"My stars, Jasper how many times did you hit her with that thing?"

Freshwater's head swam as Peridot's grated on her ears, bringing her into semi-consciousness. Confused, she tried to open her eyes, but even that felt impossible as her body felt like it weighed a ton, yet the numbness gave off the sensation of a full-body equivalent of one's foot falling asleep. Sleep…..stars that sounded nice. If only these restraints on her limbs were a little looser she could do so comfortably. Or if at least the person poking and prodding around her would stop. She was exhausted and wanted to rest, her need coming out in the form of a low, half-conscious growl when she felt a cool alcohol wipe on her skin.

"Calm down you clod I'm trying to re-sedate you." Peridot snapped, her voice dripping with irritation. "Frankly I'm surprised a Pearl, a Defective one at that, is still alive right now."

"Have you fixed her yet?"

Peridot yelped and dropped both Freshwater's arm and the needle, whipping around to face the gem. "Diamonds name, Holly Blue, warn me next time! This organic medical stuff is gross and you don't know what you could see." She muttered, scrambling around to find the needle. "And, no. I haven't "fixed her" yet." She paused. "I mean her physical form will be fine. Surprisingly her gem is fine. Her physical form is just exhausted."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to do both your job and mine." Peridot said, gesturing to Freshwater. Holly Blue started to advance on the gem, but Peridot didn't flinch. "Before you do anything brash, I would like to remind you that I'm the only one who has been tolerating your 'Perfect Pearl Fix' Side mission." Holly Blue stepped back and crossed her arms. "Fair enough. But it will all be worth it."

"For you." Peridot said, shrugging. "My only point in coming here was to check on the Cluster. I just got dragged into this little side mission – a side mission that was supposed to be marked as a failure millennia ago. A mission where there is a blatant lie on the records?" Peridot went on, momentarily taking her attention from Freshwater in favor of making Holly Blue squirm. The Agate, however, did no such thing, instead shocking the Peridot by shrugging. "Well, alright then. If you aren't willing to help me with this mission, I suppose I'll leave you and Jasper here with the defect."

Peridot paled noticeably but kept her composure. "Don't be dumb, Holly. What good would that do?"

"Well, the way I see it," Holly Blue explained, starting towards the door, "Jasper has forgotten entirely about your Cluster mission, and has already departed with her own enterage of Ruby guards with the Lapis Lazuli Crystal Gem. I also have what I need, and the only reason I didn't go with them is because I would rather be shattered than spend time with those reckless, untrustable Ruby guards." She growled before continuing. "The Fancy Pearl. I'm sure the…company she was around simply warped her sense of reason. Nothing my training can't solve. I was just keeping the Defect around because she appears to have some sort of interesting ability that I do not understand. Her ability to stick to an order appears to still be there, and is extremely strong. You saw how ferocious she was on that vent. Taking multiple hits from the gem destabilizer. " the gem stroked her chin thoughtfully. "I was thinking that the better made gem could learn a thing or two about following orders from the defect." Her eyes lit up for a moment. "Now that I think about it, it would probably be easier to have a fusion of the two. Less work on my end. I would have to run the idea by Yellow and Blue first though. The defect appears to have all of the aspects of a well made Pearl. But she's almost organic, along with the hideous form. The Diamonds would shatter me as soon as they saw her." The gem snorted, starting to leave. "what am I saying. They'd probably see the defect and shatter me on sight. You keep her. I'll give her the order as soon as she wakes up."

Peridot hissed, stomping towards Holly Blue. "Are you crazy? She'd tear me to shreds as soon as you left! Anyhow, I don't want a defect, and you're the only gem who can control her." Holly Blue arched an eyebrow, a smirk pulling at her lips. "So you'll help me with the mission?" Peridot sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Alright, yes. I will." She said. "But after this you have to help me with the Cluster. I haven't found out nearly enough for Yellow Diamond to be pleased thanks to you." Peridot said, glancing over her shoulder at Freshwater, who was shifting in and out of consciousness. "And I doubt that Yellow and Blue Diamond will approve of this. Especially since we are presently lightyears away from Homeworld, and can't use our novathrusters thanks to your other Pearl." Peridot spat angrily. She snapped, grabbing the needle and administering the sedative.

….

Freshwater groaned and squeezed her eyes shut, turning on her side and wrapping herself into a ball on her cell floor. She felt exhausted and wanted to sleep for days, and was currently trying to do that but her body wouldn't let her. Every time she felt like she was coming close to some form of sleep, she felt a nagging feeling in her gut, like she was forgetting something. For a moment, she wasn't sure what from, but then the memories hit her like a truck. Her desperate attempt to fuse with Steven, her conversation with Lapis, sending Steven back to Earth with all the other gems. Well all the other gems except –

Pearl!

Freshwater immediately opened her eyes and jumped to her feet at the memory of Steven's request. The motion was too abrupt, however, and her body immediately protested and she fell forward, her legs feeling like they hadn't been used for a long time. Before Freshwater could faceplant into the cell floor, however, a pair of strong arms caught and steadied her.

"You might want to take it easy. You've been out for a while." A tired but relieved voice said, its owner leading her to sit and lean against the cell wall. Freshwater razed her head to thank the kind stranger, but her voice immediately caught in her throat when she registered who it was.

Pearl cocked her head to the side and observed her with a concerned gaze. "Freshwater? Are you alright?"

"Am I alright? Are you alright? They poofed you." Freshwater pointed out. "Well, yes, they did, but you appear to have taken a lot more damage than I have." Pearl pointed out, grimacing as she observed Freshwater's form. Looking down, Freshwater grimaced at the scars she would have until either she was shattered or poofed again. "Fair enough." Freshwater murmured. "But you shouldn't be worried about me." She said, attempting to stand but Pearl pulled her down sternly.

"Nonsense. According to Jasper's angry rants as she left with Lapis, Steven and the others escaped somehow," a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "and I have a feeling you had something to do with it, considering how she glared daggers at you when she passed our cell. As your training mentor, I have to make sure we stay safe. And, as we are both Crystal Gems, we should worry about each other."

Freshwater bit her lower lip and looked away. "But…aren't you angry with me?" she asked hesitantly. Pearl looked confused. "Angry? Why would I be angry? You protected Steven when I couldn't."

'I'm also the reason any of you were in this mess in the first place.' Freshwater thought, cringing but deciding not to respond. After a few moments, Freshwater looked up. "How are you so calm about all of this?" Freshwater asked. Pearl gave a coy smirk as she stood. "Because I already have a plan to get out of this mess. I was just waiting until you were healed to execute it. Now I'm just waiting for an opening."

Freshwater's mind immediately flashed back to Holly Blue Agate's plan and she felt her stomach turn. "Pearl, whatever you're thinking it's a bad idea." Freshwater warned. "You've already damaged the novathrusters. Isn't that enough for now?" she asked. Pearl snorted. "No? Freshwater, I know you don't understand, but I can't go back to Homeworld. There are….gems there who could recognize me, and that would not end well for anyone." Freshwater cocked her head to the side, but Pearl didn't explain, instead looking sternly at Freshwater. "The sooner we get out of here, the better."

Freshwater pursed her lips and decided to try a different tactic. "Alright….well can we at least be safe about it?" Freshwater asked. Pearl paused before turning back to Freshwater, a quizzical look on her face.

"What did you have in mind?"