Never Tell Me The Odds
By Kraven Ergeist
A/N: I don't own Evangelion. Evangelion, on the other hand, seems to have pretty solid ownership over me…
Chapter Three
Shinji awoke the next morning with a very insecure feeling as he absolutely refused to look Asuka in the eye. Asuka, of course, knew the reason, but it still peeved her to no end. Particularly when it meant he kept bumping into things due to the decline of focal range.
"Watch where you're going, baka!" Asuka hollered as he dropping his toast on the floor (jelly side down of course) after colliding with the countertop for the third time that morning. "Have you even woken up yet!"
Shinji apologized as usual, letting his mind wander elsewhere as he sat and ate in silence.
How was he going to pull through this now? Not only was he having a romantic relationship with an older co-worker, but now that particular piece of info was in the hands of his malicious roommate. God knows what he would have to do to keep it on the down low. Knowing Asuka, she might extort him for all he was worth, and then tattle on him anyway.
Bedraggled, Shinji finished his breakfast and made his way to school.
xxxxx
Ritsuko had known Maya for upwards of seven years, and never, never, in her life had she ever seen her subordinate so chipper.
"Maya. You certainly look happy," Ritsuko commented as Maya strolled into their office with a smile on her face. "Who'd you bang last night?"
Maya blushed, profusely. "Oh, stop it, Senpai! I'm just in a good mood, that's all."
Ritsuko nodded. "I see. Any particular reason?"
Maya pretended to think. "Hmm…no, I don't think I'm gonna tell."
Now, Ritsuko was curious. "Oh, come on now…don't be like that. Come on, Maya, spill the beans."
Maya blushed again. "Well…let's just say I've met someone."
Ritsuko nodded. "Met someone?"
Maya smiled, gleefully. "Someone really nice and sweet and adorable and…oh, Senpai, just an absolute doll!"
Ritsuko nodded. "I see. So, who is he? I'm assuming it's a he."
"Senpai!" Maya blushed, furiously. "Honestly!"
Ritsuko waved her hand. "Sorry, sorry…seriously, who is he?"
Maya shook her head. "Na-ah. Not telling. Not even you, Senpai."
Ritsuko frowned. "Aw, come on. You got me all curious and everything."
Maya winked. "Sorry. I'll tell you at some point. Just not now."
Ritsuko nodded. "Alright."
There was a pause as the two women began to work.
"Is it someone I know?"
"Senpai!"
"Alright, alright!" Ritsuko waved her hands, sigaling her defeat.
There was another pause, filled with the tacking of keys.
"Is he a good kisser?"
"Senpai!" Maya scoffed, this time more annoyed than embarrassed.
"Come on, Maya," Ritsuko pleaded. "You have to at least give me that much."
Maya harrumphed and turned around.
Ritsuko sighed. "Alright, alright…"
There was a third pause.
"…Maybe," Maya blushed.
Ritsuko smiled wryly, but left it at that.
xxxxx
"So, Shinji," Toji remarked, offhand. "You seem a bit more out of focus than usual. What's the deal, yo?"
Shinji looked up. "What? I have? Uh…sorry."
Toji patted him on the back before stuffing a dumpling in his mouth. "Forget it, space case."
Kensuke popped up, seemingly out of nowhere. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste, Shinji. What's the problem? Seriously, you've been acting really distant lately."
Shinji shook his head. "It's nothing, guys. Seriously, I'm fine."
Kensuke and Toji both looked at each other and nodded. "Denial."
Shinji lowered his head. It was going to be a long day.
xxxxx
Sync testing that day was, in a word, interesting.
"Amazing," Ritsuko commented, flabbergasted. "Shinji's up another eight points! At this rate, he'll pass Asuka in no time flat."
Shinji cringed, not wanting to tempt the maiden of anguish into forgoing her silence. But it wasn't like he could suppress his sync rate. And just thinking of Maya made him feel so calm and relaxed.
"Third Child, two more points gained," came Shigeru's announcement.
By the time it was over, Asuka looked like Mount Fuji ready to go off.
"You have got some serious balls, Third Child!" Asuka accused outside the locker room. "First, you hook up with the bridge bunny, and now you're about to show me up in piloting?"
"Asuka!" Shinji cringed, eying Rei.
"Oh, who's she gonna tell?" Asuka rolled her eyes. "The Commander?"
"Probably, yeah," Shinji winced.
Asuka blew a stray strand of hair. "Well, less for me to worry about then."
"And more chores for you as well," Shinji reminded.
"I'm sorry, but who was the one who forgot our lunch again?" Asuka demanded.
"I'm sorry!" Shinji complained. "I was too busy doing all the dishes and all your homework in Japanese!"
"Speaking of which, I got an eighty-three on that assignment!" Asuka pointed out. "That is bull crap!"
"It's more than you make!" Shinji accused.
"That does it!" Asuka asked, snidely "Hey, Misato! I know something you don't know!"
Shinji hadn't even noticed the maroon haired lady coming towards them. He threw Asuka a desperate look, to which he only received scorn.
Misato blinked. "And? What would that be?"
"Well, it just so happens that-"
"Asuka," came a voice.
Shinji turned and saw Maya heading down the hall in their direction.
Asuka smiled. "Too late, Maya."
Maya looked serious. "This is important. It's about your sync ratio."
Asuka's eyes flared. "...What about it?"
Maya couldn't help but smile. "It's just that I couldn't help but notice a very unexpected…drop. It came out of nowhere, I just can't understand it. If you keep this up…" Maya eyed the girl evilly. "It may affect your ability to pilot."
Asuka glared, whole-heartedly. Maya's threat was clear. If she opened her mouth, then Maya would drop her sync rate to the point where Asuka wouldn't be allowed to pilot anymore.
To Asuka, piloting was everything. Maya had just crossed a line she wasn't supposed to cross.
"Anyway," Maya sighed. "It would be a good idea to…try to improve."
Shinji gulped, looking between both women, disbelievingly. Maya, for the reason that he couldn't believe that she'd stooped that low, and Asuka so that he could verify that she wouldn't emulate every N2 they've encountered so far.
Misato frowned. "Gee, Asuka. I thought you were supposed to be the number one pilot."
Asuka glared at her. "I am! I already am, damn it!" She stormed off.
Misato sighed, heading after her. "There she goes again. That girl does not take bad news lightly."
Shinji watched the two ladies go, before throwing Maya a withered look. "That…really wasn't necessary, Maya."
Maya shook her head, trying to smile. "She would have blown our cover, Shinji. She would have ruined everything. I know it was really low, but I didn't have a choice."
Shinji frowned. "Piloting Eva is the most important thing in the world to Asuka."
Maya nodded. "I know. And she's not going to ruin it just to get her roommate in trouble."
Shinji shook his head. "I still don't like it, Maya."
Maya smiled, wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, shush. I'll make it up to you."
Shinji had no response to that.
"Now…I believe we agreed to do something today?" Maya giggled.
Shinji blushed. "Why don't we go ahead with that coffee house idea?"
Maya smiled, kissing his nose. "Sounds good. And don't worry about Asuka. She won't do anything now, and I don't plan on doing anything too cruel."
Shinji nodded. "I still don't like it. Never let it be said that this was my idea."
Maya nodded. "Alright, alright. Now let's get a move on, Shinji."
Shinji nodded, giving one last blush. "Sure."
xxxxx
The coffeehouse had a very modern flare to it, and Shinji would have been awed by the number of pastries and other such confections he saw under the counter. He was more focused, however, on Maya's hand firmly placed in his own as they strolled into the café.
It was brightly lit. Or maybe it was just Shinji's head spinning. He wasn't quite sure. He just followed dumbly along as Maya lead him to their seat and they sat down.
"So…" Shinji began conversation nervously. He was slowly getting the hang of talking with a straight face, but it was taking time. "Does this make us…um…are we a 'couple' at this point?"
Maya smiled, sitting down in front of him. "You tell me."
Shinji bit his lip. "Well…I've never really gone out with anyone before, so this is all kind of new for me…"
Maya smiled. "I figured as much. Living with Asuka and the Major can't be good for your social life."
Shinji exhaled. "I think that was proven last night."
Maya smiled. "So…how do you like it so far?"
"How do I like what?"
"Going out, silly."
Shinji blushed again, once again closing in on himself. "I, um…"
Maya smirked. There was a kind of rush she got when seeing him scrunch up like that. Like the idea of knowing that what she was saying was having so much of an affect on the boy. Maybe that's why Asuka and the Major kept him on such a tight leash.
"What was that?" Maya grinned. "I didn't hear you."
"I…I like it," Shinji said, blushing heavily.
Maya grinned. "That's good."
The waitress came over and poured them tea as she took their order.
"I'll have coffee and a biscotti please," Maya ordered.
"Alright," the waited replied. "And you sir?"
"I'll have a – eep!" Shinji suddenly stammered, his whole body stiffening.
"Sir?"
"I, uh…" Shinji flushed, breaking out into a sweat. "I'll have…uh…"
Maya had chosen a marvelous time to slide her foot out of her shoe and run her toes up and down his calf.
The waitress waited patiently, as Shinji sweated bullets.
"I'll have the same, please!" Shinji got out, before clenching his eyes in embarrassment.
The waitress took their menus, a confused look on her face.
When she was far enough away, Shinji glared at Maya, red faced. "What was that all about?"
Maya giggled. "I'm sorry, Shinji, I just couldn't resist!"
Shinji pouted. "That was really embarrassing."
"I know," Maya smiled, continuing to rub Shinji's leg. "You looked like you enjoyed it, though."
Shinji blushed, heavily. "Maya…we're in a public place…"
Maya winked. "So? There's a tablecloth."
"Still…" Shinji said, before losing his voice.
Maya's foot had traveled farther up.
"Still what?" Maya said, leaning on one arm.
"I…" Shinji gasped. "Maya…what are you…ahh…"
Shinji's eyes and hands clenched. She was drawing her foot back and forth over him, and it was having a severe affect on his blood flow.
"Well," Maya explained, "I told you I'd make up for what I did, didn't I?"
Shinji couldn't reply, his breathing heightening with each second. She just wouldn't leave him alone under there!
"My last boyfriend really liked this," Maya went on, enjoying the power she had over him at that very moment. "That was a few years back when I still worked with Doctor Akagi. And she taught me all sort of tricks to help me out with the guy."
Shinji winced as her foot continued to fondle him. "You're…you're really not playing fair…"
Maya smirked. "Who said anything about fair?"
Shinji tensed up again as she pushed a tad harder, grinding her toes around him. Shinji grimaced – how she was even capable of something like this with her foot was simply beyond him. A grunt of pleasure escaping his lips, and before he knew it, he was gasping, his shorts somewhat damp.
"I…Maya, I…" he panted, unable to comprehend what just happened.
"You like that?" Maya smiled, drunk with power. It felt so…devious to be doing this. Here they were, a fourteen year old and a twenty three year old, and she feeling him under the table. It was so…intoxicating!
"What…" Shinji gasped, slowly recovering. "How did you do that?"
Maya grinned. "That's something you'll have to find out later, Shinji."
Shinji wanted to ask more, but he was too short of breath, and his cheeks were ablaze. The drinks came and they drank in silence.
Shinji downed his entire cup of coffee before he was ready to talk again.
"…What else did Doctor Akagi teach you?"
xxxxx
"Hey, Ritsu?" Misato said in passing. "Has Maya been acting…I dunno…different at all?"
Ritsuko looked up from her work. Talking with her old friend was sometimes a taxing experience. When weighed against doing work, it was sometimes a toss up as to which was the more trying task.
"Different?" Ritsuko asked. "How do you mean?"
Misato invited herself into the office, plopping in the chair before the desk. "Oh, I don't know. It's just that…she's been spending an awful lot of time with Shinji."
Ritsuko's eyes widened. "Really?"
Misato looked up. "I know, can you believe it? Shinji says it's strictly platonic, but I'm not quite sure I believe that. I was hoping you could shed some light on the issue."
Ritsuko sipped her coffee. This could not bode well.
"Well…" Ritsuko sighed, her conscience getting the better of her. "She did mention she was seeing someone."
Misato snapped her fingers. "Hah! I knew it! Those two-"
"Wait a minute, Misato," Ritsuko interrupted. "Don't jump to any conclusions. She may be seeing someone entirely different."
Misato rolled her eyes. "Then how do you explain all the time spent with Shinji? There's no way it's a coincidence!"
Ritsuko shook her head. "Misato, remember the first time a guy asked you out in college? You remember when you told me how you would have given anything for a "guy friend" you could talk to in order to interpret what your boyfriend wanted?"
Misato looked up. "Yeah?"
Ritsuko shrugged. "Maybe Maya sees Shinji as that sort of person. I mean, I know Shinji's hardly an expert, but who else is she going to ask? Kaji?"
Misato shook her head. "One of the other two techs, I'd think."
Ritsuko winked. "Unless her boyfriend is one of said techs."
"Oh…" Misato frowned.
Ritsuko sighed. "Still, I'd talk to him about it. If there is something going on between them, it should be looked into." She set down her mug and took a puff from her cigarette. "In all honesty, I wouldn't be too comfortable putting a halt to it if we discovered there was something going on."
Misato gawked. "Ritsu, are you serious? She's, like, ten years older than he is!"
Ritsuko nodded. "I know. But if Shinji was going out with somebody, it would explain his increased sync scores. He's jumped over thirty points in three days! That's too much to overlook, Misato. If we stop it now, that rate could drop in a heartbeat – possibly below where he was before. I'm not saying it's the right thing, but it's our responsibility as NERV employees to ensure our pilot's stability. If I were to take this to the Commander, he would say the same thing."
Misato rolled her eyes. "'The pilot's social lives are irrelevant, if it increases their sync ratios, there isn't a problem.' Something like that?"
Ritsuko sighed. "How to recognize when you've been working here too long."
Misato groaned. "Still…my gosh, I mean…what would posses them to even make an attempt at this? Shinji's a smart boy, he knows what dating an older coworker could entail."
"How do you think I feel, Misato?" Ritsuko took a long drag on her cigarette. "After Yui, my mother, and yourself, Maya is the smartest woman I've ever known. She should know better than this."
Misato smiled. "I guess our emotions can rule us, even against our better judgment."
Ritsu couldn't resist. "You sound like you speak from experience."
"Quiet, you!"
xxxxx
Maya dropped Shinji off at his apartment as the sun was setting. She kissed him goodbye, and left him her cell phone number so he could call her in case he got lonely.
Thanking her, he waved her goodbye, and stared up at Misato's apartment. No doubt Asuka was already home. He was not looking forward to facing her, not after what happened.
Facing the inevitable, he got on the elevator, paced down the walkways to the door and opened it.
"I'm home…" he murmured. Sliding his shoes off, the turgid silence was all the answer he needed.
He saw Asuka sitting on the couch, focused on something on TV. The scorn in her eyes told him more than he needed to know about whether or not she was ready to talk.
Shinji busied himself with chores, fixing dinner for the two of them, leaving Misato a plastic wrapped plate in the fridge. He set one down for himself and asked Asuka if she wanted anything.
Asuka cracked her knuckles.
Shinji quickly sat down and ate in silence, wrapping Asuka's food up afterwards and putting it in the fridge next to Misato's. He was about to disappear behind his door, when Asuka decided she was ready to talk.
"Do not think this is over, Third Child," Asuka said, coldly. "I will not stand for what your girlfriend did today."
Shinji bit his lip, standing with one hand on his door. He knew Asuka had every reason to be angry, but he still felt inclined to defend Maya.
"She won't do anything out of spite," Shinji offered.
Asuka didn't reply.
"Maya's a kind person," Shinji said. "And despite what people think, I think you're a kind person underneath too."
Asuka scoffed.
"So, I don't think either of you will do anything unless the other does," Shinji finished.
He started to enter his room.
"How can you stand there and rattle off such garbage!" Asuka shouted, suddenly, causing Shinji to turn and stare at her.
The sudden volume startled Pen-pen out of his fridge.
"You act like people are so fucking nice!" Asuka ranted, standing up, her show forgotten. "You act like there's actually a smidgen of decency in the human race! I'll tell the truth, Third Child, no one is nice and no one is kind! Everyone is in it for themselves, and the only thing anyone else is good for is getting them where they are or getting in their way!"
Asuka's eyes became deadly. "And today, Maya came very close to getting in my way."
Shinji cringed. "How can…how can you live with such little faith in people?"
Asuka crossed her arms, turning away. "Because I don't need other people, Shinji."
Shinji frowned. "But you do. We all do. You act like you're different from the rest of us, Asuka…but you're not!"
"Shut up!" Asuka shouted. "Just shut the hell up! I don't need to hear that from a whiny little brat like you!"
Shinji watched, sullenly as Asuka disappeared into her room, leaving the TV on. The loud, catchy sounds emanated from the box, as Pen-pen waddled over to see what was wrong, and if it were within his penguin prowess to help.
Unfortunately, there was little that the bird could do to amend the situation.
Shinji stumbled into his room. As an afterthought, he changed his shorts.
xxxxx
When Shinji got up the next morning, Asuka was already gone. Quickly putting together a lunch, Shinji headed towards the door.
"Hang on, Shinji," came a voice. Said voice had come from a very zombie-like Misato emerging from deep sleep. "I need to talk to you."
Shinji nervously returned to the kitchen and waited for Misato to completely down her beer before she returned to conversation level (An odd contrary to most people losing speech capabilities with intoxication, with Misato, it seemed, the opposite effect took place).
Misato held her eyes closed, crumpling the can, enjoying the effects of the beer in her stomach, before opening her eyes smiling.
"Now, Shinji," she said, smartly. "I want you to be honest with me. Are you and Maya going out?"
Shinji stiffened. He should have known Misato had been catching on.
"Going out?" Shinji asked. "Well…we did go to a coffee house yesterday, so I guess that counts as 'going out'"
Misato frowned. She didn't like Shinji's newfound ability to avoid the truth. "Shinji…that's not what I meant. I mean, are you two getting serious with each other?"
Shinji scratched his chin. If it wasn't such an touchy subject, this would almost be fun. "We…usually have serious discussions together-"
"God damn it, Shinji!" Misato yelled. "Are you and Maya getting intimate or not?"
Shinji flinched. Being literal wouldn't save him here. "Uh…honestly…Misato?"
Misato nodded, frowning.
Shinji sighed. "Honestly…I can't answer that question! Later!" Grabbing his lunch, Shinji made a break for the door.
"What the – hold on!" Misato demanded.
But Shinji was gone.
xxxxx
Rei had never been one to care about the inner workings of her fellow pilot's social lives. But upon hearing Asuka mentioning it during her normal haranguing of the Third Child, she could not shake the odd feeling that the idea of Shinji being intimate with someone stirred in her. Compelled by an inexplicable urge to delve deeper, she found herself approaching the Third Child, intent on gaining further insight.
"Ikari," she said. "May I ask you something?"
Shinji looked up from his lunch. "Uh…sure…"
Rei browsed the room. Fate had tipped in her favor, she decided, as she saw the redhead was nowhere insight. This was a fact she could capitalize on.
"Is it true that you are intimate with Miss Ibuki?"
Shinji choked on his food. "Um…I'm sorry?"
Rei repeated the question.
"Okay, okay, not so loud!" Shinji shushed. Glancing around the room to see if anyone was listening, he nodded.
Rei nodded. "I see. Thank you, Ikari."
Shinji looked up. "Wait…why did you want to know?"
"Curiosity."
"But…wait," Shinji stammered. "You won't…tell anyone, will you?"
"If I'm ordered to."
"No, wait!" Shinji shouted. "Please, Ayanami! You can't tell anyone, please! They'll…they'll split us apart."
Rei stood still with her back turned. Going against orders was the last thing on her mind. But the desire not to see Shinji upset…
"Very well," Rei said. "I will exclude the fact from any of my reports. If, however, I am specifically questioned about it, I'm afraid I'll have no choice."
Shinji sighed. It would have to do. "Thank You Ayanami."
He failed to notice her blush as she walked off.
xxxxx
Maya couldn't shake the weird looks she was getting from her Senpai – and the rest of the bridge crew wasn't helping either.
"So, who is it?" Shigeru asked.
"I…what are you talking about?" Maya blushed. As brave as she found she could be around Shinji, she couldn't help but crumble under her coworker's questioning.
"Come on," Shigeru urged. "It's all over the grapevine. Who's the lucky guy?"
Maya blushed, sitting down. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh come on," Makoto urged, barreling into the conversation. "You're going to have to tell us at some point."
Maya maintained focus on her screen. "No, I do not."
"Is he the reason you've been leaving work early for the past three days?" Shigeru prodded.
Maya colored, an audible 'eep' escaping her lips.
"Leave her alone, you two," Ritsuko chided, entering.
"Yes ma'am," both techs sighed.
Ritsuko smiled, stepping up to them. "After all, we all have our little…" Ritsuko squeezed Maya's shoulder, "…secrets."
Maya gulped, watching Ritsuko head back to her office. This was not going to be fun.
xxxxx
"Maya, this is serious," Ritsuko said.
The two of them were in Ritsuko's office. The doctor had always refrained from critiquing Misato's drinking habits, as it simply fit amongst a personality mindset that the two of them shared. Misato had her beer. And Ritsuko had her cigarettes.
And for the past few days now, Ritsuko had increased to two packs a day.
"I need to know if there is anything – anything – going on between you and the Third Child."
Maya cringed. "Senpai, I promise you…there is nothing going on between us!"
Ritsuko sighed. "Maya, I hate to say it, but you aren't the world's best liar."
Maya flushed, looking crestfallen.
Ritsuko softened. "Maya, you can trust me. I'm your friend, aren't I?
Maya still didn't respond.
"Look," Ritsuko said, biting the bullet. "I could always look into the Section Two reports. You might as well just tell me."
Maya cringed. "I…I'm sorry, Senpai! It just happened all too fast! I knew it was a bad idea, but…it's true, we're seeing each other."
Ritsuko took a nice long drag on her cigarette. "Okay. Good. That's all I needed to hear."
Maya reopened her eyes. "What? You're…you're not angry with me?"
Ritsuko shook her head. "Maya, you've seen his sync scores. Whether you two are going out or making out, it's having a positive affect on his sync rate."
Maya blinked. "Huh? You mean that's all you were concerned with?"
Ritsuko nodded. "It's my job, Maya. Now, as to whether or not I condone you going out with a child…well, you're still fairly young, and times have changed. As long as you don't let it get too serious, I don't think there'll be a problem."
Maya cringed. "Well, that's the thing, Senpai…I think it's about to get serious."
Ritsuko frowned. "Maya, no. NERV can only go so far to protect you from the law. If it gets out that you two have started becoming sexually active, NERV will have no choice but to contact Child Services. They'd file a full suit, and you'd be forced to separate. You may even lose your job."
Maya shook. "But…the Commander wouldn't let that happen, would he? I thought…I mean, since it's keeping his sync rate up."
Ritsuko frowned. "I wouldn't push your luck, Maya. If you wish to do anything with him…please, do whatever it takes to keep it a secret. The Commander and I can keep Section Two off your backs, but if the press finds out…"
She let that hang.
Maya nodded. "Of course, Senpai! I wouldn't imagine it any other way!"
Ritsuko sighed, breathing out a lungful of smoke.
"Just out of curiosity," Ritsuko said, smiling again. "Just how far have you two gone?"
Maya blushed. "Umm…well…remember when we worked together in my second year at the academy?"
Ritsuko nodded. "Yeah?"
Maya bit her lip. "…And I was going out with that boy Keiichi?"
Ritsuko raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Maya colored redder than a tomato. "You remember that foot trick he showed me?"
Maya waited for the likely belittling to follow. Ritsuko, for her part, simply lit another cigarette.
"Misato is not going to believe this…"
xxxxx
As Maya left work that day, she did not expect a call on her cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Maya?"
The girl's eyes lit up. "Oh…Shinji!"
Maya could picture Shinji blushing on the other line. "Umm…hi."
Maya smiled, even though he couldn't see her. "Hi, Shinji. What's up?"
"Uh…nothing really," Shinji said. "I just…wanted to talk to you…that's all."
Maya giggled. "Oh, Shinji, that is so sweet of you!"
She heard his stammering voice on the other line. "Actually…I was wondering if you'd like to meet me somewhere for dinner?"
Maya stifled a gasp. "Shinji…are you asking me out?"
Shinji's voice cracked. "I mean, uh…if you don't mind…"
Maya giggled. She was absolutely loving this. "Okay, Shinji. So, my place or yours?"
"Actually…I was wondering if you wanted to eat out. You know, someplace a bit more…formal?"
Maya's voice was caught in her throat. "Uh…what did you have in mine?"
Shinji told her.
This time, she couldn't help but gasp. "Shinji, are you serious? With the money you make?"
"Just this once," Shinji explained. "And I can actually afford it. I've checked. Please Maya?"
Maya could clearly envision his pleading face, looking hopeful.
Who was she to douse those hopes?
"Oh, silly," Maya smiled. "You don't have to beg. Of course I'll come. I'll drive, since you're paying. What time should I pick you up?"
"Any time is good. Just give me a text message before you stop by."
Maya smiled. She was starting to think she had made the right choice after all.
"Alright, Shinji," she said, her mood already to the point of giddiness. "I'll swing by around seven then! Bye!"
She shut off her phone. This boy was finding more and more ways to make her feel happy. She had considered telling him the good news that Ritsuko had passed to her, but she decided to save it for the date.
Maya turned the thought over in her head. Her date with Shinji. The most wonderful boy alive. Maya shivered. This would be a night to remember.
Passerbies in the hall were somewhat confused when the perky little NERV tech threw a fist into the air with an exclamation of happiness.
xxxxx
Shinji eyed the kanji on his phone. He smiled as he saw the little pink heart that punctuated the ending. Snapping his phone closed, he stepped out of his room, dressed in his Sunday best, as Misato would call it.
"I saved your plate from last night, so you can heat it up," Shinji said to Asuka without even glancing at her. Misato was working late that night, so it was just the two of them.
"Where are you going?" Asuka spat, almost instinctively.
"Out," Shinji answered.
Asuka glanced at his attire. "Where?"
"Dinner."
"With whom?"
"I'll let you figure that out."
Asuka harrumphed. This spine that Shinji was developing was beginning to piss her off.
"And give me one good reason why I should let you?" Asuka glared.
Shinji threw her an odd look. He understood that she was more than angry at what Maya had done…but this?
"Since when did you control my life?" Shinji demanded.
"Ever since you're little bitch threatened my pilot record, that's when!" Asuka shot, getting out of her seat, clearly ready for a confrontation.
"I'll let that comment slide because of what she did to you," Shinji replied. "I think it was mean of her. But I won't say that it was entirely unwarranted either."
Asuka stepped up to the boy and grabbed him by the collar, glaring into his eyes. "What the hell do you know, Third Child?"
"Asuka," Shinji replied, a tone of worry creeping in his voice. "You made the mistake of blackmailing me first. True, I offered, but if you were my friend, you wouldn't have made it into such an issue."
Asuka slammed Shinji against the wall. "And who the hell said that you were my friend, Shinji?"
Shinji placed his hand around her wrist. "I did, Asuka. What I said the other night is true. You need people, Asuka, just as much as I do. You need people who'll treat you kindly. That's what friend's do, Asuka. And I want to be your friend. I don't care if you don't want me as your friend, but I want-"
"Shut up!" Asuka screamed, letting him go. "Shut up, shut UP! I don't want to hear what you have to say, just go away and leave me alone!"
Shinji frowned, concerned, as he watched Asuka run into her room, slamming the door. She would never learn to open up if she refused to simply listen.
Suddenly remembering the text message, Shinji ran out the door. This was not a night out he was willing to miss.
xxxxx
A/N: Phew! Boy am I glad that chapter's over. 6:13 AM…damn it, and I have classes tomorrow!
I decided that in order to move the story along, I'd have to throw in some other character complexities as well. In addition to his relationship with Maya, Shinji has to make amends with Asuka, fend off Misato, and now deal with Rei's sudden questioning. Maya, not to be outdone, has her history and relationship with Ritsuko to worry about.
And what's this? Maya giving Shinji a foot job under the table? Out of character you might say, but in case you haven't noticed, Maya adopts a rather aggressive role whenever she's around Shinji. Coming from a repressed youth, you have to imagine how much the girl would get off on finally being in charge of the situation. And anyway, I wanted to capitalize on the possibility of Maya having a promiscuous side. And I'm sure there are some Maya fans out there who'd be willing to agree.
Looks like it's going to be a fun ride.