#pre-steven

Amethyst leaped onto the rim of the pool and got everyone’s attention. “Hey you guys, what if-“She wanted to give her idea but Garnet was one step ahead of her. “No, we are not shooting Pearl off a canon. That won't end well for any of us.”

“Oh come on! It’ll be hilarious to see her blowing up from a cannon!”

Pearl crossed her arms upon hearing that. Coral agreed with her. “Sorry Amethyst, it might sound like a lot of fun, but it might not be the best idea. Besides, the monster won’t be running away in a straight line. It’ll zigzag and turn in any direction for us to anticipate.”

“Yeah fine. Guess that dream’s over.” She pouted as she sat back down.

Coral had an arm around her, “Cheer up, it was a good idea. You’ll think of a better one.”

“Not one that would actually work,” Pearl muttered under her breath as she glared at the small gem.

From above, a voice shouted out, "Look out below!" Then a figure slid down a nearby pole. She let go of the tube and landed on her two feet. "Hello my gems, what's up?"

"Uhm, the ceiling?" Coral responded as she and the other gems looked equally perplexed.

"Oh sorry, Greg taught me some recent human communication tactics and I wanted to try them out. This one doesn’t make much sense, does it?"

“I believe the phrase is referring to the conversation or situation we are currently in,” Pearl explained as accurately as she could.

“Thank you, Pearl. Now, what is this about?” Rose asked as she referred to the discussion happening afoot.

Coral explained the dilemma they were facing. “We're having trouble catching a gem nearby the beta kindergarten. It’s too fast and we're trying to come up with ideas to take it down.”

“We can think of a plan after.” Garnet interrupted, “Rose, tell us about your date with Greg.”

The gems were so caught up with their issue that they completely forgot about the date.

“Oh yes, the date,” Rose told the gems about her day. She talked about another human, but smaller and more vulnerable according to Greg. She also joked about how funny Greg was whenever he or the baby was in a tight spot.

“It was so amazing to see how a human can start out so small and tiny.”

“Smaller than me?” Amethyst questioned, who was the smallest figure on the team.

“Definitely smaller.” She patted her on the head and proceeded. “This “Sour Cream” might start out as a small and slow creature, but Greg told me all about how the baby will grow into a big human just like him!”

“Wow,” Coral realized, “Human beings are so different.”

“But isn't that wonderful?” Rose asked. “Humans are expected to grow and change, nothing ever stays the same. Can you imagine? Changing and never being the same person you were once before? How amazing would that be?”

“As amazing as it is,” Garnet spoke, “It is still a human thing that does not apply to our gems. We don’t grow naturally like them. We’re always the same from our emergence to the end of our time.”

Rose sighed, “It is a shame we won’t get to experience what they do. Always changing and never being the same person at the end.”

Coral tried to comfort her. “Don’t give in too soon, maybe it is not entirely hopeless. I mean, look at us! We used to serve homeworld and never even had the thought of changing until you came into our lives. If you asked me, I'd say I’m not the same gem compared to when I was serving.... homeworld.”

Rose's eyes gleamed and sparked hope from Coral's words. “That-that’s true! We have all changed from who we once were. We were all once servants and soldiers on our home planet. But now, we’re no longer the servants and soldiers we were made to be. We’re the Crystal Gems, and we fight AGAINST those same servants and soldiers!” The big gem rushed into a hug with the pink pearl.

“Change is possible for us. Thank you, Coral, for reminding me that.”

She blushed as she returned the hug. “You're welcome, Rose.”

Garnet witnessed the moment and decided to end the meeting there. “We can figure out how to catch the speedy gem tomorrow. We can all use a break.” The last part was meant for Rose, who never really understood the concept of rest.

Amethyst threw out a huge and unnecessarily loud yawn as she realized how tired she was. “Man, that was a long meeting.” She said before slowly falling to the floor as if she had fallen asleep mid-walk.

“Amethyst you just took a nap right before the meeting.” Pearl reminded as she picked her up, “How are you this tired already?”

The small purple gem began snoring in Pearl’s arms.

Ugh, just what I needed. She thought to herself. But she saw the peaceful slumber on her face and gave a defeated sigh. She carried the small gem to her messy and distasteful room.

The rest of the gems went to their respective rooms to rest up for another day ahead. Except for one gem, whose room was just above the temple. Something Coral said truly resonated with her. She looked back at herself. The things she’s done, the person she's become. It took her a while, but she finally knew what she wanted after all this time.

(A/N: Thanks for reading! Part 1 is probably shorter than what you're used to, but don't worry, the next part will def be longer than this.

If anyone reading this would like to do a review of this chapter or any previous chapter, please do. It would mean so much to read your comments and thoughts on this little au writing!

She glanced down at the simple teal dress she had put on, hoping it would be enough for their date. They normally weren't very picky about her outfits, but maybe this time they would be. She wasn't sure, but she didn't want to care. Not with him being there. He shouldn't be there, or anywhere near them, but it was supposed to be better for Gem/Human relations, and she was doing it for Rose.

"Pearl?" she glanced down, seeing the little gem she so adored. Amethyst smirked, swirling in her own outfit. It was a dark purple blouse with black dress pants, and she smiled at her, because it was amazing and fit her perfectly. "How do you like it?"

"I love it, Amethyst," she told her truthfully, and she beamed.

"Thanks! Garnet helped me pick it out!" She was so enthusiastic, and it was great. She leaned down, gently pecking her forehead and getting a snort of laughter out of the smaller gem.

"Did she help you with your hair too? Because it looks nice, more tamed."

"Yes. She wasn't going to do anything with it, actually, but I couldn't just let her go like it was." She glanced up, catching the fusion's smile. Her sleek, dark red dress fit her so perfectly, and Pearl felt her mouth go dry. Maybe she was underdressed after all.

"It was stupid. I hated sitting still that long," Amethyst groaned, and she grabbed her lovers' hands, feeling a warm gem press against her palm. When she glanced up at Garnet, she was blushing slightly, but Pearl decided not to say anything about it.

"We better go. They're waiting on us, you know. You two took much longer than I expected you to," she informed the two, starting to tug them towards the temple exit. Greg and Rose had been waiting for them for at least twenty minutes now, and she refused to go out there with them until she had both of her lovers with her.

"It's not my fault. Amethyst wouldn't sit still, and I almost pulled out half of her hair." A smirk played across her lips, and she did her best not to laugh, because she knew how bad their youngest lover could be, but didn't even really care.

"Hey! I don't like sitting still that long, and you know it!" At that moment, she didn't care that they were going on a double date. She didn't care that Greg was going to be there, no. Instead, all she cared about was the two women who held her hand, and how great it felt to be there with them, because they were absolutely perfect.

"Pearl?"

"Yes, Amethyst?"

"I like your dress."

"Did you miss momma, Charoite?" She nods, and hugs your neck tightly. You grin, feeling a tug at your pants and looking down to see Rhodochrosite, holding her favourite plushie. The one that's modelled after the old Earth animal known as a tiger, though it's pink with purple stripes instead of orange and black. Her pastel pink pacifier bobs in and out as she sucks on it, so you laugh and pick her up as well. Still so small, and only a revolution and a half.

"Momma," Rhodo mumbles around the pacifier, and you note that you should try breaking her of it at some point, but you're still rather exhausted, and you're not too worried about it at the moment.

"Hello, Jasper," your ex-bond says as she stands in your doorway. You glare slightly at her, noting the way her arms curl around her stomach. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine. Thanks, Rose, for watching the kids," you say simply, and she nods slowly, looking over the two of them.

"It was my pleasure. I love seeing my girls..." she trails off, and you know what she's going to ask before she starts to say anything, and your jaw locks up slightly. "Can I see her?"

"Why? She's still just a geode, and she's not going anywhere." She looks offended, and  Rhodochrosite grips tighter onto you when she senses your anger.

"I know she's still a geode, but she' mine too, Jasper. I just want to see her at least once before she hatches," she says, before she pauses, biting her bottom lip. You look away, because you still can't stand to see her upset. "Are you even going to let me know her once she does?"

"Rose..."

"Jasper, please. I still love you, and the kids, but this wasn't working out anymore, and you know it. You don't have to let me see her, ever, but I'm begging you, please let me see her while she's like this, just once. Please." Sadness carries heavily in her voice, and you blink back tears. Everything she says is true, and you still love her too, but the fighting was getting to be too much, and the kids don't need to see that.

"I... It's not right, to keep you away from her, is it?" You look at her, and she shakes her head slowly. You bite your lip for a moment before you sigh. "Come on then. You can see Tiger's Eye, and... Maybe I'll let you see the girls more often... Just..."

"Tiger's Eye then?"

"Mhm... That's what I thought would be best. She doesn't have as many stripes as Rhodo did, just one actually." She nods, and follows you as you lead her to the nursery. "How's Greg?"

"Doing good... Doing good... I have something to tell you, Jasper." You don't stop, because you're scared of what she's going to say. You don't want to hear anything about the two of them, and only asked because it was the nice thing to say, not because you actually cared about him. You hate him.

"What?" you ask, and the Rhodo tugs at your hair, pointing down. You set her down as Rose clears her throat, and your ling toddles over to her, raising her arms up before your ex-bond picks her up. Charoite giggles, resting her head on your shoulder.

"Do you remember the last time I went into heat?" she starts, and you furrow your brows in confusion, because what sense does that make and why bring that up with the kids present? You glance at her, and she holds your ling so delicately and warmly, and you adore the sight, and hate yourself for adoring it.

"What about it?" She hesitates, and you remember the way her arms were wrapped around her stomach. You suddenly feel sick, just as Charoite pats your cheek.

"Momma? I play?" You turn to Rose, fear in your eyes, because no, that can't be. It was only about a fourth of a revolution ago, and you can't stand to think of her carrying your lings when you're not even together.

"Yes Charoite... Rose, no, you can't mean..."

"I'm sorry, Jasper. I went and had myself checked out to be sure, and... I..." Your world spins, and you set Charoite down. She runs out of the room giggling, and you put a hand to your head.

"Do you want me to take it?" you ask gently, and she looks away, tears in her eyes again.

"Jasper, you already have Tiger's Eye, Rhodo, and Charoite, I can't imagine asking you to-"

"Rose. Please don't say that. Just let me take it, alright? You can see it, just like the other girls, but you have other things to worry about, and I'm fine with taking in another one. It's mine too." She falls silent and you start leading her to the nursery again, watching her follow behind. Silence still follows you until the three of you reach the nursery, with you waving her to look inside. She looks at the incubator, staring at the orange egg inside with a pink stripe across it's surface.

"She looks perfect, Jasper," she whispers, and you nod, rubbing the back of your neck.

"Are you going to be okay?" you ask quietly, and she nods weakly. Rhodo makes grabby hands at you, so you take her again, watching her grip her toy tighter.

"Yeah... I'll... I can't promise anything right now, but... I'll think about it."

"Alright. Feel free to come by anytime, Rose." She leans forward, kissing your little girl's forehead and wrapping one arm around her in a gentle hug before she pulls back.