I have reached a dilemma! Everyone wants to see Shinji and Asuka get together, but I see no way of doing this without totally sugarcoating the story. I'll continue this chapter along the same tracks as the previous ones, and I'll see what kind of comments I receive. Also, Rei should have a bigger part in this story. Sorry for the delay!

Chapter 9

--Fan Fiction--

*Continues on from last chapter*

"From now on, you call me 'Sir'"

Asuka was fuming.

"FORGET IT!" she shouted.

"Forget what-ever it is you wanted me to buy you then" Shinji replied in a calm voice while grinning at her.

Asuka raised her hand to give him another slap, Shinji however moved out of the way just in time.

"Hey, give it a rest! Girls shouldn't be as aggressive as you are" Shinji told her with a hurried voice

"I should punch you out for that." Asuka said while glaring at him.

"No, don't get me wrong." Shinji added hastily. "I kinda like it, you're different from everyone else."

"What?!" She asked in total surprise.

"Oh nothing" Shinji told her while rolling his eyes and producing an innocent expression.

She just looked at him and muttered, "Pervert" under her breath.

"Hey, you were quite comfy on top of me last night" Shinji said trying to maintain his composure.

"I knew it! You are a pervert!" She shouted at him, although she mentally berated herself because he was right.

"I'm only kidding, Asuka" he said. "I don't even know how we ended up like that"

Asuka turned away to hide both the blush that had developed on her face, and the guilty look that now occupied it. She knew full well that she was the one who had snuggled up against Shinji last night after he had fallen asleep. She had awoken after a bad dream and was on the verge of breaking down. For some reason she had felt safer and more at peace when she was near him. Of course, she would never tell him this.

"Lets go Shinji, I don't want to spend my whole day frolicking around with you" She finally said and began walking towards the next bunch of shops. Shinji soon followed.

---

At the same time, halfway across town, 2 very different people were heading towards the house belonging to the Ikari residents.

"You think he's going to be in?" Asks Touji

"Yeah, where else could he be" Replies Kensuke

"He could be doing some Eva stuff." Touji points out.

"Nah, I'd know about it if he was" says Kensuke with confidence.

The pair soon arrived at their destination and rang the bell of Shinji's house. The door opened to reveal Rei.

"Hello. How may I help you?" She spoke in her usual monotone voice.

"Hi Rei," Kensuke smiled

Touji smacked him on the back of the head.

"Err, right." Kensuke blushed but then composed himself. "Is Shinji here?"

"He is not present." She responded.

"Where is he, and how come he wasn't in School today and the day before?"

Rei looked at them both before she answered. "I do not know where he currently is, however, I am sure Commander Ikari knows of his present location."

"Shinji's dad?" Touji asked. "Can we speak to him then?" he added.

"He has not yet returned from work" both boys sighed, "However" She continued "He will be coming back in little under 15 minutes."

Both boys looked at her.

"Would you like to come in and wait for him?"

"Err, yeah, that would be great" Both boys stuttered out.

Rei gestured for them to come in and stepped aside to let them pass.

---

"We're back!" Shouted Asuka as she and Shinji walked back in to the apartment.

Shinji walked in to the kitchen and placed the bags of food down on the table. Asuka went in to the living room in search of Misato. She carried a single plastic bag with her, the name of an expensive shop printed on the side.

Misato greeted the Second Child from the couch. "Hey Asuka, what've you got there?" She asked pointing to the bag.

Asuka smiled and opened the bag up. She proceeded to remove a red dress from inside it. Misato's jaw literally fell to the floor when she looked at it. It was very expensive from the look of its appearance, and Misato could tell it was made from fine silk.

"W-Where did you get that?" She asked.

"Shinji bought it for me!" Asuka exclaimed.

Just then, Shinji walks in to the room and looks at the scene before him: A grinning Asuka and an amazed looking Misato.

"Shinji, how much did that cost?" Misato asked, her tone disbelieving.

"Lets just say I won't be buying anything for the next month or two" He answered.

"WHAT!" Misato suddenly burst out surprised. "Shinji, you get paid more then me! How could you have spent so much money on a dress?"

"I guess I can't say no to pretty girls." Shinji answered. Asuka beamed at this.

"Did you hear that Misato?" Asuka spoke out. " Some people appreciate true beauty when they see it."

Misato didn't answer; she just looked at them, stood up and walked to the kitchen. The sound of a beer can opening was soon heard from inside. Shinji and Asuka were now alone in the living room.

"Thanks Shinji" Asuka turned to Shinji and smiled at him.

"Like I said, I just can't say no to a pretty girl." Shinji repeated

"And you don't want anything in return?" She queered

"Like I told you before, your friendship is all I ask for." Shinji reassured her.

She paused before she spoke again: "You'll get more then that." she quietly told him.

Asuka looked at him for a moment and then began to walk towards him. Shinji didn't know what she was up to until he looked in to her eyes. She stared back at him with a somewhat amused expression, but then proceeded with closing the distance between them. They could both feel each other's hot breathing on their faces, and although it tickled Asuka, she chose not to say anything.

That's when it happened. They kissed. Slowly at first, but they soon began to get bolder. Shinji was greatly enjoying the kiss, and Asuka was amazed at how nice it felt to share someone's warmth. She also noted that Shinji was very good at this.

Just as the kiss began to deepen even further, a noise from the kitchen interrupted them and they pulled apart. Both of their cheeks were flushing pink as they looked at each other's eyes.

"You better get some rest guys" Misato's voice sounded from the kitchen. "Tomorrow you'll have to continue with the co-ordination drills."

Neither Asuka nor Shinji answered her. They simply stood there staring at each other. Asuka suddenly smiled and hugged Shinji. He soon returned the gesture.

"Thank you" She whispered quietly in his ear. Shinji smiled.

They broke apart from their hug and went in to their respective bedrooms. Soon they were both in bed. Shinji was drifting off to sleep with a smile on his face, and Asuka was set for a night where nightmares couldn't reach her.

---

To be continued.

Bah, that wasn't very good. Okay, I admit, we've all read better, but damn it I'm having a hard enough challenge finding time to write this story. Anyway, you can look forward to the next chapter soon enough. Laterz.