Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Chapter 3

Rei shut down her terminal and made her way over to the closet. After grabbing her coat she slowly made her way towards the door. Rei was having trouble explaining what the strange feeling that appeared to be coming from her stomach. The only way that she could describe it would to say that she felt like she had butterflies in her stomach. Rei could remember Dr. Akagi mentioning something about people feeling like they had butterflies in their stomachs when they were nervous. Why would I be nervous about asking Ikari to help me sort out these emotions? I have no reason to feel nervous; I am just going to have him help me sort out these feelings. Surely Ikari will know which of the feelings I am experiencing. With that in mind Rei made her way out of the office and down the hall towards gate 5.

Shinji stood with his back against the security door, hoping that nobody tried opening it from the other side. Please let Asuka have just gone home. I really do not want to have to deal with Asuka when Rei shows up. Man, I wish I could just make this nervous feeling just go away. Stop it Shinji, he thought to himself, one of these days you are just going to have tell her that you care for her. But, I wonder what could Rei possibly need my help with? She never has shown any interest in fixing up her run down apartment or of actually wanting any kind of human contact. Maybe she has finally decided to try and socialize with the rest of the human population or maybe she just wants to hang out with me? Ha, what am I thinking she would only ask for my help if she had something that actually required attention she would not just want to hang out. I guess it was just wishful thinking, he thought. Shinji was brought out of his thoughts by a familiar voice.

Rei made her way over towards Shinji, slightly tilting her head as giving him a long and inquisitive look. "Ikari, are you ok? You seem to be a bit distracted," Rei asked.

"Oh Rei, I'm alright. I was just thinking about something. It is nothing important," Shinji stated weakly; trying not to blush. Every time I am near her I can't seem to keep from blushing. "So, Rei what did you need my help with tonight?"

"Let us discuss that after we get to my apartment," Rei stated plainly. The information that Rei had been reading all day stated that most people feel more comfortable talking about personal stuff after eating. Having not eaten anything since breakfast Rei was quite hungry. "Ikari, have you eaten yet this evening?" Rei asked in her usual monotone voice.

"No Rei, I haven't eaten yet and I'm kind of glad that you suggested it. I was starting to get fairly hungry," said Shinji. "So, Shinji asked, what do you feel like having or did you have a particular place in mind," asked Shinji.

"No, Rei stated, I have specific location in mind."

"That's great I heard about a new restaurant on the other side of town, near your apartment complex. I also heard that they have a great vegetarian selection on the menu. What do you say we go there, Rei," Shinji asked kind of hesitantly. I am actually going to be having dinner with Rei, he thought, trying to keep the blush from taking over his entire face. This could almost be considered a date, he thought smiling to himself. Hold your horses Shinji, she was hungry and you know that Rei only does things that are practical and being hungry would constitute a good reason to go and have dinner.

Rei had seen the place on her way to work, but had had no desire to try it out. However, the though of having dinner with Shinji was too appealing. "Very well Ikari, that will be satisfactory," stated Rei in an almost normal voice.

Shinji and Rei made there way down the street towards the train station. During the walk towards the train station Shinji stayed at least a step or two behind Rei. Shinji loved to take her appearance in. The way her hair looked; the way she walked with such grace and power. She always seemed to remind him of an angel. He just could not stop staring at her.

"Ikari, is there something wrong? You seem distracted and are falling behind, asked Rei"

"Oh, sorry about that Rei, stated Shinji trying to make up an excuse, I was just thinking. It was nothing important"

When they finally arrived at the station they both swiped their Nerv charge cards and made for the train. Once they entered the train they took seats opposite of each other and waited for the doors to close. They spent most of the ride staring at each other. Both were in deep thought about what their true feelings about each other were and how they would go about bringing it up.

As the train pulled into the station, Shinji and Rei made their way towards the restaurant. Shinji followed Rei closer this time so as not to draw her attention. Once they arrived at the door Shinji stepped forward and opened it for Rei. At the hostess station Shinji asked for a table for two. They were led to a table near the back of the restaurant. Both ordered water and starting looking at the menu.

"So Rei, What sounds good to you," Shinji asked.

"I believe I am going to have the chief salad," replied Rei.

About that time the waitress walked up. "Hello and good evening, may I take your drink order," stated the waitress.

"I will have tea," answered Rei.

"And I believe I will have tea as well," Shinji quickly replied.

"Very well, I will be back momentarily with your drink order and will be back momentarily to take your dinner orders," stated the waitress.

"So Rei, do I still have to wait until we get over to your place to know what you needed my help with," Shinji asked timidly.

Rei slightly tilted her head to the side and gave Shinji a confused look. "Do you not trust that I have a good reason for asking you to come over to my apartment? I assure you, Ikari there is no need for you to worry," Rei sated in a very matter of fact tone.

"I am sorry Rei, that's not what I meant," Shinji said quickly looking down at the table.

Shinji sudden submissive behavior confused her. Rei knew that the moment anyone appeared to confront him Shinji's first instinct was to apologize; even if he had done nothing wrong. I will have to remember to not appear to confront him she thought to herself.

The waitress approached bringing them both back in to reality as well as bring their drink orders. "May I take your order or do you two still require a few minutes," she asked politely.

"I will have the salad," Rei stated plainly.

"And I'll have the Bloody-Mary Flank Steak, Medium-well with the salad please," stated Shinji.

"Very well, the waitress stated, I will have your order out shortly." She then took her leave of them and headed back towards the kitchen.

"Ikari, the matter that I asked you to meet with me about tonight is of a personal nature and I would prefer to discuss it with you in private," Rei said in her normal voice.

"Oh, sure Rei that's not a problem. I was just trying to start some sort of conversation," explained Shinji.

"Why do you wish to have a conversation," Rei asked.

"I don't know Rei, I just enjoy talking with you and I though that it would be better than sitting here staring at each other the entire dinner," Shinji offered.

"Very well, what are appropriate topics for dinner conversation? She asked.

"I don't know we could just talk about work or maybe about what is going on in each others lives," Shinji suggested.

"I am confused what do you mean by: going on in each others lives," Rei asked slightly confused.

"Well, like what do you do after work or what you do on the weekends? What do you do when you are not sitting at your terminal in the office," Shinji asked hesitantly.

"I do nothing after work; I usually just go home and make dinner and then head to bed. I don not really do anything expect work," Rei stated flatly.

"Well, do you ever go out with any of your friends," asked Shinji.

"I do not really have any friends," Rei stated.

"You have friends," Shinji commented quickly. "I consider you my friend and I hope that you consider me yours," he stated quickly in a defeated tone.

Shinji's comment had caught her off guard, a rare thing for Rei. Ikari was a co-worker and fellow ex-pilot; someone who was always nice to her and the only one that had shown any kind of concern for her well being, but Rei had never had anyone that she considered a friend let alone someone that considered her a friend. "Do you really consider me a friend, Ikari" Rei asked.

"Oh course I do Rei. And please call me Shinji from now on. Friends call each other by their first names anyway," he quickly added.

As Rei considered what Shinji had just said the waitress showed up with their food. After checking to make sure that everything was fine she headed back to check on her other tables. Shinji and Rei ate quickly and quietly; both thinking about what the other had just said.

After a short while the waitress showed back up and with the check. Rei started to ask to have it split but Shinji stopped her. Shinji quickly grabbed the check and handed it and his Nerv charge card back to the waitress.

"Ika- Shinji you do not need to pay for my dinner, my salary is sufficient enough to pay for my own meal," Rei stated.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Shinji stated. I was just trying to be nice. Let's call it a one friend buying dinner for another. What do you say, Rei?"

"Very well, Shinji but next time I will buy the dinner, agreed," Rei stated in her usual straight forward manner.

After the waitress brought back his card and the receipt; they both got up and headed towards Rei's apartment. Since Rei's apartments was only a kilometer or so down the road they both decided they would walk over, working off some of the dinner they had just finished.

During the walk home Rei continued to wonder if she should have classified Shinji as a friend a long time ago. Perhaps this would help to explain the feelings she was having towards him. Maybe I really am in love with Ika- Shinji. With that last thought Rei let a small smile grace her lips.

Note: I hope that this chapter will answer some of your questions and is finally long enough to be considered a real chapter. Thanks again to those who reviewed, I appreciate it.