-AN-

I'm suffering on this one. I had a ton of ideas about it but then realized I probably should have started it a different way. It'll probably suffer, but it happens. I'll learn and apply it to a better story later on.

-Story Start-

Shinji could say that without a doubt getting back into a good routine was probably the best thing ever for his mental health. Getting a week off from school after the battle to rest and make sure he suffered no adverse affects from synchronization with the Eva had been good for him. Taking the time to settle in with working out in the mornings, arranging his things and studying in the early morning, and then working out again in the early afternoon until Misato came home helped him center himself. It was a nice change until he had to go back to school again. Which today was such a day. After having woken up and performed his morning run and eaten a light breakfast after he returned, he was now at the entryway and putting on his shoes. Behind him Misato was groggy and shuffling to the fridge.

"You know, you can take an extra day if you'd like. No one will mind." Fishing out a beer, she considered if shotgunning it was acceptable first thing in the morning.

Shinji however just shook his head even though he knew she couldn't see him while he stuffed two bento boxes in his bag. "It's okay, I'm starting to feel cooped up. Besides I feel find, so I should head back to school." Long past actually needing the instruction, several lifetimes around Asuka and eventually being forced to learn college level knowledge having made it moot. But making friends was always worth it, so long as said german didn't try pimping him out again. He still couldn't really look at Hikari the same, it was always the quiet ones.

Standing finally and reaching the door the barrier slid open to reveal the surprised faces of two boys who were sure they should be dead. Toji and Kensuke had been worried when the new kid hadn't returned to school after the battle and fearing the worst they had been working up the courage to come and apologize to the boy. It did take a little brow beating from the class rep to make them show up but here they were. Toji was the first to gather his wits, bowing to the boy deeply.

"I'm terribly sorry for hitting you and causing you trouble! You do something very important and I could never hope to understand just what you go through!" So honest and diligent. Shinji was already tired.

Behind him Misato leaned around the corner to see what the noise was about, "Oh, are those boys your friends Shinji?" Very aware of what her figure did to the male half of the species, the older woman waved with a bright smile to the boys. Getting flushed faces in return she pulled away from the entryway. The ego boost was always worth it.

Kensuke and Toji however were looking at where the older woman disappeared, "Th-th-that was-"

Shinji pushed forward with a sigh, "Yeah that's my guardian Misato. She's also the woman who lambasted you about leaving the shelters. Remember?" Walking between the two, both boys hurried after him.

"Uh yeah. I sure remember."

Kensuke however had his mind racing, "But you live with a hotty like that? Man I'd trade a lot to be in your shoes, a robot pilot and a living with a hot older woman."

Shinji shook his head as he called the elevator and the door opened up right away. "Yeah trust me, it's a lot of work and pain." Looking the two over as he walked inside followed by them, Toji seemed worried about something still. Shinji took a moment to think before nodding, remembering he hadn't forgiven the boy. "And yeah, no harm no foul, we're good."

"Well, uh, it's still not settled!" Waiting until the door opened back up, Toji led them out onto the side walk before turning to face Shinji with his fists balled up, "Hit me!"

Kensuke sighed, "You meat head, so old fashioned."

"Real men understand, I hit you, so you gotta return it or I can't forgive myself."

Shinji considered for a moment that he could just leave things as they were and let the boy stew for a week. He would too, Shinji remembered him doing it once or twice. Taking a deep breath the pilot balled up a fist and cracked his knuckles, "Remember, you asked for this."

Toji grit his teeth, "I deserve it, don't hold back!"

Winding up Shinji let a right hook fly, shoulders and hips twisting with the motion and adding some power. Said punch nearly knocked the taller boy out, knocking him on his back with a groan. Shinji himself was rubbing his sore hand as he walked up to Toji and held out his left hand, "Think that covers it?"

Toji nodded slowly, "Man you hit like a truck." Accepting the other boy's hand, Toji got to his feet with a pained grin, "So, work on being friends then?"

Shinji nodded, "Sure thing, friends." It was good to have actual male friends after all.

Kensuke pulled up on Shinji's other side, "So as friends, maybe we could see about hanging out at each other's houses sometimes, like maybe yours first?"

Shinji sighed as they headed off to school, "I'm not helping you get into my guardian's pants."

"Aw com'on, spread the love man."

"Maybe I called dibs?"

Both of the other boys exchanged looks with each other and then with Shinji, "You have a bigger pair than I thought Shinji."Toji always cut straight to the point.

"If you bag that I'm calling you lord iron balls from here on out."

Shinji however settled on a private grin as he pulled slightly ahead of the two boys. Those timelines had been, fun.

The boys bringing Shinji in and up to speed on school drama and chatter while they made their way to school, Shinji allowed himself to live in the moment. It was nice to be with his friends, to just have to worry about school and girls and homework. Not that he'd be worrying about that last nuisance ever again. One benefit of a perfectionist girlfriend/wife/soulmate, they helped you strive to be better. He'd have to do something nice for Asuka when she got here.

The morning drifting by had Shinji wondering briefly if there was any chaos he could induce that wouldn't change things overall. Asuka had at least one event she wanted to happen and he knew Rei had her own plan involving his father and another for Ritsuko. He didn't particularly have a wish for this loop. Just living could be enough. Oh and fighting back teenage hormones that told him to hump every well formed woman within range. He could never forget that. By the lunch bell he was back to watching the clouds through the windows in a vain attempt to distract himself.

"Hey Shinji wanna grab lunch with us? The line get's crazy full fast." Kensuke was by his side while Toji was at the door bouncing on his toes.

Shinji waved them both off, "I'll meet ya on the roof it you'd like, I have my lunch." Pulling his homemade bento box, Kensuke nodded and both boys raced off. Leaving the classroom more sedately it didn't take long for Shinji to find his way up to the rooftop. Opening the door and finding the space empty, he walked over and sat against the fence to wait for his friends. Not even a full minute behind him however the door opened again and Rei was there in the entry. Looking around quietly, she nodded before walking over to his side. Sitting down after smoothing her skirt, Shinji already had her own bento held out for her. Vegetarian as she liked, they both said a quick thanks and started to eat in silence.

"I see you've become friends with the idiots, again."

"They're good guys. You both like them."

"Like is a strong word."

"Of course you'd say that." Chuckling the boy didn't mind the girl leaning into his shoulder. "Your activation is coming up yeah?"

Rei nodded, looking down at a homemade spring roll, "Yes. Nothing to worry about as usual, me and the hag have an agreement."

"Should I be worried?"

"Not for yourself."

Both looking up as the door opened, Kensuke and Toji stood there stock still. "Uh."

Shinji held up a hand, "Yo."

Kensuke leaned over to whisper to Toji, "A hot guardian and the other pilot?"

"Kid works fast."

Shinji sighed, "We can hear you, you know."

"Ehhehe, hey Ayanami, are uh, you joining us for lunch?" Kensuke walked forward, sitting down in front of the pair. Toji joined him on his left.

Rei gave the boys a deadpan look, "Technically I was here first, you are joining us."

Shinji shrugged as he agreed with her, "Point."

Chuckling Toji leaned back, a sandwhich in one hand, "You know, you're pretty easy to get along with Shinji. To bad you're all stringy, I could use a friend on the track team."

Shinji lifted up an arm and wiggled it back and forth, "Stringy?"

Rei nodded, "Like a noodle." She knew what he was capable of looking like eventually. It was, inspiring.

Kensuke snorted, "Don't mind them Shinji, there's nothing wrong with being a shut in."

Shinji shrugged, "I'm actually a musician. I play the cello."

"What's that?" Toji was talking with his mouth full now, spewing bits of food about. Everyone was looking at him with disgust.

Shinji sighed at the sight, "Come over sometime, I'll show ya." That was of course, if he ever got his cello back from a certain blue haired minx.

Toji shrugged, "Music ain't usually my thing."

Kensuke grinned, "I'm sure anything above two rocks banging together is to cultured for you."

"Hey!"

Seeing the two boys begin to roughhouse, Shinji just smiled and felt Rei lean into his ear while they weren't watching. "Dinner tonight?"

"Sure, come over."

"Okay."

-b-

Letting the rest of the day pass him by, Shinji was actually happy that he had made friends with the boys again this time. It gave him something else to focus on besides the memories. Back home and cooking dinner for his roommate and Rei, working his wok with a vegetable stir fry almost finished, he leaned back as Misato and his nightly headache came sauntering out of her room.

Sniffing the air like a dog Misato grinned, "That smells good."

Turning away and not focusing on her, Shinji pointed over his shoulder at the table, "Rei is gonna join us in a bit, so we're having something vegetarian." Barely flinching as the woman came up and looked over his shoulder, pressing herself into his back, the boy had to think of every unsexy thought he could. Fuyutsuki in a speedo? Gendo posing for playboy? Aoba and Makoto making out?

Misato watched the boy work and only sighed slightly when he didn't react to her teasing, "Well it looks good, so I'll give it a shot." Pulling away and heading to the fridge for her favorite beer, she wondered if she was losing her touch?

Lowering the heat as he heard the door chime Shinji turned back to the woman, "Don't spoil your dinner."

"Sure thing dad." Popping the top of her can she watched the boy go. It was good to see him so calm. She herself was still worried about the stress of battle and what it could be doing to him. She was taking it upon herself to try and keep him happy and motivated.

Shinji himself as cursing women and their wiles. Nothing should be that soft and lovely. Opening the door he was met with Rei, bandages removed, in black shorts and a purple t-shirt, "Welcome."

"Thank you. The boob monster drinking?"

"Is that really a question?"

"Just making sure nothing has changed." Stepping inside and lightly hugging the boy while they were out of view, she stepped around him and went inside. Shinji himself smiling and following along after her. Watching Rei take a seat at the table across from Misato, the boy reached the fridge and removed a can of fruit juice to give to the girl before returning to his work.

Misato was all smiles, "So Rei, you ready for your activation test coming up next week?"

"Of course."

Shinji added some minor seasoning before dishing out plates for the women behind him. "It's hot but all done. Hopefully you enjoy it."

Misato watched the girl across from her begin to dig in and decided to give it a go. Taking a mouthful and chewing carefully, her flagging taste-buds came alive. Digging in with abandon after that she missed Shinji's smile.

Mentally patting himself on the back the boy tucked into his own meal, mind wandering to what events were coming up. There was the activation sure. But wasn't there something else? He'd remember eventually he supposed. Tucking into dinner and settling in for a night of Misato's joking and teasing, Shinji had no complaints.

Next to him Rei however had one. Beind denied so much physical touch once every loop restarted, having at least Shinji here with her caused her to lose some self control. While she felt like she was holding it together rather well she however did have to note that without thinking about it she was running a calf up and down the boy's leg. She actually would not have even caught herself if she didn't' feel him stiffen in place next to her. He was still joking along with Misato, something about musical instruments and working his bow. Pulling her leg away reluctantly, Rei promised herself she would be staying late again tonight.

Misato herself yawned and stretched her arms high above her, "Alright. I've had my fun. I gotta be in early again tomorrow. So much paperwork to fill out. You'd think people would be happy we saved their lives." Standing and waving, the older woman disappeared back into her room, a fresh beer in hand and PenPen under one arm. That usually meant she was gone for the night.

Shinji sighed and stood to begin cleaning up plates. At least dinner turned out well. Rei sidled up next to him to help with dishes, drying while he washed. There was silence between them for the entire time, though after a while Shinji chuckled, "We got so used to the three of us doing things together, huh?"

"Her ability to talk about anything was, astounding."

Nodding the boy handed over another plate and started working on a glass, "Still not going to tell me what you have planned for Gendo?"

"It's a surprise."

"Of course it is." Thinking for a moment he voiced his next question, "What about Ritsuko?"

"Oh you'll like that one."

"Asuka really has corrupted you." Speak of the devil herself, his phone was ringing. "Hey."

"You know, even as we're gearing up to leave soon for Japan and I should be excited, this still sucks."

Shinji put the phone on speaker and put it on the shelf above them, "You're almost here though."

"Yeah sure, but it's not fast enough."

"Is anything fast enough for you?" Rei piped in as she was handed a glass to dry. This felt much more natural to them now.

"Hmmmm….Shinji's reload time?"

"He has started working out again properly."

"Mmm, yummy."

Shinji was staring at the wall, "I am right here you know."

"That's okay, we've got fun things planned this loop to, not just revenge."

Shinji nodded and finished up with the last glass, handing it to Rei and draining the water, "Thinking on it, I have one person I'd like to myself."

"Oh?" That was news to Asuka. She was packing up her boxes and labeling them appropriately. Rei better not try and shenanigans this time.

Rei was surprised as well as he hadn't mentioned anything with her, "Pray tell."

Shinji sighed, "Kouzou."

After a moment of silence over the phone Asuka's voice responded, "You don't have to ask for that one." Rei nodded without saying anything.

"Okay. Then everything else I can probably live with. As long as you're not playing a 'pimp out Shinji' route."

"Oh I'd never. Again. Without asking first." Asuka chuckled as Shinji groaned. "Com'on, you have fun during those loops."

"I also have fun playing my cello."

"You've done that so long at this point you could probably play every major piece from memory." Rei grabbed the phone while both pilots retreated to the living room. Shinji again laying on the couch, Rei snuggled into his chest and placed the phone next to her.

Shinji himself had his hands behind his head as he tried and failed to focus properly. Without Asuka here it just wasn't the same, "Maybe, but fact remains."

"Ah I'll get you live it up more often eventually."

Rei nodded, "As long as I'm not denied my cuddles."

"Never." Asuka remembered that carnage. Never get between a cuddle deprived Rei.

Shinji himself tuned the girls out as he started to doze off. Rei would be responsible if Misato happened to wake so he relaxed and let his mind wander. Things were going to start getting fun soon. Well hopefully.

-b-

Shinji was smiling as he sat within the evangelion plug as he awaited Rei's activation test. While the bridge crew and the science team were hard at work he was advised that he was only here as a just in case. Of course he knew there wasn't anything to worry about but bugging Ritsuko always made his day. "So I'm supposed to subdue Unit 0 it's it goes haywire again?"

Misato answered for Ritsuko who claimed she was to focused on the test procedure to answer his questions. "That's right Shinji. You're just insurance."

"Did Ritsuko ever figure out why Unit 0 went berserk last time?" He knew why, her mother's soul absolutely hated Gendo. He could relate.

"Uh, of course they did, they wouldn't perform another test it they hadn't." Looking over, Misato noted the other woman was gripping the back of Maya's chair somewhat tightly.

"Oh good. And this isn't another, 'trust me I know the science' moment like with the pallet rifle right?" Poking the bear was so much fun.

Hearing the chair creak even from where she was sitting, Misato chuckled, "I think you're gonna break Ritsuko Shinji."

"Ah, wouldn't want that." He'd done that before. It was, enlightening. Falling into silence however he watched the staff prepare and finally start the test. Leaning back and closing his eyes he barely paid attention as Rei herself crossed activation threshold and her unit came online. All calm today it seemed. He still felt like he was forgetting something. Hearing the bridge team say something about a 50 percent sync rate, alarms began to blare. "Oops, that my queue?"

Misato shook her head, "Nope, hold on Shinji." Listening and getting reports from Aoba and Makoto, the captain frowned, "We're moving you Shinji. The next angel has been reported on the way. It will most likely be in the city by the time we get you to the surface." Walking down the hall the purple haired woman was already on the way to the combat bridge.

Shinji himself pulled up the inter unit com and smiled as Rei's face came on screen, "Looks like I'm up."

"I'll be waiting for you." The comm was cut, and Shinji's brain was starting to tickle him something fierce. So an angel was coming. Which one was this one again? The last one was the flying penis. Asuke came with the Moby Dick reject…which one was before that? As his Evangelion was moved to the launch platform he racked his brain to remember. It'd definitely help soon. Thought once he saw it he was sure he'd remember and also remember how to defeat it.

Misate was alighting upon the combat bridge and issuing orders, "Topside weaponry online yet?"

"Not yet ma'am, most of the armaments inside the city are still under repair or loading."

"Great, Shinji you're going to be on your own. Another pallet rifle will be available once you get topside." She knew he was going to say something about that.

"Woo, the gun that doesn't work." Evangelion locking in place the boy was launched topside.

"High energy reading detected from the target!"

"It's reacting to the Eva!"

"Oh shit, Shinji!"

Shinji sighed, he remembered now. Reaching the surface and coming face to face with the flying fortress, the boy frowned, "Fuck me." And then there was pain.

Misato was screaming at the bridge team to be heard over Shinji's yells of pain, "Recall the Eva now!"

Makoto was typing away at his terminal, "We can't, the heat from the blast has melted the rails!"

Thinking fast the combat tactician figured a sacrifice was worth it for the pilot, "Blow the section bolts! Drop the Eva and the armor block together!" Seeing her orders followed and watching the Evangelion fall back towards the geofront, and the launch bay, the woman sighed. The angel quit it's attack and went back to floating over the city. So at least there was that peace. At least until a drill appeared from it's bottom. "Well shit." She had work to do after all.

Not far away Rei just sighed and made the mental note. Shinji always seemed to forget the fifth. At least until it cooked him. She'd tease him about that later. Being removed from her own plug and heading towards the showers, she mentally prepared for the upcoming operation while operations personnel around her seemed to be moving in a panic.

However it was hours later as she was pushing a tray laden with food and a change of clothes to the medical wing where they were keeping Shinji, Rei had other thoughts on her mind. While most of which centered around if she could disable the local cameras, more importantly she wondered from here on if it would be safe to begin changing things. Coming into the room and sighing at the knocked out boy, she watched him quietly for a moment. He had only been in Tokyo-3 for a few weeks now and he was doing his best to make up for lost time. Body toning up from his daily exercise, it wouldn't be long before he was less lanky and more lean. Hearing the boy groan she came back to the present and walked forward.

Shinji took a moment to come back to the land of the living. Body feeling like he'd been dunked in lava, again, he sighed as he finally remembered what today what. That asshole the fifth. Oh he had something for that angel. Room coming into focus he spotted the blue hair of his other girlfriend/lover/soulmate Rei. Sitting up slowly the boy accepted the tray of food she handed him, "Why do I always forget that one?"

"It's a mystery really. I could help you jog other memories however?"

Snorting the time locked boy shook his head, "Maybe later." Inhibitions broken slightly due to the pain, he scarfed down the hospital food and asked the only question he could think relevant at the moment. "I'm guessing Misato is doing her thing?"

"Yes, big gun, power from all Japan."

"I'm so teasing them about this."

"I'll help." Watching him some more as he finished eating and relax back for a minute, his abs were really coming in nicely.

"Eyes are up here."

"I've made my choice."

Taking a steadying breath the boy pulled the sheet away and swung his feet to the floor. Standing with some effort he walked to the serving trolley in order to find the spare plug suit and began dressing. "We're on schedule yeah?"

"Of course." Upset that her favorite view was taken away the albino huffed and vowed to take her frustration out on Gendo later.

"Well, I guess let's go and get this over with." He paused as Rei stepped forward and grabbed his hand softly. Looking back at the girl and then down at their joined hands, he raised an eyebrow, "What's up?"

"You are, not okay." She was beginning to worry for him already. He already had been on the fence about coming back, but this now was concerning.

Shinji knew he wasn't okay but wanted to reassure this woman, "I'm sure once Asuka get's here I'll be better. I'm usually better when I have all of us together."

"We're a team."

"That's right. Now com'on. If we hurry we can get some late night cuddles while the power outage is going on."

Rei was suddenly pulling him along, "Perfect."

Shinji himself just shook his head as the girl let go of his hand. He certainly knew how to motivate her. Which was nice to remember. Walking together from the medical wing to the elevator that would take them to the motorpool, Shinji was already switching mental gears and wondering just how he was going to make all of this Ritsuko's fault.

-b-

Shinji and Rei were squished inside a command vehicle while Ritsuko and Misato went over the plan. Operation Yashima, a new tactic to use all of the energy produced by Japan to launch an long range attack against the angel. And while this was Misato's brain child, Shinji wasn't supposed to know that and set about with his stress relief. Raising a hand to ask a question, Ritsuko raised an eyebrow but nodded, "Yes Shinji?"

"So we're using another big gun against an angel? Is that…wise?"

Ritsuko sighed, "The amount of power behind a positron rifle is infinitely stronger than a pallet rifle."

Rei chimed in now, "I believe Pilot Ikari's hesitation is that, do we know this will work? Has it been tested?"

Again Ritsuko sighed, "This is a weapon from the JSSDF's research labs, it's never had a field test."

Rei and Shinji made a show of looking at each other before Shinji turned to the older scientist, "So we're the guinea pigs? Guess I'll get ready to be boiled alive again."

"There's a shield in case you miss, you won't be boiled alive. Rei is handling your defense."

Rei nodded, "Oh, how many shots from the angel will the shield last?" Seemed like a prudent question.

Here Ritsuko coughed into her hand, "Roughly 15 seconds, so by our estimates not even a full length blast from the angel. But you're going to hit it the first time, the targeting computer will take care of everything."

Shinji sighed, "I'm so going to boil."

Rei agreed, "Apparently so will I when my shield fails."

"You aren't going to-" Misato cut Ritsuko off with a hand before she could start ranting.

"If it helps, this was my plan kids." Misato grinned at the two.

Shinji and Rei again looked at each other before nodding and turning to the captain, "Oh that makes me feel better then."

"That is acceptable."

Throwing her hands up Ritsuko turned away and walked deeper into the truck, "Why do I even bother with these children!?"

Seeing the two smile slightly MIsato giggled, "The operation is to start soon, head to your evas and get situated." Watching both kids nod Misato herself turned and headed after her friend. Reaching her the caption giggled again, "They're having fun with you."

"The brats need to respect their elders."

"Have they seen a weapon besides the box cutter knife we gave them work yet?"

"Well no. But….we're working on it okay?" Ritsuko sighed before nodding at something Maya said to her, "We're about ready to start the operation."

Misato pulled on a headset, it was now or never, "The kids are already on their way. How long till midnight?"

Makoto leaned back in his chair, "Twenty minutes ma'am." Listening to his own headset, he looked up to her, "Pilots are getting loaded in and ready to go as well."

Misato nodded, "Roger that, let's start getting this show on the road everyone. We have one shot at this."

Soon and within the Eva's themselves Shinji and Rei sat calmly. Shinji had opened up the comm again after a while, "Any special request for dinner tomorrow?"

"Cookies."

"Cookies? For dinner?"

"Correct."

Shinji shrugged, "Okay, cookies it is. Are you going to give my cello back soon?"

"Possibly."

"Like, this week soon?"

"Possibly."

"I'm not getting a real answer from you, are I?"

"Possibly."

Groaning the boy rolled his eyes while the girl smiled and looked away. Seeing the power readings begin to climb at the corner of his vision the boy leaned forward a bit, "Looks like we're coming up to go time."

Rei nodded, "I shall defend you with my life."

"As long as Ritsuko's shield holds."

"It'll hold you snarky br-" The scientist's voice was cut abruptly.

Misato's voice replaced her, "Guy's you're going to break Ritsuko and I kind of like my friend mentally stable."

Shinji shrugged, "Give me something cool I can use and I'll be content. Like this rifle, this is cool and useful. Thank you Misato for the giant actual angel killing gun." Pausing for effect the boy grinned, "Chicks dig giant guns right?"

Rei's deadpan voice responded, "I dig your giant gun Shinji."

"Aaaand with that, cut the chatter, operation is beginning." Even though mentally she was howling. Having the kids around each other was turning out better than she hoped. Watching the energy readings rise and the technicians around her call out readings and readiness percentages Misato got ready to tell Shinji to fire.

Shinji had the targeting computer active, centering the fifth angel within the targeting reticule. However, he was bored and in no mood to be boiled alive, so aiming just slightly lower than he should. The fifth better reach like it usually did or he was going to look stupid.

Maya looked at her own terminal and frowned, "Shinji, your targeting is off."

"Looks good here." Shinji watched the countdown start from 10. Willing his Eva to load the fuse, a feral grin stretched across his face. Boil him alive would it? He had something for this one.

"I'm getting an energy reading from the angel!"

"Gonna need to beat it to the trigger Shinji. On the mark now."

Shinji nodded, as the countdown hit 5 seconds, "Roger that." Watching the countdown reach 0 he pulled the trigger. He didn't bother thinking about the high energy reaction of the positrons within the rifle suddenly accelerated with the combined energy of all of Japan behind them. Instead he just focused and watched as his beam of light shot forward, an equal beam of light from the angel arcing towards him along the same path. Because he had been aiming slightly lower the incoming beam magnetized it's shell and caused both beams to bend and warp. The fifth angel's beam arced downward, splashing into the lake and setting off a massive cloud of steam. Shinji's own beam was pulled slightly upwards, smashing through the fifth's AT field and burning through the angel. Just barely missing the center of the core, he still damaged it enough to cripple the being. Grin now at full strength Shinji had already loaded a new fuse and was waiting for the countdown to finish for the next shot.

"You've wounded it Shinji, time to finish it off."

"Got it. Teach it what happens when you try to boil me like a crab." Properly centering the target this time, Shinji pulled the trigger when the countdown reached zero. Beam arching across the sky true, the angel's core was pierced and fire erupted from the exit wound. A deafening scream echoed across the sky as the angel died, it's corpse falling to the city while it's drill broke and stuck where it was.

"Well, that actually worked out." Was that Ritsuko's voice?

Shinji smiled, "Thank you again Misato, for figuring out a useful way of killing angels."

Rei nodded, "I'm glad I did not have to rely on this salvaged shield."

Hearing a scream of rage Shinji just shook his head at the girl, mouthing that they were going to break her. Getting a shrug in return, both teens listened as they were ordered to return the Eva's to their storage trucks. It would be a long night of debriefings, showers, changing and eventually a trip home. Shinji was happy he wasn't pulling Rei from a half melted unit zero. Rei was happy she would be getting cuddles. Now if only they could last until Asuka rejoined them, because at this rate they were going to start changing things.

-AN-

Ever have an idea, think it's really cool, and then realize you have to come up with all the stuff you aren't interested in to get there first? Yeah, that's kinda what's going on here. I love all of the evangelion shows/movies/manga. Haven't played any of the games though, should change that one day.