Author's Notes: Yeah, I know this chapter is short, but I'm deciding on what to do next. A little writer's block, but don't worry! Enjoy the short but sweet Chapter 6, and the annoying cliffhanger!

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Chapter 6

Jason lets out a groan and opens his eyes. He's greeted by the sight of a white ceiling and white walls

Jason: A hospital.. I hate hospitals...

Voice: Glad you're awake.

Jason turns to the voice. Shinji is sitting in a chair next to the bed, along with Kyle. Kyle is the one who spoke. Asuka is in a chair in a corner of the room, sleeping. Darren is leaning against the wall, frowning.

Kyle: How you feel?

Jason: Like shit...

Kyle chuckles

Jason: So, why are you and Mr. Sunshine over there here, Kyle?

Darren: (grumpily) Because my sappy little brother was worried about you...

Kyle: (whispering) He's grumpy because he hasn't eaten yet. He was worried about you, too.

Jason nods and looks at Shinji

Jason: What about you and Red?

Shinji: We were both worried about you, you're our friend after all.

Jason looks surprised for a second, then smiles

Jason: Friends... Wait, I thought Asuka hated me...

Asuka: You annoy me, I don't hate you.

Jason turns to Asuka and smiles

Jason: Thanks for being my friend, Asuka.

Asuka smiles back at Jason

Darren: (whispering to himself) Barfaroni...

Kyle: What was that, Darren?

Darren: Uh, Macaroni! I said we should get some Macaroni!

Just then, the door to the room slides open and Ritsuko walks in

Ritsuko: All of you can go eat, except for Jason. I need to examin him. Please leave...

Everyone files out of the room after telling Jason goodbye, but Darren leaves with one final comment

Darren: Don't forget to check his prostate!

The sound of a hand hitting the back of a head comes from outside the door

Kyle: Shut up, asshole!

The door slides shut. Ritsuko pulls out a stethoscope from a bag

Ritsuko: Can you sit up by yourself, or do you need help?

Jason: No, I can do it myself, Dr. Akagi.

Jason slowly sits up

Ritsuko: Please, call me Ritsuko, Jason. We're friends, right?

Jason: I, uh, guess so...

Ritsuko: You guess so?

Jason: Well, I haven't known you for that long...

Ritsuko: Don't worry, I'm sure we can be good friends!

Ritsuko pulls Jason's sheet down and places the stethoscope on his chest

Ritsuko: Deep breath, please...

Jason inhales quickly

Ritsuko: Mmm-hmm... Now breathe out, slowly.

Jason slowly exhales

Ritsuko: Good...

Ritsuko moves the stethoscope to another spot on Jason's chest

Ritsuko: Again, please...

Ritsuko checks Jason's chest one more time, then his back twice. She then puts the stethoscope away. She checks his blood pressure, his eyes, his ears, then she slips on a plastic glove. Jason tenses up when he sees it

Jason: Uh, you're not going to... I don't think I'm old enough...

Ritsuko: Nonsense, you can start getting your prostate checked at the age of thirteen, you're sixteen, so it'll be no problem.

Jason's eyes grow as wide as saucers and Ritsuko laughs

Ritsuko: Don't worry, I'm not checking your prostate...

Ritsuko pulls Jason's sheets away. The boy blushes and covers himself with his hands, realizing he's completely nude

Ritsuko: Don't worry, I've seen it before, when you were unconscious.

Jason: (sarcastically) Yeah, that makes me feel a whole lot better...

Jason removes his hands and Ritsuko puts her gloved hand in their place

Ritsuko: Turn your head and cough, please.

Jason turns his head, blushes and coughs. Ritsuko removes her hand and pulls off the glove and throws it away. She then picks up a clipboard and begins to write on it.

Ritsuko: So, how do your burns feel?

Jason: Burns?

Ritsuko: Yes, when we pulled you out of the Eva, you had burns ranging from first to second degree.

Jason: How did I get those?

Ritsuko: I was hoping you could tell me, and also explain this.

Ritsuko lifts up Jason's right hand. On the back is a scar in the shape of a circle. It looks as if it's been there for a while

Ritsuko: According to your medical records, you don't have that scar, or rather, you shouldn't have it.

Jason: I-I shouldn't... It looks so old though...

Ritsuko: Like you've had it for a while, right?

Jason slowly nods as he stares at the scar

Ritsuko: Jason... What happened in the Eva? Your Sync Ratio went crazy. It reached 500. That's the highest ever recorded...

Jason sighs and begins to tell Ritsuko about his 'dream'

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About thirty minutes later

Ritsuko: And after your father disappeared?

Jason: Nothing... I just woke up in the Eva.

Ritsuko nods and jots a few things on her notepad

Ritsuko: Ok... That's all. Get some rest, you should be cleared for release later today.

Ritsuko starts to walk out of the room but stops

Ritsuko: Jason?

Jason: Yes?
Ritsuko: Do you still want to pilot Eva?

Jason:... Yes...

Ritsuko: (quietly) Why?

Jason: Why do you care so much?

Ritsuko: (sadly) You don't remember, do you?

Jason: Remember what?

Ritsuko: (quietly) Nothing...

Ritsuko walks out of the room, leaving Jason alone and confused