A/N: Sorry to waste your time! I'll only be a second. Now, please read the Author's Note at the end of this chapter! Especially you, Draggie. NOW, ONTO THY STORY!

"What?!"

Lapis was at a loss for words. As far as she knew, Yellow Diamond knew they were friends and roommates. Nothing more.

"..." Lapis sat in silence.

"... I wasn't careful enough. Had I a-analyzed the area-"

"Peri, are you alright? T-there's no way they could have found out-"

"No, Lapis, t-this all happed!" Peridot pleaded.

"What- Peri, am I n-not understanding you? Yellow Diamond couldn't-"

"Yellow Diamond..."

"Peri..?"

"Lapis, Yellow Diamond has deemed you a problem with my efficiency."

"Peridot, what happened today?" Lapis was surprised and upset. Is... is this really true..? Peridot wouldn't lie.

"I..." Peridot began. "I was..." Instead of continuing, fresh tears rolled down Peridot's face. Lapis put her arms around her, and gave her a slight squeeze in assurance.

"Work was... as per usual... until Yellow Diamond contacted me at my workspace."

Lapis could not help but noticed the hesitance in Peridot's voice before calling work "as per usual". Not to mention, Peridot had been quite tense recently... but Lapis did not interrupt. She needed to hear this now. The work issue could wait.

Peridot continued to recount the event.

"I was already nervous. A call from Yellow Diamond was a rare and bitter event." A slight silence followed.

"Gems... who are more loyal... got a hold on some more personal papers." Instead of weeping, the logical Peridot returned, but with a hardened expression.

"What? Why!? What personal papers?!" Lapis grew ever more concerned. The fact that Peridot hadn't continued to cry bothered her more than if she had.

"My engineering notebook... carried something a little more than notes. They brought their findings to Yellow Diamond." Normally, the green gem would have blushed at such a statement, but instead continued her hard glare at the wall.

Was that... loathing in Peri's voice..? She's deathly loyal to Yellow Diamond... Why is she acting so... cold? The way Peridot was beginning to act had begun to frighten Lapis a little...

"It was simply illogical. I let that mistake happen, even though the risk factor was high. But instead of confronting Yellow Diamond... I just ran." The somber words added to the dark atmosphere of the room.

This was nearly too much for Lapis to process. As time went on, Peridot had become more stony-faced.

"Peridot, it's fine. We can figure out how to deal with this." Lapis realized those were her own words.

"I've put you in danger. I was reckless."

"Peridot, relax. We can get through this. We'll make a plan. You love having plans." Lapis ignored her own doubts. She was busy being concerned for Peridot. She couldn't panic.

Peridot remained stoic.

"Peri, please look at me."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Yellow Diamond might let this blow over-" Lapis continues to try to instill hope.

"Lapis, I was very reckless. You know Gems like us are often taken care of. We're defective."

"Peri, please have hope! You're scaring me!"

If Peridot had heard, she didn't react. She was in her own little world.

Suddenly, she jumped up. Fear kickstarted her out of her monotone expression, and her demeanor seemed to have seeped away, if only momentary.

"Lapis, we need to go."

"Peri, what-"

"Now!" Lapis was surprised and frightened. As scary as Peridot could be, she had never spoken up or gotten angry at Lapis. Peridot never yells...

Peridot began to murmur to herself as she quickly organized... something...

Why would she yell...

Just then, a loud crash was heard outside.

"Lapis, hold on to me." Lapis did as instructed.

"Peridot... what exactly do you think you're doing..?" Lapis said nervously.

"I'll explain later, I just need to focus on our trajectory..!"

"Peri!"

"Lapis! Let me fix this!"

A/N: So, that chapter was a rough ride. Sorry about that! Yes, I lied about the late upload. I caught some free time, plus, I was inspired by my first reviewer, Draggie! Yes, your computer is not broken, Draggie! Thank you for the kind words! And, yes, I am stuck in Lapidot hell. It's a pleasant torture, though. Again, leave ideas, suggestions, corrections, ect. in your reviews. I appreciate all of the favorites and follows. Thank you, guys! 3

With love,

Gotta Go Riordan

Edit:

Updated chapter titles! Yay!

Edit #2:

Not only have I basically rewritten Chapter 2, but I experienced errors when uploading it! Sorry if these affected you! Also, sorry if Chapter 2 isn't that great...