"So, did you have a good time at the movies?" Elmyra asked on the bus ride home.
Denzel was watching the city of Edge grow smaller on the horizon and didn't hear Elmyra until Marlene elbowed him in the side.
"Oh," Denzel snapped his attention to the older woman, "Yeah, it was good. How was the appointment?"
"Well, I may need to come into the city more frequently for the next few weeks. Just a few additional check-ups. Nothing to worry about. But I may need to go during the week, which means I won't be home by the time you kids get home from school on those days."
Denzel blinked. Elmyra must be getting more sick if she'd needed to go back to the doctor again so soon. He glanced over at Marlene and it seemed she had caught this gist as well.
"So," Elmyra went on, changing the subject, "Marlene, your birthday is coming up. Barret will be here at the end of this week. Have you thought about what you wanna do? Go to the Gold Saucer again?"
"Actually..." Marlene pursed her lips in thought. "I was thinking of Junon."
Denzel stared over at her in disbelief.
Elmyra frowned. "Oh no, sweetie, that place isn't… a good place for children."
"I wanna go to the beach," Marlene explained, "Can't go to Costa del Sol anymore."
She wasn't wrong. The seaside resort town had been destroyed in the hurricane, and Junon had become the destination for many displaced survivors, further lending to its reputation as a haven for those who have lost everything.
Elmyra smiled sweetly at Marlene.
"I'll talk to Barret. It's up to him." And that was the end of the conversation. Elmyra retrieved a book from her purse along with several pamphlets and began perusing through them.
Denzel and Marlene didn't say any more, and the bus rumbled forward across the plains.
"You're crazy, Marlene." Denzel was pacing across the rug in the living room. "There is no way Barret will take us to Junon."
The younger girl put one hand on her hip. They were alone at home, waiting for Barret to arrive from Corel. His flight was scheduled for that evening and it was just starting to get dark outside. Elmyra had gone out shopping and would likely be back soon.
"That guy in the bar said Junon. He said his boss was in Junon, Denzel! And then he said his boss was—"
"Stop, Marlene."
Marlene huffed. "But you said the last time you saw Cloud was up north. You said he disappeared one afternoon and now we actually have a chance to find him and figure out what happened! Don't you wanna know?"
Denzel became keenly aware of the lie he'd told her and struggled to not show any evidence that she didn't have all the facts. Yuffie had been the only person he'd really told, sputtering like a baby to her on the airship that day. He rubbed the scar on his forearm subconsciously.
"Yeah, but I mean, if he wanted to see us he would. He knows where we live. I just don't think he wants to see us…"
"Or maybe," Marlene prompted, "he's in trouble and can't see us even though he wants to! Tifa usually helps him and now Tifa's gone so he needs someone else to help him."
"...I don't think so, Marlene. Can you just drop this?"
"What are you so scared of? You've been acting weird ever since we got back from Edge."
But all of that would have to wait because a key was rattling in the door, and both children looked over just as Barret walked in, a big smile on his face.
"Hey baby girl!"
Barret put down his bag and spread his arms for a hug. Marlene rushed over and embraced him.
"Hey Barret." Denzel waved.
"Hey little man." Barret towered over him and tousled the kid's hair with one hand, then he looked back at Marlene. "So where we going for your birthday? I hear the Gold Saucer got some new games in."
Marlene's excitement faded. "Oh, but I'd told Elmyra that I wanted to go to Junon this year."
Barret cleared his throat. "Yeah...yeah she told me that. But look, I thought we could go watch some chocobo races, ride the gondola, play some games over at the Saucer instead. You like that snowboardin', right?"
Her smile collapsed and she turned away. Barret looked helplessly over at Denzel, realizing what he'd accidentally brought up. The last time Marlene had been to the Gold Saucer was with Tifa, and snowboarding was Tifa's favorite game.
"Marlene…" Barret knelt next to her. "I'm sorry. I forgot the last time you been there…" But he didn't want to bring it up directly. It was too fresh for him, too. "Okay, so I guess if you wanna do Junon this year, then that's what we do. The beach, huh?"
Marlene was still facing away, but she spoke up, "Yeah. Just for the afternoon."
"Okay, baby girl." Then he nodded at Denzel, "You comin' too, big guy?"
Denzel didn't want to, truthfully, but the thought of Marlene going to Junon without him frightened him even more than somehow running into Cloud. So Denzel nodded like there was nothing more in the world he'd rather do.
"Great." Barret tried to grin. "We go in the mornin' then."
Junon was a massive city bleeding over the edge of the ocean and sprawling out along the beaches to the north and south. During the last few years, construction had stretched into the surrounding plains and now the city rivaled Edge in population. Military activity was long decommissioned, but the large sleek tiers remained, crowded with wealthy tourists, shops, hotels, and a few luxury condos overlooking the ocean.
Denzel gazed up at the towering buildings. The last time he'd been in the city had been with Cloud, but they'd gone into the slums, into a decrepit building, into an overturned apartment. Cloud had grabbed a handful of personal items without saying a word and then immediately brought them to the ferry where they departed. Denzel had never actually been to the main districts along any of the tiers, and the sight was overwhelming at first.
Barret stood with Marlene, holding her hand.
"Hm, this place changed a lot since I last been here…" he remarked, "But I think I see signs for the beach."
Marlene released Barret's hand and walked behind him next to Denzel as they ventured.
"Denzel…" Marlene whispered, "We've got to start looking."
"This city is huge," Denzel whispered back, "There's no way we'll find anyone here. Just enjoy your birthday and forget about him already."
Marlene's expression said that there was no way she'd let it go. It was sad how obsessed she'd become with Cloud after Tifa's death, as if the blonde was her only link back to Tifa. She'd always been close with Tifa, except now of course Tifa was gone, and Denzel was forever trapped in that moment standing in the bar without her. It was all Cloud's fault. Denzel curled his hand into a fist, feeling the scar along his palm. And now Marlene was scrambling to hold onto any last fragment of Tifa that existed, just to have something to hold onto. Just any piece left.
"There we go. I see the beaches now," Barret triumphed, pointing at a metal staircase leading down to the lower tier.
The three approached the edge, and the pristine ocean sight greeted them. White beaches were dotted with colorful umbrellas and beach towels of sunbathers.
"Man, can't beat that view," Barret remarked, "Say what you will 'bout this city, they still got somethin' ain't nobody else got. And you got a good weekend for weather, Marlene. I heard this place usually just rainstorms. But you got a beautiful day here."
Indeed, the sky was a perfect blue vault above the endless ocean.
Ahead of them, a sudden disturbance broke out. Two men were fighting over something, but Denzel couldn't see exactly what. Barret steered the kids away, grabbing Marlene's hand.
Through the crowds, Denzel glanced back and saw something fall to the floor as the men scuffled. A cylinder. He stopped cold because he knew exactly what it was. A recognizable container of pills. The stuff everyone called 'mako', a nickname due to the temporary side effect — a dim luminescence in its user's eyes — and Denzel knew it was expensive. He'd used the drugs briefly in the past with his rich school friend in Edge, and he'd stopped after that one terrifying night where Cloud had scared him half-to-death, but there was nobody paying any attention to the dropped object. Nobody else had seen it.
One man shoved the other against the railing, the sheer drop down to the beach behind them, and a crowd had gathered to stare. Denzel's gaze locked onto the cylinder. He knew how valuable it was, but still nobody else had seen it. Just grab it now, his thoughts screamed. Before anyone notices!
Darting out, he ducked and picked up the tiny case, pocketing it. The rattle of a few pills inside meant he'd made the right choice. This was worth at least a few hundred gil. Maybe more. Marlene and Barret hadn't seen him pick it up.
"Les go before this gets any worse," Barret called to him.
He pushed their way to the stairs and headed down into the lower tier. The afternoon sun shone bright and clear against the massive smooth metal of the iconic Junon tiers.
"What's the plan?" Marlene whispered to Denzel.
"Plan? I'm not looking for him, Marlene!" Denzel hissed, "And Barret won't let you out of his sight, anyways."
They reached the boardwalk and the sandy beaches ahead were covered with an armada of umbrellas and people enjoying the rare sunny day. Barret shaded his eyes from the sun.
"Well, baby girl, looks like we may be a bit crowded here, but… I think I see an open spot."
Going anywhere with Barret was interesting because people usually took one look at that menacing metal arm and got the hell out of his way. Despite his intense appearance, Barret had the warmest heart Denzel knew. Aside from Tifa, of course.
"Save our spot," Marlene said, "I wanna get an ice cream."
Barret eyed her. "I'll come wit' you then."
"Denzel will go with me. I don't wanna lose the spot on the beach. Will you stay?" Marlene reasoned with her surrogate father.
Barret's face softened, and his eyes went to Denzel then back to Marlene.
"Okay, fine." He handed her a few gil. "Don't go wanderin' off though! Come right back to the beach. I'ma be over there, next to them people with the blue and white umbrella. You see 'em?"
"Yes, I see," Marlene replied and grabbed Denzel's hand, "Be right back!"
Barret watched the kids walk away. She was getting older every time he saw her, and he knew she was accustomed to doing things without him but it always hurt just a little when they parted. But that was how all part of being a parent. Kids eventually grow up. He sighed and stepped up to the umbrella rental station.
Once out of sight of Barret, Marlene and Denzel paused on the boardwalk.
"Okay, so we should split up," Marlene said.
"Marlene…"
"I'll search through the lower tier and you do the upper."
"No, Marlene."
"And when you find Cloud, first just take a look and see if he's okay. Because if he's really in trouble then you should come back and get me and then we'll get Barret. But if he's okay then you should bring him back and then we'll all have birthday cake together tonight back in Kalm."
"Uh, Marlene….That's…"
"You know Cloud and I both like vanilla cake so I think he'd be really happy if we were to find him today so he could have some with us. And ice cream, too, of course."
"Marlene, stop!" Denzel shouted, then he lowered his voice, not meaning to have yelled at her.
Her eyes went wide.
"You don't wanna help me now? I thought you said family sticks together."
Denzel let out an aggravated sigh. "We do. I will. I just…"
"I'm going to search with or without you," Marlene argued, "But I think it will go faster if we both do it."
"And Barret?"
Marlene thought for a moment. "You're right. We should tell him. Why hadn't I thought of that before? He can help us now that we're here!"
"Wait, that's not—"
But Marlene was already running off towards the beach. By the time he'd caught up, she was standing near Barret near a blue and white umbrella. Barret was holding beach towels in one hand, listening to her.
Barret scowled. "Hang on. You sayin' that you think Cloud is here?"
"Yes," Marlene replied, motioning with her hands towards the tier, "Yes, Denzel and I overheard these guys talking about their boss—"
"Overheard where? Who was talkin'?"
"These guys were. That's not important," she continued exasperated, "They said Cloud was their boss!"
"You heard somethin' wrong then. There ain't no way he in Junon."
"What makes you so sure? He might need our help!"
Barret let out a chuckle. "That man need all the help in the world, but not from us. Ain't nothing we can do for him."
"What? What do you mean?"
Barret exchanged a glance with Denzel, and neither was absolutely sure of what the other knew concerning Cloud. Any further words in this conversation suddenly didn't seem like safe territory for those keeping secrets. Barret's eyes darkened.
"You stay away from him, Marlene," Barret spoke sternly, "If you do see him here, you tell me right away. Right away, you hear? You do not go near him."
The sudden scolding destroyed Marlene's motivation, and she stared up at Barret, holding back a cry.
"This why you wanted to come to Junon?" Barret went on, "Cuz you wanna find Cloud? If he don't wanna be found, he ain't gonna be found."
Denzel stood very still, watching Barret berate her. Surely this would stop her silly fantasies.
"And trust me, baby girl, he ain't the same guy anymore."
A stubborn tear rolled down her cheek.
"Because of Tifa…?" she ventured softly.
Barret let out the rest of his anger in a sigh and knelt next to her.
"No… It's not because of Tifa. Jes trust me."
"But...but he used to tell me stories about all the places you'd been to! He used to bring home cupcakes on weekends for us! He used to take me on trips around the city when he had to run errands! He'd let me pick which flowers we'd buy for Tifa… I thought he and Tifa would get married!"
Everything spilled from Marlene like an overflowing sink. All those times they'd spent in Edge together, a little happy family. And what was family anymore to Marlene? She didn't even know her real mother or father. This was all she had.
She looked up at Barret with wells of tears in her eyes.
"I wanna see him again for my birthday!"
Then she fell apart into sobs.
Barret relented and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck while the tears kept coming. Denzel stood awkwardly to one side, glancing around at all the stares they were getting.
"Sorry I yelled at you," Barret said to her, "I jes want you safe, is all. I need you safe, and you got me worried for a moment."
Marlene wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and sniffled. "I understand…"
The entire trip felt unnecessary and strained now, and Denzel just wanted to leave.
As if reading his thoughts, Barret said, "C'mon, les get off the sand. Go get you that ice cream."
The girl smiled up at him and they held hands. Denzel felt positively out of the equation, as if they were sharing some special father-daughter moment and he was nothing but an outsider. That was what he'd always been, though. They'd all experienced so much together before he managed to show up and interrupt everyone's life. Cloud's fault, too.
Back on the boardwalk, Barret and Marlene stood in line for ice cream while Denzel hung back, watching the crowds. Was it even possible that Cloud was somewhere in this city right now? Why would he have gone back to Junon, the place he'd been so desperate to leave before?
Marlene appeared, holding two ice cream cones. She licked one and held the other out to Denzel. Chocolate. Denzel's favorite. He accepted it with a smile.
"Happy birthday, Marlene." He raised the cone like he'd seen adults raise their glasses in salute. She did likewise, melty cone in hand.
"Thanks, Denzel." A little smile.
The three spent the rest of the afternoon on the boardwalk, evading seagulls and applauding street performers. They stopped in the arcade, where Marlene positively destroyed Denzel in the latest shooter, and then went shopping along the upper tier. Barret seemed in high spirits as long as Marlene kept smiling, though Denzel noticed him looking over his shoulder a little more than usual.
At last the sun began to set over the ocean in a beautiful wash of red and yellow. As they stood in line at the airship landing zone, waiting to board the next flight home, Barret yawned. Marlene leaned against him sleepily, engrossed in a comic book he'd bought for her at the bookstore. It was some story about ghosts.
"Hey Denzel," Barret said, "You have a good time?"
"Yeah," Denzel replied, though he too was yawning. He pointed at a cafe down the block. "Mind if I get a coffee? Looks like we'll be in this line for a while until they switch over the flights."
"You drink coffee?" Barret asked, then quickly laughed, "Guess it makes sense you drinkin' coffee. I know Tifa was practically addicted to the stuff. Sure, get whatever you want."
He handed over some gil, and Marlene didn't even look up from her comic.
Denzel pocketed the cash and headed down the block. The sun bathed the upper tiers in a warm, friendly glow and for a moment the city actually looked quite beautiful in a sort of dismal temporary way.
The cafe windows came into view and Denzel looked in, ready to push open the glass door and enter, then he froze. His heart constricted and blood plummeted to his feet.
Seated at a table, directly overlooking the ocean, was Cloud.