Disclaimer: i do not own Evangelion

A/N: Okay, so after I uploaded last chapter it was brought to my attention that the letter was in a rather odd place. That wasn't intentional, even if it did have some sort of artistic value. Sorry if that confused anybody. I believe that i've remedied that. Anyway, here's ch. 2. sorry for the wait, this story won't be updated that regularly because i'm working on a Zelda one at the same time. Enjoy

Chapter 2

It was around seven o'clock and Shinji was on his balcony flipping through the American muscle section of a used car magazine, cigarette in hand when he heard a knock on his door. Putting the smoke out, Shinji went to answer it. Whoever was on the other side was getting rather impatient, as they continued to knock ceaselessly. "Chill out, I'm coming," Shinji yelled, mildly irritated. However, the person on the other side had apparently lost their patience, for as soon as Shinji placed his hand on the knob the door flew open; nearly breaking his nose in the process.

"Shinji!" someone screamed in rather high-pitched voice. Before he had time to react he was pulled into a suffocating embrace. "What the hell took you so long, we've missed you!"

"Hey Misato," Shinji said, letting out a low chuckle. He made to return the hug, only to realize he could barely get his arms around her. Pushing her back a little, his eyes shot wide open as he got a good look at her new form. Holy crap, he thought Misato's sto…"Go ahead and say it, Shinji. 'Holy crap, Misato's huge!'" she said in her best imitation of her former charge. Shinji just grinned, scratching the back of his head. Looking past Misato, he suddenly realized that she hadn't come alone.

"O, hey Kaji!" he said excitedly. "It's good to see you again".

"Likewise, Shinji. Been doing well, I hope," Kaji replied.

"What the hell is this?" Misato yelled, looking at each in turn. "Kaji gets a 'It's good to see you again,' and all I get is 'Hey, Misato' and a stupid chuckle!" Misato said, incredulously.

Shinji smiled apologetically. "Sorry Misato," he said. "Come on, lets go sit out on the balcony, its gorgeous out tonight. Kaji, you want a beer?" Shinji asked, heading towards the fridge.

"Sure, Shinji, I'll take one," the older man replied happily as he made his way out to the balcony.

"What, again?! I'm here too, Shinji, or have you already forgotten?" Misato yelled, glaring at the poor boy.

Shinji closed the fridge, a beer in each hand and gave Misato a brilliant smile. "Come on, Misato. I could never forget about you. I didn't even offer because you're pregnant. I wouldn't give you one even if you'd said yes," he explained.

Sighing, Misato just turned around and marched off towards the balcony, mumbling something about how she didn't need taking care of and she was the one who bought him the beer in the first place. Shinji rolled his eyes and followed them out, handing Kaji his beer and taking a seat next to Misato.

"Well, Shinji, despite the fact that you've been rude I suppose I'll ask how you've been. I see you're looking for a new car… and picked up smoking" she pointed out, noticing the magazine and pack of cigarettes on the table.

Shinji nodded, taking a drink from the golden can. "Yeah, not one of the better moves I've made. So many people in Europe smoke that I started up without really giving it any thought. As far as the new car, yeah, I'm looking. Not having a whole lot of luck though".

"Really?" Misato asked, slightly surprised. "What kind of car are you looking for that you can't find one?"

"Well, I told Kensuke and Toji earlier that a friend of mine in Greece owned a '67 Pontiac GTO. I'd like to find one of those," he said, leaning back in his chair and lighting up a cigarette.

"Shinji, there's one right on the cover, what do you mean you can't find one," Misato asked.

"Well, I was kind of hoping to make it a project car. The one on the cover is in really good condition, I wouldn't get the chance to put a whole lot of work into it if I bought one like that," he stated.

"Ah, I see. Gotten into auto mechanics, have you Shinji?" asked Kaji.

Shinji nodded, "A little bit. I'm no expert yet, but I enjoy working on them, and I'm a pretty quick learner".

"Well," Misato said, "in that case, I'll have to see what I can do for you. Do you have a garage to work in?"

"No," he said, shaking his head, "I'll have to figure that out. I do however have one hell of a tool chest. It's still on its way here". This last point he said with great pride.

"Well then, Shinji, we'll have to find a place for you to work. But enough about the car. How were your travels?" asked Misato.

"I'd have to say they were pretty incredible. Getting away really helped me figure out who I am and where I'm going," the young man explained. Shinji and Misato spent the next two hours trading stories while Kaji mostly just sat there, throwing in his two cents only when asked or to elaborate on what Misato was saying (and occasionally to poke fun at her).

When nine o'clock rolled around Kaji finally spoke up. "Misato, dearest, we should get going. I have to be at NERV early tomorrow, and you need your sleep."

Misato nodded, getting up from her chair with incredible ease; a feet which Shinji found impressive seeing as how large her stomach was. "Kaji's right, we'd better get going Shinji. But hey, you know, you should stop by NERV tomorrow for a visit," she said excitedly. "A lot of people there miss you and would love the chance to get to see you again."

Shinji shook his head. "Misato, I know I said that I've come to grips with my past but…"

"Relax, Shinji, I'm not asking you to pilot. I'm just saying you should stop by and see everyone again," she said, trying to convince him. "Besides, if I'm not mistaken I believe Asuka has a sync test tomorrow. You two probably have a lot of catching up to do," she said with a mischievous wink. Shinji simply rolled his eyes, finally agreeing to stop by. "Good then, it's settled. Here, take this. It's a visitors pass so that you can get into headquarters".

Shinji took the pass from Misato and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You were planning on this from the start, weren't you?" he asked suspiciously.

Misato just gave Shinji another playful wink before her and Kaji said their goodbyes and made their way out the door. After closing the door behind them Shinji turned and leaned with his back against it, staring at the visitor's pass in his hands. I wasn't exactly expecting to visit that place again so soon. O well, better to get it over with now than put if off. With that thought Shinji made his to his room and collapsed on his bed, tired from the day's events. Flipping on his mp3 player he quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.

Shinji woke up early the next morning and made his way into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee; another habit he had developed in his travels. While the coffee was brewing he went into the bathroom for a much needed shower. As the warm water rolled down his body his thoughts began to wander. So I suppose I'm stopping by NERV today. It will be good to see everyone again, I guess Although I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to face Asuka today. Maybe I'll try and sneak in and out during her sync test. Shinji then got a mental image of Asuka's reaction when she found out that the third child had been there and snuck around so that he didn't have to see her. Chuckling at this thought Shinji got out of the shower, slipped on a pair of jeans and made his way into the kitchen.

Plugging his mp3 player into the small speakers he had with him he flipped it on and went over to pour himself a cup of coffee. Setting the pot back down, Shinji made his way out to the balcony and took a seat facing the rest of early morning Tokyo-3; leaving the door open so that the sound of the small jazz combo could still easily reach his ears. Lighting up a cigarette to complete his morning ritual, Shinji went over the days itinerary in his head. After stopping by NERV, he decided that he'd go around town in search of a car. After that he figured that he'd give Kensuke and Toji a call to see what those two were up to. He spent the rest of the early morning sitting out on his balcony sipping coffee and watching as the rest of Tokyo-3 began the day.

--

Shinji slid his pass through the scanner, opening the door in front of him. Going through, he made his way to the elevator. Pressing the down button, he waited for the elevator door to open. It did so almost immediately, revealing two people whom Shinji was quite familiar with.

"Oh my… Shinji?" the brown haired girl asked, not quite sure she could trust her eyes.

Shinji stepped into the elevator with a grin. "Miss Ibuki, Hyuga," he said, nodding at the two.

There was a moment of awkward silence as the other two stared at him in surprise. All of the sudden Maya gave out a rather uncharacteristicly high pitched squeal. "Oh my God, it is you!" she screamed, wrapping him up in a tight hug. "How have you been, everyone's been wondering about you. We've all missed you these past few years!"

Shinji chuckled, gently detaching himself from the young bridge bunny. "Oh, I've been around. Hasn't Misato filled you guys in on my life while I was away?" he asked.

"No man," Hyuga said, "she just kept telling us that you were doing well. Said you were becoming a man of the world."

At this remark, Shinji laughed a little more whole-heartedly. "A man of the world, huh? I don't know about that. I mainly just traveled bits and pieces of Europe. Stayed in Ireland for two years with an elderly couple then decided it was time to come back".

"Well I'm glad you did," replied Maya, who still seemed to be excited about the young man's presence. "So what are you doing here? I'm assuming that you're not going to pilot, right?" she asked, attempting to hid the worry in her voice. She knew as well as anyone save Misato how piloting had affected him.

Shinji shook his head, noticing the relief on her face. "No, I'm not. Just here for a visit. Figured I'd watch Asuka's sync test while I was at it."

Hyuga got a look in his eye which Shinji recognized immediately as being the look Misato got when she was about to tease Shinji relentlessly. "Ah, I see. Here for the second child, are we? Who can blame ya man, she's grown into quite the fine young woman," he said with a wink.

Shinji got a sheepish grin on his face and could tell as soon as Maya opened her mouth that she wasn't going to make this situation any less awkward. "That she has. However, you've grown into quite the attractive young man yourself. Heck, if I didn't think Asuka would rain hellfire down on me for doing so, I believe I might be making a pass at you".

This comment aroused a blush from Shinji. Just then, the elevator doors opened up as if someone was watching over him. Kaji was standing in the doorway and gave Shinji a warm smile. "Ah, Shinji. I'm glad you could make it. I see you've already reunited with some of your former co-workers," he said, stepping into the elevator. Shinji grinned and nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Well, shall we go to the bridge? I believe Asuka's sync test is about to begin. In fact, she should be changing into her plug suit as we speak. Care to watch the test?" Kaji asked.

"Sure," Shinji said. Then, leaning in so that only Kaji could hear him he asked, "Is there any way I can watch without her seeing me, I'm not quite ready to face her yet," he explained. Kaji simply nodded his understanding. When the elevator came to a stop, Kaji was the first to step out, motioning for Shinji to follow him. The two made their way to the top level of the bridge, Shinji standing next to Kaji.

"You should be fine here. The camera's tend to not focus on me unless I have something important to say," Kaji comforted.

After about ten minutes wait, in which Kaji and Shinji made small talk, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi entered the room. The shock was evident on his face when he noticed her. Turning to Kaji he said, "I didn't know Dr. Akagi came back. I figured she'd stayed behind when no one had heard from her for so long."

"Yep, she came back, although I'm not entirely sure why. When we first found her all she was doing was sulking around in self loathing. Misato finally got fed up with it and told her to make up for her… past transgressions by coming back to NERV and doing something good with her life. I think she was going to object, but you know Misato. She didn't leave her much choice in the matter. Since then, however, she seems to have been considerably more at ease with herself and those around her," Kaji said.

"Huh," was all Shinji said in reply. He watched as the doctor walked over to Lieutenant Ibuki and the exchanged a few words, a shy smile on the bridge bunny's face. Shinji smirked at this, but didn't voice his observations.

Finally, Ritsuko turned and gave Kaji a questioning look. If she noticed Shinji standing by him then she hid it well, for she showed no sign of it. Kaji nodded his head to her and she turned back towards the massive screens in front of them. The screens all came on at once, and pictures of Asuka and Unit 02 were everywhere. "Alright, Asuka, we're ready to begin. Are you good to go?" she asked.

"Sure am. Let's get this over with, I've got a friend I'm meeting right after this," Asuka said.

"Wouldn't happen to be Shinji, would it," asked Ritsuko mischievously, eliciting a groan from said Ikari.

Asuka gave the doctor a strange, almost offensive look. "Shinji? Where the hell did that come from?! I haven't talked to that dummkopf since he ran away! Good riddance I say," Asuka fumed.

"O, no reason, just trying to get a rise out of you. What do you say we begin, huh?" Dr. Akagi asked. Asuka just gave an affirmative "whatever" and they began the sync test. From where he was standing, Shinji could swear he saw a small smirk on Dr. Akagi's face.

"Well, Shinji," said Kaji, "it seems that the good doctor had it already figured out that you were avoiding Asuka, wouldn't you say?"

"She's gonna get me into more trouble than I'm apparently already in," Shinji groaned.

As they watched the sync test, Shinji could see that Asuka's scores had drastically improved since last he saw here. Her sync score was sitting at a steady 92 percent, which was impressive to say the least. As the sync test was coming to an end, Shinji turned to Kaji, getting ready to ask if there was a way out of NERV where he could avoid Asuka for a little longer when the alarms began to blare. Shinji whirled around and faced the screens. Several pictures of the surrounding Tokyo-3 area replaced those of Asuka and Unit-02.

"Ma'am, we have reports of two massive objects on the outskirts of Tokyo three! Patterns match that of an Eva," Maya yelled, confusion etched in her voice.

As things became hectic, Shinji turned to Kaji. "What's going on," he asked.

"Hmm, I'm not sure," Kaji replied coolly, " but I believe we are about to find out. It seems that you have picked a rather interesting day to return, Shinji. Things may get a little crazy here in a second."

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Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Please review.