Shinji removed his shoes as he stepped into his apartment. He heard the TV on and assumed that Rei must have given up her exile in her room. He looked into the room and was surprised to see red hair behind the couch instead of blue. "Asuka? What are you doing here?"

Asuka turned around, was quickly over the couch, and latched to Shinji. She laced her arms around his neck, "Well, I came to see you cause I got lonely. And when you weren't here I just decided to wait for you."

Shinji looked around, "But Rei-"

"Oh her? I think she's in her room. I heard some stuff in there but that stopped about an hour ago."

Shinji put his hands on Asuka's waste gently pulling her away and stood her on the ground. He then smiled at her, "You wait here okay? The three of us need to talk."

Asuka pouted for a second before huffing and sticking her nose into the air before going back to the couch. Shinji smiled at this. Asuka could be such a baby when she didn't get her way. He quietly walked down the hall to Rei's room. He put his ear against the door but heard nothing. He stood up straight then quietly knocked on the door, "Rei? Are you okay? I need to talk to you about something." There was no answer. He knocked a little louder, "Rei?". Still no answer. He sighed, "I'm coming in okay?" Still no answer, he took a deep breathe and opened the door. When he walked in he spotted the room's owner curled up on her bed hugging a pillow close to her as she slept. He walked up to he and gently moved her hair out of her face.

Rei woke up at the feeling of a warm hand against her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Shinji standing over her smiling back. She gave a slight yawn and smiled, "Hey." She then remembered what had happened the last time. She quickly moved back, "Shinji, I-"

"Shhh, I need to talk with you in the living room. Asuka's already there. Take your time, and we'll wait for you." He then turned and walked out. He walked back to the living room. As he entered Asuka stood to say something, but Shinji shook his head, "Sit down Asuka. Rei will be here in a few seconds."

Asuka sat back down with a scowl and crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't see what she has to do with us."

"I apologize for my intrusion," came a quiet voice. Both turned to see Rei enter the room. She kept her eyes on the floor as she walked across the floor and sat on the opposite end of the couch.

Shinji took a deep breathe, "I've had some thinking to do lately. And I've finally come to a decision. But I want you both to know that you two are the two most important people no matter what." He looked between the two, "Rei, you have been with me through all of this. You were one of the first real friends I ever had. There is one person that I could share my secrets with, and that's you." He then shifted his eyes to a very upset Asuka, "Asuka, the two of us have so much in common. Neither of us have a real family. Both of us were forced to grow up way too soon. When I first met you, I thought you were egotistical and loud." Asuka frowned. "But I've learned to see through that to who you really are. You're kind a passionate. You're loyal to those few people you let through your barriers. I'm glad I'm one of them."

Rei stood and bowed, "I accept your choice Ikari. I shall retire to my room again." She then quickly walked out.

Shinji started after her when Asuka grabbed his wrist, "Shinji?"

Shinji knelt down next to Asuka placing his hand on her cheek, "Asuka, you know you're very important to me, but Rei…she's just-"

"You're rejecting me? FOR HER!"

"I'm sorry Asuka. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"But you said I made you complete."

Shinji sighed, "I thought you did, but Rei...she completes part I didn't even know were missing."

Asuka growled as she punched Shinji knocking him backwards. She then stood and marched for the door but not before giving him a quick kick to the ribs before leaving. Shinji gasped for air until he felt someone feeling cheek right under his eye. He opened it to see Rei standing above him.

"Ikari, why are you injured?"

Shinji smiled as he pulled himself to the wall and sat up leaning against it. He held his ribs and winced, "She didn't like my choice."

"She disapproved of you choosing her?"

He smiled, "I didn't choose her Rei. I chose you."

Rei sat still for a few seconds unmoving. Her warm hand still held right under his eye. She then frowned, "I shall get you some ice. Then I shall tell Asuka that you were simply trying to spare my feelings." She stood and walked to the kitchen. She quickly returned with an icepack. She placed it on his eye and then took Shinji's hand in hers putting his hand over the icepack, "Please hold this while I retrieve the phone."

Shinji sighed, "Rei will you just sit and talk for a second?"

Rei sat down beside Shinji and looked at him, "You do not need to worry about my feelings. I wish you to be happy."

Shinji nodded, "I know you do. But I want to be with you. I think part of me always did. When I first met you, you were laying there on that stretcher all bandaged up. And all I could think was I would put up with my dad if it meant I would be helping you."

"But you stated Asuka makes you complete."

Shinji smiled, "So do you. You make complete in areas I just admitted I would never fill."

Rei stood to her feet then looked down at Shinji, "You are being honest?"

Shinji nodded.

Rei seemed to stand there for a few seconds then smiled, "That is acceptable."

"Good." Shinji slowly stood to his feet wincing as his ribs hurt. He knew they were bruised. He knew every movement he made would hurt like hell. But he also knew it was worth it. He stood in front of Rei and smiled as he saw the blue haired beauty blush while looking at the ground.

She then looked up blushing even more, "I have a request."

"And that would be?"

"I believe it is acceptable for two people seeing each other…to kiss?"

Shinji took Rei's chin in his hand and smiled, "I think so." The next moment was one that Rei had wished for. Shinji bent down slightly and kissed her.