Arriving at Seventh Heaven, the three friends stood outside the entrance. "And here we are. You two must be tired," Tifa said.

Cloud, who was still carrying the pup, spoke up, "Same as you, I guess."

"Could use a little something to take the edge off, right? Maybe not for Lailah, though. How about a refreshing cocktail made by yours truly that you can sit back and savor?" Tifa leaned forward and poked the pup's nose. "And I can make a special alcohol-free beverage for our sweet little Lailah."

"Tifa..." Cloud muttered her name.

"Yeah, I'm feeling it a bit too," she confessed. "Hey... Do you think you'll stick around a little longer?"

"Maybe," he answered unsurely. "Work for a minute, build up some savings..."

"What about Lailah?" she questioned. "If she sticks around, will you?"

Cloud knew why she asked. He glanced down at the pup in his arms. "I... I don't know. Depends on how everything goes."

Tifa smiled and hoped for the best. "I guess we'll see what the future holds. But let's head inside so I can make you two those drinks."

Cloud nodded and entered Seventh Heaven with Tifa. He let go of Lailah, who jumped out of his hold and trotted towards the bar.

"We're back," Tifa said.

"Did you...have fun?" Marlene asked.

She smiled gently. "Lotsa fun."

Barret stood by the little girl. "Hey—need y'all downstairs."

"Uh...right now? Then the plan is...?" Tifa began.

The burly man glanced at his daughter. "Marlene, wanna go wait for Jessie out front?"

The little girl exuberantly replied with, "Okay!" and left the bar.

Tifa turned to Cloud. "Looks like we're officially on for tomorrow night, then. Gotta go over the details with the others."

Cloud looked at her before pursuing Barret. "Before you do, about my pay—"

"You'll get your money!" The brute snapped. "So sit down and shut up until we're finished. Double time, Tifa." He activated the pinball elevator and descended into the hidden basement.

Tifa looked apologetically at the blonde. "I'm really sorry...but it shouldn't take much longer. In the meantime... Grab a seat by Lailah. She's already made herself comfortable."

Cloud looked over at the bar to see the girl had reverted to her human form. He walked over and took the empty seat to her left.

Tifa walked behind the bar and stood, smiling, in front of her friends. "What'll it be, you two?"

Lailah pulled out her notebook and pen.

'I like what you proposed earlier. I'll take anything non-alcoholic.'

"Coming right up!" Tifa got to work making a temperance drink. It was a mix of cranberry, lemon, and orange juice topped with a fizzy soda. She placed the glass in front of the snowy-haired girl. "I think you'll really like this. I know how much of a sweet tooth you have."

Lailah mouthed "thank you" before taking a sip. She smiled at the delicious flavor of the drink.

Tifa moved to serve Cloud. "What would you like?"

Cloud leaned forward, resting an arm on the counter. "I dunno...something hard and bitter."

She knew the perfect drink to make him. She performed a few bar tricks while mixing the drink. After pouring it into a glass, she slid it across the counter towards him. Cloud caught the glass with ease.

Lailah smiled and clapped, applauding her friend for the performance.

Tifa beamed and bowed playfully. She then glanced at Cloud. "Well? Most people would say something sweet right about now."

Cloud downed the liquid in seconds. "I'm sure they would."

"Ahh, but you're a more discerning customer, aren't you? In which case..." Tifa prepared a second drink for him and placed it in front of him. "Our house special: the Cosmo Canyon."

Cloud picked up the glass and admired the crimson liquid. "Beautiful."

Tifa realized how long she kept the others waiting. "I gotta go." She leaned closer to Cloud and whispered. "Have fun with Lailah while I'm gone. You two could play darts." With that, she came out from behind the bar and activated the pinball machine. She cast another smile over at her friends. "Enjoy." The lift descended and Tifa vanished.

Cloud was surprised at what Tifa said. He looked over at the girl as she enjoyed her drink. He then gazed around the empty bar, spotting the dartboard located in the corner. Turning back around, he took a small sip of his drink. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled and remembered what Tifa told him earlier. Seeing as they were alone, he wondered if now would be a good time to confess his feelings. "Lailah, I—"

Suddenly, the door to the bar opened. A smiling Jessie entered Seventh Heaven. She jogged up to the two friends. "Hey! You two see the news? "The reactor bombing was the work of the eco-extremist group 'Avalanche.'" Public enemy number one! Gets your heart racing, doesn't it? They don't know our faces, so we're in the clear for now, but we'll wanna capitalize on this momentum. Speaking of which, you guys coming on the next one?"

Cloud exchanged an unsure look with Lailah. "For the right price."

"Oh, you can bet I'll be pushing hard for a raise!" Jessie turned away, sighing as she slowly made her way over to the pinball machine. "Tifa'll be joining us too, but I dunno... Even a blind man can see her heart's not in it. She was never on board with the bombings, so if it comes down to do or die... If I've got to put my life in someone else's hands... Then...I'd rather that someone was a professional. Like you or Lailah."

The two childhood friends watched Jessie disappear.

Lailah finished her drink and so did Cloud. She decides to take it upon herself to clean the glasses. Taking her glass and Cloud's, she walked behind the bar and scrubbed them down. While cleaning, she saw how he was intently watching her. Lifting her eyes, she met his gaze with an arched brow.

Realizing he was staring, Cloud cleared his throat and looked away. "Why don't you work for the bar? Pretty sure Tifa would hire you in a second."

Lailah dried off the glasses and returned them to under the counter. She used her notebook to respond.

'Working here would be nice, but I can't do what I came here to do if I accepted the job.'

"So, you did come to Midgar for something, not just to find me and Tifa," he mumbled.

She nodded with a sorrowful smile.

'I'm sorry I didn't mention it before, but I left Tellus after learning the ancestral beasts had returned to this world. I need to find them and make sure they're safe. Seeing as my search brought me to Midgar, I wanted to find you and Tifa too. I'm happy I did, even if it's only for a short time.'

Cloud's heart ached after reading the words. "How long until you leave us behind again?" He asked out of hurt.

Lailah's lips parted for a second before closing. She desperately wished she could talk so she could express her own guilt and sorrow. Looking away, she couldn't answer him. All she could do was shake her head in uncertainty.

Feeling a suffocating silence lingering in the air, Lailah tucked her notebook back into the pocket of her skirt. With an apologetic smile, she decided to leave Seventh Heaven.

She returned to her apartment and fed Poncho before flopping down on the bed with a sigh. She covered her eyes with her arm, trying to fight against the guilt that gnawed at her. She should've told Cloud earlier why she was really in Midgar. She didn't blame him for snapping at her. She debated on whether she should leave the slums tonight or in the early hours of the morning.

Before long, an hour passes by.

Lailah decided to distract herself by playing with Poncho. She didn't stop playing with him until she heard a knock on her door. Lowering the feather wand, she stood up and answered the door. At her door stood Cloud. She was surprised to see him. Leaning against the door, she quizically tilted her head.

Cloud was not a man who knew how to talk. He was more of an "action speaks louder than words" kind of guy. He was used to swinging his sword around, not apologizing. His eyes locked with hers and he tried his best to express his regret. "I'm sorry," he started. "What I said...was uncalled for and unfair."

She couldn't stay silent. She grabbed her notebook and wrote.

'Don't worry about it, Cloud. I'm fine.'

He continued to stare into her golden pools. "You're lying."

Lailah's eyes widen. He caught her. She wrote the one thought that had been plaguing her for years.

'Sometimes, I wonder if it had been better if I hadn't stayed in Nibelheim. If I hadn't met you or Tifa, I wouldn't have worried either of you for so many years. I...'

Her words trailed off as tears splashed on the paper, smearing the ink. She used the sleeve of her white blouse to try to wipe away her tears, but it didn't work. There was no stopping or drying her tears. She choked on a silent sob, her hands shaking. Wanting to hide herself from him, she tried to retreat into her apartment. She didn't make it a single step before she was encased in strong arms and pressed against a toned chest. Her teary eyes widened once realizing Cloud was hugging her. She dropped the notebook and pen out of shock.

"I can't say I understand your mission entirely, but...that doesn't mean you have to carry the burden all by yourself." Cloud placed a hand on the back of her head, cradling her gently against his chest. "Let me help you, Lailah."

Lailah continued to cry, but her tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy. She wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her face into his chest. She listened to his racing heart, which was the opposite of his calm and cool tone of voice. She was more than happy to have his help on her mission.

Cloud trailed his gloved fingers through her snowy locks, nuzzling his nose against the top of her head. He closed his eyes with a small sigh of contentment, reveling in the peaceful moment.

However, their moment was ruined when someone whistled.

Cloud looked over his shoulder and saw Jessie leaning against the stairwell. "I was wondering what was taking you so long, but now I know. The two lovebirds were busy in their own little nest."

The blonde gazed stoically at her as he released Lailah. "What are you doing here?"

Jessie smiled in the girl's direction. "Mind if I come in, Lailah?"

She shook her head and the three of them entered her apartment.

"Guess I'll get right to the point, then." Jessie revealed the materia she was carrying.

Cloud eyed the red orb. "What've you got there?"

She held it out to him. "An apology. For not getting you and Lailah on the mission. Or not. What do you think it is?"

"A proposition."

Jessie smirked. "Nailed it in one. Gonna have to ask you both to keep all this a secret from the others, though. It's a personal matter—something I need to sort out tonight."

Cloud's brows furrowed. "Tonight?"

"Tonight," she reiterated. "You, me, and Lailah. I want you both to come with me to the Sector 7 plate. I'll give you guys the details on the way."

The blonde looked at Lailah, who nodded in approval. "That's fine by us... But don't you have a pretty big day ahead of you?"

"I do, but... If I don't deal with this now, it's only gonna get harder... Anyway, I can count on you two, can't I?" She tossed the materia to Cloud. He caught it. "A down payment. Since Lailah doesn't use materia, I'll think of her payment along the way. Maybe we'll have a girls' night and enjoy the best food the slums has to offer!" She stepped out of the apartment, leaving Cloud and Lailah alone.

He looked at the glistening materia before meeting Lailah's gaze. "You sure you're up for this?"

With a determined expression, she nodded.

He stored the materia and opened the door. They exited the apartment and saw Jessie waiting for them.

"Doubt we'll be back before morning—'case you two were planning on traveling light. Make sure you've got everything you guys need before we leave."

"We're ready," Cloud responded.

"Awesome. Meet me at the station before dark. But before I go..." Jessie handed Lailah her notebook and pen. "Don't forget these."

Lailah forgot she dropped the items earlier. She took them back with a grateful smile.

Jessie smiled back and poked the girl on the nose with a giggle. "Don't be late!" She waved at the two before dashing off.

Sighing, Cloud looked up at the sky. "It's...just another job..." Feeling a hand grab his own, he looked to his left and saw Lailah standing next to him. She was smiling up at him. He squeezed her hand before gazing back up at the sky.

○◦───•❃°•°❀°•°❃•───◦○

As night fell, Cloud and Lailah met up with Jessie at the train station. While making their way to the loading platform, they spotted Wedge and Biggs walking toward them with two motorbikes.

"Tough break," Biggs said. "They changed the times. Last train's already left. Which is why we borrowed these bikes. Need a lift to the plate?"

Jessie glanced between her fellow Avalanche members, bewildered. "How did you guess...?"

"Easy. You've been acting weird. Like, talking about one thing when you're obviously thinking about something else," Wedge answered.

Biggs nodded. "Yeah, and don't get me started on all that pep."

"All right, I'll give you that—but how did you know I wanted to head topside? Was I talking in my sleep? What else did I say?!" Jessie panicked.

Wedge laughed. "No. We just figured you wanted to see your parents. That's all."

Biggs grinned. "Nailed it, huh?"

Jessie smiled. "Yup. Right on the head."

"So—seeing as we don't have any family of our own... How about you let us be a part of yours for a bit? You know, spread the wealth."

Jessie looked at Cloud. "Are your parents still around?"

Cloud was silent for a moment before responding. "No."

She already knew Lailah's story. Of course the shapeshifter's parents were dead if she was the last of her kind. "And we already know about Lailah so... Guess you're all invited! Here's to awkward family reunions!" She pumped a first into the air.

"Yeah!" Biggs and Wedge chanted in unison, mocking her action.

Biggs and Wedge mounted one bike. Cloud and Jessie mounted the other.

"I take it you boys have your brand-spanking-new IDs?"

"Yes, ma'am!" They continued to speak in sync.

"Then let's lay down some rubber!"

"Crank that—! Wait..." Biggs began. "We only brought two bikes. How is this going to work?"

"Two bikes will work," Cloud said. "Lailah's faster than you think." The ex-SOLDIER's gaze drifted over to his childhood friend. "Time to go."

She smiled at him before transforming into her larger form. The elemental disc hovering over her back ignited with multicolored flames. She shook her body and sat down on her hind legs.

Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge stared in awe.

"Whoa!" Wedge gaped. "She's even bigger now! Although, I do prefer the puppy. Way cuter."

Lailah waited patiently. She remained seated until Wedge and Cloud started the motorbikes and took off. In the blink of an eye, she took off and followed the bikes. It only took her a few seconds to catch up. Picking up the rear, she followed them up Corkscrew Tunnel.

Jessie glanced behind them at the wolf before turning around to face the front. "You hear me?"

"Yeah," Cloud replied.

"Just so you know, I'm not going plateside for the reason they think I am. Look—you saw the way the reactor went up. It was huge, right?"

"Because of all the mako. Isn't that what you said?"

"Yeah...that was wishful thinking," she confessed. "Deep down, I know it was my fault. I used a more powerful blasting agent than the directions called for. It had nothing to do with the mako."

"Let's say you're right. So what?" Cloud asked.

"I'm planning on using a weaker blasting agent this time. But...since I can't get in touch with my supplier, our only option is to loot a warehouse owned by Shinra."

"Shinra? Good luck with that."

Jessie leaned against his back. "With your help and Lailah's, we won't need luck."

Continuing up Corkscrew Tunnel, they soon encountered their first obstacle.

"ID scan! Ready?!" Jessie shouted.

They passed through without triggering the alarm.

"So far so good!" Biggs yelled.

"All right, here comes the hard part!" Jessie hollered.

"And that is?"

"The fake IDs may have held up, but from this point on, if we get pinged by a scan..."

"They'll come for us," Cloud concluded.

"Yeah, what he said," Jessie replied.

"Oh, man!" Biggs whined.

"Just like that?!" Wedge shrieked.

"No need to worry. We've got Cloud and Lailah, remember?" Jessie leaned closer and asked, "Hey, you do know how to drive, right?"

"SOLDIERs get mandatory training," Cloud responded.

"Well then! You gonna take my breath away? Make my head spin with your amazing skills?"

"Don't blame me if ya get sick."

"Right..."

Further up the winding tunnel, their IDs were scanned a second time. However, they were detected. Seconds later, enemies arrived.

"We've got company!" Jessie yelled.

Being the closest, Cloud swung his blade and knocked the man back. He heard an amused cackle come from the girl riding with him. "Someone's having fun."

"How could I not?! "Pursued by villains, a young couple thrust together by fate race through the neon-streaked night..." But you'd prefer Lailah to be your plus one, right?" Jessie grinned.

Cloud felt embarrassed. He hadn't known Jessie for long, but she seemed to already know about his feelings for his childhood friend. "Get off!" He remarked rhetorically.

Biggs fired his gun while Cloud used his sword. With their combined strength, they took down the assailant.

"Oh! My hero!" Jessie fawned.

A few seconds later, two more assailants arrived.

"Straight to lethal force?!" Biggs shouted in surprise.

"What, so you'd just pull over if they asked nicely?" Jessie asked.

"Eh... You've got a point."

"See?! So don't go holding back now!"

Using the elemental disc on her back, Lailah used her magic to propel it forward. The multicolored flames ignited one enemy while the other was knocked off his motorbike.

"Whoa!" Biggs shouted. "Nicely done, Lailah!"

Jessie teased Cloud more. ""Had the cold-eyed mercenary's heart suddenly begun to melt? Was he jealous that his sweetheart might be taken by another man?""

"Nope," Cloud confidently replied. After his earlier conversation with Lailah, he wouldn't allow another man to have her.

Jessie laughed. "I won't forget that. I'l have to tell Lailah later."

"Don't you dare."

She giggled again before asking, "Wait, is it just me or did we slow down?"

"Just you."

Just then, three more enemies appeared on bikes. Biggs was clearly aggravated. "More of 'em?!"

"Think we've bitten off more than we can chew! Whadda we do?!" Jessie yelled.

"Shut up!" Cloud hollered at her.

Lailah ran past Cloud as he dealt with one enemy. She set her sights on the man that was targeting Biggs and Wedge. Running up beside the officer's bike, she bit at the front tire and popped it with her sharp fangs. The man lost control of his bike and toppled off.

"Thanks for the save," Biggs smiled gratefully at her.

Cloud finished off the last officer by performing a spinning gust attack. The blade of wind sent the man tumbling off his ride.

The process repeated. The group dealt with wave after wave of enemies. After defeating the sixth wave, Biggs said, "That's an ex-SOLDIER for ya. Next to him, we look like kids on trikes. And don't even get me started on Lailah."

"You're damn right you do!" Jessie remarked.

"You're part of that "we" too, you know."

Finally, they exited Corkscrew Tunnel.

"We made it!" Wedge chanted.

"Woo-hoo! Topside!" Biggs cheered.

Cloud asked, "Keep going till we hit the station?"

"No, head straight for the warehouse," Jessie replied. She then sighed dramatically. "Awww... Our magical ride is almost at an end... I'm so jealous Lailah's the one who caught your eye."

Biggs groaned. "Why ya talking like we're not here?"

"Because you're not!"

"Clearly we are!"

Not long after arriving topside, more officers appeared.

Biggs started to shoot. "Not over yet! Cloud! Lailah! Little help?!"

Like before, the assailants were no obstacle. Cloud and Lailah were about to deal the finishing blows when the officers pulled back.

Jessie glanced back at their retreating forms, confused. "What's going on?"

Cackling could be heard. From behind, a man on a red motorcycle wielding a sword crashed into the officers and drove crazily, performing various tricks.

Jessie caught a glimpse of the long-haired man. "Who's that?"

"A SOLDIER," Cloud responded.

It only took the man a few seconds to catch up. "Well, hello!"

"Who's this?!" Biggs hollered.

""Too quick for the eye, you cross him, you die!" Now... Mind if I cut in? Woo! Splendid! I've been looking for a new dance partner!" He sped ahead and didn't hesitate to attack. He used magic, creating crescent energy slashes and sending them towards Cloud. "Private party, huh? That's fine. I'll settle for a race then. Just one."

Cloud dodged the incoming attack. "You talking to me?"

"I most certainly am."

"Then no!"

"Ah, so terribly sorry! Your words fail to reach my ears, sluggish and slow as they are!"

"What's this guy's deal?!" Jessie shouted as the motorcyclist continued to attack.

"The lady's curiosity has been piqued! My name is Roche, but you may address me by the more accurate appellation: Speed Demon!" Roche introduced himself.

"Heard that, huh?!" Jessie hissed.

"My ears are attuned to the feminine voice!"

"This guy is the worst," she groaned.

"Yes. Yes! This is the contest I've been waiting for!"

Lailah kept her distance from Roche while Biggs and Cloud dealt some damage. She watched his movements and attacks until she had a good understanding of his pattern. Charging forward, she snarled and lunged at him. She damaged his bike.

When her golden eyes met his, Roche gaped in bewilderment. "Fascinating... What a magnificent beast! Such power, such ferocity! The look of hatred in your eyes! It's beautiful!"

"What a weirdo..." Jessie mumbled. She then noticed him putting some distance between them and him. "What is he up to now?"

"Same shit. Being a dumbass," Cloud remarked. He then sped up and attacked. He combined his attacks with Lailah's and they were able to knock him back.

Roche spun his motorcycle around and continued to speed ahead of the group. "Not bad. You have promise, and an abiding affection for your mount. Not to mention, you have that majestic creature as your ally! But! One cannot simply ride one's bike! Nay! One must unlock its true potential—become one with the machine! Like this!"

Riding his motorcycle like a madman, Roche snapped. He drove all over the walls on either side of the road and sent lightning crashing down on the group. One bolt of lightning struck the ground near Wedge and Biggs, causing them to swerve.

Biggs' grip slipped. He yelled as he fell off the bike. He was prepared for the pain the moment his body collided with the ground, but all he felt was soft fur. He sighed in relief and gripped the fur at the base of the wolf's neck. "Nice catch."

"You okay?!" Jessie shouted worriedly.

He gave her a thumbs up. "All thanks to Lailah."

The wolf kept up with Cloud and Wedge with Biggs on her back. She focused on dodging Roche's attacks and left the ex-SOLDIER to deal with the threat.

Eventually, Cloud wore down the man. "Had enough?" He asked as the enemy rode beside him.

"Don't be absurd. As if I could ever grow tired of your company! And that beast of yours! It is truly a worthy opponent!" Roche remarked. Jessie tried to shoot him, but he disarmed her. "Naughty, naughty! Until one of our flames is forever extinguished, our dance will never end! Burn for me!"

Roche and Cloud exchanged blow after blow. They were equally matched.

The man sped ahead with a cackle. "Come on! Let's push it past the redline!"

"Jessie, take over." Cloud gave control of the motorbike to Jessie. He leapt off the bike and landed on Roche's. With a powerful swing, he damages the engine of the motorcycle and jumped back to the bike.

Roche saw he lost and accepted it. "Well, well, well! I do believe this round is yours." He chuckled as Cloud rode beside him. "Maybe next time we can keep it just between the two of us. Or perhaps we should make it three!" He continued to laugh as he referred to the wolf.

Cloud no longer wanted to entertain the man. "Maybe."

Continuing to laugh, Roche pulls back. "Until we meet again, my friend! Farewell to you too, you dazzling creature!"

Lailah rolled her eyes as she ran between the two bikes.

Biggs smiled proudly after seeing Roche was gone. "We did it!"

"Go team!" Wedge cheered jubilantly.

"Don't get too excited. Reinforcements are hot on our trail," Jessie said.

Lailah took it upon herself to aid them in escaping the incoming reinforcements. When they entered another tunnel, the markings along her body turned black. Using dark magic, she encased them in shadows and hid them from the enemies.

Eventually, the officers gave up on finding them and retreated.

She dispelled her magic once they were safe.

Now that they were no longer being pursued, Jessie spoke to Cloud. "You passed the test!"

"What test?" The blonde asked out of confusion.

"Driving."

"Been driving for years."

"So you don't need a reward?"

"No."

Jessie smirked. "Not even from your darling Lailah? Maybe a kiss on the cheek from her would brighten up your mood." All she received in response was silence. She wasn't surprised. "Giving me the cold shoulder? Bet you wouldn't do that to Lailah. Boy, that girl sure is lucky."

Cloud glanced over at the wolf carrying Biggs. He thought about receiving a kiss on the cheek from her, but he quickly dismissed it as they arrived.