Started August 23, 2001 Finished October 16, 2001

The Games We Play Version 3.2

Red Horseman

There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter. ---Ernest Hemingway

* * * *

The dance floor was a mass of writhing bodies lost in the electronic pulse of music blasting out of speakers surrounding them, and lights dancing along the walls and ceiling. Many were lost in the euphoria of drugs or alcohol, while others loved the press of flesh against flesh. But something moved through that mass, disrupting the pulse with a cold almost painful presence. Bodies flowed apart to let the cold presence pass before flowing back into a chaotic mess. Heads turned to watch the pair that had interrupted them stride to the bar, many eyes concentrated on the shapely redhead for but a moment. In that moment they saw cold blue eyes stare at them in contempt and disdain. A few made to move towards the bar hoping that the redhead would give them a better chance. This time it was her partner who stopped them by simply leaning back against the bar and staring back at them. With those two looks the bar knew that the pair was not worth the trouble.

"What'll you have?" The bartender barely gave the pair a second glance as he waited for their orders. It wasn't his job to keep the peace but to keep the alcohol flowing.

"Torrence Grypthon," the woman stated quietly.

The man looked over the pair once again, this time taking in every detail of their clothing and posture. The redhead calmly sat on the barstool, smoothing the black dress over long, slender legs. She flashed him a smile that was not friendly and definitely did not reach her eyes. That she was beautiful could be seen in a glance, but a longer look would show any male that she was dangerous, and not in any sexual sense. The young man leaned against the bar top studying the dance floor with it's alternating patterns and watching anyone that came too close to their seating. The bartender saw that the man was armed from the bulge under one arm, and the way his hands strayed to his jacket from time to time.

"How do you know him?"

"Business." Asuka simply stared at him, showing that she was all business. They would get what they needed or someone would lose their money. "Tell him he has two VIPs waiting for their goods."

"Right, no one just walks in from the streets and gets an audience."

Asuka sighed, and fished around in her small purse. With a flick of the wrist she threw a signet ring onto the countertop. Signet rings had returned to being popular among syndicates and the black market, especially when they carried specialized one-time use electronics. The bartender picked it up and turned to a small reader built into the bar. As he waited for the results some unseen signal was passed between the man and two guards.

Gripping Shinji's arm tightly as he began to move in front of her, Asuka watched as the two men approached. She smirked at how slow they moved compared to most of the bounty hunters that had hunted them. But they were bigger than Shinji and herself, and if they got into arms reach they could cause some damage. Continuing to smirk, she simply stared at the duo waiting for them to make the first move, unwilling to look away. Assessing the situation she knew that they could only rely on her hand-to-hand training and Shinji's pistols to get them out of the bar during a panic.

Minutes passed as the bartender had moved from the electronic reader to a nearby videophone. The discussion was heated as he kept looking over at them and turning back to the phone. The noise of the bar covered up all of the conversation only allowing Asuka to guess at what was being said. Soon it was over and Asuka had to dig her nails into Shinji's arm as he began to reach into his jacket at one of the guard's movement. Shinji hissed at the unexpected pain, but stopped trying to grab one of his guns. Instead he followed Asuka's lead and stared at them. The guard that had stepped forward saw all this and took a couple steps back.

Turning his head he let them see the small earpiece. "Torrence says you're late."

"Too bad," Shinji answered, not letting them guess as to who was in charge.

"It's not polite to stand him up."

"Well, then he should have given better directions."

The man smiled and gestured for them to follow. "You and the Boss might get along. Might being the word."

The guard stepped around Asuka, who got up and followed with the other guard behind her and Shinji bringing up the rear. The pair hadn't trusted anyone for years and they weren't about to start with these two. Shinji received a strange look from the guy he was following, but he just stared back as they went up a set of stairs. He hadn't like coming here and neither had Asuka as there was too much commotion that didn't allow proper surveillance. But they needed the tools to commit the next stage of their offense against SEELE and this was the only contact that could get it for them. And so Shinji looked back to verify that no one was following them and that there was a way out. But as the door closed behind him he again reached for his gun again, wanting to be ready.

"Relax Mr. Ikari, I'm not in the business of killing my customers."

The speaker reminded Shinji too much of his father as he refused to stand or greet the pair. Instead he simply sat behind a large oak desk with his hands laying flat and fingers intertwined. Neither pilot reacted to his features or the color of his skin as NERV had been an international organization. Plus they had fought Angels and bounty hunters, receiving more scars then this man who had one scar up the side of his cheek. Shinji followed after Asuka as she glided over to a chair and sat down, crossing her legs. He took up position off to her left while the two guards joined others who had already been in the room.

"Is he always like this?" Torrence gestured at Shinji who had placed a hand on Asuka's shoulder.

"Only when we're unsure of the situation."

The man gave them a knowing smile, "He's very protective of you?"

"Yes." Asuka reached up and placed a hand on Shinji's, squeezing gently before returning her hand to her lap.

"Now can we get on to business?"

Torrence laughed gently, "Kenji told me you'd cut straight to the heart of the matter. I like that."

Asuka opened her mouth to fire a retort, but Torrence was already moving to grab something behind his desk and place it on top. She felt Shinji's fingers tighten as they both saw the red and white biohazard warnings on the silver metal case they were to receive. With quick fingers Torrence tapped in the proper number sequence into the electronic lock before sliding the paper over to her. As the case was opened and turned towards her Asuka felt herself leaning forward to get a better look.

Nestled in foam rubber were two metallic cylinders covered in the same warning as the case. The ease with which Torrence put on his protective gear told the pair that he had done this many times in the past. With care Torrence unscrewed one cylinder and pulled out a vial filled with a clear liquid. Putting that vial on the foam he repeated the procedure until both vials were ready for Asuka and Shinji's inspection. When neither moved, he licked his lips at their stares.

"You do know what these are used for?"

"Of course we do. If we didn't know what they did we'd never have asked for them." Asuka's voice was full of sarcasm, "What did you think we were going to do with it?"

Torrence leaned back in his chair and looked at them in a different light. He had not really believed that the two 'kids' sitting in front of him were that hardened. Torrence knew that firing a pistol round into someone was completely different then stabbing a person. Poisoning a person took even more guts because you had to stick around to make sure they died.

"You've done this before?"

"Yes," replied Shinji.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"No."

Shinji felt his anger rise as the man leaned on the desk looking at them with his hands steepled. Shinji felt his hand clench into a fist as he thought about how this person had no right to question them about killing. Kimio's face still haunted him, causing him to lose sleep even though the deed was more then two months behind him. He looked down to see Asuka looking over her shoulder at him as she touched his hand for a moment. She knew what he had been going through and had done her best to help him through it as their relationship shifted.

Asuka changed the subject, not wanting to deal with a depressed Shinji. "We'd like to see a demonstration. Just to make sure it's the real thing."

"Fine." Like a scene out of bad spy movie Torrence pressed a button on his desk causing a door to slide open. The man behind the door walked into the room and placed a caged rabbit on the desk. Torrence stopped the man as he moved to open the vials.

"And I'd like to see the payment we agreed upon."

Asuka stayed quiet as she moved slightly to pick up the attaché case that she had carried into the nightclub. Setting the case on the desk she popped the latches open and spun it around. They had taken a few days to travel around the city and withdraw the desired amount. It had been worth it as both Asuka and Shinji watched Torrence pick up a bundle and thumb through it with a large grin.

"Cash." He looked up from the money, "Do know how old fashioned this is?"

Asuka coolly examined her nails as she replied, "It doesn't leave trails or dead bodies."

"Sorry little girl, but it does. Well at least trails."

"Tell me something," Asuka felt her anger rising and knew the meeting would be closing soon. She waited for his nod before going on, "How many ATMs do you have in Chicago."

"I wouldn't know I have no business interests in that area."

"Over 9,000." She didn't even smile or grin at the man's ignorance, "So tell me, how would they track money from so many different locations?"

"Well."

"They can't and my patience is growing thin. So I suggest that you give us the demonstration and let us leave."

One of the guards felt that Asuka was not showing the proper amount of respect for his boss. Shinji watched him move towards Asuka and waited for something to happen. Asuka hated it when he got overly protective of her, but nothing would change his mind at times. So as the man rested his hand on Asuka's shoulder Shinji moved and grabbed the man's wrist. With a twist the room's occupants heard a sharp crack, as the man's wrist was broken. Shinji still hated inflicting pain, but unless he wanted to lie down and die there was nothing he could do. He moved away from Asuka as the other guards started walking towards them.

"STOP!"

Shinji looked towards the desk to see Torrence standing and glaring at everyone. With a start the other guards looked ashamed as they returned to their prior positions. The guard with the broken wrist was kneeling on the floor holding it in his hand. Torrence looked disgusted at the man and sat back down in his chair. With a slight nod at one of the guards, Torrence had the violator removed from the room.

"I'm sorry about that. I have an outstanding rule that customers are not to be touched. Especially women." Smoothing his jacket, he relaxed, "Now let's continue."

The man who had brought the rabbit in pulled out a small tray from the cage. Working slowly he unscrewed one of the vial's lid and poured a small amount of the clear liquid into the tray. He repeated the same procedure with the other vial once he had secured the first vial. After he replaced the second vial in the foam, the man swirled the two liquids in the tray together for a few seconds. Sliding the tray back into the cage he moved away so that everyone could see the results.

Asuka dug her nails into Shinji's hand as she watched the rabbit sniff the liquid before drinking. She could feel Shinji tremble as they both waited for something to happen. Asuka hated seeing anything used for experiments, especially ones that resulted in death. That was what has happened to her and Shinji's mothers with piloting EVA for the first time. Blinking back a couple tears she turned to watch the rabbit. As they watched Asuka heard a slight wheezing rise from the rabbit. It's eyes were wide in panic as it tried to breath but all it could do was produced more mucus. Shuffling over to a corner the rabbit lay down, it's ears going flat before it slumped. Torrence reached in and pulled out the limp dead body of the rabbit.

"No that's fine," Asuka choked out as he held it out to her. Standing Asuka put the vials in the cylinders and closed the metallic case. Without a single word she turned and walked out of the room and down the stairs, Shinji close behind her. He got within range and reached for her free hand, feeling Asuka cup her hand around his for an instant. Asuka ignored the leering faces of the men scattered close to the door as she grabbed her jacket. Not even putting it on she stalked out the door and picked up her pace up in order to reach their car sooner. Placing the case in the trunk she unlocked the doors and got in the passenger side. Shinji got in after her and started the car, looking at the young woman leaning against the door as he started driving.

He wanted to say something as Asuka remained silent as he guided the car up the on-ramp and onto the expressway. Shinji always felt his heart crack whenever Asuka was sad or depressed for some reason. It wasn't fair for such a vibrant person to be down or frowning instead of smiling, and he loved her smiles. Slowly reaching over Shinji rested a hand on her leg, and felt her tremble at the unexpected touch. He started removing his hand, but felt Asuka's fingers intertwine with his, not letting him go. .

Her voice was a quiet whisper as she spoke, "I'm sorry Shinji."

"For what?"

"I shouldn't have." Asuka felt tears threatening to fall. "I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, it showed weakness to that man."

"I understand I don't like seeing things being used for experiments either. But."

Asuka interrupted him, not yelling or anything. "It's not that, I was just thinking of my mother." Her voice cracked a little.

"You don't have to talk about it, I'll understand why."

"Thank you."

Shinji didn't saying after that but squeezed her hand lightly while continuing to drive one handed. He knew that talking about mothers was a touchy subject with the two of them and avoided it as much as possible. Shinji knew that something had happened to Asuka's mother but he had never pressed her. He remembered the painful memory of when he had lost his mother in the first experiment with Unit-01. Shinji would wait for the day that Asuka would tell him about her family, like she had promised to.

- - - -

The slight shuffle of bare feet on carpet warned Shinji that Asuka was approaching. Flicking his fingers Shinji closed the item that he had been looking at and put it back in its bag. Slipping it into drawer he went back to cleaning his two pistols as he sat on a couch. He had taken to wearing two guns and carrying an extendable metal baton after the shootout in Kimio's. Asuka had pressed the issue of always having enough firepower and she followed her own advice normally, except tonight.

"You still not done yet?" asked Asuka as she came out of their room wearing a green evening dress.

"No." Shinji felt surprise at the anger in his voice. Finished with the cleaning, he started reassembling them as Asuka walked up to him.

"You're still mad about this?" She would be very surprised if he wasn't.

"Of course I am," Shinji fumed. "How else do you want me to feel? Ever since we met and worked together we've never operated separately."

Asuka stared down at him, frowning, and tapping her foot. "That's not true and you know it."

"I know." He looked down, away from her scowl. "The Eighth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Angels were the only times, okay. I hated it back then and I still hate it now."

"Unless you can change from being a male into a female, I'm the only one that can do this."

Shinji stood up abruptly causing Asuka to step back to keep from getting hit by his actions. As he walked over to the kitchen Asuka could see that he was mad from his tense posture to the way his hand clenched and unclenched. Smiling at that little quirk she moved towards him getting ready to speak. But as usual he beat her to the punch.

"We should just wait until he walks out of the bar and gun him down there," Shinji smiled faintly.

"And what good would that do?" Asuka walked up behind him and rested her hands on his shoulders feeling the hard muscles. "Our faces would be in every paper and on television. We couldn't fly out or even take the train. We'd be trapped."

Shinji reached down and picked up printed out police reports and newspaper articles. Every word had been burned into his memory and he felt his heart race and anger climb again. If anyone deserved to die it was the Senator from Illinois with his twisted fun and demented lifestyle.

"But this guy's a monster. He beats the." Shinji couldn't even finish. Instead he turned around with tears in his eyes. "I don't want that to happen to you."

Asuka leaned forward, resting her head against his and looked into his eyes as she spoke. "Nothing like that is going to happen, okay. I'll get some bruises and he'll be dead, end of story."

"Asuka," growled Shinji through clenched teeth. "This is so stupid. I hate it. Do you understand that?"

"I do, and we've argued about it for the last two days. It's my plan." Her eyes softened, "Please just trust me." Shinji sadly closed his eyes in defeat.

"And after this is over we can spend some time celebrating." She waited for his agreement and grinned at his nod, though his eyes were full of worry, before going to finish dressing. But Shinji caught her hand, causing her to turn around.

"I'll hold you to that." He got a bigger smile from Asuka before she slipped out his grasp. As the door closed he finished. "You mean too much to me."

- - - -

Shinji pushed open the heavy oak door of the bar and stepped into the alcove letting his eyes adjust. As he started down the stairs the door cut off any noise from the outside behind him. He had been expecting to find a place filled with rowdy, and noisy patrons, but found the opposite. Per their plan he began his journey to the other side of the long bar, taking in as much detail as he possible could. Asuka would be following behind him, waiting to spring the trap on Jason Deibel.

He had prepared himself to find a dark room with the smell of smoke, alcohol, and unwashed bodies assaulting his sense of smell. But that was not the case as he walked the room. The bar ran the length of one wall and had three bartenders waiting on patrons. Glasses of all shapes and sizes hung above racks of alcohol, waiting to be used. Mirrors lined the walls, allowing everybody a view of the room behind them and all activity. It was not as bright as Shinji wanted it, but he could see everything that was happening. As he sat down in a leather a bar chair he looked at everyone who was seated at tables filling the rest of the room and saw a couple tables that Asuka might be sitting at soon.

"Can I help you?" Shinji glanced back to the bar and found one of the servers looking at him. He had the sharpest green eyes that seemed to look through a person. The man's hairline was retreating and his body was one of an athlete in prime condition, if you considered fifty as a prime age.

"Do you have a menu?"

"Restaurant or bar?"

"Bar." Shinji saw the man pick up a laminated sheet and slide it towards him. Shinji slowly scanned the page, not wanting to seem to be in a hurry.

"Take your time I'll be back."

The menu held a variety of items that Shinji thought were out of place, such as steak and even shrimp. He had been expecting to find the quick to prepare food that they had been eating since getting into Chicago. But as he looked over the choices Shinji glanced over at the over half of the room. It was not a simple bar, but a well-known restaurant, so of course the food at the bar would be better. As he was glancing at the menu for the third time, Shinji felt the pattern of the bar shift. The quiet conversation died and it took on a subdued atmosphere.

He found himself looking up and saw Asuka descending the stairs slowly. Shinji found himself swallowing as he took in the view of his partner dressed up. Again he found himself astonished by the way she seemed to be transformed by simple make-up and jewelry. Not to mention she had again cut and curled her hair so it rested on bare shoulders. His eyes darted to her wrist, seeing it bare of the bracelet he had given her. As he continued to stare Shinji suddenly he had seen of the woman. It wasn't that Asuka was being transformed, but more like she was putting on a mask or raising her defenses. The Asuka who dressed up wasn't the real Asuka and so the mask could be hurt while the real Asuka was protected deep within herself.

The room didn't relax as she was seated, instead the tension grew as some of the patrons walked up to her. From the amount of head shaking and talking that was being done Shinji could guess what was being said. This bar was the prime hunting grounds of the SEELE member and the local women avoided it. As one of the bartenders walked away with a worried and disgusted look on his face Shinji gestured for the man who had given him the menu. Ordering a steak with all the works Shinji waited for the man to leave, but he didn't.

"Long Island, weak."

"Going to be here for a while?"

Shinji tried not to look at Asuka, but they flickered in her direction. "Hopefully not."

"Okay."

- - - -

Asuka tried not to glance at the clock above the bar as she calmly sipped at her drink. The itching between her shoulder blades was driving her crazy as everyone stared at her. She had been very blunt with the last person to come up to her table and want to escort her. Asuka knew why they were doing it and appreciated it but she had a job to do. An escort would just screw up that job and besides she would allow only one person to escort her. Her stomach growled but Asuka ignored it, not wanting anything in her stomach when she killed. She stirred her drink again and almost jumped when a hand rested on her shoulder.

"Is this seat taken?"

Asuka looked up with a retort on her tongue only to find a smile growing. Here was the Honorable Jason Deibel.

"Not for you?"

Her fake smile stayed in place as she watched the man walk over to the other chair and sit down. She couldn't believe that this fat, ugly old man could get any female to go with him to a bedroom. But as two guards took up positions around her Asuka knew that they hadn't gone of their own free will. Picking up her glass Asuka swirled the contents around before swallowing it in one gulp.

"So what are you doing?" asked Asuka in a sweet voice, causing the man to grin.

"Wondering what a gorgeous woman like you is doing alone."

Her stomach churned at his greasy smile and weak pick up line. She had hated them all the way back to when she was piloting. Didn't guys know that things like that was a sure way not to get a date? But Asuka let her smile grow and her eyes widen at the comment, like it had affected her. She saw Shinji glance at her, and Asuka nodded her head slightly.

"Waiting for the right guy."

With that comment the conversation started as to why Jason was the right guy. It lasted for half an hour as Asuka would shoot down his comments and launch some of her own. She didn't want to appear easy, but also not too hard to get. Everything had to go smoothly so he would be lulled in to a false sense of security. It was after another comment about his position in the government and how he could get favors for her that she relented. As she stood one of the guards grabbed her upper arm.

"Sorry," his voice was anything but. "We're going to have to search you."

- - - -

Shinji watched the entire proceeding with a calm eye as Asuka used her charm on the target. For a woman who had been direct with guys she didn't like, Asuka was putting on a good act. As they finally stood Shinji was drinking just water and had finished his meal, waiting for the time to pass. When one of the guards grabbed Asuka he felt a little surprise, and his hand tightened on the glass. As the man ran his hands over her body Shinji felt himself rise out of the chair and the glass drop.

"Don't." A strong hand gripped Shinji's wrist. It was the bartender, who reappeared suddenly.

"Let me go," Shinji growled. Kill the target now and damn the consequences.

The man simply tightened his grip, his voice still quiet. "There is nothing you can do for her."

Shinji tried to keep rising, wanting to get Asuka out of there.

"Stop it." Shinji didn't listen until the man spoke again, "You can't do anything. The third guard would kill you before you could draw."

That stopped Shinji and he followed the bartender's stare to a man who was sitting at a table. He was watching Asuka's group and had started to look at Shinji when he stood up. Slowly sitting Shinji tried to relax hoping Asuka knew what she was doing. Soon the search was completed and the quad walked towards a bank of elevator doors. The third guard didn't leave and Shinji stopped looking at him instead shifting his attention to the bartender. But he was watching Asuka leave sadly, giving in to defeat for the moment.

"How did you know I was armed?" The man shook his head slightly before answering.

"After twenty-five years on the force I can see if someone is packing a gun." Shinji ignored the hand, amazed at how calmly this man was taking this. "I'm Robert."

"The force?"

"Police force." Robert pointed to a plaque on the wall. "Aren't you police or something?" "No."

"So what are you if you're not the law?" He smiled at Shinji's glare. "If you don't mind telling me."

"We're not working for anyone but ourselves, and that's all I'm saying."

Pushing a new drink into Shinji's hand, the man pulled up a stool behind the bar. Grabbing his own drink he stared at Shinji gathering his thoughts.

"That explains the looks you were giving her. Partners on undercover jobs know how to keep cool and hide their emotions" Robert chuckled at Shinji's reaction. "You're good, but have a ways to go before you can hide your emotions."

"She's been the one to hide emotions. I'm still learning."

"Girlfriend or more?"

Shinji smiled sadly and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know since she's always confused me. But I do care about her."

"She feels the same or she wouldn't trust you to back her up."

This time there was no smile from Shinji. "How would you know? My friends could never understand us and I'm to believe you have us figured out in less then an hour."

Robert looked at his half-full bottle of beer like he was lost in thought. Shinji took that time to glance at the man sitting at the table as well as the plaque. He couldn't believe that he was speaking to stranger about his and Asuka's relationship. Or that said relationship was shifting after so many years from a working relationship to closer one but not yet intimate. Shinji felt himself sigh, wondering if it was another fantasy he was having.

"Maybe talking to someone that doesn't know you would help." Shinji carefully set the glass down. "I spent the last three years as a captain and counsel. It won't hurt to talk."

"You wouldn't understand."

"Maybe, maybe not."

Shinji glared at the man. "No."

"It'll help. Trust me." Shinji laughed sharply. "At best it'll get your thoughts organized and maybe you'll figure what you want to do. Even flightless waterfowl need someone to talk to"

Shinji jerked his head up, "What'd you just say?"

"You heard me correctly," Smiling, he continued. "I'll let you decide whether to trust me or not."

The man was relentless but as Shinji looked into those green eyes he felt his resolve wavering. There was understanding in them and Shinji hadn't seen that in anyone except Misato and Asuka. Maybe if he talked to a stranger who hadn't known them before it would help. With a slow start Shinji began his tale making sure to exclude their status of pilots and the bounty on their heads.

- - - -

Asuka tried not to turn and kill the guy as he ran a hand up her leg as they rode the elevator to the top floor. Everything was sickening about him from the way he talked to how he tried to impress her with his power. Asuka simply grinned and took the treatment from this pervert. She knew that once this was over the dress was going into the garbage and she would be taking a long hot soapy bath to wash away his touch. As the doors finally opened she strode out, away from his hand. Smiling to herself she walked to the door that had another guard.

"How many people does he have?" mused Asuka as she waited for the large man to open the door. "Time for a change of plans."

Her original plan had been to poison the Senator and wait for some time to pass before simply walking out of the room and hotel. The minute the guards had shown up at the table, that plan had disappeared. She would still employ the poison and save her strength for taking out the guards until Shinji got worried. Despite the situation Asuka smiled faintly that Shinji had been right about her plan.

Asuka smiled faintly at the absurd layout of the apartment. It was simply a large bedroom with a bathroom off to one side and a well stocked bar. She had a smile on her face as she turned to look at Jason. Asuka was not prepared for the fist that smashed into her cheekbone. Stunned she fell to the floor and lay there for a few moments. Bringing a hand up to her injured cheek Asuka felt her anger rise as she felt warm blood touch her fingers. Standing up she glared at the man who had hit her.

Gone was the greasy, charming man to be replaced by a total lunatic as he gazed upon her bloody face. His eyes seemed to have a crazed gleam to them as he gripped Asuka by her upper arm and shoved her in the direction of the bathroom. Jason Deibel was like a man possessed as he merely looked at her and licked his lips. Asuka felt a little afraid with this man as what information they had dug up on him was coming true. As he raised his hand again she defensively lowered her head, not looking at him. The blow stung but it wasn't as bad as the first.

"Get cleaned up quickly." He started removing his jacket. "And make sure you're properly attired."

Asuka quickly moved into the bathroom and locked the door. Taking some deep breaths she slowed her breathing down and forced back some anger. Walking over to the mirror she quickly assessed the damage to her body. The two punches had split open her cheek and blood was trickling down her pink flesh. Turning on the water she quickly cleaned up her wounds with a damp towel.

"So he wants to play does he? Well then, I'll play his game for now."

If Shinji had been in the room he would have backed away in fear at how dangerous Asuka looked. She looked like a wolf finding a meal coming to it and wanting to play with it before killing. Stripping out of her green evening dress she carefully folded it up and sat it on a cabinet. Her slip came next, but she wore her panties after retrieving the vial. Wrapping a towel around her torso she took a moment to stare at the vial of clear liquid.

"Hope you'll enjoy hell."

With that said she walked out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom. Asuka briefly closed her eyes and turned towards the bar, her body hiding the vial. What she had seen further lowered her opinion of the man and his tastes. His flabby body was covered in a multitude of scars made from fingernails scratching him. Also there were tattoos depicting perverse sexual acts on his chest. Asuka felt his eyes following her movements as he sat on the bed. Moving slowly she made a Long Island, letting the smells of the alcohol fill her before pouring the contents of the vial in the drink. Swirling the glass around Asuka left the vial in the sink and walked over to the man.

"Thanks bitch."

Jason grabbed the drink and chugged it, throwing the empty glass at her feet and reached for Asuka's towel. But she danced out of his reach, the fake smile and warmth gone from her face.

"Get over here," he ordered.

"No." The man sat there confused, looking at her. Asuka was mentally counting down the time before he died. But she knew she could torment the man for what he had done to her and others.

"Tell me how much of a man does it take to beat up a woman and have his guards rape her?"

The Senator had a smile on his face as he continued to stare at Asuka, "Don't know what you're talking about."

"Or what was your reaction when you heard Kimio was dead."

This finally drew a reaction from the man as he launched himself off of the bed straight at her. With all her strength she sent a kick into his side, hearing his breath forced out of him. But it wasn't enough to stop his mass of over two hundred pounds as his fist impacted on Asuka. Stunned, Asuka's own fist connected with his jaw as he over extended and she finished by driving an elbow into his back. Recovering slowly, he glared at her from his hands and knees.

"Guards," His shout barely began as Asuka's foot connected with his jaw.

But it was a mistake on her part as it brought her closer to the man she was killing. With a cry she was jerked towards him as he rose up and sunk his fist into her ribs. Asuka's vision darkened as she heard and felt a couple ribs break as he repeated his attacks. Shaking her head she kneed the Senator in the crotch as he finally regained his footing and drove her free hand into his elbow. As the man screamed in pain, she stepped away from him, circling the room.

Blood streamed down his chin from his damaged mouth, but this didn't stop the Senator from grinning wildly. Even as his breath became ragged, his eyes held a berserker light in them as he feinted in towards Asuka. With a grin Asuka took another step back from her target, only to feel the bar top hit her in the lower back. Deibel grinned and crossed the distance in a few steps, fists already in motion.

"Ahh," Cried Asuka as her back was arched painfully.

With a hard punch the Senator sent a fist crashing into Asuka's abdomen, causing pain to shoot through her body, but it was only a start. Fists thudded into her hips, and all over Asuka's body. As he reared back to hit her again, Asuka lashed out with her fist and connected with the Jason's nose. With more blood flowing down his face he just smiled and sent a fist into her jaw. With her vision swimming Asuka still fought, fingers racking his arms and then searching for his eyes. Asuka could only bite back her cries of pain at first, but that soon turned into just whimpers and tears ran down her cheeks. Her searching fingers found a bundle of nerves and jabbed deep into it, giving her a break from the fight to breathe and punch him hard in the sternum. During her assault Asuka cracked an injured eye to stare at the man. A faint smile formed on her face.

"What did you do?" The man could hardly breath. "What did you do?"

Asuka couldn't say anything or move as he picked her up and slammed her against the nearby wall, his hands wrapped around her throat. She was weakening fast and could barely do anything, hating herself for this stupid plan. Asuka's throat burned as she gasped for air and bile came up from her stomach. She hoped that Shinji would come to her rescue, her own shining knight. She had always loved that part of him though she told him the opposite. He was a person who was caring enough to risk dying so that she would live. As her vision started to fade Asuka could only think of that young man who had grown on her.

"Shinji."

- - - -

A hand brushed back a sleeve to look at a watch for the tenth time in half an hour. Shinji cursed as he finally stood up and walked away from the bar. Something was wrong he reasoned and nothing would stop him from confirming his hunch. He saw the last guard get up and follow him as he turned down the hall towards the bank of elevator doors. With a grim smile and slow movements Shinji un-holstered one of his pistols. Walking down the hall Shinji tested each door until he found an unlocked one and walked in, waiting.

The guard rushed towards the last place the young man had been seen. He had strict orders not to allow anyone to disturb the Senator during his fun. As the man strode to the elevators a hand reached out and grabbed him around the neck. A foot caused him to fall to his knees, while the cold touch of a pistol barrel pressed against his temple.

"Where is she?" Shinji growled in the man's ear.

"Don't know who you're talking about." The arm around his neck constricted.

"The redhead. Where is she?" When the man didn't say anything Shinji moved the pistol from the man's temple to his calf. The man's screams and the gunshot reverberated off the rooms walls as the man lost a chunk of his calf.

"I'm not in the mood to play games. You can live or die slowly, it does not matter to me."

The whites of the man's eyes were showing as he nodded his understanding and Shinji yanked him to his feet. With each passing moment Shinji was feeling detached from his body, like something was controlling him. It was like when his EVA went berserk during the Angels, killing them and him having no memory. Everyone had blamed it on the EVA but as the feeling grew now Shinji realized that he was the berserker. But now it did not scare him, he would use it to his advantage. He roughly pushed the man into the first elevator that was empty, running on autopilot.

"What floor?"

The man was growing pale but he was still coherent. "Top floor, third door on the left."

"Thanks." With that Shinji punched the floor below the suites.

The journey proceeded quietly as the man was bent over his hands cupped around his leg. He didn't have anything to attack this kid with since his pistol had been taken. Also the kid was watching him like a hawk and the barrel never wavered from his chest. With barely a jerk the elevator stopped at the correct floor and Shinji stepped partially out. Reaching back in, Shinji hit the top floor button and raised his pistol.

"Sorry." The man looked up as Shinji triggered two rounds next to the man's head. - - - -

Asuka awoke with a gasp, her breath ragged as she sucked in lungfuls of air. There was a crushing pressure on her legs and the hands around her throat were gone, but she didn't move. Instead she just looked at the plain white ceiling through tear clouded eyes as pain radiated through her body. Her joints screamed in pain as she tried to roll to one side, but couldn't and then she threw up. By the third dry heave she became aware of a sickening smell filling the room from right in front of her. With horror on her face she saw that Deibel had collapsed and died on her lower body. Straining Asuka pushed, and then kicked the body off of her before standing, and moved a short distance away.

"Serves you right you asshole."

Jason Deibel had died with surprise and pain etched on his face as his respiratory system failed. The nerve toxin had caused his body to constrict in painful seizures before all the muscles died. Asuka wrinkled her nose at the smell of bodily fluids and feces coming from the corpse. Of course that would be normal for all dead bodies, but it seemed poetic justice to Asuka that a predator had died laying in his own waste.

Without a second glance Asuka stepped around the body and dropped the soiled towel onto the floor. Her spine cracked and she winced at the pain and noise, but forced her body to keep moving. The door was not that thick and she could hear the guards commenting on how fun she would be. With slow steps she walked back into the bathroom to dress and leave as quick as possible. She was feeling light-headed again and didn't want the guards to find her unconscious. Asuka avoided looking in the mirror afraid of what she would see, instead she slowly and painfully dressed. She knew that Shinji was going to lecture her when he saw her again and this time she would apologize for what she put him through.

- - - -

The three guards standing outside the door tried not to show their boredom. The sounds of the beating had stopped coming through the door almost ten minutes ago, but the boss hadn't come to tell them that it was their turn. A man had to have a strong stomach to rape a battered woman, but these guards had been with the Senator for years. The senior ranking bodyguard was about to open the door to see if everything was all right when the report of a gun being fired came from the elevator.

Without a word the guards moved to take up positions around the elevator and the suite door. A low beep announced the arrival of the elevator and when the doors opened the three guards opened fire with submachine guns. The other guard died in a hail of bullets from his compatriots. Holes and blood covered the back of the elevator as the man slid to the floor.

"Stop!" The leader motioned for one of his lieutenants to inspect the body.

By the time they recognized the sound of the stairwell door opening it was too late. Shinji came at them from the back and off to one side with a pistol firing. The guards were good, but they had only begun to turn around when the rounds pierced their body armor and mushroomed inside their bodies. The bodies danced from the impacts and fingers tightened on triggers, emptying magazines into nearby walls. The man in the elevator had almost completed replacing his magazine when two cylindrical objects landed at his feet and the door closed. The doors flexed as the concussion devices went off in the enclosed space.

Two shots into the remaining guards heads insured that they were truly dead. Replacing his spent magazine Shinji went through the pockets of the two corpses, not caring that he had become an expert in that area. In less then a minute Shinji found the electronic key and walked to the door, one pistol ready for use. Easing the key into the lock he was rewarded by a click of the lock being released. With a gentle push he opened the door and looked in, but found the room dark. Quickly stepping in and off to the side, Shinji found arms wrapping themselves around him, pulling him close. He jerked free and his gun coming up.

"Asuka, what." He trailed off as he saw the damage to his partner. The light from the hallway illuminated her face. Shinji wasn't prepared for the crushing hug she gave him or her crying.

"Shinji, please get me home." Asuka's voice was weak and strained.

Wrapping an arm around Asuka, Shinji supported her weight as she stumbled down the hall. Instead of taking the elevator Shinji walked them to the farthest stairway, but just as he was about to open the door the fire alarm sounded. Easing Asuka down the stairs took over twenty minutes, but by the time they reached the bottom the first of the fire trucks were arriving. In the ensuing mess and panic Shinji guided Asuka over to their car and drove away.

- - - -

Pain shot up Shinji's arm as his hand clenched into a tight fist for what could have been the one hundredth time in two days. He looked down and willed the hand to open so as not to hurt himself. The image that stared back at him from the mirror was one of a zombie. In the last two days he might have gotten a total of six hours of sleep. The death of Senator Jason Deibel had created an uproar and he had spent the nights awake, and wondering when the door would crash open. But that event never did happen.

Filling a bowl with lukewarm water, Shinji grabbed some more towels from the cabinet. Walking out of the bathroom he strode towards the bed and its single occupant. With care he set the bowl down and sat in his chair next to the bed like he had for the last days. Reaching out he brushed auburn hair off of Asuka's forehead, his touch causing her to mumble. It was only that mumbling that was keeping him sane, and the fact that she tossed and turned in her sleep. Getting a towel damp, Shinji placed it on her forehead and used another one to wash her face and neck.

Asuka had stayed coherent and conscious long enough to walk into the elevator at their hotel and to tell him about her ribs. She had then collapsed and been carried by Shinji into their apartment. Since then Shinji had cleaned the blood off of her and tended to her split skin. He had also exchanged her dress for a large T-shirt, but not before wrapping her ribs. Since then he had simply watched over her, talking to her every now and then. It was to tell her that she wasn't alone, and not the pleading of when she had been catatonic.

"Why does everything happen to you?" whispered Shinji, still looking at the sleeping woman. "It's not fair."

The smaller bruises were already an ugly yellow and blue color, but the others were different. Finger impressions were still visible around her throat, and one eye was black from a glancing blow. Shinji had been disgusted at the abuse her body had taken from the man, throwing up from the sight. After that he had covered her up and not looked at the injuries. Not to mention that some of her nails had broken off, leaving her fingers bloody. Shinji knew that the death of Deibel would not haunt him like Kimio's had for several weeks. Kimio had been a corrupt businessman, but Deibel had truly been a monster that deserved to die. "Please wake up."

Shinji put the towel down and gripped one of Asuka's injured hands in his own. Smooth unbroken skin rested in the palm of his hand as he slowly stroked the top of her hand. Asuka's hand tightened around his, causing Shinji to look up, expecting to see sky blue eyes looking at him. Instead her eyes remained shut, one of them swollen from a blow to the orbit. He was worried and scared, not sure how badly she had been injured internally or if she had just been exhausted after her ordeal. Sure she had been wounded before, but she was usually on her feet within a day. Even the knife wound hadn't kept her down from the blood loss or infection.

Gently Shinji released Asuka's hand, looking at her and sighing. Without any nervousness he bent down and gave her soft kiss on the cheek. Pulling back he smiled faintly, and stood up to walk to the kitchen area to get something to drink. It was his quest to quench his thirst that caused Shinji to miss Asuka's whispering of his name and her eyes opening with pain.

Asuka lay there looking up at the ceiling as she brought a hand up to touch the cheek Shinji had kissed. She couldn't remember the last two days at all, but had been drifting in and out of consciousness for a few hours. Asuka noted that her injuries no longer shot pain through her body at any movement. Instead everything was a dull ache or throb as she threw back the covers as best she could. A couple kicks and she sat up, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed and then standing.

"Don't be a wimp Asuka," She growled to herself as her head swam, threatening to make her fall.

With each step her dizziness ebbed and finally disappeared as she reached the door and pulled it open. A breeze was drifting through the apartment as Shinji had the balcony doors open and was looking out across the lake. Asuka couldn't help but shiver as the cool air drifted across her bare legs. She studied him as she made her way to the open doors. He was leaning against the railing and was staring out across the lake watching a light snowfall. With barely a sound she crossed to the open doors and stood behind him, a small smile on her face

"Do I look like your mother?" Shinji jumped at the unexpected voice, and spun. Asuka was behind him, one hand on a hip staring at him.

"What?"

Asuka sighed and stepped closer. "Do I look like your mother or am I a relative?"

Shinji stood there wondering what she was getting at, even as she flicked his forehead with a finger.

"Of course not." How could she think she looked like his mother? Shinji glanced over Asuka's figure under the T-shirt. There was no way he could have mixed the two of them up in a crowd.

"Then why'd you kiss me like we're related?" Asuka stepped closer and reached out with her hands to grip his hands. "The cheek, how lame Shinji."

"Ahh, I didn't want to steal a kiss from you." Before he could say anything else Asuka leaned in and pressed her lips against his. He was mildly surprised as Asuka wrapped her hands around his neck, not letting go. It took Shinji a few seconds to catch up before he put his arms around her waist. A little moan came from their lips causing them to enjoy the kiss even more. Both felt that it ended to soon as they drew apart.

"Much better Shinji," Asuka whispered still lost in the feeling of the kiss.

Shinji could only nod his head as he stared into Asuka's eyes. He loved her eyes and how they showed her emotions. Even now, with one eye blackened she was still beautiful in his eyes. As he thought that Shinji felt himself reacting to her closeness and warmth from her body. Drawing back he made sure that he didn't do anything stupid or foolish.

He needed to know something, "Asuka, what's happening with us?"

"We'll talk later." She put a finger against his lips as he tried to speak. "I said we'd talk later."

"Sorry." Asuka threw up her hands in disgust or tried to at the very least. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and rubbed them.

"I don't know why I still put up with you."

"Anyways how long was I out?"

"Two days."

Asuka spun around, feeling her head spin; looking for a clock and when she didn't find one she turned back to Shinji. "What time is it?"

"Eight-thirty."

"Eight-thirty! Have you done anything?" Asuka saw Shinji shake his head no. "Idiot, how stupid are you?"

"But."

"Never mind. I'll be back." With that said, Asuka turned and started to walk back into the bedroom. "Stop staring at me and call room service. A couple bottles of champagne along with steak and lobster."

Shinji walked off the balcony and into the living area, striding towards the phone. As he ordered, he heard the bath start up, glad that it took his mind off of the price of the meals. Before he hung up he remembered a small detail about champagne and added that one item to the list. Walking over to the bedroom door he found it locked, so he returned to the where the television was located. Flipping it on, he ran through the channels looking for any more information about the manhunt looking for them, and finding nothing. There were no witnesses from the bar or even the hotel, which was odd. Even all the security recordings had been lost between the hotel and the police station. The only thing he could find was that many people were relieved to hear about the death.

An hour and a half later the buzzer for the door rang, breaking Shinji out of his reverie. Slipping a jacket he walked towards the door, opening it slowly. Outside were two men with carts filled with the ordered dinner. Ushering them Shinji had them leave the carts just inside the door before tipping them as they left. He checked under each cart and the lids to make sure everything was safe.

"Asuka." His voice died as she saw her standing at the couch. He just swallowed as he just looked.

"I bought this for tonight." Asuka felt her cheeks warm under a blush. "I wanted to have dinner and night out at one of the clubs." She bowed her head and continued in a softer voice, "But I didn't expect to get beat up so much and didn't want you to get blamed if we went out. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, and besides you're beautiful."

Asuka was wearing a pale blue evening dress that was being held up by thin spaghetti straps. It only came to her knees, but the slits up the sides showed off her wonderful legs. Shinji somehow was able to grab one of the buckets containing the champagne and still look at Asuka. The bath had done wonders, as her skin no longer was that pale instead her tan showed through. The only make-up she was wearing covered up the bruises on her body. But what made Shinji happy was that the silver bracelet was back on her wrist. - - - -

As Shinji popped the cork on one of the bottles, another group of people were meeting. Nine black monoliths met where there used to be twelve. The missing members played on each members mind as they argued and planned.

SEELE 12: Another year has passed without our scenarios coming true. I grow tired of waiting, as death gets closer.

SEELE 07: Events are fast spiraling out of our control, Kihl. After years of security we find ourselves under attack.

SEELE 11: Two important members dead in such a short time frame. The power and money they provided will soon be felt.

Kihl: What we lost is no longer important as all pieces have been in place for years.

SEELE 04: Don't try and down play what is happening. We have become targets and the killers slipped past security with ease. We can't hide in NERV headquarters like you, Kihl.

Kihl: My men are taking care of that problem as we speak.

SEELE 09: That is not what my agents have told me. The weapons dealer, that we traced the explosives back to, detonated a stockpile of explosives when we tried to capture him. And if facts are to be believed the leader of the most powerful syndicate was found with his throat slit in the Chicago River yesterday. Someone is cleaning up

Kihl: I suggest that we concentrate more on finding the Children. The older they get, the harder it will be to implement our scenarios with them. And I think once we find them we will find the killers. SEELE 02: Are you suggesting they are the killers? Impossible, their psychological reports indicate that they don't have the mindset or will for murder.

Kihl: They have been out of our control for years. Those reports are no longer relevant to the current situation. Not to mention that Gendo Ikari had known all of us, and if he had somehow passed that information on to his son.

The room grew quiet as the members thought on that idea.

Kihl: Instead of worrying about the killings I suggest that we start planning on how to capture the pilots. Once we possess them we can finally realize our dreams.

- - - -

Asuka lazily stretched out in the cushioned chair watching as fireworks burst over the lake. The doors were open behind them and a warm draft floated over them and made the balcony comfortable, even with the snow. She reached over to refill her glass from the second bottle of champagne and also to snag a strawberry. As she ate the fruit and sipped from her glass she looked at Shinji from the corner of her eyes. He was just as lazy as she was at the moment as he stared out at the fiery display. She smiled faintly, remembering how Shinji had tried to keep her from drinking too much, saying that she was still injured.

"Asuka, can I get a promise from you?"

"Depends," she stated as she finished the strawberry and placed her glass down. Standing up she took a couple steps over to his chair. "What kind of promise do you want?"

"Well, ahh." Shinji tried not looking down Asuka's dress as she bent over. The locket he had given her as a present hit his forehead and he raised his eyes to hers.

"No more solo missions."

"Is this about what happened?" She grinned at his reaction to her dress. It made her feel special that even after he had seen her nude so many times that he didn't think of her as an object. "Yes."

"It cuts down our choices."

"I don't care. What happens next time if you can't get to me or vice versa?"

Asuka smiled at Shinji as she leaned closer. But as he looked hard into her eyes, she stopped teasing him. "Nothing I say will change your mind, right?"

"Correct."

"Idiot."

She stopped leaning over him and turned around, walking the short distance to the railing. As she leaned on the railing Asuka could feel Shinji studying her. Asuka knew that he had a valid point of what could happen on future missions. Closing her eyes she tried not to think of what would have happened if the poison hadn't worked or if the guards had found her unconscious or if Shinji hadn't come to get her. A light touch to her back felt nice as Shinji held her.

"So it's a promise."

"Yes, my knight." Her voice was quiet whisper.

Shinji waited; surprised at that comment thinking that Asuka had just teased him. But she didn't correct herself or expand on what she meant by that statement. Instead she slowly reached up to clasp her locket in her hand and opened it with a touch. Shinji already knew that his and her portraits had been molded into the locket, one on each half. The reaction from her had been the same as when she had received the silver bracelet. A restrained happiness with mild shock had showed up on her face. She felt him run his hand down the middle of her back before stopping at her waist. Shinji had always been easy to read and so Asuka knew what he was going to ask her.

"It's later, do you want to explain what's happening." Shinji felt Asuka sigh in frustration.

"Are you that dense?" "No, but I want to know if I'm just deluding myself."

Asuka frowned at that comment, "And why would you be doing that?"

This time she felt Shinji tremble in anger. "Can't you be serious about this Asuka?" Before he could move away she gripped his hand. "I mean we've been together for seven years. The last five we've been on the run from SEELE and during that time we stuck strictly to a working relationship. Now in the last two months we've done more kissing then in past years combined."

"Do you hate it that much?"

"No, I just want to know if we're just doing it as a form of release. Or to hide the fact that we could die at any moment."

"Are we?" Asuka shook her head in the negative. "Can you honestly say that this is wrong? What we're doing or feeling is just a dream to escape reality?" She looked at Shinji as she spoke, "You can only bury emotions and feelings for so long. Sooner or later they'll come to the surface and you can either accept or walk away from them. We would have had to journey down this path sometime in the future."

"Sooner is better then later?"

"Or before it's too late."

Shinji gripped Asuka's hand tighter as the final of the display started over the lake, lighting up the snow in a multitude of colors. Smiling, Asuka leaned her head on Shinji's shoulder and stayed there feeling content to do nothing else for a few moments. Despite her words she was a little apprehensive of what would come out of their closer relationship. Yes, she had talked about families and a normal life, but what did they know of families or normal lives. All they could do was try and hope it worked out in the future.

* * * *

I still suck at endings as they always seem abrupt or don't end the chapter in a nice little package. That will have to change when I reach the end of story.

I tried to give more detail to Asuka/Shinji's growing relationship from where it had changed in chapter 3. I also tried to keep them from going the route of instant love as TommyRude has stated is the death of many WAFF stories and I agree with him.

Those that had read this chapter before will notice the changes in the scene with Asuka and the Senator. The original chapter was darker with some things happening that upset some of my readers. I decided that maybe that scene really didn't fit with prior chapters or the way of the story was written up to that point so I rewrote it.

C&C at eva_pilot9@secondimpact.com