A/N: Hello everyone, I am back with chapter ten of this story. Here, Steven tries to rebound from his episode last time and a big development occurs.
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe
It was a new morning in Beach City. Outside, people awoke and started their new days as normal. At The Temple, the Crystal Gems slowly emerged from their rooms. First was Amethyst, then Garnet and finally Pearl. The three where uneasy knowing how Steven had reacted the day prior. As they emerged, the three gems noticed his bed was empty.
"Oh no." said Amethyst concerned.
"Where is he?!" asked Pearl worried.
"Relax." answered Garnet, "He's..."
"Steven is gone!" exclaimed Pearl worried.
Suddenly, the three gems heard the toilet flush.
"He's fine." note Garnet.
A blue tint was visible on her visor.
"Oh thank goodness." sighed Pearl.
Steven emerged fully dressed and saw the gems.
"Good morning." said Steven softly.
"I'll start on breakfast." said Garnet.
"What do ya want?" asked Amethyst.
"Pancakes." answered Steven.
The gems made Steven breakfast and talked to him.
"I hate to ask...but, did you take your medicine?" asked Pearl.
Garnet and Amethyst waited a bit anxious for the reply.
"Yes." answered Steven.
The three gems let out a collective sigh of relief.
"How are you feeling?" asked Pearl worried.
Steven sighed flatly.
"I am feeling a bit better." answered Steven.
The three gems where happy to hear this.
"That's all that matters." replied Pearl.
"Yeah." agreed Steven uneasy.
The gems quickly took notice of this.
"What's wrong?" asked Pearl concerned.
Steven took a moment.
"I'm still a bit edgy." answered Steven.
"Oh Steven!" exclaimed Pearl.
Pearl embraced Steven tightly.
"Pearl. Please." relied Steven.
Pearl remembered back to a recent request from Steven.
"Guys. You don't need to treat me like a child." said Steven.
The Gems shared a concerned look.
"We'll try not to do that." said Garnet.
"Thanks." replied Steven.
Pearl released Steven and calmly stepped back.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't treat you like a child." said Pearl.
Steven smiled at this.
"Thank you Pearl." replied Steven pleased.
Garnet and Amethyst shared a relieved glance.
"So...what are you gonna do today?" asked Amethyst.
Steven gave Amethyst a curious glance.
"Just curious!" declared Amethyst.
"I promise you we are not observing you." stated Garnet.
"I believe you Garnet." said Steven.
The half-gem chuckled a bit.
"No offense, but you're not a good liar so I can tell you're being honest." explained Steven.
"No offense taken." replied Garnet.
"As for what I'm doing today.." thought Steven.
Before he could answer, the door was throw open.
"Steven!" exclaimed Laps worried.
Lapis rushed to Steven's side with Peridot behind her.
"Are you okay?!" asked Lapis freaking out.
"Yeah." answered Steven.
"Oh thank goodness!" exclaimed Peridot relieved.
The two refugees shared a sigh of relief.
"We where really worried after you lost it yesterday." said Peridot.
Steven and the three Crystal Gems where surprised to hear this.
"How did you find out about that?" asked Steven curious.
"We tried to contact you yesterday, but you didn't answer." began Peridot.
"I thought her "Wi-fi" was acting up." noted Lapis flatly.
"Anyway, we got worried so we decided to come her this morning." continued Peridot.
"But, we spotted that girl you spend time with..." continued Lapis.
"Connie." noted Peridot.
"Yeah. Her." replied Lapis.
"Anyway, we spotted her and she told us you freaked out yesterday." concluded Peridot.
"I'm just glad you're okay." sighed Lapis.
"We both are." added Peridot happily.
"I just had an episode yesterday." said Steven flatly.
"Oh Steven." said Lapis worried.
"I'm fine. I've taken my medicine and I'm okay now." said Steven reassuringly.
Unsure, Peridot turned her attention to Amethyst.
"Is this true?" asked Peridot skeptical.
"I'd say so." answered Amethyst.
"That's good." stated Peridot.
"I'm glad you're worried about me." noted Steven.
"Why?" asked Peridot confused.
"It means you care." answered Steven.
"Of course we care!" declared Lapis.
"You're the only one who cared about us when no one else would." added Peridot.
"Thanks." replied Steven.
"You didn't try and stick us in a mirror." said Lapis annoyed.
"Or bubble us." added Peridot jokingly.
Pearl groaned a bit at this.
"Relax. It's cool now." said Lapis.
"Yes well, Steven was just about to start his day." noted Pearl.
"Actually, I think I want to hang out here today." said Steven.
"Are you sure?" asked Pearl surprised.
"After yesterday, I am totally sure." answered Steven convinced.
Pearl looked at the others - Amethyst shrugged her shoulders while Garnet remained stoic.
"Garnet, what do you think?" asked Pearl.
"If that's what Steven wants then its fine." answered Garnet.
"Thank you." said Steven softly.
Garnet nodded her head.
"Alright then." agreed Pearl.
Steven was happy to hear this.
"So...what do we do now?" asked Peridot.
Everyone thought about this.
"We could just relax." proposed Steven.
The others found no issue with this.
"Sounds fine." said Lapis.
"Yeah. It's cool." agreed Amethyst.
It had been a boring, average day for Connie Maheshwaran. She awoke and started her day as normal getting ready for school. Connie went to her school and did her best to focus on her studied. However, the entire day she was worried about Steven and found her mind constantly wondering back to him. She wasn't sure how Steven was doing and this was driving her crazy. Finally, school ended and she raced off to Beach City. In not time flat, Connie reached The Temple.
"Please be okay." thought Connie worried.
Connie took a moment to catch her breath after running the here.
"Steven!" called Connie.
Connie waited, but she got reply.
"Steven!" called Connie again.
Once more, Connie got response.
"Steven! It's me!" called Connie worried.
The door opened and Peridot came out.
"Connie!" called the gem.
"Per-" began Connie.
"It's Peridot!" called the gem.
"I know" chuckled Connie.
Another body decided to come out.
"Hey Connie." said Steven.
"Steven! I'm so glad to see you!" declared Connie relieved.
"The gems and I are hanging out today." noted Steven.
"That's good." replied Connie pleased.
"Come on in." offered Steven.
"You don't have to tell me twice." said Connie.
Connie raced up the stairs and the trio returned inside.
"It's so good to see you again." said Pearl.
"Thanks." said Connie.
"Yeah." agreed Amethyst, picking her nose.
Pearl groaned in disgust.
"We have to thank you for helping Steven yesterday." said Garnet.
"It was nothing." replied Connie humbly.
"Connie did so much." thought Pearl.
"So...what exactly happened?" asked Peridot.
"Yeah. You only told us Steven had an episode." added Lapis.
"Because you took off so quickly." noted Connie.
"It was an emergency!" declared Peridot.
Connie explained in detail what happened.
"Oh geez." said Peridot shaken.
"Steven, I'm so sorry." said Lapis, experienced in this.
Steven was clearly uncomfortable having relived this again.
"Steven, are you okay?" asked Pearl gently.
"Yeah." answered Steven flatly.
"Steven, it's okay. You're safe now." said Connie.
Steven smiled a bit seemingly calming down.
"Thanks Connie." said the half-gem warmly.
"It happened again." thought Pearl hurt.
"Damn Connie, you're good at that." stated Amethyst impressed.
"Nobody can comfort Steven like you.
"Better than me." thought Pearl upset.
"It's the least I can do." replied Connie.
"You haven't even know Steven that long." noted Lapis.
"I've raised him his whole life." thought Pearl sadly.
The others kept talking while Pearl zoned out.
"Pearl, are you okay?" asked Amethyst.
Pearl snapped her head and blinked her eyes.
"Fine. Just a bit tired." answered Pearl lying.
The rest of the day was relaxing as the group sat around talking. Pearl could not shake the negative feelings that plagued her. Finally the sun began setting and it was time to disperse. Connie left and headed home on Lion. Lapis and Peridot stayed a bit longer before they would leave heading back to the barn. As they left, Lion returned. Steven and the thee gems stayed and Steven had his dinner. Finally, Steven got into his pajamas and went to sleep. The three gems left for the rooms, but Pearl only stayed for a while. Once she was sure she wouldn't be caught, Pearl slipped into the Burning Room.
"Hello again Bismuth." began Pearl.
Pearl walked over to the bubble gem.
"Nice to see you again." continued Pearl.
Pearl reached Bismuth's bubbled gem.
"Steven is doing better." noted Pearl.
Pearl rubbed the back of her neck.
"It really seems like Connie is helping him." said Pearl.
Pearl began wringing her hands.
"I can't believe its not me." admitted Pearl.
Pearl reached up and cupped the bubble holding Bismuth's gem.
"I've known him his whole life." said Pearl.
Pearl got distressed and began to squeeze the bubble.
"I should be the one he comes to." continued Pearl distressed.
Pearl squeezed the bubble tighter.
"I just wish I had someone to help me!" declared Pearl.
Pearl squeezed tighter and the bubble popped.
"Oh no!" gasped Pearl.
Pearl went to re-bubble the gem, but it was too late as Bismuth reformed.
"Pearl." said Bismuth softly.
A/N: That is where we'll leave off. A bit of a laid back chapter, but a huge development at the end. Next time, Pearl has to deal her actions. Please review.