"Uh-huh. Yeah. Okay. Awesome. Thanks, Dad!" Steven hung up the phone and turned to Connie. "Well, Dad's agreed to pay for the damage to Fish Stew Pizza."

"How's our little friend doing?" Connie asked.

Steven held up the bubbled Almandine. "She's nice and toasty."

Both kids laughed as Steven's beach house came into view.

"You think the Gems are back yet?" Connie asked.

"Hope so," Steven replied. "I can't wait to tell them about the awesome battle we had." "Miiight want to leave out the part where we almost got eaten," Connie advised.

"Yeah, that might be hard for them to shallow."

"Steven!"

"Doctor, how's the patient?"

"Not looking good," the doctor dramatically held up a chainsaw in front of the startled nurse. "We'll have to go… deeper!"

"Boy, these new episodes are really taking liberties," Steven said.

"Mom's never mentioned chainsaws at work," Connie agreed. "Guess that story got left on the cutting room floor !"

As the two laughed at the corny joke, they heard a knock on Steven's door.

"Yes!" Steven jumped off the bed. "The Gems are back."

The door opened and the three Gems walked inside, coming face-to-face with the kids. "Well guys?" Steven asked, arms folded. "How was it?"

The Gems glanced at each other before rushing forward and pulling the two kids into a hug. "Whoa!" Steven gasped, "I take it… you had a good time?"

"We had a wonderful time, Steven," Pearl said, once they broke away. "Quite a wonderful time." "Ooh Pearl," Connie marveled. "You got your nails painted?"

"Yeah, they look beautiful," Steven agreed.

"Oh well," Pearl sheepishly presented her teal-colored fingernails. "It's nothing, really. The color looked nice, so I…"

"Bro, you are a genius!" Amethyst shoved Pearl aside and jabbed Steven on the arm. "Those mud baths were AMAZING! I've never felt dirtier in my entire life!"

"Oh, I highly doubt that," a slightly vexed Pearl muttered as she picked herself off the floor. "And you should have seen Garnet after the sauna," Amethyst chortled.

"Good call, Steven," Garnet commented. She flashing Steven a grin and added. "And the massages were nice too."

Steven looked overjoyed. "Didn't I tell you?" He said triumphantly. "Just what you guys needed. Now you have somewhere to go when you're off-duty."

"Yes, you did," Garnet replied. "And we look forward to it,"

"You bet we do!" Amethyst hollered. "And next time, you guys have got to try out the mud baths with me!"

Pearl rolled her eyes. "Yes, I'm just dying to roll around in mud with you, Amethyst," she said sarcastically. "Honestly, I think you could spend some time at their salon, getting those abominations on your feet clipped."

"Hey, nobody touches these piggies unless I say so!" Amethyst retorted with a scowl. "Garnet," Pearl argued, "Tell Amethyst she needs to work on her self-grooming!"

"Tell Pearl to mind her own business!"

Steven and Connie chuckled at the pair quarreled with each other.

"It looks like things really are back to normal," Steven laughed.

"'Fraid so," Garnet said. She got down onto Steven's level and placed a hand on his shoulder, her shades fizzling away to reveal three, affectionate eyes. "Seriously though Steven," She kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you, both of you, for giving us something new to experience."

With that, the three of them embraced, though it was cut short by the sound of a lamp crashing. "Don't you throw stuff at me, Amethyst!"

"Make me, Pearl!"

"I better stop this before it gets worse," Garnet summoned her shades and cracked her fists.

Eventually, things settled down and everyone prepared to finish off the night. With permission from her mother, Connie was allowed to sleep over at Steven's and the Gems even ordered pizza.

"Now don't stay up too late, you two," Pearl instructed them as the three prepared to head into the temple. "You both need plenty of rest after working all day."

"In fact, you both are off-duty tomorrow," Garnet declared.

"Aw, guys!" Steven begged. "Can't we come on one mission?!"

"I've got this new sword technique that I want to try out!" Connie pleaded.

"Sorry kids," Garnet said with a grin, "but you're both more than just warriors to us." Snickering, the kids curled up on Steven's bed to watch movies as the Gem trio vanished into the Temple.

"Good call, Garnet," Pearl said. "Personally, I think they need a bit more training before any more solo missions. I'll see to it as soon as their little vacation is over."

"Speaking of vacation," Amethyst said, excitingly. "Where do you want to go next? I'm thinking Empire City."

"Ugh, so you can waste more of Greg's money at those silly casinos?!" Pearl scoffed. "Now myself, I'd be interested in revisiting Ontario Falls," Sighing, she happily added, "I've heard it's one of the most romantic places in the world."

"Boring!" Amethyst booed, "What about you, G? Where do you want to go?"

Garnet was silent, but not out of disinterest. She didn't care particularly where they went. All that mattered to her was the experience. And if today was anything to go by, the next would be just as new.

And just as exciting.

And just as beautiful.

THE END