Chapter 6- Rules Make the World Go Round

"Misato! Do you really think we need rules?" Shinji said, turning tomato red.

Rei remained silent, put back into her usual "follow orders" mode. She was mentally exhausted, her mind still reeling from the previous rush of thoughts.

Shinji looked to her desperately, giving a silent plea for some assistance. Meekly and quietly, the girl whispered, "Without rules, there is chaos."

"Thank you, Rei!" Misato exclaimed with a bright smile. "Now first off, while either one of you is in the shower, the other one is to be locked up in a room. Secondly, the both of you are to sleep in different sides of the apartment."

A part of Rei wanted to ask why, but countless years of following rules made it exceedingly hard. She just listened and quietly accepted what Misato said, staring blankly at her soup.

A part of Shinji, though, wanted to stop Misato. Not only was this a bit, no, VERY embarrassing, but he didn't want anyone else's restrictions on him while he was with Rei. If he didn't want to do something, he wasn't going to do it because of himself and his morals, not a bunch of regulations set upon him by other people.

But hell! He was a teenage boy! He would love to 'sleep' in the same room as Rei. Hopefully Section 2 wouldn't have cameras or any other kind of surveillance around her house. That would be bad in case something slipped…or anything happened. Not that he was going to try and avoid that, mind you.

What was he thinking? Did he really want this or was it just something else? Was this another part of him that had recently only been discovered? The boy shook his head slightly. Maybe he had some soul searching to do as well.

"Thirdly, Rei has the right to kick you out at any time."

Things were interrupted for a brief moment when the waiter brought the bill and collected all the used bowls as Shinji tried to comprehend this last one. If Rei ever decided to do just that, where would he go? As far as he knew, he had no-one else to turn to. Rei looked down at her lap, silently wondering why Shinji wasn't speaking up. A small squeak erupted from somewhere around her, ending her momentary trance. Blinking, she looked up, only to see Misato getting up from her seat.

"Now, I am going to go to the bathroom before we leave," Misato announced. "I'll be right back. Don't leave without me," she winked before departing.

As soon Misato left, Rei's gaze fell on the empty seat, recently vacated by her superior. She tilted her head to the side, a contemplative look etched upon her features, and shrugged, immediately moving over to fill in the chair.

Shinji looked at her and turned beet red. He kind of stopped breathing and was desperately trying to look anywhere but right next to him. She was there now, and all he could do was act like a nervous wreck! How appropriate! He shot a quick, nervous glance over to her. Rei looked so calm, something which he could hardly say for himself. Looking at her, the boy could do nothing but stare. She was just sitting there so beautifully, like a single white rose in a sea of black. Redirecting his gaze back to its original position, Shinji smiled to himself, realizing he never wanted this to end.

But, like all good things, it came to an end all too soon. Misato returned to the table and looked at Rei curiously. Why had she moved over? Intent on getting some answers, Misato tapped the blue haired girl lightly on the shoulder.

"What are you doing in my seat?" Misato asked her calmly.

"I believe the correct term is, 'Finders keepers, losers weepers,' is it not?" Rei replied simply.

Misato's jaw dropped and hit the ground with a loud 'THUNK' while Shinji stifled, or at least attempted to stifle, a laugh. Having said that, Rei stood up quietly and looked down the street.

"I do believe we should get going. It is getting late."

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NeoAthena: Thanks for all the reviews! This is my most reviewed story so far! Also thanks to Lone Wulffe for Beta-ing the chapter!