Disclaimer: See Prologue
Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)
Chapter 3
2016
One year after Third Impact
---
"Did we forget anything?"
"You have checked six times already." Rei replied. "If we have, we will simply have to do without it."
"What about a blanket?"
"We have two in the basket."
"Do we have enough food?"
"We have enough food to feed the entire day staff of NERV."
"What about utensils?"
"My love, we have all we need for a weeks travel, let alone a single day in the country."
Shinji smiled. He couldn't help but turn to jelly whenever she called him that. "Okay, well let's go."
"Are you going to inquire if Asuka would care to join us, once again?"
Shinji looked over from the kitchen table to the family room where Asuka was watching television. "She already said no twice. I really don't think she's going to change her mind."
"Perhaps, but she did not know Hikari would be out of town when you asked her last. It is possible she may wish to accompany us now."
"Well, I'll try." He headed over to the family room.
"Hey Asuka, we're leaving now."
"Have a great time." She replied not taking her eyes off the television.
"Are you sure you won't join us? It'll be fun."
"Are you deaf? I told you twice already, I don't need your charity or your pity. I'll be fine here by myself."
"O… Okay." Shinji turned, heading back towards Rei who was carrying the basket. He shrugged his shoulders then reached for the basket. Rei handed it to him then walked past him and into the family room and over to the television. She reached down and turned it off then stood in front of it so Asuka couldn't turn it back on.
"Hey, you Bi… Rrrr… I was watching that!" Asuka jumped to her feet and glared at her roommate.
"Shinji and I would very much appreciate your company in our outing to the country side. Will you accompany us?" Rei stated staring at the redhead blankly.
"I already told your idiot-boyfriend, I don't need your pity. I'm fine on my own. Now move before I throw you out of my way."
"It is not for your sake that I ask. It is for my own."
Asuka gave her a skeptical stare.
"You and I, we are not the same people we were before Third Impact. I find that I have grown accustom to the presence of your company. I have learned to appreciate your candor and I am beginning to understand your brash sense of humor… I think. We would… I would genuinely appreciate your company this day. Would you reconsider?" The blue-haired girl's expression never betrayed a hint of sentiment.
Asuka tipped her head sideways and lit a faint smirk cross her lips, finally saying, "I'm learning to like you too Rei." She turned and headed to her room. "Give me a minute to change."
Shinji walked towards the family room as Rei was walking out. He smiled warmly. "You never cease to amaze me."
Rei walked up to him and kissed him gently on the lips. "I hope the same will be true years from now."
"Okay! You guys are going to keep that to a minimum while I'm around. RIGHT!" Their roommate shouted from her room.
They turned toward her room and wondered how she could know what they were doing with her door closed.
2017
One year and six months after Third Impact
---
Shinji sat on a swing in the park. Rei at on his lap with her eyes closed. With one hand around her waist, Shinji reached into his pocket with his other hand and pulled out a jewelry box.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now." He smiled.
Opening her eyes slowly, she saw the purple velvet rectangular box her boyfriend was holding up in front of her.
"What is this?" She asked.
"A gift, for you." He replied.
"But what is the occasion?" She turned to look at him, with a slight inquisitive look in her eyes.
"I love you. Isn't that enough reason to buy you a gift." He smiled.
She smiled back warmly to him and kissed him. "Yes, thank you my love."
Returning her kiss passionately, Shinji finally said after they separated, "Well, aren't you going to open it?"
Prying her eyes off of him, she turned toward the box he still held in his hand. Taking it from him, she opened it. Smiling warmly once again, she said, "It is a bracelet."
"A diamond tennis bracelet to be exact." Shinji corrected, reaching inside the box and removing the item he unclasped it and held it for Rei to put her wrist over it. Understanding his intention, she did as he wished and he clasped it for her.
Holding it up to the sunlight she turned her wrist left and right admiring the gift. "It is lovely. Thank you my love. Thank you for loving me so." She turned and hugged him tightly.
As they sat gently swinging in the light breeze holding each other tight, Shinji got up the nerve to ask his love what he had been meaning to talk to her about for some time now.
"Rei, I was wondering…"
"Yes my love? She pulled back enough to look into his eyes.
"I was wondering if you'd consider asking Doctor Akagi to postpone the activation test tomorrow." He asked, diverting his eyes just slightly.
"But why my love? All tests to this point indicate that the final activation tomorrow should go without error. What is your concern based upon?"
"History I guess. I just remember the first time you activated Unit 00…"
"That is not possible. You were not in Tokyo3 yet when Unit 00 was activated the first time." She replied.
"Well, I may not have actually witnessed the first activation but I saw you the next day. And I saw first hand the injuries you suffered. I'm just afraid of a repeat. I don't want you to get hurt." A serious and sad expression crossed his face. "I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you again."
Gently caressing his cheek, she smiled at him. "My love, Doctor Akagi has taken every precaution in the reconstruction of Unit 00, in addition, Asuka will not allow any harm to come to me. Of this, I am certain."
Giving her a weak smile he nodded his head. "I know you're right. I just can't shake this feeling that something terrible is going to happen tomorrow."
Contemplating how she could possibly reassure her boyfriend, Rei stood up and removed the tennis bracelet from her wrist and held it out for him to take.
"What's wrong? Don't you like it? Did I say something to upset you?" He asked nervously.
"No my love, but I am unable to wear it during the activation test tomorrow. I am returning it to you now and I expect you to present it to me once again, after the successful activation." She smiled.
Understanding what she was trying to do, Shinji smiled back. "Okay Rei." He took it from her and placed it back in the box then stood up and took her hand as they walked down the trail. "Tomorrow, I'll give it to you, tomorrow."
They walked in silence for a time before Shinji asked. "What would you like to do now?"
Rei responded instantly. "Some ice cream would be nice." She smiled.
"Let me guess, pistachio almond flavor."
"Of course."
"You know Rei, there are other flavors of ice cream out there."
"But why should I sacrifice my taste buds to a flavor I will not enjoy nearly as much as pistachio almond?"
"But how do you know you won't enjoy it as much if you never try any other?"
"Because I already know I enjoy pistachio almond."
Shinji sighed. "I'm never going to win this argument, am I?"
Rei just smiled, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Perhaps someday… but not today."
The next day
---
"How are you feeling Rei?" The Assistant Director of Operations asked, her mentor standing behind her and to the left, watching her successor perform the final activation test for the new and improved Unit 00.
"All is well. I do not detect any resistance what so ever." The pilot replied.
Her boyfriend and fellow pilot stood at the observation window watching intently and clutching the small rectangular jewelry box tightly between his hands as the final phases of the test were carried out; his fears for her well-being expressed in every part of his body.
"Commence final activation sequence." The redhead ordered.
The systems operator released the final safeguards and opened synchronization limits to 85%.
The tension in the control room was so thick Misato was sure she could feel it penetrating the pours of her arms and face. Commander Fuyutsuki made no attempt to disguise the nervousness he was feeling as he rose from his chair and stared at the monitors.
"Okay Rei, it's all up to you now." Asuka said. 'Good Luck my Wondergirl.'
"Understood." Was all Ayanami said.
The systems operator began relaying the readings. "Synchronization at 20%, 24% 28%… 48%, 56%. Eva has been activated."
The operations officer reported. "All connects are fully established."
"Sync ratio approaching 70%, 73% 77%, 79%."
Misato leaned over and whispered to Asuka. "This is better than Rei has ever done, even in battle." Asuka nodded.
"Sync ratio at 82%."
"All systems operating normally."
"Rei, how do you feel?" Asuka asked, needing to hear her voice to know she was all right.
There was a long pause that caused Asuka's heart to race just a bit. Shinji, whose heart was already racing, was near panic when his love did not answer.
Then came, "I feel… I feel at home." A sigh of relief filled the control room.
"Okay Rei. You've already surpassed your previous best sync ratio by over 15%; lets call it quits for the day. You can go after Shinji's record another time." Asuka said in an effort to lighten the mood.
"Very well."
"Sync ratio coming down, 75%, 65% 55%, 43%, 33%… Eva Unit 00 is offline. All systems shutting down normally."
"Drain the LCL and remove the entry plug." The young redhead ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
She turned to her mentor. "How was that?"
"Couldn't have done it better myself." Misato extended her hand to her assistant who took it into hers and pulled her guardian into a warm embrace.
"Thank you… for everything." The young woman whispered.
Her guardian smiled. "I always knew you could do it."
Asuka broke the embrace and looked over to the observation window. "Where's Shinji?"
"He left the minute you ordered the test finished. I'm guessing he's over at Unit 00 by now."
Asuka walked over to the window and looked down to see Rei being helped out of the entry plug and a second later being lifted in the air in an overly enthusiastic embrace by her boyfriend. While the girl was still dripping in LCL, it didn't deter the boy one bit as he kissed her passionately. Then she saw the boy hold out a jewelry box. 'Oh my god!' She watched him open it and pull out the bracelet. Then she saw Rei hold up her wrist and shake her head, obviously telling him she couldn't put it on with her plug suit on. Asuka smiled down at them. 'Shinji you idiot.' She observed the boy take his girlfriend by the hand and lead her from the testing chamber.
The commander called down to Ritsuko, "Dr. Akagi, good work. It appears the new Unit 00 is even better and more stable than the original."
"We still have many more tests to run but thank you commander."
"Congratulations to you too Major."
"Thank you sir."
"I think you've all earned a break for all your hard work. Take the rest of the day off, paid."
"But sir," the doctor protested. "The data still needs to be analyzed."
"Tomorrow is another day doctor. And the data will not be going anywhere. Enjoy the rest of the day. You deserve it. All of you." The commander gestured, in an effort to make it clear that his comment was intended for everyone and not just his two department heads.
As the commander left the test center, Misato grinned wickedly, "Well, I think this calls for a celebration." Turning towards her assistant, who was walking back toward her, "What do you think Asuka?"
"Definitely!" The redhead smiled.
"Great, party at my place. And everyone's invited... that's an order." She grinned as she and her ward headed for the exit.
The junior staff members were completing their shutdown procedures when one of them asked Maya. "Was she serious about a party at her place?" He asked hopefully.
Maya didn't answer; instead she turned and deferred the question to her boss. Ritsuko sighed. "Yes, she's serious alright."
The junior staff cheered and laughed.
'Misato, you're such an idiot.' The doctor grinned to herself as she walked to the exit. Turning back she informed the rest of them. "If you want something other then beer to drink at the party, I suggest you pick it up yourself." Then she left with the intention to stop at the convenient story to pick up some wine.
Later that night
---
The apartment was filled with NERV staff as well as Asuka and Shinji's friends. Shinji spent most of his time in the kitchen preparing hors d'oeuvres.
Maya, Hikari and a few other young women from NERV and from school stood around Rei admiring her bracelet, talking to her about her relationship with Shinji and basically making her feel terribly uncomfortable.
Asuka walked into the kitchen with a tray full of empty glasses and quickly placed them into the dishwasher. Uncorking another bottle of wine she began filling clean glasses. "I can't believe Misato suckered me into this." She said, standing next to the boy.
Shinji gave a silent laugh. "I don't know, I have fun seeing other people having a good time." He replied as he was putting the finishing touches on his latest shrimp and mushroom creation.
"You would you idiot." She teased.
To that the boy just laughed.
"So how did she like it." The redhead asked.
"She loved it." The boy smiled.
"See, I told you so." She grinned triumphantly. "Women love jewelry. It's a universal constant, like gravity."
"I guess so. And thanks for helping me pick it out. I was afraid she'd think it was too much but she just loved it."
"Do I have great taste or what?" The redhead's smile grew. Hearing Misato scream then laugh, her expression got a little serious. "You know, you better get out there and rescue your girlfriend from the other women out there. Rei's not used to so much attention. I think another minute of all those girls hovering around her and she's bound to blow a fuse."
"You thinks so?" Shinji started wiping his hand with a towel.
"Definitely. She needs her knight in shining armor right about now."
"Okay, but I still haven't finished these hors d'oeuvres." He pointed out.
"Don't worry about it. I'll finish them up, you go rescue your girlfriend." She smiled at him.
"Thanks Asuka." He said and without thinking leaned in as he passed her and kissed her on the cheek then proceeded out of the kitchen.
The redhead silently gasped and turned bright red. Looking after the boy as he left the kitchen, she knew instinctively that he hadn't even realized what he had done. "Idiot. Wait till it finally hits you. I bet you'll apologize at least… 4 or 5 times." Having filled the glasses, she turned to the hors d'oeuvres Shinji was working on. "Hmm, they look good to me." She picked one up and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm, delicious. But it could use one more thing." She opened the refrigerator and grabbed a can of whipped cheese. Shaking the can up, she sprayed the contents over the shrimp and mushrooms. Setting the can down she picked up another hors d'oeuvre and popped it in her mouth. "Mmm, guilty pleasures." She then lifted the tray up on one hand and the tray of wineglasses up in the other. "Well, if I ever blow it as OD, I can always get a job as a waitress." She laughed to herself as she walked out of the kitchen.
Shinji spotted Misato, drunk as ever, fawning all over Rei and her new bracelet. While some of the other older women who also had a little too much to drink joined in on the teasing of the young girl, the other's, mostly Rei's classmates were trying to hide their embarrassment over the adults' crude behavior.
"So Rei, I guess this means it's time to put out hey." Misato grinned wickedly.
"Put what out?" The blue-haired girl asked.
"Sex silly girl, time to show your man how much you love him." Maya added.
Rei instantly turned bright red as her heart rate doubled and her breathing accelerated.
"Okay Misato, you've had enough fun at Rei's expense." Shinji said, putting a protective arm around his girlfriend's shoulder. "Go find someone else to torment." He added as he drew her away from the crowd in the family room.
Finding a secluded corner in the living room the young couple sat down to rest.
"Thank you my love." She leaned over and kissed him softly.
"Anything to protect the woman I love." He replied as he ran his hand through her hair.
"Shinji, may I ask you a question?" A serious expression crossed her face.
"Sure my love." His expression mirrored hers. "What is it?"
"Did you give me this gift in hopes of having sex with me?" She asked sadly.
Shinji turned as red as Rei had been earlier. "No Rei. I swear the thought never entered my mind. Really."
The blue-haired girl gently pressed her fingers to his lips. "I believe you my love. I believe you." Seeing him calm down, she moved her hand from his mouth and caressed his cheek. "Thank you once again for the lovely gift."
From the entryway of the living room Asuka, Hikari and three other girls stood watching the young couple. "See, what did I tell you. You can't trust a word that comes out of Misato's mouth after she's had more then five beers." Asuka stated.
"I knew Rei wasn't that kind of girl." Insisted Hikari.
"Come on, let me show you my study." Asuka led the others away.