Before the Storm

This would be their last night on the road. Beach city was just a few hours away, four or five hours, fewer if they broke the speed limit.

Jasper was on edge. Everytime he brought up something related to the Crystal Gems she would growl or curse under her breath. Shadow didn't press the issue anymore than he needed to. Jasper was just worried she was going to be met with ridicule. If she didn't complain out loud she certainly did in her head.

One more night and they would be back.

Shadow was a little bit worried about the car right now. Him laying on the hood, not a problem. Jasper, well, that was a insult he kept to himself.

Another night where the stars blessed the two with their twinkle. The air was still tonight. The trees whistled a tune he didn't recognize and the grass beneath the car stirred like a child who couldn't sleep.

"You know they say that the night sky is made up of Greek heroes who the Gods thought were worthy enough to be amongst the stars." Jasper reached up towards the heavens. Her reach wasn't great enough to grip a star but nevertheless, she tried.

Shadow smirked at her. "I didn't think you would remember all of that."

Jasper shot a look at him, she couldn't decide whether to be mad or smug so she had an expression of both. "I memorize only the things that interest me," she put her mouth in her hands and turned away. "Like bagels and ice cream or…" at the moment she couldn't really remember what else might have been interesting but some things did.

Shadow pulled her head into his chest. Tightly he wrapped his arms around her so tight she thought she would pop. "You think if I died one day I would be with the stars?" Shadow asked her.

Jasper squirmed in his arms to get up but he wouldn't let her. She gave up shortly, something was disturbing him and he held her close to anchor himself. It's one of those nights she thought to herself. He got like this sometimes.

"Homeworld gems don't really have a concept of death Shadow. We're immortal beings."

"I'm not," he paused again to correct himself. "At least I don't think so. I know I'll die eventually with my luck. The thing is what will happen to me after." Shadows grip on her started to loosen without him even realizing it. "I could go to hell or everything could just end. A black void where I'll remain for the end of time. Honestly, I'm kind of scared."

Jasper leaned up and pushed Shadow over lightly enough to not hurt him. She leaned over him and covered his eye. "You talk to much," Her lips passed over his slowly and she planted a kiss on him. "Do you want to know what I think?"

Shadow didn't say anything and just nodded. Closing his eyes like this made him tired. He felt so relaxed. Better than he was when he first started this trip. Maybe it was coming to an end or just because he was so tired.

"I think that we all return to the stars. I think that the ones that shine the brightest are the heroes the old Greek Gods picked out to be in heaven because of their memorable deeds," Jasper lowered her voice to a whisper when she spoke again. "I think we haven't done the most memorable things in this life, but we're trying and that's what matters the most. As long as we have time, and each other will make it." Jasper moved her hand from his eye and he blinked at her. Those dark eyes were decorated with stars when he looked at her.

Shadow just took a long deep breath that never seemed to end. Only when he spoke did the long drag finish. "You still worried about going back?" He asked suddenly.

The question took her off guard and she clicked her tongue in irritation. "You know just how to ruin the mood Shadow."

"What?" He leaned upwards as she was getting off the car. Shadow put a hand on her shoulders and pulled her close into his arms. Jasper tried to wiggle him free but he didn't let go.

Jasper spun around in his grip and shoved him. "You want to go back so bad Shadow and i'll be honest with you," she gripped him by the head and looked dead in his eyes, "I don't want to go."

"Then what Jasper?" Shadow swatted her hands away and pushed her back. "What do we do when the diamonds come to earth and attack this planet, YOUR planet? I don't know about you but if I have the strength to fight I'm going to." When she turned around again Shadow grabbed her by the wrist and spun her around.

"What about me Shadow?" She asked forcefully. Jasper sounded like she was holding her anger back.

"It's not about just us anymore Jasper! No one knows what we know. The threat thats coming. You, me, the Crystal Gems. We can protect this planet, our families too." Shadow grabbed her into a tight embrace. "I need you to do this with me Jasper."

Jasper hugged him back tighter than he could have. "I told you I'll do better Shadow. I'll do it for you but if you die, if you end up amongst those stars and I can't reach you then what do I do?"

Shadow chuckled to himself. "Just look up." Jasper shoved him away and he laughed.

Jasper got into the car with a slam of the door.

He looked up himself at the stars. The heroes of old, chosen by the Gods themselves. All he had to do was be a hero.

Easy enough right?

Author's notes:

Hey sorry for the long absence. As usual I've been busy, but not without a little bit of thought of where I want to go with this story. A third story for the series? Mehhhhh maybe, I definitely wouldn't mind continuing. If the cards are in my hand will see what the future might hold. Without further adieu I hope everyone is doing good. I look forward to the future of this series and everything else that might come.