Disclaimers:
Neon Genesis Evangelion and all related characters, concepts, etc., are
property of ADVision and Gainax. I only *wish* they were mine.
This story takes place 5 years after Third Impact with flashbacks as well.
Also, I have yet to see if I will continue this with more chapters.
The types of reviews will determine the continuation of this story as long
as they are constructive. Flamers need not apply!
Some characters are a bit OOC as they have matured and grown since Third Impact.
I do need Pre-readers if I continue as well. Hope you enjoy!
• Yes It's after Christmas, but I'm posting it none the less.
**** Special Thanks go to Andre for Pre-reading this story!****

A Reunion of Friends

Chapter #3: An Awakening of Feelings

Shinji made his way to the train's bar and ordered some Saké. He didn't normally drink but he did use Saké whenever he
couldn't get to sleep. This was one of those times. His old memories continued to haunt him as he made his way back to his
cabin. Rei was awake feeding little Yui who must have woken up crying for her milk. "Where did you go, I was worried," said
a mildly concerned Rei. "I just needed something to get me to sleep, honey. I've been having some flashbacks from ...... Third
Impact," said a tired Shinji. Rei reached up with her one free hand (The other was supporting a feeding Yui).
"Are you ok? Can I do something to help?" said a now openly concerned Rei.
"Finish feeding our daughter and we'll get some sleep," answered Shinji.

As Yui was feeding, Shinji downed the Saké and sat admiring the beautiful sight of mother feeding her child. "Yes, it was all
worth it," he thought to himself as he let the drink's effects envelope him in a warm haze. Within a few minutes Yui had
finished and fell into a deep sleep. Shinji took the opportunity to kiss his wife as she cleaned herself up and they both got into
bed and shut off the lights. As the darkness filled their cabin Rei asked, "Are you alright my love?"
"I always remember events from the past when I am on a long trip. You know I have a hard time getting to sleep on anything
that's moving, so I take some Saké or some sleeping pills to get me there".
"Oh, my Shinji-kun. Come here and rest on me, maybe it will help you sleep."
"You know that's a great idea Hon, I love you." They kiss. (Though Rei is a little put off from the taste of the Saké she never
misses an opportunity to kiss her husband.)
As Shinji makes himself comfortable lying his head on his wife's chest, her arms wrap around him and that alone causes him to
drift swiftly to sleep. As he does his memories returned to where he had stopped off before.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After a few hours of scavenging Shinji had gotten enough food, clothes and supplies to last the three of them for about a week.
As he made his way back towards the beach he heard it, two screams coming from where he had left the two girls and now he
ran as fast as he could to see what had happened and hopefully to calm his fears!

As he ran he knew at once one of the screams was Asuka and he recongnized the other.
"It wasn't Rei's, yet it should have been unless Rei was still unconscious?" But the scream was still familiar to him.

As he rounded the dunes which blocked his view of the beach and the two people he was concerned about, he saw what he
couldn't believe!

There, in front of him, was Asuka hugging another person. Rei was still asleep a few feet away, as Shinji looked back at the
person Asuka was hugging. "Oh my God it's ..... MISATO!"

Shinji nearly flew the short distance to his guardian as he literally tackled her and Asuka to the ground. He hugged and kissed
and was kissed back by Misato. Both were hugging Asuka as well. Then a yelp was heard. Misato and Shinji had inadvertently
hugged Asuka on her damaged arm. As Misato and Shinji got up and helped a now hurt Asuka to sit next to the sleeping Rei.
Misato and Shinji hugged again.
"Oh Shinji, my Shinji, I thought I'd never see you again!" said Misato through tears of joy.
"Misato,.... how, ....when ....why?" was all Shinji could say through the sobs he was emitting at the happy thought of having his
friend back. Then he realized two things, Misato was nude and the supplies he had gathered were left behind the dunes.
"Listen Misato, I have some supplies behind the dunes, I'll get them, I know I brought some blankets, so stay here and I'll get
them. OK?" Throughout this he kept his eyes directly on her so as not to start a nose bleed in front of his now nude friend.
"All right, Shin-chan. I'll check on Rei and Asuka, you get those supplies," was all she said as he turned around to go back to
get them.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By the time night fell the four survivors were around a camp fire and all were clothed, though it was obvious that Misato
would have to go scavenging tomorrow for clothes that fit. What she wore just didn't fit well. To keep his eyes off of Misato
and her rather revealing attire, Shinji concentrated on reviving Rei. After finding a clear stream he gathered up what
provisions could contain the clean water and with some bits of clothing cleaned her up and dampened her forehead with a cool
compress. His efforts were rewarded sometime later when Rei finally woke up.

"Ssshhinji-kun" was all she could say as she awoke form the haze she was in. He was delighted, holding her in his arms as he
had done several times before. After she rubbed her eyes and saw the goofy smile on his face she reciprocated with her small
but sincere smile she had given him after the 5th Angel's defeat.

"Thank God you're alive Rei, I couldn't, ...no I didn't want to go on without you here."

All she could say was "I know" in her monotone voice but that was contrasted by the now genuine smile on her face. She
reached up and touched his cheek with her small dainty hand. As she did she caught a single tear from his eye. Both seemed to
zone out the rest of the world at that moment, looking into each other's eyes. Then the word "Dumkopfs" seem to resonate,
breaking that moment for them. "Well I see wondergirl has joined the living!" Asuka sarcastically said.
"Glad you're awake Rei, Shinji here has gotten us some food, would you like some?" Rei was hesitant to move out of Shinji's
arms but she did. After the four had fed they all agreed to head for the Geofront and see who if any were left or had came back
to life as they did.

Shinji then explained what had happened to them. Rei had as foggy a recollection of the Third Impact as the others and was
surprised at her appearance. She wanted to find out if her appearance belied a further truth, was the angel half of her gone? Is
that why she looked like she did? Was she now fully human? These questions were to be answered later. As within the next
month all over the world, those who chose to come back, did. Misato and the children, later joined by a very much alive Kaji
made their home in Misato's old apartment. Many came back. All of the children came back with many of the parents long dead
from Second Impact. But some didn't return. Those that composed SEELE never returned. Sub-commander Fuyutsuki didn't
return nor did his family. Some of the older tech staff didn't return including Touji's parents and Hikari's parents.
Finally, the two who were at the center of this whole mess, Gendo and Yui Ikari, didn't return.
"Maybe they're finally together," Shinji said to Rei as they stood on the balcony of their apartment Both had grown closer and
finally were living together in Misato's apartment. They had slowly fallen in love with each other. Then the big revelation came
when Dr. Ritsuko Akagi (She came back, her mother didn't) gave Rei the news to her questions.

First she was 100% Human, second, who was her human parent?
Well to this Dr Akagi paused then told her only 5% of her DNA came from Yui Ikari, the rest came from the egg donor.
Shinji then asked for a nervous Rei, "Who was it?"
"Well, at the time that Rei was conceived there was only one individual available to harvest the eggs from."
"WHO IS IT DOCTOR?" said Shinji forcefully
"It was Misato Katsuragi!" Both children looked stunned.
"How,... why....?" was all a dazed Rei could say. Ritsuko answered her. "With Misato comatose those 2 years after Second
Impact she was available and so Gendo Ikari and my mother took it upon themselves to harvest one of her ovaries."
"That's where all of the clones came from?" asked Shinji.
"Yes, and not just ours, SEELE's too. So Kaouro was Rei's brother on both sides of the family," stated the Doctor.
Both Rei and Shinji took some time to look around but when they saw each other they hugged and cried. As this happened
Ritsuko tried to make her way out, when Shinji grabbed her hand. "So, that means Rei and I are not brother and sister, right?"
"Yes, you're actually very distant cousins. You shouldn't have a problem getting married if that's your concern," she said.
"Ok, was there anything else you wanted me to answer?" she asked.
"Yes, could I have babies?" asked Rei. The Doctor answered her, "Yes and no."
"What kind of answer is that?" asked Shinji who was with Rei as they talked to the Doctor. "Well she has a uterus where the S-2
organ was before, so she can carry a child. But she has no ovaries to produce the eggs needed to make child in the first place."
Both Children looked down saddened. "But there is a viable alternative." Both looked up expectantly. "If you can get a donor to
give up some eggs, I can switch it's DNA strands with yours, then have it artificially inseminated with Shinji's sperm, and then
you can have a baby."
Both teens launched themselves at the surprised doctor to hug her. Now I hope you're going to wait this out. This could take
sometime. They both nodded yes in understanding. I took 4 years to finally get all that straightened out. During that time both
of them graduated high school and after getting married moved to Kyoto-2 to start their university careers. Both wanted to
have degrees so they could start their life together right.
And so 3 years after Third Impact in a small shrine outside Tokyo-3, Ayanami Rei and Ikari Shinji exchanged vows and
became Shinji and Rei Ikari. They broke tradition with his parents because he wanted the Ikari name to go on to honor his
mother.
After the honeymoon it was time for goodbyes. After Ritsuko's revelations Misato and Rei became very close and both Misato
and Shinji taught Rei how to improve her people skills. Though still quiet and shy, she was not aloof any more and allowed
others to approach and converse with her. Her rudeness before was replaced with a kind nature toward others. And her final
worry, a focus for her life, was answered with her family. Shinji, herself, her Mom Misato, Kaji and her friends.
They left on the same train to Kyoto-2 that they were on now returning to Tokyo-3.
"How ironic!" Shinji thought as he lay back on that same train, the train that in the coming morning would pull up to the train
station with their friends and family waiting for them to arrive. As the little family slept a figure was standing at their door,
wondering the very same thing. Their unknown guardian then made it's way toward another car and to fulfill the destiny that
awaited them all.

Next Chapter: A Friends Sacrifice

If you like or dislike the style of writing I am using with this story, please let me know. This is somewhat different from my
other stories, so I would like your imput. Thanks! And to all who have reviewed this and my other stories thanks for the
positives, and the negatives. I hope I have improved since my first story!

**Special thanks go to Andre Laval, without you I could never have improved as much as I have! Thanks!;)