The school bell for lunch rang before any of the other students could leave Martin had covered the small distance between him and Mandy's desk and then in a flash grabbed her hand and walked briskly out of the room. The other students just stared in shock.

Cheryl: Oh my god, she's only just got here and already they're running off somewhere.

Charlie: Oh man that means I've not got a chance with her.

Leon: Dude, you never had a chance with her any way.

Charlie: Thanks, rub it in why don't ya?

In the corroder Martin weaved in and out of the other students, still holding onto Mandy.

Mandy: Hay Martin, stop, what are you doing? Let go!

Mandy nearly tripped several times as the young boy pulled her along.

All her complaints went unheard to Martin as he looked back and forth between the rooms. Suddenly he turned sharply into an empty room, let go of Mandy's hand and slammed the door.

Martin: What the hell are you doing here!

Mandy put her hands on her hips and rolled her eye's.

Mandy: Duh, studying, haha.

Martin closed his eyes and suppressed the urge to swear his head off with a growl.

Martin: That's not what I mean; I mean what are you doing in Japan!?

Mandy reeled back a little at Martin's anger and a look of hurt crossed her young features but just as Martin started to open his eyes to look at her she shook it off.

Mandy: What do you think? I'm an Eva pilot, didn't you know?

Martin reframed from stating the obvious.

Martin: Why? You never wanted to pilot, it's dangerous and just exactly when did you become a pilot?

Mandy was stuck for words and seamed to struggle with herself but soon decided on what to say.

Mandy: I wanted to prove I don�t need to rely on you all the time. I can take care of myself!

She crossed her arms and turned her head away from Martin to avoid eye contact.

Mandy: And I've been a pilot since that day before you left. I said in the note I was going to see Donna because I new what you'd say if I told you I was an Eva pilot.

Martin looked at the floor feeling defeated as he noticed Mandy was right but he still didn't want to admit it.

Martin: You still could have told me.

Mandy: And what? Have to deal with this? You would have just tried to stop me!

Mandy turned to Martin and strained her whole body as she shouted. She stomped towards the door and reached for the handle but in a flash Martin was stood in the doorway.

Martin: What do you expect! You�ll just end up getting hurt�Or worse, dead!

Mandy: I can fucking look after myself. Move!

Martin: No!

Mandy: Move now!

Martin and Mandy nearly touched noses as dark blue eyes, met deep green eyes and glared into each other.

Suddenly the door slid open and a young female teacher stood on the other side, looking a little confused.

Women: Really, if you kids are going to do stuff like that, you shouldn�t do it on school grounds. Shouldn�t you be having lunch now?

The young women smiled as she mistook the two teens for being lovers.

Mandy blushed and left with a quick sorry. Martin sighed and did the same, the teacher giggled as the teens went down separate corroders, both looking more than a little flustered.

The three stooges sat at one of the tables tucked away at the side of the buzzing cafeteria.

Touji: So Perish knows the new girl?

Shinji nodded to his inquisitive friend as he took a bite out of his ham and cheese sandwich.

Touji: Aw man, she only just got here and already we miss our chance of a shot at her.

Kensuke: Well, it could have been worse, Ikari could have bagged another.

Shinji�s face turned blue as he chocked on his food from his friends accusation, quickly he grabbed his drink and gasped for air.

Shinji: Couth! Couth! What!

Both boys seamed to get an evil glint in their eye�s as they closed in on the puny Eva pilot.

Touji: Stop playing stupid! You've got Rei and Asuka!

Kensuke: You've probably got Misato too.

Shinji tried to move back but found himself cornered between his too blood thirsty friends and a solid wall.

Shinji: Oh, come off it.

Kensuke: So, which is your favorite?

Touji: Asuka? Rei? Or have you just gone for the older lady?

Shinji: Ye right...

Shinji franticly looked around for something to change the subject then he saw Martin come in through a near by door, not noticing Mandy come in though another door further down the dinner hall.

Shinji: .. Hey! Look Martin's here. Hey, Martin over here!

He quickly stood to wave his friend over. Shinji quietly thanked god for sending him in when he did.

Martin waved, forced a small smile and walked over to his friends. Just as Shinji had hoped the attention of his two friends were directed to the unknowing young boy.

Kensuke: Wow, that was quick!

Touji: Well maybe they didn't even get to start. So what did you two do?

Kensuke: Missionary?

Touji: Spoon?

Kensuke: Doggy style?

Martin blushed and turned away.

Martin: We didn't do anything like that. I don't want to talk about it.

Touji: Aww come on, you�re a bad liar.

Martin: I said I don't want to talk about it...

Shinji saw a glint of something in Martins eye, only for a second but it was verry clear.

Shinji: Erm, Touji I think you should-

Touji: Did she taste good? Haha.

Martin: Gerrr! God damn it! I told you I don't want to talk about it!

Martin sprung up from his seat as if to attack Touji. Kensuke and Shinji covered their eyes but when they looked again they saw Touji just staring at one of the door's swinging on its hinges.

Martin stormed down one of the corridors and then slammed his back against the wall. His breath came in rapped gasps as he screwed up his eyes as if he was in pain.

Martin: Come on, Martin calm down, breath. Get a hold of yourself for Christ�s sake.

His breathing began to slow down and his shoulders dropped as he relaxed.

Martin: �What is wrong with me�

He whispered to himself in the empty hall. He didn�t really expect an answer and he didn�t get one.

Martin: People say the walls have ears�well if they do they must be deaf to me.

Martin snickered a little and it echoed down the empty hall. It was strange seeing the halls so empty even though people were in school; the halls were just so bare and lonely at times. Again Martin let out a laugh. Slowly he slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Martin just sat there and stared at the wall opposite to him. It seamed like an eternity had passed before anything disturbed his silence.

Martin: �Why? � Why do I keep getting so worked up? It�s like it�s not even me when it happens� Why isn�t there someone to tell me what�s wrong? I don�t want to be like this�

Like always the walls just stood there, still, lifeless, like some horrible being laughing at him and his life.

Martin: �Why�

The silence was brook as the bell to signal the beginning of the next class rang out. A couple of students came through the door and saw Martin sat against the wall seemingly lost in a world of his own. One of them was a girl from class 2-A. She walked over to Martin and crouched down next to him.

Cheryl: Hay. Are you okay?

Martin stood quietly not even looking at the young girl next to him.

Martin: Erm, ye� I�m fine.

And he walked away towards class as the girl just started after him.

Cheryl: �weird.

Back in class, lessons had started and everyone was dong their usual things. However Martin just sat there and stared out the window with his head lay on his folded arms. He seamed to be in a very somber mood. Mandy watched him from the back, she didn�t know why but she was worried about Martin. It didn�t seam like anything was wrong with him.

Mandy: He�s probably just asleep.

Suddenly the sound of a mobile phone broke the silence instinctively all the Eva pilots reached for their phones, all except Mandy stopped as the others realized it wasn�t them. Every body turned to Mandy to see what was going on.

Mandy: Erm, yes, I�m leaving now.

Mandy shyly put her phone back and rose from her seat.

Mandy: Sensei may I please be excused from classes for the rest of the day?

Taisho: Yes, Miss Newlife you are excused.

Martin Watched Mandy as she left, he had an uneasy feeling in his guts as he watched her leave. Suddenly his phone rang too. The Sensei sighed, as he was about to continue writing on the board.

Martin: Hello?

Martin tried to keep his voice low as all the students stared at him.

Misato: Martin? It�s Misato I think you best come to the base there�s some one here you need to meet.

Martin: Okay Misato. I�ll be right there.

Martin hung up the phone and placed it in his bag as he stood.

Martin: Sir?

Taisho: Sigh, yes you can go.

Martin smiled, embarrassed as he gingerly tiptoed out of the class.

Asuka: Where the hell is rookie going?

Hikari just shrugged and kept paying attention to the sensei as every one gossiped amongst each other.

Martin jogged down the corroder, trying to catch up with Mandy but she was already outside. Finally he caught up to her down the street.

Martin: Mandy!

Mandy turned to see who was shouting her but then stuck her nose in the air with a �humph�.

Martin: Mandy! Wait! Huff...Huff!

Martin slowed down to a quick walk as he got to the side of Mandy.

Mandy: Why should I. You were being a bastard to me.

Martin: No I wasn�t.

Mandy: Yes you were!

Martin: Was not!

Mandy: Was!

Martin: Not!

Mandy: Was!

Martin: All right! All right! Listen it doesn�t matter any way, okay? What�s done is done we�ll just have to live with it.

Mandy: What we? You�re the one that has to live with the fact that I can look after myself.

Martin: It�s not about that!

Mandy: Right, whatever.

Martin: Fine!

Mandy: Fine!

An uneasy silence grew between the two stubborn teens as neither was going to scuff their pride by being the first to say sorry. This continued all the way down the street, it was so bad that people were diving out of the way of the two young Eva pilots due to the chocking tension in the air between them.

Finally they reached NERV, Misato was leant against one of the card gates, waiting.

Misato: About time I was, eeiii-

Misato grimaced as she felt a very cold air around the two teens.

Misato: Well don�t you two seam happy.

Both looked at each other then turned with a �humph� simultaneously.

Misato: Sigh, any way Mandy you�ve got to go the looker rooms and get changed for your activation test-

Mandy: Excuse me but� I don�t know where the locker rooms are.

Misato: Well-

Ritsuko: I�ll take her.

The doors behind Misato opened and Ritsuko walked out in her usual lab coat and other attire.

Misato: Great! Mandy you�ll go with Ritsuko, she�ll take you to the locker rooms and then to your Eva for the activation test. Martin, you�ll come with me.

Martin: All right.

So Mandy left with Ritsuko and Martin followed Misato down into the NERV briefing room. Both were quite for a long time but then curiosity got the better of Martin.

Martin: So who�s this person we�re going to see Misato?

Misato: It�s your knew guardian.

Martin: Guardian!

Misato: Yes we�ve finally found you a suitable guardian.

Martin: But haven�t I proved that I can look after myself?

Misato: Oh don�t worry I�m sure you�ll like your guardian.

Martin: Who is she or he?

They approached the door to the briefing room and stopped.

Misato: HE is someone you already know apparently.

Martin: What?

Misato pushed the button to open the door with a smile. Martin looked on in shock as a familiar face greeted him on the other side.

Ian: Hi Martin, nice to see you again!

Martin just looked on in shock for a while and then ran over to Ian.

Martin: Oh my god Ian! What are doing her, I�m so glad to see you man!

Misato leant against the doorframe and watched the two friends with a smile as they were reunited.

Ian: Well you see they needed some one to look after Mandy on the way here and then when I got here I was told I�ve been transferred here to be a guardian for the two of you.

Martin: Man! This is going to be great just like old times!

Asuka and Shinji were walking home together now that classes had finished. As always Shinji walked slightly behind Asuka at least this way if Asuka swung at him he just might be able to dodge, but it was a long shot.

Asuka: So where did the Seventh child go?

Shinji: I don�t know.

Asuka: Well that�s nothing knew.

Asuka grinned at Shinji as they walked.

Shinji: Well I DO know that the new girls gone to do her activation test.

Asuka: Well duh. Isn�t that always what happens?

Asuka took a quick side-glance at the young Ikari and saw him looking at the ground in self-defeat. For some reason Asuka felt a twinge of regret as she looked at the young boy.

Asuka: Well�I guess that means you at least know something.

Shinji looked up at Asuka with a questioning look.

Asuka: Listen Third Child. You know all this working as a team stuff, maybe we should keep it up. After all you did manage to reach my superior level for at least a little while during the Eighth Angel attack.

Shinji: Ye I guess�

Shinji was still looking at Asuka with a strange look as he spoke. Just what was she getting at, he wondered.

Asuka: Why am I doing this? So what would you like to do Third Child?

Shinji was physically shocked by this question, Asuka asking HIM what HE wants to do?

Shinji: There�s got to be some kind of catch. What is she up to?

Asuka: Well?

Shinji: Erm�I don�t know. What do you want to do?

Asuka: Oh for the love of-�There has to be something you want to do! Any thing!

Shinji: Well, how about we�

Asuka waited as Shinji pondered what he wanted to do. Shinji could tell she was getting more impatient by the second as her foot began to tap faster and faster.

Shinji: erm, we could�we could go to the movies!

Shinji waited for a reaction but Asuka just seamed to stair at him. Shinji began to sweat under her gaze.

Asuka: Okay.

Shinji let out a breath of relief as Asuka turned to continue on the way home but just as Shinji began to walk Asuka stopped.

Asuka: But just remember this is only for business purposes don�t even think I�m hanging around with you because I actually like you.

Asuka looked over her shoulder and shot Shinji a death glare.

Asuka: Got that!

Shinji gulped and nodded quietly.

Asuka: Good!

With that she turned and kept walking. Shinji stayed stuck to the spot for a while in a daze and then shuck his head to snap out of it. Quickly he jogged to catch up with Asuka.

Ritsuko was in the control both with Maya and various other technicians. Several of the technicians were reading out statistics about the current Evangelion activation test while Ritsuko looked over Maya�s shoulder.

Maya: Well, looks like another poor child�s been dragged into this.

Ritsuko: Maya, you know that we need these children to pilot Eva. If we had any alternative we would use it but we don�t.

Maya: I know Dr. Akagi it�s just-

Ritsuko: I know Maya now increase the power and we�ll see if our new pilot can get Unit 08 to move.

Maya: Right.

Maya started to type at her console as Ritsuko stood up straight and looked through the large viewing window in front of her. In front of her stood the Evangelion designated the unit number 08 with restraining bolts holding it�s shoulders to the wall of the test cage. Its body was much like those of the other Evangelion unit�s but the head was a completely different matter. Its face was like a point that started at the front of the face and then ended in four points protruding from the back of its head, there was a long dark visor that hid the behemoths five eyes behind them, but the most distinguishing feature of all was the main of platinum hair coming from the back of the Eva�s head and leading down the back. The entire body and head was a mixture of crimson red and dark blue, the same as the colour scheme used by Unit 07.

Ritsuko: Can you hear me Mandy?

Mandy: Yes?

A picture of Mandy sat in unit 08's entry plug was displayed on a nearby scene. She was dressed in a slightly modifide version of the refular plug suit and it was coloured with a deep red up the from the ankels up to the waste and around the collor . Where as the chest and arms were pure white.

Ritsuko: Good. We�re going to try and have you move the Evangelion now so when I ask you I want you to try and raise Unit 08�s arms in front of it, slowly.

Mandy: Oh�Okay.

In the viwing screen mandy nodded and Ritsuko turned to Maya.

Ritsuko: Are we ready?

Maya: As we�ll ever be.

Ritsuko: Okay Mandy, now.

The room went silent and the air began to fill with tension as every one in the room watched in anticipation. Slowly the two giant arms of Evangelion Unit 08 began to rise in front of it. Then they stopped as they were fully stretched out like a child reaching for its mother.

Maya: I think it�s safe to say that we have another Eva up and running.

Maya chirped slightly releaved.

Ritsuko: Not quite yet, we still have a few more tests to run.

Maya: Yes Ma'am.

Maya went back to her console as Ritsuko looked at Unit 08 for a while then she asked Mandy to lower her arms and they continued with their tests.

The door to Misato�s apartment opened with a hiss allowing Asuka and Shinji to step in, kicking off their shoes.

Asuka: Well I�m going to get changed Third Child. Don�t you DARE peek.

Shinji: Gulp, okay.

Asuka seamed to have a slight spring in her step as she went to her room. The door to her room shut and Shinji let out a sigh then headed towards his room to get changed too. Asuka hummed as she striped off her school uniform. Suddenly she stopped.

Asuka: Why do I feel so happy? I�m only going to the movies and it�s with that baka, Ikari to boot.

For some reason Asuka was very hot, she noticed when she came in her room it was slightly humid but now she was beginning to notice the heat. She went over to her window, a cool breeze blew through, blowing her hair around as she opened the window.

Asuka: Phew, that�s better. Any way I better finish getting changed.

Shinji was already out of his school clothes and was putting on a simple blue t-shirt and jeans. After getting some clean socks he left his room and went to the living room. Shinji noticed Asuka still hadn�t left her room so he went to get a glace of water.

Asuka: Well third Child, what do you think?

Shinji turned round from the sink while still taking a drink from the glass he had in hand. Suddenly the kitchen was redecorated with Shinji�s water as he spurted it out in surprise. For a while Shinji just stared at Asuka, speechless.

Asuka: You know you could always take a picture, Third Child.

Asuka impatiently tapped her foot as she waited for the young Ikari to come back from Lala land. Shaking his head, he blushed as he looked back at Asuka.

Shinji: You�You look great Asuka.

Shinji was right; Asuka wore a red mini skirt with matching read turtleneck and some slightly risky thigh high, dark socks that Shinji couldn�t help but stair at.

Asuka: Good. Now hurry up or we�ll miss the start of the movie.

Shinji nodded, finished off his water and put the glass in the sink, quickly heading towards the front door with Asuka.

Asuka was already waiting to go as Shinji finished putting his shoes on.

Shinji: Ready.

Asuka: I was waiting for you, wasn�t I?

Shinji: Ye�

Shinji blushed and both teens left, the door closing with a hydraulic hiss behind them.

Martin: I still can�t believe you�re here!

Ian: I know, I know, you�ve said that already.

Ian laughed as he walked in from the Kitchen in Martin�s apartment. He placed two drinks on the small coffee table in the center of the room and sat down on a chair across from the one Martin was sat in. A small radio is playing music in the background.

Martin: There�s just one thing I want to know Ian�

Ian: What�s that.

Ian pushed one of the cups over to Martin and took a drink from his own.

Martin: Why�why didn�t you tell me that you were coming?

Ian: Well�

Martin: I tried to call, I sent letters to you and Mandy but neither of you sent any back and then your numbers went out of service. I thought you were trying to avoid me, or something.

Ian seamed to become uneasy in his chair as he thought about answering the question his young friend had just put to him.

Ian: Well you see she�Mandy wanted it to be a surprise and�well she made me promise not to tell you.

Martin: But you still could have talked to me.

Ian: I know but�well you know how bad I am at keeping secrets and Mandy would have been pissed if I told you and you know how scary she is when she�s pissed hehe�he�

Martin: ... And why didn�t Mandy answer her phone?

Ian: I don�t know. I�m guessing it was because she was so busy with tests and stuff. I didn�t really see her much after you left and when I did see her she didn�t really stop to talk. Some times she didn�t even say hi.

The both of them went silent for a while. Ian cradled the cup in his hands as Martin stared at his drink on the table.

Ian: Well at least were all together again. So do you know any good-looking guys at the base?

Martin: Ian!

Martin slapped his head with his hand as his older friend laughed.

Martin: Don�t you ever change?

Ian: Never, haha.

Martin: I noticed.

Both friends looked at each other and laughed.

Mandy stood in the bathroom and smiled as she heard the two boys laughing in the other room. Her hair was rapped up in a white towel with stray pieces of long, brown hair sticking out of the front, back and sides. She also had a white towel rapped around her body. She looked in the mirror and stared at the dog tags around her neck. One was hers and the other had Martin�s name on it. She took them into her hand and stared at them.

[Flashback] England, several weeks earlier.

Mandy walks in through the apartment door. She kicked off her shoes and pocked her head silently around the corner, the coast was clear. She tiptoed across the living room with a plastic bag under her arm. Silently entering her bedroom she placed the bag under her bed. She smiled and went back into the living room and pretended to open and close the front door.

Mandy: Martin! Sorry I�m late. Phew it�s cold out there. I tell you Donna really needs to sort out her love life.

She went into Martin�s room, expecting him to either be in bed or working at his small desk in his corner. However when she looked in the room it was empty, barren of life and most of Martin�s possessions only the odd bits and pieces lay on the floor or on top of the draws.

Mandy: Martin?

Quickly she went to the bathroom and knocked on the door.

Mandy: Martin? You in there? You haven�t fallen down the toilet have you?

She waited a while but got no reply.

Mandy: Martin? Fine! I�m coming in!

She yanked open the door but like his bedroom before, this room was empty too. Mandy turned and ran into the living room, looking around franticly. Then the glint of something metal caught her eye. Slowly she headed over to the table.

Mandy hit the table as she finished reading the letter, dog tag in hand.

Mandy: That�That ASS HOLE!

Mandy clutched the dog tag tightly in her hand and her knuckles began to turn white.

Mandy: Why- [End Flashback]

Martin: Mandy!

Martin: Mandy!

A knock snapped Mandy from her memory. She let go of the dog tags she held tightly in her hand and turned to the bathroom door wiping her eyes.

Mandy: Y, yes?

Martin: Have you finished I REALY need to go!

Mandy: Oh hehe, just a sec.

Mandy looked in the mirror to make sure she didn�t look like she had been crying then slapped her checks lightly to wake herself up. After smiling in the mirror for a few seconds, she headed for the door.

Mandy: You can go in now.

Martin: Took your time.

Martin rushed past Mandy and locked the door behind him.

Mandy: Well sssoorryyy!

Mandy stuck out her tongue and went to her room to get changed.

Shinji and Asuka arrived at the old cinema that was just off the main street of the city. However there as only one film on tonight�

Shinji: Angel Sanctuary�the movie?

Shinji stared at the board, which listed the films that were going to be on but couldn�t find anything else they could watch.

Asuka: Great! The last thing I want to see is another angel!

Shinji rubbed the back of his head nervously.

Shinji: Well�we don�t have to see a movie. We could go somewhere else.

Asuka grabbed Shinji�s arm and dragged him into the cinema.

Asuka: No way! I didn�t come all this way for nothing. I came to watch a movie and THAT�S what we�re doing!

Shinji: But, but-

Asuka: No buts! Except for yours in one of those cinema seats, now!

Shinji gulped and went quite as the doors closed behind them.

There was a knock at the door. Mandy and Ian both went to stand.

Mandy: I�ll get it.

Ian: ok.

Ian sat back down while Mandy went to the front door to see who was there.

Mandy: hello?

The door opened and a girl with ivory white skin and blue hair stood before Mandy.

Rei: Is pilot Perish home?

Mandy: Pardon?

Rei: May I see pilot Perish?

Mandy: �Oh! You mean Martin.

Mandy blushed, embarrassed and stepped aside to allow Rei to enter.

Mandy: Ye, sure but he�s on the toilet right now.

Rei: I will wait.

Mandy never took her eyes off Rei as she walked into the living room. Mandy shut the door and then followed Rei.

Mandy: Who the hell is she?

Rei entered the living room and Ian stood with a small wave.

Ian: Hi are you one of Martin�s friends?

Rei: I am a fellow Eva pilot and associate of pilot Perish.

Ian raised an eyebrow at the plainness of the young girl before him but shrugged it off and sat down.

Ian: Well it�s nice to meet you. Why don�t you take a seat.

Rei silently walked over to the small sofa and sat down. Mandy still watched her. For some reason she felt she had too.

Ian: You gonna stand up all night Mandy?

Ian laughed as he spoke. Mandy snapped out of her thoughts and looked to Ian, who was giving her a curios look.

Ian: Well?

Mandy: I don�t feel like sitting.

Ian: Okay.

The cinema was almost empty except for the odd person or couples. Most of the single people had been wearing large trench coats and hats, trying to cover their face. For some strange reason they seamed to be embarrassed or ashamed to be watching the movie before them.

Asuka and Shinji were sat near the back of the cinema. Shinji handed Asuka some popcorn as they sat watching. Shinji was sweating and felt very uncomfortable in his seat. Asuka on the other hand, seamed totally immersed in the film before her.

Shinji kept looking between the film and Asuka as she put a hand full of popcorn in her mouth with out blinking an eyelid.

The scene played out before them, a young blond haired boy and his sister stood in a schoolyard talking. Suddenly Asuka gasped as the young girl ran up to her older brother and kissed him.

Shinji: What�s wrong Asuka?

Asuka: I�I can�t believe she just kissed her own brother�

Shinji: Oh�

Asuka again filled her mouth with more popcorn and watched the film more intensely.

Martin: Phew! That�s better.

Martin stated as he walked into the living room from the small hallway that led to the bathroom.

Martin: So what should we- Oh Rei! Wh-what are you doing here?

Rei stood and approached Martin.

Rei: I wish to discuss the matter that we spoke of previously in NERV headquarters.

Martin: Erm, sure, shoot�

The room went silent as Rei stood before Martin, staring at him, whilst everyone else waited, silently for her to speak. Finally Rei did so.

Rei: In private.

Martin blinked dumbly then mentally slapped himself.

Martin: Oh, right. Sorry Rei. Just follow me.

As the two Eva pilots left the room Ian slumped back into his chair folding his arms.

Ian: Aww, I never get to know any of the juicy gossip.

He said playfully and laughed. Mandy however had a face like thunder as she continued to look in the direction that Martin and that girl, �Rei� had gone in.

Ian: Not jealous are you, Mandy?

Mandy: As if!

Ian smiled a she slumped into her seat sticking out her tongue, then picked up the TV remote and turned on the box in the opposite corner of the room.

Martin led Rei into his room and closed the door behind them. He sat down on the small bed and Rei silently sat next to him. The room was silent for a while, and then Martin spoke.

Martin: So, Rei, what is it you wanted to ask me?

Rei was quite for a while, seemingly gathering her thoughts.

Rei: When we were leaving NERV headquarters you asked me if I possessed�feelings for Pilot Ikari�I thought nothing of the matter until later, I saw Pilot Soryu talking to Pilot Ikari�I felt...strange. Something I had never felt before � a hollowness in my chest. After which, I started to notice these �feelings� more and more.

Martin sat and listened fully as the young girl spoke. It sought of made him feel sad to hear how this poor girl couldn�t grasp these simple, yet some how to her, foreign feeling. He didn�t know how but he wanted to help, so he did the only thing he could do, sat and listened.

Asuka: That was actually good.

Shinji: Ye, I guess.

Asuka stretched as she and Shinji walked out of the cinema.

Asuka: I mean did you see the part where that guy blasted the angel guy for killing his sister, bang!

Shinji laughed a little, more from embarrassment than anything. The fact of the matter was he had spent most of his time watching Asuka, not the movie.

Asuka; So what do you want to do next Shinji?

Shinji: Maybe we should�head home?

Asuka: What? Aw come on, don�t be a spoilsport.

Shinji: But it is getting kind of late and I think it�s going to rain pretty soon.

Asuka: What!

Asuka�s head snapped to the sky to see a large, gray rain cloud heading toward Tokyo-03.

Asuka: Swin hunt and I haven�t got my umbrella either!

Shinji fished into his pocket and pulled out the few yen he had left.

Shinji: Erm�I could�buy a new umbrella but I only have enough for one so we may have to�erm�share.

He waited for the inevitable insult that he had grown so used to but yet again Asuka surprised him by simply shrugging her shoulders.

Asuka: Okay, I guess.

Shinji: Wha?

Asuka: I said OOOO KKKK. Got that Third Child? Or is your brain still in first gear then again it�s more likely stuck in reverse.

Shinji: No it�s not!

Asuka: Then hurry and buy that damn umbrella. That storm clouds getting closer and closer, dumb koff.

Shinji: Okay. There�s a small shop around the corner, come on.

Shinji started to hurriedly walk down the street. Smiling, Asuka followed.

Rei: That is why I came to you for counsel on the matter. I do not understand what is happening but I do not want to feel this�

Martin: Loneliness.

Rei: Loneliness?

Martin: You said that you felt hollow and empty right?

Rei: Correct�

Martin: And whenever Shinji�s around you don�t feel this emptiness as much.

Rei: Yes�

Martin: To me that sounds a hell of a lot like being lonely.

Rei: A�lone�but apart from Commander Ikari, I have always been alone so why do I feel loneliness now?

Martin: Rei. Earth to Rei, hello?

Martin waved his hand in front of Rei�s face. Slowly she turned to look at him.

Rei: Yes.

Martin: Oh your back.

Rei: But I did not leave.

Martin: Well no you didn�t but you kinda� zoned out for a minute there.

Rei: zoned�out?

Martin: It kinda� means like daydreaming or lost in thought. Don�t worry I�m not surprised you haven�t heard it before. It�s rare slang, sometimes I think I�m the only one that�s even heard of it haha�ha.

Rei stared at her fellow pilot as he scratched the back of his head embarrassed. Martin looked away and cleared his throat.

Martin: Erm, I tell you what Rei. How about I help you get together with Shinji?

Rei: Together?

Martin: Ye. You guys seam like you�d be great together. So what do you say?

Rei: I�Do not know�

Asuka stood under the shop canopy as heavy rain pored down on the street around her. The automatic doors behind her slid open and Shinji stepped out holding a red and white umbrella in his hands.

Shinji: I got it.

Asuka: About time, dumb koff!

Shinji: Hay I used the last of my money to get this.

Asuka: And? Listen just open the damn thing so we can get going.

Shinji: All right already.

Shinji pressed the button and the portable shelter opened with a metallic ping. Quickly Asuka joined him underneath and they began to walk in the direction of their apartment.

They walked in silence for a long time. The occasional passing car and The constant rain hitting the umbrella and sidewalk were the only things to disturb the silence. Asuka seamed content with just walking where as on the other hand Shinji was not comfortable.

Shinji: I�ve got to say something, anything, come on Shinji, think.

Asuka: Shinji.

Shinji: Y-yes?

Asuka: I just waned to say that I really-

A crash of thunder echoed through the city. Asuka let out a small yelp in surprise and moved closer under the umbrella.

Shinji: Asuka? Are you okay?

Asuka: Of-of course I am. Keep moving baka or were going to get soaked!

She nudged Shinji forward to get him to move quicker.

Shinji: Hay! Don�t shove me!

Asuka: Shut-

Again another crash of thunder interrupted Asuka this time followed by a flash of light. Asuka grabbed hold of Shinji�s arm and held on tight. Shinji stared bewildered.

Shinji: Asuka?

Asuka: What!

Shinji: Are you�afraid of-

Asuka: No I�m not Third Child! Your just hogging all the damn umbrella and I�m getting soaked!

The thunder and lightning came again this time louder and brighter than before.

Asuka: A-are you sure it�s safe to be under this in a thunderstorm?

Shinji: What do you mean?

Asuka: This things metal! It�ll attract the lightning.

Shinji: Asuka, we�ll be fine. We�re in the middle of a city. The lightning will be attracted to the tallest thing in the city and that isn�t us. Asuka�erm you know you don�t have to be embarrassed about being scared-

Asuka grabbed Shinji by his collar and pulled his face to hers.

Asuka: I�ll say it only once more Third Child�I�am�not�SCARED!

Shinji flinched as Asuka etherized the last part and glared at the young boy.

Asuka: Now move!

Shinji: Yes ma�am! Man! Women are so weird I was only trying to help.

Quickly Shinji walked home with an un-scared Asuka clinging to his arm.

Martin: See ya Rei!

Martin was just closing the door as Rei left. Turning around he headed through the living room to go into the small kitchen for a drink.

Mandy: So who�s she?

Martin: Rei? She�s just another one of pilots. Why?

Mandy: Nothing. Just wondered why you guys were so long.

Martin gave Mandy a curios glance as she left the kitchen.

Martin: What�s her problem?

Shrugging it off he went about making himself a drink of tea.

Finally Asuka and Shinji arrived at the apartment. Kicking off their shoes and placing the umbrella in the corner they headed into the living room.

Asuka: No thanks to you my clothes are all wet. I�m going to get changed.

Shinji: Hay! It wasn�t my fault!

Asuka walked off around the corner as Shinji went into the kitchen.

Asuka: What ev-Ahh!

Shinji: Asuka?

Shinji ran out of the kitchen and saw Asuka stood in shock in front of her open bedroom door.

Shinji: Asuka, What�s wrong?

Shinji looked into the young girls room. It looked as though a small tornado had blown through. Paper was everwhere and a lot of the stuff in her room was wet, including her bed. Looking around a bit more something moving caught his eye. The curtains were billowing because of the wind coming from the open window.

Shinji: Oh�

Asuka: Mine Gott�Now what am I going to do? Everything is ruined. Were am I going to sleep?

Shinji though about it for a while as Asuka went and closed the window in her bedroom.

Shinji: Erm, Asuka?

Asuka: What!

Shinji winced as Asuka snapped at him.

Shinji: Well�erm. You could always�sleep in�my bed.

Asuka seamed to physically freeze and slowly turned.

Asuka: With you! No way! Baka hentai!

Asuka grabbed a wet pillow and through it at Shinji.

Asuka: How could you even THINK that!

Shinji dodged the wet pillow.

Shinji: I didn�t mean with me!

Asuka: Ye right then were are you going to sleep?

Shinji: On the couch of course!

Asuka went quite and a small blush crossed her checks.

Shinji: Fine if you don�t want to the couch is all yours.

Asuka stood there as Shinji turned and went to go to his own room.

Asuka: Shinji wait! I�ll�I�ll do it.

Shinji: Y-you will?

Asuka: Well that�s what I just said dumb koff!

Shinji frowned but then turned and went to the storage cupboard that had the spare blankets inside.

Shinji: Fine. Just don�t make a mess.

Asuka: As if!

Shinji went into the living room and laid a pillow and blanket on the small couch. Quietly Asuka grabbed a dry nightgown and underwear out of her room and went to get changed and washed in the bathroom. After Asuka had finished Shinji did the same. Asuka was sat on the floor in front of the TV when Shinji came back in.

Shinji: Not going to bed yet?

Asuka: Not tired.

Shinji: Me neither. Erm, do you�do you want a drink?

Asuka: Ye sure.

Shinji went into the kitchen and opened the fridge, taking out a can of cola for himself and one for Asuka then headed back into the living room.

Shinji: will cola be okay?

Asuka took the can Shinji offered her and opened it.

Asuka: ye, thanks.

She took a drink from her can and Shinji sat down next to her, opened his own can and took a drink as well. They both watched the TV silently for some time.

Shinji: Asuka?

Asuka: Yes?

Shinji: About when we were out-

Asuka: I already told you about that third child.

She shot Shinji a death glare as she spoke causing the boy to lean back a bit.

Shinji: No, not that! I meant � What I wanted to ask was�what were you going to say before, before you were interrupted?

Asuka: Oh, nothing. It doesn�t matter.

Asuka glanced at Shinji as he sighed.

Asuka: Oh all right�I was just going to say�that I really enjoyed today.

Shinji: You did?

Asuka: Don�t take it to your head third child. Just because I enjoyed going to the movies with you doesn�t mean it means anything. Got that?

Shinji gulped and nodded in conformation.

Asuka: Good. Well I�m going to bed now. Night.

Shinji: G-good night.

Shinji watched his roommate as she stood and headed towards his room. For a second his hormones urged him to follow her but then his common sense brought him around. After Asuka had left he turned off the TV set and light and then started to get settled onto the couch for the night.

Rei lay on her bed dressed in her regular school uniform. She stared up at the ceiling seemingly in her own world.

[Flashback] Martin: Erm, I tell you what Rei. How about I help you get together with Shinji?

Rei: Together?

Martin: Ye. You guys seam like you�d be great together. So what do you say?

Rei: I�do not know�

Martin: Come on Rei. You said you didn�t want to feel lonely and it�s obvious that you like Shinji. So it couldn�t hurt to have someone help you get together.

Rei: But I am not sure the commander would approve�

Martin: Why would the commander have anything to say about it? Well weather you like it or not I�m still going to try and help you out, just watch. [End Flashback]

Rei sat up on her bed and stared out of her window at the rain outside.

Rei: Pilot Ikari and I�together.

A strange warm feeling started to fill the void in Rei�s chest and an ever so small angelic smile graced her features.

Rei: Yes.

Rei stood and headed out of her main room and down the little corridor that headed to the bathroom and kitchen. Entering her small bathroom she began to undress ready to take a shower.

It was late in the night at the Katsuragi apartment. Everyone was asleep except for Asuka she silently opened the door to Shinji�s room and looked out into the hallway. Quietly she tiptoed down the hall and into the living room where Shinji was sound asleep. The blanket covering him had half fallen on the floor and Shinji was screwed up in a ball trying to keep warm. Gently Asuka picked the blanket up and put it back on Shinji.

She sat down on the floor, leaning against the couch and watched the sleeping boy.

Asuka: Why am I even sitting here?

Asuka thought to herself as she watched Shinji.

Shinji: erm umm�Ask--ua�

Asuka smiled and lay her head down on the arm of the chair.

Misato yawned as she opened the door to the apartment. It was apparent she�d been up late last night.

Misato: Yawnnn, I�m home. Like any ones even awake.

Misato kicked off her shoes groggily and headed into through the living room, intending to go straight to bed and catch some of them elusive Z�s. However that idea was put on hold by the scene that greeted her in the living room.

Asuka was sound asleep lay against the couch and Shinji was asleep on it, holding a blanket over himself and the sleeping Asuka. Misato had to rub her eyes several times to get other the shock. She decided she definitely wanted that sleep. Passing by the kitchen she grabbed herself a beer and headed straight for her room. However yet again she stopped in her tracks as she looked through the open door to Asuka�s room.

Misato: w-w-w�WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!

Shinji fell of the couch as Asuka jumped up startled pulling the blanket with her. Looking around franticly she saw Misato come around the corner with a face like thunder.

Misato: Just hat the hells been going on here! First I find you two asleep in the living room and then I find Asuka�s Bedroom looks like ground zero for an N2 mine.

Shinji pulled himself of the ground, he and Asuka looked at each other.

Asuka: It�s all this baka hentai�s falt!

Shinji: What how's this my fault!?!

It looks like it was going to be yet another regular day at the Katsuragi apartment.

! Warning Unauthorised Author Blag !

OHAYO!!!

Hi guys well I thought it was a long time between chapters last time but this time it's even longer but don't worry I hope to god it won't take nearly as long next time.

Kaji look to the pile of death threats bulging out of his bedroom door and a giant sweat drop apears on the back of his head.

Any way I hope you really liked his chaopter I put A LOT of work into this and checked and re-checked for spelling mistakes so it's as near perfect as I could get it. ^^;;

Any way it seams the plot is begining to thinken between the characters, just what are Mandy's nightmares about? And who is going to become Shinji's number one girl? Do any of them even know about each others feelings? Well we'll find out soon enougth...I hope.

Kaji dodges another poisioned arrow.

gulp...

As always any and all flames, names and blames go to Ryouji Kaji at [email protected]