A/N: First off, let me say that this is now my highest reviewed story ever. I can not really express my gratitude for the people that review my story. Especially those who make little requests that make me come up with a million new ideas. Second, a extra thanks to Marine Brother Shran who actually went and emailed me Rei's birthday and then re-emailed me when it ended up to be wrong with the right birthday and also Shinji's. Okay enough of the thanks, on with the story.

Shinji now understood all those stories of husbands falling in love with their wife all over again. He laid there on his back on Rei's bed. His arm was looped around Rei who was snuggled against his chest. Shinji used his free hand to play with Rei's hair. He couldn't help be fell happy. He had been feeling that a lot more lately. He looked to his right to the clock and saw the locket in front of the alarm clock. He took it after taking quick notice of the time. He opened the locket and smiled as he looked at the only surviving picture of his mother. Now he had a face to put with the stories people told him about his mother. He really was too young to remember what she looked like before she died.

"Your mother was very beautiful," said Rei as she slowly opened her eyes.

Shinji nodded, "Yeah. I wonder if she would be proud of me now."

Rei placed her hand on Shinji's and slowly moved the locket out of his line of vision. Their eyes now met as Rei stared sternly at him, "You saved the world, you risked your life countless times, and you never even thought of yourself or asked for recognition. If your mother would not be proud of this, then she's not the same woman you told me about."

Shinji smiled and he gave Rei a quick kiss, "Thank Rei. I think mom would have liked to have met you." Rei blushed slightly before moving to the side letting Shinji sit up. He put the locket back on the night stand and stood before getting a change of clothes and walking towards the bathroom. Rei remained still for a few seconds taking in the lingering scent of Shinji. She loved this part of the morning. Right after Shinji left but his warmth was still there. It was these moments that she would remind herself that this was real. Shinji had chosen her. Not Asuka, her. She heard the shower turn on and decided it was time to fix breakfast for the two of them.

Misato had ordered her and Shinji to take the next month off. She claimed that it was because they both had way too much overdue vacation, but they both knew that she was trying to give the couple another push in the right direction. Neither had really complained. Both of them had receive a very generous bonus when the Angels were defeated. Neither of them really had to ever work, but simply did so to pass time.

Rei slowly got out of bed wearing one of Shinji's old shirts. She then walked to the kitchen and looked around before being out some left over rice and fruit for her and some eggs for Shinji. She heated a pan and then cracked the eggs over it as they started to fry. Rei then placed the rice in the microwave before starting it up. She was surprised when a pair of still semi-damp arms wrapped around her. Before she could react, Shinji moved her hair to the side and started to place gentle kisses on her neck. Rei blushed. Shinji's was being strangely affectionate today. It took her a whole month to convince him it was okay to kiss her period, and now he seemed to not be able to stop it. She broke out of Shinji's grasp and turned looking at him.

"Why are you so affectionate today?"

Shinji smiled wrapping his arms back around her, "Because seeing that picture of mom helped me realized that we may not have each other for that long, so I want to make sure you know I love you."

Rei looked at him for a few seconds before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tight. She quickly pushed her head into his chest.

Shinji was surprised to feel the front of his shirt slowly become damp. "Rei?"

Rei pulled her back to reveal tears in her eyes. Rei was actually crying, but she was also smiling, "You have never said such a thing to me."

"Rei? What did I say?" He thought it over and then smiled. He had told her he loved her.

Rei smiled when she saw his face light up with realization. "I wish to tell you that I love you as well."

Shinji smiled as he looked behind him, "The food is done."

Rei spun around and quickly turned off the oven. The egg had fried to perfection. The microwave had long since gone off. Shinji started to cut up the fruit while Rei set the table. Shinji brought over the rice and fruit and then went back and got his egg. The two ate in silence until Shinji broke it. "Have you given any thought to your birthday?"

Rei thought it over for a second, "A birthday is in celebration in the day a person began to exist am I correct?"

Shinji smiled, "If you make it sound really difficult, then yeah, that's it."

Rei returned Shinji's smile, "The day I was activated was March 30th."

Shinji chuckled, "That would make you older than me."

Rei blushed, "Is that unexceptable?"

Shinji shuck his head, "March 30th it is. But that means we missed your birthday."

Rei shook her head, "I am happy now."

"I know. How about I call Misato and the three of us go to the mall? We can get some more clothes like the ones Hikaru let you borrow."

Rei smiled, "That would be nice. But I read that men did not enjoy shopping with females."

"I'm fine with it if it means you're happy." Shinji took the last bite of his breakfast and stood, "I'll go call Misato."

---At the Mall---

The second the three arrived at the mall Misato took Rei's wrist and took off towards a clothing store. Rei shot Shinji a worried look while Shinji just smiled, 'She has to learn to become used to people other than me.' He walked briskly behind the two of them with his hands in his pocket. He started to follow them into the store when Misato turned and stopped him, "I don't think so mister. You're not allowed to see what we pick out until we're done."

Shinji raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Because it's much more fun this way. Be back in 30 minutes."

Shinji nodded before casually walking away. He was in a daze when he heard a voice.

"Shinji?"

Shinji turned and saw his other best friend from high school, Kensuke. "Kensuke? When did you get back?"

Kensuke smiled and adjusted his glasses, "Just a few days ago. Just got settled into my place and thought I would go get a few things."

"Well, it's good to see that you're back and in one piece none-the-less." Shinji looked his friend over and smiled. Gone were the days of skinny-nerdy Kensuke. He had obviously bulked up the past few years. Of course he still had his glasses, but this time they didn't seem too big for his face.

"So, what are you doing here Shinji?"

Shinji smiled, "I thought I was going clothes shopping, but apparently it's more fun if I wait till they pick out all the clothes."

"They?"

"Misato and Rei."

Kensuke choked, "Rei? How in the world did she end up clothes shopping with Misato?"

"I'm getting her some new clothes for her birthday."

"Wow you two must have gotten close. How's Asuka taking it?"

Shinji shrugged, "She's in Germany on business. Due back in about 5 months."

Kensuke's eyes narrowed as he showed a sly grin, "Shinji you dog. You're girlfriend leaves and you've hooked up with Rei."

Shinji blushed, "Me and Asuka kind of broke things off."

Kensuke slapped Shinji on the back and laughed, "I thought it took you long enough to figure out who you really liked."

"What do you mean?"

"Man, me and Touji always knew you had a things for Rei. Even when you started dating Asuka."

Shinji looked away, "Come on, it wasn't that bad."

Kensuke chuckled, "Yes, it was."

---Back with Rei and Misato---

Rei tried her best not to give under the weight of clothes that Misato had started to hand her, "Major-"

"Misato."

"Um yes, Misato, I believe we have acquired enough clothing."

Misato smiled, "Oh, this is just the first draft. We'll eliminate most of this when you rtry it on."

Rei paled, "I do not see the purpose of this."

"Oh, you will when Shinji's completely speechless."

Rei blushed, "But I like it when Shinji and I talk."

Misato laughed, "Trust me, this will be a good kind of speechless." She placed one last pair of jeans on the pile and directed Rei towards the dressing room, "Time for a test run. Go try those on. I'm going to go look at the make-up."

"Shinji states he does not desire me to wear make-up."

Misato turned and looked, "You're right. But I'll go find you a lite perfume."

Rei nodded and went into the changing room. She quickly changed clothes tossing aside a few she didn't like. She stopped on a light blue t-shirt and a pair of black jeans. She smiled at her reflection. She heard a rustle outside the door and decided to show off her new clothes to Misato.

"Major, I find this outfit most acceptable." She then stepped out not looking up.

"Mmmmm, so do I," a voice hissed.

Rei looked up to see a guy she had never seen before, "I apologize, I thought you were my friend."

The guy smiled a perverted smile, "I wouldn't mind being your friend if I got to see you in a little less."

Rei's eyes narrowed, "That's in not appropriate speak." She started to walk off, but a hand slammed into the wall stopping her.

"I think I'd rather enjoy this view a little longer."

Rei quickly looked the guy up and down, 'He is much larger than I and most likely stronger. I may not be able to defend myself.' The man leaned in closer. Rei slammed her hand into his stomach and then slipped to the side and started to run only to feel the guy grab her wrist and pull her arm behind her back and twist it. Rei winced.

The man leaned in closer and whispered into her ear, "That was a mistake." The man then reached around her-

"SHINJI!"

---With Shinji and Kensuke---

"Come on man, just admit it," teased Kensuke.

"I-"

"SHINJI!"

Shinji look up and took off running. He quickly arrived at the clothing store. He froze when he saw a man with his arms around Rei.