A/N: Short chapter.

Restore: Part 1

Border between the State of New York and Pennslyvania

Around 5 in the morning

Misato was worried. No. Not worried. She was far more concerned that. She sat with her arms folded in the cargo truck alongside with Asuka and Shinji who both refused to say a word to her. On occasion she stole glances at them and both and they seemed as if they were miserable. She found it strange that even Asuka didn't question her about the numerous army like jeeps and caravans that came and found them, she just got into a caravan with Shinji and sat there. None of them said a word, not even Shinji who awoke sometime later.

"We'll be arriving in the state of Ohio in several hours." called a woman from the front seat. Misato nodded as she looked over at the teens who stared plainly at the floor.

"You guys wanna know where we headed?" she asked. Shinji looked up at her, his eyes full of sorrow and exhaustion.

"Not really." he said. I guess it doesn't matter at this point, she thought. Misato stood and transferred herself to one of the front passenger seats along with the mercenary Lilith.

"How are your kids?" Lilith asked.

"They're not really my kids. I'm just their guardian." said Misato wearily.

"They don't seem to happy."

"I suspect not after what they have been through. I'm surprised that none of them have cracked yet."

"You expect them to?"

"No, but if they knew some things, they would hate me too."

"Say no more. I'm only in it for the company I'm being hired to destroy. Your business from here on out right? Anyway. Half of the convoy is using a different route. We are using the underground network. Kind of like a secret highway. This is just a precaution so no need for worries but we are going to stop at a pit stop soon. I think your kids need a rest."

Misato sighed, they weren't really hers...

(Back of the caravan)

"So, she died?" whispered Shinji. From the corner of his eye he could see Asuka nodding. The sudden realization that a friend had died only hours ago was a costly blow. It was like knowing someone forever and then suddenly while you were asleep they left the Earth with no intention of returning. It hurt, he was denying, the last thing he could really remember was being in her lap while she sustained him from his panic attack. He was grateful and he thought he had begun to like someone and trust someone but that person was no longer here. He was alone again.

"She was idiot." Asuka said harshly folding her arms. Shinji shot her a look.

"What are you talking about?" he said with his voice slightly trembling.

"She could have just came with us. She didn't have to act all brave and get herself killed." she said. Shinji stared at the redhead, the flashing of underground lights through the windows highlighted her profile.

"Is it possible that she couldn't?" he asked.

"Just forget it. She's dead and gone. Just forget about her."

"I can't do that." he said looking down at his feet.

"Why? Because you liked her or something? Because you guys kissed?" she spat turning her head and hitting Shinji with her hair. That memory of himself forcing himself to kiss the American girl because of his own volition. So out of character for him and yet it wasn't. He saw something in her that resembled him. Was it because she had some hidden turmoil that matched his? He couldn't tell but to speak of her like that after she saved their lives he couldn't take.

"Sh...shut up..." he whispered. Asuka caught the last word and her gaze stared down sharply at him.

"What did you say... Third?" her voice like daggers forcing onto the skin. Shinji didn't meet her gaze. He only stared down at his feet.

"I said... shut up..." he squeaked. He felt a hand grab his collar and another hand come flying towards his face but then the caravan screeched to a halt causing both teens to fall onto the floor and onto each other. Misato's face appeared from the front seat.

"I guess this wouldn't be a good time to talk about the birds and the bees huh?" said Misato. Asuka looked down and Shinji was under her looking up at Misato quizzically.

"Please." was the only thing Asuka could say.

The caravan had long since appeared from the underground highway network and had stopped in a suburban type area with the exception of more trees than houses.

Asuka and Shinji along with many other mercenaries stepped from their jeeps. Asuka hadn't realized there was this many jeeps and people traveling with them and the sheer reason as to why they were struck her as well but she decided not to question it. The front driver side of the jeep she had came from opened and a tall woman stepped out. She looked incredibly strong and had strong features. She turned to Misato and said, "I will let my men rest for several minutes. You can let your kids stay with Nana."

"Who's Nana?"asked Shinji as he stepped from the jeep. Lilith smiled and stated that it was her grandmother. She also went on to say that this was a secret rest point that many new recruits took and she pointed to a small wooden home that was almost hidden behind several pine trees. She gestured for Asuka and Shinji to follow but both teens seemed hesitant.

"Come on. She's a sweet old woman." she said. The mercenary woman knocked on the wooden door and waited. Asuka and Shinji stood behind her, their gazes meeting to mentally state their confusion. Moments later the door opened and an old woman appeared. She wore thick glasses and her mesh of black and white hair was tied in a tight bun. She looked old but her aged eyes seem full of awareness and alert as if she grew up experiencing the life of war.

"Ah, my Lilith. How have you been? You haven't been to see me in a year." the old woman said. The tall woman named Lilith smiled and hugged her much shorter grandmother and said something in a language neither teens could understand. The woman then pointed to them and said, "Hey, I know you like taking care of my colleagues. Do you think you can let them spend a night or two here while I do some business? I don't want to put them in any more danger for now." she said sounding as if she knew Shinji and Asuka for the longest. The old woman looked at the two teens and adjusted her glasses.

"My goodness, Lilith. They're just babies!" she said. Lilith nodded.

"That's why I would love it if you looked after them for a little while as I sort a few things out. Just for a little while. They look like they are hungry and could use some sleep."

The old woman looked up and resumed speaking in a language Asuka and Shinji couldn't understand,

"Who are they?"

"They are very important I wager but I cannot ask exactly who they are right now or I might lose the contract."

"I trust you, Lilith. I don't have any trouble taking care of children."

"That's great. Thank you, Nana. Do you remember how to speak Japanese?"

"Oh my Lord, it's been a while since your grandfather and I went on missions. I'll try to remember if I can."

"What about German?"

"German? I think I can sneak a word or two in. Too bad your grandfather is no longer alive. He was German and he spoke it beautifully. I feel ashamed I didn't take the chance to learn it when I had the chance."

"It's alright. If you can brush up on your Japanese a little that will be enough. Alright. I have to go so I'll see you in a few days."

The two people hugged.

"See you soon, come back safe you hear me?"

"I will Nana. Take good care of them."

"Me? You know I care for your men like they were my own children. What makes you think I wouldn't take care of actual children?"

"Ha, I knew you would. Love you."

Lilith walked away and gestured Asuka and Shinji to stay with the old woman. The two teens looked at each other and then at the old woman.

"Um... Ohayo Gozaimasu." said Shinji. Nana looked at him and blinked.

A/N I wonder how this will turn out