It was the next morning and Units 00 through 02 were starting their work again as usual. The dark, low clouds coming in seemed to be just what Shinji had noticed.

"Egh, I hate rain," Asuka replied as she hefted another pylon into place by her shoulder.

Units 01 and 00 started locking it into place with rivets.

"Why's that?" Shinji asked her.

"Always ruins my hair," Asuka answered.

Shinji sighed a little. "Ah, right."

Dr. Akagi looked down at the screen Maya was using with a raised eyebrow. Cirus was leaning against the back wall of the command center, just below Ikari and Fuyutsuki. It was not difficult for the young man to catch her look.

"Something wrong, Dr. Akagi?" he asked.

"Not really," she answered. "Rain just tends to depress me. I think it's the increase in air pressure."

Though it wasn't visible, he looked up at the screen with his eyes. "Yes, it's better than alcohol when it comes to being a depressant," Cirus replied.

"I wouldn't say that," Misato commented with a nostalgically pained look on her face.

"Ah, one too many hang-overs, Major?" the coat-wearing boy asked back sardonically.

The Major let her head dip forward. "A lot more than one too many," she answered in a glum tone.

Cirus grimaced out of sympathy for her. Shifting his attention, he looked up at the main screen again, and shook his head. Asuka was moving very slowly, and it had nothing to do with how tired she was or her synch ratio. She was just being lazy. Cirus smiled lightly and looked back down at the command center. That was just Asuka's way.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was enjoying his suspension," Fuyutsuki commented quietly.

"It appears that way, but there's little we can do about it," Ikari replied.

Only a moment later, the subject of their swift interchange stepped forward from the wall with a creased brow as he looked up at the screen. "Major Katsuragi, perhaps you should remind Asuka that those pylons weigh seventy tons?" Cirus suggested, but his tone indicated the matter was serious.

Misato looked up, and saw that Unit 02 was holding the pylon in place with one hand and was mimicking a human yawning gesture. "Yes, I think you're right," she replied dryly. "Asuka, hold that pylon in place with both hands please," she ordered.

"Ah, Misato, give me a break," Asuka replied wearily as she placed both of Unit 02's hands on the pylon while Shinji and Rei riveted it into place better.

"Asuka, if you force us to bring Cirus out of suspension, you'll get suspended. Am I clear?" Misato asked seriously.

"Sheesh, fine, whatever, sorry."

Cirus shook his head more disapprovingly this time. "Is she always like that?"

"Unfortunately so," a new voice said as the command center door opened.

"Ah, Mr. Kaji," Cirus identified the newcomer calmly without looking at him.

"I take it you're the sixth child I've been hearing so much about?" Kaji asked as he walked up.

"More than likely, but I doubt you've heard much," the boy returned.

Kaji chuckled. "Fair enough. So how's the construction going, Katsuragi?" he asked turning to Misato.

"Eh, good, but I wish Cirus could be out there," Misato answered.

"Oh?" Kaji looked back at the remaining pilot. "Why isn't he?"

"I got suspended," Cirus answered.

"Ah, sorry to hear it," Kaji replied. Was that all?

"Won't be for long..." Cirus' voice trailed off as he looked up at the screen. He stepped forward, up at Hyuga's right shoulder. "Hyuga, would do me a favor and scan those clouds?" he asked quietly.

Hyuga looked up at him with a quizzical expression, but quickly started to do it when he saw Cirus' face. As he started the scan he realized something odd about the clouds also. They weren't raining. Tapping a few controls, his screen showed a graph running through several computations. At first scan the clouds appeared to be normal, but there was an undercurrent of energy flow inside them clearly measured on the sensor. "That's not natural," Hyuga gravely noted.

"I was afraid you were going to say that- Major!" Cirus said quickly, calling Misato over.

"Yes, what?" the dark-haired woman asked as she stepped over to them.

Hyuga responded quickly as he looked over to her. "There's something wrong with those clouds, Major."

"Something very wrong. Clouds that heavy and that low should be drowning us out," Cirus added.

Misato looked up and then across to Ritsuko. "Ritsuko?"

"He's right. There is something definitely wrong with them, but aside from the lack of natural activity they aren't doing anything," Ritsuko answered.

"What is the probability of it being an Angel?" Ikari asked.

"According to the Magi there's an eighty percent chance," Maya answered.

"Go to first stage alert. Tell the pilots," Ikari ordered calmly.

"Yes, sir!" rang out through the command center.

"Shinji, Rei, Asuka, the clouds might be an Angel. Stop construction and prepare for an attack," Misato ordered.

"I knew it!" Asuka's voice came back as the three Evas complied.

Cirus looked from the screen up to Ikari. Ikari looked down at the young man and shook his head. The young man gritted his teeth. Ikari you stubborn fool! He reluctantly turned around and leaned back against the wall, forcing himself to watch. Units 01 and 02 each collected rifles from their launch pad and a close building, respectively, while Unit 00 let her cannon rise up on a fresh platform to her right. Gripping the long barrel, she hefted it into her arms, and looked up at the sky with her usual calm focus inside the entry-plug.

Ayobi's eyes flared with controlled alarm at his screen. "AT field detected!"

"Attack," Misato ordered calmly as she looked up with a flat facade.

Units 02 and 01 opened fire at the clouds, spraying it with bullets. They hit the AT field in scattering waves of phase-shift, failing to penetrate. Several more powerful shots came from Unit 00, stationed directly across from her two comrades, but also failed to break the powerful barrier.

"Shinji, give me a lift!" Asuka shouted as Unit 02 dropped its rifle, and ran towards Unit 01.

"I understand," Shinji replied and Unit 01 ducked, releasing its own weapon, and holding out its hands in a platform.

Unit 02 leapt up, landed one foot in Unit 01's hands, and Unit 01 launched it into the air towards the cloud. Unit 02's AT field spread around it like an arrowhead as it streaked towards the cloud. It slammed through the Angel's AT field, and crashed into the amorphous white body.

Suddenly, the cloud rushed around Unit 02 and absorbed it.

"Asuka!!" Shinji shouted.

Just as abruptly, Unit 02 erupted out of the cloud, and slammed into the ground with a horrific crash. The cloud came alive and tentacles shot out. Several grabbed Units 01 and 00, and lifting them into the air. Before either Eva could attack it, it threw them away, and then returned to its former shape. Almost immediately, rain started to pour down out of its body, washing over the surface below.

Everyone watched in horror as the cover started to corrode from the assault.

Unit 00 leapt off the ground, and slammed into the cloud bodily. In response, it burst into a writhing mass of tentacles. Unit 00 disappeared inside the Angel, and then it went silent.

"She's still alive," Maya reported.

Yet again the cloud exploded into action, and Unit 00 flew out of the bottom. The Evangelion slammed into the covering with a violent crash, the metal rending and popping free in sections beneath it.

Cirus stepped forward swiftly, jerking from the wall. Rei!

The Angel sent three larger tentacles down at Unit 00 and started battering it mercilessly. The tentacles shot down like pistons, ramming into the Eva's torso. Each impact forced it down into the covering as well, causing severe damage to both.

"Ayanami!" Shinji shouted, running and leaping at the Angel, but another tentacle shot out, gripping Unit 01 around the waist. It slammed him to the ground once, forcibly, before uncoiling in an almost leisurely fashion to return to the cloud's mass. Unit 01 didn't get back up.

Urgently, Cirus looked up at Ikari, his expression slack from worry, but the commander shook his head. The young man's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding, but he looked back to the fight without further complaint.

The Angel wrapped a slender tentacle around Unit 00�s neck and lifted it into the air. A loud crash resounded as the metal flew apart around the Eva being yanked out of it finally.

"Rei!?" Misato shouted.

Rei couldn't answer; her neck was being squeezed too tightly. She gritted her teeth against the pain and tried to pull away, but Unit 00's arms were badly damaged.

Suddenly the Angel went limp and dropped Unit 00. A knife appeared in its underbelly.

"Die!" Asuka's angered voice came through loud and clear as her progressive knife spun around the Angel's cloud-like body. The glowing line flashed subtly, and then split the behemoth in half.

Unit 02 dropped to the ground amidst the downpour of red liquid, falling to its haunches and clenched fists forward. Rising up calmly, it replaced the knife in its shoulder holster.

"Asuka, well done. Help Units 01 and 00 get to their launch pads, quickly!" Misato ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Asuka replied.

Unit 02 ran over to Unit 00 first. It was battered, a good deal of armor warped or cracked. Resisting a sympathetic wince, Asuka quickly picked the Eva up with her own, and moved it to the nearest launch-pad, helping it lock into place. Spotting Unit 01 across the cover, she ran off to do the same, and then move Unit 02 to its own pad.

"How did she get inside the Angel?" Ayobi asked.

"She must have done it when Shinji attacked," Ritsuko answered as the three Evas were brought in.

"Have a medical team ready when the Evas return," Ikari ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Misato replied and opened a channel to the medical bay.

Cirus quickly ran out of the command center.

"How are they?" Ikari asked, standing beside Ritsuko at the window to the room in which Shinji and Rei were being treated.

"Shinji's injuries are less serious, he will be out tomorrow," Ritsuko answered. Her face turned somber as she reported Rei's condition. "She was badly hurt. It may be a week, it may be a year," she explained slowly.

As usual, Ikari showed no signs of reaction while looking in at the two pilots. "How likely is it that she will survive?"

"That is also... rather uncertain..."

"Give her a month," Ikari replied, and then turned and walked away.

Ritsuko looked over her shoulder at the retreating form of Ikari, and then back to the window, placing her hand on the glass. Considering everything, a month was a great deal for him to give, but Rei still deserved more than that.

Ritsuko bowed her head and retreated herself. She wasn't a medical doctor anyway.

Cirus heard their conversation. He was leaning against the wall around the nearest turn to Shinji and Rei's room, listening. He clenched his teeth and squeezed his fist. If he hadn't gotten himself suspended he would have there to help her. And then Ikari only giving her a month to live. Was the girl not human enough to at least warrant keeping her alive as long as possible?

Cirus pushed away from the wall and rounded the bend, walking past the window of the room. Reaching the door on the other side, he entered silently.

The room itself was very quiet, save for the occasional beep of monitoring equipment along the back wall, on either side of the two beds. He softly walked over to the far bed, with Rei in it. Without a sound, he continued around the foot of the bed and up to the right side of it, getting down low so that he was only a few inches taller than the bed itself.

Rei was resting peacefully, it seemed, her eyes closed and her body straight and still. Dark, purple-blue bruises flowed down her neck and over her collar area, disappearing under her tunic. Cirus guessed her entire torso was the same, but would never check.

"You deserve better than this," he said softly.

Smoothly rising, his hand reached up, but stopped a few inches from her face. Doubt filled his thoughts immediately. He didn't know if he should, or had the right, to do what he desired. Letting his hand settle back down to the edge of the bed, the young man looked at her peaceful expression. A single tear fell down his face from under his glasses and he reached up again. The pale hand gently caressed the side of her cheek and then he pulled it back. Her skin was so soft.

"I'm so sorry, Rei..."

Later that day, Misato walked into the room, and saw Cirus sitting in a chair against the wall, near Rei's bed. One of his legs was crossed over the other and his arms were resting on the sides. Surprised to see him there, she walked over. "How long have you been here?" she asked quietly. Something about the air in the room made it seem necessary to be quiet.

Cirus looked up at her with a faint smile. "Long enough," he answered.

Misato's face became a little more serious. "Long enough for what?"

Cirus let out a single mirthless chuckle. "Don't worry, Major. I'm not going to blow the place up."

His voice was incredibly soft. Misato didn't think she'd ever heard a male voice so much so, and was especially surprised to have it come from him.

"I didn't think you would, but you look upset," Misato explained.

Cirus' expression lightened, but Misato could tell it was forced. "I didn't know you cared," he replied with a wry smile.

"Oh give me some credit, Cirus," Misato retorted.

Cirus bowed his head apologetically. "So how's Asuka?"

Misato smiled at his change of subject. "She's fine. Especially since she can't work on the construction alone and we have to hold it all off."

Cirus flashed a slight smile. "That's the Asuka I know all right."

Misato smiled back at him, and then looked at Rei, and then Shinji. "He's supposed to wake up soon. Rei will, too," she added, looking back at Cirus.

Cirus nodded once slowly. "One way or another," he replied.

Misato's face sunk slightly in sympathy for both Rei and Cirus, her dark eyes watching the young man remain calmly intent on Rei. She said a quick good bye to him and then left the medical bay.

Cirus kept his ever-hidden eyes resting on Rei beneath the dark glasses over his face. He was not going to leave her alone... not now.

Shinji opened his eyes slowly and saw the ceiling of the medical bay. This time an all too familiar one as his mind fully returned to consciousness. Sitting up in bed, he rubbed his head wearily.

"Welcome back," Cirus' voice greeted him.

Shinji looked up to his left in surprise and saw Cirus sitting in a chair against the far wall, beside Rei's bed. "T-thanks."

"I think Misato misses you. You might want to get changed and go find her," Cirus explained.

"Oh... Oh-right," Shinji sputtered out.

He hopped out of bed and closed the curtains before changing back into his clothes. A quiet shink rippled as he opened the curtains again a few minutes later, and nodded a good bye to Cirus before leaving the medical bay.

As Shinji walked he realized something. Had Cirus been there the whole time?

Misato was standing at the window looking in on Rei and Cirus, a worried expression on her face. Footsteps coming from her right drew her attention away.

"Ah, hello Ritsuko," she said with a smile.

Her old friend tipped her head to the Major faintly, her eyes closing for a moment.

"Hello Misato. What are you doing here? Checking in on Rei?" Ritsuko asked with a doubtful smile.

Misato shook her head. "No, checking in on Cirus," she clarified.

Ritsuko's brow creased and she stepped up beside Misato and looked in. "How long has he been there?" she asked.

"Since yesterday," Misato answered.

"Surely he didn't..." Ritsuko's voice trailed off.

"Yes," her friend nodded, "he stayed the whole night. In fact he hasn't moved from that spot. I would have thought he was dead except that I can see him breathing," Misato explained.

"...You don't think he blames himself for that attack, do you?" Ritsuko asked, looking at Misato.

Misato gave an uncomfortable nod. "That would be my bet."

Ritsuko sighed, turning her head down and away somewhat. "Poor child." Her blond hair shone a little as she looked up again. "He's so quiet and calm you think he's older than the others, but he's still only fourteen," she commented.

"Yes. ...Did you look into that thing I told you about?" Misato asked, her tone becoming more business oriented.

Ritsuko looked down for a moment before looking up with a forced smile. "Yes, but we found nothing. It's as if his Eva was never damaged at all."

"His suspension ends in three days. Do you think he'll pilot it and leave Rei alone here?" Misato asked, her own doubt coming through in her question.

"No. Not a chance if he�s been here for this long already."

"I was afraid you were going to say that. The Commander will get rid of him the first day he refuses to pilot," Misato said.

"Hmm, perhaps, perhaps not. Don't forget, Cirus was sent by SEELE. Ikari would be making a mistake if he rubbed Cirus the wrong way for too long," Ritsuko replied.

"I guess you're right. Come on," Misato said, stepping away from the window, "we've stared at him long enough."

Ritsuko didn't argue the point and the two of them started walking down the hall. When Asuka stormed past them, a glare set on her face, they looked at each other.

"Do you think we should go warn him?" Misato asked.

"...No. He needs to deal with that himself," Ritsuko answered.

Misato had to admit Ritsuko had a point and they continued on.

Asuka stormed down the hall and around the bend, past the window, and then into the room. Cirus looked up and grimaced.

"Hello Asuka," he said.

"Would you do this for me if I was unconscious for days on end?" Asuka asked, her tone was deathly calm.

"Asuka, calm down."

"I will not! You lied to me!" Cirus winced but he didn't get up. "I wasn't lying at the time," he replied calmly.

"What do you mean 'at the time'?" Asuka asked back, her tone's anger more evident, which meant she was calming down slightly.

"I wasn't lying to you when I told you that I wasn't looking for romance," he answered.

"Then why are you waiting at her bedside?!" Asuka demanded.

"Asuka, think logically. Rei most likely wouldn't want me anyway. I'm just here because I feel guilty!" his voice raised for the first time. Softening his voice almost apologetically, he continued, "If it wasn't for me neither Rei nor Shinji would have gotten so badly hurt. You saved them, and for that I owe you a great deal."

Asuka's expression went from anger to sheer shock and surprise. "You mean you aren't..."

"I'm not going to answer that, but I do owe you a great deal for saving them both," he repeated.

"Oh Cirus! It's so obvious you have a crush on her! Why do you keep avoiding it!?"

"Keep your voice down," Cirus told her firmly.

"Oh what? I thought you wanted her to wake up!"

"I doubt waking up to your screaming would do her much good, Asuka," Cirus retorted. He immediately felt awful and softened his face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that."

Asuka just stared at him, the hurt apparent in her eyes. "Fine, see if I care. Just have your little wind up doll girl-friend!" Asuka finished and started for the door.

She felt a touch on her arm and she whirled around in fright. Cirus was standing directly behind her. "How did-?!"

"Asuka, I am sorry. I feel sympathy for Rei because everyone here treats her like a wind up doll. I'll admit, I find her attractive, but so are you. That's not where you and she go differently in my mind," he explained calmly.

That calmed down Asuka quite a bit. She looked up at him and asked, "Then where do we go differently?"

Cirus arched his eyebrows in frustration. He didn't want to say this to anyone, yet alone Asuka. "...Please, don't make me answer that right now," he begged her.

Asuka gave him a frustrated glare, but it was much more blunt than when she'd come in. "Fine then, but I'll find out eventually," she replied and then left finally.

Cirus grimaced as the door closed again. "I have no doubt you will..."

He turned and walked back to the chair at Rei's bedside. He sat down and settled himself again, then waited, as he had been for the past hours. They drew on into the night, but he remained, waiting and watching. Dawn came, a nurse offered him breakfast with the others, her concern growing more serious, but he calmly refused. The time drew on further, his eyes resting carefully on her peaceful expression, focused and concerned.

And it continued that way for three straight days. He refused any food or drink, his voice remaining calm and normal, even perfectly animated. Even so, he never moved, and only looked away when directly addressed by someone else in the room. The concern of the nurses attending Rei grew for him, but it was to no avail.

Rei's peaceful expression at least made it look as though she was not in pain. He watched her chest steadily rise and fall with her breaths every few seconds, as if she were in a deep, restful sleep. She was truly beautiful, Cirus just wished he could see her smile once...