And we start off Season 2 with... a very short chapter! YAAAAAAAAAAAAY.
"You're... fine? But I thought you said..."
Steven laughed nervously, "Yeah, funny story..."
As he tried to explain to Connie over the phone, Spinel fell to her knees, her arms lengthening like noodles and her pigtails faltered, "I... I didn't do a thing... Now I've lost yet another could've-been-friend..."
Pearl placed her hand on the pink Gem's back, "I'm sure we'll find Lapis soon. As soon as we fix that scrap on your leg."
Spinel was still miserable, unable to help a Gem who she could've befriended. She remained silent as Amethyst kept celebrating and Steven telling Greg what happened.
Steven felt horrible, holding onto his phone and at the same time avoiding Connie's calls. He had no idea what to say to her. He had just sung himself that he didn't want Connie to worry about him or be a part of whatever situation he's in. He knew why; she'd want to help him and endanger herself for him.
Then his phone rang again.
Steven picked it up in dismay, glancing out to the destroyed hand and back to the phone. With his eyes glistening, he raised a finger to ignore her call.
Just then, he remembered something years ago...
Spinel was crying into the kitchen table, Steven unable to do anything except watch with concern. Pearl and Amethyst walked by her without even a glance, except Garnet stopped beside her as the others left.
"Spinel," Garnet spoke softly, "What's the matter? You've been quiet all day. I know you have something to tell me."
Steven nearly whimpered at the sight of the pink Gem's guilt-written face, "I... Garnet, I know I failed the mission. You all relied on me to finish off that monster... but I let it go instead. I-I just can't help it, I don't want to hurt anyone! ... Everyone's right about me, Garnet... I'm not a Crystal Gem... I'm too... nice."
The three beings present in the room remained silent.
"Spinel," Garnet sat beside her, "Don't say stuff like that. You are a Crystal Gem. All of us do have different ways to use our skills, and yours is more... pacifist than us. And there's no shame in that. Pearl and Amethyst do need to learn that your way of fighting is not like theirs, and I know that very well. You're just as good as we are, and I don't want you to ever forget that."
Spinel's face lifted with comfort, and Steven wiped a worried tear from his eye, knowing Spinel definitely felt better...
Tears welled up in his eyes. During that day, Spinel kept her feelings away from the Gems since she didn't do what she was 'supposed' to do. But when Garnet stepped up and confronted her, Spinel told her exactly what she was feeling and it was as if some pressure had released itself off of her shoulders.
And Steven could feel it, the weight on his shoulders. It kept pressing down each time he refused to answer Connie's call. Building up his courage, he answered the phone.
"Connie," He said before she could begin, "Let's talk at my house."
While the other Gems were talking about cleaning up the debris and building a fence and a moat, Steven sat in Spinel's lap, waiting for Connie.
"I was so scared about her throwing herself into danger," mumbled Steven, "But... I guess not saying anything's not gonna help either..."
Spinel nuzzled into his hair and wrapped her arms around him, "You're doing the right thing, love. She'll understand once we tell her."
They instantly heard footsteps and saw Connie running up the porch. Steven hopped out of her lap, opening the door and greeted the girl with a hug, sobbing. The three Gems stared in confusion, but Spinel directed them away.
"I-I'M SORRY!" Steven cried, "I JUST DIDN'T WANT YOU TO GET HURT FOR ME!"
"Steven! Steven!" Connie didn't mind the hug, but was taken aback as she pulled away, "I-It's alright!"
Steven lowered his chin, and Connie noticed the bandages wrapped around his eye, "What happened?"
"I'll... tell you everything," Steven replied. Behind him, Spinel had a loving smile of approval and left the two alone.
Later...
"So... this Gem named Lapis dragged Jasper away and are somewhere at the bottom of the ocean?"
"Yeah. And Peridot escaped, so she could be anywhere by now."
Connie sighed and lifted her legs to hug them, "That's... a lot to take in."
"I know. And again, I'm sorry for almost leaving you hanging." Steven lowered his head in guilt, "I just didn't want you to get involved."
Connie looked at him, "But I want to be. I wanna be a part of your universe..." She blushed. The children stared a each-other, blushing slightly until Greg walked in.
"Kiddo! There you are," Greg greeted, "Oh hey Connie, do you need a ride home?"
Steven sat up, "Oh, Dad. Are you doing okay?"
Referring to his breakdown hours ago, Greg nodded, "I got it out of my system. I'm back to being your cool dad! Now, let's get Connie home before the Maheswarans start to worry."
They drive around Beach City, watching the citizens returning and restoring the areas where pieces of the ship were strewn about, and soon, they were driving out of town.
I didn't like Steven's attitude towards Connie in canon and perhaps Spinel taught him a few things without telling him to his face and quite indirectly.
EDIT: Fixed an error ^^;