A/N: Well, here's the start of what hopefully is another 20 chapters! Hey, if any of you made any artwork based on any of my characters that I inserted or any artwork of the sort, I'd love to see it. Although I have my doubts anyone will make any art based on it, but meh. I had to ask anyway though. I'd post it on my MSN Space. It would be great because I'm rebuilding my Space. I've had some problems in the past and they are in the process of being corrected and eliminating whatever caused the problems as well.

BTW funyons, I don't know who I plan to pair up Zack with yet. I already promised nick2951 I wouldn't pair him up with Ms. Ayanami. The only way you will find out is to keep reading.

But enough of my rambling. Let's reassess. Something came out of the ground after Asuka and Elly's battle with a terrorist. This creature that attacked Asuka has now been classified as a Black Angel. What is it? What new threats await our heroes as they try to get some R&R in Australia? Now on with the story!

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Gendo Ikari's Office

Gendo was going over the data of the battle between Asuka and what was for the moment called the Black Angel. This thing had come out of the ground and it knew the Seal of Diablos. He pondered how well the Committee would take these recent findings. At least he didn't have to talk to SEELE about this.

Another problem on his mind was how the Second Child, Asuka Sohryu, had achieved a 500-sync and grew angel wings during the battle with the Black Angel. Unit 01 was the only EVA that was supposed to be able to do that. His son managed to do that during the aborted 3rd Impact, and again when the terrorists tried attacking from space.

'Those two have some sort of bond that made them able to do that,' he thought. He figured that was all he could tell the Committee at the moment.

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One day after the incident where Asuka and Shinji both hit 500-sync ratios, they were released from the hospital. Once Misato checked them out, they returned to the hotel. While Shinji wanted to use the shower, Misato used this chance to talk with Asuka about her relationship with Shinji.

"What's this about Misato?"

"Oh just a talk between females."

"Get to the point," said Asuka.

"Oh alright. I just wanted to ask you about your relationship with Shinji."

"What about Shinji?"

Misato smiled. "How is he? Is he good to you?"

Asuka smiled right back. "Yeah, you can say that. I still can't believe it took me so long to figure it out. He's been really nice to me. And he always puts everyone else before himself. He almost got himself killed just so he could save me and everyone else."

"Well, as for the choice of potential boyfriends," started Misato. "I think you made an excellent choice. Just make sure he actually doesn't get KILLED. He needs you as much as you need him. You two have helped each other grow and develop."

"Don't worry," said Asuka. "I know what I gotta do. For starters, just don't do what you and Kaji did to have your relationship in the quagmire it is in right now."

"WHAT WAS THAT?" shouted Misato.

"Hey, I was just kidding!"

Misato crossed her arms. "Good." She had to get back at Asuka for that last comment, joke or not. No one would or should speak about her relationship with Kaji the way Asuka did. "By the way Asuka, I got a question only you can answer."

"And what would that be," asked Asuka with a look of curiosity on her face.

"Is Shinji a good kisser?" Misato bluntly said.

"WHAT?" came Asuka's outburst.

"Well, you would know better than anyone," chuckled Misato. "You two have been kissing all the time, like that time in the elevator. Getting daring are you?"

"You're sick! You're almost as bad as Zack. At least he can keep his comments to himself when he knows to!"

"Come on Asuka. I bet you stuck your tongue down his throat! And you were moaning in that elevator too! I'll bet he was giving you tons of saliva!"

"You are disgusting! I hate to know what you and Kaji do when you spend the nights at his place. I'll bet you moan loud enough to wake the dead!"

"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU!"

A fight of some sorts may have broken out, if Shinji (fully dressed) didn't come out of the bathroom. "What's all the noise?" he asked.

Misato quickly covered up. "Oh we were just getting into an argument over what movies we thought were the best."

"Yeah. My movie ideals are much better than yours," said Asuka.

"NO THEY'RE NOT!"

"Well I'm not sure what movies you're talking about. But I'll bet Rei and Zack may have heard you if they were in their rooms. I would advise keeping it down in the future. By the way Asuka, it's your turn to use the shower."

Asuka went in to use the shower, and Misato decided to leave and find Kaji.

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Outside portion of the Starlight Paradise Hotel's restaurant.

Zack and Kaji were having a man-to-man talk. "So what's on your mind?" asked Kaji.

"Oh, I'm just having girl troubles," said Zack. "I've been searching, been with many different girls, but I just haven't found the One yet. I'm not sure how I can tell. And I always thought my techniques were flawless, but apparently they are."

Kaji smiled. "See that pretty girl over there. She's obviously older than you, but you're big enough to be anywhere from 16 to 22. Try asking her out and I'll assess where your faults are."

So Zack walked up to this woman. She was a redhead with a bob-like hairstyle. "Hi there sexy, can I buy you a drink?" He got slapped pretty hard. He walked back to Kaji. "Okay, I admit it. I obviously had that one coming."

"Well here comes a beautiful blonde. Try again," said Kaji.

So Zack tried once more. The blonde sat down, and Zack introduced himself. "Hi there. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are compared to everyone else here. Can I have the honour of hearing your name?"

Once more, he was slapped. As he walked back, he said, "I did NOT deserve that."

Kaji face turned slightly serious. "What you don't understand Zack, is that although there are a lot of similarities between men and women. However, the differences are equal to the width of the ocean. What you must do to succeed, is to find those differences. Shinji was able to learn what the differences were and found his way to the ever-so-beautiful Asuka."

"So what are the differences?" asked Zack.

"That, you must find out on your own," said Kaji. "Oh, and just to bug Misato, here's a gift for you. Don't tell anyone I gave this to you." He handed Zack a folded piece of paper. "If Misato is going to blow me off whenever, she'll pay the price. Well I gotta go find her and make up again." He left.

Zack waited until Kaji left. Then he unfolded the paper. On it were the numbers 8745. It took Zack a minute to register what the numbers meant, but a sudden realization came to his mind, and his face gave off a sinister smile. He quickly pocketed the paper.

A/N: Just try to guess what 8745 is. Brownie points for whoever guesses right!

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Beach

Ivana had decided to try tanning with Elly. Rei had also joined in since she said she should not be alone in Australia until her English was perfected. Rei's English was actually coming along quite well.

Elly showed how they should tan, helped them apply the suntan lotion, and set the timer for the appropriate times for when to turn over and tan the other side.

A few boys had come up to hit on the girls, and this was the following result:

Rei was preparing to do "tanning" as Elly suggested. However, three unlucky boys decided they were going to hit on Rei.

"Hey hot stuff. How'd you like to come down the beach and party with us."

"No," said Rei. By now, she had known enough English to tell them to go away.

"Come on. You'd like it," one of the boys said. "Well treat you nice."

"I do not wish to come," said Rei once more.

"What's with you? Are you like zoned out or something?" the third one said. "Come on already!"

Ivana decided now was the time to step in. "Are these boys giving you trouble Rei?"

"What the fuck?" the first boy said. "What the hell did you just say?"

"These boys are… persistent," said Rei.

"I'll get rid of them," replied Ivana. She turned to face the boys. "Unless you want your faces rearranged, I'd advise you leave us alone."

"Who are you telling us what to do? Get out of our way!"

One of the boys pushed Ivana. Little did he know what he had just gotten the group into. Ivana quickly recovered and leveled the first boy with three quick and powerful punches. Now the other boys were enraged. They both attacked Ivana.

She quickly dodged both of them, and decided to attack the second boy. She kicked down the third boy and threw in a flurry of assaults that left the second boy nearly senseless. The third boy charged but was hit by surprise in the chin from a kick by the Russian girl.

The boys quickly ran away at the first chance they got. Ivana was disappointed that they gave up so easily. But some things could not be helped. At least Elly was impressed by Ivana's fighting skills.

"Well, should I ever need a bodyguard, I'll be looking for you mate."

"I was trained in Russian Commando martial arts," replied Ivana. "And I'll gladly say I have mastered my techniques very well."

And so the three EVA pilots applied the suntan lotion and began their tanning session.

A/N: I will keep you posted on how their tanning session goes. So you can stay informed, and I can be amused.

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Shinji was in yet another predicament that made him very nervous and not sure what he should do. After Asuka had gotten out of the shower. She had changed into her bikini and told Shinji to follow her out to the hotel room's rather large balcony.

"Come on already," she had said. Once he followed her outside, he noticed that one of the fold-up chairs had been laid out so if someone wanted to lie down. He watched as she laid face down on one of the chairs. He noticed that there was a white bottle and a soda on the table there.

"What are you doing Asuka?" the curious Third Child asked.

"What do think Third Child? You're going to give me a massage!"

Shinji knew from experience that to complain or voice hesitations usually didn't go over well with Asuka. So he quickly agreed to give her a massage.

"Good. I knew you'd come around," she said. "Now look the other way for a second and don't turn around till I tell you."

So Shinji quickly turned around, with some wonder in his mind as to what Asuka was doing.

"You can turn around now."

So Shinji turned around. Asuka was lying facedown on the chair once more. But this time, she had taken her bikini top off as it was lying on the ground next to her. After Shinji blushed for a moment, he then assessed that Asuka didn't want a big line from her bikini on her back.

"Yeah. You like what you see huh?" said Asuka in a slightly teasing voice. "Don't get any ideas now."

"Don't worry," said Shinji with a tone that combined sarcasm and boredom. He took the bottle of lotion, squirted a small portion into his hands, and began applying it to her back.

Asuka seemed to be enjoying the backrub she was getting, as she just melted into the chair and let Shinji continue massaging her. "Ah, that feels good. A little higher please."

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Beach

The three girls were still getting their tan. Just then, the timer went off. Elly decided to explain the next step to Rei. "So now, we just turn ourselves over, reset the timer, and wait for it to go off again.

"I see," said Rei. "What is the point of all this?"

Elly chuckled. "Silly you. Tans are good to have. Good for the skin, good for the soul. Just don't get sunburn."

"Understood."

So now they turned with their faces to the sun, and continued tanning.

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Asuka was enjoying the backrub Shinji was giving her. Even with all those EVA battles, his hands were so soft on her back. He had done more than he needed, but she loved it so much that she told him to also massage her arms and legs as well.

"Thank you. That's more than good Shinji," she said. "Please turn around for a moment."

Shinji knew she was putting her top back on. Once she gave the all clear, he turned back around. "Now take off your shirt," she ordered. So he complied, not knowing what she was planning. Once he did that, she spoke up again. "Okay Shinji, it's your turn, now lie down on the chair!"

So Shinji did as he was told and laid face down. Now Asuka applied some lotion on his back and began to give him a backrub. Shinji had to admit that this felt rather good. Asuka's hands were so soft. Hard to believe someone who used to be mean and cruel at times could have such soft hands. Just as she did, he melted into her touch.

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Beach

Once more, the timer had gone off. "And that's that," said Elly. She turned to look at Rei. "Holy Outback Rei! You got quite the tan there!"

Rei observed her now darker skin. "So this is a tan. It does look… better."

Just then, a posse of boys came over. Elly quickly knew the first three boys she saw. They were the three Ivana had beaten up earlier.

"Pack up and leave. I'll join up with you shortly," said Ivana. "And while you are at it, order whatever for me."

Elly and Rei knew Ivana could handle fifteen boys on her own. "You got it!" replied Elly as her and Rei left the beach.

As Ivana watched the oncoming posse, she said to herself 'This shouldn't take more than a minute.' She cracked her knuckles and got ready for battle.

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Zack decided to stroll down to the beach. Once down there, he saw a bunch of beaten up guys on the beach, and they all appeared to be older than him! In the midst of all this, he saw a lone person still standing. It was Ivana. So obviously, Zack decided to inquire. "What happened here?"

"This is what happens when you show up a man. He goes out to seek others for support to heal his tarnished reputation," replied Ivana.

"Yeah," started Zack. "But how come they're all beaten up?"

"It's a long story."

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Sundae Bar - Not far from the beach

Elly and Rei went to the Sundae Bar to wait hopefully for Ivana to return.

"Hopefully Ivana will be okay," said Elly. "I know she's quite a fighter, but I think even fifteen-on-one is a bit too much."

"Pilot Kharlamov's skills are unmatched as far as I know," replied Rei.

"Yeah mate, but still…"

Elly was suddenly interrupted by Ivana and Zack coming into the Sundae Bar. She was glad Ivana was okay. To Elly's shock, the only bruises on Ivana were on her hands, where she must have been hitting those boys hard. "Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm just fine. My hands are a bit sore from throwing all those punches," replied Ivana. "Thank you for your concern."

Zack took this moment to speak up. "To celebrate Ivana's victory, I'm buying everyone lunch and sundaes."

"We were going to ask you regardless," contradicted Elly.

"All the more reason to!" Zack said with a grin. And off to the counter he went after getting everyone's order.

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After Asuka was done massaging Shinji, she went to the phone and dialed the NERV HQ number. Shinji was outside, so he couldn't hear whatever Asuka was saying into the phone. Shinji decided to look out onto whatever was going on the beach. While Asuka was still on the phone, he witnessed an amazing thing. He saw this one girl single handedly take out fifteen boys with little or no effort. Afterwards, he went back inside the hotel room. Asuka was now off the phone. "Who were you calling?"

"None of your business," said Asuka teasingly. "Just kidding. I called for room service."

"Oh. I thought you were calling Kaji, or Zack."

"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU!" She took one of the pillows off the bed and walloped him with it.

"Is that a challenge?" she asked after he got her back with another pillow.

"You better believe it is Asuka!"

And so the fated pillow fight between the two lovers began. Asuka came out flying, as that was always her style. Shinji waited as she constantly kept swinging. He used his pillow and waited for an opening in her offence/defense. So when she swung again, he stepped into her offence, blocking her attack with his pillow, slid around her, and got her in the back of the head with his pillow. The German was not impressed.

"W-W-What? How the hell did you do that?" she asked.

"Simple. Your vicious volleys left you wide open. As soon as I found it, I went for it."

"Clever, clever. Things that happen once don't happen twice with me," she said with a smirk. "Don't expect to get lucky again."

So the two resumed their pillow fight. Asuka was getting frustrated by not being able to break through Shinji's defense. So she decided to go with another tactic. She advanced on him. Although she took a hit from the pillow, she used her shoulder and did what Zack called a bodycheck. That took the wind out of Shinji's sails and his lungs as he crashed onto the bed from the impact.

Asuka stood over him triumphantly. "Looks like I win."

"Hey," he replied. "I had to let you win sometime. If I beat you all the time, your self-confidence would drop drastically."

"Like I'm gonna fall for that." Someone was knocking on the door. "You stay right there." It was a NERV employee. He had a bottle of chilled root beer and two wine glasses. Asuka took the tray, thanked the man, and closed the door.

Asuka filled a glass for her and Shinji and walked back to the bed where the Third Child was still catching his breath. She handed him a glass. And after a toast to be together forever, they drained their glasses.

Afterwards, Shinji laid his head back on the pillow, and Asuka laid her head on his chest so she could listen to his heartbeat. "Hard to believe we'd end up being lovers, knowing all that we've been through," she mumbled.

"Yeah. Especially when I think about our first meeting and everything else that's happened."

"I know. But the part I like best is that I got to the end of the trail with ALL its obstacles, and that's where I found you. And that's also where I found out we truly loved each other."

Shinji had a smile that equaled Asuka's. "The night of the fair was definitely the best moment of my life. That's where I found the real you."

Asuka was totally overdriven with emotion, and she had tears in her eyes. "T-Thank you Shinji. I love you."

She moved up his body, and kissed him. It was full of love, and joy at reaching the end of her pathway to love. Shinji returned her love and wrapped his arms around her. He too, found the end of the path he was on. After a full minute, they broke off their kiss. Asuka let her forehead rest on Shinji's collarbone.

"Wow," she muttered giving her and Shinji a chance to catch their breath.

"That… was… good. Asuka?"

"Yes Shinjikins?"

"Could you kiss me like you did on the elevator?"

Asuka looked at him and grinned. "I was gonna do that anyways. Thanks for ruining my element of surprise."

"Sorry."

"Well, you can make up for it by closing your eyes and opening your mouth."

So Shinji complied. And Asuka kissed him once more. This time, she let her tongue enter Shinji's mouth. Shinji let Asuka's tongue dance with his as he caressed her back the way she liked it. She moaned into his touch and continued to kiss him.

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Misato was on her way back to her room. She had spent the last hour with Kaji. She found out Kaji was giving Zack lessons on how to properly woo girls. At least Kaji had one sole-redeeming feature besides somehow being able to capture Misato's heart although there were many moments where she couldn't stand him.

On her way back, she planed to inform Shinji and Asuka of the dinner plans Kaji had set up for that evening. She opened the door and almost gasped. She saw Asuka and Shinji on the bed, making out. She quietly shut the door and continued down the hallway to her room.

But in a sense, she was very happy for the two. Shinji and Asuka had both had horrible lives up to this point. And for them to find love with each other warmed Misato's heart. In ways, she felt like a mother. And if those two one day got married and had kids of their own; she would probably end up being like a grandmother. Not a thought she was ready to deal with.

"Take good care of her Shinji," she said aloud as she found Pen-Pen in her hotel room going through the beer.

"Hey. I get first dibs on the cold ones!"

A/N: Meh. Another fluff chapter. I just love the Shinji x Asuka pairing. I imagined this, and they look so cute together! Maybe 2 more chapters and it'll be time to go back to Japan. Before or after the end of the trip, there will be another attack. Until 22, be cool!