Chapter 3: The Deal

Shinji woke from his empty slumber with nothing to remember from it. Calmly sitting up, he looked around the dark room. Remembering where he was, he got out and dressed. While making the bunk bed, his eye eventually adjusted to darkness. Finishing, he picked up his backpack and left the room.

Not sure what time it was, he guessed it was somewhere around five in the morning. Always waking up around that time frame, he assumed it was until he saw a clock somewhere. Traveling through the hallways again, a voice growled at him. Ignoring it, the voices in his head continued repeating the sound. Stopping, he slowly blinked then looked down.

"…" he said seeing his stomach. Looking back forward, he continued walking.

A locker room appeared around a corner and entered. Deciding to recuperate a little in their, he placed his things down on a bench. Removing his clothes and bandages, he took a cold shower in one of the many stalls. His awareness sharpened when his skin was hit by icy streams of water. Finishing and drying off, he went back to his bag. Opening it up, he took out a bottle of skin cream.

Applying it all over his body, he tested his injured areas. Still a bit tender all over, he reapplied all the bandages. Going back to seeing with one eye, he dressed himself again. Putting his backpack on, he left to continue walking the hallways and corridors. Finding an elevator, a voice played the "hot or cold" game. Without explanations regarding it, its volume of the giggles was used to indicate if he was getting closer or not.

Entering into the lift, he move his hand towards the buttons. Slowly moving upward, the top level made the loudest giggle. Pressing it, the elevator doors closed and started ascending. When going up slowed down to a stop, the elevator dinged and opened. It revealed the underground parking lot.

Walking through the parking lot and avoiding a patrolling security person, Shinji reached an opening that led outside of the base building. Surrounding him was great forestry. Transportation to the surface was seen to his left as paved roads and concrete led to a large elevator platform station. There also seemed to be a decent number of security personnel at different posts around the building and more at the lift station.

Remembering that he didn't have his S-DAT player, he looked for a medical facility. There wasn't any indication of such a building on the NERV base that he could see from where he was. Looking for a sign or a map, none were seen. None of the voices indicated or helped him with pointing him in the right direction. With the amount of security personnel on the perimeter of the buildings, he quietly traveled to the surrounding forestry.

An hour and half went by as Shinji was able to locate the building that had a sign indicating it was the medical facility. A good portion of the time was spent either staying low in a location or quickly moving away due to security. Stopping and breathing for air, he leaned against a tree. Searching in his bag, there was two energy bars left in which he consumed one greedily. Recovering a little, he timed entering the building when the security staff was not paying attention of their surroundings.

In a hospital room in the NERV medical facility, the First Child woke up early in the morning. Staring at a familiar ceiling, she began to look around.

'This is NERV Headquarters...the medical facility...in a hospital room...I was injured and am in a medical bed,' she thought to herself.

After confirming her conclusions, she turned her head. Looking at the night stand near the hospital bed, it had something on it. Turning her head, she looked closer at it. Her eyes widen a little from recognizing the object. Slowly and painfully, she reached out and grabbed the S-DAT player.

Putting the headphones back in her ears, she brought the audio device to her. Lying back straight on the bed and resting the object on her chest, she pressed the play button. Ayanami wasn't able to finish the whole six hours of music. Pain, exhaustion, and blood loss made her fall asleep in the midst of listening. The voiceless music began starting with something that she hadn't heard before.

After a while of listening, Rei concluded that some of the music was similar to what a couple of students listen to at her school. The room's door opened suddenly drawing her attention. Seeing the medical staff enter, they approached her. Telling her that she was going to be moved to another room on an upper level, she nodded. Turning her gaze back at the ceiling, she continued listening to the music. To what the new male pilot indicated, the music strangely did relax her to some extent.

As medical staff came in with a gurney, someone tried to remove the headphones and the S-DAT player from her. However, the staff was surprised when the female pilot retaliated. She tightened her grip on the player and moved her head out of the way despite wincing in pain from doing so. Not creating more of a fuss, the staff let her be. A new artist came on the Third Child's music playing device.

A doctor came and did the final paper work before signaling the medical staff for transporting. Resting now on the gurney, she continued to stare in her void as ceiling tiles moved passed her eyes. It all looked the same every time something happened to her. Reaching her new room and being transferred to the new bed, she continued to listen. An hour and a half passed and the last artist finished. It ended with an instrumental piece of various psychedelic background noises and tones.

As soon as the track ended, the door opened to reveal a man dressed in black and red with a beard and dark spectacles. Turning her head, she saw Commander Ikari approach her bed side. Seeing him stop near her, he stared at Rei. Watching him while taking off the headphones, he face seemed to react a little from seeing it.

"Where did you get those?" he asked coldly.

"..." Rei said. Staring at him not too affected by his voice, she responded quietly.

"From the Third Child Commander."

"..." he said. Gendo became slightly irritated from seeing them. The fact that she willingly let the boy put them on her and the fact that they still couldn't find him added more to his growing frustration. He held his hand out.

"Give it to me."

At the administration desk of the medical facility, a desk nurse was working on paperwork. Feeling a sudden presence nearby, she looked up and flinched. There was a bandaged boy looking back at her with one eye as the other one was patched up. He gave a slight bow.

"My apologizes to disturb you Miss. May I ask if visiting hours are acceptable now?" he asked with a stoic tone.

"..." The female nurse stated and blinked. "Yes...they are. Who do you wish to see?"

"A patient by the name of Rei Ayanami."

"...hold on a second...she was recently added...and...ah, here we are. She's in room 402."

"Thank you Miss," Shinji stated and bowed again. "Good day."

"You're welcome," the woman said. Watching him turned around, he started walking down the hallway across from the desk. Blinking a couple of times, she went back to doing paperwork.

'He has interesting eyes…well I only saw one but still,' she thought.

She didn't find the boy's condition or appearance to be anything suspicious. Thinking that he was already a patient from inside, she smiled a little thinking of how nice his act seemed. Moving down to the end of the long hallway, the Third Child found the stairs. Pushing the door open quietly, he entered and closed it behind him without much of a sound. Looking at the stairs in front of him, he began is ascent to the fourth level.

Back in hospital room 402, Rei unconsciously held onto the audio player. Before the Commander noticed that act, there were a couple of knocks at the door. Frowning a little and retracting his hand, he turned around. Walking to the door, he opened it. The security guard outside Ayanami's door was pressing his ear piece.

"Sir, NERV security cameras picked up the Third Child is somewhere in the nearby forestry."

"Send Section-2 to retrieve him."

"Yes sir," he said. Repeating the message over the comm. line, Gendo turned around. Seeing the female pilot staring at him , he gave a neutral stare.

"We will talk later," he stated then left room.

"..." she said. Turning her head back to staring at the ceiling, she pondered.

'...why is the Commander...acting that way,' she thought. '...he is usually...calmer and does not look at me that way...'

'...why did he do that...is it because...of the Third Child and his actions?...I don't understand...' she wondered. The possibility of the Third Child was the cause came to her mind and made her wonder about him.

When Gendo got in the elevator down the hallway, he turned around. Watching the doors close before it descended down, he only saw the guard standing in front of the First Child's room. As the lift's doors closed, the door to the stairs opened quietly. Stepping out into the hallway and slowly shutting it, the Third Child looked around slowly.

Reading the door numbers, he started walking forward. Reaching the destination, there was something in front of it. Facing the body guard, he stared through him. The boy blinked and didn't look up as the guard looked down.

"What is your business here kid?"

"I am here on a visit."

"Sorry kid, no visiting hours," the guard retorted. Thinking that would scare away the teenager, the boy didn't even react. An awkward silence went by when both didn't say anything or moved. A could of voices in the boy's head giggled. Getting irritated from the bandage patient being in front of him, the guard responded again.

"Why are you still here?"

"The desk keeper at the entrance stated Miss Ayanami was in for visiting hours…" Shinji replied. Still using a stoic tone, he continued looking forward.

"…you are still in the way sir."

"..." the bodyguard said getting ticked off. "Look kid! There isn't any visiting hours. You got that in your thick banged up head of yours?"

"..." Shinji said and nodded slowly. Blinking and continuing to stare, he waited for the guard to move.

"If you don't get out of my face, you will be leaving with your other eye covered," the employee stated with fists of irritation.

"..." the male pilot stated. More voices began breathing heavily while laughing like hyenas in the background. Shinji slowly looked up with his eye only moving. It that gave the impression that he was giving the evil eye.

"...my apologizes...for the inconvenience sir."

Inside the hospital room, Ayanami was hearing a commotion outside her door. Ignoring it, she went back to her thoughts of unanswered questions about yesterday's events. The argument going on raised in volume; however, she only heard the guard's voice rising. Continuing to ignore it, she jumped a little from hearing loud bang on the door. It was followed by the sound of someone sliding down against it. Turning toward the door, a small pause occurred followed by three slow knocks.

"...yes...?" she said quietly. Listening for the door to open, no sound was made as it slowly opened. The sliding sound continued and a body slumped into the room. Feeling her uninjured eye widen a little, the Third Child stood at the door.

"..." the First Child said.

Looking between the two, she saw the male pilot staring at her. Seeing him blink slowly, he stepped over the guard. Walking toward her calmly, his footsteps seemed to be silent. Stopping a foot away from her bedside, he moved his head down a little to look down at her. Both saw that each had only one eye to look at. Rei saw that Shinji's right eye was covered with bandages and his lower torso was slightly bulging probably from more bandages.

"Good morning Miss Ayanami," he said bowing. "How are you feeling today?"

"..." she said staring at his face.

'How do I feel…what do I feel…' Rei pondered then answered emotionlessly.

"...I am...adequate."

"I am glad to hear that," the male pilot stated not breaking his dead-stare. "The purpose of my visit is to retrieve my S-DAT…"

'He is glad that I am adequate…he stated his reason for being here…but…why is he glad…I do not understand,' she pondered.

"…unless you wish to have more time listening to it, I do not mind. What do you wish to do Miss Ayanami?"

'Wish...is a want…to have a desire to something…what I want…I do not know…' the female pilot thought. Trying to answer the question, she became slightly depressed. She was never asked those questions before. Time passed slowly as both stared at each other until she answered his question.

"...I…don't know."

"I see. Have you finished listening to the cassette?"

"Yes."

"If so, are you done with the S-DAT player or do you wish to listen to the contents again?" Shinji asked in his usual tone.

She found his voice to be rather soothing. His expression and manner were similar to hers and the Commander's; however, he was polite and calm. Also, being asked of what she wanted was difficult to answer. Oddly, it felt strangely comforting to be asked.

"..." Rei said. Blinking, she stared back at the ceiling.

"...I...am done."

"Very well," Shinji said with a bow.

He held out his right hand which she put the S-DAT player in. Both felt their fingers touch each others' skin causing a reaction in both. Shinji's left hand started to tremble violently, but he put it behind his back to calm it down. Both stared at each other after the exchange. The First Child felt an odd connection toward him.

Puzzled, she couldn't place why or how that sensation occurred. Remembering the sensation again, she added the feeling of touch toward her many questions about human contact and society. Watching him Shinji move his backpack toward his front. Unzipping the main pouch, he brought out a holder for cassette tapes and the audio player. Putting the one in the S-DAT away, he took out a black covered one and placed it in the S-DAT. Putting both back in his bag and zipping it up, he moved it behind him.

"Is there anything you need Miss Ayanami?" he asked addressing her again.

"...Pilot Ikari."

"..." the Third Child said and just blinked.

"Why do you ask me that question?"

"..." he said. A series of flashbacks went through his mind from a few years before. The boy ignored the aspect that goosebumps flared on his body as well as the shouting of his voices. Blinking slowly, he answered.

"It is a habit that I was required to ask from my last occupation."

"I see," she said feeling that was an adequate answer.

"Is there anything else you wish to ask or need?" Shinji asked. Seeing her shake her head slightly, he bowed to her.

"Very well. Until we meet again Miss Ayanami, good day."

Turing around, he left the room. Moving the guard on the ground back outside, he closed the door quietly. Barely hearing a thud, she couldn't hear any footsteps walking away. Ayanami sat up and stared at the door. She pondered about the boy's behavior and the predictions she heard from the Commander. She couldn't comprehend how they didn't seem to match.

In the Commander's office, there were three people inside. Sitting in his chair, Gendo was in his infamous pose. With the Sub-Commander standing toward his right, both were staring at the NERV's head scientist.

"Report," Gendo stated.

"Unit-01 has already begun regeneration repairs in its left elbow as well its right eye. Estimated time left till full recovery in sixteen to eighteen hours," Ritsuko said.

"What results were found of the Third Child?"

"Blood samples were taken from the medical room that the Third Child entered. The results show that he has 90% of normal human blood. The other 10% is unknown. The MAGI couldn't separate the two as they seemingly are fused together. Further results are not found needing the Third Child to conclude them."

"During the fight against the Third Angel, the Third Child's ratio was varied due to his mental disorder. After the Angel pierced through Unit-01's right eye and cranial area, the Third Child's ratio jumped to 94.38%. Another result was observed when this occurred; the pilot was in full control of the Eva's actions."

"What did the MAGI say about the Third Child being an Angel?"

"..." Kozo stated. Frowning a tad at the Commander's statement, he gave a silent sigh.

"The MAGI calculated a 34.87% possibility that the Third Child is an Angel," Ritsuko stated. Bewildered when she first saw the results, it still baffled her a little.

"..." Gendo said not moving. Continuing to stare with his elbows on his desk, his hands stayed laced together in front of his mouth. Fuyutsuki's eyebrows went up in surprise, but asked the question that his senior officer was contemplating.

"What will you do about the pilot, Ikari?"

"…"

Ritsuko was wondering about that as well. She found it surprising that the Third Child's ratio would jump so high after being severely injured. More so that the Eva didn't go to what she believed was "Berserk Mode".

"We will do nothing to him. He doesn't affect the scenario," he stated and stared at the scientist. "Dr. Akagi, when the Third Child is spotted and recovered, begin tests on him. I will be expecting results."

"Yes sir," she stated. Before the Commander dismissed her, all three heard three knocks at the door. They were slow but echoed through the spacious dark lit room.

"Who is it?"

The doors at the other end opened and closed slowly. Dull sounds of someone walking were emitting and coming closer towards them. When the individual came closer to the lights, they saw a dark silhouette approaching. All three watched as the boy they were looking for came up to Gendo's desk calmly. Stopping, he bowed and came back in a standing position.

"Good morning Doctor, Sub-Commander, Commander. I have come to require the location where I may live and income. May I give you the information now or is there something else that needs to be done?" Shinji asked and expressed stoically.

"...!?" Ritsuko said a little shocked. Only recalling his image of when he was in the cockpit of the Unit, he was bandaged up.

"..." the Commander stated. Looking at his son with a cold hearted stare, the Third Child stared back with a gloomy stare. Fuyutsuki wondered if sparks would fly from the staring contest.

"Dr. Akagi, take the Third Child for the tests," Gendo stated in a low voice and didn't break his gaze.

"Yes sir," she stated. Turning to the male pilot, he had not moved and continued to stare at him.

"..." the Commander stated. He was getting a tad annoyed from the pilot not obeying. "Why are you still here Third Child?"

"You haven't answered by question Commander," Shinji answered stoically and hadn't blinked yet.

"..." Kozo and Ritsuko said. Both felt a bit of apprehension develop as the father and son continued staring at each other. However, they felt more so at Shinji for mannerisms, behavior, and his schizophrenia.

"You will have a meeting with an agent later."

"Very well. Sub-commander and Commander until we meet again, good day," Shinji said as he bowed to them. Gendo remained expressionless and Fuyutsuki gave a small smile at the boy. The male pilot blinked then turned to face Ritsuko.

"Please lead the way Dr. Akagi."

She nodded and walked out of the office with the Third Child following. Misato was outside the office door wondering where the male pilot had vanished to. Hearing the doors open, she spotted Ritsuko coming out.

"Rits, do you know where Shin…" she said. Trailing off, Shinji came out of the office behind her.

"Yes Misato. His right behind me," the scientist said with a small smirk.

"I can see that," the Captain responded annoyed. "Where are you taking him?"

"Running tests on him and such," she responded and continued on her way. Turning toward the Third Child, she saw him face her and bowed.

"Greetings Cap…Miss Misato," he stated then corrected. Turning toward the hallway Ritsuko was traveling, he followed. Misato pushed aside the irritation that he caused her and walked beside him with a fake smile.

"Good morning."

"How are you today?" Shinji asked keeping his eye forward.

"Alright I guess, how about you?"

"I am well," he stated.

'...bullshit...' both women thought automatically.

All three got into an elevator and went down a couple of levels. Exiting the lift, the three travelled to the connection bridge from the main building to the medical facility. Going to the administration desk, Ritsuko gave orders to the desk clerk about making a medical record for the Third Child. As the staffer commenced doing the new task, the three traveled to a hospital room.

Finding one and entering, it was empty. Misato and Ritsuko were standing near the hospital bed. Instructing Shinji to get on the bed, he did so. The scientist did a physical check and found everything to be oddly okay. She noted that the boy seemed to trembled when she touched him longer than five seconds. Blood was drawn from him and placed into a handful of vials.

"..." the Captain said. Watching while leaning on a wall, she noticed that Shinji's gaze and expression never changed. It made her wonder if something happened to him that made him act this way.

"Okay. Let's look at your eye," Ritsuko said.

"..." Shinji said with a nod. As she began to take the bandages off, the scientist was slightly curious of who put the bandages on.

"Who put these bandages on you?"

"I put them on," he replied. Taking the cloth patch off his right eye, he slowly opened it. Strangely, the organ looked recovered. Even more curious, Ritsuko took a light pen and shined it in his left eye.

"I must say that they were well placed," she said moving to his right eye.

"Thank you," Shinji said. He still did not move or express anything. Moving the pen around, she instructed him to follow. Seeing that he could, she asked him to identify several detailed objects around them. Confirming that his eye had recovered, the scientist wrote more notes on her clip board.

"Stand over there please."

Nodding, he walked behind the wall screen and was instructed to not move during the scan. The lights were shut off in the room and the X-ray screen turned on. Showing Shinji's bone structure, both women watched the screen and blinked slightly confused.

"Turn around Shinji," Ritsuko instructed. Both saw a skeleton move slowly and didn't sway.

"Magnify on the lower spinal structure," she ordered. The screen zoomed in and did a close up at Shinji mid to lower spine area. When it clarified the magnification image, both women seemed baffled.

"How is that possible?" Misato asked. Ritsuko shook her head seeing that the boy's spine was relined. It was in place as it should be and there were no broken bones.

"That's good. You can come out," the scientist stated. The screen died away and the room lights came back on. She made more notes on her clipboard. Misato recalled the event that happened yesterday on the catwalk.

"Shinji?"

He walked toward the bed and stood there with arms down at his side. He looked at her with a stoic expression and blinked. The Captain got the feeling that she had his attention.

"Yesterday…how were…you able to do that?" she asked quivering a little at the memory. Ritsuko also wondered as well.

"I controlled my pressure of blood flow in an area to make an organ, bone, or tissue move in a direction," he responded. Blinking slowly, he went back in his staring void toward a wall.

"...?" Both women said. Blinking, they looked at each other with confused faces. Despite thinking of what he said sounded wacky, no laughter generated. Ritsuko cleared her throat to break the silence.

"Alright Ikari. This way."

Walking out of the hospital room, they went back to the administration desk. Handing the notes that the scientist made and the desk clerk took it to enter in the computer. Going back into the NERV operations building, they went through a series of hallways to another room. Entering it, it was an observatory room with a massive lab room on the other side of the glass.

There was only two technicians that were inside. They appeared to be accessing terminals and making adjustments. Ignoring them, the three walked to the terminal nearest the access door into the lab. Looking at the other side of the observation glass, there was a large pool of LCL. Three entry plugs attached to the ceiling went into the pool.

"Here Ikari," Ritsuko said. She grabbed a folded object on the terminal and turned toward him. Holding onto the collar, it turned to be a skin tight jumpsuit of blue, white, and gray colors.

"Change into this," she stated giving him the plug suit. "There are two buttons on the wrist to make the suit expand. Click them again to shrink and it will form to your body."

"...I see," he said with a blink. "Do I change here or do I go somewhere else doctor?"

"It be convenient if you changed here. If you are uncomfortable, you can go change in the restroom down the hallway," she stated not looking at him. She began accessing a terminal and typing on it.

"Very well," Shinji stated and bowed.

"I can show you...if..." Misato stated turning her head toward him.

He had removed his backpack and placed the plugsuit on top of it. Without embarrassment or looking back at her staring, he began to undress. With each removal, he folded it neatly. It gave the Captain more a suspicion of what he used to do. On the other hand, his lack of shame or embarrassment seemed more concerning.

Despite turning forward to not stare at him naked, he glanced at him. He had the plugsuit in his hands and was looking at it. Curious about what he was thinking, his eyes slowly moved. The male pilot never moved as his eyes made eye contact with hers and stared. A sudden chill went down Misato's spine and she looked at what Ritsuko was doing.

'...what...was that?' she thought feeling suddenly tense. Hearing him depressurize the suit, he got in it and re-pressurized. Both women took a look at the male teen and saw that he was in it. Seeing his figure, it was lean with a slight overly developed athletic build. Seeing him move his hands to his side, he turned slowly to both of them.

"I am ready."

"Good," Ritsuko stated. Motioning one of the technician, she instructed him to escort the pilot to the one of three testing entry plugs. Both he and the pilot entered the lab and went to the middle tube. Shinji was placed inside and secured. Once the technician came back in the observation room, the introduction of Eva operations and testing began.

Gendo was in a meeting with SEELE members. They talked about the current new pilot, Project E, and funds. Committee members asked if the Commander could contain his son which he responded back with assurance. They complained on the payment of city damage and repairs. Gendo countered stating that the damage could have been more severe if the Third Child didn't defeat the Angel. The head committee member indicated that was true; however, SELEE will continue to watch him with scrutiny.

After the instructions and functions of the Eva, Shinji repeated what he heard. Everyone concluded that the pilot was a fast learner given how quick he was picking up things. Satisfied with how things have progressed, Ritsuko began simulation training of the plasma knife and weapon fire. Two hours went by as the scientist responded.

"Okay, that's it for testing."

"..." Shinji said and nodded. Powering down, he opened the hatch and went back to the observation room. Telling him that he could change back into his regular clothes, he did so. After changing, he pressurized the suit and folded it.

"Do I put this somewhere Dr. Akagi?"

"You'll be assigned a locker for your plugsuit. Misato, can you escort him."

"Sure," she stated with a nod. Turning toward him, he gave a nod. Both left the observation room and headed back to the locker room. Getting assigned a locker and placing the suit inside, he came back outside to where Misato was standing.

"Hey Shinji, ready to go find the place of your dreams?" the Captain said. Trying to get a voice out of him instead of him nodding all the time, there was some success.

"That place is nonexistent, but I am ready," Shinji responded and blinked. Misato smiled a little and escorted him to another room. Going up a few levels and down some hallways, they reached their destination.

Knocking, both entered an office area. A NERV representative was sitting at his desk and greeted them. Walking to the individual, he introduced himself and started to discuss the two items of concern. Stating Shinji's income, it was enough to survive and save up to buy things. The locations which the Commander approved of were in the Geo-Front or on the surface. The restriction was within Neo-Tokyo.

The male pilot asked to view the surface map of the city. Bringing it up his computer monitor, he also got out a large map. Stating that if there was an area that he liked from the map, he find it on the computer. From there, he could see what was available for housing. As the three looked, Shinji saw imaginary arrows pointing at a spot. They were moving back and forth at different rates and changing colors giving a hypnotic affect.

"..." the Third Child said blinking. Lifting his hand, he pointed to an area that was outside of the city.

"Here."

The NERV rep looked at his chosen place and marked it down. Despite seeing that it was outside of town, he went to his computer and typed the location in. Surprisingly, there was a single housing unit available in that area. Clicking on it and reading about, he stopped and looked at the pilot. Seeing the dark magenta eyes slowly move on their own to make eye contact with him, goosebumps flared on his forearms.

'If he can give that type of aura from just looking...he should be able to handle himself,' the rep thought. Telling both that it will be some minutes to get everything ready, both Misato and Shinji sat down in chairs. After about 15 minutes and the sounds of many pages printing, the man motioned them to come forward.

"Okay, you are all set. The place was pretty cheap and the seller practically gave us ownership of it. Are you okay with having a joint-ownership of the place?"

"That is agreeable sir."

"Nice. We will pay for the purchase of it while monthly housing fees will be deducted from your paycheck."

"Very well."

"Whoa, hold on. Since when does NERV purchase property outright?" Misato asked surprised.

"...uh...well...we have several properties and posts throughout Neo-Tokyo and outside of the city Captain. Despite what the main operations for NERV is, real estate is a part of how we expand operations to other areas. It is a lucrative business and asset to our company."

"Huh...That is surprising. I just didn't think NERV would be that quick in acquiring places so quickly."

"It does seem a little odd...but then again. With a company with deep pockets and influence, it is a huge advantage for us," the rep stated with a small smile. "Alright, so all that is left is to sign on these documents and you'll be all set."

"Very well," Shinji said. Grabbing the pen, he was about to sign when Misato was looking at him.

"Is there something wrong Miss Misato?"

"..." she said. Slightly surprised that he was aware of her staring, she asked.

"Are you okay…I mean living alone?"

"Yes," he stated without emotion or pause.

"..." the Captain said. Feeling reluctant to just let him live on his own, she turned to the NERV rep. Asking the man about changing the papers for Shinji to live with her, the man stared at the boy and didn't move. She saw this and looked at him.

"..." the male pilot said. Placing the pen on the table, he turned his head toward the Captain. A loud snapping crunch emitted from his neck that caused both adults to flinch a little. Staring at her, his expression was stoic; however, the atmosphere seemed to change a little.

"May I inquire why you are asking for this?"

"I don't think it is best for you to live alone," she answered. Standing firm, she felt a bit startled from hearing is neck crack that loud.

"I can assure you for both of our interests that I would be better left alone then with others," he said. Still looking at her, he hadn't blinked yet. Thinking that he was evading her, a part of her told her to don't pursue. She decided to take a defensive stance.

"Now, now. Humans are social creatures Shinji. They need to connect with others to connect with the world. Information is spread between people causing bonds and relationships that help each other grow. It also causes you to grow to new heights just being around others. It would actually be degrading socially to live alone," Misato explained.

"..." the Third Child said. He was still staring and hadn't blinked yet. His action was unnerving both her and the NERV rep. Seeing the pilot slowly blink, he turned back to the papers. Blinking again, he turned to face the Captain.

"You make a valid argument Miss Misato. Would a compromise be appealing to you?"

"...!?" she said blinking. Surprised that he listened, she raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of compromise?"

"I will live alone but will come visit you a couple days each week. Is this suitable for you?"

"..." she said. Pondering about it, she thought it would at least help gather information about him.

"Okay but under one condition."

"..." Shinji said and blinked.

'I'm staring to find that gesture irritating,' Misato thought then spoke. "At least tell me one reason why you want to live alone."

"Very well. If you are escorting me to my new dwelling, I will tell you then."

"Okay. That's fair," she said and saw him bow. Turning back to the documents on the table, he picked up the pen and signed the papers. Completing all the signatures, he handed it back to the NERV rep and bowed.

"Thank you for your assistance sir. Good day."

With that completed, both left the office. Telling the male pilot that she will take him to his new place, he nodded his head. Heading toward an elevator down that hallway, the call button was pressed one in front of it. When the doors opened, both got in and pressed for the parking garage. The ascension to the parking garage quiet.

"Are you excited in getting a place to yourself?" she asked trying to strike a conversation. "Only a handful of kids your age can even achieve that."

"...that is true..." he said staring forward. "...I can not say I am excited Miss Misato...for the number of places I have inhabited, this is just another place to live...until the next move."

"...oh..." the Captain said looking at him. "...is here okay to explain why you want to live alone?"

"It is not Miss Misato," Shinji stated as the elevator slowed down to a stop.

The doors opened and NERV employees were on the other side. As the staffers moved out the way, they saw the male pilot bow to them then walk pass them. Misato followed and stated thanks going by them. Going down the corridor to the parking lot entrance roll up doors, they passed through and headed toward her car. Entering it, she turned on the car and drove out to the car escalator.

Once they got on to the surface, she drove out onto the highway. Heading back into the city, Misato saw that many hours passed from recovering the Third Child. Being in the afternoon, she thought about something.

"Hey, there something I want to show you. It will be just a little detour. Okay?"

"I do not mind Miss Misato," he replied stoically.

Instead of heading toward the outskirts of the city, they went toward a nearby hill. There was a road that went up to an observation platform looking over Neo-Tokyo. After some time, they reached the area. Misato stopped the vehicle and both got out of the car. He followed her to a handrail that showed how vast the city was spread out over the land. Looking at her watch, they waited some minutes before a lights in the city began to flash.

"It's time," she said. A transformation of rising buildings began. It changed the look of Neo-Tokyo by having skyscrapers reach for the sky when they were from the ground. After a couple of minutes passed and the process was completed. The city had new series of lights illuminating the standing buildings and structures.

"This is the city that you saved Shinji. You are its savior," Misato added.

"...I see..."

She looked at him but just got his expressionless face and gloomy eyes. She thought maybe silence is his nature and just left him at that. Time went until the Captain suggested heading to his apartment. Seeing him nod, they got back into her car. While driving to his new place, Misato tried again about asking for an explanation for as part of the compromise.

"Hey Shinji?"

"Yes Miss Misato?"

"Given it just us two right now...why don't you like being around others?"

"Trust."

"...?" she said glancing at him. "You don't like people because you can't trust them?"

"..." the pilot said only nodding.

"Why is that?" Misato asked looking back at the road. Something clicked in her head.

"Oh wait, it is your schizophrenia…right?"

"..." Shinji said and shook his head side to side. It made her confused. Reaching the outskirts of the city, the road down a couple of street blocks turned into a dirt road. The land around it was a grass field.

"If not that...then what is it?" she asked. Turning the dirt road, it would lead them to the one house built on the fields.

"A continuation of people shattered my trust in them until nothing was left to shatter and rebuild it," Shinji said staring forward.

"..." the Captain said. Blinking in surprise, she glanced at him again. Seeing the same stoic face and no emotion left from his words, she focused on the road. His statement made her wonder how bad was his past.