THE MIND OF AN ANGEL

Disclaimer: if you think I actually own Evangelion, then you must really be retarded….

This chapter was proofread by: GeekViking86 thank you my man!

Chapter 4: Dinner surprise.

"Shinji, Rei is here!"

Shinji turned around to face the door, and removed his apron. Once he took off his gloves, he headed for the door.

He looked out the peephole to see it was indeed Rei, he opened the door to let her in.

As soon as he opened the door he noticed she was virtually unchanged since he saw her at the hospital; she was still wearing her school uniform, with the same expression on her face.

"Hello Shinji, may I come in?"

"Of course Ayanami"

Rei stepped inside and quickly bowed to Misato.

"Thank you for your hospitality Major".

Misato chuckled, before replying:

"Please Rei, it was our pleasure, it'll be good to have company for dinner".

Shinji came to Rei's side and pulled up a chair.

"Come on Ayanami have a seat".

Rei sat down as Shinji went to the stove to get the food.

But…

As Shinji was distracted on serving the food (Rice with meats, or in Rei's case, vegetables), someone else had his attention squarely on the red-eyed girl sitting on the table.

This should be interesting…
The dinner had, so far, gone in relative silence, except Pen-Pen kept shoving his bowl at Shinji repetitively trough out the whole thing.

Misato chugged her forth beer before finally starting a conversation:

"Rei, why are you wearing your uniform?"

Rei looked in Misato's direction before answering.

"It is the only article of clothing I posses"

Misato blinked in surprise.

"You mean you don't have any other clothes than your school uniform?"

"Uniforms Major, and that is correct"

Misato looked at Rei for a few seconds, dumbstruck look on her face.

"WHAT!" Screamed Misato as she slammed her beer down.

Shinji jumped at the sudden scream coming from Misato.

"Why Rei!"

"I do not require any other clothes." she responded calmly.

Misato rubbed her temple and took a few breaths.

"But Rei, who raised you like this?" asked Shinji

"Commander Ikari."

The room was eerily silent at the sound of these words. Shinji gulped, and Misato shuddered.

Shinji quickly tried to break the silence " Rei, have you ever even shopped for clothes?"

Rei turned to look at Shinji with a questionable look on her face.

"I have never needed more articles than the ones I posses already"

Strange one, isn't she?

Now it was Misato's turn to talk.

"THATS IT! Rei tomorrow I'm taking you shopping!"

Rei turned to face Misato, wearing her normal expressionless look.

"Is that an order Major?"

"Want me to make it one?"

Rei sighed as she looked down at the table.

"As you wish"

A very long awkward silence followed Rei's response; thankfully Shinji wasn't the one to break it this time.

"Wark" Pen-Pen was shoving his bowl at Shinji's direction again.

"Not now Pen-Pen." as Shinji said this, Pen-Pen lowered his head and headed for his refrigerator.

Shinji focused his attention on his food, and continued eating. While he was eating he stole occasional glances of Rei.

You care for her, do you not?

Yeah, I do. She's been acting more…relaxed around me…

Shinji continued eating, but found himself thinking about Rei.

I wonder what she's thinking…

No need to wonder.

Shinji blinked in surprise, he forgot that Arael would let him re-

'-- what is it that people do when they share feelings for each other?'

Shinji had to restrain himself from jumping at the sudden sound of Rei's voice in his head.

' holding hands? Yes… that is it…'

Shinji's mind was racing. Who is she thinking about?

The answer would come sooner than expected.

Rei put her chopsticks down, as her hand snaked under the table and held Shinji's hand.

Shinji finally knew the answer.

She's thinking about me…

He looked at Rei her eyes were closed but she had a smile on her face.

The moment ended as quickly as it started, as Rei took her hand away and continued eating.

Shinji was dumbstruck; the girl he had cared for had just held his hand.

Arael, does she like me?

He didn't know why he was asking this, he just needed to know…

A small silence passed, and Misato noticed he looked a little nervous…

"Shinji, are you feeling all right?"

Shinji blushed, realizing he had forgotten about Misato.

Did she see Rei hold my hand? Is she going to tease me? Is she—?

Answer quickly Berserker…

"I'm fine Misato, just bit my tongue is all"

Misato raised an eyebrow at the response but continued to devour the contents of her bowl.

Shinji gave a small sigh of relief in his mind.

Well? Does she --?

Like you? She cares a great deal for you, and wishes to be with you. That is the definition of like, is it not?

So it is true…Rei likes me…

"I am finished." as Rei said this she put her chopsticks down

"Same here, Shinji."

Shinji turned to see both Rei's and Misato's empty bowls.

His was only half finished…

"Shinji, why didn't you finish your food? Its delicious!" exclaimed Misato.

"Yes, it was most enjoyable." added Rei.

Under pressure from both women, he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Sorry, I just wasn't all that hungry. I'll start cleaning up".

He stood up and started to grab the bowls and took them to the sink. Pen-Pen was following his every step with the bowl over its head.

"Not yet Pen-Pen!" the Penguin had a look of aggravation at this point and simply walked away.

Misato stood up at the same time, and started stretching her back.

"Well Rei I have to go now, the amount of paperwork I have is… no longer humanly possible…"

With that she walked back to her room. Shinji had returned to the table and sat next to Rei.

"Rei why did you --" Before Shinji had time to finish the question, Rei put her finger on his lips.

"Shinji please do not ask me this, not now, not here." She said with her eyes closed.

She opened her red eyes, and smiled. The moment was still for a few seconds before Rei broke the silence.

"I must leave now, Shinji." as she spoke, she stood from the table and walked to the door.

"Goodbye Ayanami." he said as he opened the door for her.

"Shinji, may I ask you a favor?"

"Anything, Ayanami."

"Call me Rei…"

Shinji was surprised by her response, but he decided to abide it.

"Goodbye Rei."

She gave him one last smile, before she walked out the door and left. Shinji continued to look at her as she walked away but eventually she got in the elevator and disappeared.

Shinji closed the door and turned around—

Only to be hit in the head by Pen-Pens bowl.

"Ow!" he screamed as the bowl fell to the ground, and Pen-Pen came waddling next to the bowl.

"WARK!" He screamed as he pointed at it.

FILL IT, PROVIDER!

Ugh…

Shinji had finished cleaning the dishes and filled Pen-Pen's bowl with the best fish he could find. He didn't want to ignite the bird's wrath again.

Misato had come out to get her sixth beer, and stooped as Shinji was walking back to his room.

"Shinji…"

Shinji stopped before he opened the door to look at Misato.

"What is it Misato?"

She turned around, and asked while opening her beer.

"Did Rei seem different to you?"

Shinji blinked in surprise, he hadn't expected her to notice.

"How so Misato?"

"Well first off, she's stopped calling you Ikari. Now she's actually calling you Shinji."

She went to sit down at the table as she started counting on her fingers.

" She seemed almost more relaxed towards you…" she took a sip of her beer before continuing "and I could have sworn…--

"I saw her hold your hand."

Shinji gulped as she finished. She noticed everything didn't she?

She is quite skilled in analyzing situations.

Misato finished her beer and turned to him.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think Rei likes you."

Shinji sighed and turned to his room before replying.

"Maybe she does…"

Misato was surprised how low he had said that, almost as if he was whispering to himself.

" 'Night Shinji, remember you have school tomorrow"

"Goodnight Misato…" Shinji said, and then went into his room.

Misato kept looking at his door for a few seconds, then smiled

This'll be good for him, and for Re.i she thought.

She yawned; how she could be sleepy after that nap she didn't know, but she went back to her room and continued to work on the paperwork. She knew it was all to no avail of course…

Shinji had gone to his bed, this time with no music, and decided to think of what just happened.

Why did she…?

Again with this question? She "likes" you, handholding is a way to show affection, am I correct?

Well, uh, yes but –

Then there's your answer.

He decided not to debate this anymore, and tried to go to sleep as he cleared his mind.

Until his stomach gave a small grumble.

You're starving.

I know…

He tucked himself in the sheets, as he let the soft sound of the ceiling fan lull him…

Why…? Was the last thought he had before going to sleep.

Deep down, Arael knew the truth, but he wasn't going to reveal it…

AN: FINALLY huh? Sorry I took 2 weeks! But finals and vacations have backed me up, and its shorter (I'm not to proud of myself, I know) but well I can only promise ill do it faster ok? Please review! Anything wrong at all! Let me know!