Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Superwomen of Eva: Emerald Fury

Chapter 2: Night Terrors

Red. Every direction Misato looked, she saw red. When she looked down at her feet, she saw water that was the color of blood. When she looked up at the sky, she saw a darkness that was lined with crimson. A sky of death overlooking the ocean of death that had once been known as Antarctica. The ocean that had been created when she had seen the light of the end of the world.

Garbed in her usual dress and flight jacket, Misato strode unthinkingly across the blood-red water, ripples forming at her footsteps. Never once wondering how it was that she could be walking atop the ocean, or why she didn't feel the chill of the arctic air. She simply continued to walk forward, taking in the hellish landscape around her. Looking at the icebergs that lingered from the time when this had been a land of ice…and more. For despite the fact that nothing familiar remained of this place, memories of the past still swirled around her. With every step Misato took, she saw images from her past, the time she had spent with the Katsuragi Expedition.

Hey, there, Misa-chan! grinned a tech, his image swirling about on the surface of one of the icebergs. Me and some of the others are getting together for a round of cards later tonight! Care to join us?

Good morning, Misato, a scientist nodded politely, her and her lab seen within another island of ice. How are you doing today? Have you heard from your mother lately?

Well, if it isn't Dr. Katsuragi's little girl! a seaman's specter declared from another window into the past. Enjoying yourself in this winter wonderland?

Alright, Misato. It's time for your lessons, beamed another scientist, one of her father's close friends, one of the few people he allowed close to him. Someone that had volunteered to make sure that she kept up with her schoolwork, even in the middle of nowhere. Someone willing to keep her busy and content when her father couldn't be bothered to break away from his work for the whole of five minutes.

All of these people and more were there, trapped in the ice, along with all the other memories she had. She could see them all, reflected in the ice; scientists, technicians, seamen, and more, all of them tasked with analyzing the entity that had eventually been designated as the 1st Angel. All of them ordinary people going about their chosen careers, their daily routines. All of them ghosts, forever trapped in the Arctic when Second Impact claimed the lives of every member of the Katsuragi Expedition.

As Misato continued to wander through the sea of broken ice and lost souls, she heard something. A sound that was soft, yet strong in the way that it seized her mind, forcing her to look about. And that's when she saw it; a faint light twinkling off in the distance. She looked at the object for a time, standing completely still, but then she heard the sound again. And once again, she was prompted to heed it, at which she turned and started towards the flickering object.

Even though she was still aware of the icebergs and the memories reflected in them, Misato could no longer clearly see them. They no longer mattered. All that really mattered was the object she was approaching, as well as the sound that enticed her. A sound that slowly transformed into a low, dangerous whispering, and though the voice was too soft for Misato to make out the words, there was no mistaking the anger, the rage with which they were spoken. Things that grew more intense with each step she took towards the object on the horizon.

It wasn't long before Misato finally got close enough to be able to identify the object. It was a long, cylindrical capsule, floating completely adrift. It was rocking back and forth as it floated in the sea of death as if something was thrashing about desperately to escape. The top of it was sealed shut, concealing whatever was trapped within the metallic prison.

Even if she hadn't recognized the capsule, Misato would have been unnerved by the violence with which it shuddered, the echoes of something slamming into metal that reverberated from within. As it was, the very sight of the capsule caused her heart to pound within her chest. For fifteen years ago, it had been her that had been inside the survival capsule. The metallic coffin that her father had placed her in that had saved her from death in the midst of hell being unleashed on Earth.

In spite of everything, including the creeping dread that was spreading throughout her entire being, Misato kept moving closer. And as she slowly approached the survival capsule, the deadly whispering she had heard before was drowned out by the increasingly thunderous crashing and banging going on within it. The metal cylinder bobbed and jostled in the water, practically plunging beneath the surface several times, but despite the crazed thrashings off the capsule's occupant, it showed no signs of yielding to it. There were no dents or bulges in the metal, the glass portal at the top was intact. Nothing to indicate that whatever creature was in there would eventually escape.

Misato was grateful for this. She had no idea what manner of beast lay within the capsule, but she did know that it was something horrible. Something dangerous. Something that belonged in a cage.

Finally, as she came up next to the capsule, so close that she could reach out and touch it, the sealed prison fell silent. The incessant beating inside of it ceased, as did the foul. It continued to heave and thrash this way and that for a while longer, but eventually, the capsule settled into a gentle bobbing. Allowing Misato to come even closer…and look down into the small porthole in the capsule's top.

Nothing. There was nothing to be seen inside the capsule. Not even the gentle cushions she had once rested in as a child. Nothing but absolute darkness.

Misato heaved a deep sigh of relief. She didn't want to see what lay within. Anything as monstrous as what the capsule held should never be seen. Not by anyone.

She wanted to destroy the capsule. Push it away. Send it someplace else, somewhere she wouldn't have to deal with it and its onerous burden. But before this impulse could develop enough for Misato to act on it, the glass in the capsule door exploded with blinding light, forcing her to shield her eyes as she stepped away from it.

No… Misato thought even as the light subsided. Allowing her to lower her arms and look once again. It can't be…no…not that…! Her own thoughts falling silent, she gazed down into the porthole again, and instead of darkness, looked into a hideous, pulsating green light. A light so powerful and dangerous that it seemed too big for something as tiny as the capsule to contain it.

As Misato stared down in horror at the cruel light, it seemed to shift somewhat. As if it were somehow looking at her. And then the cruel whispering that had lured her there was heard again. And this time, Misato could understand what it was saying.

"Let me out…" the soft, menacing voice intoned. "Let me out let me out let me out let me out let me out let me out…"


"Noooooo!" Misato shrieked as she flung herself upright. Sucking in breath after ragged breath as she looked wildly about, searching for any sign of the monster in the capsule. Terribly afraid that it had somehow escaped its prison, and was now lurking in her room, hiding amongst the clutter.

Swallowing loudly to clear the lump of bile that had formed in her throat and placing her hand over her pounding heart, Misato was jolted by a sharp noise. Gasping, certain that the monster she feared was coming for her, she looked and watched as the door to her room slid open. And silhouetted in the center of the door was a figure. It wasn't the figure of a monster, however, or a demon or a boogeyman. It was a girl in her mid-teens who growled, "Good Gott, Misato! Not again! That's the third time this month!"

"Asuka?" Misato asked, narrowing her eyes to better make out the details of her visitor. Sure enough, it was the bombastic 2nd Child of NERV, who had come to live with her and Shinji a couple months before. Her blue eyes were narrowed into menacing slits, she had her hands to her hips, and tufts of her red hair were curled up into perfect devil horns.

Slowly realizing what had happened, Misato moaned lowly before bringing her hand to her forehead. Aw, damn, she thought even as another figure was seen at her door. Not again…

"Misato?!" Shinji spoke worriedly, looking rapidly between his female housemates. "Wh-what happened?! Are you alright?!"

"Yeah, she's alright, Third!" Asuka grumbled sourly. Despite the poor light in her room, Misato could practically see the German rolling her eyes in disbelief. "It was just another nightmare, that's all!"

His mouth popping open, Shinji turned and took a step into his guardian's room. "A nightmare?" he murmured gingerly, pausing to avoid stepping into a pile of dirty clothes. "Misato…was it…?"

"Yeah. That one," Misato grumbled as she kicked aside her blanket, already getting to her feet. "Ugh…this sucks…"

"Tell me about it. If I wanted to listen to somebody scream their head off, I'd watch a horror movie." Having scored a dig on Misato, Asuka snorted before adding, "Anyway, the baka's already got breakfast ready. So you better get to the table before it gets cold."

Somehow managing a wan smile at the German's grumpiness, Misato watched as she turned and left, unable to blame her for being so annoyed. As Asuka had said herself, this had been far from the first time they had been subjected to their guardian screaming in horror as she woke up. Though at least this time both children had obviously been awake and active before Misato had been jarred from her sleep. And all because of a terror that lived in her mind, and refused to go away.

But even as Asuka disappeared, the soft-spoken 3rd Child drew closer, wearing a look of genuine concern. "Are you sure you're alright, Misato?" he asked as she stood straighter, brushing an errant strand of hair out of her face. "I mean…you're kinda pale, and…"

"I know, Shinji, I know," Misato responded, doing her best to reassure her concerned ward. "Don't worry; I'll be alright."

"But…" Shinji started, his features tense with anxiety. "You…you've been having this nightmare for a while now, and…it's been happening a lot lately. So…"

Exhaling sharply, Misato cocked her head to the side and looked at the boy for whom she was supposed to be the guardian of. "It'll be okay, Shinji-kun," she muttered, genuinely touched by his concern. "I've had some pretty nasty dreams before. And trust me; sooner or later, they all go away." Then she gave a wry quirk of her mouth, and added, "Though I have to admit, I wish it would happen sooner rather than later!"

Watching as this jovial remark did its job and forced Shinji's lips to curl upward, even if it was just a bit, Misato sighed and wished that she could feel as carefree as she tried to present herself. For the truth of the matter was that, ever since she had seen the horror of Adam's power and Second Impact firsthand, she had had more than her share of nightmares. Terrors that gave her no peace and were only dulled by the sensation of a cold beer pouring down her throat. But never before had she had to contend with a nightmare this persistent, that came again and again, repeating itself in such exact detail.

When it had first come for her, a few days after the Jet Alone incident, Misato had been scared by it. And more importantly, she had scared Shinji out of his wits when she had awoken screaming in fright. But she had been able to reassure him with relatively minimal effort, and after a beer had managed to get back to sleep herself. Certain that it had been just another bad dream in a life filled with them.

But even as time passed, with the Jet Alone incident fading from memory and Asuka coming to live with them, and a couple more Angels showing up as well, the nightmare had not been exorcised. Instead, it came time and again, lurking like a wolf in the darkness, waiting to pounce and make Misato tremble with fear. Every bit as intense as the first night, and with the time between its nightly assaults slowly shrinking.

But why, dammit?! Why do I keep having this nightmare?! Misato demanded of herself, her mood not helped when she failed to answer this question. And what the hell does it mean, anyway?! What's so special about this dream?!

As much as Misato wished otherwise, she didn't have the answer to this question. So she did the only thing that she could do; shove the nightmare and everything related to it off to the side and focus on something else. "So, Shinji-kun," she began, putting her hand on his head and running her fingers through his hair, "what's for breakfast?"

"Hmm?" Shinji got out, blinking a few times as he tried to contend with the sudden change in subject. After a few moments, his eyes bulged as comprehension lit them up. "Oh, right! Breakfast!" As Misato hoped, her young ward's expression of gloom faded as he shrugged and answered, "Well…I decided to make some pancakes with strawberries. You know how Asuka feels about Japanese food, and…"

"Yeah, I know. Boy, do I!" Misato chuckled despite herself. The temperamental 2nd Child had not learned how to do as the Japanese did, and while she had gotten used to some things like beds on the floor and so on, Japanese cuisine still proved to be a major stone in her craw. "That's okay, Shinji. Just so long as you have some hot coffee to go with it!" Shinji gave a brisk, cheerful nod to this, something that warmed her heart. "Well, then, we better get to it! We've both got places to go, things to do! Right?"

"Uh, right," Shinji replied as the two of them made their way to the dining room. Misato doing her best to keep the fearful night visions in the back of her mind where they belonged.


It wasn't long before breakfast was done and the residents of the Katsuragi apartment started out on their respective days. Sparing just enough time to see Shinji and Asuka off when they departed for school and to make sure that Section 2 was keeping an eye on them the way they were supposed to, Misato got dressed and drove to NERV. And before long, was trapped in her office, struggling with the drudgery that was the majority of her job there.

It had only been a couple days since the 9th Angel had appeared to wreak havoc on Tokyo-3, and as was typical of such an attack, there was a great deal of paperwork to deal with in the aftermath. Requisitions for weapons and ammunition, reports to the JSSDF, forms submitted to her office by the various department heads. And added to this was the fact that a massive blackout had taken place at the exact same time as the Angel's march on the city, which all resulted in a massive pile of bureaucratic bullshit that was overflowing Misato's desk. A pile that she had already spent at least one full day slogging through, and had the terrible feeling that it would be several more days before she was finally free of it.

Ugh…it's times like this I wonder I ever got this so-called job in the first place…! Misato thought hatefully as she slogged her through a load of the garbage that was constantly being sent her way. For a moment, she considered checking to see how much longer she had until lunch time but then decided against it. She knew that there was a good chance that she hadn't been working nearly as long as she felt like she had, and if she made the mistake of confirming this as reality, then she would explode, pure and simple. Oh, well. At least it isn't as bad as what happened after the first battle with the 7th Angel…

Shuddering at the thought of the paperwork that had flooded her office after that debacle, she started when the door buzzer sounded for her attention. "Come in!" Misato smiled as she looked up at her door, eager in the face of some distraction from the monotony and frustration. A smile that was soon erased when the door slid open. "Aw, crap…!"

"Hey, Katsuragi," Ryoji Kaji as he ambled into her office. "Whew! Looks like somebody has her hands full!" Shaking his head playfully, NERV's representative to the UN made his way up to Misato's desk, acting as if he didn't have a care in the world. "I guess I don't have to ask how your day's been going."

"That's right. You don't," Misato told him in a sickly-sweet voice. "And it just keeps going from bad to worse."

Chuckling as Misato's thinly veiled insult rolled off of him like water off a duck's back, Kaji sat down on her desk. "Oh, I don't think it's that bad," he told her, still smiling like an idiot. "In fact, I'd be willing to bet that things are going to start getting better any second now."

"Really?" Misato asked, staring daggers at the man with whom she had once made the mistake of calling her college boyfriend. "Don't tell me. You're being shipped back to the UN."

This wiped the smile from Kaji's face, but to Misato's dismay, it was replaced by a look of wounded pout, which she found even more noxious. "Aw, that hurts. You mean you're still mad about -?"

"Of course I'm still mad about it! Why shouldn't I be mad?!" Misato demanded incredulously, thinking back to the last time she had been in close proximity to Kaji, the horror of that day forever etched in her mind. How they had been trapped inside an elevator when the city's power failed, with the temperature slowly rising because environmental control was deactivated. With Misato being driven by an urgent need to answer nature's call, she had tried escaping the elevator car by climbing out the hatch on the roof of the elevator by perching on Kaji's shoulders. Only for the power to come on and surprise them both, and left them sprawled on the floor in the perfect position to surprise those that had come to get them out. "Ever since Ritsuko and Maya caught us half-naked in that damn elevator, I've had to put up with enough jokes about the two of us to last me two lifetimes!"

As usual, Kaji responded to her outrage with a boyish smile, as well as his typical refusal to take anything seriously. "Well, I thought it was kinda fun, myself." When Misato glared even more poison at him, he smiled that much more deeply. "Any time I get a peek at that lovely body of yours is a good time for me."

Growling deep in her throat and wishing she could legally justify drawing her gun, Misato decided not to waste any further time trying to shame the shameless pervert. "So, do you have any reason for being here? Other than to annoy me, that is? Because I really don't have the time for this!"

"Hmm…as a matter of fact, I do," Kaji replied, smirking in the manner of someone who knew a juicy secret and was delighting in the suspense that built up prior to telling it. "Commander Ikari asked me to bring you down to his office. Seems there's something that he wanted to talk to you about."

"The Commander?" Misato repeated, her annoyance fading for a moment. "What does he want to talk about?"

"I can't say," Kaji answered, still smiling his amusement. "All I know is that he wanted me to bring you by his office. And as soon as possible."

"Then why didn't you tell me that sooner?!" Misato growled as she got to her feet. Spending a moment to straighten out her hair and flight jacket, she glowered at her former boyfriend before starting towards the door. Only for her mood to worsen when she saw him moving to join her. "Kaji, what are you doing?!"

"Well, I figured I'd provide you with an escort," Kaji answered. "After all, we don't want to keep the Commander waiting, now do we?"

Misato gave a loud snort to this. "Thank you so much, Kaji, but I'm a big girl now. I think I can get there on my own."

"Oh, I totally agree with you. But Rits…she seems to have her doubts about that." Raising an eyebrow at this, Misato watched as Kaji responded with a what-can-you-do shrug. "By the way, is it true that you got lost bringing Shinji to the Eva Cages on his first day here?"

Misato's first reaction to this was to burn with humiliation over the fact that the unshaven man had once again scored a direct hit on her. Her second was glower at him for a moment and tell him, "Aw, just leave me alone!" Her third was to avert averting her eyes and sticking her nose into the air. And her fourth was to silently vow to get back at Ritsuko for telling something so embarrassing to Kaji, of all people.

Upon exiting her office, Misato and Kaji began making their way through the labyrinthine network of halls, corridors, escalators, and automated walkways that was NERV. Time in which she did her utmost to ignore her unwanted companion, and distracted herself by pondering how exactly to get her revenge on Ritsuko. Let's see…what would be a suitable punishment? Spiking her coffee is way too nice, and it would probably improve the flavor, anyway…and she probably won't fall for my ultra-spicy 'curry surprise' again. Pausing to chuckle evilly at the results of one of her culinary experiments from college, the Captain smiled at another incident from the past. Too bad I can't sneak a football team down here. I'd love to give her what I gave Kaji that one time…!

As she recalled the results of what had taken days of planning and setting up, Misato couldn't help but grin. A grin that was slowly cut short as she felt something twisting inside of her. And before she knew it, the halls of NERV disappeared from around her and were replaced by an ocean of death. Where there was no one and nothing but memories of the past…and the capsule that lay before her, horror still glowing from within it…


"Misato?" Frowning somewhat, Kaji looked hard at the purple-haired woman, who was standing frozen next to him. "Hey, Katsuragi, are you alright?!"

For a moment, Kaji was certain if she had even heard him. But after a moment or so, Misato blinked and her rigid body softened. "Huh?" she started as she turned to look at him. "Oh, uh…what was that?"

Kaji frowned at this, something which was an unfamiliar sensation to him. While years had passed between the time he, Misato, and Ritsuko had been a trio in college and their being reunited when he came to Japan, he still knew his former lover. Knew her mannerisms, her expressions, and most of all, he knew the nightmares that she kept bottled up inside of her. Things that she couldn't bear to speak of, that churned about painfully in her eyes. And he could see that something was bothering now. Knew it since he had met her once again on the Over the Rainbow. "I was asking you if you were alright."

She reacted to this question just the way he expected her to. "Wha - of course I'm alright!" Misato spat out bitterly, looking at him as if he were a snake about to bite her. "Why shouldn't I be? Aside from having to deal with you, that is!"

In other words, something's bothering you, and you just don't want to talk about it. At least, not right now, Kaji mentally translated, giving a tired shake of his head. "Hey, I was just worried about you, that's all!" he spoke aloud, invoking the irreverent attitude that was second nature to him. "You don't have to get so mad about it? Or is there some regulation that says I can't be concerned for my female colleagues?"

Misato looked ready to say something to this, but even as she opened her mouth, her anger dried up. In its wake was an uncertainty that Kaji had seen very rarely in her in the past, and only when she was drunk or tired or too emotionally wearied to keep it bottled up any longer. "Right. Whatever," she muttered, pressing her lips together as she turned and started forward again.

Okay, this is a bad sign, Kaji realized. Normally, Misato would have been much more expressive in her displeasure. The fact that she was walking away just like that likely meant that whatever had caused her to freeze up like that, she wanted to ignore it. To shove it aside and pretend it didn't exist. And whenever she did that, he knew that whatever prompted such a response had to be bad. And he knew that it was something that she probably wouldn't want to discuss with anyone, let alone someone like him.

I better talk to Ritsuko after this is over, Kaji decided as he started after Misato, following at a discreet distance. And hope that Misato is a bit more willing to talk to her than she is to me. With this in, he and his former lover continued through the corridors of NERV, and eventually arrived at the imposing doors of Gendo's office.

"Greetings, Captain Katsuragi, Mr. Kaji," Gendo's secretary greeted them, giving them a wan smile upon their approach. "The Commander is expecting you."

"Yeah, so I heard," Misato commented grimly. A hint of fear peeking out even as she tried to maintain an all-business exterior. Something that was more of a struggle than it should have been as the secretary buzzed them in, causing the doors to open in what was probably as ominous a fashion as was possible.

Deciding that he wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Gendo had intentionally arranged for his doorway to unnerve his visitors, Kaji followed Misato into an office that was similarly disturbing. Equations he recognized as having to deal with the Angels and Evas marked the walls, floor, and ceiling, with the only real sources of illumination being the windows at the back of the office, and the lights directly over Gendo's desk. Giving a person's imagination plenty of material to conjure up bogeymen hiding in every shadow.

Not allowing herself to be distracted by the foreboding surroundings, Misato went straight up to the desk. As was usual, Gendo was seated there with his hands steepled before him, and Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki standing at his side. "Captain Katsuragi reporting, Commander," she began, almost rigid with decorum. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Captain," Gendo spoke with preamble or warmth. "You see, I have a matter of some urgency to discuss." The Commander didn't even bother looking towards Kaji, didn't order him to leave. Instead, he kept gazing at Misato, as if searching for any signs of weakness. "As I'm sure you are aware, in the wake of the engagement with the 9th Angel, Section 2 has been performing a full investigation on the city's power grid, in an attempt to discover what caused the blackout that occurred then."

"Yes, sir," Misato returned, her voice crisp and official. Even more so than usual. "And…have they found anything yet, sir?"

"Only that our original assumptions would appear to have been correct," Gendo told them, never once breaking from what was commonly referred to as 'The Gendo Pose'. "It is completely impossible for our primary power systems and all their backups to have all failed simultaneously. Therefore, our only conclusion is that someone shut down our power intentionally."

Yeah, I know, Kaji concurred, wishing that he could smile a bit of personal triumph at that point.

"Then…it was sabotage," Misato gathered, not asking a question.

"That is correct," Fuyutsuki confirmed, the older man's features grim. "We've yet to determine exactly who was responsible, but the fact remains that someone managed to completely disable our defense systems, as well as the launch and support equipment for the Evangelions."

"Which means there's always a chance that whoever did it might take it into their heads to try again," Kaji inferred, giving a wry shake of his head. "Hoo, boy. The Instrumentality Committee is not gonna be happy about this!"

"Indeed, they aren't," Gendo informed them, letting the fact that the people who held NERV's purse strings knew everything about that disaster sink in before proceeding. "Which is why the Sub-Commander and I have decided to implement certain measures, to both counteract any future attempts of sabotage, as well as minimize any damage inflicted by our unknown aggressors. Which is why I had you brought here."

"Sir?" Misato frowned uncertainly. "What do you mean?"

"There's no arguing against the fact that we were fortunate last time. Almost all of our command staff was in place and fully accessible during the blackout," Gendo told them, his eyes narrowing every so much as he studied both Misato and Kaji. Something that caused a barely audible hiss to escape her lips, and though Kaji couldn't see it, he was certain that she was darting a deadly glance in his direction. "And we were even more fortunate that the Angel that attacked us was easily dispatched. But we cannot count on being so fortunate in the future." His features tightening that much more, the Commander glared deeply into his Operation Director's eyes. "And in the event of a similar incident, we need to be able to maintain a strong chain of command. We need someone we can depend on to be able to take control of the situation, should myself or Fuyutsuki be…unavailable."

"Since you began working here at NERV, your performance of your duties has been admirable. To date, you have handled every situation excellently, and more to the point, you have proven to be a capable field commander." Then Fuyutsuki gave a slight smile and added, "And given the nature of the troops whom you are commanding in battle, that says a great deal about your ability."

"Thank you, sir," Misato responded, not allowing her voice to waver in the slightest.

"Given this, we have decided that we can place NERV in your hands, should the need arise." Without warning, Gendo rose up from his seat. Clearly surprised by this sudden motion, Misato took a step back and watched as the Commander and Fuyutsuki rounded the desk, coming to stand before her. "Therefore, I hereby promote you to the rank of Major, and grant you all the rights and responsibilities that rank merits."

Kaji was then treated to the rare sight of Misato being dumbstruck with shock. Her professional exterior failed somewhat, allowing her eyes and mouth to pop open, especially when Fuyutsuki held up his hand, and revealed a small case. While Kaji was pausing to wonder at what point the case had materialized, the Sub-Commander popped it open, revealing a new rank insignia inside of it, one with two stripes beneath a red triangle. "Congratulations, Major Katsuragi."

"Oh…! I, uh…thank you, sirs…!" Misato fumbled out before snapping off a quick, clumsy salute. Then she carefully took the case from the older man's hand, handling it as if it were made of fragile crystal.

"No need to thank us, Major. You have earned this honor," Fuyutsuki stated with a hint of genuine warmth even as Misato removed her Captain's badge and put her new rank insignia in its place.

"And of greater importance, this ensures our protection as well," Gendo explained. "As Major, you will now have full command of any JSSDF assets in times of emergency, without needing your orders sanctioned by anyone else." Then his glasses took on a dangerous glint as he added, "This is a great responsibility we are trusting you with. I expect that you won't let us down."

For a moment, Kaji was tempted to make a crack about how running out of beer didn't qualify as an emergency, but he quickly decided against it. It wasn't often that Misato got the credit she deserved for her labors, and she deserved this moment in the sun. So instead, he said, "Hey, wait to go, Katsuragi!" Coming up to her side and clapping her on the shoulder, he waited until she met his gaze before adding, "I always figured that you were 'major' material!"

"Oh, you…!" Misato grumbled, sounding much more like herself in that instant, something that warmed Kaji's heart. She probably would have used some stronger language if they hadn't been in Gendo's office, so instead she turned back towards the Commander and asked, "So…will that be all, sir?"

"Of course. You are dismissed. And again," Gendo paused, offering his right hand to Misato, "congratulations."

Commander Ikari? Offering to shake hands with someone?! That's a first! Kaji thought, mentally laughing at the very idea. Only to stop laughing when he realized that Misato hadn't accepted outstretched hand in her own. That she was frozen once more, but in a different manner than she had before; instead of being lost in some private world, she was tensed like an animal seeking to avoid being seen by a predator. And instead of looking out into empty air, she was staring at the Commander's hand like it was a cobra with its hood spread and its fangs bared.

Kaji wasn't the only one to have noticed this. Fuyutsuki's congratulatory smile had faded, and Gendo was looking at his new Major the way he would eye an Angel. "Is something wrong, Major?" he asked, his voice taking a dangerous edge.

Whatever it was that had taken hold of Misato, it was no match for the thinly veiled menace that was Gendo Ikari's voice of authority and doom. In less than a second, she shook off her paralysis and met the Commander's eyes once more. "Uh, no, sir! Nothing!" she told him, clearly fighting to raise her right hand. "I…thank you!" After forcing these words out of her lips, she jolted her right hand forward and took Gendo's proffered hand in her own.

It was then that Kaji got the latest surprise of the day, and it was by far the least pleasant. The instant Misato grasped the gloved hand, she completely seized up. Every part of her body shook and quaked like she had just grabbed hold of a live power line. Her mouth flew open as if to scream, but her throat had constricted, so nothing but a strangled groan escaped her lips before her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell back on the floor.

"Katsuragi!" Kaji cried out, stunned beyond belief as he fell down on his knees next to her. Acting on instinct honed by training, he took hold of her wrist and felt at it.

"Is she alright?" Fuyutsuki wondered as Gendo looked on, his narrowed eyes missing nothing.

"She still has a pulse," Kaji confirmed, frowning as he felt the beating of her heart. "It feels a bit weak, but it's there."

"Contact NERV Medical, and have a team sent here immediately," Gendo ordered tersely as he stood nearby, glancing from his right hand to the prone woman before him. "And alert Dr. Akagi. I want her to conduct a full evaluation of Katsuragi's condition."

"Yes, Ikari," Fuyutsuki muttered in response before he pulled out his cell phone. While the Sub-Commander was implementing Gendo's orders, Kaji looked down at the woman before him, gingerly holding his wrist, trying to convey some comfort to her. Baffled by what had caused these events, and fearful of the jeopardy that may have put Misato in.

"Commander," Kaji began unhappily, "if it's all the same with you, I'd like to accompany her to NERV Medical."

"Very well, Ryoji," Gendo muttered dangerously. Still glaring down at Misato, like he was considering a bug that may or may not be worth crushing underfoot.


"Ugh…you know, I'm starting to understand how Shinji feels about this place," Misato grumbled as she sat in one of the small examination rooms in NERV Medical. A cup of lukewarm coffee that tasted like it had been made with radiator fluid in her hands, and Ritsuko and Kaji sitting nearby, both looking at her with concern. "This makes the second time I've woken up in here, and I'm already hating it!"

"Well, look at the bright side, Katsuragi," Kaji commented wryly, sitting so that his arms were resting on the chair's back. "At least you woke up."

While Misato was snorting her opinion of that particular silver lining, Ritsuko nodded and added, "Kaji's gallows humor aside, I will admit that you sure gave us a scare." Wincing as she took a sip of her own wretched coffee substitute, the doctor shook her head as she studied her friend. "When I heard about what happened..."

"Hmph. Yeah, well, at least you didn't have to live it!" Misato grumbled sourly despite her friends' obvious concern. "I feel like I was on the business of an Eva's foot!"

"That bad, huh?" Furrowing her brows at this evaluation, Ritsuko leaned in closer to her friend. "Listen, I know you've already had a rough time, but I do need to ask you a few questions." Hearing genuine concern mixed with the scientific curiosity she knew so well in her friend's voice, Misato gave a quick nod. "Do you remember anything before you lost consciousness? Anything that could help us find out what caused it?"

"I'm not sure," Misato confessed, staring at the liquid in her cup as if she could see the answers to her problems in it. "All I know is that I felt like I was shaking hands with a lightning rod instead of the Commander. Right after it got hit!"

"Yeah, and you acted like it, too," Kaji grimly confirmed.

"I see," Ritsuko murmured, her frown deepening as she considered these things. "Have you noticed anything…strange lately? Any unusual symptoms, anything that would indicate a problem?" Misato shook her head to this. "Are you sure about that? Misato, I need to know. If there's anything you know that might help me figure out what happened…"

"Rits, if I knew anything, then believe me, I'd tell you!" Misato assured them. Then she decided to give them of her own gallows humor. "Because, contrary to common belief, flirting with death isn't one of my favorite pastimes!"

Exhaling sharply, Ritsuko studied her friend for a while longer. "Well, the doctors didn't find anything in their exams. Aside from the fact that you need to cut down on the beer and eat more vegetables, but we already knew that part." Responding to the Head Scientist's impromptu lecture by blowing her a raspberry, Misato's fun was cut short when she added, "Still, I'd like to take you down to my office, and run a few more tests. Just to be sure."

Looking sharply at the Head Scientist, Misato was about to demand if she were serious. Then she saw the resolute expression Ritsuko was wearing and sighed in defeat. She knew that look all too well, having seen it several times in their college days when her friend had been gearing up for something like the magnetic inductance machine she had made for the science fair. That look that meant that food, drink, sleep, and just about everything else would be secondary concerns at most until the project was completed to her satisfaction. "Ugh…alright, fine."

"I'm sorry, Misato. Commander's orders," Ritsuko apologized, giving a helpless shrug. "Not that I blame him. After all, we can't afford to have an Operations Director who might pass out during an Angel attack."

"True," Misato admitted with considerable bad grace. Then the new Major gave her friend a worried look. "Wait a minute. You don't think…this is that serious, do you?"

"To be honest, I doubt it. After all, none of the other tests indicated a major problem," Ritsuko told her. "Still, it's better to be certain. Especially if it keeps the Commander off our backs."

"Why doesn't that make me feel better?" Misato asked no one in particular with as much sarcasm as she could muster. Groaning deep in her throat, she sat up straighter and held her hands up in surrender. "All right, fine. But before you escort me to your personal torture chamber, could you give me a minute to call Shinji and Asuka? Let them know that I'll be late?"

"Of course not. Go right ahead," Ritsuko replied with a more genuine smile. "Would you like us to give you some privacy?"

"Eh, sure. Why not?" Misato replied, not really caring one way or the other. "Go ahead. This shouldn't take too long."

"Okay," Kaji nodded as he and Ritsuko stood and left the small room.

As soon as the door had closed behind them, Misato smiled wanly. "Thanks," she murmured, genuinely appreciative of this kind gesture. Then she reached into her flight jacket and pulled out her cell phone. Hoping that whatever tests Ritsuko had in mind for her wouldn't take too long.


"I don't like this," Ritsuko muttered as soon as she and Kaji were out of the small examination room. Discreetly looking up and down the halls, making certain that there was no one in earshot. No one to overhear the conversation that was about to take place.

"Trust me, you're not alone," Kaji sighed, speaking lowly. His expression stern and concerned, no a trace of the carefree attitude he normally maintained to be seen. "And if you'd seen the way Ikari was looking at her, you'd like it a whole lot less."

Not doubting this for a moment, Ritsuko looked hard at her unshaven friend. Wishing not for the first time that they were back in college, in a time more innocent and free of the layers of intrigue and deception that had formed about their lives. "Kaji…are you sure about what you saw? That it was the Commander's hand that Misato was reacting to?" she demanded, trying to find hope when there clearly was none. "Maybe she was just keyed up, or…"

"No, no. I sure wish it was that simple, but…I saw her, Rits. I saw the way she was looking at his hand. And so did he," Kaji whispered, his eyes fevered. Alert. Searching the walls for any hidden eyes or ears. "She was reacting to it, Rits. I don't know how or why, but…she could sense it. She didn't know what it was, maybe thought she was imagining it, but…"

Heaving a heavy breath, Ritsuko considered Kaji's words. "And you said that she…froze up on the way to the Commander's office?"

Giving a quick nod to this, Kaji reported, "Yeah. She was pretty quick to cover it up, but something was bothering her. And I'm not just talking about the paperwork." Letting out a low hiss, Ritsuko lowered her eyes somewhat as she considered this. "Wait," the unshaven man frowned, giving the doctor a hard look. "Has she…done that before?"

"Yes. Twice that I've seen," Ritsuko confirmed morosely. "Once, when we were having a drink down in one of the lounges, she just froze in place. I asked her what was wrong, but she didn't seem to hear me at me first. It was as if she weren't even there anymore." Pressing her lips together, she conjured up memories of the incident. It had just been an ordinary day after long, tiring day at NERV, and they had been doing whatever it was that they did on their breaks. Chatting about nothing, complaining about the lousy pay or whatever, with them getting in occasional digs on the other.

Misato had been in the middle of one of her lame jokes when it happened. She had looked at Ritsuko, an impish smirk spreading across her features, and without warning, she'd stopped talking. Her eyes had become glassy, and all emotion fled her face, leaving her looking much like a mannequin. The faux-blonde could still picture that moment, in which her friend became dead to the world.

As Ritsuko found that this memory still gave her pause, Kaji asked, "When did this happen?"

"A couple days after you arrived, Kaji. Before the first engagement with the 7th Angel," Ritsuko informed him. "Later, she told me that she'd been a little distracted lately, and…well, with Unit 02 and dealing with Asuka, I decided that made sense. Then, after the 8th Angel, when we were heading to the Commander's office to give him a report, and…"

"It happened again. On the way to Gendo's office," Kaji intuited. When Ritsuko nodded, he sighed before rolling his eyes skyward. "I suppose it's too much to hope that all of that is one big coincidence."

"Are there ever any coincidences around here?" Ritsuko asked unhappily, already thinking of the potential implications. As well as the dangers they could lead to. "So…do you have any ideas?"

Cocking his head to the side, Kaji made a thoughtful sound in his throat. "Well, I guess the first thing we should try to do is keep the Commander happy. Or at least not wondering about his new Major long enough for us to get some answers." Ritsuko nodded at this, seeing the sense in it. The longer they could keep Gendo satisfied that there was no immediate problem with Misato, the better. "And then…well, I guess the only thing we can do is…"

Kaji was cut off by the sound of a door flying open, at which the subject of their conversation appeared in the hall. "There. It's taken care of," Misato announced as Ritsuko hurriedly banished all her fears and concerns from her face and masked with them with more a casual appearance. "So, should we get going, Rits? Because the sooner we get this over and done with, the better I'll like it!"

Wishing she could be as sure of that as her friend was, Ritsuko nodded. "Alright, then. Let's do this, then."

Turning about on her heel, Ritsuko started towards her office, aware of her friends following a short distance behind. "By the way," Kaji began, his voice the deceptive casualness that the doctor knew so well, "I was just thinking of something."

"Really? That'll be a first!" Misato sneered derisively.

"Oh! And she shoves yet another spear into me!" Kaji groaned, placing his hand over his heart before chuckling. "Seriously, I was just thinking that maybe we should get together sometime. You know, just the three of us?"

"Really?" Ritsuko asked disinterestedly, wondering what exactly Kaji was driving at now.

"Sure! In fact, I found a great new place that I've been wanting to check out for a little while now," Kaji went on, completely carefree. "The three of us could get together, chat about old times. It'd be the perfect way to celebrate your promotion, Katsuragi."

Misato didn't answer at first, and Ritsuko could have sworn that she could hear her friend slowly considering this notion. "Hmm…" she hesitated, possibly unwilling to commit to anything that would encourage her former lover. "Well…maybe. Once we make sure that I'm going to be able to keep it."

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Kaji grinned even as Ritsuko considered his words. Wondering if his plans were some way of getting Misato to relax, and perhaps pump her for more information…or if he genuinely wanted them to get together. To relax like they had in the old days.

The old days, Ritsuko thought idly, recalling when the three of them had been college. A time they had viewed as simply a transition to the possibility of bigger, better things for all of them. New lives, new careers, new possibilities. I never realized back then…how much I'd want to go back to that life…


As much as Ritsuko downplayed the situation, there was no doubt that she took whatever had happened to Misato very seriously. Almost as seriously as Misato did herself. Which is why she offered no protest as the doctor took her down to her office, which doubled as a small but efficient lab. And she didn't do more than offer a few grumblings as her friend ran her tests, some of which were rather embarrassing, or about the fact that they took roughly four hours to complete and process. However, she had no problem expressing her ire when she found out that the lengthy exam was completely useless.

"You mean you didn't find a thing?!" Misato irritably demanded as she donned her flight jacket. "All those tests, and you still don't know what caused me to pass out?"

"I'm sorry, Misato. I thought for sure that I'd find something." Ritsuko frowned as she studied the readout, seemingly more annoyed with her apparent failure than anything else. Shaking her head sourly as she stood up straight, the faux-blonde took off her reading glasses and considered the matter. "Maybe it was some kind of freak event. You were keyed up, surprised when the Commander gave you the promotion…maybe those things exacerbated something else, and…"

"Yeah, sure," Misato grumbled disbelievingly. "And since when is anything that simple around here?"

Snorting a laugh, Ritsuko shot her friend a sideways glance. "Anyway, there's not much else I can do right now. The MAGI are still processing the information, so I might have some more information later."

"So I'm free to go?" Misato asked hopefully. "It's late, and in case you haven't forgotten, I still have to have dinner."

"I haven't forgotten. And I really wish you hadn't reminded me of food," Ritsuko returned to the sound of her own stomach rumbling. Misato tittered at this, her amusement growing at the annoyed look it garnered her. "Fine, you can go. But I'd like to take a blood sample first." Her amusement disappeared at this and faded even more when she saw the resolute expression the doctor wore. "In case I think of something later, and want to run a few more tests."

Great. She must've remembered that I hate needles, Misato grumbled inwardly. Heaving a weary sigh and deciding that it would be a small price to pay to get out of there and go home already she shrugged in defeat. "Alright, fine. Whatever makes you happy."

"Okay," Ritsuko replied with as comforting a smile as Misato had ever seen from her. Moving briskly about her office and personal workspace, the doctor quickly grabbed the appropriate items. Less than a minute later, she had drawn an ampoule full of blood and a hiss of discomfort from the Major. "There we go," Ritsuko remarked with satisfaction as she took the sample and placed it safely away. "Now, Misato, I want you to go straight home, and take it easy for the next few days." Nodding to this, she watched as the doctor carefully bandaged her arm before needling her in a completely different manner. "Of course, I'm sure you won't have any trouble managing that, what with Shinji taking care of all your chores for you!"

"Ha. Ha," Misato retorted, not in the mindset to come up with something truly cutting. "Thanks a bunch, Rits. I'll see you tomorrow. Assuming I decide to come in, that is!"

"Take care," Ritsuko replied, not allowing her own good humor to be dispelled as Misato took her leave. Wanting nothing more than to get as far away from NERV as she could.


By the time Misato drove her way out of NERV Headquarters and rode the elevator up out of the Geofront, night had long since covered Tokyo-3. Fortunately for her frayed nerves, she didn't encounter anyone on the roads back to her apartment. Then again, what do I expect? she asked herself at one point, not even bothering to suppress a long, loud yawn. Everybody with an ounce of sense is at home in bed! Which is exactly what I'm going to be doing just as soon as I get something to eat!

Visions of a hot meal and a warm bed already floating in her mind, Misato guided her battered Renault Alpine down the empty streets of the fortress city. This simple drive serving to soothe much of the stress that had built up over this exceedingly rotten day. Making it easier to put all the niggling problems and unanswered questions out of her mind. Now, all I need is a couple beers and nice dinner to help me put everything behind me for the night!

With this thought in mind, and not even wanting to think of the early morning that awaited her the next day, Misato eventually arrived at her apartment complex and was soon at the door of her home. Taking note of the time and realizing that it was very likely that the children were already asleep, she exercised considerable caution as she opened the door and entered the apartment, doing her best to make sure that she didn't disturb any slumbering occupants. Only to nearly blow it when a loud 'wark' very nearly sent her jumping out of her shoes.

"Auugghh!" Misato yelped as she jumped back. Tottering off-balance for a moment, she very nearly fell down on her butt before she finally recovered. As soon as she had both feet firmly on the ground once more, the purple-haired woman placed her hand over her heart before she started looking for the source of the noise. "Augh…PenPen?! What do you think you're doing?!"

"Wark?" the warm water penguin sounded, apparently confused by his owner's ire.

Groaning loudly, Misato stood there staring at her feathered housemate for the longest time, fighting the urge to give him a major dressing down. But then she frowned, for while she might not have been in the best of moods, she knew that she had no right to take out whatever aggravations she had out on her friend and companion, as well as one of the few sources of support and relief she had in her life. "Aw…damn…" she muttered, trying to keep her voice down. "Uh…sorry about that." Heaving a weary sigh, she forced a smile onto her face. "So, what is it, you lazy bum? Wondering why I was out so late?" PenPen gave a quick, polite nod to this. "Ugh…tell you what. How about I get us both a beer and something to eat, and I'll tell you all about it."

Clearly pleased with this idea, PenPen warked his approval. "Shh! Be quiet!" Misato hissed. "I don't want to wake the children up! Okay?!"

His eyes rounding with realization, PenPen brought his wings to his mouth in a very human gesture of dismay. Satisfied that her pet had gotten the big picture, Misato doffed her shoes and made her way towards the kitchen. However, when she reached the dining area, she discovered a note on the table. Frowning somewhat, she went over and picked the note up.

'Misato: I'm sorry to hear that you're stuck working late tonight. I hope whatever it is you're working on doesn't keep you there too late,' the note read. 'I left you dinner in the oven and set the temperature. All you have to do is turn it on, and let it cook for half an hour. Please, don't let it cook any longer. Signed, Shinji.'

A surprised squeak escaped Misato's lips at this. Shinji…he left me dinner? Blinking a few times at this, the new Major went over to the oven and cracked it open. There inside was pan laden with beer-battered shrimp, as well as some vegetables and rice, all expertly made and ready to cook.

Letting out a tiny gasp, Misato stood back up and closed the oven before returning her focus to the note still in her hand. And as she looked at it, she couldn't help but smile in a somewhat sad manner. For as annoyed as she had been by Ritsuko's remark from before, there was no arguing against the fact that it was Shinji that took care of things at home, and not her. He did the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, everything that she should be doing herself, but was either too busy or lazy to do so. A role that he accepted without complaint or hesitation.

He didn't even know why I was running late, Misato thought, her smile deepening. All I told him was that I had some business to take care of Ritsuko and that I wouldn't be back until later. And still he…

Heaving a weary sigh, Misato eyed the oven and decided that there was no point in letting Shinji's hard work go to waste. Switching it on and making note of the time so that she didn't ruin her dinner, she then darted out of the kitchen, making sure to move as quietly as she could as she made her to Shinji's room. Carefully sliding the door open, she peeked inside. Sure enough, the normally somber, withdrawn 3rd Child was slumbering inside, his SDAT hanging loosely about his head, and his blanket lying crumpled on the floor.

Smiling at the boy that had wandered into her life, Misato snuck up to his side and picked up his blanket. "Thanks for the lovely dinner, Shinji-kun," she murmured as she draped it over him. Then she leaned down and placed a quick, tender kiss on his cheek. "And don't worry; I'll make sure I don't ruin it." Giggling slightly at this tease, she turned and left Shinji to his sleep. Hoping that whatever dreams he had were pleasant ones.


Author's Notes: Well, not too much action here, but I hope the drama makes up for it. Please, read and review. And check out my other stories too, please!

I'm glad everybody is enjoying this story, and I hope you'll all be happy to know that this the first in a series of such stories I have planned. Yup, I'm going to be showcasing all of the ladies of Eva with super powers in solo adventures, and I might even do one where they all get those powers in a single storyline, for one amazing adventure! After all, who doesn't like team-ups?

As for what powers they will have, I've settled on plans for everyone except Hikari. Still working on her.

A couple people out there seem to be under the impression that Misato just doesn't have the necessary mean to go with the green. I say, the fact that she so willingly killed in EOE to protect Shinji says otherwise. And she certainly has the traumatic background to go with it!

Besides, and let's be honest here…Misato as a Hulk? Running around in ripped-up clothes or no clothes at all? Is it even possible to ignore the fanservice potential? (I might have to up the rating, but still…)

Mike, I don't really mind you using the same title. After all, my story Rebirth isn't the only Eva fic with that title. Just do me a favor and let me know where to find your fic when it's finished.

Darknight3030, that Shinji/Rei story sounds kind of interesting. Could you point me in its direction?

Omake

"Whew! The new chapter is done!" Orion sighed as he sat back in his seat, wiping his brow and looking at his latest work in satisfaction. "I have to say, I think that came out pretty well. Wouldn't you say so, Misato?"

"Definitely," Misato agreed as she looked over the various scenes. "And I did like that bit of fluff you tossed in at the end."

"Glad you approve," Orion nodded. "Still, I have to admit, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Raising a purple eyebrow, Misato asked, "Oh? And what's that?"

"Well…why did you decide to stay here with me while I was writing out this chapter?" Orion wondered, a genuinely quizzical look on his face. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy your company…"

"Heh heh. I know, Orion," Misato smiled, stretching out her legs so that the fanfic writer could get a better look at them. "Believe me, I know!"

Unable to help himself, Orion glanced down at the shapely legs presented him. "Eh, yes," he got out, his cheeks burning somewhat. "But…anyway, you usually just wait until the chapter is done and read over later, just like the rest of the gang. So…why'd you decide to come watch me write?"

"Well, I decided I'd better supervise the writing of this chapter." Misato then level him a more serious look before adding, "You see, I had some…concerns about it."

"Concerns?" Orion repeated blankly.

"I'm sure you watched "The Incredible Hulk" live action series from the 70s and 80s, right?" Misato smiled brightly.

"Of course!" Orion replied. "I mean, who didn't?"

"And you remember that first transformation?" Misato continued, her smile tightening a bit. "You know, Banner's driving home in the rain, he has to change his tire, hurts himself…"

"And he hulks out for the very first time," Orion nodded. "Yes, of course, I remember that."

"I figured you did," Misato nodded. Then she leaned in closer to Orion and added, "Just the way I'm sure you remember the part where the Hulk trashed the car and sent it crashing down in a ball of fire."

"Sure, I -!" Then Orion cut himself off as realization struck him. "And you were worried that I might have you hulk out in this chapter and trash your car. Is that it?"

"Exactly," Misato smirked dangerously. "After all, it's an iconic image, and I was a bit…worried…that you might not be able to avoid the temptation of doing your own version." Narrowing her eyes sharply, the purple-haired woman pressed in closer to the fanfic writer. "Because, as I'm sure you're aware, I'm very fond of my car. And even as beat up as it is, I don't want anything to happen to it."

"Okay, okay! I get the idea, Misato!" Orion replied, holding up his hands in protest. "The car is off-limits to any smashing, destruction, or mayhem, unless it gets fixed right away."

Her eyes narrowing at this exclusion, Misato considered it for a second or two before asking, "Fixed. As in perfectly fixed? As good as it was before if not better?" Orion gave a quick nod to this. "Well, then, that should be just fine."

"Okay," Orion sighed in relief. "Then it's settled, then."

"Good, good." Misato smiled dreamily as she let her gaze wander around Orion's office. "You know, if you do manage to get my car repaired, I will be extremely happy with you." Then she planted her hand on the writer's head and forced him to look into eyes that flashed a deadly green. "And if you forget this little chat of ours and completely destroy my car…I will be very, very angry with you. And we both know that you won't like me when I'm angry!"

"I won't! Misato, okay?!" Orion protested, not liking the intense green that was building in the purple-haired woman's eyes. "The car won't get destroyed! I promise!"

"Good! Just make sure that you don't forget that little item, and we'll get along just fine!" With that, Misato stood and made her way over to Orion's computer. "Well, I better going now. Shinji's making his famous curried chicken for dinner tonight, and you know I don't want to miss that!"

"Right. Got it," Orion nodded, still shaking from his close call. Watching as Misato used his computer to generate a portal back over the Fourth Wall, he didn't stop shaking until she had returned to Tokyo-3. "Gotta make a note," he told himself, sweating over his close call. "Make sure that that new studio I'm building on the Fourth Wall has power suppressors to keep the gang in line. Or I might not even survive a single trip there!"