Author's Notes: Thanks again to J. Alana for proofreading and for comments and criticism for my story, and thanks to Frost-EVA-00 for reviewing. Enjoy the next chapter!

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Chapter 4

Jason is sitting in the living room, watching a mind numbing Japanese game show

Jason: (thinking) Wow... I didn't know a person could bend that way...

A loud cracking sound comes from the T.V., and Jason's face falters

Jason: (thinking) And, apparently, the producers didn't know a person couldn't bend that way, or that guy... Ouch...

Jason licks his lips and stands up

Jason: (thinking) I need a drink... Maybe a soda...

Jason walks into the kitchen and sees two notes on the table. One reads 'NERV called, something to do with Jason's Eva. Going to go drinking with Kaji afterwards. Be back late. Misato'

Jason scratches his head in confusion.

Jason: (thinking) Kaji? Who's that? Oh well...

Jason picks up the second note. It reads 'Went to the store to pick up ingredients for dinner. Be back around five. Shinji'

Jason looks at the clock, which reads 4:45

Jason: (thinking) So, it's just me and Asuka for fifteen minutes... Maybe we can learn more about each other...

Asuka walks through the kitchen and glares at Jason

Asuka: I'm taking a shower. If I catch you peeking, I'll kick your sorry ass so hard, your guitar will feel it!

Asuka continues on into the bathroom

Jason: (thinking) Or not...

Jason walks to the fridge and opens it, then steps back in surprise

Jason: W-what the...? A penguin?

The penguin, named Pen-Pen according to its collar, gives Jason an agitated look, then pushes a button. The fridge door slides shut and locks with a click

Jason: ... Ok... That was the weirdest thing I've ever seen... And did it have a... Beer?

Jason shakes his head in bewilderment and walks over to the other fridge and pulls it open

Jason: T-twenty gallons of... BEER?

Jason blinks, shrugs, then starts to rummage through the fridge

Jason: Let's see... Soda... Soda... Soda...

Jason's eyes light up and he pulls out a can

Jason: Here we go... It must be soda... It doesn't say Yeibisu Beer on it... Evangelion Soda? Unit-02 flavor? What kind of flavor is that?

Jason turns the can and reads the ingredients, then smirks

Jason: Ahh. It's cherry flavored! Or strawberry... Or... Red? Since when is there such a thing as Red flavoring?

Jason shrugs and pops the tab on the can. He takes a quick sip, then stops and spits the soda into the sink

Jason: AUGH! Bitter! Dang! ... But a sweet aftertaste...

Jason sighs, looks at the can, shrugs and takes another drink

Jason: (thinking) Beats beer or water... And it's cherry flavored!

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The door to the apartment opens and Shinji walks in with two bags of groceries

Shinji: I'm home!

Jason walks in from the living room

Jason: Hey, Shin-Man, here, let me grab a bag.

Jason takes a bag and he and Shinji walks into the kitchen. Asuka is rummaging through the fridge

Jason: Hey, Red. What're you looking for?

Asuka turns around and frowns

Asuka: Red?

Jason: Yeah, it's my nickname for you. Because of your red hair.

Asuka rolls her eyes

Asuka: Thanks for pointing out the obvious, dummkopf. Anyways... I'm looking for my last Evangelion Unit-02 flavored soda.

Jason gulps and smiles

Jason: Uhh... Well, I... Kind of, umm, drank it...

Asuka: (angrily) WHAT? Why you little..!

Asuka starts to strangle Jason

Jason: It... Was... Just... A soda...

Asuka: It was my favorite, and the last one!

Shinji: Um, Asuka?

Asuka looks over at Shinji, who's holding a 12 pack of Evangelion Unit-02 flavored soda. Asuka stops strangling Jason and grabs the 12-pack of soda, quickly opens a can up and starts to drink it. Jason inhales deeply and rubs his neck slowly

Jason: (quietly) Dang, I'll be sure to not drink your soda again, Asuka...

Shinji laughs and pats Jason on the back

Shinji: Don't worry, you can have some of mine.

Shinji hands Jason a can of soda

Jason: Unit-01 flavor? Hmm...

Jason opens the can and takes a swig

Jason: Nice and smooth, and grape flavored! Not bad!

Shinji: Well, I'll start dinner.

Jason: What are we having?

Shinji: Umm... Rice, curry and some Ramen...

Asuka: Is it instant?

Shinji: No, don't worry, Asuka.

Asuka: Good, now get cooking!

Asuka pushes Shinji towards the stove

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Jason sighs and stares down at his food

Shinji: Something wrong Jason? Don't you like the food?

Jason: No... I mean yes! I mean... I'm sure it's good, I just...

Jason mumbles the rest of the sentence. Asuka smacks Jason on the back of the head

Asuka: Speak up, smart ass!

Jason: Smart ass?

Asuka: My nickname for you, because you're a-

Jason: Yeah, I think it's pretty obvious, Asuka... Anyways, I'd like to eat, I just don't know how to use chopsticks...

Asuka: Oh, it isn't that hard, see?

Asuka expertly spins the chopsticks in one hand, then grabs a mouthful of Ramen with them and guides the food to her mouth

Jason: Yeah, well, watch me...

Jason fumbles with his chopsticks, grabs some Ramen, then drops it into his lap

Jason: ...

Asuka: Uhh... Isn't that, um, hot?

Jason: (in a pained voice) Y-yes... V-very m-much...

Jason reaches over and grabs his cup of water, then dumps it in his lap

Jason: Ahhh... Much bet- COLD!

Jason starts to shiver

Jason: Excuse me...

Jason stands up and walks into Shinji and his room. Sounds of rummaging come from the room. After a while, Jason comes out with a fork and a new pair of pants and sits down

Jason: Here we go... Now I can eat!

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Jason and Shinji are sitting in the living room

Shinji: Pen-Pen? Yeah, don't worry, he won't hurt you, he's cool.

Jason: Ok... But, what type of Penguin is he?
Shinji: He's a genetically modified one. A Warm Water Penguin.

Jason looks over at the warm water fowl, who is currently sitting by Asuka watching T.V. and drinking a beer.

Jason: And he drinks... Beer?

Shinji: Yeah, sort of a reflection of his owner...

Jason smirks and pats Pen-Pen on the head

Jason: Let's be good pals, huh, Pen-Pen? Here, have my leftovers.

Jason puts his plate from the table onto the floor and Pen-Pen quickly snarfs all the food down

Jason: Wow... Healthy appetite.

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Shinji is talking on the phone. He gives a curt goodbye and hangs the phone up

Shinji: That was Misato, guys. She said we should go to bed. We have Sync Tests in the morning, and Jason has activation.

Asuka lets out a groan and stand up from the couch

Asuka: Why? We just had one three days ago!

Shinji: Well, it's mainly for Jason's activation attempt, Misato wants us to show him around, and see his Eva

Asuka: Like I care about what his Eva looks like, my Unit-02 is the best looking Evangelion ever!

Shinji: Sorry Asuka, it's an order, you have no choice...

Asuka turns to Jason and gives him an evil look

Asuka: You're going to pay for this! I was going shopping with Hikari tomorrow!

Jason: Uh... Sorry? Well, not really. It's not my fault... Blame Misato...

Asuka growls then storms to her room

Shinji: We'd better get to bed...

Jason: Ok... Goodnight, Asuka!

A muffled 'Shut up!' comes from Asuka's room. Jason smirks

Jason: Love you, too! Sweet dreams!

Asuka's door slides open, and a shoe flies out and nails Jason right between the eyes. Jason fall backwards on to the floor

Jason: Ouch...

Shinji: Jason? You ok?

Jason: Easy squeezy, lemon peasy...

Shinji: Huh?

Jason shakes his head and stands up

Jason: Uh, nothing... Jeez, that's going to leave a mark...

Jason touches his forehead and flinches in pain

Jason: Ow... Well, let's go to bed...

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