WARNING: There are some spoilers in this fan fiction. Not only is it recommended to NOT read this unless you watched the series, but to watch the series to understand what is happening and where and when this fan fiction takes place. I don't own the rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion, I simply used the character, events, locations, etc to produce a non-profit story line.

"So he's that bad?""

"He's miserable, always depressed. Something's wrong with him… Maybe piloting is the reason"

"Piloting can put him at stress, but not to the point of being that heavily depressed."

"I've tried to make him feel at home and tried to comfort him, but I can't seem to get to him…"

"Sounds like it might deeper than that."

"The fact that he met his asshole father again so many years later, and is actually working for him now could be the reason why."

"What about before he came to Tokyo 3?"

"From what I know, he really has never been a happy kid."

"What happened?"

"His mother died and his father abandoned him when he was still a little boy. He lived his whole life with his teacher until now."

"Seems like he can't get over his past."

Kaji took a drink out of his beer as he replied, almost as if the subject didn't interest him.

"I've thought about getting him some therapy…"

"I don't think he needs therapy."

"What do you mean?"

Kaji looked out the restaurant window at the hot night and replied,

"Awful thing to happen to someone, but not enough to cause this amount of sadness for so long."

"Oh, really?" Misato spoke with an angry, mocking tone.

"Okay, his father leaves him and his mother is dead, sad yes, but this happens all the time, he should be over it by now."

"Yeah? Well not everyone is an indifferent asshole like you." Her tone kept getting more irritated and louder.

"So you think it's justified for him to be that way? If so, then why doesn't he confront his past and his father?"

"Because maybe he's fragile! He probably never had anyone to love him, and he's naturally scared! You have no idea what he could be going through!"

At that point, the argument escalated up a little bit, and some of the people in the restaurant shifted their attention from their lobster bisques and pasta to Misato's and Kaji's argument. Kaji kept his cool though, while Misato became quickly aggravated by her ex's attitude towards her fourteen year old roommate.

"You know what I think Katsuragi?"

"What…?" Misato said with a lesser angry tone.

"I think there might be more to it…" Kaji took yet another sip of his beer.

Misato sighed and sank back into her chair,

"… Maybe. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Kaji leaned back and rested his arm onto his chair.

"… You really care about him huh?"

A small smile formed on Misato's lips

"… Yeah"

Seeing her expression made Kaji smile a little too.

"Let's go, I'll take you home"

Kaji signaled the waiter over and left his check on the table. They both entered his car and drove home in midst of humid night.

"See ya Kaji, thanks for dinner."

"Sure… Hey Misato, tell Shinji that I'm gonna pick him up after school on Friday. I'll take him out to get something to eat and then we'll go hang out and catch a movie. Maybe I can cheer him up a bit."

Misato smiled,

"Thanks Kaji, that's really sweet."

"Sure."

"Just don't take him to a strip club", she said jokingly.

"No, of course not… I'll take him the second time."

Misato chuckled and gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek.

Misato made her way up to her condominium to her apartment. Upon entering she stopped by Shinji's room door. She noticed him in there lying down on his futon in the darkness with his back to the door. He's was obviously still awake since he still had his music player still plugged in his ears. Seeing him like that made her feel down again, but she didn't even know what to say to him anymore.

She didn't know how she could comfort him anymore.

--Well, that's chapter 1. Hope you enjoyed, and feel free to comment.--