Disclaimer: Me own nothing.

A/N: Things are starting to wind down and flow a lot more. I'm trying to take this real slow since people tell me I tend to end things rather abruptly. Once again the key word is "trying".

Shinji and Suki sat at a table as Mr. Hurst sat opposite beside them and Misato and Asuka stood behind them. Mr. Hurst reached into this brief case and pulled out several documents. He then took out what appeared to be a folded up blueprint. He laid it to the side and looked at the two. "Let me start off my give my regards for your recent lost.

Shinji nodded for him to continue.

"Well Mr. Ikari, Ms Hatsori it seems that the late Mr. Hatsori was quite wealthy."

Suki looked up, "Grandpa?"

"Yes, he had several friends in the higher levels of the Japanese government and even loaned them money after the Second Impact and the Rebuild. These loans gathered a lot of interest and were to be repaid upon his death. Their still computing the interest so I don't have a hard figure for you right now, but it is quite apparent that both of you will be financially secure for the rest of your life."

Suki sat in shock while Shinji was just curious, "Both of us? I understand Suki, but why me? Sensei wasn't a blood relative of mine."

Mr. Hurst nodded, "Yes, but Mr. Hatsori stated in his will that his beloved granddaughter should receive 65 of all financial inheritance and a Mr. Shinji Ikari should receive the remaining 35."

"Financial inheritance? Does that mean there is something else?"

Mr. Hurst pulled out the blueprints. He unfolded them over the table so that it was readable by Shinji and Suki. They stared at it for a few moments.

"What is this?" asked Shinji finally.

"Well after the young miss joined you in Tokyo 3, Mr. Hatsori started construction on a new restaurant on the better part of the same town. He continued to do so until his passing."

Asuka looked over Shinji's shoulder, "This place looks huge."

Mr. Hurst nodded, "Yes, it is two stories. The street level used for restraint use, and the second is used for apartments for the two owners and their future family."

Suki stuttered, "Family?"

Mr. Hurst cleared his voice, "Yes, the restaurant will be completely handed over on the producing of the marriage certificate of Mr. Ikari and you Ms. Hatsori."

Suki stuttered, "U-u-u-us married?"

Mr. Hurst nodded, "Yes, that's the condition of the mutual ownership. If not…Ms. Hatsori will be named full owner."

Asuka paled, 'Shinji was thinking of expanding. What if he-'

"No," came Shinji's clear voice.

Mr. Hurst was slightly shocked, "Excuse me?"

"I can't do it," clarified Shinji. "Suki is like a little sister. I couldn't see her in any other light."

"I see," Mr. Hurst mumbled, "We have a problem then."

Asuka stared in shock, 'Did he just give up his chance at a family and happiness?'

"Well, then sir, you'll have to sign this form that waves all your rights as half owner of the restaurant."

Shinji was about to sign when Suki snatched the paper away, "What if I make him 50 owner anyway?"

Hurst frowned, "That would be dishonoring your grandfathers wishes."

"But wouldn't living in a loveless marriage do the same thing?"

Hurst was silent.

"Then I say Shinji is still half owner."

Hurst sighed, "As you wish young miss. Just sign this form here and we'll be done."

They both read and then signed the form. "When do we open our new place?" asked Suki.

Mr. Hurst stood, "Whenever you're ready young miss."

Shinji stood, "We'll look at it next week, then move in after that. We'll shoot for late next month for a grand re-opening,"

Asuka watched in amazement as she watched Shinji take charge. Mr. Hurst stood as well. He bowed again, "Ms. Hatsori, Mr. Ikari, it was a pleasure to meet you. My condolences once again."

Later that night---

Shinji moved his arm around still wincing a little.

"Doing much better now it seems."

Shinji nodded without looking up, "A little hard work and I will be walking soon enough."

"I don't get you Ikari."

"Why?"

"You gave up the shot of a real family and almost flushed a new restaurant down the toilet."

Shinji shook his head, "It's not about what you have in life Asuka."

Asuka playfully scoffed, "What is it about then?"

Shinji sighed and prepared to be beat senseless, 'It's about who you have with you."

Once she got over her shock, Asuka sat on the edge of his bed holding her hands and staring at the ground. Shinji smirked, "You know shyness really doesn't fit you well Asuka."

She looked up and gave him an ugly looked.

Shinji backed down and held his hands up playfully, "Sorry, I'll be quite and let you say what you wanted to say."

"About earlier before Mr. Hurst interrupted….I-"

Shinji bowed his head, "Thanks for being there. Guess we're in the same boat now. No family, no nothing."

Asuka nodded, "Just completely alone."

"Except for each other."

Asuka nodded.

"Asuka, since we're being all honest and stuff, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Shinji took a deep breathe seemed like a lot of people were doing that lately, "What are you going to do when I can walk again? I mean…I won't need anyone to look after me so-"

Asuka looked up at him like she had been stabbed in the back, "So you'll just throw me out on the streets?"

Shinji shook his head violently, "You can stay as long as you want. I just figured that…you know…you would want to leave."

Asuka started to scoot. Shinji caught on and slowly made room. Soon they were sitting side by side. Asuka was silent for a few minutes but then spoke, "About earlier-"

Shinji chuckled, "You already said that."

Asuka gave him a slap on his good arm, "Not that 'earlier', the 'earlier' back at your place."

Shinji sighed, "Oh, that 'earlier'."

Asuka started to fidget with her hands. Shinji was worried now. Asuka was never nervous about anything. Sure she had calmed down by a few decimals but she was still Asuka. He was brought back to reality when she started to speak.

"When Misato told me you got hurt…she was planning on being the one that took care of you-"

"I didn't know."

"SHUT UP AND LET ME TALK! This is hard enough as it is."

Shinji bowed his head, "Sorry."

"DON"T SAY THAT! DAMN IT!" Asuka took a few deep breathes. "Okay, anyway, when Misato told me she was planning on taking care of you…I got well…."

"Jealous?"

Asuka's face turned red in anger, "If you know what I'm going to say then I won't and we can pretend this never happened."

Shinji cowered slightly, "Shutting up."

"Okay then. Where was I? Oh yeah, I was jealous just like you said. I mean sure I missed Japan. Just like I missed Germany when I was here. But there was one thing I missed most…one thing I wanted back so bad that it hurt." Asuka looked away and sighed, "I missed you. I missed the way you would do all these nice things and not expect something back. And the way that you would pilot Eva not for glory or because you were told to, but because you wanted to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. I hated how you acted so weak, but loved how you really were the strongest of us."

"Asuka-"

He was cut off by a most surprising kiss. This was not like the one when they were younger and they were bored. Or the one on the dock before she left. This was one of need. Shinji's eyes went wide. He was needed. Not humored…more than wanted. Had she gotten that good at faking sincerity? This was like the need for oxygen or a heartbeat. Asuka was about to break the kiss out of frustration and anger that Shinji was just sitting there, but Shinji beat her to it. He stared at her for a few seconds before turning away, "You can stop the game now Asuka."

"Game?"

"You found out the truth, there's no point to leading me on anymore."

Asuka clenched her fist slightly and spoke through gritted teeth, "Leading you on?"

Shinji nodded then got in his chair and wheeled towards the door his head still bowed and refusing to make eye contact with Asuka. He stopped right before leaving, "I thought you had changed. I was an idiot for ever thinking that. You were just playing with me like when we were younger."

She got up and walked to Shinji trying her best to control her anger. She put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off.

"Dinner's probably ready by now. You can have mine, I guess I don't feel like eating right now." He then wheeled out of the room and out of the house they were staying in.

Asuka punched the wall, "Dammit!"

Misato ran in, "What's wrong? OH MY GOD, ASUKA! What happened to your hand?"

Asuka looked down at her fist to see that it was now blood red and actually hurt quiet a bit. She sniffed back a few tears, "Damn wall got in my way."

"Where's Shinji?"

Asuka walked towards the door and grabbed her and Shinji's coat on the way out. Misato watched and chuckled, "You know I always thought he would be the one that would end up chasing after her."