Bait and Switch

by Zentrodie

After Shinji returns from his time as LCL the return isn't what anybody had expected. Plans are changed, friendships formed, and a few minds shattered. But hey it seemed like a good idea at the time

7. Chapter 7

Standard Disclaimer

Ugh more snow and job worries. But that's not your problem! Hope you have a good Easter and all that. This story is just about done…

X-X

Bait and Switch

Chapter – 7

Ritsuko was amazed as she stared at her monitor, something was totally unexpected with the code she was looking at. Little over a week since Shinji had come back to his male form and the tests were completed, she finally got around to honestly examining his changes. When Shinji had first given it to her, she did a cursory review to insure nothing really bad was changed or the logic broken. Now, she was generally astonished with the changes. Coding logic was much like fingerprints, everybody had a different style, and Shinji's was simplistic yet refine where Yui's was bombastic and filled with unnecessary variables.

"This is just, he's really got some talent with this. If he keeps up with this, I'd hire him as an assistant!" Ritsuko's eyes danced. It truly was the lads calling if the kept up with it and was encouraged the right way. "Maybe a home visit, see how he's acclimating back to being a boy…man," she blushed softly. After last nights little stumble into the women's changing room, Ritsuko had to see him as a man. His fingers…his tongue…how did that young man get so skilled? Nothing like Gendo had been, he didn't even let her reciprocate it.

Spinning Ritsuko's chair around, a very irate Maya Ibuki crossed her arms and glared down. "So something DID happen yesterday didn't it. I had my doubts over that date before he changed back, but you smell rank with shame!" Maya tapped her finger to her forearm. The small tech was positively alight with confrontation. Leaning in close to her superior officer, "Think I'll go visit him too if you don't mind. We have a date planned for tomorrow, and I want to know what type of underwear he likes."

Well the gloves were off weren't they, Ritsuko reasoned. Saving the code she wanted to talk to Shinji about to a flash drive, the good doctor pocketed it and stood up. Forcing Maya to back down and away, Ritsuko did have height on the mouse. "Maybe I'll just have to schedule a private sync test for him for him then instead. Nerv comes before your wishes," Ritsuko puffed her chest out. Wiggling her larger assets in Maya's face mockingly she tittered. "My you are boyish. If he wanted a girl with a body like yours he has all the teenage girls to choose from. But he knows how to make a real woman's body feel like heaven," he had nursed on her yesterday which was heavenly.

Growling Maya stomped her foot scowled as she tried to intimidate the taller woman. "You'd abuse your authority as his superior wouldn't you! So much for ethics and morals, it's all what the great Akagi wants. To hell with the rules huh? To think I once wanted to…" Maya's face went ashen. Maybe the lil girl hadn't meant to say that last part. Scrunching her eyes shut, Maya trembled for a moment and finally thrust her hands down. "Never mind that! I love him, and I'm going to ask him out officially! I know he's been…a bit touchy since he recovered his body, but I'm sure I can make him happy where an old HAG couldn't." Turning around fast, Maya nearly ran out of the room.

"Well what the hell was that?" Ritsuko stood dumbstruck for a moment. She was older than Maya for sure, but she wasn't an old hag. Anyway Shinji was happy with her, so what did it matter? "Maya's just upset that he's going to choose me over her," she hoped anyway. And what was that business about Maya liking her?! She'd not lie and say she hadn't noticed Maya in the past. Girl was, anger over Shinji aside, perky and energetic. Had she not been blinded by Gendo and the shame ruined her self-esteem and Shinji saved her…Maya had been a little bit of a dream.

Shutting down her computer, Ritsuko checked her watch. Leaving early today would be a necessity, but Maya wasn't going to wait so she couldn't either. Heading to her locker, Ritsuko found her few cosmetics in a small box and dolled herself up. "In a war it's the side with the best armaments that wins, or the most desire to win. And I desire to win," she shuddered hard. Had she ever felt so powerfully for anybody before? Maybe in a drunken bought of depression in college over Misato…college was confusing. But Shinji just filled her mind so often now. "Even if he doesn't chose me, if he's happy I guess I'll be happy for him," she shut her locker and headed out.

"Oh Akagi-san," Shigeru just had to call out to her as she was passing the elevator to the parking lot. The long haired man held is hand out and flagged the absent minded scientist down. Rushing over to the elevator, putting his hand on the door to keep it open. "Just in from the command deck. The Commander is back, he wants a meeting tomorrow of all the command staff and the pilots. Since you didn't answer the phone in your lab he sent me to inform you," the man blinked and gave Ritsuko a good once over.

For a moment Ritsuko felt bad for Maya. They may be rivals for Shinji, but they weren't alone for his affections she bet. "Oh, well thanks for telling me. I have to head out early today, why I wasn't in my lab. Heading over to Katsuragi's to check on Ikari-kun. After Kaji and Makoto's little story about his outbreak, feel I should keep eyes on him," Ritsuko loved that story. The idea of the smaller Shinji just knocking those two pigs down a peg was priceless. "I'll let them know, Misato is still here isn't she?" maybe Asuka was gone, that would make for a nice visit.

"Yeah, and she's been a little off too ever since the last bout of liquid Third Child," Shigeru shrugged and handed Ritsuko a folder. Letting the door go, the musician sniffed the air as subtly as possible and blinked hard. "You wearing perfume Akagi-san?" he shook his head, "Anyway, that folder is for you too. Security traced an old unused account logged in yesterday and modified some of your files. Thought you'd like to see them."

Tapping the folder to her head, Ritsuko waved as the door shut. Was it so odd for her to try and entice somebody? Normal women got to use make-up and perfume all they wanted, so why was it odd when she did it? New laws on repopulating lowered the legal age of consent, so it wasn't like she was doing something illegal. Not many took up the option due to social stigma, but when had society ever helped her? Reading the folder as she walked to her car, Ritsuko nearly spilled the files when she got to her car.

"Synthetic LCL without needing the…I could keep…we could destroy that thing," Ritsuko ran her finger down the pages. It could work! They were all normal chemicals in standard usage, but she'd never have thought of it! Biggest issue with the LCL was the source. Keeping an angel around wasn't really an option, not when things were changing. Those men Gendo used to answer too wanted the LCL rejuvenation plan to go ahead, which trumped the other plans. "But who did this…who…Ikari?" Ritsuko read the name of the access path. Yui Ikari's old ID and Password had logged in and modified the files.

Carefully sliding the potential windfall under her car seat, Ritsuko got in and fired up her engine. The radio detailed a planned symphony coming to town in a week. Maybe she'd ask Shinji if he wanted to go to it with her. They both did enjoy classical music, and it'd be nice to have a date with the man her heart burnt for. She'd do it! No reason not to try, worst that could happen would be she got turned down. Scribbling the details down, she drove off to Misato's with images of fancy dress, lovely music, fine food, and a wonderful after party. Parking in the garage attached to the building, Ritsuko triple checked her door lock, and vaulted up the stairs towards her goal. Her heart raced from the rushing and the hope.

"You're here faster than expected," Maya said as she stood across from the door. "Shinji has company right now. I can hear them through the door…" Maya's face scrunched up cutely. "Well I can hear THEM at least. Two of them, and it sounds like they're the instigators in things, but he's playing them like his cello!" Was that jealousy in Maya's voice?

Ok, it was more being out of shape than love keeping the air out of Ritsuko's lungs. "I need…to stop…smoking so much," her lungs were aching for air. Leaning over, hands on knees, Ritsuko panted hard. "And you can't…hold it against…him right now can you? N-not in a relationship yet. Maybe he just wants…to be nice?" Ritsuko tried a few breathing techniques to recover. Shinji was a teenager, and Rei had been working hard to set up a harem for him. Though Ritsuko suspected after a choice was made that would end.

"Oh and bad news Maya about tomorrow. Not my fault either," Ritsuko held her hand up as a peace offering. No longer feeling like a stuck pig, man she needed more exercise! Shouldn't feel near death after running up three flights of stairs, but she did. Listening to the muted squeals from inside the door, two distinct voices, "Our lord and disgusting overseer Commander Ikari is back and demanding a full command staff meeting with the pilots tomorrow." She offered a sympathetic head nod, it wasn't her fault though.

For a moment Maya stood there unmoving. "I-you…he can't just do that! Stupid rat faced, scraggly bearded monster!" Maya stomped her foot as her temper tantrum ran its course. The one thing Maya didn't do, was assault Ritsuko. Maya seemed to accept it wasn't Ritsuko personally attacking her. "Look, R-sempai, about what I said earlier in your lab. I'm just frustrated about this. I've never felt this way for a man before, or woman for that matter. Forgive me?" A loud squeal from inside got both of their attention.

"Boy is he ever skilled, girls his age might be addicted to something like that," Ritsuko felt envious too. But something was off, Shinji wouldn't have done this before and his hormones should have leveled out by now. So why all this…Shinji had been good with his ministrations damn good, but they came at her request. Shinji was a pleaser not a taker. "Maybe I'll have to run another cat scan on him, the Shinji-kun of two weeks ago wouldn't be like this."

Both women fell into silence as they listened in on things not meant for them. A good twenty minutes later they were watching the door open and two unknown teenagers walked out. A tall blonde American had an arm around Shinji's shoulder and listing heavily against him. "Tiger you are something…oh you have…work?" Felecia ran a finger down Shinji's chest. His shirt was open, and his replicated the act on her.

"Shin-chan are you playing with us? You better have that decision made soon…but if you need more convincing I'm sure Felecia and I could offer you more reason to pick us. We are best friends and we do share everything," Dojiko kissed Shinji's cheek. Taking Felecia out of Shinji's gasp, the girl's legs were wet noodles, the two older girls bowed respectfully to the older women.

Waving with a casual grace, Shinji buttoned up his shirt while eying Ritsuko and Maya. "Of course I'd be willing to show you more self defense moves anytime ladies. As for my choice, I'll be making it soon," he blew them both a kiss and gestured to the apartment. "Akagi-san, Ibuki-san you are here on Nerv business yes? Rei-san and Asuka are here so…" he winked at the giggling teens that scampered off.

Yes, more tests were needed, something was very strange here with Shinji. This wasn't the Shinji she had started to grow to like/love. He was a sweet and caring boy, blushed at a hand touch or light kiss, but still able to make a woman feel loved and with skilled hands. The Shinji before her was…not that man. Walking into the apartment, Ritsuko could smell the tall-tale signs of adolescents. The room smelled like Gendo's office after one of his calls. Ritsuko HATED that smell. Maya had the same expression, Ritsuko noticed.

"Sorry to break your little session up Shinji-kun, I'm sure you got a lot of practice in," Ritsuko saw a stain on the couch and sat on the chair. Pulling out her laptop and firing up her coding examples, Ritsuko listened to the hushed conversation of Maya and Shinji by the door. She was asking about a date, not tomorrow so at least Ritsuko's news had some good use. "Asuka, Ayanami could you come out here please. I have some news for all of you," Ritsuko called out. Seriously Shinji had the gall to make those girls make those noises with others in the apartment?

Slamming her door behind her, Asuka stomped into the room and stood by the couch. "What do you want dye job? I'm not in a good mood after Sir humps a lot had his brain replaced with gold miners pheromones! SHINJI! You ruined the couch with those…those…clean this up!" Asuka sat in the other chair and scowled at Shinji as he joined them.

"They are not gold diggers Soryu," Rei said with less passion but an annoyed tick in her eye. Sitting on the stain, Rei apparently didn't care if her skit got a little dirty, the girl kept her hands on her lap. "They both come from influential family's so would not seek Ikari for financial reasons," Rei slipped back into using the family moniker. "If anything they are fame hunters, nymphomaniacs, or generally in love with Shinji-kun. It smells in here, why?" she sniffed the air like a dog.

Finding several small samples of Shinji's code, Ritsuko's mind was working overtime on this. Was it possible, was the Shinji amongst them not REALLY Shinji? He knew a lot about them, especially her which Shinji was the only one to know. Gendo didn't know her ticklishness behind the knee, Shinji did, and he hit that point yesterday. But the personality shift, the odd actions and peculiar nuances were just…different. "Shinji-kun, I have a few issues with your code, I noticed. As for the three of you, the Commander has requested a meeting with all of you tomorrow," Ritsuko watched Shinji pause.

As he was heading for the kitchen, Maya was blushing and fumbling over to the couch, Shinji turned and a mask feel over Shinji's face. "The Commander has what? I have plans tomorrow for our lovely Soryu here! I'll clean the spilled water later Rei-san, the smell is sweat. I was teaching those two a few hand to hand defense positions. T-that god blasted…." Shinji's face twinged with anger. His hands clenched and unclenched in tight balls of rage. "Asuka, want to have that date today? We can talk about our little science project. You'll be pleasantly surprised," he headed to the kitchen.

"How dare you?! Holding that against me you Perverted freak! Those were NOT defensive holds I saw you…uh…well…"Asuka's face went full red. Maybe admitting to spying wasn't the best option, but she did admit a few truths. "I know enough now about that too! I'll talk to her myself next time! You've changed, and not for the better," Asuka got up and gave Ritsuko a sympathetic glare. "You've missed something when you check up on him. He's not normal," Asuka huffed and headed back to her room.

The trio of women shrugged and Rei got up and headed to Shinji's old room without another word. They all knew something was different, but to what degree. "What was that science experiment Shinji-kun? It better not be you planning to mess with the testing plug again," Ritsuko highlighted her trap. She'd get Shinji to explain this code, if he could. "Maya," she whispered, "don't help him with this. I have to see if he can explain it himself."

Maya gasped at what she was reading, "That is really good! You're saying Shinji-kun coded this? It's like something we did in college just…" Maya's intellectual side was triggered and she started reading in depth. It was something Ritsuko did love about Maya, the woman was a serious worker, and could appreciate what she saw. "You…suspect he might be suffering from something?" they both saw that look of hate that never graced Shinji's face before.

Sitting on the couch between Ritsuko and Maya, Shinji had a sandwich in hand and can of Yebisu in another. Another sign he wasn't quite how he used to be. "Sorry about what you walked in on. Those two have been really anxious to talk to me since I got back to school I wasn't..." Shinji's voice just went out as he stared at the screen. Slowly taking the laptop in his hands, "This is the…and its…w-what did you want me to…" Shinji's eyes went dull and sunken, drawing inside himself like the Shinji of old he was totally closed off.

Unable to help herself, real Shinji or not, Ritsuko snuggled up shoulder to shoulder with the prone lad. "This is that code you showed me before the transformation, I need you to explain it to me. I want to make sure it doesn't break your mother's logic," she could smell him. Just what happened with those two teens, Ritsuko didn't know, but Shinji smelled of sweat and other fluids. "Shinji-kun, are you alright?" he hadn't said anything or even moved since he put the laptop on his lap.

"Shin-chan are you alright?" Maya took hold of one of Shinji's prone hands. "W-what did happen with those two girls, w-we won't be angry. I just want to know where I stand compared to them. D-do I have a chance?" Maya's selfishness did serve a purpose.

With his free hand, Shinji pointed at some of the logic. "Yeah I can explain this code…as for those girl Maya-chan. You don't have to worry about them really. It wasn't much, just a little thing between friends. You have more a chance, both of you, than they do," Shinji said hushed and full of reverence. A tear trickled down his eye, "This is…I mean it's just so…I need a moment." Shinji rushed out of the room and into the bathroom. He came out twenty minutes later and did the best he could to answer Ritsuko and Maya's questions.

X-X

Purple monkey dishwasher! Yui shook his head to try and regain cognitive thought. Some days were better than other, and thankfully today was much better. Eating a banana as he walked alongside his half-sister and the incalculable German, the onetime mother of Shinji marveled at the sensation of the A/C on his skin. Actual sensation, Crow-Servo-Gypsy, was something he had forgotten about and would strive to remember. Locked in Unit-01 for so long, actual tastes, feelings, and sensations had gotten dim and wrong. It got more confusing when Shinji started synching with her and feeding her his interpretation of sensations.

"Are you listening to me pervert? I do NOT want to see you on the girls' side ever again. I don't know why your freak daughter lets you in, but I'm not falling for it anymore," Asuka huffed. Walking down the corridors of Nerv towards the commander's office, the girl was livid. "To think I once thought you were a decent male. Boy was I wrong," she crossed her arms and glared.

Oh this girl, supple and fine smelling, was one of the hardest things Yui had to deal with. Wrapping an arm around Asuka's shoulder, women flesh was so soft, Yui felt her trembling against his grip. Dog water bingo, apples with caramel. "You're over thinking things Asuka is all. Rei-san needed help with her plugsuit is all! Now that's she is almost up to her actual body mass that torture suit she has is to small and she needed help. You weren't there, what should she have done?" Yui said huskily into Asuka's ear. Girl liked it when he did that, when 'Shinji' showed even a little dominance.

Pinching Yui's finger, Rei pulled the offending hand off of her compatriot. "Ikari-kun, now is not the time or place for such acts," she sounded just a trifle bit annoyed. Passing more of the tech workers and janitors, all giving the pilots a wide berth, they always did avoid Rei. "If you were wanting to try your wiles on Soryu, the apartment is the best option. She is deserving of something better than 'a quickie in a closet'," Rei blessed Asuka with a slim upturning of her lips.

Putting his hands behind his head, Yui favored himself a few open glances at the other pilots at his side. "Well if she's game later, I'll help her with some muscle relaxing techniques Maya-chan taught me," really worked to get Maya gushing. Of all the women Shinji knew though, Yui was most annoyed by this insufferable redhead. Shinji's thoughts on Asuka were so bipolar. He loved her deeply, but was terrified of her at the same time. The girl could send Shinji's emotions sky high with a smile, but she crushed him with biting comments. And Yui had full access to everything that happened, even things Shinji forgot.

"Yeah I bet you would. Sorry but you're keeping those paws to yourself, and I don't know if I like you hanging around Ayanami's room anymore. You're not the same as before," Asuka wasn't sounding as powerful anymore. Taking the half eaten banana out of 'Shinji's' hand, Asuka squished it and tossed it into a garbage can. "And stop eating all the damn time! It's not fair you eat and eat but don't gain a single pound! That's just aggravating!" she was right up in his face.

Walking into the command deck, the door to Gendo's office stood a stark contrast to the room it connected to. The door was dark, large, and heavy looking against the green and metallic walls of the Geofront. A confrontation Yui was going to enjoy was behind that door.

Yui's mind, her powerful and strong mind, had survived much to maintain its sanity over the years of sensory deprivation. At first she was just alone in darkness, feeding on her pleasant memories of son and husband. She cherished that boy above all others things, it was why she did what she had to. Unit-01 needed a soul, and Gendo promised her that he'd take care of things.

After what seemed like an eternity, Yui found she could manufacture worlds inside Unit-01. They were dreamlands, visions, illusions of her own design eased her need for companionship. But the taste of food had been dulled, the feel of her husband's flesh cooled over incalculable time. Then Shinji synched with her the first time. Her beloved son had been abandoned and put into a place of mental anguish and pain…by her ex-husband. Though Shinji Yui learned what it meant to feel, taste, and know again. But most of those sensations were tainted with the cruelty fate had thrust on him. But Yui would fix that, had made great headway in fixing that. Those women Shinji cared for, but feared to reach out too, Yui would force that love into the open. But first…she'd get her fill of life, love, lust, bubble gum, colors, and as much booze as Shinji's body could take, oh and REVENGE!

"Ikari-kun, are you alright? You have been staring at the door for a full five minutes," Rei asked hinting at concern. Leaning in closer to Shinji, the albino's ruby eyes glistened with worry. A few of the command staff not needed for the meeting were trying to not be seen watching.

What a pretty face, supple skin, pale pink lips…before Yui could stop himself she was kissing the albino sensuously. The taste was fleeting though, chocolate pancakes, as Asuka showed her displeasure with her fists as usual. Reeling back from the slap, Yui rubbed his cheek, "If you wanted a kiss too Asuka, all you had to do was ask. Rei-chan you go ahead while I see to her," And Yui acted on Asuka's shock. Pouncing on the girl, arms around Asuka's back holding her in place, Yui's mind wandered over peaks and valleys of thought. Asuka must have ate some bacon for breakfast, Yui licked at the salty flavor.

The sound of the door opening and closing intermingled with the sounds of Asuka's struggling. Struggling against liking and hating what was happening, in the end anger won out as it was oft to do with her. Shoving, both handedly, 'Shinji' off her and against the door, Asuka rubbed her lips with her forearm. "How dare you do that to me? I wasn't ready for that, I don't want you to be that…bold! I want…I want the old Shinji back. Not this…pig," she spat on the floor at Shinji's feet. Blushing as the collecting gasp of the crews murmuring hit her ears. "Say your peace and then…stop talking to me," she couldn't meet his gaze anymore.

Red, beauty, anger, hate, abandonment…Shinji. Yui's thoughts were never a straight line anymore. He couldn't stay in this world much longer, or he really would ruin all Shinji's relationships. Getting in closer to Asuka, she back stepped, but Yui closed that gap too. Asuka pressed to the wall, she wouldn't look at him, "You know it's true now. Inside Unit-02, Kyoko's soul resides watching over you. Protecting you and loving you. Sharing your pains, your joys, and your dreams…what you give to her is all she knows of the real world now. She'd be so proud of you," Yui caressed Asuka's cheek and headed into the office. Best not to let the girl's ego take a blow.

Walking into Gendo's office, Yui took in everything and his emotions threatened to ruin everything. Before him were most of the important, for good or ill, people in Shinji's life. On the floor and ceiling were the etchings that he knew, but suspected most in the room didn't. He had been privy to a lot of the details before the activation test. It had been a theory, his absorption, but Gendo promised that if it came to pass. Hacking into the Magi, his old ID and password still worked likely due to Gendo's actions, gave many secrets. What happened to Naoko, the incident with Kyoko, Shinji's tragic upbringing, and the plans for humanity. Destroy, break, ravage, rend, eat, smell, television, Misato's perfume over his body…distraction.

"Third Child you and the Second are wasting our time," Gendo said dismissively from behind his desk. The man watched everything condescendingly and with distasteful interest. "Fall in line, we can begin without the Second," he reclined back into his chair.

Walking up to Misato and Ritsuko, standing between the two, Yui favored himself a small touch of Ritsuko's supple behind. She squirmed and took a small step away from him, likely knowing something was wrong. "Asuka is outside your office right now. I told her something she needed to hear," he idly picked at his nose and flicked it at Gendo. One of his better friend's daughter must had trapped him with that ingenious trap. Shinji's code was so different than her own, he used a steam roller while Shinji used a pick and shovel…and it made Yui's heart sore. That wonderful baby boy of his had such talent, did a parent's heart proud.

"Pilot Ikari, are you alright," Kozo asked with open skepticism. The older man had once been Yui's advisor and confidant, maybe a lover had Gendo not swarmed in. While Kozo hadn't done anything to harm Shinji, he hadn't done anything to improve his life either. His head swiveled to the door as it opened again and a puffy faced but smiling Asuka walked in, "Pilot Soryu, you held up the meeting, is everything alright?"

Forcing Ritsuko to move over, Asuka took up the space on Yui's right and lightly smacked him on the back of his head. Whispering, "Never did tell you my mother's name…you…you're his mother aren't you?" Asuka was almost giddy, her face awash with joy as if a great weight had fallen from her shoulders.

With a single head nod, Yui wasn't ready to make the fact official. He felt a stirring between his legs, thoughts breaking down again. So distracted by the beauty of youth, the daughter of another of his friends…both daughters yearning for his son, odd but fitting. Hand waving away Kozo's concerns, Yui wanted this to be over. He'd emailed both Kaji and Misato most of the damning evidence, likely the UN was on its way. "Why don't you say your piece old men and let us get out of here. I have more important things to do," he winked at Maya who appeared confused.

"Your insubordination is noted Third Child," Gendo's eyebrow twitched. Drumming his fingers against his desk, the man got a sick and twisted grin on his face. "With the sudden change back to male, it has been brought to the consuls attention. They fear the Third Child is unstable and should be sequestered from the other pilots. As such Pilot Ayanami will move onto base and the Third Child will be relocated to Section-23 until this mess is sorted out. Akagi, you will be in charge of reviewing the LCL replacement so you'll be required to stay onsite," Gendo adjusted his glasses.

The room went up in an uproar of dismissals and rebuttals. Rei's head went down but she didn't refute the orders, though she did have Asuka to do that for her which the German did vehemently. Maya and Ritsuko shouted how they had enough to do with the LCL rehabilitation work, and Ritsuko didn't want to be 'on-base'. Misato stormed out how she'd need a raise to cover the maid service needed to replace Shinji, oh and she was his guardian and as such couldn't be separated from him. All through it, 'Shinji' stayed silent and smiling.

Holding his hands up, Yui gestured for quiet. Once the room, Asuka being the last to stop hurling threats of castration, Yui started, "We're not going to be doing any of that, old man." The room's eyes fell on him, various amounts of disbelief etched on all of their faces. Looking at all of them reassuringly, Makoto gave him a thumbs up, Yui let her rage fill her. Rage was something Yui knew well, didn't get to show it much. All one had to do was ask the Third Angel how Yui handled his overflow of anger. "You're going to be going to jail for crimes against humanity, do not pass go, do not attempt to get your three inches of shame on my sister or my friend's daughter again," he stepped right up to Gendo's desk.

"Third Child you will step back in line or you will find yourself in an even worse location, the brig," Gendo threatened. The lines of his forehead creased and became even more pronounced, a sign of anger only Kozo and Yui knew of. His voice rising in growing agitation, "The Major might allow your disobedience, but it stops now. No more coddling to the ego of a chi…"

Yui screamed out so loud the room reverberated at the force of it, "Shut your fucking face!" Grabbing the few documents on the desk, Yui flung them off with satisfying joy. Vaulting over the desk, Yui put his hands on Gendo's shoulders and lifted the cloth upward. "What would you know about children, Gen-Gen?" Yui slipped out his old pet name for the man lost. Smacking the glasses off Gendo's face, he saw the dawning realization there, "You promised me! You BOTH promised me you'd care for Shinji if something happened to me!"

Kozo took a step back, his face going pale and drawn, "Y-Yui…but-but how?" The old professor fell onto his rump with a pained wince. "Ikari-kun stop playing around with this nonsense, how did you come about that stupid name?" he pleaded for earnest answers.

Stop? There was no stopping this, it was a long time coming, and Yui was going to saver every eep and whimper he could get. "Did you forget professor, your favorite student came up with that name after you told me what you named your old ferret," now Gendo joined Kozo in panic filled dismissals. "Oh honey, did you think I wouldn't know? Did you think I wouldn't care what you did to our son? Or how you slept with my friend and if the footage I stole from the Magi this morning is true her daughter?" Yui shook Gendo's head like a ragdoll.

"S-Shinji-kun stop messing around here. I know you don't like this business the Commander is saying, but you can't just go…" Misato tried to calm her surrogate boy down. Rushing around the desk, she grabbed the boy's bicep and pulled. Forcing the man to look at her, "There are better ways to prevent this than assault."

Rei and Asuka joined Misato at Yui's side, but they didn't help her. No the two teens grabbed Misato and pulled her free. "It is as my…sister says, Katsuragi-san. The soul in the body is not that of Shinji but of his mother," Rei deftly kicked Misato's legs out from under her. Dragging the woman further away from the scene of the crime, Rei could be seen openly smiling. "I am not sure when Soryu learned of this, but I was informed shortly after the transformation," she shared a look with Asuka who nodded.

"Ayanami you will unhand major Katsuragi and assist in calming the delusional Third Child down no-OW!" Gendo whined pitifully. Yui's hand clenched painfully on his nose and twisted to the side taking Gendo's head with it. "L-let go of me! You know my nose is sensat…oh hell," Gendo's body sagged.

Giving his ex-husband's overly sensitive nose one last full-fledged squeeze, Yui shoved him back into the chair. "Sorry ladies for the deception, talk to you about it later. But for now…you! You can't even say his name!" Yui's eyes glazed over as a berserker rage flowed within her. "You're plans have been laid bare, given to the government, the council's location exposed, your plans will not succeed. And I will have my vengeance!" Yui raged and dove at the man. Gendo couldn't raise a hand to hit his wife's soul.

The throttling was mighty and long lasting, after Yui rendered Gendo a mass of unconscious man meant, he turned to Kozo. "Why didn't you stop him? Liquefy the whole world? The plan was never global genocide! It was to better humanity, not change it! Once you learned the truth…you should have stopped him, should have helped my boy! Do you know what I went through, what he went through…eat face!" Yui dove at Kozo and repeated the process.

All through the event, the others watched and listened. Listened to the soul of Yui Ikari as he told them all of what Nerv was really doing, most of Nerv's secrets. And when Yui's rage subsided, a troop of UN soldiers led by Kaji burst in with orders to arrest. After they left with Gendo and Fuyutski in tow, the women surrounded the panting and exhausted Yui. "I'll service each of you in turn, but you'll need to get some condoms first. I don't want my son having children at fourteen," he could hope they weren't upset with the deception. It was necessary to see which of them really cared for Shinji and which were just confused. Yui was happy to learn all of them cared, to various degrees…so maybe it was slap and tickle time?

No…no it wasn't.

X-X

All it took was one day for Misato's life to go from comfortably confusing to utter madness! Before she was just depressed that her love life was abysmal with a pig of a man that loved to jerk her chain, and confusion over the fourteen year old boy she pined was older. Sure maybe she drank too much and Asuka was a loud obnoxious brat, but coming home to her little house-husband made life good! Then the mayhem happened. Stupid angels, stupid body swapping, stupid emotions, and stupid KAJI! Being a double agent, a spy using her as a point of contact to steal data from Nerv. And she trusted him!

Standing in front of lower level workers, Misato had just finished her little question and answer session about the changes. "You'll be hearing about this on the news soon. All we ask is you keep things either silent or stick to the details I've told you," she couldn't believe it. Not only was Gendo planning the liquefaction of humanity but Kozo was helping him, and there had been a second group of madmen wanting something else equally horrible. Her mind envisioned a nice can of Yebisu waiting for her back home…home with Shinji's mother. "Any other questions?" she prayed no.

"Major Katsuragi, what does this mean for us?" a slightly obese man asked and swapped at his sweating forehead. The man was one of the workers of the Magi, nice guy that brought in food that his wife made for everybody. Lowering his hand, "I mean, if this whole mess with the angels was a plan for those now gone. Will they keep coming or are we out of work?"

Her lip tweaked just a little at the question, somebody would have to ask that. "Well we don't know long term, but according to documentation we have…we don't have to worry about more angels," Misato hoped the info from Yui was accurate. Right now, Rei was in Unit-00 in the bowels of Nerv destroying an angel. An angel in the basement of Nerv, how could THAT have gotten past her! And the stuck pig of an angel was the source of the LCL. She owed Shinji an apology for that, making him drink angel blood. Holding her hands out to quiet the mayhem, "Now look, we'll have work for some time to decommission the base, create the artificial LCL factory, and whatever the UN wants with the Eva's."

"Now let's leave Misato alone for a while. She had a bad day talking to the UN investigators," Ritsuko grabbed Misato's elbow and drug her away. Pulling the major through the doors and into the ex-commander's office, Ritsuko shut the door and leaned against it. "God, one day we're fighting for humanities future the next we learn we were working towards our own destruction. Just wanted to let you know, Ayanami has finished with the gift in the basement," Ritsuko popped a smoke in her mouth.

Lighting up the cigarette for Ritsuko, Kaji kept a safe distance from Misato. "The members of SEELE that didn't turn states evidence have all come out into the open, the others are in custody," Kaji light another smoke for himself. Letting out a plumb of smoke, the man sighed and leaned against the wall. "All in all, today is a day that will go down in history. We've won and avoided who knows what type of carnage," he pointed at the smoke and at Misato asking without words.

Waving off his offer, Misato felt the urge to bounce him off the wall like a rubber ball. Acting like he hadn't done anything wrong, as if she forgave him! "Then why don't I feel like a hero then? If it wasn't for Yui Ikari we'd still be rushing towards our own demise! I still don't believe it, that the angels are gone just for destroying that thing on Ikari's hand and the white thing in the basement," Misato wanted to go home. No, wait…she didn't want to go home. Going home meant dealing with Yui, and Misato didn't know if she wanted to kick, kiss, or kill that thing!

"Well we'll have to stay on guard for a while just in case she's wrong. And the Eva's will always have a use, at least Unit-01," Ritsuko shrugged and ducked under Misato's fist. Moving behind Kaji using the man as a shield, Ritsuko hide behind the man's shoulder. "Look, we won't be able to have funding for all the units without fear of annihilation, but Unit-01's S2 engine runs essentially for free. And since Yui can't change the imprinting on the core…" Ritsuko frowned and spit out her smoke. Stomping it to the ground.

For a moment Misato forgot Ritsuko loved Shinji, likely more than she did. Misato had caveats, Shinji was too young for her. Ritsuko didn't have that, good for her. "So either Shinji or Yui are needed to stay inside that thing. But if she can control it, why not just…I don't know replace herself with somebody else?" Misato hated the idea of Shinji losing his mother again. How fair was this? They all got to meet Yui, all save Shinji.

Tapping Misato on the shoulder, making the major jump, Rei saluted after attention was attained. "I am ready to go home, Katsuragi-san. Can we go?" Rei kept her gaze firmly on Misato's chin. Pointing to a secret door, as Misato had been leaning against the office's door, Rei answered the unasked question of 'how the devil did you do that!?'. "I believe we should make haste to the apartment, less Ikari-kun take liberties with Soryu's altered state of mind," Rei seemed to not share the same affection for Yui as Shinji.

"Mind if I go with you Misato? Think I want to ask Yui-san some questions," Ritsuko sheepishly tugged on her collar. The scientist followed Rei as the school uniform clad girl walked through the now heavily lit room. Pushing Kaji out of the elevator, Ritsuko just shook her head at the man, "We could do without you right now, Kaji. I think I'm going to have to throttle that…man…woman…I don't know."

Just what did Yui do to you? Misato wanted to know but wouldn't ask. Yui played on her heart and mind, forcing her to think of things she didn't want to. "Yeah, Kaji, no need for the hormone trip right now. Yui is a big enough ball of testosterone right now as it is," Misato hit the button and the door shut. Keeping watch on Rei bouncing on her feet, Misato's mind wandered to that too. What did the 'sisters' do, as Rei and 'Shinji' had been spending an awful lot of time since the 'recovery'. "What is your take on this Rei? Yui in Shinji-kun's body?" all Misato wanted was for Shinji back. Maybe the two of them in an entry plug full of Yebisu to celebrate his return. At that lil mental image Misato's face exploded full red.

Walking through the hidden back halls of Nerv, bypassing the rabble and incessant questions, the trio of women fell into an uneasy silence. Rei led the way to the parking garage by walking ahead of them. All of them, Misato could see, had plenty on their minds dealing with the little double crosser at Misato's apartment. The car ride was even worse, the radio declaring Nerv heroes. A group was pushing a national holiday to honor the pilots and the workers of Nerv. And they didn't know how the truth…Nerv was only partially as great as they wanted to think. The gritty reality Gendo and Seele's plans would be kept secret to prevent mass panic.

"Well who wants to bet Yui has Asuka in the buff on the couch right now?" Misato climbed out of the car. Popping the seat forward so Rei could get out, Misato dreaded she was right. "Asuka has been all smiles since yesterday, and Yui's been sniffing the skirts wherever she could. And eating us out of house and home," Misato shut and locked the door after Rei got out. Maybe once Shinji got his body back they'd have good food again as Yui wasn't nearly as good a cook.

Heading to the stairway, Ritsuko's hands clenched tightly. "He better NOT be. I was a little upset with how I thought Shinji was confused. A teenager suddenly presented with something he didn't understand, but Yui?" Ritsuko spat out. Throwing the door open, the woman rushed up the stairs leaving Rei and Misato in the dust. Her footfalls could be heard echoing as she ran.

Laughing a little, Misato thought it was cute to see the jealous Ritsuko. "Just wonder if she'd feel the same if SHE was alone with Yui. Can't tell what will happen when Shinji gets back, so this might be the only chance she'd have to be with 'him'. Be a memory at least," Misato couldn't believe she had said that. Finding Rei standing stock still by the car, a cold nub of dread started at Misato's feet and worked up to her neck. "R-Rei, how are you feeling about all of this? I keep forgetting this has to deal with you too. Yui was…is basically your parent too," Misato held a hand out to the girl if she wanted or needed it.

Walking past Misato, Rei walked through the door Ritsuko nearly broke. "Ikari-kun is not my mother. Genetically speaking we are closer to half-sisters. As for my thoughts on the matter…I rather not say Katsuragi-san," Rei didn't look or stop. She spoke softly nearly inaudible, but her stride was off. It wasn't that militaristic perfection of form and pose, no Rei was stumbling and shaky of step.

Having a parental moment, Misato wasn't totally devoid of such feelings, she wrapped an arm around Rei's shoulder. Pulling the girl into a half hug as they walked up the stairs, "Shinji-kun will still care about you no matter what form of relation you are to him. He's not the type of just leave somebody over something like that." That was it right? Rei fearing Shinji would stop being in her life. After how close they got it would destroy the girl. "You are worried about that right, and not something Yui-san did to you…right?" oh please oh please!

"I will miss the touch of his flesh, but knowing it was not his soul has left me feeling it was just animalistic," was all Rei said as she stepped onto the floor. Approaching the good doctor Akagi laying on the ground panting heavily, "Your smoking is to blame for this." Maybe Rei did see Akagi as a rival or just didn't mind seeing her in pain, as Rei seemed to be gloating!

Yup, just going to let Rei's comment fade into her subconscious and believe it never happened. Imagining Yui in Shinji's body doing all sorts of tawdry and lewd things with Rei was not on the menu for today. "Ritsuko, we'll just leave you here for now to get your breath back. I'll take a picture of anything going on in there," Misato stepped over the sweaty mess. Maybe next time she went to the gym she'd invite Ritsuko along. They'd gotten distant over the last few months, Yui's little comment about Gendo and Ritsuko startled Misato. If they had been as close as in the past, maybe things wouldn't have gotten so odd.

Pointing at the door, Rei held up a finger and leaned her ear to the door. Couldn't get the cool and calculated workings out of Ayanami if you tried. Behind the door faint conversation could be heard. "I never knew it was…," a female voice. A male followed quickly after, "I told you…enjoy…nude…go with it." Yup Rei threw the door open, it splintered on the wall, and the albino bullet was off to defend her 'brother's' body from Yui's uses.

"Girl needs to learn tact, but I don't want Asuka being unable to see the real Shinji again after this," Misato eyed the broken door. Rei must be a lot stronger than expected, as a palm print was indented in the thin metal. Looking down at the mess crawling up her leg, it was an amorphous blob of blond hair, slimy skin, and clawing desperation. "Ritsuko, you sure you don't want to lay down?" Misato shouldered Ritsuko's weight and drug the woman deeper into the apartment wheezing all the way.

Helping the ball of hands that clenched and pawed at her in sensitive places she hoped Ritsuko wasn't make a clumsy pass at her. Rounding the corner to the living room, eyes closed, "Put your clothes on if you're doing something you don't want is to see what you're doing." She didn't hear any motion, Rei wasn't going to suffocate them Misato hoped. And Asuka was the type to scream shrilly on being seen in any state not wanted. Peeking out through one eye, she saw the duo on the couch, a cushion apart, and Rei standing behind them. "So you CAN play nice," Misato helped Ritsuko to a seat.

Sitting in the chair opposite Ritsuko's, it wasn't the nicest she had but it'd do for now. Misato did not trust Yui not to try copping any feels. Yui was worse than Shinji's friends at that, and it was harder to retaliate when the original owner of the body could get away with it once and a while…if it was an accident or for teasing purposes. "So what have you two been up to?" Misato let her accusatory eye fall on the woman in a man's body.

"Oh just telling young Asuka here about her mother. I looked up the accident, I was devastated to learn what happened to my pen-pal from Germany. Doubly so to learn those bastards at Nerv never let her know the truth. That Kyoko, like myself, was the victim of our respective Units. After that, just tell her stories Kyoko and I shared with one another," Yui reached out and rubbed Asuka's head affectionately. "Girl, sorry woman," Asuka stopped scowling, "Is a lot better than I gave credit for. But Shinji's memories of her were always so mixed. He has such a crush on her but is so terrified of her too. Much like the rest of you."

Rei tumbled forward and occupied the spot on the couch between the two. A controlled fall that ended with her facing forward as if she was there all along. "You said you'd inform me of Shinji-kun's thoughts regarding all these issues. And of your abuse of his visage to gain access to the women I found had desires to be with him," Rei didn't look at anybody just looking forward. Yup, nothing strange here, just your random albino appearing between others like a fungal growth.

"Yeah, Ikari-san, I have to admit I want to hear about this too. Not only do you fake being your son, but you abuse and destroy his good name for a little sex, and what is happening to him right now?" Misato stole the can of Yebisu off the table. She didn't like seeing Shinji drink, even if it wasn't really Shinji. "We all suspected you weren't really him, but if what Ritsuko saw was true, didn't you abuse some teenage girls while pretending to be Shinji? Don't you have ANY shame in stealing your son's innocence from him?" Misato wanted Shinji's first time to be magic. Hers hadn't been, but she wanted Shinji's to be like in the romance novels…not stolen from him when he wasn't even aware of it!

Sliding his arm around Rei's waist, proving Misato right about the wandering hands, Yui's face went slack. Whatever was going on in Yui's head it was complex or his mind just went slack. "To answer you last question first, I put Shinji into a little dream world. After long enough time in there I learned how to do it to keep my sanity from deteriorating further. Right now he's in a world of all my female friends in college…they were a touchy feely lot so he's likely having a very randy dream," Yui giggled and drooled a little. "Men really have it better when it comes to love making, you have no idea," he have her crotch a small rustle.

Plucking the can out of Misato's prone hands, Yui polished off the can. "As for those girls, I explained to them I was exposed to a few things at Nerv that made me a little…randy. They believed it and we both had fun. Leave it to a woman to know how to make another squirt. No worries though, Shinji's likely being taught how right now," again that strange giggle and smile unnerved the room. Yanking Rei's body against his side, the girl fought then relaxed into the grip and closed her eyes, "As for why I'm here…I wanted to meet all of you. I saw his feelings for all of you, but wanted to know if you were good for him. You all pass, even the missing Ibuki and those girls I played with."

Recovering her earlier rage, Misato was the first in the room to act. Rei was to subdued by confusion, Asuka horror, and Ritsuko was still panting. "What about Shinji though! He was a…virgin and you took that from him! What kind of mother uses her son's body like that? And I don't like being judged by somebody that has been gone from Shinji's life all along! Somebody that will hurt him horribly to never see again! And I'll admit I'm glad he won't, he'd be ashamed of HEY!" Misato dodged the can as Yui threw it at her.

"Shut your filthy whore mouth you beautiful big titted woman!" Yui was on her feet in a matter of seconds right in Misato's face. "It'd hurt him more to see me only to lose me again! I'd want nothing more than to see him again, to hold him, and reassure him that life is good despite what he's seen!" Yui got closer to Misato breathing hot and moist. "As for your comment…just because the body is no longer 'pure' doesn't mean the soul isn't! So get off your high horse, how many times did you go after that pig Kaji when you could have just…you know…" Yui cupped Misato's chest and gave it some nice squeezing.

Staring blankly as Yui fondled her, Misato didn't know what to do or think. She just sat there, they all did, as Yui got a nice sampling of Misato's good. They were thinking of the ramifications of Yui's comments, while Yui was getting what sensations she could get before going back to Unit-01.

X-X

For the last five days Asuka's life was an alternation between bliss and utter rage, so just a little more extreme than normal. Knowing that Nerv's time was limited, her mighty Unit-02's fate unknown would have in the past made Asuka terrified. But speaking to Yui about her mother, what Yui knew Kyoko via many an email, had captivated the young woman. On the other side of the Yui coin was the damn man had the nasty tenant to touch inappropriately. And it wasn't just her that Yui was fawning over, it was nearly every woman he came across!

"Are you almost done, we have to get you to Nerv, YUI," Asuka yelled at the man in question. Standing at the gates to the school, Asuka wanted things to move on. While it was great to learn about her mother, Asuka was tired of seeing 'Shinji Ikari Mega-Playboy' and wanted her friend back. Once she had learned the person she was living with wasn't the passive boy that wormed his way into her heart, Asuka let EVERYBODY know it. "Akagi won't wait forever, and I want to try sneaking into my Unit-02," she tapped her foot.

Holding a hand out shushing Asuka, Yui waved her off. "Now ladies, I'll say again that am sorry for the deception, but a mother has to insure the ladies after her son's heart are on the level. And it is a mother's duty to insure that the bride-to-be is compatible physically as well," he cupped Tachibana's cheek. While his other hand was rubbing Felicia's hand, Dojiko clung around his waist in shows of affection. "Shin-chan will be a little shy, as you know, but give him time and he'll be even better at…," he leaned in and whispered into each of their ears in turn.

Blushing horribly Sakura pulled a little away from Yui, "It was an honor to meet you Ikari-san. While it was a little odd to learn that you weren't really Shinji-san it was good to meet you. I hope that when he comes back…well…" She bashfully ran off to her gaggle of friends to the side, her herd accepted her with open arms and giggles. Yes they all congratulated Sakura on her victory over the other women.

Kissing Yui's cheek, Felicia also smacked the back of his head lightly. "I should be mad at you for what you did to me…us, but I don't know your customs. I am glad though that the real Shin-chan isn't as forward as you. I loved his passive nature, but it is good to know he can make me, um never mind. It was good meeting you mother-in-law," Felicia bowed as only somebody uncomfortable with it could and took a few steps away.

Pressing her lips to the unspoiled cheek, Dojiko laughed. "If you weren't holding Shin-chan's body hostage I'd report you to the police mother-in-law. What you did was criminal, using our emotions against us to 'test' us. You're a pervert mother-Ikari," and with that Dojiko smacked Yui hard. Joining Felicia, she stuck her tongue out at him, "I hope the next time I see you, it's the real Shinji."

Asuka watched it all and felt Yui got off easy, but at least it was over. "Are you done being a man slut, Yui?" Asuka spun around once Yui reached her. Heading towards destiny, Asuka spied a look at the boy's face walking beside her. A cute face, but Asuka did find herself missing the sullen soft smile, the bashfulness that Shinji had. Confidence and bravado on that face, while attractive, didn't quite do it for Asuka. She wasn't the cause of it, if that face looked like that Asuka wanted to be the cause of it. Holding her satchel behind her head to block the sun, "Or are we stopping for even more 'potential wives', and here I thought Rei was making things bad for him."

Raising an eyebrow at Asuka, Yui let out a 'oh-ho' and smacked the girl on the back playfully. "So it is Rei now is it? And here I thought you two would always hate one another, glad that you've grown a bit. I'd never forgive myself if Kyoko's little girl stayed the shrill bitch in some of Shin-chan's memories," Yui let his hand stop on her back. Making small circles, Yui pressed whatever advantage he could. After a few short moments Asuka stepped out of his range, "As for those three, yeah I'm done with them. Rei was a very good friend to my boy, and those three would be great wives. They love him, or at least think they do, or they wouldn't have forgiven me."

"At least you hope they forgave you. What happens if they tell their parents and he's arrested after you…" Asuka felt a cold bolt in her heart. Seeing Yui's face go slack and his head fall down to his chest, Asuka felt like an ass. Yui was going back to isolation and solitude, back into the belly of the beast. Just like her mother, Yui was cursed to stay in the core. But as long as she could sync with Unit-02…Asuka would bask in it now. Sadly Kyoko's body didn't get absorbed so Asuka couldn't ask Shinji to liquefy himself for Kyoko to take a break. "Sorry, didn't mean to, sorry about it all," she shrugged.

Taking more liberties, Yui wrapped an arm around Asuka's waist and pulled her close to him. "No fretting young one. I'm lucky to have gotten this reprieve after all. It was a gambit, this whole thing of turning my boy into my body. That had to be hard on him, I know it was," Yui's eyes softened and she let go of Asuka. Skipping ahead, the man let out a big single laugh. "You really are as wonderful as he thinks you are…when you're not being a thunder cunt," Yui wiped a tear from his eye before he started running.

Chasing after the boy, Asuka found herself smiling despite all the bitterness. Yui was such an odd person, but after talking and when avoiding the perversion was very interesting. "You can't expect me to believe that boring boy thinks that way about me!" she really couldn't believe it. Shinji, prior to the change, had always been so nervous around her. After the little incident they became friends, great friends, but hadn't she burnt those bridges. "Wait for me you freak! I'm not done talking to you," she chased but Yui kept running.

Running through a crosswalk just as it turned, Yui spun around panting with a bright grin. "Oh but you have to, Asuka, cause it's true. I can tell you about that night you both forgot. But you'll have to catch me!" Yui teased and busted off running.

Y-Yui knew what happened that night? Asuka's arms fell to her side as her ability to control her limbs failed her. Cars zipped by in rapid succession, but all Asuka could see was that body feeling. The chase was on, the wild gazelle thought it could escape the willy tigress did he? Getting into a runners starting position, Asuka thumbed her nose and licked her lips. "Run you freaking man-woman, because I will catch you, and make you squeal," her eyes were on the light waiting.

Knowing full well that her rear was pointed up in the air, that anybody around could see her in less than a perfect pose, Asuka didn't care. No, she had an odd coworker to catch. Ding the light turned and Asuka sprang off with full force. A late passing car slammed on its breaks to avoid Asuka, she vaulted over it like a hurdle. People blurred, buildings were one grey smear as she pushed her body to the limit. Arms pumped, legs ached, but she had to know. Did…did she really have a chance after all the horrible things she had done with Shinji? What did those two really do, her mind wouldn't accept anything but the truth.

Yui's white shirt was the target, and it was getting bigger. Nerv's main entrance was approaching though, growing bigger than life. A few groups of people were outside with signs and cheering as Makoto gave some sort of speech, Asuka didn't hear it. "Not getting away from me you dyke," what else would you call a woman wanting to hit on all women…derogatory but fitting. He was sliding his card though the door, this would be risky. Either she'd slide through or the door would apply itself to her face with its gentle caress of metal flatness. "And slide!" she dove at the door hoping to make it through.

Lying on the ground on the other side of the door, Yui's arms and legs were splayed out wildly. "Y-you win…tell you as I get…changed into my…plugsuit," Yui panted heavily. The mess of a boy got up on shaky unsteady legs and offered a hand to Asuka. Yanking the girl to her feet, "Still wonder why he never tried to challenge you physically? You'd tear him into tiny pieces if he upset you, why he's been so skittish. Going from sweet and girly with Kaji to shouting insults and debasing him the next. You my girl are the queen of mixed signals and keeping my boy away from you."

Feeling a stitch in her side, Asuka rubbed her back to get the pain to subside. A two mile full on sprint was not in her plan for the day, but she sure got it. Smelling herself and not enjoying it, "Look, I'll admit my thoughts of Kaji-san were a little off. He's just older and hunky, he was with me through my training. I didn't know he was so good at…masking his true intentions." Asuka pulled at her shirt to air it out. Yui was technically a woman at heart so it wasn't as if she was flashing. "And Shinji's just so housebroken most of the time. I hardly got to see his masculine side, but I'll admit he's a better catch than expected," she confessed with a little unease.

Heading into the changing room, Yui shrugged but remained silent. Taking off his cloths with reckless abandon, Yui sat heavily on the bench in front of her locker. "He is a good catch," he said solemnly, "It makes me sick it took my intervention for any of you ungrateful…" Yui just sat their locker closed. A strange yet fierce look graced his face as Asuka shambled into view. Finally opening the metal door, "You'd all just let him suffer until the end had I not done this. You'd hate him for things not his control, Rei would have just watched him, Katsuragi a teasing shrew, and the rest…nothing."

"Hey!" Asuka shot out loudly, accidentally stealing a peak at Yui's little friend, "its' not all our fault now is it!" She was not going to just sit here and be debased by somebody that found it important to watch porn for the last five days straight. Yui didn't have a leg to stand on either when it came to influencing Shinji's mind. "You could have done more before taking the risk you did! He could have tried a little harder to! We're all messed up here, nobody is 'normal'! So don't get on some…some…" Asuka stopped as Yui stood right in front of her fully open before her.

The fierce frown on Yui's face melted into a more maternal grin. "I knew you had fire in you yet. Maybe I was wrong about you. Guess you are worthy of him too. I know it's nobody's fault. But a mother wants the best for their child, and seeing all that's happened it just made me," he slammed his fist into the locker and dented it. "Oops, still stronger than expected," wrapping Asuka in a hug Yui held the girl tight. Whispering into the girl's ear, Yui related the events that both Shinji and Asuka were too drunk to remember. The memories were in the mind still, which gave Yui access during the sync test.

Eyes' going wide as the truth was laid bare, Asuka looked down at her nethers and blushed so red it was impossible to tell where her face ended and her hair started. "S-Shinji put her t-tongue in-in there and…we…we said…I oh my," Asuka slumped onto the bench. It wasn't every day you get proof that the boy/girl you might have a thing for played you like a flute and you loved it. When she went to look up though, Asuka's face accidentally brushed up against something totally unexpected. "Y-y-y-you pervert!" Asuka shrieked so high it passed human threshold for thought.

Grabbing the plugsuit, Yui ran out of the room in the buff. "Sorry! It was just a hot memory, didn't mean to meat smack you!" Yui's voice echoed through the changing room.

His…THING…hit her face…she felt she needed to hurt him for that. "But I won't see you again will I?" Asuka tried to calm down. Rushing after Yui though, Asuka was torn. Now that Nerv wasn't going to be needed, wasn't their some way to get those trapped inside of the Eva's out? What was really needed for this little miracle to work? "Get back here so I can tear it off! You can just liquefy it after and heal him!" Asuka yelled after Yui.

But she never got to see Yui again, the mother currently possessing her son's body was to quick-had too much of a head start. In the testing room, Asuka was met with all those that wanted to watch the change. Misato and Rei were their of course, Maya and Ritsuko scowled at one another, and she made up the last of those not actually needed for the event. They all watched and listened as Shigeru read off the sync percentage. In record time Yui reached 300%, and an hour later a body was back…and of course Yui had to leave one last joke for them all.

A very nude Shinji Ikari climbed out of the plug, only bigger in nearly every way, With the appearance of a seventeen year old, Shinji rubbed the back of his head nervously, "C-could I get some…cloths please?" But they were all just drinking in the sight, Yui had to have had fun with that. Now Misato's height, lean but not 'bulky', and he waggled with enough leeway to make Misato's eyes hypnotized. "H-hello, anybody?" Shinji asked again for assistance.

"Oh I'm going to have to have words with that bitch!" Asuka yelled! Shinji aged wonderfully! Not the gruff and harsh man his father was, Shinji maintained a lot of the feminine qualities Yui had. Nice and lean, hard and man…NO…don't look at that dirty thing. Was he getting bigger…oh god he was getting an erect…

And Asuka fainted.

X-X

Laying in his bed, waking from the first night back at the apartment, Shinji let consciousness steal over him gently. He was a HE again, a very good place he had to admit. Being a woman wasn't all bad, the periods could go to a fiery pit of hades forever, but he suspected he'd rather not occupy his mother's body again. "Would have been nice to see her…to get her out of there," Shinji yawned and scratched at his chest. Knowing his mother was trapped in a giant biomechanical monstrosity did put a damper on his mood.

"Going to need to buy cloths again, doubt I can keep using Kaji-san's," Shinji murmured. Still too tired to fully grasp the waking world, Shinji rolled his head against his pillow. At least he wasn't in his thirties anymore, though Ritsuko did say his 'actual' age was still fourteen. Genetic damage, cellular decay, or other science terms shoot like a rocket over Shinji's head. Only thing he gleamed from the two days of observation was he only looked seventeen and Ritsuko was even more attractive now than before. "Don't know how I'll face everybody though, not after what she said my mother did to them," Shinji shuddered.

A mound under his blanket deemed it appropriate now to speak, "They will either forgive you or be removed from my roster." Rei's demure voice was muffled by the thick comforter over her head, Misato liked to keep the A/C up high making the apartment cold.

"Wha?" Shinji eloquently asked as he tore the blanket down. Sleep vanished from his mind, his brain launched into full on panic mode. Now he could feel her weight against his side, her heat billowing out like a small comfortable fire, oh and she was in a white teddy that almost matched her complexion. "Rei-san! W-why are you sleeping in my bed? W-were you lonely?" he stammered and felt drawn to her. Rei had informed him of the new status as 'second aunt', which did not lower his feelings for her just made them more confusing.

Attempting to either look cute or alluring, Rei pulled off neither but did get bashfully perfectly. "I wanted to insure you were in perfect physical condition. I have not seen or spoken to the real you in several weeks," Rei's hand on his chest made small circles. Pulling the blanket up to her shoulder with her free hand, Rei murmured softly and closed her eyes again. "Soryu will be cooking this morning so we can go back to sleep…you are pressing into my thigh," she said without hint of shame or concern.

Pressing into her thigh, what was? His hands were either on her shoulder or the blanket so the only other…oh…OH! Shifting his body away from Rei, Shinji's face nearly went beyond red into purple. That was another thing he'd have to readjust to, damn thing had a mind of its own and stuck out too far. "S-sorry about that Rei-san. But I think I'll get up and take a shower, you can stay here though. But I don't think Misato-san would approve," Shinji crawled out from under Rei and the blankets. Instantly missing the warmth he found another interesting fact. "Rei-san, I went to sleep in sweatpants, why am I in my boxers?" those things were really tight but he would NOT use Kaji's.

"I don't know," Rei said without hesitation and believability. Hoisting the blanket back over her head, Rei could be heard making pleasant rumblings and rolled onto Shinji's old place on the bed. "Katsuragi-san will have to adapt. You are too big for the couch so we will have to share until a new option is opened," and then she was silent.

Rei was just too good a liar for Shinji to know if she was being honest or not, but his tried and true method of ignoring a problem seemed best. Putting Kaji's borrowed clothing back on, he paused as he finished gazing at the lump on the bed. "Maybe you should sleep with Misato-san instead, she seems a bit lonely if you ask me," when Rei didn't answer Shinji left the room. Kaji hadn't looked to good either when he brought the clothing over, but Shinji didn't have a chance to talk to many people yet. Just Maya and Ritsuko in his hospital room, and that was mostly recalling his mother's actions. Oh and the current status of Nerv and his father. Bummer.

"Stupid eggs don't burn to the pan! OH no the pancakes are runny…I shouldn't have said I'd do this," Asuka's ranting wafted through the apartment. A small stint of German curse words and a frustrated grunt was followed a loud crash of metal hitting sink. "Fine I'll order something! This is beneath me anyway," she sounded far more emotional than normal.

His heart warmed at that, Asuka was actually trying, so Shinji headed into the kitchen with a plan. "Don't order anything, let me cook instead. I feel I need to, payment for all the drama I've caused lately. My mother and I, I should say," Shinji grabbed his apron from its hook. Spotting Asuka's ridged form by the sink, he suspected he shocked her more than normal. "Have a sit and talk with me?" he really wanted to talk to her. Things between them had been so positive lately, he hoped she'd not revert to his 'all males besides Kaji are horrible'. Finding all the stuff he needed to cook already out, and a small toxic waste dump in the sink thanks to Asuka's failed attempts.

Grumbling past him, Asuka kept her face forward as she headed past the lone male to the table. "Yeah you do owe me for all those crazy things your mother did! You'd not believe what she was up to using your body," Asuka sat heavily at the table. Sliding her coffee mug about the table, she huffed and when she locked eyes with Shinji her checks went red and she turned away.

"W-would you tell me about that?" Shinji asked carefully. He cracked a few eggs open into a fresh bowl. Nobody had cleaned much since his second bout of being part of Unit-01, apparently his mother wasn't too keen on cleaning. "I'd love to hear what she is…was like. I'll never get to know," it wasn't fair. Everybody else got to meet her, get to know her, everybody but him. Pouring milk into the mix, he opted to go for the scrambled eggs and pancakes Asuka had started. All he had was a really long dream about some very affectionate women…VERY affectionate…down boy it wasn't real even if it felt like it.

Shambling into the kitchen, clad in a very loose fitting t-shirt that went down past her knees, Misato groaned like the living dead. "Burnt food bad, Shin-chan and Yebisu good…no more burnt food," she cracked her can and chugged. Plopping down in the chair next to Asuka, Misato playfully rubbed the girl's head, "What's got your panties in a bunch? Everything is back to normal…mostly, the war is most likely over, and I'm getting a pay raise!" Misato was instantly more chipper with a good drink.

Shoving Misato off her, Asuka pounded her coffee and slammed the mug down. "We were having a conversation before you showed up. I was going to tell him about his mother's craziness and womanizing! How he hit on, and likely, scored with those three gold diggers. What Yui did around here…do you want to tell him about that? With how crass you are, I bet you'll even tell him that Yui hit on YOU and got somewhere," Asuka's finger jabbed out at Misato's forehead poking lightly.

Listening to Misato and Asuka start to argue over how delicately to tell him about his mother's actions, Shinji felt it comment jab in. As much as they tried to impart a negative, Shinji could only hear joy in their voice. They had fun, it sounded, despite it all. He'd have to apologize to all those Yui had um…hit on…but he doubted they'd be too hard to please. Staring at the sizzling food, Shinji lost himself in their words. Flipping the finished food onto plates, he sniffed hard and put on his best 'happy' face.

"And that's why I had to start hiding my beer from him," Misato finished a small tale of finding Yui nude on the couch with a few dozen cans around him. Taking the plate from Shinji's hand, for the first time since sitting actually addressing him directly, the beautiful woman's hand hung in the air. "S-Shinji-kun are you alright?" she slowly set the plate down. Her chair skittered across the floor as she got up, Misato put a hand on Asuka keeping the girl seated. Rounding the table, "Shinji-kun…what is it?"

Freeing his other hand up by setting Asuka's breakfast down, Shinji took a step away from Misato. Trying to flee back to his safe haven of the stove, he found a set of arms around his waist latching onto him. A funny fact that it was easy to move back to walking in a man's body than it was for a woman, he credited his crazy dream of co-eds, whip cream, and days of confusing carnal experience. "N-nothing is wrong, Misato-san. Just, with how you both talk about her, I just wish I could have," he stopped talking.

Forcing Shinji to turn around, Misato found it harder as the man was heavier and able to resist better. Not having to look down at him, his new height had them eye to eye, Misato ran her fingers against his cheek. "She'd have stayed if she could Shinji-kun, but she couldn't. And this is your life, not hers," she pressed her forehead to his. Closing his eyes she just rubbed a little, "Now none of that mopey business. She'd not want that."

Was she leaning in closer to him? Shinji didn't want to think so, but those dream women's dialogue popped into mind. When a woman was close like that, rubbing like Misato was, it was the sign to go in and conquer. Whelp none of THAT was going to happen, Shinji yanked himself away and stumbled back onto the stove. "Y-you're right, just a little overwhelming I guess. I'm fine, really," Shinji could tell they didn't believe him fully. But it was true, he had never really known about her so hearing stories was actually heartwarming. It would have been more painful to see her only to lose her again.

After the small bout of depression evaporated, and Shinji sat obliviously across from the two enamored women, breakfast started. Asuka stole glances at Shinji as she picked up condiments and juice whenever he reached for something. She brushed her hand against his more than a few times. "So what is the old man up to today?" Asuka asked then slowly ate a sausage lengthwise. "I have Hikari coming over so you might not want to be here. She's going to be gushing about her date with that recovered pig of a boyfriend of hers," Asuka winced and glared at Misato.

"You young lady need to go take a cold shower," Misato eyed the teen over her can. Shaking her head towards the bathroom, the major was coyly giving the teenager many hints to move along. Accidentally brushing her leg against Shinji's, Misato's cheeks went up a ting. When Asuka stayed seated, Misato's lip curled a little, "Anyway, it is true that Suzuhara has been released from the hospital last week. Your mother even hung out with both him and that other geeky friend of yours."

Shinji's body went ridged at that little bit of information. Forcing himself to remain calm and not freak out, Shinji gathered the plates and put them in the sink. "I-uh…well I'm going to go get more clothing. My old stuff is too small for me now, and I'm a little too short for Kaji-san's plus it's not my taste. So Hikari and you can have the apartment. If it's not too much to ask, can Rei-san hang out with the two of you?" Shinji turned the water on. Thinking of Rei was just as confusing now as thinking of all the other women in his life. That outfit she was wearing this morning, so tantalizing. Yeah think of sexy Rei and not of how Touji copped a feel when he had visited under the guise of his mother. Yeah, not confusing there.

"Want me to go with you, Shin-chan? Pick out some snazzy outfits to really impress those classmates of yours?" Misato wobbled as she sat. Intentionally or not, Misato was swaying in a hypnotic manner that just screamed 'touch me…touch me…you know you want to'. Yelping and shuffling in her chair, Misato spun on Asuka in a heartbeat, "Why did you kick me you little ingrate!"

Locking hands with Misato, Asuka got to her feet and the contest of strength began. "Because I'm tired of you acting like some cheap floozy in my presence!" she yelled out. Spinning her wrists around, Asuka forced Misato's hands into a painful angle. "Shaking those sagging bags in his face because you got in a fight with Kaji-san! You have to work anyway, or did you forget the fact that the world is all looking at us right now!" she grunted as Misato started pushing her out of the room. Their mumbling and yelling filled the apartment, accusations and anger hurled like water balloons.

Just let it go…just let it go it was not something to think about right now. Stupid hormonal imbalance making things hard to think, must they all be so attractive and dress so exposed at the apartment? "Maybe they just got used to it from before," he finished his washing and headed towards the door. No time like the present to get out and avoid the still arguing duo. At present Misato was accusing Asuka of eye humping something, Shinji assumed Kaji, the day before. Opening the door, shoes on, Shinji yelped and nearly fell back, "Ritsuko-san, Maya-san…w-what can I do for you? Here for Misato?" They didn't look like it.

Daintily putting her palm over Maya's face, Ritsuko gave the smaller girl a shove away from the door. "Hello there Shin-chan, wanted to come check on you. See if you're…d-doing alright," she made a small eye train up and down the new and improved Shinji. "You going somewhere?" she tilted her head slightly.

Both hands going to Ritsuko's shoulder, Maya shoved with exuberance sending the good doctor yelping and tumbling further down the hall. "Shinji-kun, I was wondering if you'd like to g-go clothing shopping with me again. I doubt Kaji-san had enough to lend…and I wanted to be there in case you wanted to talk about what happened over the last few weeks. Talking to doctors and the like can be so STERILE," she shouted at the recovering doctor.

Shutting the door quick, hoping to prevent any unnecessary drama from those within, Shinji could hear that Rei had joined passively into the fracas. "Speak of the devil Maya-san, I was about to head out there now. School doesn't know what to do with me at the moment," Shinji confessed. He appeared to be in his last year but he technically wasn't. If they did advance him, he'd not be with his friends in class but he would be with those three women that Rei insisted were great 'mates' for him. He hated how Rei referred to women like that in regard to him. They weren't 'mates' they were potential girlfriends/wives.

Rushing back over to Maya and Shinji, now shoulder to shoulder with the smaller tech, Ritsuko latched onto both of Shinji's hands. "Why didn't I think of that? What a great idea, let's go out and have some fun today. With you looking so…" Ritsuko let out a mighty sigh, "different we won't have to worry about you being recognized." Spinning around Shinji's side, hip checking Maya out of the way, she wrapped her arm in his. "We have a lot to talk about too, Shinji-kun. N-now that we know you're back to normal I wanted to reaffirm that…I'm…"

"I LOVE YOU!" Maya yelled over Ritsuko's similar declaration. Both women shared a baleful glare at one another, the let it drop with a sigh. "Let's both go with him, sempai. Make it a good day for everybody, no reason for us to be selfish," she took Shinji's other arm. Both women nodded at each other and gave the lad a chaste kiss on the cheek, "Sorry for fighting. Just emotional high. T-take your time to think about things."

His face felt like it was on fire, but it was such a comfortable fire Shinji didn't mind it. Having a beautiful woman on each arm, both of which he had growing feelings for was delirious. They both said they loved him, and he had no reason to doubt it. But guiltily he was in having feelings for more than just Ritsuko and Maya. He'd never tell Asuka but he felt strongly for her, Misato danced in his mind (especially in her causal wear), Rei had been a dream of his since that smile of hers etched itself in his mind, and he wouldn't lie and say he wasn't attracted to those three girls at school. He saw the three of them, but they were so far above him he didn't consider any thoughts on it. Just goes to show how things could shift.

Heading into the wild world of men's shopping, Ritsuko and Maya forced him to change into outfit after outfit. Both women had good taste in clothing, but seemed to hate the others opinion. As he changed, Shinji couldn't help but notice the clerks giving him an awkward eye. Men nodded, smiled, and gave him the thumbs up as they looked at Maya and Ritsuko. While the women just offered to help him get into the clothing or check his inseam. Lunch was wonderful, each woman cementing themselves in the upper echelon of Shinji's list (right alongside the others).

Things were going great until mid afternoon, that was when the trio of girls from school were found walking and talking amongst one another. They were making some sort of agreement with one another when Shinji and his group literally walking into them. It took the trio a moment before they recognized him…then all hell broke loose. They recognized him and rushed much to Ritsuko and Maya's dismay.

X-X

Authors notes

Well closer to the end here, Yui has come and gone and the whirlwind is in her wake. Was hard to keep all the him/her in place so sorry about that if I messed up.

Ja Mata

Zentrodie