Chapter 4 - Discovery
by Gunman
(Disclaimer: I don't own EVA, Shinji, Rei or any of the characters)
Gendo was frowning, for two very good reasons.
One, he didn't know how to smile. And two, he had just heard about Rei and his son.
Ordinarily he would have put a stop to this immediately, since Rei was too important to his plans, only to learn from Dr Akagi that Rei's synch ratio had suddenly risen.
This meant that her relationship with Shinji was improving her ability to pilot the EVA. With this in mind, it would be ridiculous and even unwise to separate the two. And from what Akagi had also told him, Rei was smiling.
This meant she was happy, and Shinji was obviously the cause of it.
She never smiled for me. He mused grimly. At least not this much.
He held his forehead as a headache came over him.
"This was not in the scenario..." he mumbled to himself.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Shinji and Rei awoke once more in each others arms.
"Morning, Rei-chan." Shinji smiled.
"Good morning, Shinji-kun." Rei smiled back as the pair kissed softly.
It had been a week since they had moved in together. In that time Shinji had gone over to Misato's and gotten his cello. He had played a little at Rei's request. She was actually surprised he was so good at it, even for an amateur.
Rei kissed Shinji again and slowly got out of bed, casually walking to the bathroom. Shinji remained in bed and smiled as he stared at the ceiling.
I can't believe how happy I am. I never thought I'd be happy. Is this what father felt when he was married to mother? Was he happy before she died? He never really seemed like it.
Shinji knew that his father was definitely a changed man when his mother died, but he was the man he was now, and with his wife gone he had no chance of being that happy again. Maybe one day he would find someone who could make him happy, but as it stood, that seemed rather impossible.
Shinji continued to smile at the ceiling, happy with his new girlfriend. His smile suddenly turned into a frown, a feeling of...something, creeping into his mind.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom...
"HUAWWWW!" Rei coughed as she threw up in the toilet yet again.
She pulled back and sat down on the cold floor. She wiped the vomit from her mouth as her nude body wearily rested on the ground.
What is wrong with me? This is the third time this week I have done this. Was it the meal? It was appropriately prepared last night. There should not have been any repercussions. Am I getting sick? How? I have never been sick. I should investigate this when we go to school. Rei thought as she slowly got herself upright and headed to get dressed. I must not tell Shinji of this until I am sure there is reason to be concerned.
Rei emerged from the bathroom and walked over to the bed where Shinji still rested. She smiled at him as she bent down and kissed his cheek gently.
His eyes fluttered open as he stared at her.
"It is time for school, Shinji-kun." Rei smiled.
"Alright, Rei-chan." he said as he reluctantly got out of bed.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ever since Shinji and Rei had shown up at school last week holding each others hand and Rei herself smiling, it was pretty obvious to the whole school that they had become a couple. Everyone was glad for them, and even more than a little stunned that Rei could actually smile.
Naturally Asuka was irrate, and Hikari herself was hard pressed to keep the redhead under control. Everyone was curious why Asuka was taking this so hard, though the rumor was that she no longer had Shinji as her cook and personal punching bag.
It was nearing the end of lunch when Toji approached Shinji about something important. Rei was busy typing on her computer so Shinji figured he had a few minutes.
"Shinji, I have a question for you." the jock asked.
"I'm not telling you anything dirty, Toji." Shinji said, giving him a dry look.
"Jeez, man, why do you think I'd ask about that?"
Shinji gave him a look. "Do I need to remind you about that time you and Kensuke teased me before about staring at Rei in her swimsuit?"
"Alright, alright, alright. But can I ask this anyway?"
Shinji sighed. "Alright, go ahead."
"How did you...and Rei...I mean..."
Shinji looked at him puzzled for several seconds, until he caught on.
"You mean, how did I tell Rei I loved her?"
"Yeah."
"It was easier than I thought it would be. I held her, told her she was special, and kissed her."
Toji looked at Shinji, dumbfounded. "That's it?"
"I said it was easier than I thought it would be."
"Well, yeah, but...isn't there anything more to it?"
"No. Just that I was totally honest with her when I said and did it. It was...kinda like instinct."
"Instinct." he mused. "Alright...thanks."
Hikari walked into the classroom. Toji swallowed hard and walked up to her. Shinji was amused.
"Uh...Hikari?"
"Yes, Toji?"
"I...I..." he started to say. But instead of finishing his sentence, he leaned forward and kissed Hikari hard on the cheek. The girl was blushing furiously at this. "IjustwantedtosayIreallylikeyouandIhope you'llbemygirlfriendandI'mgoingtositdownnowsothanksforlistening." he blubbered out and quickly walked back to his desk.
Kensuke clapped his hands slowly and quietly.
"Hail the conquering hero."
"Shut. Up!" the jock growled.
In all honesty he wasn't sure why he had just done that. He followed Shinji's advice and gone on instinct, but had that been the right thing to do, and so suddenly? He had known Hikari for a long time, since kindergarten, but there had never been anything romantic about their relationship. He nearly gagged on that word. He liked Hikari, sure. She made him those bento meals for him, and they were good. Was he rushing too fast? Did she even like him back, in that way?
Just then, a message popped up on Toji's computer. It was from Hikari.
ClassRep1: yes
Jockboy: Yes? You mean...really?
ClassRep1: of course
Jockboy: you're not pulling my leg
ClassRep1: I'd rather pull on your heart
Jockboy: you could actually understand me?
ClassRep1: it was hard, but I got the message. Did you want to come over for a study date?
Jockboy: definitely!
The pair traded messages back and forth the rest of class.
Shinji was happy for them, but Kensuke was a little gloomy.
Great. Figures I'd be the one without a girlfriend. He looked around the classroom. And my options are what? I had a better shot with Rei or even Hikari. No way I'd even get close to Asuka.
As the military otaku started musing about being single, Rei and Shinji smiled across the room back at each other.
Though in Shinji's case, he had to force his.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Shinji and Rei got home after their school cleaning duties. Rei was preparing dinner and Shinji was in the corner playing his cello.
Why do I keep getting this weird feeling when I'm around her now? He mused as he gently pulled the bow across the instruments strings. It's like this terrible feeling of...guilt? He brushed the bow the wrong way, eliciting a screech from the cello.
This did not go unnoticed by Rei.
"Shinji-kun? Are you alright?" she called from the kitchen.
"Uh..yeah, fine, Rei. I just let my fingers relax a bit. Sorry." he said and went back to playing. Fine. Right. You're not fine, Ikari. Face it, you know what's wrong with you. You're guilty because you slept with Rei. She was sad, depressed, about to take her own life because she didn't think she was special. You took advantage of that, and of her. You're no better than your father!
That was enough to make Shinji drop the bow and step away from the instrument. He walked outside to the hallway and leaned on the railing that vaguely overlooked the city.
Is it true? Am I really that low? Maybe I am. He thought glumly. God, what was I thinking? I didn't know what the hell I was doing. I'm just a kid for crying out loud. Jeez, I'm such a hypocrite, giving Toji advice about love and I don't even know what the hell I'm doing. I thought I did, but... tears started falling from his eyes as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind.
"Shinji-kun?" Rei's voice carried to him.
"Rei?" he involuntarily tensed.
"Are you alright?" she asked, figuring his tension was caused by her sudden arrival.
"I...I'm fine."
Rei wasn't convinced though.
"You do not sound fine. You sound...distressed."
Shinji paused as Rei tightened her embrace, as if letting him know that she was there for him. But he could feel it. The guilt. The shame. The bastardness that he had obviously inherited from his father.
"Rei, I...I'm sorry." he said, tears now flowing freely from his face.
"Sorry? For what?"
"You know."
"I do not."
"God, do I have to spell it out for you?" he nearly shouted, breaking her hold on him and turning around to face her, but not look at her. "I...I took advantage of you."
"Took advantage?"
"When we...slept together." he choked on the words.
Rei was confused by this.
"You did not take..."
"Yes, I did!" he interrupted her. "You were upset, in a vulnerable state. I took advantage of that. I...I'm sorry."
"You did not take advantage of me. You helped me."
"I slept with you Rei! It was wrong of me to do so. I'm only fourteen years old! I'm sorry, Rei. I'm so sorry."
He cried as he fell to his knees, his back sliding down the concrete wall, his face buried in his hands as he cried heavily.
"I'm no better than any other boy my age. Using your sadness for my own benefit. I'm weak, and dishonest, a coward, sneaky, and mean. Just like I said I was. I don't deserve...God, I'm so sorry!"
Rei now understood.
He is feeling guilt over what he has done. Rei had of course read his psychiatric profile and was well aware of the boys mental state and even his own opinion of himself. I should have anticipated this. He blames himself for something that he believes is wrong. For doing something he feels shame for. This will not do. This...must be fixed.
"Shinji-kun? Look at me." she said calmly as she bent down and gently pried his hands off his face, caressing his visage between her hands, forcing his tear-streaked features to look at her. "Look at me." she said firmly, making sure she had his eyes. "You did not take advantage of me. You may feel that way, but you did not. I was sad, and despondent at the commanders lack of concern for my well-being. I would have easily ended my existence, until you gave me another reason to go on."
"But, Rei..."
She placed a finger over his mouth to halt his talking. "Do you remember when we met, Shinji-kun? The 3rd Angel attack. Do you remember holding me in your arms, telling me it would be alright? I did not understand why you would be concerned for me, a girl you did not know. But I felt that your words were not dishonest, your presence oddly soothing. Do you remember the 5th Angel attack? When you burnt your hands opening the entry plug to see if I was alright? I smiled for you, and I did not know why I did that. All I knew was that it felt good. I did not realize it at the time, but now I know that it was because you cared for me.
"Since that day I have been trying to understand you and your concern for me. It has been a slow process, and much confusion has kept me awake at nights. But when you arrived at my apartment, and prevented me from taking my own life, I knew then that you truly cared for me. It was proof enough. I may have been emotionally vulnerable, but I was not so out of my right state of mind that I would have allowed you to take advantage of me.
"What happened that night, happened because I wanted you to comfort me. I wanted to feel special. Perhaps we did go to far, but I would not undo those events for anything."
Shinji looked at Rei.
"I gave you my love, Shinji Ikari. I give it still."
Shinji gave her a lite smile as he replied weakly, "I...I love you too Rei."
Rei moved forward and kissed Shinji full on the lips, pulling herself into his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs squeezing him from the sides.
Shinji's tears had dried and for the first time since those terrible feelings had overcome him, he felt happy. Relieved and happy once again as he hugged Rei back with all his might.
Rei helped Shinji off the cold concrete floor and back into the apartment. Dinner was forgotten as the pair slowly undressed and got into bed. They held each other close, Rei's nude form resting atop Shinji's bare body as if he was the bed, kissing her lover fervently and passionately, assuring him that this was not a deceptive dream, that she did in fact love him, that she needed him, and that she would not leave him.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Shinji and Rei were walking home after school the next day when Rei stopped at a local restaurant.
"Is something wrong, Rei?" Shinji asked as she stared at the restaurant.
"I must have cabbage." she said bluntly.
"Cabbage?"
"With pickles and ice cream." she said quickly pulling him into the restaurant before he could ask why or even ponder the combination she was requesting.
Shinji ordered for them both, ordering a couple other things from the menu so the waiter wouldn't get suspicious. However, Shinji was suspicious.
He tried to keep things lite in conversation as they waited for their meals to arrive.
"Rei, why did you want cabbage, pickles and ice cream?"
"I do not know. I felt a sudden...craving for them."
When their food finally arrived, Rei dug into her cabbage and pickles like a starving man who hadn't eaten in days.
As Shinji watched, his mind began trying to understand what was happening.
Sudden craving for cabbage, pickles with ice cream, suddenly aggressive. Shinji mentally went through the list. No, it couldn't be. "Is anything wrong, Rei?"
"I do not believe so." Rei said between bites.
But Shinji wasn't convinced. "Then tell me again why you developed a sudden craving for cabbage? And pickles and ice cream?" he asked as the waiter brought them a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
Rei stopped eating and set her fork down. She turned to Shinji, a sadness on her face only he seemed to notice.
"I...believe I am late."
"Late?" he asked, not picking it up right away. His eyes suddenly flew open as he moved closer. "Wait a minute...you mean..."
"I think I may be pregnant."
It took Shinji a few seconds to gather his thoughts after this.
"Are you sure? I mean...how do you know? Are you...sure?" he rambled.
"Yes. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I had to be sure myself before I informed you."
"But...how...when did you know?" he started to sweat.
"It started nearly two weeks ago. I used the school computer to check on my symptoms, and I am quite sure that they are the characteristic of pregnancy."
"Have... you got yourself tested?" he asked, a little winded now.
"No."
His breathing returned to normal. "Well then, we should, just to be sure."
"Of course." Rei said as she stuffed another forkful of cabbage into her mouth, then pulled the ice cream in front of her. "Shinji?"
"Yes, Rei?"
"Promise that you will not leave me."
Shinji looked at Rei. Although she didn't show it, Rei was actually worried. Shinji seemed to sense it and moved to her in their booth, gently wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I promise, Rei-chan. I promise." he said as he gently hugged her.
"Thank you, Shinji-kun." she said, nestling her head against his shoulder.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
It was three days later and the pilots Synch Test was scheduled once again.
"Hmm, that's odd." Maya Ibuki said.
"What's wrong Maya?" Ritsuko asked.
"There's something wrong with Rei's sync ratio..." she said slowly. "I can't seem to get an accurate reading."
Shinji turned on the com between him and Rei. She smiled at him and he smiled back. They both knew what was about to happen. NERV wasn't stupid, and Ritsuko and Maya were a lot smarter than most. They would figure it out before the hour was up.
(Two days back the pair had gotten a test kit and confirmed that Rei was indeed pregnant)
Shinji would probably have enjoyed this more if he wasn't so nervous about Misato and his father finding out. But he smiled at Rei anyway.
Ritsuko was still trying to figure out why Rei's synch ratio was messed up, when Maya mentioned something about life support changing modes.
"Sempai..." Maya said unsurely. "The life-support system in EVA 00 has changed from 'normal' to 'internal dual-organism support' and is detecting an increase in Rei's hormone levels."
Ritsuko's eyebrow arched up. "What does that mean?" she asked.
"Well, unless I'm mistaken, this would only happen if there were two separate bodies in the EVA, like when Shinji and Asuka joint-piloted Unit 02."
Ritsuko nodded at this, remembering that data she had gotten indicated basically the same thing. Including the increase in hormone levels, which she thought was suspicious yet funny.
"Or..." Maya paused, and then said in a joking manner, "maybe Rei's pregnant."
Several of the technicians, as well as Misato, failed to suppress a couple lite giggles at that little joke. Even Asuka seemed to be laughing. Ritsuko noticed their laugher, and couldn't help but agree that it did seem a little funny.
"HA-HA. Very funny Maya." Ritsuko said to the young tech as she switched on the com to the EVA. "Rei... the computer say's that you're pregnant. We need you to stay in there for a while until we can work it out." Ritsuko said over the com.
Shinji wasn't surprised that Rei was totally straight-faced as she said. "Who said I am not?"
At first there was a silence, given the fact that it was probably a computer error and Rei was making a joke, which seemed highly improbable, until the computer beeped.
"Internal scan complete." Maya said, then went pale. "Rei IS pregnant!"
A tremendous THUD sounded throughout NERV when Maya said that. If Asuka's Unit 02 wasn't in restraints it would have also fallen down hard. Even Commander Ikari was on his butt.
"Rei's pregnant?" Hyuga asked.
"That's Impossible!" Sub-commander Fuyutsuki cried.
"By who?" Shigure asked.
"Uh..that would be me." Shinji said, a little nervous.
Again, a tremendous THUD echoed through NERV.
"This just keeps getting better and better." Misato exclaimed as she tried to stand up.
"YOU AND REI!" Asuka screamed.
Shinji winced as Asuka's voice echoed over the com.
"How could you possibly sleep with Wondergirl when you live with the two most beautiful women in Tokyo-3?" Asuka irately demanded.
Ritsuko and Maya just looked at each other, as if saying, 'What am I, chop-liver?'
"Well you know I've been living with her since the last Angel attack." Shinji said.
"Well, yeah, but I didn't think you'd get her pregnant so quickly!" Asuka shouted, knowing full well that signs of pregnancy would take at least two weeks to fully manifest. "And why her and not me? You lived with me for nearly four months, why the hell didn't you get me pregnant!"
THUD! A third time echoing across NERV. Shinji and Rei would have easily joined them in that, had their units not been restrained.
"Uh, Asuka..." Misato interrupted, causing the redhead to suddenly realize what she had just said and started blushing furiously.
"Uhhhhh...I didn't mean that! I take it back! Don't pay any attention to it!" she shouted. "And if any of you breathes one word of this I'll Kill You!" she shouted at the NERV personnel.
Shinji looked at her crossly and answered quickly. "1-I love Rei. 2-Misato's not my age. And 3-You hate me."
"I DON'T HATE YOU!" she screamed.
"Well, at the very least you don't even like me."
"That's Not True!"
"You insult me, you hit me, you blame me for things I don't do..."
"That doesn't mean I hate you!"
"That's a matter of opinion." Hyuga said to a nodding Aoba.
Misato quickly came to intervene. "Asuka, calm down! Shinji, you and I are going to have a long talk about this." Misato said seriously, but you could tell that she was waiting to burst out laughing.
"I was kinda expecting that." the boy sighed.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Misato had easily convinced Ritsuko to postpone the tests until later. After the pilots had washed up and gotten dressed, the group went straight to Misato's apartment where the pair were right now under the gaze of a very upset commanding officer.
"So, when did you guys...you know." Misato gently started.
"About two days after the last Angel." Shinji said, sitting next to Rei, both of whom were on the couch and holding hands.
"Right before you moved in with her?" she mused.
"Hai."
Misato stared at the pair, reading no dishonesty in either of their eyes. Well, in Shinji's at least. She still couldn't read anything in Rei's red eyes. That meant they hadn't been doing anything since they moved in together. (At least that's what she assumed)
Asuka was off to the side just listening and taking this all in. She still wasn't sure if she should be jealous, angry, or relieved. She was embarrassed enough at her own outburst. At this point her mind was at odds, playing off the whole affair like it wasn't her business, yet she did feel a strange sense of loss though. She almost envied Rei landing Shinji before her, and wondered if that was just her competitiveness talking. Granted she liked the boy, and yet there were times she hated him. Hated him for synching with EVA so quickly and killing more Angels than her, and liking him for the things he used to do for her. Like cooking and cleaning and even the laundry. Not complaining once or asking anything in return.
But he kissed me first, doesn't that mean anything to him? She thought, but then thought better of it since she had nearly suffocated the poor boy doing it. It would definitely be memorable, but not much else.
"So that's why you moved in with her." the woman realized, breaking Asuka out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Misato." Shinji said.
"I don't believe this." she said, grabbing the sides of her head like she had a headache.
"Is something wrong, Major?" Rei asked.
"YOU'RE MAKING ME A GRANDMOTHER TOO SOON!" she shouted, pulling her hair and throwing her face up to the ceiling.
Shinji and Rei sweatdropped. Followed closely by Asuka.
After about thirty minutes of listening to the older woman's constant unintelligible rantings...
"And you're planning on having this baby?"
"Yes." Shinji replied, Rei nodded in agreement.
"Well, at least you're acting responsible for this. And I certainly hope you're planning on doing your share of the workload." Misato said once she had calmed down a bit.
"Of course I am." Shinji answered.
"I meant Rei."
"Huh?"
"Shinji, I have every confidence in your housekeeping skills, I mean after all you were the only one who cooked and cleaned when you lived with me and Asuka. But with a baby on the way you are going to have more responsibilities, and Rei's going to have to help take care of it as well."
"I assure you I will preform my duties as best I can." the blue-haired girl said.
"Good. NERV will probably take care of things such as benefits for you and your kid, but taking care of the child will be primarily you."
"I understand, Misato."
"Good" she said as she smiled and moved to hug the pair. "Oh, you two are so incredible, you know that?" She removed herself from them and turned to Asuka, and then back to Shinji. "Now, I think it's time we take a look at where you two are living right now. To make sure it's appropriate."
"Appropriate?" he questioned as Asuka nodded at the purple-haired woman.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
It didn't take long for the quartet to get to Rei's apartment. Exceedingly less for Asuka to be the first to speak up.
"That's it! You two are moving!" Asuka cried as she got her first glance at Rei's tiny apartment.
"What? Why?" Shinji asked.
"SHINJI! This place is pathetic! You can't raise a child here, let alone have a pregnant woman stay in it! It's unsanitary! And it's so small!" the redhead fumed.
"What do you mean unsanitary? We just cleaned it." he protested.
"Asuka's right, Shinji. We'll move Rei into our place!" Misato exclaimed happily.
Shinji blinked. "Four people in your apartment? It's barely enough for three people. Especially with all of Asuka's stuff, and what about Pen-Pen?"
"We'll move my stuff out or something. But we can't have you stay here." Asuka replied. "And the penguin will just have to make due."
Shinji was stunned, especially at Asuka for making such a suggestion first. Of course there was another reason she was making it, and Misato concurred.
Yes, we're getting Shinji back! Misato and Asuka thought in unison. We're going to eat good again! The apartment will be clean! (The first thought was Asuka's, the second was Misato/Asuka)
Shinji felt a cold shudder go through him for some reason.
"Thank you Major. Pilot Sohryu." Rei said as she unconsciously rubbed her stomach.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Shinji and the girls moved all their stuff back into Misato's apartment. Not that there was a lot. His cello had been the more difficult thing.
"Welcome home, Shinji." Misato smiled.
"Home." he repeated. He really appreciated that fact now that he was with Rei.
Shinji and Rei moved their stuff into his room, since they were used to sleeping together already.
Shinji got dinner ready, and Asuka was never so happy to have him back.
As they sat around the table, they talked about what the baby would need, where he/she would be sleeping, and what this would mean for their status and duty as pilots.
"Where is the baby going to sleep when it's born?" Shinji wondered.
"Well, we could get a crib and move it into your room. And if worse comes to worse, we can just get a bigger place." Misato smiled widely.
"That makes sense. Alright."
"I guess you'll have to give up piloting, Rei." Asuka said.
"Why?" Rei asked.
"Rei! You're pregnant! You can't do anything strenuous or dangerous that could put the kids life in danger."
Rei touched her stomach subconsciously. She had been wondering if this would effect her ability to pilot EVA. Now she felt that the bio-mechanical behemoth was not but a distant second. "Perhaps... you are right, Pilot Sohryu. I have this childs life to consider, not my own welfare."
Shinji smiled at Asuka, thanking her for her concern, as he placed his hand on top of Rei's under the table.
After dinner, the three pilots were watching television. Misato was in the kitchen trying to catch up on her paperwork, as well as making sure that Rei was now living with her. Shinji and Rei were on the couch, and Asuka was on the floor, stomach down and feet in the air. The pair seemed to be talking quietly between themselves, and Asuka was far too involved with her program to notice. That is, until Shinji's voice raised.
"Asuka, why are you so happy about this?"
She turned to face the boy. "Because I'm Going To Be An Aunt!" she giggled.
"Aunt? Actually, I was...kinda hoping..."
"What? I can't be the kids aunt?" she shouted as she sprang from the floor and got in the boys face.
"We would like you to be our childs godmother." Rei said calmly.
Asuka was stunned, but recovered quickly and hugged the blue-haired girl. "YES!" she cried. She pulled away and held Rei at arms length, looking at her. "I'm Going To Be A Great Godmother! You'll See!"
She then got up off her knees and rushed into the kitchen to tell Misato.
"She's certainly taking this well." Shinji stated.
"Better than I thought." Rei replied.
"Uh, Rei?"
"Yes, Shinji-kun?"
"Why did you want Asuka to be godmother to our child?"
"She is the closest thing I have to a 'girl-friend' and as such I could ask no one else."
"What about Misato? Or Ritsuko?"
"Major Katsuragi has already deemed herself a grandmother, and I do not believe Dr Akagi would be interested in such an undertaking."
"I see."
"Shinji?" Asuka said as she returned from the kitchen.
"Yeah, Asuka?"
"I was thinking...everyone at NERV knows about this. But what about school?"
Shinji hadn't thought about that.
"Oh man." he gasped, slapping his forehead. "They're going to figure it out sooner or later."
"Yeah, which is why I have this idea." she smirked.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The trio go to school and act as if nothing is too unusual. The morning classes came and went, and as the lunch bell signaled the students to return to class, Asuka's plan went into effect.
"SHINJI!" the redhead screamed.
"What is it Asuka?"
"How dare you under cook my lunch!"
"But I didn't!" he protested.
"Don't lie to me! This is the last straw! You've had this coming and you're gonna get it!" she shouted as she raised her fist and moved towards the boy.
Rei immediately stepped in and grabbed Asuka's wrist. "I will advise you to keep your hands off the father of my child!"
At that simple string together of words, silence fell over the class, even the teacher was taciturn.
"Father of your...wait! You mean..." Asuka weakened.
"Yes. I am pregnant with Shinji's child." Rei said calmly.
"She's telling the truth, Asuka. We got Rei checked out this week." Shinji said as he moved towards his girl.
Asuka's acting skills were at their peak at this point. "You mean...he...and you...oh god." she said as she suddenly fell back into the nearest seat.
Everyone else just crashed to the ground.
Predominantly this included Toji, Kensuke, and Hikari.
Later that night, after the trio had returned to their apartment, Asuka could not stop laughing at how much fun her whole plan had been. Misato was in hysterics as well after hearing about this. And as for Shinji and Rei, they joined in with their flatmates at the hilarity of the entire event.
Pen-Pen, however, couldn't figure out what the hell was so funny.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Authors Notes:
In response to a couple of reviews I got, I hope this chapter satisfies your pallet for drama, angst and explanations as to the emotional and 'physical' nature of the stories two main characters.
I admit it's a bit longer than I anticipated making it. I'm pretty sure the next chapters won't be quite as lengthy as this one.
I tried to put in some humor, using Asuka mostly, and I just want to say that despite how bad Shinji felt about the whole 'taking advantage of Rei' thing, he really does care for the girl. It's not just a physical attraction for him.
Please review if I missed anything.
Next chapter: EXPLANATIONS
