Disclaimers in earlier chapter.
Thank you to everyone who reads this, and to my lovely reviewers! 3

"You were in an earthquake?!" Amethyst yelled, making Pearl flinch back. Her nose scrunched at the high-pitched shriek. Seeing Garnet in the area below, she shouted. "Garnet, you were in an earthquake?" Tiny purple arms snaked around Pearl's slim waist, pressing her empty bell into Pearl's back. A pale hand combed through her hair fondly and the smaller Gem calmed a bit. They were sitting by Pearl's tree which looked much sprightlier than the entire time of her absence. Its blossoms reminded Pearl they had not yet seen Japan, but as she pulled Amethyst into her lap and rested her chin on the mop of hair she decided every moment with her was worth stalling.

As she calmed the youngest Gem, Pearl replayed her experience of the disaster. It always helped when she couldn't use her hands. Seeing the way the image shook, Amethyst stopped squirming and watched wide-eyed while the ground opened and Garnet fell. The image flickered to Pearl's frenzied aide in the burning town. They watched together unaware that Garnet had reached them just as the projection started, bringing along Rose and Celestite with her. She motioned them to be quiet. Nodding the quartz' agreed. The five sat in silence, watching as holo-Pearl returned to the fissure in search for Garnet then cried when she couldn't. It flickered again, displaying the damaged Mountain Spire. Images of Garnet and falling debris and Garnet again flashed across the screen, and then…nothing.

Pearl blinked, mentally shaking herself. She hadn't meant to show Amethyst that. Wary, she glanced down at the small form on her lap and was surprised to see her crying. Amethyst twisted around, burying her face in Pearl's shoulder. The realization of why the image went blank hit her hard. It somehow hurt to know her favorite gem could die. She looked at the others hoping they understood. Garnet nodded and whispered to Rose they should let them have some privacy. Celestite agreed, sending a respectful look to Pearl. A memory surfaced and she called out to Amethyst. "Pearl won't leave us that easily. She took on an entire Homeworld platoon by herself once."

"She did?"

"Yes. Her gem was cracked almost in half but Garnet found her and brought her to Rose Quartz." The lunar quartz smiled. "Pearl's got Garnet just as much as Garnet's got her. And you, Amethyst." With those words ringing through the youngest gem's thoughts, Celestite rejoined her leader and friend. The pair waited until they couldn't hear them anymore, then Pearl gently nudged her friend back, using her thumb to wipe away her tears.

It's alright. Pearl seemed to say, although neither her hands nor her lips moved. I'm here. With you. That part made Amethyst grin.

"And presents!" she added, holding up a few of the toys Pearl had picked out for her. "Pearl? Why'd you make your hair long?" Curious wandering fingers reached out and tangled in the pink strands effectively ruined Pearl's carefully upswept hair, but Pearl couldn't get irritated while Amethyst looked so mystified. She smiled sheepishly when she saw how messy she'd made her mentor's hair, and tried to smooth it back down with her hands. Pearl gently pulled her hands away so she could remove the pins she used. Exchanging them for a brush and comb, she handed them to Amethyst and explained how to use them.

When Garnet returned hours later she found Amethyst playing with Pearl's hair, pinning it up, undoing it and brushing it smooth before starting over. She chuckled at the adorable scene. The purple gem really brought the softer side of her mate who normally didn't like being treated like a doll. Understandably, of course, since Ruby and Sapphire remembered what it was like on Homeworld. "Pearl. Hello, Amethyst." Pearl raised a hand in greeting, affectionately sighing when her hair was tugged a touch too hard. "Be gentle; that hurt her."

"Oops. Sorry, Pearl." The purple gem glanced back to Garnet. "What's going on?"

Garnet shrugged, not saying anything as she sat next to them. She held out a covered bowl to Pearl, "Brought you back some of your favorite." The look Pearl gave her was part surprise mixed with annoyance. She smirked, signing to open it. The aroma from the bowl caught Amethyst's attention, and she peeked over a pale shoulder to see what made it. Seeing a bowl of soup she wondered why the fusion would call it Pearl's favorite. Last time she checked her friend didn't like eating. She stared at Garnet in disbelief when Pearl really did drink from the bowl. It had to be very tasty if she was willing to ignore her distaste of digesting food for it. "You have to ask Pearl."

Before she could ask, the white gem held up the quarter-full bowl. Even in her haste to try something Pearl liked, she didn't miss the signed conversation between her friends. They both had different styles of saying the same words that fit their personalities. Garnet's movements were patient and thought-out like she didn't spend much time signing while Pearl's were graceful and flowing, no doubt from centuries of practice. If she were honest, she didn't even know Garnet knew how to sign like Pearl. All the soup gone, she set it down beside her.

"I'd like to play with your hair," the hot pink gem said suddenly. Cheeks burning teal her partner smiled and asked Amethyst to sit with her. "Did you like the soup, Amethyst?"

"Uh-huh! It's delicious, no wonder Pearl loves it!" She said, her eyes following Garnet's hands as she carefully brushed and combed the pastel pink tresses before separating sections and weaving them into intricate braids. Some parts were twisted and spun to loop around a tight bun, which Garnet held in place with one hand as she accepted the hairpins Pearl handed her with the other. In mere minutes she had recreated one of the more complicated styles she'd learned back in China. "Whoa! Where'd you learn to do that?"

"China." Garnet answered, "We're going to Japan next." She kissed Pearl's cheek. Her mate leaned back, turning her head to kiss her neck.

"You're going back?" Amethyst whined. She pouted, making Pearl laugh at her petulance. It wasn't like she used to laugh; this was more like staccato sighs accompanied with shaking shoulders and bright eyes. It didn't help her mood at first, until she realized what the white gem was doing. Then her expression turned to awe at having gotten Pearl to laugh; not just the tiny breathless giggle or drawn-out huffs that were chuckles, but actual laughter. "You're coming back though, right?"

Of course we are. We're taking this time to explore Earth without having to worry about Homeworld destroying it. Pearl said once she calmed. We leave in the morning, and I don't know how long we'll be gone. You'll be fine, Amethyst. I promise we'll come back. She ruffled her friend's hair smiling widely. When the sun began rising over the horizon, the trio knew it was time to part ways again. Garnet led the way back to the temple. Walking beside her, Pearl carried Amethyst on her hip, and talking the entire trip down. She pressed butterfly kisses all over the purple quartz's face, making her giggle at her silliness. Celestite waited by the warp pad with their bag, refilled with what various items. She smiled at Pearl, and asked for a moment of their time.

Setting Amethyst down, she followed the larger white gem into the temple proper, where all the bubbled gems were kept. Nervous now, and more than a bit wary of what the other person could possibly want to talk about, Pearl studied the bubbles. Many were hers, and most of those were her compatriots. Turning back to her team mate, Pearl watched her with an inscrutable expression. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?

"Please be more careful this time," Celestite said, handing her a rolled up piece of fabric. She unrolled it to reveal about a dozen glass vials filled with translucent pink liquid. "This will be easier than digging through the bag for the canteen, thought that's still in there in case you need to refill these or break them. To be honest, I was worried about you both. I know I shouldn't have, since you've got Garnet, but I did. At least this time, it wasn't because you were being a reckless living shield for Rose or taking on an entire army on your own." Her smile and the shimmer in her eyes told Pearl she was teasing her.

Thank you, Celestite. Pearl signed. All of a sudden, the taller Gem pulled her into a hug. She tensed, slowly relaxing as the large gem held her. She eventually returned the gesture, and then backed away. And I'm not reckless! She mock-pouted, waving as she rejoined Garnet at the warp pad, ready to explore the planet she fought for more. Double-checking they had everything including the vials, Pearl ruffled Amethyst's hair and looked up to Rose. Their leader beamed, excited for them.

"Have lots of fun, you two! Tell me all about it when you come back!" Pearl nodded, looking at Garnet the whole time. She felt Garnet take her hand and wrap it around her arm. Blue light surrounded the couple, and they were back in the clearing in China.