As the buzzer sounded, it was the signal for Shinji to proceed through the metal doors. He followed the guard inside the facility, passing a bunch of random insane criminals behind bars. They either looked at him with killing intent or mystery behind their eyes. He was almost unconformable himself being here. Still he wondered, what the worse could happen if he was ever in this Asylum?

And despite Misato's protest, Shinji still insisted on coming here. Even if he was getting cold feet, he felt that this needed to be done either way. Whether he felt hatred, remorse, or sadness for his father did not matter to him, he just wanted to see Gendo Ikari once more.

"Right here kid, make it short." The guard told Shinji.

As Shinji entered the cell, he found lots of writing on the walls. It consisted of notes problems and explanations to some kind of riddle. Shinji found his father curled up with his arms wrapped around his legs. And by the look on his face, he had not shaved bathed or even slept in days.

"Hello father." Shinji greeted holding back his nervousness.

Gendo sat silently. He took a slight grimace at Shinji and then turned away.

"So how are you holding up in here, I trust you're doing okay?" Shinji started another subject.

"Why are you here?" Gendo inquired coldly.

I guess Shinji could not get passed his father's insight. Working for Gendo after all these years, he already knew that he was not the friendliest person ever or the most sociable. The man had spent years dedicated to his life's work and thus abandoning Shinji when he was a little child.

"I wanted to see you. After all you are my father, no matter what."

Gendo could not help but laugh at Shinji's response. Already Shinji was confused on this sudden change, he didn't say anything funny. But Gendo was not laughing in humor; it was more like evil insanity. He could not control himself laughing so much that it hurt.

"Unbelievable, you're like a beaten dog. No matter how much times your hit, you just end up coming back. And then you get hit even more." Gendo rambled. "And you want to know something boy, I never thought of you as my own son to begin with. Rei was the only one I had."

"Yeah but…" Shinji tried to explain. "Rei got transferred to a different school of all girls across the country to keep her from your hands."

"You've always been a disappointment to me. And now look at you, pretending to be a man when you're still the same scared cowardly little boy."

Shinji made an angry face. "I'm more of a man then you are now."

"What's the point, Nerv is dead and so are you? You heard me. You're dead to me, boy."

Shinji was deeply hurt by Gendo's harsh words, yet he didn't let that bother him one bit. As Gendo continued to laugh insanely, Shinji just stood there with an angry stare perfectly retrain from saying of doing anything. Gendo suddenly grasped Shinji's shoulder, tightly. "But since you're here, we can make something together. You hear me, we can recreate Nerv. We can start over."

"Times up kid; make it quick in there." The guard tapped on the door.

Now Gendo was just taking nonsense. Knowing he didn't really mean that, Shinji knocked his hands away from him. Shinji was disappointed that his efforts to change his father had failed. Not pleased by his decline, Gendo spat in his son's face. There was nothing further for Shinji as tapped on the door signaling the guard Shinji left a photo of his mother inside his cell. He tapped on the door signaling the guard. "Goodbye father, I hope you find peace here."

"That man's really lost it; sorry it did not work out. But he's beyond redemption." The guard said.

For the next hour on the road, there was silence between Shinji and Misato. Shinji watched the cloud in the sky constantly, while still thinking of his father. Where his father was going, he did not know what to feel nor should he even feel it. Should he even still treat him as a father at this moment? Since his father never gave him the same acknowledgement as Rei, Shinji had became more and more distance from him. Rei was treated more like daughter then Shinji ever was.

While Misato was driving, she could not help but be concerned about Shinji's personality. Not to mention, she would be carrying a baby inside of her as she felt her belly. Will Shinji be in shock and leave her for good when he finds out? With someone young being a father, but not having a good father himself. Would he be able to handle it the responsibility? There was so much going on Misato's and Shinji's mind at the very moment.

Not taking this moment of silence any longer, Misato decided to start a conversation. "So how did it go in there?"

Shinji took a sigh, "Not so well Misato, he could not bear the sight of me. And even went as far as saying 'you're dead to me' along the way."

Misato covered her hand on Shinji's hand. "I'm sorry to hear that Shinji."

"I thought I could possibly reach out to him. But seems like the closer I get, the further he goes."

"Aren't you even mad at him the way he used and manipulated you like a puppet?

"Off course I am, I could never forget that. But I just could not help but find some sadness inside of him. And I wanted so badly to help him, despite not giving any regards for my sake."

"You can't help everybody Shinji, believe me I know." Misato said.

As Misato stopped by a traffic light, she watched Shinji cute sleeping face. With one hand, she stroked his hair like a personal pet. As she looked at him, she greatly admired his growth and maturity. Ever since their get together, she no longer saw him as a child.

She now saw him as responsible adult and loving partner. Still she'd be lying she kind of missed the charming child inside of him. And never had she thought that they would be together this long. With Shinji around, Misato no longer felt lonely as she was at first.

Before she could make her move, a car honked behind her as Misato instantly caught glance of the changing light.

"Hey move it lady, some of us has places to go here!" The driver from behind shouted in rage.

"Oh keep your pants on buddy, I'm moving already!" Misato shouted back at him now getting back to reality. As told she moved with extreme speed, not knowing the limit she was going on. She was just fortunate there was no traffic cops nearby.

She made it back home, once again leaving tire tracks on the road. However, she failed realized Shinji completely dazed. "Hey Shinji did you have a nice nap?"

"I did until your screaming and reckless driving woke me up." Shinji said feeling the pain within the back of his head.

Misato blushed with embarrassment. "Sorry about that Shinji, I guess I have road rage issue sometime."

"It's okay; I'm used to how you drive right about now." Shinji replied while continuing to rub the back of his head.

"If you like I can kiss your boo-boo for you." Misato talked in baby language.

"Come on, stop teasing me. I'm not a little kid anymore."

"Oh… Shinji...That feels so good." Misato moaned in passionate affection as Shinji gave her a massage. The very feel of his young hands was like her inner self crying. Shinji had rubbed from her shoulders to her hips using the most soft touch as her could. While growing up, this was one of his new experiences that he learned throughout the years. Misato was always welcomed to it after her days work. Off course, Asuka would beat Shinji's face in before he let him touch her.

He even massaged her lower body like her legs and feet as an added bonus. At first, he was hesitant about going those places, but eventually grew into it. Now that Misato and Shinji were lovers, it did not make him feel like a pervert. The tense feeling was like convert to her bones.

"Hey Shinji,"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Do you miss Asuka? For all I know, you two could have been a match-made-in-heaven."

Shinji stopped massaging her back. "I miss her constant insults and criticism. And her rotten attitude was enough to drive any boy away. But for all I know, she was more grown up then me, that I'm sure. Not to mention, she is one big giant contradiction. I don't think we could be together forever even if we tried." Shinji explained. "I'd divorce her less than a day." Shinji joked a little.

Misato wrapped her arms around Shinji's neck. "Well, I see you've grown a sense of humor now."

"Our complicated relationship is no different from you and Kaji."

Misato went silent for minute as she released Shinji. She turned her back away from Shinji. Under the impression that he offended her, Shinji thought of combat strategy. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to go that far. It's none of my business." Shinji tried to explain placing his hand on Misato's shoulder. "Misato, I didn't mean it. It just popped up."

Out of nowhere, Misato pulled Shinji close to her as their foreheads touched. Both of them blushed on close contact. "Don't be ridiculous Shinji, that man no longer interest me anymore. The man I see now is you, honest."

Shinji wrapped his arms around her sides. "Yeah, I do too. You're the only one for me now, regardless of what people may say." Before they could conclude with kiss, a hard knock came at the apartment door. He was the first to answer to reveal more old friends. Toji and Kensuke, Shinji's old classmates and friends, also grown up greeted Shinji with joyless smile. Taking off their shoes, they wasted no time coming in, mostly to see Misato.

"It's been a long time boys." Misato greeted slightly disappointed by the interruption.

"Hey there Misato, how have you been?" Toji and Kensuke greeted in unison.

Toji wrapped his arm around Shinji shoulder with a smile. "Wow Shinji, I'm impressed. You lucky dog taking care of Misato like this. Not to mention being in a relationship with an older woman."

"Yeah, it's not too common seeing that around here in Japan, since it's usually the other way around." Kensuke added.

Shinji blushed over the praise. "Come guys, it's not that big of a deal."

"Well it is to us, and here you are still living together as a happy couple. I'm extremely jealous of you." Toji shot back.

"Toji, what happen to your leg?" Shinji was the notice to notice Toji's new left leg.

Toji pulled his pants leg to reveal a metal leg in replacement of the one he lost. Shinji almost felt guilty for what he had done to his friend. But he didn't have time to worry about that now.

Toji smiled. "This baby and I get by really fast. So don't worry about me. Since I was injured, we were entitled to cash settlement from Nerv and it was used to pay for my surgery operation. And thanks to this leg, I was able to work as couch back at our old school. Ibuki's helped me recover too."

"And I got an internship at Journalist Company south of Okinawa. If I do well, I may just go on staff." Kensuke held his trusty camera.

"That's really impressive." Shinji complimented.

"Yeah, well it's not as impressive as you have it. Living under the same roof still with a beautiful woman is pretty rewarding despite your complaints."

Shinji and Misato saw them off after sending hours of reminiscing with each other. Like Shinji and Misato, Toji and Kensuke were off on their own paths in life. They could only imagine what they will do next for the future so on and so forth.

After Shinji had kissed Misato goodbye leaving to work the next morning, Misato had retreated to her room. Hiding her body under the covers, she took a pregnancy test of her own. She waited countless amounts of hours for the results. The anticipation was making her cringe inside.

Deciding to kill more time, she turned on the TV. Even of it was the boring news, it was still something to put her mind at ease. After the last quarter, she had gotten the results. It was the moment of truth now. To her further surprise, it had come up completely and one-hundred percent positive. Even after trying it again, the results were still the same. And thus, Misato collapsed on her soft bed. She buried her face inside her pillows.

She asked herself looking at the results. "Shinji, what will you think of me now?"