Fifth Movement.

Ikari Gendo had returned from his absence, and Ritsuko debriefed him on the battle as they watched crews struggle to wash the blood from Unit-01.

"I've never seen the Eva look more terrible," Ritsuko admitted to the Commander. "What have we created?"

"That is of no concern for the moment," Gendo said evenly.

"I believe Major Katsuragi is very close to finding out just what we have created," Ritsuko said. "And if Shinji or Rei or Asuka ever found out what they were piloting, they would never forgive us."

"Let the Major be, for now," Gendo said. "As for the children, I trust they will not find out." He did not turn to Ritsuko, but his voice carried a pointed glance. "And if they do, suffice to say that they would not be the first to have a grudge against me."

Ritsuko was disquieted by the man's utter calm. "How long can we keep up this charade?" she asked him. "Even we aren't sure what we're dealing with. We're just listening to apocryphal prophecies dispensed by a bunch of old men!"

"Be wary of your words, for there is no telling where SEELE has ears," Gendo said. "And as for the Dead Sea Scrolls, I would hardly call them apocryphal."

"'But of that hour and day, no man knew.' Perhaps even you don't know, Ikari Gendo."

His response was mild and unperturbed.

"Perhaps I don't."

****

Shinji woke to a ceiling which was no longer unfamiliar, knowing he was in the NERV medical facilities. He breathed a sigh, content to be where he was, for once not wishing he had lived some other life.

At his bedside a red-haired girl stirred. Shinji looked up and smiled weakly: Asuka sat beside him. She turned away for a moment at his glance, afraid her face would reveal that she had been keeping a sleepless vigil for more than twenty-four hours.

"It smells like blood," Shinji said weakly. "Still."

"It always smells like blood," Asuka replied. "That scent will never go away."

"You can't worry about it," Shinji said distantly, "can't run away."

"No," she said, "you can't."

Wordlessly Shinji reached up and touched Asuka's shoulder; she slid her hand toward him and he set his upon it gently. They sat, motionless, ignoring the passing time.

"This is nice," Shinji said.

"Yes," Asuka agreed quietly, "it is."

~