Chapter 33: Bonding Effects

-Rei's Dream-

Ayanami moved a around little and felt something off. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw that she was hugging a body pillow. Not letting go of it, she looked around the room.

'…looks like my…old apartment…' she thought seeing the familiar furniture and settings. However, everything was clean.

'This must be…a dream then.'

Usually she dreams of voids. In them, there are sometimes images of Angels, Evas, and certain locations in NERV HQ. Other times, there was nothing but black space. On rare occasions, another version of herself appears. It would ask her questions of what is her purpose, what is her identity, and try to bend her will towards following its purpose. Ayanami would sometimes respond to it, but most of the time ignores the figure.

Blinking her eyes open a little more, something seemed different. Her old home seemed to be lit more than usual. Looking at the window near her bed, it was open a little. Fresh air was entering the room with birds chirping outside. Squinting at the window more, the sky outside was blue and the sun seemed overhead. Finding the setting outside to be pleasant, she turned her head toward her dresser. Blinking a little bit, she read the time on the clock.

'11:26 am?' she thought confused. 'I slept in?'

Knowing that this was a dream, it had a hyperrealism to it. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, all of her senses were working. She could smell the air from outside, feel the gentle breeze coming in, hear the folding of the sheets as she moved in the bed, see every detail of the inside of her old apartment, and even taste the hint of tea in her mouth.

"…?" Rei said blinking and slowly getting up.

Her feet touched the floor feeling it cooler than being in her old bed. Looking down, she was still dressed in the white dress shirt. Curious, she walked over to the bathroom. Opening it, it looked the same the last time she saw it. Going to the toilet, she flushed it hearing the water roar as it spiraled down.

'This must be a lucid dream,' she thought seeing the water fill up in the toilet.

Looking over at the shower, she walked over and turned it on. Placing her hand towards the water, it was cold at first. Slowly, it changed to a warmer then hot temperature seeing steam being created. Turning the water off, she dried her hand on a nearby towel. Still curious, she exited the bathroom and headed to the kitchen.

Down the hallway, there was no trash at the door. There was two pair of shoes; one was the heels worn for school while the others looked like sandals. Ignoring them, she walked down the hallway and turned left into the kitchen. Everything seemed to be put away and relatively cleaned. On the counter next to the stove was a small paper bag. Going towards it, she caught a whiff of what was emitting from it.

'It's warm?' Rei thought touching the bag. Opening it and pulling the item out, it was a heated pastry. Still feeling curious, she bit into it feeling the heated buttery goodness hit her taste buds with a sweet cream filling.

"…?" she said. Staring at the bite mark in the pastry, the thick cream viscously oozed out a little. Taking another bite, it had the same taste as the aroma filled her nose making her want more. Even when chewing and swallowing, the sensations of eating and feeling the warmth go down her throat added to the hyperrealism.

'…I never had a dream like this before,' she thought feeling the left over stickiness from the pastry on her fingers.

About to question what was going on, a knocking came at her door. Blinking in surprise, Rei turned around and peered out of the kitchen. The door didn't move and she just stared. After a few moments, the knocking came again but changed to a different rhythm. Slowly moving toward the door, she felt hesitant about opening it. There wasn't a peek hole to look who was behind it.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"It's me Ayanami," a familiar voice called on the side.

'That sounded like Ikari,' she thought opening the door.

Looking at the person on the other side, it looked like the Third Child. His eyes were cobalt blue instead of the dark magenta. His aura felt different as well. It was brighter and had vigor compared to the murky and stoic one. A form of charm emitted from him seeing that he was smiling at her warmly.

"Ikari?" she asked keeping at stoic expression. The look alike looked her up and down.

"Hey Rei…why are you saying my last name?" he said a little confused. "I thought we agreed to say our first names."

"…" Ayanami said blinking and not understanding. "We did?"

"Yeah. Are you not used to it?"

"I appear...to be," she said quietly tilting her head. "…Shinji?"

"Heh heh…close. It is Shonj. Though ending with a 'j', it is silent."

"…" Rei said blinking. Putting her head back straight, she gave a small nod.

"I see."

"Anyway, how are you doing today?" Shonj asked with a warm smile.

"I am well," she said staring at his attire. He had a white t-shirt over black long sleeves, blue jeans, regular tennis shoes and wearing a yellow baseball cap backwards.

'Is this…the Ikari I subconsciously want?' she thought. Blinking, she was still finding the person's change in atmosphere hard to process. Thinking about it, something about that thought didn't seem right. This look alike didn't seem to emit the persona of either the Commander or Pilot Ikari that she knew.

"That's good to hear and see…I guess. You need more time?"

"More time for what?" she asked.

"For our date silly," he said laughing a little. Thinking that she would make an expression of shock, Rei only tilted her head.

'I am dating him?' she thought confused. 'Why?'

A small amount of wind blew into her apartment and lifted the bottom of the dress shirt. Rei saw his eyes bulge for a second when he grabbed her door and closed it quickly. Blinking in confusion, he heard him speak through the door.

"W-Why not g-go get changed R-Rei," Shonj stated red in the face. "I-I will wait here o-outside!"

"…" Ayanami said looking at the door then looking down. Lifting her dress shirt, she was wearing underwear and a bra. Oddly, they seemed a little more risqué than her normal basic undergarments. Letting the bottom end of the shirt drop, she spoke at the door.

"Okay."

Turning around, she headed down the hallway to the living room. Removing the dress shirt and placing it on the bed, she went to the closet. Inside there were school uniforms hanged up as well as other cloths. They weren't the high fashionable clothes; just plain dress cloths. Looking at the dresser, she opened the drawers to see what was in them. Finding more clothes, they were more casual.

Grabbing a t-shirt, she looked at it. Nothing emitted from it nor did she feel the need to put it on. Deciding that all the clothes here were not needed, she went with the school uniform. After putting everything on, she looked at the top of her dresser. The cracked glass picture she had of the Commander as well as his old glasses were not there. Not seeing them there made her feel upset.

'This is a dream,' she thought. Calming herself down, she grabbed the apartment key on the dresser.

'My possessions are at Captain Katsuragi's residence. There is no need to be upset.'

Feeling ready, she headed to the hallway. Entering it and reaching the door, she put on her heels. Tapping them slightly on the ground, she opened the apartment door slowly. She saw Shonj near the walkway railing rocking on his feet with a daydream face. His hands were in his pockets. Blinking and looking at her, the look alike only raised an eye brow.

"Your school uniform?"

"Is that a problem?" Rei asked with an impassive expression.

"Ah…nope, not really," he said laughing nervously then went to a small smile.

"Ready?" he asked getting a nod from her.

They headed down the walkway and started going down the stairs to the ground floor. Looking around the apartment complex, it looked the opposite of the last time she saw it. The preemies were clean and organize. The entire appearance of the building looked well maintained and occupied. Reaching the pavement, there was a taxi next to the curb.

"I already got a cab for us to head into town," he said looking back smiling in which she just nodded.

Opening the door to the backseat, Rei climbed in and scooted to the left side. Shonj entered and sat on the right side. The cab driver was an old man with his white hair combed back. Oddly, he was wearing an orange mechanic jumpsuit. He turned back to look at the two with a kind smile.

"My my, aren't you two a pair," he said looking at both then looked at the look alike male pilot. "Where shall we go charlatan?"

"Ha! Take us to town old-timer!" Shonj stated with a smirk.

"Aye…aye," he said turning back forward and turned on the car.

'Charlatan?' Rei thought looking at the older man in the rear view mirror. The driver didn't drop his kind smile as he accelerated the vehicle forward.

In NERV, an elevator was ascending to a higher level. Two people were inside the lift though both weren't saying things to each other. Kaji was putting his moves on Misato making her drop her folders. He got her into a lip lock while holding her arms that were struggling to break free. Shifting her weight to escape, she got pinned to the elevator side wall with his lips still on hers. Her only chance was to move toward the elevator doors when it stopped. She watched as the numbers went nervously.

(08-13)

(08-12)

(08-11)

(08-10)

(08-09)

The elevator sounded and she shoved him away. When the doors cracked open, she moved out of the elevator still backing up.

"Kaji…I told you we can't keep doing this," she said looking at something to the side. Stuffing down her shirt in her skirt, she combed her unraveling hair a little. Looking back at the elevator, she saw him picking up her things.

"That may be what your words says, but what your lips tell me say otherwise," he said handing back her folders.

"Tell me, which one should I trust? Your lips or your words?" he said giving her his famous smile as the doors closed and the elevator went down.

"…" she said staring at the metal doors.

For a second, she tried to understand her own feelings about the man. It just made her skin boil as she threw her stuff at the elevator door making a loud clank. Clenching her hands into fists, it took her a minute to calm down. Picking up her folders, she stomped to the cafeteria.

Reaching the eating area, Misato reduced her fuming look to just looking irritated. Entering the space, there were a few people inside. Ritsuko was at the coffee station and waved at her. Pointing where she was going, the doctor nodded and got a second coffee mug. Going to the sitting area with the bar stools; it was in front of a viewing window that looked out at the underside of the city. Placing her stuff down on the table, she sat down feeling tired and exhausted. The run in with Kaji made her feel more tired. Thinking about him and what he did, Misato stared frustrated out the window with her head prompted in her hands.

"Here you are," Ritsuko said placing down a coffee mug.

"Thanks," she said a bit happy to see her.

"So, how are the two pilots progressing?"

"Well, they have completed their training three times at 100%," she said proudly.

"I see, still in love hmm?" Ritsuko said changing the subject. Her tactic worked as Misato spitted out her coffee.

"What!? Don't be ridiculous! Who would go out with a man like him?!" said wiping her mouth. "I was still a kid back then and it was the worst mistake that I've made in my life."

"I was saying that he may still like you."

"…" Misato said frowning at her friend and grunted.

"You know you are only proving my hypotheses…Misato, why not actually go with your feelings this time."

"Hmph…nothing has changed between us…he's still immature," Misato stated.

Looking up at the upside down buildings, she gave a sad smile. The small action caused the scientist to smile inside at her friend's denial of what the two still have between them. Both of them talked for a little bit till the Captain looked at the time. A sigh escaped her mouth.

"Well I have to get back to the kids. Today's D-Day…" Misato said then saw something being reflected from the window. Turning toward it, her eyes widen from the image.

Ritsuko followed her line sight and didn't see anything out in the Geo-Front. She was about to ask when something in the window's reflection caught her eye making her jaw drop. Both saw two men standing and chatting with each other. One was in a lab coat and had small rimmed glasses. The other fellow was wearing civilian clothing but holding a large folder under his right arm. Both were drinking coffee and smiling at each other.

'Shoji?' Ritsuko thought in disbelief.

"Shino?" Misato whispered to herself.

Both whipped to look behind them but the males weren't there. Searching the cafeteria with their eyes, they didn't find the two men. Both turned to each other about to say something when both gave nervous smiles to each other. Saying that they were probably over tired, they got up and left.

-Asuka's Dream-

"Hey Asuka…wake up!" a voice called her.

Asuka opened her eyes and found herself at school with her head on her desk. Sitting up and feeling groggy, her eyes were still heavy. Rubbing them, she blinked a couple of times and looked around the empty classroom in front of her.

"So you've finally awaken sleeping beauty," a sarcastic tone came to her left.

"Oh shut up," she turned and recoiled at the boy sitting in the next desk to her.

"S-S-Shinji!? What are you doing here!?" she asked pointing at him with a fearful face.

'Why is he in my dream?!' she thought in surprise.

"Well good afternoon to you too. Did you bump your head on something?" the boy with brown hair spoke to her resting his head on his prompt left hand.

"Why do you say that?" she asked trying to figure out why he was in her dream frantically.

"Who's Shinji?" the boy turned to her with tired eyes.

That's when Asuka looked at the entire person before responding. His hair was spiked and pulled back like a character in some anime show she saw. A couple bangs hung outside of the front of his face. The eyes were red at first but they had a copper shine to them. His clothing was a school uniform with a dark red undershirt. As for his physique, he looked leaner than the male pilot. The distinct feature the look-alike had was his forearms. They seemed more defined. One accessory he had was the black leather collar that hung around his neck a little loosely.

"Hello, Earth to Asuka," the boy ask again still staring at her. He watched her recoil again and seemed lost of words.

"This might be a stupid question, but are you alright?" the boy asked turning to her.

"Who are you?" Asuka asked quietly. Looking around the classroom, her gaze came back to the boy.

"…?" he looked at her then hung his head down sighing.

"I said, who are you?!" she shouted a little frightened and annoyed at the imposter.

"AH!" he covered his ears, "Alright already, it's Sno. Geez, maybe I should take you home."

"Sno? What kind of a name is that?" she said almost snickering.

"Beats me. Your mom gave that name a long time ago," he said stretching and yawning.

"My…mom?" the Second Child whispered then looked down at her desk. A few quiet moments went by as she heard another yawn from the Third Child's look alike.

"So…" he said looking at her. The redhead kept staring at her desk ignoring the empty ones around her.

"How long is the stare contest going to last?" he started to say, "Because if I was betting, I would have to go with the desk."

"..." she said. Blinking, she looked back at him.

"That was lame."

"Good," Sno said smiling at her. "That shows you WERE paying attention."

Staring at his smile, it seemed to give two impressions. It seemed gentle yet there was a wicked look to it. She thought if his smile went any bigger he would look like a lunatic. Looking back at her desk, she tried to figure out what was going on. The sun's rays through the window felt nice against her skin. Looking at the windows, it appeared to be the late afternoon.

"Where is everybody?"

"They went home. Today was the last day of the school before summer vacation."

"So…what are you doing here still?" she asked turning to him. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes than stared forward.

"Waiting for you to get your butt moving Princess," he said rolling his eyes.

"W-What you say!?" she raised her voice and got into his face.

"I said, I'm waiting for you to wake up so we can walk home," he said in her face.

"W-Walk home!? With you!? Why would I do that?" she stated not moving. She thought he was going to yell as he frowned at her but sighed instead.

"We've been doing that for a while Asuka," he said ignoring her confused face.

"Come on, your mom is probably worried about you," he said getting his school bag and getting up. Putting the backpack on, he walked to the classroom door. Sno heard something of a murmur and stopped. Turing around, he saw her head downcast.

"You say something?"

"…she's…dead…" the red head said quietly.

"Who?"

"She is," Asuka yelled looking at the ground.

"Asuka I don't kno-" he stated before getting cut off. The Second Child ran at him and rushed him hard to the door. It created a loud rattle as she pinned him.

"She's dead, you bastard!" she said with irritation. Reeling her fist back and throwing it at him, it collided with an open palm. Surprised that he was able to withstand her punch, the Second Child looked at his face. Recoiling a little in fright, he was grinning at her. It did make him look crazy. But, what he said threw her in a loop.

"You wanna bet?" he said making his grin wider and showing his teeth. Asuka stood stiff in fright and saw him put her arms at her side. There were calluses on this finger tips. His unnerving smile dropped and he gently grabbed her right hand.

"Come on boob head," he said as he opened the classroom door and led her out.

They walked down streets of a city she didn't recognize. Coming to the end shops, they then entered an area of suburban homes. None of the streets or locations around brought any recollection to her. But all that didn't really matter as Asuka kept glancing on how she was holding hands with the Third Child clone. It felt nice how soft his hand was holding hers.

They stopped at a two story house that was two suburb houses wide and at least two and a half houses long. Luxurious was what the house emitted. Looking at the driveway, a red Mercedes-Benz was parked there. Looking from a distance, no one was inside the car. Both headed toward the white entrance door and stood in front of it. His hand let go of hers in which she blinked then looked at her hand.

'Seems awfully real,' Asuka thought looking back up to see Sno ring the doorbell. A few moments past when nothing happened and he ringed again.

"What is that mother of yours doing? I hope it isn't some wicked experiment like last time?" he said narrowing his eyes at the white door.

"I thought you enjoyed those Sno," a mature voice came from behind them. Both slowly turned around wide eye when Sno spoke.

"ARGH! How do you do that!?" he asked placing a hand on his heart.

"Trade secret!" the older woman chimed happily. Then she leaned close to his face letting her luscious red-orange hair drape over her shoulders.

"But, I could show you if you want to," she said slyly.

"Heh heh…I'll pass. Besides, boob head over there has amnesia today-Ow-ow-ow-ow! Hey!" he said as the older woman got him into a choke hold.

"Wise cracks won't get you any dates. Now hold this," she said tightening her hold.

"Alright, I get it," he struggling to breath. Asuka stared wide-eye as the woman put down the boy and gave him a grocery bag. She walked over to her and bent forward to look at eye level. Both were looking at each other's ocean blue eyes.

"Hello honey, are you feeling alright today?" she asked gently with a smile on her face.

"M…momma?" Asuka asked surprised and shocked.

"What's wrong honey?" the woman asked concerned putting a hand on the Second Child's forehead. "Hmm, you don't seem to have a fever."

"…!?" Asuka said feeling the woman's hand on her forehead. It felt soft and warm. She was taken aback when the older female placed her forehead on hers.

"Today's your big day, isn't it Asuka?"

"…y-yeah," the Second Child stated feeling lost and happy.

"I know you will do well. Knock them dead," the woman said placing a hand on her cheek.

"…" Asuka said smiling at the woman's face smiling back at her. "I will momma."

The early morning came as Misato drove back to her apartment. Turning into the apartment garage, she parked the car. Getting out, she walked quickly into the lobby. While going up the elevator, she looked at her watch.

'Still got time to get them something to eat before the operation begins,' the Captain thought.

As the elevator stopped going up, it opened. Stepping out and heading toward her apartment door, no one else was up and around. Inserting her apartment keycard, the door opened. Taking off her shoes, she walked down the hallway into the living room noticing it was still dark. Turning on the lights, she saw something on the floor behind the couch.

"…?" Misato said with a surprise. "Well I'll be."

Thinking of the best way to wake them up, a grin came on her face. Quietly going into the kitchen, she saw that a frying pan was left on the stove. Next to it was a metal mixing spoon. Grabbing both and heading back, she couldn't stop smiling. Standing at the bottom end of the futon, she started clanging the frying pan with the metal spoon.

"Wakey Wakey sleepy heads!" Misato said continuing to beat the cookware together. She saw the sleeping people slowly blink their eyes open.

"God Misato…shut up!" Asuka groaned covering her ears with a pillow.

"…?" Rei said grimacing her face a little to the loud banging nearby.

"Today's the day you two," the Captain said smiling watching them still trying to get awake. Placing the frying pan and spoon on the dining table, she went to Asuka's side. Bending down, she grabbed the futon cover.

"Up and at 'em," Misato said standing up and removing the cover.

"…!?" she said in surprise and shock with her mouth hanging open. Asuka sat up and started rubbing her eyes.

"Jeez Misato…can't we get five more minutes?"

"Captain," Rei said pushing up a little from lying on her side. "Is something wrong?"

Misato was looking back and forth between the two female pilots still having a hard time believing what she was seeing. Asuka blinked and looked down at herself. She was still wearing her clothes though her shirt opening was pulled down a bit. Looking to her left, Rei's dress shirt was open. If her left knee was not in front, then she would have been more exposed than she already was. Both pilots looked between them and saw no one there. Only Asuka seemed to be affected greatly by the discovery.

"NO! Misato! It's not what you think!" Asuka stated loudly and started panicking. Standing up quickly, the pilot started shaking the Captain a little. Both heard Ayanami stand up and looked at her. She looked impassively at them then looked down at herself. Seeing herself exposed, she started buttoning the shirt to be less exposed.

'…they didn't…' Misato thought feeling her face grimace a little.

'What the hell you doing Wondergirl!? That makes it worse!' Asuka screamed in her head feeling blue in the face.

"Ooookay," Misato said closing her eyes and giving a tight smile to them. "I will ignore this for now…just…go get changed."

"I'm telling you we didn't do anything!" Asuka wailed shaking the Captain a little again. Misato grabbed the pilot's hands and placed them to her side.

"I'm sure you two didn't do anything," Misato said. Ignoring the fact that the red-head's low cut shirt drooped lower from the shaking, she turned around. Heading to the kitchen, she waved a shooing hand at them.

"Just go get changed."

'ARGH!' Asuka thought placing her hands on her head.

'Is sleeping next to each other that problematic? This didn't happen in previous days…I don't understand,' Rei thought tilting her head a little.

Both pilots went to their rooms to change while Misato went to the refrigerator. Opening it up, she grabbed a beer. Cracking it open and taking a swig, she exhaled out. Closing the door, Pen-Pen opened up his door from the smaller refrigerator unit next to the bigger one. He was about to step out and greet his owner when the lavender woman groaned loudly and head butted the larger refrigerated door.

"…" the penguin said blinking and slowly closed his refrigerator door to hide.

'Damn it…now I have to layout ground rules and keep an eye on them,' Misato thought still having her head on the refrigerator door. 'If the Commander finds out…I'm dead.'

After getting dressed quickly, the three went to her car and drove to NERV. Once there, the pilots changed into their plug suits and headed toward the Eva cages. Shinji was already in Unit-01 on standby. The two pilots got into their units.

Topside, UN fighter planes littered the sky as the Angel came back to life. Its two bodies fused back in its unison form and continued walking forward from when it stopped. It was heading toward the mountain sides.

"The target has broken the final defense grid at Ogora," Aoba said.

"Alright, we won't fail this time," Misato said then hit the intercom to Unit-00 and Unit-02. "Make sure to raise your AT-Fields when the music starts. Then follow the operation choreography. Are you two ready?"

[Yes ma'am] both Asuka and Rei responded together.

"The target has entered the mountain" Aoba said.

[You ready Wondergirl?] Asuka asked through the comm-link with Unit-00.

[…ready…] Rei said hating that name.

"Target has entered ground zero."

"Detach external power," the Captain ordered making the power plugs pop off the backs of the Evas. The emergency power turned on and the battery life countdown began.

"Evas launch!" she stated. Both Evas launched upward from the underground tunnels to the surface as their training music turned on.

'Just like practice, just like practice,' Rei/Asuka thought in unison while gripping a metal spear.

With the lock bolts off on the lifts they were on, the Evas flew into the air when their elevator stopped at topside level. Sighting the Angel below them and descending, they did a forward flip then threw their spears. The first one was blocked but the second cut the Angel down the middle. Both Evas landed as battle rifles shot out of buildings nearby. Grabbing them, they fired at the Angel; however, both weapons were useless against the creature's armor.

Out of ammo, the Angel started to fire weak positron beams. In unison, both Units did graceful back springs as each beam missed. With the last back spring, the Evas landed on a platform that lowered. It triggered a thick reinforced steel plate to rise in front of them to block the last beam. Both Evas came out of hiding and fired with spare rifles using the wall as cover. The twin Angels jumped over the volley of bullets toward the plate. Both Evas jumped away as the Angels slashed their claws at them. The steel wall cover shredded into pieces.

Misato order the station and flying UN forces to send another volley strike at the Angels. A rain of missiles pounded on the Angels causing a distraction while the Evas powered up into a fighting unison force. Both ran and did a left uppercut to the Angels. Knocking them up in the air a little, the Units then spun and did a right ax kick to the face of each Angel body. As it flew back, the Angels meshed back into its unison form with two cores exposed on the surface. Seeing their chance, the Evas power jumped into the sky with the sun behind them.

The NERV crew looked at the scene smiling as the dance was almost over. Twirling in unison and in a downward fall, their speed increase down to the standing Angel. Asuka kept on growling while Rei looked determined to land the final blow. The last move was the side by side dragon kick that struck the Angel's two cores furiously. From the impact, the Angel couldn't hold the tremendous pressure being pressed on its chest. It fell down and was being grinded up a mountain side by both Evas standing on it. Reaching near the top, the cores cracked open from the pressure. A final explosion from the Angel sounded as the emergency battery timer hit zero.

The NERV crew looked proudly at the performance. When the blast and residue cleared, both units were sitting near the crater's center. It would have been better if they ended standing, but it still looked professional. Misato activated the comm-link toward the two units.

"Nice job you two! Excellent work!"

[Hmph! It was nothing that the Great Asuka Langley Soryu couldn't do!] the red head replied.

[Thank you Captain] Rei replied quietly.

"Captain. Begin retrieval of both Units," Kozo said from the command chair.

"Yes Commander."

"Dr. Akagi?" Maya stated from her panel.

"What is it?" Ritsuko stated looking up from her clipboard.

"Pilot Ikari's synch ratio is a bit lower than normal."

"Oh, he was out meeting an old acquaintance," Misato interjected with a small smile. "Probably spent all night catching up with him or her."

"Really?" Ritsuko stated with a small smile. "That's nice."

Kozo overheard them and immediately thought of Gendo's plan of information gathering on his son. Not turning his head, he saw the silver eyed Third Child smirking while pushing up his glasses. When the sub-commander blinked, the look alike was gone. The Commander's plan started to seem like a good idea.