Sins and Retributions

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Damn Technology!

Kaworu had skipped class for the day, instead opting to fix Rei's doorbell. This time, he was sure that he'd do it correctly, as he had the step-by-step manual right next to him. He softly hummed Ode to Joy as he set about his work. He tweaked one of the wires in the box, and screwed the ringer back together.

He stood up and touched the doorbell, making sure that it worked. As he was about to go back to his own room, the door slid open, "Yes? Did you need something, Kaworu?"

The boy smiled to hide his surprise, "I was just testing your doorbell." Rei looked down at her feet, and spoke in a disappointed tone, "Oh?"

The former angel looked at the girl and said, "I… I was wondering if we might not talk. Maybe go out…?"

Rei's face brightened and she smiled one of her signature discreet smiles. The girl nodded, "That would be… acceptable."

Kaworu reached out shyly, and took a hold of Ayanami's hand. The two walked in relative silence, as neither were well versed in the art of communication. "Ms. Ayanami- er- Rei. Am I a Lilim? Really, am I?"

Rei looked into his red eyes with her own, "I am not sure, for I am not sure if I, myself, am a human."

He nodded, "You should know that you are Lilim. I severely wish to be a Lilim. Death and pain do not frighten me… As long… As long as I… have you."

Rei blushed, and faltered in her speaking, "Th-Thank you. I return those feelings, though I am sometimes unsure what it is that I feel."

The two stared into each other's eyes, thinking different thoughts. Rei was thinking, 'Will he hold me in his arms, as I have seen Shinji and Asuka do?'

Kaworu was fighting his mind, 'I know what I want to do… but is it appropriate?' Kaworu shook his head lightly, 'I do not care if it is inappropriate! If she wishes it, I shall hold her in my arms.'

Kaworu took a step forward, and Rei's heart jumped, 'Will he really do it?'

The former angel stepped so close to Rei, that he could hear her soft breathing. His arms slid around the thin figure of the First Child. The blue haired girl was unsure what to do, but placed one hand on his heart, and the other around him, holding the boy in place.

Both of them had the same thoughts, 'Why does this feel so… right? Close contact… I find it acceptable. No, I don't find it simply acceptable. I find it to be a physical state of bliss, at least to the extent of my knowledge.'

The two eventually separated, and Rei gazed at the Fifth Child, "Shall we go, Kaworu?" He nodded, and the two ambled into the city of Tokyo III.

(-----)

Shinji's shivered, and laughed lightly.

It was Christmas morning, and Asuka needed to wake him up for Mass. The girl had removed his covers, and was blowing air onto his now bare chest.

He shuddered again, and mumbled, still in his dream world, "Mm, Asuka… Quit… I'm cold… No! I don't wanna wear Unit 02's plug suit… Because it feels weird… Hey! Wait!"

Asuka leaned over the boy and once he had settled, started to whisper into his ear. "Shinji… It's time to get up."

The Third Child mumbled incomprehensibly and his teeth chattered slightly.

Asuka leaned closer, but this time she only started out whispering, but moved on to shouting, "Hey Shinji… WAKE UP DUMMKOPF!"

Shinji snapped awake and was flailing about, for the shouting confused him.

Asuka stood up and laughed, "Hey Shinji! If you don't want to wear formal clothes, I'm sure I have a plug suit for Unit 02!"

The young Ikari blushed furiously, and shyly asked, "W-W-Was I t-talking in my sleep? How long were you listening to me?"

The girl sarcastically spoke, "You? Oh, the Invincible Shinji talks in his sleep? How embarrassing!"

Shinji had suddenly become very interested in his feet, and he said, "I-I don't always talk in my sleep! J-Just sometimes!"

Asuka rolled her eyes, "Just shut up and get dressed."

The Third Child stood up and stretched, then said, "If you leave, I'll probably be able to change faster."

The girl was speechless and Shinji spoke again, "Who's the pervert now?"

The Second Child blushed and screamed, "DUMMKOPF!" Asuka playfully slapped him and said, "I'm just here to make sure that you're awake!"

The young Ikari ushered her into the hallway with gentle force, and locked the door behind him. The boy quickly changed into his formal clothes, and opened the door.

He was immediately greeted by a slap, "You shouldn't push a lady!"

Shinji shook his head, in an attempt to regain his senses, "I can't just change while you watch me!"

The girl snapped at him, "Well you should have asked me to leave then!"

The Third Child scratched at his throat, "B-But I d-did!"

Asuka rolled her eyes, "You're always nitpicking!" The redhead grabbed Shinji by the wrist and dragged him down the stairs. Once again, Shinji found himself wondering how such a thin girl could have that much physical strength.

(-----)

Shinji sat in the wooden pew listening intently to the Priest, though he couldn't understand a word of what he said. He leaned over to Asuka and whispered, "Um… Can you translate for me?"

The girl looked at him sidelong, and said, "You really need to learn German. Fine, I'll translate for you."

Shinji's eyes narrowed, "What's the catch?"

Asuka's voice was just barely qualified as a whisper, "What makes you think there is a catch!"

He laughed lightly, "Because I know you too well."

The girl smiled mischievously, "I was going to let you off for free. But since you mentioned it… I can probably think up something."

The boy put his face in his hands, and rubbed his temples slightly, then sighed, "Whatever…"

The redhead smiled slightly and began to translate the Christmas Mass.

Asuka began to trail off, her fingers smoothing out her golden dress, and leaned her head on the Third Child's shoulder.

Shinji poked her cheek ever so slightly, and murmured, "Asuka… You can't fall asleep now!"

The girl blinked awake and whispered, "Fine… Fine… I'll keep on translating…" The Second Child continued to explain the sermon to Shinji in Japanese.

(-----)

Asuka stood with Shinji in the Gathering space outside of the main chambers in the church, and she was holding his hand. Mrs. Langley was conversing with a small group of people, and Asuka could only hear small bits of the exchange.

One of the women said, "Is that little Asuka? My how she's grown!"

Mrs. Langley spoke with a little bit of heat in her face, "Yes, which is both good and bad. Good that she's grown up and making is friends, but bad with how intimate she and her boyfriend, Shinji Ikari, are."

Another one of the women piped in, "You mean that Japanese boy over there? I didn't think that Asuka was interested in dating."

Mrs. Langley again spoke, "Yes, well… It isn't his fault. If it were up to him, they'd probably still be just holding hands, maybe a hug or two, but Asuka really likes him. She's definitely pushing the physical part of the relationship faster than I like."

"Shinji is not stopping her though, maybe they've been through so much together that they have actually found love at that young age. I think we should be quieter with our gossip, I think Asuka can hear us."

The Second Child's face heated up, and she pulled Shinji behind her as she stormed up to her mother.

She spoke in a forceful, but quiet tone, "Hey, Mom! I see you and your friends were talking about me and Shinji. Lemme tell you right now, what he and I do or don't do is our own business. It's nobody else's. Got it?"

Shinji timidly looked at the ground, and Asuka elbowed him in the ribs, speaking with an ice-tinged tongue, "Right, Shinji?"

He faltered, "Uh- well- y-yeah."

The redhead stared defiantly at the group, "Now, me and Shinji will be in the car. And by the way, gossiping is a sin." The couple walked off, Asuka leading Shinji out of the church.

(-----)

Shinji and Asuka sat in the car, waiting for her parents to take them back to the Ranch. Asuka had settled next to Shinji, and she was leaning on his chest, letting her fingers dance on his chest. The Third Child's face was slightly red, as he knew that others could see them.

Asuka's parents got in the car, and still the girl didn't move, but Shinji sat rigid in the awkwardness.

Mr. Langley took notice, and said, "You need to buckle your seatbelt or else we can't get moving, Asuka." The girl put her thumb under the band that fastened her to the seat, and she pushed it forward and let it snap back into place with an audible crack.

The man sighed, "Fine…"

Mrs. Langley was still embarrassed at Asuka's behavior to her friends, but even more with how she, herself, acted. The patriarch of the Langley family started the car and drove calmly down the road, heading towards the Ranch.

(-----)

Asuka had undressed, and started the shower, allowing the steaming water to caress her body. After washing herself more times than necessary, and over an hour later, the girl stepped out of the shower.

With one hand, the girl toweled herself off, whisking all of the water off of her now pink skin. With her other hand, she combed her hair, taming the now tangled mess.

Asuka retreated into her room, and she started to dress. She was aware that her door was half-open, because she wanted to see if Shinji could resist peeping.

The young Ikari walked right down the hall, straight to the door, and shut it, "You should be more careful, Asuka!"

The girl frowned, but smiled afterwards, 'Well… As boring as he is sometimes, I definitely can't call him a pervert.'

The door to the bathroom closed, and it was followed by the spray of water. Asuka could hear a slight groan and a squeak, but dismissed it immediately.

Five minutes later, Shinji walked out of the bathroom, wet and dripping. He knocked on the door, and the girl said, "What? Come in!"

The young Ikari opened the door, covered by only the towel, "Asuka… You used all the hot water… But I guess a cold shower isn't as bad as a beating."

The girl sprang from her bed and almost tackled Shinji, "Shinji Ikari! Are you implying that I waste water?"

Shinji started to speak, and Asuka punched him on the shoulder, so he responded in a docile tone, "N-No… Well… actually yeah, I am."

The redhead was going to blow up on him, but she rolled her eyes, "You're always nitpicking! At least you're learning to stick up for yourself."

Shinji blushed and backed out of the room, "I-I need to change my c-clothes." He stumbled down the hall, and shivered as he entered his own room.

The boy threw off his towel, and jumped into a new set of clothing. The Third Child walked over to the desk in the room, and picked up the leather-bound book. Shinji carefully placed it into a piece of red silk, and used that to wrap it. To top off the package, he affixed a golden bow to the present, and wrote in fine calligraphy, 'To my love, Asuka.'

With a sigh, the young man sat on his bed, 'Finally… I finished, now the real test is whether or not she likes it.'

Fröhliches Weihnachten

Asuka stared at her fingernails intently. The girl was unsure whether she should clip them or not. She shrugged and simply trimmed the edges, keeping them perfectly proportional to her fingers.

Shinji knocked on the door to Asuka's room, and walked in. The girl was sitting on her bed, scrutinizing her fingernails.

The boy moved close to Asuka and said, "I… I brought your gift… It's kinda personal, and I didn't know how your parents would take it. Merry Christmas, Asuka." He leaned down and kissed her lightly, and handed her the package in his hands.

The Second Child felt the soft silk rub under her fingers, and slowly untied the bow.

Shinji was turning red already, and he stammered, "I-I hope you l-like it."

Asuka held the leather book in her hands and cracked it open, and began to read the contents. A solitary tear slid from her face, staining the page she was on with a large droplet.

The boy immediately apologized, "I-I'm sorry…"

Asuka looked up at him, though she had a tear in her eye, she was smiling. She hugged him so tightly that he almost had the wind knocked out of him, "Shinji… It's so beautiful. I didn't know you were a poet or even a writer."

The boy smiled, and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, "You've made my Christmas. I love you Asuka. There isn't a word in there that didn't come from my heart."

He broke the embrace and started to walk out of the room, and Asuka thought, 'Scheisse! He gives me the most beautiful Christmas present ever and just walks away? Dummkopf!'

He continued to the door, but didn't pass through it, instead, Shinji closed the door.

Asuka's heart fluttered, 'Maybe he won't just leave…'

The Third Child took Asuka into his arms once again, and he looked her straight in the eyes. His face slowly moved closer to hers, and soon they were joined in a kiss.

After a period of time that seemed to last for an eternity, Shinji tried to back away from Asuka. In spite of this, the girl followed him, and actually pushed him against the wall, simply to keep him in place.

Asuka finally pulled back, and as Shinji was about to speak, she placed one delicate finger over his lips. She moved to her closet, and withdrew a giant black case with a bow on it. "And… So! Now it's my turn. Merry Christmas, Third Child."

He cautiously edged towards the gargantuan package, and the girl looked at him, tapping her foot with impatience, "Well? I don't have all day! Open it!"

Shinji removed the ribbon and opened the case. Inside of the black leather container, the Third Child found an ornate cello. He remembered his old one, battered and decrepit, it had seen better days, and he was in need of a new one.

Somehow, Asuka knew exactly what to get him, and he loved his gift. He was about to remove it from the package, but Asuka touched his elbow, "I'm giving this to you on one condition."

Shinji cocked an eyebrow, and made a guttural noise that indicated he was listening.

The girl continued, "You have to play for me. Just this once…" Shinji smiled and nodded, removing the cello and preparing himself to play.

(-----)

Downstairs, Mr. Langley sat in a large chair, reading his newspaper. He heard the distinct sound of a cello being played from upstairs. It was the work of a skilled player, but it was a modest melody, signifying that he thought otherwise of his talent.

This simple deduction brought him to the conclusion that the player was Shinji, not Asuka. They were the only people upstairs, and Asuka was most definitely not a modest person, so it had to be Shinji.

Mr. Langley continued to read the newspaper, but soon caught himself tapping his foot in rhythm with the song. He did not know how long the music played for, as he became engrossed in it, completely forgetting his newspaper.

The man stood up from his chair and walked up the stairs towards Asuka's room, where the sound had come from barely minutes ago.

He knocked on her door, and opened it, catching Shinji mid-sentence, "…still not very good…"

He looked up and immediately focused on the floor, and timidly spoke, "D-Did you hear me play? S-Sorry to have disturbed you… I'm still not very good though…"

The older man looked at Shinji, "Don't say that. I heard you play. You might be surprised to hear it, but you are quite skilled at the cello. I wasn't disturbed, just came up to congratulate you."

Shinji beamed and said, "That's sort of what Asuka said when we were fighting the Angels… I thought she was just being sarcastic though. We… We tangled often back then."

Asuka drew herself up and her face was slightly red, "DUMMKOPF! I CAN'T EVEN COMPLIMENT YOU AND BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!"

Mr. Langley sighed, "Asuka… He had a good reason to think that, seeing as how you'd berate him at every turn. I think you actually fight more now, than you did then, at least that's what Sub-Commander Katsuragi says."

Asuka stood up and glared at her dad, "What do you know about it? Our little disagreements are usually resolved in a few minutes, besides, they're just friendly arguments."

Shinji muttered, "If by friendly you mean that you always win and I usually end up with a new bruise or bump."

The girl smiled brightly, "Did you say something Shinji?"

He sighed, "No…" The boy let his thoughts wander, 'We do fight… I usually end up hurt… But I kinda like the way she does it… Does that make me a masochist? Any normal guy would have left as soon as Asuka beat the hell out of them… I do love Asuka… no matter what. I may be crazy for it, but I do. If I had the chance to change her, I'd leave her the same way she is. I know I'd give up my life for her.'

Asuka shook Shinji violently, "Shinji! Shinji! Earth to Shinji!"

He snapped out of his reflection, and covered his spacing out with the slickest answer possible using his vast vocabulary, "Huh?"

The girl lightly punched him on the shoulder, "Dummkopf! I said that dinner is almost ready. Jeez, for somebody that's always nitpicking, you sure do space out a lot."

He nodded and placed the cello back into its case. The Third Child picked it up and set it in his own room, then ran down the stairs for dinner.

(-----)

The dinner was large and elaborate, and Shinji couldn't even compete with the appetites of the German family. He ended up taking only about half of what Asuka took, and both of her parents had twice the amount she had.

The young Ikari sighed, 'How can Asuka eat so much and keep thin like that? She has a perfect body and yet she eats so much…'

Asuka noticed his gaze and spoke between mouthfuls, "Whachu lookin' af?"

Shinji smiled sadly, "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."

The girl swallowed and said quietly, just loud enough for only him to hear, "Looking at my flawless body? My beauty easily surpasses most everyone's, it comes naturally. Do you like my body?"

Shinji blanched and slowly nodded, and Asuka put her face closer to his, and whispered forcefully, "Well don't get any perverted ideas in that little skull of yours, Shinji Ikari!"

The boy hung his head slightly and whispered back, "I should have expected that response…"

The spirits were already getting to Asuka's parents, as they had drained a bottle and a half of vodka in less than an hour. The two were now merrily singing Christmas carols.

Asuka buried her face in her hands, embarrassed at the way her family was acting, and said, "Mein Gott! Can't they stay sober for just a few more hours?"

Shinji shrugged and spoke, "I wonder how Misato is doing…"

Asuka's eyes rolled, "She's probably drunk off her ass and most likely to be dancing on a table, passed out on the floor, or getting a little too close to Kaji."

(-----)

Misato finished another beer and rocked back and forth, like grass swaying in the wind.

Ritsuko dragged the trash can over towards her friend, and said, "Misato… How can you drink this much? You're going to regret this in the morning." The woman puffed up, her speech heavily slurred, "Nah, Ritsuko… I'min vincible, dunchaknow? Ya see when ya gots love 'n stuff, yar alway sgood!"

The blonde doctor sighed, "You never learn, and this time Shinji isn't here to limit your consumption…" The Doctor pulled out a bottle of pills labeled, 'Hangover Crusher,' and forced Misato to take one.

Kaji was most definitely drunk, but he preferred not to show it like Misato. The man slightly stumbled out of the bathroom, and walked into Shinji's room. The room was plain, with only a few distinct features. The man sat on the young Ikari's bed, and looked at his dresser.

Only Shinji wouldn't be killed for having a picture of Asuka, and the other people of Shinji's grade knew that fact painfully well. The picture was plain… for Asuka. But in most likelihood it was exactly what Shinji wanted. It was simply a picture of Asuka standing there, smiling.

Kaji jerked forward and thought, 'Damn. I'm going to throw up again.' The man ran towards the bathroom, and emptied his stomach contents. The man was very stoic when drunk, and would never be as loud as Misato.

It took more drinks to get Misato Katsuragi drunk, as she had trained her body, but she also downed the beers quicker than the air she breathes.

Misato crawled to the bathroom and knocked on the door, "Lemmein I gotsta useuh baffroom."

She didn't wait for a response and tore open the door, and started to puke into the toilet, an astounded Ryoji Kaji leaning against the wall, "A bit old to drink until you puke, aren't you?"

The woman rolled her eyes and said, "Shu'up! 'Sides, I'm no'drunk…"

As she said this, Misato puked again, and Kaji simply waited it out. Once she was finished, he picked her up in his arms, and she had passed out from alcohol consumption. He moved into her room and dumped her onto her bed, but soon collapsed after her.

His last coherent thought was, 'She's going to kill me for this. I should probably get up… but… I can't… move.' He yawned and fell asleep.

(-----)

Asuka looked expectantly at Shinji, "Well? Hurry up, Dummkopf!"

Shinji groaned and said, "Why do you always make me do all of the manual labor?"

The girl folded her arms across her chest, "Oh, shut up! You're always nitpicking. Besides, you're a boy! You can't complain!"

He sighed, it was no point, so he simply did as he was told and picked up Mr. Langley, slinging him over his shoulder. The man was very heavy by Shinji's standards, but was actually of average weight for a German man his age.

He doggedly tried to get him up the stairs, and finally succeeded after thirty minutes of trying.

With a heave, the young man flung Mr. Langley onto his bed, and trudged back downstairs for Asuka's step-mother. Within a few minutes, Shinji had placed both of Asuka's parents in their bed. The boy moved to his door and opened it, stumbling into the room.

He looked to his bed and stammered, "A-A-Asuka, w-what are you d-doing?"

The Second Child was lying on his bed, and she simply said, "I'm bored… so I just came in here to talk with you… and don't get any perverted ideas!"

The boy smiled slightly, and said, "I wouldn't dream of it… So were you happy with today?"

The girl pulled him onto the bed and tightly hugged him, "Of course I was Dummkopf!"

Shinji nestled closer and murmured, "Asuka… I'm tired all of the sudden…"

The girl ran her fingers through his hair, and whispered into his ear, "It's okay. You can sleep… just… keep holding me."

He nodded as his head pushed closer to the girl's neck.

I Hate Mornings

Kaji woke with a slight groan, as his head was pulsing severely. He had no clue where his head even was, and he laid it back down onto something soft.

Misato blinked awake, wondering why she didn't have a hangover, '… It must've been Dr. Akagi. Thanks Ritsuko.'

The woman finally became aware of the body on top of her, and she looked down at Kaji.

His face was buried in the woman's chest and she brought both of her fists, interlocked, over his head, 'What the HELL do you think you're doing!'

The man was clutching his skull, "Ow, my head! Damn Katsuragi! I don't remember!"

The Sub-Commander looked at the man and stroked his head, "How's that for a wake up call?"

Kaji whimpered slightly and said, "I know of a way to make it all better…"

The woman instinctively shouted, "NO! It's way too early!" The man rolled his eyes and playfully spoke, "Get your head out of the gutter, Katsuragi! I need an egg, salt, pepper, soy sauce, and milk. Don't forget a glass."

The purple haired woman stood and said, "It'll cost you." Kaji slumped down and said, "Add it to my tab?"

The woman nodded and left the room. The former spy let his head fall back onto the bed, and closed his eyes. He quickly realized that doing that helped nothing, as he only felt like he was spinning, suddenly feeling the urge to retch. Misato returned with all of the materials that were requested.

Kaji deftly removed the egg white and put the yolk into a glass. Picking up all the other materials, he deposited a shake or two of salt and pepper, then topped that off with a sprinkle of soy sauce. Kaji poured in the milk and looked at the concoction with apprehension. He was thinking of ignoring the glass, but instead reached the logical conclusion of… 'Screw it…'

With one gulp the man swallowed the drink, the slimy egg yolk gliding down his esophagus. Though he looked like puking, Kaji shivered and stood up.

Misato's face was pallid, and she said, "Yuck. That's so gross! I can't believe you drank that!"

The newly promoted Head of NERV Intelligence said, "It's called a Prairie Oyster, and it's good for hangovers."

The Sub-Commander shuddered, "I'd take a hangover before drinking one of those."

Kaji stretched his arms above his head and said, "Aren't Shinji and Asuka going to be back tonight?"

The woman nodded and said, "I doubt I could handle another party… But then again, I'm not sure those two would even want a party."

The man nodded, "Well, I'm sure we should at least tell their friends they're coming home." The two both picked up their cellular phones and started calling Shinji and Asuka's friends.

(-----)

Rei's phone rang, and a pale hand picked it up. "Hello, Ayanami Residence. May I ask who is speaking?"

A loud voice bellowed through the phone, "KAWORU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT REI'S HOUSE!"

He held the phone away from his head, "Rei! I think the call is for you!"

The blue-haired pilot walked towards the kitchen from her room and accepted the phone, "Hello, Ayanami Residence. May I ask who is speaking?"

Misato was puzzled, how two different people could answer the phone with the same exact greeting was a mystery to the woman, "What the… Rei? Oh hey! Shinji and Asuka are coming back tonight around seven o'clock, okay?"

The First Child spoke curtly, as she always did, "Understood. We shall be there."

The older woman began to ask about why Kaworu was present, but Rei was already putting the phone back, cutting the Sub-Commander off.

Kaworu looked with concern at Rei and she smiled slightly, "Don't worry. We didn't do anything inappropriate, so there is not reason to fear. Sub-Commander Katsuragi was just overreacting."

Kaworu sighed slightly, relieved at her reassurance.

(-----)

Shinji woke up very similar to the way Kaji did, the only exception was the Prairie Oyster.

The pounding headache Shinji suffered from was due to Asuka's brutal beating. He sat up, nursing his throbbing head and said, "What was that for?"

The girl spoke in a matter-of-factly tone, "That's for touching me!"

The Third Child tried a different approach, "Well, I fell asleep near your neck! You must have put my head there!"

The girl smiled sweetly, her sweet tone hiding the flames, "Are you implying that I would do something perverted like that?"

The boy rolled his eyes, "Well, it wouldn't have been the first time." Asuka scowled and said, "I'll just write it off as part of your Christmas gift… but now you have to play your cello for me whenever I want."

The young Ikari smiled and nodded, "Okay, you win Asuka!" The redhead giggled slightly, "I love winning."

Shinji mentally laughed dryly, 'I'd play for you whenever you asked, even if you didn't do that.'

Asuka moved closer to him and hugged him, "Today we have to go back. We can go back home."

The boy frowned, "Do you remember that kiss? We can definitely count on everyone knowing about that… I'll have to 'thank' Kensuke for that one."

Asuka said disgustedly, "You know… We'll probably have to give an encore to dispel all of their questions."

The Third Child blushed, "A-again? Are you sure?"

The girl smiled reassuringly, "Don't you trust me?" Shinji nodded and the redhead spoke, "Good. 'When in doubt, trust Asuka!' That should be your motto Shinji."

The Third Child chuckled and said, "I'll think about it."

(-----)

"I see… Indeed," Gendo said, not showing any hint of emotion.

His son was coming home today, and his gift would be delivered personally. The older Ikari sat in his usual position, the only other person in the room was Kouzou Fuyutsuki, the ever-present Aid.

The former professor spoke, "So Ikari, I hear that Shinji is coming back today."

The only answer he got was the usual one, "Indeed."

The man sighed, "I assume that you're just going to sit there. Why don't you just go and see him."

Gendo was beginning to break down his stony façade, "I cannot. This is the only room that I can be positive to have complete privacy. Just send him here after he gets back."

Kouzou raised an eyebrow, "Alright." The Commander's Aid left the office, and Gendo reached into his pocket, and withdrew some money. The older Ikari left subsequently, and got himself a cup of coffee, drinking it exactly as he always had.

His innermost thoughts resided on Shinji, "I see you will return. Maybe you can have a surprise this Christmas… other than the ones you might receive from Pilot Sohryu."

(-----)

Shinji rapidly tapped his fingers impatiently on the arm rest of his chair on the plane, waiting for the machine to fire up. The redhead next to him bit her lower lip to keep from shouting at the boy. Finally fed up, she slammed her own hand on top of Shinji's, trapping it and restricting its movement.

He looked at the girl, and she intertwined her own fingers with his own. He smiled slightly, and allowed his body to relax in its seat. Asuka squeezed the captive hand gently, and said, "Just calm down. We'll be home soon."

Shinji's grin widened, 'Home… I'm going home.' Asuka could feel the heat of Shinji's hand, and she rubbed her index finger lightly against his palm. She leaned her head on Shinji and wrapped her arms around him.

The boy shivered slightly, but in turn, put his left arm around the girl. 'Oh man… I still get the shivers when we touch. It's just like the first time she touched me. Even though she was dragging me through the 'Over the Rainbow' I still had a shiver.' Shinji thought with his eyes closed.

Asuka moved her head around a little, trying to get into a comfortable position.

The Third Child's hand idly stroked Asuka's soft hair, and it reminded him of touching silk. With each foot that the plane moved closer to Japan, Shinji could feel the bond between his mother and himself strengthening again. At a range this far, his mother could barely speak to him and vice versa, but after a few hours, he'd be able to converse with his mother.

The girl next to him moaned a bit, and muttered, "Shinji… That feels so good…"

Shinji grinned and let his other hand move to the girl's side, where he began to tickle her.

The Second Child began to giggle, but she put her finger to Shinji's scar, and pushed firmly. He immediately stopped tickling, and instead winced in pain.

Asuka moved her face near to his ear and whispered in a singsong tone, "I know how to stop you."

Shinji wriggled in the seat, but Asuka let her teeth sink into his earlobe. Electricity shot through his body, and he trembled, and quietly groaned some. "A-A-Asuka… W-What are you d-doing?" he whispered.

She let his lobe go free, and resettled on his shoulder, "Now why don't you just go back to playing with my hair? You had to ruin it by tickling me… That's better." He had started to comb Asuka's hair with his fingers while she was speaking.

He sighed, "You never let me have any fun…" Asuka let her hand rest on his thigh, and the boy immediately blushed.

The redhead asked in a comforting tone, "Feeling better?"

All Shinji could do was nod his head shakily. He reached his own hand down and was about to place it on Asuka's side, but she stopped him, "One more inch and I'll break your fingers… one… by… one."

He smiled sheepishly, "Caught me, huh?" The girl just glared at him, but Shinji took Asuka's hand in his own, and kissed it. Though his lips only faintly brushed against her hand, Asuka's glare softened, and she smiled. The redhead knew that he was just trying to keep busy while waiting for the plane to start, then he could put in his SDAT player.

To prevent his instant reaction of listening to music, Asuka had taken it from him, and promised to give it back once the plane started to take off. She placed the music player into his lap and said, "It looks like the plane is starting to take off."

He thought about using it, but ultimately smiled brightly and gazed into Asuka's eyes, "You know… It's tempting, but I'd much rather keep you company."

Asuka reddened slightly, and whispered, with venom hiding her joy, "Pervert."

As soon as Shinji realized how Asuka took his words, he began to stammer, "W-Wait! I-I didn't m-mean to say it like th-that! I-I just meant that I could t-talk with you instead of l-listening to my SDAT!"

The girl had fire creep into her eyes, and she spoke forcefully, "What did I tell you about apologizing?"

With an embarrassed smirk, Shinji squeezed her hand and caressed her face, "Asuka… Can we just skip over that subject and restart the conversation?" The girl nodded, and they began talking anew.

(------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------)

There… Chapter 11 is finished, now you only have 5 more to go. The next chapter is a guarantee on action. The outtake is back to the normal style this time.

Outtake

Rei's phone rang, and a pale hand picked it up. "Hello, Ayanami Residence. May I ask who is speaking?"

A loud voice bellowed through the phone, "KAWORU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT REI'S HOUSE!"

He held the phone away from his head, "Rei! I think the call is for you!"

The blue-haired pilot walked towards the kitchen from her room and accepted the phone, "Hello, Ayanami Residence. May I ask who is speaking?"

Misato was puzzled, how two different people could answer the phone with the same exact greeting was a mystery to the woman, "What the… Rei? Oh hey! Shinji and Asuka are coming back tonight around seven o'clock, okay?"

The First Child spoke curtly, as she always did, "Understood. We shall be there."

The older woman began to ask about why Kaworu was present, but Rei was already putting the phone back, cutting the Sub-Commander off.

Kaworu looked with concern at Rei and she smiled slightly, "Don't worry. We just have to make sure we clean up that little mess in my room."

The silver haired boy grinned, "I didn't think you'd jump at the chance like that."

Rei shrugged, "Somebody as introverted as me would jump at the chance with almost anything."

Kaworu blinked, 'I better watch out to make sure she isn't cheating on me…'