Well I was able to finish this chapter earlier than I thought :). I hope you like it, and please feel free to let me know what you all think.

Disclaimer:Also I do not own Steven Universe or anything associated with it. so without any more hindrance on my part here it is.

The Beach

The ocean always seemed so lively, even more so now since he knew what lay beneath it. He wished there was something he could do to help Lapis, but unable to think of anything he instead settled on gazing out into the ocean. It helped him feel closer to her, the crystal gems acknowledged her sacrifice, yet they didn't feel the same way he did. They didn't see her in the dream, how hard she was struggling to stay in control of Malachite. Garnet said that their fusion isn't health and that they could lose any sense of self they had. He could still feel Jasper looming over him, a pure and unrelenting desire to crush what was in her way. A cold shiver went up his spine as he reminded himself of that feeling again.

Sighing loudly he adjusted the shirt that Connie had given him, wearing it unbuttoned over his usual red shirt with the yellow star on his chest. With the warm wind stirring up his already curly hair, he walked towards his home the sand crunching softly beneath his sandals. The sun seemed to be dead center in the sky causing the heat to be almost uncomfortable, however; with the wind blowing a cool breeze it truly felt like a perfect day.

It didn't take him long before he opened the door to his home, only to be greeted by a very flustered Peridot. "Agh this clodding thing refuses to obey my command", she ignored, or was completely oblivious to his presence, and he honestly did not know which. "Um Peridot? Are you ok?" he asked careful not to startle the green gem. "Oh good the Steven, you have come to assist me with this contraption that dares to ignore my commands." She grinned her green eyes gleaming excitedly, happy to finally figure out how to work the black rectangular object she held in her hands. "Peridot, that's a cell phone, where did you even get that?" Steven chuckled, grabbing the touch screen cell phone and turning it on for her. "The Dad gave it to me and told me to try and use it for emergencies only, but when I told it to turn on it just showed me my own face." she grumbled towards the end grabbing the cell phone back, but her face quickly changed as she started yelling commands at the small device. It made sense to Steven after all Peridot was the same height as himself, so it must have reawakened some paternal instinct in himself, even after the whole mishap on the roof.

"No no no, not like that. It's a touch screen, I'll show you how to use it." He grinned happy to take his mind off of everything to help her. "I will accept help even though it was not asked for." Her voice low as she went to sit on the couch phone held tight in her hand while her small fingers danced across the screen. Steven quickly noticed that something different was on the back of her outfit. A small light green star that rested between her shoulder blades. The unstated official symbol of the crystal gems. "I like your star, Peridot, it suits you." The mirth in his voice was almost palpable as he quickly took the seat next to her. Peridots face lit up a bright green, her embarrassment practically warming the room they sat in. "I do not have the faintest idea of what you're speaking of. Now give me the assistance you promised", she glared her fingers starting to do a strange tap dance on the screen. "No need to be shy, you are a part of our family now", he said as he began to explain how the device operated.

An hour later he was confident that she had not only a basic understanding of the phone, but had completely mastered it even showing him things he had no knowledge of. She truly was talented with technology, after all she could create anything from scratch like her giant robot. It gave him an idea, one that he wished he had thought of earlier. Something that could possibly help Lapis. "Peridot can you create something to, oh I don't know maybe restrain a gems power, something that would not hurt them?" he asked slowly, so that he wouldn't give away his heart's desire.

She stopped playing with her phone and looked at him almost sadly, scooting away from him as she whispered out, "I do not wish to be restrained…I believed us to be at least civil…" Stevens's heart ached at the conclusion she had come to, it made sense to think they still didn't trust her, even if that wasn't the case at all. "Peridot no not for you, I'm sorry I didn't meant to make you think that. I told you, you're family now. I trust you, and I am sorry that I had doubted you before", he whispered out quickly pulling her into a tight hug, her soft triangle shaped hair tickling his face. She gave him a small squeeze back before breaking up their embrace with another bright blush.

"I have to help Lapis, she is trapped with Jasper, but if you can make something so that we can keep Jasper from hurting us or anyone else then she would be able to unfuse with her. Lapis can't keep this up much longer, but I don't want to hurt Jasper either. Pain doesn't solve everything. If you can make something that could help them, you would get to see Jasper again too." his heart poured into his words, hoping that anything in what he said might gain Peridots help. However; Peridot would do anything she could to help ease his mind, but when he mentioned seeing Jasper again she couldn't help but feel a faint slice of hope.

It would be a lie if she said that she didn't miss the muscular woman, after all they have been with each other for many decades. It is hard to not be accustomed to some ones presences after so long, many missions, many planets, and many enemies they conquered together. Jasper had become almost a given in her life, so of course she missed the warrior. It would have been stupid to voice these thoughts though, it would've only made them distrust her more. This could be her chance to see her again, her mind reeled as her heart began to race. Peridot would not betray the gems either though, she knew it was important to not mess up what she created. Jasper posed a serious threat, to not only the gems but Steven as well. The possibility of harm coming to him was not an option for her.

"It could be ready by tomorrow." Her voice barely audible, piercing the minute long silence that fell between them. "This will have to stay our secret, especially from the others" he grinned knowing full well they wouldn't agree to this. "Yes of course, we can decide what to do once it is finished." Her giddiness was hardly contained as she put away her phone and ran off.

Well that is it please make sure to let me know what you think. Until next time Yours Truly, BroodingSkies.