Neon Genesis Evangelion Holding Hands 2 Strike Fiss, 2002 Misato's Christmas parties are famous, even to this day. They bring back a lot of memories too. I find myself thinking about the last few months, seeing them as a blur that goes by much too quickly for how happy I am during those memories. Asuka and I are finally together, after all. We have a life together. We have comfort and pleasure in each other. Love is finally back in my life, though I know we are both too scared to say it. School is better, but I'm still glad to be done for a few weeks. Asuka doesn't care either way, as she finds it so bloody effortless. I sometimes have to remind myself she is as intelligent as she is beautiful. (If not even more so) Still, she's glad to have the break as well. Misato greets us at the door with Maya, who I've heard is rooming with our former guardian until Ritsuko gets out of the hospital. My Father's work still has a legacy. Even three years later. But, there is hope she'll walk again, and besides weakened legs, she's apparently recovered perfectly. Asuka and Misato share a teary reunion. I am touched at how close they are. We've been so distant these last few months, and yet, the family still exists. We are still connected in ways that my Father would have never understood. I'm just about to join in when the door opens and... "KENSUKE! TOJI!" I almost leap at my friends, who, somehow, catch me with equal enthusiasm. "Well well! If it isn't Ikari!" Toji laughs, slapping me on the back with a strong, albeit, artificial arm. I can't even tell, though. It's so nice to see him! "I hope Devil-Girl is treating you right." Asuka breaks from her hug with Misato to give Toji the finger, but they soon share a brief, but friendly hug. "Nice to see you too, Stooge." "So, how are you newlyweds holding up at university?" Kensuke asks, already recording the reunion on his omni-present camera. I can't help but smile at the 'newlyweds' term. It no longer seems like such a far-fetched idea. The fact I'm blushing like a tomato at the thought, however, is a bit annoying. "Wouldn't YOU like to know..." she laughs. "Hentai." "Speaking of that." Kensuke turns his attentions to Misato. "How is our lovely hostess this evening?" "Not nearly as drunk as you hope I am." Misato flashes a quick, predatory smile at the younger man, then walks off to the kitchen. "Who wants a beer?" Toji and Kensuke share a "Ooooooooo!" together and run off after her. Maya smiles and invites us in. She looks exactly the same as when we left last year. It's like a blast from the past, actually. "Come in, you two. I'll take your coats." We hand her our jackets and Asuka throws her purse in the corner of the closet. "Well, Ikari?" she smiles at me when everyone's got their attention turned elsewhere. "Should we tell them tonight?" "No." I squirm. I really don't feel like having to explain myself to Toji and Kensuke right now. "I just want to enjoy the evening." She seems to understand, but...oh no...she has a twinkle in her eye. "Okay. Maybe next time." Dammit. I know that look. Where have I seen it before? It's making me nervous, whatever it is. I'm so nervous that I don't realize the eggnog is a special 'mix' of Misato's. Not until the second large mug-full. I notice at last because I'm suddenly not putting up any kind of a fight as Asuka leans over me and kisses me. Again. Oh...and again. She leaves my grasp, however, just as I try to pull her in for a more permanent arrangement, and winks, walking off to talk with the girls. My vision is replaced with two very surprised looking friends of mine. "Daaaaaamn..." Toji admits. I blush as I realize that Asuka wasn't just giving me a peck on the cheek. We were...KISSING...damn nice kissing, too. Kensuke is promptly rewinding and making sure he captured the kiss on his camera. "W...when did you two...?" "It's nothing!" I lie. I lie very badly. They don't buy it for a second. "Nothing at all." I smirk, leaning back in my chair. I like this. Yes. This is very nice. I feel warm. All over and inside me. I know it's probably just the fact I'm not used to drinking, but it seems that whenever I do, nothing bad happens. I just relax and enjoy it. The lights and colours of the season dance around me. Friends walk over and I talk to them, though I must admit, I don't remember any words. It's strange, actually. I feel like I've been dreaming. That in a moment, I'll wake up and all of this will be gone. As Misato and Maya sing some kind of Christmas Carol in the background, I catch the words "Merrily" over and over again, until I'm certain the next phrase will be "Life is but a dream." Through it all, however, I see Asuka. Like a point of perfect calm in my hazy vision, she is lit up by the soft glow of candles, Christmas and smiles all around her. How did I ever end up with such a woman? When I'm sure that nobody is around to hear me, I quietly poor myself a fresh glass of eggnog...then...another from the plastic cups on the table. The new glass, I put on the table in front of me, and I find myself slightly choked up. I'm smiling, though. "Merry Christmas, Father." I toast to the glass. Even if this is all just a dream, I'm not going to pass up this chance to thank my Father. Meeting Asuka was the greatest present he could have ever given me. ***** "You two sure you don't want to stay the night over at Misato's?" Maya is a wonderful person. I love her like some cute, distant cousin. However, if she asks me that just one more time...I'm going to kill her. Shinji, the sweet baka that he is, answers for me. "No thank you, Maya..." he hiccups. "Misato will just want me to drink more. I'm done." I'm pretty buzzed myself. "Yeah." I add. It's about all I can manage. No. I am not smashed. I am extremely horny. What? You know the feeling! When your mind keeps shutting down, until all you can think about is being naked, rubbing up against someone? Even better, someone who is probably thinking along the same lines. Aren't I allowed? Damn rights I am. Shinji's not helping. He has been touching me all night. Brushing up against me in the hall. A little nuzzle while nobody was looking. Wrapping his arms around my waist...a little lower during each dance we shared. And while we were waiting for Maya, our designated driver, to come into the car, Shinji actually leaned over me and started nibbling on my ear. On the other side, too, so he had to slide across my chest and lap in the process. And I just sat there, terrified, and moaning despite myself. He knows me. I'm actually in pain right now, while he's not touching me. It's a wonderful, sweet sensation. Wanting something that is seated right next to you, but not being able to take it. Shinji knows, too. God damn if that boy doesn't know, I'm going to show him. Every time I kiss him I want to stay a little longer. 'Making Out' is NOT going to be enough tonight. Not like is has been the last few months. Asuka wants more. Oh yes. She does. She wants whatever Shinji can give her. She's not picky. She already knows that he has at LEAST the required components to give her. Oh yes. Asuka pays attention to those make-out sessions quite well. Asuka likes it so far... Mmm... Yup. I can always tell when I'm truly into Hentai mode when I start thinking of myself in the third person. It's easier to think of the things you're about to do when you can imagine them as happening to someone else. Yes that works. Asuka Langley is going to strip down to her birthday suit tonight. Then, she is going to make Shinji Ikari do the same. Asuka Langley is not responsible for what happens afterwards. Asuka Langley simply has ideas what will happen. It's really not her fault if they do. Much... The car stops, and I almost fall out of the side in the struggle to get out. We're home. Shinji has more patience, however, and helps me up. Then, he turns to Maya and thanks her for the ride. She wishes us a merry something or other, and then drives off slowly. We wait until she's out of sight. Not one second longer, though. Shinji almost engulfs me in his coat as we kiss. Oh yes. Asuka wants more...please don't stop. I don't have to tell him this. I'm sure the noises he coaxes from me are instructional enough. Damn...I've never made that noise before... Somehow we navigate the ice-slick steps up to the apartment and get inside without falling. It's a few agonizing seconds until we can open the door. Both of us try our keys at the same time and end up wrestling for control of the lock. I finally win and we gain entry into the dark hall. He smacks the elevator button and the door opens. We tumble inside right there. I gasp and land against the far corner. He pauses, presses the button for our floor, and then joins me in the corner as the door closes. Shinji's hands slide along my arms and shed my coat for me. Even under the light sweater I'm wearing, I shiver at his touch. I try to kiss him backwards, but he has me pinned, and my efforts are only intensifying the kiss where it is. Wet, passionate sighs fill the tiny car, and I find myself being turned on even more by the sound. Wait...I know it's coming...Ahh. there it is. He stops...briefly...breathing hot, sweet breath against my lips. "Asuka...If you tell me to stop...I will..." "Stop..." I whisper "And I will kill you. Mmm..." That settles that. We tumble out into the deserted hall as the elevator deposits us next to our home. Shinji takes care of this door, leaving my hands free to have his jacket ready to toss as soon as we gain entry. The lights are off, but we easily navigate around the meagre obstacles until Shinji stops at the stereo and fumbles past my waist for a tape to put in. Mmm. Fumbling tickles. Asuka likes this already. The tiny, but bright little equalizer on the side of the stereo can kick up a beautiful effect in a dark room. It looks like blue candlelight as the music plays. Oooh... He does know me. This song is nice... But I didn't come here for the music. Shinji watches in surprise as I take off my shirt. ***** Oh my god. Oh my god. Yeah, I know I already said this, but... Oh my god. This must be a dream. No. It's not. She's real. Oh god is she real. In every way. She gasps as I take her left nipple into my mouth. Her hands are on my shoulders, pulling me closer. "Shin...Ahh!" she swallows hard and the mound of flesh presses up against my tongue as she takes in air. She is so sweet. A hint of salt on her skin mixes in with it's natural, refined taste. It is like the height of the symphony, where all the instruments finally join, getting ready for the climactic force of sound. Asuka lets me taste her breast, and then the other. This is something I never thought I'd do. Something I only dared to fantasize about in my most lonely moments. It's not cold in here, so I know it must be her excitement that's making her so hard. It is the strangest sensation to feel across my tongue. It's something I keep wanting to do again. It can only be replaced by another kiss, or venturing elsewhere. And I do. And she lets me. I pause only so she can take my shirt off. Then, I start to unbutton her jeans. "Oh god..." she whispers anxiously. As the button is undone, I can feel her entire body shiver. Isn't that my line? Not right now it isn't. My mouth and mind are busy elsewhere. "Shinji...I don't know if..." a sharp, heavy gasp fills the air. "Shinji...ahh! P...please, Shinji...mmm...yeah...oh...right there...mmm mmm..." Every sound she makes is music to me. She lays back against the largest of our pillows, and completely gives herself to me as her breathing quickens. All I explore and kiss and touch is burnt into my mind. The musky, honey-ish taste on my tongue is more intoxicating than anything I have ever known. It isn't long until I'm simply lost to it...and I find myself stroking with my tongue, nuzzling and parting and sipping. Words eventually begin to melt away, though, and my mind works on pure taste and touch...two senses that I wasn't aware could produce this much pleasure... "Sh...Shinji..." she begs. "I can't...h...hhhaaa..." I look up, noticing for the first time she is completely naked now. The one window that lets moonlight into this room is making her entire body glow. Perfect, pale white skin sends a soft aura off into the darkness. Her eyes, even now, are sharp and clear, though they are heavier with desire. Her silky, golden hair is just the right mix of messy that I find dangerously sexy. Oh... She used my time staring to her own advantage, and I find myself flat on my back with her sitting just below my crotch. My pants are gone a second later, and she stops for a moment at my boxers. I could swear if I didn't know better, she looked like a little girl about to unwrap a Christmas present. She does. I am helpless as she frees me of my last article of clothing, and she looks up and smiles at me. "Shin-kun..." she whispers. "Is this for me?" Before I can question her, she silences me with a kiss. It is deep and passionate. Given a choice of executions, I would gladly drown in that kiss. "Not so bad yourself..." I reply, getting another kiss for my troubles. Something warm alerts me to the fact Asuka is climbing up on me...guided by my hands, though I swear I didn't know I was controlling them at this point. Asuka positions herself right over me. "Shin- kun...are you ready?" Though I doubt I'm really able to consider the consequences of this, I nod, completely entranced as this beautiful woman leans over me, then gently lowers her hips. We both gasp out as I slide into her. Just a little for now...I can tell she doesn't want to hurry. It's impossibly tight, but instead of being uncomfortable, all I can feel is this glowing warmth wrapping itself around me. "Oh god...Shinji..." she bites her lip as she lowers herself a little more. I feel a barrier and she stops, probably knowing what's next. Never underestimate Asuka when it comes to pain. Also, I see now the wisdom in the many toasts a newly-married couple share before. A gentle, warm haze helps one ignore pain, because she leans over, grabs my tongue with her mouth, and simply impales herself onto me. There is no cry of hurt. Rather another sharp gasp of pleasure. She squirms against me as I ease up into her as far as I can. When I'm finally all the way in, the breath we were both holding comes out The sensation of being completely engulfed by her is nearly more than I can take. "T...that...wasn't so bad..." I hear her whisper against my ear. "Shinji...you fit perfectly..." "You have no idea how long I wanted to hear that..." I say. She smiles softly. "Hentai..." "Mmm...Asuka-hentai...." I reply with a grin. "Oh yeah?" she frowns with mock anger, and begins to life herself off of me. Only about an inch, though. Then she eases herself back onto me. Despite her attempts to look angry, she seems to be enjoying this quite a bit. I'm in heaven. No other thoughts can really penetrate the overload I am experiencing in my mind. Even the mighty Asuka seems unable to manage much more than an occasional cry of pleasure or laboured breath as I push up into her again and again. Our mouths lock whenever it's physically possible to do so, and I can't believe the look in her eyes as we make love. Suddenly the pace picks up. Oh god...don't let this be a dream. Dreams always end just about now... "Don't stop...don'tstopdonstopdonstop!" Asuka begs. Her nails dig into my back, holding on for dear life. "Shinji...don't stop...I...I'm goanna c..c..." I almost forget how close I am as well as she screams out my name and buries me with herself as far as she can. Her entire body tenses and shudders, bringing me along with her as we both buck and moan. Her body eagerly accepts my seed, coaxing everything from me. I can't even breathe as the pleasure threatens to shut down my brain completely. We are one. Finally. And I can't believe the only word I can think of...the only thing that I can say to myself...is "Wow..." My poor brain must just be sitting besides me, gawking at the scene of us, trying to figure our how it came about. Coherent thought finally returns to me as I feel her slide off of me, still gasping for air. "Are..." My voice doesn't sound much stronger, actually. "Are you okay?" I ask. We must have been completely silent for minutes now. I think she actually purred. A long, deep, throaty sound escapes her mouth as she rests against my chest. "Very okay..." she whispers softly. I lean back against the pillows strewn around us like a nest. My head's buzzing, though the alcohol isn't the most of it. Where she touches me is fire, and where she's not is only cool air. My back hurts a little, but considering the source of the pain, I don't mind. We hear a soft click, signalling my tape has flipped sides. "I love you." She looks up at me and smiles. For a second, I don't know who said it, but she repeats. "I love you, Shinji Ikari..." her hand comes up and cups the side of my face. "With all my heart." "I love you too." I whisper back. What else can I say? How can I sum up my true feelings for her in words? I cannot. The closest thing I could ever hope to express is to play more music for her. I find yet more bliss in the way we trace over each other...making sure this is still real. Honest. Us. Half of us are still entwined, aching and dizzy....the other half is perfectly calm. Loving. Tender. I have never felt such a touch as Asuka tracing her hands over cheek, then my back... Suddenly, she looks horrified. "SHINJI!" she brings her other hand out from behind my back. "Oh...I'm so sorry!" I notice the blood and shake my head. "It's not bad." I smile. "Baka! You're too drunk to feel it right now!" she scolds, standing suddenly. Oooh...that was a nice view. She's still naked, after all. "Come on." "Yes, mien Fuhrer." I smile, coaxing the same from her. She holds my hand as we stumble into the bathroom together. I don't think I've ever been as happy to receive wounds in my life. As the door closes to the tiny bathroom, I see her looking forward into the mirror. "Shinji-kun..." she whispers. That wonderful, soft, sweet whisper that got me into so much trouble in the first place. I follow it and find myself wrapping my arms around her. In the mirror I see the most wonderful sight. We're together. Glowing with love and care. I must admit, I didn't think we looked that...perfect. Neither of us move for the longest time, until finally, we meet in a kiss. ***** Hikari got married. I don't believe it. With that Stooge, of course. Who else would she get married to? I suppose, though, I'm no better. I used to think Shinji was simply a higher form of Stooge. Maybe Hikari learned what I have learned with Shinji. It's been another year and a half. A few things have changed. First of all, Shinji and I have bought an amazing studio apartment in one of the older sections of the city that has been rebuilt. There is something truly wonderful about living in a place meant for art. It's so open and spacious...lots of room to corner my wonderful Shinji-kun and make him do all those wonderful things he does to me... oh my... Shinji has a bachelor's degree in Poly-Math, and is probably going to polish off a Theology degree this winter. Turns out Evangelion really is in his blood, as he's first in his class for anything he deems important to the Eva project. As for me? I'm tired of school. One can only take so much. However, I did get an honorary doctor's degree in psychology. That's right! Shinji seems to like it when we play "Doctor". Heheh. Not that I'm a Hentai or anything. Ha! Okay, yes, I'll admit that aspect of our relationship has been rather nice from day one. Damn perverts all around me, how am I supposed to resist? On a side note, however, I was exactly right. He knows what I like, where I like it, and when I like it. And the girls in school know DAMN well I'm not about to give it up, either. My baka. Grr. Hands off. I love my sweetie baka. We're using the spring break to move into the new place. It's wonderful not to have to rush, and because of my VERY smart foresight of not wasting all our cash on the first apartment, we actually have some money still. NERV can't last forever. We're already planning ahead. Shinji's the lead candidate for what will be left of NERV after it's dissolved later on this year. I think it's going to be called Eden now. Ritsuko and Maya will stay on as the head techies, and we will still be in control of the Geofront and the Evas, but we are no longer a military organization. Research now. We'll have to fill out reports if the Evas are needed to kick some Angel ass, but at least the JSDF knows not to get in our way. I'm dreading having Shinji as my boss, but I suppose it could be a lot worse. Not only that, I'll be the head-doctor in the group, and can still boss everyone around in the name of mental health. Ha hahaha! Life is good. But, I admit, there's one or two things I'd like to get done. One in particular is on my mind as drive home from Hikari's wedding. "Ever think about it?" I find myself asking. "Mmm." he mumbles something. Damn him and his sounds. He knows exactly how to mumble so it could be either a 'yes' or a 'no.' I know that getting married now might not be a good idea. With graduation coming up in just a few months, and the start of the Eden project. Not to mention we're going to be on call just in case the shit hits the fan with the old NERV peoples that still might have had a soft spot for the Instrumentality Project. Shinji takes it all much more seriously now. I think Misato finally got clearance to show him the Dead Sea Scrolls or something, and ever since that day, he's gotten a little more serious about the whole idea. Every time I ask him about what's on it, he just mentions I'll probably find out soon, and worrying about it at the moment isn't going to help. Still, I know it's important enough that he's already learned Hebrew and another language I never even heard of, just so he can study them once he's made Project Leader. I decide to stay quiet for the rest of the trip home. I know he thinks about it anyway. I saw how he congratulated Toji, and how he was looking up to his old friend like he was doing something amazing. He was glad at least SOMEONE was getting married...before it was too late... About two weeks ago, we fought another angel. ....it was bad. This was nothing like any of the others. It was like a demon from hell. There was no attacking to the city...it simply wanted to kill us. Me and Shinji. It was bloody. Unit 01 and 02 are still regenerating from the carnage. They're still cleaning up the mess on the other side of the city. Thank god Shinji hasn't lost his touch at piloting. I'm not even afraid to admit, I was severely fucked in that battle. If he hadn't come to help, I would have been ripped clean in half. When we made love that night, it was desperate, passionate. Like we were almost scared that we wouldn't have another chance. Again, we have this possibility of Death hanging over our heads. This can all end tomorrow for all we know. At least it would be with Shinji. "Baka." I sigh as I notice we missed the turn off to go to our house. "You missed the road." "Mmm." he replies again. I HATE it when he lets that damn Gendo shit surface in his attitude. "Fine." I sigh. He's probably in one of his deep retrospective moments. I don't feel like trying to kick him out of it right now. "Just tell me when you get back to earth so we can go home." I really don't mind when he gets like this. He's so far from his Father I feel bad just thinking about "Gendo" in the same train of thought. I...just wish he could include me in those deep thoughts. Maybe he does and I'm just too stupid to realize it. The car stops. He gets out. It takes me a moment to realize where we are. I zoned out for the entire trip. We're on a look-out that has a view of the entire city. The last time we were up here, I showed him where the old apartment would be. The air is cool and damp from a shower that just passed over the area, and I take a lung-full of it in. Mmm...nice. Shinji takes off his coat and hangs it over his shoulder as he looks out over the railing at the city. For a second, I can't help but see the resemblance he has with Kaji. Shin-kun wears a white dress-shirt and a long, silk tie at the moment, but it looks so much different from the school uniforms I can still recall so clearly in my memory. He's turned into quite a hansom man. Sometimes, I'll catch him not shaving for a few days, and he looks very sexy. Even better than Kaji, though I still tease him that Kaji looked better. I don't think he'll ever grow more than stubble, though. He doesn't want to look like his father. I can't imagine enjoying it either. Seeing that monster looking back in the mirror would be enough to make me buy a supply of bulk disposable razors for the rest of my life. And I most certainly do not want the image of his father lying next to me in bed. Sometimes I realize I look a little like Misato, too. My hair's longer now, and I realize I like it a lot better than the annoyingly undecided length I had it when I first came to Tokyo. "It's a nice day." I whisper, sliding my hands around his stomach. Mmm, it feels nice to be able to do that whenever I want now. "What's on your mind, Shin-kun?" He smiles, folding his hand around mine. Then, he takes it up to his lips and kisses me gently on the wrist. I love it when he does that. It's so elegant, but also so easy for him to continue up along my arm and then elsewhere. Shinji stops with just one kiss, though, and returns to his gaze out at the city. "I haven't needed to come up here in a long time." he explains. "My life's been so nice these last two years, I didn't want to jinx it by coming to my old refuge." I smile and hug him tighter. He's had the same effect on me, after all. I haven't felt the need to escape in a long time, either. Sure, we still fight occasionally, and I get in my stupid little moods that make us avoid any kind of human contact for a day or two, but over all? Life is good. It's easier to love life when you have someone loving you. "But I wanted to come here today." "Oh?" I find myself wondering. "I came here because there's something I need to know." he tells me. "Something that I don't know, and have to ask. But, it is not something I can ask this city, or my heart." I nod. "What is that?" "Marry me?" My heart skips a beat. Oh...my... Shinji turns to me and smiles. It's that same damn smile that I fell in love with. The one that shows his confidence and energy. "Marry me?" he asks again, unconcerned at my lack of words or paused breath. And, the damn sweet Baka that he is, doesn't let me have time to reply before he reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a small, velvet box. Then...he actually gets down on his knee. I think I'm going to faint. Damn...I honestly feel like I'm going to faint. "Yes..." I hear myself say, even before I can consciously pick out the word. His face brightens impossibly. By now, I'm finally aware of where and who I am again, and I jump into his arms. "YES!" I laugh. "And may I add it's about time, baka!" Shinji laughs softly as he slides the ring over my finger...it feels soooo right. A simple, sparkling ring. Nothing fancy. We've learned to save the best for later anyway. I catch myself crying, but I'm too happy to stop now. Besides, I don't care. It's for Shinji. We embrace and stay that way for a long, long time. He knows me so well. But...he probably doesn't know that other thing I was thinking of on the way up here. "Shinji?" I whisper into his ear. "Mmm?" "You have really good timing." I sniff, wiping the tears from my eyes. "A few more months and I probably wouldn't be able to fit into a wedding dress." I can almost hear Shinji blink in surprise. "Shin-kun...?" I suddenly feel very tense. I don't know how he's going to take this... He faints. I laugh. When he comes to, he has a silly smile on his lips. "Did...did you just say you were...p...pregnant?" I nod. "Ahh...good..." he sighs happily. "I was scared it was only a dream." Whatever tension I felt is melted away with his kiss as we look out over the city of Tokyo 3. Angels? Monsters? Evas and Gendo? Bring them on. I'm with my sweet baka Shinji, and nothing can ever take that away from me. ***** Months passes by very quickly, I notice. We're married. Husband and Wife. Damn it feels nice to be able to say those words. Kensuke gave us the most amazing present at our wedding, too. It was a compilation of all our fights in school that he caught, and all the instances where someone mentioned we bickered like newlyweds. I think even Asuka loved it. Proof of all we had to overcome...but also proof that we succeeded where so many couldn't. I'm leader of Eden now. It's a nice job. The Magi have been replaced and upgraded, and our horrible, sterile working conditions are renovated to be more like a giant library. Another two angels are dead and gone. I've finally told Asuka some of the reason why they're still coming. The first batch of angels were actually testing us...these ones are mad we survived.... No. I'm not going to think about that now. It's not important. I am continuing my Mother's work, just not in the way she expected. We are creating a time capsule for Humanity. We shall live forever in Eva...but not before living ourselves. The Instrumentality Project will never go ahead, so long as I live. It's not the way we are meant to continue. We are meant to love. To have children and protect them. To show this world to them, so we might make it better. Teach them so they may know how to prevent our mistakes. Teach them love, so they can do the same to their own children. We are meant to continue like this. No matter how much screaming is involved. Somehow, even though I think my hand is crushed, Asuka screams louder than I do. Giving birth is something I am very glad I don't have to do. "One more push!" the doctor pleads. How the poor man has dodged all the thrown objects so far, I don't know, but I'm very glad I'm not the only one here (and turning this white with fear of her wrath) "SHINJI! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Asuka cries out, growling as she squeezes my hand impossibly tighter. "Ayah!" I can only whimper. Yeah. Nine months is nothing compared to these last two hours. The cravings. The midnight talks. The long weeks of worry. The passionate outbursts both in anger...and in love. I would gladly live through that all again so long as I manage to live through the next few minutes... She's still holding my hand, even as she finally pushes the last time and gasps out in relief that it's over. It's over. Thank God. She gently squeezes my hand. Though it's tender from the hours of torture, I smile at her own tenderness. Our eyes lock and we smile. And as the room is filled by a baby crying, we both take deep breaths. It's not over. It's just beginning. -------------------------------- The End! -------------------------------- To this date, I don't know if it was the right thing to finish this off. Holding Hands is now nearly 2 years old, but I still find myself enjoying it. Yes...I'm a bad bad man. I read my own stuff and enjoy it. :P Must be that whole multiple personality thing. Ahh well. They haven't locked me up yet.... One more to go... Thank you to all who sat through the horribly long and far-far-SO-far from perfect Higher Learning saga/mistake/adventure/laughable/whatever you wanna call it. Maybe this is simply a quick, simple fic to balance it out. At the same time, though, I find myself already knowing it's nice on it's own merits. Hopefully this will bring a smile to the faces of the Holding Hands fans. It's not nearly the same, but then again, you can only do the whole "hate / love" thing so many times before you have to decide on one or the other. I hope you all enjoyed it. And don't be too stingy with the e-mails. I'm getting better with the whole "replying" thing. ^_^ strikef@bigfoot.com or www.studioshinnyo.com or www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9110 Nuthin but love! Ja! Strike Fiss, Studio Shinnyo 2002. Khattam-Shud, EOF.