As I said yesterday, the major spoilers for Crisis Core start in this chapter. You stand forewarned.
Enjoy!
After quickly changing the water filter in his bathroom sink, Cloud went next door to Tifa's place, getting his first look inside her apartment. It had a much warmer feel than his own, with crimson curtains covering the windows and a poster on the wall above her bed. Beside the poster was a piano keyboard, and he flashed back to his glimpses of the piano in her room through the window... when he watched from... the water tower...
Shaking the painfully embarrassing memories from his mind, he turned to the girl herself, and his breath caught. She was squatting down in front of her sink, her body angled just so.
"Gimme one sec, I'll be done in a bit."
He approached, drawn like a moth to a flame.
She stood with a relieved sigh. "Finally." Then she turned and studied him for a long moment before approaching. His heartbeat quickened as she stepped into his space, leaning forward slightly. "So?"
He swallowed, at once desperate to know what she was thinking.
As it turned out, however, her thoughts weren't anything like his in that moment. "After you left the village...?"
He was thrown as the unexpected question pierced through his addled head. "Hm?"
"I let you off the hook before, back at the hall, but not this time."
It took him a moment longer to process what she was seeking, and then he nodded in understanding and resignation. "Oh."
She leant slightly forward again, urging him on. "Hm?"
"Well, when we were kids, everybody wanted to be a SOLDIER, right?"
"Yeah, I remember they were on the news every day during the war."
He sighed and turned away, crossing to the curtained window over her desk. "Thing is, by the time I finally made it in, they didn't need heroes anymore. It was nothing like what we'd dreamt of. It was just working for Shinra. Just..."
He trailed off, struggling with the gaps. So much of his memory of the five years since he last saw her was hopelessly, impenetrably clouded.
"I'm sorry, I know it's a touchy subject," she said regretfully.
He turned back to her, shaking his head to clear it. "Not exactly small talk, especially with someone you haven't seen in a while."
"I get it." There was a long pause, during which she seemed to struggle with how exactly to handle his unwillingness to answer her questions, and then a small smile crossed her face. "Still, it's kinda funny... Us going our separate ways, thinking that must be it, that we'd never meet again. And then, here of all places, we do."
Almost like fate.
She injected blatantly forced enthusiasm into her voice. "You know what, we should totally celebrate!" She crossed the distance that he'd put between them. "Let's dress up and hit the town!"
That was unexpected. "Really?"
His lack of enthusiasm slowed hers. "I mean, why not? It'll be fun!"
"Do you even have fancy clothes?"
"Not like fancy fancy, but I'll figure something out!" She backed up, holding her arms aloft. "What do you think would suit me, huh?" Then she placed her hands on her hips, angling herself slightly like a tabloids model.
As if she needed to make herself look any more attractive.
He had absolutely no idea how to answer that question. There wasn't the slightest doubt in his mind that there weren't any clothes on the planet that she wouldn't look beautiful wearing.
But what would suit her now, as opposed to the Tifa that he remembered? If they were going to spend time together, it would be better if she reminded him less of painful and embarrassing memories of his childhood as a hopelessly shy and besotted boy. So, if she was giving him the choice, he would rather see her in something that emphasized the woman she had become, rather than the girl he remembered. "Something mature."
"Yeah, I guess we're not kids anymore." She seemed to understand his exact thoughts on the matter, although her expression was more nostalgic. "Be sure to pick an outfit that goes with mine, okay?"
He nodded. "Will do."
She gave a laugh that was equal parts eagerness and apprehension. "This is gonna be so much fun, you'll see."
"Yeah." He looked away from her, injecting a bit of teasing into his tone. "Maybe."
"Oh-ho." She rocked up onto her toes and then back down, clapping her hands together. "And on that happy note, I think it's time we headed back to the bar. Come on!"
"Uh, you don't need a break?" They had done a lot today... and, to his own surprise, he didn't feel eager to end the conversation just yet. Despite the topics discussed, there was something comfortable about being here in her room with her.
"Honestly, I'm feeling pretty good. Marle isn't always right, you know." She placed her finger over her lips.
He took a step closer, wanting to come up with some reason for them to stay a bit longer, but reluctant to offer one. After all this time, he was still that same boy that was too afraid to do much more than stare at her from afar. So, with more than a little regret, he opened the door and led the way out of her apartment and down the stairs.
"Oh, you're looking pretty chipper!" Marle observed as they bid farewell to her. It was not an hour since the kind landlady had chastised Cloud about properly listening to Tifa and being her friend.
"Uh... I don't feel that different," Tifa replied uncertainly.
Marle gave Cloud a knowing look. "Must be my imagination then. Anyway, keep your wits about you, Merc." She gave him a charm. "A token of my appreciation. Be good to her."
He and Tifa returned to the bar, where she offered to make him a cocktail. Barret, however, was in a no-nonsense mood. "Need y'all downstairs."
"Uh... right now?" Tifa was very hesitant. "Then the plan is...?"
Barret turned to his daughter. "Marlene, wanna go wait for Jessie out front?"
"Okay?" the girl replied brightly, before running past Cloud and Tifa out of the bar.
Tifa turned to Cloud and sighed. "Looks like we're officially on for tomorrow night, then. Gotta go over the details with the others." She clearly wasn't happy about it.
Cloud turned to Barret. "Before you do, about my pay."
"You'll get your money, so sit down and shut up until we're finished. Double time, Tifa." He activated the secret mechanism on the pinball machine and descended into the secret room below the bar.
Tifa sighed again, and decided to defy his instruction. They couldn't get started until Jessie arrived, anyway. Instead, she bid Cloud take a seat at the bar, and presented her showmanship as a bartender, then waited while he sampled what she made for him. "Well? Most people would say something sweet right about now."
He cracked a small smile. "I'm sure they would."
She took his response as a challenge, and procured a second drink for him to try. "Our house special: the Cosmo Canyon."
He picked up the drink and pretended to examine the red liquid, really looking at the girl beyond the glass. "Beautiful."
She got flustered again. "I gotta go." She went over to the pinball machine and activated the mechanism. "Enjoy."
He watched her until she was out of sight, and then turned to his drink, until the door opened and shut behind him.
"Hey, you see the news?" Jessie sounded lively. "The reactor bombing was the work of the eco-extremist group Avalanche, public enemy number one. Gets your heart racing, doesn't it? They don't know our faces, so we're in the clear for now, but we'll wanna capitalize on this momentum. Speaking of which, you coming on the next one?"
Her enthusiasm today was a sharp contrast from the remorse she had shown last night. Cloud decided that this was her façade firmly in place, just like when she flirted with him last night. Her true feelings were held deep beneath the surface.
"For the right price," he replied dryly.
"Oh, you can bet I'll be pushing hard for a raise." She turned towards the pinball machine, and her façade slipped for a moment as she sighed. "Tifa'll be joining us too, but... I dunno. Even a blind man can see her heart's not in it. She was never on board with the bombings, so if it comes down to do or die... If I've gotta put my life in someone else's hands, then I'd rather that someone was a professional, like you." She activated the mechanism and disappeared through the floor.
He turned to his drink again, thinking about her words. She sounded a bit condescending when talking about Tifa, but just like with most everything else she'd said to him, he guessed that there was a different emotion beneath her words, namely, concern.
And she had a point. Tifa had shown him earlier just how good a fighter she had become, but if her heart wasn't in the fight, she wasn't likely to perform as well. Which was dangerous, both for her and for those she accompanied.
Could he do anything about it?
He was staring at a pair of empty glasses when Tifa returned. He watched as she silently went behind the bar and poured a drink for herself, downed it, then poured a second one. Taking the glass, she circled back around, sitting well away from him and staring at nothing.
"I heard you're having second thoughts."
"I know we have to think big if we're going to make a difference, but not like this. I just..." She finally met his gaze. "I feel trapped."
"If it feels wrong, don't do it."
She struggled with what to say to that, and they sat there silently for a few minutes, until the others reappeared.
"Tifa! Time to celebrate! Break out all the good stuff!" After giving her this instruction, Barret approached Cloud. "We won't be needing you for this next job. Feel free to look for work elsewhere."
"Fine by me, that's how I like it. No contract, no obligation."
"Figured you'd say that." He slapped some gil on the bar. "Here, the rest of your payment, along with a little extra for your exemplary service. And thus concludes our business. Gonna have to ask you to leave now, this here's a private affair."
Jessie hurried over as Barret walked away. "Sorry, I tried. We talked it over, but, in the end... We didn't want to put so much on you. This is our fight."
"Jessie, what's the holdup?" Biggs called.
"Be right there!" she called back, before turning back to Cloud. "No hard feelings, huh?"
"It's fine."
"Let's talk more after I'm done here, okay?" Her façade was slipping. She had something else on her mind.
"Really, it's fine."
"Come on, Jessie, I'm dying here!" Wedge called.
"I'll catch you later." She hurried back to her friends. "Sorry to keep you thirsty boys waiting."
"Avalanche!" the team toasted as he got up and left.
He got sidetracked by some thugs asking about Barret, and took minor pains to ensure that they didn't get any information. By the time he arrived back at his apartment, she was waiting for him, and her façade was down completely. She was leaning against the wall beside his door, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on the floor.
When she noticed him, she recovered in exaggerated fashion, giving a flirtatious laugh and wave. "Welcome home, honey! Took your sweet time."
"Um..." What was this about?
"Psych."
He sighed, waiting for her to drop the act.
She did, giving her own sigh as she slumped. "Are you gonna let me in, so we can talk in private?"
He did so, and she again stared at the floor for a long time as he shut the door behind them.
"Guess I'll get right to the point then." She withdrew another orb of materia like the one she gave him last night, but red.
"What've you got there?"
"An apology, for not getting you on the mission." When he reached for it, however, she pulled it away. "Or not. What do you think it is?"
He dropped his arm and looked away from her. "A proposition."
"Nailed it in one. Gonna have to ask you to keep all this a secret from the others, though. It's a personal matter, something I need to sort out tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight. You and me, together. I want you to come with me to the Sector Seven plate. I'll give you the details on the way."
"That's fine by me, but don't you have a pretty big day ahead of you?"
"I do, but..." She started walking past him towards the door. "If I don't deal with this now, it's only gonna get harder." She stilled for a moment, then turned back to him. "Anyway, I can count on you, can't I?"
He nodded, and she tossed him the materia.
"A down payment." She opened the door and stepped out.
He didn't bother to shut the door as he gathered his things, and her gaze kept drifting to his bed as he moved about his little space. Maybe afterwards. He was handsome enough, and would certainly keep her from worrying about tomorrow's mission.
Which was more than she could say for the spectral figure that waited with her at the train station after dusk.
"You only want him for his sword, right?"
She rolled her eyes. "I can't tell if that's supposed to be innuendo or not."
"The one he'll be using to deal with the Shinra guards."
"What if I were to say no?"
There was steel in his purple eyes as his gaze hit the ground.
"You've been following me around for over two months now. You don't expect me to stay celibate, do you?"
"Honestly, I'm surprised it hasn't come up before now."
"I've been busy, and not in the fun way. Not that sticking it to Shinra isn't fun."
He faded from view, which was her first indication of Cloud's arrival. He appeared as a silhouette first, which filled in as he stepped into the light.
"Good to go?"
He nodded, so she turned and led him towards the platform, until she saw the two figures approaching them with motorbikes. "Huh?"
"Tough break," said Biggs, as Wedge waved at them. "They changed the times. Last train's already left, which is why we borrowed these bikes. Need a lift to the plate?"
"How did you guess?"
"Easy," said Wedge. "You've been acting weird. Like, talking about one thing when you're obviously thinking about something else."
"Yeah, and don't get me started on all that pep," Biggs added.
Of course they noticed. "Alright, I'll give you that, but how did you know I wanted to head topside? Was I talking in my sleep? What else did I say?" She couldn't have let slip about her phantom, surely.
"No, we just figured you wanted to see your parents," said Wedge. "That's all."
Oh.
"Nailed it, huh?" said Biggs.
Jessie ran with it, pretending to be humbled. "Yep, right on the head."
"So, seeing as we don't have any family of our own, how about you let us be a part of yours for a bit? You know, spread the wealth."
Oh boy, this would majorly complicate things. In lieu of answering, she turned to Cloud. "Are your parents still around?"
"Huh? Uh, no."
Biggs and Wedge nodded sympathetically.
The stoic swordsman showed emotion, which told Jessie that he was really rattled by her question, and his reaction jammed itself into her already overpacked conscience. She gave a little laugh at the mess she had suddenly created, and forced as much enthusiasm as she could. "Okay then, guess you're all invited! Here's to awkward family reunions!" She threw up her fist, and her teammates imitated her.
They had no idea.
On the bright side, she got to climb onto one of the motorbikes behind Cloud, while Biggs joined Wedge on the other one. She placed her hand on his muscular shoulder as she ensured each of her friends had the necessary IDs, and then urged them on as they set out.
Then she lowered her hand to his waist and held on, her mind scrambling to figure out a new plan to get away from her unplanned tagalongs.
"You hear me?" she asked him over the noise of the bikes.
"Yeah."
"Just so you know, I'm not going plateside for the reason they think I am." She decided to let him in on the real plan from now. "Look, you saw the way the reactor went up. It was huge, right?"
"Because of all the mako. Isn't that what you said?"
"Yeah, that was wishful thinking. Deep down, I know it was my fault. I used a more powerful blasting agent than the directions called for. It had nothing to do with the mako."
You don't know that.
Shut up. Her conscience was in control now.
Cloud also sounded skeptical, however. "Let's say you're right. So what?"
"I'm planning on using a weaker blasting agent this time. But, since I can't get in touch with my supplier, our only option is to loot a warehouse owned by Shinra."
"Shinra? Good luck with that."
"With your help, we won't need luck." She leaned close to his ear. "You'll take on just about any job, right? Well I need you to rob my house, think you can do that for me?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
A long second passed before he responded. "Alright."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Go in through the back door when the coast is clear. The signal will be obvious. Inside, you'll find a room with two doors. Don't take the one in front of you, you want the room on the right. That's where you'll find it. We'll be chatting Mom up in the kitchen, so don't even bother being quiet. There's no way she'll ever hear you. Dad'll be in there, but it's okay." She felt a pang just mentioning him, and quickly moved on. "I need you to grab his Shinra ID card. And yeah, I know I should do it myself, but..." She chuckled dryly. "But I honestly don't think I'm up to it. Just do this for me, okay?"
"Got it."
"Thanks, Cloud."
Speaking of ID cards, they passed an ID scan, and their fakes held up. But that was their one shot at that. If they got pegged by another scan, they'd be in trouble.
"Just like that?" Wedge exclaimed.
"No need to worry. We've got Cloud, remember?" She addressed the man in question. "Hey, you do know how to drive, right?"
"SOLDIERs get mandatory training."
"Well then, you gonna take my breath away? Make my head spin with your amazing skills?"
"Don't blame me if you get sick."
She laughed. "Right." She glanced back in time to see a motorcycle come up behind them, driven by a Shinra guard. "We've got company!"
"Someone's having fun."
"How could I not? Pursued by villains, a young couple, thrust together by fate, race through the neon-streaked night!"
"Get off!" He swung his sword at the guard, sending his bike sideways and out of commission.
"Oh! My hero!" She hugged him tightly from behind, more for safety than to supplement her enthusiasm.
Two more guards came up shooting. "Straight to lethal force?" Biggs exclaimed.
"What, so you'd just pull over if they asked nicely?"
"Eh, you've got a point."
"See? So don't go holding back now!"
Cloud dispatched the guards.
"Well, Cloud, had the cold-eyed mercenary's heart suddenly began to melt?"
"Nope."
"I won't forget that." She laughed, fully powered by adrenaline by now. "Wait, is it just me or did we slow down?"
"Just you."
More guards showed up, these ones in red uniforms.
"Got more company!" said Biggs.
"A-team's here," said Cloud.
"Uh, I don't like the sound of that," said Jessie.
"We're not screwed, are we?" asked Wedge.
Cloud had other ideas, of course. The enemy bikes still fell at the swings of his big sword.
And then something else came flying up the tunnel. "Heads up, drones!" Jessie shouted.
"One thing after another," Biggs complained. "Come on, Wedge, gun it!"
"I am gunning it!"
"We're good," Cloud assured them.
"Nothing about this is good!" Biggs replied.
"You got me."
"Fair enough. Alright then, do your thing!"
Cloud proceeded to do just that.
Hothead.
Shut up. He's doing a lot more to protect me right now than you are. I almost dared to hope you wouldn't even be able to keep up with us.
The Lifestream moves much faster than any vehicle.
You're in the Lifestream?
Uh... It's more complicated than that.
Sure it is.
The chaos continued to rage around her, but she clung to Cloud and tuned it out, focusing on this new revelation from her phantom.
So does this mean you're dead?
It's complicated!
It can't be that complicated. You're either dead or you're not.
You'd be surprised. Fine... Technically, I died, a long time ago. The planet sent me back... sort of.
The planet sent you? To protect me?
Not exactly.
I've got time. Nothing better to do while Cloud's having all the fun, so keep talking.
I was sent to protect a man named Angeal, but... it didn't go as planned.
So I'm Plan B?
Not exactly.
Cloud drove her back to the here and now as he swerved around the tumbling bike of a felled guard, while dispatching another at the same time.
"That's an ex-SOLDIER for ya," said Biggs. "Next to him, we look like kids on trikes."
Jessie grinned. "You're damn right you do!"
"You're part of that 'we' too, you know."
Cloud did a brief wheelie as they emerged above the plate, causing her to let out a whoop and cling even tighter to him.
"We made it!" Wedge shouted.
"Woo-hoo, topside!" Biggs added.
"Keep going 'til we hit the station?" Cloud asked.
"No, head straight for the warehouse," Jessie replied. "Awww, our magical ride is almost at an end."
"Why ya talking like we're not here?" Biggs asked.
"Because you're not!"
"Clearly we are!"
As it happened, they weren't in the clear yet. More guards showed up, but then broke off unexpectedly.
"What's going on?" Jessie asked. There was an explosion behind them, and then laughing above. "Who's that?"
"A SOLDIER," Cloud replied.
A man with long hair sped past them on a sleek, red bike. "Well, hello!"
"Who's this?" Biggs asked.
"Too quick for the eye, you cross him, you die! Now, mind if I cut in? Woo! Splendid, I've been looking for a new dance partner!"
Seriously?
"Private party, huh? That's fine, I'll settle for a race then. Just one."
"You talking to me?" Cloud asked.
"I most certainly am."
"Then no."
"Ah, so terribly sorry! Your words fail to reach my ears, sluggish and slow as they are."
"What's this guy's deal?" Jessie mused aloud.
"The lady's curiosity has been piqued! My name is Roche, but you may address me by the more accurate appellation: Speed Demon!"
"Heard that, huh?"
"Ha hah! My ears are attuned to the feminine voice."
"Bleh! This guy is the worst!"
"Yes, yes, this is the contest I've been waiting for!" He came up beside her and Cloud, and the boys' oversized swords clashed.
On and on the battle went, and the asshole's banter got increasingly worse. Finally, however, it looked like Cloud had gotten the better of him. "Had enough?"
"Don't be absurd! As if I could ever grow tired of your company!"
Jessie'd had enough. Grabbing her pistol off her belt, she aimed it at him, but he swatted it from her hand with his sword. There were clangs of metal behind them as her gun was left in their wake.
"Naughty, naughty! Until one of our flames is forever extinguished, our dance will never end!"
The blades clashed again.
"Come on, let's push it past the redline!" The asshole sped ahead.
"Jessie, take over," Cloud instructed.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, he was no longer in front of her, and she quickly grabbed the bars as he leapt overhead onto Roche's bike.
"What?"
Show off.
With another leap, he slashed through the asshole's engine, and then jumped back into his place in front of Jessie. She grabbed ahold of him tightly as he regained control of their bike.
"Well, well, well, I do believe this round is yours," the asshole conceded. "Maybe next time we can keep it just between the two of us."
Please do.
"Maybe," Cloud replied.
The asshole laughed even as he slowed down. "Until we meet again, my friend!"
Good riddance. She rested her head on Cloud's back for a bit, ready to take a break from the adrenaline.
Had enough of boys with dangerous toys yet?
Oh shut up. Lifting her head, she looked over Cloud's shoulder. "You passed the test."
"What test?"
"Driving."
"Been driving for years."
"So you don't need a reward?"
"No."
"Hmm." Are you watching? Leaning forward over his shoulder, she kissed his cheek, then leaned back smugly. "Well, you got one anyway." There are perks to being a real, living person.
Very funny.
She hugged Cloud's back. "You can thank me later. I'll wait."
He didn't react at all.
"Giving me the cold shoulder?" She looked over his shoulder. "Aw, would you look at that, it's the end of the ride."
"Figures... Still leaves the lights on every night for the girl who only comes home once every other blue moon. Mom's an old-fashioned type like that."
"Think she'll make us pizza?" Wedge asked. "Her Midgar Special?"
"She's quite the cook," commented Biggs. "Quick to whip up finger-lickin' food even if you drop by in the dead of night."
Jessie ignored the pang of guilt at how she was manipulating her mom's hospitality tonight... or at least put off acknowledging it. "And she loves guests who ask for seconds or thirds."
She paused outside the door of the house, bracing herself. "Okay, let's head in. Cloud, you know what to do. Why don't you wait around the corner over there?"
"Ah, okay."
"It's a shame you won't get to try the Midgar Special," said Wedge. "You would've really liked it."
He has a point there.
Are you feeling sympathy for Cloud?
I didn't say that.
"Jessie!" Jessie was pulled into a firm embrace before she could even get a good look at her mother.
"Hi, Mom." Jessie pulled back. As she looked at her mom's face, however, she felt the guilt try to catch her attention again.
"Hi, Missus R," said Wedge.
Jessie stepped back as her friends greeted her mom, and subtly guided the party into the kitchen. Her mom immediately set to work on the pizza, as Jessie had known she would.
"Are you in costume, Jessie?"
"Huh?" She looked down at her armor. "Oh, yeah, we came straight from rehearsal. I forgot to change." She swallowed. "Too eager to see you, I guess."
"Well, I'm flattered, dear, but that doesn't look comfortable."
"It's fine."
She waited until her mother returned her attention to preparing the food, then flicked on the outside light, signaling to Cloud that the coast was clear.
I'll keep an eye on him.
You can do that?
No, I just decided to make the offer without having the capability to follow through on it. Yes, I can do that.
Thank you.
So this is what it takes to finally gain some of your appreciation.
This doesn't sound like you keeping an eye on him.
He just entered through the back door.
"Jessie?" Her mother snapped her attention back into the room.
"Yes, Mom... Sorry about dropping in like this again."
"This will always be your home. So, how's practice going?"
"Uh, it's going great."
"Jessie is a real asset," said Biggs. "When she's not performing, she's making sure all of our equipment is top of the line."
"Yeah, she really is the best," Wedge added.
"So you're working as a stagehand between performances?" her mom asked.
"Uh, yes."
Her mom didn't look thrilled.
Cloud is entering your father's room.
Jessie felt a pang at the thought of what Cloud was seeing now. She hadn't been understating it when she told him that she wasn't up to the task herself. She couldn't even stomach the idea of visiting her dad's bedside.
The oven dinged, and she forcibly renewed her enthusiasm as her mom withdrew the pizza. "Now this, this is what I've been waiting for!"
They all sat around the table as the pizza was set on it, and slices began disappearing.
"It's as delicious as ever, Missus R."
"Thank you, Wedge."
Jessie shut her eyes, savoring the taste of her mother's latest masterpiece.
Cloud is reading a letter that you sent to your parents.
She choked.
"Jessie?"
"I'm fine," she rasped, taking a long draught of cactuar juice. Focus, Cloud!
Several minutes later, she breathed a sigh of relief when her phantom reported that Cloud had found her dad's ID card.
"Now that is a damn good pie," said Biggs, leaning back as he reached his limit on how much pizza he could consume.
Cloud is out of the house.
Good.
Soon, they were all finished, and Jessie was eager to leave. She had a mission to carry out, and she could only keep up this charade for so long.
"When are you going to give up on the Gold Saucer?" her mom asked. "How long has it been since you even performed?"
"Uhh..."
"A lot of people really rely on Jessie," said Wedge.
"As a stagehand though, right?" Her mom made a dismissive noise. "You can be one of those anywhere. So why not come home and get a job at the Sector Eight theater?"
"Uhh, I'll think about it. You know, I'd really love to stay and chat, but we gotta go."
"So soon?"
"Yeah, well, we hadn't even planned on dropping by. But Wedge wanted some of your famous pizza."
"Mm, so good!" Wedge exclaimed.
"Sure I can't tempt you with some more?"
"Maybe just a couple slices, Missus R."
"Wedge!" Jessie and Biggs yelled in unison.
"Hey! I'm... I'm doing it for you guys! You don't want me going to work on an empty stomach."
"Empty but for the half a pie you already ate," said Biggs.
Wedge sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright."
Jessie firmly guided things back towards the front door. "I'm sure it will be another few months before I see you again," her mother mused with some heat.
"I'll try to stop by sooner, I promise," Jessie replied half-heartedly.
"Biggs, Wedge, can you give us a moment, please."
"Uh, sure," Biggs replied, trying to give Jessie a reassuring look.
"This was great, Missus R," said Wedge. "Thanks again for the delicious pizza."
They left, leaving Jessie squarely in her mom's crosshairs.
"We don't know how much longer your father has, dear."
The pizza in Jessie's stomach turned leaden. "Nothing's changed, has it?"
"No, but still. We never know what the next day is going to bring. I insist that you at least go and see him before you dash out of here."
"I'll see him next time. I really have to go, Mom."
Her mom's expression turned hard. "Fine, then, go on."
Jessie swallowed as the guilt bound her in place for a long moment, but then she broke free. Backing out of the house, she hastily retreated around the corner, leading Biggs and Wedge over to where Cloud was waiting. "Hey there."
He pulled out her dad's ID and handed it to her. "This it?"
She took it and stepped past him, looking ahead. "Now comes the hard part." Turning, she finally let Biggs and Wedge in on the plan. "I'm gonna use this to sneak into the 7-6 Annex."
Her teammates exchanged a glance, but Biggs barely missed a beat. "Alright, let's get to it."
"Sorry, but you're staying outside. Only I know what to steal from where, so it's gotta be me who goes in."
"So... we came all this way just to eat pizza?"
She laughed nervously. "You think I'd let you off that easy? You're gonna earn every slice helping Cloud." She patted the merc's crossed arms. "Just do the thing where you draw everyone's attention away, like you did at my parents'... What's the word again? Maybe I'm more nervous than I thought."
"Diversion," Cloud offered.
"Yeah, that! Nice one, military man."
"So what, does this mean we're gonna ask some Shinra folks out to dinner?" Wedge asked.
Biggs groaned. "You know damn well what she means." He struck Wedge in the gut none-too-gently, then turned back to Jessie. "While you're inside, we make sure the guards are focused on the outside, yeah?"
"Exactly, couldn't have put it any better."
She ducked down against the wall beside the rear door of the building, looking up at the camera above her.
"You're fine. You're as good as invisible here."
"Is that another one of your protections?"
"No, it's your own genius."
"Very funny. Alright, let's do this." She fired the flare up into the sky, then waited for the shooting to start. As soon as it began, she swiped her dad's card and entered.
"The coast is clear."
"It'd better be." She moved quickly, entering the labyrinth of crates and discarded equipment, seeking out her quarry.
"All eyes are on your boyfriend outside."
"He isn't my boyfriend... Not yet, at least."
There was no response to that, so she quickened her pace, listening instead to the gunfire outside.
Her phantom apparently decided to change the subject completely. "Your father suffers from mako poisoning, doesn't he?"
"Yes. There was an incident at work. Shinra doesn't give a damn about the health of its employees."
"The effects of mako on humans should be well-documented by now. Adequate safety measures should be standard."
"Cutting costs is standard, safety be damned. But you say 'humans' as though you aren't one. Or, weren't one, I should say."
There was no response to that, either, which suited her just fine, since she didn't want to talk about her dad.
She decided to turn the topic back on him. "So, what happened to that first guy you were supposed to protect? What'd you say his name was, Angeal?"
"Yes. He died."
"Oh, so you did a good job with him, then. I feel much safer knowing that."
"Angeal chose his own fate."
"He liked your company that much?"
"I had nothing to do with it. His demons were thrust upon him by your very same Shinra."
"Go figure." She looked up as an explosion shook the front of the warehouse. "Are they okay out there?"
"Yes, they are fine."
"Good. So, you said I'm not Plan B. Who were the others you failed to protect?"
"There were no others. But the planet did not select you as an alternative to Angeal. I... I chose you myself."
She gave a wry smile. "Of course you did. Can't imagine why. Does that mean that I won't have to worry about fulfilling whatever momentous task Angeal was selected to accomplish?"
"I am sorry to say that you will have a very critical role to play in what is to come."
"Well, that's encouraging." She sighed, finally locating the blasting agent. "Fine, but first thing's first, let's just get through tomorrow. Here's what I need, so let's get out of here."