Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion. only this storyline is mine.

Chapter One

He gazed out over the cliff, watching as the waves crashed against the side. The moon that night was full; so large that it seemed close enough to grab. The world around him was bathed in the brilliant moonlight to the point where any means of artificial light would have been redundant. Not that he would have needed it anyway. He had spent so much time here that he felt he knew the land better than the one he used to call home.

He took another drag of his cigarette and returned his eye back to the sheets of paper he held in his hand, reading it over for the second time.

Dear Shinji,

It's been a while since i've written you. How are things going on your end of the world? I hope not as hectic

as they are here. Running NERV is even more taxing than either Kaji or I thought it would be. Not to mention

being pregnant is quite the pain in the ass. I'm starting to think I may not be cut out for all this motherhood

crap. However, Kaji continues to inform me that if I could play the role of guardian to both you and Asuka, then

motherhood should be simple. I'm not so sure I believe him, but we'll see how it goes. Anyway, enough about

what's going on over here (despite the hecticness of running NERV, nothing has really changed that I haven't

already told you), what's going on in the life of Shinji Ikari? Everyone here misses you quite a bit, and I still

haven't gotten the chance to properly thank you for giving me my second chance with Kaji. You should come

back, even if it's just for a short visit and let us all know you're still alive. Well, this is gonna be a short one,

so I guess you're off the hook this time. I've got things that need attending to. Write me back.

Love,

Misato

P.S. Kaji says hi

Shinji took one last drag from his tar before flicking it out over the cliff. He once again took in the view of the ocean, savoring it as much as he could. Folding the letter and slipping it into his pocket, Shinji turned and made his way back to the small house where he had been staying.

It was a small one and a half story, built by the sweat and blood of the old man who lived there and was surrounded by a small farm. He and his wife had run across Shinji in his travels while they were on vacation and told him that, should he ever make it to Ireland, then he was to call them up and they would provide him with a place to rest his head. He took them up on the offer and has been with them for over two years, far longer than he had originally intended on staying in any one spot.

Shinji helped out around the farm every day, despite the initial objections of the older couple. He felt that he needed to repay them for providing him with a place to stay, and since they wouldn't accept his money, he had to find other means of doing so. He didn't mind though; the work was soothing and he felt it eased his mind. The very land around him seemed to have had a magical affect on him. As the old couple continuously pointed out, he had grown quite a bit since arriving here, both physically and emotionally.

Shinji now stood at five foot eleven, and due to the work on the farm had become quite the powerful young man. However, it wasn't that which the elder couple noticed most, it was his demeanor. He seemed to radiate an inner calm that he hadn't when coming here; one which showed that he was finally at peace with his past. He had become more bold in his dealings with people, and seemed to accept them more readily. Since he had been here, he opened himself up to more people than he had in his entire life back home, quickly becoming a favorite of many at the small village just up the road.

Has it really been six years? he thought as the house drew near. Doesn't seem like it. Maybe the old man's fairy tales are true, and time does move differently here than it does everywhere else. He finished his musings when he reached the door. Taking his shoes off, he announced his presence and made his way to the living room. The old woman sat in her rocking chair knitting what appeared to be a dark green sweater and the old man sat at the opposite side of the room in his recliner smoking his pipe and staring at the small flame in the fireplace. Shinji sat down on the love seat adjacent to the fireplace; joining the old man in his intense study of the dancing flames. He opened his mouth to say something, but the old man beat him to it; taking in a deep sigh that signaled his upcoming speech.

"It's a beautiful night outside, Shinji, isn't it?" he asked. Although in word the question was directed at Shinji, the old man seemed to be talking to no one in particular. Shinji simply nodded. There was a long pause, causing Shinji to shift awkwardly. The old couple usually kept conversation lively; for them to be this quite was disconcerting.

"Shinji, in the time you've been here, Nell and I have come to see you as a sort of son to us. You know well that we were never able to have children of our own, and your being here has made us immensely happy. However, as happens with children, they must all someday leave the nest…"

At this point Nell interrupted, having noticed the awkwardness between the two, "Shinji, I think what Sean is trying to say is that, we love having you here, but if you feel you need to return to Japan then we completely understand and are behind you the whole way. I'm sure that there are many back in your home country who miss you greatly, and this Misato woman sure seems to want to see you again. Don't you think you've kept them waiting long enough?"

Shinji closed his eyes, a small smirk showing on his face. I walked in the door and they already had me figured out before a single word left my lips. He nodded slowly then looked at the two who had helped him through so much. Giving a small sigh, he said, "I think you're right. As much as I love being here I have friends back in Japan who have made it abundantly clear that they miss me. I wasn't ready to face them again at first, but now I feel that I can. Like Misato always told me, I can't run forever".

The old couple smiled at each other then nodded. "Shinji," Liam began, "we were waiting for this day, and I've got something I'd like you to have". He reached into his pocket and tossed a small metal object in Shinji's direction. Shinji caught it and turned it over. It was a zippo style lighter with a celtic cross etched into one side.

"Your lighter? But wasn't this a gift from your father?" he asked, slightly surprised.

The old man nodded, "It was, and I wanted to pass it down to my son. You're the closest thing I've ever had to that, so I can think of no better person to leave it with."

"Thank you," Shinji said, giving the man a very warm smile.

"Okay, my turn," said the old woman. Nell stood up and walked over to sit next to Shinji on the love seat. "I assume you've noticed me working on this for quite a while. Well I just finished it today and I'd like you to have it," she said, handing Shinji the dark green sweater she had been knitting. Shinji beamed and slipped the sweater on over his head. It fit perfectly, and was quite warm. Leaning over, he gave the old woman a hug and thanked her. Nell smiled, and when the hug broke, she said, "Well, Shinji, I believe you should start packing your things. We've got a little work we'd like you to do on the farm tomorrow, if you don't mind, so you wont have time to do a whole lot of packing during the day."

Shinji nodded and stood up. "I don't mind at all. I'll get my stuff together tonight and help you out all day tomorrow. However, I was thinking of leaving the day after tomorrow. I know it's soon, but I don't exactly do well with long goodbye's. I hope you both are alright with that." he said, a hint of sadness on his face. However, the elderly couple simply smiled at him and nodded. "Well," he said, "in that case, I think I'm going to get started. Good night". He hugged Nell one last time, nodded to Sean then made his way up the stairs to gather his things.

In two days he'd be on his way back to Japan for the first time in six years. He just hoped that he was truly ready to face his past.

--

Shinji woke from his dreamless sleep as the plane prepared for landing. Looking out the window, he could see Tokyo-3 beneath them. He was amazed at the progress the city had made in six years he had been gone. When he left, he was leaving behind a city in ruins; however, he returned to a city that was more beautiful than he ever recalled it being. I suppose when you don't have to double as a fortress you'll be allowed more creative liberties in your construction, he thought as he stared at the city beneath him.

When the plane landed, Shinji grabbed the one bag that he had brought with him (having sent the rest on a separate flight) and made his way through the gate, searching for the ones who were supposed to meet him. To his luck, as one might see it, they found him fairly quickly. He was hailed by two male voices screaming out his name in harmony. Turning around, Shinji didn't even get the chance to see his friends before he was wrapped up in a bone-crushing hug. Shinji dropped his bag, returning the hug as best he could.

"Shinji, man, its been an eternity! Where have you been all my life?" screamed Toji, tears of joy streaming down his face. Shinji grinned and separated himself from his now rather giant friend.

"O, here and there, they say. Toji, Kensuke, how have you been? We haven't talked in quite a while," Shinji said, looking at his two friends.

"No kidding man. Is it really so difficult to call once in a while?" asked Kensuke. Shinji barely recognized the super-nerd who was his friend when he first saw him. Like Toji, Kensuke had grown quite a bit. The freckles had seemingly disappeared from his face, and he traded in his glasses for contacts. His face had lost its baby-fat and become much more angular than Shinji remembered it. However, he realized, Kensuke still radiated nerd; not having changed his build much at all except to grow taller. Toji on the other hand had physically matured just like one would expect from someone of his athletic ability. Overall, he looked like a much taller and more built version of his high school self.

"A phone works two ways, Kensuke. You guys both had my number," Shinji replied, his words coated in mock severity.

Kensuke just gave him a guilty grin. Toji reached down and grabbed Shinji's bag. Throwing his arm around his friend, he led him out of the airport. "Come on man," he said, "let's get you set up at your new apartment. It's one of the nicer complexes from what I'm told. Although it still makes no sense to me why you chose an apartment over a house. You could easily afford it with the kind of money NERV and the U.N. owe you."

Shinji shook his head as they made their way to the parking lot. "I'm just one person, Toji, and a rather clean one at that. I think a house of any size would be a little overkill for me."

"I guess so, but think of the parties we could throw if you had," Toji said with a grin on his face. Shinji just chuckled at this, having expected no less from his friend. They arrived at Toji's car, a small Honda Civic. Toji threw Shinji's luggage in the back then unlocked the car. "So, Shinji," Toji said, nodding towards the car, "what do ya think?"

Shinji opened the front passenger-side door and got in. "It's nice," he stated, "but not quite my style".

"Oh really?" asked Kensuke. "Then what is your style?"

"Well, I've kind of developed a thing for muscle cars. A friend of mine from Greece had a 1967 Pontiac GTO, and I pretty much fell in love with that car. I think I'm gonna go that route," he said thoughtfully.

"Very nice," said Toji. They left the parking lot and pulled out onto the freeway; Kensuke bringing Shinji up to speed on all that had been happening. Shinji listened absent-mindedly, noticing something he hadn't realized when his friends first walked up.

"Toji, your arm!" Shinji yelled in surprise. He was mildly embarrassed that it hadn't clicked with him sooner. Toji glanced at Shinji, then at his arm, suddenly realizing what he was talking about.

"Yeah, courtesy of NERV," he said, moving his right arm around while still watching the road. "You like it? It works as a fully functional limb. It's similar to the technology they used for the Evangelions. Even the sensory details of this thing are amazing. I sometimes forget it's not my real arm."

"That's amazing," Shinji said, clearly impressed. "I'm glad NERV is finally putting its resources to good use."

"Well what do you expect from Commander Katsuragi?" asked Kensuke.

"Commander?" said Shinji, confusion on his face.

"Yeah, her and Kaji are in charge of NERV now, didn't she tell you?" Kensuke seemed quite surprised at Shinji's lack of knowledge on the subject.

"No, that's not what I meant. I knew about that part, I was wondering when you started calling her Commander Katsuragi instead of Misato," Shinji stated.

"Kensuke here started calling her that when he started working for NERV," said Toji. "Heck, even I call her Mrs. Katsuragi now that her and Kaji are married. It's awkward calling her Misato anymore."

"She didn't take Kaji's surname?" asked Shinji, mildly surprised. Misato had told him about their union, but he didn't really recall her saying anything about keeping her name. she always just signed her letters- Misato.

"Na, she's too stubborn and independent to do something like that," said Toji. The rest of the way to Shinji's apartment was spent reminiscing about the few good times Shinji had during his time in Tokyo-3.

The trio pulled into the parking lot of a small two-story apartment complex. Popping the trunk and grabbing Shinji's luggage, the three made their way to Shinji's second floor apartment. Reaching into his pocket, Kensuke pulled out the key Misato had given him and handed it to Shinji. "Here you go man, do the honors".

Shinji obliged, taking the key and opening the door. Announcing his presence, Shinji took off his shoes and entered the apartment. Looking around, he had to admit it was quite impressive for an apartment. It had a very spacious living room on the right and a fully equipped kitchen on the left as soon as one stepped through the door. Followed by his two friends, Shinji toured the rest of the apartment. The bathroom, Shinji decided, was a little more than he needed. It had a jacuzzi-shower and two sinks, which Shinji saw as mildly redundant. Moving on, the three checked out the first of two bedrooms. It wasn't very big, but that suited Shinji just fine. He didn't see the reason for all that excess space, and the second bedroom provided extra room should he need it (although he very much doubted that such a need would arise). Walking through, Shinji realized that Misato had already had the entire house furnished, which was good seeing as how Shinji himself had no furniture.

Making their way back into the main area, Shinji and Kensuke both collapsed on the couch. Toji, having noticed a note on the fridge on his way in, went over to the kitchen. The note simply read, A gift for missing your twentieth birthday. -Misato. He read the note out loud so Shinji and Kensuke could hear him. "Well Shinji," Toji said, "ten bucks says I know what's in your fridge!"

"No way, I'm not taking that bet. Anyone who knows Misato would have to be crazy to accept that one," Shinji replied.

Opening the door, Toji confirmed his suspicions. However, he wasn't quite prepared for the mass quantity. Busting out laughing, Toji yelled to Shinji and Kensuke, "Holy freakin hell, guys, I knew it'd be beer but this is a little excessive!"

Groaning in mock despair, Shinji got up off the couch and walked over to the refrigerator. When he saw what Toji was talking about, his eyes widened. "Who the hell could drink this much?! The fridge is completely stocked!" he exclaimed. However, after a moments thought he answered his own question. "Never mind, I suppose this is a Misato amount. Man, I don't even know if I can drink all of this stuff. I just came back from spending two years in Ireland. After that, Yebisu might be a little hard to handle," he said.

Toji grabbed three out of the fridge, handing one to Shinji. "Only one way to find out. Kensuke, heads up!" he said, tossing one to their other friend. Making their way back into the living room, the three sat down and continued their discussion for roughly another two hours; casually putting away the Yebisu as they went.

Eventually, around five o'clock, Kensuke and Toji decided it was time for them to leave. Getting up, the two wished Shinji good luck in his new place, giving him their respective addresses. After a brief goodbye, they were on their way.

--

A/N: thanks for reading. I'd like to point out that none of my chapters will have titles. I tried this, but I realized that they always come out like the title of a DBZ episode. I don't want to give that much away just by a title. Anyway, thanks again. Please R&R.