7

AN: sorry this has taken so long, but RL (graduating – woo hoo…) and WB (writer's block) have taken their toll – am not promising anything as to the quality here-in… am also trying to get back to the comedy a bit. Maybe a little adult in some places, but they're not too bad.

(NERV Medical)

"Well, that went well," Misato said as she jabbed the power button on the remote to kill the television, which had been broadcasting Commander Ikari's funeral.

"I only needed to vomit twice," Shinji said as he sipped some water. He'd been awake for the past few hours, having woken up with a start and claiming to not remember the past days, let alone the attack, and when he was filled in on what had happened he'd simply arched an eyebrow at her. To say that he appeared totally not interested in the fact that his father was dead would be an understatement, but Misato knew that there were issues to be dealt with there so she didn't press the matter all that much. "Why is it that when someone dies, they are spoken about as if they were some kind of saint when in reality they were real bastards?"

Misato shrugged, watching the doors open to admit Ritsuko and Rei, both of whom were dressed in dark colors of mourning, "I don't know, Shinji. What would you have said?"

Shinji appeared to think about it for a second before his head started to move rhythmically from one side to the other, "Ding-dong the rat bastard's dead, which old rat, the ugly rat." Everyone in the room stopped and looked at him, seeing a slight grin on his face as he continued, "And were I physically able to, I'd probably have been dancing, too."

Ritsuko glared at Misato, "What did I tell you about letting him watch those old American movies? That they'd only encourage him." She reached over and took the medical chart even as Misato looked torn between wanting to look contrite and laughing at Shinji's impromptu act, "How do you feel, Shinji?"

"I'm ready for our date tonight if you'll sign me out, Doctor," Shinji promptly replied, adding in a bit of a wiggle to his eyebrows as he looked in her direction. "I can't promise much, but given I'm eating out of a bag right now, I can tell you I'm a cheap date."

Misato looked up at Ritsuko, who had a slight grin tugging at her lips, and glared, "Hey, hands off, Rits-chan. He's MY date for tonight." Misato linked her arm into Shinji's and gripped his hand, pulling it to her chest as she batted her eyelashes at Shinji, "I'll even cook dinner."

"I thought the idea of a date was to encourage romantic and sexual feelings between two people, Major Katsuragi, not potentially poison them," Rei deadpanned from behind a privacy screen, where she was apparently changing clothes.

If looks could kill, Misato's glare in Rei's general direction would have vaporized an Angel with a full AT Field in place, "Quiet, you, and my cooking's not that bad. I'm just lazy."

"Never were truer words spoken," Ritsuko said with a slight grin on her lips as she continued to write on her clipboard, "but I do believe that Shinji's release from here should be celebrated. How about we go out to dinner?" Ritsuko looked at him and winked, smiling at Misato's gaze came to her, "Just the two of us, Shinji, and I promise to wear something slinky."

Before Shinji could respond, Misato's grip on his hand tightened just a little too much, causing him to yelp, which caused Misato to let his hand go and apologize, "Sorry, Shinji." She looked back up at Ritsuko, who wore a triumphant look on her face, and she hissed, "May I talk to you in private DOCTOR Akagi?" Without waiting for a response, she got up and dragged Ritsuko out of the medical bay by her ear, bringing yelps of pain from Ritsuko that were cut off by the door shutting.

Shinji looked over at the privacy screen in time to see Rei walk out from behind it, once again dressed in her school uniform, "Did any part of that seem strange to you?"

Rei arched a blue eyebrow at him, "Pilot Ikari… Shinji, this is NERV. Strange is a requirement of the job."

Shinji blinked as his mind placed the quote after a moment, "'Weird is part of the job'. I didn't know you were a Star Trek fan, Rei."

Rei's albino skin suddenly colored as she looked down at the floor, her hands clasping behind her back as she slowly drug one toe of her foot back and forth, "I… have found myself watching more and more supposedly 'classic' television as of late, Shinji. According to Mr. Aida, Star Trek is as classic as American television gets." She then frowned, though, and looked up, her blush quickly fading, "I must ask you, though, what you wish for me to tell the rest of the class regarding your condition. Class Representative Horaki has indicated that she is quite worried about you."

Shinji arched his own eyebrow as he scratched his cheek, which was in desperate need of a shave, "I'll… have to get back to you on that, Ayanami-san."

"Chan."

"Huh?"

Rei blushed again and looked at her feet, "You are indeed older than I am now, Shinji, and it is only proper that I am referred to by '-chan'."

Shinji, now very confused, shook his head, "Well, if we're being formal, then, I guess I can't be 'Shinji' anymore – either Ikari-san or Ikari-sama, I would think." Rei seemed to wilt a bit at this and Shinji backtracked, "Or we can just forget the entire thing and stick with our names. Which do you prefer?"

Outside of the medical bay, though, an entirely different conversation was going on and it was Ritsuko who was taking the lead, "Oh, come off of it, Misato. I was just flirting with Shinji – it was harmless."

"Says the doctor who was sleeping with his father," Misato sniped back, her brown eyes blazing with fury.

Ritsuko snorted, "There was very little 'sleeping' in what Gendo and I were doing, Major, and even less pleasure." Ritsuko looked at her friend and arched a dark eyebrow, "Now, tell me, what are you intentions with Shinji?"

Misato's fury quickly left and panic took its place, "Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

Ritsuko shook her head, "Misato, I'm not blind – I've SEEN how you've looked at him." Ritsuko then shrugged, "Sure, you're not alone, most of the females at NERV have looked at him that way at some point in time or another, but you and I both know that even before his… aging… there was something there that was NOT Guardian/Ward in nature."

Misato flushed a bit and looked down, her panic leaving, "It… it isn't like that."

Ritsuko smirked, "Really? Then Asuka's stories of you wearing your Daisy Dukes without panties around him aren't real?"

Misato flushed even harder, "That was a joke meant to tease Kaji, Ritsuko, but when Kaji had to cancel… well, Shinji became my next target. I like teasing him – sue me." Misato then sniffed, "Besides, Asuka has no room to talk with what SHE prances around in at the house."

"But we're not talking about an emotionally insecure girl, Misato, we're talking about an emotionally insecure woman – YOU. What are you intentions with Shinji?"

Misato sighed, "I… I don't know, alright? He's hurt, Rits, and now that he's starting to get better, I'm seeing some of my old Shinji back in there and… well, I don't know." Misato leaned against the wall and looked at her college friend, "I'm not saying I've already got the silk straps, leather Dom stuff you bought me as a gag gift and whipped cream out, but I'm also not saying that's out of the cards either. I just want to try and take it slow, see if he's interested, and what will be… will be."

Ritsuko sighed and nodded, walking over and resting beside Misato, "I understand, Misato, but if it doesn't work out… can I borrow the silk, leather and- OOF!" Ritsuko's words cut off as Misato elbowed her in the gut and pushed her aside in a manner that was only tinged with play.

"Like he'd want an old hag like you."

Inside of the medical room, Shinji and Rei both jumped as Ritsuko's voice yelled, "I AM NOT OLD!"

AN: Alright, here's the next part – as I said, I didn't promise anything and am trying, I really am. Reviews, please.