12. Storm in the Barn

Future vision is complicated enough when trying to make sense of a million crisscrossing possibilities that are right in front of you – it's that much harder when the track of time skips ahead three days, and every one of the million possibilities have changed, each now paved with hopelessness, pain, and death.

The last thing Sapphire remembered from before was a shift in the path of fate, something distant and nearly impossible jumping to the forefront of her visions: it was an image of Steven, lying in the sand outside of the beach house, terrified and badly beaten. The vision, visceral and devastating, tore at the blue gem's heart. Horrified, Sapphire was so overcome with emotion that she was forced apart from her Ruby. The usually inseparable duo flew apart in the water while each potential future from that moment began to branch out into countless horrific paths of fate. Ruby, she could tell, was hurt that a vision could come between them, but she would understand if she knew what had followed.

Then, things went black and the blue gem she contemplated her life, her responsibilities, her world and all that was important to her… And, in what felt like no time at all, she returned to find herself outside of the barn on the outskirts of Beach City.

Usually lovely and patient, the Sapphire that returned to them was immediately tense, freezing under the pressure of each vision as it collided with her mind in the present. It took Ruby several hours to calm her down, the blue gem crying and yelling hysterically as she tried to come back to speed with the past. It was almost ironic – someone who could see every possible future laid out before her, yet she felt like she knew nothing of what had been her life before. How could so much change in just three days?

The whole thing made worse by the fact that she could see every likelihood that her partner wanted ask to form Garnet, and it none of their possible attempts at fusion could hold right now. They were simply at disharmony; one living too far ahead, the other too far behind. And being apart like this was just awful – Sapphire wanted to be re-fused, to feel safe and strong in the comfort of Ruby's warmth, and she could tell that Ruby wanted it even more, but she could not burden her partner with this right now. The visions were all deeply, deeply disturbing, each playing out like a theatrical movie and each ending with some variety of their little Steven hurting and crying, each possible rescue mission failing. In some of them, the others were shattered, while in others no one but Steven died. But there was not a single possible future that ended with Steven living for much longer, no matter how far ahead the path of time she searched. Sometimes it was Yellow Diamond personally, finally having her vengeance for the revolution; other times it was a Quartz soldier, torturing him until his heart stopped or his gem shattered; other times it was from lack of water and food, a skeleton of his old self going unconscious just to never wake again. And still more possibilities branched out like an endless maze, each turn making things more dizzying and every path leading to another dead end.

By the time the next morning had come, Ruby and Sapphire had gone on a walk. They held hands which comforted them both slightly, but there was a canyon between them that neither could traverse. Ruby had managed to fill in Sapphire of all they were able to gather in the past few days, and Sapphire shared some small details, but not much. Steven was alive, off-planet, hurt but not fatally. She really couldn't get into the specifics right now, no matter how much she wanted to. By the time that dawn had passed, the pair returned to the barn and relieved all the others when Sapphire announced to them that Steven was alive.

But that's where the relief ended. Pearl immediately began a line of questioning that neither blue nor red gem had prepared for, still preoccupied by intimacy of their long and emotional night.

"Thank the stars. Where is he? How do we get him back? How soon can we get him? Is he hurt?" There was a general hum of agreement as Pearl laid out her questioning, others adding suggestions to the queue and a few crying a relieving tears, only for Ruby to step protectively in front of Sapphire. The ground had begun to freeze beneath the two small gems' feet.

"Listen. Please, just, not right now. Sapphy is…not ready. A lot has changed." Ruby glanced wistfully at Sapphire, who said nothing but looked down at her feet.

Another day passed, and another, and another, and they still didn't have Garnet back. Steven has been gone for 6 days – that's 144 hours, 8640 minutes, and 518,400 seconds since he's disappeared. It was horribly frustrating to everyone at the barn but each tried their best to hide it, for Sapphire's sake. Connie realized that the blue gem must be feeling an enormous amount of pressure right now, and the only direct question she would respond to was the same that was posed to her every morning and every night: "Is he still alive?"

And the blue gem would only exchange one word with anyone besides Ruby. "Yes."

Sleep came easier after Sapphire returned, one thing at least she was grateful for. Knowing that Steven was alive was a huge milestone in and of itself, but Connie also wasn't naïve. Everyone saw how Sapphire reacted when she returned, so things must be very bad, even if he was alive. What could be happening to him? What could be so bad as to make Sapphire react that way? Why were they just sitting around?

Ugh, stop it Connie. Just calm down. It's not going to help if we get mad at each other. Ruby is confident Sapphire will open up… she just needs time. But do we really have time to spare?

Connie experienced some satisfaction now that she had returned to a regular sleeping pattern and was staying at the barn. Her parents would be coming to see her tonight, just to check in, but promised not to try to drag her home. The girl had been diligently giving her parents updates and calling twice a day to ensure that she was safe and that she would notify them if her plans changed anytime soon (like heading off-planet, she thought ruefully). At night, Connie was dreaming again, not falling into the weighty unconsciousness that had troubled her for the first few nights, but she was still disappointed each morning when she woke. Some of the dreams were pleasant, but most were not, and all of them featured Steven. None of them featured the real him, though. She was desperately hoping that they would cross each other in their dreams, knowing that Steven had dream-related powers after Malachite and an episode with his friend Lars, but she could tell none of the Steven's she met in his dream were really him. He was always far off, distant, behind a veil that she couldn't phase through no matter how desperately she tried. Other dreams, her favorites, were them dancing on the beach again, taking turns playing an instrument while the other tried a creative new move – each dream like this ended with them fusing as Stevonnie, laying in the sand as the water washed over their feet.

Connie began preparing herself for another day of training with Pearl, who was now acting much more herself and embodied a newfound determination. She did not attempt to sleep the night Sapphire returned, instead she stood waiting for them at the edge of the barn door. Once she heard Steven was alive, her teacher had a passion in her every movement that inspired Connie to push herself even harder.

But right now, it was breakfast time. It had become routine. Amethyst would be outside waiting for her to start eating, something that the purple gem had been shy to at first. Once Connie assured her that she didn't mind sharing food, Amethyst and her would eat together every morning. Then, after calling her parents for the first time that day, she and Pearl would begin with Holo-Pearls as a warm up, moving to technique training and finishing with endurance drills.

So Connie retreated behind the curtain Pearl had thankfully put up for her, in an attempt to give her some privacy in the otherwise open barn. As she began to secure her hair into a ponytail, she walked outside to smell eggs and toast being prepared by a tag-team effort of Peridot and Amethyst. The green and purple gem had a lovable camaraderie that Connie had grown to appreciate the more time she spent here, both eager to find pleasure in even the most mundane activities and to put forward a happy face despite the difficulties of another day on Earth without Steven.

"Morning!" Peridot greeted her cheerfully as she came out of the barn and approached the food.

"Connie, check out what Peri can do!" Amethyst was excited, encouraging the green gem who looked proudly at the human.

"Behold, my metal powers! Hnngg…" And after a moment, there was a pop as toast shot from the toaster high into the air, obviously enhanced by Peridot's ability to manipulate metal.

Connie gave her a smile. "Wow, Peridot, nice!" She was really starting to understand why Steven considered all of these people family. They made her feel welcome, even though she was so different.

The toast fell lazily to the ground, the extent to Peridot's manipulative powers ending once the bread flew from the toaster. Amethyst flew into action.

"I got dibs." She immediately scooped the bread off the ground (along with some dirt, but she didn't seem to mind) and shamelessly dropped her winnings into her mouth.

"Amethyst!" It was Pearl's voice, which had regained its usual sharpness.

Pearl grimaced down at the purple gem. "Really, the food is supposed to be for Connie."

Amethyst, too relieved to have the old Pearl back, not the shell of herself that had haunted them for days, didn't mind the chide.

"Oh c'mon P, you know that toast is too unhealthy and void of nutrition for a swordsman like Connie." Amethyst had made her voice a mocking of Pearl's, which caused Connie to stifle a laugh. Peridot didn't execute the same restraint, however, cackling at the joke as Amethyst shapeshifted into a doppelgänger of Connie and brandished a fake purple sword.

Sighing in defeat, Pearl sat on the ground next to the real Connie. Peridot and Amethyst had started goofing off again.

Quietly, her teacher leaned to her and said "I may not have future vision, but even I knew that argument was a loss before it even began." Connie laughed heartily, thankful for the lighter atmosphere around the barn. Each day it became easier to feel normal, but in many ways time just turned their worries into guilt. They all wore manacles around their hearts, grateful to be in the company of each other but still trapped in a suffocating cloud of guilt, each one of them painfully aware that they were here instead of him.

Every night before Sapphire had returned, Connie had tried not to think about the possibility that Steven was really gone. There was so much she still wanted to say to him, to thank him for bringing her so much happiness, for giving her friendship when no one else would, for sharing his universe with her. More than anything, she felt regret at the pit of her stomach, thinking that she would never get to tell him how she felt. How did she feel, anyways? It was a loaded question, one that continually made her bite her lip but caused her stomach to erupt into butterflies. These weren't the same sort of butterflies that plagued Stevonnie, but a fluttery, happy sort of presence that made her heart pound in her chest. Somehow, this emotional rollercoaster only made the original panic worse, fearing that she would never get to tell him about her feelings, to see him react, to hope he blushed with the same intensity she might, to grab his hand...

But the human girl pushed the thought away as she was passed a serving of eggs and no toast. She didn't need to think about that now. Now that Connie knew Steven was alive, she vowed to tell him when he was back.

Another day passed, now marking a full week since Steven had gone. Lapis was finding it very hard to join in the amity of the others, but she was trying. She couldn't help the instinct to retreat to the silo each morning to watch the sun rise, filled with a deep sadness as she wondered if Steven too was looking up at the sky, somewhere out there. Everyday had begun this way, except today. Her ritual had been disturbed the previous morning by Peridot who had interrupted her pensive thoughts. She started by calling for Lapis, but when the green gem received no answer, she lifted herself up to the top using a piece of sheet metal from the barn, and Lapis couldn't help but note how much her metal powers had improved.

Lapis remembered the conversation for yesterday morning with a pit in her stomach, but it was important that she re-lived the exchange. It was a painful discussion between the two of them, ruminating on imprisonment and Homeworld and Steven's fate. The blue gem hadn't expected it, but once she opened up about her worries, she found that she couldn't stop. There was a million fears racing in her mind, knowing firsthand how they he might be treated if Homeworld had been the ones to take him. After venting for awhile, Lapis turned to Peridot and was surprised to find her head in her knees, crying.

Lapis placed a comforting hand on the green gem's back, feeling guilty for burdening Peridot with her frustrations and melancholy. The green gem spoke in response to Lapis' touch but did not look at her.

"It – I'm sorry, just, I thought I was the only one thinking about what was happening. I know it sounds terrible but I'm glad you're sad too. Sure we know he's alive and Sapphire is back, but if he's been taken by them, I know what they'll do to him. It's the same things I would have done to him if I had been told to." The green gem released some more tears and raised her head, looking directly at Lapis.

Shocked, the blue gem wanted to say something but found she didn't have the words. A small, tiny voice in the back of her mind still blamed Peridot for what happened to her, even though they've come so far. To see her barnmate so explicitly take ownership of how horrible she had been when Homeworld had been pulling the strings was disarming to say the least. After a long pause, she blue gem managed as small smile as her own tears welled in her eyes.

Flicking her hand lightly, Lapis pulled away the tears from the Peridot's cheeks with her powers. She removed her hand from her back and placed it on top of one of the smaller green hands in front of her and said nothing, hoping her silent comfort was enough. Eventually, Peridot stood up to make her way back to the barn, but she turned to Lapis and spoke one more time.

"Don't blame yourself, Lapis. And try not to feel too sad. I know… I know it's not what Steven would have wanted."

Then the green gem turned back, hopped down to the metal she had prepared for herself like a futuristic skateboard and floated off towards the barn.

Shaking her head, Lapis was trying to act on Peridot's advice. She knew it was the truth – Steven had wanted so badly for her to be happy here on Earth, but he had been her reason to stay, to seek happiness in the first place. More than anything, she just wanted to hear him laugh, to lift him up onto on her back and fly all over the skies again. They could joke, tell stories and debate on some drama that had happened in Camp Pining Hearts… if he was here. But he wasn't here. So on the day marking a week since he's been gone, Lapis tried to force herself to be in the company of the others, imagining it's what he would have wanted.

Sitting atop the silo as dawn faded to morning, she gave the horizon a final fleeting glance. It was light grey with some tinges of orange, and she guessed it would rain. She thought about the never-ending waltz of the sun and the moon, even though they were both obscured from her vision by the clouds. Maybe her life was like that, too – coming so close to everything you could have ever asked for, only for it to slip away, like water escaping your fingers when you cupped together your hands. And now, the dance was made even more difficult, the source of guiding light obscured by a threatening, oppressive darkness.

Ruby had finally begun to unravel what Sapphire had told her, but she could still tell her partner was leaving out some key pieces of information. The red gem didn't push her, though, and instead let her heart be content by simply looking at her beautiful blue face. Ruby ran her fingers through her hair as it approached mid-day, all of the gems and Connie gathered in the barn for once. Usually they were scattered in various places nearby or inside the barn in groups of two or three, but the rain had driven them all inside. This is the first time they have all been together since before. All of the gems were resigned to partaking in Pearl's training with nothing else to do; none of the gems minded getting wet of course (this all started at the bottom of the ocean, after all) but it wouldn't feel right for them to go about their business outside while Connie was forced to be alone. They all knew from their many experiences with Steven that humans preferred not to be wet, and with Connie here it was reminiscent of staying in on a rainy day with their happy little guy. The exception to that being today, there were no board games or hot cocoa, no smiles or melodies from a ukulele, only grunts of effort in response to intense sparring and the occasional exchange of words.
Ruby and Sapphire were the only ones who did not join in on the activity – they were perched peacefully above the others, sitting in the rafters that supported the barn. Ruby was sitting with her legs dangling, her partner reclining with her head on the red gem's lap. She had separated her bangs, but she was not looking up, her shining blue eye closed against the world.

Maybe she's listening to the rain? It is peaceful, after all. Or maybe it's a vision… Ruby had become accustomed to having access to the visions too, so it was a bit frustrating not knowing what Sapphire saw but she respected her too much to pry. No matter who they were – Ruby and Sapphire or Garnet – the ability to see the future was a right reserved for Sapphire, a kindness that the blue gem shared with her as she saw fit. As Garnet, Sapphire could reign in her thoughts if she so chose, but the two never kept secrets so there had never been a need. Ruby couldn't help but assume that Sapphire was keeping something from her, and that's why they hadn't re-fused, but there was no way to know for sure.

At this point, Ruby had gone over every detail that Sapphire had shared with her a hundred times. Sapphire couldn't see the past so there was no way to know exactly what happened the night that Steven was taken, save that she saw him bruised and bleeding in a heap on the sand right outside of the beach house – the vision that had caused them to separate. Ruby hadn't managed to experience the vision before, their separation happening too fast in the rush of activity, so Sapphire eventually clued her in. But as each day receded into another, the path of possibilities became a bit clearer for the immediate future, but then it split off again with too many variables at play.

As much as it pained everyone to wait, it was their best option as their many paths became a bit clearer; Homeworld must not have reached a decision with what to do with him, and until they did, Sapphire said there was not a single future she could see in which they infiltrated the ship he was on and made it to him before each and every one of them had been killed. The ship in question was the Arm Ship of Blue Diamond, occupied by its owner and she was, at minimum, in the company of Yellow Diamond. Some futures included White Diamond, too, but those paths were not as likely. Otherwise, Sapphire told her that Steven was being fed and given water, though not very much, and that he had some injuries that were healing.

So, despite every urge to ask questions, Ruby waited. And waited. And waited. The red gem was a ball of rage by the time Sapphire had finished sharing what information she did, wanting to tear at her own hair and beg the blue gem to tell her more. Steven was just… he was their little guy, coming into his own gem and person. He didn't deserve this – he would never hurt anyone, and now he was completely at the mercy of the gems who threatened to shatter them both thousands of years ago for becoming Garnet. She wanted to grab Sapphire by the shoulders and shake her, reminding her that they can change the future – they had done it before, hadn't they? But before she could even utter the thought, Sapphire had raised a cold hand to stop her, saying she had thought the same thing.

"But, this is different. This is Steven's life we're talking about… I want to change the future, I do, but what if we… fail?" Sapphire didn't need to clarify what she meant by that. So, Ruby was resigned to sit and be a warm comfort to Sapphire and nothing else. It was difficult, Ruby not usually known for her patience, but she could tell her Sapphire was hurting and it would hurt her even more to talk if she wasn't ready.

Lost in thought, Ruby absently untangled her fingers from the pale blue hair of her partner and rested the hand gently on her face. In response, a brilliant blue eye fluttered open and looked up at her.

As the two sat peacefully with nothing but the sounds below of swords, the occasional voice, and the pitter patter of rain. Sapphire was staring at her, and even after all this time Ruby still flushed a deep crimson.

The blue gem spoke, resting a hand on the one Ruby had placed on her cheek. "Ruby… Would you mind if I spoke to Lapis and Connie? There's something… I need to…"

"Sure, do you want me to get them?" Ruby spoke a little too quickly, obviously excited at the prospect of Sapphire speaking to the others. It would be the first time in the four days she's been back, and she knew everyone would feel hugely relieved to hear some news. There was a trace of confusion in the red gem's tone, as she considered that Lapis and Connie would be a strange first audience.

"No, I will go. Greg will be here in a few moments. I would like to speak to them both in the van, for some privacy." Sapphire was studying her partners face, although she didn't really have to. The hurt was plain as day, something that absolutely broke the blue gem's heart. Ruby was hurt, her suspicion confirmed that the blue gem was hiding something. And to add insult to injury, she was preparing to share that information with Lapis and Connie, of all people?

"I promise… I will tell you more when the time is right. Please, Ruby…trust me?" Sapphire managed a small smile, squeezing Ruby's burning hot hand in her icy cool one.

"I… yes. It's okay, Sapphy. I'm just worried about you… About Garnet, too." It was the first time either of them had verbally acknowledged the fact that they had not attempted to fuse.

At this, the blue gem shifted to a sitting position and turned to face her Ruby. Then, taking the firey gem by surprise, she tackled her off of the beam above and they landed hard on the ground, neither caring as the usually dignified gem smothered the protective one with kisses. They did not glow in a light, but there was laughter for the first time from the two of them as the rest of the barn stood in a stunned silence, looking at the scene before them.

Finally, Ruby and Sapphire stood up and the blue gem leaned close to her companion. They were both blushing, and Ruby grabbed her hand sheepishly.

"There's my laughy Sapphy." Her hand was warm, and it cooled the icebox of Sapphire's heart. In response, Sapphire tightened her grip of the red gem's hand before addressing the others. "Don't worry, Garnet will be back soon."

And with that, the blue gem made her annoucement.

Connie was more than a little shocked at Sapphire's proclamation. The blue gem repeated herself, knowing that the human girl would need a moment to catch up.

"Greg is here. He will be walking in any moment. Connie, Lapis, please, will you come with me to the van? I need to speak to you both."

Lapis had already stood up and approached the smaller gem, her mouth pressed into a thin line nervous and suspicious. Connie just stood and stared for another moment when she was nudged by Amethyst.

"What? Oh yes, right. Of course…" She was just about to move towards the other two blue gems when there was a knocking at the barn door. A moment later, Mr. Universe appeared in the entrance, smiling. He had heavy bags under his eyes that betrayed his attempt to look cheerful. He lowered the hood of an ugly, plastic-like rain poncho as he walked forward.

"Hey folks, just thought I'd…" he trailed off when he noted the tense stares of all the others.

"Uh, bad time? I can go, if," he began again, only to be stopped by Sapphire. The small gem approached him and looked up.

"Hello, Greg. Please, make yourself comfort for a moment. May I borrow the van?"

Greg said nothing at first, surprised and taken aback by the strange request. After a moment of processing, he nodded his head and pulled the keys from his coat pocket. He trusted Garnet enough to put his son's life in her hands, so he could certainly trust one half of her with the van.

"Uh, sure. It's a little messy, maybe I should…" He said sheepishly, turning to go to back outside.

Sapphire didn't let him finish, still on edge despite the show of affection from moments ago. She was not exactly happy about the conversation she was about to have.

"Please, Greg, don't worry. You know we don't mind." She even managed a smile, but her eye was hidden behind her bangs.

Greg just continued to look confused, but shrugged and handed over the keys. "Sure thing, just be careful?"

Sapphire took the key and gestured for Lapis and Connie to follow. "Of course. Thank you, Greg."

The three of them quickly made their way to the van that was parked just outside the barn, closer than usual (probably because Mr. Universe didn't want to walk very far in the rain, Connie guessed). Not bothering with an umbrella, Sapphire led the way, followed by Lapis and Connie taking up the rear. Connie was looking up at slight angle at Lapis' gem, wondering what could be happening, her stomach turning over as she tried to prepare for the worst.

No, it can't be something bad with Steven, could it? If he was… gone, she would have to tell everyone. And she would probably tell Pearl first, if not Ruby. Why me and Lapis? I've never been alone with these two, and I never considered… they're both blue… Do they have a history? Do all blue gems know each other? No, don't be stupid Connie, you're brown, do you know all brown people?

Her mind was moving a million miles a minute by the time the three of them settled into the back of the van. Lapis scooted aside some garbage and sat on the floor, Sapphire simply floated above the mess elegant and intimidating, saying nothing, and Connie closed the door and sat on a pile of blankets that were usually Steven's favorite for a quick nap if he could manage at the car wash.

Realizing she was the only one dripping water all over Mr. Universe's things, Connie hopped up onto her feet again. The two flinched at her abrupt reaction.

"Ah, oh no, oh no, my bad…"

Lapis gave her a shy smile. "No big deal," and with a quick hand motion all of the beads of water flew off her body, out of her hair, and off the pooling floor of the van. The blue gem played gently with the small orbs she collected, threading and swirling them into shapes instead of dispelling the element entirely.

Then there was a silence. A long, sad, uncomfortable silence. Lapis and Connie were obviously waiting for Sapphire to say something. The blue gem was just frowning, eye hidden, tense. So they waited for another five minutes, Connie trying to focus on Lapis' hydrokinetic manipulation to calm her own nerves, the temperature drop in the van noticeable. Some of Lapis's water had turned to slush, and Sapphire was breathing hard, something Connie knew she didn't need to do as a gem.

"I'm sorry. There's just so much going on in my head right now, it's just so difficult to…" and she trailed off again. There was another extended silence as Connie and Lapis said nothing.

"Something is about to happen to Steven. Something… very bad. He is not going to die," the blue gem tacked on the last part quickly, seeing the reactions of the two spiraling in her future vision if she did not present the information carefully. Instead, Connie's mind and body went numb while Lapis looked like she was carved of stone – not moving and not breathing, eyes narrowed.

"I know I haven't shared much with you all. There is a good reason, although it might not seem like it right now. I would not blame you if you resented me." Sapphire prefaced what she was about to reveal, hoping to soften the blow. Neither Lapis nor Connie said anything, but the human at least shook her head in acknowledgment.

The gem continued. "It was Homeworld, although you've both probably figured that out. They took him, I'm not exactly sure how they figured it out but they learned he has the Rose Quartz gemstone. They recognize, however, that he has human needs and that his body… is more impressionable than that of a gem." Each word was measured carefully, trying not to unnecessarily worry her audience. Sapphire had chosen these two for this conversation carefully, both having the lowest likelihood of becoming irrational with fury, she hoped. If ever there was a time the team needed to stay focused, it was now.

Connie winced at the meaning behind Sapphire's words. She figured, along with most of them, it had been Homeworld that had been behind this, but everyone had hoped that he was just a prisoner, a hostage for some greater plan. For them to know his body was different than gems… Connie shivered, but said nothing, waiting with baited breath for whatever came next.

Lapis gave no reaction whatsoever.

"Tomorrow I believe the track of fate will change considerably. I see almost every road leading to a single possible outcome at this point. Before, it had been too far away before for me to be certain, but there is almost no avoiding it. Now a decision has been made with what will happen to Steven, so the possibilities are converging into a handful of more likely scenarios.

"Steven will be… That is, if the future I see comes true, the Diamonds… they want to be sure that he's really a gem. They know he has her bubble and the physical gemstone, but it's obvious that he's organic. The only way for them to be certain it isn't some sort of trick is… fusion. They are going to force him to fuse Holly Blue Agate. He won't see it coming and won't be able to prevent it. I… I'm sorry." Sapphire had begun to cry as she spoke, her sobbing mixing with the fall of raindrops outside the car. Lapis had stopped playing with her aquatic orbs, evaporating them with a clenched fist. Connie said nothing, staring into the wall opposite of her in the van but not really seeing or hearing anything. Her mind was a film reel, replaying every special memory she's shared with Steven together, particularly as Stevonnie, how safe and happy she felt to be connected to him, to experience the world together. Garnet's words echoed in her mind.

You are not two people, and you are not one person. You are an experience – make sure you're a good experience.

Whatever was about to happen could not be a good experience, and after what had happened with Lapis and Jasper…

Connie's attention snapped back to blue gem sitting opposite her in the small space of the van, who had wrapped her arms around herself and looked vacant. Her lips were no longer a thin line, but had dipped into a frown with her eyebrows furled.

They all sat there in a muted state, each heart filled with worry and questions that were unanswerable.

Finally, Lapis spoke. Her voice was a small, sharp whisper. "How long?"

Sapphire didn't understand, but Connie did. She had been prepared to ask the same thing.

"How long will he be fused?"

Sapphire seemed dismayed by the question, which did nothing to ease the mounting rigidity in the car.

"I… I don't know. It depends on how hard he fights. It could be over as quickly as it starts, and he's able to unfuse once he realizes what's happened. But that's… not likely. It could stretch on… for hours, maybe days. It depends on what the Diamonds make of him he is presented to them."

Lapis stood up at this, anger flashing across her face. The rain had stopped falling on the car at this point, so it had become quiet.

"He is going to be forced into a fusion and then put on display in front of the Diamonds? He will be killed! Why didn't you say something? We could have stopped this! What's the matter with you?"

Sapphire did not seem surprised by the outburst, but she looked at the floor, hurt that this was the path Lapis had chosen. The tall gem threw open the doors and flew off, out of sight, away from the barn. Connie just sat there, still numb, her brain unable to process what all of this meant.

Eventually, Sapphire spoke. It was raining again, getting the edge of the van wet. "Connie. Things are not going to get better, not anytime soon. This… it would destroy the others, do you understand? They cannot know what I have told you. I will have to tell Ruby eventually, but I don't think Garnet can bear this right now. I can tell the others some of what I have shared with you, but not this piece. Fusion is… well, I don't need to tell you. You are the only one who has fused with him besides Amethyst, and Stevonnie is much more than a regular fusion. You will need you to be strong for everyone's sake. Can you do that?"

Connie said nothing, so Sapphire repeated her name. "Connie?"

The girl glanced at Sapphire, who had revealed her eye behind her bangs. She looked like every word was causing her great pain to share, anguishing over what would become reality. Finally, Connie gave her a nod but still said nothing. She slid herself from the back of the van and walked off, not going anywhere in particular, just wanting to be alone.

The skies were grey and the grass was wet against her bare feet. It felt fitting for her mood; she wanted to be angry like Lapis, or driven to strageize by the future like Sapphire, but all she could feel right now was emptiness. So many questions were answered when the blue gem had shared what she knew, and she was grateful for answers, but at what cost? There were a thousand new questions that flashed through her mind, each causing her to second guess her every move.

Could she be strong for them? For Steven? She wanted to believe she could, but this was a hurt that ran straight through her heart, digging talons into very core. It felt like a small part of her had just died, like Steven himself was slipping through her fingertips. Forget about forming Stevonnie again, what would happen to their friendship? Would he even want her anymore? What would something like this do to him? Will he still want to fight with her? What would he think of her, unable to protect him from something so horrific? Would he end up like Lapis, cringing at the very thought of fusion, distant and angry at everyone? Would he even survive something like this? He could fuse with Amethyst, but that was a willing action. What if the strain is too much for him, what if he…

By this point, the girl was completely soaked and had wandered towards the warp pad, not knowing what else to do. Her legs simply guided her mindlessly along the path of fate, and she sat down and curled into herself on the smooth rock face, thinking about nothing and everything at the same time. She felt a wetness slide down her cheeks, not sure what was tears and what was rain, what was real and imaginary.

An unexpected sound made her look up as she realized she wasn't alone. At first, she worried that she really had been walking the line of reality and fantasy and that she had reached her breaking point, hallucinating like Stevonnie during their struggle atop the sky arena. She looked around for the source of the noise, only to see a familiar pinkness approach her. Steven? She considered the possibility that she had gone insane and that this illusion was just a projection of her desire to be reunited. Insane or not, she flung herself towards him, content with an imaginary Steven if it meant she could hold him one more time before tomorrow. Half-expecting to fly through the presence like a puff of smoke, she was surprised when the hug was received, a real warm hug, not like hugging a gem or phasing through nothingness. She withdrew in shock, turning her head.

Lion?

He had been missing for as long as Steven, and he was here now, comforting her, licking her face. Connie cried and laughed at her own foolishness. Of course it's not Steven. His fate is sealed. Tomorrow is about be the worst day of his life, and I'm stuck here, unable to do anything about it.

Lion nudged her gently as she released another shuddering sob, likely trying to get her to calm down. He always had a way of showing up when he was needed, and right now she needed him more than ever. He wasn't Steven, but he was a part of his universe, something special and personal that belonged to him.

The two walked back to the barn after the rain had slowed down, the human girl's feet squishing in the mud of the sopping grass. She didn't care. She knew what she had to do now.

Everyone turned in surprise when she had returned. Everyone was present except Lapis. Mr. Universe was still there, and Sapphire had returned to the group. She stood with Ruby, smiling knowingly. Everyone rejoiced at the sight of Lion, a presence forgotten but so refreshing when he appeared beside Connie. Even Pearl, usually stand-offish in the beast's presence, couldn't help but nuzzle him affectionately. He was a symbol of Steven, living, breathing, pink and magical, just like him. Soon, everyone was a mess of hugs and wetness and warmth and coldness as they each came to accept what was happening. Connie had already accepted it, and she was ready to act.

She would be strong for them. For Steven.