Code Blue

"He finally asleep?" Kaji asked as Misato tiptoed into the kitchen. She nodded, dropping into a chair across from him. "You look exhausted. Why don't you sleep over tonight?" She gave him a look. "That's not what I meant! I'll sleep on the couch and you can have my bed. I won't try anything; promise." He stood and began filling the tea kettle.

"I know you won't," she said in a weary voice, "but I really can't stay. The girls are staying at my apartment and they're probably STILL awake, waiting to hear some news about Narikage."

"Then at least have some tea before you go. It'll wake you up."

"You sound like a bitchy housewife."

"It works, doesn't it?" He smiled at her, setting down a steaming cup.

"Arigato." She wrapped her hands around the warm cup with a little sigh. "I really owe you one for doing this, Kaji. I couldn't have pulled it off without you."

"Really, you don't owe me anything."

"You'll probably want to kill me after a couple of days with Narikage though. He's kind of hard to get along with at first. And those nightmares..."

"We'll be fine. Besides, I think we're starting to understand each other." Kaji decided it best not to mention their earlier conversation; some things were best kept just between men. "As for the nightmares, I really think I'll be able to handle it. How bad can they be?" Misato raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you shouldn't answer that. But, anyway, I'll get used to them. Don't worry." He reached across the table, laying a gentle hand over hers. Misato let it rest there for a few minutes before gently drawing it away.

"Kaji, look. I know you still have a thing for me and...well, I'll admit it: I still kind of have a thing for you too. It's just...right now, with all this stuff going on...I really can't concentrate on any kind of relationship. Not when Narikage needs me this much. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, Misato. I understand. Narikage does need you a lot more than I do and I respect that." He smiled softly. "For now, I'll be content with just being your friend." A slow smile spread across her face.

"Me too."

They both turned their head when they heard a soft 'click' coming from the direction of the bedrooms.

"Narikage?" Misato stood and walked through the living room to the bedroom where Narikage was sleeping. She slid the door open, peeking in on him. He was lying just as she had left him, still fast asleep.

"Anything?" Kaji asked when she returned.

"No, it must have been the wind. Anyway, I really need to get home; the girls are waiting to pounce." She pulled on her jacket. "Thanks again, Kaji. Call me if anything happens."

"I will." She smiled then leaned over, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before blushing and running.

(Cut)

As the apartment door opened, Rei and Asuka leapt to their feet, scattering the playing cards from the game everywhere. Each girl seized an arm, chattering question so fast, Misato's head was spinning.

"Girls! GIRLS!" she shouted over the noise. "Please! Give me two seconds!" The questions quieted but did not stop. Misato sighed, letting them babble as she shook herself from their grasp, pulling off her coat. "Alright! One at a time!"

"Did they find him?" Asuka quickly jumped in.

"No. We don't think he's in NERV any longer."

"Do YOU know where he is?" Rei asked.

"Of course I don't. If I did, don't you think I'd turn him over to NERV officials?"

"No," the girls said in unison.

"Give me a little credit, you two. Now, if you don't mind, I'm tired so I'm going to take a bath and go to bed. You two need to get to bed too; it's nearly four a.m. and you have school tomorrow." She shooed them into the bedroom, ignoring their protests and persistent questions.

"She's hiding something," Asuka declared.

"Hai. But I'm sure she has a reason not to tell us." Rei sat on her futon, withdrawing the book Narikage had give her from beneath her pillow. "Wherever he is, I hope he's alright..."

"Me too," Asuka admitted softly. Rei looked at her friend.

"I thought you hated him."

"I do but...well, I don't really know how to explain it. I guess seeing him in that cell and seeing that sad, beaten look in his eye..."

"It reminded you of yourself." Asuka's face lit up slightly.

"Yes, that's exactly it! Wait, how do you know?"

"Because he reminded me of myself too." Rei ran her small fingers over the cover of the thick volume.

"That look...it drew me towards him," Asuka continued after a minute. "I felt so sorry for him. It's like he's carrying the world on his shoulders and it weighs him down a little more every day. But he won't accept any help." She smiled a little. "Plus, it really WAS fun to fight with him." Rei laughed through misty eyes.

"Mortal enemies are usually the best of friends."

"Ain't THAT the truth."

(Cut)

Misato showed up for work the next day, only slightly surprised to find that the hunt for Narikage was still on. Despite the fact that the chances for him still being in the building were low, Commander Fuyutski kept up the half-hearted search. Every available worker had been called in and security—especially around Central Dogma—was extremely tight.

Sometime around four that night, while Misato was in her office, filing behind paperwork, Kaji entered, a fake smile on his face and a worried look in his eyes. Misato looked up as he leaned against her desk, startled.

"Kaji?!"

"Hey, Beautiful. You off early tonight? 'Cause if you are, I'd love to have you over for dinner."

"Kaji, what the hell--?" He quickly put a finger to his lips, sliding a small scrap of paper across the desk:

Your office is bugged.

She blinked then understanding broke through. "Get the hell away from me, jerk," she bellowed. "And NO, I DON'T get off early. I just came in at noon."

"So take off early."

"I can't. I have tons of paperwork to catch up on so keep your dinner to yourself."

"Come on. You were so willing to go on a date before."

"That was BEFORE I had all this work."

"Oh, forget that. Just take it home with you and finish it there. I just want dinner with you, Misato. I swear." Misato feigned an annoyed sigh.

"If I say yes, will you leave?"

"Absolutely."

"Fine. I'll come over about six-thirty. Satisfied?" His chuckle was forced.

"Quite. See you then." He touched her hand as he spoke and the worried look in his eyes darkened.

Misato had a bad feeling about this.

(Cut)

"So, are you sure your plae isn't bugged?" were the first words out of Misato's mouth as Kaji opened the door for her.

"Positive." She moved past him into the kitchen, removing her jacket.

"Where's Narikage? Asleep?" When Kaji didn't reply, she turned slowly. "Kaji?" Silently, the man held out a folded piece of paper. Hands trembling, she took it, flipping it open. She scanned the loopy handwriting, the color draining from her face.

Dear Misato & Kaji-san,

Thank you for all of your help and for risking your lives to get me out of NERV. I shall never forget it, nor shall I ever forget you. It is no longer safe for me to be anywhere near this city, so, for the good of everyone, I'm leaving. If all goes as I plan, I will never return. I will not be the one to destroy everyone. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused.

Narikage

"'If all goes as I plan...'" Misato read in a hushed voice. She suddenly let out a loud cry, the note falling from her fingers. "Kaji! We have to find him! He's going to kill himself!" She made a mad dash for the door, but Kaji grabbed her arm, holding her back. "What the hell are you doing?! Let me go! We have to find him and stop him!"

"Misato, I found that note this morning and I've spent all day looking for him. But with those wings...he's probably hundreds of miles away by now. He's gone," he said in a quiet voice.

"No, damnit! He's out there somewhere and we can't let him do this!"

"Misato." Kaji grabbed the woman's shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "I know this is hard for you but this has to be his choice and his alone."

"He's just a boy!"

"But he's a boy who's suffering. He knows it's the only way to keep from hurting you and the girls." Misato squeezed her eyes shut, a tear trailing down her cheek. Kaji pulled her into his arms and she clung to him, her face hidden in his broad shoulder. He held her silently, gently running his fingers through her hair, an action that made her cry harder for some reason.

After a few moments had passed, Misato pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Gomen..."

"There's no need to apologize." He handed her a few Kleenex which were gratefully accepted.

"It's just...the thought of loosing Shinji and now Narikage..."

"I know. They were both wonderful boys."

"Too wonderful for the life they were forced to live. Narikage especially; he doesn't deserve this kind of punishment." She wiped her eyes again before balling the remaining tissue in her hand. Kaji looked like he wanted to say something else, but a ring from Misato's jacket pocket stopped him. She pulled out her cell phone and pushed a button. "Moshi moshi?" There was a long silence, during which all of the remaining color drained from her face.

"Misato? Misato, what's wrong?" Kaji asked, concerned. The phone slipped from her fingers, shattering on the tile floor.

"Code blue," she whispered. "It's Narikage."