We're going back to Steven again, and I'm going to have Connie come back in this chapter.

In case you didn't read it from my first fanfiction, I refuse to make Connie a jerk just to make my story work. I've read way too many stories with people making Connie out of character just to make the shipping work. I feel it adds more tension and drama if Steven has to choose between two genuinely nice people. So, Connie is still nice and sweet, like she always is. I know I said that in my last fan fiction, but I feel like it needs restating.

Chapter 3 – Out in the Forest

I was excited when Connie asked me to go with her to the nearby woods to snap some photos. Apparently, she had an assignment where she had to take pictures of some local wild life. So, we hopped in my dad's van and drove out to the woods.

"I don't even know what lives in these woods," I confessed to Connie, "I, uh, don't really come out here a lot."

Connie giggled. "It's ok, Steven," she said, "We can learn what wild life there is together!" I laughed.

"Yeah!" I agreed, "Maybe we'll find a bear!"

"Boy, I sure hope not!" my dad called from the front, "If there are any bears, we are immediately leaving!"

"I'm sure there are no bears in these woods, Mr. Universe," Connie said, trying to calm him. I was grateful that she was so level headed.

Eventually we pulled over to the side of the road, and Connie and I hopped out with my dad right behind us. Connie pulled out her camera and carefully started sneaking into the woods. Excited, I followed behind, trying to be as quiet as her.

She snapped a few pictures of some of the plant life nearby before moving on. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, but I'm sure Connie found them interesting. She hushed me as I followed her and gestured to a small group of birds.

"Ooh!" I whispered, "What kind of birds are those? Are they super rare?"

Connie let out a soft giggle. "Hardly," she whispered back, "They're just sparrows." She clicked a few photos before moving on.

It was a fun afternoon, exploring the woods with Connie. I almost didn't want it to end. When we got back to the van, she had filled up her entire memory card with pictures.

"Man! I didn't know you could take that many pictures!" I said as we got back in the van. We both buckled in as my dad started the engine.

"Me neither," Connie agreed, "I'm sure these will be great for my project! I have so many pics to choose from!" As we drove along, she glanced out the window and suddenly gasped.

"Mr. Universe! Stop the car!" she exclaimed.

Dad slammed on the brakes, and if I hadn't been wearing a seat belt, I would have sailed out the window. "Huh? What?" my dad looked around, confused.

"Connie, what's going on?" I wondered.

She didn't answer me as she unbuckled herself and quickly got out. Panicking, I followed her and saw her racing into the forest. "Connie!" I shouted, "What's going on?"

Connie stopped a short distance away, standing by a stump and looking shocked. I had no idea what she was looking at until I reached her.

Lapis Lazuli was laying, unconscious, and beaten looking by the stump. Her dress was torn and undone, and she looked like she had been attacked. Connie quickly knelt and tied the top of her dress back up, before looking up at me.

"Steven, what happened to her?" she asked me, shaken, "You said she was fine when you left the barn!"

"She was!" I replied, hastily, "I don't know what happened!" I quickly knelt next to her. "Oh man, we've got to get her back to the temple! DAD!"

"I'm on it," my dad said right behind me. He walked around us and carefully picked up Lapis in his arms. He started to carry her back to the van and Connie and I quickly followed. He gently lay her in the back seat, and we set off for home.

None of us said anything on the drive back. I sat with Connie in the back seat, with Lapis carefully laying between us. I stared sadly at Lapis' face, wondering what could have done this to her.

When we got back to the temple, my dad took Lapis in his arms and carried her inside. I stayed outside with Connie for a moment more.

"Sorry this had to happen, Connie," I muttered to her, "I would've loved to hang out with you more, but I have to make sure Lapis is ok."

"I understand," she said, forcing a smile, "You have to take care of your friend. I would feel guilty if I made you hang out with me instead."

I gave her a grateful smile and was about to respond when my dad walked up to us.

"I hope you don't mind, Shtoo-ball, I put her in your bed," he told me, "I figured she would be most comfortable there."

"Thanks, dad," I replied.

"All right, Connie, you ready to go home?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Connie answered. Before she left, however, she quickly leaned over and gave me a hug. "Bye Steven," she said, "Let me know when Lapis wakes up, ok?"

"Will do, Connie," I replied, shyly. I stood and sadly watched them drive away before going back up to the beach house.

The Crystal Gems weren't around at the moment, and the house was deathly quiet. I walked up the stairs to see how Lapis was doing. She was curled upon my bed with about three blankets covering her, and with one hand covering her face. I sat next to her and gently pushed her hand off her face so I could look at her. Even with scratches and bruises on her face, she was still beautiful to me. Sighing, I lay down next to her, and I got under the blankets then wrapped myself in her arms. I wanted to do something to comfort her, but I didn't know how. I lay there for so long, wrapped in her arms, I fell asleep.

When I woke up, Amethyst, Pearl, and Garnet were all crouching in front of me, staring intently at me. Gasping awake, I quickly sat up, staring back at them with wide eyes.

"Hey, Steven!" Amethyst greeted, cheerfully, "Why is Lapis here, and why are you asleep next to her?"

"I can explain that," I said, hastily, "Connie and I found her injured in the woods. I don't know how she got this way."

Garnet looked past me at where Lapis was sleeping. "You want to make sure she's all right," she concluded, "That whatever attacked her doesn't do it again."

"Yeah," I replied, sadly looking down at Lapis. I was a little hesitant to say anything more. I hadn't told the Gems that I had fallen in love with Lapis yet. I didn't know how they would react to it, and I didn't want to freak them out.

"Does Peridot know she's here?" Pearl wondered, breaking me from my thoughts.

"I don't know," I replied, "She hasn't come by at all. Do you think she's worried? Maybe I should go tell her!" I started to get up, but Garnet put a hand on my shoulder.

"It's ok, Steven," she said, calmly, "You stay with your friend. We'll take care of things."

I felt myself relax a little. "Thanks, Garnet," I said.

As the three of them walked away, I briefly wondered if Garnet already knew of my feelings. With her future vision, she seemed to know everything about everyone.

Sighing, I laid back down and snuggled up to Lapis, taking her arms and wrapping myself in them. I hoped she would wake soon so I could ask her what had happened to her. I tried to stay awake, in case she stirred, but in the warmth of her arms, I couldn't help but fall asleep.

I had a disturbing dream while I slept. Flashing images and fractured screaming filled my mind, and I felt like I was going mad. I woke with a start, shaking with fear. I was so disturbed by my dream that it took me a few moments to realize that it was night time now, and there was no longer anyone lying next to me.

"Lapis?" I whispered, sitting up. There was movement by the window and I looked up to see Lapis standing, staring out of it. She seemed to have repaired her dress, and healed her scratches and bruises.

I felt great relief rise up in me. "Lapis!" I exclaimed, "You're ok!"

I was confused when she didn't react or turn to me. Instead, she simply sighed.

"Hi, Steven," she said in a sad voice. I frowned.

"Are you ok?" I asked, "What happened to you? I was really worried about you."

"I'm sorry," Lapis said, still in that sad tone of voice, "I was just trying to get away. I didn't want you to see me like that."

I stood up and walked over to her then wrapped my arms around her waist. "What happened, Lapis?" I wondered, "Why were you out in the forest?" I took her hand and lead her back to my bed.

She sighed as she sat down next to me. "I was just going out for a flight," she replied, "Just to feel the air. But I was suddenly pulled out of the air and attacked." She shivered. "It was Jasper again."

I felt my breath catch in my throat. Why couldn't Jasper leave Lapis alone? She was shaking beside me, as if the memory of what happened was still tormenting her. I gently put a hand on her arm.

"It's ok, Lapis," I told her, "You don't have to tell me right now if it's too painful for you." She smiled at me.

"Thank you, Steven," she said, "I appreciate it. I'll tell you sometime, but right now it's still too soon."

"I understand." I replied. Yawning, I laid down again, and Lapis laid next to me.

She wrapped her arms around me as I snuggled up to her. She still looked sad, but I reached up and gently kissed her mouth. I felt her start to relax as she kissed me back. I knew she was upset, and I wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. Instead of a brief kiss, I decided to kiss her longer and deeper than I had before. I felt her arms tighten around me.

When I pulled back and looked at her, her eyes were shining.

"I love you, Steven," she said quietly.

"I love you, too, Lapis," I replied. I gently laid my head on her chest as she continued to hold me. Before long, I was fast asleep.

I'm gonna end the chapter there on a sweet note to balance out last chapter.

I hope you like that I don't make Connie a jerk! I really think it adds more if she's kind and sweet.

Anyway, leave a review! Actual constructive criticism is welcome! If you just leave a post that basically says "I don't like this because I don't like this concept" that's not very helpful to me as a writer. You're basically just being a jerk.