Chapter 13: Symphony to the Shield

My influence, or at least the influence of my counterpart, has thus far been understated, so far as I can tell. There is, however, a part of me that must wonder. Much of the operation of this ship, of WILLE and KREDIT, is in line with something that I might try were I in command. Is my influence far greater than I could have supposed?

In any case, there are more pressing matters. The Rei of this world grows more distant each day from me. Perhaps she senses that innate enmity that is inherent to us otherwise. It will make our job of remaining undercover more difficult should something happen. However, I am confident that we will be able to maintain our cover. For now, at least.

- From the personal journal of First Lieutenant Kaworu Nagisa, currently Ken Nelson

AAA Wunder, March 7th, 2028

Daniel sat back in his seat on the bridge as they flew away from the east coast of what had been the United States, bound for the South African Safe Zone city of New Cape Hope at an appreciable clip. With their current speed, they'd be there in about 4 days. It was an impressive clip for an already impressive ship.

It meant that they would be doing their dinner party over the Atlantic Ocean, after they'd prepared it. That would take up most of the day after this shift and some of tomorrow before the dinner itself, and he found himself profoundly grateful that Ymris was understanding enough to allow them time off to do that with the kids. 'It'll be good to be cooking with Shinji again,' he mused. 'Both of them, actually.'

He snorted softly at the idea, looking down at his station as he checked in with the Evangelions and with the heads of the engineering teams, making sure all was going smoothly.

"So, Daniel."

He looked over to see Midori leaning back in her chair, her arms behind her head as a slight smile graced her face. "I heard Shinji got a cello yesterday. Looking to play some music sometime?"

"It'd be a waste of a good instrument to just let it sit there, wouldn't it?" Daniel mused before he shrugged. "We're spending most of the day after this shift doing some preparation for the dinner party the kids want to put on, however."

He paused for a moment as Midori seemed to deflate slightly. "But… I think with how many of us there are, we can get enough preparations done to try and squeeze some playing time in tonight."

Midori nodded somewhat enthusiastically as her smile grew. "That sounds awesome. Maybe we can get Captain Ibuki involved as well."

Daniel nodded in turn. "We'll see what we can do. I'm sure we can make something that sounds good with the instruments that we'll have."

"Maybe we should butt in too," Koji said from his station. "It's been a long, long time since I've been to a concert aboard a ship. I'd like to see what our little band's able to pull off."

"Wait a minute," Aoba said as he looked back at Koji, "you had concerts on your ships?"

Koji nodded. "As time and instruments allowed. Concert might be a little bit of a stretch."

"Either way, you guys are all welcome to join us. Shinji probably isn't going to want too big an audience for his first time playing in front of people though, so I wouldn't just go and invite everyone you see." Daniel said calmly, his smile slight. "In fact, you might be all he's comfortable playing in front of. Besides the other kids, of course."

The others nodded, some more sagely than others, and Daniel looked up at Katsuragi and Akagi, wondering idly if they had somehow escaped hearing it. Both women seemed focused on something on the monitor that took up a sizable portion of their platform, Katsuragi holding the controller for the DSS Chokers in her hand somewhat loosely.

His jaw clenched slightly as he recalled what that simple little stick of a thing could do to any of the kids that he was taking care of. What he'd seen it do on a screen what felt like such a long time ago, now. A part of him wanted to snap it, right here and now. Consequences be damned.

But the feeling passed, and he signed quietly as he looked back at his station. 'Someday. If nothing else, it would force them to go through the computer instead of simply pressing a button and ending a life. However much time it would buy the kids.'

As the shift finished, and they all began stepping off the bridge to go get lunch, Daniel found himself beside Katsuragi, somewhat apart from the rest in the stretch of hallway they all walked down. After a moment, Daniel looked over at his captain. "Were you able to catch the conversation we were having earlier concerning a… jam session, as it were?"

Katsuragi looked over at him, blinking as if she had emerged from being lost in thought. "I managed to catch some of it, yes."

Daniel nodded slightly. "I'd just like to extend a personal invitation to you. I know you have a lot to do, running a ship this big, but if you manage to make it…"

He paused for a moment. "I'm sure Shinji would appreciate it," he said quietly.

It was silent between them as they continued to walk, Daniel hoping against hope that he'd reached Misato.

"Well…" she began, her brow furrowing slightly. "Depending on when this jam session is, I think I can at least squeeze in some time to come and watch it."

She paused, scoffing softly after a moment. "It's been a while since I've heard good music."

Daniel chuckled. "Well, I can't promise a symphony. But I'm sure that we'll enjoy what we make regardless."

He saw Misato crack a slight smile for the barest of moments, then the captain was back in control. "Let me know when you expect to get together."

With that, she turned down an intersection towards another of the mess halls. One that Daniel knew was rarely used by the rest of the crew. He hoped that breaking her defenses down, even just that little that he had, hadn't scared her too much.

But, his shift now fully over, he walked on towards the mess hall that they would be commandeering to prepare the meal, looking forward to something that would be at least somewhat like the normal he'd gotten used to so many years ago.

. . .

As the portable stoves hissed with butane flames, and the clatter and clack of knives, cutting boards and other cooking implements filled the room, Daniel weaved through his kids with an almost supernaturally smooth agility, making his way to one of the centers of the action that had coalesced as their preparations had gone on.

Shinji had taken over two of the tables for cooking, utilizing a third to store prepared ingredients and finished foods, dividing the Children between the tables as they worked. Asuka worked beside Shinji mixing and seasoning, while Rei and Mari chopped meats and vegetables for the former to work their magic on.

The smell of the room was nearly mouthwatering, aromas of spices, herbs, and a few cooking meats filling the air and reminding Daniel, and more than a few others, he was sure, of a far smaller kitchen half a world away or more.

As Daniel came to a stop in front of the table where Shinji and Asuka worked, Shinji looked up from a bowl of salad that he was mixing. "Can I help you, Daniel?" Shinji asked, clearly occupied with the task set before him.

"I'm free to help you out," Daniel replied. "Do you need me anywhere?"

Shinji and Asuka looked at their table for a moment, sweeping critical eyes across it before they landed on a small station of plastic resealable bags with several spices in them, along with platters of cut meat, that was outside of Asuka's current focus. "You can make sure the steaks get seasoned and ready," Asuka said, Daniel nodding as he took position after washing his hands.

"So," he said after a moment, "how are you enjoying your new cello, Shinji?"

Shinji glanced up at Daniel for a moment as he set the bowl down and began to bag the salad. "I'm actually feeling… better than I expected."

Asuka shrugged. "I mean, the washout didn't drive us out of the room screaming when he played, so he's got that much going for him."

"Oh come on, princess!" Mari said from the other table, causing Asuka to roll her eye. "He's been doing amazingly. It's certainly music I could drift off to."

Shinji blushed slightly. "I can't be that good, Mari. I only just picked it up again."

"And yet, your music is quite soothing to listen to," Rei interjected. "I commend you for picking up such an instrument and remembering more than you might expect or admit. And I have enjoyed listening to you play it thus far."

"Uh… thanks, Rei." Shinji said slowly, ignoring the muttered "Played it all damn day, too. Not like there was anything better to do." from Asuka.

"With that in mind," Daniel said, drawing the attention of the Children back to him, "would you like to play it with me and my guitar later tonight? Midori would probably join in with whatever digital instruments that she has, and Ms. Ibuki would bring out a piano. We'll have our own odd little band to make this ship just a little more lively."

Shinji's eyes went wide before he looked back down at the bag of salad. "Well…" he was silent for a moment as he trailed off, Daniel seeing the bag crinkle in his hands slightly.

"Cheer up, Puppy-boy!" Mari said. "I'd love to hear you carry the rest of these musicians with your awesome cello playing! You can do it."

Rei simply nodded while Asuka sighed quietly. "Well, I'm sure that wherever you all decide to do, it'll be interesting to watch, if nothing else."

Daniel smiled slightly. "We're planning on playing tonight, after we're done here with preparing things. Even the Captain said she'd try and make it. Our only audience will be the bridge crew and the rest of the kids. Nice small group to play in front of."

He could tell what Shinji was thinking even as the boy remained silent. It would still be a lot for him to handle. He wondered somewhat if the anxiety would affect his performance terribly much.

"Well…" Shinji paused as he sealed the bag of salad and set it aside. "I've never played with anyone else before. Let alone with so many other different instruments."

Daniel nodded slightly as he put the seasoned meats in bags that were destined for the freezer tonight. "Chin up. We can, and will, make it work. And with your help, we can make it sound beautiful. And if you're unable to, don't worry. We'd love to have you there listening." a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Who knows, you might get some inspiration for free playing later."

Shinji continued to ponder the words silently for a few moments before he sighed quietly and nodded. "Alright. I'll do it."

Mari clapped quietly, a massive grin on her face, and Daniel chuckled softly as he nodded. "That's good to hear. I look forward to working together with you to make something beautiful."

As preparations continued and then began to finish, Rei made her way over towards Daniel, an uncharacteristic gleam of interest in her eyes. "Excuse me," she said quietly, "may I speak to you in private for a moment?"

Daniel blinked as he regarded Rei for a moment, then looked around at the others before he began to walk out the door. "Sure. What can I help you with?"

The door shut behind them before Rei turned, a questioning expression on her face, subtle though it may have been, as she looked around to ensure they were alone in the hallway before her focus returned to Daniel, her brow furrowing slightly. "Why are you accompanied by older versions of ourselves?"

Daniel had the good grace and control to keep his eyes from going wide, settling for an arched eyebrow. "And how, may I ask, did you come to that conclusion?"

"I feel…" Rei paused for a moment as she glanced over at the door. "Connected, somehow, to Rachel. My counterpart. The others required more study after the fact to be sure. I am unsure how they have come to be, as to whether it has anything to do with my time in Unit-01 or not. Perhaps Rachel is a copy of me that had somehow been activated after Near Third Impact, and lived the 14 years I did not in your company. It still does not explain the other versions of Shinji and Asuka, or…Nelson."

Her eyes narrowed as she mentioned Kaworu's cover name, the word having a harder edge to it than most of the words that she had spoken to him thus far. "Regardless, such company casts you in a mysterious light. Who are you? And what goals do you have on this ship, interacting with us?"

Daniel regarded Rei silently for a moment, his eyes resting on the DSS Choker that she had just recently gotten for far too long, as he considered his options. 'Well, that makes things interesting. But there's too much in the air right now to risk telling her everything. It makes her a target, and we've already painted one of those on Maya's back by telling her what we have.'

Thus, he sighed as he put his hands on his hips. "It's very complicated. But…" he looked around once again to confirm no one else would hear. "For what it's worth, you're right. And we're here with nothing but good intentions. We understand what you all have gone through. Better than you might expect. So, we're all here to help you kids. Because at the end of the day…"

Daniel sighed as he trailed off and shook his head. "The fate of the world is going to be in all of your hands once again. Just like it's always been."

Rei opened her mouth to speak, but Daniel put out a staying hand. "Before you ask anymore, I would tell you that, even if it isn't NERV, part of our duty is making sure you kids stay safe on this ship. Learning any more about us for the moment puts you all in far too much danger. Can I trust that you'll keep this revelation between us until I say otherwise?"

Rei looked up at Daniel silently for a moment, indecision in her eyes not reaching the rest of her still rather neutral expression apparent as she finally nodded. "Very well. Unless I see that you do not have our best interests in mind, I will keep this secret."

Daniel sighed quietly. "You're good at that, I know."

Then, he began to smile slightly again. "Now, let's get back to finishing up the preparations. All this has made me terribly excited for tomorrow."

Rei smiled slightly in turn as she nodded. "Yes. I look forward to the dinner party."

. . .

Daniel walked into the gym, guitar case in hand, smiling as he waved at Midori, who waved back from a table and chairs situated in the back of the room, the table holding on its surface all manner of electronic instruments surrounding a laptop, all poised above some not too small speakers. "Hello, Daniel! Hello, Shinji!"

Daniel looked back at Shinji, holding his cello at his side as he waved somewhat limply back at Midori. "Hello, Ms. Kitakami," he said quietly as they both made their way to chairs that were set up to Midori's right and left.

Midori rolled her eyes as she chuckled. "Oh please, I already get called that enough. Just call me Midori."

"Okay, Ms. Midori."

Before she could reply, Daniel raised a hand from extracting his guitar. "Let him be polite, Midori. At least he's being nice." he chuckled.

Midori nodded as she sighed quietly. "I guess. But this is a jam session! A place where we can relax and be creative and inspired! Being too stiff just gets in the way of good music."

Midori looked over at Shinji, who was blushing now as he unlatched the case to his cello. "I mean, not that it isn't nice to be treated kindly, after all." she nearly stammered. "But it's nice to just relax and play, isn't it?"

Shinji paused as he began to tune his instrument. "Well… I guess so." he finally said quietly.

As Shinji proceeded to tune his instrument, he looked over at the chair that sat across from them, situated underneath a small table not too dissimilar to the one Midori occupied. "Who else is coming?"

"That's for Captain Ibuki and her piano," Midori replied. "I hope she gets here soon so we can do a sound check."

"Last I'd heard from her," Daniel interjected, "she was finishing something up and retrieving her keyboard. She should be here soon."

Shinji nodded as he looked over at the rest of the chairs that were scattered before them, not few in number. "And… how many other people are coming?"

"Just a few," Daniel said reassuringly as the door swished open and Maya stepped through, a fairly sized keyboard in her hands. "The rest of the bridge crew we work with, my kids, and the rest of your friends. Along with Captain Katsuragi."

Shinji's eyes widened slightly, and Daniel didn't need to connect to the boy's soul to see his nervousness, along with his anticipation, begin to climb. And in his eyes, much as Shinji tried to hide it while continuing to tune his cello, was hope.

As much as he didn't show it, it was a hope that Daniel shared as the Children, accompanied by Eleanor, a surprising arrival in Ymris, and the rest of his kids, soon filed in. "How's the sound check going, dear?" Eleanor asked, a small smile on her face.

"I think we're just about ready to start, actually," Daniel replied as Sumire, Hideki and Koji walked in as well, all taking a seat in one way or another. "So, does anyone have something in mind? I do, but I'd rather let someone else have a say first, see if I get to learn something interesting."

"Well," Maya said, looking over at Shinji, "how about something that uses the cello as the main instrument?"

Shinji blinked, then began to stammer slightly as he scratched the back of his head. "Well… I can't really think of anything that would work…"

"Then how about some freestyling?" Daniel said a smile on his face. "You know us. We're flexible. I'm sure we'll be able to keep up with you."

Shinji nodded, looking down the length of his cello thoughtfully as he considered his options. After a moment, he nodded, then looked up at Daniel.

Before he could speak, the doors opened again, and all eyes turned to see Katsuragi step in, looking around at the rather expectant faces that regarded her. Once again, her hat and shades were missing and her hair was in a ponytail, revealing cool eyes that lingered for a moment on Shinji as she scanned the room. Her jacket and gloves were also gone, revealing the dark turtleneck sweater that she wore underneath.

"I hope I haven't missed anything," she said, breaking the silence in the room as the door closed behind her and she took a seat next to Eleanor.

"No, actually," Daniel replied with a slight smile. "Shinji was just about to start us off."

Shinji nodded. "Maybe… we could do something like Thanatos?"

The question raised more than a few eyebrows. "Thanatos?" Asuka asked somewhat incredulously. "That sounds a lot more emo than I pegged you for, washout."

"It's not, I can promise you that much," Daniel said, stroking his beard as he thought for a moment.

After some consideration, he looked over at Shinji. "Do you think you could produce the main melody on your cello?"

Shinji's brow furrowed for a second before he nodded. "I think I can, at least."

"Alright," Daniel said with a smile. "I'll be playing a more complicated version than the one I showed you, but I'm sure you can keep up."

He looked over at Maya. "The piano part is terribly simple. All you'll need to do, aside from adding your own flourishes as you wish, is play this part." As he finished speaking, he began to strum out a steady, pulsing beat, one that Maya began to match. After a few adjustments, Daniel nodded before looking at Midori.

"As for any electronica… go with what feels and sounds good."

As Midori nodded, Daniel looked around himself. "Ready? We'll go on 4."

As the others nodded, Daniel smiled slightly while he lightly connected to their souls, just enough that they would all be able to play in sync. 'No reason not to cheat just a little, now.'

"Alright," he said quietly, "1, 2, 3, and…"

As the word finished leaving his mouth, they started their music, Shinji's cello providing deep, sonorous tones, the sound gently floating through the air as Maya's piano formed nearly the heartbeat of the song, making the song almost a slow, unwavering march. Midori's fingers pressed buttons, slid sliders, and turned dials, the simple actions producing an almost ethereal sound to the piece as it continued. Daniel's guitar, as he'd promised, added depth, complexity to the song, subtle variations often matching up or dancing around Maya's piano playing as he swayed slightly to the tune.

Daniel looked out over the audience as they played, taking in the appreciation, the focus, and even most surprisingly, the tranquility that rested on Katsuragi's face. She looked as though, at least for the moment, some burden was lifted off her shoulders, and her eyes glittered with reminiscence.

Daniel couldn't help but feel, for the briefest of moments, some small sense of triumph. There she was. Misato. Just within reach. Another day, and this madness with the Chokers could be over.

It was then, however, that his gaze darted to the door. And the transparent ooze that seeped through the cracks.

His eyes went wide, and his playing faltered, the others faltering in turn as a murmur of confusion rippled through the room.

As he stood, Daniel dropped the connection with his fellow musicians, tethering his soul to Eleanor, Ymris, and his kids. "Guys, we've got company!"

They turned to look at the door, all of them bolting from their chairs as the first humanoid form stumbled forward, the others finally getting the message as they all stood and backed away, shocked gasps and murmurs taking the place of the music.

"What the hell are those?" Koji said, reaching seemingly on instinct for a pistol that wasn't at his hip.

"Whatever they are," Daniel said as he stepped forward, making his way towards Eleanor and his kids, "They won't be getting past us."

"Okay," he said into his soul-link as the humanoid hung back to wait for its companions to make their way through, "this is bad. But we need to keep this as low-key as possible. There's going to be enough questions going around without us being asked any."

"To be frank, Daniel,"

Asuka replied, "I'm kind of struggling to see the point of holding back. It took everything we had going for us just to drive these things back."

"They're vulnerable to being boxed in,"

Ymris said, drawing attention to her. "If you can somehow get them enclosed, it's easier to deal with them."

"Along with their aversion to heat, it seems we've got something,"

Shinji said, and Daniel could feel his fists beginning to heat up.

"Even still, low-key as we can make it," Daniel warned, his hands beginning to glow on another spectrum with soul-made starlight.

With that, they slowly began to step forward, spreading out as best they could. As they drew within meters of the Spirits, the Spirits dashed forward, one of them slamming into Daniel and sending him stumbling back as he grappled with the slime. They all seemed faster now, more flexible and reactive, as the ooze that attacked Daniel did so relentlessly, barely letting him get a hit in even as they were sure he pushed his physical capabilities to the Second Peak and even somewhat beyond.

The others, however, went past them, the rest of the group spinning around in shock as the shambling oozes made their way towards Katsuragi, and the Children.

Asuka Shikinami was quick on her feet, however, and interposed herself in front of Katsuragi, staring down the ooze as it approached. "Back off, slimeball!" she said as she settled into a fighting stance.

The words doing nothing to stop or even slow the ooze from closing in, Asuka decided to use her fists instead, driving a withering series of strikes and kicks into the somewhat taller humanoid form.

As much as her opponent tried to get a strike in edgewise, Asuka was relentless, her blows causing the Spirit to step back once. Then again. Then again, past its compatriots who had become tangled up with Daniel's companions, those able-bodied members of the bridge crew helping as much as they could, however much it seemed to matter as one of them broke off and began to attack Daniel.

But it was like punching a bag of water. Every strike seemed to do next to nothing to this… thing, besides driving it back bit by bit. 'Damn it all,' Shikinami thought, the darker part of herself beginning to stir as her focus began to tunnel on her opponent, 'what does it take for you to die already?'

Then, the creature apparently decided it had had enough of the beating it was receiving, casually batting away the next punch that Asuka threw and wrapping up her follow-up with its flexible arm.

Asuka's eye widened as the creature drew back its fist, beginning to pummel her face, and the arm she raised to block it, over and over again.

'Well come on, you stupid Angel! Do something!' Asuka thought in between the blows. But that darker part of her… hesitated. It didn't know what this thing was, she realized as fear flickered to life in her chest for the first time in years. 'If it doesn't know…'

"Leave her alone!"

Asuka almost couldn't comprehend the voice that she'd just heard could still say something like that before she watched Shinji flash to her side, landing a series of surprisingly precise strikes on the monster that held her, forcing it to let go.

As she stumbled back, she looked over at Shinji's face, saw the terror in his eyes as he pressed on regardless. "What are you doing, you idiot? You'll get yourself killed!"

"No! I won't be the reason you get hurt again!"

Asuka blinked in shock, and at that moment, the monster took control of the situation, pinning Shinji's arms together. The boy shook and jerked from side to side to no avail, then began to kick at the creature's shins, a tactic which gained him little ground.

Shinji shook his head in frustration, shouting at the creature. "Let me g-"

Before he could finish his sentence, the creature's arm drove towards his face, expanding as it hit him square in the face, enveloping his head moments after.

"Shinji!" she shouted, that fear racing up her chest and spilling out of her mouth, the word alight with the emotion.

. . .

Daniel's head whipped around as he struggled to hold off two of the Spirits, and his eyes went wide as he saw Shinji's situation, the boy's writhing beginning to slow down as the slime around his head remained.

Time seemed to slow outside of his control as his mind went to war with itself. 'I have to keep him safe. But… the questions… the danger I could put everyone else in…'

'They're already in danger. And there will be questions anyway.'

Daniel set his jaw as he came to the terrible conclusion that it was time, now, to reveal his powers. 'But only for me. I won't risk the others just yet.'

"Guys,"

he said through his link as he extracted his hand from within one of his opponents, reaching out towards the Spirit that choked Shinji, "I'm going hot. Just me. There's no telling what WILLE and the Captain will do to whoever does. So let me figure that out."

He ignored the several instant, quite forceful protests as he focused on the Spirit that was choking Shinji, his Sight coming to him as he constructed a plane of starlight, spun between a frame of several stars. In the instant that the Expression was completed, he pushed.

The Spirit took a step back as the plane of starlight cleared Shinji's throat before enveloping the boy's head, springing out to slam into the 'head' of the ooze. The Spirit, clearly stunned, released Shinji, the boy falling to the floor gasping for air as the plane expanded, becoming a box that trapped it within its bounds, the creature's pounding to try and release itself echoing with a strange, deep buzzing sound as Daniel's jaw clenched.

The two Spirits that he held off redoubled their efforts, their strikes cutting deep wounds that refused to close as Daniel stabilized as best he could. For them, their fate was a massive, prismatic plane that flashed into existence between the three of them, cutting the entire room off.

Daniel knew what this looked like to the shocked, frightened people that he was protecting as he clenched his outstretched hand into a fist, the stars of the box flashing with a deep, harsh buzz as they fired beams aimed unerringly towards the Spirit's core. He could hear it shatter, the Spirit becoming so much inert slime as he turned his attention to more active concerns.

One such concern, trapped on his side with the rest of the crew, began to run, truly run over towards him as he opened the box he'd made, sending it hurtling towards the Spirit as its dead compatriot's formless mess of a body slid to the floor.

The cage slammed shut a finger's breadth away from Daniel's face as he strained to not let the mark on his brow show from the exertion, the box destroying the Spirit as quickly as it had destroyed its counterpart.

Daniel turned his gaze back to the other two Spirits, now trying to harass his kids and Eleanor. The field that separated them shrank as the box behind him disappeared, soon covering his hands with claw-like gloves as he dashed towards the one to his right, harrying his Asuka and Shinji.

He wasted little time with complex maneuvers, simply grabbing the Spirit's shoulder and shoving his hand into its chest, reaching for the core and catching it after a moment's struggle. As he caught it, he squeezed, the sound of the core shattering closer to him almost thrilling.

In the moment that its brother died, Daniel was bowled over as the last Spirit slammed into him, sending them both to the ground as the Spirit went wild, slashing and stabbing at him over and over again from every limb, even seeming to bite at him with what was roughly considered its head.

Daniel struggled on regardless, a hand slipping into the Pneumaic space that its core took up, reaching unerringly for the core even as the wounds he received grew more and more quickly. 'Almost there…'

Finally, he reached it, his fingers closing around the core and shattering it, covering himself in inert slime. It was, at last, over.

Even with his experience in combat, it took most of wiping the 'body' off himself before he realized that everything that had happened had taken place in the span of less than 3 minutes. If that.

He stood, turning to look at the rest of the crew members. They were all coming down from the shock of combat, of simply being present, but they were okay for the most part. Asuka Shikinami nursed a right arm that might have been fractured, if not outright broken, by the pummeling she must have received.

And Shinji, to his growing concern, lay curled up on the floor, barely moving. His steadily declining perceptions allowed him to catch that he was breathing, but even that relief felt like a cold comfort.

"Shinji…" he said, surprised at the weakness of the word as he tried to step forward. His knee, however, betrayed him, crumpling under the weight and sending him face first into the floor, where he promptly lost consciousness.

. . .

Daniel's eyes slowly began to crack open, a brush from Eleanor's soul telling him that it had been only a few hours since the attack even as the figures around him came into focus. The feeling of foreboding that he perceived from his wife left him distinctly uneasy.

The first thing that he noticed as things became clear was the rather disturbing number of guns that were pointed at least somewhat at him. The next was the other people that surrounded him. Looking down at him from around his gurney were Doctor Akagi, Captain Katsuragi, and Katara. Their expressions, whether concerned or cautiously curious or simply stony, gave him little in the way of assurance.

He tried to sit up but found himself somewhat unsurprisingly in straps, his arms and legs bound, as he cleared his throat. "Well, I can tell I've surprised at least most people in attendance."

"Spare the witticisms, Mr. Theisman," Katsuragi said, a cold tenor to her voice. "What you did earlier tonight shouldn't have been possible for anything human."

"I'll agree with that," Daniel said. "Relatively speaking, this is new to me, too."

"I've taken samples of your blood while you were unconscious," Akagi said, Daniel's fist clenching at the words. "The Achiral System is still undecided on whether or not you possess the markers needed to be partially Angelic, but I'm sure we'll figure that out in short order."

"So the question then, Mr. Theisman, becomes…" Katsuragi paused. "How did you manage to manifest an AT Field?"

Daniel's head hit the pillow as he sighed. "I first managed to create what I would come to know as an AT Field in the middle of our suicide mission in Afghanistan. I was, and still am as far as I can tell, the only one able to do it. It's our trump card when our backs are against the wall. The last resort no one is supposed to know about."

Katsuragi nodded ever so slightly. "I see. Even still, this is an immediate cause for concern, now that it seems the… invaders have been dealt with. We can't let you have such a potentially lethal weapon at your disposal without some form of assurance that you won't use it against us."

As she spoke, the guards around him parted, and he looked to the side and beheld Toph, standing as stoically as she could manage holding… a DSS Choker.

All else fell away as the moment returned. The warehouse. The Children. His kids, in gurneys, with collars around their necks. Because of him, a part of him whispered.

The man stepped forward. "You're putting this on. No funny business around here."

"There wouldn't be any 'funny business' without it, either." he didn't know if he said it aloud or if he was just remembering it still.

But the panic he felt was real. The gibbering, screaming fear that was trying to claw out of his chest, the feeling that he would become powerless again, that he would lose the ability to protect the people that he loved…

"

Daniel?"

He didn't fully know who was speaking, but the collar was closer now. Damn it all, why hadn't he put the collar on already?

The world snapped back in

to focus, Toph by his bedside, the Choker close, the threat immediate.

So he reacted, teary eyes widening as the Choker exploded mostly harmlessly in Toph's hands, Toph yelping as she stepped back and let the pieces clatter to the floor. In that instant, the guards returned, the muzzles of their rifles nearly shoved into his face as he looked over at Katsuragi, a part of him savagely triumphant to see some sort of change to her expression, even if it was shock.

"Captain, that's the last thing that I'm going to do that goes against you when it comes to my power. I don't care what your computers say, as long as I, or any one of my kids, new or old, have a say in the matter, we're human. We're in control."

He paused for a moment as he caught his breath. "But if you put a collar on my wife or kids, neither of us will survive what comes next."

The air hung thick in the room as silence swept in, and Daniel regarded Katsuragi, the two staring each other down. Daniel's jaw clenched as Katsuragi became the first to blink, looking away. "And you'll not turn against us otherwise? Inform us if you begin to act outside of your own control?"

"Yes." for as much as Daniel shook, the word was solid.

"Very well."

It was silent again for a moment as Toph waved off the guards, the men standing back as Daniel sighed. "Where is Shinji?"

Akagi looked at him as Katsuragi continued to regain her composure. "He's currently in his assigned bunk room, along with the rest of the Children. Their wounds were relatively minor, and allowed for them to be released before you woke up."

"Oh, good."

The latches released themselves in short order, Daniel rubbing his wrists as he sat up and stood, looking down at his surgical gown and hoping that his clothes had at least made their way to Eleanor, disregarding Toph calling off the guards again as he began to make his way to the door.

"And where do you think you're going?" Katsuragi asked from behind him, causing him to pause and turn to regard her.

"I'm going and graciously continuing to do your job, Captain," he said quietly, no small amount of venom in his words. "If you're going to try and stop me, I'd suggest you reconsider."

"Daniel," Katara said as she stepped forward, "your wounds have barely closed. You're running the risk of re-"

"No!" Daniel's breath shuddered as he paused. "Ka… no. It doesn't matter. I don't matter right now. All that matters is that they're safe."

It was silent again as he reached the door and passed beyond it, disregarding the small group gathered outside as he pressed on towards the bunk room.

How would he find Shinji, he wondered as he walked on. Would he be concerned first? Would he feel guilty? That was sure, but it wasn't his fault he tried to help.

No, he was sure he would find him silent. Lying flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He'd gotten here as quickly as he could, with the repairs to the Evas holding him up after Armisael. As he entered the apartment, he walked to the door, Misato looking at him uneasily. "Is he awake?" he asked quietly.

Misato nodded. "But… I don't know if he'll say anything."

Daniel nodded in turn as he paused in front of the door. "He doesn't need to, after what he's been through."

With that, he'd opened the door, finding Shinji looking up at the ceiling. "Shinji?" he said quietly as he shut the door behind him, walking over to beside his bed and turning the chair to face him before sitting. "Can I help you?"

Shinji simply shook his head. "How?"

There were so many ways to answer that question. So, he treaded carefully. "I've heard, all unofficially of course, that Rei might have survived what happened."

That got a reaction out of him, Shinji turning his head to stare at him with wide eyes. "What?"

"She'd likely be out of it, not entirely the girl you'd gotten to know. But she'd be mostly there, I think. You'd just have to… remind her of a few things."

Shinji looked back up at the ceiling, and Daniel saw in the boy's eyes some small, flickering spark of hope. It wasn't much, what he'd done. There was so much he'd felt he needed to do. And so much that he'd feared trying to do. The fear of slipping back into old habits was strong here, where everything was almost so familiar.

"D

aniel?"

Daniel was confused for a moment. Shinji's mouth didn't move. And that wasn't his voice, not entirely. How…

"Daniel…"

He blinked, and looked up at Shinji, his Shinji, Shawn, and wondered how he'd fallen to his knees, leaning against the wall with tears flowing freely down his face.

"Shinji…" he whispered, a choked thing.

Shawn moved out of the way as Eleanor came into view, concern and sadness filling her expression as their souls became linked again. "Let's get you back to your bunk room."

"But Shinji…" he said weakly as he was helped to his feet, looking back to find a decent portion of the bridge crew and Maya standing behind him, and Toph and Katara walking up towards him.

"Can wait for a moment," Eleanor said gently, but assuredly. "Right now, you're in no state to see him. We'll get you cleaned up, and Kiana can make sure that you're ready to see him later tonight."

Daniel opened his mouth to protest but closed it as he nodded wearily. "Okay," he said quietly.

Eleanor simply nodded as they began to walk together.

. . .

More than a few hours later, well into what he was sure was the middle of the night, Daniel, now rested somewhat and having been made the beneficiary of both healing waterbending and Mending, at least enough to keep him from passing out, stood at the door to the Children's bunk room, and hesitated.

The flashback was still so fresh in his mind. It felt almost like a prophecy. Even still, though, here he could change things. He wasn't afraid anymore. At least, not as much as back then.

He took a deep breath, and opened the door, stepping across the threshold.

Immediately, Mari bolted up from her bunk, Rei and Asuka regarding him. "Bloody hell!" Mari said in amazement. "I was sure you were going to be out all day after that… display."

"I'll be fine," Daniel said as reassuringly as he could. "I'm tougher than most people think, and Kiana does a good job."

His gaze swept down to Shinji's laying in his bunk, looking over at Daniel with empty eyes. "Shinji?" Daniel asked quietly as he made his way to the boy's side, kneeling with some effort. "Are you okay?"

"I'm… I'm useless."

Daniel's heart was stung by the ever-familiar words as he shook his head. "No. No, you did the best you could. You didn't know what you were up against, is all. None of us did."

"As if that wasn't familiar," Shinji said sullenly.

"Yeah, I can't blame you for feeling that," Daniel said with a shrug. "But you lived. You did the best that you could do, and made it through. There aren't too many people I've known who can say the same."

It was silent again for a moment before he sighed. "You're strong, kid. Stronger than you think, in a lot of ways that you might not see. In some ways… you're stronger than me. I admire that."

Shinji's head turned to him, his eyes wide as Daniel continued. "So, I hope the dinner for tomorrow evening hasn't been impacted too much."

Shinji sat up, an uncertain expression on his face as he considered the idea. "Well, I mean, as long as everyone is able to come still, we should be fine."

"Besides," Asuka interjected, "we've been through crazier battles before and gone back to something normal. What's so different about this situation?"

'More than you might think, kid.' Daniel thought as the conversation continued on, and he found himself relieved to find Shinji, once again, growing more and more confident as they spoke on about perhaps the most important dinner this ship would have.

. . .

Thousands of miles away, Commander Gendo Ikari looked down at the Ayanami unit in front of him, in her Plugsuit as they stood in front of the Mark.09.

"The time has come, and Shinji Ikari has been allowed sufficient time to be properly prepared for our needs. If all has gone as I have expected, then he will be alone. Shunned by those that blame him for the creation of this current world. Retrieve him. Allow nothing to get in your way." he said with an air of finality.

The Ayanami unit nodded slightly. "Yes sir."