The checkpoint was the biggest building Steven had ever set foot in. Pristine, white tiles seamlessly stretched along the ground, not scuffed or dirtied despite the constant traffic. Humongous, flawless windows spanned the entire west wall, revealing an expansive aerial fleet. Two dozen, blue and white ships labeled with the United Gem Authority's insignia sat shiny and poised off the runway. Bright, artificial white light shone through the check point, gleaming off the many gems' colorful skin quite unnaturally.

Steven sat alone on an uncomfortable bench, watching as Jade-the gem who had met up with him at the front gates after his initial security inspection-waited in the check-in line. She held the electronic ticket that Steven had been sent and was waiting for it to be processed. The ticket would allow him and all of his luggage to board a class 'A' carrier-apparently one of the safest and fastest ships known to gemkind. Jade had pointed it out when they had first walked in-it was the biggest, shiniest ship in the yard; it dwarfed most of the fleet by nearly thirty feet.

Steven was people-uh...gem watching. He had never been in the presence of this many gems before and was beyond fascinated and a little nervous. Gems came in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Some gems were tall, their long legs beautiful and elegant as they glided rather than walked. There were gems with arms thicker than his head, gems who were slightly taller than him, gems whose steps shook the ground, whose hair shimmered impossibly and gems with multi-colored skin and hair. None of them bustled or hustled, all rather calmly walking through the terminal with ease. They didn't carry luggage like Steven did, instead all carrying small, round devices that they pinned to their chests. Gleaming silver lanes set across the floor moved dozens of gems like a horizontal escalator.

Steven nervously sunk further into the bench, as gem after gem took notice of him and his huge bags of luggage. They didn't say anything, only stared unashamed at him. At one point a small gem, whose unsteady steps and distracted gaze looked strange amongst the polished, uniform crowd. She was thin and jumpy, but held firmly onto the hand of a gem who looked like her. When she saw him, she pointed at him and said something to the gem who held her hand and was promptly scolded.

"They'll be able to tell by sight that you're not a normal gem. But when they sense you, you'll feel like any other gem. It's rather confusing. Don't take it personally." Jade had explained earlier after seeing that Steven had frozen when two gems had paused to look at him after his Dad had driven off. He hadn't known what to do, should he smile or wave or stare right back? He wasn't very used to not knowing the people around him.

Steven sighed heavily, resting his head in his hands. Everything here was so different than the world he had known. He had thought he had missed his messy, poorly lit apartment when he and his father had first packed most of his cramped bedroom into the van, but he missed it now more than ever. From his brightly colored cheeseburger backpack, he snuck Sir Bearington out and hugged him tightly. He wanted to go home, he wanted his Dad to crash through the checkpoint in the van and kidnap him someplace where gems couldn't follow. He didn't care that he was 'unique' or 'rare', he would do anything not to be here right now.

"Mr. Universe, does your stomach hurt?"

Steven flinched and looked up. Jade was now standing tall above him, she held his electronic ticket and some strange metal tags. Her shiny halo of straight green hair glowed dimly in the light. Her gem, nestled between her sharp collar bones and hovered above a dip in her tight, black uniform. She knelt next to him, clipping the tags onto his bags and handing him his ticket. The background color of the thin screen had been a pale yellow since the day it had come in the mail, but now was a bright glowing blue. After Jade had finished attaching the tags to his bags she sat next to him and looked expectant for an answer.

"M'fine." Steven mumbled into his collar. "Thankyouforasking."

"Well sir. They need a picture for the ticket. Once they process it, the United Aerial Faction will send your official transport documentation to the Academy." Jade explained quietly and slowly. She sat hunched over, her dull olive eyes struggling to pull Steven's heavy gaze from the floor.

Steven ignored her attempt to make eye contact and just nodded silently. He slipped off the bench, still clutching Sir Bearington and followed Jade to the photo booth behind the counter. A nameless gem smoothed his hair and fixed his tie before lifting him onto a stool. It took him three tries to look into the camera without a film of tears blurring his eyes. Jade didn't say anything as she led him back to his luggage, but she did awkwardly pat his puffy shoulders.

Jade retrieved a cart as they crossed another security check-point, easily hauling all of his luggage onto it without strain. She was about to begin rolling it onto one of the silver moving lanes, but Steven tugged at her skintight jump suit.

"Um…c-c-can I r-r-ride o-o-on it?" Steven couldn't stop his voice from shaking.

Steven had only been to an airport once in his life. He had been four and his grandparents who lived two states up had wanted to meet him. His Dad had needed to use a luggage cart as well and had plopped him on top of everything. He had felt as though he was flying, the air-conditioned wind blowing through his hair. He had always wanted to do it again, but after meeting him once, his grandparents hadn't wanted to see him again.

"Of course." Jade said, lifting him atop the sturdiest suitcase before moving onto the lane. Steven tucked his face into Sir Bearington, hiding a weak smile as they progressed quickly through the checkpoint. Steven looked outside the hangar, watching as the massive ship he had been assigned to was hauled away into a giant building.

Steven had thought that he would be riding on a ship with many other gems-like the airplane he had ridden before, but as it turned out Class A carriers were for private flights only. He, his guide and the crew would be the only passengers. A squat, round gem had mentioned so when they once again were stopped at another security check-point-all apparently customary procedure for passengers riding Class 'A' carriers.

"You're very fortunate." Jade said conversationally, leaning against the bars of the cart. She shifted her dark green bangs and tucked them behind her ear. "To be riding a Class 'A' MXH, I mean. There are pilots who wait centuries just to look at the inside of one."

"That's what everybody keeps saying." Steven whispered. He had shown his ticket to three attendants as they traveled closer and closer to the hangar in which the ship was being prepared. They had all paused and smiled, reveling over his good fortune of being able to ride on one. "What's so special about this ship? All the ships look cool."

"Class 'A' ships are typically reserved for government officials, the Diamonds, or exalted veterans." Jade explained, nodding occasionally to each gem attendant they passed. "It's rather unheard of for a child, especially a human one at that to be riding in one."

As they entered into the private hangar, Steven watched through the glass safety wall as his ship was worked on. It had looked massive earlier, standing tall and proud amongst the smaller ships; the top of its head seemingly scraping the sky. But now that it sat within the hangar's confines it looked beyond humongous. Its wide bulbous front sat upturned to the ceiling, gleaming flamboyantly in the light. Nozzles, lights, flaps, baubles, vents and fans littered the smooth white hull. Squat legs supported the humongous bulkhead, balanced on thick blue wheels. A top the giant ship sat a small glass dome, where Steven could barely see shadows moving within it.

A gem opened the door for them to enter the inner hanger and Steven jumped as a powerful blast of air burst through the space with a whistle. Long, clean wings slowly began to untuck themselves from the ship's side. The massive wingspan hovered several dozen yards above him.

Gems of all shapes and sizes hustled about the open floor, all wearing similar uniforms and headsets. Steven watched in awe as gems leapt atop the wings-tinkering with gadgets Steven couldn't see, there were gems under the ship's massive belly who were wiping furiously at the already shiny metal and gems who were unfolding a massive loading ramp.

Steven was about to ask Jade if the ship had seatbelts (his Dad didn't like vehicles without proper safety equipment), when a sudden gust of steam blew back his hair and Sir Bearington right out of his arms. Steven looked right and left frantically before spotting his friend laying limp next to the ship's mammoth wheel.

"I'll save you Sir Bearington!" Steven yelled, leaping off the stack of suitcases and chasing after his wayward companion.

"Mr. Universe, NO!" Jade yelled.

Steven didn't listen though, desperate to get Sir Bearington safely back in his arms. Nanefua had given it to him when he was just a baby. Sir Bearington was worn, his sides had split and had been sewn over and over again. His button eyes were a little loose and the left one was scratched. Sir Bearington wore a tie decorated with flames and stars that Steven had designed all by himself. He still smelled of home and Steven could not, would not lose him.

Steven ran, pumping his little legs straight into the line of fire of the ship's auxiliary rockets. He couldn't see the gem who pushed the button, ordering the ship's computer to send a test jet of flames through them, but in a terrifying flash of realization-he knew he was about to feel them.

He tackled Sir Bearington with a relieved sigh but tensed as a roar sounded. He tried to summon his bubble, trying to remember the tingly feeling that ignited his bones and burned his belly, but the power would not come. He curled himself into a ball, tucking any of his bare skin into the thick blazer.

But suddenly he was pressed further into the ground as an abrupt shadow jumped on him and covered his entire person. A bright, blue flair of light and fire blinded him and a heavenly scent wafted about him. He expected heat but he only felt a comforting warmth. He could kind of see a shimmering halo wavering around him but the shadow pressing into him blocked most of his view. Gems were shouting and with a loud click, the blast was dampened and then turned off completely. A stunning silence echoed painfully in his ringing ears-the constant shuffle of gems had come to a slow halt.

"Mr. Universe! Mr. Universe!" Jade cried, running over to him-her heels clicking bewilderingly loud in his muffled ears. Steven sat up slightly, his limbs shaking as his arms tightened around Sir Bearington. Soft, warm hands wrapped around his waist and sat him up completely. He looked down at a large frilly dress pooling at his small feet.

"Mr. Univ-." Jade skidded to a stop and paused before dropping to her knees. "M-m-my Lady, I am so sorry. H-he's just a boy, a child-and I wasn't watching him well enough-and I-I-."

The gem who held him raised one of her large hands from his waist and halted Jade's nervous stammer. Every breath in the room disappeared actually, every bit of tinkering and fidgeting stopped and every gem in the room was suddenly on their knees. Jade looked terrified and her eyes remained glued to the floor.

"So your name is Mr. Universe?" The gem asked, bringing one of fingers under his chin and forcing him to look at her.

Steven's jaw dropped. Large, voluminous pink curls softly brushed against his cheeks, drawing a curtain between him and the rest of the hangar. She had big dark eyes that somehow demanded his complete and utter attention and soft lips that pouted as she stroked his head. She was the prettiest gem he had ever seen-and that was saying something. Gems were known to be astoundingly beautiful in an otherworldly way-flawless skin, smooth contours and perfect grace.

"N-n…no." He whispered, his voice hoarse with tension. He felt rigid and uncomfortable in her soft, warm arms. She smelled like a bouquet of the most beautiful roses. Her touch made his heart jump nervously in his chest.

"No?" She asked, her silky dulcets brushing lovingly against his ears.

"Yes, ma'am." Jade cleared her throat, peeking from under her bangs. "His name is Mr. Universe."

The gem turned toward Jade with a dazzling smile, her eyes hidden from Steven as she appraised Jade. "He says it's not."

Jade dropped her head once again and shivered. The nameless gem stood up suddenly, still cradling Steven in her plump arms.

"What's your name?" She asked again, her breath unnaturally warm. Jade's breath hadn't been cold, but it certainly hadn't felt warm like a real person's.

"S-Steven…um…ma'am." Steven stuttered, becoming more and more aware that the gem who was holding him was probably someone really important. In his history textbooks, he had read that once upon a time that people had kneeled down in a similar manner only for kings and queens. He didn't know if he should wiggled his way out of her arms and bow or whether he should just stay there.

The gem smiled and then began to laugh. He bounced in her arms as she giggled and he couldn't help smiling. She threw her head back and laughed and Steven watched as the tension in the room drained away. Gems stuck their heads up and weakly joined in.

"Ma'am." She wheezed, wiping tears from her eyes. "Sweetie. You don't have to call me ma'am."

He only nodded, knowing that if he opened his mouth, his voice would fail him. He snuggled Sir Bearington a little closer and shyly smiled at the gem, who grinned radiantly back.

"Your honor, Pink Diamond." A timid voice called. Steven peaked over the gem's shoulder and saw a tiny gem standing in their combined shadow.

"Oh, Beryl there you are!" Pink Diamond gasped. "Is the ship ready for Steven and me?"

"Yes, ma'am." Beryl said with a slight bow. "The refrigerator unit you asked to be installed has just finished being fitted. Shall we board his luggage?"

"Yes, please." Pink Diamond smiled. Beryl bowed once again and quickly skittered off toward a number of identical looking gems and began barking orders at them. As soon as Beryl snapped to attention, the flustered activity resumed at an ever faster pace. Jade remained kneeling.

"Jade, you are dismissed." Pink Diamond said, shifting Steven in her arms and peering down curiously at the green gem.

"Ma'am. It is custom that because I failed at my assignment that I be reprimanded. If you would please tell me what I am to inform Security to do with me." Jade's voice was strong despite the slight tremble in her shoulders.

"Well…I suppose you can tell them that I would like to triple the security details in private hangars. Gemlings may wander inside and may get poofed during the start-up check list." Pink Diamond shrugged. "But other than that there's not much else that I think you need to tell them. Human children will be human children."

Jade snapped up, her heels clicking as she saluted. "Ma'am."

"Uh…bye Jade." Steven whispered, feeling guilty about the suddenly exhausted look in her eye. Jade bowed, but looked up with a slight smile.

"Goodbye Miste-. Goodbye Steven."

Jade disappeared quietly, blending into the growing crowd of gems. Steven watched as each piece of his luggage was quickly loaded and as the gate at the end of the hangar slowly began to open. The artificial sky gleamed a perfect crystal blue and the strips of brilliant green grass lined the marked runway.

"Well, I believe we should board the ship." Pink Diamond sighed, looking out to the runway with warm eyes.

"I-I-I can wa-walk you know?" Steven stuttered, aware of the many gems watching Pink Diamond cradle him.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Pink Diamond said, gently placing Steven back on his wobbly feet. The ship gave a loud whine, suddenly powering on. Steven flinched, pressing himself into Pink Diamond's fluffy skirt with a quiet whimper.

This was all too much. There were too many gems looking at him, Jade was gone, the ship was loud and they were about to board and fly into the sky which would surely crack and crash down on them. He clung Sir Bearington, he wondered where his Dad was. Was he back to Beach City already? Was he at the carwash or was he at home? Would he and Nanefua be having pizza right now? Did gems have pizza?

"Steven," Pink Diamond was suddenly level at his height, her dark eyes probing. "You may find this strange, but I don't really like flying in these ships. Perhaps, if you didn't mind…we could hold hands?"

So even she was frightened of the ship too? Steven couldn't blame her, everything was just too big and noisy here. He missed the quiet shush of the ocean and the sleepy calm sunny days brought.

"I-If you need me to." Steven murmured, taking Pink Diamond's warm hand and reluctantly walking toward the gaping loading dock. He shuffled slowly up the metal ramp, Pink Diamond matching his sluggish pace with a lovely smile on her pale face.


A/N: The class 'A' carrier looks a lot like the ship Pearl built in Space Race, just really big. Thanks for the favorites, follows and just reading this. Thank you especially for taking the time to review.