Rei's Child

Written By: Jon L

This Chapter follows the events of Chapter Four

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

It is common for people argue when they don't agree on stuff, whether it is over who did what in WW-II in Brazil or what a person thought about another. But when it comes to Tokyo-3, you can't be there long without hearing about the famous Red Haired Devil known as Asuka to her friends. It is five days after Shinji and Asuka talked about Rei, and indeed not much has changed in the apartment.

"Wondergirl, your time is up, let me in!!!"

As usual, Asuka waits outside of the bathroom for Rei to exit.

"Rei, I need to get in!"

Rei opens the door and steps out in a bath towel, unfortunately, it happens to be the towel Asuka wants. Without warning, she snatches the towel from Rei, leaving her naked as the door slams shut once Asuka is inside. Seeing that she has no choice, Rei walks to her room where Shinji is still sleeping. She quietly shuts the door and begins to get dressed as quietly as she can, so as not to wake up her fellow roommate.

"ACK!"

She turns around and sees her efforts have not worked out as she had hoped they would, Shinji now faces the unclothed girl as he tries to form his next words. After a few moments, he manages to ask the same question that he has for the past few days, "Rei, did Asuka take the towel again?"

"Yes..."

"Why can't she just get another one?.."

"I...do not know..."

"Well, at least she doesn't slap you anymore."

Rei continues to dress as Shinji rises from the futon, "I will go prepare breakfast for everyone."

"Hai."

He walks out of the room as she walks to the closet to find a clean school uniform to wear, but as luck would have it, she has none that are clean right now since Asuka has refused to do the laundry again. Rei settles for whatever she can find, namely a shirt, bra, and panties, and walks to the kitchen. As she enters, Pen-pen comes out of his fridge and rushes up to his food dish.

"QWAA! QWAA!"

"Yes, Pen-pen, I will feed you."

She walks to the fridge and pulls out a thawed fish for the bird and sets it in his dish. The penguin eagerly starts eating the fish as the toast pops up from the toaster.

"Misato, Asuka, Breakfast is ready!"

Both children hear replies from the other residents and dish up two plates of rice, toast, and eggs for themselves while they wait for the others. Asuka soon enters into the kitchen dressed in a loose fitting shirt and shorts.

"Morning, Asuka..."

"Guten Morgen, Shinji."

Asuka grabs a plate of her own and fills it with rice and eggs, then walks up to the table that her fellow housemates are seated at and sits down.

"Asuka, did you get the laundry done yet?"

"No, I have been busy doing other stuff."

"Like?"

"BAKA, I don't have to tell you what I am doing, if you want the clothes done, have Wondergirl do them."

"Asuka, you agreed that you would do the laundry for all of us!!"

"So? I am too busy to take care of everyone's stuff, and I don't need you to tell me what to do!!"

"Asuka, you are the one that sits around and watches those soaps all day while everyone else is working! Why can't you help us out?!"

"ANTA-BAKA, I don't need to listen to a _BOY_ like you!"

"ASUKA, you are..."

"ASUKA, SHINJI, THAT IS ENOUGH FROM BOTH OF YOU!!"

Both children turn to the doorway and see Misato standing there with a very annoyed expression on her face.

"Shinji, you worry about your chores and let me deal with Asuka's slacking off! Asuka, you are responsible for ALL of the laundry in this apartment, including Rei's, I expect you to get it all done TODAY!"

"NO! Why do I have to take care of _HER_ stuff as well?!"

"Because you said you were okay with doing the laundry for everyone!"

"But..."

"BUT NOTHING!"

Asuka has heard enough of the conversation and marches out of the kitchen to her room and slams the door.

"Shinji, Rei, I want you both to be at NERV by 9:00h today, understood?!"

"Yes, Misato..."

"Hai, Major."

"Good. In the meantime I want you both to go for a walk together..."

"Major, I have nothing to wear at this time."

"Then re-use one of your uniforms for now until Asuka decides to cooperate."

"Yes, Major."

"Good..." Misato walks over to the fridge and reaches for a beer, but since Asuka didn't do the shopping, there is none in the fridge anymore, "...What happened to all my beer?"

"Asuka didn't go shopping yet."

Misato turns to the breakfast presented to her and dishes up what is left over, "Shinji, Rei, it would be best for you both to go as quickly as you can, you won't want to be around after I finish eating." Both children can see Misato's neck bulging from the suppressed anger she feels at the moment. This in turn causes them to hurry up and finish eating before they hurry out of the kitchen to get dressed.

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

The time is now 9:00h, after a brisk walk for about an hour, Shinji and Rei find themselves at NERV getting ready for a synch test scheduled for that morning with Unit-01. Unlike the usual tests they have gone through, they will now be testing out a new Entry Plug designed for two pilots, but for this test, all they have to do is sit.

'I hope Asuka will be okay, I have never seen Misato in the morning without beer before...' Shinji visibly shudders at the thought of Asuka meeting a very sober but very angry Misato.

"AHHHH!!!"

Shinji quickly turns around and sees Rei pulling at her Plugsuit as if it were causing her pain, "Rei, what's wrong??"

"Shinji, unseal...the...suit!"

He reaches for her left wrist and presses the switch to unseal the suit, hearing a soft hiss as her suit becomes limp and he undoes the seals on the back as he lifts the neck piece over her head, "What happened?"

"The suit is too tight, I cannot use it again..."

Rei removes the rest of the suit just as Asuka walks in through the door.

"What are you two hentei's doing in here?!"

"Asuka, it's not what you think..."

"Like hell it isn't!"

Asuka runs back out the door, leaving the two pilots alone again.

"I...believe we will soon have separate rooms again..."

"Why, just because she doesn't like the arrangements?"

They both fall silent as Ritsuko walks in through the door with Asuka in tow, "What is going on in here, why don't you have your Plugsuit on Rei?"

"The suit is too tight now, I am unable to use it."

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you I had a new suit made for you in light of your condition."

Ritsuko walks up to Rei's locker and pulls out a new suit matching Shinji's suit, "The suit itself is basically the same configuration as the old one, only it is made to reshape itself to the current outline of your body during each use."

Rei opens the package and draws out the new suit to examine it.

"I had the colors changed as well since you have been paired with Shinji."

She slips on the suit as Shinji turns around out of respect.

"Hey, why is Shinji in the ladies locker room?!"

"This room is now the primary locker room for Pilots due to the security issues at present, Asuka."

"I refuse to share a dressing room with him!!"

"Well, I guess we can find a screen for you, but the current layout stays the same, we can't have two locker rooms anymore."

Rei has finished putting on the Plugsuit and prepares to seal it, when she stops, "Shinji, I will need you to activate the seal just in case this fails to works properly."

"I understand, Rei."

Shinji takes her wrist in his hand and gives the sealing switch a press. The suit shrinks to Rei's frame, until no wrinkles are present.

"How does the suit feel Rei?"

"It will be adequate, Doctor Akagi."

"Good, then I will lead you both to your new Entry Plug. Asuka, please be quick so we can start the testing very soon."

"Hai, Doctor."

Ritsuko, Rei, and Shinji make their way out of the locker room and proceed to the testing chamber, leaving Asuka alone in silence.

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

Asuka remains standing a few moments longer as she thinks about what had transpired between her and Misato this morning.

="Asuka, did you forget to do something by any chance?"=

="Not that I can think of."=

="What about the shopping?!"=

="I did the shopping!"=

=(Misato tosses an empty beer can over to where Asuka sits on the bed, "Do you want to try again?!"=

="Who cares about your beer, I went and picked up the stuff I wanted!"=

="Asuka, you seem to be forgetting that you live with OTHER PEOPLE as well!"=

="Misato, why do I have to do the hard work!"=

="Who said you had the hard work. I get to take care of all three of you pilots all the time, if you think that is easy, then by all means lets trade jobs for ONE DAY!"=

="If you did the shopping, all we would have is beer to eat and drink."=

="Why you lit..."=

="And if it wasn't for Shinji, we would have all died from food poisoning!"=

="Okay Asuka, if you think I am that bad of a person, then you may move to another place on your own. That way you won't have to put up with me anymore!=

="FINE, and I will be better off!!"=

=(Asuka storms out of the apartment a few moments later.)=

'Maybe I would be better off on my own...'

She finishes up putting on her Plugsuit and heads to the test cage that contains her Eva Unit-02.

About ten minutes later, Asuka's plug has screwed into the back of the Eva and she waits in the interior for the test to begin. As the Plug begins the synch cycle, Asuka starts to pick up a foreign smell inside the plug, "Hey, this smells familiar, as if I know who..." Suddenly, it dawns on Asuka that Rei has been using her Unit-02. As the Plug finishes synchronization Asuka sees a communications window pop up, "Misato, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!!"

<Eh?>

"You put that bitch in MY Unit-02, didn't you?"

<Well, we didn't know where you went to!>

"SO YOU JUST WENT AND REPLACED ME?!"

<Asuka...>

"Shut up Shinji, I don't need you interfering with my problems!"

<Asuka!>

"Shinji, Misato asked me if I wanted to move out on my own today, I almost said yes!.."

Without warning, the plug goes dead, leaving Asuka to sit in the dark with her thoughts.

After a few minutes time, Asuka feels the plug move upward, then sees the hatch open up and in steps Shinji.

"Shinji, what do you want!"

"Asuka, please calm down for one moment..."

"Fine...Your moment is up, now get out!"

"NO!"

Asuka is surprised to hear him shout at her, "What?"

"Asuka, ever since you came back, you have been nothing but a selfish person, one that I am starting to dislike. You don't give the mother of my child any respect. You don't do your chores..." Shinji stops talking and thinks about what to say next, "Why did you come back to us Asuka?"

"I came back because you called for me, I thought you cared about me, but I..."

"STOP! I do care about you just as much as I do Rei, but I care for her in a different way as I do you. She is a good friend that I can rely on when needed, and you are like a sister...a sister I never had..."

"Shi..."

"Asuka, you and Rei are the most important people in my life, and I want you both to be happy."

"Shinji, stop this!"

Shinji lowers his head as Asuka tells him to stop.

"Shinji, why is it you care so much about me?"

"I am not really sure...I guess I see something in you that I don't see in Rei."

"And why is it you care about her?"

"For the same reason...I know it doesn't make sense, but you both have one thing in common...you both are forced to do something..."

He turns around and proceeds to exit the plug, when Asuka pulls him back in, "Shinji, wait." She closes the hatch and lowers her voice to a loud whisper "Do you love her?"

Shinji, having not expected to hear this come from the girl in front of him, moves away from her as he finds the words, "Wh-wh-what do you mean?"

"Baka, do you love Rei?

He lowers his voice to the same level as hers as he replies "Yes, I do...as a close friend..."

"What about me?"

"I love you as a sister..."

"Do you expect me to feel the same way as you?"

"No, but..."

"But nothing, you care for both of us, but you choose to love us. I don't feel the same way as you. YOU were the primary reason I came back Third Child."

"Oh..."

"I can't respect a person I despise, and I despise the First Child for what she makes herself out to be. Do you see what I am saying?"

"I...I believe so..."

"Then please respect my wishes and stay out of this!"

Shinji nods as he opens the hatch and crawls out, then ends up closing it again. About a minute later he comes back and reaches for Asuka's hand, "We have to go and change out of our plugsuits, the test has been canceled for the rest of the day."

She slaps his hand away and crawls out of the plug on her own.

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

"Ritsuko, what have you found?"

About an hour later, deep in the bowels of NERV, Misato has been called down to corridor 39-T-3 for a security breach.

"I believe I have found the problem with the power systems..." She pulls out a mass of wires from the J-box in front of her, "It looks like someone has tapped the MAGI systems via a remote link. I found this attached to one of the data lines..." Ritsuko holds out a small black device for her to see. "It looks like whoever put this here had high level access to the computer systems, they knew exactly what line to tap."

"Ritsuko, exactly how much damage did this gadget do?"

"None really, it was built for the sole purpose of disrupting data systems, not information retrieval or programming."

"So what did this thing do to us?"

"Well, the line it was attached to was the power and security controls line, so that is why we had power problems, and I am willing to bet that there have been a few unauthorized entries into NERV."

"Have the visual systems been affected?"

"No, It looks like all files and systems are still intact."

"Understood. I want you to start retrieving all records for entries logged by the MAGI, and compare them to the visual records, anything you find out of place let me know about."

"Understood, Major."

"I will be going through all records of anyone who has access to this area and has signed on over the last four weeks."

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

Asuka has come back to the apartment to watch some TV.

"Why is it all the shows are so boring?.."

She clicks off the TV and walks to her room, when see arrives, she is greeted by the site of Shinji sitting on the bed.

"What are you doing in here?!"

"I wanted to talk with you...about Rei."

"I don't care about her..."

"Then, I guess you don't really care about me as much as you try to..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if you can't be nice to her, the I don't see how you can possibly understand me?"

"I don't understand you, I don't WANT to understand you, you are a boy, and the reason I still really talk to you is because you are a pilot!"

"How...how can you be so cruel?.."

Shinji gets up and slowly walks out of the room.

'I can't stand this anymore, I need to get out of here!!'

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

Now six days later, Misato finds herself sitting in her NERV office going over the final paperwork required to move Asuka into a place of her own.

"I tell you Ritsuko, it's hell there, I find myself actually glad to be away at times, I hope moving Asuka next door will help..."

<Misato, are you sure about this, I mean, wouldn't it be better to move Shinji out instead?>

"Not really. Asuka dislikes Rei even more, but I don't want to move Rei out yet."

<Well, before you submit the forms, you will need to submit an independence form with me. I need to be sure Asuka has all her paperwork up-to-date...>

"I have already sent one to your box, I will talk to you later."

<-CLICK->

'I hope this works out...'

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

Back at the apartment, Asuka is just finishing up the packing as Shinji walks in.

"Asuka, do you really want to do this?"

"Yes Shinji, I don't want to be in the same place as Wondergirl, She annoys the heck out of me!"

"Well, please remember if you ever get lonely that you can always call and I will come over..."

"That's sweet of you, but I think I will be fine."

"You will be eating dinner here tonight, right?"

"As long as Misato doesn't cook, sure."

"Then, I will make something special for both you."

Rei walks in behind Shinji, signaling that they both have to go, "Shinji, it is time..."

"Hai, Rei."

He steps out of the room, leaving Rei and Asuka alone.

"Pilot Soryu, I wish you luck..."

She turns and follows Shinji out the front door, on their way to NERV for another synch test. While back in the room, Asuka is dumbfounded as to why Rei would wish her luck.

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

That evening, Misato has been called to NERV for a quick briefing on the current situation involving the little device found attached to one of the MAGI data lines. Asuka has arrived from next door since she had to remain on the same floor as Misato, Shinji is in the kitchen finishing up on dinner, and Rei has found a book to read.

"Wondergirl, what are you reading?"

"A book from before Second Impact."

"What's it called?"

"The Case Book Of Sherlock Holmes."

"Never heard of it."

"I found a copy in the NERV Library."

"Well, I guess it isn't that good then, all the books there are boring..."

Shinji walks into the room at this point, disrupting the conversation about to possibly turn sour.

"Dinner...is served."

Shinji walks up to Asuka and takes her hand in his, "May I lead you to the kitchen?"

"Shinji, what has gotten into you?"

"I just want to make up for your welcome home party Misato planned."

"So SHE did that to me!"

"Well, at least this time you can enter the kitchen in peace..."

"I guess, then lead the way Baka Shinji."

Shinji walks up to Rei and takes her hand as well, only in Rei's case, it's to help her up. When they arrive at the doorway, he lets go of Rei's hand and leads Asuka to her spot first, then goes back for her. After both girls are seated, Shinji brings over the special dinners he prepared for everyone.

"Bratwursts for Asuka and I, Tofu Bratwurst for Rei."

"Bratwurst?"

"Well, I didn't know how to make anything else really, and I didn't want to buy instant German dishes, so I made what I could...I hope that's alright..."

"It'll do, at least I don't have to eat Misato's stuff anymore. I pity Wondergirl's kid, it has to suffer with the mother."

"Hey, Misato isn't THAT bad, she just like curry powder too much..."

Shinji gets a couple of cold glares from his fellow pilots, indicating that he is treading on territory that none should dare walk on. "Eep."

"Anyway, if you ever need to get away, I may be happy to help you out. Just call before you come over..."

"Ahh, Hai."

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

The next day, Ritsuko has just arrived back in her office after undoing whatever the device did to the MAGI systems. Having stared at a screen all day, she decides the next thing she is going to do is head home for some sleep, but before she does, she runs a quick check on her program that is still running in the MAGI.

[CURRENT PROGRAM - NAOKO45]

[SPECIAL SESSION ACTIVE]

[ENTER COMMANDS WHEN READY]

She suddenly has a feeling she has forgotten about something as she looks at the screen. So she enters in a list command into the terminal.

[-LSTJBS_L5-]

[LAST FIVE JOBS DONE]

[5 - CHANGES MADE TO NAOKO45 DIRECTORY]

[4 - STATUS CHECK]

[3 - SESSION DELETED]

[2 - MOVED FILE]

[1 - STATUS CHECK]

[END LIST]

Item 2 seems to grab the doctor's attention as she reads the list, "What did I move?"

[-LSTFLS_MOVED-]

[TEST C-18 REPORT]

[DO YOU WISH TO VIEW FILE Y/N]

Seeing that no one else is nearby, Ritsuko enters Y.

[TEST C-18 REPORT]

[RESULTS OF TEST HAVE GIVEN A CLEAR IMAGE OF GENDER FOR CHILD REI-T02. THE CHILD IS OF GENDER - FEMALE]

Having forgotten all about the test, she gasps as she reads the news she was waiting for this whole time, "Oh my...I have to let Misato know about this." She shuts off the terminal and makes a call to Misato's mobile phone.

'Damn her. I guess the news can wait till later.' "Misato, it's Ritsuko, I need to speak to you as soon as you are free, it's about Rei."

<-CLICK->

"Well, I hope she gets that..."

Seeing she does not have anything else she needs to do, the doctor heads for home to get some rest.

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

At the other end of the line, Misato has driven to a remote area near the outskirts of the city, it appears she is doing some research involving her mobile phone and computer there.

"Okay Ritsu...I need to know why you are so concerned about this child, I hope you don't mind me taking a peak at one of your logs."

Inside the computer, a special chip resides, one given to her by a close friend.

"Let's see what I can find..."

As luck would have it, she has picked a bad time to hack into the MAGI, for, displayed on the screen is a series of ones and zeros reflected by the diagnostic mode the NERV computer is in. Since most of the files are out of her reach at the moment, Misato goes for the only one that appears to be isolated from the rest and opens it.

[Summary For Subject - Ayanami, Rei]

[Personal Notes]

[]

[ERROR, LOGIN SESSION HAS BEEN TERMINATED BY CASPER-3]

'Crap. I guess this info with have to do...'

She takes the time to read the file before hitting CLR on the keypad. Once the file has been dumped, she heads back to her car with a few questions on her mind.

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

Hours later, after a good nap, Ritsuko wakes up in her apartment.

"Well, time to head back..."

As she nears the door, she hears the sound of footsteps coming from the other side, then a knocking sound. She opens the door and is greeted by Misato's friendly voice.

"Hello Ritsu. Can we talk for a moment?!" She doesn't wait for an answer as she pushes her way in to the apartment.

"Misato, what are you doing!?"

Misato shuts the door and pulls the doctor to the couch, "I found out that you lied to me about not knowing what the last chemical was in Rei's stomach!"

"How did you find out?"

"I have my ways, and until you start telling me stuff that is important, I will keep you in the dark about how I find stuff out!"

"Misato, this isn't funny, you could be exposed if you don't stop hacking the MAGI!"

"Well, what choice do I have when you don't tell me anything!"

"Misato, I can't tell you yet because I am unsure about some stuff myself."

"Well, I know you have identified the chemical."

"Yes, I have done that..."

"Then what is it?"

"I can't tell you yet because I don't know for sure how it is working, all I know is the ID given to it and it's primary use."

"It will have to do for now!"

"Hydro 157, we use it for tissue growth modifications during the early stages of Eva growth."

"Ritsu, I read the notes, I know you said something about killing Rei, I thought Rei was a clone?"

"She is, but Ikari wants to replace her..."

"Why?"

"I don't know yet really, you read the notes, so you know what I do about it, I will tell you the rest later on after I have had time to find the right answer."

"Fine, but don't give me a reason to go searching the MAGI again!"

"Fine, you have my word, I will tell you everything once I have the answer."

Misato turns and exits the apartment.

'Why does she risk her life like this?'

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

In the Second Child's new apartment, Asuka is unpacking her stuff. It is the next day now and since she has not had a chance to eat anything all day, she decides to see what is in the fridge. Unfortunately, She finds it is devoid of any food.

"What, no food?"

Then it occurs to her that she is living on her own now and will have to start buying her own stuff.

"Hmm, maybe I can sneak over to Misato's and grab a few things..."

She closes the fridge and walks out the door to her place and inserts her ID card into the lock for the other apartment. What she finds is the card will not work anymore.

'I guess I don't have access anymore now that I live on my own.'

She knocks on the door and waits for an answer, after about a minute has passed, she gets a response as the door opens.

"Wondergirl!.."

"Yes?"

"I need some food for my place."

"We are out of food right now, I am to go shopping for more."

"Really, well, I think I will just swipe something editable from here, then head to the store."

"You will not find any here."

"You mean you are even out of the basics?"

"Yes."

"Wow."

"Pilot Soryu, will you assist me please?.."

"Why should I?"

"I do not know what I should get for the others..."

"Oh, well, as long as you stay out of my way then."

"Understood."

The two children make there way down the hall to the elevators that have finally been repaired, and proceed down. Once they reach the lobby, they see a van outside the building with military markings on it, but they think nothing of it as they continue on their way to the store.

About 30 minutes later, after she has assisted Rei with the shopping for Misato and Shinji, Asuka rounds the corner of the apartment building and sees many more vans, ones with NERV markings on them, parked outside the front doors.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Misato, having just exited the building, sees Asuka at the corner and runs up to her, "Asuka, where is Rei?"

"She is at the store still ordering your beer."

"Why did you leave her?!"

"Because I have food here that I want to put away, I don't have time to wait for Wondergirl!"

Misato grabs Asuka's arm to keep her from walking away, then calls for the NERV security person standing outside the door. "Sir, I need you to bring these bags up to the Second Child's apartment, and put whatever needs to be refrigerated in the fridge for her, she and I have to take care of something."

"Yes, Major." The agent signals for another to join him as they take the bags from Asuka's arms then enter the building.

"Asuka, you know that you can't be outside the building on your own!"

"Misato, I don't need a guardian!"

"It's for your own safety, do you know why security is here?!"

"No, and I don't care."

"The JSSDF came looking for you and Rei today. We are lucky you were both gone when they arrived!"

"Misato, you can let go of me now!"

Misato releases her grip on Asuka, "You can't go back into the building yet, so you are going to go help Rei with the groceries, UNDERSTOOD!"

"Why can't I go in?"

"We have to clear the lobby first, besides, you were with Rei when she walked to the store, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then you walk back WITH her. Besides, I am not sure Rei's card will allow her beer purchasing privileges yet, yours will."

"Are you sure, cause it didn't work for the door!"

"I am the one that has to remove that access from your card."

"Fine, I will go get her!"

"Good, and be nice!"

She walks back to the store just in time to see Rei walk out with bags in her hands, "Rei, did you get the beer?"

"Yes, it will be delivered later."

"But Misato said you were not able to get beer yet, that you didn't have the access."

"I had no problems."

'Damn you Misato!'

They both start walking back in the direction of the apartment when Asuka sees Rei having trouble carrying the bags. Since there were still a few items of hers in one of the three bags, Asuka carries that one for Rei, "Don't think I am doing this for you, Wondergirl, I just want my food is all!"

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

Days later, once everything concerning block B-6 had been taken care of, Asuka, Rei, and Shinji have just sat down to dinner at Asuka's place. Though Asuka and Rei appear to be getting along, Shinji can tell that Asuka is not happy to have Rei over.

"Well, since both you and Wondergirl are my guests for the night, I have cooked up a little bit of something special for you both."

Asuka brings over a steaming bowl of chili and places it on the table, then some smaller bowls and spoons. "I hope you are up for something new."

"What is it?"

"Its called Chili. It's something you have to eat with a spoon really."

"Does it contain meat?"

"No Wondergirl, usually it does, but I didn't have any this time so you should enjoy it as well."

Rei reaches for the larger bowl and puts some of the contents into the bowl in front of her, once the bowl contains a fair amount of Chili, she takes her spoon and dips it in, and finally tasting the dinner Asuka had spent a while preparing. As soon as she swallows, she decides to make a comment, "It is...different..."

"What do you mean different?!"

"I have never tried Chili before, so I do not know what to say."

"Did you like it or not?"

"Yes."

"Well, I guess I must have done something right then."

"Asuka..."

"What? If she likes it then I guess I have done something right."

"But she didn't mean it like that."

"What about you Shinji, do you like it?"

Shinji dishes up a helping of dinner for himself, tries it, then comments, "It's good, really."

"Is that it? Just good?"

"Well, what else do you want me to say?"

"You could have said it tastes great."

"But I have never had one of your meals before, so I can't really give you a good answer."

"Fine, I guess if you need to try more first, I won't be annoyed..."

Asuka is the last one to dish up some of her dinner as the other two continue to eat. As dinner comes to an end, Rei busses her dishes over to the sink.

"Thank you for dinner, Soryu."

Asuka was not expecting this from Rei, "Yo-you're welcome, Wondergirl."

The Children hear a knocking on the front door, "What the..."

Asuka walks to the door and uses the intercom system to see who it is, "Hello?"

<Asuka, it's Misato, I have come to pick up Rei.>

She opens the door and allows Misato to enter.

"Am I too late for dinner?"

"Afraid so, we just finished."

" I guess I can pick up something from my place then." She walks into the kitchen where Rei is located, "Rei, are you ready to go?"

"Yes."

"Where are you to going?"

Misato turns to face Shinji, "I decided that since you will be staying here with Asuka tonight, that I should bring Rei to NERV as a security precaution."

"I see...but..."

"Baka Shinji, you don't need to worry about Wondergirl all the time, she can take care of herself as well!"

"Hai..."

"Good. Then I think Rei and I will head out then, you two have I nice night together, and remember, if you need anything to just call."

"Got it, Misato."

Misato and Rei make their way to the door, and on their way to NERV for the night, while the remaining children prepare for the night ahead.

"Shinji, why is it you wanted to spend some time with me?"

"Because I thought you might be happy with a little company for a change, and because I wanted to spend some time with you as well."

"Hmm...what about Wondergirl?"

"I still care about her, but you are like a sister, and I want you to be happy. Besides, you have changed a little since you woke up from the coma..."

"What do you mean?"

"You have become...a little bit...less tolerant of Misato and Rei..."

"So what, my problems are my own."

Shinji walks over to the table and sits down in one of the chairs.

"Why are you so worried about how I treat Wondergirl and Misato?"

"I guess you just seem different is all, like you have something against them..."

"And what if I do, is that a bad thing?"

"Asuka, why is it you came back?"

"I heard what you said to me, how you cared for me, but it seems you care for Wondergirl more."

"If I cared for her more, would I be here now?"

Asuka stays quiet as she thinks about an answer, "Well, yes, you would."

"Why?"

"Because you want me to change how I feel about Won..."

"NO! That is not why I am here, I am here for you, to show that I am here for you, that you are just as important as Rei is to me!"

"Prove it!"

"I could have just left you alone in the hospital, never come to visit. But I did come, a lot, just to be sure you were still here..."

"Baka, that is just an excuse to get away from others."

"I could have gone somewhere else to do that, but I didn't, instead I came and visited you." He pauses to choose his next words, "I never lied when I said I care about you just as much as Rei, you both are family to me. I may not show it that much, but I do love you, and will be there anytime you need me, whether it's just to insult me, or lean on me. I don't want you to hate Rei, but if you feel that strongly about her, then I will accept that."

"Shinji, I don’t need you to help me at all, I am able to take care of myself just fine."

"I know...I just want you to be happy is all."

"Then accept me as who I am."

"Fine, I guess I have said enough to you, just remember what I have said..."

"Then, I guess we should finish cleaning up and head off to bed."

"I guess so..."

A few hours later after both have said goodnight, Asuka is dreaming about a past thought to be long forgotten.

=<Doctor Soryu, we are ready to begin the testing.>=

="I will head to the unit in a moment."=

=<Understood.>=

=(The child standing in front of some large windows looks up and sees the reflection of someone approaching behind her.)=

="Asuka dear, momma has to go now. Please be a good girl."=

="Yes momma, I will stay right here and watch you."=

="Good, I will be back soon, your father will be here shortly."=

="Pappa is coming to watch too?"=

="He wanted to see momma do good today."=

=<Doctor Soryu, we are waiting.>=

="Momma has to go now, be good."=

="I will."=

=(The doctor stands up again and walks out the door leading to the big room with the giant red thing in it.)=

="I will be a good girl."=

=(The young Asuka sees her mother walk up to the round shiny thing and climb in, then sees it close up and fall in to the giant. She can hear stuff being said over the loudspeaker in the room but is unable to understand it. After a few minutes have passed she feels the room vibrate as the test starts up. When the test is about proceed to the next phase, Asuka hears the door open behind her and turns to see her father enter.)=

="Pappa."=

="Hello, Asuka dear."=

=(The girl runs up to hug her father just as the test enters the next phase. Suddenly the girl hears a lot of loud noises coming from the loudspeaker as she is picked up and rushed out of the room by her father.)=

="Pappa, what's wrong?"=

="Everything is fine dear, lets go get something to eat from the cafeteria, okay?"=

="Okay."=

=(The scene changes to hours later. Asuka and her father have come back to the room with the view of the giant to meet her mother.)=

="Momma."=

="Asuka..."=

="Momma, what's wrong?"=

="I am fine, Asuka..."=

=(The young girl feels something is different about her mother now, but doesn't ask anything else as they all head out of the room and go home. As they walk down the corridor, Asuka's mother begins to drift further and further away from them as they all continue walking, soon her father starts to drift away in the other direction, until only Asuka remains in the hallway.)=

="Momma? Pappa? Where did you go?"=

=(Instantly, Asuka finds herself in front of the glass in the observation room. She sees a big red hand moving towards her as she backs away. Once the little girl reaches the wall, she sees the hand come through the glass portal, reaching for her.)=

="MOMMA, HELP ME!!"=

"MOMMA..."

Asuka has awoken from her dream, sitting upright in her bed as Shinji rushes in to see what's going on, "Asuka, what is it?"

"Shinji..."

"What's wrong, Asuka?"

"I just had a nightmare, my mother went in...wait, why am I telling you this?!"

"Asuka, what is your problem?! I just came in to see what was wrong and you just shut me out!"

"Who said you had to come in here in the first place!"

"Fine, I will go then."

He turns and walks back to the door, when he hears Asuka call for him, "Baka, I thought you cared about me."

"I do, but if you don't really want my help, then I can't really do anything."

"Shinji, get back here!"

"Why, just so you can yell at me again?"

"No, because...because I didn't mean to shut you out."

"Well, if I come over there, then promise you won't yell at me for caring about you."

"Fine, I won't yell at you, baka."

"Well, it's a start..."

He walks back to the bed and sits down on the end, "So what happened in your dream?"

"I...I..." Asuka hesitates a little as she thinks about what she is doing, then proceeds, "I saw my mother back in Germany, from when the testing for my Eva was being done...then something happened, but I don't know what...when I saw her again, she was different...and she...she drifted away from me..."

"Asuka, if you really don't want to, you don't have to tell me the rest..."

"Shinji, do you really care that much?"

Quietly, Shinji moves closer to her and reaches for her hand, "I do. If remembering your mother is painful, then I won't force you to remember it."

"Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me, I am here for you..."

"Baka, can't you ever take a complement?!"

"Well, it depends on who it's from." Shinji lets out a slight laugh as he finishes.

Asuka, on the other hand, thought he needed a swift kick off the bed. "Baka!"

He gets up off the floor and sits on the bed again, "Asuka, I was kidding."

"I knew that, but you still needed a good kick." It is now her turn to laugh.

"Well, I did say I was here for you..."

"Well, since you are here, I guess you might as well sleep in here, in case I have another nightmare."

"I guess it would be nicer to sleep in the same room again with someone, I kind of do miss the company..."

"Hey, I said you could sleep in the room, not in the bed."

"Aww, and I was looking forward to hugging you while you are asleep." Shinji begins to laugh again.

"Hentai." Asuka doesn't let him off that easily though as she tosses her pillow at his head.

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

The next morning, Shinji has woken early to prepare some breakfast for his fellow pilot in the other room, just as he is about finished with the special meal consisting of pancakes, he hears the sound of a door opening and the soft sound of bare-feet hitting the wooden floor.

"Morning, baka..."

"Morning, sister..."

"Sister? Since when am I your sister?"

"Well, you kept saying brother in your sleep last night for some reason, so I thought sister would fit nicely."

"I guess..."

"By the way, how did you sleep last night after the bad dream?"

"Well, I slept better, but I would have been just fine without you."

"Well, at least you slept well..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I still worry about Rei some...but..."

"Shinji, you don't need to worry!"

"I guess..."

He removes the last few pancakes from the pan and brings over a small plate full of them, "I didn't see any rice in the fridge, so I just picked something at random."

"They look good, but I don't have any butter for them..."

"Well, I guess we can try them plain, just this once."

They both dig in and eat in silence. After all the pancakes are gone, Asuka clears the table and does the dishes while Shinji changes into his clothes for the ride to NERV.

"Asuka...if I may ask...why did your mother kill herself?.."

"I don't really know..."

"I guess it's not really important."

After she has put all the dishes away, Asuka moves to her room and gets dressed as well.

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

Down in the NERV complex, Rei is just waking up this morning. Since Shinji had stayed at Asuka's place that night, she had been brought to NERV just in case something went wrong. As she gets ready to stand, she feels her stomach has grown some since the previous night, the child is for sure growing quicker then normal, but she does not think much of it as she dresses and heads to the Medical Ward for the next rounds of tests.

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

Misato and Ritsuko are getting ready for Rei's arrival as well, but before she does arrive, Ritsuko takes this opportunity to fill Misato in on what she has discovered.

"Misato, it appears that the child may be here very soon, by the looks of the last ultrasound. I think the birth will kill Rei in the end if the growth doesn't slow down some."

"Why is the child growing so fast in the first place?"

"You read my reports, right?"

"I was only able to get into one of your files."

"Well, if you read my notes, then you understand what the Commander has planned for this unborn baby..."

They stop their conversation there as Rei enters the room.

"Rei, I..." The doctor stops as she sees that Rei's stomach has grown some since the last test, "Rei, when did you get larger?"

"Overnight."

"Well, I should start the test then, I will talk to you later, Misato."

"Understood."

Misato walks out of the room and heads in the direction of Command Control where the first shift of the day is starting.

About an hour later, Doctor Akagi has been called to Commander Ikari's office for a meeting, although she already knows what will be discussed there. Before she steps into the elevator, she digs out her remote controller and double checks on a certain program she has been running over the past couple of weeks.

'Misato, I hope you find all of this useful...'

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

After she was cleared for synch testing, Rei finds herself walking to the locker room where her new Plugsuit awaits her, In her hand she holds a folded sheet of paper given to her by the doctor, she was told not to give it to anyone but Misato. As Rei enters the locker room, she finds her fellow pilots have already changed and are now awaiting their orders.

"Morning, Rei."

"Good morning, Shinji, Soryu."

"Ah, Wondergirl has arrived finally." Asuka takes a closer look at her fellow pilot, "You look bigger then last night..."

"The child has grown some."

"Well, I would say a lot."

Rei stops in front her locker and pulls out her suit. As she undresses, she sets the note down on the bench. When Asuka sees it, she reaches out for it, but winces in pain as Rei tightly grabs her wrist, "The note is not meant for you, it is meant for the Major."

"Wow, I didn't know anyone could move that fast..."

Rei releases Asuka and goes back to the Plugsuit. The moment she seals it, the intercom comes to life in the room.

"Well, here we go again, I hope this time I don't just sit and do nothing."

Minutes later, the pilots are greeted by Misato on the catwalk, "You know the drill by now. Head to your Entry plugs.

"Major Katsuragi, I was asked to deliver this to you directly."

"Thank you, Rei."

"Hai."

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

Misato watches as the pilots head to their assigned Plugs, then heads in the direction of the control room. On the way, she takes a quick look at the note.

-Misato, please inform Maya that I will not be present for today's tests due to something that has come up, and tell her to follow the schedule. After the tests are finished read the rest of this note away from prying eyes.-

'Well, might as well get this over with...'

After the four-hour test time has been completed and the pilots sent home, Misato walks to her office, still holding the note in her hand.

'So, Ritsuko. What is so important that you couldn't make it to a synch test?'

As soon as the door closes, she opens the note up the rest of the way.

-Misato, listed below is the access required to learn the answers you are seeking, I am unable to tell you any of this directly because I have been either arrested or killed by now. If you have read this within 24 hours of me sending it, then you will have the proper access.-

-P.S. Don't use any NERV ports to access the info, you will be discovered if you do.-

"Hmm, so I have been given the answers I seek..."

She folds the note again and grabs her computer, then heads down to the MAGI's computer core where she will be able to gain the needed access required without being discovered and arrested. Once she has arrived, she patches her computer into one of Melchior's direct ports.

'I hope this works right...'

She opens the note once more as the computer warms up.

-Once you have connected to the right port, go into the inner directory and look up NAOKO.-

-When you have the correct prompt, enter 2010 as a password.-

Misato does as instructed and waits for the next step.

[Command Error 801X]

[Please Retry]

Misato goes back to the note and reviews the instructions letter by letter, 'What did I do wrong?'

After a period of two minutes has passed, she hears a beep come from the computer.

[ACCESS GRANTED TO NAOKO45]

"What?"

[Please Re-enter Password]

She hesitates before proceeding, just in case the MAGI are doing a trace. When about a minute has passed, she decides to risk it.

[PSWD: 2010]

She is rewarded by a quick beep.

[NAOKO-45 AUTORUN]

[ACCESS GRANTED FOR INFO RETRIEVAL]

[]

[Hello Misato]

'Huh, how did it know?'

[Listed below are my notes, both private and public, concerning Rei and her child...]

'Ritsuko had this all planned out from the start...'

[NOTES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS]

[Chemical Findings Point To A Positive Match To Chemicals On File]

[Chem Ident Is - Hydro 157]

[Purpose Of Chem - Modification Of Eva Tissue During Early Stages Of Growth]

[Reason For Use In Presented Case - To Modify The Structure Of Living Tissue]

[Usage - Recommended For Eva Growth Only]

[Case Used For - Modified Growth Of Human Fetus]

[Side Effects - Accelerated Growth]

[Danger Level - May Cause Death Of Host At End Of The Cycle]

[Summary For Subject - Ayanami, Rei]

[Personal Notes]

[]

[After discovering the identity of the fourth chemical, I have come to the conclusion that Commander Ikari plans on possibly making a more useful version of Rei, while killing her at the same time. My assumption is he sees no more use for Rei and is using her to create a more suitable Eva Pilot. If this is indeed the Commanders plan, then I must find out how to undo what has been done without killing the host or the fetus. I will be making more notes on this matter as I see needed. Misato, if you are reading this, then you have either hacked into this file or I am dead, either way, you must not let the Commander succeed with his plan.]

[]

[End Notes]

[NOTES FOR ULTRASOUNDS]

[No Public Notes]

[Personal Notes]

[After the last test, I have found that the fetus is developing abnormally. Reason for this may be linked to chemical Hydro 157, if the Commander plans on using this child for his own bidding, he plans on having it come sooner then a normal child would, thus causing possible problems in the mother serving as the host. I am not sure what the gender is as of yet, but I am sure it will be human.]

[NOTES FOR GENDER]

[TEST C-18 REPORT]

[RESULTS OF TEST HAVE GIVEN A CLEAR IMAGE OF GENDER FOR CHILD REI-T02. THE CHILD IS OF GENDER - FEMALE]

[Misato, I have discovered that a female child will increase the chances of Rei dying shortly after giving birth. I believe the child will be more useful to Ikari if it is female. Also, I have found out that Shinji is the true father of the child, how Rei was impregnated was during a test in the same tube you saw during our late night tour. At this time I am unsure of how to undo what has been done.]

[END SUMMARY]

"So, Ritsuko knew about everything and didn't tell me..."

[Misato, you may still wonder why I kept all this from you. My reason is I wanted to find an answer first on how to undo the damage, but since I have been put out of the way for now, I have given you everything I have.]

[ERROR, END OF FILE]

"Then, it's up to me now..."

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

Evening has come now, and for the three Eva pilots, it has started off quietly. As luck would have it Shinji has brought Rei over to Asuka's place for a short while so he can have some time alone on the roof of the building. Of course, that luck isn't with Asuka currently.

"Wondergirl, why do I have to baby-sit you?!"

"You do not."

"Then why are you here?"

"Shinji needed some time alone..."

"I don't want you to bother me then!"

"Understood."

"Why are you so obedient all the time?!"

"I only do what is required."

"As a matter of fact, all I ever see you wear is that uniform, every day."

"It is all I need..."

"Well, if you are going to be a mother, then you have to start doing what isn't required or needed. Do you ever do anything for yourself?!"

Rei doesn't give a response right away.

"I didn't think so. Hmm...I don't think you deserve a child at all really, you don't have the needed skills..."

Instantly, she sees Rei turn her head so she is facing her, "What do you know about being a mother?.."

"Well, you have a bit of backbone after all in you, but it isn't enough!" She slaps Rei on the cheek, "See, you don't defend yourself, how can you defend a child if you can't even defend yourself!"

Rei, feels her burning cheek as she glares at Asuka, "You should not hurt others..."

"And why not? If they refuse to defend themselves, then they deserve it!" To prove her point, she slaps Rei again on the same cheek.

Rei is now starting to become annoyed as she replies to Asuka's abuse, "You..."

"I what?.."

Asuka looks at Rei's eyes and sees them suddenly become scary looking as they show a burning hate in them. What happens next totally catches Asuka by surprise, Rei slaps her back at full force, sending Asuka flying to the floor about two meters away. The slap was so hard that it sounded like a gun going off in the apartment.

Asuka gets up off the floor and feels her searing cheek, "Wow, I was wrong about one thing, you do know how to fight back..." Of course, Asuka isn't willing to be beaten without a fight first, "Of course, this means I will have to fight back as well."

"I am ready."

"Then let the battle begin!"

She lunges at Rei head on, but Rei steps off to the side before she can do any damage. That doesn't stop Asuka from throwing a right hook at her fellow contender, landing the blow in Rei's side. Rei counteracts by nailing her in the stomach, "Damn you...Wondergirl!.."

"I do not wish to fight you, Soryu..."

"To...bad!" She lands another punch into Rei's stomach, causing Rei to stumble back a few steps while gripping her stomach in pain.

Rei now decides that this fight has gone too far, she manages to stand up straight again as she prepares for the final blow, "Soryu, please accept my apologies now." Rei's fist is a blur to Asuka as it hits its mark perfectly under her chin, sending Asuka flying across the room into a wall. As her body slams into the wall, a sound much louder then the slap Rei returned to Asuka can be heard right before she falls to the ground after being knocked out cold with a killer punch.

Rei moves over to a chair close by and sits down, gripping her stomach in pain. Moments later, a few NERV Security agents and Shinji run in to the apartment.

"Rei, what happened?"

"Soryu became abusive and I fought back."

Shinji looks at the hunched over figure under an indent in the wall, "Umm...you didn't kill her, did you?"

"I did not..."

"Err...good."

"It may be wise to bring both Soryu and I to NERV for examination."

Shinji doesn't think twice about the idea as he continues to stare at Asuka's form.

"I was thinking the same thing..."

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

About an hour later, Misato has arrived in room 108 where Asuka and Rei have been brought for examination. Once she gets a good look at both pilots, she turns to Shinji, hoping he has an answer for her.

"Shinji, please tell me you know what happened?.."

"I was not present when this happened..."

"What did the nurse have to say about the injuries?"

"Rei has a broken hand and a bruise on her left side, but the child didn't suffer any injuries that they know of."

"And what about Asuka?"

"She has a bruise on her right cheek, a broken jaw, and a mild concussion on her head from impacting the wall. She has not woken yet but the nurse said she will be okay."

"Good. Rei, I sure hope you can explain all of this to me."

"Soryu started to get abusive and hit me twice on the cheek..."

"Did you hit back?"

"I repeated her actions."

"Then?"

"She attempted to attack me, but I stepped off to the side before I got hit head on..."

"Is that how you got the bruise?"

"Yes."

"Go on..."

"I counteracted her strike by attempting to immobilize her..."

"How did you do that?"

"I punched her stomach."

"Hmm...I guess it was a sound tactic, but it didn't work I am guessing?"

"It did not slow her down."

"I am guessing there is more."

"Correct. Soryu struck back with a punch to my stomach..."

"I think I can guess what happened next."

"I countered with an uppercut to her chin."

"I must say, I am impressed by the blow you delivered...but that is beside the point, you both should not have done that."

"Misato, what are you going to do?"

"Well, since by the looks of it Asuka was the one who started the whole mess, I believe I will move her back in with me, but I will be moving Rei out as well. I will have Rei moved to Asuka's current residence."

"I understand, what about me?"

"What do you mean? Did you have something to do with this?"

"No, but will I be following Rei or staying with you?"

"Well, I will let you decide that for yourself, I think we are at the point where you should make your own choices for Rei's sake."

"Hai."

"You don't have to decide now."

They all hear a soft noise come from the bed the Second Child is in, "Wha...what happened?"

"Welcome back, Asuka."

"Misato, where am I?"

"NERV. Rei knocked you out cold so you were brought here."

"That bitch sure can throw a fast hook..."

"Umm...Asuka, I have some news for you now. You seem to have started this whole mess, so you will be moving back in with me once you have been released from confinement."

"Confinement?"

"Well, we have to let you recover some."

"What about Wondergirl?"

"She will be your roommate until she is allowed to leave as well."

"What?!?!"

"You don't have a choice here, you are both to remain in here since you are part of the same report I received, or will soon receive, concerning damage done to property."

Asuka groans at the news of having to put up with Rei for at least a whole day. Then she remembers she is moving back in with Rei as well, "Misato, why do I have to move back in with that...that...BITCH?!"

"You won't be, she will be getting your old place as well. As for what Shinji will do, that is up to him."

"Soryu, please refer to me by my name..."

"I HATE YOU Misato!!!"

"Well, maybe next time you won't start trouble."

Both Shinji and Misato leave the temporary roommates alone and head back home. After about a half-hour, they are back in the residence, enjoying a late night snack.

"Shinji, have you decided what you are going to do?"

"I think it would be best if I move in with Rei, that way if anything goes wrong, someone will be there."

"Shinji, you don't have to think about this in a logical way, I will accept the fact that you love her."

"Okay."

"Did Ritsuko ever tell you the baby's sex?"

"Umm...I don't think so. Why?"

"Well, I guess now is the best time to tell you. It's a girl."

"Really?"

"Yup. If everything goes right, you will have a baby girl to take care of."

"I don't know if I would do a good job though..."

"Don't worry, I think you will do fine."

As they both finish their conversation, they decide it is late enough and head off to bed.

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

Back in room 108, Asuka does not appear to like the current arrangements much.

"Why did I have to be stuck with you! You never talk or anything!.."

As the nurse enters the room, Rei makes her one final request of the night, "Can you please sedate her?"

"I guess so..."

"I am unable to sleep with her yelling at me."

Moments later, the nurse comes back with a small syringe full of a green compound and injects it into Asuka's arm. After a minute has passed by, Rei hears nothing coming from the girl next door and falls to sleep herself.

=(In her dream world, Rei is sitting at the same table she sat at the other few times she met with her child.)=

="I am back..."=

=//"Yes, you are."=

="Why?"=

=//"You seem to have become a good fighter recently, Mother. But I must ask that you be careful, I can still be hurt."=

="I understand..."=

=//"Do you?"=

="What do you mean?"

="You have the ability to fight back, but you must only use it when you have no other choice. You can still kill someone in hand to hand combat."=

="But, she attacked you?"=

=//"That's true, but it's best not to let Auntie Asuka get to you."=

="I understand then..."=

=//"Good. I wish you a good night, Mother."=

And with that having been said, Rei begins to dream again of random stuff. All the while, Asuka lays motionless next door.

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

Further down in the bowels of NERV, in one of the cells that still remain, the figure of a person can be seen in the dim light coming through the window on the door.

"I have become useless now."

If someone were to take a closer look, they would see the weary figure of Doctor Ritsuko Akagi sleeping, or trying to sleep for that matter, on the single bench present in the room.

"I know he will call on me again if it suits his needs, but that is all I am to him, a tool. I have become like the original Akagi..."

She turns on to her side as she continues, eyes half closed from fatigue. She is in no condition to do anything at the moment, her plans discovered by the commanders, and this being the end result of those actions taken. Ritsuko knows that she won't be here for too much longer, they, or he, will need her once again when the time comes.

"Just a tool..."

To Be Continued…

(Blinks) Well, here we go.

Why did Ritsuko get arrested?

What finally made Rei snap?

Why did Shinji defend Misato's cooking?

Well, find out next time in Rei's Child, Chapter VI.

----

Hey all, you know what time it is? That's right, it's Omake time.

Omake 1

(Note: Personal insertion ahead, but it's all for fun anyhow. Enjoy ^_^)

The author is sitting at his desk, currently writing more of Rei's Child.

<-RING->

"Hello?"

<Jon, It's Misato, I have some bad news for you...>

"No, I don't want to live with Asuka again!"

<That's not the bad news...>

"Did I miss a bill payment?"

<Nope.>

"Angel Attack?"

<Nope, much worse...>

"What could be worse then an Angel Attack?"

<Well...>

Suddenly, Jon hears a noise coming from the hallway outside his apartment.

"Misato, did Ritsu go out of town again?"

The author turns ghostly white, "How many cats do I get this time?"

The moment Misato finishes speaking, the door opens and 15 cats come rushing in, begging for food.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH................"

Weeks later, Jon ends up being admitted to the NERV Insane Asylum.

"Asuka? Why are you here?"

"I needed to get away from Wondergirl and Shinji for a while...this was the only way..."

"Really?"

"Yup. Say, I'm bored, do you wanna kiss?"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.........."

The author never recovered after that kiss.

(It's amusing what hell can feel like...)