Disclaimer: You know the drill.

AN: I started to feel really evil, thinking about doing something like withholding this chapter for another couple of days. But that just wouldn't be right. Kind of like cruel and unusual punishment. Besides, you guys have waited long enough.

Chap. 14

Misato returned to the recovery room, bent out and tired. She sat on the couch just outside of the room and rested her head. She didn't pay any mind when Ritsuko came out of the room and sat next to her.

"Is Shinji...?"

"He's asleep in the car. Poor kid."

The look on Misato's face summoned up another question from the doctor, "What happened?"

"I followed him up to a cliff. He looked as though he was going to jump."

Ritsuko didn't flinch. After all that happened, she expected something like this, "But you caught him."

"No. He didn't. He could have, but he didn't. I guess he decided not to run away anymore."

Ritsuko sat back, mimicking her friend.

"One can hope."

__

Infirmary, the next day

"Hey baka. Have you been behaving yourself while we were away?"

Shinji and Misato returned to the room where the two girls were now conscious. Actually, they never left the hospital. Shinji slept all afternoon in the car and Misato didn't feel like leaving just yet.

"Uhhh...yes. I guess so."

Askua frowned, "You guess so? What kind of answer is that!"

Shinji's head drooped, "I'm sorry."

His apology had the usual effect, "Now I have to deal with apologizing too? Baka!"

"Sorry."

Asuka muttered something under her breath and Shinji turned to Rei, who simply looked up at him.

"Ikari-kun."

"Hey, Ayanami. Are you feeling okay?"

Rei simply answered, "I am well."

Asuka eyed the two of them and sneered, "Careful, Wondergirl. The pervert may be trying to get into your panties or something."

Shinji turned red, but Rei countered, "That does not sound like something that Ikari-kun would do."

"Ahh. So the doll lives after all."

"I am not a doll."

"That's enough you two." Ritsuko spoke before turning to Misato. "You two better go. They still need their rest. Asuka and Rei will be discharged tomorrow morning."

Misato nodded, "Alright. I'll be back then." She noticed the deject look on Shinji's face,

"Shinji?"

"I'm fine. See you tomorrow."

Rei merely nodded while Asuka went on her usual berating of the Third Child until he left. After a minute of silence…

"We need to talk."

___

Gendo's office

"There appears to be no side-effects. No residual effects either. I don't think they remember what happened before the incident."

"I want Rei thoroughly examined for any defects. That is all."

"Yes sir."

Dr. Akagi left the two commanders by themselves.

"The scenario has been re-established." He said finally.

Fusyusyi commented, "Cutting it a little close, Ikari."

"Hardly. This incident only proves the cause. It was very enlightening."

___

School...

Asuka and Rei returned to the school two days later. During that time, the two girls were recovering in the medical facility. Dr. Akagi examined them to see if they remembered anything, but both girls didn't remember anything before the accident. Satisfied, she gave them a clean bill of health and discharged them. Shinji hadn't seen Asuka until morning and was hopeful of something, or anything. He wanted to tell her what had happened between him and Tsunami, but he had been told that she didn't remember. Besides, if he said anything and was wrong, all that he would have to look forward to is the German girl's wrath. Not the most pleasant of scenarios. He decided that he would keep it to himself. So the day went on as it had before they were fused. He awoke to make breakfast and lunch, enduring Asuka's endless supply of taunts and raves. After that, he walked with her to school where she met up with Hikari, who was quite happy to see her friend back from her 'assignment'. Shinji looked over at them. At least someone is happy about this, he sulked. He then looked over to Rei's desk where the azure-haired girl sat, staring out of the window as usual. Shinji seemed to sink in his seat. Nothing has changed.

"Hey Shinji."

Touji and Kensuke walked up to their friend's desk, obvious to his more than usual depressed state.

"Hey Shin-man. How are you?"

"........."

"Hey, what's up?"

Shinji didn't respond. Touji cracked a grin.

"Oh I see. You miss your Tsunami, huh?"

"I guess when you work for Nerv, things like this happen, huh?" Kensuke added.

"........"

Touji put his hand on Shinji's shoulder, "Come on man. Lighten up. There are other girls out there, ya know."

Shinji still said nothing and it was plain to see that he probably wouldn't say anything today. Still, they are his friends and like most friends, just don't know when to give up.

"Forget it. Shinji's a one-woman guy, eh?"

Shinji seemed to sink deeper into his own black hole, but before they could pester him with any more questions, the sensei entered the room. Hikari went through her usual routine, although she seemed a bit more perky than normal. Shinji didn't faze much.

Nothing at all.

However, no one noticed that Rei's gaze had changed briefly, looking directly at the troubled boy.

Lunch...

Asuka and Hikari sat together at lunch, basically talking about whatever they talk about. Kensuke and Touji were together as well. However, one thing was amiss.

"Hey, where's Shinji?" Touji asked in between chews.

Kensuke shrugged, "I don't know. After class, he just disappeared. I guess he wants to be alone."

Touji frowned, "Geez, I don't see how one chick could cause him this much trouble."

Kensuke shook his head and his friend's obvious lack of intelligence. "Touji, how dense are you? I think he was in love with her. You seen how he was."

"Well, he was quieter than normal. I guess you're right. But still..."

"Hey, I just noticed. Where's Ayanami?"

Rooftop...

Shinji sat facing out toward the railing. His lunch was in his hand, but he wasn't hungry. He seemed to reach a new level of depression.

"Ikari-kun."

Shinji blinked. Turning around, he saw Rei standing behind him. Another wave of depression came over him

"A...Ayanami."

His gaze turned sadder and he was unable to look up at her. His head bent to look down at the floor.

"You...are troubled. Do you wish for me to leave?"

"No. It's just." He looked at the blue haired girl and finally started, "Have you ever felt something really special and then have it taken away?"

"No." she said simply.

"I didn't think so. Well, that happened to me."

"What was taken away?"

Again, short and to the point.

"I...can't tell you. It's just that, everything I've ever had was lost. I always fear that sooner or later, I will be totally alone."

Rei simply gazed at the boy with those crimson eyes of her. Shinji felt it and thought that she would push him further. However, that fear was expelled when Rei's cell phone rang. Rei picked it up and answered a brief answer before putting it away.

"I must go. Dr. Akagi has requested my presence." She stood up to leave, but before she exited her head turned slightly, "You...are not alone...Shinji. I will always remember you as long as I live. No matter how short."

Shinji's eyes widened. I will always remember you as long as I live. No matter how short.

Tsunami?

He looked up, but Rei had disappeared.

Did...I imagine it?

AN: Still not over.