A/N: Thank you again for the follows and faves! I'm going to try and pick up the mood soon! Chapter after this may be more Pearlidotethyst-y. This one was a harder one to write, not because of subject matter, but because my original draft and outline for this story got corrupted and so I had to remember where I was going. xD Feel free to review by the way! No flames, but if there's something that can be improved, I'm open to it!

-Four Faces

Greg always knew that this was a possibility. When Rose talked of Steven having her gem, he knew that he would one day try to take up her mantle. When he overheard Garnet giving Rose visions of the future, he knew that this could happen. When Steven went after Lapis for the Ocean, when he was taken away by Jasper and Peridot, when he found out about why the gems needed the barn, he knew that one day, he might lose his son.

It didn't make it any less horrible when he drove down to the temple to see all of the destruction. When he saw Pearl and Amethyst on the beach, collecting shards of fallen gems, he could feel his heart sink. Steven and Connie were no where to be found.

He parked and walked over to the two gems. Amethyst ran to him and embraced him. Pearl made her way to him a little slower.

"How did it happen?" Greg asked.

Pearl recounted the battle to Greg, highlighting Steven's bravery and how well he worked with Connie. She choked up when she got to the part Greg needed to hear the most. Amethyst held Pearl's hand through it. She would need a shoulder to cry on later, she knew.

"He's in Lion's mane right now. I think Lion wanted him in there for some reason," Amethyst finished when Pearl couldn't speak any longer. "Lion knows what he's doing, I think."

Greg nodded, taking everything in.

"How's Connie doing?" He asked. "I'm sure her parents are going to worry about her with everything that has been on the news. They even evacuated Charm City, just in case."

"She's been pretty comatose lately," Pearl started. "Peridot went in to check on her -"

"She's finally awake," Peridot chimed in from behind Pearl. "I offered her what was in the fridge, but I don't think she took me up on the offer. At least she spoke to me this time," Peridot whispered, dejectedly.

Greg wanted to comfort the small, green gem. She had latched onto Connie almost immediately after seeing how much Steven trusted her and cared about her. Connie fascinated her and soon Peridot was tagging along with anything that Steven and Connie did. She first fused with Amethyst on an outing with Connie and Steven (and learned that she did indeed have feelings for the purple gem), and so Connie was soon responsible (in Peridot's mind) for one of her most positive earth experiences.

Greg could tell that Peridot felt helpless. He did as well. Yes, Steven could be alive, but just the thought of his son being injured so seriously was enough to nearly send the man into a panic.

"So, what are you doing with all of these gems?" Greg finally asked.

"We're mostly just going to keep them bubbled until Steven returns," Pearl explained. "We'll see if he is able to heal them or not. If they can't be healed, then we'll have to properly dispose of them so that they don't regenerate into a fate worse -"

"Weapons!" A gasping Connie shrieked as she ran up the beach to join the gems.

"Connie! You're up!" Amethyst called out.

"Humans … we need to learn how to use gem weapons," the girl huffed as she caught her breath. "If Jasper is really coming back, then we don't stand a chance unless we can defend Earth against Homeworld. Lapis had said that Homeworld was so much more advanced than we are."

Peridot soon knew where this was going. A thrill went through her. She knew what Connie was going to ask of her, and she wanted to impress her.

"Peridot? You and Pearl built that drill out of scraps in a barn. You could create weapons that could at least level the playing field a little, right?" Connie asked hopefully.

Pearl knew what this would entail, but she wasn't about to discuss this in front of Connie. She looked at her two companions, Amethyst immediately understanding.

"Sure thing, Connie, but let's get you something to eat first. You humans can't go very long without food and I, myself, am starving," Amethyst said, grabbing Connie's hand and taking her back to the beach house. As she led the shaky young woman back, Amethyst turned back to look at Pearl and Peridot. Garnet was not going to like this, even if it was the only way to save humanity.

I should have paid more attention to that last vision.

Don't beat yourself up, Sapphy. It wasn't your fault. It was Jasper's and the minute she comes back, we will grind her into dust.

It won't be that simple, Ruby. I'm really afraid for the future. Nothing looks promising.

Garnet was having trouble staying together, just from the sheer stress. She had already unfused three times in the week, either from the heartbreak that Ruby and Sapphire felt over Steven or from the stress of finding so many of their comrades shattered beyond repair. There was a chance that Steven would be able to heal them, but it was all dependent on if Steven could regenerate.

Her vision was incredibly foggy there.

They made their way towards the ocean. Seven moonstones and a tourmaline had just been sent back to the Temple. A glint of blue caught Garnet's eyes. She knelt down and looked at the scattered remains.

"Lapis ..." she whispered.

Even though she was shattered, her gem was in better quality than most of the gems Garnet had come across. She gently picked up each piece and formed them into the familiar tear drop shape of Lapis.

We never wanted this to happen, Ruby thought.

I know. It was unavoidable. Every possible outcome led to this, Sapphire thought.

Garnet felt herself shudder. She had to hold together. She had to do it for the remaining Crystal Gems. She enveloped the gem shards in a bubble and held it for a moment. She wanted to know if Steven could heal Lapis, but there was so much confusion in her vision. So many possibilities.

One possibility troubled her and she nearly dropped the bubble out of seeing it. The image from the First War of the human warrior who had grieved himself to death replayed itself, but this time with Connie. Seeing Steven's friend and their closest ally so thin and weak. Seeing her grab a weapon from the armory. Seeing her aim the gem weapon at her head.

Garnet shook her head and then sent the bubble to the Temple. It was a small chance, but it could happen. She needed to make sure it didn't.

Something else tugged at her mind. Something was not right. She had not seen Pearl or Amethyst all morning. There was a chance that something terrible was going to happen.

What scared her most was that it was inevitable.

"So, Greg just walked back to the van," Amethyst called down to Connie who was in the kitchen, absentmindedly stirring tea. "Think he's going to go help rebuild the town?"

"Maybe," Connie said, flatly. "It's probably a good idea. He needs the distraction."

Amethyst nodded and turned her attention back to the TV.

"Ugh. Nothing is on except the news. Every channel is covering this. No wonder you've been so upset if this is all you're watching."

Connie sighed and looked up at Rose's picture over the doorway. She quirked a smile and returned to her tea. I'll do it for you, she thought, remembering the oath she gave as a child.

"I mean, really, how can you recover from battle if they keep playing the footage from the first moments of it over and over," Amethyst called down.

"Just wanted to know if the world was still turning out there," Connie murmured. "It is."

Amethyst sighed and leaned back against Steven's pillow. She watched as they showed the same images over and over as the news anchors speculated on what happened in Beach City. It was morbid, humanity's fascination with explosions and destruction. It was also a little thrilling (and this kind of bothered Amethyst).

The newsfeed cut to what looked like the currently destroyed Beach City Boardwalk. Amethyst watched as the reporter spoke about talking with a representative from Beach City in a few moments.

"Heh. Wanna bet it's Mayor Dewey talking about how everything is fine in Beach City and that there is nothing to worry about?" Amethyst called to Connie.

Connie chuckled and leaned against the refrigerator.

"Uh … Connie?"

"Yeah?"

"They're interviewing Greg," Amethyst said with uncertainty.

Connie was up on Steven's bed in seconds.

Greg had heard enough to know that Garnet was going to be very unhappy when she reunited with Peridot and Pearl later. He was not going to be around for that. He drove back into town, surveying the damage.

"Greg!" He heard a familiar voice call from outside the van. He looked in the mirror to see Vidalia running to catch up with the slow moving van. Greg stopped and opened the door for her.

"Vidalia! What's wrong?"

"I haven't seen Onion since returning!" She panted. "I know he was helping Steven, but I haven't seen him!"

Greg motioned for her to get in and the two drove through the destroyed town, keeping their eyes open for any movement. As they drove past the Arcade, they noticed Jenny and Buck pulling someone out of the rubble. Vidalia unbuckled her seat belt and bolted from the van the moment that Greg stopped.

"Onion!" She cried out.

Buck turned and waved. "Hey Vidalia. Don't worry, Everyone's OK. We heard a car coming and decided to try and come out of hiding."

Onion burst out from the rubble and hugged his mom.

"Mom!"

"Oh Onion! Thank goodness you're alright!" Vidalia cried as she hugged the teen.

"Youwouldn'tbelievehowcoolthebattlewas! ImadeagempoofandIhaveitinmypocketanditwassocool! Ican'twaittoshowSteven!" Onion babbled as the four made their way to Greg's van.

The whole ride into the center of town was filled with Onion rapidly recounting their side of the battle, complete with sound effects. Greg didn't have the heart to tell him about Steven yet. What would the teen think if he found out that the young man he idolized might be dead?

As they neared the center of the city, Greg noticed the news vans and the reporters trying to inundate Mayor Dewey with requests for an interview. Greg got out of the car and approached.

"Oh thank goodness you're here," Mayor Dewey gasped as he ran to Greg. "I have no idea what to tell these people. I don't know what happened here or anything. Can you please talk to them?"

Greg looked at the reporters. Of course it would fall to him. He would have to make a decision on what the reporters were going to hear. He knew that Mayor Dewey wanted him to tell the reporters that everything would be fine, so as not to hurt the tourism rating more than it had already been hurt.

He also knew that it was ridiculous to claim that everything was OK. He knew that humanity needed to protect itself and that could only happen if everyone knew what was going on.

It was time for Greg to tell the truth.

"Excellent! The worst wound is almost healed! You're doing marvelously!"

Steven sat, lotus style, under the tree as he focused on himself. He needed to heal and he needed to remember his body as it was before. Healthy and whole.

"Maybe, while we're at it, I can show you the finer points of regeneration," Lion grinned as he curled up on Steven's shoulder. "After all, you could stand to change things up a little. For one, someone of your heritage should have a much more luxurious mane."

Steven quirked a smile before returning to his focus.

"Or not. It's whatever you want."

"I'm not sure what I want other than to be out," Steven muttered. "I'm still hurting a lot and I'm kind of worried, honestly. I'm worried that this won't work."

Lion laughed. "Nonsense! You're doing great!"

Steven sighed and opened his eyes, looking at his companion.

"I'm just so tired from all of this healing and I don't know if I'm doing it right. I know I'm supposed to have this magical destiny, but … I don't know ..."

"Hey. It's okay," Lion said, placing a paw on Steven's cheek. "Honestly, most of what I know is instinct from the gem that your mother essentially fused me with. I wouldn't know how to help you otherwise."

Steven nodded and closed his eyes again.

"Why don't you rest a little, bud," Lion smiled, leaping off of Steven's shoulder. "You are half human after all. You can't be up for a week straight and not feel a little weird."

Steven nodded and started to nod off to sleep. His last waking thought was Wait? A week!?

His birthday was wonderful. He was so excited to be turning 13 and he couldn't wait until Connie came over.

Garnet unfusing had become a bit of tradition since Steven's 11th birthday and he always enjoyed spending time with both parts of Garnet under non-stressful circumstances. Steven especially loved the fuss they made over him and was thrilled when Amethyst suggested kazoo racers (something that Peridot still did not understand).

The party with the Gems had been winding down and Connie was greeted by an exuberant Steven (and even more exuberant Peridot) when she arrived. Amethyst looked up momentarily from the pinata that she had been eating to wish the three well as Connie led Steven and Peridot out to the beach for an impromptu dance party.

Steven loved watching Connie dance. She had grown more graceful over the years and he had started to truly notice how beautiful he thought she was. The two had gotten better at not fusing every time they danced (which Peridot was slightly sad about as she found the fusion of the two absolutely fascinating). As the two danced on the beach, Steven was pulled into thoughts about the future. Thoughts of what could happen after everything with Yellow Diamond was behind them. School dances, movie nights … Maybe even -

Steven was shaken out of his thoughts by Connie's joyful laughter as the two twirled under the sun as it lowered in the sky. They began to walk back to the beach house, Peridot in tow, but stopped when they heard the gems inside still talking.

"Do you think it worked, Sapphire?" Amethyst said from inside.

"I see many futures where it does and a few that are … complicated."

"Well, whatever. As long as Steven doesn't age, then I'm happy eating pinatas and riding in kazoo racers. That party he threw for us years ago still weirds me out. I never want to see him get that old again!"

"Amethyst, I don't think we can do this forever," Pearl's voice chastised. "We can only slow it down. He is still human … but maybe if we do this, we'll still have a few centuries with him?"

Steven felt Connie's hand on his back as he stared ahead at the screen door. They were purposefully keeping him younger? Of course. It made sense now. The time when he had gone to school with Connie and was questioned about his actual age several times. The fact that he still hadn't grown any taller even though Connie was already over 5 feet tall. The fact he never felt any older. It all added up.

Steven turned to look at Connie who gasped in shock. He then turned and looked at the confused Peridot and saw his reflection in her visor. His face had shape shifted, leaving the rest of his body the same. His jaw line was chiseled, there was stubble on his face, and his hair was shorter and in tighter curls.

Steven fell back and screamed at his reflection, alerting the gems inside to his presence. Pearl was the first to the door and only let out a muffled "Oh Steven," before Steven took off down the steps and onto the beach.

He ran until he was too tired and fell onto the beach. He could feel his whole body aching in the same way it did the last time he rapidly changed ages. He curled in on himself and struggled between anger and sadness.

They knew he could age and they weren't going to let him.

They purposefully kept him from feeling any older.

He was going to see everyone else that he loved die. Greg. The people of Beach City.

Connie.

He fell onto his stomach and slammed a fist into the sand before curling up again. Maybe, if he got upset enough, he would wither into dust and not have to experience losing anyone.

Connie watched as her friend ran away, her heart breaking for both of them. Now she knew that one of her fears was true. Her friend was immortal and they would never grow old together. She would only be holding him back. The girls at her school had taunted her about this before, when they had met Steven and he summoned his shield as a response to the school bullies. Now that they knew he was a gem, that meant that Connie was ordinary and not deserving of Steven. She didn't want to believe it until now.

A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. Connie looked up to see the now re-fused Garnet looking at her, sadly.

"What do I do?" Connie whispered. "He's so upset and it's not fair to him to make him want to give up being immortal for me. It's not fair to any of you."

"No, Connie. It was not fair of us to not allow Steven to age. Rose gave up her form so that he could enjoy the human experience. We always knew we would not have Steven forever, but when he tried to teach us about the human ritual of Birthday Parties, we accidentally triggered a terrifying shape shifting event. It scared us and we resolved to never allow that to happen again. We don't age and so we were scared by it. I saw a future where this might be a problem and I did nothing to stop it," Garnet explained before wiping a tear from her left eye. "I'm so sorry."

"Garnet? How much pain will it cause him when I die? Is it worth it for me to … to love him?"

Garnet thought for a moment. Connie waited for a response but finally turned to watch the tide come in. Soon, she was pulled into a tight hug by the taller Gem.

"It is worth it for both of you. I see so many different paths that the future could take. You could grow old together and he could age and die naturally. You could be lost in a battle or we could lose Steven. You might even …"

Garnet paused and looked ahead. Connie quirked an eyebrow.

"Hmm. That is a possibility. That is a very good possibility. Connie?"

"Yes, Garnet?"

"Stay by his side. You both will need each other more than you know. And maybe work on your fusion practice a little more," Garnet smiled. "Now, I think Steven might need your help."

Connie nodded and ran down the beach in the direction that Steven had run. She resolved to stay with him, regardless of what the future might hold. Even if he never returned her feelings, he was still her first and best friend. She would be there for him for as long as she could.

She saw him curled over himself, his body still shaking with sobs. She gently placed a hand on his back and helped him up. He had grown a little taller now and his face was a little thinner. He was still his stocky self, but he finally started to look his age.

Connie smiled and stroked his cheek.

"Hey you," She said. "You don't look like you did two years ago anymore."

Steven looked up at her. Her radiant smile as she looked at him melted his heart. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I know I'm only dreaming, but I can tell you this now …"

Wait … dreaming? This was not how the memory went. And now that he was thinking about it, Steven realized he had seen something he had never been privvy to before. He had no idea Connie told something to Garnet.

He had only remembered Garnet having a very vague answer when he asked if he would lose Connie one day.

He realized that Connie's face seemed older now. More like when he last saw her. She looked sad and weary, as if she hadn't slept in days.

"Connie?"

Connie pressed her forehead against Steven's and then looked in his eyes.

"Are you really dreaming, Connie?" Steven asked. "Because this isn't how I remember things happening."

Connie looked at him. A look of confusion, realization, and then she was gone.

Steven jerked awake and looked at Lion.

"Welcome back, kiddo," he chuckled.

"Lion! I think I was in Connie's dream! I mean, it started out like a memory of my 13th birthday, but it got weird because I suddenly was seeing what Connie saw and then I was actually there with Connie and she was talking to me and -"

"Woah! Calm down, Steven. Yes, you might have gone into her dream, like when you were communicating with Lapis. That's just a thing your mother used to be able to do. Granted, she had more control over it, but it's something you should be able to do."

"So … maybe I can tell her I'm OK? She looked really upset in the dream. She was tired and I don't know how long she can be like this. And what if the Gems are dealing with this just as badly? I need to tell them - "

"You can definitely try it," Lion smiled. "Rest some more. Maybe you'll see her again."

Steven nodded and then closed his eyes. He laid back against the treasure chest, willing himself to sleep so he could talk to Connie again.

On the outside, a now awake Connie wept into Lion's mane.