Sorry for the hiatus on this fic. First I was traveling for work again, I actually have a hard time writing while traveling. ( In general, I'm just uncomfortable in a hotel room.) Then I was having a hard time with this chapter. As a general rule, I don't write chapters longer than 3500 words, but this one is probably the longest I've written. Hopefully, it's not too long... At any rate, we're in the home stretch. Thanks to all the folks reading this story!

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Steven woke slowly and stretched. The mattress on the sleeper sofa was lumpy but comfortable. The 12-year-old would usually stay over for Thanksgiving. This was his spot; Steven was the only one Peridot trusted to be alone in her office other than Lapis.

It sounded weird, but he was actually excited about getting dressed in a set of his own clothes. Because he would sometimes get messy while visiting (it was a farm after all), Pearl made sure that there was a clean change around.

"Hey, you!" Lapis Lazuli poked her head through the old wooden door.

"Morning Lapis!" Steven smiled; he imagined if he had a sister, she would be like Lapis. She acted aloof and cold sometimes but always took time out of her day to spend with Steven. The veterinarian stepped in and partially shut the door behind her. She was already dressed in scrubs and had a small metal tray with medical supplies.

"I wanted to check on you, make sure you were alright. We heard about your accident in front of the car wash. So, let's see those stitches!" Steven swung his feet over the side of the bed and felt the mattress depress as the older woman sat next to him.

"Steven, these can come out… It's been, what? A week?" Lapis grabbed the old wooden office chair and pointed to the seat, directing Steven to sit in it.

"Okay, rest your head on the back of this chair and don't turn or move, got it?" The sound of plastic packaging being opened and latex gloves snapping into place could be heard. The strong smell of rubbing alcohol permeated the room.

"No prob, Bob!" Lapis chuckled at the boy.

"Is it weird that the stitches can come out already?" Steven asked, curiously.

"Kind of. You're probably just a fast healer. Okay, this may sting a tiny little bit, and it may bleed a little bit too. But you won't have to worry about it anymore when we're done.

Remember, don't move." Steven watched Lapis put a small LED headlamp on. She then picked up a pair of pincers and a sharp-looking surgical knife from the tiny nightstand. The office wastebasket had been moved close by as well.

"Lapis, is Steven up?" Peridot yelled from the bedroom across the hallway.

"He is now, along with everyone else in the house." The vet replied, shaking her head. Steven laughed.

"Ewww! Why are you doing this in my office!?" Peridot entered and made a face at the situation.

"Because I needed a little privacy and quiet." Lapis quipped back.

Peridot plopped into a worn leather chair in the corner and crossed her arms over an alien t-shirt seemingly in deep thought. "That's how you figured out how to use your powers, isn't it? The car was going to hit you, and you put up the barrier on instinct…"

"Uh, yeah, that's about the only part I remember. It wasn't a good night." Steven began to shift but stopped when Lapis gave him a warning look.

"Almost done…"

"You probably want to see it too." The boy said tiredly to Lapis, letting out a frustrated breath.

"There, all done!" The vet said, placing a piece of gauze to Steven's head. "Hold that right there for me, while I take care of this stuff." She began setting her instruments back on the metal tray.

"By the way, you don't have to show me your shield. It sounds like everyone has been asking, and that gets old." Lapis gently rubbed some antibiotic ointment on the almost healed gash above Steven's eyebrow and then carefully placed a large band-aid on it. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Steven. I get you."

Steven jumped down from the chair and put his hands on Lapis' knees, "What are your powers? I mean, if you want to show me."

"This is excellent! We can educate Steven on all Gem abilities!" Peridot got up quickly and handed Lapis a glass of water from the nearby desk.

"It's not that big of a deal." The blue-haired woman said.

"What do you mean? It's one of the most powerful abilities!" Peridot couldn't help herself.

Lapis Lazuli took the glass of water and sighed. She opened her right hand, and the water in the glass flowed out and levitated in midair. She then proceeded to make the shape of a sphere, then a cube, then a star.

"Lapis, that's so cool!" Steven reached out and touched the "star" with his finger. As soon as he made contact, the water was released back into the glass. The boy jumped back with a start, and both Lapis and Peridot laughed.

"Hydrokinesis is the official name, Steven," Peridot said with a sniff.

"Water powers," Lapis said, getting up, giving Steven a wink (she knew it would irritate Peridot). She set the glass down and took her medical gear. "I'm going back to the clinic if you need me, Steven."

"Nyeh!" The computer technician shook her head and began to fold up the blankets in preparation for putting the sleeper sofa away.

"What's everyone up to?" Steven said as he helped to straighten up.

"Ah, Pearl and Garnet are still sleeping in the guest room. Amethyst is, of course, out with Bismuth at her workshop, and the Diamonds have been relocated to the basement. Pumpkin is eating breakfast in the kitchen." The pair carefully folded the mattress into the couch and started putting the cushions back.

Peridot stood inspecting the couch as Steven put the last cushion in place, "I'd never thought I'd ever say that. The Diamonds are in my basement."

"They're just people, Peri. There's so much hate for them." The boy just had a hard time understanding, and nobody was willing to share why there was so much hate.

"Hmmm, I don't have anything personal against them, just some general disagreements on their operating policies. But Garnet, Pearl, and Lapis; they have quite the grudge."

"What about Bismuth? She was pretty mad last night." Steven returned the wastebasket and desk chair to their original places.

"Bismuth… Bismuth has a whole different angle. Her issues aren't entirely the Authority's fault." The technician shifted uncomfortably. "But, ah, she should tell you that story. If she wishes to share, that is." Peridot had a contrite look on her face, she knew it wasn't the answer Steven was looking for.

"At any rate, I have to do some admin work on the server in the clinic. Lapis placed your clothes in the bathroom, and there's plenty of cereal and milk in the kitchen." Peridot patted Steven on the shoulder and began to amble out the door.

"Oh, I'll find you later. Garnet said there was something important on your phone? She wanted me to make multiple copies of something you recorded…"

"Yeah, I know what she means." Steven could see that Peridot wanted more details, but she didn't press the issue. She gave him a stiff nod and half a smile as she ambled away.
… … … … … … … … …

Steven cleaned up the kitchen table and put the milk away. Three bowls of cereal, he didn't realize how hungry he was. Pumpkin watched intently from her basket as the boy closed the refrigerator. Everyone was either exhausted or busy, so, his partner in crime for today was this little orange dog. He plopped down on the floor next to the corgi and gave her a hug, Pumpkin was happy to lick his face.

The dog's head snapped towards the basement door as the boy got up; muffled voices could be heard below. Pumpkin gave a soft "woof," and Steven quickly grabbed her snout. (He didn't want her to wake the entire house.)

Steven thought for a moment; should he go down? He grabbed the door handle hesitantly. They may need something. (That and Steven was anxious to see how Blue was doing.) He quietly pulled the door open and slipped downstairs.

"And what happens if you're caught? Aquamarine may not have seen you with us, but she's no fool. I'd be surprised if she didn't think you were working with us." Steven heard Blue's familiar lilting accent, it was hoarse, but it had regained its presence.

"You can't expect to go on like this! You could have died last night! I can take the evidence and show it to White, and end this chase right now." The partially finished basement was dim, sunlight cutting through sheer curtains on the windows. Steven could make out the rigid silhouette of Yellow Diamond.

The austere woman was pacing in front of a small den area. Blue lay on a large overstuffed plaid couch. She was sporting a borrowed bathrobe and had a couple of fleece blankets covering her. An IV and stand with clear fluid was attached to her right hand, eyes emitting a dim cerulean glow.

"Aquamarine will apprehend you and end your life! I'm certain of it at this point. You'll disappear and… And that will be the end of that." The Irish woman looked away after saying the statement.

Yellow went to her side, she wasn't in her armor anymore. Steven noted it was set off to the side, organized around a dusty bookshelf. She had on black tactical pants, boots and had stripped down to a white tank top. Her deep golden-colored hair wasn't as spiky as the day before; it was parted on its side with a couple of stray locks resting on her brow.

Blue happened to look in the direction of the stairs and spotted Steven sitting on them, his hands tightened on the wooden banister. Her features instantly softened, and a smile grew at the corners of her mouth.

"How are you, love?" She winked, and the boy blushed. Yellow turned her head in his direction, golden-colored eyes burning bright in the shadowy basement.

"I-I'm fine. Uh, sorry, I heard you guys down here and wondered if you needed anything?" He swallowed thickly, he felt terrible about eavesdropping for as long as he did.

Yellow stood and walked over to where Steven was sitting. For a tense second, he thought he was going to get yelled at, but Yellow's expression softened as she regarded the boy. "We're alright for now. Why don't you come down and speak to us for a while? If you're not busy, that is..."

Steven climbed down the rest of the stairs and smiled as Blue reached out with her good arm and beckoned him over to her. When he reached her side, she wrapped her arm around his waist and held him close.

"Did you get some rest? You look like you did," She softly murmured into his ear.

"I'm good, really." His hand hovered over Blue's left arm that was now in a makeshift sling. She only shook her head as she squeezed tighter. Steven laughed and rested his hands on the arm around his waist as he half sat on the edge of the couch. (Careful not to disturb the IV.)

The other woman sat down on an ottoman close by Steven and Blue. Judging by the blanket and pillow on the nearby armchair, Yellow more than likely spent the night there. She rested her elbows on her knees and cocked an eyebrow.

"Um, hi. I'm Steven Universe." The 12-year-old held out a pudgy hand somewhat uncertainly.

"I'm Melena or Yellow. Whichever you prefer." The blonde took his hand in hers. It was strong and warm and had callouses from years of being a soldier. She was muscular but not bulky like Bismuth and Garnet. There were a few scars and a USMC tattoo on her right shoulder, and she had sharp amber eyes that viewed Steven with an intense curiosity over high cheekbones.

"What's been going on topside, love?" Blue gently squeezed him again as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Everyone is just tired, I think we're just catching our breath for right now. So far, the plan is to make copies of the video on my phone. That's about it, though." Steven felt rather than heard Blue's hum of agreement.

"It's a good idea, we can't risk losing that evidence." The Irish woman leaned back on her pillow without letting the boy go.

"I need to see this video, it's the proof you're talking about, right?" Yellow's eyebrows canted up as she sat up and placed her hands on her knees.

"Yes. The office we were in at the detention facility? Steven was smart enough to take out his phone and capture Aquamarine's speech. Do you have your phone?" Blue asked Steven while gently patting his side.

The boy nodded and hummed confidently as he pulled the phone from his back pocket. He flipped through a couple of screens until he found what he was looking for and handed the device to Yellow. The general gently took it from him and began watching.

"Oh, I knew it! That little bit-" Blue cleared her throat and gave Yellow a hard look. The austere woman closed her mouth with a snap.

"The other night, I would have given my right arm to know what was going on in that office," The general said through grit teeth. Steven leaned back a little as Yellow watched the video a couple more times. She seemed satisfied after the third playback and ended the video. The blonde hit the "home" button and cocked an eyebrow.

"It seems like someone has been desperately trying to get a hold of you, young man." Yellow's expression softened as she held out Steven's phone.

The boy took it, and his face crumpled, dozens of missed calls, voicemails, and texts were on the phone. Most of them were from his father, but quite a few were from Connie. Some calls were from Bismuth and Lapis before he arrived at the farm. There were a few from Sadie Miller, Sour Cream and Jenny. (Even Lars sent him a couple of texts.) Those were his friends, his family, they were worried, and Steven couldn't answer back. He sighed and scrubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.

"I can't text them back or make any calls. Pearl said we could be tracked, so I have to keep my phone on airplane mode most of the time. I know dad's worried…" The 12 year-old turned the phone off and then shoved it into his pocket somewhat roughly. This was the farthest and longest time he'd been away from his father ever. He missed him so much, he was probably a mess. (Steven was a mess.)

"Who is your father, Steven?" Yellow asked very delicately. The soft tone seemed odd coming from this stiff militant woman.

"Oh, uh, my dad is Greg Universe and…" The boy looked uncertainly at Blue, and she cleared her throat before speaking.

"I haven't had this discussion yet with Yellow, she's trying to put all the pieces together." Another squeeze from around the waist.

"You don't have to say anything else if you don't want, young man. I can finish this conversation with Blue later." Yellow sat up again, holding out her hand in a halting motion. She was letting Steven off the hook.

"Jeez, it's so hard to talk about! It's not easy, no matter who tells you. I just found out myself, and I'm really confused." Steven stood and put his hand on the general's knee and gave a sad smile, "I don't mind telling you if you don't mind hearing it from me."

The expression on Yellow's face was one of surprise. Her eyebrows raised, she swallowed hard and placed her hand on Steven's. "I'm listening, young man."

There were so many loose ends, the 12-year-old could scarcely begin to put things straight. His mother had complicated the situation, and people were hurt. Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl were hurt. Not intentionally, but it happened.

He didn't know exactly what went on between Yellow, Blue, and his mother, but they didn't deserve this. She made them think she was dead. (How horrible was that!) It had been weighing on the boy's mind heavily, on top of everything else.

"I'll start at the beginning because I've been having a tough time over the past few days. My dad is Greg Universe, and my mom is Rose Quartz. She died giving birth to me, there were some complications…"
… … … … … … … … …

"And I guess my mom was actually Carissa Diamant. That's everything I know." The boy had since sat back down on the couch. Blue had adjusted herself so that Steven was leaning on her legs. He was a very articulate and gentle little boy.

That fact didn't stop Yellow from feeling sick, though. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, but somehow the news of her daughter nauseated her. She was responsible for driving her little girl away. She had always thought that adversaries of the Authority had taken her daughter. Ripped her away, and Pearl was culpable.

It was a partial truth. Now all that was left of her daughter was this little boy, a whole lot of questions and guilt… And the circumstances that Aquamarine was trying to take advantage of.

Yellow took a deep breath in and raked a hand through her hair. It was a lot to digest, process, and come to terms with. She felt a warm hand on her knee, Blue had reached out to her, tears in her eyes. The general took her hand and squeezed. There were finally answers, definitely not what Yellow was expecting, but maybe now the pair of them could finally start going forward again… They had to get through the current situation, though.

"Thank you for telling me, I-" Thank you seemed so woefully inadequate. Steven had shined a light on a heavy topic, and he did it with compassion and grace. And all that came from her grandson. (Carissa had a son! Melena and Linna were grandmothers!)

The revelation hit Yellow like a bolt; she sat up and looked at Steven. The boy fidgeted under her gaze, he tugged absentmindedly at the bottom of his shirt. They weren't related biologically, Blue was the one that carried Carissa to term, but Yellow raised her daughter from birth. They were family…

Just then, the door to the basement opened and bright sunlight cascaded down the steps. An orange corgi clattered down with two other people.

"Hey Steve-O, you got a minute little man?" The one they called Amethyst cautiously walked down the stairs with the veterinarian in tow.

"Amethyst!" Steven jumped up and ran to his guardian.

"How's it going, dude?" The stout woman said, giving him a rough hug.

Lapis Lazuli walked over to Blue and began checking her vitals. "Well, you're doing better than last night. Are you in pain?"

"It's fine, I'm fine. I'm tired of being under the influence of pain meds."

"If you're in pain, you should take something." Yellow huffed, the corgi growled at her response, and the general raised a brow at the dog.

"Well, I can get you some aspirin then and another shot of antibiotics. You have a raging infection." Lapis said, walking back over to the end of the stairs.

"What'd you need, Amethyst?" Steven asked the stout woman, she hadn't released him from her hug.

"This message is for all of you actually, meeting tonight at the fire pit behind the barn at eight. Garnet's got a plan, she said we're done running." The woman finally let go of Steven and clapped him on the back.

"What is her plan?" Yellow's tone was low, she didn't entirely trust the Crystal Gems.

"Don't know homegirl, she didn't tell me. We'll have to find out tonight." The vet and Amethyst both began to walk upstairs. "Steve-O, I'll be out at Bismuth's if you need me."

Yellow watched as the corgi trotted over to Steven. He knelt to give the dog a pat on the side and looked at both her and Blue. "Well, that's something, isn't it?"
… … … … … … … … …

Steven, to his credit, had stayed in the basement with Yellow and Blue most the day (leaving briefly only at the request of Peridot to create copies of the video on his phone). Anything the pair needed, he went and fetched. The Irish woman was grateful, the truce that was made was fragile. Keeping a low profile would help soothe any old grudges that dared to flare up.

The trio passed the time by listening to a weather radio and playing old games found in a nearby closet. Steven kept the mood light, he actually made Blue laugh by acting like a goofball while playing a game of Jenga with Yellow. The 12-year-old won (of course), and the general complained that the floor of the basement was uneven.

Blue watched fondly as Melena groused, and Steven laughed. A dark thought passed through her mind then; what if this was the only time they would ever have together with their grandson? No, there would be more time, there had to be… right?

When it was finally time to head to the meeting, Steven knowingly went upstairs so that Yellow could help Blue get dressed. Her blood-soaked clothes had been washed and dried. The trio then gingerly made their way to the fire pit. Yellow walked with Blue, a strong arm around her waist, and a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. (It was warm out, but infection was burning through her body giving her the chills.)

Steven walked just a couple of feet in front of the pair. The heavy air smelled of cut grass and earth, Blue smiled when the boy kicked up some fireflies from a tuft of tall weeds. He stopped to catch one then let it go with a gentle smile and stars in his eyes. Blue looked up at her wife, who just shook her head, she wasn't smiling, but her expression was soft, vulnerable even.

Quietly, so the boy couldn't hear she whispered into Yellow's ear, "I want Steven to be a part of our lives when this is over, Melena. I don't think my heart could take him not being around, not knowing who his mother was. But I don't want to take him from his family either." Blue buried her face in Yellow's neck.

"I-I'm so scared, I don't know how we can make all of this work."

"Shhhh, one battle at a time, Linna. We have to focus on the present, we'll work out the details later." A tender kiss was placed on Blue's forehead.

"There's the fire, guys!" Steven exclaimed and ran over to the group that had already gathered. A ways behind the barn was a circular patch of earth half enclosed by a small copse of trees. All of the Crystal Gems were there waiting, the fire making their shadows dance on the ground. Blue and Yellow caught up with Steven. (Yellow made sure that Blue was settled on a wooden bench before sitting herself.)

"Alright, let's get this going then." Garnet finally said, standing up. She gave Steven a pat on the head as she passed by him. He was sitting next to Pearl on a blanket, her lanky arms resting around his shoulders.

"This chase has to end, we can't keep running. We've got multiple copies of Steven's video. Later this evening, we're going to head towards DC and turn ourselves into Authority HQ." Chatter rose amongst the group.

"No way, really? Just like that? You're going to turn yourselves in? C'mon Garnet, you've gotten soft! When we rolled together, you would have never turned yourself in." Bismuth was beside herself in disbelief.

"When I rolled with you, we didn't have Steven yet, and Rose was still alive. I have to think of him now, and Greg. I have to think about Lapis and Peridot, everyone here. Even the Diamonds'." The woman looked at every single person gathered around the fire.

"Amethyst, Pearl, and I talked about the situation today. The plan is the same, there are just a few minor tweaks; we're going to turn ourselves in. We go directly to HQ and circumvent Aquamarine. Yellow Diamond, you'll have to take us in."

Blue watched as her wife nodded slowly, "I'll do it. I can get the evidence directly to White, and she'll stop everything."

"Steven, you're going to have to stay here on the farm while we do this." The black woman turned to Steven and kneeled in front of him.

Blue's heart clenched when she saw the boy's face crumple. "But what if you get in trouble? I can help!"

"I know you can, and you have. We couldn't have gotten this far without you. But this is too dangerous. If things go sideways, you have a better chance of getting away." Pearl wrapped her arms tightly around Steven as tears rolled down his face.

Monochromatic eyes then turned to Blue, "You'll have to stay behind to colonel, your injuries make you a liability."

"I understand." Blue reached for Yellow's hand and squeezed.

"Lapis, Peridot," Garnet walked over to the muscular woman in overalls. "Bismuth, I'm asking a lot. Look after things for us."

Bismuth's jaw clenched as she stared at Garnet, "I don't like this, but I got your back Garnet."

"We're heading out in a couple of hours, everyone make sure they're ready to go." Garnet turned towards the farmhouse and paused when she got to Blue.

"I know I don't have to ask, but can you look out for him? Make sure he gets back to his dad if something happens?"

An understanding passed between the two women in that instance, the leader of the Crystal Gems was trusting Blue with a sacred duty. "Of course, you have my word."

The woman nodded and continued on towards the house. Amethyst and Pearl comforted Steven while Bismuth spoke animatedly with Peridot and Lapis.

Blue reached around with her free arm and held Yellow close for a long moment, her voice muffled in the general's shoulder. "I'm surprised she hasn't found us yet. I'm sure Aquamarine is combing the area, it's going to make it difficult to slip away."

"It's a very rural area, but you're right, getting up to DC is going to be difficult. I'm certain that's why we're leaving tonight to throw our pursuers." Yellow was uncertain, it was unsettling to hear.

"Be careful, Melena, I love you." Yellow simply tightened her embrace.