Evangelion fan fiction by rojo

The Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion and I am not making any money off this. Any characters that I create here are mine.

The Author created characters in this fic will not be the main characters. I just want to tell so that people will read this.

Chapter 3: Strong Drink and Conversation

Shinji woke up around 2:00 in the morning, according to his watch. He heard someone rustling around outside the door of the bathroom. Quickly he jumped up and pounded his fist on the door.

"Hey! Can you hear me? Please help me!"

"What? Did someone say something?" a scraggly voice said from outside the bathroom.

"I'm in here. Please, some guys locked me in here. Can you help me?" Shinji hoped to God that this person would.

"Hold on."

He heard the sound of a large object scraping on concrete and the door opened to reveal a disheveled old man. His long tangled hair covered his face and his clothes were stained and old. Behind him Shinji saw a shopping car filled with cans and bottles and what looked like an odd assortment of personal belongings.

"Ah, Thanks for helping me."

"Glad I could help. How do you get locked in a bathroom like that? Takes more then one I suspect."

The old man's voice sounded kind and Shinji immediately relaxed.

"Well, yeah. Some guys stuck me in there. They wanted me out of the way I guess."

"That's a shitty thing to do to someone. You're lucky that I happened by. This station has been abandoned for a long time.

"Lucky? I guess. What are you doing out here?"

"Moving." The old man laughed.

"Huh?"

"If you can't tell by the clothes or the shopping cart I'm one of the residentially challenged."

Shinji looked confused.

"I'm homeless."

"Oh, sorry."

"Quite alright. Now give me your money."

"W-What?"

The old man laughed again. "I'm just kidding. You should really loosen up kid. You seem really on edge."

"I have a lot going on right now."

"Doesn't everyone? I mean, to live in a city that is attacked by giant monsters on a daily basis. It's like something from one of those movies I saw as a kid. Godzilla vs. Mothra, that was a good one." The man took a swig of something wrapped in a brown paper bag. "You know, you could have it worse. You could be one of those pilots. I saw one of those "Evergalons" or whatever up close one time after a battle. That thing was fucked up."

"What color was it?"

Surprised by Shinji's sudden question the man paused and then answered. "Ah, it was purple and…green. That's right, it was green. Man, that thing was really banged up."

"That was me."

"What? You're one of those pilots? No shit." He took another big swig. "I guess I should offer you some of this then."

The extended the bottle under Shinji's nose so that the powerful fumes of alcohol wafted into his nose.

"I-I shouldn't."

"You have to. I'm offering because you saved my life."

"What?"

"Yeah, how do you think I was so close to that thing. Not because I wanted to be. I was minding my own business and then this huge thing with tentacles that looked like a sock puppet almost lands on me. And then you came out of nowhere and stabbed it. I don't think I'll forget that for the rest of my life. The least I can do is offer you some booze."

"Ah, well, ok…I guess." Shinji nervously took the bottle and took a quick sip. Or what he thought would be a quick sip. The man reached over and put his finger on the back of the bottle so that Shinji couldn't lower it. The fierce liquid burned it's way down his throat.

Letting up the man took the bottle back. "I figured you'd try just a quick nip. Sorry."

Shinji could feel the fire in his stomach and now his eyes watered.

He coughed violently.

"Well, you should look for a new occupation. I don't think being a drunk like me suits you."

The man laughed and sat down on top of the overturned soda machine that had been blocking the door.

Shinji composed himself and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"So why did those guys lock you in there? Was it one of those gang things?"

"I think I got in their way."

"Well, there must have been a reason. People don't just do stuff like that."

"These guys would…but no, I got in the way because…of a girl." Shinji said quietly.

"And I thought chivalry was dead. I've traveled that road before. See this?" The man pointed to a large scar under his chin.

"Yeah."

"Some guy tried to take out my throat. I guess he wanted to be back with his girl and I was the one who he found in the bed. And let me tell you this wasn't caused by a grapefruit spoon."

"What happened to the guy?"

"Killed him." The old man said nonchalantly.

Shinji stiffened.

"I'm just kidding. Relax. You need another one." He held out the bottle. "I ended up jumping out a second story window and dragging myself to the hospital."

"I really shouldn't have-"

"Come on, I promise, no tricks this time." Shinji slowly took the bottle and held it.

"Promise?"

"Yah, look." The man held up his hands.

Shinji took a drink this time ready for the burning sensation. But his eyes couldn't resist watering.

"Oh, god. That's not better the second time." Shinji handed the bottle back.

"Or the thousandth." The man took another drink. "So what's this girl like? She must be a prize for a handsome, young guy like yourself to be so concerned."

"Well, she's beautiful…" Shinji felt warm inside already because of the alcohol and thinking about Rei didn't help matters.

"That's a start. What's she look like?"

"She's got this beautiful blue hair and these amazing red eyes."

"Yeah, and she's your age. I think I've seen her."

"What?!?"

"Yeah, sometimes I sleep in these old apartment buildings. I think she lives there. They're pretty much empty and if you're handy with a lock pick it's a dry place to sleep. She's the only one that lives there, at least that I've seen."

Shinji looked at the man with a sense of unease.

"What's that look for…Oh, no I wouldn't every do anything bad. I'm a good guy. Don't worry. She's probably lucky I'm around. No one wants to mess with me." He brandished a wicked looking knife from under his coat and flipped it around in his hand before returning it to his hiding place.

"And if anyone every wanted to mess with her they'd find a knife in there gut."

"Ah..."

"Don't worry. I don't do that stuff regularly. But I mean she's a friend of yours and if someone messes with her then they're messing with you and you saved my life. It's all relative, you know?"

Several moments of silence passed as the pair listened to the night sounds of the city around them.

"Uh…right, can I…?" Shinji indicated the bottle.

"It's a nasty habit but since you're had such a rough night I don't see why not."

Shinji took a swig.

"You know, if you like her that much, you should tell her. Communicate. That's the real problem between men and women. No one talks. You both think something different. In place of conversation and fact you assume. And it kills you. Just remember. Tell them. Always tell them. You never want to regret."

Shinji sat there, not sure what to say.

"So these guys, what's their angle?"

"I think one of them likes her. I don't know. But they're troublemakers. They beat up my friend once."

"Only one thing you can do against guys like that."

"What's that?"

"Rise above them. Be better."

"Hmmm…"

"Or beat the living shit out of them. That works too."

Shinji laughed and then caught himself with a frown.

"You should slow down. This stuff will kill ya'. Fast."

"Yah, I guess. My head feels funny."

"Don't worry. I hope our little talk helped you out."

The old man stood up and dusted off his coat.

Shinji stood up also and wobbled a bit.

"Take care kid. See you around. And thanks for saving my life."

"Yeah, sure. Hey, I-"

"Don't forget your phone."

"Oh, thanks."

Shinji turned and picked it up off the ground. It didn't appear to be damaged.

"That's good. It's ok. Hey, I didn't get your name-"

When Shinji turned back to where the man should have been no one was there. The parking lot was empty.

"What the…"

"Where the hell were you?"

"What the hell were you doing?"

"Have you been drinking?"

A torrent of questions assaulted Shinji as he sat at the kitchen table being circled by two very angry females.

"I was worried sick." Misato and Asuka said this and looked at each other with a funny expression. Then Misato smiled. Asuka grimaced.

"So you were worried sick, huh? I'm a guardian but you…hmmm."

"Oh, shut up. I can show concern for my fellow pilot if I like. Nothing more." Asuka crossed her arms and looked defiant.

Giving up on teasing Asuka, Misato rounded on Shinji again.

"You better have a good excuse for what you pulled."

He could feel her star boring into the top of his head as he looked at the kitchen floor.

"Uh, well…I got locked in a bathroom."

"What was that? You're mumbling and I thought you said you got locked in a bathroom."

"I did."

"What kind of excuse is that?"

"I didn't want too. Some guys stuck me in there."

"What? Who would do something…"

Misato trailed off as she met Asuka's angry look.

"You can probably figure that out, can't you Misato. Hmm…who would want Shinji out of the way?" Asuka's voice seemed to leave an icy chill in the room. She turned to Shinji.

"Was it Jin? Or his idiot friends?"

Shinji sheepishly nodded without raising his head.

Asuka flew off the handle.

"I am going to beat him within an inch of his life. Mien Gott, he is so dead. When I see him-"

"No."

Misato and Asuka both looked at Shinji surprised.

Asuka grabbed him and shook his shoulders. "What the hell do you mean "no"? Are you trying to tell me what I should or shouldn't-"

"Asuka, please. It's my problem. I don't need help. You should be able to understand that."

Shinji looked her in the eyes. Asuka saw something she had never really seen there before.

Determination.

Her hands dropped to her sides.

"Fine. Be that way, Third Child. But don't come crying to me if you get hurt."

Asuka left the kitchen and slammed her door.

Misato stood quietly regarding Shinji. He shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm so sorry, Shinji."

Her apology was definitely surprising to Shinji.

"What do you mean?"

"Ah…well, Rei came to see me after the test."

Misato sat down across the table heavily.

"And she wanted to talk about a boy. And I gave her some advice."

"She asked me about a boy that she thought liked her. And what she should do."

I definitely don't like where this is going.
Shinji's swallow was audible in the silence of the kitchen. "And what did you tell her…"

Misato looked very sad. "Oh, Shinji. I'm so sorry…"

A chill went down his spine. No, what did she tell her?

"Misato, what did you say…to her?"

"Shinji, I thought she was talking about you…I really did. I'm so sorry."

"Misato, please tell me-"

"I told her to be nice to him and to give him a chance…"

Something inside of Shinji crumbled. His head sank to his knees.

Misato reached for Shinji to give him a comforting hug.

"Shinji, I-"

"No! Don't touch me! You're already done to much." Shinji's yell echoed in the small space.

His voice grew weak and small. "Just leave me alone."

Misato made another attempt to reach for him but Shinji darted from the room.

She heard his door close.

"Damn it, I am so stupid."

Misato retrieved several beers from the fridge and took her chair.

Thinking long into the night, she fell asleep with her head on the table.

Rei lay in bed. She stared at the ceiling. Realizing that it was very late, she tried to go to sleep but her thoughts kept her awake.

Her hand came up from her side and brushed across her lips.

Something was troubling Rei at the back of her mind.

Rei began to feel something different in her as she thoughts of Shinji and kissing swirled in her head.

Shaking them off, she surrendered to sleep.

Jin and his friends sat on the beach throwing junk into the water.

"So what's the word on Ikari?" Jin tossed a bottle at some crabs that scuttled around a dead seagull.

Roku and Samu looked at one another and laughed.

Roku spoke. "We locked that poor bastard in a bathroom at the old Stop and Shop by the Restricted Zone."

"Yeah, it was so funny. He kept yelling for his friends."

Samu pulled out his cigarettes and lighter.

"So how's things in love department?"

"Yeah, have you made her into a slut yet?"

"You guys have no class. That’s what this is all about. You got to be smooth. Take you time."

"Yeah, right. You're probably just stuck."

"No, I wouldn't say that."

Samu looked and Roku and then back to Jin's grinning face.

"What? Did you get some."

"Yeah, give us details."

"I just gave her a kiss. Like I said. Slow and steady."

"Crap, we're gonna lose this bet aren't we."

"A kiss, ha, that's a long way from where he's trying to go. Have faith, Samu."

Jin smiled his little smile. "It won't be long guys. You know that school dance we have coming up?"

"Yeah." Both henchmen replied at once.

"Well, my mom's going to be gone visiting family. Empty house. Opportunity knocks."

Samu laughed. "That's not the only thing that will be getting knocked." He laughed at his own bad joke.

"You're not funny." Jin said simply. "Anyway, I have a plan and you gentlemen have already lost your bet. I predict right now. She can't resist me."

"Talk is cheap." Roku looked at him. "Just don't get to much of a ego complex or whatever. Or I'll laugh my ass off when you fail."

"Fail? Ye have little faith. Come on, it's me."

Jin smiled.

"Can I lose?"

Author's note: This got dark but some light will be coming up somewhere along the line. I hope you like the story so far. Thanks to Kimberly for her encouragement and advice. I really have some stiff competition in the R/S world out there right now. When I launched this it was relatively quiet on the story board. But then new chapters of "So Happy Together", "Touch" and "Anatomy of Koi" came out right after I put this up. Jeez, go easy on the newbie. No, but seriously, I loved all those stories and I encourage anyone who likes R/S stuff to check them out. Thanks to chewy for the good idea you gave me in an email a while back. Did you catch it? Be ready for the new chapter of The Bet, and also Brave Nurse Shinji chapter 6 will be up soon.

Take care,

rojo