Disclaimer: Studio Gainax owns Neon Genesis Evangelion. Any other name, or product, are registered, trademarked, and copyrighted by their respective owners. Should they, or their affiliates, request it, I shall remove this fan fiction from the Web. Thank you.

Author's notes: When I originally posted this fiction, I had pre-rated it as "R" for future chapters. Since it will be at least four chapters(perhaps a few more) before my story merits an "R"(or perhaps an even higher) rating, I am changing it to "PG-13" until the story progresses into a higher rating category. I will give notice of the rating change one chapter before the change goes into effect.

" " : Indicates spoken words.

italics : Indicate thoughts.

] [ : Indicates radio transmissions.

Aberrant Impact

Chapter 6

Tokyo-3, 2015; 9:55 A.M. Rei Ayanami Residence.

For the second time that morning Rei Ayanami slept. It was a deep, sound sleep, perhaps the most restful she had ever had. With the droning buzz of cicadas and the rhythmic thump of pile drivers in the background, she was completely motionless. Except for the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, and the subtle pulse of the carotid artery in her neck, one could think her dead. While she slept, she also dreamt a dream that lasted for a little over an hour, without interruption. She dreamt of the past, of all the images of her past, and of all the emotions that should have been with the images. She even saw images that she should not have been able to see. She saw events that happened after her second body's last memory dump, including her feelings when she detonated her Unit-00 to save Shinji. She also gained new emotions to the ones she had from after waking in her rebirthing tank. Most of these emotions were negative, but she knew now that she could work to change that.

As morning progressed, slowly shortening the shadows shrouding Tokyo-3, Rei Ayanami woke from her sleep, and sat up in her bed. She looked around at her room. The room that had until that morning been both familiar and alien at one time. Now everything was familiar. A realization struck her as she continued to look around. "I… Am whole…" she spoke softly, emotions flooding the entirety of her being. They were not the open emotions of one who had experienced life in a more normal manner than she had. They were, however, still emotions, which until that moment, had been utterly alien to her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she felt a moment of confusion. Why am I crying now? Am I not happy to be whole? As she asked herself this question, a memory came back to her. She was in the entry plug of Unit-00, moments after the destruction of the fifth angel. Shinji was leaning his upper body into her entry plug, crying over the fact that she was alive. She now understood why he had cried that day. A slow, soft smile, much like the one that she had given Shinji then, came to her face. I am happy… To be whole, for the first time...

She wiped her tears away, and stood from her bed. She decided then that she would speak with Shinji. She wanted to let him know she was whole again, and to apologize. I need to see you Ikari-kun… I need to tell you that I am sorry. I am sorry that I was not there to help you, that I could not protect you, when you needed it. As I promised you I would. She hoped that he would not feel the need to shy away from her, to fear her, as he had since her rebirth. Will you forgive me? Will you accept me once again, Ikari-kun? I hope that you will.

Rei slowly moved to her shower, stripping her clothing from her body. Her lips held the small, private smile that she had shared with Shinji, while in Unit-00's entry plug following the battle with the fifth angel. No matter the outcome, she thought, I will look back without regret. She turned on the shower, setting the water to a comfortably warm temperature. I only need to find you. She had just stepped under the shower head, soap in hand, when she was struck by a sense of vertigo, and a brief loss of self, much like she did every time she had synched with her Eva. The soap dropped from her hand, and she leaned against the wall of her shower, her balance coming back to her slowly. She now saw two images floating in front of her, one of her shower, which was the predominant image, with another seeming to float several centimeters in front of her eyes and slightly down, visible, but not blocking her vision. In this other image, she saw that it was a hospital room, a room that was surprisingly familiar to her, as she had been in an almost identical one several days earlier, after her rebirth as the third. It was Asuka's room in the First Cranial Nerve Department, and that Shinji seemed to stand opposite of her, his manner protective towards Asuka, suspicion obvious in his eyes. How can this be? She asked herself. Although she was mildly pleased to know where Shinji was, she was quite confused as to how she could see him there.

It is a gift that we once again share, my child... a familiar voice spoke in her mind. I am pleased that you chose this path. How do you feel? The voice held humor as Rei realized that the person that spoke to her was the visitor from earlier that day. Rei not only heard the voice of the being, but she also felt the emotions the being felt. She let her perception return to the shower around her, and the view of the hospital room faded to almost nothing, save for Shinji's face.

I feel... She thought, searching for the words to describe how she felt, yet she knew that she could not, now matter how hard she tried. So she tried to let her emotions flow over the apparent link to the being. She was pleased when she realized that she was able to send her pleasure, which bordered on elation, a very new and even somewhat frightening emotion to her. I feel whole again. She felt emotions of pleasure flow to her from the being, and consternation from herself at considering her 'a being'. She is not merely some being, like the angel she once was. As she said, she and I are alike, and now I am once again human... We are human... The contemplation was made with wonder, an emotion she was not very familiar with. That is not to say that she was unfamiliar with curiosity, it was the pure emotional impact of the wonder she was feeling that caught her off guard. Is this new freedom of feeling my emotions another of your gifts? I do not remember being so... Emotional before...

I am so very pleased to hear that you feel whole once again. And yes, I do believe that your emotional freedom is an unexpected consequence of my giving past back to you. Is it objectionable to you? There was concern in her thought voice, concern that the unforeseen loosening of Rei's emotions might bring harm to the young woman.

Rei concentrated for a moment, trying to reign in her seemingly rampant emotions. Slowly, she felt her control exert itself over the emotions, bringing her mind to a familiar, peaceful state. The emotions, however, were still there, yet in a more blatant manner now, even more so than near the end of her second's existence. She smiled slightly to herself, pleased with this small, but significant victory. No, I do not believe that it will be a problem. Since I can contain my emotions with my will, then I should have no problem with the change you have given me.

Good. I sense that you wish to speak with Shinji-kun, am I correct? She asked Rei, her thought voice amused.

Yes, I do. Rei's thought voice became somewhat curious, as questions formulated in her mind. I am wondering... What is your name? How were you able to return my memories? I feel as if I know; yet I would like to make that intuition a certainty, as opposed to a mere guess at the truth...

Call me... Rei felt a humor over the link. Evanna. As for how I was able to return your memories... I sense the way your thoughts are leaning, and yes, you are correct about how I was able to return your past to you... There is, however, more that I must tell you, and I would prefer to discuss that later. I have to speak with Shinji and Asuka soon... Rei realized that less than five seconds had passed since starting the conversation with Evanna. I know that when we spoke earlier I said we would probably not meet again until after my other duties... Now, however, I believe that I will need you here to help me in this task... I would be pleased if you joined us, my child.

I will do so, though it will take me a little over a half-hour to get there... Rei felt a gentle, reassuring sense from Evanna, and continued. Are you going to speak with them about the time of choice we spoke of earlier?

Yes, at least in part. I will be speaking of other things, as well... Evanna replied, her thought voice contemplative.

Rei had already felt that this was the case, and continued with her thought. Then you should reveal yourself to them. It is a matter of trust... I do not believe that Shinji will be receptive to what you are planning unless you are honest with him. Rei's thought voice was surprisingly adamant about Evanna revealing herself, bringing a pleased aura to Evanna's presence within Rei's mind. As for Pilot Sohryu... Rei's thought voice held a well controlled, but cool, almost annoyed anger as she spoke of Asuka. I believe you know how she will react.

I would very much like to reveal myself to them… Evanna paused, her thought voice sounding very uncertain.

Rei spoke up when she felt Evanna pause when she at the idea of revealing herself to Shinji and Asuka. Why do you hesitate? Do you fear revealing yourself?

Evanna gave a mental sigh, and her thought voice sounded frustrated. The cloak and the suit I wear keep me from being detected by NERV's pattern sensors. If I remove them for any period of time...

Rei interrupted her, a solution already in her mind. You and I both contain enough human DNA, and enough of a human soul, to be considered human, is I not correct? At an affirmative sensation from Evanna, Rei continued more conviction in her thought voice. Then you should be able to appear to the scanners as a human, or at least as a non-angel, as I am able to do. As even Tabris was able to d...

I... I will try my child. If I am unable to, I will be forced to wear the veil and cloak back again. She felt a pleased acknowledgment from Rei, and then spoke aloud, so both Rei and Shinji could hear her. "I do believe that you are correct, in your assessment..." she spoke, her voice contemplative. "It is a matter of trust. I also believe that it is not the wrong choice, my child, I will do so..." Rei felt the link fade, and saw the image of Shinji fade, the vertigo returning briefly as her perception returned to normal. She then bent down and picked her soap up, resuming her shower. Her face once again became a mask of neutrality as she contemplated how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time, and how much more it could change. All with one small, seemingly insignificant choice...

Tokyo-3, 2015; 9:56 A.M. NERV Command Center, Command Bridge

The NERV Command Center was a scene of collected order. A few weeks ago this was not much of a shock. Indeed, for most of the past year, this had been the place that a small group of Earth's inhabitants defended themselves and their brethren all over the globe from their worst enemy, the mighty angles. That's not to say that there were few people here, however. It is just that they were some of the best and brightest that the planet Earth had to offer. The officers of the watch were being their usual efficient selves, directing the defense of Tokyo-3. But since the death of the seventeenth angel, Tabris, also known as Kaoru Nagisa, there hadn't been much to do. Shigeru Aoba sat at his console, half watching it, half watching his coworkers, and playing air guitar, practicing chords for his real guitar.

To his right sat Makoto Hyuga, his fellow technician and friend. He was busily reading another of his seemingly endless supply of manga comics. Shigeru laughed softly to himself watching this. He was one of the most laid back of the Command techs, and to look at him, you wouldn't have thought him under any kind of stress. He was, however, starting to feel the pressure, the pressure of not knowing when the next attack would occur. Since the last angel, NERV had been more paranoid than usual. More people on watch, more people watching over each other's shoulders, trying to make sure nothing was missed, more people watching in general.

Most of the Command Center staff was on edge, although those who had more experience were more relaxed than the newer techs. And there had been quite a few that had left since Zeruel, the fourteenth angel, had penetrated to just a few scant meters from his very position. He shuddered, remembering that day, seeing the angel, huge as life, almost close enough to touch. Its eyes had started to light up, preparing to launch one of its devastating energy attacks on the vulnerable Command Center staff. Then they had been saved by Eva Unit-01, crashing through the wall that was to his right as he looked back to where the angel had stood. The wall that Unit-01 had crashed through was still under repair. He was honestly surprised that NERV hadn't been shut down since the presumably last angel had come and gone. He didn't know why, but he felt that something important was going to happen in the next day or two. Something big…

As he looked around once again, he saw Maya Ibuki, who had been promoted to Captain since the incarceration of Dr. Akagi. She was sitting at her console, looking a little nervous in her new position as NERV Head Technician. She was seemingly untouched by the pressure of the watch, however. She had been in her current position since the arrest of Dr. Ritsiku Akagi on undisclosed charges. Shigeru was contemplating what the charges against the good doctor were when he heard two of the lower level techs as their conversation floated up to him. They were remarking that Maya seemed to be unperturbed by all the pressure.

He smiled, and was about to call Maya over when she looked around, noticing, as if for the first time, the tension in the air. She took a sip of her coffee, looking around at the gathered personnel, and said without preamble, "I'm glad that there haven't been any more angel attacks," her tone almost laughing, "But it sure has gotten boring around here since the last one!" All of the NERV personnel in the center stopped what they were doing for a moment, even Shigeru. Maya wasn't normally one to initiate a conversation not directly related to work, except with her former superior, Dr. Akagi. Neither had she made that many jokes, at least ones that could be heard by most of the techs on duty. After absorbing what had just happened for a moment, most of the Command Center crew laughed in a shocked, but honestly amused manner at her bland observation. The laughter soon included the shy tech herself, as she realized that her joke had worked as she had hoped it would, lowering the tension in the room noticeably.

Well, she's definitely taking to her new role as Head Technician! Shigeru thought, feeling proud of his friend. Then he noticed something odd. Gendou Ikari, the Commander of NERV, and Kouzou Fuyutsuki, the Sub-Commander, were not in their raised observation post. Not that they were always there, but at least one of them should have shown up by now, to check on things, if for no other reason. He stopped playing air guitar, checked his console, and stood, stretching briefly. Makoto looked up as Shigeru started to walk over to Maya's console, and decided to join him. He looked over his console quickly, then moved to join his friends. Maya was busily jotting down something on her portable MAGI supercomputer interface. "Hey, Maya," Shigeru said. She finished what she was jotting down, and looked up at Shigeru and Makoto, nodding to indicate for Shigeru to continue. "Where are the Commanders?"

"Yeah, I haven't seen them all morning, and I've been here since oh-four-hundred..." Makoto added, his normally calm voice now sounding a trifle concerned.

Maya Ibuki smiled softly, but it was a troubled smile. She was glad for the conversation, giving her a brief respite from the work she was doing on the MAGI at Dr. Akagi's request. Even so, she felt troubled by the question. "I don't know, Shigeru," she said, contemplatively. "I think they have an important meeting with their higher ups in the UN. It's either that or they're making plans for something, I don't really know..." This concept bothered her, in a very subtle way. "Believe me," she said, lowering her voice, "I wish I knew...!" She glanced around as she said this, and then relaxed as she realized that the only ones in easy earshot were her two friends.

She was about to continue as something caught her eye on her console. "Now that's odd" she remarked quietly, paying closer attention to the readings on her console, and adjusting a few sensors. The other two techs took this as an indicator to go back to their consoles. When they got there, they noticed a few variables were just slightly out of normal parameters, and concentrated on gleaning information from them.

"I'm picking up some anomalous readings here…" Makoto said, his voice a little tight as he realized what the readings could be indicating. He tensed further with the words that came from where Shigeru sat, hunched over his console.

"I'm getting anomalous readings here, too... Flashing between multiple pattern colors..." he said, concern evident as the sensors reported something that should not be possible. Several of the Command Bridge technicians called out in concurrence with Shigeru's statement, confusion evident in their voices. Shifting between two and possibly as many as three patterns was possible. But to go across the entire spectrum repeatedly was, to say the least, troublesome. "I don't think I like this…" Shigeru said the words softly, as if speaking quietly would make the readings change. Surprisingly, the readings did change as he watched and hoped, but not in the way he had hoped they would. "Oh my God!" he exclaimed in a sharp whisper. "Pattern Blue!" he cried loudly, his voice strained.

At the same moment, Maya's readings coalesced into the same thing that Shigeru had seen, causing her face to drain, "This is impossible! The seventeenth was supposed to be the last!" she whispered softly to herself. The moment she had whispered, the MAGI consolidated a unanimous decision that it was indeed a blue AT pattern, as if to mock her. Just after Shigeru called out, she raised her voice, confirming both her and Shigeru's readings to all on the Command Bridge. "I can confirm your readings, the pattern is blue!" The MAGI confirm it, one hundred percent probability!" she called out in a calm, composed voice, a calm and composure that she certainly didn't feel. As soon as the words left her mouth the command bridge erupted in a flurry of activity, all in an attempt to locate the source of the pattern.

"I can't locate the source, other than it's located inside the Geofront!" Makoto shouted, his concerned voice now subtly tinged with fear.

"Damn, this would have to happen when Major Katsuragi has a day off!" Maya said in a humorless attempt at her former joking manner.

Just as she was about to call Commander Ikari to see if he wanted to issue the order to go to a first stage alert, all signs of the central headquarters undo angel's pattern shifted, "Pattern is now Orange!" shouted Shigeru. Less than a second later, the pattern disappeared from their monitors. Silence reigned in the Command Center, except for the calling out of various sensor readings and readiness states. "The pattern is now gone..."

"Location was within one-quarter kilometer of the NERV Command Center! No further triangulation can be performed unless we detect the pattern again!" Makoto called out, his voice calm and business like.

"What happened?" asked a stern, deep voice from above everyone. The command crew turned around, a mixture of relief and concern on their faces as they saw both the Commander and the Sub-Commander standing in the command box. The Sub-Commander was standing abreast of the Commander, both of them leaning against the railing of the command box. "What is the status of the potential target?"

Even the nigh unflappable Commander Ikari had concern in his voice. This made everyone feel a bit more on edge about the situation, a surprising fact, considering the situation. The looks of many of the techs spoke more eloquently than any voiced comments could have. The faces seemed to ask the question "If the Commanders are worried, then how should we feel?" If they had known the reason for his concern, many of the crew looking up at them would have probably been terrified.

"Unknown, Commander Ikari! The pattern shifted to orange then disappeared altogether!" said a worried Shigeru, his eyes almost frantic as he scanned his readouts.

"The target's no longer on any of our scopes!" called an equally concerned Makoto.

"No errors detected in any of the sensors," Maya reported in a more calm voice, "and the MAGI still reports that the Pattern Blue was a one hundred percent probability!" She looked up to the command box, hoping for a quick answer. She was to be quite disappointed.

"This wasn't in any of either Selee's plans or our's, Commander Ikari." Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki said, just loud enough for Gendou to hear.

"I am aware of that, Fuyutsuki!" Gendou said quietly, irritated at the situation. He pondered the current situation for a few moments more, his hands clasped lightly in front of his face. The glasses perched on his face seemed to glow like two orbs of amber fire in the lights of the Command Center. "Go to a conditional First Stage alert. For lower level NERV employees and those civilians remaining, going to the shelters or evacuation is not currently required, but will be at a moment's notice." His eyes narrowed as he contemplated what this turn of events could mean. "Also, increase the number of active scans by fifty percent, and double the personnel on watch at all times. Call Major Katsuragi and have her come in as soon as possible. Captain Ibuki, I would like you to run a full diagnostic on the MAGI system, especially on the communications systems. Though it may very well be an angel, it could also be a system glitch, or even an outside source that caused this. I want to eliminate the latter two possibilities as completely as possible!"

"Affirmative, sir!" Maya called up to the command deck, calm starting to return to her voice. She, and indeed the rest of the Command Center crew, now had a task at hand, and they put the entirety of their skills to the task.

Fuyutsuki leaned down to Commander Ikari, his manner conspiratorial, "We have a meeting with Selee soon, Sir," he said quietly, recalling that he and the Commander had an early morning meeting with the Selee monoliths the following morning, "Just how will they react to this? What does it do to their plans? Considering that the possibility of another angel wasn't covered by any copies of the Dead Sea scrolls…" although he was honestly concerned, there was amusement in his voice as he let his latter statement linger. His face and voice quickly turned serious as he spoke again, "And what does it do to ours? If it is an unpredicted angel…" Fuyutsuki didn't have to elaborate on what his thoughts were, but the Commander knew where he was leading with his statements.

As he thought about what Fuyutsuki had said, Commander Ikari smiled humorlessly behind his hands, a small, almost diabolic smile, "It may be a problem for Selee and their path of madness," he said, rather dismissively. He considered his options for a moment, adding, "As much as I don't want the old fools should know of this, I think it would be... Advantageous for them to know of this. As for us, I'm not sure..."

Fuyutsuki paused for a moment before speaking. "I agree, about Selee, Sir." he finally said somewhat hesitant, "Even if it was a system bug, the old men on the committee could prove…" Again he paused, cocking his head to one side slightly as if seeking the proper word words to use. He smiled slightly and straightened his head as the words came to him, "Quite problematic if they were to find out that we withheld this information, couldn't they?"

"Indeed." Commander Ikari said, his contempt for the committee obvious in his tone, though there was a small, slightly ironic smile on his face. He then looked at Fuyutsuki as a thought occurred to him, "Fuyutsuki, release Dr. Akagi from confinement... She could prove useful, whether or not this does prove to be a bug in the MAGI, or an external attack." Fuyutsuki stared at him, for a moment, his eyes widened almost in disbelief, as he knew why the Commander had taken Dr. Akagi in custody.

"Are you certain, Sir?" Fuyutsuki asked, uncertainty in his voice.

Hearing the uncertainty in his voice, and seeing the disbelief in Fuyutsuki's voice, the Commander's smile took on an air of honest humor, though just for a moment. "I have faith in Captain Ibuki's abilities, Fuyutsuki," the commander added to his prior thought, stressing Maya's rank as if the only reason she had it was due to his faith in her abilities. "However, Dr. Akagi does know more about the MAGI system." His voice seemed slightly strained as he admitted this, pausing a moment before continuing. "If we need her abilities, I won't hesitate to use her. If the system is beyond Captain Ibuki's abilities or if the attack came from outside…" Commander Ikari paused for a moment, as if uncertain about saying what he had on his mind at that moment. He dropped his voice slightly, a hint of anger evident in his voice. "Or even if this was indeed an unpredicted angel, we could use her experience. Besides, I think that perhaps Captain Ibuki may perform better with her Sempai there to offer her guidance…" With that, he turned back to observe the now bustling hive of activity that was the Tokyo-3 NERV Command Center, seemingly lost in thought.

Fuyutsuki was quite surprised at the almost clinical indifference Gendou showed for the doctor. I hope you know what you're doing, my friend he thought, somewhat tensely, Dr. Akagi isn't someone to underestimate. You've already done that once, I hope that you don't do it again. He pondered the stoic form of the Commander for a few more moments, before speaking again. "Yes, Sir. I will pass along your orders to Section Two, as well as Dr. Akagi." Fuyutsuki turned away walking towards the exit of the command box. He stopped when heard the rustling of Commander Ikari's clothing. Fuyutsuki turned back towards the Commander, seeing the younger man turned towards him slightly, and waited for the man he considered his friend to speak.

"Fuyutsuki… I believe we should inform Selee about this before tomorrow. It should throw them off guard, and if it does, it may very well give the advantage back to us... I would like to speak with you on this possibility as soon as possible. When you're finished with Dr. Akagi, have a report sent to me about the status of all three of the Children, as well as the whereabouts and the apparent mental states of the First and Third Children. Also bring me the progress report on Unit-03, as well as the Fourth Chile. Find out whether or not the Fourth Child can be used in his current state. If he cannot be used in his current state, find out what it would take to make him so, as well as how long it will take."

Fuyutsuki nodded, as the Commander half-turned back to the Command Center. "Of course, Sir, When would you like Dr. Akagi to report in, Sir?"

"As soon as..." The Commander paused, considering the situation. He turned fully to Fuyutsuki, leaning back in his chair slightly. He brought his left arm across his body, resting his right elbow lightly on his left hand; his right hand absently stroked his bearded chin. No longer reflecting the light, Gendou's glasses allowed Fuyutsuki to see the turmoil within his eyes. "No later than noon, or at any time before then that she feels ready. If indeed we have been wrong all this time, Fuyutsuki, I want to be prepared." Gendou sighed heavily, and stopped stroking his chin, and covered his mouth with index and middle fingers, tapping his mouth slightly for a moment.

"Yes, Sir." Fuyutsuki replied, waiting a moment for Commander Ikari to finish.

"We may be on the threshold of an entirely new game… We may even have to bond-..." Gendou stopped, a sob barely contained as he closed his eyes. Fuyutsuki's eyes widened slightly as he noticed the two solitary tears streak their way down Gendou's face. This was a shock to Fuyutsuki. He had not even seen tears come from the commander when he had held Yui's plug suit after the fateful test that took her life and trapped her soul within Unit-01. He recovered quickly, however, his iron will snapping closed on his rampant emotions. He drew in a shuddering breath, and pinched the bridge of his nose, using the motion to covertly wipe away the tears. Fuyutsuki smiled inwardly at this, seeing the young man Gendou used to be peek out of his shell for a moment. After composing himself for a brief moment more, Gendou continued, his slightly grating voice the only indication that something was amiss. "Fuyutsuki, we may have to abandon our prior plans... I would rather not, yet if this is an unpredicted angel, it may not be the last."

"I understand, Sir. Should I prepare to have the Fourth Child moved back to Tokyo-3, or will he be staying where he is currently?" The tone of Fuyutsuki's voice gave no indication that he had seen anything out of the ordinary, and implied that bringing the fourth Child to Tokyo-3 would be the better decision.

"I think that would be best to bring him here, considering the circumstances..." Gendou half turned back towards the Command Bridge, his hands clasped in front of his mouth once more, pondering the situation.

"I should be finished gathering the information by eleven-thirty hours. Would you like me to bring the information to your office, or will you be at the cages?" Fuyutsuki asked.

Gendou tensed slightly, annoyed at what he felt was his predictability. He relaxed a short moment later, with the realization it was their years of working together that had allowed Fuyutsuki to predict where he would be. Behind his hands, he allowed a brief smile at his own paranoia, then schooled his face into the neutral expression he normally favored. "I should be in my office by that time, though I may still be at the cages, so stop there first." Fuyutsuki turned around, once again walking to the exit, when Commander Ikari spoke up again, his voice softer than normal. "And Fuyutsuki...?"

"Yes, Commander Ikari?" Fuyutsuki asked, his voice neutral.

"Thank you." Fuyutsuki smiled, at the Commander's rare show of honest thanks, and left to pass along the Commander's orders.

Tokyo 3, 2015; 9:57 A.M. NERV Central Hospital, First Cranial Nerve Department, Room 303

"Re-… Rei?" Shinji Ikari said, his voice stunned.

"Will be here shortly Shinji-kun." The woman standing before Shinji said softly, her voice tinted with laughter. It was then that Shinji realized the woman standing before him was somewhat taller than Rei. He also noticed that although her eyes were the same deep crimson as Rei's, her sky blue hair reached to the middle of her back, and that she appeared to be a few years older than Rei's fourteen years. As Shinji watched, the women looked about her as if looking, or perhaps listening, for something. She seemed to find that which she sought, and her smile broadened slightly. Then the cloak and suit she wore changed before Shinji's eyes. As he watched, the suit seemed to melt and reform. What appeared to be built in boots changing into a pair of hiking shoes. The legs changed into a casual pair of black jeans, while the torso and arms changed into a short sleeved, dark forest green shirt. The cloak itself changed into a simple leather jacket, which the woman removed, and placed over the back of an extra chair. "Mistaking Rei and myself is not something I will hold against you," she said, teasingly, "as it is an easy enough mistake to make, considering how much Rei and I resemble each other."

"Who are you, then?" Shinji asked, confusion and worry creeping on to his face, anger in his voice. "And what exactly do you mean that Rei will be here shortly?"

"Call me Evanna, and exactly who I am will be explained shortly. The reason I know that Rei will be here is because I've spoken to her…" Evanna's smile softened slightly, taking on an almost motherly cast. An incredulous look descended upon Shinji's face. Seeing this, Evanna laughed briefly, her musical laugh filling the room. At first, Shinji felt anger well within him as she laughed. Then, as he realized that the laughter was not directed at him, but at the situation, he found himself grinning sheepishly, despite his feelings that his reaction should be otherwise.

"Okay," Shinji said, his voice calmer, though his tone still careful. "Why, and for that matter how, are you going to speak to Asuka? Unless you're going to talk to her like I was talking to her"

"The how you will understand in a few moments, if you would like to speak with her directly." Unconsciously, Shinji nodded to her statement. She closed her eyes and looked down for a moment before speaking again. "As for why I wish to speak to her… It is a matter of utmost importance that I speak with the both of you, and Rei, together." Shinji closed his eyes, not wanting to admit to the thought of speaking to Rei terrified him. Evanna's calm, soothing voice caused him to raise his face to look at her once again. "Shinji, I know that is… Difficult for you to speak with Rei. I can sense that in your body language. I would prefer to let her tell you this, but I will do so now, as I believe it will help you somewhat…" Shinji felt no condemnation or pity coming from her voice, merely understanding, so he nodded for her to continue. "Rei has, with my help, fully recovered her memories from before…" Evanna hesitated, closing her eyes again, as tears squeezed their way past her eyelids.

"Before what…?" Shinji asked, shocked at the Evanna's sudden change in demeanor, but wanting her to continue. He felt it very important to know as much as he could about what the woman was about to say.

"Before the sixteenth angel… Before Rei's... Before our sacrifice... To save your life, Shinji-kun..." Evanna said, her voice tear stained, but steady.

"How were you able to give her memories back to her?" Shinji asked, his tone anxious, as he wanted answers. "And what did you mean by 'our sacrifice'? I though that was all Rei's doing!"

"I... Please, Shinji. I will give you the answers you seek... But can they wait until Rei arrives...? Please, Shinji..." her tone was nervous, even sorrowful, as she spoke.

"Alright… This won't hurt Asuka, will it…?" Shinji queried, his voice full of concern, mostly for the sleeping girl, but also, once again, about the woman's motives in what she was doing.

"Not directly, but things said, or done by, people in the place we will be going could... So please Shinji-kin, be very careful of what you say or do…" Her voice was once again under control, but it still held grief, almost like a parent who had lost a child. He looked at his now clenched right hand, thinking about what he almost did before Evanna had entered the room. He had concern, indeed, even paranoia, about what was going on, but he felt that this woman could speak with Asuka whether he gave permission or not, and he wanted to be there when she did.

"Very well, what do I have to do?" Shinji asked, his features schooled into neutrality.

Evanna smiled softly again, but it slowly faded as her face became a study of concentration, looking much like Asuka did when she was in the entry plug during a synch test. "Pull a chair next to Asuka's bed, hold one of her hands in one of hers, and take my hand in your other hand, and relax. You will go into a dream like state for a time, then you will wake in a place where you can speak with her. And don't worry, you will be able to understand her and what's said where we're going…" She spoke in a distant, cool tone. Shinji did so, feeling confused by Evanna's last statement, and feeling both nervous and embarrassed as he took Asuka's hand in his. Her hands were smooth and soft to his touch, and surprisingly warm, considering that she was progressing steadily towards the realm of death. Asuka gasped something unintelligible an instant before Shinji's whole world collapsed into almost nothing, then exploded into a vibrant spray of color. He felt as if he were both falling and rising at the same time, standing so still that not even time passed, then twirling around a single point in space at the speed of light. He almost felt sick as steadiness and a definite up and down made themselves known, just before darkness descended upon him.