ANGEL'S LOVE

Chapter 2 - Special Girl

by Gunman

(Disclaimer: same as last chapter.)

It was two days later and Rei hadn't left her apartment to even go to school. She had spent most of her time in her bed, deep in thought.

He ordered me to my death. Was the foremost thought on her mind.

She had thought that Commander Ikari was fond of her. That he did care. In the past they had been close, speaking freely with each other on various things. He had been the only person whom she had opened up to, with the notable exception of Dr Akagi. She could always speak to her about things the Gendo could not understand, or perhaps did not have the answers to.

She could speak with them, because they cared for her.

But now, how could she if she now knew that they did not care for her.

Commander Ikari ordered me to my death, and Pilot Ikari saved me. But why? Why did he do that? Does he care for me? His father does not. Commander Ikari does not care for me. How could he? I am replaceable. You cannot care for that which is replaceable as if it were special. I am not special. That is why no one loves me. I cannot be loved like Pilot Ikari is loved by The Major. Rei thought as she started to cry.

Tears continued to fall from her face as the truth became obvious to her.

If she was not special, then she could not be loved. And if she could not be loved, then there was no reason for her to live.

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Shinji slowly walked up the steps towards Rei's apartment. He was worried why she wasn't in class yesterday and today as well. No one at NERV had said anything about where she was, but Shinji had a good idea where. There was only one possibility.

Her apartment on the 4th floor, number 402.

His concern for Rei makes him forgo knocking on her door and just enter. It's there that he saw a sight he never thought he'd see...ever.

"REI! STOP!" he shouted as he rushed forward and grabbed her wrist with the knife in it. "What are you doing?"

"I was...planning to end my life." she cried softly. She didn't even struggle as he took the knife from her hand.

"Why?"

"Because I do not deserve to live. I am not special. I am...expendable." she cried.

Shinji placed the knife back on the counter as he lead her to her bed. He sat her down and kept close.

"What are you talking about, Rei?"

"I am not special. I am...expendable." she repeated.

"No, you're not Rei. Don't say that." he comforted.

"Then why did Commander Ikari send me to my death?"

Shinji didn't respond to that as Rei continued.

"I don't...

"Major Katsuragi cares for you. She loves you...as a son. You are special to her. I...I am special to no one."

"You ARE special, Rei." Shinji corrected her.

"No, I am not. If I were special, then I would not have been sent to die so quickly."

Shinji was taking this to heart, and caressed the side of Rei's face, turning it to look at him. It was a bold move for him to say the least, but he wasn't concerned with that right now. She blushed at his tender touch.

"Rei, listen to me. My father sent you to your death, because he doesn't care. He doesn't even care about me and I'm his son. He just can't see just how special you really are." he said to her.

"I...am special?" she asked, not really believing his words.

"Yes, Rei. You may not be able to see it, but I can."

She wiped away a tear as she looked at him. "...you can?"

"You are special, Rei. You're unique, intelligent, brave...beautiful." he said with a slight blush.

Rei's ears perked up at this. "What?"

"I said...you're beautiful, Rei. I've always thought so."

Rei blushed at his confession, the look in his eyes telling her that he wasn't lying.

"Why...why would you say such a thing?"

"Because it's the truth, Rei. Everyone's life has value. Everyone I know is special. You can't just give up on life because of one person's opinions, especially if it's someone who doesn't love you."

Rei looked shocked at that for a few seconds. Her expression faded as she regarded the boy.

"Shinji...do you...do you love me?"

Shinji was taken back by this. Not only had she called him by his first name, something she only did prior to combat situations, but she had asked him the one question he was unsure of, until now. He didn't need to think about that as he leaned forward and touched his lips to her.

Her body temperature rose rapidly, her heart was pounding hard in her chest. So fast she was worried that it would collapse from being overworked. She couldn't think clearly.

He broke the kiss and saw that Rei's eyes were half open, her lips still puckered. She looked just so adorable that Shinji's heart couldn't help but lift.

"Shinji..." she whispered as she felt Shinji wrap his arms around her, pulling her close.

"Rei...father may not think you are special, but I do. I've always thought so. From the first day we met. I don't want you to be sad anymore. I want you to be happy, I want you to smile. Rei... I think...I do love you."

Rei smiled and hugged Shinji back, harder, then looked into his eyes and kissed him passionately.

Their clothes loosened and fell from their bodies as they sought comfort, warmth and safety in each others arms. That night they became one, joined together in the most intimate way possible, proving to each other the true extent of their love.

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AN: what do you think so far? Read and Review