THE CHILD OF LOVE... by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr) Retooled by Dave Watson (aj153@freenet.carleton.ca), 1999 3 02 & 3 22-23. -=SECOND MONTH=- LAST CHAPTER: Asuka is willing to keep her child and raise it on her own, but the situation is getting more and more complicated; the matter must be hushed up because of the complications it may bring, as much with EVA as in her social life. Asuka's really too KAWAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!! (She's really cute!!!!!!!) (Yeah, I'm in love 8-> ) How long will our friends be able to resist telling everybody the good news? Is Asuka too young to have children? Why doesn't my cat purr when I caress him (and why doesn't Asuka purr when I does the same to her? 8-D) --- CAPTION: SECOND MONTH CAPTION 2: A nanny needs practice... --- At school. Ikari Shinji is looking outside from his desk. He looks at Ayanami but she doesn't seem to notice him. Suddenly, a giant mass of paper hits the desk, right in front of him. Hikari : "Ikari, please give these printouts to Asuka..." Shinji (looking up at the class president) : "...Ah. Of course." After his answer, he looks out the window again, in a Rei-like style. Hikari : "Shinji...what's happening to Asuka? You can tell me, can't you?" Shinji : "Sorry. I don't know anything." Hikari : "Of course you do! You and Major Katsuragi are hiding something from us!" Shinji : "Honestly, I can't tell you." Hikari : "Won't you satisfy a girl's curiosity?" Shinji : "I have orders. I must obey them." Hikari : "You jerk! She's my best friend! I need to know!" Shinji : "If she wants you to know, she'll tell you. Don't worry." Hikari : "Is it that serious?" Shinji (blushing, unseen by Hikari) : "Yeah...a little...but I think she's happy with...him..." Hikari : "Oh, I see. So she has another boyfriend...I'm...sorry, Shinji." (to herself) : "Why she didn't tell me? Strange..." Shinji, looking up at Hikari : "What? No, it's not what you think..." Hikari : "Oh, don't tell me you don't know at all...I know she likes you very much." Shinji : "...Don't say such things..." Hikari (to herself) : "Whoaa...depressed..." Toji has arrived. Toji : "Hey, Horaki...What's going on?" Hikari turns to face Toji and talks with him. Shinji continues to look out the window, like he's trying to find something in the distance. Hikari : "I asked him about Asuka but it seems that..." She whispers something in his ear. Toji : "No...those two? Can't be! You sure?" Hikari, winking : "Yeah." Toji : "Congratulations, Shinji! I didn't knew you had it in you!" Shinji starts to knock his head on his desk repeatedly... --- Central Dogma. A screen reads HARMONICS TEST. The three children are doing their weekly harmonic tests in their entry plugs. Ritsuko : "Asuka has lost only two points. Incredible." Misato : "I told you! It's only psychological." Ritsuko : "Perhaps you were right, after all." Misato : "Have you seen the pregnancy report?" Ritsuko : "Not yet. I think we should wait a bit longer before doing this test again." Maya : "Sempai? Should I lower Asuka's depth from .02 to .05?" Ritsuko : "Try it. It may help her score go up." Maya : "Hai!" Seconds later... Ritsuko : "Yes. Asuka's harmonics are almost at the same level they were before her pregnancy!" Misato : "Hmmm...good." --- Harmonics Room. The three entry plugs open, the LCL spills out, and the pilots get out and head for the control room. --- Control Room. Misato : "Asuka, how was it?" Asuka : "Oh, fine, I guess. I'm just very tired right now..." Misato : "You should go now and get some sleep." Asuka : "And my harmonics test?" Misato : "No problem, your score hasn't changed." Asuka : "Really?" Shinji (trying desperately to find the right words) : "W-well done, Asuka." Then, he realizes what he has said and puts his hands up in front of his face as Asuka glowers at him with a threatening look in her eyes. A few long seconds pass. Asuka, grinning : "Thanks, Shinji." Shinji (dumbstruck) : "W-what?" Asuka : "I said, 'thanks,' Shinji-kun." Shinji, with a sigh of relief : "Ahh." (to himself) : "She called me 'Shinji- kun'? Is it because I called her 'Asuka-chan'? Or does she has a fever? Or is she just making fun of me?" Misato can't help but laugh. Misato : "Okay guys, stop teasing each other. Time to leave." Asuka : "Just a second! Dr. Akagi, and for...errr..." Ritsuko : "I'm sorry, but the test results aren't conclusive yet. I think we'll have to wait a little longer." Asuka : "Is that so?" Ritsuko : "Sorry. Right now the images are distorted due to the amount of LCL in your system." Asuka (in her "so-innocent-little-girl" pose) : "And when will I know?" Ritsuko : "Don't worry. We're working on it. The MAGI computers are analyzing them and filtering out the distortion. We'll know sooner or later." Asuka : "Thanks for everything." Misato and Shinji are completly amazed by their roommate's bizarrely calm (for her) behaviour. As usual, the First Child could think of nothing to say. --- The front door of Misato's apartment. Misato (as she opens the door) : "Ah, I think there's a little problem." Asuka : "Oh, no! What now?" Misato : "I forgot to buy some bread today." Shinji is going to say something, but he's interrupted by Asuka. Asuka : "I'll take care of that!" And she makes her way towards the elevator. Misato : "Be careful." Asuka (while the elevator door opens) : "Hey! I'm Sohryu Asuka Langley! Do you think I'm going to collapse or something while going to the baker? Huh?" Asuka darts into the elevator, and the door closes. The other two enter the apartment. Shinji tosses his schoolbag onto the couch. Misato (from inside her room, changing into more suitable clothes for home life) : "Shinji-kun? I've got something to tell you." Shinji (from the living room, on the couch) : "What is it, Misato-san?" Misato : "It's about Asuka..." --- Terminal Dogma. (Author's note: Yes, yes! And now, a little piece of mystery... ;-) ) Gendo : "So?" Ritsuko : "So, the Second Child's state doesn't seems to affect her scores." Fuyutsuki : "But is that so simple?" Gendo : "Only time will tell." Ritsuko : "I think so. She is only in the early stages of her pregnancy. I can't say anything about what may happen in two or more months, since it's a new case for us." Gendo : "Everything is going as scheduled." Fuyutsuki : "You're sure it's not deviating from what Seele was planning?" Gendo : "I can't tell you about theirs, But MY plan is almost complete." Ritsuko (to herself) : "I see...you rotten bastard!" Gendo : "You are dismissed, Dr. Akagi." Ritsuko : "Yes, sir." She leaves. Fuyutsuki : "If the Second Child is involved into a battle, she might be in danger." Gendo : "I know that, Fuyutsuki. Don't worry. Everything is going as planned. The time will come soon." --- Misato's apartment. Misato and Shinji are sitting on the couch, talking about Asuka. Shinji (surprised) : "She's *WHAT*?!" Misato : "Hey, calm down. She's willing to keep her child..." Shinji : "I-I thought she wanted to abort..." Misato : "I don't know what changed her mind, but she decided to keep it and raise it, and that's that." Shinji : "That means that I'd have to take care of it too, right?" Misato : "Hmm. You know...she likes you, but...I think it's only friendship. Nothing else. Well, okay, you did fuck each other...and, between friends, it's natur...oh, never mind..." Shinji (starting to blush) : "Uh...uh...yes, it may be." Misato (grinning) : "Are you disappointed?" Shinji : "Can I tell you the truth?" Misato : "Oh, come on! We're family, right? You wouldn't hide anything from me, would you?" Shinji : "Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed. I think I like her, too. But because she doesn't seem to open herself...I can't make a move..." Misato : "Isn't that what caused all this in the first place?" Shinji (blushing furiously) : "You know what I mean, Misato-san. I mean, why didn't she tell me this herself--?" Misato (smiling) : "I understand, Shinji-kun...you know, she wanted to tell you. Not right now, but a bit later. But I think I can see it on her silhouette now, so to speak. So I wanted to tell you this before you got too worried about her." Shinji : "Thank you..." They talk, talk, talk...and the clock shows that 45 minutes have passed since they returned home. Shinji (looking at the clock) : "Misa...Misato-san..." Misato (from the kitchen, cooking) : "What is it?" Shinji (a bit alarmed) : "It's been 45 minutes. Don't you think that's too long just to go buy some bread!?" Misato : "OH, SHIT!!! ASUKA!!! I completly forgot about that!!!" The two race out of the apartment and race for the stairwell. Forget waiting for the elevator now. At the entrance of the building... Shinji : "Misa...Misato-san!!! There she is!!" In front of the entranceway to the building, Asuka is propped against the wall, her head slumped forward. Two long thin loaves of French bread are on the ground in front of her. Misato : "She-she collapsed!? Shinji! Help me get her into the apartment!" Shinji : "Right!!" --- In the apartment. Asuka is lying on the couch. Shinji is sitting next to her on a chair. He looks down at her, and softly rubs her cheek. Misato (on the phone) : "Ritsuko! We've got a BIG problem here!" Ritsuko : "What is it now, Major?" Misato : "Asuka collapsed in front of the building's front door!" Ritsuko : "Weren't you supposed to look after her?" Shinji (to Misato) : "Mi...Misato-san! I think she's feverish!" Misato (to Ritsuko) : "Shinji is examining her! He says she has a high temperature!" --- One of the many labs in Central Dogma. Ritsuko is doing something with Maya (not *that* kind of thing, you ecchis!). Ritsuko : "He's examining her? What kind of 'examination' is he giving her now?" Misato : "Cut that out! I'M SERIOUS HERE!!!" Ritsuko : "Hmmm...is the Great Major Katsuragi losing her self-control?" *click*. Ritsuko : "She gets upset too easily these days..." She gets up from her chair and makes her way to the exit. Maya : "Sempai? Is something wrong?" Ritsuko : "Asuka has collapsed and Katsuragi is panicking." Maya (laughing) : "The Major is panicking? Quite funny." Ritsuko (opening the door) : "I know. In front of Angels, she's cool as a cucumber, but when it comes to life matters, that's another story." Maya : "See you later, sempai." --- Misato's apartment. Misato : "Dammit, Ritsuko, this isn't the time to make fun of me...!" Shinji is looking down at Asuka. She's smiling, probably dreaming. Shinji (to himself) : "When she wants, she can be a real little angel..." Misato : "Hey, Shinji-kun! Is she okay?" Shinji (suddenly snapped out of his thoughts) : "...Ah! Errr...I dunno. I'm no doctor." Misato : "Hope Ritsuko drives fast." She heads to the kitchen. Misato : "What were you thinking about, Shinji?" Shinji : "Huh, what? When?" Misato : "When I asked you if she was okay..." Shinji : "Oh...I guess I can tell you, after all... I was saying to myself that, when Asuka wants, she can be very nice and beautiful..." Misato (to herself) : "What, just when she's unconscious?" Shinji rubs her cheek again. It's very warm and soft. Misato : "You...you're falling in love, aren't you, you little rascal?" Shinji : "Y-yes...errr..no...I mean...I don't know..." Pause. Shinji (blushing) : "...but I know one thing: I care for her and for our child. Even if she denies it, this child's part of me. I can't leave those two alone. I just can't. Even if she pushes me aside, I can't leave her!!" Tears start to pool in Shinji's eyes. Misato : "Aha! I knew it! I always knew it!!! My two sweetest roommates in love...and dry those tears, Shinji. You're a boy, aren't you?" Shinji (sobbing a little) : "But...(sniff)...she doesn't feel the same way about me..." Misato : "With time, she'll learn to appreciate you." Shinji : "You sure?" Misato (winking) : "Yeah. Trust in yourself and everything'll be okay." Misato walks to the kitchen to grab a nice cold beer (yeah, she missed her cans). Asuka : "Ma...ma..." Shinji : "Huh?" Asuka : "Mama..." Shinji (to himself) : "Is she dreaming about her mother?" Misato (having just heard Asuka's voice now) : "Hey, is she awake?" Shinji : "No, she's talking in her sleep." Misato : "What?" She comes into the living room and leans towards Asuka. Asuka : "Mama...please..." Misato : "..." Shinji : "Why is she talking about her mother?" Misato (sadly) : "I don't know if I can tell you. I promised her not to tell anyone..." Shinji (a bit sarcastically) : "Oh, come on! We're family, right? You wouldn't hide anything from me, would you?" Misato (reluctantly) : "Okay, I'll tell you, then..." --- Minutes later. Misato and Shinji are sitting at the kitchen table. Misato : "Now you know everything." Shinji (sadly) : "I feel so sorry for her..." Misato : "It happened so long ago, but her mother still haunts her. She probably wants to forget about it and move on, but she can't." Shinji : "I saw her crying in her sleep once. Poor Asuka...I understand now how she feels." The doorbell rings. Misato (standing up) : "Must be Ritsuko!" She heads down the hallway and open the door. Ritsuko : "So, where's the patient?" Misato : "On the couch. Come in, Rit-chan." Ritsuko sits in the chair near the couch and gets ready to examine Asuka. She takes a stethoscope from a small leather bag and puts it around her neck. Ritsuko (feeling Asuka's forehead) : "A bit feverish, but nothing to really worry about." She puts the stethoscope in her ears, puts the pad against Asuka's chest, and listens while looking at her watch. Ritsuko : "Heart rate normal." Shinji enters the living room, concern etched deeply into his face. Shinji : "Is she okay...?" Ritsuko : "Noth--" Suddenly, everyone hears Asuka's soft snoring. Asuka : "Rrronnnnnn.....zzzzzz......" There are now huge sweatdrops on everyone's heads (except for Asuka, of course). Ritsuko (face turning an angry red) : "You IDIOTS! She was just TIRED! You DARED make me come here just for something like this? I don't believe this!!!" Misato : "Errrr...calm down, Ritsuko...I only thought...um...in her state... errr...in fact..." Major Katsuragi can't find the words to apologize to Ritsuko. Shinji : "She said she was tired, didn't she?" Ritsuko : "Okay, okay...sorry for blowing up at you. But I still think that you're not competent for this job, Misato..." Misato (smiling and shrugging) : "Whaddaya expect? A nanny needs practice..." Shinji breaks out in a smile at this. --- TO BE CONTINUED Don't miss the next episode: "A New Threat"! Author's notes: Not bad for three days. But there's a little problem here: I know how to end this story, but there's some holes in my storyboard. I can only tell you that you'll see all nine months of Asuka's pregnancy. And the end should be...wonderful. In fact, I'm trying to choose between a happy end, and a bad one (but not that bad, actually). Please tell me what you think... E-mail me! (aterizak@club-internet.fr) (comments, constructive criticism and ideas are also welcome!) In the next episode, there'll be a little surprise... (and now, some action!) My thanks to The Flashman, Patrick Drazen, Jim Lazar, ORBIT Productions, A1-l-Bus, Drakken Fyre and all the others who gave me inspiration and the will to do *this*. Please read the following fanfics (they are great!): ->She's *WHAT*? (available at SDAT) ->Evangelion: Ending-Beginning (available at SDAT) ->Garden Of Eva (please read my translations: Le Jardin d'EVA en Fran‡ais! Available at http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlazar/anime) ->Evangelion: R (DON'T MISS THAT ONE!!!! HTTP://WWW.EVA-R.COM) ->A New World For Asuka and Shinji (Available at SDAT> ->Imagine Normality? (Available at SDAT) ->Object of One's Desire (Available at SDAT) I've also translated some fanfics. WORK DONE: Evangelion: Ending, Beginning 1 to 4; Le Jardin d'EVA 0:1 to 0:5; Imagine Normality 1 WORK PLANNED : Le Jardin d'EVA 0:6 and those that will follow; Imagine Normality 2 to 5; EVA: R (will be loooooonnnnnnnnggggg...) Thanks for reading this far! See ya soon! Axel Terizaki (This is my nickname...my pseudonym...It's definitely NOT my real name. Mine is a French-style name. ;-) )