Kaworu was looking down on the earth, the pockmarked surface of the Moon around him and the endless expanse of space beyond. When he looked to his left and to his right, he found rows upon rows of coffins. To his left, what had happened, were opened coffins. And to his right, what was to come, were closed coffins. Various hulking cables reached from over the hills, terminating in nothing.

The Earth below was wounded. It was marred by red crystalline scabs and seas of blood. His eyes drifted to where he knew Japan was, which had been nearly consumed by the red growth. It exploded in multicolored lights.

No...this again!

He cried as his neck flared with pain. Even though it was bare, it still felt like there was a red-hot ring around it. He dropped to his knees, clawing at it, all dignity lost in this empty place. Below, the Impact raged on, consuming more and more of the planet in all-consuming light. It shouldn't have gone on this long.

Why wasn't it stopping?!

Knock, knock, knock!

He jolted upright in his bed, gasping for breath. His skin was cool and clammy with sweat. His panic was ebbing away but not nearly fast enough. He shook like a leaf and it took him too long to remind himself where exactly he was. Nothing had gone wrong yet. He was safe.

Asuka called from the other side of the door, "Prettyboy! Are you still sleeping?"

Her voice helped ground him in the now but did little to uplift his mood. He called back, "I'm awake," taking care to keep his voice steady.

Surely he could confide in her. Not in here, as it was most certainly bugged. But would confiding in her hurt her? The things he had seen she might not have fathomed and he didn't know if he wanted her to know them possible. It could kill her courage or worse, break her completely. Perhaps she might even start to suspect he was something inhuman.

"Well, let me in, dummkopf! I want to take you somewhere!" she hammered on the door again.

"Let me get decent first," he sat up, pushing the familiar paranoia from his mind for the time being.

Once he got washed up and dressed, Asuka immediately dragged him to the surface. Once on the tram, she covertly handed him a packaged rice ball from her bag, which he accepted appreciatively. As he ate, he commented, "It's early yet."

She ate her own strawberry pastry and smiled brightly, "Exactly! We can talk some before sync tests later."

He blinked sleepily. He had forgotten all about later. And as to what she wanted to talk to him about, it was most likely her asking more about loops. Or maybe discussing the next Angel. He couldn't think of much else specific she'd want to know though.

Visions of that ravaged Earth flashed in his mind's eye and he squeezed his actual eyes shut to dispel them. Everything had really gone off the rails in that loop but for some time, it had looked like it was the one to end the cycle. But something had gone wrong at the eleventh hour, something he had not been privy to.

He couldn't let things get that bad ever again.

After they left the tram, they left the inner parts of Tokyo-3, eventually finding themselves in an overgrown and abandoned park. There was a pond at the center, green with algae. They found a spot beside where the grass hadn't grown so high and sat down. Kaworu appreciated the solitude of the area, both for its privacy and for the unexpected beauty there.

He asked, "So what's all this about? Touching base?"

She nodded, "I was thinking about the next Angel."

"The magma Angel, Sandalphon," he nodded in understanding.

"I was thinking of trying to kill it before it hatches. Wouldn't that be easier?" she asked.

Kaworu frowned, "Don't you think it's exterior would be just as hard in egg form? Not to mention how that would anger Doctor Akagi. You might be punished for "impeding the pursuit of knowledge"."

Asuka fumed, "That's stupid. I get the first but the second is stupid."

She crossed her arms then asked out of the blue, "In your loops, did you ever do something that got you in a lot of trouble?"

He raised an eyebrow, somewhat caught off-guard by her question. But he didn't see any reason to not tell her, "Plenty of times early on. I was bold, once I figured out what was going on. Once I was seen as a liability and not an asset, my higher ups would get careless with me or just take me out completely."

Asuka frowned deeply. She suspected as much but what disturbed her was how blasé he was with saying it. And what's worse is that somehow deepened his sincerity.

They lapsed into a new silence. Asuka wordlessly passed a coffee drink to him and cracked open her own. The sun, which was rising when they began their journey, hung over the vibrant orange horizon. Their morning wasn't going to be busy, free from school and NERV work. The nightmares were fading from Kaworu's immediate thoughts.

"Say, I've been meaning to ask you something but everything got so busy," Asuka spoke up, "What's the deal with Rei?"

That was a laser-focused question if he ever heard one. Rei was like him in many ways and Asuka was perceptive. Who knew what he might be revealing of himself by proxy? And worst yet, he couldn't predict how she'd react to learning Rei's true nature. He thought by now he had seen all unknowns but the universe delighted in proving him wrong.

He feigned confusion, "What exactly do you mean?"

She waved her arms around, "She's just so weird! I know something happened to her at the end there and then when Instrumentality hit, she was there too! There at the ocean too! What's the deal with all that?"

"Ah. Well, I'm under the impression she was used by Gendo Ikari in some way for the process," he was careful in explaining, "She was merged with Adam and Lilith so she may start Third Impact."

"Adam...Lilith?" she asked, frowning deep in confusion.

...not careful enough. He sighed, "Yes. Don't you find it odd that the first Angel to appear in Tokyo-3 was the Third?"

"So they're the two Angels before...but why are they being kept secret?! And why hasn't anyone killed them!"

He was treading dangerous territory here but he had an obligation to share any information that might be useful to her. He explained patiently, "The powers-that-be have their own ideas on how to use them. Which answers both those questions. For example, part of the way to make an Evangelion is from one of them."

She nodded in understanding...then narrowed her eyes at that, "That feels like something you should have told me up front."

He smiled weakly, "You...didn't ask?"

"And how do you know about them?" she leaned over, suspicion written all over her face.

He held up his hands to placate her, "Let me remind you how many times I've done this. There's been plenty of opportunities to learn about them."

It was such a non-answer but it seemed to work. She relaxed, "So we can't really do anything about them."

"I tried to once," he said, "I went to where Lilith was, seeking to kill her myself because I thought it might free me. But they sent another pilot after me, telling them I sought to begin Third Impact myself."

"Who did they send after you?"

He frowned deeply, considering what he should say. Then he admitted, "You. I was sent to NERV after Unit 01 absorbed Shinji. So naturally, you were the most qualified."

He left plenty of holes in his story. Like how he had been sent then deliberately, because how vulnerable NERV was. Or how eager that Asuka was to kill him, after being told he was an Angel. She had been certain it would restore her place at the top.

He also didn't tell her of his plan on the next loop, to kill Adam instead. But when in his presence, a terrible urge to merge came over him. He had felt it before, heard it before but before his progenitor, it was impossible to resist. He had come to call it the "Angelic Call", something that didn't always come over him but was an ever-present danger. He didn't like to think of it.

Asuka turned her attention to the overgrown pond, not replying to him. She murmured, "Why is this all so difficult?"

She fell on her back, looking up at the morning sky. Then she asked out of the blue, "What are you going to do about that love letter?"

He appreciated the change of topic, even for what the topic was. He smiled, "You're still on that?"

She flipped over onto her stomach and grinned, "I don't forget. You need to write one back!"

"How would I even give it to them?" he challenged back.

"You tape it to your locker and I dunno, label it with like 'To my admirer'"

"What if it's from someone I don't like like that?"

Asuka had a damn good feeling it was Shinji and she wanted to see how this would play out, if only because it might keep him away from her.

However, she figured Kaworu hadn't come to the same conclusion. It would be interesting, to see if Shinji actually swung that way and what might happen if he had a new object of his affections.

She had a feeling he wouldn't be as terrible to him as he had her.

She asked back, "Do you think it is?"

"...no," he admitted.

"Well, who do you think it is!"

When he didn't immediately respond, she defended, "I can keep a secret!"

"Alright, keep it a secret. And don't tease!"

"Bleh," she pulled a face then made a gesture like zipping her lips and throwing away the key, "Fine. Secret's safe with me."

"I believe it's Shinji."

"I KNEW IT!"

He blinked in genuine surprise, "You...knew?"

"Duh," she rolled her eyes, "Did you even see how he acts around you at school? There's no way he doesn't act like a spooked deer in the locker room."

His face flushed as he admitted, "I try not to look at him when we are both in there."

He then added, "So you're not mad or anything? I know you might have had feelings for him at one point or another…"

"Bah! That ship has sailed. I don't even know what I saw in him back then," she scowled.

It wasn't even just everything he had done to her back then—or maybe it kinda was? Logically, she knew this Shinji was another Shinji but the anger came and went. Mostly when she remembered what he had done on that shore.

"I didn't really think you'd still hold a grudge," he commented.

"I didn't really think that's your business," she countered.

That shut him up and he frowned deeply. He returned the conversation to its previous topic, "I'll think about writing a letter back. I'll have to figure out what to put in it."

"Don't think too hard about it," she suggested, "And don't forget!"

"I have a feeling you won't let me," he chuckled.

Sync tests were boring affairs, almost by design. So boring Asuka always nearly dozed off during them, which earned her sharp words from Dr. Akagi, reminding her why she couldn't do that. If she went to sleep, sync rate would drop off, nearly to zero. She nodded along, wishing she didn't feel the need to explain this every time it happened. Luckily today's was short, compared to others. She had happily rushed to the locker room to get out of her plugsuit and shower off the LCL.

"Soryu."

Asuka nearly jumped out of her skin as Rei's voice startled her from her inner monologue. She slightly turned her head to find the other girl standing there, half dressed. Her face flushed and she looked away, "What can't wait until we're dressed, Ayanami?"

"You called me Rei before."

"So what?! It was an accident," she shot back.

She did not want to talk about this right now.

"I'm not angry," she clarified.

"I don't care if you're mad or not! I didn't mean to do it!" Asuka wouldn't look at her but she could feel her blood-red eyes boring into the back of her skull.

"You call Shinji by his first name but call me by my surname."

Frustrated, Asuka turned to her and bluntly asked, "Are you asking me to call you 'Rei'?"

"I just find it curious," she commented.

"Well, I wasn't asking how you felt, I was asking what you wanted!" Asuka sighed then added, "How about this: would it make you happy?"

Rei's eyebrows shifted ever so slightly. She said slowly, as if she wasn't sure herself, "I think it would make me happy to be called "Rei"."

"Alright, Rei," the name felt foreign in her mouth but it was certainly less of a mouthful than "Ayanami" or even "Wondergirl".

Asuka turned around, pulled on her blouse and began to lace it up. Then Rei asked, "In that case, could I call you "Asuka"?"

Asuka messed up her knot, so shocked she was. She stumbled, "I mean...do you want to?"

"If being called "Rei" makes me happy, it's a fair assumption that the same would be true of you and your name? Is that incorrect?" she tilted her head.

"It's not wrong," Asuka fiddled with her half-knotted ribbon, "If you want, you may call me Asuka."

Rei mulled this over before she agreed, "Alright. I shall, Asuka," then turned and left, having gotten dressed already.

Once she was gone, Asuka sat on the bench and rubbed her temples. She didn't remember Rei being this outspoken last time—hell, she didn't think the other girl had ever been the one to initiate conversation!

From the logistical standpoint, being on good terms with Rei was a good thing. She had more to gain from being her friend. And y'know, it would probably do the other girl some good.

She still struggled with looking at her. When their eyes met, she once more felt that feeling of revulsion, that reminded her of the red sea.

But even with the knowledge she had gotten from Kaworu, that implied sense that Rei was not as human as she looked, she couldn't hate her as much as she had. She was almost surprised by this but reasoned it was because Rei had actually...never hurt her. She looked to be a victim in the grand scheme of things as much as herself or Shinji or Kaworu. She had never asked to be Gendo Ikari's doll.

She looked to the door then got back to dressing herself. Maybe if she hurried, she could catch up to her.

"Mr. Kaji."

Kaji looked up from his tidying of his desk to find, of all people, Rei Ayanami lingering at the doorway.

Rei was, and continued to be, a mystery. Any files related to her were heavily redacted with only the most mundane of details left intact, like her weight or the fact she didn't eat meat. All details that left a lot to be desired.

What was even more of a mystery is why she would come to him at all. They had never spoken and she had no incentive to speak to him. Should he be suspicious? After all, the Commander could have put her up to it.

He smiled, "Ayanami. What can I do for you?"

"I have a question for you."

"Ask away."

"What is...Soryu like?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly.

A normal person wouldn't have noticed but Kaji was no normal person. "Don't you know her?" he asked with a crooked smile.

"I don't believe I do as well as I should. You were her guardian so your opinion is invaluable."

He nearly told her that the best way to find out about someone is to spend time with them. But maybe a little information will coax her into doing that herself, without him suggesting it. He hummed in thought, "Asuka's headstrong and likes to be seen at the best in everything she does. I'd say she might seem hard to be around...but she seems to have changed since we came here. She's become more grounded and more mature. She likes to take charge and it might actually be best to let her at times. Either to soothe her ego or because she legitimately is the best for the situation. Was that valuable?"

Rei considered this and then nodded, "Yes. It is helpful."

"What do you think about her?" he asked.

"Soryu...Asuka is loud. She is stubborn and dislikes it when others disagree with her. But...she has been kind to me. She told me I wasn't a doll," Rei spoke slowly and deliberately.

An uncomfortable comparison coming from Asuka. Not that Rei would know anything about that. "Why would she say that?"

"She disliked me referring to myself as "replaceable"."

Kaji's frown deepened. "You shouldn't call anyone that, much less yourself. It makes others believe you don't like yourself very much," he said.

Rei nodded, "I have since decided to cease using the term, as it causes Asuka and Shinji distress."

It was causing Kaji some distress too. A mere kid, already with the weight of the world on them, thinking themselves replaceable. It shouldn't happen.

A new, stray thought crossed his mind. He wondered if he even should ask too much to Rei, lest it reach the Commander's ears. But he couldn't resist. "How about you, Rei? What do you think of yourself?"

She furrowed her eyebrows once more, so subtly he would have missed it if he wasn't watching her closely. She said slowly, "I do not have an opinion on myself. I do not dislike or like myself. Is this normal?"

"Most people have a bit more of an opinion on themselves but it's not unusual to have a neutral opinion on yourself. Plenty of people don't like or dislike themselves. But most people's opinions can change. They can like, dislike or be neutral about themselves all in one day," he explained.

Rei quietly absorbed this information then asked, "Do Shinji and Asuka like themselves?"

"Ah, you're better off asking them that one outright. It's not my place to tell you that information," Kaji shrugged, "Though maybe don't go asking them right away. People get upset being asked things like that off the cuff."

"Understood. Thank you, Mr. Kaji. You've been very helpful," and with that she turned on her heel and left.

He watched her leave, calling back, "It's no problem!"

But she was gone too quickly to reply. Perhaps her questions were for her own benefit and not someone else's, like he had thought.

Asuka ran in nearly right after, breathless after running. Kaji raised an eyebrow, "What's the rush Asuka?"

She said quickly, "Have you seen Rei?"

"Just missed her but if you go now, you can catch up with her."

Asuka nodded, "Thank you, see you!" and with that, ran right back out.

Kaji chuckled. If he didn't know better, he'd think Rei was Asuka's newest object of affection. She'd never admit it outright so he'd just have to see if his suspicions were correct, rather than ask.

There really are a lot of things you can't ask outright, he mused. But luckily, he was in the business of finding things people didn't want to admit outright.

Asuka did just as Kaji told her, racing through the halls until she made it to the tram station. "Rei!" she cried.

Rei stopped right before she boarded the tram. She turned and fixed her with her gaze, "Are you unwell, Asuka?"

"No, no! I just had to run to catch up!" Asuka said between pants, "Can I ride with you to the surface?"

Asuka's physical condition wasn't quite what she meant but she decided to not say as much. Instead, she asked, "Wouldn't you like to with Shinji or Nagisa?"

She shook her head, "Nah, I bet they'll be glad for the alone time together."

Rei tilted her head slightly but didn't ask further. She stepped on, "Very well, let's go together."

They sat down and the tram started, jostling them first then going still as it glided up to the surface. Rei spoke up, "Why did you want to ride with me? You could have gone alone."

Asuka shifted uncomfortably in her seat before she answered, "It's better than going alone!"

Rei nodded, "I'd suppose so."

Asuka leaned back, hoping when she got comfortable, she'd relax. She didn't really regret her decision but she would admit she hadn't thought it through completely. The silence was getting to her too so she said, "I was bored and it's better to do stuff with people. So I figured I could walk you home! And Shinji and Kaworu can spend time together too."

That would kill two birds with one stone. Asuka Langley Soryu was a genius and not just because her college degree!

"If you wish to, you may," Rei told her.

Asuka grinned and leaned back, folding her arms behind her head. She was going to have Rei acting normal in no time at all!

Once the tram emerged onto the surface, they exited. Asuka blinked in the harsh sunlight. Rei simply waited for her to gain her bearings. Once she did, she asked, "How far off is your place anyways? How long will it take us to get there?"

"It's a thirty minute walk, or specifically twenty eight minutes and a half on average."

"And here I'd think they'd put you closer to the Geofront in case of an attack," Asuka scowled.

Rei fell in place beside her, matching each step of hers, "If there's an Angel attack, Section Two reacts quickly to bring me to the Geofront."

"It still must suck to be so far from everything."

"It has not been an issue thus far."

Asuka's scowl deepened. She had to tell herself that Rei wasn't arguing with her on purpose and was simply saying what she felt. Or maybe what she had been "programmed" to say. She shook her head, "It's still not right."

"It's where the Commander wants me to be."

Asuka had to bite her tongue to stop herself from snapping that she didn't care what he wanted. You could squeeze more empathy from a rock! Comfort was not a factor to him; only how those under him could serve him. She calmed herself with fantasies of "accidentally" destroying his office with Unit Two.

Rei said nothing, her eyes trained forward as they walked. She thought about her companion. Asuka was so unlike herself. She was loud and reckless; so many of her actions were "filler" and seemed to serve no true purpose. She fidgeted, made gestures with her hands when she talked and said all sorts of things that didn't really matter. After all, did it really matter where she stayed was "good" or "comfortable" if it got the job done?

All that meant something to Asuka and made her so different. Rei didn't really know what to think of her.

Shinji was kind to her, enough she might call him her first friend. He had taken on the burden of piloting the Eva so she wouldn't have to. Afterwards, he had reached out to her almost immediately and seemed to want nothing out of her but companionship. He even made time each week to visit her but, like Asuka, complained about her living situation.

Nagisa was a mystery, so familiar but hadn't yet interacted with her enough for her ponder him further. To the Commander, she meant something to him—but when it came down to it, she was to be a means to an end. To Dr. Akagi, she was merely a patient. She could tell Akagi had deeper, darker feelings towards her but treated her well enough. She had no idea what her classmates thought of her. Aida, Suzuhara, Horaki...they all treated her kindly but impersonally.

Asuka had barreled her way into her space and was taking up so much of it. Rei didn't find herself minding nearly as much as she could. She could tell Asuka didn't know how to always behave around her, as if she had some innate instinct she was different but yet...she was kind anyway. Another action without reason. Yet again...Rei didn't mind it. Asuka was loud and reckless but had not yet been cruel to her.

Soon enough, they arrived to her building. Asuka stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, "That can't be where you actually live," she looked up at the rundown apartment complex.

It could only technically be called liveable. More than most of the windows were missing and it was completely unpainted, instead showing bare concrete. There was a couple of areas that had caved in and from them, twisted pieces of rebar poked through like claws.

"That is my place of residence," Rei confirmed.

"Shinji was right, how could they put one of their Eva pilots in that dump? Are you sure?!"

"Corr-"

"This is unforgiveable!" Asuka cut her off, fuming, "I'm gonna go complain to Misato right this minute!"

"Shinji has already informed her of my living situation," Rei said.

"Well, he didn't do a good enough job of complaining!" she jabbed a finger at herself, "Unlike me, who is pretty damn good at it!"

Rei didn't respond, only giving her a final glance before she moved on, "Whatever the case, I must go home now."

"I can't take you in there with a clean conscious!"

There was a slight ache in Rei's chest at that but she continued walking, "Then don't come with me."

Asuka shuddered with emotions, too many to pinpoint any specific one. In what was becoming a practiced move, she swallowed them before speed-walking to catch up. "I'll come with you but mark my words, I'm complaining to Misato next time I see her! I'll raise hell!"

Rei didn't understand Asuka's reaction. Was this her own way of showing she cared, like how Shinji cried after pulling her from her plug, a memory that felt so long ago? Both were so odd in how they showed caring. How could she soothe her? "Section Two keeps me safe," she tried.

"That doesn't make me feel much better," Asuka grumbled.

Rei could have pointed out this wasn't just any assortment of guards, that Commander Ikari had assembled the best to watch over her. But she couldn't say that. So she said nothing.

Asuka didn't say anything either, instead letting Rei guide her while she scrutinized the whole thing on their way up. The whole place was deserted. If anyone lived here, it must have been very few. And who knew if those few were decent people. Her mind assembled images of any assortment of criminals, addicts and other unsavory folk.

Apartments like these were built right after Second Impact; built quickly and cheaply to accommodate those who had lost their homes. But now as people left Tokyo-3, they were being demolished. Asuka couldn't be sure if it was simply a fluke this specific complex had been spared or something more intentional.

It didn't make a lot of sense to Asuka as to why Rei was put here. Rei seemed very important to the Commander; both as a pawn and someone sentimental. Putting her here betrayed that there was something more going on. She suspected it was some form of manipulation.

Finally, they stopped at a door with a mail slot stuffed with forgotten envelopes. Rei paid them no mind, instead going on inside. Asuka lagged behind, gathering them. Most of them seemed like junk mail but they were better in the trash. She followed her inside but stopped immediately, "This...this is terrible!" she cried.

Rei said nothing, only sitting on her bed with the softest but appreciative sigh. Asuka dumped the mail into the trash and followed into the main space; a concrete chamber with one wall occupied by a wide window. The only thing that hid the view inside was some beat-up shades. The space was occupied by Rei's bed, a rolling cabinet and a dresser. It didn't appear Rei owned anything of her own at all.

Asuka seethed, "We've got to get you out of here. And if not that...at least to make it less depressing in here!"

Rei blinked placidly up at her, "You're angry."

"Of course I am! Don't you think you deserve better than this?"

Rei looked around the room, her expression shifting into something thoughtful. Asuka continued, "I mean, you're an Eva pilot! Without you, we'd all be dead! Probably!"

"That is...correct," Rei acquiesced.

"So you deserve better than a glorified prison cell!" Asuka threw her arms up in the air, "At least the rooms down in the Geofront, where Kaworu is, look better than this!"

She sat beside Rei and let herself fume. Rei had finished surveying the space and simply stared at the wall, deep in thought. She murmured, "I'm alright, Asuka."

"People deserve to be more than alright, you know that, right?" Asuka looked at her, her anger deflating from her, "Being happy's important too. You don't need to go with "just alright" when things can be better."

Rei didn't respond at first then added, "I'll be alright for tonight. Alright?"

Asuka sighed through her nose, "Alright. But mark my words, something is going to change."

She stood, tilting her head towards her, "I'm gonna head home so...good night, Rei."

Rei looked at her, saying back, "Good night, Asuka."

Asuka let herself smile at her before leaving the way she came. Rei watched her go. Somehow, the room seemed so dark with her gone, as if the sun had set.

She almost wished she would come back.

When Asuka came home, she threw the front door open with a yell of, "Misato!"

The woman in question had been sitting at the dinner table, idly thumbing through a car magazine. But the sudden noise made her jolt up, her chair wobbling dangerously as she regained her balance. Asuka stopped in the doorway and began to snicker.

"That's rude," Shinji commented from the stove where he was sauteing some vegetables.

"Yeah, Asuka," Misato agreed, "You didn't do that just to startle me, did you?"

"Actually no! I walked Rei home and have you seen her living situation?!"

Misato sighed. Here we go.

Shinji whirled to face them, "I know right! It's pathetic!"

For just a moment, Asuka felt the warm feeling of solidarity. Misato cut in, "Kids, I don't know what you want me to do here."

Asuka smirked, "We're Pilots filing a formal concern about our fellow Pilot, You're our superior, so you're obligated to file it for us. We're concerned about Rei's well-being."

In the kitchen, Shinji vigorously nodded in agreement. Misato sighed once more, "I can file this "concern" of yours but I have no idea if it's going to go anywhere. I'm sure the Commander knows all about her living conditions already."

"He probably did it on purpose," Shinji grumbled.

He turned back to tend to his vegetables while Asuka sat across from Misato. She continued her complaints, "I mean, it's basically a concrete cube out in the middle of nowhere! Who knows what kinda people live around there too!"

"Shinji's told me all this before," Misato said.

"And you didn't do anything then?!"

"I really didn't think I had any recourse," Misato shifted uncomfortably, "But I'll file a "formal complaint" just to say I did. Alright? Legally, the Commander is her guardian so his word is final."

"And if he says no?"

"There really isn't anything we can do then."

"There's plenty of places Rei can go," Shinji chipped in, "I'm sure there's some empty apartments in this complex she can come to."

"We can put Kaworu out here too," Misato mused, "Can't be too good for him to be underground all the time. Alright, that's the angle we'll go with: move them both for better team synergy."

Asuka punched her arm in the air, "Thanks, Misato!"

"Just don't get your hopes up," she reminded.

The Commander returned the next day from whatever trip he had gone on. Officially, it was budget negotiations but Misato was skeptical enough to doubt that. True to the children's wishes, she submitted a formal complaint. It detailed the Second and Third Child's concerns about the safety of the First's home and suggested new accommodations for not just her but the Fourth Child as well. The four being in close proximity could lead to better synergy and in theory, better performance in combat. Truthfully, the report reminded Misato of her college essays; a bunch of bullshit she slapped together last second and prayed it passed.

Said report reached the Commander's desk who had just finished reading it. Gendo sighed deeply. These children were getting on his nerves, asking too many questions, bucking against the status quo. Perhaps he should have expected it, what with the powder keg that was the Second dumped into the mix.

Whatever, he'd consider giving them what they wanted. Reports from NERV Germany told of how stubborn the Second Child could be if not given what she wanted and he had even seen a few throwaway reports that suggested his son could get mouthy if enabled.

He couldn't be bothered to deal with the children and their petty concerns. He had bigger things on his mind. As long as it wouldn't affect Rei. And if it did...he'd just have to take drastic measures.

Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that.

Just one test before he made his final decision. He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number. When the recipient picked up, he said, "Rei, I would like to meet with you tonight. Yes, just like last time. It's just a check-in. You remember where? Be there by eight. Goodbye."

A click and she had hung up. He had been meaning to do a check-in with Rei as she had been in a major battle while he was gone. Katsuragi's report gave him further reason to. He hadn't really known what to think of the plan to defeat Israfel but it worked so frankly, that should be all that mattered in the end. Still, part of it was spending a lot of time with the other Children—no doubt a factor in them wanting her to move. Thus, he had to reevaluate her.

That night came and with it, came Rei and their dinner. Gendo hadn't yet begun to eat, instead clasping his hands in front of his uneaten steak. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Rei also hadn't begun to eat, sitting as straight as a plank, "I am well. I have no pain and am in optimal condition. I was not injured in the battle with the Seventh Angel."

"Good, good," Gendo nodded, "I heard of the preparations that went into that battle. You spent time at Captain Katsuragi's home with the Second and Third Child, correct?"

"That is correct."

"Do you want to tell me how that was?"

"The training worked well to allow me better synergy with my teammates. The Third Child seemed to enjoy my presence, the Second less so."

That was about what Gendo expected. For quite some time now, his son and Rei had formed a sort of friendship. He was still deliberating whether it was detrimental or not to the wider Scenario. Shinji could swing Rei away from him but also their friendship made a useful blackmail tool.

The Second Child was obviously warming up to Rei as well, if Katsuragi's complaint report was anything to go by.

He continued, "I heard they do not like where you are living."

"I told them it was adequate."

"That would be correct. Captain Katsuragi suggested I move you into her apartment complex. How do you feel about that?"

This actually seemed to catch Rei off guard and for good reason; it wasn't often he gave her a choice like this. He was simply curious of her answer.

She answered slowly, "I will do whatever you deem I must. But I am curious of what it might be like. I don't see how it would be any different from where I live now but the Third and Second believe it would be."

Interesting. He said, "I will allow it but you must answer some things before."

"Of course."

"Would such an arrangement affect your continued duty to piloting?"
"No."
"Would it affect your place in the Scenario?"
"No."

"When the time comes, you will fulfill your duty as per the Scenario?"

"Yes."

He nodded, "Then I will allow both your and the Fourth Child's move. Speaking of, what do you think of him?"

"The Fourth Child...Nagisa?"

"Yes."

Rei actually furrowed her eyebrows, a rare show of emotion, before she admitted, "I don't know. He's different. He seems close to the Second and Third Children though."

No such luck then. The Fourth was an unknown variable and that was more fuel to letting him move out of the Geofront. Get him away from precious assets. He said, "We will have him test both Unit 00 and 01 soon."

"In case either I or the Third fall in battle."

"And we haven't the time to replace you."

If Rei was affected in any way by the casual remark of her replaceability, she did not show it. But internally, Asuka's remark came to mind.

"You're not replaceable and you're certainly not some doll."

The Commander unclasped his hands, "Anyway, Rei. Let's eat."

As they ate, Rei did a lot of thinking. These dinners were nothing new. The pair had them every so often. The Commander would ask her how she was doing, she would answer and they would eat. At one time, she would find them pleasant, a scrap of attention in a lonely life. But all she could think of was how dinner was like at Katsuragi's. It was loud and lively, such a difference from the quiet dinner here. Here, she was going through the motions.

"How is your time at school?" the Commander asked.

"I am having no trouble."

"Good, good."

They continued to eat. It bothered Rei how much the silence bothered her.

"When you go home, it's best you prepare for your move. No doubt Captain Katsuragi will waste no time moving you into your new home once she gets news."

"Of course."

The prospect of new quarters was curious to Rei. In all her life, she had only lived in two places. One was a dark room deep inside the Geofront and the second was her current living space. The two were so very similar; simple, rudimentary and ultimately...plain. In this new place, she seemed like she would have more control as to what she could do. And she'd have something she didn't have in those previous two places: people she knew close by.

Her entire life was built on long stretches of time spent alone for those two spaces were also isolated. The people she had known best were the Commander, Dr. Akagi and the Vice Commander. And all three only interacted with her on their terms, never her own. At one time, this didn't bother her.

But now, it bothered her how much it bothered her.

News came to Shinji and Asuka the next day. They went to school, came home, did homework then lounged around until Misato came home. A mirror to how Asuka had come home a few days prior, she threw the door open with a cry, "The Commander agreed!"

The pair sat up with a jolt, "He did?!" they chorused.

Misato came into the living room, shedding her jacket as she did, "I'm as surprised as you two are but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth."

Asuka jumped up from her chair, "So when's it happening? And where is she going?"

"We're putting her down the hall," she pointed to the right, "Her n' Kaworu are gonna be neighbors. Since there's no school tomorrow, I figured we'll do it then. I've even roped Kaji into helping. I might need some additional help though…"

To her surprise, Shinji jumped up too, his face full of determination, "I'll be glad to help!"

"Me too, it's kinda my fault we're doing this anyway," Asuka agreed.

"And here I thought you two were going to fight me," Misato shook her head.

"Ye of little faith," Asuka scoffed.

The next day, they went to Rei's home first. As they pulled up to the derelict apartment complex, Misato commented, "You kids really weren't kidding."

"You say that like you didn't believe us," Asuka grumbled.

"I believed you but I thought you might have been exaggerating. Totally different seeing it rather than hearing about it," she defended.

The trio got out of the car and headed in, letting Asuka take the lead. She said, "We'll have to take the stairs. Elevator's out, y'see."

"Can't say I'm surprised," Misato sighed.

They took the stairs up to the third floor, Misato eyeing their surroundings with a critical eye. Her expression said it all; she was not pleased. Asuka wondered if this whole trek might inspire some new skepticism of her superiors. Finally, they reached Rei's door which Shinji knocked at.

To his relief, Rei opened the door and looked them over. She commented, "I was only anticipating you and Asuka."

Misato raised an eyebrow at her use of Asuka's first name but said nothing on it. Instead she said, "I wanted to take a look at the place. And it'd be pretty irresponsible to let these two go by themselves after I made such a stink about it being unsafe."

Rei nodded and let them in. The space was even more barren than it had been. The counters, dresser and side table had been cleared of items which were packed into a mere two boxes. The bed was pushed up against the wall, as if Rei anticipated getting a new one. Shinji commented, "This won't take long at all!"

Asuka frowned, "This is all you have? Just two boxes?"

Rei looked at the boxes then her, "This is all I've needed."

Misato commented, "Sheesh. Kid, we need to get you some, like...stuff."

Asuka crouched to investigate the boxes. One held a few school uniforms, a white bath towel, some undergarments and some mostly empty bath products. The other seemed to mostly hold medical supplies, like bandages and various prescriptions. What stood out was a black glasses case. Weird, Rei didn't wear glasses. She reached out to grab it.

Shinji smacked her hand and whispered, "Don't touch that."

Asuka hissed back, "Why not?"

"It's important to her."

Asuka scowled at him, wanting nothing more to snap at him for touching her. But she swallowed her fury and stood straight, putting on a cheery demeanor, "Misato's right. We've got to go shopping and get you some stuff!"

"Stuff...like what?" Rei asked.

"Like more clothes and stuff for your apartment! It's gonna look empty!"

"That's a problem?"

Asuka sighed, putting her hands on her hips, "Listen, Rei. People don't typically live in the bare minimum. If you do, you get no happiness out of life. Clothes you "don't need" or things to make a place look nice have a purpose...to make you happy."

"Happy," Rei trailed off.

Picking up one of the boxes, Misato agreed, "She's right. It's like a thing that if you deprive yourself of material pleasures, it affects your mood."

Shinji picked up the other box and with that, they filed out. Rei wondered as they left how one should feel leaving a place they had lived at. Were they supposed to be sad? She didn't feel all that sad. In fact, she felt a tiny tug in her chest at the idea of going somewhere new. Somewhere she would have to furnish with things that made her "happy". Somewhere she could be near people who wanted her there, instead of merely keeping her around for a purpose.

Lots of stories she read had their characters sad when they left home. So if she wasn't sad, did that mean this wasn't really home?

The entire way to the car and then inside, she pondered this. As they drove away from the deserted apartment bloc, she decided leaving this place and going to a new home was a good thing.

Author's Note:

I was already pretty proud of the original of this chapter so am pleased all I really had to do was tighten it up and clean up the flow! Kaworu and Asuka's first conversation should also serve to fill in the gap of Asuka's knowledge because when you think about it, she wasn't exactly privy to all the ~secret lore~ in the original series. Some other conversations have been similarly "fluffed up", all to lay tracks for character development!