Any author-original Characters/Mecha/Items/and others will be tagged with '*'.

This is set several years after the following conflict of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series, created and owned by Hideaki Anno.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: EVA Reborn

Contact 04: Under One Roof

Everything was pitched black inside a sole room. It was almost void of light, except for one small area in the back of that room. There was a tall window, as high as the hidden ceiling itself. As the blank white light from outside shone through the glass, the window's frames sliced them apart to form mosaic-squares of light. In front of the window was a desk; behind it was a young man.

He was 23 years old, young, slender, and had a business-like air around him. Despite his thorough and greyish-cyan suit, his hair was wild dark blue. His soulless orange eyes glimmered under the darkness, as his hands were folded across his waist.

"Doctor Moriarty…" he called into the darkness. As if by order, another figure stepped forward from the darkness and onto the rug of light. Its shadowy frames ensnared him like a deadly net. He was 60 years old and possibly grew even older by the minute. He wore a bleach-white lab coat and had shocking white close-cut hair and beard. A technological visor was balanced across his eyes and nose bridge, a single flashing red dot of light bounced back and forth across his visor.

"Doctor Moriarty Menov* at your disposal…Master Nero*…" bowed Moriarty.

Nero sat up right in his large chair and leaned forward across his desk, as if ready to pounce on his prey, "My two Requiems have been destroyed…explain yourself."

Moriarty stood back up. His back is straight and his voice did not falter by an inch, "It seemed that your – so-called – enemies have re-formed themselves…and I was unable to predict they would have fought back so boldly…" He grinned, "…ever since their very first encounter. Before the Titan model invaded Tokyo-3."

"When Titanus was lost at first, I thought it would have been a technical flaw in your design schema…" replied Nero, settling back in his chair. He ignored the sneer on Moriarty's face, "I trusted that you would do what you can to prevent another flaw from entering Harpuia…unfortunately, both were actually destroyed…"

"Hmph," chuckled Moriarty, "Believe me, Master Nero, I thought I fixed my own problems as well…It seems that your enemies have reactivated those machines that used to defeat those – so-called – Great Angels…"

"Do not mock them, doctor…they deserve as high of honor in death to heroes…" slightly scowled Nero. His orange eyes flickered with anger, "Trust me…you do not wish to cross my lines again…"

Moriarty returned a carefree chuckle, "Right…Anyways, I am not quite certain if…" He scratched his beard for a moment, almost faking it, "what do you call−"

"Evangelions…" replied Nero, bluntly.

"Yes, Evangelions…As I mentioned, I am not sure if Nerv has successfully reactivated them without the proper equipment, since they were supposed to be disbanded 27 years ago…Still, it is better to check what are we dealing with, than to end up in utter failure…" replied Moriarity

"I trust you will make sure of that…" said Nero flatly, "What is the status of the Prototype?"

"The Prototype is still undergoing repairs. It will still take some time before we can retrieve substantial amount of data it collected during its last combat trial from its fractured core," smoothly reported Moriarty. He straightened his back, "I am confident to get a valuable copy of it as soon as possible."

Nero waved his index finger at Moriarty, "Doctor…I don't care about your so-called confidence…As head of SeL Incorporated, I am a man of business and I always rely on cold hard facts to get straight to my point…As well, I only – want – results…satisfying results." Nero lowered his hand and raised his head, as if to glimpse down at Moriarty from where he sat, "Do I make myself absolutely clear?"

Moriarty kept his visored gaze over Nero. Finally, he returned a light chuckle, "Crystal – clear…" He then gave a short bow, "Master Nero…" With that, Moriarty turned and left into the deep darkness. As he walked off, he gave himself a secret and arrogant smirk. Soon, his entire body melted into the shadowy darkness.

Nero wearily blinked, "Basil*…Constantine*."

A pair of young and slender figures stepped out from the shadows and stood before Nero's desk. The light across the floor revealed half of their identities, both being young men.

One was 18 years old, with wild orange hair and a haughty expression. He wore a long yellow coat over his brown and green-stripped clothing. Plugged to his ears was a pair of MP3 headphones, buzzing with loud and fast-paced music. Basil opened his closed emerald green eyes and yanked the wire, unplugging his ears with a grimace, "Yeah pops?"

The other was 19 years old, who had short auburn hair, tranquil cerulean blue eyes, and a gentle and down-to-earth complexion on his face. He too wore a long coat, only his was a mix of dark blackish-blue and several dark red patches over evergreen clothing. He was reading a thick novel, held in his right hand, until he closed it and lowered it from his face. Constantine gave Nero a calm and cheerful smile, "Yes father?"

"When the doctor dispatches the next Requiem to Tokyo-3," said Nero, "I want you two to go on a little errand for me…"

Basil's eyes widen with utter excitement. He pumped his right arm by his side with a cheeky grin, "Su-weeeet!"

"With restrictions of course…" Nero added flatly.

Basil stumbled on the spot, his ecstasy shattered by Nero's words, "WHAT?! Aw, but come on, pops! No restrictions, pleeeaaase!" Basil could barely hold himself back as he narrowed his eyes at Nero, "I had enough of those phoney 3D fighting simulations! I want the real deal!"

Nero blinked, "The time for you to take part in the destruction of my enemies will come soon enough…rest assured…" He quietly turned to Constantine, "Make sure he does not get out of hand."

Constantine returned a nod, "I shall, father."

"BUT – I – DON'T – WANNA – WAIT!" groaned Basil. He looked like a child whose toy was taken away by his parents, as a punishment.

Constantine turned to Basil and calmly smiled, "You shouldn't pester father, Basil. He will eventually give you a chance to fight someone strong…"

Basil straightened his back and folded his arms. He threw his gaze to one side in silent tantrum, "You better be right about that, C…or it'll cost ya…"

"Here are you objectives…" sighed Nero, "find out what are my oppositions in Tokyo-3. Whatever happens with the Requiem and its encounter with the enemy−" Nero stared straight at Basil, "Do – not – interfere." Basil groaned, rolled his eyes, and lightly kicked at the floor, "I want a reconnaissance on who I will be dealing with…No mishaps…Do I make myself absolutely clear?"

Constantine and Basil returned a synchronized nod, answering in unison, "Understood,"

"Good…" whispered Nero. He lay back in his seat and watched the two boys departed, both swallowed into shadows' bowels, "Soon, Nerv, very soon…you shall fall under my righteous inferno, for the sake of the Great Angels you so happily massacred…" Nero's orange eyes glinted with malice, "And after your demise, next…the world…"

*****

My eyes fluttered open from my sleep. I pushed myself up across my bed and rubbed my eyes. I gave a wide yawn as I lightly patted my mouth. Finally, I stared into empty space deep in thought.

It has been several days since the last Requiem attack on Tokyo-3. Since then, I have been pulling all-nighters in hopes to redo my research of energy generation. I let out a sigh and a smile. Fortunately, I remembered I completed it last night. The Nerv scientists then took over the more major parts of my research and try to create a battery pack for EVA-01.

Oops, I thought, that's not the right name. I must have picked up on calling him that, ever since I was surrounded by other technicians that use that title…I smiled a little wider and tried to hide a blush, even from me. Atticus Ayanami Ikari is his true name, besides being called as EVA-01…Come to think of it…I too have a similar code name.

I brought my legs about over the egde of my bed and stood up. I stretched out as I felt the tired muscles in my back tickled me. I am Keiko Langley-Soryu Birmingham, also known as EVA-02. I could not help a frown. I kept trying to get more details of why I was called this ID name, as well as how did I come across obtaining the power equal to Atticus. We both shared the same strength. Strength of an EVA, as other people in Nerv would whisper about.

I shook my head. I doubt now is a good time to be thinking about that. I was actually eager to find out about the progress of this new battery pack that the scientists plan to make. The battery pack is meant for Atticus. For some reason he is like a machine that requires constant energy supply or he will last no longer than eight minutes. I wished I could help Atticus any way possible…for he saved my life.

I covered my shy smiled with my hand again and I approached my dresser. I just couldn't wait to see Atticus out of his recharging tank, walking around like a normal person. I opened both doors of my dresser, I gagged. All my clothing were completely identical…My specially made crimson combat uniform made by Nerv, the Aegis Cloth.

I recalled Misato-chan telling me that as the newest 'EVA' of Nerv, I was obliged to be on combat-standby whenever a Requiem would appear again. I think she may have taken it too literally.

*****

I let out a deep sigh as I strode down the headquarters' small hallway. Almost everything was metallic as I heard my own footsteps tap under me. The reason I sighed was because of my outfit…my Aegis Cloth.

Though it was strangely comfortable, and somewhat suitable with the short mini-skirt on top of my black pants, but nonetheless it looked a little awkward. It was practically a cross-breed between half of a sailor-school uniform and a military uniform. I let out a sigh again.

Suddenly, I smelled something. Hm? I thought. I stopped and turned to my right. Beside me was a wide and large metal door. I smelled something…something good and nostalgic. I wonder what was going on inside.

My curiosity got the better of me and I strode right through the automatic doors. I stepped into a large room, almost equal in size to my old high school cafeteria. I saw long tables and benches, but the entire area was void of life. Still, I continue to smell that delicious scent. My mouth watered a bit and I couldn't help a gulp. I slowly followed the source of the scent toward an open kitchen range. That was until I heard familiar voices.

"That's right, nice and easy," said a female voice softly.

"Understood, lowering performance output by 10%," said a young male's voice. I peeked into the kitchen. I could not believe what I was seeing.

"Misato-chan?" I wondered, "Atticus-sama?"

Misato-chan perked her head up, from whatever she was doing, and turned to me. To my surprise, her cheeks were patched with flour and drops of batter. She smiled her cheerful smile.

"Yoh! Keiko-chaaan!" she grinned. I blinked in confusion. Misato-chan was wearing a violet tank-top, a pair of jeans, and a pair of socks and rabbit slippers. She had a pink and red checkerboard-framed apron on and a small red bandana wrapped around her head.

More shockingly, standing right in front of her was Atticus. He was in depth with something across the stove, his greenish-purple eyes neutral as always. He too wore an apron and had a bandanna wrapped around his head. Better yet…was he cooking? He held onto an old frying pan in his left hand and clutched onto a spatula in the other.

"Anou…may I ask…what are you doing?" I asked.

Misato giggled. She surprised me of how much youthful energy she always give out while being 40 years old or so, "Come on in and see for yourself!"

I returned a nod. I walked to one side and approached the door that led into the kitchen. Just as I passed the automatic doors they slid back shut, but I suddenly bolted forward. Huh? Something snagged onto me. I turned to see the edge of my skirt clamped between the teeth of the door. If I hadn't known any better, I thought it could have grinned.

"Ah…Misato−"

"HUY-YA!" Before I knew it a jean-covered leg, with a rabbit slipper, shot up and kicked straight into the door's face. Obediently, the door opened and released my skirt. Though I was free, I could not help a shiver as I blankly stared at Misato-chan lowering her kicking leg, "Tch, that ought'a teach you a lesson." She then turned to me and I practically squeaked, "Gomene [Sorry], Keiko-chan. Most of these doors are kind of old and likes to play little tricks on us…"

I slowly shook my head. Thank goodness there was not a reflection in sight; I could have scared myself if I ever saw how pale my face was.

"Misato. Is it time?" asked Atticus. His voice brought me back to reality and I turned to him. Misato-chan and I approached Atticus from behind and I looked over his shoulder.

"P-pancakes?" I wondered out loud.

Atticus heard my voice and turned to me, his face still passive, "Ohaiyou gozaimasu, Keiko-san."
[Good morning]

My cheeks burned red and I shyly looked away, "O-o-ohaiyou gozaimasu, Atticus-sama…and Misato-chan…"

"Ah, ohaiyou!" smiled Misato-chan. She turned to Atticus, "I think that one is okay. Scoop it up onto a plate and get started with the next one. I'll tell you when to flip it, okay?"

Atticus nodded, "Understood." Without another word, he scooped up the finished pancake with his spatula. From the pan and set the pancake onto a nearby plate. He set aside the spatula to pick up a large bowl of batter. He started to start it.

"Anou…Misato-chan…wh-what are you doing with Atticus-sama?" I asked.

Misato giggled as she stood by Atticus' side. She watched him pour in a large spoonful of batter onto the sizzling pan, "Teaching him how to make pancakes, what else?"

I suddenly noticed something. Atticus was standing right in front of me, still cooking. Something did not add up…That was until it hit me.

"EH?! Atticus-sama! You can't be out here! You only have less than eight minutes before you shut down! Please go back and recharge before it's too late!"

Atticus perked his head up and turned to me. Despite his passive expression, I saw confusion in his eyes, "I do not understand."

Suddenly, Misato bawled out with laughter, "HA-HA-HA! Oh Keiko-chan, you're so cute when you're scared." My cheeks turned beet red as Misato-chan turned to me, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, "Atticus already started making pancakes 20 minutes ago."

"Eh?" I couldn't understand what was going on. That was when Misato-chan gestured me to come closer. I did and she lightly pulled back Atticus' Aegis Cloth jacket from his waist. Huh? A belt? It was no ordinary belt though. It was completely made out of metal and chain-strapping, with several monitoring screens and lights. It lightly hummed, filled with electrical energy.

"This is the Orion Power Belt*," said Misato-chan, "thanks to your hard-work in your research, Nerv was able to use your information to create the new portable battery system for Atticus. He can now walk, run, fight, and do whatever he wants, all under five to six hours."

A wave of relief washed over my body. I let out a sigh and smiled, "That's good to know."

"Thank you."

I perked my head up in surprise and turned to the voice. It was Atticus, his eyes on me. Behind his silent exterior, I felt his thankful will touching me, "Thank you for your help. Keiko-san."

I shyly shook my head, "N-no…not at all…" Soon Atticus turned back to his task and blankly stared at the frying pancake.

"Misato. Is it done yet?" he asked. Misato-chan looked over his shoulder. She hung her left arm around his shoulder and held him close as she examined the pancake.

"Hmmm, let's give it a few more minutes…" she replied.

Atticus nodded, "Understood. Standing by for next phase of task."

Misato-chan grinned and lightly nudged her head against Atticus, "Heh-heh, you do that…"

"Anou…Misato…chan?" I wondered, "Are you…Atticus' mother?"

Misato-chan perked her head up with surprise. She turned her head in anxiety and blinked, "Wha-whaaa? What makes you think that?" I didn't know how to answer the question; it just suddenly came out of my mouth without even thinking. I unconsciously stared at her arm around Atticus. She noticed my eyes and nervously stood up straight, waving her hands in innocence.

"No, no! Of course I'm not his mother!" she answered. She stopped waving her hands and gently lowered them to her sides. She turned to stare at Atticus, both dreamily and solemnly. She cracked a faint grin, "His real mother has departed from this world…" I gasped. A cold sting ran down my spine.

"I-I didn't mean to ask…I had no idea…I…" I stuttered. Misato-chan waved a hand at me with a comforting expression.

"Don't be silly, Keiko-chan, you never knew," replied Misato-chan. She let out a sigh, "His mother passed away at childbirth, leaving Atticus and Shinji-kun alone…" I shivered. What a tragic thing to hear…I felt a little guilty for unknowingly bringing up such topic. I was glad that Commander Ikari was not present to hear about it. Misato-chan approached Atticus and rested her right hand on his head. She lightly rubbed his hair, almost motherly-like, "I am his god-mother."

I was surprised. I turned to Atticus for a moment. He had no reaction whatsoever. He simply continued to stare at the pancake on the pan.

"G…god-mother?" I asked. Misato-chan nodded and walked up to me, her hands trailing off of Atticus' head.

"Atticus is a good kid…it's just so sad his family was broken right after he was born…poor kid…" She leaned at a nearby counter-top and turned to me with folded arms, "Ne, Keiko-chan."
[Hey]

"Ha…hai?" I asked.
[Yes?]

She returned a cheery wink, "Don't tell Atticus up front, okay?"

"Eh?" I turned to Atticus, who was standing no more than half a meter away from us, "But…couldn't he hear us now?"

Misato-chan smirked and narrowed his eyes with an air of mischievousness, "Nah…Whenever he is focused on a particular task, he barely listens to anything other than orders…Observe…"

Misato-chan turned to Atticus. He still blankly stared at the pancake in silence. To my surprise, Misato-chan placed on a very young and girlish voice, "Ooooooiiiii!" Atticus made no reaction, he still stared at the pancake, "Yoohoo! I'm a cute little bunny girl and I wuv you!" No reaction; but I felt a shivered down my spine, "A-tti-cus-chaaaaaaaaaaan!" To my surprise, Atticus didn't even react to his own name. That was when Misato-chan frowned and her eyes narrowed. She spoke out in a flat tone, "Oi, Atticus!"

Atticus perked his head up at the call of his name. He turned and blinked, "Hai? Misato."

Misato puffed her cheeks out in annoyance and pouted, "He never likes me calling him with 'chan'…" I tried to hold back a giggle.

"Misato. Is it ready to move on to the next phase?" asked Atticus. Misato pinched her eyebrows together in confusion.

"What phase…." Her eyes widen, "GAH! Atticus! Flip-it! Flip-it! It's overcooked!"

*****

Makoto Hyuga yawned loudly as exhausted tears welled up under his glasses. Together, he walked with Shigeru Aoba and Maya Ibuki down the hall.

"Ah…What a night…Can't believe we could finish up with Atticus' power belt before dawn…" sighed Hyuga. "I'm exhausted…"

Ibuki could not help but nodded off to sleep as she slightly faltered in her step. Aoba stretched out his arms with a groan as he scratched his chin.

"Well there is still one person who refused to chip in with the effort…" grumbled Aoba. He turned to glare over his shoulder, "Right, Ichikawa."

"Urusai!"
[Shut up!]

Kiera Ichikawa trailed a few steps after the three. She lowered a thick math textbook from before her face, revealing her properly rested complexion and snarl. Her make-up had been applied again, despite having natural beauty, as a vein throbbed across her forehead.

"I have a stinkin' math test coming up this afternoon! There is no way I can have any chances of passing it if I stayed up several nights in a row!" she growled, "Besides, I won't let the likes of that Keiko-vixen look down on me. She thinks she's so smart, just because she graduated university earlier than I could graduate high school!

Aoba turned to look straight ahead. He ignored her and waved his at her remark, "Yeah - yeah, whatever lazy-bones…" A text-book soared through the air and made its mark across the back of Aoba's head, "OW! HEY YOU BRAT!"

Kiera grimaced at Aoba as she retrieved her text-book from the floor, "You deserved it…"

Suddenly, Hyuga stopped while Aoba and Ibuki continued forward a little. He started to sniff at the air. Aoba noticed Hyuga and stopped as well. He was reluctant enough to help Ibuki stop, before she nearly dozed off and continued forward in her semi-sleepwalk.

"Hey, Hyuga? What's eating you?" asked Aoba. Ibuki wearily turned around. She suddenly awakened to a sweet smell and she started to sniff at the air.

"Hey…do you smell that," she wondered, still exhausted. Kiera ignored them all and stood nearby. She merely buried her face back to studying from the textbook. She took a short moment to flip the text-book right-side up as she groaned.

"Actually…" sniffed Aoba, "I smell it too…"

"Wonder what it is?" asked Hyuga. Soon, all three Nerv Technicians turned to the large door that led into the mess hall, "Is it there?"

"Heh, one way to find out," answered Aoba. Together, Aoba, Ibuki, and Hyuga started to walk towards the door, with Kiera quietly following in their tracks while reading. As soon as the doors opened, they all stepped in. Then they were suddenly greeted by a kind voice.

*****

"Irashaimase, Aoba-san, Ibuki-san, Hyuga-san," I giggled whole-heartedly, "Ohaiyou gozaimasu…"
[Welcome!]

Aoba, Ibuki, and Hyuga blankly stared at me, their mouths wide open.

"Ah, o-ohayou…" uttered Hyuga.

"Uh…what's going on here?" wondered Aoba. Ibuki nodded, practically too tired to speak.

I giggled again and smiled, "Come on in and you'll see!" I turned to the kitchen area and called out, "Misato-chan! We need a few more orders!"

Through the kitchen counter gap, Misato-chan returned a thumbs-up, "Oh-kay!"

"O…orders?" wondered Aoba. Before he could asked anymore, I immediately ushered them to a nearby table.

"Please have a seat! Breakfast will be served in a few minutes!" I told them. One by one, they sat down. I finally realized that Kiera was with them just as she bumped into my back. I turned to her as she lowered her text-book a bit for me to see her narrowed eyes. I smiled at her, "Ohayou, Ichikawa-san. How are you?" She said nothing. She raised her text-book to hide her face again and brushed right past me. She then sat down next to a half-awake Ibuki. I was curious of Kiera's response, but immediately shrugged it off as I sauntered to the kitchen counter.

"H-hey…you don't suppose that…" wondered Aoba.

"That Misato is the chef?" finished Hyuga flatly. They both fell silent. I turned around with a pair of plates in time to see a queasy blue aura hover over their heads and shoulders. Ibuki on the other hand barely could keep her eyes open for more than a minute. Poor her.

I gently set down the plates to Hyuga and Aoba and quickly ran off to get more.

"Eh?!" cried Hyuga.

"P-pancakes?" uttered Aoba. He groaned, "you're kidding right…I remember she can't even make instant curry properly…"

"Uuuugg," whimpered Hyuga. I returned with more plates and set them down in front of Ibuki and Kiera. Ibuki started to stir awake at the sight of the pancake before her. Kiera on the other hand turned to the next page, muttering calculations under her breath. I was about to tell her that some of her calculations were wrong, when the door to the cafeteria opened again.

"Hm? Did I come at a bad time of any sorts?"

I turned and lightly gasped, "C-Commander Ikari-sama!"

Commander Ikari stood at the doorway and stepped in, with the doors closing behind him. He curiously stared at all of us as he blinked behind his yellow-tinted glasses, "What's going on?"

"Yoh! Shinji-kun!" Misato-chan had popped out of the kitchen with two plates in hand, both having pancakes on them. She grinned, "You're late."

"Ohaiyou gozaimasu. Chicchiue." Atticus appeared from behind Misato-chan. He carried a single plate with several strands of steam billowing from it.
[Chicchue = Father]

Commander Ikari returned a cheerful grin, "Ah, ohaiyou, Atticus."

"Commander Ikari-sama, please have a seat and try this special breakfast!" I said, almost excited as Misato-chan.

"Y-you didn't create it…did you Misato?" whispered Hyuga.

Misato shook her head with a smirk, "Nah, I didn't feel like cooking…but someone special did…"

"Obviously, Keiko-vixen…correct?" muttered Kiera. I had just seated Commander Ikari when I heard her call my name.

"Hm? Me?" I asked.

Kiera slammed her text-book shut and dropped it loudly on the empty seat to her left, "Well, I shouldn't miss this chance to try it then…"

"Chicchue," called Atticus. Commander Ikari turned to his son. Atticus held out a single plate to his father with both hands, "This…is for your." Commander Ikari took the plate in his hands. He looked down at it and suddenly gasped. I too covered my mouth.

The pancake was pitched black…Oh my god…It was cooked to nothing by a black crisp, "A…Atticus-sama?"

"Remind you of something, Shinji-kun?" asked Misato-chan with a faint smile. Commander Ikari said nothing. He stared at the plate in his hands.

"Misato mentioned," spoke Atticus, "that hahaoya…used to make them like this…"
[Hahaoya = Mother]

Misato grinned as she sat down, "Right, Shinji-kuuun?"

After a long and quietly moment, Commander Ikari finally chuckled, "Ittadakimasu…"
["Let us eat."]

"Ittadakimasu!" we all said, including a whisper from Atticus.

Soon, we all took a bite out of our pancakes. At first silence lingered in the air. As I ate mine, I sort of felt anxiety coming from somewhere. I turned to look around. That was until I nearly broke my teeth by biting on my fork. It was Atticus. Though he looked calm, I saw his nervous anticipation within his greenish-purple eyes. Finally, the silence was broken.

"ECK!" shrieked Kiera. I jumped on the spot and stared at her wide eye. I saw she push away her plate and leered right at…me? She had a half-grin half-grimace on her face as she continued, "This taste horrible! What did you put into it, Keiko-vixen? Poison?!"

I think she made a mistake, "Uh…I didn't…"

"Well of course you didn't literally put poison," guffawed Kiera, "you don't even have the guts to pull of something as dastardly as that! Hah! I bet you mistaken a simple tea cup to be a measuring cup!" She shrugged with an air of arrogance, "Of course little accidents like that are normal for those who rush themselves to finish university…" She practically growled at the end of her sentence.

"Um, Ichikawa-san…I didn't make the pancakes…Atticus-sama did."

Silence returned with a friend: horror. Kiera's expression never changed after I told everyone the truth. Soon, her lips grew paler and paler by the minute. I even caught sight of her rapidly glimpsing at Atticus and Commander Ikari. Aoba hovered his fork over his plate, while Hyuga had his in his mouth. Ibuki was wide awake and calmly blinked as her hand was frozen with her fork. Misato-chan said nothing and had a weary look on her face as she mouthed a piece of pancake. Suddenly, I felt Atticus' anxiety dissipated. What shook my nerves was the presence of absolute dread. I turned around to see him. I gasped. Atticus was standing and facing the farthest corner of the room. A rather large and dark aura of gloom hovered over him.

Kiera's eyes were wide with silent terror. She gulped and slowly stood up, picked up her plate and text-book, and quietly shuffled towards the door.

"Well, I say it taste great!" called out Aoba. Kiera froze and threw an angry glare at Aoba. He grinned as he took another bite, "Trust me, I had all sorts of pancakes several years back and none of them taste as good as this! You've got my pancake-vote any day, Atticus!" The aura around Atticus shrunk a little.

Hyuga happily finished the rest of his plate. He actually had a genuinely joyful grin, "This is amazing! And you don't even need syrup! More please!" The Atticus' gloomy aura shrunk some more.

"Uwah! It's really good! It even got me awake!" cheered Ibuki, completely energetic, "Mind if I have seconds, Atticus? I really, really, like it!"

Misato chuckled as she rested her fork across her empty plate, "Heh, your pancakes can beat my instant curry anytime, Atticus-chan!"

Atticus' aura slowly shrunk bit by bit, but it still consumed his entire body. I smiled, "Thank you very much Atticus-sama…I really enjoyed it." His aura died down only a little, but not enough.

Finally Commander Ikari smiled, "It's…delicious…"

Atticus gasped with wide eyes. His aura of dread shattered like a window at Commander Ikari's words. Slowly, he turned to his father in bewilderment. I turned too, as well as everyone, and I was suddenly caught off guard.

A tear dropped onto the back of Commander Ikari's hand. I couldn't believe it…was he…crying? More tears welled up and rolled down Commander's Ikari's face. He held back his urge to cry as he sniffed back his tears. He choked as he cracked a shaky smile.

"It's…the same…it's…delicious…" stuttered Commander Ikari. Atticus straightened his back and gazed deeply at his father.

"Ha…haoya…" whispered Atticus. Misato-chan simply smiled. Aoba, Ibuki, and Hyuga all exchanged happy grins. Kiera on the other hand was clueless, but kept her silence.

I smiled at Atticus and gently rubbed a small patch of flour from the corner of his left eye. He raised his gaze at me, silent and resign, "Thank you…"

"No…not at all…" I answered.

"Kind of feels like we're a family, eh Atticus?" lightly laughed Misato-chan, "ha-ha, more of a makeshift one don't you say…Shinji-kun?"

Commander Shinji Ikari dabbed the tears away with the back of his white-gloved hand. He returned a short nod and grin, "Ah…a good family…"

"A…family…" whispered Atticus.

Sirens wailed. Red lights blared. Our peaceful moment was shattered in seconds.

Author's Notes

Orion Power Belt: A specially designed and scaled down portable power-pack in a shape of a metal belt. It is particularly designed for Atticus to allow him to fight freely for a time-limit of 6 - 7 hours, instead of 8 minutes. In the anime series, the Evangelions required constant energy in order to fight the enemy Angels. There was one time where they had portable battery packs to give them power supply, seen in Episode 11: "The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still".