Disclaimer: You know the drill. I do not own NGE
Chap. 10
Gendo's office
"Thought synch? That is an unproven theory, doctor."
Ritsuko answered, "Theatrical yes. However, that is the only explanation for this. During the test, something caused them to emit the exact same thought pattern and wave. The LCL and the computer took it as a mistake and in essence, thought it was one person and acted accordingly. Much of it is still unexplained, like how their patterns became the same or why the LCL even acted this way. But I may be able to reverse the process."
".......Is that all?"
"You should know that we're in unfamiliar territory. There is great risk to both pilots and in doing this, may kill them both or worse."
Gendo's pose didn't change, "The First Child can be replaced. As for the Second, should the operation prove unsuccessful, we can make due without her. Proceed with the operation."
"It'll take time to prepare."
"Then move quickly."
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Ritsuko's Lab
"He can't be serious."
Misato was once again with Ritsuko. She had just been informed of the Commander's decision.
"Of course he is. You knew that he would. What else did you expect?"
"But I didn't know it would be fatal. If it doesn't work, Rei and Asuka..."
"There's nothing we can do."
Misato frowned. She wasn't totally honest. She knew that there was some risk. However, she didn't think it would be this bad.
"But...can't we avoid that risk by keeping Tsunami?"
Ritsuko countered, "You saw what she did. The Commander won't risk having her around anymore."
"There must be a way!"
"There isn't."
"How can you be so heartless?"
Ritsuko knew she was acting irrationally, but she didn't either notice or care. Ritsuko chose to believe it was the former since she has been known to act this way.
"Major, you know as well as I do that there is absolutely nothing we or anyone else can do. All you can do now is hope that this works. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an operation to prepare."
Neither woman heard the sound of running footsteps echoing away from the room.
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Katsuragi Residence
"Is anyone home?"
Shinji had arrived home. He had spent the day hanging out with Touji and Kensuke since Tsunami was still recovering from her ordeal. The two Stooges continually teased him about his relationship with Tsunami, which surprising didn't bother him too much. When he heard no response, he closed the door behind him and walked to his room. However before he closed the door, he heard a faint sound. Shinji listened carefully as he found that it was coming from Tsunami's room. Was that...crying? Shinji walked over to the room, unsure whether he should enter or not. But...if she is crying...I can't just stand here and do nothing. Slowly, Shinji opened the door. Sure enough, Tsunami was in the room lying on the futon. And sure enough, she was crying profusely. Her head was turned away so between that and her sobs, she didn't hear Shinji enter the room. The young man froze for a moment, but kept his courage up a bit longer and sat next to her.
"Tsunami? Tsunami, whoa...!"
He was surprised when she suddenly turned to him and clasped her arms around him in a fierce hug. Shinji looked down as the girl pressed her head to his chest and continued to cry. Hesitantly, Shinji put his own arms around her and slightly swayed side-to-side.
"I...I...don't want to...I don't want to die!"
Shinji was still confused, but then the realization struck him. "They found a way, didn't they?"
The sobbing girl slowly nodded on his chest. Shinji was just as tormented. He had feared this would happen. But he didn't accept it. He didn't want to. Not if he could help it. He couldn't just let Tsunami die. He wouldn't. Shinji stood up and Tsunami kept her head down, tears still falling.
"Come on."
The girl stopped crying and her purple eyes gazed at him in puzzlement, "Shinji?"
"We're leaving. We'll hide. They'll never find us."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Run away from Nerv? The very idea of leaving was incomprehensible to her. But only because it had never occurred to be an option. "But...we can't...you can't..."
Shinji bent down and clasped her hand into his, "I won't let you die. You protected me once. Now I'm going to protect you."
Shinji had no clue as to how he would, if he could or even what he was saying. It was as though he was someone else, someone completely different. But he wouldn't let this go. The words were out of his mouth and he wasn't going to take it back. Tsunami looked into his eyes and saw the he was sincere. Perhaps...it was possible.
________
An hour later...
Misato had arrived at the house, a worried look on her face. She had tried to call Shinji earlier, but got no response from either his cell phone or the home phone. Her instincts alerted her that something was very wrong. She checked Shinji room, only to find it empty. She then moved to Tsunami's room to find it empty as well. But she noticed three objects on the counter table in the room. Moving to it, she found out what they were.
Shinji's cell phone and his and Tsunami's Nerv ID's
_______
Train Station
"Last trip to Toyko-3 leaving in five minutes."
As groups of people entered the train, two small people were left behind. Taking each others hand, Shinji and Tsunami left the terminal and Tokyo-3 behind.