True Love Waits Chapter 4
Adam Kadmon
Disclaimer: I write this, amazed at the positive response chapter 3 received. Thanks. I don't own Eva or Radiohead.
"Katsuragi Misato," Rei called for the last time.
"Huh?"
She woke up in degrees, clearly desiring more sleep. Her bed, like her room, was in a state of terrible disarray. Her desk was buried under a mountain of files and old magazines, her dresser camouflaged as a pile of dirty laundry, her closet hung open spilling out its contents the floor. Old memorabilia were scattered here and there; crumpled photos, discarded uniforms, shoes, several plushies, and well-worn manga. A healthy collection of empty cans had taken up residence at the foot of her bed, which was stained with sweat and beer.
Misato curled into herself, dragging a pillow over her head.
"It is seven-forty," Rei said through the door.
"Great," Misato grumbled. "Lemme sleep."
Rei sighed.
"In the morning."
A resounding "oh shit" rocked the apartment.
"I'm late," Misato whined. "I can't believe I slept through my alarm again."
She sped through the apartment, dragging her uniform behind her, a piece of toast hanging from her mouth.
"Damn damn damn."
Rei viewed the situation with patient weariness, long ago accustomed to the scene yet again playing out before her. She handed Misato an open beer as she fled to the bathroom.
"Thanks, Rei."
The albino sighed as Misato didn't even bother to close the door.
The woman has no decency.
She dressed with the threat of job termination looming over her. After splashing some water on her face and brushing her teeth, she was ready to go.
"Sorry," Misato said, rushing out the door, "I won't be here for dinner. Get some money from my drawer and order something nice, okay?"
The door slid closed behind her and Rei was left in silence.
"So what else is new?"
True Love Waits
Chapter 4
The command center was, like most non-operation days, all but vacant. The usual crowd of techs was there, manning the complex systems of computers that ran the JSSDF headquarters. Although one of the most advanced operating systems in the world, it still required constant monitoring and tweaking. Aoba Shigeru, Hyuuga Makoto and Ibuki Maya, assistant to Dr. Soryu, the system's creator, all worked diligently at their respective jobs, knowing the defense of the nation was dependent upon their abilities.
Of course, some people simply hung out at the center to avoid actual work.
"Well, you're looking chipper this morning," Ritsuko said. "A little worn, though."
Misato grinned.
"Is one the cause of the other?" the blonde asked. She was sitting on the edge of Maya's desk, idly looking over the security protocols from the previous night.
"Yup. But it isn't what you think."
Hyuuga relaxed a little.
"I just had dinner with a friend last night."
"Who?"
"It's a secret."
Akagi Ritsuko, polymath genius, doctor, and physicist, decided any secret Misato was keeping couldn't be too difficult to figure out.
"A guy, captain?" Aoba asked, smirking.
"Yes, a guy. Not that it's any of your business. I'm helping him find an apartment."
"Gee," Ritsuko said, "and here I thought you and Kaji would work things out."
"Shut your face!"
Maya, only partially aware of the captain's track record, decided the computer systems could wait a moment as she voiced her opinion.
"Well, he certainly thinks you two can."
She pinked a shade as all eyes fell on her.
"He, um, he dragged me to the lounge one day and couldn't stop talking about you," she explained. "He really likes you, captain."
Misato tried not to care.
"Then he shouldn't have coffee with anything on two legs."
Maya, sure she'd further damaged her relationship with Misato, shut her mouth.
"Now now, don't blame Ibuki-kun for your troubles."
"I told you to shut it, Ritsuko."
"I think you could do better, captain," Hyuuga said. "That Kaji-san seems a little shady."
Aoba grinned.
"Have anyone in mind?"
Hyuuga gave a strangled yelp.
"N-no. Just speaking in general. That's all."
"Thanks, Makoto-kun," Misato said. "You're a true friend."
Hyuuga sighed. After the whole Ikari debacle, he had hoped that something could have developed between the captain and himself. She was grateful to him, but not in the way he wanted. Well, he figured, at least they were friends. And at least they still had their jobs. Why the commander hadn't fired them both on the spot remained a mystery to Hyuuga. The severely docked pay wasn't. He sighed again.
I might have to move back in with my parents, he thought with a shudder.
"So, no clues to your mystery man?" Ritsuko asked.
"Nope. I'm keeping this one to myself." She grinned. "He is a cutie, though."
"When's the next time you see him?" Aoba asked, desperate to keep any form of conversation alive. Rock stars shouldn't have to go over data, he thought, scrolling through a list of tables.
"Actually, I'm supposed to meet him…" She checked her watch. "Five minutes ago. Damn." Misato started for the door.
"Hold it," Ritsuko said. "You came in late and now you're taking a long lunch?"
"Yeah. Cover for me, okay? Thanks."
She waved over her shoulder as she left.
"No problem," the doctor said.
He looks just like her. Yui.
"Sir?"
Fuyutski put the surveillance report down and cleared his throat.
"Yes?"
Ritsuko nodded to the file on his desk.
"How is he?"
"Surprisingly well," the old man said. "The captain is helping him along nicely."
Ritsuko smiled inwardly at how inept Misato was at keeping secrets.
"Are you sure it's wise, sir? Not that I don't trust you…"
"We can't do much else. He won't talk to agent Kirishima and he's kept his distance from the other agents we sent his way. It's almost dumb luck the captain took an interest in him."
Ritsuko's brow furrowed.
"Other agents?"
Fuyutski waved the question off.
"We dropped a few eager female operatives in his path, but he didn't bite. It seems he's grown distrustful of just about everyone."
"Can you blame him?"
"We had a job to do, and we did it," the commander said, frowning. "It was a necessity with his father running loose."
Ritsuko averted her eyes. She glanced at the numerous degrees and commendations displayed on his office's walls, hanging there simply because he had no other place to store them. Everything about the room was orderly and rigid, with the kind of severity only age can produce.
"I know," she said at length.
He was about to stand when his intercom beeped.
"Agent Kaji to see you, sir."
Fuyutski depressed the speak button with an angry jab.
"Tell him to wait."
"Um, he's already—"
The door slid open and Kaji walked in, grinning. He strolled past Ritsuko without acknowledgement and handed a disc to the commander.
"The latest from Ikari Shinji, as ordered, sir."
Ritsuko gaped. Fuyutski clutched his head.
"You? You're investigating Ikari?" she asked.
"Yup. I was after his old man before the… unpleasantness." He frowned. "I guess the higher ups wanted to punish someone."
"Inspector Kaji," Fuyutski cut in, "please show a little more discretion in the future. It would be detrimental to us all if everyone knew your true job."
"Sure thing, boss. But seriously, this kid is a snore. What Katsuragi sees in him is beyond me."
"Obviously," Ritsuko muttered.
Kaji sat on the edge of the commander's desk.
"Do you have anything of relevance to report?" Fuyutski asked. "Or are you simply bored?"
Kaji feigned hurt.
"Of course I do. Seems since the good former major told him the truth about his job, his performance has been slipping."
"Oh?" Fuyutski inquired, no real interest behind it.
"He used to be a model worker, but now he does the bare minimum to get by." Kaji shook his head. "Someone should teach that kid some manners. The JSSDF has paved the road for him his entire life and this is the thanks we get?"
"Yes," Ritsuko deadpanned. "It's amazing he isn't worshipping us for all we've done."
Kaji laughed.
"Incidentally, have you ever met that Mana? Phew. What a pistol. I'm surprised Ikari-kun survived her."
Fuyutski sighed.
"Where is he now?"
"In a coffee shop waiting for the captain," Kaji said, making his disgust known. "They've been scouting apartments for the kid." He was distinctly unsettled by the way that Misato's guidance was leading Shinji closer and closer to her own place.
"Jealous, Kaji?"
"Yeah, Ritsu. I'm jealous of a scrawny runt with a father complex."
"Children," Fuyutski said, "keep it civil. Don't make me call a time out."
Kaji held up his hands in deference.
"Alright, alright," he said, trying to sound disinterested. "I'm a little curious as to what the captain's true intentions are. You didn't order her to tail him, did you?"
The commander shook his head.
"It seems we won't be making that mistake twice." He sighed. "We'll let the captain do as she pleases, at least for now. As long as it benefits us, I have no concern who she sees."
"Sorry I'm late," Misato said.
"No problem," Shinji said, smiling. He tucked his newspaper away.
She plopped down opposite him at the table he'd kept and groaned.
I'm too old for all this running around.
"Rough day?"
Misato glanced about the restaurant, again impressed by Shinji's taste. It was a small bistro, clean and compact, with private booths for diners and dim lighting to create mood. A pianist performed in a corner. It was all very cozy.
"Just got a bad start. Things are looking up, though."
"I'm glad," he said, and meant it. He handed her a menu.
"Nice place."
He agreed.
"I found it on my way to work one day." He frowned.
"How's that going?" she asked carefully.
He sighed.
"I just don't know what to do. From what you told me, it won't any difference what I do."
Misato smiled sadly.
"It probably won't."
"Besides, even if I did quit, I wouldn't have any money. I'll have to keep at it a little while longer."
A waitress approached them, holding her tray over her mouth. She tried to ignore the giggles and whispers behind her.
"Um… h-hello, Ikari-san."
"Kaori-san, hello."
The captain looked the girl over. She couldn't be more than eighteen, cute, in an unremarkable sort of way. She twisted her feet and blushed, and gave off any number of other obvious indicators she was attracted to Shinji. He, however, either totally oblivious or uninterested, gave her no such signs. Misato tried not to laugh at the poor girl as she shot the older woman a nervous glance.
She probably thinks I'm stealing her Ikari-san away.
"I'll have the earl grey to start, please," Shinji said.
The girl's wandering eyes blinked, and she discreetly coughed, covering her roaming inspection of his body.
"And what will um, your sister have?"
Misato laughed.
"Sorry, I'm not his sister."
"Um, mother?" the girl tried, clearly reaching.
An angry cough from Misato sent Shinji scrambling.
"Ah, she—she's a friend," he said, blushing as he realized it for the first time.
"Oh. What will your friend have?"
"What beer do you serve?" Misato asked.
She may have imagined it in the low light, but Misato could have sworn she saw the girl turn her nose up.
"We do not serve any alcohol, ma'am."
'Ma'am'?
Not easily embarrassed, Misato simply frowned and looked over the menu again. Easily embarrassed, Shinji began to sweat and apologize.
"Ah, sorry, Katsuragi-san. I should have told you."
"No sweat." She gave up on the menu and grinned at the girl. "I'll just have what he's having."
The girl nodded and assured them it would be served soon. Misato stewed.
I don't really look that much older, do I? She peeked up at Shinji. I mean, sure, he's young, but come on. His mother? That little skank.
"Something on your mind?"
"Oh, nothing. Um, just wondering how the hunt's going."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Not so good. It's harder than I originally thought, and I've been at it for almost two months now."
"I know. I wonder how much good I'm doing you."
Shinji shook his head.
"Oh, no, Katsuragi-san, I really appreciate everything you've done for me. You've been a tremendous help."
Misato felt warm. She knew it was more than helping him find a proper apartment. Shinji felt indebted to her for saving his life.
"I'd invite you to stay at my place, but it might not be appropriate," she said with a wink and a grin.
"I would never dare to impose," Shinji said, holding up his hands.
She frowned slightly at how tightly wound he was. Can't really blame him, though.
The girl returned, and set their tea for them, along with a few complimentary crackers. Shinji remembered to smile as he thanked her, and she lit up.
They waited for the tea to cool, making small talk. Misato's job was not a topic of friendly chat, and neither was his. Inevitably, they fell to carefully question each other's past; where they went to school, old friends, humorous anecdotes. Family, it was fast discovered, was a sore subject for both.
And that was fine, she reasoned. She didn't feel like a child in his presence as she did with Kaji. There was nothing to remind her of her father. She felt totally relaxed with him. Misato smiled as he took a sip of his drink. He was the best thing to happen to her in a long time.
She watched him eat, the way his slim fingers delicately extracted a cracker and placed it on his tongue. He took small bites, snapping it off with his front teeth. He smiled softly, as if eating reminded him of a joke long since past. He shut his eyes as he blew on his tea, a gentle warm breeze from his mouth.
He was handsome, she thought suddenly. Not that she found him unappealing before, but she now realized why the girl was so flustered around Shinji. Misato tried to blame the lighting and atmosphere for her own rising warmth.
Still, she noticed how blue his eyes were, how soft his lips were, how gentle his entire demeanor was.
It was then she decided she wanted him.
Lunch was a brief respite in Ayanami Rei's day, between mind-numbing lectures and painful interaction with other people. She sat at her desk, not bothering to leave the confines of the classroom as so many others did, with the unspoken but firmly understood rule that no one was to bother her. So it had been, and so it was.
Yet today Rei found herself with the unappetizing aspect of dining with a friend. She sighed.
"Something wrong?" Hikari asked.
"No."
They sat in silence, picking at their bento. Hikari summoned her courage.
"I'm worried about you," she said. "You've been kind of down lately."
"There's nothing to worry about."
"I'm not asking as class rep, you know. We're friends, right, Rei?"
"I suppose so."
"Well," Hikari said, "friends tell each other their problems. But you, you hardly talk at all."
"It is not often I have something relevant to add to the conversation."
The brunette sighed.
"That doesn't matter. I'd like to know more about you."
Rei offered nothing further, not out of rudeness, but merely patience. She was waiting for a question to respond to. Hikari, believing she'd offended Rei, searched for another avenue.
"How, um, how's Katsuragi-san?"
Rei looked out the window.
"I believe she has a new boyfriend."
"Oh really?" Hikari instantly warmed to the topic of romance. "Have you met him?"
"I met one, an unshaved man with no tact."
"One? You mean she has more than one boyfriend?"
"She is a fast operator."
"What?" Hikari asked.
"Never mind. I believe that one ended badly."
Rei, acutely aware of her guardian's moods and behaviors, knew when she was happy, even when Misato didn't. Subtle signs alerted Rei to her real state without her meaning to.
"Oh," Hikari said, sad. "I'm sorry."
"There is no need. She met someone else. I have not met him," she added, anticipating the next query.
"Do you know what's he like? Surely Katsuragi-san's told you something."
"She has told me nothing. She's hardly around anymore."
Hikari bit her tongue.
"Sorry."
Rei shrugged.
"It has allowed me time to study and think."
"Too much time alone isn't healthy."
Rei decided she didn't like where this was going.
"Where's Soryu?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, she went home. She wasn't feeling very well." Hikari tugged a pigtail. "Maybe, I don't know, tomorrow we could all eat together. How about it?"
"I prefer to eat alone."
"Oh. Um, am I bothering you?"
"No," Rei sighed, hoping she'd get the meaning.
"Thank goodness." Hikari picked around the final shrimp in her bento, saving it for last. "Hey, what is Katsuragi-san's type?"
Rei gave her a look.
"I'm… I'm just making conversation," Hikari said, waving her hands in front of her. "Don't read anything into it."
"Male."
"What?"
"Her type is male," Rei said.
"That's, um, kind of general."
"So is she." Rei saw Hikari was waiting for more. "She isn't very… selective. I've lost count of how many she's had since I've known her."
"Well, I mean she's sure to have had a couple serious ones, right?"
"Perhaps you misunderstood my use of the word 'had'."
Hikari colored.
"Oh, my. Is… is Katsuragi-san… loose?" she whispered.
"That's a polite way to say it," Rei said.
"I… I never would have guessed."
Are you blind?
"W-well," Hikari said, hoping for the best, "maybe her new guy is different. You know?"
"I'm sure her new man will get exactly what he wants from her."
Shinji and Misato sat on the floor of his unfurnished new apartment. The renter's agreement lay between them. The setting sun cast orange light across the floors and over their bodies.
"Congratulations!" Misato said.
"Thank you."
They toasted over the lease, Misato's beer and Shinji's soda. She refrained from chugging her enthusiasm away, content to share the moment with him.
"So, how does it feel?"
Shinji smiled.
"It's much better than the motel."
Misato sipped at her drink.
"Ugh. I can't imagine how you managed to live there so long."
"I didn't have much of a choice."
Misato shook her head in sympathy. What she was sympathizing with she wasn't exactly sure. Her own stays in motels usually consisted of what Shinji complained about.
"Hopefully the neighbors will be a little more discreet," he mumbled.
"Huh? Oh, right," Misato said, coming out of her reverie. "The walls look pretty thick."
"Uh, yeah," he replied, regretting he'd brought it up.
"Well, now that you have your own place, you have to fill it up." She gestured to his only belongings, two beaten up bags and a cello. "You need more stuff than that."
Shinji smiled politely, knowing there was little else he wanted.
"Well, maybe you could help me with that."
Misato beamed.
"We could go shopping!" In her mind, she was already at the mall. "Let's see, you'll need a TV, a microwave, maybe some plants, a couple throw rugs… oh! We should get a couch. Something leather… what?"
Shinji smiled fondly at her.
"Thank you," he said.
"W-what for?"
"I don't know what I would have done without you. Thank you."
She blushed.
"Jeez, d-don't make such a big deal out of it. I mean, I only helped a little finding you a place." Incidentally, Shinji's new apartment was only a few blocks from Misato's.
He colored, suddenly uncomfortable.
"Oh, well, it would have taken a lot longer on my own. I'm sure of that." He pulled on his shirt. "I'm glad you're here." I'm glad I'm not alone.
"Me too." Beats drinking alone.
"Are you… are you really?"
Misato stared at him.
"What?"
"It's just that, well, I can't help but wonder why you're spending so much time with me."
Her first reaction was surprise.
Is it so unthinkable that I like you?
Misato lost count of how many times she'd reminded herself of his situation, and again found that yes; his confidence in himself was shattered. For someone as sensitive as Shinji, his ordeal had wrecked what carefully constructed ego he had.
But this time she was angry. She couldn't help it. Didn't he have faith in her?
"What's this about?" She folded her arms. "I wasn't ordered here, if that's what you mean."
Shinji cowered a little.
"I'm here because I want to be. Don't you believe me?" She leaned close. "Don't you trust me?"
Shinji looked away, shamed.
She wasn't Mana, he reminded himself. This wasn't seven years ago. No, this was considerably worse. Instead of hopelessly waiting for his father to return to him, he was mourning his death. At the hands of the JSSDF.
I'll never see my father again, he thought. I'll never see him again and it's their fault. He touched his back. He wanted to run away, to get time to think. To be anywhere but here.
"Shinji-kun," she said softly. "Please answer me."
It could be another ploy. It probably was. But at that moment he was happy to have a friend. To believe he had a friend.
"I trust you, Katsuragi-san."
She smiled.
"It's Misato."
End of Chapter 4
Author's notes: T-minus one chapter until Rei and Shinji meet. I already have it planned, and I hope it turns out well. On a completely unrelated note, I just saw Kino's Journey. Wow, is that a great series. Buy it! Buy it! Go out and buy it! You won't be disappointed. Heh heh… "Persuaders".
Ugh, Kaori. I know, I know, typical cliché fanboy crap there, but I couldn't resist. Besides, Shinji is a little hotty, so why wouldn't he get some play from ACCs? Yes, I think Shin-chan is cute. Sue me.
Hmm. Kaji being brought in to spy on Shinji. Didn't plan it that way, but so what? Originally, the scene was going to be Shinji confronting Fuyutski, but then I remembered that would be completely OOC for Shin-chan. Even at twenty-one.
Big thanks to True Love Waits—Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead and the Final Fantasy VIII soundtrack. You help me write good.