They still need more funds for their next misssion

Cloud and Tifa did not speak to each other about what happened earlier when they got back. In fact, there was almost a semblance of normality between the two now, as their mutual agreement not to speak of it **** them into being almost cordial. Now, both of them thought about it, probably, but Tifa preferred not to think of such things. And she almost got her desire, until the topic of funding came up again and it was impossible not to mention how they had obtained their current amount of funds.

"Ever since Tifa's--well, you know--we have had enough funds to sustain our operations," Jessie said. She hesitated.

"What's the problem?" Barret asked. "We got the money, right?"

"To sustain our activities, yes. But..." She stopped, and only continued after she had placed a map onto the table. "See here? It's a perfect spot for our next operation. In two months, Shinra will have reduced security for a few days thanks to one of our contacts. But to get everything we need to pull that off..." Jessie trailed off.

Tifa looked at the plan and calculated some numbers in her head. They would need just over twice what they currently had to pull that off. It _was _a good target, and assuming they could get there with all the material they would need for a mission this big, it would probably be one of their easiest missions they had done so far, while simultaneously accomplishing more than they had thought possible. If only they had the money...

Ah.

She understood why she felt weird now, and why Jessie was being so coy right now. They all were thinking the same thing. Could she do it again? Could she put herself through that absolute humiliation one more time?

She could. It was humiliating, but it was for the right cause, and..but god, why did she have to do that? Couldn't Jessie have a better idea?

Tifa grinned for a moment, then hid her smile. "Fine," she said, in an annoyed tone. They all turned their heads to her. "I know what you're thinking. Fine. One more time. I can do it."

"Tifa, you don't have to-" Barret began, but Tifa went on ignoring him.

"I'll do it. But even if I did it, it's not like we would get enough money out of it. We had standing room only last time, and even accounting for that and orders we would still come up a little short."

"Charge more, maybe?" Cloud suggested. It was weird hearing him say something that wasn't pried out of him. "They'd be willing to pay."

"I don't know if they would. Maybe they already got their fill last time," Tifa said. She doubted that. They would pay anything for a repeat of that show. "But if we have something new too. Like someone else with me..."

Everyone followed her meaningful look at Jessie, who turned her head around the table until she realized they were all looking at her. "M-me? You want me to..."

"Join me. They'd be willing to pay more for two girls instead of one. Besides," she said, dryly, "you wouldn't have asked me to do something you wouldn't do yourself, would you?"

A part of her _was _still bitter about that. Perhaps evening things would allow her to let go of that.