Shinji Steel 44

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

(That night; Katsuragi/Ikari/Sohryu apartment)

Misato and Asuka watch Shinji warily as he sits in the living room. Typing away at his 'N-Tek' laptop, muttering dark curses with every key tap. Glancing at Misato and getting a nod, Asuka steps toward him.

"What are you doing, Shinji?"

"Looking into the activities that happened while 'Dumbass' was either here or elsewhere." Bringing up his first Angel battle, Shinji says, "Tell me what you see wrong with this picture."

Asuka watches intently as she watches 'Dumbass' give an unheard order. Only to see a heavily-bandaged Rei being wheeled in on a gurney. When the view jumps, Asuka can't help but gape at him.

"You're holding the video-camera?" Shinji lightly chortles before Asuka gets the idea. "You're the video-camera?" At his nod, Asuka grins and says, "Nice crisp focus your eyes have."

"Thanks. Now, what do you see wrong with this picture?"

"Other than 'Dumbass' coercing you to fight instead of a clearly-injured Wondergirl, not really."

"Exactly. As I was facing away from it, intending to shield Rei from the falling debris…" Shinji trails off as Misato picks up on it.

"Unit-01's hand moved on its own and kept the debris from falling onto them both." Shuddering, she adds, "The entry plug wasn't even in place when it happened." Shinji only nods while Asuka gapes in shock. Recovering, she shakes her head.

"Let me get this straight. You think a big-ass robot saved your lives because it wanted to?"

"It's more than a big-ass robot, Asuka." Bringing up a sound file, he plays it for her.

"Oh, my baby. What's happened to you? I love you, my precious little boy." When the file stops, Shinji looks back at Asuka and sees her jaw dropped in horror. Recovering her jaw, she shakes her head in disbelief.

"You mean to tell me that… wait. Just one fuckin' minute there." Her mind reeling with what she'd just heard, Asuka looks back up at him and asks, "Where did this come from?"

"Berto checked through my probes. It came from within Unit-01's core." His eyes dripping tears, Shinji murmurs, "My Mother didn't die in a freak lab accident. She's trapped inside Unit-01's core. Has been that way since I was four." Bringing up another sound file, Shinji adds, "What you're about to hear won't be pleasant." Hitting 'play', he, Misato and Asuka listen to 'Dumbass' and Fuyutsuki speaking.

"Is something the matter, Professor?"

"I got word from Section-2. Captain Chiron has vanished from Tokyo-3."

"How?"

"It seems that in the process of following your orders, he'd gotten caught."

"Damn!" The sound of a fist slamming down can be heard before 'Dumbass' resumes speaking. "Who's next on the Section-2 command chain?"

"Lieutenant Ishiragi, sir." The sound of 'Dumbass' sighing in dismay is music to all three pairs of ears before he speaks again.

"I have no choice, then. Send a communiqué right back. 'Effective immediately, until our return, Agent Psycho's in charge of Section-2'. That is all." A brief pause ensues until 'Dumbass' speaks again. "Area of Death is an apt description of this place. Humanity's sins washed away in Second Impact."

"I'd prefer sins to mass death any day. It's human nature, after all."

"No need to worry, Fuyutsuki. Instrumentality will succeed and humanity will become one. And Yui will be returned to us."

"If she were to be returned, what do you think she'll feel about what you have in mind for Shinji?"

"She'll understand. She always has. Of course, unless we can get the Third Child to follow his role in our plan, all will be for naught. He's much too strong-willed for our purposes."

"His surrogate family undoubtedly had a hand in that."

"Indeed. I had tried tampering with his surroundings, but the people there were either stubborn or unafraid. As if they're being guarded by an unforeseen entity."

"If it's the latter?"

"We find and eliminate them. Nothing is to hinder the Scenario any further than it already has been."

"I expect they'll fight back if that's indeed the case." They hear 'Dumbass' emit a scoff before speaking once more.

"Do not be absurd, Fuyutsuki. No minor inconveniences can stand against NERV, SEELE or the Scenario." With that, the voice file ends. A clearly shaken Misato and a pale Asuka look toward the one young man they'd come to care for. Tentatively, Asuka drapes her arms around Shinji.

"I may not be Ritsuko, but you can lower your burdens, Shinji." Nodding, Shinji does so. Tears falling from the redhead's eyes as well, she asks, "Why would he want that for you?"

"I don't know, Asuka." His face rising and turning to hers, Asuka can easily see fire within his blue eyes. "But he ain't gonna get what he's expecting. Dad, we need to make plans based on what we've heard."

"What've you got in mind, Shinji?" Josh's voice in both Misato and Asuka's ears can't help but make them eager.

"I think we should make a 'Scenario' of our own. Although I think it's already underway given the way 'Dumbass' is talking." Josh's chortles of agreement get Misato and Asuka to cackle as well.

"I'd say so. We're already fucking things up for him and this SEELE bunch. Berto tried looking it up, but they seem to be in the shadows. Much like Dread's bunch back in the day." Misato chews her lower lip tentatively before speaking up.

"Josh, do you think we should bring Kaji into the fold? He lives for this kind of thing."

"Actually, as per Shinji's suggestion, there's an 'N-Tek' spy-sat tasked to him 24/7, with a cloaked and manned Sparrow hovering overhead in case it's needed." Misato's eyes can't help but go wide before she looks over at Shinji.

"When did that become effective?"

"Before the class trip, after Asuka and Rits bought their swimsuits." Upon feeling Misato's arms around him as well, Shinji returns the gesture as best he can.

"Thank you, Shinji." Before he can even reply, the apartment phone rings. "Hold that thought." Getting up, Misato strides to the phone and picks it up. "Katsuragi."

"Major, it's Lieutenant Ibuki. Can I come over to talk with you?"

"Sure, Maya. C'mon over. Shinji's about to start dinner, matter of fact. You're more than welcome to join us if you like."

"I'm on my way now, Major."

"Okay, Maya. We'll see you when you get here."

"Thanks, Major." With that, Maya's call ends and Misato hangs up the phone before sighing.

"Maya's coming over to talk. About what, I have no idea."

"I guess we're going to find out then." Setting his laptop aside, Shinji then asks, "Dad, any chance you can make an appointment for me to speak with a counselor?"

"You got it, Shinji." A series of key clacks later and Josh says, "You've an appointment with Dr Hanson in Tokyo-2 tomorrow morning at nine. I take it you'll be the 'other' you."

"Yep. Unless, of course…"

"No counselors 'N-Tek' has on retainer know about the MAX probes project. They only know of the operatives."

"Got it." Opening the cupboard, Shinji hums thoughtfully until he grins. "I wonder if Maya likes barbecued beef."

"I don't think she'd ever had it, Shinji. We can ask her when she gets here." Right on cue, there's a knock on the door. "I guess she's really needing to talk." Opening the door, she sees a harried Maya on the other side of the door. "Good grief, Maya. What happened to you?"

"I found something odd when I went over the data for and during the procedure, Major. Both the way it was supposed to go and the way it did go." Bringing up a flash drive, she asks, "There a computer I can show this to you on?"

"Yeah. Shinji? Can Maya put her flash drive into your laptop's port?"

"Sure. Have at, Maya." Said woman nods while Shinji transmits through his comm. 'Looks like Maya found your smuggling of the 11th, Berto.'

"I guess I'll have to set up a meet for her." Berto then chortles as he asks, "Just how many people are you going to have invited to our little party, anyway?"

'Don't know yet.' Berto's snickers meet up with Shinji's as he starts dinner. "I hope you like barbecue beef, Lieutenant Ibuki."

"I've never had it, but Doctor Akagi told me about how good a cook you are."

"Good cook? Shinji's more than a good cook, Lieutenant Ibuki." Asuka's voice is filled with praise as she adds, "Shinji's the Lord of the Kitchen." Shinji can't help but blush at the redhead's wanton praise. "Why're you blushing, Third Child? Never had anyone say that about you before?"

"Not that I know of." Next thing he knows, Asuka gently pecks his cheek before wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Asuka?"

"Don't worry, baka. I'm not poaching Takamiya's 'love turf' at all." Giving his midsection a light squeeze, she murmurs, "Just showing you I'm sincere with my words about your 'Lordship' of the kitchen." Shinji can't help but feel his blush recede before replying.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Whispering softly, she adds, "Also that you have me, Misato, your wife and family to care about you. Who gives a fuck what 'Dumbass' has in mind for you? You shouldn't. Fuck that fucker's precious 'Scenario', get hitched to Takamiya for real after nailing his ass to the wall and have lots of babies." Shinji can't help but grin at one of the things Asuka said.

"Nailing his ass to the wall, huh? I like that idea. I'll have to get a nail gun to do so." Shinji can't help but chortle while Asuka groans. Only for Asuka to wind up snickering herself.

"I see Wondergirl's literal sense of humor seems to be contagious. Well, that or you're the source of her sense of humor. After all, you're practically brother and sister since you two look somewhat alike." Pecking his cheek again, she moves away and gently swats his back. "Now get to cooking. We're hungry as Hell!" Shinji can't help but lightly chuckle while Asuka flounces away.

"I'm on it." As he cooks, he listens to Maya as she speaks.

"Okay, here's the projection of how it was supposed to go." Executing the simulation, the laptop shows the Angel's presence fading outward from 'Caspar', 'Melchior' and 'Balthazar'. When it's done, Maya says, "But here's how it really happened." Executing the incident the way it happened, she watches the faces of Misato and Asuka both. The 11th Angel's presence flows out from 'Melchior' and 'Balthazar' into 'Caspar' before vanishing altogether.

"So it got drawn out from the other two into 'Caspar'. What's the big deal, Maya?"

"What's the big deal? Major, I ran the simulation five times after the crisis ended! Every time, it came up with the MAGI either causing Tokyo-3 to go 'ka-boom' or merging with the MAGI in a coexistent harmony. There is no way that 'Caspar' could've drawn the Angel in like that at all! Especially while drawing it out of 'Melchior' and 'Balthazar'. It's just not possible!"

Frenzied, Maya grabs the top of her head and starts pulling on her short-cut hair. In the background, Shinji sighs softly as he pours Maya a glass of water. Dosing it with a water-soluble anesthetic.

'Maya's pulling her hair out over our little stunt, Berto. We'll have to "convince" her to forget tonight.'

"I copy, hermano. Josh will be outside your balcony in ten minutes."

'Copy. I'll get Maya unconscious and ready for transport.'

"Okay." Berto signs off as Shinji walks toward Maya, water glass in hand as the frenzied tech groans.

"Here, Maya. Some water should help settle your nerves a bit before dinner."

Maya smiles gratefully at him as she accepts the glass and drinks down the water. Once she's done, she hands it back to Shinji before her eyes close. Slumping backward, Misato putting a pillow below her head, Maya snoozes peacefully. Shinji can't help but sigh as he shakes his head.

"Another person getting mixed up in our mess."

"Hey, it can't be helped. Maya nosed through what had happened." Misato gazes fondly at her before going on. "If anything, I admire her tenacity. In fact, she reminds me of Asuka."

"In what way, Misato?" Asuka can't help but feel wary at her guardian's smile.

"Neither of you never know when to back down. You always have to know everything."

'Hey, it's not my fault you two are so easy to overhear."

"No, it's because of your nosing around that you were offered the deal." Shinji turns to face Asuka before going on. "I only arranged for that because I didn't want you eventually shooting your mouth off over something that's none of your fucking business!" Before Asuka can even speak up, Shinji goes on.

"If you were to shoot your mouth off, unpleasant people that myself and others on our group fight against will torture you in unpleasant ways to learn what you'd overheard. And when they've heard what you know, it's when you die." Asuka can't help but smile smugly.

"You're exaggerating. I'm an Evangelion Pilot. Certainly they'd know I'm important enough to keep alive." Upon seeing Shinji shaking his head 'no', Asuka asks, "Just what is that supposed to mean?"

"Here's a hypothetical scenario for you. Say you're to blab all that you know about us. An Angel-worshipping cult hears about it and does a search on any website fanatic lunatics like them use. Upon making contact, they propose a deal. Information on field operatives for support on their campaign against us. Upon agreement, they meet and torture you for information. What do you think they'll do once they'd gotten all they can from you?"

Asuka's face goes horrendously pale before she covers her mouth and bolts for the bathroom. As the sound of violent retching can be heard, Misato looks over at Shinji and sees his hands are clenched and shaking furiously. Gently putting her hands onto Shinji's shoulders, she nuzzles her face against his from behind.

"It happened, didn't it?"

"Sort of and nearly." Sighing, Shinji goes on. "It was a year ago now. 'N-Tek' had gotten word that a nuclear facility they'd collaborated with in the past had been working on a new power source. One that can safely power a large city for years and be the size of a car battery had done it."

"No more pollution, huh? Quite a concept." Shinji gives a nod before replying.

"That it was. An idea either ahead of its time or one that's time has come. I've yet to decide. In any case, the lead researcher, on a drinking binge after the success, blabbed about it all. 'N-Tek', previous collaborations, the works. An unknown bunch had someone overhearing and decided they wanted it so they can reverse-engineer it, change its operating parameters around and introduce a different version as its own. One that's not as eco-friendly. Along with discredit the work 'N-Tek' does. But, in order to do that…"

"They went after the researcher?" Shinji gives a nod and Misato asks, "What happened?"

"He realized that people with ill intent were interested in the work and called us in. I was the Agent assigned to the case. A wet-behind-the-ears rookie, no less." Grinning ruefully, he shrugs and adds, "I was so excited over the prospect of a safer source of power and protecting it and one of its creators I nearly blew it."

"How so?" Shinji lets out a groan as he ruffles the back of his head.

"I'm still trying to figure out where I went wrong. I was discreet when I met with him. I followed the protocols for personal protection. I did everything by the book as I'd expected I'd have to." Shuddering, he goes on. "One night, they came at us. There were fifteen men, all armed with automatic weapons. I was quickly overwhelmed after having fought off seven of them and we were taken prisoner."

"I'm listening, Shinji." Unknown to either of them, Asuka is as well.

"I was so down and hard on myself during the ride, the researcher told me that there are times I'd have to think outside the box. It's how he'd come up with the power source to begin with. He also told me the man I'd named myself after never failed to keep him safe when he was subject to the whims of a madman himself. He expressed his faith that I'd find us a way out."

"So what'd you do?" Asuka's query gets their attention as she goes on. "We're listening, Shinji."

"We hastily set up an escape plan of sorts. When we arrived at our destination, I was lurking by the door. When it opened, I attacked. Grabbing one of the rifles from one of the goons that had grabbed us, I opened suppressive fire. Causing them to duck down into cover to avoid getting hit by the 'Great White Hunter' as one of them had called me in a scream." Misato and Asuka can't help but giggle as Shinji goes on.

"At the same time, the researcher made his way to the vehicle's driver seat and got the truck started. See, the brain donors thought that since they were on their turf, they had the home field advantage. Boy, were they ever wrong as they left the keys in the fucking ignition!" Misato and Asuka can't help but howl in raucous laughter. Just as Max Sr. arrives and is listening intently before speaking up.

"When Shinji and the researcher got to safety, he expressed his regret he had gotten himself and the researcher abducted. Along with having to take up lethal firepower to effect their escape. After an extensive review of his actions, they found that, as a new Agent, he'd been overmatched and couldn't avoid his capture. His usage of lethal firepower in a non-lethal manner was also justified as no injuries were incurred onto the enemy from what Shinji could see." Asuka's laughter calms before she asks the question on both her and Misato's minds.

"Did you ever find the place they'd been taken to?"

"Yeah, but it was heavily destroyed. Evidently, they scuttled the place after Shinji and the researcher escaped. Even more, as far as I can tell, that group's still out there. Wanting payback for the black eye that 'Shinji Steel' over there gave them." Upon seeing Shinji's blush, Max Sr. chortles and adds, "In fact, for a time of two months, that's what we'd call him instead of 'Max Steel Jr.'. It sure is quite catchy."

"It sure sounds like it. So why don't you call him that more often?"

"Oh, we do, Miss Sohryu, but only when those of us that know are around." Going to Maya's side, Max Sr. gingerly picks up the tech and carries her to the balcony. "I'll bring her back before sun-up, Misato."

"Thanks, Max." As the man nods, she sees Shinji heading for his room. Asuka right behind him. "Asuka?"

"Don't worry, Misato. I owe him an apology." Shinji can't help but turn around, shocked, at her words. Her face shamefaced, she murmurs, "I owe the both of you one."

"There's no need, Asuka. You are who you are. I shouldn't have…"

"No, Shinji. You had every right to tell me what you had. It's because it's the type of guy you are. You've such a big heart, you can't stand to see anyone in danger. You were also right. I was poking my nose in where it doesn't belong and needed that brought to my attention. I thank you for that."

"You're welcome." As he makes to walk away, he feels Asuka's hand on his arm. "Asuka?"

"I'd like to come along, Shinji. I need someone I can talk to. It's not about 'N-Tek', but something else."

Shinji gives Asuka a nod and they both go into their respective rooms.

(Old Osaka 'N-Tek' facility; two hours later)

As Maya stirs, she makes to scratch her belly. Only to find her hands can't move. Blinking, she notices that she's bound. Unable to help nervously gulping, she trembles. The trembling gets worse when she sees a one-way mirror in front of her.

"Good evening, Lt Ibuki." The voice is distorted, yet gentle. Putting Maya's mind slightly at ease.

"Good evening, whoever you are." The voice lightly chortles, getting Maya to lightly giggle herself.

"By now, I'm sure you're wondering why you're here." Maya gives a nod, not quite trusting her mouth fully. "No need to worry about being harmed. That's usually not the way we work." Maya, for some reason, doesn't quite like the sound of the word, 'usually'.

"Then how do you work?" The voice chortles again before replying.

"We'll get to that later. For now, we'll discuss the why." Maya nods again and the voice goes on. "You were working on figuring out where the 11th Angel had vanished to. You successfully traced where it had gone. You then sought to inform Major Katsuragi about what had happened."

"If I'm here, then why…" Her eyes go wide, Maya asks, "She's one of yours?"

"Unofficially, she is. But she's got the makings of a fine field Agent according to our point-man in Tokyo-3." Maya can't help but be confused as the voice goes on. "Consider this a piece of helpful advice. Forget what you'd found and just accept the 11th Angel was defeated. After all, isn't that what NERV is all about?"

"It is. But, still…"

"I know. Katsuragi's got you pegged as a pit-bull when it comes to things like that. But, please, for your own safety, forget everything you'd done."

"My flash-drive. It's got the work I'd done on it."

"Not to worry. We've already handled it. It's totally wiped clean with no data whatsoever." The voice chortles again before adding, "Well, aside from your thoughts regarding Doctor Akagi and Lieutenant Hyuga." Maya's face goes beet red as the voice goes on. "We didn't access those files on there. We only deleted the work you'd done." Maya breathes a sigh of relief before finding herself curious.

"But, who are you guys?"

"We're just a figment of your exhausted imagination." A flash of light later and Maya goes back unconscious. The voice then chuckles as it says, "I've always wanted to say and do that. Or something like that, anyway."

(Tokyo-2; morning; ten minutes to nine)

As Max and Asuka sit waiting, she looks over at Max and sees him clenching his left fist. Reaching with her right hand, she gently takes hold of it and squeezes. Getting a soft squeeze back, Asuka smiles before speaking.

"You'll be okay, Max." Before he can reply, Dr Hanson's door opens and a Caucasian man with grey-tinted glasses pokes his head out.

"Agent Steel, I presume." At the nod, Hanson nods back and says, "Come on in. But leave your friend out here."

"Okay. But first…" Glancing at Asuka, he says, "Your comm., please."

"Oh, right." Taking the comm. out of her right ear, Asuka wraps it in tissue before handing it to him. As he accepts it, she asks, "Dr Hanson, any chance I can talk with you after you get done with Agent Steel?"

"I don't see why not. Are you…"

"Oh, no. No." Asuka chuckles ruefully as she adds, "I'm on something like 'probation' with them."

"Ah. Well, I always have room for one more. But, for now…"

Max nods before following Hanson into his office. As he enters, he sees a picture with a very familiar face. Only with a different color of hair. Hanson can't help but notice the scrutiny. Putting it out of his mind, he goes on.

"Oh, we should at least be cordial. You can call me Matt, Max."

Extending his right hand, Matt notices Max eying his proffered hand intently before smirking and pulling off an item both men are familiar with.

"A joy buzzer, huh?" Matt can only smile sheepishly as Max rolls his eyes. "How high school of you, Matt."

Giving Max a shrug, Matt offers a seat. Upon noticing another item he's familiar with, Max can't help but grin.

"You're a fan of clichéd pranks, aren't you?" As Max reaches down and brings up a whoopee cushion, Matt's smile goes wry.

"I don't really call them 'clichéd' per se. More like classic. They're always good for breaking the ice."

"I'll keep that in mind." Sighing, he goes on. "Recently, there was an incident in which somebody died. In a violently brutal manner, no less."

"How well did you know this person?"

"Fought him a few times. Not really much of a fighter, though he did try."

"Tell me about the incident." As Max does so, Matt listens intently. When he's done, Matt asks, "How did Dragonette react to what had happened to Birdman?"

"I could tell she didn't take it well. But what could I say? I'm not qualified to offer words of comfort or advice." Matt nods before replying.

"In the field, often offering words of comfort, even if you're not certified to, can still help. As does seeking out help for your troubles. You followed your gut instinct as much as you can."

"So I didn't do anything wrong?"

"No, you didn't do anything wrong." Giving him a small grin, he adds, "Quite frankly, however, you did everything right. You comforted a foe as he lay on the ground dying. You sought to comfort a perfect stranger when she saw the same thing you did. She sought to comfort you. You sought advice which I'm now ready to give you."

"Okay, Doc."

"Find those responsible and shut them down before they can bring harm to anyone else." At the surprised look from Max, Matt shrugs and adds, "I was the son of a field Agent myself once, Max. Of course, it was before Second Impact and before the ATS was shut down because of that stunt Dread pulled."

"How bad was he? Really? I mean, Dad and the others told me, but I'd like your opinion on him."

"I'll put it to you like this. If I had to choose between making a deal with the Devil or John Dread, I'd pick the Devil because at least he's more upfront than Dread was."

"No way!"

"Way. Dread would always have schemes hidden within schemes within schemes."

"So he always had a plan for everything? No spontaneity at all?"

"I wouldn't go that far. He planned as much as possible for every possible occurrence. If anything got in the way or hindered, he'd go with another plan he'd concocted to cover it. Other times, he'd improvise. He was slippery, cunning and ruthless. Downright evil to the core." Max can only nod silently before Matt asks, "Any other items you want to discuss?"

"Not that I can think of, Matt. Thanks."

"You can thank me by following my advice." Matt smiles as Max extends his hand. And, without looking, takes it.

BZZZT

"Oh, sweet Mother!" Matt looks at Max's hand and grins upon seeing the joy buzzer. "Knew there was a prankster inside you somewhere, Max." Max can only shrug before replying and removing the buzzer.

"I guess it was buried." Matt gives a nod as Max hands it back to him and exits, saying, "You're up, Miss Sohryu."

"Thanks." As Asuka steps into the office, she smiles nervously. "Hello." She then spots the same picture Max had and thinks, 'I know her from somewhere.' Hanson notices her scrutiny is much like Max's. But puts it out of his mind to concentrate on the matter at hand.

"Hello, Miss Sohryu." Switching to German, he asks, "Any chance we can converse in German?"

"I don't see why not."

"Great! I tend to find myself getting rusty if I don't speak in German for extended periods of time."

"Ah, I got you." Asuka's smile goes wide as she sits down, only to hear a particular sound.

BRRRT

Her face beet red, Asuka jumps back out of the seat, looks and shakes her head at what she sees.

"A whoopee cushion, huh?" Hanson chortles as she takes it out of the seat and sits down.

"I'm a sucker for the classics. But, Max out there, not so much it seems."

"He's had a few rough months lately. From one situation to another."

"It's typical. Some Agents do their missions so well, it makes them think they're invincible. But then something drastic happens and they go to pieces. That's where my profession comes in." Asuka gives a nod before Hanson says, "Tell me what's on your mind, please."

"Okay." From there, she tells him all that's happened to her since she was little. When she gets done, she asks, "How bad off am I, Doctor?" Hanson gives her a sympathetic glance before replying.

"Where do I even begin? Your Mother going through her horrendous experience, with you suffering the most? Your Mother dying with you finding her body? Your vow to not cry or need anyone ever again? Your subsequent disregarding those vows once you'd gotten embroiled into both your world and ours?"

"I'm in bad shape, huh?" Hanson lightly scoffs at her before taking off his glasses.

"That doesn't even begin to cover it, Miss Sohryu. You've the precursors to PTSD that are quickly becoming a strong case of it. Frankly, I'm surprised you made it this long without snapping before finding a release valve of sorts."

"As in crying?"

"It's one example. Another example is your pursuit of a young man that's already quite taken by a young woman that he intends to wed." Asuka can't help but blush furiously, causing Hanson to chuckle before asking, "Do either of them know of your feelings regarding him?"

"Both of them know. But, the agreement I have with her is just to flirt with him to keep him on his toes. I wasn't going to make it serious." Hanson gives her a nod before asking the biggest question.

"How did it make you feel when you pursued him?"

"I felt euphoric, like I have a reason to go on living past Evangelion." Smiling ruefully, Asuka murmurs, "Of course, once they get hitched, I won't be able to do it anymore."

"I'm afraid that's the way life is, Miss Sohryu." Switching back to English, he smiles and says, "I thank you for conversing with me in German, Miss Sohryu."

"It was my pleasure, Doctor. But, how'd you know I'm German?" At an arched eyebrow from Hanson, Asuka can only chuckle sheepishly. "Oh. My Berlin dialect when I first spoke."

"Yep." Giving her a gentle chuckle, he asks, "Any other concerns I can help you with?"

"None that come to mind." With that, she rises and says, "Thank you for your time, Doctor."

"You're welcome, Miss Sohryu." With that, Asuka exits the office, causing Hanson to sigh. "If I was just fifteen years younger." Putting it out of his mind, he turns the framed picture Max had seen.

(Outside Hanson's office)

As the two walk away, Asuka can't help but feel she'd seen the woman in the picture before. Matching his stride, she clears her throat.

"Is it just me, or did the woman in that picture look familiar to you as well?"

"It's not just you, Asuka. We both know her. As do Misato, Mr. Kaji and Rei." Asuka's jaw can't help but drop.

"You mean…"

"The hair's a different color, but yes. The woman is…"

(Back inside Hanson's Office)

"Where are you, Ritsuko Akagi? What are you doing right now? Are you well?"

(Sparrow; ten minutes later)

"I can't believe I didn't recognize her. She looked so different from how she looks now." Max only gives Asuka a light chuckle before shrugging.

"With a little training, Asuka, you'll be able to identify one person just from looking at their face."

"Oh, sure, easy for you to say. You've got probes that give you back up for identification purposes!"

"Oh yeah. But first though, I have to see a registered face before searching at random."

"Registered meaning as in a registered scumbag?"

"Yep." Asuka can't help but grin at that.

"I wonder if 'Commander Dumbass' is listed as a scumbag?"

"One way to find out. Feeling up to it?" Asuka ponders it before giving her reply.

"Nah. Not today at least." Curious, she then asks, "Are all 'N-Tek' Agents trained to pilot one of these?"

"Yep. Interested?"

"Oh, you bet!" Yawning suddenly, however, she murmurs, "Another time though. I woke up too early for your appointment. I'm going to take a nap during the flight. You don't mind, do you?"

"Nah. Go ahead." Two seconds later, he hears Asuka snoring softly. Unable to resist a soft grin, he thinks, 'Man, when she's wiped out, she's wiped out!' Unable to resist a yawn himself, he puts the Sparrow on autopilot after setting course for Tokyo-3. Hoping that Maya's alright.

(Tokyo-3; Katsuragi/Ikari/Sohryu apartment; same time)

Maya blearily opens her eyes before noticing that she's not in her apartment, but Misato's. Rising up from the couch she was lying on, she tries remembering why she was there.

"Good morning, Maya!" At Misato's cheerful voice, Maya turns around in time to see the Major bring out a can of Yebisu. Cracking the tab and slamming it down, she calls out, "YEE-AHH!"

Maya can't help but smile uneasily before scrunching her eyebrows in thought.

"Um, Major Katsuragi?"

"Oh, please Maya, we're not on the clock right now. Just call me Misato. It's too early in the morning for rank and file, anyway."

"Okay." Blinking as Misato plunks a can of Yebisu into her right hand, Maya can't help but chuckle uneasily. "Um, Misato, I'm not much of a drinker." Misato only shrugs as Maya puts it down onto the table and stretches out. "What all did I come here for, Misato? My mind's a little fuzzy."

"Oh that. Shinji was cooking when I commented you hadn't been eating well lately from all the work Ritsu had been putting you through." Grinning, she adds, "I then called you and asked if you'd like to eat at 'Chez Ikari' for the night."

"And I accepted. Okay." At the sound of her stomach rumbling, Maya meekly grins and asks, "I don't suppose that he made any extra?" Misato can't help but snort at that.

"He made enough to feed a small army, Maya!" Watching as Maya goes to help herself to the barbecue beef, Misato sighs softly. 'Sorry, Maya, but we can't afford for anything to happen to you. You're too important to NERV.' Maya, however, is lost in thought as she gathers a generous portion of the meal from last night.

'That can't be right. Major Katsuragi usually doesn't call me for dinner.' Bringing out her cell phone to check it, she notices that she had indeed received a call from Misato. Curious, she asks, "What time did you call, Misato?"

"Hmm, I think I called you about 21:00. Somewhere in that area."

Maya checks the phone's readout again and sees the call was received at 20:50 the previous night. Sighing, Maya puts the phone back into place and shrugs.

"I must've been totally tired from all that craziness last night with the 11th Angel."

"I'd say so. You didn't even get a chance to eat as you dozed right off on the couch." Maya can't help but wince.

"Shinji must've been so worried about me if I did that!" Misato just waves it off and grins again.

"He was concerned, but he also felt you'd be alright. With a good night's rest and putting something into your stomach once you woke up." Maya can only smile softly at Shinji's thoughtfulness as she eats.