Disclaimer: see part 1
The Lifespan of a Love Affair.
By Random1377
Week 11: Getting Close
"Where the Hell are they?!"
Kaji leaned further back in the chair he had commandeered from Maya Ibuki, and laced his hands behind his head as he watched the woman pace back and forth. "It's only ten thirty five," he pointed out easily, "get a grip."
"Oh bite me," Misato grumbled, "and why are you here??"
"It's my job to know what's going on," Kaji replied lightly, "and I like looking at your cans, so I find excuses to stare at them."
The operations director snorted. "I'd watch it if I were you," she muttered, "this isn't college – and if I find any reason to, I'm going to put my foot up your ass."
"Misato."
"Hmm?"
"Eh, it's nothing really," Kaji shrugged, a lazy smile appearing on his face, "it just hit me all of the sudden how cute you are when you get all worked up. Kinda makes me nostalgic."
"Kaji."
"Hmm?"
"Shut up."
Kaji laughed. "Getting cuter, Katsuragi."
"Oooo!!" Misato growled, trying to ignore the man. "Where are they??" A soft chuckle from Kaji drew her attention. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Kaji grinned, "I just think it's funny that you don't even know your own pilots." Seeing the confusion on her face, he pointed. "Rei's standing right behind you – she's been there since you threatened to… how did you put it? Oh yeah, put your foot up my ass."
"Oh ha ha," Misato muttered, "I think I'd have seen Rei-"
"Major."
Misato jumped. "No way!"
She turned to find the First Child standing behind her, already dressed in her plugsuit.
"Ikari is changing."
Boy that's a loaded statement, Kaji and Misato thought at the same time.
"What… happened to your hair, Rei?" Misato queried uncertainly.
The red-eyed girl blinked. "I had it cut," she said softly.
"Yes, I can see that," Misato rolled her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was not aware I needed your authorization," Rei murmured.
"Is she just trying to be irritating?" Misato asked Kaji, speaking out of the corner of her mouth as she regarded the girl.
Rei's hair no longer covered her ears. In fact, Misato noticed, it barely touched the tops of her ears. In addition to shortening it, the girl had apparently chosen to have it restyled… and Misato could not decide if she approved or not. It appeared to be the same style, upon first inspection, but after a more thorough examination it became clear that this was a rather radical change.
No longer was it parted in the middle, instead coming over from the right to the left, the bangs still covering her forehead, but in a thinner, shorter arrangement – allowing more of the girl's porcelain complexion to show through. The entire style whispered of ease and casualness, bringing to mind an image of the girl getting out of bed, running her fingers briefly through her hair, then heading out the door without a care in the world.
"Ahem."
Both women turned their attention to Kaji as he rose to his feet and bowed. "Miss Ayanami," he said seriously, "you look… lovely."
Rei returned his bow, her hair now unable to hide the faint blush on her cheeks.
Misato frowned, giving Kaji a significant glance. "Well," the man sighed reluctantly, knowing there would be blood if he ignored the hint, "guess I'll see what's taking Shinji so long. Back in a few."
Misato waited until the man left before saying, "I know you don't waste time when you talk, so I'll extend you the same courtesy." She took a deep breath. "What happened last night, Rei?"
"Ikari stayed the night with me," Rei replied immediately.
"Yes, I know," Misato said calmly, "why?"
"Because I asked him to," came the placid reply.
"Rei," Misato said quietly, "as your superior officer, I am going to ask you once more – why did Shinji spend the night with you last night… and did you sleep with him?"
Rei considered her reply for a minute before speaking. "I asked him to spend the night because I wished to know him better. I once promised to protect him, Major, and I felt my capability of doing so would be increased if I was more aware of his concerns and feelings." She tilted her head to the side. "Ikari slept on a sleeping mat by the side of my bed," she said quietly, "he would not sleep on the mattress with me, as it would not have been appropriate." She met the Major's eyes. "We did not have intercourse."
"Well, ummm… that's… very concise…" Misato stammered. "Is that… all that happened? He just came over and talked and you guys went to bed?"
"No," the girl corrected, "Ikari arrived, I removed my shirt to allow-"
"You what??"
"-him to cut my hair without generating a mess," Rei continued as if Misato had not spoken. "When he had finished, we ate, and talked, and then went to sleep. That is the sequence of events, Major."
The older woman's eyes wandered to the girl's blue hair once more. "Shinji did it…?" she whispered, not truly knowing what else to say. Certainly, it was not the best haircut (she could see a few uneven places, even standing several feet from the girl) but it was far from the worst.
"Yes ma'am," Rei confirmed, adding, "with scissors and a pair of clippers equipped with a number 2 guard."
Feeling a great sense of relief, Misato asked, "Do you like how it came out?"
Rei frowned faintly. "It is… shorter than we had discussed, but it is acceptable."
"I see," Misato laughed. "Well, Kaji's right – it is lovely."
"Major."
"Yes, Rei?"
Rei hesitated. "You asked as a superior officer…" she reminded her slowly, "so I am compelled to tell you that the reason I asked Ikari to speak with me was my concern over your relationship with him."
Misato's jaw dropped open. "Are you kidding me??"
The blue-haired girl was not smiling. "No, ma'am," she said, shaking her head for emphasis, "I was concerned by the change in Ikari's attitude over the past two and a half months, from withdrawn, to outgoing, and back to withdrawn, with no visible explanation." She ignored Misato's sputtering attempt to cut in and concluded, "My initial instinct was that he was engaged in a relationship with pilot Souryu, but when this was not the case, my next speculation was you."
"Me?" Misato murmured, "Why me?"
"It was the next logical conclusion."
"I see," the operations director mused, "well, I can assure you that there is nothing inappropriate between Shinji and I, and I think it would be best if you were to stay out of my affairs."
"Your affairs are not my concern," Rei returned promptly, "Ikari's are. Further," she continued, "he has already confirmed the existence of your relationship, and-"
"He just told you?!?!" Misato exploded, "Just like that?!?!"
"He did not offer details," Rei said tactfully, "but when I asked if you and he were in a relationship, his reply was yes."
"Super," Misato spat, "is there anyone that doesn't know?!"
"I believe Doctor Akagi is still unaware," Rei whispered immediately.
"Arrghhh!!"
At least Asuka doesn't know, Misato thought miserably, Good Lord that girl would FREAK.
"Hey Misato."
The operations director jumped. "Akagi!" she snapped, "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"You looked right at me when I came in!" Ritsuko huffed, "Get your head out of the clouds and…" she trailed off as her eyes lighted on Rei's hair.
"Shinji did it," Misato offered helpfully, wishing the doctor would give her five more minutes alone with the First Child.
"I… see…" the blonde murmured, absently reaching back and touching her own hair. "So, ummm… anyway, sync test…"
"Yeeeees?" Misato grinned, enjoying seeing someone else off guard for a change.
"Rei's overdressed."
Misato sighed as the woman explained the particulars of the unusual test. It's gonna be one of those days, she thought tiredly, giving Shinji a brief, 'I know things are ok,' smile as he came into the room. Yeah… definitely one of those days…
She had no idea.
**
Shinji's eyes had long since adjusted to the darkness, and the details of his ceiling were clearly visible to him as he lay gasping for breath, his body trembling as the bed's other occupant slowly slid up to nestle in at his side.
"Mmmm…" Misato hummed, resting her head on his chest, "that was alright, then?" She laughed with delight as the boy nodded emphatically. "Glad you approve," she whispered, nuzzling his neck. "I think that's a suitable reward for waiting so patiently for us to get rid of the angel…"
This is ok… she thought, just a little for right now, because it's all… about… mmm… control…
She caught Shinji's hand, meaning to move it from where it had come to a rest, but Shinji whispered, "Please? Just for a minute?"
"Just… a minute…" Misato said reluctantly, keeping her hand over his. "I don't want to… mmmm…"
Yeah… she thought, stroking the back of his hand, just for a… a minute… that would… be ok… Asuka's gone to Hikari's, so just… for a minute…
"Is that good?" Shinji asked timidly, carefully exploring with his fingers. "Am I doing ok?"
"Yes," Misato hummed, "that's juuuust right… mmmm…"
Good? She thought, Yeah, you COULD say that…mmm God –
"Right there! Yesss… uhnnn…"
Shinji gently caressed the point she indicated, wetting his lips and kissing her softly. His reward was another soft moan as Misato's tongue slowly ran over his lips, the hand not covering his moving slowly over his chest.
I love that he's gentle like this, Misato thought deliriously, her hands now moving completely of their own accord, this shirt needs to go, though… yeah, that's better. Now… mmm… just need to move… a little…
Her eyes shot open and she gasped, as he realized what she was doing. "I… need to go," she whispered desperately, gently pushing the boy back and sliding out from where she had pulled him atop her. "S-sorry… I need to g-"
"Wait," Shinji said quickly, "please…"
Misato shook her head, grabbing her tee shirt off the floor and yanking it on, tearing the seam on the right shoulder. "Can't... be here…" she gasped, trembling as she realized how out of control she was.
God… she thought, shivering, I was… why am I even here??
"Misato!" Shinji cried, "Don't… don't go!"
"S-sorry…" the woman gasped, stumbling to the door and casting a regretful glance over her shoulder, "Shinji, I'm… I'm sorry. I'm just not… I don't want to… I…"
"I understand," Shinji said quickly, holding his hand out to her, "we don't have to do… that tonight, just come back, ok?"
Agonized, Misato turned away. "I'm sorry…"
Shinji's hand fell to the bed as she retreated. "Idiot…" he whispered, clenching his eyes closed and focusing on controlling his breathing. "What do you need, Misato?" he asked, his voice choked and uneven, "I thought… this is what you wanted…" Slowly leaning back on his bed, he wiped his eyes. "Just tell me what I'm supposed to do…"
Five minutes later, he was dreaming… lost in a world where nothing he did was right, and doors slammed in his face every time he tried to step through.
In her room, Misato could hear her heart as it hammered in her chest. "Ok," she whispered to herself, "ok, ok, ok… we got close… but we didn't… so things are still ok…" she caught sight of herself in the mirror, "Keep it together," she told herself, taking a deep breath, "Ritsuko was wrong… I can be close to him without wanting to fuck him every day – I can!"
Another deep breath seemed to sooth her racing heart.
"I won't use him like that," she told her reflection, "We're going to be ok…"
The sweat on her forehead, and the dampness on her thighs, whispered that she was a liar.
Continued…
Author's Notes: Shinji tries desperately to understand Misato's complex needs, but when the next angel attacks, trapping him within its confines, how can he be expected to maintain the fragile bond between them? And how can Misato cope with the pressure of nearly losing him?
Find out in the next chapter: Shaking Apart
Pre-read was done by LeperMessiah, who protected Rei from my horrible descriptive abilities. Rei says "Thank you for saving me from that haircut, Leper-kun… aishiteru…" ^_^
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com
