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.

70. Chapter 70

Shinji Steel 70

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

(Treadwell Industries; same time)

While Deidre and Edith work on restoring the work area to working conditions, Sam makes arrangements for the broken window's replacement.

"Yes, that's right. No, I don't know what broke it. Great, thanks." Ending the call, he looks back down at the enlarged picture he'd shown Edith and scowls. "I would so love to see Deidre fling your ass out the window from this floor, you son of a bitch. But, until then…"

Crossing to the wall right by his doorway, he puts the picture on the wall and goes back to his desk. Reaching into it with both hands, he brings out an air pistol and a small case of air darts. Smirking as he loads and cocks the air pistol, he finishes.

"This is the next best thing." Aiming the pistol, he pulls the trigger.

THWACK

The noise gets both Edith and Deidre's attention, along with Sam's chortles. Curious, they both go to his office and see him aiming a small black gun at the wall. When they look at the wall, they both gasp before giggling. An air dart had landed right on Dread's nose.

"That explains the small holes that had me laughing, Anaheim. How many of those mug shots do you go through?"

"Depends on my mood." Firing another dart, he asks, "Either of you wanna give it a try?"

"Sure."

"I'm game." Deidre's reply is so eager, Sam can't help but grin. "How does it go?"

"Okay. Deidre, you're first since you seem to have some rage left in you." Deidre nods, with Edith nodding in agreement, a wide grin on her face. "Stand behind the desk with me." Once Deidre's gotten there, he goes on. "Face the wall there. What do you see?"

"A miserable low-life piece of shit that thinks the world owes him a living." Nodding at her summation, Sam hands her the air pistol.

"Cock it and show 'him' just how wrong 'he' is." Smirking, Deidre does so.

"I'm so gonna enjoy this. Just don't expect perfection first time out. I've never even fired a gun before. Let alone an air type."

"What kind of associate of his were you?"

"One that didn't much care for physical violence." Shrugging as she aims the air pistol, she smirks again and adds, "But in this bastard's case, I'm more than willing, and eager, to make an exception." Pulling the trigger, she sees the dart quickly appear in Dread's left eye. "Bet you didn't 'see' that coming, Dread." Sam and Edith both cackle at that while Deidre sighs. "Too bad that's only in folklore."

"What is?"

"People feeling pain through pictures of themselves, Edith." Shrugging, Deidre cocks it again. "Never hurts to think about the concept, though."

THWACK

(Dread's compound; same time)

"AAAAGGGGHHHH! MY NOSE AND EYES! FIRST MY NOSE! THEN MY LEFT EYE! THEN MY RIGHT EYE!" Seething in agony, Dread grumbles angrily. "How the fuck am I supposed to prepare for Godhood with my nose and eyes flaring up in pain?!"

(Treadwell Industries)

"No, I suppose it doesn't." Shrugging as Deidre cocks it again, Sam asks, "When you were looking at the picture, what made you suspect I lost people to him anyway?"

"That's just the way the bastard is. If he sees the opportunity to remove any potential obstacle or people that give his friends in the 'mutual benefits club' he's involved with difficulties, he's involved."

THWACK

"Forehead shot. Nice. Thinking about sending a .45 or two into his coconut?" Before Deidre can reply to Edith's query, a man wearing a white business suit storms off the elevator and toward Sam's office. "Now what?"

"I want to speak to whoever's in charge and I mean right fuckin' now!" Not paying any heed to the fact that Sam's in charge, in his office and not alone, the man goes on. "My vehicle was just destroyed by one of your desks! I demand satisfaction!" Sam can't help but roll his eyes at the man.

"You had it coming when you parked there, multiple times, illegally. You were told time and time again to not park there. By both myself and the local law enforcement."

"Bah! My deal with the Commander of NERV supersedes Tokyo-3 law! Don't believe me? Get Commander Ikari on the phone! He'll tell you!" Deidre can't help but roll her eyes at the dunce before them.

'Guess he hadn't heard Rokubungi's not in power anymore. Let alone cut off from the Ikari name.' Looking toward Sam, she asks, "Mind if I make the call, Mr Treadwell?" Getting what Deidre's playing at, Sam nods.

"Go ahead. And put it on speaker as well." Nodding back at him, Deidre does so. A minute later, a soft female voice is heard on the speaker.

"NERV Commander's Office."

"Hey, Nemu. It's Deidre Takamiya at Treadwell Industries. Is the Commander free to take a call right now?"

"Yes, Ms Takamiya. The Commander told me some time back that your calls are more than welcome. Hold one, please." Sure enough, one minute later…

"Katsuragi here." The man's eyes bulge out in shock at the other feminine voice.

"Who the fuck is this?!"

"Misato Katsuragi, Commander of NERV. Now who's there on the other end? I was told Deidre Takamiya was on the phone when I was doing my reports. And Nemu doesn't lie to me about my friends."

"Hey, Misato. Deidre here. We've something of a prickly situation. Mainly consisting of a prick, an illegally parked SUV that belonged to him, and a desk that pretty much rendered it into a pancake."

"Hmm, I see. What's the prick's story?"

"My story is that a deal between myself and Commander Ikari assured me I can park anywhere I like. Even in 'No Parking' zones. Without fearing repercussions. So, if you'll put me on the phone with him so we can get this whole misunderstanding cleared up, I'll be on my way."

"Oh, I'm sorry, but former Commander Rokubungi is no longer in Command. He is, in fact, in the brig facing a tribunal. Making your deal with him null and void." The sound of leather creaking is audible as Misato finishes. "How many times, if at all, were you told not to park there?"

"Commander Katsuragi, Sam Treadwell here. He was told at least eighteen times over the last two months."

"Okay. Deidre, what'd you mean by a 'desk that pretty much rendered it into a pancake'?"

"I'll tell you later, Misato. But this much I'll tell you right now. I've had better days." Misato gives a chuckle.

"You're not the only one. Deal boy, what's your name?"

"Tomatsu Ownoguta."

"Well, Tomatsu Ownoguta, over the last two months, you were told, repeatedly by Police and Mr Treadwell, not to park there. Repeatedly, you ignored the order. What happened today was karma shooting you in the ass with a rocket launcher. Do you understand me?" Ownoguta hears the finality in her tone and sighs.

"I understand, Commander Katsuragi."

"Good. Is there anything else?"

"Matter of fact, Misato, there is. But it can wait until after you're off duty."

"Okay, Deidre. I'll get Shinji to make dinner for us."

"You may want to have him set up two extra places. I'm bringing some company."

"Got it. See you tonight, Deidre."

"See you tonight, Misato." Pressing the 'speaker' button on the phone, Deidre sees Ownoguta still standing there. "Something more you wish to say, Ownoguta?"

"Yes. You best watch yourselves around here. I may have lost an important connection here in Tokyo-3, but I still have influence elsewhere." Deidre, Edith and Sam all blink before looking at each other.

"I do believe he threatened us, Edith."

"As do I, Sam. Deidre?"

"Sure sounds like it to me." Glaring at Ownoguta, she snarls out, "I don't take kindly to threats toward myself, family or friends. So I suggest you scram with your tail between your legs like the scalded mutt you are before I throw you out that window and see if I can get you to land onto that very same desk. Do you understand me, numbnuts?"

Ownoguta looks in her eyes and sees that she's quite serious. Slowly, he starts backing out of the office before he turns tail and runs screaming toward the elevator. Rapidly, he pushes the 'down' button multiple times until the door opens. Once the door's opened for him to squeeze inside, he does so, hitting the 'door close' button in the process. Once the door's closed, Deidre can't help but blink.

"Maybe I went overboard a little bit." Sam and Edith both consider it before giving their reply.

"Nah!"

(New Nagasaki; same time)

"Keep moving, Professor." Irina's voice is steady as she adds, "We must put as much range between them and us as possible."

"I'm moving. But give me a break, dear girl. I'm an old man, after all." Irina can't help but snort and roll her eyes before he chuckles. "Of course, I'm only as old as I feel I am and I most certainly do not feel old."

"That's the spirit, Professor." Next thing Irina knows, her watch beeps. "Aw crap."

"What is it?"

"I missed my check in time just now."

"Check in? With your superiors at the SVR?"

"Nyet. With Michael."

"Michael? As in Police Officer in NM Michael?"

"The one and the same."

"Okay. But why would you be checking in with him?"

"Two reasons. One; so he'd stall investigating the theft of the glider suits unless he didn't hear from me within 24 hours of the last check in. Two; so I can hear his voice every day."

"His investigating now would be a good thing though, right?"

"Yes, it would. But I don't want to imagine him facing his superiors, telling them he'd sat on the case for a Russian spy that's in love with him."

(Roswell, NM; UNP-NM Field Office)

'She's late.' Checking the clock on the wall, UNP Officer Michael Simmons scowls in concern. 'It's not like her.' Bringing up the case files and going to the low priority marked ones, he looks for the flag he'd attached to the case file. Suddenly, his brown eyes bolt open in shock. 'Someone's tapped into the system and accessed the file!' Clicking on the indicator, he starts a trace before scratching his head.

"Now why would a business for skydiving be tapping into Police files?" Doing a search, he sees only one listing and punches in the number. A minute later, he hears an exhausted voice.

"Sky Divers R Us, Jo Branson speaking."

"Ms Branson, this is UNP Officer Michael Simmons in Roswell, NM."

"How can I help you, Officer Simmons?" Jo's voice has awareness within now, prompting Simmons to nod.

"You can start by explaining why someone in your place of business accessed a low priority case file."

"I'm afraid I don't quite follow, Officer Simmons."

"Maybe this'll refresh your memory. Theft of two glider suits from 'Flying Squirrel Skydiving', occurred in the dead of night. The trace indicated your place of business as the origination of access." Jo's voice can't help but come back. Awe and wariness within.

"You had a surveillance circuit on the file, didn't you?"

"Indeed I did." Sighing before looking around, he's enormously glad he's alone right now. "Look, I may not quite get why, but maybe you can help me. I've got a friend that's just missed her check in with me."

"That's an interesting transition from one subject to another."

"Not really. Her name's Irina and she was involved in the theft."

"Okay. And why would… she's a spy?!"

"Yeah. For the Russian SVR, even though it was under coercion."

"Oh, I hate that kind of crap! Okay, Officer. I'll mention it to my higher ups. Anything else we need to know to let Irina know you sent us?"

"Yeah. Have your people tell her 'The sun is shining' and she'll reply 'But the ice is slippery'. This'll identify them to each other."

"From 'The Shadow', huh? You must be a sucker for the classics."

"Indeed I am. Thank you, Ms Branson."

"You're welcome, Officer Simmons." With that, the call to SE ends and Simmons sits back in his chair.

'It's all on whoever Ms Branson… wait. Why would… what spy bunch did I just talk to?' Curiosity getting the better of him, he delves into the file listing known worldwide Intelligence Agencies. Much to his consternation, however, he doesn't find any matches.

(Sky Divers R Us)

'Better get this to Jefferson. Pronto!' Bringing her computer up to speed, Jo activates the crypto and begins.

'Priority 1 transmission from JB-1489:

Report of glider suit theft had trace program attached by UNP Officer Michael Simmons in Roswell NM. Female friend of Officer Simmons involved and is a Russian Intelligence operative. Operative had missed an established check in time, prompting Officer Simmons to access case file regarding theft. Likelihood of involvement in "Broken Arrow" high. Pick up, if any possible, is to use the phrase "The sun is shining" with the reply from operative being "But the ice is slippery" as a means of letting operative know Officer Simmons had sent.'

Once she's done, she transmits the data right to N-Tek HQ. She quickly gets a response back.

'Transmission received and understood. Was Officer Simmons able to give further details on the operative?' With that, Jo types her response.

'Affirmative. Operative not one of free will.'

'Understood. Will extract upon getting location data. Was name of operative mentioned?'

'Affirmative. Irina.'

'Understood, JB-1489. Go get some rest. You've had a long day. Control out.' With that, communication ends, getting Jo to sigh.

"All we can do now is wait and see if Irina turns up when Professor Kirishima's beacon comes up."

(Tokyo-3; Nez Residence; thirty minutes later)

Quietly entering the house, Rei sniffs the air and smiles at the thought of Richard cooking.

"I'm home!" Seeing Richard poke his head out from the kitchen, Rei sees him smile widely.

"Welcome home! Where'd you go to this morning?"

"Just out walking and thought I'd pay a visit to Asuka while I was out."

"Ah." Nodding, Richard ducks his head back into the kitchen, asking, "How'd it go?"

"It went well enough." Walking into the kitchen and stepping to behind him, she wraps her arms around his trunk and nuzzles her face into his left cheek. Brushing her lips against it in the process. "When'd you wake up?"

"About fifteen minutes ago. I noticed a lack of company in our bed and decided to get up to make brunch. Good thing I did too because I am not exactly one for sleeping in."

"In your defense, dear, I did keep you up all night." Giggling naughtily, Rei sends her slender hands down Richard's frame until reaching his pants, cupping his crotch with her right hand while stroking his midsection with her left hand. "Especially given what we're trying to do." Feeling him harden under her hand, Rei titters softly before undoing his zipper. Snaking her hand inside, she sultrily moans when she feels his member in her hand.

"It seems you've forgone underwear today. Were you expecting us to become one today?" Feeling him turn his face toward hers, she meets his lips with hers and they both French furiously while Rei strokes his member. As they end their kiss, Richard looks right into her eyes.

"Could you blame me if I did?"

"No." Whispering sexily to him, she adds, "Put the stove on low and turn around. I want to suck you off." Nodding, Richard does so. Once he's facing her, Rei undoes her top, revealing she's sans bra.

"Rei…" His hands move up to her chest, getting Rei to smile softly. Before Richard can even caress her breasts, Rei stops him.

"Later, beloved. For now…" Going to her knees, Rei engulfs Richard's member in her mouth before going back and forth.

"Rei!" Pausing slightly, Rei looks up at him and winks before returning her attention to what she's doing. Increasing the speed of her movement, Rei can't help but hear him say, "Oh Rei!" As she feels him harden even more, she also feels his pressure rising before he withdraws from her mouth and hefts her onto the counter.

"I only want to let loose in one spot and one spot alone." Sliding his member into her passage, he embraces her, with Rei returning the embrace. Pumping rapidly into her, Richard feels his tip kissing her womb.

"Ready to become a Mommy?" Unable to reply verbally, Rei wraps her legs around his lower section just as she starts feeling his ejaculate flood her womb. Right there, she finds her voice in an orgasmic scream.

"RICHARD!"

Clutching him tightly in her throes of ecstasy, Rei pants as Richard slows his pumping to a gentle stroke. Feeling him kissing her lips, she returns the favor, turning it into a passionate Frencher. As their kiss ends, Richard directs his lips to her left nipple before suckling on it. With Rei running her fingers through his hair as he licks her areola before licking the nub. Switching to her other breast, he does the same thing before looking up at her. Seeing her love for him in her eyes, he shuts off the stove before hefting her off the counter. Giggling as his member starts going hard again within her with the movement, Rei sighs.

"What about the food?" She lets out a series of gasps as Richard walks back into the bedroom. With Rei clutching tightly onto him.

"We'll eat later. For right now, I just wanna make hot love with the blue-haired angel in my arms." Once Rei feels the bed against her back, she feels Richard start pumping in her again before they French again. As Richard slides in and out of her, Rei closes her red eyes in blissful rapture.

'This Scenario is much more pleasurable than the one I was created for!' Feeling his ejaculate flowing inside her again, Rei clutches him tightly against her. 'Much, much more pleasurable.' Even after he tapers off, Rei holds him tightly against her as they both fall into sleep's embrace.

(WA; Wheeler cabin; same time)

"So this is where Alex's folks live, huh?" Shizuka looks around before nodding as they exit the Stingray. "Now I know why the safe house is where it is. It's peaceful out here." Scott nods at his girlfriend just as the door opens and Alex steps out. A concerned expression on her face.

"I was getting worried about you two!" Looking around, she grimaces and adds, "I take it you lost him."

"Not quite, Alex. More like he met the business end of an earth mover drone on 258 and went KABOOM." Alex can't help but roll her eyes at Scott.

"And here I thought you didn't like the idea of killing."

"I don't. But it's not my fault some dumb son of a bitch decides to do a jump on a soil pile as well. Only for his vehicle to collide with the damn scoop."

"He has a point, Alex." The voice is male, with a French accent. Scott wheels around to see a tanned gentleman with short-cut brown hair. "It's good to see you again, Scott."

"Likewise, Mr Wheeler." Mr Wheeler rolls his eyes before playfully scowling at Scott.

"You can just call me Mark, you know. None of that Mr stuff, for crying out loud." Scott gives Mr Wheeler a snicker, prompting the man to roll his eyes again. "And who is the pretty blossom with you, my boy?"

"My girlfriend, Suzika Uzumaki, Mr Wheeler." Holding her hand now, he adds, "We're going to have a baby." Suzika smiles widely as she nods.

"Well now. A congratulations is in order, I believe. C'mon inside. Jamie's been anxious to see you again ever since Alex told us she saw you both at the Medical center." As Scott and 'Suzika' go past him, Mr Wheeler whacks Scott on the back of the head. "That's for calling me Mr Wheeler again." Scott chuckles, with Mr Wheeler rolling his eyes again before seeing his daughter looking out over the property. "Alex? You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine, Dad. Just thinking about Jim and Katie back in CO. Especially with how we had to leave them far behind."

"They're fine, pumpkin." Smiling softly, he adds, "They both understood why we had to leave when we did. If anyone should think about self-recriminations, it's me. Not you."

"But it's not your fault your past before you met Mom won't leave you alone. They're the ones that made the trouble back home. You were just trying to fight them off for a normal life."

"Unfortunately, however, no matter how hard you try, your past will never let you go. I learned that the hard way in CO when I walked away from what I did in the past." Softly clapping her right shoulder, he sees her look back at him. "Let's go eat, huh, before your Mother throws a fit." Alex gives a grin and nods.

"Okay Dad." As they both walk into the cabin, Alex asks, "Was it as bad as Mom said it was that time, Dad?"

"It was, Alex. It was." Following his daughter into the cabin, he looks back out over the horizon and grimaces. 'I just wish they'd left us alone back then!'

Inside the dining area, Mr Wheeler and Alex both chuckle upon seeing a blond haired woman fussing over Scott. A giggling Suzika watching intently.

"How many times do I have to tell you to eat, Scott?! Are you trying to worry me into an early grave?!"

"No, Ms Wheeler, I'm not. And I do eat. It just never lasts long inside me, is all."

"I see. And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Jamie, huh? Good grief." Rolling her eyes at her surrogate son, she turns toward his companion. "Suzika."

"Yes, Jamie?" Nodding her approval at Suzika's reply, Jamie grins.

"Is Scott really eating like he's supposed to?"

"He is, but like he said, it never lasts long inside him."

"Okay. Three helpings for him. What about you, Suzika?"

"I think I'd better eat lightly, Jamie, otherwise I'd be wasting such delicious-smelling food."

"Sickness stage, huh?" At Shizuka's nod, Jamie can only sigh in commiseration. "I remember those days all too well and I can honestly say I did not enjoy them one bit. I may have gotten a beautiful daughter out of the deal, but I most certainly have done without going through that stage."

"I agree, Jamie. I got a prescription for the 'No-Sick' patches. Even though they're available only for first time Mothers-to-be. The Doctor said for me to record any ill effects, if any, to occur."

"Might as well keep it light then, just to be on the safe side. Two and a half helpings for you, spaced an hour and thirty minutes apart." Upon seeing Suzika about to protest, Jamie softly glares at her. Prompting Suzika to sheepishly smile before nodding. "That's more like it. Gotta be sure you can take care of yourself and your unborn baby throughout the whole time."

"Yes, ma'am." Suzika's soft reply gets a titter from Jamie before she looks at Scott.

"Looks like you finally got over your broken heart, Scott."

"What can I say?" Looking at Suzika, he adds, "She's a force of nature."

"I don't doubt that. So…" Grinning playfully at the two, Mr Wheeler asks, "Did you two meet in the Marshal's Office?"

"Not exactly, Mark." Scott's reply quickly gets Mr Wheeler's attention as the younger man goes on. "She started as a protection assignment. But then she started churning her way into my heart." Shaking his head, he quickly adds, "I shouldn't get you mixed up in all this."

"As someone that cares for you like a Father, it's kinda my job to get mixed up in all this." Giving Scott a paternal-like glare, he adds, "So spill it, son."

"But if I do, you'll wind up having to uproot again if your past finds out where you are again." Shaking his head furiously, Scott adds, "I can't burden you with that, sir. I'm sorry."

"Never apologize for trying to keep me and my family safe, Scott. But look in my eyes and tell me what you see." Slowly, Scott does so and sees the eyes of a hardened war veteran.

"You've seen intense combat, haven't you?"

"Indeed. As a French Marine and later mercenary. I have been trying to distance myself from the life I'd previously led long ago, that much is true. But if anyone I care about is in trouble, you can bet your ass I'm going to fight."

"I'll talk." Suzika's voice gets Scott's attention, getting him to look at her.

"You sure you wanna, Suzi?" At her nod, Scott nods back and gently takes her hand into his. Feeling her squeeze it softly in thanks, he returns the squeeze.

"My name's not really Suzika Uzumaki. It's Shizuka Uramishi. For the past few months, I've been under the protection of the man that's now my beloved and Father to my unborn child. Before I entered protection, I was involved in a hideous scheme to lower the Post-Impact birth rates."

"You're talking about the BCI case in Japan, aren't you?" At Jamie's query, Shizuka nods. "What happened?"

"I was threatened with prosecution for the death of my previous boyfriend, Tsukune Tonkatsu, an Okinawa Police Officer." Shuddering before feeling Scott's arms around her, she looks at him and nods softly before laying it all out. When she's done, the Wheeler patriarch has only one thing to say.

"You were in it deep over your eyeballs." Shizuka gives Mark a nod before he asks, "The guy that met the earth mover was the one that killed Tsukune?"

"He was. I will never forget that face. Even if I happen to make it to old age." At the sound of her stomach rumbling, Shizuka suddenly blushes. With Jamie starting to chuckle.

"I do believe it'll be best if we table the discussion until later on so we can eat." When everyone nods, Jamie goes to the stove and starts bringing the food over. "Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, tuna casserole, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, potato salad and broiled trout."

"Alright, Mom. What about dessert?"

"Apple crisp, German chocolate cake and mint chocolate pie, Alex." Noticing the time, Jamie then grimaces, saying, "Scott, I think you and Shizuka should stay here overnight because those roads out here can be treacherous at night."

"We couldn't possibly…"

"Yes you can, Scott. Far as we're concerned, you and Shizuka both are family and we take care of our own." Mark's words get a nod from Jamie and Alex both, getting Scott to nod and Shizuka to giggle.

"Thank you, Mark."

"You're welcome, Scott." Eying the food before him, he grins and says, "Now let's chow down." At that, they begin eating. Shizuka accepts a broiled trout and, upon taking a bite, moans in delight.

"This is delicious, Jamie."

"Thank you, Shizuka." Remembering what Shizuka had said earlier, Jamie then asks, "You mean this is not your first pregnancy?"

"That's right." Letting out a sigh before rubbing her belly, Shizuka murmurs, "I was pregnant before, but miscarried due to an act of utter stupidity." Glancing over at Scott, she adds, "I won't make the same mistakes as last time. I just hope that jump we did in the Stingray wasn't one of them."

"It's the early stages of the 1st trimester. We should be alright with light impacts around us." Scott's words can't help but get an amused smirk from Shizuka.

"Done much research into impacts during pregnancy?"

"Only bits and pieces. Long before I met you, in fact." Shizuka puzzles it over before frowning slightly.

"You wanted to make a family with 'her', didn't you?"

"Yeah. But she told me that no woman would ever want me to Father their children. So, I just put it out of my mind, thinking she was right."

"Well then, I'm looking forward to us proving her wrong, Scott." With that, she moves Scott's hand over to her belly and covers his hand with hers. "This little boy will grow to be a good man. Just like you."

"Let's not forget the baby can just as well be a girl that'll be as pretty as her Mom." Shizuka's eyes can't help but shine as Scott softly strokes her belly. Scott then notices Alex's eyes are getting misty and asks, "How about you, Alex?" Blinking, Alex clears her eyes with a napkin before smiling widely.

"What do you mean, Scott?"

"Have you found your 'Mr Right' yet?" Alex can't help but snort softly at that.

"Nope. In fact no guy's been brave enough to approach me. At all." Shizuka can't help but blink at that.

"I don't see why that would be, Alex. You're very pretty."

"Yeah, well, it's because the guys I come across are often pretty intimidated by me." Turning to glare softly at Mark, she smirks out, "Or rather after meeting my Father."

"I'm just letting them know that if they hurt you, they'll face more than what they expect." Looking over at Scott, he grins and adds, "Of all the guys Alex met, you're the only one that measured up in my book."

"Ah. That explains why you took to me so well." Sighing, Scott then says, "Sorry, but I was still hurting pretty badly at that time. So I probably would have blown it on the first date."

"You've got a point there." Alex nods softly at Scott before adding, "Besides, you're like the brother I never had. So it would've been really awkward between us." Looking at Shizuka, she nods and says, "You've got a good man, Shizuka. Don't let him get away from you."

"I won't, Alex. Much like I won't mistreat him or our baby."

"Good. Then I don't have to warn you about what Dad or I will do to you, then." Alex's words can't help but get a gulp out of Shizuka before she sees Alex and Mark struggling to keep their faces serious. Jamie notices as well and rolls her eyes before the two burst out laughing. Shaking her head at their mirth, Jamie can't help but sigh.

"Like Father, like daughter. Only the daughter has more of a sense of humor than her Father." Arching her eyebrows, she mutters, "Though it seems to be rubbing off on him." As their laughter tapers off, Jamie asks, "You two hyenas done laughing now?"

"Yeah, we are." Mark's reply gets a nod from Alex before Jamie nods back.

"Good. Now let's get back to eating before the food gets cold." Looking back at Scott and Shizuka, she adds, "I wish you both the best of happiness and look forward to seeing your first child in your arms." Shizuka smiles widely at Jamie, wishing she'd met the woman years ago.

(UNP-NY HQ; same time)

"Now for the last item of business regarding transporting former Chief Inspector Frederick Cochrane to Tokyo-3 into custody of Section-2. Agent Howensard, I understand you have a concern about that." The UN Treasury Agent gives her a cursory nod before beginning.

"Yes Madam Secretary General. While I have no doubt that Cochrane had no idea the currency was counterfeit, and do not believe he should be prosecuted for simply receiving, I'm not altogether certain that neither Section-2 Agent Dyson nor UNP-NY Officer Kinsey can stay professional long enough to not 'dish out justice' outside the court system."

"In regards to the slaying of his and Officer Kinsey's Father, yes." Sighing, Rachel goes on. "Keep in mind, however, that Agent Dyson is the only Section-2 Agent currently in the States right now. And while Section-2 is not, by any means, verified Law Enforcement, Cochrane's comment about the compact N-2 devices and how the ones responsible wanted the Evangelion Pilots as ransom…"

"Right. Section-2's doctrine states that the Pilots' safety has higher priority. But I'm still concerned about Agent Dyson and Officer Kinsey both being in close proximity to Cochrane."

"Understandable. But I'm quite certain that Agent Dyson and Officer Kinsey both can keep their professional bearing. Even in the presence of the one that destroyed their family." Howensard considers Rachel's words and nods.

"Very well. I'll sign off on it." Looking over the list of people in his hands, Howensard asks, "What about Gertrude Brantley? What's her role in this?"

"Ms Brantley was notified by Agent Dyson in regards to the death of her former husband in Tokyo-3. Officer O'Malley was with him when he informed her."

"I see. Officer Jenkins?"

"Recuperation leave due to a gunshot wound sustained in the line of duty. As you can see, it was already signed off on by Sergeant Getraer, Commissioner pro tem Simms and Mayor O'Malley." Howensard looks over the list one more time before arching an eyebrow.

"It says here that Officer Kinsey was put on Maternity Leave."

"Correct. Sergeant Getraer wanted to give Officer Kinsey the best chance at a successful delivery when she found out about the happy news. Officer Kinsey, however…"

"Wasn't happy about being sidelined so soon?"

"More like she tried bargaining to be put on light duty upon return from Tokyo-3 until the beginning of her 3rd trimester. Sergeant Getraer agreed, as you'll see from the addendum on the page." Howensard looks and, sure enough, sees it.

"Ah." Nodding, Howensard puts the paperwork in his hands in a folder and hands it to Rachel. "I thank you for notifying us through the Attorney General's office. They expect to have the full list of charges against Cochrane by the end of next month."

"They're still assessing his offenses?"

"Oh yes. The indictments include murder in the 1st degree of a Russian national in New Hiroshima, conduct unbecoming a Senior Law Enforcement Official and crimes against humanity."

"Using toxic compounds in candy during his time as the 'Candyman Slayer'. Of course." Shuddering, she says, "Thank goodness he's in custody now."

"Agreed, Madam Secretary General." Kinking his head to the side, he then says, "I didn't see how they'd be getting Cochrane onto the plane, though."

"Ms Kamenev said she'd arranged for that scenario when I spoke to her earlier. She's currently having the family aircraft modified to accommodate wheelchairs."

"Ah yes. Agent Dyson's sharpshooting damaging former Inspector Cochrane's kneecaps to where he'd be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life." Shaking his head, the man shudders with a wry smirk on his face. "Hard to believe he did it with a .38 snub-nose."

"Not really. There was the incident shortly after his Father died where he shot the cultist in his kneecaps." Howensard nods in agreement, chuckles starting to emerge.

"Good point. I'm surprised, however, that unlike the cultist…"

"Agreed. Medicine has indeed come a long way. Had Cochrane been shot in the kneecaps back then, his legs would have been amputated above the knees. Without any hope of prosthetics to act as the knees or legs." Snorting disgustedly, she adds, "Quite frankly, Agent Dyson was too lenient on that parasite."

"Yes, I can see that argument. His being a member of Section-2 does give him some leeway. For if he'd been in conventional Law Enforcement when he did it…"

"Internal Affairs would've gotten involved." Checking the time, Rachel grimaces. "Shall we begin outprocessing Cochrane for transport to Tokyo-3? It's early in the morning and it'll take us five hours to do so altogether."

"I'll get it started, Madam Secretary General. Why don't you get some rest as you'd had a long day?"

"I'll rest when outprocessing is complete and not before, Agent Howensard." Getting a nod of agreement from him, Rachel stretches out her limbs. "Let's get started, shall we?"

(Tokyo-3; Touji and Hikari's date; three hours later)

As the two teens walk along, Hikari looks over at Touji and smiles softly. The two had gone to the arcade and played a paired shooting game before eating lunch. Touji looks to his side and sees the pigtailed girl smiling softly at him. His face going red, Touji returns the smile.

"It's been a good day so far, hasn't it?" Hikari gives him a nod before giggling.

"It has, Touji. But I can tell you're thinking about something big." Touji nods before sighing.

"Just wondering about what the rules for dating at this stage are so I don't blow it."

"Just keep doing what you're doing." Smirking softly, she adds, "But I can safely tell you this. Let's stop for a minute." Once they've stopped, Hikari steps to in front of him and wraps her arms around his neck. "C'mon down here a bit." Shyly, Touji does so and feels Hikari's lips against his in a quick 3 second peck. Once the peck ends, Hikari's face is beet red, as Touji's face goes even redder.

"Wow." Hikari can't help but giggle softly while nodding.

"That sums it up quite well." Checking her watch, Hikari nods. "Shall we go see how Shinji and Rits are with Yachiru?"

"Sure. I just hope she's not wearing them down." Hikari can only nod in agreement until she sees something ahead of them that puts a soft smile onto her face.

"Touji. Look up ahead." Doing so, Touji can only smile widely.

"Hey there 'Suke, new girl." Kensuke and Emily can only chuckle softly at the tall youth. "How was the overnight?"

"It was uneventful. But otherwise quite nice." Emily's reply gets a smile from Hikari.

"That's great, you two. Aida, I do hope you were on your best behavior."

"I was." Hikari can't help but notice Kensuke blushing softly while Emily's face takes on a rosy red hue of its own. Narrowing her eyes playfully at Kensuke, she then looks over at Emily.

"What happened, Johnson?" Next thing she knows, Kensuke softly grasps Emily's hand, getting Hikari to gasp. "You mean…"

"Yes, Hikari. Kensuke and I are together." Unknown to any of the teens, a man is watching them through a pair of binoculars. Sitting in a sedan he'd stolen the day before in Nagoya-2, he grins sinisterly as he recognizes Emily.

"Well, hello Little Red. Care for a look, Ginger?" Turning casually to the woman in the front seat beside him, he grimaces and adds, "My bad. I forgot that you're all tied up. And the other 'lady' is not exactly feeling up to it either." Laughing hoarsely, he returns to his observation of the teens while the woman's yells are muffled by the gag around her mouth. The woman looks back toward the 'lady' in the back seat and softly whimpers at the blank unseeing stare.

(Tokyo-3; elsewhere; same time)

Looking around, the grey-haired young male frowns deeply.

"That which was projected has not occurred. The Scenario hinged upon it." Looking toward the nearest entrance to NERV HQ, he sighs. "I'll have to adapt my plans, then." With that, he starts walking away from the entrance, singing 'Hallelujah'.

(NERV HQ; car train Delta; five minutes later)

Looking back at a sleeping Yachiru in the back seat, Rits can't help but smile softly. The young girl enjoyed her swim in the pool, while Shinji and Rits enjoyed her enjoyment. Up until, of course, Rits decided to consult with Dr Akagi.

(45 minutes ago; NERV Medbay)

"Okay, Mrs Ikari, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"It's about my peanut allergy, Doctor."

"When did you first notice it?"

"That's the thing. Up until that time, I ate peanut-based items without a problem. But when I had the peanut brittle that night…"

"I can do a blood analysis and test it against peanut oil. See if it reacts. But it'd have to be in your body at the time." The reply threw Rits for a loop, yet she rallied herself.

"Okay. You may want to have a counteragent on hand, though."

"But of course." As she readied herself for the work ahead, she asked, "Any complications with your pregnancy so far?"

"So far, no. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. Just want to get a perspective from another." Holding up the equipment, Ritsu asked, "Shall we begin?" At Rits' nod, Ritsu began. Attaching the monitoring apparatus to Rits' form and bringing up a syringe, she jabbed it into a bottle marked 'peanut extract' and draws a small amount. Making sure to have the counteragent nearby, Ritsu took a deep breath before turning back to Rits.

"The point of no return, Mrs Ikari. Once I inject, the only way to stop it is if you convulse or not." Rits steeled herself before giving her reply.

"I need to know for sure, Doctor." Ritsu nodded before gently and slowly injecting Rits. Upon feeling no reaction from Rits and hearing regular beeping from the ECG machine, Ritsu nodded.

"How long after did you take a bite did you react?"

"About a minute, maybe less." Nodding again, Ritsu took Rits' wrist into her hand and timed her pulse. Once the minute had passed, Ritsu looked at Rits' face and saw a wide smile on her face. Yet her smile was troubled. "If it wasn't the peanut oil in there, then what caused it?"

"That, Mrs Ikari, is a very good question. I don't suppose you kept the brittle from that night?"

"Nope. The hotel put it right into the trash when I started reacting." Ritsu couldn't help but frown.

"That's quite unusual, and unsettling." At Rits' nod, she put a piece of gauze over the injection site.

"Hold that into place, if you please." At Rits' nod, Ritsu extracted the needle from her arm and taped the gauze into place. "Okay, Mrs Ikari, you're not allergic to peanuts. But something had to have triggered it."

"Well, the hotel I stayed at during the school trip was the same one from that night and it still has peanut brittle as a dessert. The recipe may have been changed, may have not." Giving a shrug, Rits sighed. "Sorry I can't be more help."

"It's quite alright, Mrs Ikari." Giving the young woman a soft smile, she added, "I do believe you have news to give Mr Ikari." Rits nodded at Ritsu before exiting the Medbay, leaving Ritsu alone.

(Current time)

Rits comes out of it and notices Shinji glancing at her. Concern on his face.

"You okay, Rits?" Smiling softly, Rits can only nod.

"Yeah. I was just thinking about my not being allergic to anything peanut-based after all." Shrugging, Rits looks back at Yachiru, her smile going softer. "Think Touji will mind if we have Yachiru babysit our baby when she gets a little older? Or at least help Hikari in doing so?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't. But let's wait and ask him first." Getting a nod from Rits, Shinji softly intertwines his fingers with Rits'. Only to notice her face with a pensive look. "What is it, Rits?"

"I didn't want to say anything without being certain, but I think the brittle may have been tainted."

"How so?"

"Some time after we reunited in Okinawa, a boy approached me, wanting to ask me out. I told him I was already in a new relationship that looked promising. He didn't quite take it that well." Shivering slightly, she adds, "He then looked right at me and said, 'If I can't have you, no one can'. I belted him in the chops for that threat right there."

"Hmm. We could have the UNBI investigate that aspect as an attempted murder by a stalker wannabe."

"Oh he was no wannabe, Shinji. After you and I became serious, I'd always feel like he'd been following me. It stopped after Mom and I came here." Smirking, she adds, "Of course, we did kind of sneak out of Kyoto-2 early in the morning when he should've been asleep."

"His name?"

"Sosuke Tenkawa."

(Wheeler cabin; four hours later)

Laying in bed, Shizuka snuggled into his arms, Scott softly inhales the scent of her hair and smiles softly. Gently tracing his fingers along her still-slender belly from behind, he hears her softly giggle.

"Scott." Smiling softly himself, Scott gives her a gentle squeeze, getting a contented sigh from her. "Having a hard time sleeping?"

"Somewhat. I'm still processing the fact that I'm to be a Father."

"I don't blame you one bit." Turning herself around in Scott's arms, Shizuka smiles softly at him. "Tsukune was the same way when he found out about our baby."

"What was he like?" Scott can't help but be curious about the man that'd loved her before him.

"He was much like you." Softly tracing his face with her fingers, she murmurs, "You'd have liked him, Scott. You might even say he was your brother from another Mother."

"I'm sure I'd have liked him as well. Though it would have put a hamper on things if that psycho didn't kill him." Shizuka's eyes tear up, causing Scott to wince. "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize. Yeah, it would have." Positioning herself on top of him, she snuggles into his frame, with Scott holding her softly at her shapely butt. Getting her to giggle. "I don't think the Wheelers would be too happy if we were to have sex under their roof." Softly kissing his nose, she murmurs, "Especially if we were to be very quiet."

"Yeah." Softly kissing her lips, Scott taps his tongue against them and grins when Shizuka's tongue meets his. As the two French, Scott gently moves his hands from her butt to her back before circling his fingers on her back. As the need to breathe overtakes them, Scott softly ends the kiss and sees a sultry smile on Shizuka's face.

"I bet the bitch never Frenched with you." At his headshake of 'no', Shizuka gives off a snort of derision. "Then she really didn't know what she was missing."

"She wasn't missing much. When I found out, it was by accident. I found her and the quarterback necking enthusiastically."

"That whore." Scott can't help but smirk at that.

"That's what I called her. In turn, she said I wasn't 'man enough' for her. Just because I wanted to take it gradually and told her as such." Blinking, Shizuka slowly puts it together before gasping softly.

"You mean…" At his nod, Shizuka's eyes go soft. "I was your first sex then."

"My first. And my only." Smirking wryly at that, Shizuka softly rocks against his frame.

"Damn right I am." Kissing him softly, she asks, "How long had they been going behind your back?"

"Six months. We'd been together for seven when I decided I wanted to go steady with her. But, when I caught them together, I noticed their reactions. The quarterback was saddened and guilty about the whole thing. She, however…"

"Was gleeful at you catching them at it." Snorting disgustedly, she adds, "She was not worth your time or effort, Scott."

"I told her the same thing as well as I'd had a feeling something was going on, but wasn't quite sure. She just snorted at that and with as much dignity I could muster, I walked away and buried myself in my schoolwork." Smiling softly, he adds, "Of course, the quarterback tried persistently to talk to me and I'd always deferred, saying it's not a good time to talk. On our graduation day, he cornered me and told me he felt terrible about being a party in it. He then said he hoped I find happiness and a good woman."

"What'd you say in return?"

"For him to watch his back around her. He nodded and said he'd do so. Then, she showed up, decreeing that no woman will ever want me because I'm not man enough for any woman. She even said for me not to bother going to reunions because no one would want me there. Oh how wrong she was for I had friends in the class that I still keep in touch with."

"I eagerly anticipate proving her wrong. But one thing I gotta know."

"Sure."

"Was that before or after the motocross incident?"

"It was two years before." Snorting mirthlessly, he adds, "Even more, the guy was the winner of the final race the year before." Shizuka can't help but grin widely at that.

"You mean you were about to win the final race of that year?"

"There was no 'about to win' about it. I did win, according to the judges and the track officials. The guy was then banned from competing on the circuit for fifteen years due to his poor sportsmanship."

"I'm shocked it wasn't a lifetime ban."

"They tried for it, but the guy's main sponsor suggested a decade and a half off the circuit courses. To give him 'time to mature' if you will." Shizuka snorts at that before she walks her fingers along his chest.

"Do you still race or ride?"

"On the latter, occasionally. On the former, every year." Shizuka's smile is wide now as she softly kisses his lips.

"When's the next race? I want to see you race and you can bet I'm going to cheer you on."

"Two months from now, a week after the class reunion."

"Good." Kissing his lips again, she then asks, "What was her name, Scott?" Running her right hand down his front, she murmurs, "All I want to know is the name of the bitch that brutally broke your heart. So I can gleefully show her what she threw away." Her brown eyes are all Scott needs to convince him to answer.

"Pamela St. Clair." The next thing he knows is bliss as Shizuka's lips crash upon his again, only with her tongue joining in.

(New Nagasaki; same time)

Irina and Professor Kirishima both stop for a short break before Irina suddenly grimaces. With Professor Kirishima catching it.

"Are you alright?" At her negative headshake, he hazards a guess. "Your 'visitor', huh?"

"Yeah." Her breath escaping in hissed puffs, Irina shakes her head and adds, "This is as far as I go, Professor. Go on without me. The nearest town is five miles away. You can make it on foot if you avoid the main road."

"No way, dear girl. I'm not leaving you behind to fend for yourself." Irina gives a snort at that.

"You would if you knew the other part of my orders."

"Other part?" At her shamed nod, he asks, "What were they?" Without looking up at him, she gives her reply. Hissing out each word.

"To take you to Mother Russia for the Kremlin to make use of your knowledge of the compact N-2 prototypes." Looking up at him, she adds, "But I can't do that to you, Professor. You're too good a man. The bowels of the Kremlin would eat you alive."

"Much like the SVR did you. Sounds like you need a rescue yourself." Irina lets off a light giggle before groaning.

"And just how do you propose to do that? Smoke signals?" Professor Kirishima can't help but smirk at that.

"I was thinking of something a little more modern, actually." Reaching into his pocket, he brings out the syringe Max had given him. Irina's eyes are on the syringe once it's revealed. Removing the safety cap, he jabs it into his left buttock and presses down on the plunger. "Aaahhh." Withdrawing the syringe, he then throws it aside.

"What was that?"

"Our ticket out of here if I did it right." Reaching down to her, he adds, "Come with me if you want to live."

"Are you sure?"

"I may not have served in the Military, but I'm quite familiar with the idea of ones left behind being tortured or worse. And I am not going to leave someone in your condition behind." Irina considers it before nodding in agreement.

"Alright." Gingerly rising, with Professor Kirishima's aid, she says, "Let's go."

(Old Osaka; N-Tek office; Berto's lab)

"Alert One! Personal tracking beacon activated! Alert One! Personal tracking beacon activated!" Rapidly accessing the system, Berto reads the data before calling out.

"Jefferson! I got a personal tracking beacon that just popped up!"

"Whose is it, Berto?" Reading the information on the screen, he says, "Get a sat-feed over that beacon, Berto."

"On it, Jefferson." Accessing the satellite system, he switches over to thermograph and goes on. "Looks like Professor Kirishima has a companion of sorts."

"Could be the SVR Agent that Jo told us about. Get Shinji and Probationary Agent Sohryu on it. Shinji the Professor and Sohryu on the guest. Be sure to tell her the challenge and reply should it be who I think it is."

"On it."

(Katsuragi/Sohryu apartment; Asuka's bedroom)

Humming softly as she reads her laptop's screen, Asuka lets off a yawn.

"Man, what I wouldn't give for some action right about now."

"Red Devil." At the sound of her comm. unit piping in with Berto's voice, Asuka perks right up. "A situation's arisen. The beacon assigned to Professor Kirishima's just gone active and he has company."

"Threat level, Berto?"

"Unknown at the moment. But we have reason to believe the company may be an SVR Agent named Irina."

"Understood." Getting up from her futon, she walks to her closet before bringing out her N-Tek jumpsuit. "Anything I should know ahead of time?" Much to her surprise, Jefferson's voice comes on.

"Yes. If it is Irina, use the phrase 'The sun is shining'. The reply is expected to be 'But the ice is slippery'. Is that understood?"

"Got it, Jefferson. Where's Berto, though?"

"He's getting hold of Shinji right now. Meaning you'll be in the Sparrow at your apartment balcony while Shinji's in the other one."

"A potential double extraction. Got it. But one little problem with that."

"That being?"

"I've never even piloted anything other than an Evangelion."

"No need to worry as it'll be on autopilot the whole time. Better hurry, though. The clock is ticking."

"Roger." Quickly dressing herself in the jumpsuit, she removes her hairclips and puts them on the dresser. "Let's see about rescuing Miss SVR, if it is her, shall we?"