Chapter Thirty-Eight: Homecoming

"— as she walks down the runway, the gold sequins in her dress catches the light perfectly. "

Pearl looked over at the television as she dried and put away the last of the dishes from breakfast this morning— a task she was able to do only because both Steven and Greg were away and hadn't done it before leaving. The model's dress was lovely enough, she supposed. But it was a bit... too much for Pearl's taste. She would have preferred something more subdued. And maybe in blue or purple...

She was still considering exactly what kind of dress she would prefer, when she heard knocks at the door, followed by muffled voices. "Oh, right. Of course," went one of them.

Pearl had just turned towards the door when it opened. Greg stepped inside, followed closely by Rose Quartz, so huge that she had to bow and squeeze through the door frame.

Pearl tensed immediately and felt her legs weaken beneath her when she saw what— no, who was in Rose Quartz's arms.

Steven.

His eyes were shut. And he wasn't moving.

" My Steven !" Pearl cried out, forgetting herself. Panic and dread ripped through her as she ran past Greg and over towards Rose, hurriedly taking Steven from Rose's arms and into her own. Greg was saying something, but Pearl barely registered his words, too focused on pressing her ear close to Steven's chest.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

Pearl could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, mixing through the Song of his gem.

He was still alive.

Pearl stumbled back a few steps, sitting on the RV's couch— almost falling into it— Steven still cradled close to her chest.

"Pearl? Pearl! Are you alright?"

Pearl blinked, Greg's voice now registering, and at the same time, she realized she must look rather unsightly. Her eyes were large and full of fear, as she clutched the unconscious boy in her arms. She squeezed her eyes close for a moment, blinking rapidly as she tried to regain herself.

"Yes. I-I am sorry, Greg."

"Hey, it's alright," he responded. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay." He gave her a shaky smile.

"I am sorry," Pearl repeated. "I... seemed to have gotten caught up in the moment."

"That's perfectly understandable," Rose said. "I understand how unnerving it is to see friends hurt—"

Pearl's gaze shot over to Rose, her eyes narrowing accusingly at the Gem. "What did you do to him? Another ill-fated mission?"

Rose was taken aback by the accusation, so much that Greg was able to jump in first. "Hey, hey! It's not like that. Steven and I got caught in a— situation, Rose came to help us out."

"Help from-"

But Pearl wasn't able to finish her thought. Something rumbled loudly from outside, sounding too close to a roar. The entire RV shook and tilted, enough for the dishes to slide and rattle in their cupboards. As if one of the RV's sides had been lifted off the ground. Pearl braced herself as best as she could, tightening her grip on Steven to ensure he didn't get thrown around.

Greg and Rose braced and balanced themselves as well. Rose even summoned her shield to her arm, looking as if she was about to burst out through the door now angled slightly above them.

But just as suddenly as it had been lifted, the side of the RV fell, landing with mighty, metallic ' thud '. Pearl took a moment to steady herself and check on Steven's still dozing form in her arms. He seemed unharmed and undisturbed by what had just happened.

"What as that?" Pearl demanded, only her grip on Steven stopping her from summoning a knife.

"It must have been Biggs," Rose said.

"Oh boy," Greg moaned.

Before Pearl could ask what a 'Biggs' was, Rose Quartz was already pushing her way back out of the RV door. Greg, meanwhile, hesitated and looked over at Pearl. "That's… the trouble we ran into at the Palanquin." The RV tilted again, not as badly this time. Someone— Garnet?— yelled. "Uh. Biggs."

"What is Biggs?" Pearl asked.

"Well she's, er, a corrupted Gem-"

"A WHAT?!"

Pearl should have left Steven in the relative safety of the RV. But she barely registered what she was doing as she dashed out, her charge still held close to her chest. Only a few steps onto the pavement, she was forced to a stop, face to face with a giant, horned, white-maned beast. Pearl felt fright shoot through her, but only for a moment.

She had been in this situation before, more times than she'd liked. It was not a Pearl's traditional place to fight such abominations, but she had done her duty, luring the creatures away with the many drones stocked in Blue Diamond's ship.

Why Rose Quartz, a proper warrior, had not dealt with this one, Pearl had no time to wonder. She had no time to pull a drone out. She stepped back from the creature and yelled, "Leave us, creature! Be gone!"

Pearl clenched her free hand into a fist and punched it in the Gem's snout with as much force as she could muster.

It reared back and roared, suddenly looking more than twice its already massive size. Pearl backed away, shielding Steven with her arms.

Instantly, Rose Quartz and Garnet were at the creature's side. Rose Quartz petted its fur and whispered softly at it. The fusion held onto the monster's haunch. The monster still bucked and reared, vile spittle flying everywhere.

There was nothing else. Pearl would have to run, to get them to safety, far, far away.

"Biggs?"

It was Steven's voice, groggy but unafraid. He was stirring in Pearl's arms, blinking.

Immediately, the monster seemed to settle down. It settled down on all fours, ears perking up, fur flattening.

"Good. Good," Rose Quartz cooed.

Pearl began, "My Steven— what—"

But Steven wasn't listening to her. He was still murmuring to the monster in some animalistic language, and the monster was murmuring back. Rose Quartz was smiling, Garnet too. Even Greg was at Pearl's shoulder, saying, "It's alright— Biggs is okay. Probably. I think."

Pearl didn't let herself relax. She was still prepared to run at a moment's notice.

Or, she would have, but Steven was squirming in her arms. "Here, you can set me down, Pearl," he said.

"No," Pearl said. A shock ran through her at the word.

Steven didn't notice, didn't get angry at her for contradicting an order. He just smiled up at her, and said, "Please— it's okay. Can you trust me?"

So Pearl put him down.

He wobbled a little, but quickly gained his balance. He reached forward to pet the monster's leg— and the creature was on him. Not eating him, not mauling him, but covering his face in slobbery licks. The sounds that came out of Steven's mouth were not screams, but laughter.

The monster knocked Steven to the ground in its enthusiasm. It promptly sat down itself, paying no mind to Pearl's gasp as she rushed to the boy's side.

"It's okay, it's okay," Steven told her.

Unwilling to contradict him, Pearl instead withdrew a cooler from her gemstone in a show of lights and sparkles. "Here, m— dear." She held a bottle out to him. It will replenish your electrolytes and make you feel better."

Steven eyed the bottle for a moment. "Is that 'cool raspberry' Crocorade?"

Pearl nodded. "It is."

"Okay." Steven got to his feet and took the bottle, unscrewing the cap and gulping a mouthful of the blue drink.

"Ya feeling better now, Steven?" It was Greg, who Pearl had forgotten was even there.

The two of them took some time to look Steven over, to ensure he had not been further hurt by the monster. Once Pearl was satisfied, she stood up, and strode towards the Crystal Gems, who were busy petting the corrupted monster as though it was some Earth pet.

Bearing herself to her full height, Pearl demanded, "What have you done?"

Rose Quartz blinked at her. The fusion seemed unphased.

"They were on a simple errand," Pearl continued. "Then you bring Steven back, unconscious in your arms, a monster at your heels, threatening to destroy our home. What happened to him? And why did you not heal him?"

"I tried to," said Rose Quartz, "but he wouldn't wake up—"

Pearl could have laughed. So much for the rebel leader's legendary healing!

She didn't laugh, because she was better trained than that, but something must have shown on her face. Rose Quartz said, "I cannot heal simple exhaustion."

Taking a deep breath, Pearl said, "Then what exhausted him so?"

"A great magical working," Garnet answered, adjusting her glasses. "Steven partially reversed the corruption."

Pearl froze. Pushing down panic, she made herself listen to the explanation she so desperately wanted.

Steven tried to lead the talk, but couldn't. Partly because the monster— 'Biggs'— would not leave him alone, constantly nudging him or barking something. Partly because hewas exhausted. His skin was ashen, his eyes drooping, his speech slightly slurred.

So Greg lead. "This big girl here just wandered near to the Palanquin. Gave me and Steven a bit of a scare."

He laughed. Pearl did not. She had never understood Gregory's sometimes inappropriate reactions to events.

"You should have lead it away with a drone—" Pearl stopped as realization dawned on her. "You had no drones," she said, more to herself than to anyone around her. Her hands began to shake. "They were all stored in my gem..."

Pearl had always intended to slip away to Blue Diamond's ship and refill her personal supply. To have extra in both Beach City and the Palanquin.

But with everything that had been going on lately, the idea had completely slipped from Pearl's mind.

And because of that, Steven and Greg were attacked, and with no means to defend themselves…

Pearl could see her vision blurring, so she clenched her eyes shut, her hands curling into fists once more, as tightly as she could until her nails dug into her palm. "I— I am sorry," she shakily breathed out. "I should have— I—"

"Hey, hey. It's alright, Pearl," Greg said easily. "We both got through it okay, so there's no harm-"

" But there was !" Pearl cried out. "You and Steven could have been hurt, or worse! And— And it would have been all my fault. Because I was too stupid and foolish to not leave proper supplies…" She rubbed at her eyes, even though it did no good now. The tears were too strong. So instead she covered her face with her hands, already feeling embarrassed and out of place with her outburst.

"Pearl." It was Rose Quartz who was talking, in a tone that had no doubt won her many an ally during her life. "You have done no wrong towards Greg or Steven."

"He was unconscious," Pearl snapped, the anger aimed at herself.

"Just sleeping!" called Steven, resting happily on Bigg's massive paw.

"You could not have expected what happened today. Even I did not see the conclusion." Garnet smiled. "The unexpected can be a good thing. When we arrived at the Palanquin, Biggs was not attacking Steven. She was sitting there, listening to him sing."

"It was… pretty amazing," Greg murmured. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

Pearl sniffed. She felt something warm press to her side. Steven had left the monster to come to her, and pressed against her side. "I did it Pearl," he said. "I used my powers…" His eyes were glistening. "Without hurting anyone. I helped …"

Despite Pearl's personal shame, she felt a well of pride for the child. She delicately wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and squeezed.

It was easier to listen to the rest of the tale. The sheer magnitude of the power Steven had released wiped him out. Guided by Garnet's future vision, Rose Quartz had arrived just in time to catch him. Her powers may not have been able to revive Steven, but they had healed the Biggs Jasper's chipped gem. The Crystal Gems had accompanied Greg and Steven home— and Biggs too, the monster clearly now dedicated to the one who had cleared her clouded mind.

By the time she finished the story, Rose Quartz was practically on the verge of tears. She was shaking with some sort of emotion, and Pearl thought she understood. Whatever their differences, they agreed: the corruption had been monstrous.

And Steven— her Steven— had helped fix it.

"Biggs is an old friend of ours," Rose Quartz was saying. "Oh, Garnet, just wait until Pearl finds out!"

Garnet nodded. She was wearing an uncharacteristically warm smile. "Amethyst will get to meet another Crystal Gem for the first time!"

Rose Quartz emitted a sound so loud it was practically a squeak. "Oh! Oh, let's go now!" She announced. "Steven, please, could you tell Biggs we're leaving?"

"Sure," Steven said, letting out a series of those mumbling growls. The monster murmured something in return, then got to her feet, tail wagging. Steven moved to follow— but staggered, forcing Pearl to catch him before he tripped.

"Whoa, easy champ," Greg said, stepping over to him. "I think we need to call it a day for you. Too much excitement."

"But I need to translate—" Steven protested.

"Not in this state," said Pearl, firmly.

"I agree," said Garnet. Only her clenched fist revealed any sign of reluctance. "Drawing too much from his powers tired him out. I know this from experience."

Steven looked back and smiled sheepishly before leaning back against Pearl, who scooped him back into her arms.

"I suppose we need to return to the Temple," Rose Quartz said. "We have much to explain to Pearl and Amethyst. But for now..." She smiled and nodded at Steven. "Thank you, Steven. For what you have done today."

"You've done good," Garnet added with her own smile. "I'm proud of you."

Steven blushed deeply, but said nothing.

With a pair of waves, the Crystal Gems set off.

… Biggs Jasper did not follow.

"Um," Rose Quartz tilted her head. "Biggs, come on! Don't you want to see Pearl?"

The monster didn't seem to notice her words. It was sniffing around the RV.

Steven murmured something to it curiously. Then, he said, "Uh… she doesn't want to go with you?"

The Crystal Gems exchanged looks.

"Why not?" asked Rose Quartz, a hint of petulance in her usually soft voice.

"She… uh…" Steven was stammering. "She says… um… she doesn't know who you are, and would rather stay with me?"

There was a beat of silence, and then Rose Quartz erupted: "What do you mean she doesn't know who we are?"

"She was one of the first Crystal Gems," said Garnet, frowning. "If she does not remember us, then…"

As a worried silence fell, Pearl could not bear to look at them.

But the questions Steven asked of Biggs soon confirmed the worst. Some of the answers he got out of her were strange, scrambled, simplistic. The clearest things the monster remembered were three lights in the sky— and a terrible sound— and then a sweet one, Steven's singing, as he healed her.

Biggs could not remember anything from before. As far as she was concerned, Rose Quartz and Garnet were strangers, and she would not leave Steven's side in favor of them.

That realization seemed to shatter the Crystal Gems' expressions.

In Pearl's arms, Steven was shaking. His breathing was becoming shallow. Pearl ran a gentle hand through Steven's hair. "It is alright," she murmured to him. "Simply tell your… new friend… the truth."

"The truth?" Steven said.

"That she may not remember them, but that Rose Quartz and Garnet are her friends. That she will be safe with them." Pearl squeezed him gently. "Biggs Jasper trusts you. I'm certain she'll listen."

And she did. As far as Pearl could judge, it was not easy… but after ten minutes of discussion, the monster hesitantly left Steven's side to join the Crystal Gems. She whined a little, but Steven barked something in reply. Garnet scratched her behind a horn, and that seemed to help too. The bounce had returned to her step as they departed.

Pearl let out a relieved sigh, just because she could.

She, Steven, and Greg returned to the RV. Pearl went directly to the bed, drawing the covers back and laying Steven down on top of them. Pearl slipped off his shoes and socks, placing them next to the bed and then drew the cover back on him.

"Thanks, Pearl," Steven mumbled sleepily.

"You get some rest, bud," Greg said. "We'll wake ya when it's time for dinner."

"Okay," Steven yawned. From out of the corner of her eye, she saw something small and furry bound onto Steven's bed with him. She had forgotten that Gem monsters apparently weren't the only creatures becoming attached to the boy.

"Heeey," Steven greeted, smiling lopsidedly. The cat grew close, cuddly close to Steven before curling into a ball at his side. "Goodnight, Roscoe."

"Roscoe?" Greg asked. "Where'd ya get that name?"

But it was too late. Steven and the cat were already fast asleep.

"I suppose we have to keep it now," Pearl said. That was how naming an animal worked for humans, if she understood correctly.

"Yeah," Greg sighed. Nonetheless, he didn't look particularly displeased.

Taking only a moment to watch the dozing child, Pearl and Greg quickly left the bed, closing the door as they did. Without even really thinking about it, Pearl walked over to the couch and then nearly collapsed onto it.

"Busy day, huh?" Greg asked as he sat down next to her.

Pearl nodded numbly. It hadn't been one, not until the Crystal Gems had burst in. They had a way of making even the most peaceful of things chaotic.

But they weren't to blame for her own tumultuous feelings. The realisation of the danger her family had been in, her own failing in regard to the drones, the idea of how Steven would surely be undergoing further attempts to heal more Gem monsters— Pearl wished no true ill will on the corrupted Gems. Indeed, they had her sympathy. The fate that had befallen them, rebel or not, was truly terrible. But… Pearl did not want Steven around the Crystal Gems. She had tolerated his growing friendship with the Amethyst, who hadn't fought in the war and thus was really only a rebel in name only. Pearl said little about his lessons with the fusion, which were important, and seemed to be helping him.

But such missions, to hunt down corrupted Gems, no doubt Rose Quartz would lead those personally. And no doubt Pearl would be barred from joining every mission, just as she was with Steven's lessons. Which would mean leaving Steven with Rose Quartz, without Pearl there to protect him when she inevitably got carried away.

That idea made her almost sick with worry and fear.

"Hey, Pearl? You alright?"

Pearl raised her head back up, Greg's voice bringing her back to the RV. She looked over at him and he was looking back, a concerned look on his face.

"You just looked like you were mulling over something big," he said.

Pearl missed a beat, before asking, "Greg? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Pearl. Anything."

"Do you… think things could ever be like they used to?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Pearl paused, gathering her thoughts. "Like they were back in Korea. When it was just us, living our lives together and… There were no complications. Just… us."

Greg was silent for several long seconds, simply staring at his hands, before he answered, "I don't think things can ever be like that again, Pearl," he said heavily. "Too much has changed now. I think the best we can do is try and build a better, more comfortable life for all of us."

Pearl let out a weary huff. "Yes. I suppose so."

She closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. She leaned, just slightly against Greg's arm. He didn't seem to mind, luckily, and the support felt good to Pearl.

If nothing else, she needed to prepare for that corrupted Gem. Living so close to the RV now, precautions would be needed. She'd get more drones, both for personal storage and to leave in the RV. And she'd get a barrel of water too, to leave outside the RV. A quick weapon for Lapis if she needed it. And speaking of Lapis, Pearl would need to ask her to increase her flybys of the Temple. A closer eye would probably be wise. And Pearl herself could probably help too. After all, Rose always said to her that she could come to the Temple whenever she wanted to. And…

Pearl's thoughts became slower and began to scatter, before without even meaning to, Pearl fell asleep, pressed against Greg who was also fast asleep. They both slept until the evening, when Steven woke them up for dinner.

Garnet walked down the beach to the Temple, Biggs at her side.

Just thinking those words hardly felt real.

She wished she could say she'd forgotten how long it had been since she'd watched all her friends lose themselves, but she doubted she'd ever forget, no matter how much time passed. She wished she could say she knew when her sense of hope had begun to fade, but…

That didn't matter now. Biggs was here, Biggs was Biggs, after all that time.

When they arrived at the Temple, Pearl and Amethyst's reactions were predictable: drawn weapons and fierce cries. Biggs' too, was only to be expected— drawing back, pawing at the ground, growling.

Garnet rested a soothing hand on her flank, wishing Steven had accompanied them after all. They had been so excited for this reunion, but perhaps they had moved too quickly—

Too late for that. Garnet cried, "Don't attack!"

"It's okay!" Rose said, stepping between her friends like a shield. "Biggs isn't dangerous! Steven healed her!"

"Partly," Garnet added quickly.

"Woah… What?" Amethyst's whip didn't disappear, but she shuffled in for a closer look on all fours.

Pearl didn't lower her weapon at all. Her eyes narrowed. "This— creature does not look healed."

The explanation was given again. Pearl and Amethyst sized Biggs Jasper up, who was doing the same to them.

Amethyst was meeting Biggs for the first time, and showed nothing but excitement for this new turn of events. Pearl and Biggs, however… they were old friends, from very early in the rebellion. Pearl's expression was a unflinching mask, unwilling to let herself show recognition or hope. Biggs, for her part, showed no recollection at all.

Because she didn't remember them. She didn't remember anything.

"She remembers some things," Rose Quartz said quickly. "Steven explained to us. She remembers the last day or so, everything since she was healed, and certain details of the past. She recognises things around her— trees and Gem types and animals—"

"Like she's fresh out of the ground?" suggested Amethyst, poking at one of Biggs spines.

"You didn't know about all of those when we found you," Garnet reminded her. Homeworld only considered information pertaining to Gem-kind specifically important enough to install into a Gem's base gemetics.

"More like her personal memories have been wiped," said Pearl, free hand tightening into a ball.

Garnet nodded, but added, "Not just that. Her language—"

As if on queue, Biggs barked at Amethyst for prodding her in the side. Delighted, Amethyst barked back.

She couldn't talk. Not in Gem, or in any human language. It wasn't that her mouth was the wrong shape. She just… couldn't understand it.

Steven could though. He understood animals. And that was what Biggs was now. An animal.

…still. Better than a monster.

"Ohh, that's so cool !" said Amethyst, transforming into a purple mirror of the creature. Biggs backed away in surprise, then perked up, her tail wagging. The two quartzes began to wrestle in a clearly playful manner.

Pearl clutched at her chest.

Garnet came in on one side, holding her shoulder. Rose came to her other. Pearl leaned into her side, very slightly.

"This— I—" Pearl stammered.

"I know," said Rose. "I know. But… it's progress. Don't you see, Pearl?"

Pearl nodded.

Garnet watched Biggs, sprawled out on her back, letting Amethyst crawl over her belly. The first time Biggs had met humans, only days after she'd joined the Crystal Gems, she'd allowed a litter of puppies to do the same. With a lap full of small dogs, she had declared, " This may be the greatest day of my life."

Breaking away from her friends, Pearl strode forward. Came to stand before Biggs Jasper. Bent down.

"Do you remember me?" Pearl asked.

Making an inquisitive noise, Biggs rolled back over. Amethyst yelped as she was thrown off.

"You… you must," Pearl continued. "You remember how we met? You came after us for 'stealing' your friend. Then you tried to rescue me." Pearl laughed, but it was a pained sound. "I put a sword through you."

Garnet allowed herself a ghost of a smile. It was funny, how many early rebels had been made at Pearl's swordpoint.

Biggs just stared, uncomprehending.

Pearl stared back.

Biggs licked her in the face.

Pearl's face crumpled. Soundlessly, she backed away.

In Garnet's mind, she felt Ruby and Sapphire grip each other for comfort.

So. That was that.

Pearl and Garnet stood to the side, watching their old friend. They hadn't seen her in millennia— so many monsters, scattered across the entirety of the Earth, even future vision hadn't been enough to find them all. But she was better than she'd been in all that time, surely. Rolling around in the sand, playing with Amethyst and Rose, just three Quartzes wrestling as they were want to do.

But as much as Rose Quartz genuinely seemed to have lost herself in the moment, Garnet knew her well enough recognise the tension in her shoulders that didn't quite fade.

They lost track of time. It was twilight when Garnet said, "It's strange."

Pearl said nothing.

"We used to talk about what we'd do after the War," Garnet continued. "Biggs said she wanted to try everything. But I bet she never thought—"

"Garnet," Pearl interrupted, not looking her in the eyes. "I can't. Not— not now."

Garnet nodded. She understood.

"We have time."

Pearl nodded, and went to her room, alone.

Here were some things that Biggs liked:

She liked playing on the beach. Rolling in the sand, jumping in the waves.

She liked the weird smells in Amethyst's den.

She liked how Rose Quartz and the fusion would pet her hair.

She liked her conversations with the Blue One, who was really called Steven, even though they were often very confusing.

She liked napping next to the lion, calm and content.

There were some other things she didn't like. She didn't like either Pearl, who were loud and grumpy and kind of frightening. She didn't like humans who yelled or ran when she got close. She didn't like how she had to wait for other Gems to use a warp pad. She didn't like some of her dreams.

She didn't like the feeling that there were big, big important things that she should understand, but just couldn't.

But Biggs had spent a long, long time, not liking things. Not liking anything. Being angry and sad and scared, always always always.

Biggs was tired of it.

She had a home now. She knew what a home was. She was going to enjoy it.

Authors' Note: Welcome to our new Monday posting schedule! We'd like to thank everyone for their patience!

This coming Thursday (the 27th) is the first year anniversary of the fic. It's kind of ridiculous to think about how quickly that passed. We'd like to thank everyone for their support this whole time.

To celebrate, we're going to do an in-character ask party on the teamfadedblue tumblr. Feel free to head over, and drop in questions for anyone from Blue Pearl to Garnet to Ronaldo to answer :)