A/N: Well seems I have a very good story on my hands, so I'll try to not ruin it. Thanks to all those who reviewed last chapter.

Disclaimer: Still don't own any of this crap.

Flashback/Dream-

Shinji stumbled onto the dock carrying the last of Asuka's stuff. Misato stood there giving last words of advice to Asuka She was trying here best to control her tears. Rei stood completely still at a safe distance. The only reason she was even here was because Shinji had asked her tom come. It was well known that the two female pilots didn't really get along with one another.

Misato finally broke down and crushed Asuka in a rib-cracking hug, "Now you be good and keep in touch okay?"

Asuka looked away in disgust, "Whatever, just let me go you old drunk."

This usually would have started an argument, but this just causes Misato to cry even louder, "I'm going to miss you so much."

Asuka scoffed, "Just take care of Kaji or I will come back and steal him from you."

Misato finally let go and stepped aside. Shinji stood a good ten feet from Asuka with his head lowered. Misato shook her head and walked off taking Rei with her.

"So, you must be looking forward to the celebration when you get back," mumbled Shinji.

"Of course. Just what a hero like me deserves."

Shinji reached down and pulled out a brown paper bag. He walked up to Asuka and extended the bag, "I know how picky you are about what you eat, so I made this for you if the ship has bad food."

Asuka stared at Shinji for a second then the bag. She then snatched it, "It's not like your cooking is any better. The only reason I put it up with it for all this time is because Misato's food could actually kill a person."

Shinji took a step back, "I know, I just thought…you know just in case." The voice in his head was furious with him by now. 'Tell her you damn coward. She's leaving. So tell her now or I will personally come out there and kick you ass.' Shinji shook it off as Asuka stepped towards him. He closed his eyes and was ready for one last slap, but instead her felt a gentle kiss on the cheek. His eyes flew open in surprise.

Asuka cleared her throat, "Tell anyone I did that and you're a dead man."

"I know," mumbled Shinji.

Asuka turned around and walked towards the boat, "Catch you later Baka…if you're lucky."

Shinji just stood there as the last of Asuka's stuff was loaded. The anchor was then raised and the boat floated off. He felt a hand on his shoulder, "I couldn't tell her."

"I know," answered Misato.

Shinji shrugged off the hand, "I really am a spineless Baka."

End-

Shinji had been in the hospital for over a month now. He doctors would come in and check on his condition which had stabilized after about a week and a half. Random members of Nerv would show up and apologize for letting so much time pass without contact. They would all promise to keep in touch, but Shinji knew that was a lie. That was all his life was lies. Everything being okay after his mom died, lie. His dad ever caring for or needing him, lie. Misato keeping in touch after she was married to Kaji, lie. Asuka "catching him later", lie. He sighed as he saw a man dressed in a suit and a radio walked into his room.

"All clear ma'am."

The man stepped out of the way as Rei walked in. She pulled a chair next to Shinji's bed and sat. She then looked back at her bodyguard. He nodded then left.

"I apologize for letting so much time pass Ikari-kun."

Shinji struggled to sit up. He grabbed his chest with his good arm. Rei stood to help him but he just shook his head. He finally got comfortable and took a few deep breathes. "It's been a while Rei."

"Yes, Ikari-"

"How many times did I have to tell you to call me Shinji?"

"I apologize Shinji-kun."

"I saw you on TV the other day."

"Yes, the repair of the Japanese Government after the Angel wars and implication of Nerv, SEELE, and the JSSDF is going well."

Shinji nodded, "Did you get to see Misato?"

Rei shook her head, "She was out retrieving something." Rei then reached out and touched Shinji's sling. He winced. "What you did was very honorable Shinji-kun."

Shinji frowned, "Acted without thinking, that's all."

"That makes it even more noble."

Just then Kaji walked into the room with a wheel chair and Shinji's Doctor.

"Okay stud, we get to take you home."

"And everyone can get back to their normal lives. It was nice seeing you, keep in touch, blah blah blah."

"Nope," said Kaji with a shake of his head. "You're going to have someone from the hospital visit you every other day, plus your going to need a little help getting to your sessions."

"Sessions?"

"Um yeah, the doc said you have to through five weeks of therapy. Because of the…well you know."

A scowl crossed Shinji's face, "What I do in my own private time is my damn own business!"

"Not when it causes you physical harm."

"So, I have to go to some quack and 'talk about my feelings' now? And that will make you all better won't it. You can all go home and forget that this ever happened. Anything to keep you from feeling guilty right?"

Kaji's eyes narrowed, "You know that excuse works both ways. You could have very well visited us, but no, you wanted to stay here and brood and be in a sour mood. And then you go and try to lay a guilt trip on us!"

Shinji tried to stand but then remembered that one of his legs was in a cast. He growled, "Just get me in the stupid chair and get me out of here."

With the help of Kaji and Rei's bodyguard Shinji was placed in the wheel chair.

At Shinji's apartment-

Kaji opened the door as Rei pushed Shinji into the room. Shinji was still frowning, 'I don't need your help."

Kaji chuckled, "Sure thing kid. I would like to see you get around in that thing with one good arm. But we solved that problem."

They wheeled Shinji into the living room where Misato was sitting watching TV. Beside her was a motorized wheel chair. They helped Shinji in the chair and he smiled slightly, "Thanks."

"It's just to get around when you have to go to your sessions. You have been given doctors orders to stay in the bed. Your head chef is taking care of the restaurant and said he would send someone with your three square meals a day. So, the only reason you get up is to go to the restroom, and that is with the help of your assistant," stated Misato.

"My assistant."

"Oh, they went to get some stuff for the frig, they will be back later. Well, we will be seeing you later kid. Kaji has to get back to the office, and I am sure that Rei has to get back to the capital. I'll visit back as soon as I can."

With that everyone left and Shinji was once again alone. He wheeled around his place. The mail was sitting on a table beside the door, his frig had been emptied, and it looked like someone had cleaned. Must have been his 'assistant'. Just then there was a knock.

He growled as he opened the door without looking up, "Forget something Misato?"

"Nope, and if you call me that drunk again, I will kick your crippled butt."

Shinji looked up. His heart almost stopped when he saw a familiar looking red-head in front of him.

"Hey Baka. Long time no-"

The door was slammed in her face and then locked.