Meeting during Wartime 1943   von Rescue
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                          Kapitel 3: Nasty Surprises
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Meeting during Wartime (1943)

This instalment of the story line we will see what Shinji has planed to do to
our beloved Asuka ;-). Before I tell you to much about it let me just say that
it will be quite entertaining. OK?

Chapter 2	-	Nasty Surprises

Location: Flight lane of NAA 	
Time: 6:50AM

The mechanics of NAA had upon the request of their CEO Mr. Kindelberger prepped
one of the ready to delivery P-51B's for a long range escort flight, minus the
live ammunition for the four 12,7mm machine guns in the wings. They just loaded
the shooting camera so that the fire button would activate the camera to show
the results for reference after the flight.

When Shinji & Asuka arrived at NAA they went right into Shinjis office which Mr.
Kindelberger provided for him while he was here working with the NAA staff.

During the next minutes Shinji explained the route to Asuka as if their little
trip was a real combat flight into the heart of Europe.

"We normally cross the channel and as soon as we reach their air space we have
to fight with their first attack wave. Usually that first encounter is against
one or two swarms (4 - 8 planes) of Me-109 and depending on your flight path and
the bases in the area the used model varies. If you're lucky you fly against on
of the older F-Models of the 109, otherwise you have to fight against the newer
G-Model which is at least on par with your Mustang. If that's happening the
better pilot will survive the encounter. When you're a rookie fresh from the
academy you better pray that you're not forced to bail out, 'cause that will end
your career immediately."

"Why do you tell me such bullshit? I can always try to get back to England with
the Resistance." (the French underground force against Nazi Germany)

"That's only an option when your enemy is one of the older generation. The
younger German pilots are merciless and usually shoot the pilots who are hanging
in their parachutes.

That piece of information drained Asukas face of nearly all colour and left her
as pale as a ghost.

"Sho ... Shoot ... th ... th ... them down? That's ..."

"That's war Asuka. The Germans are fighting against overwhelming forces and they
can't afford to fight the old fashioned way. They are fighting with their back
to a wall and like a trapped animal lashes out at whoever seems dangerous, the
German fight every way they can imagine."

"How can you be so cold hearted Shinji. This isn't fighting between true
soldiers. That's bloody murder!"

"That's how it is Asuka and nether you nor I can change that fact. The only
chance you have is to be better than your enemy or you will die as soon as you
fly your first real combat mission."

It took a lot of willpower from Asuka not to lash out at Shinji.


AN: The following part will be a mental discussion inside Asukas head. Be aware
of strangeness ahead ;-)

'That Idiot! How dares he to ...'

'Calm down Asuka he's the one who was in Europe not you.'

'But he's so unnerving.'

'Have you ever thought about why he's that way?'

'No, why should I waste my time with that?'

'Because death and war changes a person. Who knows perhaps he's behind his could
outer shell a really nice guy.'

'Yeah, get real. By the way, who am I talking with?'

'Silly girl, I'm you.'

'ME???'

'Yes, I'm the Asuka in your heart that you're trying so hard to hide from
others. The kind and compassionate Asuka who seeks the comfort and warmth which
only another person can provide and I'm quite sure that such a person is sitting
right in front of you.'

'What?!?! ... There's only that arrogant, stubborn and all wise combat pilot
Shinji here!'

'Who do you think I'm talking about?'

'Get serious here. It's more believable that Hitler becomes a pacifist overnight
before I fall for that little boy.'

'Perhaps you haven't noticed Asuka, but Shinji is well build and fills his
uniform quite nice and just take a look at that tight ass of him which just
seems to beg you to touch him and ...'

'Stop that at once! If you're really me, why are you such a pervert?'

'Because I know what your body and your heart want Asuka. You're longing to feel
save and loved, to simply relax in the arms of a person you can trust.'

'Stop it! Please just stop torturing me. I'm alone. There's no one for me to
lean on. There's no one I could trust besides myself.'

'Maybe you think so Asuka, but while we two are arguing that young pilot here is
getting worried why you're so quite. Time to return to the real world darling.'

Confused about the sudden end of her mental argument Asuka was more than a
little shocked when she felt gentle hands holding her shoulder. Startled she
looked up, right into the concerned eyes of Shinji who was although looking a
bit surprised.


'What's wrong with that little wild cat? One moment she's arguing my ears of and
a second later she becomes as quite as a fish.'

'Perhaps she is just shocked from hearing what is really happening at the war in
Europe.'

'Could be, but I think It's there's more than we can see on the surface.'

'Right, so we better keep an eye or two on her. For safety reasons of course.'

'Ha, ha, remember my friend you're a part of me and I know quite well what
you're thinking about.'

'What do you mean Shinji? I'm just trying to keep her safe.'

'Yeah, right! You better confess real fast before I ...'

'OK, chill out. Jeez you're no fun to tease. Just take a good look at that body
in front of us. She's HOT and I mean volcanic eruption HOT.'

'I got your point, there's no need to get so graphic.'

'Graphic? Boy I've just started. That's a killer body that we have here with
us.'

'Now keep quite, will ya? We have more pressing matters to discuss here.'

'Yeah, like that pressing bulge in your pant my friend.'

'Shut up!!!' 

'Wow, did I hit a sore spot my friend? Just kidding, now go looking after your
little red head before something bad happens.'

"Always wanting the last word bad ass. Someday I will get back at you, but
you're a part of me so I think I'll drop the issue. Now keep finally quite will
ya?!'

'OK master, I life to serve you master!'

'Smartass'

'You bet on it'


"Asuka I think we better hurry up a bit. We have not much time left."

"All right Shinji, let's head to our birds and see who is the better pilot of us
two."

Even if it was meant to tease him, Shinji clearly felt that Asuka was troubled
by something. He also noticed the quick glances she was throwing in his
direction from time to time. Shrugging mentally he decided to ask her later what
was wrong. Now he had a mission to fly and to teach that little fire-head a
lesson in real aerial combat situations.


15 minutes later; Airfield of NAA

The mechanics were closing the last control panels when Shinji and Asuka stepped
out of the building, now clad in standard Air Force flight-combos. Both went
immediately to their respective planes to check them a last time before the real
fun would start.

Asuka went straight to Jeffrey who was making last minute tune ups at her
left-wing ruder. 

"Morning Jeffrey, how does she look today?"

"Morning Asuka, she's as fine as I could make her in the short time I've had. I
shortened the ruder-cables a bit so that she respond a bit faster than the
standard, just be careful not to overdue it."

"Hey Jeffrey it's me, Asuka Langley NAA's top female test pilot."

"I know Asuka, but this is not a little test flight. As far as I understood the
instructions from Lieutenant Ikari is that mission as real as he could make it
without using live ammo."

"No live ammo? What is the payload than?"

"We loaded some kind of new paint bullets which arrived this morning with an Air
Force courier from the academy. It was ordered by your Lieutenant over there."

"What do you mean with MY Lieutenant?" Asukas tone changed from friendly chatter
to ice age in mere seconds.

"Jeez Asuka, calm down! I wasn't implying anything slippery, just that you two
are working close as a team. Nothing more, really."

Asuka seemed to accept that explanation from him, but when she looked over to
Shinjis P-38 Lightning Jeffrey noticed a small shadow crossing in her eyes.
'Something must have happened between those two. I wonder ...'

"Hey Asuka I have to talk about something with the Lieutenant, good luck for
your flight my dear." Before Asuka now could say something more Jeffrey left her
and walked toward the Lightning. 

"What's going on here?" Asuka muttered under her breath before she climbed on
the Wing of her Mustang to prepare the cockpit for the flight.

During Jeffrey's and Asukas talk was Shinji making a quick tour around his baby
to see if something was amiss. He stood currently under the starboard tail pylon
and was checking the ruder connections there when Jeffrey stepped at his side
and caught his attention with a question.

"Lieutenant, what is going on with you and Asuka?" Jeffrey asked Shinji coming
straight to the point.

If it was anatomy possibly Shinjis jaw would have hit the ground. After a few
moments of shocked silence Shinji regained enough control to make a respond.

"Wow, you don't waste any time do you? What do you mean with 'going on' between
Asuka and myself? We barely know each other and I wouldn't do anything which
would ..."

"I'm not talking about that Lieutenant. Asuka lives to fly and the moments
before a start are normally pure bliss for her, but today she looked depressed
and I want to know what happened to cause such a reaction from her."

"Jeffrey I didn't do anything besides briefing her for the flight and telling
her about the real war in Europe. If that had made her sad I'm sorry, but I was
just telling her the truth about the fight we pilots in Europe have to fight
every day to survive. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I see Lieutenant, just don't be to hard on Asuka. She had a tough time until
she found her place and I see her as something like an adopted daughter, so I
hate it to see her sad or in pain."

"I will Jeffrey, I promise. She's a nice person and I would like it to call her
a friend someday, but I can't see that happen in a long time."

"Why do you think that?" Jeffrey asked, genuine surprise in his voice. 'What
does he mean with that? Those two would look good together. What's his
problem?'

"Asuka is such a nice young woman. What would a beauty like her see in an ugly
scared, blood tainted war pilot like me?"

'Is he really thinking that way about himself?' "Lieutenant ... Shinji, how can
you think so low of yourself? You seem like a good hearted person and you're not
ugly with that scared face. It just shows everyone that you were willing to risk
your life so that the people in Europe could someday life in peace again."

"Thank you for your kind words Jeffrey, but it is like it is. A girl like Asuka
should have the best and I'm tainted for live and I would never be good enough
for her."

"Give Asuka a bit more credit. She's not someone who looks only at the
appearance of a person. For her the inner self of a person is of greater
importance. Just give it a try someday and I'm quite sure my little Asuka will
surprise you." The last bit was said with a mischievous twinkle in Jeffrey's
eyes, witch didn't went unnoticed by Shinji.

"Something not right here. Isn't the father of the girl supposed to scare any
men away from his daughter? You almost sounds like you would like to see us two
together, what gives?"

"I just think that you two would be good for the other and as I said before I'm
not her real father so I can play matchmaker as much as I like, ne?"

"Don't let Asuka hear that. I don't know her that well, but I'm sure she won't
like it if she would hear you trying to throw her on me." Shinjis sad mode was
almost gone and he did begun to enjoy his little talk with Jeffrey.

"You may be right so I better quite and let you prepare your plane. Good luck
Lieutenant."

"Thanks Jeffrey. I'll try not to push her to hard today." After that Shinji
climbed the ladder up into the cockpit of his Lightning and made his final
checks for an interesting day. He just smiled at what he had planed for the
fiery Miss Langley and how she would react at his little surprise for her.


TBC

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