Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ NGE The Demon Wars ❯ Bodyguard Pt. 2 ( Chapter 5 )

Sorry it took so long but I have been really busy. I know it isn't the best writing but I am trying and I am really trying on the chapters and making them creative and good. So let us begin.

 

 

Bodyguard Pt.2

 

 

“Does this place have a gym?” Michael asked walking along with everyone else down one of the corridors.

 

Misato looks over at him and nods her head, “yeah we do, not many of the personal here use it but we do have a nice gym.”

 

“Sweet, could you show me to it please?” He looks over to her with an excited look. Misato just shrugs her shoulders and starts to lead him to the gym with the others behind.

 

“Why do you need the gym Michael?” Shinji asked him but when he finished he felt his head get slapped from the back.

 

“What do you think you idiot, to sit around?” Asuka yelled at him after slapping him in the back of the head. Shinji was rubbing the back of his head with a look of sadness in it.

 

Michael just shook his head at Asuka and looked over at Shinji who had his head down with eyes full of anguish. `What is with her belittling him all the time?' He thought to himself.

 

“Well I like working out so it would be good to know if we had a gym in our disposal so we can work out.” Shinji looked at Michael who was just smiling at him.

 

Shinji couldn't help but to smile a little, “I see I was just wond…wait a minute, what do you mean `we'?

 

“You really didn't think I was going to do this all alone did you buddy? Michael looked at him with a big smile. Shinji could only look at him in annoyance.

 

“No, I couldn't do that could I.” He said under his breath. They were walking along the pool area now and they could see the gym from there. They went through some doors and everyone but Misato and Rei gasped at the size of it.

 

It had everything that a gym could ever ask for in it. It had everything from lifting benches to running machines. They even had punching bags and speed bags in there.

 

“This place is really nice; I think I am going to have lots of time spent in here.” Michael started to walk around and was looking at all the equipment. “Shinji, man I was joking about having to stay here with me you don't have to if you don't want to.”

 

Shinji looks over to him and smiles a little, “its ok I could actually use some working out I am pretty scrawny.” Michael laughs a little bit and just shakes his head at him.

 

“You are telling me baka; maybe if Michael helps you out some you might stop being a wimp.” Asuka had her arms crossed and was smirking at him. He started to frown and looked down at the ground.

 

“Asuka will you leave Shinji alone and let's go I want to go home!” Misato shouts over to her. She was still standing at the door with Rei who was just watching everyone.

 

“Shinji and I will be here for a few hours and don't worry we will be back in time to cook for your royal bitchness.” He bowed to Asuka who just went into a fury. Misato just shook her head and grabbed Asuka before she did anything stupid. Michael just chuckled and looked over to Shinji who was looking at him with wide eyes.

 

“What?” Michael is really confused to why Shinji is looking at him like that.

 

“I think you really want to be murdered at a young age.” Shinji said shaking his head.

 

Michael could only laugh at what he said, “buddy, you have know idea how much I like messing with her.” Michael walks over to one of the benches and looks at all the weights that are next to it and trying to decide how much to put on.

 

“Hey Shinji, how much can you bench?” Shinji looked over to him and saw him looking at the weights.

 

“I'm not sure but to my guess not that much.” Shinji looks away and Michael turns to him with an eyebrow raised in question.

 

“Why do you say that?” Shinji turns back at him and looks at him weird and just shrugs his shoulders and takes his shirt off.

 

“I don't know about you but I don't think these arms can lift too much.” Michael presses his pointer against his finger against his lips and starts to think on how much to put on.

 

“We will start at a hundred and twenty for you.” Michael starts to put them on the war making sure he puts into account that the bar ways about twenty pounds.

 

“What about you Michael, I don't think I will be able to spot you when you go and start lifting.” Michael stands back up and looks over at him.

 

“We will think about that later right now lets get you lifting.” Michael pats the bench and all Shinji does is sigh out loud and walks over to the bench and lies down on it making sure not to hit his head on the bar on the way down.

 

“Tell me why I am doing this again?” Shinji looks up at Michael who is smiling down at him.

 

“I don't know I didn't force you to do this.” Michael picks up the weights with both hands even though he didn't have to; it was more for balancing it for Shinji. Shinji lifts up his arms and grabs the bar and they lower to its almost touching his chest.

 

“Ready?” Michael asks.

 

“Ready as I'll ever be.” He says and Michael lets go.

 

Back with the girls they were already on the way home and Misato was actually driving decently for a change. Asuka was sitting in the front with Misato and was leaning on her right arm looking out the window. Rei was sitting in the right behind Asuka and had her hands folded in her lap and had her head facing down trying to think.

 

“I don't know about you two but I think we were blessed to have Michael fall in our lives suddenly.” Misato spoke softly to them and both girls turned to look at her to see she had a smile on her face.

 

“What do you mean that we are blessed?” Asuka asks confused at her purple haired guardian. Rei was even was curious about this and was listening to what the women had to say.

 

“He is so carefree about things and he doesn't think twice about helping us if we need it.” Misato stops for second and continues, “Shinji has already taken a liking to him and if I am not mistaken he is rubbing off on him.”

 

“Do you mean when he said that he will pilot eva again and said that he didn't want any more people to suffer?” Rei asked remembering that moment like it just happened.

 

Misato could only nod her head and keep smiling, “maybe he might even stand up to you Asuka.” Misato only smirked when Asuka glared at her.

 

“I don't think that will ever happen Misato and anyway I think Michael is a jerk.” Asuka turns back around and stares outside again.

 

“Why do you think he is a jerk?” Misato looks over to her for a second then turns her head back to the road.

 

“Didn't you hear him call me royal bitchness back there?” Misato just shook her head and Asukas arrogant side.

 

“He only said that to you to make you lay off Shinji.” Said Misato but Asuka only let out a little grunt.

 

“You know he cares about you because if he didn't he wouldn't have apologized to you after you guys got into that fight.” Asuka keeps on staring outside the window but she is frowning.

 

“What about what happened when during the meeting when you were clinging to him when you found out about Seele reconstructing the Mass Production Evas.” Asuka could remember that feeling of security very well when she was gripping to his chest and he has his hands wrapped around her. She wouldn't let the others no about this though.

 

“I wasn't thinking at the time and besides I bet he enjoyed holding the great Asuka.” Asuka told them but she was also telling herself that also. Misato just shook her head.

 

“Major I was wondering if I can ask for your assistance in a personal matter.” Rei looks over to Misato who looks through her rearview mirror at her.

 

“Sure Rei but you can call me Misato; we are not at the job right now.” Rei was facing her lap again trying real hard to think of the right words to say.

 

“How would a person know what they are feeling?” She asked making Misato's right eyebrow go up in confusion.

 

“What do you mean by that Rei?” Misato looked at her through the mirror again to see she was thinking hard again.

 

“I do not know exactly but I am having feelings that I have never felt before.” Rei looked up and had trouble in her eyes.

 

“Well Rei if you like we can talk about it when we get back to my place.” She shook her head and didn't say anything after that. Misato was thinking to herself on what the heck was going on with the sudden showing emotions thing. She remembers when Ritsuko showed her and Shinji the main room for the dummy plug system and it had all those clones of Rei in the tank of LCL. Misato shudders remembering all of them getting destroyed and still giggling when they were dying.

 

`Maybe with all of those clones dead she has the ability to feel now; I don't know I wish Rits was here to help out with everything even though some of this is her fault but at the end she couldn't take it anymore and she finally showed us what was going on.' Misato missed her old friend badly. They didn't have many friends because of this job and they did go to college together, they were almost like sisters Ritsuko being the oldest sister of course and Misato being the annoying one.

 

They did have good times back in college though when they didn't have to worry about saving the world or watching fourteen year old kids suffer something that didn't seem right in the making but they were the only ones at then end that could accomplish the goals of humanity by defeating the Angels. At the end they did and Shinji made the decision to bring back humanity so they can live in peace but that won't ever happen as long there is still SEELE out there. Only when they are gone they can live in peace.

 

They arrived at home and Asuka went straight to her home to take a nap because the day's events took a lot out of her. Misato went to her room to change into something more comforting but knowing her it would be something very revealing. Rei just sat down in the living room waiting for Misato to return so they can discuss emotions and all of those feelings that she has been getting lately especially when she is around Shinji. Rei just closed her eyes and just leaned back into the cushion of the couch feeling how comfortable it feels.

 

“So you ready to talk?” Rei almost screamed she didn't hear Misato come into the living room. Rei looked up to her seeing that she was trying to hold in the laughter from scaring her. Misato calmed down some and sat right next to Rei on the couch and she was looking right at her.

 

“So what do you want to know about emotions and the feelings that you are going through?” Misato sits cross leg on the couch looking at Rei concentrate on what to say.

 

“I don't know where to begin there is so many things I have never experienced before until just recently when all these emotions started to appear.” Rei looks at Misato trying to figure out what she is feeling right now.

 

“Well let me tell you that there is definitely a big change in your attitude around things like when you hugged Shinji that night when the commander sent those guards to get us that was a big shock to me.” Rei just nodded and smiled slightly when she heard Shinji's name said.

 

`I see that every time I mention Shinji that she smiles, I think I know what is going on now.' Misato turns around and starts to stare at a wall. “What do you think of Shinji?”

 

Rei looks at Misato noticing that she has turned around and it is looking at a wall, “I don't know what you mean major.”

 

“I mean do you think he is nice or something to that nature.” Misato turns back to Rei again and waits for her to answer.

 

“I think he is very kind and gentle, there is something about him when he is around I get all tingly in my stomach and I want to be near him all the time but when he is out somewhere like right now I miss him and want him to be here so I can talk to him or something.” Rei saying was smiling wide the whole time and Misato had some big eyes looking at Rei but soon she started to smile warmly at her.

 

“Well Rei it kind of sounds like you have a crush on Shinji.” Misato says and that confuses Rei.

 

“I do not wish to crush him major.” Misato slaps her forehead and shakes at Rei's lack of terms.

 

“I didn't mean to hurt him crush but as in that you like him more then a friend type crush.” Rei looks at her for moment in thought on what she just said.

 

“I think that you are right major, I think I do like him but what is more then a friend?” Rei was actually getting a little excited about all the new knowledge she is learning about human relationships and what makes one.

 

“Well being more a friend means that you have stronger feelings towards one individual like Shinji and as you said you miss him when he isn't around by you.” Misato looked over at Rei to see her turn and face the same wall she looked at just a few minutes prior. Misato was really happy right now, it felt like she was teaching her own daughter about relationships and how to get a boy.

 

“How would I know that Shinji likes me the same way?” Misato was taken out of her thoughts when Rei talked again.

 

“Well there can be many signs that he likes you, but Shinji is different from other guys so I can't tell you what to look for in him.” Rei looked down at that Misato's answer and started to think of a way to find out that he likes her.

 

“You could always ask him though but him being Shinji you will have to explain to him that you like him more then a friend.” Misato stood up and stretched out her legs and arms showing off her perfect body.

 

“Why would I have to explain it to him I am sure that he will understand what I mean.” Rei looks up to her and has her head tilted to the side in confusion.

 

“It is nothing against Shinji, I love him like he is my own son but he is a guy and well the male population can be dense when it comes to things like romance.” Rei shook her head in understanding and stood up also.

 

“I think I will do what you said major, thank you for your assistance.” Rei was about to turn to leave but Misato stopped her.

 

“Rei I told you already to call me Misato.” She turns the blue hair beauty around to face her. They look at each other for a second and Misato leans down and hug's her making Rei go stiff.

 

“I know that you haven't had many people in your life but I hope I could be a person that you could come to again for advice.” Rei slowly but surely relaxes and puts her hands around Misato and puts her head on Misato's shoulder.

 

“I know I don't know what a mother feels like but I think it would feel something like this.” Rei whispers to her. Misato starts to tear up some from what Rei just said to her.

 

“If you ever just need someone to hug I am always here to give them.” Misato squeezes her a little and Rei responds by squeezing her also. When they finally break apart they both look at each other again and Misato is smiling at her and Rei gives her a real smile.

 

“Thank you for everything Misato.” Misato shakes her head.

 

“Your wel…”

 

“NO!” Misato was interrupted from a loud scream coming from Asukas room so both women run to her room.

 

Back at NERV

 

“Wow I am tired.” Shinji is sitting on one of the work out benches as Michael is busy curling all of the biggest weights in the gym.

 

“Well you did a lot today so I don't blame you for being tired.” Michael carefully sets the six hundred pounds of weights on the ground with one hand. He goes over to a water dispenser and gets two cups full and takes one over to Shinji who gladly takes it and downs it like he hasn't had any in a week.

 

“Next time go slow when you drink the water you could get sick if you down it like that.” Shinji shakes his head taking in the advice that he just got.

 

“So are we done now, because I would like to go back home now and rest?” Shinji slowly gets up and waits for Michael to reply.

 

“Yeah we can call it a day now; we have been here almost two hours now.” Michael looks at a clock on a wall and looks over to Shinji to see that he is shocked.

 

“We have been here that long already?” Michael just nods at him and Shinji could only shake his head. They went to the locker rooms just to splash water on there faces since they didn't have any clothes to change into, showering was out of the question. They dried out there faces and started to walk out of the locker rooms when suddenly fives guards ran past them. Michael and Shinji look at each other in confusion.

 

“What do you think could be going on?” Michael asked Shinji.

 

“Well it could be a training drill, maybe which is why there wasn't an alarm.” Shinji couldn't think of anything else.

 

“I don't think so, they had there guns loaded.” Michael started to run down the corridor were the guards went.

 

“Michael we shouldn't bother them!” Shinji yelled at him but Michael didn't hear him. Shinji's head fell and he shook it and started to run after him.

 

Michael was confused on why they had five armed guards running down a corridor, `there has to be trouble somewhere but why no alarm?' Michael was asking himself. He finally caught up to them finding them in a room and he heard yelling and one of the voices sounded like a woman voice. He ran into the room and saw three out of the five guards trying to take down a blonde haired lady but she was putting up a good fight.

 

“Let me go you assholes!” The women yelled.

 

“Stand down guys I'll handle this.” The guards turn around and see Michael walking towards them and they all back off and wait for Michael to apprehend her.

 

“Hello, I don't know what is going on here but I think you might not want to resist.” The woman quickly gets up and starts to run but Michael grabs her by the waist and lifts her up.

 

“Let me go, you do not know what you are doing!” The woman yells at him.

 

“Dr. Akagi?” They all turn around to see Shinji standing at the doorway looking at the scene.

 

“Shinji please help me, I think your father wants me dead.” Shinji's eyes shoot up and he goes speechless. Michael is confused so he sets her down.

 

“Who are you now?” Michael asks.

 

“I am Doctor Ritsuko Akagi head of Project E.” Ritsuko straightens out her dirty lab coat. Michael looks over at Shinji to see if she is lying and Shinji just shakes his head confirming what she had said.

 

“I will take her to the commander myself guys you are dismissed.” Michael says to them and they all salute him and walk out.

 

“I don't know who you are kid but I am not going to go back and see him.” Ritsuko says to him staring him right in the eyes.

 

“Well you have two choices first being that you walk with us peacefully to the commanders office or secondly I can carry you there myself.” Michael looks at her and dares her to pick the second one.

 

“You carry me all the way there I will like to see you try.” Michael just smirks.

 

People were looking at Michael carry the doctor over his shoulders and her trying to get out of his grasp. Michael didn't even really notice that she was hitting his back all he was doing was whistling all the way to the office. Shinji was walking behind them blushing at all the attention she was making.

 

“Fine you wine just let me down.” Rits told him.

 

“Promise you won't run away.” Michael stopped and was ready to put her down.

 

“I promise.” So with that the fake blonde doctor was out down.

 

“I am sorry I had to do that but I can assure you that I won't let any deaths happen today.” Michael tells her by holding out his hand. “Hi, I'm Michael.” Ritsuko hesitates for a minute then stretches out her hand and shakes it.

 

“Dr. Akagi what did you mean by why my father wants you dead?” Shinji is standing behind both of them still and she turns around and looks down at him.

 

“Before third impact accord I tried to stop your father from starting it but before I could he shot me before I had the chance.” She shivers at the memory of waking up and seeing her mother right there but realized at the end it was all fake and that she didn't want to stay in a fake world.

 

“He killed you then!” Shinji said out loud not believing that his father had gone so far to accomplish his goals to even kill someone. Shinji put his head in his hands and started to shake it not believing anything that was just said. Michael walks over to him and starts and puts a hand on his shoulder which Shinji looks up at him and sees that he has concern in his eyes.

 

“You ok man?” Michael asked with concern.

 

“I don't know, something new always appears out of know where and I just can't believe my father actually killed someone.” Shinji let out a long breath.

 

“Well something has to be done so Dr. Akagi and I are going to have a chat with the commander and set things right.” Michael said turning around to look at Ritsuko.

 

“Do you really think that he will listen?” Dr. Akagi asked.

 

“He will have to because there is things that he doesn't even know what to do and that you do so he will have to let you stay.” Michael starts to walk towards the elevator with the other two following behind him.

 

“Shinji did everyone make it out ok? Misato, Asuka, the others?” Ritsuko wanted to know about her friend and wondered if she had come back.

 

“Misato is doing ok and Asuka is her same self before the fifteenth angel attacked her and well Rei is a different story though.” That caught Dr. Akagi's attention.

 

“What do you mean different?” Shinji thinks for a second before replying to her question.

 

“Well she has started to show a lot more emotions like when we were doing the dishes I asked her how she escaped Lilith and well she started to tell me and she started to cry.” Shinji didn't tell her the rest because that was more personal between the both of them.

 

`That is weird coming from Rei, something had to of happen to her when she merged with Lilith.' She thought to herself. “That is strange.” That is all she says before they finally arrive at the destination floor to the commanders office.

 

“I think I will wait outside while you guys go and talk to him.” Shinji said still shocked from the earlier discovery.

 

“Ok man, we won't take long in there.” Michael says to him and knocks on the door before they open to let him and the doctor in. The commander was sitting at his desk knowing that he would be talking to him so he waited for them to come and see him. Fuyutsuki wasn't there at the moment so that meant they could discuss things privately.

 

“I see that you also have come back Dr. Akagi.” The commander says in his usual cold manner.

 

“Yes I have but I attend not die this time for good.” She says in anger.

 

“I know there is bad blood between you two but we need to discuss something more important right now.” Michael says interrupting the staring contest that they had going between them.

 

“You may continue Michael.” The commander said.

 

“Considering everything that has happened here so far I don't see anything going to be happening anytime soon with what you said commander about the members of SEELE being alive still and probably wanting to kill us all.” Ritsuko turned to him wonder who in the hell this kid was and why the commander would tell him about all that has happened.

 

“Your point being?” The commander was getting annoyed at his constant talking.

 

“What I was told there is no one here that knows about the Evas then Dr. Akagi here so killing her which is not going to happen will be a big mistake on your part.” Michael looked at him with a serious expression on his face. The commander was quite in thought knowing that what Michael had said is the truth and if he did do something to her would very consequensal not only to himself but the entire planet.

 

“What do you suggest?” The commander was now sitting up looking at them both.

 

“I think that you both bury whatever grudge you have between each other and grow and see what will happen if one of you doesn't coroperate.” Michael said leaving it at that. It was now up to them to make a decsion and start thinking of everything else but themselves.

 

“I will do it so I can repent for all the stupid things I have done in the past.” Ritsuko said staring right down at the commander. The commander thinks a few minutes longer and stands up and looks at her.

 

“I will give you all of your status back before everything happened.” Commander Ikari stuck out his hand for a truce between them and Ritsuko stuck out her hand and shook it.

 

“I will never forgive you.” She said and started to walk away.

 

“I know I don't expect you to but it doesn't matter because I won't ever know my own son because of my foolishness.” That stopped Ritsuko dead in her tracks with wide eyes. She couldn't believe her ears that he just said that. She turned around and saw that he was now staring outside to the command deck. Ritsuko turns back around and starts to walk out with Michael right behind her.

 

“That was really weird just now.” Ritsuko still couldn't get over her shock.

 

“What do you mean?” Michael was confused.

 

“He has never as long as I known him shown any kind of regret towards anything.” She just shakes her head not believing it just happened.

 

“So you are saying that he is pretty much heartless.” Michael looks over to her and sees that she is shaking her head.

 

“Everybody changes doctor even the coldest of people, you should take kindly to learn that before jumping to any kind conclusion against anyone.” Michael's tone is strong and serious when he tells her this and all she does is look at him.

 

“By the way…” She turns around to fully face him. “Who are you?” Michael smiles at her and scratches the back of his head.

 

“Well if you want I can tell you on the way to Misato's place because I know that she mentioned that she missed you a lot.” Ritsuko's eyes went wide for a minute.

 

`She misses me after all the things I have done?' Akagi couldn't believe it but she wasn't going to pass up a chance to see her old friend again.

 

“Just got to find were Shinji went.” Michael is looking around trying to see Shinji but cannot. Then he saw the vice commander coming down one of the corridors reading some documents. He notices that there is someone in front of him and looks to see Michael and Dr. Akagi. When he realizes it is Dr. Akagi his eyes go wide and he stops dead in his tracks.

 

“Dr. Akagi I see you have returned also.” Fuyutsuki says to her but only gets a nod from her.

 

“Excuse me sir have you seen Shinji around here?” Michael asks him and Fuyutsuki looks over to him.

 

“Yes actually, I ran into him a little bit ago and he didn't look to well so I had one of the agents take him home.” He explained and Michael just shook his head.

 

“Thank you commander.” Michael turned away and started to walk away with Ritsuko right behind him.

 

“Dr. Akagi,” Kozo says watching her turn around and look at him.

 

“I am glad you are ok.” He says turning and leaving. Ritsuko only smiled knowing that she could always trust Fuyutsuki. To everyone he was like a father figure and always would help them out with problems. Everyone also knew if you his line he would quickly put you in place.

 

“Misato told me that you two went to college together I bet that was a experience.” Michael says trying to make talk. Ritsuko just lets out a grunt shaking her head.

 

“You could say that again I mean you think she drinks bad now you should of saw her during school.” Rits chuckles at some of the memories she has of those times.

 

“Well I don't feel like walking so I guess we will have to use an alternate way to get there.” Michael said walking to the elevator.

 

“Well we can take the bus but we will have to wait.” Ritsuko said looking at her watch but noticed that it stopped working.

 

“Peace of crap.” She whispers to herself. They reach the top floor to the compound and walk out of there in the beautiful day. Ritsuko blockes the sun from her eyes but slowly draws in a breath a of air feeling like she hasn't done it in a long time.

 

“I have a faster way then a vehicle.” Michael said looking up into the sky.

 

“Really, may I know this faster way of transportation?” Ritsuko looks over to him and he looks over to her and he smirks at her. No words said he walks over to her and picks her up bridal style getting a surprise gasp coming from her. He crouches down and jumps into the air and starts to fly making Ritsuko scream and wrapping her arms around his neck in a death lock.

 

“H-How are you doing this!” Ritsuko asks him trying not to look down afraid that she might fall.

 

“It is ok Dr. Akagi I won't drop you I promise you on that but I guess it's a good time to tell you who I am.” During the whole flight he explained about where he came from and what he is capable of doing with his powers. Ritsuko was asking him all types of questions and Michael was doing his best trying to answer them all.

 

“This is amazing I would never have believed any of this if this didn't happen right now.” She was talking about them flying. She finally did relax and loosened her grip on his neck

 

“You will have to let me do a full physical on you tomorrow if you don't mind?” Ritsuko is looking in front of her trying to keep her eyes open but the wind is preventing it.

 

“I don't mind it is actually a good thing that you do because you never know what could happen to me.” They end there conversation there so they just enjoy the rest of the way to Misato's place.

 

“Where here.” Michael says approching the apartment building making Michael start to decend but he flies over to Misato's balcony and lands on there. He sets Ritsuko down and she starts to straighten her clothes out from all the wind. She just notices that she is taller then Michael and just shakes her head and all he does is grin at her.

 

“Ladies first.” He walks over to the patio door and opens it for her and Ritsuko just rolls her eyes and walks in to find a brown haired boy staring at her with wide eyes.

 

“Hello Shinji I see that you didn't want to stay.” Ritsuko says to him giving him a warm smile.

 

“Yeah I just didn't want to be there anymore but how did you get on my balcony?” Shinji was holding a cup of water but now it was mostly on his shirt now.

 

“That would have been me.” Michael appears from behind her and walks over to the cabinet to grab a cup and get some water also.

 

“How did you get up there?” Shinji still confused.

 

“I flew us up here.” Michael says.

 

“Ok I was just wondering.” Shinji goes back to the sink but then stops. “Did you say fly?” Michael shakes his head and all Shinji does rub his head with one of his arms and just shakes his head and goes back to getting water.

 

“Where is Misato Shinji?” Ritsuko was watching the whole time Shinji get even more confused and wanted to laugh but decided against it.

 

“She is in her room.” Shinji says turning back to her. Ritsuko says her thanks and starts to walk towards her room wondering what will be said when she sees her. She gets up to the door and lets out a long breath and lifts up her arm and knocks. She hears a crash and a few curse words come from the otherside and just shakes her head and when the door finally opens she is looking into a set of brown eyes. They stare at each other for what seems like an eternity but finally Misato lunges at her and gives her a big hug.

 

“I thought I would never see you again.” Misato has tears running down her face and Ritsuko starts to hug her back also starting to cry some.

 

“I made so many mistakes none that I can ask for forgivness.” Ritsuko said holding her friend like she was about to disappear.

 

“You won't get any from me.” Misato breaks the hug and looks at her with a small smile and Ritsuko returns it.

 

“I am sorry Misato for everything I promise I will make everything right.” Ritsuko has her head down but she lifts it back up giving her a smile.

 

“I know you will and we can start by talking about how you are going to make it right.” Misato grabs her arm and drags her into the room and closes the door and they start talking about the future of nerv and the pilots.

 

Back in the kitchen Michael and Shinji are making dinner for everyone and talking to each other about things. Michael was mostly asking questions on what you can do in this city when all the construction is done and everything opens back up.

 

“There is a lot of places around but nothing I really like but there is a big mall that Asuka really likes going to all the time.” Michael stored that to memory for when he goes and takes Asuka shopping for his apology. They continue chatting about random things until Asuka walks into the kitchen and to the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water.

 

“Hey Asuka whats happenin?” Michael asks her not taking his eyes off the food he is preparing. Asuka walks over to the table and sits down in a chair.

 

“Nothing much just being bored.” She puts leans on one of her arms and stares at the two preparing dinner for everyone.

 

“It has been a long day for everyone hasn't it?” Michael to the two and they both just shake there heads. “I for one am glad that it is over with and we can relax for the rest of the night.” The other two both agree and just let the silence comfort them because they all know it won't last much longer.

 

“Dinner smells great you two I can't wait.” Misato says walking into the kitchen with Ritsuko behind her. Michael just waves a wooden spoon in the air acknowledging he heard her.

 

“Well everyone is here except Rei.” Shinji looks around and notices that she indeed was not there.

 

`That's weird I wonder were she could be?' He thought to himself. He untied his chefs apron and put on a hook behind the kitchen door and walked to his room. He knocks on the door first before entering because he learned from Asuka not asking could be fatal to his health. When he didn't get an answer he opened the door and looked to see that she was fast asleep on the bed. He quietly walks in the room and over to the bed and looks down at her.

 

`I don't really want to wake her she looks so peaceful.' He doesn't realize it till it happened that he started to run his hand through her hair and pauses when he notices. His eyes are wide and he doesn't move his hand any further scared that she is going to wake up and kill him. He slowly starts to move his hand away when she moves her head and he sees her red eyes looking right in his blue ones. He backs away quickly fearing for his life.

 

“I'm sorry Rei I didn't mean to I swear, I don't know what came over me.” She gets up and walks over to him and he tries to back away but is stopped a wall. She stands right in front of him and just stares into his eyes and doesn't say anything making Shinji even more nervous. Then he is shocked when she walks forward and lays her head on his shoulder and wraps her arms around his back and starts to hug him. Shinji to say the least was very confused and shocked all at once and didn't know what to do. Finally he slowly started to wrap his arms around her midsection pulling her in closer not knowing why he is doing this but he is going with his instinct.

 

“Rei what is going on here?” He whispers to her not wanting to break the contact they have.

 

“I don't know I just felt like hugging you, is it a problem?” She raises her head to look at him without letting go of him. “When you put your hand in my hair I liked it.” Shinji tensed up at that and didn't move after that. He really didn't know what to do.

 

“Hey guys dinner is ready you coming? Michael yells out to them breaking them from there hug. They both look at each other for a second before turning around to go eat.

 

“Finally you guys get out here was Shinji trying to get into bed with you Rei.” Misato started to tease them making Shinji blush and Rei just stare at her funny.

 

“Shinji was not trying to get to the bed with me all he did was come in and get me for dinner but I did give him a hug.” That made Shinji shake his head and blush even harder because he knew that she was fueling Misato for more teasing to come.

 

“I'm surprised the little baka didn't try to take advantage of you.” Asuka started in all the teasing and was smirking at the more red he got.

 

“Ok ladies lets please let casanova here alone so we can eat a nice dinner plus we have a guest tonight.” Michael was also teasing him a little making want to run from the kitchen Michael just dragged him to his chair before he could run anywhere. Dinner was actually very nice and it was full of laughter and conversation, Rei even got into one of the conversations. There was no name calling or any down depression in the atomosphere of the apartment just all good nature family meal. After everyone finished Misato took Ritsuko home and Shinji and Rei were doing dishes together again talking this time about school and what will happen in the future. Michael was sitting outside with his eyes closed breathing in the nice cool air from the night sky.

 

He hears the balcony door slide open and close and watches as Asuka walks to the rail and leans against and just stares at nothing really. Michael looks at her for a second and decides to get up and join her. He walks over and copies her by leaning against the rail and stares out to nothing.

 

“Why are you so nice to everyone?” She just asks out of the blue making him look at her.

 

“It was the way I taught and well I guess it is the right thing to do but push me the right way I can also be the ugliest person you know.” He tells her making her look at him now them making eye contact for a minute.

 

“I can't believe that for a second.” She says turning away from him and looking back out. Michael lifts an eyebrow in confusion.

 

“Why is that?” She turns back around to him.

 

“Your to nice to be mean to anyone.” He smiles at her for the compliment.

 

“Well your right there but if someone to threaten to hurt my friends or loved ones I will show them the meaning of fear.” He tells her not changing his tone in anyway.

 

“This is hard for me so give me a break when I say this.” He shakes his head real quick in confusion.

 

“Thank you for earlier today when I started to cry and well when I cried on you, you didn't tease me or anything.” She says making Michael head pop back in shock.

 

“I would never make fun of you crying Asuka you have my word on that and anyways it is ok that you cried on me and I am always here if you need to.” Michael says giving her a genuine smile and she smiles back not in her cocky way either.

 

“I am heading in for the night so you have a goodnight Asuka.” Michael starts to walk away. Asuka suddenly had a big feeling wanting to hug him and well for the first time in a while went with that feeling.

 

“Michael…” hearig his name coming from the redhead he turns around to find her coming towards him then shocking him wrapping her arms around him. He quickly recovers and wraps his hands around her to return the hug.

 

“Goodnight.” She says letting go of him and walking back to the apartment to go to bed. Michael watches as she disappears into the apartment and notices that she truly was beautiful in his eyes. Michael walks into the apartment and shuts off the lights to the kitchen and walks to the living room to find Shinji already on the couch but he is listening to SDAT and has his eyes closed. Deciding to just leave him alone tonight just goes straight to bed taking his shirt off and setting it in a pile that he created and noticed that he really needed to get new clothes because all he had was clothes that nerv was providing him for a while. He lays on the floor and soon falls to sleep waiting for the next days events to come.

 

*A/N* Finally I finished it and it took me forever to do it. Well hopefully I will get the next chapter up sooner then that.