Misato knocked on the door as she slowly walked in, "Rei? Shinji? You guys here? I got word that Asuka saw you two on the camera last night and-" She walked into the living room and stopped to see Rei sitting on the floor with her legs tucked under her. Her was looking through the pictures. "I guess she beat me here. Where's Shinji?"

Rei looked at her with a cold soulless stare that could have rivaled any of her stares, "He is not here. I believe he is out with Pilot Soryu."

Misato kneeled down next to Rei, "Rei…I'm so sorry. I know you-"

Rei placed the pictures on an end table and stood up, "He has reconciled with Pilot Soryu. The mission was a success."

"Mission?"

"Yes, I wished for Shinji to reconcile with her. He can feel complete now." She then walked to the kitchen and started to boil some water for some tea.

Misato followed her all the way, "But what about you? You can't tell me that you did not have a good time last night."

Rei looked up from the water and stared off not really looking at anything, "I found last night…acceptable. I enjoyed Shinji's company very much."

Misato pounded her fist on the table, "Cut the crap Rei. We both know that you have feelings for Shinji."

Rei turned and looked at her for a moment, then turned away, "My feelings are unimportant."

"You mean to tell me you're ready to hand over the person you care for to someone who you know will only betray him again?"

Rei clenched her fist, "Pilot Soryu will not make the same mistake twice. She shall regret it if she does."

"But she doesn't have to have a second chance. You could be the one that gets Shinji."

Rei thought for a second than held her hand over her heart, "It hurt."

"Huh?"

"It hurt to wake up this morning and him not be there. I do not understand this pain. But I wish it to go away." She turned and faced Misato, "This must be what Shinji has been feeling ever since Asuka's betrayal. If he feels better now….I shall deal with my unpleasantness."

"You would do that for Shinji?"

Rei nodded, "I do not wish him to be in pain. I do not understand these feelings I have, but he mustn't know about them."

Shinji walked into the apartment after walking Asuka to her door. He was about to announce his presence when he heard Rei talking to someone. But her voice was so lifeless. It was far worse than it was when they first met. It was almost like every ounce of hope had been robbed away. He slowly walked to the kitchen, but stopped before entering the door. He stayed at the side so no one could see him. He made a quick peak and saw it was Misato Rei was talking to.

"Do you want to know what those feelings are Rei?" asked Misato.

"I wish to know the cause of them."

Misato smiled a very rare motherly smile, "Rei…dear…you're in love with Shinji."

Rei scowled at this, "That is unacceptable. Shinji wishes to be with Asuka."

Shinji slid to the floor in shock. How could I have been so stupid. It was right there in front of me. And I ran right back to Asuka. He remembered how he had felt just a few days ago when he had showed up at Rei's doorstep. I really am pathetic.

Misato smiled when she heard a noise from the other side of the doorway. Okay, now he knows. Entering phase 2. "You have to fight for him Rei. You have to fight for the person you love."

Rei turned and cut off the water. She picked up to teacups and placed a tea bag in either. She then poured the hot water. She placed one cup in front of Misato and the sat the other in front of her. She then sat, "I can't do this. Shinji must never know."

"But why?"

Rei smiled slightly, "He is happy with Pilot Soryu. He has found the one who completes him. To tell him of my feelings would be…selfish."

Misato reached across and placed her hand on top of Rei's which was sitting on the table. "Rei trust me. In a case like this, it is very much okay to be selfish." She took a sip of her tea, "Listen to me Rei. I didn't hold onto the one I cared for, and now I will never see him again." She got up and walked out the door. She looked down at Shinji who gave her a pleading look almost begging not to acknowledge his existence. She looked back at Rei and nodded to the side where Shinji was, "He already knows, now what are you going to do about it?" She then looked down at Shinji and smiled, "Looks like you have a choice to make kid." She then walked out.

Shinji looked from the door she had just walked out of to Rei was now standing over him. She had a sad look on her face.

"Rei, I'm so sorry. I-"

Rei bowed her head, "It is I who am sorry Shinji. I did not wish for this to happen." She walked to the living room picking up the pictures and then walked to her room shutting the door.

Shinji stood and looked between the hallway that lead to Rei or the door that lead to the outside world and Asuka. He had some thinking to do.