Jonathan and his assistant, a blonde woman named Harleen, began the process of locking the clinic up after the end of the day, locking the outside doors. "Anything interesting today?" the doctor asked his assistant.
The woman gave a hum of thought. "A hero's sidekick believes he's developing an addiction to drugs," she replied. "What about you?"
"Nothing today. Although I have a session scheduled with Shield tomorrow."
"Ooh, Mister Demi-Alien. Hasn't he missed the last few appointments?"
"He has." The man gave a sigh. "I suppose hero work leaves little time for bettering yourself, no matter how much one needs it."
Harleen opened her mouth to respond only for screams to be heard and in the distance a man cackled loudly.
"Villain attack!" Jonathan yelled in a panic. His hands fumbled with the keys as the sounds of chaos came closer, explosions and screams in its wake.
He threw the door open, and the pair rushed inside, as the Joker rounded the corner with purple grenades in his hands.
The madman grinned as he saw the pair and they both forced the door closed.
Too slowly.
The grenade sailed through the air, landing in the centre of the room. Jonathan had a second to make his decision, his eyes flicking between the barely open door to the grenade to Harleen.
He made his choice.
He ran to the grenade and dived, covering it with his body. Much to his surprise, the device did not explode but began to release a dark green gas.
Joker Gas; a gas that drives who inhales it insane.
He took a deep breath of air and motioned to Harleen to run as the gas flooded the room. Kicking the grenade away, he followed Harleen into one of the clinic rooms. "Did you breathe any?" he asked her.
"Maybe a little," she admitted. "I don't know. Did you?"
He paused. He could feel the gas in his lungs. The dark thoughts shifting in his mind. He felt the chaos worming in his brain. "No. No, I didn't."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Steven asked as blood slowly dripped from his girlfriend's lip. The pair were currently sitting in Connie's bedroom in the tower after a routine patrol of the city which ended in Connie stopping a mugger's fist using her face.
"Steven, my answer hasn't changed since the last three times you've asked me," Connie replied gently. "I'm fine, a little blood isn't anything to worry about."
"At least let me heal you," he offered.
"Steven, we can't just expect you to heal us at every minor injury. I'll just see my mom. Honestly, she scares me more than the guy that punched me." She laughed, sending a few drops of blood to the ground. "Besides you have a session with Doctor Crane coming up."
"I've got time," Steven argued jokingly as he reached for his phone. "It doesn't even start for another... " he trailed off as he saw the time. "It started ten minutes ago."
"Have fun in therapy," Connie said as Steven hurried into his room.
Sitting on his bed, Steven quickly video chatted Doctor Crane, launching into a frantic explanation when the call was answered. "Hey Jonathan, sorry I'm late, Connie got punched in the face and then-" He paused, blinking in confusion. "... You're not Jonathan."
The person on the other side of the video wore glasses, but that was where the similarities between Doctor Crane and the woman ended. The woman on the other side of the call raised an eyebrow with a grin on her face. "Very perceptive of you," she stated, the humour clear in her eyes. Her hair was blonde and in a messy bun, a sharp contrast to the combed brown hair Steven was accustomed to seeing on his therapist. "Sorry to be the one to tell you, but Doctor Crane was involved in an attack. He hasn't come into work today."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Steven asked with concern.
The woman laughed, slightly raspy but with mirth. "I thought you'd say something like that, but no. Only problem is that if Jonathan doesn't come to work, the clinic closes."
"Doesn't that mean therapy ends? And you'll be out of a job."
The woman shrugged. "Yeah, but I've got a lot of experience here. I'll apply for another job. I hear Arkham Asylum has an opening," she said with a glint of excitement in her eyes.
Steven smiled. "Good luck with that Miss…?"
"It's Doctor Quinzel. But you can just call me Harleen."
Steven walked into the tower's living area, with a mixture of emotions. Admittedly he had missed a few therapies and also disregarded the advice from the sessions he had attended, but it was nice to talk to Doctor Crane and have an unbiased view of his own thoughts and emotions.
As he entered he saw two of his teammates, Cyborg and Beast Boy, playing a videogame on the large television, a familiar pink lion nestled on the floor between their feet. "Hey guys," he said as he sat on the sofa.
Beast Boy paused the game. "What up Steven?" Beast Boy asked. "Thought you were at therapy?"
"Canceled," Steven explained. "My therapist's been involved in an attack."
"Damn," Beast Boy said, putting his controller on the sofa. "You think he's alright?"
Steven opened his mouth, only for Cyborg to nudge him and loudly whisper, "He doesn't really care, he's just losing at the game."
Steven laughed. "I'm sure Doctor Crane will be fine," he replied, before looking at the game they were playing and gasping. "Is this Smash Pals Scuffle?" he asked excitedly. "Me and Amethyst used to play this all the time.'
"You want to play next? Cyborg offered. "It'll be nice to beat someone else."
Steven grinned good-naturedly. "Sounds good." He sat back and let the pair play, Cyborg winning the game with ease.
Beast Boy passed his controller to Steven after congratulating Cyborg. "Speaking of Amethyst," Beast Boy said. "When are we going to meet her? Or any of your Gem friends?"
"I don't know," Steven awkwardly admitted. "I haven't really kept in touch since I left them."
Beast Boy gave an unnaturally serious sigh. "Call your family," he advised. "You'll regret it if you don't."
Pulling out his phone, Steven nodded and dialed Little Homeworld. The call was answered immediately and Steven heard Garnet's calm voice. "Hello Steven."
"Garnet!" Steven greeted. "Did you use your Future Vision to know it was me?"
"... Steven, we have caller ID."
"... I guess that makes sense too."
"If it makes you feel better though, I did use my Future Vision to see why you'd be calling. Amethyst does have a class in need of human interaction and socialization practice. You send Lion and I'll get Amethyst and some other Gems to you tomorrow."
Steven grinned. "Thanks Garnet!" he yelled, before turning to Cyborg and Beast Boy. "Amethyst and some other Gems are coming tomorrow." He trailed off slightly. "I should probably check with the others if that's OK."
He decided Raven would be the easiest to ask first.
Robin, as leader of the team, had the authority to deny the Gems. Starfire, as a Tamaranean, had the most right to refuse due to the Tamaranean and Gem war.
Raven had no real reason to refuse.
Both Cyborg and Beast Boy rose to their feet and walked with Steven. Cyborg shrugged at Steven's questioning look. "If you're gonna ask people for permission, probably help if you've already got people on your side."
The three began the walk down the hallway to Raven's room and, after a brief moment of hesitation, Steven knocked.
Seconds passed, and then the door opened, Raven stood with a neutral expression on her face. "Yes?"
"Hi Raven," Steven started, slightly wishing he had planned the conversation. "Are you OK if some Gems come to the Tower tomorrow? Beast Boy and Cyborg have already said its OK but if you don't want them here then that's fine."
She eyed him before nodding her head towards Beast Boy and Cyborg. "They've already agreed?" she asked.
"Yep."
"Which means you've already told the Gems they can come."
"...Yep."
She sighed. "Do I have to talk to them?"
"...Nope."
"Fine with me then." And with that, she took a step back and closed the door.
The three looked at each other. "Sounds like she's excited," Beast Boy joked.
"Robin next," Steven decided. "Hopefully Starfire will be OK with it if everybody else has agreed."
They went by Starfire's room and through the living area to get to Robin's room.
The door opened almost instantly after it was knocked on.
"Hi Robin. You know how the team has been interested in meeting some Gems? Well, great news, I invited some over for tomorrow."
"How many?" Robin asked.
"Not sure."
"When will they arrive?"
"Not sure."
"What will you do?"
"...Not sure."
"Who is coming? And please do not say 'not sure' again."
"Well, Amethyst is definitely coming. And as for who she's bringing with her, I do not know."
Robin rubbed the bridge of his eyes. "You two have agreed?" he asked Cyborg and Beast Boy.
Cyborg grinned. "I want to ask them about their biology and space travel."
"And I want to play videogames with them," Beast Boy added.
Robin mused. "I suppose it would be nice to gain some potential allies and meet your family. Very well, if everybody agrees then you have my full support."
"Thanks Robin. We've already asked Raven and she's said yes, and Connie will definitely be fine with it, so it's just Starfire now."
"Ah. I suppose it will be hard to convince her, based on the history between your two species. I'll come with you."
The group now walked to Starfire's room, and Steven took a deep calming breath through his nose to relax before releasing it through his mouth and knocking.
He spoke quickly, "Starfire, hello, you don't need to agree just because everyone else has but I thought I should ask in case you do have an issue with it but I've invited some Gems to the Tower tomorrow and I know I should have asked first but if you're not OK with it them I'll tell them and they don't need to come." He panted, his lungs out of breath.
Starfire smiled. "Gems. If you are friends with the Gems, I have no doubt they are nice too."
"So you're ok with it?" Steven questioned. "You don't have to say yes just to be polite. I know it might be awkward with the history."
"I know the stories of the Gem and Tamaranean War. But neither of us were involved. Why should we limit ourselves based on our ancestor's battles?"
Steven blinked before smiling. "OK. OK, that's everybody. I guess we're doing this."
The next day came quickly, just as Steven rushed quickly in an attempt at organizing, placing a bowl of candy on the table. "They don't need food, but Amethyst likes to eat, so I've brought snacks," Steven explained to the team, except for Connie who was still in the medical center on bed rest from her injury.
Lion had already been dispatched to Beach City to return when Amethyst would be ready with the other Gems, and in typical Amethyst fashion, nobody knew when this would be.
Cyborg laughed. "Dude, you're overthinking it. We're all just here to have a good time."
"Cyborg is correct," Starfire agreed. "I am sure that your friends will be joyed by your presence without any effort required."
"You're right, you're right," Steven conceded as he sat on the sofa. "I just want to know when they'll get here-"
And on his words, a vibrant pastel pink portal opened, and Lion strode out with four Gems on his back.
At the front was Amethyst, her ripped black leggings revealed her lilac skin and white tank top highlighted the shimmering gem on her chest.
Behind her was an orange Gem; Bixbite. A Gem that was almost humanoid if it wasn't for the cinnabar coloured skin, one eye, and crab claw in place of her right hand.
The Gem behind her was tall and broad, with a light blue complexion with blotches of peach adorning her skin, and blue hair that covered most of her face.
The blue Gem behind her was the biggest surprise to Steven.
Dark blue hair that led to azure skin, her navel gem shimmered in the light, and her face speckled with luminous golden freckles.
Formerly known as Nice Lapis, now known as Freckles.
Former friend of Mean Lapis.
One of the many Gem that had once attempted to murder Steven.
And like many Gems that had once attempted to kill Steven, she was a current student of Little Homeschool.
Amethyst grinned as she dismounted Lion. "What up Steven? Or are we naming ourselves after our weapons? Should I call you 'Shield' now?"
"Please don't," Steven replied with a good-natured grin.
"Good, good. I didn't exactly want to be called Whip."
Robin asked, "You can use a whip?"
Amethyst smiled, eager at the chance to show off, as her gem shone and she pulled her whip out. "So, technically, it's a flail. But the whip is what I'm used to."
Cyborg's face was confused. "How did you fit that in there?"
"I didn't?" Amethyst replied. "It's made of hard light, so I just manifest it."
Robin's eyes narrowed, somehow visible through his mask. "'Hard light' doesn't sound quite realistic," he questioned.
Amethyst shrugged. "I can hit you with, see how real you think it is after that," she suggested. "Or, I can do what it is I came here to do and play games and let the other Gems socialize."
Steven looked at the other Gems to his teammates. "I should probably introduce the Gems," he realized. "This is Amethyst, teacher at the school I own. The crab one is Bixbite, she works at a pizza shop." Bixbite waved with her humanlike hand. "This is Blue Lace Agate, she works at a pastry and dessert shop owned by my undead space pirate friend Lars."
Blue Lace Agate waved. "You can just call me Lace. Lars says nicknames are a great way for humans to feel more connected with you."
Starfire nodded. "I agree with that statement."
Lace added, "Lars also says nicknames are good for when humans don't want to use the effort to learn how to remember or pronounce your name."
Starfire nodded again. "I very much agree with that."
Steven then pointed to Freckles, who stood awkwardly. "This is Freckles, a Lapis Lazuli Gem, she's a relatively new student."
Eyes narrowed, Starfire looked at the azure Gem. "We were told stories of your kind. Those who could destroy planets using the very liquid the planet created."
Beast Boy, perhaps sensing the growing tension, yelled, "Introductions over! Game time is now!" and ran to his game console.
"I can't stay for long," Amethyst said, "Garnet strongly suggested I leave and let the Gems socialize without me as a safety net." She stared at the game's loading screen, registering that it was Smash Pals Scuffle and picking up a controller. "But I suppose I can stay for a little bit."
Steven gave a sigh of relief.
Amethyst played with ease as Beast Boy and Cyborg swapped the remaining controller.
He heard Starfire and Bixbite talk, Starfire gaining excitement as Bixbite explained the concept of Fish Stew Pizza.
Robin and Raven both talked to Lace about the undead pastry shop owner.
And Freckles.
Freckles stood in the corner.
Steven approached her. "You doing OK?" he asked.
She shrugged. "I'm not really used to this many humans I don't know. Or Tamaraneans. Or talking to the guy I tried to murder."
"If it makes you feel better, you're not exactly the first Gem that's tried to kill me." He smiled, nodding his head to the others. "Just try to talk to them all."
Eventually, the night ended and Amethyst left for Beach City with Lion, promising to return him in the morning to collect the remaining Gems.
"Gems don't need sleep," Steven informed the others. "So you guys go to bed, and they'll just watch television or something."
The team nodded, going to their rooms without fuss to rest.
Steven went to his room, relieved that the night went well; No major tension between the Tamaranean and Gems, no awkwardness between him and Amethyst at the lack of contact.
An hour passed as he laid in his bed and texted Connie to update her and absently looked out of his window at the flying Gem. 'Guess Freckles is having a midnight flight,' he mused to himself.
And then he noticed it.
Icy blue skin with three gems that reflected the moonlight.
Pietersite.
The fusion of Aquamarine, Mean Lapis, and Ruby. Some of the few Gems that wished harm to Steven.
The Gem Fusion flew towards the main room window, shattering it upon impact, as Steven rushed to confront them.
"You thought you'd seen the last of Pietersite? You were wrong!" she raised her hand and thrust it forward, summoning water up from outside the Tower and hurtling it towards Steven and the Gems.
Steven's shield summon was instantaneous, blocking the torrent of water. He threw the shield, disorientating the Fusion upon impact.
Robin, his bedroom closest to the main room, entered at the disturbance already clutching his bo staff. Sprinting, he leapt through the air and used the sofa as a jump pad to launch himself at the Fusion.
His strikes were rapid and precise, hitting each point he aimed for before the Gem could react.
"Fine!" Pietersite shouted, her one eye scanning the room. "If I can't defeat you, I'll just get your friends!"
Water rose again and contorted itself into a fist and Bixbite, Lace, and Freckles were thrown into the wall at the watery punch.
Steven turned to Robin. "Get the Gems out of here," he requested. "I'll keep Pietersite busy." He summoned his shield again, charging at the malevolent Fusion, blocking the attacks she attempted.
He channeled his shield, turning into a small dome around his fist and struck the Fusion's face, hitting the eye gem that came from Eyeball and the cheek gem from Aquamarine. The hit was successful and the Fusion quickly defused at the impact.
"Three versus three," Eyeball said, her chisel knife in hand as she sadistically grinned. "I like those odds!"
Steven looked around the room. Bixbite and Lace had already been led to safety by Robin, but now Aquamarine was blocking the exit. "Freckles!" Steven shouted to get her attention. "I know this was supposed to be socialization practice, but I think you're about to have a combat lesson."
Steven and Eyeball lunged at each other as Robin swung his bo staff at Aquamarine.
Freckles and Mean Lapis however, didn't fight. "Why are you doing this?" Freckles asked her. "What did any of us do to you?"
Water swirled around them, transforming into a spinning saw blade that hovered in the air. "You were my friend!" Mean Lapis roared with grief and rage. "And you left me! Left me for Earth and abandoned me!"
"I didn't abandon you. You could have come with me," Freckles replied sadly. "You could've still tried to talk to me. If you were really my friend then you would have been happy for me for doing what I wanted for a change. Instead you're angry at me because you decided to stop talking to me!"
"Don't blame me for this! You should have stayed with me! Stayed friends with me instead of leaving me for a primitive planet!"
"There's still time for you to change, to come with me again, to finally do what you want," Freckles begged. "To be friends again."
Steven smacked Eyeball into a wall with his shield just as Robin's staff sent Aquamarine into the same wall.
"Enough of this." Aquamarine grabbed Eyeball and pulled her into a Fusion, Bluebird Azurite taking their place.
An ice cutlass formed from her eye, and she swiped it, summoning six ice blades and hurling them towards the team.
A shield appeared and blocked the two aimed for Steven, while Robin nimbly avoided the two meant for him.
Steven turned to Freckles, only to see two ropes of water rapidly wrap around the two blades and throw them to the ground.
"Good catch Freckles," Steven complimented.
Freckles looked from her own hands to the water. "That wasn't me," she replied in confusion.
They looked at the only other Gem with the power of water.
Mean Lapis' hands were still raised, her eyes narrowed at Bluebird Azurite. "You do not hurt her! You do not hurt my friend!"
Water from the ground gathered in an orb, water fists forming and flying in a flurry of strikes that stunned the Fusion.
Freckles grinned, summoning more water from her gem and launching wave after wave, pushing the fusion towards the window.
The two Lapises looked at each other, an unspoken agreement taking place, and the pair joined hands and began to shine with a blinding light.
Mega Lapis stood in their place. Six foot tall, with long curled azure hair and golden freckles on their face. The new Fusion smirked. "You fuse out of spite and anger. We fuse out of friendship." Her hands raised in concentration and for a moment nothing happened.
And then Steven saw it, the very water outside of the Tower swirling in a spiral, encompassing Bluebird and throwing her far out of the Tower, forcing her to skim along the water as though she were a throwing stone until she hit the distant shore.
The Lapis Fusion unfused leaving Freckles and Mean Lapis who both had a look of stunned relief plastered on their faces.
Steven supposed he would have to find a new nickname for Mean Lapis now she had seemingly switched sides.
"Good thing you were part of Amethyst's class Freckles," Steven said. "Things could have been very different without you here today."
"I wasn't actually part of the class," she admitted. "Garnet came up to me yesterday and said it would be good for everyone if I came along."
"Guess she does use her Future Vision then."
When Amethyst returned the next day, she looked around the Tower's main room. Glass shards littered the floor which squelshed with dampness. "So, did I miss anything?" she joked.
Steven smiled as he swept up the glass. "Gem Fusion tried to kill us, Mean Lapis left them, Mean Lapis is called Curly now, she's on our side, take her to Little Homeschool please."
Amethyst nodded. "Sounds like a productive visit. So when are you all coming to visit Beach City?"
Steven laughed. "I'm sure that'll happen eventually. "
