-The next morning-

I woke up surprisingly peacefully this morning, and slightly stretched my arms. My face remained pressed against my pillow as I laid on my stomach. My hand roamed off of the edge of the bed, sluggishly dragging across my side table in search for my cell phone. I then felt the small device, and grabbed it quickly. I very slowly lifted my head off of my pillow to peek at my notifications - Lapis had texted me earlier.

My previously unmoving body jolted immediately, and I sat up. My heart lifted, and I opened it quickly.

Lapis: Hey Peridot ❤ I'm glad you got to stop by last night :)

A small smile crept onto my face as I stared at the text message for a long moment.

Peridot: Me too. I'm glad I got to see you... again lol.

I really wanted to see her again. She had never left my mind once since I left her house last night. I was thinking deeply for a moment, then picked my phone back up.

Peridot: hey if ur free today, we should meet up again

I texted, immediately closing my eyes, questioning myself. I absolutely hated how desperate I sounded nearly every time I messaged her, but I tried not to let it bother me too much. I was desperate, but of course she couldn't know that. I rolled over onto my back, placing my phone down beside me. I stared up at the ceiling for at least the thousandth time this week. This Lapis Lazuli never fails to invade my mind nearly every minute I exist.

I denied myself any possibilities that I had an unhealthy attachment, but every once in a while, they'd come creeping back again. I almost wanted all of this pining to be over, because I knew in the end I was probably going to be caught. I considered just leaving my criminal ways behind, but I still had a history, and I couldn't just abandon my friends. Someone was going to get hurt in all of this mess.

Amethyst has already been harmed in this situation, and I could no longer think rationally. Desperations constantly rushed through my head, leaving me furiously thinking of any way I could stay together with Lapis while keeping my deceitful job. Nothing came to mind. I'd just have to keep lying. And that hurt. BZZZZZZZT.

Lapis: yeah I'm free today. Where do u wanna go?

Peridot: it doesn't matter. Usual? Coffee shop?

Lapis: Alright :) does 2:30 work?

Peridot: yup

Lapis: I'll seeya later Peri ❤

Peridot: can't wait! ❤

I dropped my phone onto my stomach, and roughly rubbed both of my eyes. This woman is going to be the death of me.

. . . .

"Don't worry, I'll be back later!" I assured, zipping up my jacket. "You better! We have plans to make and we need the brains here!" Jasper called after me from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes, and adjusted my slightly falling glasses. I walked out the door without another word, and quickly entered my car. There wasn't any traffic, which was good, and the drive to the coffee shop was quite tranquil.

Once I arrived at the coffee shop, I instantly beamed as soon as I spotted a cop car parked across the lot. I exited my vehicle and zoomed in through the front doors of the shop. Lapis was typically at the counter, ordering her drink as I approached her. "That'll be $4.95." the barista said, tapping his fingers on the cash register. I placed a ten and a five dollar bill onto the counter in front of Lapis, eyeing the employee. "Make that two coffees, please." I stated.

"Hi, Peridot!" Lapis squealed, moving forward swiftly and hugging me tightly. "H-hey, Lapis!" I chuckled, hugging back. Lapis then separated from me, and grinned at me widely. "Hehe, every time you greet me, it seems like we haven't spoken in months." I joked, smiling at Lapis. "Well, I do love seeing you. Not afraid to admit it, either." she replied, tilting her head a little. "Here are your coffees, and here's your change, sir." the employee chirped, sliding my change to me, along with the two beverages.

I scoffed, watching as the barista speedily left the counter. Sir?! "... sir? Seriously?" I grumbled, staring in awe. "You are quite the gentleman." Lapis giggled, and I looked over at her for a second. I then looked back toward the counter, and snatched the two drinks. "It's the hair, isn't it?!" I growled, though unable to feel my short blond hair because of my full hands. "Your hair is absolutely flawless the way it is." Lapis said, ruffling my hair.

"For a police officer, you have some pretty crappy observations." I jokingly claimed, staring straight at her. "It's true! You're just the perfect image to me." Lazuli snorted, and my face suddenly felt hot. "Wh-whatever, here's your coffee." I grumbled, now clearly embarrassed. Lapis then leaned forward, and pecked me on the lips. As soon as she pulled away, I felt empty.

I took a step forward and kissed her again, though deeper and a bit longer this time. Once I hesitantly pulled away, Lapis had a small pink tint on her cheeks, and I couldn't help but grin at how cute it was. I love you. "I can't stand being away from you." I blurted, and I almost immediately regretted saying it right afterwards. Lapis' eyebrows shot up, and the ghost of a smile lingered on her lips. "S-sorry, that sounded a little obse-" "No, it's okay. I normally find it pretty difficult myself to keep myself occupied from thinking about you all the time..." the cop admitted, and it honestly made me feel a little bit better about myself.

We then began to walk, and before I knew it, we headed out the doors of the building. I felt Lapis' hand gently brush against mine, and I side glanced her. Her slender fingers softly slid into my hand, intertwining them with my fingers. Her hand was warm, and my heart fluttered. We walked down the sidewalk, and I glanced over at Lapis' car. I led her to her own car for no exact reason, but only to examine the car further. I'd only ever studied the exterior of police vehicles from afar, when I'm fleeing from them.

Back on our movie date, I hadn't gotten a chance to look at the thing so closely from the outside. "Here, lemme hold that for you." Lapis stated, slowly releasing my hand to hold hers out to my coffee. "A-are you sure? I think I can hold it." I assured, timidly staring up at her. "Nah, just lemme hold it, Peri." Lapis insisted, and I huffed, handing her my coffee. I turned back to the car, staring at it once again. As my eyes trailed up to the siren of the car, memories began to flood my mind. My previous thrilled mood suddenly dulled, and I blinked a few times.

A chill went down my spine as I remembered how this exact car has chased after me and my accomplices several times. Yet the owner of this car had no idea it was me. Her girlfriend. I really need to reevaluate some things. I was deep in thought, until I was suddenly yanked back to the surface as I felt Lapis' soft lips press against the side of my neck. I immediately blushed, and slightly turned my chin toward her. She then planted a gentle kiss on my cheek, and that thrilled feeling crept back inside me again.

I turned my whole body to her once again, and stared up at her. She looked down, staring back at me nearly just as intensely as me. She then broke away from the gaze, and I watched her questioningly as she set our two coffees down. "Wh-our coffe-EEP!" I squeaked as Lapis suddenly lifted me up, setting me down on the hood of her car. "L-LAPIS!! We are in public!" I hissed, feeling my face heat up. "Do you honestly think that's going to stop me?" Lapis snorted, looking me right in th e face.

I groaned loudly, turning away from her shyly. She then gently took my chin into her hand, and directed my gaze back to her. "You know how much you mean to me right?" she suddenly asked, and I blushed once again. "I-I uhm..." I trailed off, trying to form any sentences for a reply. "You're always on my mind, Peridot. You make me feel like I really do mean something. Like I'm not just some loser who's been used. Cheated on. Lied to." I squirmed at the term 'lied to', and sweat began to form on the back of my neck. A lump formed in my throat, and it was getting harder to breathe. "L-Lapis..." I murmured barely audibly. Lapis was silent, and awaited me to continue further.

"Y-you...could explain how much I mean to you...b-but I cannot explain how much you mean to me...you could never even come to guess how much you mean to me, Lapis..." I said, but tears began to prick my eyes. I have to tell her. It's now or never. "But I have something to tell you..." I muttered, refusing to look at her at the moment. "What is it, Peridot?" she asked, sounding a bit concerned.

Do it. Do it now. Rip off the bandaid. I then looked up at her, and exhaled sharply. "I love you." I blurted, and surprised myself at what I said. SHIT WRONG SECRET. Lapis stood before me, and her eyebrows shot up. Her face soon turned a dark shade of red, and her mouth gaped open a little bit. I stared back at her with wide eyes, and my jaw drooped open. "I-I...have to go. I'm sorry." I quickly stated, hopping off the hood of the car, and walking past Lapis as she stepped aside.

I headed straight for my car, but stopped when I heard Lapis call my name. "Peridot, wait!" I turned my head a little. "Please come back." she whimpered, and I slowly walked back towards her timidly. I was facing her, and she picked up the two coffees. "I love you too." she then stated, handing me back my coffee. The tears in my eyes were threatening to spill down my cheeks, and I shakily took the cup. I couldn't tell her. I can't. What am I doing?! "If you really have to go, can I at least get a kiss goodbye?" Lapis looked at me hopefully, half smiling.

I couldn't help but smile back, and nod slightly. I leaned forward, and kissed her softly. Once I pulled away, I attacked her with a tight hug, and she yelped in surprise. She giggled, then hugged back just as tightly. I embraced her warmth, and let my tears soak into her shirt, so she wouldn't have to see them running down my face. I felt my heartbeat slow as I slowly separated from her hesitantly. "I'll see you again soon?" she asked, tilting her head. "Y-yes, definitely." I chuckled, staring down at the ground.

And with that, I spun on my heel and walked back toward my car. I felt her gaze stay on me as I walked away, and I quietly sniffled.

. . . .

As soon as I arrived home, I set my coffee down on the kitchen table, where the others were already formulating a plan. "Alright, Peridot. You ready to help us?" Jasper asked, and I sighed. "I guess so." I muttered.