Disclaimer: See Prologue
Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)
Chapter 4
2017
One year and 10 months after Third Impact
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"I can't believe those bastards." Asuka growled as she quickly flipped though a rack of dresses at one of the more exclusive shops in Tokyo3.
"There is no sense in getting angry over something you have no control over." Rei responded as she took her time to look at each article of clothing critically.
"But it's been almost two years and they still haven't come up with a charter for us. This is total bullshit." Asuka gave up with that rack and moved to another.
"It has taken this long for the world economic system to stabilize once again. Perhaps that is what they have been waiting for."
"I guess, but meanwhile we've lost some good people who've grown tired of sitting and waiting for our charter to be decided. Here, what about this."
Rei looked at the dress Asuka was holding up. "The style is acceptable but the color does not suit me."
Asuka looked at the dress and asked defensively, "What's wrong with red?"
"The color is too bold for my pale skin. Besides, we are celebrating our second anniversary as a couple, I do not wish to give Shinji the idea that I am ready to forgo my virginity."
Asuka chuckled. "I guess it is kinda like waving a red cap in front of a raging bull."
Rei paused a moment then responded. "Precisely."
Two days later
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Rei and Shinji walked hand in hand down the path toward the water fountain at the center of the park.
"Did you enjoy your meal?" The lovely 16-year-old asked.
Shinji gave an enthusiastic, "Yes, very much. I'd never eaten Italian food before." They walked a short ways. "How did you learn about that restaurant?"
"Asuka took me to it once. I found the food there most, flavorful."
Shinji laughed silently. "Yes, it was very flavorful." 'Can she tell how nerves I am?' He wondered.
"Auu, did you enjoy the concert?"
"Yes." Rei watched her shoes reflect the light from the lamps along the path. "I find the works of Hirokazu Hiraishi most stimulating."
"Good." Shinji replied. 'I think.' "Well, here we are."
Rei looked up at the brightly-lit fountain. "It is… beautiful."
"Yes, it is," Shinji agreed then turned to her, "but not half as beautiful as you."
She turned her head to meet his gaze and gifted him with a warm smile. He returned the gift and leaned in to kiss her passionately. Breaking the kiss, he gestured to the bench behind them. Sitting, they admired the fountain and each other's company for about a half-hour.
'You can do this Shinji, you can do this. Just remember that you love her and she loves you. She won't say no. She won't. In fact, she already said yes once before. This'll just be… making it official is all. Right, official, nothing to worry about. So why am I so scared?' He slid a trembling hand into his suit pocket and turned to his true love. "Rei?"
"Yes Shinji." She turned her attention from the fountain to her boyfriend
"I have something important to ask you and … well… this isn't easy for me, so… so, please let me finish before you respond. Okay?"
She nodded her compliance. 'Oh no. After two years, he has grown impatient waiting for me to allow him access to my body. I am simply not ready yet my love. Can you not understand that?'
Shinji took a deep breath and began. "We've been a couple now for two years and with the exception of when I thought you were dead, twice, and when you didn't remember me," 'man, what are you doing? You're depressing yourself.' "these have been the happiest two years of my life."
Rei gave a guarded smile. 'BUT…'
"I know we're only sixteen but I want to make sure this happiness never ends." He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket. "Now you don't have to answer right away. Take as much time as you need." He opened the box and turned it to show her its contents.
She followed his gaze down to his hand. A momentary look of confusion crossed her face. 'A ring? A ring. An engagement ring.' Her eyes grew large as she shot a stare back into his eyes.
"Rei… will… will you marry m… "
"Yes." Tears rolled down her checks. "Yes." She pulled him into her arms. "Yes! I will marry you my love. I will marry you." She buried her face in the side of his neck and wept as never before.
"Rei? Wha… what's wrong?" Confusion and concern washed over the young man.
She shook her head as she tried to find her voice. "You have made me the happiest woman in the world at this moment."
Shinji smiled and pulled her tighter into his embrace.
When the tears subsided she looked up and kissed him with all the passion and love she had buried in her heart for him. Several minutes later as their lips parted, Shinji took hold of her hand and slid the 3/4-carat solitaire onto her finger.
She marveled at it as it shimmered by the light from the fountain. "It is beautiful."
"Not nearly as beautiful as you are."
She gave him a smile of pure joy and kissed him once again.
After sitting in each other's arms in silence for several minutes, Shinji asked, "I couldn't help but notice your expression before I purposed. What did you think I was going to ask?"
Rei turned bright red with embarrassment for thinking what she did. "I thought you were going to inform me of your desire to consummate our relationship. I am sorry for thinking so little of you. I… " She pressed her face into his chest and wept. "I am so sorry."
Shinji stoked her hair and rocked her gently. "It's okay Rei. It's okay. I can wait as long as it takes. If that means waiting till our wedding night, then so be it." 'What the hell am I saying?'
"Thank you Shinji. Thank you for understanding."
'Damn!' "It's alright." 'Oh hell, she's worth it. I'd wait till forever for you Rei.'
An hour later
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They kissed once again before Shinji opened the door to the apartment. It was late so they walked quietly to their bedrooms, kissing once more before retiring to their separate rooms.
After removing her silk-shawl and placed her shoes back in their box. She looked at her ring once again and headed out her room.
Asuka lay awake as usual, whenever Shinji and Rei went out on a date. Rei had gotten in the habit of coming into her room afterwards and telling her of their time together, usually asking her to explain any new experiences or feelings she happened upon during the date. Asuka was certain tonight of all nights would be no different. 'Two years, two years, they've been together now for two years. That's a year and ten months longer then I thought it would last… Stop that Asuka. That's petty and you're not petty… Still, two years together and in those two years I've had no one. I have my friends and my family. They are my family. I love them, all of them dearly. So why do I feel so alone?' She closed her eyes. 'Maybe I'll pretend to be asleep tonight. Just this once.'
Like clockwork, she heard a gentle rap at her door. "Asuka, are you awake? I really need to speak with you." Rei whispered.
There was urgency in her quiet roommate's voice that was not normally there. Asuka sat up and answered. "Sure, come on in."
Rei entered and closed the door behind her. "May I turn on the light?"
'Another unusual request.' Now the redhead's curiosity was peaked. "Yeah, go ahead." She shaded her eyes till they adjusted to the light. "How was your date?" She asked.
Rei came and sat next to her roommate. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful."
Asuka was in shock. 'Wonderful? She never uses words like that and… she's smiling, no she's glowing. She's absolutely glowing.' "Did you guys do it?" She asked with eyes as big as saucers.
Confusion spread across he blue-haired girl's face for just a moment. "Do what?"
'If it were anyone else, I'd think she was teasing me.' "You know… have sex."
"NO! No, definitely not." She said turning from her friend as her face turned bright red.
"So what was sooo… wonderful?" Asuka yawned.
"This" Rei held out her hand.
It took a moment for Asuka to realize what she was looking at, but when it finally registered. "Aaaaaaa!!!" She pulled her friend's hand closer to get a better look. "Aaaaaaa!!!" Then she threw her arms around the girl in the royal blue dress in a smothering embrace. Every muscle in Rei's body tensed up. "He asked you to marry you! He really asked you?!"
Still tense Rei responded. "Yes."
"I'm sooo happy for you." She jumped out of bed and darted out of the room, running over to Shinji's room, she flung open the door to find Shinji in the process of removing his shirt.
"God! Asuka, you scared me to death!" He clutched his heart.
She screamed once again, causing him to jump in shock a second time. Then she engulfed him in an embrace and kissed him suddenly. "I'm so happy for you!" She squeezed him again. "Congratulations!" Then just as suddenly she release him and he collapsed onto his bed then down to the floor, frantically trying to catch his breath. Asuka ran back to her room where she grabbed Rei, who was standing at the doorway, and dragged her toward Misato's room.
Suddenly Misato's door flew open and the purple-haired woman stood blurry-eyed with her gun aimed at everything and anything. "What's happening? What's all the screaming about?" She yelled.
"God!" Asuka screamed as she and Rei jumped back. "Put that stupid thing away before you hurt someone you maniac!" Asuka commanded.
Realizing there was no danger Misato set the safety and tossed the gun on her bed. "So what's the reason for all the commotion at one in the morning?"
"This!" Asuka said, thrusting Rei's hand in Misato's face.
The woman looked at the ring on the young woman's hand then over to her face to see the angelic smile she bore. "You and Shinji?" She asked.
Rei nodded but Asuka yelled. "No! Her and I! Of course her and Shinji!"
Ignoring Asuka's comments, Misato smothered Rei in an embrace as she screamed in excitement. Once again the blue-haired girl went stiff all over.
'Informing them at this time of night may not have been such a good idea.' She told herself.
She kissed her young ward on the cheek. "Congratulations" as she squeezed her even tighter.
Rei felt the air rush out of her lungs and was saved only when her guardian spotted Shinji stepping shakily out of his room. She instantly released the girl, who almost collapsed if not for Asuka, and ran over to the boy.
Spotting Misato heading towards him, he tried to turn and run back in his room; fear written all over his face. But she caught him before he could take a second step. Squeezing the life out of him, she screamed, "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you Misato." He squeaked out. "Now please let me go, I can't breath."
"Oh" She released him as he tumbled to the floor gasping for air. She bent down and helped him back to his feet. "Sorry" she giggled.
No one in the apartment got any sleep that night.
2017
Two years since Third Impact
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All NERV personnel were assembled in the auditorium. Misato and her wards, Dr. Akagi and Maya were among those at the front, closest to the stage.
Rumors of the UN charter had been buzzing around the facility for months. Finally, Commander Fuyutsuki walked to the center of the stage to put the rumors to rest. As he turned to speak, everyone fell silent. "At 0600 hours Eastern Standard Time, today, I was contacted by the UN chartering committee chairman. A decision has been made. The Asian branch, us, will head the United Nations' space program." Murmuring instantly broke out. The commander waved his hand to quiet everyone down. "We are chartered with the building of a permanent manned space station in earth orbit and for exploring the feasibility of establishing mining colonies on the moon. "This will be a dangerous yet important task that we must succeed in for the benefit of all mankind. And because of its importance, the UN has tripled our funding. For all of you who have struggled to get by these past two years, your patience has been rewarded." Applause erupted. Again Kouzou gestured for quiet. "Details concerning our new charter will be sent to all department heads to be passed down on a need to know basis. Thank you." And he walked off the stage.
The air was a buzz with excitement.
"Space! How exciting is that?!" Shinji said.
"Hehe. I thought you'd say something like that," teased Misato.
"I fail to see the source of your excitement. Space travel is wrought with peril. And the margin for error in its frozen vacuum approaches zero." Replied a very serious Rei.
"I don't know, dangerous or not, exciting or not; it still sounds like mining and construction to me." Asuka added.
"Who knows Asuka, maybe as we begin to colonize space, we'll run into some hostile alien force we'll have to fight." Misato teased.
"Now that would be exciting." The redhead responded.