Copyright Notice: I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion or any related characters, GAINAX does.

Quick Notes: This is my first Shinji-Rei one shot so I pretty much expect constructive criticism. You're now being warned that after the little "accident" Rei has in the fic it's going to get a little confusing until Shinji "reveals" what's wrong. The little confusion around there is intentional, so don't flame me about it.

Update: I've decided that this won't be a one shot since I've gotten so many good reviews. I've also fixed that stupid problem I made towards the end of the chapter. Sorry about that.

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

Rei lied in her room. It was late. Tomorrow would be another day. Another day to live. Another useless day. A day at school. She hated this. Rei closed her eyes, and remembered destroying herself in Unit 00 to save Shinji Ikari in Unit 01. This Rei Ayanami was the third, but now realized spawned from the shell of the second. Rei brushed back her short, blue hair, she opened her eyes and blinked twice, revealing her crimson red eyes. Her pale skin hid in the shadows of the walls. The light of the moon didn't shine over the girl. Rei then pulled her knees up to her chest, and slowly fell asleep . . .

The next day . . . Rei packed her lunch, and headed toward the school. Upon arrival, she found she was the first one there. She looked at the clock, and realized it was very early. She sat in her seat, and waited patiently. Slowly, classmates came in one by one.



* * * * *



Asuka steps out of her room in her uniform after having a shower.

Misato looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure!" Asuka answered.

"You really don't have to go to school; you had a traumatic experience a few weeks ago . . . unless this is just because you want to go on that trip."

Asuka ignored Misato's idea and looked around. "Where's Shinji?"

"He left early today."

"He's supposed to cook breakfast! And what about our lunches?"

"He said something about "gathering courage". Besides, I cooked breakfast."

Misato then drank a whole can of beer. Asuka stared at the food.

"Well, eat!"

". . . ."

"What's wrong with it?:

"Is it edible?"

"Of course it's edible!"

* * * * *



"Ayanami?" Shinji opened Rei's door and stepped inside. "Ayanami? Maybe she's still sleeping."

Shinji turned to the door, and was about to leave, but he re-entered the house and went into Rei's room. No one was there. Shinji left, and continued toward the school. When he reached the school, he found Rei was there, sitting patiently in her seat. Shinji didn't want to talk to her in public. He took a seat in the back of the room near Kensuke. Touji was absent because of his leg. Asuka stomped into the classroom. "Anta baka!"

Shinji kept silent.

"Why didn't you wait for me this morning?!"

"You were taking a shower."

"Baka, you should know better! Wait for me next time!"

"Why do you two argue?"

Both Shinji and Rei were silent as they stared at Rei.

"Why is it that the two of you constantly argue?"

Asuka was already in enough of a rage. She didn't need to answer Rei's question. "It's none of YOUR business, wonder girl."

Rei ignored Asuka's comment. "Are you siblings?"

"NO!" Shinji immediately screamed as soon as she finished her sentence.

"HELL NO! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT IDEA?!"

". . ."

"Well?"

". . ."

"Fine, give us the silent treatment."

Rei returns to her seat. Shinji continued to look at her. "Why did she come over here?"

"Who cares."

Class soon began. It was an average day. The sensei went over the trip the students will be going on. Of course, Rei wouldn't attend. It would be just like her not to attend social activities. Shinji spent most of the class staring at Rei.

Shinji's computer now intercepted an E-mail. 'Do you know what is truth?'

Shinji quickly replied. 'What?'

'Are we truth?'

'Who is this?'

'Do you wish to see me?'

'I don't know. Who is this?'

'If you do not wish to see me, why do you continue to stare?'

Shinji immediately turned bright red. He didn't reply.

Rei sent another message. 'Do you wish to see me?'

Shinji didn't reply. He did want to see her.

'I wish to see you.'

The red-as-a-cherry boy finally replied. 'Yes, I wish to see you.'

'This afternoon?'

Shinji replied. 'I am sorry, Ayanami. The trip is this afternoon.'

'I see. Can we speak tomorrow?'

'Yes, we will be back by tomorrow.'

Rei didn't respond.

'I will see you tomorrow, Ayanami.'

'Acknowledge me as Rei.'

'Okay. Goodbye, Rei.'

Rei didn't respond, but the conversation was over.

"So, who was that?" Kensuke asked.

"It was Aya . . . Rei."

"Oh, I see. What were you talking about?"

"Nothing."

"Ikari-kun."

"What?"

"You're still staring at her."

Shinji became bright red again.

"It must be her nice, round . . ."

"Don't start."

"Fine, but - "

"Would you like to share you conversation with the class Aida?" asked the sensei.

"N-No sensei."

"Good."

Shinji thanked God that conversation was over. After class, the children were preparing to leave on the trip, while Rei prepared to go to her apartment.

"Umm . . . Rei."

". . ."

"Goodbye, Rei. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Ikari Shinji-kun, "

Shinji and the rest of the class left on their trip, while Rei walked toward her apartment. She stepped inside, but would soon have to leave, for she had a harmonics test.

* * * * *



After a few hours, the harmonics test came to an end.

"We're done here," said Ritsuko. "Open the entry plug."

"Yes, Ritsuko-san." Maya tried to open the entry plug, but it wouldn't.

"Ritsuko-san! Something's wrong!"

"What is it?"

"The plug won't open."

"Why not?"

"It's jammed! It's not opening!"

Rei waited patiently in her entry plug, not knowing that problems were manifesting. Then, sparks began to fly all over the place in the Eva. The entry plug now entered itself into Eva Unit 00. And began to move by itself.

Ritsuko stared in horror. "What the hell?! Shut it down!"

Maya desperately tried. The Eva came to life, and then, died down again. "I . . . I did it."

"Get that entry plug open!"

Maya was finally able to override the system, release the entry plug, and open it, only to find that Rei isn't there. Techs began to work to get Rei's body out of Unit 00's core.

"What went wrong?" Gendou asked.

"We're not sure. But if Maya weren't able to override the system, the plug would've blown up."

". . ."

"The entry plug itself is a mess. Glass is all over the place and it was filled with fire . . . and also . . . blood."

"Will she be alright?"

"Possibly." Ritsuko answered. 'He always drops everything for his doll'.

Misato now arrived. "I came as soon as I heard. Is she alright?"

"We're not sure. They're still trying to get her out of the core."

Then, the techs came out - with Rei, soul and body intact.

"Looks like she's okay."

"Thank goodness."

* * * * *

Rei was checked out. Almost everything seemed to be alright, except for her leg. She lied in a hospital bed.

Gendou stepped into her hospital room to check on her before she left. "Rei, how are you?"

"I am well. I wish to rest."

Ritsuko now stepped up to Gendou. "We need to talk."

"Not now."

"It's about Unit 00. We need to destroy it."

"Destroy Unit 00?"

"You know this Rei was the last capable of have carrying an S2 Organ."

". . ."

"Upon salvaging Rei out of Unit 00's core, we found that her S2 Organ was removed. Unit 00 is an Angel now. It must be destroyed."

". . ."

"Commander . . ."

"Fine. We will have it sent to a remote area, where it will be . . . destroyed."

Gendou walked away. His day just went from bad to worse. Complementation was just about impossible now. Ritsuko left the room. Gendou stared back at Rei. She was still awake, but was entirely unnoticeable.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Rei?"

"When will I regain my - "

"You shall not. I am sorry."

"I thought this was only a minor lilum problem."

"It is not. You must wear this."

Gendou handed an item over to Rei. Rei dropped it, but Gendou picked it up, and handed it to Rei.

"I understand."

"You may go home if you like. Though I do not advise it."

"I shall go."

"You do not have to attend school tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Rei rose up and took her cane. Her leg was in severe pain. But that wasn't what was bothering her.

* * * * *

A group of girls sat around a campfire.

A girl began to laugh. "Isn't she just a freak?"

"Yeah. Short, blue hair? Red eyes?"

"She's an emotionless bitch."

The group of girls laughed. "Rei does mean "zero"."

"And that's what she is."

Asuka laughed along with the girls. "You think it's bad just being around her for a few hours. I have it the worst."

Shinji watched as the girls talked about Rei. He cringed. He didn't know why they did so. They laughed. It was like they had nothing better to do.

(Flashback) Rei defending Shinji when Asuka insulted him. (End Flashback)

Shinji wanted to step up to them, and put them down. But, he couldn't. It was fear. But he remembered that Rei could care less if she was insulted. However, Rei was a much different person from him. Shinji listened to more of their insults. He couldn't stand it.

"You don't look too good," said Kensuke.

". . ."

"You should defend Rei. After all, that's one step ahead in getting her in - "

"Don't start!"

"Fine."

"I just wish they would stop."

"Maybe she was meant to be insulted."

"What?"

"You're insulted. She's insulted. Maybe you understand how she feels, and she understands how you feel."

Shinji contemplated Kensuke's words of wisdom. He cringed. (Wouldn't anyone at the thought of "Kensuke's words of wisdom"?) Nevertheless, Kensuke was right . . .

* * * * *

Rei walked through the street. The cane was a problem. However, Rei did handle it well. She tried to walk straight. It was hard. A man came walking down the street, and accidentally bumped into Rei. Rei was thrown back, but she continued to walk. Another man bumped into her, inadvertently knocking her down. No one helped her up. She helped herself up, and continued down the street. It began to rain. Everyone rushed for shelter; yet, she continued to walk at a normal pace. Then, a car then pulled up to her.

'A familiar scent . . . yes . . .'

"Rei?" It was Misato's car.

"Major Katsuragi."

"I think it would be best if you stayed at my place. It would be safer. "

"If it pleases you, Major."

"Please . . . "Misato"."

Misato opened the door for Rei, and Rei stepped into the car. They then drove all the way to the other side of the city, where Misato lived.

* * * * *

"You'll be staying here. This is Asuka's room."

'Pilot Soryu's scent lingers here . . .'

"Well, make yourself comfortable . . . have you eaten yet?"

"I have."

"Okay." Misato left the room, and went to the fridge to pull a beer out.

Rei rested on the bed. 'I can feel it . . . the moon . . . it shines . . . it's light does not reflect upon me . . . it no longer matters . . . I can only fell it now . . . it's presence . . . like Ikari . . . his distance . . . yet . . . he is close . . . I think I love him . . .'

Rei then remembered what happened in the Unit 00 entry plug. Everything around her was shattering. 'I cannot . . . I feel . . . sadness . . . like crying . . . I wish to cry . . .but I cannot . . . is it normal to cry . . . is my lilum problem normal . . . I cannot cry! Wait . . . moisture . . . I feel it . . . a tear . . . so I may . . .'

Rei was calmed by her tear, and fell asleep.

* * * * *

The class now came back from the trip. They were back at the school. School was cancelled for the day, and the children prepared to go home. Rei now came up to the school. Her leg was now feeling much better, but still had a scar on it.

"Hey, wonder girl, school was cancelled!"

Rei heard, but to them, it was as if she didn't pay any attention.

"Hey, didn't you hear, bitch?" asked a girl sarcastically.

"And what's with the goofy sunglasses, it's not even sunny!"

"Looks like you injured your leg, Rei. You're a bigger baka than Shinji- kun."

It was as if this attack was planned. The group of girls continued their attack on Rei. Then, Shinji came entered the scene. Everyone saw Rei, and began to joke about the sunglasses. Everyone was laughing. Everyone except for Shinji.

"Rei . . . oh my God . . ."

"Ikari-kun . . ."

Up to now, other than Nerv, Shinji was the only one who noticed.

"Oh my God, Rei, you're blind!"

". . ."

"How did this happen?!"

"It was during a harmonics test."

Shinji was crying. Everyone looked at the two. "Rei . . ."

"I . . . do not wish for you to see me like this."

"N-No, Rei . . . you're still you . . ."

Tears slowly escaped her eyelids. Shinji held Rei. Rei's head was about to rest on Shinji's, but she pushed away. "N-No, you mustn't see me like this . . ."

Rei ran off. Shinji watched. All of the students "tried" to not pay any attention. Asuka stepped up to Shinji.

"Ouch." Asuka added sarcastically.

To the surprise of everyone, Shinji punched Asuka.

"She didn't deserve that!" Hikari said jumping forward.

Kensuke now jumped forward. "And did Rei deserve what she got?"

Shinji ran off toward Rei. He wondered why Kensuke backed him up there. Shinji remembered this is the closest thing to war, and Kensuke was on his side. Shinji chased Rei across half the city toward her apartment.

"Damnit, I didn't know she could run this fast . . ."

Rei now rushed into her apartment building. She ran into her room, only to be followed by Shinji. Rei could hear his racing footsteps. Shinji ran up to her, and accidentally tripped and inadvertently knocked her over. The two fell to the ground. Shinji rose first, and looked down at Rei. He helped her up.

"You mustn't see me."

"Why not?"

"Because I am a defective lilum."

"No, you're not. You're not the only blind person in the World."

". . . "

"You can't lock yourself up forever. You've done it enough."

". . ."

"Rei . . ."

"Let me be."

"I won't."

". . . ?"

"I can't." Shinji said standing his ground in front of Rei.

Rei stepped into her room and lied down on her bed. She pulled her knees up to her chest. Shinji stepped in, and gazed at her.

"Rei . . . it doesn't matter if you're blind . . ."

"I have always been blind. This only completes it."

Shinji walked toward the bed and knelt next to it.

"Now I am completely blind. If I cannot see, I cannot be seen. The moon does not shine over me."

"Then let me be your eyes."

"My . . . eyes?"

"You can see me."

". . ."

"The real Shinji. You're the only one that can see me. You can understand me."

"I can see you."

Shinji smiled. "I can't even see me.

"How is it possible that you cannot see yourself?"

"I don't know . . . I never had a mother or father to see me . . . I never bothered to see myself."

Rei was blind but knew enough about the human body to be able to put her hand on Shinji's cheek. "Then let me be your guide. We are truth."

Shinji continued to smile, and Rei gave one of her rare smiles.

"Lie next to me."

"What?"

"Lie down. You sound tired."

Shinji reluctantly lied next to her, but knew it was safe. No one would disturb them that night, not Asuka or anyone else . . .

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

Well, that's the fic. Was it good or bad? Please review. Anyway, before I leave you t o either hit the back button or review, I'd just like to say that one of the major points of the fic (other than that this is for Shinji- Rei fans) is that even if she has some of Yui's DNA, Lilith's DNA, was "shaped" by Gendou, and acts a little odd, Rei Ayanami is Rei Ayanami. No matter how much people say "she's an Angel" or "she's Shinji's mother" or some other rant, Rei will always be Rei. Blind of deaf, she's STILL Rei.