Steven Universe Fanfiction

My Pearl

Chapter 9: Over the Edge and Back

Author's Warning: Remember how the last chapter had cursing and violent interactions? Ratchet it up some more and I don't think it crosses the line but still, your fair warning.


"Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"My dear, I've been cooped up too long and I feel fine. Besides, a walk will do me some good."

"Still…"

"I insist. Especially since you stayed with me when you could've gone out and enjoyed a beautiful night like this."

"It wouldn't have been the same without you," Patricia says as she nuzzles into Edward's arm, him blushing in response.

Days had passed since the Watermelon Steven incident and Edward has been on the fast track to recovery. He no longer walks with a limp but there is still a slight twinge which can be ignored and something that will maybe go away with just a few more days of taking it easy. During those days though, he had gone a bit stir crazy being confined to the kitchen so he was rather thankful for his wife and even more so when Steven found the time to visit.

Ever since they formally joined the Crystal Gems, the boy would visit randomly every now and then and talk away about recent happenings or missions while enjoying a new favorite of Watermelon-Lychee bubble tea. Sometimes he would bring along one of the Gems whom would corroborate his stories or talk with either one of the pair that Steven wasn't enthusiastically talking to at the moment.

Other times, Steven would visit with his father which turned into more laid back affairs as they talked about life, philosophy, love, and music. Often this would result in an impromptu music session with the couple and whoever else was in the shop at the time as their audience, much to all's enjoyment and even of small monetary value for Greg if the tips are anything to go by.

Now though, husband and wife enjoy walking arm-in-arm along the beach as the stars begin to dot the indigo sky just enjoying everything. The couple is surprised though when they hear an excited cheer from above. For just a moment, they see a figure hit the water and disappear. A few minutes later and much to their relief, they see a young woman wash ashore giggling the whole while.

"Holy crap, for a second there I thought she committed suicide," Edward says, a hand over his heart.

"Maybe the city should think about extending the fence," Patricia says as they approach the woman whom has begun wringing the water from her hair, "Excuse me, are you alright, young lady?"

"Oh my gosh, hi, Mrs. Feng! Hi, Mr. Feng! Oh, we totally forgot to show you. Wait, we did? I mean, yeah, we totally did and it wouldn't be right to show the Crystal Gems without showing the rest of the Crystal Gems…"

They look on concerned as the statuesque woman babbles on seemingly with herself. The woman is strikingly familiar and yet so different. Was it really who they think it is? Edward lets out a sigh though, placing a firm hand on the young woman's shoulder and effectively stopping her stream of talk.

"We understand, Steven."

"You do? Wait, we're not…"

"What with your ability to shapeshift and having such strong female role models in your life, it shouldn't come to any surprise that you would want to emulate them. And what role models really…well, actually, Garnet might be best. Amethyst is more or less a fun big sister but a slob while Pearl is the OCD soccer mom that will always love you…the point I'm trying to get at is that while society is…progressing…some things still remain the same so I understand that you would want to keep things in the dark as it were."

"Ummm…" the woman's eyes shift uncomfortably as she blushes.

"Edward, I don't think…" Patricia valiantly tries to intervene.

"But you, dear…girl, are a beloved figure of Beach City," Edward blunders on, "And the people will accept you no matter what form you take because it is your character that the people will recognize and will continue to love. And I'm sure your father…"

"We're not Steven! Our name is Stevonnie and we're a fusion! Steven was being taught by the Crystal Gems but wasn't getting it so we were hanging out on the beach and started dancing and we were having fun and then we fused!"

Edward stops midsentence, his mouth agape. Patricia gasps in delight.

"A fusion? Oh my goodness, really!? Oh, this is wonderful! Forgive me but let me just get a good look at you two," Patricia trills as she flutters around them, the fusion's blush renewed under the gushing scrutiny, "Oh, you are beautiful. So, tell me, who's the lucky half?"

"It's, um, Steven's friend Connie."

"Oh, I didn't think it was possible for a Gem to fuse with a human but then again, Steven is half-human so that might have something to do with it but I digress. Isn't this great, Edward?"

"I guess…though some concerns do come up," Edward says slowly as his eyes take in the fusion's form.

"L-like what?" Stevonnie asks.

For a beat, Edward doesn't say anything. He just looks. With a sigh and a shake of his head though, he thinks better of it.

"Sorry, I'm probably just overthinking things again. Patricia tells me I do that a lot. So, how does it feel to be a fusion for the first time?" Edward asks with a smile.

Stevonnie's face lights up with an answer but not in words but in an embarrassing growling stomach. The couple chuckles at the fusion's blush.

"Hunger is a feeling. But really, are you going to be alright? Do you want to come with us back to the shop for something to eat?" Patricia asks.

"Oh, no it's ok, really! We actually kinda' wanna' get a donut and uh, well, The Big Donut is right there," Stevonnie gestures towards said building, "Next time though, we'll definitely promise to stop by the shop."

"Fair enough but don't force yourself," Edward replies with a smile.

"We won't! Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Feng! Have a nice night!" Stevonnie says as she runs off to The Big Donut.

The couple giggle at the fusion's enthusiasm. They are mildly surprised when they see Stevonnie leave shortly after with a bag in hand but pay it no mind. Patricia looks at Edward, whose eyes are still following the fusion as they walk down the boardwalk.

"We're going to follow them, right? Make sure they don't get into too much trouble?"

"Thank the Spirits, yes, let's go before we lose them."

And maybe it's something they didn't have to do because Beach City never did seem like the kind of place that attracted any criminal element (if one ignored Onion's actions) but follow they did. They didn't have to follow long though for Stevonnie had settled on a bench eating donuts with a troubled expression when Sour Cream approached. Patricia giggled at the willowy teenager's bashfulness while Edward grimaced at the entire affair as Sour Cream handed Stevonnie what appeared to be a flyer. The fusion smiles and runs off with it, thanking Sour Cream. Edward and Patricia continue following.

"By the way, what was it that had you thinking earlier?" Patricia asks.

"I just thought it might've been…odd that a boy and a girl fused into one being. I mean, Connie is a girl's name, right? Much questions arise regarding possible side effects of such a fusion but for now, I'll trust there aren't any dire consequences."

"Hmm…I suppose that is a fair concern. Our bodies are technically constructs of light but Steven is half organic with Connie, assuming she is human, being fully organic. Something to bring up with the others next time we see them, I think."

As they discussed fusion, they had arrived at a part of the beach none of them recognized but somewhere on the outskirts of Beach City; an industrial park it looked like. A deep bass and lights emanate from a crumbling abandoned warehouse as Stevonnie makes her way up the hill. The couple pausing at its foot.

"You know we really should have offered to buy them footwear. I don't think it's safe to be walking anywhere, much less here barefoot," Patricia says as she eyes a broken bottle concernedly.

"I'm more concerned about the fact that they just walked into an abandoned warehouse playing rave music at night and we don't even know if the other gems know that they're here or Greg or even if this Connie's parents know and oh my fucking god, that's it, I'm calling it. We're getting them the hell out of here and back to the temple," Edward declares as he marches up the hill.

"Edward, relax. It's a rave."

"…Do you have any idea what goes on at a rave?" he asks incredulously.

"Edward first of all, yes. Secondly, this is Sour Cream's rave; I recognize the flyer because he's been putting them up all over Beach City the past few days. Thirdly, I highly doubt a nice young man like him would ever practice the sordid details or elements that usually follow events like these. If he did, I'm sure Vidalia would have VERY strong feelings about that and believe me, she is a very strict disciplinarian when she needs to be. And finally, why else have we been following them from a distance? Didn't you want them to experience as much and as safely as they could?"

"But…"

"But nothing, Edward," Patricia says pulling Edward to a stop, "We're here. We will intervene if things start going awry. They'll be fine. Now come along," And just as suddenly, tugs him along to the party.

And it is quite the party despite the small gathering. They are quick to recognize most of the youth and the acquaintances of their shop in attendance but strangely enough, none of them are dancing. Instead, they are transfixed by Stevonnie as she moves and sways through steps, flutters and somersaults in the air, landing.

"Oh, they're so talented."

"Wait, something's wrong."

The look of joy and exhilaration that was on the fusion's face falls away. Panic and desperation seize her as she crouches down, holding her head. Edward mutters a curse as he moves towards the distraught fusion but Patricia holds him back.

"Damn it, woman!"

"Edward, not yet. Give them a chance."

Edward turns around to find Stevonnie but his hackles raise all the more when he sees who approaches them: a young man he DEFINITELY doesn't recognize at all.

"I highly doubt that is helping them at all! Look at him! He's just…I don't even know what he's doing!"

"He's dancing in order to woo them which admittedly is a mistake on so many levels but we can't expect all humans to know about fusion like you or Greg," Patricia says, at this point Stevonnie has run off the dance floor, "Alright, maybe it's time we took them home."

There is surprising difficulty however when the other party-goers resume dancing and the fact that Stevonnie seems to have found a damn good hiding spot despite it being an open warehouse. The two split up in order to cover more ground: Edward along the walls while Patricia looks among the dance floor. Luck isn't on their side until…

"How can you say that!? You don't even know us!"

Edward immediately pretends a nonchalant position against the wall behind Stevonnie and out of sight of the other teenager, listening.

"Oh, whoa. I'm just looking for a dance! Don't get crazy."

"No one is crazy. I just don't like feeling alone here!" The fusion cries out exasperatedly.

"If you're so lonely, then dance with me!"

"Ugh! Fine. You wanna' dance? Let's go," Stevonnie grinds out as she grabs the other by the arms and drags him out to the dance floor coming to a sudden halt when they reach the center, "And it's Stevonnie; I am not your baby."

They dance but all the earlier grace and flair is gone; nothing but frustration and anger moves them now as they jump, stamp, kick, and punch. The crowd's attention is drawn again regardless, alerting Patricia now. The fusion's gem glows brighter and brighter until with a sudden pop, one becomes two and Steven Universe and Connie Maheswaran are back.

"It's two kids! I'm out," The teen flees but everyone is too shocked to notice, especially when a hand lashes out to grasp his face in an iron grip and drag him off into the darkness.

The children though are safe if not shaken up. They have just begun comprehending their separation and are laughing hysterically in a rain of glow sticks as they run and cheer, completely ignoring the shocked stares of the party-goers around them. Their high only dies when gentle hands clasp their shoulders. Looking up, they see Patricia smiling softly down at them.

"I think it's time we headed home, yes?" To which the children only nod and taking up a hand each, they walk away with everyone's eyes following until Patricia pauses for a bit and looks up at the DJ booth, "Oh, Sour Cream! I'll be sure to tell your mother what a wonderful party this was the next time I see her!"

The response is a blush and peace sign, not quite expecting an adult to be at one of his raves but he supposes that something stranger or worse could have happened. Patricia and the kids make their way out into the starlit night and down the hill.

"Oh dear, it is getting rather late," Patricia says as her gems glows to illuminate the streets. She then turns towards the children with her arms open, "Up you get, children. I won't be having you walking bare foot in the dark, especially in an area like this."

"Shouldn't we wait for Mr. Feng?" Steven asks.

"Hmm, he shouldn't be too far behind but you're right, we should leave together. We'll wait here for him though so he doesn't have to look too much. By the by, it is a pleasure to meet you as you, Connie."

Elsewhere…

"Whoa, hey man! Take it easy! I don't know what your problem is but…!" The youth chokes when a glass shard is pressed up into his neck, not quite piercing the skin but there is a definite dip. He scrambles to get as far away from the crude knife as he can but the broken concrete wall is still a solid deterrent and harsh unforgiving eyes do their job of keeping him transfixed.

"H-hey man, listen, calm…"

"I am completely calm," Edward replies and he emphasizes it by digging the glass shard just a bit deeper into the teen's neck, drawing blood.

How he just wants to make that plunge, to just go a little deeper, to make sure that this particular one doesn't bother Stevonnie or the kids ever again. The ocean is but a slide down a cliff away where the body can be dumped for the sharks. It would be so easy, just a little more pressure…

Edward's hand is trembling; the teen whimpers with teary eyes closed tight as he softly begs for his life. He doesn't want to die here, he just wanted a good time. What the hell went wrong with his life for it to end like this?

Blood is flowing from the glass shard down Edward's arm, the tang mixing with the ocean winds as they gently waft into the night. Slowly, he takes it away from youth's neck. Feeling the pressure lessen, the teen cautiously opens an eye.

"Run, boy."

"W-w-what?"

A fist flies, separating a chunk of the wall from its base in a burst of concrete and blood.

"I SAID RUN!"

He doesn't stick around to be told a third time, he's gone like a bat straight out of Hell with the Devil giving chase. In a different life, Edward would have but now…he takes a look at the piece of glass in his bloody hand, the edges digging into his fingers as he grips it too tightly. His eyes then move to the bloody knuckles of his other hand. He sighs. With a grunt, he hurls the piece of glass away into the ocean before walking away from it all.

He makes sure to stick to the walls as he makes way out of the abandoned warehouse, but it proves unnecessary as most of the party-goers have resumed dancing. Still, it wouldn't do to cite panic should someone see the blood accidentally so he follows along the wall until he reaches the hole that served as the entrance and steps out. Taking a deep breath, he makes his way down the hill. It's impossible to miss the light emanating from Patricia's gem as it illuminates the street at the bottom, along with the children. He clasps his hands behind his back.

"Everyone alright?"

"Oh, there you are, Edward. You…didn't do anything to that young man, did you? He just ran past us looking terribly frightened and, well, knowing you…" Patricia asks.

"He'll be fine."

"That's not exactly comforting," Patricia deadpans. Edward sighs again.

"I just made sure that…ah, damn it, I never really did, did I?"

"Language, dear. Children are present," she scolds.

"Steven, Connie," Edward kneels and puts a hand each on their shoulder, "Any time you two fuse and that…boy…gives you trouble, do not hesitate to get either me, Patricia, Greg, or one of the Gems. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Feng," Steven and Connie respond but the girl squirms a bit, "Why is your hand wet?"

"Crap."

"Good heavens! Edward, your hands! What did you do!?" Patricia rushes forward, taking his hands in hers and turning them this way and that.

On his bloody sticky right hand, the life essence flows freely from where he gripped the abandoned glass shard too tightly. Easily mended once he gets it disinfected, cleaned, and wrapped, he thinks. While his left is somewhat less messy, the knuckles still bleed from punching something a human normally shouldn't. He can't also help the tingling sensation that seems to make itself known now rather than before. He hopes that he hasn't broken it.

"So maybe I went overboard…," Edward begins.

"Overboard!? Of course you went overboard! Your hands are a bloody mess! What did you do? Oh, we have to get this cleaned up before it becomes infected and…Ugh!" Patricia screams before scooping up the children in her arms and walking briskly off, "We're going back to the tea shop, we're going to call Connie's parents so they can pick her up…"

"Umm, my parents don't know any tea shop in Beach City? Actually, I never even knew there was one to begin with…"

"It's fine, we'll tell them the address; by the way, I'm so sorry about all of this, Connie dear. We'll get you and Steven cleaned up so no one else gets a frightening from wondering where a bloody handprint came from and…ooohhh, the implications…and you!" Patricia turns towards Edward suddenly, his hands slightly raised in surrender. Patricia glares at them. Quickly realizing his mistake Edward panics and hides his hands behind his back again.

"As soon as we get home, you are going to clean those hands as best you can. You know where the first kit is," Patricia says as she walks off briskly with the children. Edward sighs in relief as he follows silently.

Later Still…

"Thank you so much for looking after my daughter at this late hour. I hope she wasn't too much trouble for you?"

"Oh no, she was an absolute delight, Dr. Maheswaran. Connie and Steven are like peas in a pod; it's like you don't have to look after them at all," Patricia gushes as they all stand at the entrance to the tea shop to see the mother and daughter off.

"And you're sure you're fine? I could take a look at your hands at the hospital where we can have an x-ray done," the good doctor offers to Edward.

"Thank you for the consideration but I'm fine. It looks worse than it actually is and my wife is a fine healer when the situation calls for it."

"Oh, you practice medicine, Mrs. Feng?"

"Patricia is fine, doctor. As for practice, well, I do dabble but nothing like you do at the hospital, I'm sure. Edward has difficulties when it comes to knowing when enough is enough so I tend to patch him up every now and then."

"I'm not that bad," Edward pouts.

"I believe the evidence says otherwise," Dr. Maheswaran comments as she eyes Edward's wrapped hands; she digs into her purse and pulls out a card, "Well, if anything here's my card should any emergency come up or you need an appointment."

A second round of thank you's are exchanged and the final good-bye of the day sees Priyanka Maheswaran drive off with Connie in the passenger seat as Patricia, Edward, and Steven wave them off into the night. They stand there for a while even when the car turned at the end of the street.

"Oof…what a night," Edward laments as he runs a hand through his hair before turning to Steven, "Alright, now it's your turn, kiddo'. Come on, we'll walk you home."

"O~o~kay…" Steven yawns, rubbing at his eyes; Edward is quick to scoop him up and holds the boy steady, "Mmnot that tired…really…"

"As Dr. Maheswaran put it, the evidence says otherwise," Edward replies before walking towards the temple, Patricia following slightly behind.

The walk is silent, save for the soothing waves and gentle winds that lull the boy into slumber, slightly drooling onto Edward's shoulder. He gamely ignores it and continues onward at a steady pace, making sure not to jostle the boy. Patricia sighs at the sight; always at a wonder how Edward seems so different when interacting with children.

It was the same in Charm City, she remembers. The adults either left him well enough alone or feared him outright. However, the children just seemed to eye him with wide-eyed wonder before asking him to play with them. He would silently oblige, stony mask overseeing madly giggling children bounding here and there tirelessly. Every now and then though, she would spy something of a smile sneaking onto his face.

A vision flashes through her mind's eye. She hears the pitter-patter of feet on tile and the joyous giggling of a small child. Oh, how beautiful, she thinks. A pale skinned darling with ebony hair and earthen eyes; people might wonder if she is sickly but the child's exuberance might cure them of that thought. The child is running, perhaps a little too quickly, towards her parents. How strange they almost look like…

With a gasp, Patricia returns to reality.

"Everything alright, love?"

Patricia gasps again at the sudden proximity of her husband, whom had bridged the distance in order to whisper.

"Oh, goodness…yes, yes I'm fine. Just a thought occurred…"

"Nothing dire, I hope?"

"No…no, nothing bad. It was just a simple one."

Edward stares at her, wanting to inquire a little more. He thinks better of it though and nods before resuming his slow gait to the temple. Patricia resumes following, a hand resting atop of her flat belly. She wonders...


"Really, I don't think oohhh…this is appropriate, Edward…mmmph…"

"Isn't that the fun of it?" Edward asks, nibbling and kissing her soft neck, "Besides, today has been rather slow," he punctuates with a deep suckle, causing a blooming of blue and a gasp.

"But your bandages…"

"I'll change them."

"You're incorrigible," she scolds as she grasps his head tightly against her, her hands becoming entangled in the wild mass of his undone hair.

"Fair enough," he chuckles as he works her blouse open, just exposing the top of her breasts and her gem but if he was feeling particularly daring…

"Edward, please…"

"I know, love, trust me," he says and presses a deep kiss on her gem, eliciting a moan from his beloved as she wriggles from her seat atop the counter. One of her hands begins making their journey south, cupping and rubbing his bulging hardness causing Edward's hackles to rise and a deep rumble to escape him.

One of his hands snakes its way slowly up her skirt, exposing her cream-colored legs inch by inch. His fingers feel the lacy patterns of her panties before moving to the center, relishing in the wetness found there.

"Edward!"

"Patricia!" Edward growls.

"Hi, Mr and Mrs. Feng!"

"Really, Steven, please use your inside voice," Pearl softly reprimands as they enter the shop, "How odd though, they didn't say anything about taking the day off and it's not like them to leave the shop unattended."

They hadn't, really. If one were to look behind the counter where the cash register was, they would find the two of them blushing furiously at each other, wide-eyed, covering the other's mouth with a palm while their free hand makes small wild gestures of alarm. It very well could've been the lust or the adrenaline or some madcap mixture of both but a teasing thought came to Edward's mind as he licked Patricia's hand covering his mouth. A swift knee to the stomach cures him of this, causing a groan.

"Hello? Mr. Feng, is that you?"

He throws a soft glare at his wife before he launches himself to stand.

"Hah! Hello! Yes, it is I!" Edward says, smoothing out any and all wrinkles on his changshan, a zaffre blue one.

While Steven is quick to greet him jubilantly, Pearl eyes his red-faced disheveled appearance suspiciously.

"What were you doing hiding behind the counter? You look awfully stressed…is everything alright?"

"Yes yes, everything is fine. I uh, tripped is all. Fell flat on my face," Edward claims as he runs his hands through his undone hair, "While I was trying to tie my hair up again! Yes, that is what happened exactly. While trying to tie my hair up, I tripped and fell on my face which is why it is red and I do not look my best. That is how things occurred, in that order."

Edward begins to sweat under the axe that is Pearl's deadpan expression. Luckily, that's why Steven is here.

"Is Mrs. Feng around too? I have so much I want to tell the both of you!"

"Ah, a good question. Yes, um, she's uh, out. Yes! She went out for a bit, ran out of some fruit so she went on a bit of a market run to keep our bubble tea fruits in stock. Wouldn't want to run out on one of our best selling items, ya know? That is why she is not here now currently, yes."

A quick glance to his side sees his wife burying her embarrassedly blue face in her hands. Ok, maybe that wasn't the best lie but he thought it was rather good considering his state of mind and being on the spot.

"You know, why don't we sit outside today? The weather might be a little chilly but it doesn't mean we can't enjoy the warmth of the sun while it's still out and about, eh? You two find yourselves a table and I'll prepare your favorite bubble tea, Steven. Pearl, you're sure you don't want to try a cup of something?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the offer as usual; consumption of human food or drink never sat well with me," Pearl says with a slight grimace before turning to Steven with a smile, "Why don't you go on ahead, Steven? I need to talk about something important to Mr. Feng."

"Is it…the thing?" Steven gasps.

"Yes, it's the thing," Pearl giggles before gently ushering him off, who takes off with gusto. She looks on wistfully even after he disappears beyond the door before turning back to Edward with a deadpan expression.

"Really, you two? You're lucky Steven didn't think to check behind the counter impulsively."

Edward blushes furiously as he sputters a response while equally blushing Patricia stands and coughs primly.

"Yes, well, do forgive us our moment of intimacy. We are husband and wife after all; such moments are to be expected."

"In the middle of work? When anyone can walk in?"

"You know, I wasn't too sure about it myself but there is a certain thrill to sneaking something like this here and there at the risk of being caught," Patricia thinks for a moment before shooting her husband a teasing smile, "We might have to do that more often, see what we can get away with."

Crystal Gem and human blush furiously; Pearl at the lasciviousness of it all while Edward is surprised and aroused all the more.

"What? You seemed rather enthusiastic before, why so shy now?" As she cheekily swats at Edward's ass, causing him to yelp and then growl.

"Dirty bird…" As he attacks her neck, causing her to giggle.

"Ok, that's enough, you two! I was serious when I said there was something important I wanted to discuss!" Pearl intervenes, her hands waving frantically before things went too far.

"Oh right, my bad," Edward apologizes, "I admit, I am also curious about this 'thing' that has Steven excited."

"Yes, well, it was his idea after all," At the surprised looks, Pearl continues, "Recently, Steven rediscovered an item from a test we once had him do. While the loss of the Lunar Sea Spite was unfortunate, Steven showed that he was capable of preparation and ingenuity. But he seemed to view it as more of a failure so he wanted another test, which we did under our close supervision at the temple."

"For some time, we've been at something of an impasse about how to go about testing you two. I mean, the obvious thing to do would be to take the both of you out on a mission and evaluate you then but our main concern is that you, Edward, are human. You seemed to do well against the watermelons Steven brought to life but what we encounter regularly is far more dangerous. We fight corrupted gems and most recently other uncorrupted gems."

"Corrupted gems?" Patricia asks.

"They used to be gems but after the rebellion and an attack from the Diamonds, they became monsters, acting on their basest instincts and roaming the earth."

"Monsters, you say?" Edward says, "Creatures then…with a gem embedded in a part of their body?"

"Er, yes."

"Can they take any form or are they regulated to one?"

"Well, so far, they're regulated to one form but really, they could be anything like…"

"A giant floating pufferfish that blows gale force winds constantly?"

"How did you…?"

"Nanefua is a favorite customer of ours. She told us the story about the beach party," Edward chuckles for a bit, "Can a corrupted gem appear as, let's say, a one-eyed alligator with a gem embedded in its tongue?"

"I…suppose it could."

"Dear, have you encountered one before?" Patricia asks concernedly. Edward breathes deep, contemplating how to answer.

"Once…a long time ago in Empire City. We shattered it," Edward eyes Pearl's clenched fists but ignores it for now, "One of my friends, we called him Little Artist...he was attacked by it and lost an arm because of it. So we got mad and killed it; a brother of mine shattered the gem for good measure."

"I'm…sorry to hear that," Pearl says, "We didn't think that a corrupted gem would…"

"Forget it, we got our revenge. I don't recall hearing or reading anything about monsters attacking other cities either so it was probably just the one. Would be kind of hard to miss or keep that hidden, eh?" Edward sighs, "I'll go and make that tea; can't keep Steven waiting too long."

Leaving the two Pearls alone, he heads into the kitchen; the door closing with a dull thud.

"I'm sorry. I…didn't realize he was so sensitive about his past," Pearl apologizes

"Oh please, don't worry too much about it. It's always been a…touchy subject with him. He's told me bits and pieces but the details always remained a mystery," Patricia sighs, eyeing the door sadly, "I've learned it's always best to just let him be to work things out and work through his burdens. I only hope that one day he'll tell me himself when he's ready and not before so that I can help him…if he would let me."

"I hope so too, for your sake," Pearl says, "I imagine it's not easy being in a relationship with a human."

"It's been something of an experience," Patricia begins, "He can be rather moody and at the worst of times, we won't talk or touch each other for days on end. At the best of times though, there's such warmth and love that I lose myself in it and never want it to end. I imagine that's what Rose Quartz felt when she was with Greg."

Pearl's hands clench a little tighter.

"Pearl…can I ask you something?" Patricia asks tentatively, her eyes moving away from the door to meet the other's eyes, "Rose Quartz…why did she give up her physical form? Was there really no way for her to coexist with Steven?"

Pearl takes a deep breath, releasing it with a shuddering sigh.

"Honestly, I don't know. For a long time after Steven was born, I wondered why myself. I mean, she was able to shapeshift all the necessary parts, the appropriate measures were taken, there was certainly no reason that she couldn't have given birth to Steven without sacrificing herself. Maybe she saw something we didn't…saw something I didn't…"

"Oh Pearl, I'm so sorry," Patricia says as she grasps Pearl's hands in a comforting gesture.

"No, it's alright. I've…I've come to accept the results and will do anything to protect and carry on Rose's last wishes. It's all I can do," Pearl finishes, eyeing their hands sadly. They widen though when she realizes the course of thought, "Patricia…you're not…?"

Before they can get any further, the side door leading to the patio swings open revealing Steven at the entrance with three men. Two of them are of similar height and build while the third is a large rotund man who sidles his way in. All of them are masked, Patricia and Pearl notice too late.

"Mrs. Feng, you've got customers!" Steven says jovially.

"Steven! Get away from them now!" Patricia screams as she and Pearl summon their weapons in a flash of light.

"GRAB THE KID!" One of them yells. The one to respond is the big one with surprising speed as he wraps his arms firmly around the boy, whom begins struggling wildly to get free. Another flips out a switchblade and points it at Steven's face, "Nobody move or the kid gets it!"

"Let go of me, you jerks!" Steven says, as he squirms and kicks wildly.

"Fucking hell, man! I knew this was a bad idea, did you see what they just did!? We're dealing with some freaks that got weapons popping out of their bodies!"

"It doesn't matter, we've got the kid as leverage!" The one with the knife says, "For fuck's sake, can't you keep him still!?"

The large one doesn't speak, only makes strangely high pitched whining sounds as his meaty arms wrap tighter around the boy to no avail.

"What do you want!?" Pearl demands, the grip on her spear tightening.

"Stay back! We just want all the money and valuables you have! Give us those and you can have the kid back!" The one with the knife yells back, the knife going a little too closely to Steven's cheek.

"Alright, enough! Please, we'll give you what you want. Just don't hurt the boy!" Patricia pleads, her sabre phasing out of existence as she raises her hands in surrender.

"Ok, seriously, did you not just see that? We don't even know what we're dealing with here and…goddamn it, this ain't right...our brothers are probably rolling in their graves now, especially the big bro's! No women or children, remember!?" The one panics. The large one seems to be making sounds that agree.

"Yeah, well they're not here anymore, remember!? They fucking died and we're all that's left! You think I like doing this any more than you guys!? Fucking…! Where the hell is the damn money!?" This time, he isn't careful enough and the knife grazes Steven's cheek, leaving a bleeding line.

"STEVEN!"

The kitchen door slams open, a glass pitcher flying straight at the one with the knife. It shatters into shrapnel and liquid as it tears into the knife-wielding thug, whom screams in pain. Pearl takes advantage of the momentary distraction, sweeping the blunt end of her spear to take out the footing of the other thug. Once down, she delicately places the sharp end against his neck. He raises his arms in surrender, looking straight at the ceiling.

The large one is all that's left and he's breathing heavily, staring at Edward transfixed. Earthen eyes gone dark as he stalks forward, step by step. His eyes never leave the large one, even when he stomps on the writhing thug's wrist with a loud crack. Another fresh scream of pain rings out, dying to sobbing moans as Edward's foot grinds into it. His other foot lazily kicks the knife as it skids away towards the kitchen door. The large one lets Steven go, the boy running straight to Patricia's waiting arms as she hugs him tightly. The large one still hasn't moved, his eyes still staring at Edward in fear.

"I don't know whether to commend you or call you foolish for not running," Edward says before driving his fist into the large one's belly, whom doubles over in whining pain.

"Edward stop! They've given up!" Patricia screams.

But her words fall on deaf ears. His fists fly all over the masked man turned punching bag with meaty thuds. Given the softness of the body, it's a wonder if he's doing any damage but the whimpering and the cries say that he is.

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! STOP MAKING THAT SOUND!" Edward roars, wild-eyed. The response is another whimper, maddening Edward even more.

"Jesus Christ, man! Leave Little Fortune alone! PLEASE!" The one under Pearl begs.

A fist that would've crushed the now named Little Fortune's head freezes just inches away. Edward stares wide-eyed at the masked man, curled up into a ball under him. With a shaky chubby hand, he digs into one of the pockets of his Zhongshan suit and presents him with a crushed fortune cookie still in its wrapping. Edward can make out the logo: a yellow cartoon with a simple round head wearing a straw hat and blue Magua grinning happily; above it, the name Lucky San. A hand lashes out and rips the mask away, revealing beady black eyes tearfully set in a pudgy face. Little Fortune turns away with a whimper, not daring to meet Edward's eyes.

Edward steps back, shocked. He mutters denials under his breath. He then moves towards the groaning one, carefully unmasking him as to not agitate the glass that may be embedded in his face. Shaggy hair is released, temporarily covering his face. Edward gently moves it aside, revealing eyes screwed shut with pain. The tweedy English moustache and goatee is new but he recognizes the bleeding face. Finally, he moves slowly to the one Pearl apprehended. She moves aside, watching him carefully. The thug underneath wonders briefly but his vision is obscured as he is unmasked as well. A shaven head, except for a red Mohawk pops free; his one good eye blinks rapidly as he takes in everything. It widens when he sees Edward.

"Brother Phoenix? Is that you?"


Author's Note: I sincerely hope the length of the chapter makes up for how long it took to write and upload this. Really, my only excuse is my work took a turn where I'm forced away from the computer more. On a humorous note, a recent review brought up an interesting point to which I say...DAMN YOU, TWILIGHT! YOU'VE RUINED A PERFECTLY NORMAL NAME!

That aside, a this same review brought up some interesting points/cons about this work of mine. Something I've been concerned with myself for a while but accepted since no one's mentioned it. As some of you may have noticed, I put a lot of emphasis and work on dialogue between characters rather than writing out what's happening in scenes. On the one hand, it cuts down on clutter where I'm not just repeating things that readers may already be aware of. On the other, things might get choppy or jarring to the point that reader's lose their flow. I've always wondered if I should resort more to exposition rather than putting everything on the reader to imagine and visualize it themselves and really curious as to how you readers feel.

The lack of plot/direction is also a concern of mine. I've always preferred a slow burning so I can have readers sympathize and like (or even hate) characters before launching them into the main plot instead of just dumping them in and having them react. If anything, I guess I'm following a slice of life formula where I'm hoping that the happy couple's everyday lives and their reactions to the extraordinary things Steven and the Crystal Gems get up to will make up for it. Now I fear that may not be the case. All I can say is that after this chapter and the next, the plot will pick up and perhaps fix this problem. As readers though, is the flow too slow?

That said, I hope those who have liked/favorite'd this story continue to enjoy what has happened and what is to come. I hope to see you all again next chapter and enjoy what happened is about to (Spoiler Alert: We got a glimpse at Patricia's past, it only seems fair that we see Edward's, right?)