Nothing Will Ever Change That
Disclaimer- I do not own anything to do with NGE.
Chapter 47: Driving
NERV – Dr. Akagi's Office
"Shinji, this is a very serious matter. Do you even realize what you have done?" I was in Ritsuko's office being lectured.
"Of course I do! I also realize that I'm ready for this, and so is Asuka! We wouldn't have slept together if we didn't feel that way. Why can't you just trust us?" Actually, even I could come up with a few reasons.
"Look, I haven't told Gendo yet, and I won't, but he will find out eventually. What are you planning on doing when he does?" Hell if I knew. I was just playing this by ear!
"That doesn't matter; what does matter is the fact that we are going to need money to support this child." She laughed a little.
"For one, no it doesn't. Have you even read the contract you signed when you joined NERV? It states that – quote – Shinji Ikari will be supported by, and under the supervision of NERV. Accordingly, any family Shinji Ikari has present will receive the same treatment. – unquote. So you're fine. But what I'm concerned about is Asuka's health," her health?
"What are you talking about?" she rose up from her chair to meet me eye-to-eye.
"I'm talking about her mental and physical health! You know first hand that she does not have the most stable mind, and this could drive her insane, like her mother!" ouch, that one hit hard, it was true though, "And second, her physical health can be affected to the point of death! She could die Shinji!" Asuka… could die? Just from a child? "Do you understand that!"
"Yes ma'am, I do. Even so, she wants to go through giving birth to this child. I also doubt that it will affect her much mentally. She sees this as an opportunity to change herself. Though, I do know, it is not a good reason to go through with it, I feel she – and I – need it. No matter what you say, we are going to have this child. Is that all you needed?" Hello courage! It was true though. Even if I didn't want it, she would refuse to abort it.
"Fine, if I can't talk you out of it, let me help you. If there is anything at all you feel you need, just come to me. Please. I want to help you in anyway I can. For starters, I promise the full support of the NERV medical staff when she delivers. Do you understand?" that was amazing of her to offer.
"Y-yes. Thank you." I walked out of the room to see Asuka waiting for me outside.
"So?" barely a question, but I answered.
"I'll tell you later." She accepted this and we walked off. When we reached my room, out of habit, we both sat on my bed, "finally some good news. Ritsuko has our full support. She said that she will not tell Gendo and that when you deliver, the NERV hospital will do it all." She quivered at the last comment. Hell, I'd be scared too if I had to give birth.
"So… we're in the clear?" pretty much, yeah! "Good. Now, I never got to give you your birthday gift…" she leans in and our lips meet once again.
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Same Place – The Next Day – Akagi's Office
"Ya know, I did think of something we kind of need. Well, it's more for us. Do you mind getting me a driving test? I need to get my license to be able to drive… so I was wondering…" she stood up and started to walk towards the door.
"Say no more, come on, I'll take you right now." That was easy. She was serious about helping us. I wonder why?
"Thank you… really. Asuka is thankful of you too," I talk as I enter MY car. This was… amazing! It was a Lotus Elise with leather seats! I still couldn't believe he bought this for me. Akagi started up the engine, it roared to life and we were off.
"You think you'll pass?" When we were about a mile away from the start, akagi spoke up.
"Not to sure. I think so, I mean, it really doesn't look that hard. If I can pilot Eva, then how hard could this be?" actually, the only experience I have with driving was in video games.
"You'll pass, no problem," not that I was too worried to begin with, but that calmed me slightly. If the doctor thought I was going to be able to do this, then I probably will. A couple of seconds later, we pulled up to the 'school'. The building – what was there at least, it was tiny – was all plain white. Behind the small place, I could see a huge driving course. "You ready?" I nod in anticipation and walked into the building. After spending about en minutes filling out a paper with my name, age, and other essentials, I got up to give it back to them. It was then that I realized that Akagi wasn't here. Was she waiting outside? All the better I guess, without her, there is no pressure.
"Okay, now that you're done with this, we'll just need $50.00 and you'll be ready," that much? I better pass! I hand over the money and the woman who was behind the counter came around to me. "Do you have a car? If not we can supply one," Oh, I have a car!
"Y-yeah, its outside," we both walk to where Ritsuko parked to see her leaning against it waiting for me. She got up and walked off.
"Good luck kid," she muttered while she walked past me.
"This… is your car?" the instructor was shocked.
"Um… yeah… can we start now?" not really in a mood to talk, I got into the car – the driver's side – and she got into the passenger's.
"Okay, just pull away from the parking-lot and head to the back," she pointed to and open fence leading behind the building. 'Here goes…' with a racing heart, I start it up. Slowly, I drive to the back. 'This isn't so hard.'
"Good, now, let's start," we spent the next hour doing simple maneuvers around the large lot. Nothing special, just parallel parking, a U-turn, and other I don't even know the name to. When we were done, she told me to drive back into the parking-lot, "Not bad. A few mistakes, but not bad," she hands me a piece of paper with notes jotted all over it, but at the bottom, one word was written. 'PASS'.
A/N- Okay, being 14, I obviously have no experience with driving or driving tests. Of any of you can tell me what exactly goes on at those tests, I'll really appreciate it.
"Thank you!" she laughs a little and gets out.
"Hey, you did well for your first time. Now, just take that to the front counter and they'll get your license." I leave and go back into the building to see Ritsuko sitting on one of the many chairs waiting for me.
"How'd you do?" she got up and took the paper from me, "I knew it! Cass owes me ten bucks!" they bet on me? And Cass bet against me! I'll get him back later. For now though, I walk up to another man standing behind the counter. This part didn't last too long, they just took my picture and gave me the piece of plastic.
"Can… I drive home?" I wanted to drive on a real road. She laughed a little and nodded. I got into the driver's side and we left.
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Asuka's Room
"Where'd you go? You were gone for awhile," that's right! I forgot to tell her! She's going to kill me! I handed her my license and she smiles, "so that's where you were! So, how does it feel?" how did she think it felt?
"Great actually. I'm just happy that we don't have to take cabs anymore," she smiled a little, "what?"
"Take me somewhere," I should have seen that coming.
"Sure, where do you…" she cut me off.
"I don't really care. I just want to get out; I've been bored all day." How could I say no? No, really… how?
"Um… sure. How about the mall?" She just shrugs and starts to walk past me. We walk to the car and – this being her first time seeing it – nearly faints.
"T-this is your car! How the hell did you get it?" I never told her what Ritsuko gave to me, I wanted to see Asuka's reaction to this!
"Well… yeah. Gendo got it for me on my birthday." Her jaw dropped to the ground. I knew that was going to happen!
"Gendo as in your father? Damn! Well, let's go," she climbed into the car and so did I. after we got going, I proposed an offer.
"Ya know, Asuka, if you are willing to swallow your pride for a minute, you could ask Akagi for a car. Your birthday is coming up in about three months," yeah right, like she would put away her pride for a car.
"I'll think about it… but until then, you drive," I knew it. We got to the mall and headed inside. She pretty much guided the way like always, and truthfully, I liked it that way. Around six, we headed home – car full of clothes that she 'must have'. I wanted to point out that in a few months, probably her birthday, they wouldn't fit, but I decided against it. I didn't want to cross that bridge.
A/N- About friggin time he can drive! I was getting tired of always writing 'so I called a cab…'! Anyway, the next chapter will be a filler, but I think you'll like it. See what I mean in the next chapter; Hikari's Daughter, until then, keep on keepin' on!