Chapter 02
12.19.2007
Shinji wasn't sure why, but no matter how much sleep he got in a hospital room, for him it just wasn't an ideal place to rest. Maybe it was the antiseptic smell; or maybe the too large and too impersonal room; or maybe it was the people, practically strangers, coming in and out at all times of the day.
Whatever the reason, sleeping in a hospital bed for a week hadn't done much for Shinji's body. And to add insult to injury, sleeping in a hospital bed for a week with Asuka wasn't doing much for his mind. By the end of the one-week period Dr. Akagi had set for observing the Second Child, Shinji was about ready to pull out all his hair.
There was just one bright spot in the otherwise lousy situation he found himself in, Shinji thought dryly as he did up the last of the buttons on the coat in his hands. And that was Asuka being much less of a bitch than she usually was.
The boy finished twitching the collar into place and finally raised his gaze to the face above it. He found himself looking into laughing blue eyes. Ah, damn. But this isn't right either, he mused ruefully.
Much as he got a kick out of seeing Asuka this way: quiet (he hadn't heard a word out of her for a week), giggly and all nice... it didn't feel right. It was like being with a stranger. Asuka minus the nasty mouth was a beautiful and sexy stranger!
"You understand how weird this is, don't you?" Shinji quirked an eyebrow at the redhead. He had gotten into the habit of having one-sided conversations with her. "This is the most I've talked in my entire life and I still don't have anything really worthwhile to say."
Shinji put both hands on the redhead's shoulders and shook her gently. With a questioning tilt of her head, Asuka looked up and searched his face.
"Asuka, Dr. Akagi says it takes at least a month for these things to resolve but I don't think I can take a whole month of you all smiley and not talking!" Shinji's voice rose a small bit causing Asuka to look puzzled.
"Sometimes I want to hit you on the head again, you know, maybe get you to come back. But Dr. Akagi says I should protect your head for at least three months 'cause if you get hit again you could get permanent brain damage," Shinji shuddered.
"See, Asuka," he frowned earnestly down at the girl, hands still on her shoulders, "I like you being close, who wouldn't, but it's also driving me nuts! I'm not used to the sound of my voice. I'm used to yours. Won't you say something please?" he pleaded uselessly.
How dumb, Shinji shook his head, she wasn't going to say anything just because he asked. He sighed and tried to smile reassuringly at Asuka who always got a troubled look when he whined.
Then unexpectedly, Asuka did something Shinji was unprepared for. She cupped his face lightly and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. It was neither chaste nor passionate, but rather sweet and tender, and meant to be comforting. And it made Shinji groan.
"Ah, the perks. I guess I should stop complaining and remember the perks." He smiled at Asuka and she smiled brilliantly back still caressing his face. "You're not making this easy, you know." He could feel a week's worth of self-denial and frustration start to overcome him. "But then, when did you ever? Ah, hell..." And Shinji gathered up Asuka in his arms and kissed her with all the pent up emotion of the last several days.
He felt Asuka's mouth open under him and he put one hand behind her head so he could explore more deeply.
"Ikari Shinji!" A voice that brooked no refusal issued from the door.
Asuka immediately stiffened and turned around. But this time instead of hiding behind Shinji or pressing herself to his side, she took a stance directly in front of him, blocking him from the two women at the door.
"Control yourself, Shinji! Asuka is not herself." Dr. Akagi chided him from afar. "We are trusting you to take care of a defenseless girl, not to take advantage!"
"I'm sorry," Shinji hung his head miserably.
"You know, Ritsuko, you're not completely right. Look at Asuka," Misato studied the redhead. She was glaring at the two of them and looked ready for action. "I think she's defending Shinji."
Shinji looked nonplussed. Dr. Akagi pursed her lips and asked tightly, "What are you trying to say?"
"I've been thinking. Other than the fact that she isn't speaking, doesn't have a clue who she is, and is most obviously attracted to our little Shinji, she's acting entirely like the Asuka we know."
"Misato," Dr. Akagi sighed, "That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard this whole week."
"Really? More ridiculous than what you heard yesterday?"
"What did I hear yesterday?"
"That rumor that I'm completely off beer."
"For Kaji?"
"Yeah."
"Ah... no."
"Right. So look at her, Ritsuko. Hardheaded and belligerent. Does she look defenseless to you?"
"Um... will you two get out, please. I can feel her getting angry. Dr. Akagi, I promise to behave. Please, I want to finish dressing her and just go home. Misato-san, we can't take the car, I think it's too enclosed. I booked the shuttle, just us and the driver, so Asuka won't feel threatened." Shinji tapped Asuka's shoulder and grinned at her when she looked. Sure enough she responded to him and relaxed. "Okay, enough of this, sit down and I'll help you with your boots." Asuka shot the two women a warning look before allowing Shinji to guide her to a chair and push her down on it.
"Hmm, how long have you been considering it, Major?" Dr. Akagi was rubbing her chin and watching the two Children.
"Since the first day," she smiled impishly at Shinji, "Shinji-kun, I'll be bunking in the apartment next door because I don't want Asuka killing me off while I sleep. I'll bring you a present tomorrow, okay? See you then. Bye-bye! Take good care of her, you hear?"
Then she turned to the doctor and pretended to whisper, "If anybody's the victim here, I'd say it's Shinji. He just has the worst luck."
Shinji shook his head in disgust when Misato snickered, and looked pained when Dr. Akagi answered seriously. "Major, sometimes you surprise me. You may have a point."
"Oh, shut up, you two. I can still hear you," Shinji interrupted rudely.
The two women smiled. "Shin-chan! Is that any way to talk to your guardian?"
"Oooh, bite me," he snapped crossly.
Then Dr. Akagi said sternly, "But Shinji, I mean it. You shouldn't take advantage of Asuka."
"I know! I know! I won't do it again..." Shinji trailed off helplessly when Asuka, both feet now clad in boots, reached out to smooth the scowl on his forehead, both women's eyebrows shot up and they heard Shinji finish in a whisper, "...too often... Arggghhh!"
"See, I told you. Victim."
"I understand."
"I hate you both."
A/N: Thank y'all for the very nice reviews! Thank you, too, to those who faved this and put it on alert. It helps with my muse. Really.