Evangelion: Redemption (Ch. 17 of 19) - Part 1

[fanfic_mausoleum_n_grill]

Neon Genesis Evangelion

EVA-R Prime Extension

(c) Alex Voutsis

Writer's Notes:

Credit where credit is due to Gainax, etc etc. Evangelion is someone else's property, etc.

Additional Credits to the creators of EVA-R Illustrated Fan Fiction. Find it at http://www.eva-r.com - it is an absolutely brilliant fan fic and essential reading to understand this story. You should have read EVA-R up to episode 53 PRIME before reading this fan fiction.

The other fan fictions that are a part of this storyline are

Light of the Soul/Contact

Light of the Heart/At Last, a Reason

The Runaway

Stand By Me

Another's Touch

Thanks for Caring

House of Cards

In the Shadows

A Wish for Dreamless Sleep

Pandora's Box

Progeny / Second Child

Homeostasis/Transistasis

Faces in the Crowd

Meaningful Gestures

Best Foot Forward

This fan-fiction is intended to continue the story begun in the above episodes.

No Answers / I want You to Stay

The events in this story follow on directly from Best Foot Forward.

(Her hair tied back in a simple ponytail, Asuka Langley Sohryu jogs around the corner and down the final stretch towards home.

The Second Child usually picks either the early morning or twilight evenings to go on her jogs through the streets. The darker, cooler hours are not the safest times to be on the streets of any city, but Asuka isn't really alone - not as long as the NERV security team shadowing her is there.

In the pocket of her sports pants she carries her NERV ID card and just enough change to buy a drink from the vending machine in the apartment block foyer when she gets back. Usually she empties the can before the elevator has taken her up to her floor - but that drink is still far away. Asuka leans forward, picking up her pace, her jogging shoes hitting the pavement in a faster rhythm. This route no longer tires her out; she had planned to extend the run, take a few more turns, but changing it now seems pointless; she'll be leaving soon.

Every street and store is familiar. She knows the faces of the NERV security team well enough to spot them at regular intervals along her route - and they seem to know her habits well enough to be in position well before she reaches them.

When she had started out half an hour before, Asuka had expected this run to be a little bit different. She is leaving - she knows exactly how many times she is going to run this circuit again before she leaves for Germany. She knows exactly how many drinks she's going to buy from the vending machine, which means she can calculate how much money she's going to drop into it before she leaves the country. Working it out, it isn't much money at all.

But this run isn't any different. There isn't any magic in what she sees. Familiar pavement, familiar asphalt, familiar faces on the side of the street - familiar everything.

Asuka checks her watch - nearly time for dinner. This rings a bell in her mind - Shinji had said he wouldn't be able to make it.)

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(Shinji Ikari and his father meet for dinner.

They had not arranged it between themselves, not really. Shinji had asked Commander Fuyutsuki to ask his father; a quiet question after a synch test, the Third Child's eyes down. It had been the first time in the old professor's memory that the young man had ever asked him for anything, or even addressed him except in response to an direct order.

Fuyutsuki had gone to the father and told him of what his son wanted. The former head of NERV had no objections.

When Gendo Ikari joins Shinji at a small table in the NERV-catered restaurant within the Geo-Front, he and his son are no closer for having agreed to meet. It took no contact between them. Shinji had not looked into his father's eyes and asked him to meet. It was all agreed on from a distance, and that distance is still there between them.

Neither eat much, for their own reasons.

The father had broken away from his role as Commander of NERV. After his attempt to join his lost wife Yui - a consuming passion that had directed and fueled him for many years - had revealed itself to be a futile hope, the senior Ikari had felt no reason to continue his tenure. He had felt no reason to continue much of anything.

When Shinji and Asuka had returned from Instrumentality they had talked about what they had shared, almost as if questioning if it was real. Both had been frightened of what they had seen in each other's minds, and both had wanted to see more. That need to question is not there between Shinji and his father. They don't ask each other what they remember from that brief time.)

Gendo: (suddenly) Thank you for this.

Shinji: ..

Gendo: You have no reason to reach out. I understand that Sohryu will be leaving soon; you've no need to complicate your life further by.. involving me in it.

Shinji: ..

Gendo: Then..

Shinji: ..

Gendo: Why? There's nothing I can offer you. Trying to be a father to you would be pointless.

(Both push morsels of food around their plate.)

Shinji: I know.

(Glasses glint suddenly, reflecting the resturaunt lights overhead; a trace of the lost commander, the stern figure that greeted Shinji's arrival in Tokyo-3 returns for an instant.)

Gendo: So why are you here?

(He could be at home. He could be with Asuka, spending what time they have left together in some pointless way that she might think up. In the past few days Shinji has subtly surrendered to nearly every whim of his fellow pilot. He remembered having his arms around her. He'd much rather be there with her than here, with his "father.")

Shinji: I think.. that I'm trying to understand the things you've done.

(Things that Ikari has done to him, his own son. Things he has done to his school friends, like Touji. The dangers that Lyn endured in the hybrid Unit 06, built on his father's orders. Shinji, immobilized by his father's orders during the attack of the 15th Angel while Asuka fought herself on the city surface, trapped in the creature's gaze. And then, in a small section of the Third Child's memory rose the things that were done to Rei. Things that were separate from the other things because they were too.. wrong. Much too wrong to think about here.)

Shinji: I have a.. an image, I suppose you can call it. It's you, doing all these things because of mother, because of how much you loved her.

Gendo: (closing eyes)

Shinji: But the things you've done.. the things you've made me and the others do.. (shakes head) I can't.. fit that into the picture. I know it's just a fantasy, a.. romanticized image, I guess.

(It would be an easy way out. "He did it all for love." It would be understandable, almost admirable. But at some point - Shinji doesn't remember exactly where, just when the pain was too much - his father had stepped over a boundary that turned the admirable goal into an inexcusable obsession. He can't forgive. The best he can hope for at this point is understanding - somehow.

They are silent for a moment.)

Gendo: So Shinji.. you want me to admit that what I did was wrong?

Shinji: No, I..

Gendo: ..

Shinji: .. I'm not sure ..

(Shinji falls silent, clearly thinking, trying to form an answer to give to his father. Gone is the cowed boy, the stuttering embarrasment in the face of sure certainty. This time he does his thinking without staring at his feet.

Gendo Ikari watches his son, taking off his glasses and letting them drop to the table. With neither the glasses nor the beard, Gendo appears many years younger - almost an image of Shinji, who now wears an expression of thoughtfulness far beyond his age.

This switch is further reinforced as, without concious thought, Shinji absently folds his hands in front of his chin and continues to ponder his answer.)

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Woman: You're late.

Man: I hit a snag.

Woman: Trouble?

Man: You know I wouldn't be here if I thought someone could be on my tail. Relax, it was just a problem with security on the way out. Slowed me down a little.

(The woman returns her attention to the telescope. It resembles a typical star-gazer scope, mounted on a tripod. The main giveaway is the angle - this telescope is being used to watch the ground, not the sky. And from this small apartment on the twenty-second floor she has a very good view. Seeing the other giveaway needs a peek through the lens. Light amplification, a digital camera and a host of other enhancements reveal that this device was made for something more serious than amateur stargazing.

The man slings his coat over a chair and walks over to the woman - his partner. Beside her is the observation log - notes of what she has seen through the prying eye of the scope. As his eyebrows furrow to decode the shorthand the woman fills in the blanks.)

Woman: Lorenz got back at around quarter past seven this morning. Chauffeured. No visible alert or alarm; no sign that anyone clued in that you were sneaking around in his front room last night.

(The man rubs his nose and sniffles. The woman continues to gaze through the scope.)

Woman: Speaking of which, the team leader contacted me. They want a floor plan from you ASAP - with the works.

Man: Yeah. (to himself) I need a coffee..

Woman: Did you find him?

Man: (checking cupboards) No. He must stuff his mystery man into his briefcase when he goes out or something.

Woman: The whole point of last night's break-in was to find him-

Man: You think I was out strolling last night? He wasn't there.

Woman: Did you get a good look around?

Man: I didn't pry up the floorboards if that's what you're asking. And I didn't risk getting into his computer either. But I saw enough. He lives there alone - lives like a king, but alone.

(The woman shrugs and adjusts the lens of the telescope.

Out, away from small flat, away from the apartment block, over the low buildings of the suburbs, is the subject of the telescope's gaze. Over the river, where development has not reached and sun-baked rocks compete against lush green foliage for control of the Italian countryside, is what these two US operatives - two among a dozen at different locations and vantage points - have been assigned to covertly watch.

The home of Kiel Lorenz, leader of the Instrumentality Committee and an organization known only as SEELE.)

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(A concerned parent might reach out and touch the child's hand, but Rei Ayanami has no need to do so. The First Child just sits beside Tenkei, her eyes on his expression and her mind on his presence.

The boy himself is busy watching someone else - Lieutenant Seyoko Okazaki, who has told him that she will soon be playing "parent." Tenkei watches as Seyoko carefully checks through the unusual equipment she has gathered together for this task - wigs, makeup kits, sets of colored contact lenses..)

Seyoko: Is there anything he needs? Medication, any specific treatment? Allergies?

Maya: None that we're aware of.

Tenkei: ..

Rei: ..

(Maya Ibuki is also present, for similar reasons to Rei - watching over Tenkei, being sure that he is comfortable with what is going on. Soon he will be out of their reach - both Rei and Maya have played parts in protecting him. But the boy chose to be here; he said he was willing to undergo the "mission".)

Seyoko: (to Tenkei) Well? Have you ever gone outside - near flowers or plants - and started sneezing, or your eyes started watering?

Tenkei: (shaking head)

Seyoko: Is there any particular food that makes you feel ill, or causes swelling..

Tenkei: There's.. (thinks) a green vegetable I don't like..

(Looking for the word and finding himself lost, Tenkei looks to Maya for help. The Lieutenant smiles, trying to hide a smile behind her hand.)

Maya: Broccoli.

Seyoko: Broccoli?

Tenkei: (nods, perfectly serious)

(Seyoko grins at the boy. In a flash he is smiling back, his face reflecting the woman's.)

Seyoko: Well, that's normal. (to Maya) He's way too distinctive. Everything about him is a giveaway, the hair, the eyes.. we'll have to leave skin tone alone. There is stuff I could apply to him but it wears out in odd ways. I don't want him going patchy while we're operational.

(The former UNSynaps officer looks through the various dying agents and color groups set out on the table in neat rows.)

Seyoko: So we'll have to work with it, and give him hair that suits the skin. I usually go with wigs, so we might have to shave his normal hair down to-

Rei: (interrupting) No.

Seyoko: Sorry?

Rei: (slowly) I want to avoid cutting his hair.

Seyoko: (surprised) Well, I suppose if it's important then..

Tenkei: Please?

(Seyoko gives Rei and Tenkei a slanted look, then shrugs. She picks a hair cord out from her arranged equipment.)

Seyoko: We'll just have to tie it back then, hide it or color it. I suppose tying it back will do for now. (offering cord to Maya) If you could do the honors?

(Maya accepts the band and wordlessly takes hold of Tenkei's shock of pale hair. Gently she draws it back, binding it in a ponytail - and she freezes.

Ayanami watches, her blank expression hiding how sensitive she truly is. She can feel indecision flowing from Maya, concealed beneath a mask of businesslike efficiency. Rei can feel the young woman's concern. And fear? Something exposed, something revealed. Ibuki doesn't let it show on her face, but something about this greatly worries her..

The moment passes, and Maya ties off the band. Tenkei's near-white hair is now back in a tail, expect for a thick, unruly fringe at the front.)

Seyoko: (picking through colors) Any particular preference for his hair?

(Ibuki hides her worry well from Okazaki, but to Ayanami it is plain to see.)

Maya: We should go with colors that work with his skin tone.. avoid the darker colors?

Seyoko: You're right.. (hand hovers over boxes) Red then. Let's make you into Sohryu's little brother.

(Tenkei looks over at Rei, his golden eyes slightly worried. Seeing his expression, Seyoko considers a little more.)

Seyoko: Blue contacts too. I'd like to shield his eyes a little more with a hat but it might interfere with the wig. Maybe a baseball cap or something.

(Rei watches Tenkei expressionlessly as the red wig is settled over his drawn-back hair. It's not the final appearance, only a rough idea of what the boy will look like, to see how acceptable he will be in "normal society". At the very least, the wig gives her an idea of how the color suits him - horribly.

The First Child releases an faint and rather uncharacteristic sigh. At least color grows out - or can be recoloured.)

Seyoko: Sunglasses, maybe. And we might have to do something with his eyebrows, but they should be fine enough for most people not to notice..

(All this to make Tenkei look "normal". All this to allow him to walk among ordinary people without drawing attention.

He objects to Rei, his thoughts silent to the other women present but clear to the First Child. He doesn't need to be hidden. He can hide himself. He has done it before - concealing himself from NERV security. Men who have been trained for years to track and follow and observe have been unable to see him through the mental cloak he can wrap around himself. He can do it again. They won't see his eyes, or his hair. They won't see him. He'll appear like a perfectly normal and utterly forgettable child. He can even protect the Lieutenant to an extent. Make her forgettable, too.

Rei brushes against his thoughts, reassuring, calming. They needn't know. Best if they don't. Caution. Let them take the precautions they feel are necessary.

Under that, a small fear is growing. If they find out what he can do, the full extent of his abilities, they would continue to find uses for him. She doesn't want to lose him to that.

Tenkei finally nods, a slight shift that neither Maya nor Seyoko notice. He turns his attention away from Rei's thoughts, and back to those worrying blue pieces of plastic that are going to be put in his eyes very soon.

Meanwhile, Ibuki sighs in relief. With an atrocious lack of taste, Seyoko has managed to miss spotting any resemblance. With the wig in place and the poor color choice, Tenkei looks nothing at all like Ryouji Kaji.)

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Asuka: Whatcha doing?

Shinji: Nothing really.

(Her question is upbeat, teasing, curious. His answer is absent and businesslike.

Pen in hand, Shinji Ikari bends his head over the papers in front of him. Every so often he looks to his left, where a folder holding more papers lies open.)

Asuka: You're doing something.

Shinji: I'm filling out a form.

Asuka: I can see that, what's it about?

Shinji: NERV stuff.

Asuka: NERV stuff?

Shinji: (writing) Yeah.

Asuka: Why aren't I filling out NERV stuff?

Shinji: What makes you think you have NERV stuff to fill out?

Asuka: 'Cause normally when you have NERV stuff to fill out I have NERV stuff to fill out.

Shinji: Well this isn't like that. (looks up briefly) What are you doing?

Asuka: Nothing really.

(Asuka turns back to the papers on her side of the kitchen table. Unlike Shinji she isn't writing, but is looking over them closely - blueprints and maps and photographs and diagrams and sketches..)

Shinji: You're doing something.

Asuka: These are maps and stuff from the German branch. I'm going over them for when I go home.

Shinji: (thinking) Home. Well, it is her home..

(Shinji speaks again, quickly, not wanting to think about it.)

Shinji: You'll be staying with your parents, I guess?

Asuka: Haven't decided yet. Might stay in the base - I still have an allocated room there you know.

(Sohryu lets out a short laugh.)

Shinji: Huh?

Asuka: Just remembering my bedroom at home. I've got.. never mind.

Shinji: (writing) No, what?

Asuka: I said never mind.

Shinji: (ducks head) I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.

(Asuka flashes a glance at Shinji - actually at the top of Shinji's bowed head. She briefly considers rebuking him for apologizing, or rebuking him for deliberately making her feel guilty.

Finally she just tells him.)

Asuka: Toys. I've got fluffy toys in my room. Plushies. Lots of them. Bears, bunnies. You know, general huggables.

Shinji: (writing) Oh.

Asuka: Oh what?

Shinji: Nothing, just.. Oh.

Asuka: Nothing is "just.. Oh" with you Shinji. No gasp of revelation? No amazement at my sensitive side?

Shinji: Everyone was a kid once. (pausing) Most people anyway.

Asuka: Well I wasn't. Not really. I hated those fluffy things.

Shinji: (writing) You did?

Asuka: Well yeah! But since I had quarters at the base as well as a room at home, I could at least sleep somewhere else, without them being there. You probably won't understand, but I couldn't throw those things out.. or even give them away. Just as I'd be carrying them to the trash it would be almost as if they were looking at me, with this sad glass-eyed look.. What am I saying, you mastered that look.

Shinji: I suppose I did.

Asuka: Are you paying attention to me?

Shinji: (writing) If you think so.

Asuka: (standing) What the hell are you doing, Shinji?

(The Second Child advances around the table. Shinji is torn briefly between trying to hide the papers, or boldly letting her see them. Caught in the middle he ends up just looking awkward.)

Asuka: (reading) A written request to undergo firearm training? Shinji, what the hell is this?

Shinji: It's nothing.

Asuka: You're not going Aida on me, are you?

Shinji: "Going Aida?"

Asuka: Mad about guns and war and military junk. You know, Kensuke Aida.

Shinji: Oh Aida. No.

Asuka: Then why are you writing up this? Shinji, Misato would kill you if she found out!

Shinji: (lamely) Well.. I've just been concerned.. you know.. with everything.

Asuka: You idiot! At any given moment you're being followed by a dozen security agents. If they can't save you, nothing can.

Shinji: You know all those UNSynaps personnel who came over?

Asuka: Yeah?

Shinji: Well, some of them have been working with security people here. This is one of the things they've changed.

Asuka: Are you saying pilots are going to be given guns?

Shinji: Apparently we've already been given guns - with the survival kit in the entry plugs..

Asuka: I know that Shinji. But they're for shooting, stuff, dangerous animals and things if you eject and happen to land near something like that! Its stupid! I can't believe that you of all people-

Shinji: We'll eventually have to be given the training anyway, I checked.

Asuka: Sheesh. Boys and their toys!

Shinji: Didn't you just tell me about huggable fluffy bears?

Asuka: Yeah, but at least I didn't submit a written request!

(The conversation cuts off for the moment, with Asuka leveling a look of part-outrage part-disbelief at her companion while Shinji looks down at the papers, trying to convince himself that it's not as ridiculous as Asuka says.)

Asuka: Well, if it was anyone else on the planet I'd say you were nuts. But since it's you..

(The Third Child doesn't respond to this. He keeps his attention on the papers, a small frown on his face.)

Asuka: (quietly) I still think it's dumb.

(There is ten, maybe fifteen seconds of silence between the two children. Then Asuka hugs him.

Over the last few days Asuka Langley Sohryu and Shinji Ikari have averaged one hug a day. Her usual tactic is to grab Shinji from behind and squeeze like mad for no apparently reason. She only hugs him inside, in the apartment. She never, Shinji has noticed, hugs him when Misato is in the room.

Asuka has hugged people like this before - mostly Kaji. Shinji had seen her with Kaji a few times, but he remembers them most clearly through the Contact - those memories that Asuka had shared with him. The lunge and hug, cheek pressed against him in a smile, is something she's done before. But the feeling is different. There is something less.. worried. Something less anxious. And yet, more afraid. The quick little gesture is something important to her.

When she grabs him she is taking a risk. She's doing something she does not do often. And Shinji knows that each and every time he has to respond in the right way.

He very carefully turns around in her arms, never fully detaching her from him. Then he hugs back. He can feel that smile pressing into his shoulder. He can smell her all around him. Her body is tense - so is his. She's not the only nervous one.

Asuka is usually the one to end it, finding something to divert attention.)

Asuka: (letting go) Well, you've got your papers to fill out..

(An average of one hug a day. It's becoming something that Shinji Ikari looks forward to; but with a twinge of sadness, he expects it will be one more thing he will miss about Asuka when she is gone.)

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(Meanwhile, another child is leaving.)

Tenkei: You're being..

Rei: ..

Tenkei: ..very brave about all this.

(Strangely enough, this was a situation that Asuka Langley Sohryu would have felt right at home in.

Tenkei and the pilot of Unit 00 are seated in a waiting room in the Geo-Front infirmary - waiting, as it so happens, for Seyoko Okazaki's last check up. The doctors at NERV still don't understand her rapid recovery, and insist on a final medical before she returns to full operational status.

Once complete, Tenkei will be leaving.)

Rei: (turning)

(Rei knows that it is Tenkei who is being brave. He is the one leaving on a dangerous mission to a foreign country. Tenkei is the one who will be threatened, and yet he is saying that she, Rei, is being brave.

Why? Because Rei is taking the risk of losing him. In Tenkei's mind, she is courageous to allow him to leave, to accept the danger of him not returning to her. With this statement, the boy completely overlooks the value of what he is doing and focuses entirely on Rei's happiness.

As mentioned above, Asuka would have found this situation very familiar. This sort of self-effacement, combined with placing emotional danger over physical danger, is exactly what Shinji Ikari would have done. Always exaggerating the consequences to feelings over the consequences to the body - completely ridiculous!

If Asuka were in this position she would eagerly point this out to him, as well as the fact that he's being an idiot. In fact, him being an idiot and making this sort of statement are to be expected, since he is Shinji, Asuka would have expressed. Shinji would have sat there and accepted it, not really willing to open himself up to even more of the girl's attacks, and allowed her to continue berating him. Eventually Sohryu would go to far, and leave them both feeling a little embarrassed about what was said, and unwilling to go over it again.

But Rei and Tenkei aren't like Asuka and Shinji.)

Rei: So are you.

Tenkei: I'm.. afraid. When I find her.. if I bring her back..

Rei: ..

Tenkei: I don't know how you will react to her.

Rei: I don't either.

Tenkei: She might be like you.

Rei: She might not.

Tenkei: You might hate her.

Rei: ..That is possible.

Tenkei: Do you?

Rei: Do I hate her?

Tenkei: ..

Rei: She is.. a threat. When you find her, she might be.. the sort of person you like. After knowing her, you might look back at me differently.

Tenkei: Differently?

Rei: You might see all the things I've done wrong. The things you have overlooked, forgiven because.. you don't know anyone else.

Tenkei: I've seen the things you've done wrong.

(Rei turns to look at him, an alarmed expression in her eyes. The boy touches his arm, where once it had been scalded by a flare of Rei's normally unseen temper.)

Tenkei: They don't make me stop liking you. And I know other people. (looks up) I know Maya. I know Shinji. They are good people. (looks at Rei) But I like you more.

Rei: ..

Tenkei: ..

Rei: ..

Tenkei: Are you alright?

Rei: (quietly) Yes.

Tenkei: You are going pink..

Rei: (blushing) No I am not.

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(Aoi knows it isn't her fault, but somehow that only makes it worse.

She runs, dark hair trailing behind her as she ducks and weaves amongst the pedestrians. Rei's presence is a white glow in her vision, just ahead. The shiver of energy that is Tenkei slides past her, coasting down the street.

Aoi skids to a halt and turns to look, this time with her eyes. An unmarked car drives past, its tinted windows hiding its occupants, but Tamashii knows that Seyoko and Tenkei are inside. She faces forward again and continues, now at a walk.

If she had planned this, expected this, somehow wanted it to happen, then she could have prepared. She could have convinced herself it was for the greater good, that in the end it would make everything better. She'd be able to put on a strong face and ignore anything Ayanami says. But this wasn't her choice, and Aoi finds herself preparing to apologize for someone else's decision.

Someone - probably Katsuragi or Fuyutsuki - ordered Tenkei on this journey, and somehow this is the first Aoi has heard of it.)

Aoi: (thinking) He must have hidden it from me..

(She sees Rei ahead, still watching the departing car.)

Aoi: (thinking) I didn't think he could do that!

Rei: (looking at her)

Aoi: Sorry, I didn't-

(She stops herself.)

Aoi: (thinking) Why am I so afraid of Rei blaming me?

Rei: This wasn't your choice.

(Tamashii is almost grateful.)

Aoi: No, it wasn't. If you'd told me earlier then maybe I could have done something-

Rei: This was our decision.

Aoi: -and then Tenkei wouldn't have to.. what?

Rei: This was our decision.

Aoi: Oh.

Rei: ..

Aoi: So you and Tenkei dreamed this up between you?

Rei: (looks back down street) No. It was Ikari's idea.

Aoi: (disbelief) Seriously?

Rei: (nods)

(The Seventh Child turns and looks back down the street, but the car is long gone.)

Aoi: (turning back) Wow. I didn't think the Commander would come out of wherever he's hiding long enough to take notice of anything, let alone dream this up. I mean-

Rei: (interrupting) I meant Shinji Ikari.

Aoi: ..

Rei: ..

Aoi: Are you trying to shock me today or something?

Rei: No.

Aoi: (shakes head) Shinji. What's happened to this place?

Rei: ..

Aoi: That's almost frightening when you think about it. I'd keep an eye on him if I were you.

Rei: ..

Aoi: And I'm sorry. I didn't expect this.

Rei: ..

Aoi: If they've decided to do this, then I can't just tell them not to. Besides, it could actually end this - or at least tip it in our favor if Tenkei does what he says he can do.

Rei: He can.

Aoi: Maybe. But I didn't mean it to work out this way - bringing him back to you only to have him head off like this..

Rei: ..

Aoi: Sorry.

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(The business of the city and of the technological warren beneath it continues. Preparations for the Second Child's departure likewise advance, with annoying consequences for some.

The next morning is a struggle to get to the Geo-Front in time. Holidays are meant to be a time for relaxation and freedom, something to be cherished. NERV seems to like them as well - since the pilots are no longer concerned with school, they can be called in at any old hour..

What begins as just an inconvenient morning becomes something worse.)

DECONTAMINATION PHASE 15 - XENON CHAMBER

(The sign blinks, smugly informing the pilots of what will happen next. Or actually, to Asuka it seems smug. To everyone else it is just a sign.)

Asuka: No way.

Maya: (speaker) It's necessary for the test.

(Shinji, Rei and Lyn stand to one side, carefully avoiding the Second Child as she gesticulates at the room's speaker system.)

Asuka: Not for my alabaster body! Misato, are you there?

Misato: (speaker, resigned) Yes Asuka, I'm here.

Asuka: Can we not do the whole xenon chamber thing? I hate that thing! Everyone hates that thing! I think even Ayanami hates that thing!

Rei: (blank)

Misato: Like Maya said, it's necessary-

Asuka: I know what it's necessary for, I've gone through it enough times and heard it over and over, but can we not use it? Just this one time? Just so my last few days at NERV aren't ruined by that thing?

(There is silence from the speakers. Then a sigh.)

Misato: (speakers) Asuka, do you know what these tests are for?

Asuka: (petulant) No.

Misato: (speaker) We're modifying Unit Two for the transfer to Germany.

Asuka: Modifying? You're tinkering inside Unit Two? What for?

Maya: We have an engine for-

Misato: We need to fine tune what we know about how the Evas process internal power, so we can make those modifications. These tests are for you, Asuka.

Asuka: (surprised)

Misato: And we have to do this. If this is unfair to anyone, then it's to everyone else in there. They have to go through this for you, you know.

Lyn: (mock bitter) Thanks Sohryu.

Asuka: (sideways) Shut up.

(Ayanami heads into the girl's locker room - like the other pilots, she knows what is to follow. The xenon chamber isn't a regular part of the procedure - instead, it is part of the complete-decontamination process which they only occasionally go through. This is one of those times. Anouilh sighs and heads for the boy's locker room.)

Shinji: It's okay, Asuka. (pauses) Lyn didn't mean it-

Asuka: Of course he didn't mean it! What are you, stupid? (stops herself) Why am I asking this? What kind of question is that? Of course you're stupid!

(Shinji backs of a few steps to stay out of the blast radius. For reasons that have so far eluded Shinji, the xenon chamber makes Asuka more angry than usual. Which is a lot.)

Shinji: (hesitant) There's no reason to get all-

Asuka: No reason? No reason? Use your imagination! (pauses) No, on second thoughts don't use your imagination. The world is a safer place if you don't use your imagination.

Shinji: (blushing suddenly)

Asuka: You used your imagination, didn't you.

Shinji: (blushing) Sorry.

Asuka: (looking down) This sucks.

--------------------------------------------------

(Tenkei's feet ache.

A NERV security car had taken them out of the Geo-Front. They had gotten out at a shopping mall, strolled around, and then drove away in a car from the parking lot - one that that Japanese intelligence service left for them.

They had changed cars half an hour later. They had strolled through a park, used the train, walked some more, used another car, travelled by foot again, and used another car.

That was yesterday. Today has been even more car changing and train riding and walking, taking them out of Tokyo-3. And Tenkei's feet ache. This isn't to say that Seyoko, walking alongside Tenkei every step of the way, hasn't cared for him - far from it. She's shown surprising and slightly alarming concern. For one thing, she seems to take every possible opportunity, or at least it seems that way to Tenkei, to buy him a milkshake or softdrink or icecream.

Of course, he knows these little purchases have purpose. From what Tenkei has felt of Seyoko's mind thus far has convinced him that Okazaki is completely different from Maya or Rei or Aoi. Her thoughts are structured, tightly routined. Their travels through and out of Tokyo-3 have been nothing like Maya and Yuri leading Tenkei through the shopping malls. Seyoko is constantly and sharply aware. Twice now she has almost reacted - almost snatched him up in her arms and ran for the nearest open door. Brushing on Okazaki's mind, he recieves flashes of thought. Gunfire. Shooters. Windows with dark figures and muzzle flashes. Seyoko is on edge, and his safety is her first priority.

Every stop to buy a milkshake or icecream is a chance to look around, get a good feel of the area, and to check if they're being followed. Her thoughts slice the room into sections - advance, retreat, cover, vulnurability, escape route, death trap. And always in her thoughts is a soft spot, an achillies heel standing exactly where Tenkei is. She is constantly considering the possibility that someone will try to kill him.

As he takes a bite of his latest ice cream, Tenkei isn't worried. He redirected the men following them two car trips ago. Seyoko assumes his quiet confidence comes from his ignorance of the danger he is in, and keeps a careful watch.)

--------------------------------------------------

TO PROTECT SCALP AND FACIAL HAIR, PLACE HELMET SECURELY ON HEAD

(The helmet in question rests in an alcove molded into the wall. The headgear is metallic, designed to shield everything above the neck, and resembles a fencing mask. It entirely blocks the wearer's vision, which is the point - without it, the user would probably go blind in the xenon chamber. The radiation isn't friendly to the sensitive cells of the human eye.)

Shinji: (thinking) It's not that good to the rest of me either..

(The catches click into place as he dons the helmet. The Third Child shuffles a little, resisting the urge to grope around for the walls. Setting his feet at shoulder width, he lifts his arms, preparing himself for the treatment. He briefly wonders what he looks like, naked except for a very bizarre piece of headgear. Shinji is momentarily visited by the vision of a laughing Asuka.

He faintly hears the hum of the chamber functioning. Shinji has never seen it, and considering the possible consequences he is happier that way. Light washes over him, pulsing, burning. It a few seconds it is over; he hears a bell tone ring out and he knows it is safe to remove the helmet.

He is greeted - just like all the other times - by the sight of a fine white powder coating his skin. It was his skin, the outermost layer scorched to ash by the irradiating light. The Third Child moves, causing the dusty residue to break away. He runs a hand across his chest; previously there had been a few courageous hairs sprouting there, but now it is bare and smooth. Other places are, well, more bare and smooth.

The white ash trickles gray as he showers - this is not a normal wash with soap or shampoo, but another stage of decontamination with purified water laced with disinfectants and a number of other concoctions that Shinji would rather not know about.

At least this time they get to wear their plugsuits. As Shinji presses the wrist-catch and seals the garment around him, it seems to smell peculiar.. more disinfectant. The suits have been sterilized, cleaned to match the pilots.)

--------------------------------------------------

(While Shinji is completing the decontamination, his roommate is trying something that is proving very difficult for her.)

Asuka: (thinking) Okay.. this will be easy..

Asuka: ..

Rei: ..

Asuka: ..

Rei: ..

Asuka: (thinking) Right. That didn't work. Try again.

Asuka: ..

Rei: ..

Asuka: ..

Rei: ..

Asuka: (thinking) Dammit! Why does this have to be so hard!?

(The two pilots wait on the loading gantry in the Evangelion storage cage. The loading arm has just taken the Sixth Child up in his plugseat, and Shinji hasn't yet arrived. This leaves the First and Second Children both alone, and provides Asuka with an opportunity to speak to Rei while neither of those idiots are around to mess it up.

As messing it up goes, Asuka is doing very well on her own.)

Asuka: (thinking) One step at a time. Open your mouth. Say "Rei."

Asuka: Rei.

Rei: Yes?

Asuka: Um.

Rei: ..

Asuka: There's going to be a party at Misato's place. A sleepover. Everyone's turning up, and I wanted to ask you to come as well. Okay?

Rei: ..

Asuka: ..

Rei: ..

Asuka: ..

Rei: I understand.

Asuka: (brightly) Well I feel better after that, don't you?

(A plugseat is lowered to the loading gantry - Unit 02's. Asuka sits on the seat, momentarily gripping the butterfly handles. The crane arm that will lift her to the crimson Evangelion hisses with mechanical strength.

Asuka realizes that she forgot to tell Rei something.)

Asuka: (calling out) It starts at five or so, tomorrow night!

Rei: Thank you.

(The Second Child is carried out of view, a faintly confused expression on her face at Ayanami's response.

Rei is left alone on the loading gantry for a moment - until the next pilot arrives.)

Shinji: ..

(Like Asuka, he seems to want to say something. Like Asuka, he has a bit of trouble getting it out.)

Shinji: Rei? How.. (hesitates) are you?

Rei: I am alright.

(Shinji checks the wristseal of his plugsuit to cover his discomfort.)

Shinji: I heard that Tenkei's gone already - going to look for the enemy.

Rei: ..

Shinji: I'm sorry. It's my fault he had to go, really. If I hadn't.. you know. If I hadn't wanted so much to do something, then he wouldn't..

Rei: Are you afraid that something will happen to Sohryu while she is away?

(The question surprises him.)

Shinji: ..

Rei: ..

Shinji: Then you already know she's going?

Rei: Yes.

Shinji: (quiet) Yeah. I don't want anything to happen to her. You must feel the same way about-

Rei: (interrupting) You feel that what Tenkei is doing will help make her safer?

Shinji: (surprised) Uh.. well, yeah. If it works. It'll make us all safer, really.

Rei: ..

Shinji: (looks down) But I still feel like I'm.. using Tenkei. I've put him in danger.

(Shinji Ikari finds something disturbing in this; he remembers what he said earlier, to the man he calls his father..)

(flashback) Shinji: Doing all these things because of mother, because of how much you loved her.

Shinji: (thinking) Dad.. is this how it started with you?

(But while the Third Child considers this morbid thought, Rei Ayanami interrupts.)

Rei: Tenkei is going away for a while.

Shinji: (nods) They said a few weeks at most.

Rei: Sohryu is going away forever?

Shinji: (closes eyes) It looks like it. There isn't any other-

Rei: Wait.

(Ikari shuts his mouth and watches the First Child as her face takes on a faint thoughtful look.)

Rei: Tenkei is going for a few weeks, while Sohryu is going forever. And you are apologizing to me?

Shinji: (opens eyes)

Rei: ..

Shinji: ..

Rei: Interesting.

(Shinji Ikari wonders if this is Rei's way of saying "What are you, stupid???"

Maybe he imagines it, but Shinji sees something in Ayanami's expression - a change around the mouth, perhaps around the eyes, that marks the beginning of a smile. On Rei there is too little seen to be sure, but the Third Child finds himself considering the possibility that there is a lot more to Rei than he had ever thought.

Many, many times before Shinji has considered this. He has wondered how she lives, how she feels, how she exists with only the barest contact with the people around her. He has pondered long and hard on the mystery that is Rei Ayanami. Now is a little different - now the mystery is wearing a small, almost invisible smile. In that hint of an expression, Shinji sees the moment when he had first seen Rei smile; he remembers how achingly graceful she had seemed - how she seems now.

Rei is far from unaware of the mass of emotions welling up within Shinji. She can feel the edges of his thoughts, pushing clumsily about with none of the precision and control that she has felt from Tenkei or Aoi, or once had from Kaworu Nagisa. His thoughts are open as his blue eyes pore over her expression. He feels affection, something so powerful that it is on the edge of being called love.

Sensing this feeling in the Third Child, Ayanami feels oddly relieved. She had felt exactly the same thing in Tenkei when he had left in search of her other self.)

Rei: Ikari..

Shinji: ..?

Rei: Asuka will come back.

--------------------------------------------------

(Flight 247 from Tokyo-2 to Washington DC, with a half-hour stop in Los Angeles, proves to be an uncomfortable experience for Tenkei.

He spends the flight seated beside Seyoko Okazaki - although for the trip she is Gladys Stevens, who apparently works for an answering service in Omaha. And he, according to their cover story, is her nephew. She had spoken to him very carefully and seriously about his disguise; the contact lenses, the wig, the hat. Don't try to remove them. Don't talk to anyone. Don't call me Seyoko, or Miss Okazaki. No one is allowed to know. This was all very, very secret so we can get you to where Rei is. Where the other Rei is.

Seyoko, for her part, seemed not to question or wonder about how there could be "another Rei". Tenkei wonders quietly just how much she has been told.

The stop in Los Angeles was for triangulation - an experiment, to see how useful Tenkei's senses were. The child was quietly confident - when they had landed in LA he had immediately known where Rei was. Okazaki had discretely checked with a compass, marked down what he directed, and then they had moved on.)

Seyoko: Next stop, Washington. Want to get some sleep?

(He shuffles in his seat, half-curling. He has the window seat - Seyoko prefers that the boy doesn't sit next to any other passengers. The in-flight movie is running, but Tenkei isn't really interested. Even the view through the window had lost his attention.

He could feel Rei far away - his Rei, the Rei he first knew. She is distant and vague, but he is certain she is there, and just as certain she is thinking of him. Even across this distance he can feel some things from her - almost frightened, almost jealous. But nevertheless her presence is comforting. As he drifts down into a doze he centers his thoughts on her, back in Tokyo-3.)

--------------------------------------------------

Misato: Status.

Hyuga: All Eva Units have been activated. No problems detected.

Yui: Unit One is running on internal S2 power. All the others are running on external cable power.

Maya: Alternate external and S2 power for the Test Type at one minute intervals and feed the data into Melchior. (to Misato) We should also repeat reactivation for the comparison.

Arnold: How many times?

Maya: I don't know. This would be easier if we had more Evas operating on S2 Units.

Shigeru: It would give us a wider sample to work with.

Misato: What about higher level operation - maximum gainload power levels?

Maya: (nodding) I've already scheduled it. Once the evacuation of the testing ground is completed, we'll be able to send them up. (to Shigeru) How long?

Shigeru: There are still a few personnel that haven't checked in yet, but then we're still two minutes under the standard evacuation times.

Arnold: Two minutes then.

Misato: Then we make them run a bit.

-------------------------------------------------

(But the pilots take it a step further than just running.)

Asuka: (yelling) Come on Ikari, what's taking so long?

(The massive body of Unit 02 twists as it arcs through the air. Striking the ground with tremendous force, the giant pauses for a second to look over its shoulder at the purple Evangelion that is chasing her. Then the crimson Eva is on the move, taking three short steps before launching itself into the air once more.

With a whoop, Asuka guides her Eva through the cavernous Geo-Front cavity. Leaping and diving and rolling and running, Unit 02 hurtles from waypoint to waypoint, generally following the course laid out by Misato moments earlier but taking a number of airborne detours and meteoric pit-stops. Behind Asuka follows the Third Child; although he isn't indulging in all of the acrobatics that Asuka is, he is certainly giving the Second Child a run for her money. The red Evangelion lands in a crouch, with Unit 01 landing a bare second afterwards. Both immediately leap again, bounding towards the next waypoint with Asuka's laughter echoing over the radio.

From the entry plug of Unit 06, Lyn Anouilh watches the titanic contest continue. Major Katsuragi had ordered Ikari and Sohryu to move around in the Geo-Front, push their gainload capacities. Apparently they wanted to monitor the Evangelions' power usage, but whatever the purpose the Second and Third Child were giving everyone present a good show.

Anouilh hadn't been expecting this. He had imagined.. well, he hadn't thought about what to expect from Shinji and Asuka today. If he had, he would have expected Shinji to be quiet, unresponsive, and Asuka to be snappish and easily annoyed. That isn't the case.

Lyn can feel their AT fields swell and contract like massive muscles, pressing against his own Eva's field and propelling Units 01 and 02 through the Geo-Front like mad dancers.)

Misato: (radio) Asuka, your clock is down to two minutes.

Asuka: (shouting) Two minutes, two hours, what's the difference??

(Land and roll, then up again. Unit 02 sprinted along the shore of the Geo-Front lake, taking four massive footsteps to clear the waters. Tons of water are lifted into the air, spraying out hundreds of meters around the Evangelion as she plows along. Behind follows Unit 01, with head low but eyes locked on the crimson figure in the lead.

The purple Evangelion leaps over the still-rippling lake, slamming into the turf only a step behind the red giant. They race stride-for-stride, powerful limbs pumping.)

Asuka: (shouting) Watch out, I think Ikari's getting frisky!

Shinji: (indignant) I am not!

Asuka: So that isn't your Eva breathing down my neck? (leaps)

(In his entry plug, Lyn presses a button on the control layout before him. A small screen showing Ayanami's face appears.)

Lyn: Rei? When it's our turn can we just.. walk it?

(Inside the boundaries of the tiny projection, Rei's face turns to look at the two fiercely competing Evas as they stomp through the Geo-Front.)

Rei: (nods) I understand.

(Lyn Anouilh quietly considers himself lucky he was paired with Ayanami today.)

--------------------------------------------------

(The man who meets Seyoko at the airport gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. They have never met before.

According to the cover story he is Doctor Alan Benedict from New Mexico. He has a tanned complexion and, from his quick grin, perfect teeth. Expensive but understated clothing. He fits the part.)

Benedict: (smiling) I thought you'd never get here Gladys.

(A name as fake as his own.)

Seyoko: Alan!

(Okazaki manages a tired but welcoming smile. This at least is no deception - she is both genuinely tired and genuinely glad to see him.)

Seyoko: It's been years. Thanks awfully for coming all this way.. got a car ready? The boy and I have to get a move on..

(He is another of Japan's intelligence agents, loaned out to NERV in the "spirit of co-operation" that has formed since the three-pronged assault in France, which means that the Japanese government appreciates the value of covering their own backside. Having spent years in a quiet posting in the US, he's far better equipped to guide Seyoko and Tenkei on the mission that faces them. He's also a capable driver - as it happens, Okazaki is planning on doing a lot of driving.

The operative puts their luggage in the boot of the car while Seyoko and the child let themselves into the vehicle. Once safely away from the airport, the driver merges seamlessly with freeway traffic, giving Seyoko the opportunity to consult a fold-out map. Tenkei sits beside her, eyes closed, slowly turning his head from side to side - looking for something only he can see.)

Seyoko: Any idea, Tenkei?

(Yellow eyes stare blankly out across the competing rat race of the freeway. He points.)

Tenkei: I think.. that way.

-------------------------------------------------

Asuka: And you think..?

Misato: (tapping finger) You already know, Asuka.

(Misato Katsuragi had noticed that Shinji and Asuka had been oddly quiet during the trip home.

They had not been glum and silent and introspective. No, that would have been normal. Instead, Misato had received the impression that they wanted to say things, just not while she could hear them. It was a very different quiet that had left the Major feeling out of place.)

Asuka: No, I want you to tell me.

Misato: I don't really think anything is happening between you two. But you must know why I'm worried..

Asuka: ..

Misato: You're about to go away, and as much as I don't want it, you're probably going away for a long time. Getting attached to someone in this way isn't what Shinji needs right now..

Asuka: (interrupting) Spare me the "protecting Shinji" routine already..

Misato: ..and it's not what you need either.

Asuka: (folding arms) Like I didn't see that one coming.

Misato: ..

Asuka: Can I fill in the blanks? (sing-song) Shinji and Asuka are being close. Shinji and Asuka are being happy. (mock sad) But poor widdle Asuka has to go away, bweaking both der widdle hearts. (normal voice) Am I right or am I right?

Misato: I see you've thought about this already.

Asuka: You betcha - and more than that, Misato. We've talked about it, Shinji and me. What did you think we do all night? Have sex?

(Misato makes a "oops..." face, to which Asuka replies with an indignant "fat chance!" face - the more explicit thoughts are kept firmly away from the conversation. For now.)

Asuka: We've talked about this. We talk. We talk a lot. And basically..

Misato: ..

Asuka: I - no, I mean we - would rather regret something we did, rather than regret something we didn't do when we had the chance. We're not going to spend what may, and this is worst case scenario here, be the last time we get to be around each other by acting sad and distant and trying to, to..

(She searches for the words.)

Asuka: There's no point it trying to.. cushion ourselves against that's going to hurt no matter what we do. And it will, Misato, you know that just like I do.

Misato: Yeah I know.

(The Major slips into a comfortable slouch. She absently scratches at the shoulder of her tanktop.)

Misato: But I'm seeing this and.. you know. I had to say something.

Asuka: Yeah.

(Asuka looks down, her eyes finding an unoffending salt shaker. She toys with it.)

Asuka: Yeah, I understand. I'd probably do the same thing if I were in your place. Maybe.

Misato: So.. is everything okay with you two?

Asuka: Okay? Well..

(The Second Child's answer is delayed by a sound emerging from down the hall; a cello sings out a few slow scales.)

Asuka: Things are okay.

(There is a pause, and then the sound repeats itself. The scales shimmer down the hall again, but this time they are subtly different, some tiny change in tuning that Shinji had heard when he had begun.)

Asuka: Things are actually pretty.. great.

(A few notes are played, turning into a slow melody. As before, the sound of the cello is oddly incomplete; the piece is meant to be accompanied by other instruments, the violin, the bass..

Sohryu stands, a little smile coming over her face.)

Asuka: You want to listen to him practice? He's actually pretty good.

Misato: (hesitates) No, I don't want to pressure him..

Asuka: He's meant to perform Misato, unless there's pressure you don't know if he'll do any good!

Misato: (shrugging) All the same.. (thinking) This is something you kids would probably be better at alone.

(The Second Child disappears down the hallway. A few moments later the cello's singing ceases, then starts up again. Maybe it is Misato's imagination, but for a moment she thinks she detects a hint of effort in the sound the instrument makes, a sort of self-consciousness.)

--------------------------------------------------

(The walls are rough concrete, the air-conditioning a hollow whisper rushing down from the upper levels of the base. The table between the two men is simple, metal folding legs holding up a battered chipboard panel. It is a base on the other side of the world from the Geo-Front in Tokyo-3; it is also the base that Tenkei and Seyoko are, at this very moment, searching for.)

Suit: Production is slower than expected.

(The uniformed man across from him pauses to sip from his coffee, then returns his eyes to the papers before him.)

Officer: We don't have the space. We need more bases and better transportation or else we risk exposure. There's no point in making any more Units unless we can actually put them somewhere.

(The Suit smiles.)

Suit: Good excuse.

Officer: We're in no hurry to please SEELE, are we?

Suit: You tell me. I get your reports, but you handle the details..

Officer: We've caught a few breaks, and things look promising. Intelligence has locked down eight of the members. They communicate amongst themselves occasionally, so it's just a matter of connecting the dots without them knowing. Time is what we need.

Suit: And the attack on the new facility?

Officer: Germany? Our window is disappearing. Things are tightening up for our men on the ground. Too much security and we'll have to pull them out, and with them.. (shakes head) we'll have lost our chance.

Suit: How long do we have?

Officer: Fourteen days, maybe ten.

(In fourteen days, they will have made history. As they had before at Evreux, Nantes, and Aurillac.)

Suit: If we can keep our men operational for a little longer, we'll be able to remove Unit Two at the same time.

Officer: Maybe we can. But we shouldn't get greedy either. And we don't know how an Evangelion could affect the attack.

(The other man almost laughs.)

Suit: You seriously believe that they could interfere?

Officer: After the last strike on Tokyo-3, I'm beginning to wonder if SEELE's dummy plugs are all the old men make them out to be. Something's.. lacking.

Suit: You believe that their combat programs are insufficient?

Officer: I think the programs in the dummy plugs makes them perfect soldiers. Skilled, decisive, disciplined.. But judging by how the system performed in Tokyo-3.. I think there are limits that we can't see. Something we don't know yet.

Suit: ..

Officer: ..

Suit: Of course I don't have to tell you not to.. distress the regular personnel with these ideas.

--------------------------------------------------

(The apartment door slides open, revealing a suddenly surprised Lyn Anouilh inside.)

Lyn: Uh. Hi.

Aoi: Hi.

(She hasn't planned this out. Of course she had known that she would run into Lyn at the party, and then they'd have to deal with everything. That she could handle.

But she hadn't planned this part - arriving early and heading to Anouilh's place first. That's entirely different. Face to face, one on one.

Aoi has no idea what she's going to say.)

Aoi: (quickly) I'm early. For the party, downstairs.

Lyn: The end-of-the-world movie night, right?

Aoi: Right, and since.. can I come in? Is Seyoko here?

Lyn: No. I mean you can - she isn't here. (stepping back)

(Lyn's apartment - the apartment he shares with Seyoko Okazaki - is unusually neat. Tamashii distinctly remembers that when she was over last the videos discs had been in a disorderly line with empty cases lying around at random. Now they are neatly stacked, each named edge presented to view like little soldiers.

Little soldiers - the words appear in her mind without her even realizing it.

The apartment is in general neater, cleaner, somehow more organized. It hadn't been Seyoko's doing; Aoi knows enough about Seyoko to know that she was part of the neatness problem, not the solution. Instead it had been Lyn who had cleaned everything up in the days before she could return home from the hospital.)

Aoi: Where is she?

Lyn: She's gone - on assignment. Just up and left, said she'd be back in a few weeks. No warning. Can you believe it?

(There isn't any real heart in the question. The sentence dies, and Aoi can feel Lyn's surprise at her arrival fading. Tamashii looks at the carpet.

At the first moment Lyn had opened the door Aoi could have done something, anything. She could have hugged him. She could have squealed in delight at seeing him. She could have leapt forward and planted a kiss on his surprised lips, and maybe everything would have been normal.

Aoi shuts her eyes for a second. It wouldn't have been normal. What he knows about her - what he suspects, what he thinks, whatever - would still be there. She can't get rid of it by pretending. She won't try to.)

Aoi: We're not going to keep this up, are we? "Let's just ignore everything that's happened." I don't want to do this anymore.

Lyn: Me neither.

Aoi: ..

Lyn: Drink? Tea, coffee, water?

Aoi: No thanks.

(He heads for the refrigerator anyway, opening the freezer compartment.)

Lyn: While I'm here, I might as well get you something..

Aoi: What are you having?

(The Sixth Child reaches into the freezer.)

Lyn: Ice cubes. Maybe something with them.

Aoi: Seyoko told you everything, right?

(She had to ask at some point. Aoi sits down at the kitchen table and waits to see what Lyn will do.)

Lyn: No.

(That was a surprise.)

Aoi: What do you mean?

Lyn: I mean, no. She didn't.

Aoi: You.. do know what I'm talking about, don't you?

(Tamashii feels a moment of doubt - maybe he doesn't know at all? Maybe he's going through this completely innocently, blind to everything that has happened around him, blind to what she has done to him. Maybe things are already normal. Maybe she doesn't have to tell him.

The temptation, the hope, is almost too much. But it is very brief.)

Lyn: About you being.. something.

Aoi: (closes eyes) That's what I meant.

(Ice cubes clatter in squat plastic cups.)

Lyn: She told me you weren't dangerous, but you've only tried to help. There were other things, and she was willing to tell me, but..

Aoi: But what?

Lyn: But I asked her not to.

(Aoi stares at him as he sets her cup before her. Her fingers take hold of it, but her eyes stay locked on the Sixth Child.)

Lyn: I figured.. gee, you know this is really stupid when you try to tell it to someone..

Aoi: (staring)

Lyn: I guess I wanted you to tell me.

(He leans forward a little, supporting his forehead with his hand.)

Lyn: Wait, that's not right. I mean I don't want to know something that's secret. Private, special.. uh, you know. I know it's probably dumb, if you are something else.. but I don't want to take anything like that away from you. I'd rather if you trusted me, if you.. told me yourself. You know?

Aoi: ..

Lyn: Well, I think that didn't come out right. But I don't know, if that makes you feel any better, so whatever it is you're worrying about, well, don't worry about it. I don't know.

(Finally Aoi gets a word out.)

Aoi: ..thanks.

(She shifts in her chair, raising her cup to her suddenly dry mouth. She drinks, emptying the glass.)

Aoi: Okay. That settles that. Yeah.

Lyn: ..

Aoi: I don't know where to start.

Lyn: You don't have to-

Aoi: Just listen, okay? I want to tell you before I start thinking rationally again.

-------------------------------------------------

(One floor down.

Rei Ayanami presses on the buzzer.)

Rei: (waiting)

(The door slides open.)

Asuka: -well someone's here early - oh.

(Surprise and even a little disbelief show on Asuka's face. Ayanami assumes that the Second Child is surprised that she turned up; when Asuka had invited her to the party she hadn't seemed to expect her to come.

But the girl's surprise is actually from something else entirely.)

Asuka: You're wearing a school uniform?

(Rei looks down at her outfit.)

Asuka: We're celebrating the end of school. Unless you're going to strip it off and burn it I can't see how -

(The Second Child pauses, her disbelief turning to horror.)

Asuka: You're not, are you?

Rei: I don't think it's important.

Asuka: Get in here.

Rei: ..

Asuka: Come in, Rei. (muttering) A school uniform..

(The First Child steps into the apartment while Asuka stalks around her, eyes narrowing at the girl's attire.)

Asuka: (low) I can't believe that you.. (louder) Okay. Let's get this behind us. It isn't completely beyond salvation..

(Rei feels a touch of panic; Asuka is clearly planning something. When the pilot of Unit 01 enters the living room it is a welcome relief from Sohryu's intense attention.)

Shinji: Rei! You're here?

(Asuka turns on the Third Child before Ayanami can answer.)

Asuka: Looks like it. (to Rei) Come with me. (to Shinji) I asked her come, okay?

(Shinji, who had been standing by the fridge, takes this with equal portions of confusion and calm.)

Shinji: Okay.

(Asuka leads Rei down the corridor to her room. She firmly closes the door behind them, centers Rei in the room, and begins rummaging through her closet.)

Rei: This isn't necessary.

Asuka: (from closet) Necessary is stupid. It's not necessary for you to be here, is it? But you're here.

Rei: You are.. looking for something for me.

(Asuka might have expected a touch of girlish disbelief and gratefulness in Ayanami's voice. But there isn't any. This isn't a question, but a flat statement.

Since it isn't a question, Asuka decides not to answer it.)

Asuka: (from closet) I remember when you came around before - back when I nearly left, we had a party.. gee, we seem to have a lot of parties around here depending on whether I go or stay..

Rei: ..

Asuka: (from deep within closet) Anyway, you turned up at the party, left that card, then disappeared. (pause) You and I aren't really the same shape, but we're close enough.

(An arm emerges from the closet with a dress on the end.)

Asuka: How would this look?

(When Sohryu looks at an outfit, she is capable of imagining it on a person, fitting it to their shape, comparing colors.. she is not a fashion master, but she knows what she likes.

Ayanami sees purple fabric with frills and bows.)

Rei: ..

Asuka: You're right. This is a sleepover, not a ball!

(The hand attached to the frilly bowed thing disappears back into the closet.)

Asuka: Cinderella and her glass slipper. Or her greeting card. What was I thinking? How would you possibly sleep in that?

(Without breaking for breath, Sohryu switches topics.)

Asuka: You cared, and you weren't quick enough to hide it, First. How about a nice set of pajamas?

(From outside the room, Shinji's voice can be heard.)

Shinji: (calling) Asuka, did you put those drinks in the freezer?

Asuka: (loud) Yeah, but a few of them are in Pen Pen's fridge as well! (to Rei) I got these two as a set. Don't know why I got two.. no actually, I do know.

(A bundle of fabric is tossed out of the darkness of the closet and into Rei's hands.)

Asuka: Try it on.

(A few moments later when Rei's school uniform is a crumpled bundle on the floor, and Asuka - after checking that Ayanami is modest again - emerges from the closet. Both girl are dressed in soft-looking pajamas, buttoned up the front and extremely comfortable. Asuka is in pale blue, and Rei is in red.)

Asuka: What do you think?

Rei: Why are you doing this?

Asuka: I guess..

Rei: ..

Asuka: Dammit, if you can care then so can I. Okay?

Rei: ..okay.

Asuka: Besides..

(A slow smile spreads across the Second Child's face..)

Asuka: ..when Shinji sees us like this, he's going to die.

-------------------------------------------------

(Once Aoi has finished, Lyn is silent for a moment.)

Lyn: So.. who are you? Out of all of that?

Aoi: I..

Lyn: ..

Aoi: I don't know. Sometimes, I'm sure I'm Aoi Tamashii - and sometimes just a name is enough to hold on to. Sometimes I just don't need anything else. But other times..

Lyn: ..

Aoi: Sometimes I think I'm a mistake - that when they made me, they let something else inside, something that they weren't expecting, and that thing was me. And sometimes I think I'm exactly what they made me, and everything I've done - even when I've thought I was fighting them, screwing up what they'd planned - I'm just becoming what they want me to be, just playing into their plans.

Lyn: (quietly) Made you.

(Aoi slowly nods.)

Aoi: Yeah.

(Lyn stands up, taking the Seventh Child's empty glass.)

Aoi: (voice cracking) Does it make me seem.. different?

Lyn: (heading for the sink) A bit, I suppose.

(He refills the glass and returns it to Aoi. She plays with it, looking into the water.)

Lyn: I guess everyone is made. By your parents, your teachers, friends. Everyone you know, and a lot you don't know.

Aoi: ..

Lyn: Sometimes it's done deliberately, and sometimes.. I guess you'd say it's done in ignorance, without them knowing or realizing it. All these things make people, just like you.

Aoi: But none of those people were made as deliberately as me. Not with the same intent.

Lyn: (looking down) Oh I don't know. I knew some kids back in Europe who had soccer mad parents..

(She gives him a look.)

Lyn: That sort of thing can be really stupid. And this can be really stupid too, if you take it the wrong way.

(Aoi wipes at her eyes, feeling the moisture that has built up there.)

Aoi: Why is this..?

Lyn: (hesitates) Can I get you something?

Aoi: I'll be fine, I'm just.. (laughs weakly) I'm crying but I don't feel that bad. (wipes again) I really don't, but I'm still crying.

Lyn: ..

Aoi: ..

Lyn: What about the party?

Aoi: Huh?

Lyn: Are you coming with me?

(Finally there is a genuine smile on her face.)

Aoi: You sure you want me to come? You sure you're okay with it?

(The Sixth Child takes a breath, half-shrugging, half-sighing. He stares at the glass in his hand.)

Lyn: I don't know.

(Anouilh looks up, his lips tight for a moment of consideration.)

Lyn: I guess I'll have to find out.

(And he stands, heading for the front of the apartment. The door hisses open with a keypress.)

Lyn: (looking back) You are coming, right?

--------------------------------------------------

(And she does.

Within the hour everyone has arrived, and the living room of the Katsuragi apartment is filled with talking, joking, laughing teenagers. But the male half of the conversation dies down to a respectful, or maybe just appreciative, silence as Misato emerges from her room.

Shinji, Lyn, Goro, Kensuke and Touji account for the boys, and Aoi, Asuka, Rei and Hikari make up the girls. They are generally milling around in the living room, trying to select what will be the first film of the evening. If one closely examined how they were moving around, one might surmise that their formation and reformation was based on differing opinions and preferences as to what movie to watch. Or that they had no clue.

Misato is wearing an orange dress that neither Shinji nor Asuka has seen before - something bought recently, maybe? Faint touches of makeup have been applied, and combined with the handbag over her shoulder the overall message is that the Major is about to make an exit.)

Kensuke: (surprised) Misato?

Touji: (concerned) You're going?

Goro: (pleading) But the party hasn't even started!

(Misato gives one of those cheery smiles that is guaranteed to only magnify the fanboy reaction.)

Misato: Oh, I'd only be in the way. I'm just on my way out..

(Shinji and Asuka both feel slightly relieved. Neither is really comfortable with having Misato around during parties - the reaction shared by Touji, Kensuke and Goro is a perfect example. Instantly, thoughtlessly and shamelessly they are ready to beg for her to stay, regardless of what anyone else in the room thinks of their behavior. Shinji is embarrassed by stuff like this. Asuka just hates it.

Their relief is short lived.)

Misato: ..and my date's waiting.

(Katsuragi misses Asuka and Shinji's disbelieving expressions as she heads for the door.)

Misato: Don't wait up! Have a nice time!

Kensuke: (stunned)

Goro: (speechless)

Touji: (gaping)

Hikari: (elbows Touji)

(Of all the boys, the only one unfazed is Lyn. The Sixth Child turns immediately back to the task at hand.)

Lyn: Let's settle this. Giant meteor, solar flare, earthquakes... hands up if you want to watch the meteor one. (looks around) Anyone?

(On the other side of the gender fence Aoi doesn't seem that worried, nor does Hikari. Rei is.. well, Rei, meaning the only one truly effected by this turn of events is Asuka.

The Second Child meets Shinji's shocked eyes. Wordlessly they head to the kitchen area.)

Asuka: (furtive) Did you-

Shinji: (shaking head) I had no idea.

Asuka: Me neither.

Shinji: (looks around) Could it be someone from work?

Asuka: Probably, but what do we know?

Shinji: Why didn't she tell us?

Asuka: I don't know, it feels.. (trails off)

Shinji: Yeah.

Asuka: Exactly.

Shinji: (looking at Asuka)

Asuka: (looking at Shinji)

(The same thought occurs to the two simultaneously.)

Shinji: (sighs) What are we doing?

Asuka: I was about to ask you that.

Shinji: It's not like it's any of our business..

Asuka: Misato's perfectly capable of taking care of herself..

Shinji: We shouldn't be prying..

Asuka: It's her life, her choices..

Shinji: We wouldn't want her poking in on stuff we did..

Asuka: It's too late to follow her, isn't it?

Shinji: (nods) Probably.

Asuka: Balcony.

(The two pilots weave through the still-undecided teenagers in the living room and head out onto the balcony. The warm evening air feels like a wall as they step out of the air-conditioned coolness of the apartment.

Shinji and Asuka peek over the handrail, down and down, to the street. Far below them, throwing a long shadow in the streetlights, is a familiar purple-haired woman. She is visible for a moment before stepping up to a car on the curb and opening a door on the passenger side.

Then she is gone, out on her date.)

Asuka: A date.

Shinji: A date.

(They lean back from the rail in one motion.)

Shinji: Asuka.. do you feel-

Asuka: Yes.

Shinji: Jealous.

Asuka: ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: This is weird.

Shinji: The jealousy, or Misato just.. going out like that.

Asuka: All of it.

Shinji: She didn't say a word.

Asuka: No warning. Nothing. We don't even know who this guy is!

Shinji: We don't even know if it is a guy.

Asuka: Don't get started Shinji.

Shinji: Sorry. But what I mean is..

Asuka: I know, I know..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: It's as if.. well, as if..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: If you won't say it, I will. Misato was ours and now she's not.

Shinji: ..

Asuka: Right?

Shinji: Actually, that wasn't what I was going to say.

(Asuka doesn't move. She doesn't blush - yet - but she realizes that she's spoken a bit too soon, and too honestly.)

Shinji: I was thinking that it's like she hid it from us.. trying to make some space for herself..

Asuka: (quickly) Well that goes without saying.

Shinji: (continuing) Like she's had too much of being around us for a while..

Asuka: Oh, don't start on that unloved crap.. (trails off)

Shinji: ..

Asuka: You don't she actually is sick of us, do you?

Shinji: Maybe.

Asuka: ..

(Ikari shakes his head with another sigh as if remembering something.)

Shinji: I'm sorry. I should have thought of that.

Asuka: Thought of what?

Shinji: I should have taken you out on a date tonight.

(Shinji and Asuka both freeze as he finishes that very un-Shinji sentence.)

Shinji: (quickly) I mean, we should have gone to a movie. Gotten something to eat. You know..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: Because, well, now I'm going to be wondering the whole night if we'd be having a better time if we had..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: I mean the guys are great to be around, and it's nice to have everyone together before you go, but some things you just have to..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: ..

Shinji: (very quietly) I think I'll be quiet now.

Asuka: (exhales) Finally! You're talking as if being with your friends is like being chained or something!

Shinji: ..

Asuka: And you know what?

Shinji: ..what?

Asuka: (looks to one side) You got me thinking about it too.

(Sohryu looks down over the railing, finding something on the ground far below to stare at.)

Asuka: A nice dark cinema, you beside me..

Shinji: (embarrassed) Asuka, I wasn't talking about that sort of-

Asuka: Keep quiet, you dirty minded little boy. Let me finish.

(She sighs a little, directing her eyes upwards.)

Asuka: No pretending. No being nice. No being polite. No trying to forget that I'm going.

(She turns to look at him.)

Asuka: I am going, Shinji. I am. (deep breath) And I don't want to. I want to stay here, because it's better here. I'm actually..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: Happy. I feel happy. (looks down) Even if I have to go next week, next month, tomorrow, whenever, I'm happy now.

Shinji: ..that's..

Asuka: That's because of you, Shinji. (grins) Betcha feel all warm now, huh?

(Shinji tries to find something to answer that with, but Asuka quickly changes the topic.)

Asuka: How do you think Tenkei's going?

Shinji: Tenkei? I don't know.

Asuka: Well I know you don't know, but.. Okay, when you put it like that it doesn't really work, does it?

Shinji: I suppose it doesn't. I hope he's okay.

(The traffic on the street can be heard from the balcony, headlights moving between streetlamps.)

Shinji: I haven't asked Rei how she's doing. I'm going to have to remember.

Asuka: It's weird, putting a kid out there on some mission.

Shinji: It happened to us too. Kids dumped in the middle of something dangerous.

Asuka: Doesn't make it right.

Shinji: No. You're right, it doesn't.

Asuka: That reminds me, I got to talk to Rei later..

Shinji: About what?

Asuka: Nothing. Girl stuff. Mind your own business.

(Shinji is familiar with this wall, and doesn't try climbing it. He backs off from the question.)

Shinji: Okay, alright. (suddenly) She's looking nice for some reason, don't you think?

Asuka: Huh?

Shinji: Rei. In those pajamas, she looks sort of different. Um, warm. Cuddly, I guess.

Asuka: ..

Shinji: ..

Asuka: Shinji?

Shinji: Yeah?

Asuka: Do you want me to throw you off this balcony?

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