A/N- Oh gosh, I'm so sorry for the lack of updates -.-' My college work has finally slowed down, and with my Christmas term break coming up I should have much more time! Thank you for all the reviews, favourites and follows, they've been keeping me going

Chapter XVIII

Looking Back

With all gems situated in the makeshift living room of the temple, they conversed whilst Steven played with his toy piano. They delighted in hearing him take to the object, his musical talent was starting to emerge more.

"Ah, Winter is such a nice time of year." Pearl leant back on the couch with her arms behind her head. "The tourists go home, leaving the beach empty of humans."

"Except Greg." Said Amethyst, poking the one mentioned in the stomach.
"Yes well, Greg is an exception."

"I'm surprised you still let him set foot on this beach, I remember when you almost killed him!" Amethyst laughed, but the atmosphere went tense when she said that. Greg sat awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Not that that matters now, does it Pearl?" He attempted a smile, but Pearl was looking at the floor.

"I'm sorry Greg, I-I'm surprised you can still forgive me after all the trouble I gave you." Guilt laced her voice and she hugged her arms nervously.

"Hey, hey. It's all over now, no need to worry." He added a reassuring pat to her knee, "It's understandable, y'know? She meant so much to you, and I kinda intruded on you guys. I'm-"

"Greg." He turned to Garnet who leant on the arm of his chair. "Without you, we wouldn't have Steven. Without you, Rose would never have found the happiness she had with you, your intrusion was fully acceptable. Love doesn't need an apology."

Greg nodded and smiled genuinely, he knew that Garnet understood his feelings.

Pearl was still looking at the floor, her eyes glazed. "I just hope she forgives me." She whispered.

XXXXXXXxxx

"We have to tell them today." Rose held Greg's hands, entwining their fingers together. "If we leave it any longer they will start to notice."

"I know, I know. But, I'm still adjusting to this whole baby thing, a-and that you'll eventually…" He stopped when Rose kissed his head. The musician sighed and dropped his hands. "If I can't let you go, how can you expect them to?"

"I'm hoping they'll understand eventually. They know that I love you and that I will love this baby as well. My decisions are final, I just hope they can find some understanding in this." Greg could hear sadness in her voice, he knew this was hard for her as well, perhaps harder since she has to leave so many behind.

"This is crazy, are you sure this is what you want?" Greg knew asking her was pointless, he knew that this baby meant so much to her, that she wanted to sacrifice all her worth just so this child can break the bridge between humans and gems.

Instead of an answer, she bent down and kissed Greg on the lips. He wound his short arms around her, savouring every moment he could of his precious woman.

X

"I'm pregnant." Rose's voice echoed throughout the tense silence of the Temple.

"How?" It was Pearl's outrage that broke it first. "You two can't even fuse, yet you can create a baby?"

"Our DNA combined to create this beautiful child, who will be here in six months. I hope you can be supportive of me, it would mean a lot." Rose placed gentle hands over her growing stomach whilst Greg stood to her left and slightly behind her.

"That's wonderful." Said Garnet, smiling. Her eyebrows were knitted together though, knowing that they was more to come.

"Far out! We're gonna have a mini Rose or Greg runnin' around!" Amethyst ran up to them and bounced up and down. "I see you've been a busy man Greg, I hope it pays off!"

Greg blushed and clutched his arm, still waiting for Rose to finish.

"However, I need you all to understand that I want what's best for our baby, as well as the human race."

"The human race? What's this got to do with the entire planet?" Pearl was incredulous, a large frown was drawn on her face and her arms were crossed.

Not just addressing Pearl, Rose finished her announcement.

"Gems, I will be giving up my form for this child so that I will become part of them. He will have my gem, and become the next Quartz. This does mean that I will cease to exist in the physical world."

There was a stunned pause. Garnet bowed her head, Amethyst stopped bouncing, and Pearl was frozen with her mouth wide open.

After a minute of comprehension, Pearl erupted.

"I have never heard of something so ridiculous in my thousand years! You can't just cease to exist, you're our leader!" She stormed up to Rose and grasped her dress. "T-This has to be a joke, right? You can't…you can't leave, not after all we have accomplished!" Tears were threatening to overflow down her cheeks, but she tried to keep them in.

"I'm so sorry Pearl, but this is my decision. It'll benefit us all, I promise." Rose went to place a gentle hand on her shoulder, only for Pearl to rip away.

"It's all because oh him isn't it!" The gem pointed an accusing finger at Greg, who shrank guiltily behind Rose.

"It's all your stupid fault you lousy human!" Pearl drew her weapon and raced to strike, only to be pulled back by Amethyst's whip.

"Pearl, don't do this, please." Rose hated seeing her like this. She knew how close Pearl was to her and that this would be her hardest battle yet.

"He's a menace! He's taking you away, away from all of us! Can't you see?" Pearl struggled against the rope, tears streaming down her face. "You can't do this to me!"

"Stop this Pearl, respect our leader's decisions. You have to learn to accept these things!" Garnet shook Pearl's shoulders, attempting to snap her out of her frenzy. Although tears were in her eyes, they were covered by her visor.

"He needs to be rid of!" Pearl twisted a final time and managed to get her arm free to slice through the purple whip. Growling, Garnet summoned her gauntlets and chased after her as she went for Greg again who had backed up against Rose.

"Pearl!" She dodged another strike from the whip, and threw a spear garnet's way. When she came within reach of Rose, she flew back a little.

Rose had put a pink bubble around her and Greg. "I'm so sorry to have done this Pearl, but you have to try and understand."

It fell on deaf ears when she tried to strike the bubble, only to fly back again. Amethyst and Garnet stood and watched, bowing their heads trying to keep in the tears. Seeing their comrade like this was horrible, one that even Garnet couldn't bear to face.

Pearl kept pounding on the bubble until she grew too tired. Slumping on the cold temple floor, she allowed her weapon to dissolve. Rose released her bubble and went to cradle her in her arms. The gem wept into her chest, the soft fragrance of her leader slightly calming her.

Greg stood alone until Amethyst made her way over to him and hugged his front.

"I didn't mean for it to be like this, Amethyst." He put his arms around her and rested his chin on her mop of hair. "I'm sorry that I've caused so many problems for you guys."

"It's not your fault." Her voice was muffled by his black and yellow shirt, "It was never your fault."

Garnet watched from a distance, wiping her eyes.

"I saw this coming, but I didn't realise it would be this hard to let go." She heard Sapphire say.

"We can do this, we have to keep it together. For everyone." Ruby said, trying to sound confident. "For Rose."

X

"Peaaarl!" Steven walked up to her and gazed into her eyes. "Show me how to play that song again! Pleeaase?"

Sniffing, Pearl smiled at the exuberant five year old. "Of course, anything for my little Universe."