Disclaimer: See Prologue

Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)

Chapter 6

2017

Two years and seven months since Third Impact

---

"So this is it?"

"Yep. It isn't true Zero G but the magnetic fields generated in the walls, ceiling and floor, come very close to simulating it. So, who's going first?" Asuka asked.

Shinji smiled at Rei. "Ladies first."

She gave him a serious and stern look. "That is an archaic and sexist remark."

Shinji bowed his head in shame. "Sorry… I didn't mean to… "

Rei stepped toward him and caressed his cheek. "But thank you for the gesture." She said with a warm, loving smile then she leaned in and kissed him tenderly.

"Oh brother." Asuka sighed. "Okay lovebirds, get suited up. Rei, get to your Eva and we'll get started."

Four hours later, Rei had completed every task they had her perform with near flawless perfection.

"Okay, Rei, return Unit 00 to the cages. Shinji, go ahead and get in Unit 01, and we'll get start." Asuka instructed from the testing center's control room.

"In a minute Asuka." He replied, wanting to see his fiancée before he entered his Eva.

Three minutes later Rei exited the entry plug and was working her way down the gantry calmly until she spotted her future husband at the bottom. Instantly she seemed to change from a calm and composed pilot to a giddy schoolgirl as she bounded down the last few step and into his arms, pressing her lips firmly onto his. The force with which she ran into him caused him to spin around with her in his arms to keep from falling over backwards.

"Mmmmm, what was that for?" Shinji asked smiling down at the light of his life as they finally separated.

"Four hours is too long to be apart from you. I needed to feel your lips, feel you love." She replied as he obliged her by kissing her again, pulling her tighter in his embrace.

When they finally separated, he asked, "so what was it like?"

"It is difficult to describe. My only advice would be to keep your movements small and evenly paced."

"We're waiting Third Child!" Came Asuka's voice over the loud system.

"COMING!" Yelled Shinji. "Well, I guess it's my turn. Will you wait for me?"

The blue-haired girl raised her eyebrow, "do you really need to ask?"

He caressed her cheek and shook his head. "No, no I don't. See you in a few hours." He kissed her once again and headed for Unit 01. Rei stayed and watch him enter his Eva and head over to the testing facility before she turned and headed for the locker rooms to shower and change.

Nine hours later Shinji was doing as poorly as he was when they started testing at noon. Asuka was beyond having lost patience with him, resulting in Misato and Ritsuko conducting the tests for the past three hours. And now they had had enough for one day.

"Okay Shinji," Misato said. "That's enough for one day. We'll pick up again in a couple of days." Misato informed him, fatigue and frustration plainly evident in her voice.

"Just a little longer Misato." Shinji insisted. "I know I can do this. Just once more okay."

There was a long moment of silence. During which time Shinji was certain Misato was going to insist he return his Eva to the holding cages so he started coming up with arguments to stay longer. Just then he heard a soft voice that definitely did not come from Misato, Ritsuko or Asuka. "Proceed."

He smiled and continued to attempt the simple component assembly without bouncing off the walls and ceiling this time, not concerning himself with who gave him the order.

Four hours later, Shinji completed the task. While the assembly was not nearly as symmetrical or stable as the one Rei had assembled and disassembled twice during her testing, it was complete. This made the young male pilot ecstatic. "I did it! Misato, Asuka did you see that? I did it!" He paused a moment admiring his handy work. After a few minutes he repeated, "Misato? Asuka? Are you guys there?"

"No my love. They are not here." A very familiar and loving voice said.

"Rei? Where is everyone?" The confused young pilot asked.

"They have all gone home for the night." She informed him.

"Is there anyone else there with you?" He asked.

"Miss Ibuki was here until midnight but was beginning to fall asleep so I instructed her to go home." She answered.

"What time is it now?" He asked.

"It is five minutes after one." She said calmly.

'One in the morning?' "When did everyone else leave?"

"The remaining staff departed at nine, shortly after Misato first instructed you to retire for the day."

'Nine? One in the morning? I started at Noon. I've been here for thirteen hours and this is the best I could do?' "I'm pathetic." Shinji whispered softly, not intending for his girlfriend to hear him.

"You are not pathetic my love. You simply… lack balance." She tried to re-assure him. "I will teach you balance, but now return Unit 01 to its holding cage so we may go home."

'Balance? I lack balance?' "Okay Rei." He did not understand his loves statement but obeyed her nonetheless.

2017

Two years and eight months since Third Impact

---

Standing in front of the wall size mirror in the fitting area of the bridal shop, Ritsuko admired the bridesmaid's dress she was wearing, turning left and right to get a look at it from all angles. "I can't believe this day has finally come." She said.

Maya stepped up next to her, giddy with excitement. "This is so exciting." She said replicating her mentor's movements in front of the mirror.

Asuka came up on the other side of Ritsuko. "What's so exciting about having to spend hours getting fitted for a dress that is as ugly as the day is long." She scowled, while admitting to herself. 'Well, it may be ugly but I look damn good in it.'

"It's not that bad Asuka." Maya said.

"PLEASE!" Asuka frowned deeply.

"I just can't believe they're finally doing it." The good doctor injected.

"No kidding. I would have thought they would have gotten married the day after Third Impact." Asuka added.

"Well, with all her new responsibilities, I guess they had to take their time."

"I suppose."

Just then they heard their friend coming from the changing area and turned to see her as one of the seamstresses followed close behind her.

"I do not understand." Rei turned to face the seamstress. "You took my measurements over 3 months ago. Why is this dress made to fit someone three sizes larger than me?" She asked while holding her hands above her breasts to keep it from falling off her.

"Don't worry ma'am. If you'll just step up here." The seamstress pointed to the platform in the middle of the room. "I'll make all the necessary alterations." Rei did as the woman instructed but it did not curb her frustration.

"This is a complete waste of time." Rei concluded.

"That thing is huge on you." Asuka fought to keep from laughing out loud. 'She looks like a little girl trying on her mothers dress.' She mused.

"This is what I informed them." She glared at the woman who was pinning up the dress. In looking back up at the other women in the bridesmaid's dresses she saw her image in the mirror. "What possessed Misato to choose this color. I am completely washed out in it." She observed.

"You look good." Maya told her.

Still looking at herself in the mirror, "do you really think so?"

Before Maya could response, Asuka interjected. "No, she's just being polite."

"That is what I thought." Rei asserted frowning even more.

"Don't listen to Asuka." The doctor assured her. "You will look fine. We all will." She turned back towards the mirror. 'What were you thinking when you chose this color Misato?'

Later that day at the Rising Star Café in downtown Tokyo3

---

"So, what do you guys think of the bridesmaid dresses? Be honest." Misato grinned, hoping they loved them as much as she did when she selected them.

The four women gave each other a knowing look and smiled. "They're great Misato. You've got great taste." Ritsuko lied to her friend.

"Hehe, thanks." The purple-haired woman smiled from ear to ear. "I especially liked the color. It's really different, don't you think?"

"It is something else, definitely." Rei said, Asuka and Maya each took a sip of their tea to keep from laughing out loud.

"I can't believe we're finally getting married." Misato giggled. "This is so exciting."

"I can't believe it either. It's taken the two of you long enough." Asuka stated.

"What Asuka, jealous?" Misato grinned playfully at the redhead.

"WHAT!" Asuka's face turned bright red. "I… It's not like that… Really… I'm so over him, it's not funny."

Misato just kept grinning at her.

"I am!"

"Well," Misato sat back and took a sip of her coffee. "You're more of a woman than I am. I could never get over him."

Asuka gapped.

"But way now." Rei asked taking attention away from the flustered redhead.

"Well, we would have liked to have gotten married sooner but we still had some issues to deal with. But with those things behind us and with Asuka's seventeenth birthday coming up in a few more months, we thought this was the perfect time." The sub-commander replied.

"My birthday? What's that got to do with anything?" A confused Asuka asked.

"Well, you've been my assistant for almost three years now and both the commander and I agree that you are ready to assume the full responsibilities of Operations Director. Though UN regulations minimum age requirement says the position must be held by someone at least eighteen years old, we felt that with your background both as a college graduate and an Eva pilot, an exception could be made."

Asuka was too shocked to speak. She knew she would be replacing Misato as Director eventually but she was sure it wouldn't happen for at least another year or two.

"Congratulations Asuka." Rei said, taking her friend's hand.

"Yeah, congratulations Asuka." Maya smiled.

"Well, it won't be official for another 4 months but congratulations anyway." Misato smiled. "You surpassed all my expectations Asuka. You really should be proud of yourself."

Ritsuko just nodded her approval and held up her cup of coffee for a moment toasting Asuka's promotion.

Asuka quickly recovered, gave a cocky grin and said. "Well, of course, I was the best pilot, why would you expect anything short of excellence from me as Director."

Ritsuko rolled her eyes and Maya just shook her head but Rei and Misato knew those were just words used to maintain the Asuka mystic. The look of genuine gratitude in the back of her eyes told them how very grateful she really was.

Ritsuko looked at her watch 'we can have just enough time if we hurry' and said, "as much as I'd like to stay and chat, Maya and I need to get back to headquarters. There's still lots of work to do to get the Eva's ready for the vacuum of space." She reached for her purse but Misato assured her she had it covered.

"Thank you Misato." Maya bowed respectfully, smiling at her supervisor, she followed her away from the café.

After sitting quietly for a few minutes Asuka finally spoke. "Misato, there is something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Yes?" The sub-commander put down her cup and gave her ward her complete attention.

"Well, after you marry Kaji, where are you or rather, where are we going to live? I mean, he's not going to move in with us is he? Not that I'd mind but…"

"What, and give you the opportunity to steal him from me? Not a chance." Misato teased.

Asuka gasped.

"You do not actually believe that Asuka would attempt to have an adulterous affair with your husband-to-be? Do you Misato?" Rei pondered out loud.

"No Rei. No, I don't. I'm just teasing her." Misato reassured her.

Misato's ability to turn a serious discussion into an opportunity to embarrass her wards never ceased to confuse the blue-haired girl. And while Misato assured her she didn't believe Asuka to be the adulterous type, Rei could not help but keep that thought in the back of her mind.

"Actually, he and I will be moving into a new apartment. Two floors above you guys." She grinned.

"Are you serious?" Asuka made no attempt to hide her surprise.

"Yeah, I liked our apartment so much I insisted on staying there, or at least in the same building. And he agreed. Besides, you guys are my family as much as Kaji will be. I couldn't stand being far from you all." She smiled warmly. "I love each of you so very much." She brought her napkin up to her mouth to stifle a whimper.

"Now don't you get all weepy on us Misato." Asuka commanded. "How are we supposed to maintain respect for our sub-commander if she's going to turn into jelly just… " Asuka stopped in mid-sentence when she saw Rei stand up and walk over next to Misato.

Misato looked up at her, her expression saying 'what is it Rei' without words.

"You love me Misato?" Rei asked in all seriousness. "You love me in the same manner in which you love Asuka? In the same manner in which you love… Shinji?" The only expression betrayed by the girl's face was a slight quivering of her lips.

Misato stood up and faced her, stroking the side of her head and caressing her cheek. "Yes Rei, I've grown to love you as much as them. You're one of my children." She smiled at the young pilot.

What Misato saw next was totally unexpected. It was as if a wall came crashing down as the blue-haired girl broke into tears and began to weep and quiver all over as she hugged the older woman fiercely, pressing her face into her chest. Misato held her close and stoked her delicate hair gently as her tears rolled down her checks.

After several minutes Rei slowly pulled away from Misato, looking up into her eyes and she asked, "May I… may I… I never… I never had a… a…" Tears welled up in her eyes once again as she feared what she was about to ask may be too much, even after Misato's declaration of love, but she pressed on. "May I call you… call you… call you…mmm…mmm"

Misato spared her the heartache. "Rei, nothing would make me happier than to hear you call me your mother." She crushed the young girl to her once more as they wept tears of joy once again. Asuka sat at the table, a faint smile on her face with her hands under her chin as her tears rolled unchecked down her face.