Shinji Steel

by MichaelCross

Shinji Ikari is taken in by Josh McGrath and becomes a new hero years afterward. However, he soon finds that he's to fight in a war that has a shadow of a long-gone foe lurking in the shadows. Can Shinji, his beloved and allies win the war for survival? Shinji/OC pairing, with lemons, multiple pairings and OCs.

65. Chapter 65

Shinji Steel 65

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

(Old Yokohama; forty minutes later; Kirishima residence)

"So, this is where…"

"Yep." As they exit the car, Max and Dragonette see the front door opening. Max can't help but grin at the sight of Professor Kirishima and Mana coming out to greet them. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were waiting for us to show up. If not expecting us, anyway."

"You perhaps." Looking around, Dragonette nods. "Nice peaceful surroundings. Small modest house. No one around for miles. Paradise in my book. No one would expect to find the N-2 creator and his family here."

"That's exactly what I was hoping for, dear girl." Professor Kirishima smiles softly at Dragonette before turning toward Max. "I see you came again, my young friend. Mana and I heard about the incident at the UN headquarters and we hope you brought us news."

"Indeed. However, this visit falls under the category of 'good news, bad news'. Which would you like first?"

"We'll take the good first. After you introduce us, of course." Mana's reply is eager, which gets a grin from Dragonette.

"Of course, Professor and Mana Kirishima, this is Dragonette. She's my life partner." Dragonette's lips curl into a warm smile when she sees Mana's eyes are on the 'baby bump'. Max notices the scrutiny and grins, adding, "That's right. We're going to be parents."

"Congratulations. Too many people died in Second Impact." The Professor's words get a nod from Max and Dragonette both before he adds, "I can see she's quite attractive, even under that helmet." Dragonette's cheeks go softly pink before she rubs the 'bump'.

"Thank you, Professor. I read all about your work and Max filled me in on the compact N-2 prototypes your daughter created from your notes. Good news is one of them has been recovered, but at a cost."

"How bad?" Mana's question gets a soft sigh from Max before he replies.

"15 Security Officers at the UN Headquarters dead, one UNP-NY Officer mildly wounded according to SECGEN." Grinning, he adds, "On the plus side, the prototype self-deactivated. It seems they didn't figure they were missing a step or two."

"I see." The Prof nods with a smirk, Mana wearing the same smirk, before he asks, "The bad news?"

"In a nutshell, the thieves are pissed the N-2 prototype didn't go off and may be en route as we speak." Dragonette's reply gets the Kirishima Father and daughter to blink before Mana puts it together.

"They're after us now."

"That's what our intel suggests. Way I see it, we've two options. Option one, we get you so far underground, the groundhogs would need digging equipment to bring you your mail. Frustrating the thieves to no end, but also driving them underground. Which doesn't help in the recovery one bit."

"And frustration tends to get people eager to occupy their time. And what better way to occupy time than trying to guess the steps they're missing. And if they manage to examine the panel intently, or experiment with guessing the code enough… dammit! I thought leaving them out of the notes would've been sufficient! Along with the other detail!"

"There was no way you could've known what was going to happen, Mana. You did everything you could to make it impossible for those of ill intent to use it. You did everything right."

"Not right enough, Dragonette. I should've found another outlet for my grief, but no! I just had to look over Dad's notes and build the damned things!" Seething with self hatred, Mana feels her Father's arm going across her shoulders, his hand landing on her left shoulder. "Daddy…"

"Shh, it's alright, Mana. Dragonette's right. And I couldn't be any prouder of you, pumpkin." Her cheeks going pink at the appellation, Mana can only chuckle lightly before he asks, "What's option 2?"

"It's a tactic I'm loath to use, but it's also probably the best way to find them and the other prototype. It's your choice, I won't force it."

"Bait. Since they're coming after us, we're 'Option 2'. A 'Trojan Horse' of sorts."

"That's right, Professor." Mana lightly scowls at Max before her face lightens up.

"You're right, Agent Steel. It's loathsome, but if it has the best chance to catch them and recover it… one thing's bugging me, though." Max picks up what Mana's alluding to and grins softly.

"No. We can't be on site as it would give them the impression we'd been waiting for them. Hence scaring them away." Bringing out the small case, he adds, "In this case are two smaller cases. They each have a syringe with a transponder chip as small as the head of a pin. Biodegradable, it starts breaking down after a day. By the time Day 2 rolls around, it'll be totally gone."

"Won't it be detectable before it starts breaking down?"

"No, Professor. It synchronizes with your body's electrical system instantly upon injection."

"Ingenious." Mana checks her watch and adds, "Time for you to take your pill, Daddy."

"So it is. Thank you, Mana." As he goes inside, Mana can't help but shake her head.

"I don't know where he got that idea from, but it was pretty smart of him."

"What idea, Miss Kirishima?"

"On our flight back to Japan, he told that Interpol Inspector that came with us, Stalk, I believe, that he'd created a memory clearance drug in pill form, Agent Steel." Shrugging, she adds, "I guess he didn't trust her any more than I did."

"So what kind of pill is it, then?"

"Vitamin C, Dragonette. Before the trip back here, Dad hadn't been feeling well of late, so the Docs put him on Vitamin C to help his immune system." Max and Dragonette both look at each other and start chuckling.

"Oh, that just screams 'Academy Award', if not 'Oscar', doesn't it, Max?"

"It does indeed, Dragonette."

"What does indeed, Agent Steel?" The Professor's voice as he walks back up to them gets them to smirk in amusement before Max replies.

"Your telling Inspector Stalk your pills are memory clearance when… they're just Vitamin C! It just screams 'Academy' or 'Oscar Award' for best performance by supporting actor! Even if you aren't an actor!" Dragonette gives a nod before putting her bit in.

"Yeah. If I'd seen that performance, I'd have bought it too!" The Professor just smiles and takes a bow.

"I thank you for the votes, my young friends. I also minored in theater when I was in college, majoring in nuclear science."

"Is that how you met…"

"Mana's Mother? Yes, Dragonette. She had the role of 'Titania' in 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' and I was 'Nick Bottom'. I'm sure you know where I'm going with this."

"You played the guy that became…"

"A donkey, or more colorfully put by her, a jackass, Agent Steel. Kind of how I felt when she died from cancer." Somehow, The Professor can tell Dragonette's blinking behind her visor.

"Why'd you feel that way?"

"Before her cancer was first noticed, I was pondering that if regular radiotherapy can be used for medicine, why not do the same with N-2 knowledge." Sighing, he adds, "But I couldn't get them to take me seriously. They told me to stick with weapons technology and ignore 'absurd ideas' like that."

"Hence you coming up with the design specs for the compact N-2. And when her cancer was first seen…"

"I started researching N-2 medicine on the side, Agent Steel. I made notes, formulas, hypotheses… every single thing I tried that looked promising always seemed to have something missing."

"I know how that goes. For some reason, every time I think I got something in music figured out, I start to think I'm missing something." Max's words get a giggle from Dragonette and snickers from the Professor and Mana both. Calming his snickers down, the Professor goes on.

"While I worked, Mana split her time at school with helping care for her Mother or me with my research. She encouraged me, saying she didn't want to go through the regular kind of nuclear medicine. I couldn't blame her one bit, especially with the side effects associated with it. She wanted to concentrate on quality of life, whether I succeed or not."

"She must've been brave to go through all that. I suppose her Doctors raised a stink to no end about it."

"Like you wouldn't believe, Dragonette. Every single day, they'd call, demanding we accede to their 'superior knowledge' and submit her to that brutality. But we'd never budge, citing 'quality of life' and her right of choice. The Court sided with us every single time they'd try to force us. Then one day, I got lucky. I felt I found the answer. By that time, however…"

"It was too late. She was terminal." At his nod, Dragonette says, "Know this, Professor, you're not the jackass, it was those that told you to stick with weapons."

"I told them that as well. I told them that if they'd taken me seriously, my wife would still be alive and we'd have another treatment for cancer. One without the side effects of regular nuclear medicine." Scoffing, he adds, "They said they'll look it over. When I handed copies of my notes to them, they shoved them right into the shredder, stating my ideas of N-2 medicine are ridiculous."

"Those… fucking… jerks!" Feeling Max's hands on her shoulders, Dragonette relaxes and sighs before saying, "Sorry about that, Professor. It's these mood swings."

"I understand, Dragonette. Mana's Mother was the same way when she was pregnant with Mana." Shaking his head, he adds, "But back to the matter at hand. How soon should we inject the transponders?"

"If you can, before you're grabbed and if they have the other prototype with them. If you're separated from each other, and you're grabbed while the other's on the loose, inject."

"And the one on the loose? Or if they don't have it with them?"

"Call this number." Max brings out two cards and hands one to both of them. "Tell them who you are and 'The rat has taken the cheese'. The nearest Agent to you will be dispatched for pick up and relocation to a safe house. If they don't have it with them, wait until you see it before injecting."

"What if they see either of us injecting?"

"If that happens, make up some kind of BS, Mana. Like it's a toxin that'll kill you in an excruciating manner within a certain amount of time, for example. If you're both grabbed together, it'll self-activate upon injection and sync with the electrical system."

"Okay, though I don't think making up some kind of BS will be a problem. Dad and I both have a BS in BS." Mana's comment gets a smirk from Max and a snicker from Dragonette.

"Here, smartass." Handing them both a syringe case, he adds, "Hide it in a manner that won't cause them to be suspicious."

"Got it, Agent Steel." That said, Mana puts hers into her purse while the Professor puts his into his pants pocket. Mana then smiles brightly and asks, "So, which one do you hope the baby is?"

"I'm hoping it'll be a boy." Looking back toward Max and smiling softly, Dragonette adds, "So he'll be kind, smart, handsome and strong just like his Dad." Max pecks her lips before speaking up.

"I wouldn't mind a little girl, so she'll be just like her Mom. Beautiful, smart and strong with a big heart." Grinning, he adds, "It could even be both. As in a boy and a girl."

"Twins." Dragonette gives off a titter at that before stroking her belly again while Mana sighs.

"Just like one of my favorite romance novels, only happening in real life." Dragonette looks over at Mana and grins before Max clears his throat.

"In any case, the one that was recovered will be brought back to you, unless you wish for something else to happen to it?"

"Well, I was intending to work on them more, to improve the security and increase the amount of time till detonation. But, I think it'll be better if it's destroyed and the knowledge locked away, never to see the light of day again."

"I'm guessing you want UNNIC to do the work."

"Yeah, Dragonette. I'd probably get so emotional during the destruction, I'd change my mind and not go through with it."

"Okay. What's the safest way of destruction?"

"On the bottom of the case, Agent Steel, there's an access panel. Beneath the panel is a series of wires right at the rod chamber. They're in a multi-colored bundle, and must be cut in order, one by one, to deactivate the chamber's anti-tampering circuitry."

"What's the order?"

"Blue, purple, red, yellow, green, white, black and pink." Sighing, Mana adds, "Please excuse me. I've school tomorrow and must take a bath before going to bed." All three nod at her before she pecks the Professor on his cheek. "Night, Daddy."

"Night, pumpkin." As she goes into the house, the Professor sighs sadly. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't… come up with the plans and just proceeded with my research, Mana's Mother would probably still be here and those infernal devices would not have been made or stolen. They've been nothing but disaster."

"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Mana. It wasn't your fault this happened. There was no way you could've known. The blame lies on those that stole them just because they wanted to feel big and powerful when they're really just pathetic."

"That's easy for you to say, Dragonette, but not so easy for me to believe. I'm sorry, but…" Feeling her arms around him, he softly returns it. He then hears her whispering.

"You're a good man, Professor Kirishima. Don't give them the satisfaction of breaking you. Always remember that you're better than them." Ending the hug, she goes back to Max. "Sorry about that."

"No need. I had something else in mind, but it'll do in a pinch."

"Oh?" Max grins as he mouths 'later'. Giving him a nod and a grin right back, she turns back toward the Professor and asks, "Think you and Mana will be okay, Professor?"

"I believe we will be, yes. Thank you, Agent Steel and Dragonette. Have a pleasant drive back home."

"We will." At their united reply, the Professor can't help but chuckle.

"You two are really made for each other."

"Yeah." Hugging Max close, Dragonette murmurs, "We are." With that, they get back into the car as the Professor makes his way back to the house. "So, that's the one that dreamed up the N-2 devices."

"Yep." Wheeling the car away from the Kirishima house, Max sighs and shakes his head. "So much self-blaming and self-hating in the world. I could feel both just coming out of the both of them. It's just senseless to do that to yourself."

"I'll say. Quite frankly, I shudder to think about how you'd have turned out if Josh had never come along. I mean, you might have gotten stuck with an uncaring dickhead like 'Dumbass' or someone that…" Shivering, she murmurs, "I can't even say it, Shinji. Makes my skin crawl."

"Mine too, Rits. Mine too." Behind her Dragonette helmet, Rits smirks.

"As for what you had in mind back there… what was it?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if Aunt Mariko was seeing anyone, is all."

"Wanting to play matchmaker, are you?" Her smirk becoming a warm smile, she then giggles. "Though I gotta admit, they would probably look good together. But, how would we go about introducing them without revealing ourselves to Aunt Mariko or them?"

"That, Rits, is a very good question. Too bad we can't ask Mr Kaji. He's bound to have knowledge of subtle introductions through third parties."

"Yeah. N-Tek's hiding him pretty good. I just hope he's not going to do something stupid to cause him to wind up in jeopardy."

"This is Kaji we're talking about, Rits." Mulling it over, Rits can only sigh haplessly before smirking.

"You're right. He's going to do something stupid. Really stupid, at that."

"Uh-huh. And when that happens, Misato's gonna flip." Chuckling, he then adds, "I sure wouldn't want to be in his shoes if he does do something stupid."

"Damn straight, Shinji. I've plans for you, after all, and I'm not going to let them go at all. So don't do anything stupid."

"Yes dear."

(Onjuku-2; N-Tek safe house; same time)

"Where is he? Where is that… that spy?" Looking around, Bernard 'Bernie' Rokatensaki, the lead Agent for the safe house, scowls. "I gave him some intel reports to pore over, not authorization to go off on his own!"

"Agent Roktensaki!" At the voice of Jushiro Ogawa, one of the Security Agents for the safe house, he turns around. "Mr Kaji slipped through the dragnet, sir. He even took a 'Sparrow' in his departure."

"He took a 'Sparrow'? I didn't know he was flight qualified on a small jet aircraft." Blinking, he then asks, "Have you been able to activate the tracking beacon in it?"

"No, sir. He disconnected the beacon from the avionics and left a message for you, sir."

"Very well." Once the Agent's handed it to him, he looks it over.

'Bernie',

Much as I appreciate your intent to keep me out of harm's way, I can't help feel cooped up in here. As such, it's only fitting that I leave this tidbit for you. The man you know as John Dread has consolidated all of SEELE's aspects into one compound. The making of MP Evangelions, making copies of the Lance of Longinus, and something else. I'm not sure what, though. So, I'm off to investigate the site and will keep in touch. Feel free to try to find the site while you wait, though.

Warm regards,

Ryoji Kaji

"Agent Katsuragi's not going to like this one bit." Shaking his head, Rokatensaki looks toward Ogawa and grins. "You're going to tell her what has happened, Jushiro."

"Me, sir?"

"Yes you. In the meantime, I'll inform Director Smith and get our intel guys to go over his computer searches. See if anything sticks out." Ogawa gives a nod and gulps. With Rokatensaki catching it. "No need to worry, Ogawa. Agent Katsuragi can't kill you if she's on the phone with you."

"And I suppose that makes everything alright, then." As Ogawa goes to carry out his duty, he hears Rokatensaki chuckling softly. "He's got a lousy sense of humor." Bringing up his sat phone, he dials in. When the line picks up, he says, "This is Agent Ogawa, at the Onjuku safe house. I need a secure line to Agent Katsuragi, STAT."

"Patching you in now, Agent Ogawa." A minute later, he hears a sleepy female voice.

"Katsuragi here. Go ahead."

"Agent Katsuragi, this is Agent Ogawa out of Onjuku. I'm calling to report the status of Subject RK-15."

"I see." Her voice one of full awareness, she asks, "What's happened?"

"He fled the safe house, ma'am. He left a cryptic note and took one of our Sparrows with him."

"What brought this about, if I may ask?" Her level tone gives Ogawa the shivers. Yet he presses on.

"He expressed boredom over being in protective custody and sought to assist in any way he can two weeks ago. So, we let him pore over the reports transmitted to us via our field assets in Japan."

"What reports?"

"The reports involving Evangelion components, duplicates of the 'Lance of Longinus' and the movements of John Dread, AKA Lorenz Kiel."

"Aw, dammit to Hell. What's being done to find him?"

"We're searching now, ma'am, but he's long gone." Curious, he asks, "Just what exactly is he, ma'am? I know he's Japanese Intelligence. Or at least used to be."

"What he is, Agent Ogawa, is a 'ghost'. Able to slip in and out with little difficulty given time and opportunity. Quite frankly, I'm surprised he stayed put for so long." Chuckling, she adds, "Looks like I won this pool. Jefferson know?"

"Agent Rokatensaki's taking care of that right now, ma'am. Then he'll have our intel guys go over his computer searches. See if anything pokes out at them."

"Very well. Keep me posted."

"Yes, ma'am." Ending the call, Ogawa sighs in relief. "At least she took it well."

(Katsuragi/Sohryu apartment; Misato's room)

Her hands clenched in anger, Misato barely notices her freshly shattered phone falling to the floor in pieces.

"Why that… that… insufferable fool! What is he trying to do? Make me a widow before we're hitched? Because if so, he's off to a great start!" Before she can say anything else, the apartment's phone rings. "Now what? It'd better not be an Angel attack!" Exiting her room, barely dressed, Misato makes her way to the phone and picks it up. "Katsuragi here."

"Hey, Katsuragi. Been a while, hasn't it?" Kaji's voice both cheers her up and angers her. Cheers her up because he's still alive. Angers because of the stunt he'd pulled.

"Yes, it has, Kaji. But there are a few things that are bugging me."

"Go ahead."

"Are you out of your ever-loving mind, Kaji? Fleeing a safe house that I'd arranged that was meant to keep you safe? Along with taking a mode of transport that's off the books?"

"I know, Misato, I know. And I am sorry for that. But, did you see the gear those guys use? It's five years past the current standards Japanese Intelligence has for their equipment. How'd you get mixed up with that bunch, anyway?" Her lips curling into a smirk, Misato chuckles softly.

"I'll make you a deal, Ryoji. You stay alive through what it is you're doing right now and I'll tell you the whole story. Provided my handler approves, of course. I may have to censor some parts of it as you probably won't believe them."

"Yeah, you probably will." Kaji then snickers as he adds, "Next thing you tell me when we see each other again is Shinji's your handler! Now that'll be hard to believe!" Kaji breaks into laughter while Misato giggles.

'Oh, Kaji, you have no idea how on the mark you are!' Slowly tapering off her giggles, Misato asks, "But why, Kaji? Why'd you leave the safe house?"

"To make things right, Katsuragi. To make things right. You still have that chip I gave you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Access it and transmit what's on there to them. I don't know why, but I trust them with the info I entrusted to you. You know the password already as it is what I was always looking for. And, should I die before we see each other again, keep moving forward, Misato."

"Don't you dare talk like that, Ryoji. You hear me? Don't you dare talk like that. I still have plans for you, after all."

"I see. Do these plans entail a small house, in the middle of nowhere, with a little 'Ryoji' and 'Misato' running around and playing with other children?"

"I don't see why not." Smiling softly, she strokes her belly, wishing she had a baby in there right now. "They can play with Shinji and Rits' kids, along with Rei and Asuka's."

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that. How goes Miss Takamiya's quest for Motherhood?"

"It's going well. In fact, she has a bun in the oven now. She's ecstatic, as is Shinji."

"I don't doubt that. How's Ms Takamiya taking it?"

"Last time I saw her, she was trying her hand at knitting baby clothes. Though, I think she may be getting frustrated by now." Sighing, she asks, "Where are you at, Ryoji?"

"I can't tell you. Not just yet. But I can send a signal as to where I can be found when I'm ready for the Calvary." With that, Kaji ends the call. Misato puts the receiver back into place and sighs.

"Misato?" Asuka's voice behind her gets Misato to turn around. Upon seeing the redhead in her sleep wear, rubbing her eyes, Misato can't help but feel bad. "Was that Kaji just now?"

"Yeah, it was. How much did you hear, Asuka?"

"Just enough to know that Kaji's up to his shenanigans again. Along with Ms Takamiya not having the best of luck in knitting baby clothes from the way you're putting things."

"That's probably the most apt assessment, Asuka."

(Tokyo-3 Takamiya house; same time)

"Aw come on!" As the yarn falls out of place in the blanket she's trying to make, Deidre can't help but sigh. "I can sew okay, but I can't knit for shit!" Hearing a knock on the door, Deidre groans. "Now what?" Getting up, she walks away from the mess and goes to the door. Opening it, she can't help but smile at her visitor.

"Hey, Deidre. I'm getting together a baby shower for Rits. Want in?"

"You bet I do, Edith. This is my Ritsy we're talking about, after all." Blinking, she asks, "Did you think I'd… turn her away?"

"I'd be lying if I said the implication didn't slip my mind. I'm sorry if you're offended."

"Of course I'm offended. Which means you'll have to make it up to me, I believe."

"You believe right. What can I do to make it up to you, Deidre?"

"Please teach me to knit, Deidre." Indicating the pile behind her, Deidre sheepishly shrugs. "It seems that while I can sew okay, I can't knit for shit."

"I'm not much better, but perhaps we can improve together. Shall we?"

"Sure." As the two sit down, across from each other, Deidre smiles softly at Edith. "By the way, I saw Kensuke Aida in the company of a very pretty girl that looks like you and Mr Treadwell. I gather she's…"

"She is, indeed, our daughter. She was conceived the night Second Impact happened." Edith's smile is bittersweet before a tear drips out of her eye. "To think the day we buried Uncle John in his favorite spot was the hardest day of my life. Shows what I knew."

"What happened to him? I know he was shot in the back by a bimbo lackey, but that's about it."

"He was shot while we were getting ready to leave, he never even saw it coming."

"You mean he was shot in the back?"

"Yeah. Sam got his ass onto the plane while I was taxiing. He called out to me that he was dead, that the girl shot him. When everything was done, having left Sam's objective behind, we flew back to Snappy Tom's. When we were overhead the site, we saw her and Snappy Tom on the ground. Both dead. Once Sam landed, we went to see how it happened. She was shot in the forehead at point blank range and Snappy Tom shot himself in his head. Using her gun to do so."

"Guess he couldn't live without her. Any idea as to who shot her?"

"Chances are it was Lester. In his viewpoint, if you turn out to be a Tracker, you die. If you get on his bad side, you die. I mean, if you saw that guy, one thing would roar through your mind. 'Nutjob'. While Sam moved the plugs from the plane back into the Mustang, I gathered Uncle John up into the blankets he always had."

"Snappy Tom and the bimbo?"

"We left 'em where they laid for the vultures. Far as I was concerned, they didn't deserve a grave. They deserved to lay there, so spare me the moral superiority crap, Deidre. If it was your kin they'd killed, wouldn't you do the same?"

"If it was Ritsy, and they'd died at my hands or Lester's, yes." Sighing, Deidre says, "I don't think we're gonna get any work on knitting done today."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Edith's words get Deidre to blink, causing Edith to smirk. "Look at what's in your hands." Doing so, Deidre can't help but be stunned. A baby blanket, with multi-colored patterns. "Congratulations, Grandma. You knitted."

"But… but how?"

"Easy. While I talked, and you listened, your hands did the work. A little trick I picked up when I was pregnant with Emily. If you want to knit, don't think about it. Let your hands do the work."

"Wow. How far along were you when you picked it up?"

"Five months. I was starting to show and I had just taken a sabbatical from 'Tracking' two months prior. In a place like Glory Hole, there's not much business for a 'Tracker' that's expecting. The clerk at the hotel Sam stayed at when we first met came to my office one day. Sam was in the process of starting his own company up and I was feeling a bit lonely."

"Okay. What happened then?"

"She only smiled and brought out sewing supplies, telling me 'Any time a new life is being created, knitting helps the Mother to be pass the time away'. Of course…"

"I know. Just wanted to help Ritsy concentrate on school and take care of herself so she won't stress out so much. You know what she's gone through, after all."

"Yeah. The death of her parents, the court case involving her Grandfather and all that." Looking around, Edith lightly frowns. "Is it me or is this place less furnished than the last time I was here?"

"It's not you, Edith. I'm in the process of having my stuff transported back to the house in Kyoto-2. Ritsy gathered up her stuff and moved in with Shinji so they can get some practical experience in preparation for marriage." Looking around herself, she adds, "I figure I'll be totally moved out by my last day with you guys."

"I still can't believe you're going to go for being a teacher. It blows my mind." Instead of feeling offended, Deidre only smiles at Edith before chuckling.

"I can't believe it either. And I'm about to go for it. Of course, with my past as a whole…" Her voice trailing off can't help but worry Edith.

"Deidre?" The sight of tears streaming down Deidre's face can't help but get Edith to ask, "What were you like? Before Ritsuko, I mean."

"Edith, before I adopted Ritsy, I wasn't exactly the nicest person in the world. Thinking back, I had done things I'm not proud of. You might even say I am ashamed of some of them."

"It's not like you killed anyone, so it can't be that bad."

"Maybe not, but I don't want to talk about it. Hell, I wish I'd never done any of those things to begin with. If anything, I regret everything I'd done."

"Is that why you took Ritsuko in? As a penance of sorts?"

"Yep." Curious, she then asks, "What kind of place is Glory Hole, anyway? It sounds… creepy."

"That about sums it up. You have no idea what it's like to have a tyke in that kind of environment, nor would you want to. Especially if your husband was elsewhere, starting up his own construction business in the wake of Second Impact."

"How long did you live there with her?"

"I lived there for a month before moving the both of us to Anaheim."

"So, that means you split when…"

"That's right. We left Glory Hole when Emily was just a month old. Too many weird sickos there. I thought I'd have to shoot my way out of there without Sam to cover for me. Much to my surprise, however, we were able to leave without me having to fire a shot." Smirking, she adds, "Of course, the denizens there thought I was scary enough before my pregnancy and probably didn't want to antagonize me further." Deidre can't help but chuckle at that before nodding.

"Nothing scarier than a Tracker protecting her young."

"Exacto." Picking up more material, Edith looks it over and grins. "Seeing as you made a blanket, ready to try baby booties?"

"Sure." As she gets to it, Deidre asks, "What was she like? The clerk at the hotel, I mean."

"She was kind, with a bit of an edge. There was also sadness in her eyes and voice. I once asked her why she was sad and what I heard just about caused a tear-flood."

"What happened?"

"She was going to be a Mother once. In China, Beijing province. She'd just been widowed in relation to a car wreck. Considering her circumstances, however, her pregnancy was going well. She was looking forward to raising her child, telling him or her about the Father."

"I'm listening, Edith."

"She didn't know what happened. One minute, the baby was kicking lively, getting to both grunt in pain and giggle in amusement. It was almost as if the baby was saying 'Get me the fuck out of here!'." Edith and Deidre both share a chuckle before Edith goes serious. "The next minute, she was so badly doped up on painkillers during the last stages of labor when she heard a flat-line tone. While she was lucid enough still, she asked what was wrong. Her baby was stillborn, the Docs said. She weakly protested before the drugs knocked her out."

"How awful."

"Yeah. Anyway, when she regained consciousness, she asked to be allowed to hold her baby at least once. She was told it'd been cremated and the ashes put into an urn for her."

"Huh. That sounds really fishy. Cremation of an infant in China requires consent and I highly doubt she gave it in that state."

"I told her that too and she snorted. 'There's only one consent that matters and it's the consent of the State'. It was then she decided that it's high time she left China and her past far behind. Taking only very little clothing, and the urn containing the ashen remains, she had herself smuggled into the States. Of course, the higher-ups in the government demanded she return."

"Now that's really fuckin' weird. I wonder why."

"Dunno. The only thing she told me when I asked was 'She's got dirt on everyone in the Chinese Government' and left it at that." Looking at Deidre's hands again, she claps. "Beautiful, Deidre! Just beautiful!" Deidre blinks again before looking down and smiling softly. Much like the blanket, the booties are multi-colored.

"I just hope the kid doesn't wind up with a complex about rainbows." Picking up another piece of yarn, she grins and says, "Let's see how I fare with solid colors this time."

"Go for it!" As Deidre gets to work, Edith asks, "What about your family history?"

"Until I adopted Ritsy, I didn't have a family. Not even in my criminal past. Even more, I was so distrusting of the Chinese Government that I didn't even bother to ask for my birth records as, for all I knew, I had no records. Far as I was concerned, I didn't exist in their eyes, had no family and was not worth their time in the education system."

"So your life was as fucked up as mine, then."

"Pretty much, yeah. And it got fucked up even more when I met the 'man' I'd devoted my being to on the basis that only he can give me happiness. What a crock of shit that was."

"Well, tell you what, you ever see him again, and he tries to get you to go back to the 'Dark Side', tell that sack of shit that you have a friend that'll be more than happy to blow him to smithereens with a bazooka."

"Oh, that sounds so delightfully tempting, though I already have something in mind for 'him' should he ever come near me."

"What's that?"

"Jackhammer before steamroller, put it on 'Pay-Per-View'… it'd be great!"

"Yeah, it would." Pondering, Edith can't help but sigh. "They all do sound good to do to him." Shaking her head and smirking, she adds, "He must be some piece of shit if those ideas appeal to you."

"Like you wouldn't believe, Edith. Like you wouldn't believe."

(NERV HQ; Sychola's office; two hours later)

"Well, you didn't qualify today, but you're off to a good start, Miss Ugatinoga." Grinning widely, he asks, "What'd you think of your first time firing a weapon?"

"I liked it, sir. I just wish I didn't miss so much."

"Nah, it wasn't you. The sights on very rifle we get in here are set to 'battlefield zero'. Meaning they are to be adjusted by the shooter or range officer during target practice. Next time you shoot, we'll get the sights adjusted as you go along until you hit the 'X' every single time." Smirking, he adds, "You might even be able to get in a head shot or two."

"Aren't those considered to be specialty shots, sir?"

"Yes, they are. Which is why 'center mass' is most favored."

"Wow. How'd you get to know so much, sir?"

"A long story, Miss Ugatinoga. That's all I can tell you." Next thing he knows, Machiko lightly chuckles.

"Agent Dyson was right about you. You're more of a 'people person' than Chief Inspector Cochrane was." Sychola can't help but chuckle as well.

"Oh… that kid's going to be one Hell of an Agent. I bet his old man's proud of him right now." All of a sudden, Sychola stiffens lightly and sees a flash of memory.

Desert.

Fatigues.

Running with a group of Marines toward a targeted building.

One of the Marines turning around, the name patch on the jacket visible to his eyes.

Snapping out of it, he sees Machiko looking worriedly toward him.

"You alright, sir? You zoned out a bit there."

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… part of the long story, Miss Ugatinoga."

"It must be a doozy, sir."

"It is." Checking his watch, he grins lightly. "Looks like the time at the range ate up a chunk of time, Miss Ugatinoga. I want you to report, at 0650, at the target range so we can get you qualified. So bring your 'A' game. Okay?"

"Okay, sir!" With that, Machiko exits and Sychola chuckles softly.

"Just like a female version of Dyson. Only she's not an Agent. Oh well." Curious, he accesses his computer. "Let's see what kind of man Dyson's Dad was, anyway."

Using his clearances in the UN, he finds the information he's looking for and eagerly reads it over. Only for his jaw to drop before he recovers it.

"Ex-Marine, Force Recon, fought in the Gulf War, honorable discharge, joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, had potential to advance in the ranks…" Looking down the list, he then sees the part he'd been expecting to find. Only he doesn't expect what he sees. "His last case was a rash of murders, with children as the victims. Homeless children at that." Turning away from the monitor, Sychola slightly frowns.

"So, if Brian had a home, then why… his Dad didn't want to take any chances and bought him the gun. Wait. He was Recon?" Looking it over again, he starts shaking and brings his own file up. Looking it over, he can't help but shake his head. "You gotta be kidding me. No wonder I felt so at ease with him." Grinning softly, he murmurs, "Semper Fi, Marine. Semper Fi."

(Ikari/Takamiya apartment; forty minutes later)

"Hang on tight to me, 'Nette."

"Oh I will."

Standing precariously on the left wing of the cloaked 'Sparrow', while cloaked in Max's proximity, the slender young beauty clutches tightly onto her beloved as the aircraft rises up to their destination. Max softly caressing her body as he speaks.

"Sporting goods, lingerie, babies, honeymoon suite." Dragonette softly giggles as his caresses and words both tickle and turn her on. His hands softly cup her breasts, prompting her to reach down and cup his crotch just before his last words.

Arriving upon the latter, Max eases her along the wing until they touch down onto the balcony floor. Stepping inside, he switches back over to Shinji and closes the door back.

"Rather quiet, but better quiet than loud." Looking over toward his beloved as she removes her helmet, he asks, "How'd you like the milk run, Rits?"

"Seeing as we didn't have to fight our way out of a scrape, especially since we had a passenger with us, I liked it." Turning her back to Shinji, she asks, "Care to unzip me, love?"

"Sure." But instead of unzipping her, however, he softly traces the seam lines of the stitching. Getting Rits' attention as he starts at her legs.

"What're you doing, Shinji?"

"Just admiring the stitching on your body suit. Deidre did good work in sewing the material together."

Getting up to her crotch, he softly rubs it while planting a kiss to her ass. Rits' giggle gets him to grin as he traces from there up to her sides, arms and shoulders. Once done, his hands go to the faux baby bump and softly caresses it. With Rits' hands over them, he softly sways with her in his arms.

"Hmm, I like this. Swaying in your arms."

"I like having you in my arms." Kissing her on the side of her neck, his left hand leaves the bump, her hand following suit. Slowly gliding along the front of the suit, he cups her left breast again, with Rits holding it in place and starting to pant.

"Shinji… please, unzip… your pregnant wife… so you can… fuck her."

"What my wife wants…" Unzipping her suit, he's treated to the sight of her bare back as he helps her strip down. As she steps out of it, she turns toward him. Hunger in her eyes. "My wife gets." Rits goes to her knees and undoes Shinji's trousers. As she runs them down his legs, she softly sucks on him. "Oh Rits."

"Don't worry, Shinji. The way you are, you'll be nice and hard with one more bob."

That said, she engulfs his member with her mouth more time, licking it with her tongue. Sure enough, when she releases it, she rises slowly until she's below eye level. Shinji gently lowers himself until his member's lined up with her opening. He then gently rises, his member going in, with Rits wrapping her arms and legs around him as he starts pumping. Frenching each other passionately, Shinji walks her into their bedroom and gently lays her down onto the bed. Ending the kiss, his cool blue eyes look into her warm brown eyes before he softly strokes her face.

"You're so gorgeous. How'd I get to be so lucky to have an 'Angel' like you in my life?"

"Right time, right place, good circumstances." Nudging him with her legs, she murmurs, "Let me take you to Heaven, my love. For all the Hell you'd gone through during this war, you deserve some peace."

"You deserve some peace too. Especially with the crap 'Dumbass' pulled. Let's get it together." Rits can only nod in agreement, with tears falling from her eyes.

Slowly pumping into her, he softly licks her right nipple before kissing it. He then lifts her up into a vertical position, getting her to softly gasp out before smiling. His pumping getting to be more intense with each thrust, he holds her closely before his hands go down to her ass. Softly squeezing her ass cheeks, he hears her squeak out before he chuckles.

"You sound so cute like that, Rits." Kissing her again, he murmurs, "You won't believe how hard it was for me to resist the urge to jump you at the Kirishima house."

"I think I might. I had a hard time too. Just you standing there, by my side, I found it hard to resist that urge myself. Even though we're 'life partners' as Doctor Kirishima described us." Next thing she knows, an orgasm washes over her. She can't help but scream out as Shinji lets loose his seed into her. "SHINJI!" Feeling his lips on hers, Rits dazedly returns the kiss and holds him closely as she gazes up into his eyes. Warm smile on her face.

(UNP-NY; two hours later)

As they go over the footage from Andrews' cruiser, Andrews more intent than ever, Lisa looks over the rifle that ultimately saved Andrews' life.

"Omark-44 rifle, bolt action, single shot, 7.62x39mm. High-power scope with a bipod attached to the barrel." Slightly smiling, she adds, "Gotta admit, the shooter's got style of some kind." The phone next to her rings and she grabs it up. "UNP-NY, Officer Kinsey speaking."

"This is SECGEN. Section-2 Agent Brian Dyson is presently en route from Russia to New York. He and his girlfriend will be arriving in four hours time at JFK International. Flight designation is KD-879. Cessna Citation. Now, I must tell you straight up. There's Cyrillic writing on the plane, as she is a Russian national."

"I understand, ma'am."

"Then I hope you'll understand that her name is Nikita Kamenev."

"Kamenev? As in mafiya Kamenev?"

"The very same. Only she's not inclined toward that lifestyle. So please try and keep that in mind when you meet them."

"I will, ma'am. I thank you for the heads up."

Ending the call, she starts shaking before clamping her hands over her mouth. Racing into the restroom, she goes right to the toilet and retches into it. Three minutes later, she shakily gets up and goes to the sink to rinse her mouth out. Scooping water into her mouth and gargling, she spits it out into the sink before tapping water onto her face.

'My new little brother's on the way here, with a neutral member of a crime family in tow? And he's with Section-2? Why not FBI?' Shrugging, she can only grin. "No family's perfect."

"Lisa? You okay?" Danny's voice gets a soft smile from her before she exits. Upon seeing her, his face lights up in a grin. "I was so worried when…"

"You're sweet." Softly pecking him on his cheek, not caring if anyone's watching, she adds, "I'm fine, Danny. I probably ate something that didn't agree with me, is all."

"Okay. If you're sure." Softly pecking her on her forehead, he asks, "So what was that about, anyway?"

"My brother's on his way now from Russia. He and his girlfriend both. They'll be arriving in about four hours time." Shakily, she hugs him, adding, "I'm scared, Danny. I know that SECGEN said he doesn't have a hateful bone in his body. But, what if…"

"We'll never know until we meet him, Lisa. What about the other thing I heard?"

"What other thing, sweetie?"

"Kamenev mafiya."

"Oh. That." Giving a wry smile, she shrugs and says, "SECGEN says Brian's girlfriend is a neutral with the same last name, in a nutshell." Looking over toward Andrews, she adds, "I just hope he didn't hear that part of it. He'd take any opportunity to bring down a name like Kamenev. Neutral or not."

"Tell me about it. He'd be swimming with sharks before being eaten by said sharks." Lisa can't help but nod and giggle at his meaning.

"Aw dammit! Why can't we get a full picture of her face? What do you mean it was because she wasn't facing it? I gotta look at the mug books? That'll take hours!"

"Although, I think Andrews' time is going to be quite occupied in searching for Cochrane's accomplice." Lisa nods at that before commenting herself.

"Couldn't happen to a 'nicer' guy."

(Takamiya house; same time)

"Wow. I can't believe… I did all this?" Deidre can't help but blink repeatedly at all the baby items she'd made. "I've got enough for… twenty grandchildren."

"Well, I'm sure Ritsuko will be more than up to it."

"More than up to what, E?" Ritsuko's voice in the room with them slightly startles her. "Whoa! Easy! Sorry about that!" Edith breathes deeply, trying to calm herself back down, and hears Deidre chuckling.

"Damn. I'm out of practice. I didn't hear you come in, Ritsuko."

"What can I say? I got it from Mom." Looking over all the baby items, Rits can't help but sweat-drop slightly. "Trying to tell me something, Mom? As in how many grandkids you'd like to have, perhaps?" Feeling the urge, Deidre goes with it.

"Well, I'd always wanted a big family. If it's through you and Shinji…" Much to her surprise, however, Rits smiles mischievously.

"Sounds like a challenge, Mom. With this little one, it'll be one down. Nineteen to go." Smirking now, she adds, "I might even be carrying twins or triplets and not know it right now. Guess we'll find out when the time comes." Deidre can't help but start giggling, with Edith joining in. Rits isn't far behind as she giggles too.

"Sorry, Ritsy. I shouldn't have taken the joke that far, but I couldn't resist. Much like I didn't expect you to run with it."

"Yeah, well, Shinji and I thought we'd swing by and check on you."

"Oh? And where's Shinji at?"

"He's outside, looking over 'Mihke', to be sure there aren't any bad spots on the hull that need to be handled before we take it to the harbor next week, E." Next thing they know, the door opens and Rits grins. "That was quick, Shinji."

"I saw no sign of leak spots on the hull, so it should be okay to go into the water at the harbor. We'll know more when it's in the water, of course."

"Of course. Matter of fact, Shinji, someone I'd like you to meet. Edith Treadwell, my 'husband', Shinji. Shinji, Edith Treadwell. She was with Mom the day of…"

"The 12th Angel." Extending his hand forward, Shinji says, "It's nice to meet you, ma'am." Next thing he knows, Edith has her arms wrapped around him and is stroking his head with one hand.

"Thank you, so, so much!" Softly kissing his forehead, she murmurs, "I just wish those your age weren't…"

"I know. You're not the only one, ma'am."

"Nah-uh-uh. It's Edith. I only let you get away with calling me 'ma'am' once. No more. Got it?"

"Got it, Edith." Getting a look at all the baby items, Shinji arches an eyebrow and grins. "Jeepers, Deidre, do I sense a challenge or is it a request for a certain amount of grandchildren?" Deidre has a serious look on her face, as if she's considering it, before she smiles widely.

"No, Shinji. I just got a little carried away in my knitting. Granted, I had a little trouble at first until Edith came by." Kinking her head to the side, she adds, "By the way, I heard an interesting rumor you had, quite literally, nailed Gendo's ass with a nail gun in the Medical Ward. To a gurney, no less. With Ritsy getting in on it." Looking toward Rits, she asks, "Is it true, Ritsy?"

"I cannot tell a lie. Shinji and I did, in fact, nail 'Dumbass' ass to a gurney with a nail gun. Shinji gave him one nail just for being an ass and I gave him three. Two in his frontal hips and the third just about at his other ass cheek." Edith can't help but blink at that.

"Just about? What's that mean?"

"I was shooting blind, didn't know if I was going to hit an artery or not." Shrugging, she adds, "If he died or not, I wasn't going to shed any tears over it. Especially considering…"

"Considering what, Ritsuko?" Edith's query gets Shinji, Rits and Deidre to look at each other before Shinji replies.

"The day the 12th Angel came along, when the others and I were in the process of withdrawing from the shadow of the Angel. I saw you and Deidre both on the building's framework."

"I remember. What happened?"

"Nut-shelling, 'Dumbass' had written you both off as expendable, that your lives were forfeit. I didn't accept that one bit. To me, life's a gift. NERV's purpose is to protect human life from the Angels' designs on humanity. How can NERV expect to save humanity if a Pilot can't save two humans from a horrid fate? 'Dumbass' order made no sense at all."

"I see. I'm guessing he's there still?"

"Yep. Of course, he's in a full body cast now." Rits grins as she adds, "It seems that after we left, Doctor Akagi had some anger to vent herself. And I don't think I want to know where she 'nailed' him at. Or how many times."

"Hmm. I wonder if I can get in on it. I've a bone to pick with him about writing us off like that. How about you, Deidre?"

"I think I'll pass until after he's healed up a bit. After all, in my book, it's no fun hurting a jerk like that while the jerk's hurt." Curious, she then asks, "When you say 'full body cast', Ritsy, do you mean as in fully covered in plaster?"

"Yep. Quite frankly, he gives 'being plastered' a whole new meaning." Rits then bursts into giggles at the pun, with Shinji chuckling softly before he softly kisses her. Deidre and Edith, however, can't help but roll their eyes at the pun.

(NYC; JFK Airport lobby; four hours later)

Wringing her hands nervously and pacing, Lisa looks up toward the board, hoping to see the flight number Brian's on. A concerned Danny's seated as he watches her before he sighs and stands up. Taking her into his arms, he looks right into her eyes and sees she's a nervous wreck.

"Come on, Lisa, sit down. You're gonna wear a path in the floor with all the pacing you're doing at this rate."

"Easy for you to say, Danny. You're calm, not a nervous wreck, and I can't help envying you on that." The feeling of Danny's lips on hers can't help but get a soft sigh from her. As the kiss ends, she smiles softly and asks, "How, Danny? How can you be so calm when you should be nervous too? After all, you're married to and banging his adopted older sister."

"I'm nervous, alright, but I don't let it show or get to me." Grinning softly, he adds, "Besides, what we do with each other isn't really his business. Honestly, I'm thinking it's you that's the younger sibling while Brian's the older one."

"You're probably not far off there." Lisa suddenly feels queasy and murmurs, "Excuse me." Striding toward the ladies room, she goes in. The sound of retching comes out of the doorway, followed by water running and gargling. Coming back out, Lisa has a bashful grin on her face. "I'm so nervous, it's making me sick."

"Which is why you should calm down, Lisa. And maybe see a Doc if it happens again."

"I'll take it under advisement, Danny." Softly hugging him, she asks, "How do you put up with me, Danny? For that matter, how can you?"

"It's part of your charm." Lisa softly giggles at that before Danny squeezes her butt. "Plus you've a cute ass." Lisa's face is beet red at that. But before she can say anything, the P.A. pipes up.

"Flight KD-879 from Moscow Russia is now arriving at Gate 14. Once again, flight KD-879 from Moscow Russia is now arriving at Gate 14."

"Must've landed while you were in the restroom." Danny checks her over and sees she's starting to tremble. "It'll be okay, Lisa. I'll be right with you." Lisa tentatively gulps and nods before snuggling into his side as they head toward the Gate. As they near the Gate, they see their expected party and three UN Customs Agents going over their paperwork. Once within earshot, they hear one of the Agents speaking.

"Do either of you have anything to declare?"

"Four guns altogether." The replying voice is male, causing Lisa to gulp again before it goes on. "Three for personal defense and one as an evidence piece."

"Bring them out, please." A moment later, the Agent says, "Welcome to the United States, Section-2 Agent Dyson and Miss Kamenev."

"Thank you, Agent." The feminine voice has a prominent Russian accent as it adds, "Have a pleasant day."

"You as well, ma'am." With that, Lisa and Danny see their party walking up toward them. Gently moving away from Danny, Lisa walks up toward Brian.

"Brian Dyson?"

"Yes, Officer…" Brian's voice trails off before he sees her nameplate. "Kinsey." Indicating the woman at his side, he adds, "My girlfriend, Nikita Kamenev." Next thing he knows, Lisa softly cups his cheek, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"You look just like him." Brian blinks at that before putting it together.

"Lisa?" Silently nodding, Lisa sees him looking her over before grinning. "You're just like Dad described you. Cute as a button, only more like a bombshell like Nikita is." Lisa can't help but blush, getting Brian to grin. "Even your blush makes you look cute. You must have to fight men off with your nightstick when you're on and off duty."

"Brian!" Nikita's mirth is poorly suppressed at Lisa's cry as Lisa lunges toward him, wrapping him in her arms. With Brian returning serve as Lisa starts sobbing. Brian feels his shoulder get wet with tears instantly, causing him to softly murmur.

"It's okay, sis. I'm here now." Danny and Nikita don't say a word. They just watch the united siblings.