The Girl Who Shouted I At The Heart Of The World

by A.F. Oliver

Few get a second chance at living, let alone two or three. Rei Ayanami never knew what to do with the lives she had until it was too late. Getting another chance at living could mean a world of difference. After all, life is an ever changing thing and even the smallest of changes can reverberate across the world.

69. Forward, To A Destiny Unknown

Chapter 69 – Forward, To A Destiny Unknown

Rei stood frozen in place with wide eyes even as an unfathomable warmth flooded her senses. In this moment time stood still. The feeling of his lips upon hers was both shocking and exhilarating. So... so this was a kiss. It felt... incredible. This feeling was more amazing than she could have possibly imagined. It felt like she was lighter than air. Her eyes drifted closed and she wrapped her arms around Shinji's neck, bringing a hand up and digging it into his hair, surrendering to the well of emotion exploding out of her, pulling him tight against her as she kissed him back. She was loving every moment of this and yet... yet she could still feel the sting of tears behind her eyes. Even if everything was about to fall apart she couldn't help but relish in this moment.

But soon enough, he pulled away. Those beautiful, pure eyes of his stared into hers, and he wore that wonderful, kind smile of his. "I should have done that a long time ago..." he murmured softly.

Rei stared back at him as the guilt began to overtake her. Her lips began to quiver. No... she didn't deserve this kind of affection or acceptance, not without being honest with him. Tears filled her eyes as she forced herself to smile back... "I... I'm sorry..." she murmured softly.

Shinji's expression shifted to one of worry, his brow knitting up and his lips curving down into a frown. "D- did I do something wrong?" he stammered out softly. "I- I thought-"

That expression felt like a dagger made of ice, stabbing right through her heart. She bowed her head, trembling as the fear and anxiety began to swell in her chest. The tears began to fall. It was going to all fall apart as soon as she started talking. All she could to was be honest now... "P- please don't hate me for wh- what I'm about to say..." she whimpered out just above a whisper.

She felt his hands rest atop her shoulders. "Rei, I could never hate you..." he responded softly. "Just tell me what's wrong..."

Her knees gave out on her and she collapsed to her knees, sending a puff of snow exploding out from under her. "I- I'm so sorry, Shinji..." she croaked out softly as the tears continued flowing.

He knelt down beside her, sliding her hood off of her head before returning his hands to her shoulders. "Rei, what is it?" he asked, his voice warm and filled with concern. "You know you can tell me anything..."

She looked up and stared back at him through her tears. She knew he was trying to be genuine but the bitter memory of how he'd reacted when she'd taken him into the bowels of NERV to show him her origins weighed heavy. The memory of how he'd reacted for not telling him about Nagisa weighed even heavier. Slowly she reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes, drawing a deep breath to steady herself. "I... I've kept another secret from you..." she whispered softly, looking away as she said it. It was just so hard to look at him when admitting that...

"A- another secret?" he stammered in response. Slowly he reached up and stroked her cheek before continuing, his voice filled with warmth. "I'm ready to accept whatever it is..."

Rei cringed and reached up to grasp his hand, pulling it away from his face, the skepticism of his words that she felt cutting deeply into her heart. "Don't... don't say such things until I've said what I need to..." she murmured softly.

She could feel him tense up, feeling how his hand tensed in hers. "Wh- what is it then?" he asked nervously.

She squinted her eyes shut and drew a shaky breath, trying to steady herself for what she was about to admit. She paused for a moment as she thought of how she could word the absurdity of her confession before proceeding but eventually she spoke again... "I... Everything that we've experienced together... everything that we struggled through fighting the Angels..." she murmured, her own admission stabbing at her like a knife. "I... I experienced... a version of it before..."

Shinji's grip on her hand loosened slightly and she could hear him gasp. "Wh- what do you mean?" he asked, sounding puzzled.

Rei looked up at him to find him looking down at her with a curious but nervous expression. She cringed and looked away. How on earth could she actually explain her situation? "I know this is going to sound insane, that I'm going to sound insane..." she murmured softly. "I know it's insane, but... I lived through a war against the Angels once before..."

Shinji was silent for a moment before he responded, sounding utterly shocked when he did finally speak. "I- I... I don't understand..." he whispered out in a hushed tone.

Rei closed her eyes and took a deep breath before it all came spilling out of her. "I lived through a whole other time, in another world," she rambled. "We fought the Angels together, along with Ritsuko, Asuka, Misato, and Commander Ikari, but... it ended badly. I... I allowed Third Impact to happen. I was lost, believing my life was meaningless, and so I gave control to you, I mean... the Shinji of that world..."

She trailed off. Shinji's silence spoke volumes. Rei grit her teeth as the emotion began to well up in her eyes and her chest. She balled her fists at her side and swallowed yet another lump which was growing in her throat. He was going to reject her after this but she had to be honest. Alleviating this burden was more important than that. She owed it to him after all he'd done for her... "The you of that world... he... he rejected what instrumentality offered. I accepted that as his choice, even though I knew it would mean my death," she croaked out through fresh tears. "Even so... I was afraid. In that moment I realized that I didn't want to die. I... I didn't want to disappear into nothingness... and then I... I think I met your mother."

Again, he was silent...

Rei dared not look him in the eye as the tears increased in intensity, all of the emotion she'd held back flowing out of her like a dam which had burst. "I know, I know it sounds crazy!" she choked out through the growing sniffles. "I know it sounds absurd, and maybe meeting Yui-sama was just in my head, but she offered me a chance to do things again. I wished to go back, to have another chance and... and I woke up at NERV the day before you arrived. I... I did it because I wanted to live. I wanted to see you again. In that... void, before I came back, all I could think about was you, of seeing you again..."

Yet again, silence hung in the air, stabbing stabbing at her heart more fiercely than the snow or the wind ever could. Then, after a long pause he spoke... "Th- that's... a lot to take in..." he murmured softly.

Rei flinched at those words. He didn't sound judgmental, just shocked, but even so she had to explain herself. She had to keep going. "I wanted to change things," she croaked through her tears, her rambling becoming more and more incoherent due to the swelling emotion. "I wanted to prevent the end of the world. I wanted things to be different. Things were different. There were more Angels, different Angels, and I was afraid. I didn't know what to do to affect change. I was afraid if I did anything drastic that Commander Ikari would replace me with another clone. I didn't know what to do and I just made things worse... and then after what you said to me I almost ended the world anyway. I'm such a failure. I don't deserve your affections..."

This time he responded instantly. "Stop..." he murmured softly.

Rei shuddered and shook her head, unable to contain what she was feeling in any capacity. "It's true. I was a selfish coward. I hid the truth from you, from everyone, everyone except Ritsuko, and she only found out because of brain scans for the Dummy Plug," she whimpered. "I should have tried harder to change things. If I had then maybe Commander Ikari would be alive. Maybe Nagisa wouldn't have had to die. Maybe if I had then you and Asuka and Misato and everyone else wouldn't have had so suffer the way you've suffered."

"Stop it," Shinji hissed out.

Rei couldn't stop. The spiraling emotion wouldn't allow her to. It just kept pouring out. "I know I can't change the past and I understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore," she whimpered. "I understand if you hate me now. The things you said to me before the battle, you were right to say them. Still, no matter what happens, no matter how you feel about me, I'll always care about you. I- I'll always-"

Suddenly she was cut off by the feeling of his arms wrapping around her swiftly in an embrace. Her eyes shot open in shock. Confusion began to set in as he held her tight. Why? Why would he be embracing her after she'd revealed such a horrible, ugly, bitter truth? "Just stop..." he murmured softly.

Her heart was pounding in her chest and she grimaced, her whole body tensing up. Holding her like this before the inevitable rejection was just cruel. "Let go..." she whimpered.

"I won't..." he murmured in reply.

Her stomach did a flip. What did that mean? Why was he acting like this when she was certain he should be upset. "Wh- why?" she croaked.

"Because, as crazy as it sounds, I believe you..." he responded softly, warmly even.

Rei's breath hitched, her eyes went wide yet again, and her heart jumped up into her throat. "Y- you do?" she stammered out in a hushed voice.

Shinji pulled away from her and regarded her with a lopsided grin, bringing his hands up to rest on her shoulders. "I gotta admit, it is a lot to take in," he replied. "Even so, I can't fault you, especially after listening to my father's tapes. I understand why you were afraid, and why you kept to yourself about everything..."

Rei's breaths began to come in ragged gasps as she fought back the tears. This was too good to be true. There was no way he was being truthful... right? "Please don't lie to me..." she murmured softly, hanging her head.

"I'm not lying. We live in a world with giant monsters and robots made of flesh," he replied evenly. "Heck, I saw you turn into a giant and then get sucked up inside my Eva. It's not that hard to believe..."

Despite the stinging in her eyes and the tears which threatened to renew, Rei let out a small puff of laughter. When he put it like that, no, it really wasn't that difficult to believe. "I guess it's not when you put it that way..." she murmured in reply.

She felt him let go of her shoulders and looked up to see him pulling back from her. She watched as he scratched the back of his head, a nervous grin appearing on his face. "All of this said... I uh.. you made me remember something," he responded, trailing off. "Something from when I first came to Tokyo 3..."

Rei reached up and wiped her tears, sniffling. "What?" she asked quietly.

He let out a quiet, nervous laugh and looked away from her. "It's... strange, but... the day I came to Tokyo 3 I... I think I saw you on the street," he responded with a timid smile. "I mean, I had no idea of knowing it was you, I didn't even know you then, and I kinda blocked it out because of everything, but... I don't know. Maybe all of that might explain it..."

Rei's mouth fell open in surprise. Instantly she flashed back to the memory of when she was first presented the opportunity for her current lease on life, how she'd seen a vision of Shinji through the void of that interstice she'd inhabited in that moment... "Y- you were at a pay phone..." she stammered out.

Shinji's eyes widened and he tensed up momentarily before his features softened. He then regarded her with a warm smile, looking her directly in the eyes. "Yeah... yeah, I was," he responded sheepishly. "I, uh... I guess that proves your story true, huh?"

Rei's lip began to quiver. This couldn't be so easy. Any minute he was going to turn on her and things were going to go down hill... "Are- are you angry at me?" she asked timidly, unsure of what else to say.

Shinji shook his head, reaching out and clasping his hands over hers, a gentle frown on his lips. "No," he replied firmly and warmly. "No, I'm not..."

Rei's breaths began to come in ragged gasps as she fought back the tears. This was too good to be true. There was no way he was being truthful... right? "Please don't lie to me..." she murmured softly, hanging her head.

He shifted closer to her. "Why would I lie about something like that?" he whispered. "All of this... it changes nothing. Regardless of who you are, or what you are, or where you come from, that doesn't change who you are to me, Rei..."

Rei sat there trembling, her heart beating fast. It was just too good to be true... "D- do you really mean that?" she whimpered softly, daring to raise her head and look him in the eye.

His smile widened. "I do," he replied. "I mean every word..."

The swell of emotion in her heart couldn't be contained any longer. The icy despair which had clawed at her heart melted away, replaced with overwhelming burning joy. The tears began to overflow once more even as a wide, happy smile wormed its way across her face. She leaned forward and rested her head against his chest, bringing her arms tightly around his body, basking in the warmth and acceptance he was showing her. "I'm so very glad..." she returned softly.

Shinji returned her embrace. "Me too..." he replied warmly.

Rei allowed herself to relax and eventually her flow of tears abated. As much as she wanted to stay up on this hilltop and enjoy the feeling of elation that came with being fully and truly accepted by the boy she loved the task which they'd set out to accomplish still loomed over them. She broke the embrace, pulling away with a nervous expression. "We still need to pick up the food order..." she stated quietly. "We've already kept them waiting a while..."

Shinji chuckled quietly. "Yeah... I suppose you're right," he replied, standing up and offering her his hand. "Let's go."

Rei placed her hand in his and stood up with his assistance. He turned to start down the snowy hill in the direction they'd come. She stepped along beside him, her hand in his... but one last shred of her anxiety still remained in her heart, gnawing at her. She stopped in her tracks. "Sh- Shinji..." she stammered out softly, unable to speak the inquiry that swirled in her mind.

He turned around, a perplexed expression on his face. "Yes?" he responded. "Is something wrong?"

Even though she could infer the answer to her own question she wanted him to state it aloud. "Wh- what are we... now..." she asked softly, nervously.

Shinji shifted on his feet and reached up to scratch the back of his head, casting his eyes away from her as his cheeks turned a shade of pink. "I uh... what do you want us to be?" he replied with his own inquiry.

Now it was Rei's turn to blush, bowing her head and hiding her eyes behind her bangs. She knew what she wanted but it was so embarrassing for her to be the one to voice it... "I- I... From now on... I would like our relationship to be... romantic in nature..." she murmured softly.

There was a moment of silence that hung in the air as he stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I- I would like the same..." Shinji replied softly.

Rei lifted her head and met his gaze, taking in his nervous smile. She grinned back and threw caution to the wind. She shut her eyes, leaned forward, and closed the distance between them, pressing her lips gently to his.

It felt even better than the last time as now she could fully relish in the feeling, the tenderness of emotion and connection. This feeling was truly wonderful. It felt like a piece of her that she didn't know had been missing was being put back in place. It was certainly an action that she could see herself wanted to indulge in frequently. However, the knowledge of her friends waiting for the two of them back at the apartment caused her to pull away. Even so, her grin remained. "Amazing..." she uttered softly, staring into his eyes.

Shinji's expression mirrored her own. He reached out at took her hand. "Come on, lets do what we set out to do and then go home..." he murmured softly. "Like you said, we shouldn't keep them waiting. Besides, it's starting to get dark."

Rei nodded. "Yes..." she returned, her quiet voice filled with joy. "Let us do that..."

The two of them descended the hill in comfortable silence, hand in hand. The only sound was the wind kicking up swirls of fresh snow. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Rei felt a sense of contentment, completeness, and peace. As she trudged along beside the boy she loved she couldn't help but think of NERV's motto, strange as that was...

Perhaps for the first time in all of her lives, at least for this one, beautiful moment in time, all was right with the world...

---

Ritsuko sat on the floor beside Misato, sipping on a can of beer, passively listening to the conversation happening around her. Asuka sharing her experience fighting the Mass Production Evas and her experience in the hospital afterward was at once interesting, harrowing, and strangely heartwarming. She'd never gotten to know the Second Child much in prior days but it was good to know that she was taking things in stride for the most part, that she wasn't letting all that happened defeat her, that she was finding her way.

She took another sip of the beer that she probably shouldn't be having and sighed, a contemplative frown taking shape on her lips. It was so strange, seeing how happy everyone was, how they seemed to be moving on from their respective baggage when she was still wrestling with hers. As pleasant as he conversation had been with Rei earlier in the day she still felt like there was more she could do to be there for her. She still felt like she was failing to balance the aspects of herself of scientist, mother, and woman. At least she was making an effort, something her mother had never seemed to even attempt...

"Hey, Ritsuko, what's got you staring off into space?" Misato spoke up, slightly slurring her words.

"Yes, you've been rather quiet," Kaji added on.

Ritsuko laughed softly and looked down at her beer can, sloshing the liquid inside back and forth gently with a somber grin. "It's not important..." she murmured in response. "I'm just glad that everything seems to be going back to normal, that we're all doing well..."

Misato chuckled and sipped her own beer. "That is pretty nice," she replied. "Right Asuka?"

"I mean, yeah, why wouldn't it be?" the young redhead scoffed.

"Still, you look troubled, Ritsu," Kaji stated evenly. "Clearly there's something on your mind."

Ritsuko looked over at the scruffy man who sat at Misato's side, taking in the contemplative expression he wore despite his clear tipsiness. She sighed and looked away from him, resting her elbow atop the floor table before her and placing her chin in her palm. "I am troubled, Rouji," she responded softly. "I am quite troubled..."

"Aw, are you still dwelling on what we were talking about earlier?" Misato asked with a semi drunken hiccup.

Ritsuko sighed. "Yes, I am, as foolish as it is..." she murmured softly.

"What are you talking about?" Asuka inquired, sounding genuinely perplexed.

"Ritsuko's just feeling down because she regrets not having Rei come live with her," Misato stated flatly before gulping down a few chugs of beer.

Ritsuko grimaced at just how blunt her friend was being. She somewhat expected her to be this frank after a few drinks but it was quite embarrassing and awkward. "Way to just lay my business out there..." she grumbled softly, sitting up and folding her arms.

"Oh..." Asuka spoke up, eyeing her with a curious expression. "I didn't realize the two of you were that close, Dr. Akagi."

Ritsuko sat up and sipped her drink, allowing herself to recall the memories of how things had changed so much between herself and the pale girl who was the topic of conversation. "We weren't always," she replied. "But in recent months, yes, we've become rather close..."

"Huh..." Asuka returned, a soft frown taking shape on her lips. "She's never really mentioned that..."

Ritsuko smiled. "Rei keeps a lot of things to herself," she stated in response. "And I'll admit our relationship has been... difficult in the past."

A look of understanding washed over the young teen before she turned away with a sigh and a smirk. "Alright then, I guess I won't ask about it then," Asuka responded. "Still, it would have been convenient if you had taken her in, for me at least."

"Hey, I thought you two were getting along?" Misato inquired, sounding surprised at the redhead's comment. "Did something change?"

"No, nothing's changed, but you gotta admit it's a bit crowded here," Asuka replied, facing Misato with a lopsided smirk. "It's nice having her around, sure, but sharing a room does limit my privacy."

Misato scoffed. "Aw, can it really be that bad?" she teased.

Asuka glared at her guardian with a look that Ritsuko could only describe as spiteful. "Yeah, it can be," the redhead retorted. "Even if she's one of my closest friends, sharing a room ain't easy. Imagine if you, the kind of woman you are, couldn't get a moment to yourself at night?"

Ritsuko watched as Misato's mouth went agape and Kaji snorted with laughter so hard that he almost choked. "Asuka, that was quite unkind..." he stated after regaining his composure. Even though he was clearly trying to play a mature role he still wore a grin on his face.

"Yeah, well, that grin says more than your words," Asuka retorted with a smirk.

Ritsuko couldn't help but grin, laughter bubbling up in her throat. She brought her hand up to cover her mouth to stifle her snickering though it was quite ineffective.

Misato whipped around to her with a flustered expression. "Why are you laughing!?" she exclaimed in indignation. "Come on, it's not funny!"

Ritsuko couldn't contain her laughter any longer, emitting a soft, wry laugh. "I'm sorry, Misato, but it is rather funny..."

Misato folded her arms across her chest and leaned her back against Kaji like a pouting child. "Do you see what I have to deal with on the day to day?" she huffed. "Meanwhile you've been roaming all over the globe, free from any of this..."

Kaji smirked, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm not sure I'd say it's all that different than dealing with Fujita for months on end," he replied flatly.

Misato turned her head and glared at the scruffy man. "You're not helping!" she huffed.

Kaji laughed. "I can't help but be honest..." he replied nervously

Ritsuko watched as Misato and Kaji began a spirited argument. Taking a sip of her beer she sighed and rested her chin on her palm yet again. No matter how much things changed some things would always be the same. It was somewhat reassuring in a strange way. Misato would always be sensitive, Kaji would always say something to ruffle her feathers, and she herself would always be... conflicted with no way to figure out the right thing to do or say. No... that was definitely not a retention of the past that was for the best...

"It's nice to see that Misato and Kaji are still the same as they were before..." Asuka stated quietly with a sigh, her gaze turned away toward the television.

Ritsuko nodded though she knew the redhead couldn't see it. "I suppose so..." she murmured in response.

Just as she spoke those words she could hear the sound of the front door whirring open in spite of Misato and Kaji's bantering beside her. Moments later the conversation at her side began to die down and she watched as Shinji and Rei made their entrance. When they appeared in the room they each had a plastic bag in one hand. "Hey everyone," Shinji greeted, holding up his bag. "Food's here."

"What took you so long?" Asuka spoke up, raising a fist and gesturing at Misato and Kaji with her thumb. "I'm starving, and these two are getting rowdy."

"Aw, come on," Misato whined. "We're just having a little fun!"

Ritsuko watched as both Shinji and Rei shifted nervously on their feet, pink blushes appearing on both of their faces. "We, uh... talked about some things..." he replied quietly.

"Oh..." Asuka inquired, sounding amused. It was almost like she was trying to tease them. She leaned forward and placed her chin in her palm, bringing her other hand up to lazily point a finger at the who of them. "What about? Does it have something to do with what you're doing now?"

Ritsuko followed Asuka's gaze and noticed that the two teens were holding hands. Their blushes intensified. Shinji let go of Rei's hand and reached up to nervously scratch the back of his head whilst Rei brought her free arm up to her chest, both clear gestures of embarrassment. "Uh... yeah..." Shinji admitted softly before nervously pointing between himself and the pale girl. "This... this is a thing now..."

Asuka threw her head back, looking up at the ceiling. "Finally!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Took you pair of idiots long enough!"

"Ah... young love..." Kaji mused with an airy chuckle. "We've all been there once... Congratulations, Shinji..."

Shinji laughed nervously and looked away, reaching up putting his hand on the back of his neck. "Th- thanks, Kaji-san..." he murmured in reply.

Ritsuko's eyes widened and her mouth fell open in surprise. She'd known for quite some time that Rei had feelings for Shinji but she'd never figured it was a mutual infatuation, let alone that it was an infatuation that would be acted on. Perhaps she'd been a bit naive in thinking that. Part of her wanted to be happy for Rei but another part of her was worried about this development. Both of them were young, and Rei was rather sheltered and had no idea of what an intimate entanglement even meant. Her comments in recent days about prophylactics might come back to bite her... "I- I see..." she stammered out. "I... I'm happy for you, Rei..."

Rei shifted on her feet, the redness in her cheeks intensifying. "Thank you... Ritsuko-san..." she responded just above a whisper.

The sound of a beer can slamming down on the table filled Ritsuko's ears, causing her to turn her head in time to see Misato folding her arms across her chest. "Well, I want to be happy for the both of you, but do you two realize how difficult this is for me?" she huffed.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that," Kaji chastised with a laugh. "We were once just like them, weren't we?"

"I'm with Kaji on this one," Asuka chimed in.

"Can it, Ryouji, you too, Asuka," Misato huffed before addressing her two wards, her tone softening significantly. "You guys are so young... are you sure this is the right thing for the both of you?"

Ritsuko turned to watch Rei and Shinji's reaction. She watched as Shinji took a deep breath and put his arm around Rei's shoulder. "Yes," he replied firmly, his voice devoid of nervousness or doubt. "I am."

Rei nodded her head, facing Misato with a similar expression. "Yes," she stated softly. "I am..."

Ritsuko turned her head to Misato, watching as a slight smirk wormed its way over her lips. "Well... if that's that's the case I can't complain and I can't stand in the way of it," she stated evenly. "Still, it does make things difficult for me, especially as your guardian. With the both of you living together under my roof how can I be certain you won't be sneaking Rei into your room at night, Shinji? Huh?"

Ritusko turned back to Shinji and Rei, watching as Rei blushed and held a hand over her mouth and Shinji bristled, balling his fists angrily "I wouldn't do that!" he huffed angrily.

"Believe me, he's telling the truth," Asuka interjected with a laugh.

"Still, how can I be sure of that?" Misato inquired, pointing a finger at the both of them. "I know better than most how young people in a relationship decide to act out..."

Asuka made a retching sound "Gross..." she muttered.

"Th- that's an... unsavory accusation..." Rei croaked out nervously.

"W- we wouldn't do that!" Shinji exclaimed.

"Oh come on now, Misato," Kaji stated evenly. "You're being a little harsh, don't you think?"

"Oh, of course you'd say something like that!" Misato huffed in annoyance. "Seriously, how can I expect to have the both of them living under my roof when I have to worry about them doing the kind of things we did in college!"

Ritsuko bit the inside of her lip as Misato and Kaji began arguing over how to handle the events unfolding. She could tell that Misato's reaction stemmed from a deep seated feeling of inability to handle the situation that was presented to her. If that was the case then... could she step up and do what her friend could not? Perhaps this could be the moment where she could do what she'd desired to do from the beginning. Maybe... just maybe she could actually be a proper mother, or at least a mentor, for Rei... "If that's the case then Rei can live with me..." she spoke up softly.

A hushed silence fell over the living room and all eyes fell upon her. Ritsuko's heartbeat quickened as she looked around, awaiting anyone to speak. She watched as Misato smirked before speaking. "Well then... I suppose that's a solution," she stated evenly. "As long as Rei is okay with it."

Ritsuko watched as Rei and Shinji exchanged a look with one another. Shinji appeared somewhat defeated but Rei seemed to accept the situation. After a moment of pause, Rei grabbed Shinji's hand before turning and facing Misato. "I can accept this..." the pale girl stated softly as a small, airy smile worked its way across her lips. "Ritsuko-san and I are... family... after all."

Ritsuko's eyes widened momentarily and her lips parted in surprise. It was a true statement, on many levels, but hearing her say it was so... affirming. She watched as Rei turned to her, retaining that soft smile as a similar one of her own worked its way across her lips. "Yes," she stated warmly. "Indeed we are..."

"Can't say I can complain about this since I get my room to myself again," Asuka chimed in. "No offense, Rei."

"No offense taken," Rei stated in response.

"So when will this move happen?" Shinji asked quietly, looking a little saddened. "Tonight?"

Ritsuko could sense just how dejected the young Ikari was feeling just from his tone. Though it didn't matter much the grand scheme she couldn't help but speak up. "Tonight would certainly be difficult," she stated softly, almost apologetically. "I did walk here after all..."

Misato laughed softly. "Of course I'll have to clear it with Fuyutsuki, which may take a few days," she voiced evenly before smirking yet again. "But just know this... I'll have my eye on the both of you, regardless of who's living with who."

Ritsuko watched as Shinji went red in the face. "Stop teasing us!" he huffed. "We wouldn't do those kind of things!"

"Y- yes... it's quite rude..." Rei murmured softly, shrinking behind Shinji slightly as if she was trying to hide behind him.

"Trust me, they're telling the truth," Asuka added with a playful laugh.

Misato burst out in laughter of her own. "It doesn't matter right now, I'm starving!" she exclaimed. "Shinji! Bring the food over and lets celebrate for a while!"

Shinji sighed and offered a wan smile as he looked down at the bag of takeout in his hand before walking toward the kotatsu. "Yeah..." he murmured as he stepped forward. "Sound's good..."

"Indeed..." Rei echoed as she moved to sit down at the table, bringing a bag of take out sushi with her as she dd so. "Let us eat, and celebrate what we've lost and what we've found..."

Ritsuko smiled, moving closer to Rei and grinning in spite of the awkwardness of the situation. "Yes..." she stated softly. "Lets eat, and celebrate what we've lost and what we've found..."

---

A few hours had passed, and Misato lay in bed on her side with Ryouji spooning against her back. Now that the celebration was over and she'd somewhat sobered up she was finding sleep hard to catch.

Ritsuko went home shortly after the meal and Asuka ended up retreating to her bedroom, leaving herself, Rei and Shinji sitting in the living room to watch television and clean up. During that time Ryouji had expressed that, as it was getting late, he needed to call a cab and find a hotel to stay the night. Perhaps it was the alcohol talking but she'd obviously opposed that idea considering their present position, not that he seemed to mind. She'd offered to let him stay with her for the night. She'd even offered he could find some kind of employment... though she might not have been fully honest about that. Part of her had no intention of letting him move somewhere else where they couldn't spend the nights like this ever again. Still, he turned her down on the second offer, wanting to take things a bit slower. She supposed it was proper, even if she didn't like it.

However, that conflict she was feeling about her own complicated romantic played entanglement into the reason why she was finding sleep so hard to attain...

Though all of her wards seemed to be rather understanding, and Shinji hadn't made a fuss about it, she wondered if her choice to send Rei to live with Ritsuko was the correct one. On top of that, she wondered if her message about preventing the two of them from doing certain adult activities with one another was something she'd undermined by allowing Ryouji to stay with her. Even at a glance it sent mixed messages. Sure, she was an adult and they were still teenagers, but it seem quite hypocritical...

She felt Ryouji shift softly against her. "Something bothering you?" he whispered in her ear. "I can tell you're tense..."

Misato breathed a sigh and reached to place a hand atop the one of his resting against her middle. "Did I do the right thing, Ryouji?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Misato scooted away from him and lay down on her back, staring up at the dark ceiling above. "I mean about sending Rei to live with Ritsuko because of her and Shinji," she stated softly, bitterly even.

There was a pause before he responded. "What's got you wondering about that?" he inquired quietly. "Are you worried that Ritsuko can't handle being a guardian or are you worried that it won't stop the two of them from acting like us when we were younger?"

Misato bit her lip and covered her eyes with a forearm. "Both..." she murmured softly. "And on top of that I don't know if I can handle Shinji being upset with me..."

"I think he understands," Ryouji replied quietly. "He didn't voice any complaint in the moment, did he?"

Misato grimaced and sat up in bed. "No, he didn't..." she muttered softly. "And that's half of the reason why I'm worried. I mean... Shinji keeps things to himself often times and so does Rei. I don't want them to resent me..."

"After all the things they've been through, I think they can understand," Ryouji replied, reaching out and clasping her hand. "I don't know Rei very well, but Shinji is quite mature in a number of ways. I wouldn't worry so much."

Misato exhaled in frustration and pushed his hand away. "Still..." she huffed. "I feel like I could have handled it better. And you're right, I'm worried that Ritsuko can't handle what I've foisted upon her."

Ryouji shifted closer to her, embracing her, pulling her tightly to him, forcing her onto her side once more. "I think Ritsu is up to the challenge," he replied, kissing the back of her neck.

Misato cringed and pushed him away, turning to face him with a scowl. "But how can I know that?" she huffed. "How can I be certain that she'll be able to face the challenge of being a caretaker?"

Ryouji sat up, leaned in and cupped her cheek in his hand, staring deeply into her eyes. "I think she'll manage just fine," he replied. "She already takes care of how many cats?"

Misato rolled her eyes. "Rei isn't a cat, Ryouji," she huffed.

"I know," Ryouji replied quietly. "But it does show that beneath that exterior of hers she does have a caring side to her."

Misato sighed. "I suppose you're right about that..." she replied. "I just... still have doubts that I'm doing the right thing, and it is a bit hypocritical when I'm letting you stay here..."

There was a short pause before Ryouji responded. "I suppose that's true in a way," he replied. "But you are right to worry about teenagers doing teenager things."

Misato tensed up at those words. "You really think that's something I'm justified in worrying about?" she asked quietly.

Ryouji chuckled. "Yeah, probably," he replied softly. "And that's not going to change. Teenagers will be teenagers regardless of them living together or not."

Misato groaned and rolled back onto her side, facing away from him. "So I did really send her to live with Rits for nothing..." she grumbled in reply.

"No, that's not true," Ryouji returned softly. "Considering how she was acting this evening, I think you've given Ritsuko something special that she's needed."

Those words lingered in her ears. It was a simple statement but it carried a lot of weight. He'd gotten the same read on Ritsuko in just one evening that she'd been feeling for some time, and if that was the case it must be true. Knowing that Ritsuko taking care of Rei was truly going to be good for the both of them was reassuring. "That does make me feel a little better..." Misato murmured in response, the ghost of a smile slipping across her lips.

Ryouji shifted closer to her and put his arm around her. "Good..." he murmured softly, leaning in and kissing the back of her neck.

Misato's smile widened and she brought her hand to his, linking her fingers with his. She'd missed this, this closeness with him... "This is nice..." she murmured softly, relaxing and closing her eyes.

"Yes..." he replied quietly. "Yes it is..."

---

Shinji sat hand in hand beside Rei in the living room, staring blankly at the television, unable to focus on the images on the screen or the sounds emanating quietly from the speakers. With the gathering over and everyone off in their bedrooms he could finally process everything that happened, both between him and Rei and what was going to happen going forward.

Even though he accepted Rei's truly incredible revelation it was still quite a lot to absorb, the enormity of it all, just how profound it really was. There was so much that he still wanted to ask her about, about this other timeline and Ritsuko's knowledge of it, but he supposed that could come with time. Looking back on things, he wondered just how many moments Rei might have wanted to tell him, or where he knowledge of things made her act a certain way, or how it might have caused her to remain paralyzed by fear. As much as he hated to admit it, there was a part of him that wondered how much different things could have been if she had told him sooner, if that could have made a difference. Then again, perhaps she was right to keep it a secret from him until now considering how immature, petulant, and generally shitty he'd been in the past.

He really didn't deserve her... and yet here they were, together, with no more secrets between the two of them.

He turned his head and looked toward Misato's bedroom door beyond which his guardian and Kaji were presumably sleeping as he hadn't heard any noised that would indicate otherwise. He certainly had mixed feelings about her choice to send Rei to live with Ritsuko but he did understand it. Still... it did feel a bit unfair that she could have Kaji staying over and presumably doing adult things. Then again, he and Rei were still pretty young and the idea of doing... those kinds of things with Rei felt shameful. He loved her and wanted her but... he didn't feel like he deserved to think those kinds of thoughts about her. Now that they were together that was a conflict he'd have to resolve sooner or later one way or another...

Shinji felt Rei shift closer to him and give his hand a gentle squeeze. "Is something wrong?" she asked softly.

He turned to face her, observing the nervous concern on her features, illuminated by the flickering light of the television set. As much as he wanted to voice his concerns it wouldn't be right to burden her with them right now, not after all she'd confessed, not after what they'd both confessed. "It's not important," he replied with a smile before turning back to the television. "Don't worry about it."

Rei leaned in closer, tugging on his arm lightly, forcing him to look at her. She stared at him with a sincere, almost pleasing expression. "Shinji, you've been sullen since dinner," she returned. "Please, tell me what's bothering you..."

He sighed and bowed his head. When she looked at him like that how could he continue hiding? It was a bad habit that he needed to work on if they were going to make this work... "I'm just... taking it all in," he replied quietly. "Mostly I'm just a little sad that you'll be moving in with Ritsuko-san..."

Rei scooted closer to him and reached out, placing her free hand atop his. "I know..." she replied in that warm, gentle tone she often spoke to him in. "But we'll still see each other at school, and after school, and anytime that we can..."

Shinji lifted his gaze, staring deeply into her eyes as a lump formed in his throat. "Still, I'll miss... this," he replied, gesturing to the television. He knew it was selfish but he just had to say it. "I'll miss being able to sit up with you and just... do this kind of thing."

Rei's lips quivered slightly before she bowed her head slightly. "Yeah... I will miss this as well..." she murmured softly. "But... I might be able to stay a night under the pretext of visiting Asuka..."

Shinji sighed bitterly. "Probably not..." he murmured. "But it's nice to think about..."

"Yes..." Rei replied quietly. "It is..."

Silence fell between the two of them and Shinji wasn't sure of what more he could say, or if there was anything that he could say. After a moment it was Rei who broke the silence. "Are you... really okay with... what I told you earlier?" she asked nervously.

Shinji tensed up, his breath catching in his throat. Had she been able to tell that it was still weighing on him to some degree? "Of course," he replied warmly, reaching out and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's a lot, but I understand why you hid it until now..."

Rei bowed her head further. "You... really don't hold it against me?" she asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shinji bit his lip, feeling in his heart the anxiety and doubt rolling off of her in waves. On impulse he reached out and pulled her to him, embracing her. It was the only thing he could think of doing. "No, I could never," he replied. Indeed, though it was a strange story, if he judged her now or thought she could have done more to mend the present then he truly was a reprehensible wretch. "I would never do such a thing..."

She exhaled and collapsed into him, resting her head against his chest. "I'm glad..." she murmured softly. "I don't deserve this acceptance... but I'm glad."

Shinji tightened his grip on her, gritting his teeth as that awful lump in his throat manifested again. "You do, Rei," he replied softly, reaching up and running a hand over her hair, fighting desperately to choke out the words which he wanted to speak. "You deserve the world..."

Rei brought her arms around him and dug her fingers into his shirt, holding onto him tightly. "You... flatter me..." she croaked out softly.

Shinji bent down and rested his forehead atop her head. "It's not flattery when it's the truth..." he murmured in reply.

Rei tightened her grip around him, drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Y- you really are too kind to me..." she replied softly. "But... thank you..."

Shnji smiled and closed his eyes, relishing in the embrace, allowing himself to simply take in the moment. However, as silence fell between them yet again his mind began to drift, this time to yet another errant thought which only now began to worry him. It was funny how certain things tended to rouse anxiety in moments where he should be at ease, as if it were a conditioned response or something. Maybe it was, but who was to say? "So you said... Ritsuko-san is the only one who knows besides me?" he asked, broaching the topic he wanted to inquire into. "About what you told me on the hill?"

Rei pulled back and regarded him with an earnest before nodding her head. "Yes," she returned quietly. "You're the only ones who know..."

Shinji bit his the inside of his lip in an attempt to quiet his nerves. "Should we... tell the others?" he pressed timidly.

Rei visibly winced and looked away, crossing her arms and beginning to fidget with the edge of her shirtsleeves. "Do... do you think I should?" she responded in a whisper, sounding anxious, almost fearful.

Shinji's stomach tightened up upon seeing her reaction. Perhaps he was wrong to ask her such a loaded question. "I... I think it's ultimately up to you," he returned quietly.

Rei bit her lip and looked down at the floor. "I- I... I'm not certain if I should..." she stammered out softly. "I- I don't want to burden them with it and I know it will just make things more complicated... They'll probably think I've lost my mind... and Asuka would probably react... poorly. She wouldn't understand..."

Shinji winced. That was a very good point. It could very well cause unnecessary conflict, especially with Asuka. "I... I suppose you have a point..." he replied.

Rei's lips curved upward in a nervous half smile. "So... what should I do?" she asked.

Shinji scooted closer to her and placed an arm around her. "Like I said, it's up to you," he replied warmly. "I'll support whatever decision you make..."

Rei drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, seeming to relax at his touch. "I... I don't want to tell anyone else..." she whispered in reply. "At least... right now... can you understand?"

Shinji smiled and pulled her tighter against him. He might not have fully agreed with her choice but he'd support it. Wasn't that what one was supposed to do for someone they loved? "I understand," he returned warmly. "It'll be out secret then..."

"Ours and Ritsuko-san's..." Rei murmured in response.

Shinji reached up and stroked her hair, emitting a quiet chuckle as he did so. Of course she would point such a distinction out. It showed just how genuine and pure she was... not to mention it was kinda cute. "Yeah..." he returned warmly. "It'll be ours and Ritsuko-san's little secret..."

Rei took another deep breath and let it out. "Are you okay with that?" she inquired softly.

Shinji tucked his head and kissed her on the crown of her head. "Yeah..." he murmured softly. "I'm okay with that..."

Rei sighed heavily and wrapped her arms around him, holding onto him gently. "Good..." she muttered in response. "That's a reassurance that you understand... that you're on my side..."

Those words truly warmed his heart. Shinji pulled back and brought a hand to her cheek, caressing it gently. She stared back at him with wide, doe eyes. He smiled. "Of course I'm on your side," he replied. "Always and forever..."

Rei's brow knit up, a conflicted expression manifesting momentarily over her features before relaxing. She smiled meekly. "I'm glad..." she replied after a moment of pause.

Shinji nodded and let his hand fall to her shoulder. "I'm glad that you're glad," he returned, his own smile widening.

He could see her cheeks darkening with a blush as she looked away from him, turning her gaze to the television. "D- do you think..." she stammered out slowly. "D- do you think the One Piece will ever be found?"

Shinji chortled softly to himself. It was somewhat amusing watching struggle to change the topic of conversation out of embarrassment. It was just so cute. Still, he couldn't help but answer earnestly and honestly. "Does it matter?" he asked. "The adventure is what matters, right?"

Rei smiled and nodded, still looking away. "Yes..." she replied quietly but confidently. "Indeed that is the case..."

A comfortable silence that fell between the two of them. He sat there beside her, enjoying being in her presence as he often did, just observing her, how that smile of hers lingered on her features, thinking to himself just how lucky he was that things were now as they were. A moment passed and he watched that smile begin to fade, replaced with a pensive, nervous expression. She reached up and put her fingers to her lips and he could swear he could see her cheeks flushing even in the dim lighting. It sparked both concern and curiosity. "Is something wrong?" he asked softly.

Rei flinched, folding her arms across her chest as she bowed her head lower, hiding her eyes behind her bangs. "It's... embarrassing..." she murmured softly.

That perplexed him further. He tilted his head to the side slightly. "What is?" he pressed.

Rei glanced at him nervously before again looking away. "I- I was thinking about when we... kissed..." she murmured in response

Shinji's lips parted in surprise. His eyes widened and his pulse quickened. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? "O- oh..." he stammered out in reply. "I... I see..."

There was a tense, awkward pause that lingered in the air. Shinji for his part wasn't sure what to do or say. Sure he'd initiated that first kiss, and gladly accepted the second, but that was in the heat of a very emotional moment. Now that they were here, alone, in the dimly lit living room... it sparked numerous thoughts and worries, some of which less than savory. However, before his mind could truly run to wild and anxiety inducing places, Rei spoke again. "Would you... kiss me again?" she whispered meekly.

Her question wasn't too unexpected but the sheer forwardness of it was a bit surprising. Still, it wasn't like he didn't want to oblige her. Besides, it wasn't like anyone was up right now to embarrass them... "O- okay..." he stammered out, shifting closer to her.

She lifted her head and faced him, that same nervous but hopeful expression she'd worn earlier on the hill. He leaned in. Slowly their eyes drifted shut. Their lips connected, gently at first and then firmly. Shinji brought his hands to her waist and he could feel her arms come to rest atop his shoulders and snake around him. His heartbeat quickened and his body flooded with warmth. The feeling was... incredible.

Almost on instinct he pulled her closer, allowing himself to be more forceful, more passionate. His lips parted and so did hers and instantly he broke away, his eyes opening wide as he drew a deep, shaky breath. Rei stared back at him with a surprised expression, her mouth hanging open slightly. Panic began to rise. What had he just done? Why had he done it? Was it wrong? "I- I'm sorry..." he croaked out.

Rei's expression shifted, relaxing, almost like she was in a trance. She looked at him with half closed eyes and an almost playful smile as she pulled him closer to her. "Do that again..." she whispered softly.

Shinji did as he was asked, gently leaning in and kissing her again, silently hoping that this moment could last forever...

---

Asuka lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling above her head with a pensive, contemplative frown. Despite her genuine happiness Kaji, Misato, Rei, and Shinji, when she'd retired for the night the feelings of loneliness and loss slowly began to gnaw at her again. Sure, she was accepting of where she was and confident that things would get better but... she couldn't help but be a bit envious of the two couples. No... that wasn't quite right. Maybe a better term for it was that she was envious of their situation rather than they themselves. It made her think about what might have been and what she was missing out on...

In the silence and darkness of her bedroom she couldn't help but reflect on all of her failed attempts at romance in the past. Obviously she had no interest in either Kaji or Shinji any longer, especially considering she'd encouraged, perhaps even persuaded the latter to confess earlier the day. Still... reflecting on all her former infatuations induced a degree of melancholy. It forced her to accept just how foolish a girl she'd been. Her feelings for Kaji were nothing more than a naive, immature crush and it was much the same in regards to Shinji. In regards to the former she'd always known it would never work and for the latter with the benefit of hindsight she was glad that such feelings had been quashed. Then there was Kaworu...

She still missed him, even knowing what he was, but she was doing her best to come to terms with losing him. Looking back... she wasn't certain it could have ever worked out long term if things had worked out differently than they had. She was a grateful to have known him and their friendship or romance... whatever it was in hindsight had gotten her through a very rough time. At the same time, it had almost destroyed her, and Samson would probably tell her that the way she'd relied upon him for happiness wasn't healthy. If he was still around would she have ever even started to lean to accept who she was, her pain, and her past? Probably not... and that reality stung.

Asuka rolled over on her side and breathed a heavy sigh. She'd been over all of this before and yet she couldn't help but ruminate on it. Perhaps that was another personal weakness that she needed to work on; dwelling on the past...

She sat up and placed her chin her palm, resting her elbow on her knee. Then of course there was Touji. She didn't want to call it infatuation, she really didn't, but... she had to admit she'd taken a liking to him since she'd actually gotten to know him a bit. It was a confusing thing, and worst of all, the idea no longer felt distasteful. In fact... she hated just how much the idea actually appealed the more she thought about it. He didn't get her motor going the same way that Kaji or Kaworu once had but he was stable, safe even, in a strange way. They had similar temperaments and they'd both been scarred by their experiences with Eva. Maybe something could come of it, one day... but she wouldn't make the first move. She refused to subject herself to that kind of rejection again.

Ha... perhaps there was actually something good to be said about how Shinji took his sweet time with Rei...

Speaking of those two, she wondered what the two of them where up to at present. Considering Rei hadn't come to bed yet she was probably up with Shinji doing who knows what. A devilish smirk wormed its way across her face. Well... considering sleep was eluding her, what would the harm be in checking in on the two of them, perhaps so she could embarrass them. It certainly beat ruminating on her own loneliness. With that thought in mind she rose from her bed.

After exiting her room and slipping into the hallway she moved to the door to Shinji's room and pressed her ear against it only to hear silence from within. So it seemed that they had the decency to refrain from jumping each other's bones, not that it was surprising. Considering how long it had taken those morons to get together she would have been floored if Shinji was letting Rei ride the baloney pony already. With that assurance, Asuka headed toward the living room. Sure enough, there they were...

She leaned her elbow against the edge of the hallway wall as she took in the sight before her. There they were, Rei and Shinji, sitting up, locked in an embrace, their faces pressed together in a kiss that was very clearly open mouth and tongues abound. She was partly surprised to see they'd escalated this much in a short period of time but more amused than anything considering the position she'd caught them in. She smirked, anticipating the reaction they'd have upon her entry. "Looks like the two of you should get a room..." she drawled out loud enough to be heard but not loud enough awaken Kaji and Misato.

Instantly the two of them broke apart, Rei emitting a startled squeal and Shinji vocalizing a choked yelp. Both of them stared at her with wide eyed surprise. "A- Asuka," Shinji croaked out, fumbling for words as he turned beet red, visible even with the dim lighting. "I- I'd thought you'd gone to bed..."

"Ye- yes..." Rei added, also stammering with flushed cheeks. "I- I thought you were asleep..."

Asuka snickered and smirked at them playfully as she took a few steps into the living room and folded her arms across her chest. "Well it is nighttime, so that's reasonable to think," she replied, her tone flippant. "But I was concerned that Rei hadn't come to bed yet. Seems I was right to have concerns."

Rei bowed her head and hid her face behind her bangs. Shinji on the other hand closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and let it out before facing her with an expression of mild annoyance. "Are you done?" he huffed quietly.

Asuka's smirk fell away. He really had grown a spine in recent months hadn't he? "If that's how you're gonna be, then yes," she replied.

Rei stood up slowly. "I- I think I'll go to bed now..." she stammered softly, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear as she shuffled awkwardly toward the hallway. "S- see you in the morning, Shinji..."

Shinji looked in her direction with a defeated expression. "Ah... see you in the morning, Rei," he responded softly. "Goodnight..."

Asuka watched as Rei turned back to him with a warm smile. "Goodnight..." she returned warmly before moving on down the hall.

The sound of her door sliding open and shut was heard. Asuka turned back to Shinji in time to watch him breathe a heavy sigh and look at her with a frown that conveyed profound annoyance. "Are you happy?" he grumbled quietly. "Did you get what you wanted?"

Now it was Asuka's turn to frown. Sure she'd gotten a momentary rise out of him like in the old days but she had overstepped, not to mention it wasn't all that fair to Rei. Great. Now she felt guilty... "Not really," she replied before moving toward the kitchen. "Sorry for cock-blocking you..."

She half expected him to protest to the point of waking Misato and Kaji but he was silent as she made her way to the sink and filled up a glass of water. Just as she was raising it to her lips she heard him speak up from a meter or so away. "Something's wrong..." he stated quietly, audible concern in his tone. "What's going on, Asuka?"

Asuka scowled and set her glass down on the counter top, leaning forward and bracing her palms against the edge of the sink as she breathed a sigh. "A lot, but it doesn't matter. There's nothing that can be done for it..." she muttered in reply. "It's dumb..."

Shinji chuckled softly. "It can't be that dumb if it's wearing on you after everything you've overcome," he returned.

Asuka smiled slightly, not that he could see it. It was a nice to know that he was genuinely concerned. "It's just feels like... I'm being left behind," she murmured in response.

"Wait, what do you mean?" he asked, sounding confused.

She thought for a moment, thinking of how best to put her scattered thoughts into a coherent statement. After a short pause Asuka turned around and faced him, folding her arms across her chest defensively as he frown returned. "Look, I'm happy for you and Rei, and I'm happy for Misato and Kaji," she huffed in reply before turning away. "Everyone gets their little happy ending... and here I am with what? I guess I'm just a little jealous. Must me nice having someone you can get all cuddly with... I wouldn't know..."

Shinji looked down at his feet. Silence filled the kitchen momentarily. "I... Is this about Nagisa?" he asked nervously, his voice barely above a whisper.

Asuka's brow knit up and she bit the inside of her lip, knowing exactly how her statement must have sounded in the context of what the two of them had been through together. "No, no, it's not about him," she replied. "I still miss him, sure, but we've been over this. I don't blame you for what happened. I just... it's hard, you know?"

Shinji lifted his gaze to meet hers with a somber smile. "Well... if it makes you feel any better, it probably won't take you months to figure out what to do once you do find someone," he returned.

Her lips parted in surprise at the sheer candidness of the statement. Asuka found herself chortling softly. "You got a point there," she replied. "You two really did take your sweet time, didn't you?"

Shinji laughed softly. "Yeah... we really did," he returned. "And I've got you to thank for giving me the push I needed."

"Yeah, you do, don't you?" Asuka snickered, her grin turning into a smirk. "Seriously, would you have ever made a move if I hadn't pushed you today?"

Shinji chuckled softly and scratched the back of his head. "Who knows, right?" he returned warmly. "I suppose I do have you to thank. So thank you."

Asuka's lips parted in surprise. That reaction wasn't what she was expecting. She'd expected him to react defensively and so that humble admission was rather striking. It was moving in all honesty. "You're welcome, I guess..." she responded quietly.

Shinji's smile twitched slightly. "You know... you're better than you think you are," he replied, starting back at her with a warm grin.

Asuka's breath caught in her throat. That sort of affirming statement was not what she was expecting. She bit the inside of her lip as her eyes began to sting. "You really think that?" she returned, forcing a quiet laugh.

"I do," Shinji replied with a smile. "I really do. And things will keep getting better for you, I know it."

Asuka smiled and bowed her head, drawing a deep breath and letting it out. Something about how confidently he issued that statement filled her with courage and reassurance. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was overthinking things and doubting herself unnecessarily. "Thanks..." she responded quietly, not sure of what to say at first but she eventually found the words. "But it's still hard being alone..."

Shinji took a step closer to her. "But you're not alone," he stated, firmly at first but nervousness began to slip into his voice toward the end. "You've got me, Rei, Misato-san, Kaji-san... all of us. We're all here for you."

Asuka closed her eyes, fighting against that awful stinging sensation as she issued another nod of her head. "I know..." she replied somberly. She knew it was the truth but even now, after everything, she didn't feel worthy of it... "And for that I'm grateful..."

Silence fell. She heard Shinji stepping closer to her and then she felt him place a hand on her shoulder. "That's what... family does, right?" he stated softly, almost nervously. "We stand by each other..."

That caused Asuka to snicker quietly. It was such a saccharine statement that she just couldn't help it. "Well, if we're family, we sure are a messed up one," she replied, lifting her gaze to meet his with a smirk.

"Yeah," Shinji returned with a lopsided grin. "But what family isn't, right?"

He certainly had a point. What family wasn't screwed up in some way, and what were Shinji, Rei, Misato, and Kaji if not her own little found family? It felt good to know that no matter how much she stumbled and blundered that she'd still have them. She smiled warmly. "That's very true," she responded quietly. "Nice pep talk, Shinji."

He lifted his hand from her shoulder and grinned a little wider, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Sorry, I'm not the greatest at this kind of thing..." he returned.

Asuka chuckled and smirked. "No, no, it was a good little speech," she replied. "You know damn well I'd let you know if it wasn't."

Shinji smirked. "Hopefully not by taking a knife to my cheek," he quipped.

Asuka laughed quietly, her smile growing. Something about how he could joke about such a thing was both humorous and heartwarming. The fact that she could laugh at her own past transgressions showed how much she'd grown as well. "Definitely by taking a knife to your cheek," she jousted in response.

Shinji nodded his head, retaining his smile. "Good to know," he replied cheekily. "You good now?"

Indeed, their little conversation had made her feel a bit better... but she wasn't about to let him get the last quip in. "Yeah, I'm good," Asuka replied with a smirk. "And I am sorry for cock-blocking you. I know you won't get your chances for the nookie once Rei's living with Dr. Akagi are gonna be slim..."

Shinji's eyes went wide and he started sputtering. "W- we weren't going there!" he croaked out, visibly struggling not to be loud.

Asuka brought a fist to her mouth to stifle her laughter. Deep down it was good to know that there was still a bit of the old Shinji left. Despite how different things were it was nice to know that some things would never change... "There, that's the Shinji I know," she replied. "I was worried I'd lost him."

Shinji sighed and shot her a glare. "Ha ha," he huffed in response. "Happy that you got the last laugh?"

"Yes, in fact, I am," Asuka replied with a smirk.

Shinji chuckled as he hung his head and shook it lightly. "Some things never change, do they?" he muttered softly.

It was a statement that she'd thought many times before but it sparked an epiphany. Finally, she had an answer to that declaration, and perhaps words of wisdom that she could implement in her life. "Only the things worth keeping the same," Asuka responded with a warm grin.

Shinji issued her another warm smile. "You know... that's a good way to look at things," he replied.

"Well, I like to think I have a good take every once and a while," Asuka responded softly.

Shinji nodded his head yet again and turned to exit the kitchen. "I think I'll go and get some rest," he stated quietly, retaining his grin as he looked back at her over his shoulder. "It is rather late."

"Yeah, it is," Asuka responded.

She watched him take those few steps toward the living room but just as he was about to disappear into the living room hallway he turned around, his features displaying concern. "Hey, are you gonna be okay?" he asked.

That little gesture showed her that his previous spiel was a truthful one... "I think so," Asuka responded with a meek smile. "But thanks for asking."

"That's good to know. Goodnight, Asuka..." he replied warmly. With that he turned around and made his way down the hallway, leaving her alone in the kitchen.

Asuka turned around and finally raised the glass of water she'd poured to her lips, taking a few sips before setting it down on the counter. Silence began to creep in and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Sure, she still felt rudderless, but she was certain that she would find her way in time. As long as there were people in her life who she could lean on she was certain she'd be okay in the long run...

She smiled wider and opened her eyes. How strange of her to think that. The Asuka of months ago would never have entertained a thought like that...

She lifted the glass of water and chugged down the rest of it, wiping her mouth clean before setting it down. Indeed, the Asuka of months ago would never have given a thought like that time of day... but she'd grown so much in recent months and weeks. She was... better. With that thought in mind she made her way back to her bedroom.

Asuka slid open the door slowly, hoping not to disturb Rei if she was already asleep. Seeing that Rei was curled up in her futon the floor, she tiptoed into the room and closed the door behind her before treading lightly around the pale haired girl and slipping under the covers of her own bed. However, just as she was getting comfortable she heard Rei speak up. "How come you couldn't sleep?" she asked quietly.

She tucked herself into her blankets and embraced her pillow. "I had a lot on my mind," she replied warmly. "But I'm okay now... and sorry that I interrupted you and Shinji."

"It's okay..." Rei replied softly. "I'm just glad you're okay..."

Asuka's grin widened and she tightened her grip on her pillow. "Yeah..." she returned warmly. "I am too..."

---

Ritsuko had no idea exactly how late at night it was, she'd completely lost track since she'd gotten home to her apartment. Presently she was sitting on the couch with a glass of Bordeaux in her hand, her cat sitting at her side, watching the late night television and contemplating the enormous decision she'd made earlier at Misato's apartment.

A certain level of doubt concerning whether or not she'd made the right choice had set in ever since she'd returned home. Rationally she knew not to second guess her decision but anxiety is never a rational emotion. She'd overseen Rei's life for a long time, even if it was at a distance, and she was no longer cold and detached from her, far from it in fact. The two of them were close, they were family both literally and figuratively, and they'd faced down the end of the world together. There was nothing she should be worrying about... right?

Except there was much to be worried about...

Ritsuko sipped her glass and breathed a nervous sigh. Despite all of that, she truly knew nothing about what it meant to be a constant caregiver, to be a parent. Her own mother had certainly never provided her much wisdom in that regard. She'd be essentially learning on the fly, and unlike messing around with coding, a parent can't simply overwrite their mistakes. What if they clashed over time because of her own incompetence? What it it caused Rei to dislike her the same way she'd despised her mother at times? Then again... if Misato could manage Shinji and Asuka without them hating her

She chuckled wryly to herself at that thought. Indeed, if Misato, with all of her personality quirks, could manage to keep the peace with someone like Asuka, then she should have a cake walk doing the same with Rei.

Ritsuko gulped down the remainder of her glass and glanced over at the door to her home office, rising to her feet and stepping toward it with a wobbly gate. The room had originally been intended as a second bedroom but she'd filled it with a desk, a computer, and numerous cardboard boxes worth of paper files containing lines of code and ideas for future programs. She pressed open the door and took a look inside, gazing over the contents of the room and cringed at the mess contained within. What would become of all those notes and unfinished projects, personal or otherwise?

She supposed that it didn't matter. There was no point in keeping secrets inside her apartment any longer. Anything that she'd worked on with NERV was either already or soon to be under the oversight of the United Nations. Besides that, if any of the things in this room were that important she would have stored them at home anyway. Still, transforming this room from and office back into the bedroom it was always supposed to be was going to be a daunting task and she was far too tipsy to start the process now.

Ritsuko shuffled over to her bedroom and flopped down on her bed, breathing a heavy sigh. Fuyutsuki would probably call her in the morning to get the paperwork going, and after that it wouldn't take too long to process. That meant she'd have to sort things out rather quickly. However, a funny thought occurred to her as she lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Perhaps she could wait until Rei moved in to fully finish renovating what would become her bedroom. Maybe the two of them could make a little project putting things together in a way that Rei might want. It could give them a chance to bond as a family...

Ritsuko rolled over on the bed. Yes... she very much liked that idea, but before she could do that there were many essentials she'd need to acquire. "I should probably go futon shopping tomorrow..." she muttered to herself with a smile.

---

Rei knelt on the floor in Asuka's room, packing her meager belongings into a suitcase that Asuka had lent her. The day had finally arrived, the day that she was set to move in with Ritsuko. A whole slew of emotions were running through her mind as she shoved the last of her small wardrobe into place within the suitcase. Part of her was looking forward to the move since she'd truly have her own space again but at the same time Misato's apartment had more or less started to become home. Conflicted, to sum it up in a single word, was the essence of what she was feeling.

She turned and looked out the window, at first observing the bright blue sky and wisps of cloud drifting on the wind in the distance with a melancholy grin. It was a beautiful day. At least the weather didn't match the turbulent feeling in her gut...

"Hey, you need some help packing?" a voice called from the doorway.

Rei looked to find Asuka standing in the doorway with her hand on the back of her neck and her elbow resting against the door frame, a somewhat pensive look on her face. "No, I'm fine," Rei replied, her grin fading away. "We both know I don't have much to pack besides my school uniforms..."

"I know, but it's only polite to ask..." Asuka responded, her lips curving down into a frown of her own.

Rei turned her gaze back to her bag and checked it over. There really wasn't anything left to pack. "I think I'm done anyway," she replied softly. "Thanks though..."

Asuka stepped into the room and knelt down beside her. "You know... for the record, I really am gonna miss having you around every day," she stated quietly.

Rei forced a smile. This was already more awkward and depressing than it needed to be, or at least that was how she felt about it. "But at least you'll have your room back," she replied.

Asuka chuckled wryly. "Yeah, I will, and that'll definitely be nice," she returned. "But I'll still miss having you here. I can talk to you about stuff I can't really talk to Misato or Shinji about, you know?"

Rei's smile turned genuine as she turned her head to face her friend, noting how she was trying to hide her somber mood but failing. "We'll still see each other at school, and I'll still be over here when I can manage it," she replied.

Instantly Asuka's expression turned into a playful smirk. "No doubt to spend time with Shinji and swap spit, am I right?" she quipped.

Rei found herself fumbling for words as her cheeks began heating up, looking away from her friend. Still, it wasn't like she could deny it, especially since she'd been caught doing just that a few times already... "Th- that was unnecessarily vulgar... t- to put it like that..." she stammered out quietly.

Asuka chuckled softly. "Vulgar as it might be, there's some truth in it. Hell, the promise of that is probably the only reason Shinji hasn't gone into a depression over the move," she replied before returning to that pensive tone she'd spoken with earlier. "Just promise me that we'll still hang out just the two of us from time to time, huh?"

That did sound nice. It was a long time ago but she hadn't forgotten the time when they'd gone to the mall together. It would be nice to relive those relatively simpler times. Rei turned to her friend again and nodded her head. "Yeah," she replied warmly. "That sounds nice."

Asuka's smile widened. She stood up and moved to her bedside table. Rei watched as the redhead opened the drawer and pulled out a small book before stepping back over to her, offering it. "Here," she stated softly. "I've seen you reading it a few times. I thought you'd like to have it."

Rei cast her gaze onto the cover of the book and smiled as warmth filled her belly. It was the first volume of the The Vision of Escaflowne... "Thank you," she replied with a smile as she accepted the gift. "I'll cherish it."

"Ah, don't mention it," Asuka replied as she reached out and placed her hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just give it back once you convince Dr. Akagi to buy you the full collection."

Rei grinned and stood up, tucking the book under her arm. "I'll do so," she replied.

Asuka let go of her shoulder and moved back to the doorway. "I guess all there is now is for us to get going," she stated flatly. "Need help with the suitcase?"

Rei bent down and zipped up the thing and lifted it up to hold it at her side. Somehow it felt heavier than she thought it would, but then again that might have just been her nerves. "No, I think I'm okay," she replied softly.

"Alright then. I'll let you be until it's time to go," Asuka returned warmly. With that she exited down the hall, leaving Rei alone in the silent bedroom.

Rei set the suitcase on the ground and unzipped it, kneeling down and placing the book inside before closing it once more. She tried to stand but she hesitated. Was this really the right thing? Was this really what was for the best? As much as she'd grown to... love Ritsuko, it was a melancholy goodbye. She was being uprooted once again, trading one home for another. Was this really the right thing to do?

"Hey..." a voice called from the doorway. "It's, uh... it's almost time."

Rei turned her head and found Shinji standing in the door, looking at her with a melancholy smile that very much matched the one she'd been wearing for most of the day so far. "It is..." she replied as she stood up, suitcase in hand.

Shinji moved to her side and gently reached for the bag. "I'll carry it for you," he stated warmly.

Rei allowed him to take it from her. "Thanks..." she replied quietly. She could tell from his tone and his posture that he was trying his best to be strong for her even though it was quite obvious he'd rather her stay living with him. Even if it was for the best, she was definitely going to miss knowing he was in the room right across from hers at night...

"It's the least I can do," he returned, is tone becoming even more melancholy. He emitted a low chuckle in spite of his tone. "I know you probably won't need much help unpacking when we get there."

That attempt at humor was touching but it made the whole situation even more bittersweet. "Yeah," she replied, bowing her head slightly as that familiar stinging sensation began to claw at her eyes. "I probably won't."

He reached out and took her hand in his. "Don't worry," he stated warmly as he stepped closer to her. "Everything is gonna be fine..."

She lifted her gaze and forced a smile. He was right, and this was ultimately for the best, even if it didn't feel that way. That confidence in his voice that he understood made it just a little easier. "I know..." she returned softly.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty slipping into his voice.

Rei glanced downward, pondering the offer. Part of her did want him to go with her but deep down she knew it would just make things harder. "No..." she responded honestly, looking him in the eyes. "If you did then... it would just make this harder than it already is..."

He smiled just a little bit wider, but it was the look in his eyes that told her he understood her decision and was okay with it. "Well... you probably shouldn't keep Misato waiting..." he replied, tightening his grip on her hand slightly.

Rei nodded, swallowing the lump that was forming in her throat. "Yes..." she returned softly. "I probably shouldn't..."

Shinji turned toward the door and Rei followed, retaining her grip on his hand. The two of them moved into the living room where Misato and Asuka were gathered. Misato offered her a lopsided grin. "Ready to go, Rei?" she asked.

Rei nodded her head. "I am..." she replied softly.

"Alright then, get your coat on and let's do this," Misato stated evenly with a wan smile before moving away through the kitchen toward the front hallway.

"See you at school tomorrow, Rei," Asuka spoke out in a kindly manner. "Take it easy."

Rei glanced at her redheaded friend and nodded. "See you at school, Asuka," she replied. "I'll try."

"I'll carry your bag down to the car," Shinji voiced softly, less and offer and more a declaration. "It's only right..."

Rei once again fought against the growing lump in her throat in order to speak, looking over at him momentarily, trying desperately not to crack. "Th- thank you..." she returned softly, tightening her grip on his hand to steady herself.

She allowed Shinji to lead her to the front hallway where she briefly let go of his hand in order to put on her coat and shoes. Not much was said as Misato, herself, and Shinji stepped out the front door, into the cold, heading toward the parking lot, and even if there was Rei couldn't pay attention to it. She was too wrapped up in her own head and heart to pay attention. Soon enough the three of them reached Misato's car. Misato got in and Rei watched as Shinji opened the passenger side door and placed her suitcase in the back seat. He turned to her with that melancholy, warm smile of his, that smile she loved so much. "I'll see you in school tomorrow," he uttered softly. "Take care, Rei..."

Her lips began to quiver and her eyes were stinging again. She stepped forward and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly, pressing her face tight against his shoulder. "I'll do my best..." she murmured in reply.

He pulled back and placed a hand gently against her cheek. His eyes stared into hers and his expression turned a bit nervous. "Is... is it okay if I give you kiss you goodbye?" he asked softly.

Rei didn't answer him. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. It was short and much more chaste than she wanted it to be but with Misato sitting there waiting for her to get in the car doing anything more felt awkward and wrong. Still, she couldn't help but affirm the three words they'd spoken many times since that day on the hilltop. "I love you, Shinji..." she murmured as she pulled away.

"I love to too, Rei..." he responded, that melancholy smile of his on full display. "See you tomorrow..."

Rei's expression mirrored his as she gave an affirmative nod and moved past him, entering the passenger seat of Misato's car and closing the door with a heavy sigh. She'd barely gotten her seat belt fastened when her not ex-guardian began to pull away. As they exited the parking lot of the apartment complex she watched Shinji through misty eyes via the side mirror until the car made the turn onto the street and she couldn't see him anymore. The only thing that kept her from shedding tears was that reassurance he'd given her; that everything would work out just fine...

"I know this isn't what you wanted, but I hope you can understand..." Misato spoke out quietly, her tone bordering on apologetic. "Please don't hold this against me..."

Rei bowed her head and dried her eyes with the back of her hand. Indeed she did understand, and because of that she couldn't hold it against her. It was true that she and Shinji were quite young, perhaps too young for a lot of things that come with romance, at least in the eyes of the adults in their lives, and this move would prevent them from exploring those activities... at least in the immediate. Needless to say, part of her was beginning to understand the gossip she'd overheard in school about girls and boys sneaking around and the reasons for that. "I understand..." she replied softly. "It's... for the good of both of us."

Misato chuckled softly. "For yours and Shinji's at least," she returned. "But I know it doesn't feel like that."

Rei glanced out the window, the ghost of a smile reemerging on her features. It was clear that even though she was no longer her guardian that Misato really did care for her. "It doesn't... but both he and I understand why this is happening," she replied.

There was a pause before Misato spoke again. "You know..." she murmured, her tone turning serious. "I genuinely will miss having you around all the time, and you're welcome for dinner whenever. Still, I think you moving in with Ritsuko will be good for both of you, especially for Ritsuko."

Rei glanced over at Misato with a curious expression. "What do you mean, especially for Ritsuko-san?" she asked.

Misato continued staring ahead but a gentle grin appeared on her lips as she emitted another low chortle. "I'm sure with how close the two of you have gotten you can figure it out," she replied. "I think it's obvious that you've given her a bit of purpose in her life, purpose other than slaving over her work that is."

That statement stirred her curiosity even further. "How so?" she asked quietly.

Misato laughed softly. "Come on, isn't it obvious?" she remarked. "I've known Ritsuko a long time and I've never seen her be as enthusiastic about a science project as she is about being there for you. Do the math, Rei..."

Rei let those words sink in and she couldn't help but smile genuinely. Yes, she and Ritsuko were close before, and she knew already that they shared a familial bond, but the fact that Misato could see it was a pleasant thought. The fact that Misato thought Ritsuko's bond with her was stronger than her ambitions was genuinely heartwarming. The best part about it was that it was true. Why else would Ritsuko offered to take her in? "I understand..." she murmured in response, looking away out the window.

"Good..." Misato responded. "I'm glad..."

Silence fell between the two of them. Rei sat silently as they continued their trek, observing the scenery. Eventually the car pulled to a stop beside an apartment building on the edge of what had once been Tokyo 3. Misato exited the car, moved around it, and opened her door with a smile. "Here we are," she stated softly. "Your new home..."

Rei stepped out onto the street, suitcase in hand, and took stock of the apartment building. It was only three stories in height and was didn't have balconies like Misato's building but the finely trimmed shrubberies bordering the ground floor were pleasant to look at. The building truly seemed somewhat... cozy? Was that the right word for it? Yes, that was the right word. Something about that surprised her. "It's a pretty building..." she stated softly.

"I'm glad first impressions are good," Misato replied warmly as she stepped toward the front entrance. "Come on, lets head on in."

Rei followed Misato through the front door and up the stairs to the second level. They continued down the hall for a few paces until they stood in front of a robust metal door. She stood silently as Misato knocked three times and took a step back. A moment later she heard the door unlatching and then watched as it slowly swung open, revealing Ritsuko standing there. "Hey there, Rei," she greeted her with a smile before turning to Misato. "Would you like to come in for a bit?"

"No, thank you," Misato replied quietly. "It'll just make this more difficult, y'know?"

Ritsuko gave the dark haired woman before her a knowing look. "I get it," she returned softly.

Rei turned to Misato who looked down at her with a somber look. "I'll be by tomorrow to pick you up for school, okay?" she stated warmly. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

She gave her a nod and a small smile. "I would appreciate that," Rei replied. "And I'll do my best."

Misato grinned that lopsided grin of her and rested a hand atop her shoulder for a moment before slowly turning and walking down the hall, disappearing down the stairs. Rei watched her go and as she heard the door which led outside open and shut that uneasy feeling from earlier began to creep back into her gut. A moment of silence passed and then Ritsuko spoke, demanding her attention. "Is something wrong?" she asked with warm concern.

Rei glanced over at Ritsuko and then away, casting her eyes to the linoleum floor. As much as she'd grown to trust her she wasn't certain how to put her emotions into words. Still, she owed it to her to at least try... "I... it's hard..." she spoke out slowly. "To be trading one living space for another... just when I was starting to get used to how things were is... it's a lot to process. It... makes me question things..."

She felt a pair of hands resting on her shoulders and she looked up to meet Ritsuko's gaze, finding her staring down at her with a look of understanding in her eyes and a warm, familial grin. "I understand," she replied. "And I hope that in time those doubts will subside."

Rei met her new guardian's gaze once more with a nervous smile of her own. "Thank you..." she returned.

Ritsuko's grin widened. "Hey... for what it's worth... I... kinda wanted to take you in before this, back when you first went to live with Misato," she replied with an earnest tone of voice.

Rei's lips parted in genuine surprise. "R- really?" she stammered out.

Ritsuko nodded her head slightly. "Yeah," she replied as she stepped back and gestured for her to enter the apartment. "Now come on inside and let me show you your new home."

Rei followed the faux blonde inside, stepping past the doorway as her new guardian shut the door behind the two of them. After removing her shoes she stepped through the foyer and into the living room, looking over the interior of the apartment which would be her new home for the first time. The walls were painted a simple eggshell white and the floors were covered in tan carpeting, a look that was far more muted than the greenish carpeting at Misato's dwelling. The kitchen and living room were connected, much like how they were in Misato's place but the layout of the bedrooms was different. Instead of a bedroom one side of the living room and a short hallway connecting to the second, both were directly attached with the washroom being sandwiched between the kitchen and the smaller of the two sleeping quarters. It was smaller but it seemed quite cozy. The couch which sat in front of a small television set withing the main living space, a piece of furniture she'd never had the luxury of in any of her previous dwellings certainly looked comfortable...

"What do you think?" Ritsuko spoke up softly. "Sorry about the clutter, I'm still trying to find space for all of it."

That was when Rei noticed the pile of computer equipment tucked behind the far end of the couch near the master bedroom. She knew what that stack of electronics must mean and it left her feeling guilty. "I like it," she replied, turning to Ritsuko with a somber look. "I'm sorry you had to move your things to accommodate me though..."

Ritsuko's brow knit up and her expression was hard to read. It was almost like pity but also something like admonishment. "Rei, I want you to be here, so I'm happy to move my office so you can have a comfortable room of your own," she stated in response.

The warmth in her tone melted that aching feeling of guilt, of unworthiness that she still struggled with away. "Thank you..." she replied with a smile.

Ritsuko grinned back. "Speaking of a comfortable room to stay in, I have something to show you," she stated before stepping toward the smaller of the two bedrooms and opening the sliding door.

Rei moved to the doorway and found the room almost completely empty. The only items in the room were a tatami mat, a futon, and... a stack of magazines? She knelt down and began shuffling them, looking at the covers. It was an assortment of publications that mostly consisted of home décor and paints. She turned to Ritsuko with a perplexed expression. "What is this?" she asked.

Ritsuko laughed softly and leaned back against the doorway. "Since I'm giving up my home office, I figured we could renovate the whole room together, the two of us," she replied. "We can make your space exactly how you want it."

Rei's lips parted in surprise. That response struck a chord, tugging on the strings of her heart. Even when she'd lived with Misato she'd never really had her own space. Never before had she had the chance to have a place to stay where she could have a say in how it was decorated or how it should be laid out. This was... truly a wonderful thing. It brought a huge smile to her face, warmth to her chest, and mist to her eyes. "I'd like that..." Rei responded warmly.

Ritsuko knelt down on the floor beside her and picked up one of the paint catalogs in the stack. "What color would you like us to paint it?" she asked.

Rei's smile grew wider still. "I think I'd like blue," she replied.

---

It was dinner time and everyone was gathered around to eat the takeout Misato had ordered as he'd felt no real motivation to cook. Even though the garlic ramen tasted good, Shinji wasn't really enjoying it, and he couldn't be bothered to partake in the conversation that was happening at the table, preferring to just stare down at and pick at his food. Even though he'd accepted that Rei moving out was going to happen it was still hitting him hard. Without her beside him at the table it seemed the gathered group seemed incomplete, even with the addition of Kaji. Yes, he understood the reasoning why Misato and the other adults would be against him living in the same space with Rei, and he'd accepted it, but it still stung. Stupid and irrational as it was, watching Misato drive her away was almost as difficult as fighting an Angel in its own way...

"Hey, Shinji, what's on your mind?" Kaji spoke up, shaking him from his daze. "You seem a little down, kid."

Shinji forced a wan smile. "I'm okay," he replied.

"Don't lie," Asuka cut in. "It's obvious, and completely understandable, to your to be feeling a little down."

"Yeah, Shinji, we all understand," Misato added.

Kaji rested his elbows atop the table, resting his chin atop his interlinked fingers with a concerned expression. "I see..." he spoke out softly. "Today was the day your girlfriend moved out, wasn't it?"

Shinji glanced down at his meal with an expression that was fluctuating between a frown and a nervous smile. It still felt so surreal to think of her as his girlfriend... but Kaji pointing that out was still salt in the wound regarding what had transpired in the late morning. "Yeah..." he replied. "It was..."

A slight smirk crept onto Kaji's face. "And you didn't fight tooth and nail to prevent that?" he asked.

Shinji scowled, not wanting to discuss the matter further. "No..." he replied, giving him a harsh look. "I understand why it had to happen..."

"That's very mature of you," Kaji returned warmly. "I certainly don't think that I'd have had that kind of perspective at your age."

"Still, I know it's hard that it has to be this way," Misato added with a somewhat guilty look. "I'm glad you understand though."

Asuka chuckled and pointed a finger in Misato's direction. "Meanwhile you get to snuggle up next to this scruffy guy any night you feel like it, despite the paper thin walls here," she stated blithely.

Shinji watched as Kaji's eyes widened in surprise and Misato's jaw fell wide open. "Th- that's different!" Misato stammered in protest. "We're adults!"

Kaji sighed. "No, no, she has a point," he spoke out softly. "The walls are quite thin..."

Misato turned red in the face and turned to Kaji looking positively shocked. "What are you trying to say!?" she exclaimed in indignation.

Kaji shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Your ward has issued a noise complaint," he replied flatly.

"Well who's fault is that!" Misato hissed angrily. "And we shouldn't be having this kind of talk in front of Asuka and Shinji!"

Misato and Kaji began bickering and Shinji couldn't help but give into the laughter bubbling up in his throat. As crude and vulgar as the subject matter of the conversation at hand it was pretty humorous. He needed a bit of laughter after how somber the morning was. At least, no matter what, he could count on little moments like this to sustain him.

Eventually dinner wrapped up and by the end Shinji was a little bit better of a mood. Kaji left shortly after the meal, citing that he had a meeting with someone regarding future work, whatever that meant, and Misato retreated to her room, leaving him and Asuka to clean up after everyone. He didn't mind it though since cleaning was one of the things that allowed him to just be, something that helped free his mind of stressors...

"Hey, you want some help?" he heard Asuka calling to him from the entrance of the living room.

Shinji didn't look over at her, continuing to pick up the empty cardboard containers on the table. "No, I'm okay," he replied. "Thanks for offering though."

He continued what he was doing and silence fell in the kitchen for a moment, that is until Asuka spoke again. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked. "You sure you're okay with Rei moving out?"

He breathed a heavy sigh, unsure of what to say, the unwelcome slew of mixed emotions welling up in his chest once more. "Even if I wasn't, it doesn't change anything," he replied after a moment of pause, looking up and meeting her gaze. "But I am, really..."

Asuka's brow knit up and she nodded softly. "You know... I hate to admit this, but you're a lot stronger than I would be if I were in your situation," she stated evenly.

Shinji smiled. It didn't change anything but it did build a bit of confidence. Then again... if he didn't know the depth of Rei's feeling for him, or the things she'd endured in the past, he probably would be a bit more insecure. "Thanks, Asuka," he returned. "But really, I'm okay."

Asuka's expression turned into a smirk. "Well... no matter what, you should count yourself lucky that your relationship is less volatile than Misato and Kaji," she replied. "And you should be thanking me for dropping that line during dinner. I knew it would cheer you up."

Shinji chuckled and bowed his head, realizing that she'd made them argue just to cheer him up. Despite their past spats, she really was a good friend... "It was pretty funny," he responded warmly. "I did appreciate it."

Asuka moved into the kitchen and began picking up the refuse left on the table beside him. "I'll take over," she stated softly. "Why don't you give her a call, huh? I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

Immediately Shinji's smile fell. Sure, it seemed like a good idea, but he wondered that if he were to give her a call she'd be overburdened, that he'd stress her out. He didn't want to add tension when things were already so new. He didn't want to seem overly needy or clingy... "I'm... not sure if I should," he replied. "I think I should just let her get settled. I mean... I'll see her tomorrow, right?"

Asuka chuckled and shook her head as she moved to the trash bin and threw out the handful of empty containers in her hand. "Suit yourself," she replied as she moved swiftly to exit the kitchen. "But if I were her, I'd want to hear from my boyfriend to make sure I was okay, that's for sure."

Shinji watched her exit and found himself standing frozen in place as silence fell. Once again he was left alone with his thoughts, but at least now those anxieties were focused on a singular thing. That at least had to count for something...

---

It was long after dark, and Rei lay in her futon underneath a blanket, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, contemplating the day's events.

After going through the paint catalog she'd spent a good amount of time throughout the afternoon picking out furniture with Ritsuko, something which she'd thoroughly enjoyed. She'd never realized just how much of a selection of tables, chairs, stands, lamps, and the like existed, but the selections were truly endless. Eventually she'd selected a variety of pieces that she and Ritusko would pick up over the next few days to make her room into a space that she could really call her own. One item that she'd been adamant about acquiring quickly was a bookcase. She had to have something that would hold the full collection of The Vision Of Escaflowne once she managed to purchase it.

Once that matter was concluded, Ritsuko ordered some takeout and the to of them sat for a meal, exchanging small talk. Her new guardian was particularly interested in her progress in school, something she found rather heartwarming since no one had ever taken a real interest in her academic performance before. After that, Ritsuko let her watch television, and even sat with her to watch some of the game shows she would usually watch with Shinji before going to bed. Overall the evening made her feel comfortable, that this living arrangement was going to be pleasant and beneficial for her.

Still... she missed Shinji. Already she missed sitting up and watching shows with him. It hadn't even been a day and she already missed being able to curl up close to him, kissing him, being held by him... and now she was alone in her new bed in a new room in a new house. Even though she was happy to be living with the person she was closest with other than Shinji it made her feel lonely, melancholy even... but there was nothing she could do about it, so why ruminate on it... right?

She turned over on her side and eyed her cellphone where it lay on the floor beside her bed a meter or so away from where her head lay on her pillow. It was tempting to call him, if only to hear his voice. She reached out and looked at the time, frowning when she realized just how late it was. She bit the inside of her lip, her thumb hovering over the keypad. Would he even still be up if she called him? She knew that if she called him and he didn't answer that would just make the loneliness she was experiencing in the moment all the worse...

She let the phone slip out of her hand and she breathed a heavy sigh, curling her legs up toward her chest underneath the covers of her futon. Maybe if he was still awake then he'd give her a call? Yes... that was probably the best thing to do.

She breathed yet another sigh and closed her eyes even though the knew that sleep wouldn't come easy. It was such a strange feeling, knowing that she really had a family and yet still feeling alone, but she supposed it only human...

---

Shinji lay on his back on the living room floor in front of the television set, passively listening to the program on the channel whilst staring up at the ceiling, his hands resting underneath his head. The conversation while he was cleaning up after dinner with Asuka lay heavy on his mind.

The more he thought about it the more he wanted to give Rei a ring and see how she was doing, to hear her voice again. He missed her, even if she'd only been gone less than a day, as stupid and needy as that was. Still, the worry that he'd be putting undue strain on her weighed heavy on his mind. He didn't want her to think he was too needy and potentially ruin the dynamic they'd only managed to establish in the past week. Then again, considering how she was when they left, maybe Asuka was right and she would appreciate a call if she was still awake.

He lolled his head to the side and tried to distract himself with what was playing on the television. It didn't work. The program was one of the late night shows that Rei really enjoyed watching with him. He breathed a sigh and his frown deepened, the sight of Misato's car carrying her away playing back in his mind, remembering the look in Rei's eyes as she looked at him through the back window...

He decided. He had to call her.

After pulling his phone from his pocket he dialed her number and put the device to his ear. He listened as the ringer tone hummed in his ear and each time it did time seemed to slow. Would she pick up? What if she didn't? So many nervous thoughts. Two rings... three... and then she answered. "Hello?" came her sleepy voice over the line. "Shinji?"

Instantly Shinji's brow knit up. She was probably trying to sleep and he'd interrupted that like the dingus he was. "H- hey," he stammered out softly. "How are you? D- did I wake you up?"

"I'm okay," Rei replied quietly, warmly. "I hadn't yet fallen asleep, though I was getting close."

Shinji smiled. That came as a bit of relief. "How are you settling in?" he asked. "What's it like over at Ritsuko-san's?"

There was a pause before Rei responded, sounding a bit unsure of what to say when she finally did. "It's... smaller than your apartment," she replied. "But it's comfortable... It's my home now. Ritsuko-san is making sure of that."

Shinji's grin wavered. "I'm glad you're comfortable," he returned softly, daring to expose what he was feeling deep down in his heart. "At the same time I miss you already..."

He could hear her giggle softly on the other end of the line. "I miss you too..." she replied just above a whisper. "I wish we could be watching television late into the the night together..."

Shinji bit the inside of his lip. That admission punched him in the gut, for he wished the same thing were possible... "Yeah... that would be nice..." he replied. "I wish you could be here watching these cheesy game shows with me..."

He heard her laugh softly, that beautiful laugh of hers that he'd seldom heard buy loved so very much. "I'm sorry I can't be there to enjoy them with you right now..." she replied.

"Yeah..." Shinji replied, a lump forming in his throat. "I'm sorry too..."

Again, there was a short pause before Rei responded. "Hey... after school tomorrow Ritsuko-san and I are going to start renovating my bedroom. We start with painting," she responded softly. "Would you... want to help with that?"

His smile widened. It was genuinely heartwarming that she wanted to include him in such a venture. "I'd love that," he returned.

Rei breathed a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. "Good..." she replied. "That makes me very happy..."

"Hey, you know I'm always happy to help whenever I can," he responded, not sure of what else there was to say.

"I know..." Rei replied warmly, letting out a quiet yawn before speaking again. "And for that I'm grateful..."

Shinji pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at the time on the tiny display screen. It was closing in on midnight. No wonder she was yawning... ""I know it's getting late and you're pretty tired," he murmured in response. "I'm glad you're settling in okay."

"No, no, it's quite alright," Rei replied. "It's nice to hear your voice..."

Shinji closed his eyes and grinned ever wider. "It's nice to hear yours..." he returned.

"I love you..." Rei whispered out warmly. "See you at school."

"See you at school," Shinji replied. "I love you too..."

"Goodnight..." Rei whispered out.

"Goodnight, Rei..." Shinji returned.

He kept the phone at his ear until she hung up. After she did, he breathed a heavy sigh and smiled up at the ceiling from where he lay on the floor of the living room. The melancholy feeling of distance remained but within it there was a strange hopefulness that was seeping into mind. Despite the inconveniences, he had the feeling deep down in his gut that for once everything was going to be okay...

---

Rei awoke to the sound of her alarm clock and sat up in her bed, raising her arms above her head and stretching with a yawn after turning the ringing thing off. As her senses came to her she grinned a content and happy grin. The sun was shining through her window, casting a warm glow over the sky blue walls of her room. The smell of fresh rice, eggs and miso was wafting in from the kitchen. It was just another normal morning.

She rose from her bed to begin changing out of her pajamas and into her school uniform. A week had passed since she'd moved in with Ritsuko and already a new routine was taking shape. Every morning she got up, got dressed, and sat for breakfast with Ritsuko before going to school. It was almost like that vision she'd had in the throes of her greatest despair... except it was real. This was her reality now. Yes... this was just another normal morning in her normal, ordinary, happy life.

"Rei!" Ritsuko called to her from the kitchen. "I heard your alarm! Breakfast is ready!"

Rei's smile widened. Yes... this was what she'd fought for, and it was earned. She'd earned this peace and happiness, something she was only now, finally coming to grips with. "Coming!" she called back as she moved toward her door.

She opened the door to her bedroom and stepped outside into the living room, turning her head toward the kitchen to find Ritsuko placing a pair of plates on opposite sides of the small wooden table that occupied the middle of said room. "Morning, sunshine," Ritsuko greeted her with a smile. "How'd you sleep?"

"Rather well," Rei replied as she moved to take her seat at the table. "How about you?"

"Decently," Ritsuko returned as she took her own seat. "Despite being up for a good amount of the night troubleshooting the problems with NERV's new project."

Rei slurped a spoonful of her miso soup and frowned. "You're still on leave," she stated in response. "Don't you think it's best to let it be for another week or two until you're back at the office?"

Ritsuko chuckled wryly and took a bite of rice. "Tokita is an excellent administrator, but he's not a scientist," she replied. "There are some technical aspects to the project that he's not equipped to deal with."

"Still," Rei continued between bites of rice. "Isn't Lieutenant Ibuki there to help oversee things?"

Ritsuko laughed. "As gifted as Maya is, she still has much to learn about coding and the intricacies of S2 biology," she replied. "I imagine that one day she'll be fully capable of fully taking over my role but that's far in the future."

Rei nodded in understanding. "Still, you work far too hard," she returned softly. "I know it's already been hard enough getting me settled in."

Ritsuko looked at her with an expression of admonishment momentarily before grinning even wider "Come on, Rei, you know that's no trouble at all," she replied warmly. "I'm blessed to have you here..."
Rei slurped on her Miso soup and grinned back, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I'm glad you enjoy my company," she returned. "But I know it's been a big adjustment."

"It's an adjustment I was happy to make," Ritsuko responded with a grin, taking a sip of her morning tea. "To be frank, being a parent to you is... one of the best choices I've ever made."

Rei's eyes stung and she averted her gaze, smiling down into her bowl of miso soup. "Thank's, big sis..." she replied warmly. It felt... good to admit that she was basically a mother, or at least a big sister to her now...

Ritsuko shook her head and laughed, leaning forward to brace her elbow on the table and rest her chin in her palm. "Enough sappy talk," she spoke out. "You had a math test yesterday, right? How do you think you did on it?"

Rei cringed and picked at her rice. Despite her gifted intellect, mathematics was not her best subject. She'd grown to prefer literature in recent weeks... "I think I attained passing marks," she replied. "Though I understand the concepts, math is not my best subject."

Ritsuko smiled and took another bite of her rice. "Well, if you need some tutoring, you know I'm happy to help," she returned.

"I know," Rei replied after swallowing another spoonful of soup. "And I'm glad for that."

Ritsuko brought her other arm up and rested it on the table, leaning in with a smile. "So... the weekend is fast approaching..." she drawled out. "Any plans with Shinji-kun?"

Rei felt a heat blooming in her cheeks. Indeed, she did have some plans for the weekend involving the boy she loved... "Yes..." she replied. "We have a... date..."

Ritsuko's smile shifted into a playful, almost catlike smirk. "Do tell," she pressed. "What do you have planned? Perhaps I can offer some advice... or cautions."

Rei glanced away, knowing what her adoptive mother, or older sister was implying. "Y- you don't have to worry about something like that," she stammered out in reply. "We're just going to the movie theater in the next town over..."

"Ah... there are many things wont to happen in a dark room..." Ritsuko teased. "Be careful..."

Rei's eyes went wide and the fire in her cheeks exploded in intensity. "Y- you're sounding like Misato-san..." she stammered in response.

Ritsuko snickered at her expense. "Relax, I know Shinji's not that kind of boy," she replied. "And I know that even if he was that you're not that kind of girl."

Rei breathed a sigh and regarded her guardian with a defeated expression. Still... now that the idea was in her mind, she couldn't help but entertain it to some degree... "Indeed..." she returned. "I'm glad you have trust in the both of us."

Ritsuko's smirk morphed back into an amicable smile. "Mostly I have trust in you," she replied, going on to issue a request loaded with subtext. "But I do expect you to tell me all about the plot intricacies of the film you decide to watch..."

Rei smiled and shook her head. "I'll make sure to inform you of the details thereof," she returned softly.

Ritsuko gave an approving nod of her head as she sat back in her chair and continued eating her breakfast. "Hopefully it's a good film," she stated warmly. "I can't remember the last time I went to the cinema."

Rei munched on a bite of rice before responding. "Since you're on leave you could go at anytime, right?" she asked. "What's stopping you?"

Now it was Ritsuko's turn to sigh. "Well, you know me," she replied, her smile becoming melancholic. "I'm always on call, and even while I'm here at home I'm still working. It's just not feasible for me to partake in such frivolities."

Rei nodded and slurped down another mouthful of soup. "I understand," he responded softly. "But you really do work too hard..."

"Maybe," Ritsuko returned with a lopsided grin. "But there's no rest for the wicked, right?"

Rei smiled, knowing exactly what she was getting at. "Very true," she replied.

It was then that the doorbell rang. "It seems you're being summoned," Ritsuko stated warmly. "Time to go to school."

Rei scarfed down a few more quick bites of rice before shooting up from the table and rushing to grab her book bag. She dashed to the door and hurriedly pulled on her shoes, throwing on her jacket before swinging the door open, finding Shinji standing there one the other side. "Hey," he greeted her with that wonderful, warm smile of his. "Ready for school?"

She nodded and smiled back at him as she stepped through the door. "I am," she replied before turning back to Ritsuko. "See you later."

"Have a good day at school, Rei," Ritsuko returned with a wave. "See you later, Shinji."

"Bye, Ritsuko-san," Shinji called to the faux blonde.

Rei closed the door to her apartment and slipped her hand into Shinji's, her smile growing wider. She moved in front of him and embraced him before tilting her head up to his. He leaned down and kissed her chastely before breaking away. Yes... this was the life she'd never known she wanted and had finally attained. "How was your morning?" she asked.

"Decent enough," he replied with a grin, reaching up to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. "But you know we can't keep Misato and Asuka waiting."

Rei nodded, feeling her face flush with heat. "Very true," she returned warmly. "Let's go then."

Shinji squeezed her hand tightly. "Yes, lets..." he replied happily.

The two of them made their way down the stairs and out of the building, rushing to Misato's car which was waiting in the parking lot. Shivering, the two of them shuffled inside the cabin and shut the doors as Misato spoke up. "Hey, Rei, how's it going?" she asked.

"Ready for classes today?" Asuka added, looking back at her with a grin.

"I'm doing well," Rei replied with a grin of her own. "It's good to see you both."

Asuka turned to Misato "Come on, lets go!" she snapped where she sat in the front passenger seat. "We don't want to be late, right?"

"Alight then!" Misato declared as she threw the car into reverse and revved the engine. "Buckle up everyone! Let's get you guys to school!"

Despite Misato driving at a questionable, sometimes nauseating rate of speed, the journey to school was uneventful. Once they reached the gates, herself, Asuka, and Shinji exited the car and made their way toward the front gates in step with one another. Rei held onto Shinji's hand and grinned, not caring about whatever eyes might see such an open display of affection. No, she was proud of what she had, and she was happy to let the world know...

The three of them began walking in step through the gates at the entrance to the school grounds. "Man, I don't understand how Misato still has a license," Asuka grumbled as she lifted her arms up and placed her hands on the back of her head once the three of them entered the grounds. "I swear she's trying to kill us every time she drives us into school."

"I'm as clueless as you are," Shinji replied with a chuckle. "But she hasn't killed us yet, and you have to admit it is quicker than taking a bus."

"Yeah, true," Asuka responded. "And even I'll admit that she's been more cautious lately, more than usual at least."

Rei smiled and giggled softly. Never would she get tired of this kind of banter between Asuka and Shinji... "It is still, at points, a harrowing ride all the same," she stated softly.

Asuka laughed loudly. "Damn right it is!" she exclaimed. "I just hope I'm not there when she finally spins out."

"Oh, don't be like that," Shinji chastised before emitting a chuckle. "With our luck, you know we'll all be there when it inevitably happens..."

There was a moment of pause and then Asuka and Shinji began to laugh. Rei couldn't help but laugh along with them, bringing a hand up to her mouth to cover it. "It's nice to see that a point of common ground and gossip will never change..." she mused softly between giggles.

"Indeed," Asuka chortled. "Hell will freeze over before that woman truly learns how to drive."

"Hey!" a voice called out from behind them. "Shinji! Asuka! Is that you!?"

The three of them halted their walk and turned around to face whomever it was that was vying for their attention. Rei's eyes widened when she realized who it was. "Touji!?" Asuka exclaimed in surprise.

"Touji!" Shinji cried out with joy, moving swiftly to his friend and placing a hand on the taller boy's shoulder. "Hey! How are you!?"

"I'm good," Suzuhara replied with a smile, reaching up and shoving Shinji's hand away with a grin. "I just transferred in today. It's good to see some familiar faces."

"Oh cool," Shinji returned. "Do you know what classroom you're in?"

"Class 3-E," he replied with a grin. "What class are you in?"

Shinji laughed. "The very same," he returned before turning to her and Asuka. "It's almost like old times, huh?"

"So you're finally out of that damn hospital, huh?" Asuka snickered, planting her hands on her hips, seemingly regaining her usual composure.

Suzuhara stepped closer to them with a smile, a slight limp in his gait. "Yeah," he replied as he moved forward and placed a hand on Asuka's shoulder. "The docs finally let me go. How've you been?"

Rei watched as Asuka smiled and crossed her arms across her chest. "Well enough," she replied, visibly blushing. "Good to see you up and walking without a crutch... now get your hand off of me."

Suzuhara pulled his hand back and chuckled with a smirk. "Good to see that you never change, Asuka," he returned. "Nice to know you'll never go soft."

Asuka laughed and held her chin high. "It's me we're talking about," she replied. "Would you ever really expect me to?"

Suzuhara laughed and grinned. "No, I couldn't even imagine it," he returned warmly.

Rei, watching this began piece things together. It was obvious that the two of them had formed some kind of bond while they were both hospitalized. However, Shinji beat her to it when it came to speaking on the matter. "It's nice to see you two getting along," he stated softly.

Suzuhara regarded him with a lopsided smirk. "Well, things change and people grow, right?" he replied cheerfully.

Rei couldn't help but grin. It was nice to see that everyone around her who'd been as deeply effected by Eva as she had shared the same sense of hope and optimism for the future. On top of that, the statement itself resonated deeply. "That is very true," she stated quietly.

Suzuhara turned his attention to her and looked at her with a somewhat surprised expression. "Oh, hi there Ayanami," he responded. "I didn't recognize you. Did you change your hair dye or something?"

Rei suppressed the urge to chortle and simply nodded. "Something like that," she replied. It would be too difficult and far too convoluted to explain what happened. "It's good to see that you're recovering."

"Yeah, It's good to see you back on your feet," Shinji added.

"Foot, but the point stands," Suzuhara chuckled before visibly shivering and stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. "Now lets get inside, huh? It's freezing out here..."

The four of them made their way through the entrance of the building and stepped inside. As usual, Yamagishi was standing near the entrance just past the shoe racks. "Good morning, Ayanami-san, Soryu-san, Ikari-san," she spoke with a demure smile. "How are you?"

Asuka was the first to respond. "We're doing good," she said before jabbing her thumb towards Suzuhara. "Got a new student joining us in class today though."

"Oh yes, the new transfer student," Yamagishi replied, turning to Suzuhara. "I'm Mayumi Yamagishi, class representative of room 3-E

"Hello," he spoke up with a warm smile. "I'm Touji Suzuhara. Pleasure to meet you. Looks like we're gonna be classmates."

"Don't worry, we can show him the way," Asuka stated flatly, perhaps a bit more defensively than reasonably needed. Rei couldn't help but wonder what was going on between the two of them but she wouldn't presume to assume.

"Very well," Yamagishi replied with a polite, slight bow and a smile. "I'll see the four of you in class." With that she moved toward the stairs and away from the group.

The four friends stood and watched her go. Suzuhara was the first to speak up. "She seems nice," he stated softly.

"A little too nice at times," Asuka grumbled softly. "But yeah, she is nice."

Shinji snickered. "What's gotten into you, Asuka?" he asked, a smirk taking shape on his lips.

Rei couldn't help but mirror her boyfriend's expression. Asuka's reaction certainly fed into the growing hypothesis she was entertaining. "Indeed, is something wrong?" she inquired softly.

"Oh, nothing," Asuka scoffed. "It's just that she doesn't need to roll out the welcome mat when the three of us are here."

"I thought it was rather courteous of her," Suzuhara commented nonchalantly.

Asuka sighed. "You would think that, wouldn't you?" she huffed.

Suzuhara regarded her with a mildly annoyed expression, a brow raised. "What's that supposed to mean?" he accused.

"Touji?" yet another new voice spoke up, entering the mix.

Rei turned to find Aida standing a few meters away with a shocked expression on his bespectacled face. "Y- you're awake..." he stammered out.

Rei turned back to Suzuhara and watched as his expression turned venomous, his eyes narrowing and his lips curving down in a menacing frown. "Oh... hey there, Kensuke..." he hissed, his voice dripping with barely restrained anger. "How've you been... bro?"

Aida looked away with an expression of shame. "I... we... thought you'd never wake up..." he murmured in response. "I'm... I'm sorry..."

Suzuhara took a step forward, his fists clenched and his lips pulling back to reveal a snarl. "Sorry doesn't cut it," he spat. "Fuck you, you slimy piece of shit!"

Both Asuka and Shinji stepped in to intervene, the former stepping in front of him and the latter placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, I'm with you on this, but take it easy..." Shinji cautioned.

"For real, meat-head," Asuka growled at the muscular boy. "Do you really want to get suspended on your first day?"

Suzuhara shrugged the two of them off and glared at Aida angrily before pointing a finger at him with a snarl. "This isn't over..." he hissed with barely restrained fury.

Aida said nothing but issued an understanding nod with a apologetic expression and moved away down the adjacent hallway. Rei watched him go as silence fell over her group of friends. Part of her sympathized with Suzuhara's situation. She would have been very upset as well if Shinji had found someone else whilst she was recovering from her injuries after the battle of the geofront. Still... she found his restraint commendable. "I understand why you're angry," she stated softly. "But that was very mature of you not to cause a scene..."

Suzuhara sighed heavily and hung his head. "Yeah... I suppose," he huffed. "But it wasn't easy... it's not easy..."

"I get it," Shinji stated quietly, regarding the taller boy with an understanding expression. "But Rei is right."

"I know..." Suzuhara muttered, hanging his head with a grimace, his fists still clenched. "It doesn't make it any easier though... I should have kicked his ass..."

Asuka grabbed Suzuhara's arm and pulled him toward the stairs. "Come on, you moron," she grumbled. "You can kick his ass later. Let me show you to our classroom, huh?"

Suzuhara stumbled along and let out an exasperated sigh. "As if you're giving me a choice?" he retorted.

"Shut up and come along," Asuka huffed as she dragged him away. "Don't get yourself in trouble on your first day."

Rei stood in place beside Shinji, watching the two of them go. After a moment Shinji spoke up. "So... what do you make of that?" he asked, sounding a bit bewildered.

She wasn't sure how to respond. It was certainly a bit perplexing a development... "I'm uncertain," she replied. "But the two of them are much friendlier with one another than they ever were before..."

Shinji chuckled softly. "What do you think it means?" he asked.

Rei's lips curved upward as she glanced over at him. It would be rude to jump to conclusions. She knew well just how complicated relationships of all kinds were. Still... the possibilities were both humorous, mildly scandalous, and sweet all at once. "Only time will tell," she replied.

Shinji nodded, regarding her with a smile. "Very true," he returned before reaching out and taking her hand in his once again. "We should probably follow them up though. We don't want to be late for class, right?"

Rei's smile widened and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Yes," she returned warmly. "That would be best."

The two of them got to class and the day got off to a typical start from there. Suzuhara was introduced to the class and took his assigned seat in the room, their teacher entered shortly afterwards, and the lessons began. It was just another typical day in an ordinary life, an ordinary life that in many ways Rei had a hard time believing or accepting was truly real...

When lunch time arrived, Shinji hung back in the classroom to talk with Suzuhara while she made her way to the roof, saying that he would meet her there soon. After ascending the stairs to her destination, Rei stepped into the cold and made her way to the railing and took in the now familiar view of the surrounding town. It was starting to snow again, this time slightly heavier than in previous days. She looked skyward at the gray clouds overhead and felt the little pieces of ice tickle her face. A gentle wind swirled around her and she brought her eyes back to the buildings and hills. She supposed it was finally setting in for her now, the enormity of the big picture.

It was truly incredible just how far she'd come. Only months ago she'd never have believed she could live a normal life like this. Up until recently it had felt like her entire existence had been a predetermined set of events, that her fate was set in stone... but she'd defied her fate. She'd managed to overcome the burden and trials of her circumstances and now she was free from the pull of destiny. It was a liberating feeling but also intimidating in its own way. Yes, she'd embraced and rebelled against the absurd by living on... but now what? It was the funniest feeling, knowing that she no longer had a concept of what the future might hold, that she was no longer privy to knowledge of whatever events were to come...

"You seem deep in thought," Shinji's voice shattered the silence, coming from a few meters behind her. "Is something bothering you?"

She turned to him with a slight smile before turning back to face the landscape. "I'm... just sort of taking everything in," she replied, unsure of how to explain the anxieties swirling in her mind.

Shinji stepped closer to her and put his arm around her. "I know when you're feeling anxious," he stated softly, warmly. "Come on, what's bothering you?"

Rei breathed a shaky sigh and leaned into him, relishing in his touch, closing her eyes. "It's... strange..." she murmured in reply. "Months ago I never thought that my life could ever be like this..."

Shinji hummed softly in agreement. "Me either," he returned warmly.

"It almost doesn't feel real..." Rei continued quietly.

"But it is real," Shinji replied. "We're living it..."

Rei bit the inside of her lip and looked up at him, taking in that loving smile of his as she tried to form the words for what she wanted to say. It would sound crazy no matter how she voiced her concerns. "It's... strange for me," she returned softly, glancing away from him. "It's strange not knowing what the future holds. It's... honestly a little scary."

Shinji chuckled softly. "That just means you're like the rest of us now," he returned warmly. "None of us know what the future holds. We can only face it when it comes."

That statement filled her heart with warmth. She knew it was the truth, but it was even more profound to hear it coming from him. "I suppose that's true..." she replied.

Now it was Shinji's turn to breathe a sigh. "I know it's not easy though," he replied. "Hell... even without the Angels or the threat of the world ending, I still worry about what the future holds."

Rei turned her head back and up to look at him, her brow furrowed as she took in the nervous expression on his face. "Really?" she asked.

He nodded and that nervous look melted away, replaced with a gentle smile. "I do," he replied. "But I know that so long as you're with me that I can face it head on."

That response made her heart skip a beat. Rei felt her cheeks heating up as a similar grin wormed its way over her features. He really knew what to say at times. Yes... so long as they had each other, whatever the future held then they could face it in stride. "I feel the same..." she responded warmly.

Shinji's smile widened. "I'm glad..." he replied, turning his head to face the distant hills.

A familiar, comfortable silence fell between the two of them. Rei stood there, leaning against the boy she loved, relishing in his warmth. Still... there was one burning question that she desperately wanted to answer. "So... what do we do now?" she asked.

His response was instantaneous. "We live..." he returned softly. "And we keep moving forward..."

Rei's heart swelled with joy and her smile grew ever wider. "Toward a destiny unknown..." she replied softly.

"Yeah..." Shinji returned warmly. "To a destiny unknown..."

Impulse took over. She turned to face him, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck, her heart beating fast and her grin stretching from ear to ear. "But one thing is certain," she stated firmly.

His eyes stared into hers and his smile shifted slightly, one corner of his mouth lifting slightly higher than the other as a certain playful twinkle filled his eyes. "What's that?" he asked.

Rei stepped closer to him, their noses mere centimeters away from touching. "This..." she replied softly. "This will never change..."

Shinji rested his forehead against hers, wrapping his arms tight around her and pulling her to his chest. "Never in a million years..." he murmured in response.

With that assurance, Rei closed the distance and pressed her lips to his. Her heart swelled with joy, acceptance, and love. Yes... no matter how absurd life might get she would face it head on. So long as she had her friends, her family, and the person she loved the most in the world, there was nothing she couldn't overcome. Deep down in her heart she knew that was the truth, or at least it was her truth. Life goes on...

And this life was a life worth living...

---

Author's notes

First of all, I must address those who have been worried about the lack of an update. I assure you, the rumors of abandonment have been greatly exagerated. Life has simply been an obstacle to my artistic endeavors recently. Between work and other aspects of my personal life, the times that I can comfortably write has been greatly reduced, and I think that any writer will understand that one needs time, physical space, and mental space in order to produce their best. This said, the final chapter may take me some time to produce, but you mustn't worry. I post updates on my progress rather frequently to the ReiShin discord and my PM's are always open, though I oft neglect to read them in a timely manner.

So, here it is... the penultimate chapter of this story. All the loose ends have been tied up and all that remains is the epilogue to the tale. I must say, the final scene was one that I looked forward to for a long time, and is meant to mirror in some ways Chapter 57. Finally, at long last Rei and Shinji have resolved their romantic dance. At long last Ritsuko has reconciled the parts of her which represent the scientist, the woman, and the mother. Misato moves forward and Asuka begins to find peace. God is in his heaven, all is right with the world...

There is a lot more that I could say about the story, but I shall refrain until the finale is written and posted. Look forward to the epilogue. I hope that the penultimate chapter provides an adequate conclusion for now...

As always, please read and review. Thank you for reading and coming with me on this long journey... and look forward to Chapter 70.

Regards,

A.F.