telling Shinji no just because I'm afraid to hurt Asuka's feelings. Why does she have to make things so hard?...I wish someone would stand up to her...' A brilliant smile grew on the girl's face as she started taking a few quick steps after the boy. "Hey Shinji!" she called out just before he turned the corner at the edge of the walled schoolyard. "Wait a minute!"


Shinji stopped and turned around awaiting her arrival. Her ponytails were bouncing about, hanging momentarily in the air before crashing back to her shoulders with each step. Within a couple of seconds she was standing in front of him.


"S...Shinji," she panted trying to catch her breath, "about the...movies tomorrow...I would love to...go."


"Really?" he said anxiously, "what about Asuka?"


"You were right," she said before drawing one final deep breath. "I shouldn't let Asuka make my decisions for me. If I want to go to the movies with a friend and she doesn't like it then too bad for her."


"Great," he replied as his features brightened, "I'll be at your house about five tomorrow night to pick you up."


"Five?" she questioned aloud, "that seems a bit early for a movie, doesn't it?"


Shinji grinned. "I thought we could get some dinner first...at The Bistro de Second Impact...I heard the prime rib there is excellent."


"I don't know," Hikari said her voice laced with apprehension. "That place is expensive...and besides," she continued with a frown, "isn't dinner AND a movie a bit much...I mean is this...well...a date?"


"Well," he muttered as he looked away and pondered her words for a moment. "I guess technically it's a date, but if you would feel more comfortable we could call it something else."


"No," she replied quickly as she fumbled with her pigtails. "I just...well...l...I...um..."


"Hikari," Shinji said finally noticing her flustered expression, "if you don't want to go, I'll understand."


"No, it's not that," she protested, taking a deep breath. "It's just that I'm not sure I'm ready for something as serious as a date."


"I just want to go to dinner and see a movie with one of my friends. I'm not expecting any more then that. You don't have to worry about sending me the wrong message."


The girl let out breath of relief and smiled. "Thanks Shinji. I was worried you were going to assume that we..."


"Don't worry," he said, cutting her off, "I plan on enjoying a nice evening out, that's all."


"I can agree to that," she said with a slight nod. "But wouldn't you rather go to some place less expensive. Asuka is always complaining how you pilots don't get paid."


Shinji shook his head. "Money's not an issue," he said as a smile grew on his face. "I have it all taken care of."


Hikari eyed him curiously for a moment. "Great then I'll be ready at five o'clock sharp," she said slinging her bookbag over her shoulder, "I had better get going, good bye Shinji." She turned for home and paused for a moment, allowing thoughts of tomorrow's events enter her mind. "This is so exciting. I've been dying to go to that place!" she exclaimed, "I can't wait."


"See you tomorrow," he said as he watched her walk away, a little kick in her step. Smiling, the Eva pilot turned and continued on his own journey home.


---------


Shinji walked briskly through the late afternoon crowds filling the sidewalks and curbside stands. The complete opposite to his first experience in Tokyo-3, he mused to himself as he recalled the way life used to be. During the beginning of the Angel War, he could enjoy almost complete freedom as he wondered the streets of the city. However the lack of any Angel activity in over a year and the increasing possibility that they weren't coming back had breathed new life into the city that was destined one day to be the new capital of Japan. Turning a corner he at last spied the large rectangular building that housed the apartment that he called home. His pace quickened, fueled by the anticipation of finally sitting down and relaxing after the long school day. A day made longer because of a certain fellow pilot...


Suddenly a pair of arms shot out from behind him, one crossing his chest and the other covering his mouth effectively muffling his panicked scream. The assailant roughly pulled the struggling Eva pilot down a side alley, away from the watchful eyes of the men sworn to protect him. Fighting back as best he could, Shinji found himself hopelessly overmatched as finally the other person stopped, pulling the frightened boy in tight to eliminate the possibility of escape.


"I am Tabris, the Angel of Death, and I am here to avenge the deaths of my brothers. Shinji Ikari, I have come to kill you!"


The boy's eyes went wide with fear as he increased his struggle, unwilling to give up his life so easily.


"I'm going to kill you," the stranger shouted, increasing their grip to counter Shinji's efforts to free himself. "I'll kill you, I'll kill you, kill you, I'll kill you, kill you..." they kept screaming, shaking him back and forth with each chorus. As this continued, the Third Child began to notice a particular tone to the voice, a distinctly European one at that. He slowly ceased his struggles as he at last recognized the now poorly disguised voice of the Second Child.


"What's the matter?" she said while releasing him, "aren't you afraid that Tabris is going to kill you?"


"Very funny Asuka," Shinji muttered as he turned away from her mocking grin. "I knew it was you."


"Sure you did," she said sarcastically, crossing her arms on her chest. "I'm shocked you didn't wet yourself."


Shinji bent down and started gathering his books, which were strewn about the alleyway during the struggle. Grabbing the last book he glanced up he noticed that the girl was still standing over him. "What do you want? he sighed.


"Oh nothing really," she said nonchalantly, her eyes wandering about the alley as they took in the filth and garbage. Suddenly her glaze focused squarely on one thing, him. "I was just wondering why you are an hour late coming home."


He left her statement hanging as he stood to better survey his situation. Glancing to the left and the right of the girl, Shinji noted there wasn't sufficient room to slip by and escape. She had chosen her trap wisely. Her tapping foot, hands parked squarely on hips and scowl reminded him that she was due an answer.


"You were over at Wondergirl's again, weren't you?" she huffed.


"No."


"Yes you were."


"No I wasn't," he said shaking his head in denial.


"Yes you were."


"I was not!"


"Yes you were."


"I was not!"


"Yes you WERE!" she roared.


"So what if I was?" came his indignant reply, tired of the game. "Why do you care?"


For the second time in the past few minutes, Shinji's eyes widened in fear as something unexpected happened. The redhead stepped forward, closing the space between them until she was standing directly in front of him, her light blue eyes staring deeply into his own. He could feel the warmth of her breath as she spoke.


"I'll bet you were over at Ayanami's apartment, making out with her...or perhaps more," Asuka said softly, her voice very much different then her usual tone.


Shinji closed his eyes, unable to bare her gaze any longer as he shook his head in denial. "I...."


"Tell me Shinji," she interrupted, leaning in still closer. "Did she show you her panties? Does she let you touch her...there?"


"W...what?" the Third Child stuttered as he slowly opened his eyes and noticed that the girl was moving in still closer to him. Fighting to keep a constant distance between them, he began leaning backwards as the she spoke again in that soft, sexy voice.


"I'm better then her," she cooed as her eyes again locked on his. "I'll show you my panties AND let you touch me anywhere you like."


Shinji gulped audibly. "You would?"


Asuka's face brushed by his as she whispered into his ear. "I won't tease you like she does." She pulled back, again brushing his cheek as she resumed staring into his deep blue eyes. He flinched nervously as she ran her hands up his chest and onto his shoulders. "Oh Shinji," she whispered seductively, "please tell me I'm not too late...please tell me you haven't given your heart to someone else."


"Um...well...I," he stammered, his trembling lips sabotaging any attempts at speech.


"PLEASE tell me," she cried, closing her eyes and shaking her head back and forth in apparent distress. "Shinji I HAVE to know...have I lost you to the First?"


"Er...no."


"So," she said her tone not quite as silky as before. "You haven't been fooling around with Rei?"


"No," he said curiously as he found himself leaning forward, closing the gap between them, his lips becoming dangerously close to touching hers. "Why do you..."


His question was cut short as her hand covered his mouth. "You pervert," she clamored as she used her hand to turn his head away from hers. "You're just DYING to check out my body, aren't you Third Child?"


Pulling free from her, Shinji stepped back and looked at the girl, a conceited smirk dominating her expression. "But...you...I mean...you...asked me," he sputtered.


"Me? Ask you? Never," she growled, flipping her long red hair off her shoulder. "Like I would ever let a boring little boy like you have your way with this perfect body." Her smirk faded into a frown as she sighed, "sometimes I don't know why I put up with you."


"You put up with ME!" he shrieked as he felt the anger building. "You put up with ME!"


"Yes that's what I said, jeez are you deaf too?" she muttered, turning away in mock disgust.


"I...I...ARGH!" Shinji screamed, dropping his books to the ground again as his fists clenched and opened furiously.


The Second Child stood and listened, her back to her fellow pilot as his face turned bright red, steam threatening at any moment to burst forth from his ears. Her smirk returned as she listened to his rapid breathing and incoherent mumbling for a few minutes, before the sounds died down and she deemed it safe to continue.


"Now that we have that little unpleasantness out of the way," she grinned as she turned around to face him. "Let's return to the original question, shall we? Where have you been for the past hour?"


"At school," Shinji grumbled as he bent down to pick up his books.


"Really?" she replied, her gaze looking down at the boy. "What were you doing there?"


"I think you know," he said as he finished gathering his supplies and stood before her.


Asuka stood with her hand on her chin, deep in thought. "No, I actually don't know what you were doing," she said coolly. "Tell me who you were with and maybe I can figure it out."


"This is stupid," he said crossly and started to push by her towards the busy street beyond.


"Wait," she said, her hand grasping his arm and pulling him to a stop. "Who was it?"


Shinji glanced down at her hand and frowned. "Hikari," he said softly.


"Did you say Hikari?" she exclaimed, "just what were you two doing all alone in the school?"


He glanced over at her wry grin and pulled his arm free of her grasp. "Taking care of YOUR cleaning job," he said, staring at her for a moment before turning and continuing towards the street.


"Oh that," she said as she followed him around the corner and down the sidewalk. "Your stupid friends made me so mad that I completely forgot. I hope she's not mad at me..."


Shinji glanced over and smiled. "Don't worry, Asuka. I saved you again. The Invincible Shinji took care of everything...as usual."


The girl stopped in her tracks, her jaw dropping as she watched him walk away. Standing in stunned silence she wondered what brought about his confident attitude. "Listen here Third Child," she exclaimed as she ran after him, "I don't need you to take care of me...I don't need anybody."


"Whatever," he grumbled.


The two continued down the sidewalk in silence, occasionally stealing sour glances at one another.


"So, Shinji," the redhead started as they walked through the entrance to their apartment building. "What did you and Hikari talk about?"


"Nothing much," he replied, pushing the elevator button as they stood in front of the doors. Glancing up he sighed as he watched the numbers counting upward, meaning he would have to tolerate even more questioning before relief arrived.


"Really," she said suspiciously, "I mean even someone as inept at conversion as you must have talked about SOMETHING, after all you two were all alone for over an hour."


Shinji glanced to his right, contemplating taking the stairs. "Well we talked about the usual stuff, school, homework," he said nervously. "Swapped some cooking recipes."


"School, cooking...all pretty boring," Asuka huffed as she watched him fidget about uneasily. "Is that all you talked about?"


Shinji stared at the sliding doors of the elevator in front of him. "Stupid thing," he said glancing up and checking the floor indicator again.


Asuka watched him desperately mashing the button, sensing his urgency that the car arrive as soon as possible. "So, what else did you talk about?"


"Um...well..." he stammered when suddenly the doors parted and he jumped inside. "Finally," he said loudly as he pressed the button for their floor and sulked back into the corner.


The doors slowly began to shut, nearly touching before a hand wedged between them, tripping the safety mechanism and reversing their direction. The Second Child silently stepped in the car and the doors shut behind her.


Never turning around, she stared directly at him as the car lurched into motion, beginning its ascent. The only sound was the hum of the elevator machinery as it pulled them upward. Asuka's gaze never moved, her eyes holding him as he fought their spell. Glancing down he noticed her hand open as she raised her arm, drawing it back and high over her head. Shinji swallowed hard and pressed himself into the corner as fall as possible as he had seen this before. Realizing that escape was impossible, he closed his eyes and set his jaw, preparing to absorb the imminent slap.


Asuka smirked as she watched him cower away. Bring her arm around rapidly, her fingers missed his face by millimeters as she slammed the emergency stop button, shattering the silence of the cabin as the alarm starting ringing. "Now," she said loudly, "what were my best friend and housemate talking about for over an hour?" Removing her hand from the control panel she pointed an accusing finger at the boy. "And don't give me that cooking crap."


Shinji stared at the floor for a moment, shaking his head slightly from side to side. "Why do you ask questions that you already know the answer," he sighed.


"Because I like to see you squirm," she said with a smile. "So everything went as planned?"


"Yes," he nodded, gazing up to look her in the eye. "We're going for dinner and a movie tomorrow night."


"Dinner!" she exclaimed, "that wasn't part of the deal. You were only supposed to go to the movies."


"She insisted. I had no choice...she said she wouldn't go unless dinner was included."


"Great," Asuka sighed as she rolled her eyes. "It figures that I would have to team up with someone who is such a dork that he has to bribe girls with dinner to get them to go out with him. If I knew that I could have used Aida."


"Sorry," Shinji replied softly.


"Well I never agreed to pay for dinner, that's your problem."


"I can't," he said shaking his head, "I don't have any money left. If you don't pay I will have to cancel the date."


"Mein Gott," she groaned, "the length's I go to help my friends...fine, I'll foot the bill but nothing extravagant. McDonalds is a great first date spot."


"Actually...um...Hikari already decided she wanted to go to...well...The Bistro de Second Impact," Shinji said nervously.


"THAT BITCH!" Asuka screamed, "this is going to cost me a fortune! Do something, talk her out of it."


The Third Child looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. "She insisted."


"I can't believe this," she exclaimed, "Hikari had better appreciate everything I'm doing for her."


"I'm sure she will," Shinji said with a smile.


"Yeah, well just make sure you stick with the plan," Asuka said calmly. "One date, just to make that moron Suzahara realize how stupid he is."


"Yes," he nodded, "I know the plan."


"Good," she replied, pressing the emergency button and causing the elevator to start its journey again. "I knew I could count on you."


"And don't forget," Shinji said flatly, "you owe me a favor once this is all over."


"I remember," Asuka said with a frown, "you have only reminded me about ten times."


"Just making sure."


"What are you going to want me to do for this favor, anyway?" she inquired.


"It's a surprise."


"You had better not even think about trying to use this body," she muttered.


"It's nothing like that," Shinji replied as the elevator rumbled to a halt. The doors slowly opened and he stepped through. "I promise."


Asuka watched as he started walking away. "Really, you aren't going to ask me to do something nasty?" she said as she started after him.


"No, Asuka," he said as they approached the door to the apartment. "And don't sound so depressed."


"Huh...what?" she said, caught off guard as he unlocked the door and opened it. Stepping through the doorway he continued down the hall and out of sight as she stood outside thinking about what his favor could possibly be if it didn't involve her body. "Hey," she cried out finally recalling what he had just said, "wait until I get my hands on you Third Child!"


---------


"Food's here."


Asuka jumped off the couch and sprinted into kitchen, narrowly missing the squawking bird at her feet. "Thank goodness...I'm starving!"


"Well," Misato said with a smile as she placed a brown paper bag on the center of the table, "since Shinji is out on his date tonight and you hate my cooking, I stopped off at the store and grabbed us something quick and easy for dinner."


The redhead watched as her guardian instinctively opened to the refrigerator, fumbled about for a moment and returned to the table with two cans of soda. "Are you out of beer?" Asuka inquired as the purple haired woman sat down across from her.


"What? This?" she replied motioning to the can. "No, I just figured I would try to cut back a little." She watched as the younger girl eyed her curiously. "Okay, fine," she snapped, "my uniform is getting a bit tight...happy now?" She watched as the Second nodded in agreement. "Light beer, my ass..." she mumbled almost incoherently.


"So what did you get?" Asuka said motioning toward the bag between them.


"I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I got a couple of different things. You pick which one you want and I'll take what's left."


"Okay," Asuka said as she grabbed the bag and pulled it toward her. Reaching in she could feel something cold and damp. Firmly grasping it she removed it from the bag. "Guido-san's Carbonated Pizza Concentrate," she read off the label, "now with more sausage extract." She frowned and placed the item down on the table before reaching back into the sack. "Ronald's Liquefied Hamburger Paste," she said as she examined the bottle in her hand. "Buns sold separately."


"I know how much you like pizza and fast food..."


"I used to," Asuka said softly as she pushed the items away and smiled at Misato. "How about we go out and get some real food?"


"Nice try, Asuka," the older woman replied shaking her head. "You know you're grounded for your little escapade. What kind a parent would I be if I didn't punish you?"


"How come Shinji didn't get punished too? You never punish him because he's your favorite...it's always me!"


Misato smiled at her charge. "We both know who the mastermind behind the plan was. He was only following YOUR lead...and besides I'm glad he is finally going on a real date. It might do his confidence some good."


"It's not fair," Asuka grumbled, looking away. "That dork is enjoying a gourmet meal and I'm stuck with this crap."


"I'm sorry you don't like the selection, but this was all I could afford."


"What? How much do they pay you at NERV?" Asuka inquired.


"I make plenty," Misato said defiantly, "but for some reason lately I keep misplacing my cash...and you know how bad my credit is. Now pick one...I'm hungry."


Asuka carefully weighed her options. After a moments thought she finally spoke. "The pizza I guess."


"Fine," the Major replied as she handed the girl her meal before opening her own. The two sat in silence for a few moments, Asuka staring blankly at her "food" while her companion shoveled spoonful after spoonful into her mouth. "I don't know why they suggest using a bun," Misato mumbled, her mouth thoroughly clogged with the pinkish goo. "Tastes just fine straight out of the jar."


"Hey Misato," Asuka said cheerily, "wouldn't you like to wash that down with a beer?"


"Nice try," the woman returned mockingly, "I'm sure you aren't trying to get me drunk so you can sneak out and spy on a certain young couple?"


"Who...me?" the Second replied innocently, "why should I care what that idiot and Hikari are doing?"


"Exactly right, you shouldn't," Misato said with a smile, "now take your straw and drink your pizza before it gets flat."


Asuka stared down at the can before her and prepared to open it when a ringing phone shattered the evening calm. "I'll get it," she shouted as she jumped up and ran over to the counter. "Hello?" the girl said, expected although not receiving any reply. "HELLO?" she repeated loudly after waiting a few moments, "who is this?"


"May I speak with Ikari?" a soft voice finally questioned.


The Unit 02 pilot frowned as she recognized the voice. "His name is Shinji, Wondergirl...and no you may not."


"Why not?" came the brief reply.


"Because he's not here," Asuka said with a smirk, "that's why not."


"I see," Rei said calmly, "may I inquire where he is?"


"You may," the Second said derisively and waited for the First to pose the question again.


The phone line was silent for over a minute before the blue haired girl reluctantly agreed to play the game. "Where is Ika...I mean where is Shinji?"


"He's on a date with Hikari," Asuka said matter of factly.


"I see," Rei replied.


"What's the matter, Rei...jealous?" the redhead said mockingly.


"Should I be?" The line went quiet for a moment as the First seemed to ponder that answer. "Are you?"


"What are you, stupid?" Asuka screamed into the receiver, "why should I be jealous about that little dork? I don't care what he does!"


"If you are not concerned then I will not be either...good night Sohryu."


---------


"What did you think of the movie?" the dark haired boy inquired to the girl walking beside him. The streetlights providing a guide, the young couple made their way through the deserted park as overhead a bright full moon cast long shadows off the well-lit trail.


"I'm not big on sequels, but I liked this one as much as the original," the freckled faced girl said with a smile. "Of course 'Together We Stand' is one of my all time favorite stories, even with its untraditional love story."


"I agree," Shinji replied, "it was a good flick once you got over the pairing."


"You surprise me, Shinji Ikari," Hikari exclaimed, "I never had you pegged as the romantic type."


"Well," he blushed as he brought his hand up behind his head, "around the guys is one thing, but alone I'm a different person."


"I noticed," she said with a smile before turning away as her face began to flush.


"Thanks," he said as he absentmindedly glanced down at his watch. "Wow, it's midnight already."


"It is?" she replied anxiously, her gait quickening just a bit. "I had better get home."


"I understand," he nodded as he matched her accelerated pace. "I'll walk you."


"Thanks, Shinji," she said with a smile. The two quickly made their way out of the park and back onto the sparsely populated streets.


"I had a nice time," the Third said after much hesitation.


"Me too," the girl replied, sounding surprised at herself for admitting it so freely.


"That's good," he said succinctly as for the first time since the initial few awkward moments of the date, Shinji found himself having difficulty speaking to the young woman. All throughout dinner and before and after the movie the two had chatted almost nonstop, the words flowing effortlessly off each other's tongues. He had learned about her sisters and family, while he shocked himself and opened up a bit about his troubled upbringing. They had even both broached the subject of their respective late mother's, although both had seen fit to keep some secrets just that. The date could not have gone better, except for that nagging feeling of guilt that had been growing all night long. Sure, he was doing this to help her...but still the date had gone so well that he was starting to have second thoughts...


"Shinji," the girl said softly as she stopped and hung her head, staring at the sidewalk below. "I have something I have to tell you."


"Me too," he said as he turned to face her.


"You first," they said in unison, sounding like they had been in sync training. They both broke down and laughed for a moment as the tension eased.


"You go first," Shinji said softly.


"Okay," Hikari sighed as she took a deep breath. "I can't lie to you Shinji. I didn't just come on this date because you asked me to. I also came because I really wanted to get back at Asuka...for playing that trick on me. I'm sorry."


"It's alright," he nodded as he could see the distress in the girl's eyes.


"No it's not," she protested, "I used you to get back at her, and that's not fair."


"Hikari," Shinji said as he took her hand, "you have nothing to be upset about..."


"But I do," she said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "I was hoping to have a bad time on the date and then this wouldn't be so hard. But you had to go off and be charming and sweet and...I'm such a jerk!"


"No you're not."


"Yes I am," she said, tears flowing as she pulled away from him and turned away. "I wish you would just hate me so that this would be easier."


"What would be easier?" he queried.


"Well, I really like...Touji," she said exasperatedly, "but then you come in and we have a great time...and...now I don't know who I like anymore."


The Third smiled. "Don't worry," he said confidently, "I have a feeling that everything is going to work out for you just fine."


"Y...you do?" she said cautiously as she turned and faced him again. "Why?"


Shinji took her hand and lead her the short distance to a bench where they both sat down. Leaning forward he carefully wiped the tears falling from her eyes. "First you need to stop crying," he said.


"Sorry," she replied, her dress sleeves substituting as tissues as she rubbed them on her cheeks and nose.


The Unit 01 pilot gazed into her bloodshot eyes and smiled. "I...well...haven't exactly been honest with you, either."


"Y...you haven't?" she sniffled.


"No...but that's going to end right now," he declared. Taking her hand he took a deep breath as he screwed up his courage. "Hikari, I'm sorry but you are going to be late because there's something I've got to talk to you about."


---------


Quietly the boy slipped his shoes off as the front door shut behind him. Though the apartment was dark, his memory was good enough that he was able to successfully traverse the hallway and reach the kitchen. Suddenly his foot hit something soft, and he crouched down for a better look. As his eyes became more adjusted to the dim light he recognized the prone body of Pen Pen as he lay next to an empty jar. Picking up the container he was just able to make out the writing. 'Captain Scurvy's I Can't Believe It's Not Fish, imitation fish type penguin food.' He sighed as the bird rolled about in obvious pain, it's flippers grasping at its stomach. 'Misato went shopping again,' he thought to himself as he carefully stepped over the animal, and made his way through the kitchen and into the living room. He was almost at the door to his room when a light came on behind him.


"You're late."


It was the greeting that Shinji had been expecting, after all it was well past midnight, but its originator was somewhat unexpected.


"Where have you been all night?" Asuka said with a frown as she poked her head around the lamp, her hand still on the switch.


"Out with Hikari, you know that."


"Till two in the morning? That movie ended over three hours ago," she said loudly.


"Would you hold it down," Shinji said as he walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. "You don't need to wake up Misato."


"Fine," she said crossing her arms on her chest and standing over him. "So what were you doing all night?"


"Nothing really. We had dinner, saw the movie and I walked her home."


"I don't suppose there was any change?" Asuka asked hopefully. "Or leftovers?"


"Sorry," he said shaking his head, "we used it all up on desert. Did you know they make the best German chocolate cake there?"


"I've heard about it," she grumbled as her empty stomach groaned loudly. "Enough about food...is everything ready for Monday?"


"Monday?" he said perplexed. "What about Monday?"


"You know...Monday, the day you dump Hikari and Touji comes to her rescue...that Monday."


"Oh yeah," he said as he stood. "About that...there has been a slight change in plan." He yawned and stretched before he continued. "But I'm pretty tired, can we go over this tomorrow?"


"We'll go over this NOW," she said loudly, "right NOW."


"Fine," he sighed, "Well I've thought it over and I've decided not to break up with Hikari."


"You've WHAT?" Asuka screamed, ignoring the fact it was the middle of the night.


"I'm not going to break up with Hikari on Monday."


"But that was the plan," she protested loudly as she stepped closer and jammed her finger into his chest. "You'll screw up everything!"


"I'm sorry," he replied, "I DID intend to follow the plan...but...but..."


"But what?" she exclaimed.


"But after we had such a great time tonight...I just can't."


"You can and you will," Asuka scowled.


Shinji regarded her orders and facial expression for a moment. "I can't and I won't," he said flatly, "and there is nothing you can do about it."


"But...why...it's...," the Second stammered as the Third pushed by her and started towards his room.


"I'm sorry Asuka," he said softly as he grabbed the handle to his door. "The decision is made. I cannot make the clock run backwards, but I can make it move forward with my own hands."


The redhead watched in stunned silence as he slowly slid his door shut behind him leaving her alone with her thoughts...








To Be Continued...


Next Chapter: "Cease fire"



Didn't see that one coming, did you? I promised that this would have some more twists and turns...and there may be still more. Nothing much more to add although I am sorry this chapter is a bit late and the 'Together We Stand' reference is to Hotwire's fic and was used without his permission, but it's a great fic and if you have read it you know why I used that particular name. Thanks to Random and Rhine for prereading. C&C welcome at ryoma3000@yahoo.com.




******************* OMAKE THEATER *******************


Hey there... while Ryoma's off pre-reading my crap, I offer you this preview of Best Laid Plans, part 6. Enjoy.





The Monday morning light gave the school a beautiful, almost unearthly glow as Asuka headed towards it, humming softly.


Since Shinji had decided to stay with Hikari, it left her only one choice - reveal her true feelings.


"Hey Red," Touji said, falling in step at her side, "you said you wanted us all here to make some kind of announcement?"


"Yup," the Second Child affirmed, "when Shinji and Hikari show up, I'll tell you all."


"What about Kensuke?" Touji inquired.


Asuka shrugged, "He's an unimportant sub-character... if he's there, great, if not, no biggie."


Touji thought about this, "Yeah, I guess you're right... I mean, honestly - how many episodes was he in, anyway? Six? Maybe seven?"


"Hey Asuka," Hikari called, "hey Touji."


"Hey class rep," Touji replied, "I heard over the weekend that you and Shinji got hooked up... that true?"


"Yeah," the brown-haired girl replied, "this is a fanfiction, after all... who needs canon?"


"Which brings me to my announcement," Asuka said, ignoring her previous characterization and smiling like an idiot, "Since Shinji is with Hikari... I'm announcing my love for Touji."


Bad romance movie music could be heard coming from the school announcement system.


"Never noticed that before," Shinji observed.


"I love you, Suzuhara!" Asuka proclaimed, "Kiss me! Kiss me like you've always wanted too! I know you love me!"


"I do!" Touji replied emphatically, "I always have... ever since I exposed myself to you and you slapped the bejesus out of me... all I could think about was making you mine."


They leaned closer, the music swelling to a crescendo.


"Oh Touji!"


"Oh Asuka!"


As their lips-





What the $%# is this $@#@!!!!! This isn't my story!!


Ooo... he doesn't sound happy...


Raaaaaaandoooooom!!!


Well, looks like my time is up... hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. Try the veal.


whahaahahahahahahahahaahhaha


Damn you ! Get out...get out I tell you !!! Sorry folks for that little...incident. He KNOWS I hate Asuka and Touji pairings. Last time I let a guest author do my omake...All complaints about the crappiness of this omake can be sent to random1377@yahoo.com. I promise next chapter to do my own.