Things had changed. Misato was not too happy when Shinji showed up on her doorstep with his stuff. He had to practically beg her to let him stay there. He told her about everything: the locket, the kiss, finding Rei, his choice. She called him an idiot and said he was giving up to easily. When she finally realized that she would either have to let Shinji live there or he would sleep in the park, she reluctantly let him in.

Things hadn't changed. It was like it was before Shinji had proposed to Asuka. Asuka had moved back in and the three were reunited. Shinji still did most of the cleaning and cooking. Misato's cooking could still be counted as biological warfare. Shinji went back to work at NERV. It was kind of ironic. At one time, Shinji would have done anything to avoid this place, now he spent more time there than Misato. He would only come home when he was directly ordered to come home by Misato.

Things would never be the same. Asuka would spend most of her time practically throwing herself at Shinji. She would often "surprise" him when he got home from work. He would always brush her off and tell her to leave him alone. First Kaji now Shinji. It seemed the girl had a knack for unrequited love. But she was still adamant that Shinji would come to terms and take her back. She threatened any female that came near 'her Shinji'. She had even beaten a few men to a pulp because their sexuality as, according to her, 'questionable in nature'.

Things couldn't get worse. Shinji and Rei were barely in the same room at the same time anymore. Rei had returned to an almost soulless shell. She had been so happy when she found out she loved Shinji and he loved her back. Now she knew what heartbreak was like. She knew that Shinji and Asuka were in the same apartment together. Asuka wouldn't miss a chance to remind her of that fact.

Things did get worse. Shinji kept his promise. He avoided her at all costs. Every time he saw her in a hallways, on the street, or at work it, it took everything in him not to run up to her and declare his undying love for her and beg forgiveness. But one thought always held him back. He had made her cry. He had hurt her so much that she had cried in public. That may not have been much for some people, but this was Rei. The girl that still had trouble openly showing her emotions. He was miserable but he justified it by saying that it was keeping Rei from being in pain. When Misato found out about the locket and what happened she put two and two together and figured out that it was the trigger for Shinji's mind control. As a result, Shinji had spent hours in NERV medical ward trying to reverse the side effects. They had finally succeeded.

---6 months after Asuka's return---

Shinji sighed as he watched the TV. He flipped through the channels trying to find something. He felt two arms drape around him and soon felt a head rest on his shoulder followed by a kiss on the cheek. He sighed again, "Go away Asuka."

Asuka stood up and huffed while putting her hands on her hips, "You know most men would love a women with as body like this to give them the kind of attention I'm giving you."

"Guess I'm not most men," stated Shinji flatly.

Asuka walked around the couch and snatched the remote out of Shinji's hand turning off the TV and sitting on the table directly across from Shinji, "Give her up Shinji. She's just a useless toy."

Shinji stood towering over Asuka anger evident in his face, 'Don't you ever call Rei a toy. I love her. And I know deep down she loves-"

"Loved," corrected Asuka. "She loved you. As in past tense, as in not anymore, as in get over it already."

"If you hadn't come back and ruined this-"

Asuka was now on her feet. Even though she was a good foot shorter than Shinji at this exact moment none could tell. "I did what I had to do. I worked way too hard to get you, and I am not about to let some blue-haired slut-" Asuka was silenced by a slap.

Shinji stood there in anger for a few seconds until he realized what just happened. He had slapped Asuka. In all their years of knowing each other, in all their fights, in all the times she had resulted to physical assault, he had never once laid a finger on her.

Asuka held her cheek as she looked away trying to hide the tears.

Shinji regretted what he had done. It was true Asuka may not be his favorite person right now, but still she was still one of the few precious people in his life. He held a hand out t Asuka, "Asuka, I'm-"

Asuka turned back this time her eyes filled with rage. She slapped the hand away and was immediately to her feet. He then put all her strength into one punch to Shinji's gut. When he bent over with the lost of air, she then shoved the palm of her hand into his nose. Shinji felt and heard a sickening crap. He felt to the ground gasping for air as blood oozed out of his nose. Asuka then bent down to his level anger seeping from her voice, "Do that again, and I swear I will leave you in a bloody mess you little shit. Face it; I'm all you have left, so learn to deal." She then gave a quick kick to the groin before walking off.

That's how Misato had found him. Blood on the carpet, writhing in pain. She helped him back to the couch after getting him a rag for his nose. She then took a firm hold of it, "Yep, it's broken. Take a deep breathe." Shinji did as he was told. "Now hold it. This will hurt." Shinji's eyes flew open when he realized what she was going to do, but before he could stop her Misato jerked his nose back in place. Shinji's screams echoed through the apartment. Misato stood, "I'm going to go have a little talk with Asuka. Maybe you should sleep at Rei's tonight."

Shinji shook his head, "I'll be fine."

Misato sat down beside Shinji, "No you won't Shinji. You're both heartbroken, why won't you just stop being stubborn and talk with her."

"I can't."

Misato sighed, "Listen Shinji, you need her. She needs you. But I'm not going to force it on you."

Shinji stood and slowly made his way back to his room, "Thanks Misato."

Misato smiled, "Sure thing." She sighed and rubbed her head as Shinji shut his bedroom door, "3….2….1."

"ASUKA GET OFF MY BED AND THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM!"

Misato shook her head, "Cue Asuka."

She heard Asuka open Shinji's door, "You damn Baka, can't you see that I was trying to apologize." The door then slammed. Asuka walked through the room and took her coat from the hook, "I'll be back, and tell that Baka if he knows what's good for him he better have one hell of an apology ready for me when I get back." She then walked out the door slamming it on the way out. Misato smirked and picked up the phone, "I may not force it but I'm going to give it a little nudge."

---The Next Night---

Shinji walked down the halls of NERV with Misato. "So, who called in this time?"

"No one, just have a hot date tonight," smiled Misato.

Shinji chocked, "What?"

"Hey, you can't blame a girl. If you're giving up your social life all together, then I might as well take advantage of it."

Shinji mock frowned, "Glad I could be helpful."

Misato patted the top of his head, "Thanks kiddo."

"So, who is working the shift with me?"

Misato coughed and mumbled something.

"Who?"

Misato looked at her watch, "Oh, we better hurry up or you'll be late." She then started to push Shinji down the hall.

"Misato?"

They arrived and Misato shoved Shinji into the room locking the door from the outside.

"Ikari?"

Shinji froze at the voice. He turned and met a pair of red eyes.

"Rei?"