Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evagelion or any of the characters within.

Authors Note: This is the revised version. With the reviews I received, I decided to give this another try. It will be the same as before, but divided into chapters and done over so that it will be more in line with NGE personalities. People will probably still be OOC, but not as badly as before. Again, I've seen episodes 1-4 and everything else I've learned from websites, manga comics, and reading Eva fanfics (Mostly fanfics).

Time for round two…

Chap. 1

This will end now. No more.

Rei, Asuka, Misato, Touji, Kaji, Karowu; everyone he's ever known or loved has suffered. Why must everyone he gets close to suffer? He didn't know if he could take much more of this, how much more his heart could take before it shattered completely. But despite this, he felt sure of the path he was about to chose. He reached the knob of his door, hands trembling. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away.

"Misato, can...can I talk with you for a moment?"

Currently, she was sitting in the living room, with the TV off. Her eyes seemed far away; she hadn't slept in days. He knew it had something to do with Mr. Kaji. A can of beer was by the side, but she hadn't drunk it. She didn't seem to hear him so he continued.

"I...wanted to thank you...for everything."

She turned her head toward him, now appearing to pay some attention.

"When we first met, I always thought you were an immature person who was using me for your own ends. But then you invited me into your home, helped me through the Angels, and even comforted me when things got bad." Shinji sat next to her, "You are the closest thing I have to a parent now and I wanted to show you my thanks."

Misato continued to stare at him and Shinji began to rise.

"Shinji..."

Misato called to him and he sat back down. Their eyes met and Shinji saw into them. Her eyes were lonely, so lonely. Like his. He didn't want to look anymore. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away.

"I....I...."

The eyes were beginning to tear and Shinji was beginning to feel even more sorrow. His guardian like this was becoming too much for him to handle. But then he realized this may be my only way to say thank you. Those eyes...were the same as his. So he did the only thing he could think of.

He kissed her...

Not on the cheek or the forehead, but on the lips. Her sweet, soft lips... Misato was surprised by this act, but she did move away either. Instead she closed her eyes and deepened the kiss, taking in the comfort and warmth, no matter how small. This is what they shared now. Loneliness. But in this moment, they could help each other. Shinji finally broke away from her and she slowly slid back, eyes still closed. She's asleep. I guess its better this way.

Rei's apartment...

Ayanami Rei sat down quietly in her apartment, looking out of the window. The loud sounds outside didn't disturb her in the least. She thought about Eva, about Nerv, and about her predecessor self-destructing. She was third Rei; the third....and last. Dr. Akagi had seen to that. She doesn't possess all of the memories of her predecessor, but enough for the moment to know who she was. It would only be a matter of time. But she did remember her last words.

"I wish to be one with Ikari-kun."

Why would she say that? It didn't make sense. He was just the Third Child, an Eva pilot like her. Beyond that and school, what else was there?

Knock, knock.

Rei looked at the door, but made no move to answer. Silence followed for awhile.

"Ayanami? Are you there?"

Ikari-kun. Why was he there? Calmly, she stood up and answered the door. There in the rain stood Shinji. He was still, not saying anything and not moving a muscle as the rain continued to pour.

"Did you want something, Pilot Ikari?"

Shinji stayed quiet, his eyes filled with nervousness and doubt. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away.

"I....wanted to....talk to you. Can...I come in?"

She didn't respond, but she walked back into her apartment and he followed. Her apartment was still a mess, Shinji thought to himself. So dreary.

"Ayanami. I....just wanted to tell you...that you've been a great friend."

She just stared at him, saying nothing. He expected that.

"I know that a part of you is my mother, and that may have contributed to your personality somewhat. And I wasn't fair to you when I found out about the dummy plug system. But still, you protected me many times and I wanted to say my thanks."

"I wish to be one with Ikari-kun."

Shinji blinked. He didn't expect her to say that.

"Excuse me?"

Rei stood up, "That is the only other thing I remember about you. Why did I say that?"

Shinji looked at the ground, nervous. "Err...well...I'm not sure."

She looked at him, "I see."

Shinji saw it again. The loneliness in her crimson eyes. He started moving to her, unaware that he was even moving at all. He suddenly wrapped his arms around her in a quiet embrace. Rei was startled by this. She didn't much like physical contact with people, but this felt....warm, comfortable. Is it because of him? Without thinking, she returned the hug.

I think I understand now, Shinji.

The held each other for quite awhile and then reluctantly, Rei moved away.

"Shinji."

"Yes?"

"I am Rei Ayanami. I am I. Not your mother."

Shinji smiled, "Yes. You are right." He then appeared nervous again. Rei decided to wait him out this time and soon, he reached into his back pocket. His hand clenched in a fist, Shinji then reached out and held her hand and moved his fist into it.

"Thank you for always being you, Rei-chan."

Shinji turned around and left the apartment. Goodbye, Rei. For a while, Rei just stood there, looking at where Shinji had left. She then looked at what Shinji left her. It was a small box. In it was a little silver necklace with a blue gem in it.

Hospital....

Shinji entered the room. On the sleep bed laid Asuka. Her eyes were closed and various devices were hooked to her. Her vital signs were steady, but her mental signs were another matter. Shinji sat next to the redheaded German girl.

"Asuka, I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you, to help you. If you wake up, I probably won't be around. Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll find someone else to torment on a daily basis." He caressed her cheek briefly, "You'll probably call me a baka for doing this and truthfully, I wouldn't blame you. But I feel that this is the only thing I could now. "

Shinji stood up and left a card on the side.

"Goodbye, Asuka."

Misato awoke an hour later, her mind still a little foggy as to what happened. Let me see, I was sitting down, Shinji was talking, he kissed me.....he kissed me? She touched her lips as the memory came back. "Shinji? Shinji, are you here?"

Misato stood up and checked his room. The room was empty. He must have gone out. Probably ran away again. I don't blame him. She walked to her room and looked around for no reason. It was then that she noticed....Her gun was missing from its holster.

"Oh my god, no."

Shinji Ikari marched through the bowels of the Nerv HQ. He had never been so terrified in his entire life. But he had to do this. He had to. It was the only thing. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I won't run away! He reached a certain pair of doors and stopped, contemplating what he was planning to do. He knew what he was going to do. He pushed the door bell.

A harsh voice came over, "Who?"

"It's me, father."

"What do you want?"

"I have something important to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"I can't tell you like this."

The door opened and Shinji walked into the darkness. There standing in the middle of the large office, Commander Ikari sat there, his dark shades hiding his eyes from view.

"What is it, Pilot Ikari?"

The voice was cold and demanding, but Shinji didn't flinch. Hmm, that is new, Gendo observed.

"I want to know everything. Eva, the Angels, pilots, everything."

Gendo gave a slight scowl, "Request denied. Leave."

Shinji nodded and walked to the door but before he left, he sealed the door and locked it.

"Pilot Ikari, explain yourself."

Shinji turned around, but something was different. His eyes had changed. They were now cold and void of any emotion.

And he was pointing Misato's gun at his father...