A/N: Evangelion not mine, blah, blah, blah...

Chapter 25

"Are you feeling better, Maya?"

"Yes. Thanks, Ritsuko. Some of us recover more slowly."

"What do we have?"

"Look at this. Since the synch rate is so high, Shinji has fused to the Eva and he's able to control it as his own body. Since it was a great effort and strain, the synoptic nerves are damaged. We'll have to teach him to move again, like a very big newborn."

"Do you have images from inside of the entry-plug?"

"Yes. As you can see even the plug-suit has disappeared."

"Well, there is something we can thank the Angel for."

"Really?"

"I think that the fact that Shinji awoke and rebuild part of his own ego within the Eva is a result of the Angel attack combined with the status he had before. It's a pity we couldn't do the same 10 years ago…"

Kaworu looked to the big robot nearly not believing Shinji was there.

"I know it's weird for me to say this, but I wish I could touch you." Shinji's voice went out from the purple thing.

"Well, now with those hands of yours you could hug me just using two fingers, big boy. But maybe you'd crush me. I can imagine my head popping out of my body." He joked.

"Gross!! But you know I'd never do something like that."

"I know. Hey! Can I ask you something?"

"Sure!"

"Are you that big under all that armour?"

"…" oWo

After hearing the good/weird news, Misato was waiting for the damage information in her office. It seems that half the city had been in the same state as them. Close to death.

That was close…and I couldn't even say goodbye to…

Then an official came in. She stared at him.

"Which is the damage in the city?"

"Anybody dead. Only an empty building explosion. A gas escape we think…"

"That's not related to this incident. Does the government want to make us responsible of it? Bastards... Dismissed!"

When she was alone Misato started to cry. She tried not to, but no avail.

I can't cry. I must be strong. If things turn as I think, we'll be together again, Kaji.

Ritsuko was doing some tests to the Eva-shinji. He was wondering something for some time. Maybe now he'll know it.

"Ritsuko, can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"My mother. Is she here? What happened 10 years ago?"

"…"

"My father told me 4 people know what happened. He doesn't want to tell me. Who are they?"

"The Commander and Sub Commander are two of them."

"They won't tell me anything."

"I'm the third."

"Could you tell me?" she noticed the anxiety in the voice. She could imagine the expression of his face. His new face was immobile.

"You don't need to ask. You are the fourth one."

"WHAT?!!!"

"You were only four. Luckily humans tend to hide from themselves the most horrible events of the past."

"How could I forget something like that? It's too important!"

"With a little help from hypnosis. Your father suggested it."

"Him… Can you tell me why I don't go right now and crush him like a bug?"

"Because you still can't move freely."

"Oh! Damn… Anyway, you know what? I think she talked to me."

"Really? And what did she tell you?"

"She told me to go back here. Do you think she's… you know, alive or something like that?"

"I don't want to sound cruel, but she won't come back. We'll never be able to do it."

"… That's a good way to tell me that I'll be trapped in here forever."

"Your situation is different. Leave it to me."

"Ok, I suppose I'll have to trust you. As if I had other choice. Anyway, Did I tell you some days ago we found a kitten? Now it's at home."

She started to laugh.

"What?"

"Misato is allergic to cats and they scare her to death… I'd like to see her face when she notices the new roommate. Apart from Kaworu of course."

"What does she think about him?"

"She's fine with that. I think she likes him. Well, he saved our lives, nearly killing himself in the process. That's something to be thankful for."

"I know, it's impossible not to like him."

"He even changed Rei."

"What do you mean?"

"It's difficult to explain… For example, what can you tell me about her? I mean her personality."

"She is shy, silent… I think she feel herself worthless. She always says that she can be easily replaced. And that if something is an order she will do it. She seems cold but I think that's only in the outside…. I don't really know. I don't even understand myself…"

"That's very close to my description. Well, she is now… more alive. I don't want to say this but she was a bit like a robot. I think she wants to know her place in the world. She wants to live her life in her own terms."

"Wow…"

"Maybe you don't realise, but you have changed even more than her."

"You think so? Maybe…"

Kaworu and Misato arrived to the apartment. He was telling her something and she was laughing because of it.

"...And did you really eat it? My goodness! I've eaten disgusting things before, but nothing like that! Gross!!!"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, what else could I do?"

"Well, I'd never…er…er…AtsuAAA!" She sneezed.

"Did you catch a cold?" He said leaving the jacket on the couch.

"Maybe…Atchus! Ufff, I wasn't like this since…. Hey, where is the sushi I bought this morning?"

"Oh-oh…"

Then, little Tabris appeared with Pen Pen following him. Kaworu take him from the floor.

"Misato, I think an explanation must be…"

But when he turned around, Misato had already fainted.

"…done."