Disclaimer: See chapter one.

AN: I know this is short and possibly a little rushed, but I'll make it up in the next chapter.

Chap. 4

"The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It is what you would call an energy field. It surrounds us and binds all life together."

"That sounds...like an AT field."

"I guess in a manner of speaking, it is. When you are calm, you can feel it. I imagine that is why your skills in the kitchen exceeds anything else you do."

"T-thank you."

"Now let's continue our exercises."

----

Two months later...

Schoolgrounds

"I can't believe her sometimes." Asuka snapped. She and Hikari were exiting the school and Asuka went on her daily warpath. "Baka Shinji is gone for a few months and the place look like a war-zone now. Misato is such a slob."

"Well, you could always clean up, Asuka." Hikari suggested. Inwardly, she knew what Asuka was doing. It was one of her ploys to go to her house. She liked having Asuka over, but sometimes the German girl was too much, even for her. And it didn't help that the house was now becoming unsuitable for Asuka to be in.

Asuka gave her an incredulous look, "Me? Are you serious? I am an Eva pilot. That's for people like the Baka and the other two Stooges."

Hikari shrugged and then tried to turn the subject in order to get out. "So...do you miss him?"

Another weird look, "Are you kidding? I don't have to hear his never-ending tirade of 'gomen' and 'sorry'." She shook her head, "It's pathetic really."

"I miss him."

The response came from Rei, who was descending down the stair. Hikari looked at her with complete surprise. Rei never says anything, absolutely anything, unless ordered to. And for her to make such a statement must have meant something.

Unfortunately, Asuka didn't see it that way. "You...? Well you don't count, Wondergirl. You're just a doll anyway. You two are probably in each other pants now."

Her face remained unchanged, as though she wasn't affected by the Second Child's comment. "I am not a doll, Pilot Sohryu. And I do not understand the significance of being in Ikari-kun's pants, but that has not happened to either of us."

Hikari was near flabbergasted by Rei naivety, but Asuka brushed her off, "Yeah, whatever." Turning to Hikari, "So Hikari, can we go now? I'm getting hungry."

'So much for that plan.' "Yeah. Sure thing, Asuka." She then waved at Rei, "See you tomorrow, Ayanami."

"Yes, Class Representative Hokari."

Rei strode away and Asuka shook her head again, "She is just too weird for me."

"Well, she has her reasons, I guess." Hikari added in.

"Yeah right. Well, let's get going."

------

"Keep yourself focused, Shinji."

"I'm trying. Gomen."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. Just simply do it. There is no try."

----

Four months later...

Classroom

"So what do ya think Shinji's doing now?"

Touji and Kensuke were in the room waiting for class to begin. As usual, Kensuke was fiddling with his camera while Touji rested his head back in the chair, obviously bored.

"I don't know. Secret Nerv stuff, I guess." Touji answered.

"I bet it some sort of special training regime, you know?" Kensuke closed the camera and went to the computer. "I mean think about it. Shinji once said that Ayanami and the demon were already trained to pilot the Evas so maybe that's what he's doing."

"I guess." was the bored reply.

Kensuke stopped and looked up at him, "Touji, doesn't any of this excite you?"

"That only gets to war-maniacs like you, 'suke."

Kensuke gave his friend a frown, "Fine then, have it your way. But when he comes back and starts pounding on angels, don't ask to see it with me."

"Don't worry. I won't."

------

Chhiiiiinnnnnggg!!!

"You have to feel the Force flowing through you."

"I'll tr...Hai."

Chiiinnnnnggg!!!

"Stretch out with your feelings."

Classhhh! Classhhh! Classshhh!!

"You've done well, Shinji."

"Thank you."

-----

Six months later...

Nerv HQ

"So?"

"Shinji is supposed to be back by tomorrow."

Ritsuko looked up at her friend, wondering about her now odd behavior. It would take quite a bit to dampen Misato's mood about anything. Of course, it was quicker when it concerned a certain young boy.

"I thought you would be a little more...enthusiastic about it."

Misato took a sip of her coffee, another rare event. "I don't know. It's just...It's been a good long while. And he doesn't sound like anything is wrong, but I'm worried that he may have changed."

"Change happens, Misato." Ritsuko replied shortly.

"Gee, thanks." Misato replied sharply.

"You're welcome." Ritsuko thought about ending the conversation there, but Misato was her friend. 'At the very least, I could try to cheer her up. Me cheering her up, that's a first.' Ritsuko briefly stopped in her work.

"Look Misato, think of it this way. If he has changed, then why not be glad for him? You know that deep down, Shinji cares a lot about what you say." She then turned back to her computer. "Why not see what he's like first before jumping to conclusions?"

Misato was silent for a few minutes and then her face brightened, "You know, you're absolutely right. I haven't been acting like myself lately. And my Shin-chan is coming back tomorrow. You know what that means?"

Ritsuko cringed inwardly. 'Oh no, not a...'

"Party time! And you're invited."

Ritsuko frowned to herself. 'Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut.'

-----

"Remember, never give in to hatred or fear. That leads to the dark side."

".........."

"You have seen much of it already. But I believe that you can fight it. Just keep you lessons to heart and you will be fine."

"I will, Qui Gon-sensei."

"Now, I want you to continue your studies. I will check on you in a few days. There is something I must do first."

"Yes, master."

"Remember, Shinji. The Force will be with you. Always."

----

The next day...

Misato stood outside the train stop waiting for Shinji to arrive. 'Wow, this feels like deja vu.' she thought as the train finally rolled in. She waited until it moved away, but there was no sign of Shinji. 'That's strange.' She remained there as the other passenger exited the station and came down the steps. Fortunately, they were few in number, (This is Tokyo-3 after all) so she didn't have to move. She took a deep breath and blinked. But when her eyes re-opened, there he was

Shinji stood at the top of the stairs. He was dressed in strange plain robes and a lock of his hair was tied up on the side. Misato quickly examined him. Beyond his clothing, he didn't seem to have changed as much as she thought. His eyes were showed the same lonely, shy, boy that had left months ago. Although...there was something about him now. Something...off. Shinji looked down to see his guardian waiting for him and gave one of his rare smiles.

"I'm home."

Misato returned the smile, "Welcome home, Shinji."