29 days until final report.

With a loud boom the rain pours from the sky. Jasper glares, "Blood ties hold no merit Earthling."

"They hold more merit than kidnappers have with a child," Greg retorts, "I just want to see my son."

Amethyst and Pearl exit the van, to which Sea points out, "You're the pearl of Pink-"

"I'm nobody's Pearl," Pearl retorts, "Where's Steven?"

"I assure you Steven is safe under my care," Jasper growls, "And if you think I'm going to entrust his safety to some... what? A lost defective Pearl? A human who doesn't have any respect or care for Gem culture unlike that Connie girl? Not to mention the malformed quartz soldier. Better think again."

Steven overhears a ruckus outside and instantly recognizes Greg from the video along with Amethyst and Pearl from prior encounters. Steven summoned his shield as Amethyst, insulted, summoned her whip. Steven rushed in, "Wait! Stop!"

Steven called out, "There's no need to fight!"

"Steven!" Greg exclaimed, "It's me! Greg! Do you recognize me?"

"Absolutely not," Steven admitted, "Can't say you look familiar at all, but we don't have to fight guys. We can talk this out."

Amethyst sighed and stood down. There was a tense silence for a moment, rain poured from the sky before Jasper swallowed her pride and offered the three shelter, "Well... if Steven trusts you enough so do I. Come in."

The group head inside, the tension in the air palpable to say the least as Lapis and Peridot had no idea how to great the man, the child of whom they stole all those years ago, or the Crystal Gems they fought all this time to protect Steven.

"Um..." Pearl forced an akward smile, "Hi... everyone. Thanks for... taking care of Steven. If I may ask... where's... Garnet?"

"Hey so you told me when you revealed everything that all those gyms you told me you scattered are actually in lion right?" Jasper whispered.

Steven nodded, "One second I'll get her."

The gems were left in akward silence for a bit before Amethyst sighed, "OK so... let's adress the elephant in the room. What do you want with Steven?"

"Steven is part of our family," Peridot explained, "We just want him safe."

"We've been trying to protect him from you!" Pearl exclaimed enraged, "You kidnapped him years ago!"

Jasper nodded, "I won't deny there was a time where your actions may have been justified but... you have nothing to fear from us. If you will not  harm us, we will not harm you. We won't send any info about your whereabouts in our final report to Yellow Diamond, and when our plan is enacted you will be free to take Steven to Beach City."

"Wait is it really this easy?" Greg asked, "I knew you'd be at least somewhat responsible but it almost sounds like you've given up. Like you can't protect Steven anymore."

Jasper turned away, "I love Steven as my own son. That's all that matters. That I, no, we, wish only the best. I ask one thing. My crew. My sisters. Lapis and Peridot. My best friend, Sea. I want them to be welcomed into your posse. You... Crystal Gems. We all love Earth at this point. You protect Earth right? Is that OK?"

Pearl nodded, "If they mean us no harm."

Lapis shrugged, "As long as you're not a danger to Steven."

Peridot added, "It's only logical we team up since we now share the same goals..."

Meanwhile Steven warped to the Strawberry Field where Lion greeted him purring and rubbing on his leg.

"I miss you too," he smiled, "I'm here to let out the Crystal Gems."

Lion growled softly.

"I know but things have changed," Steven assured the pink creature, "So... yeah."

Lion growled again bug kneeled to comply. Steven entered the mane and approached the island, grabbing the bubbled Sapphire, Ruby, and...

Steven hesitated as he reached for Bismuth but grabbed the bubble anyways and exited.

"You coming?" Steven asked while on the warp pad.

Lion growled and lay down to nap.

Steven examined the bubbled Bismuth and sighed, "Actually Lion, can you back me up?"

Lion purred to indicate he could as Steven popped the bubble and unleashed Bismuth. Bismuth looked around, "I'm back? I'm... I'm back! I-"

Steven summoned his shield, "We need to talk."

Bismuth nodded, "I think we do. Your shield is that of-"

"I am not my mother," Steven glared, "Let's make that crystal clear now. I am not that horrid murderous women. My mom died Bismuth. She is dead. She is no more."

"Well that explains you now knowing her," Bismuth sighed, sitting down, "So what's to discuss... human? I think?"

"Half human," Steven replied, "And... I wish to call a truce. The war is over, pretty much. We are willing to welcome you into our home. Amethyst and Pearl are around and I'll unbubble Garner shortly but... I want you to promise, that you will not attack any of the gems, no matter what."

"If my old friends are alive," Bismuth smiled, "That's a small price to pay to see them again."

Bismuth shook Steven's hand and asked, "So... we cool little dude? I said some... mean stuff."

"Here's how I see it," Steven smiled, "If we're no better than you, and we're pretty great, you must be pretty great too."

Steven grabbed the bubbled gems and smiled, "Let's go..."

The two warped in, much to the shock of Jasper and co who instantly summoned their weapons.

"Hey hey no it's cool!" Steven exclaimed, "Easy easy!"

Jasper sighed, "If so say so."

Steven handed the bubbled gems to Pearl and explained, "OK look guys... there's a lot to unpack here... can we just... handle our mission and... I'll come to Beach City when it's all said and done."

Greg nodded, "If that's what you want kiddo. The air is so tense here I could cut it with a knife."

"We're just leaving?" Pearl demanded.

"There's nothing stopping us from coming back," Amethyst reminded, "And... it's probably for the best."

Greg handed Steven a shirt, "You're a shining star kiddo. Never forget you're a bright light in these dark circumstances."

"Thanks Mr.," Steven smiled, not yet considering Greg family. Greg rustled his hair and with a wave, left with the Crystal gems.

Pearl and Sea exchanges a silent look before Pearl whispered, "Tell no one who owned me back on Homeworld."

"It'll be a secret amongst Pearls," Sea whispered, "Between... new friends?"

Pearl smiled, "Sure."

Amethyst glared at Jasper who sighed, "I... understand your hatred, and while you're... kinda defective... I would like to spar with a Quartz if..."

Amethyst's expression softned as she explained, "Maybe you're not so bad. I'll think about it."

Bismuth spoke to Lapis, "Are you... afraid of me? You seem tense when I'm near."

Lapis shook her head, "I was poofed by a Bismuth in the war. I'm unsure if it was you? I really don't know but..."

Bismuth assured her, "Well... don't worry. I promise never to harm you. You don't need to be scared."

"Thanks," Lapis smiled uneasily.

Bismuth nodded, "Hey anything for the new recruits eh? Cya."

The Crystal Gems left, Pearl explaining, "So we should get you up to speed. There's this thing called corruption..."

Steven layed in the sand that night with a sigh.

"Uggggghhh," he moaned, "What a day."

"You OK?" Jasper inquired as she approached.

"I can handle it," Steven lied.

Jasper lifted him into a hug, "No you can't. I can tell. I'm here for you. We all are."

"I just..." Steven sighs, "It's a lot. You know? My... I'm not even gonna call Rose mom anymore. Genetics mean nothing. You're more a mom to me than she ever was."

"Steven," sighed, "What if... you didn't have a mom anymore?"

"You're the strongest gem I know," Steven replied, "We'll handle the plan, we'll trick Yellow Diamond, and that'll be the end of that. You'll sneak back home... somehow... and that's that."

Jasper lied, "Of course."

Steven yawned, "Well... I better get some shut eye. Night mom. Love you."

"Love you too kiddo," Jasper replied with a smile.

As soon as Steven was gone, Jasper began to cry softly.

"I'm gonna miss them," she muttered to herself, "I'm gonna miss you son..."