NOTE: Evangelion is the property of Gainax (thank you, you wonderful people).
ADV Films has the rights to the English translation. Thus, I am only borrowing the
characters to write a story for entertainment, thus it is non-profit.

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Finding the place where I belong. (Home)

Chapter Four: This is to be My home Now

She managed to calm herself down. She lay on the couch with her head in Shinji's lap, as he gently stroked her hair.

"Feeling better now?" he asked her in a soothing voice.

"YES, thank you. I've been waiting to tell you that for a long time," she sat up and looked into his eyes.

It was him who hugged her this time, before saying, "Lets get you unpacked."

It was late by the time she unpacked the last of her belongings. Shinji started making the dinner ten minuets ago, leaving her to put the last of her things where she wanted. She looked around, and though the room was not even near half full with her stuff, it looked as if this is where it belonged, with Shinji, who loved her. She loved him, she needed him.

The front door opened and she heard Misato step in and the noise of her beer can opening, 'Just like old times,' she thought.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Shinji called. She breathed in the aroma of his cooking. It was not as if she could not coook, she just could not cook the japanesse way like he could.

And memories come flooding back. She smiled, at the thought of the petty arguements that they used to have at dinner.

"Coming!"

Placed in front of her was a meal that smelt wonderful. She looked up at Shinji and smiled.

"Smells delicous."

"Dig in," Shinji told her. Nerves could be heard in his voice. 'That's funny,' she thought, 'I'm not going to complain, well one for the road.'

"Shinji what is this! I've never tasted anything so gross!"

"Asuka...I...I,I,I.."

"Gotcha! Sorry Shinji, I just couldn't resist." He suddenly seemed to become angry at her joke.

"That's not exactly...."

"Asuka I have news about the transfer you wanted," Misato interupted and had a serious look on her face and tone to her voice. 'Please say that the commander will let me stay.'

"I'm afraid Asuka that the commander has decided......." 'He's not going to let me come back,' she thought.

"That you can have your transfer. Welcome home." Misato broke into a smile. She could not help herself, she just had to play this one trick on her.

"I'm home, I really home!" She jumped out of her chair and ran to the balcony and shouted with all her might.

"I am Home!" She felt a hand on her shoulder, and it was trembling nervously.

"Welcome home," he whispered in her ear. She knew that she was home, and she was with the man she always loved. He loved her. She was with him now. She was never going to let him go again. She knew they had a lot to work out, things from the past simply cannot disapear, but she did not care right now. She sank back into his chest and placed her hand on his. She felt him tremble from her touch, but the trembling soon passed.

She closed her eyes and thought. 'I'm finally home at last.'

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Author's note; though this is the ending that I wanted, I'm going to write an alternate ending just to see how the characters react.
Thanks to my pre-reader throughout this, brassmonki, without who this story wouldn't have been possible.
E-mail Asuka_uk@hotmail.com
TTFN