This is a simple side-story from the main story. I just felt like adding a very special story about Pearl and Greg that coincide with my main story. Please enjoy and review upon completion of Dinner with a Pearl. -sorrowXdarkness

Roommates Special Chapter:

Dinner with a Pearl

oooOOOooo

Two weeks went by since the first performance. Since then, Jamie and his cast performed the story an additional six times. It was lucky that Jamie had a dedicated cast for his play. They were all pretty anxious during the first one, but they were able to pull it off without a hitch. After that, the rest of the times they performed was easier.

Then again, Greg had to maintain his diet along with some training to maintain his ideal body for his role. That included not eating any of his favorite food such as pizzas, burgers, tacos, etc. At first, he didn't take it seriously when Pearl presented him her list of what to do and don't, but when he brought a soda pop on stage, Pearl literally took the drink from his hand and threw it in the trash.

So when he received the memo about the seventh performance being the last, he nearly shed a tear. He preordered a greasy burger made with the works to be delivered after the end of the performance. Upon completion of his role, he waited patiently for his order.

"Places people! We're almost done with the final act!" Shouted Pearl as she held a clipboard. Tonight was a school night and Connie had previous engagement with her family; Pearl volunteered to take her role for the final night.

"Truly wonderful work Miss." Mayor Dewey said as he walked in from the back door. Being both the mayor and the one funding Jamie's theater, he had full-access of the facility.

"Why... Thank You...?" Said Pearl as she gave a small glance to the mayor before giving new orders to the staff in the backstage.

"You, in particular, are doing a good job. That qualifies for a reward from your mayor." The mayor said as he took out an envelope. It was a plain white envelope, with from Mayor Dewey written on one side. "So please accept my generosity." He insisted as he pushed the container to the current stage manager.

"Again...thank you." Said the gem as she looked at the wrapper for a moment before opening it up. It would be rude not to see it; a simple instruction from Steven. As she opened the gift, she was presented with two reservations to some fancy restaurant in the town nearby. "Oh... I couldn't possibly accept this."

"I won't take no for an answer." Said the mayor as he causally walked away. "I hope you find someone to take with you. You could always ask your friendly mayor to be your d-date." He said, having slight difficulty with that final word. Still, he managed to pull it off as he smiled. Nicely done Mayor Dewey. Nicely done. He actually gave himself a pat on his back before leaving backstage.

So in the end, Pearl was stuff with two reservations to some fancy place. "Now what am I going to do with these?" She asked to herself. Just in time, Greg appeared with a bag from Freddy's Greasy Burgers.

"Hello beautiful. It has certainly been a while since we last got together." Stated Steven's dad as he took a whiff of his meal. He was done with his tasks as he was about to leave the set to have some alone time with a burger.

"Greg! What did I say about burgers?" Said Pearl as she had her hands on her hips. Her foot was tapping on the wooden board as she stared sharply at the man that stood before her.

"But... I'm done with my part. So... I thought I could reward myself with a tasty burger." He smiled sheepishly while chuckling a bit.

"Reward, huh?" Honestly, she didn't know what to do with the man. Since his appearance in her life, he always did things his way. He was typically carefree with his life as he spent a good portion of it in his van. It was a miracle with a lot of persistence from her part that Greg managed to loss his belly fat and tone his body for his role. He looked a lot better, but now he seemed to be regressing back to his former self. Then an idea appeared from her mind as she gave an unfamiliar smile. "Now that you mention it, you do deserve a reward... and here it is." She showed him her gift. "I just earned two reservations to this fancy human establishment. So instead of devouring that unhealthy substance, you will be partaking in some more health alternative." As she placed the clipboard and handset down on a table.

Greg was in utter shock. What Pearl said, was a date between two people. She knew that, right? He shook his head as he spoke. "But Pearl, you don't eat." He stated, reminding the gem that she did not eat at all (since it was not required).

"I usually don't eat, but I might make an exception." She said as she gestured her hand of the rare opportunity of. Pearl was going to eat.

"But, I already have my food right here." He said, showing Pearl his bag. Pearl did not give it a glance as she took it from his hand and gave it to the nearby person; that happened to be Buck. He took it very positively as he thanked them both with a nod of his head.

"Problem solved."

Seeing how this proposal was pointless in arguing, he submitted to her will. "Alright...fine. Good thing we still have our tux from our last visit to Empire City. Am I right?"

oooOOOooo

Upon arrival to Le Chez Paris, a man stood there with his eyes mostly closed. He looked at the two and gave a quizzical rise of his brow. There stood two individuals, both in tux suits. Normally, that would not be a problem; it is after all, the dress standards for their establishment. The weird thing about it, one of them was obviously of the female variety.

"Hi, we have two reservations under Mayor Dewey's name." Informed Greg as he took out the mayor's letter.

Then the man realized something as he stared into the man's facial appearance. "Oh my! It's Mr. Greg!" He exclaimed as he looked through the book. "Yes, I see the reservation. Please come and follow me."

Both of them smiled as they were led to a table near the window. At their dinner table, they both looked at each other.

"So... Pearl? I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think the mayor gave you the reservation so you could invite him."

It was no secret that the mayor had a thing for the gem. Practically everyone in town knew of his affections, but simply decided not to notice it.

"Please Greg. If there is anyone that I would rather be here with, it would be you." She said as she placed her hands over his. "You are a friend of mine."

"Right. Friends." He said, though he was not entirely used with the term; not with Pearl anyway. For the longest time, they were rivals. Trying to win the affections of a certain Rose Quartz, but in the end, Greg won that game. It was truly funny how life works. Rose Quartz was gone, but they both were still here.

After their awkward conversation, things began to flow a bit more smoothly as they talked about their time in Empire City. Greg spent so much money in one night, that they could have spent it better elsewhere without a penny. That brought some laughter in the gem as Greg commented on how well she looked in that tux.

"No, I'm serious. You look really well with that tux."

"Well, with your current physical form, you look good yourself."

"Stop. You're just trying to convince me not to eat anymore junk food."

Pearl shifted expression. "I'm serious Greg. You're quite handsome." As soon as that escaped from her lips, her face became flushed in cyan blue. "I mean...have you ever thought of seeing someone else?" Again, that came off wrong as she tried yet again to clarify herself. "There are plenty of fishes in the sea, right? Did I say that human phrase correctly?" She asked, smiling forcefully.

Greg nodded. "I guess you're right, but I haven't really been looking. Then again, I doubt I will ever meet someone as terrific as Rose..."

Pearl's smile faltered as she nodded as well. "There really isn't anyone like her."

Just then, their meal finally came and they both agreed to hold off their conversation until after dinner. True to her words, Pearl managed to eat a quarter of her dish and a full cup of her drink before putting her hands down. Greg was impressed, and he made sure she knew that.

"Color me impressed. Did Amethyst took your place?"

"It's not like I never tried eating before. I never really saw a reason to." She stated.

"So why now?" Greg asked, interested as he still had his fork in his hand. The dinner seemed to be going great as two old friends talked.

"I'm not sure. I guess I changed since coming here many years ago." Pearl said, shrugging her shoulders.

"And to think it took this long for you to try food."

Another joke implemented by the human as another shared laughter was heard. Pearl adjusted her hat as she turned her sight on a couple of people dancing nearby the stage where a live performance was taking place.

The pianist was mostly dabbling along as the bass and singer simply followed his lead. They should really hire someone with a more systematic approach, but who was she to decide? Then again, if she could manage a play backstage, then running a restaurant shouldn't be a problem.

"You know, it would help to digest our food if we dance a bit." Pearl suggested as she gestured for Greg to look at the dancers nearby. "We did have our moment."

"Yeah...I don't know." Greg said, scratching his head. "Would you be alright with that?"

Pearl was confused by his question. "What do you mean?"

"Well..." Greg began before closing his mouth. Ever since they became friends, things between them became unexpected. They were both standing in unmarked territory and he was not sure how to feel about their new established relationship. "You know...dancing with me."

Pearl then understood what Greg was getting at. Indeed, things between them got a bit weird after that night. As they left Empire City, they held a conversation well past midnight as they found a side of them they didn't know existed. After that, nothing. Pearl returned to her role as Crystal Gem as Greg continued to live his life as a human. Despite saying so much, they left so many unsaid.

"Greg." She stated, earning his attention as he looked over at the gem. She held out her hand and though no words were spoken, he took it. They both made their way through the crowd as they found their spot within. Looking at each other in the eye, their body magically danced to a self-propelled rhythm. As they danced, a well familiar tune was being played. It seemed someone nearby saw them both, and decided to help them. The music was strictly instrumental as their mind filled the lyrics.

[Greg]: Tailor-made suits,

Those cost somethin'

Room with a view,

Those cost somethin'.

[Pearl]: Dancing with you,

[Greg]: Don't cost nothing.

[Pearl]: Why'd we even come? We could've done this at home!

Singing a song, don't cost nothin'

Or was it pallin' around, don't cost nothin'

Getting it wrong

[Greg]: Don't cost nothin'

[Pearl]: I tried

[Greg]: I'm surprised you remembered any of it

[Pearl]: What can I say? It's...catchy!

Upon completing of their song, they both looked at the other. Each one wielding a light stare as neither one let go of the other person's hands.

The night was nicely spent as they continued to dance to themselves. Doing so allow them both to talk more openly to each other. They were mainly about their unspoken feelings and of Rose. When Rose disappeared upon the appearance of Steven after the blinding light, Greg didn't have many opportunities to vent out his feelings. Pearl had to brush her gentle fingers across his face to remove the tears as she let out a hush. Greg did a terrific job in raising Steven and for that, Pearl was grateful. With the way Steven was now, it was time for Greg to start focusing on himself.

Something I should have been doing too.

Then it happened. It simply came out and without much thought as Pearl pressed a light kiss on the cheeks of a Greg Universe. She quickly pulled away upon realizing what she did. Then something within her gem began to surface. Fear. Fear that she just tarnished her friendship with Greg. Fear that any form of reconciliation was now impossible.

"I-I..."

"Thank you." He said as he smiled.

She smiled in response as they proceeded the night with no one but themselves.

Author's Notes:

Ever since I saw that episode where Steven, Greg and Pearl went to Empire City, I just had to write a fanfiction story about those two (Greg and Pearl). I do see potential in their "relationship" and hope to see more of them in the actual series. So what did you think? -sorrowXdarkness