I can be poetic when I want to be, but right now I'm trying to work out how I feel about a girl so I'm really stressed.

Adaptation

Scenario 9: To the One I Love

Shinji ignored the Angel once he was defeated and ran to Asuka. He opened up the armor and pulled her out, careful to avoid the wires that had been cut. She was still hurt and any shocks from the wires could injury her even more. Shinji ripped off some of the coat he was wearing and placed it over where the Angel had slashed through her armor. He ripped off a few other strips and tied it down to apply pressure and keep the wound from bleeding out too much and also to protect it from the cold.

"Rei, let's go," he ordered.

Shinji picked Asuka up and ran to the VTOL craft with Rei close behind him carrying the suit. They boarded and a medic onboard removed the wound and examined it. He strapped Asuka down on a stretcher and removed the temporary bandage Shinji put on. The medic quickly cleaned it and applied some antibiotics to keep anything from causing an infection. From there he wrapped the wound properly and finished all this before they arrived back at base.

The craft landed with the Trident a few feet behind it. Shinji and the medic carried Asuka out towards the large US Air Force transport that they had used to get to Russia. Rei deposited the suit onto its stand while Mana got off the Trident. They were quickly joined by Yui and Kyoko. Kyoko immediately began examining her daughter's wounds and talked with the medic.

"Pack everything up," Shinji said to Toji, "I want nothing left for the Russians to pick over. Once you're done, pull out and return to base."

Toji nodded and moved to do just that. Mana ran over to Shinji and held onto him by the shoulder.

"Shinji, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Shinji replied, "Asuka isn't. I'm taking her back to NERV immediately. Can you stay here and help secure the Angel? It isn't dead and I want it alive."

"Of course."

Shinji nodded his thanks and walked to the plane. Rachel appeared next to him and got on with him, though her guards kept a weary eye on her. The plane took off from the airbase and headed back towards Japan with most of the people onboard. Back at the airbase, Toji assigned several agents to guard the Trident and sent a few other agents with Mana to secure the Angel. This was the second Angel they would be capturing, and Toji wanted to make no mistakes whatsoever.

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

Asuka slowly came to consciousness and opened her eyes. They felt heavy as the redhead blinked a few times, each time feeling like an eternity before her eyes opened again. She felt a breathing mask over her mouth and nose and felt oxygen flowing into her lungs. It felt kind of cool and comforting and yet something felt wrong. Memories flashed through her head and Asuka suddenly remembered the wound the Angel had inflicted on her. She expected pain to shoot through her body, but instead all she felt was a numbness. Was that a good thing?

Asuka turned her head slightly to the side and saw Shinji sitting next to the bed, napping. He looked exhausted and probably was. A small smile appeared on her face as Asuka guessed as to why Shinji was here. He kept his promise, and was still by her side. Asuka sighed and looked back up at the ceiling. She was so tired, and yet she didn't know why.

The door opened and Asuka glanced over, barely able to move her head. Kyoko walked in and saw that her daughter was awake. The two women exchanged a mutual smile but neither said anything, for there was still someone in the room that was asleep. Kyoko walked over and gently shook Shinji. His eyes opened and he looked at her. Kyoko shifted her eyes and looked back at Asuka and Shinji got the message. He turned and took her hand.

"Hey. How are you doing?"

Asuka tried to speak but Shinji shushed her.

"Don't try to talk too much," he said, "There were some toxins on the Angel's blade and your body is still recovering. Just rest, okay?"

Asuka nodded slightly and closed her eyes. It felt a lot better knowing someone was watching over her now. Why hadn't she realized that before? Oh you, her stupid, stupid pride.

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

Hikari and Maya had gotten little in the way of sleep once the Dead Sea Scrolls had been recovered. The originals were actually in plastic cases to keep them from being damaged, and everything had been scanned into a computer. Now a team was pouring over the information with them. Currently they had found the entire plan for a human-controlled Third Impact, and a few other vague references to Armageddon, which didn't really help. However, the mathematical equations were rather interesting and they were currently working on them.

"What do you think?" Hikari said to Maya.

The two were looking at a very interesting equation that both believed to be the key to properly understanding the S2 organs that Angels utilized. Though NERV and Seele had put S2 organs to use before, neither truly understood how they functioned. Even the new American cold-fusion generator based off of the S2 organ wasn't fully understood, and one of those was supplying NERV with electricity. With all that in mind, both wanted to know what they were truly using.

"Somehow the S2 organ is capable of extracting the full amount of energy held within things," said Maya, "That means they can use a sugar cube and keep a car running for a few thousand years."

"But the only problem with that is where would they store all the energy? And besides, the S2 organ is supposed to be able to provide energy forever. From that theory, once it runs out of matter it would shut down."

"But I think this explains it," Maya said as she pulled out another sheet. "This formula here is the reverse of this one. That means some of the energy the S2 engine uses is reconverted back into matter. What's more, the energy from one sugar cube could be used to make ten."

"That means this engine creates more than it uses," said Hikari, "If we can get this to work properly, we just solved the energy crisis!"

"Whoever wrote these solved it," said Maya, "but we still have a long way to go. Remember the incident with the American Second Branch?"

"Of course," said Hikari, "I read about it after I joined NERV."

"Well, that just shows there is still a stability problem. That means something in the structure was flawed. But maybe we can correct it with these."

"Did you ever imagine you would ever find something like this?" Hikari asked, "that you would ever have the chance to study these?"

Maya smiled at her coworker's enthusiasm. "Never. I had heard about the Dead Sea Scrolls, but otherwise I never thought that I would have them in my hands. Back when I was still a tech, there were a lot of unanswered questions, but now both of us have the chance to find the answers."

"Dr. Horaki, please come to the training area," a voice announced over the PA.

"I'll try to get back soon," Hikari said and left.

Maya couldn't help but wonder how things would turn out this time. Hikari was a nice young woman, and the two had grown close. When Hikari had joined NERV, Maya had guided her along and now the two shared a mother- daughter relationship. Hikari apparently needed one as her own mother had died. Maya sighed. Just because large disasters took place didn't mean small miracles couldn't happen.

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

Rei had taken over the training of the trainees now that Shinji was too tired and was constantly watching over Asuka. The Japanese government had backed down, but now they were filing complaints that Shinji was neglecting his job because of a woman. What they didn't know was that Shinji was in no mood for games and Rei had gone to great lengths to keep the complaints from reaching his ears. The US had gone on a vicious diplomatic rampage and looked like they would be ruining Ambassador Hikowa's career.

Rei looked at the candidates. The three newcomers from Europe were no longer strangers, and currently none of them could so much as even come close to creating an AT-Field with the suit. They continually practiced and put in more work trying to get an AT-Field to come online because once they did, they would be the frontline troops. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Hikari, and Toji all had a lot to do with research, paperwork, and security. Toji had gone on assignment again to try to track down Kensuke, so he would most likely not learn how to control his AT-Field anytime soon.

"Run through the exercise again," Rei ordered.

Leon looked like he was about to complain, but one sharp look from Rei silenced him. All three of the new recruits were undisciplined, and apparently none of them had worked with any military organization before. The exercises being run were all mind-relaxation techniques. Once the candidates could learn to relax, they could start focusing on other parts of their brain, parts that normally they couldn't tap. The control of the AT-Field laid in that direction. The Children had never had to learn how to do this because they tapped their AT-Fields naturally, but this was the only way for these people to learn how to use their AT-Fields.

Hikari entered the room and looked around. Leon smiled at her but Hikari ignored the man. She walked over to Rei.

"What is it Rei?" Hikari asked.

"I received a report from Dr. Ikari regarding your current physical condition," said Rei, "It is our mutual belief that you should not participate in the training. We do not know what kind of effect it would have on your child, so we are being careful about it."

"Oh, okay. Thanks for being concerned."

"Of course. What would my brother think of me if I wasn't?"

It would have been a lot more convincing if Rei had smiled, but it was Rei.

"Also, one other thing," said Rei, "Here."

Rei handed Hikari a data disk. Hikari gave the First Child a questioning look.

"This is the key to unlocking the Dead Sea Scrolls," said Rei, "Every Angel knows it, but we each have only a part. However, because of how our memory is connected, I have managed to piece this key together. Hopefully it will be helpful."

Hikari smiled at the blue-haired woman standing before her.

"Thanks Rei. But remember, you're human too."

Hikari left the room and returned to the lab with the key.

Rei turned her attention back to the three candidates. Suddenly she sensed something and realized that Crystal had flashed. It was rather impressive. The British candidate may be the first one to actually tone into her AT- Field. The only problem was that she was the most reluctant to do so. Not unlike Shinji in a way.

"Alright," Rei said, "We're done for today. Get some rest all of you. Crystal, tomorrow you will start training with the suit, providing it's repaired."

Crystal looked scared all of a sudden but the moment Leon placed an arm around her waist she calmed. Rei still didn't fully understand this kind of relationship, but it wasn't for her to judge. For now, she would simply let it alone, but the moment it started interfering with the work she'd have to do something about it. Perhaps Yui could give her some advice about this.

Grace showered with Crystal in the women's locker room. According to their current instructor, Rei, this had been where the pilots had changed into their plug suits before battle or sync tests. She should feel proud to be here, but for some reason she didn't. While Crystal was the one that displayed her concerns more openly, it was Grace that felt them more deeply.

"Do you really think we're to fight these things?" Crystal asked again, "I mean, you saw what happened to the Second Child. She was pretty beat up and was in surgery for a while. And from what I heard she just woke up."

"Don't worry so much," Grace advised her coworker, "They need us to help fight. You remember how exhausted the general was when we first came? He looked like he was about to drop dead! I mean, the man works way too hard."

"But that's because he fights Angels," Crystal said, "We will have to fight Angels soon too. Will we have the strength to do it?"

"If we don't we're all dead. Besides, how hard can it be? You saw how well the original pilots did it."

"But can we really live up to that?"

Grace sighed as she let the water run down her body. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before looking over at Crystal. The other woman was staring back at her.

"I don't know," Grace finally said, "All I know is that we either do or we don't. But try to forget about it, okay? Isn't Leon taking you out on a date tonight?"

"Yeah, but it's like he keeps trying to hit on every woman in the organization."

"He's only playing around, and I doubt he would try to hurt you."

Crystal nodded and took in a deep breath. She turned off the water and got her towel. It had come as a great surprise when she had been drafted out of her home town and sent all the way around the world to Japan. She had never wanted to come to Japan and become a soldier, but life was rarely accommodating. But there was one good thing so far, and that was meeting Leon. Everyone else seemed so downcast at times. When she had first met General Ikari, she had thought she would faint upon seeing him. There was a coldness around him that scared the living shit out of her. And him being the commanding officer of NERV didn't help either.

"It's kind of strange that so many of the command staff officers are all settled," Crystal chatted on, "I mean, the head of security is married to the assistant-head of the Science Division. Wait, no she isn't. She's the head of the technical division. Come to think of it, what is her job?"

"Don't ask me," Grace said, "I don't really know what her job is, though I've seen her working with the Science Division a lot."

"Ah well. Hey, why don't you join us? Maybe meet a guy too?"

"I don't know," Grace said, unsure of herself visibly now. "I'm not sure I want to meet someone right now."

"Oh come on! Don't tell me you're afraid of starting a relationship! That certainly doesn't sound right."

Grace shook her head at that comment. "Believe me Crystal, it's a lot more complicated than that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go home for dinner."

"Grace, if you keep this up you'll be single forever. Come on! Take a chance!"

Grace looked over at the other woman as she dressed. Something in those words had reached her, and she wasn't sure why. But why didn't she take a chance?

"Alright," she finally conceded, "I'll come with you. Where are we going?"

"Downtown. There are some great bars there, and one of them is especially reserved for NERV personnel and their families. Come on, get changed and let's go!"

Grace smiled and did just that.

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

Shinji had needed to take a break from watching over Asuka. It wasn't that he didn't want to, it was simply the fact that he was too tired and frustrated right now. He was currently in one of the gyms holding the prog sword. It had proven its use during the battle with the last Angel. That reminded him, he still needed to talk to that Angel.

Shinji activated the sword and started doing stances with it. While in the US he had learned the basics on how to use a sword because he had always felt stupid being able to use one in an EVA but never in real life. However, there was no one to train with here. Sarah had been a good swordswoman before her death, and both had dueled many times before. However, the incident with Adam had ended all that.

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

Sam struck out again but somehow Sarah still blocked him. It was extremely frustrating for him to constantly be deflected. Besides, whoever loses pays for dinner tonight. So far, Sarah had been enjoying a lot of free meals. He ducked an attempt by Sarah to hit on the head with the practice sword and struck out. The two locked blades and both used all their strength to hold it. Sam had a slight advantage, but Sarah always came up with little tricks to get past his strength. This time was no exception.

Sarah suddenly relaxed and Sam tripped forward, losing his balance. She thrust forward but Shinji had one desperate move he could attempt. He raised his arm slightly and let the blade slide right through the open air. Quickly, Sam grabbed the blade of the sword and held it right next to his skin, just under his armpit. The palm of his hand was above the blade and his figures struggled to hold it down and keep it from being pushed up. However, that soon didn't matter as Sam brought his sword next to Sarah's neck.

Sarah smiled and let go of her sword. Sam relaxed and let the practice sword fall to the ground. Normally Delta Force didn't encourage such things, but twice now knowing how to use a sword had saved Sam and his team's life, so it was tolerated. He also had the scars to prove it.

"So where are we going to dinner tonight?" Sam asked as he smiled.

"Well, since you always take me to those great European places, I think it's time we tried something Asian."

"Fine by me," said Sam, "Chinese?"

"Definitely," Sarah agreed, "How is Jessica doing?"

"Fine for now," said Sam, "I'll be visiting her after dinner. She'll probably want the leftovers too."

"Hospital food isn't that good," Sarah observed, "Should we go now?"

"After we both take a shower," said Sam, "We both need it."

Sarah laughed in way of agreement and both went to their respective locker rooms. Sam took off his work clothes and dumped them into one of the washing machines. He took a quick shower to get the sweaty smell off his body before changing back into a standard uniform. Sarah, as usual, was waiting for him outside. They both hopped into Sam's car and drove downtown. Sarah gave him the address and Sam found it easily. It was actually a nice looking restaurant with several other couples and two other families inside. They took a seat and Sarah ordered for both of them.

"Sam, did you hear about all that fuss that NERV has been making lately?" Sarah asked, "I mean, yeah they did save the world, but that doesn't entitle them to anything they want."

"What is it this time?" Sam replied, "It isn't as if they haven't asked for stuff before."

"Yeah, but this time they're asking for the records of every American citizen. I wonder who they're looking for."

I know, Sam though silently. Was it time to tell Sarah? Would she actually believe him? No, just a while longer. Besides, he had a daughter to look after too.

Their food arrived soon after and the two chow down. Sarah had been right, this place was pretty good. They continued talking about family, friends, work, and the current state of the world while they ate. To some, it might not have been interesting, but they found it to be so. After they'd finished, Sarah paid just like she was supposed to and they left. Tonight, they would share each other's bed again.

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

Shinji sliced through the air one more time before deactivating the sword. He planted it into the ground and sighed. Sarah had kept a diary and wrote down a lot of intimate things down. After her death, it had been left to him. Some of it had actually annoyed Shinji, but as he had read on he had seen through her doubts. However, there was one thing that angered him when he had read it. He had not been angry at Sarah, but at Misato and Adam.

It had been the last entry of the entire diary, the last thing Sarah had written down.

I'm pregnant. I am carrying Sam's, Shinji's child, and I don't know how to tell him. All I know is that this child is mine as well as his, and I will take care of it no matter what. I just hope Sam will help me in this task.

Tears welled up in Shinji's eyes again. Adam had stayed quiet for some time now, and Shinji wasn't exactly in the mood to talk either. However, there was one thing for sure. He would not let Asuka die. He had lost a person he loved, but in reality he had lost two people he loved, his child and the woman that had wanted to share a life with him. But life was cruel and took that away from him.

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

"Hey Grace!"

Grace looked over and saw Shigeru waving at her. He had a mug of beer in the other hand. Grace smiled and waved back.

"Come over and join us!"

Grace looked again and saw that Makoto was also sitting with him. Well, there was no harm in doing so. The German walked over and sat next to Shigeru and ordered a drink.

"Haven't seen you here before," Shigeru said.

"I don't really know too much about the city," Grace admitted.

"So that's why you go out, to see what it is like!" said Shigeru, "Right Makoto!"

"Of course. Say, how's your training going? Rei isn't being too tough is she?"

"She isn't really tough," said Grace, "She just has this commanding stance that gets you to follow orders."

"Sounds just like her," said Makoto, "You do know she's related to General Ikari, right?"

Grace nodded and sipped her drink. "She's his brother."

"Half-brother really," said Shigeru, "though I don't really understand the relationship that clearly. There's a lot missing. But that commanding authority seems to be genetic."

"General Ikari's really scary," Grace admitted, "When he looks at you, you feel like you did something wrong, even if you didn't."

"Kind of like his father, but not as bad," Makoto suggested, "Shinji's a lot kinder and compassionate. He used to spend time on the command deck and talk to us when there wasn't much going on. He hasn't done that too much since he got back, but we've all been really busy."

Grace didn't respond so Shigeru picked the conversation up.

"Back during the Angel War, everything was really tense and none of us knew the EVA pilots too well. But Shinji made a conscious effort to talk to us, and to earn our trust. Believe me, when he first came back I was wondering who he was. But after everything ended, I see why he tried to scare us so badly."

"Was fighting the Angels hard?" Grace asked.

"Of course," Shigeru said, his voice a whisper. "We lost a lot of friends because of the Angels, and because of Seele."

Grace knew what they were talking about. The NERV Massacre was known by almost everyone, and the entire thing caused a lot of commotion. But she also knew that there were a few holes in the story. Maybe she would find out what they were once she was officially a frontline officer. Lost in her train of thought, she didn't notice Shigeru glancing over at her.

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

Shinji had showered and changed into a clean uniform. He was now back in Asuka's room, still exhausted. He sat down next to her and ran his hand through her bright red hair.

"You're still beautiful, no matter what."

Shinji crossed his arms and closed his eyes. There was more to life than fighting. Much more.

End of Scenario 9

This chapter was simply a reflection of the past, another twist in relationships, introduction of a potential relationship, and finally showing the weariness of everyone. Also, one person provided me with a lot of stuff about the meaning of the Angel's names, but a few were missing like Tabris. Another person said that Lilith was Adam's first wife, but again I do not have the meaning. Anyone who knows, please tell me.

This chapter was shorter than normal, and I'm sure I could make it longer but right now Shinji isn't the only one exhausted. My life is getting really complicated just because of one girl, and a major influence of this chapter was me venting my current frustration. I like the girl, but damn it, it's getting more and more complicated.

Z98