OUT LATE ONE NIGHT

Shinji and Misato were at the edge of the artificial lakes of Tokyo-3 formed by filling up of craters made by destruction of Angels.

It was late at night and the moonlight reflected from the water as waves steadily washed to the lake's shore.

Neither were there to enjoy the view however. Their minds were occupied by something else.

Shinji sat by the water's edge looking miserable.

He mourned the death of his friend..no,he was murdered by Shinji's own hand.

He felt it when EVA-01 crushed and destroyed Kaworu Nagisa,real name Tabris the final Angel. Even if he wasn't human he was willing to die so that Shinji and the entire humanity may live.

But Shinji was too distraught by what he did. He even questioned whether someone like him deserved to live.

"He said he loved me. I should have died,not him!"

His voice quivered as he lowered his face into his folded arms and shrank into himself.

Misato stood at a distance from him silently,also staring at the moonlit lake.

Despite her firm stance and face not showing emotions,her mind was in reality in turmoil.

Ryoji Kaji,the love of her life was dead.

She had gone too deep in uncovering the conspiracy surrounding NERV, SEELE and their true goals. Perhaps the entire world and it's humanity was in danger and she must find the truth.

Kaji had entrusted her to find that truth and she could not run away this time.

As for Ritsuko, whatever friendship and trust there was between them was gone by this point. She was deeply involved with the conspiracy and was now locked away as her purpose had been fulfilled and no longer needed, therefore discarded by her handlers.

Then there was the Commander,Gendo Ikari. She didn't want to have any ill-will towards Shinji's father but that bastard was definitely behind the Second Impact.

Her entire reason to join NERV was to avenge death of her Father by destroying Angels and she now felt like a fool to let herself be used while ADAM(?) was in NERV's basement. And she used Shinji in turn.

She didn't know what to say to Shinji. In her frustration,she was tempted to say that he did the right thing to kill the 17th Angel.

She had no sympathy at all for the Angels but how can she make him understand? She truly failed to be his guardian, failed to even be a friend or confidant. What should she do?

Misato slowly walked towards Shinji. For some reason she started remembering last time she saw her father alive. Remembered the first and only time she felt Fatherly love from him, even though she hated him at point.

'Is that you dad?'

Shinji was so mentally absorbed and deep in dark thoughts that he didn't notice when Misato sat next to him and surprised when she wrapped her arms around him.

Misato felt his body stiffened as if wanting to get away but she hugged him tightly.

It seemed like it's now or never to tell him how much he meant to her. She needed him

She thought for a time which seemed like forever about what to say

"I'm sorry about Kaworu"

There is a pause and with Shinji's silence she continued

"I don't know what to say. There's just so much going on"

Slowly Shinji became less stiff and both began to feel comfort in each other's presence.

"I'm sorry about Kaji-san. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything"

Now Shinji felt Misato becoming stiff and stopped breathing.

"Shinji-kun,there is something you must know"

It was now or never...