Chapter #11

"Another one?!"

"Yes, another one, you'd better begin making preparations for him. I don't think there's enough room in your apartment, so you'd better find another place for him."

"Hold on, hold on. You're telling me that we're getting another pilot, another Eva, and I have to make up his living arrangements? Ritsuko, I'm a tactical commander, not a home designer!"

"I know, but you managed to figure it out with Asuka and Shinji, so I'm sure you won't have that big of a problem." Ritsuko said as she walked off.

"Great, I wonder how the children are going to take this. Well, at least the new pilot won't be scared by Shinji like Touji was. But where am I going to put him?!"

"God damn it, Shinji. Could you stop that at least until we get out of public?"

"I don't see anyone else around."

"That's not the point, besides; people could be looking through windows."

"Okay, okay, don't explode on us, Asuka." Shinji just went back to flirting with Rei.

"I've had it! I'm going ahead; don't bring her home with you, Shinji." Asuka said as she began to run down the street.

"Boy, I wonder where Commander Katsuragi is. She told me to wait here, but I don't see her anywhere. Maybe she's around the corner."

"Asuka, if you run that fast, you're going to slip and fall."

"I am not! I have perfect… OOooowwww!" Asuka screamed as she ran headlong into another person.

"I could've told you that that was going to happen, Rei." Shinji said.

"Ooowww…Hey, you idiot, you should watch were you're going!"

"Asuka, you shouldn't be so hard on him."

"Butt out, Shinji!"

Shinji and Rei had now caught up with their comrade and Shinji offered to help the boy up. He didn't look very strong, or tall, or very impressive at all sitting on the sidewalk like he was. He had light brown hair and was wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans.

"Hey, you okay? Asuka's head can be pretty hard." The boy was in an obvious daze.

"What did you say, Shinji?!"

"Nothing, nothing. Now, why don't you get off the ground and tell us who you are."

"Right, right, sure thing." He said with a strange accent very clumsily in Japanese, "My name is Jonathan. Nice to meet you. Might I inquire as to your names?"

"Sure, my name is Shinji Ikari and this is my girlfriend, Rei Ayanami." Shinji said as he saw Jonathan looking at Rei.

"Don't you mean future Rei Ikari, Shinji?" Asuka said.

"And the girl with the wonderful manners," Shinji said sarcastically, "is Asuka Langley."

"Oh…well, it's nice to meet you, but I am waiting for someone. Um…perhaps one of you would like to wait with me? It gets pretty lonely out here alone, maybe you Miss Langley?" Jonathan said courteously.

"Well…" Asuka said as she blushed, "I don't want to be around those two, so yea, sure."

"Asuka takes to flattery like a fish takes to water, Rei." Shinji said over his shoulder to Rei, "Well, Asuka, we're going to go home and, you know, flirt."

"See if I care."

"Maybe we should just flirt right here, what do you think, Rei?"

"No, please, if you have to do it, do it somewhere else."

Shinji laughed a little then left with Rei in tow.

"So, Jonathan, what are you doing here in Tokyo-3? I came from Germany, but I've never seen you around here."

"You…you…you came here from Germany?"

"Nun, ja, naturliges."

"Wait, your full name wouldn't happen to be Miss Asuka Soryu Langley, would it?"

"Um, yea it is."

Jonathan dropped to the ground and started thanking god.

"Um, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry; I just can't believe my good fortune. I guess I didn't pick up on your name at first. I trained in Germany before coming here and I've always wanted to meet you. I've heard plenty of stories and I have several pictures, but I'd never think that I'd meet the Asuka Langley on the street like this. I'm sorry; I wish that I'd have worn better clothes today."

"No, no, its fine. So, what do you mean by 'I trained in Germany'?"

"Well, I thought the second child, Miss Langley would know, but I guess the Commander hasn't told you yet. I'm surprised that we didn't meet back in Germany, it would have been nicer. Japan is nice, but I'd much rather meet with a beautiful woman in our fatherland. Perhaps we could get together later; maybe you know a nice place? I haven't been here for more than a day at most, and I'm still kind of disorientated. Everything is so tall here, not like in Germany."

"Um…sure, I'd like that, I guess."

"Great! Um…wait…Ach, mein Gott, ich vergesse. You are the pilot of the Evangelion Unit two, correct? "

"Um…yea, but how did you know that?"

"The Commander really didn't tell you then. I'm the fifth child. I pilot Evangelion Unit five. So I guess we would have met anyway. Hey, isn't it kind of interesting, you are the second child, and you pilot Eva unit two and I'm the fifth child and I pilot Eva unit five."

"Uh…yea, it is. I didn't know we were getting another pilot. Maybe that means there may be more than two Angels attacking at once now. So when you say 'the Commander' do you mean Commander Ikari?"

"No, no, I don't think he'll ever talk to me."

"Not unless you screw up."

"Well, I mean Commander Katsuragi."

"Misato? She never tells us anything until it is happening. Just like the fourth."

"Well, I'm supposed to be waiting for her here."

"Knowing her, I'd say she's probably drunk and betting with Pen-Pen over how long it'll take Shinji to get Rei pregnant. You're lucky; you don't have to live with Shinji. He always seems to have Rei over and she has been spending the night in his bed for about two or three nights now."

"So, you live with the Commander and Shinji?"

"Yep, and Pen-Pen, Misato's penguin. Oh, get used to calling her Misato; she really doesn't like it when people call her Commander Katsuragi."

"Okay, thanks for the advice. So…um, why don't we go to your place? Misato is there, and I'm supposed to meet up with her. So…what do you say?"

"Sure, I have to get home anyway and do homework. It's so boring! I already have a college degree, why do I have to go through High School again?!"

"Well…how about we go now?"

"Okay, you're right."

"Um…may I take your arm? If you don't mind that is."

"Well, you are much more polite than any of the other pilots. Why not, it can't hurt."

Jonathan took Asuka's arm in his and secretly thanked every deity he could think of, just to make sure he would hit at least one of them true. Jonathan couldn't believe his tremendous fortune. A day ago he was in Germany wondering what he was going to say to her when they finally met and now they were closer than he ever thought that they would get. Jonathan hoped to himself that this wouldn't be the only time they were this close. Before he knew it, they were standing in front of Asuka's apartment.

"Okay, you'd better let go now. Shinji would probably get the wrong idea."

"Let Shinji believe whatever he may, from what I understand, we may not even see him, and if we do, he probably won't be seeing anything past Miss Ayanami."

"Or future Mrs. Ikari."

"You can be quite cruel when you want to."

"I merely state the truth."

"I never said that that was a bad thing. The words and actions of a person add to that person's nature and personality. I don't think that anyone should be ridiculed for things like that. If they do things against their nature, then may they be ridiculed, but not when it is of their nature."

"You're as bad as Rei."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She likes to be philosophical too."

"Ah, but we can discuss these things later. If you do not wish for me to hold your arm, then so be it." Jonathan said as he slipped his arm out of Asuka's reach.

"Philosophical and somewhat cunning, yes, you must have spent your entire life in the Berlin Library and training to be an Eva pilot." Asuka said as she began to step into the door.

"But wait; have you forgotten all the German customs?"

"Of course not."

"Then you know that I am supposed to enter first."

"I didn't know we were being formal."

"Ah, yes, you are right, please, after you then."

Asuka walked into her room and closed the door. This left Jonathan somewhat disorientated. He had been following Asuka around and now he didn't have anyone to tell him where everything was. He turned around and saw Misato sitting at the table with a beer in her hand.

"Um…Co…Misato? Where am I supposed to stay?"

"Huh? Who are you?"

"I'm Jonathan, the new pilot."

"Oh…OH. Damn, I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow. Um…We haven't been able to setup a place for you to stay yet, so you'll just have to stay here for the night. If you don't mind, I'm actually beating Pen-Pen, so leave me to concentrate."

Jonathan looked a little further into the kitchen and saw that Misato was playing chess with Pen-Pen.

"Um…right…"

"Your work for school is over there." She pointed to the pile of papers on the counter.

"Okay, thanks."

Jonathan walked over to Shinji's room with the stack of papers and opened the door. He quickly shut it and nearly ran to Asuka's room.

"Asuka? Asuka? Open the door, please, hurry!"

"What is it, what's wrong? Is an Angel attacking?"

"No, please let me in."

"Okay, okay. That's a pretty big stack of papers, what's it for?"

"This is my school work. Can I do it in here?"

"Why, what's wrong, you look pale."

"I just saw more of Rei than I ever hoped to see. You were right, Shinji and Rei are, um…farther than I expected."

"Wow, I would feel sorry for you, but you haven't had to put up with those two for as long as I have. I actually had to help Shinji out before they got together, he was pathetic. He still is, but he didn't even know how to kiss correctly."

"That's understandable. Wait, you mean you've kissed him before?"

"Um…so what work do you have?"

"That may work on other people, but you can't avoid my questions so easily."

"Okay, yea, I did. There, I said it. Now what do you want?"

"Nothing, I just feel jealous of Shinji now."

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? He managed to get a kiss out of you. That in itself is an accomplishment."

"Are you saying that you want to kiss me?"

"Vielleicht…"

"You like beating around the bush, don't you?"

"Yes."

"You really should tell people straightforward what you feel and want to do."

"Promise you won't get mad?"

"I couldn't make that promise."

"Fine, yes, I wouldn't mind if we kissed, but not now."

"Why not?"

"You aren't going to get me that easily. I think I've figured out how you work. You were going to try and get me to kiss you so you could tease me about it. You might have been able to pull that off on Shinji, but I'm a little smarter."

"Okay, so what are you working on?"

"Misato, what are we going to eat?"

"That's not my problem, it's Shinji's."

"Shinji cooks dinner for you?"

"Today he does."

"Oh…Misato, where am I going to sleep?"

"That's not my problem, it's yours."

"Oh…Misato…"

"Why are you always asking questions?!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Just go do…whatever. Figure it out later. I'm still trying to beat Pen-Pen."

"Um…if you just…"

"I don't need your help!"

"Okay." Jonathan said as he wandered back down the hall.

"Well, that went over well, thanks for the idea, Asuka." Jonathan said sarcastically.

"It's not my fault that Misato's upset and drunk."

"So, that doesn't mean you should use me to find out things. You should've asked yourself."

"What's done is done."

"You know, you're very hard to get along with sometimes."

"That's what they tell me. So, where are you going to sleep?"

"Well, I'm not even going to try Shinji's room, I have no idea what he may be doing. Misato doesn't seem to like me and I wouldn't think of sleeping in the same room as my commanding officer. That leaves the living room."

"What about my room."

"I never thought you'd even entertain the idea."

"There's a lot that you don't know."

"About you, that is. You may have the degree, but that doesn't mean that you are smarter than me."

"Is that a challenge?"

"No, no, I'm just making a point. They wouldn't let me into college back in Germany. They just kept me training and studying. I think I probably know more than some of the people that work at NERV, though."

"Cocky, aren't you?"

"Arrogance is a downfall, but I guess it's as much a part of my personality as it is yours."

"So you're saying I'm arrogant?"

"Yes, you are very arrogant."

"I just show others my skills."

"So then, do I."

"Alright, alright. Do you even have your luggage?"

"No, it should be here tomorrow."

"Well, I have an extra bed roll that I stole from Shinji."

"No thanks." Jonathan said with a shiver.

"Don't worry; I took this from him before Rei started staying over."

"Good. So, um, can I sleep in here? I don't think Shinji would come in here, and I really don't think I'll be that safe in the living room. Please?"

"Okay, but don't you get any ideas!"

"I won't, I'm not like that."

"Ahhh! What are you doing?!"

"Huh? You're awake?!"

"I just woke up!"

"Don't look!"

"I wasn't!"

"Mein Gott, jemann weissen je wann zu schauen nicht!" (My God, no one knows when to not look!)

„Mit ich sagen mit das Ton nicht!" (Don't talk to me with that tone!)

"Okay, I'm finished."

"You should've gone into the bathroom."

"I didn't think you woke up so early."

"Well I do, now get out so I can change."

"Okay, I didn't know you could see me in mid change and I wasn't afforded the same."

"Are you insinuating…"

"Yes, you're pretty smart."

"Like I would ever!"

"You might, the future is uncertain."

"Just get out!"

"Fine, fine, but I won't soon forget this." Jonathan said as he left the room.

"Hi Jonathan, how was your night? Did Asuka try anything?"

"No, and I'm shocked that you'd think Asuka would do anything like that."

"Why's that, you got a crush on her or something?"

"NO! I just don't think that she'd do something like that."

"Right, right."

"So, where's Rei?"

"Your not trying to hit on my girlfriend, are you?"

"No, I just want to know where all the pilots are."

"Why would you want to know that?"

"It comes with being comrades."

"What would make us comrades?"

"People who do the same thing are comrades."

"And what do you do that I do?"

"Pilot an Eva."

"…Oh…"

"Misato didn't tell you?"

"No, she didn't."

"Well, I'm the fifth child, pilot of Eva unit five. Why else would I have come over yesterday?"

"I don't know, I just thought that maybe you and Asuka had hit it off real well."

"Well, you could say that, but we really aren't friends, especially after this morning. We are supposed to go somewhere, though. Do we have school today?"

"Uh, no, we don't. So, what do you think about piloting an Eva?"

"It's kind of fun."

"Well, that makes one of us."

"I don't know what you mean, besides, I've seen pictures of all the plug suits. I know you and Rei are going out, so why wouldn't you like to see her in a skin tight suit?"

"That's the only good part about piloting. You've never had to face an Angel. I've fought five so far."

"Wow, that's impressive."

"I wish that I'd never fought any of them. The only reason I pilot is because if I don't, the entire world could be destroyed. Right now, though, my Eva is being fixed, just like Asuka's. I think Rei's will be finished tomorrow or something, but I'm not looking forward to that. I still have like a week or so. So, where and why are you going with Asuka?"

"Well, um, I just wanted to get to know the pilots better, and I just think that Asuka may be lonely. She doesn't seem to have a boyfriend, so I figured that she might be lonely, you are always with Rei, and…"

"Okay, wait, wait, wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I don't know what you're thinking, so I don't know."

"Do you like Asuka?"

"Um…hey! It's Pen-Pen!"

"Wark!"

"Stop running away from the question, do you like Asuka, yes or no, it's a pretty straight forward Q and A."

"Okay, hold on there Shinji, don't get your panties in a bunch."

"God, Asuka says that!"

"If you really want to know, then, yea, but you'd better not tell anyone, especially Asuka."

"Okay, I guess I can trust you, so I'll show that I can be trusted. I'm not like Asuka, I don't tell things that people don't want to be told."

"I thank you for that."

"Just be careful, she can be tricky. She somehow tricked me into kissing her, I have no idea how she did it, but she did."

"I envy you for that. Don't worry, she's already tried to trick me once and it didn't work. I'm pretty smart when I want to be, which is all the time."

"Okay, do you need any help moving anything? I'd be glad to help and I'm sure Rei would love to."

"I don't want to put you out."

"Oh, it's really no problem. Besides, flirting with Rei in my room gets kind of boring after a while when Asuka isn't around to bug. I guess we could do more…but that's all beside the point."

"Well, if you insist, I would like the company and it would make moving in a lot quicker."

"Now we just have to wait and find out where you are going to be staying."

Several minutes passed in silence until Asuka came out of her room.

"Hey, where's the blue head?"

"She's…doing something in my room, you need not concern yourself."

"I don't want to know."

"I do."

"No you don't, it's probably something perverted."

"What's perverted?"

"Misato?!"

"Yea, I live here to."

"Um…so, Misato, where will Jonathan be living?"

"Oh, yea, here you go," Misato said as she dropped a key onto Jonathan's lap, "follow me."

Jonathan took the key and followed Misato to the door.

"Okay, see our apartment, yours is that one, the one next door."

"What?!"

"Yep, you're going to live next door. It'll make it easier to assemble the children this way when an Angel attacks."

"Oh, right. Well Shinji, I guess you won't have to go very far!"

"What's that supposed to mean, Jonathan?" Asuka asked.

"Well, Shinji volunteered to help me unpack, do you want to help? If not, that's just fine."

"I'll think about it, um… no."

"Ooo, cold."

"Leave her alone, if she doesn't want to, then she doesn't have to. Shinji, could you help me, I think that's the truck from the airport with my stuff."

"Sure, let me get Rei."

"Alright, I'm going to start bringing the boxes up."

"I'll be right there."

"What do you think of Katsuragi's decision?"

"Keeping the children together will be dangerous, but Katsuragi has not failed to deliver them before."

"So, only one more."

"If the dead sea scrolls are correct. They have been wrong, perhaps they will be again."

"I don't think we have enough storage for all the Evas."

"We might not need to worry. Have you neglected to read the scrolls lately?"

"No, I try to keep up to date on them."

"Then you know what is prophesized."

"Yes, 'and the great one, towering above all else will bring devastation to all whom cross his path. The others, the traitors will seek his destruction and such will it be, but as all things, destruction will occur on both and never more will the chosen be plagued by six traitors. With their numbers dwindled and the time for mourning come and past, will they be an easier prey for the chosen.' Do you think it is true?"

"It may be, we can only hope that we do not lose Unit zero or one. Without them our plans can not be realized. Hopefully it is wrong, but we must prepare to change that prophesy to one that will be fitting for us. Remember, Fuyutsuki, the future is not set and even the simplest of men can make the prophesies of a king sound like insane ramblings. The future is ours to forge, we must be sure that we do not forge it incorrectly."

"What will we do with the new Child?"

"The same as all the others."

"Have you been noticing your son?"

"What is there to notice? Has his Sync ratio risen?"

"No, have you noticed what your son has been doing in his free time lately?"

"I did not know anyone had free time anymore, another thing I have sacrificed for this plan."

"He seems to be spending more time with Rei."

"Humm…"

"She reminds me of Yui."

"What brings you to that, are you still bitter?"

"Over you taking Yui? Gendo, she was my student."

"She does share many of Yui's traits, I know."

"Of course, you seem to be the only one to actually care for her, aside from your son. Perhaps history will repeat itself, from father to son?"

"Let us hope that if it is, then Shinji will not be as foolish with his love as I was."

"Yes, let us hope."

"Rei, do you want to help Jonathan unpack his things, he's moving in next door."

"Are you helping him?"

"Yea, I thought it would be a nice thing to do."

"Yes, I would like to help."

"Great, come with me, oh, and leave that in here." Shinji said, pointing to a box of cherries.

"I was not planning on bringing it."

"Okay, let's go."

"Hey, Shinji, Rei, there's not that much more, just a few boxes."

"You sure were busy."

"I didn't bring that many things to begin with."

"Okay, boy what do you have in here?"

"Oh, just junk mostly, Rei, why don't you take that box, I don't want you hurting yourself."

"Nothing you have in these boxes is that heavy."

"Shinji, I think Rei isn't all there today."

"No, she's alright, but she's right, just watch. Rei try taking the first box."

"But that's probably one of my heaviest!"

"Don't worry, see," Shinji said as Rei picked it up almost effortlessly.

"Where do you want this?"

"Um…just set it somewhere in the apartment. Here let me help you up the stairs."

"Rei, he doesn't know. Jonathan, don't worry about her, she's just fine." Shinji said as he picked up another box.

"Okay, well, if you say so." Jonathan said as he picked up one of his boxes. Rei was coming back down from the stairs.

"Um…there are only two more boxes Rei."

"Okay, I will take them both then."

"Jonathan, don't worry about her, that's my job, besides, she did that first box without trouble, remember?"

"Yea, I guess your right." Jonathan said as he started up the stairs. Soon Rei was right behind him, carrying one box in each hand.

"Rei," Shinji said, "Have I ever told you that you look cute whenever you help other people out? And you look even cuter while you carry those boxes."

"Shinji, could you cut it out. I know what Asuka meant now."

"Hey, stop bringing me down."

Jonathan set his box down and Rei set her boxes down. "Well, I think I can take it from here, thanks you two."

"It's no problem."

"You are…you're welcome."

Jonathan looked weird at Rei.

"She's working on talking more casually, give her a break." Shinji said as he walked out with Rei in tow.

Jonathan began unpacking when he heard his door open.

"Who's there? Put your hands up and walk into the living room. I have a weapon." Jonathan said as he took out his baseball bat. Jonathan peeked his head out of his room holding the bat in the air, ready to strike. Asuka was standing facing the kitchen with her hands held in the air.

"Asuka?! I thought you didn't want to help. You can put your hands down. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Jonathan? Oh, good, I thought someone else was in here."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I thought that maybe someone had hurt or killed you and was going to do the same to me."

"I'm sorry, Asuka. I really didn't mean to. I thought you were someone trying to steal my stuff." Jonathan walked over to Asuka, "I didn't want to scare you."

"I came over to help you unpack."

"Well, I would like that very much. Why don't you come into my room?"

"Sure, can you put the bat away?"

"Oh, sure." Jonathan said as he threw it into his room, "There, it's gone."

"Thank you, so where do you want me to start first?"

"Well, I already started with this box, so you can start with that one. Here's a knife to open in." Jonathan said as he handed Asuka an army knife.

"Okay, lets see, hum, some stuff from NERV-Germany, I remember this place. Okay, some pictures, and, huh?"

"What is it?"

"W…w…what are you doing with pictures of me?"

"Um…I have pictures of all the pilots. I wanted to find out more about them."

"Hey, these are………" Asuka had tears welling up in her eyes, "mama."

"Asuka?" Jonathan said as he slid across the floor to Asuka, "Oh…I managed to get some reports on what happened to your mother. I'm sorry."

"Mama, why mama, why…" Asuka began hugging herself and crying softly.

"Asuka, Asuka," Jonathan said as he put a hand on her shoulder, "Asuka, it'll be alright."

"I want my mama," Then she slipped into German, „Ich will meine mama...ich will meine mama..."

"Asuka," Jonathan began rubbing Asuka's back, "please don't cry, Asuka. I don't want you to cry. Bitte, weinen nicht, Asuka. Ich will nicht du weinst."

Jonathan began bringing Asuka closer when she looked into Jonathan's eyes. Jonathan could see the tears.

"Asuka…" Jonathan said, "Please don't cry. I'm sorry to bring up old memories."

Asuka responded by hugging Jonathan.

"Asuka, please calm down." Jonathan said as he rubbed Asuka's back. For a few minutes Asuka cried quietly.

"You probably think I'm weak now. You've probably lost all interest in me. I know you like me, well, did like me."

"Asuka, that's absurd, everyone needs to cry sometimes. I…I understand what you went through; I've lost a loved one as well. It's hard…but you have to bite the bullet. Sometimes I…I know this is going to sound weird, please don't think of me as a weakling, I cry sometimes at night when I remember. Asuka, I don't think you're weak, I think you are stronger than many of us. How about we go out, that should get our minds off this."

"What about your stuff?"

"It'll be here when we get back; besides, I've already unpacked my essentials, so everything else can just wait. Besides, I think that going out somewhere is much more important."

"Jonathan, do you really like me?"

"Asuka, I know you probably don't remember, I don't remember it very well myself, but we've known each other before. Back in Germany. We weren't very old then, but it wasn't that long ago. Ever since then, I guess, I've had somewhat of a crush on you. Here, look at this picture. This is us at NERV-Germany." Jonathan took out a picture of him and Asuka poising in front of a NERV-Germany sign.

"I…I think I remember. It was a long time ago, but I remember now. It's really you?"

"Yep, unless I got cloned and replaced without me knowing about it. How about we leave now, we can talk about this then."

"Um, sure, how about we go to the mall, there's plenty of things there to do."

"That's a great idea, may I?" Jonathan said extending his arm in gesture to holding her arm.

"Ja, du darfst." Asuka said with a smile as she took his arm.

"Please, lead the way; I don't know my way around."

Asuka walked out the door and Jonathan paused to lock the door.

"I don't trust that Pen-Pen as far as I can throw him." Jonathan said in jest to cheer Asuka up. She giggled a little. 'Good, at least she's a little happy now.' Jonathan thought, 'I wish I knew if she liked me, now or then.'

Asuka led him down the stairs and then down the street.

"Oh, god damn it."

"What's wrong, Asuka? Did you forget something?"

"No, it's what I wish I could forget."

"What do you…oh, I see."

Shinji and Rei were around the corner and Shinji was giving more concrete evidence to support Asuka's case.

"Come on, I know another way."

Asuka led Jonathan down an alleyway and then they appeared on the opposite end of the street Shinji and Rei were on.

"Don't worry, it's not much further."

Asuka was right, the mall was only down the street; Jonathan could see it already. Jonathan really didn't understand Shinji. He got to pilot a giant robot, and one that hasn't been defeated once, he had Rei as his girlfriend, and he seemed to like showing that off any chance he got, and his dad ran NERV, yet he still complained about it; well, he didn't complain about Rei.

'He says that he flirts with Rei mostly because it makes Asuka mad, yet what were they just doing with no one around? Some people just don't follow logic sometimes. I guess you can't follow logic all the time, but I think that in Shinji's case, he should use logic, or at least common sense, more.' Jonathan thought.

"So, where are we going to go? This doesn't look like a small mall."

"Well, how about the arcade? I love beating people in fighting games, and they have plenty of those."

"So, you think you can beat me?"

"You aren't as dumb as you look."

"I do not look stupid!"

"I didn't say you did, you just look a little dumb."

"I do not look dumb!"

"Then prove you're better than me."

"Fine then, I will. You aren't the only one who's good at fighting games."

Soon they found themselves in front of the arcade.

"Okay, just to prove that I'm better than you, I'm going to pay for our rounds this time."

"Oh, you're so nice Jonathan," Asuka said sarcastically.

"Okay, what game do you want me to beat you at?"

"You mean what game I'm going to beat you at."

"Whatever, just pick one, I'm growing impatient."

"How about this one?"

"Fine with me, I don't care."

Jonathan put the money in and soon they were fighting, both in the virtual world, and in the real world.

"That's the third time!"

"Why don't they make the timer longer?!"

"It's your fault, you're always blocking."

"Oh, I didn't know that I couldn't block but you could."

"You just block for no apparent reason."

"The default stance when you press back is block!"

"You're just making excuses."

"Asuka, why don't we play something else? I think that it's clear that we're both about the same skill. Let's play something less…competitive, like dance dance."

"No way, I hate that game; we should play a racing game."

"Okay, let's play Sega GT 2015."

"I'll pay for it this time."

"Good, cause I'm running out of money."

"Alright, you ready to be beat?"

"I'll never give up that easily."

"Then I'll just have to force you to surrender."

"Stop talking and start focusing, I want a challenge."

"What's wrong, can't keep up?"

"We'll see."

Several minutes into the race.

"Stay on your side of the road!"

"There's no law against pushing your car off."

"The finish line!" They said simultaneously.

"You can't beat me now!"

"We'll see!"

"W…w…w…what?!"

"A tie?! No, no, no, that can't be, that just can't be."

"The times, they match, so then who gets to put their name first on the score list?"

"Ha, I get to!"

"Just because you're first player."

"It's because the computer realizes I'm the better driver."

"Sure, sure, ASL?"

"Yea, my initials, you got a problem with it?"

"No, just if you switch Langley with Soryu, then your initials spell Als."

"So, I don't switch my names, so my initials will stay ASL."

"Until you marry."

"If I marry."

"That's cold."

"Life's cold."

"Well, how about we leave?"

"Sure, but I want to go somewhere first."

"I meant leave the arcade, not the mall."

"Oh, okay, then let's go."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Just a little department store, I want to try on some things."

"Alright, but lets not spend too much time in there, I get bored easily when I don't have anything to do."

"Fine, fine."

Soon Asuka and Jonathan were walking down the path, arm in arm, going to this 'little department store'.

"Um…Asuka, didn't you say 'little'?"

"So I under exaggerated a little."

"That's okay."

"Okay, come with me."

"Oh boy, my favorite department, the women's clothing." Jonathan said sarcastically

"Just shut up."

"Okay, I won't say anything more while we're in the store."

"Good, just wait here while I gather some things."

"Okay."

Jonathan stood next to a rack of clothes, whistling and rocking back and forth on his heels while Asuka ran back and forth through his field of vision with a growing stack of clothes in her arms. Finally she came back and set the pile in front of Jonathan. She took a dress from the pile and went into the changing room. This caused Jonathan to stop whistling and rocking, but after a minute he went back to his old habit.

'Some habits die hard.' Jonathan thought.

Asuka came out wearing an orange summer dress. Jonathan was almost speechless, almost.

"You're…um…"

"I thought you said you weren't going to talk while we were in here?"

"I'm sorry, but the sight of a beautiful woman at least deserves some compliments. You do look beautiful in that, though."

"You really think so?"

"I know so, how about this nice red dress? I'm sure it will compliment your hair just perfectly."

"You enjoy flattering people, don't you?"

"Like you, I merely state the truth, and it just happens to be true that you are beautiful."

"Okay, okay, please stop, I'll try on the red dress."

Again Asuka went into the changing rooms and Jonathan started his habit again. Whistling and rocking. She spent more time in the changing room than before and Jonathan began to worry.

"Asuka, are you okay in there?"

"Ya, of course I'm okay."

"Alright, I was just getting concerned."

"Just get away from the door."

"Okay, okay, I'm away from the door."

Asuka opened the door quickly and looked around.

"Um…what's wrong?"

"…nothing, I'm just fine, so what do you think?"

"Schön…sehr, sehr schön." (Beautiful... very, very beautiful)

Asuka blushed and twirled around to show off all the dress.

"So schön, ich kann es nicht glauben." (So beautiful, I can't believe it)

"So, you think I should buy it?"

"Humm…let me think…yes." Jonathan said with his hand on his chin.

"Good, well, wait…hold on; I'm going to change back."

"Okay, just take your time."

Jonathan didn't really mean that, but obviously Asuka was oblivious to that fact. For Jonathan it seemed to take forever. Finally Asuka came out with the two dresses.

"Endliches."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, nothing, lets go, I'm afraid I'll wear down my shoes if I wait here much longer."

Jonathan took Asuka's arm and they walked to the cash register.

"Well, another couple, how cute." The cashier said.

"We are not, and what do you mean another?"

"Another couple just came in and got something, the girl had the strangest color hair…"

"Wait, was it blue?"

"Yes, it was."

"Great, now we're being stalked by Shinji and Rei. I want to buy these."

"Okay."

"Thank you, do you happen to know where these two went?"

"I think they took a left out of the store."

"Good, Jonathan, we're going right, come on."

"Okay, what's to the right?"

"The exit and the opposite way from where Shinji and Rei went."

Asuka and Jonathan walked down the path and soon were encompassed by a crowd. Jonathan was looking at all the shops and found something.

"Wait here, Asuka, I'm going to get something."

Jonathan took off into a nearby shop and left Asuka standing in the middle of the path. Asuka looked into the shop to see if she could find him, but it was to no avail. Asuka walked over to a nearby bench and sat down with her bag. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She liked the air conditioner blowing into her face. She opened her eyes slowly and found a pair of dark green eyes staring back.

"Hey, I was afraid you were dead." Jonathan said

"What are you doing?!"

"Here, I got this for you."

"Jonathan, I can't see anything past your face."

"Oh, right."

Jonathan pulled back and Asuka returned to normal sitting position. Jonathan was holding onto a plush Unit two doll and a model Unit two.

"Here, I think it is only fitting for the pilot to have her own collection of her Eva."

"Th…thank you, I wasn't expecting this, you didn't have to."

"I know, but it's something nice, so why not? Besides, I had to get something nice for you."

"Why?"

"I…it's just something I had to do."

"Okay, let's go then."

Jonathan put the doll and model into Asuka's bag and took her arm, helping her up. Slowly they walked together through the mall and back down the street.

"It still is early, see; I told you I would have enough time."

"Why don't I help you?"

"That's your purgative, if you want to, I'd be glad to have you. I don't want something like before to happen again. I don't want to see you cry."

"I won't; besides, I have to do something to thank you for these." Asuka said as she held the bag up.

"Just being with you is thanks enough for me."

"Stop, you'll make me blush."

"I think you look cute when you blush."

"How would you know?"

"You are now."

"Oh…" This caused Asuka to blush even more.

"Well, come on in. I don't want you standing out there all day."

Asuka walked in after Jonathan and set her bag down. Jonathan went into his bedroom, sat down next to a box, and began unpacking things. Asuka sat next to a box and did the same. Jonathan looked over at Asuka and slid up behind her.

"Asuka, I forgot one thing."

"What did you forget?" Asuka was still facing away from Jonathan.

"I forgot what I'm supposed to do after we get back."

"W…what's that?"

"This." Jonathan said as he leaned over Asuka's shoulder and kissed her softly.

"After a date, I'm supposed to do that."

"I…I didn't know that was a date."

"Then, I did it because I wanted to."

"You don't always get what you want."

"Asuka, do you like flowers?"

"Um…some kinds, yes."

"How about this?" Jonathan said as he held a red rose in front of Asuka's face, "It matches your hair."

"Why, thank you."

"Asuka, you don't have to thank me. I've all the thanks I need sitting right before me." Asuka blushed again, "You need not blush. Asuka, we weren't that good of friends back in Germany, I hope to change that."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to get to know you better, the real Asuka Langley, not the one in the pilot reports."

"I'm not much different."

"Oh yes you are. From what I know and what I've found out today, you are very, very different. I think I like you more than the Asuka from the reports. The reports only monitor battle statistics, not the person."

"We really should get back to unpacking."

"You're right, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Sometimes I don't think about the people around me and what they feel."

"Jonathan, you just were doing what you thought was right."

"But what I think is right and what you think is right are two different things. I should've considered what you thought, what you thought was right."

"God damn it, Jonathan." Asuka turned around and kissed him quickly, "How about that? Does that clear something up? I don't know what you're problem is. If I really hated the idea of you kissing me, I would've beaten you down already. Remember, I've kissed Shinji, I'm glad to kiss someone who isn't a loser."

"You don't think I'm a loser?"

"First off, you're German; you are already ahead of the game because of that alone. You don't whine like Shinji does. There are lots of reasons."

"You're right, let's unpack."

End Chapter #11