Hmm… What to say… Does it really matter? Oh well, anyway, here's part five. It seems that not very many people, if any, caught the hint as to why Rei changed so much in such little time. I know it seems like she was OOC but since nothing like what happened ever did, it's impossible to guess how she could have reacted. So there, ha! I'm also aware as to Shinji's sudden change in attitude. It isn't due to a withdrawal symptom, incase that's what you thought. I thought about it beforehand and as such, I'll give a reason when it's appropriate. I think that's enough. GO! Start Reading!

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"Shinji, get out of the way!" Misato shouted at him.

"Huh?" he managed to say before all thoughts were swept from his mind. What now occupied their place was the enemy he faced. It was a large diamond shaped entity which quietly floated above the city of Tokyo-3. However, what captivated him was the oncoming wave of energy that blasted through a surrounding building and slammed into him with an unexpected force. It was an uncontrollable surge of destructive power which destroyed all who stood in its path. Unfortunately for Shinji, he was one who barred the way and, as such, he would receive no mercy.

"Hng…!" Shinji grunted as he was hit. The energy pulsing around him destroyed the cameras within the unit, plunging the command center into darkness yet again. The force easily shattered through the laughably weak A.T. field which he struggled to throw up in an attempt at self-preservation. It struck the giant and, being the undeniable force that it was, sought to follow its urge to inexorably move forward, carving its way through the hulking behemoth before it.

"Shinji!" Misato shouted, terrified at this sudden turn in events. "Hurry! Get him back!"

As the seconds dragged on, the armor plating of the Eva began to liquefy, yet it showed no signs of movement.

"What the hell are you waiting for!" She shouted as her fear became rage at this inactivity.

"Damn it! The elevator jammed!"

"What!" her scream filled with fear again.

"Almost… got it!" The words were hardly out of his mouth as the Eva sank once more below ground. The once purple chest now glowed a dull crimson as the intense heat had melted it down.

The command crew stared for a moment in awe-inspired terror at the destruction their enemy had caused before lapsing into serene inactivity again.

"The target had gone inactive!" was said as the Angel's movement ceased.

"How's Shinji!" Misato demanded.

"EEG abnormal! Pulse faint!" was said, giving reality to their doubts as to the pilot's health.

"Unit-01 to cage #7 for retrieval!"

"I'm going to the cage!" Misato shouted out, "Ritsuko! Get the medic team ready -- Stat!"

"Got it!" Ritsuko replied.

Behind her stood Rei, with an expression on her face which could be interpreted as disinterest.

"Brainwaves erratic! Pulse faint! Correction, pulse has stopped!"

"Set life supports to maximum! Commence CPR!" Ritsuko shouted, terror at loosing their one chance of survival slowly filling her.

"Yes sir!" was shouted back as the signal was sent.

"Again!" she shouted when it had no effect.

"Negative! Pilot life-signs deteriorating."

"No!" she shouted as the next report was voiced.

"All life-signs have… flatlined…"

At these words, the fear hidden within the uncaring façade which Rei had carefully crafted, reached a crescendo as she ran out to asses Shinji's condition herself.

"Hurry! Force eject the plug!" Ritsuko shouted in the vain hope of a possible retrieval. "Emergency LCL flush!" She ordered.

As the liquid poured out, those who were around noticed that that the LCL had reached boiling temperature. It smoked and hissed wherever it made contact, giving an unshakable testament to the condition of the pilot.

"Shinji!" Misato shouted while sprinting towards him. 'No! Don't die! You can't die!'

An absolute panic had her heart frozen in its icy grip; heralding the inevitable desolation which would soon befall her should her nightmare become truth.

As the hatch was opened, a burst of steam obscured her vision. When she glimpsed into the plug's interior, the sight of what it contained froze her in absolute shock.

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"Damn it's hot in here." Shinji said as he lightly jumped out of the still steaming plug.

"Sh…Shinji?" Misato muttered, not quite believing that he had come out unharmed.

"Huh? Oh, hey Misato. What's… Gah!" he shouted as he was enveloped in a rib-shattering hug. "What the hell! Let go of me!" he shouted, nearing suffocation as she crushed him.

"I though you were dead!" she sobbed out.

"So now you wanna try finishing the job! Off with you woman!" he shouted as he broke free.

"Shinji, what happened!" Ritsuko called out through the intercom. "All my instruments said your life-signs ceased!"

"My what?" he asked, a bit confused until he remembered the events which recently unfolded. "Oh that, this stupid vest thing on the plug suit broke in there. So I guess that's what did it."

"Are you alright, though?" she then asked him.

"I'm fine." He answered. "It didn't even hurt!"

Those who heard him were reassured of his rumored near-invulnerability.

"Well, that's good to hear." She said, playing along. "I want to make sure of that so go to my lab, alright?"

"What?" he said. "No, I don't think so. I'm gonna go get changed then go for lunch. If you need something after that, call me."

"Shinji!" Ritsuko shouted in disapproval.

"Oh come on, Doctor Akagi!" one the bridge techs, Makoto, said. "We all know he's way too tough to be injured like that, I mean, hell, he's walking around as if nothing's happened!"

Ritsuko was about to argue if not for the fact that the voiced agreement of the rest of the crew made it so that her reaction would either reduce or enhance the image so carefully crafted by Shinji. Choosing the obvious alternative, she decided to comply. "Fine, Shinji… if you're sure you'll be fine, then I guess I should take your word for it."

Shinji grinned up at the camera Ritsuko was watching from and walked out. As the bridge crew rejoiced amongst themselves about another near-miraculous action of Shinji's to add to the growing list, Ritsuko's face darkened as she noticed what only a trained professional could; she could see that he was completely unable to use his left arm, if its complete lack of movement was anything to go by. She also noticed his shallow breathing which meant, since it had not improved in the slightest during the entire conversation, that he had at least bruised if not outright broken his ribs.

Rei's look mirrored Ritsuko's own, but not because she noticed what the doctor did. She saw it in his face. While others saw only the supposed elation of his at having survived yet again, she glanced into his eyes as he passed by her, forgoing the obvious comment about his impending lunch as she saw the barely suppressed agony hidden within them.

----------

"Hey, Ayanami?" Shinji called out from where he was currently changing.

"Yes, Ikari?" she answered.

"Forget about lunch for now. I'm way too sleepy to be hungry. Can you tell Ritsuko and Misato where I am in case they need me?"

"Very well. I wish to ask something of you, however."

"Huh? What's up?"

"How serious were the injuries you received."

"Injuries? I told you I was fine." He replied a bit drowsily.

"I do not believe you. Doctor Akagi noticed as well but due to the behavior of the crew, she was unable to examine you."

"Look Ayanami… I'm well enough to keep on fighting, if that's what you're wondering. So just let me sleep for a while, okay?"

"All right." She said after a few seconds and walked off.

'Damn!' Shinji thought to himself as she left. 'Have I really become so weak as to have people worrying about me? No, she was probably wondering if she would have to go fight alone… Man, these people are getting far too attached to me. I should have kept acting the way I did when I got here. But then again, I was planning to die about two months or so after I got here so the less I changed things the better… Hmm, I must be getting too relaxed around here… Especially after today… Damned arm; can't even move it right now. I knew I should have just rolled Ayanami's bed out of the way when I saw that steel bar about to fall; but no! I had to look cool and block it with my arm, didn't I? And those damn Angels… why the hell does it seem that they keep targeting my arm! Is it so obvious? No one else seems to have noticed that I barely use this arm anymore so what could it be? This angel though… took my arm and nearly the rest of me too… I'm so thankful right now that no one noticed the internal pressure of the plug, cause if they did… that damned Ritsuko probably wouldn't have even let me walk around …'

As he finished wrapping up the new injuries which now covered his frame, he walked over to a corner and sat down.

'Can't say I wouldn't agree with that decision though… if only I was as tough as everyone seems to think… If I at least had super strength or something this wouldn't suck so much… Why didn't those bastards at least give me some crazy super powers or something while they were at it? Damn this… ugh… sleep time…' his thoughts ended as he took two of the pills that Ritsuko had made for him and promptly passed out.

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"So who's our target this time?"

"A bunch of useless old men calling themselves SEELE or something…"

"What the hell, that's a stupid name…"

"Who ordered it?"

"Hell if I know… We just do what they're told…"

"SEELE, huh?"

"You know of them…?"

"No, but I'm sure they're the same type as the bastards who made us…"

"You're right… I'm going to enjoy this… I'll be sure to take it nice and slow…"

"Ha ha ha… You always were the one who enjoyed a good kill more than any of us, eh Shinji?"

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"Shinji?"

"Huh…? Oh, hey Ayanami, what's up…" Shinji said as he woke up and looked towards Rei who was seated on the bench in the room. 'Wait a minute… she wasn't here watching me the whole time, was she?'

"How long have you been here?" he asked, a bit unnerved.

"Approximately two hours." She said.

"What! Why were you watching me sleep!" He was about to comment on something else when he noticed something. Ayanami looked like she was smiling. Her face was the same as always, but her eyes held a certain light that gave the impression of a smile.

"You were lying, weren't you..?"

"Of course. Why would I wish to stare at you for an extended period of time…?"

"Damn, you're getting good at this… I almost didn't catch it…"

"Yes… I have been practicing what you described to me as a form of humor. It seems as though the appearance of 'friendship' between us has become common knowledge throughout the base."

"Yeah… It'll be to our advantage later on. How about my father? What is his reaction to this?"

"He has yet to voice an opinion on the matter but he seems displeased."

"Heh… I guess that's just a bonus then… Oh, that reminds me… What do you want?"

"Is it truly so hard to believe that I came here to talk with you?" she said, sounding almost hurt.

"You're not that good yet…"

"Oh well… Anyway, I have been briefed as to our mission and was sent to inform you as to our current plan of action."

"Couldn't they have sent someone to wake me up?"

"They were going to do so, but the only messenger in all of NERV was currently asleep."

"That lazy… Wait a minute… You don't mean me, do you!"

"Of course. As I was saying…" she told him.

'What the hell! I am not a messenger!'

"Pay attention." She said as she realized that he was not.

"Oh, umm… you were saying?"

"Here is the schedule for the operation that will begin at zero hours tomorrow. Shall I read it?" saying that, she pulled a small black book from her pocket.

"Well… at least you don't try to hide your poor short term memory like Misato does… Ow! Did you have to throw that!"

"Yes, I did. Now listen to me or I will have to look for the captain."

"Ah! Okay. I'll shut up now."

"Anyway… Pilot's Ikari and Ayanami will assemble at the cage at 1730 hours. At 1800 hours, Eva Unit-01 and Unit-00 will be activated. 1805 hours, launch. At 1830, arrive at the temporary base on Mt. Futago. Await further orders. Commence operation at midnight."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"Not very informative, was it? All that really said was that we have to go to that Mt. Somethingorother. How are we gonna beat the angel with info like that?"

"Part of what I said was 'Await further orders.' You understand that, right?"

"Uh, yeah, but… any ideas as to what we are actually going to do?"

"I believe so. I was ordered to retrieve a fairly large rifle earlier. I would assume that it will be used."

"Fairly large? Just how big does 'Fairly large' mean?"

"It was bigger than the standard rifle by more than ten times so I would assume that to be considered fairly large. Does that answer your question?"

"Not in the slightest. Oh well, lets… Ow! Ouch! Damn it, stop throwing those things at me! What kind of idiot would leave those things just lying around like that! Ow!"

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"So, Shinji, How are you feeling?" Misato asked Shinji. He was currently in the Eva and was about to leave for the temporary base.

"Except for a few bruises, I'm fine." was his reply.

"So you did get hurt!" She shouted.

"Not at all, these happened afterwards. Right, Ayanami?"

"What! Why would Rei know that?" she said, shocked but ecstatic to have found a reason to make fun of him.

"Yes. I did tell you not to shake that thing, though." Rei said.

"Hey, it's not my fault! Damn thing got stuck!"

"This is why I told you to push it out with another."

"No way was I getting another one of those damn things!"

"And that's why it happened."

"Oh, right…"

"What are you both talking about!" Misato was completely confused at this seemingly random turn of events. "Damn it! Shinji, Rei! I order you to tell me what happened!"

"Hey look at the time!" Shinji said.

"Yes, we should be leaving now." Rei added.

"Damn it!" Misato shouted again as their Eva's were launched.

"What the hell was that about!" Misato was still curious.

"You didn't get it?" Ritsuko said, standing behind her.

"Get what! Don't tell me you understood them!"

"I thought it was pretty obvious."

"Then tell me!"

"No." Ritsuko said and left.

"That's not fair! Everyone's against me!"

"Perhaps you should be leaving as well, Captain Katsuragi." Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki said.

"Wha- Oh, umm… yes, of course!" She stammered and quickly left.

'I didn't get it either.' He thought to himself.

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"Whoah. That is a really big gun!" Shinji and Rei had arrived at the base of operations and Shinji was currently standing before, and gawking at, the huge rifle.

"I told you it was large."

"'Fairly large', right."

"Hey you two! Stop messing around and get over here!" Misato shouted towards them. Still a bit annoyed at having been left out of the loop.

"All right. Listen carefully to what were about to say." She told them as they walked over to her. "This is a positron rifle. NERV requisitioned it from the Japan-Strategic-Self-Defense Force research labs; it's still pretty much an experimental weapon, though."

"Requisitioned?" Shinji asked Rei. "She made you threaten the JSSDF guys with your big robot, didn't she?"

"Yes. It was rather entertaining to see them panic, however…"

"Hey! I said pay attention!" Misato shouted at Shinji.

"Oh, umm… you were saying?" he told her.

'Didn't he say that to me earlier as well? I should remember that line in case I need it later, it seems to work…' Rei thought.

"Anyway… According to our calculations, it can punch through the enemy's A.T. field even at this range… However, it's a precision instrument, not intended for field operations-and a system we've thrown together in a big hurry."

"Not very confident inspiring, is it?" Shinji said.

"Yeah, well, it's the best we could do in such a short time…"

"How about that big shield over there?" he asked.

"That? We've Jury-Rigged it from the bottom of a single-stage-to-orbit rocket that was given an electromagnetic coating. I can withstand the enemy's beam for seventeen seconds. Shinji, you'll be the gunner."

"Huh?"

"Rei will handle defense."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Rei, this is because despite the fact that Shinji's Synchro rate between Unit-01 and himself is slightly higher than yours. Precise operation is absolutely necessary this time."

"Now Shinji," Ritsuko told him. "Positron's are affected by the earth's magnetic field, and gravity—they won't travel in a straight line. Don't forget to correct for that."

"How?" he asked.

"Don't worry, just do it by the book. Just pull the trigger when the markers are centered on the target. The computer will do the rest." She continued.

"And if I miss…?"

"It would take twenty-seconds to cool, recharge, and fire the second shot. We anticipate a counter-attack within that time. If you can't dodge it… it's all over. In the last extremity, Rei's shield will protect you." Misato informed him.

"Oh, okay. In that case, I refuse." He told them.

"What do you mean, 'you refuse'! That's not an option!" Misato shouted at him.

"It is simple." He told her, not in the least surprised by her shouting. "I do not trust my accuracy enough to risk a comrade's life on it. If the computer will handle it, then it would be a better choice to have Ayanami shoot. And I can be the defense."

"Shinji! This is an order from your superior!"

"I told you before, Misato. I see neither you nor anyone else as one who can give me orders. If you do not agree with my deviation of your plans, then I refuse to follow them."

"Is that a threat!" She demanded.

"No, not a threat. It is an ultimatum. Change it a little, or do it yourself."

"Damn it! Fine, do what you will, but you better win!"

"If I do not, then there will not be anyone left to care." He said and walked off.

"What the hell!" Misato shouted once he and Rei had left to wait by the Eva's.

"I wonder if he's in a bad mood or something…?" Ritsuko thought out loud.

"I don't know but I'm going to make him pay for that!"

"I guess he really is changing…"

"What are you talking about, Ritsuko. He's still the annoying jerk he was when he got here!"

"Hmm… I wonder about that…"

"What do you mean?"

"In case you hadn't noticed, you semi-threatened Rei right now, right?"

"Well, sort of. I did want Rei to be the shield…"

"Yes. As the shield, you're obviously going to get hit. By implying your desire to have Rei be his shield, you were willing to place her in harms way."

"Oh, I get it. That's why he got so upset at me."

"Exactly. What is surprising though is that he didn't threaten to kill you this time."

"Wait a minute… You're right! Before, even implying you wanted Rei to get hurt was enough for him to threaten to kill you, and now, he didn't even mention it…"

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'All the lights have gone out…' Shinji thought to himself as he sat on the bridge set up by the Evas and gazed out towards the darkened horizon.

"Ikari…?" Ayanami called out to him.

"Hmm…" he said, implying he was listening.

"I wish to ask something of you."

"What is it?"

"Why do you seek to protect me so much?"

"What was that? Oh, I guess I never really have shown a reason. Why do you want to know now all of a sudden?"

"We could be dead in a matter of minutes and I would like to have one less thing occupying my mind if that time comes."

"Is that your reason?"

"Yes."

"Then I refuse to tell you."

"Why would you?"

"If that's one more thing occupying your mind, then it's another anchor holding you here."

"What? I do not understand…"

"Hmm… Let me say this then. In my experience when a person dies they tend to have a lot of regrets, right."

"Yes…" she said, not understanding yet.

"Okay, while having regrets is a bad thing, sometimes, as you are on the verge of death it could be those very things that you would regret not doing, or saying, or whatever that pushes you to stay alive. If you have something to live for, then you are more likely to remain living than if you do not."

"I think I understand…"

"That's good, I guess…" he said then they lapsed into silence again until Rei spoke up again.

"What do you have that anchors you to this world?"

"What, huh? Why don't you tell me first? Why do you pilot the Eva?"

"Because… it's my link."

"To what?"

"At first, to your father. But now I'm not so sure…"

"What do you mean?"

"I… I do not understand it fully yet… I feel as though it was my purpose. It's like I was born to pilot an Eva. If I stopped being a pilot, I would have nothing left. That's the same as being dead."

"You're wrong… Being dead is nothing like that… Even if you lost what seems to you to be your purpose in life, then that only means one thing."

"What?"

"That it wasn't your purpose in the first place. You can't be given a purpose; you have to discover it yourself. Otherwise, it's completely meaningless. While you still live you can search out a new purpose, but if you die, then you can not."

"I see… How do you know of such things?"

"Unfortunately, knowledge of this kind came by first hand experience… If I knew then what I know now, I wonder if things would have turned out the same way…"

"What happened to you before?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about this."

"Why would you say that?"

"It's… it's not something I feel like I'm ready to talk about yet… Maybe some other time, but not now, sorry"

"It's time." Rei said after a while longer. "Let's go."

"Hm? Oh, sure. Ayanami?"

"What?"

"There will only be at most two deaths tonight. I swear you won't be one of them. Goodbye." He said before steeping into his plug.

'Is he not planning on returning?' she thought as she entered her Eva as well.

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"This is it." Misato was informed.

"Rei…all the power of Japan is in your hands."

"Yes ma'am." She replied.

"Commencing primary connections. Begin transmission of power from blocks 1 through 803."

"Commence operation Yashima!"

"Voltage rising… increasing pressure!"

"Cooling systems at MAX output!"

"Positron influx nominal!"

"Secondary connections complete!"

"Accelerators engaging! Activate convergence unit!"

"Transfer all power to Mt. Futago temporary substation. Release final safety systems!"

"Tertiary connections nominal."

"Pull the hammer!"

As this command was shouted, Rei pulled back the huge bolt on the rifle, priming the fuse which served the same purpose as a cartridge would have in a sniper rifle. As she sat in the plug, facing her opponent at a huge distance with Unit-01 a short distance before her, a targeting computer lowered onto her head.

"Error correction for earth's rotation is +0.0009."

"Seventh and final connections engaged."

"Transmitting all energy to the positron rifle.

"Ten seconds to discharge. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six."

"High energy reading within the target!" Another tech by the name of Maya, said.

"Damn, it's spotted us!" Misato muttered. But if we can get in the first shot… we have a chance! Fire!" She shouted as the targeting computer in Unit-00 aligned itself with the enemy.

As Rei pulled the trigger, a huge beam of energy shot out of the end of the barrel. It was a huge bolt of power brighter than the sun and far louder than thunder. It caused massive gales of wind to flatten the surrounding countryside as it rocketed b overhead, heading towards its enemy at an unbelievable pace. The angel, however, was not to be outdone in this. It too shot its massive energy wave at that precise moment towards the fools who sought too seek it out in a form of combat which it had not only mastered, but perfected. As the two titans of light converged in the center of the battlefield, they twisted out of each others way, almost as if sensing that a collision with each other would cause an end to both of their existence. The blast shot by the Eva flew off into a nearby mountain causing no damage to the angel while its beam hit a little closer to its opponent. Not damaging it directly but nearly destroying the occupants of temporary base nearby.

"The second shot -- hurry!" Misato shouted.

"Exchanging fuses now!" Maya reported as the Eva pulled back the bolt, blowing out the spent cartridge in favor of a new one.

"Begin recharging!"

"Get the barrel cooled down!"

"I'm getting another high energy reading from the target!"

"Damn it! It's too soon." Misato said, an edge of desperation beginning to creep into her.

The occupant of the command center stared helplessly as the Angel shot another bolt of death towards the Eva once again.

"No!" they shouted as Rei sat in the plug and watched as the harbinger of her death sped towards her. She closed her eyes, waiting for her death to reach her. When it did not, she opened them again to find out why. Before her stood the purple juggernaut who had sworn to preserve her life in exchange for his. The beam struck the makeshift shield with its full strength yet the colossus did not yield even to this. Unfortunately, it's will seemed to be far greater than the strength of its equipment. The shield lasted all of five seconds in the face of this massive onslaught, then no more. As if in surrender, the shield disintegrated, but the one holding had no such fear of oblivion. It dug its feet in and spread its arms wide in defiance of its opponent's strength. The wave slammed into it yet again but found the way barred yet again.

"No!" the onlookers shouted, terrified.

"Damn it Ritsuko! It was supposed to have lasted seventeen seconds, not five!" Misato shouted at her.

"I don't now what happened!" She shouted back. "There was no way my calculations could have been that far off!"

"What do we do now! Last time, the Eva lasted about eight seconds before we pulled it down and it was nearly destroyed!"

Ten more seconds passed yet the defender had refused to falter. It's armor had met the same fate as the shield and it ran in rivulets down it's body. Glowing crimson due to the intense heat, it seemed as though the behemoth was shrouded in its own blood, yet it's determination shone brightly in its eyes. 'I will not fall!' they seemed to shout out.

"Now! Fire!" Misato shouted.

A fourth beam was shot out again that night. This one, unlike the others, found its way to its intended target and decimated it. It hit the Angel on one of its corners and it sliced into it with the ease which had been previously showcased. Upon its death, the energy beam it had shot faltered and died out. The titan had not fallen. Had not relented. Had not surrendered in the face of adversity. And now that it had fulfilled its promise, it kneeled down onto the ground. Its spirit was indomitable but its body had been pushed far beyond its possible limitations and as such, had shut itself down in an effort to remain alive.

"We did it!" the command center erupted in cheers. Unaware of the condition of the one who had saved them all yet again.

Unit-00 reached downward and ripped out the plug holding the pilot of the half-melted unit prisoner within it. The plug, normally smooth, was warped and bent with the force and heat which it had endured. As the LCL was ejected from it, it shot out at a massive speed due to the pressure and the superheated liquid vaporized instantly. Ayanami exited her own Eva and was in the process of reaching Shinji's when it opened on its own and the pilot stepped out of it. He took a shaky step forward and fell onto the ground. He tried to stand again and was almost able to when Rei reached him.

"Damn it… I'm still alive…" he muttered to himself.

"Are you alright, Ikari?" she asked, a thread of worry hidden in her voice.

"I'm fine!" he lied, clearly aware of his various injuries as he regained his feet.

"I do no believe you." She told him and tried to support him.

"I said I'm fine." He said and pushed her away. He managed one more step before Ayanami grabbed him again.

"What are you…" he managed to say before she interrupted.

"Stop lying to me!" she told him, shocking him into silence. "I refuse to allow you to die until you tell me what I wish to know."

"I… see…" he said. "You're keeping me alive for your own reasons…"

"If that is the only way to do so, then yes. You have helped me and protected me and I have yet to return any of those favors. If you die and I never get to do so, I will never forgive you, do you understand?"

"Ugh… fine… I'm stuck here until I'm useless to you, right?"

"Yes. Now let's head towards the command center before your injuries worsen."

"Yes ma'am…" he said as they stumbled towards the gathering of lights in the distance.

To be continued…

Oh man! That took forever! I normally get a chapter done in a few days, but this took way longer for me. It's not much longer than usual but this was the part, for me at least, where I would decide what path this story would take. I know it probably doesn't look that way now, but later on, I'm going to base the rest of the story on the small things I hinted in this chapter. I'm tired so that's it for now. Oh yeah! One more thing, did anyone figure out what it was that caused Shinji to get bruised? Tell me if anyone has any ideas as to what it was that happened or none of you will ever know! Review and I'll write sooner!

Later.