A/N: Wow! Hey, look, it's that second chapter I promised to multiple people forever ago... I'm so sorry it took this long. But then Mindful Education happened, and I got more ideas, and... long story short, there's gonna be a third chapter too. But in any case, here's this one! Thank you all so much for your feedback and support! Enjoy!

Garnet was silent after Steven had finished, leaving out the more personal parts.

"And she said to tell you guys that she loves you and misses you, but that she doesn't regret her decision and, and it was hers alone to make. Garnet?" She swiped a hand under her visor. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Steven. I'm glad you told me," she said and ruffled his hair.

"Do… Do you think it could happen again?"

"Anything's possible," she said.

"Could you check?" She gave him a small smile.

"Sure." Placing two fingers to her temple, Garnet peered into the future...and was terrified by what she saw.

She saw the next time Steven could see Rose, after a particularly hard mission that left him beat. And again after he had had a fight with Connie. And again after an insensitive comment by Pearl. Steven could see his mother again, but each time he would be more and more bitter and Rose would be able to help less and less; it would slowly wear her down until she and that part of Steven were gone forever.

Steven noticed her hand was shaking slightly when she put it down.

"Garnet? What did you-"

He was cut off as she pulled him into a big hug.

"You know we love you right? We would do anything for you Steven and not because of your mom or your gem but because of you." He paused before responding, but then said,

"I do now."

"I'm sorry if we ever made you feel otherwise." She kissed him on the forehead and then ruffled his hair. "Why don't you get some more sleep? You've had a busy night."

"Well," he yawned. "I guess a little nap wouldn't hurt. Thanks Garnet."

Garnet made sure Steven was properly asleep before heading back into the temple and finding Pearl and Amethyst.

"We need to talk," she announced as they gathered in the Bubble Room.

"What's wrong?" Pearl asked.

"Is it a monster?" Amethyst asked excitedly.

"It's Steven," she said. "He talked to Rose." The statement was meant with silence which was broken by a tinny laugh from Pearl.

"That's not possible. Rose is-"

"It is possible. And it will happen again unless we do something about it."

"What do you mean?" Pearl asked.

Garnet leaned back against the wall and tried to explain. "Steven's feelings triggered Rose's essence enough that she was able to manifest herself in a projection." She glanced up at them meaningfully. "Feelings that he was unloved."

"That's crazy!" Amethyst cried. "He knows we love him. Doesn't he?"

"He said he does now, but unless we start acting like it more, Steven will see Rose again and again until it completely destroys what's left of her. And it'll destroy Steven too."

"I can't believe she's still in there," Pearl whispered.

"This is not about Rose, Pearl. This is about Steven. He said she had a message for us. She said that she loves us and misses us, but doesn't regret her decision and that it was hers alone to make. We've got to stop blaming Steven for something that wasn't his choice." The others looked at the ground in shame, realizing that they had harbored some grudge against the innocent boy.

"We can't let that happen. I''ll try to be better Garnet," Pearl announced finally.
"Yeah. Me too," said Amethyst.

"And I as well. I can't see everything, but if we're not careful, this could lead down terrible paths."