Shinji Steel 42

Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

(Tokyo-3 streets; ten minutes later)

As Shinji's car races toward NERV under a two-car Section-2 escort, he glances toward Asuka in his passenger seat before Rei in the backseat before grimacing. They have the same look as he. Concern for their friends and loved ones. Without warning, Rei opens up.

"Do you think Richard and Ritsuko will be alright?"

"They should be. A D-17 evac order applies to all civilians and non-essential personnel within a 50k radius of Tokyo-3. Even if they are significant others." Asuka can't help but snort in amusement.

"For a guy that doesn't much like being here, you're well-versed in NERV procedures, Third." Shinji can't help but grin at the redhead's method of giving out praise.

"Thanks, Second. Even though I'd rather be elsewhere, if we don't fight them, who will?"

"Agreed. Failure or second guessing ourselves is not an option." Rei's voice is determined as she goes on. "With the three of us, humanity may well have a chance to survive."

"Are you kidding me, Wondergirl? With the 'Invincible Shinji' and the 'Great Asuka Langley Sohryu' with you in humanity's corner, we're unbeatable!" Next thing Shinji knows, Josh's voice comes through.

"Man, is she absurdly confident or what?"

'I hear what you mean, Dad. But I still can't believe one thing, though.'

"If you're talking about 'Smiley' being Captain of Section-2 until 'Commander Dumbass' returns, neither can any of us. It's almost as if we'd wound up inside some type of whacked-out parallel world."

'You got the whacked out part right. What do you think, Berto?'

"I think he may be legit now. He's not as psychotic as he was before. If anything, he's more human nowadays."

'Yeah. What do you suppose brought that about?'

"Your guess is as good as ours, Shinji." Kat's voice is unsure, yet hopeful as she goes on. "But if he is indeed going nice, it's a good change for him."

'We can only hope so, Kat.' Upon seeing an entrance for the Geofront up ahead, Shinji sends, 'Coming up on NERV now. I'll keep transmitting so you can get an idea as to what's going on against this latest Angel.'

"Got it, Shinji." With that, contact ends and the three car convoy enters the car train. Within five minutes, they arrive at the Geofront.

(Ten minutes later; briefing room)

"That's a really ugly motherfucker right there. Kinda reminds me of 'Dumbass'." Shinji's words get a chuckle from Misato before she goes serious.

"Only 'Commander Dumbass' doesn't drop bombs from his own body like the Angel does." Giving Maya a nod, the picture below their feet changes. "One of them hit the ocean just before you got here. The resultant wave wiped out Australia. We're only lucky that region was abandoned last year due to excessive heat killing off the remaining vegetation." Rei and Asuka look over at Shinji and see he's clenching his fist.

"So it's a living bomb then." When Misato silently nods, Shinji asks, "What's the plan for this one?"

"Given it's descending rapidly, and making its way here, the plan is for you three to catch it." She looks right at Shinji as she adds, "I know you'd never used it before, Shinji, but you do know about it from the training you'd undergone." At Shinji's nod of agreement, Asuka can't help but blink in bewilderment.

"Are you talking about using our EVAs' AT-Fields? To catch a bomb?" When Misato nods, Asuka looks back over at Shinji and asks, "You mean you haven't even used your AT-Field once since you got here?"

"That's right." Upon seeing Asuka's glaring, he shrugs and goes on. "Never really saw much call for using it in the past as the element of surprise worked well. So it just rested idle in my mind in case the need for it came along."

"Then you better get it ready, Third, because the need for it's just arrived!" Asuka huffs at him before turning to Rei. "Given what we now know of him, what do you think our chances are, Wondergirl?"

"Given his not having used the AT-Field up to this point, I can only postulate this will be an interesting battle."

"Interesting? INTERESTING? WE'RE GONNA GET CREAMED, WONDERGIRL!"

"Asuka, calm down." The sound of Misato's voice gets Asuka to look back at her and sees a sheepish grin on her face. "It's not really Shinji's fault he hasn't used the AT-Field before. He'd attacked the first two targets by surprise when their pants were down. The 5th Angel was interesting because Shinji leapt right out of the Cat shaft before drop-kicking it. Only to use a sniper tactic for it later that night. You were there for the 6th Angel. The 7th Angel. The 8th Angel. And the 'recently' deceased 9th Angel. What do those tell you?" Asuka ponders it before her eyes go wide.

"Their AT-Fields weren't even up when they attacked?"

"Not that we could detect at all." Maya's voice gets their attention before she goes on. "We always had our scanners waiting to pick up an AT-Field, but not once did it register. Shinji's surprise attacks were the reason for it." Shinji gives an understanding nod.

"It gave us an edge for a time, but the element of surprise can only last so long." Looking back at Misato, he asks, "So how're we doing this?"

"Your EVAs are to be positioned at the sites on the screen." Once their attentions are on the screen, she goes on. "Sniping it will be impossible, given its velocity and the Earth's rotation."

"Leaving catching it with our EVAs." Shinji's words get a gulp from Asuka before he goes on. "It's our best bet alright." Misato gives a nod before he asks, "Just how did you figure the positions, anyway?"

"Just a little women's intuition." Her reply was all too cheerful for Asuka's taste.

"What happens if we miss?"

"Then we all die." Still too cheerful. Getting Asuka to groan.

"I need to call my lawyer." Thinking about it more, she adds, "Nah. Forget my lawyer." Misato nods before bringing up a folder.

"Regulations state that you need to write a Will should you not survive this mission."

"I have no need to write a Will. I don't even intend to die without having been kissed first!"

"I see no reason to write a Will as I do not feel we will die."

"I'm feeling pretty good about our lives here and elsewhere." Grinning upon hearing Josh, Kat and Berto cheering him on, Shinji adds, "That Angel ain't gonna wreck or end 'em when those that came before it couldn't."

"Alright. When this is over, I'll treat you three to a dinner." Seeing that their attention had been gained, Misato then says, "Get to your EVAs, you three."

"Roger!" With that unified reply, all three Pilots turn to exit. Shinji steps out ahead and grins at the two girls before turning around.

"C'mon, you apes! You wanna live forever?"

The two girls grin before shaking their heads at his upbeat personality. As the three exit, they can hear Misato and Maya chortling. Chortling as well, they head for the EVA cages and for their respective Units.

"Just remember, Third. You need to use your EVA's AT-Field too. This Angel we don't want making contact with the ground."

"Yeah. An Angel's wanting to do the world's deadliest belly flop from the ultimate high dive position and we gotta catch it. How nuts." Rei and Asuka can't help but giggle at the description of the 10th Angel. "Still, at least we can finally use our AT-Fields. I've always wondered about its effectiveness."

"I suspect we're about to learn, Ikari." With that, Rei breaks off from Shinji and Asuka, heading for Unit-00. Asuka can't help but roll her eyes at Rei's parting comment.

"Talk about being as subtle as a chainsaw."

"No, Asuka, that's you." Asuka can't help but grumble before coming to a decision. As they reach Unit-01's gantry, she leans over and pecks Shinji on his cheek. "Asuka?"

"Takamiya's a lucky girl, Third. I hope I'll be as lucky as she is to find someone." Playfully shoving him onto his gantry, she adds, "But, like I told her during the break in sync training that day, if she does something stupid like break up with you, I'm gonna come after you to make you mine. So don't you dare die on either one of us." With that, she strides away. A wide smirk on her face. A stunned Shinji, however…

'Okay. What was that about?'

"Offhand, Shinji, I'd say you just gotten entangled in a love triangle without intending to." Kat's voice has a measure of mirth before she goes on. As Shinji gets into his entry plug, no less. "I'd say you're lucky to have two girls caring for you that way. Oh, you lady-killer."

'I'm happy with Ritsuko. I am. Asuka's probably just trying to rattle my cage.'

"She's doing a good job of it too, hermano. But look at it this way. Ritsuko may not be the only girl to consider you good enough for her after all."

'Very funny, Berto. Oh, by the way, how soon you and Kat planning to get hitched?' Before Berto can even reply, Kat does. A sultry purr to her voice.

"Here's the deal, lover-boy. All three of you survive this and the wedding's right after the war ends. Josh as Berto's Best Man, Laura as the Maid of Honor, Jefferson to give me away at the wedding. You, Richard and Touji as the groomsmen with Ritsuko, Rei and Hikari as the bridesmaids."

'Yeah, and if Asuka had a guy of her own…'

"Exactly. Sorry, but I'm afraid she's only going to be a guest. Misato and Kaji, however… " Shinji gives a barely perceptible nod as his attention is demanded by the comm. console.

"Ikari here."

"We're ready for you three to get into position, Shinji." Misato's voice is stern, yet warm, as she goes on. "So stop daydreaming about weddings. Especially the ones unlikely to happen."

"Right." Giving Misato a wry grin, as he knows that Misato was listening to Kat as well and found the idea unthinkable. Kat, on the other hand…

"I still think she's still in love with him."

'I think you're right.' Without further warning, Unit-01's catapulted to the surface and Shinji grits out, 'We just had to goad her further, didn't we?'

"It's all in good fun." Kat can't help but giggle at Misato's groan, easily audible to Shinji via his probes. "Of course, after we get married, you and Ritsuko can get hitched."

'I like the sound of that.' Next thing he knows, he sees an orange glow in the distant horizon. Starting Unit-01 off at a run, he calls out. "Angel spotted! Moving to projected intercept point!"

"Unit-00 responding."

"Unit-02 en route! Hang in there!"

"Roger!"

As Unit-01 thunders toward the intercept point, Shinji could swear he feels an encouraging pair of hands on his shoulders. Along with hearing a soft voice whispering softly to him subconsciously. Without thinking about it, he transmits.

'Berto, can you pick up anything in the entry plug via the probes?'

"I can try. You'll have to 'go turbo' when the Angel hits your AT-Field though so I can see if I can find anything."

'Copy. I'll "go turbo" at the intercept point.'

"I'll be ready, hermano." When Unit-01 arrives, Shinji activates his AT-Field. Just as the 10th Angel makes contact, he 'goes turbo'. "Searching for any anomalies now."

As the Angel struggles to get past Unit-01's field, the presence in the plug is confused by what's going on with Shinji until allowing its presence to be known. As the presence is really quite curious about that first battle Shinji had been in to begin with.

'Damn, this fucker's heavy and I'm dipping into the yellow now.' Spotting Asuka and Rei's Units coming up on him, he grins out, "Hey, you're just in time to help me give this Angel a proper good-bye."

"Are you kidding, Third? No way we're going to miss this send-off!"

"Agreed. I'm expanding my AT-Field." Rei's AT-Field is expanded, allowing Shinji's 'shoulders' some measure of relief.

(Old Osaka; N-Tek Lab; sublevel nine)

As Berto feverishly works to find out the source of Shinji's curiosity, he hears a feminine voice. What it's saying, however, is being lost by Shinji's T-juice fluctuations.

"Hello… hear me? I'm trapped… get out."

"I can hear you, ma'am. I'm boosting the signal right now." As he boosts the signal, the voice comes in clearly.

"Thank God! I haven't spoken to anybody in years! Who are you and what's going on with my baby?"

"I'm Roberto Martinez, Berto to my friends. As for your baby, you can't possibly mean…"

"I do. Shinji."

"You're Yui Ikari? But, you're listed as being deceased in a freak accident!"

"I am. We'll get back to my accident another time. But what's going on with Shinji?"

"It's something of a long story, Ms. Ikari."

"I'd say so if my baby's able to do the things he did with Angels. And it's Yui. Ms Ikari is for door-to-door salespeople." Yui then has a chuckle to her voice and adds, "This fight is done now. But before we lose contact, I want you to help me tell my baby I love him."

"Okay. I'll see if I can patch you into the comm. set-up I have for him… and there! You're live!"

(Battle zone; same time)

As Asuka draws near in Unit-02, her prog knife deploys. With a feral grin on her face, she stabs the prog knife into the Angel's AT-Field. While this is going on, Shinji hears a feminine voice that, to his knowledge, he hadn't heard before. For an instant, he could swear he hears sobbing.

"Oh, my baby. What's happened to you?" The voice then sniffles and says, "I love you, my precious little boy."

At that point, Asuka's Unit-02 stabs the Angel. Resulting in the Angel draping over the EVAs before detonating. The resultant fireball knocks out communications between the Evangelions and NERV. Yet it allows for the next to happen in private.

"Mother?" Upon hearing no reply, Shinji stops 'turbo' and asks, "Get anything, Berto?"

"I did, Shinji. There's no easy way to say this, but Yui's in there."

"But, how? She died in a freak accident."

"I told her that too. She said she'd get back to her accident another time though."

"So let me get this straight. My Mother's been inside Unit-01 all this time and I happened to have 'picked her presence up' when my probes were active?"

"It's not a slam dunk, but it seems that way." Shinji silently nods before looking over at Units 00 and 02.

"If my Mother's inside Unit-01, what about Asuka and Rei's Mothers?"

"Only way to find out would be for NERV to put you into the entry plugs."

"And there's not much chance in that, is there?"

"Seems like it, hermano." Shinji and Berto can't help but sigh at that. Right about then, communications between the Evangelions and NERV are restored.

"Shinji! Asuka! Rei! Any one of you respond if you can hear me!" Misato's voice is justifiably anxious as she pleads, "Please, if you can hear me, say something!" Deciding it's too good a chance to pass up, Shinji answers her.

"Something." Misato can then be heard giggling and sobbing at the same time as she talks.

"Only you can crack a joke like that, Shinji. Rei and Asuka?"

"I was about to reply, but I thought I'd let Shinji answer first." Asuka then giggles as she adds, "I gotta admit, Misato, you walked right into that one."

"I agree, Major Katsuragi." Rei's soft voice gets Shinji to grin. "When are you going to learn to not say things people might take literally?"

"Oh, like you're a fine example, Wondergirl. You tend to take things people say far too literally at times." Shinji can't help but laugh in relief his friends survived. "Oh-ho! The Third is capable of laughter after killing an Angel after all."

"Nah. I'm laughing at your bantering with Rei. Damn good to hear your voices."

"Likewise to hear your voice, Ikari."

"I'm with Wondergirl on that." Shinji can't help but smile warmly before sighing.

"So when can you come pick us up for dinner, Misato?"

"Section-2 Acting Captain Psycho's on his way to pick you three up."

"Psycho? What kind of name is that?" An audible sigh from Misato is heard before her reply.

"I honestly have no idea, Asuka. That's something you'll have to ask him about."

"Oh, believe me, I will." Asuka's words can't help but get a chill to run up and down Shinji's spine.

'No good can come of her asking "Smiley" about his name!'

Ejecting his entry plug and opening the hatch, he expels the LCL before poking his head out to look around. Upon seeing the plug for Unit-02 pop outward, Shinji sees his best chance to 'persuade' Asuka to not ask about how 'Psycho' came to be named that way. Making a beeline right to Asuka's plug, he quickly notices Unit-00's plug popping out as well.

'Better hurry!' Before he can get any closer, he hears Rei gasping out in pain. His eyes going wide, he changes course and heads for her plug. "Rei!" Leaping up to the plug, he sees it's already open and Rei's holding her left arm. The very sight of it tells him that it came out of its shoulder socket. "You okay?"

"I feel my arm is dislocated. I must have landed the wrong way when the Angel detonated."

"Okay." Going into the plug, he gently takes hold of the injured limb with his right hand and brings out a small tube made of leather with his left. "Bite down onto this. It'll keep you from biting your tongue."

"Understood." Accepting the proffered item into her mouth, Rei nods her readiness. Shinji nods back and switches from his right arm to his left for better position. He then looks right at her before speaking.

"It's gonna hurt like Hell, but it'll quickly pass. Okay?" Upon getting a nod, he nods back and says, "On three. One, two, three!"

Right on 'three', he pushes the arm back into its socket. Getting a brief and muffled scream of pain from her. Quickly taking its place are pants coming in and out of the tube. Gently extracting the tube from the blue-haired girl's mouth, he hears her breathing stabilize.

"Sorry about that, Rei, but I did say on three."

"I understand, Ikari. But I thought that it was 'three', then reinsert into socket."

"If I'd done it like that, you'd be tense. I wanted you relaxed and unsuspecting." Rei can't help but blink before giggling.

"I believe you succeeded, then." Shinji gives her a grin as he gently hoists her up from her seat. "I am capable of moving."

"I know. Just wanna be sure you're steady enough on your feet." Rei gives him a smile at that as they exit her plug. Shinji stepping out first before turning back to help her out. Upon seeing a slight wince from Rei, he adds, "You may want to ask Dr Akagi about some anti-inflammatory for the pain if it gets bad."

"I will be fine. The pain isn't as bad as it was prior to reinsertion of the joint into the socket."

"Got it." Looking for Asuka, he quickly sees her standing with Psycho. Talking to him. 'Aw crap.'

(Three minutes ago)

Upon stepping out of her entry plug, Asuka looks around for Shinji and doesn't see him. But she does see the plugs for Units 00 and 01 are open. Before she can head to either one, however, a black sedan that she's quite familiar with pulls up behind her. Its driver steps out, revealing a metal hand exiting from the right sleeve.

"Pilot Sohryu, I don't believe we ever met."

"Um, nope. Can't say as we have." The man nods before speaking again.

"I am Section-2 Acting Captain Psycho. But you can just call me Psycho."

"Yeah, I can see why. All that is a mouthful."

"You ain't kidding, Pilot Sohryu." Looking around, Psycho asks, "Where are Pilots Ikari and Ayanami?" Next thing they hear is a slightly-muffled scream coming from Unit-00's plug. Which quickly gets Asuka's attention.

"Wondergirl!" Before she can go, Psycho grabs her arm. "Let me go, Psycho! I gotta check on Wondergirl!"

"I wouldn't worry too much about Pilot Ayanami. Pilot Ikari is well-adept at resocketing joints." Asuka's eyebrow can't help but arch upward.

"How can you tell that's what it was?"

"I'd been through a few dislocations. Even did a few resocketings, too. She'll be alright as she's in good hands." He then sees Shinji helping Rei out of her plug and grins. "There they are. Safe and sound." Asuka doesn't say anything. She just watches Shinji aiding Rei in getting down from Unit-00. Psycho then moves to them. "Report, Pilot Ikari?"

"Ayanami suffered a dislocation of her left arm. I resocketed on the spot before assisting her out, Acting Captain."

"Very well. I'll mention your assistance toward Pilot Ayanami in my report to Commander Ikari." Shinji only shrugs before looking over at Rei. Psycho following suit. He then can't help but snicker. "You two look kinda alike. You know that?"

"That had been brought to our attention previously, Acting Captain. But until permission to state so, all conjecture is not allowed."

"Got it." He then glances over at Shinji and sees a minute nod from him. Returning the nod, he says, "Let's get you three back to the Geofront. Major Katsuragi and the others are waiting for you upon arrival."

"Roger."

Their unified reply gets Psycho to grin as they pile into the back seat of his car. In the front passenger seat, Lieutenant Ishiragi is still stewing over being passed over. Psycho notices it and sighs.

"Am I gonna have to get rid of you if you won't stop moping? I said earlier it's just until a permanent replacement is found."

"I'm not moping." The tone in Ishiragi's voice says otherwise and Asuka can't help but call him on it.

"You are moping!"

"Shut it, Second!"

"Ishiragi, technically, she outranks you as she's important to the survival of the human race." Looking at the three in the rearview mirror as he pulls the car away, he quickly adds, "They all are important to the survival of the human race." Redirecting his attention to the road ahead of him, he smirks. "You, on the other hand…"

"Yeah, but they can't breed just yet. I'm of breeding age."

"Where the Hell have you been living? A cave?" Psycho's query gets Ishiragi's attention as he goes on. "The laws after Second impact were changed. If humanity's to have a future, it's the current generation that's to make the future. In more ways than one." Ishiragi only rolls his eyes, getting Psycho to chuckle. Asuka then sees her chance.

"How did you get the nickname 'Psycho' anyway?" Upon hearing Shinji gulp, Asuka puts it out of her mind. Psycho, however, shrugs.

"Don't really know offhand. Woke up one day with a metal arm, a metal face-plate under a mask, and a psychotic disposition. With absolutely no memory of what had happened at all." Shrugging again, he thinks, 'It's kinda close enough to the truth. Until I find out more about Sychola, if it is who I was beforehand, that's the way it'll have to be.'

"I hope you find out, Psycho. If anyone deserves to know, it's you." Asuka's words can't help but get a grin from him.

"Thank you, Pilot Sohryu."

In five minutes, they arrive at the Geofront. Where Misato's waiting to drape her arms over Shinji and Asuka in a fierce hug before releasing them and turning to Rei. Only for Psycho to stop her.

"Sorry Major, but Pilot Ayanami had her left arm dislocated. Pilot Ikari resocketed it before aiding her out of the plug." Misato's eyes can't help but go wide before looking at Rei's plug-suit covered arm. Sure enough, she can see some slight swelling.

"Okay, Rei, when we get done here, you're to go to the medical ward to see Dr Akagi."

"Yes, ma'am." Before Shinji can even ask, Misato speaks further.

"We're getting a transmission from Commander Ikari right now. Which is why I said what I said." next thing they know, Gendo speaks.

"The Angel interfered with our communication signals, so I was unable to communicate just now. Major Katsuragi, given the way you handled the situation, you're to be commended."

"Thank you, sir."

"I also understand that Acting Captain Psycho's actually improved the proficiency of Section-2 his first few hours." For once, Psycho's glad his metal face-plate doesn't let him blush. Yet it doesn't stop his human-mask from sheepishly grinning.

"I didn't really do all that much, sir. The credit belongs with the men I took over Command of. Captain Chiron may have had a hand in their lax behaviors, but deep down within them is a valuable Agent."

"What of your opinion regarding Lieutenant Ishiragi?"

"If he'd stop whining about me being promoted and get his cranium out of his rectum, he'd make a partially-acceptable Agent."

"Very well. I shall take it under advisement. Is Pilot Ikari there, by any chance." Before Shinji can even acknowledge, Asuka speaks up.

"He's right here, sir. He's just a little run down from that Angel we just took down."

"I will make this brief, then. Good work, Shinji." At the use of his given name, Shinji bows his head before replying, with a slight yawn.

"Thank you, Commander." With that, contact ends and Shinji looks over at Asuka. "You mind telling me what that's all about?"

"I had to help move things along. Who knows what you'd have said if left to your own devices?"

"She's got a point there, Shinji." Kat's voice gets Shinji to smile softly. "Also, I can't help but feel not liking the way he said your name."

'Same here, Kat. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's trying to rattle my cage. Berto about?'

"Right here, hermano. What's on your mind?"

'Did you get a chance to record Mother's voice?'

"I did. Are you wanting me to run an auditory comparison to Rei to go with the facial comparison?"

'That I am, if you please. The fact that Rei has 75% of Mother's general appearance is enough to raise a red flag. If the voices match by any measure, then serious ethical boundaries have been crossed.'

"Are you thinking human cloning, Shinji?"

'I am, Dad.' Glancing at Rei from the corner of his left eye, Shinji adds, 'I certainly am. I mean, think about it. She and I look quite alike and I knew I was an only child from when you picked me up. She's the same age as I am and an Evangelion Pilot.'

"Very good points. But what if your Mother was told she'd died at birth and raised separately from you?"

'That's possible, but not really likely. I mean, the remainder of those injuries she had when I first arrived here can't be healed from in just about two months. They take longer in normal humans. What do you think, Berto?'

"I think you both make good points, but unless we have more information, there's no point in debating." Shinji lets out a slight sigh as Josh does before Berto goes on. "As far as I can tell, the best way to get information is to infiltrate NERV when no one's watching the security feeds."

'How would that have to come about?'

"Maybe something like that blackout when you three went up against the 9th. Or some other chaotic event maybe."

'Any chance we can arrange a chaotic event of our own here? Like say, maybe, another sports expo?'

"It'd be a good time, and your LMD can stand in as you." Josh's voice is musing as it goes on. "Plus you would be able to be in two places at once since the LMD's ready."

'Yeah. But since "Dumbass" was humiliated so badly…'

"We'll let Rachel deal with him. She'll just bring up the good time that Tokyo-3 had during that expo. I'm quite sure he'd sign off on it as long as he figures he won't have to do any kind of sports."

Shinji can't help but give a minute nod. One that Maya notices easily before looking toward Misato. When she sees the woman nod as well, she scrunches her eyebrows in consternation. Just then, Retnuh comes into the room.

"We've finished establishing the damage reports from the latest battle, Major."

"How bad was it?"

"Given the area was in the Hakone slum area, and totally abandoned, not really good. There's a big crater right there. A square mile was destroyed in the shockwave. Pilot Ayanami's apartment, being within that square mile, was one of the casualties."

"Oh darn. What's Rei going to do for shelter?" Shinji's question is answered by a blushing blue-haired girl.

"I had already moved out and acquired a new residence under my own volition, Ikari." Grinning widely at him, she adds, "It's in a good part of Tokyo-3 and has a working lock."

"That's great."

"Indeed. You needn't worry about my safety any further, Ikari. Mr. Nez is a respectful host and a…" That trail-off in itself gets Misato's left eyebrow to arch and Psycho to grin. "If you'll excuse me, I must report to Dr Akagi now." Before Misato can even grill her, Rei exits the room. Shinji gaping and Asuka snickering.

"For once, I don't blame Wondergirl for wanting to keep something quiet. Even though it's probably too late already. She let blood get into the water and Misato's like a shark." Misato can't help but smirk at that while Psycho hums the tune from 'Jaws'. Shinji looks right at Asuka, getting her to snort. "What?"

"You just had to say Misato's like a shark, didn't you?" Asuka thinks about it and her jaw drops. Recovering it, she only has one thing to say.

"Shiesse!"

(Takamiya house; that night)

As Deidre feverishly starts work on Ritsuko's 'Dragonette' suit, she can't help but grumble at the time lost for evacuation.

'This is going to take about two weeks if I don't cut corners. Damn that Angel for coming along just as I was about to start making Ritsy's suit!' Sighing, she verbally says, "I can hardly wait for this fucking war to end."

"Mom?" Ritsuko's voice behind Deidre gets her attention as Ritsuko goes on. "Any way I can help?" At her question, Deidre can't help but smile warmly.

"Sure, Ritsy." Waving the girl to the table, Deidre goes on. "This is a roll of 'Dragon-skin' body armor. I got it from a black market. I'm using the material to make your bodysuit. I'm also making a helmet so you can conceal your identity."

"What will the helmet cover?"

"Only the upper portion and the sides of your head." Passing a sketch-book over to her, she adds, "I did a rough sketch of what it'll look like." Upon hearing Ritsuko's gasp of awe, Deidre can't help but grin. "You like that, huh?"

"I do. But, why would I be wearing an armored bodysuit?" The look in Deidre's eyes is cold and concerned, getting Ritsuko to gulp. "You mean…"

"That's right, Ritsy. Not everyone you come across will be nice. The ones that aren't nice will most assuredly kill you. That's why this suit is being made with 'Dragon-skin' armor." Grinning wryly now, she adds, "If this had been around in my time as Dragonelle, I wouldn't have worried about being shot to death." That in itself gets Ritsuko to gulp.

"Let's just hope we never have to find out how good it is." Deidre can only nod as the two get to work.