Ch 14

Beryl covered her mouth trying hard to hold it. She watched as Amethyst went to sit down watching the others when Steven suddenly tripped over Pearl again. Tears came to Beryl's eyes as she turned her head away trying to hide her sniggers.

"Beryl, how about you give it a try again instead of sitting there laughing."

Crap, she had been caught.

Sitting up straight and clearing her throat she tried to play it off.

"Pearl..I don't think-"

"Aw, come on SB give it another try." Amethyst encouraged.

Hesitantly Beryl closed the book she was reading and stood up.

"...You guys all have your own styles though.." Beryl frowned now feeling bad for laughing at Steven. "I don't think I'll be able to keep up.."

"It's okay Beryl, I believe in you." Steven smiled.

With a sigh she walked over to them, it was like sparring all over again. She was surprised when Pearl held out her hand to her with a smile. Grasping it Pearl took over placing Beryl's right hand on her waist and her left on her shoulder.
Slowly Pearl pushed her into movement and as they danced Beryl felt like she had two left feet. It was very simple movements which made Beryl feel a bit better. She stared down at both of their feet trying to catch on. It seemed to be going well..that is until Beryl stepped on Pearl's foot..

"Don't sweat it fusion is hard." Amethyst reassured Beryl and Steven both.
"...not for me.." Garnet mumbled.
Beryl gave a sigh toning out from the conversation.
"If it's really hard how am ever going to catch up? It probably took them decades to form their styles.." Beryl mumbled.
"Well I believe Steven AND Beryl can do it."
Garnet's emphasis caught Beryl's attention as she glanced at her.
She sighed.

~~~~~
Beryl frowned as she reread the sentence in her book. The tiny flashlight she had was a bother as it paused her reading often but was needed in the dark. She sat in her usual spot on the couch where she 'sleep mediated' was what Steven called it. She wasn't meditating tonight though. She paused again as she turned another page but sighed in annoyance as she dropped the flashlight again that night. The light was out because Steven was fast asleep after such a exciting day, which she had unfortunately missed. While Steven had experience fusion for the very first time she had been on top of the temple engrossed into the current book she was reading.
She gave a small sad smile as she recalled the story Amethyst had told her. She was excited for Steven. He had fused with his human friend, Connie. Which was not only a amazing feat but unheard of between a Gem and a Human but ever since hearing that story she hadn't once put her book down.
~T-this isn't going to work..I need somewhere to go...~
If Steven could do it so could she.

With a breathless groan Beryl slipped from under her blanket and off the couch. She stood there for a moment in thought before stealing a peek up at Steven who was asleep. Debating further she looked over at the warp pad.
Walking over to the fridge Beryl looked at the note pad that hung on the front with a little pen attached by a string. Picking it up she pressed it against the pad paper.
When she suddenly felt something bump against her leg she jumped and she looked down to see Lion peering back up at her with a disapproving look, which caught her off guard.
" Lion..don't worry." She said giving the feline a gentle pat.

Steven was just about to take a bite of his sandwich that he had just finished making when he heard the warp pad activate. Looking over he watched Pearl climb off of the pad with a deep thoughtful frown on her face. When she walked into the temple without a word Steven shrugged and was just about to take that first bite of his sandwich again when this time Amethyst came through the front door looking bothered to. Steven paused watching her.
"Amethyst?...are you okay?" Steven voiced watching her in worry. She jumped slightly before looking over at him.
"No one has told you yet?" She asked surprised.
"Told me what? I just got back from visiting Dad, so..I haven't been here long.." Steven was definitely confused.
"We've been looking for Beryl all day long."
"What?! Beryl's missing?" Steven shouted.
"Well, she did leave a note but she didn't say where she was going. Garnet said it could be too dangerous for her to be out on her own just yet. So we all went searching."
Amethyst pointed at the note pad behind Steven, causing him to turn around:
Guys,
I'm going to be gone for awhile, but don't worry I'll be back in a few years. ^_^
Beryl
"A few years?!" Steven shouted dropping his still uneaten sandwich.
"We're pretty sure we know what's wrong." Pearl voiced just as the temple doors closed behind her. " So don't worry Steven we'll find her." She finished with a smile.
"I want to help though." He said jumping down from the counter. "I'll go ask around town and maybe make some flyers with Connie." He declared rushing back out the door with his phone.
"I don't think we'll need flyers Steven!" Pearl called after him.
When Steven suddenly rushed back in and grabbed his sandwich and rushed back out the door Amethyst sulked.
"I was going to eat that."

Garnet POV
We had looked everywhere. Where could the Gem possible be? It had only been a day and a half since we started searching but with my future vision it wouldn't have taken nearly this long. I clenched my fist in deep thought as the other looked to me for an answer. It was getting late so I didn't want Steven to be left alone here. I would continue the search myself.
"I'll look underwater, in the area where the Lunar Sea Shire sits."
"Do you really think she'd go through?" Pearl questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Hm..it's worth a look." Looking over to Steven I held back a sigh." Now Steven I'm sure she's fine, so don't worry and try to get your sleep tonight."
"Okay.." He said with a frown.
Walking out the door I tried once more to try and locate the Gem with my vision but it was no use. I growled in frustration as I descended the stairs. As I walked up to the water I admired the setting sun for a moment and just as I was about to walk in to the water I heard a roar.
As I glanced over at Lion I was surprised to see him staring me down. It wasn't until I turned to fully look at him did he turn to walk away. Before I could dismiss the stare he turned and look back at me.
No One POV
Lion waited until Garnet started his way before turning once more and letting out a roar. The portal opened in front of him and he looked back a Garnet one more time before walking through.

Beryl frowned as she dropped the book onto the grass as she stood. She had spent a day and a half carefully reading that book but now that she finished it she wasn't so sure it was going to help her much. Looking at the clearing in front of her she frowned as she thought about making her own music to dance to. As she started out at a hum she was surprised she was able to lose herself in her own self made music, unaware of the two now watching her.*

her song: Fireflies owl city cover (female vocal) by: whatadizzydance

Dance: Free Style Ballet

Garnet POV

I frowned deeply as I followed Lion through the brush. I had been holding my anger in up until this point so as to not unnecessarily worry the others. Once I spotted her I sped up my pace and I was just about to walk out to her and confront her when she had started a dance. I paused and observed her surprised.

I had to admit, it was a bit clumsy as she misread herself a few times but it was clearly her own style. And the more she danced the better it got as she lost herself in her own music. When her gem lite up is when I knew she was totally focused and in sync and I that I was in awe.

Beryl POV

I breathed heavily as I relaxed my body in deep thought. I didn't have many words. I had found my style but could I actually fuse?
"What if it isn't good enough?..." Pondering this I was surprised at the sudden angry voice.

"Beryl. Why did you leave the temple like that?" Garnet's voice made me jump and I wiped around in total embarrassment.

"G-garnet what are you doing here?"

I backed away startled by her presence. Her arms were crossed and she also had the same disapproving look on her face that Lion did when I left. Speaking of Lion I frowned at the cat sitting behind her licking his paw.

~How did he even know where I warped to?~

"I could ask you the same thing but that's already clear." She said way too calmly. She was very angry.
With a sigh I turned away from her.
"You don't understand I..I had to do this myself." I said in a whisper.

Garnet POV
I gulped my anger down as best I could as I tried to understand what she said. If I let anger control me it wouldn't go well.
~What could she possibly have been thinking to have gone off on her own like this?!~

I clenched my fist before sucking in some air and slowly blowing it out.

Beryl POV

I sighed as I glanced up at Garnet.

"I...I have to get stronger Garnet...I can't continue to rely on you guys. I want to help to!" My eyes widened as I paused for a moment. "..I mean..I...I want to protect this planet to..with you guys, not stand on the side line and watch, and hope, and pray that you guys don't need me, that you guys won't get hurt. That you don't need me!" My eyes widened as a blush came to my face. What did I just..

I felt my own blood come to the surface as I looked Garnet straight on. What did I mean?

"I..I mean I can't just stay at the temple Garnet...I want to help...I want to be a Crystal Gem." I said firmly. They all had been trying to keep me out of harm's way. I understood that but I couldn't keep silent about it anymore.

"I know I'm not the strongest..and that I'm still figuring things out but I want to fight and fusion is part of that fight." I hated it but I felt the tears coming. "..I need it..to protect..everyone." I finished in a whisper. All I could do was stare at the ground. I didn't want her to see the tears..so when she grabbed my hand lead me into a twirl I looked up in utter shock tears still pouring down.

"W-what are you?.."

My face heated up again as she dipped me coming closer.

"...if you're are going to be a Crystal Gem...then you need to rely on us." There was no emotion on her face but I was utterly confused by the pounding in my chest and how hot I felt looking up at her. "...and we'll rely on you.."

Letting me up she twirled me again and I instinctually responded with my own move.

"G-Garnet.."

We were stretched far apart still holding hands when I noticed our gems a glow. Just as she was about to pull me back in I lost my nerve and pulled my hand free. It slipped from her grasp as I suddenly felt really shy.

~W-whats gotten into me?~

I could do nothing but stare at her in shock. Gently I placed my hand on my head shaking it slightly.

"I..I'm sorry..after such big talk..and I..." I frowned at my sudden lack of words. Why did I suddenly feel like this? Was I ill? No gems couldn't get sick...I froze as a thought hit me causing me to give Garnet a awkward smile trying to play it off.

~I-it..can't be...there's no way...~

"It's okay if you're not ready." Garnet said with a small smile. "..to fuse that is." Garnet straighten before looking around.

"Why did you choose here?" She said finally getting a good look at the clearing.

"..I-it was nice and quiet...and I wanted to finish the book." I said slowly walking over to retrieve the said book.

"Book?" Garnet questioned following after me. Turning to her I showed it:

The Art of Dance by Harvey Edwards

When Garnet suddenly burst out laughing I frowned in confusing. With a small sigh I watched her laugh as my thought returned to me.

~...Do..do I..like Garnet?~