A/N: Thank you for the faves and follows! It means a lot to me!

A little bit longer of a chapter this time. This one will have some headcanon stuff that I am certain will be firmly made non-canon as more is revealed in the show. Also, starting to add in some of the other pairings starting in this chapter. Enjoy!

-FourFaces

Cleaning up the beach was no easy task, even for the gems who worked tirelessly bubbling the shards that littered the beach. Garnet had insisted that they each be bubbled in as close to a complete cluster of shards as possible, so much of the work was sorting through the shards and making sure that the gems weren't placed in a bubble with other gems' parts. Between sorting and bubbling the shards of their comrades and allies and checking on Connie, it had been a stressful week.

Pearl and Garnet had gone through several horrifying flashbacks of the first war during this ordeal. Garnet would seal herself away in her room when they happened while Pearl would find solace in the arms of Amethyst or Peridot, depending on which one was available. Amethyst was irritated with Garnet's insistence that they bubble in this stressful and agonizing way, but what could she do? Garnet was the leader.

Currently, they were on the end of the beach, closest to the boardwalk, most of the weapons having been sent to the bubble room. After the shards were cleared, the area would be considered safe and they would move onto the next. Peridot had been sent in to check on Connie while Pearl and Amethyst worked side by side. No one had seen where Garnet had gone.

"I still think we should have just skipped the sorting and bubbled all of them and sent them back to the temple," Amethyst grumbled to Pearl. "Would've gone a lot quicker and we wouldn't have had to deal with … this … again."

Pearl smirked sadly and pieced together a Turquoise before bubbling her. She moved on to a Moonstone, obviously not one of their allies, and bubbled it after making sure all of her shards were together. It was better than what Yellow Diamond would have done.

"Garnet still is shaken up over discovering those Kindergarten Experiments all those years ago," Pearl sighed. "It makes sense that she wouldn't want that happening again."

"Well, some of these might as well be dust now," Amethyst grumbled, picking up the remains of another Amethyst. "I just think it would be better if we cleared this all up fast so the humans can come back and rebuild. The pier looks creepy like that and I just don't want to deal with this -"

Amethyst was cut short by a gasp. She ran over to Pearl who held the shattered remains of a Chrysoprase. A black band that crossed one of the shards confirmed their fear that it was a specific one.

"Oh no ..." Amethyst whispered. They stared at the shattered gem in silence, Amethyst gently rubbing circles on Pearl's back as the taller gem struggled to hold back tears.

"He will be so upset. He was so proud of how far she came," Pearl finally whispered as Amethyst wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I know. He had to have known that this might happen," Amethyst whispered.

"Who else do you think we lost?" Pearl shuddered. "I mean, I know that explosion had to have taken out so many, but Peridot survived somehow … and Jasper ..."

Amethyst hugged Pearl tight. Amethyst had known about Lapis after a session of cuddling on the couch with Peridot while Pearl worked outside with Garnet. Peridot's sobs as she recounted the story had filled the beach house, but somehow didn't awaken Connie from her comatose state during that time. Pearl would find out soon, Amethyst knew it. It would be when they got closer to the water, if Lapis' shards weren't already washed out to sea.

It would have been a fitting burial.

Pearl gently collected all of the former Chrysoprase and bubbled her away. Maybe, if Steven survived, there might be hope for her and the others. Maybe …

They continued down the beach, bubbling a Ruby here, an Emerald there. They stopped at the shards of a Larimar who they both knew and dreaded. Even after Steven tamed her, they still were wary of her. She was the only one who they weren't sure they could completely trust.

The gem monster that had risen up out of the sea had once been a Larimar, Steven concluded as he dodged a swing from one of her many hooked tentacles. The squid like Gem monster screeched as it flailed, trying to hit anyone in her path.

She was wild and angry and Steven wondered for a moment if this was a former Crystal Gem or a former enemy. He watched as Connie swung her sword at one of the tentacles before she bent backwards to avoid another hooked attack. Even in the heat of battle, he had to stop and think about how beautiful she was as she fought. Sure, some of her skill was influenced by learning Pearl's graceful fighting style, but Connie had a grace of her own now.

As much as he enjoyed watching her fight, he was afraid for her as well. Sure, they were older now and stronger, but she was still a human and, while Rose's fountain was always an option, Steven wasn't sure if they would be able to get her there soon enough if she was injured in battle. His healing powers had not returned since the incident with his father and he was wondering if they ever would return. Fifteen years old and he still couldn't heal anything. If something happened to the gems or Connie ...

Connie grunted as she parried with one of the hooked tentacles. Steven often wondered, if she still believed she was worthless compared to Steven. Her choice of outfit today, a black Kalari with a red sash, so similar to what she wore during her first lessons, had not put his mind at ease at all.

"Peridot! Now!" Garnet's voice cut through Steven's thoughts. Peridot lobbed a bomb from her gem at the monster. She had been getting much better at summoning a weapon from her gem and Steven couldn't be happier. The bomb exploded, but this only served to enrage the monster more.

"Um, guys. I think we just pissed it off," Amethyst groaned as the monster shook off her whips.

"You think?" Pearl grunted as she lobbed another spear at it.

"We need to poof her so that Steven can try and work with her," Garnet yelled. The monster tossed a boulder over the temple. "And we need to make sure that she doesn't go too close to the city."

Connie had been tiring fast this battle, but she knew she needed to protect Steven. She turned to see him throw his shield at the monster. It whizzed past, only nicking one of the tentacles. The enraged monster turned and raised a tentacle, ready to strike Steven who was exhausted after having summoned his shield so many times this battle. He struggled in vain to shield himself, and finally braced for impact.

SHING!

Steven looked up to see Connie guarding him, her sword pressing up against the hooked end of the monster's tentacle. She looked at Steven and smiled before charging at the monster.

"Connie!" Garnet and Steven cried out.

Connie disappeared into the mass of tentacles as the creature folded them all in after her. An inhuman shriek caused all of the gems to freeze as they watched in the short silence that followed before the monster poofed. Connie stood, holding the gem, as the dust cleared.

"Wow, Connie! I haven't someone take down a gem monster like that since Greg tried to help us decades ago! Good job!" Amethyst laughed as she held out her hand to catch the Larimar.

Connie weakly tossed it and looked over at Steven. He could see unease in her eyes and then noticed that something was very wrong.

"Oh no ..." Garnet whispered.

Connie collapsed onto the sand. Steven ran to her and gently rolled her over. Blood stained the sand where she laid and he could now see that she was torn up, not only on her arms, but throughout her chest. Blood was flowing freely from her abdomen. If they didn't stop the bleeding now, then Connie would be dead soon.

"No, no, no!" Steven cried out. "Connie, please ..."

Connie looked up at him and smiled weakly.

"I guess I misjudged that one, huh?" She croaked.

"Pearl, I'm going to take these two to Rose's fountain. There is a chance we can make it there in time," Garnet said, a tear rolling down her left cheek. She would beat herself up later for not seeing this outcome more clearly. Connie never should have been allowed to fight.

But if she hadn't, then Steven ...

Pearl nodded and motioned for Peridot and Amethyst to help start cleanup.

Steven gently held Connie close, pressing his hand to her wound as tightly as he could, as he and Garnet rushed into the house and onto the warp pad. As they warped to the fountain, he could hear Connie's soft voice babbling incoherently.

They landed near Rose's fountain, a thicket beginning to encroach again. Garnet grumbled as she looked out at the dry fountain. Of course, the rose bushes had to have grown into the plumbing again.

"Steven, I will be right back. You stay here with Connie."

Steven nodded and gently pressed his forehead against Connie's

"Please don't leave me, Connie. You're my best friend. I can't do this without you," he whispered.

Connie smiled weakly and tried to reach up to Steven before a small sob escaped her lips.

"I can't feel anything. I … Steven?" She whispered.

Steven looked down at Connie. He had started understanding how he felt for her recently, but a part of him was afraid to admit it. When he had first went for advice, he made the mistake of asking too many people for input and came out just as confused as ever. Going to Lars had been the biggest mistake. He endured the half an hour of ridicule (how could he still be so immature?) and another half hour of Lars griping about Sadie and how dating wasn't worth it anyway. After thinking it over, Steven had thought he might wait until they were older. It only made sense.

But now …

"Oh Connie ..." he choked out.

She smiled sadly. "Thank you for … all the adventures … I ..."

Steven gripped her tighter as she began to slip away.

"No! Connie!"

He wasn't sure what prompted it. Perhaps it was a last effort to keep her with him longer, if he showed her how he really felt. Perhaps it was a guiding push from his mother. He wasn't sure but he found himself with his lips locked to hers. One kiss before she could leave him.

He hadn't noticed yet that her breathing had resumed or that her color was returning to her face. He didn't notice that the wounds were stitching back together, healing rapidly. He did notice her hand suddenly gripping his arm. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. A little twinge of fear tugged at him. What if she was angry with him now? What if she didn't feel the same way?

"Steven … Your healing powers ..." Connie whispered.

Steven smiled and pulled Connie into a tight hug. He would talk to her about everything later, he resolved. There would be a better time, one not filled with adrenaline from battle. Right now, he was just happy he had his friend back.

Garnet watched from the now flowing fountain. She could feel Ruby comforting both her and Sapphire. A knowledge that things would work out. Even though Ruby was not the part of her that had Future Vision, she seemed to always know that things would work out in the end.

She met eyes with Steven and smiled. They would be alright.

Steven blinked as the pink glow began to fade. He had seen so many memories play out and felt so many emotions as he watched the recording of his mother. Every so often, it had felt like a memory was brought out, as if the recording of Rose had wanted to see the memory. A part of him wondered if this was just his life flashing before his eyes, like in some of the movies he had seen. He stared ahead at the projection of Rose. Her image still stood before him, a smile on her lips as she folded her hands in front of her.

"You are destined for greatness, Steven. You get to experience both worlds, both Gem and Human. I can't wait to see more of what you have become."

One more sad smile and her image flickered. Steven reached out to her as she faded away, leaving him alone with the cat who was curled up in his lap.

"So, do I just heal myself then? I'm still not sure what to do, mom," Steven sighed.

"Think of this place like it was your mother's room," a voice said from Steven's lap. Steven looked down, wide eyed, at the cat who stretched and yawned.

"What?"

"This whole area is a construct but it is still much like your mother's room … or the inner world of a gem. Only you and I can get in here. Haven't you ever found that odd? Not even Pearl could get in here, and she was your mother's closest confidante," the cat grinned.

Steven sighed in exasperation before chuckling. "Of course," he chuckled, "I should have known. Why don't you tell me you know these things you know?"

The cat purred and rolled onto his back, "You never asked. Besides, it's not like I can speak this language when I'm not in here. I may be imbued with gem magic, but that doesn't mean that I can still speak in my physical form. At least not in your language."

Steven absentmindedly stroked the cat's fur as he pondered this to himself. It was a lot to take in, but it definitely made more sense, especially now that he had more of an understanding of his mother and what she was saying.

"So, are you going to teach me the rest about regeneration then?" Steven asked.

The cat bounced up and perched on Steven's shoulder.

"Your physical form is already somewhat healing itself. Since you are only half gem, it will take a little longer than it would take your mother to regenerate. Granted, we are a little pressed for time, so we can't have you in here for Pearl lengths. No need to completely obsess over details. Unless you want to for … someone," the cat chuckled. "You humans are so funny."

Steven blushed and began to stand up again. He noticed he wasn't struggling as badly as he had before, but there was still pain in his chest and upper abdomen when he tried to stretch up. The cat leaped onto the treasure chest and licked his paw.

"You will definitely need more repair there before you can go out. I don't think it will scar. Unless you want it to. Really, you just need to try and control your shape-shifting to do that. I heard about the Cat Fingers incident and I remember your rapid aging problem. You just need to have more control and you will be regenerated in no time."

Steven nodded and braced himself on the treasure chest. A sense of childhood curiosity was gnawing at him and he looked at the cat again.

"What's in here?"

"Oh, some gem artifacts, some little trinkets, thegemthatiskeepingmealive,"

"Wait, what?" Steven asked.

The cat sighed, "See, this is why I think it would have been better for your mother to explain this in her recording. Yes, she may have experimented on me, but I'm better for it! If she hadn't have injected that material in me, then I would be dead and you would be without your, what did you call me again, Cotton Candy of the Jungle."

"You were a gem experiment?" Steven asked, slightly horrified.

"Kind of. See, I used to be Greg's cat. Well, Greg and Rose's. They found me in a storm drain and took care of me for several years. I had free reign and so I got out a lot. I remember one time, I couldn't find my way back at all. I remember crossing the road and suddenly darkness. I know that Rose found me and that for some reason her tears weren't working. This was after she had decided to have you, by the way. I remember her taking me somewhere, I think it was where you found me, actually ..."

The cat's eyes glowed white and projected an image for Steven.

Rose was standing over the cat's body, eyes puffy and red from crying. Her gem glowed pink and she pulled out an object. Steven gasped as he saw the injector with a bright, glowing substance inside of it.

"I really hope this works, little guy. I'm so sorry," Rose whispered before plunging the injector into the cat's head.

The cat yowled and cried as his body began to fight with the foreign substance that was transforming him. His eyes flung open as he looked at Rose. A bright glow enveloped the cat as he grew and transformed. Soon, four large, pink paws touched the ground and where the cat once lay stood a giant, pink lion. He shook his mane and then looked at Rose before rubbing his head on her shoulder.

"That form suits you well," she smiled, tearfully. "I'm going to give you some things that I will need you to keep safe for my son. He'll find you and I will need you to guide him. Greg and the Gems can only help him so much. You need to also be there for him. Can you do that for me?"

Lion yowled and nodded.

"Good. Now, I gave you some of my power so that Steven is not overwhelmed. His tiny human body would not be able to handle this. When the time is right, you may need to give it all up. I don't know what will happen to you if you do … This hasn't ever been done successfully before."

Lion grumbled and sat down as Rose walked to the warp pad she had arrived from.

"I will start bringing things for you to hold for him. I will see you again soon," She smiled before warping away, leaving the lion behind.

Soon, Rose reappeared, holding the bubbled hoppered crystal.

"I had tried to see if I could just create a new gem for him. It didn't work, but this remnant can be a guide for him if he ever needs it. I'll need you to help him with the rest, my Lion."

Soon, she had disappeared into the Lion's mane. After several trips and months, a T-Shirt, her sword, a treasure chest (which the Lion's gem was soon contained in), and many other important artifacts were placed in the mane. Finally, a very pregnant Rose warped to Lion and approached him.

"This is a video for Steven," she whispered. "If he ever asks about me or wants to know me, please show him this."

Lion nodded and accepted the final item. Rose hugged him tight.

"Take care of him for me."

"Rowr ..."

The cat's eyes stopped glowing and Steven turned to look at him.

"You're going to give all of that power to me? But, what will happen to you?"

"It's not important, Steven. And it's only when you are ready for it. I don't think that time is coming up any time soon," the cat chuckled. "You still have so much to learn. And this has never been done before, so for all I know, I could still be your faithful animal companion. I just might be a little smaller and less pink."

Steven wasn't sure how he felt about this new knowledge. He was concerned, for so many reasons. Why the desert? Why the injector? Why wouldn't his mother's tears work? The thought of the hoppered crystal both horrified and saddened him. If it had worked ...

"Now, come on. I need to get you regenerating so that you can go and take down a Diamond. They're gone for now, but they will be back. Also, Connie needs you."

Steven watched as his cat – no – his Lion, described everything he could about regeneration and what Steven needed to know. He worried in the back of his mind about Connie. Lion said she needed him, but why? How bad was it out there?