This is a fanfiction of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The fic is focussed on characters Rei and Shinji, but touch on the entire crew. The story takes place after third impact.

Disclaimer: The characters, locations, names and original story belong to Gainax.

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Hope you enjoy it!

" " Speech

> Thought

Just Him & Her

The sun was shinning brightly in Tokyo-3. It was early morning and one young, timid boy by the name of Shinji Ikari was making his way to school as he did every weekday. The morning sunrays on his skin made him feel uplifted. Infact… the morning was almost perfect for the third child. "Almost" being the keyword.

"What're you grinning at Shinji no Baka?"

Startled by the harsh loud voice, he stopped grinning and quickly/sadly came back down to reality. Oh how he loved his own little world!

"Oh… sorry Asuka… I was just… umm" struggling to find the best way to describe his 'odd' behaviour always proved difficult for the third child. Especially when someone was starring expectantly at him in an utmost intense, scrutinizing way.

"Well?… spit it out already!" Asuka was always annoyed at how slow he was. Sometimes she honestly thought there was something medically wrong with the guy. But even though it grated at her nerves, she had grown used to it. That thought alone was enough to annoy the hell out of her. It was almost as if he was born to annoy her!

"I was just… umm… a-a-appreciating the morning… cough" he said sheepishly as he awkwardly studied her reaction to see if that was a worthwhile answer.

By the glare he got back he knew he had failed… maybe even worse than failed as she stopped infront of him, forcing him to stop. Uh-oh!> he silently braced himself for the oncoming onslaught.

"Anata Baka! It's the same as every morning!" she said as she observed her surroundings trying to see what he was seeing. She looked back at him with her hands on her hips and gave him a look which clearly portrayed her thoughts What the hell are you on?>

"Whats so different about it?" she said in an all-to-familiarly annoyed fashion.

Clearly intimidated, the boy looked down towards his feet. "Umm… well… I guess… n-nothing?" he sheepishly whispered as he scratched the back of his head and gave out a nervous laugh/grunting noise.

"………….."

sweat

Yes, the answer she expected. "You truly are an idiot aren't you?" she said in an exasperated sigh. This idiot isn't worthy of my presence> she continued to glare at the boy for a few moments then decided to get away from him. She felt like he was rubbing off on her, leaving his 'demented' stain on her. With that thought she turned around and started stomping away from him.

Shinji was unsure whether to follow her or not, but decided to anyway and started after her.

"Don't follow me Baka!" she said as she spun around and held her hand out in the stop position "I've had enough of your weirdness already! And its only morning! Aargh!" she growled and quickly ran ahead of him.

Shinji stood watching her fleeting form and let out a sigh "Well… this is turning out to be another great day" he said sarcastically as he then began making his way to school.

Asuka was actually right about the mornings being the same and Shinji knew it. That's why he decided to go with the truth, which was something he had learned from past experience. Tokyo-3 rarely changed weather. If it wasn't a hot, stuffy, high-pressured humid day. It would be a WET, stuffy, high-pressured humid day. No longer did they have seasons, not since second impact.

As he continued walking, his thoughts returned back to the reason that made him grin earlier. Today was a special day "Today I get to spend time with her" he said quietly to himself as he recalled the events of yesterday that sparked this rare happy occasion for the third child.

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YESTERDY

It was the end of a normal school day for the third child and the teacher was giving out the last orders before the students left for home. "Horaki-chan, please deliver these papers to Tomoko-chan as she has been absent for the past 5 days" The class rep stood up "Hai Sensei". "And finally the two people staying behind tomorrow for clean-up duty will be………"

The whole class sighed in unison hoping they wouldn't be chosen for the horridly boring task.

"Oh god! Please don't pick meeee!" Toji asked looking up as if praying.

"I'm the one who should be praying! He always chooses me!" said a moody Aida "I swear he hates me or something!" he crossed his arms feeling sorry for himself. Toji and Shinji both laughed at their friend, but also felt sorry for him, as they knew he was right. The Sensei did always choose him.

"….the first will be Rei Ayanami… and the second will be…" the teacher trailed off as he began scanning a list of names randomly.

Shinji's head shot-up Ayanami's on cleaning duty!> His friends smirked to themselves as they saw Shinji's reaction to that particular name. They knew he had feelings for the girl, as they would always catch him looking across the room towards her. They loved teasing him about it and this most recent reaction would just serve as more fuel.

"…the second person will bee……"

Please choose me! Please choose me! Please choose me!> Shinji repeated in a silent mantra, his eyes burning into the teacher.

"…the second will be…"

Shinji felt a blood vessel burst in his head as he began sweating and stopped breathing.

"…the second will be… Shinji Ikari"

YES!> Shinji reluctantly jumped from excitement causing his desk and chair to separate making a loud noise. All the girls in the class giggled at his reaction, which made Shinji shrink towards his desk and turn bright red. He unconsciously turned his head towards the blue-headed wonder. The girl who for the last year and a half had been the target of his starring eyes. He was surprised to see her starring back at him.

As he looked at her he couldn't help but blush, even more than he already was. He couldn't work out the expression on her face… if any. But as quickly as it happened, she turned her attention to the window once again.

With the last orders given, the class was dismissed and everyone began standing up and heading outside the classroom.

"Getting some ALONE time with your girlfriend Shin-man?" Toji said sneakily behind Shinji's ear causing the boy to jump scared.

"What? No!… its not like that!" he defended himself, however with a fresh new blush making its presence unwillingly known causing Toji to laugh.

"Oh come on Shin-man! We saw your eagerness as the Sensei called out your names!" Kenzuka said as he joined the other two stooges.

"This is your perfect chance Shin-man!" Toji said as Aida stood next to him nodding his head absolutely.

"You'll be alone together for a whole hour! What better chance to ask her out?"

Shinji's eyes bulged out of their sockets as he turned an even deeper shade of red. "Look! I told you guys its-not-like-that!" Shinji said glaring at the two with a bright red face as he began making his way out towards the door, almost bumping into the frame.

"Whatever Shinji!" they both said mockingly as they watched him retreat "he's such an idiot!" Aida said as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Yeah! Its not like we're the only ones who know. He makes it so obvious the whole school knows he's got something for Ayanami" Toji finished.

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END FLASHBACK

Shinji frowned thinking about his so-called "friends" and how they always tease him. But that didn't stop him from grinning again as he upped the pace and continued his way to school.

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Apartment 402

"Rei Ayanami"

"…a name given to me by him"

Said a voice filled with emptiness. A matching facial expression to suit as she starred blankly at herself in the mirror, adorned in her school uniform, holding her book bag solemnly.

"Why am I still here?"

"…for what purpose do I continue to exist?"

A small frown cast over her petite features as she tried to recall the broken memories of her past and of who she is "…..I do not understand". With that last thought she turned and made her way out of her small apartment heading for school, leaving her door unlocked as usual.

As she made her way across the hot, busy city, she thought about her task today at school and about the person she was paired with. I am to perform cleaning duty with Ikari-kun> she thought as she continued walking. …Shinji> her thoughts wondered onto the third child. She recalled his odd behaviour over the past year or so. Little by little she would catch him looking at her though her peripheral vision. That alone wasn't what interested her, she was used to people starring at her. But it was the way he looked at her that sparked her curiosity.

She recalled the reason he gave for his starring 2 years ago "You would make a great mother Rei"> as she remembered his words she felt her cheeks heat up. He was the only one who would get reactions like this out of her.

Is this why he looks at me the way he does?> she thought curiously …I shall ask him today> satisfied with her new task, she continued her way to school peacefully.

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It was the last lesson of the day and Shinji sat with his head in one hand and his other tapping the table.

The day passed by pretty averagely for the third child. He defended the teasing remarks from his 'friends' and tried his best to deal with the strange, annoyed glares he received from Asuka, all the while he would fit in a good look at the girl of his dreams.

But now at the end of the school day anyone could tell he was bored, just like the rest of the class. The Sensei had the most boring voice that seemed to fire-up the sleeping chemicals in his brain as if they where forcing him to fall unconscious. Normally he would have given up… just like half of the class where doing but today was different.

He took a glance at the blue headed girl and silently watched her as she starred out of the window I wonder what she's thinking about?> he would give anything to know …I wonder if she ever thinks about me?> Shinji sighed to himself who am I kidding?>. In all the time he had known her he had never really spoken to her, and since the angels stopped coming almost 2 years ago, he hardly ever got to speak to her anymore. He would occasionally meet her during synch tests or during school but he was always too shy to approach her. He found her so hard to speak to. And so now he doesn't try anymore, instead he just enjoys being in her company. Although he would really like to know her, he was content enough being near her… it brought him comfort. And today, it was arranged for him to spend a whole hour with her! Just Him and Her.

"…and so the human race is slowly rebuilding the world and regaining its foothold on nature and the economy which was set back hundreds of years for the financing of the Evangelions…." The teacher continued but was stopped by the ringing of the school bell.

"Oooh… its that time already?" the teacher said as he turned around, closed his book, took off his reading glasses and rooted through the draw at a painfully slow pace.

"Doesn't time pass when your learning?" the teacher said with a happy smile…causing the class to fall from their seats.

The teacher then proceeded to give out the last orders of the day before finally dismissing the class.

"Ahhhh…. Finally!" Kenzuka stood up from his desk and stretched his tired muscles.

"Yeah seriously! yawn" Suzahara followed behind him "How long do we need to keep listening to this old fool go on about second impact?" "Oww?" flinching he quickly turned around rubbing the back of his head.

"Until you learn some manners!" Hikari glared at her boyfriend playfully.

"Pfft like that'll ever happen! These three stooges wouldn't know manners if it was edible!" Asuka said as she joined her friend looking at the three boys disapprovingly.

"Mmmmm… manners… drool" Aida gave his best Homer Simpson impression which made the two other boys laugh.

"You guys are so pathetic!" Asuka glared annoyingly at the three. When they got together it seemed like their idiocy grew an extra 10 points.

An amused Hikari turned to her friend "Oh Asuka I've been meaning to ask you all day, I didn't have time to deliver Tomoko-chans papers yesterday. Do you want to come with me? She lives across the city and I'd really appreciate the company" Asuka turned her attention away from the boys and towards her shorter female friend. "Sure Hikari! Anything's better than hanging around these idiots all day"

"Pfft! The only idiot around here is you!" Toji retaliated back at the redheaded prodigy. In his mind she was hysterical.

"What was that you little turd?" Asuka glared daggers at the boy. "You heard mmm…" Toji was cut off as he caught a look at his girlfriend. He knew that face she was giving him. She hated when they fought and he DID promise to keep the peace. So instead of arguing he decided just to glare at the girl instead.

However, Asuka saw the unspoken communication clearly and smirked at the boy "Ooooh aren't we obedient" she said, finishing with a whipping action and a 'whooshing' noise followed by a victorious laugh.

Toji's eyes widened dangerously. Seeing her boyfriends reaction the class rep quickly stepped in "Stop it you two! Asuka come on, we should leave now before it gets to late"

"Eh?" Asuka stopped revelling at her little victory and looked towards her friend "Ohh the papers... OK lets go" Before she left the room she turned around towards the 3 boys "Well Shinji it looks like you wont have the pleasure of walking home with me today" she said to the timid boy, grinning to herself.

"I-i…have cleaning duty today anyway Asuka" Shinji informed in his usual timid way.

"Eh? You do?" She missed what the teacher said yesterday, probably because she was asleep.

"Oooh that reminds me!" Hikari said as she walked back over to the crew. "I have the janitors room keys for the cleaning supplies" she said as she retrieved the keys from her bag and handed them to Shinji "Here… and don't forget to lock up!" the boy took the keys and nodded to the class rep. "We best hurry Asuka or we'll miss the train" Hikari said as she hurriedly picked up her bag and made her way out of the classroom.

Before Asuka left to catch up with her friend, she gave the boys one last superior pose and a special death glare for Toji before leaving.

The three boys stood in silence while watching the flamboyant girl leave.

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"Hey Hikari wait-up!" Asuka shouted as she ran down the corridor in an attempt to catch-up with her friend. "Damn where are you?" she said mostly to herself as she reached the exit

"BOOH!"

Jumping at the fright, she quickly turned around to see a laughing Hikari behind her.

"Gotcha!" she said with a smile

"Damnit Hikari, are you trying to kill me or something?" Asuka said as she bent foreword trying to catch her breath.

"Hehehehe sorry, couldn't help it" she said as they both started making their way out of school grounds.

"Its so good to finally get out of school and away from those stooges!" Asuka said as she stretched her arms out "I really don't understand you and the whole Toji thing… it's a mystery to me" she said as she looked up at the sky puzzled.

"I told you Asuka… its his compassionate side" Hikari said turning away from her friend with a blush appearing on her pretty face.

Asuka looked at her friend as if she were an alien "Well… whatever I guess"

"There's no need to be jealous Asuka!" she said playfully

Rolling her eyes "I still think you need to get your eyes checked" she said as they arrived at the train station.

"Wow just in time!" they both ran and stepped on board the train that was about to depart.

"Oh hehe. Don't you think its cute the way Shinji and Rei where picked for cleaning duty?" Hikari said as they took their seats.

"What?" Asuka replied surprised "Wonder girl was paired with him!"

"You didn't know? Shinji was so kawaii when the teacher called out their names" she said laughing remembering his reaction.

"…Oh" Asuka turned her head downwards towards her shoes "Why didn't you tell me?"

Hikari turned to her friend, confused by her reaction "I..i'm sorry, I just thought you knew" Whats with her all of a sudden?> she thought as she watched her friends disappointed expression.

The two girls sat for about 1 minute until Asuka broke the silence.

"Pffft its not like I care what wonder girl and the idiot do!" she said as she raised her head. "Anyway, what's our stop?" she got off her seat and walked across the train towards the map on the wall.

Hikari sat in silence looking at her friend.

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"Thank god she's gone!" Toji said as he watched the girl leave down the corridor.

"Yeah! I feel for you Shin-man" Aida said as he placed a consoling hand on his shoulder. "Yup, there is no way I could stand living with HER 24/7!" Toji continued, "I don't know how my Hikari-chan does it!" he said with exaggerated hand movements.

"Oh come on guys she's not that bad" Shinji replied. The two boys looked at Shinji as if he had lost his mind. Noticing their eyes he continued "…well I…" "huh?" he was cut-off.

"Ikari-kun?"

"Oh Rei…err… Ayanami!" Shinji stammered nervously as he turned around and looked at the girl.

"Are you ready to perform cleaning duty?" she asked with the same quiet, soft voice she always uses.

"Oh…yes… sorry Ayanami!… I..I'll be right their!" he watched her as she nodded in approval then turn making her way towards the back of the student-less classroom. His eyes mesmerized with every move she makes.

"..………."

"Ooooh he's so kawaiiiii!" Aida said in a girly voice mocking his friend causing Toji to laugh and Shinji to fall claim to the blushing pit further.

"W—what? Sh..shut up!"

The boys laughed harder "Well Shin-man we'll leave you to get your FREAK ON with miss Ayanami!" Toji said loudly making sure Shinji wasn't the only one in the classroom to hear his words.

"Damnit Toji!" Shinji mumbled angrily towards a retreating and laughing Toji.

Slowly turning around he saw her looking at him with her head slightly tilted to the side with what seemed like a slightly confused expression on her face OH GOD! SHE HEARD HIM!> he watched as she straightened her head and slowly changed her features and parted her lips as if she were going to ask something

OH GOD! PLEASE DON'T!>

"…………." sweat

"…what did Suzahara-kun mean by 'get your freak on' with me?"

NOOOOOO!>

Shinji's eyes tripled their size and his face turned an even darker shade of red. Maybe now it could pass for purple.

S-shinji?> Taken back by his sudden change of state, she steadily made her way towards him Ikari-kun is not well> As she approached him she noticed that his 'condition' seemed to worsen. So she hurried her pace glaring at him worriedly.

Oh god! What's she doing?> He watched her as she approached him, so intensely starring at him Is..i-s..she worried?>

She stopped inches infront of him looking deeply into his eyes. She then gently took her hand and placed it onto his forehead. Shinji froze at her touch… his breathing stopped. They stood there starring deeply into each other's eyes.

"…………."

"…………."

This lasted for about 30 seconds until Rei broke the silence.

"…you are burning up"

Surprised at the interruption, a still profusely blushing and now breathing Shinji gingerly took her hand from his head and held it all the while starring into her deep red eyes. He felt lost, as if he was falling into her eyes. There was a depth, a connection, something that felt so primordially familiar to him the moment seemed to last forever.

It wasn't until Shinji noticed something She's blushing!>

!> A barrage of emotion, feelings and sensations went through the girls mind/body in a very short amount of time that it became very hard for her to balance herself. The way he looked at her trapped her. She felt her cheeks warm-up ….I…I'm... embarrassed> she thought as she also noticed her breathing had changed also.

15 seconds later

"…I..Ikari-kun?"

"yes…gulp… Ayanami?"

"Should we not begin clearing the classroom?"

"Oh... gomen Ayanami!"

He disappointedly let go of her hand and apologised again out of reflex more than anything. After a little while of just standing there she turned and walked to the other side of the classroom. Shinji on the other hand was still recovering from what just happened "we should move the desks to one side first before we begin cleaning" He came out of his daze by the sound of her voice and turned towards her "H…hai" with that said he joined her and began clearing the classroom.

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50 minutes later the third child stood after scrubbing the last floor tile on his side of the room and surveyed the classroom. well that should be enough> he thought as he then changed his view from the floor to the girl on the other side of the room who seemed to be finishing aswell.

Not much happened between the two since the earlier incident, apart from both agreeing what would be the best way to clean the classroom. Now and again he would watch her go through the motions of cleaning remembering how soft her hand had felt. He looked at his watch and mentally sighed damn… we'll be finished soon> he didn't want his time with her to end.

As Rei was finishing up cleaning the last part of the classroom, she could feel his eyes starring at the back of her head as she squeezed the water out of the rag, similarly to the last time it happened. He is looking at me again> She had felt his lingering eyes throughout the afternoon. I shall ask him why he does so> with that, she finished washing the last section of the floor then they both started putting the chairs and desks back in place.

As they finished they both collected their belongings and walked towards the door and into the hallway. She stopped and looked at the boy, noticing the disappointed expression on his face. Seeing as they had both finished the task and were alone, she decided to ask him the question that had been on her mind all day but was interrupted.

"Umm….Re.. Ayanami?" nervousness clearly evident in his voice

"Yes Ikari-kun?"

She looked at him and waited patiently for him to continue, she could tell he was nervous "I… I was just... umm… wondering" he nervously brought his hand up behind his neck and began unconsciously rubbing his shoulder/neck "...was wondering if I… could..m-maybe.." he looked at her patiently waiting for him to continue. If this were Asuka, he thought, then she would have called him every name under the sun or would have already left. But Rei waited patiently. He loved this about her… she would never pressure him at all. Inwardly smiling at that thought, he found the extra strength to finish what he started "...I was wondering if I would… b-be able to walk you…h-home?" nerves clearly won near the end but he got it out eventually, and surprisingly clear. The third child braced himself for the obvious oncoming rejection.

"………."

"…….if you wish Ikari-kun"

A few seconds passed before he replayed her answer in his head. He quickly opened his eyes in amazement and couldn't help but smile at the girl. He watched as she turned away from him and began making her way outside. He quickly followed her.

Rei was actually pleased that Shinji asked to spend more time with her, because she didn't want to ask him her question, as he seemed so nervous. So she decided to ask him during her way home. Hopefully, she thought, he will have calmed down by then.

Why is he so nervous….. is it me?> she thought as they both silently made their way across the city in the heat of the day. She quickly discarded that thought however, as she recalled the boy's behaviour ever since she met him. The only people he wasn't nervous around were Kenzuka, Suzahara and Major Katsuragi… but that took time. She knew he was nervous and jittery around the Major when he first met her, but now he seems comfortable around her. That thought made the girl feel strange… almost ……hopeful?>

As the late day sun shone brightly on the two as they made their way across the city, another thought occurred to the young pale girl. He never looks at anyone the way he looks at me> that realisation caused a small blush to appear on her face yet again ...not even with the Major>. She couldn't help but feel strangely pleased at that thought. She then decided to leave her question, as she didn't want him to stop looking at her. With this decision made a full-blown flush came across the girls face and her eyes widened ever so slightly. So many emotions in one day was a rarity for the first child and she knew it was only Shinji who could do it to her.

Meanwhile the young man walking next to her was a complete and nervous wreck! He watched her, as she appeared to go through all different types of emotions and facial expressions. He had never seen her so animated before… and quite frankly it worried the hell out of him!

Oh my god! She hates me! She doesn't want me walking with her!>

After another 5 minutes of self-torture and doubt the third child was just about to resort to apologising professedly but was interrupted as she stopped walking causing him to stop, almost bumping into her. He looked up as he noticed they had reached their destination. He sighed inwardly then wondered why he didn't hear the construction work earlier?

He took a step back and watched her slowly turn around and look at him. He was unable to decipher the expression on her face and this made him nervous more so.

"We are here" she stated absolutely.

"Umm… so we are" he repeated nervously but content.

"I…th-..thank you for walking with me Ikari-kun" she said nervously.

"…th-..thank you for allowing me" he replied smiling at the blushing?> nervous girl. She gave him a very small, almost non-existent smile back then turned and headed for the apartment entrance.

After seeing her smile at him all of Shinji's worries vanished without a trace. He thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen! It was better than the first time she smiled at him because this time he never asked her too. She had done it of her own accord.

Shinji stood their smiling to himself as he watched the girl enter then disappear into the large, empty apartment building. Slowly taking his time he turned around and gazed up at the sun. Today had turned out to be the best day of his life! As he made his way across the city, a rare feeling came back to him…. "Happiness" he said to himself smiling, a smile in recognition to the emotion as he joyfully headed home.

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Inside the Geofront

A tall man stood inside his dark office looking out of the window watching the construction of a new building. An icy cold expressionless face reflected back at him.

"Ikari… I have the reports on the current financial state" the older man stopped as he looked down at the papers.

"And?"

"Its just as we suspected, they will be withdrawing a total of 45 of the funding starting in 3 months time. We will be officially informed next week"

"Hmmm less than I imagined" the younger man turned towards his older friend "I was expecting at least 50" he then made his way towards his desk motioning for the older man to join him.

"Slowly but effectively they have been withdrawing funding since the defeat of the last angel… and the events that followed" Gendo said as he took his seat and watched his friend sit down and place a large stack of papers on the table.

"Yes…and of course with SEELE now gone, we no longer have the influence we once did" Fuyutsuki said, as Gendo silently listened "People just don't know what to believe anymore" he turned towards the younger, but no less wiser man "we can't do anymore than we already have"

"Indeed… using conventional methods of course"

Fuyutsuki gave his friend a confused look "…what do you mean?" "Apart from keeping our jobs in this battered old world, what is the point of asking for more money?" he paused for a second then continued "You and I both know their will be no more angel attacks… and its only a matter of time before this information leaks out with the amount of so called, 'government workers' hanging around" he finished and gazed at the commander expectantly.

"Then we will create an angel attack and give them reason to fund us"

The older man was clearly surprised by this answer and gave the commander a questioning look. You don't mean?… but why Gendo?> Gendo knew what his friend was thinking and continued.

"It is the only way we can get the funds Fuyutsuki" he stated.

"Well... yes I can see that, but… why? For what reason?"

Gendo smirked under his hands "to retrieve Yui"

This shocked the older man completely; he was not expecting him to say that. After a few seconds of looking at him, trying to work out his motives he continued.

"…is that even possible Ikari?" "We both know third impact was a failure…" he trailed off as he noticed the look in Gendo's eyes "…don't... we?" he could tell his friend had something planned.

"How? How is it possible Ikari? We have lost the tools needed…" he stated.

"Fuyutsuki we both know third impact wasn't a failure, it was merely different from what we expected" he stopped as he picked up a file from his desk "Man lost his foothold on reality during that time. The world ran in chaos and yet, not a single person can recall what happened"

"Third impact did occur, but the medium was the catalyst for the world today" he said as he handed the older man the file.

Fuyutsuki looked at the man "You mean… Shinji?"

"Yes"

Fuyutsuki stirred at the man blankly, in his opinion he thought Gendo had actually given-up and accepted his wife's death after third impact, but he was clearly wrong. He knew Gendo would never have brought up his wife unless there was a need too.

"These are…. medical reports?" Fuyutsuki inquired as he briefly gazed over the file.

"Yes recorded since… that time" Gendo answered as he returned to his usual pose.

"Th-this is… this cant be? Is this legitimate?"

"…………."

After briefly reading the reports, it now became clear to him. He now knew that there was a way to retrieve her… something that had slipped past him. Like so many things during his 'career' and that something involved the third child… his own son. What are you planning Ikari?> he frowned slightly. Once again he would use his own son for his selfish desires Yui would be so disappointed>

He never voiced that last thought.

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Apartment 402

Rei was lying front down on her bed with her head resting on top of her hands as she recalled the events earlier today.

Thank you… words only spoken to Shinji> her eyes moving to the side in confusion.

…I smiled again to him… why did I do that?>

...Something I do not do anymore..… not even with… him>

A thousand thoughts and feelings flashed through her mind Once again I am alone…..alone> she turned her body and sat at the edge of the untidy bed as she looked across the empty, dark, cold apartment.

She could hear the echo of a dripping tap, as if the noise was filling every corner of the small apartment. As she sat and listened, the sound seemed to change, as if it was growing. As if it desired to fill her, penetrate her… just as if she were another corner of the cold, dark, empty room.

At that thought, an all too familiar feeling came across her loneliness…a feeling I hate> She stood-up and made her way to the small, cracked mirror on the wall. As she looked deep inside her eyes she felt it… "..s..s-sorrow.." a feeling so intense and so great it swallowed her, and it was a part of her. In her mind lay a vast emptiness… something she had always had. Something that formed her, her heart, her mind… her… "soul…" Suddenly she heard another drip, but this time it came from something else. She felt her eyes heat-up, water roll down her cheeks and tears hitting the floor; this caused her to zoom back to reality, as she focused once more on the small cracked mirror.

"I…I..I'm..crying…" she slowly brought her hand up and touched the mirror "Why am I crying?"

…sorrow>

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Shinji had reached his apartment and was making his way up the stairs all the while thinking about his time with Rei. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he remembered everything from the soft touch of her hands, the closeness he felt to her as she looked into his eyes while touching his forehead. And then, of course her smile. The smile he only saw once before. He now felt that little bit closer to the first child and this made him happier than he ever was over the past 4 years. It really was a special day.

As he reached the door, he took his keycard from his pocket and swiped it open "Tadaima!" he said as he took off his shoes and closed the door behind him.

"Welcome home Shinji-kun!" he heard as he made his way to the voice' location.

"Hey Misato, where is Asuka? I thought she would have been home before me today" he asked as he stood looking at the large pile of cans all over the floor, inwardly sighing.

"Oh she phoned about 20 minutes ago. She's staying at Hikari's tonight" she said as she wiggled the can in her hands resulting in a hollow noise. She then threw the empty can onto the small mountain infront of her and looked up sweetly at the boy smiling and blinking her eyes.

Shinji knew the unspoken request all too well and sighed as he turned and headed for the refrigerator. Misato grinned to herself, Hey he's catching on!> a little while later he came back and tossed a couple of cans towards her then plonked himself on the couch and gazed at the TV.

"Thanks Shinji-kun!" she said with a smile.

After placing the cans down she cracked one open and took a huge swig, taking in half of its contents then let out a pleased yell and laid back against the side of the couch grinning. All the while ignoring the disapproving gaze of her young roommate.

"So Shinji-kun why did you get back so late?" she leaned forward and gave him a dirty glare "got a girlfriend Shinji?"

"W..what!.. n..n-no.. no.. I don't Misato!" he answered annoyingly, as he turned his head to the side in an attempt to preserve some dignity.

She loved teasing the boy; he always had a knack for curing her boredom. And today had been a very boring day for her. TV nowadays was worthless and so it seemed her entertainment was to be found elsewhere.

"Oh come on Shinji! You can tell mee!" she cooed at him.

"Stop teasing me Misato!" he said still bright red "A-anyway, the reason I was so late was because I had cleaning duty" he said quickly in his own defence. He hated when she was drunk. She would always use him for her enjoyment, and unfortunately for him, she was always drunk outside of work.

"Oh…" she said deflated well that put a downer on that>

Seeing his guardians deflated condition he took it as his sign to relax finally I can take it easy> he sighed and got more comfortable.

"……………………"

"……………………"

"I bet you where cleaning with your girlfriend… eh Shinji-kyun?" Shinji's eyes tripled their size as he turned a deeper shade of red and sat frozen stiff.

!…>

Surprised at his reaction, she was certainly not expecting him to get so worked up. She sat up a little straighter and turned all her attention towards the boy. She now knew he was keeping something back and so she wanted to find out what it was, she wanted to exploit him!

Like a Tiger finding an injury, she pounced.

"Oooooooh! My Shinji-kun's got a girlfriend!" she said getting excited causing the boy to withdraw into his shell.

"So who is it? Tell me!" she said over enthusiastically as she now sat cross-legged grinning expectantly at him.

"No one Misato! I don't have a girlfriend!" he stated getting worked up. She thought it was cute.

"Who did you clean with?" She asked interrogatingly, she knew there was someone or he would never have reacted the way he did.

Knowing he had no other choice he decided to answer truthfully. "A..a..a.aya.ayanami" he stammered in a very quiet almost non-existent voice.

"What was that Shinji? I didn't hear you?" She said mocking him.

"… it..it was… a-ayanami" Shinji could slowly feel the old familiar emotions coming back to him, he was becoming more and more self-conscious.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh?" She held her hand to her ear "Who?" She said leaning forward over dramatically.

Breathing heavily, the happy feeling now completely gone. He sat totally unsure of himself.

"Shinji-kyun!" she teased with a nasty grin on her face and she winked at the boy, crawling to him like a cat.

"IT WAS AYANAMI!" he yelled standing up, taking Misato by surprise. Tears began falling from his eyes with his face bright red.

Taken back by him, she was shocked. She never thought this would happen, Oh no…what have I done?>

She watched as he started running towards his room.

"Shinji I…I'm so sor--!" she was cut off

"Leave me alone! Get away from me!" the harshness of his voice caused her to flinch and look down at her feet. A loud slam of his door followed leaving her standing alone in silence.

"What have I done?" she said as she threw the beer can at the wall and kicked the pile infront of her.

Pushing the blame off of herself

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End of Chapter 1:

First of all I'd like to apologise if any of the formatting comes across as strange. I've been having a battle with the story uploader and this is the best I could do.

This is my first real attempt at fanfiction (real it took longer than 20mins).

I've been meaning to do a Shinji/Rei fic for sometime now and I've only just decided to put it on paper.

I'm new to writing so I have no doubt there will be many mistakes. I tried my best to right a fic with characters that 'stay-in-character' however there will always be a certain amount of it IMO. The overall story is already planned; it's just a matter of putting it on paper. Is it worth continuing?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any reviews.

Thank you very much for reading!

Cheers!

Keshin