Change of Plans

The morning brought chaos. It started with Tifa bursting into his room.

"We were getting ready to set out when these things showed up and came after us!" she screamed. Cloud pulled the Buster sword and exited the apartment with Tifa, to find those ghosts were back. The same ones that had attacked the flower girl. They filled the sky so much that it was almost pitch black.

"To the bar!" Cloud said.

These spirits weren't invincible, at least. Cloud managed to defeat several with precise strikes from his Buster sword, but they so outnumbered AVALANCHE that it was a losing cause. Nevertheless, they made it back to the bar. As soon as he reached Jessie, one of the spirits picked her up, slamming her down hard onto her ankle.

"Jessie!" Cloud cried.

But it also seemed that hurting Jessie was the plan. As soon as her body rebounded off the ground, they dissipated. Jessie groaned, her body armor the only thing keeping her from a premature demise. Cloud picked her up, carrying her into the bar.

"Wish I could say it didn't hurt, but yeah… God, this is so embarrassing… Hate playing the damsel in distress…" Jessie said, groaning. Her ankle was bleeding badly.

"It happens," Cloud said, matter of fact.

"You're out, Jessie," Barret said, shaking his head.

"But the mission ... we already sent in Biggs. Don't tell me you're thinking of calling it off!"

"We got this," Barret said.

"The hell you do!" Jessie retorted, getting hot. She stared at Cloud. They had plans, post-mission, after all.

"Nah, we're going to hire the merc," Barret said, looking at Cloud.

"I'm gonna need a raise," Cloud said, coolly.

"Consider it done! Alright, everyone—Cloud's in. The mission is on!"

"Go raise some hell for me," Jessie said, depressed.

"And Wedge ... stay here and guard the home front," Barret instructed.

"But ... I'm fine," Wedge protested.

"Which makes you the perfect choice to look after Jessie and Marlene!" Barret boomed. "Chance of plans. We were going to take the train to get there, but I think we should take the route through the tunnels. We won't have Jessie's tech savvy out there, so let's play it safe."

Play it boring, more like it, Cloud thought grumpily. He looked at Jessie, who was despondent.

"Relegated to stagehand once again. I'm starting to think I'll never have a starring role…" Jessie said, sitting on a stool near the bar.

"There's always next time," Cloud said.

"What's this? Words of encouragement? Thanks, I need them. Hurry back now. You don't want my home-cooked pizza to get cold," Jessie said, smiling despite herself.

"Well," Cloud said, a smirk playing at his lips. "I'm still more interested in the home cooked pussy."

"That does always stay warm," Jessie said drolly.