She really wasn’t up to this, but orders were orders.
“Hi, Misato. Sorry I wasn’t here last night.” Shinji apologized lamely, guilt practically radiating from every pore. “I know I should have called, but I was… a bit busy.
Rei stood by Shinji’s side, as stoic as ever. The only hint that something had changed between the two was the almost imperceptible movement of her hand towards his that was quickly aborted as she drew her hand back to her side.
Deciding to follow orders (for once) Misato decided to give them a break and spouted off the cover story she was told to use, with an almost believable smile (She’d only had two beers!) “Don’t worry the Commander filled me in.”
“He did?” The nervous squeak in his voice really was painful to hear and seeing Rei pale, something Misato would have sworn was impossible, she quickly sped on.
“Yep. He said you were working on some special ‘exercises’ to raise your synch ratings and the drill was to see how the Command Staff would handle an emergency with the Pilots absent. You couldn’t have called because it would have voided the test if we knew where you were.”
“Really?” Shinji was stunned by Misato’s response. The idea of his father covering for him was about as likely as the Magi developing a sense of humor as far as he was concerned.
This time Rei’s hand made a perceptible movement as she placed it in the middle of Shinji’s back to keep him from falling over.
“Yep. He said he was a bit disappointed that you didn’t show up to report once the drill was over, but that the ‘exercises’ would leave you sore and tired, so forgetting to report in once was understandable. He did emphasize that once was the only acceptable excuse however and next time he expected you to show up regardless of whatever your current ‘activities’ were.”
“So our actions weren’t considered a breach in conduct then?” Rei had spoken up when it was apparent that Shinji wasn’t going to be up to speaking for quite some time. At least she assumed the stunned expression and glazed eyes meant he wasn’t going to be communicating for a while.
Misato smiled, finding a little humor in their current situation, that and the beer Pen Pen had just handed (flippered?) her seemed to restore her good mood. “Yep. He said you both would likely spend today recovering and moving you into your new quarters anyway.”
“New Quarters?” Rei blinked, wondering if her relief in their not being punished was premature.
“Yes. Shinji has been quite vocal in his complaints about your living conditions, so a request was sent up the chain of command to move you to better quarters.” Misato paused to take a long draw off her beer watching Rei for any sign of tension, but only catching a faint blush as Rei contemplated yet another act on Shinji’s part to improve her life, long before they had… started joint pilot exercises.
“It was decided that moving the pilots into the same building would make it easier to locate them in case of an emergency. So here are your keys and updated schedule.“
Holding out a clipboard with a set of keys and a folder on it Misato waited with a grin as Rei tried to figure out how to get it while keeping Shinji propped up.
Mentally shrugging, as from Misato’s grin and emphases on certain words it was rather apparent that she did indeed know what was going on, Rei slid her arm around Shinji’s waist and wrapped his arm around her shoulders so she could lean forward and grab the clipboard.
“You should go back to your apartment and grab your things. Your new place should be ready with the hour. Normally we’d just send section 2 in to pack for you, but they seem unusually reluctant to enter your apartment. As a matter of fact they’ve stated that they would require written authorization from both you and Shinji before they would consider it. You wouldn’t happen to know why, would you?”
Rei attempted to shrug, but realized it would be to hard to see with Shinji’s arm over her shoulders. “I’m sure they have their reasons. Security is a risky business after all and courting unnecessary risk is hardly an intelligent choice.”
Misato grinned evilly as she watched Rei stroke Shinji’s side trying to revive him.
“Looks like those exercises were really tiring. You know I haven’t been getting nearly enough exercise lately, maybe I should ask Shinji to show me some of those exercises.”
Rei’s eyes narrowed as she met Misato’s, while pulling Shinji towards the door. “I would not advise attempting to exercise with Shinji. You would likely become… injured attempting it.”
“I don’t know about that. I’ve kept in pretty good shape. I spar with the section 2 instructors at least once a week so I don’t get too out of shape.” Misato answered with a smirk as she followed them to the door.
“It would not be enough to prevent injury.” The finality in Rei’s tone was underlined when she shut the front door in Misato’s face.
Misato laughed and downed the rest of her beer. “Shinji is definitely a good influence on her. Hey Pen Pen, Beer me!”
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(Posted Thu, 17 Feb 2005 20:36)
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