A/N: I'll be honest with y'all. I'm not really a fast writer, and I only really write when I feel inspired and that comes from reading other fics. Considering most of the stories that I'm following haven't been updated in a long while, inspiration has been hard to come by. I vowed to myself that I would finish this story, and I will, but it's going to take a while. Expect even longer periods of inactivity.

When we last left off, our intrepid heroes found themselves cuddling in bed. The heroes being Asuka and Shinji, not Saitama and Shinji, you sickos. Now, we resume our tale a mere week after the end of the last chapter. For Asuka and Shinji, this week has been one of the best of their lives.

Although the standard had been so low recently that finding miscellaneous change on the ground would have counted for a good week for either of them because it would have been the only positive occurrence. Throughout the entire week.

And now that we resume, you, dear reader, must understand that although we left off at a point that could be considered to have met all requirements for a 'happily ever after moment,' the show does not end here and neither shall the story. There is more yet to be told. Like this following week, which started off positively enough, with Shinji finally made aware of an idea that was planted at day one. His cyborg mother.

The first morning of the week began with Shinji rising early. He woke at his usual time, lovingly untangling himself from a sleeping Asuka's arms, who made a mournful sound at the loss of her living body pillow, and made his way into the kitchen. He opened the fridge, shuffled aside several beer bottles and set to work finding ingredients for the day's breakfast.

The first item he grabbed was a whole sockeye salmon. Wild-caught and specially imported from Alaska, because Misato purchased only the highest quality seafood. It would serve as Pen Pen's breakfast. Moving onto items for human consumption, Shinji peered further back into the fridge. Apparently Misato had forgotten to buy actual foods the last time she went shopping. Since curry ramen made with beer is not widely considered to be an appetizing meal, or legal in the case of the two minors in the house, Shinji crossed the two items off of his mental list.

After some deliberation, Shinji decided to make food. It was a very food-like food. It was made out of stuff that was also food, but not quite prepared to the point of consumption without adverse effects. The food might have included eggs. But it was food. And that's that.

Hmm?

You wanted actual descriptions?

What do you think this is? A Shokugeki no Soma! fanfiction? Go find one yourself because this ain't it and I am sure as hell not writing one for you. Go right on ahead if that's what you want. I don't care. You've already given me the view by clicking on this chapter.

Regardless, when the food was finished and placed upon the table, Misato and Asuka had risen, drawn by the smell of cooking food.

Some mornings, Saitama would knock on the door and invite himself inside for breakfast, other days he'd oversleep and miss it entirely, so he'd eat a banana for breakfast instead.* This was one of the mornings in which he managed to rouse himself in time for the food of morning.

The odd little group with a very bizarre semblance a family dug in. To the food that is, not with shovels in an undefined cardinal direction. But you already knew that. I think. Hm. I think I'm losing my touch with humor. Time to stop writing for now and come back in three months.**

Things were normal, Asuka played footsie with Shinji,*** Misato imbibed large quantities of fermented grain, and Saitama quietly ate, keeping to himself. The phone rang when Misato had just opened a can of beer, and instead of acting like a person without drinking problems, she downed the entire can immediately rather than setting it aside. Neither Asuka nor Shinji paid attention when Misato flipped open her phone and accepted the call, but from his side of the table Saitama perceptively watched.

While Misato answered the call, Asuka and Shinji had their own conversation.

"Why- ack," he said with a cringe, "are you kicking me?"

Asuka responded with another kick.

"Sorry?" He hazarded.

"Wondergirl." She hissed.

At first he was confused, but then he remembered the interaction he had with Rei the previous day.

FFFFFFlashback time.

The sun was shining, Shinji was smiling, and all was right with the world. Given the previous events that had transpired, how could he not be happy? His mood was so joyous, that when Rei greeted him he strode over and swept her up into his arms with a hug.

. . .

Initially, Rei was confused. A hug this brazen was highly uncharacteristic of Pilot Ikari. Given his behavior and mood the last time she had seen him, which was a week ago, Pilot Ikari's actions indicated that some major event had occurred recently, raising his disposition to unpredictable heights.

As Rei pondered what might have transpired, in her peripheral vision she spotted a head of red. Suddenly, she realized the answer to Shinji's behavior.

Pilot Sorhyu.

Given that Sorhyu was evidently no longer afflicted with the trauma from the Angel and Pilot Ikari's attraction to Pilot Sorhyu, her improved state was the reasoning for Shinji's improved temperament.

Although, Pilot Sorhyu's mood did not appear to match Pilot Ikari's. Her face with contorted into a frown, likely at the sight of Pilot Ikari. Was she jealous of Rei being embraced by Pilot Ikari? Sorhyu's past actions had hinted that the attraction between her and Pilot Ikari was mutual.

. . .

While Rei constructed her thought process, Shinji realized how long he had been embracing her. He hastily let go and apologized while blushing.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I'm just in a good mood right now."

"I see," she responded monotonously.

"So, uh, I'm going to go find Asuka now."

Rei looked over to where Asuka had been. There was a notable absence of the Second Child currently occupying the space where Pilot Sorhyu had been standing.

"Farewell then."

Shinji awkwardly turned and walked away, opposite the direction where Asuka had been.

FFFFFFlashback end.

"Oh." Was all Shinji could really say. Asuka's behavior was now a lot clearer. "Sorry."

"Is that all you can say?" hissed Asuka.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what else to say." Shinji weakly offered.

"How about, for starters, 'Asuka you're the only girl I'll ever love and I'll never look at Rei again, please don't break up with me.'?"

"You're the only girl I'll ever love."

"And?"

"Uh..."

"I'm going to neuter you with my foot if you don't continue."

"... Please don't break up with me?"

"Good, now say the part in the middle."

"..."

"Well? Go on, say it."

"I-"

Alas, whatever Shinji was going to say next would never be known, for Misato interrupted at that moment.

"Shinji, we're going to down to the GeoFront after breakfast. Apparently your father has a 'surprise' for you."

"Um... what is it?"

"He didn't say."

Shinji wasn't really sure what to make of that. The sentiment seemed to be shared by the rest of his living companions, save Saitama, who looked thoughtful, like he was remembering something, before shaking his head in failure.

The rest of their morning fast breaking passed without notable event, the diners being too perturbed yet slightly curious with Gendo's 'surprise' to initiate any further actions.

. . .

The drive to the GeoFront was unnerving, and not in the usual way of wondering if Misato would finally hit a person or if the next bump would send your head straight out the window. If Shinji had been raised in a normal and stable environment with two loving parents, it would have felt like something akin to being called downstairs by your parents after you've done something bad but you're not sure if they're calling you down because of it. Butterflies in the stomach, if you want to be more metaphorical.

The feeling intensified as they pulled through the GeoFront entrance. The others must have felt it too, because Misato kept fidgeting with the flask in her jacket, unsure of whether she should drink or not, while Asuka simply stopped pestering Shinji and instead elected to hold his hand. This actually did not help Shinji feel better since he was too accustomed to her bothering him and liked how it was a constant reminder of how she was always there with him. On the other hand, was her hand. Holding his. Which was nice.

But, as usual, Saitama proved unaffected by the surrounding mood. This was also comforting in its own little way.

They reached Gendo's office by 10:00 am, which was good because the screaming had stopped by then. An unofficial memo, written as a joke and sent to Misato a few days ago briefly crossed her mind.

They knocked on his door because it seemed appropriate, given the multiple metal bars and padlocks adhered to the door. A moment later, Gendo answered in a slightly shaky voice.

"Eenter."

The door remained sealed so Saitama grabbed it and ripped it off its hinges, snapping the bars and chains casually. The group peered inside and were greeted to the sight of Gendo in his signature pose, sitting at his desk in a dark room with only a single light, shining directly above him. Shinji audibly gulped before taking a step in.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold the room erupted into light. Confetti burst into his face and on the ceiling hung a banner with the word 'Surprise!' printed on. In the center of the room, once his eyes adjusted from the flash, stood a forgotten memory. Shinji gaped like a fish. A feminine face that he saw only in misty dreams awaited him. Perhaps「King Crimson」had skipped time because his next clear moment of memory was hugging her tightly. Behind her Gendo rose from his desk and walked over to them with a noticeable limp.

His limp was enough to shift Shinji's gaze from mother to father and his next thought was of his father's new minor disability. His mother noticed his gaze shift and her voice changed from Shinji's mother to Yui Ikari who smiled and whispered into his ear.

"Don't mind him. We had a little problem with fitting a square peg into a round hole." Her tone was disconcerting so Shinji elected to ignored it.

Gendo Ikari joined his wife and son and embraced them both, making for a heartwarming scene of families reuniting and overcoming the trials of life, the kind you find in those dime-a-dozen family dramas.

Behind him, Shinji heard Saitama snap his fingers and say, "So that's what I was trying to remember."

. . .

After the familial glow dimmed and the heartwarming and joyous music faded, the rest of the group entered. Shinji broke apart from the group hug and grabbed Asuka by the hand, pulling her over to his parents. Still riding the high from the joy of reuniting with his mother, he introduced her without a hint of embarrassment.

"This is my girlfriend Asuka."

Asuka blushed at Shinji's bold introduction and it intensified under the gaze of her future in-laws.

"Oh! It's so nice to meet you. You look like such a nice young girl. I'm sure you'll be very good for Shinji."

"Hm. Your psych profiles did not predict this. Surprising."

"Quiet, dear." She said in a tone that promised more square pegs in round holes if he failed to comply.

"Their relationship has been known for a few days already. Shouldn't you have recieved a report on it?" Misato chimed in.

"I have been... occupied." He replied awkwardly.

There was a bit of an uncomfortable pause in the conversation, with Asuka and Misato able to infer the activities that may have occupied him, while Shinji actively tried to focus on the reunion instead. Saitama, as usual, wasn't paying attention to the conversation at all.

"Enough of that," Yui said breaking the lull, "we have another surprise for you."

"What is it?" Shinji asked.

"Rei," His mother called, "come in."

The First Child entered Gendo's office. She strode by Shinji and stood next to his mother.

Asuka and Misato both audibly gasped at the sight of the two standing side by side. Shinji had his mouth wide open and would have joined them in a trinity of loud inhalations were it not for the sudden loss of his ability to breath.

Yui Ikari and Rei Ayanami were exact copies in appearance, barring their physical size, hair, skin and eye colors. It was almost as if they were... clones.

"Yes, Rei is my clone." Yui said in a tender tone. "It would probably be best if you though of her as a sister though. It's already complicated enough as is."

"W-why?" Shinji choked out.

Gendo sighed. "It is a... complicated matter." He turned and faced the others in the room. "Major Katsuragi, Sorhyu, and Saitama. What my family is going to discuss is personal and classified information. Please leave this room."

Saitama left, shrugging nonchalantly as he started to leave. Misato shifted on a professional face, one befitting her rank and followed. That left Asuka, who reluctantly released Shinji's hand and followed the others.

Gendo closed and locked the door behind them. He returned to his family and began to speak.

"Shinji," He said awkwardly, as if he was unused to addressing his son by name, "you have no memory of your mother's death, is this correct?"

"Yes..."

"You were there."

"What?"

"Your mother wanted you there, to watch her as she activated Unit-1. The test ended with her absorption into the Eva."

Shinji turned to his mother, his face a portrait of shock. "Why?" He choked out.

Yui sighed, dropping her gaze momentarily before raising her head to meet Shinji's eyes.

"I wanted you to see what happened to me, I wanted you to realize that I had been absorbed into Unit-1, that I would be inside, with you whenever you sat in the pilot's seat. I didn't think you would forget."

Shinji's eyes widened. "I didn't forget," he whispered, "I couldn't remember, but I never forgot. I always felt protected and loved inside the cockpit."

Yui smiled a melancholic smile. "I may not ever ascend to the heavens, but I know my love will still last."

"What about Rei, then?" He asked.

Yui looked to Gendo, who cleared his throat, another sign of his discomfort.

"Rei was... created using half of your mother's DNA and half of an angel's."

Shinji's face shifted as the implication dawned on him. "A-are we going to have to k-kill her?" He forced out, turning his gaze to Rei, who had been silent the entire time.

"No. The commander has assured me that it will not be necessary." Rei spoke.

Shinji let go of the breath he was holding. "Now what?"

"I think a family group hug would be appropriate," Yui suggested. The others of the Ikari family nodded in agreement.

In the end, the imaginary camera panned out, the image of a family fading out until the screen went black.

*Old habits die hard.

**The sad part is that it's what actually ended up happening. My writing schedule works on Valve time and aspires to be like Berserk.

***If you could describe playful kicking as 'footsie.' At least Shinji hoped it was playful. His pain tolerance was unsurprisingly low and Asuka had ample practice kicking things, such as his testicles.

A/N: Remember the good ol' FFFFFFlashbacks? I went back and read all of the earlier chapters, and man, I fucking cringed so hard.