Disclaimer: I don't own Steven Universe

Title: The First Five Days

Summary: (AU). Lapis regenerates in Steven's bathroom; the official main redemption hub. The waters been cut, so she has no weapons. Jasper is... classified. And her only company is her guard, an injured human girl with a sword by her side.

Warnings: Mentions of injuries, blood, and bruising.

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Dalekz Universe- I hope so! =)

fulgurite- Like the title says, this is all about the first five days Lapis goes through after being captured by the gems. This is only the beginning. =)

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Connie is well aware that her bluff is rather see-through.

For one thing, the gem 'stationed' at the Temple is Peridot, who is busy snapping at people and repairing her damaged limb enhancers, when Garnet isn't ordering her to help with the odd repair. Peridot is- mostly- on their side, but completely useless when her weapons are broken. She's also deathly afraid of Lapis Lazuli when she isn't in a jail cell and is in the general vicinity of water. So no backup there.

Any struggle Connie could put up would be short-lived. She hasn't slept or eaten in over a day now, and while she's been doing her best to ignore it, she hurts. She'd been planing on asking Steven to heal her when he wasn't busy, but then she'd been given the order to guard the bathroom, and she hadn't gotten the chance since.

(Steven's idea, actually. "She'd never attack a human, and she won't freak out as bad as she would with Garnet or the others. Please, Connie? I know you're tired, but..." Dangit, Steven.)

And if Lapis did decide to off her, she seriously doubted they'd kill her. Maybe if it were Steven, but not her. Steven would never allow them to kill a gem in vengeance; he just wasn't the type for revenge.

But, she reminded herself, Lapis didn't know the gems. And since she didn't know the gems, she might be more prone to believe the worst-case scenario Connie had laid out in order to protect her life.

The night after her initial questioning is long, tiring, and awkward. Connie stares ahead and does her best not to feel discouraged.

You're a knight; you do your job. Idle chatter isn't part of that job.

Eventually a knock sounded on the door. Thankful to have a reason to stand- her legs had been growing numb- Connie does her best to look like she was expecting the call, nimbly getting to her feet.

"I'll be right outside the door, so don't think about escaping." She warned her. The blue gem narrowed her eyes but stayed deathly still as she opened the door and shut it tightly behind her.

"Here." Green hands shoved a basic first aid kit into her face. A book she'd already read was haphazardly placed on top of the pile. "Your master told me to give this to you."

"Thank you." She gratefully took the supplies. She'd tried explaining that there was a difference between 'master' and 'mentor', but the gem just couldn't seem to distinct the two words from each other. "How're the repairs going?"

Peridot gives her a perfectly deadpan look. "You're taller than me. How do you think repairs are going?"

"Ah. Good luck, then."

She didn't reply, looking around her at the closed door. "Has she... regenerated?"

"Yes." She almost added ma'am, out of habit, but Peridot had never really struck her as a 'ma'am.'

"Oh." She immediately stepped back. "I'm not going to press my luck."

Connie nodded her goodbye and went back into the bathroom, locking the door behind her in order to give Peridot a little piece of mind. Lapis could easily break open the door, true, but she knew the green gem would appreciate the sentiment.

Lapis was bristling with fear and anger, staring at the door warily. "You've taken Peridot prisoner?"

"Yes and no." She sat down and opened the box, pulling out some fresh bandages. "We only unlock her weapons for battle, but she's allowed to be on her own so long as she doesn't try anything."

"You trust her enough to not restrain her?" Her tone was scathing.

"Steven trusts her. Besides, she's not doing any harm."

She unwound the bandage on her shoulder. Lapis still wasn't convinced. "She just hasn't had the chance." She persisted. "She might have done something to those things, even."

"Peridot doesn't know how to sabotage things as simple as these. I doubt she's planning on betraying us." Connie said firmly.

"You don't know that."

"Well, considering the fact I know my 'master' hasn't been home since the battle and she'd have brought me something I hadn't read- or, better yet, homework- if she had been, I think it's safe to assume."

Lapis didn't answer. She curled her lip at the sight of the dirty bandage. "What is that stuff?"

"Blood." She answered curtly, pulling out some swabs and rubbing alcohol. It was all she could do not to scream when it met her wound. "Humans need it to survive."

"But you're still alive." She pointed out.

"Humans need to lose more than this to die." She said. Connie slowly re-wrapped her shoulder. "To be honest, I should probably see a medic."

"Steven can heal." She reminded her.

"Steven's busy. Stitches are plenty for now, so long as I don't move it too much."

"With Jasper?"

Connie bit her lip, unwrapping her ankle. There's a small cut on the side, but mostly it's just a really bad bruise. The saying 'walk it off' came to mind. "I told you, that's classified."

And not just from you, she thought. Jasper had managed to force a regeneration and flee while they were busy tending to Lapis. The gems were certain she was too weak to have gotten far, but she was adept at finding cover. Another reason she'd agreed to this job; more gem-power for the search party.

The fact that Jasper was 'classified' was one of the few reasons Lapis hadn't busted out by now. Another part of an elaborate bluff.

She's too tired for this crud.

Lapis grunted and eyed her battered arm. She's too busy with the wrap on her waist- bruised ribs, she's sure, along with cuts and bruises- to say anything.

"That's your sword arm."

Connie hesitated. "I can use both." Which isn't a lie.

"But that's your main fighting arm. And it's injured." Lapis persisted. She sounded oddly calm. "You're weaker than you're letting on, aren't you?"

She briefly considers trying to save face, but decided to heck with it and nodded. "I am. Is that a threat or just curiosity driving you?" She got to her feet and drew her sword, ignoring the pain throbbing in every one of her limbs at the speedy action. "Because I can still fight if I need too."

Lapis crossed her legs and settled in more comfortably in the bottom of the bathtub. "You can relax. I'm not leaving until I get some answers."

Connie quietly sinks to the floor and tries not to look too grateful.

Author's Note: Just a warning that mandaree1 knows next to nothing about injuries or medicine, so if I've described something that won't work in this current situation, by all means, tell me. =)

If you read my other story, Ashes and Blood, you might also remember me saying Peridot didn't belong in that particular story. Well, here she is, y'all!

No flames! Don't like don't read! Review!