"Well Wulfenite I have to say you've shown quite a lot of improvement since the last time we spoke. There does not appear to be any long term damage from the concussion you suffered. In fact I dare say you're in perfect health", Doctor Maheswaran said with a rare smile. "If you wanted we could set up physical therapy for your knee but honestly I think it's unnecessary. Its function has already made improvements thanks to you keeping active, therapy wouldn't help all that much." With school getting ready to start again Rose thought it was a good idea to get us all in for a check up. Malachite's nose was finally healed up and Amethyst was set to have her cast off in a few days. Jasper still being MIA despite it getting to be the middle of July was still making it hard for me to sleep.

"Good to hear Doc", I replied as I hopped off the exam table in search of my discarded pants. "Quick question for you though", Carefully I pulled the tattered jeans up my legs and fastened them. "Dunno if Rose mentioned or not but it's lookin like I'm gonna be tryin out for the Air Force after graduation. Biggs, the recruiter who got my into the idea, says I've definitely got it as far as the written goes it's the other stuff I'm worried about. Do you think I'm in good enough or close to good enough shape that I'll be able to make it through basic? Also uh is there any chance of tryin to ease me off the meds you've got me takin? Talkin with Doctor Alexandrite and workin with my art therapist Vidalia has really helped me with the anger and stuff I've been dealin with. I'm not askin you to take the whole thing away or anythin but I'd like to give standin on my own two feet another shot." Pants firmly in place I grabbed my blue tank top off the floor and threw that on.

"I'll need to speak to Doctor Fowler before making any adjustments to your current medications", Doctor Maheswaran said slowly. My face fell into a frown at her response, "What would you rather I said no?" You gotta hand it to the doc she doesn't beat around he bush when she has something to say. On the surface she was blunt and stern almost to the point of seeming like she didn't care. Once you got past her professional appearance however, you can see how caring she really is. Then again this is the same woman who told me I was an idiot for not telling her I was raped sooner then pulled me into the tightest hug I've ever felt.

Talking about what happened was getting easier even if it still left me feeling sick afterwards. After the whole scenario with Jasper putting us in the hospital the state decided to actually look into what Higgins had been doing. Within a week he was sacked and replaced by an older hippy looking woman named Martha. Funny enough after a little bit of talking I found out she was Lars' mom and that his full name was Laramie. Truth be told I have no idea how Higgins' bullshit didn't get this whole thing shut down. There must be some serious cash interested in getting kids out of juvie if they're willing to ignore assault and rape. Don't mistake my confusion for complaining; I'm actually pretty fucking happy about where I am now.

"As for your other concern", Doctor Maheswaran said authoritatively, "I cannot see anything here that would hinder your career choice. Congratulations on finding a path, may your age have no sense of direction and are left scrambling their final year. Doug, my husband, was in the military before our daughter was born", She smiled fondly. "We only met because he ended up getting lost during one of their survival drills and catching hypothermia. Anyways", She continued after giving her head a little shake, "You're free to go unless you have any further questions. I'll have my assistant call Doctor Fowler to discuss weening you off the medication. Expect to hear from me within the next few days", Her hand made its way to my shoulder and she gave it a squeeze.

"'Preciate that Doc", I grinned while I tied the laces of my boots; Rose wouldn't let me come barefoot. "See ya 'round I guess", Waving farewell I left the examination room and found my way to the exit. Rose was sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine with Lapis and Amethyst sitting on either side of her. "Nothin outta the ordinary to report", I told my pink haired caretaker, "Mind if I explore for a bit? I think Vidalia said the pet store was hiring so I reckon I can go throw in an application. The guy at The Big Doughnut said they only have third shift spots open right now. Unless you're willin to let me start doin that again", There was a note of pleading in my voice. Third shifts with Lars were fucking awesome even if they did leave me dead tired on school nights. Blasting shitty music through the store sound system while we binged on coffee was one hell of a bonding experience.

Rose lowered her magazine to meet my eyes with her own much darker ones, "I suppose we can give it another chance, under some conditions." Her voice was stern making it clear that she was serious; I nodded for her to continue. "Grades come first so if you start slipping again you're gong to have to walk away. Junior year is typically when students should start focusing on their futures so because of that classes are going to become more difficult. Peridot's tutoring only works if you can actually stay awake for it", She put her hand over her mouth giggling softly. I was really happy that the two of us were on much better terms than we had been the last time we talked about work. If I'm being honest I missed having her as someone I could talk to and confide in. Lapis and Peridot are great, don't get me wrong, but it was nice to have someone weigh in who had already experienced some of what I was going through. Rose didn't laugh at me when I told her it felt weird for me to wear girl's underwear; she just bought me some boxers the next time she was out. Without warning I was overwhelmed by a feeling of affection for the pink haired woman who set aside her life to take in a bunch of hopeless strays.

Misty eyed I wrapped my arms around Rose's shoulders and buried my face in the crook of her neck. Devoid of hesitation her soft arms returned the embrace, "What's this for dear? I would have expected you to argue with me putting restrictions on you", Thick fingers ran through my recently cut hair scratching lightly behind my ears. "Not that I mind of course, it's not often affectionate Wulfenite comes out to play." A warm pressure spread across my back and I looked up to see a swath of blue hair on my cheek. Lapis must have felt left our or something; her deceptively strong arms snaked around my hips pulling me flush against her. "My my I get Wulfenite and Lapis hugs", Rose tittered in my ear, "To what do I owe the pleasure girls?"

"'Cuz you're awesome", Amethyst supplied adding herself to the growing hug pile, "And hugs are great." Other people in the waiting room were starting to stare so I pulled myself out of the hug. Amethyst and Lapis held on for a few more seconds before they too drifted back to their seats. I grabbed a seat on the floor in front of my favorite blue haired girl and pulled out my phone. One five minute phone call to Gordon later and I was once again a proud slave to our Capitalist economy. The work was still under the table but honestly I preferred it that way; fuck paying taxes. If orange skinned billionaire blowhards don't have to pay taxes then why should I give the feds a cut of my hard earned cash? In the short time it took my to place my call Ruby and Malachite had finished up their own exams and were hovering near us. Guess I wouldn't get to go for a wander tonight, not unless I wanted to walk home.

Then again a good run would probably help me clear my head, "Hey Rose I'm gonna go explore for a bit if that's okay. Barn's gettin to be a bit stiflin this time of year even with the AC you guys put in." Sadly Rose shook her head saying something about us all needing to clean the house for Steven's birthday party. I didn't mind having to clean but I'd by lying if I said I wasn't annoyed that I had to go straight home on the one free day I'd have for a while. Gordon wanted me back to work ASAP which meant tomorrow night; would've been today but there's no way I'd be able to stay up. Mood dampened I climbed into my usual spot in the cargo area with Lapis right next to me. Things had been better between her and Malachite but she still didn't like sitting next to her if it could be avoided. When the van started up Lapis settled herself into my side with a huge yawn that made me chuckle. "Maybe missing a run wasn't so bad", I thought as I let my eyes slide closed.