So, how exactly did Bayley's attempts at trying to return herself to her normal age go? Well, here's her first round of trying. Read on and enjoy, my loves. =) (And, I am SOOOOO sorry for not really updating any of my stuff lately. I've been getting so wrapped up with babysitting that it's really cutting into my fic-writing time. I'd normally try to work on updates at night before sleep, but by the time I can even think of wanting to work on anything, I end up having to make my nightly appointments with my pillow, so...yeah, I haven't had the ideal time I'd want to try to write. But, hopefully, I can get myself to write more often...especially since I've been bouncing around between my in-progress stuff and future fics.)
(Also, as I've pointed out in a previous chapter, keep an eye out on a certain point in the chapter...said point, I will illuminate in my closing note. It's all gonna help tie into what I have planned for a later chapter in this arc. ;3 )
"Come on, Bayley. Just focus," Seth said for the fifth time that day. "Just imagine yourself as your real age. Try that."
"OK," Bayley said with a nod. Closing her eyes, Bayley tried to do as the two-toned Gem told her to do. But, like the times before now...nothing seemed to happen. Nothing outside of Bayley opening her eyes back up and feeling frustrated that she was still stuck as a four year old. Letting out a frustrated groan, Bayley said "It's no use, guys. I can't do it. Why can't I turn back to my normal age?"
"I...We're not really sure, Bayley," Naomi said, running a hand through her braids. "Like Seth pointed out, since you're half human, we don't quite know how your powers work, so...I don't know what to say here."
"Does this...does this mean I'll never be able to turn back to my real age?" Bayley asked, feeling panicked as she heard Naomi say this.
"No, no, not at all, boo," Naomi said in a bid to calm Bayley down. "What it means is that we just don't know how to help you yet."
""Yet"?" Bayley asked, now starting to feel a bit worried. "So...does that mean that you guys can help me?"
"It's not a matter of "can", baby girl," Jimmy said. "We will help you go back to normal. And you can believe that."
Laughing a bit, Bayley said "Thanks, Uncle Jimmy" before a yawn escaped her.
Letting out a slight chuckle as he grinned, Dean said "Maybe we can try again after you take a nap. I think all of this trying is making someone a little tired."
"But, I'm not" Bayley began before another yawn cut her off. "I'm not sleepy."
"What you're saying doesn't quite agree with what you're doing, sweetheart," Seth said, his grin still in place. Walking over to and scooping up the ponytailed brunette, Seth said "Nap first. Then we can try again later to help you return to normal."
All Bayley could do was nod her head because she was yawning so much. Resting her head on Seth's shoulder, Bayley closed her eyes as she felt Seth go up the stairs to her "bedroom", lay her in her bed, and wrap her in her blankets. Snuggling into her pillow as she let her nap take hold, Bayley let thoughts fly through her mind on just how she could return to normal.
...
Descending the stairs, Seth was caught a bit offguard by the pointed looks from his fellow Gems. Looking around himself, Seth asked "What? What is it?"
Shrugging as he leaned back in the recliner he was sitting in, Dean said "What? No one's said a thing."
"Your eyes are saying more than that big mouth of yours is," Seth said, a trace of a scowl starting to work its way across his face.
"Oh, you're just saying that because my eyes are so gorgeous," Dean said, a somewhat cheeky grin on his face. His grin going away, Dean said "But, yeah. All of this with Bayley...yeah, it's largely all your fault, Seth."
"My fault? What would even make you say that?" Seth asked, feeling irritated at hearing Dean say this.
"Well, what with you making it seem like Bayley turning 13 is an end-of-the-world type thing, why else do you think we're in this situation?" Dean asked. "If anything, it seems like all the blame for us having a pint-sized Bayley is all on you."
Hearing all of this coming from Dean was driving Seth beyond the point of angry. While he knew that pretty much the sandy blonde Gem was saying was true, he exactly didn't want to have it all thrown back in his face. So, without really thinking next, Seth summoned his staff, and was set to try to attack Dean when a gauntlet-covered left hand stopped him. Looking down at the still-seated Jimmy, Seth calmly said "Jimmy. Let go. Of my staff."
"Nope. No can do, Seth," Jimmy said, shaking his head.
"Jimmy's right, Seth," Naomi said. "That's a no-go until you calm down."
"Well, tell Dean to stop picking at me!" Seth all but shouted.
"I didn't really see that as him picking on you. He was just pointing out the obvious," Naomi said, turning to look back at Seth. "Seth, from what me and Jimmy have heard since we got here, basically, the main reason why Bayley's turned herself into a kid again is because you don't want to see her get older."
"So what?" Seth said. "So what if I'm not all that happy about Bayley getting older? That doesn't make me a bad person."
"Kinda does when your moping makes Bayley feel so bad she makes herself younger just to try to make things better for you," Dean nonchalantly said. Looking over and seeing Naomi had summoned her gauntlet on her right hand, Dean swallowed a bit before saying "Sorry. Didn't mean to pick at you, but it's true what I said. Look. Bayley's a great kid, Seth. And, she's gonna get older, whether we all like it or not. But, the important thing is that we just enjoy every day we have with her."
Hearing Dean say this actually made Seth let his staff go away as Jimmy and Naomi willed their gauntlets away. It surprised Seth quite a bit to hear such comforting words come from Dean, and, honestly...he didn't mind hearing this words as he started to feel a bit better than he was. Feeling the backs of his eyes start to burn with more tears, Seth closed his eyes as he walked to the bottom of Bayley's staircase and took a seat on one of the bottom steps. Rubbing his eyes to keep his tears back, Seth said "Thanks for the words of comfort, Dean. I guess I needed to hear something like that."
"No problem, bro," Dean said, letting a soft smile cross his face. "Anything I can do to help someone out."
"And from all of what just happened, sure looks like you needed to hear all of that," Jimmy said.
"I did. I...really think I did," Seth said, nodding. "At least after hearing Dean really talk about Bayley getting older helped me somewhat come to grips with it all. I guess...no matter how much I don't like it, Bayley's getting older, and I...I just have to accept it."
"Seth, don't worry. And, don't feel too upset about all of this," Naomi said, looking back at Seth. "All of us are pretty much feeling the same about Bayley getting older. But, we all just know that it's totally normal that Bayley grow and age since she's half human. We just don't make a big deal out of it so that way Bayley doesn't feel bad about it. Which is something that you need to man up about and accept."
"And, I will, Naomi. I will. I just need to do it my own way. OK?" Seth asked.
"OK, Seth. But, just know this: If you need any kind of emotional support in that area, you've got me and the others here to help back you up," Naomi said, sending a warm smile Seth's way.
Nodding at the dark-skinned woman, Seth stayed seated on the steps and let all of what just happened go through his thoughts as Dean and the others went back to watching TV. The two-toned Gem just knew that everything the others told him was true. He knew that it was all because of him not wanting to accept Bayley getting older that they were in the predicament they were in now. So, after taking some time to really be with his thoughts, Seth then came to a decision on just what he was going to do. All he had to do now was wait along with his fellow Gems for Bayley to wake up from her nap.
So, it looks like there wasn't as much progress as the Gems would've liked as far as helping Bayley out goes. Sure, Bayley's trying, but still...nada. Maybe after our favorite ponytailed half Gem gets a nap progress will be made. Now, on the other hand, at least Seth had his fellow Gems there to help talk him through some stuff that's severely been picking at his thoughts (but, honestly, I think Seth's just acting like a concerned dad with Bayley getting older as he's had such a big hand in raising the little cinnamon roll ever since she was a baby that her aging just worries him)...but, not before there was nearly a fight in the house (which wouldn't have been good with a sleeping young one up the stairs from them). Next chapter, we'll get to see the Gems try again to help Bayley return to her normal age. So, until then, don't forget to R&R please. =)
(Now, for the point I mentioned above. Keep note of just how Jimmy and Naomi summoned their weapons and just what said weapons are. This is pretty important!)
