A Gem, a Human, and a Baby

Chapter One: Changes

"Pearl. What I am about to tell you is of the utmost importance."

Pearl kept her gaze low, lower than she usually did. She avoided looking her Diamond in her face, but the smaller form she'd shapeshifted into made it more difficult.

Well, smaller in some ways.

Her large, swollen midsection protruded significantly out in such a way that, combined with her smaller overall stature, she would often trip or stumble or even bump into things in a very un-Diamond like manner. All that was no doubt why she was sitting in one of the pilot's seats of her Hand Ship, rather than her throne.

Blue Diamond tried to look as commanding and authoritative as she usually did, but the round orb that poked out of her robes combined with the fact that, while sitting, she was shorter than Pearl, made it difficult for her to maintain the image of a Diamond.

Not that Pearl ever made any mention of such a thing or acted any differently. Regardless of how Blue Diamond looked, it was Pearl's duty to serve her, unquestionably.

"Are you prepared?" Blue Diamond intoned.

Pearl bowed lower. "Of course, my Diamond."

Blue Diamond nodded curtly at her before slowly rising to her feet. "Come, Pearl," Blue Diamond ordered and Pearl obeyed. They walked out of the main control room and down the winding hall. Pearl had no idea where they were going, she just followed silently behind her Diamond.

"What I am going to tell you now will be your primary order. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my Diamond."

"Good." They stopped in front of the ship's primary warp pad. "This planet hides a very important secret, Pearl. Beneath its surface, within its mantle, lies one of the greatest creations of Homeworld. The Cluster, a supermassive geoweapon."

"Yes, my Diamond. I recall. " Still the concept filled Pearl with distaste, but she was careful not to let it show.

"It was Yellow Diamond's idea," continued Blue Diamond. "It was a petty means to strike back at the rebels. In a few short years now, Pearl, the Cluster will emerge, shattering the planet and leaving its remains ready to be converted into a massive warp network."

"I… see, my Diamond," Pearl responded, fighting to keep her voice calm. She had always known she was standing on a doomed planet, but she had not realized just how close the deadline loomed.

"But Pearl. I do not desire this planet destroyed," Blue Diamond said. "This was Pink's planet and she loved it so much. And now I truly see why." She slowly rubbed her pregnant belly. "This planet will be a monument to Pink and home for my child. I wish it saved." Even though Pearl had her eyes averted, she could feel that Blue Diamond was looking at her. "I am giving you two final tasks. You will serve my child as you served me. And you will destroy the Cluster in their name, and in Pink's. This planet will be their inheritance, and it must be saved."

"M-my Diamond?"

"No doubt you feel overwhelmed. That is probably to be expected of a Pearl. But you have served me well. And this is my last order to you. You will find all the information required to complete the mission on the ship's database. Do you understand?"

"I understand, my Diamond."

Pearl struggled to stay afloat as a wave of fear and unease crashed over. Saving an entire planet… such a task had never been left to a Pearl.

But… Blue Diamond had said that there were still years before the Cluster would emerge. Pearl at least had time to formulate a plan. She could do it. She would have to do it.

Despite her fear, Pearl had a slightly more pressing matter on her mind right now.

For the truth was, Pearl had been more than a little excited for this moment. When she had first been informed (by Greg, of all people, not her Diamond) that Blue Diamond was going to cease to be and pass her gem to a human, her human child , Pearl had been more than a little… eager to see it happen.

This would be simply beyond a historic moment for Gemkind. Nothing like this had ever been seen or attempted and Pearl, a lowly humble thing, was going to get to play her part in it, to see this new life be born and flourish. It filled her with more than a little bit of pride.

Blue Diamond's face seemed to harden a little as she placed a hand on her swollen stomach. "It will be time soon." She stepped onto the warp pad, Pearl waiting for her instruction to do so as well. "I am returning to the Palanquin. Greg is making preparations there now." Her face softened at the mention of her lover. She paused a moment, reminiscing, before her attention refocused on Pearl. "Return to Greg's apartment and make whatever arrangements you can there. He will return when it's over."

It took all of Pearl's willpower not to look her Diamond in the face. "M-my Diamond? I am not going with you?"

"Of course not. This is not a place for a Pearl," Blue Diamond responded, as if it were the most obvious thing in the universe. "This will be a triumphant moment. A privatemoment. And you have duties to attend to."

"But, my Diamond—"

"Are you questioning me?" Blue Diamond's tone was suddenly cold and harsh. Pearl knew instantly that she had stepped over her boundaries.

"N-no. Of course not, my Diamond. Forgive me, I was not thinking."

"Good." There was a pause before Blue Diamond continued, "Look at me, Pearl." Pearl obeyed, slowly raising her gaze to meet Blue Diamond's. Pearl flinched, just a little, when Blue Diamond smiled at her. "You always were such a pretty thing. It was a joy watching you perform and sing all those days in Court and beyond."

"Thank you, My Diamond. You are too kind."

Blue Diamond glanced down at her pregnant belly. "Now is a good time to be too kind, I think." She clapped her hands together. "That will be all, Pearl."

And without another word, the warp pad activated and Blue Diamond was gone, leaving Pearl alone with only her hurt and regret to dwell on.

The trek to Mr. Universe's apartment seemed longer than normal. Pearl knew the route perfectly, down to the side roads she could take in order to avoid running into as many people as possible. But everything seemed slower as Pearl did her best not to think or dwell on what had happened.

That she had been pushed aside, as she always had her whole life. Because she was just a Pearl. A pretty thing to keep around until you grew bored and discarded it.

She eventually arrived at the apartment, unlocking the door using the key she kept stored in her gem, and locked it behind her.

She then began tidying up, as much she could, anyway. Pearl and Blue Diamond had spent much of the last several years at Mr. Universe's apartment and Pearl spent most of the time while they were there cleaning and tidying. Mr. Universe had at least been appreciative of her efforts, unlike Blue Diamond, who would never comment on her work unless it was below standards.

There wasn't much to clean now, and Pearl soon found herself without anything to do, other than sit on the sofa in the living area and wait. She could make dinner: it was growing dark outsides and humans required nightly sustenance. But she didn't know when Mr. Universe would be back and she did not want to serve a cold meal.

So she waited, keeping her mind purposefully blank. It was a skill that she had learned over the millennia of service to Blue Diamond.

If she didn't think how she felt, then it didn't matter.

The door opened, and Pearl perked up out of her non-thinking. It was Mr. Universe. He carried something in his arms.

He was alone.

Pearl had a dozen questions for him; Was it over? Was Blue Diamond gone? Was the child really human? Was it truly a new being? Where was the child?

But instead, she merely rose to her feet and bowed at him as he entered. "Greetings, Mr. Universe. Welcome home."

Mr. Universe seemed more than a little shocked at Pearl's presence. She was going to apologize, but he started talking first. "Oh, Pearl. Geez, I didn't know you were here." He walked closer to her and Pearl could see that the area around his eyes were red and swollen, telltale signs of crying in humans. Though, he seemed alright now. "Why weren't you at the Palanquin?"

"Ah. Well, you see—"

He held up his hand, stopping her. "It's… It's alright, Pearl. I get it. I could barely stand to be there." He looked down and adjusted the bundle in his arms.

Pearl pursed her lips. "Where is the child, if I may ask?" she hastily added.

Mr. Universe laughed lightly. "He's right here. Look." He indicated towards the bundle and it was now that Pearl realized there was something alive in it, as she saw it move clearly. "Pearl, I'd like you to meet Steven. Blue and I's son."

Pearl leaned in closer and saw him. He was nothing like she had expected. He was… small. And pink, at least compared to Blue Diamond and Mr. Universe. "Are all human children like this?"

"Like what?"

"Um, this small."

Greg chuckled again. "Yeah, we are. But, he'll grow. Just like all humans do."

"I see. And… does she- he … have her gem?"

In response, Greg unbuttoned the piece of clothing the child was wearing and there, as plain as anything, was Blue Diamond's gem, positioned right in the middle of his torso.

"Incredible…" Pearl trailed off.

"Yep. He is." Mr. Universe re-buttoned Steven's clothing and walked past Pearl, settling heavily on the couch with an exhausted sigh. Mr. Universe looked at her, and wearily patted the cushion besides him.

Pearl hesitated a moment, then sat down lightly next to him.

"So. Pearl," Mr. Universe said, looking down at the small child Steven. "What are you going to do now?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, now that Blue… isn't around anymore, are you gonna like, go back to your Homeworld or something? I mean, you did only stay around because of Blue, right?" Mr. Universe asked.

Of course.

"No, I am not. If you will have me, I would stay here, with you. To help raise Steven."

To her surprise, Mr. Universe sighed again, though this time in relief. "Thank you, Pearl. I mean, I don't want to keep you here if you don't want to, but… It would be nice to have you around."

"It— It would?" Pearl was legitimately shocked. "You want me to stay?"

"Only if you want to!" Mr. Universe repeated. "But… you know, I don't know anything about Gem biology or anything. And Blue had speculated that Steven's gonna inherit all her powers, whatever that really entails." He wearily shook his head. "So… It'd be good to have someone around who knows what they're doing."

"Ah."

She could leave. That thought hadn't occurred to her, but Mr. Universe wasn't going to keep her here. Which, of course he wasn't. Mr. Universe wasn't like that. He was naive, ignorant. He had never treated her like a Pearl. She was always just another… human to him. And now he was offering the ultimate gift. Letting her just—

—walk away.

She couldn't return to Homeworld, of course. She was an ownerless Pearl. At best, she would be "gifted" to another member in the Diamonds' Courts. At worst… She'd be harvested. But that didn't matter. Even though it was fairly small, Earth was a rather nice planet with plenty to see and experience. She could just… travel. She'd decide where to go and what to do everyday and no one would tell her otherwise. She could stay here until the planet was destroyed, and then move on to explore the universe.

Even if the prospect of that sounded frankly terrifying.

But no. This was still her chance. Even though she hadn't been able to be there for his creation, Pearl could still play a role in something historic. Helping to raise the first human with a gem. And with Mr. Universe's help, together they should have a wide enough berth of experience to tackle whatever problem would come up. Pearl would be doing exactly as her Diamond had ordered. Raising and protecting the inheritor of her legacy.

And… beyond that, the Cluster still had to be dealt with. That wasa duty Pearl could not neglect. Despite everything, Pearl agreed with Blue Diamond there. Earth would make a fine home for the child. And it did not deserve destruction regardless.

Pearl tilted her head at him. "I will stay. Steven will need me, I think." She gave him the barest of smiles. "As will you, Mr. Universe."

Greg laughed, more spirited now. "Well, I'm not gonna argue with that. And, I've said before, you can call me Greg."

"My Diamond has said that—"

Pearl stopped mid explanation.

Blue Diamond wasn't here anymore.

Pearl nodded. "Of course. Thank you, Greg."

Greg chuckled again. "Hey, listen Pearl. Do you want to hold Steven? Nature's calling, so…"

"Uh, hold him? I'm not sure…"

"C'mon, it's easy. Here I'll show you." He got up and walked in front of her, carefully placing the small child; the baby, into her lap while positioning her arms just so. "You have to be sure to support his head. He can't on his own yet."

Pearl did her best to take all of this in, but by the time it was over, the baby was resting in her arms and she wasn't quite sure how he'd gotten positioned like he was.

"Alright. You look set. I'll be right back." Greg quickly exited the room, heading towards the hallway bathroom.

Pearl looked down at Steven. He was still sleeping. In fact he had barely stirred since Greg had brought him home. Pearl wondered if that was normal. She would have a lot of reading ahead of her. Just as she was going to help educate Greg on Steven's Gem side, Pearl would need to learn about his human side.

Just as she was thinking about this, Steven stirred in his blanket. He let out a small moan before snuggling back into place, his face pressed just ever so slightly against Pearl's chest.

Pearl felt something welling up inside of her. She wasn't completely sure what it was, though. Fear? Insecurity?

She shook her head. No, she knew what it was.

Loyalty.

This child, this Steven, had her Diamond's gem. She had served that gem for millennia and that would continue now, even if Blue Diamond was gone.

"I am your humble servant," Pearl began to recite softly. "I will serve you, however you may see fit, until I am of no longer any use. I am yours for as long as you will have me…" The corners of her mouth tightened as he stirred again. "I am sorry, my Steven," she said even softer. "I will be silent now, so that you may rest peacefully."

Pearl sat up straighter, pushing herself away from the back of the seat so that she may have the best posture possible.

After all, a Pearl needed to look presentable at all times while serving her charge.