Shinji rested his elbow on his desk terminal. He held up his head as he watched the TV scan through his sector. He sighed, "Sector 5 clear."

Rei recorded the time and data and then looked over her computer, "There seems to be no action in the city tonight."

"There's never any action. This city is so watched by NERV that it takes away any possibility of excitement."

Rei went through her mind trying to think of something to start a conversation. She was so busy thinking she didn't realize Shinji has asked her something. She looked at him quizzically.

Shinji chuckled, "I asked why you wanted to switch shifts with Misato."

Rei thought over her actions for a few seconds, "I did not wish you to be alone."

"But I would have had Misato here."

Rei shuddered as she remembered her experiences when she worked the same watch shift as Misato. It usually consisted of Misato getting drunk, asking Rei embracing questions, and then passing out drunk. "I do not find the Major to be adequate company."

Shinji smiled at this.

"Did you find residence?"

Shinji shook his head, "Lot harder to find a place than I thought."

"You may reside at my apartment."

"I doubt that it's big enough for both of us."

Rei frowned at the response, "I shall assist you after our shift ends."

"Don't you need sleep?"

"Don't you?"

Shinji bowed his head.

"Why do you not wish for me to assist you?"

"Because when I get a place, I'll have to go to Misato's apartment and get my stuff. Which means-"

Rei scowled, "You will see Soryu."

Shinji nodded, "She's going to ask me a lot of questions, like where I stayed after I left the apartment. She may even try to make up with me."

Rei clenched her fist under the table, "And you will forgive her?"

Shinji thought for a few seconds, "I'm not sure."

"But she betrayed you."

Shinji scoffed, "Everyone I know has done that…other than you."

"That is not a good reason to forgive her."

"I know; I just love her."

"But she-"

Shinji was starting to lose his patience, "BETRAYED ME! I KNOW!" He saw Rei recoil slightly and realized what he had just done. He frowned, "Rei, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

Rei remained silent.

Shinji stood from his spot that the monitors and walked up to Rei. He knelt down beside her, "I didn't mean to raise my voice Rei."

Rei looked away.

Shinji reached up and gentle placed his hand on her cheek turned her head back. What he saw amazed him. Rei was crying. The person who in junior high had been deemed the 'Ice Queen' was crying. "Rei, please don't do that. I don't want you to cry because I did something stupid."

Rei looked at him, "I do not understand this purpose."

Shinji quickly pulled his hand away from her cheek, "I was just-"

"No, crying. I do not understand its purpose."

"It's what people do when they are sad or upset."

Rei sniffed and wiped away the last of the tears, "You did not cry when Asuka rejected you."

Shinji nodded, "I just try my best not to think about it."

"Why?"

Shinji clenched his fist trying not to focus on the pain, "Because it hurts."

"I once read it is not wise to not share one's pain."

"Yeah, but some people don't find it easy to open up to others."

Rei nodded in understanding, "Like you and me."

"Yeah, like you and me."

They sat there for a few seconds before Rei's radio came to life. "Attention NERV HQ, this is Tokyo III Police. We have a silent alarm in district 43, can you check it out?"

Shinji quickly ran to his console as Rei pulled up the feed. He spotted two teens sneaking through a broken window at an electronics store. He pulled up his radio, "This is Ikari with NERV HQ, looks like you have a couple kids checking out a layaway program."

"Roger that HQ, we'll handle this one."

Shinji sat back and watched the feed as the two kids stepped out of the window only to find themselves surrounded by police. He smirked, "Looks like we had a little action after all."

---Later that day---

Shinji walked around a few apartments in the area of NERV. Rei walked behind him completely silent. As they neared Misato's apartment, they spotted a sign advertising an apartment for rent. Shinji recognized the address and realized that it was in the same building as Misato's old apartment. He walked to the apartment building without saying a word. When they got there, Rei realized what was going on.

"Shinji, you do not intend to-"

Shinji shrugged, "I don't know yet. Most of the apartments in this building are too big for one person and too expensive as well."

"But we were paid very generously for our service during the war."

"I know, but just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you should waste it."

They arrived at the landlord's apartment, and Shinji knocked. The door quickly opened and a tall middle-aged man stood. He looked down at Shinji and smiled, "Shinji, did Misato break something again?"

Shinji shook his head, "No, I was hoping to see the apartment for rent."

"Oh, finally moving out huh? You and Asuka getting your own place?"

Shinji looked at the ground and sighed.

The landlord caught on, "Oh, I see. Don't worry kid, you two will figure out whatever the problem is. Anyway, let's take a look at the apartment." He reached beside his door and pulled the keys off a hook. They then went up the stairs to one floor below Misato's. When they got there, the landlord opened the door and let Shinji and Rei step in.

They looked around for a few minutes. Shinji then spoke, "It's pretty big for one person."

The landlord nodded, "Yeah, it's really built for two people."

"Which means I probably won't be able to afford it."

"Then I shall live here as well," came a voice behind the two men.

Both the landlord and Shinji turned to Rei who had finally broken her silence.

Shinji was in complete shock, "What?"

"You stated that my apartment was not big enough for two people, but this apartment is the adequate size."

Shinji stood still for a few seconds, "You sure?"

"I believe it would be an acceptable experience to have the company of another person."

Shinji sighed, "Okay then. I guess we'll take it."

The land lord smiled and handed Shinji the keys, "Just stop down stairs on your way out and we'll sign the contract and I'll get your first month's rent."

Shinji nodded his approval. The man then left leaving the two new roommates alone. Shinji stared at Rei, 'First the shift switch, now this. What is going on in your head Ayanami?'