Balance Returned

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Misato Katsuragi waited for the firebrand, Asuka Langley Soryu to finish her rant before speaking. "We need to do a power test on Unit 1 and we're hoping to duplicate the high sync ratio that you and Shinji displayed in Unit 2."

Asuka kicked over a nearby trashcan as they stood in the female locker room at NERV headquarters. "So we get to be eaten now!" She turned with her back to Misato crossing her arms in front of herself and almost seemed to be embracing herself. Misato knew better than to comment on the apparent fear the Second Child was showing.

"It's not like that. Unit 1 has shown no signs of the ... irregularities that occurred ... when Shinji ... ." Misato found her throat tightening as the memories flooded back.

Asuka turned back to look at her. "So now that precious Shinji is safe you've decided to risk the same thing happening to us?"

Misato let out a sigh that gave the third person in the room a chance to speak. The blue haired girl had finished dressing in her plugsuit and now walked in between the two others. "Is it time yet?"

Misato sighed again. "Soon Rei."

"Thank you Major Katsuragi."

"I won't do it." Asuka stomped her foot and spinning around quickly. Her red hair whipped by like a cape. "Have baka Shinji and Wondergirl doll do it."

"Then quit." Misato said forcefully. Truthfully a part of her hoped that the girl would and not because of the frequent temper tantrums or falling sync ratio. "I wouldn't order this if I didn't think it was safe."

"It's not fair!" Asuka said in a whining tone before turning back to her locker and pulling out her plugsuit. Her hand froze with the suit half way out of the locker. "If something happens ... ." She started to say in a weak voice.

"We'll get you back, both of you." Misato said and she couldn't help but feel relief that she actually believed it. Rei started out of the door seemingly without any of the concerns that plagued the redhead.

Asuka found herself believing it as well but her brief respite faded as Misato walked out of the room. "Ich hoffe." She leaned her head against the cool metal of locker then started changing into her suit.

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In the control room Misato stood next to her friend and head scientist Ritsuko Akagi. The blonde haired woman did nothing at the stream of complaints and sounds of a brief struggle coming from the plug.

"Knock it off!" Misato almost shouted at the two girls that were pushing and pulling on one another.

"Why does she get to sit in the front?" Asuka demanded.

"Because you're taller." Ritsuko said sounding worn out already.

"But she's touching my ... emmm ... me." Asuka said pushing Rei's head away from her chest.

"Asuka if you don't stop I'm going to put the two of you in sync camp like you did with Shinji." Misato rubbed her temple in frustration.

Asuka groaned and released the girl's head. Rei allowed her head to return to a more natural position, showing no signs of being bothered by the physical contact. Misato did see a slight grimace as Rei checked the various dials that required her to turn her head.

"What's wrong Rei?" Misato said in her best commanding voice.

"I'm fine Major." The girl responded back without missing a beat.

"Rei." Misato said making sure the camera caught her expression. It took her a second for the surprise to kick in. Rei actually seemed to be effected by her stare as would Asuka or Shinji. That knowledge setting in surprised the older woman.

"My neck hurts." Rei said softly. Misato turned her glare to Asuka making the redhead flinch.

"Damn it Asuka." Misato actually growled.

"I can fix it." Asuka said quickly. Her hands flew to Rei's neck and in a shocking act started to gently massage the muscles there. Asuka felt Rei's body tense when her hands made contact but it relaxed again in a few seconds. "Is this helping?" Asuka said with sigh. Rei just nodded to the affirmative.

Asuka continued to massage the other girl's neck as those in the control room looked on speechlessly. She didn't speak again for two minutes. "Is there a position where your neck doesn't hurt as much?"

Rei just nodded and Asuka saw the red flush that came up on Rei's neck. "Go ahead and move your head there." Asuka prepared herself for what she knew was coming.

Rei didn't move for a few seconds then she leaned her head back until it rested against Asuka's chest. The redhead bit back the sharp comment as Misato was still glaring at her.

"Alright let's start the sync test." Ritsuko said loudly.

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Fifteen minutes later Ritsuko groaned as she read the readouts. "Rei's sync ratio is the same and Asuka's lost another three points. It's a wash."

"No." Misato said sternly. "I don't care if it's only one point, they stay in there until we see improvement." She knew her words would be carried to the plug. She turned to look at the screen that would carry her images and words to the girls. "Take five then we'll start again."

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Rei let out a sigh that Asuka couldn't find herself to disagree with. She had gotten used to the girl's head smashing one of her breasts at this point but it didn't mean she wanted to spend any more time failing. She felt Rei turn her head slightly but chose to not say anything but the thought of Shinji doing the same thing made her laugh at the thought of her screaming him into a stuttering wimp.

"Your heart is so strong." Rei said quietly. "Just like you Pilot Soryu."

Asuka found herself speechless.

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Maya Ibuki looked at her readings then called her two superiors over. When they stood behind her she spoke up trying not to sound nervous. "Rei's readings have changed. It appears that she's ... relaxed. Even Asuka's readings have calmed some."

Ritsuko activated a monitor next to Maya's station and set the view to inside the plug. They witnessed Asuka carefully shifting her weight then settling back in without even trying to dislodge Rei's peaceful looking head.

"That's almost sweet." Misato couldn't help but smile.

Ritsuko rolled her eyes as she studied the numbers. "It seems that the First Child is ... being soothed by the Second."

"What?" Misato said confused. Her friend couldn't being saying what it sounded like she was saying.

"Like an infant who calms down when they hear their mother's heartbeat." Ritsuko explained.

"So ... ." Misato waved her hand for Ritsuko to continue.

"Rei has never had a mother. It didn't occur to me that this might be possible. The only physical contact she's had has been from doctors."

"So Rei is ... being mothered by Asuka." Misato just looked more confused. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means that Rei ... isn't used to physical contact." Ritsuko shrugged away any farther concerns. "Let's restart the tests."

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Asuka heard the near constant play of her memories moving through her head. Her mother staring so lovingly at the doll in her hands. A voice kept screaming in her head to break the girl that was laying against her chest. : She's just another doll, not real. : But another voice had heard the comments Ritsuko and Misato had made while not realizing that the communication link was still open. : At least I had a mother for a little while and then a woman who was willing to pretend. : Asuka felt pity for the girl who was still leaning against her chest. : Now I even have Misato when she's sober. :

She didn't realize her right hand had left the controller until she felt Rei's hair under her gloved palm.

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Maya gasped in shock as the sync numbers changed suddenly. "Asuka's sync ratio just jumped twenty percent!"

Ritsuko and Misato both turned to look at the readings on the main monitor. Maya continued. "Her numbers are still rising and Rei is climbing as well."

"That's more like it. Get ready to start the tests." Misato said rubbing her hands together looking pleased with the information.

"What's that noise?" Ritsuko said as a pleasant sound moved through the speakers.

Both the women looked at the screen showing Asuka and Rei just in time for the redhead to add words to the tune. She spoke them more than sung them but it didn't detract from the moment.

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"Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Mit Rosen bedacht,

Mit Naeglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck'

Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt

Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt

Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Von Englein bewacht

Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum

Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies

Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies."

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"What is she doing?" Ritsuko said breathlessly.

"She's singing." Misato said trying to remember the words to the German lullaby Asuka was singing sweetly. The gentleness that showed on Asuka's face was a depth she hadn't thought possible of the girl. It mirrored the sheer contentment the Rei seemed to be in. "She's just a kid like the others." Misato felt her face redden in shame at the lack of interest she had given to Rei.

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"Sync ratio just passed one hundred percent." Maya said excitedly.

"WHAT!" Ritsuko said shocked. "We haven't even started the test yet."

"We've lost communication with secondary systems." One of the techs said from behind them.

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Asuka looked up at the sound of alarms going off as she felt panic starting as Rei moved to sit up. "Es ist zu spät." She pulled the blue haired girl back down. Somehow she knew what was happening. : I am NOT my mother and I never will be. : Asuka thought forcefully. Rei seemed to understand as well and she whispered one word that Asuka almost said herself. "Shinji."

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Misato looked at the screen and felt her heart break in a million pieces.

"Sync ratio over two hundred percent." Maya's voice broke.

Asuka saw the fear in Misato's eyes and nodded sadly. She couldn't believe that she wanted to find something to say to take away the pain from the purple haired woman. She heard the older woman's voice before the connection was lost. "I'm sorry."

Misato watched the static filled screens, trying to push away the despair that had settled into her chest.

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"Get the backups online now." Ritsuko shouted but her voice didn't leave much room for hope.

Maya was crying when the screens jumped back to life.

Everyone in the room stared at the two empty plugsuits floating in the LCL, all but one. Ritsuko didn't realize what was happening until she heard the emergency lock at the only door activate. She turned her head just in time to see Misato draw her service automatic.

"Major." Ritsuko said confused.

"No one leaves until we get them back." Misato said coldly.

"What?" Ritsuko straightened up. "Open the door Misato."

Misato raised her weapon and pointed it at her friend. "Get them back because no one is leaving this room alive until we do."

Ritsuko was about to argue until she saw Misato's eyes. The eyes told her everything she needed to know. There was no doubt left in there. Her hands started shaking.

"I don't care what you have to do Rits, get them back." Misato knew what was going to have to happen now. She pulled out her phone and typed while keeping the gun on her friend.

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Shinji Ikari picked up his phone and read the message that had come through.

- Leave the school don't go back home i will contact you Misato -