-AN-

If I was better at animating, I wanna see a brawl between a Gundam and an EVA. I think it'd be pretty epic.

-Story Start-

Leaning back in his chair with a groan, Shinji stretched his arms over his head as the class began to mingle and make noise. Free period was nice enough as the teachers changed out for afternoon classes, but it left him open and vulnerable. Today though, he was just in to much of a good mood to complain. So much so that he didn't even mind Rei planting herself sideways in his lap, book perfectly angled to catch the sun from the window as she seemed to all but ignore him.

"Is this what I've been demoted to now? Furniture?" Shinji appreciated the little wiggle Rei gave in response.

"Silence, chairs don't speak." Rei could feel the next Angel coming, tomorrow at the latest or maybe the day after. She'd need to check with Shinji, see if he felt it or not.

"Yes ma'am." Grinning as Asuka swept in, taking Rei's now empty desk and sitting atop it with one leg daintily crossed over the other, "Heya Asuka."

"Did you hear, Misato's been promoted finally." Lacing her hands together on her raised knee, Asuka was all grins as Hikari came to stand next to them, "Which means you know what."

Rei didn't even bother to look up, casually turning a page in her book, "Another party then? Are we inviting the usual suspects?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Asuka eyed the idiot duo watching them with a keen eye, "We might as well. Give Shinji something to do." More like keep the rumor mill running full tilt. She was looking to make so much money once they sprung their trap. If only these rubes knew what was coming.

Hikari smiled and leaned into her friend as she stared at the boy of the group. "Can I come along? We've been meaning to swap recipes you and I Shinji."

Asuka nudged her friend before wrapping an arm around the other girl's waist, eliciting a squeak from the freckled girl, "You're one of us now, your invitation was intrinsic."

Blushing but still smiling, Hikari looked over Asuka's shoulder as she pulled out her phone and began browsing the web, "I didn't want to assume." Oh? Asuka was into magical girl manga?

Rei once more replied for the relaxing Shinji, "Well now you know better. You are one of us, enjoy the perks." She didn't need to look up to know Hikari was now really blushing up a storm, but no matter. She would adjust and get used to the life of the pilots soon enough. Now. Rei was in her favorite spot and enjoying her new book fixation. Monster men.

Watching the trio from several desks back, Kensuke leaned towards Toji, "It looks like Rei is taking the lead again."

Toji sniffed and leaned back in his seat, "Just you watch, Red will show her true colors soon enough. That bet is all mine for the taking." Both boys paused as Hikari turned and waved their way. Huh, it was rare for them to get invited along. "Uh oh."

"Think they found out about the betting pool?" Kensuke was ready to turn and bolt at the first sign of hostilities. Asuka was not one to hold back on pervert stomping.

Shaking his head and standing as the nerd used him as a human shield, Toji grunted and weaved between desks, "If they did, Asuka wouldn't be so calm."

"More like she'd be nice just to lure us in."

"You're paranoid." Not that Toji wasn't, but he was more focused on how close Hikari was to Asuka. More than just her new hairdo, something in the girl had changed recently. She seemed much more calm than usual, though her task master class rep ways hadn't changed. "What's up Class Rep?"

Asuka spoke up before the freckled girl could, "We're throwing a party for Misato, wanna come?"

Kensuke leaned out from behind the taller Toji, "Oh? What's the occasion?"

Ignoring the spore's obvious guilt, Asuka went back to scrolling her phone, "Misato got a promotion. We're going to surprise her."

Time with the goddess Misato and get to tease Shinji? Kensuke was in right away, "Heck yeah, I'm in."

Much of the same mind, Toji nodded along, "Sounds good, after school then?"

"So long as there is no angel attack." Rei spoke up before she turned bored eyes up to the taller Toji, "Please try not to perv on Misato-san."

"I-I-I would never!" Toji's rebuttal was a bit louder than he intended and garnered a few strange looks from the rest of the class. "I'm always the perfect gentleman."

Scoffing and handing her phone to Hikari, it was a release video of the next action fighter game they were into. "Uh huh. Remind me again how we found you yesterday? Drooling over some girls in line for food and steadfastly not finding us a table to sit?"

Mind going back to yesterday, Toji had tried his luck with some older college girls. They had been super cute and he was sure he was only a few steps away from getting their numbers if the loud German hadn't shown up, "If girls didn't want us to appreciate the view, they wouldn't dress like that."

Groaning and sharing a look with Rei, Asuka waved him off, "And that's why you're a creep of the highest order. I'll warn Misato to stay dressed." Show a bit of leg and Asuka could bet Toji would bust in his pants at the sight of Misato.

Blushing but turning to the last guy of the group, Toji tried to entreaty some support, "Shin-man help me out here. We're men, we're hardwired to appreciate the finer female form. You get me don't you?"

Sighing but looking up to his friend, Shinji poked Rei in the side and got a happy twitch from her, "Appreciation is all well and good. But you shouldn't assume girl's look cute just for guys. Girl's can like girl's too ya know? Plus sometimes someone just wants to look good to look good."

Face screwing up as he thought about that, Toji finally crossed his arms and sighed, "Well, I wouldn't want to get in the way of love between girls, that's true." And hot. It was probably the hottest thing he could imagine.

Something Asuka could almost read from his mind, "Yeah you're taking the wrong lesson from that. Once a creep, always and creep." Waving a hand to shoo them away, Asuka accepted her phone back from an interested looking Hikari, "We'll meet up later tonight, say seven?"

Kensuke could see the dismissal for what it was, "Yeah, I can be there by then. Toji?"

"Yeah, seven is good." Gave him time to hit the track and then return home for a shower and change. Maybe he could try his luck with Hikari again tonight. Anything could happen.

Something that was not on Hikari's mind as the teacher returned to their classroom, "Guess it's time to get back to it then." Standing and moving to the front of the class, Hikari was set on having a good time tonight.

Sighing and closing her book as the others returned to their desks, Rei leaned in to whisper in Shinji's ear, "Do you feel it coming?"

Giving a hesitant nod, Shinji knew that the tingle in his mind wasn't normal, "So that's what I was feeling?"

"We'll sort it out later. But the next is coming." Rei was then up around to her desk, shooing Asuka away who flipped her hair and left for her own desk near Hikari's.

Mind now trying to focus on his new angelic side, Shinji sighed as he could feel what Rei meant. It was like…someone calling your name from far away over and over. He could hear them, but couldn't make out what they were saying. The call would probably get deafening the closer the Angel got. But, Hikari's voice broke his thoughts and he stood along with the rest of the class.

"Stand! Bow! Be seated!" Hikari wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she did get a little thrill performing her duties. She wondered if Shinji liked to be bossed around?

-b-

After school later that day Shinji was grinning as the trio walked through the halls of NERV towards the EVA cages. His sperm donor and Kozo were long gone, off to Antarctica to pick up the Lance of Longinus, which left the base under Misato's control. Something he certainly wasn't going to complain about, because it gave him more options to mess around with the old farts.

Asuka began to edge away from the boy as he began to chuckle darkly, "Mein Gott, I hate it when you do that." It made her skin crawl and she rubbed at her arms to chase away the goosebumps.

On the opposite end, Rei leaned into Shinji to rub shoulders with him, "I find it thrilling."

"You would."

"Of course." Rei smirked at the red head as they both leaned around Shinji's back to make eye contact. They could only hold the look for a few moments before both began to laugh and knock Shinji out of his thoughts.

"What'd I miss?" He looked between both young women before sighing and shaking his head. Best not to try and understand the mind of women.

Asuka instead jogged ahead, "I actually have some work to do, meet you at the cages?"

Waving at her fellow soul mate, Rei was all smiles, "We shall meet you there, and we promise not to be late this time."

Jogging away, Asuka waved a hand over her shoulder, "If you are you better take a video!" And then she was gone, leaving Rei and Shinji to walk together.

Something Shinji wanted to at least make sure he wasn't forgetting any events that were supposed to happen today. "I haven't missed anything have I?" Asuka wasn't usually so quick to leave on her own. Was something up that he was supposed to remember?

Once more wrapping her arms around one of his own, Rei returned to her happy place, "Nothing that you are not already used to." They both turned down a hallway and Rei noted that they would be passing Ritsuko's office soon. "Shall we break into Gendo's office? Fornicate repeatedly on his desk?"

"Don't even have to ask me that, tomorrow after the Angel?"

"As you wish."

Having heard the dim voices and the footsteps of the approaching teens, Ritsuko leaned out of her doorway as she assessed her watch. "It's nearly that time isn't it? Are you both ready for the harmonics tests?"

Rei nodded, "Of course Doctor Akagi." Both teens stepped aside as the good doctor fell into step with them, closing her office and letting it lock automatically. "If you are hoping for a repeat, I'd suggest waiting. There is a party tonight for Katsuragi's promotion."

Blushing at the forward and blunt Rei's words, Ritsuko coughed into her fist, "That was not the first thing on my mind."

Catching on right away, it was Shinji who spoke up before Rei, "But it was on your mind." Feeling Ritsuko stumble slightly, the new Angel hybrid smirked, "You can always join us later. We plan on messing up Gendo's desk and making a production of it."

"I will of course make copies of the video for you." Rei was always happy to be helpful when required.

The thought of pissing off Gendo and having some fun was appealing, bonus points that her properly re-awakened libido was going to get it's itch scratched. "I would, not be opposed to the idea." Jumping as a hand smacked her rear, Ritsuko turned to give Shinji a flushed glare. "We are in public."

Shrugging, Shinji returned her glare with a grin, "You like it."

The fact that she did in fact like it was not going to be answered. Instead Ritsuko hit the button for the elevator they had reached and stood off to the side to watch both of the teens. Her mind thinking about other work that needed to be done. The question now was if Rei brought Shinji completely up to speed on who and what she was. "Rei, I'll need you to stay late tomorrow for-"

Rei waved a hand dismissively as the doors opened and the three entered, "Shinji is up to date on who and what I am. It is not a concern to be secretive." Maybe this would be a good avenue into bringing Ritsuko into their number. Either that or breaking her mind.

Pressing the number for the testing level, Ritsuko sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I should not be surprised." Strong arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her into a chest, "You are very forward."

Hugging the older woman softly, Shinji breathed on her ear and enjoyed the shudder that worked through her, "Again, you enjoy it. Besides, you can say no." Reaching up with one hand, Shinji tilted Ritsuko to face him. "I'll honor whatever you wish." Was she already breathing hard, well the blush made her look rather cute and several years younger. It was a good look.

Rolling her eyes, Ritsuko snaked her arms around his neck, "You already know my answer you little heart breaker." It was easy to lean into the kiss. Soft yet passionate, her tongue danced with his for a moment before she pulled away with a happy sigh. Being let up and leaning against the elevator wall, Ritsuko tried to calm her heart, "So warm."

Noting that they were almost to their floor, Rei nodded, "Anata's love is like that. You'll get used to it."

"Should I get used to it is the question." Pausing to stand up straight and make sure her clothes weren't too rumpled, Ritsuko smiled for the boy and put her hands on her hips, "Well if it isn't a secret, then Rei you have your own harmonics test tomorrow night." She'd have to sit down and determine just how much Shinji knew, but something told her it was more than she would like. Keeping secrets didn't seem to be a problem for the young man, so adding another to the list while unfortunate wasn't an issue.

Rei took a step towards Shinji and kissed him lightly, "I will miss you Anata."

The doors dinged open and Ritsuko led the way out, Shinji and Rei following along behind her, "It'll be half a night at best. You'll know where to find me when you're done."

"Good. I want my cuddles."

Finally feeling her age, Ritsuko rolled her eyes as more base technicians began to fill the halls, "Can you two not be horny teenagers for a few moments. You have a test coming up."

Rei shrugged, "You are only upset because there is not enough time to drag Shinji into a closet. I should know, it vexes me daily."

Walking on Shinji's left, Ritsuko turned to look at the boy directly, "Is she always this…" She couldn't even finish the thought. More so when Shinji just nodded his head solemnly.

"Yes, and yes before you ask my diet does consist of more energy drinks than it should." At least it used to. Having an angelic core nestled next to his heart did have benefits. The locker rooms were coming up and with the hallway empty for the moment Shinji turned and wiggled his eyebrows as Rei left for the girl's side. "What do ya say? A quickie before sync tests?"

Giving the empty hallway a look, Ritsuko smiled and gave the boy a quick kiss. "Behave, and I'll rock your little socks off later."

Shinji took note of a minor difference he just noticed. "You've stopped smoking." Her breath and taste held a hint of mint and chocolate."

Nodding as she backed away, Ritsuko would have to hurry to not be late, "I've decided to turn over a new leaf. Enjoy this life I have." Though that had turned to a craving for sweets. She hoped she didn't put on to much extra weight because of it.

Smiling happily, Shinji nodded and waved Ritsuko away, "Good for you Ritsuko. See ya after the tests." And then he was gone, mentally shifting gears for the next set of tests while ignoring that next Angel's calls. They were starting to get louder in his mind. How did Rei put up with this?

Walking away with a slight spring in her step, Ritsuko put a finger to her lips. She was actually giddy, heart fluttering and happy for once. All this for one fifteen year old boy. Well, one fifteen year old boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders and all of their lives in his hands. She definitely owed Misato an apology for the teasing she gave her, Ritsuko knew better now.

-b-

Having left her loves to their fun, Asuka skipped down the hallway towards her own self imposed destination. She had tried to reason with herself over the last few weeks. That this Kaji wasn't the same one. That this one could be good. That he hadn't sold them out and gotten her children killed and ended the world.

She was sorry to admit that she could not move past it. Much as Shinji would always hate his father, Asuka would most likely always have a sore spot for Kaji much as she did for her sperm donor. Sure at the least, that man was easy to deal with and she understood, but Kaji? This two timing snake was a bit harder to figure out. Seele, the UN, Nerv. Ultimately his allegiance was to whoever got him what he wanted. Ambitious she supposed, unless the world was at stake.

So as she weaved past lab techs and strutted her way past bemused security guards, she quickly found her way towards one of several data centers around the NERV base. Traffic here was much lighter than anywhere else, tucked away two floors below the pribnow box. But that suited her needs just fine, her's and someone else's. In another life Misato would find her way here in a few months or so, hunting down the rabbit's tail that Kaji would leave for her. Only to be obliterated with everyone else as Seele turned the JSSDF against them. At least that was one unfortunate end they could meet. One she wasn't looking to endure this time around.

It was easy to slide the door open, the lock having been disabled in such a way that anyone could find their way inside, but Asuka wasn't just anyone and her target wouldn't be aware yet that he was being hunted. Good for her, perfect really. The room was dim, lights low as no one was supposed to be present as the computers and sever racks all hummed and beeped with their electronic operations. The far wall held a bank of dark computers, none of which were all that important. This was storage, an ancillary backup in case things went wrong. It was why it was so lightly guarded and easy to get into, but it still maintained a connection with the Magi. Something that someone with nefarious plans could use if they knew how. Which Asuka was one such person as she slowed her walk to a crawl to lean around another server, looking down the wall which held several large metal storage cabinets and a small access tunnel which had its partition removed. Just big enough for a grown man to crawl inside of to access both fiber optic and high speed communication lines in order to hack into some of the base's server systems. The one problem was that the crawl space not only had no other exit, but there was no way to leave if someone closed it from outside.

Kaji couldn't see the cruel smile that blossomed on Asuka's face outside of his little hole. Armed with a tailor made terminal pad and labeled instructions on where to tap into the system and how, he was in the middle of downloading more secret information than he ever could have hoped for. It was a stroke of luck that both the commander and the sub commander were gone as it gave him a wide opening with no one keeping an eye on him. He thought that maybe Akagi might have some suspicion about him, but she had seemed distracted as of late. Good for him, though he might have to tease the woman about it later. Rumor mill said she might have a new boyfriend and apparently if the limp she had the other day was true was a major upgrade from her previous beau. Chuckling despite himself, Kaji whistled as information scrolled past his screen. "Bingo. My my commander, you're going to be in some big trouble." With the EVA's sync tests coming up he should have plenty of time to copy everything to a memory card or two. Best to set up a contingency in case he ate a bullet.

All thoughts went away as the access panel to his little hole was replaced and latched shut. He had all of seconds to decide whether to call out or play dumb. Well, it was either convince whoever was out there that he had a reason to be in here or starve to death. "Hey! Someone's in here!" Better to have a chance then none at all. It'd been a long while since he had had to get his hands dirty, but staying alive was worth it.

"I know that." The voice was high, feminine and familiar. Asuka? Kaji again tried to understand what was going on. How did Asuka know he was down here? Had she followed him? Was this a ploy to gain his attention or affections? No way. It didn't fit her anymore after she had started vying for the pilot of Unit 1. Or was that the ruse? Had she been following Shinji around in the hopes of getting a rise out of him instead?

"Asuka! Let me out, this isn't funny!" He could hear scraping out there. Something heavy and metal moving along the floor and vibrating it under his finger tips. Belatedly he noted the download had finished. Of course this far underground there was no hope of sending it anywhere.

Finishing with the cabinet move, Asuka leaned against it with a sigh, pressing her forehead to the cool metal. "It's not supposed to be."

Just barely hearing the girl, Kaji crawled his way to the access panel. A few test pushes against it showed it had no give at all. No chance of forcing his way out by the look of it. "Look, Asuka. I know things have been busy and I haven't been able to spend time with you. But hey, I hear Misato got a promotion. We can throw a party. Let's hang out there, talk about whatever is bothering you."

Sighing and closing her eyes, Asuka finally let her mind drift. For her it might have already been a full decade since the last loop, but it still burned. Her loss. Their loss. It wasn't so easily forgotten and much like Shinji, she still had a hard time letting it go. "I'm not the Asuka you know. At least. The Asuka I've shown you isn't the real me."

Blinking and trying to keep up, Kaji considered Asuka's psyche profile. Was she having a crisis of self here? "That's everyone Asuka, we all-"

"JUST, shut up and listen." Waiting in silence, Asuka turned around to lean her back against the heavy cabinet. "Us pilots, we're stuck in a loop. Over and over again. We live, connect with the EVA, each other, we fight and rage and die. So many times now. A cruel cycle we can't escape no matter what we try. And we remember, each and every one." Asuka didn't care that to him this would be insane to hear, that it wouldn't make since. No one came down here normally anyway and even if they did, they wouldn't notice a cabinet slightly out of place. "But you wanna know something that's etched in my mind so deep I can't pull it free? Like a damned shard of glass? Like some brain eating amoeba that refuses to die? You. You and your selfish egotistical asshole self. You've had a few good times, but the rest? You've sold me out. Sold the others out. Sold Misato out even a few times. Our last run we left Japan entirely but you still tracked us down."

"Asuka! You're not making any sense, let me out! Lets actually talk!" Panic was beginning to set in as Kaji realized that something was seriously wrong with Asuka. This was not normal by any means. She was having a break, the stress of piloting finally getting to her. The same sickness as her mother maybe? "You don't know what you're doing Asuka, I'll-"

"Die?" Asuka smirked as Kaji went quiet, the pounding on the wall ceasing. Good. He was starting to realize she was serious about this. "You won't understand, and that's okay. This isn't about you at all really. This is ME being selfish. I watched our children die Kaji. Watched Rei get blown apart and Shinji maimed and crippled, all so some old men could try to live forever. Seele? NERV? You don't really care. You'll work for whoever so long as you can complete your little truth seeking quest, and the rest of us be damned."

She knew? How could she know about Seele? Was this somehow impossibly true? "Asuka I-"

"Why can't you just listen damnit!?"

"You've always hated children Asuka! What is this? You watched children die? You had a child? It's insane!" There was silence between the two, Kaji's heart hammering in his chest while the space was filled with his labored breathing.

Right, that wasn't his reality. Just her's. "You don't know what it's like. To have a child. To grow a little life inside of you. To fall in love with it, in love with the person who helped build it. To have a real family that relies not just on you but such that you can rely on them as well. I loved them, mine and Rei's. My bright blue eyed darling was every bit me and Shinji. Fire and confidence tempered with a sweetness that could melt your heart. There was so much fire….it burned so hot even from our distance…I'd never seen Shinji rage so hard. And Rei. Watching a full grown man turn to goop is life changing really. You were there. You pulled the trigger after all." Shoulder's slumping, Asuka let the memories fade. She was spent and it was time for her rambling to end.

"That wasn't me! Why can't you see that!"

"Just. SHUT UP. I don't care. Because in this life I've been watching you. Making the same moves, the same mistakes. It didn't matter that I really didn't have any interest in you this time, you still tried to play the suave older man in an attempt to use me. It didn't matter that Misato genuinely looks happy without you, you're still trying to weasel your way into her panties even though it'd probably be good for both of you to leave her alone. And even now, with that slag Gendo gone you're here, sneaking around and playing secret agent while everyone else prepares to fight and die." Sighing, Asuka had to admit that talking about it all felt good. She didn't want to worry Shinji and Rei with this. Because she knew they would worry and they would go overboard. No. She could do this, because once it was done she knew she wasn't alone. The people in her life wanted her, for her. Not because she was a pilot. "We won't be seeing each other again Kaji. Maybe next roll around I can stand being around you." Walking away, Asuka would make sure the door locked securely this time. Pausing at the door, Asuka turned back to look into the empty room, "Be happy. I had considered putting a bullet in your head. But that would be too quick. I want you to reflect on your life as you die." Then she was gone, mind already writing Kaji off as she made for the EVA cages. She'd change into her plug suit, maybe catch Shinji in the hallway before the tests. Yeah. That was a good plan. Feeling his warmth always set her at ease. Maybe that was why she was so horny lately?

Behind her waiting and not hearing the girl start back up, Kaji began to beat on the panel with all his might. "Asuka! This isn't right! It's not fair! I'll die in here! Asuka! Let me out!" Sweat began to pour down his body as he really considered it. He was going to die in a NERV crawl space. Stuck between the walls with no one the wiser with all the info he could ever need stuck in here with him. "Asuka!" His fists began to beat at the wall frantically. Panic fully set in. "ASUKA!"

-b-

Testing done and over with, the group was back home. Groaning and stretching his arms over his head, Shinji adjusted his apron as he set about cooking up and preparing snacks. He had to be extra careful as he moved, Asuka was glued to his back as he worked, but he was smiling through it all none the less. Asuka wanted to be extra affectionate without being lewd? Sign him right up. Carefully pulling more deep friend chicken balls from the frying oil, Shinji set them aside on the rack to dry and cool. "Have a productive day?"

"You could say that." Nuzzling into his widening back, Asuka was firmly in her happy place. Well, happy place outside of the bedroom.

Refusing to ask further, he heard the door open and turned back to address whoever it was. It felt like Rei. "Hey there! Welcome home!"

Rei came from around the hall, Ritsuko trailing behind her cautiously, "I'm home and I brought Ritsuko."

Coughing into a hand as she paused at the doorway to the kitchen, Ritsuko took in the scene of all three children mingling together, "Is Misato in?"

Shinji nodded his head towards the back hallway, "Getting changed." Which meant Asuka would have to give up her spot soon. Either that or get used to answering some awkward questions.

Something Asuka did understand as she finally let go as her phone began to vibrate. "Ugh, can't we just come clean already? I wanna have a cuddle pile."

"I second the motion." Hand instantly raised, Rei was always on board for cuddle time. Idly she snagged Ritsuko and pulled her into a hug, "Ritsuko can be bottom."

"I am not a-"

Asuka nodded as she checked her phone, it was Hikari telling her she was downstairs, "You're absolutely a bottom. Shinji, tell her." Walking away to get her slippers, Asuka started to compose a reply text.

Looking over his shoulder with a wink, Shinji locked eyes with the flushed Ritsuko, "Be a good kitty and we'll make that Gendo office trip tonight."

Thinking it over, Ritsuko weighed admitting to being a bottom over holding some sort of adult pride over these teens. If only Shinji wasn't so damned talented and sincere. "I'll be a good kitty."

Rei led the older woman to the living room, "Let's find a program to watch while we wait for the others." Leaving Shinji alone to finish cooking, Rei began planning the next phase of her fun.

Humming a tune as he brought out several perfectly sealed jugs of juice and soda from the fridge, Shinji didn't have to wait long as Misato emerged from her room. Shorts more mid thigh tonight as they were having guests, the woman was all smiles as she floated into the kitchen. Throwing her arms around Shinji's shoulders from behind, she was quick to start teasing, "Aw look at you, you're really going all out to celebrate for me ain't ya?"

Nodding along, Shinji smirked as he considered how to get back at the woman pressing herself into his back, "Yup. You've worked hard right? So you deserve to be celebrated and pampered."

Leaning over the boy slightly and leering at him from the side, Misato was determined to get a rise out of him, "Oh? So you're gonna pamper me?"

Turning towards his roommate and giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek, the boy nodded and went back to work at the stove to remove more chicken from the fry oil. "You bet. Now go find Ritsuko, she's in the living room with Rei."

"Sh-s-s-sShinji." Hissing in a surprised whisper, Misato backed up slightly. This little cassanova!

Turning back to her with mirth in his eyes, Shinji winked at her, "Two can play that game, Misa-chan." Then it was back to work, he was almost finished. "You want a beer or are you still not drinking?" Penpen was currently the main drinker of the house. Well he might be tied with Asuka. He'd need to check on her later.

Flush and confused, Misato firmed herself up. She would not lose to a wet behind the ears boy. Even if said boy with stronger than most and more mature than some men twice his age...In fact better than most of her usual love interests, "You better watch it buster. Rei's gonna eat you alive."

"She likes to share." Answering without looking, Shinji felt Misato stumble away as she considered the idea of that piece of information. Hah. Score one for him. Though he didn't have much free time for himself as the door to their home opened again. "Welcome in!"

"The hotties are back!" Asuka called out as she pushed Hikari along in front of her and kicked the door closed behind her. "Bask in and enjoy our glory!"

Flushing but laughing along, Hikari walked down the hall after removing her shoes, "Asuka! You're so embarrassing!"

"You gotta live a little Hikari! Live!"

Misato paused in her journey to the living room and raised a hand in greeting, "Hey there Asuka! Hikari-chan, welcome to our home." She gave Asuka a queer look, as if she was trying to puzzle something out. Shinji says Rei likes to share. Asuka was always the touchy feely type, even from the very beginning. But with that new knowledge, and with Shinji starting to be so flirty…

Ritsuko invaded her space and derailed her thoughts, "Misato, come and save me!" Getting used to a friendly Rei was not an overnight thing and knowing the girl's origins, it was starting to get to her. She needed someone normal. Someone sane.

Seeing Rei over Ritsuko's shoulder, Misato shrugged and let herself be dragged along, "I'm coming I'm coming already."

Watching the older woman get pulled away, Asuka pushed Hikari towards the kitchen. "Go and help the stud muffin. I'll keep the others from destroying the living room." More like Rei would somehow convince Misato and Ritsuko together that Shinji was the best man on the planet and he deserved all their attention. Ritsuko was already hooked but by the looks of things Misato needed a bit more work.

Stumbling into the kitchen, Hikari got an eyeful of a curious Shinji who had turned back to look at the noise. Dressed in casual sweats and a white t-shirt, his 'kiss the cook' apron on proud display, Shinji smiled at her and dished out the last of the chicken. It was a nearly foot tall pile on a large dinner plate. "Hey there Hikari. Here to help?" Shinji held up the plate of chicken, "Could ya take that to the living room? I've still got the rice balls to take care of."

Seeing that no one else but them was here, Hikari was feeling bold. Asuka did tell her to live right? Coming forward she kissed Shinji on the cheek before taking the warm plate from his hands, "Can do. N-need anything else?"

Enjoying the warm feeling in his chest, Shinji shook his head as he motioned out of the kitchen, "Maybe later. Don't let Asuka or Rei high road you into anything crazy."

Chuckling, Hikari walked away on her task, "I'll do my best." This felt good and it certainly made her happy. Who would have thought, her and Shinji? Well, really her and all of the EVA pilots, though she wasn't really sure how that was going to work. Asuka and her were friends and continued on as such. But contrary to the demeanor she put off, Rei was the physical affection type who seemed to enjoy a cuddle. Oh she just knew the school rumors were going to fly off the handle now!

Sat on the couch between Rei and Ritsuko, Misato eyed the massive plate of food being set down before them, "Shinji you're a saint!"

"There's more coming so dig in!" Shinji's voice floated on the air as for the first time of the night the doorbell rang. "Can someone get that? I'm checking on the cake!"

Seeing Asuka not around and the adults chatting, Hikari took the task onto herself as she was the one standing. "I'll get it!" Walking away with a bounce in her step, Hikari made for the door. Checking the time and seeing it was a little after seven, she had a good guess about just who it was. Opening the door, Hikari nodded her head as Kensuke and Toji were there grinning. "Took you long enough."

Following Hikari inside Kensuke was the first to speak up as he pulled off his shoes, "We thought about going and getting Misato a gift, which then we debated on if it was a good move or not, which then grew into an argument-"

"Which we still could have stopped and found something if you didn't complain so much." Toji crossed his arms with a huff as he side eyed the smaller boy. Toji thought it would be a good gesture. Maybe some perfume, or even flowers.

Closing the door behind the two, Hikari motioned down the hall, "Well everyone else is here, so get comfortable."

Saluting the class rep, Kensuke was already walking down the hall, "Can do!"

Watching Toji follow along behind his friend, Hikari huffed and shook her head. It was nice to at least know her crush was in fact dead and gone. She had no feelings about Toji being here other than maybe it would be nice if he and Kensuke left early. Of course that had her thinking about what would happen after that. Would Asuka and Rei convince her to stay for a sleep over? She'd have to call home and check in with her father. But what about Misato-san and the other woman here? Walking along behind the pair, she veered off back into the kitchen, where a humming Shinji was hard at work. "I can take more stuff, and the idiot duo is here."

"The drinks can go, and I set up plenty of cups and paper plates on the table." Shinji didn't even turn to look, more focused as he kneeled down to check the oven and its occupant.

Noting the cups and plates, Hikari decided to take those first along with a jug of juice. "I'll be right back." Hmm, maybe she could flirt a bit on the next trip?

Focused as she was she missed Asuka leaving Shinji's room, tying her hair up after changing into shorts and a tank top herself. That Misato hadn't noticed yet that she had a small stash of clothes here was forever going to tickle her. Snapping a spare hair tie to her wrist, she peered down the hall. Seeing the party starting to swing on in the living room, the red head snuck off to the kitchen for one last hug. Seeing Shinji stand with a smile on his face, she walked in to hug him tightly from behind. "Thank you."

"Hmm? What am I being thanked for today?"

"For being you." Burying her face into his back, she clutched him all the tighter.

Having a feeling that Asuka had a chance to finish something important today, Shinji just nodded and patted her hands gently. "Well, I'll try to keep that up for as long as I can."

Squeezing him once more, Asuka stepped back quietly as he turned to face her, "You better. I'll go harass the duo and get things livened up."

"You're turning into a mini Misato."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Turning and seeing Hikari coming back with empty hands, Asuka took a guess that the studious girl had been helping set things up. Picking up a liter of soda, Asuka smirked and walked by her friend, "Better hurry, the party is starting." Here she leaned in with a conspiratorial leer, "Would hate for someone to come looking for you two and interrupt something." Satisfied with embarrassing her friend, Asuka was off to mentally castrate the stooge.

Flushing and saying nothing as Asuka walked by her, Hikari walked forward as Shinji was balling up rice. Onigiri was it? "Oooh, what filling do we have today?"

Pointing to a slowly filling plate, Shinji smirked, "Pickle plum here, tuna here." Hands going back to work, Shinji didn't mind as Hikari stepped in next to him, already scooping out rice and working on the next. "You know you can relax, enjoy the party."

Shrugging, Hikari lamented that she hadn't put her hair in a ponytail to keep it out of the way first, "You'll learn mister, I like to keep busy."

Chuckling, Shinji couldn't admit that he already knew that. "Well, I appreciate the help."

"You better."

From the doorway Asuka had come back to finish grabbing supplies. Smiling at the duo working diligently at the countertop, Asuka stepped into the calm space, "Kami, I feel like I'm intruding on a make out session or something."

Snorting and pausing his task, Shinji looked back at the firebrand, "You just can't read the room, can you?" Hikari was blushing but continuing to work, so at least she was adjusting well.

Seeing Hikari's predicament, Asuka pulled her spare hair tie free and poked her friend, "Want me to tie it up?"

Looking back to her friend, Hikari nodded, "If you could? Still getting used to having my hair down."

Working quickly but gently, Asuka pulled Hikari's hair into a low ponytail that would stay out of the way. Snapping the bright red and blue hair tie in place, Asuka turned back to the table to retrieve the last liter of soda and the large bag of chips. "You two better come join us, before Toji scarfs down everything."

"We will Asuka." Shinji watched her go, before turning to grin at Hikari, "Guess we better work fast."

Nodding and leaning into Shinji for a moment, Hikari took a deep steadying breath, "Yeah, we better."

In the living room Misato eyed Asuka bringing in a new liter of soda as Rei began to dig out the karaoke machine, "Where's Shinji?"

"Your boyfriend is showing Hikari how he makes his rice." Asuka smirked as Toji and Kensuke both simultaneously gagged.

Rolling her eyes at Asuka's teasing, Misato nudged Ritsuko, "Should we leave the kids to their party? We can go hit the town."

"Oh, and miss you try to be a responsible adult? No no, I think I'm enjoying this." Ritsuko could admit that her and children did not normally mix. Case in point were the two little bundles of hormones that had been eyeing Misato since they had arrived. At least Shinji was different, while the pilots were all more than they seemed. "Only thing I could use now is a good bottle of wine."

Asuka raised a finger to her lips to think about that before turning back to the kitchen, "Shinji! Dr. Akagi would like something special to drink!"

"Coming!"

Misato raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you found my last resort stash?"

"Okay, then I won't." Malicious compliance in full effect, Asuka came forward to drop onto the couch next to the dark haired woman. "Besides, it's a party isn't it?"

"That's right! Let's live it up!" Toji had to admit, getting to spend time with two sophisticated women like Misato and Dr. Akagi was a major score. He'd be the talk of the boy's locker room tomorrow.

Rei turned around, the tv off as music started to play, "Then, as they say. Let's start this thing."

Doing her best not to laugh at Rei's deadpan delivery, Ritsuko sighed as Shinji and Hikari returned. Hikari with a large plate full of rice balls while Shinji came to deliver her a glass of wine. "Misato's right, you are a saint."

Shinji took a step back and took in the full living room. Rei was rifling through music selections quickly while Asuka and Toji had started to verbally spar back and forth. Beyond that Hikari had sat on the floor next to Kensuke as the boy tried and failed to describe the intricacies of Gundam and its various series. Asuka and Misato were now teasing back and forth and all in all, it was a good end to the night. "This is perfect." Now they just had to survive tomorrow. He did feel like something was missing though and try as he might he couldn't remember it. Rei's voice rising to begin a song, Shinji put his worry out of his mind. If it was important he'd remember eventually.

-b-

Why oh why did Shinji keep jinxing himself? His morning had started off great with an early morning with Rei and Asuka, followed by breakfast with them plus Misato and a curious Ritsuko who had decided to stay. Hikari had wanted to stay but had opted to return home for her sisters. Walking her home had been sweet, though it had prevented him, Rei and Ritsuko from bugging off back to NERV. Now though not even a few minutes after seven had the alarms rung, and now he sat in his cockpit, adjusting his wrist strap as Asuka badgered Misato over their EVA placements. The next Angel was apparently in space, raining down parts of itself while staying well out of range of their return fire. They had considered the positron cannon but as per Ritsuko the first version didn't have the power and the second upgrade wasn't ready yet.

"And another thing! Never mind the woman's intuition gambit! You want us to catch this thing with our hands! How huge is this thing?"

Locked away on the command bridge, Ritsuko leaned in to take the radio, "Worry less about the size and more about how to handle it." There was a pregnant pause as several eyes turned to the slowly flushing scientist.

"Lewd." Rei's voice cut through the radio as the three EVA pilots began to ready themselves.

Flushed and ready to lash out, Misato pushed Ritsuko away from the children who apparently had the cheat codes to riling up her friend. "Okay okay, enough of that. We've evacuated the city, you'll only have one shot at this, and the fate of the world once more rests on your shoulders." Looking up into the camera as the three children did the same to watch her, Misato grinned and gave them a thumbs up as a warning klaxon went off above her. "Give em hell kids. This is your stage now. The Magi can partially predict the impact zone but better to rely on your own eyes, got it?"

Asuka huffed and puffed out her chest, "We better get our own party after this, and I want steak this time! No cheaping out."

Rei nodded and leaned forward in her seat, "I would not mind green tea mochi." She had more she wanted, but of course she could not say so in front of normal people. Shinji and Asuka would understand her wants later.

Giving a grin and a thumbs up himself, Shinji locked eyes with Misato. "How bout a date when we get back? For killing the Angel."

Ignoring the mutters around her and knowing just who that was directed at, Misato mulled it over. Well, it was either live or die huh? Not like anyone would judge her. "Alright you got yourself a deal, kill that Angel and we'll hit the town!"

"That's it, I'm nuking this thing before it touches down!" Shinji's camera shut off, and the bridge crew got to giggling and laughing.

Maya was the first to look back towards Misato and Dr. Akagi, "Who knew Shinji-kun could be so motivated huh?"

Next to her Aoba was having a hard time keeping in his chuckles, "Man knows what he wants huh?" Granted there weren't to many male members of the NERV staff who wouldn't take a chance with the Major. She was beauty and tactical genius, plus she knew how to party.

Asuka's voice rang out, "That little pervert! I'm gonna kill this thing first and deny him!" Her camera was next to go as another warning klaxon went off, the Angel was nearing visual range.

Ritsuko turned to Misato with a grin, "Finally succumbing to the little heart breaker's charm?" Say it wasn't so.

"It's just motivation. That's all." Misato wouldn't admit anything else. Certainly not now in front of so many people.

"Oh well, maybe you could have some fun if you took it seriously." Ritsuko smirked as Misato whipped her way in confusion.

"Wha-"

"It's here." Rei's voice cut through the air before her camera cut off and the five minute timing lit the screens. Sure enough, the tenth was here.

Refocusing, Misato grabbed the radio once more, "On your marks pilots! Let's see what you're made of!"

In his plug, Shinji smirked as his screen showed the Angel breaking through the atmosphere. The smoke cleared and he could see a massive eye staring back at him. "Time to die big guy!"

"Father!" Well that was new. The voice that echoed through his mind was almost childlike. Shinji shivered and pushed it to the back of his mind.

Misato's voice range out in his plug, "When the timer starts you're on your own! Do us proud!"

A bit of Asuka's influence coming through, Shinji's grin was vicious as he considered that this was yet one more step towards ending this run. One more step towards confronting his father. "We'll do more than that!" The timer buzzed on, his power cable ejected automatically and he commanded Unit One into a dead run into the countryside just outside of Tokyo-III. "Let's go!"

Asuka's was only half a second behind his start, eyes on the sky as she watched the jellyfish like Angel, "This bastard better not change course!" This one was always a toss up. Every run it landed in a different spot. Sometimes even in the middle of the city itself. Those runs always sucked afterwards. How did a city defend itself with all of its major manufacturing hubs destroyed after all?

Jumping over several power-lines, Rei focused on her speed, "I will be last, I can just feel it." Already she could tell she was the furthest away, the Angel was falling fast enough to be trailing vapor all along its massive body, the thing as big as a city all on its own. "You fatty."

Having to hold in her laugh, Asuka cleared a low mountain and slid her way down the reverse side, "You said it! Angel's should be sleek and elegant! Go on a diet!"

Shinji's bio-mechanical machine tore its way through the low hills as he made his way directly under the Angel, as usual, he was first. He was nearly always first. "We're about to give it one! AT field, FULL POWER!" Feeling his EVA flex around him, Shinji found himself in a flat clearing. Better than any of the hills around him.

Ritsuko saw the distance closing by the second, "Impact now! Shinji hold on!"

"Got it!" Hands raised, Unit One's AT field became visible for all of a moment, before Sahaqueil crashed into him. Both opposing fields fought against one another, eroding and neutralizing the space between them as Shinji looked up into the eye of the beast. "How about that huh! I've got ya!" From the eye of the massive Angel where the pupil would, things began to split open. Blood and viscera gushed forth to coat Unit One, before an analog body unfolding to reach down towards him. "Well shit, this is the hurt part isn't it?" Two bloody hands grabbed his and the force pushing down on him increased tenfold. "Aaaaah, Asuka! Rei!"

Asuka was grinning as she sailed over a hill towards him, "Here!" Both of her pylons opened, and she roared as her progressive knives found her hands.

"Do not go it alone!" Rei was right behind her, pounding across the clearing and already sliding to a stop as the Angel pierced Shinji's hands with nary a sound from him. Infuriated she added her AT field to his own, pushing the Angel back as Asuka did the same. "The core!"

"I know!" Asuka was already jumping, one blade slashing through the last barrier of the Angel to expose the core. Still not enough, the core began to rapidly rotate around the base of the analog form. "Like that'll stop me!" One progressive knife was already buried in the Angel's flesh, halting the core's movement. That hesitation was enough for Asuka to thrust her remaining knife home. "Die!"

Watching the sparks fly, Rei was next to use Shinji's shoulders to jump, her EVA boosting Asuka's by the feet for one last push, "Thirty seconds!"

"You can't rush perfection!" Asuka could see the knife had only half penetrated. Not enough. Using Rei's hands, she brought a foot up. "Go away already!" Her heel made contact, and the knife split the core in two.

All of their ears were met with the screams of the dying Angel, while Shinji was treated to it both physically and mentally. He had to hand it to Rei, if she had to put up with this each time, he could understand why she needed the cuddles so often. Even as Asuka and Rei pulled him under themselves as the Angel collapsed on top of them in its death throws, he gave thanks that they made it. The explosion that rocked the area was enough to knock out his sensors as his battery timer ran dry.

Back in NERV headquarters, the crew was cheering as Maya called out the blue pattern was now silent. Sighing and leaning back against a wall, Misato sighed as Ritsuko leaned against the wall next to her, "I need a break. Or a vacation. When does the Commander return?"

Ritsuko smirked and patted her friend on the shoulder. "Just think, you've got a date to look forward to." Smirking and walking away, she made way for Maya's station. "How's the jamming now that the Angel is destroyed?"

Maya raised her head, "Jammer is offline ma'am! Communications with other NERV branches is already back online." There was a paused as she went over the data from the EVA before they went offline. "Units Zero and Two have minimal damage, while Unit One has damage to both hands and the right shoulder from where Unit Zero used it as a spring board."

Sighing and nodding, Misato counted themselves lucky that was all that was damaged. "Not bad. Get rescue and recover out there."

"On it ma'am."

Shigeru turned back to Misato who was already recomposing herself, "Direct line from the Commander ma'am, should I put it through?"

Shaking herself and nodding, Misato stepped back into place and came to attention, "Put him through. Time to face the music." The massive screen before them bled black, reading audio only as the Command's call connected. "Sir! The Angel was destroyed successfully though all three EVA sustained some damage. I take full responsibility for this."

There was a moment of silence before they all heard Gendo clear his throat, "Is not destroying the Angel's the EVA's sole duty? Any damage they've sustained can be repaired. I'm seeing parts of the report already. No major damage to the city or surrounding areas? You did well Major. You've more than shown the promotion was worth it. Good work." The line cut, and Misato released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Shaking herself, Misato turned to Aoba, "Time to recovery reaching the EVA?"

"It's a pretty remote spot and the Angel's destruction tore apart the terrain. So possibly half an hour."

"Alright. The pilot's safety it top priority now. Let's get them home." Never mind the mountain of paperwork that would be waiting for her, Misato wanted to call it a day. That was much closer than she had expected.

Having ejected his plug, Shinji sat on Unit One's back and rubbed at his palms. Sure he couldn't react in the moment during the battle, but it sure hurt like hell. Turning as he heard scrambling and rocks falling, he had half a second to see Asuka launched his way. Raising his hands he only just caught her as they were sent tumbling end over end.

Sitting up with a groan, Asuka turned back to the slightly floating Rei, "You could have been gentler! I'm a normal human damnit!"

Touching down and walking over to the pair, Rei collapsed onto their laps easily, "To much noise, let me sleep."

Asuka huffed and shook her head, "That's all you do is sleep. And when you're not sleeping you're reading. And after that it's cosplaying a bunny and nonstop fuc-" Asuka found herself pulled back, lips captured and voice silenced as Shinji threaded a hand into her hair. Their tongues danced together in a long memorized ballet that she never seemed to grow tired of even with the smell and taste of LCL on them both. Even so as Shinji finally let her pull away she purred happily and leaned into him. "Ohhh, can we do it in our plugsuits? Maybe we can pop the entry plug back in, have a quickie?"

Rolling his eyes and relaxing, one hand began to play with Rei's hair as the other wrapped around Asuka's waist, "No chance. Let's just enjoy another day alive and well."

Sniffing once, Asuka shelved the idea for later. She'd knock another one off her bucket list. That was a promise. "Fiiiine. In return it's you me and Hikari for a night on the town you hear me? Payment for letting you have fun with Misato."

"Like you're really complaining."

Rei reached up and pinched them both in their thighs, "To loud. Hush."

Both upright pilots looked down to Rei before sharing a look together and giggling. Shinji the first to break, "Maybe you weren't wrong."

"I never am, get used to it already." Asuka gave in and relaxed against him, enjoying the sun rising high in the sky. He wasn't wrong. They were alive and well. Another Angel down and they were still on a good track for this run. She'd have to explain to the others what she did to Kaji later.

Shinji could almost feel the machine housing his mother's soul humming with approval under him. Good. He had a promise to keep.

-AN-

Another day, another chance to live life.