Initial Perturbation Chapter 6: Ripple, an evangelion fanfic

I do not own the characters of Neon Genesis Evangelion, nor any other aspects of it. Honest!

Rating: T - nothing explicit enough to get excited about here...

Initial Peturbation MkII

CHAPTER 6 - Ripple

Asuka walked onto the Eva maintenance deck and cast a critical glance toward the cage "So, how's my Unit 02? Are the arms healed yet?"

Ritsuko looked around from the terminal she was typing at. "Ah, Asuka. The regeneration of the arm tissue is coming along nicely, but we're having a little trouble sourcing spare parts from Germany. The facial armour might also be a little incomplete for a while, but it should be adequate if we need to sortie."

"Well, okay. As long as we're combat effective - who knows how much trouble we'd be in if we had to rely on the prototypes." Asuka told the doctor.

Ritsuko tilted her head to the side slightly. "About that. I wanted to talk to you about your interactions with the other pilots."

"Well, I can't help it if one's a robot and the other is a total wimp. What can you expect me to do?" Asuka shrugged expansively, her manner a touch blase to hide her discomfort.

"Try not kicking their noses in, for one." Ritsuko said mildly. "As a pilot, you should have been trained well enough to know how dangerous that was."

Asuka put her hands on her hips, a defensive posture. "I was fully indoctrinated in basic human biology, doctor." she said angrily.

"Then you know that a severe impact to the nose can result in instant brain death by penetration of the grey matter by the cartilage mass." Ritsuko raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Asuka looked taken aback. "Uh...really? I mean, yeah, I know that. But...seriously? I could have killed him?"

The doctor let a sly smile grace her face. "No, your kick wasn't that powerful - or that accurate, for that matter. Still, freak occurances can happen. However, we will not tolerate the abuse of our pilots, even if that abuse is inflicted by another pilot. We've accepted the trivial bruising that Pilot Ikari has acquired from your sparring and...other activities. Unfortunately, this incident has made it clear that we have to draw the line."

Asuka tensed, clenching her fists. "It was an accident damnit! Can't you understand that!"

"Oh, we can understand it. We also understand that it represents an unacceptable risk. Consider yourself lucky we aren't taking formal disciplinary actions."

The warhead scowled under her bangs. "Fine, I'll play nice with your porcelein dolls. Pah!"

Ritsuko's expression softened. "You're a good girl Asuka, but you do tend to get carried away. Now, I just have to tell you this as an official caution so bear with me. No repeated occurances of this type will be tolerated, on pain of expulsion from the Eva program."

"WHAT! So you'd put the survival of the human race on those two losers?"

"If necessary. However, you should be aware that we are unlikely to retain only three pilots."

Asuka looked shocked. "You're getting more Pilots? Does that mean you're getting more Evas as well!"

"Well, that's not for me to divulge, Pilot." Ritsuko smirked. "Unit 02 will be operational in fourteen hours, and fully combat-ready within the week." The blonde woman turned around in dismissal.

"Wait. Why did you tell me this? Why didn't Misato do it?"

Ritsuko didn't turn around as she spoke, "She asked me to do it as a favour. To tell the truth, it's a bit of a conflict of interest, having her as your guardian and commanding officer."

"Hmmph." the pilot muttered in return. 'Misato couldn't bring herself to discipline me herself, huh? And they're promoting her, no less. Pathetic.'

Misato watched Asuka exit the Evangelion maintenance monitoring suite, the muttering girl's eyes cast low in preoccupation.

"...'gut frau', pah. Damning me with your faint praise, you fake blonde."

"Oh, hey Asuka!" Misato said with forced cheeriness, pretending not to have heard the teenager's ranting.

"Misato. Hi." Asuka replied tightly.

The Captain's happy visage wilted slightly. "So, how's Unit 02?"

Asuka sighed impatiently, putting a hand on her hip. "It will be combat ready in by Monday, Captain."

"Err, right..." Misato dropped the pretense. "Look Asuka..."

"No, never mind." Asuka told her shortly. "If you have to discipline me, at least do it yourself. I know I screwed up; let me show you that I've learned my lesson."

Director of Operations Katsuragi looked at her charge solemnly. "Very well. You can come with me to visit the First Child then."

The girl nodded, accepting the order. "So she's awake then. She'll be able to go to your party, right?"

"Mmm. Shinji's with her now."

"Shinji is?" Asuka repeated

"Yahuh. Better go investigate before Rei invites him into her bed, huh?"

Asuka scowled openly. "Oh shut up you old bat. Besides, I can't imagine those two getting it on - frigid and frigider! It'd be like polar ice-caps mating!"

Misato grinned. "Oh come on, I've seen Shinji get pretty hot and bothered - remember when you 'accidently' ran out of your room in your underwear? Poor kid almost had a heart-attack."

"Whatever!" the teen growled.

This time Misato didn't have to force her smile. "Okay. But no more kicks to the head."

"I know!"

Fuyutsuki slid onto onto the train carriage seat stiffly and opened up the newspaper he'd been carrying under his arm. He scanned it listlessly; he read it just to alleviate the tedium of the journey into HQ, since the MAGI dealt with the machinations of Nerv and indeed the city, doling out information to the upper echelons of Tokyo 3's true masters only when necessary.

His eyes found an article about the latest migration trends. "They're all leaving...and I can't blame them."

"Sir?" asked the young, Nerv-uniformed girl whom Fuyutsuki had never noticed sitting down next to him. She looked nervous, like a school student who hadn't been paying attention.

"Uh, not to worry...Ensign..." he responded, embarrased that he wasn't sure if he should know her.

"Barrett-Kyoshi, Sir."

"Well, Ensign...I was just talking to myself about the population figures."

She nodded. "Yes sir. Some of my co-workers have left too...I guess it's hard to stick around here these days if you have a family."

The Sub-Commander pursed his lips. "Hmm. I suppose so. Those that moved here for their careers now have to think about what's best for their loved ones."

"I guess even just living is a goal, these days." said the young woman, a tad whistfully. Then she realised who she was talking to, and shrank back in embarrasment.

Kouzo Fuyutsuki decided he didn't like that sort of reaction one bit. With a dismissive grumble, he turned back to his paper.

Shinji sat at the kitchen table, eyebrows furrowed as he calculated mentally. He kept forgetting variables, but he couldn't write them down. She was watching him.

"Asuka," he moaned, "why aren't you watching TV or something?"

Asuka looked up from her vigil, chin resting on folded arms at the other side of the table. "I'm here for when you need help, stupid. Why, are you having a problem?"

Shinji's frown deepened. "Uhm, you don't have to...hang around...I could just ask you when I'm having trouble." he said carefully, trying to avoid igniting his volatile cohort.

Asuka smiled a lopsided smile. "But you're too shy, so I have to be able to see when you're having trouble or you'd never ask."

"But why does my schoolwork matter that much?" demanded the over-watched boy.

"As an Evangelion pilot, you're welfare is of prime concern for the good of mankind. As your fellow pilot, it's my duty to ensure your competence."

"So because of Eva, it's your duty to look out for me."

"Absolutely."

A tick appeared over Shinji's brow. "What about your own school work?"

Asuka looked disdainful. "My education in everything but Japanese kanji is complete. So, because your knowledge is so little compared to mine, I must help you. Aren't you lucky to have the most beautiful tutor, like, ever?"

Shinji closed his eyes as he closed his book and picked up his pen. "Hmmph. Well, I'm going to my room to study now." With that, he went to his room, silently sliding the door closed behind him.

Asuka watched, non-plussed. 'Geez, he sure is grumpy. What does he want, a song and dance?' she grumped.

"Asuka? Hey, Asuka." called Misator from the living room.

"Hmm? What is it, Misato?"

The older woman held the phone out to the teenager. "If you hadn't been impersonating a space cadet, you could've picked up the phone. It's Hikari for you."

"Eh? Oh, whatever. Gimme the phone."

Misato rolled her eyes and handed the cordless device over.

"Ah, hullo Hikari. Hmm? No, nothing's up...how should I know what that idiot is up to? Hmm. Nah, just watching TV. Ehh? Heh. Ehh? That stooge again? So go make him a bento box like all the other silly Japanese girls. Hah, not likely! Oh that...well it was my turn to cook, and...what do you mean, of course he liked it. Huh? Well...he seems to enjoy making lunch so much, I let him do it all the time. Yes I think so! Hah! So you think you can out-cook me eh? Well that's what it sounded like to me! What? Bah. Well, we'll see! Ja, ja...with pleasure! Fine. Ja...mmm. Ja ne. Guten-nacht."

Misato glanced into the kitchen from her can of beer. It was a novelty chair that the bridge bunnies (plus the kids) had bought her for her promotion, complete with a fridge big enough for a six-pack under the seat. A small plate was inscribed, 'A Major day at work deserves a big, cold beer.' . "So, you two are having a cook off?"

"The nerve of that girl! Thinking that just because I let Shinji prepare our lunches, I need pointers in cooking! I'll show her!"

Having visions of a flame-grilled, smoke-cured apartment put Misato into damage limitation mode. "Now now, I'm sure she just meant that she could help you with Japanese-style cooking, as opposed to your German style."

"Hmmph. Is it my fault if you all seem to use weird utensils? And the cost of proper meat is so unreasonable!"

The purple-haired Major relaxed as the redhead simmered down. "I guess that's what happens when you live abroad. Where's Shinji?"

"Sulking in his room." Asuka noted offhandly.

"Oh? And why would he be sulking?"

She shrugged. "How should I know? Anybody would think he was the girl of this house. He's so touchy... do guys have their own version of PMT?"

Misato stifled a laugh. "Heh, maybe when their football team loses."

Asuka grinned in return. "But seriously, he's so...fragile. When he's in his Eva he can be strong, but only when he's pushed. Why aren't we doing anything about it? Making him...stronger I guess?"

Misato sat her can down into the holder on her arm-rest. "That's a good question, Asuka. I mean, I'm trying to help him by having him live in my house, you're trying by being his friend...but NERV has absolutely no formal personal development programs for any of you. I did ask once, but Ritsuko explained...what did she explain? It was all very technical...something to do with minimal disturbance to living spaces, and unstable harmonics."

"But that's stupid! I mean, with me that makes sense, and maybe Rei since she seems okay in her strange kind of way...but Shinji needs some sort of help. Hell, he's one of us Pilots and we're probably the most important people in the world, even! Do our efforts matter, or do you just need a dumb doll to sit inside the Eva to hold it up while it's being bashed by an Angel?"

Misato sighed. "I guess life just isn't that simple, is it? Dont worry, I'm sure Ritsuko and the Commander have been over this, and we must trust in them and the MAGI to guide us. They've gotten us this far."

Asuka let out a long sigh, involving the flailing of arms and a dramatic collapse onto the cushion-lined couch. "I guess. Anyway, he seems pretty pissed off at me right now...is it because of the nose thing? I already apologised for that."

The side of Misato's mouth quirked into a crooked smile. "Oh, relax kiddo. It's just that your Germanic manner that rubs his traditional Japanese sensibilities the wrong way sometimes."

Asuka looked at the older woman. "What do you mean?"

She hid her smile behind her beer can. "You might try to keep your Tuetonic Efficiency lectures to a minimum. He probably also feels invaded from how much you've been watching over him. A young man needs his privacy."

Asuka blushed lightly. "I...didn't realise."

Misato let out a laugh. "Hah! No...sorry! I meant time alone to think. He was very solitary before, so he needs time to adjust. You've helped him a lot...don't spoil it now by asking too much of him."

"Oh...right. Uh, thanks Misato. I might...go talk to him now."

Katsuragi grinned lightly as she watched her go, before landing herself in her Yebisu-upholstered chair. Presently, she felt hungry. With a sigh, she reclined her can-seat back and shook her beer can to confirm it's emptiness, and sat it into the 'empties' tray. Then she noticed the level on the beer-monitor to her side.

"Ah, dammit...can't be helped I guess..."

She reached out a long and elegant finger, and pressed the big red button on her arm-rest.

"WHOOP WHOOP! BEER ALERT! BEER ALERT! URGENT BEER DELIVERY REQUIRED! YEBISU LEVEL CRITICALLY LOW! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ALERT! URGENT BEER DELIVERY REQUIRED!" the chair shrilled, underlayed byu the sound of a klaxon.

"I love this chair." Misato sighed contentedly.

Ritsuko gave the assembled pilots in the briefing room a smile. "Okay, since we're all here we'd might as well start. The Research and Development arm have some prototypes for you kids to play with, but please remember to treat them with respect. They cost a substantial part of our defense budget to create."

Turning to face Shinji across the tactical display table, she gestured and a rotating computer-generated image of Unit 01 hefting a sword dramatically alternated between solid and wireframe graphics. Stats scrolled laconically by in a side corner. "Unit 01 has been equipped to wield this weapon, a so-called 'progressive katana'. It's essentially a scaled-up prog knife, though it's somewhat heavier and less flexible than a scale katana due to material technology constraints. Only the front edge has progressive blade elements, whicle the rear is merely conventionally bladed."

"Hey!" Asuka protested. "Why does he get the cool sword?"

Misato smirked. "Wait your turn, Asuka. In any case, the weapon assignments were made based on your training and battle performances."

"Hmmm," the redhead acceded to reserve her opinion.

Ritsuko smiled wryly. "Okay, Unit 02 next then." The display changed to feature Eva 02 with two shorter swords. "Asuka, your preference for a multi-weapon approach and excellent coordination led us to develop dual kodachi-style blades for your use. Again, these are essentially scaled-up prog knives but the shorter length of the kodachi means that they are not as brittle or inflexible as the sword. The're double-edge, too."

"Vundevar!" Asuka grinned widely, and mimed a double-swipe at Shinji's midsection. He was not amused.

Again the display changed, this time Unit Zero brandishing a gun-metal rod almost as tall as the Unit.

"Rei, we've assigned you a new prototype form of weaponry. The bo-style quarter-staff we have developed combines a kinematic force dissapator to absorb blows with our new photonic-pulse technology. The two ends may be rammed at an enemy and release a pulse of stored photonic virtual-mass, providing a substantial packet of momentum. This weapon will require intensive usage training. It hasn't been trialled at full-scale before, so this is an experimental device."

Rei nodded solemnly.

"Hey, Wondergirl! You're sup-posed to be happy! They just gave you their newest toy, the flashiest weapon! Can't you be happy about that!" Asuka nagged.

"If it will help my performance." Rei replied solemnly. Asuka was having trouble teaching her enthusiasm, but irritation was coming along just fine.

"Rei is used to being given cutting-edge technology prototypes by now, Asuka. Unit Zero, for example." Ritsuko pointed out, a tad smugly.

Asuka just glowered, simmering gently with no need for further stirring.

"Kaji?"

"Yes, Miss Major?"

"Now that just sounds silly."

"No worse than 'Miss Captain' though."

"Hmmph, I guess. Hey...have you...ever felt like a parent?"

"Uh...! Well...no-one was ever able to make the charges stick."

"Oh, funny. I was just thinking..."

"Don't they warn you about these fugitive concepts during officer training, Ms. Director of Operations?" he asked lightly.

"Along with all moral concepts and ethical concerns, sure. But you know me, I like to bend the rules."

"Hmm. Bending the rules for your Children?"

Misato gestured to herself. "Am I so transparent?"

Kaji looked away. "Thats not like you. Duty first, the people in your life..."

"Well maybe I'm finally growing up." she sighed.

He looked at her speculatively. "Let me guess; Shinji's lacking a father figure worthy of the title 'human being', and is otherwise living in a female-dominated paradigm."

"Hey, I wouldn't exacly say I 'dominate' him..."

"How about the combination of you, Asuka and Ritsuko?"

"Hmmph. Maybe so."

"Asuka's not much better off, in some ways. They do seem to have connected though, two isolated souls finding solace with each other."

"But like hedgehogs, they can't help but hurt each other."

"That's Ritsuko's metaphor, isn't it?"

Misato grinned impishly. "Of course. You should hear how she described you."

"I'm afraid to ask. So, you want me to buddy-up with your little Shin-chan, huh?"

"Well, yeah. Of course, these days that necessarily entails Asuka..."

The Agent scratched his chin. "Are you trying to get me arrested?"

"No...I think she's found easier game."

"Ouch...never thought of myself as 'hard to get'."

"Even for a fourteen-year-old?"

"When I was between the ages of twelve and sixteen, no I didn't." said Kaji slyly.

"You're incorrigable."

"You're welcome."

"So, yes? No?"

"I'll see what I can cram into my schedule. Doctor Kaji's magic is much in demand, you know."

"I thought I was the only client foolish enough to keep you on?"

"Don't worry, you get a special rate."

Misato raised an eyebrow. "I'll bet. Don't be spreading yourself thin on my account, Kaji."

"Threat taken. Although, whatever happened to the adage about lunch as distinct from dinner?"

"At Misato's, it's all you can eat for a reasonable deposit. Why eat out?"

"Hmm, maybe you should have been in Nerv Public Relations. Alright, I'll come over tomorrow and take the two tikes out. Should I bring Rei too?"

"Rei? Uh...do you think it would help?"

Kaji's smile was knowing. "Just evening up the odds. Might as well do this properly, eh?"

"Hmm, fine. 'Dad'!"

"Ugh. That...that doesn't sound right."

"Oh, admit it."

"I'm starting to feel nauseaous..."

Misato sniffed. "Well, if you feel like that you'll have to vacate this bed."

"Here's to the artificial family!" Kaji said with an invisible toast.

"Nnnrgh!" Shinji panted.

"Too slow." The Sensei tsked, and tapped the back of the boy's gi-covered legs with his stick.

"Rrrgh!" Shinji replied.

"Better." said the Sensei.

"pant" said Shinji.

"HAH!" said Asuka.

"Gngh." said Rei.

"Enough." declared the Sensei.

"Aah." said Shinji.

"Finally!" said Asuka.

"." said Rei.

The trio shuffled out of the training room as the Sensei looked on, the traditional bow and cool down having been completed.

"Hey, Rei. You're coming with us today, aren't you?" Shinji inquired, attracting Asuka's attention.

"Yes." the solemn girl replied.

"Ah...uhm...good." Shinji smiled uncomfortably. Asuka grinned widely.

Asuka truned to her fellow pilot with a peculiar look in her eyes. "So Rei, what do you think Mr. Kaji has planned for us?"

Rei paused in thought before answering, "I believe he will ask us to engage in some form of team bonding. Given today's clement weather and his natural tendencies as a male role model, we will probably engage in an outdoor group activity such as camping, hiking or sports. We are not prepared for an overnight excursion and I lack ball skills, so we will probably go hiking."

"Wow," Shinji said, giving Rei a slightly awed look, "you really thought that through!"

The Second Child, however, was not as impressed. "Rei, you don't have to explain your reasoning all the time! You could have just said 'hiking' and that would have been enough."

Rei turned away slightly. "I understand."

Shaking her head, Asuka growled, "Hey, don't take it like that. I'm trying to help!"

Shinji nodded. "She's just trying to be...instructive." he told the quiet girl.

Rei tilted her head slightly and gave Asuka a look. "Pack leader?"

"Huh?" Asuka said in surprise. "Now wait a moment..."

"'Of wolves and men'..."

The redhead started rolling up her sleeves. "Why you..."

The boy rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be happy, Asuka? She's standing up for herself...in her own way."

Asuka blinked. "Uh...well...maybe I guess..."

Rei began walking out of the classroom, satchel in-hand.

"Hey!" Asuka growled.

"I'm leaving." Rei said dutifully.

"Mmm." Asuka responded, wiping her brow with a cloth. "Seeya in a couple of hours."

"Uhm, seeya, Rei." Shinji called after the retreating form.

"Argh! Shinji! Put your shoes on, your feet stink! Schweinhundt!"

Kaji prodded uncertainly at the open door before him with some trepidation. Despite the gloom, dank and mould, Kaji was far from peturbed by his surrounds - indeed, such places felt like his ever-changing place of work. It was the child who lived in it that had him feeling uncomfortable.

"Rei, are you in there?" he called as he entered.

"Yes."

"Well then, could you come out where I can see you?"

Rei answered by coming out from the partitioning curtain that bordered her bed.

"Oh jeez Rei! Just...just finish up will you?"

"Hai."

"Damn kid," the sometimes-spy muttered to himself. "I swear, she did that on purpose. Looks like Asuka's training her well. Who just 'happens' to be getting dressed when they're scheduled to be picked up?" He slapped his forehead. "Aside from every other female in the world, I mean."

A few moments later, Rei presented herself before him. "I am ready, Mr. Kaji."

"Ah, yes." the man replied, running a critical eye over his charge. "Uhm, don't you have any other clothes? This isn't a school trip."

"No, I do not."

Kaji rolled his eyes. "Of course not. Not even some other shoes? Something a little more suited to hiking, perhaps?"

"No."

"I see. You're an enigma, Rei."

Rei raised a questioning eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Oh yes. A girl who can keep a man waiting on her, but has only a single outfit and set of shoes. If 'man'kind were to find out at large, they'd want you cloned and mass-produced."

Rei did not react. Finally Kaji said, "Okay, lets go."

As they walked out to Kaji's car, the man looked back at her. "You know, you could have at least tried to laugh at my jokes. People don't like it when their humour is ignored."

"Is that so?" Rei queried. "I apologise."

The two entered the car, and the journey to pick up the other Evangelion pilots beginning.

"Don't worry." Kaji told her. "So, all ready for this little shindig of ours?"

"I believe that I have made the necessary preparations."

"Good. Are you looking forward to spending some time with the others?"

Rei paused in thought. "This is a team-bonding excercise. I assume enthusiasm is required?"

Kaji chuckled. "Required? No, but it helps. If it's lacking, it's my job to rouse it."

"Then you must lead cheer?"

"Why yes. Although, I think I'd make a lousy cheerleader. My chest is too flat. I'm also here to provide a father figure, Rei."

"Is that required?"

"It should be helpful to Shinji and Asuka to have a masculine figure in their lives. I'm not sure that you're lacking one, though. Tell me, does Commander Ikari act as your father figure?"

"I'm not sure I understand."

"You hang on his every word, and have pledged more than once to fulfil his bidding at any cost. What has he done to deserve this devotion? He took you in as a small child, did he not?"

"Yes."

"He clothed you? Fed you?"

"I believe so...although I cannot remember if it was ever directly so."

"He is your provider, then."

"Yes."

"Then it appears that he is your father figure, Rei."

"I suppose so."

"Then why," Kaji fixed her with a look, "do you live in such conditions?"

Rei was silent.

"Rei?"

"I...cannot say."

"Cannot...or will not?"

"I cannot tell...what I do not know."

Kaji digested this for a moment. "I see."

Silence reigned in the car for a few minutes. Then,

"I'm sorry, Rei."

Again, silence filled the void between the two isolated figures.

"Kaji!" Asuka dashed to the just-opened door to wrap herself around Kaji, her arms coming to about his belly-height. Misato's smile hardened as she held the door open as she seriously considered closing the door...onto Asuka's too-pleased form. Instead, she held fast.

"Oh, hello kiddo. Hey there Misato, Shinji. And where's that bird who has you all trained so beautifully?" Kaji said as Shinji came into the kitchen and Pen-Pen waved.

"Hey, you never call me anymore!" Asuka declared, pouting slightly. Shinji's eyebrow flickered, Misato's vein pulsed.

"And you never call me anymore, kiddo." Kaji reminded her. "We have both settled in to Tokyo 3 without need of artificial support."

He waited to let this sink in. "Hmm, true..." Asuka replied after a beat.

Shinji rubbed his collarbone, "So, where are we going Mr. Kaji?"

"Oh, just a little hiking area I know. Uhm, Rei is here too, you know."

Shinji did a double-take as he looked past Kaji to the mute form behind. 'Was it the lighting, or was she hidden by Kaji's...aura?' he wondered. "Uh, hi Rei! Why don't you come in?"

"Thankyou." the girl replied and removed her shoes. Asuka jumped guiltily out of her way, away from Kaji as she came into the apartment. She wasn't sure she liked the look Shinji exchanged with the porcelein-doll girl.

"Would you like something to drink, you two?" Misato asked.

"I do not need anything, Captain." Rei answered.

Smiling, Kaji said, "Not right now, sugar-cakes. Although, could you fill up three drink bottles? Oh, and Shinji could you grab your backpack? We'll need it for the hike."

"Yessir!" Shinji said, glad to have something to do other than stand by idly. He dashed to his room immediately.

"Wondergirl? Are you going hiking in your school uniform?" Asuka asked.

"Yes."

Asuka's eyebrow twitched. "Rei...!"

"Yeah." Rei said dutifully.

Kaji cleared his throat. "Asuka, do you have any...more suitable shoes for hiking? The dress is alright since we'll be following a path, but your high-heels are definitely innapropriate."

Asuka moaned, "Oh, fine. But what about Wondergirl, she's got her school-shoes on for cryin' out loud!"

Misato looked at Rei's feet, then raised an eyebrow. "She's got a point, Kaji."

"Well...Rei, what size shoe do you take?"

"Six."

Misato chimed, "Asuka, you're a six-and-a-half right? Maybe Rei can borrow some of your sneakers?"

"Uh..." Asuka hesitated. "Oh, fine...this way, Wondergirl. I'll show you what a real woman wears on her feet."

Silently, Rei followed the red-head as she nattered on about shoes. Misato grinned suddenly.

"What's so funny, Miss Major?" Kaji frowned. 'This doesn't bode well.'

"I just thought of the perfect solution to young Rei's problem. You will take her shopping after you get back from hiking."

"But...!"

"And before you start sooking, hear me out. Let Asuka drag her about, buy her some clothes as well as shoes and anything else necessary. NERV will cover it. Then you and Shinji can muse about the silliness of females, go look at toy cars, baseball gloves, girly calendars or whatever guys do. After that, come back here and take me out to dinner. We can let those three watch a video."

Kaji frowned in thought. "Perhaps a nightcap at Chateau de Ryouji?"

"Hmm, who knows." Misato fiddled with the bottle cap in her hand. "I can't stand strangers looking at me in reception."

"You used to love that."

"Maybe...or maybe I just liked being seen with you..."

Kaji sighed. "Ah, the female psyche. Shinji and I will have a lot to discuss. But I think you owe me one after today, Miss Katsuragi."

"You'll get it." Misato grinned.

"It's huge...!" Ritsuko gasped.

"Well, size isn't everything." Hyouga quipped. Shigeru shook his head and put his hand on his fellow tech's shoulder.

"Dude, uncool."

Maya shot the two a dirty look as Ritsuko sighed. "The Commanders step away from their posts and it becomes kindergarten down here. Now, inadequecy issues aside, can we get more data on this thing? Can we confirm if it's an Angel?"

Hyouga spoke as he typed commands into his console. "We're sending a couple of recon satellites for a fly-by. ETA two minutes."

Maya likewise types as she spoke. "MAGI analysis started. Radar dopplers are being processed, but there's pitifully little data coming back - something seems to be interfering with the data transfer."

"Most of the data is being corrupted, that monster's hiding itself. Only the sheer size of that leviathan is coming through." Shigeru commented.

"Akagi. Status." The Commander stared imperiously down from the command deck.

"Working sir. Possible Angel detection, in orbit. Whatever it is, it's massive."

Shigeru spoke up, "Ground-based sensors are moving into place, but their scanners are being jammed. I'd say the jamming efficiency is increasing, too."

Feyutski frowned from his place next to the Commander. "It certainly sounds like an Angel."

"Enhanced evolution." said the Commander.

"Fly-by satellites are nearing scanning range. I'm putting it on the main screen."

A collective gasp sounded on the bridge as the abstract Angel appeared.

Maya spoke up. "MAGI rendering at 67 percent probability. That's bizarre, ma'am!"

Ritsuko drank in the sight apprehensively. "The...bold nature of the graphic is due to a lack of information for the MAGI to work with. It should improve as the satellites get closer."

The screen broke into a white-noise signal, and went blank. "Satellites destroyed, sirs." Hyouga reported wearily.

"An AT field spike was detected just prior to the satellite's destruction. Pattern blue. It's definite. It's an Angel, sirs." Maya reported.

"We're sending up an unmanned probe, but I don't expect it'll do much good." Shigeru told them.

"Very well." Commander Ikari intoned. "Have the pilots en-route and prep the Evas. Summon the Major to formulate a tactical senario series."

"Sir! A massive meteor event has been...!" Hyouga paused as the room around them rocked suddenly, great wowing twangs booming through the air as the fortress flexed on it's very foundations. The lights dimmed as the powergrid flexed and strained. As the noise died down and the room settled, he continued more quietly. "A meteor event in the East China sea has been detected, sirs."

Feyutski leaned forward. "The Angel...?"

Ritsuko frowned. "It must be. It was too massive, but lacking in kinetic energy, to be anything else."

"My god."

"I guess size does matter," Hyouga muttered to Shigeru. "And we're in one very BIG pile of shit."

Asuka and Shinji lingered in the NERV corridor leading from the briefing room to the pilot's change rooms. Although Rei moved with her usual efficiency, these two felt little need to rush given the time scale they'd been given.

"Shinji..." Asuka said softly as the two strode slowly.

"Hmmm?" Shinji asked in the same mild manner.

"I...you're a really good friend, you know that?"

Shinji's mouth tugged into a falorn smile. "I hope so. You too Asuka, I don't know where I'd be without you."

Asuka put on a whistful grin. "Probably not walking up a corridor to certain death?"

"Humph, yeah."

"Shinji...I'm sorry for treating you like a child...I just didn't know how else to...be there for you..."

He gave her a sunny smile. "That's okay. It was nice to know you care."

Asuka stopped her stride. As Shinji turned to ask her why, she latched onto his arm and rested her head against his shoulder.

"I...don't want to die, baka." she said, her voice breaking slightly.

Shinji let out a soft sigh. "I don't either, Asuka. Thats...why we'll go do this, right?"

"I don't want you to die either."

Shinji closed his eyes and let his head lean on top of Asuka's. He pulled her around into a loose embrace. Heads resting on each other's shoulders, they felt solemn comfort in their closeness.

"We won't die, Asuka." Shinji said with a gentle forcefulness. "I won't let you die. Or Rei, or Misato or Kaji, not anyone. We'll live, Asuka."

"Ba-ka. I'm the one who always has to save the day."

"Isn't it my turn again by now?"

"No, I get all the cool fight scenes. You just have to act hopeless."

"Hmmmph. Your hair smells nice."

"That's not all thats nice about me, baka-kun."

"I know that, bossy-chan."

Asuka let out a long sigh, her arms wrapped about Shinji's back. She wiped a tear from her eyes on his shoulder, and settled back into position. "This is nice." she murmered.

"Mmmm." Shinji replied lazily.

This time, Asuka's sigh was sharp and annoyed. "We'd better go. Who knows how many cameras are spying on us right now?"

"I don't care."

"Me neither, but I don't want Misato to come in here to harass us. Let's get moving..."

Shinji let out a sigh. "Yes yes, bossy-chan."

"No peeking through the screen, baka-kun."

"Aww, no fun."

"That can wait for later."

Shinji's face bloomed red. "Uh...sure..."

Asuka favoured him with a mischeivous grin. "Now you definitely won't die, your hormones wont let you! Ha hah!"

Shinji only smiled as she dissapeared behind the screen.

Author's Notes:

Back from Europe, and happy to oblige those who have requested more chapters! The downside is, this chapter seems to be mostly character development (read: soap opera). Thanks for reading!

Oh yeah, weapons inspired by 1) Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) and 2) TMNT. Sad, huh?

MkII Notes:

This was a tricky chapter to remaster, but I think it's better for it! Now...who's ready for another battle?

/ Omake for Chapter #6 /

Shinji covered his ears as he opened his door. "Can you believe we bought that for her?"

Asuka rolled her eyes. "Well, I didn't know about the stupid 'beer alarm' feature!"

Shinji smiled sardonically. "Or the iris-scan on the fridge lock."

"The 'emergency Yebisu hotline' uplink was a surprise."

"How about the Beer Defense Line mini-arsenal?"

"And I've never even heard of anything like the lead-lined nano-brewery and hops/barley/yeast store."

Shinji scratched his head with an embarrased shrug. "Well, it did say 'Prepare for getting totally radioactively-blasted and righteously reduced to a puddle of plasma!' on the packaging...but I didn't think it was serious."

Asuka smiled, holding her head lopsided. "It was the perfect gift for Misato...just a little too perfect."

"Hey, now that I think of it, there was something about a return trip to Bavaria for Oktoberfest, right?" Shinji asked suddenly.

"Oh yeah...that must be starting soon..." Asuka said. "Hey, have you seen Pen-Pen recently?"

Shinji looked thoughtful. "I didn't see him this morning...I assumed he was trapped under Misato's armpit when he didn't come for his breakfast. You don't think..."

Asuka raised an eyebrow. "A true measure of intelligence is not how many people think you're smart. To think, outsmarted by a bird. How are we going to get rid of Misato now?"

Shinji snapped his fingers. "We tell her that Pen-Pen took her lucky ring-pull with him!"

Asuka beamed. "Yes!" she said as the two teenagers high-fived each other.

A scant few minutes later, the Yebisu Can's main drive rocket could be heard to blast as Misato went on the intercept.

"She's a little bit like lead and a little bit like plutonium - poisonous, very dense, and seems to emit evil radiation."

"Mana is not that bad! She just controls an enemy robot killing machine and spies on people!"

-fin-