A/N: Hello everyone, I am back with chapter twenty - five of this story. Here, Steven and the Crystal Gems met with Doctor Trudeau.
Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe
Steven was awoken to the sound of his alarm. He had barely slept and had to deal with Doctor Trudeau meeting the gems. Steven dragged himself out of bed and showered. He looked at his reflection sadly in the bathroom mirror as he toweled off. He got dressed and went out to eat breakfast.
""Hey Steven." said Pearl uneasy.
The trio of Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl walked over to Steven.
"How are you?" asked Pearl.
"Been better." answered Steven dryly.
"You look like crap." noted Amethyst concerned.
"I didn't sleep well." confessed Steven.
"Dude, everything will go fine today. I promise." said Amethyst.
Steven did feel a bit better.
"Come on." said Amethyst.
Amethyst held out her hand.
"Pound it man." requested Amethyst.
Knowing it would make her happy, Steven fist bumped Amethyst.
"Feel better?" asked Amethyst.
"Kinda." answered Steven, still worried.
"Most of my visions point to this having a positive outcome." revealed Garnet.
"That's good." sighed Steven.
Steven soon finished eating.
"Let's do this." said Steven.
"You heard Garnet. It's gonna be fine." said Amethyst.
"I hope so." muttered Steven.
The Crystal Gems began heading to the door.
"One second." said Steven.
Steven went up to his bed and took his Paxil.
"Here we go." mused Steven uneasy.
The quartet went outside and waited. Greg arrived and the four piled into his van. Steven sat in the front as usually while the three gems got into the back. Steven wore a smile as they traveled not wanting to worry his dad or the gems. They arrived and four headed inside. Steven checked in and waited. Finally, Doctor Trudeau came out and they went to his office. Steven sat and Pearl sat in a chair while Amethyst and Garnet sat on the couch.
"I hope you don't mind me bringing the gems along." said Steven unsure.
"Actually, I'm glad I'm getting to talk to them." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Yeah well, Steven is doing great and he won't leave." said Amethyst defiant.
"Settle down." whispered Garnet.
"I do not want to take Steven away. But, I cannot let him stay in a dangerous situation." explained Doctor Trudeau.
"Then just don't tell anyone." said Amethyst.
"I am a mandated reporter so I have to." replied Doctor Trudeau.
"Steven has never been hurt." said Garnet.
"Except when I was headbutted by Jasper." muttered Steven.
"Someone headbutted you." repeated Doctor Trudeau worried.
"I'm such an idiot. I shouldn't have said that." thought Steven, angry with himself.
"Jasper is another child. It was a fight between them over a toy." said Garnet.
"Well, that's fine." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Nice." whispered Amethyst.
"Now, Steven had mentioned you're veterans." said Doctor Trudeau.
"The war ended long ago." said Garnet.
"And what war is that?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"You wouldn't be familiar with it." answered Garnet.
"Steven, how does this conflict affect you?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"I'm fine." answered Steven.
"You mentioned being in a fight yourself and that is what triggered your PTSD." noted Doctor Trudeau.
Steven slouched in his chair.
"Oh yeah." muttered Steven.
"We've done our best raising him!" declared Amethyst.
"And I fully believe that." said Doctor Trudeau.
Steven put his hands over his ears.
"Please don't fight." begged Steven in distress.
Garnet walked over and knelt before Steven.
"It's okay Steven. We won't fight." said Garnet.
"You promise?" asked Steven.
"I promise." answered Garnet.
Steven took several deep breaths.
"I'm okay." stated Steven.
Garnet returned to her seat while Doctor Trudeau watched the ordeal.
"Does that happen a lot?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"Now he's gonna blame us for that." huffed Amethyst.
"Hush." whispered Garnet.
"Not a lot." answered Steven.
"Now Amethyst, I noticed you've been very defensive of Steven." mused Doctor Trudeau.
"What of it?" asked Amethyst.
"You seem close." answered Doctor Trudeau.
"He and I are really close." noted Amethyst.
"We're almost siblings." added Steven with a chuckle.
"Having someone like that will help in your recovery." noted Doctor Trudeau happily.
Amethyst suddenly put Steven in a headlock.
"Aw! I'm good for ya!" declared Amethyst.
"Hey! Cut it out!" laughed Steven.
This lasted a few seconds before Amethyst sat back down.
"That is good to see." said Doctor Trudeau.
"See doc, everything is fine." said Amethyst.
"My worried are going down." revealed Doctor Trudeau.
Steven felt his stress start to lift with that.
"Now Garnet, how are things between you and Steven?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"I care for Steven greatly and only want the best for him." answered Garnet convinced.
"It's true." agreed Steven.
Garnet looked down at Steven and smiled.
"He knows tiny hands are my only weakness." said Garnet.
Steven rolled his eyes at this.
"Why did you roll your eyes?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"I was hoping he missed that." thought Steven annoyed.
"Steven..." began Garnet.
"I didn't." answered Steven uneasy.
"You suck at lying." noted Amethyst.
Steven groaned.
"You need to tell us if something is wrong." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Go ahead. I won't be mad." said Garnet softly.
Steven took a deep breath.
"Sometimes you still treat me like a little kid and it bugs me." revealed Steven.
"I...had no idea." replied Garnet stunned.
"I know you only want to protect me, but I'm not a little kid. I'm growing up and I'm more mature now." said Steven.
Garnet nodded her head.
"You're absolutely right. I need to accept the fact you can handle yourself." said Garnet.
"I don't want you to stop caring about me." noted Steven.
"I never would." replied Garnet.
The two hugged.
"I love you Steven." said Garnet.
"I love you too Garnet." said Steven.
The two broke the hug.
"Aw, you're getting me into it." said Amethyst.
Steven chuckled.
"Now, there is something that is bugging me." said Doctor Trudeau.
The doctor put his focus squarely onto Pearl.
"You haven't said a thing all meeting." noted Doctor Trudeau.
All eyes now fell onto Perl.
"I guess I have nothing to say." shrugged Pearl.
"You always do." said Amethyst.
"What does that mean?" asked Pearl annoyed.
Doctor Trudeau cleared his throat hoping to avoid more arguing.
"Steven, how do you and Pearl get along?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"She's really protective and loves teaching me about gem stuff." answered Steven.
Pearl blushed a bit.
"She watched my play with Jamie the mailman." added Steven.
"Steven was fantastic! You should have seen him. A natural actor." cooed Pearl proudly.
"Thanks." replied Steven blushing.
Steven's mood did drop a bit.
"She can still treat me like a little kid from time to time. But, has gotten better." said Steven.
Pearl winced a bit.
"I am sorry Steven. I'm just trying to protect you." said Pearl.
Steven felt a bit guilty now.
"I do know you are growing, but you'll always be a precious little boy to me." said Pearl.
"Aww." said Amethyst mockingly.
"Must you?" asked Pearl annoyed.
"That was sweet." replied Garnet.
"I've been trying my hardest to take care of Steven since he was born." noted Pearl.
"Rose would be proud." said Garnet.
"I believe you are talking about his mother." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Yes. Rose Quartz." confirmed Pearl dreamily.
"It seems you where close." noted Doctor Trudeau curious.
"Oh yes. Rose and I where extremely close." said Pearl.
"It sounds like your feelings where strong." mused Doctor Trudeau.
"My feelings for her where romantic. But, she chose someone else." said Pearl.
"That must have hurt." noted Doctor Trudeau.
"It took a long time, but I got over it with help from Steven." said Pearl.
"I knew taking you to Empire City would help." replied Steven.
"Can I say something?" asked Amethyst.
"If Pearl doesn't mind." answered Doctor Trudeau.
"That's fine by me." noted Pearl.
"You sometimes get possessive of Rose. Like when we first met Lion." noted Amethyst.
"It's just...I never thought she kept secrets from me." said Pearl, still a bit hurt.
"Like I said, she kept secrets from all of us." said Garnet.
"But I'm the only one who knew..." began Pearl.
Pearl quickly threw her hands over her mouth.
"Knew what?" asked Amethyst curious.
It took Pearl a moment.
"I...can't say." answered Pearl.
"You promised no more secrets." noted Steven annoyed.
"I'm sorry Steven." said Pearl regretful.
"Why can't you tell this secret?" asked Doctor Trudeau.
"I promised I wouldn't." answered Pearl.
"That must mean a lot to you." mused Doctor Trudeau.
"I can't do it." said Pearl flatly.
Amethyst groaned.
"Oh come on P!" exclaimed Amethyst.
"It's alright." said Steven.
Pearl gave a stunned expression to Steven.
"If Pearl doesn't want to say then she doesn't have to." said Steven.
Pearl was speechless.
"That's really mature." said Garnet.
"It definitely was." agreed Doctor Trudeau.
"Um, thanks." replied Steven.
"So...same time next week." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Fine by me." said Steven.
Doctor Trudeau turned to the gems.
"It was nice meeting you." said Doctor Trudeau.
"Likewise." said Garnet.
"This wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be." said Amethyst.
Pearl suddenly jumped to her feet.
"Is something wrong?" asked Steven.
Pearl took a deep breath.
"Rose Quartz was actually Pink Diamond!" declared Pearl.
A/N: That's where we'll end things now. I am glad I took that break because this wouldn't have been as good if I hadn't. So, the CPS threat is gone but, the big bomshell has been dropped. Next time, the reaction. Please review.