After the plate drops

"Jessie!" Tifa exclaimed, embracing the woman in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're OK!"

"Aerith... Shinra took Aerith," Jessie said, clearly upset.

"Aerith? Who's that?" Barret asked. "Where's Marlene?"

"Marlene's safe," Jessie told him. "We were surrounded by Shinra forces... Aerith made them a deal. In exchange for our safety, she let them take her into custody. I took Marlene to Aerith's mother's place before I came back for you guys... Where are Biggs & Wedge?"

"Biggs... didn't make it," Barret sighed regretfully. "We don't know where Wedge is."

"Damn it," Jessie muttered. "Well, at least you guys are OK... but we have to get Aerith back. I don't know what Shinra wants with her, but it can't be good..."

"That much is obvious," Barret said. "Plus, I owe this 'Aerith' for savin' my little girl. So if you're goin' after her, count me in."

"Me too," Tifa spoke up. "I owe Aerith as well, and I'm worried about her..."

"How 'bout you, Cloud?" Barret asked.

"All right. Count me in," Cloud answered. "Any of you know where we should start?"

"Let's head to Aerith's place... we can rest up there and come up with a plan. Barret, you can also check up on Marlene," Jessie suggested.

"All right, lead the way," Barret replied, and the four of them made their way to Aerith's house in the Sector 5 slums. As they walked, Jessie and Tifa walked side-by-side, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"Hey... I didn't get the chance to say it earlier, but... it's really good to see you," Jessie smiled at Tifa.

"You too," Tifa said, taking Jessie's hand in hers. "Looks like we've got a lot to talk about, huh?"

"Yeah, we do... it sucks that it'll be a while before we can get to the good stuff," Jessie chuckled, causing Tifa to smile.

"Yeah, it does... right now though, we need to focus on saving Aerith. I'm really worried about her, and I get the feeling you are too..."