A/N: Just for a heads up, whenever the story is written in present tense, that means it's from Jack's perspective, while past tense is Steven's perspective. Just to try and show how his mind works differently from Steven's.
With one last burst of light, the titanic form of Alexandrite finally took shape, towering over the nearby monoliths as she fully materialized. The quadruple-gem fusion took a stance as she focused her attention on the black and white rings of the time portal, and opened her second mouth wide.
Violet plasma flame built up in the back of her throat, then blasted forwards, striking the portal dead on. The nearby monoliths trembled as a small explosion rocked the area, then subsided. When the smoke cleared, all that remained of the portal was a deep crater in the ground.
"Cooooool," Steven said, stars in his eyes as he stared at the fusion's work.
He turned to see if 'Jack' shared the sentiment, then frowned.
The man's face was like a stone mask, jaw set tight as he stared at the smoking ruins of the portal. Something seemed to be going on behind his eyes, something Steven couldn't quite put his finger on. It reminded Steven of the face his dad occasionally made when talking about Mom.
"Uh... are you okay?" Steven asked.
Jack blinked, roused from whatever thoughts he was having, then turned. "I am all right. Thank you for asking."
"Heh... no prob, bob."
That made the corner of Jack's mouth twitch upwards, his expression becoming less cool.
Another flash of light drew Steven's attention away, and he saw that Alexandrite had unfused. The gems were all lying on the ground, panting, and he ran over to them. The sound of wooden sandals clacking on the ground reached his ears, and he realized that Jack was following.
"Are you guys okay?" Steven asked.
Pearl got up first. "We're just a little tired, Steven. It's hard, maintaining a fusion that big."
"Pretty worth it, though," Amethyst said, springing up to her feet. "What was it that we just wrecked, anyway?"
"That," said Garnet, "was a time portal."
She got up, adjusting her visor as she turned to Jack. "The last one in existence, I believe."
"The last we need to worry about," replied Jack. He offered a small bow. "Thank you for your assistance."
"Time portals?" Steven suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention. "What's going on?! Who is he? Why do you know him? Why doesn't Amethyst know him?"
"Yeah, why don't I know him?"
Pearl sighed. "He's... an old friend."
"From before you were born," Garnet added. "We haven't seen him in a long time."
Steven gasped, hands flying to his cheeks. "But I thought you guys didn't really hang out with people?"
"Jack's..." Pearl paused, thinking. "Well, he's not like most people."
"I'll say," Amethyst commented, eyeing Jack up and down, prompting an uncomfortable look from the man.
"Please, it is a long story, and not one I wish to tell," Jack said. "There are those who can explain it better."
Suddenly, he frowned, and looked around. "Where is Rose?"
Despite the blazing sun above, the mountaintop seemed to have become very cold.
"Rose is gone," Garnet said, quietly. "Steven's her son."
"Son?"
"I've got her gem!" Steven exclaimed, pulling up his shirt and displaying his belly.
Jack stared at the crystal on the boy's stomach, eyes wide. Then, he straightened, and clasped his hands together.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, son of Rose Quartz," he said.
"You knew my mom?" Steven asked.
"Yes. She was an admirable woman." Jack produced a large sack from within his cloak, and handed it to Garnet. He seemed to be in a rush, all of a sudden. "Here are the gems of the monsters I have encountered over the years. They will be safer with you."
Garnet nodded. "We'll put them with the rest in the temple."
Jack straightened, then leveled his gaze across the group. "Goodbye."
With that, he turned and started to walk away.
"Wait!" Steven ran forward and tugged gently on Jack's cloak. "Where are you going?"
"There are no more portals to guard," Jack replied, eyes hidden by his hat as he spoke. "I have not seen a monster in years. My purpose here is done."
"Purpose? What are you going to do next?"
Jack turned away. "I do not know."
"Well, then why don't you come with us?" Steven offered, excitedly.
"Wait, what?" Pearl exclaimed from behind.
"I think it's a good idea," Garnet said.
"But-"
"Quiet."
Jack craned his head back to Steven. "You wish for me to accompany you back?"
"Well, yeah," Steven replied, quieter than before. "I mean, I have so many questions."
Jack seemed to debate the matter.
"Aaaand we could use your help with a Homeworld gem."
That seemed to do it. Jack turned to face him fully, and nodded.
"Very well."
"Awesome!" Steven exclaimed. "I've never hung out with a samurai before! This is going to be so much fun!"
He took Jack by the hand, and gently guided him back to the gems. Garnet smiled, arms folded.
"It's good to have you back, Jack."
Pearl crinkled her nose. "I think the first thing we need to do is give him a bath."
0
The warp pad in the temple flashed, and Steven bounded back into the living room, arms spread wide.
"Air conditioning! Oh, how I missed you!"
He turned back to face the group. Jack warily stepped off the pad, an uncomfortable look on his face.
"That was my second time using a warp pad," he said. "I still do not like it."
"You'll get used to it after a while," Garnet said.
Pearl daintily stepped off. "Now, the bathroom's that way. I'll take your laundry-"
Jack was already walking to the front door, sword carefully left on the table. He slipped off his wooden sandals and left them by the entrance, then removed his cloak and hand, hanging them on a nearby coatrack. Stretching his back, he stepped outside and made for the beach.
"-or you can bathe out there," Pearl finished, a grumpy look on her face. "Steven, don't go outside until I say so."
"Okay!" Steven ran forward and plopped down on the couch. "When he get's back, are we going to go looking for Peridot?"
"You need to rest first," Garnet said as she walked by. "But yes."
She paused, then turned back to Steven. She pulled off her visor, revealing a look of concern on her three eyes.
"Steven, you did a good thing back there, asking him to come with us."
"Really?"
Garnet sighed. "I know you're excited to meet him, but just remember something. Jack's... he's seen a lot. Small things might matter more to him than you realize."
0
The water is cool and refreshing as it washes over him. Jack lets his hair hang back as he soaks it in the gentle waves, washing out weeks' worth of dirt and grime. Diving under, he plucks a rough stone from the bottom and rubs it over his skin, scrubbing it clean. Some scars that have yet to fade ache as he does so, but he does not mind the pain.
Once that is done, he searches the sand again, until he finds what he is looking for. He holds the shell up to eye level, then breaks it neatly in two. He uses one half to cut away most of his beard, then uses the other half as a razor, shaving down to the skin. It is a familiar practice, and he leaves no cuts by the time he is finished.
Rubbing his chin, he stares down at his reflection in the water, searching for any missed spots. As he does, however, the face in the water changes. The skin becomes paler, and the beard returns, highlighting the tired look in his reflection's eyes. The time when he was at his lowest, before she-
A different pain surfaces, and he breathes deeply.
"What are you doing, now?" his reflection asks, the weight of countless years tempering his low and tired voice. "There are no more time portals to protect. You have undone the future that is Aku truly, now. No one can change that, and yet you are here."
"They need my help. This rogue gem they speak of... if she reveals that there are survivors..." Jack straightens. "It is my duty to protect innocents. I cannot stray from that path, even now."
"And when it is over? When there is no need for you here?" The reflection becomes pleading. "Will you finally join your ancestors, after so many years of waiting?"
Jack says nothing.
"Uh, hello?" another voice calls, from behind.
Jack turns to see a middle-aged man standing on the beach, carrying a pair of boxes in his hands. A van is parked nearby, backdoors wide open, revealing a rather disheveled living space.
"Oh..." Jack says, awkwardly. "Hello."
The man stares for another moment, then says, "Uh... you wouldn't happen to be a friend of the ladies in that temple, would you?"
"I am." Jack clasps his hands and bows. "You may call me Jack."
"Well, uh, hi... Jack," the man replies, face somehow even redder than before. "I'm Greg. I'm Steven's father."
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Greg."
A few moments of awkward silence.
"I see you like black shirts," Jack finally says.
"And I see you like loincloths," Greg replies, sweating visibly. "Heh. Laundry day?"
Jack lets out a forced laugh and averts his eyes. "Yes."
Greg makes a strained smile. "Well, I brought pizza for Steven and the gang."
He raises the two boxes for emphasis. "You like pizza?"
"I have never eaten it."
"Well, then I guess you're in for a treat. If you wanna... uh, get dressed and eat with us, feel free. I'll save you a slice."
With that, he half walks and half runs to the house. Jack sinks into the water, letting out a sigh, then gets up. He wades to shore, then walks to one of the half-buried hands of the temple's statue, where he'd hung his gi and sword.
He unsheathes the sword, and stares at his own eyes in the reflection of the sacred blade.
"Be careful," the reflection says back to him.
Jack closes his eyes. For a moment, his mind wanders to the tantÅ hidden in his cloak.
Then he thinks of the small portrait he also carries in his cloak, and he sheathes the sword quickly, jaw set.
"No."
Slipping it back on, he makes his topknot, and walks toward the house.
