Authors note: SORRY SORRY SORRY, Gomen nasai gomen nasai. Once again I'm very sorry for keeping you all waiting for this chapter, but you know how things are, I just got caught up in the road that is life, then a black cat walked across that road so I had to find a different path and (LIAR). (sigh) well anyway Chapter 6 is up so I hope you can forgive me and if it makes you feel any better I should have the next chapter up pretty quickly. Big apologizes once again, enjoy.

Chapter 6 Lighting of a Flame

Shinji woke up to the sound of birds chirping in the morning sunlight, the sunrise hasn't happened yet but there was enough light to make thing out. He opened his eyes partially to see something blue in front of him. It was soft and fluffy if a bit unmanaged, Shinji then shot his eyes open as he realized what was in his eyes, it was Rei's hair. He tried to lower his head to get a better look at what was going on, but he didn't get far when he hit something with his chin. Rei's head prevented him from moving his head and her body was tightly snuggled next to his, thus rendering any chance of movement out of the question. Shinji though was perfectly content with that, in fact he wouldn't mind if time stopped and never started again.

Rei laid on top of him her arms wrapped around his body and her head resting against the top of his chest. On top of her was a blanket wrapped around the both of them and on that blanket a note was taped on it. Shinji gently moved his hands and grabbed the note and brought it up high enough for him to read it.

To Shinji

Go at your own pace

-Kaji

P.S. Be wary of Katsuragi, not in the best of moods while she has a hangover.

Shinji was smiling at the end of the note, it seemed that Kaji was the only one who wasn't trying to push him to get closer to Rei. Then again, now that Shinji looked at the situation, here he was with Rei in his arms sleeping. Maybe Kaji pushed Rei and him together more then anyone else. His thoughts left him though when Rei started to stir and move a bit. She repositioned her body and put her hands on his chest and then put her head right next to them, using him as a pillow. Shinji now able to move his head a bit looked down to see her head tilted to the side, showing a smile of complete happiness. Shinji just soaked in that look knowing she doesn't show this look often, maybe not at all, but she was showing it now. That has to mean something, right Shinji thought moving his hands up hesitating. I mean she has never given that look to anyone else, so... Shinji moved his hands closer only inches away now.

He wrapped his arms around her only after a couple of seconds of hesitation and marveled at how soft and warm she felt. He held her gently and firmly and closed his eyes. If this is a dream, I wish I could never wake up.

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Rei woke up a few hours later slowly opening her eyes to the sun just barely above the horizon. The birds sang cheerfully as if to greet the new day. Rei lifted her head off her pillow and was about to get up when she realized that something kept her from moving. She looked up to see Shinji still asleep and had his arms wrapped around her keeping her from moving. Rei immediately realized that she had fallen asleep on Shinji and that Shinji had complied by holding her. Any normal teen would of blushed at that but Rei just thought, she thought on what this could possibly mean. She hadn't a clue about what her situation was with Shinji, they weren't friends anymore, no it was something more, it was something...more define, something different. She had no way to explain it other then there was something new between them and she hoped that it never disappeared.

She just put her head back onto Shinji's chest and listened to his heartbeat. She felt it beat a slow rhythm, it was relaxed and easy. Rei found the act to be highly relaxing and somehow comforting. She could not think of anything more enjoyable then the act of just listening to his heart. Then as if someone had a sense of humor her cell phone started to ring. Rei at first didn't know what to do, it was on silent so it didn't wake up Shinji, but she couldn't just ignore it. If she answered it then Shinji would wake up and this moment would end, but if she didn't she had no idea of what the consequences would be. For the first time in her life, Rei almost thought about disregarding a direct order.

(Bright Light (flashback time))

"Rei," the commander said holding out a phone to her. Rei looked at him before taking the phone.

"Yes," she said looking at the phone for a second before returning her gaze to the commander.

"This is very important Rei, if this ever rings you have to answer it and listen to my instructions, its a way for me to give you your orders, do you understand," the commander said looking at Rei emotionless.

"Yes," Rei said.

"Very well, remember this is a direct order, if this rings you answer it," he said before walking away.

"Yes," Rei replied once more watching as the commander left her field of vision.

(Exit light (end flashback))

Rei came back to her senses a second later and knew she had to answer it even if she didn't want to. She sat up and moved Shinji's arms off of her, needless to say Shinji woke up a second later and looked in front of him to see what the contact on his body was. He immediately blushed as he realized that Rei was on him and was getting off. He made little eye contact and looked at the ground as Rei got up from him and pulled out her phone.

"Yes," Shinji heard Rei say, before a muffled voice talked to her on the other end.

"Yes, right away then," she said closing her phone and sighing. The sigh greatly surprised Shinji for he didn't hear her do that often, only when she was really displeased with something did she do that, so Shinji had to wonder what was going through her mind.

"I'm being called in for some, tests," Rei said to Shinji.

Shinji nodded and replied, "alright, I hope everything goes well," he said in a embarrassed voice.

"Ikari, I want to...thank you for last night," Rei said. Shinji looked up and saw the displeasure in her eyes from being torn away from his moment. "It was, unforgettable," Rei said before starting to walk away.

"I'll see you around then," Shinji said before Rei walked inside to the house. She stopped as she opened the door and turned her head to Shinji.

"That would be pleasant," she said before walking inside and closing the door. Shinji stared at the door for a couple of seconds before sitting back down on the reclining chair and looked up at the sky. Shinji just sat and thought about what to do next. Rei, where will this lead, will I be able to tell you, or even show you how I feel or am I just going to be a coward for the rest of my life Shinji thought putting his hand over his eyes and blocking out the sky.

"Why am I such a coward," Shinji said out loud.

"I don't think you are," a familiar voice said right in front of him. Shinji removed his hand to see Misato beaming down at him a few feet away.

"Ah Misato," Shinji said bolting up in his chair surprised.

"Morning," she said holding a beer in her hand and a smile on her face.

"Jeez Misato you startled me," Shinji said as she took the chair next to him.

"Well you shouldn't have been so lost in thought, I called your name a few times you know," She said sitting down next to Shinji.

"I was just...thinking thats all," Shinji said somewhat gloomily.

"Now whats with that mopey attitude thats no way for you act after a party in your honor," Misato said taking a sip of her beer.

"Sorry," Shinji said reverting back to his old habit.

"Its nothing to be sorry for, you know Shinji, you don't have to do this alone," Misato said looking at him seriously.

"What," Shinji started before a hand came up stopping him.

"Look Shinji you have me and your friends, Kaji (she said under her breath), and all the others to help you, you know. You don't have to do everything by yourself so ask for help every now and then, don't try to isolate yourself so much."

Misato took a big gulp of her beer and looked out to the sky. "I'm here for you Shinji, so don't try to push me away, ok, I want to help you," she said watching a cloud fly by.

Shinji was surprised at the talk she was giving him, usually she would tease him a bit before just kinda leave him alone to his own thoughts, she usually only talked to him like this if he tried to run away from something.

"Misato I.."

"Its ok Shinji you don't have to say anything, I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to try and solve everything by yourself, at least come to me, please."

Now Shinji knew something was up Misato wouldn't be talking to him like this unless she knew something that might affect him in someway.

"Misato what is it, what are you hiding," Shinji said fully aware know of her plan.

"Well.." Misato said not sure how to explain this to Shinji.

"MISATO I'M HOME," a familiar yell said from inside the house. Shinji looked at Misato and couldn't believe what he thought was going on here.

"No," Shinji said to Misato. He thought that she was only going to stay with Misato up until they could get her a place of her own.

"I'm afraid so, look Shinji she needed a place to stay while in Tokyo and I thought it would be nice to have another person to live here, so I became her official guardian, besides I'm sure you two will get along great."

Shinji got up not believing that Misato would do such a thing to him, just a few days was almost enough for her to kill him, now she could have as much time as she needed. He walked over to the house door and opened revealing a red haired girl with a smile on her face. Shinji stared at her for a second unable to say anything.

"But, but," Shinji said not believing this was happening. Asuka just looked at him somewhat annoyed at his manner, then spoke a second later.

"I guess we are roommates now Shinji," she said before frowning at him, "just don't do anything perverted or I'll kill you, so you better watch it."

Why me Shinji thought unable to believe his luck.

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It has only been a couple of days since Asuka had been living under the Katsuragi apartment and things had changed quite a bit for Shinji. For one he found he had a ridiculously hard time getting into the bathroom now a days and he had one hell of a time not pissing her off. It seemed that everything he did either annoyed her or disgusted her, so he just usually didn't even try to talk to her if at all possible. To make matters worse he hadn't seen Rei for some time as well, he was worried and wondered if she was alright.

Shinji was sitting in class staring out the window taking a shine to Rei's habit. He found that it allowed him to just think peacefully and wonder on thoughts, it cleared his mind and his attention to anything else around him. As he daydreamed through the day, school ended and it was time to head back home, but before everyone was allowed to leave the teacher had something to say.

"And don't forget about our class trip to Osaka coming up in a few days, make sure to bring everything you need and don't be late."

Throughout the room excited chatter and giggles could be heard. Asuka was one of the louder ones saying how much she was excited for the trip while Hikari smiled and listened to her. Toji rolled his eyes at Asuka before talking to Shinji.

"So Shinji are you excited about the trip," he asked his friend. Shinji continued to stare out the window, oblivious to anything else going on at the moment. Toji frowned before he smacked the back of Shinji's head.

"Ow," was Shinji's reply as he turned around to see what had hit him.

"There we go, pay attention when I'm talking to you," Toji said looking at Shinji.

Shinji rubbed the back of his head and replied, "I'm sorry."

"It's cool just don't let it happen to much, what were you thinking about anyway," Toji said curious at what would keep Shinji daydreaming all day.

"Just thinking, that's all," Shinji said his answer kind of disappointing Toji hoping for more then that.

"I bet he was fantasizing about Ayanami all day weren't you," Kensuke said with a grin.

Shinji blushed immediately and stuttered, "n-no it was nothing like that."

Kensuke then smiled and said, "you might say no but its written all over your face."

Shinji just frowned at Kensuke for a bit before saying, "shut up." Kensuke laughed as Shinji frowned at him before it turned into a slight grin. Toji found the whole thing fairly amusing but he didn't like being ignored.

"Anyway back to my question, I said aren't you excited for the trip."

"Oh, well to be honest, I'm not all that interested in it," Shinji said getting a couple of confused looks from both his friends.

"Why not," Kensuke asked.

"Well, I'm almost positive that I won't be able to go," Shinji said.

"Whats up is something the matter," Toji asked.

"No nothing, its just that I'm an Eva pilot, I doubt they would let us get too far from the Eva's just for a class trip."

"I see, I guess your right wow man that sucks," Toji said getting his books and putting them in his bag.

"Yeah, sorry Shinji, thats to bad," Kensuke said getting out of his seat.

"Its alright I thought this would happen so I didn't get excited about this thing anyway," Shinji said grabbing his things and getting up with his friends. They were about to leave when Kensuke and Shinji heard Toji chuckle about something.

"What was that for," Shinji asked him.

Toji smiled before telling, "I wonder if Red's got the news yet, I bet she will freak."

Shinji smiled at looked at Asuka, who was discussing her plans with Hikari on what they should do in Okinawa. Shinji just didn't have the guts to tell her that she might not be able to go. Sometimes it pays off not having enough courage he mused to himself as they left the school.

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Rei was laying on her bed thinking on the last past couple of days events. She had done things she know she wouldn't of normally done if she hadn't met Shinji. In fact he was the direct cause for her actions. It was right after she had left his house a couple of days ago that she started to feel different.

She made her way down the streets to the Nerv HQ, after leaving the Katsuragi apartment, to do some tests and along the way she had some strange thoughts. She watched as kids played on the street while their parents watched. For some reason the scene made her feel, happy. She didn't know exactly why such a thing would make her feel that way but she did know that it had something to do with what had happened with Shinji on that night. The night she and he danced together, the night something amazing happened to her. It was the night she truly felt alive.

Throughout her life Rei always thought that something was missing from her life and for the longest time she couldn't figure out what it was. She figured out what it was a few years ago, it was a purpose or a meaning to her life. She didn't have a meaning to her life, she was a replaceable tool almost a living doll. Thats why she always followed orders there was no purpose in trying not to follow them for she would be replaced if she did, as far as Rei was concerned back then, her life was meaningless.

Shinji, however, changed that from the second he met her. Rei remembered it like it was yesterday, back when she had first met Shinji. She was laying on a push table her wounds barely staying closed. They were under attack from an angel and the plan was to use her to try and pilot the unit one if they couldn't get the other pilot to. At least that was what she thought the plan was, the real plan was to use her to guilt Shinji into piloting it, it worked and Shinji saved the city but something else happened that day. When the building started to shake and she was thrown to the ground her wounds opened up again. The pain it was bearable but her body wouldn't move, she didn't have to move it though for someone gently lifted her up. Rei opened her eyes and saw a boy looking at her with eyes she hadn't seen before.

It was a mix of worry and wonder with a hint of something she couldn't describe at the time. Shinji held her and spoke as he looked into her eyes.

"I'll do it," he said loud enough for his father to hear, "I'll do it, I'll pilot it."

Gendo smiled his plan working and everything falling into place, "good, just get in the plug and follow our instructions," he said before returning to his desk.

Rei continued to stare into Shinji's eyes before a nurse came to her aid and started to lift her back onto her table. Shinji just continued to watch her before he said something to her just before they were about to take her away.

"Rest," he said smiling at her, "I'll protect you."

Rei remembered hearing those words before her eyes closed and she couldn't stay conscious any longer. The next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital where she stayed until her wounds permitted her to leave. Though it didn't mean much to her at the time deep in her subconscious Shinji had awaken her heart.

She continued to walk deep in her thoughts when something hit her leg as she walked to HQ. Rei looked down to see a ball, she then saw a little boy running up to her no doubt wanting the ball back. Rei bent down and picked up the ball as the boy stopped in front of her.

"Is this yours," Rei asked holding the ball to him. The boy smiled and took it from her, "thank you your a nice person," he said before running back to his friends. Rei watched him leave before she continued on her way.

"Why am I smiling," Rei thought as she felt her lips form into an unstoppable smile where it stayed until she got to HQ.

At HQ Rei, after finishing the tests with Doctor Akagi, was in Gendo's office waiting for him to speak. He was smoking a cigarette behind his desk and looking at Rei with some intense eyes. He finished his smoke before talking to her, "Rei," he snapped making sure to get her undivided attention.

"Yes sir," she replied.

"I've been informed of something interesting."

"Sir," Rei asked curious.

"It seems that you and unit one's pilot are forming quite a relationship," Gendo said looking intensely into her eyes from behind the glare on his glasses. Rei caught that he didn't even refer to Shinji as Shinji and wondered why.

"Yes, me and Ikari are friends," Rei honestly said.

"I see, so it is true then," Gendo said before he put his hands up into his famous sitting gesture. His hands entwined with each other hiding some of his face and a glare on his glasses keeping Rei from seeing his eyes, he gave her an order.

"Rei I forbid you from seeing Shinji in a friendly matter anymore, you are not allowed to speak to him other then during an angel attack, am I understood," Gendo said. Rei looked at him a panic going throughout her entire body, she wouldn't be allowed to see Shinji anymore, no more talks, or dance, or even just the presence of him, she wouldn't be allowed any of these things anymore.

"Well do I make myself clear." Rei heard him say, her mind still in overdrive. She didn't want to lose those things, it was like taking a essential part of her and holding above her head, just beyond her reach. She didn't want to follow this order.

"I said do I make myself clear," Gendo said harshly.

"No," Rei whispered.

"What was that," Gendo said not believing that he had heard correctly.

"I mean, it wouldn't be wise to do this," Rei said thinking quickly.

"Explain," Gendo said curious.

"It would be advantageous to allow our relationship to continue," Rei said coming up with a persuasive argument.

"Go on."

"Ikari seems to have a hard time finding a reason to fight and frequently runs away, correct," Rei said a bit guilty of talking about Shinji like this.

"Yes that is true."

"With our relationship he seems to want to protect me and hasn't run away once and his test scores have improved during our sync tests I believe it started right after we became friends."

"Yes, it does seem like it did," Gendo said looking at the sync test reports on his desk and finding that Rei was indeed correct.

"I believe that to end our friendship would leave Ikari in a broken state and his scores would fall quite a bit."

Gendo reviewed the scores and looked at Rei's as well, she had improved 15 points since becoming his sons friend, it seemed that this was advantageous after all.

"I see, it does look like this could be beneficial after all, very well I will allow your relationship with Shinji to continue, but if either of you start to decline during the tests, it will immediately stop, do you understand."

"Yes sir," Rei said relieved that she was able to persuade the commander.

"That is all then, you are dismissed."

Rei got up and was about to turn around when Gendo stopped her with his voice.

"One more thing, you are not allowed to go too far in this relationship am I understood?" Rei looked at him a bit confused before she replied to him.

"Yes sir," Rei said before leaving the office. After shutting the door behind her Rei had a thought she thought was very odd for her to have. For a moment, just for a moment, she really disliked the commander.

After Rei left, the commander just stared at the door for a bit before thinking out loudly. "I wonder, what is really going through that head of yours," he said before returning back to his work.

After that Rei just came home and sat in her bed thinking about the past days events. She had done things she know she wouldn't have done if it hadn't been for Shinji and as she thought about it only one thing came to mind. Rei looked at the blouse hanging in her closet, it was the one Shinji had bought for her not too long ago. She looked at it a bit more before she closed her eyes and whispered something only she could hear.

"Thank you."

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"WHAT," someone shrieked in the apartments where Captain Katsuragi lived. "What do you mean we can't go," Asuka said hitting the table with her hands.

"Well its part of your job," Misato said taking a sip of her beer.

"You mean we have to be on permanent standby," Asuka said.

"Thats right as the pilots of the Eva's you have to be ready for an attack at anytime, therefore you have to be on permanent standby."

"What idiot decided that," Asuka asked.

"This one right here," Misato said with a smirk getting a look from Asuka which read, woops.

Asuka then noticed Shinji sitting there sipping his tea not even caring about this whole thing. "Shinji," Asuka snapped getting Shinji's attention. "Stop hiding behind your tea and talk some sense into her."

"Well you see I kinda expected this kind of thing to happen," Shinji replied putting his tea down.

"You've already given up haven't you," Asuka said.

"Yep," Shinji said with a slight grin.

"Sheesh there's nothing worse then a house broken male," Asuka said obviously still upset.

"Hey don't talk about me like that," Shinji said getting a bit annoyed.

"Listen up you two," Misato said putting her beer down, "I know you two must have been looking forward to this but we just can't risk the chance of an angel attacking while you are away, besides you can use this time to get caught up in your schoolwork or," Misato said before pulling out two report cards with their names on it. "Did you think I hadn't seen your tests scores."

Shinji was a bit surprised and remembered that he didn't do all that great on his tests. It wasn't that he couldn't do the material or that he was stupid or anything, he just really didn't care. Asuka meanwhile was unphased however and replied, "your old fashion numerical system is stupid."

"You know what they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do, you will have plenty of time to catch up so I'll be expecting better in the future alright."

Asuka just turned her head, "THIS SUCKS."

Shinji took his cup and put it in the sink while Misato and Asuka continued their argument. In the end Asuka would lose and Misato would win, Shinji knew thats how it was going to end up so there was no point in fighting it. He went to his room and started listening to his music, tomorrow would be one hell of a crappy day if Asuka decided to be pissed off.

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Shinji was sitting at a table his laptop in front of him a screen full of homework. He was sitting at a swimming pool, kudo's to Asuka's for the idea. She decided if they couldn't go scuba diving in the ocean they could at least have a swimming pool to themselves, compliments of Misato. Right before the two had left though Shinji had an idea, he called Rei and invited her to come with them. She had accepted and would meet them there, it had been a couple of hours since they got there and Shinji hadn't seen Asuka since they arrived. Rei was also swimming and Shinji not really wanting to swim decided he would just work on his schoolwork. He worked on his work for some time but the material was proving to be a bit difficult, the question he was on was really giving him a hard time.

"Oh man," Shinji sighed.

"What you working on Shinji," Asuka asked finally making her appearance.

"A basic physics primer," Shinji replied trying to figure out the answer.

"Well aren't you an obedient student."

"Yeah well I have to study it some time I...I...," Shinji stopped talking when he glanced up and saw what Asuka was wearing.

"Well what do you think," She said standing before him in a two piece bathing suit. Shinji didn't say anything just turned his eyes away from her and blushing a bit. Bingo Asuka thought exact reaction I wanted.

"I figured if we can't go diving in Okinawa we can do it here."

"Do what," Shinji asked still not looking at her.

"Diving of course," Asuka said getting closer, she got next to Shinji then bent over peering at the screen. Shinji didn't know if it was intentional or not but Asuka was exposing herself somewhat to him. "You mean you can't figure out a simple question like that, its so easy," she said before typing in the right answer into the computer. Shinji however wasn't looking at the answer his mind was somewhere else but he caught himself and turned away before Asuka could catch him staring at her. Hoping to distract her he started speaking.

"If you can figure this out how come you get bad grades."

"Its simple, I have a hard time figuring out the questions."

"You mean..."

"That's right I still haven't figured out all the Kanji yet, it really is annoying." Asuka said before standing back up normally and asking Shinji another question.

"So whats the next one about."

"Oh," Shinji said before looking at the question, "its a question about thermal expansion."

"Thats kids stuff," Asuka said before getting a evil grin on her face. "Basically when things get cold they get smaller and when they get hot they get bigger."

"So if I rubbed by breasts to make them warmer would they get bigger or smaller," Asuka said grabbing her breasts. Shinji immediately turned his head blushing.

"I don't know I don't think of stuff like that," Shinji said very embarrassed.

"Your just no fun," Asuka said before walking away. Shinji was still looking the other way when he heard a sound. He turned his head slightly to see Rei getting out of the pool and bending over to grab her towel. Shinji watched her and looked over her body, he studied her curves and legs. His eyes then gandered to her...Shinji quickly shook his head as he realized the thoughts he was having.

"Hey Shinji look over here," Asuka said from the other side of the pool, Shinji looked to see her jump into the pool with a bunch of scuba gear on.

"Oh man," Shinji sighed again, today is going to be a long day I know it.

"Is something the matter, Ikari," Rei said standing next to him causing Shinji to jump a bit.

"No nothing just uhh getting a little frustrated with these questions, thats all," Shinji said looking at Rei, she was still wearing her swim suit and had a towel around her neck. Though not a revealing as Asuka's suit it still made Shinji feel embarrassed.

"I see," Rei said taking a look on what he was working on. She then bent over and typed in a few things doing almost exactly what Asuka had done a few minutes before. Shinji once again turned away trying his hardest not to stare.

"I believe that is the correct answer," Rei said standing back up, she then noticed Shinji looking away from her his face flushed.

"Is there something wrong," she asked again a bit worried.

"No no its just I..uh you...nevermind," Shinji said looking at the answer she written down to his surprise it looked like the right answer.

"Wow Ayanami, I wouldn't have guess you were good at this," Shinji said his mouth speaking before his brain could think.

"What do you mean," Rei asked curious. Shinji thinking he offended her quickly replied.

"I just mean seeing how you never pay attention in class or participate, I wouldn't think you would know this kind of stuff," Shinji said but immediately regretted it, no that came out wrong again.

"School is meaningless, but knowledge has meaning while school can't be applied to anywhere but school knowledge can be applied anywhere."

Shinji looked at Rei a bit dumbfounded and saw her in a new light. "Wow Ayanami," Shinji said smiling a bit, "your really smart."

Rei looked at him before feeling her cheeks get a bit hot, "you...embarrass me," She said before turning around and walking away. She was unused to compliments and since it came from Shinji it sent a jolt of electricity up and down her body. She had planned to leave and get dressed before heading home but Shinji stopped her.

"Wait Ayanami," Shinji said still sitting in his seat his face slightly flushed. Rei turned around and looked at Shinji, "would...would you mind staying here and helping me with these questions, I mean if you want to."

It was a simple request and one she had no problem complying to but it sent that jolt up and down her body once again. "This is, acceptable," She said turning around before taking a seat next to Shinji. Over the next 20 minutes or so her and Shinji sat next to each other and worked on the questions and after a while Rei began to wonder if Shinji really needed the help at all. It seemed that he got most of it and didn't really need her help so why would he want her to help him.

"Ayanami, Ayanami," Shinji said getting her attention.

"Hmm," Rei said lost in thought.

"I said we are done."

"I see," Rei said disappointed that the time with Shinji had already come to an end, she decided that it didn't matter if he needed the help or not she was just glad to spend time with him. Rei got up as well as Shinji and it seemed both of them didn't know what to say at the moment. They stood there looking at each other for a bit before they both spoke.

"Ayanami."

"Ikari."

"You first," Shinji said smiling. Rei nodded and spoke, except she found her voice slip her. She had made her mind up a few minutes ago and wanted to ask him if he would like to take her to try something new, like the time he took her to the movies, she had enjoyed that. But her voice left her and she found it was hard to ask him such a simple request.

Whats wrong with me Rei thought unable to think of what was causing this.

"Ikari," She started her voice a bit nervous for some reason, "I...was wondering if...if you and I... could..." she stopped there her mouth unable to say those last words.

"Could," Shinji anxious to hear what she wanted.

Go out...were the words she wanted to say but something interrupted her. Shinji's cellphone went off before she could finish. Sighing Shinji took out his phone and answered it.

"Hello," Shinji said, "oh hey Misato...ok...alright I'll tell them.. ok see you later," he said before putting his cell away.

"It seems there is something going on and Misato needs to see us right away at HQ,"

"I see," Rei said a bit annoyed.

"You can tell me what you wanted to say when we get done, I'll go get Asuka," Shinji said before walking away.

Rei watched him walk away before she did something she didn't do very often, she let out a small sigh.

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"The plan will go like this we will lower an Eva using the special equipment and try and recover the Angel before it can hatch," Misato said showing the three pilots pictures of the Angel in the magma.

It will probably be me, its always me Shinji thought to himself as Misato was about to announce who would do it.

"Asuka, I want you to go in unit 2 are you up to it," Misato said surprising Shinji.

"You bet," Asuka said happy that Misato kept her promise to let her handle the next one on her own.

"Shinji you will provide backup in unit 1, understood,"

"Yes ma'am," Shinji replied.

"What about me," Rei asked.

"The type D equipment wasn't fitted for unit 0 you will stay here," Misato said.

"I see."

A some 40 minutes later Asuka was coming out of the changing rooms her suit's new function activated much to her embarrassment but what really hit her was what they had outfitted her unit 2 with.

"NO WAY," Asuka replied yelling, "Oh what have they done to you."

"Doctor Akagi, why does my unit 2 have to wear this ugly stuff," Asuka said sadly to Ritsuko who was standing a few feet away.

"The type D equipment is designed to be highly resistant to extreme conditions, its not for fashion," Ritsuko said not taking her eyes off the reports for the mission.

"But I can't go out looking like that." Asuka said protesting.

"Thats to bad," a voice said above Asuka, "and here I was ready to see you in action."

Asuka looked up to see Kaji above her, she immediately felt completely embarrassed and ran behind a doorway to hide herself.

"There's just no way, I can't go out there looking like this with Kaji out there, Doctor Akagi."

"Is there a problem down there," A voice said on the loudspeaker.

"A slight one," Ritsuko said. Shinji meanwhile was standing next to Rei and watched the whole scene. He could understand why Asuka didn't want to do it, she would of felt degrading and embarrassed so he was about to ask her if she wanted him to take her place.

"I...I'll..." Shinji said but Ayanami cut him off from offering.

"I'll go in unit 2," Rei said fearlessly and unnerved.

"Over my dead body," Asuka yelled coming out and pointed at Rei.

"I'm the only one who can touch my unit 2 and pilot it, I'd rather be dead before I let someone like you pilot it." Asuka then turned an looked at her Eva before frowning.

"Even if I don't like it," Asuka said taking a long look at the type D equipment, "I'll do it."

"Good we will leave in 10 minutes," Ritsuko said before walking away.

Asuka continued to stand there and it didn't look like she was moving so Shinji decided to talk to Rei before leaving.

"Hey Ayanami," Shinji said greeting her Rei looked at him and nodded. "I can't believe you offered to go like that, its a pretty dangerous job aren't you afraid."

Rei looked at him remembering having a conversation like this before their last Angel fight. She gave him a pretty unexpected answer, "there is no point to being afraid."

"I guess, but still.." Shinji said lost in his own thoughts.

"Ikari why are you afraid," Rei asked curious to why he gets afraid.

"I don't know I guess...I guess I'm just afraid I'll let everyone down," Shinji said, "I mean if I screw up everyone will blame me and, well, I don't know I guess I just don't like all the pressure."

"I see," Rei said considering his words. They stood there again silent before Rei spoke up.

"I would never blame you, Ikari," Rei said her stomach fluttering for some reason. Shinji looked shocked but smiled a second later.

"Thanks Ayanami, that means a lot."

They stood there silent again before a voice came on the loudspeakers, "attention all crew members, operation will start in 1 minutes please report to all posts, thank you."

"Well I guess I'll see you later then," Shinji said before walking to his Eva, he turned and waved at Rei before saying something to her. "You can tell me what you wanted when I get back."

Rei just waved slightly back at him as she watched him leave, be careful.

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"ITS NO GOOD," Asuka yelled her progressive knife having no effect on the Angel.

"Oh no," Ritsuko said, " the intense heat must of made the Angel's shell extremely resilient and thick."

"What am I going to do," Asuka yelled as the they continued to pull Asuka to the surface.

The mission had started off pretty good the suit worked great and they made it down to the Angel without incident. Then as Asuka got ready to capture the Angel all hell broke lose. The angel hatched and began to attack Asuka her suit was damaged a bit and if the damage continued her suit would compress do to the intense pressure. She managed to stop the Angel but the knife didn't do a thing to the beasts hide.

Everyone thought on what to do next but no one could come up with a way to strike back at the angel. Just then Shinji had a thought, basically when objects get hot they get bigger and get smaller when cold.

"Asuka," Shinji yelled, "think physics."

"Thermal expansion," Asuka said remembering what happened earlier. She grabbed a cooling tube from her suit and put it on the Angel's core.

"Of course," Ritsuko said knowing what she had in mind.

"Pump all cooling fluid to tube three do it NOW." Asuka's order was initiated and the cooling fluid could be seen hitting the Angel. Asuka then raised her knife and struck this time met with the feeling of the knife going in deep to the angel. The angel didn't go down that easily though it thrashed around and managed to break three of the four ropes,securing Asuka to the surface, before the beast decompressed and disintegrated in the intense pressure. The fourth one looked like it could break at any time. Asuka watched anxiously as she was raised to the surface hoping that last rope didn't snap.

"Come on come one," She said seeing the meter at only 500 feet now but luck just wasn't on her side, the rope snapped and her Eva began to fall back into the magma that was going to be her tomb.

"I guess thats it," Asuka said knowing there was no hope for her. She looked down to see an endless void of magma that was to be her final resting place, sometimes life just sucks. Asuka then suddenly stopped and she began to rise back up to the surface, she looked up to see unit 1 holding her rope and the rope to the surface.

"Gotch'a," Shinji said to her. Asuka watched as the magma started to burn a little bit of unit 1, Shinji had jumped in magma just to save her knowing that his unit would burn a bit. She smiled at him and had a strange thought. She immediately tossed that thought aside though and said something to Shinji.

"You idiot," she said softly, getting a smile as a reply back from him.

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"Ahh this is great," Asuka said sitting in the hot springs, "thanks Misato this is great, I'm so glad you rented out the place just for us."

"You deserve it just take it easy," Misato said also enjoying the springs.

Shinji meanwhile heard the doorbell ringing and went to answer it seeing as there was no one there to answer it for him.

"Coming," Shinji said opening to door to get a big surprise. Shinji looked in awe and surprise as a familiar face looked at him holding a package.

"A-Ayanami," Shinji stammered, "what are you doing here."

"The captain sent for this package and also told me that I could come if I wanted to, she said I deserved some time to rest as well," Rei said holding the package to him.

"Oh well great glad you came..hmm wonder whats in here," Shinji said happily his day getting a whole lot better. He opened the package and to his surprise Pen-Pen popped out eager to get his chance to go to the hot springs. Shinji looked him in surprise but smiled as the warm watered penguin looked in different directions for the spring.

"Over there," Shinji pointing, Pen-Pen let out a squawk (or whatever you want to call his sound) and walked to it.

Shinji then got up and handed a towel to Rei he then pointed over to the womens changing room.

"The changing room is over there," he then pointed over to the door he showed Pen-Pen, "and the springs are through that door."

Rei nodded, "thank you," she said before walking to the changing room

"Don't mention it," Shinji said before he also went to go change.

Thank you Rei thought, those words are becoming much easier to say with him around.

Shinji a few minutes later was sitting in the springs just relaxing.

"Oh wow this feels great," he said his worries gone for the moment. Pen-Pen was enjoying himself as well as he swam around the springs.

"Shinji," a voice said from the other side of the fence.

"Y-yes," Shinji replied.

"Could you be a dear and throw over the body shampoo we are all out," Misato said.

"Sure thing," Shinji said grabbing the body wash and walking over to the fence.

"Ok its coming over watch your heads," Shinji said before he threw it over. A second later a splash confirmed that it had landed on the other side.

"Thank you," Misato said

"No problem," Shinji replied taking his place back at the springs. As he grew comfortable he closed his eyes.

"This is great," he said again, he then heard a splash coming from his right and opened his eyes to get a look at what the sound was. What he saw was beyond words in fact it was so incredible Shinji immediately turned the brightest shade of red and looked the other way.

"A-A-Ayanami," he said embarrassed more then ever before, "what are you d-d-doing in here."

As Rei began to walk over to where Shinji said she looked at him in curiosity. "I am coming in here to enjoy the hot springs, is there something the matter."

"N-no, but aren't you suppose to be in the womens section," Shinji said as Rei took a seat right next to him.

"I could be but I thought you might enjoy some company," Rei said looking at Shinji, at first Shinji didn't know what to say and kept silence from the surprise. Rei though, thought that Shinji didn't want his company, got up.

"I suppose I thought wrong, sorry for the intrusion," Rei said obviously a little hurt. Rei turned to leave but Shinji grabbed her arm at the last second.

"No I would love your company, its just, you uhh well you umm..." Shinji said looking at what Rei was wearing. She was wearing nothing but the towel he gave her a little while ago. It was probably the most embarrassing thing she had ever worn around him. While it did cover her up, it still did wonders on the imagination. Shinji shook his head and tried to calm down.

"I dressed, properly did I not," she asked.

"Yes, yes you did," Shinji said looking at her but as he looked he for some reason couldn't look away.

"You just embarrassed me thats all," Shinji said looking at her body his eyes mesmerized. Rei saw him looking at her and two things happened to her, a thought and a feeling. The thought was something Shinji had said to her. People should only look at each other like that when they are in love was the thought and the feeling was was embarrassment, not just the simple embarrassment she got when he complemented her but this made her blush, her heart began to race, shivers were sent up and down her body and she felt...fluttery.

"Please, sit," Shinji said looking into her eyes now. Rei nodded and sat down next to him. They sat there silently, but contently neither needed to say a word to each other. Rei had to say the springs felt great and the feeling she was getting only added to the enjoyment but she still felt like something was missing. Shinji began to relax and put his hand down to his right, where it accidentally touched Rei's.

Rei shot her eyes opened as she felt the contact between them. Jolts of electricity shot through her and she looked at Shinji. He blushed and immediately apologized.

"I'm sorry," he said about to take his hand away. Rei surprised him again by grabbing his hand with her own and squeezing it. Shinji looked at her for a sec before grinning as he gently squeezed back.

Found it Rei thought finding what was missing. They sat there for a while before Rei felt something hit her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see that strange bird looking at her, it then made a sound and moved a bit closer to her, Rei looked at it curious not sure what it wanted.

"I think he wants you to pet him," Shinji said noticing her look of confusion. Rei reached out with her free hand and cautiously put it on his head, he made a cooing sound and Rei could tell he liked it, she began to pet him for a while. As she pet him his cooing sound got louder and soon Rei saw that it fell asleep still cooing at Rei's gentle touch.

Unknown to Rei Shinji was watching the whole thing and after Rei made him fall asleep he saw a bright smile on her face. It wasn't a slight smile she normally had this was a completely new smile, it was the one he saw this morning. The one that told the world that I couldn't be happier right now.

Shinji looked at her and drank in her radiance that the smiling was giving. He absorbed as much of it as he could not knowing when that smile would come back. She has the most amazingly beautiful smile I had ever seen. Shinji knew that as long as he lived this scene would be forever engraved into his mind.

Authors note:woot for another chapter done, I know I haven't been updating lately but a lot has happened recently and it kind of distracted me from writing, call it a writers vacation. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys but I got the chapter up so please dont be too mad with me. Also keep in mind that I will finish this story even if I did take a while to get this chapter up, the next chapter should be coming in pretty fast, 2 weeks top hopefully if nothing comes up. I want to thank you guys for sticking with me and hope you really liked this chapter.

On a side note I had another way to end the chapter but I liked the way that ended and decided not to end it the other way. I will however post the other ending below so if you want to read it be my guest but if you were 100 percent happy with the other ending DO NOT READ THIS.

As Shinji continued to watch her smile, he noticed how enchantingly beautiful it made her look. He continued to stare at her up until something happened that hoped to god Rei would never find out about. He looked away suddenly and began to sink a little lower into the springs, her grabbed the towel over his head and repositioned it.

He then said something his mouth halfway in the water, "Damn thermal expansion."

Ok the end, until next time, later.