Shinji only spent two days in the hospital before being cleared.
Compared to sixteen hours of darkness, the white walls felt refreshing. The last time Shinji remembered laying on that bed was, what, months ago? When the doctors had to extract the bullet from his leg? He was glad to be back to normality, and even more glad to see Misato. With all he learned, Shinji definitely needed the company.
Misato visited as much as she could. Being swamped with work meant she couldn't do full visits. Shinji thought of how he hadn't visited her when she was injured, and frowned. If it happened again, he promised to be there for her. He had to show her he loved her unlike his parents with him. He would not let her think he didn't care.
Thankfully, he had his chance once he left his room. The moment he saw Misato, he tackled her into a tight hug. Misato was caught by surprise, before she ruffled his hair with affectionate longing in her eyes.
"I'm happy to see you too, Shinji. Glad you're okay."
"I'm glad too." Shinji smiled. "I missed you."
She couldn't help but blush at that. "Same here. Pen-Pen's been begging for you to come back."
"That's not a surprise. Not jealous are you?"
"Am not! Thoooouuughhhh maybe you could teach me some stuff so he won't get hungry."
"I can try."
Misato took him by the hand, and walked him out from the building. They traversed the escalators and hallways to return home. On the way, she explained her situation to him.
"I would have met you sooner, but the Committee were on my ass. Those bag of dicks learned you were trapped in an Angel and wanted to bring you in for questioning."
"About what? I hardly remember anything that happened while I was there."
"I know, and I told them as such. They didn't believe me, so I had to argue with them for hours. They didn't think about your well-being, just what they could learn from you."
"Well, thank you for keeping them away."
Feeling guilty over having to lie, Shinji tentatively raised Misato hand to his lips and kissed it. She did the same in response, lowering her head to kiss his own hand back.
"You're awfully happy, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I wanted to show you how grateful I am."
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to show me once we get home."
She let go of his hand to place her arm over his shoulder, pulling him to her. Shinji praised himself for not stammering immediately once he felt his face pressed against the side of her chest.
"I guess I will… actually… I wanted to talk to you about… that…"
He didn't want to put it off any longer. Searching for anyone who'd listen in, Shinji grabbed a hold of Misato so she would face him directly.
"Misato… when we… had sex…"
Sensing where the conversation was going, Misato nodded at him.
"I know, it was wrong of me to do that. It won't happen again if you don't want to."
"No, that's not it!" Shinji stopped her. "I just wanted to say… I'm… sorry."
Misato was bewildered by the apology, so much that she had to do a double take.
"W- What for? I was the one who pushed you into it. I know what I did!"
"I wasn't happy, sure." He admitted. "But it wasn't you… or, because of you but- alright, I felt terrible afterward. Not just because it happened but… when I saw you, you seemed so far away and… I couldn't help but feel like I wronged you. Like you weren't happy. Did you really enjoy yourself? Is there something about… sex… with me that made you angry? I'm sorry, I just…"
His voice trailed off, but he didn't need to continue. Misato's face broke into a sad, frustrated scowl.
"You didn't do anything wrong, not really. Sex is… it's complicated for me. I wanted to do it with you, for a while actually. But I wanted you to love me and to keep loving me, which I was worried that if I showed that part of myself, the part I hated, you'd see me as… dirty, I guess. Sex is something I do to make people to notice me, it's the way I connect with people, but I can't stand it at the same time."
"… I don't understand…"
"I know. It's confusing. It's kind of like hating beer but the only thing you can brew is a cold one. I'm stuck like that, wanting people to love me but having to use sex to reel them in. I wanted to save that for as long as possible until you were ready. You… weren't. I'm sorry. I love you, to be clear, please just…"
"I don't hate you." Shinji said truthfully. "After all that happened, I can't. I think I get what you mean… it's like piloting for me. I don't like it, but if I wanted someone to notice me I'd have to do it."
Misato shook her head. "You never have to pilot for my love, Shinji. Remember that."
"I will." He knew, but was glad to hear it all the same. "I don't fully get it, but I want to. Do you think we can… try it again? Just to see what would happen?"
If her earlier shock didn't throw her off, the suggestion coming from Shinji of all people almost made her trip backwards into the wall. Misato had to pause and process the implications.
"Shinji, you really don't have to. I mean it, you don't have to do anything for me. I'm dirty-"
"I'm dirty too!" He interrupted her. "I marked my territory remember?" Neither could help but chuckle at the reference. "I don't have other people, Misato and… I want to be with you. You're the one person who's made me happy and I want to see all of you. Sure, sosoon after Toji was bad, but now I really think we can make it work this time."
He put her hands to his cheeks, pleading for her to see things his way.
"I'll do anything you want, please. Can we…?"
At his honest words, Misato's lips curved into a soft, warm smile.
"Sure. Yes." She emphasized to confirm it for herself. "All I need is a phone call, and we'll get the week to ourselves. As long as Angels don't attack…"
"Sounds good." Shinji nodded, letting her hands fall free. "It'll be nice to spend quality time with my Misato."
He couldn't help but feel disappointed when Misato laughed at that. He didn't hold it against her too much, as her laugh was adorable to listen to. Shinji took her kiss to his forehead as consolation.
"Yeah, I guess you are mine huh?" Misato winked. "Let's go."
Ignoring the world around them, they departed for their room, beginning their blissful week together.
Monday
Kaji's watermelon patch had been stripped down. Just like his room and his office.
There was hardly a trace of the man's presence at NERV. He just… vanished, from the building and everyone's collective memory. No one mentioned him, a thought that drove Asuka mad even when it didn't. The man was at once an enigma and a blunt instrument that got on people's nerves. In all the time she spent as his ward, Asuka felt no closer to Kaji than when he barged into her life one day looking for Misato.
She felt sad, but mostly, Asuka felt empty. He was quick to abandon her during her first sortie against Gaghiel. Misato hated her, she hardly got recognition from the Commander or anyone else, and Shinji…
"Idiot… I'm sure he's fine now that he's got his precious Misato."
Asuka hadn't talked to him since Leliel. She peeked into his room to check if he was alright, but mostly avoided him. She couldn't face him, not after he saved her life yet again. With nothing to do she went back to the Geo-Front to distract herself. Asuka was at one grateful they cleared Kaji's and disappointment she wouldn't even have a positive memory about him.
Still, a lack of watermelons was better than watching them go sour on their own. Shinji's watermelons, ones he had been so passionate and smug about growing, ones that Kaji praised over hers, had rotten in his absence. When was the last time he tended to them? Probably ignored them in favor of pleasing that bitch again.
Well, he might failed, but Asuka wasn't willing to accept defeat. After her first crops backfired, she planted another set of watermelons just near some bushes. They were growing well according to her research. Hollow, light green, demonstrating great potential.
"If only Kaji could see them now." She chuckled. "But he had to get transferred. He didn't tell me."
It was the story she was told and really why shouldn't she believe it. Why give her attention now when he hadn't before? Ironic with how much he treated Misato as his true love when she was the one to swam away, or so she heard. If Misato wasn't going to give him anything, why bother sticking around? It'd just be her alone as she usually was. She didn't care.
"I can only count on myself." Asuka sighed. "I'm always going to be left behind…"
The knowledge Misato hated her served as a tough but bitter pill to swallow. The lack of pretension was depressing as it was freeing. At least with open contempt Asuka wouldn't expect comfort from that woman. She wouldn't have to waste her time chasing for approval. She could focus on herself and her piloting. Her field of expertise and the one thing keeping her sane.
Of course, that fact only served to make Shinji more inexplicable and infuriating. Just picked up one day, before gaining the highest sync ratio and most Angel kills. Did he know how much that tormented her? How much Misato hated her? Did he not care, so long as he was lavished with praise? Asuka couldn't bring herself to hate Shinji, but she wished he was an actual rival. If he sabotaged her or left her to die it'd be easier to hate him, to banish him from her thoughts. It'd be easier to avoid feeling guilty.
"I don't think I can bring myself trust him. I can't."
Yet, she couldn't help but think back to days ago, when they went to visit Shinji's mother at her grave. Even after a lousy date, he took her hand and thanked her for coming with him. Asuka hated how she blushed then, but it was the first time she could say anyone treated her like a friend. Looking back, Asuka wondered if there was still a chance to fix things between them, to maybe actually take up his hand of friendship.
"Maybe later. Once I'm done."
She inspected her watermelons again. Taking care to make sure the weeds didn't tangle with each other, Asuka felt proud of her accomplishment. Even if she couldn't make it as a pilot, she had this one thing even Misato hadn't ruined with her touch. It could be quite the relaxing afternoon in the right mood.
"Maybe I can check if Germany has the appropriate weather conditions for this. That'd be nice."
Asuka stood up to catch her breath. As she did, Asuka spotted a brief flash from the corner of her eye.
"Hm?
Something was glittering from behind a bush. Asuka brought her shovel, advancing slowly in case she was being watched. Fortunately, no one was there. It was just a half dug hole with a briefcase.
A briefcase?
"Ugh, what kind of idiot leaves a briefcase out in the open? Good thing it hardly rains in here. Let me get it."
She dug it out fairly easily. There was a lock on the case, which Asuka pried open by punching really hard. The contents nearly spilled from the case, which included a laptop, files, and an ID Badge for a U.N. Inspector.
"Huh? So this is one of Kaji's things?"
Why would Kaji leave something like this behind? He took everything with him, there was no way he would have forgotten his ID badge with him. Maybe it was a spare briefcase? Curiosity peaked, Asuka opened the laptop, which had numerous folders to choose from.
She opened one that read Data Logs. The earliest she found dated back to 2013, around the time he would arrive to Germany.
"Misa-chan's as cute as ever, what nice memories…" Kaji's voice came through, somewhat lighter and relaxed than what she was used to. "Already got started on breaking through NERV Germany's computer system. The JSSDF is going to need as much info on SEELE as we can before we arrest them for crimes against humanity-"
Asuka should turned over the briefcase to the higher ups at once. She had just heard Kaji had been collaborating with the military to betray NERV well before he became her guardian. Revulsion, pain, betrayal, they registered in Asuka's mind. Before she could do something about it, Asuka had to know why he would go through such lengths in the first place. She couldn't do it well in the middle of the forest.
With that in mind, Asuka quietly brought it back to her room for safekeeping.
Tuesday
"Ouch. This isn't good."
Rei cut herself. Again. She placed another bandage on her hand, refusing to let her blood contaminate the lettuce on the plate. She placed her knife back on the table, pouring sesame oil on the salad for extra seasoning.
Commander Ikari never paid mind to her faults, but as his most important tool Rei had been efficient in all things. Since she had been permanently relocated to the base, Rei took the opportunity to cook and asked for small kitchen to practice with. Her room was identical to the apartment room- an intentional choice, as the Commander wanted her to feel right at home- save for the extra space that allowed for a stove and dining table. Commander Ikari would eat leftovers with her before returning to his office.
She wished he would never leave. As stifled as Rei felt in her role, she knew men like the Commander wanted- needed someone to take care of them. She wanted to protect him as much as he protected her from the old men. He hid her away from their all-seeing grasp, preventing them from starting their version of the apocalypse for their own gain. To overthrow them, the Commander and her needed to work together as one.
To that end, Rei tolerated the Sub-Commander and Dr. Akagi. The women hated her, she couldn't bother to care about them. They were important for the scenario, but would be discarded as soon as the time was right. As the centerpiece of the Commander's plans, Rei had to live long enough to fulfill his desires. Otherwise, she needed nothing else
Rei put the finishing touches on her salad when she heard the door open. The sound of hard footsteps made her smile.
"You came."
"As promised."
Gendo smiled at her, as Rei stood up to meet him. He hugged her to him, his arms slightly tighter than normal. He brought his fingers into her hair, brushing them gently.
"I see you have been hard at work. Was this for me?"
"Indeed. You needed this."
"You flatter me."
"Impossible."
Rei took his hand, leading him to the table. He clumsily sat down, sighing.
"I can't tell you what a relief it is to be here. The Committee prattle about everything and nothing, which gets tiring the first time and exhausting every other time. Today, I shaved off some time by sending Dr. Akagi in my place."
"Will they accept that?"
"No. But at this point, I really don't care. I'm hungry."
The Commander ate the vegetarian dish she made, relishing in its taste. He had admitted to Rei long ago that he was a meat eater, but he would try anything for her. Rei liked that he lowered himself to help her. It was only natural. He loved her and Rei supposed she loved him too. He made her after all, how could she not feel something for him?
"Delicious as always, Rei."
"Thank you. I try my best."
"You always do. That's why I trust you."
Gendo wiped some sauce from his mouth, licking it. His gaze didn't reach her eyes, instead staring at the plate in contemplation. The look raised Rei's worry.
"Is something troubling you, Commander?"
He nodded.
"I suppose I am concerned. The Twelfth Angel appeared later than expected. Combined with other Angels dying before they reached our base, I am left wondering how much the Dead Sea Scrolls got wrong."
"Is that not a good thing?" Rei raised an eyebrow. "Would it not be less obstacles for the scenario?"
"Rei," Gendo spoke her name as if she said something ridiculous. "If the Angels appear out of the order, then we cannot trust the scenario as we have understood so far. I cannot proceed without a guaranteed plan. The best thing to come out of our failures has been is the scrapping of the Dummy Plug system, as the Committee won't be able to deploy their own Evangelions against us without it."
In times like these, Rei felt stupid. Of course the Commander understood things in ways she didn't. He was the one in charge of NERV for a reason, she had to trust his judgement.
"I suppose so. We were not able to retrieve the S2 Engine as instructed either."
"Actually, that won't be a problem for us."
"Really?" Rei asked. "How so?"
He thought for some time, before letting out a sigh. A note of finality was heard in the Commander's voice as he continued to speak.
"The S2 Engine is useful, especially as a battery for Unit 01. But by no means is it essential. As long as I have you, we can initiate Instrumentality on our own terms."
Not his? Rei was intrigued by what he meant, but chose not to pry.
"I see."
"Enough about my concerns. How do you do?"
"My sync tests are going well. I do not do much else around the base, Commander."
"Really? The former agent did some gardening, I wonder if you would like to do that."
"I do not see the point of it."
The Commander seemed saddened at that, causing Rei to be alarmed. Did she displease him? Before she could take back what she said, he asked her:
"You do so much for me don't you?"
"Sir?"
"I feel that I have taken you for granted. You were there when my wife was gone, dutifully followed orders when even my son refused to, never strayed from the scenario. You never abandoned me like others have."
He stood up from his chair, circling around to her. Rei felt a shiver come over as the Commander approached. She had her back against the counter.
"I am sorry, Rei." He said earnestly. "I should have focused all of my attention on you instead of wasting my time. I love you."
The words made Rei blush. She wanted to hear them since she was born, but she suspected there was more to the Commander's decision than he was letting on.
"I do not have a problem with fulfilling your scenario. I was made for it."
"Yes, and now I am going to change it. You are all I'll ever need."
He raised am ungloved hand to her cheek, caressing it with tenderness and something else. Rei felt tension form around her body, her face continuing to flush from his touch.
"Are you saying… you will…?"
A kiss.
Rei could feel the hair from his chin briefly touch hers, and the smell of cigarettes. She felt the Commander's hands begin to rub along her sides in want. It was all she dreamed of and more, as Rei kissed back. The Commander knew so much better than her, so his technique was perfect while she was a novice. He didn't care for her faults, as by the time they split apart he was smiling.
"I am a pathetic man, Rei. I have done nothing to deserve happiness yet you give it to me every day. Just being with you makes me happier than I have ever been, even with her."
"I am…" Rei panted. "Honored to hear that, Commander."
"Indeed. I believe it is time we become one."
"I see… yes… I can do that."
Rei began to take off her school uniform. She showed her naked form to the Commander, who's eyes widened in shock and pleased satisfaction.
He took off his own clothes. First came off the jacket that made him seem bigger than he actually was. Then came his shirt, revealing a slender frame that wouldn't be out of place for a musician or dancer. Then his shoes, his pants, until his groin stood to attention.
"It is time, Rei."
"Yes.."
Gendo took her to the bed by the makeshift window, performing the deed with himself on top. And it was so much better than anything had he had ever experienced up to that point.
Paler than Yui, tighter than Yui, better than Yui. Gendo often wondered what his life would have been like if he met her earlier, when they were teenagers and he was just a boy named Rokobungi. In Rei, what he would have named Shinji if he were a girl, Gendo found his answer. Now, he would freely indulge in her without shame.
Yui should have expected this would happen when she left. Gendo knew, he knew on some level Yui would leave him even back at GEHRN. She was restless and unsatisfied even when their son was born. Evangelion was her dream, something they worked on together but really was Yui's dream project. She and Iscariot would meet while he was at work. Yui had been aware of Mary's feelings for her. Perhaps she found a kindred spirit in the woman she couldn't with him?
Or maybe Yui simply hated him. Even though Gendo took her last name to honor her, Yui never extended that courtesy back to him. He put Rei in Unit 01 to collect data, it went berserk trying to kill her. He would demand to know why she did it, and the screens would reveal Shinji's face. She forced his hand to bring him in and only became active when he was in danger. The rejection of the Dummy Plug was the last straw in Gendo's mind.
He waited for his wife to return so long he ignored his life. No more. The moment Instrumentality was at hand, he would reshape the world so he and Rei would be together. Yui would be punished by being forced to watch Rei take her place, unable to do anything as they raised Shinji together as a happy family. Like how things should have been. If Yui was going to abandon him, then Gendo would move on from her.
For Shinji and Rei's sakes, he would make Yui pay for leaving them behind.
Wednesday
Ritsuko shook in her seat. The cigarette on her lips did little to calm her down.
"He left me to them… just to spend time with her."
Gendo couldn't be bothered to attend a meeting, so she was summoned by SEELE. They had a field day stripping her naked for their perverted eyes, as the old men pontificated on the scenario being off track from their plans. All because the Dummy Plug system failed. In the end, they shared a hearty laugh at her expense and sent her away, humiliated, defeated, beaten. SEELE were horrible, ignorant fools who'd doom the world at a chance for power.
She was a horrible, ignorant fool for obeying them.
The next day, Ritsuko noticed a change in the Commander. He was colder to her than usual, ignoring her completely while he watched Rei in the tank. Worse still, when the session was over he showered Rei with compliments and fond gazes that she'd seen before. They were the same ones Misato gave to Shinji during sync tests or when Ritsuko caught them in Misato's office. Gendo would hold Rei's hand and they talked amongst themselves in her presence. The two almost seemed like a couple, a thought that made her sick.
Ritsuko was sick, knowing Gendo always held this affection for Rei, and even more sick for being jealous. The man would rather have a teenage girl over her. The cigarette burned fast. Ritsuko lit up another one.
She felt so alone. Ritsuko hadn't seen Misato since she decked her across the face. Misato took a week-long vacation, so she and Shinji would stay in their quarters for the foreseeable duration. Wasn't that just foreboding? There was no way they weren't fucking by now. God, what would Kaji have said if he knew how a boy got one over him.
Kaji. The truth of his death made her stomach twist in terror and shame. He was a good friend. A thorn by her side, one that had to be disposed of for the scenario, but even now she wished she could just talk to him. He wouldn't be so judgmental over her flaws, wouldn't bruise her into compliance. Just a disappointed glare at best.
He didn't deserve to go out the way he did. Found and beaten within an inch of his life, then shot by the woman he loved. His back up disks found and destroyed, rendering his work moot. Ritsuko felt a kinship with Kaji over that last detail. Her work at NERV felt exactly like that most of the time.
Her mother was the one who made the MAGI, she was just looking after it which anyone skilled with computers could do. She went over scientific notes and paperwork for the Commander, hardly a skilled job. She was just a tool for Gendo, nothing more. Tools like the tank of Reis floating around her.
Would that be her fate? Did Ritsuko consider herself like the dolls wearing Rei's face? Just bodies swimming in the LCL, giggling without a thought in their minds? What would happen if the Rei walking around died, Ritsuko wondered with morbid curiosity. Rei II didn't remember anything from Rei I. Would the Commander treat Rei III differently? Or would he not care, so long as he had what he wanted?
Ritsuko tapped the button on the console. She could destroy them now, just to see what would happen… unfortunately, Ritsuko heard someone enter the room before she could make a choice.
"Sub-Commander."
"Rude to greet your superior officer, Doctor."
She put the cigarette away as Mary Iscariot smirked at her.
"Go away."
"I see you're on edge." Mary Iscariot waved her off. "Still shaken up from SEELE's enhanced interrogation? Not gonna lie, that was rather cruel of them."
Acting like a friend, even though she did nothing to stop it from happening. Ritsuko wanted to choke her.
"I want to be alone, if you don't mind."
"Nonsense. Mind if I smoke?"
She raised her hand, waving it for a cigarette. Ritsuko handed her one in the hope Iscariot would go away. Mary lit it up with her own lighter, dashing that hope.
"Insane how things are proceeding, huh?"
"Tell me about it."
Mary raised her left hand to her face. The hand was gloved to prevent others from seeing the terrible creature embedded in it.
"I can feel Adam wriggling. Gross, honestly. I guess Gendo didn't want to get his hands dirty when the time came. Or maybe he didn't want to cause Third Impact while he's fucking his doll."
"Like you wouldn't."
"Haha, not funny. Rei's too passive for my liking. Personally, I like to play with people with attitudes. They're so wound up, it's nice to help a girl to help out every now and then. Gendo's got his toy to play with, don't see why we can't fool around."
Ritsuko's lip twitched. "You don't have to pretend. I know where your real loyalty lies."
"Do you now?"
"You're obsessed with Yui, just like Gendo and everyone else. You want her back."
"Not enough to fuck her clone."
"Big deal. You're just using me like he would have. I'm not going to lower myself to you, I don't even… like girls…"
Mary chuckled.
"That's not what Kaji told me."
Ritsuko blushed, cursing the man for his blabber mouth.
"It was a long time ago. Misato and I weren't like that. I like men."
"You make it sound like it's either or. People have preferences, but you can't deny how you feel. About Gendo, about… hm, who else has your eye? That Ibuki girl? She's cute, I bet she'd clean our your stockings if you let her."
"She's just an assistant." Ritsuko violently shook her head, ignoring the mental image. "Nothing more than that. I don't see her that way."
"But you've thought about it. Don't deny it, I've seen where you looked."
"…"
"Of course, if young girls don't do it for you…"
Mary placed fingers under Ritsuko's chin. Ritsuko made no effort to move away, not even when Mary went even closer, brushing over her lips.
"… I can play the part just as well."
Just like that, Mary kissed. Ritsuko went stiff from the sensation. Eventually, she allowed Mary to kiss her, giving in to her desire. She hadn't felt anything in so long, been betrayed by men like Gendo and the Committee too many times to count, that even this was a relief to her. Mary separated to smirk again.
"The two of us can accomplish anything together, even getting sweet revenge on the man who killed your mom and made you feel unwanted."
The promise was too good to be true, as was this moment. Ritsuko knew she was being played for a fool again. Even so, she kissed Mary back without a hint of hesitation.
"Okay… I'll do what you ask… just…"
Mary kissed back, eager and wanting.
"Yeah, I'll love you."
She then kissed along Ritsuko's collarbone, which made the woman felt more loved than in her entire life. She didn't care about anything else, so long as anyone paid attention to her, Ritsuko would do whatever was asked of her. She'd kill if she had to. Mary began to whisper softly into Ritsuko's bosom, unbuttoning her blouse.
"Do you mind clarifying something for me?"
"Hm?"
"Katsuragi is awfully protective of Shinji. Do you know anything else about that? I'm thinking it could be a good tool to ensure her cooperation in the future."
Maybe it was the stress, or how long she had been without someone to vent at. Ritsuko spilled the truth.
"I think Misato might be having an affair with Shinji."
And for the first time Ritsuko had seen her, the Sub-Commander dropped her smirk. Mary raised her head up, meeting Ritsuko's eyes.
"Elaborate."
Thursday
They assumed the worst when Kaji hadn't reported back in days.
Much as it pained her, death was expected in the military. Soldiers died every day, whether on the battlefield or performing espionage. Their deaths were justified as part of serving the country, the government, the people, whatever the propaganda tool used that week. The JSSDF lost a spy, so send another. They wouldn't have the years worth of good standing Kaji accumulated, but that could be turned into an advantage. The spy would have a low profile and be able to sneak around NERV without drawing suspicion. A low-level peon would do.
The preparations were underway, before the higher ups received a coded signal from Kaji. Upon deciphering it, the message read to rendezvous at an abandoned warehouse near the lake, below a cable-car ride. A usual meeting spot for Kaji and agents.
The higher ups were suspicious, as they ought to be. He would usually call ahead of time, this has the makings of a trap. However, Kaji was holding on to relevant information that could be used against NERV. They couldn't afford to let it go.
It was why Agent Pilate sat behind a wall, drinking her tea in peace. There was no reason to hurry in her mind. The warehouse had plenty of escape routes, some leading underground to a sewer. If the worst came, Pilate was prepared to die and be branded a traitor. No child joined the JSSDF without preparing for the inevitable and Pilate had wasted years of her life for them. All outcomes were to be expected.
The sound of footsteps. Pilate nodded her head as she heard a knock on the door.
"The clear day in the rainy season. The madder red of twilight appeared…"
"And vanished instantly. We both know why we're here, so let's cut the crap."
The sound of a young girl's voice made Pilate narrow her eyes.
"… you're not Kaji."
"No I'm not. Colonel Asuka Langley Soryuu ala Shikinami. Second Child of NERV. Pleased to meet you."
Where was he? Agent Pilate brought out her gun.
"What pray tell are you doing here? This was supposed to be a clandestine operation."
"He's dead."
Her eyebrows shot up. She searched the room, finding boxes she could use for cover.
"Unfortunate."
"I bet it is. I stumbled across Kaji's files by accident and heard everything. I had someone help me crack the codes so I could send you a message."
"Who was it?"
"Unimportant. I'm not going risk their life until I know the truth."
"I see." Section-2 hadn't arrived yet. Pilate decided to buy time. "What do you know?"
"NERV is run by a cabal of degenerate fucks who want to turn everyone into orange goop so they could rule over crap mountain for all eternity. You have info on them from a source, but haven't been able to track down Adam and Lilith's coordinates. If you destroy them, Third Impact won't happen."
"Then you know what's at stake."
"Hell yeah I do. I couldn't believe it…" The girl's tone turned irate. "NERV was just a lie and I'm the dummy being used for their twisted games. Kaji was killed trying to stop them! Unforgivable."
"That's why we're trying to stop it. Unfortunately without critical information we'd have to send an invasion force to destroy NERV if necessary."
"It won't come to that. I can get you what you need. In fact, you won't even have to do anything at all."
Arrogant, was she? Agent Pilate couldn't trust the girl, not yet. This was far too convenient.
"How can I know you're being truthful? You're a pilot, who's to say you won't betray us to them? Where is Section-2"
"Please, they're pitifully easy to dodge." The girl waved her off. "NERV betrayed me the moment they brought me into this world. The Bundeswehr can confirm my record. Give me a chance, and I'll help you take these guys down."
"You're just a girl. Espionage is a game for grown ups."
"I was born to grow up. I've never been a child." Agent Pilate felt a tinge of sadness at that fact. "Besides, I'm not stupid. If Third Impact happens everything we've worked for will be fucking pointless."
The risk was too great and promises were worthless. However, Pilate believed the girl when she said Kaji was dead. A young thing like her was terrible at hiding her true feelings. if he was truly dead then they didn't have other options. The fate of humanity was at stake, and this child was their only hope.
"… very well. As proof of loyalty, we want to know what makes up the Evangelions. Give us that information, and we'll let you in."
"Why, so you could make your own Evas? I'll give you plans for the Geo-Front."
"Kaji already supplied us with those plans. Give us what we need and we'll contract your services. That's the offer."
Silence. Pilate felt her arms relax, realizing no one else was coming. The girl took her time to think it through and Pilate swore she heard a curse under her breath.
"Fine. I'll get you your stupid info. I can use the code to contact you again then?"
"What you input has been rendered worthless. Use Code #—- to contact me again."
At that, Pilate heard the girl leave, kicking a pipe before slamming the door shut. Pilate put her things back inside the box and began to run for the sewer.
Children like her were conscripted into wars after Second Impact. Pilots like Asuka were just the next step in warfare. Nevermind a Third Impact, a world where every country had its own Evangelion would result in more pain and destruction. If Asuka does her job, she would be the last soldier in the war against SEELE.
Friday
"Ahhhh, this is the life isn't it Shinji?"
"It sure is. I liked seeing you… all of you. Sorry for not being good enough."
"Don't be. I enjoyed teaching my favorite student."
"Um, well it was nice to hear that from my favorite teacher!"
"Hahahaha, you're so precious~"
Misato bumped her nose against Shinji's own. They smiled at each other, content to just lay in bed, the two of them in their own bubble from the world. Penetrative sex was ruled out, as Shinji wouldn't be able to fill her up for a few years. Even without that their first time was too awkward for them to try it again so soon.
Instead, they practiced everything else, which Shinji was content with. Just the feeling of her fingers on his cock felt better than any time he touched it on his own. In turn, he got to make her moan by sucking on her nipples. One time, he even fell asleep that way, much to his embarrassment when he woke up.
Time flew fast as they made each other cum each day. They ignored calls and knocks on the door to be with each other. They could not resist the pull for another round. So soon after finishing, Shinji kissed Misato again, rubbing his head between her breasts. He felt so happy, and he could tell unlike before, Misato was happy too. She brushed his hair and kissed his forehead.
"I'm so glad we got to do this. I've never felt safer than I was with you."
"I feel the same way."
"Almost makes me wish we didn't have to go back to work tomorrow."
"I dunno. Maybe we can run away together."
"Hmmmmmm…" Shinji was surprised Misato seemed to actually consider that idea. "I'd like to, but only after the Angels are dead. Then we can have all the time for ourselves Mr Katsuragi."
He smiled at the name. Shinji decided taking her last name instead of the one his father gave him would be amazing. The dream already felt real in his arms.
"Sure thing, Mrs. Katsuragi."
They kissed again, comfortable in their blissful ignorance.
Author's Notes:
I think I hate this Gendo more than the manga version :(
Genuinely, I don't believe Anime!Gendo ever laid a hand on Rei, mostly because I interpreted him as someone so focused on Yui that he wouldn't allow himself to be with a facsimile of her even if he clearly couldn't help but have some affection for the clone of his wife floating naked in the LCL. Even if you think there was something more gross involved, it probably didn't happen how I'm depicting here. This isn't me defending Gendo's honor 'cause at bare minimum he's grooming Rei to be a tool for him which is- shall we say- not good. I'm just clarifying my position here.
It felt right to take a break from the ship to focus on the other players, seeding things for down the line. Can't wait to see how they play out.
Reviews:
Volter: I know BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, beautiful isn't it? Surprised to see anyone bring up A Past to Forget. It was probably somewhere in the back of my mind, though hopefully this fic won't feel as confused about its subject matter as that one.
Achalon: Thank YOU for reading! I hope to wring more tears out of you by the end of this fic.
QUICKM33MZ2005: Just want to clarify, the Angel fought in The Price of One WAS Zeruel, hatched early enough that he couldn't become the powerhouse he is in canon. With Shinji's burst of confidence and shame over Sakura's death, it didn't seem right to me that he'd act ruthlessly toward Toji like you suggested. The hope spot, with them potentially making up only for Toji to die, served to twist the knife the way I wanted to. The dread will only continue to ramp up as this chapter demonstrates.