Well, after last time, we see a fair bit of worrying going on among the Gems about the current situation with Naomi and Jimmy. Will they be able to find a way to get our unfused Gems back together? Read on to find out, my loves. =)

(Friendly heads-up: There's a bit of mild swearing in this chapter. Just wanted to give you all a heads-up on that.)

Making his way back through the woods, Dean was still feeling confused about just what Seth and Sasha told him to look for.

'Look for Jimmy? Would've been nice if they had told me just why I'm looking for him in the first damn place," the sandy blonde thought. 'More to the point, what the hell was Naomi doing at the house alone anyway? ...Well, I guess this is what happens when I play Cool Uncle and try to teach Bayley's friends a bit about us Gems.' Not finding the Gem in question, Dean had almost given up until he heard-

"Yeah, that's right, you ugly creeps! Keep stepping to me! I'll just beat your asses down just like I did the others!" a very familiar voice could be heard saying.

Recognizing the voice as that of the very Gem he was looking for, Dean headed in the direction of the commotion. Summoning his whip and bracing himself for an attack, the sandy blonde instead came across Jimmy singlehandedly taking down a pair of centipeedles. While he felt he should've jumped into the fray to help, all Dean could do was watch as Jimmy lashed out and punched one centipeedle after the other, his punches packing a considerable amount of power, before both of them exploded into clouds of smoke. Stepping out from behind the tree, Dean applauded the one Gem wrecking crew. "Wow, Jimmy. I know you're a powerful dude, but I didn't think you were tough enough to take on two centipeedles all by yourself."

Working to get his breathing back under control as he leaned against a nearby tree, Jimmy let out a laugh. "You know me. One of the toughest and baddest there is."

A laugh of his own escaping him, Dean then decided to cut to what was on his mind. "So. What's got you out here by yourself? I thought you would've been back at the house with Naomi waiting for Bayley."

A growl escaping him as he lashed out and punched a nearby tree, this punch stripping away a section of bark, the brunette Gem said "Sorry about that. I just needed to blow off some steam."

"O...K. Well, we should probably head back home. Everyone's wondering where you are. Bayley's especially feeling worried about just where you might be."

"She is?" Jimmy asked, spinning around to look at Dean.

"Uhh, yeah," Dean said, caught a bit offguard by this sudden reaction. "She saw Naomi when we got back home and immediately started asking about where you might be."

A heavy sigh escaping him, Jimmy said "It's a bit of a long story there, man. A long ass story."

"Well," Dean began, feeling like he was making a breakthrough here. "Maybe you can make that long ass story short for me."

"That's just the thing. I…. I don't even know how to begin to cut it short."

"Well, you could at least try. No need to rush it, just ...take your time."

Looking over and seeing that Dean's face mirrored his words, Jimmy let out a sigh. "Well. I guess I could maybe try. OK, so, here's how things started."

...

"You and Uncle Jimmy had a big fight? Oh man, that's not good. What happened?" Bayley asked.

"It's nothing, Bayley. It was just about something stupid. ...Something that we both have to talk to each other about in private," Naomi said, not wanting to worry the ponytailed brunette anymore than it seemed like she already was.

"Are you sure? Because I'm a pretty good listener if you need someone to talk to," Bayley said.

"Well, ...I still don't know, boo. It's something that we both have needed to really talk to each other about for some time now," Naomi fidgeted a bit as she looked down at her Gem.

"And just what is it? Is it something Gem-related that you two need help with? Because I could maybe help with that! My shield's been getting a bit stronger, so I could help protect you both if you may need it."

Laughing a bit at the brunette's enthusiasm, Naomi said "No, it's nothing like that. But, I wouldn't doubt that your shield's gotten stronger."

Nodding as she smiled a bit, Bayley said "Mmhmm! I've been pretty good at protecting people when I've summoned it in the past. I think the best had to be when I shielded us from an attack at a temple where we took Sasha to help heal her Gem."

"Oh, really? That's great, boo. I think in time you'll better get the hang of shielding yourself and maybe others, too."

"Wow. You really think so?"

"I think so. And I know so, Bayley. Like I said, it'll just take some time and practice for you," Naomi smiled.

"Aww, thanks, Aunt Naomi," Bayley smiled before giving the older Gem a hug.

Wrapping her arms around the younger brunette, Naomi couldn't help but cycle through her thoughts. 'I guess in a way Jimmy is right. We really should try to let Bayley know about us and our true nature, given how strong her shield's getting. Hiding this from her isn't going to help things and…. ...I guess waiting any longer to tell her won't exactly help things.' Pulling away from the ponytailed brunette, the older Gem asked "Hey, Bayley?"

"Hmm? What is it, Aunt Naomi?" Bayley asked.

"Well," the older Gem began before swallowing a bit. "When your uncle Jimmy finally gets here, we have something to tell you. And ...something to show you."

So, it looks and sounds like Jimmy and Naomi may be working towards trying fix things between each other, if Jimmy's talk with Dean and Naomi's talk with Bayley are any indications. And what's this? Naomi and Jimmy have something to tell Bayley and to show our ponytailed cinnamon roll? Just what could it be (that everyone else already knows)? That shall be revealed...next time! Until then, don't forget to RR please. =)

(Stay safe and healthy out there, lovelies. *sends love and good vibes out to you all*)