I don't really have much to say about this chapter. Just that we're going back to Lapis' POV. Also, thanks for the nice reviews so far!

Chapter 4 – My Lapis

I didn't actually sleep that night. Gems don't need to sleep, but I didn't mind lying next to Steven while he slept. His head rested on my chest, and I was comforted by his gentle breathing. I could feel his heart beating in his chest. I had him wrapped in my arms, and I wouldn't have minded holding him as long as he wanted.

As I lay there with Steven, I suddenly heard a tap on the window, and I nearly leapt off the bed. Holding Steven tight to me, I looked over at the large window next to the bed, fearing that Jasper would be there, but it was only a branch being blown by the wind. I sighed and laid back down. There was a small cough, and I jumped again, but gentle hands were put on my shoulders to calm me.

"Lapis," Steven whispered to me through the darkness, "Are you ok? You woke me when you jumped up earlier."

I let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry," I murmured, "I was just startled, is all. I thought I heard…" I paused, not wanting to sound foolish. "Nothing. I'm sorry I woke you."

Steven stared at me through the darkness, and I could see the concern in his eyes. I was comforted when he gave me a gentle kiss, then laid back down. I let out a sigh, trying to calm myself. I heard Steven fall back asleep and I felt comforted.

Jasper wouldn't find me. Even if she did, I had Steven with me. We could keep each other safe.

I must've fallen asleep at some point, because when I opened my eyes, it was morning. Steven was asleep on top of me (I don't remember that happening) and he was breathing peacefully. I felt the faintest of smiles creep onto my face.

I gently shook him until he woke, a yawn escaping from him. He lifted his head and looked at me sleepily.

"Oh, good morning, Lapis!" he greeted with a yawn, "Sorry, I'm still a little tired."

I frowned a little. "I'm sorry," I started.

"No! No! It's not your fault!" he insisted, "I'm always tired in the morning." He sat up and gave me a little hug. "I promise."

Sighing a little, I allowed myself to smile. "Ok, Steven. If you say so."

Steven smiled at me then he got up and went to his bathroom to get ready for the day. I waited, sitting on his bed, and looking around the room. I had never been up to Steven's room before. It really complimented his personality.

I suddenly heard a door open, and someone came into the main room. I looked over the edge of the loft and saw that it was Pearl. She seemed to sense me staring at her, because she suddenly turned around and looked up at me.

"Oh! Good morning, Lapis!" she said, a little startled, "Glad to see you awake! Where's Steven?"

"He's in the bathroom," I replied, blandly.

Pearl stared up at me, as if expecting me to say more. "Um, we told Peridot where you are and what happened to you," she told me.

"Thank you," I said, "She tends to worry if I'm gone for too long. I don't want her to start panicking or anything."

"Indeed," Pearl muttered a little awkwardly.

We were both relieved when Steven came out of the bathroom at that moment, fully dressed and ready for the day. He spotted Pearl and smiled.

"Hey Pearl!" he greeted cheerfully, "How are you this morning? Did you see that Lapis is awake now?"

"Yes, Steven, I did notice that," Pearl told him briskly. Without another word, she strode out the door. I wondered what she was doing, but I didn't feel like asking.

"Steven," I called gently to him as he stared after Pearl.

"Hm?"

"Would it be all right if I stayed here for a few days?" I requested, "I don't feel safe going back to the barn yet."

Steven smiled up at me. "Of course, you can!" he replied, "I'm sure the Gems won't mind having you around! I know I do!"

I couldn't help let out a soft giggle. "Thank you, Steven," I said. I watched as he walked up the steps to me. He sat down next to me and gently leaned on me.

"So, what are you going to do while you're here?" he wondered.

I let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know," I admitted, "I would love to spend time with you, but I'm worried about Jasper finding me again."

"Don't worry about that," Steven encouraged, "I'll stay by your side! I'll make sure Jasper doesn't come anywhere near you!"

His enthusiasm made me smile. I leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "You're the best," I told him.

"I don't like to brag," he said, winking at me. I gave him a gentle nudge in the side.

Steven suddenly stood up and took my hand. "Come on! Let's go to the boardwalk! Steven needs breakfast!" he encouraged.

"Can't you eat here?" I wondered. Steven frowned at me.

"I can," he replied, "I choose not to. Come on!" He took my hand again and led me down the steps. I had no choice but to follow him.

Steven took me out of the house and down the shore. I stuck close to him and kept nervously looking around, making sure Jasper was nowhere to be seen. Steven didn't seem troubled at all, however, and watching him cheerfully walk along the shore made me relax, at least somewhat.

Beach City was already starting to get busy, despite it being early. Steven led me to the donut store where the two teenagers whose names I don't know worked.

"Hey Sadie! Hey Lars!" Steven greeted them when he came in.

"Steven," the boy, Lars, muttered when he saw my friend, "It's too early in the morning for you."

"What? Am I early?" Steven wondered, cocking his head.

"No," Sadie, the girl, explained, "He's just being a grump. What can I get for you?"

Steven turned to me. "Did you want a donut, Lapis?" he asked me. I smiled warmly at him.

"No, Steven," I replied politely, "You don't have to get me anything."

After Steven had ordered, we left the shop, and I followed him over to a bench where he sat down to eat. As he did, I stared out at the ocean, thinking to myself. I wondered where Jasper was right now. Was she hunting me down, or was she watching me right now, waiting for her opportunity to strike? I must have looked distressed, because Steven looked at me with a worried look.

"Lapis? Are you ok?" he asked me.

His voice jostled me from my thoughts. "Huh? Oh, um, I'm fine," I replied, lying through my teeth, "I just have a lot on my mind right now."

As Steven stared at me, I felt like his eyes were staring straight into my thoughts. He frowned at me. "You're thinking about Jasper, aren't you?"

I let out a long breath. "Boy, I can't hide anything from you, can I?" I said, trying to have a spark of humor in my voice.

Steven scooched closer to me and gently touched my hand. "What happened to you?" he wondered, "I know you said you didn't want to talk about it, but maybe it will make you feel better?"

"Nothing will make me feel better," I said quietly. I felt Steven gently press against me, and I felt comforted by the warmth of his body. I sighed a little and decided I should tell him.

"Steven, do you know what rape is?" I asked him. He fidgeted nervously.

"Well, sort of," he muttered, "I mean, I know the definition. But I don't really know much about it. I know it's something really bad."

"It is," I agreed, "It's what Jasper did to me."

I couldn't bear to look at Steven, as I didn't want to suddenly burst into tears. But I could feel his gaze on me, and I turned away from him. I startled a little when he suddenly and gently wrapped his arms around me.

"Lapis, I'm so sorry," he said sadly, "I had no idea."

"It's not your fault," I told him, "I shouldn't have left the barn. I knew Jasper was still out there. I was foolish to go out on my own."

"But you shouldn't have to be afraid to be on your own every once in a while!" Steven insisted. "You shouldn't have to keep looking over your shoulder to make sure Jasper isn't there! You should be able to fly whenever you want!"

I didn't respond. I shouldn't be afraid, but I was. I didn't ever want to experience that again. What she did to me. And I didn't feel safe at the barn anymore. Who was going to help me there? Peridot? I had to stay somewhere where I was safe. Somewhere with water that I could use to defend myself. I could only be with Steven.

As my thoughts drifted, I suddenly felt Steven lean against me. I finally turned and looked at him and saw him staring up at me with wide eyes. I tried to fight back the tears I felt coming to my eyes.

"Sorry," I murmured, "It's just so hard to be optimistic. You don't know what it's like, to be taken advantage of like that. I was powerless against her. I'm not even sure how I got away. But I know she's going to find me again. She won't stop."

I didn't say anymore as Steven sat up and looked at me. He leaned up and gently kissed my mouth, and I felt his warmth and love spread through me. I felt myself melt, and I gave up, and gently kissed him back. We sat there for a while, kissing each other, and shielding ourselves from the world. I loved how Steven kissed me. He was always soft and kind, unlike Jasper, who seemed to always kiss me as hard as possible. I had totally blocked out everything around us, nothing mattered to me at the moment except Steven.

When Steven finally pulled, I felt reluctant to stop. But when I looked at him, his eyes were shining, and he had a small smile on his face.

"You're not powerless, Lapis," he said, "You've got me. I won't let Jasper take advantage of you anymore."

He leaned over and hugged me, and I hugged him back. I could feel his heart beating. I heard him whisper. "I'll protect you. My Lapis."

I was going to make this chapter longer, but that line is perfect to end it on, so that's what I'm going to do. I don't know if I'm going to continue the trend of alternating between Lapis and Steven's POV every other chapter, or if I'm going to mix it up next time. I don't know. We'll see. I'm definitely going to put Connie in the next chapter. Now that Lapis is awake, she'll create some nice conflict.

Anyway, please leave a review! They're always welcome, unless you're an ass!