Trigger warning for some... Rather not good implications. It's up to you to decide what almost happened to Olive. Along with some implications of an unspecified eating disorder.

She sat on the edge of the porch of the house kicking her feet. It had been three days since Peridot had tried to run away. Now the blonde was watching the bright red sun slowly sink into the ocean. Lapis was inside the house, apparently arguing with someone over the phone. Garnet had suggested she go outside for a while.

It had been somewhat peaceful for a while. She and Lapis had gone to walk around in a park earlier, she liked walking around places, it helped her clear her head. She especially liked that it had been quiet, she wasn't a big fan of people. They were loud and so many of them were stupid. She jumped a little when she heard the door open.

"Sorry about that sweetie. I brought you something to make up for it." Said Lapis as she sat down near her. In her hands was a small muffin, Peridot shook her head when she saw it. She had been a lot thinking about her girlfriend lately... She really didn't need to be eating that. Lapis tilted her head, "You don't want it?"

The blonde pushed her hand away a bit. "Not hungry." She lied, and while Lapis frowned she didn't say any more about it. She hadn't been eating much lately, every time she did she heard Limone's voice mocking her. She had eaten well the first week because she had been too frightened to say no. But her fear was fading and with it her appetite, (or at least that was what she told herself) not to mention her self esteem. Lapis could protect her from a threat from the waking world but she couldn't stop dreams. The blue haired woman looked out at the ocean.

"You... You can swim right?" She asked, Peridot raised an eyebrow. She was 23 years old and she had lived in Canada, of course she could swim. Mind you she wasn't the BEST at it, but she could.

"Um... Yes? Why are you asking? I'm not going into the water I'll freez-"

Lapis started giggling, she shook her head and lightly placed a hand on Peridot's shoulder. She was okay with that. "N-no! Of course you're not going into the ocean silly! Even Jasper wouldn't do that. I just wanted to know." She started laughing again.

'Well my answer made you laugh, nice to know you have a sense of humour.' She thought to herself. Although Lapis stopped laughing when she saw a silhouette (two silhouettes?) at the mouth of the cave. "La-"

"Get behind me. Now." The criminal said to her, clearly not trying to be forceful with her tone. Peridot quickly scrambled behind her when she stood up, and the blonde's heart stopped when she saw a pistol in Lapis' hand.

She covered her ears just in case, but looked up at her. "Y-you're not going to kill them are you?" She whispered. But if Lapis gave a response she didn't hear it. She knew that this cave was the Crystal Gems base of operation, and they needed to protect it from anything and everything.

"No promises my love."

The two shapes drew near and Lapis relaxed instantly. "Hi Steven, hi Connie! What are you guys doing here?" She asked the two teenagers. It seemed Steven had a friend, a lovely young girl with dark skin and hair, she had warm brown eyes coupled with a pleasant smile.

"Hiya Lapis! Hey there Miss Peridot! Connie and I wanted to know if we could stay here for a while. Would that be okay?" Asked Steven, beside him Connie shuffled her feet as she tapped her fingers on the side of a physics textbook. Peridot waved at her and she smiled again.

"Oh sure, no problem. How did you get here though? Neither of you can drive." Said Lapis, and Steven pointed to the opening of the cavern, Peridot squinted at the new person entering, tall and thin.

Connie spoke up from where she stood. "Pearl drove us, she's helping me with my studies." The teenager explained, so Peridot finally got to meet this fabled 'Pearl'. According to the others she was the second in command and she was motherly yet terrifying. Sheena had explained (with a smile no less) that Pearl was violently protective of the others.

Peridot's bright green eyes widened when Pearl walked up to the house. She KNEW this girl, of course she did, she'd seen her around town a few times but had talked with her on the bus the day she'd been kidnapped! The same pale blue eyes, pointy nose, scar on her forehead.

It all clicked together in the tiny blonde's mind rather quickly. This woman had been stalking her for Lapis. She had come into Peridot's old shop once, and seemed to be studying the things sitting around. "I know you!" The short girl cried, and Pearl tilted her head.

"Oh, you remember me?" She asked, clearly not caring about what she'd done. Peridot on the other hand was very much horrified.

"You STALKED me! Do you even realize how actually fucking creepy that is?!" Peridot shrieked, and Lapis tilted her head a bit.

"Creepy? All she did was collect information. That and make sure you were safe, can't be too careful." She spoke calmly, "Look, I realize it IS a bit scary to think about, and yes I understand you're upset. Peridot you have to know this though... I just COULDN'T bring myself to face you again in public. I really didn't want to do that-" The blue haired woman was cut off by Pearl, as the small blonde in front of her just stood there, shocked beyond words.

"Peridot. I am genuinely sorry for what happened, I regret what I did, and I never wanted to do so in the first place. But if it makes you feel any better at all I think you're a wonderful young lady." She said with a pleasant smile, and Peridot wanted so badly to be angry... But if she was honest, she had a feeling she had been stalked. What with her paranoia and the mysterious gifts in the mailbox of her old home.

The blonde huffed, "Look, I always had a feeling that I was being followed, and Pearl? I somewhat accept your apology. But I'm still upset, you had no right to violate my privacy like that!" She glared at them, Pearl nodded and went inside. Peridot could hear Sheena call to the peach haired criminal happily.

Lapis however looked down, ashamed. "I... I'm so sorry... I know that was stupid. If I could have just spoken to you again BELIEVE me would... I never wanted to scare you."

Peridot just sighed, she figured she had better get used to this. Lapis was an odd woman, certainly something else... Besides, it had stopped. It wasn't like Pearl had even wanted to follow her in the first place. Sure Peridot was creeped out but… It's not like it mattered anymore.

"Hey guys…?" Said Steven, and Peridot winced as she realized that she just had an outburst right in front of the two kids. "You're okay, right?" His voice was filled with concern. Peridot nodded and Lapis hugged him and Connie tightly.

She spoke with a soothing tone, "It's okay guys, it's just adult stuff, you'll understand better when you're a bit older." She said and turned to Peridot, "It's just weird stuff, right Peri?" She said with a hopeful smile. Peridot nodded quickly and sat on a step again, feeling a little lightheaded.

"Yeah, it's fine. Sorry about that... I have a bit of a temper." She explained, Steven hugged her and Connie giggled a bit.

When Peridot's confused green gaze fell on the teen she explained, "Sorry ma'am but... You looked a little funny! Your face was all red and it was weird hearing a big voice from someone really small." Connie explained with a sweet little smile. Peridot realized with an embarrassed blush that she was the shortest person here.

Steven grinned at her, "So, are you allowed to go on missions?" He asked, but before the short woman could give an answer Lapis spoke up with a gently scolding tone.

"Nice try. You're still too young and Rose doesn't want you out there." Lapis said, "And Peri's too delicate for that. I couldn't handle her getting hurt out there when I know she could be nice and safe at home." The blue haired girl gently placed a soft hand on Peridot's shoulder, but the blonde couldn't help but be a tiny bit offended.

She waited until Steven gave a chuckle before rushing inside to meet up with Connie, who'd gone into the huge house only a few moments ago. She looked at the woman who claimed to love her and sighed. "Lapis I'm not that frail you know. I lived on the streets once." She said, suppressing a shudder at the thought of what could have happened to her in that back alley if Yellow Diamond hadn't stepped in.

It had been pouring rain, and the tiny blonde, only 22 years old then, was sick. She had always gotten sick easily, but during her time on the streets it hadn't been too bad, this time however had left her feeling weak and borderline feeble. She had heard a dark chuckle as she huddled near a dumpster trying to avoid the rain, and her blood had turned to ice.

Olive had turned around to see a man coming towards her with a small pocket knife, she shivered and sniffled, "P-please no..." The blonde begged, but he simply chuckled again.

"Sorry sweets, nothin' personal, just want some fun that's all." He muttered and Olive tried to back away, her clothes were soaked through and clinging desperately to her boney frame as she shook helplessly on the wet gravel, flinching when her hand landed in a puddle as she tried to crawl backwards, away from the man before her. "Come on, don't be like that." He said with a sickening smile.

Though her teeth were chattering, the tiny blonde managed to let out a thin cry, "Help me! Somebody!" She shouted before falling onto her back due to the slick ground, her hands now had multiple tiny cuts from the sharp gravel below her.

It seemed her cries had been heard, as before the man could take another step a fist connected with the side of his face. His head slammed hard into the brick wall in the side of the alley, knocking him out.

Olive looked up to see a hand outstretched towards her, pale and strong and almost commanding. She looked even higher to see a stern face, bright blonde hair and a golden yellow coat. "Well?" The woman before her asked, "Are you going to take my hand or what? It's cold out here for summer."

She had, and after that Olive had been nearly dragged (the woman who had saved her was VERY tall, one step for her was two steps for the young woman) down to a large building. The woman, who had introduced herself as Yellow Diamond, had sat her down in a chair and told her to wait. That she would get her warm clothes and something to eat.

She had also promised the small blonde not only a place to stay, but a job at a local mechanic shop.

She had been looking around the yellow room, (she was sensing a theme here) when a high pitched voice from the other side of the room had made her jump.

"Are you okay? You look chilled. Do you mind if I sit with you?" There was a tall thin blonde woman standing there. Her eyes were filled with curiosity and wonder. Olive nodded, the girl was rather beautiful.

The Greek woman's teeth were chattering. "W-who are y-you?" She asked and the girl's eyes filled with pity as she took a pale yellow scarf out of her desk and wrapped it around the blonde's neck. "T-thanks." Said Olive as she looked the girl over, she was pretty, thin, taller than her, with pale blonde hair that stuck up and was probably dyed. Oddly enough, there was a circular scar just under her collarbone, a perfect circle.

"No problem, I know it gets kind of cold in here. My boss likes it though, so we keep the temperature low. If you're wondering what's going on, Yellow Diamond, that's my boss, runs this little organization. We take innocent, helpless people off of the streets and give them a new life!" She said as her voice filled with pride. "What's your name honey?" She asked, and Olive blushed at her words.

"O-olive Odelet." She told her as Yellow Diamond walked back in with a change of clothes.

Her voice was filled with amusement, "Ah, I see you've already met my secretary." Said Yellow, and Olive nodded. "And you even brought a smile to her face, interesting, she doesn't often care much for the people I bring in."

The girl sitting beside Olive giggled, "Of course I care for this one ma'am," She said and turned to Olive, "She's a cutie." She leaned in and gave the Greek girl a tiny peck on the cheek. Her face flushed a bright crimson and a quick warmth spread throughout her body as her heart thumped loudly in her ears.

Yellow clicked her tongue and shook her head, "I know this country's customs are odd to you, and that you're used to France, but you can't kiss a stranger on the cheek Limone." Did they do that in France? Olive had heard it was 'The Country of Romance'.

She giggled again, "Sorry about that. I forget sometimes." Limone looked up at her boss, "Would it be okay if her and I kept in touch? I like this one." For a single moment there seemed to be a knowing glance between the two, and Yellow nodded.

"I think that would be a wonderful idea Limone, it's about time you... Made a friend."

Peridot was jolted out of her thoughts when Lapis gently tapped her shoulder, "Peridot? I was talking and you just kinda... Zoned out. Did I say something wrong?" She asked, her dark blue eyes filled with fear that she had done something bad.

"Uh.. No, sorry, I was just thinking." Peridot assured her. Lapis smiled and gently squeezed her arm, an odd little sensation spread through her.

"My silly girl, I was saying that if you want to come with me you can, but if you do you have to stay behind me. I don't want my precious Peri getting hurt." She explained and the blonde gave a bright smile. She didn't know why she was so excited to go, maybe she was just looking forward to feeling useful for once?

"So... What exactly are we doing?" Asked Peridot, and Lapis held out a single match.

Upon seeing the blonde's confusion Lapis explained, "You see the match baby? We're going to go to a bank and give them what they deserve."

Peridot looked up at her, "What do you mean?" She asked, "Y-you want to... Burn it down?" This was wrong in every way shape and form, Peridot must have let her fear show, because Lapis gently stroked the side of her face with her thumb.

The blue haired girl nodded and put the match away. "You got it! Well I mean, of course you did. You're my smart cookie." Her expression went from cheerful to joyous when Peridot blushed a little. "We'll burn it down and then you can have a nice big dinner with me and all the people who work for Amethyst!"

Peridot's mind had four thoughts all at once.

1. Why in the hell are we burning a bank and is anyone in there?!

2. Why do they 'deserve' it?!

3. Why am I starting to like her compliments?

4. I HAVE TO EAT A HUGE MEAL WITH OTHERS WATCHING (judging) ME.

Oh how she feared what events were about to unfold. Peridot had the feeling they were about to hit a hornet's nest of problems...

TIME SKIP

POV SHIFT- Lapis Lazuli

She got into the back seat of Amethyst's truck (what was with her and Jasper and trucks?) and giggled as she watched Peridot try to climb in after her, she was so tiny she was having a bit of a struggle with it. She felt a bit bad for having to do this, but they needed to fit as many boxes of beer bottles as they could. She effortlessly pulled the little blonde up into her lap when she got into the truck and buckled the two of them in together, Peridot squeaked.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Asked Lapis, and Peridot shook her head, her feather soft hair brushing lightly on Lapis' neck. "You're not uncomfortable, are you?" She asked as she gently put her arms around the cute girl's waist.

"No, you just startled me." Peridot told her, and she muttered an apology as Amethyst put the box of alcohol in the seat where Peridot had intended to be. "Oh, that's why you did that."

Lapis nodded, "I wouldn't do something if it made you upset Peri." She promised her, "I love you, I would never want make you feel uncomfortable or anything like that." Peridot looked up at her and her heart melted, god this woman was so adorable! The blue haired woman felt Peridot's arms settle before she started gently stroking her fingertips over the Greek girl's soft, perfect skin on the inside of her arms.

Peridot squirmed in her lap, the Hawaiian woman had been about to stop for fear she'd upset her until she heard a small giggle. "That tickles." Peridot murmured, prompting Lapis not only to keep going, but to trace her fingers all the way up her arms just to see the reaction. The tiny woman squealed, "Ahh! No!" Lapis knew she'd done something right, as Peridot was giggling and laughing, it was the most beautiful sound Lapis had ever heard. "S-stop it you jerk!" She said and kept wiggling. "Not fair!"

Lapis just smiled, "All's fair in love and war my princess." She said as Amethyst started driving.

The purple haired criminal huffed at the two in the back seat. "Thanks for the help with the boxes you assholes." She complained as Lapis remembered that Amethyst had trouble getting things into the back of the truck, as she had to climb up into the flatbed to set them down. That task wasn't that hard for someone who didn't have small arms and legs.

"Sorry Amethyst." Lapis said to her, but hugged Peridot tightly, "But remember what I told all of you. Peridot doesn't have to lift a finger." She said with a warning tone. Amethyst rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Why the hell is she with us then?" Amethyst asked before adding in, "No offence P-dot."

"None taken."

Lapis gave a happy sigh, her beautiful angel was such a sweetheart with others. Her heart ached as her mind asked, 'When will I have you as my sweetheart? I just want to love you... I'm sorry I scare you, I'm so sorry I can't be perfect. I love you so much Peridot, this waiting is torture! Please let me love you... You deserve to be treated like a princess, and I can do just that.' Lapis nuzzled her nose into the blonde's neck, taking in her scent.

"Uh, Lapis? You still with us? I asked why Peridot is with us." Amethyst said and the blue haired woman could see in a mirror that one of her eyebrows was raised. "You kinda spaced out and then you put your face in her hair."

Lapis blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, yes, sorry." She cleared her throat. "Peridot wants to be here, and she gets whatever she wants." Said Lapis and Amethyst nodded. The blonde girl let out a soft little yawn and relaxed against her, unknowingly making the blue haired criminal's heart flutter. "Aww, sweetie you're so cute." She whipered and ran her fingers through her hair, if Peridot fell asleep that was okay. Lapis would wake her up when they got to the bank.

The three women sat in silence for a while, the only sounds being the car and Peridot's slow breathing. Amethyst was the first to break it, "Lapis, why is she here? I don't mean for the mission, I mean here in general." She asked in a quiet, curious voice.

"Because I love her."

The Hispanic woman groaned a little when someone cut her off, "Stupid prick." She muttered, "Sorry about that, people in this city need to learn how to drive." Amethyst hissed at the car in front of them. "Okay, so what you're saying is that Peridot's working with us, but not for us. So what are you gonna do with her?" She asked. "Sorry about all the questions. I'm bored."

Lapis nodded, she looked down at the sleeping woman's face and gave her a tiny kiss on the cheek. "I'll pamper her." She told her friend as she cuddled Peridot. "She's just so... Peaceful when she's like this, even in sleep she's angelic." Peridot's head rested on the taller woman's arm, Lapis remembered the other morning, Peridot's door had been open just a little, and Lapis had peeked in to watch her sleep for a while.

She felt the little blonde shift around in her lap, Lapis rubbed between her shoulders, "Sweetie you need to wake up." She said to her, but Peridot was a deep sleeper. "Peri-baby, c'mon." She gave her a tiny shake. "We're here."

The Greek woman stirred and tried to stretch out with a groan. Her brilliant green eyes fluttered open, making Lapis' heart start to beat wildly in her chest. "Here already?" She asked, it had been a short nap, but the poor thing must have been exhausted.

Lapis nodded and gave her a small smile. "Yep, c'mon darling." She said and gently lifted Peridot out of the car. "There you go, when we get to Amethyst's home you can sleep, okay?" The blue haired girl spoke softly and gently, and the blonde woman nodded and stretched.

Amethyst was in the back of her truck. "Help me!" She complained, and Lapis walked over to her.

She held out her strong arms. "Just pass them to me and I'll set them down." She said to the shorter woman, who proceeded to do just that. After about five minutes of Peridot begging she let the tiny girl help them, but only because Peridot had really wanted to. She frowned at the thought of Peridot coming along on what could easily turn into a dangerous mission if even something small went wrong.

"So to be clear, NONE of this is for drinking purposes?" Asked Peridot as Lapis gently handed her the last bit.

"No sweetie, we'll be drinking at a bar soon anyway though. This stuff is cheap, and it's for the mission." The taller woman explained, and Peridot nodded. For some reason she seemed nervous all of a sudden.

POV SHIFT- Peridot Odelet

She watched as Amethyst ripped open a box of matches and poured them into a bowl. The Greek woman stared at the bank in front of her, a smallish building, there were no cars in the small pitch black lot in front of them. The sun had disappeared, leaving the three women in the darkness. "Amethyst? There's no one actually IN this place, right?" Asked Peridot, and the purple haired woman shook her head.

"Nah, we made sure everyone's gone. Besides, burning to death is better than fallin' for a trap like this." Amethyst told her, but the blonde's mind started asking hundreds of questions all at once. Such as, why was this place a trap? And what could be worse than death?!

Lapis carefully grabbed one of the bottles, Peridot watched her movements, she was graceful, her motions fast yet elegant and flowing like water. That water became a wave of fury as she threw the bottle against the wall, it landed with a sharp, glittery sounding crash as the liquid coated the wall. "You can throw some if you want Peri." She told her, and the short girl hesitantly grabbed a bottle and threw it at the building, jumping when the bottle smashed a window and most likely spilled all over the floor. Amethyst cheered beside them.

"Alright! Nice aim dude!" She sounded like a teenager and the blonde woman was starting to feel like one. "Throw more!" The Hispanic girl started to egg her on. "Do it! Do it!"

Peridot started to throw more inside the building, by the time all of the boxes were finished the building could probably be considered a small lake of beer. It coated the walls and there was glass littering the ground, the moon had not yet risen, or at least if it had Peridot couldn't find it. Lapis put an arm around her shoulders too make sure she stayed close.

Amethyst turned to the blue haired girl with the bowl of matches, "Wanna do the first one?" She asked, Lapis nodded and Amethyst went over to her truck, returning moments later with the bowl in one hand and a barbecue lighter in the other. "It's the best I got." She said, and when Peridot gave her a confused look she added. "None of us smoke, not really a reason to keep a normal lighter around."

The younger woman nodded a bit and watched as Lapis lit a tiny blue flame on the match, it turned a reddish orange in a heartbeat and the light from it cast a soft glow on her tan face, turning the edges of her hair where the light just barely reached the colour of blood.

Lapis gently pushed Peridot back and further away from the building. She swiftly threw the match inside the window that had broken, within seconds Peridot could see a glow inside which grew brighter as the two criminals in front of her threw more of the lit up matches.

The area around them was now bathed in a hellish angry glow. Gold and orange mingled together in a bright dance as tiny red embers floated into the sky to become new, temporary stars. A hellfire rainbow blazed in front of the tiny woman, mesmerizing and dangerous like the woman who stood before her.

The Greek woman reached up to touch Lapis' shoulder. "Why are you doing this? Is it because of someone who owns the bank?" She asked and the blue haired woman gave her a wide smile.

"That's right princess! Someone very bad owns this place." She said, having to speak a bit loudly as the bank behind them turned into brightly lit rubble.

"Do you mind if I ask who?"

Lapis shook her head, "Not at all sweetie. The nasty lady who owns this place is one of the main members of the Diamond Authority." She spat the last two words as if they were poison in her mouth, with her next words making Peridot's blood, despite the intense heat in the air, turn to ice-water. "Her name is Yellow Diamond."

To be continued...