Chapter 11: Family Reunion

"Steven!" Pearl cried the first one to race up to the boy. She picked him up kissing his cheek, checking him for bruises; making sure he had eaten while he was away. Pearl hugged him close. Then she held him out glaring at him with such anger. "YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE, RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT, YOU ARE SO GROUNDED!" she shouted shocking him. Then the calm expression returned, "My sweet baby," she said cuddling him.

"I missed you too Pearl," Steven said trying to wiggle free for she was squeezing him too hard. Amethyst joined in on the hug before gently punching Steven in the arm. "Ow what was that for?" he asked trying to rub his arm.

"That was for the nine airplanes I jumped on looking for you. Nine airplanes Steven, and I think one of them spoke Chinese, boy were they mad when they saw me, anyways next time you run off I'm going with you," Amethyst said sharply. "Welcome back shrimp," she said smiling hugging him. Garnet grabbed Steven out of Pearl's arms and held him in front of her. Her shades were on and Steven had no idea what Garnet's reaction would be. Finally her shades disappeared and all three eyes firmly gazed at him.

"Never scare us like this again," she said firmly, he never seen her look so stern before. He just nodded unable to say anything. Then he saw the tears fall from her face and the stern look broke. "My little cutie pie," she sniffed giving him a massive bear hug.

"Garnet, crushing not breathing," Steven moaned wiggling to get free.

She set him down and gently said, "Sorry". Connie and Greg tag teamed hugging Steven, yet they too were a little cross with him.

"Don't you ever run off again young man, or I'll ground you till I don't know just don't scare me like that again, okay Stu-ball," said his dad.

"You got it dad," Steven said.

"You and I are going to have a long talk Steven, I can't believe you would be so foolish, I am just glad you are back but I am still a little mad, never ever do this again, we all were worried sick about you!" Connie cried hugging him.

"I'm sorry Connie, I never wanted to hurt you guys, but I am back now, I won't leave again, I promise," Steven vowed and he meant it. Off to the side Alex and Luna stood there unaware of what to do.

"I'm confused is he grounded or not?" Alex whispered.

"Just stay out of this and let them have this reunion let's not spoil it," Luna whispered nervous at seeing Garnet and Pearl again. It had been so many years since she had last seen them but it felt like only days.

"Sorry Steven but I have to go, my parents will be worried, you, me, talk, tomorrow," she said firmly. He nodded and watched as Greg led Connie into his van and drove away. Then he saw Luna and Alex and his face lit up.

"Guys I want to introduce you to Luna Moonstone and Alex Knightly, according to Luna, she knows Pearl and Garnet but I wanted to introduce Amethyst to her, and Alex to you guys," said Steven.

"It's nice meeting you all, Steven told us many good things about you three," said Alex smiling.

"It's nice to meet you Amethyst, Steven commented many great things about you," said Luna smiling gently.

"Well I am pretty awesome," Amethyst said proudly. Luna chuckled until she felt Pearl's cold stare on her again.

"And what are you doing here with Steven?" Pearl asked suspicion all over her face.

"It's nice to see you too Pearl, it has been a long time," Luna said gently.

"Not nearly long enough," hissed Pearl folding her arms, glaring at Luna.

"Easy um Pearl is it, I found Steven at a diner and took him in, after he saved me, using his shield I was going to introduce him to Luna, she didn't know about him till like two days of me traveling with Steven," explained Alex trying to get the blame off of Luna.

"You still kept him, and didn't tell us," said Pearl icily still gazing at Luna.

"My apologies Pearl, I didn't know where you lived and Steven asked me to train him to have him get stronger, then he was going to tell us where he lived. Still it was wrong of me to worry you, I accept full responsibility for what happened," Luna said bowing before Pearl and Garnet.

"Please don't be mad at her, Pearl, I asked her to train me, so I could become stronger, be mad at me not her," Steven said tears in his eyes. He didn't want Luna to get in trouble with Pearl and Garnet. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Luna.

"No Steven, I should have brought you back or tried to tell them you were okay, I have to take responsibility for my actions," Luna said.

"Come on guys, she brought Steven back and helped stop that rock monster, let's cut her a break," said Amethyst.

"I accept your apology Luna, thank you for bringing Steven home," said Garnet a small smile on her face. Pearl just continued to glare at Luna, saying nothing, and then she noticed Steven yawning.

"Steven, we need to get you to bed," Luna said gently, noticing he was tired.

"I was just about to say that," Pearl hissed.

"Of course," said Luna. Steven bit his lip not understanding why Pearl was being so mean to Luna, till he noticed the bags under her eyes.

Maybe Pearl is just tired, I know what will cheer her up, thought Steven happily.

"Hey Pearl could you sleep with me tonight, I would feel safer," Steven said gently. Pearl looked at him like he just asked her to teach him to sword fight, so happy and honored.

"Of course Steven," said Pearl smiling. They all started to head to the beach house, when Alex pulled Luna aside.

"What is up with string bean over there?" asked Alex motioning to Pearl.

"Remember how I said that there was one gem that liked me and one that didn't like me?" asked Luna softly.

"Yeah," Alex said and saw Luna motioning to Pearl. "Oh," Alex said frowning.

"Why don't you head over to Jamie's this is going to be a long night," whispered Luna.

"Will you be okay?" asked Alex getting concerned. She didn't want to leave Luna alone to be attacked by Pearl.

"I'll be fine, go on," said Luna. Alex nodded and headed for Jamie's house. Luna walked into the beach house as Steven walked up to her.

"Hey Luna, tomorrow I promise to show you and Alex all around Beach City it will be fun," he said smiling. Again Luna felt Pearl glaring at her. Luna didn't know if she should stay, she only been here for at least ten minutes and already Pearl was angry at her. Yet, she knew about the monster Steven saw himself as, the gems didn't know this, she promised to help him, yet should she stay?

"Steven I don't know Alex and I may not stay very long," Luna said seeing Pearl actually happy about that. She didn't see Garnet frowning when the words left her mouth.

"Please Luna, you guys got to stay at least a week, please, please," Steven said stars in his eyes, using that look Rose used on her many times. Luna bit her lip trying to resist but she failed.

"Sure Little Prince we can stay a week," said Luna, feeling the cold stare again.

"Alright, well make sure you get some sleep, now give me some skin," Steven said forming a fist. Pearl gave Garnet a confused look and she just shrugged her shoulders. Luna formed a fist and they bumped them together both making a noise like an explosion. Steven giggled and headed up to his room, leaving the four gems alone in the kitchen.

"Well I am headed to bed, night," said Amethyst disappearing into her room.

Pearl glared at Luna and said, "We will talk more tomorrow". Then turned to Garnet and said, "Watch her carefully".

"Pearl, there is no need for that, Luna is a Crystal Gem," said Garnet gently. Pearl looked at Garnet like she lost her mind or didn't understand what Garnet was telling her.

"Good night," Pearl finally said leaving to join Steven in his room. Once Luna and Garnet were finally alone, Luna felt a little relieved.

"She hasn't changed much," Luna said softly.

"She was just worried about Steven," Garnet assured her.

"If you say so, and I guess Rose's theory was right about us being able to block the other's gift was right. Whenever I tried to use my mind reading power on Steven, it wasn't very clear I saw little stuff but not the full picture," said Luna.

"That would explain why my future vision was blocked whenever I tried to get a vision on Steven," Garnet said frowning.

"I swear I was not blocking you on purpose," said Luna. She already had Pearl mad at her; she really didn't want to feel Garnet's fury.

"I know you were not doing it on purpose, it just happens sometimes, I promise to keep this between us, Pearl doesn't need to know," said Garnet.

"Thanks Garnet, by the way, you're still the prettiest fusion I ever seen," Luna said smirking at her.

"I'm the only fusion, you ever seen," Garnet reminded her, blushing at her words.

"No you are the first fusion I've seen, remember Rainbow Quartz, yet you are still the first which makes you the prettiest," said Luna firmly. Garnet was happy her shades were on to hide the tears trying to escape again. It had been many years since she had last seen Luna, it was a sad memory for Garnet, and she felt it coming back to her.

Many years ago

A much younger Garnet was in the cave on the beach that would later be known as Beach City. She was surrounded by the crystals and when she came out felt the cool air wrap around her. Her gaze also saw Rose and Luna talking and Garnet didn't think anything of it till she heard Rose say, "You don't have to leave Luna". Garnet froze in her tracks, Luna was leaving? No, that can't be right she must have heard Rose wrong and got closer to hear the conversation, but not close enough where they could see her.

"I am sorry Rose but I think it would be a better idea if I left," Luna said frowning. She felt Rose's gentle hands on her shoulders, small tears falling down the pink haired gem's face.

"Please Luna, reconsider, you are part of the Crystal Gems, part of our family, why do you wish to leave?" Rose asked. Luna bit her lip wanting to tell Rose the truth but just couldn't bring herself to do it, so she did the worst thing she could ever do to Rose, Luna lied to her.

"I wish to explore on my own, see what this planet has, maybe I have a different destiny to discover," Luna said trying to look Rose in the eyes.

"I see, well Luna if you wish to leave you can, yet know this," Rose said cupping Luna's face. "You can always return to us," she whispered softly in Luna's ear kissing her cheek. The tears broke through and Luna hugged Rose firmly her body shaking and quivering. She didn't want to leave but they all would be safer if she left.

Luna pulled away regaining her composure and said, "If you ever need me my lady, just call me and I will come," bowing to Rose.

"Be safe my little moonbeam," whispered Rose and walked back into the cave leaving Luna alone. Garnet watched with tearful eyes as Luna began to walk away, till Garnet stepped out of the darkness in front of Luna.

"You were really going to leave without saying goodbye," Garnet asked her eyes full of hurt and tears.

"Garnet, I" Luna said her face full of shock.

"Why are you leaving? After everything we have been through why are you leaving?" Garnet demanded her face full of anger now.

"We both know why," was all Luna said looking up at her. "It's better this way and I will come back one day, you can call me anytime and I will come, I promise," Luna said gently. Garnet grabbed her in a hug; Luna felt the tears running down Garnet's face.

"I don't want you to leave but I know I can't stop you," Garnet said gazing at Luna. "You better be safe and you better come back soon Luna," she said firmly.

"I promise," said Luna.

"There are two other gems who want to say goodbye," Garnet said defusing and Ruby and Sapphire stood before Luna.

"Hey guys," Luna said hugging them.

"Please don't leave Luna, please," Ruby begged tears in her eyes.

"I'll be back someday; I need you two to take care of Pearl and Rose for me. Also, take good care of Garnet," Luna said gently. "I love you Ruby, my little warrior, and my sweet Sapphire, take care of each other till I return one day," Luna said smiling.

"We will, I know you will return one day Luna, I just don't know when," Sapphire said tears streaking down her face.

"If you get into any trouble, you call us, because we'll come running," Ruby said firmly forming fists.

"With open arms and open fury, I will Ruby, now good bye you two, and I love you," Luna said giving them one last hug. She felt a flash of light and she was hugging Garnet again. With one last smile Luna walked into a beam of moonlight and disappeared from Garnet's sight. A tear fell from the fusion's face, wondering when she would see her moonstone again.

"It's nice to see you again Luna, how you been?" Garnet asked breaking away from the memory. So, many questions entered her mind, she had to know what happened to the moonstone since she last seen her.

"Not much really," said Luna shrugging.

"Luna, you have been gone for many years, you owe me more than a not much," Garnet said firmly. The shades now off all eyes focused on Luna.

"What do you want to know?" asked Luna looking up at Garnet.

Garnet sat at the table and said, "Everything", motioning for Luna to sit by her. Luna took a seat and began her tale.

"Well, after I left spent most of my days in caves, saw humans very little, tried not to cause too much trouble, yet, when the humans started exploring I grew curious and began to show myself more around them. Some humans were nice, some not so nice, almost burned as a witch when I went to Salem, that was fun, met King Henry the eighth, he was such a player, Marco Polo was actually really nice to me, I missed him deeply when he died, a lot nicer than Columbus, man that guy was an idiot," said Luna.

"Why didn't you ever come back?" asked Garnet frowning. Luna bit her lip and looked away from Garnet.

"We both know why Garnet," Luna said crossing her arms. It pained Garnet to see Luna like this, Garnet respected Luna very highly to know that she was alive and safe meant the world to her.

"Rose checked up on me every few years to see if I was okay, yet once the humans began to explore more her visits became less and less, guess she was busy protecting the Earth, not that I blame her," Luna said gently. "You could have called me too, you know, all you had to do was put your hand under a moon beam and say my name, I would have come," said Luna.

"I didn't want to force you to come back, I wanted you to come back on your own," said Garnet.

"It would have been nice to know that Rose died, you didn't think I would want to come back to say goodbye, or that the Earth was invaded by bad gems, that Rose had a son, none of that seemed important enough to call me back?" asked Luna, her face full of hurt.

"Luna, please I never meant to hurt you, after Rose died I became the leader and had to make tough decisions my sadness over Rose did cloud my judgment and I was so focused on protecting Steven, I didn't know if I called you if you would be here on time to help," explained Garnet. Tears streaked down her face and Luna felt bad.

"Come here," said Luna hugging Garnet, stroking her hair. It felt so nice to hug Luna again; Garnet couldn't help but feel safe just for a moment or two.

"I understand why you did what you did, just wish I could have said goodbye," said Luna wiping away her tears.

"I know how you can say good bye," said Garnet smiling and led Luna to the warp pad. They warped to Rose's temple where a statue of her was her tears filling up the fountain. "I know it isn't Rose, but," Garnet said only to be interrupted by a hug from Luna.

"Thank you Garnet, mind giving me a moment?" asked Luna.

"Of course I'll be by the warp pad," said Garnet. Luna walked alone into the temple standing before the Rose statue. Luna pulled out her sword and bowed before the statue.

"It's good to see you again my lady," said Luna softly. "I missed you a great deal and I was sad to leave the team. You tried your best to make me feel like I was part of the team, yet we both knew the truth. Oh Rose, I regret lying to you, hope you forgive me, I really wished I got a chance to say good bye to you, this is the best I can do. I met your son, he is such a sweet child, he is going through some stuff, I give you my word to help protect him and help him the best I can," Luna said. The tears falling down Luna's face, the pain emerging from her body. She looked up at the Rose's statue eyes full of pain. "I give you my word Rose, I will help your son and know this, I will do my best to protect the Earth, it is my home and the gems are my family even if I don't belong with them, I will be the best warrior I can be Rose. I … I love you… and I wish…I wish you were here. Yet, in Steven you are, and I am grateful you left the world your son. The best gift of all, take care my lady, until we meet again," Luna said bowing to the statue. She wiped the tears away and regained her composure, walked back to the warp pad to meet Garnet.

"Feel better?" asked Garnet.

"Yes and thank you," said Luna softly. They traveled back to the beach house and Luna headed outside to Jamie's house. Alex told her where it was she could find it easily.

"Where are you going?" Garnet asked frowning.

"I am going to stay with Alex, and once I fulfill my promise to Steven, probably go back home," said Luna. "Though I will protect the Earth but not to interfere with the Crystal Gems, I already caused enough trouble," she added.

"Luna, you don't have to leave, you are a Crystal Gem," said Garnet touching her shoulder.

"No Garnet," said Luna looking at her. "I was many things in my past, but I was never a Crystal Gem, once I fulfill my promise, I will leave, it's not like you needed me. You never needed me in the past and you don't need me now, good night Garnet," said Luna walking away, unaware of the tears that were falling down Garnet's face.

"Oh Luna, you are so wrong about that," she whispered watching the moonstone disappear into the night.

To be continued

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.