Hours had passed since Julianna had learned the truth about Peridot, yet the tears wouldn't stop. She truly thought that Peridot had loved her, and didn't know what to believe. She was torn in two- part of her still clung to the possibility that Peridot had done no wrong. Maybe the Crystal Gems had a biased view because Peridot was their enemy. Maybe Peridot had truly loved her.

Her other half knew the truth. Garnet and Pearl had been telling her the truth. They were trustworthy- saving her life from Centipeetle attacks, giving her a chance to explain without attacking her... After all that, how could they possibly lie to her?

But regardless of what was the truth, in the deepest confines of her heart, no matter how small they might be, she still loved Peridot, and the thought of letting go cut sharper than a thousand knives.

Amethyst moved her from her thoughts as she hugged her gently. "Stop crying, Julianna..." She practically begged. "It hurts to see you so upset..."

"I'm sorry..." She wiped her eyes and looked down at her, feeling a little odd with her close proximity, but didn't push her away.

"I'm sorry she did that to you... You don't deserve it."

"That's what she created me for." She responded. "To be her companion."

"I think you should leave her, Julianna. You deserve better than her. You could stay with us. Permanently. We could help you train. You could be a Crystal Gem, and defend the Earth.. Just think about it. Please?"

"I hate the Earth... But I'll stay, if that's what you really want."

Amethyst nodded gleefully, hugging her tighter. "That's awesome! Thank you.."

"No problem..." Julianna shyly put her arms around Amethyst, who then proceeded to lay her head against her abdomen.

Amethyst's heart quickened at Julianna's embrace, her cheeks heated with violet. She felt a strong, undeniable attraction to her, even though they'd only known each other for about a week. It truly hurt her inside to see her cry so much, and she felt lighter now that her tears had ceased. It excited her to know that she would stay with them, and she couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be so lonely anymore.

"I love you." She murmured, lost in the moment, her voice slightly muffled, as her face was lightly pressed against her side.

"What?!" Julianna's eyes widened, and she froze in shock. She stared incredulously at Amethyst, face tinged with pink.

Amethyst clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes welling with tears. "I-I'm sorry! I-"

"It's okay.." She murmured. "You just startled me." She chuckled faintly. "Don't cry, Amethyst, I'm not mad at you." She gingerly wiped a tear away with her fingertips, jumping slightly as Amethyst threw her arms around her again.

"I-I meant it..." She held onto her tightly, petrified that if she let go, she would leave.

"I know." She gently adjusted her arms, loosening the purple gem's grip on her torso.

"Sorry.." She mumbled, looking up at her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's fine. Really." She pushed hair out of Amethyst's face out of habit, chuckling softly at her violet cheeks, but said nothing.

Amethyst stared up at her, resisting the urge to reach up and kiss her lips. She eventually averted her gaze, looking down at the sheets. "Are you going to leave Peridot?" She questioned, silently hoping that she would.

"I don't know... It's been so long..."

"Don't you think she would have come back for you by now?"

"Maybe she doesn't know I'm here.. She could be looking for me, in another place.."

"Think about what Garnet and Pearl told you..."

She scoffed lightly. "What would Garnet and Pearl know? They didn't know Peridot like I did."

Amethyst stayed quiet, not sure of what to say.

"Maybe you're right... Maybe I should let her go..."

Amethyst lightly squeezed her hand in reassurance, trying to keep her from another bout of tears. "I really think you should. You deserve better than her."

Julianna laid her head on her shoulder, shifting her position to Amethyst's height. "I guess so..."

"It's okay to let go, Julianna." She assured her. "You can do this."

She bit her lip. "We could try to make something work... Especially with what you said earlier..."

"You don't have to do this if you're not-"

"I want to." She interrupted. Someone had to take Peridot's place, and if Amethyst really, truly cared for her... What was the harm in it?

Connie and Steven danced by the waterfall, a soft, romantic tune playing from Steven's cellphone, and they awkwardly stepped in time to the rhythm, stumbling and tripping over each other's feet. But, as adorably awkward as it was, it didn't matter to them. They had each other, and that was all that mattered.

Connie cried out in surprise as she tumbled into the pool of the waterfall, Steven landing beside her. He laughed and helped her stand, pushing wet strands of hair from her face. "Sorry about that..." His cheeks flushed slightly.

"It's fine... I'm the one who should be sorry.."

"Huh? For what?"

"For this!" She pushed him in the water and tackled him, laughing uncontrollably.

"Hey!" Steven shouted, laughing at her antics. "That wasn't very nice!" He splashed water in her direction and got up to chase her. Connie shrieked and ran deeper into the water, still laughing. She slipped on a patch of sand, falling backwards onto Steven.

His gem began to glow, reflecting on the water. Bright, blinding white illuminated the area momentarily, then faded away just as quickly as it had come.

Stevonnie lifted its arm, tiny droplets of water dripping onto its forehead. It chuckled; a melodious mixture of it's component's voices; and stood up.

"WE'RE AN EXPERIENCE!" Stevonnie shouted gleefully, outstretching its arms for a moment. It then proceeded to run around the island, even the tallest of trees seeming much less intimidating with their added height. Stevonnie ran happily through the landscape until the sun had started to sink below the ocean's horizon. It eventually collapsed against the sand in exhaustion, defusing in a much less grander flash, leaving Steven and Connie lying on the sand, breathing heavy.

"That was amazing." Connie smiled giddily, her breathing still short and labored.

Steven nodded in agreement, unable to speak from excitement.