Another Way

Chapter 4

It Goes On

Over the next few days, Rei was in and out of testing, both physical and mental.

Oddly, her physical effects from the coma were miniscule. She could almost walk, though stumbling when getting up or after walking for a while. Despite this, we were told to let her get used to her consciousness, by keeping her in the apartment when she left the hospital until she had gotten used to her surroundings.

Mentally, on the other hand, Rei was the opposite. It didn't show on the outside, Rei's brain signals were all over the place and nearly overflowing with emotional activity. The day we heard news for that, my father explained what the probably reason was:

"I knew her emotional state would pop out eventually," he said, as we walked to the car in the parking lot.

"Is it because she was away from orders and unconscious for 4 years?" I asked.

"You're half right. One of the reasons she went to see Dr. Akagi was to keep her emotions suppressed. She was on medicine for that," he answered.

"Is this why she was so obedient?" Misato asked.

"No, she was like that from the start. To keep her that way was my job."

"Then why did you have to keep her on that stuff?" I asked, remembering the pills and realizing what they were.

"To keep her from being distracted and to prevent what happened to the first Rei."

"What happened to her, Father?"

"Dr. Naoko Akagi, Ritsuko's mother, strangled her to death after Rei repeated what I said, out of anger. This was just after your mother died, and the second reason that GEHIRN turned into NERV."

"So the Rei we met was the second Rei?" Misato asked.

"Yes," Father answered, pushing his glasses back into his eyes.

Even on the first day of her consciousness, I noticed sides of Rei I hadn't seen before. She had cried, laughed, and questioned way more than I could even her think would come out of her. She was always so quiet and reserved at NERV.

At that point, we couldn't take her home yet. Instead I (along with Misato) visited her daily to check up on her. To be honest, her behavior hadn't changed much after the first day of her awakening, but it seemed as if the atmosphere of our relationship from pilots to (technically) half-siblings was different. Rei didn't seem to be phased by presence at NERV or my relationship to my father, though we did reach those subjects eventually. One time, without Misato, it hit hard.

I just finished explaining where everyone went after SEELE was confirmed to be gone.

"Man, I wish they were still around," I commented, leaning back in my usual chair.

Rei looked away from me. Something seemed to be distracting her.

"What is it, Rei?" I asked.

She didn't answered, continuing to stare out the window.

"Rei, he-"

"Do you know what the real key to Third Impact was?" she asked.

"Rei, I don't know what you're talking about," I answered.

"What would have caused the end of the world, Shinji?"

"T-the Evangelions along with Lilith," I hesitantly answered.

"Do you know who the key to Lilith was?"

"Rei, you don't ne-"

"It was me, Shinji. I could've ended it all for you, Misato, Asuka, everyone. But you and Asuka stopped me," she spat out, as she sat on her band with her knees up and her hands on her cheeks.

I saw a tear once more.

I ran up to her, swinging my arms around her.

"That wasn't your fault and you know it. Even I know that and I blame myself for everything. If you did it, no one would've known the wiser. This was SEELE's doing and Father's desperate attempt at bringing our mother back. If there's anyone to blame for this, it's most definitely not you, Rei."

This was not the last time it happened. She was having what the doctors called "waves of new brain activity". They were like mood swings, but they are much more unnatural and are only seen in people such as coma patients or people suffering withdrawal.

Rei was definitely both, being injected and given medicine to suppress emotions or resistance, as well as coming out of a coma.

I began to wonder if this would continue for the rest of her young to full lifespan. The staff said unlikely, but I had my doubts, especially for a case like Rei's.

Although there was the change in our relationship, I still wanted to protect Rei. I didn't know what was to come, neither did my father or Misato. I just wanted to get her home safe.

And it was about time too.

After a class one day, I made my way to the hospital to meet up with Father and Misato.

I stayed at the ground floor as I learned Rei was having a physical therapy test to see if she was capable of action.

I walked down the hallway to see my two guardians standing, watching through the window.

"Hey," I greeted, standing next to Father.

"Hello," I heard Father and Misato say back.

"How's she doing?" I asked.

"Fine. Like normal. It's just she gets dizzy after a while of walking," Father responded.

"Will this be her final test?" I asked.

"Maybe. I hope so, Shinji," Misato answered.

I watched Rei walk back and forth, across the room. She looked very bored.

This view brought back memories, as I saw Rei constantly walking through the halls of NERV alone.

I also remember Asuka continuously insulting her as well. I didn't miss that, but it was definitely on my mind.

The sight of Rei constantly walking back and forth gave me hope in a way, though it was probably incredibly boring for her.

Suddenly, she stopped and sat down.

A doctor came out of the door to the room.

"Ms. Ayanami seems to be doing great, extraordinary for a coma patient of four years. She can move as if nothing's happened. This means that this was her last physical therapy session. You should be able to take her home soon, possibly immediately," he explained.

That put a large smile on my face. We were finally able to set her free of this cage that is the hospital. We would be a whole family now, living together after so long.

"That sounds great," Father said.

"There's one catch though. You might need to keep her inside for a while. Let her get used to her surroundings since she's been in here since her awakening."

"Understood, sir. Thank you very much," Father responded, shaking the man's hand as he walked away.

I sighed in relief. It was all over. I didn't have to question whether or not this was my fault anymore. Everything was fixed at home now.

But something was still there. Something was still dragging me back into the dark.

Asuka.

I knew I had to do something about her eventually, but I couldn't think about her at that moment.

I had to support Rei.

Father was gone for the day to see release and legal policies at the hospital and our insurance company and I had classes that day, so Misato went home to see her husband and to get more clothes.

At my last (and 2 hour long) lesson for the day, I began to wonder. How was I gonna tell everyone else about Rei waking up?

I began to drift off as I finished my last line of notes, until I heard.

"Class dismissed."

I sighed as I stayed in my seat, with the all of the rows of desks filling with people rushing out the door.

I always stayed in my spot until the crowds disappeared. It was much more worth waiting than being pushed around.

When the last person exited the class, I stood up and left the room, eyeing the staircase leading to the train station.

It began growing cloudy outside, as September began to pass. I walked in the cold without a jacket, not really caring much, just as I did in the days of NERV, when the end was nearing. Those last 2 months before New Year were a mess, as I grow deeper and deeper in a pool of LCL mixed with my emotional state at the time. When January 1st struck, which was the day that almost ended the world, I was about to drown. I pulled through, thankfully.

I walked up the steps to the train I usually take home, before spotting someone familiar.

"Shinji?" I heard them say.

"Oh, h-hi Hikari. It's been a while, hasn't it?" I asked.

"Yeah, it has. How's life?" she asked.

"Better than usual. I have Misato staying with Father and I for a little while."

"That's great."

"Yeah. How are you and Toji doing?"

"Great. He's gotten higher in the ranks for his job. We'll probably be able to find a house nearby somewhere once I graduate."

"Sounds like you two are doing well," I replied, smiling.

Most of the people I had met in the year at NERV hadn't changed much physically or personally. Hikari was no exception when it came to her personality, still being that orderly and civilized girl she was in middle and high school. Her appearance, on the other hand, began to change, with her age from 14 to 18 evidently showing. She no longer had those freckles she had as teenager either, which oddly weirded me out.

Anyway, I wanted to tell her about Rei, but I thought I should leave it a surprise, or I should wait until Rei came back home.

"Hey, maybe you and Toji, maybe even Kensuke if he's around should come over in a few days. Catch up, you know?" I invited.

"That sounds nice. Maybe we should. I'll let you know soon, but I have to go. Toji's probably waiting," Hikari responded, walking away.-?

"Alright, see you later." I said back.

I travelled home for the day, only to find that Misato returned. Later that night, Father returned home exhausted, and passed out in his room.

The next day I was completely free of classes, so I slept in a bit. I eventually got out of bed, with Misato nowhere to be found. I heard Dad leave for work earlier that morning, so I made myself some coffee and sat on the couch.

I heard Misato step out of her room as soon as I turned on the TV.

"Morning, Misato. Want some breakfast?" I asked.

"No, my stomach doesn't feel very good right now. I'm going to head to the restroom," she responded.

"Ok."

I heard Misato groan from the bathroom, eventually hearing her throw up. I rushed into the bathroom.

"Are you alright, Misato?" I asked, knocking on the door.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure you aren't sick?"

She opened the bathroom door, and sighed.

"I was going to save it for when Rei got home, but I guess I better tell you," Misato explained.

"What is it, Misato? You don't have to tell me." I asked.

"You were going to figure it out based on what happened here anyway. I'm pregnant, Shinji. I found out a week before I came here. That's why I chose to come and visit you, but we got distracted by Rei waking up," Misato revealed.

I lit up inside.

No wonder she isn't drinking.

"That's great! How far along are you?" I asked.

"7 weeks based on what I read. Please don't tell the others yet."

"I won't, Misato," I responded.

Misato got cleaned up and changed, as I made a small breakfast for me and (just in case) Misato.

She came out, we sat at the table and began eating.

There were a few moments of silence before breaking it with my intentions.

"Hey, I've got an idea. I was thinking about having a homecoming party for Rei, when we're set to, by inviting Fuyutsuki, Toji and Hikari over for dinner and surprising them, since they live nearby. I talked to Hikari yesterday as well and she seemed excited to see me," I explained.

"That isn't a bad idea. Maybe I can get Hyuga and Aoba to come. Man, I wish more of us NERV personnel were around."

"I agree. Can Kaito come?" I asked.

"Maybe. He's had a lot of work since I left."

"Understandable. He's a man of the government, anyway."

"Yeah..." Misato trailed off, as if she wanted to say something.

Misato looked down, then back at me.

"I'll be back. I have to make a phone call," she said.

"Alright," I said, as she walked out of the room.

I tried to hear her conversation from the kitchen, but could only make out a little bit.

I heard Japan and come.

I began to think of whom she was talking to, but my father opened the door with a smile on his face.

He was usually at work at this time.

The next thing I knew, we were set.

Rei was coming home.

A/N: Hey everybody! Here's the new chapter. It's a little late but I had to make some adjustments and my internet was down for a bit. Sorry if it's a bit filler-like, but the next couple chapters should pick up the pace. I know the chapter was very Shinji-centered, but it was my intent before the next chapter.

Ciao and stay cool,

bakercomics