Disclaimer: See Prologue
Evangelion: Any place can be Heaven, if you let it (A sequel to Random1377's, Crimson and Azure)
Chapter 11
2018
Three years and 5 months since Third Impact
---
Under a large pavilion constructed in the Geofront primarily for conducting press conferences, both Commander Fuyutsuki and Sub-Commander Katsuragi sang the praises of the departing Assistant Director of Operations to the assembly of NERV employees.
"… and in every way she has surpassed my highest expectations. Asuka, your departure will leave within NERV a void that will not easily be filled. But I have no concern for your future for I know that you possess the skills and strength of character to succeed in any venture you undertake. You take with you all our best wishes."
The contingent of nearly 800 employees applauded the commander's words as he walked over to Asuka who was seated just behind the podium and to its left. Embracing the young woman he bent over and kissed her on the cheek. "I wish you all the best Asuka. I know you'll do well in whatever you choose."
"Thank you Commander. It's been an honor working under you." She answered back with a smile.
"Would you like to say some words?" He gestured to the podium.
"Yes, please." She nodded as she pulled out a sheet of paper.
"By all means." He stepped aside so she could take the podium then he took his place next to Misato who sat to the right of the podium and applauded along with everyone else.
Taking a few deep breaths to settle her nerves, Asuka smiled and made a friendly gesture with her hand in an attempt to get the large crowd to quiet down.
"Thank you." Turning slightly to face her bosses, "Thank you Commander Fuyutsuki and Sub-commander Katsuragi for your kind words." Turning back to the audience. "I must say there were a few times I had to look around to see if there was another Asuka Langley Souryu they were talking about." She smiled as the assembly laughed. As the pavilion quieted down again, she continued. "But seriously… when Sub-commander Katsuragi offered me to position of Assistant Director of Operations I was genuinely surprised, even a little stunned. Since I was seven years old, all I ever wanted to do was pilot Eva. To that end I trained, studied and worked. My ambitions never went beyond that. My first instinct was to turn down the offer but after careful consideration I decided to accept the challenge. And a challenge it has been. Misato, I apologize for all the times I berated you and cursed you for what I thought was a substandard performance on your part as Operations Director. Only after walking a mile in your shoes have I learned how difficult the task really was. I also thank you, for on many occasions I am sure there was nothing you would have liked to do more then to fire me or dress me down for my incompetence at times as your assistant. Instead you used those incidences as teaching opportunities. I thank you for your patience and understanding, for your encouragement and your support, and most of all I thank you for your love. You were more than a guardian to me, you were like a second mother and for this I will always be grateful."
Pausing briefly the audience applauded her kind words.
A moment later she continued, "To Commander Fuyutsuki, I extend my greatest thanks for being a shining example of what a commander should be. You were both an inspiration and a role model for me to follow. When all is said and done, if I can look back at my life and say that I was half the person you are sir, I will have accomplished a great feat indeed. Thank you."
Again everyone applauded as Asuka walked from the podium over to her two bosses and embraced each of them warmly.
A few moments later she returned to the podium and proceeded with her speech. "I made a list in hopes that I don't miss anyone. I have so many people I need to thank. Shinji called it my hit list." She smiled as everyone laughed lightly. "Well, here it goes. Doctor Ritsuko Akagi; thank you for treating me like an equal and not a child. A big thank you to Maya, Yuri and Kei-ichi, the finest operations team anywhere, also thank you to Yurika, Amano and Suzuka from the night staff and to all the junior operators as well. Thank you to the recovery crew chiefs, Takana, Suzuki and Ashitaka, and to their crews for the great work that do each and every time our pilots board the Evas. Thanks to department heads Onizuka, Keitaro, Mitsuko for working with me and making my job that much easier. Thank you to security staff, maintenance staff and personnel. Your contributions are too numerous to count and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping our facility save, clean and for staffing us with the finest personnel in all the Japan, nay, all the world."
Again, the assembly broke into applause.
After a few minutes, as the crowd quieted down again, Asuka proceeded. "There are but two people I have left to thank." She folded the paper she had in front of her and held it behind her back then she looked down from the podium to the first row, front-center and smiled.
"These two have been my co-pilots, … my colleagues, … my rivals, my enemies, … my roommates, my confidants, … and my dearest friends. I'm speaking of course of Shinji and Rei Ayanami. Shinji, you've been the best friend a girl could hope a boy could possibly be. I know I've called you an idiot and stupid more times then I can count…"
Everyone laughed, including Shinji. "But what you didn't know was that every time I called you those things, what I was really saying was, I love you. I love you Shinji Ayanami and I always will. You've ruined me for any other man, because every other man I meet will be compared to you; your gentle nature, your loyalty and devotion to those you love, your cooking and anal retentive cleaning habits." She smiled.
This brought about another round of laughter. This time the young male pilot blushed but smiled despite himself.
"You are one of my two dearest friends and I will love you always." After pausing for a moment to compose herself, Asuka went on. "Rei, I once warned you that if you faltered in your love for Shinji, I'd be there to take him from you. Well, let me say here and now. You have nothing to worry about from me, ever. A truer love, I have never witnessed and probably never will. Besides that, how could I possibly take away that which rightly belongs to my dearest friend in the entire world? Rei, getting to know you and being your friend over these past three and a half years has been the greatest joy of my life. There are many things I will miss about Tokyo3 and NERV, but none greater then you. I love you Rei. You're the best friend a girl could ever have." With that, Asuka walked past the podium to the edge of the short stage and jumped down, into the waiting arms of Shinji and Rei.
"I love you Asuka." Rei said and she embraced her friend. "And I always shall."
"So will I Asuka, so will I." Shinji added.
As the friends embraced, the people in attendance applauded. Misato eventual came to the podium and quieted down the crowd. "Well, this is a celebration after all, so everyone is invited over at the park just across the way. Thank you all for attending." Completing this task, she jumped off the platform and embraced her former ward once again. "I'm going to miss you so much." She said with a sad smile.
"So will I Misato." The redhead mirrored her guardian's expression. "Well, come on. No tears today, lets go celebrate okay." She put on a happy face.
"Okay!" Everyone agreed as they made their way over to the festivities. Getting there took some time since every step of the way Asuka was stopped by a well-wisher.
The celebration went on well into the night as four different bands alternated turns playing music, food and drinks were keep in plentiful supply the entire time and Asuka was more then willing to receive everyone who wanted a moment of her time. It was a few minutes before 2am when the last of the guests left and Asuka and her friends sat around one of the tables in the dinning tent.
"I can't believe how patient you were with everyone that wanted to speak with you Asuka." Shinji said.
"I thought for sure after about a half an hour of that, you'd have thrown a fit and chased everyone off." Misato added.
"Come on, give me some credit. I mean, it's not like I'll have an opportunity to spend time with any of them any time soon. It was the least I could do. Besides, they were here to wish me well. I couldn't be so rude as to just blow them all off." Asuka defended herself. Looking at her watch she added. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you but I'm beat and I promised Hikari and her friends, I'd spend tomorrow morning with them." She stood from the table and stretched.
"You're right we should be getting home." Misato said as she got up and offered a hand to Kaji who was barely awake.
As they made their way to up to Tokyo3, Asuka asked Rei. "Would you like to join me tomorrow morning?"
"You need to spend time with your friends. I do not wish to get in the way." Rei stated.
"Rei, you're my friend. I want you to come with me." The redhead replied.
Looking over at her husband, Shinji just shrugged. "It's okay by me, I've got class tomorrow."
Turning back to her friend, Rei responded, "Very well. I shall accompany you, if you wish."
"Yes, that's what I wish." The redhead smiled.
The next morning
---
"So what do you think?" Hikari asked, turning all the way around slowly to allow her friends to see.
"Looks great on you Hikari." One said.
"Yeah, it looks really good on you." Said another.
"What do you think Asuka?" The brown-haired girl asked.
"I think it looks nice but why don't you ask Rei?" The redhead replied.
"Rei?" The brunette gave her friend a questioning stare but did as she suggested. "Rei, what do you think?"
Rei turned to look at Hikari, staring at her up and down several times before speaking. Then she said, "The style and color suits you but the trim contrasts your hair and eyes too much. Besides, it will be difficult to find shoes that will match that trim color." Pointing to the same styled dress on the rack that had a rust colored trim instead. "That one there would suit you better."
Hikari walked over and grabbed the dress Rei was pointing at off the rack. "This one?"
"Yes." The blue-haired girl replied.
After trying it on and receiving the approval from everyone, the Senior Class President, went and purchased the item.
"Nice call Rei." Asuka said with a smile, out of hearing range of the others.
"You could have made the same suggestion. You have done the same for me in the past." Rei replied.
"Yeah, but I won't be here to make those suggestions for her after tomorrow. You will." The redhead replied.
"Are you suggesting I take the time to socialize with Hikari and her friends?" The young bride asked.
"I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just saying, you're too good a person not to share yourself with others." The former AOD answered.
"Thanks Rei, that was a great suggestion." Hikari said, taking her by the elbow. "Where should we go for the shoes?" She asked.
Rei followed her out the store, staring at Hikari's hand wrapped around her elbow. Finally, she looked up. "I prefer to go to Erinuki Shoes. They have a wide selection though they tend to cost a bit more then other places."
"Erinuki's it is then." Hikari smiled as they walked.
Asuka smiled happily. 'You're going to be all right Rei. I'm sure of it.'
"Coming Asuka?" Erina Kanzaki, one of Hikari's classmates asked as the other girls followed their friend and the blue-haired girl.
"Yeah." Asuka quickly got in step with the others, still smiling happily.
Two days after Asuka's farewell celebration at NERV
---
"Well, that's my plane." Asuka said, standing.
"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to fly on a NERV transport? I could have one ready to take you in less then an hour." Misato offered one last time.
"Thanks but no. I might as well start getting used to my life as a civilian. … Civilian. Always seemed like a dirty word to me before." The redhead chuckled.
"Don't be a stranger. Call and be sure to call us when you get there, okay." Shinji pulled her into an embrace.
"Yes daddy." She squealed in a teasing manner. Getting very serious suddenly, she touched his cheek gently and added. "You be happy, and you make sure you keep your wife happy. That's my best friend you're married to, remember. I won't tolerate you taking her for granted. You hear me."
"I promise." He smiled, then leaned in and kissed her on the cheek and whispered. "I love you Asuka."
"I know." She held him tight. 'I love you too."
"Take care of yourself Asuka." Kaji hugged her tightly, laughing softly he pulled back and added. "I'm sure it won't be hard for you. You always did anyway."
"Thanks Kaji. You helped teach me how." She smiled up to him.
"If you need anything, anything at all. Don't hesitate to contact me, okay." Misato informed her as she held her close to her heart.
"I'll remember. Thank you Misato, thank you for being my guardian, my supervisor, my mentor… but most of all, my friend. I know I didn't tell you nearly as often as I should have… but… I love you, you know this don't you." Unshed tears began to cloud her vision.
"I know, I love you too Asuka. I love you too." The purple-haired woman held her close.
Finally, Asuka looked left and right searching for someone. "Where is Rei?"
Everyone else began looking around as well. Finally, spotting her standing several feet away her head hung low, lost in thought.
"Rei, what's wrong?" Asuka asked as she walked up to her friend.
Rei looked up with her tear-stained face and stared at her dearest friend.
"I spent the past few days trying to think of the perfect thing to say. Something intelligent and inspiring, but all I can think of now is how much I am going to miss you. How I spent most of my life shielding myself from others and now when I've opened myself up, the friend I care most about is leaving. And I do not know if I can bear it. What will I do?" Tears began to roll down her face once again. "Is this not selfish of me to think this way? Is it not selfish and childish?"
Asuka pulled her into a strong embrace and whispered out between her how tears. "No Rei, it's not; it's human. I love you so much. You're the dearest friend, the best sister a girl could ever hope to have."
"But I am not your sister." Confusion etched on the blue-haired girl's face.
"You are if you're willing to be." The redhead smiled.
Rei returned the smile. "Nothing would make me happier than to be your sister." And they tightened their embrace once more. "I shall call you, all the time." She assured.
"You better." Asuka teased. "As for what you will do. You know how to make friends now. I expect you to make lots of them. Well, maybe not lots but at least a few good ones at least."
"You taught me how to become a friend."
"See, you learned from the best. Now it's your job to put what I taught you to practice. I think you got a pretty good start yesterday."
"I will try." Rei smiled.
"Good." Asuka smiled back.
"Last call for Air Japan Flight 1011 to San Francisco."
"That's my flight."
"Goodbye Asuka." Rei said sadly.
"No good-byes, just… till we meet again." She smiled once again.
Rei slowly smiled. "Yes… yes, till we meet again."
Asuka took her small carry-on bag from Shinji and waved farewell. "Till we meet again, my f… my family."
They waved back and she was gone.
In the drive back to their apartment, Shinji held Rei close trying to easy her sadness. "It'll be okay Rei, you'll see."
From the driver's seat Kaji said, "why don't we pick up some carryout? I don't think anyone's up to cooking tonight."
"That's a good idea Hon." His wife said as she gave his hand a squeeze and forced a faint smile for his benefit.
"What do you guys say?" He looked at the Ayanamis through the rearview mirror.
"I am not hungry." Rei whispered.
"Anything will be fine." Shinji looked up and smiled at Kaji's reflection.
Later that night they all sat around the Ayanamis' family room sharing their fondest Asuka stories.
"She stood there dumbfounded for a minute, not sure what to do but she didn't turn to me for help. Finally, Ritsuko got tired of waiting and started instructing Maya to lower Shinji's cerebral connection ratio. Suddenly, Asuka snapped at her, telling Ritsuko she was in command and to just shut up. Then she started barking out commands left and right. And you know every one of them was right on. That was it. That was when I knew for sure that I'd made the right decision in choosing Asuka to be my successor.
"Sounds like Asuka. I remember the first time I met her during the first activation test of Unit 02 in Bonn. Everyone in the control room was on pins and needles because of what had happened nearly eight years earlier but when Asuka walked in the room, her confidence and commanding presence gave everyone a boost. I remember thinking, there was no way this was just a fourteen year-old girl." Kaji added.
"I will never be able to perform the job of Director as well as she did." Rei said sadly.
"Rei, you won't do the job the way Asuka did it. And you shouldn't even try. You'll need to find your own style of command. The key to command is not necessarily overwhelming your subordinates with your presence but rather to convey intelligence and confidence in yourself and in them. If you can do that, then those under you will follow." Misato tried explaining.
Rei nodded, thankful for the reassuring words.
Silence filled the room for a few minutes.
Finally Kaji asked, "So Shinji, what do you think was Asuka's high point as a pilot? I bet it was when she took out all those production units, wasn't it?"
"Well, that was amazing, but personally, I think her finest moment was after Rei showed her up during the early stages of our sync training."
Rei, who was sitting on the floor next to the couch with her head on Shinji's lap, looked up with a sense of hurt in her eyes. Shinji stroked her hair and gave her a reassuring smile. "She was so upset by that she stormed out of the house. Hikari insisted I go apologize to her so I left to find her. When I finally did find her she had just bought herself a bunch of snacks and drinks from the store. I don't remember where we ended up but I remember she was determined to prove to everyone that she was the best pilot. She spoke with such determination and confidence. I couldn't help but admire her, and wish that I were more like her. And she did it. It wasn't easy but we both did it. Yeah, I think Rei and I would have had a much easier time of it had Misato changed the personnel order and had Rei pilot Unit 02 instead but you know, I'm glad she didn't because having to work as hard as we did… I can honestly say I became a better pilot after that experience."
Rei smiled up at her husband and he bent over and kissed her on the top of her forehead.
"What about you Rei?" Kaji asked.
"Excuse me?" She failed to understand the question.
"What do you think was Asuka's high point as a pilot?"
Rei paused for a moment then said. "Well, it is difficult for me to say. My… relationship… with Asuka before Third Impact was more of an adversarial one so I did not spend much time considering what she did right but rather focused on what she did wrong." She paused once again. "But there was one time… when NERV lost all power and we had to crawl through the air-duct system to get to the control center. Asuka immediately assumed command and proceeded to get us lost. During the whole ordeal I could not help but think, she was so very arrogant and incompetent. But after we got to our Evas and reached the shaft where the angel had positioned itself, she quickly came up with a strategy of attack and assumed the most dangerous position herself. Shinji dispatched the angel rather easily with the pulse rifle but I believe the task was made easy by Asuka's planning and execution. I had to re-evaluate my assessment of the Second Child after that mission."
They fell silent once again when Misato finally looked at her watch. "Man, it's already one in the morning. Shouldn't she have arrived in Bonn by now?"
"Yes, she should have landed over an hour ago." Kaji informed.
"Maybe she's just getting situated over there first." Shinji suggested.
Suddenly the phone rang. Rei sprang up and grabbed the phone. "Hello, Asuka?"
"HI REI! CAN YOU HEAR ME OVER THE NOISE!" Asuka had one hand covering her ear as she pressed the phone tightly to the other.
"Barely. What is the cause of the disturbance?" Rei asked.
"Me apparently." She laughed.
"What do you mean?" The blue-haired girl asked.
"Well, apparently I am something of a national hero here. There were over ten thousand people waiting to greet me when I got off the plane. I was taken by limousine to what used to be the Prime Minister's mansion back when Bonn was the capital, for a banquet being held in my honor. Tomorrow I'm the guest of honor in a ticker-tape parade through the downtown area. Can you believe it?" The redhead's excitement was clearly evident in her voice.
Rei was silent for a moment as she tried to digest all her friend just told her. "It is amazing. I am so happy for you."
"What?" Shinji asked.
"What's going on?" Misato added.
Rei held up a finger asking them to wait a moment. "So all is well then?"
"I'll say. I'm already scheduled to meet the Prime Minister this week and next week I'm supposed to go speak to the whole German Parliament. I've go interviews scheduled with every major talk show and news show in the country over the next week and a half. Can you believe it? I'm going to have to get myself an assistant just to keep track of my public engagements."
"That is wonderful."
But before Rei could go on. Asuka continued. "I'm sorry but I'm being called over to the podium again. I've got to let you go, but I wanted to let you guys know I got here okay and everything is fine. I'll be sure to call again sometime tomorrow okay. Bye." The line went dead before Rei could respond.
Rei stared at the phone for a moment before hanging it up.
"What happened? Did you get cut off? Is she going to call back? Shinji asked.
"No she hung up. She was needed elsewhere." Rei replied.
"Elsewhere? What happened?" Misato asked.
"Apparently, Asuka is regarded as a national hero in Germany." The new Assistant Operations Director said.
"What?" The rest all responded in unison.
"According to Asuka, there were over ten thousand people waiting to greet her at the airport and now she is at the mansion, that was once used as the Prime Minister's estate, for a banquet in her honor." Rei continued.
"That's incredible." Misato gasped.
"She has numerous public engagements already planned, including a meeting with the Prime Minister and an invitation to speak before Parliament." Rei added.
"Well, what to you know?" Kaji said, shaking his head in astonishment. "The girl's done good for herself." He smiled.
"So is she going to be too busy to talk to us now?" Shinji inquired.
"She said she would call tomorrow but was uncertain of the time." Rei concluded.
Misato stood up and stretched, letting out a small yawn. "Well, that was kind of anti-climactic. Thank goodness we don't have to work tomorrow." Taking Kaji's hand to help him off the sofa, she smiled. "Goodnight Rei, goodnight Shinji."
"Goodnight Misato." Shinji replied as he stood up.
"Goodnight mother." Rei replied.
Misato smiled broadly, and gave Rei small finger wave as she and Kaji walked out the family room and to the door.
"Goodnight" Kaji said with a wave as they left.
Seeing his wife deep in thought, Shinji walked up to her and hugged her warmly. "Is something wrong Rei?"
She looked up at her husband. "Do you think she will forget about us?" She asked with a hint of concern in her tone.
"Asuka? Not a chance. You'll see, after the fanfare over her return to Germany settles down, we'll be hearing from her as regular as clock work." Shinji assured her. 'At least I hope so.'
They walked hand in hand to their bedroom and out of habit closed the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Could there be any doubt that Asuka would land on her feet, running. ^_^ This is Asuka Langley Souryu we're talking about here. The end is near. About two maybe three more chapters. Hope you like what I have in store.
By the way, thanks for all the reviews on my last chapter. Though, I am a bit confused by some of the comments I received. Isn't romance, almost synonymous with WAFF? This story is categorized as a Drama/Romance. It was a wedding/honeymoon chapter. What else did you expect??? :P
Anyway, thanks for all the comments and be sure to keep that insulin handing. You just never know. ^-^
A. Amishi