Disclaimer: See Prologue
Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)
Chapter 7
2017
Two years and ten months since Third Impact
---
Once again Rei persuaded Asuka to go shopping for a dress to celebrate her third anniversary with Shinji. But this time she decided to purchase a whole new wardrobe. As they searched through the racks of dresses Rei asked. "Is it traditional to have so many flowers in the chapel for a wedding?"
"In a western wedding it is." Asuka replied, not looking up from the task of searching for a suitable dress for tomorrow evening.
"Are western weddings very different from traditional Japanese weddings?"
"Well, yes I suppose they are."
"How so?"
Asuka stopped searching as she considered the question. "Well, for one, what the bride and groom wear is completely different. In a traditional Japanese wedding both the bride and the groom wear wedding kimonos, also, in a Japanese weddings you don't have bridesmaids and escorts."
"So it is not as lavish an affair?" The blue-haired girl inquired.
"Oh no, its lavish alright, just in a different way." The redhead assured her.
She nodded. "I see… What do you think of this." The young pilot held up dark purple dress.
"Now, I like that. You should try it on."
"I shall." She put it over her arm and continued searching.
Later that afternoon
---
Shinji was sitting quietly in the family-room watching television when the door opened.
"You girls back already?" He asked as he made his way towards the door. "So Rei, what type of dress did you get this tiiiiiii…" His voice died as his eyes were glued to his fiancée's hair. "Rei what did you do to your hair?"
"Do you like it?" She turned her head from side to side, granting him a warm, wide smile.
"I think it looks great." Asuka said coming in, her arms filled with bags just as Rei's were.
"And what are all these bags?" He asked, his eyes wide in shock.
"New clothes and accessories I purchased for myself."
"All of it?"
"That's right boyfriend, all of it." Asuka said in a teasing tone as she walked pass on her way to Rei's room.
There, she slid the door open with her foot and deposited all the items save one on Rei's bed. "Okay, almost all."
"You did not answer my question." Rei grabbed Shinji's attention again. "Do you not like my new hairstyle?" She turned all the way around to give her boyfriend a good look.
"Well, yeah, its cute… "
"But… "
"Well, its just different, that's all." Shinji added.
In reality, it was not all that different. Rei simply had her ends cut evenly into a neat bob and her bangs shortened so they were out of her eyes, but for someone whose hair always looked a bit unruly, this was a significant change.
"Well, of course it is different silly. That is what happens when one gets a hair cut." She smiled.
"I supposed, it's just… "
"You do not like it." The young blue-haired girl's smile vanished.
"No, no, its cute, I do like it. It's just… different. That's all." Shinji tried to reassure her.
"And different is a bad thing?" A hint of confusion crossed her face.
"No, no, not always." He clarified.
"I am glad." She smiled once again as she leaned in and gave him a warm, loving kiss. "Now if you will excuse me. I need to put this items way." She turned and walked to her room.
"So… " Asuka paused waiting to get Shinji's attention. He was still standing dumbfounded in the middle of the foyer. "What's for dinner?" She asked.
"I… I haven't started it yet." He said with a blank expression.
"Oh, okay." She continued on to her room swinging her shopping bag idly as she walked. Opening the door she turned and said, "maybe we can just order out." Then she closed her it behind her, leaving it opened just a crack.
'This is wrong. This isn't how my Rei is. This isn't right.' Shinji remained frozen in the foyer, staring toward Rei's bedroom. Slowly he shifted his attention to Asuka's room. 'And I have a pretty good idea who's to blame for it.' A scowl spread across his face as he marched toward her room. Without knocking, he walked into her room and closed the door behind him.
Asuka gave a small gasp as she looked up from hanging her new outfit as she heard her door open and close. "Hey! What's the big idea coming into my room without permission?" She gave her intruder a false look of sternness.
"What do you think you are doing?" Shinji accused.
Asuka's playful look disappeared. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Rei and your attempts at changing her into someone she's not. She's not your plaything Asuka. So stop trying to make her into something she's not." Shinji commanded.
After getting over the shock of Shinji's accusation, Asuka set her new outfit down and glared daggers at the boy. "I don't know where you got this crazy idea you idiot but I'm not trying to change Rei into anything. In case you failed to notice, what Rei is going through is called maturity. She's growing and changing all on her own and if you weren't such an idiot, you would have noticed it a long time ago!"
"Don't tell me you haven't been doing your part to help her with her 'growth'. Taking her shopping, taking her to dinner when I'm not around."
"For your information you moron, she asked me to go with her shopping, not the other way around. And so what if we go out to eat together once in a while. Neither of us likes to cook, or are any good at it. Big deal!"
"I just can't imagine why you've warmed up to her all of a sudden. You used to hate her with a passion, now you're best buds. Or did you decide you'd try to make her your own doll to play with." Shinji accused.
Asuka gasped. "I can't believe you said that about her. She's not my doll but guess what stupid. She's not your doll either, so deal with it!" She snapped.
Shinji's voice grew deep and low, "stay away from her, do you hear me. I don't want you messing with her anymore."
"Get out." Asuka demanded. "GET OUT NOW!"
"You better do what I say." Shinji demanded as he turned to walk out the door.
"GET OUT!" She screamed again, as she collapsed on her bed after he closed her door behind him. "You bastard." She whispered, clutching her pillow to her chest. "You unbelievable bastard."
As Shinji walked from Asuka's room over to Rei's room, the woman he claimed to love walked out and past him as if he were not even there and headed straight for Asuka's room. She entered without knocking as well.
"You people better stop doing that." The redhead whispered as she glared at the other girl.
"I apologize of entering without permission but I must speak with out." Rei said calmly as she approached Asuka's bed. She knelt down next to the bed so her eyes met Asuka's. "Do not listen to Shinji's words. He does not know of what he speaks. I do not know why you decided to stop hating me and chose to be my friend and I do not care. All I know is that you are my dearest friend and I do not wish to lose this relationship we have. Not for Shinji, not for anyone." Rei reached out and touched Asuka's hand, holding it firmly in hers.
Asuka smiled and gave a half laugh. "I think that's the most words you've said at one time all day." She wiped a stray tear that managed to escape her eye as she sat up still holding Rei's hand. A very serious expression crossed her face. "You know you may not care why I stopped hating you but I think maybe you deserve to know." She patted her bed as a gesture to ask Rei to sit next to her. The blue-haired girl obliged.
"I guess I stopped hating you when I realized how much that idiot truly loved you. Regardless of the names I call him and the way I may treat him, I do respect and care about him and I guess I figured if he saw something in you worth loving then you couldn't be all bad." She gave a weak smile.
"So that is when you decide to try and be my friend?" Rei asked.
"No, I wasn't ready to go as far as trying to be friends with you. I just stopped hating you with a passion." Now she bowed her head with a touch of shame. "It wasn't until some time after Third Impact, when I was in Commander Fuyutsuki's office." The memory of the words he spoke that day came back to her.
"You have all had a difficult time of it, far more difficult than any child should ever have to endure. But I ask of you… for her sake … for your sake, try and get to know Rei Ayanami. You may just be thankful someday that you did."
"He said I should try and get to know you. He said I may the thankful someday that I did." Asuka smiled up at Rei. I guess there's a reason he's the head of NERV. That old man knew what he was talking about. I am thankful I've gotten to know you Rei. Since Third Impact you've become my best friend. I'm just sorry I didn't give you a chance sooner."
Rei smiled. "I did not give you much of a chance before Third Impact either. For this I am sorry. You are so very special to me Asuka. Please never stop being my friend."
"Never." Asuka smiled as the two girls embraced. "All always be your friend Rei. Always."
Separating moments later, both girls wiped their eyes dry.
"You know, Shinji that idiot is right about one thing. You have changed. For the better I think." Asuka assured her. "You've learned how to express your emotions."
"I've come to understand my emotions. I did not before." Rei explained. "Commander Ikari kept me emotionally undeveloped with his lies. It was not until I began to fall in love with Shinji." She paused. "Shinji, I must deal with Shinji now." She started to stand but Asuka held onto her hand, drawing her friend's attention back to her.
"Don't be too hard on him. He may be an idiot but he's an idiot that loves you. He just needs to understand that you are your own person. Okay?" Asuka assured her.
Rei smiled. "Do not worry." She gave Asuka's hand one last squeeze and released it then she walked out her door to deal with her boyfriend.
Shinji, who had stayed right where he had been when Rei walked past him until a minute ago, got up from the sofa in the living room when she exited Asuka's room. He walked up to her, his hands extended out to embrace her. What he got from her sent him reeling back. He rubbed his cheek in an effort to stop the stinging pain as he stared at Rei in shock.
"How dare you assault our commanding officer like that? How dare you assault our friend like that?" Rei's tone remained unchanged. "And how dare you refer to me as a doll?"
Rei expected Shinji to apologize; Rei was ready to accept his apology. Rei was ready to embrace him and tell him she loved him even before he apologized. What Rei wasn't ready for was what Shinji did instead. Instead of apologizing, Shinji turned and walked out the door, letting it slam behind him. Rei stared at the door in disbelief.
Moments later, Asuka came out of her room. "What happened?"
"Apparently I miscalculated Shinji's reaction." Rei replied. "Perhaps, the changes I am going through are more than Shinji can bear." Her tone got very soft. "Perhaps, he does not love me as he once did." This thought made her feel physically ill, as her shoulders stooped and her legs began to buckle. Asuka was over by her side in an instant, supporting her and guiding her to the sofa.
"Now don't even think that. Of course he still loves you. He… he's just too stupid to realize it, that's all. Give him a little time. He'll figure it out soon enough. You'll see." Asuka assured her.
Rei looked up at her, tears running freely down her face. "What if you are wrong? What if … "
Asuka pulled her close and shushed her. "Now stop that. Of course he still loves you. Not even Shinji could be that big an idiot not to see and appreciate what a wonderful person you are. You'll see, he'll be coming through that door any minute now. We'll just wait here until he does."
2am that night
---
Shinji walked in the apartment as quietly as he possibly could, not wanting to wake anyone. He made his way to his room, grabbed his duffel bag and started putting his clothes in it. Stopping when the bag was half filled, he walked out his room and looked over at Rei's room. Slowly, he walked over to it and slid the door open. Walking in he knelt down next to her bed staring intently at her face.
'She looks so very peaceful while she sleeps, so beautiful, so angelic. What am I doing? What on earth am I doing?' He began to weep.
Hearing his gentle sobs, Rei opened her eyes and whispered. "Shinji, is that you my love?"
He looked up at her with eyes filled with sadness unable to respond.
"You scared me my love." She reached out and touched his sweet face. "I feared you would never come back." She drew closer to him. "I am so very sorry for my hurtful words and for striking you. Please, please forgive me." Her tears welled up once more as she pulled him into an embrace. "I will try my best to be the person you fell in love with three years ago, just do not leave me. I cannot bear the thought of living without you. Please tell me you will stay, please." She clung to him fiercely as she wept.
Finally, finding his voice, Shinji responded. "No."
Rei gasped.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. You were right. I had no business speaking to Asuka like that, and I… I love you as you are. I don't want you going backwards. You've grown so much. I'm just sorry I didn't even realize it. I just … I was taking you for granted and not even noticing the wonderful changes you have been going through. Can you forgive me? I love you so much. I never want to leave you. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." He wept in his love's embrace.
She gently pulled him in bed with her as their lips met and for the first time in their three-year relationship she knew the time was right and she was ready.
Shinji didn't sleep a wink that night. That night for the first time in their three-year relationship, they made love. It was slow and tentative at first, both afraid of hurting the other. For nearly an hour they let their hands and lips explore each other's bodies. As they grew in confidence, their actions became more passionate. Afterward, they spent a time gently touching each other's face and hair, whispering words of love and commitment, and sharing sweet, light kisses. As the hour past 4:00 a.m., Rei slowly slipped back into a sound sleep. Shinji, aided by the soft glow of the streetlights lay next to her, his head propped up by his arm as he stared at her. Seeing her like this brought a warm happy smile to his face.
Now, at 7:00 a.m., as the early morning sunlight crept into the room, Shinji gently brushed small strands of arrant hair from her face. Gradually, Rei's eyes fluttered open. Seeing her lover lying next to her brought a joyful smile to her face. "Good morning my love." She whispered as she caressed his cheek.
Shinji leaned in and kissed her blissfully. A few moments later after their lips parted, he said. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"I am not." She moved her hand to the back of his head and gently pulled him back down to her as they kissed again.
As they kissed they both became aware of a shower turning on. As the parted, a serious look crossed the boy's face. "Rei…"
"I understand. I shall take a shower. Why don't you commence breakfast? That should give you the time you need with her." She said, stroking the side of his face.
"Thank you." He smiled at her and kissed her once again before getting out of bed. Dressing himself quickly, he headed for the kitchen, washed his hands, and started making breakfast.
About a half an hour later Asuka emerged from her room dressed in he uniform. She headed straight for her study where she gathered up some papers and placed them in her soft leather briefcase, then she went to the kitchen.
"Good morning Asuka." Shinji gave her a weak, apologetic smile.
Not bothering to look at or acknowledge Shinji's presence at all, she opened the refrigerator and pulled out two pears and placed them in her briefcase.
As she turned to leave the room, Shinji called out. "Asuka please wait. There's something I need to say to you."
"What? Apologize for your stupidity yesterday. Forget it, I already forgave you for that." She continued walking toward the door.
"Wh-where are you going?" The boy asked.
"To work of course. Unlike you pilots, I've got enough to keep me busy all the time." She continued walking. "By the way, movers will be coming to get my stuff later on today."
"Movers! Why?" Shinji began to panic.
"Why do you think idiot? To move me to my new apartment." She finally turned around and looked at him. While he wouldn't have been surprised to see either anger or rage in her eyes despite her claim of having forgiven him, he didn't expect to see sorrow. "I don't want to be a point of contention between you and Rei. I think it's best if I left. And don't look so shocked. It's not like I'm walking out of your lives forever. I just think, things might be easier for everyone if we didn't all live together, see each other all the time." She took a deep breath and turned to leave. "Well, later."
"Asuka! Wait!" Shinji ran over to her and stood in front of her. "Look at me please."
Slowly she turned her eyes toward him.
"If you're doing this because you're tired of living with us, with me? If your doing this because you feel you need your own space? Then…then I… I'll support you 100% in your decision. But if you're doing this because of me, because of my actions and my words yesterday, then please-please don't go. I am sorry for yesterday. And not just for my words. I'm sorry for dishonoring your position as Assistant Operations Director. Whether at NERV or not, you are my superior officer and always deserve to be treated as such. I'm sorry for invading your privacy. I have no right to ever enter your room uninvited. But most of all, I'm sorry for damaging our friendship. You mean so much to me Asuka. You always have. You've been a source of inspiration for me since the first time I met you. You made me a better pilot… and a better person. And how do I repay all that. I threaten you when all you were doing was being a friend to Rei. I'm sorry Asuka. I don't want to lose our friendship, I don't want to lose you." Slowly he reached out and gently touched her arms. "Please don't leave us. Don't leave me. I'd do anything to make it up to you. I wish I never said those hurtful, stupid things. But I can't change that. Just tell me what you want and I'll do it."
Asuka looked down at the floor for a moment then looked back up at him. "Okay, well you can start by apologizing to Rei and learn to accept her as she is and accept the fact that as she lives and experiences new things, she is going to change. It's just apart of life."
"I've already apologized to her and I'm committed to doing just what you said." He assured her.
Smiling, the redhead went on. "Then the only other thing I'd want you to do is to make sure you don't take any of your friendships for granted. Especially ours."
The young man nodded and said. "I promise. I'll never take you or our friendship for granted ever again. I'll make sure I don't in any of my relationships ever."
The redhead's smile grew. "Oh, there is one other thing."
"Name it."
"Take the time to learn how to make some of my favorite European dishes and make at least one every week." She grinned wickedly. "I'll give you a list later."
He smiled broadly. "Of course. It will be my pleasure. I always like learning new recipes." Pausing for a moment he continued. "May I hug the Assistant Director of Operations?"
Smiling back she replied, "Yes Lieutenant, you may." as they shared a warm, loving embrace.
"Well, do you really need to leave now or will you stay for breakfast at least?" The pilot asked.
"I guess I can go in a little later." She replied as they turned. Both stopped when they saw they face to face with Rei. Asuka gasped slightly, whispering. "How does she do that?"
"So all is well again?" The blue-haired girl asked.
Looking at each other, Shinji and Asuka nodded and said in unison, "Yes, everything's okay."
"Then shouldn't you call the movers to cancel their arrival Asuka?" Rei added.
"Oh that. I hadn't actually made those arrangements yet. I was going to do it at work." She gave a guilty smile.
"Then will you reconsider going to work today and spend the day with us instead?" Rei asked.
"Ah, today is your third anniversary as a couple. I don't want to get in the way of that." The redhead replied.
"You won't get in the way." Shinji looked at Rei and saw he was right. "We'd love to have you spend today with us. We've all lived together for almost three years now. We can celebrate our last three years spent together as friends and family."
"Agreed." Added Rei.
"Well, … okay, what the hell. Work can wait." Asuka tossed her briefcase on the sofa. "So what's the plan for today then?"
"Well, I guess we can start with breakfast. We can talk about it then." Shinji gestured toward the kitchen.
Walking over to the kitchen table Asuka turned to Rei and asked. "So how was it?"
"How was what?" Rei replied innocently.
"Oh come on. You know what. Remember these doors are paper thin." The redhead grinned.
"Asuka!" Shinji yelled red-faced with embarrassment.
Rei turned an equally brilliant shade of red as she looked down at the table and said, "It… was wonderful." with just a hint of a smile. Gradually, she looked up to see her friend smiling warmly at her.
"I'm happy for you." She replied. Then turned to the boy and added. "Shinji you stud."
"Asuka! Please!" He turned even redder.
"I'm just teasing." She assured him. "Stud."
"Asuka!"
2017
Three years since Third Impact.
---
Commander Fuyutsuki sat in his chair at the command center. Misato stood behind him and to his right. At the control floor Asuka and Shinji stood anxiously counting down the minutes. The three operators checked and rechecked the status of Unit 00, its pilot and the dual rockets it was strapped to.
"The pilot's heart rate is slightly elevated Captain." Maya informed Asuka.
"Rei, how are you feeling?" She asked her pilot.
"A little tense to tell you the truth." She replied. "But I am well."
"Good. Just two minutes to liftoff. Remember this whole exercise will take just 72 minutes. Up to a low earth orbit and back. Piece of cake." Asuka tried to lighten her spirits.
"I favor fresh fruit." Rei replied back.
"Ah, I know that Rei. I was just trying to … "
"It was a joke Asuka." Rei informed her. "I suppose I still need to work on my sense of humor."
Asuka laughed softly as did most everyone else at the command center. "No Rei, that was a good one, just unexpected."
Silence returned with the exception of a feminine voice counting down the time to launch.
"Shinji?" Rei called.
"Yes Rei?" He replied and waited for her to continue.
Silence followed.
After 40 seconds, Shinji said, "I understand."
Asuka looked over at the young man, but he simply continued to look at the monitor, displaying Unit 00 and the rockets as the zero hour approached.
"Thank you." Rei said.
"Thirty seconds to liftoff." The voice announced.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero, T plus 2 seconds, T plus 4 seconds… "
"All systems functioning normally. Unit 00 is 100 meters above ground zero… 300 meters… 500 meters."
"Pilot's heart rate continues to be elevated but appears to be fine otherwise."
"1900 meters… 4600 meters… 7500 meters… rockets commencing their roll."
"Navigation correction complete."
"Unit 00 is now 15000 meters above ground zero and climbing precisely on schedule."
"Congratulations everyone on a successful launch." The commander announced.
Everyone applauded and exchanged congratulatory handshakes and hugs, everyone except Shinji who just continued to watch the monitor intently.
***********
Shinji boarded the jet after putting on his flight suit.
"Ever fly at supersonic speed Lieutenant?" The pilot asked.
"No Captain, I haven't." Shinji replied.
"Well, you're in for a treat." The captain said as the canopy closed. "Hope you didn't eat too much for lunch."
In less then 56 minutes, the US built F-42 landed on a remote military airfield in the middle of Oklahoma farmland.
"Thanks for the ride Captain." A slightly green Shinji said as he climbed down from the cockpit.
"Anytime Lieutenant. Perhaps, you'll be able to give me a ride in your Eva someday." The pilot saluted.
Shinji saluted back and replied. "I'll see what I can do."
He boarded the UN transport that was waiting for him and sped off to the control center. Inside, Dr. Akagi and her support staff waited for word from Unit 00.
"Anything yet doctor?" Shinji asked anxiously.
"Not yet but that is to be expected. The blackout should not end for another minute."
The next minute took an eternity for Shinji, but when he heard his love say, "Oklahoma base, this is Unit 00 preparing to deploy my chute. Do you concur?"
"Yes Rei, deploy now." Akagi confirmed.
"Touchdown in 80 seconds" announced the young female operator.
"Are your receiving this Tokyo3?" Akagi asked.
After a moments pause, "Yes, Oklahoma, we are receiving loud and clear." Asuka responded.
"Touchdown in 60 seconds."
"Is Unit 00 on target?" The doctor asked.
"Magi estimates Unit 00 will touchdown less than 10 meters from designated target spot at its current angle and rate of decent."
"Touchdown in 30 seconds."
Shinji ran outside to witness the Eva's landing first hand. Looking up into the sky he could see the big blue Eva descend at what seemed to be a much too rapid rate, but based on their training, he knew all was going as planned.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three," Shinji braced for the impacted by dropping down on all fours when.
BBBOOOOMMMMM!!!!!
The earth shook as the Eva sent a shockwave through half the state of Oklahoma and on into Texas. Shinji ran towards the emergency vehicles that were dispatched to the landing sight and raced toward Unit 00.
Hoses were used to cool the unit down as it crouched low for the crane to remove the entry plug. As steam filled the air around the Eva, the retrieval team carefully opened the entry plug and assisted its pilot out. Once she came into view, cheers rang out from everyone working around the Eva as well as from the 50,000 spectators and media that were watching from the specially designed observation area nearly a mile away. Giant monitors showed the events taking place. Simultaneously, cheers at the Oklahoma and Tokyo3 control centers also broke out.
Shinji ran up to Rei and swept her up in his arms, burying his face in her shoulder he spun her around and around, finally setting her down and kissing her deeply.
"Shinji, the people." She pulled back blushing intensely as the cheers grow louder.
"Let them see. I want to world to know I'm engaged to an international hero." He smiled at her and kissed her again. This time Rei did not resist but returned his love fully.
~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Okay, this is the first chapter that had some major changes to it compared to the version I posted on Darkscribes. Hope you liked it. Also added a few lines to the last part as well. Glad everyone seems to prefer the current format I am using now. The other chapters should come faster but this one took awhile because of the additions I made to it. Hopefully I'll have it all posted by the 7th of July, maybe sooner.
Please continue to review. I greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions.
A. Amishi