Chapter 13- The Kindest things cause questions

Neoathena: Hey, I know it's been a while. There has been a lot of stuff going on in my life and I just now have found the urge to write again. Thank you to everyone who has read this story and I hope you continue to do so!

When Rei woke up she was in a familiar hospital room. Why did they always bring her here? It was as if she should just live here in this room instead of at her apartment. That would be more efficient probably.

Then again, if she did so, what would happen to Shinji? She told to allow him to live with her. Then again, the Commander had only told her that it would only be for a little while. What would happen to her once he left? Would she go back to being the quiet and reserved girl that she was? She sighed and closed her eyes once more.

Elsewhere in NERV, Shinji stood in his father's office, once again. Why did he seem to be here so much anymore? His father had never shown much interest in him before, and even less before he was a pilot. Yet ever since Asuka had left, he had been in here twice within two weeks.

"Shinji," Gendou spoke quietly, not turning to face his only son. "Asuka never showed up at the airport for her flight. The two agents who were to escort her there were found unconscious. You shall have to stay with pilot Ayanami for a bit longer."

Shinji blinked and then a small smile crept upon his face. Why did it sound like his father was apologizing? That had never happened before, not to mention that there was nothing to apologize for. He enjoyed living with Rei. "That is fine father. She seems to enjoy the company and it is much calmer and easier to study there."

His father smiled briefly before spinning around to face his son. "Very well then. Be cautious, though. Asuka may blame you for all that has befallen her."

Shinji thought about this for a moment. She tended to dislike it when he was superior. He simply nodded to his father, waiting to be dismissed.

"One other thing before you leave. The anniversary of your mother's death is approaching. I was wondering if you would mind going with me this year, instead of going separately like we do all the other times."

Shinji blinked to his father in surprise, but quickly recovered. "That may be nice…" he said quietly, his head tilted downwards.

"Very well," Gendou said, his mind conflicted over the question. He watched his son turn and leave, thinking of the ways they were both trying to change and how that change would have made Yui smile ever so slightly.

Shinji walked the familiar halls of NERV, also conflicted over what his father had just said. Hadn't he seen Rei with his father one year at his mother's grave? Why did he all of a sudden have such an interest in the son he for so long pretended not to have? What was Asuka planning to do to him? Was he even the target at all?

He shook all these thoughts before reaching the hospital ward, finding Ayanami's usual nurse and asking her if it was okay to see her. The nurse smiled pleasantly and informed Shinji that Rei would be ready to leave in a little while, but for now she was undergoing some more tests and couldn't really talk to anyone. He nodded and decided to leave NERV for the day.

Asuka stood in the garden that had once belonged to Kaji. She looked at Tokyo 3, eyes narrowed and stance rigid. To some she may look like a statue in the field, for her breathing was light and inaudabile. She tried to figure out who she could go to that would provide her a decent hiding spot. Hikari would tell someone, compromising her cover. The other girls in the class had started calling her devil girl before she had 'left'. The only one she could think of was Kensuke. The blubbering idiot had it for her so bad that he would probably do as she said the whole way through. Controling him would be easier then piloting Eva, for even with that, she still believed herself to be the best.

So the red haired girl went off, in search of Kensuke's house and the beginning of NERV's end.