Shinji Steel 31

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

(Thirty minutes later; Chicago)

As he opens the door of the economy hotel close to O'Hare, Max sees a young woman working the reception desk. Of Asian descent and very lovely. When he finishes lugging a sleeping man inside, she smiles softly before greeting.

"Hi! Welcome to 'Sleep N Fly'. I'm Destiny. How many?"

"Hello, Destiny. Just one for the gentleman here." Max gives her a soft smirk and adds, "He's got an early flight to Germany in the morning. Any chance you can give him a wake-up call? Or at least leave a note for the next shift?"

"But of course." Bringing up her register book, she goes on. "Your friend's in luck, too. Business has been kind of slow of late. We've even got a two-for-one deal. Two rooms for the price of one."

"Wow. That's quite a deal. How long does it last?"

"Till the next beginning of my shift." When he shakes his head softly, soft smile on his face, her face loses some of its luster. "You're already taken, aren't you?"

"I'm afraid so, Destiny. Sorry."

"No need. She's a very lucky gal."

"Funny. From my viewpoint, I'm the lucky one." Rolling his eyes, he adds, "Even though she tells me I shouldn't be so hard on myself."

"Here's a rule of thumb. 'The woman is always right. So don't bother arguing about it'."

"I'll keep that in mind, Destiny." Shaking his head, he then asks, "What room is he going in and how much?"

"Oops! Silly me!" Destiny lets out a giggle as she brings up a key. "Room 124. It's just around the corner. The room is $48.00."

"Thank you." Bringing up a crisp $100 dollar bill from his pocket, he hands it to Destiny and adds, "Keep the change and get something to eat. You look about half-starved."

As he lugs Destiny's newest guest to his quarters, Destiny peers around her workstation and slumps back down. Putting the money into the drawer, she brings up the change and does a count.

"All things considered, given I only got five people in here, I broke even." Sighing dismally, she asks herself, "Where's my nice guy at?" Five minutes later, Max comes back around and Destiny smiles widely at him. "Have a nice night, sir. Come again with your wife."

"Oh, I'm not married yet. But you can bet we'll be coming here when we do tie the knot."

"I look forward to it." As the Max exits, Destiny, sits back down and sighs gustily while closing her eyes. "Oh, where is my dream guy at?"

"Desty? Is that you?"

Destiny's eyes suddenly fly open at the voice she knows all too well. The only male she'd ever tolerate the shortened version of her name from. One that she hadn't seen in years. Sure enough, it's him. Caucasian, slightly taller than her, unruly brown hair and brown eyes behind a pair of narrow glasses.

"Johnny? Johnny Malloy?" Looking him right in the face, Destiny can't help but squeal in delight as she bolts around the counter and wraps him into her arms. "Oh, how I've missed you!"

"Missed you too, Desty." Wrapping his arms around her, he breathes in the scent of her hair and grins. "I love that smell, Desty. Cherry blossoms and cinnamon." Destiny can't help but giggle before looking up at him.

"Where have you been, Johnny?"

"Just doing my part, Desty. Just doing my part." Confused, Destiny steps back and looks at his uniform. UN Army blue dress uniform with ribbons of different colorations and insignia on it.

"So that's what happened to you after we left high school." Pulling him behind the counter, she says, "Tell me everything you can about what you've been doing."

(Paraguay; same time)

As the 'N-Tek' plane flies out of the air field, Jefferson turns back toward Josh and Kat after looking out the window briefly. Wondering how to word his next comment. Deciding on the best way possible, he does so.

"Tell me what you've gathered so far, Josh. Particularly about Shinji, what's going on with these 'Angels' and his role in Chicago at the moment?"

"Okay, Dad." As Josh tells Jefferson, Kat notices the man's face turn different emotions. By the time Josh's done, Jefferson is seething.

"Gendo had better hope we don't meet under any circumstances. Abandoning his only son after his wife died is reprehensible enough. But to actually embroil him into a conflict he had no idea was coming goes far beyond the pale!"

"Then I guess I'm due for an ass chew as well, then."

"Why do you say that, Josh?"

"Because Shinji's one of us now." Kat's reply gets Jefferson's attention as he turns her way and his eyebrows go up in an unasked question. One that Josh and Kat know all too well. "That's right. Shinji's an 'N-Tek' operative now."

"Why do I get the feeling I know where this is going?"

"Because, like I was, Shinji was infused with the latest probes that Berto made." Smiling sheepishly, "And like you, I didn't want him involved with it. Yet I knew he wouldn't be dissuaded."

"What's his 'N-Tek' codename?"

"Max Steel Jr."

"Fitting." A beaming grin appears onto Jefferson's face before he lightly scowls. "But our covert operation was shut down after Dread's stunt. How did we get up and running again?"

"The UN SECGEN called Josh after she was selected."

"It's someone I know, isn't it?"

"Rachel Leeds, Dad."

"Oh-ho! Heavens to Betsy!" Unable to resist a guffaw, he lets one fly. Calming himself down, he asks, "How'd it happen exactly?"

"Well…"

(Flashback)

"Ms Leeds, Josh McGrath to see you, ma'am."

"Very well, Hank. Send him in."

"Yes, ma'am." With that, the receptionist assigned to Rachel's office nodded at Josh. "You can go on in, sir."

"Thanks." Josh then opened the door to Rachel Leeds' office, revealing a sight that Josh hadn't seen in years. Not since 'N-Tek' had been forced to discontinue their covert anti-terrorist operations.

"Josh, so good to see you again." Once she's wrapped her arms around him in a hug, he grinned widely upon returning it. Ending the greeting hug, he then stepped back and nodded. Rachel returning it before she asked, "How long's it been?"

"Too long for my taste, Rachel."

"Likewise. Kat and Berto?"

"They're doing fine."

"Good." Biting her lower lip gently, she then took a deep breath and asked, "How have you been holding up since the memorial service for Jefferson?"

"As well as I possibly can, I guess." Yet he knew full well his eyes showed sadness within them. "I never even got the chance to tell him the rally and rescue went well."

"I know." Crossing over to her desk, she picked up a file folder and handed it to Josh, saying, "Open and read the contents, Josh."

"Okay." Once Josh's done so, his eyes bulged out in shock. "Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"

"If you're seeing that the covert unit's been reactivated, under my personal jurisdiction, then yes. You are seeing what you think you're seeing." Stepping to behind her desk and sitting down, she motioned for Josh to do the same at the opposite side. Once he'd done so, she began.

"I'm going to get to the nitty-gritty, Josh. Second Impact was a tragedy of epic proportions. One that vicious outlaws like Psycho and others of his ilk would love to capitalize on. There may even be conspiracies looming up during this trying time."

"So it'd be the same as before, then. Only with the authority of the UN?"

"Not quite. You're under my jurisdiction, but you'd be under the radar still. As in using organizational aliases depending on the situations. Should anything go wrong on any situation, and the ATS is revealed, your unit's actions will be disavowed. Any further questions?"

"Just one." Grinning slightly, he asked, "You want to come visit every now and then and not be such a stranger?" Much to his surprise, Rachel returned the grin.

"Not only do I want to, I intend to any chance I get!" Getting up from behind her desk, with Josh following suit, she walked around it. Once in front of Josh, she wrapped her arms around him again, with him returning it. "Be sure to show Kat and Berto the folder. Once you've done so, put it in a secure location only you three know about."

"Right." Ending the hug, Josh smiled lightly at one of his oldest friends. "Once you're done with your term as SECGEN, why don't you come back to us?" Rachel couldn't help but roll her eyes in amusement. Wry smile on her face.

"Don't tempt me, Josh. I might just do that. Because then it'd be far better than listening to dipshit diplomats squabbling over every little thing."

"That bad, huh?"

"Like you wouldn't believe. In fact, just yesterday, the Russian representative asked the council if his suit made his butt stand out. You don't want to know what happened after that."

"You're right. I don't want to know." With that, Josh exited the office and murmured, "I so don't want to know."

(Flashback ends)

Josh, Kat and Jefferson all burst into laughter at the end of Josh's tale. Once they've done so, Jefferson makes a decision.

"I want to know what happened after that."

"Okay. Just be ready for a dropped jaw of shock from her, Dad." Keying up the comm. panel, he waits until Rachel's visage comes up. The woman is looking utterly exhausted, causing Josh to wince. "Am I calling at a bad time, Rachel?"

"Somewhat, but if it's you, it's always a good time for a call. What's going on, Josh?"

"Got someone that wants to talk to you, Rachel." Stepping to the side as Rachel closes her eyes briefly to dispel the tiredness from her eyes, he quietly counts down.

"By the way, I heard about Shinji's escapades in Chicago." With that, she begins opening her eyes, only to suddenly stop when she sees a face she hadn't seen in years. "What made him… Holy Mary, Mother of God. Jefferson?"

"Hi, Rachel. It's good to see you've moved up in the world." When Rachel doesn't respond, Jefferson finds himself concerned. "You okay, Rachel?" Next thing he knows, Rachel begins screaming.

"JAKE! COME QUICK! YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!" In the background, Jefferson can easily hear Jake's yell of reply.

"WHAT IS IT, BABE?"

"IT'S JEFFERSON! HE'S ALIVE!"

"NO WAY!"

"WAY!" Her face beet red in irritation, Rachel begins laying into Jefferson, tears building up in her eyes. "WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE CALLED US TO LET US KNOW YOU'RE STILL ALIVE? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HURT JOSH, KAT AND BERTO WERE WHEN YOU'D SUPPOSEDLY DIED? DO YOU KNOW HOW TRAUMATIZED JAKE AND I WERE?"

"I've a fairly good idea, Rachel. But, in my defense, I was in a coma in Paraguay and only just woke up." Just then, Jake comes up to behind Rachel. Upon seeing Jefferson alive and well for himself, Jake's jaw just drops. Getting Jefferson to smile. "Hey, Jake. It's…"

"GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T GO OVER TO KICK YOUR ASS!"

"Okay. I deserve that."

"DAMN RIGHT YOU DO!" Mulling it over, Jake's eyes, along with Rachel's, start tearing up as he adds, "OH HELL! WE'LL GO OVER AND KICK YOUR ASS ANYWAYS! THEN WE'LL CELEBRATE YOU BEING WITH US STILL! WE'LL GET SO FUCKING WASTED, WE'LL FORGET ALL ABOUT WHY YOU GOT YOUR ASS KICKED!"

"Oddly enough, I'm looking forward to it, Jake. We've much to talk about." Jake and Rachel quickly regain their composure, calming down in the process. Once they've fully calmed, Rachel smiles fondly at him. Jake wearing the same smile.

"You bet your ass we do, Jefferson. Jake and I'll be on the next flight out." Her eyes dripping tears of joy, Rachel adds, "I'm just so glad you're with us still." Behind her, Jake nods his agreement.

"I'm glad to be here still, Rachel, Jake." Curious, he then asks, "When did you two get back together, anyway?"

"Well, officially, we've been public knowledge since the sports expo in Tokyo-3 some time back." Taking Jake's hand into hers, Rachel softly adds, "Unofficially, it was a week before Second Impact. We'd gotten married in a small and quick private ceremony."

"Why all the secrecy, though?" Turning back toward Josh and Kat, he's surprised to see their jaws dropped down in shock. "Judging from your expressions, you didn't know about it, either."

"You got that right, Dad. But I think I have a feeling as to why they got hitched in secret. Richie."

"Who?" It's not Josh that answers, but Kat.

"Their son, Jefferson."

"Josh and Kat are quite correct, Jefferson." Rachel's voice gets their attention before she goes on. "Richard was the primary reason why we'd gotten married in secret. Of course, back then, I wasn't expecting to become SECGEN of the UN at the time either."

"I sure didn't see it coming as you'd never shown an interest in politics before."

"Neither did I, Jefferson. Nor was I expecting a worldwide calamity that wiped out half of Earth's population." Letting out an incredulous snort, she adds, "There are times when I wonder I should be pleased the ones that caused our ATS to be shut down died in Second Impact or saddened by it. I can't help but feel so very torn, you know?"

"I can sympathize with you, Rachel. I really can." Stretching his limbs, he then asks, "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, just what exactly did you send Shinji to do for you?"

"Oh, not much. Protect one of the creators of the N2 mine, his daughter and his newest prototype for a suitcase N2 mine. Of which there were two, according to Shinji's initial report when he picked them up."

"N2?" Understandably confused by that, as he'd never heard of it before, he asks, "What's that?"

"Non-nuclear, Jefferson." Kat's voice gets his attention before she goes on. "All the explosive power of a conventional nuke. Yet none of the hazardous fallout associated with a nuke."

"Ah. So, what happened on that?" Rachel can't help but bite her lower lip gently to keep from smiling before replying.

"I'm still awaiting Shinji's report to be sent to me through Berto." Jake's eyes suddenly drift to the left on their end, causing him to tap on her shoulder. When she looks over, she then says, "Hold one."

As Jake moves over to her left side, his hand doesn't leave her shoulder at all. Coming back into view with a printout, he hands it to Rachel and sits beside her. Waiting patiently until she finishes reading it. Once she's done so, she nods in approval and smiles.

"I couldn't have done it better myself. Josh, I must admit, Shinji may not be genetically related to you, but he's certainly a chip off the old block."

"What happened?" Jefferson's question is shared by both Josh and Kat. Causing Rachel and Jake to smile wryly.

"L'Etranger had sent his, in Shinji's words mind you, 'Bimbo Brigade' to steal the prototypes and possibly take Professor and Mana Kirishima captive. Shinji, however, wouldn't have it. So, he toyed with them a little bit. Long story short, they went over the edge of a roof when they tried to duplicate the jump Shinji did into the Behemoth."

"He egged them on, didn't he?"

"He did, Josh." Jake can't help but chortle as he adds, "I wish I could have been there to see the looks on their faces when they realized they'd been had! It must've been priceless!"

"Of that I have no doubt. What happened then?" Rachel looks over the notes briefly before giving her reply.

"According to Shinji's report as of five minutes ago, he'd dropped off an unexpected passenger before picking up a deep dish pizza for Misato. He's currently flying back to Japan. He'll likely sleep en route so he'd be slightly rested for school."

"Will the unexpected passenger create complications?"

"Unlikely, Josh. Shinji used an experimental serum that erases up to twenty minutes of memory. Even when the recipient of the serum is unconscious."

"That's good. Though I can't help but wonder what the 'Bimbo Brigade' that Shinji humiliated is doing right now."

(Off the coast of California; 3,000 feet below the ocean; 3 hours later)

Inside the submarine that L'Etranger calls home, Mary is still berating Gail heavily. In a physical manner, no less. Mary executes a spinning kick that makes contact with Gail's hind end. Resulting in Gail falling face down onto the sub's gym floor.

"That hurt, bitch!"

"It's supposed to hurt. It's an ass kicking."

"Now, ladies, what have you to report to me?" The suave voice behind Mary gets their attention. Causing them to turn around in time to see the masked visage of L'Etranger as he enters the gym. "What happened in Chicago?"

"We failed, Master. The marks were accompanied by an unknown man and Max Steel Jr."

"Ah, Maxie. I've been wondering how he's been faring. Did he look well?"

"He looked like he's been holding up well."

"Splendid. It wouldn't be right if he wasn't."

"I suppose not. But, isn't he an enemy, Master?"

"Something you must learn to get ahead in our business, Mary. Just because someone doesn't work on the same side of you doesn't mean you can't look forward to fighting them again. I, for my part, look forward to our next bout."

"I see." Mary looks at Gail before scowling beneath her mask and goes on. "In any case, Steel Jr. was alerted to our presence when Gail rammed the back of his car. Why she did that, I don't know."

"I see. What happened then?"

"He led us onto the roof of a parking garage. And kept on going over onto another roof. Gail followed, intent on not losing him."

"Why do I get the feeling I know where this is going?"

"He led us on a merry chase from rooftop to rooftop until landing right inside a Behemoth. He then got out and taunted Gail into going after him. She took the bait and the car is now another random wreckage." Sighing, she then finishes with, "If anything, he keeps the insurance companies in the red." Next thing she knows, L'Etranger is laughing his head off.

"The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree. That's for sure."

(Tokyo-3; NERV HQ; next morning)

"Say that again, Captain Chiron."

"Yes, Commander. Yesterday afternoon, the Second and Third Child, along with their classmates, went to Tokyo-3 park. Upon arrival, the Third Child was given a car, black in color, with an off-road chassis." Pausing briefly to look over the notes, he goes on.

"After the Third Child engaged in a test drive with Mr. McGrath, he proceeded to drive the Second Child and Ritsuko Takamiya to their respective destinations."

"And then?"

"And then we lost him, sir." Gendo can't help but roll his eyes in irritation before scrunching up his face in thought.

"Captain Chiron, it is my understanding you have a car thief in your ranks."

"Yes sir."

"Very well. Instruct your man that he is to steal the Third Child's car and take it to a scrap yard for destruction."

"Yes sir." As Chiron leaves Gendo's office, Gendo smirks in victory.

'This will break you for certain, Third Child.'

(Thirty minutes later; Ikari/Katsuragi apartment)

As Shinji cooks breakfast and the lunches for himself, Misato and Ritsuko, he's conversing with the person he'd never expected to communicate with.

'So, Jefferson, how's it feel to be up and about again?'

"Not too bad, Shinji. I understand you were given the car Josh, Kat and Berto had taken for the desert rally from long before Second impact struck."

'Yep. Oh, by the way, Dad said it was a rebuild. What all happened to it, anyway?'

"Bomb damage, along with falling off a cliff."

'Ouch. No wonder I smelt smoke in there. I thought that someone had been lighting up Cuban cigars in there while Berto was working on it.' Jefferson's laughter gets a grin out of Shinji as Misato comes out of her room. Clad in only her sleepwear and scratching her belly.

"Morning, Shinji."

"Morning, Misato." Counting down, he's not disappointed when he hears Misato's beer cheer. 'Yep. Right on schedule.'

"Does she do that every day?" Jefferson's query has a hint of amusement, which brings a smile to Shinji's face.

'She mostly does it every day. But on rare occasions like Jet Alone, she's stone sober.'

"Ah." Jefferson then has a smirk in his voice when he asks, "So when can I expect 'great-grandchildren' to spoil when you and Ritsuko wed?"

'Well first we gotta get married and then we start our family. So, I'd say about nine months after we tie the knot once we turn twenty.'

"Now that I'm looking forward to. By the way, Berto's finished designing a variation of the 'Zapper' system to place into the car. Lower voltage, but enough to get the point across. If it doesn't though, it builds up until they either surrender or are rendered 'extra-crispy'."

'Cool. How soon can he get it done?'

"Well, actually…"

(Parking garage)

A slender man sidles into the garage and smirks upon seeing the target that Captain Chiron had sent him after. Making his way to the car, he quickly sticks a 'Slim Jim' down the window and quickly pops the lock. Bolting inside, the man eyes the start button and eagerly presses it, thinking this to be the easiest heist he'd been on yet. Only…

ZZZZZAAAAAPPPPP

The voltage is low at first until it gets to the point where he swears his skeleton is visible through his flesh. At about which time he starts screaming.

"WWWWAAAAGGGGHHHH! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Convulsing in agony as he releases the button, he then bolts out of the car. The would-have-been thief can't help but smell smoke coming from him as the freshly-remote-installed 'Zapper' system had come close to frying him 'extra-crispy'.

(Apartment)

"So hopefully you won't have to contend with a dead battery or a dead thief when you get down there this morning."

'Yeah, hopefully I won't have to. Otherwise there'd be questions.' Finding himself curious, he then sends, 'Just how did he do it from there, anyway?'

"Much like most of Berto's work, it was done remotely using the various subsystems in the car. That's the nutshell version."

'Ah. Okay.' Finishing what he's doing, Shinji packs the lunches and leaves Misato's for her upon seeing she's returned to her room to get dressed. "I'm heading out now, Misato!"

"Later, Shinji! Have a good day at school! Say hi to Ritsuko and Deidre for me!"

"I will!" Exiting the apartment, Shinji goes down to the garage and lightly scowls upon seeing his door ajar. 'Looks like someone tried to go for a joyride. Only to get a shocking experience in the process.'

"Sure looks like it. At least you know it works, though."

'True.' Getting into the car to ensure no one lurking around, Shinji closes the door and buckles in before starting the V-8 engine. Wheeling the car out the garage, he catches sight of a thin man walking away from the apartment building. A significant twitch in his step. 'He's either got problems or he's the one that tried to go for a joyride.'

"Quite frankly, Shinji, anyone that would steal a car, let alone try to, is bound to have problems."

Jefferson's words get a chortle from Shinji as he drives his car toward the Takamiya house. Once parked, he shuts off the engine and exits the car. Locking the door once it's closed, he walks up to the front door and knocks on the door. When it opens, revealing Deidre, Jefferson can't help but muse out loud.

"I can't help but feel as if I know her from somewhere."

'Yeah. I know what you mean. Dad, Kat and Berto said the same thing when we met her. Of course, she just waved it off and grinned haplessly.'

"Then it's probably nothing big."

"Morning, Shinji. Ritsy told me you got a car yesterday when she walked in giddy." Giving him a smirk, she adds, "She also told me you forgot your birthday."

"Heh-heh. Yeah." Passing the lunch forward to Deidre, he says, "Here's her lunch for the day. I'll be back this afternoon with her homework assignment."

"Okay." Giving him a slight frown, she adds, "Ritsy also told me that you've been burning the candle at both ends with school and piloting the Evangelion. She's worried about you."

"I know." Giving his future Mother-in-Law a sheepish grin, he then goes serious as he asks, "Would it be possible for me to come in to see her right quick before I head out?"

"I don't see why not. But you'll have to hurry so you won't be late for school."

"Okay." Following Deidre to his unofficial fiancée's room, he softly knocks on the door and hears a muffled voice.

"Come in." Opening the door, he smiles softly upon seeing his intended facing the doorway. Blanket draped over her up to her bare shoulders. A soft smile spreading onto her face as well. "Hey there."

"Hey." Walking into her room, he kneels at her bedside and tenderly kisses her forehead. "Can't stay long, so I thought I'd quickly touch base with you before I go on to school."

"I'm glad you did." His left hand gently grazing her right cheek, she closes her eyes alluringly. Opening them again, Shinji can't help but be entranced by her brown eyes. She then giggles and says, "As much as I'm enjoying your hand on my cheek, you need to get going so you don't incur the 'Wrath of Horaki'."

"Yeah." Intent on sneaking a quick kiss on her lips, he grins when she deepens it. With Ritsuko grinning as well. Ending the kiss, albeit reluctantly, Shinji says, "I'll see you this afternoon. Barring an Angel attack, of course."

"If an Angel does attack, be sure to tell it that interrupting a couple's plans is very rude. Even if you have to be a pain in the ass about it."

"You got it." Sneaking a quick peck on her lips once more and ducking back before she can deepen it, he grins and says, "I'm heading out now."

"Have a good day, dear."

"I'll have better than good, honey. It'll be great." Ritsuko's laughter rings out as Shinji makes his way back out of the house and to his car. Starting the engine, he proceeds onto school.

Back in her room, Ritsuko sighs as Deidre, in her Dragonelle garb, steps into the doorway. A soft smile on her face.

"Is he gone?"

"Yeah. He just now pulled away." Pushing the covers away from herself, revealing that she's only wearing shorts, Ritsuko lightly winces at the cramp in her lower belly as she tilts upward. "I just wish that…"

"Training didn't have to go on during your period?" At Ritsuko's nod, Dragonelle gives her a nod of understanding. "I feel the same way, Ritsy. But this is the only way to get you ready in the time allotted. Of course, you've shown yourself to be a quick study, so it's really up to you whether or not we proceed during your period."

"As tempting as that sounds, Mom, that's not an option." Removing her shorts and grimacing at the blood, Ritsuko adds, "The sooner I get done, the sooner I can start helping Shinji. But where do I start, though?"

"I'll be helping you on that front. After all, I'm well-versed in infiltration and exfiltration techniques."

"Great." Putting a pad into the crotch of a body-suit patterned after Dragonelle's, only different, Ritsuko then gets herself into the bodysuit and pulls up the rear zipper. "Because I'll need all the knowledge I can get. It's crunch time and we're most likely running out of time."

(Tokyo-3 High School)

"Can you believe it? All they talk about is Asuka, Asuka, Asuka."

"I hear you, 'Suke. It's really too bad the pictures you took of her don't show her personality."

"Hey, guys." Shinji's soft voice gets Touji and Kensuke's attention as he goes on. "Just what're you guys doing right now, anyway?"

"Selling pictures of the new girl, of course." Kensuke's tone is smarmy as he goes on. "With her looks, we're practically a mint."

"Oh for love of… wait, wait, wait. You're selling pictures of her and none of Ritsuko?" At their nods, Shinji shakes his head and says, "I don't know whether to be pleased or dismayed by this revelation."

"It's a rule of 'Suke's here. 'No pictures or requests for same will be made of girls in a verified relationship'."

"Oh? How long has that rule been in place?"

"Since last year. 'Suke here got a picture of the Swim Team Captain for last year's class and her boyfriend went on a rampage. When he tracked down 'Suke, 'Suke here made a proposal in exchange for not getting his lights punched out. The guy agreed and that's that."

"Ah." Shrugging, Shinji then says, "I guess I'll never know how I feel. But thanks all the same, guys."

"You're welcome, Shinji." Their unified reply gets a chuckle from Shinji as he walks away. Only to hear another voice.

"Hallo! Good morning, Shinji!" Turning around at Asuka's voice, Shinji can't help but smile widely.

"Good morning, Asuka." Upon seeing her jaw drop in shock, Shinji goes on. "How're you feeling today?" Asuka recovers her jaw in time to smile widely at him.

"I'm feeling fine. Thanks for asking." Blinking at his German, she then switches to Japanese and asks, "Just how fluent are you?" Much to her surprise, Shinji gives his reply in German.

"Oh, just enough to ask you if you'd like to be a bridesmaid at our wedding when Ritsuko and I get married upon turning twenty." Returning serve with German, she gives her reply.

"Nothing would please me more." Switching back to Japanese, she then asks, "Any chance we can talk in Japanese so I can get my practice?"

"Sure."

"Great!" As the two ponder what to talk about, Asuka picks the safest topic she could think of. "Your German's pretty good considering…"

"Our time during the Sixth Angel?" At her nod, Shinji grins. "Yeah, that's kinda my fault. I was curious about German and decided to learn it."

"How long did it take you?"

"Overnight. Just after I dropped you off yesterday."

"OVERNIGHT? YESTERDAY? BUT HOW?"

"I'm just a fast learner. That's all."

"I gotta admit, you're a very surprising individual, Shinji Ikari."

"I have my days." Letting out a sigh and his smile fading slightly, Shinji shrugs. "I have my days."

"Hey, why so gloomy? You're in the presence of the most popular girl in school. So be glad for your good fortune." Giving him a flick of a finger against his forehead, she can't help but be surprised at him taking it in stride. Giving it no thought, she then asks, "So where's the other one at?"

"Other one?"

"What are you, stupid? I'm talking about the First Child!"

"Oh, Ayanami? She's down over there." Shinji points over down to the schoolyard where Asuka can see the blue-haired girl reading.

"Thanks. See you in class." Without any further word, Asuka bolts away from Shinji. As she bolts away, Shinji leans over the railing, eager to see how Asuka fares with the enigmatic girl.

'This should be good.' Kat's voice in the background nearly causes him to sport a broad grin with her words.

"Good indeed. Ayanami is about as subtle as a lead pipe. Which is why Berto's making the popcorn and I'm recording it."

'Yeah, well, in any case, I just hope Ayanami doesn't rattle Asuka too badly.'

"Same here."

As she reads her book on biomechanics, Rei soon sees a shadow obscuring her view. Moving to the side, she tries to ignore it. Only for the shadow to come back into place. Looking up to see the source of the shadow, she can't help but see a redhead with a massive grin.

"Hello. You must be Rei Ayanami, the Pilot of the prototype. I'm Asuka. Asuka Langley Sohryu. Let's be good friends."

"Whatever for?" The bluntness of Rei's query gives Asuka a start, but she doesn't let it slow her down much.

"Cause, it'll be… convenient. You know! After all, you, me and Ikari are Pilots. So it's only natural."

Unsure as to Asuka's statement, Rei thinks about her friendship with Shinji and Ritsuko. They may not have stated their reason for establishing a friendship with her, but it most certainly wasn't for convenience. So, on that note, she falls back to before their friendship started.

"As soon as I'm ordered to, I will." Rising and putting her book away, she bows and says, "If you'll excuse me, Pilot Sohryu. Class is about to commence." With that, Rei walks away. Leaving a flabbergasted Asuka in her wake.

'Jeepers. That girl is JAFO and sure takes the strudel when it comes to being JAFO.' Looking back up toward Shinji, she can't help but feel that he's deeply amused by what had happened. Even though he's out of earshot.

From his perch, Shinji's having a hard time keeping his snickers down from being audible. Kat and Berto, however…

"Ouch! Talk about your blunt replies!"

"You said it, Berto!" Walking away from his perch now, Shinji can't help but let a slight snicker escape him. "What do you think about what had happened, Shinji?"

'Much as I'd prefer to be nice, I can't help but feel that Asuka getting blown off like that served her right. Chances are that Rei will ask me why Rits and I established a friendship with her.'

"You're probably right, Shinji." Berto's voice gets a smirk from Shinji which quickly fades as he enters the school building. "You're probably right."

(NERV HQ; Lab)

As Akagi is looking through the lens of a microscope, she can't help but hear a familiar voice from behind her.

"Well, now, Ritsuko Akagi, you're looking as attractive as ever." Unable to resist a grin, the faux blond looks up and sees Kaji standing there. He then proceeds to cup her face tenderly and comments, "But alas, a woman with a mark on her chin is destined to be alone and unhappy."

"Much like the way she's glaring at you, I expect." Indicating a scowling Misato as she huffs against a large window for the lab. As Misato makes her way to the entrance, Ritsuko adds, "It's been a long time, Kaji."

"Yes. Much too long. We've got to go out for drinks sometime. Just like the old days in college." At that point, Misato stomps up to Kaji and snarls out.

"What are you still doing here? I thought you were only escorting Asuka here." Eying his tie, she then grabs it, adding, "One of these days you'll get your tie right even if it kills you!"

"I've been reassigned to NERV Central, of course. As for my tie, I like it loose." Before Misato can say anything more, the base's Angel alerts blare. "Looks like we've got business."