A/N: We're going to jump ahead a little. Those who aren't use to me, I'm infamous for it.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

It had been a few days now and neither had said a word. Shinji lay on his back staring at the roof. He frowned when he heard his door open, "What is it now?"

"Time for your sessions Baka. Unless you just want to skip it. You'll end up in one of those nice rubber rooms and I won't have to put up with you any more, so you know where my vote lies on the subject."

Shinji sat up slowly. He slid to the side and then tried his best to get in his chair. The chair however fell to the side taking Shinji with it. He grunted in pain as his bad shoulder slammed into the ground. He tried to hold back the tears that weld up in his eyes. He didn't have to try long though because Asuka walked over sitting the chair back up. She then carefully walked over helping him up and into the chair. He held his shoulder gingerly. He was shocked when he felt his shirt move off the injury. He looked to his side when she saw Asuka gently looking it over. "Doesn't appear to have reopened. You okay?"

Shinji turned his face quickly away to hide the blush, "Umm…yeah thanks."

Asuka raised an eyebrow, "So, you're still in there after all. I was starting to wonder if they had replaced the old Shinji or something."

Shinji looked at the ground, "I'm nothing like the old Shinji."

Asuka stood and walked out, "Whatever you say, come on or we will be late."

Session---

Dr. Natsume sat across from Shinji, "So, did you come up with an answer."

"I'm not sure what I would be if I ever came here. Probably the same back-boneless wimp I used to be."

Natsume sat back, "I see, and what do you think changed that?"

"A lot of things."

"Okay, so why don't we talk a little bit with your relationships with the other people during the Angel Wars."

"Well, I told you already about my dad. Then there was Misato. She was my guardian. I guess she was okay if you got used to the drinking and never let her near the kitchen."

Natsume chuckled, "Bad cook?"

"Yeah. Let's just say that all of her cooking consisted of vast amounts of curry. So, I usually cooked most of the meals."

"Really? Did you do anything else around the house?"

"Clean, laundry, trash, shopping-"

"Okay let me rephrase, is there anything that you were not responsible for?"

"Not really. Misato spent so much time at Nerv and was so tired when she got home, and Asuka would never consider doing anything close to be thought of as housework."

"I see, so you allowed them to take advantage of you."

"NO! It's just…."

Dr. Natsume nodded, "Made you feel useful."

Shinji sighed and looked at the ground, "Yeah, I guess."

"Nothing wrong with that, people like to feel useful."

"Yeah."

"So, I noticed that the same young woman drove you here today."

Shinji scoffed, "Asuka."

"The one you mentioned earlier?"

"Yeah."

"I see there is a little hostility there."

"Why should there be? She only beat me constantly when we were young and filled my every living moment with fear and pain."

"And how did you return this?"

"Just took it like a coward. I was so scared back then."

"Of her?"

Shinji looked off into space and sighed, "Yes and no."

"Care to expound?"

"See, when I was younger I had a little bit of a….."

Natsume leaned forward raising an eyebrow, "Crush?"

Shinji looked at the ground blushing, "Yeah."

"Did you ever tell her?"

"Of course not. She would just call me a pervert and just beat me senseless."

"So, it was a one-sided crush?"

"To a 't'."

"And how did it feel when she left?"

Shinji suddenly sat up and looked at the clock, "I believe that is time. See you next time doc."

Natsume chuckled and shook his head, "Very well Shinji. But you know what my first question will be, so why don't you think it over"

Shinji scoffed and wheeled out of the room. He stopped right before opening the door, "It hurt a lot. Felt like the one person I needed the most thought I was worthless. But that was a long time ago doc. I don't feel things like that anymore." He then wheeled out of the room shutting the door behind him.

Natsume picked up the phone, "Yeah Katsuragi, he just left. He's getting there."

With Asuka and Shinji---

Asuka buckled up as she started the car, "So, how was it today?"

"Okay, I guess."

"What did you talk about?"

Shinji sighed and looked at the window, "Nothing important."

Asuka shot a side glance at him and smirked, "Well, you better be ready for your physical therapy, because we are on our way now."

Shinji smiled slightly, "Can't wait till I get out of this thing." He then looked at Asuka while she wasn't looking, "Bet you can't either."

Asuka slammed on the breaks almost making the car behind them wreck, "What did you say?"

Shinji went back to looking out the windows, "Said you probably couldn't wait till I got out of this chair. You won't have to look after me, probably go back home."

Asuka sighed as she pulled the car over.

"What are you doing we're going to be late."

"They'll deal. But we need to talk."

"What about?"

Asuka sighed as she bowed her head, "I'm not going back home."

"But why? I mean you probably have a ton of fans there. They even threw you a parade when-"

Asuka pounded her fist on the dash, "THERE WAS NO PARADE!"

"What?"

"When I got back, there was no parade. No one was even there to great me. It was like I never left." Asuka sniffed.

Shinji sat still not knowing what to do. Here was Asuka Langley Soryu. The strongest person he knew, and she was crying. He had only heard her cry once, and that was back in the war. "Asuka, I-"

Asuka looked up hatred, "Don't you dare! Don't you dare even come close to pitying me." She then shook her head shaking off the tears and started to drive again.

Few hours later---

Shinji wheeled into his apartment. Asuka had 'gone for a walk'. He was surprised to hear his message machine beep indicating a message. He wheeled over and pressed play.

Hey Shinji, it's Misato. I guess I forgot today was your physical therapy. I hope it didn't hurt too much. Anyway, I thought it was about time for you to reenter the social scene, so I had a friend who I set you up with.

"Great going to have to call and cancel that."

And before you even think about canceling she's already said yes and she'll be there at 7:30. So have a good time for once kid. Talk to you later, bye.

Shinji deleted the message and looked at the clock. He growled when he saw that it was already 6. He knew he would have to get a shower before his 'date' and then find something to wear. Plus, he had to find something for Asuka to eat since he would not be there. He wheeled into his room only to find some dry cleaning on his bed. He wheeled forward and found a note.

Shinji,

Misato requested that you wear this tonight.

Rei Ayanami

He chuckled. Just like Rei. Straight and to the point. He opened the dry cleaning to find a black blazer, black Khaki's and red dress shirt. He sighed and went off to take a shower.

7:25---

Shinji struggled to finish getting ready. He finally buttoned the last button on his shirt and put on his blazer. He then wheeled into the living room where Asuka was sitting flipping through channels.

"Umm, how do I look?"

Asuka turned around and stared. She had to struggle to keep from drooling. She looked back to the TV before she blushed, "Umm, okay I guess."

Shinji's cheeks developed a slightly red hue, "Thanks."

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Shinji sighed, "Here goes nothing." He wheeled forward to find Suki standing at the door in a dress holding carry-out. She refused to make eye-contact with Shinji.

"I guess Misato didn't call. She set me up on a date tonight so I didn't need you to bring anything, but I guess Asuka would appreciate it."

Suki scuffed her shoe on the floor. Shinji raised an eyebrow after he notice how she was dressed.

"A little fancy for a waitress' uniform."

"I got the night off."

"I see, then why are you bringing the carry-out?"

"Well, you see…umm…Misato did call earlier…and-"

Shinji noticed Suki's blush, 'Oh crap.'

"And ummm…I'm your date."