Greg spat out his soda. His eyes bulged out a little in many emotions. "What do you mean she's back?", he whisper yelled.  

"We mean she's back!", Amythest snapped, yelling for real. Pearl put a hand in front of her, as a motion the shorter gem should stop. "Are you alright?", Pearl asked softly. "I- I don't know how to react to this." The man looked back at Pearl, eyes gleaming with tears. "What about you?"

Pearl looked down, trying to not cry. Garnet was the one to speak instead, much to Pearl's relief. "We're all surprised at this. Artemis's actions have caused a change in time and events. Though whether they're for the better or worse, is still unknown."

Greg looked out onto the beach's horizon, and gave a small sigh. He really didn't know how to feel about this. "Have you told Steven yet?"

All three of the Crystal Gems looked down at the question. "No.", Garnet answered abruptly. "We weren't sure if you wanted to be the one too.", Pearl added. "Since...", Amethyst dragged on. There wasn't anything else to be said. But Greg nodded and gave a soft smile. The gems returned the gesture and walked off. 

Greg sat back down on the end of his van, staring at the horizon of the ocean. Tears began to form in the adult's eyes, spreading along his hands as he buried his face in them. After all these years. 

In his tears, a song came. A song he had often sung when Steven was asleep, or at least not around. 

"I-If you came back, tomorrow..."

------------------

Artemis had heard a number of things about Earth. About how desolate it was, how it was practically dead, but she never heard about a 'hot dog'. Intriguing.

She took another drink of water, as they call it on Earth, and gave a slight chuckle. "And that's why I'm banned from the supermarket.". Steven ended his little tale. Artemis was fixing to ask what a supermarket was, when a creak came from the door.

"Oh, hi guys!", Steven called to the three... gems...

  Artemis did a back flop onto the couch, pretending to be unconscious. "I want you guys to meet..", Steven trailed off, noticing her behaviour. "Get up! You were fine five minutes ago." She grumbled, but complied. It's a good thing she liked this kid, otherwise she wouldn't have been as nice. 

She opened her eyes, finding a Pearl, an Amethyst, and a, well... she wasn't entirely sure, staring at her. "I want you guys to meet Artemis.", Steven continued, oblivious to the reactions. "He, remembered... her name?", the Pearl mumbled. But Steven heard her anyway. 

"Remembered? Have we met before?", he asked. The Amethyst and new one flinched, giving Artemis the answer. But Pearl gave a slight chuckle. "Of course. I shouldn't have expected you to. It was a long time ago," she walked forward, putting a hand on both of their shoulders. "when you were both very young." 

To this, Steven and Artemis looked at each other, with newfound curiosity and questions. Artemis finally looked away, at the three other gems. Her stomach grimaced a little. 

That only occured when something big was about to happen.