A new day equals new opportunities. Whether one applies to their dream job and gets accepted, or simply finds a five-dollar bill on the ground, the world is wrought with probability. Every single day since birth, Amethyst looked forward to these outcomes. She looked for days where she was given an extra portion to her food by accident. She loved the times when she was lucky to be the first to take a shower, so that the water was good and hot. Most of all, she looked forward to all of her time with Peridot now that they were in a stable relationship.

Amethyst still chided herself for forgetting her best friend. She remembered the pain Peridot's leaving had caused her, and she saw it as not worth forgetting such a precious person. Of course it's easy to say that after such a long time, when all is said and done, but Amethyst still wished that circumstances could have been different with the same results.

Peridot, on the other hand, couldn't be happier. She had reunited with Amethyst and became friends with her all over again, even before regaining her memory. Then after Amethyst remembered everything that happened, they became an actual couple. Never in her life did Peridot believe that such things could happen in such a short amount of time after such a long amount of time. It was truly a miracle to her that things could have played out as well as they did, disregarding certain mishaps that occurred when they were reunited.

Yellow Diamond seemed to be doing well, also. Not once has she had an attack since the first time after returning from her trip. She told Peridot about her deceased sister when she confronted her about it. "I'm sorry for keeping that from you." YD had said with sincerity. After forgiveness and condolences were passed, Peridot got another shock when YD mentioned that she was actually a middle child to a family of six.

"Mother and father wanted a boy." YD explained. "Someone who would be seen as a respected figure who could take over their company, so they kept trying. Of course that was a different time, so it was understandable. When I stepped in, however, they were proud of me. Still are, I hope."

"You mean I have grandparents?" Peridot asked. YD nodded and continued her explanation.

"They were very nice to us all. Like I said, I'm a middle child. Pink, Jasper's mother, was the youngest. I have a twin named Blue, and White is our older sister." Peridot could hardly contain her laughter, given the information that all of her mother's family were named after colors.

Banter was shared, apologies were said, laughter was contagious, and all was well; at least, concerning the present party.

As time passed, members of Amethyst's group found their places as well. Vidalia found herself pregnant with her second child, who she decided to name Onion. Yellowtail had no objections, and even asked Vidalia to marry him, to which she happily said yes. Secondly, since Vidalia had settled down with someone and needed something to occupy her time since she no longer hired anyone for sex, she decided to take up painting. Amethyst thought her friend was rather talented, and was happy to be a model for her.

Garnet's new job as Rose's secretary was fantastic, and rather simple. Most of her work consisted of taking calls for Rose from people who may be interested in staying in one of Rose's apartments, which were apparently held all over New York. Garnet learned that Rose had many employees working at each of her apartment complexes, now including herself. She took calls from possible tenants, and if they weren't interested in the particular complex Garnet worked at, she would transfer the person's call to another part of the city.

Now simple does not mean easy. Garnet could hardly earn a moment's rest, not just because of the calls she was taking, but also because of the people that would come to her desk personally. She had no idea that Rose had dealt with so much, concerning all the free time she seemed to have during Christmas and New Years. Of course, since it was Christmas, no one was really searching for an apartment at that time. With the holidays having passed, the business was back on. On top of all of this, Garnet had to collect monthly rent from her tenants as well as calculate all the bills that came through the door, since Rose's business was Rent Only. Of course, Ruby and Sapphire helped from time to time to lighten Garnet's load.

Lapis and Jasper were doing well for each other too. Since they both lived where they worked, it wasn't hard to spend time together. The only time they possibly had a chance to miss each other was when Jasper had to drive Yellow Diamond somewhere. Of course there were some days when YD would need to be out of the mansion for most of the day, but by the end of it, Jasper and Lapis were still able to fall asleep in each others arms.

Though, even with all of this peace, Amethyst couldn't help but feel a sense of uneasiness. It was as if, somehow, everything had fallen into her lap; she didn't like that. Above all things, she hated it when things were too easy for her. Of course she doesn't regret meeting Peridot again. She could never regret that. But she missed the feeling of not knowing what the next day was going to bring her. She missed meeting new people in her travels, every single day. It was such a wonder to see the different ways people lived, the different lifestyles. Exploration was her favorite thing about travelling. Amethyst realized that if she were to continue to meet new and exciting people, she would need to get a job where she could see people every day.

This is why, as she lay in bed with Peridot in the mansion, the sun having just hovered over the horizon, Amethyst couldn't wait to go out and see about Pearl getting her a job.

Amethyst and Peridot sat in the back of the limousine being driven by Jasper. They were on their way to where Pearl worked, described as a small convenience store that could easily be missed if one was not looking for it.

Amethyst couldn't sit still. She was far too excited to get back into the world again, to actually earn her way into an easy life. She wanted to pay her own bills, to get her own house. Over time, Amethyst wanted to go to college as well, earn a degree. She had no idea what she wanted to study for, but she didn't care, as long as it was something she could use in life.

Peridot could only sit and listen to Amethyst's excited ramblings. It was adorable really. Peridot held Amethyst's hand, smiling at the excitedness she showed. She had never seen Amethyst act like such a kid before. She was always the smooth talker, the one that would get Peridot hot under the collar, and now? It was hard to believe that she was the same woman whom she shared a bed with.

"Hey Amethyst!" Jasper called from the driver's seat. "You're gonna talk her ears off if you keep at it."

"Fuck you I'm excited!" Amethyst argued in one breath. "I'm gonna get a job! I'll actually be doing things! I'm gonna get my own money without sucking dick!"

"You put your mouth on my mouth." Peridot playfully scolded. "Don't remind me of what's been in there."

"Seconded." Jasper said. "If you're gonna end up dating the heir to the Diamond fortune, you gotta learn to be at least a little more modest."

Amethyst scoffed. "Pfft, says you. And what were you and Lapis up to last night, huh?"

"Aaaand we're here!" Jasper slowed the limo to a halt, obviously avoiding her own hypocrisy.

Stepping out of the vehicle, Amethyst and Peridot found that the little store Pearl spoke of was actually quite small. If Pearl had not texted the exact address to Peridot beforehand, they would probably have never even noticed the shop. It reminded Peridot of the street in Harry Potter that everyone passes because it's protected by magic.

"We'll finish this later." Amethyst said, and Jasper gave her the finger. Amethyst and Peridot exited the limo, and Jasper sped off. Amethyst had promised previously to get Peridot home safe, so there was no need for Jasper to wait for them.

The shop itself was unextraordinary. It could be measured at barely ten feet in width, with only one door for people to enter and exit. The only vehicle actually parked outside of the little shop was a motorized bike. Amethyst took Peridot's hand and lead her inside. Pearl stood behind the counter at a cash register, wearing a light blue top with a name tag, and was in the midst of a conversation with a customer.

The girl Pearl was talking to, quite excitedly as well, was deeply engrossed in the conversation and didn't notice Amethyst or Peridot walk through the door. She wore a white crop top with her sleeves rolled up, had a jacket tied around her waist with several rectangles in different shades of green, along with combat boots. She was rather tall, nearly as tall as Garnet, and had dyed pink hair. She had green eyes, a lip piercing, and Peridot honestly thought she looked like Rose. Pearl was speaking at the moment, and just like the stranger, she didn't notice Peridot or Amethyst enter the shop.

"-but after a few more days, I'll be able to take this thing off." Pearl finished her sentence that Peridot and Amethyst missed the first half of. She gestured to the splint on her nose, and Peridot felt a pit in her stomach, remembering what happened to Pearl that horrid day.

"That's one helluva day." The stranger said, propping her elbow on the counter between Pearl and herself. "I gotta meet this friend of yours. Need to thank her for saving your skin."

Pearl shook her head. "I'd rather you didn't. She's been through enough Hell as it is. Doesn't need to be reminded about all that."

"Little too late for that." Peridot spoke, catching Pearl and her new friend's attention.

"Oh, Peridot!" Pearl's face heated up in embarrassment. "Amethyst, I-I didn't notice you come in."

"So, this is our little killer, huh?" The pink haired woman stated, stepping forward and holding her hand out for Peridot to take. "Call me Sheena. Or Storm. Or just S. I got a lot of names."

Peridot stared at the hand offered to her. She felt Amethyst's hand slip into her own, giving a reassuring squeeze. At first, Peridot felt upset that Pearl would tell a complete stranger about the trouble they've gone through, but with Amethyst by her side, she figured the past should just stay in the past. Peridot smiled and took Sheena's hand.

"Peridot, but you know that already. And "little killer?" Not much for sensitivity, are you?"

"Well you don't seem worse for wear." Sheena says, not bothering with an apology. "You've got a good look in your eyes, especially after something like that."

Peridot shrugged. "I have good friends."

"Right about that, you are." Sheena said, imitating Yoda. Amethyst covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Sheena turned back toward Pearl. She took some paper out from her pocket, wrote down her number, and laid it on the counter. "Gimme a call sometime. I'm in New York for the next month." Then she was out the door. Pearl didn't even respond. She just clutched that piece of paper to her chest with a goofy smile on her face. It's as if the last minute of interaction never even happened.

"Yo P." Amethyst said, snapping her fingers. Pearl was brought back to reality, looking at Peridot and Amethyst. The sound of the motor bike they had seen outside earlier signified Sheena's departure.

"Oh, hi!" Pearl greeted, almost too cheerfully. "I didn't see you guys come in."

"You said that already." Peridot said, and Pearl's face once again became pink in a blush.

Amethyst smirked. "Oh shit, someone's got a crush!"

"I do not!" It was evident by Pearl's deep red face that she did. Peridot stepped up to the counter, deciding to end this little argument before it began.

"Your crush aside, we're here for that interview Amethyst has been meaning to get to."

"I do not have a crush on her!" Pearl insisted, but sighed. She crossed her arms and gestured to the door behind the counter. "Owner's in there. Her name is Nanefua. Nice lady but doesn't beat around the bush."

"Nanefua?" Amethyst repeated. Peridot answered.

"It's an African name. West African, I think. Most likely from Ghana."

Pearl and Amethyst stared at Peridot in disbelief. She just shrugged. "Hey, I was adopted by the richest person in this state, the country, and most likely the entire continent. I have an education of a master's degree college graduate in almost every basic field. I'm bound to know something about other cultures."

At this moment, the door to the back room behind the counter opened. A rather short lady emerged, dressed in a light green shirt, almost tan colored shorts, and a light pink scarf around her neck. Her hair was grey and pulled up in a bun, and like Peridot guessed, her skin tone gave off the impression that she was of African descent.

"Oh, Nanefua!" Pearl greeted, and gestured to Amethyst. "Perfect timing, this is the girl I was telling you about."

Without skipping a beat, Nanefua held her hand out for Amethyst to take. "Oh, it is nice to finally meet you. Pearl speaks very highly of you."

Peridot stepped back to give the interviewer and interviewee some room. Amethyst took Nanefua's unusually small hand and shook it. She started to introduce herself. "Nice to meet you to- "

"How much should I pay you for your work?"

Nanafua cut Amethyst off before she even had the chance to complete a full sentence. Pearl stood up straight, attempting to be as boring and unnoticeable as possible, and Peridot wondered if she should just leave the building entirely. Above all things, though, both Peridot and Pearl hoped that Amethyst would keep things professional.

"Granny, with how hard I'm gonna work, you're lucky I don't ask for more than minimum wage."

God dammit. Pearl and Peridot thought. Peridot face-palmed while Pearl just stood there, not quite surprised that Amethyst would do something as stupid as be sassy in an interview for a job. But of course, as usual, Amethyst's lucked out. Nanefua laughed, breaking the handshake and clapping Amethyst's hand.

"I like you. You are hired."

"Say what?" Amethyst asked in disbelief, and the other girls' expressions mimicked Amethyst's confusion.

"I was getting bored. It's about time we got a little smart ass in here." Nanefua did a complete one-eighty and walked right back into the office. "Follow me. We will get your paperwork settled and Pearl will start training you today."

Amethyst couldn't do anything but repeat herself. "Say what?"

Peridot wrapped her arms around Amethyst from behind, recovering quickly and kissing her girlfriend's head. "You did it! I mean, hired on the spot and starting today! Surprising given the circumstances, but you did it!"

It was all happening so fast. Amethyst felt herself being pushed toward the back by Peridot. She saw Nanefua sitting at a desk through the doorway, ruffling through some papers to find the new hire paperwork. Before she knew it, Amethyst was forced into the room and the door closed behind her, Nanefua giving her an expecting look, gesturing to the empty chair across the desk. Was this all there was to it?

"B-but what about the interview?" Amethyst asked, seemingly desperate. "You're not gonna do a background check on me? I-I thought I was going to go through a bunch of steps or something and I'd be working in like, a couple weeks."

"I told you." Nanefua replied. "I like that you are a smart ass. And I need people."

"But I was a whore!" Amethyst exclaimed. She couldn't believe this. It was way too easy to just have something like this fall in her lap. "I sucked dick for a living. I was paid to have guys cum on my tits and girls to grind their pussies on my face. How can you hire me without thinking about what I could've done?"

"Are you sure you want this job?" Nanefua asked. "Telling any other employer all of that, they would kick you out on the spot."

"That's what you should do!"

"Enough!" Nanefua stood from her chair, slamming her hands on the desk. Amethyst flinched. Despite Nanefua's short stature, her accent and clear natural instinct as an authoritative figure silenced Amethyst. Nanefua sat back in her chair, sighing. "You are the most difficult girl I have ever met. You come here for an interview, yet you give me every right to throw you out. You are a very difficult girl indeed."

"B-but I- "

"No buts!" Nanefua interrupted. "The past is the past. You used to be a whore. You used to do those things for money. Now, you want a proper job and to fly straight. Do not waste this opportunity that some people can only dream of. If I do not like you once you start your work, I fire you. Simple."

Amethyst couldn't believe what was happening. It had all happened so fast, too. One second, she was sitting in a limo with her girlfriend, on her way to an interview which she never even imagined she could pass. The next second, she's standing in her interviewer's office, actively being told after barely five seconds of interaction to sit down and fill out the paper work for new hires. Amethyst's life was definitely fucked up. She roamed the country side, slept at stranger's houses, and became a prostitute after coming to New York. But none of that even came close to how easy of a life she seemed to be taking a direction in. That terrified her more than anything.

But, all things considered, has she ever really allowed herself a moment to just think for herself? The only decisions she's ever made for herself, concerning her own happiness, were when she left the orphanage, and when she remembered Peridot and became her girlfriend. Was it okay to be selfish? Was it okay to let life be nice to her for once and take an easygoing job that was practically shoved into her face?

Well why the fuck not? Amethyst thought. She rubbed the back of her head and took a seat in the chair across from Nanefua. Amethyst leaned back in her chair and rubbed her nose, staring at her new employer from across the table. "Lady, there ain't no flying "straight" for this girl." Amethyst said with a smirk.

Nanefua smiled. "That is the spirit!"

Author's Note:

Fucking. Finally.

I am so sorry for how long it took me to actually finish this chapter. Every day, I would think about this story and think "Oh, I'll get to it later today!" and it NEVER FUCKING HAPPENED. Until today.

Today, I finally finished the first chapter to open up the second Act of Dirty Ambitions. In fact, if I were to put this in novelized form, this would be the start of "Book Two." I know it's not professional. It's far from it. Fanfiction is my only experience in any sort of story building, at least by myself. But I hope that you guys can enjoy my work nonetheless.

Thank you so much for your patience. I can say with absolute certainty that NONE of my stories are forgotten. NONE of my stories are going to hang in the air without a final chapter. I'm going to finish every single one of them.

Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter. I feel like it's a bit rushed, but I do need to get back into the swing of things. As always, so long for now.