~Hello luvies! Sorry its taken me a bit to update. Busy with other stuff and I have other stories I've wanted to update. Anyhoo here is your new chapter. Thank you so much for all the support and love you have all given me by reviewing, favoriting, and following. Its amazing how much you all give to me and other authors on this site. Please don't ever be afraid to PM me or leave a review I love to hear feedback. Hope you enjoy this latest installment. Its a bit of a long one a lot happens in this chapter. I've tried to keep the Gems as close to their characters as possible. Steven is in this chapter and writing him was a bit of a challenge. I wanted to keep his personality traits similar but since this is a bit of a more serious and dramatic story kind of give him more depth and make him less cartoony? Does that make sense? Anyways I hope he is true to his character enough while still being a bit more evolved. Its hard writing characters from an already developed storyline when they already have such a strong personality presence without disrupting the original story as whole. Its a constant challenge as a fanfiction writer and a fine line. Anyways went on way longer than I meant too. ENJOY!~

**Maiko :3**

Chapter 9

Pearl as always was tidying up the little beachside house that belonged to Steven as she awaited her teammates return. She had volunteered to stay behind with Steven, who didn't know about the potential return of Jasper. The fifteen-year-old, who had finally hit a growth spurt, was currently sitting on the couch playing a handheld video game, something she was sure she didn't approve of. Pearl let him be though seeing as how he was properly distracted Steven could get antsy when he wasn't able to go on missions with the other gems.

Pearl set her broom back where it belonged in the small space created by the refrigerator and wall before wiping her hands on her apron. It was a sky blue and polka dotted, with little frills around the bottom, Steven had gotten if for her for Christmas. She really obviously didn't need an apron but she knew Steven liked to see her wear it and honestly she liked it and it was a gift. Just as she turned to do the dishes left over from lunch the door flew open and Peridot rushed in with Amethyst hot on her heels.

"PEARL!" they both shrieked simultaneously making Pearl winced before turning to face her fellow gems.

Steven immediately disregarded his game and jumped up on his knees on the couch turning and leaning over the back to face them. "Hey, guys! What happened? Did your mission go well? Did you find anything? What exactly were you all doing again?"

Steven fired off his questions just as both faced Pearl. She crossed her arms glaring at them. "Honestly you two! What have I told you about bursting in here? You could have knocked the door off the hinges again. Not too mention your much too loud and I abhor it when you...GOOD HEAVENS WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?!" Pearl finished her tirade with a shriek of her own as Jasper walked in the door holding the unconscious human woman in her arms.

Pearl didn't hesitate to rush forwards and grabSteven by his collar and yank him behind her. Steven yelped as he landed on his rear end skidding slightly on the tile floor in the kitchen until he hit the refrigerator. He looked up and saw Pearl had summoned her spear and was standing defensively in front of him. It all happened in a matter of seconds before either Peridot or Amethyst could warn her.

"WHOA! "P" calm down Jasper's with us." Amethyst cried holding up her hands. She had tried to warn Pearl which was why she came rushing in. Jasper had gotten ahead of her Garnet and Connie while traveling and made it here before them in the rush to get Jennifer healed. Amethyst and Peridot had barely made it ahead of her in enough time trying to prepare Steven and Pearl for her arrival.

"Pearl did your auditory receptors not pick up the urgent tone in which we were trying to communicate? Obviously, your receptors are defective. We were trying to warn you of Jasper's arrival." Peridot snapped crossing her arms and glaring at the Pearl.

"What?! Jasper?" Steven gasped and jumped up peaking over the bar in the kitchen. His brown eyes widened looking at the large gem in his doorway. Jasper looked at him quirking and eyebrow in which Steven gasped ducking back behind the island bar. "What is she doing here?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out. Amethyst! Explain! NOW!" Pearl snapped making Amethyst wince as her teammate turned to her glaring fiercely.

Jasper stood there scowling the whole time gritting her teeth at the display. The puny Pearl thought she could take her, that was cute. If not for her Bonded's current condition she would have shown her the punishment for not showing proper respect for her superior. How dare a PEARL show such disrespect to a Quartz Warrior such as herself and of her station. That could be dealt with another time, though. She gave the runt a moment to explain.

"Well its a long story...but, Jasper's alive like Connie said and she's been living with a human, Jennifer, and Jennifer got hurt and Steven needs to heal her," Amethyst explained grinning sheepishly.

"Where is Garnet?" Pearl snapped

"She had to take Connie home. We were supposed to wait for her to get back on the beach but Jasper didn't want to wait." Amethyst explained.

"Enough of this prattle. Rose-Child...heal her." Jasper snapped coming forwards

"Wait! Jasper." Amethyst pleaded holding up her hands to try to stop the warrior Jasper sneered at her in response as they stood in the living room in a standoff.

"Hold it right there!" Pearl said leaping forwards with Amethyst and quickly pointing her spear at Jasper's throat. Jasper bore her teeth and growled fiercely at her eyes flashing and her aura sparkling. Peridot watched at the side in shock her eyes narrowing on the human in Jasper's arms suddenly. Jennifer had been dormant until Jasper's aura sparked than she jerked to life gasping eyes flying open and letting out a small yelp.

Peridot uncharacteristically came forwards between the warriors and with surprising strength shoved through Amethyst and Pearl standing before Jasper. Amethyst and Pearl stepped back in shock at the action Peridot wasn't one to jump in battle much less in the middle of one. Jasper looked at her former comrade in surprise seeing her standing there.

"You clods! Stand down!" Peridot ordered snapping at Amethyst and Pearl. Both Pearl and Amethyst exchanged looks but noticed that Jasper for the moment had settled down as well so they stood back.

"What are you doing?" Jasper growled at Peridot

"Jasper you're human is in pain," Peridot said quizzically looking at the human in surprise. Jasper's eyes widened and she looked down at Jennifer who indeed was half awake curled up tight into her chest gasping and trembling with pain.

Jasper winced feeling the backlash of Jennifer's pain wash over her. She fell to one knee shuddering but hanging on not wanting to drop Jennifer. All three Crystal Gems watched in surprise and curiosity. "Fascinating," Peridot whispered

"Help her..." Jasper said to Peridot in specific

"The human's pain. You can feel it?" Peridot asked rubbing her chin and couldn't help but admit she felt a little satisfaction seeing the high and mighty Jasper kneeling down in front of her. As her escort previously when they had first come to Earth together Jasper had been verbally and physically abusive to her. The might Quartz warrior reduced to a weakling because she had bonded with a human. Molten gold eyes looked up at her having lost the wild look of battle but more of a softness that was unfamiliar to Peridot. It looked...almost human.

"Yes. Heal her...please." Jasper said softly to Peridot whose eyes widened at the soft plea. She didn't have a chance to respond and neither did anyone else as Garnet arrived walking in.

"Well, I see you guys don't know the meaning of wait," Garnet said sarcastically coming through the door. She put a hand on her hip looking at the scenario before her before sighing and doling out orders. "Jasper stand up and put Jennifer on the couch. Peridot and Amethyst go to the temple to your rooms. Pearl please get Steven and bring him here I need him to heal this human."

With Garnet's arrival, the tension in the beach house quickly dissipated and everyone followed their respective order. Amethyst drug a reluctant Peridot to the temple, Peridot wanted to find out more about this bond between the warrior and the human. Pearl coaxed Steven out of hiding and Jasper set Jennifer on the red-orange couch.

Once a sense of order was restored Garnet explained to Pearl and Steven what was going on. Jasper stood by the couch arm silent and staring at them with a glare showing she was none-to-happy to be here. Pearl sighed looking back at her with her own glare hearing the explanation and Steven were just his usual self.

"Cool! So she's like Jasper's girlfriend?" Steven asked smiling

"Sorta. Yeah, you could say that Steven." Garnet agreed calmly.

Pearl sighed looking at the human woman who was in a pain-filled consciousness somewhere between awake and asleep. Her sympathy for humans overruled her hatred and distrust of Jasper momentarily.

"So...can I heal her Pearl?" Steven asked looking to Pearl for permission he knew that Pearl wasn't really okay with the situation and he didn't want to upset her any further.

"Yes, Steven you can heal her than they are both leaving!" Pearl snapped glaring at Jasper once more.

Jasper snorted "The agreement was that we would leave once my human was healed. Believe me, PEARL we will not stay in this hovel any longer than we have too."

"Well, it seems we are both in agreement," Pearl said not backing down from the warrior

Garnet stood back watching a bit amused by the interaction. Back on homeworld a Pearl would not DARE speak to a Jasper the way Pearl was. She was curious to see how Jasper would react she knew she had changed but she wanted to see just how much.

"Be grateful my agenda at the moment is my bonded Pearl. For if the situation were different I would teach you to speak in such a fashion to your superior." Jasper warned her to which Pearl only smirked

"This isn't homeworld Jasper," Pearl said and Jasper's glare faltered a bit realizing she was still very much at a disadvantage.

"Hey, guys...its okay if I heal Jennifer now right?" Steven interrupted again feeling nervous at both older gems snapped back and forth at one another.

"Of course, Steven go ahead , please. I believe this discussion is over?" Garnet said with a note of finality. Neither Pearl nor Jasper admitted it but they both silently agreed to disagree so that the human could be healed. Pearl stood by Steven's side, a silent sentry, not trusting Jasper still and Jasper remained standing at the head of her bonded watching as well with her own distrust.

Garnet leaned against the wall watching from her own vantage point. She had seen enough for the moment. Jasper was far from harmless but she had a weakness and it was Jennifer. Obviously, their bond effected both of them strongly. Usually, when two gems bonded their life forces sustained one another equally but Jennifer wasn't a gem and somehow bonding with Jasper threw off the process of the bond. When Jasper tried to use her power it hurt Jennifer and their emotional bond wasn't balanced either. Neither knew how to control their emotions. This could be dangerous for Jennifer and possibly hurt her badly or worse. Garnet had to talk with Jasper one on one soon.

Steven stood over Jennifer and saw the gash on her temple. Concentrating he held out a glowing hand, the color pink, and gently hovered it over her wound. The wound instantly healed Jasper watched as the skin stitched itself back together leaving on the blood staining the skin a faint scar remained. Steven then sensed her ankle was broken he walked down to her feet and did the same technique with her ankle. He knit his dark eyebrows and concentrated, healing broken bones took a bit more energy and technique, he was still new to the healing power of his gem. After a few minutes, the pink glow ebbed and he was finished. He took a shaky step back and let out a breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"There you go. She's all done," Steven said looking at Jasper with a tired smile and Jasper was surprised at the kindness he was showing her after how she had treated him last time,"your girlfriend is gonna be okay she's just gonna be sore."

Jasper sighed nodding knowing she owed the strange gem-human hybrid. She dropped down to one knee her fist on the floor as she bowed her head surprising Steven. "I am in your debt Rose-child. Ask a service of me and it shall be done." Steven looked at Pearl and she rolled her eyes and then to Garnet and she smiled shrugging.

"O-okay. Thank you, Jasper. You can get up." Steven prompted the gem stood and went to pick up Jennifer once more and leave.

"Jasper let her wake up first, please," Garnet asked the gem.

Jasper scowled but nodded "Very well."

Pearl glared at her before turning on her heel and going back to the kitchen knowing the situation was safe and she wanted to get away from Jasper. Knowing Garnet was there made her comfortable to leave and get some space. Steven grinned realizing this whole time Pearl hadn't taken off her apron. He giggled slightly turning back to Jasper who was looking at him. He had grown and his hair was a bit longer. Unfortunately, he was getting a case of acne a bit on his chin true to his teenage form. He wasn't as chubby as he had one been starting to fill out a bit more.

"Sooo...Jasper...you and her huh? Never thought you'd hook up with a human." Steven said grinning

Jasper looked at him strangely and Garnet chuckled from her place on the wall nearby. "Steven that's rude." she half-heartedly chastised him

"What? It's the truth." Steven said grinning sitting down on the carpeted floor crossing his legs and looking at Jasper still waiting for an answer.

"It was not my choice. Jennifer found me damaged and had me repaired. Somehow we bonded I know not how. Now my place is with her." Jasper said simply

"So you're like married?" Steven asked still inquisitive to the larger gem not phased by her at all which honestly disturbed Jasper at his lack of fear of her.

"I suppose. Jennifer mentioned that once before. That is the human equivalence of bonding?" Jasper asked looking to Garnet for an answer

"I would say that is probably the closest comparison." Garnet nodded

"Than yes, we're married." Jasper sighed rolling her eyes looking at Steven's who grinned widely and his cheeks turned a bit pink. He let out a laugh and Jasper raised an eyebrow looking at him.

"That's so awesome! Did you have a ceremony? Mom and dad did I have pictures." Stephen said standing suddenly and running past Jasper who side stepped him startled. He came back a few minutes later with an album and returned to his seated position. Jasper stared at him perplexed before he motioned for her to come over.

"Well come here. You can't see from over there." Steven said impatiently. Jasper hesitantly came over and knelt on one knee beside Steven. Steven opened the album and to her surprise, there were images of Rose Quartz with a human. Her eyes were wide as Steve talked but she hardly heard a word as she was transfixed by what she saw. Rose Quartz had bonded with a human?

The last thing Jennifer remembered was Jasper going crazy and she was trying to calm her down. Then after that darkness she groaned and felt he whole body was sore. Slowly she blinked waking up. Soon she saw Jasper's face hovering over hers. She gasped and quickly sat up looking at Jasper who was kneeling by her. Jennifer without a second thought reached forwards and threw herself into her arms. Jasper caught her in surprise as the woman hugged her tight.

"Oh my god! Jasper...are you alright?" she asked. Jasper felt her worry drift over their bond she sighed and went to embrace her human to calm her but Jennifer pulled back before she had a chance too. Suddenly two very angry blue eyes glared at her and to her surprise, Jennifer slapped her in the upper arm. "you...you scared me! You got mad and went all crazy! Then you grabbed me and that hurt!"

Jasper opened her mouth to explain but watched as Jennifer started to cry and she didn't let her reply as she hugged her again. Jasper was shocked at the display first she was worried, then angry, now sad? All the emotions swirled inside of her and she was confused but slowly started to understand as she sighed giving in to the emotion and embracing Jennifer and letting her bonded just cry. A few minutes passed before she understood Jennifer was worried about her out of love but also, she was scared of how she acted.

"Jennifer," Jasper said softly

Jennifer sniffed pulling back from the embrace and looking at her a bit surprised Jasper hardly used her name. "I'm...sorry."

Jennifer's eyes widened at the words that came from Jasper's mouth. Had she really just apologized. "Is that how you say it?" Jasper asked confused looking at her.

Jennifer blinked before giving her a watery smile "Yes Jasper that's how you say it." Jasper looking embarrassed just let Jennifer lay her head on her chest her small hands resting on her large biceps.

"Ahem." Both started at the voice Jennifer looked up and saw Garnet standing there. She cautiously looked at Jasper then back to Garnet before realizing they weren't in her beach house they were in an entirely different house altogether.

"It's alright Jennifer," Garnet said Jennifer looked back to Jasper and the gem nodded standing up and offering her large hand to her. Jennifer took it and Jasper pulled her up to her feet. Jennifer was surprised to see that she could stand with little pain her ankle was sore but not broken.

"How...?" she asked

"I'm sure you've got a lot of questions. I'll answer them if you'll both come with me. I want to introduce you to everyone, properly." Garnet said and motioned to a door in the strange house. The door was a blue-gray color and designed in an archaic arch and intricately designed. It looked like something out of a fairytale especially with the large star on it.

Standing next to Jasper Jennifer looked to her once more. "Jasper...what's going on?" she asked

"We have a truce for the moment. Garnet can be trusted. We owe them a debt." Jasper said gently to her.

"Oh. Alright." Jennifer said not any less confused

"Come," Garnet said motioning towards the door. They were all alone in the strange house but Garnet said there were more people like the ones before and through that door?

"Okay." Jennifer agreed still holding Jasper's hand from when the gem helped her up. She squeezed her hand and Jasper gripped it back assuring her bonded as tried to let her know over their bond it was alright.

With a deep breath Jennifer followed Garnet with Jasper in tow through the temple door not really knowing what was on the other side but hoping true to Garnet's word her questions would be answered.