Would have gotten this up sooner but something went wrong on ff.net when I tried to upload it. One thing I've learned about EVA fans are that they are rather conservative regarding character development and how their favorite characters act. Now that is what makes EVA so damn hard to write.

Adaptation

Scenario 3: The Past

"Bravo 1, this is Sentinel Base. Do you read me?"

"This is Bravo 1, acknowledged. We're coming in for a landing."

"Roger Bravo 1, proceed to runway 5."

"Roger. Fighter escorts breaking off. Be advised, we are transporting an Angel. Have guards and medical personnel waiting."

"Understood. Is General Ikari safe?"

"Yes. The Angel is restrained. Preparing to land."

The military transport slowed down and touched down. Dozens of Rangers and Marines ran out, rifles at the ready. The Angel was chained and led down by a dozen soldiers. Medical personnel strapped her down onto a stretcher and wheeled her in. Asuka and several other NERV staff members were now aboveground, waiting for Shinji to get off. First, several more soldiers got off, some carrying a very large case. Then Shinji appeared from behind them. Asuka ran up to him and hugged him tightly.

"Asuka, can't, breathe."

Asuka immediately let him go, but didn't apologize.

"Well that's what you get for scaring me like that. An Angel! And you took it on all by yourself!"

"It's the first time," Shinji pointed out.

Asuka ignored that statement and started to pout.

"Asuka, you look so cute when you do that," Shinji said with a smile.

He took her arm and led her to where the others were standing. Toji had a serious look on his face, while Hikari simply looked relieved.

"So did any work get done while I was away?" Shinji asked them.

This caused Toji and Hikari to look over at Asuka. Shinji sighed and shook his head.

"Asuka, the reason I made you second in command is because you're supposed to be good at getting things done. Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Not like I had that much time," Asuka shot back, "I've started the diagnostics on the MAGI and the other systems, but that will take a well. Your troops did a number on our defenses, so it's going to take a while to rebuild, not to mention how much money it will cost."

"Project MATRIX is funded jointly by the United States and the United Nations, so I'm rather surprised you would have that much funding trouble," Shinji observed.

"Don't worry," said Toji, "Asuka will always find something to cause trouble."

That got him a whack on the head from Asuka. Hikari had stopped hitting Toji for every offense after they had gotten married, but Asuka still took the liberty to do so. It wasn't like Hikari ever tried to stop her. The four entered the large building and took the elevator down. Much of Central Dogma had been rebuilt, and not that much had been destroyed by the American troops. However, bullet marks and other evidence of combat were clearly visible. The maintenance team was putting things back together. Surprisingly, casualties had been rather light. Fifteen Americans killed and twenty-eight NERV guards killed. After the US forces had gained control of all entrances, exits, and warehouses, they had stayed put. The plan had been to threaten siege as an alternate way of beating NERV. While the GeoFront was supposed to be completely self-sustaining, the people living in NERV no longer had access to the supplies in the GeoFront, nullifying that supposed advantage.

Once they were inside the actual installation, everything seemed more crowded. The corridors weren't exactly large, and unlike the base Shinji had trained at, it was extremely difficult getting out onto the surface at times. Shinji noticed a few guards here and there, though they tried to be discreet. He also noticed the uniform they were in. The soldiers that were slowly taking over guard duty of NERV were a battalion of the newly formed MATRIX team. They were one of the products of Project MATRIX, something that Shinji caused. With the information about advanced biotechnology Shinji brought with him from NERV, US forces had been experimenting with cybernetics, enhancing soldiers and augmenting their abilities. They also wore exoskeleton suits underneath a very powerful armor. The armor was actually a purely American product, something that had started before the Second Impact and finally perfected. The weapons these soldiers had was an entirely different story. They were the product of a joint project with the British SAS and German GSG-9. Each rifle had three modes, full automatic, semi-automatic, and single shot. The single shot also brought out a scope and could act as a sniper. A silencer also locked into place. In full and semi-automatic, the thing was still slightly muffled, but not enough to be truly effective. Each depleted uranium round also had an incendiary charge and was capable of punching through walls.

The soldiers each could bench press over five hundred pounds with the exoskeleton on. Their bone structure was far denser than any normal humans, and their muscle mass was also larger. Speed and reaction time had also been improved. However, of the four hundred soldiers that had gone through with these augmentations, one hundred thirty-one had died. Many considered these losses unacceptable so no further enhancements were carried out. However, research was still ongoing and progress had been amazing. Humans were evolving, and those on the borderline could survive these enhancements. Shinji himself had gone through it, and now he may very well be the most advanced human in the world.

"Shinji, who are those men in black armor?" Asuka asked when they passed one unable to duck away in time.

"Guards," said Shinji, "Part of the force the Pentagon decided to station here."

"How come they always duck away when we come by?" Hikari asked.

"They have orders to be discreet," Shinji replied, "What's the status on repairing the damage to the systems?"

"Underway," Hikari reported, "though I'm surprised it was so light."

"My troops are professionals," said Shinji, "Where's Rei?"

"She's with the medical staff right now," said Toji, "I think she wants to talk with the Angel."

"Fine. Just keep security tight around that thing. She's more powerful than she seems."

"She?" said Toji, "Since when did Angels have gender?"

"Since they started taking human form," Shinji replied, "Now, back to the original subject, how long will it take to bring this installation fully online again?"

"Hopefully not too long," said Toji, "The damage isn't as bad as last time. I must say, the Americans were a lot neater than the SSDF."

"So I assume there's nothing I need to worry about right now?" Shinji said.

"No. Just let us handle it," said Hikari, "We do know how to keep this place running."

"Good, cause I'm going to bed."

Shinji and Asuka separated from Toji and Hikari. The two took one of the moving strips to another part of the city. From there, they went upstairs and appeared in a large apartment complex. Asuka opened the door and followed Shinji in. The army had provided a very nice condo for Shinji, Asuka, and Jessica. Yui and Kyoko had agreed to share an apartment next to theirs.

"Where's Jessica?" Shinji asked.

"Probably still asleep," Asuka answered, "You really need to get some sleep too. I mean, jeez. You took on an Angel by yourself. Idiot."

Shinji let a tolerating smile appear on his face. He got into the bathroom and took a quick shower. After changing into some more comfortable clothes, he headed to bed. Asuka took a shower after him and Shinji wasn't surprised when Asuka came in and laid down next to him. This really did feel like old times. She cuddled up next to him and was asleep almost instantly. Shinji relaxed and took a deep breath. He followed her soon after.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shinji immediately recognized where he was. It was the night that Asuka had awakened from her second coma. After the fierce battle with the Angels, she had drifted again. Her injuries were severe, but most had healed by now. The damage done to her eye was also repaired and she would be able to see. If she ever woke up.

"Why am I here?" the real Shinji asked himself as he watched.

The door opened and he saw a younger version of himself walk in. He had been fifteen at the time, and Asuka's birthday was today too. He had come to drop off the gift. The younger Shinji sat down next to the bed and placed the gift on the table.

"Hello Asuka," he said, "Happy birthday. I really hope you can hear me. I got you a present, though Misato had to help me pay for it. It's a surprise so I can't tell you what it is. When you wake up, I hope you like it."

Shinji placed a hand on Asuka's forehead and felt the coolness. He then took his hand away and smiled. He hoped Asuka would wake up soon.

The real Shinji wasn't sure what exactly was going on. This might have been a dream, except that he was totally aware and he was also watching the past. What was going on?

"Anyway, Misato will be coming to visit tomorrow. Please wake up soon, Asuka-chan."

Shinji got up and started to leave when he heard a whimpering sound. He turned and saw tears running down Asuka's cheeks. Shinji went into the bathroom and got a washcloth. He wiped off the tears and just as he was about to move away a hand shot up and grabbed his wrist. If it hadn't been so surprising, Shinji would have screamed out. He looked down at Asuka's face and noticed that her eyes were fluttering. Slowly, they opened, and for the first time in a very long time, Shinji saw Asuka's beautiful crystal blue eyes.

"Asuka?"

Asuka looked up at him and quickly released her grip.

"Asuka? Are you okay?"

"W-where am I?" Asuka asked.

"You're in the NERV Infirmary," Shinji answered, "Asuka, everything's okay. Just relax."

"B-but, who are you?"

That question hit Shinji hard. He blinked a few times before regaining the ability to speak.

"Asuka, don't you remember me?"

Asuka shook her head.

"It's me, Shinji. Shinji Ikari."

Suddenly Asuka screamed and clutched her head.

"It hurts," she murmured, tears running down her face.

"Everything's going to be okay," Shinji promised, "Just wait here."

He ran out and got one of the doctors. The doctor had a nurse call Misato before going in to check on Asuka himself.

"Ms Soryu, are you all right?" he asked.

"No!" Asuka screamed, "I can't remember anything!"

She continued crying.

"She's having a nervous breakdown," the doctor said to Shinji, "The stress is too much. You're her friend, only you can get her to calm down."

Shinji nodded, a little unsure of himself. The doctor left to make sure the message got to the commander.

"Asuka, relax. You have to trust me Asuka. Come on. Everything is going to be okay."

Asuka looked up at him, fear in her eyes. Shinji approached slowly and placed a hand on Asuka's.

"Come on, Asuka. You're stronger than this. Just believe in yourself. Believe me."

Asuka continued to look at him for a few more seconds before literally jumping into his arms. She continued crying while Shinji held her.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shinji's eyes snapped open but he remained still. The memory of Asuka with amnesia was not a pleasant one. It had been a very long journey before she regained her memories, but to Shinji it had been worth it. During that period, she had opened up to him and when Asuka became Asuka again, she accepted it, though with great difficulty. That was the true beginning of their relationship. He just hoped it wouldn't end tragically like his previous one.

Shinji looked at the clock and saw it was still very early. He had maybe another four hours of sleep, and he didn't plan on wasting it. Shinji closed his eyes again and drifted to sleep.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Hello Rei."

Not again, the real Shinji thought. This time he was sixteen and talking to Rei. Asuka had recovered her memories by then and was still having trouble accepting certain realities. However, she was making progress. Rei, on the other hand, was still learning to live as a member of a family. Misato had gotten a larger place and the three Children all relocated there. While each technically had their own room, Asuka still snuck into Shinji's room to sleep, though she still denied it had anything to do with her liking him. At times, the Second Child could be very confusing.

"Hello Shinji."

Shinji treated Rei as a little sister, and in a way she was, biologically and mentally. Shinji felt it was natural for Rei to be like his little sister, and she didn't argue with that. For him, everything seemed fine.

"Any particular reason you haven't been home in a week?" Shinji asked.

Rei looked down from the balcony. Shinji had had to literally order Section 2 to drag Rei back home, and it hadn't been easy. One of the agents had a broken arm and would be out of commission for a while.

"I don't know."

Rei had that blank look again in her eye. Shinji sighed. At times, it was very hard for Rei to act human, and during those times she reverted to her old self. Shinji was usually able to bring her back, but it wasn't easy.

"Remember when I took you shopping?" Shinji asked, "Two months ago? You said you enjoyed it."

"Yes. It was enjoyable."

"What's another way to say something was enjoyable?"

Rei looked at him, a puzzled look on her face.

"How about it was fun? Was it?"

"I'm not sure," said Rei, "I'm kind of confused at the moment."

Shinji smiled. The old Rei never used that kind of phrasing before. No matter what, his sister did want to be able to express emotions, or else she wouldn't even try.

"Well, I hope you don't run away again."

Shinji turned and started to leave, but then Rei spoke.

"Hope. Do we really have hope?"

Shinji stopped and turned to face Rei. She was still looking out into the sky.

"We have more than that," Shinji said to her, "We have our families."

A small smile appeared on Rei's face as Shinji left the balcony. Slowly but surely, Shinji was starting to rub off on her. The battle with the EVA series had changed him dramatically, though it had taken a while to manifest. However, it was clear that Shinji was far bolder at times. Stronger too. But was he strong enough, Lilith wondered.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shinji couldn't believe this. He knew that Rei was Lilith, but had thought Lilith had manifested just when he had left. Apparently, he was off by two years. Well, that wasn't too much of a problem. What was was the fact that he was aware of her thoughts. Did he have this ability to see into the past, and the thoughts that accompanied them as well? No, Adam did not have that power. But he was the Messiah. Did that mean he had it? Shinji had never believed that he was the Messiah, but now apparently he had been chosen. At times it was a hassle, but if he was able to use his powers properly, he could save his family. His own life was expendable. Theirs was not.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The alarm went off and Asuka reluctantly rolled off of Shinji. He was already awake, having woken up from the dream a few minutes before. He had been thinking about it, but hadn't gotten far. Asuka went to take a shower in the bathroom adjacent to Shinji's room. Shinji had to use the main one down the hall. Jessica was already up and was waiting for the bathroom when Shinji exited it. He went into the dining room and found that Asuka had already cooked breakfast. Shinji didn't know of any place in Tokyo 4 that sold exclusively German food, but apparently Asuka did. He sat down and started eating. Asuka had cooked for him before, but it was rare. She usually didn't like doing that sort of stuff.

"Asuka, you are going to get some work done today, right?" Shinji said to the busy redhead.

"Of course. Most of the other departments can work without me looking over their shoulders, and the diagnostic on the MAGI should be finished by today. I wonder if Maya got any sleep last night."

Shinji couldn't help but sigh. The "bridge bunnies", their unofficial nickname that everyone used including them, were still with NERV. Of the three, Maya worked the hardest. When Shinji was still second in command, he had actually had to order Maya to go home and get some rest. Makoto and Shigeru were currently taking care of engineering and construction, but they still worked on the bridge.

"Daddy!"

"What is it Jessica?"

"What happened to the shampoo?"

"I used it all!" Shinji replied, "Asuka, could you get Jessica some more shampoo? I don't think she'd appreciate me walking in on her."

"Sure. She's growing more self-conscious isn't she?"

"What else?"

Asuka went to take care of the matter while Shinji finished eating. He placed the dishes in the washing machine and checked their mailbox. Apparently, the rest of his stuff had been delivered. He went downstairs and got all of the stuff. In total, it was two large boxes, but he lifted them easily. The nice thing was that the elevator actually worked. When he came back in Asuka and Jessica were eating breakfast. When Jessica saw the boxes though, she ran right over.

"All right! The stuff is here!"

"What is all that?" Asuka asked as she got up.

"A few things I collected while in the States," Shinji replied, "and this box holds the rest of Jessica's stuff. Don't try to pick it up, you know you can't."

Jessica humphed but did as Shinji said. She really couldn't because of her muscle condition. Shinji opened it up for her and Asuka was rather surprised to see her pull out a DVD box set. It was an old Japanese anime. Apparently those things still existed in the US.

"Since when did Jessica become interested in anime?" Asuka asked.

"Since she somehow got a hold of my Gundam Wing collection," Shinji replied, "Still don't know how she broke the combination on the lock, though."

Asuka looked through the rest of Jessica's box. There was a deck of cards, a few books on engineering, and another DVD box set. She took it out.

"Cardcaptor Sakura," she read, "This thing is pretty old."

"And very long," Shinji added, "Something like seventy episodes and two movies all in that box."

"How much did all this cost?" Asuka asked.

"Surprisingly, very little. Besides, after all the money I won in poker, it was easy to afford. And hazards pay does come in handy."

"Well, you certainly get paid more than me."

"Wouldn't surprise me," said Shinji, "Now, are we going to get to work or not? Jessica still has to go to school."

Jessica groaned but didn't complain. It was pretty much useless to try.

"Yeah, yeah," Asuka said, "Just let me load the dishwasher and we'll be on our way."

Shinji nodded. Today everything would start rolling. Hopefully everything stayed peaceful for a while longer. He needed more time to train the others on how to use their powers, and also to get the suit working properly. But in the past, the Angels never cared for the plans of humans.

End of Scenario 3

It's Sunday afternoon and yet I'm still tired. I hate school. Why does Spring Break have to be so late? Oh yeah, our vacations revolve around Christian religions. So much for separation of state and religion. Anyways, this chapter was another peek into Shinji's past. I might write something like this in future chapters, but that depends on how rested and creative I am when writing. I've also noticed that someone has been leaving reviews for my stories that are filled with hash marks and numbers. I don't know what that is, but if this is intentional, please stop. Otherwise I'll just remove any more that come up.

Z98