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Days turned into weeks. With medicine and care, Connie's advanced pneumonia was cured, and everyday she was waking up with new memories and hundreds of questions about them.

The day that she was going home, she woke with a memory of suddenly not needing glasses. "I don't have healing tears," Steven had cried in her memory. "I have healing SPIT!"

Her eyes bugged. She felt her heart sink, feeling terribly betrayed - surely a kiss would have saved them so much pain?

"Your body has healed," Dr Maheswaran's voice in her head awakened another memory. "But have you healed psychologically?" She saw the doctor talking to Steven in her mind. He was pink, crying, and terribly confused about everything.

Ah. That was why he had not kissed her since…before. She needed to work through her trauma, with no magic to stunt her psychological recovery.

A nurse brought her a change of clothes to go home in, and after pulling on the jean shorts and white polo, she felt like herself even more. She liked her style.

Connie still didn't remember her parents, and she knew that must hurt them. But Steven was there almost all of the time, and she trusted him as he reassured her that they were her legal guardians, that they loved her very much, and that now she was well enough to go home with them. He had promised to come with when she was moving back into the house, hoping that she would remember things about her parents and that he could answer any questions she had.

In the car, Doug tried his usual corny jokes and puns, and Connie politely laughed at a few. But it was obvious that she wasn't herself quite yet, and they lapsed into silence. Connie looked down at her clasped hands in her lap, feeling guilty for the awkward quiet in the car, knowing it was because of her that these kind people were sad. Unclasping her hands, she hesitantly reached over to Steven and laid her fingers over his. He looked at her, noting her downcast eyes, and turned his hand over to squeeze hers gently.

When they arrived at the house, Steven, Doug, and Priyanka all turned and looked at Connie expectantly.

She gulped and smiled nervously, dark eyes wanting to look anywhere but their faces. "Uh, are we here? 'Cause I don't…know where we are," she admitted, blushing.

"That's ok, Connie," said Steven gently as Doug and Priyanka simultaneously scurried to get out of the car with misty eyes.

She looked at him, whispering softly, "I don't think that's true." She gestured to the two adults trying to unlock the door, hands shaking as they fumbled with the keys.

He shook his head. "It's ok with me," he said, patting her hand. "But that's easy for me to say. You remember me."

They got out of the car, and Steven held her hand as they walked up the steps to the small home wedged in the long row of houses. There was a familiarity to it, and when she stepped through the door she gasped and stumbled back. Steven quickly caught her by the shoulders and steadied her, eyes concerned.

"I…" she began, staring with wide eyes. "I've been here before! I remember this place!"

Priyanka and Doug came out of the kitchen to find Connie running her hands along every piece of furniture, every decoration and every picture on the walls.

"I remember this room," she was saying to Steven, her back to her parents. "I sometimes ate here, late at night when I was alone. And this is where I would read with someone." She paused. "I don't remember who, but we used to read together sometimes." She walked over to a recliner and patted it. "They would sit here." Doug's chair.

Her parent's watched quietly, wiping their eyes. Connie was so focused on her remembering that she didn't notice them at first, rattling off about the little things she remembered. Steven noticed that most of the memories returning were the ones when she had been home alone.

He yawned. It had been a long few weeks. A sudden idea hit him, and he excused himself.

—

Several phone calls later, Steven sat on the front steps of Connie's house, taking deep breaths and shakily laying his phone down on the wooden step beneath him. Anger boiled in his veins, hurt because he loved Connie and this wasn't fair. Don't go pink, don't go pink, DON'T GO PINK!

He heard Garnet's familiar step, and her gentle breath as she sat beside him, eyes gazing at the stars above. "I knew I would find you here," came her soft, calming voice. "Even the slowest sapphire would predict that I would find Steven Universe at the Maheswaran's home, faithfully present for Connie during this time."

She turned and looked at him. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I…I called all of Connie's friends," Steven muttered, voice gruff with anger and tears. "I asked them if they could come and visit Connie so she could remember them, and help out being with her so she's never alone."

"And they responded how?" Asked Garnet, even though she had already predicted what Steven was about to say.

"Too busy, too tired, too anything!" He cried, slamming his fists into his knees. "All I got were excuses and I'm so angry that they don't care! Don't they love Connie? Aren't they her friends?!"

"I don't think they are the kind of friends you think they are," said Garnet gently.

"Daniel is on vacation with his family," started Steven, angrily counting on his fingers as he named off Connie's acquaintances. "Katie is too busy studying, and had the gall to ask if Connie had notes she could use, Zach and Patricia are at a wedding and - " he sighed -"while I am all for weddings this doesn't seem like a good time! Amy, Kisha, and Rebekah are all saying they can't make the drive."

Garnet smiled. "And you would cancel your own vacation, fail college, and drive across the world to be here with her."

"Yes!" Shouted Steven, grabbing his curly hair and pulling. "And I know it's judgmental, but I think they have stupid reasons and that they are stupid friends!"

Garnet just smiled again, and patted his back. "And you are tired."

That doused his angry flame instantly. His leaned forward, burying his head in his arms and sighed. "It's so hard," he moaned, voice muffled from his position. "Connie has never been needy, and of course I love her and I'm going to be here for her, but being her only lifeline is hard."

He lifted his head to rub his eyes, voice tight with tears. "And I feel guilty that it's hard. It wouldn't be so hard for her if our roles were reversed." He sighed. "I've always been needy."

"I have to contradict you there," said Garnet gently. "For starters, you are not needy. Your relationship with Connie is one that has always gone two ways. Just look at Stevonnie - able to survive for days, and not break. That takes contribution; true love is balanced between two people, each person sacrificing for and benefiting from the other. It's why Malachite was so unhealthy, and why Amethyst and Pearl have never been fused for longer than a day. It takes hard work, and teamwork."

She turned her full gaze to him, removing her vizor. His red, puffy eyes widened - she had something very important to say.

"There is a lot you did not get to see while you were recovering mentally. While you recovered during those three months after your meltdown, she visited me. She and I spoke often, and we had conversations like the one we are having now."

He stared at her. "Really?"

Garnet tousled his hair. "You are not the only one with a big, devoted heart," she said gently. "Connie wished so many times that your roles could have been reversed. She always said you didn't deserve it, and that it wasn't fair." She smiled. "And that your friends in Beach City were awful friends for not being there. 'Where were Peedee, Renaldo, Sadie, Lars, and the Cool Kids, when he needed them?'" She quoted, a smile tugging on her lips. "I had to explain to her that they weren't the kind of friends that would have been there as she would be. In a way," she added, "Connie knows exactly how you feel. You were never needy towards her before, yet when you had your breakdown you were suddenly as she is - dependent entirely on everyone around her."

"What did she do?" Asked Steven softly, the guilty feeling lifting. "How did she handle it?"

"You remember," chided Garnet, her voice soft but authoritative. "She was always ready to talk, to listen, and be there. But she was honest about what she had to do - her responsibilities, her needs, etc. So she would ask you to talk to someone close who could help if she was unavailable. She also promised to hear about it later when she was able to give you a hundred percent of her attention."

Garnet wrapped a protective arm around his shoulders and squeezed. "She was creative, and she was patient."

"Did you see that this would happen?" Asked Steven, eyes searching her face. "That the mission would go bad?"

"No," she said plainly. "I didn't. As adults, your independence multiplies your possibilities by the thousands. Now, I can predict that you are going to go back inside for a glass of water to stay hydrated and to sit with Connie and her parents. But that's because I know you and what you want, not only because of future vision."

He smiled and leaned against her. "Would you sit with Connie for a few hours tomorrow? Maybe bring Pearl? Connie remembered a little bit of Pearl this morning."

"Of course," said Garnet with a smile. "I love Connie very much, and while it is difficult for gems to understand the long healing time of humans, I predict that I will enjoy the conversation, and you will enjoy the time to relax, talk with your therapist, and have some time to yourself."

"Thanks Garnet," he whispered.

"Anything for you, Steven," she said, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"I keep wondering if she just needs all the pieces, like you guys did after Spinel hit you with the Rejuvinator," Steven whispered, looking at the stars above them. "Like maybe I just need to show her all the things we used to do and maybe she'll come back?"

"I don't know," said Garnet honestly. "I suspect that Connie will be a little different, because humans are more fragile and...complex."

"Did you guys find Ametrine?" He suddenly asked, sitting straight up, remembering the corrupted fusion he had left behind on that snowy planet.

"So that's what they called themselves," said Garnet with a smile. "We laid a trap with Peridot and Lapis' help, and there were plenty of amethysts ready for some action. We outnumbered them, and it wasn't hard to poof them."

"Where are they now?"

"Bubbled in Little Homeworld," said Garnet, looking up at the stars above them. "We need time to think about what to do with them. Healing is needed, but we have the Diamond Essences so it will be taken care of soon. Those three need to decide who's side they are on, and if they are a threat to us then we need to decide what to do to ensure that they won't be a danger to anyone here."

Steven sighed and ran his fingers through his curly hair. "When I unraveled the Diamond Rule, I didn't think about gems not wanting peace," he muttered. "Do you think there are more like them out there?"

"It's one thing to disagree with Steven Universe," said Garnet, adjusting her vizor. "It's another to bait him and ambush him. I don't honestly care if gems want to ignore your message of peace, but to harm you is a different story." A dangerous edge came into her voice. "If there are gems out there who want a war, I'm not afraid to fight for freedom and defend my home. But if they leave us alone, then I'll leave them alone."

He rested his head on her shoulder. She was so confident, so strong and decided. That familiar comforting strength he'd fallen in love with as a boy soothed him now.

"I love you Steven," she hummed, giving him the comforting "Garnet Pat" on his head.

"I love you too, Garnet," he said, voice low. "Thanks for coming to talk to me. I feel much better."

"I knew you would," she smiled. "And even though you are growing up so fast, remember that you will always be my Cutie Pie."

He smiled at the memory, then stood up and wiped his eyes. "I'm going inside for that water you mentioned. Also I've left Connie alone with her parents for maybe a little longer than she's comfortable with."

"She'll remember everything eventually," said Garnet gently. "Every possibility shows it. Just be patient."

Steven took a deep breath and let it out. "I will be."

—

Priyanka and Doug watched Connie carefully, getting her everything she needed, showing her around the house, internally begging her to remember them. Connie followed them on the house tour, trying not to look them in the eyes as she remembered the house, but not their faces in it.

She felt guilty. It was hard when they asked her about something she didn't know about. How desperately she wanted to remember, because somehow she knew that they were hurting deeply because of her amnesia.

"This is your room," said Priyanka, opening the door. "You'll sleep here. Here is your desk," she added, gesturing to the wooden desk in the corner. "I've pulled you from your classes for the semester. You can start college again when your memories are recovered and you've completed some academic tests to see what you've retained."

College. She gasped softly, sitting on the bed quickly. She remembered that. Long hours of study, high levels of stress. Cheap friends and cheap roommates. Proud professors and good grades. Lectures and books and materials and discipline and hoping her parents would be proud -

"Connie?" Came Doug's voice, concerned. "Is something wrong?"

"You don't have to go back until you are ready," said Priyanka quickly as Connie began breathing irregularly, signaling a panic attack. "Just breathe, sweetheart. You are safe."

"I…I can't do it," Connie stammered, holding her head in her hands. Stress from assignments and workloads she couldn't possibly finish now suddenly rushed her, and anxiety hit her like a train. There was no hope, no way she could finish in time, and if she tried - "It…it's too much! It's too big, I…" she took a shaky breath before crying out, "please don't make me go back to college!"

Doug and Priyanka stared open-mouthed at their daughter as she began crying. College had been her dream! She'd even started early, preparing ahead of time as she had always done. She had been so passionate about college that now they shared a worried look - had this not been what she had wanted?

Someone cleared their throat behind them, and they all looked up at Steven who smiled reassuringly at them. He had a quiet, calming effect as he walked into the room and sat next to Connie on the bed.

"You don't have to decide to go back today," he said gently, wrapping his arms around Connie and pulling her into a hug. He smiled at Doug and Priyanka, who wore distraught expressions. "When you had all your memories and you felt great, you loved college. And you were great at it."

"I was?" Her voice was small from inside Steven's embrace.

Steven looked up at Priyanka and held out a hand to her. "You tell her, Dr Maheswaran," he said, inviting her into the interaction. "You saw how hard she studied."

"I…I was always amazed at your determination," stammered Priyanka, voice catching. She had watched patients with mental illness struggle to return to their normal lives, but she'd never realized just how hard it was for the family of the patient. "And with amnesia, your personality changes a little," she added. "You are missing key moments in your life that made you the girl who loved college. Be patient with yourself; you may find that you do want to go back."

"You are a superstar," said Doug, voice deep with emotion. "And I always admired you."

"And the best part is," said Steven gently, "is that you've done so well and pushed so hard, that you were ahead. You won't fall behind, and your professors love you and will help you with whatever you need. You liked your professors a lot," he added.

"Connie darling," said Priyanka softly. "With amnesia, your personality changes a little. You are missing key moments in your life that made you the girl who loved college. Be patient with yourself; you may find that you do want to go back."

Connie was taking deep breaths. She pulled out of the hug and wiped her eyes, then looked at them.

"I'm so sorry I'm hurting you," she said sincerely, eyes full of self-reproach.

"What?" They all exclaimed.

"I know you want me to remember," she said guiltily. "But I…I don't know you. I know I love you," she added quickly, awkwardly laying a hand Priyanka's and looking at Doug with sad eyes. "It's a feeling, just like my road to remembering Steven started with feelings. I am terrified of college for some reason, even though you all say I loved it. I can't remember why I loved it, and I don't understand why it scares me now."

She laughed nervously. "I guess my heart remembers everything, huh?"

"I know you don't remember," said Doug softly, shifting and scooting closer to her. "And you don't have to fake it. No matter what, you are my baby girl and I am so proud of you. I love you so much and I'm not going anywhere. Even if you never remember everything, I want you to know that we love you."

Priyanka just nodded, lip quivering. Steven moved so that they could hug Connie, and Connie accepted their embrace. She looked at Steven from over Doug's shoulder, eyes blank but filling with tears. She still didn't remember. But somehow she knew that this was her family, and that she was loved.

"You don't ever need feel bad about not remembering," said Priyanka, voice tight with emotions. "I'm just glad you are physically healthy and here with me."

"We can read together tonight after supper," said Doug gently. "We can start making new memories together."

"I'd like that," Connie said softly, brown eyes fixed on Steven. He made a silly face at her, and she smiled.

"Dr Maheswaran," Steven said, winking at Connie. "Garnet and Pearl would like to come over tomorrow and visit with Connie. Is that okay?"

"Of course," said Priyanka as Connie smiled wider in anticipation for her friends to visit. Steven grinned back at his Jam Bud, wanting to kiss her forehead and make everything all better. But his conscience told him no. No kisses until Connie was well.

His phone rang, and he fumbled to answer it. "Hello?" He said. A high pitched shouting was all Connie could hear, and Steven winced, turning down the volume. "Woah woah Peridot, what - " He stopped, listening as the voice continued screaming. Connie watched his face as he grew very serious. He gazed back at her, his eyes widening and his face white. "I'm coming."

Connie stared at him as he hung up, and he smiled a small smile for her. "I have to go," he said gently, and blew her a kiss. It was the closest he could get to the real thing. "I love you guys. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you Steven," said Doug, and Priyanka waved, her lip still quivering.

Steven left the house, using his powers to fly to Little Homeworld. Smoke was rising, black and ominous, and the flames licked the night sky. Peridot's voice had been shrill and alarmed, and rightfully so. The lazuli gems were dousing the flames, but the familiar roar in the distance and war cries of the agates and amethysts echoed to his ears.

Ametrine was back.

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