Chapter 4: Fusion

It was back to the grindstone for both Connie and Steven. Today they were to train as Stevonnie and with Garnets help stay together longer. Many drills and exercises took place as Ame watched from the sidelines. Sardonyx would appear every once and awhile to point out flaws in their dance or miscommunications when fighting as one. Every time a fusion happened Ame would grow glummer. Ame was just about to leave when Stevonnie waved at her.

"Hey Ametrine! Where are you going? Am I doing okay with my sword fighting?"

Ametrine didn't turn around as she nodded and walked off. Disheartened Steven and Connie unfused with concerned expressions.

"Is Ametrine alright?" Asked Connie.

Pearl touched the tips of her fingers together as she explained solemnly. "Ametrine are very rare, they form accidentally when an Amethyst and Citrine are made too close together in a kindergarten. Because of this they are extremely powerful on their own, but they lose the ability to fuse. It was always a touchy subject with her in the past and I don't believe she's quite gotten over it yet."

"That's so sad." Steven grumbled.

"It's how it is." Garnet said monotonously.

"Has anyone ever tried?"

"Probably."

"Wait you don't know?! Come on Connie we have a new mission!" Steven grabbed the girl's hand and ran after Ame.

"Wait Steven! You can't just-"

"It's alright Pearl." Garnet smiled.

Steven and Connie found Ame on the beach with her knees tucked to her chest. She was watching the waves as her purple braid was tossed behind her in the breeze. Her brown eyes scanned the darkening water as the sun lowered in the sky.

"Yes Steven?"

"I just want to say I'm sorry for dragging you along to practice today without knowing about you not being able to fuse."

"And if you wanted to try, Steven and I could help you." Connie piped up.

Ame looked to the pleading eyes of the children and got to her feet. "I wouldn't know where to begin…"

Stars lit up both their eyes as they began to try and teach her how to dance. Steven set down his phone as they tried multiple types of dance and music. Because of her leg any fluid motions like the ones Amethyst preferred where out. Garnets robotic style of dance came a bit more naturally to her, but Ame found it a bit silly and ended up laughing half way through. Neither Steven nor Connie knew how to dance like Pearl so that was out. Glum glances passed between the kids, but Ame smiled and lifted both Connie and Steven up with just one arm, laughing.

"Oh come on, I'm not that much of a lost cause to warrant those looks!"

"Woah Ame you're REALLY strong!" Steven laughed. Together the three of them played on the sand in the light of the setting sun. Just as they were thinking what to do next Pearl's voice cut through the air softly.

"I believe this may be my area of expertise." She smiled shyly. Ame was enjoying the kid's antics and didn't notice her approach them.

"It's probably not gonna work Pearl, you don't have to waste your time on this." Ame said grimly.

Garnet spoke up next to Pearl. "You know better than anyone that singing and dancing is kind of what Pearls were originally made for…" Pearl shot Garnet a warning glance. "Not that they, only, have to do those things of course!"

Pearl left Garnet and approached Ame gracefully. She place Ame's heavy and strong hands on her hip and in her own hand respectfully. Ametrine's cheeks darkened significantly when Pearl placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You've done so much for me, this is the least I can do for you." She whispered only to her.

"Alright, but dose everybody need to be watching us?" She said with the edge of panic in her whispered voice.

"Keep your eyes one me and it'll be fine."

Pearl nodded to Steven to start some piano music and began to sing.

Alright everything begins with your stance

Pearl gently allowed some of Ame's weight to be put on her as they started.

Keep your stance wide, Keep your body lowered, as your moving forward…

Ame stumbled and almost fell due to not being used to putting weight on her leg.

Balance is the key. Right foot, Left foot

After a few steps Ametrine seemed to get the hang of it and begin to smile as they picked up the pace.

Now go even faster and as you're moving backwards…

The taller gem was so happy that she could finally move more that she was focused on her feet as to not mess up. A slender hand removed itself from her shoulder and gently moved her chin up so their gazes locked. Pearl blushed a light blue and she spoke.

Keep your eyes on me.

The pair danced for a while and Ame even threw in a few spins as well. As Pearl completed her third spin she felt the beginning stages of fusion kick in. Pearl dove into her embrace and with her hand still up in the air went flush with her body. She expected her form to contract and reshape into someone new, but she didn't, both of their forms reshaped back to normal and the fusion failed. Both Pearl and Ametrine were thrown to the ground, disheartened. The rest of the onlookers sighed a held breath.

"I really thought it was gonna work." Said Steven.

"Mabey next time, come now Steven. Connie's mom is probably back at the house waiting for her." Garnet said.

With that the three of them left the two gems on the beach. Out of frustration Ame grabbed a rock and threw it into the ocean with a loud flooush. Pearl thought for a long time then got an idea that shaded her face blue.

"Ame, I have an idea."

"What now? How much more can I embarrass myself in one day? I just want to fuse since it's so special to you guys, like when you made Sardonyx earlier. I feel like I'm still an outsider around you because of it."

"You are not an outsider, Ame. Ever since Rose left you're the only one I have left of that time."

"So I'm just your replacement for Rose then?!" She nearly shouted.

"NO!...you're not, and I can, I can prove it to you!" Pearl spoke with tears threatening to fall.

"How?!" Ame said with her own brown eyes watery.

Pearl walked up to Ame with a mixture of fury and sadness on her face. She grabbed the side of Ame face with her hand and kissed her left cheek. Instantly the anger built up in Ame disappeared and was replaced with a fuzzy warmth and confusion. After a second Pearl landed back on her heels and couldn't make eye contact out of embarrassment.

"What? Was that?"

"A human tradition that shows affection to those you deeply care about."

"Oh." Ame bent down and returned the kiss. "Like this?"

"Uh, yeah, yoooou got it."

Awkward silence fell between both gems. The explosion of anger from the argument had faded just as quickly as it came. This was how they had always argued; furious at first then somehow came out closer. Ame brushed away the telling tracks of tears from Pearl's face with a strong, but gentile hand.

"We um, better get back."

"Mmhm."

Pearl clung on to her arm that was not supporting Ametrine's weight as they headed back to the house. Steven was busy eating with Amethyst and didn't notice Pearl separate from Ame. Garnet flashed both of them a knowing smile and silently mouthed two words at them.

Future vision