She hates looking at the mirror. But she can't help it: like a siren, that is the way mirrors call unto women.

She picks herself apart, staring at the flesh, the highlights. She knows her body is perfect, thin, and lithe. Full hips in correct harmony and proportions to her full breast (and no excess fat hanging anywhere).

But the mirror is a cruel foe: any imperfection real or imagined, slight or obvious is shown. On her stomach, two inches to the left of her belly button a crisscross web of scars and scratches are seen (white, reptilian faces with cruel smiling lips). On her right hand, a series of thin double scars run from the webbing of her fingers all the way to her elbow (Pain, like a searing hot poker that has been thrust into her arm thru her palms). A faint scar crosses her left eyebrow, ending on the corner of the same eye (I'llkillyouI'llkillyouI'llkillyouI'llkillyou).

Her nose and her lips are too small and her eyes feel too big.

She can posture, she can faint, but it all comes down to one simple thing: she needs someone who will accept her for who she is; Because to accept herself, she just gotta have a little faith.

And then, suddenly, she feels his hands snaking around her waist and she feels his lips against her neck.

"You look beautiful, Schatz."

She turns to Shinji and smiles, her fear put at ease.

----- -----

She loves his eyes.

They are like hers, only not. Hers are clear blue, like the seawater on a calm, warm sunny day.

His are dark and stormy, like the clouds brimming on a thunderstorm.

She is water, he is air.

So she stares into his closed eyes, waiting for him to wake up, wondering what is going on in that head of his (is he dreaming of her? Is she clothed? Why does she care and hope it's not the latter?) she can't help but feel the same way she felt back when she had just arrived back from home, completely lost, utterly disconnected.

She want to see his eyes again: to tell him to forgive her if she ever made those beautiful eyes cry, if she ever stole the words "I love you" from his lips.

And so she walks out, tired of waiting, mentally and spiritually spent. She passes Rei without either saying a word, and as Asuka rounds the corner; Rei goes inside Shinji's room.

And as she walks to the seat Asuka had just vacated, and sits, opening a book to spend time, Rei hears Shinji whisper breathlessly, uttering the words "Asuka…", making her frown, a look not of hurt feelings, but of philic concern on her face

Just as his eyes flutter open and turns to look at her.

----- -----

Wow. This is a milestone (for me at least). 20 chapters is a huuge accomplishment for me.

Thanks to all who have reviewed (regardless of shipping preference), and to all who have read, I hope I kept you entertained. I have tried to answer to each and every review, if I've left anyone (other than the anonymous) let me know.

Now, I have to ponder; should I keep it up? Of course I should; this is just a cheap knockout of Syra-X (now Marianne in chains) "The devil and the savior" Until it gets back on line.

In the meantime, stay classy San Diego.