Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Chapter 2: A Gift

"Well, it looks like the both of you were pretty lucky out there," Ritsuko declared as she scrutinized the two pilots seated before her. "Especially you, Rei."

"I'll say," Misato agreed with a weary smile.

Some time had passed since the successful conclusion of Operation: Yashima, time in which the command staff and the pilots had retreated to NERV Headquarters, both to make a full report to Gendo, as well as to make sure the pilots had come through the battle relatively unscathed. Fortunately enough, the Geofront was fitted with its own independent power supply system, enough to keep the essential systems up and running. Systems such as the equipment of NERV Medical, which Ritsuko and her people had put to use in giving both pilots a thorough examination.

I'm just glad that's all they needed, Misato thought as she found herself recalling the way Rei had thrown herself into the path of the Angel's particle beam. How her prototype Evangelion had collapsed after the Angel's death, a molten wreck of its former self. When I saw that...

Shuddering at this memory, Misato was brought back to the present by Ritsuko's voice. "Anyway, Rei, you appear to be in good condition, physically. But it does look like you took a pretty bad jolt when Unit 00 was hit by the particle beam." The faux-blonde doctor frowned somewhat as she studied the albino girl. "It doesn't look like it caused any lasting harm. But just the same, I want you to take it easy for the next few days. Just in case."

"Yes, ma'am," Rei replied, seeming to be even quieter than usual.

"The same goes for you, Shinji," Ritsuko continued. "You took a bad shock during the first engagement, and I doubt that you've fully recovered from it." Then the faux-blonde frowned slightly as she studied the 3rd Child. "And as for your hands..."

With this, Shinji glanced from the doctor to his hands, and more importantly, the bandages that were wrapped about them. Bandages that obscured the angry, red burns that Misato had seen earlier, when he and Rei had been recovered from their Evangelions. "Oh, you don't have to worry," he told her, smiling weakly for their benefit as he lowered his hands between his legs, almost like he was trying to hide them from view. "I...the lady that looked at them...she said they were just first degree burns, and that they weren't that bad, and..."

Ritsuko nodded knowingly, simply because such treatment was standard procedure. "Yes, I know. But all the same, I want you to take it easy. Be sure to change the bandages every twelve hours, and run cold water over the burns when you do. And above all, get plenty of rest and relaxation. You've been through a lot recently, so give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover. No point in taking chances." When Shinji nodded his understanding, the doctor quirked a tiny smile and shot Misato a sideways glance. "Which means that you're going to have to keep that landfill you call an apartment clean all by yourself for a while, Misato." Wincing at this barbed comment, Misato growled lowly in her throat before turning away from her friend. "I'd ask you to take care of all the cooking as well, but I don't think Ikari would approve of me advocating the poisoning of one of the pilots..."

"Watch it, Rits...!" Misato grumbled menacingly, folding her arms across her chest as she spoke. Something that only succeeded in broadening her friend's smile.

Chuckling a few moments longer, Ritsuko then returned her attention to the children. "Anyway, you two are free to go now," she announced with a slight smile. "But I'd recommend that you two stay on base for a while. At least until the power is back up in the city."

"Right," Shinji nodded as Rei processed this advice with a slight nod of her own. "Uh...by the way...how long until...?"

"The power's back up and running again?" Misato intuited. When Shinji nodded, the purple-haired woman gave a slight shrug. "To be honest, I'm not exactly sure. With the operation complete, it shouldn't take long to redirect power back to the cities." Then she made a face and glanced at her friend. "But I'm sure Ritsuko is going to tell me that it's not as easy as that."

"Actually, it is." Starting at this, Misato shot a surprised look at the faux-blonde, who smiled and shrugged. "For us, anyway. Since the operation took place nearby, our tech people won't have to do nearly as much to get the power here back up." The Captain frowned, immediately thinking that that seemed too easy, especially after that had happened. And she was about to put this in words when Ritsuko frowned, and confirmed Misato's suspicion. "However, given that we just had a dead Angel fall down on the city..."

With this, Misato let out a low sigh as she thought back to when the 3rd Angel had been defeated, self-destructing in an attempt to take down Unit 01. An attempt that had caused more damage to Tokyo-3 than to the horned destroyer. "Right, good point," Misato frowned unhappily. "The tech teams are going to want to give everything a quick once over before they turn the power back on."

And that was the least of the things that had to be dealt with in the aftermath of the 5th Angel's defeat, Misato knew. With an Angel's corpse presently lying in the middle of Tokyo-3, she was already looking at a couple buildings having been crushed at the least. Then there the containment protocols that would have to be implemented before people could be released from the shelters to go home, lest they do something stupid and actually trying getting near the massive body with who knew what consequences. Not to mention repairing the huge hole the Angel had drilled into the Geofront, as well as all the other problems that came with the aftermath of battle.

Damn. I can practically sense the paperwork breeding already, Misato grimaced, her stomach tying itself in knots all the crap she would have to deal with in the wake of this mess. Letting out a low, gusty sigh at the thought of it all, she then glanced at the children who were sitting before her, Shinji's unanswered question still hanging in the air.

"Tell you what, you two," Misato finally started. "Why don't you lie down here for a while and get some rest. As soon as I learn when the power's going to be back on, I'll let you know. Fair enough?"

"Okay," Shinji nodded while Rei just sat there, staring as only Rei knew how.

"Okay." Giving them a wan smile, Misato then looked over at Ritsuko. "You don't have a problem with that, do you, Rits?"

"Not at all," Ritsuko replied with a wry curl of her lip. "Besides, I'd like to get a look at this Angel's remains. See how they compare with what we found with the 4th."

"Suit yourself," Misato replied, unsurprised by this. So little was known about the Angels, and even less was understood. It was small wonder that Ritsuko would be champing at the bit to study this latest specimen. And if such studies provided them with a better understanding of how to kill the monsters, then that suited her just fine. Then she looked back at the children that had fought so hard and risked so much for them that day. "Anyway, you two take it easy. I'll talk to the attending nurses, let them know you'll be staying here for a while. So if you need or want anything, just let them know. Okay?"

"Alright," Shinji nodded quickly, again giving her a weak smile.

Letting out a low sigh, Misato gave the two of them one final look before saying, "Okay. I'll see you two later." And with that, the Captain turned and started away, with Ritsuko quick to follow.

As Shinji watched the two women depart, he sighed wearily as he sat back in his seat, grateful for the chance to rest. He knew that both Misato and Ritsuko were correct in their concerns; the day's many trials and tribulations had long since drained him of much of his strength. Fear and despair and relief and so many other emotions had run their course, the adrenaline that came and gave him strength during the heat of battle had long since faded, leaving him able to do little more than sit there.

But even as he did so, Shinji glanced over at the girl seated next to him. The girl he had seen smile for him when before her smiles had been reserved for someone else...and realized that there was something else he could do.

"So..." Shinji began as he looked over at the blue-haired girl. Her crimson eyes looking straight ahead, at the closed door Misato and Ritsuko had left through. "I...I'm really glad that...you're okay."

A beat passed before Rei reacted to his words. And when she did, she didn't do so by speaking. She simply turned her gaze towards Shinji, seeming to study him for a brief time, before finally asking, "Why is that?"

Shinji frowned as he considered this question, needing a few moments to think of the best way to respond to it. "Well...why shouldn't I be glad?" he finally got out from around his confusion. "I mean...you could've died out there! When that thing hit you, I...I was scared to death!"

"You...were?" Rei responded. The tone of her voice catching Shinji's attention. A puzzled sound that became even more prevalent when she asked, "But...why? Why would you be scared?"

"Because I didn't want you to die!" Shinji immediately blurted out without hesitation.

Rei pursed her lips together as she seemed to consider this. "But...why do you care?" Startled by this, as well as the genuinely inquisitive voice with which this question was spoken. "Is it because...I protected you before?"

"Because you...?" Shinji started, only for his words to fall flat in his mouth, causing his jaw to plummet to the floor. Several seconds passed as he slowly gathered himself together, his eyes fixed on the completely blank expression Rei wore. "Wh... no, that - that has nothing to do with it!"

This prompted a bit of emotion to appear in Rei's expression. A hint of surprise showed as she frowned ever so slightly, cocking her head to the side as she asked, "Then...why?"

Shinji was again left without words as he studied the albino girl. As baffled as Rei herself appeared to be. "Well...uh..." he got out, the words coming with difficulty His mouth hung open for a long time as he again wracked his brain for an argument, for something to tell her when he seemed incapable of understanding something so basic. Understanding why someone would be glad that she was alive.

But as seconds passed by, nothing occurred to him. No rational argument, nothing that would capture the essence of what he was trying to say. Leaving Shinji to sit there, looking at her, growing more and confused and frustrated with his inability to find the words to express what he wanted to say. His mouth slowly opening and closing, no words escaping it. Until at last, after a seeming eternity, something deep inside of him made itself known. Something that caused him to blurt out, "Why shouldn't I care?"

The silence that fell in the wake of these words was all but deafening, with the two children left gazing at each other. His heart pounding with the force of emotion he had given voice to, Shinji gazed at Rei's own expression, and watched as her eyes widened ever so slightly, a tiny, hushed gasp slipping free of her lips.

"Wh-what's wrong with me caring?" Shinji went on, the words coming of their own accord now. Fueled by the lingering horror from before, when he had seen Rei's flesh a dark grey. When he had thought that she had died for his sake. "I...is there some reason why I shouldn't care that you're...alive?"

Again, there was silence, silence in which Rei continued to look at Shinji, something mercurial flowing behind her eyes. A strange flow of emotions that the 3rd Child would've have missed is he hadn't been looking straight at her. As he looked into her eyes, trying to make sense of her reactions, the blue-haired girl frowned ever so slightly before looking away.

Finally, after a seeming eternity, a single word escaped Rei's lips. "No," she said, the word so soft and so tiny that Shinji barely heard it, but containing a world of meaning in and of itself. "I...don't believe there is."

As he processed this admission, Shinji didn't say anything. He simply continued to sit there, trying to understand the girl beside him. Why? Why is she like this? he found himself wondering. Why does she feel that Eva is the only thing she has? Why doesn't she -?

"Errggh!"

Startled by the sudden sound of pain, Shinji's first reaction was to jump several inches up off his seat. When he recovered a moment later, he whipped about to look towards the source of the sound, and gasped in horror when he saw Rei hunched over, her teeth gritted in pain. And to his greater horror, her hand was clutching at her heart.

A moment after processing this situation, Shinji was on his feet and at the blue-haired girl's side. "Ayanami, what's wrong? Ayanami?" Rei didn't answer, at least not directly. But her breathing came in the form of hurried, pained pants, and she clenched at her heart that much more desperately. Realizing that something was horribly wrong, Shinji turned and started towards the door. "Hang on! I-I'll go get help!"

Before he could even take a single step, Rei cried out once again. But this time, her agonized voice was formed into a single, pleading word. "No!"

Stunned into immobility, Shinji felt his eyes bulge with incredulity as he attempted to process what he had just heard. After a few moments, he was able to look back at the pained girl, and found himself met by two crimson eyes that were filmed with not just pain, but something else.

Something that could only be described as fear.

"Please...don't...Shinji," Rei got out from between her clenched teeth. Breath after ragged breath escaped her lips as she continued to struggle with her pain. "Please..."

"Huh?" Shinji started, surprised by both her demand and the desperation with which Rei had made it. As this surprise subsided, he looked incredulously at her before saying, "But - Ayamami -!"

"Please...!" Rei hissed out once more. If possible, she sounded more desperate than before. And it was that, more than anything else, that left Shinji frozen in place, helpless to do anything but watch as the albino continued to sit there. The tension mounting exponentially, until at last, Rei's haggard breathing became more relaxed. Her entire body eased, and she finally allowed her clenched hand to fall from the space over her heart before falling back into her seat.

His eyes wide as Rei sat back, her chest rising and falling as she took in breath after breath, her skin filmed with a layer of sweat after her unexpected ordeal. "Are -?" Shinji nervously began, only to be stopped by a lump of bile suddenly appearing in his throat. Loudly swallowing, he warily approached her and tried again. "Are...you okay now?"

Rei's drained eyes shifted about slowly, before finally focusing on him. "I am...improving," she informed him, her voice as drained and tormented as the rest of her. "Shinji...thank you."

At this point, Shinji felt that he should be done being surprised by the enigmatic albino. That nothing she did, no mannerism of hers should be shocking to him. But he was again stunned by her words. "Wh-why are you thanking me?" he wondered, too startled to think about what he was saying. "I...I didn't do anything!"

"You...did as I asked," Rei informed him, her quiet voice gaining strength.

"But...Ayanami, I don't understand!" Shinji murmured. "Why...why didn't you want me to go get someone?"

Taking an especially deep breath, Rei looked squarely at Shinji before answering, "Because...I would rather not give the Commander...cause for alarm."

Shinji's first reaction to this was to frown with confusion. He didn't understand why Rei wouldn't want Gendo to know if there was something wrong with her. Even forgetting the fact that he had apparently risked his life to save the blue-haired girl, the fact that she was an Eva pilot alone should warrant her proper medical care. But even as this thought ran its course, he recalled the awful hovel that Gendo made her live in, prompting the return of the many questions he had in regards to that.

But more importantly was the fear in Rei's eyes. Fear he didn't understand, but knew to be real. And with that, Shinji knew that there was far more going on with her than he knew.

However, this did nothing to change the fact that she was still visibly hurting. And that fact caused Shinji to bend down and look her in the eye before asking, "But...Rei, are you sure? You looked like you were having a heart attack!"

"I am certain," Rei told him without hesitation. After a moment, she frowned slightly before adding, "And...that was not a heart attack."

"You're sure about that?" Shinji asked, unsure which of Rei's statements he was referring to.

A long moment passed as the two of them met each other's eyes. And when it had passed, a fresh spark of concern appeared in Rei's eyes as she answered, "I am."

It wasn't much of an answer, Shinji felt. And as he continued to look at her, at the fear that was still present in her eyes, he couldn't help but think that it was far from being a reassuring one.

It was very nearly dawn when power and light returned to Tokyo-3. When it's people were finally allowed to return to their homes after security details had been deployed around the perimeter of the defeated Angel's corpse. And amongst those people returning to their homes was Rei.

As the 1stChild rode the subway train that would take her close to her apartment, she heard the many people riding to their own homes, heard them talking about how relieved they were the battle was over, as well as how many more Angels would come before the war with them was finally ended. Some of them fretted over the condition of their own homes, while others considered the possibility of moving away from Tokyo-3, from the danger it represented.

Rei heard all these things and more, and disregarded them. Her focus was on other concerns, other thoughts...and other fears.

The sudden, sharp pain that had assailed her before was not a heart attack. Rei knew her unique anatomy better than Shinji did, better than anyone save for Gendo and Ritsuko. And she knew that it wasn't her heart that had suddenly seized up and sent agony boiling through her blood.

It had been her S2 organ. One of the things that separated Rei from normal human beings such as Shinji and the people around her. The things that linked her to the creatures she fought to destroy, and made her so important to Gendo.

But...that shouldn't be possible, Rei thought, her hand once again finding its way to her chest, just over where that unique organ lay within her. It's supposed to be dormant. The Commander...he was going to activate it when...the Angels were gone, and...

Unable to bring herself to conclude this thought, Rei massaged the skin above the S2 organ, disregarding the minor bursts of pain and discomfort that it continued to send shooting through her. Making it clear that it was no longer dormant.

Rei wasn't certain why this was happening, nor did she care. All that mattered was that it was happening. That something strange, unpredicted, and potentially uncontrollable was occurring within her very body. And if there was anything that she had learned over the course of her lives, it was that the man that had given her those lives had no use or tolerance for things that were strange, unpredictable, or potentially uncontrollable. And if he suspected that something was wrong with her...

A tremor ran up and down Rei's spine as she thought of the outcome of such a thing. Her value to Commander Ikari was completely dependent on her being able to carry out his will. And as long as she was of value to him, he would smile at her, treat her kindly, and keep her alive in this body. But if something was wrong with her, something that couldn't be corrected, then she would be replaced.

No... Rei thought slowly, slowly shaking her head at that thought. I...it can't be. I... Pressing her lips together, trying to ignore the fear that was trying to worm its way through her, the albino did everything she could to not think of that. To instead think of other possibilities. After all, this was her first actual battle. There was always a chance that she was simply having a negative reaction to it. Also...Unit 00 and I...were exposed to the particle beam...and the feedback problem...

With that, Rei began going through all the many things that could go wrong with an Eva and its synchronization with its pilot. Things she was already quite familiar with, having lived through several of them already. And she knew that in battle, such things could be even worse. After all, Shinji...he's fully human. And he...he nearly died because he was synchronized with Unit 01 when the Angel attacked him. He...

As she thought of this, tried to drill these logical explanations into her mind, Rei frowned as they conjured another image. The sight of the boy that was also born because of Gendo and Yui Ikari, and whose life had all been planned out by Gendo. A boy for whom she had no real value to, was not part of any grand scheme. A boy who apparently hated the Commander and had no faith in his creations. And yet...

Don't ever say that! Just don't say that you have nothing else! Please don't say that! Shinji's voice sounded in her mind. And don't say goodbye when you leave on a mission. It's just too sad!

Why? Why was he saddened? And why was he relieved when he learned I was alive? Rei wondered once more. The mission was over. My survival was no longer imperative to continuing his own. Why would he be concerned for me?

No matter how many times Rei asked that question, her questions went unanswered. And so she continued to ride the train, alone amongst many, fears and concerns and confusion reigning supreme within her.

It was almost time.

As Lilith kept her mind open to Rei's own, she was aware of the blue-haired girl's torments, her many questions as she eventually left the subway and started towards the place that Gendo had given her to be her home. And once she arrived, she would be away from prying eyes.

And none too soon, Lilith knew. The power of Ramiel, the 5th Angel, had changed Rei more than the albino realized. And while still relatively minor, the 2nd Angel could sense that those changes would soon become visible from the outside. Which would almost certainly be disastrous for them both.

But even as she thought this, Lilith knew that this effect on Rei had a positive side to it. If only because it would make the 1st Child far more likely to hear out what she had to say, as well as accept the special gift that the Angel was preparing for her.

And she had to accept it. There was no getting around this simple fact. For while Lilith could sense others, others with sparks of power all their own, they were caught up in their own situations. And while there was a chance they could help stop the destruction promised by Adam and his children, they wouldn't understand the true enemy in all of this. They didn't have the knowledge needed to thwart the ambitions of a few misguided souls.

But you do, Rei, Lilith thought as she continued to watch from within her prison. Observing as the blue-haired girl finally arrived at her home. You have the knowledge needed to put an end to this, to save all my children from themselves. All you need is power, guidance...and the will to do this.

And so, Lilith watched and waited, almost ready to give Rei two of the three things she needed. Painfully aware that the person Gendo had brought into this world to be his puppet would need to find the third of them on her own.

As Rei made her way up the stairs of the dilapidated building that she called home, she ignored the filth that lined the many steps and walls as she always did. She ignored the smell that clung to the foul edifice, as well as the many syringes and other unpleasant objects. Her body moved virtually of its own accord as her conscious mind was thoroughly occupied with other matters.

She wasn't thinking of the unexpected activity of her S2 organ. Whether or not that had been a onetime occurrence, or whatever had caused it to happen, or how Gendo and Ritsuko would react to discovering it were all things Rei had managed to put to the side. No matter what the answer to these questions, there was nothing she could do to affect them. And since the pain had subsided for the time, there was no use dwelling on them.

However, there was no shoving aside the face that currently resided within Rei's mind. The face that was still smiling at her from the emergency hatch of her Entry Plug.

Shinji is happy…because I am alive, Rei thought, analyzing the situation from every angle. Trying in vain to make sense of this inexplicable reality.

Why would Shinji be happy that Rei was alive? They never interacted with each other, whether at school or on the base. The most time they had spent with each other was yesterday, when he had brought her new security card. He had no reason to wish for her continued survival, he didn't depend upon her for his own plans for the future. She was the reason he had been forced to do something he hated more than once. The only reason that Rei could think of that he would be glad was because she had intervened to protect him from the 5th Angel, and the only reason she had done so was because she had been ordered to do so.

I don't understand, Rei frowned even as she reached the door to her apartment. I just don't -

The remainder of Rei's thought was obliterated by a surge of intense pain. Without any warning, her chest again felt as if it were on fire, with something inside of it struggled to explode past the limits of her own tender flesh. "Aaarrrggh!" she cried out, succumbing to natural human instinct as she fell against the door, instinctively grabbing the handle in attempt to support herself as she fell to her knees.

Her heart pounding desperately in response to the sudden agony, Rei felt her entire body tensing, reacting uncontrollably. No...not again...! she thought desperately as she attempted to force her slender frame to heed her mental commands. Tried to will herself back up her to feet as she twisted the handle, instinctually attempting to get out of sight. An instinct that her panicked mind knew was not entirely unfounded. Not when there was a chance of Section 2, NERV's secret police and appointed guardians and watchers of the designated Children catching sight of her collapsing to her knees and reporting this to Gendo.

Making him wonder if something was wrong with her. Making him perform tests on her.

Leading to her being replaced.

No! I...I must not even think about it! Rei thought as she forced the door to open. Fought back against the pain, managing to crawl inside the filthy, stinking interior of her apartment. Ignoring the protests of her own body, she kept moving. As soon as she was far enough inside, she allowed herself to fall to her side, giving her a good view of the door to her home. Allowing her to force one of her trembling legs up and aim it at the door. Her pain-wracked body fighting her every step of the way, she guided her foot to the door, and forced it to push the door hard. Sending it to close behind her with a slight bang, enough of one to cause it to quake in its frame.

This done, Rei allowed herself to fully collapse, heedless of the filth and grime. She had done everything she could do to keep anyone from seeing what she was going through. All she could do now was lay there, and wait for it to pass.

If it did.

The pain exploding forth from Rei's S2 organ was more intense than the last time, and unlike before, was showing no signs of relenting, even though roughly half a minute had passed. And as she lay there, attempting to ride it out, she realized that she could feel other things happening to her. A slight tremor was running through her in response to the spreading pain, and her skin began to itch and burn ever so slightly.

What's...happening...! Rei wondered, desperately trying to detach herself from her condition. Even as sweat rolled down her face, she forced her eyes to open as she raised her hand up to look at it. Trying to see if there were any external symptoms of her condition, other than her loss of control.

What she saw elicited a strangled cry of horror from her throat. Her eyes widening in horror, Rei watched as the pale skin of her arm shifted, turning a dark, gunmetal grey. To her mounting shock, her skin was changing texture, smoothing out and taking on a dull metallic sheen.

Physical transformation...! Rei realized with a mix of shock and awe. Clearly, her condition was far more severe if it her S2 organ was causing her hybrid flesh to undergo such drastic changes.

Numbed with astonishment, Rei could do nothing. Nothing but listen to her heart thunder in her ears, her tormented breaths coming rapidly, and feel her body quake. Watching in horrified fascination as the metallic effect rippled about her forearm, aware that it was likely doing the same about the rest of her skin. And waiting helplessly, a prisoner in her own frail form, until after a seeming eternity her skin slowly reverted to its normal pallor. The pain faded a time later, leaving Rei drained, her clothes soaked with sweat, but otherwise all right.

For now, Rei realized as she slowly gathered herself up. Her tormented form protesting as she forced herself to rise to her feet. Whatever is happening, it's getting worse. She frowned slightly as she made her way into the main room of her filthy abode, considering her options. Of which, she soon realized, she had none.

Trying to keep her condition a secret was not an option, not after this second attack. If they continued to come and worsen, there was every chance they would eventually prove fatal for Rei. And even if she were inclined to try and keep it a secret, she didn't see how she could. Not when she now attended a public school, which brought her into the view of so many people, as well as Section 2. All it would take was one attack out in public for her condition to become known to Commander Ikari.

And if there's any chance of saving this body...this life...then I have to contact NERV. Immediately, Rei determined after a moment's debate. I have no other choice.

Yes, you do.

A sharp gasp tore free of Rei's lips as these words registered. She had not heard them with her ears; they had suddenly appeared in her mind fully formed. Her breathing coming faster as her body automatically prepared itself for action, a base reaction to a possible threat, the albino very nearly jumped when the voice sounded again. Options always exist, Rei Ayanami. If one has the will to seek them out.

Taken aback by both the presence of the voice and the depth and power that came with it, Rei again reacted on instinct, quickly glancing about her apartment in search of the source. When she saw nothing amiss, nothing to indicate that something was present aside from herself, she quickly considered the possibilities. Despite her limited experience with people and various medical ailments, she had heard of people hearing voices. A situation that was frequently equated with diminished mental capacity. My condition...it must be worse than I realized. I...

No, Rei Ayanami. What you are experiencing is not the product of delusions or sickness. Though what has happened to you is part of this,the voice informed her. Starting at the realization that, whatever it was that was speaking to her apparently knew what she was thinking, Rei felt her mouth pop as the voice continued. The Fruit of Life within you is awakening, and it is that which allows you to hear my words.

Again, Rei was startled, but this quickly gave away to something akin to fear and awe. Over the course of her life, when Gendo had not been too busy with other matters, he had spent a great deal of time with her, telling her much about the Angels and Evangelions. Conversing about what they had learned about the creatures that obstructed him from his plans for the future. Including things that they had learned from the Dead Sea Scrolls, such as the terms used in describing aspects of Angelic physiology. My...S2 organ is allowing you...allowing me... Unable to finish this thought, she felt as if her heart was faltering beneath these many shocks. Who...what are you?

You know who I am, Rei Ayanami, the voice informed her with surprising gentleness. I am that which you were created in order to control. Mine is the power Gendo Ikari hopes that you will allow him to bend to his will. To accomplish a forbidden fusion which will bring about the end of everything on this world, to obtain that which he desires.

At these words, Rei's eyes expanded with shock. The albino's first impulse was to deny what she was hearing, to decry it as being impossible. To embrace the possibility that she had indeed gone mad, or at least was far more damaged than she had realized. But even as she tried to do so, she couldn't help but feel the truth in the voice's words. The power with which it spoke filled her, and made it impossible to deny. "Lilith." The being she sensed within her mind didn't respond with words. However, Rei could feel a surge of emotion in her. A strange surge that she couldn't identify, and yet reminded her of the times when Gendo would smile at her, pleased at some accomplishment of hers in regards to her training. "But…how...why...?"

How is it that I can communicate with you when I am bound as I am? Lilith intuited. My power has been restrained, Rei Ayanami. Limits have been placed upon me. But it is still possible for me to reach out to others. And you, of all my children, are closest to me. In many different ways. Feeling a chill as she thought of the meaning behind these words, Rei wrapped her arms about her frame as Lilith continued. And as for the why…it is because there are things that we must discuss.

"Discuss?" Rei replied, still speaking aloud in her surprise and confusion. "What...things?"

To begin with, your Fruit of Life. You are concerned about what is happening to it, and its effects upon you, Lilith spoke in a comforting manner. Would you like me to explain what is happening?

Rei was initially confused by this, by Lilith's asking what the albino wanted instead of simply telling her. But after a moment's perplexity, Rei decided that it didn't matter. What mattered was that information regarding her condition was being offered. And assuming that Lilith wasn't lying, then the blue-haired girl would have a better idea as to how to handle her situation, and would perhaps be spared the necessity of alerting Commander Ikari to it.

Spared the risk of being...replaced.

"Yes," Rei eventually responded. "Please, tell me."

When you were battling Ramiel and were exposed to his power, the force of that power stimulated your Fruit of Life, Lilith explained in a tender manner, but was still straight and to the point. As a result, it is now attempting to force you to cast aside your human form.

After a moment's consideration of Lilith's way of phrasing her words, Rei sucked in a slight gasp of realization. "It...is turning me into...a full Angel?"

It is attempting to do so. Whether or not it will succeed...I cannot tell, Lilith explained. The spark of power Ramiel left within you is still small. It may or may not gain greater strength if left untended. There are too many variables for me to accurately predict whether or not this will happen.

"Then...it may fall into dormancy on its own?" Rei asked, suffering a brief moment of relief.

It may, Lilith confirmed.

For a time, Rei was tempted to simply leave it at that. To be content in the knowledge that her condition might simply go away of its own accord. But even as this temptation occurred to her, something in the way the 2nd Angel had spoken resonated with her. And made her remember that the unforeseen was always a factor. That just because something might happen, that didn't necessarily mean that it would. "What will happen...if it does not?"

That depends on how future events were to unfold, as well as the amount of exposure you were to have to other Angelic powers and influences, Lilith answered in an elusive fashion. If your Fruit of Life were to be stimulated into a fully active state, you will shed your human form. In which case, you would take on an Angelic form, one that would likely resemble my own true form. This prompted a muted, but no less horrified hiss from Rei. She had seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls what Lilith's true form was. To become that would likely doom this city and everyone in it, as well as Gendo and his scenario. However, it is more likely that your Fruit of Life would force you to achieve imperfect forms. Blendings of a human state and an Angelic one. And these forms would be...unstable at best.

Unstable. That was a word Rei was very familiar with. It was a word that was often used to describe the Evangelions in Japan, but more importantly, it had been used by Gendo to describe NERV's earliest attempts at producing a functional Evangelion. Unstable, so much so that they could not even sustain their own lives.

"Then...I would die," Rei realized as her earlier hope crumbled.

Unfortunately, yes, Lilith confirmed. And depending on how severe the instability became, your Fruit of Life could likely rupture, releasing its full power on all that was around you.

These works, even spoken as they were, fell upon Rei like an N2 bomb. For she knew what had happened fifteen years ago when Adam, the 1st Angel's S2 organ was ruptured. She knew what had happened when the 3rd Angel had deliberately overloaded its own S2 organ in an attempt to destroy Unit 01. And while she doubted the tiny organ that was presently stirring within her would be capable of the kind of destruction that the other Angels had been, she knew it would be enough. Enough to take many lives, possibly even those of Gendo...and his son.

As this dread possibility settled down upon Rei's shoulders with all the weight of Tokyo-3 itself, the albino felt a lump form in her throat as she asked one more question. "How...how long would I...have to avoid contact with Angelic entities and powers...before...?"

Before your Fruit of Life returns to its previous state of dormancy? Lilith intuited. When Rei nodded, the ancient being beneath hesitated but a moment before answering, Even under the best of circumstances, your Fruit of Life would require two, perhaps three weeks to recover and become quiescent again. And during this time, you would be subject to spasms such as the one you had just endured.

With these words, Rei felt herself collapse within, Lilith's words prompting a deep emotional response. Her body acting of its own accord, she let out a low, heavy sigh as her lungs emptied themselves, and when her legs wobbled, their strength failing, she took an involuntary step backward. Though she had no idea of whether or not Lilith was telling the truth, the fact remained that she was now effectively back in the same dilemma that she had been in before. Then...I have no choice, she thought, her earlier dread returning with greater strength. I have to contact Dr. Akagi, and...

That is not true, Rei Ayanami. As I already told you, options always exist, Lilith chided her with kindness in her mental voice.

Frowning at this, both at how easily Lilith could sense and respond to her thoughts and how the Angel seemed to be deliberately confusing the situation, Rei replied, "You told me that if my S2 organ does not return to dormancy, than I will potentially be a danger to others."

That is correct, Lilith admitted. However, you still have another option. One that does not involve informing either Gendo Ikari or Ritsuko Akagi.

"And what could that be?" Rei wondered, her voice taking on a slight edge.

You could ask me to help you, Lilith replied simply.

Again, Rei was startled and confused, and not just by the suddenness of this suggestion. But also because of the simple fact that she had not considered the possibility that Lilith was capable of assisting her. "You?" the blue-haired girl start, hope once again returning to her. "You can...help me?"

Yes. In many different ways, Lilith informed her, somehow managing to convey a smile with her words alone. And that is another matter that I wish to discuss with you.

"What do you mean?" Rei asked, feeling a slight headache.

While the albino was hoping that this wasn't a sign of an impending attack, Lilith began her explanation. I have been aware of you for some time, Rei Ayanami. Because my own physical essence was used in the formation of your flesh and blood, we are bonded in many different ways. And so, I am aware of your thoughts and your feelings. Even when you were incapable of hearing my voice, I could still sense what you experienced. And that is how I am aware of the things you have suffered throughout your life, as well as the reason Gendo Ikari created your body the way it is. Uncertain of what this had to do anything, Rei simply stood in place and waited for Lilith to continue. You see, the influence of Ramiel's power now means that there is hope. For you…and all of my children.

"Hope?" Rei wondered perplexedly.

Yes. You see, I care for you, along with all of humanity. Individually, and as a whole. However, because I am restrained, I am incapable of doing anything to intervene on the behalf of my children, Lilith admitted. And that is why I don't want Gendo Ikari to learn of the change that has taken place in you. For it would be disastrous for us both.

Rei frowned somewhat at this. "What do you mean?"

You are aware of what would likely happen if Gendo Ikari learned of what had happened to you, Lilith replied in a simple fashion. And it would be disastrous for me in the sense that I will have lost the only being in the position you are in. A person who knows of the plans in place for me, and my children. And who has the potential to help me avert these things.

Again, Rei frowned, not liking the way this conversation was going. "Then...you don't wish the Commander's scenario to take place."

No. I do not, Lilith replied in a firmer manner. And more to the point, I know that you don't wish it to succeed, either.

Rei did not confirm the Angel's words, but at the same time, she didn't deny them, either. If Lilith was truly as aware of the albino's thoughts and feelings as she claimed to be, then there was no point. Her mind, her very self, was an open book to the Angel.

But even as she realized this, she realized that that it didn't matter what Lilith knew or didn't know. Simply because, no matter what either of them thought otherwise, Gendo would succeed and get what he wanted.

He always had. He always would. No matter what happened, Gendo got what he wanted. That was the basic reality of Rei's life.

"What you and I want doesn't matter," Rei intoned simply.

Doesn't it? Lilith asked in a deceptively easy manner. You are one of my children, Rei Ayanami. You have your own will, your own mind. Your own thoughts and feelings, even if you don't express them. These things are important. They matter.

"Not to Commander Ikari," Rei replied softly.

Not to him, perhaps. But they do matter, Lilith replied with a bit more force. As do the thoughts and feelings of all my other children. Everywhere.

As Rei thought of these many people, she frowned that much more. "No. No, they..."

Would you kill Shinji Ikari?

The question came so suddenly, so unexpectedly, that Rei was jolted to her core. "What?"

Gendo Ikari sees no value in anyone, beyond whatever use he may make of them. To fulfill his dream, he would kill all of my children. Including his son, Shinji Ikari, Lilith pointed out. Now tell me, Rei Ayanami; do you wish to take the boy's life?

For a brief time, Rei thought of the boy who, like Gendo, had smiled for her. Had risked his life and injured his hands out of concern for her. And who, unlike Gendo, had not done these things because he had a use for her. Not because her unique physiology was needed to make his own plans reality. Had done these things, had been happy she was alive, simply because he cared for her. He had no reason to care for her, but he did so, just the same.

No, was the response that ran through Rei's mind. But even as she thought this, she realized that this was the wrong answer. Because, ultimately, Shinji's life only had one purpose. The same purpose that Rei had. The fulfillment of Gendo Ikari's will.

Beyond that, there was nothing. There would never be anything beyond that simple reality.

As this reality reappeared in her mind, a reality that had been reinforced by year after year of learning and training overseen by Gendo himself, Rei frowned and answered aloud, "I…if the Commander told me…"

You have already given me you answer, Rei Ayanami, Lilith cut her off. Wincing at this reminder of how aware the 2nd Angel was of her thoughts, Rei gasped and listened as the ancient being went on. Already, the boy means so much to you, that the very thought of him being harmed is painful to you. And yet, Gendo Ikari has wrought him a life of nothing but pain, as he has done with you, and with countless others, betraying and manipulating people, endearing himself to them. Only to discard them when their usefulness to him as at an end. The 2nd Angel paused at this, her silence unbearably heavy. It is only because that you are an asset to him that he smiles for you. That he saved you before.

This statement cut into Rei like the razor-sharp edge of a samurai sword. It penetrated easily, because she knew it was true. She had seen the remains of those Gendo had eliminated because they had either outlived their usefulness to him, or they somehow obstructed his plans in some shape or form. She knew full well the lengths he would go to dispose of people in ways that could not be tracked back to him.

But Rei was different. She had been created for a very specific purpose. This much had been made clear to her from a very early age. As soon as she was capable of comprehending such matters. And the purpose she had been created for was to serve Gendo's will, and to ultimately give him the power he desired to make his dreams reality. And she knew that was the reason that he gave her the attention he did. She knew because he had made it clear that she existed because he needed her to exist. And if she refuted the purpose for which she had been created, than she would no longer exist. At least, not as she was. And another Rei Ayanami, one that would cooperate fully with Gendo's design, would appear to take her place.

"But there's nothing I can do," Rei stated simply. "There's nothing either of us can do."

No. There is nothing we can do on our own. Together, we may be able to accomplish a great deal. A noise of confusion escaping her lips, Rei frowned as Lilith explained, While my influence is limited to the chamber I am trapped in, I still have some power. And am capable of manipulating my blood, to change its form.

Frowning at this, at the thought of the lake of LCL that the 2nd Angel hung above, Rei then asked, "To what purpose?"

To create something wonderful, Lilith replied, again smiling with her voice. A gift for you, Rei Ayanami.

"A...gift?" Rei wondered, frowning slightly. The idea of being given a gift was so foreign, so alien to her, that the fact that she was being offered something made her that much more wary. "What kind of gift?"

A gift that will safely integrate Ramiel's power into your Fruit of Life, rendering it stable, incapable of harming you or others. That will transmute your body into a perfect melding of human and Angelic tissues, while making it impossible for the science of NERV to detect these changes, Lilith told her with mounting enthusiasm.

"It will...stabilize me?" Rei murmured, a spark of hope reborn amidst the confusion. One that dimmed when she thought of the rest that Lilith told her. "But...wait. You said that it will...alter my body?"

That is correct. However, it will not change who you are, Lilith assured her. Everything that makes you Rei Ayanami will remain intact. And the changes will be unnoticeable. To everyone around you, you will be exactly as you were before.

That certainly sounded good to Rei. But there was something else, another concern that Lilith's words brought to the surface. "What about...the Commander?" she asked, her words taking on a faint edge of suspicion. "Will I still be able to fulfill his scenario?"

A moment passed before Lilith answered. No. You will not, the 2nd Angel admitted. In order to safely stabilize your condition without risk to you, your body will have to be adapted to safely regulate the power building within you. And that adaption will render you incapable of fulfilling Gendo Ikari's ambition.

Once again, Rei's hopes were extinguished. "Then...there is no point in doing this," she muttered lowly. "Even if I accept this gift, I will still be replaced."

Not if this transformation is not discovered, Lilith countered in a knowing fashion. Not if you keep it secret.

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Rei was staggered by Lilith's words. She had kept secrets in the past, many secrets that she felt certain would be shocking to those she knew from school and her daily routine at NERV, the idea of keeping a secret from the man who taught her the necessity of keeping secrets, who had shaped her life every single day and held the power of life over death was anathema to her. "No...," Rei got out, startled that much more by the way her body was reacting to these numerous shocks. "I - I can't..."

Can't...or won't? Lilith wondered in a deceptively mild manner.

Letting out a low, hissing breath, Rei sucked in a breath. "I...can't." Flashing back to her many discussions with Gendo, thinking of his plans and his need for her, she got out, "Commander Ikari... the fulfillment of his dream...is why I exist. I have nothing except..."

Except that which Gendo Ikari has given to you, Lilith smoothly broke in. He raised you so that you would accept nothing else, and from no one else. He isolated you so for most of your life so that you would be unable to bond with others, so that you would have nothing but his will to guide you. You have never been given the opportunity to learn for yourself, to see the world with your own eyes, to use your own mind and will, to act as you see fit. You have been denied every opportunity to learn anything except that which he wants you to learn. Taken aback by the force of the 2nd Angel's words, Rei frowned as she was unable to argue against them. Rei Ayanami, now is the time for you to see the world, to make your decisions, to employ your own will.

Thrown once again, Rei frowned and protested, "But...Lilith, you said that you wanted me...that you wanted Commander Ikari to fail."

That I did. And I can best succeed in that by giving you the things that Gendo Ikari has kept from you. By allowing you to embrace all the things in life that he wishes to have destroyed, Lilith told her, again smiling with her voice. The gift I am crafting for you will do all of that and more. It will allow you to find

a new purpose in your life, just as all my children must do.

If anything, Rei was becoming even more confused by Lilith's explanations, rather than less. What possible gift could the 2nd Angel have in mind that could do all of that?

For a long time, Rei considered her situation, and once again found herself back where she was before, caught between two bad situations. Between a doom that she could bring upon herself by admitting to Gendo that she was no longer capable of doing what he wanted her to do, and delaying it by allowing Lilith to remake her into something she didn't want to be.

And yet...

As Rei continued to think things through, she had to admit that Lilith had made a valid point. As much as she needed the purpose she had been created for, she didn't want to kill Shinji. She didn't want to repay his kindness with his doom. And at the same time, Lilith's words had given rise to an emotion within her. An emotion that made its presence known when the 2nd Angel spoke of all the things that her gift would enable her to do.

An emotion that Rei suspected was what was called...curiosity.

Furrowing her brows, Rei struggled with the situation. She didn't want to be replaced. She wanted to live the life she had for as long as she could. But at the same time, she couldn't help but think of Gendo, her creator, her benefactor. Her master. The be-all and end-all of her existence. Even then, she felt as if he was watching her, wondering if she would disobey him. Force him to replace her with a new Rei Ayanami.

For a seeming eternity, Rei struggled with the many points Lilith had brought up and the many harsh lessons that she had learned over the course of her lives. Until at last, she asked another question. "This gift…will it prevent me from fighting other Angels? Will it keep me from performing my duties at NERV?"

No. In fact, it can only help you in these things, and so much more, Lilith assured her. It will allow you to do these things far better than you ever could in Unit 00.

At this, Rei considered the matter for a time long, before ultimately making her decision. Commander Ikari's plan could not be fulfilled until the destruction of the 17th Angel. Until then, she could perform her other purpose, the one of defeating the Angels without hindrance, and possibly even more effectively than before. Anything else could wait until the final Angel's defeat. "Very well. I accept," Rei informed Lilith. "And I will keep everything that we have discussed secret...unless the Commander asks me to do otherwise."

Rei could almost sense Lilith smiling. I can accept that, the 2nd Angel her in an amused tone. Your gift will soon be ready, Rei Ayanami.

Without any idea of what else to do, Rei simply nodded. "Very well."

Deep in the bowels of Terminal Dogma, Lilith looked down upon the lake of LCL below, and more importantly, the whirlpool that was now flowing with her power. All the power she could summon, despite the many restraints placed upon her to craft the gift that she hoped would help bring salvation to her children. Her only chance to help them all, before the madness of a few destroyed them all.

In the center of the whirlpool, what had begun as a spark of power had slowly built in intensity. Becoming at last a brilliant silver light that shown like a star. Rei Ayanami, your gift is ready, Lilith spoke, the light of her creation reflecting off her masked face. I am sending it to you now. And it is wonderful.

I…am waiting, was Rei's response, to which Lilith could only smile inwardly. With a thought, the gift shot off like a brilliant silver star, flying straight up through roof of Lilith's chamber, and was immediately beyond her control. But she could still sense it as it rose up through NERV Headquarters undetected, passing through earth and metal as easily as it did air. It flew faster and faster, flying undetected as it passed into the open air of the Geofront, then into the sky above Tokyo-3. The sun was just barely peaking over the horizon, reflecting off the gift, which then shot down towards Rei's apartment.

Ready to obey her will. To help her find her destiny...and the courage she needed to do what was right.

As Rei waited for Lilith's promised gift, she found herself looking towards the windows of her apartment. She honestly had no idea as to what the gift would be or what form it would take, but she felt that she would be alerted to its arrival, or at the very least, would know it when she saw it.

While she waited, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of gift it would be. What kind of thing could Lilith send to her that would be able to do the things she boasted it would be capable of. Could stabilize her S2 organ...and help her find a purpose to replace the one she had lost.

Shuddering at the loss of that purpose, Rei frowned. I wonder…do all people have to go through this? she asked herself, not expecting a response. Trying to find their own purposes? Their own reasons to exist? Despite everything, knowing that there had been a specific reason for her genesis had brought a measure of comfort into Rei's otherwise barren life. And now...

Rei Ayanami, Lilith called out to her, causing Rei to sit up straight. Your gift has arrived.

For a moment, Rei looked about, almost asking where it was when her eyes widened in surprise. Something was entering her apartment, passing through the wall opposite her as if it weren't even there. The object hovered above the floor before coming to a halt before her, as if waiting for a command.

As for Rei, she frowned slightly before standing to examine the strange artifact. It was silver in color, and rippled like it was made of liquid. The shape of it reminded her of something, something she had seen in a magazine. "A surfboard…" she mused as she carefully circled the object, never once touching it. "Lilith...this is the gift?"

It seemed an appropriate form for my gift to you to take, Lilith explained. Rei Ayanami, for all your life, you have been denied to see the world, to see the way people interact, to understand friendship and love, to look upon all the various ways of life that exist, all waiting for you to find them. This board will allow you to surf the skies, to see everything the world has to offer you, and so much more.

"Surf the skies?" Rei questioned, concern appearing in her voice. "But I…don't know how to use a surfboard."

That will not be a problem, Rei Ayanami, Lilith promptly reassured her. I will explain to you the powers of the board in the future, as well as how to use them. But for now, your Fruit of Life is building up in power once again. If you wish to avoid suffering another attack, you must use the board to stabilize it.

This immediately got Rei's attention. While she had grown used to pain over the course of her lives, that did not mean she enjoyed it. And the agony caused her by her S2 organ was a special kind of agony all of its own. "Agreed," the albino answered. "What do I do?"

Simply lie down on the board, and remain perfectly still, Lilith instructed Rei in a soothing fashion. The board will automatically begin the process of stabilizing your form.

A simple enough instruction. One that Rei found refreshing, giving the elusive manner in which Lilith tended to speak. "Very well," the blue-haired girl answered before moving over to the board's side. Pausing to study the mercurial surface, Rei frowned before placing her hand on it. To her surprise, despite apparently being made of liquid, her hand did not sink into the board. It's surface gave somewhat beneath, but not by much. Pressing her lips together, she then swept her hand about the board. It's surface rippled as she moved her hand about, but still did not let it penetrate. Then she paused and pressed down on the board, attempting to force it downwards.

The mercurial artifact didn't so much as budge. It simply continued to hover in midair, unyielding to physical force. Satisfied that the board was at least capable of supporting her weight, Rei moved to lay down upon it. She sank into its surface about a Carefully swinging her legs up and onto the mercurial artifact, she then rested her head on the board, it's surface surprisingly comfortable, even moreso than her own bed.

Even as she thought this, Rei could feel the substance of the board rippling beneath her. It's begun, Rei Ayanami, Lilith informed her in comforting manner. Just lay still.

"Very well," Rei answered, laying completely motionless as she felt the board's surface moving about her. She wasn't sinking into the board; instead, the mercurial substance was crawling up her form, tendrils of the material rapidly working their way up her bare skin. Within seconds, the liquid metal spread over her body, even spilling into her eyes. The albino automatically blinked, her body trying to keep her eyes clear, but a moment later, she realized that she could still see.

Even as Rei was contemplating this, Lilith murmured, You will have to wait a time for the transformation of your tissues to be complete. After which you will be free to use the board in any way you so desire.

"I understand," Rei replied as she stared up at the grimy ceiling. Content to wait. "And then...?"

And then it will be time to exert your will. To make your own decisions, Lilith told her in a gentle manner. You now have your gift, Rei Ayanami, and it has but one purpose; to serve your will. So tell me, what will you have it do? Will it be a force of salvation…or destruction?

Considering this question, Rei eventually frowned. Simply because...she didn't know the answer herself.

Author's Notes: When I looked over this story in preparation for this overhaul, I reread the chapters involving Rei's earliest discussions with Lilith, and couldn't help but think that Rei accepted her new situation as well as the board and so much other stuff way too easily and quickly. Losing her ability to perform her role in instrumentality, especially after all the years of training under Gendo's sway, should have been a much more difficult thing for her, something I'm trying to address here. Hopefully, I did a good job of it.

Omake 1

"Oh, hi, Ayanami!" Shinji smiled as he entered the break room.

"Good afternoon, Shinji," Rei answered, the albino seated in front of the television. "How are you doing?"

"Ugh...pretty tired, actually," Shinji admitted, giving a weary stretch to emphasize his exhaustion. "Ever since Orion got this new production studio up and running, he's been in overdrive! Shots for the comic covers, story overhauls and new story ideas...and you heard about him looking for new software to work with computer animation, right?" Rei's answer to this was a simple nod. "So, anyway...I just got down with a scene for one of his stories, and he just wouldn't let up until he felt we got it right."

"He is something of a perfectionist," Rei agreed with typical understatement.

Letting out a tired sigh, Shinji shrugged and asked, "So, anyway, Ayanami...what're you doing?"

"I'm conducting research," Rei responded.

"Research?" Shinji repeated blankly. Then he made his way up to her, and frowned at the table before her. "What the...surfing magazines?"

"Orion has been insisting that everything should be perfect with the SOE stories," Rei said by way of explanation. "So I decided to do additional research to perfect my role as the Silver Surfer." Then the albino frowned before glancing at the television. "It becomes clear that I have a lot of work to do."

His mouth popping open in confusion, Shinji was about to object, unable to understand why she would think something like that. But then he glanced at the TV, and saw a surfboarder riding a wave. "Really?"

Rei nodded, glancing at a page from the magazine before standing up. "Here, Shinji. How does this sound?" The albino then took a stance with her arms out to her sides and her knees bent, matching the surfer on the TV, and then began sporting a goofy grin. "Like, wow! These waves are totally cosmic!"

His eyes bulging at this, Shinji slumped forward, his jaw hanging limply. His mind unwilling to accept that he was seeing Rei doing what had to be the worst surfer impression he had ever seen the misfortune of seeing.

A short time later, Rei straightened up, her face once again as it usually was. "Well? How was that?"

Caught off-guard by the sudden transition from goofy fake surfer to Rei's normal self, Shinji required a few seconds to recover, and even longer to consider what to say to her. "Well..." he started slowly, wanting to avoid saying anything cutting to her, "I think it...needs some work."

A beat passed before Rei nodded. "I see. I suspected as much," the albino admitted somberly before glancing down at the magazines before. "I will have to keep researching these materials until I can perfect my performance."

Blanching at this, Shinji watched as Rei sat down and began reading again. I don't even want to think about what Orion will do when he finds out about this... he groaned inwardly as he turned and left the break room. Hoping to find someone better equipped to deal with this disaster than he was.

Omake 2

"We are here on safari in one of the harshest, wildest, most untamed places on Earth," Ritsuko spoke in a hushed manner as she carefully stepped forward. "I strongly suggest that you exercise extreme caution as we move along. Because there is no telling what we might encounter in here."

"Right, sempai," Maya replied, making sure to keep the camera focused on her mentor as the two of them advanced.

"Now, our goal is to observe some of the local wildlife without disturbing them. We want to be able to see their natural behaviors without interfering with them," Ritsuko went on, pausing to adjust her safari helmet. "Because if we were to be discovered, I can guarantee that it would not be pretty." Then she gasped in awed manner. "Crikey! Take a look at this!"

Following Ritsuko's outstretched finger, Maya angled the camera, and got a good look of Misato at her desk, fuming and swearing as she signed the numerous documents before her. "It looks as if we have stumbled upon the jungle abode of Misato Katsuragi!" the doctor went on to say. "This savage, undisciplined creature survives be capturing unfortunate youngsters and forcing them to do her bidding. She is reputed to be able to subsist on even the most inedible forms of garbage imaginable!" Gesturing for Maya to follow, Ritsuko slowly closed in on Misato's desk. "It would seem she is in the act of dealing with a horde of paperwork. Now paperwork is a natural enemy of Misato Katsuragi, and she has been known to deal with it in extreme ways, ranging from burning it to drowning it! And that's -!"

"Hey!" Misato bellowed as she looked up, her eyes locking on the camera pointed at her. "Ritsuko Akagi, what the hell are you and Maya doing here?"

"Crikey! The Misato's got us in its sights!" Ritsuko gasped as Maya turned the camera towards her. "Better run for yer life, Maya! This looks to get ugly!"

"Oh, you got that one right!" Misato snarled as she yanked the camera from Maya's grasp. Turning it so the lens was aimed at her, she smiled nastily. "Recently, two morons disappeared while exploring the office of one Misato Katsuragi while playing a stupid joke on her. They were never seen again." Then Misato tossed the camera aside before muttering, "And neither was their camera, for that matter."

Omake 3

The mercurial artifact didn't so much as budge. It simply continued to hover in midair, unyielding to physical force. Satisfied that the board was at least capable of supporting her weight, Rei moved to lay down upon it. She sank into its surface about a Carefully swinging her legs up and onto the mercurial artifact, she then rested her head on the board, it's surface surprisingly comfortable, even moreso than her own bed.

Even as she thought this, Rei could feel the substance of the board rippling beneath her. It's begun, Rei Ayanami, Lilith informed her in comforting manner. Just lay still.

"Very well," Rei answered, laying completely motionless as she felt the board's surface moving about her. She wasn't sinking into the board; instead, the mercurial substance was crawling up her form, tendrils of the material rapidly working their way up her bare skin.

"Hee hee," Rei giggled as the metal spilled into her eyes. "Ha ha...oh, no...wha ha ha!"

"Aw, crap!" came a disgusted groan. "Cut, cut, cut!" At once, the quicksilver substance fell away from Rei, leaving her to sit up and look at a man sitting in a director's chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Rei, I don't believe this! That's the fourth take you've blown already!"

"My apologies, Orion," Rei immediately replied. "The board's substance is still too cold and ticklish. And while I'm trying to control my reaction, it is proving more difficult than I thought."

Groaning in profound disgust, Orion shook his head sourly before muttering, "Great. And every time you come down with a case of the giggles, you immediately kill any chance of making this scene the dramatic masterpiece that it's supposed to be!"

"I am sorry, Orion," Rei told him.

"Yeah, I know. I know," Orion muttered before looking over at a member of his crew. "Get me the tech department! I want to see how they're coming with those LMDs I ordered from SHIELD. It looks like we're going to be using those stunt doubles sooner than I thought!" While the crewmember nodded and turned to get a phone, the fanfic writer returned his attention to Rei. "Why don't you and Lilith check into the break room for a while and get something to eat or whatever. This is gonna be a mess to clean up."

Indeed, Lilith commented as Rei stood up from the board. I thought it was difficult being an ancient entity tasked with filling worlds with life, but it would appear that directing fanfictions has far more challenges than I would have ever imagined!

"Agreed," Rei commented as she started towards the break room, hoping that they still had donuts left.