Steven Universe: Connie and the B-Team ~ Redux

By Feraligreater328

Chapter 1: The Return

Beach City...

Late in the evening, around 8 pm, an unfamiliar car drove down the empty street of Beach City. The vehicle's driver, however, was very familiar with this place. She calmly drove her car down the street, eventually parking in the lot of a very familiar establishment: The Big Donut.

She stepped away from her vehicle, looked into the shop, and smiled at the slumbering Bill Dewey, leaning on the counter. It was good to see an even slightly familiar face again. Not wanting to disturb his slumber, and having bigger things on her mind, the young woman immediately took to the beach.

She ran down the sand with a smile on her face, having missed the ocean breeze hitting her face. It was invigorating to be back. She hopped and skipped and jumped, cheering at the top of her lungs against the backdrop of the moon! Finally, in her fanciful run, the woman came to a skidding stop and observed the place she had been thinking about for the entire 3-day drive: the house of one Steven Quartz Universe!

And, in front of the house, a familiar feline friend laid as a guardian vigil. The pink beast lazily opened its eyes and glanced up at the approaching figure. While he growled at first, Lion soon calmed down once this intruder's scent hit his nose. He stood up and stepped forward, nuzzling her as she began to scratch him behind the ears. "Lion...it's been so long..."

Lion looked up at the smiling visage of the now 25-year old Dr. Connie Maheswaran. Connie gave Lion several scritches behind the ear, smiling in spite of the disappointment she felt in her heart. She looked at the darkened home of her best friend and sighed. "He's off on Diamond Business, huh?"

Lion nodded and nuzzled Connie some more. Connie smiled. "At least...he's still close to his family. That's a plus."

Lion held a steady gaze on Connie and Connie sighed. "Don't look at me like that, Lion. It's fine. I know Steven has been busy. So have I. I've waited for so long to see him again...I can wait just a bit longer..."

Connie gave Lion a big hug around his neck and turned. "I guess I'll just go back to my parent's house and visit with them some more..."

Connie turned and gave one last solemn look to Steven's house. And then, with a sigh, she left back for her car. Inside, Connie was cursing to herself. She knew that she was probably just building up disappointment for herself. Ever since Steven had discovered his Diamond Lineage and made up with his Aunts, he had always been busy. Connie went into college knowing that. But...she allowed herself to build her hopes up and...

She realized, as she was trying to unlock her car, how badly she was trembling. Tears streamed down Connie's face as she stood there, in the dead of night. It finally landed on her how much she missed everyone. The adventure, the Gems, and especially Steven...

Connie's lip trembled. But, as she began to sob, a familiar voice called out. "Connie?!"

Connie jumped. She turned and her eyes widened. A smile spread across her face and she called out to a very familiar and beloved face. "Peridot!"

Peridot was grinning from ear-to-ear. She ran up to Connie, pulling her bike behind her, and practically leapt into the human's arms. "You've gotten so tall!"

Peridot's smile became a grimace. "How dare you get so tall?!"

Connie paused, but then, after a moment, she and Peridot both burst out laughing. Connie wiped her face and sniffled, hugging Peridot tight. "I've missed you, Peri."

Peridot hugged her back. "We've missed you too. Steven said you were off doing some kind of...higher education thing?"

Connie nodded. "Yeah. I got my Doctorate. I was hoping that you guys would come, but I was never able to make it here to invite you to my graduation and... I guess Steven doesn't check his mail..."

Peridot sighed. "We haven't seen Steven in months. The Diamonds have him so busy that he rarely makes it home anymore. He took his Dad and the Crystal Gems and Bismuth and... they've just been gone for a while."

Connie nodded and gently lowered Peridot to the ground. "I guess, now that all of the Gem Monsters have been healed, Earth really doesn't have any threats to fight anymore. Must be pretty boring..."

Peridot shrugged. "Yeah. But boring is good. It's done wonders for Lapis."

Connie's eyes widened. "Wait! Lapis is still on Earth too?!"

Peridot smiled and nodded. "Yep. Just me and her. Steven asked if we wanted to come and do Diamond stuff with him and I think Lapis was already back in our house-barn before Steven even finished..."

Connie's eyes were wide and full of hope. "Can... can I come and visit?

Peridot smiled wide. "Of course, you can! Lapis and I love having company! Can I through my bike into your car?"

Connie nodded. "Yeah."

She opened the trunks and Peridot nodded. The little, green Gem pulled her box of donuts from the basket and, with a flick of her finger, she deposited her bike into the trunk. Connie slammed the lid and got into the driver's seat as Peridot climbed into the passenger's side. As Connie was about to start the car, Peridot waved her off. "Save your fuel; I have this."

Peridot closed her eyes and focused. And then, to Connie's shock, the car steadily rose into the air and began flying off in the direction of the countryside.

Lapis and Peridot's House-Barn...

Lapis was sitting outside, enjoying the cool night air and reading one of her new books that she had bought on the last trip to the mall with Peridot. She was feeling pretty hungry and eagerly awaited Peridot coming back with the donuts.

It was a pretty comfortable life that they lived. Peridot made quite a bit of money working as online tech support and Lapis made steady money from several books that she had written and had published. They had carved out a nice little slice for themselves. Their new barn was certainly an improvement from the old one that Lapis had assaulted Blue Diamond with. Lapis was especially satisfied with the porch.

She lazily scratched Pumpkin's slumbering head until, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shifting shadow. She looked up and let loose a tired sigh as she saw a full-sized car gently slide down from the sky. After a soft landing, Peridot got out and carried the donuts up to Lapis.

Lapis took the box and glanced back at the new vehicle. "Did you steal a car?"

Peridot shook her head. "No."

Lapis grunted. "Did you...buy a car?"

Peridot shook her head. "No."

Lapis rub her face and sighed. "Peridot...what's with the car?"

Peridot smiled. "Who cares about the car? I think you'll be more excited about the person I found attached to it!"

Lapis looked up. "Who-"

And then, Lapis finally caught sight of Connie and immediately sped towards her. Connie flinched as Lapis sprouted her water wings and covered the space between them in a second. The blue Gem smiled and hugged her tight. "Connie! How was college?!"

Connie smiled, taken off guard by the normally depressive Gems enthusiasm. "It was good. How are you, Lapis?"

Lapis adopted a cheery smile. "I'm doing just fine~!"

Connie was overwhelmed by how happy Lapis and Peridot were. She couldn't help but smile. "I see the years have treated you two well."

Lapis nodded and smiled. "In more ways that you know. Now, why don't you come in and spend the night? We have so much catching up to do!"

Peridot chimed in. "We'll share our donuts with you!"

Connie looked at both Lapis and Peridot and smiled. "Well...how can I say no to that?"

And then, with a smile on her face, Connie followed Lapis and Peridot into their home.

Later that night...

All was quiet. Connie laid on the couch in Lapis and Peridot's den. It was nearly 3 am. She looked out the window and smiled at all of the stars in the night sky. "They really do have a nice view out here..."

Connie stood up and walked around, looking at Peri and Lapis's cozy little home. The pictures of them on the wall, the little computer and television that they had set up, their adorable little kitchen, and Lapis's massive bookshelf.

After her little tour, Connie went and used the bathroom and then took a peek into Lapis and Peridot's room. She warmly smiled at the sight of Lapis with her arm draped over Peri. Connie walked back to the couch and laid on the pillow that she had been given. She covered herself up, began to cuddle with Pumpkin, and allowed her eyes to slip shut. And then, she was asleep, content with having gotten to catch up with some old friends.

It was a peaceful night in a peaceful home and all four inhabitants of the dwelling were sleeping peacefully. However, all four were blissfully unaware of the spying eye that was watching at them from across the field.