Hello, everyone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the review, favs, follows, and views. It warms my dorky little heart. The Steven Bomb has utterly overwhelmed me and made me want to write about my Dudewife. I am so glad to see you are enjoying it. This story went from being a stupid smut idea to actually having a plot. Now that doesn't stop the smut of course. However, it makes the story come to life when I can add in more things. So I hope you are enjoying these new chapters that I'm cranking out. I am not wasting this lovely muse that has settled in my house and getting some work done here. Please enjoy! BTW on Tumblr as Maikohimeart now. Check it out. I have severely crappy doodles on there but art none the less.

**Maiko :)**

Pearl was cleaning up in the kitchen when a very grumpy looking Jennifer came into Steven's house. She hadn't really talked to the young woman much at all other than brief introductions and such. Seeing her Pearl noticed she wasn't only grumpy looking she was rough looking too. He clothes were torn and dirty and she looked like she could use a shower.

"Good morning." Pearl greeted her

"Oh, Pearl, I'm sorry I didn't even see you," Jennifer said coming out of her thoughts that had been centered on Jasper and her behavior the minutes before.

"It's alright. Did you sleep well?" Pearl asked politely and then realizing what she had asked her she gasped covering her mouth and her face lit up in a pale blue blush.

Jennifer gave her a confused look before realization dawned on her. Pearl must have heard her and Jasper's nocturnal activities yesterday. Jennifer's own face bloomed with color.

"I-I did." She answered

"Well...GOOD. Um, are you hungry? Do you need to bathe maybe?" Pearl asked quickly trying to change the subject.

"I am hungry but a bath first sounds great," Jennifer admitted trying hard to stop herself from blushing but was failing miserably.

"Of course dear. We have a full bath that belongs to Steven and is available to any of our human friends or guests. We gems you see don't have much use for it." Pearl said quickly going into her maternal mode. One thing she never lost from being a Pearl was the willingness to serve others.

"Thank you. Oh, but I don't have any spare clothes." Jennifer said sighing hard.

"That's not a problem. Craig, Steven's father, stays the night once in awhile and has extra clothes here. Even Steven's clothes would fit you but I doubt that a teenager's clothes are your style." Pearl mused making Jennifer smile in return.

"Whatever you have is find. I'll make it work." Jennifer commented

"Alright then let's get you situated," Pearl said leading her to the bathroom. She gave her a towel and left. By the time Jennifer was done showering there was a clean pair of folded clothes on the toilet seat.

Pearl had slipped in while she was showering and slipped out without her knowing. Jennifer quickly dried off and began to change into the clothes which were a too big pair of jeans and a button up shirt. She rolled the jeans up to her knees and rolled the sleeves on the shirt. She didn't care they were too big all she cared about was that they were comfortable and clean. As she ran her fingers through her hair looking in the mirror she was happy to see even though she had been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours she looked well rested and actually had a glow to her skin. Her usually dull brown hair also had a luster to it she couldn't explain and it was soft and bouncy instead of the normal mousey lanky locks.

She shrugged it off exiting the bathroom. Pearl had a simple bowl of cereal waiting for her since she had already clean up from breakfast and didn't know what Jennifer's preferences were. Pearl worked in a comfortable silence and Jennifer felt at ease around the gem.

Garnet was just like Jasper to a degree. BIG and beautiful with an exotic beauty and while hse liked Garnet she still made her a bit awkward feeling. Amethyst she didn't know very well and Peridot she didn't know her either but from the brief moments in her presence, she found her a big irritating. Maybe she would grow on her.

Pearl, though, Pearl she felt more comfortable around. Pearl felt safe. She knew the Pearl was a deadly warrior like the rest of the Crystal Gems. However, Pearl just seemed more normal almost paternal like. It was weird she was as alien as the rest of them but just something about her.

Jennifer didn't realize she was staring until Pearl waved a hand in front of her line of vision. "Jennifer. Are you alright?"

"Oh! Yes sorry, I drifted off." Jennifer said smiling.

"No problem. Would you like me to brush and braid your hair?" Pearl asked smiling at her coming over and taking her empty cereal bowl.

"If you want to too. You really don't have too." Jennifer said

"I can it's alright. Steven and Connie are out training together with Garnet. Peridot was in her lab and Amethyst is, well, being Amethyst somewhere. where is Jasper though?" Pearl suddenly asked concerned.

"Probably sulking." Jennifer sighed rolling her eyes

"Oh? Is everything alright?" Pearl asked she knew from Garnet's explanation the Gem's foul moods could affect Jennifer and vice versa.

"Oh, she's fine. I can't feel anything abnormal from her. We just got into a fight. She was being rude to Amethyst and was threatening to shatter Peridot for telling the truth and I just wasn't going to sit there and let her act that way. I'm tired of her attitude." Jennifer snapped

Pearl was impressed by the girl's backbone for a human. The only other human she had met with this type of fortitude was Connie. Pearl wasn't overly fond of humans. Sure she tolerated them but other than Steven, Greg, and Connie she didn't associate with any of them.

"Quartzes, especially Jasper, can be difficult to deal with," Pearl said knowingly

"If anyone knows it's you I bet. You've been around all the gem races right?" Jennifer asked

Pearl chuckled, "I do have a lot of experience with Quartzes. Steven's mother was one, Rose Quartz, as he is in some ways. I served many quartzes back on Homeworld. Out of all the races I served by far, Quartzes were probably the worst."

Jennifer smiled brighter at the Pearl's knowing look and sarcastic words. "If you want to brush and braid my hair Pearl you can."

"It would be a delight. Besides Connie, I don't get to do it near enough. I used to love to do it for some of my masters when I was a servant. Not all of them were awful to me." Pearl admitted without thinking. She never talked about her past as a servant to the Homeworld empire with hardly anyone. Why was she talking to this human she had just met so easily then? She didn't know why but considering it as she started running the brush through the pretty brunette locks she felt a sort of kinship with the human. Maybe it was because she felt sorry for her for or maybe because they were similar in ways she didn't quite realize.

"You were a servant? Like a slave?" Jennifer asked with a soft voice as it dawned on her. There was still so much about the Gem Race and Homeworld she didn't know.

Pearl felt a pang in her chest at the question and almost didn't want to answer but she knew Jennifer wasn't trying to be condescending just understand. "Yes, I was."

"Pearl I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Jennifer said quickly pulling away and standing up to face Pearl.

Jennifer's blue eyes focused on her teary and pained. The young woman was trembling. Pearl was actually surprised herself. This young woman barely knew her. Why was she so upset? She knew humans were emotional but this was surprising.

Jennifer was trying to just understand. How could these beautiful creatures be so cruel? How could they hurt one another so much? They were living creatures themselves didn't they have any remorse for hurting one another? Maybe Gems and humans weren't so different after all.

"Jennifer, dear. It's alright," Pearl prompted coming forwards and grasping her hands.

"No, it's not! How could...how could they treat you like that? Did Jasper treat you like that or gems like her? Like a slave? Did they actually physically hurt you!"

Jennifer felt panic rising in her throat as she remembering how Jasper had treated her in the beginning a few months ago. She had been so stupid to just let Jasper treat her that way but she had been so lonely and surprised by this beautiful being.

Sure their relationship had changed, or so she thought, but then this morning with Peridot and Amethyst made her rethink that. Jasper had been so hurtful and condescending to Amethyst and then threatened to actually KILL Peridot. Was Jasper any better then Myra had been? Just another person to use her to get what they wanted no real care for how she felt. Jasper said she was changing and Jennifer wanted to believe her but she didn't want to get hurt again.

"Oh Jennifer, that doesn't matter that was a long time ago," Pearl said softly reaching up and gently touching her cheek. The young woman was a little shorter then she and both of their body types were similar small and delicate but Pearl was more lithe muscle of course from being a warrior.

"Answer me Pearl! Did Jasper ever hurt you?" Jennifer snapped

"Yes. She did. When she first came to Earth we battled and Jasper defeated us in our first fight. She nullified and separated Garnet and knocked Steven unconscious. I tried to fight her but she was too strong she ended up defeating both Amethyst and I so we surrendered."

Jennifer's eyes widened in horror and tears started to leak down her cheeks. Pearl set her mouth in a firm line. "Jennifer none of that matters now. That was before this is now. You have to understand something Gems are NOT humans. They don't have the same ideals or the same emotions. Everything you see with me, Garnet, and Amethyst we learned and it took thousands of years."

Jennifer took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She knew this, of course, Jasper wasn't human. Of course, she would act differently.

"Gems are made for one purpose and one purpose only. I was made to serve, Jasper was made to fight, and we knew nothing else. I was lucky enough to meet Rose Quartz who believed we were created to be who we wanted to be and not who we were told to be. Without Rose, I don't know where I would have ended up."

"Jasper didn't have that did she?" Jennifer asked softly

"No. All Jasper has ever known is how to be violent, fight, and that she is stronger. You are the first person to ever show her there is more to her existence than that." Pearl said

"But I'm human..."

"It doesn't matter. Sure it will be more difficult for you but you can do it." Pearl encouraged her.

Jennifer couldn't handle it anymore and her tears came again and this time, she couldn't stop them. She sniffled and Pearl pulled her into a hug.

"I know you're scared and that is okay. Just know you are here and we are going to help you and Jasper."

"I'm so confused Pearl! I was pretty sure I loved her and then seeing the way she's acted and finding out the stuff she has done it makes me doubt it and then this STUPID bond. I feel like it's only because of the bond that is they way I feel. Like I didn't have a choice." Jennifer sobbed into her embrace

"Well, that is difficult. I can tell you on Homeworld only gems that were in love bonded and bonding was rare especially since the war started. However bonded gems were strong, stronger than some of the most naturally resilient and compact gems. Stronger even than some fusions."

Jennifer pulled back from Pearl's embrace and sniffled wiping her nose and eyes. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Well even though you are both separate species a bond can't be formed without consent and love," Pearl said

"Really?" Jennifer asked and Pearl smiled nodding.

"Yes. Now come now dry your tears. Crying never fixed anything. Let me brush and braid your hair." Pearl said clearing her throat and suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. Jennifer smiled gently and nodded wiping her tears.

"Sure."

Sitting down Pearl brushed her hair and the two sat in silence. It was very relaxing.

Some time later Jennifer went outside on the beach. Just like Pearl said Garnet, Connie, and Steven was out training. She waved to them as they waved at her taking a break. She sat down on the sand and watched the calming soft waves lap at the shore. It was mid-afternoon by this time. She sat for a bit before she felt Jasper behind her.

"Come sit down Jasper."

Jasper had like Jennifer had thought, went back to their temporary room to pout. She didn't understand why Jennifer was upset with her. As she sat and let Jennifer's emotions pour into her and she spent time letting her self feel them she understood a bit more. Was Jennifer hurt by the way she acted? How was she supposed to act, though? Jasper as acting like she had always acted, at least towards other gems. She tried to be different around Jennifer but apparently that still wasn't enough. Jasper was frustrated and wanted to fix it but she didn't know how.

A few hours drifted by before she felt lonely and wanted to be near her bonded. Jennifer wasn't upset it seemed like anymore. Jasper found her out on the beach just like at her own home gazing out at the water. She had new clothes on and had her hair braided and Jasper recognized it as a way some gems on Homeworld wore their hair.

Jasper herself had just settled for her old attire not feeling like shapeshifting her appearance. The only thing she did keep was tying her hair up in a ponytail, she liked that since Jennifer had introduced that style to her. Jasper didn't know what to say and just stood there. Soon she didn't have too. Jennifer asked her to come sit, her bonded knew she was there.

Jasper came and sat down awkwardly frowning. Jennifer spoke and she thanked her creators for that.

"I had a long talk with Pearl Jasper. She told me about when you first came to Earth how you acted and how you treated her and the others." Jennifer said calmly looking out at the ocean

"I told you I am a warrior and me..." Jasper started to defend herself

"Be quiet I'm not done," Jennifer said looking at her disapprovingly. Jasper scowled but complied. "If you want this to work between you and I you have to change. You can't act like that anymore."

Jasper rolled her eyes, "You want me to be a weakling? Is that is?"

"No. Jasper stop being so defensive. No one wants to hurt you here especially me. You need to change because you're not the same anymore and you have a choice now."

"You want me to stop fighting? Stop being a warrior?" Jasper snapped

Jennifer took a deep breath trying her best to be patient remembering Pearl's words. Jasper had never had a choice and she didn't know better. All of this was so alien to her and it was going to be a long process.

"I want you to stop fighting for the wrong reasons. I want you to fight for the right ones. Fight for what you want not what someone else wants." Jennifer said

Jasper looked at her with shock. It made sense now but she didn't know how to take it. Jasper felt a wave of uncertainty hit her and fear. "I-I don't know how to do that. I've always fought for someone else. For what they wanted. I don't even know what I want."

Jennifer sighed knowing that was fair. Jasper was just being honest, not difficult. She reached forwards and grabbed her large hand with both of hers and placed it on her chest. Jasper watched her in surprise at the action.

"Well then fight for us. If you don't know how we'll figure it out together. If you don't know what you want right now, that's okay we'll figure that out too. Remember it's not just about you anymore it's about me and you, US. You're bonded to me now, which in a sense makes you mine so I don't want you to fight for anyone else but 'US' and yourself."

Jennifer narrowed her blue eyes on the Quartz and to her utter shock Jasper blushed. It was a dark orange hue and honestly one of the most adorable things she had ever seen. Jennifer smiled and Jasper leaned forward and kissed her hard. Jennifer sighed rolling her eyes that Jasper's response was to kiss her. Quartzes they were all physical and not enough emotional. Well, that wasn't a thing Jennifer wanted her to necessarily change she thought with chagrin.

Pulling back Jasper stared at her. "I am yours, my bonded." her tone was husky and her amber eyes were half slitted and honed in on her.

It was Jennifer's turn to blush now. She cleared her throat nodding. "Fair enough. So I'm yours and your mine so we work together from here on out. If you fight you fight to protect me and yourself and what we love. If you have a problem with someone, like Peridot you come talk to me about it stops you from threatening to shatter Gems."

Jasper smirked feeling her arousal over their bond before leaning in close she liked this new demanding side her bonded was showing. "Anything else my bonded?" If Jennifer wanted to be in control she could play along, it was enticing and her natural fierce ideal of loyalty made her thrum giddily and Jennifer felt it too.

"Well, that's about it for right. We just have to keep working on this and figure everything out as best as we...we...can...and..."

Jennifer was losing her focus as Jasper's giddiness floated over their bond. She started fidgeting.

"I think I can adhere to that...my bonded," Jasper whispered and Jennifer actually squeaked in surprise feeling the sudden shock of the teasing arousal.

"Jasper, stop it! Everyone can see us." Jennifer snapped

"Then let's go where no one can see us and you can show me what else you want me to do, preferably to you." Jasper chuckled.

Jennifer gave her a half-hearted glare before she squealed as the large Quartz scooped her up in a bridal carry.

"Jasper! What are you doing?" She snapped

"I think it's time we consummated this bond properly...and celebrated our new coming of terms." Jasper teased tickling her side gently.

Jennifer squeaked giggling and what was left of her defenses crashed. "No fair!"

"Mmmm. Then fight back." Jasper grinned before disappearing around a cliff face with her bonded.