THIRTY-FOUR

We all stared at Barret, our eyes wide at what he'd just said. While we knew the reactors were dangerous, they also provided power to the city. I'd thought that maybe we'd find some way to junk up the works a bit or at least slow them down long enough to get the message out and find a new source of energy that wouldn't hurt the planet. But… taking them out completely? That was something else.

Biggs spoke first. "Holy shit… you serious, boss?"

"Whoa…" Wedge breathed.

Barret nodded. "I am, guys. An' I know we can do this. Ain't gonna be somethin' we can do anytime soon, but we'll get there. Might needta find us some muscle to help get us past security, but we can figure that out later along with everythin' else."

I folded my arms in front of me. "How do you plan to take out the reactors? We can't exactly flip a switch."

"Glad you asked, Jessie," he said. "That's where you come in. Found somethin' a while back in that computer I gave ya—it used to belong to the guy who owned this place before us 'till he left. Didn't clear out the old machine as well as he thought, I guess."

"What'd you find?" I asked.

I hadn't had the chance to go through the computer myself yet, so I wasn't surprised that there were still some files left over. I'd intended to simply wipe the drive and install everything fresh since Barret had told me he'd never used it much, but that was gonna have to wait now until after I'd gone through the system myself, looked at everything that was still on there, and backed everything up.

Barret went on. "Looks like we wasn't the only ones fightin' Shinra. Others did before us, and what I found looks to be a project they never got 'round to pullin' off. A bomb."

"We're gonna blow up the reactors?" Wedge gaped.

"Tell me you're not serious!" Tifa added.

Barret swept his arm across, his gaze hard. "I am, an' we are. Them reactors are killin' the planet! An' we gotta stop 'em one way or another if we gonna save her. We can torch 'em after hours when nobody's there so no one gets hurt, but we gotta shut 'em down. An' for that, I need ya to build the bomb, Jessie. Can you do it?"

I looked down for a moment, closing my eyes and laying my hands on the table as a rush of memories suddenly swept over me. Designing weapons and bombs for Scarlet during my time at Shinra, not knowing then all the death and devastation she was causing with my work. And while I knew Barret wasn't at all like her, I couldn't help worrying that I might be making another terrible mistake if I went along with this. But he needed my help, and I owed him so much. With a long, deep breath, I made my choice, one I've regretted ever since.

Slowly, I looked over at him and nodded. "Yeah, Barret. I can build you a bomb. But I won't make one that'll blow up the whole reactor. I'll adjust it so it'll only take out the core and nothing else. That should be enough to shut the thing down without causing any collateral damage. I just don't wanna make anyone suffer…"

Although I'd created and developed dozens of weapons, explosives, and other sorts of combat gear in my Shinra days, I had never actually built a bomb myself. This would be my first one. The raspberries were a bit different since they were grenades, so I didn't count them. I knew I could do it, though, in spite of my misgivings.

"Fair enough," Barret said. "We'll plan out all the specifics later. We got a lotta work to do, people. Might take us a year to get there, but we will. So how 'bout it, guys? Y'all with me?"

Biggs gave him a thumbs up. "I'm in, boss."

Wedge swallowed. "Me too…"

"Jessie?" Barret asked, his eyes fixing on me.

I nodded. "Yeah."

Tifa sighed. "I don't like it, but… I don't see any other way forward, either. So I'll go with it for now."

"Awright, then," Barret said. "That's settled. Jessie, I need ya to start keepin' an eye out for anythin' you can use to build that bomb. We ain't in a rush, so take your time. The directions an' stuff for it are all on the computer over there, so you best look 'em over."

"I'll get right to it," I promised.

He looked at all of us then. "I know this ain't gonna be easy. I know you got your worries, fears, an' concerns. But I'm here for ya, an' I'll do whatever I can to help take the load off your shoulders. That's a leader's job. Now go on an' relax. Y'all deserve it."

While the guys went upstairs and Tifa joined Marlene to play with her for a bit, I decided to check out the instructions for the bomb. As I slid into the seat at my desk and turned the computer on, Barret joined me for a moment and watched.

"Didn't mean ya had to do it this minute," he chuckled.

I smiled a little. "I know. But I wanted to see this thing for myself. I've never actually done this before, after all. Fixing a busted printer or installing a water filter are one thing, but this…"

He patted my shoulder. "I know, girl. It'll be awright."

"I hope so…" I murmured.

The instructions for the bomb were stored in a protected folder on the main drive, but Barret had the password, so we got in there without any trouble. As I scanned through the list of ingredients, the steps, and all the assorted diagrams, I couldn't help feeling a little uneasy about it. But I pushed it aside, not wanting to let Barret and the others down or disappoint them. And I wanted to get back at Shinra too for everything they'd done to me and my mom.

It wasn't justice I was after, though, not entirely. I didn't see it at the time, didn't wanna admit it, but… it was also revenge. I'd lost so much because of my father and Scarlet, and this was a chance to hurt them as much as they had hurt me. I should've known that desire for vengeance would come back to bite me in the ass one day, though. It always does. And it never really solves anything. I just wish so much that I'd thought of that back then. A lot of innocent people might still be alive if I had. I never meant to hurt anyone… but I did.

"Here's why that other group you were talking about never put this thing together themselves, Barret," I told him.

He blinked. "Whaddya mean?"

I pointed at something on the screen. "This bomb isn't just a bit of explosive with a detonator and a timer. It's also got an advanced AI that gives out voice warnings and controls the whole thing. Something like that needs a pretty powerful CPU chip to run it. Not exactly the easiest thing to find down here in the slums."

"Why'd they make it all fancy like that, though?" Barret wondered. "Don't make sense to go to all that trouble."

"Having a system like this gives you more control over exactly how and when the bomb goes off, which is probably what they had in mind. Most of the other ingredients shouldn't be too hard to find if I keep my eyes open and make some discreet inquiries, but the chip is the key. It's likely gonna take a while to find one."

He rubbed his chin. "Can't ya make the bomb without it?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, but it'd be more risky. Without precise control over it, there's always a chance it might go off early or even by accident and take us out right along with it."

"I hear ya," he said. "Do whatcha gotta do then, Jessie. Long as that bomb gets built. We can't move without it."

I nodded. "You'll have it. I won't let you down."

Five months later, I was strolling through the narrow dirt streets of the Sector 7 slums one bright afternoon, just relaxing and doing a little window shopping on my day off. It had been a year and a half since I'd left the plate, and sometimes it was hard for me to believe I'd ever lived anywhere else. This place had become such a home to me, just as much as Sector 8 had been during my acting days. I was happy here, with my work and my friends, and felt content for the first time in so long. A bit lonely from time to time, but I hid it well enough.

I smiled and waved at my friends and customers as I walked. More often than not, they were one and the same, gladly returning the favor. I figured I'd probably end up at Seventh Heaven sooner or later. I often did. Almost every day, in fact. But I wasn't in any rush to get there, so I took my time and simply enjoyed the moment, chatting with just about anyone and everyone I knew as I went along.

I found Tom outside a jewelry shop browsing through the displays. There were some nice pieces there—nothing like what you'd find up on the plate of course, but not shabby, either, despite being down here in a slum store. He didn't hear me coming at first, as engrossed as he was in what he was doing, so I went over and quietly joined him, gazing at the glittering assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more with him until after a minute or two he finally realized I was there and looked up at me, blinking in surprise and embarrassment.

"Jessie?" he said. "Oh, sorry. Hi. I was kinda lost there for a minute. Didn't even know you were there at first."

I chuckled. "It's okay, Tom. Whatcha lookin' at?"

He blushed a little. "Well, Katie and I've been seeing each other for over half a year now—thanks for all your help, by the way—so… I was thinking of proposing to her, you know?"

"Aw, that's great!" I hugged him. "Good for you!"

"Thanks, Jessie. I've been looking at the rings they've got here, and they're nice, but… I dunno. None of them feel right to me. I know that Katie'd be happy no matter which one I got her as long as it came from my heart, but I want her to have something special. One of a kind, you know? Just like she is. That make any sense?"

It did, all too well. "Yeah, Tom. Perfect sense. You want to show her how much she means to you. I think I can help you with that. Let's take a look at what they've got here."

Tom nodded. "Sure, I'd appreciate that."

So we looked at the different rings for a while, and I gave him what insights I could. Most of them were silver, but there were a few gold as well. The diamonds were real enough, but also pretty small. They were slum jewelry, after all, and no mistake. Tom was right that Katie would like any of them—I knew her well enough that I didn't have any doubt about that—but it wasn't just about her. He had to like it, too. It was as much about him as it was about her.

I looked at him. "Anything strike your fancy?"

"Not really," he sighed. "Maybe I'm just overthinking it, you know? Wasn't expecting it to be this hard."

"You're fine. It's good to be thoughtful. Believe me, she'll appreciate it. There's a few other jewelry stores around here we can check. Wanna go see what they've got? We might get lucky!"

Tom scratched his head. "You sure? I don't wanna keep ya."

I smiled. "I'm fine, it's my day off. Besides, I can't very well pass up the chance to help you two lovebirds get hitched!"

"Thanks, Jessie," he laughed.

So we found some other shops there in the market district and had a look around for a while. It was pretty much more of the same for the most part, but Tom did have the clerks take a few out so he could get a feel for them. Although we spent a couple hours checking out different engagement rings, I didn't mind doing it.

Eventually, Tom found one he liked and could afford. It was a nice, plain gold band with a cluster of small diamonds on top. I winked and gave him a thumbs up as he paid for it, and as we left the shop, I didn't miss the new spring in his step.

"Good choice, Tom!" I told him.

He grinned. "I really like it, and I think Katie will, too. I can't thank you enough for all your help today."

I laughed. "Don't mention it, loverboy!"

We parted ways then, and I headed on down toward the bar. It was almost time for it to open, and the evening crowd was already starting to gather outside as it always did. I thought about Tom and Katie while I walked, knowing he'd ask her soon and excited to hear it was official. And I knew I'd be one of the first to find out.

A few days later, I found Tom sitting dejectedly outside the inn, his back to the front wall. I'd come over to check on his filter—that was the excuse I'd made, anyway, but really I had just wanted to find out if he'd asked her the question yet—and I was stunned to see him so downcast as I walked off the stairs and onto the balcony above the weapon shop. I hurried over to him right away.

"Tom! What's wrong?" I asked, sitting down alongside him. "Katie didn't turn you down, did she?"

He shook his head. "No, I never got to ask her…"

I frowned. "Why? What happened?"

"I went to Sector 5 yesterday 'cause I heard some girl grows flowers there, real ones, and I wanted to buy one for Katie. You know, for when I asked her. And I did, a nice red rose. I had the ring on me because I'd been planning on popping the question that night as soon as I got back here. But on the way home… I got jumped."

"Damn…" I swore. "I'm so sorry. Who was it?"

He sighed. "Vice thugs. I was all by myself and had cut through the collapsed expressway to save time. Big mistake. They found me, half a dozen of 'em. I tried to fight 'em off, but I was alone. Even with training from being on the watch, I couldn't stop 'em or get away. They beat the shit outta me and took everything I had, Jessie. Including the ring. And I barely managed to get home in one piece."

It was then that I noticed the bruises and bandages on his face and arms. Those goons had really done a number on him. I'd heard rumors and stories about them lately, people getting attacked out in the empty trails between the sectors where the local watch didn't patrol. And then I remembered my own encounter with Vice. Dangerous brutes, and I'd come close to being a victim myself. Tifa had saved me that night, and not for the last time. My blood boiled at the thought of what those Vice assholes had just done to my friend.

"Have you told Katie?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. I wouldn't know how. And I can't afford to buy another ring, either. Not for a long time. I make decent money, but you know how tight things are down here."

I did, all too well. And I knew how much that ring had cost. It had to have taken quite a while for Tom to have saved up enough gil to pay for it. I felt so bad for him and wished there was something I could do. At first, I couldn't think of anything except to be there with him. But as I clasped his shoulder and absently slid my other hand into my pocket, my fingers closed over something familiar.

A bittersweet ache filled my heart as I realized what it was. And as I held it, feeling the soft velvet of the little pouch it was in, I gazed up at the underside of the plate. And I realized that I couldn't remember the last time I'd stopped and done that. I knew then what I had to do, what I needed to do, as much for myself as for Tom. I carefully let go of him and slowly took the pouch out of my pocket.

"Tom…" I murmured.

He looked up and saw what I was holding. "What's that?"

"A second chance," I told him.

His eyes widened when I opened the bag and my engagement ring dropped onto my gloved palm. Kunsel had given me a real beauty. The band was gold mixed with mythril and shimmered in the light as I held it, and though it only had one diamond, it was bigger and brighter than all the others we'd seen, its facets flawless and sparkling.

A rush of fond memories swept over me as I gazed at the ring for a moment, but it didn't hurt so much anymore. I still missed Kunsel, but I felt like I could finally let him go. And I knew without a doubt that he wouldn't have minded me doing what I was about to do. He'd want me to move on and be happy. So I would. I closed my eyes and slowly took a long, deep breath before opening them again.

Then, before Tom knew it, I slid the ring back into its pouch, put it in his hand, and folded his fingers over it. His jaw fell open as he stared at me in disbelief, then at our hands. Giving him an encouraging smile, I let go and nodded. Tom didn't move at first, as stunned as he was, but then he tried to give it right back to me.

"Jessie, I can't…" he said.

I gently pushed his closed hand away. "You can and you will. I was engaged once. Someone I loved gave this to me a long time ago. But we were never able to have our future together. We had to go our separate ways even though we didn't want to, and I've kept this ever since. But I think it's time for me to let it—and him—go."

Tom swallowed. "I… I don't know what to say…"

"This ring is very special to me, always has been, but I want you to have it now," I told him. "You guys are my good friends and deserve to be happy. And I wanna see Katie get the chance that I never had and be a gorgeous, blushing bride. So take it, alright?"

He hugged me tight. "Thank you, Jessie! Thank you!"

I happily returned his embrace. "You're welcome. Just promise me you'll always be there for her and love her no matter what or how hard it gets. Be her rock and she'll be yours."

"Of course I will!" Tom agreed. Then he slowly let go and looked at me. "But… what about you?"

"What do you mean?" I wondered.

He took my hand. "What about your happiness?"

I smiled. "I'll find it. Don't worry."

Tom leaned in and brushed his lips across my cheek. "You deserve it, Jessie. You really do. And when that special guy finds you, I hope he sweeps you right off your feet."

A rush of warmth swept through me as he pulled away, an excited flutter I thought I'd never feel again. I hadn't been kissed in such a long time, and even though it had only been a friendly peck, I still blushed a little and gasped in surprise. I recovered quickly enough, but still… I'd almost forgotten how wonderful it was. Katie was certainly a lucky girl, and at that thought, I knew it was time to go.

"Me too," I agreed. Then I pulled him to his feet. "Now let's get you over to Katie! She's at her tally board giving away prizes for wiping out monsters, same as she always does. But today's gonna be her turn to be a winner! And I know just what to do!"

Tom eagerly followed me downstairs, and as we hurried out of the weapon shop and into the street, I explained my plan to him. He loved it and seemed to get more and more excited as we made our way down the road, his eyes shining with anticipation. When we got within sight of the small plaza Katie and her tally board were in a few minutes later, we stopped around the corner for a moment.

"You ready?" I asked.

He swallowed nervously. "Yeah. I think so…"

I took his shoulder. "Just relax, Tom. You'll be fine, alright? Stick to the plan and leave the rest to me."

"Okay," he nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's go."

I grinned. "Good! You're on, loverboy!"

Giving him a thumbs up, I watched in anticipation as he went into the plaza. Katie noticed him right away, her face lighting right up when she saw him. She had her favorite beige tank top on today along with a pair of olive pants and that old white jacket of hers that she always kept tied around her waist. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a little bun, and her eyes were bright and blue.

Tom beckoned to her, and she grabbed the metal railing in front of her and vaulted off the platform to see him. As he took her in his arms, I slid quietly around the edge of the plaza and darted onto the platform to do my part. The controls Katie used for the tally board weren't hard for me to figure out, and with a few quick button presses, I changed the digits on the display into the three numbers I needed. Then I switched off certain parts of them to make them look right.

The sideways bottom stroke of the "1" as well as the top left so that it was only a vertical line. And after that, the top and right side of a "0" followed by just the top of another one. Katie's tally board only showed numbers, so I'd had to improvise a little bit with the lights to make the letters I needed. "100" became "ILU" instead.

Tom kept Katie busy and nicely distracted the whole time until the message was in place. Then I crept off the platform and slipped quietly out of sight across the way to watch the rest unfold. Slowly, Tom let her turn around, and when Katie saw the huge white letters up there on the board instead of the usual numbers, her eyes widened. At first she was puzzled, but then she realized what it meant.

"ILU" was for "I love you."

When she looked over at Tom again, he held the pouch out to her. Katie's hands weren't quite steady as she took it and carefully opened it. She gasped when the ring tumbled out onto her palm a moment later, and when Tom got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, she said yes so happily and enthusiastically I swear they must've heard her all the way on the plate. Then she flooded Tom with kisses as he picked her up and swung her around in a fierce hug.

After he gently put Katie down a minute or two later, Tom slid the ring onto her finger, then pulled her into a passionate embrace, kissing her long and deep. She gladly returned it, the diamond glittering in the afternoon light as she pressed her lips fiercely against his. Then, as they finally parted, he held her for a while, stroking her back as she clung to him and rested her head against his shoulder.

When Tom saw me smiling at them, he waved at me, and I did the same, giving him a little wink along with it. Then I walked away, happy for them and glad it had all worked out. And for the first time since I'd left the plate and come down here to the slums, I felt hope for my own romantic future. I didn't know what was ahead for me, but knew things would work out. I'd find love again one day. I actually wanted to, and it put a bounce in my step as I went down the street.

Tom and Katie found me a little while later as I was getting close to Seventh Heaven. Before I could even get a word out, she smothered me in a crushingly tight hug that nearly stole my breath away. I returned it just as much, not at all surprised, and it was a few moments before she finally let go of me and stepped back.

"Thank you so much!" Katie gushed, beaming as she looked at her ring. "Tom told me everything. That was so sweet, what you did for us, and I'm not gonna forget it."

I smirked. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for happy endings. Glad I could help make yours happen, guys."

"You sure did!" she grinned, hands on her hips.

"Good luck, you two," I said.

Katie chuckled. "Thanks, Jessie. Of course, I'm gonna need a maid of honor. You wouldn't be interested, would ya?"

"Hell yeah I am!" I beamed. "Count me in, sister!"

"Awesome!" she laughed.

Tom took her in his arms again. "I'd better get back to work, but I'll meet you later for dinner, Katie."

"And I'll bring dessert," she purred.

"Oh, I can't wait," he said, kissing her. "See you soon."

After he nodded to me and left, I beckoned to Katie as I started up the stairs. "Care to join me? Thought we could tell Tifa the good news! Over a nice Cosmo Canyon, of course."

She didn't need any convincing. "Sure! My treat!"

"Okay, then!" I said. "Let's go!"

As we climbed up to the patio and approached the double doors, I turned around for a moment, facing back the way we'd come, and took a long look at the underside of the plate. It didn't feel so bad, really. Not anymore. My hands slid lightly over the wooden railing where I'd cried so many nights in Tifa's arms and shared with her all the hurt and pain I'd always kept locked tight behind a cheery smile.

"You okay?" Katie asked.

I glanced at her and smiled. "Yeah, Katie. I am. For the first time in ages, I really am. I feel good, you know?"

She smirked and put her arm around me. "Looks like playing Little Miss Cupid agrees with ya, Jessie. Now how about we go on inside and I buy you that drink to celebrate?"

"Sounds good to me!" I agreed. "Come on."

I turned away from the railing and the plate and led Katie into the bar, her arm still around my shoulder as we laughed and joked our way across the room. Tifa, of course, didn't miss how different I was, and as we told her what happened, she gave me a hug of her own, knowing far better than anyone what it meant for me.

All three of us had a drink together that day.