Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 41

"There! Shinji! Rei!"

Misato and her group spotted the three waiting figures in the distance, just underneath the bending form of the unit 01. Shinji turned to Misato and waved out to signal to her. As expected of Misato, she wasted no time in rush over to him and enveloping him in her arms tightly.

"Shinji! I'm so glad you're alive!"

Shinji was barely able to stammer out a response. "Nice...to see you too...Misato."

Remembering the situation, she quickly released to youth, face flushed with slight embarrassment. "Sorry about that. I guess I just got carried away."

Her eyes swept over to Qui-Gon and Rei who had approached from behind Shinji. Qui-Gon nodded to her and Rei remained still, wearing Qui-Gon's outer robes to cover herself and Misato almost thought she would salute to her.

"Captain."

"Rei." Misato replied simply. While she stood with them, the team that came with her gathered around Commander Ikari, who had drifted off into unconsciousness again. The four watched as they tended to him and carried him away. Misato noticed the severed arm, but didn't voice it. Rather, she turned back Shinji.

"You have a lot of explaining to do." Her eyes lifted up. "All of you."

Some time later, the four were on the elevator (now operational) heading up to the command room. During the trip, Rei Shinji and Qui- Gon explained everything that had happened since Misato left them in the entrance of the Eva hanger. Qui Gon, his fight against the Sith and his arrival to the Dogma; Rei, her summoning to the Dogma and refusal to cooperate with Gendo/Adam; and Shinji's fight against Adam and their collective helping Asuka in diverting Second Impact. Misato didn't understand much of what they told her, but she though it better just to be glad to be alive. Reaching the center, they were soon greeted by Asuka.

"It took you long enough. What were you guys doing, having tea?"

Despite the remark, it was in a friendly tone, with a smile that followed. Shinji smiled back. "Nice to see you too, Asuka."

Auska's gaze turned upon Rei and Rei simply stared back. A moment of silence and Shinji began to worry a bit. But finally Asuka gave her a light smile.

"Thanks for the help, Ayamani."

"You're welcome, Sohryu."

Shinji was a little surprised by this, not being in contact with either girl for several days up until now. Something obviously changed and had been resolved between them for they had called each other by name and not by the usual tags. Qui Gon though expected this. Their being opposites on the same goal would only lead to a mutual respect and eventual friendship between them. The Force was with them after all.

"Captain. There's...terrible news."

That came from Aoba and at this Misato looked over at his now-stunned face. "What is it?"

The young technician worked to compose himself. "S-Sub-Commander Futyuki is dead."

At this, everyone in the room eyes widened in shock and surprise. Aoba continued. "A unit found him in at communications terminal. He...still had the radio on-line."

"He sacrificed his life...to help us..." Maya whispered.

A beeping was heard through the silence and Hyuga answered it. Turning to Misato, he spoke out. "U.S. Forces is on the line. They're requesting to set up a perimeter in the northeast area."

Misato looked over, with empty eyes. With Futyuki gone and Commander Ikari indisposed, she was in charge of Nerv now. She didn't know how to feel about it, but a reassuring hand from Qui-Gon calmed her down before she began panicking. 'How does he do that?' Nodding an okay to him, she got right to work. "Grant it. Tell them not to make it look obvious though. It'll make it easier to catch any of the intruders that may try to escape by making it seem light.

"Roger that."

Several hours passed. With the help of the U.S. forces, Nerv was secured and the invading forces were cleared out. With Misato as the new commander of Nerv, she was set with the responsibility to repair and restore the wrecked fortress. Unfortunately, many people were killed in the attack, leaving her with the heavy burden. As restoration progressed slowly, Misato went to check the elevator where she left Kaji. All she found was trace blood on the floor of elevator. Whether that was a good thing or bad, she did not know. But she hoped for it to be good.

After two days and when Nerv was restored to partial order, a report came in worldwide that several prestigious and influential men of power had been arrest and or killed. It was revealed that each man was part of a secret group know only as SEELE. Information had been leaked out regarding their activities and plans for Human Instrumentality. With Nerv as a key witness, each member was questioned in court by the UN in the months that followed. Misato requested to take full responsibility, but that proved unnecessary since many of the dark workings of Nerv were carried out in secret by Commander Ikari and SEELE. As such, he was put under arrest for crimes against humanity and sentenced to prison for life as well as the members that were captured. Only one, Chairman Keel, was unaccounted for and had disappeared. When that settled, Nerv was once again restored, but with all the angels destroyed, its purpose seemed to have diminished. Nevertheless, things ran as they did before, with one or two exceptions.

Nerv Mental Institution

"Please, go in."

Nodding solemnly, Misato entered the room were other patients sat around with their own activities and visitors. However, the lavender-haired woman's attention was focused on a single person, who was sitting at a single table and writing on paper.

"Hiya, Ritsu-chan."

The blond-haired scientist raised her eyes to her visitor. "You're late again, Misato."

"Yeah, well I've been busy. Sue me."

"Maybe you should stay there." the blond snapped

"Maybe..." was the saddened reply. Misato began to turn, thinking that today may have not been a good day. But as she did, Ritsuko quickly spoke up. "Wait. I'm sorry. It's just...this place is so..."

Misato turned back. "Yeah I know. This place is the pits." She grabbed a nearby chair and sat down. "Just another week, okay?"

"Another week..." Ritsuko echoed lightly.

"Think about it. That'll give me time to plan for your welcome home party. It'll be great!"

The blond shook her head. "Ugghh, Misato."

"Don't worry." Misato pressed, glad to get her friend acting as she had before. "You'll love it. Oh, I've been hearing that Maya had been visiting you too."

Ritsuko nodded. "Yeah. She helped me out quite a bit, especially with getting me my notes." She indicated to the papers before her.

"Geez, don't you ever stop working?"

"Just because I'm stuck here doesn't me I have to be lazy." Ritsuko shot back.

Misato chuckled. "Fair enough. At least it's better than writing on the walls with your toes."

"Real funny." Ritsuko replied to the light tease. She then became silent for a moment and then asked. "How about you and the Children?"

Misato leaned back in her seat. "We're doing well. Not much has changed, aside from everything. Asuka's less of a pain nowadays."

"Her...Jedi training, right?"

"Yeah. I honestly don't know how they get through it, sitting around meditating with Qui Gon."

When Misato became silent for a moment, Ritsuko's eyes narrowed. "Something else?"

"Yeah. Shinji went off to...visit his father..."

"Really?"

Misato began to breathe again. Mention of their former commander wasn't exactly good for Ritsuko. The last time she heard his name while in here, she almost went berserk and that was followed by her dropping down in tears. 'Well, she's not tearing at my hair this time.' Continuing the conversation...

"Yeah. He asked me to grant him clearance to the prison. I couldn't believe it."

"As you said, everything's changed." Ritsuko pointed out.

At that point, an attendant moved over behind Misato and tapped her shoulder. "Excuse me. Times up."

"That's your cue to return to reality, Misato."

Misato frowned, realizing that she had just been teased back. "Yeah thanks for the reminder." Misato stood up fro her chair. "Are you going to be okay? Because, if you want..."

"Hey, I've survived this long. What's one more week?"

"Ristu..."

"I'll be fine." Ritsuko knew what Misato was thinking. As commander of Nerv, she could extend the time to however long she liked. But that wouldn't have been fair. Misato was doing so much already and there was no need for Ritsuko to slow her down with her own problems. "Besides, you have more important things to do than worry about me."

"Worrying about you is one of my more important things."

Ritsuko's eyes widened briefly, before she shut them and waved. "Go on, before I start tearing up."

Misato smiled. "Okay. Tomorrow then?"

"Okay. Just be here on time for once."

"Well, I have a lot of stuff to do today. Work to do, promises to keep, things like that. But I'll try my best."

"Fair enough." She paused. "Misato...Tell everyone...I said hello."

"Will do. See ya."­

Ravenhold Maximum Security Prison

"Shinji Ikari. You have five minutes."

Shinji calmly entered the single bare room with only two windows, two chairs and a table. Shinji took his seat and waited until the door on the opposite end opened and the guard brought in a shackled Gendo Ikari. His face was void of emotion as he took his seat. His stumped arm now bore a mechanical hand attached, almost like a metal skeleton. Despite this, Gendo lifted his arms up on the table and linked his fingers together, his usual pose. Yet it no longer intimidated Shinji.

"How are you, father?"

"Alive."

Silence. 'This is harder than I thought' Shinji mused to himself. He wasn't even sure why he requested to come at all. He thought that maybe he could make some peace with his father, but how could you make peace with someone you barely know and what is known brings up negative thoughts? 'Not everything is bad, is it?' Shinji searched his mind to find sometime where he and his father interacted without fear or resentment. For a long minute, Shinji couldn't think of one and he began to despair, thinking that there wasn't any.

Except for one time, when they were together at the graveyard...

"So is mother."

Without his glasses, Gendo's expression was clear for Shinji to see; A mixture of shock and anger at the mention of her. Shinji wasn't surprised. He knew that was a very sore spot for him. After all, that was what he had been trying to achieve for the past several years and failed. But there was nothing else. The love for Yui Ikari was the only thing both men had in common. It wasn't the best start, but it was the only one.

"I...I can't see it straight, but sometimes, when I'm near the Eva, I can hear her speaking to me. It's like she whispers to me...in my mind."

Shinji continued to look for a change in his father's countenance, but it had returned to being stiff and cold. Shinji was beginning to think that it was pointless to even continue. But he wanted to have something with his father besides anger, hatred and deception

"She once told me...that she felt alone...trapped inside the Eva. But when I piloted it for the first time, she wasn't alone. She was grateful for that. And...she was grateful...to you...for giving her the chance to protect me."

Silence continued on and Shinji soon lost any hope of talking to him. 'Perhaps...we are too far gone...' The guard knocked on the door, indicating that Shinji's time was up. With a mental sigh, Shinji lifted himself from his seat and began to move for the exit. But then, he heard his father's voice.

"My desk...third draw, beneath the metal."

Shinji blinked at this, not quite understanding what he was telling him. But before he could ask anything else, the guard on the opposite side had lifted up Gendo and guided him out of the room, leaving Shinji behind with a sense of mystery...andperhaps hope?

Promises to keep...

"Commander, are you sure this is appropriate at a time like this?"

Rei, Asuka and Misato were all in the women's clothing store in the mall. They had been in there for at least an hour and already they had gathered a large assortment of clothes. Since clothing had never been an issue for her, Rei had trouble trying to pick out what clothes she wanted, largely because she didn't see them as necessary. But the clothes weren't really the point. The company was.

"Rei, we're off-duty." Misato said while examining a black lace dress against her body in the mirror. "Just call me Misato."

"Whatever you say, Commander."

Misato sighed as she glance at Rei, only to just catch a small smile leave her face. This cause Misato's eyes to widen in stunned silence. 'Did she just...tease me?'

"Are you trying to be funny, First? Getting better, I see."

Asuka strode into the area they were in, holding a scarlet sleeveless gown with matching gloves. Misato blinked at the agreement between the two former rivals.

"Wha...Aghhh!"

"Misato."

Misato returned her attention to Rei and realized that she was still awaiting an answer to her earlier question. Sighing away her earlier embarrassment, she replied.

"Rei, I understand what you mean. But I made a promise. We made a promise. Nerv could wait." She looked back toward the mirror and after a minute, decided to take the dress. "Besides, we could all use the break and a new wardrobe." Looking back at Rei, she smiled. "Especially you, Rei. You only have two to three uniforms total and for a woman, that is unacceptable."

"For once, I agree with Misato." Asuka added, picking up a pair of shoes from nearby counter. "You need variety. Lots of it."

"I only wish we had a guy here to carry the bags."

"We should have dragged baka Shinji with us." Asuka said lightheartedly.

Looking over at a dress that caught her attention, Rei spoke. "Shinji has gone to see his father."

This stopped Asuka in her tracks. "What? Why?"

"He didn't say." Misato replied. "When he asked me if he could go, I was shocked to say the least. Took me a while and a lot of string pulling just to get it to work too."

"But why?" Asuka repeated. "What was he thinking?"

Rei lifted the dress in her hands, a sapphire gown. "Peace."

A moment of silence passed between them, all knowing how Shinji's attitude was, especially nowadays. After the battle in the Terminal Dogma, Shinji had been quiet (More so than usual) and had spent much time in meditation. It took him a good week before he finally returned to reality per say. Qui Gon had suggested that Shinji was simply trying to sort through everything that had happened, but for the most part he was fine.

"Well, well. Look who it is."

That came from Misato, who had looked out the window of the store and saw both Hyuga and Aoba walking through the mall. They seemed to be window-shopping through the nearby shops. Misato and Asuka smiled.

"It looks like we've found our bag carriers."

My desk...third draw, beneath the metal.

These words repeated in Shinji's mind as he entered the command room within Nerv. It was mostly unchanged, although Misato had made it a plan to change it. The image of the Tree of Sephiroth still illuminated above as he approached the desk. Sitting in the seat and opening the bottom drawer, he pulled out the folders inside until it was emptied out. His hand traced the inside and his hand tapped against it, revealing a hollow space beneath the metal. Lifting the plate, his eyes widened as he found what he found there. It was a small photograph, old and weathered, but still in good condition. But what Shinji focused on was the person

"Mother..."

The image was of Yui Ikari, dressed in a lab coat and smiling at the camera. Shinji stayed still, slowly tracing his finger around the image. 'I thought...all her photographs were gone...' But it seemed that his father had kept this one image of her. An image that was now granted to Shinji to keep. Shinji closed his eyes and smiled warmly.

'Perhaps it's not too late after all...'

'You think you're so sly' Misato smiled as she silently slipped open the door. After her afternoon with Asuka and Rei, she had departed early, not before issuing an order to the two young men that they had to carry the bags to their home. She didn't explain her reason for leaving and informed them that she might be back until tomorrow. She knew he was still alive. His body was never found after the incident and for a while, she believed that he was truly gone. But when the SEELE representatives were all apprehended, she knew that it was of his doing. He was the only one that could. She expected him to return to her, but that would have been too simple for him. He would have to disappear for a time in hiding. But she knew where.

'Hiding out in the last place anyone would think to look for you. Your own house.'

Her eyes peered through the house, listening carefully for sounds while slipping in silently. She soon heard sounds from his bedroom, which was partially open. Inching closer, she saw that he wasn't wearing a shirt. For a moment, she believed that he may have been here with another woman. After all, that would be so much like...

"I love you..."

Those words... they alone dispelled the negative thoughts she had and she continued closer. She reached the door and pushed it, revealing Kaji's bare back to her. Hearing the creaking, the man suddenly whirled around to her, gun in hand and at her face. Yet that didn't surprise her. What did was that his face was now shaved clean, leaving only the darkened mark around his lower face. Kaji blinked at seeing whom it as and lowered the gun.

"Katsuragi. I didn't think you'd find me so soon. You're..."

He was suddenly cut off when Misato leaned right up to his face and locked him in a passionate kiss. To intensify it further, she placed her hands on his face, drawing him in closer if possible. Kaji's mind was completely blown away by this, leaving him stunned. After a full minute or two (Though to them, it seemed much longer), Misato parted out of the embrace, and gazed at his now dazed eyes.

"We'll talk later." she whispered just before kissing him once more, with him to return it this time.

Much later...

Despite the faint signs of damage that still remained from the battle months ago, the city of Tokyo-3 was largely restored. The lights sparked in the fading sunlight sky, illuminating the beauty of the city. A solitary figure stood on a hill overlooking the marvelous city.

'It's a great view.'

Qui Gon Jinn stood in place on the hill, looking down at the city with the wind lightly whipping his robes and hair. After the battle in Nerv and the near destruction of the planet, Qui-Gon had spent his time healing from the injuries and wounds he had suffered from his battles. During that time, he had thought a lot about what would happen now. It seemed as if everything was now a clean slate. Except for one thing that had kept nagging at him. The Sith lord... 'Always two there are' he remembered the words of the ancient Jedi master. 'One master, one apprentice.' And Qui-Gon was certain that though powerful, Darth Maul was nothing more than an apprentice in the past. That didn't necessarily mean that there was one here, but that was a chance he couldn't. Especially after hearing about the disappearance of the single SEELE member, who may had sent Maul in the first place. If any of this was true, that meant that there was a master of the Dark Side alive out there. Would he be ready for them, he wondered? Alone, he knew not. But...perhaps...

"Master."

Qui Gon was so locked in his thoughts that he didn't even sense the approach of his Padawan. Shinji moved over to his side, looking out over the city at well. Shinji didn't have to look at his master's face to tell that he was disturbed over something. But Shinji made no effort to voice his question. There was no need to. It was almost as though master and student knew what the other was thinking. Qui Gon smiled beside himself. It wasn't like the relationship with his previous Padawan, but it was special nonetheless. Qui Gon sensed a shift in Shinji's attitude.

"Without the Evas, I'm not sure of what else I can do." Shinji said simply. "I'm not so sure of my purpose anymore."

Qui Gon turned to him, feeling a bit of comfort that he wasn't the only one uncertain of the future. But it was his job to assure his apprentice. In that way, he would be reassuring himself as well. "Yes, you are. You have been since we first met, Shinji Ikari."

Shinji turned to look at his master, a lightened expression slowly coming over his face as he remembered their meeting. The Force had guided them, brought them together, and created a bond between the two. Because of it, Shinji had begun to move on to be a better person, affecting and helping those around him to do the same. Qui Gon turned to him and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"You will be a Jedi. I promise."

AN: This is not the last chapter. Just wanted you to know that