Rei's Child

Written By: Jon L

This Chapter follows the events of Chapter Nine

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

Anyone that has seen severe weather knows that once it has passed, the time to clean up comes next. This is one thing I know quite well being on the northern edge of Tornado Alley as most call it in the U.S. I have even come close to seeing the monster itself a few times, but, every time the storm passes, the next part begins. It is the same thing that happens after a war ends. The people go back to living their lives as they sift through what is left of their stuff. It is the same situation NERV faces right now, those few that remain are now left to sort through anything that is left. Currently, a gathering on this exact subject has begun in the messy Central Control area of NERV.

Fuyutsuki has arrived back in control after seeing the U.N. representative off before heading back in, "We have been given back our legal rights again that the U.N. once granted us, but the loss has been a large one. What we must do now is do our best to restore what we can before the last angel arrives. The first thing we..."

He is interrupted when he hears one of the workstations beep with a message displayed on it. Unfortunately, bad communication lines have chopped the message up.

[EMER##NC#]

[RIT###O HAS B##N BRO##HT TO #####AL W##D]

[N### ##CTO#]

[R## H#S G##EN BI#T#]

"Shigeru, what is going on with this message?"

Shigeru walks up to his normal desk and tries to figure out why it is coming in bad, "I think the cables between the source and us have been damaged."

"Can you make out what it says?"

"I can try..."

He takes a look at the screen again and does his best to form the words, "Emergency...has been brought to...Ward...Rei has...birth? I think Rei has given birth, but the first part is badly scrambled. I think it states that something is going on in the Medical Ward and we are needed. Wait, Asuka was brought there in the jeep when it was brought up from Terminal Dogma!"

"Shigeru, you and Makoto begin arranging a search plan for the complex, I want every level searched in case more have escaped! Misato, you and I will head to MW and see what is going on, right now I think I am the closest one to being a doctor here."

Misato and Fuyutsuki hurry out of the room and down the hall. After a few minutes they arrive to see one person waiting for them in the lobby area, "Misato, you saw it!"

"Yes, what is..."

"Ritsuko has passed out and Rei had the child."

"What?"

"Rei is fine, but Ritsuko is not responding!"

Asuka leads them to the room Maya is attending to Ritsuko in and allows Fuyutsuki to enter while she leads Misato to see how Rei is doing a few rooms down. Once Misato enters she sees Rei in a bed and Shinji close by, "Rei, is everything okay?"

"Yes, the birth was fine."

"Can I see?"

Rei nods as she walks up to the bed, "She looks just like both of you. She has Shinji's blue eyes, but I know that has to be Rei's hair...odd, whose nose is that?"

Indeed, Misato sees that Kei's nose doesn't match either parent's.

"Well, as long as she is healthy, I think you are both going to be happy parents when all this is over."

"Misato, can you and Shinji excuse us?" asks Fuyutsuki from the doorway.

"I guess so, why?"

"I want to be sure Rei and the child are okay before they can be released from this room."

"Medical exam?"

"Yes, I also wanted to talk to her about her responsibilities as a parent, I will speak to Shinji later."

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

Hours later, after the first 20 levels have been searched, the Medical Ward has begun to fill up with injured bodies, the total number of people that have been found alive has totaled up to 95, but the number of casualties is thought to be over six times that amount. The few technicians that have some medical training and are able to move have pretty much been given the job of taking care of all but two patients, that being Rei Ayanami and Kei. These two have been left in the care of the Sub-Commander due to their situation concerning what happened.

The rest of the personnel that are still able to help out have been given the task of searching NERV level by level and bringing any injured to the Medical Ward. Misato has joined in on this task, but she is doing the body counts to determine how much work is going to be required in cleaning up those who died during the invasion. She tallies up the bodies she continues to wonder if it was really worth letting them die in this way.

The children that are still present have been allowed to head up to the surface so they don't have to see the bloodshed that has occurred. Kodama was allowed to take a NERV van and bring everyone to Misato's place for the time being.

Shigeru and Makoto have remained in Central Control to clean up and restore anything they can that involves the MAGI, Maya has joined them as well and has assumed her place at her terminal. The process of restoring what has been done to the MAGI is proving to be a challenge for her since it was basically redone to prevent access of any kind but she is still making headway with it.

Ritsuko remains in a coma after being shot a few times, no one is really sure if she will recover or not since she wasn't treated soon enough. Maya had done everything she could for her but even she knew that the chances of recovery were slim.

Rei and Kei have been given a clean bill of health so far, nothing that warrants concern has been noticed yet, but Fuyutsuki has stated that it does not mean something can't happen later on.

But, one person appears to have been overlooked. The person that still has the ability to control NERV. Gendo Ikari has awoken and freed himself from the restraints Misato applied to him. He wanders down the hall until he reaches the main elevator, which he takes to the floor that holds his office. It is there that he begins to prepare for a final battle with an angel.

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

"Hikari, do you think we should head home soon? Father must be panicked by now."

"Kodama, I tried already, but the phones are still down..."

"Wait, what happened to that phone you called me with before?"

"Asuka didn't grab it out of the jeep."

"Kodama, Hikari, why didn't you just ask for a phone? Here..." Asuka walks up to them and digs out her NERV cell phone, "...The mobile phones are working from what I hear, at least for Shinji and I."

"But this is a NERV phone, are we even allowed..."

"Hikari, I don't think it matters worth a damn right now, even the Sub-Commander won't care considering that you have seen Rei's sisters, the inside of NERV, and been told other things as well. Just as long as you don't say where you are and that you came close to being killed, you will be fine."

Hikari nods as she dials the number for her home in Kyoto.

<Hello?>

"Father?"

<HIKARI, where are you?!>

"Tokyo-2, Kodama and I had to come here to help a friend out. I meant to leave a note but didn't have time."

"No, we are fine, but..."

"Father?"

She hears a few beeps before she hangs up the phone, "Asuka, why did I get cut off by NERV?"

"What?"

"Hikari, what is the matter?"

"A message was played right before the line was disconnected..."

"What message?"

"One that said where we are!"

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

Misato has just heard the same message as she attempts to communicate with Makoto in Control, "Wha?.."

She hears her phone ring as Makoto tries to contact her again, "Hello?"

<Sorry, still a few bugs to work out.>

"Well, getting back to what I was saying. I need a large room to store all of these bodies in, and it has to be below freezing."

"I will need more then that if I am going to have them stored, I have passed the 400 mark already."

<Well, the only floors I can think of that would work out are Levels Four through Six, but it will mean everything below Four will be cooler then normal.>

"Start the preparations, and be ready for assisting with identification of each corpse."

<Understood, though I am not looking forward to it...>

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

Nightfall has finally come to the city and the children that have been on the surface have been called back to NERV for the night. When they finally arrive down in the launch area they are greeted by Fuyutsuki instead of Misato, "Welcome back to NERV, I hope your day up top has been an okay one for all of you."

Hikari climbs out of the van and walks up to Fuyutsuki, "Yes Mis..."

"Please, my dear, you may call me Kozo for now."

"Okay, it was nice to get some sleep after last night, but I tried to call my father in Kyoto this afternoon and the line was disconnected..."

"I apologize for that. A few bugs still remain in the MAGI."

"Well, the only thing is, he is very worried right now, and he may not be happy after hearing we are here..."

"Well, I assure you I will take care of any problems that may arise personally, but I am afraid that your return will have to be delays due to the shortage of personnel right now."

Kodama is a bit curious as to why she can't use a NERV van to go back, "Sir, if you loan me a van, I would be happy to drive back with my sister so..."

"It is not a matter of using a van, we just want to be sure everything works out first, you have been shown and told about stuff that normally we would not allow. I just need to determine if it is safe for you to go back is all."

"I see..."

"Don't worry, you are not prisoners here, I have designated you as guests, and from what I have heard, you may be of some help in a few areas as well if you would like, NERV will be happy to reimburse you for your troubles. Now then, if you will follow me, I think it is time to eat."

As they walk through the hallways everyone sees that the bodies have been cleared out but the blood and damage still remains from the previous night.

"I apologize again for letting you see this, it is a disaster that we all wish could have been avoided, but the damage has been done and we must accept that for now."

When they finally arrive at the room where dinner will be served they see that it has escaped being badly damaged, save for a few minor holes in the walls. They see that Misato and Rei have arrived already and sat down at the large table in the center of the room.

"Welcome everyone, sorry about the mess in the hallways still, I tried to have most of them cleared of bodies before you got here but cleanup is going to take longer. I have asked that dinner be served in here as well since the cafeteria is not exactly pleasant looking for an eating atmosphere..." says Misato.

The four children standing in the doorway walk up to the table and sit down. Fuyutsuki steps out again to see if the food is ready to be brought in, "Misato, how is my daughter doing?"

"Shinji, she is doing good, Rei wanted to bring her but the Sub-Commander wanted to have her stay down in the Medical Ward for the night, but she is doing fine and you can see her again in the morning."

"Hai..."

"Hey, don't look so glum, you made sure Rei was okay, you were present when she was born...you did good, you should be proud considering the situations everyone was under."

"Shinji, do not worry, we will see her again." says Rei.

"I know, but I just can't help it..."

"Hikari, I would kill for a camera right about now."

"Asuka!"

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

Later that night, in the darkened halls of NERV, a man walks, carefully avoiding any debris that may remain on the ground. He walks in the direction of the Medical Ward. Possibly to check up on the doctor that currently rests in a bed after being shot, or maybe to check up on a few other NERV employees, though it is possible his one true destination is a room where a small child rests. He continues down the hall until he reaches what used to be a row of glass doors that have been shattered, as he continues he sees a logo that has been painted on the wall for the front entrance. He stares at it for a few moments before searching for the destination he seeks. After many moments he finds it and enters the room where a child no more then one day old sleeps in an enclosed case, 'You have come out as expected, you will soon serve the purpose I have created you for. Rei has outlived the purpose she once served, but I will grant her these last few days to be with you, for she may still be able to control my son.'

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

The next morning, things have pretty much gone back to normal for NERV, with the exception of many of the personnel missing. Today's duties have been laid out for pretty much cleaning the hallways of the blood that remains and shifting offices so that everyone isn't spread out across the sub-complex's layout. While the NERV personnel do that, Kodama and Asuka have been sent to the IA room for a few hours to restore what they can of the MAGI while Maya, Shigeru, and Makoto work from Control. Shinji and Rei have been given the job of assisting with moving whatever stuff is needed out of the offices that are not to be used anymore. Hikari, on the other hand, has been granted a chance to see the Eva's in the cage as she helps Misato sort through the damaged control room used for tests.

"Hikari, see if you can locate a file marked 'Plug II', I will need to bring it to my office until this room can be repaired."

She looks in her pile of gathered folders until she comes across it, "Here you go...oops." She sees a sheet of paper fall out of the folder and land on the floor face up, "Sorry, Miss Misato..."

"Don't worry, as far as I am concerned you are basically free to learn right now, just as long as no one finds out you and your sister have learned this stuff, I am not worried."

"Hey, what is this little box for?"

"What box?"

"Right here, under this center piece..."

Misato take a look herself and sees what looks like a remote device hidden in the plug, "I am not sure...Ritsuko never told me about that..."

She walks to the door leading to the cage itself and walks along the catwalk until she reaches the new plug and opens it. Once she has climbed in she notices that she will be unable to open the centerpiece without closing the plug first, but this proves to be harder then it seems since she doesn't fit very well. She climbs out and signals for Hikari to come, after a few moments Hikari arrives in front of her, "Yes?"

"Hikari, you appear to be Shinji's size, how would you like to climb in, nothing will really happen, but I can't get that part off of the center with the top opened."

"How am I going to see?"

"I will activate the first stage of the plug that will give you enough light to see what you are doing."

"Are you sure it is safe? I have heard that Shinji has...well...had problems in these things..."

"Well, since you are not going inside the Eva you don't have to worry, I would do it but I can't fit."

Hikari nods and climbs it to the plug before Misato releases the locks and slides the top closed tand triggers the power for the plug itself. After many moments she hears pounding before she does the reverse actions and helps Hikari out, "What did you find?"

She holds out a red box marked 'low explosive' and quickly backs away in case it goes off.

"How the heck did this get put in, and when?"

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

Kozo Fuyutsuki finishes going over the large stack of paperwork he is now plagued with and has decided to visit the Commanders office to take in the view of the Geofront. When he enters he sees that he is not alone, "Ikari?"

"Fuyutsuki, how are the repairs coming?"

"Slow, I never knew repairs required so much paperwork..."

"Is it not the Major's job to fill out that stuff?"

"Considering we only have about 16% of the workforce we once did I would say no."

"I see it as no problem, by the time the final angel comes it will have been wasted effort."

"Then you are still planning on going through with your plan?"

"Yes, my plans for Third Impact using the child are still able to be carried out."

"You do know everyone else will not agree to this."

"It does not matter, they will be of help no matter what. Without me NERV can\not win against the angels."

"That is a fact that I have begun to regret as of late..."

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

A few days later, it has been deemed safe to return. Hikari and Kodama, along with Kozo, Misato, and Asuka, have boarded a transport and are on their way to Kyoto to recover whatever stuff has been left at the warehouse and drop off the two friends that have done a lot for the pilots. Once they reach the warehouse they are led to a special car that will lead them to the next destination.

After a few minutes have passed the vehicle pulls up in front of a house and everyone climbs out as a man exits out of the front door at the sight of his daughters being returned, "Hikari, Kodama, I have been so worried!"

"Father." yells Hikari.

"Where have you been, and who are these people?"

"Fuyutsuki takes a few steps closer to the man, "Sir, I am Sub-Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki, and these two beside me are Major Misato Katsuragi and Asuka Langley Soryu. I will be happy to explain everything inside concerning your two daughter's whereabouts over the past few days."

"Have they done something wrong?"

"No, I am here to clear everything up is all, I assure you they have been outstanding guests of NERV."

"Well, allow me to put on some tea and we can sit down and talk, please come in."

A few minutes later, while Misato and Fuyutsuki talk with the father, Hikari and Asuka have headed to Hikari's room while Kodama has headed to her bed to get some sleep.

"Hey, where is Pen-pen?" asks Asuka.

They both hear a muffled response as the penguin climbs out of the closet, "There he is, I wonder if he is hungry?"

"QWAAAA!!!!"

"I think so, I bet your father didn't know what to feed him..."

"He must be really hungry then. I will grab a fish for him from the kitchen."

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

"Again, I apologize sir for not getting them back sooner or contacting you, but I assure you that, they were taken care of and even reimbursed for any work they helped out with."

"I understand Mister Fuyutsuki, I wish you luck in the rebuilding of NERV and hope you are able to drop by again when you have a chance, you too Miss Katsuragi."

"I will keep that in mind, and I thank you for your understanding. I am sorry we have to go so soon, but I still have some paperwork waiting for me in my office."

While the two men finish up their conversation, Misato looks for Asuka, "Asuka, it's time to head back..."

She stops in the doorway of Hikari's room and sees Asuka and Pen-pen having a staring contest while Hikari times them. The moment the bird sees his owner Asuka claims victor as he runs up to her, "QWAAA! QWAAA! QWAAA!"

"What, Misato?"

"Oh, we have to go...hi Pen-pen, I have missed you a lot, too bad I can't bring you back yet..."

"Major Katsuragi, are you sure you can't?"

"Quite, Hikari. You know how much work we still need to do on NERV, but I hope to be able to come back for him soon."

"I see."

"Well, Asuka and I have to go, but it was nice to see you again, Hikari, I promise I will allow Asuka to visit when we are ready again."

"Bye, Major."

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

Back at NERV, Shinji and Rei head to the room where their child is still asleep.

"Rei, did Misato say we were allowed to head back to our place again?"

"Yes, as soon as she arrives we will be driven home with our daughter, the needed items have already been delivered and set up."

"I wonder if Asuka will ever be willing to help us out?.."

"She has done this much for us, I believe she will be willing to assist us as well for her enjoyment."

When they arrive they see the Commander in the room staring at Kei, "Father, What are you doing here?!"

"I have come to see your child."

"After trying to kill us, why should I trust you?!"

"Because I am still your father."

"No, you are not a father, you are a cold person that would kill his own son and the mother of my daughter!"

"I believe it is best if I go."

"Try coming back when you decide to care for others!"

No more words are exchanged as Gendo leaves the room.

"Shinji..."

"No, Rei. He hasn't been a father to me for a long time, ever since he walked out of my life!.."

"But, at least you had a father...something I have not..."

"I know Rei, but I wish he could act like one..."

"I am sure he has his reasons for what he does."

"But why would he want to kill his own son?"

"I do not know."

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

"Maya, have you finished reformatting the weapons systems on the surface?"

"No, Makoto, I am still trying to bypass the damage done on blocks G-6 and G-7."

In Central control, the progress of restoring the Magi is almost complete, with the exception that most of the programming is still full of bugs due to damage done to systems and the modifications performed weeks ago.

"Well, keep trying, I am sure that last angel will be coming soon and without the MAGI we won't be able to detect it."

"I know, but without Ritsuko here I can't reprogram the core files that are required to tell one thing from another..."

"Maya, are you still worried about her?"

"I can't help it! She showed me everything about the MAGI. And now she is dying..."

"Shigeru and I can cover for you, how about you go visit her."

"Thanks, Makoto..."

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

"Doctor Akagi, you have betrayed me in the end, and since I hear you may not recover, I have decided that you are of no use in a coma, please forgive me for what I am about to do."

In the room that Ritsuko still lays, Gendo has come to a final decision concerning her life, though he had made that decision when he first fired the first bullet at her. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small gun similar to the one he used the first time, then picks up a pillow and uses it to mask the sound of the bullet being fired at close range into her head. He stands there as she slips away into death as the sound of her vitals begins to slow until they flat-line, and reaches over to silence the machine.

"I love you."

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

A few minutes later, Maya walks through the entrance to the Ward and down the hall until she reaches the door separating Ritsuko's room from the hallway. The moment she enters she sees a pillow on the floor with a hole in it and blood running out of a wound in the doctor's head, "SEMPAI!!!!!"

But she finds she is too late as she looks at the monitor showing no life-signs of any kind. She hears the sound of someone hurrying into the room and turns to see Misato and Fuyutsuki standing behind her along with a few other people.

"Maya..."

"Misato, he killed her, he must have done it!!!" she yells out as tears stream from her eyes.

"I know, Maya."

"Major, I believe it would be best if Miss Ibuki were brought to a different room for now."

"I agree...Maya, lets go for a walk."

"No, I want to stay here!"

"Maya!"

"Why her..."

Misato signals for someone to help her remove Maya from the room as Fuyutsuki walks up to the bed and covers the doctor's now lifeless body.

"Maya, I am sorry this has happened, she was my friend as well..."

"If it wasn't for her, I would have still been a level four tech..."

"She did a lot for Rei and Shinji as well, but I do think you will miss her the most. But this means that you have to take her place now, you are the only one besides Asuka that knows how the MAGI works..."

"But..."

"Maya, Asuka may know how it runs but during battle her place is in Eva, you must take Ritsuko's place, it is what she would want in the end."

"What will happen now to Rei and Kei?"

"I am sure the Sub-Commander will adhere to any problems that may come up until you are able to take care of them yourself."

"I understand..."

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

An hour later, Fuyutsuki has been called to the Commander's office.

"You called for me?"

"How is Doctor Akagi's replacement doing?"

"Considering she was the first one to see Ritsuko's body, she is ok."

"She will only be required for a short while."

"The Doctor's condition was failing anyway, why not just wait?"

"I could not take the risk of her condition changing for the better."

"I see."

"Her death is of no consequence, she betrayed me and she knew what the end result would be."

"Well, what has been done has been done."

"What is the current status of NERV?"

"I have decided that repairs to most of the sub-complex will take too long to complete, and that all that will be needed is the removal of bloodstains for the mental health of those who remain."

"An understandable decision, all that is of true importance is Eva and the MAGI."

"As I thought. Is there anything else you require?"

"No, that will be all for now."

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

Evening has came finally, and the three pilots have finally been allowed to head home. Asuka has decided to head off to sleep after she had confronted her dreams in Kyoto. Rei and Shinji have arrived at their place with Misato who has decided to relay the late afternoon's events to them.

"Rei, until Maya has been brought up to date, the Sub-Commander will be monitoring yours and Kei's health. Ritsuko's research had many notes and she has to sort through them. I wish that she had been given a chance to recover...but there is no turning back now, and I did receive the residency report she left so I am technically authorized to take care for your child..."

"But I do not wish to part with Kei."

"I know, that is why she will be staying here."

Rei nods at the news.

"Well, I wish you a good night then. I took care of having the phones restored for this block so you will not need to use your cell-phones."

Misato walks to the front door and waves as she exits the apartment.

"Shinji, I believe we should think of picking up on discovering what Asuka had told us about in the near future."

"Rei, first, we should take some time off to spend with Kei here, I am sure the truth can wait a little while longer."

"Then, I think the time has come to fall asleep for the night, I will check on our daughter while you wash up."

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

Misato enters into her apartment and heads in the direction of the kitchen for a beer, but stops a few meters from the fridge as she sees what looks like Kaworu standing in her way, "The Fifth Child?.."

"Yes, Major Katsuragi. Though I am not physically here right now, I have come to warn you of a choice that will be made soon, a choice that will decide my true path as well as Humanity's. The last angel is to arrive soon, but it will be unlike any you have dealt with. And because of this, you will be involved in the choice that it is its purpose for coming, but you will only assist."

"Wait, how are you able to communicate with me, you are dead?"

"No, I never was killed, Rei holds my self inside of her until the time comes for me to be released again, it was my wish to fulfill a destiny meant for two, or should I say three."

"What are you talking about?"

"No, I must not tell you, you will find out yourself soon..."

Tabris fades out of the Major's view just as Asuka enters the room, "You have spoken to him?"

"Who?"

"That boy, the one named Nagisa Kaworu."

Her eyes go wide at the mention of that name from the pilot's lips, "Wait, how did..."

"He spoke to me as well."

"Asuka, do you know what is going on?"

"No, only that the last one is coming soon."

"You and I are going to visit the archives in the morning, I have a feeling something is up and I am not going to like it."

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

Sometime during the night, back in Kyoto, a strange thing is occurring at the Horaki house. Pen-pen has awoken but does not seem to be standing on the floor anymore, instead his feet are 10 centimeters off the floor, at the same time his eyes have a faint glow to them. The bird floats through a wall and down the hall until he reaches the front door and floats through it as well. Indeed, the last angel is coming, with a surprise as well.

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

The next morning, Asuka is being escorted to Section Two's security area that has now been abandoned. NERV decided that the shortage of personnel warrants everyone to be assigned as techs. It is this advantage that allows easier access to records concerning the security logs when the 17th angel disappeared.

"Okay, I was never sure what happened during the final moments of the battle, but what I do know is we found no trace of Tabris in the midst of the damaged area. Asuka, I want you to see the reports and tell me if you think I am crazy, we are crazy, in thinking that the last angel is the true 17th, that Tabris was just the messenger in a way."

She pulls up a chair for Asuka and presents the reports concerning the investigation then turns and exits the room to recheck the logs concerning the sensors.

After an hour passes, she reenters to see if Asuka has finished, "Well?"

"I don't get how this will answer the question, all this says is that an explosion occurred and that Rei and Shinji were somehow protected. How does this relate to the 17th?"

"Well, the last area we located Tabris was close to the Medical Ward. After that the sensors were said to be down. Asuka, what are the chances they merged, Rei and Tabris?"

"How the hell should I know?!"

"Asuka, you are the only other one that saw him last night!"

"Misato, I don't see how coming in here will answer whether we are nuts or not. Personally I think the whole situation is nuts right now!"

"Well, then the only question is, do you think Rei is possibly in danger, and this is me asking your opinion."

"If she has gone this long without killing us, I say she will be fine."

"Well, do me a favor then, the next time you talk to her, ask her about Tabris?"

"Should I ask Kei as well?.."

"Asuka, I am not kidding here, we have an angel on the way, a skeleton staff, and damage to NERV and the MAGI still. If Rei is in trouble or under another's influence then I want to be ready."

"Fine..."

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

Shinji and Rei have been given the day off from NERV to spend some time with Kei together, so they have decided to head up to the mountain park for a walk after agreeing to an escort by a few old Security personnel that survived the recent attack. They don't seem to mind this time like they have before.

"Shinji, are you happy that the whole pregnancy deal has ended?"

"Well, in a way, yes, but I still feel like something has yet to happen, something that we have not been warned about..."

"It seems that way right now, but I feel changed since that night after the 'incident'. _You_ have had an...effect on me that I have yet to understand."

"Rei, I think you are just fine the way you are, you have learned more then I would have guessed, I think you are worthy of being a mother even more now..."

"Pilot's Ikari and Ayanami, your presents has been requested at NERV for a brief meeting at 15:00h" says the security person approaching them.

"Understood. Rei, lets show Kei that one spot with the nice view before we head back."

"Agreed."

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

Asuka and Misato are already in Misato's office where they will be meeting with Rei and Shinji.

"Misato, why is it the Sub-Commander wants to keep the child here overnight?"

"Well, he is a bit concerned about something, though he didn't tell me what..."

"But that isn't fair to the parents, is it?"

"No...but right now they don't have a choice if they want to keep the child."

"Misato, how could you do this to them?!"

"I have no choice on the matter!"

"What about Kei?" asks Shinji.

Asuka and Misato quickly turn to see Rei and Shinji standing by the door.

"What is wrong with Kei?"

"Shinji umm...the Sub-Commander wants to do a few tests on Kei overnight..."

"Why?"

"Well, since Rei was not meant to have children he is unsure if the child has any defects..."

"Misato, you didn't say anything about the communication, did you?"

"No..."

"What Misato she trying to say is, hand over Kei to the Sub-Comm..."

"Asuka!" says Misato after covering her mouth.

"Asuka, you are you..."

Asuka quickly reaches into Misato's jacket and pulls out her gun. Misato feels the barrel of it jabbed into her side and backs away once the safety clicks off, "Misato, I know what is going on, and I know you are lying to them! Shinji, Rei, I think it is time to escape for the night before your child is in danger."

"Asuka, what is..."

"I WILL TELL YOU LATER. GO! I will call you with the location!"

"Hai..."

Rei and Shinji hurry out the door while Asuka tends to Misato by disabling her desk phone and taking her cell, "Tell the Sub-Commander that I know the Commander's plan for Kei and I will do what I can to prevent it."

She hurries out of the room and down the hall to the exit before she can be stopped.

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

Rei and Shinji wait at their place for Asuka to call. When they finally hear the phone ring Shinji picks it up, "Asuka?"

<Okay, here is your chance to pay me back, meet me at the building where you had your ankle twisted.>

"Hai..."

He hangs up the phone and heads to the bedroom, "Rei, we are going out for the night I guess, get dressed and help pack whatever is needed. Asuka wants us to bring her camping..."

After a long walk the new parents and child arrive at the point where they are to meet Asuka.

"So you have come like I asked. Misato seems to have agreed to a plan you may not know about yet, but I hope to inform you of tonight. First, we must find a location that NERV won't look for us."

"You mean, leave the city?"

"You got it, Rei."

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

Unknown to the children, far away from the city, a glowing bird has arrived at the edge of the water on the coast of Japan. It sits as the water washes up on shore, but far in the distance something is happening, the water seems to be rising bit by bit as an object forms. This object appears to be made out of water itself, only solid. It is known as the last angel, an angel that isn't meant for fighting, but for aiding in the fate of mankind.

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

"Asuka, what is it that you need to tell us?"

"Not yet, I need to be sure we have not been followed, light a fire so we can use it as a means of warmth and light."

Shinji climbs out of the tent to build a fire while Rei and Asuka change into lighter clothes.

"Asuka, what is the matter?"

"Easy, you and Shinji have still not learned of the truth, and unless you hurry you will never find out because it will be too late."

"What do you mean?"

"There was a reason for your becoming pregnant, but I want Shinji to hear it as well before I say what it is."

"I understand."

"So how was your first night with Kei?"

"It was...tiresome."

"Well, welcome to the world of changing diapers and midnight feedings..."

"It wasn't that. I was not able to sleep."

"What, no crying?"

"No, but I did change one diaper."

"Not the best smell, is it?"

"No, but it comes with the job."

"Well, do let Shinji have a try at it."

"I will."

"What is taking him so long anyhow?.."

Asuka crawls over to the opening for the tent and sticks her head out. What she finds is Misato and a few others standing outside waiting for her, "Misato?"

"Asuka, I think you, Rei, and Kei should quietly come with us."

"How did you find us?"

"My phone, you took it when you left, but you forgot to ask if it had a tracker in it in case I needed to find you pilots, the tracker is active when the battery is connected even if the phone isn't on."

"DAMN!"

"Let's go, I will have the stuff packed up for you."

Asuka crawls out of the tent before she is put in handcuffs and led away.

"Asuka, I hear by am charging you with threatening your commanding officer, theft, and destruction of property. Do you accept these charges?"

"Do I have a choice?!"

"Not really, but I am required to ask anyhow. Due to the situation of your status and the situation of NERV, you are to remain locked up for one week in a cell."

Asuka is led into a van that will serve as her transportation to NERV.

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

Rei and Shinji have been led to cells of their own, with a lighter sentence. They have been charged with fleeing their commanding officer during a mandatory meeting and given one night as the serving time.

"Rei, why is it we have not been told everything by Misato? What is so important that they can't tell us?!"

"I am not sure, but Asuka is aware of something herself, she tried to relay that info to me but wanted to wait until you were present."

"I can't believe this, I finally trusted Misato and now I find her keeping a big secret from us concerning Kei!"

"Do not worry, we will discover it ourselves."

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

"Ikari, I see you have began the plan's next phase."

"Yes, the time is nearing, we must be ready."

In the room where Rei's sisters reside, Gendo and Fuyutsuki are currently talking while Kei floats in the tube Rei used to use.

"You know I do not like this, you are toying with a life!"

"You are free to assist in the preparations for the last angel, the timeline gives us a few week to prepare."

"Then I believe I will check on the status for the weapons systems."

"Very good."

Fuyutsuki walks out of the room as Gendo reads the current data.

[DATA FOR SUBJECT P-18]

[VITALS - GOOD]

[ENERGY OUTPUT FREQ. - 6877.442 kHz]

[ENERGY OUTPUT STRENGTH - 204 WATTS]

[FIELD STATUS - GOOD]

[TYPE -ATF^2]

"You have developed well, my child. Soon the time will come for you to carry out your purpose. You will assist me in causing Third Impact."

Kei begins to move as the energy output strength begins the increase in power.

"So, you have started to manipulate your field, but it will do you no good as long as your are in the LCL."

Kei opens her eyes and sees the Commander.

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

Rei has just awoken to a strange feeling inside her head, "Shinji, I feel something is going on with our daughter."

"What?"

"I am not sure, I..." She stops as an image of Gendo on the other side of the glass appears in her head, "Wait, I see the Commander."

"Rei, what is happening?"

"I am not sure...AAAAH!"

"Rei!.."

She runs up to the door and begins pounding on it to be let out.

"Rei, what are you do..."

He sees a brief flash of light before the door and wall are blown away by an unseen force, allowing Rei to hurry out in the direction of the elevator.

"Rei, what the hell did you do?!"

"Kei is in trou..." Rei is knocked out after being struck by a dart from a gun Misato holds many meters away.

"Rei, wha...Misato?"

"Shinji, what is going on?"

"I don't know, Rei suddenly woke up and said something about seeing my father...and something about Kei."

"Your daughter is currently under guard in the infirmary, I posted them myself."

"But, why did she say she saw him?"

"I am not sure, but I can have someone check to see if Kei is doing alright, I must remain here to attend to you and Rei, Asuka is one floor below us under guard by a separate person. I am afraid I can't let you be released yet so you will have to be moved to a new cell separate from Rei."

"Hai..."

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

\\'You have developed well, my child. Soon the time will come for you to carry out your purpose. You will assist me in causing Third Impact.'

"Damnit, he started already..."

\\'So, you have started to manipulate your field, but it will do you no good as long as your are in the LCL.'

"Rei, I hope you are hearing this..."

Asuka suddenly feels the ground jolt as a low rumble is heard from above.

"What the heck was that? Did someone let Rei and Shinji out?"

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

"You are awake I see. No matter, you are still unable to get free of the tube, it was designed to prevent any type of AT-Field from breaking it."

[WARNING - OUTPUT HAS EXCEEDED PREDICTED LIMITS]

"Your mother has been told I see. I cannot allow this."

He pushes a button on the small control panel and sees Kei jolt as a shock is delivered into the LCL before her eyes close again.

[ALERT - BREECH IN HOLDING CELL 08 ON LEVEL 12]

"Rei is discovering her own abilities as well."

He saves the current data and removes his phone from his pocket to make a call to control.

<Fuyutsuki.>

"I have received a report indicating trouble with Rei, make sure the Major does not find out the child is gone."

<Understood.>

He hangs up the phone and looks at the new data.

[ENERGY LEVEL WITHIN EXPECTED LIMITS]

[LIFE SIGNS ARE SHOWING UNCONSIOUSNESS]

[ALERT CANCELLED FOR BREECH]

"Yes, the time is near."

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

The next morning, Kei has been returned to the room where Misato left her before Rei and Shinji have arrived to pick her up.

"Rei, she looks tired?.."

"Yes, she does."

"Misato, was she up all night?"

"Not that I am aware of, the guards said she slept fine all night."

"Well, I guess we should get her home then, I could use some sleep after trying to sleep on that hard bench..."

"Well, I hope you both don't run again, otherwise next time you get the next sentence level at full time. Come on, you have been released from confinement and Kei is free to go with you."

"Yes, Misato."

They all head out of the Medical Ward and down to Misato's office before heading back home. On the way Rei notices that her daughters smells like the LCL she is used to, "Misato, why does Kei smell like LCL?"

"What, Rei?"

"I smell LCL."

"I don't know, I was not notified of the tests done on her, but I do know they lasted for 2 hours at most."

"I see..."

"I will try to find out what was done exactly when I go back in."

"I remember seeing the Commander last night from inside the tube."

"I made sure Kei was guarded last night, I was told that she was not moved at all from the bed."

They pull up to the apartment building and Misato drops them off before heading back to NERV HQ.

"Rei, what is wrong?"

"Misato is mistaken, Kei has a new diaper on in addition to the smell of LCL."

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

An hour later, Misato is in the Sub-Commander's office trying to figure out the kind of tests that were done on Rei's Child.

"Major, I assure you the only tests done were the ones done to see what condition Kei was in, we did not do any tests concerning LCL or any other stuff that relates to Eva, those tests will not be done unless we see a need to."

"You and Maya, or you and the Commander?"

"Maya and I."

"I understand. You might want to inform the parents as well though."

"They will be told only if it is required."

"What do you mean, I see this as being required!"

"Major, your responsibilities do not involve deciding who I should inform of what!"

"Sir!"

"Dismissed, Major Katsuragi!"

"Yes, SIR!"

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

Back in Kyoto, Hikari has begun thinking about what to tell Misato about Pen-pen. It has been two days now and she hasn't found any trace of him as of yet. Even his food hasn't been touched in a few days, but one thing she is curious about is how a few light colored stains ended up on the walls and front door resembling the shape of his body. The stains appear to be from water possibly spilled on the spots but she is still curious about the fact they match up on each side.

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

"Misato."

"Hikari, What is it?"

"What?"

"Say that again?"

<It's almost as if he walked out of the house by going through the walls and doors.>

"Hikari, is this a joke?"

<No, come see for yourself, I haven't touched the walls yet.>

"I will be there soon, I sure hope you are not kidding."

After a few hours, Misato has arrived at Hikari's House to see for herself, "Hikari, you didn't clean him, did you?"

"No, I didn't think it was needed since he was able to do it himself."

"This is very odd...and you say he hasn't had anything to eat in two days?"

"No...Misato, what is going on?"

"I am not sure, as far as I know he is a normal penguin..."

"What about the walls?"

"I will have a piece brought back to NERV and have it fixed as well today. Let your father know that someone is on the way to grab a sample."

"Hai."

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

The next day, Misato has been called down to Maya's new office for the results of the test done on the piece of wall brought back.

"Misato, the stain is composed of salt water, but the odd thing is it goes straight through evenly, as if something passed through it."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite, I even cut the wall in half to see it myself."

"Maya, something is going on here and I don't like it, I want the info concerning this LAST angel! What the hell is it, I was originally told that the 17th was the last?!"

"I don't know much either...except that we need to be ready."

"Maya, what about Third Impact?!"

"I have no info on that either..."

Misato sees that she is going to have to hack into the MAGI again.

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

"Ikari, are you sure about this timeline?"

"Quite, the child will peak about the same time as the arrival of the last angel."

"Then you are going to allow the pilots a bit more time before they are to be killed?"

"They will not succeed in destroying the last angel, they will die in battle."

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

That evening, Misato has sneaked down to a data room to see what she can find out about this last angel. As soon as she has found the data required, she reads of the file to herself.

[Angel 17-2]

[The Angel Of Instrumentality]

[Purpose - Angel is primarily intended to be the focal point for Third Impact if allowed time has passed for trigger point, Lilith is required for this phase, but all Eva's must be destroyed before Impact can take place. If angel succeeds in reaching Lilith then the angel will decide the fate of humanity, otherwise everything defaults to the 18th angel that is given control by the aiding component.]

'So, that is what Kei is to be used for, and now I can't stop it! I have to use Eva to fight or else everything defaults to the Commander.'

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

After a few days, Pen-pen has floated of to the spot where the final angel is beginning to form, the feet have become pure solid water by now and the legs have risen, and highest point it has reached by now is the torso. The question is, how will Misato beat one of the most destructive forces on the planet, she knows that this will not be an easy battle, but she will be unprepared for the second part of the attack, that being her pet.

To Be Continued…

Ahh, this is either getting bad, or getting good, I can't tell. Here are the questions:

Will Misato be able to beat this final angel?

Will Gendo succeed?

What role will Pen-pen play?

Will Rei and Shinji ever find out the truth about Kei?

Questions that will lead to Rei's Child, Chapter XI.

----

Well, Omakes are good things, so here they are:

Omake 1

"You have developed well, my child. Soon the time will come for you to carry out your purpose. You will assist me in causing Third Impact."

Kei begins to move as the energy output strength begins the increase in power.

"So, you have started to manipulate your field, but it will do you no good as long as your are in the LCL."

Gendo suddenly sees something float downward before it is dissolved into the LCL.

"Aww crap, why couldn't you wait until later?! Now I have to drain the fluid and start again."

Kei gives the Commander an evil smile.

(End)