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 9: Home

As Fuyutsuki stood on the NERV helipad, he was aware of many things. He was aware of the wind blowing, the dark clouds that had been covering Tokyo-3 off and on for several days, and he was painfully aware of the humidity that was currently causing his arthritis to flare up. But most of all, he was aware of Gendo Ikari as he disembarked from the helicopter returning him from his latest meeting with the Instrumentality Committee. And as his former student approached, the old professor decided that he had never seen his former student look quite the way he did now.

Over the years they had known each other, the current Sub Commander of NERV had seen Gendo as both an unruly youth who could and would get into trouble for the strangest reasons, to being a loving husband to Yui…to being one of the coldest, most heartless men the world had ever known. However, as Gendo strode towards Fuyutsuki that day, with the dark clouds providing an eerie backdrop for him, the professor found that he couldn't recall seeing such an expression of barely controlled rage adorning the Commander's face.

"I take it that the meeting didn't go well?" Fuyutsuki asked in a manner that showed that he already knew the answer.

Though Fuyutsuki was already certain as to the answer, the subtle signs of stress on Gendo's face would have clinched it for him. "The old men were not pleased with the results of our engagement with the 7th Angel," Gendo understated, facing directly ahead as he moved forward. "The fact that we were apparently dependant on two powerful vigilantes in order to defeat the Angel does not speak well of NERV's reliability in the eyes of the public or the government…or the continued necessity of the Evangelions."

Fuyutsuki frowned at this. He had already seen much of what Gendo had told him coming, especially in light of the uproar resulting of the Silver Surfer revealing Adam to the Navy before subsequently destroying the 1st Messenger. "Perhaps. Still, things could have been a great deal worse. Especially given the 7th Angel's aggressiveness."

"The old men don't see it that way, sensei," Gendo returned, his mouth narrow and harsh. "Because our current lack of success in dealing with either the Angels or these wildcards, the Committee has decided to cut NERV's auxiliary budget. They have also promised further cuts will be made, unless progress is made in…resolving these situations."

"I see," Fuyutsuki returned, keeping his gaze firmly straight ahead.

"To make matters worse, they also insist that they be allowed to question the 3rd Child, in regards to his close contact with the Silver Surfer," Gendo answered, his eyes narrowed in clear disdain. The frustration he felt over his loss of control over NERV and the situation at large slipping out of his hands hidden from anyone who did not know him as well as the old professor did. "They believe he may be able to give them greater insight into the nature of this girl and her powers."

"I see," Fuyutsuki intoned, automatically seeing why the public front of SEELE would be interested. Shinji had been within Unit 01 when it had been transformed by the Surfer. "I take it you refused?"

"Of course," Gendo responded immediately.

Fuyutsuki tightened his lips slightly before he spoke again. "Did they make any mention of that blue/red pattern we detected after the last engagement?"

"No," Gendo admitted in sour fashion, clearly taking no satisfaction in this minor victory. "However, we won't be able to keep that from them forever."

The two men then walked in silence for a time, their thoughts their own as they made their way to the elevator that would deliver them into the depths of the Geofront. "This cannot be allowed to continue, sensei," Gendo stated in a determined manner. "Something has to be done about these interlopers. And quickly."

This was the moment Fuyutsuki had been dreading. Ever since Ritsuko had informed him as to her discovery, he had been fearful of the inevitable moment. A moment made inevitable by his loyalty to Yui's memory…and his fear for his own life.

For a time, Fuyutsuki thought back to times past. A time when he had struggled to uncover the truth behind Second Impact. When he had seen the ravaged Misato Katsuragi as a girl in her late teens, the sole survivor of the holocaust unleashed at ground zero of that dread event, her mind savaged by seeing Hell unleashed. A time when he had confronted his former student over his obvious guilt…and in that moment, found himself made a powerless pawn of the very people he had tried to stop.

Wishing for the courage he had once had, Fuyutsuki looked at Gendo. "About that," he started, cursing himself for his own weakness. "Dr. Akagi has made some progress on that front."

Gendo then turned to look at the old professor, who felt like his heart was being squeezed by cold, icy talons. "Really," he started, the interest seeping into his words making Fuyutsuki feel ill. "Then contact Dr. Akagi. Tell her I want her to report to my office to make a progress report. Immediately."


"Well, hello, Kaji!" Asuka cooed happily as the unshaven man entered his new dwelling. The redhead quick to glomp onto his arm, little heart shapes practically bubbling up from her head as she spoke. "And how are you doing today?"

Letting go with a sigh that expertly covered his discomfort, Kaji smiled at the overly-enthusiastic redhead. "I'm alright, Asuka," he replied, giving her a tired smile. "It's just…I've been pretty busy lately, that's all."

"Oh, I understand," Asuka immediately bubbled up, looking at her crush in adoration. "A new house, your new job as UN Supervisor…you must be very busy with all of that going on!"

I notice that you forgot to put your moving in with me on that list, Kaji noted humorlessly as he looked about his new home inside the Geofront. A home that was already overflowing with boxes marked in German, none of which belonged to him. How on Earth did she manage to get all of this stuff to Japan so quickly, anyway?

"So, Kaji-kun…what do you think of our new place, huh?" Asuka asked in a coy manner that Kaji supposed was intended to be seductive.

Why are you so eager to throw out your childhood, Asuka? Kaji wondered bleakly as he looked at the little girl who pictured herself as being an adult, who had pushed herself through college in order to stand apart from everyone else. It never lasts long enough as it is…

Sighing before taking a moment to look about the home that NERV had been 'gracious' enough to provide them, Kaji actually managed to smile. "It is nice," he noted, thinking that he had been in far worse prisons over the course of his career.

Then he frowned, for as nice as this two story house was, as expansive as the yard was and as perfect for gardening as it was, it was a still a prison, nonetheless. A perfect place for Gendo and SEELE to have Kaji stay, so that they could keep an eye on him.

And as for Asuka...well, it's pretty obvious why you're here, Kaji decided with a measure of sadness. For no prison was complete without chains of some sort. Something to limit a prisoner's mobility, or at least enable the guards to keep better tabs on him. And keeping secrets was never something that Asuka had been very good at.

My own ball and chain... Kaji thought ruefully, almost rolling his eyes at the irony of it all.

"So…is there anything you want to do tonight, Kaji-kun?" Asuka wondered and a devious manner that seemed to have been borrowed from Misato.

Managing a smile, Kaji bent over a bit to look at the girl more squarely in the eyes. "Hmmm, maybe. Is there anything in particular you'd like to do?"

As Asuka grinned in delight, Kaji felt two things. One was the practiced ease with which he was already moving. He had yet to meet the ball and chain that could keep him down for long. Then he thought about the girl and the things she would go through in the future.

Piloting was all she had, and fighting was all she would ever want to do. And he wondered what would happen…when she ran out of enemies to fight?

Childhood never lasts long enough, Kaji once again thought somberly, knowing that his own future was even bleaker than her own, that the fate he had chosen could only end badly…just as hers would.


It was raining again.

Rei was unsurprised by this, since it had been raining off and on for some time now. Ever since the defeat of the 7th Angel, the sky over Tokyo-3 had been filled with perpetual gloom, gloom that occasionally came raining down upon the fortress city. So as she looked out the window of her glass, looked at the world she had been created to destroy, yet chosen to protect, she saw the rain…and more.

Every now and again, her thoughts would dance back to that moment when she had kissed Shinji while within Unit 01 as the Silver Surfer. A moment that still took Rei off-balance, caused her heart to beat that much faster…and pained her nonetheless.

"So, seriously, Shinji…you actually had the Silver Surfer in your Eva? Right inside the Plug? With you?" Kensuke started, once again trying to strike up a line of conversation that Shinji clearly was uncomfortable with restarting.

"Uh, yeah, Kensuke. I've already you all about that," Shinji replied, his tone of voice making it clear that he was growing weary with this particular question.

"Yeah, Kensuke. Lay off of him already!" Toji cut in, giving his otaku friend a censorious look. "You've been bugging him about that battle every day! Just give him a break already!"

"Yeah, I know, but, man! It's just not fair!" Kensuke protested, holding up his hands for emphasis. "You guys both have these totally awesome superwomen who are into you! How am I supposed to feel?"

"Um…I n-never said that…she was into…me…" Shinji protested, his cheeks coloring slightly as he averted his eyes.

"Huh. Yeah, right!" Kensuke commented, folding his arms across his chest as he gave his friend a lopsided look. "Then what's with the stutter, Shinji?"

"Um…it's nothing…" Shinji responded as he studiously began memorizing every crack in the far wall.

As Rei observed the interactions of the three boys, she frowned slightly. Ikari-kun appears to be uncomfortable, the albino decided. But why? He has already explained everything that happened while he and I – the Silver Surfer – were inside Unit 01. What is there about it that would make him uncomfortable?

"C'mon, Kensuke! Give it a rest already!" Toji once again spoke up, his tone of voice taking on a slight growl.

"Okay! Okay! Sheesh! I was just asking!" Kensuke protested as he backed away, though a look of clear envy still clung to his features.

Letting go a sigh of relief, Shinji looked at the jock, and gave him a weary smile. "Thanks, Toji."

"No problem, Shin-man," Toji returned understandingly. Then, with a wry smile, he added, "After all…whatever happened in there with her isn't any of his business, right?"

Rei marveled as Shinji's face once again colored, turning even redder than it had before. "That's not – I mean, it's not like…!" Shinji fumbled, looking more and more frazzled as he tried to find an appropriate response. "Well, that is…!"

"Relax, man," Toji smiled slyly, carefully patting Shinji's shoulder. "I know exactly what you're going through."

While Shinji proceeded to open and close his mouth seemingly at random, Rei's gaze shifted from one boy, to the other. I…do not understand why Ikari-kun is so uncomfortable. And what did Suzuhara-kun mean by his…understanding what Ikari-kun was going through?

For a time, Rei considered asking Lilith if she understood Toji's words better than she did, but ultimately decided against that. The 2nd Angel had been unusually evasive lately, more so than usual. Ever since the Silver Surfer had sighted that other girl after the last battle…that girl, hovering about on the winds, her eyes glaring pure death at her…

When the bell went off, signaling that it was time for the students to resume class, Rei was shaken from her more dour thoughts. However, even throughout the various lessons given that day, she could still not shake her mind from that day. That day she had been in the Entry Plug with Shinji, and…

Wait. Ikari-kun never mentioned that, Rei realized, sitting up straight in her seat as she thought back to many interrogations Kensuke had made, trying to extract every single detail about what happened during the battle. How Shinji had told his friend everything but how he had been kissed by the Silver Surfer. But…why? Why would he keep that secret…and tell them everything else?

As Rei sat there, this question continued to pester at her, giving her no peace. Secrets were a large portion of her life. Her origins, her past, everything about her was a closely held secret at NERV. And yet…the fact that Shinji kept this part of the story secret…for some reason, Rei found that disturbing to her…


"Ugh!" Shinji groaned as he left school, wincing uncomfortable as he was once again confronted by rain. With a weary sigh, the boy took a moment to wonder if the storm would ever let up before he started to open up his umbrella.

"Ikari-kun?" came a familiar voice. When Shinji turned about, a slight smile graced his lips as he saw the form of Rei Ayanami stand behind him, her own umbrella in hand.

"Oh, hi, Ayanami," Shinji replied pleasantly even as the albino moved closer to him. "How are you?"

"I…am well," Rei returned easily.

"It sure is coming down, isn't it?" Shinji noted unhappily before returning his attention to the blue-haired girl. "So…do you want come back home with me today?"

"Yes," Rei answered with a slight nod.

"Alright," Shinji murmured, and with that, the two of them began making their way back to his apartment, watching as what few students went to this school also began making a mad dash for their own homes.

Home… Rei thought as she looked at everyone else, and thought of the lives waiting for them in the structures that sheltered them for the elements. Of the families they had, the places that reflected who they were. A sense of belonging Rei had sensed from being at Shinji's apartment, of how he and the Major seemed to fit in perfectly with that structure. Something that Rei did not sense from her own meager dwelling.

"Are you alright?" Shinji asked as Rei shuddered slightly, her thoughts skipping around the image of the small, filthy place that Commander Ikari had assigned to her.

"I…" Rei started, only to find herself unable to answer. She couldn't think of anything, any word or sentence to convey the confusion reigning in her soul. With a slight frown, the albino then thought back to her observations in class that day, and responded with question. "Ikari-kun…what do you think of the Silver Surfer?"

"Huh?" Shinji replied, looking at the blue-haired girl in surprise. "W-why do you ask?"

"I…" Rei fumbled, uncertain of how to proceed. "It's just that…you seemed uncomfortable discussing her earlier. Does that mean that…you do not like her?"

"No, it's not that!" Shinji protested. "She…seems like a nice person, and she did help us against that Angel. It's just…"

"What?" Rei wondered, angling her head as she looked at the boy.

"Well…I don't really know anything about her," Shinji replied helplessly. "She just…came out of nowhere, and…well…" As he struggled with a question he felt ill-suited to answer, Shinji then focused on Rei. "Why do you ask?"

"I…" Rei started, only to pause, to try and think of a legitimate reason fro her question. Then, with a mild shrug, she continued. "I was…curious."

Though Rei was convinced she had made a mistake by giving him so simple an answer, she was then relieved when Shinji nodded in acceptance. "Anyway, let's get going. It's getting colder out, and the wind's picking up."

"Yes," Rei responded, and the two children continued on their way…despite the confusion that still reigned over Rei's soul…


"So, Dr. Akagi…Fuyutsuki tells me that you've found out something about the Silver Surfer," Gendo began.

I hate this place, Ritsuko thought somberly as she stood before Gendo, in the heart of his lair. There he was, seated as calmly as possible behind his desk, his fingers steepled together as he gazed at the doctor, soulless light reflected off of his glasses. Fuyutsuki was standing at Gendo's side, as was normal for the older man. And the entire atmosphere of Gendo's office…was one seemingly designed to make those who stood before him feel small. Weak. Powerless.

As Ritsuko once again forced herself to look at her boss and lover, she cleared away all of her emotional reactions to this place, and forced herself to focus on the task at hand. "Yes, sir. I've been going over all the data recorded during the engagement with the 7th Angel, and…I've discovered something about the Silver Surfer. And the nature of her powers."

"I see," Gendo responded, never once shifting his position, letting no emotion break through to the surface. "And what is that you have learned?"

"Here. Take a look at this. It's footage taken of the last battle," Ritsuko explained. She then used a remote control to activate the holographic display in Gendo's office, and began playing footage taken during the battle. "Here, where she's knocked off her board," the doctor advised, even as one half of the 7th Angel was shown firing a cross-blast at the mercurial superwoman. "I had to slow down the replay just to notice it, but...keep a close eye on the Surfer. Watch what happens while she's separated."

Carefully watching as the video played back, one frame at a time, Gendo focused intently on this latest thorn in his side. His eyes narrowed, then expanding slightly as he realized what he was looking at. "So…the material coating her fell away when she lost contact with her board," he began, the wheels already turning within his mind. "And when the board rejoined her, it covered her in its substance."

"That is correct. Also, during this brief period of separation, the MAGI were able to detect a viable pattern from the Surfer," Ritsuko continued, noting the growing interest in Gendo. "It was a red/blue pattern, similar to Spirit's, but our readings indicate that it was much weaker than hers."

While Gendo was processing this revelation, Ritsuko pressed another button, and other images were seen. Technical readouts showing every part of Eva Unit 01 came into being. "Now…what we see here is the telemetry we received from Unit 01, from the moment the Silver Surfer entered the Entry Plug." Knowing how well Gendo knew the Evas, having been working on them since they had been nothing but a theory in the minds of a select group of scientists. "Watch as Unit 01 starts to change. Now, the Silver Surfer is in Unit 01's Entry Plug, while her board…"

"Is deeper inside the Eva," Gendo noted, comprehension filling his features. "Where the energy fueling the transformation is coming from."

"Yes. In other words, while the Surfer manipulates this power, it doesn't come from her," Ritsuko stated, experiencing a tiny bit of triumph in her deductive analysis. "It comes from her board."

"I see," Gendo mused, the tiniest of smiles tugging at his lips. A smile that made Ritsuko cringe slightly, even as the Commander leaned forward. "Does the telemetry reveal anything else?"

"Yes, sir," Ritsuko reluctantly admitted, bringing up a different file. "While the board was merged with Unit 01, all of the Eva's systems ran into it, making it functionally a part of it. As a result, during this time, we were able to get telemetry readings off the board as well."

"Really," Gendo commented, sounding almost impressed, as well as eager to know everything he could about this latest enemy. For knowing an enemy was the first step to defeating them. To crushing them. As slowly and painfully as possible.. "And what have you found?"

Heaving a deep, tired breath, Ritsuko reported, "Well, the MAGI have been having difficulty evaluating all the information about the board, simply because much of it seems to be contradictory. However, we have been able to obtain a fair amount of information regarding its nature."

"And what is it you have found, Dr. Akagi?" Fuyutsuki wondered.

"Basically, the Surfer's board isn't a physical object. Not as we would think of one," Ritsuko explained, bringing up a display of the object in question. "This is a simulation of the board's external structure," she explained, prompting the simulated object to spin slowly about, giving everyone present a good view of it. "And this...is a simulation of what the MAGI believe the board's internal structure looks like."

As the doctor pressed another button, the board filled the screen…and before the eyes of Gendo and Fuyutsuki, a massive globe replaced it.

"What in the…?" Gendo started, taken aback by what he was seeing. "What is this?"

"According to the MAGI, the board isn't just some object. It's actually aDiracSea. An actual pocket dimension, a world completely separate from our own," Ritsuko explained, indicating the void that existed within the board, empty save for a single, pulsating orb located right at the center. "Now, we don't know much about the actual physics behind theDiracSea, but the MAGI conjecture that there's an S2 organ or some other power source located at the exact center of the board's structure." Giving her words a moment to sink in, the doctor returned her gaze to the two men before her. "Now, as for the board's surface, I would surmise that it's actually an event horizon. The boundary between the world inside the board…and our world."

"Interesting," Gendo spoke, his interest clearly growing. "So…how does the Surfer control this board?"

Sighing, Ritsuko returned her focus to the two men before. "From what we've been able to tell, the Surfer and her board share a common energy signature. Given this, I would conjecture that she controls her board by synching with it."

"So…the board is the Surfer's equivalent to an Evangelion?" Fuyutsuki asked rhetorically.

"Yes," Ritsuko agreed. "However, despite this data, there's no way of knowing what limits this board may or may not have."

"Perhaps, but this data should prove useful in dealing with this annoyance," Gendo intoned. "Now…is there anything else, Dr. Akagi?"

"There is…one other thing," Ritsuko hesitantly answered. "During our analysis of the energy generated by the board, we discovered a match in the MAGI's archives."

"You mean that we've encountered a form of energy similar to that wielded by the Surfer?" Fuyutsuki wondered.

"Not just similar, sir," Ritusko corrected before wielding the remote again. With the press of a button, the holographic display brought up the image of two massive figures. "The energy wielded by the Surfer is a perfect match for that generated by both Lilith…and Unit 01."

"I see," Gendo breathed, only to frown slightly. "Then the Surfer…"

"Is somehow connected to Lilith, sir," Ritsuko admitted. "I don't know the specifics, but that's the only explanation that I can come up with." Pausing to study the figures displayed, she then went on to say, "This would explain why the Surfer's board was able to mesh so perfectly with Unit 01."

"Ikari…" Fuyutsuki started, giving his former student a pointed look.

Gendo didn't say anything in response. He didn't shift his position, there was no change to his expression. No outward sign of emotion whatsoever. But the two people there with him could see the change in him.

Could see the realization. And the barely suppressed fury.

"Rei…" was the only thing Gendo said, even as his hands tensed ever so slightly.

"Sir, will all due respect, I wish to remind you that Rei has been seen at the same time as the Surfer," Ritsuko warily reminded him. "You've seen the video footage. And given her involvement in what happened on the Over the Rainbow...I don't see how they can be the same person. Especially since I haven't found anything anomalous in her physiology."

"I am well aware of these things, Dr. Akagi," Gendo replied, the cold chill coming off of him never once abating. "However, at this time, she's the only one we know of who has a connection to Lilith such as the type you speak of."

"What do you intend to do, Ikari?" Fuyutsuki wondered, eyeing his former student with the same concern someone would regard a cobra getting ready to strike.

For a long time, Gendo sat there in silence, his expression inscrutable. But Ritsuko had known him for a long time, knew how he thought. Knew that he couldn't afford having a Rei Ayanami that was actively rebelling against him, and at the same time, knew that bringing a new Rei online wasn't the easiest of thing, and it would attract the kind of attention he was not eager for, especially given the current circumstances.

And then there was the board. Something that had been established as a source of considerable power, one that could potentially be separated from its rider. And possibly put under Gendo's control.

So ultimately, Ritsuko was unsurprised when Gendo asked in his usual air of dispassion, "Dr. Akagi, didn't you tell me that you detected some biological anomalies in the 1st Child after the destruction of the 5th Angel?"

"Yes, sir," Ritsuko admitted. "Just an increase in her blood pressure and heart rate. Nothing to indicate anything serious."

"And what sort of tests have you been conducting on her since then?" Gendo wondered in a deceptively mild voice."

"Standard medical examinations, sir," Ritsuko admitted. Then she frowned and asked, "Sir, why are you concerned about Rei? We've already established that there's no way she's the Silver Surfer."

"Perhaps, Dr. Akagi. But be that as it may, Rei is connected to Lilith, a being of considerable power," Gendo reminded her. "And do not forget what happened during this most recent battle. If an Angel is capable of dividing into two separate entities, than there's every chance that this Silver Surfer, whomever she is, has a similar capability. And I will not ignore any possibilities. Not when we have to discover the identity of this rogue element, and quickly." Letting this sink in, the Commander then assumed his traditional pose and leaned in closer towards her. "Make preparations to conduct a full cellular and genetic evaluation on the 1st Child, as well as any other tests you feel may be necessary."

"Yes, sir," Ritsuko answered. "And sir? If I discover something...unusual... what should I do then?"

"Immobilize her, and make sure she cannot escape," Gendo responded, his eyes narrowing once again. "If Rei is this Surfer…I want to deal with her myself."

As Ritsuko looked at her Commander, saw the hate and frustration boiling away behind his eyes, she felt herself trembling. I hope you're wrong, Gendo. I hope don't find anything that could lead you to the Silver Surfer, she thought, barely clamping down on the misery and shame that was perpetually eating away at her for so very long now. The moment I heard that Adam had been killed was the first time I've actually felt hope in a very long time. Hope that someone could finally stand up to you and SEELE...and win...


"Well, you two, thanks again for another great dinner," Misato commented as she drove through the driving rain that was hammering at everything beneath the sky.

"Oh, it's nothing, Misato," Shinji replied in an offhand manner.

"Yes," Rei added as she once again looked at the dark horizon of Tokyo-3. "However…"

"What is it?" the purple-haired woman answered.

"You…didn't have to drive me back home, Misato," Rei spoke nervously as the Renault hit another bump in the road, jarring the albino somewhat. "I…could have gotten back on my own."

"In this monsoon? Not a chance, Rei," Misato returned immediately. "Umbrella or not, you'd probably get soaked to your skin, and catch a cold while you're at it." Then, with an eager grin as she took yet another turn way too fast for the comfort of the passengers, the Captain added, "Besides, I love to drive anyway! So it's no big deal!"

"I…see…" Rei responded, turning somewhat whiter. She then thought back to the condition the Renault had been before she had restored it using the power of the board.

I believe I now understand how her car became so damaged, Rei thought as the Renault hit another bump.

As Misato drove on, she frowned intently at the change in their surroundings. "Rei…are you sure we're going in the right direction?" the Captain wondered in concern as the buildings became older, more dilapidated. "We're right in the middle of what's left of Hakone here!"

"I'm sure," Rei answered simply.

Shinji nodded to this before pointing at one of the buildings, one that seemed more decayed than any other. "Look. There's her apartment. Right there."

As Misato looked in the direction indicated, she narrowed her eyes in distaste. "You're kidding me. Rei…you actually live there?"

"Yes," Rei responded again, feeling strangely unhappy to have Shinji and Misato looking at this place. Something that could only be described as shame began to gnaw at her, though the albino had no idea why.

When Misato finally pulled up before the dilapidated building, Rei was the first to get out, opening up her umbrella as she approached. Out of practice, she bypassed the nonfunctional elevator and made her way up the stairs. Studiously ignoring the obvious decay of the building, the used hypodermic needles and smashed beer bottles left by those who lurked about the decrepit structure. And finally arriving at her apartment, which held only two things that had any real value to her; Gendo's broken glasses…and the board.

Opening the door that bore no functional luck, Rei finally entered her apartment. Taking a moment to note that there was no sign that anyone had intruded while she had been away, she then considered the homework assignment that had been handed out at school…only to start at the sound of footsteps behind her.

"I don't believe this," came Misato's voice, and as Rei turned to see her and Shinji standing behind her, she couldn't help but see the anger and disbelief in the purple-haired woman's features. "I know you told me about this, Shinji, but…"

"I know," Shinji spoke sadly as he looked at the filthy, horrid abode that was Rei's…and sorrow was seen in his eyes.

As Misato looked about, saw the filth permanently ingrained in every surface, the stained drywall, and her features twisted with disgust. "I don't…Rei, why do you live in a place like this?"

"It is the apartment that was assigned to me," Rei answered simply, as if the answer should be obvious.

"And who assigned it to you?" Misato demanded with a definite sense of anger. "I can't believe that even the idiots at the Human Resources Department could be so incompetent to stick someone in a disgusting hole like this!"

For a brief time, Rei considered the two people standing before her, as well as the man she knew still had so much power of her life. Thought of the many empty shells waiting to replace her, if the need arose. Of the many things she had come to know recently, memories she couldn't bear the thought of losing.

As she considered these things, Shinji approached the albino, a strange look in his eyes. A look of sadness, understanding...and anger. "It was...Father, wasn't it," he said, the tone of his voice making it clear that this wasn't a question. "Right, Ayanami?"

For a long time, Rei simply stood there, looking into Shinji's kindly blue eyes, unsure of what to say or do. Until at last her body acted of its own accord, her head drooping forward before straightening back up. A single, simple, nod of acknowledgement.

With this revelation, her two unexpected guests reacted in different ways. Shinji pressed his lips together, lowering his face somewhat, as if somehow saddened by this revelation. As if he had been confirming something that he had hoped not to be true. As for Misato, she reacted in a much more noticeable manner. The purple-haired woman's face twisted with anger, a snarl slipping out form between her clenched teeth. "What?" she hissed out angrily, her hands clenched into fists. "Why of - I can't believe -!" Then she cut herself off, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Well, I guess maybe I should!" Quickly glancing about the filthy apartment, the Captain then walked up to Rei and knelt down to look her in the eye. "Listen, Rei," she began, her anger subsiding as tenderness was seen in her eyes. "I have a spare bedroom in my apartment. And…if you wanted to, I'd be happy to let you stay at my place."

Starting somewhat at this, Rei felt her mouth pop slightly open at this offer. Her surprise increasing when Shinji chimed in, "Yeah, why not? I mean, you spend so much time over at our place, anyway, so why not?"

For a time, Rei simply stood there, looking blankly at the two people there before her, at the offer that was being made to her. No…it can't be…so simple, she thought almost fearfully. A home…people to come home to…a family…just like that…?

There are others who would help you find your way, if you but asked them. Others who would take you into their lives, if you but give them the chance, came Lilith's voice, the words of the 2nd Angel resounding within her memory. Causing Rei to tremble almost fearfully as she looked at the expectant faces before her. To recall the possibility of the Commander's disapproval…and her own replacement.

As these things filled her mind, Rei considered these two kind people who wanted to help her. "I...appreciate your offer, Ikari-kun. Misato," she told them, her smiled fading as she lowered her eyes. "But...I'm afraid I must decline."

Now it was Misato and Shinji's turn to be surprised. "Why?" the Captain declared as her ward frowned heavily. "I mean, it's not like it'd be any trouble, and -!"

"I realize that," Rei assured them. Feeling a pit open up in her stomach, she hesitated in answering, "But...there would be no point in my accepting." Giving this a moment to sink in, she looked between the two kindly people before explaining, "Commander Ikari is my guardian, and he would not allow me to be relocated."

Misato simply stood there, her surprise fading as anger returned to her. And then, to Rei's considerable surprise and confusion, she slowly smiled. And it wasn't a nice smile. "Oh, we'll see about that," the Captain muttered in a low, dangerous voice. "C'mon, Rei! Let's get going!"

Frowning her confusion as the Captain wrapped her arms about her and started nudging towards the door, Rei listened as Shinji asked, "What are you gonna do, Misato?"

"Gendo might be the Commander of NERV, but that doesn't mean he's above the law," Misato informed them as she started towards the door. "And I think it's time I acquainted him with a few NERV bylaws I ran into when I became your guardian, Shinji-kun!"

Though she didn't understand what Misato was saying, Rei did understand that she and Shinji were attempting to help and her. Something she genuinely appreciated...despite the fact that their present efforts were doomed.

You are wrong, Misato, Rei frowned unhappily, a lifetime of experience with Gendo and the power he wielded coming to mind. Commander Ikari is not just above the law. Here...he is the law...


"So, you've finished the arrangements for Ryoji to be made the guardian of the 2nd Child?" Gendo inquired as he sat back in his desk, clearly glad to be back in his office. In this place where his power was unchallenged.

Fuyutsuki gave a tiny nod to this. "As you ordered, Ikari," the old professor assured his former student. "And given Pilot Sohryu's obvious affection for the man, I think it's safe to say that she'll keep him busy."

"She'll do more than that, sensei," Gendo assured him, a dark smile on his face. "As we both know, there are certain rules and regulations pertaining to guardianship of a designated Child. After all, considering the fact that the fate of the entire world rides on their ability to pilot, it is the duty of their guardians to see to their safety and health." Sitting back in his seat, his fingers steepled together, the Commander of NERV added, "Things that shall keep Ryoji amply occupied."

And under a good deal more scrutiny, Fuyutsuki added inwardly, well aware that Asuka sharing a house with Kaji would thus provide a perfect excuse for Section 2 to keep tabs on the both of them. Though he was sure some people would be suspicious of this after the events on the Over the Rainbow and the media furor that followed, it would be innocuous enough to avoid drawing too much attention. Not to mention he'll have someone keeping an eye on him during much of the day, as well as keeping aware of his movements, he added, a mental image of Asuka appearing in his mind. Someone who will all-too likely make comment if Ryoji were to disappear on a trip or something of that nature, or let slip something else she hears while living with him.

"What about the press, Ikari? You don't expect them to give up on this whole business with Adam, do you?" Fuyutsuki inquired in a deceptively mild voice. "I'm sure the Committee would not appreciate any additional scrutiny from them."

The self-assured look on Gendo's face didn't falter. "They'll be easy enough to deal with," his former student declared easily. "I may have to call in a favor here or there, but I can get them to...abandon this story for one or more reasons."

Unsurprised by this, Fuyutsuki then asked, "And what about the Committee themselves? I assume they still intend to proceed with their scenario?"

"Of course," Gendo responded without missing a beat. "SEELE is already proceeding with their backup plan." Then he frowned somewhat before adding, "This shall prove to be a challenge to deal with, sensei. So we can't afford to have anything else go wrong here. We -"

"Commander Ikari?"

Visibly wincing at the sound of his secretary's voice, Gendo turned and glared evilly at the speaker that allowed her voice to be heard in his personal domain. After spending a brief time scowling, he pressed a button on the intercom. "What is it?"

"It's Captain Katsuragi, sir," the secretary answered. "She wants to speak with you, sir. She says its urgent."

Watching as his former student's expression soured, Fuyutsuki allowed himself a moment of inner mirth as he thought of the wisdom of not tempting fate. "Very well," Gendo finally muttered. "Send her in."

"Yes, sir," the secretary answered. A moment later, the doors to Gendo's office swung open, allowing Misato to start towards Gendo's desk. Not issuing any of the pleasantries that were customary in dealing with one's Commander.

"Please, come in, Captain Katsuragi," Gendo told her unnecessarily, not the slightest bit perturbed as she approached, a folder clenched beneath her arm. "My secretary said that you are here on an urgent matter."

Not bothered by the fact that Gendo had said that it had better truly be urgent for her sake, Misato nodded and answered, "It is, sir. It's about the Rei."

"The 1st Child?" Gendo frowned, his annoyance fading somewhat. "Has something happened to her?"

"No, sir. However, I'm gravely concerned about her safety and wellbeing," Misato explained in a terse manner. "And to be quite frank, sir, I am shocked and appalled over how little concern you seem to have over the fact that you have willfully imperiled a designated Child!"

Genuinely perplexed, Gendo frowned at his Operations Director. "What are you talking about?"

"What I'm talking about, Commander, is this!" Misato declared, bringing out the folder she had been carrying and tossing it down on the desk. Opening upon impact, a variety of photographs spilled all over the place. "Yesterday, I learned that by your own orders, you have forced the 1st Child to live in a situation that is inherently hazardous to her!"

Narrowing his eyes, Gendo again steepled his fingers together. "Captain Katsuragi, are you telling me that this is the urgent matter you wanted to discuss with me?" he asked in a low, menacing fashion. "The 1st Child's living conditions are none of your concern."

"I respectfully disagree with you, sir," Misato shot back in a politely poisonous manner. "As NERV's Operations Director, anything that might have a negative impact on any of the Children's ability to pilot is most certainly my concern!" She then picked up one of the photographs and studied it with an air of disgust. "Before heading into work today, sir, I spent some time there taking these pictures of Rei's apartment building. And do you know what I found, sir?" She then flashed one of the pictures before his eyes. "Definite signs that that building is a haven for drug users," she announced, throwing down a picture of a floor littered with hypodermics and traces of white powder, "criminals," she went on, throwing down a picture of a dried blood stain and an old knife, "vagrants," she added, tossing down a picture of crude, makeshift beds and other items, "and potential rapists." As a picture of used condoms and a discarded rope joined the pile, Misato then followed it up with even more pictures. "Furthermore, as you can see here, there are clear indications that the building's support structure has been severely compromised." Throwing down pictures that made it clear that the apartment complex's foundation was badly damaged by both battles against the Angels and years of naturally inflicted damage, the Captain then folded placed her hands to her hips. "To bottom line it, sir, not only does Rei's current place of residence put her at risk of being kidnapped, molested, and possibly killed, but the building's condition means that there is serious risk of it falling down on top of her."

Leaning back in his seat, his expression souring even more, Gendo returned, "So, it seems you've gone out of your way to waste both our times, Captain." Misato opened her mouth to say something, but the Commander cut her off by asking, "Where is the 1st Child?"

Her eyes narrowed sharply at the Commander, Misato answered, "Rei is presently at my apartment, sir. I felt it best to keep her there until this matter was settled."

"This matter is settled, Captain," Gendo declared in a bored fashion. "I hereby order you to return the 1st Child to her residence immediately. Furthermore, you are to have no further contact with her outside of NERV." Casting a poisonous look at the numerous pictures littering his desk, the Commander grumbled, "Clean up my desk and leave. At once."

"Oh, I'm not done here, sir!" Misato declared, taking a stapled bundle of paperwork from her folder and placing it before Gendo. "Here! Read this!"

"What is it?" Gendo wondered, still speaking in a bored fashion as he picked up the forms in question.

"It's official NR-1170 form, removing Rei from your custody, sir!" Misato declared with a note of triumph.

In that instant, Fuyutsuki was treated to the rare sight of Gendo's eyes expanding with surprise. "What?"

"NERV bylaw 482, Article 3-A clearly states that, if a guardian of a designated Child is either engaging in behavior proven dangerous to said Child, or knowingly places said Child in a needlessly hazardous situation, then a NERV officer holding a rank of captain or above is within his or her full authority to remove said child from that guardian's custody," Misato informed Gendo as the Commander began leafing through the paperwork presented to him. "As such, I am exercising my right as Operations Director and a captain of NERV, and am removing Rei from your custody, sir!"

If anything, Gendo looked even more stunned, especially by the way that the rules he had helped established were being turned against him. Then that astonishment turned to anger, prompting him to say, "Those bylaws do not apply in this case, Captain!"

"Oh, really?" Misato shot back, undeterred. "How the hell can they not apply, sir?"

"Because the 1st Child is in no danger," Gendo countered. "The building in question has been confirmed to be structurally sound. And in regards to the human elements you mentioned, Section 2 provides more than adequate security."

"You expect those morons to protect Rei from a rapist or a murderer that could be laying in wait in her own apartment when she gets back from school?" Misato demanded. "I've been to that filthy hole, sir! There's no lock, the electricity barely works, the water comes out brown half the time! How can you, in good conscience, place a Child, any child, in someplace as hazardous as that without good reason?"

"I have good reason for having the 1st Child there, Captain," Gendo countered, his voice every bit as polite, but growing colder with each word he spoke. "I chose that place as her residence for a very specific purpose."

"And what purpose would that be? To make her a target for every lowlife in that part of the city?" Misato demanded with increasing heat. "With all due respect, sir, half of Tokyo-3 is empty! I see over a dozen vacant buildings and apartment complexes advertising places at rock-bottom rates just driving from my place to work every day! What possible reason could you have for keeping Rei in an outdated hovel filled with the worst kind of scum in Tokyo-3?"

"That's none of your concern, Captain," Gendo countered, rapidly growing annoyed.

"Oh, yes it is!" Misato shot back. "We have put the fate of the entire world on the shoulders of these children, sir! We owe it to them to make sure that they are able to live where their safety and health are not endangered." Then she leaned in with a victorious smirked and added, "There are rules and regulations pertaining to guardianship of a designated Child, sir. And these rules and regulations apply to even you."

Despite everything, Fuyutsuki was hard-pressed to suppress a chuckle. It had been a very long time since anyone had been able to put his former student in a position like this, even unknowingly using his own words against him. And his mirth lasted until Gendo pulled one particular ace from his sleeve. "A compelling argument, Captain," he conceded as he finished reading through the form presented him. "But there's one thing you seem to be forgetting."

"And that would be?" Misato wondered.

"That when you file an NR-1170, you need the signatures of at least two other officers with a rank of lieutenant, who will then be required to give testimony supporting your claims before you can remove Rei from my custody," Gendo informed her in a smug fashion as he tossed the form back onto his desk. "And that's something that won't happen."

Giving her Commander a patented scowl, Misato retorted, "And why is that?"

"Because I would fire anybody willing to testify on your behalf. The same way you will be fired if you persist in this foolishness," Gendo declared with a definite note of triumph. "So unless you want to join the unemployment lines, Captain, I strongly suggest that you...rethink your position."

"You're willing to fire me just so you can continue tormenting Rei?" Misato demanded in an incredulous manner. "I'm sure the press and the Committee would love to hear about that!"

"The press does not concern me, Captain. And as for the Committee...we have a mutual understanding, at least as far as the Children are concerned," Gendo replied in a bored manner. "Now, clean up my desk and leave before I am forced to take steps you will most certainly regret."

As Misato stood there, scowling hatefully at the Commander, Fuyutsuki sucked in a deep breath. "Ikari, Katsuragi, forgive my interruption. But it seems to me that there is one thing that the both of you are forgetting."

"And what would that be, sensei?" Gendo wondered as Fuyutsuki picked up the NR-1170 form.

"That Captain Katsuragi doesn't necessarily need two officers to support her claims. One signature will do quite nicely, as long as it is the signature of an officer holding the rank of Major or above." After flipping through the various sheets of paper attached to the form, Fuyutsuki looked up at Misato and asked, "I don't suppose you have a pen on you, Captain?"

For the second time that day, Fuyutsuki enjoyed the sight of Gendo caught completely flatfooted. An expression that Misato mirrored before smiling her gratitude. "Of course," the purple-haired woman replied before pulling one out of her flight jacket. "Here you go!"

"Thank you," Fuyutsuki replied, giving her a polite bow of his head as he accepted the pen.

"Sensei...?" Gendo got out, more thoroughly stunned than Fuyutsuki had seen him in a long time. Watching in disbelief as the old professor affixed his signature to the form.

"There you go," Fuyutsuki declared with a note of satisfaction as he returned the form to Misato. "Just drop that off at the HR Department, and I'll take care of the arrangements to transfer the 1st Child to your custody."

"Thank you, sir," Misato replied with a bow of her head.

"Just one more thing, though, Captain," Fuyutsuki began, genuinely curious as he glanced down at his former student. "I'm certain that you were aware coming in here that Ikari wouldn't let something like this go unchallenged. So why didn't you get those two other signatures before you showed up here?"

Misato responded to this by smiling in her typically impish manner. "Whose says I didn't?" she asked in a dangerous fashion. "I just wanted to see just how far Commander Ikari was willing to go in order to keep Rei where she is. Still, I do appreciate you backing me up here, sir." Then she shot Gendo a look before adding, "And by the way, Commander? Shinji told me to tell you something." She waited just long enough for the Commander to look up at her. "He wanted you to know that, if you were to decide to fire me or try to keep Rei trapped in that awful hole you stuck her in, he vowed he would quit piloting Unit 01."

If it were possible, Gendo looked even more surprised at this. "What?"

"Yeah. He said that he wasn't going to stand by and watch you make anyone else suffer the way you did him. And if you don't believe me, feel free to ask him yourself," Misato told Gendo, tossing in a playful wink as she started away from him. "Thank you for your time, sir. Have a nice day!"


Gendo couldn't believe this was happening. It was impossible. Unthinkable.

And yet, as he watched Misato depart his office, he knew that there was no getting around the fact that it had actually happened. That two of his subordinates had challenged him in the very heart of his stronghold, defied him in the room from which he oversaw all of NERV, and won.

"Well, I suppose I better be on my way," Fuyutsuki declared in a casual fashion. "There's quite a bit of red tape involved in transferring custody of a designated Child." Then he glanced over at Gendo and added, "Unless, of course, you want to try and fire me before I can do so. But then, firing a Sub Commander, especially one with my tenure, isn't nearly as easy as firing a lieutenant or a captain, now is it?"

As his former teacher started away, something in Fuyutsuki's voice stirred Gendo's mind back to full awareness. "Sensei," the Commander started, looking at the old professor in disbelief, "what do you think you're doing?"

Pausing in mid-step, Fuyutsuki slowly turned to face his former student. "I think it should be quite obvious what I am doing, Ikari," he told him in an almost pitying manner. "I'm trying to give Rei a chance to live her life."

"She has no life," Gendo declared vehemently, rising up from his chair to confront this unexpected treachery. "She is a tool, sensei. A tool that I made." Marching up to his former teacher, he glared into his eyes and added, "And I will brook no interference with her."

"Even at the cost of losing Shinji, one of the keys to SEELE's plans?" Fuyutsuki coyly asked. "You heard what the Captain said."

"I heard an empty threat," Gendo countered, barely keeping his anger in check, along with his disbelief. "The 3rd Child wouldn't quit piloting. Eva is all he has in his life. To give his worthless existence meaning."

"Yes, and you did a wonderful job of seeing to that," Fuyutsuki retorted, his face deadpan. "But everyone has their limits. People can only take so much before they can tolerate no more." Allowing a hint of scolding to appear in his eyes, Gendo's former teacher continued by saying, "You're not the only one whose experienced a great deal of torment over the course of your life, Ikari. Both the 3rd Child and Captain Katsuragi have suffered greatly, and mostly for the sake of the plans of both yourself and SEELE." Fuyutsuki's wise old eyes narrowed, having lost none of their intensity over the years. "But unlike you, they don't feel the need to punish those around them for what they have suffered. Instead, they have chosen to try and save someone they care from a similar torment."

"It doesn't matter what they do. Rei's life will still end with the cleansing of this world," Gendo countered dangerously.

"All the more reason to let her live her life to the fullest while she still can, I would say," Fuyutsuki immediately replied.

"You have no say in the matter, sensei," Gendo retorted, his ire steadily growing. "I will not allow you or anyone else to interfere with this! I have worked too long and overcome too much to simply stand aside and watch as a collection of meddling, sinful worms interfere with my scenario!"

For a long time, Fuyutsuki simply stood there in silence, showing no sign that he intended to respond to Gendo's declaration. No emotion as he studied his former student. Then, after a seeming eternity, the old professor smiled pityingly. "Don't you understand, Ikari?" he asked, slowly shaking his head. "It's over." Frowning, Gendo glared uncomprehendingly at his subordinate as he went on to say, "It was over the instant the Silver Surfer killed Adam. Your scenario, your plans for Rei and Shinji, all of it. Over."

"Nothing's over," Gendo shot back. "Instrumentality will still come, sensei! In one form or another, this world will be cleansed of sin."

"But not in the form you intended, Ikari. And not in the manner that demands Rei sacrifice her life to give control of Lilith's and Adam's power over to you," Fuyutsuki declared with greater intensity. "Your entire scenario hinged upon having Adam, Lilith, and a means of controlling their combined powers. You have Lilith, you have Rei, the means to wield that combined power...but Adam is gone. You no longer have the means of accomplishing the forbidden fusion to gain the power you desired." Then the old professor smiled knowingly before adding, "And unlike SEELE, your scenario has no backup plan. No way of compensating for the loss of Adam."

Even as Gendo was preparing to open his mouth to protest, he clamped down on it, for the simple reason that Fuyutsuki was right. Both Adam and Lilith were crucial, irreplaceable elements in his scenario. He couldn't make do with a substitute such as one of the MP Evas that were already in development, an Eva cloned from Adam and infused with an S2 organ, or even one of Adam's Children. It had to be Adam itself, reduced to its embryonic form, merged with his own flesh so as to connect him directly to Rei, and through her, to Lilith.

"It doesn't matter," Gendo eventually declared, forcing the renewed anger he felt over this failure to the side. "One way or another, Instrumentality will occur!"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not," Fuyutsuki commented in a non-committal manner. "But the fact remains that you created Rei to fulfill a purpose that can no longer be fulfilled. And given that to be the case, I see no reason to continue letting her suffer in the way you have. Wouldn't you agree?"

"No, sensei. I would not," Gendo retorted in a slow, dangerous manner. "Regardless of what has happened, Rei is still mine! She is still my tool, my weapon! And I will use her in any way I see fit!"

The old professor again paused to study his former student. "Even at the expense of gaining another set of eyes and ears in Katsuragi's home?" Fuyutsuki wondered in an enigmatic fashion. "Really, Ikari, and I thought you once said that you could turn any situation to your advantage."

Frowning perplexedly at this enigmatic statement, Gendo hesitated before asking, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Giving a wry curl of his lips, Fuyutsuki replied, "You're a capable, intelligent man, Ikari. Take a moment to think about it, then guess." Smiling at his own wit, the old professor turned about. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some red tape to clear out of Katsuragi's way. As well as a deposition regarding your apparent inability to provide a safe, stable environment for the 1st Child."

With that, Fuyutsuki exited Gendo's office. Leaving the Commander scowling, angry...and most of all, confused.

How can things be deteriorating so rapidly? Gendo frowned as he retreated to his desk, no longer feeling any of the contentment or power he normally felt in his office. First these renegades, then the destruction of Adam, and now my own staff are rebelling against me! Suppressing a wince as he thought of what would happen if SEELE were to learn of the way his control over his own personnel was fading, of how the aged wolves would see this as a sign of weakness in him, he sat back and tried to put his thoughts in order.

They've lost their fear of me. They don't respect the power I have over them anymore, Gendo quickly concluded. These disasters with the Silver Surfer and Spirit have left me looking weak in the eyes of my own people.

This ugly thought in his mind, Gendo scowled hatefully. Those superpowered renegades had left him looking like a sheep instead of a wolf, a sheep to be ripped apart at a predator's leisure. Clearly, I must do something about that, he thought in a sour manner. I must remind them of the power I hold. That I am the master of their lives.

At this, Gendo nodded to himself, making a mental note to remind these people of the penalty of disobedience the next time one of them was foolish enough to challenge his authority. And judging by sensei's actions, I won't have long to wait, the Commander frowned, his features darkening considerably. Sensei...since when did you become so bold? Leaning forward, Gendo scowled in concentration, unable to fathom what prompted his former teacher to rise up against him after all this time. After it had been made so clear to him that Gendo was the one who held the power over life and death here. And what did he mean about having another set of eyes and ears in Katsuragi's home? he wondered, that part making precious little sense. I already have the 1st and 3rd Children under constant observation by Section 2, so why...?

Before he could finish this thought, a bolt of inspiration hit Gendo so hard that he was left momentarily stunned by it. Of...course... the Commander thought, pausing to give himself a mental kick for his own shortsightedness. Why didn't I see it before? Rei being in Katsuragi's custody puts even more eyes on her activities! Including those of Rei herself!

His mind whirring into overdrive, Gendo considered the situation, and quickly grew more and more satisfied. Katsuragi has already demonstrated an unfortunate sympathy for those rogues, viewing them as potential allies. And given this little demonstration today, it's easy to assume that she would attempt to challenge my authority in the future if she felt she could get away with it! Then he smiled in a knowing fashion. But before she would make such attempts, she would be likely to discuss them in advance with someone, as I do with Fuyutsuki and Rei. She would do so in secret, when she feels there's no risk of Section 2 overhearing her. And who else would she talk to except those she trusts implicitly...like the Children she's gone to so much trouble to bring into her own home.

Meaning that it would be simplicity itself to get Rei to be his eyes and ears while she was in Katsuragi's home. A wolf in sheep's clothing, as it were. Assuming, of course, that she remains loyal to me. That she has no connection to the Silver Surfer, Gendo reminded himself. Still, once Dr. Akagi has finished this next series of tests on her...that should give us some more information. Perhaps enough to prove that Rei and the Silver Surfer aren't the same being.

As this thought ran its course, Gendo found himself frowning again, and for two very distinct reasons. The first was that he had been just been very skillfully manipulated. Upon seeing that his former student would not be deterred from fighting Misato's efforts to gain custody of Rei, he had thrown him a crafty little statement that had shown Gendo that there was an advantage to be had in allowing the Captain to bring his tool into her home. It would seem that sensei has grown more cunning over the years, he thought, recalling all the many times Fuyutsuki had borne witness to Gendo pulling the strings of others. Obviously, he's learned a few things while standing in my shadow.

But this in and of itself wasn't too surprising. And even if it was only to himself, Gendo had to admit that, if he were to be manipulated by someone, better that someone be his old professor. Besides, it was a learning experience. And in the end, he gave me good advice, the Commander thought. Still...why didn't I see it? Why did I need him to point out the advantage in letting Captain Katsuragi have her way this time?

It made no sense in his mind. After all, the whole reason Gendo had decided to make Kaji guardian of the 2nd Child was to put additional restraints on him, additional laws that could be used against him, as well as another set of eyes that could easily be gotten to talk about some of his activities. So why couldn't he have seen a similar advantage in doing the same thing with Rei and Captain Katsuragi?

A moment's thought was all Gendo needed to come up with the answer to this. With the first and foremost one being the all-too real danger of Rei being tainted with opinions and beliefs that ran counter to his purposes. Things that could very easily endanger his long term plans, especially if she chose for any reason to reveal the full scope of his plans to anyone else, particularly the 3rd Child. And more to the point, the idea of conceding victory to anyone, to let someone else have power over him even for a moment was a galling one.

Still...with the destruction of Adam, I suspect that I will have even greater difficulties in the times to come. So I had better learn to be a bit more...flexible in my approaches, Gendo thought distastefully. Especially if it turns out that Rei is the Silver Surfer.

But even as Gendo thought this, he realized that this, too, could play well into his plans for his subordinates. After all, then I'd have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the consequences of defying me to everyone here, he thought, imagining the look of horror and despair on Shinji's face when he learned once and for all the price of defying his master.

With this thought in mind, Gendo allowed the corner of his lip to curl up in anticipation...


"You shouldn't have done this, Ikari-kun," Rei murmured sadly as she sat within the warm, comforting confines of his and Misato's apartment.

"What are you talking about, Rei?" Shinji wondered as he came up to the dining table and handed her a cup of tea. "We couldn't just do nothing! Not with Father treating you so horribly!"

Pressing her lips together, Rei slowly, carefully picked up the tea. "But there's nothing you or Misato can do," she murmured as she studied the dark brew in her cup, its gentle aroma wafting up to her nose. "Commander Ikari is in charge of NERV, and is my guardian. There's nothing anyone can do to change that."

"Don't say that, please!" Shinji pleaded her in a desperate voice. Then he sighed, giving a nervous shrug before adding, "I mean...Misato was able to take me in right after I came here. A-and besides, she said that some of the stuff Father has been doing is illegal, so...maybe she can...do something?"

"It will do no good. Even if what he does is not legal, Commander Ikari will make it legal," Rei assured him, thinking of the many times Gendo had pulled the strings from the background, manipulating a situation to perfectly suit his needs. Of the many laws and legal issues he had effortlessly bypassed, one way or another. "All that you and Misato will have succeeded in doing is angering him."

His features creasing with sadness, Shinji slowly shook his head. "Please, don't talk like that! I mean...once she tells Father that...I won't pilot if he keeps you there -!"

"Then he'll find another way to make you pilot," Rei assured him sadly. "That is what happened when you first came here, Ikari-kun. And it is what happened when we were preparing for Operation: Yashima."

"Operation...?" Shinji frowned, narrowing his eyes in confusion. "Ayanami, wh-what are you talking about?"

As Rei considered Shinji's face, she found herself tempted. Tempted to say that he should forget what she had said, or that she had spoken the wrong words. Any of the excuses the children at school so frequently said when they said things that they ultimately regretted saying. But as she looked at the boy that was risking so much for her benefit, who had put his life on the line for her, and that she had ultimately repaid him by allowing Misato to nearly be transformed into an Angelic beast, her insides twisted uncomfortably at the thought of attempting to deceive him.

"Before you first arrived, Ikari-kun...Commander Ikari told me that he intended to use my...condition to make you feel guilty, in the event that you refused to pilot Unit 01 for him," Rei explained in a hesitant manner, emotionally responding to things that she had felt nothing over when they had originally happened. "He was certain that your own guilt would persuade you to obey him."

His mouth popping slightly open in his surprise, Shinji studied the albino for a time before ultimately shrugging. "Well...that's not your fault, Ayanami," he murmured uncertainly. "I mean...you were hurt, and with that Angel coming, I...I mean, it's not like I...had a choice, anyway..."

"There's...more," Rei admitted, her insides twisting even moreso as Shinji frowned perplexedly. "When Misato briefed Commander Ikari about her plans for Operation: Yashima, she made it clear to him that in order for it to succeed, both Evangelions would be required. When the Commander learned of that, he came to speak with me."

"Speak to you?" Shinji frowned, his confusion visibly deepening. "About what?"

Her unease mounting exponentially, Rei swallowed before revealing, "Commander Ikari...instructed me that...in the event that you refused to pilot Unit 01...that I was to tell you that I would pilot it instead."

Again, Shinji was confused, but this time his eyes widened with clear surprise. "He...he told you to...to tell me that?"

"Yes," Rei explained, feeling more and more like something increasingly heavy was resting on her shoulders. "He told me exactly what he wanted me to say to you in the event you refused to pilot. He said that...if I said what he told me to say, then you would be certain to pilot despite your initial refusal."

His eyes bulging from their sockets, Shinji stared incredulously at the albino for a long time, his mouth opening and closing seemingly at random. "He...he used you...to make me pilot that monster?" he demanded, his voice shifting, growing in intensity. Charged with the emotion Rei recognized as anger. "But - why? Why did you go along with that?"

"Because...Commander Ikari told me to," Rei answered as honestly as she could.

"But why?" Shinji demanded, his anger clearly intensifying. "Why do you listen to that bastard? Why do you do everything he says?"

Because if I don't obey him, he'll replace me, was the answer that flashed through Rei's mind, the truest, simplest answer. And at the same time, an answer that she knew she couldn't give. And so the blue-haired girl sat there, looking at the astonished fury that her confessions had inspired in Shinji, wondering what she could say. And then, as she thought back to the night of Operation: Yashima, the night her life had been irrevocably changed, she realized that, in a way, she already had.

"Ikari-kun...do you remember when we talked before Operation: Yashima commenced?" Rei asked, speaking more softly than normally. Still angered, Shinji frowned, confusion returning to him as he nodded. "I told you then that I had nothing else. Nothing except for Eva."

"Yeah, but - what's that supposed to mean?" Shinji demanded, his frustration and annoyance mounting.

Her lips parting slightly, Rei realized that she would have to be very careful about how she spoke. Very careful not to betray anything pertaining to her origin. Even if Shinji and Misato had taken in PenPen, a creature who had so much in common with her, she was still fearful that for them to learn about how she had been brought into being would be to lose everything. To lose them entirely. And so, with a wary swallow, she looked at the son of her creator, and carefully began. "Ikari-kun, Commander Ikari...your father...as he raised me, he made it clear that I existed for a very specific purpose. That he cared for me only because he needed me to do something for him."

"Because he -?" Shini started, only to cut himself off when his eyes went wide with shock. "Wait...are you saying that he raised you just to pilot those monsters?"

"That...and more," Rei nervously confirmed.

"But - why didn't anybody do something about it?" Shinji demanded, his anger mounting, but it was obvious that it was no longer directed towards Rei. "I mean - what about your mother or father?"

"I have no family, Ikari-kun," Rei answered, grateful to be able to speak the whole truth in this regard. "Commander Ikari has always been my guardian."

This statement caused Shinji's face to sag with horror before he shook his head. "No - wait! There - there had to be other people! People on base, at school - I mean, someone - didn't anybody do anything?"

"No. Commander Ikari would not allow anyone to have anything to do with me. And he made it clear to me that I was to limit my interactions with other children as much as I could," Rei explained as carefully as she could. "He said that he did not want me to be distracted from my purpose. So I was never allowed to spend time with the other children." Then she lowered her gaze, trying to be careful how she spoke. "If I had not obeyed him...he would have punished me. Severely."

A heavy, ugly silence fell in the wake of Rei's words as the 3rd Child looked at her in disbelief. "Then...you mean you've never had any friends?" Shinji gathered, his voice seeming to go numb. His anger fading almost entirely, causing him to slowly settle back into his chair. "No family...no one?"

Nodding slowly to this, Rei replied, "That...is correct. Before I...met you...and got to know Misato...I had no one save for the Commander." Then she swallowed, attempting to push away the anxiety and unsettled insides and everything as she looked squarely at the boy that meant so much to her. "And that is why I wish you and Misato had not intervened on my behalf. It will not help me, and it would only make Commander Ikari angry with the both of you."

Still flustered and torn, Shinji opened and closed his mouth again before countering, "But - Ayanami -!" The boy was cut off by the sound of the front door slamming open, a sound that sent him leaping to his feet. "Misato?"

"Hey, Shinji. Rei," Misato replied, her voice wearied in both a physical and emotional sense as she appeared in the kitchen entrance. "Sorry to take so long."

"Well - that's okay, but - !" Shinji stammered out as Misato made her way toward the dining table. "Misato...how'd it go? Did Father...is he going to move Rei someplace better?"

"Your father, Shinji Ikari, is an officious, arrogant asshole, and if I were able to synch with an Eva, I'd be sorely tempted to introduce him to the business end of its foot," Misato declared with a disgusted air. "Ugh, I cannot believe that man! He kept going on and on, saying that that filthy hole was perfect for Rei's needs, that he put her there for a reason - arrgh!"

"Misato..." Shinji groaned, his expression falling as the purple-haired woman pulled a beer from the refrigerator before coming to sit down at the table. "You...you mean...?"

Sighing heavily, Misato cracked open her beer before looking sadly at Rei. "Listen, Rei...I'm sorry, but...I'm afraid I have some bad news," she told her in an apologetic manner. "We're gonna have to take you back to your old place."

"What?" Shinji howled in dismay. "But - Misato - we can't let her - we have to -!"

"I'm sorry, Shinji. But we don't have a choice," Misato told him, sadly shaking her head. "But we're just gonna have to go back there with Rei."

"But -!" Shinji started again.

"Ikari-kun, please. It's okay," Rei assured him, saddened by his clear disappointment. "There was nothing you could have done. Commander Ikari is in charge. His decision is final." Then she lowered her eyes somewhat before adding, "I know this too well."

His expression becoming even more sorrowful, Shinji simply sat there, looking as if he would cry. "I'm sorry about this, Rei. Really, I am," Misato assured her. "Anyway, I have something here for you. Fuyutsuki told me to give it to you before I left work today." Fumbling about with her flight jacket's pockets, the Captain soon drew forth a small card. "It's your new ID card."

Nodding to this, Rei limply accepted the simple object in her hand. "Thank you, Misato."

"Now, I suggest you read it over carefully," Misato instructed her. "There are few changes on it that you should be aware of. Okay?"

Nodding to this, Rei looked down at her card and began studying the data inscribed upon it. "Misato, please, there has to be something we can do!" Shinji pleaded once more. "I mean...what Father's doing, it's wrong! We can't just -!"

"Shinji, I'm aware of that," Misato replied in a weary voice. "Believe me, I spent a lot of time explaining all of that to Gendo." Then she gave a loud snort and grumbled, "That smug bastard just sat behind that cushy desk of his, going on about how he would never allow anyone to meddle with Rei, that he'd fire anyone who even tried, and -!"

"Misato...the information on my card is wrong," Rei broke in with heavy frown.

Both Shinji and Misato broke off in mid-discussion to look at the albino. "No, it's not," the purple-haired woman assured her, taking a deep chug of her beer.

"Yes, it is," Rei countered, holding up her card to show it to her and Shinji. "It lists your home address as being my residence."

"Yeah, that's right. And there's a good reason for that, Rei." With that, Misato's frown turned in a broad, impish smile as she announced, "You see, as of 1100 hours today, Sub Commander Fuyutsuki appointed me as your new guardian."

The instant these words were processed by her brain, Rei's mind essentially crashed. Every thought and fear and concern she had stopped, locked in place. Leaving her capable of doing little more than looking up at the Captain, her eyes expanding from their sockets. "You..." she started, her tongue falling flat in her mouth as her card tumbled from her hand. "You're...my...?"

"That's right. So naturally, you're gonna have to live where I can keep an eye on you," Misato explained, still smiling broadly as she took another chug of her beer. "Now, I know this place isn't exactly spacious, but..."

As Misato trailed off, shrugging helplessly, Rei could only sit there and stare in astonishment as Shinji gaped at his guardian. Their guardian. "Misato...?" the 3rd Child started, his voice holding new hope. "You - you mean -?"

"Yup! Though it sure wasn't easy, trust me on that!" Misato assured them in a distasteful manner. "Gendo made it very clear that he was willing to do whatever it took to keep custody of Rei." Then she smiled that much more broadly before adding, "Luckily, Sub Commander Fuyutsuki stepped in and signed the document transferring guardianship to me. It would have been pretty ugly if he hadn't!"

A smile of his own filling his face, Shinji unexpectedly frowned. "But - wait," he started, his voice rife with confusion. "Y-you said that...that Ayanami would have to go back to her old apartment..."

"Yeah, I know! And so will we...to help her pack!" Misato explained with clear amusement. "What, you didn't think we would just leave all her stuff there, now did you?"

At this declaration, Rei's mind began slowly stirring back to life. Began processing what was being said, in spite of how utterly impossible it seemed to her. "Then...this is real...?" she asked, glancing about the warm, clean, comfortable apartment, then at the card that stated that it was her residence. "I...I live here...now?"

"That's right!" Misato smiled broadly before rising up to her feet. "Would you like to see your room, Rei?" Standing before the albino, the purple-haired woman shrugged helplessly before admitting, "It's not all that big, but there's plenty of room for a small bed, a bookshelf or two, that sort of thing. It should be comfortable enough."

"Isn't this great, Ayanami?" Shinji cried out with clear delight as he came up alongside of the Captain. "I mean, I know it'll probably take some getting used to." Then he shot their guardian a glance before adding, "Especially Misato getting up in the morning..."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Misato demanded with mock outrage.

Rei paid no attention to that. All she could do was slowly, weakly stand from her seat, looking from one kindly face to another, realizing that somehow, someway, they had accomplished the impossible. They had wrested away some of the absolute control Gendo had over Rei's life away from him. Even if it was only a small victory, it was far more than she could have ever believed possible in this place where his will was supreme.

Its...not hopeless, Rei thought, utterly incredulous as she felt her knees growing weak, as if the strength was fading from her whole body. Every attempt she made to rationalize this away as a trick, every part of her that tried to dismiss this offer as being false, as something that was simply too good to be true, was slowly silenced, one by one, by the emotions that were slowly spiraling out of control within her heart. They...they stood up to Commander Ikari...and now...they're my family...they're my...

"Ayanami?" Shinji's voice, breaking through the sudden maelstrom of emotion raging in Rei's mind. Looking about, she saw him and Misato looking at her in concern. "Ayanami, what is it?"

Her lips trembling, Rei simply stood there, looking at the two of them. She found that she couldn't speak, couldn't say yes or no or any other word. All she could do was stand there, numbly feeling something strange happening to her eyes. Feel a warm liquid welling up in them before cascading down her cheeks. "I'm...home..." she spoke shakily, barely able to recognize her own voice. "Home..."

Misato just stood there, smiling tenderly. "Yes."

"That's right, Ayanami," Shinji confirmed, offering her his own kindly expression.

This was the final blow to Rei's self-control. A choked sob escaped her throat as gratitude and astonishment and a whole host of emotions she couldn't even begin to articulate cascaded down her face. Her mind overwhelmed, she could do nothing but stand there and feel her arms reach up, begging for something to fill them.

These pleadings were soon answered as Misato wrapped her arms about Rei's form, as Shinji placed his own hand on her shoulder. At the warmth she felt at their touch, she utterly collapsed into their embrace, pulling herself as close to them as she could. The many years of solitude, pain, and misery she had survived under Gendo's sway warring with the relief and delight she now knew because of these people who had given her a room in their lives, and their hearts..

"It's okay, Rei," Misato told her, gently patting her on the back as Shinji knelt down beside her. "It's going to be okay now."

Believing that things truly could be okay for the first time in her young life, Rei continued to hold onto them. Crying out all the pain, loneliness and fear she had felt over the years.


Author's Notes: Sorry again to take so long, but I've been going nuts, and this chapter was hard to get out.

Not much else to say right now, except that it's time for some omakes. Excelsior!

Omake 1

"Damn, what a mess," Misato noted with grin. "Shinji, you've got to get better control of your hormones, or you're going to bleed to death through your nose!"

"But…Misato, I…" Shinji protested weakly, even as he once again stuffed two wads of cotton into place. Painfully aware of the fact that there was a good deal of blood on the floor. All of it his.

"Now, now, Shinji," Yui smiled compassionately as everyone worked about Kensuke's photo studio. "It's perfectly understandable, you having difficulties with such things. You're a teenager, and…"

"Besides, even those two Stooges have been passing out!" Ghost Rider reminded them, jerking a fiery thumb at the other two boys, who also looked weak from blood loss. "So it's not like you're the only one going through this. Right?"

"Hey! Watch it!" Kensuke protested before returning his attention to the subject before him. "Besides, Misato-sama's transformation is just so hot! Who wouldn't be overwhelmed by it?"

"Well, I don't know," Ghost Rider responded snippily, even as she began counting off on her fingers. "Maybe a man who was mature, civil, composed, cultured…"

"Hey! C'mon, Ken! We still have three more hulk-outs to do tonight, and I'm starving here!" Misato declared, smiling impishly as she flexed about in the sweat suit Kensuke had gotten out for her.

"Oh, right!" Kensuke spoke up as he angled the camera in his hands, even as Toji took a different angle with his own camera. "We're all set, Misato-sama! Now let it rip!"

"With pleasure!" Misato returned, even as her eyes shown deep, bright green.

"Oh, man! I love this part!" Toji declared, even as Spirit whacked him one upside the head.

Once again, brilliant green began pouring through Misato's veins, causing muscles to bulge and rip through her clothes. Her breasts caused her shirt to tighten before exploding before her awesome assets, her pants were shredded, her shoes tore apart…

Just as the transformation was completed and Misato ripped what tattered rags remained upon her with triumphant roar, a voice came from the scaffolding above. "Whoa!" someone cried out weakly.

"Huh? Hey! Who's there?" Spider-Woman demanded, even as a figure came tumbling down towards them.

Venom leapt up and intercepted the figure, only laugh uproariously. "Well, well, well, look who dropped in! And looking good enough to eat!"

"Kaji?" came several stunned voices as the Superwomen of Eva stared incredulously at the unshaven man lying prone in Venom's arms, two rivulets of blood flowing from his nose.

While the Ghost Rider stared incredulously at the man she idolized, the She-Hulk chuckled deviously. "Well, Asuka, maybe a man who was mature, civil, composed, cultured, wouldn't react like that to me changing," Misato grinned. "Too bad that seems to include Kaji out!"

"Why, you…!" the Ghost Rider snarled, drawing her sawn-off shotguns.

As for Shinji, he just sat back and watched as the photo shoot quickly degenerated into a superpowered catfight…and fainted as he ruined another set of cotton balls.

Omake 2

"C'mon, Kensuke! Give it a rest already!" Toji once again spoke up, his tone of voice taking on a slight growl.

"Okay! Okay! Sheesh! I was just asking!" Kensuke protested as he backed away, though a look of clear envy still clung to his features.

Letting go a sigh of relief, Shinji looked at the jock. "Thanks, Toji," the boy smiled wearily.

"No problem, Shin-man," Toji returned understandingly. Then, with a wry smile, he added, "After all…whatever happened in there with her isn't any of his business, right?"

Rei marveled as Shinji's face once again colored, turning even redder than it had before. "That's not – I mean, it's not like…!" Shinji fumbled, looking more and more frazzled as he tried to find an appropriate response. "Well, that is…!"

"Relax, man," Toji smiled slyly, carefully patting Shinji's shoulder. "I know exactly what you're going through."

While Shinji proceeded to open and close his mouth seemingly at random, the door to the classroom slammed open, revealing a decidedly unhappy young woman. "Toji Suzuhara!" Spirit started, her crimson eyes boring straight into Toji.

Wincing in the knowledge that he was doomed, Toji turned to look at his own girlfriend. "I forgot again. Didn't I?"

"You sure did!" Spirit declared as she marched up to the boy, her wings brushing against the other students as she came up to give Toji what-for. "You promised to stop by my house and help me study for today's exam!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but…it was an emergency!" Toji protested fearfully. "Mana needed some help with these terrorists, and…!"

"And so you put on that fancy new War Machine armor she loaned you, and you're off to the rescue. Is that it?" Spirit wondered, folding her arms across her chest.

"Hey, c'mon!" Toji protested, waving his hands before her. "I mean…well, you'd do the same in my place, wouldn't you?"

"That's not the point," Spirit returned, somewhat mollified. "I understand you wanting to help your friend, but you could have at least called me to let me know that something had come up!"

As Shinji watched the two of them continue to argue, he actually smiled. You know…sometimes, it's nice to be reminded I'm not the only one having problems with this.