"Pilot Ikari. Pilot Ikari. Shinji, wake up." Rei demanded.
"Huh... Rei?" Shinji blinked slowly and tried futilely to lift his arm.
"Don't bother," Asuka mumbled. "We're strapped to the table."
"What happened?" Shinji asked, tugging on the restraining bonds. "The last thing I remember was an angel attack."
"That attack was a little over a week ago," Dr. Akagi said as she entered the medical bay, flanked by Misato and Maya. "After you defeated the angel, there was a massive energy discharge that incapacitated you three."
"Are we contaminated?" Rei asked, feeling an unusual tightness form in her chest.
"Not as far as we can tell," Misato said. "We were unable to record any vital readings from any of you for the first day and a half, so all we could do was wire you up to the magi and give them a copy of your last physical results. Maya, be a dear and release Asuka, would you?"
Maya looked uncertain for a moment, then reached towards the redhead as the other adults mirrored her actions.
Ritsuko paused for the briefest of moments as a woman in a well pressed black suit covered the doctor's hand. "Ma'am, I can't allow you to do that."
"Dr. Akagi?" Shinji looked nervously between the blonde doctor and the dark clad agent.
"As Misato explained, we were unable to pick up any vital signs for the first day and a half. You were obviously breathing and your hearts were still beating, but we couldn't measure those reading electronically. When we finally were able to get readings, the Magi started comparing those with what we had on record," By this point Ritsuko had smacked away the stunned agents hand and released Shinji's right arm, allowing him to start undoing the remaining straps himself... "The real surprise, however, came the next day. Misato had kept a late night vigil, I was checking your condition and Maya here was bringing me your files when there was a second energy discharge."
"Nani?" The three pilots said in unison. Rei was not quite as thrown by this the others, but the surprised interrogative fell from her lips just the same. Asuka was more surprised with the use of a Japanese expression rather her traditional German.
"Whatever energy the Angel released into you, was in turned released into the three of us," Maya said, helping Asuka through some simple stretching exercises. "We weren't incapacitated like you but..."
"Now we get our very own shiny Section 2 agent following us around to make sure we don't do anything naughty like break NERV's toys," Misato grumbled, supporting a trembling Rei as she guided the trembling youth through a series of stretches and light exercises. "This one even follows me into the bathroom. I'm surprised she doesn't shower with me."
"Ritsuko, what's wrong with us?" Shinji asked, as the doctor helped him straighten up.
Dr. Akagi paused a moment too long. "Shinji, there's nothing-"
"We're knocked unconscious by an unknown energy for a week, and now you keep us strapped to the exam tables. What is wrong with us?"
"We're not sure. There seems to be a slight... abnormality in our collective neural pattern," Ritsuko said, moving the young man back to his bed. "It doesn't seem to be anything major, but I promise, I won't let anything happen to you. Just please, trust in me, okay?"
"Shinji?" Rei's quiet voice carried a small undertone of unease.
Shinji stared into the doctor's deep blue eyes and nodded slowly. "All right."
"Shinji! You're not just going to give up, are you?" Asuka screamed, thrashing wildly in Maya's grip.
"Asuka, do you trust me?" Shinji asked calmly.
"Huh?"
"I know you haven't been here very long, but I helped you battle the angel while they were transporting Unit 02. You know I'll be here for you- you and Rei both. So, do you trust me?"
Asuka stood trembling for a long while. "Do you promise you won't let anything happen to me?" Shinji nodded silently. "Okay then." She said, begrudgingly sliding back onto the bed.
"We'll be back to check on you in the morning." Ritsuko said, fastening the straps that bound the young man.
"Hey Shinji?" Asuka said as the lights were dimmed.
"Yes, Asuka?" The Third Child said into the darkness.
"Just so you know," The redhead murmured. "If anything does happen to me, I'm kicking your ass."
"Fair enough." Shinji chuckled.
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(Posted Wed, 07 Dec 2005 05:21)
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