Shinji Steel 26

Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

As Unit-01 drops down, and the EVA transport plane turns, Shinji can't help but yell out.

"YEE-HAA!" Upon feeling the tether go taut, he then brings Unit-01 up to skiing position and says, "Okay, Aoba, as we drop down, keep turning until Misato and I hit the ground. Then sever it. I'll take care of the rest."

"Copy, Pilot Ikari. Though I'm sure you realize I outrank you significantly."

"Rank means very little to me. I'm just acknowledging you're a Lieutenant. That's all."

"I'm beginning to understand that about you just now. Good luck, Shinji."

"Thanks, Lieutenant. You too."

"Why do I have a bad feeling about the way you said that?"

Shinji doesn't answer. He only smiles wildly as the sky-skiing Unit-01 gets closer to the ground and the amok metal turkey. Once making contact with the ground, Shinji has Misato placed onto Unit-01's shoulder and calls out.

"We're down! Sever it!"

"Severing." With that, the tether's severed and falls onto the Unit's outstretched arm. An awed Misato watching intently as Shinji quickly fashions it into a lariat.

"Time to hog-tie a giant metal turkey. Hang on tight, Misato!"

"Okay, Shinji!"

With that, Unit-01 runs intently toward 'Jet Alone' as it makes its way to Atsugi City. Without thinking twice about it, Shinji throws the loop he'd fashioned in the tether at 'Jet Alone'. Making contact with its foot.

'Going turbo!' Running around 'Jet Alone', he manages to tether the machine before rendering it taut and tying it rodeo-style. Going back to normal, he says, "That should hold you for a while, Hoss." Going to the back of 'Jet Alone', he then puts Misato onto its back and says, "You're up, Misato."

"Thanks, Shinji." Misato opens the hatch and can't help but gripe, "Boy, talk about a heated reception. I better make it fast. Shinji, you and I have to talk when we get done here. For now, though, kill the comms between us and NERV. I've already disabled my suit's comm. system so we can talk in private."

"You got it, Misato." Misato gives him the 'peace' sign and ducks into the robot. "And now we wait." At the same time, he keeps vigilant watch on 'Jet Alone'. Ready to act if it even so much as twitches.

(Tokyo-3; Takamiya home; five minutes earlier)

Rits, Deidre and Psycho can only watch stunned as Unit-01 engages in aerobatic insanity as it descends to the ground. Once it makes contact, it fashions the line it'd been insane with into a lariat loop after putting the white and red form onto its shoulder.

Once done, it starts running until it catches up to the robot and throws the loop at the robot's foot. It then proceeds to run around the robot at a high rate of speed until the line covers it from foot to trunk and ties it off.

"He's treating the crisis like a rodeo. A giant robot rodeo, at that."

Psycho's words can only get silent nods from Dragonelle and Rits as Unit-01 puts the white and red form onto the robot. Once the form's inside, Unit-01 maintains position. Ready to move to subdue the robot directly physically if need be.

'Oh my Kami! I think I just creamed myself just watching Shinji's EVA truss up the giant metal turkey!' Her eyes going dreamy, Rits then murmurs, "Shinji's magnificent." Psycho and Dragonelle can't help but share a soft smirk at her words.

(Inside 'Jet Alone' computer compartment)

"Okay. I'm at the computer and entering pass-code now." Typing in the code, Misato then hits 'Enter', only to get an 'invalid code' message. "What the fuck?"

"What's wrong, Misato?"

"It's rejecting the code, Shinji. I'm going to try it again before plugging in the relay so Berto can look at it." Typing in the code again, she gets the same message. "It's no good. I'm plugging in the unit now."

"Okay. Berto, you get that?"

"Loud and clear, hermano. I'm ready here."

"Good to know, Berto." Bringing out the unit, she murmurs, "Sorry about throwing you into the deep end like this, but lives are at stake." Locating the port for computer uplinks, she plugs it in, murmuring, "It's up to you now, Berto."

"Got it. Accessing the schematics and programming protocols for 'Jet Alone' now."

(Old Osaka)

His fingers flying over his keyboard, Berto soon hears frenzied voices and grimaces.

"Incoming wounded, Josh. You may want to help Kat out after all. If I need you, I'll call out."

"You got it, bro. Good luck."

"Thanks, hermano." As Josh ambles away, Berto murmurs, "I'm so going to need it."

His eyes poring over the incoming information, he then accesses the company's database. Comparing the information coming from 'Jet Alone' and the company, he finds nothing wrong with the programming.

"Okay, from what I can tell, Misato, the engineers were not at fault. We may be looking at sabotage by an unknown party."

"Anything else you can tell me?"

"I'm still looking and… hello. What've we here?"

"What is it, Berto?"

"It looks like a timer function. It seems to be tied in to the robot's cooling system. The overheating is a result of sabotage. Resulting in the robot running amok. But what I'm seeing is time until cooling system resets."

"What's the time?"

"Ten minutes."

"Ten minutes? But this thing's so hot, it'll probably blow before then. Any way to speed it up?"

"Let me see here." Opening another window, he works out a quick calculation before grinning. "Matter of fact, there is. But it'll be risky."

"How bad?"

"If it's not done right, it'll make Hiroshima and Nagasaki look like firecrackers."

"Then let's get it done right."

"Agreed. Shinji, you still with us?"

"I'm here, Berto. What's the 411 for the 911?" Berto can't help but chuckle at Shinji's vernacular.

"You need to touch 'Jet Alone' and 'go turbo' for this to work."

"Okay. How does 'going turbo' help what we're doing to work?"

"The EVA's a living computer from what your probes told me that first time. I'm sending a speed-up program in two segments. One will go to 'Jet Alone' and the other segment will go to your probes."

"Okay. Then what?"

"You need to find the robot's external computer link-up, make contact and 'go turbo'. The segment I'm sending you will make contact with the segment I'm sending to 'Jet Alone' through the relay unit."

"Okay. Sounds easy enough. What's the downside?"

"According to your readouts, your T-juice levels are getting close to the red. You 'going turbo' will put you into the red. If not drain you completely."

"If it saves Atsugi City, I can stand to be a little drained."

"Shinji, when I say completely, I mean as in you'd die."

"Ah. Can't have that, can we? Oh well. Here's to hoping." On the window he's watching, he sees Shinji's sight look over the robot before spotting an input umbilical attachment point. "Found it. Going turbo!" With that, Berto sends the segments. Uttering a silent prayer at the same time.

'Please, God, let this work and Shinji survive.'

(Tokyo-3; Takamiya house)

"What is he doing touching that turkey?" Rits can't help but feel nervous before going on. "I mean, it's nuclear, right? I mean, I saw the radioactive symbol on 'Jet Alone', so it's nuclear. Right?"

"Yes, Ritsy. Shinji's indeed touching it. But you need to have faith in what he's doing." Mentally, Dragonelle adds, 'And hope he makes it!' Psycho can only watch, deeply concerned, as Unit-01 gives off a faint glow that's familiar to him.

'He's "gone turbo". I hope that he's got enough juice for it!'

(Inside 'Jet Alone' computer chamber)

As she anxiously watches the screen, Misato calls in.

"Shinji, how're you holding up?"

"Aside from starting to feel a little run-down, not too bad. How're things on your end?"

"So far, so good. Berto?"

"The speed-up's working. It's down to a minute now." When the minute has elapsed, the extended nuclear fuel rods retract into the walls as the coolant systems reactivate and the robot powers down. "I'm registering the cooling systems activating and… huh?"

"Berto? What is it?"

"The relay unit. I just lost signal."

"I'll look, Berto. Wait one." Misato looks at where she'd plugged the unit and grimaces. "I found the problem, Berto."

"What happened?"

"The nuclear energy 'nuked' it." Sighing as she unplugs it and puts it back into her suit's pocket, she adds, "I guess we now know what it's not suited for, at least. Berto, I'm so…"

"No, Misato. No need to be sorry. It was an excellent field test for the prototype. Shinji, how're you feeling?"

"Tired as Hell, Berto." Shinji's reply is punctuated by a yawn as he adds, "I went back to normal when I saw the external rods go back down and the visor on 'Jet Alone' go dim."

"Okay, Shinji. Call in the Sparrow and don your radiation suit when you get in. Misato, when you get here, you'll have to be decontaminated."

"Roger." Starting to climb the ladder, she adds, "Just let me know when you're suited up, Shinji."

"Okay, Misato." Three minutes later, Shinji's voice comes back, albeit weakly, as he says, "I'm suited up, Misato."

"On my way, Shinji."

When she gets topside, she sees a small black aircraft opening its canopy for her. A small figure wearing a blue radiation suit in the pilot's seat. Taking a seat behind the figure, she straps in as the canopy closes and easily gets comfortable.

"Wow. Any chance you can get me one of these seats for my office?" Berto's mirthful chuckles come up over the transceiver before he replies.

"I'll put it on your wish list, Misato. Shinji, you conscious enough to pilot or should I bring the Sparrow in?"

Much to Misato's surprise, Shinji's voice comes through her earpiece. Leading her to suspect his radiation suit is completely sealed to the point anyone not equipped with a transceiver can't hear him speaking.

"Bring it in, Berto. I'm a little too run down to pilot without crashing."

"Okay, hermano. Just relax and I'll bring you two in." With that, the Sparrow takes off like a shot, with Misato crying out in glee.

"WHOO-HOO!"

(Tokyo-3; Takamiya house)

"Where are they going? I didn't know NERV had one of those."

"It must be a prototype retrieval vehicle they've been working on, Ritsy." Dragonelle then gently claps Rits on the shoulder and smiles softly. "But at least we now know that because of Shinji and Misato, the people of Atsugi City are safe."

"Yeah. The best part is no one died. Or at least I hope so. Shinji'd be devastated if anyone died on his watch."

"It happened before he got called in, Ritsuko." Psycho's voice gets Rits' attention as he goes on. "But I do understand how much you care for him. He's lucky he has such a caring girlfriend." Rits can only do one thing. Smile fondly at the closest thing she has to a Father.

(Old Osaka; convention center)

"Josh, situation's been resolved. How're things in the triage area?"

"No fatalities, thankfully enough. Mainly scrapes, bumps and bruises." Josh's reply in his headset brings a smile to Berto's face before Josh asks, "How's Shinji?"

"He's a little run down and on the way to 'N-Tek' for recharge. Misato's with him so she can be decontaminated."

"Got it. Once we're done loading patients into the ambulances here, all three of us are going to go greet our heroes."

"Sounds good to me, Josh."

(En route to Old Osaka 'N-Tek' building)

"How're you holding up, Shinji?"

"Aside from being sleepy, not too bad, Misato. You?"

"Thankful that disaster didn't happen."

"Same here. But what could've caused 'Jet Alone' to go nuts like that to begin with?"

"Berto thinks it might've been sabotage. And I think he might be right." She then asks, "Do you think 'Commander Dumbass' orchestrated it?"

"Like I said this morning, I wouldn't put it past him to do something that could get people killed."

"I do the same thing with you and Rei. Asuka, too, when she gets here."

"That's where you and 'Dumbass' differ. You do it because you know there's no other alternative. 'Dumbass', however, does it because he's a malicious duck-fucker that doesn't give a fuck about people."

"What about 'Jet Alone' being timed? 'Commander Dumbass' must've ordered a timer put into the program."

"Maybe, maybe not. Unless we found out who'd tampered with 'Jet Alone', however, 'Dumbass' is as trustworthy as a thoroughly rusted mop handle."

"Not very trustworthy, then."

"Yep." Shinji then yawns, saying, "We're coming up on the building now, Misato."

"Okay, Shinji." When she sees the building, she can't help but smile widely at the green 'thumbs-up' logo of the company. "Any time I see that logo, I can't help but feel reassured." Shinji can't help but give her a chuckle.

"I know how you feel." As the Sparrow flies up to the roof, Shinji goes on. "Misato, you can exit first. I'll need your help to exit."

"You're badly drained, aren't you?" When he doesn't answer, Misato can't help but worry. "Shinji?"

At that, the Sparrow reaches the roof and Misato opens the canopy before springing out. Going to Shinji's side, she sees his eyes are closed.

"Don't you dare fall asleep on me, Shinji. Don't you dare!"

"I'm not asleep, Misato. I'm trying to conserve what energy I have left."

"Okay. Just hang on." Undoing his restraints, she gingerly lifts him into her arms and asks, "Where's the entrance at?"

"The manhole cover here on the roof. It covers an emergency entrance chute for Agents in a hurry."

"I'd say this qualifies then." Looking around, she spots the cover and rushes to it. When she gets to it, she sees a keypad. "What's the code?"

"Everyone's codes are different. Mine is 'Junior', Misato."

"Okay." Leaning down, she types in the code and the cover lifts slightly before sliding to the side. "Now that's cool and safe." Gingerly putting Shinji feet first into the chute, she asks, "Ready?"

"Ready. Be sure to jump in quickly after me as the cover's timed to close one minute after the Agent's code is entered."

"Got it." Letting Shinji drop down, she then jumps feet first into the chute. Just in time for the cover to close. "And who says manhole covers don't belong on roofs of buildings?"

Two minutes later, she feels her descent slowing down, allowing her to land without having to crouch. Once she's landed, she sees Shinji's radiation suit-clad form being wheeled away on a gurney by two people wearing radiation suits. Making to follow him, she's soon stopped by another figure in a radiation suit.

"Why're you stopping me? Shinji's my responsibility!"

"Captain Katsuragi? Is that you?" The voice addressing her is feminine and quite familiar. Causing Misato blink until she sees who's behind the visor.

"Jo? What the heck you doing here? You're supposed to be back in California teaching people to sky-dive."

"I do that as a hobby, though the money is good. I'm also a Decon Agent for 'N-Tek' here at Old Osaka." Jo gestures to Misato's right and says, "Let's see about getting you decontaminated."

"Sounds good to me. But what about Shinji?"

"They're going to decon him along the way to the transphasic reactor. Now, before I decon you, do you have anything in your radiation suit I need to know about?"

"Yeah." Reaching into her pocket, she brings out a melted piece of material and says, "Berto's prototype computer relay unit."

"Jeez. Must've been super 'hot' in there for that kind of damage to happen." Jo turns toward a wheeled robot and says, "671, take the item in Captain Katsuragi's hand and decon it."

"Roger." Its voice is male and flat, yet soothing to Misato, as 671 wheels toward them. A panel on its front opening. "Put the item into the hatch you see." When Misato's done so, 671 closes the hatch and says, "Decontamination commencing. Item identified. Prototype computer relay unit. Maker of unit, Dr Roberto 'Berto' Martinez. Damaged 87%. Not salvageable. Decontamination complete."

"Okay, 671. Seal it and have it transported to Dr Martinez's lab."

"Roger." Turning away from her, 671 wheels toward a wall, where a small panel opens. Only to close before 671 turns back toward Jo and Misato. "Sealed and transportation commencing."

"Thank you, 671. You can resume your post."

"Roger." As 671 wheels back to where it was before, Jo turns toward Misato and grins.

"So, what'd you think of the robot for our 'hot room', Captain Katsuragi?"

"Impressive, Jo." Smiling wryly, she asks, "So what's next?"

"Follow me, Captain." As Misato follows Jo, the woman goes on. "So what all has 'Suicide' done since I saw him last?"

"Oh, not much. Avoided the Fifth Angel's attack, sniped the Fifth Angel, got into a fight at school, helped to stop a giant metal turkey. That kind of thing." Next thing she knows, Jo starts chortling.

"Sounds like 'Suicide' alright. How about his girlfriend?"

"She's doing okay. Though personally, I think I know why Shinji got home late last night."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I think they took the chance for a little loving after school yesterday." From there, the two share sordid conversation until they reach a massive hallway. "I'm guessing this is where we part ways."

"Yeah, but briefly. By the time you get done, 'Suicide' will be ready to go. I'll be flying you two under 'stealth' back home via remote." Misato gives Jo a nod before saying her piece.

"Thanks, Jo. Shinji could use the rest after the week he's had."

"Oh, how true that is." From there, Misato steps into the hallway to begin her decontamination.

(Transphasic Reactor)

As a freshly decontaminated Shinji is put into place, Josh, Kat and Berto arrive at the control panel. Just in time to see a technician signal he's ready.

"Okay, Berto. Time to give Shinji a jump start."

"Got it, Josh. Activating reactor now." As the rings swing around Shinji, the energy starts flowing into him rapidly, causing Berto to sigh. "We cut it far too close this time, hermano. His energy intake's higher than normal. He was really down in the red."

"Yeah." Checking his watch, he asks, "How long do you think it'll be?"

"I'm thinking, at his level when he finally got here, four minutes."

"Yikes." Shaking his head, he mutters, "We need to put one closer to him."

"Or, we could use one of our satellites to beam the energy right into him."

"You mean kinda like when Dread tried to annihilate Sweden before he bought the farm, causing us to be blown?"

"Yep. Only the energy won't be as high."

"While I'd like to know how that'd work, it just might go over my head." Curious, Josh then asks, "How long do you think it'll take?"

"I figure two months. Tops. For now, though, he'll have to make his way here under 'stealth' and hope for the best. Particularly when he's just in the upper-to-mid-yellow."

"Yeah." Next thing they know, Shinji's jump start's finished and Shinji opens his eyes before smiling at them. "Hey, slugger. How you feeling?"

"Better, Dad. Much better." Shinji then looks around before asking, "Where's Misato at?"

(Decontamination; final stage)

"No more nuclear emergencies for me! That's for sure!" Exiting the hallway, nude and worried for Shinji, Misato's greeted by a grinning Jo, wearing an 'N-Tek' jumpsuit before being handed a pair of 'N-Tek' coveralls. "Thanks, Jo. Shinji?"

"He's fine. He just finished his recharge. Though it took him four minutes as he was really down in the red."

"I'm glad to hear he's okay." Groaning, she gripes, "I can't believe I left my uniform in Tokyo-2!"

"We can swing you two by there to pick it up if you like."

"Thanks. Though I'm thinking Ritsu might've picked it up for me. Got a phone I can call her with?"

"Yeah. Over there." Jo nods to Misato's left, causing the woman to smile. "Just don't tell her much about where you're calling from."

"Right. Thanks, Jo." Picking up the phone, she dials in Ritsu's number and soon smiles at hearing her friend's voice.

"Ritsuko Akagi."

"Hey, Ritsu."

"Misato? Where are you and Shinji at? Section 2's having a conniption fit that you and Shinji weren't waiting for them for retrieval."

"Sorry, Ritsu, but some Good Samaritans gave us a lift to a decon site. I just got done with my decon and Shinji's about to wrap up his."

"Good, good. I'm sure you know that Commander Ikari's not going to like how your 'decon' was done."

"Yeah, well, I don't really care, Ritsu. If it's done, then it's done. It can't be changed."

"Okay. Anything else?"

"Yeah. Could you bring my uniform to my apartment this evening?"

"Yeah. I even have it with me as we speak. How'd the prototype relay unit do?"

"Aside from being 'nuked' in there, not too bad."

"I see. Could you please give Mr Martinez my regrets for me? It mustn't have been easy for him when you told him what'd happened to it."

"I will. Though he'll probably wave them off seeing as it was a field test and now knows what its limits are." Ritsu can't help but chortle lightly at that.

"He's the kind to view things in a positive light, isn't he?"

"Mostly. Though he does have his days."

"Who has whose days?" The sound of Kat's voice gets Misato's attention, causing Misato to turn around. "Oh, my bad. You're on the phone now."

"Misato, who's that with you?"

"One of the Good Samaritans, Ritsu. Gotta go now. Bye-bye." Before Ritsu can even ask anything more, Misato hangs up the phone and turns to Kat. "Shinji ready to go?"

"Yeah. But there's a slight issue about the outfit he was wearing underneath his radiation suit."

"What kind of issue?" Misato's question is answered two minutes later when she sees the tattered remains of the plug-suit. "It got destroyed? How?"

"Since Shinji wasn't conscious to tell the decon squad how to remove it, they wound up using laser cutters to cut it off piece by piece. Carefully, of course." Kat can't help but give an apologetic grin to Misato before adding, "There is a bright side, however."

"What kind?"

"Hold on. Shinji!" Misato sees Shinji entering the room she and Kat are in. Wearing an 'N-Tek' jumpsuit. "Show Misato your latest fashion."

"Okay, Kat."

With that, he triggers his chance. From toe to his shoulders, what was a jump-suit is now a reasonable duplicate of his old plug-suit. Misato's jaw can't help but drop before it recovers.

"How… how'd you do that?" Instead of Shinji that answers, it's Josh.

"It seems the probes in Shinji can also record clothing or other outfits like Shinji's old plug-suit."

"Wow." Misato then smirks, adding, "I guess that'll cut down on your change time, then."

"I guess, Misato." Turning to Jo, Shinji grins and says, "I guess we're ready to head home now, Jo."

"Okay, 'Suicide'. Just don't cut it so close though, okay?"

"I won't."

"You know, I can't help but wonder about something." Shinji turns toward Misato. As do the others before Shinji asks for them.

"What's that, Misato?"

"Just how long has Jo been with 'N-Tek' anyway?"

"Six months, actually. 'Suicide' got me out of a bad situation with Bio-Con before I joined."

"What happened?"

"That bastard of a snake had gone after athletes with connections to me. Jo was one of them." Josh gives Shinji a playful scowl before adding, "Shinji here didn't waste any time and went to the rescue. Armed with a liquid nitrogen gun, he went into the cave Bio-Con was in and froze the snake-man solid to buy them time to escape. However, Bio-Con was out in the desert. Leaving Shinji with very little time." From there, Jo speaks up.

"I was the next to last one on the way out when Bio-Con thawed. He came after me, only 'Suicide' stopped him cold by grabbing him, 'going turbo' and threw him back into the cave. He hustled me over to the Behemoth plane where the others were waiting. It was then I decided I owed him a life debt. Only he said it wasn't needed. But, he did say that if I wanted to, I could help those in need."

"Thus you becoming an 'N-Tek' operative." At Jo's nod, Misato smiles warmly at Shinji before asking, "Ready to head home? I'm sure Rits would be happy to hear you're safe. She must be worried about you."

"Ready." Switching to his usual outfit, Shinji adds, "Let's go home, Misato." Misato gives him a nod before wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Squeezing him to her side.

(Tokyo-3; thirty minutes later; en route to the Katsuragi/Ikari apartment)

As the Sparrow flies under 'stealth', Misato smiles softly at what's about to come.

"Shinji, how would you like to get out of Tokyo-3 for a time?"

"Sounds good to me, Misato. Where're we going?"

"Oh, just out to sea so you can meet someone. Rits can meet them as well if she likes."

"I don't see why not. Can we invite some friends to come out with us?"

"Sure. The more the merrier." Once the Sparrow's reached the apartment, the canopy opens and Shinji exits. He then turns to offer Misato a hand-out, causing her to smile as she exits with his help. "Why thank you, Shinji."

"You're welcome, Misato." No other words are exchanged for the night.

In the morning, Shinji does his daily routine of making breakfast and lunch when Misato comes out of her room. Scratching her belly and clad in her usual sleep-wear.

"Morning, Shinji." Her sleepy voice brings a smile to Shinji's face. The smile only goes wider when Misato does her beer cheer. "YEEAHH! Now that's the way to start the morning!" From there, their morning is routine up until a knock's heard on the door.

"I'll get it, Misato." When he answers the door, he's suddenly grabbed into a massive hug. His face getting plastered with kisses all over his face. Delight in his voice, he says, "Hi, Rits."

"My hero!"

Kissing him feverishly still, Rits herds him into the apartment, an amused Deidre in tow, as she keeps kissing him. Amusingly enough, Rits is wearing a very skimpy Nurse's outfit. One that leaves very little to the imagination. Deidre's carrying an overcoat that Shinji can only guess was covering the outfit.

"I was so worried about you when we saw the news! Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm uninjured, Rits."

"Oh, pooh." At the sultry sulk on her face, Shinji can't help but smile affectionately as she pouts out, "I'd wanted to tend to your wounds, if any, with you on your futon."

"Well, you could always look me over. Maybe you'll find something I missed, Rits. Just to be on the safe side."

"Oh yes. I better look you over, you silly. You might've indeed missed something." Wrapping her left arm around his trunk in a 'supporting' manner, she murmurs, "Just show 'Nurse Takamiya' to your room, Mr Ikari."

"Yes, 'Nurse Takamiya'. Right this way."

Deidre and Misato can only watch in amusement as the teen couple goes into Shinji's room and close the door for the 'examination' to happen. Unable to resist giggling, Misato does so. Deidre right behind her.

"I'm surprised you let her out in that get-up."

"Well, she wasn't exactly showing it off." Indicating the overcoat, Deidre smirks and adds, "That's what the overcoat was for." Next thing they know, Rits cries out. Clearly in orgasmic glee.

"SHINJI!" From there, Rits pants loudly before moaning and screaming even more. "SHINJI! SHINJI! SHINJI! AAAAHHHH!"

"She has a pair of lungs on her. That's for sure." Deidre smiles and nods at Misato's assessment before adding her bit.

"Shinji's definitely lit her up. No doubt about that." Misato can only nod before remembering what she and Shinji had talked about the previous night.

"Say, Deidre, would it be alright with you if Rits went out with me, Shinji and some friends of theirs?"

"I don't see why not. Where are you going?" After Misato tells her, Deidre asks, "When do you expect to leave?"

"Sometime in the next week. The ship's due to arrive at New Yokosuka, so you can pick Rits up there when we've returned." Deidre gives Misato a nod and smiles warmly. Both sure that Rits will be alright.