Disclaimer: Me own nothing.

Shinji rolled into his apartment and towards his room. He rolled in and was about to relax when he saw something sitting on his bed. He rolled over and picked up an old Bento Box. On it was a note:

Someone told me it was customary for the girls to make the lunches, but thanks anyway. You were right the ship did have horrid food.

-Asuka

He then recognized the box. It was the same one that he gave Asuka that day she had left Japan. He placed it beside his bed and then managed to get himself onto his bed. He had just laid his head back in relaxation when the door opened. He opened an eye and stared at Asuka. He had never seen her like this. One arm dangled to the side as the other rubbed it. She kept her gaze on the ground in an attempt to hide her blush but failing miserably.

"Sorry about this morning and all. You're not a hindrance to me. You took such good care of us when you and I were younger, it's only right that I take care of you now."

Shinji bowed his head, "That's not how it works Asuka."

"I know…its just when I heard what happened to you…all I could think about how stupid you were to have lived through all the Angels and then get hurt by saving some stupid little girl who you didn't even know."

"Asuka-"

"And I get back and you have changed so much. You finally got that backbone I had begged for you to grow for so long. Why couldn't you have shown that before I left?"

Shinji bowed his head, "It took you leaving to reveal it."

Asuka looked up for the first time and took a step forward, "Why? Why then? Why me?"

"CAUSE I LIKED YOU DAMMIT!" yelled Shinji as he pounded his fist against his mattress. He let the tears fall for the first time since Asuka had left, "My life revolved around receiving praise from others. For others to acknowledge my existence. Especially you. I would have taken on every Angel by myself a hundred times over if I thought it would just give me your acceptance."

Asuka stared in shook.

"Don't tell me you didn't know? Why did you think I put up with all the beating and verbal abuse?"

"I thought you…I thought it was just a stupid little boyhood crush."

Shinji looked up at Asuka, "Then why did you come back?"

Asuka sat down on the edge of Shinji's bed, "Cause when I heard you got hurt…I just couldn't bear the thought of anyone taking care of you except for me."

"Why?"

"Don't make me say it Shinji."

Shinji bowed his head, "Okay."

"Shinji-"

"I need some rest now Asuka. We'll talk later."

Asuka stood up and stared at him for a few second and slowly walked out. She shut the door. And almost left when she could hear the silent sobs of Shinji. She leaned against the door sliding down. She pulled her knees up against her chest and sighed, "You're completely worthless girl. Can't even tell the baka pervert." She was brought back to reality when the phone rang. She stood up walking to the kitchen to the only phone and answered it. "Hello?"

Can I speak with Mr. Shinji Ikari please?

"He's resting right now, can I take a message?"

Shinji's room---

"Good job moron. Way to take the lead. Why does this have to be so hard?"

Asuka slowly walked into the room.

"I said we would talk later."

Asuka took a deep breathe, "That was an attorney…ummmm, you sensei's attorney-"

Three days later---

Dr. Natsume stepped into an old style house and looked around. Asuka walked up and greeted him, "Hello doctor."

Dr. Natsume nodded a greeting, "How is he doing?"

Asuka shrugged, "I have no idea to be honest. He's shut everyone out. He's not even mourning. He's just busy comforting Suki."

"The old man was all either of them had left."

Asuka nodded, "Yeah, they knew he was getting old, but he never told them he was sick as well."

Dr. Natsume sighed, "I'm going to go check on him. I need you to get Suki out of their though. They have to be separated for Shinji to mourn."

Asuka nodded. They walked into the room with the viewing. Asuka walked over to Suki and put her hand on her shoulder, "Come on, and let's go get something to eat."

Suki nodded and followed without a single word. Shinji started to follow but Dr. Natsume stopped him shaking his head, "Just let the girl be alone for a bit."

Shinji nodded and turned around staring at the picture of his old sensei. Dr. Natsume sat beside him in the chair Suki was sitting in. He started to speak when Shinji interrupted, "I really don't feel like psycho-babble right now."

Dr. Natsume nodded, "Tell me about him?"

Shinji thought for a second, "Closest thing to a father I ever had. He saw some talent for cooking and took me in without any question. He never asked about my past, never asked about the Angel war. He knew who I was though. I could see it in his eyes. He once told me that no one deserved to be through what I had to go through. I didn't even know he was sick."

"He probably didn't want to cause any trouble. He knew you already had a stressed life."

"I know. His medical doctor said he had been sick for a few years about when Suki came to work at my place. He knew I would take care of her when he passed on."

"You handling everything well?"

"I'm pacing myself."

Dr. Natsume then noticed the dark rings around Shinji's eyes, "When's the last time you actually got a full nights rest?"

"Night before our last session. Been here since then."

Dr. Natsume nodded and stood, "Well, you have my number if you need to talk."

"Thanks Doc."

As Dr. Natsume left Asuka peeked in. Misato had volunteered to take care of Suki so she could go check.

Shinji kept his head bowed as his tears cause him to start to shake. He started to mumble. Asuka stepped forward slowly so not to be scene. She started to hear what he was saying.

"What did I do to you to deserve this? You took them all from me. Is this what I get for fighting your messengers? I had to do it. I didn't want to. But is this what I get? To spend my whole life completely void of companionship?"

Asuka sat down and rested her head on his shoulder, "Well , maybe not completely void."

Shinji stiffened, "I-"

Asuka put her arm around Shinji and pulled him tight, "I'm here for you if you need to talk or anything."

Shinji smiled, "Thanks."

Asuka scoffed playfully, "Just don't tell Misato."

"Yeah, wouldn't want her to think you were getting soft," joked Shinji.

Asuka smiled proudly, "Of course."

A clearing of a voice brought them back to reality. Asuka was immediately standing up looking away trying to hide her blush. A man in a grey suit stood there with a briefcase, "I was looking for Ms. Suki Hatsori and Mr. Shinji Ikari."

Shinji turned his chair around, "I'm Shinji."

The man smiled and bowed, "I was the late Mr. Hatsori's lawyer, Mr. Hurst. I need to speak with you and Ms. Hatsori about my client's last wishes."

"Last wishes?"

Mr. Hurst started for the door, "I will expound once we find the young miss."

They followed until Asuka spoke up, "I left Suki with Misato. They should be outside somewhere."

As they were about to exit Misato and Suki stepped in. Suki looked at the new face, "Can I help you?"

"Ms. Hatsori?"

Suki nodded.