+++++ NERV. (Tuesday, August 31st, +10, Waning Crescent 1/4)

Shinji spent the first part of the meeting with his mother watching his mother's face. The complete lack of micro-expressions fascinated him, knowing as he did the truth of her emotions. When Isako informed her of the facts as they stood, the first thing Yui felt was a brief protective anger. After more of the 'why' was revealed, there was a sense of curiosity. When Chie told Yui that Shinji was perfectly comfortable with the arrangement, her emotions returned back to calm acceptance.

"Thank you for having the moral fortitude to immediately discuss this with other responsible adults," Yui began slowly. "Considering the…unique circumstances we find ourselves in, I do not believe that removing you from your role as a teacher is necessary or even desirable. Your knowledge, and rapport with my son, serve everyone better with you retaining your position and demonstrating for any who has doubts about what we must do that it is possible to be a part of his…extended family and still engage with the public in a position of trust."

Sitting closer to Yui, Kyoko twirled her pen as she stared off in thought. "What would you say your position on pregnancy is, if I may ask?"

While Shinji, Chie, and Yuka blushed, Isako merely shifted her eyes towards Kyoko. "I had neither planned nor intended to rush into the part of our relationship that would enable pregnancy as an option. As charming as he is, I believe it would be best considering his history that I take the time to come to know him better before we take those steps."

"Mmm, normally that would be true." Stopping her pen so that it pointed directly at the clock hanging on the wall, she began to 'click' the button attached in time with the hand that denoted the seconds. "Time is not something we have in abundance, and all things considered it would probably be best that you, and not one of the other two, make this particular effort."

Yui caught sight of what was reported on Kyoko's tablet, then felt a wave of sadness and remorse. "I think it would be best if we asked my son for his thoughts, and explained to him what we're attempting to do."

It was not incredibly difficult for him to piece everything together, especially after a particularly embarrassing-turned-sultry morning with Maya and Chie. "Another failure?"

"We have been given unfettered access to the nation's cryogenically stored ova," Kyoko attempted clarification as per Yui's request. "Thanks to your…generous donations, we've tested compatibility with a broad range of samples. Out of seventy-five, not one survived impregnation. If in vitro is not an option for us, we need to start looking to see if in vivo might work instead. Normally we would pair the gametes in the lab, then implant the cells into the mother once we were certain things were going to proceed according to the typical biological processes. Our inability to mechanically replicate the process is leaving us with a much smaller list of options, and after working with you for a week or so I believe you're both intelligent and mature enough to recognize what those options are." Chie reluctantly lifted her hand some. "Dear, please do not be afraid to speak up if you have any ideas. Typically it is only polite to ask for the floor, but in situations like this it is wholly unnecessary."

Dropping her hand quickly, Chie then quickly spat out, "Couldn't we just use a turkey baster?"

"I think the problem is that whatever it is that makes my sperm have five tails also is what's stopping things from working without direct input," Shinji ventured, looking between Kyoko and Yui for verification.

Yui felt a pulse of pride that he was both thinking and taking the problem seriously. "That is in line with our thoughts, yes."

"And the reason you're asking Isako-chan, is because you'd rather I attempt this with someone I feel enough trust in to allow the Grovemother to tie us together. Rather than someone I might not feel that level of comfort with."

"It is both my obligation and my duty to ensure that your dignity and comfort are taken into consideration."

Both Chie and Yuka grabbed his arms when hatred and rage surged up his throat. The reminder, from them, that he was not alone helped him beat back the ingrained negativity towards his mother acting in a maternal fashion. "Then I would prefer that we use someone I am not this close to, first."

Kyoko leaned in, curious at this strange conclusion to a unique set of circumstances. "May I ask why?"

"Because there is no possible way for me to help several million women change diapers at once." He looked over to Isako. "If, or when, it happens with someone tied to me I'll do everything I can to be there as a parent. I can barely remember my father…but I do remember him." His head turned back to Yui. "I'm going to have to accept that I can't do that for everyone. Not and be ready to fight, or even die. Only so many hours in a day, and I think it would be best that we instead focus the testing on people I won't have to see across the dinner table."

Protectiveness, and fear, swelled in Yui's chest. "Are you certain?"

"I will be once I speak with the Prime Minister and verify that anyone who becomes pregnant will receive more than just a pat on the head." His jawline hardened. "I might not be able to be there, and I know I can't afford to financially help everyone that might be able to have a child with me, but if we can't afford to give what will be my children a better life…there aren't going to be any."

+++++ Tokyo-3. (Tuesday, August 31st, +10, Waning Crescent 1/4)

Mitsuru looked around the park, taking in its immaculate grooming and vibrant coloration. She could count at least seven bodyguards moving around the perimeter, and she'd seen no less than three dozen denizens of Tartarus standing watch as well. "This is quite a lovely place he's chosen."

The sound of a heavy VTOL approaching cut off what Miyuki had been about to say, and the mother and daughter kept firm hold of their belongings as the aircraft settled down onto the nearby baseball field. The engines spooled down, the rotor blades ceasing their motions as the engine continued to run long enough to properly shut down themselves, and the side door opened. Standing next to a stern-faced woman, Shinji was calmly discussing something with her. Neither Mitsuru nor Miyuki knew what it was, but it involved the woman making spacing motions with her hands and Shinji nodding while indicating smaller spaces than the woman.

Eventually, the discussion came to an agreement of some sort that allowed her to jump down and pull the ramp out for everyone else so that he could stand at the door and help the other ladies on board climb down. Exiting first, Isako Toriumi took up position at the bottom of the ramp, acting as another set of hands to prevent slips or falls. The next out lingered longer with her hand in Shinji's, and then instead of using Isako's hand to balance she hopped down and took the basket from her to hurry over and present herself to her class rep.

"Ok, Shinji's probably going to spank me for this, but you really need to come on a quick walk with me senpai." Chie set the materials she'd gathered down, then snagged what Mitsuru was holding and added it to the growing pile before hooking the taller woman's arm and moving out smartly.

Now alone, Miyuki watched as Yuka carefully managed the ramp in a much more 'domestic' outfit than would normally have adorned the young woman. The bottle-blonde then waited patiently for Rise and Yukiko, leading the pair on a meandering walk towards where they would be having lunch. Finally, and with no small amount of irritation caused by their appearance, Yui and Sadako Saeki, the Prime Minister of Japan, gratefully accepted Shinji's help. She watched as his mother acted almost deferentially to him, and with barely restrained indignation as he allowed the Prime Minister to take his elbow and walk at his side. She knew things he did not about that woman, and if this meeting were to begin to go too poorly she would make those things known. She had done what she did for the best of reasons, and would not let a snake find a home inside the garden.

Just before Shinji reached her, now with the other six women, Mitsuru and Chie returned with the former giving Miyuki a look that warned of dire news to come. "Chie-chan?" Shinji's voice held more curiosity than anything else, "Is everything ok?"

"I wanted to let senpai know what we'd gone through," the energetic brawler shrugged with an innocent expression. "We're all a little on edge, and I know that she wishes she had been there with us. It's only right that we keep her up to speed, and it's not like we're here to talk about any of that anyway."

Gently disengaging from the Prime Minister, Shinji took the few steps necessary to place himself next to Mitsuru as well. Without warning, he stepped against her and settled his arms around her in a warm embrace. "I…need to ask you something. In private." Keeping his voice low, he knew that those who could hear his mind would know why he was doing what he was doing. "After this, please…hear me out?"

"Always," Mitsuru breathed out, having returned the hug. She chose not to hide her joy at the unprompted display of companionship, grateful that he had shown the strength to initiate it. Keeping her arm around his waist, she moved him so that they were standing side-by-side. Directing her comments towards Chie, Yukiko, and Rise, she performed her part of the formalities that would be necessary to maintain diplomatic tones for everyone present, "I'm sorry that the past few days have been so trying. I am glad, though, that all of you stuck together through it. You're all strong in yourselves, but you're also so much stronger together."

"It is indeed good to see our nation's most valuable treasure coming together in these dark days," the Prime Minister echoed the sentiment. "Especially when that strength will be called upon to support Shinji-san. He has told me that he believes all of you possess an even greater strength than his own!" Her eyes landed upon Miyuki. "Trust like that must be grasped tightly, so that it can be reciprocated freely."

Isako demonstrated that she was firmly tied to Shinji now by stepping in before Chie or Yuka could express a less-polished version of the sentiment, "I believe that my husband wishes for this to be a chance for that trust to be demonstrated…by all parties. He trusts very few people at all, and would like to see for himself that those he trusts are still trustworthy."

"Your husband?" That Miyuki's reaction was limited to a single eyebrow raising nevertheless allowed for a reminder of a conversation that she had been part of with Isako not that long ago.

"The union of souls, to such an extent, leaves few other words to be used when referencing the other party." Yui had spoken to Isako privately, and both gave and received reassurances that so long as she was tied to Shinji she would be acting as if she were legally married to him. "This is, of course, part of the reason he wishes to speak with everyone here. I am proud of my son for being wise enough to understand that he simply cannot do everything on his own."

While most of the others were busy staking out their positions before the main arguments could begin, Yuka was calmly setting out the blankets and pillows for the picnic. "Of course he can't, okaa-san. That's why he needs so many of us to help him." Smiling with warm contentment, she gestured for everyone to start sitting down. "Please, let's all get something to eat before we let our stomachs drive our emotions."

Mitsuru eyed the young woman warily. "Ayase-chan?"

"Ikari-chan, if you please," she corrected firmly. "After all, I'm quite happily married now. Or you could simply use my first name, considering we have five Ikaris here at the moment."

Circling around behind him to push both Shinji and Mitsuru to the other end of the blanket away from Miyuki and Yui, Chie broke the social stasis of people determining who should sit down where and when. "Chie Ikari. That's going to take some getting used to, actually. I mean, I like it, don't get me wrong, okaa-san, but I've been Chie Satonaka for almost two decades."

"I do not take offense to that, Chie-chan." Yui calmly took her own seat, grateful for her new daughters' drive. "After all, it took my husband most of a year to stop signing 'Rokubungi' on every form."

Isako took her students' lead and moved to steady the waters around the difficult discussion to come. "He took your name?"

"He did," Yui nodded with a sad smile. "He was so proud of what I had accomplished, that when he finally worked up the nerve to ask me to marry him he begged me to let him take my name. I will admit I am pleased that the name will continue on, with a family that will bring even greater honors to it."

"Rokubungi." Shinji felt out the name, "Shinji Rokubungi." With a small frown, he shook his head. "I think I understand what you mean, Chie-chan. It sounds odd to hear what your name is with another family's name attached to it." His voice grew dark, "It certainly would have sounded strange to hear Shinji Kirijo for the rest of my life." The nervousness emanating from Chie, Yuka, and Isako failed to halt his decision to strike first. "I know that you ordered it altered, what I want to know is why you changed the presentation. Why would you tell me like that? Why would you put words in her," he pointed to the Prime Minister, "mouth? Was I that unapproachable? Was all that talk about me being welcome in your home so much hot air? You told a lot of people that it was my home too, but instead you bring…her there."

Mitsuru squeezed his arm gently, trying to redirect some of his anger to avoid a larger explosion. "The room you found her in was part of the house's emergency shelter. My mother was worried that if she took her directly to NERV, or to the government, that she would be killed before any useful information could be gathered. Sometimes you need to accept the lesser evil to prevent the greater."

"And the world keeps growing more evil the entire time," he retorted without heat. "That's all she was. Evil. She'd lie to you, whatever you asked her. Why would you even think you could trust a thing she said?"

"We had ways to determine the lies, and the truths," Miyuki replied quietly. She would not hold his anger against him, she knew that evil had been done. "If you want, so long as your mother does not object for any reason, I would be glad to share with you what we learned later tonight. I'll happily walk you through the proof we found, and through the lies we found out."

Once more, Yuka was slowly portioning out the meal, happily acting as a hostess. "I don't know if that really explains the reason you kept it a secret from him. He probably wouldn't have torn a hole in your house, if you'd been the one to tell him directly." Setting a plate down in front of Miyuki, she tilted her head slightly to the right. "Were you really that afraid of him?"

"We found her the day after he moved in with us. With everything else that was happening, it simply did not seem like the appropriate time to drop something that heavy on him."

"Ah, I see," she nodded, placing the final dish before Yukiko, "so you think he's strong enough to face gigantic killer aliens, but not strong enough to handle finding out that the woman who'd raped him daily for over a decade was in custody and under armed guard? You do have an odd view of my husband, I must say."

Her defense of him stroked a part of his mind that made Shinji feel a wicked joy. "I asked everyone here because I wanted to give everyone a chance…and a warning." Disentangling Mitsuru's grasp on his arm far more gently than he had the Prime Minister's, he picked up his plate and settled it on his lap. "I'm going to be returning to school. The Grovemother promised me that she could keep everyone dangerous away from the area, and Tori…Isako-sensei…my wife promises me that she's going to be able to keep her word for anything short of something that would require Unit-01 to handle, or something the government itself would launch." Carefully segmenting part of the food on his plate into three pieces, he kept his eyes away from anyone. "The reason I'm here, is because I need help…and assurances."

"My offer to do anything I can to help you was not contingent on you being happy with me," Miyuki affirmed. "You are a good man, and had I been blessed with you in my life earlier I believe you would already be further on the path towards being an even greater man."

Shinji's growl of irritation prompted Chie to chime in, "I don't think he's interested in praise, Kirijo-san. If there's one thing that I've learned about him, it's that he's much more interested in outcomes than plans. He's offering to help the repopulation effort, but only if the children are provided for by the government."

Sadako Saeki eagerly agreed, "Of course! I assure you, we will do everything we can to provide for both mother and child. We're already developing programs to train new healthcare workers, as well as reallocating personnel around the nation to make certain that we're preparing future generations for the hard life they have ahead. If you have any particular requests, please, contact me and I'll work with you to do what we can with what we have!"

When Rise's face turned green, Chie shook her head to dissuade her from saying anything at the moment. "He also wants to know that the industrial and trade groups are going to cooperate. He's afraid that people will begin taking advantage of others again, and he's…not going to help anyone live if everyone is just going to resume the cycle of misery all over again."

"Profit margins create opportunities for reinvestment and innovation," Mitsuru replied before her mother could. "I agree, Shinji-kun…it's disgusting when profits take precedence over people's needs, but you can't do more than incentivize work. Laborers have to want to succeed. They have to want to work together. They have to understand that, to a certain point, the woman turning the wrench simply isn't going to make the same money as the woman who created the opportunity for her to turn that wrench. I'm sure we can find a balance, but we can't pretend for you that a utopia is possible without a lot of deaths. There will always be people who you can't save, and there will always be terrible people who aren't willing to try and help save those that can be."

He swallowed the bite he'd taken, and nodded. "I know. I'm not…I'm not asking for us to completely rewrite society. I barely was aware of most of it to begin with. I just…I know that powerful people abuse that power because there's nobody more powerful than them to stop them. I'm not going to bring children into a world that's designed solely for them to serve as slave labor." Lifting his head and looking at everyone else, his eyes developed an amber undertone. "I'm also pretty sure that none of you have anyone stronger than me…so I'm more than willing to stop abuses when I see them."

Yui looked at her son, curious about his response, "And who is going to stop you from abusing your power?"

"They are," he gestured to Yukiko, Rise, Chie, Mitsuru, Yuka, and Isako, "they're more than capable of stopping me. If they think I'm wrong, or if they think I need to calm down, or if they think there's another way…I don't doubt that they'll be able to keep me from doing something I can't undo."

"And we will stop you," Yukiko declared firmly. "Because I know your weakness."

Everyone took note of the smile that split the gloom he'd been emanating. "Yeah…you do." Returning to his plate, he allowed Chie to continue.

"He's not looking to become a ruler. He wants nothing to do with leadership at all, really. Senpai is where you should look, in his opinion." She flicked a finger towards Mitsuru. "So, what he's asking for in return for his assistance is…a little awkward."

"My husband would like a house built within walking distance of the school, but also with easy access to the big robot," Yuka stepped in to cover for Chie's embarrassment. "He would like another house, built equidistant from the first but with the same parameters. One he will live in, with those of us that accept that we're a smaller part of a larger family, the other he will use to entertain guests as part of the repopulation effort. He accepts that there will be security in place for both houses, and promises to do everything he can to work with them so long as they accept that when Tartarus comes calling he has very little choice in the matter." Demurely setting down her cutlery, she folded her hands and looked between three of the four adults present. "Those that are chosen to be lucky enough to spend time trying for children with him will be volunteers. The first hint of pressure, he won't get the chance to respond before I find and kill those responsible."

"We will coordinate furnishings with the local stores that remain open, and we'll also be doing regular outings ourselves. Between his paycheck and my own, we should be able to pay for what we need on our own." Isako played her role as the 'adult' in his house. "He needs socialization, in addition to simple life experiences that were denied to him. In my opinion, you need to start an information campaign so that he's not swarmed wherever we go. He's handsome, and charming, and both of those are going to draw enough attention as it is. That he's the only male left is going to make it a lot harder on him to start healing, unless we get everyone used to the fact that he's just a young man with a heavy burden."

A patient sense of anticipation hung over the gathering, Yui, Sadako, and Miyuki looking to Shinji for what else he might request. Eventually, he looked up and frowned. "What?"

"He doesn't want anything else," Yuka answered the unasked question. "He wants to give us dignity by doing what he must somewhere that is not in our home. He wants to give whoever is volunteering dignity by not doing what must be done in some office building or cheap motel. He receives a generous compensation package for fighting the aliens, and he wants to use that instead of simply letting it sit around generating dust. If you're looking for what else he might want, you're going to be waiting for a long time."

"Will you accept reasonable security restrictions?" Yui had also been slowly eating, matching Shinji bite for bite. "To prevent the need for you to defend the others in your home?"

Shinji nodded, answering silently to stop from ruining what he felt to be a perfectly phrased question.

"I will task Section Two, have them create a plan and then order them to sell that plan to you. If you have concerns, or disagreements, I will ask that they seek alternatives. If there are no reasonable alternatives, they will explain to you what they found as they sought those alternatives out."

"Oh surely it would be better to position military assets around his home, instead?" Sadako gently disagreed. "After all, your Section Two has been stretched far too thin to allow for appropriate personnel rotations."

Yui's reply was simple, "No. Our Charter requires us to provide for his protection."

"Your Charter also allows for you to contract that protection out in cases of extreme need," Miyuki countered. "I agree, the military is ill-equipped to handle close protection for Shinji-san, but she isn't wrong that Section Two still has other duties they need to tend to. We could cooperate, like we had been, and allow the Kirijo Group to handle close protection while Section Two provides surveillance and liaising."

Sadako focused her efforts on Miyuki for the moment, "How, precisely, is the JSSDF ill-equipped?"

"Because when all you have are hammers, everything begins to look like a nail." She gestured towards Mitsuru and Shinji. "When they step out together to purchase something unimportant to anything but their own desires, and suddenly a flock of schoolgirls come over to see the hero and legend up close, your military is going to see potential suicide bombers. Their trained reaction is to invoke violence. The Kirijo Group has hundreds of years of experience working in situations just like I described, and a much better record of peaceful resolutions. Lest we forget the Kyoto Protests. The Kitakyushu Massacre? The JSSDF did not comport itself well during the crises that followed Second Impact. I would be loath to risk another incident with the youth of our nation at stake."

"And how should I trust anyone you assign?" Shinji kept the growl out of his voice, if only just. "You're opposed to Saeki-san assigning military assets, and I still don't have an answer for why you did what you did. Section Two has at least worked hard to earn my trust, and…despite the issues I have with my mother, at least she hasn't once lied to me that I'm aware of."

Stepping into the firing line, Mitsuru gently laid her hand on Shinji's knee. "I will be moving in with you, and I would expect that my mother will do everything in her power to keep me safe. That safety would, logically, require her also keeping everyone else safe. We should consider a compromise, here, instead of viewing things in absolutes. You will be escorted by Section Two, as they have your trust. We," she gestured to the younger ladies present, "will be escorted by the Kirijo Group. I have the utmost confidence that we can trust both organizations to coordinate closely and effectively to minimize tensions before they have a chance to pop up." Laying the future groundwork for what she knew would be inevitable, she extended an olive branch to Sadako as well, "We will require some few attachés, as we will no doubt come into situations that will benefit from appropriate deconfliction. A chargé d'affaires will also be acceptable, but all will require both vetting and approval from Commander Ikari before we will allow them any form of access to our household." She looked to see if Shinji was gaining confidence in her or losing faith, and was rewarded with a steady gaze of appreciation. He not only accepted her decisions, he desired for her to assume the mantle of command. "I will take Chiaki's contract on for myself, and serve as the bridge between him and the Kirijo Group."

Yui motioned her own approval. "I have a few individuals in mind myself, that could serve similar functions for NERV. I will have a list presented to you, so that you can have Shinji make us aware of any potential problems with the personnel."

"…Thank you, mother." Shinji gave her a slow nod of appreciation, honestly grateful that she was finding a way to both support him and give him the space he needed to decide what he did and did not want. "Can you have Kyoko-sensei and Naoko-sensei create a list of volunteers? I'd…I think I would feel more comfortable if I knew something about the women I'll be…."

"Do you think it would be possible for me to include some scientists from the Ministry of Health?" Sadako balanced enthusiasm with understanding. "I would like you to get to know them, as well, so that you feel more comfortable answering questions that they might have while we pursue every avenue to stop humanity from collapsing entirely. They would not serve in the more diplomatic role that Kirijo-chan envisions, but more so as 'in the weeds' researchers that gather and communicate data to the teams we have put together to try and help you in any way possible."

There was something hidden in the offer, whether good or bad he wasn't quite certain. Instead of dismissing it outright, he punted to someone he believed would be better equipped to seek out problems before they started. "So long as Maya-san approves." He took another qualified risk, "I'd like her to be the person 'in charge' of the…project?"

"I will inform her of the change in her focus myself," Yui agreed. "She is easily one of the most creative and resourceful women alive, and she has my complete trust with you and your safety."

"Good…good." Freeing himself of hands and dishes, he stood up and motioned for everyone to stay seated. "Kirijo-san, I'd like to speak with you in private."

+++++ Author's Note:

Looking at the numbers, I'm starting to think that there isn't much, if any, interest in this series left. If true, I'll probably set it aside in the new year to focus on tackling my anxiety and depression. Take care of yourselves over the holiday season, and take comfort in the fact that things can always get better with effort.