NINETEEN

Priscilla's grandmother—an older woman in her fifties with brown hair that was a match for her granddaughter's aside from a few threads of gray here and there—arrived just after her grandfather and I had put Priscilla to bed. She was just rushing inside, her eyes wide and worried, when we returned to the family room.

"George!" she said. "I just heard! Is she alright?"

He nodded, taking her in his arms. "She's fine, Helen, don't worry. This young man here—what was your name?"

"Cloud," I said.

George went on. "Thank you. Cloud and his friends saved her and made sure that Bottomswell and his brood won't ever trouble us again. So just relax. Priscilla's sleeping in her room."

Helen sighed in relief. "Oh, I'm so glad! She's all we have, and I just couldn't bear to lose her. Knowing that terrible monster is finally gone, especially after what it did to her parents, makes me feel better. Maybe now… I can find some peace about it."

"I think we both can, honey," George agreed.

His wife looked at me and smiled. "Cloud, thank you. What you've done for Priscilla—and for this town as well—means everything to us. She was only three when that brute Bottomswell killed her mother and father. Our daughter and her husband."

"I'm sorry," I told her.

"Again, thank you," she replied. "I'm sure that you and your friends must be tired after what you did out there today. Since you're not from around here, you're staying at the inn?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Helen chuckled. "I thought so. We own it, actually. So your rooms will be on us tonight. Please make yourself at home."

"Thanks," I told her.

"You're quite welcome," she said. "If there's anything else you need, please let us know. We'd be glad to help."

Although I appreciated their offer, I didn't think there was, so I just nodded and started to leave. But about halfway to the door, I paused as I thought of something. We still needed disguises for Barret and Yuffie. The rest of us had our Shinra uniforms from Fort Condor. I wasn't sure if Priscilla's grandparents could really help us with that, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to at least ask them about it.

I looked at them again. "Actually, there was something. We're going to slip into Upper Junon tomorrow, but we're short two disguises. Most of us are going as Shinra soldiers, but we couldn't find any uniforms to fit Barret and Yuffie. Any chance you could help?"

Helen glanced at George, then back at me. "Actually, yes. I do a lot of sewing, mostly for Priscilla, so I think I can put something together. Maybe not a soldier's uniform—those would be too hard to get—but a sailor's outfit should work just as well."

"There are lots of them folk in Upper Junon workin' the docks and the cargo ships," George agreed. "So your friends'll blend right in. After they've washed up and rested a bit, send them over here so my wife can take their measurements and get started."

"Will do," I promised.

Helen walked me to the front door and smiled. "They'll have their disguises by the end of the day, Cloud. Oh, and if you have them bring all your wet things with them when they come back, we'll get them dry for you. One less thing for you to worry about."

I nodded. "Thanks."

Then I left, and once I met up with the others outside at the base of the stairs, we all went back to the inn to wash up and change out of our wet clothes and into some extras that we'd brought with us. Then Yuffie and Barret returned to Helen and George's house to get started on their disguises. The rest of us took a little time to relax while they were gone. We had four rooms between us—Jessie and I in one, Aerith and Tifa in another, then Barret and Red, and Yuffie had the last one all to herself. Although it wasn't anything fancy, it was nice enough.

Once Barret and Yuffie came back, we all went out to grab a bite to eat, and as we had lunch at a little place down the street, we talked a bit and worked on our plan for sneaking into Upper Junon. Jessie, Aerith, and I listened closely as Barret and Tifa told us about the elevator over at the far end of town. It sounded promising, but I knew we'd still have to be careful not make the guards suspicious.

"We jus' say we reportin' for duty topside an' they'll let us right in," Barret said as he took a bite. "Then we walk on inside."

"Think they'll buy it?" Jessie asked.

I frowned. "Dunno. If it was just a few of us, maybe. But seven, I'm not so sure. There aren't a lot of troops down here, and especially with Rufus being in town, seeing so many of them at once trying to get into the elevator might make the guards suspicious."

"They'd think we were assassins or something," Aerith agreed.

"Right," I said. "So we need to find another way up there. I think if a couple of us take an alternate route to Upper Junon—assuming there is one—the rest of the group should have a better chance of convincing the guards to let them into the elevator."

Jessie giggled. "Then it's you and me, Cloud!"

"Thought you'd say that," I smirked.

"So where do we find this alternate route?" Tifa wondered.

I shrugged. "Guess we'll just have to ask around town. There has to be more than one way to Upper Junon."

"Assuming we make it there, what then?" Red asked.

"We meet on the cargo ship," I decided.

Jessie nodded. "Right. Shouldn't be very hard to find the one Rufus is gonna be on. He'll probably have a big send-off."

"And we'll just slip right in," Aerith said.

"Exactly!" Jessie agreed. "We'll probably have to help out a bit with all the work once we're aboard and act like we're part of the crew so we won't be discovered. Oughta be fun, though!"

Yuffie groaned. "For you, maybe. I'm not looking forward to being trapped on a boat for… how long's this trip again?"

"Should be three or four days," I said.

"Oh, man…" she sighed, her face getting a little green. "Not good. I can already feel my stomach complaining…"

Red glanced at her. "Remaining belowdecks may help."

"Thanks, Red," Yuffie replied. "I'll try that."

After lunch, we split up again and spent the rest of the day looking around town for another way to get into Upper Junon. But although we found people willing to talk, nobody seemed to know of any other path but the Shinra elevator. If we couldn't find another way up there by the time we had to leave, we'd have no choice but to risk trying the elevator all together and seeing if the guards would let us in.

While we could've forced our way through, I didn't want to cause a commotion if we could avoid it. The last thing we needed was to have a welcoming party there waiting to escort us to Rufus the second we got into Upper Junon. Better to keep things quiet for as long as possible. So we didn't quit searching for that elusive second route until it was nearly dark outside and night had begun to fall.

After having dinner at another restaurant in town, most of us went back to the inn to rest and unwind while Barret and Yuffie headed over to Priscilla's house with Aerith to pick up their disguises along with our dry clothes. They weren't gone long, and I noticed that Aerith couldn't seem to stop giggling as she walked inside.

"What's so funny?" Jessie asked, grinning.

"Oh, I just got to watch Barret try on his disguise," Aerith laughed.
"He was so cute in that sailor outfit!"

He scratched his head. "Dunno 'bout that, but it's comfy."

"Oh, I can't wait to see you in it!" Jessie teased.

"Tomorrow, Jessie," Barret grumbled. "I, uh… I'm jus' gonna go get some shut-eye for now. Night, guys!"

Tifa chuckled. "Are you blushing, Barret?"

"Hell, no!" he snorted. "Jus' a trick of the light, that's all."

"If you say so," I said. But Tifa hadn't been wrong.

Red yawned. "Anyway, shall we rest?"

"Yeah," I agreed. "Night, guys."

With that decided, we all went to our rooms for the night. Though Jessie and I were tired from the battle and walking around town all day, we still had more than enough energy to share some passion in bed for a while. When it was over, I held her as we laid quietly together amidst the smoldering embers of the heat we'd made.

Jessie fell asleep first, with her head on my chest as I lightly stroked her hair, then I followed not long after that. She'd been a little more like herself today, but I could still see how hurt and broken she'd been after waking from that nightmare. She hadn't mentioned it again, but I knew it was bothering her, and I couldn't help worrying and wishing I could help her somehow. There wasn't anything I could do, though, except to be there for her. She intended to face it alone.

As I drifted off, Jessie still in my arms, my thoughts wandered for a while. But then, just as I was on the verge of unconsciousness, I heard a familiar voice in my mind, one I'd almost forgotten. It was that kid, the one I'd first heard after falling into Aerith's church and then later while in the Honeybee Inn. Like before, it was strangely familiar, but I didn't know who it might be. Only that it was a boy.

— Been a long time, hasn't it? —

Yeah. Where've you been? And who are you?

— You'll find out. But more importantly, five years ago… —

Five years ago… you mean Nibelheim?

— Right. When you, Sephiroth, and the others went up to Mt. Nibel that day, Tifa was your guide, wasn't she? —

Yeah. I was pretty surprised.

— But other than that, where was she? —

I don't know. Meeting with Sephiroth to get the job?

— But only for a little while. So this would've been a good chance for you to see each other again and catch up. —

You're right. It was.

— So why couldn't you see each other alone? —

I don't know… I can't remember.

— You're gonna have to if you wanna find yourself again. But in the meantime, you've got another tough choice ahead of you. Not for a while yet, but when the time comes, you'll know. —

What choice?

— The one you don't wanna make. But you'll have to. Like last time, you'll only have a split second to decide. And someone's gonna die either way. Which one will be up to you. —

The hell? What kind of choice is that!?

— One you agreed to. Now get some rest. You'll need it. —

Then the voice was gone. For a moment, I hovered in the dark, not liking what I'd learned but unable to deny that it was real. And then my eyes fluttered open. It must've been sometime long after midnight, and Jessie was still sleeping in my arms. Occasionally, she'd whisper fitfully under her breath, clinging more tightly to me as the corners of her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Despite the cheerful front she wore during the day, she was still afraid of her nightmare.

I thought of my own dream and shivered, knowing what the voice had been talking about. I didn't want to have to do what it said. I didn't want to lose anyone. But if the voice was right—and as much as I hated to admit it, I thought it was—I couldn't avoid it. I laid there for a while thinking about the implications of what I'd learned. One of us wouldn't see the end of our journey. One of us was gonna die. And… I would be the one to decide, one way or the other. I didn't understand it and sure as hell didn't like it, but I couldn't see a way out.

"I won't lose you," I promised, kissing the top of Jessie's head.

"Hmm?" she yawned, stirring a little.

I tightened my embrace. "Nothing. Go back to sleep."

"Okay," she said, snuggling closer to me.

Before long, Jessie was out again, her breathing soft and regular as she slept in my arms. No matter what happened, I intended to keep her safe. I had defied fate itself to save her, and I wasn't gonna let it take her back from me now. But I couldn't tell her or the others what I'd learned in my dream. I wasn't about to put that burden on them. So that meant I'd have to deal with this by myself. As I thought about Jessie, I decided that since I'd beaten fate once, I could do it again. I'd find a way to save everyone and not let anyone die. I had to.

The next morning, Jessie woke me up with kiss on the cheek, and I just held her for a moment. Then we both got up, and we'd just finished washing up and getting dressed when we heard a knock on the door. It was Tifa, probably just wanting to make sure we hadn't overslept. But I was glad she was there, actually. I thought about the things that strange kid had asked me last night, questions about her that I hadn't been able to answer. Maybe she could help fill in the gaps.

"Hi, guys!" Tifa smiled. "Glad to see you're up and about. We're all gonna have breakfast, give Biggs and the others a call to let them know how we're doing, and then go see Priscilla."

I nodded. "Sounds good. Jessie, go on ahead, alright? I need to talk with Tifa for a minute. Won't be long."

"Sure," she replied. "I'll be downstairs with the others."

After giving me a quick kiss on the mouth, Jessie left, skipping out of the room with a cheerful wave. Once she was gone, I looked at Tifa, trying to figure out where to begin. Nibelheim wasn't an easy thing for either of us to talk about. She waited patiently for me, though, knowing there was a reason I wanted to see her alone.

"Tifa…" I asked. "When Sephiroth and I were in Nibelheim, before you led us to Mt. Nibel, where were you?"

She blinked. "Well, I interviewed with him to be the guide."

I shook my head. "Besides that. I never even saw you until we were about to leave for the reactor. Where were you?"

"Didn't we see each other before that?" she wondered.

"No," I said. "I'm positive."

Tifa sighed. "It was five years ago, Cloud. I'm sorry, but I just don't remember. I wish I could. Anyway, let's go. I bet you're hungry, and we don't wanna keep Priscilla waiting, either."

"Fair enough," I agreed. "One other thing, though. It's about Jessie. Tifa, is it just me or did it seem like she didn't wanna be by herself with Aerith when we first split up yesterday?"

She sat on the bed. "It's not just you, Cloud. I saw it, too."

I'd thought as much. "Doesn't make sense, though. They've known each other since before Jessie moved to the slums."

"Yeah," Tifa said. "She hasn't been quite herself lately."

"Knowing Aerith, she's probably seen it as well," I said. "So I'm sure she'll handle it when the time comes. Whatever it is that Jessie's dealing with, she wants to do it alone. I don't know why, but that's the feeling I get. So let's respect that, Tifa. But at the same time, we'll be there if she needs us. Because she will, sooner or later."

Tifa nodded as she stood up. "Right. We'll help her."

I led her to the door. "Always. Let's go."

Although I hadn't told Tifa about Jessie's nightmare, I was sure that it was involved. Jessie had woken up screaming Aerith's name. And she didn't seem to want to be alone with her anymore. I didn't really know why, but didn't doubt the two things were connected. And I also had a dilemma of my own to deal with now, a terrible choice I swore I'd find some way to avoid. I wasn't gonna lose anyone.

No one was gonna die. No one.

A little while later, we all stood waiting outside Priscilla's house for news of her recovery. I wasn't sure what Cloud had wanted to talk with Tifa alone about earlier, but they both seemed fine, so I decided to let it go and not worry about it. We were all back in our normal gear, all nice and dry thanks to Priscilla's kind grandparents, and it felt good to wear my phoenix outfit again. I'd gotten used to it, and at times it almost felt like a second skin. Cloud, of course, was as hot as ever, and waking up in his arms this morning had been wonderful.

Breakfast had been good, and so had talking to Biggs, Wedge, and Lena for a little bit over the phone. They were doing well, even though we'd only been gone a few days, and Lena had finished several scouting missions with Wedge in her upgraded wheelchair. Though they hadn't been very active for the most part, Shinra had still sent a small force to try and catch Fort Condor's defenders off guard. But thanks to the intel Lena and Wedge had gathered, they'd been easily routed. Biggs and the others had sent them packing in a hurry.

Just then, the front door of Priscilla's house opened and she walked down the stairs to see us. She looked fine now, none the worse for wear after nearly drowning yesterday, and although I knew from what Cloud had told us that she was alright, seeing it firsthand was a lot different. I waved at her, glad she was really okay.

"Hey, there!" I called. "You're looking a lot better!"

"You okay now?" Cloud added.

Priscilla smiled. "Yeah. Thanks for helping me, guys. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all of you."

"Anytime," he nodded.

After the rest of us had given her some encouragement of our own, Priscilla went on. "And, um… I'm really sorry about how I treated you at first. I thought you were with Shinra."

Cloud brushed it off. "It's fine."

"No harm done!" Aerith assured her.

"Grandma and Grandpa told me this beach used to be so beautiful when they were little," Priscilla went on. "But after Shinra built the city above, it blocked out most of the sunlight and the water got polluted. I grew up with that story, so I really hate Shinra!"

Barret patted her shoulder. "We understand, girl. An' someday, the beach'll be clean again. Don't worry 'bout that!"

"Thanks!" she giggled. "Oh, right. I almost forgot!"

Batting her eyelashes at Cloud, Priscilla reached into the pocket of the little orange miniskirt she wore over her yellow swimsuit and took out a small round amulet made of a silvery-blue metal. It was on a thin but sturdy-looking chain, and set in the middle of it was a glowing red orb. A summon materia! How had she gotten it? They were pretty rare and hard to find. We only had one ourselves, and although I'd talked to Phoenix back at Fort Condor, I hadn't yet earned the right to call upon him in battle. But I knew I would someday.

"Is that…?" Cloud asked.

Priscilla lifted up the amulet. "Yeah. It's something special! It's been in my family since before I was born, but Grandma and Grandpa said I could give it to you, Cloud. There's a really special power in it, too! An ice goddess called Shiva who can help you."

"Thanks," he told her.

"You're welcome!" she smiled. "Can I put it on you?"

He nodded. "Sure. Go ahead."

Then Cloud knelt down so he was at eye level with Priscilla. It was cute, and I could already tell she was crushing on him pretty hard. The way she'd been looking at him said it all. Not that I blamed her, though. I was crazy about him myself. He was still wearing the star pendant I'd given him, but he didn't take it off as Priscilla reached out and carefully fastened the new amulet around his neck.

She didn't let go right away, though. Before Cloud even knew what was happening, Priscilla clasped her little hands behind the back of his neck, pulled him to her with surprising strength, and smashed her lips against his. I gasped and laughed as Cloud's eyes went wide with shock and he froze up, completely stunned. And then, as if she hadn't already been bold enough, Priscilla pulled away and used Cloud as leverage to swing herself into his arms just as he stood up.

"Uh…" he blinked, gazing at her in confusion as if he didn't have a clue how he had wound up carrying her.

"Yes, honey?" Priscilla beamed as she clung to him.

I laughed. "Damn, I thought I was forward!"

"You were," Tifa smirked.

Aerith giggled. "It's so cute, though! Priscilla's definitely got her eye on you, Cloud! Better watch out!"

He sighed. "Yeah. I'm getting that impression."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of you!" Priscilla smiled.

"Uh, thanks…" Cloud said.

Barret looked up. "Say, what's that music they got playin' up in that city above us? Sounds pretty lively to me."

He was right. While we'd been talking, a bright, cheerful marching song, all brass horns and drums, had drifted down from Upper Junon. It was faint from here but unmistakable, and I had a good idea of what it meant. As I listened, the music brought back bittersweet memories of my childhood and the last time I'd been here. Watching the soldiers on parade as a small child sitting on my dad's shoulders with Mom nearby. The last time I'd felt like we were a family.

"I heard the troops are rehearsing the parade and reception for the new president of Shinra," Priscilla explained.

"Rufus?" Barret scowled. "Gotta pay my respects!"

Cloud gently put Priscilla down. "Yeah. We still need to find a way up there, and we're running outta time."

"What about that tower by the beach?" Red wondered.

"Maybe we could climb it?" I asked.

Priscilla shook her head. "No, no, it's too dangerous! There's a high voltage current always running near it. Grandma and Grandpa told me it comes from the underwater reactor."

"Guess that's out then," Barret grimaced.

She held up her finger. "Maybe not! You just might be able to do it if Mr. Dolphin helps you. Follow me!"

Cloud caught her by the shoulder before she scampered off. "Jessie and I'll meet you there soon, Priscilla. Gotta change into our disguises first. So just go on ahead and wait for us."

"Okay, Cloud!" she grinned. "Don't be long!"

Tifa raised an eyebrow as she left. "High voltage tower? Guess this means you and Jessie'll be alright, Cloud."

Aerith smirked. "Right! Better leave it to them!"

"We're counting on you!" Red added.

"Well, no backing out now!" I chuckled, winking at Cloud.

He sighed. "Yeah. Let's go, Jessie."

While the others all waited there and chatted amongst themselves, Cloud and I hurried back to the inn. It didn't take long for us to get our disguises on after we returned to our room, but when I saw him in that blue uniform for the first time in years, my heart skipped a beat. I went over to him, remembering the day we'd first met in the Shinra Building before he'd left for Nibelheim. He still didn't, but that was alright. Once I was close enough, I pulled him into a tender kiss.

"What was that for?" he wondered.

I smiled. "Just… been wanting to do that for a long time."

Cloud blinked. "I don't understand."

"I know," I said. "But I hope you will someday."

"So do I," he agreed.

I stepped back and put my helmet on. "Anyway, what do you think, Cloud? Can I pass as a Shinra soldier?"

He nodded. "You look really good, Jessie. Just like a man."

"Thanks!" I giggled. "I'm so happy! I think…"

Then we left, heading down the road to the beach. Barret was there watching Priscilla. The dolphin was back, too, splashing merrily in the water. When she blew on a little whistle hanging around her neck, Mr. Dolphin jumped into the air before diving back into the water. It really was neat, and I clapped as Priscilla did a little bow.

"Well, now, ain't that somethin'!" Barret laughed. "I ain't never seen no dolphin jump around like that before."

Priscilla grinned. "Pretty cool, huh? Whenever I blow this whistle, Mr. Dolphin jumps for me. We play down here all the time and have a lot of fun. So I'm really glad he's okay."

"How can he help us?" Cloud wondered.

"You see that old walkway over there?" she asked, pointing.

We did. Running out from the shore toward the tower not far from where we were standing was what looked like a ruined wood and metal bridge. There was also a small maintenance platform at the base of the tower near one of the thick steel legs that plunged down into the water. The bridge must've connected to it once, but the far end had collapsed some time ago and now there was what must've been a twenty foot gap between the broken edge and the platform.

Cloud nodded. "Yeah. No way we can make that jump, though."

"With Mr. Dolphin, you can!" Priscilla said.

"How?" I asked.

She held up her whistle. "Just go over to the bridge, run all the way to end, and jump! Then I'll signal Mr. Dolphin to give you a boost, and he'll bounce you the rest of the way to the platform! There's a ladder on it that you can use to climb up to the city above."

"Sure he can do it?" Cloud asked.

Priscilla smiled. "I promised I'd take good care of you, remember? Of course he can! Now go get into position."

"Good luck, merc!" Barret said. "Once you two get topside, the rest of us'll get changed an' go up the elevator. We'll meet up with ya on the cargo ship, so get your asses over there!"

"Will do!" I promised, giving him a thumbs up.

Priscilla put her hands on her little hips as we made our way to the bridge. "You'd better be careful while you're gone, Cloud! You hear me? Because you're gonna marry me one day."

He blinked. "I, uh…"

"And as for you, Jessie, just keep your hands off my man!" Priscilla scolded me. "I know he's really handsome, but he's also very important to me, and someday I'm gonna be his wife."

I laughed. "Okay. I'll take good care of him for ya!"

She frowned. "You'd better!"

As Cloud and I reached the bridge, I smirked and gave him a little nudge. "Looks like Priscilla's definitely got her heart set on you, Cloud. I don't think even I was ever that forward."

"Yes, you were, Jessie," he reminded me. "Remember our fake ID's, the ones we used for the Reactor 5 mission?"

"Oh, yeah…" I giggled.

Cloud went on. "You made us into newlyweds."

I gave him a sheepish grin and blushed a little. "Guess I did, didn't I? Well, what can I say? I'm crazy aboutcha."

"So I've noticed," he quipped.

"And you love it!" I fired right back with a wink.

Cloud readied himself to move, and although he played it cool like always, I knew how much he cared for me. "Maybe. Anyway, Jessie, I'll go first, then you. Then we'll climb the ladder."

"Right behind ya!" I told him.

Then I watched as Cloud ran full out down the old bridge. As soon as he reached the end, he jumped, sailing out over the water. Just as he started to fall, Priscilla blew her whistle, and Mr. Dolphin swam in and popped up under Cloud's feet with a splash, bouncing him off his nose and sending him the rest of the way to the platform. He did a little flip and landed easily, then turned to wait for me.

"Show off!" I teased.

He smirked a little. "Your turn, Jessie!"

I took a deep breath, got ready, and ran down the bridge. I jumped as soon as I got to the end just like Cloud did, and I flew out across the waves with a giddy shout. As I started to descend, I waited expectantly for Priscilla to call Mr. Dolphin. But she didn't, not right away, and for a moment I thought she'd forgotten. My eyes widened as I kept falling, and it was a second later when I finally heard that whistle. Mr. Dolphin moved fast, but even so, my feet had just splashed into the water by the time he got under me and bounced me back up.

I landed on the platform with my feet and lower legs soaking wet and turned to see Priscilla snickering at me. She was definitely clever, I had to give her that. No doubt she saw me as a rival for Cloud's interest and affection and had decided to have a little fun at my expense. But as annoyed as I was about getting wet, I wasn't really mad at her. Priscilla was just a little girl with a big crush, and I could certainly identify with that. So I just waved at her and grinned.

"You okay?" Cloud asked.

I giggled as I dumped water outta my boots. "Yeah. She did that on purpose, you know. I think she's a little jealous."

He nodded. "Seems that way."

"Ready to go?" I asked as I finished retying my wet laces.

Cloud grabbed the ladder. "Yeah. Let's mosey."

I got on below him as he started to climb. "It's a long way, but don't worry, Cloud. I'll make sure you don't fall. If you did, how would I ever explain that to your wife? She'd kill me!"

"I'm never living this down, am I?" he sighed.

I laughed. "Nope!"