Rebuild of Third Genesis

Chapter 26

"So TECHNICALLY you're in overall command with Misato off at the wedding," Satsuki Ooi teased her boss as they staffed the 'bridge' at NERV Tokyo-3.

"Ugh, don't remind me," Maya Ibuki made a face.

The staff at NERV rotated 'command' duties among top staff, with whomever had the job being on call in an emergency. As Misato was going to be off partying, Maya had decided to stay and work at the base. Plus it would give her a bit of extra time trying to chase down what was going on with the three Magi computers.

Aoi Mogami smiled faintly, "It's fine, boss. If you want, you can go play in your office with Ritsuko if you like..."

"Aoi!" Satsuki scolded.

"Eeep," Maya blushed.

Kaede Agano snickered. Aoi had walked in on some very intense snuggling between Rits and Maya, and almost instantly had told someone. The rumors then spread pretty fast...

"It's okay if you two can't keep your hands off each other. I think it's cute," Aoi added.

"Aoi, stop digging yourself deeper," Satsuki ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Aoi sighed.

Just then Ritsuko emerged from the elevator and walked up to Maya.

At exactly the same time, all three Bridge Bunnies burst into giggles.

"What?" Ritsuko blinked.

"You don't want to know," Maya said with a sigh. She changed the subject, "Is the Evangelion ready for more tests tomorrow?"

"Yes. We have the progressive sword prototype ready too. I was thinking Mari could try that," Ritsuko suggested.

"That is a scary mental image," Maya admitted.

Ritsuko snickered, "True."

"The really ARE cute together," Satsuki murmured as they watched the two women talk. Unconsciously Ritsuko was rubbing her hand along Maya's shoulder, and the younger woman was leaning into it like a giant cat.

"Aww," Kaede agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Maria Vincennes smiled, the attractive blond shaking the wedding guests' hands. The scientist and researcher was charming and polite, even as she greeted the swarm of people she knew only through her new bride.

"It's not going to be much longer," Mayumi stage whispered, the other bride equally stunning in a white dress.

"I would only do this for you," Maria gently teased.

Not far away Misato and Satoko were sitting at one of the guest tables, having paid their respects already.

"That was a beautiful ceremony," Misato admitted. She smiled, "Thanks for remembering tissues. I always get mushy at weddings."

"You're welcome," Satoko smiled back. In all honesty she had been surprised at Misato tearing up... it didn't fit the image of tough NERV commander.

"I recognized Maria Vincennes, oddly enough," Misato noted. "She's also in Research and Development, on the US side. I guess they met through work?"

"I think so," Satoko agreed.

Misato sipped at her drink, then added, "Did I remember to say how nice you look in that suit?"

Satoko blushed faintly as she said, "Thank you." She sipped her own drink as she added, "Though to be honest you're out-doing me in that little black dress."

"I'm glad it still fits," Misato waved that off.

Misato had really been surprised at how handsome Satoko was in a suit. She was slim enough to look boyish, but curved enough you were aware she was a woman. To be honest, Misato was a bit surprised by how attractive she was.

"What?" Satoko asked, noticing she was staring.

"Nothing. I'm guessing there'll be a toast, then food?" Misato asked.

"All right, thank you for coming. I'm so happy to see all our friends and loved ones gathered today," Mayumi beamed.

"Agreed, thank you," Maria smiled as well. Both women raised their glasses, "A toast! To happy tomorrows!"

"Happy tomorrows!" everyone echoed.

"Now, let's eat!" Mayumi chuckled as servers brought out the food.

"Hmm, that looks good," Satoko noted as they got the meal course they had requested when they'd replied to the invitations.

"You did chicken, I got roast beef. Interesting," Misato noted. "No food conflicts between us then," she teased.

"At least neither of us did the vegan tofu option," Satoko responded impishly.

"Oh eww," Misato made a face.

"Did you want to stick around for the dancing later?" Satoko asked as they ate.

Misato smirked, "I can't dance. At all."

"We could work something out," Satoko encouraged her.

"We'll see," Misato left it open.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Mana Kirishima was cooking for them, as Asuka was generally awful at it, as was Rei. And Mari Makinami was 'fire in the kitchen' basically.

"So wait a minute," Asuka gaped, "you're BOTH my clones?"

Mana casually stirred a dish, "Yup. I had blood tests done."

"Da fuq," Asuka muttered.

Mari seemed to be unbothered by the concept. "Really, is it that surprising?"she asked,. "We're all alternates to pilot Unit -02 after all."

"I can too," Rei added mildly.

"But not as well," Mari noted. "No offense."

"None taken," Rei shrugged.

Asuka flopped down in a chair in the living room of the suite she shared with Misato and Rei. "Wonder when this started?" she mused aloud.

"No way to know," Mana admitted. "Obviously after your mom... well, anyway. They probably used the same tech as they did growing Rei or the Kaworu copies."

"So why do I remember spending a childhood in an orphanage and so on?" Mari asked her curiously.

"They could move memories between various Rei clones," Rei herself offered, "and I assume Gendo planned to move Yui's mind into this body. Creating a realistic background for you would be relatively simple."

"Makes sense," Asuka conceded. She felt a little stupid, honestly... all three of them did share some resemblance, after all. "So, do I call you two Sis?" Asuka asked.

"That is just disturbing and wrong," Mari joked.

Somewhat more diplomatically Mana offered, "It might be better if we get to know each other better first. It's only been a few weeks after all."

"That works," Asuka agreed.

"Dinner's burning," Rei noted

"Ack!" Mana yelped as she quickly scraped the pan.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The brides finished their first dance as the crowd clapped. "Now, everybody else get out there!" the cheerful DJ announced.

Satoko looked across at Misato and smiled shyly. "Dance with me?" she asked.

"I'm REALLY not good at it," Misato cautioned.

"It'll be fine," Satoko got up and offered her hand.

"I did warn you," Misato got up and walked towards the dancers. "You're in the suit, so you lead," she decided.

"Works for me," Satoko smiled as they swayed together to the music.

Satoko was pleased that Misato had lied about not being able to dance. She was graceful and light on her feet. "Who can't dance?" she teased after a few minutes.

Misato spun out, then paused before moving in close to Satoko. "I may have exaggerated a bit," she admitted, smirking.

Satoko was also a bit surprised at how much Misato liked to snuggle. It was, honestly, a turn on...

To be continued.

Notes: I had mentioned Mari and Mana were clones way back, then mentioned Mana had figured it out. So it made sense to me that she's bring it up with her 'sisters.'