Chapter 9: An Amazing Reversal

The ride over was quiet, and miraculously shorter than Shinji would have thought it would be. Then again, why would they place Rei too far way from NERV or Misato in case of any sort of emergency?

The area was nicer then he would have expected as well. It was rather high-scale compared to her old place, or even where he lived now. A few houses were there along with numerous sparkling apartment buildings, every building having intimidating steel gates with security codes, stoic guards and everything else meant to ensure a place's security. It was all too amazing for even his father to pull off. So why did he?

Shinji looked to Rei and noticed her eyes dropping slightly. She must be really tired, he thought with a smile. A large yawn escaped him, only then making him realize how tired he was too. The boy looked at the little clock above the radio, the numbers 11:30 shining in bright neon green lights. Sighing loudly, he looked back over at Rei, the lamps from the street flashing over her pale skin every so often. It made her almost seem to glow. The sight was amazing.

Maybe when they got settled she would continue to sleep so peacefully and then he could… well, let's just say they didn't have any school tomorrow.

NO! Must not think ecchi! part of his mind screamed at him.

Just then Misato cleared her throat in an attempt to get Rei's attention, and at the same time stopping Shinji's train of thought. She didn't know the exact location of the girl's apartment after all. Every now and then she had gotten caught looking, or rather staring enviously, at the beautiful apartments as well, but she knew that the girl's building was coming up soon. After all, where else would there be black vans with three antennas fixed on their roofs parked outside?

Rei snapped back up from her leaning position, blinking rapidly. Shinji quickly glanced downward, not wishing to come in eye contact with her. The girl saw this and sighed inaudibly, but focused on Misato and gave her a nod.

"What do you need?" Rei asked her quietly.

"I don't know exactly where you live, Rei. Could you direct me?"

The girl simply nodded, looking around getting her bearings together. They were only a few streets away from the alley that would take them to her apartment building. It was hidden off the road, almost as though it were put back there for extra protection. She blinked and waited until they were a block before they needed to make the turn.

"Take a right at the next street. Then a left at the second driveway," she directed without moving. Another small sigh escaped her lips. Almost there. She was tired. It was already quite late at night and it had proven to be rather memorable later on in the day.

After all it wasn't everyday you got a male roomie. She had often heard the girls at school talking of sleepovers and slumber parties and often had she wished to see what one was like, but she highly doubted that those involved a male attendee. Come to think of it, it was probably thought rather scandalous.

Misato turned and slowed down, trying to count the driveways in the side street. There were no streetlights, and her car headlights were dim. She made it though, catching the driveway just before it was too late. They turned in and Misato's and Shinji's eyes grew wider than spotlights. The building itself was beautiful, one of the more contemporary models with marble as its main building material. Both easily guessed that it must have cost a normal person a fortune to live there.

Rei got it for free though, and she just held her famous emotionless stare as her gaze took in the massive structure. As Misato parked her car, the two teens undid their seatbelts. The light movement of the car as it was being driven into the parking space signified that it was safe to get out, which they all did. Misato and Shinji grabbed his stuff while Rei waited to lead the way. She walked silently, Misato behind her and then Shinji behind Misato. Together they approached the elevator door as she pressed the button to call it down. As the doors opened she stepped in and held it for the other two. Once they were all in she punched in a code before pressing the third level button followed by the 'close doors' button.

Slowly the elevator came to life, moving smoothly upwards. It made its stop almost as soon as it started, which made it a lot faster then the NERV elevators, Shinji thought. The doors slid open to reveal the long line of apartments. The group stepped out, Rei in the lead, the other two standing side by side behind her. She walked only four doors down before opening the next one without even inserting a key, proceeding to step into a much more lavish apartment compared to her old one.

She flicked on the lights to reveal a perfectly designed living room and kitchen with light blue and gray tones. The TV in the corner looked untouched and the fold-out futon in the living room was brand-new and stainless. The floors sparkled with unrivaled cleanliness and the kitchen appeared hardly used as well.

Turning towards the two of them, Rei gave a short, formal bow. "Welcome to my living quarters. I hope it is not in a bad condition."

Misato looked at her in disbelief. How could this girl even think of such a thing? Stepping forward after slipping off her shoes, she looked around the apartment appraisingly. "No, Rei, it's a beautiful place."

"Yeah, it really is. I can't believe NERV actually put you here," Shinji said, copying Misato's actions.

Rei nodded and glanced towards the hallway where the two bedrooms were located. She really wanted to sleep as soon as possible, but first she needed to make sure Shinji was properly settled and then get the mad woman out of her house. Okay, so maybe Misato wasn't all that bad, but still. She had a feeling that the major was going to have her share of problems with Asuka at home, so maybe the faster she got going the better. For all of them, that is.

"Shall I direct you to your quarters?" Rei enquired, not waiting for an answer. She just kind of, well, walked off in the direction of his destined room, expecting the two to follow her.

"Of course, I'm sure Misato is eager to leave as soon as possible," Shinji declared, smiling inwardly.

Misato and Shinji followed Rei into a room done all in tan. The futon was located on the far side of the room, a small closet on the other. A desk was pushed against the other wall, for what, Shinji didn't know. After all, it didn't even have a chair to go with it.

"Here you go. Everything else is self-explanatory. The bathroom is opposite the room left of yours. My room," she pointed, "is across the hall."

Shinji nodded while absorbing the information as Misato went over to Rei's door. "Is there any way you could lock this?" she asked, sliding said door open and close while inspecting it.

"No, I am afraid not."

"Sure, okay. Whatever you say," Misato replied while nodding before she glanced at her nails. "I am going to go, and hopefully not die a horrible death by Asuka when I get home. Nothing had better happen after I've left. Goodbye and goodnight," she waved back at them as she was leaving.

Shinji watched her leave the hallway and listened for the click of the door before turning back to where Rei was standing,

"So, Rei, where were we?" he asked with his eyes closed, only to hear a door close in his face. "Aww, I am sorry! What did I do?" All he got for a response was the sound of the light switch being flicked off. Sighing in resignation, he turned around and headed off to sleep.

NeoAthena: Is the length getting better? I think now that I am getting closer to what I want to do with the story it will be easier to write more. Also I am sorry. The small details I paid close attention to, not to mention all the homework I have been getting. Thanks Lone Wulffe again for beta-ing! Peace guys!