Doctor Yishu walked back into the waiting room and smiled when he saw Rei stand. "Major Katsuragi told me when Shinji arrived that I was to give any news of his condition directly to you."

Rei nodded waiting for the news. Is Shinji alright? Did they get the antidote in time? What if they didn't

The doctor smiled at Rei's obvious worry, "His condition has stabilized. He's going to pull through, but he needs a lot of rest. The serum took a lot out of him. He will need plenty of bed rest, and I would like to keep him here overnight for observation."

Rei stuttered slightly, "H-here? But you stated he would recover."

The doctor nodded, "It's just a precaution. There is no need to worry."

Rei looked at the ground trying to digest what he had said. She blushed as she thought over what to do, "I desire…to stay with Shinji."

The doctor smiled, "Misato said you would. We moved Shinji into a private room. I simply ask that you two don't do anything….inappropriate. He needs his rest."

Rei nodded, "I simply wish to be there when he wakes."

The doctor chuckled, "He's very lucky then. Right this way." The doctor led Rei to Shinji's room. They arrived soon.

As they walked in Rei gasped. Shinji was laying on the bed with several machines hooked up to him. One kept his pulse and heartbeat, one monitored his breathing, and his IV replenished his body's needs. She walked up and gently put her hand against his cheek. He looked like Shinji, but didn't at the same time. He looked completely vulnerable there sleeping. This just increased Rei's feel of a need to protect him

The doctor left when he saw Rei starting to sit down on Shinji's bed and lay down beside him wrapping her arm around him while resting her head on his chest.

---With Misato and Fuyutsuki---

Misato slammed on the breaks as the arrived at the prison where they were holding Gendo. She quickly flipped open her cell and hit the speed dial, "This is Misato Katsuragi. Code 47. You know what to do." She flipped it closed

Fuyutsuki raised an eyebrow.

Misato smiled at it, "They killed the video feed for the entire city. They will also erase any footage for after we left the hospital. They will then generated and replace making it look like we never left the hospital."

"And why is that?'

Misato took out her gun as they walked in the door, "Alibi." She then proceeded to march past the security flashing her badge where need be. She finally came to the maximum security area. The guards quickly let her in and led her to Gendo's cell. She looked at the guards before she entered, "We were never here. You checked on Gendo before leaving for the night and he was fine. You came the next morning to find him missing completely. Understood." Both guards nodded then unlocked Gendo's door.

Gendo looked up and smiled, "Why Major, what a surprise. And you too Fuyutsuki. This must be a really special occasion."

Misato growled at the fake innocence and quickly leveled her gun at Gendo, "I know what you did you old Bastard. You just couldn't let hi be could you? You had to put your son through hell again didn't you?" A tear slowly started to run down Misato's cheek. Gendo thought it was time to make his move. He moved an inch and a shot hit him in the knee. He cried in pain as he fell to the floor. Misato knelt down next to him putting her gun directly to his head. "I have plenty of shots left. You want to try that again?" Gendo shook his head. "Good idea. You know what pisses me off the most? Shinji was actually thinking you wanted to have a real father-son relationship. When he founds out you're the one who did this, it will break his heart. Now answer me one question. Why?"

Gendo chuckled, "Why? You're asking me why? Don't you get the ramifications of this all? If anyone could resist those side effects, it was a pilot. And if any pilot: Shinji. That vaccine could create the perfect soldier. It would be like having ultimate power. I could take on those who betrayed me. Those old men at SEELE."

"But if you were just going to do this, then why would you spend all this time lately trying to reconcile with him?"

Gendo smiled, "If the test subject survives, he will be highly susceptible to suggestion. All that would be needed would be the right code word and he would completely act free of his own will."

"You were going to brainwash your own son?"

"Affirmative."

Misato's finger twitched begging pull the trigger, "What is the code word?"

"That dear Major was the point of my time with Shinji. That was for him to choose. It would most likely be a word that portrays certain emotions."

Misato shook her head, "You're a sad old man. But I swear if you ever come near Shinji again-"

"Major, you fail to realize how many people on the outside I still have."

Misato smiled, "No Gendo, you fail to realize that I will kill however many it takes to make sure Shinji is safe." She then pulled the trigger. The shot was heard and she and Fuyutsuki slowly walked out of the building. As she walked by a van drove up. Several men jumped out and ran inside. Misato smiled, "As far as NERV and all of Japan is concerned, Gendo Ikari never existed."

"That's abusing power," stated Fuyutsuki.

Misato nodded, "I know. But it was for those kids. I'll do whatever it takes to protect those three." She quickly changed expressions and smiled, "Hey, you want to go back to the hospital and look in on the two lovebirds? I bet they're asleep by now."

Fuyutsuki tried to hide his surprise, "Um, I would rather not. Give my regards to Shinji and Rei."

---At the hospital---

Shinji slowly opened his eyes. The last thing he remembered was….Rei! He tried to sit up but was stopped by a weight on his chest. He looked down and saw Rei stirring and then nuzzling back into his chest. He slowly started to stroke her hair.

"Mmmm, Shinji?"

"Yeah?"

Rei's eyes popped open. She looked at him, "Shinji? You are awake."

Shinji frowned as he started to rub her cheek, "I'm sorry I didn't make it there faster. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Rei shook her head, "I am unharmed thanks to you."

Shinji tried to sit up but Rei refused to move.

"The doctor says you require rest. Please stay in bed."

Just then, the door burst open and Kensuke ran in. "Guys, I have bad news."

"What is it?" asked an annoyed Rei. She did not like her time with Shinji being interrupted.

Kensuke smiles slightly, "Well, Misato asked me to pick up a change of clothes for Shinji. While I was in you're apartment, your phone rang and I answered."

"That is forgivable. Who was it?" asked Rei.

"Ummmm, well you see. I might have been Asuka calling to wish Shinji a Happy late birthday. And I might of le tit slip that he was in the hospital."

Shinji paled.

"And she might have said she was on the next plane back here."

Rei frowned as he grip on Shinji slightly tightened.