Rei's Child

Warning: Lime content present!

Written By: Jon L

This Chapter follows the events of Chapter Five

"speaking"--'thinking'--<phone>--=dream=

Morning, a time when people start their day, the time when the sun begins its accent into the sky. Though, there are some people that despise morning, people that would rather sleep instead of wake up and go to work or school or whatever they do. Morning is also a time when people are just falling asleep after working a night job. Morning is many things to many people, but when it comes to Misato Katsuragi, morning is the time where a person can be themselves without a care in the world.

Misato has awaken and headed to the kitchen on this sunny morning, as she heads to the fridge, she recalls the previous night in her head, remembering what had transpired next door. As soon as she has grabbed her beer, she inserts some bread into the toaster then heads to Shinji's room to check on him. Once she has arrived she sees he is ready for the move since all of his things have been packed into some boxes sitting in the corner.

"Shinji, are you still here?"

She hears him call from the balcony outside the living room, "Yes, Misato. Just enjoying the nice morning air."

"Have you finished packing all of your stuff?"

"Yes, but I have not packed Rei's things. I thought I would let her do it instead."

She heads back into the kitchen just as she hears the toast pop up, as she grabs it she notices that breakfast has not been prepared yet.

"Shinji, where is breakfast?"

"Oh, I was unable to prepare it this morning, I think the stove is broken."

She moves over to the stove and fiddles with the controls a bit until she gives up, "What is wrong with this thing? I am hungry and this thing won't work."

Shinji walks into the kitchen moments later with a plate in his hand.

"Why do you have a plate in your hand?"

"Oh, I found some leftovers that I made a few nights ago and popped them into the microwave."

"What am I going to eat?"

"Well, I am sure you can find something for yourself, I believe I saw something in the fridge that you might eat..." He walks over to the refrigerator and digs out a plate of pork ramen, "I am sure this will do for now."

Misato sighs as she takes the plate from him and sticks it into the microwave, "Well, I guess this will have to do..."

After she has eaten, she gets dressed and places a call to NERV's Medical Ward.

"Hello, this is Major Katsuragi. Can you please transfer me to Medical Ward B?"

There is a series of clicks as the call is routed, after a few seconds she hears a reply.

"Yes, I would like a status report on the First and Second Children please?"

Misato is surprised to hear that Ritsuko is not locked up as she hears a few more clicks.

<Morning, Misato.>

"Ritsuko? What are you doing there?"

"Understood, but why was I transferred to you?"

"Yeah, I wanted to know if they were up yet and ready to be released?"

"Okay, I will come and pick up Asuka since she will need to pack her things and move out of her current residence, and I will bring Shinji in and send him to you to wait for Rei."

<Understood. You will find Asuka in the cafeteria area, she went to get something to eat.>

"We will talk later as well about what is going on."

<Okay.>

Misato ends the call and proceeds to the apartment next door to check on Shinji. When she enters she heads to the kitchen first to grab something small to eat then heads down the hall to Shinji's new room, "Shinji, are you ready to go yet?"

He turns away from the closet where he is hanging up clothes and walks towards the door as he answers "Yes, I can finish unpacking when we get back."

"A small change in plans, I will be bringing Asuka back, but you will be waiting for Rei instead at NERV."

"Hai."

They begin their journey to NERV as they exit the apartment and head to the elevator.

****************

About an hour later, Rei and Shinji are in the NERV cafeteria where Rei has been told to come to eat breakfast. As she eats, Shinji appears to be a bit nervous about what they were told concerning the child inside of Rei.

"Rei...may I ask you something?"

Rei doesn't say a word as she continues eating the meal consisting of cereal and milk in front of her.

"Umm...are you sure you will be able to handle the pain when Ritsuko attempts to slow down the growth?"

Rei just continues to eat.

"I just don't want you to...well...think that you are required to feel pain all the time..."

Shinji can hear the sound of crunching as Rei chews.

"Rei, I...I heard that it is a she...Misato told me last night..."

"Yes, it is female."

"Ah...do you have a name for her yet?"

"I do not."

Rei goes back to eating as Shinji patiently waits for her to finish.

"I am ready."

He walks over to her and helps her stand up. Once she has her balance she picks up her trash and slowly walks over to the waste container as he follows close behind.

"Rei, if you would like, I could have Misato come get us."

Rei gives him a determined look, "I will be okay, the pain is bearable."

One thing he has learned is when Rei has a determined look on her face, it's best to agree with her. He can still remember the first time when NERV and Tokyo-3 suffered a power failure and he, Asuka, and Rei ended up finding their own way down into the Geofront, he can recall how she was determined to break into the vent shaft when they had reached a dead end.

"Shinji, I am ready to go."

He is pulled out of his trance as he hears her voice and follows her to the shuttle station where they will begin the ride up to the surface.

About two hours later, they have arrived home again to their new place. As they enter, they hear Misato and Asuka arguing next door.

"Well, I see things are back to normal..."

Rei doesn't say anything as she heads to the bathroom to take the medicine given to her by Ritsuko to help with the stomach pain she is experiencing. Shinji walks through the living room to the balcony where he decides to enjoy the nice breeze that is blowing through the city on this day. 'It is such a nice day...too bad the view isn't that nice...'

//'Father, it's best to enjoy the things you have then to want more.'

'I know, but I still wish the view was nicer at least...'

//'Why is it you chose to live with Mother?'

'I don't understand?'

//'There must have been a reason for your choice.'

'Well, I guess because I want to protect her and care for her when needed.'

//'But do you believe you are caring a little too much as well?'

'Well, I am curious about how much help she really needs...'

//'Father, it is you that must determine that answer through interaction. Pay attention to how she reacts to stuff.'

'I will. By the way, how is it I can hear you?'

//'You, Mother, and Auntie Asuka have a kind of link between each other that you are not aware of most of the time, it is a link formed by piloting. This link is what I am able to use to communicate. The true reason for the link will be revealed when the proper time comes.'

He hears nothing more as he stares out into the distance. Suddenly, he sees something that seems out of place, "Rei?"

"Yes, Shinji?"

He is surprised to hear Rei's voice come from behind him as he turns around to face her, "Err...n-n-nothing, nothing..." He turns back to the spot he saw what looked like Rei in the distance and sees it has disappeared."

"Shinji, I am ready to gather my belongings from Misato's apartment now."

"Oh, okay, I think the fight is done over there anyway by the sound of it."

They both head out of the apartment and into Misato's to gather what is left of Rei's things in their old room. Rei walks in and gathers up her uniforms from the closet while he walks a bit further to Misato's room and knocks on the door.

"Yes?"

"Misato, it's Shinji."

"Enter."

He slides the door open and walks in before sliding it closed again, "Misato, are Rei and I required to sleep in separate beds still?"

"Well, I would prefer it, but I think you have shown that you can be trusted, so I will not force you to have separate beds anymore. I get the feeling that that was not what you really wanted to ask."

"Ah...well..."

"Shinji, whatever it is, you can ask me."

"Well, Misato...I was wondering...am I over-protective of Rei?"

This question appears to have caught Misato off guard as she give him a strange look, "What do you mean?"

"I was just wondering if I overdo it?"

"Shinji...I can't answer that question for you, it is you who must determine that for yourself."

"I see..."

"But, in my opinion, I think you may overdo it just a tad, but that is who you are, you do your best to keep her safe."

He nods and exits the room to check on how Rei is doing.

****************

Misato reaches over to the phone on the desk and picks it up.

"Okay Ritsuko, he's gone."

<Misato, I believe I have found a way to slow down the growth, but I will need your help in carrying out the second part of the plan, I am now under watch as to what I am doing to Rei and her child.>

"What do you need me to do?"

"Wait, why are you telling me this over the phone?"

<Don't worry, I have isolated this call from the monitoring system, no one will even know it was made.>

"Okay, I will make dinner for Rei, but only if you tell me what happened to you?"

<Misato, Ikari knows that I have been trying to find out what he is doing to Rei, but he was unable to find any records of me planing anything, so I was released for now, but my activities are being monitored when it comes to Rei.>

"I understand now. I hope Rei will eat my cooking, after the last time, I think she may have learned how to avoid it..."

She hears the sound of Ritsuko hanging up before she herself sets the phone back in its cradle.

'Ritsuko, I hope that wasn't an insult for your sake.'

****************

Rei has finished packing most of her things into a box as Shinji finishes cleaning up the room of any trash and so forth.

"Shinji, I will need you to carry this box for me, I will bring the beaker."

"Ah...okay."

He puts down the small bag in his hand and picks up the box in front of her, "Are you ready to head back now?"

"Yes, I believe it is best to head back."

She walks over to the dresser and carefully picks up the beaker filled with water before she heads to the door and in the direction of their place.

As they make their way down the short hall inside their apartment, they hear Asuka packing her stuff up, "I can't believe I have to move back in with Misato. Stupid Wondergirl, thinks she is high and mighty..."

"Asuka?"

"Ah, you have come back, I will be out soon so you two can enjoy yourselves!"

Rei walks into the bedroom and sets the beaker down onto the dresser. As soon as Asuka has finished putting her clothes into a box, she picks it up and walks out of the room. Rei watches as Shinji follows her out.

****************

Shinji hurries after Asuka.

"Asuka, wait."

"What is it?!"

"Asuka, please don't be mad. I think you will be happier with Misato anyhow, because then you won't have to deal with Rei or I anymore..."

Asuka stops and sets the box down on the ground before turning to face him.

"Shinji, it may not seem like it, but I liked your company at times, I would rather have you around than Misato. Even though you are a pain at times!"

"Asuka?"

"Baka! Don't you get it, I like you around sometimes, you are lucky to have had me as a housemate for as long as you did anyway."

"But...me moving in to here doesn't mean I won't still visit you next door..."

"It better not!"

Asuka turns again and picks up the box. When she has gone a few steps they feel the ground violently shake under their feet, sending them falling to the ground as they hear the sound of glass shattering come from the bedroom. They stand up once they feel it is safe and hurry to check on Rei. What they both see is her huddled over the now shattered beaker of water. Shinji takes a closer look at her and sees she seems to be in shock.

"Rei?"

Rei does not answer as she continues to stare at the broken glass lying on the floor.

"Asuka, go get Misato."

"Shi..."

"Asuka!!!"

Asuka doesn't argue as he turns his head to face her with a determined glare. He watches as she hurries down the hall to the front door before he kneels down to Rei's level and tries to get her to respond, "Rei, are you okay? Please answer me..."

Asuka calls from the front door, "Shinji, I can't get out, the door is jammed!"

He reaches for the phone sitting on the desk close by and finds out it is dead.

****************

Down in NERV's Central Control area, everything is quiet as the three techs that man the high tower sit at their terminals doing some miscellaneous projects of their own.

"Maya, do you know a five letter word for an ear of grain?"

"Shigeru, I think the word you want is..."

Maya is cut off as alarms begin to sound around them.

Maya is the first to respond, "I am reading a possible explosion on the surface on block B-5!"

Makoto types a few commands before responding, "I am reading a communications problem in the area as well!"

Shigeru sees Sub-commander Fuyutsuki enter as he reports his findings, "I am reading seismic activity originating in that area, attempting to restore visual systems!"

"Status report?!"

Makoto responds to the Sub-commander's inquiry, "Sir, we are reading a possible explosion in the area of block B-5!"

"What is in that area?"

"Generator R-56 is closest to the activity..."

He hears the phone ring beside his console, "Makoto. Major, what is wrong? Right, we have lost primary communications for the area, some mobile phones may be affected as well. Hold on..." He turns to Shigeru, "What is the status of the pilots?"

"Unable to locate, visual systems are still down."

"Major, we are unable to locate them."

Fuyutsuki walks up to Makoto, "Let me speak to her." Makoto hands over the phone and goes back to assessing the situation.

"Major, where are you located right now?"

"Maya, do you have any info on what has happened yet?"

"Sir, I am reading a possible explosion on the south end of block B-5. A damage team has been sent already to provide further details."

"Understood." He raises the mouthpiece again, "Major, use whatever means necessary to exit your place, I will expect a report from you soon on the situation for block B-5."

<-CLICK->

"I have restored visuals for the area, location of pilots is block B-6, unable to get more data."

"Can you provide a visual of B-5?"

"No, smoke in the area is too thick to get through."

Maya hears her phone ring and picks it up, "Ibuki here. Understood. I will report the data." She hangs up and turns to face Fuyutsuki, "Sir, damage team reports fire damage has been incurred to Generator R-56, they are attempting to put out the fire right now."

****************

Minutes later, Misato has just managed to pry open the front door and slip through the narrow opening she has created. As she hurries down the hall, she digs out her phone again and tries to call Shinji, but after a long line of rings she hangs up and hurries down the stairs to the ground floor. Once outside, she heads in the direction of the smoke she can see coming from the next block over. As she arrives, she is greeted by one of the head techs.

"Major Katsuragi, we have almost finished putting out the fire inside of Generator R-56. We have not been able to get a good look at what may have caused it to explode."

"Have any power systems been affected?"

"Unsure at this time. I have not heard about any problems as of yet."

"Understood, as soon as you deem it safe to proceed with finding the cause, let me know."

"Hai."

****************

Up in the apartment of Shinji and Rei, three pilots remain trapped inside. Asuka is still trying to get the door open while Shinji attends to Rei who has become completely silent as she stares at the remains of a shattered beaker.

"Rei, why won't you answer?"

He stands up again and goes to see how Asuka is doing, as he gets closer, he sees she isn't having much luck.

"Shinji, the door won't budge at all."

"I can't call Misato either, the phones are inoperative."

"What is wrong with Wondergirl?"

"I...I am not sure, she won't answer..."

She finally gives up on the door and walks back to the bedroom. After she has entered, He can hear the sound of Asuka's annoyed voice as she tries to get Rei to talk.

"Wondergirl, what the hell is wrong with you?! Answer me!"

He hears the sound of her hand making contact with Rei's face moments later as he goes to find a broom and something to sweep the glass into. He fails to notice that Asuka has stopped yelling as he walks to the bedroom again, but when he arrives he sees both her and Rei lying on the floor unconscious.

"Asuka, Rei!"

****************

"Wondergirl, What the hell is wrong with you?! Answer me!"

Asuka shakes Rei violently as she attempts to get her attention.

"Damn you!"

she raises her hand as she prepares to slap her on the face, as her hand makes contact with Rei's face Asuka feels a sharp stinging pain on her face as well before she topples over in the same manner as Rei.

=(Asuka finds herself suddenly pulled into a strange world, one that has her floating over a bluish-green lake, at the center is Rei standing perfectly straight. Asuka slowly begins to get up and moves in her direction, not sure if she will fall into the lake or not.)=

=//"Don't worry, you won't fall."=

=(She hears a familiar voice as she gets closer to Rei, when she is standing in front of her, she sees Rei has the same devoid look on her face that she did in the bedroom.)=

="Wondergirl, what is going on?!"=

=//"She can't hear you at the moment, that is why I have brought you here."=

=(The voice soon is identified as a figure appears off to the right.)=

=//"You will be the one to revive her."=

="What is wrong with her?"=

=//"A part of her mind has been shattered, The beaker full of water was sort of a representation of her mind, and now that it has been broken, part of her has disappeared, or so she thinks."=

="And what am I supposed to do?! I can't help a doll!"=

=//"But, you yourself are a doll as well, you just don't realize it yet."=

="I am not a doll!"=

="I am not a doll."=

=(She jumps when she hears Rei speak but quickly recovers as she faces the figure.)=

="Well, I guess she is fine now, may I go?"=

=//"No. Right now she is reflecting in past memories that have been suppressed. Asuka, you are going to become her while you help her recover. You will see, hear, and feel what she does, but you will be the guide. Ready?"=

="Wait..."=

=(Everything goes black as Asuka feels herself being pulled by an unseen force. When everything becomes clear again, she opens her eyes and sees that Rei has disappeared, but when she looks down she sees she is wearing Rei's school uniform and has pale skin similar to Rei's.)=

="What the hell?"=

=//"Asuka, it is up to you now, I will leave you to the task at hand."=

****************

"Asuka, Rei!"

Shinji rushes up to both girls and checks to see if they are injured. He finds no injuries on them and decides to moves them away from the glass and onto the bed.

"What is going on here?"

After he is sure they are fully on the bed, he proceeds to clean up the glass still on the floor. Once he has finished he moves back over to his fellow pilots to see if they are possibly sick. When his hand comes in contact with Asuka's head, he notices that she feels cold. Then proceeds to feel Rei's head, hers feeling hot.

"Huh?"

He does his best to attend to them by getting a blanket for Asuka and putting a moistened cloth onto Rei's head. When he has finished he tries the phone again without much luck and feels that the best thing to do right now is to wait until help arrives.

//'Father, please do not fear what is happening, I assure you that they are both fine.'

'So, this is your doing...'

//'Yes and no, Auntie Asuka triggered the event when she made contact with Mother's skin.'

'Then, what is happening is Asuka's doing?..'

//'No, I have given her the task that I was intending for you to carry out, but I feel that she will be better for the job, maybe she will even find a part of herself in the process.'

'What am I to do?'

//'You are to let them be, but, you are the only one that will be able to care for them.'

'Why?'

//'Because you are the only one with a link, thus you are the only one that will be able to pass through the barrier that has formed around them.'

'But, what can I do?'

He hears no reply as he stares at the pilots on the bed.

'Wait, where did you go?'

After he gets no reply again, he proceeds to sit down on the floor and continues to wait.

****************

Asuka, having been pulled into Rei, has now begun to search for a way out.

"There has to be a way out of here!"

She begins to feel a strange feeling as she continues walking until she feels herself lying on a moving bed.

=Nurse 1 "This poor child, why does she have to suffer more?"=

=Nurse 2 "It seems cruel to force her in her condition."=

=(Asuka's vision changes from her walking to her being moved quickly down a hall on a bed, she is unable to see out of her left eye, but her right eye notices an IV hanging from a hook and a tube extending to her arm.)=

='What is going on? Why am I lying on this bed?'=

=Nurse 1 "Well, I guess if we are going to live, this child doesn't have a choice..."=

=(Once they have slowed, she hears the sound of doors opening from what appears to be above her before she realizes where she is.)=

='An Eva cage?..'=

=(She is slowly wheeled along the bridge that stretches across the cage, once she has arrived at the middle she sees Shinji standing there as if he is confused.)=

=\\'I must do it again...'=

=(Asuka hears Rei's thoughts once the bed has stopped moving as she attempts to get up.)=

='Wait, why am I getting up, no, why is Rei getting up?'=

=(The ground violently shakes as a loud roar is heard from all around her.)=

=Shinji "LOOK OUT!"=

=(She feels the bed tip over, sending her falling to the ground. She is unable to hear what is being said as she feels sharp pains course through her/Rei's body. A few moments later, she feels someone lift her up as she grits her teeth and bears the intense pain.)=

=Shinji "Wait, I will do it, I will pilot this thing!!"=

=(She hears Shinji yell as some of the memories from Rei begin to become known to her. Soon she feels the body begin to drift as she is brought back to the lake.)=

'Wait, I wanted to know more!'

\\'This is me. The me that must do what I am told to.'

"Why did you get up you fool?!"

\\'I must pilot if it is needed.'

"See, you are a doll!"

\\'But, I dislike the pain that comes with being an Eva pilot.'

"So, you can quit, can't you?"

Asuka's vision quickly blurs as she is whisked away into another memory.

=(When her vision clears, she sees a hillside off in the distance as she sits on a walkway.)=

=Rei "Because it is my link."=

=Shinji "Your link? To what?"=

=Rei "To all people."=

=Shinji "You are strong, Ayanami."=

=Rei "I have nothing else..."=

='What do you mean, everyone has something else!'=

Asuka sees herself return to the lake again.

\\'Eva is all I have.'

****************

Shinji has decided to go grab something to eat while he waits for help. It is evening now and the sun has begun to set in the west. Hours have passed since anything has happened, since all the pilots were cut off from the outside.

"Where is Misato I wonder, I hope she wasn’t hurt this afternoon..."

As he walks back to the bedroom, he hears the sound of a distant pounding and hurries in the direction of the balcony. The moment he is outside he scans the horizon to see if he can locate the source, but is unable to find anything as he heads back into the apartment.

****************

Misato and the on hand techs that are on site at the core of the problem from earlier that afternoon have begun to pound away at the ground to see if they can remove the damaged piece of machinery in front of them.

"I want this thing to be thoroughly examined for any possible defects, if you find any I want to know right away, I don't care how small it is."

"Yes, Major."

Misato digs out her cell phone and places a call to NERV central control.

<Makoto.>

"It's Katsuragi, I have an update on the situation here. The technicians were unable to find anything wrong with the generator so I have requested it be removed and inspected at HQ."

<Understood, I will report this to the commanders.>

"Furthermore, it appears that there is a problem with the power grid in the area."

<Yes. We have found out that power to blocks B-3 thru B-5 and C-3 thru C-5 has been disabled for now, but we see no need to restore those blocks since they have been abandoned. We are still having problems with communications for B section.>

"Understood. Have the locations of the pilots been revealed?"

<No, we have been unable to get a proper fix on their location, but their last known position was in the apartment next door to yours.>

"Makoto, be ready for another report, I am heading to that apartment right now."

She hangs up her phone as she heads back in the direction of the place next to hers. When she arrives she tries to get the door to open but finds it is jammed worse then hers was. After about ten minutes have passed by, she is successful in opening the door a crack, just enough for her to slide something in to pry it further. When the opening is finally big enough for her to slip in she wastes no time in doing a thorough inspection before she arrives at the bedroom and sees Shinji resting against the wall and Rei and Asuka lying on the bed.

"Shinji, is everything okay?"

She sees him quickly spin around as he attempts to stand, "Misato, you finally came."

"Sorry for the long delay. Now, as for my question."

"Oh...Well, Asuka and Rei have fallen into a deep sleep, I haven't been able to wake them for a few hours now..."

"WHAT?! Shinji, why didn't you call?!"

"I can't, the phone lines are down, and the cell phones are disabled as well."

She rushes up to the girls, only to rush straight into a barrier of some kind. As she picks herself up off the floor, she turns her head in Shinji's direction, "Shinji, start talking!"

"Misato, I don't know what is going on myself..."

She turns back to the bed and sees that Rei and Asuka have been attended to, "Well you can start by telling me how you got to them?.."

****************

Back at the lake, Asuka is beginning to get really annoyed at what she is seeing.

"Wondergirl, snap out of it!"

"But, isn't this what happened to you after the 15th angel?"

Asuka hears her own self this time as she turns and sees a younger form of herself looking back at her.

"I never needed help, and I don't need help now!"

"You became the doll for Unit-02. You were unable to pilot anymore, so you were it's doll."

"I was n..."

A thought suddenly hits Asuka as she hears Rei's voice again.

\\'You were unable to synch with your Eva anymore.'

"But I..."

"But you were becoming a doll before then, when your synch ratio began to fall."

\\' You did what you were told to do after the 15th angel attacked. You piloted Eva, thus you were the doll.'

"Bu..."

"You were my doll."

Asuka becomes terrified as she hears the voice of her mother.

"Mama?"

Mama "You did not have control anymore."

Chibi Asuka "You closed off your mind."

\\'You lost in the end.'

Chibi Asuka "Ran away from Eva."

Mama "Ran from me."

Chibi Asuka "But you failed."

\\'You ran from life, only to come back to it.'

"NO, IT'S NOT TRUE!"

Mama "You came back because of me."

Chibi Asuka "You came back because of Shinji."

\\'You did what others wanted you to.'

"NO!"

Mama "You have become a pawn."

"SHUT UP! I AM NOT A DOLL!"

"Then, what are you?"

Asuka sees everything go dark as a younger form of Rei replaces everyone.

"I am my own person!"

"But you follow others orders."

"It is what a pilot must do!"

"So, you are a doll."

"NO!"

"You are the same as Rei, the same as Shinji."

"I am not a doll..."

"They obey orders just like you do, they are used to do what others can't do. So you are a doll."

"I am..." Asuka rethinks what she is about to say before she continues, "...a doll..."

//'You see what I mean?'

'I do, I am a doll, I do what I am told to do.'

//'I believe the task at hand may become easier now that you have a new perspective of the situation.'

Asuka nods and sees the lake reappear and as the Chibi Rei fades out. Soon, Asuka begins to search out what she has finally realized what must be done.

"Rei, I may despise you, but now I also respect you, a little."

Asuka moves on to the next phase of recovering Rei. The next memory she sees is one she is totally unprepared for.

=(Asuka sees herself sitting in the entry plug for Unit-00, she looks down at her plug-suit as it begins to reshape itself as the 16th angel begins to invade the Eva. She arches her back as the angel burrows further in. She can hear stuff over the intercom system but isn't paying attention as the pain she feels starts to become unbearable. Soon, she feels the presence of another AT-Field close and turns to see Unit-01 armed with a rifle.)=

=Rei "Ikari!"=

=(The angel senses the AT-Field as well as its other end rushes in the direction of the new field, destroying the rifle as Unit-01 dodges.)=

=Rei 'Is this my mind, wanting to be unified with Ikari? No!'=

='What?'=

=(Asuka watches as Unit-00's AT-Field is reversed, pulling the angel in.)=

=Misato <Rei, Abandon the Eva!>=

=Rei "No, I must stay to maintain the AT-Field. So I will stay."=

=(Asuka sees the self-destruct code entered into the keypad, then hears the sound of the drive unit begin the overload.)=

='What are you doing, GET OUT?!'=

=\\'I must remain to destroy the angel.'=

=(Asuka/Rei turns around seconds before the Eva explodes. But in the time it took before the Eva exploded, Asuka finally realized that Rei had more than she knew.)=

After the Eva explodes, Asuka finds herself in what appears to be the inside of Rei's mind.

****************

"Shinji, I want you to bring them to NERV."

"I can't do that, Misato."

"WHY NOT?!"

Shinji has finished telling Misato the details that he knows, or that he let her think he knows, and now she want's him to bring them to NERV for examination.

"Shinji, what if they require medical attention?!"

"Misato, how are you going to give it to them?"

She is caught off guard by the question, "I am sure Ritsuko will know what to do..."

"Misato, please, don't force me to do this, I trust her child."

"Shinji, you can be thrown into a cell for this."

"I don't care, I want to be sure nothing bad happens, and I see this as the best option."

"Okay, I will trust you for now, but if they get worse, I will force you to bring them to NERV, sound good?!"

"Hai..."

****************

Asuka takes a few moments to figure out what is going on before she sees Rei sitting at a table. After a few more moments, she moves over to the table and sits down. In front of her sits a beaker full of water. She reaches for the beaker but is unable to touch it since a barrier has formed around it.

"Wondergirl, what is happening here?"

Rei does not respond as Asuka waits for an answer.

"Rei?"

"Yes?"

"Rei, What is going on, what does this beaker represent?"

"It is a part of my mind, what is considered to be its light."

"Wondergirl, I don't understand, what is wrong with you?!"

Rei does not reply as Asuka reaches for the beaker again, but fails like she did the first time.

"REI!"

"Yes?"

"Wait a moment, I have to call you Rei here?"

"It is who I am called by others."

"So, I must use your name?.."

"Yes."

"Great...so what is wrong with you?"

"The part that makes up my mind on the outside has been destroyed."

"You mean the beaker?"

"Yes."

"Rei, just because that was destroyed doesn't mean that you can't live."

"But, it is what I know as my mind."

"BULLSHIT! Rei, you once said that you have nothing else! So why is it you disobeyed Misato's orders?!"

"If I had not, the angel would have taken over Eva."

"But that wasn't why you did it, you didn't decide to destroy the Eva until Shinji was in danger. Why is it you waited until that moment to make that choice?"

"Because I did not want Shinji to be attacked by the angel."

"So, you do care, and you knew he cared for you. You do have more than you think!"

"I do not understand?.."

"You have the people that care for you. You have a bond to all people, but some of them have a bond with you."

"I..."

"Don't understand? I will make it simple then! You care for Shinji, and Shinji cares for you! You have Shinji and he has you!"

"But, he has others as well."

"We all do!!"

"I am one, yet many. I can be replaced."

"That's right, you are a clone of Shinji's mother. So why is it you don't care for him like a mother? You have your own mind, your own soul, and nothing can change that. You don't need objects to make up your mind, all you need is what is in this place, to be your own self, to think for yourself, not what others want you to think, not to associate an object as part of your mind!"

"But I am replaceable..."

Asuka kicks the chair back and reaches over to slap Rei hard on the face, "Don't you get it, you can still think for yourself the same way you did for Shinji before you blew up the Eva! You don't need this thing to think or exist! If I could, I would destroy it for you to prove my point, but only you can do it!"

"I will not!"

"Then, you are not a person, you are just a thing, a soulless object that can walk and talk, nothing more. So, I will not help a thing."

To prove her point, she gives Rei a disgusted look and walks away from the table, away from Rei, "And to think, you want to be a mother."

What seems like eternity passes before the sound of glass breaking can be heard coming from the direction of the table, "I am not a thing, I am a person."

"Then, I will help you..."

"You already have, Soryu."

"If you really are a true person, then you will need to prove it to me. I want you to tell me what you think of Shinji."

"I do not understand what you are asking?"

"How does he make you feel, do you like him, would you be willing to protect him and make sure he is cared for should the situation arise?"

"I do not like him, Asuka. I want to be with him forever. I would do whatever is needed to care for him. He is the father of my child, so, I will love him until I am dead."

"You really care for that baka a lot, but is it because he makes you happy, or because he is the Commander's son?"

"He...makes me happy, he is important to me, not because he is the Commander's son."

"Rei, I see you really do have a mind, but that doesn't mean I will respect you any more then I do now."

"Understood."

"So...how do I get out of here?"

//"First, there is one more part you must do."

Asuka sees the same figure she did before appear beside her.

"What?"

//"You must be sure that the same applies to you."

"Asuka, how do you feel about Shinji?"

"Hey, when did this become about me?!"

//"You must be sure you feel the same way before you can release your own self from Mother's mind."

"Asuka, do you love him?"

Asuka doesn't answer right away as she thinks about how she has felt now for many months, ever since the kiss she shared with Shinji, "I...I l-love him as well. I shouldn't, yet I do..."

//'You must realize this before you can be free."

"Rei, I envy you right now. Shinji loves you in that special way, but loves me as a sister!"

"Special way?"

"You still have a lot to learn before you can be considered a person."

"As do you, Asuka."

"Why are you calling me Asuka?"

"It is your name."

She is not pleased with the result she has received but does not bother fighting it, "Fine, you may call me Asuka, but NOT around anyone else but Shinji."

//"The light of your minds will now become two once again, you both will retain the memories of this experience and your pasts."

Asuka feels dizzy as she becomes separated from Rei once again. When her mind clears, she sees Rei standing in front of her over the lake again.

//"Asuka, you have done well."

Everything fades to black as both Rei and Asuka are brought back to reality. The first thing Asuka hears is Misato talking to Shinji about trust.

"Okay, I will trust you for now, but if they get worse, I will force you to bring them to NERV, sound good?!"

"Hai..."

Asuka is not sure what is going on, but feels that the best thing to do is say something before this talk gets worse, "Do you think you can SHUT UP!! People are trying to sleep!"

"Asuka!"

Shinji rushes to the side she is lying on and gives her a hug, "What happened?"

"Shinji, let go before I toss you at Misato!"

He doesn't risk taking the chance as he backs away.

"Nice to see you too."

"Sorry, Asuka, I...am just glad you are okay."

"I can forgive you this time, but ONLY this time."

She feels the bed move as Rei stirs then sits up, "Shinji?.."

"Rei!"

He rushes over to Rei and gives her a hug as well, "I am glad you are okay as well."

"Ahem, if you are done Shinji, I would like to have both Rei and Asuka checked out!"

"Misato, I do not believe it will do any good."

"Why is that, Rei?"

"Because I am fine."

****************

After a long afternoon and evening, Asuka and Misato have finally left for next door, leaving Shinji and Rei to finish unpacking what is left.

"Rei, what happened to you...after the beaker fell?"

"I thought I had lost a piece of myself."

"But...you are okay now, right?"

"Yes."

After the last few things are hung in the closet, Shinji leaves the room to wash up before preparing a light dinner for the two of them.

'Shinji seems distant, why?'

//'Mother, the answer is simple, he is tired.'

'I see...'

While Shinji washes up, Rei chooses to make dinner instead so he can relax once he finishes.

Soon, Shinji emerges from the bathroom and walks into the kitchen and is surprised to see Rei making dinner when he arrives, "Rei, what is going on?"

"I am preparing dinner for us."

"But...why?"

"I felt like it..."

"Oh..."

She finishes the cooking and puts some food on to two plates before she brings them over to the table, "What is it?"

"Oh...nothing, I am just surprised is all. I will be right back in a moment."

She watches as he turns and walks to the bedroom to get dressed. About a minute later he comes back in and sits down, ready to eat the small dinner prepared by her. Rei has already started eating her dinner and is about half way done at this point.

Once she has finished she looks at Shinji as he eats, "What do you think?"

"What?"

"How is the dinner?.."

"It's fine, Rei, really."

"I am glad."

As soon as she sees him finish she takes his plate and washes the dishes while he dries them and puts them away, "You do not have to do that."

"But I want to, I would feel guilty if I didn't do something."

"I see."

After everything is done, they both prepare for bed since an important test has been scheduled for them. As they undress, Rei recalls a few thing from earlier that evening when she and Asuka were of one mind and remembers a certain detail Asuka once did to Shinji.

As soon as they are in bed, she leans over and gives Shinji a kiss goodnight. When she pulls away, she senses that something is not right, "What is wrong?"

"You...k-kissed me?.."

"Yes, I did."

"You haven't ever done that before to me."

"Does it make you feel uncomfortable?"

"I don't know, a little..."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess it's because of who you are...and because of what you are..."

"I am me."

"Yes, you are...I guess I just was a bit surprised is all."

"Goodnight."

She lays down and tries to fall asleep, but Shinji still seems to have something on his mind.

"Rei?"

"Yes?"

"What...happened between you and Asuka today?"

"We helped each other find parts of ourselves."

"But, what will happen now, are you two linked?"

"No, but we retain each others memories as a side effect."

"I see..."

"Shinji, what is it that is bothering you?"

"I guess I just don't understand what happened is all, but I guess it doesn't matter..."

Rei thinks about what he has just told her and does her best to clear up what occurred. She recalls a memory from when he first saw her old place and decides to turn the tables by rolling over and using her hands to hold herself up on top of his chest.

"Shinji, do you remember the first time you were at my place?"

"Yes, I won't ever forget that, I should have waited outside."

"Shinji, do not feel sorry, it was an accident."

"Rei, why are you on top of me?"

"I feel this is one way to explain what happened."

"I don't get it?.."

"This is the way it was that one day, only now I am on the top."

"Okay, but what does that have to do with what happened?'

"You are in the spot I was before, thus you are looking at this from my perspective. That is what happened today between Asuka and I. She saw things from my point of view. She was the one that helped me find what I thought I did not have, and in return I was the one that gave her a new perspective on who I am."

"So, you and her were one person when you were sleeping?.."

"Yes."

"So she helped you find your...what?"

"Individuality as a person."

Rei stops leaning on Shinji and moves back to her side of the bed.

"Rei?"

"Yes?"

"I...am glad Asuka was able to help you out...but is that why you kissed me?"

"No."

"Okay."

"I kissed you because I thought you needed one."

To prove the validity of her words, she leans over and gives him another kiss, only this one being more intense, but not much more. "Goodnight, Shinji."

"Go-goodnight...Rei."

****************

The next morning, after eating breakfast, Rei and Shinji are met by Asuka and Misato as they start their journey to NERV HQ for a special test involving Unit-01 and the new entry plug. Once they arrive, Rei and Shinji waste no time in changing so they can finish the test as soon as possible since they have both planned a little outing that no one knows about yet. As soon as they are called they hurry down the hallway to the Eva cage and await further instructions.

"Shinji, Rei, today you will be sent to the surface in Unit-01 to perform the basic movement tests, but you will also be performing tactical training to see if you can perform as a synchronized pair in case of an angel attack. Asuka will be joining you shortly in Unit-02 to perform some tests as well since her synch ratio is back to normal, report to your Eva."

They both hurry along the catwalk past Misato and climb into the entry plug where they wait for nerve connections to be made.

"Shinji, are you sure you want to go through with the plan?"

"Rei, it is getting to the point that we seem to be losing privacy, I say we get away for one night."

"But, they will find us before we get outside of the city."

"Rei, the first time I ran away, it took NERV a few days to find me, I think I can do it again, or should I say we?"

"I would like to go."

Moments later the plug is lifted into the air and they are moved into position, once the plug has screwed in and activated, the two pilots await further orders in silence. Soon they are greeted by Misato's image in front of them.

<Shinji, Rei, we will be sending you to the western end of the city. Testing will begin once Asuka has joined you.>

"Hai." They both reply.

When the Eva has been moved into position they feel the force of the rapid accent upward to the surface. As the catapult comes to a stop the door for the launch shaft slides open and they slowly step out. After a short wait, Asuka joins them in Unit-02 as she steps out into the daylight.

Misato's image disappears as Asuka's appears on the wall.

<So, how was your first night alone?>

"Asuka, what do you mean?"

<Don't give me that, I am sure you had fun last night.>

"Asuka, nothing like that happened."

Rei reaches over and keys in the command for an isolated conversation between them, "Asuka, Shinji and I are planning on leaving the city for the night, but we may require your assistance."

"Rei, what are you doing?"

<Relax, Shinji. I won't tell anyone, but as for help, what could I possibly do?!>

"We will need a distraction."

"Rei, are you sure about this, what if it doesn't work?"

<Shinji, if allowing the two of you to escape for one night is what you want, I will help, for a price.>

He is not sure he likes the sound of that, "What kind of price?"

<Well, you must promise to take me the next time you go, Misato is going to drive me insane!>

"I...I am not sure if we will go again..."

"Asuka, we will bring you next time." replies Rei before she disables isolation mode.

It isn't long before Misato's image comes back to relay the orders for the test.

<Okay, here is what we will do first. Shinji and Rei are to walk around a bit to see if any problems occur, Asuka will be the backup in case something goes wrong. Then it will be Asuka's turn to move around. After that I will give you the next set of orders.>

All three pilots nod and reply, "Understood."

<Okay, Shinji, for the first part of the test I would like you to have the Eva walk to the edge of the city and hold position.>

Shinji clears his mind and concentrates on walking just like he has all the other times in Unit-01, when he arrives at the city limits, he turns around and holds position.

<Good, next Rei will do the same thing that Shinji just did, only she is to run instead of walk, this is to see if mobility is affected any by the modifications.>

Rei nods and concentrates on running back to the catapult, then stops as she reaches it.

<Okay, Misato.>

<Ready, set, GO!>

Rei and Shinji watch as Eva Unit-02 darts towards the center of the city at full speed and back again.

"Misato, how will Rei and I be able to keep our thoughts separate?"

<Asuka, your part is to see how well you do in piloting after being inactive for as long as you have been, your synch ratio may be back to normal, but your skills may need refreshing.>

It isn't long before two pallet rifles are sent to the surface. Both units grab a rifle and receive starting coordinates from Control. As soon as everyone is in position Rei and Shinji plan out how they will do this.

"Rei, do you want to be the gunner?"

"It does not matter to me."

"I will let you be the gunner, I have a feeling I won't do to good..."

<Ready, begin.>

Asuka's and Misato's images disappear as Shinji moves the Eva behind a building for cover.

****************

Down in Central Control, Misato watches as the pilots move into shielded positions to plan out the attacks.

"Ritsuko, do you think Shinji and Rei are ready for this?"

"Well, the synch tests are showing good scores, but as far as the interface goes, I am not sure. They are both trained pilots in movement and weaponry. It is possible that the Eva will feedback on them..."

"Well, here goes nothing, though so far it looks like they are doing good."

Misato walks up to Shigeru, "Send a false attack signal to each Eva, lets see if they move any."

"Right, sending separate attack signals to Evas one and two."

They all watch as both Evas quickly stand up and search out the location of the attacker, only to find that they have been lured out into the open before they begin to fire and search out new cover.

"Asuka has scored a hit. Combined synch ratio for Unit-01 is fluctuating a bit."

"Makoto, is it within tolerance?"

"Yes, but it appears to be getting worse."

Ritsuko walks up behind Maya and looks at the data displayed at her terminal, "Maya, how are Rei's synch patterns doing?"

"Pattern A is within normal limits, but B is lower then normal."

"Increase the depth for Pattern B by .04% and see if it helps."

Maya enters in the given instructions and reports the new data, "Pattern B has gone up by 3 points, it is within normal levels. Pattern A is showing a drop of one point."

"I expected it, continue to monitor it, if it drops by more then five points let me know."

"Understood."

"Ritsuko, what about contamination?"

"Misato, I took that into account when I designed the plug, they won't be able to pick up each other's thoughts."

"Well, can you disable it?"

"What for?"

"To see if it helps any, I am sure that having two pilots plus a third person inside the plug is confusing the Eva."

"Maya, disable the mental block for Unit-01."

"Mental block disabled."

"Combined synch ratio for Unit-01 has risen by six points."

"Makoto, what is the time so far?"

"Test has been active for seven minutes."

"Shigeru, send more false signals, this test seems to be going slow."

"Signals sent."

The main viewer shows the Evas start running in random directions as they figure out what is going on.

"Lower the building that is up, that seems to be the focal point for shielding."

"Building is lowering. Complete."

"Eva-01 has scored a few hits."

"Now this is getting better, they are running around, having a fun time for once."

"Misato, why did you insist on this kind of test?"

"Ritsuko, the children have been under guard for too long now, I wanted them to loosen up a bit, do something that they haven't done for a while."

"Unit's one and two are tied at eight points each."

"Makoto, patch Unit-01's viewer to this terminal, I want to see what _they_ do for a bit."

Makoto hits a few keys, causing the viewer for the terminal to change from data to the Eva's line of sight.

"Ritsuko, take a look at this..."

The doctor walks up to the viewer and watches as Shinji and Rei use combined efforts to track Asuka on the temporary battlefield.

"Misato, this is impressive, they have combined their efforts into a timed attack sequence..."

"I was talking about the fact that they can even track Asuka without the targeting system lining up first."

"What?"

"Yeah, watch as Rei fires before it has time to line up."

Ritsuko watches as Rei aims and fires, missing Asuka but only by a short distance.

"I think we have enough data for now."

"Wait, let them play for a few more minutes, I actually think they are enjoying themselves."

When the test reaches the 20-minute mark, Misato calls for the test to end and reports the findings to the pilots as their images appear on the main viewer.

"I am happy to report that we have a tie on your scores, 30 points each. Great work, I hope you enjoyed it. Return to the catapults and prepare for retrieval."

The pilots all nod and respond, "Hai."

****************

As evening approaches, Shinji and Rei finish packing the needed supplies for the night just as Asuka calls Shinji's phone.

"Hello?"

"Ready, we will bring Rei's phone with us but will have it disabled."

"Thanks, see you in the morning."

He hangs up the phone before he hears the sound of stuff crashing coming from next door, "Rei, lets do it."

"Ready."

She walks out of the bedroom with a large sleeping bag and another bag that she hands to him as they rush out the door and to the stairs leading to the garage.

Once they have both slipped out the side door they begin the hike towards the nearest shuttle station to catch the last train of the evening. As they step in they see that the car is empty and find a seat quickly as the doors close and the car begins to move. They patiently wait as they head in the direction of the western section of the city where they will begin their trek to that same spot Shinji ran into Kensuke once outside of the city limits. Rei, dressed in dark clothes she borrowed from Shinji and a hat that hides her blue hair enough that no one would notice, digs out a book to read that she checked out that day for the NERV library. Shinji, dressed in dark clothing as well and wearing a hood, listens to his SDAT player as the train rolls down the track. When the shuttle arrives at the next destination, they hurry off of the train and down the steps into the darkness beyond.

An hour later, they have arrived at the final destination and begin to unpack their stuff. Shinji also looks for the tent that Kensuke said he left out here so he wouldn't have to carry it all the time and sets it up once he finds it. Once everything has been set up, he lights a fire for them to use as warmth for the night. When the fire is at the appropriate size, he sits back and thinks about what has happened since he arrived in Toko-3 the first time, all the pain he has endured, the friends he had, the battles he fought. Then he remembers something he was told once about why his father's hands were burned, "Rei, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"When you piloted Unit-00...did you ever feel scared?"

"I did what I was told to do, no matter how I felt."

"Yes, but did you ever feel scared to be in it...especially after it almost killed you during the first activation."

Rei thinks for a few moments before giving her reply, "I did what I had to do. But yes, I did feel scared the first time I piloted."

"I see..."

She digs out a few snacks for them both that they packed for the night, hands one to Shinji, and eats as they sit by the fire. When they have finished, Shinji walks back to the tent and changes out of the dark clothes he is wearing and into something more fitting for the situation, namely a light T-shirt and shorts, then exits the tent as he sees Rei changing as well.

"Rei, why are you changing out here?"

"I did not want to interrupt you."

He decides to keep his back turned to her since she does not have a shirt on yet.

"So, when did you stop wearing a bra?"

"What?"

"Well, I noticed a moment ago that you did not have one on or close by..."

"I find it to be too tight."

"Oh."

"Why is it you are nervous around me when I am changing?"

"Rei, I try to respect your privacy as much as possible."

"I do not mind you seeing me undressed, it does not bother me."

"But it does bother me a bit..."

"I see..."

"Why do you ask?"

"I do not see any point to privacy since we are living together."

He quietly waits for her to finish changing.

"Shinji, please come here."

"What is it?"

"I...am not sure, I feel as if you are scared of me."

He turns around and sees a fully unclothed Rei sitting in front of the fire, "Rei, what are you doing?"

"I require your assistance with something."

"Rei, I-I-I...I don't know what I can possibly do for you that you can't do yourself."

"Sit by me."

//'Father, this is the right time to learn more about Mother.'

Shinji gulps and slowly walks over to where she is and sits down beside her, "What is it?"

"Do you wish to become one with me?"

"W-What?"

"Do you wish to become one with me?"

"But...but you are pregnant."

"I do not mean now if this is not the appropriate time."

"I do not understand?.."

"Shinji, yesterday I had a part of myself restored, in doing so I realized you were the one I wanted to be with, but, I do not wish to force you to do anything you do not want to."

"Is that why you wished to get away this morning?"

"Yes, there are some things I do not want prying ears to know about."

"I do not understand, why ask me if I want to become one with you?"

"Because, I feel you are the only one I will feel secure with on the matter..."

"Rei...are you sure it is what you want? I mean, we don't need to join in order to be together."

"That is true, but if I am able to have children after this, I feel that it would be nice to have one the right way."

"Rei, what has gotten into you? You have changed since last night."

"I only wish to discover what it is like to be my own self, I wish to experience what a normal person does."

"Rei, I don't know what is going on, but whatever it is, I just want you to know that I will be here if needed for you."

"Shinji, you are the one I care for, the one I love, Asuka helped me realize that when she was apart of me."

"Rei, I would be happy to become one with you, but I just feel that it should happen at the right time..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, right now is the first time I have felt nervous around you since I first dropped off your ID card. But this is also the first time I have felt that I am able to learn about you without fearing what I will hear, though it could be because you are naked right now and I do not want to..."

"Shinji, please look at me."

Shinji, having no idea what is going on, slowly turns his head until his eyes meet hers.

"What is it you feel right now?"

"I feel scared about what you are doing, but I don't feel like running away either."

"So, you are fearing what you do not understand?"

"Yes, I mean...you and I are starting to learn more about each other, and here you are, the same way your sisters are, in front of me by a fire, I just don't want to do anything wrong..."

"Whatever happens, will happen, do not be afraid of the unknown, fear is what keeps people apart."

"Rei, I..."

"Shinji, I will always be ready for the day you feel is the right time."

"I don't know why I am feeling this way, but I have a feeling this may be the last time we will be here without others watching us all the time."

"Then, don't hold back what you feel right now."

"Rei..." He stops and thinks over what may be about to happen depending on his answer. Once many long moments pass by, he comes to the decision that will lead to the outcome, "...I am ready."

Rei stands up and walks into the tent as Shinji waits a few moments before entering himself. He moves over to the sleeping bag and lays down as Rei moves closer to him as well, "Are you sure about this, Shinji?"

"Yes, if it is going to happen then now is the right time. I am ready."

She nods and slowly moves a hand to his shorts then pulls them down with care as she sees a bulge begin to appear. Once the shorts have been removed she proceeds to slip off the boxers he has on and sees the object that she seeks as she positions herself on top of him, aligning herself so Shinji's member is at the opening of her entrance and she slowly lowers herself onto him.

As she continues to lower herself she reaches a barrier and stalls while she gets ready for what she is about to do. Rei has read a lot about sex before out of interest, but this is the first time she has ever been apart of it. After a few moments she raises herself slightly then quickly lowers herself, breaking through the barrier and feeling pain as she reaches the bottom of his member. After a few moments, the pain subsides and she continues with the process of uniting with him, looking down into his eyes as she continues to slide up and down. It isn't long before she feel Shinji tense up under her and rests her hands on his chest, feeling him preparing to fill her with a part of himself. When the process has been finished, Rei takes a long look into Shinji's eyes and sees something that she never expected, she sees a new level of happiness as she remains on top of him.

"Shinji, I am glad you care for me this much..."

"Rei, I just want you to be happy, and if this is what is required, then I am honored to have been the one you chose..."

"It is best if we sleep now, but, I feel it is best not to let anyone know about this."

"Agreed."

Rei climbs off of Shinji and lies down as he gets up and tends to the fire after dressing again. After the fire has been put out, he reenters and lays down next to her as he pulls the top over both of them and wraps an arm around her, then falls asleep.

****************

The next morning, Rei has awoken before Shinji and dressed again before she exits the tent to take a walk around in the field, but remains close to the campsite just in case she has to hurry back. Once she is about 100 meters away she stops and looks out over the horizon in the direction of the countryside. As she stands there, recalling what had occurred the previous night, she begins to wonder about what will happen next between her and Shinji, and about her unborn child that she holds inside of her.

'Shinji, he has united with me, given me a piece of himself, a piece that he has given no one else. Yet, I am unsure if it was the right time.'

"Good morning, Rei."

She is surprised to hear the voice of another person behind her, a voice that she did not expect to hear until later.

"How was your night?"

"It was...good, Misato."

"That’s good to hear. Shall we take a quick walk?"

"O-okay."

Misato starts walking in the direction of the road with Rei in tow.

"Rei, did you really think that I would not notice you and Shinji had left?"

"No, but it was necessary to come here."

"I know, I have a feeling why you both came here, but I am not that happy about it. You know that the JSSDF wants you pilots dead and if they had found you out here NERV would not have been able to save you two."

"How did you know to..."

"Come here? This was the location that Shinji was found in when Security came looking for him. I had a feeling that this would be the perfect spot to come for isolation."

Rei remains quiet as they arrive at the road, but to her surprise, there is no car waiting for them.

"Rei, I am not going to report this incident yet because I realize why you did it. But you will have to answer one question for me. Why did you do what you did last night?"

"It was not planned out. It just happened."

"Rei, none of what you say here will be held against you, and remember I have been in the same position before. I am quite sure you and Shinji had the ability to hold back, but you did not according to what I saw."

She tenses as she hears that they were being watched.

"Easy Rei, it was just Asuka and I, our campsite was about 300 meters away to the east of your position. I felt that I would at least make sure you were both okay."

"How did you know we had left?"

"Rei, when Asuka tries to injure herself I kind of figure that something is up, and when I went to check on both you and Shinji, I saw that you were gone and gave Asuka a perfect reason to tell me where you were."

"I see."

"So, how was it?"

"I do not understand?"

"How was the uniting? That being your first time."

"I...it was...nice."

"It always is nice, but when done with the right person, it can be more. So, how was it?"

"It was..." Rei finds herself unable to find the right words, "I am not sure..."

"Then, it was 'Just right' lets say."

"Yes."

"The next time you and Shinji want to get away, can you at least trust me as well?"

"Misato..."

"I know that I am not the best person to trust when it comes to privacy, but I can respect one's need for it."

"Understood."

"Shall we head back and see how Shinji is doing?"

"Yes."

The two of them begin walking again in the direction of the campsite set up by Shinji and Rei, and see that Asuka has managed to pry Shinji out of bed once they arrive.

"BAKA, how could you do that last night to her!"

"I told you, it just happened!"

"Of all the disgusting things, you had to take advantage of her!"

"I didn't!"

"Asuka!"

"Misato, I see you found Rei."

"Asuka, it is alright. What happened last night, happened."

"But..."

"Asuka, when you find someone special, you will see what I mean. Now leave Shinji alone and let him get dressed!"

"Yes, Misato..."

Rei watches as Shinji crawls back into the tent while Misato digs out a few snacks that are to serve as breakfast for everyone present.

****************

When everyone has arrived back in Tokyo-3 in Misato's car, they are greeted by the sound of her phone ringing.

"Katsuragi. No, I have to children with me right now. Everything is fine, but the Third Child has suffered a twisted ankle. I will submit a report when I get in. Understood."

She hangs up the phone and stuffs it back into her jacket, "Rei, Shinji, Security has been looking for you all night. I will be telling them that you ended up spending the night in the west end of the city after Shinji suffered an injury."

"Misato, I didn't twist my ankle?.."

"Consider this the consequence of leaving the city without telling NERV."

She pulls up to a condemned building and signals for Shinji to follow her inside. Rei and Asuka watch as they enter the building.

"So, was it fun camping out there last night?"

"It was...nice."

"Rei, I know what happened as well, I was the one reading your lips."

"I do not understand?"

"'Do you wish to become one with me?' That was what you asked Shinji right after he sat down."

"I see."

"So?"

"It was enjoyable."

"Such a boring person..."

They hear the sound of Shinji's cry as Misato injures him.

"I am so glad I am not in his position right now."

"His position?"

"Think of it this way, would you want to have someone purposely injure you to cover up for something you did wrong?"

"No."

"Then, be glad you are not him right now."

They stop talking as Misato helps Shinji back to the car and opens the door for him.

"Shinji, it could have been worse, I could have used that jagged piece of metal instead."

As the door is closed, Rei looks at him and wonders which leg it was.

"The right leg, Rei."

"I see."

Misato climbs into the car and drives off again as they head off to NERV.

****************

Two hours later, Misato has headed to her office with Asuka in tow after dropping off Shinji and Rei in Ritsuko's care.

"Shinji, you will need to take it easy for the next few days while your ankle heals up. I will be giving you a crutch to use in the meantime. Rei, I am ready to try to slow down the growth now, but I will need to do a quick test first to determine if the child is developing okay first.

"Understood."

"Shinji, maybe you should join Misato in her office, I will call you when..."

"No, I would like him to stay."

"Are you sure Rei, this isn't something that normally has an audience."

"Yes."

"I guess I will adhere to your wishes, but he will have to stay out of the way then."

Shinji limps over to a chair in the corner of the room and sits down.

"Okay, you know what to do Rei."

She nods and begins to undress as Ritsuko prepares the needed equipment for the exam. Once everything is ready, she does a thorough examination of Rei's stomach and nether regions, "Rei, did anything happen last night between you and Shinji?"

"No."

"Rei, you can't hide something from a doctor. I can tell that something is different from the last test."

"I tended to Shinji's leg."

"And?"

"Nothing more happened."

"Shinji, come here."

Rei watches as he slowly stands up and hobbles towards Ritsuko and her.

"Shinji, I want you to tell me how you twisted your ankle."

Rei notices Shinji begin to get nervous as he forms a story.

"Well, we were walking back to the nearest shuttle station in the western part of the city...and I stepped into a hole..."

"Shinji, you may be a good pilot, but you are bad at telling a lie."

"Shinji, I believe she knows."

"Misato made the mistake of using something that would leave the letters NERV on your skin. So, what really happened?"

"I...well..."

"Never mind, I can tell what happened by the slight odor. So my next question is why?

Shinji has no idea what to say as Rei looks down and replies for him.

"It just happened."

Well, I must admit, you do know when to give in when you can't win. As for what has happened, I don't see how you can be trusted anymore by yourselves. But what has been done has been done and cannot be undone."

Shinji and Rei where surprised looks. It is Shinji who manages to speak, "So, you are not going to put us under guard?.."

"I don't know exactly what happened last night, but by the sound of it you two outsmarted Security, so I don't think it will do any good. Besides, some things are best left alone."

Ritsuko finishes the examination and prepares for the next part, "This is all Misato's fault really. She wanted to see what would happen when contamination was allowed between both of you."

She walks back to the pair with a syringe and needle in hand, "Rei, this will hurt more then you may be prepared for, are you ready?"

"Yes."

Ritsuko inserts the needle into the syringe then jabs it into Rei's abdomen, "Here we go."

The moment Ritsuko begins to inject the contents into Rei, she begins to feel an intense pain inside of her, a level of pain that she has not experienced before. As soon as the doctor is finished, the pain begins to subside until it is a heavy dull pain.

"Now then, I want you both to take it easy, and no messing around this time, I am not sure what the effect will be now that you both have become active."

"Understood." Comes their reply.

****************

Minutes later, Shinji and Rei have made it to Misato's office after Shinji is given a crutch and being given the okay to leave. Once they enter they see Misato talking on the phone.

"They just arrived, Ritsuko. What do you mean? I did not!"

The two pilots start to become nervous as they listen to the conversation.

"Err...you noticed huh. So what will you do about it? Understood. Yes, I will take care of it."

She hangs up the phone and looks at the pilots, "So, you have been found out."

"See Misato, I knew you wouldn't be able to hide this for long."

Shinji turns and sees Asuka sitting in the corner of the medium sized office of Misato's.

"What do you mean, Asuka?"

"Shinji, you don't know much, do you?.."

"What?"

"When I was going to college I learned that the best way to cover up sex is to clean up afterwards, something that you did not do."

"Clean up?"

"Wash up."

"Ohh..."

Misato clears her throat as she senses a fight about to break out, "If you both are done talking, I think we should head home. Rei, Shinji, as further punishment you are to eat with us tonight, and it's my turn to cook."

Shinji now begins to regret his actions from last night, "Can't you just lock us up?"

"Nice try, but no."

****************

That evening, after everyone has arrived back at block B-6, Misato digs out the recipe that Ritsuko gave her for this evening, remembering the purpose of it quite well.

"I promise that you will like this, just give it a try."

She heads to the kitchen as the children head into the living room to wait for their punishment of the evening, "And escape is impossible, I made sure of that." She comments before starting the cooking.

After a while, she sees that dinner is ready according to the instructions and calls everyone in to eat, as soon as the children are seated she brings over the food and drinks for everyone, Rei's drink having a special something that Ritsuko had requested be included with the meal.

Asuka hesitates before trying the first bite, then decides to give it a try before cursing at the cook. As she swallows, she notices something different about the meal, "Hey, this isn't that bad. What did you do different? Or have I finally been given a cast iron stomach?"

"I was given a recipe by Ritsuko to try out, she said that even I can't mess it up."

Asuka nods and the other two pilots begin to eat as well.

After dinner has been finished, Misato decides to allow Rei and Shinji to leave again and head home. Asuka, on the other hand, is curious as to how Misato could actually make something that tastes good for a change.

"Misato, tell me the truth, did you order take-out and call it your cooking?"

"No, Asuka, I made it myself!"

"Hmm...I have a feeling that I am going to regret this in the morning..."

"Goodnight, Asuka!"

****************

Over in the apartment of Shinji and Rei, things appear to be back to normal as the roommates prepare for bed, only, they appear to still be confused as to why everything has worked out in their favor. The camping trip was just the way they wanted it to be, no one to disturb them or watch them, at least not that they knew about until today. Misato didn't come down hard on them, well, that may be only half true since she did injure Shinji. Ritsuko didn't have them separated, at least not yet. Even Asuka was being nice about it somewhat, which is not like her since she is not too fond of Rei, though she did yell at Shinji. So, what is it they do not see?

"Rei, are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, the pain is gone."

"That's good."

Shinji finishes up in the bathroom and exits so Rei can do what she needs to.

"Something is still bugging me, why is it we did not get into tons of trouble?"

"I do not know."

"I mean, Asuka was apart of you, so that could have affected her as well as you, but Misato and Ritsuko, they are treating us as if something is wrong..."

"Affected me?"

"Yeah, you seem to have changed over the past two days."

"I see. Is this bad?"

"No, change is good, it brought us even closer last night."

"Shinji, what is it you are troubled about?"

"I just get the feeling that we are not being told everything."

"I see."

Rei finishes up and walks out of the bathroom to see Shinji leaning against the wall outside.

"Rei, have you ever wished for something more out of life?"

"I do not understand?.."

"Have you ever thought that your life could be more than it is?"

"I have had no reason to do so."

"Sometimes...sometimes I wish that I was someone else, someone that didn't have to pilot an Eva, someone that had freedom to do whatever they wanted to without having others tell them what to do."

"I know only of Eva, I do not see any reason to wish for more."

"Oh..."

"But, the Moon does have a certain mystery to it. It is something that intrigues me in a way that other things do not."

"The Moon does?"

"Yes."

He ponders this for a moment before heading in the direction of the bedroom. "Well, I think I will go to sleep now, I feel tired."

"Hai."

As he slowly climbs into the bed, Rei walks down the hall to the living room and to the balcony outside where she walks up to the railing and stares at the bright round object in the sky known as the Moon. As she stands there, she goes into deep thought, thinking about how the Moon reflects on her life, how it came to be, what is so special about it.

'What is it that you represent?'

//'Such a lovely sight, is it not?'

'Yes.'

//'So what is it that you see when you look up?'

'I do not know.'

She stares a few moments longer before walking back into the apartment and heading off to sleep.

****************

The next morning, the children have been brought to NERV for a meeting concerning the tests from the other day. On one side of the table sits Misato and on the other side sits the children.

"I have the results from the last tests with me and I am happy to say that the scores were good overall. A few minor flaws were found in the interface for the modified plug, but considering there were three signals the Eva performed very well.

"What about me, Misato?"

"Asuka, you are back up to your normal level of performance, meaning you are ready for battle again. As for Eva-01, we need to check a few things but it seems it can handle the signals."

"When is the next test?"

"I don't know yet. Before you go though, I want something answered. Why is it all of you were able to cooperate on how to fool Section Two? I haven't seen them panicked like that in months."

"Well, I just remembered how they were not able to find me the first time I run away..." Replies Shinji as he nervously stares down at the table.

"Well, I heard that heads rolled for that mishap, and I am guessing it will happen again. Well, that is all I wanted to ask, dismissed. By the way Asuka, I won't be home until late so you are on your own for dinner, and you will be required to walk with Shinji and Rei back to the apartment."

After Misato has left the room, the three pilots stand and leave themselves for home, as they arrive at the shuttle station Asuka finally speaks, "So, umm..."

"Yes Asuka, you may join us for dinner." replies Shinji.

"How did you know?.."

"Call it intuition since I have lived with Misato before."

"What time?"

"We will eat at 19:00h."

They stop talking as the shuttle rolls into the station. As soon as they have boarded, Asuka, who has decided to sit across from the pair, speaks up again, "Why is this ride always so uneventful?.."

She receives no replies as the train begins to ascend up to the surface.

"You both make the good pair, so boring..."

****************

That evening, after dinner has been eaten and dishes have been done, Asuka bids the roommates goodbye as she heads for the door.

"Thanks for the meal."

She walks to the front door and tries to open it, only to find that it has become stuck again from the explosion that shook the building days earlier, "Shinji, I can't get out the door. The damn thing is jammed!"

Shinji replies from the bedroom, "Try using the manual release."

Asuka reaches for the handle at the top of the door and pulls on it, but is still unable to move the door, "It won't budge! Can't you open the damn thing?!"

Shinji exits the bedroom and walks towards the door to see if he can try it, but is just as successful as Asuka was in releasing the door, "I guess you will be spending the night here, the door won't be repaired until tomorrow. I will prepare the guest room for you."

"What do you mean I have to stay here!"

"Asuka, the door is stuck!"

She sighs as she realizes that she has no choice on the matter for once and gives in, "Alright, but don't keep me up!"

"Fine..."

****************

Down in one of the many storage areas of NERV, Misato has been called down to review the report on the piece of machinery that had caused problems days earlier.

"So what have you found out?"

"We found evidence of tampering in the controls area, though a good portion of the controls had been destroyed, we did find an unknown object attached to what is left of the data line. It is believe that it caused the generator to overload when it activated on its own.

"Do you have the device with you?"

"Yes, but it is partially destroyed."

The tech walks over to a desk set up for the investigation and grabs a small black object, then brings it back to Misato, "It was not part of the original plans for the generator."

She takes a long look at the object before she remembers where she has seen it before, "I want this thing rushed down to Doctor Akagi right away, she will know what to do with it!"

"Yes, Major."

Misato watches as the tech walks out the door in the direction of Ritsuko's office. She on the other hand takes a closer look at the damaged machinery and wonders why someone would tamper with a simple system, "What was the point to using a generator for a tap point?"

****************

Late into the night, Rei is awoken by the sound of crying coming from somewhere inside the apartment. She gets up and follows the sound down the hall to the balcony where she sees Asuka leaning against the railing with her hands brought up to her face. Rei starts to head back to bed when she hears Asuka call for her, "Rei..."

This in turn stops her in her tracks, "What is it?"

"I do not know..."

She walks out onto the balcony and stops behind Asuka, "Then how can I help?"

"I have your memories, and you have mine, right?"

"Yes."

"Then, you understand the pain I have been through in the past."

"Yes."

"Then, tell me how I can forget the pain?.."

"I do not know, I have never tried."

"Why, why does my mother's death haunt me now?!"

"It is because you wish to remember that which you lost long ago."

"But I don't wish to remember it!"

"Then, you must confront your memories."

Rei walks back into the apartment again as she hears Asuka say one last thing, "But...I can't..."

****************

Down in the office of Gendo Ikari, a private meeting is in progress between he and the Sub-Commander.

"Ikari, have you heard the latest news concerning the JSSDF?"

"Yes, I see they are preparing for an attack. But it is of no matter, they will not interfere with the plan."

"Speaking of which, I hear you had Doctor Akagi released."

"Yes, she still serves a purpose concerning the First Child."

"I see, and what will happen if your plan fails?"

"We still have more clones, they will be of use to us."

"Then, you will try again?"

"Yes."

To Be Continued…

Questions, questions, I only have one.

What happens now?

Well, everyone will find out in Rei's Child, Chapter VII

----

Well, you know what comes next, Omakes. (And bonus parts this time)

Omake 1

Misato's house of cooking. You order it, she cooks it, you regret it, she makes a profit, and you tell you enemies that it's the best place to eat. Remember, Misato's house of cooking, located on the southeast corner of block G-1. Health license pending approval.

Omake 2

"Yes, if it is going to happen then now is the right time. I am ready."

As soon as he answers, she begins to strip him of any clothing so that they are both equal. Rei jumps onto Shinji and begins to jab herself with his members many times. Rei lets out loud moans as she bounces up and down on Shinji, causing him to arch his back as she goes faster.

"Rei, how did you become so good so fast?"

She reaches over to the bag and pulls out a book that she hands to Shinji.

His eyes go wide as he sees the title, "The Joy of Sex 2, The best ways to get laid?"

"This is only the first way, we still have 499 more to go."

And so, we will leave the two bunkmates as they continue doing their stuff for the whole night.

The next morning, Rei wakes up and sees Shinji has a really big smile on his face, "I am glad you liked it."

*Writer sweatdrops.*

Omake 3

Note: "+" means director

*Writer faces camera*

"Hello all, to show that we here at RAS are constantly busy, I have decided to show you all the outtakes for one of the scenes in this chapter, the one that has Rei helping Shinji understand something.

(Bedroom scene, explanation)

-Take 1-

+ "Rei, this is not EoE, your hand should not go through his chest."

"Sorry"

-Take 2-

"Huh? When did you get breasts, Shinji?"

"Shinji had to run off for a moment."

+ "Asuka!!!"

"Hey, he said he would take me out for dinner if I did."

-Take 5-

*Thump*

"Ouch."

-Take 7-

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzz."

+ "Rei?"

"Zzzzzz."

-Take 13-

+ "Rei?"

Rei seems to be in pain as she sits there.

+ "Wait, I don't think I wanna hear."

-Take 18-

"Hey, that tickles."

+ *Puts hand on face* "How many more..."

-Take 20-

+ "Shinji, where did you go?"

"Sorry, I had to go bad."

"Take 26 was the best one as you saw in the story."

Rei enters the shot, "When do I get my pay for overtime?"

"Later."

Rei slaps the writer hard across the face, "I need food, damnit."

The writer digs out $40 and hands it to her, "You get the rest later."

Rei walks off.

"Geez, some actors need to loosen up.

++++

Special section

Bonus 1 (The plan is formed)

The next morning, Shinji and Rei have awoken and are eating breakfast at the kitchen table, as they sit there Shinji begins to think about the situation they have been put in by NERV. "Rei, have you ever visited the countryside?"

"No."

"A shame that we can't go there anymore, you may have liked it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since NERV is under alert and we have to be guarded all the time, we can't leave and enjoy the atmosphere of the country. A shame really, I remember when I spent the night with Kensuke outside of the city...the first time I ran away..."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes, I found it nice to be away from everything, if it hadn't been for Kensuke, I may have continued walking towards down the road."

"I wish to experience this someday..."

"Hey, I know, we can go today, I am sure we can evade Security like I did the first time. That way you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the country."

"I would like that."

"Then, it's decided. We can leave this evening after the testing is done."

They finish up eating and prepare for the test.

(End)

Bonus 2 (Watch)

Unaware to the two pilots sitting by the fire sits two people off in the distance. They hold in their hands binoculars as they watch the pair in the distance.

"Asuka, are you good at reading lips?"

"I can try."

"Asuka bring the item in her hand up to her eyes in watches the pair, "'Do you wish to become one with me?' asks Rei. 'What.' says Shinji. Rei asks again. 'But you are pregnant.' replies Shinji."

"I think I know what is going on, but if you read anything interesting be sure to tell me."

"Sure..."

They both sit there for a short while before they see Rei get up."

"Misato, Shinji has just said yes to uniting."

"So, this is why they came out here..."

"I am not sure about that, They both talked about it before deciding."

"There goes Shinji...I guess we should turn in then, I will set up the proxy detector for the night."

Asuka wait a bit longer before lowering the binoculars and moving to the tent close by.

"Misato, why are you not going to stop them?"

"Asuka, they came out here to get away from everyone, I guess I will grant them privacy for now. Besides, I don't think it would be right to interfere in this case."

"But isn't this what you didn't want to happen?"

"Yes, I had hoped that they would at least wait until the angels and the JSSDF were not a threat anymore."

"Well, if you won't stop them, I will!"

Misato reaches over and Grabs her before she can even sit up, "No, Asuka, let them be for tonight."

(End)