FIFTEEN

I walked across the bar toward the front and sat on the edge of one of the tables to wait for Barret and try to get my emotions under some kind of control. He'd gotten under my skin downstairs and I had ended up losing my cool. Though I'd kept it down more or less while I'd been saying goodbye to Jessie and the guys, that anger still simmered inside me like a pot boiling on a hot stove.

When the elevator went down and then came back up again, I saw it wasn't Barret who had ridden upstairs, but Tifa. I wasn't surprised to see her, really. She could be as persistent as Wedge sometimes. Seemed she hadn't given up yet, but I didn't think there was anything she could say that would get me to change my mind.

"Cloud," she said, walking up to me. "Stay with us. Please. We need you. I'm asking you, as your friend."

I shook my head. "Sorry, Tif. I can't do that."

But she didn't stop. "The planet's dying, a little more every day. We have to do something while we still can."

Hadn't Tifa figured out by now that I didn't believe in that stuff? It didn't make sense to me. Never had. I understood that she and the rest believed in what they were doing and that it was important to them. It just wasn't my problem, and I didn't see any reason to change that. And while I hated Shinra as much as they did despite what I'd said down in the basement, I wasn't ready to join this fight.

"Barret and the others can handle it," I said. "It's not my problem."

Tifa put her hands on her hips. "And what about Jessie?"

I frowned. "What about her?"

"I've seen the way you look at her," she replied, folding her arms in front of her. "You've spent a lot of time with her these past two months, and not just on the job. She's told me."

"So?" I shrugged. "She's a friend. Like you."

Tifa fixed me with a knowing gaze. "Maybe at first. But what about now? Sure you're not just trying to run away from something you don't know how to handle?"

I blinked. "What do you mean? I'm not running away."

"You're leaving, aren't you? Once you get your money? We grew up together, Cloud. You and I. How can you just forget about that? I need your help. Jessie needs your help. We all do."

"I haven't forgotten, Tifa," I argued. "How can you think that?"

She sighed. "Maybe because you're trying to walk out on us, Cloud. On me. Your childhood friend."

I stared at her. "You know it's not like that!"

"Then show me! Because I'm not buying the selfish mercenary act anymore. I know you care. You're just afraid to really show it. I've seen enough of you over the past eight weeks to know that much. So, Cloud, I'm asking you… please don't go."

"I don't know," I said. "Barret's a real headache."

Tifa laughed. "He can be, but he means well. You'll see."

I wasn't so sure about that. "Maybe."

"Hey, Cloud," she went on, sitting next to me on the table. "Do you remember our promise? From back home?"

At first, I didn't. My mind was strangely muddled, almost blank. It didn't make any sense. But then I saw an image in my thoughts, a water tower under a night sky sparkling with a thousand stars. Something I'd seen a long time ago. I had been there, but not alone. Tifa had come to see me, just as I'd asked her to. The memory was clear now, and I knew exactly what she was talking about.

I nodded. "Yeah, I do. Our promise…"

Tifa smiled. "Seven years ago. I'm so glad you didn't forget about it. I thought you might have."

"No, I remember," I told her.

"That's good. So why don't you start, then?"

I nodded. "Alright. I was worried you wouldn't show up, Tifa. And it was getting pretty cold out there. You know how chilly the mountain air can get at night…"

"Sorry I'm late!"

I looked to my right, and there she was. Tifa peeked out from behind the side of the broad wooden basin here at the top of the old water tower, the wind ruffling the edges of her pale blue dress. I was fourteen, my hair a lot longer back then and pulled into a ponytail as I sat one one side of the water tower's top ledge.Tifa walked out onto the ledge and sat down around the corner from me. Our legs dangled over the air, and above us, thousands of stars glittered in the night sky.

She glanced at me. "You had something you wanted to tell me?"

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "Yeah. When spring comes, I'm leaving town. Gonna head for Midgar."

"Seems like all the boys are leaving," Tifa sighed.

She looked down at the ground about twenty feet or so below us. An old pickup truck was parked in its usual spot near the town gate, and the lights from the houses surrounding the main square shone brightly in the dark. Hers and mine were next door to each other, off to our left. Past all that, toward the back of town, the gloomy shadow of the creepy mansion everyone called Shinra Manor frowned over the rest of the village. Rising above it all in the distance were the Nibel Mountains, a towering, narrow line of jagged peaks that stabbed into the sky just a few miles away. I had always wondered what was on the other side, but no one in town seemed to know. I intended to find out someday, though.

I got up and walked over to Tifa. "But I'm not like them."

"Why's that?" she asked.

"Because I'm not just looking for a job," I explained. "I'm gonna join SOLDIER. I'm gonna be the best there is, just like Sephiroth!"

Tifa's eyes widened. "Sephiroth? ThatSephiroth?"

"That's right," I said.

There wasn't anyone in the world who didn't know who he was. The famous war hero and general. Sephiroth was a SOLDIER First Class, just what I wanted to be. The war with Wutai was still going on, but Shinra's forces, led by Sephiroth, had won battle after battle. He was unstoppable, and no one could stand against him. It was my dream to become a great warrior and hero just like him.

Tifa went on. "Isn't it hard to join SOLDIER, though?"

"Yeah," I agreed, climbing up to the top of the water tower. "It's pretty tough. I probably won't be able to come back home for a while. Could be a long time. Years, even."

"Think you'll be in the newspapers?" she wondered.

"I'll try," I smirked.

Tifa looked up at me, smiling in the moonlight. "Well, then… in that case, how about you promise me something? If you get famous and I ever need you, you'll come running and save me, okay?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

"If I'm ever in trouble," she repeated, "my hero will rescue me. I'd like to know what that feels like, just once."

"I don't get it…" I scratched my head.

Tifa rolled her eyes. "Come on, Cloud! Just promise me, okay?"

I shrugged and nodded. "Alright, Tifa. I promise."

Just then, a shooting star suddenly raced across the sky, and we both looked up in amazement. Tifa gasped in delight, and as the chilly winter wind swept around us, I climbed back down to the ledge and sat down in the spot I'd been in earlier. We sat there for a little while longer, watching the stars but not really saying anything. It was a night that seemed like it would never end, and I didn't want it to.

"Guess you remembered after all," Tifa smiled. She was still sitting next to me on the table. "The promise you made me."

I nodded. "Told you I did."

She went on. "So, will you keep it?"

"Things didn't work out the way I planned, Tif. I never got famous, and I'm not a hero."

"Oh, I don't think Jessie would agree," Tifa smirked.

I couldn't really argue with that. But even though Jessie thought of me that way, or seemed to, I didn't feel like it myself. I wasn't really sure why. And if I hadn't achieved what I had set out to do so long ago, how could I do what Tifa was asking? How could I fulfill her dream when I hadn't even fully accomplished my own?

I sighed. "Maybe. But I still can't do it."

"You still got your dream, though, right?" she prodded gently. "You got into SOLDIER, just like you always wanted. That's good enough for me, Cloud. So, please, would you keep your promise? I'm in a real bind here, you know. I need you. We all do."

She had a point, I had to admit. Even though I wasn't some famous war hero like Sephiroth, it didn't matter to her. Or to the others. Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing, really. I had made her a promise. Her and Jessie both, actually. And I didn't go back on my word.

I thought of how I had told Jessie I'd save her as many times as she needed, that I'd come for her if the pillar ever fell. And I realized that I couldn't just walk away from her. Or Tifa. She'd asked for my help, and I couldn't refuse her now. I still didn't get this business about saving the planet, but even so, I had to stay.

I looked at her. "Seems a friend of mine's in a tight spot. I promised her a long time ago that I'd be there if she needed me. So I guess I can't very well back out now."

"Thank you!" she exclaimed. "Thank you so much!"

Just then, the elevator descended and rose up again, this time with Barret. It had taken him long enough to get here. As he stepped off the lift, I noticed Wedge had been right after all. Barret held a small, brown leather pouch firmly in his good hand, jingling with coins as he walked over to join us. It was about time.

He set it down next to me on the table. "Deal's a deal, merc. Here's your pay, with a lil' extra for helpin' out in the kitchen tonight. Jus' like we agreed. And thus concludes our business."

"Not quite," I picked up the bag and looked inside. It was all there, just as he'd said. Sixteen hundred altogether. "Wedge told me about the next mission. I'm up for doing it, but I'm gonna need a raise first. Let's say three thousand."

"What!?" Barret exploded.

Tifa leaped to her feet and went to him. "Barret, relax! It'll be fine! Don't worry about it, okay? We really need the help."

"But I was savin' that money for Marlene!" he argued.

"Don't give me that!" she shot back. "You and I both know it would never come out of her college fund. Cloud would never accept it. We'll pay him out of the bar's profits just like always."

Barret glared at me. "Two thousand! Final offer!"

"Done," I agreed.

"Good, that's settled!" Tifa grinned. "I'll head back downstairs and tell everyone the good news!"

I stood up. "Alright, Tif. I'll be outside if you need me."

She waved as she stepped up to the lift. "Sure thing, Cloud. Getting a bit of fresh air?"

"As fresh as you can get down here," I said.

"I know what you mean," Tifa laughed. "Don't be too long, though. You don't want to miss dessert!"

I nodded and walked outside while Barret went to one of the other pinball machines and started playing. I hadn't realized he could, but he didn't seem to be having any trouble with it. He used the curving edge of his gun-arm's barrel to press the flipper button on the right side and reached over with his good hand to use the plunger.

It was dark in the slums as I stood on the front patio of the Seventh Heaven with my hands on the rail. It was late, after midnight, but even so, there was still a buzz of lights and activity out there, and the glow of the bar's outside lights was warm and inviting in the evening air. I took it all in and felt like maybe it wasn't such a bad place after all. Even if it was hard to ignore that acrid mako smell sometimes.

I heard the door open behind me just a few minutes later but didn't turn around. I knew who it was. I'd been expecting her, actually. There was a quick thumping of booted footsteps across the wooden deck, and then I felt a pair of soft arms wrap around me, slim hands sliding to the front of my waist and linking together as her cheek came to rest lightly against the back of my shoulder. At her touch, I felt feathers swirling in my stomach as if they'd been caught in a breeze.

"I just heard," Jessie murmured. "Thanks, Cloud…"

I let go of the rail. "Had to stay. The bike's not done yet."

She squeezed me tightly and laughed. "That's true enough, but you know what? I think you just couldn't bear to leave a pretty face like this behind. Besides, who'd walk me home at night?"

"It's gotten pretty safe here lately," I reminded her.

"I know," Jessie said. "But that doesn't mean you have to stop doing it. I enjoy it, and I know you do, too. Even if you'll never admit it. To be honest with you, it's my favorite part of the day."

I blinked. "Really?"

She giggled. "Sure is! But anyway, how about we head back inside? Tifa's breaking out the ice cream, and I feel like celebrating! And there's no better way than with a few scoops of banana raspberry covered with hot fudge and a cherry on top!"

"Raspberry?" I glanced over my shoulder at her. "How original."

"Well, can you blame me? It is my name, after all. Sort of. But it's so good! Trust me! Give it a try, okay?"

I shrugged. "Sure. Lead the way, Jessie."

She let go, and I turned around to see her waving at me, a smile on her face as she stood there in the glow of the porch lights. As I followed her to the door, I couldn't deny I was glad I'd chosen to stay. It wouldn't have been the same without her. And if by sticking around it made Tifa happy, too, then I didn't mind.

Jessie pushed open the doors, and we went inside. The others were all in there now, and Tifa had set out a half dozen tubs of ice cream on the bar. Wedge's bowl was practically overflowing, and he grinned at us as we went over to get ours. He and Biggs were already sitting down at one of the tables while Barret was with Marlene at the bar getting their dessert. He lifted a spoon when he saw us.

"'Bout time you two got here," he said. "You're up."

"So what'll it be, guys?" Tifa asked.

Jessie turned to me and smirked. "You still trust me, Cloud?"

I nodded. "Implicitly."

"Alright!" she nodded, then looked at Tifa. "Two of my usual, Tifa. One for me and one for Cloud. He's feeling adventurous tonight, if you know what I mean."

Tifa chuckled. "Really, now? That's a switch. I hope he knows what he's getting himself into."

With her help, we got our ice cream, topped it, and sat down. After getting herself some as well—two scoops of chocolate covered with hot fudge and sprinkles—Tifa came over and joined us. Jessie looked at me expectantly, a sly grin on her face as she dug her spoon into her dessert and waited for me to do the same.

"Here goes…" I said, taking a bite.

"Well?" Tifa asked, her wine-colored eyes twinkling.

It had a sweet, tart flavor, no doubt from the raspberries, but it was good nonetheless and added a little punch to the banana and fudge. No wonder Jessie loved it. She had already started on her own but was still watching me intently, no doubt wanting to know what I thought of her favorite ice cream. She wouldn't be disappointed.

"Not bad," I answered. "Fruity."

Jessie winked and pointed her spoon at me. "See? I know what I'm talking about, don't I?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Jessie. Sure do."

"I knew it! Two for two, baby! Am I good or what?"

"Two for two?" Tifa wondered.

Jessie took another bite of her ice cream. "Yep! I introduced Cloud to the Midgar Special a while back, the day after we first met. He loved it! Didn't you, Cloud?"

"Yeah," I agreed. "It was good."

Tifa smiled. "I get it now. It's been too long since you've made it for the rest of us, though, Jessie."

"Guess I'll have to fix that, then," she said.

"Hear, hear!" Biggs called from the table across from us.

Wedge's face lit up like a beacon. "Yeah! Midgar Special tomorrow night! How 'bout it, Jessie?"

"Looks like we're all having pizza!" she laughed.

"Yeah!" Biggs and Wedge cheered.

Barret looked up from where he and Marlene had been eating their dessert at a third table. "Sounds like a plan, guys. An' here's another for ya. Go on an' take tomorrow off to get some R & R. Y'all earned it. Day after that, we'll start preppin' for the next mission."

Once everyone had finished their ice cream, Tifa got started on the cleanup. Biggs sprang right up to help her, clearing things off while she washed. Better him than me, I supposed. Too bad he hadn't been there to take my place earlier, but Barret had called him and the others down to the basement for the meeting.

Biggs moved so fast that Jessie and Wedge barely even had time to carry their own bowls over, let alone help with anything else. Jessie sat back down at our table, giggling to herself as Biggs and Tifa worked on the dishes together. Wedge joined us a moment later, chuckling as if he were enjoying a private joke. Had I missed something?

"What's so funny?" I asked.

Jessie beckoned to me and Wedge, and we leaned in to hear her as she whispered to us. "Biggs has the hots for Tifa!"

I stared at her. "He does?"

"Him and half the guys in Sector 7," Wedge quipped.

That I didn't doubt. Men of all sorts would hit on her all time when the bar was open and the crowds were here. Tifa handled it all with her typical grace and charm, though, deflating their advances with a smile and a firm but polite refusal. Most guys seemed to know better than to press her about it, and those that didn't got hauled out by Barret before they could get very far.

I looked at Biggs, noticing then how his eyes wandered over to Tifa every so often as they worked. She didn't seem to have noticed, though, her attention almost totally focused on the dishes. She and Biggs talked as they worked, sharing an occasional smile, and when they were done, he took a rag and started wiping down the bar for her, urging her to go sit down and relax for a while.

I didn't know Biggs too well, at least not yet, so I wasn't sure how I felt yet about his interest in Tifa. I'd had a little crush on her as kid, but that had been a long time ago. And anyway, it wasn't up to me. Tifa was more than capable of taking care of herself, so even if on the off chance Biggs did try anything funny, she'd be able to handle it. Of course, if he ever did, I'd still thrash him myself.

"He's liked her for a long time," Jessie said. "Though he'll deny it if you ever ask. He's a little embarrassed about it."

I glanced at her. "Does she know?"

Jessie shook her head. "Nope. Doesn't have a clue."

"The funny thing is," Wedge went on, "Tifa's usually pretty good at picking up on this stuff. Kinda makes you wonder why it's so different with him, though, huh?"

Tifa came and sat down with us a moment later, smirking at Biggs over her shoulder. "Guess I've been relieved."

"Damn right," he said. "You worked your ass off today."

"So what else is new?" she teased.

Biggs finished wiping the bar and grabbed a broom. "True enough. But you need a break, too. I got this."

While he worked, Tifa chatted with Jessie and Wedge for a bit until Barret came over with Marlene in his arms. She'd fallen asleep and was clinging to him, and after Tifa and the others had whispered goodnight to her, he took her upstairs to put her to bed.

Jessie, Wedge, and I took that as our cue that it was time to go. We all got up, said our goodbyes for the night, and headed out as Tifa went upstairs to bed while Biggs started turning the chairs over and putting them up on the tables for her. I figured he'd lock up for the night when he left, but I had a spare key Tifa had given me after I'd first come here, so getting back in later wouldn't be a problem.

Jessie kept giggling to herself as we went along, and when we came up to a side street intersecting the main road, she beckoned to me, and I followed her and Wedge. Looked like we were seeing him home, too. His place was on another corner ahead of us where the street turned to the left, and in front of it meowed three cats.

"Hi, guys!" Wedge picked them up. "Miss me?"

"Aren't they cute?" Jessie grinned. She walked over to Wedge, took one of the cats, and started petting it.

I blinked. "Uh…"

"That's Mr. Smalls," Wedge pointed out.

"Say hi, Cloud!" Jessie came right up to me, smirking from behind the cat she just about thrust in my face.

I stepped back, my arms up. "Whoa! Um, hi…"

The calico meowed louder, and she drew it back into her arms and cuddled him, gently stroking his black and brown fur until he'd calmed down and begun to purr. Jessie went on petting him a little longer, then laughed and set him back on the ground.

She knelt next to the cat. "Don't worry, Mr. Smalls. Cloud's a really nice guy, even if it doesn't always seem that way. You know something? Deep down, he's just a great big softie."

"Sure is!" Wedge agreed, talking to his other cats.

"Oh, and did I also mention that he's really cute?" Jessie whispered to Mr. Smalls, though she did it loud enough that I could easily hear it. "He is such a dream!"

I looked at her as she stood up. "You, uh… ready to go?"

She winked. "Can't wait to have me all to yourself, SOLDIER boy?"

"I…" I stammered, looking away.

Wedge stood up, all three cats in hand now. "Thanks for seeing me home, guys. Have fun!"

Jessie waved at him. "You bet! Night, Wedge!"

Nodding to him, I followed Jessie back the way we had come until we reached the main road. As soon as we were alone, she scooted up to me and slid her arm back through mine again. I sighed but decided not to make an issue out of it. She was happy, and I supposed I liked seeing her that way. Still, I was glad no one saw us.

Or I thought no one did. But as we walked, I suddenly heard a soft rustle of movement behind us and caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. I let go of Jessie and whirled around, but nobody was there. Had someone been following us? I scanned the area, letting my hand drift up to Buster's hilt, but still there was nothing. Was I just hearing things? Or had someone been there?

"What is it?" Jessie asked.

I shook my head. "Dunno. Thought I saw something."

Whoever had been trailing after us could've ducked behind one of the nearby buildings. There were lots of dark corners and hiding places out here, and the streetlamps didn't light up everything. Slowly, I let go of Buster and dropped my arm down, though I kept my eyes firmly on our surroundings. Jessie walked alongside me, as watchful as I was, but we didn't see anyone, and gradually we both relaxed. I was hardly even aware of it when she slipped her arm through mine again as we headed down the road to her house.