FIFTEEN

The bike was a Motonox Gust MG7, mint green body with a shiny chrome undercarriage and exhaust pipes. It purred under Kunsel and I as we rode it through the streets of Sector 8. He'd met me right outside the theater this evening just like always, but this time he'd had the bike with him. It wasn't a Hardy, but it was still great, and I had squealed in delight when I saw it. I still loved motorcycles and had hopped right on behind Kunsel, an eager grin on my face.

Our relationship was about five months old by now. Almost half a year already. Had it really been that long? It was hard to believe. But as I leaned forward and wrapped my arms snugly around Kunsel's waist, I knew it was true. I let out a contented sigh as the light breeze from our acceleration tossed our hair. The pain of my past, of all I'd endured and lost, felt faint and far away at that moment, and I knew Mom would be glad that I was so happy now.

Kunsel and I sped through the night, the bright lights of Sector 8's main avenues passing by us in a blur. I wasn't sure where he was taking me, but I didn't care. All that mattered was that I was with him. I knew it'd be special, whatever it was. Even so, I couldn't resist teasing him, so I called out to him as we rode along.

"Hey, honey," I giggled. "Know where we're going?"

Kunsel smirked. "You'll see."

I laughed. "Oh, a surprise! I should've known. Don't be in a rush to get there, though. I'm enjoying our magical ride!"

"So am I," he said.

I brushed my lips across his cheek. "Love you, hon."

"Love you, too," he smiled.

Then I sat back and whooped in exhilaration as Kunsel gunned the engine and we shot forward. I was wearing the same short blue dress I had worn the night we met, and he had put on a nice casual little outfit for our date this evening instead of his purple SOLDIER uniform. He'd still wear it sometimes if he'd just gotten off duty before seeing me, but I didn't mind. It was cute and kinda sexy.

After passing through Fountain Plaza, we rode onward, eventually driving onto a street overlooking the train tracks running at the base of a trench to our right. It was quieter out this way as we left the business district behind. Not as many lights, either. Still, it felt very peaceful, full of homes on both sides of the trench.

We finally came to a stop a little while later, parking along the edge of a side street just over the entrance to one of the train tunnels. While the Corkscrew Tunnel was the biggest, there were plenty of others that wove throughout the plate, and the sound of trains running across the tracks was an everyday thing, like the revving of all the cars and trucks driving on the elevated highways around town.

"We catching a train?" I joked.

Kunsel got up, turned around to face me, then sat down again with a smirk. "In a way, I guess. This is a favorite spot of mine. Sometimes I like to come here and watch them race out of the tunnel. Or into it. But I've never had anyone to share it with before."

I kissed him. "You do now."

"Glad to hear it," he breathed, his fingers touching my cheek as his mouth meshed with mine. "Should be one coming any minute. Oughta have a great view of it from here."

"Can't wait," I wrapped my arms around him.

The vibrations started barely thirty seconds later, and with a laugh, we looked out over the low wall and watched as a train sped out of the tunnel a moment later and raced down the tracks. There must've been about a dozen or so cars on it altogether, rumbling into the trench one after the other in a long, unbroken line.

Kunsel and I enjoyed the sight for a while as we sat together on the bike, and then I looked back at him, gently turned his face toward me, and drew him close. As he slid his arms around my waist, the coasting of the train on the tracks below us filling our ears, our tongues danced and our lips locked and unlocked.

We kept sharing tender kisses long after the train was gone, after it had ridden out of sight and hearing. When we finally came up for air, I laid my head on his shoulder and let him hold me. Time didn't seem to matter, and I could've stayed like this with Kunsel all night. I thought it was a great idea and decided to tell him.

"So…" I winked. "Your place or mine tonight?"

He shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. Got a preference?"

I made a show of thinking it over, looking up at the sky and raising a finger. "Hmm… yours? I'm off tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Kunsel nodded. "I'm off, too."

"Awesome! We can spend the whole day together! Maybe go off to a different part of the city and see the sights."

He chuckled. "Got anywhere special in mind?"

I sat back, giggling. "Well, I've always wanted to go to every sector in Midgar. It's a little goal I have. I've been to most of them by now, but there's a few I haven't gotten to yet. Sector 4 was next on my list. There are a lot of nice places there, I've heard."

"Guess we'll have to check 'em out, then," Kunsel said.

"Definitely!" I exclaimed. Then my eyes lit up. "Oh, I've got a great idea! We should go get a hotel room over there. Tonight! Turn this into a little mini-vacation, you know?"

He grinned. "I like the way you think, Jessie."

"Oh, so that's why you love me," I teased, kissing him.

"I've got lots of reasons," Kunsel smiled. "So anyway, how'd you like our little trip to see the train?"

I hugged him. "I loved it, Kunsel. We've got to do this again."

"We will," he promised.

After planting another kiss on my lips, Kunsel turned back around and settled onto the Gust. I laid my hands on either side of his waist as he started the engine, and we pulled out, heading back down the street toward the business district. I figured we'd stop by my place on the way to Sector 4 so I could pick up a few things for tonight, and then we'd be off on our little adventure. It was so exciting, and I didn't think my life could get much better than this.

"Ku… Kunsel!" I moaned, throwing my head back.

Pleasure exploded inside me, a fierce burst of sweet fire that swept throughout my body in waves of warm, sharp ecstasy. As I gasped and mewled in the midst of my release, my toes curled, my legs clamped in a lock around Kunsel's waist, and my fingers tightened their grip on his shoulders. I just hung there for a moment, feeling almost euphoric as I came and my climax swept over me.

I was still in the midst of it when I suddenly felt Kunsel lurch as he finished and his warmth filled me. He held me close as he lay on top of me in the hotel room's nice, queen-sized bed. The sheets were a tangled mess, and the blanket wasn't much better off.

"J-Jessie!" Kunsel gasped.

I let go of his shoulders, took his face in my hands, and kissed him passionately, my lips smashing into his as I held his body against mine with my legs and let him empty himself into me. When he was finished and the aftershocks of my own climax had started to recede, I sank my head into the pillow and pulled Kunsel close, covering his mouth with mine again as his arms wrapped around me.

My short hair lying damp and sweaty around my ears, I whispered to him in between kisses, telling him I loved him and how good it was. My skin was wet, and I was panting for breath in the midst of it all. But so was Kunsel. He was just as exhausted I was, and as he murmured his love for me, I couldn't resist teasing him.

"Having a… hard time… keeping up?" I quipped.

He smirked as he settled in next to me. "Not a chance. I'm… doing just fine… Jessie. Just… fine."

I laughed. "Then why… are you out of… breath?"

"Speak for yourself," he grinned.

"You've… got a point," I admitted with a smile. "So, anyway… how many times… is that tonight? I've lost count."

Kunsel pulled the blanket over us. "Three, I think."

I snuggled up to him. "Mmm… that sounds about right. I'm liking this vacation already."

"So, Jessie… got any plans for the future?" he asked.

"Me?" I blinked, surprised. I'd never thought about it much before. "I don't know. I'd like to keep acting, see if I can make a career out of it. And be with you, of course. Why?"

He went on. "I mean, after this whole thing with your father's over. It can't go on forever, and I know you don't wanna hide from him your whole life. You'll have face him, sooner or later."

"I will," I sighed. "I just don't know how or when yet."

"Yeah. So, what about after?" Kunsel said.

I gazed at him, my fingers tracing the side of his face as I laid in his arms. "Well, being free from my father—really free—that'd be a dream come true. If it ever happened… I think I'd like to leave Midgar, at least for a while. See some new places, you know?"

"Sounds nice," he smiled.

"Yeah," I agreed. "And then… settle down somewhere. Maybe even have kids someday. I'd still keep acting, of course. It's what I love to do. I'd also like to see Nan and the others again. She was my nanny when I was little, and the rest were the household staff at my father's mansion. They were like family to me. I miss them."

Kunsel gently planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "Those are some good dreams, Jessie. Hold onto them."

"I will," I said, hugging him. "What about yours?"

"As long as I'm with you, nothing else matters," he said. "You're my dream, Jessie. Always have been."

I kissed him long and deep. "Same to you…"

The next morning, after a wonderfully refreshing shower that was both relaxing and full of steamy passion, Kunsel and I left the hotel and started walking the streets of Sector 4 hand in hand. We left the Gust at the parking lot, deciding to come back for it later when we checked out and were ready to head for home.

When my stomach started rumbling, I gave Kunsel a playful nudge with my elbow. "Hey, you gonna feed this girl?"

"Sure!" he laughed. "You got anything in mind?"

I thought for a moment, then pointed at a small cafe nearby. "Over there, Kunsel. That looks good."

We hadn't gone far from the hotel yet, just around the corner and a block away, and the aromas of pancakes, eggs, and more wafted outside and teased my nose, making my mouth water. I hurried inside without waiting for Kunsel to answer, and he followed behind me, chuckling to himself as he went. A little bell chimed on the door.

It was a nice place, small but very cozy, with a tantalizing self-serve breakfast bar on one side and the dining area on the other, and in front was a row of cashiers. After paying, Kunsel went ahead and found us a table while I went over to the breakfast bar to get started. I took a plate and was just looking hungrily over all the delicious-looking food when someone accidentally bumped into me.

"Oh, sorry!" a woman's voice said. "I didn't mean to—"

My eyes widened when I saw her. "Marissa?"

It was her, alright. Those fiery orange curls tied back in their short ponytail were unmistakeable, just like her dark green eyes and freckled cheeks. I could hardly believe it, and for a moment I just stood there, as stunned as I figured she must be.

"I'm afraid I don't—" she started to say, and then she gasped as she finally recognized me. "Jessica? Is that you?"

I smiled. "Yep! Just Jessie now, though. But it's me!"

We put our plates down almost at the same time, then hugged each other tight, laughing as we did. I hadn't seen her since she'd left Shinra. I had lost track of her in the midst of my own struggles, and as busy as I'd been lately with my acting and my relationship with Kunsel, I hadn't had the chance to get in touch with her.

"It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed. "How've you been?"

I beamed. "Doing great these days. You?"

Marissa smiled. "Pretty good. I do a lot of freelance IT work, and I even get to make my own hours."

"Awesome!" I grinned, picking up my plate.

"You look so different, Jessie," she chuckled as she retrieved hers. "I didn't even realize it was you at first."

I giggled, tossing my short hair a bit. "I do, don't I?"

Marissa nodded as we picked out our food. "Yeah. I like it, though. That dress looks really good on you. And your hair is gorgeous! Kinda surprised to see that you cut it, but it's still great."

"Thanks," I said, serving myself some eggs. "I just… had to make a few changes. The new look is a part of who I am now, what I do. But it feels good, too. I'm glad you like it."

Just then, Kunsel joined me. "Table's over there, Jessie."

"Okay, hon," I kissed him. "I see it. Better start filling up your plate, then. Food's hot and looks good!"

"Don't need to tell me twice," he smirked.

Then I remembered Marissa. "Oh! Hey, Kunsel, this is Marissa, an old friend of mine. We just bumped into each other. Like, literally! She used to be my boss back when I was at… well, you know. Don't wanna say too much out in the open."

He nodded to her. "Good meeting you, Marissa."

"And you, Kunsel," she said, smiling. "Seems Jessie found someone special. I'm glad to see that."

"Oh, he is," I winked. "He's the best."

Kunsel took a plate, then gave me a gentle, one-armed hug. "So are you, Jessie. Best I've ever seen."

After giving me a kiss, he went over to the far end of the buffet and got started. I watched him for a moment, my stomach fluttering as my heart raced. I felt happy, content, and in love. With a soft sigh, I turned back to Marissa, who wasn't even bothering to hide her grin as she put some more food on her plate.

"So what's he like?" she asked. "He seems nice."

He certainly was. "Kunsel's a great guy, Marissa. He's in SOLDIER. Second Class. We've been seeing each other for about five months now. I'm seriously crazy about him."

"He's cute, too," Marissa chuckled.

"Sure is, isn't he?" I agreed.

She nodded. "Yeah. I'm really happy for you, Jessie. But before, you said something to him about work when you were introducing us. Not wanting to talk about it much, right? But why?"

I stepped closer to her so only she could hear me. "It's just that… it isn't safe. I left Shinra a little over a year ago, Marissa. It wasn't easy, but I didn't have a choice. I had to get away."

"I understand," she said. "And I'm glad you got outta there."

"Me too. And… I also found out about your husband. What really happened, I mean. I wanted to tell you, but… there was so much going on and I didn't know how to reach you. I'm sorry."

Marissa laid her free hand on my shoulder. "What for? You did just what you said you would. I knew you'd uncover the truth, Jessie. Don't be so hard on yourself, alright?"

I put my hand over hers. "Thanks, Marissa. Are you free sometime this week? I'd like to tell you what I know."

"I'll make the time," she promised.

"Then come over to my place," I smiled. "I'll give you the address. Besides, we totally need to do some catching up! How long has it been since we've seen each other?"

She laughed. "About a year and a half, I think. Way too long. I'll be there, Jessie. You can count on it."

"Well in the meantime, come and sit with us!" I said.

"Are you sure?" Marissa asked. "I don't want to intrude. You should go enjoy your time with Kunsel."

I shook my head. "It'll be fine. Come on!"

She gave in, and we went over to the table Kunsel had found for us. He was already there, waving as we got close. I was waving back to him and setting my plate down when I suddenly felt a light tap on my lower back. I turned around to see a little girl, maybe eight years old, looking up at me in awe, and I smiled.

"Are you… the girl from the play?" she asked.

I knelt so I was at eye level with her. "I sure am, sweetie."

Just then, a pretty young woman who could've only been her mom came up to her. "Emma, there you are! I told you not to bother her. It's not polite. Now come and eat."

"But, Mommy!" she protested.

Her mom looked at me. "I'm really sorry about all this."

"It's okay," I told her. "I don't mind."

She blinked. "Really? Thank you. That's very kind. I saw you earlier but didn't want to disturb you."

Emma beamed. "We watched you at the theater!"

"Did you have fun?" I grinned.

"Yep!" she nodded. "And you looked so pretty! I wanna be on stage too when I grow up. In LOVELESS! Like you!"

I laughed. "Awww, and don't you just look the part!"

Kunsel was already handing me my purse, knowing what I'd need. I always kept a few flyers from the play on me, and after I took two out along with a pen, I signed them both. I handed one to Emma's mother, and then I held the other one out for Emma herself.

"Here you go," I said. "And remember, practice a lot, okay?"

She giggled as she took it. "I will! Thanks!"

"Thank you," her mom smiled.

"Sure!" I said. "Nice meeting you guys."

After they left and I had sat down, Marissa gazed at me in wonder for a moment. "Wait a minute… did that little girl just say LOVELESS? Then that means… you're Jessie Jae?"

I smirked as I ate. "Yeah, that's me, alright."

"Wow… you have been busy haven't you?" she grinned.

"Sure have!" I agreed. "But it's a lot of fun. I'm surprised you didn't catch on sooner, though."

She chuckled. "I watch the news sometimes, but I've never actually seen the show. I'm definitely gonna change that now, though. I have to come and see you perform sometime."

"Oh, I'd love that!" I said.

"Then I'll be there," she promised.

We talked and ate for a while, having fun as Marissa and I enjoyed our little reunion and she and Kunsel got to know each other a bit. We had a good time, and when it was over, we all walked outside together. I gave her my number and address, then waved as she walked away. We had decided to meet up in a few days so I could share with her what I'd found out about her husband's death and talk more in private. It would be hard, and I hoped she would forgive me.

Four days later, there was a soft knock on my door, and I opened it to see Marissa standing there. It was early that morning, about nine or so, and I had a pot of coffee brewing in the kitchen for us. After letting her inside and sharing a hug, I poured us each a cup, and then I joined her out on the sofa in the living room.

We talked about light things at first—how her work was going, and how she had liked my play. True to her word, Marissa had come to see the show the other night, and she'd met me outside afterward to say hi. Kunsel had been there too, of course. He and I had chatted with her for a bit before wishing her goodnight and going on one of our walks. And he was going to take me on another ride on the Gust tonight to see the train again. I told Marissa about that as well.

"Sounds like fun," she laughed, sipping her coffee. "Reminds me of when Mark and I first got together."

"He had a bike?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. It was a Gust, too. An older model, but I swear he loved that thing as much as he loved me."

I sighed. "Listen, Marissa. About… that day…"

"Whatever it is, it's okay," she assured me. "Don't worry."

So, taking a breath to calm my nerves, I told her everything that I'd found out about the Reactor 3 incident and her husband's death, that it had been a deliberate massacre by Shinra to prevent word of the unsafe working conditions there and in the all other reactors from getting out and tarnishing the company's image. And how the security roboguards had been manipulated to accomplish it.

"It… it was my father, Marissa," I said. "He was behind it all. Sent a signal telling the mechs that Mark and the others were intruders. They weren't supposed to be in combat mode, but… he had them altered so he could switch them over at will."

She took my hand, her eyes wet. "Jessie…"

I went on. "They acted according to their programming and killed everyone… then blew themselves up. But the worst thing is, they were my work, those machines. Scarlet made them first, but I… I improved them. And I sent my father the schematics about a month or so before this happened. I had no idea…"

"You couldn't have known," she told me.

"But it's still my fault," I sniffled, my own eyes far from dry. "I'm so sorry, Marissa. My creations… took Mark away from you. Took his life and so many others. I can still see it sometimes, late at night. I hear the screams in my mind. During my investigation, I watched an unaltered copy of the security footage. I've never forgotten it."

Marissa took me in her arms and hugged me. "I thought I told you not to be so hard on yourself. This isn't your fault, Jessie. I don't blame you. I know you'd have never gone along with it."

I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't help it. "I wish I could believe it. I want to, but… just knowing my designs were used to hurt and kill so many people tears me apart…"

"That's why you left, isn't it?" she said.

"Yeah," I nodded, wiping my eyes. "That was part of it. I'm hiding, Marissa. From him. My father. He doesn't know where I am, that I'm in LOVELESS. That's why I didn't want to talk too openly about my time at Shinra when we were at the cafe the other day."

She wasn't surprised. "Shinra's got ears everywhere in this town. So I understand. He knows you know, doesn't he?"

"Right. And not just about what happened in Reactor 3, either. He and Scarlet were behind the destruction of Corel, too. And the incident when the Sector 5 train station went up, killing my mom, a lot of other people, and nearly taking me out, too."

"How could he do that to his own family?" she breathed.

I sighed. "Power's all he cares about."

"Oh, Jessie…" she said, one arm still around me.

I went on. "Reeve saved me that day. And when I left Shinra, I gave him all the evidence I'd collected, everything that proves my father was behind it all. It's being kept in a safe place, though I don't know if we'll ever be able to use it. But it's all there."

Marissa gazed at me. "So how can I help?"

"I… I don't know…" I blinked, surprised by her offer. "I mean, my father's out there, but he hasn't found me. As good as my life's become, I'm still afraid though, deep down, that he will. Kunsel knows about all this, of course. We've talked about it."

"Well, you know I'll keep your secret safe," she promised. "He's not going to find out about you from me. And if there's ever anything else I can do, I will. We're friends, Jessie."

I hugged her. "Thanks, Marissa. I appreciate it."

She smiled. "Of course. I'll stay in touch."

"You'd better!" I laughed.

We talked for a while longer, the hardest part finally behind us. But the guilt remained, and I wasn't sure if it would ever leave. As much as I wanted to believe her, I couldn't shake the sense of responsibility I felt for all the pain my creations had caused. Hopefully, someday, I'd finally be free of it. But until then, I'd keep living my life and enjoy what I had. My acting, my friends, and Kunsel.

I decided I could be happy with that.