TWENTY-FOUR

Costa del Sol was hot, sunny, and clear as we walked slowly outside onto the pier, the cargo ship floating at anchor next to us. The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight, and I could hear the rolling waves of the vast ocean and the occasional cries of seagulls overhead as the salty smell of the sea filled my nose. After the battle with Jenova, we'd all gathered up our things while Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret had changed into their normal clothes like the rest of us. Then we'd slipped off the ship as soon as the sailors had started unloading the cargo.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Jessie smiled, looking around. "Way more than I thought. This is gonna be so much fun!"

Barret wiped sweat off his forehead with his good hand. "Speak for yourself, girl. Damn, it's hot here! At least I don't hafta wear that sailor suit anymore. Now I know how ya feel, merc."

I smirked faintly. "Good. Then you won't tease me about it."

"Never said that," he chuckled.

"It's too bad, though," Aerith grinned. "I like Barret's sailor suit. He was so cute! Did you get any pictures, Tifa?"

She giggled. "Yep! The other day, when he wasn't looking."

"The hell?" Barret blinked. "Cute!?"

"Right, well… how about you use your sailor suit as pajamas?" Tifa suggested, trying to keep a straight face and failing spectacularly. "That might work. What do you think, Cloud?"

I scratched my head, then glanced at Barret. "Well… you look like a bear wearing a marshmallow in that thing."

Jessie laughed. "You really do!"

"Shit!" Barret snorted. "The hell's that s'posed to mean? It's actually pretty damn comfortable, so jus' give it a rest!"

I shrugged. "If you say so."

"Could we move along already?" Red grumbled, panting heavily as we stood on the dock. "The heat is drying my nose."

"Mine too!" Yuffie added.

I nodded. "Alright. We had a rough time on the ship, and the battle was a hard one. So we'll take a break today and set out again tomorrow morning. Try not to wander too far off, though."

Barret waved dismissively. "I'll wander wherever I damn well want! But listen, everyone. Try to blend in an' mingle like regular folks while we here. Don't wanna draw attention to ourselves."

"Says the guy with a gun on his arm," Yuffie quipped.

"Who asked you, kid?" he grunted.

She laughed as she ran off down the wide boardwalk toward town. "Don't even bother trying to find me, guys!"

"Have fun!" Aerith called.

"Well, my mane appears to have gotten all messed up," Red sighed. "I think I'll find somewhere cool to rest."

After he left, Jessie turned to me, her eyes dancing. "I guess we'll be off, too. Shopping trip! Right, ladies?"

"Yeah!" Aerith laughed.

"Count me in!" Tifa agreed.

Jessie giggled. "Alrighty, then! Gotta find us some bathing suits and other stuff before we can hit the beach. And don't worry, Cloud. I'll get something hot that'll really catch your eye!"

"Huh?" I blinked.

"Can't go really swimming without a bathing suit, you know," Jessie teased. Then she whispered suggestively in my ear. "Well, you can, but we'll save that for tonight when we're alone."

I felt my cheeks burn bright pink. "Ah, okay… yeah."

"Then it's a date," she winked. After stepping back a little, she went on in a normal voice. "Think I oughta get a tan?"

"Might be nice," I said.

Jessie gave me a quick kiss. "Okay! I'll remember that. See ya soon, Cloud! We'll meet you at the inn to get changed."

I nodded. "I'll be there."

"Sounds good!" Aerith said. Then she smiled knowingly as she saw me gazing at Jessie. "Thinking of anything in particular, Cloud? Looks like Jessie's thawing that icy exterior of yours."

"I, uh…" I swallowed.

Tifa laughed. "She really is! Anyway, I think I'll go swimming once we get down to the beach. And I'm up for showing you how it's done if you're still interested, Aerith. What do you think?"

"Can't wait!" she grinned.

"Now don't forget my lesson, too, Cloud!" Jessie smirked, playfully wagging her finger at me. "Remember?"

I did. "Yeah. I'll teach you."

She waved, then put an arm around Tifa's shoulder on her left and Aerith's on her right as they all walked away together. "Off we go, girls! Time for some fun! We should also call Biggs and the others later to let them know we're here and having a blast!"

As Jessie headed off with Aerith and Tifa, I couldn't help feeling as if at least some of her cheer was forced. I knew by now how she would often keep her emotions bottled up behind a laugh and a smile—it was an act that I'd learned how to recognize as I'd gotten to know her better over the past few months—and I was sure that what Sephiroth had said to her on the ship was bothering her more than she was letting on. But I also knew how much she needed this break because of that. Probably more than the rest of us, if my guess was right.

So as I slowly made my way with Barret into town to search for the inn and get us all rooms for the night, I decided I'd do whatever I could to make Jessie happy on this little mini-vacation of ours and be there if she wanted to talk. It was all I could do for now, and I supposed I could probably use a break myself after everything that had happened on the cargo ship. It would be good for all of us.

Through the holographic displays that allowed me to see what Cait saw, I watched as Cloud, Jessica, and the others left the harbor of Costa del Sol and went into town. Cait Sith had also stowed away aboard the cargo ship, though his presence had been known to Rufus. He'd wanted to bring my little agent across the ocean as covertly as possible so as to get his mission underway, and for once, I'd agreed with him. Not that I had told him the real reason, of course. If I was to turn his plan against him, I would have to be extremely careful.

"Tea, sir?" Janice asked, offering me a tall glass.

"Yes, thank you," I nodded, accepting it.

We were in my office in the Shinra Building, and the late afternoon sun shone through the window through patches of mako fumes. It was still morning in Costa del Sol, however—because it was a considerable distance west of here, there was a time difference of about five hours or so. The ship had arrived on schedule despite Sephiroth's presence. Cait had relayed to me much of what had happened on board while staying out of sight. It wasn't yet time for Cloud and the others to meet him. It would be soon, though. Not much longer.

Cait had slipped off the ship and over to the large Shinra helipad at the far end of the harbor before Cloud and the others had disembarked themselves, and he had climbed quietly into the chopper that was there waiting for Rufus. Through the glass window, Cait could see what went on in the harbor. Sailors were busy unloading the ship's cargo, and here and there a few small boats and planes lay at anchor. By the helipad sat a Shinra office building. Although it was fairly big, it was nothing next to the ones in Junon and here in Midgar.

"Jessica and her friends arrived safely?" Janice asked.

I nodded. "Yes. They got off the ship only a minute ago. Rufus and Heidegger should be next, along with the Turks."

Janice sat down. "Director Tuesti…"

"What is it?" I wondered.

We were at my desk, Janice rolling her chair up next to mine as she often did when we'd do reconnaissance with Cait. The displays hovered in front of us, translucent images that showed was what was happening in Costa del Sol and through which I'd witnessed the battle against that alien monster. Seeing Sephiroth had chilled me to the bone, and Janice had gripped my hand tightly, shaking as she did. She hadn't let go until Cloud and the others had defeated that thing.

She sighed. "Do you think they can really stop him?"

"If anyone can," I said.

"You've got to be careful, though," Janice went on. "Once they meet up with Cait. If Rufus ever suspects you're double-crossing him, well… I'm afraid of what he might do to you."

I looked over at her. "I'm well aware of the risks, Janice. But it's you I'm more concerned about. You don't have to be here."

"Yes, I do," she replied.

"Thank you…" I smiled softly. Her friendship and loyalty meant a great deal to me. "It's good to know I'm not alone."

Janice's eyes were warm. "You never were."

A flutter chased its way through my stomach as we gazed quietly at each other for a minute until Cait's displays caught our attention again. On them, Rufus and Heidegger were finally leaving the cargo ship, and as they stepped off the dock and onto the wide wooden boardwalk that ran along the harbor, I could see that neither man was happy. Given all that had happened this morning, I wasn't surprised.

"It appears Sephiroth was on board," Rufus said, his voice cold. He stopped and stared at Heidegger. "Avalanche, too."

"Yes…" the general swallowed.

I adjusted my headset controls and Cait's audio feed to better hear them as Rufus went on. "Cloud and the others all snuck through Junon and onto the cargo ship right under your nose."

"Yes…" Heidegger said again.

"Your daughter outwitted you yet again," Rufus continued, his eyes narrowing. "And not only that, she even broke into that expensive new car of yours. I take it you're having it cleaned as we speak. Well, at least we know where she and Cloud were sleeping. And that they made their nights productive, judging by what was found."

Heidegger sighed. "Yes…"

"You really blew it this time, Heidegger," Rufus growled.

"I know, sir. I'm ashamed of myself."

Rufus stepped closer, his pale blue eyes like ice. "Is that all you can do? Give one word answers and apologize? Pathetic."

"Ready for departure, sir," Rude called from behind him.

He, Reno, and Elena had made their way over to the helipad, and a quick glance from Cait showed us Reno sitting in the pilot's seat of the chopper preparing it for takeoff while Elena grumbled behind him. We heard the rotors turn, and the engine soon roared to life. I knew where Rufus was going, of course. The Gold Saucer, both to drop off Cait and meet with Dio, the eccentric owner of the huge park. Something about a special materia known as the keystone.

Rufus hadn't said much about it, but if he was looking for it, it had to be important. So another part of my plan was for Cait to find out all he could about this mysterious keystone. In the meantime, he also had some specialized equipment waiting for him courtesy of Dio, who also knew Cait. So did the rest of the Gold Saucer staff. It was a place where he could blend in easily and where many people often visited. So it was an excellent location from which to gather information, and I'd used it for that very purpose for many years now.

"Do something," Rufus ordered quietly, his gaze still on Heidegger. "I'll be expecting results. And you'd best deliver."

Then he left, turning his back on Heidegger and striding down the boardwalk to the helipad, Rude following close behind him. A moment later, they climbed into the chopper, and as it lifted off, Heidegger was standing alone by the docks, fuming. With a sudden, vicious backhand punch, he sent a passing sailor flying into the water. By the time he had charged past the helipad and stomped inside the Shinra office building, the chopper had risen into the air. I cut Cait's transmission for the time being, quite satisfied with what I'd just seen.

"The general got quite the lecture," Janice chuckled.

I nodded. "That he did, Janice."

She took a sip of her own tea. "I wonder what he'll try to do to win back Rufus' favor, though. He must be desperate."

"Yes, but I wouldn't worry about it. Rufus is the threat."

"Agreed, sir," Janice said.

I leaned back in my chair. "Jessica will see to her father. As for me, I'll be monitoring Cait closely once he reaches the Gold Saucer. But it'll take at least two hours for him to get there, so that gives us some time. I have some reports I need to finish, but…"

"But what?" she slid a hand through her coppery hair.

I turned in my chair to face her. "Well, before I have to dive into all that paperwork, I was going to have lunch. There's a nice little café just down the street. Would you… care to join me?"

She smiled. "I'd like that."

Seeing that was like seeing the sun coming out from behind a bank of thick clouds. Janice was my assistant, but also my closest friend, not to mention my co-conspirator in this dangerous plan to undermine the company from within and hopefully change it for the better. I'd grown to enjoy her company very much over the past two years, but I couldn't help wondering of what I felt for her was starting to become more than that. And if it was, I didn't think Amanda would mind. She would want me to be happy. She would want us to be happy.

Standing up, Janice and I left my office together.

Costa del Sol was bustling as Barret and I made our way down the crowded streets. The homes and shops were mostly pale yellow stucco with orange or brown shingled roofs, and along either side of the wide, cobbled roads stood a variety of stands and stalls selling different sorts of goods. People walked around, mostly in bathing suits or other loose clothes, and always we could hear the sound of the ocean waves amidst the talk and laughter of the townspeople.

We found Red curled up in the shade of a large red awning next to a bar, absently using his tail to bounce a soccer ball along the sidewalk with some kids nearby in a game of catch. Barret chuckled at the sight, and Red looked up when he heard him. He seemed much more relaxed then he'd been when we'd gotten off the ship.

"Greetings, my friends," he said with a toothy yawn.

"Havin' a little fun there?" Barret laughed.

Red batted the ball away again with hardly a glance at it. "Hmm… interesting. It's not as if I'm doing this because I really want to, though I can't say I don't enjoy it, I suppose. But my tail often appears to have a mind of its own. It's quite independent."

Leaving him to it, we went on, getting word from one of the many tour guides that there was a large and popular resort a little further on down the street. We were almost there only a few minutes later when I noticed a familiar face behind one of the roadside stands and beckoned Barret to come with me. This I had to see.

"Hey, Cloud!" Yuffie grinned, a name badge pinned onto her green shirt as rang up a customer. "Let me make some gil, why don'tcha? I'm sellin' materia today. Why don't you buy some?"

"You call this relaxing?" I said.

She wagged her finger at me. "You're one to talk! But how can I not relax with all this beautiful, shiny materia here?"

Barret shared an amused glance with me. "Uh-oh…"

"I'm lucky to have her working for me today," the shopkeeper said. A tag on his chest identified him as Butch. "Cute girls like her pull in a lot of customers, you know. Business is good!"

I opened my mouth to warn him about Yuffie then decided against it when I saw him leering at her. If he wound up with a few less materia when we left tomorrow morning, it would serve him right. And I knew she could handle him, so I wasn't worried.

"Watch your back," I murmured to her instead when Butch turned away to talk to a customer. "He's got his eye on you."

"Oh, I will, Cloud," she winked. "He tries anything and he'll have a shuriken up his ass in two seconds flat. I'll be fine. But thanks for being so concerned about me. Now go have fun!"

Barret nodded. "Yell if ya need us, kid. We'll be here."

"Will do, big guy," Yuffie promised.

The inn was a large, fancy resort with a large pool and a set of wide stone stairs leading to the beach. Inside the lobby was a pool table, and after reserving the rooms and leaving my gear in the one I was sharing with Jessie, I decided I might as well play a few games while waiting for the girls. It was as good a way as any to pass the time. Barret had taken his things to his room as well, so I didn't give him much thought until I went into the downstairs bathroom for a minute after finishing a game and saw him in his sailor suit in front of the mirror.

"Yeah!" he grinned at his reflection as he posed. "Hope you're okay, Marlene. Daddy'll wear this for ya when I come an' see ya again. That's right. Looks pretty damn good, don't it?"

I blinked. "What the hell are you doing…?"

He turned and scowled at me, though I could see from the hints of red on his dark cheeks that I'd embarrassed him. "Shit! Can't ya see I'm busy in here, merc? Go bother someone else!"

With a shrug, I went back to the pool table, sending Jessie a text to let her know where the inn was as I did. I was about halfway through a second game when she, Tifa, and Aerith walked in carrying a shopping bag in each hand and smiling broadly. After setting down the cue stick that I'd been using, I went over to meet them.

"Hi, honey!" Jessie giggled. "Did you miss me?"

I nodded. "Certainly isn't the same when you're not around, Jessie. Looks like you girls have been pretty busy."

"That we have!" Aerith replied. "And guess what?"

"We saw Johnny!" Tifa exclaimed. "Him and Sandra, actually. They live here now, believe it or not. Got a brand new house and everything. I think they must've left Midgar before we did and came straight here. They seem to be doing well for themselves."

Jessie sat on the edge of the pool table. "Yeah. Johnny kinda looked a little down, though. Probably still a bit in shock about Sector 7. Gotta admit, I am too, a little. But we gotta keep moving. I told him that, too. We all talked and caught up with each other for a while, but you know what? He almost didn't recognize me at first."

Aerith chuckled. "Well, the last time he saw you, Jessie, you weren't exactly in tiptop shape. Gave him a bit of a shock."

"But he was really happy," Tifa added.

"I think I got that impression from the bear hug he gave me," Jessie laughed. "Before he started gushing about my new look."

I could imagine. "He'll be alright, then?"

"Yeah, I think so," she replied. "Sandra'll take good care of him. She really does like him, even if he is still a little quirky sometimes. All part of the charm, I suppose. You know how he is."

Aerith sat down in a nearby chair. "Whew! I'm feeling a little tired from all that shopping and walking around. But I'll be fine. It's just… I was thinking that there's so much I don't understand. You know, about what's going on. What do you guys think?"

"I don't know," I shrugged.

"Yeah…" she agreed. "I don't even understand myself sometimes. I wonder what part of me is an Ancient? What's an Ancient supposed to be like, anyway? It's kinda strange, isn't it?"

Jessie gave her an encouraging smile. "Maybe, but so what? I think we all wonder about ourselves sometimes. Don't get yourself all wound up about it. You'll figure it out. You always do."

Aerith smirked as she stood up. "Thanks, Jessie. It's funny, though. I'm normally the one cheering you up."

"Happy to return the favor!" she quipped.

"Well, now that I've had my little moment, how about we get ready to have some fun?" Aerith grinned. "And that includes you, Cloud. We got you a nice swimsuit, so go get changed."

I sighed dramatically. "Guess I've got no choice…"

"Still playing it cool, huh?" Tifa chuckled.

"Like always," Jessie giggled as she stood up again. "But I know he's just itching to get out there and have a blast!"

Aerith patted me on the shoulder. "That's our Cloud!"

So we all went upstairs and changed into our bathing suits. I'd been a little afraid that they'd gotten me something embarrassing—knowing Jessie and Aerith, it wasn't an unrealistic assumption—but they'd found me a pair of modest black swim trunks. I sighed in relief when I pulled them out of one of Jessie's shopping bags.

"Afraid I'd get ya something silly?" she teased as she playfully took out her own suit. "Believe me, I was tempted."

"I don't doubt it," I said.

She just laughed as she slipped into our bathroom to get changed. I leaned my swords against the wall for now, sat on the bed, and put my swimsuit on. Then I set my regular clothes aside on a chair and waited for Jessie. I didn't have to wait long. The bathroom door opened slowly a minute or two later, and when I saw her, I felt my heart pound in my chest. She strode into view and leaned against the doorframe with one arm raised above her and a steamy smirk on her face. The skimpy, dark blue bikini she wore showed off her curves nicely.

"Hey there, sexy," Jessie winked. "See something you like?"

"Damn right," I breathed.

She wove toward me. "Well, so do I."

I remembered then that I hadn't put a shirt on, and I felt a sliver of heat rush through me as Jessie slid her fingers lightly down the front of my chest. She'd taken off her red headband and had freed her hair from its ponytail so it spilled loosely over her shoulders. We kissed for just a moment, then as I felt her hand brush over the old scar under my ribs, I looked down at it. As hard as I tried, I'd never been able to recall how or when I'd gotten it. Normally I didn't even think about it much, but I noticed Jessie gazing quietly at it too.

"You'll remember," she murmured. "Someday."

I nodded. "Yeah."

Then my eyes found her own scars. Three small round ones all in a row across her belly, where she'd been stabbed by sahagins down in the sewers years ago. Four or five others along her right arm and shoulder, also round but with rougher edges, where she'd been shot in the pillar. And a jagged line across her left thigh where that piece of shrapnel had sheared into her that same night. All of them were faint and faded but, like mine, still there and always would be.

Jessie sighed. "Guess we both have our scars, huh?"

"You more than me," I said.

"I don't know about that," she replied. "Might be that you've got as many as I do, they're just harder to see."

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Anyway… does it make a difference?" Jessie asked. "Mine, I mean. As far as how you see me. I just… wondered."

"Still beautiful, if that's what you're asking," I told her.

She smiled. "Thanks, Cloud."

I accepted her grateful hug and held her for a moment. "If I'd had a problem with it, you'd have known a long time ago. But I get the feeling that's not all that's on your mind, Jessie."

"You might be right," she admitted, still in my arms.

"Wanna talk about it?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No, not right now. We'll be back on the road tomorrow, so I just wanna enjoy today. We had a hard time on the ship, Cloud. That battle, and… other things. I need to forget about them for a little while. So much happened back there…"

I slid my hand through her hair. "Too much. It's fine, Jessie. I think we could both use a day off, to be honest."

"No argument there," she agreed. "Ready to go?"

I smirked. "Let's mosey."

We met up with Aerith and Tifa in the upstairs hall. Aerith had put on a pretty revealing pink bikini that left very little to the imagination. Tifa, on the other hand, wore a dark red single piece cut fairly low and which nicely highlighted her shapely body. She had also let her hair out of its usual fishtail, and it hung freely past her waist.

"Looking good, Cloud!" Aerith grinned when she saw me. "You're lucky we decided to go with Jessie's pick for your swimsuit. Mine was a whole lot skimpier and much more fun!"

Jessie laughed. "Yeah, it was pretty hard to pass up, believe me, but I figured that being seen in any kind of bathing suit would be awkward enough for ya. It's not your usual thing, after all."

"Not even close," I agreed.

"Glad we got you out of your shell a little more, then," Tifa smiled. "I think it'll do you good to have fun, Cloud."

I nodded. "It might."

"Yeah!" Jessie thrust her arm into the air. "Let's go! Time to hit the beach, everyone! This is gonna be great!"

With our towels, lotions, and a small cooler stocked with food and drinks, we headed downstairs into the lobby again just in time to catch Barret, still in his sailor suit, striding toward the elevator and yawning. The girls giggled helplessly when they saw him.

"Go on, laugh it up, ladies," Barret muttered, his cheeks reddening. "I'm jus' gonna go upstairs an' take a nap."

"Nice pajamas!" Aerith teased.

He rolled his eyes and sighed, then left before Jessie and Tifa could embarrass him even more. All three women kept laughing and talking with each other as we made our way outside, where the bright tropical sun shone warmly overhead and the ocean breeze cooled our cheeks. It was a good day to rest and take some time for ourselves. With Jessie at my side and Aerith and Tifa a few steps ahead of us, we went down the wide, polished stone stairs to the beach.