************************************************************
NOTE: This story is set 3 years in the future for the Neon
Genesis Evangelion universe. Continuity changes ahead. The
Third Impact (EoE) NEVER happened, and probably never will.
************************************************************

Neon Genesis Evangelion (C) GAINAX / Project Eva. * TV Tokyo
* NAS

Released in North America by A.D.V. Films.
Planning and Original Story: GAINAX

------------------------------------------------------------
                        Presenting-
            A Neon Genesis Evangelion fanfiction
             by: Mark Eymer(saotome@micron.net)

                  Neon Genesis Evangelion
                     The Party: Part 1
------------------------------------------------------------

        Shinji Ikari looked out over the schoolyard below
him. Standing on the roof always gave the best view of the
grounds, something he was appreciating more and more these
days. At the age of 17, Shinji had changed dramatically from
how he was three years ago, when all the trouble started.

        Piloting Evangelion Unit 01 had been one of the most
exhilarating yet terrifying experiences of his young life.
He had brushed shoulders with Death many times in that short
period. Suffice it to say, it had changed the way he thought
about everything.

        As a senior in high school, Shinji was busy studying
for the college entrance exams coming up later that year. He
enjoyed the freedom he now had; Misato recognized him as an
adult, even if he didn't himself.

        He still lived with the Operations Director of NERV,
Major Misato Katsuragi, even though he was no longer
affiliated with the agency.

        After Kaoru had died in his hands, Seele had made an
attempt on the NERV premises. Fortunately, all three Eva
pilots were able to make a combined stand against the JSSDF
and succeeded in holding the GeoFront.

        Shortly after the incident, Commander Fuyutski had
"accidentally" leaked some high priority information to the
UN and the Japanese government. The SEELE organization was
dissolved shortly thereafter.

        NERV now received all it's funding from the
government. Interestingly enough, Kaoru had been the last
Angel. No others had shown up after that, and one year after
the Seele incident, Shinji and Asuka had been released from
NERV. To his knowledge, Rei still worked for them.

        He saw the NERV engineers every now and again;
Ritsuko Akagi, Makoto Hyuga, Maya Ibuki, Aoba Shigeru,
Kouzou Fuyutski and his Father. Misato kept him in relative
contact with the organization.

        Turning from the view of the mountains surrounding
Tokyo-3, Shinji sighed. When did he become so nostalgic?
Shaking his head, he opened the door to the school's lower
levels and went in search of Touji Suzuhara and Kensuke
Aida.

-------------------------

        Asuka regarded her friend with a bemused expression.
Brushing a strand of red hair from her face, she grinned at
Hikari Horaki. "So... how did that date of yours go last
night, Hikari?"

        Hikari stopped chewing the rice she had put in her
mouth. "Well..." she swallowed, "fine, I suppose."

        "You suppose?" queried Asuka as she raised a piece
of gyoza to her lips. "What do you mean, you suppose? I
thought you liked Touji." Putting the morsel in her mouth,
Asuka leveled a curious gaze at her companion.

        Looking around the classroom quickly, Hikari glared
at Asuka. "Say it again, just louder this time." Sighing,
she continued. "Well, I did like him... three years ago.
But now, I dunno..."

        "True love just didn't stand the test of time, eh?"

        "Something like that. I mean, I like him... but as a
friend." Hikari shrugged. "After he got out of the hospital
and we started seeing each other we never really hit it off
on a boyfriend-girlfriend level."

        "But you still bring him lunch everyday, don't you?"

        "Well, yeah, but..." Hikari's cheeks took on a
slightly redder tint. "It's just because he can't cook
anything half decent for himself."

        "Sure, Hikari." She looked knowingly at her friend.

        How could Hikari ever explain to Asuka that she
wasn't that same fourteen year old who thought she'd fallen
in love? The past three years had brought a great amount of
insight into her relationship with Touji.

        They had had some good times together, but after a
few months, they had made a joint decision to remain close
friends instead of awkward loves. Hikari had never regretted
the decision, either.

        "Enough about me. What about you, Asuka? Who do you
like?" Hikari, for the life of her, could not figure out
that part of her friend. Asuka had always had the looks to
have any guy she wanted. Even moreso, now. She just never
seemed to date.

        "No one." Asuka suddenly found something on the
table top quite interesting. "You know I don't like to date
much."

        Hikari raised an eyebrow. She had always wondered
why she had seemed to go out more than Asuka.

        Asuka had blossomed into quite the stunning young
woman since she had moved to Tokyo-3 three years prior. She
had looked good to begin with, something Hikari had always
been somewhat jealous of, but had somehow matured even more.

        Asuka's attitude was Hikari's guess as to why she
wasn't dating anyone steadily. While Asuka had become less
competitive over the years, she still had an ego problem and
a somewhat haughty manner. This tended to push most of her
prospective pursuers away.

        "Seems kind of pointless to me, Asuka. I mean, great
body like that and you're always at home watching TV."

        Another fact that tended to bug Hikari was that
Asuka, no matter what she ate or did, never gained an ounce!
Hikari had to exercise and diet to keep her somewhat modest
figure, but Asuka never had to do any of that.

        Asuka flashed her friend a grin. "I just haven't
found anyone worth dating yet."

        "What about Shinji?" She always wondered about that.
They lived under the same roof, they had the same job, and
they had kissed before, or so she'd heard. Hikari always
wondered why those two had never hooked up.

        Shinji wasn't all bad. He was quite a good catch,
actually. Not much in the looks department, but he didn't
look bad. His personality had become much more accommodating
lately, too. Hikari found she enjoyed being in his company
and she readily called him a friend. She also wondered why
Asuka hadn't picked him up yet.

        Asuka gave Hikari a somewhat disgusted look. "That
dork? No way."

        "He doesn't seem all that bad, actually."

        "You don't have to live with him." Asuka shuddered.
Her and... geekboy? No way. She'd sooner die that let that
happen.

        "What about that time you kissed him?" Hikari
smirked at her friend's somewhat aghast expression.

        "Where'd you hear that?!"

        "Just through the grapevine. So how was that kiss?"

        Asuka made a show of shuddering. "Horrible. I'll
never kiss to kill time again."

        "You kissed him because you were bored?" Hikari's
incredulous expression annerved Asuka.

        "Yes! I was bored, and we were the only ones there,
and I wondered, so I kissed him... That's it."

        "Well maybe you should give it another shot. I mean,
it's been three years. Try him out again or something?"
Hikari shot her friend a mischievous glance.

        Asuka blanched. "I think not."

        Hikari shrugged. "Suit yourself." She quickly broke
down into a fit of giggles at Asuka's indignant expression.

        Before Asuka could say anything more, the bell
signaling the end of the lunch hour rang and students began
filing back into the classroom.

        Sighing, the pair rose and went to their separate
desks, hoping the remaining time left in school would pass
quickly.

-------------------------

        _Asuka._

        Looking down at her computer, Asuka sighed. Someone
trying to get her attention again.

        _What?_ she typed.

        _What are you doing after school?_

        Looking around the classroom, Asuka caught sight of
Hikari waving at her. Grinning she turned back to the screen
and replied. _Nothing. What've you got planned?_

        _Nothing. Want to go shopping?_

        Asuka's expression lit up. If there was one thing
she really loved doing with her friend, it was shopping.
_Sure. Meet me at the gate?_

        _Alright._

        _BTW, did you hear about that party?_

        Asuka's eyes widened a little. 'Party?!' _When and
where, Hikari?_

        _I hear it's over at some freshman's place, in a few
days._

        _Feel like going?_ Asuka grinned evilly. She loved
parties.

        _Of course, I was about to ask you the same._

        _Right on! I'll meet you on the way th-_ Asuka's
message was interrupted by Hikari's quick reply.

        _One problem, Asuka._

        _Whazzat?_

        _You gotta go with someone or they won't let you in.
Someone male._

        Asuka thought about that one for a moment, before
grinning widely and replying. _No problem._

        _Cool. See you after school._

        Smiling to herself, Asuka turned to Hikari and gave
her a quick thumbs up before turning back and trying to
concentrate on what the teacher was saying.

        "...reconstruction of Tokyo-3 was completed just
last year. This adds new relevancy to the events of the
Second Impact, a cataclysm which affects us even today, 18
years later. Interestingly enough..." The teacher continued
in his monotonously unchanging tone.

        Asuka groaned inwardly. You'd have thought that
after three years a teacher would have something new to talk
about in class.
        
        <I guess some things just never change,> Asuka
thought to herself before concentrating on the computer in
front of her.

-------------------------

        School had finally ended for the day and Shinji,
Touji and Kensuke were walking home together as they
usually did.

        Suddenly bursting ahead, Kensuke turned around and
addressed his friends. "Hey, guys... heard anything about a
party?..."

        Touji nodded. "Yeah... just rumors, but I heard some
guy's parents are out of town and he's gonna throw a big one
at his place. I dunno if it's true or not, though."

        Shinji sighed. "Guys, is partying and girls all you
two think about?"

        Kensuke and Touji looked at each other for a minute
before turning to Shinji with blank expressions. "There are
other things to think about?" they asked in synch.

        Shinji grumbled. "Only every other aspect of life."

        Kensuke grinned at his overly serious companion. "Ah
c'mon, Shinji. There are better aspects of life than girls
and parties? Don't even try to tell me I'm wrong."

        "Well, no... you're right," Shinji fought to hold
back his smile and failed, "but there are responsibilities
and such. I mean, life isn't all parties and women."

        Touji sighed wistfully. "But wouldn't it be great if
it was?..."

        Kensuke snickered while Shinji just shook his head.

        "You two are hopeless."

        "Well, look at it this way, man," Kensuke quipped.
"We are only minors. I mean, we're allowed to have fun
without really having to worry about responsibility. Not
for another year or two, anyway."

        "That's not the point!"

        Touji poked Shinji in the chest. "That's exactly the
point, Shinji."

        Kensuke nodded. "You're too serious all the time,
Shinji. Learn to lighten up and have some fun."

        Touji chuckled at the thought of Shinji, partying
hard. "I bet," he said between snickers, "that you wouldn't
even know the basics of partying."

        Shinji gave Touji and incredulous look. "Don't tell
me there are 'rules of engagement' when it comes to a party.
I won't buy that for a minute."

        "'Rules of engagement' is one way to put it, I
suppose..." Kensuke scratched his head while he collected
his thoughts. "It's more like... the do's and don'ts of a
party."

        "That's right," supplied Touji. "For example, do
drink. Preferably heavily." Kensuke grinned. "Don't puke.
Stop drinking before you hit that point."

        Nodding, Kensuke added, "The worst thing you can do
at a party is toss your cookies."

        Shinji shook his head. "Enough, guys. I get it."

        Not quite through, Touji grabbed Shinji by the neck,
putting him into an impromptu headlock. "Alright, hotshot.
Prove it. If this rumor turns out to be true, then you're
going to come with me'n Kensuke to this here shindig. Got
it, bub?"

        Grinning, Kensuke nodded his ascent. "And you gotta
adhere to the 'rules of engagement,' as you put it. You have
to have a good time."

        Shinji just sighed and shook his head. "Hopeless.
Completely hopeless."

-------------------------

        Paying for her train ticket, Asuka joined Hikari
behind the yellow line that marked the edge of the boarding
platform. Smiling at her friend, she asked, "So, got any
items on your 'To Buy' list today?"

        Nodding, Hikari gave an exagerated sigh. "Yeah, and
it's gonna drain my wallet, too."

        "But then again, neither of us minds do we?"

        Smiling in earnest, Hikari readily agreed. "We both
love shopping, so I guess we can make the sacrifice."

        Their playful banter was cut short by the tone
announcing the arrival of the train. Both girls stepped back
to allow the people already on the train to file out, and
they both boarded, finding seats at the front of their car.

        Putting her book bag aside, Asuka put her head in
her hand and looked out the window as the last of the
passengers boarded and the train pulled away from the
platform. She sighed happily.

        Hikari gazed at her friend in wonderment. "I don't
think I'll ever quite understand why you like looking out
train windows so much..."

        Asuka just shot her friend an enigmatic grin and
then turned back to the window. After a few moments of
relative silence, she spoke. "To tell you the truth, Hikari,
I don't think I'll ever understand why, either. I just like
watching the world go by."

        "You do realize that could be misinterpreted, don't
you?"

        Asuka gave a short, indignant laugh. "I don't mean
it in that sense." Flashing Hikari a warm smile, Asuka
couldn't help but chuckle. "I know I wasn't always the
warmest of people, Hikari. I'm still not. It's just that I
like watching the city and the people, all the life."

        Curious, Hikari leaned forward, resting her arms on
her knees and her head in her hands. "Why is that, do you
suppose?"

        "I suppose that's because I almost died a few times
while out there fighting the Angels." Asuka's expression
suddenly became serious. "I might have, had the whole thing
continued. To tell you the truth, I'm just glad to be
alive."

        A warm smile covered Hikari's face. "I'm glad you
are, too."

-------------------------

        Hikari and Asuka gazed around the buildings which
they were currently standing outside of. After getting off
the train a few more stops down the line, they had walked
the short block and a half to the shopping complex known as
the New Tokyo Mall.

        Looking down the domed street, the two girls grinned
at each other and started off. It was time for some serious
shopping. Spotting a clothing store, Asuka grabbed Hikari by
the arm and dragged her into the shop. Hikari gave little
resistance.

-------------------------

        Shinji and his two companions had stopped at a ramen
shop they had happened upon. Currently, they sat slurping at
bowls of ramen, generously provided by the shop's owner.

        Sucking a few noodles into his mouth, Touji looked
at Shinji meaningfully. "So, Shinji... when're you gonna
make a move on Asuka?"

        Shinji, surprised by the bluntness of Touji's query,
started coughing as a little soup went down his air pipe.
Looking at his friend with a wide eyed expression, Shinji
asked in a somewhat paniced voice, "What the hell do you
mean?!"

        Kensuke grinned at Touji. He could figure out where
this was going well enough. Lately, he and Touji had been
discussing Shinji and Asuka's relationship between
themselves. While Asuka seemed to keep up a believable
enough facade of disinterest about Shinji, Touji and Kensuke
suspected differently. Judging by his current reaction, they
had also guessed correctly.

        "You know exactly what I'm talking about, bud."
Touji raised the bowl to his lips and took a small sip of
soup. "We see the way you two sometimes look at each other
when you think no one else is looking."

        "It's not like that!" Shinji waved his hands in
front of him, trying to dissuade his friends. "We're just
friends!"

        Kensuke suddenly broke into the conversation. "You
expect us to believe that? You two've been living together
for three years now. We know you've kissed her before, and
we also know she's one of the hottest girls in school. She's
not attached, either." Giving Shinji a once over, Kensuke
continued. "Seems kinda convenient is all."

        "What d'ya mean 'convenient'?!" Shinji was aghast.
He and Asuka were just friends. As far as he knew, anyhow.

        "What we mean," began Touji, "is that it sure is
convenient that you and she live together, in a house where
you two are virtually the only ones home. Who's to say you
haven't already tried something with her?..."

        "I haven't...!"

        "Sure. Say you haven't... We at least know you like
her more than 'just friends,' so why don't you?" Kensuke
just loved tormenting Shinji like this. If you knew how to
push his buttons you could get such a rise out of him.

        "Yeah, Shinji," Touji added, "why don't you?" Both
Kensuke and Touji gave him searching gazes, daring him to
refute what they'd just said.

        Shinji sighed and looked at the table. It wasn't
wasn't worth the effort of trying to lie about it, anymore.
"Alright, fine. I like her. S'just I don't think she likes
me... that's why I haven't tried anything."

        "Uh huh. Well, just to give you a tip, a free one...
we've seen her looking at you the same way you look at her."

        Touji nodded, backing up his friend's statement.

        Kensuke continued. "Neither of us want her, but she
must mean something to you, especially for you to have a
flame for her for so long. It's been three years."

        Touji nodded his ascent, once again. "Being your
friends, we wanna see you happy, bud. Which is why we're
telling you to go for it. I got no idea what you see in her,
but it must be something. We're also gonna make you go to
this party, like it or not."

        Kensuke grinned. "Yep. And maybe you should go with
Asuka... I mean, it couldn't hurt."

        Shinji just stared morosely at his ramen as his
friends continued lecturing him on the intricacies of asking
women to miscellainious events. He couldn't believe the day
he'd had.

        An hour later, Shinji walked into the apartment he
shared with Misato and Asuka. He couldn't have been happier
to finally be home.

-------------------------

        Holding up a lacy bra, Hikari turned to Asuka. "What
do you think, Asuka?"

        Taking a close look at the thing, Asuka pretended to
be deep in thought. "I think Touji'd thank you for it."

        Dropping the bra and blushing a deep crimson, Hikari
turned on her friend. "Not even! I meant for you to show off
to Ikari!"

        Asuka gave her friend a scandalized look before
surrendering herself to her laughter. Soon after, Hikari
joined in. "Yeah, right."

        "No, really, Asuka. Why not? He might appreciate it,
if you know what I mean..."

        "Yes I know what you mean and I also know you're a
pervert." Asuka's half lidded gaze made Hikari giggle all
the more.

        "Pervert? Me? I wouldn't have to trick him into
kissing me."

        "Yeah... you'd just pay him."

        "Hey! That's it!" With that, Hikari charged her
friend, prepared to give her the tickling of her life.

        Throughout the clothing store, heads turned toward
the two teens as Asuka and Hikari's combined laughter rang
out through the shop.

-------------------------

        Later that night...
        
        Shinji sat at his desk with an opened math book. A
blank piece of paper sat in front of him, pencil poised to
begin writing above it. Sighing, he looked over the book's
explanation of the problem sets again. <I am never going to
understand this,> he lamented to himself.

        "Studying hard, Shinji?..."

        Shinji grumbled as his concentration shattered. "Not
anymore, I'm not. I can't ever seem to get any studying
done." Turning in his seat, he fixed his visitor with what
he hoped was a disapproving look. "Can I do something for
you, Asuka?"

        "Not really. I'm just here to talk."

        Over the past few years, Shinji and Asuka had come
to an understanding of sorts and an awkward friendship had
grown. He found he could talk to her about a few things, but
usually tended not to. Although she was his sometimes
friend, Asuka still had a caustic sense of humor that turned
him off to her.

        <She, on the other hand, finds it necessary to talk
to me about everything.> Mentally groaning, Shinji resigned
himself to the fact that while he took little comfort in
their current arrangement, she obviously did. That was a
good enough reason to leave it be, in Shinji's mind.

        Shutting his book and putting the pencil down on the
desktop, Shinji bade Asuka to take a seat on the end of his
bed. "I'm listening."

        Frowning at him, Asuka sat. "You could act a little
happier about it, you know. Humor me."

        "A little happier about what? You barging in and
disturbing my privacy?"

        "Well, if you're going to be that way, I'll just go
talk to someone else." Sniffing, Asuka got up and started to
walk to the door.

        <More like talk at someone else,> Shinji thought. A
pang of guilt flashed through him, though, and he sighed.
"Alright... I'm sorry, Asuka. If you want to talk, that's
okay. Come back."

        Asuka turned around and flashed him a bright smile
before returning to her seat. "I knew you'd see it my way."

        "Only cause you ram it down my throat," Shinji
mumbled.

        "What was that? I thought you said something." Asuka
gave him a slightly irate look.

        "Nothing at all."

        She arched her eyebrow at him before continuing.
"Anyway, have you heard that rumor about a party?"

        "Yeah, what about it?"

        "Well, it isn't a rumor."

        "So? Someone I don't know is throwing a massive
party. What do I care, Asuka?" How could she waste his study
time with this trivial... crap?

        "Nothing. But you're coming with me."

        "Say what?" Shinji asked in a deadpan.

        "You heard me."

        "Just why are you asking me to go with you, anyway,
huh?" Shinji narrowed his eyes. "It makes me suspicious,
coming from the girl who supposedly hates me and all."

        "Silly, that's only in school." Asuka flashed him a
grin. "You know I'm just kidding when I say that."

        "No, I don't."

        "Well, I am. The reason I'm asking you, is because
Hikari's going with Touji and I really really don't wanna go
with Kensuke. Besides, I think he's going to try to talk
some girl from class into going with him!" Her eyes pleaded
with Shinji. "They won't let anyone in unless they bring
someone with them."

        "What the hell kinda stupid rule is that?!"

        "I don't know, but it's the rule! C'mon Shinji, it's
supposed to be the biggest party of the year!" She yanked on
his shirt sleeve a little for effect. "We don't even have to
be together once we get there! You can go hang out with the
other two stooges. C'mon!"

        Sighing, Shinji relented. He guessed he had no way
out of this, seeing as Asuka would probably bug him about it
nonstop until he agreed, anyway. He nodded at her. "Alright,
Asuka. I'll do it. But you owe me a favor for this."

        Smiling, she stood up. "Bah, favor shmavor. If
anything, I'm doing you a favor by bringing you! You don't
get out enough as it is."

        Grumbling he glared at her. "Who're you, my mother?
Get outta here." He turned back towards his neglected
homework.

        She giggled and turned towards the door. "Oh, and
one more thing... don't even think of trying to take
advantage of me at that party. I know you can barely control
yourself as it is, so..."

        She barely got the door closed before a pillow
impacted the other side.

-------------------------

        Asuka walked with an extra bounce to her step. The
night of the party had finally arrived and she couldn't wait
to have some fun. Dragging Shinji nehind her, Asuka rounded
the final corner on the way to the apartment.

        "Man, Asuka. You'd think you were in some kind of
hurry or something," Shinji all but panted.

        "I am."

        "Yep, I figured as much."

        Turning around and smiling sweetly at him, Asuka
said in a lacy voice, "Do me a favor, Shinji-chan..."

        'Shinji...-chan?' he thought to himself, throat
suddenly dry. "Umm... what?" he croaked.

        "Shut up."

        Shinji's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Right."

        "Good. Let's go, then."

        Facing forward again, Asuka proceeded to take the
steps two at a time. Shinji had a little trouble keeping up.
Once they reached the top, Asuka pulled a small piece of
paper out of her pocket and looked at the address written on
it. "We're here!" she triumphantly announced.

-------------------------

        Shinji stumbled around the house in a hazy stupor,
looking for anyone and everyone he knew at the same time.
Finding himself upstairs, he wandered aimlessly down the
hallway until he saw someone leaning against the wall near
a bedroom door.

        It looked like Asuka, but Shinji couldn't quite
tell. He knew she was female and that he knew her, at least.
        
        Somehow managing to make it to her general vicinity,
he smiled and tried to say hello to his friend of three
years. After a few false starts, he finally got out in a
slurred voice, "Hello... whatsh up?"

        The girl turned his way, her hair flipping behind
her shoulder as she did, and answered in an equally slurred
voice, "Nothing much, Shinji. Whatsha been up ta tonight?"

        Stumbling forward, slightly, Shinji caught himself
on the wall behind the girl. Looking at her, Shinji's foggy
mind took in her face, which was looking up at him with a
similarly glassy expression as he imagined he wore.

        "Y'know... ya shure are pretty. I can't believe I
never tried anything with you, y'know?"

        Giving Shinji the once over, the girl nodded,
hiccuped and replied in a slurred tone, "I know. You're not
sho bad yourself." She suddenly found Shinji leaning slowly
forwards towards her. A little surprised and quite a bit
tanked, she shrugged. 'What the hell.'

        Shinji was somewhat surprised when she returned his
advances and he found himself kissing her. Dropping his arms
in surprise, Shinji found himself falling forward. The next
thing he knew, he and his friend were lying atop a rather
comfortable bed.

        About to say something, Shinji stopped when she
resumed kissing him. His mind pushed the panic away into
the recesses of his drunken stupor as his body started to
respond to the girl under him.

-------------------------

        Cracking his eyes opened hurt like he'd never have
thought it could. "Ugh... How much did I drink last night?"

        Sitting up, Touji rubbed his head. He blinked a few
times to get his bearings on the place and quickly located
Kensuke, in the same place he'd passed out in last night.

        Chuckling, Touji grabbed a glass of ice water from
the kitchen and splashed it all over his slumbering friend.

        Kensuke shot into the air, an indignant shout on his
lips, "COLD!"

        Touji couldn't help but laugh.

-------------------------

        Sometime later, Touji and Kensuke were finally ready
to leave the scene. Looking around for their erstwhile
company, they both became a bit confused.

        "Ummm, where do you think he disappeared to, Ken?"

        "No idea, Touji. I mean, he was so blasted I don't
think he coulda walked downstairs, let alone home."

        "You're right. So where'd Shinji get off to?"

        Kensuke grinned. "Since we can't find him here, why
not try the... bedroom?"

        Touji's eyes bugged a little at that. "Nice joke...
but seriously... Shinji?! Yeah, right."

        "Hey," Kensuke shrugged, "he ain't out here and it's
worth a try."

        Touji thought about it and then grinned. "Maybe we
can catch him with Asuka or something."

        Kensuke snickered. "Let's go."

        Quickly locating the bedroom door, the two flung it
open, only to be left slack of jaw.

        From down the hallway, Asuka, who had been similarly
wandering around all morning, saw the shocked expressions of        
the two and walked up to them. "Hey guys, what's so-..."

        Her question died in her throat as she got a look
into the bedroom.

        There, on the bed, covered only by a light sheet and
quite obviously naked, lay Shinji Ikari. The more shocking
discovery was the person laying on top of him, though.

        Sleeping lightly on his chest, lay Hikari Horaki.

------------------------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED...
------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Notes:

        Bout damned time I got this out. Been working on it
for a LOOOOONG time. I'm planning on adding a LOT to the
party and to the events leading up to it. Basically the
whole fic. I just need some comments on it so I can keep it
going! PLEASE! COMMENTS! PLEASE! :)

        And please remember, yes, this is a FIRST DRAFT!

Special thanks go to:
-GAINAX / Project Eva. and Hideki Anno for the wonderful
 story of Neon Genesis Evangelion,
-A.D.V. Films for releasing this series in the USA,
-My prereaders, (list them here) and (skeezer and the MST
 guy),
-Tom Rothamel and all the people of the EVAML,
And to:
-White Wolf, Tybalt and all the people of the FFML.

Thank you for reading,

Mark Eymer (saotome@micron.net)