Stuck in the Middle

This is an idea I came up with while watching an episode of a show called "Jeeves and Wooster," if any of you know it. In one episode Bertie and Jeeves are taken hostage on a boat, and I thought it would make a good fan fiction story. So, anyway, here you go.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

CHAPTER 1: Whatever Floats Your Boat

Steven liked to think that he knew everyone in Beach City. It wasn't a very large city and most of the businesses were family owned, so if someone knew one person, they knew everyone. But the odd looking business man crossing the beach towards where Steven was lounging was one man that Steven had never seen before.

He was a very pale man, like he barely ever went into the sunlight. He wore a very stiff and rectangular business suit that was light grey with darker grey vertical stripes. The man's features were almost as stiff and boring as his suit. His brown hair was cut very conservatively, and there were no lines on his face, as if he never smiled or frowned. He was walking towards Steven in an unnatural sort of way, almost as if he had been trained to never bend anything. Not his suit, not his mouth, not his legs.

Ordinarily, Steven would jump at the chance of meeting someone new. But the way this man looked was just so off putting, that Steven simply waited for the man to reach him before he stood up.

"You are Steven Universe?" the man asked. Though in the dead tone of his voice, it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Um, yes?" Steven replied nervously, brushing sand from his pants.

"And this is where the magical gem ladies reside?" Again, more of a statement than a question.

"You mean the Crystal Gems?" Steven clarified. The man nodded in a stiff sort of way. "How do you know about them?"

"I heard about them and you around town," he answered vaguely, "The townsfolk seem to gossip about you a lot."

"Oh. Uh, is there something you need?"

"Allow me to introduce myself," the man said, "I am Mr. S. Quare, owner and founder of Square Globe Cruises."

"Square Globe Cruises?" Steven cut him off, excitedly, "That's one of the fanciest and most elite cruise ship lines in the entire world!"

"I know," Mr. Quare said, "I own it. Anyway, as I was saying, I have been looking for interesting people to invite on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise that will go halfway around the world. I am hoping that by inviting someone like you people will more interested in buying a ticket."

Steven stared blankly back at him. "Are you saying that you're giving me and the Gems a free cruise?" he asked.

Mr. Quare sighed. "Yes, I am," he replied, "All expenses paid, of course. I'm hoping it will boost sales. People don't go on as many cruises these days, because they don't think there's anything interesting to see. But, if they see people like you, mystical gem warriors, perhaps they would be more willing to travel."

Steven's eyes lit up. A free cruise! What could be better?

"Here is a brochure," Mr. Quare said, handing him a pamphlet, "Inside you will find your tickets, with all the information you need. Boarding place, date, the works. I do hope you and your, um, friends will be joining us. Good day."

With that, Mr. Quare turned and strode back down the beach. Steven continued to stare in amazement before excitedly running back into the beach house. He burst through the door, shouting excitedly.

"Guys! Guys! Guess what just happened!" Steven exclaimed. No one answered, as no one was there. Steven's smile faded as he looked around the room, finding no one. Saddened, Steven sat down on the floor.

"They must be on a mission," he sighed. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long for the Gems, as the warp pad suddenly activated. Excited, Steven stood and watched as Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst warped in.

"Guys! You're back!" Steven greeted excitedly, "Great! Now I can tell you about- "

"Hey, Steven!" Amethyst interrupted, "You'll never guess where we went today!"

"Yeah, I probably won't," Steven admitted, "But I wanted to tell you guys- "

"It was this really cool volcano island," Amethyst continued, ignoring Steven's comments, "And there was this ugly monster thing!"

"Honestly, Amethyst," Pearl scolded, "There's much more to it than just 'an ugly monster thing!' It was a horrible creature that was threatening to- "

"GUYS!" Steven shouted as loud as he could. Amethyst and Pearl, surprised, turned to look at him. Pearl frowned.

"There's no need to shout, Steven," she said, calmly.

"Sorry, Pearl," Steven said, putting on a sad face, "But I gotta tell you guys something! Something amazing!"

The three gems looked at each other, then back at Steven. "Go on then," Garnet said.

Smiling and nodding appreciatively, Steven addressed the three. "So, I was relaxing on the beach when some guy I've never seen came over. Turns out he was Mr. S. Quare."

"Why have I heard that name before?" Amethyst asked, tilting her head.

"Because!" Steven exclaimed, "He's the owner of Square Globe Cruises!"

"Square Globe Cruises?" Pearl repeated, confused, "But globes are round."

"That's not the point!" Steven sighed, "The point is that he's invited the four of us on a cruise! Isn't that great!?"

"Wait, why would this guy who you've never met before suddenly invite us on a cruise?" the ever skeptical Pearl wondered, "And how does he even know about us?"

"Who cares?" Amethyst exclaimed before Steven could reply, "Free cruise, baby!"

Steven sighed and turned to Pearl. "He said that he heard about us from the towns people," he explained, "He told me he thinks heroes like us might be good publicity for his business." He smiled up at the Gems. "So, what do you think? Can we go?"

Pearl frowned. She started to say something, but Steven's excited happy face stopped her. She bit her lower lip and looked away. "I don't know, Steven," she said at last, "It all seems very odd." She turned to Garnet for support. "What do you think, Garnet?"

Steven recognized the look on Garnet's face. She was using her future vision to see what could possibly go wrong. Steven silently prayed she wouldn't find a lot.

Eventually Garnet adjusted her visor. "If Steven thinks it's a good idea," she said slowly, "Then I see no reason we can't go."

Steven and Amethyst's faces lit up with excitement while Pearl looked worried. As Steven immediately ran up to his room to start packing, Amethyst enthusiastically following behind, Pearl couldn't help but feel that something was going to go terribly wrong.

And in the days that followed, that feeling of dread grew.

I'm going to end this chapter here. Tell me what you think! Good? Bad? Does this make you want to vomit? Constructive criticism is welcome!

And while you're at it, feel free to take a look at some of the other stories I'm working on, a few of them being other Steven Universe stories.

The next chapter, we'll get the Gems to the ship, so that should be fun. Leave a review after reading please! Thank you and see you next chapter!