Everlasting Coda
By ArchangelUK

A/N: Good news I have figured out where and when we are at the moment! Think of it this way, the Angel the Eva pilots fought was an alternate version of Iruel (aka Angel Number 11 - or Computer Circuit Angel - or the Angel Ritsuko and Maya destroys). So we are now approximately three days after the events of that day.

I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. However, I do own a copy of Kaji's Melons Monthly! Which, oddly enough was on the top most shelf, I....*opens mag* Oh. On second thoughts I DO NOT own a copy of Kaji's Melons Monthly...

Part 4: Duets For Three

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."
~ Romans 12:6 ~

[Red Faces & Red Lettuce]

Her face was a very bright purple, as was his. He swallowed, not quite understanding where and when it had all gone so pear shaped and wondered what would happen if Misato ever found out about this accident. Well he'd probably be six feet under before he could say "Gomen-nasi Katsuragi." His immediate problem was the tech in front of him who looked as though she was about to hit him with something blunt and probably made of metal. The clipboard she was carrying looked rather menacing...

"Listen here Kaji." She stuttered part through anger and part through embarrassment.

"Why Maya, how could you suggest such a thing. I was only trying to -"

"I know very much what you were trying to!" Maya Ibuki spun on her heel away from the stubble-chinned man, who sighed audibly. Dr Ritsuko Akagi who was standing next to the open doorway Maya stormed through looked at Kaji and shook her head disappointedly.

"You won't get anywhere with Maya you know."

"I wasn't trying to." Kaji insisted, "It was a pure accident that I happened to... well."

"Spare me the gory details. I thought you were starting to fall for Misato's charms again."

"Doomed battles aren't my style."

"Uh-huh. You seem very cosy lately..."

Kaji looked at Ritsuko quizzically. "Define 'cosy'."

"Chatty then." She corrected a wave of the hand by Kaji dismissing the need for apology.

"Ah, the lovely Katsuragi isn't in the talking mood at the moment. I tried to talk to her after the last Angel arrived and I ended up getting a rather large torrent of abuse." Kaji groaned, remembering the tirade in all its very loud and rude detail. "She wasn't all that pleased." Ritsuko chuckled.

"That sounds like Misato." She smiled, "What are you doing in here anyway?"

"I would have thought that was obvious." Kaji said loading his plate up with a variety of different salad foods and dousing it with a rich dressing. The doctor looked at her watch questioningly.

"It's a bit early to have lunch isn't it?" Ritsuko pressed the appropriate number on the drinks machine and a cup appeared out of nowhere, a stream of tea then began filling it to the top. At Kaji's request she pressed it again to get him the same drink.

"Well, I like to eat." He eventually said, as the pair sat down at one of the green tables that dotted the food area. This was in contrast to the bar area which had red tables and much better colour co-ordination. Ritsuko smiled and sipped her tea as her old friend chewed a forkful of lettuce. It was at that moment the lift opened and the Commander exited, with a protesting Misato on his heels. Kaji pointed his fork at the approaching duo, "Unlike the Commander to come down here."

"Very true." The doctor nodded, her curiosity peaked by Misato's appearance with Ikari.

"What do you suppose all this is about?" Kaji asked, indicating Misato Katsuragi's apparent frustration.

"You probably."

"Me?" Kaji coughed almost choking on his food, Ritsuko stifled a laugh as the Commander and Misato both grabbed meal trays and stated to help themselves to the 'executive' area of the food displays. "Why is it always me?"

"Maybe because you're a double agent working for both NERV and SEELE? Maybe because you happen to push Misato's buttons? Maybe both for all I know."

"You know more than you let anyone know Ritsuko. You and I both know that."

"Really? Then what is it exactly I supposedly know that you supposedly don't?"

"I haven't got to that bit yet but I will soon don't you worry." He winked at her and she shook her head sadly, a far off look in her eye. She could see Kaji's future - it wasn't very long and it would end in hurt for Misato. Who had just sat down at a table several metres away with her back to her friends; the Commander could see both of them and nodded which drew the Major's attention towards her grinning friends.

"Katsuragi!" Kaji called, smiling and waving. Misato scowled at him in such a way his grin immediately went into reverse and he quickly broke eye contact shovelling another slice of tomato into his mouth. Ritsuko blinked in confusion.

"Unlike you to get flustered by her looks."

"Oh I know the look she just gave me my dear doctor, I know all her looks and that was her 'this is personal, distraction equals death' look. Whatever Misato is talking with the Commander about it's very very important."

"I see." Ritsuko nodded but Kaji shook his head vigorously.

"On the contrary, whatever it is we do not see, or hear. It would be for our own good."

"Maybe you should apply that logic to your other job Kaji." Ritsuko smirked, Kaji sighed and ate some more of his salad.

[Ebony & Ivory & Fire & Ice]

Asuka had kept quiet after Rei's outburst; still she followed like a sheep following another sheep for want of anything better to do. They past many corridors, many rooms, many people she had never seen before. Then again they of course all knew her. Suddenly Rei stopped dead in her tracks and turned to look down an adjacent corridor, a confused Asuka watched as the blue haired girl's features seemed to suggest recognition, but of what Asuka didn't know.

"What is it?"

"The music." Rei whispered, and Asuka strained to hear whatever it was Rei could hear but failed only the sound of the escalator humming entered her ears.

"What music?"

The piano was playing again, Rei could hear it but it wasn't the same. It was Shinji's song but there was something wrong with the piece, as every time he tried to play a particular high note he made a mistake. She frowned, and Asuka frowned too, she still couldn't hear anything.

"Something is wrong..."

Rei set off at a run hurrying down the corridors to find him, Asuka who had been left very much in Rei's wake growled and took off after the rapidly disappearing pilot of Eva 00. Rei knew where she was going and quickly reached the entrance to the bar, which was once again open, the dividers between it and the food section were still locked. There were people in there she could see, but due to the frosted glass she didn't know who it was. She crept slowly towards the piano where Shinji was still playing.

Now he seemed to be getting into things again, Rei felt the same sensations flow through her. She could begin to see the forest, the fields, the clear blue sky and dazzling sunshine. She felt so warm and at peace but she still knew that this was but a dream. None of this was real. None of it. Swallows, or maybe Swifts flew through the air in formation their forked tails easily identifying them as they banked suddenly to the left. Rei found herself by a stream, sitting on a red and white chequered blanket with what looked like a picnic hamper by her side. There was someone else there, but before she could make it out there was a note out of place followed by a loud protest from the piano as a fist angrily thumped down on the keys. Rei's eyes shot open as she observed Shinji look at his right hand in a mixture of anger and sorrow; he clasped his left hand around his wrist and flexed his fingers trying to solve his apparent problem. Rei could see what it was; the twitch that Shinji had picked up in it following his first combat against an Angel was rearing its ugly head again. That explained why the mistake was always on the high notes, because that was where Shinji's hand had been, the hand twitched again and Shinji closed his eyes in disappointment.

Rei's face seemed to be doing four or five emotions at once, which baring in mind it rarely did one was quite an achievement. Rei felt angry, angry that the actions of the Angels had caused Shinji's disability. She felt disappointment that she couldn't hear all the song, sad that Shinji appeared so upset himself, yet she was also happy and relieved that she had found him. A part of her also realised that Asuka had not kept up with her and was resigned to another torrent of angry German when the red head caught up.

"Hello Ayanami." Shinji's words startled her, she had made no sounds so how did he know that a) he wasn't alone and b) it was her.

"Hello Ikari."

"Come sit with me." Shinji not turning around budged up on the piano stool and patted the space next to him. His voice was almost like Rei's normally was, cool and unemotional. The blue haired pilot somewhat nervously sat down next to Shinji and he finally turned towards her. She did not say anything at first; the pair just looked into each others eyes he waiting for her to speak, she trying to figure out what to say.

"I needed to speak to you." Rei managed eventually, breaking the glance.

"You have questions." Shinji stated in that same Rei-like voice, something that was beginning to seriously unnerve her.

"Yes." She mumbled, clutching her hands together. "Your wounds...."

"They'll heal Ayanami." Rei breathed a sigh of relief, though this was due to the fact that Shinji's voice had returned to normal as opposed to the fact Shinji's cuts and bruises would repair themselves. "They'll heal..."

"It wasn't that exactly, it was more to do with why you received them." Rei looked down at the keyboard and was surprised to feel Shinji put his arm around her. He felt so warm. It felt so comforting.

"That I should have killed the Angel when I had the chance."

"No!" Rei blurted, then blushed. "Your father was... wrong." The words seemed so unnatural to her.

"You'd do the same for me wouldn't you?" Shinji said quietly, releasing his arm from around her. "This confuses you."

"Yes." Rei nodded, surprised by Shinji's knowledge of the way she felt. No one else knew her so well or understood what she was thinking. "I would do the same and yet I know the reprocussions of it. The pilot of Unit Two explained to me why I feel this way." She wouldn't be able to explain why I feel this way around you though...

"Asuka and you spoke?" Shinji almost fell off the stool. "She spoke to you? A-And she didn't yell?"

"That is correct. She was with me before I heard you play your song, and then I ran off to find you. She will be most angry with me."

"That she will be!" Shinji nodded and smiled, "You knew it was me. How?"

"The other night I watched you while you played."

"I see." Shinji grinned, making Rei blush again. "I didn't know you were there."

"That was my intention." Rei stammered, "I-I wanted to know who it was playing, I needed to know who was playing such music."

"It was good?"

"It was... wonderful." Shinji's smile got even larger; he had never heard Rei say anything so emotional. He had expected 'pleasant' if she thought it was good, 'agreeable' if she thought it was okay and no answer at all if she thought it was awful. Shinji being Shinji was expecting the latter. "I'm the only one who knows aren't I?" Shinji nodded.

"I was planning to surprise everyone on Misato's birthday, I wrote the music myself. It's my first effort."

"Your first effort? It is most advanced."

"Well, I..." Shinji's face glowed red at her praise, then his hand twitched again and he scowled at it.

"Your hand..."

"Yeah, it's interfering with the high notes. I seem to be fine using it in the middle keyboard but then I try and use those three keys there." He pointed to the offending keys, "It twitches and I end up making a mistake."

"The other night you made no mistake."

"I was playing a version of it three keys down, it still works but the version I'm trying to play is better."

"I would like to hear it." Rei asked with pleading eyes.

"As I said I can't play it."

"I could play the notes for you. I remember the music very well, if you tell me what to play I should be able to play it."

"But you've never played the piano."

She shrugged, "I will learn. You must play that music again."

"How will you learn? I can't teach you."

"You taught yourself Ikari." The girl pointed out.

"Oh Ayanami it isn't just that..." Shinji gave a forlorn smile, "There is a companion piece of music that goes with it."

"There is more?"

"If you want to hear it fully I'll need someone else to play with me, it's mainly lower notes but if you've got to play those few high ones for me and I've got to concentrate on the remaining high notes and middle eight then we need someone else."

"Did someone call for a maestro?" Shinji and Rei looked around to see a smiling (if slightly annoyed) red haired German girl, Asuka walked up to the piano and sat down on the other end of the piano stool so now Shinji was sandwiched between her and Rei. The irony of that wasn't lost on Shinji. "I didn't know you could play the piano Third Child."

"No one was supposed to." He sighed.

"Well, luckily you happen to know a gorgeous aficionado of all things musical who just so happens to be able to play the piano as well." Asuka flashed a dazzling smile, while Shinji managed to stifle a laugh. "I'm serious Shinji!"

"I know it's 'my good fortune'."

"It is. Indeed it is!" Asuka smiled, and proceeded to play a quick musical arrangement to show off her skill - which turned out to be quite impressive.

"I remember that music Asuka, that's the music we used to defeat that Angel that split in two."

"Bingo Shinji my boy." Asuka said with a wink.

"That's very good." Rei commented, "Not as good as Shinji but still very good." Asuka's eyes narrowed.

"Okay then Third Child show me what you can do."

Shinji sighed, "Very well Asuka." Shinji then proceeded to play his three bar lower version of the music Rei had heard, after three minutes there was a note out of place. Not an error through Shinji's hand twitching, but from Asuka's falling jaw, Shinji stopped and looked at the pilot of Unit Two. She sat gaping at him, mouth open as if catching flies, eyes trebled in size.

"That...was you?" Asuka's senses had been blown away, the question was merely rhetorical to herself, she couldn't believe the person next to her played that it wasn't possible. Surely not. I mean his cello playing was good, but this was far beyond being in her league, it was not as though it was a level or two above it was in a completely different stratosphere. While Asuka was in shock at how good it was Rei was practically asleep, her head resting on Shinji's shoulder, something Shinji hadn't appeared to notice yet. She was lightly humming the tune while she rested, Asuka had never seen her so relaxed, then again she had never seen anyone so relaxed.

"Yes Asuka, that was me." Shinji couldn't help laughing, but in doing so he agitated his bruised chest muscles and he cried out in pain. Rei awoke from her trance like state.

"Shinji?"

"It's okay Rei... I'm fine." Shinji and Rei both noticed their closeness and rapidly corrected it, both blushing a deep beetroot colour. Asuka glowered at the First, her eyebrow twitching with suppressed rage. How dare she get so close to her Shinji! Wait a minute... her Shinji? Asuka's face suddenly matched the shade of Rei and Shinji's, something they both picked up on. Rei gave Shinji a questioning glance, he raised both eyebrows in response to her unspoken query and she nodded in understanding. Don't ask. Whatever you do, don't ask.

Rei Ayanami wasn't the only one who could sense when something was wrong, for in the mind of one Gendo Ikari an alarm as loud as an N2 mine was going off. Something was out of place.

[Ikari Vs Ikari]

The Commander didn't know what it was exactly that was out of the ordinary but whatever it was it was enough to distract him from the purple haired woman in front of him. He blinked in confusion as his brain tried to discern what it was that was that was out of place, he straightened and got slightly out of his chair making Misato stop in mid-argument.

"Commander?" The man raised a finger ordering silence; Misato gave him a glance as if to ask 'What?'

"Something..." He mumbled and made his way towards the other table, Ritsuko didn't even see him coming until a quietly whispered question of "Doctor? Do you hear something?" made her look up. Ikari's voice even at a whisper was still strong and masterful; she trained her hearing on the surrounding area and caught the faint sound of music.

"Music?" She asked looking at her superior,

"It sounds like a piano." Kaji added with a frown, Misato joined the three.

"But the only piano on this floor is in the bar next door, and, the bar is locked..." She trailed off as she looked at the frosted glass panels that cordoned off the bar area.

"I thought all personnel knew that drinking while in the red zone is prohibited." Ikari spat and with a face like thunder marched out towards the bar entrance, the others in hot pursuit. It didn't take them long to find the open door.

"Unlocked." Kaji unnecessarily pointed out.

"By whom?" Ritsuko asked, and was answered by Misato who drawing her gun said.

"Let's find out."

Asuka stared at the sheets of handwritten notation paper Shinji had produced and then looked up at him blankly. "You want me... to play this." Shinji nodded his affirmative, "Are you stupid? It would take me months to learn this you idiot." Shinji shrugged.

"W-w-well if the great Asuka L-Langley Sohryu isn't up to a, er, challenge..." He said teasingly, despite his nerves at making a direct challenge to the redhead.

"I didn't say that Third Child." Asuka growled, but playfully, then she noticed her name atop the first page. "What's this?"

"It is a duet Asuka, I... kind of had you in mind when I wrote it."

"Y-You were going to ask me to play it with you weren't you?"

"Well, I had kind of gathered that you played." Shinji said with a sly smile.

"How? I never told anyone."

"You boasted of being able to play the piano not two weeks ago Pilot Sohryu."

"Oh shush up Rei." Asuka stuck out her tongue in annoyance; Shinji glanced at Rei and rolled his eyes. "Shinji? I'm, well, its very kind of you to consider me in this little plan of yours."

"Yes. Well, as long as we don't have any more interruptions maybe its best if I leave you alone to practice."

"Practice?" Asuka blinked, seemingly unfamiliar with the word like her talent was purely natural.

"Practice." Shinji confirmed, "I need to start to teach Rei what to do for her part of the duet. Well, it's more of a 'triet' now... oh well."

Shinji led Rei over to a nearby table and opened his bag again, this time pulling out a large notebook and more sheet music. He laid them out, using an ashtray to keep them in position and avoid them being blown all over the place by the air conditioning. Shinji rubbed his eyes, he was tired, not just physically but mentally as well he had a headache and his chest was hurting like the blazes again. Yet he wanted to remain, Rei and Asuka were getting on and were happy to be with him, just as he was with being in their company. He was pleased they were all doing something together; something that for once didn't revolve around Evangelions or Angels, or Third Impact or Second Impact or saving the world. Something they were all interested in, something they all wanted to do as opposed to being ordered to do. It was nice.

"Now Rei, you can read music yes?"

"Of course."

"Sorry stupid question." Shinji waved a hand in apology.

"I will still require time to familiarise myself with the differences between reading notation for piano as opposed to music for violin."

"I'll, get you a photocopy of my notations and highlight those that will be your notes."

Rei frowned, "Shinji? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Ayanami."

"You appear to be in discomfort."

"It's...ah...nothing. Honestly I'm fine." Rei nodded but her eyes betrayed the fact she knew he was only saying that to avoid worrying her. In the background Asuka had started to play, with difficulty, the beta piece and it wasn't long before she was moaning at Shinji's 'sloppy notation'.

"It's not sloppy Asuka, you just can't play it yet." She was stunned by his bluntness and had no answer to it. He instead asked her to play what she could of the music and Shinji immediately spotted her problem. "Foot."

"Foot?"

"On peddle, press peddle, note then correct." Asuka's face darkened in embarrassment at making such an elementary mistake.

"Don't worry about it Asuka." Shinji whispered just as the door crashed open and his father, guardian, Kaji and Ritsuko came in.

"What is... this?" Ritsuko asked, seemingly to anyone who could answer.

"Rei, why are you all in here?" Commander Ikari seemingly dismissed, Asuka and Shinji and set his vision purely on the First Child.

"We were studying music." Rei stated in her usual monotone, this upset Shinji somewhat as she had been speaking in a warmer voice to him yet with the abrupt entry of his father Rei had gone back into her shell somewhat.

"This room is out of bounds at this time, you are aware of this are you not?"

"The room is not out of bounds." Rei stated calmly, "Merely it's function." Rei's cool logic was annoying Gendo.

"Look we weren't doing anything, least anything that would concern you." Shinji sighed, and suddenly felt the full weight of his father's attention focus on him.

"You are banned from such places as this as punishment for your actions in the last sortie."

"Oh leave him alone!" Asuka yelled only to be put squarely in her place by a vicious glare the coldness of liquid nitrogen. Misato made to go forward to interject but Kaji's hand on her wrist advised her it was best she did not.

"You." Gendo barked, focusing on his son. "Leave." Shinji didn't move, at least at first, he glanced over at Rei who looked like she so wanted to say something but her fear or respect for his father was preventing her. Calmly Shinji got up, whispered briefly into Asuka's ear what he wanted her to do and walked over to Rei, he gathered his notes, diligently placing them in order. The slowness and deliberate thoroughness started to grate at the Commander and his frosty glance was getting angrier and angrier by the second. Eventually after a brief non-verbal conversation with Rei, the content of which was lost on everyone Shinji stood before his father, holding his notebook in his arms and his bag slung over his back.

"Father." He said slowly, and for the first real time stared back into those cold eyes. There was a hiatus, until eventually Gendo snapped.

"I SAID LEAVE!!" He grabbed Shinji by the collar and threw him in the direction of the door, and this time it was Kaji who was stopped by Misato. Things would have ended that way with Shinji leaving if it was not for a most unfortunate situation. Shinji lost his balance and fell. More to the point he landed awkwardly letting out a yelp as though he had burnt himself. There was a moment of stillness before a gargling sound came from Shinji's throat, Asuka was immediately at his side as was Misato while Rei looked as though the strain between complying with Shinji's father and her will to rush to Shinji was about to get to her. The gargling sound got louder, until in a fit of coughing a disturbingly large glob of blood escaped Shinji's mouth and landed on the floor. His vision blurred, like he was looking through a sheet of gauze and unconsciousness claimed him.

The last thing he heard and saw was Misato screaming at Ritsuko to help him, Rei's heart winning the battle over her mind and Asuka cradling his head.


To Be Continued...

PS: If you like this please feel free to review, and Shinji/Rei fans might find my recent One Shot 'Dream A Little Dream of Me' interesting. Also it may be a while before another chapter materialises so apologies in advance.

ArchangelUK 0:o)