Pearl and Amethyst followed Garnet into the burning room and when she turned to face them, the tiny purple gem subtlety stepped in front of Pearl protectively, despite her obvious fear. Pearl immediately began to apologize the bubble incident, sweat forming on her face.

"Garnet, I'm sorry for coming in here without permission, and for taking the bubble! I never thought it would pop, I'm so sorry for putting us all in danger and…"

Garnet took a step forward, intending to place a comforting hand on her shoulder and reassure her that she wasn't angry anymore.

Suddenly, Garnet felt herself being shoved backwards and landed hard on the tile floor. Amethyst had transformed into her Purple Puma form and was looking at Garnet as if she couldn't believe she had actually punched the towering gem. She had done it once before, and instantly regretted it. Garnet was glad Steven had convinced them to stop fighting, she really hadn't want to hurt Amethyst, but had been forced to defend herself. Amethyst hadn't come back to the temple for about two weeks afterward.

Back in the present, Amethyst shook off her fear and challenged the larger gem. "Don't touch her! I won't let you hurt her this time! I'll…I'll…" She backed down as Garnet got up and began to stalk slowly toward her. She shrank back to normal size as fear caused her to be unable to maintain her larger form. Garnet was right on top of her now.

"No no no!" she screamed as Garnet grabbed her… and held her tight. Terrified, Amethyst struggled to get away from her and smacked Garnet in the face, knocking the visors away. She froze with horror and looked Garnet in the eyes, all three of which were streaming now. Amethyst stared in confusion as Garnet simply tightened the embrace. The huge gem was soon engulfed in light. Garnet realized that couldn't provide any comfort as herself, the others were just too intimidated by her. Garnet was so immensely powerful that she could tear even Opal to shreds if she wanted too. What had she been thinking, confronting them this way? Of course they would have been scared. They were under the impression that she was still furious with them, and they were completely helpless.

Ruby and Sapphire soon stood where Garnet had been kneeling, hugging the purple gem. Sapphire spoke first.

"Amethyst, Pearl, Garnet wasn't upset about the stupid bubble. She was here because we just wanted to talk to you. Pearl, we're so sorry about what happened all those years ago. We never even apologized because we just wanted to move on, but after today we realized that what we did is still affecting everyone." Sapphire explained while Ruby just looked ashamedly at her own shoes. Sapphire waved Pearl over, who was just staring in shock at seeing the two unfused.

Pearl, still nervous, hesitantly walked over. Ruby looked up at her tearfully and said "Pearl, Garnet has changed. She's not the same gem who hurt you twelve years ago. She would never try to harm you again."

"We understand if you can't forgive us. I know we don't deserve it, but we love you, Pearl. We don't want you to be afraid of us. We want nothing more than for you to be able to trust us again." Sapphire explained.

"I wish there was some way we could make it up to you. We never meant those awful things we said." Ruby continued. "We were scared for Steven and thought you had left him on purpose, just hoping something would happen to him. We knew you loved Rose and we thought you resented him for taking her away from you. You're not just some pearl to us, and we don't actually think you're worthless. We were grieving ourselves and blinded by fear, and we took it out on you. I'm sorry."

Pearl kneeled down in front of the two tiny gems and responded. "I forgave you a long time ago. Besides, you were right. I disobeyed orders and put Steven in danger. I deserved it. I…" Pearl said, crying. "I tried to make it up to you, but I just keep messing up and…" she sobbed. Pearl soon found herself being held tight by a re-fused Garnet.

"Pearl, no" she soothed, stroking her hair comfortingly. None of it was your fault. I'm so sorry I let you believe that for so long. You never did anything to deserve the way I treated you." She gently lifted up Pearl's streaming face to eye level. "I never want you to feel that you have to prove anything to me. I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you. I made you feel worthless and I'm so, so sorry, Pearl. I was the one in the wrong, and I never even dealt with the wall it put between us. I know I don't deserve a second chance, but please… won't you let me start over?"

Pearl smiled weakly up at the larger gem. "Of course I will" she nodded hoarsely.

"Thank you" she whispered and turned her attention to Amethyst.

"Amethyst, you never should have had to see what happened that day, especially when you felt like you couldn't do anything to protect her. I'm proud you stood up for her today, even though I was never going to hurt her. You Know, Rose never officially appointed me the new leader when she left us. I just kind of took over because I was second in command when she died. If you're not willing to give me a second chance, the position is yours. You proved to me today that you deserve it."

"Actually Garnet, I think you really should stay leader. I believe in you. I wasn't sure until now, but I believe you really have changed." Garnet stretched her arm toward the purple gem and Amethyst joined the embrace. The Crystal Gems had come so far, and were finally reunited as one for the first time since Rose's death. They huddled together and Garnet promised herself that she would never, ever tear this team apart again no matter what. No matter what mistakes she might make in the future, she would prove that she was worthy of their trust.

"We have a long way to go."