Chapter 16: Making Things Right

Steven was in the middle being warpped to his destination. He was so upset from what he had heard. He felt that everything he thought about the gems, especially Pearl's feelings towards him was a lie. They didn't want him, they just wanted Rose. He knew that they missed her, but he didn't think some would talk behind his back like that. Pearl always talked about how great she was and she admired her. She flipped out about Rose not telling her about Lion and lashed out on Steven and sometimes called him her name. Of course she never wanted him he thought. He remembered how Amethyst said to his dad that Rose was there for her until she started dating him. While Garnet and Bismuth were the least offensive when it came to talking about how they needed her, he knew that she inspired them to be who they are, for Garnet to stay fused and Bismuth to build what she wanted to do. And so Steven went to the two people who had no connection with Rose.

Steven teleports to the Barn. He walks over there to be with Peridot and Lapis. They were in the middle of watching Camp Pining Hearts on the truck attached to the barn, until they heard the warp pad and then heard footsteps coming towards them. They looked down and they see Steven.

Lapis and Peridot: Steven!

They go down the greet him, until they see the bandage on his head and his sad face.

Lapis: Steven, are you okay? What happened to you?

Peridot: Is something wrong Steven? What brings you here at this time of hour?

Steven: ( frown ) Well, what happened was...

Scene cuts back to the temple where the Crystal Gems were still standing, saddened for what happened. They never saw Steven upset like this before. How long as he been holding this back? He was feeling like this for so long and they never noticed? How could they? Pearl just stood there, regretting the words she said a little while ago.

Amethyst: Way to go Pearl. You've really done it this time.

Pearl: I didn't mean to say those things.

Amethyst: Well you did. I can't believe you said that!

Bismuth: Easy Amethyst.

Amethyst:( to Bismuth) No she has to hear this. ( turns back to Pearl) You're not the only one missing her! We all are but you know what, you should be grateful that you even got to know her. Steven never got the chance and never will! It's not his fault that she's gone! Do you even love Steven?

Pearl: Of course I do. More than anything.

Amethyst: If you did, than you wouldn't talk behind his back like that or still be upset about this. You would stop seeing him as Rose and just her son. He may have her gem, but he is not her. Also, we may of physically lost a friend fourteen years ago, but that friend was reborn into a new being. Her son and our beloved little warrior.

Garnet: That's right. Steven is our gift from Rose. She did give up her form to make him and we may never know the true reason, but he is a gift. We're not just a team, but a family. We can't expect him to master his powers or fusion now, he's still learning and he's just a child. Remember what Rose said before she died, to love him and accept him. I've grown to love that boy and it hurts me to know he thinks this way about us.

Bismuth: Plus he's done so much at a young age. We could have lost to Lapis when she stole the ocean and attacked us. We could have been prisoners by Homeworld if he didn't come back when Jasper and Peridot invaded. And the ideas he came up with during missions before he knew how to use his gem meant he was destined to be one of us. And who knows, he could be our new leader one day.

Garnet: I can definitly see that.

Pearl stood taking everything in. She realized that she hasn't been fair to him. She messed up and had to make things right.

Pearl: Garnet, do you know where he is? Do you see anything?

Garnet: He didn't go too far. He's at the barn.

Pearl: Good.

Pearl walks to the warp pad.

Amethyst: Where are you going?

Pearl: I drove Steven away and I have to bring him back.

Pearl warps to the barn.

Meanwhile at the barn. Steven sat on the truck attached to the barn with Peridot and Lapis.

Peridot: I-I can't believe she said that. I thought the time you guys spent and fighting together, you had something.

Steven: I thought so too, but I guess not.

Lapis:( getting angry) I can't believe her! She says things about you, just because your not who you're supposed to be. That is completely uncalled for! She should be grateful to have someone like you her life! You're a great Crystal Gem and a friend, forget about her.

Steven: It doesn't matter how great I am or how hard I try. I'm just not her. Sometimes I wish was never born.

Peridot: ( placing her hands on his shoulders) Steven don't say that. You mean so much to us. If you weren't here, things wouldn't be how they are now. I would still be working for Gien if it wasn't for you. I would never get to see the beauty of the Earth or just be who I am.

Lapis held him close.

Lapis: Look at me Steven, never think that. She may not see it, but I'm happy you were born. If you weren't I would still be trapped in that mirror.( stroking his hair) You're my Beach Summer Buddy and the best person I know. If you don't want to go back, you can stay here if you want.

Steven smiled a little.

Steven: Thanks guys, you don't know how much that means to me hearing that. I'm glad I have you two to be there for me when I'm in trouble.

They smiled and grouped hugged him. Then they heard the warp pad and saw Pearl. Peridot and Lapis glared at her.

Pearl: Steven?

Peridot: Oh great, look who it is.

Lapis: Ms. Rude and Ungrateful.

Pearl got closer to the entrence.

Pearl: Steven are you in there? I just want to talk.

Lapis formed a water hand from the pool and blocked the entrence. Pearl looks up.

Pearl: Lapis is Steven there?

Lapis: He doesn't want to see you!

Pearl: I just want to talk to him.

Lapis: Well you can't, he told us what you said.

Pearl: That's why I'm here.

Lapis: So you can tell him some more mean things?

Pearl: No! Just let me talk to him.

Lapis: Not happening. Now leave!

Pearl: I'm not leaving until I see Steven.

Lapis then formed the water hand into a water clone of Pearl.

Pearl:( groans) We are not doing this again Lapis.

Lapis: Take down my water clone and maybe I'll let you see him.

Pearl: I am not...

Water Pearl draws out her weapon blocking the entrence.

Pearl: Fine, you want to play that way? Then lets do it.

Pearl forms her spear and fights Water Pearl. But it was like fighting herself and this was going no where. Steven looked down and watched for a bit. He was curious of what Pearl wanted to say to him.

Steven:( sighs) Stop the fight Lapis. I'm going down.

Lapis: Are you sure Steven? I don't want her to lash out on you.

Steven: I don't think she will. Can you take me down?

Lapis: Just call if she gives you trouble.

Steven: Okay.

Lapis stops the fight and Water Pearl just turns back to normal water. Pearl looks up and see's Lapis bringing Steven down. Lapis flies back up with Peridot.

Pearl: Steven.

Pearl looks at him for a moment, Steven at frist looks at her, but then looks away.

Pearl: Steven I came to apologize for what I said.

Steven looks back at her.

Steven: Are you really?

Pearl: Yes, what I did was uncalled for. I shouldn't have said those things and realized that you are doing your best. I was just upset and frustrated about todays mission. I came here to make things right with you. I'm sorry.

Steven looks away from her.

Steven: I don't believe you.

Pearl: What?

Steven: I don't believe you Pearl.

Pearl: Steven...How could you say that? I'm here to apologize. Why would you not believe me?

Steven: Because I know how much you rather have mom instead of me here.

Pearl: That's not true Steven. I love you.

Steven: ( emotionally breaking down) Do you? Like how when we learned that mom probably owned Lion and because she didn't tell you, you took it out on me? How I tried to talk to you at the strawberry field, but you ignored and ran away from me and left me hanging on the cliff? Or the few times you call me by her name? Or how you constantly praise her and saying how some missions would be easier if she was here? Tell me the truth Pearl! Do you just see me as her?! Do you rather have my mom here than me?! Do you resent me?! Am I just a burden?!

Pearl was taken back from the words he just said. She never saw him this angy before? Has she really been making think these things? Is this what he thought of her?

Steven: ( tone softens with tears in his eyes) I began training with you not just because I wanted to get stronger. But I wanted to prove to you I can do great. I thought if I did, you would see me differently. I wanted to make you proud of me.

Pearl kneeled down to his level.

Pearl: Steven. Is this how you really think about me?

Steven: It's not just you, the others as well. But you show it the most.

Pearl: ( sighs) Steven. Rose was everything to me. I looked up to her and did things for her. When she met Greg and later was pregnant with you, I begged her not to go through with her decision. But she wanted to. For a while I didn't understand why she gave her physical form to have you and I didn't even want to be near you when you were born...

Steven: I get the picture.

Steven turns around to go inside.

Pearl: Steven wait, I'm not finished.

Steven: You don't need to.

Steven turns around to look at her.

Steven: You just said how you felt. You never wanted to be around me.

But then Pearl wrapped her arms around him and held him close.

Pearl: But that all changed when I first saw your face and held you...

Pearl then remembered fourteen years ago, the day she officially met Steven.

14 years ago

Three weeks has passed since Steven was born. Greg had work to do at the carwash and so the gems babysat Steven. Garnet was the first to bond with him, then it was Bismuth and finally Amethyst. Pearl however was the only one who refused to see him.

Garnet: Gems we have a mission. There's a corrupted gem in the desert.

Bismuth: Well, here we go again.

Amethyst: Aw man, I was about to enjoy me every meat burrito.

Pearl: Have it later Amethyst. We have a mission to do.

Garnet: Hold on Pearl, we can't all leave. Someone needs to stay here and watch Steven.

Pearl: Don't tell me I have to.

Garnet: You're the only one who hasn't spent anytime with him. I think this is the perfect time to do so.

Pearl: Garnet please, let Amethyst stay. You know how I feel about this.

Garnet: Pearl, the sooner you get to know Steven, the better it will be for you.

Pearl: ( groans) Fine.

Bismuth: Have fun Pearl.

Amethyst: See ya.

The others warp and Pearl is left alone in the house with baby Steven. He was upstairs in his crib taking a nap. Pearl stayed down stairs sitting on the couch.

Pearl: Just ignore him. Pretend he is not there.

About twenty minutes later, Steven dropped is MC Bear-Bear toy on the floor. He couldn't get to it and started crying. Pearl covered her ears trying to block out the noise, but he was just too loud.

Pearl: Don't make me come up there!

Steven continued crying. Why isn't yelling at him making him stop?

Pearl: Ugh, that's it I'm coming up there!

Pearl marches up stairs to Steven's room and grabs MC Bear-Bear from the floor.

Pearl: ( angry tone turns soft at the end) Is this what you...want?

Pearl got her first look at him. To her surprise, he looked so cute and small. Baby Steven saw his bear in Pearls hand and stopped crying. He reached up trying to get it.

Pearl: Oh is this what you want? Here.

Pearl gives Steven his bear back and he starts laughing again and plays with it. Pearl stood there watching him. He looked so innocent. This is what she despised for a while?

Pearl: Come here let me get a good look at you.

Pearl picks up Steven.

Pearl: So you're Steven. I'm Pearl, it's nice to meet you.

Steven in response grabbed her nose. Peal laughed a little and took him downstairs with his bear. Pearl puts him on the couch and sat next to him. She watched him play with MC Bear-Bear. Then he stopped and crawled over to Pearl. He was on her lap and she sat him up. Then she took a look at his gem. She frowned for a moment that Rose was gone, but she remembered before she disappeared saying " Love him and accept him." Pearl looked back at Steven.

Pearl: You probably don't understand me, but I'm sorry for before. I shouldn't act so coldly to you. From now on I'll be looking out for you. I'm doing it for you, your mother and for me.

One hour later, the others warped back and they see Pearl on the couch craddling Steven.

Bismuth: Well, it seems you did have fun.

Garnet: It seems you're finally getting along with Steven.

Pearl: I did Garnet. He's so beautiful isn't he? I never want to let him go.

Garnet: I'm glad you're finally doing this Pearl.

Pearl: Yeah, me too.

Amethyst: That's great P. Let me have him for a minute.

Amethyst reached out to take Steven off of Pearls arms. But then Pearl slapped her hand.

Amethyst: Ow, what?

Pearl: No.

Amethyst tried again, but Pearl slapped her hand again.

Amethyst: Ow, I just want to hold him.

Pearl: No, he's my baby.

Amethyst: No he isn't. He's everyones.

Pearl: Yeah, but he's mine.

Amethyst: That doesn't make any sense.

Pearl: The point is you can't hold him.

Amethyst: I'm telling Greg.

Pearl: Tell him, no ones taking him off my arms. Now keep your voice down, you're going to wake him up.

Amethyst and Pearl keep arguing in the backround.

Bismuth: ( whispers to Garnet) I think she loves him a bit too much.

Garnet: ( whispers back) Better too much then none.

Flashback ends and we return to the present.

Pearl: Ever since that day, I vowed to be there for you. You changed my life Steven. You've grown on me. I do miss Rose, but that doesn't mean I don't want you. I just wished she was here to see you grow up and what you have become. When you asked me to train you, you have no idea how much that meant to me, I was honored. You've become so strong and your still young. I've always been proud of even before you came with us on missions. I know I've said things I shouldn't have about you. I have to let go of the past. You're more than a Crystal Gem Steven. You're like my son.

Steven looks up to her. Pearl begins to tear up as her voice cracks.

Pearl: I love everything about you. You're my baby and if I ever lost you, I don't know what I would do. I'm so sorry that I made you feel this way. It's no wonder you hate me!

Steven: Pearl please stop crying. I don't hate you. I alway thought you hated me. But I see it now, I can tell you really mean it.

Steven takes out a few tissues from his pocket and uses it to wipe the tears on Pearl's eyes.

Steven: I'm sorry for making you cry Pearl. I never hated you. I just wanted to know how you fealt. To me you are the closest thing to a mom.

Pearl was touched from his words and smiles.

Pearl: Oh Steven.

Pearl hugs him and kisses his forehead and he hugs her back.

Pearl: I love you Steven.

Steven: I love you too Pearl.

Peridot and Lapis watched as the made up. Peridot shed a tear.

Pearl: Come on let's head back. Everyone is worried.

Steven: Okay.

Peridot and Lapis came down.

Peridot: Pearl wait. Steven also told us about the Gara Droid Gien made. I think we should come.

Pearl: Please, we could really use your help.

And so the four of them went to the warp pad and warped back to the Temple.

Bismuth: Steven, Pearl you're back.

Garnet: Are you okay Steven?

Amethyst: Yeah man, you had us worried.

Steven: I'm fine, Pearl and I worked things out.

Garnet: Is there anything you want to tell us?

Steven looks away for a moment.

Amethyst: It's okay Steven, tell us how you feel.

Steven looks back at them.

Steven: ( frown) Well, as I just told Pearl a little while ago, I wondered if you guys wished mom was here instead of me or you blame me for her not being here. I tried to be like her, but I just can't.

Garnet kneeled down to his level. She takes off her visors.

Garnet: Steven, we never blamed you for her being gone. It was her choice to have you and as much as we miss her, we could never blame you for this. I've always loved you Steven. Before the Gara Droids came you tried so hard to be one of us. I've been proud of your resourses and the way you think on missions. Even with my future vision I would never have gone with the decisions you made that helped us. ( places her hand on his cheek) You're a gift Steven and my cutie pie.

Garnet pulls him into a hug and kisses his forehaed.

Garnet: I will always love you.

Steven hugs her back.

Steven: I love you too Garnet.

Amethyst: Steven, I was alone for a while until Rose found me. She was always there for me. I do miss her, but I love hanging with you. To me what mattered was that you never saw me as a mistake or defect. You always excepted me for me.

Amethyst hugs him now.

Amethyst: And nobody messes with my number one fan and if they do, they're gonna have to talk to me about it. And when I mean talk I mean fight. And I'll beat him up.

Steven: Thanks Amethhyst.

Bismuth: Wow, I can't believe it that I'm actually giving the pep talk to Rose's son. You not being Rose is what makes you exciting to me Steven. You don't have to be like Rose Quartz, you can be someone even better.

Steven: Who?

Bismuth: Who do you think? You of course. You saved our butts multiple times before you unlocked your powers. You showed me that you don't need powers to be a Crystal Gem. It's not the power, but the heart. I mean I don't technically have a heart, but you get what I mean. I knew from the start you were destined to fight with us. I made you you're armor and you sword because I believed in you. You're doing your best out there and I'm proud of you for that. You're just as much as a Crystal Gem as I am.

Steven: Thanks Bismuth.

Steven hugged her leg, the Bismuth picked him up hugging him.

Bismuth: You're welcome little man.

Steven: I finally see it. You guys really do care about me. I'm sorry for what I thought about you for a while. I couldn't ask for a better family than you guys.

They all hugged him.

Garnet: I'm glad you think that now Steven. I hope you feel better now.

Steven: I do.

Pearl: Let me take you back to bed, it's late.

Steven: I can't sleep, I have to help you guys on taking down Nova.

Pearl: Are you sure Steven?

Steven: I'm wide awake after being knocked out. I can't leave you guys alone with this.

Pearl: That's very thoughtful of you.

Garnet: Very well, we have to think fast team. We have to figure out how we're going to take down Gien and Nova before sunrise.

To be continued...

Author's Note: That's it for this chapter. I really wanted to do this, since Steven never really talked about his feeling to the gems in the show. Now that's done, stay tuned for we will get into the real story. Please read and review. Thank you.