Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or any of the characters in this fic (except maybe Nara). If I owned Evangelion I wouldn't be writing fanfics, I'd be rewriting the series.
Author's Notes: Contains Shinji/Rei. OOCness.
1. Rebirth of Angels
(Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Gendo Ikari stood in a small room deep within Terminal Dogma staring at the three LCL tanks in front of him and their unconscious occupants. "Are you sure about this," he asked the only other conscious occupant of the room.
Ritsuko Akagi hesitated before responding, she could never tell how Gendo would react to these things. "Yes the MAGI confirm it, all three are at least part Angel."
Gendo's brow furrowed and he frowned. "How long till they regain consciousness?"
"I don't know sir, physically they're fully recovered and their brain waves have finally settled down but they're still not responding to any outside stimulus. They could wake up in a few minutes or a few years."
Gendo tried to hide his displeasure at the doctor's response. "So the only pilots we have right now are pilots Sohryu and Suzuhara. What the status of Units 14 & 15."
Ritsuko checked her notepad for the relevant data. "Germany has completed Unit-14, it should be arriving here in the next few days and America has promised Unit-15 won't be far behind. They should both be here within a week."
"Good, are you ready to begin construction on Units 16 & 17?"
"Almost sir, but who will pilot them."
Gendo looked back at the tanks studying each of their occupants in turn. The first was unfamiliar to him, where the boy in the tank had come from he did not know. Gendo's gaze moved onto the next tank, it contained one Rei Ayanami. Like the others Rei was unconscious and strangely she had a smile on her face. It was the third tank however that held the commander's attention, the one containing his son Shinji Ikari. He looked the same as he always had but if what Ritsuko said was true he had changed considerable. 'How could my son be an Angel, it's just not possible!!' Gendo mentally yelled.
Ritsuko patiently awaited the commander's answer to her question and was rewarded when he finally turned to face her. "You said the boy is a potential Eva pilot correct?"
"Yes."
"Then as of now he is the 6th Child. When he and Rei regain consciousness they will be assigned to Units 16 & 17."
Ritsuko would have reminded Gendo that it could be years before that happened but she knew he had heard her the first time and he hated having things told to him twice. So instead she asked another question. "What about Shinji, what will he pilot?"
"When he regains consciousness we'll try to activate Unit-01 with him. He's our best chance of reactivating it."
"Very well, sir."
(2 weeks later, Terminal Dogma)
The room was empty except for the tanks containing its three silent occupants.
One of tanks registered a rise in its occupant's blood pressure and an increase in the strength of his brain waves. Within the tank an arm reached up until it met the glass. It rested there for several seconds and then clenched into a fist as Shinji Ikari opened his eyes.
(Central Dogma)
Ritsuko had been sitting in her office working on her laptop when the small light on her desk started blinking. She new what that light was for and she was out the door within seconds.
She arrived at the room's entrance at the same time as Gendo almost running into him but just managing to bring herself to a stop. "Sir."
Gendo didn't bother responding and simply walked into the room.
When Ritsuko entered her eyes immediately went to the tanks on the far side of the room. It was third tank that held her attention however. Floating inside was a very much awake Shinji Ikari.
Shinji didn't so much as blink as his eyes locked with his father's. He motioned with one hand at the surround LCL in a sort of dismissive gesture. Ritsuko understood and typed a series of commands into the computer panel on the side of the tank. Immediately the LCL drained out of the tank leaving Shinji standing on the floor of the now empty tank. The glass in front of Shinji parted, sliding to the sides and he stepped out onto the room's floor. He turned to the other two tanks. After studying them for several seconds he nodded and briefly touched the glass of Rei's tank before turning back to the room's other occupants.
Ritsuko opened her mouth to ask Shinji how he was feeling but was interrupted by Gendo's cold emotionless command. "Pilot Ikari, report your status."
"I am fine." To Ritsuko's surprise Shinji's voice was as cold and emotionless as his father's. Even more so in fact.
Gendo's brow furrowed as he considered his next question. "Who are you?"
"I am Shinji Ikari."
"Are you an Angel?"
Shinji paused as he considered his answer. "Yes."
"Are you fully Angel?"
"No, I am only half Angel. My other half is human."
"I see, what of the others?" Gendo gestured to the two remaining active LCL tanks.
"They are the same, half human, half Angel."
Ritsuko decided it was time to ask her own question. "When will the others awake?"
Shinji glanced back at the tanks and smiled. "Soon, they're almost ready."
Gendo's head snapped up as he thought of another question. "Does your Angel half come from a specific Angel?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"Adam, the one you call the 1st Angel."
Gendo fought to keep his expressionless face. He had not expected that, Adam was probably the strongest Angel. "What happened to Adam?"
"I assimilated him into myself. Adam as a separate entity no longer exists."
Ritsuko could not keep the shock from her voice. "So…so you're Adam?"
Shinji turned slightly to look at her. "No, I am one with Adam in mind, body and soul but I am not him. I am Shinji Ikari."
Ritsuko suddenly became aware of Shinji's utter lack of clothing. "Umm…Shinji do you want something to wear?"
Shinji glanced down at himself. His expressionless persona did not change but Ritsuko thought she saw a slight hint of displeasure in his eyes. After knowing Rei for so long she had learnt to pick up on these small signs. She realised suddenly that the only real emotion Shinji had shown since he exited the tank was when he smiled at the two remaining tanks.
Shinji's voice broke Ritsuko out of her thoughts. "I suppose I should wear something."
Gendo however interrupted any further discussion on the topic. "That can wait, what do you plan to do now?"
Shinji didn't say anything for several seconds and when he finally responded it was not what Ritsuko had expected. "I will continue to pilot Eva."
Gendo couldn't keep the smirk from his face. "Good, I'm glad to see you've stopped running away."
Shinji didn't respond but instead turned to once again study the remaining active tanks.
Ritsuko followed his gaze to see that Rei was stirring in her tank. Shinji stepped forward and pressed the palm of his right hand up against the glass of Rei's tank. A moment later Rei's left hand moved and she pressed her palm against the glass directly across from Shinji's hand, the smile on her face widening. Shinji smiled back and Rei Ayanami opened her eyes.
Ritsuko started draining the tank without being asked. As soon as the tank opened Rei stepped out and assumed her usual emotionless expression, perfectly mimicking Shinji's. She turned to Gendo. "Commander," her voice was as cold as Shinji's which surprised Ritsuko since Rei had always seemed to get along with Gendo.
Gendo looked slightly perturbed but began questioning her anyway. "You are Rei Ayanami correct?"
"Yes."
"And you are half Angel?"
Rei paused before answering. "Yes."
"Have you assimilated an Angel like pilot Ikari?"
Another pause. "Yes."
"Which Angel have you assimilated?"
His question confused Rei. Surely the commander could figure that out for himself. "I assimilated Lilith, since I was in part made from her."
Gendo had expected this answer. "Does Lilith have any control over you?"
"No, like Shinji I am in full control."
"I see, will you pilot Eva again?"
"Yes, but I no longer have an Eva."
Ritsuko interrupted Gendo's response. "Rei, you'll be assigned to Unit-16 just as soon as we finish building it."
"How long until it's complete?"
"Err…well we haven't actually started yet."
"Understood…perhaps I could help you?"
Ritsuko's eyebrows shot up. "You want to help build your Eva?"
Gendo once again interrupted the conversation. "That is not important right now, how did this happen."
Shinji and Rei looked at each other than back at Gendo. "We do not know." They both spoke at exactly the same time.
(3 Hours Later, Terminal Dogma)
Shinji and Rei sat alone in the room staring at the one remaining active tank.
Rei was frowning slightly. "Nara should have awakened by now."
Shinji smiled at her than returned his attention to the tank. "It's harder for him Rei-chan he's never been alive before. He has no memories to help him suppress his Angel-half."
Rei smiled at his title for her. "I know, I'm just worried that his Angel-half will win."
"You know it won't. It doesn't want to."
Gendo and Ritsuko had left almost two hours ago, once Gendo had finished his questions. Shinji and Rei had stated they were staying and for once Gendo hadn't argued but told them they were not to leave the room.
Since then Shinji and Rei had simply sat on the floor and waited for Nara.
Rei was no longer frowning but her voice was grave. "What if it's too much for him?"
"It's not he'll be with us soon." As if Shinji's words were a summon Nara began to move. His movements were not calm like Shinji's and Rei's; instead his entire body was shaking. His shaking arms began to flail about and impacted with the glass. Without opening his eyes, Nara opened his mouth and screamed. It sounded like the scream of an injured animal, it was full of pain. At the same time the glass was struck by an invisible force and the entire tank exploded throwing glass around the room. Nara's scream was drowned out as several loud alarms went off all through Terminal Dogma, a similar set of alarms going off in Central Dogma.
Nara finally stopped screaming and collapsed onto the floor of the now glass strewn room. Shinji and Rei were at his side in an instant, both of them bleeding from multiple wounds caused by the flying glass. Nara was conscious but still had his eyes closed. He had already started to rise when Shinji and Rei helped him to his feet. He struggled against them at first but clamed down as Shinji held him up from the shoulders and Rei lightly brushed his hair away from his eyes. Slowly Nara opened his eyes as if the action was foreign to him. Like Rei his eyes were red and his skin was very pale, his hair however was a greyish black instead of blue. He looked at his two companions and the corners of his mouth turned up into a slight smile.
"So he's finally decided to join us has he?" Ritsuko was standing in the doorway looking in at the three teens.
Shinji and Rei assumed their usual expressionless faces while Nara's smile slipped from his face.
It was Shinji who responded to Ritsuko. "Yes, Nara has awoken."
Ritsuko looked at the damage to the room. "Did he do this?"
This time it was Rei who answered. "Yes."
Gendo arrived in the doorway. "What happened here?"
Ritsuko answered him. "It seems Nara was impatient to escape his tank. It was his AT field that set off the alarms."
Gendo turned to Nara. "Explain yourself."
Nara just stared at him, apparently confused.
Shinji interrupted before Gendo could repeat himself. "He doesn't understand you. He hasn't learnt any languages yet."
Gendo glared at his son. "That is unacceptable; he has been chosen as the 6th Child he must be able to follow commands."
"We will teach him commander." Rei's expression didn't change as she spoke.
Ritsuko was about to object but the look Gendo gave her made her close her mouth. Instead it was Gendo who responded. "Very well, but do it quickly. I will see to your accommodations."
Gendo left the room and motioned for them to follow.
(Later, The Apartment)
Shinji opened the door to his new apartment and entered the living room. He was closely followed by Rei and Nara. Nara carried a small bag containing all of their personal possessions which he promptly dropped on the floor just inside the doorway.
The apartment wasn't very large. There was the living room, a kitchen, a single bathroom and four empty bedrooms. The furniture was limited, consisting of a couch, a table, some chairs, four beds, an oven, a sink and a fridge.
Shinji opened the fridge and signed. "Empty, they could have given us some food."
Rei entered the kitchen. "The commander gave us enough money to buy whatever we needed."
Shinji turned around to face her. "Yeah I know, I'm just really hungry…heh where's Nara?"
Rei looked around to where she'd left Nara. "I don't know he must be looking around the apartment." Sure enough they found Nara looking through the four bedrooms, though there wasn't anything to look at. He walked to one room and pointed at it, giving Shinji and Rei a pointed look.
Rei stifled a laugh behind her hand. "I think he want's that one."
Shinji struggled to keep his face straight. "We really need to teach him to speak."
Rei glanced back at the kitchen. "You go get some food, I'll start teaching him."
Shinji immediately headed for the door. "Okay, I'll be back soon."
"There's no hurry." Rei called after him as he went through the door. She then turned back to Nara. "Now, where to start?"
Shinji returned nearly half an hour later. He entered the apartment to find Rei and Nara sitting on the couch. Rei's hand was resting on Nara's forehead and her brow was furrowed in concentration. Nara had his eyes closed and he was smiling. Rei looked up as she heard the door open and smiled at Shinji. Nara's eyes snapped open and he too looked over at Shinji.
"Welcome back, Shinji." Nara's voice was deeper than Shinji's and bared a striking resemblance to Rei's in its tone.
Shinji blinked several times. "You can talk?"
Nara smiled. "Yes, Rei taught me."
"How did you learn so fast?" The shock was audible in Shinji's voice.
Rei calmly explained what had happened. "I put the knowledge directly into Nara's mind. Since then I've been teaching him everything else I know how to do." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "I've run out of things to teach him, do you want a go."
Shinji looked slightly confused. "You know everything I know Rei-chan, we were one being for a while, remember."
Rei signed. "I know that Shin-chan, I just thought you'd want a turn."
"Oh, okay then."
Shinji put the bags he was carrying on the kitchen table and returned to the couch where he took Rei's position across from Nara. He put his hand on Nara's forehead and began the complicated process of transferring knowledge.
(Next Day, Tokyo-3 High School)
The teacher stood in front of the class as the class rep went through her usual morning duties, instructing the class to stand up, bow and sit down.
"Okay students," the teacher gestured to the three teens standing behind him. "As I'm sure you've all already noticed, Rei Ayanami and Shinji Ikari have returned to school. We also have a new student." He pointed at the boy standing next to Shinji and Rei, "Nara Ayanami."
Loud whispering went around the room at the name. Nara's red eyes had already made most of the class think he was related to Rei but confirmation of this was still enough to set off the entire class.
"Quite down!" the teacher's voice cut off the whispering. He turned to the three teens behind him. "Would you three please take your seats. The classroom has been rearranged so you'll all have to sit at the back."
Shinji and Rei moved towards the back with Nara closely trailing them. They sat in three tables up the back with Shinji in the middle, Rei on his left and Nara on his right.
As soon as the teacher turned his back on the class. Touji turned in his seat to confront Shinji. "Where you been man?"
"Training, for Nerv."
Touji was not happy with this answer but decided to ignore it for now. "What's his story?" He pointed over at Nara who was staring at the ceiling.
"He's Rei's brother."
"I didn't know Rei had a brother, why'd he turn up now?"
"He was brought here by my father."
"Is he an Eva pilot?"
"Yeah, he's the 6th Child."
Touji looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm, another Ayanami I guess everyone's going to have to stop calling Rei, Ayanami."
"I guess so."
"So, you moving back in with Misato and Asuka?"
"No, I share an apartment with Rei and Nara now."
Touji's eyebrows shot up. Not only because Shinji was living with a girl and her brother but because he said it with a straight face, very unusual for Shinji. However the teacher's voice cut off any further discussion. "Suzuhara, Ikari would you two like to share your conversation with the class."
"No, Sensei." Touji answered a second before Shinji.
"Then quite down." The teacher's gaze moved to Rei who was staring out a window and Nara who was still staring at the ceiling. A small smile crossed his face. "Ayanami!"
Neither teen reacted. "Ayanami!!!" Rei turned her head to look at him and Nara lowered his gaze to look at him.
"Yes." Both teens said at exactly the same time.
The teacher was surprised that had actually worked. "Are you two paying attention at all?"
"Yes." Once again the answers were simultaneous.
They were starting to weird the teacher out. "Well then face the front."
"Yes, Sensei." For the third time the answers were perfectly synchronised.
The teacher turned back to the board and continued the lesson.
(Lunch)
Shinji, Rei and Nara were on the school roof. Touji and Kensuke approached them.
Kensuke had a wide grin on his face. "So, Touji tells me you three are living together."
It was Nara who responded. "That is correct."
Kensuke gave him an appraising look. "You're just like Rei aren't you?"
"Oh great another Ayanami." The five teens turned to see Asuka and Hikari approaching. Asuka continued talking. "Don't tell me you're an Eva pilot too."
Nara's voice was perfectly calm. "I am the 6th Child."
"Hasn't Nerv learnt yet, you Ayanamis aren't fit to pilot Eva."
Nara didn't bother responding he just walked over to stand beside Rei.
Satisfied that she'd won that battle, Asuka rounded on Shinji. "What's the big idea? You disappear for almost 6 months and when you finally come back you don't even come back to Misato's apartment. Instead you move in with those two freaks." She pointed a finger at Rei and Nara.
For once Shinji wasn't afraid to speak his mind. "I have been assigned to the same living quarters as Rei and Nara; I was not given a choice in the matter." Rei gave Shinji a hurt look, if he hadn't wanted to live with her he should have said. Shinji however was not finished. "However if I was given a choice I would have opted to live with them anyway, I prefer their company." Rei smiled slightly.
Asuka just stared. She'd expected him to give one of his usual half-formed excuses, or try and deny it. But that…
With a shriek of rage Asuka spun on her heels and headed towards the stairs. Hikari seemed indecisive for a moment than ran after her friend.
Touji clapped Shinji on the shoulder. "Wow, you actually stood up to Asuka."
Shinji shrugged. "She had it coming; I'm tired of her always picking on everyone." He sat down to eat his lunch and Rei sat next to him. Shinji offered Rei a rice ball, which she took.
Rei gave Shinji a small smile. "Thank you, Shin-chan."
"You're welcome Rei-chan."
Touji coughed violently behind them. "Cha…chan?"
Shinji looked slightly amused. "Is there a problem with that?" He put his arm around Rei's shoulders and Rei leaned her head on his shoulder.
Touji appeared to be in shock so Kensuke answered for him. "No, it's just…when did this happen?"
Rei quiet voice answered him. "While we were in training."
Touji finally found his voice. "Well that makes sense I guess."
Shinji and Rei both smiled and Rei took a bite from her rice ball.
(After School)
Shinji ran out the school gate and straight into Touji.
Touji pushed himself off the ground. "Ouch, watch where you're going man."
Shinji accepted Kensuke's help in getting up. The glasses-wearing boy had been standing next to Touji. "Sorry Touji, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Kensuke jumped into the conversation. "Shin-man can we come to your apartment?"
"What…Why?"
"To see your apartment obviously." Touji made sure to use his most annoying tone.
Shinji was about to respond when Rei and Nara walked out the gate behind them.
Nara looked at them but said nothing. Rei considered doing the same but decided against it. "What are you doing?" As usual her voice was perfectly calm.
"Umm…" Kensuke didn't really know how to talk to Rei. "We were asking Shinji if we could come over to your apartment."
Rei appeared to consider the statement. "That is…acceptable." She glanced over at Nara (who nodded slightly) and then began walking down the street. Shinji and Nara immediately began to follow her. Touji and Kensuke hesitated then followed them.
(At The Apartment)
Nara swiped his key card through the door's lock to open the door and stepped into the apartment. Rei followed him and then Shinji. A few seconds passed and then Touji and Kensuke stepped into the apartment, the door closing behind them. Nara once again swiped his key card to lock the door and then pocketed it.
Kensuke looked around the living room. "There's not much here."
Kensuke almost jumped out of his skin as Rei giggled. "You're the one who wanted to come; it's not my fault if you don't like it."
Kensuke just blinked, a look of confusion on his face. A similar expression was on Touji's face. 'Did Rei just laugh…no that wasn't possible, Rei never laughed.'
Rei's face resumed it usual expression. "Is something wrong?"
"You…you laughed." Touji finally managed to stutter out his thoughts.
"She does that a lot around here." Shinji smiled at his friends.
"But…then…why were you acting all emotionless at school?" Touji looked directly at Rei.
Rei shrugged. "I wasn't really; I just didn't have anything to act emotional about."
As he thought about it Touji realised this was true. In fact he know remembered that Rei had smiled and leant against Shinji on the roof.
"So do you guys want something to eat?" Shinji motioned toward the kitchen.
"Sure." Touji was in the kitchen before anyone else could move.
As the others entered Touji looked up from where he was busy surveying the fridge's contents. "Hey where's the meat?"
"There isn't any." Nara reached over Touji's head and grabbed a can of soda from the fridge's door.
"What no meat, why?"
"We don't eat meat."
Touji looked over at Shinji his face aghast. "Is this true?"
"Yeah, so?" Shinji didn't see the problem.
"How can you live without meat?" Touji's voice was full of actual shock.
Shinji didn't respond he just rolled his eyes. Meanwhile Nara grabbed two more cans and threw them to Rei and Shinji. He looked at Touji and Kensuke and then at the two remaining cans. He considered his choices and came to a regrettable conclusion. He signed. "Do either of you want a soda?"
Both teens immediately accepted and Nara reluctantly threw the cans to them then closed the fridge.
Shinji laughed at Nara's attitude. "We can get more cans later."
Nara perked up a little. "Oh yeah…well what do we do now."
Kensuke was giving Nara another appraising look. "You have emotions as well?"
Nara looked a little annoyed. "Everyone has emotions." He sat down at the table.
The others sat down as well, drinking from their soda cans.
Touji and Kensuke didn't stay to long. They just wanted to see the apartment and since both wanted meat to eat they soon went home.
"That was interesting." Rei commented as the door closed behind the two teens.
Shinji smiled. "You did well."
Rei smiled back.
(Next Day, Nerv, Eva Bays)
Ritsuko talked to Shinji over the intercom. "Okay Shinji, try to make contact with Unit-01."
"Understood." Sitting in Unit-01's entry plug Shinji concentrated on making contact with his mother's soul. His brow furrowed in concentration then suddenly his eyes snapped open. "She's not here."
Gendo leaned forward from behind his observation desk. "What do you mean?"
"Mother's soul is no longer in the Eva, she has departed."
"What? Where has she gone?" Gendo was very angry and it showed in his voice.
"I…don't know, but I believe she's…moved on."
Gendo sagged dejectedly in his chair. "Very well, so Unit-01 is useless now."
"No." Shinji's voice was still calm. "I can reactivate it; it doesn't need its own soul."
It was Ritsuko who spoke first. "What are you going to do?"
"I will use my soul to activate it. It will become a part of me. That way it will be much easier to pilot."
"You can do that?" Ritsuko was shocked.
"Yes."
"Proceed." Gendo's voice cut off what Ritsuko had been about to say.
Shinji nodded and concentrated again. He could feel the substance that made the Eva up. It was unfortunate Unit-01 wasn't made from Adam like the other Eva's; it would have made things much easier. Since Unit-01 was made from Lilith this task was better suited to Rei. Shinji pushed on regardless, he probed with his mind at the Eva's core. As he expected it was lifeless but before he could reactivate it he had to make some other changes. Unit-01's genetic makeup began to change, the Angel part of its DNA slowly changing from Lilith's to Adam's. At the same time its human DNA changed to closer mimic Shinji's own. Externally its appearance did not change but internally it was reforming itself. With one last push Shinji finished altering its genetic makeup and turned to the core.
In the observation room Ritsuko couldn't believe her eyes. She was staring at the computer screen monitoring Unit-01's life signs. They were going crazy, everything from brain waves to blood type. This wasn't possible, what was Shinji doing.
Meanwhile Shinji was preparing to reactivate the core. He probed its outer edges with his mind and then began to push deeper this time extending forth a part of his soul. He knew this was dangerous but since there was no other soul in Unit-01 there shouldn't be any problems. As his soul came in contact with the core it began to meld itself to it. If Shinji was not careful he would be completely consumed. Carefully he began to withdraw his soul leaving behind its essence, to bind the Eva to himself. Shinji was almost free when an unseen force started to pull him back in. 'What the hell?' This was not good something had a hold on him and it wasn't letting go. He could feel the Eva trying to absorb his body from the entry plug. Desperately he threw out his thoughts. 'I could use some help here!!!' His mental scream seemed at first to get no response. Then suddenly a surge of power rushed into him as a link opened between him and Rei. He could feel Rei's thoughts; they were full of a sort of desperate fear. Even with their combined power however, Shinji was still being pulled in. Then Nara joined the link and more power rushed into Shinji. Nara was filled with calm determination but Shinji could tell that he was also afraid. Their three wills combined and slowly but surely Shinji was pulled free. One moment his soul was in the Eva the next he was back in his own body. He remained conscious long enough to feel the others withdraw from the link, then fainted.
(Next Day, Tokyo-3 Hospital, Private Ward)
Misato looked at the three unconscious teens in their hospital beds hooked up to several monitors each. The doctor said that physically they were fine but that they may have suffered brain damage. Ritsuko still wouldn't tell her what had happened; only that it was classified. "Damn it they're only kids. Come on guys you have to wake up."
"Misato, you should go home." Ritsuko was standing in the doorway.
"Ritsuko, please tell me what happened?"
"You know I can't its classified."
"Well can you at least tell me why they're all like this?"
Ritsuko seemed to consider her answer. "Well…Shinji got himself into danger and Rei and Nara got him out but in the process…" She pointed at the beds.
"So they saved him."
"Pretty much yeah."
"Do you…think they'll recover?"
"I'm sure of it." Ritsuko sounded totally confident and this lightened Misato's mode a little.
(Meanwhile, Tokyo-3 High School)
The teacher hadn't arrived yet and Kensuke was questioning Touji about the three missing students. "So what happened to them?"
"I don't know man, it's classified."
"You have to know something."
"All I know is that Shinji was doing some classified experiment and that Rei and Nara were doing something to do with their new Evas when all of them just collapsed."
"There has to be a reason."
"There probably is, but no one will tell me."
"Damn, I hope they're alright."
(Meanwhile, Commander Ikari's Office)
Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki had a slight frown on his face as he addressed his long time friend. "If they die, all your plans will be ruined."
Gendo's face remained emotionless. "They will not die; they are far too powerful for that."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
(2 Hours Later, Tokyo-3 Hospital, Private Ward)
Misato had fallen asleep in her chair after having refused to leave the children's room. Ritsuko was leaning against the wall drinking her 8th coffee. 'It's too bad Misato drinks beer instead of coffee, it just doesn't keep you awake,' a small smile crossed Ritsuko's face at the thought. Her thoughts were interrupted however as the machines monitoring Shinji and Rei began to beep.
The sound also woke Misato from her sleep. "What…what's happening?"
Ritsuko was about to respond when Shinji and Rei both began to moan.
Misato was in front of their beds in an instant. "Shinji? Rei?"
Rei's eyes opened and very slowly she sat up.
Misato immediately turned to her. "Rei, are you okay?"
"I am…fine, ma…Misato."
Before Misato could comment on the change of title Shinji sat up in bed. He glanced to the side at Misato and Rei. "Rei are…are you okay?"
Rei smiled at him. "I am fine Shinji…are you okay?"
Shinji smiled back. "I'm fine, thanks to you and Nara."
Ritsuko stepped up to the beds. "How much longer will Nara be out?"
Shinji's brow furrowed as he thought about it. "I don't know, he has some things to do before he wakes up."
Shinji looked as if he was going to say more but before he could Misato, no longer able to restrain herself pulled him into a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay Shinji."
Rei got out of her bed and walked over beside Misato. She managed to hold in her laughter but there was a smile on her face.
Her smile fell abruptly though as, after hesitating for a moment Misato reached out and pulled her into an embrace as well. She'd noticed the unusual amount of emotion Rei was showing. "You've changed Rei."
Shinji finally started to speak. "Erm, Misato do you think you could err, let go?"
Misato didn't do anything at first but then reluctantly let go of Shinji and Rei.
Rei let out a sign of relief and sat on the edge of Shinji's bed.
Shinji let out a similar sign and spun around on the bed, draping his legs over the side and sitting next to Rei. His hand slowly sought out Rei's and gently squeezed it. He smiled as Rei returned the squeeze.
All four of the room's occupants turned at the sound of the door opening. Standing on the fresh hold was Gendo Ikari.
Misato's gaze moved from Gendo back to the two teens. She almost jumped when she saw the transformation. Both teens were now standing in front of Shinji's bed. But more noticeably their facial expressions were different. Where before their faces had shown emotion now they were perfectly calm and showed not even a hint of emotion. Though their eyes were faintly…cold.
If Gendo noticed it didn't show. "So you're alive?"
Neither teen responded.
Gendo's gaze moved to Nara's bed. "What about him?"
"He will be fine." Shinji's voice was nearly emotionless but like his eyes it was faintly cold and carried a hint of anger.
A slight smirk crossed Gendo's face. "You'll be expected to return to work…soon." He turned and left the room.
As soon as he disappeared the emotionless look slid from Rei and Shinji's faces and they sat back on the bed.
Misato gave them a wry look. "What was that about?"
Rei frowned slightly. "We do not show emotion to those we do not like."
Misato looked slightly confused. "But I thought you liked the commander Rei."
"I am not his doll." Rei actually sounded angry. Misato waited for further comment but none was forthcoming.
(Same Time, Nara's Mind)
Nara was sitting in a railway carriage. Across from him was a younger version of himself. "Who are you?"
"I am you."
"That isn't possible, I was never a child."
"Weren't you?"
"No I was created at this age."
"Why?"
"I was created as a vessel for the souls of the Angels."
"The Angels?"
"Yes."
"Which ones?"
"All those that weren't already assimilated. Sachiel, Shamshiel, Ramiel, Gaghiel, Israfel, Sandalphon, Matariel, Sahaqiel, Yrouel, Leliel, Bardiel, Zeruel, Arael, Armisael and Tabris."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"So you contain the souls of fifteen Angels and yet you claim to be part human."
"I am part human, I have a human soul and it is the dominate one."
"But that soul was created using the powers of Adam and Lilith, two Angels."
"That is not important it is still human, it is my soul."
"And who are you?"
"I am Nara Ayanami."
"Are you really?"
"Yes that is the name I was given."
"By who?"
"By my family."
"Your family?"
"Yes."
"Who are your family?"
"My parents."
"Who are your parents?"
"Shinji and Rei. They created me so they are my parents."
"But they created you to serve a purpose; they do not care for you."
"That isn't true; they have shown that they care for me."
"When?"
"Many times, they helped me when I first awoke, they taught me how to speak and they shared their memories with me."
"Do you love them?"
"Yes."
"Do they love you?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Very well." Abruptly the child vanished along with the railway carriage. Nara remained for a few seconds, floating in blackness then he too vanished.
(Tokyo-3 Hospital, Private Ward)
Rei and Shinji were on their feet and beside Nara's bed before the machines beep had even faded.
Nara's life monitoring machines continued to register Nara's return to consciousness.
Nara lay still for a few seconds then opened his eyes. He smiled when he saw Shinji and Rei leaning over him.
"Well, that's all of them." Ritsuko let out a relieved sign.
Nara rose to a sitting position. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Misato walked over beside Shinji and Rei. "How are you feeling?"
Nara seemed to consider his answer. "I…feel fine."
Misato smiled at the boy. "Well then, you're all coming to my apartment."
Shinji and Rei spoke simultaneously. "Why?"
"To celebrate obviously." Misato's voice simply screamed 'Duh!'
End Notes: Like, Hate. I won't know if you don't tell me. It will get better I swear, following chapters will be more interesting. Oh, and the events proceeding the events of this chapter will be explained later. I'm not just ignoring them.
