42 days until final report.

Steven sits there, nodding off on the boardwalk sitting next to Connie as the sound of the waves seem to rock him to sleep. In his half-asleep state, he recalls a vauge memory of why he has to stay way. It was Blue...

Blue...

Connie takes out and blows an airhorn, snapping Steven awake.

"I'm awake!" He exclaims.

"There," Connie sighs, "but if you doze off again I'm letting you sleep."

"But Blue," Steven yawns, "Blue Diamond is angry at me. I don't want her to yell at me."

"Look," Connie sighs, "you're friends with her, right? Can't you work it out?"

"I mean," Steven struggles to hold his eyes open, "yeah, but she's still a Diamond. What if she doesn't forgive me and sends that tiny gem back? Aquama- something or other. It's best to just avoid her."

"Aquamarine?" Connie asks, "yeah, that would suck, but you can't just run from your problems. What about Amethyst and that other guy?"

"I dunno," Steven rubs his eyes, "I'm getting some coffee. I'll be right back."

"I'm not gonna leave you alone like this," Connie gets up, "I'm coming too."

As the duo go to get coffee, Steven rubs his eyes, his lack of sleep slowly taking its toll. He hasn't slept since escaping the Zoo out of fear of Blue Diamond's wrath. If there's one thing Steven knows about the Diamonds, it's that they're strong. Very strong, and angering a Diamond most likely means death...

However Steven is so focused on the stars he's forgotten about another gem on Earth.

Amethyst wakes up. "Dang it!" She exclaims, knocking over her pillow fort in frustration. She's been sleeping a lot lately, unable to confront Greg without Steven, without doing something right. Greg doesn't even know she's at the Temple. Feathers fly from one of the pillows. Amethyst eats one out of the air as she gets up.

"Come on Pearl," she mutters to the gemstone, "you gotta reform."

No response is offered.

Amethyst sighs and proceeds to open the fridge, getting out a massive egg from when she fought a giant bird about a week ago. She knows just because she's alone, she has to keep going.

Even if she's alone, just like when she first formed...

Amethyst decides to sleep, hoping to contact Steven, worried about rumors she's heard about a blue ship in Ocean Town...

Meanwhile, Steven sits in his house with Connie and Lapis, sipping his coffee. Lapis looks at Steven, concerned about his lack of sleep and asks, "Steven did you sleep last night?"

"Yeah I," Steven begins to lie but descends into muttering and slumber.

Connie shakes the airhorn and prepared to wake him, but shakes her head, deciding it best to let him sleep for just a little bit.

"He's been like this a few days," Lapis explains, "ever since my Diamond sent that Aquamarine after him."

"I know," Connie sighs, "let's just let him rest OK?"

Connie and Lapis look at each other in silence as Lapis places a blanket over Steven to keep him warm.

"It's his gem," Lapis demands, "isn't it?"

"What?" Connie asks, faking shock.

"Come on Connie," Lapis elaborates, "don't play me for a fool. I know about his powers. I'm the only one who does know. He used to trust me with this, but now he hides everything. You're his best friend. What's going on?"

Connie turns away, thinking, and asks, "would you fight a Diamond for him? Even if it went against orders?"

"I'd fight the entire Homeworld army for both of you," Lapis replies, "you and Steven, you guys are like what you humans call family. You know I'll always do what's best for both of you."

Connie thinks and sighs, "OK, I'll tell you, but you have to promise me not to tell the others."

"I've protected Steven from Jasper since he was four," Lapis replies, "I would never dream of it."

"OK," Connie begins, "it all started when he watched that tape..."

Steven finds himself in a dream, and immediately begins to panic. He tries to think of anyone but Blue Diamond, hoping he can avoid Blue Diamond by focusing in on anyone else, and he eventually finds himself at the temple with Amethyst.

"Steven!" Amethyst exclaims, rushing to and hugging Steven, "you're alive!"

"What made you think I was dead?" Steven asks, patting Amethyst on the back, but not hugging her. Not really comfortable enough with her to do so. A lingering distrust towards her in the back of his mind, small, but ever present.

"I heard rumors," Amethyst lets go of Steven, "that there was a blue ship shaped like a hand over Ocean Town and I thought-"

"Oh," Steven replies, "yeah. Blue Diamond, right? Yeah I'm avoiding her. It's why I haven't been sleeping."

"That can't be healthy," Amethyst replies, "are you gonna be OK?"

"I'm dreaming so I'm alright right now," Steven replies.

"Look," Amethyst sighs, "You need to rest, so I'm gonna wake up. If you didn't run into Blue you should be alright, right?"

"Yeah I suppose," Steven shrugs.

"Great," Amethyst forces a smile to hide her concern, "see you later."

As Amethyst awakens, Steven's exhaustion sets in and he sinks into such a slumber he is in to deep a sleep to dream...

"By the Diamonds!" Lapis exclaims.

"Don't wake Steven," Connie whispers.

"Sorry," Lapis apologises, "I had no idea he was going through all this. He doesn't trust me anymore? I thought he was just in a bad mood when he said that."

"I have one question," Connie demands.

"Anything," Lapis replies.

"What happens in 42 days?" Connie inquires.

Lapis turns away and sighs, "I... do you trust me?"

"Of course," Connie smiles.

"OK OK," Lapis sighs, "don't freak out, in 42 days Yellow Diamond or Jasper are gonna kill Steven."

"I'm sorry what!?!" Connie exclaims.

Steven sleeps through the ruckus like a rock.

"Let me start from the beginning," Lapis sighs, "the VERY beginning. It all started when we were ordered to kidnap Steven from his father. I'm about to tell you a lot, but whatever you do, don't tell Steven. I assure you, I won't let him be killed, even if it means betraying Jasper."

"Alright," Connie replies, "please continue."

"I can still recall the moment when I decided to protect him," Lapis begins, "it was when he was still an infant..."

Amethyst awakens to a voice, "Amethyst wake up!"

As Amethyst opens her eyes, she sees Pearl, finally reformed.

"Pearl!" Amethyst exclaims, "I have so much to tell you! We gotta fuse! Right now!"

"I'm sorry what?" Pearl demands.

"I befriended Steven through dreams," Amethyst explains, "and I promised we wouldn't go after him. However..."

"You didn't say anything about Opal?" Pearl chuckles, "smart."

"Shall we?" Amethyst offers Pearl her hand.

"Just don't get us poofed," Pearl sighs, taking Amethyst's hand...

Opal arrives tomorrow.