Disclaimer: Same as before

Chap. 6

Shinji gasped and jumped up. Tsunami's eyes remained closed, but a tiny giggle escaped her lips.

"I'm sorry, Tsunami. I really..."

Her eyes slowly opened and looked upon him and Shinji at once shut up.

"You apologized already." She looked away, "I'm sorry I worried you. It just that...I didn't know what to think. So many emotions flew through me at once and I didn't know how to handle them."

"But I was the one..."

"You only said what you felt at the time. I know you normally would have never said anything like that and that just shows that you were upset. I don't blame you for that. But still, I shouldn't have done what I did. It was...stupid."

"I...guess we both made mistakes, huh?"

"I guess we do."

"We better make sure that they don't happen again, huh?"

Tsunami looked back at him and smiled, "Why Shinji, I do believe you are growing up."

Shinji's face flushed, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being...you know. You."

Tsunami spent three days in the hospital, recovering. The doctors said it should have taken her a week and were surprised by her rapid recovery. Of course, they claimed it had something to do with the daily visits of a certain young who visited her after school and stayed until it was time to leave. Although Tsunami knew her rapid healing came from Rei's Angel DNA, Shinji's presence did make it somewhat quicker, as well as enjoyable. He was still a nervous wreck around her, but not because of the earlier reason. She always found that amusing about him and he seemed to take it in stride. When she returned home, Misato was waiting for them, with the usual can of beer on the table.

"Welcome back, Tsunami."

"Thank you, Misato."

Tsunami went into her room. As he made his way toward the kitchen, Misato noticed that Shinji seemed to be in a better mood. She smiled inwardly. Shinji, you're such a sweetheart. She took a gulp. You're also a little obvious.

"I'll get dinner ready." Shinji called out

Misato sat back for a moment, "You know what? How about we go out and eat?"

Shinji stopped, "Go out?"

"Yeah. It's been awhile since we've actually went out to eat somewhere."

Tsunami stepped back out. She had obviously heard Misato's proposal.

"What do you think?"

Tsunami gave it a little thought and nodded. Misato grabbed her jacket.

Then it's settled. We're going out to…"

At that time, a small ringing sounds. Misato sighed and reached into her jacket pocket to pick out her cell phone.

"Yeah. Now? Oh, okay...Sure, we're on our way."

"Who was that?" Shinji asked.

Misato put the phone back in her pocket, "It was Ritsuko. She wants us to come in for a synch test."

"Again? Right now?"

"That's right. You two get ready. We'll eat afterward."

___

"Tsunami, you have to remain calm. Your ratio is jumping over the place to rapidly."

"I'll try."

An hour later, the two Children were driven to NERV HQ, suited up in their plugsuits, and inserted into their entry plugs. Shinji was having the same progress as normal, but Tsunami's was different. Her synch ratio kept jumping around from 145% to 75% and decreasing. Her face tensed up as she tried to maintain a steady percentage. In the nearby control booth, Ritsuko and Misato were watching them from the monitors.

Tsunami closed her eyes. Why am I having so much difficultly? I've been through synch tests before and never had this problem. No, that was Rei. She never had a problem. Asuka was another matter.

Ritsuko watched with a neutral look. She had expected this. The separate energies of both Asuka and Rei were being translated differently by the computer. Naturally, the ratio would jump around due to the differences between the girls' abilities. Meanwhile, Shinji looked at the monitor and noticed her strained expression.

"Tsunami, just don't think about it, okay?"

What the...? Why did I say that? I'm the last person to be giving advice on synching. In truth though, Shinji has always been the best at synching, but he being Shinji, didn't think so. So why did he suddenly decide to be helpful? Tsunami's eyes snapped open and for a minute, he thought she would yell at him the way Asuka normally does. But she merely nodded and calmly closed her eyes again.

"The ratio has begun to stabilize."

"That's good, Tsunami. Keep it up." Misato called over the comm.

Tsunami didn't seem to hear her as she continued to concentrate. She began to feel a little lightheaded, but the sensation passed.

Tsunami, just don't think about it, okay?

She followed the words and relaxed, totally letting her body go in the LCL. Suddenly, the alert signal began to ring.

"What is that? Is it an angel attack?"

"Negative. No hostiles in the area."

"Dr. Akagi. Look at this!"

Ritsuko moved over to the monitor and looked at the reading. Her eyes widened with shock. I knew they were going to be high, but this? Misato glanced at her friend's expression.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Tsunami's synch ratio. It's 400%."

"What!"

She looked back at the monitor. Tsunami was still there, in solid form. But that shouldn't be. At 400%, she should have merged with the Eva. But that isn't possible.

Misato called over the intercom, "Tsunami, stop!"

Tsunami's eyes blinked open again, breaking her concentration and causing her ratio to drop. Ritsuko took a short breath, but Misato ordered that both plugs be ejected immediately. Tsunami was the first to come out and waiting for her was Dr. Akagi.

"Tsunami, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Why did we stop?"

"Your synch ratio hit 400%."

Tsunami didn't flinch as she took in the information. I didn't meld with the LCL. Why?

"I see."

It was then that Shinji nearly ran out of his entry plug. But he stopped short when he saw Tsunami alive and well.

"Are you...alright?"

Tsunami turned to him, "Yeah, sure. Nothing for you to worry about. But it looks like my synch scores are higher than yours."

Shinji smiled, "Oh, really. Well, I guess…congratulations are an order."

"Not really, but thank you just the same."

At that point, Misato came "Well, since the alert is over, you two should go and change. I'll meet you in an hour."

"Okay, Misato."

Once the two of them disappeared from view, Misato turned to Ritsuko.

"Start talking."

"I don't even know where to begin. This whole scenario is full of questions. But it may have some answers." Ritsuko began to walk away, "I better get started."

Inwardly though, Ritsuko was shaken. This is beginning to go too far. It was thought that this accident had only fused the two girls together, but it had revealed something more. It seems that Rei and Asuka together must create a powerful force. She was able to control the synch rate at that level. But how? Why? Then a new disturbing thought emerged.

What will she be like during an angel attack?

(AN: This may seem a little rushed.)