Steven thinks aloud as he paces back and forth on the beach in the evening as the stars begin to shine overhead, "Man why am I so energetic today? I gotta burn this off somehow. I can't sit still. Guess I'm just in one of my upbeat moods again."

Steven takes out his phone and lays in the sand, texting Connie, "So you free today?"

"Sorry," Connie replies, "I've got violin lessons, but you do know when we hangout we do have to talk to your mom about your mental instability right?"

"Yeah yeah," Steven responds, "I really do hope she can help. It's kinda fun when I feel good but sucks most of the time."

Steven puts his phone away and ponders aloud, "I just want mom to come home. I haven't heard anything from her."

Steven doesn't know that from the distance, the patio of the house, he's being watched by Sea.

Sea sighs and mutters to herself, "She's not coming home. I'm... sorry..."

Pearl the house and inquired "You worried about him too?"

Sea nods "Yeah. He used to be such a sweet kid. Welcomed me into his family. Loved me as his family, but... he's changed. He's changed so much with Jasper gone."

"When is she coming home?" Pearl asks, "Exactly?"

"Uhhhhh..." Sea replies freezing up, unsure what to say. She looks at Steven and gets an idea, "Why don't we check on Steven?"

Pearl nods in agreement as the duo approach Steven, who greets the duo, "Hey guys!"

Steven runs up and hugs them, "What's up?"

"Oh not much kiddo," Sea explains, "Just wondering how you're doing."

"I'm great!" Steven lies, "How about you guys?"

"Pretty good," Pearl replies, "I've been thinking though."

"Hm?" Sea inquires.

"Yellow Diamond was..." Pearl sighs, "An issue. Do you know how to defend yourself?"

"Jasper taught me a little," Steven explains, "But only barebones stuff since she didn't know about my powers until the last couple of months so, mostly self taught."

"Ah well that won't do," Pearl explains, "Sea wanna help me teach him?"

Sea nods, "Yes it would be wise. Steven? Thoughts?"

"Sounds good," Steven replies, "I haven't spent much time with you guys these last few weeks have I? Sounds good to me!"

The trio warp to the sky arena where Sea and Pearl both state in synch, summoning their weapons, "OK Steven let's start with-"

The two exchange a look.

"I got this I fought in the war," Pearl smiles, "I have more experience than you."

"Please," Sea chuckles, "You couldn't teach Steven to save your Gem. I've known him longer. Besides you served Pink Diamond."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Pearl asks, "I've fought Gems three times my size for the people I love."

"You were reckless and didn't care about yourself," Sea glares back, "And that's the last thing Steven needs."

"Maybe Steven needs to go," Steven shrugs, "You I can see this going bad and... no. I'm out. Not solving this one."

At this point the duo aren't listening as Steven warps away. Pearl exclaims, "So what!?! I won the war didn't I?"

"If you call the core of Earth being a giant graveyard and the corrupted Gems that you called your friends wreaking havoc sure. You couldn't even save Pink Diamond."

Pearl snaps, screaming, as she swings her spear which Sea ducks under, glaring back, "I couldn't save Pink Diamond? You leave her out of this you worthless pebble! You don't know what she did! What we did!"

"Oh sure!" Sea snaps back, parrying Pearl's thrust and disarming her before unveiling a new ability, shooting a torrent of water from the tip of her rapier which Pearl rolls out of the way of, "Defend her why don't you after you let her die! I let go of my Diamond, why can't you!?! I've had to let go of people I love! Jasper isn't coming back!"

"Cause my Diamond never died!" Pearl screams, sweeping Sea's legs with a kick and drawing another spear that Sea narrowly blocks, "She faked her death! Rose Quartz is Pink Diamond!"

The two freeze.

"What?" Pearl asks, her spear disappearing as she reaches out to comfort the now crying Sea, tears welling up in her own eyes, "Sea..."

Sea pulls away, "She... She lied to him... lied to her family... Jasper didn't have a plan to come home. She thought that we would be enough for him. That Lapis would be enough of a mother. That I would be enough of..  whatever lable really. I would say big sister if I had too. I... miss her. I miss her Pearl. I loved her. We fused. Once. She said it was to protect Steven but... when we fused I felt what she felt. She didn't want to admit it but it wasn't familial love it was romantic love. Now she's gone and... she's not coming home. I can't tell Steven. He keeps crying himself to sleep over it. He can't take any more lies."

"I know," Pearl sighs, "But I've lied to him too. Rose Quartz... she's... Pink Diamond. Pink Diamond was never shattered and led a double life until I helped her fake her shattering. I miss her too. Spinel... She knows it. Steven tapped into some sort of power of a Diamond. One I haven't seen but judging by her reaction..."

"We both love Steven and the rest of our family," Sea sighs looking at the sky, stars dazzling like gemstones that are no longer with them, "And frankly Pearl, I'm glad you opened up to me."

"I honestly feel a lot closer to you yeah," Pearl admits.

"But no one else can know," Sea adds.

"Oh good Heavens no," Pearl replies, "Family protects each other. So what if we withhold a little information from the rest of our family? You're part of my family so I got your back."

"Same to you Pearl," Sea replies hugging Pearl, "Same to you..."

Steven sighs as he arrives back home, "What a day. I love them but sometimes man..."

Amethyst then exits the Bubble Room of the temple behind him which Steven notices and inquires, "Amethyst?"

Amethyst jumps and asks, "Oh hey. Yeah?"

"Why were you in the Bubble Room?" Steven inquires.

"Oh I uhhh..." Amethyst freezes up to think of a lie but concedes, "OK yeah. Look I'll be honest with ya. I know you hate lies so, I was just thinking about Spinel."

"Why?" Steven inquires walking over.

"I dunno," Amethyst admits, "I became friends with her and now she's stuck in that bubble. Pearl says she can't be reasoned with but..."

"Strange isn't it?" Steven adds, "She seemed to know something about Rose but I was to blinded by anger to listen."

Steven sighs and turns away, "Is Pearl... trustworthy?"

"What?" Amethyst asks, "Oh. Yeah should be. Why?..."

"I dunno just, those two things together along with Pearl insisting Spinel stayed bubbled is... shady," Steven explains before shrugging, "Yeah. No. I don't think I do trust Pearl. At least not until this is settled but, oh well. That's life. Everyone lies. Like I expect any better even from my family. Some things never change. That just li-"

Amethyst hugs Steven suddenly.

"Amethyst what..." Steven asks.

Amethyst starts crying, "Stop it. Stop it little bro."

"Stop..." Steven asks, "What?..."

"You're scaring me," Amethyst explains hugging Steven tighter, "I'm scared for you. Scared that whatever mental malady is hurting you though is gonna lead you to really getting hurt. It scares me and I just..."

"It's OK," Steven assures her, hugging her back, "I... I'm getting help soon. I love you sis."

"I love you bro," Amethyst replies calming down. Steven wipes a tear away as she asks, "So when can you get help?"

Steven's phone buzzes and upon checking it he replies, "According to this text from Connie, I can get a diagnosis tomorrow..."