And another chapter. Huzzah. Downfall of this fic: Got the ending planned, but getting there is proving to be difficult. Ah well. I'll get to it.

Chapter 3

"So, you two have been apart for a while," Amethyst said, putting both her hands behind her head as she walked up to Ruby. It was weird being head to head with her, when she was so used to looking up at Garnet. It was totally throwing off Amethyst's groove. "Is Sky causing that big of a rift between you two?"

"We're not fighting," Ruby said, hunching her shoulders up, and crossing her arms even tighter over her chest.

The two of them were standing next to the fence while Sapphire and Pearl were helping Sky with her Earth knowledge. And catching her up on the Crystal Gem's history or something. Amethyst hadn't been totally paying attention. Connie and Steven were busy keeping Peridot out of the way, leaving Amethyst and Ruby to the side.

Ruby looked at Amethyst with an accusing look a few seconds later. She dropped to the ground and sat, crossing her legs. "Why does everyone keeping asking that?"

"Uh, it's the usual reason you two split up?" Amethyst asked, innocently as she could. Ruby continued to stare blankly at her and she gave up with a grin. "What? It's not my fault you and Sapphire are literally fused nearly twenty-four seven unless you're fighting."

"That's not true," Ruby said. She shifted on the ground, giving away that it was totally true and Amethyst and everyone else knew it. Ruby bit her lip and huffed. "We just like being Garnet. That doesn't meant we don't split up once in a while."

"Name the last time you two unfused for something that wasn't a fight," Amethyst said, unable to help the teasing. She couldn't get away with this when it came to Garnet, but Ruby and Sapphire were fair game split up. She grinned and put her hands on her hips. "I bet you can't do it."

Ruby scrunched her nose together and opened her mouth.

Amethyst cut her off: "And getting captured by Jasper doesn't count!"

Ruby's mouth snapped shut and stared at the ground. Her little fists tightened, and Amethyst raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while, I know. But that doesn't mean anything."

"I know, I'm just teasing you," Amethyst said, wondering if she might have gone a bit too far. She rubbed under her nose and jumped up to sit on the fence post. Looking down at Ruby was even weirder than being eye level. "I am surprised you two haven't, you know, fused back yet."

"Sapphire wants to wait until Sky's a little more used to being around everyone," Ruby huffed. She changed positions, hugging her knees to her chest while she watched Sapphire across the field. "She thinks if we form Garnet without a good reason, Sky'll get too upset."

"But you two are going to go back, right?" Amethyst asked. "You two love being Garnet."

"The original plan is to go back as soon as we think Sky and Pearl can get along for ten minutes without something happening," Ruby said, rolling her eyes.

"Ah, so I won't be seeing Garnet for a while then, will I?" Amethyst snickered, thinking of how delightfully stubborn Pearl could be.

Ruby agreed; by punching Amethyst in the leg so hard she fell off the fence laughing.

Sapphire would give Sky credit: She still knew how to listen quietly.

Which was definitely a virtue when Pearl went into teaching mode, and began filling Sky in on the entire history of the Crystal Gems starting with Rose Quartz and ending with the latest issue of the Cluster and the importance of protecting Earth.

The end result involved Sky gaping for a bit, and her head turning in Sapphire's direction for confirmation that what Pearl said was truth after every couple of sentences. Usually two glances when the subject of Garnet came up.

"Alright, I think that covers everything," Pearl said, clapping her hands together. She looked across the yard to where Peridot was examining the drill alone with Steven and Connie. The two children poked something and a bit fell off, drawing a rather large frown on Pearl's face. "But it seems I'm needed elsewhere."

"Looks that way," Sapphire said. She closed her eye for a moment and took a quick peak. "But on the bright side, in most cases you get them to listen before something important breaks. I suggest gearing up and working on the drill to keep them busy."

"Wonderful," Pearl said. She held a hand up and started toward the others, picking up her welding mask as she went. "I'll be back later."

"Take your time," Sapphire said.

She brushed her skirt out from the seat on the box, and took a moment to look over at Ruby and Amethyst across the yard. Her favorite person was sulking, and even from a distance it was as cute as it was worrying. Sapphire made a note to make it up to Ruby later.

Maybe she'd sing.

"Well, it certainly seems like you've been active all these years, Ma'am," Sky said, folding her hands in her lap, and drawing Sapphire's attention back to the present.

Sapphire had to admit, that all considered, Sky was taking things rather well. She was even speaking first, which was progress in Sapphire's book. After only a short few hours, that was comforting.

"Yes, and it's been rather eventful as you can see," Sapphire said. She reached over and took Sky by the hand. She held Sky's palm over her gem, and patted the back of Sky's gem. Sky relaxed, but still remained tense. Sapphire squeezed her hands around Sky's hand. "And things are very different on Earth, but it's most definitely for the better."

"If you say so," Sky said, using that tone of voice that Sapphire didn't need her future vision to tell that it was unsure. Well, they had time for her to adapt. So at the moment, staying out of the way would be the best case hope for her. Sky cleared her throat and said, "I suppose it's going to be a lot to get used to. But I will do my absolute best to aid you in any way I can, Mistress Sapphire."

"Just 'Sapphire' is fine, Sky," Sapphire corrected. "I'm not really your master any more."

"But you are!" Sky insisted, grabbing hold of Sapphire's hands. Her grip was desperately tight; worryingly so. "No matter where you are in life or what you chose, I will always be your Pearl!"

Sapphire pressed her lips together. She had to treat this delicately. So many possibilities, and so many answers. Sapphire glanced at Ruby, and steeled herself.

She'd need to take a peek into the future, wouldn't she? Look at a few possibilities and make use of that one trait she was best at. Just to check. Sky continued squeezing her hands and Sapphire closed her eye. She'd get an idea of the various ways Sky could react and pick the best case.

Sapphire made it half-way through the first scenario, when something else rather important got her attention first.

At least she could put off this awkward conversation with Sky for at least half a day.

Ruby looked up immediately when she saw Sapphire heading in her direction. Sky was on her tail, but Sapphire didn't seem to be paying her any mind.

"Sapphire!" Ruby said, hopping up from the ground. Sapphire didn't look worried, but she was moving a bit faster than usual. Something had to have happened. Ruby took a few steps so they could meet even faster. "What's up?"

"I had a vision," Sapphire said, stopping before Ruby. She looked at Amethyst and continued addressing them both. "There's a small herd of corrupted gems just outside the city. They're headed our way, but if we leave now, we should be able to take care of them."

"On it!" Ruby said, smacking one fist into the other. Corrupted gems weren't her favorite to deal with, but that meant they were finally going to have some action that wasn't the end of the world or bringing a Homeworld gem into their crew. This was downright normal for them! "Is it just you and I?"

"And maybe one other," Sapphire said. She smoothed her skirt down and held out a hand. Ruby took it eagerly, and loved the cool touch of Sapphire's hand against her skin. "I think Garnet can handle it easily, but it wouldn't help to have back up."

"Should I come with?" Amethyst asked, stretching her hands up over her shoulders. "I could really use the action!"

"Sounds good to me," Ruby said. She gave a thumbs up, and squeezed Sapphire's hand. She laced their fingers together and grinned. "Ready?"

"Always," Ruby said, holding her hand up to take Sapphire's other hand.

Dancing.

That was the word. Sky held her hands together and stared in awe at her wonderful and amazing master as she glided around in a small circle with her small Ruby bodyguard. When they were talking about fusion, and how in the future Mistress Sapphire wouldn't be around alone for a while, they had said that you fused with dancing.

It really was a rather lovely thing.

Up until Mistress Sapphire and her Ruby began to glow, and that tall Gem that Sky first met when she landed appeared.

"Garnet! Welcome back!" Amethyst said, laughing on the fencepost. "Been awhile, huh?"

"A little bit, but the circumstances surrounding it aren't quite as bad for once," Garnet said. She looked at Sky, though it was hard to see what she was thinking past the visor. "Hello, Sky. I don't think we were properly introduced before."

Sky nodded, rubbing her hands together. She so desperately wanted to ask "Where's Sapphire?" but she knew. Sort of. She'd been told this. By Mistress Sapphire. And that other Pearl. And it was explained. But seeing it was so different.

"I'm Garnet." Said Gem, held her hand out, the one with Mistress Sapphire's gem showing brightly and Sky took it. Garnet covered the back of Sky's hand, gently touching her gem. "And it's very nice to meet you."

"Same, Ma'am," Sky said. She could feel it, in that delicate hold. It was the same. Mistress Sapphire did the same when she wanted to be stern but comforting. Sky's master was in there! "It's a pleasure."

Garnet let go of Sky's hand, and put her hands on her hips. She looked across the field, and called out. "Team meeting! Everybody line up!"

The authority she radiated was wonderful. Sky put her hands on her skirt and slid into place next to Ms. Garnet. She wasn't her wonderful Mistress Sapphire, but it was the best she was getting for the moment.

"Garnet? What's the matter?" The other Pearl asked, jogging up and arriving first.

"Garnet! You're back!" Steven said, popping up immediately afterwards. His friend—Sky paused, was that the right word? Yes, yes.—Connie followed close behind. The Peridot too, came into view, but said nothing. Steven spoke for the group it seemed. "What's up?"

"There's a corrupted gem headed our way. It shouldn't be anything I can't handle, but I think it would be good if one person came with me, while the rest of you stayed here to look after Sky and work on the drill. Amey—"

"I volunteer!" The other Pearl said immediately, throwing her hand up and interrupting Garnet. Sky forced herself not to frown at the eagerness. Who did she think she was? Mistress Sapphire—so by association Garnet—was Sky's master. Not hers! But the other Pearl didn't read her mind and continued. "I'll go. It'll be great. I think I need the break anyway."

Garnet paused, stunned by the quick response no doubt. "I was going to say that Amethyst volunteered a moment ago, but if she doesn't mind?"

"If Pearl wants to go that bad, I don't mind sitting out," Amethyst said. She shrugged and wrapped a bit of hair around her finger. "But you owe me later Pearl!"

"I'm sure I'll think of something," the other Pearl said. "So, that's settled, right? I'm coming?"

"Yes, Pearl you can come with me," Garnet said. She crossed her arms and looked over the group. "The rest of you, hold down the fort until we get back."

"You got it, Garnet!" Steven said. He crossed his arms and nodded. "And you'll call if you need help, right?"

"Of course, Steven," Garnet said. She ruffled Steven's hair, smiling softly. And Sky took note: Steven too, was special to Mistress Sapphire. Her collection of important people was growing by the second.

Sky was going to have to keep a notebook.

"Now that that's settled," Garnet said, clapping her hands together. "Let's go."

"I need to go put this gear up, but I'll be right back," The Pearl said. She dashed off, and Amethyst followed her.

"Sky," Garnet said, drawing her attention. Sky immediately turned her head and stood at attention. "I shouldn't be gone long, but you'll be fine here with Steven and the others."

"Of course, Ma'am," Sky said. "Everything will be fine."

Amethyst grabbed Pearl by the elbow as she reached the barn and began to dump her protective gear from the drill. "You volunteered awfully quick. What's up?"

"There is no way on Earth that I'm going to be here with Sky when Sapphire is not," Pearl said, laughing. The sound was nervous and bitter and Amethyst didn't like it one bit. Pearl turned and swept both of her arms out in a "No" motion. "Not a chance."

"What?" Amethyst asked. Pearl couldn't still be hung up on having another Pearl around, could she? But then again, Amethyst had never been around another Amethyst before. She had no idea what this must be like for Pearl. "What's wrong with Sky? She's been quiet and nice so far."

"That's because you've only seen her when Sapphire is around," Pearl said, pointing her finger at Amethyst. "You'll see. I know Pearls and what they're like when the Master is away. I'm not dealing with it."

"You're sounding like Peridot before she had her attitude change," Amethyst said, putting her hands behind her head. "Don't you usually get mad about that sort of generalization?"

"This is different," Pearl said. She wiped off the front of her tunic and looked at Amethyst. "Trust me. You'll get it."

And with those words, Pearl dashed out of the barn and joined Garnet. Amethyst put her hands on her hips and watched as the two left the yard toward wherever Garnet had seen the corrupted gem coming from in her vision.

Sky waved at them as they left, before looking down to smile at Steven.

Amethyst scoffed and laughed. "How bad could she be?"