Asuka lay in the wreckage, in what was the Eva she used to pilot.

I'm not good enough. I'm never good enough.

She attempted to push herself to sitting position. No good. She was too weak.

It even hurt to blink.

Why can't I pilot like Shinji? Or Rei?

Why?

Why?

But the feelings of sadness and self pity weren't buried in her stomach for long. They were quickly replaced by hate.

Solid hate.

Through her blurry eyes, she could see the shards of the crimson metal lying everywhere.

Damn Eva!

Damn Shinji!

Damn Rei!

I hate them!

I HATE THEM!

The overhead sun was shining too brightly in her eyes, it made it even harder to see.

Damn sun! What the hell's it shining for anyway!

I hate it!

I hate everyone and everything!

It was mid-afternoon.

She was still lying there.

Her body…broken…her soul...her spirit…

All gone.

Shattered into pieces.

She heard footsteps?

People are alive around here?

A shadow loomed overhead.

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to scream, "No! Don't touch me! I'll kill you!"

But at the moment, she couldn't say anything.

"Asuka?"

Oh god.

Shinji.

"I've come to help you."

No, don't touch me, stop it! Get the hell away from me!

"You're safe now."

Get away! Get lost!

"We're going to be alright."

Oh, how the hell would you know!

He scoopedher upand held her in his arms, cradling her as if she were a baby.

I SAID, DON'T TOUCH ME! I'LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR I WILL!

"Asuka, it'll be alright. I don't even know if you're listening, but it will."

Yes, I'm listening! And how are you so sure!

"Because I love you."

what?

"And I promise I'll take of you, okay?"

You're just saying that.

"I care for you as a friend, and even more than that."

you do?

"So just trust me, okay?"

Okay.

And for the first time ever, she felt as if she were home.

A note from the author: Now, I don't particularly support Shinji/Asuka, but this came to mind and I just had to write it down.

For those of you who were "offended" by my last Evangelion "fic", all my regrets.

But…

To a particular Mr. Billy Bob, here's what I have to say…

"Well, cry me a river, build me a bridge, and get the hell over it."

Thank you.

Well, I'm out.