Don't let me be alone

Chapter Eleven Necklace of Pearl (Lapidot Tuesday Special)

Lapis ran down to where Peridot was sitting near the shoreline. She was curled up, hugging her knees. "Peri what's wrong?..." Lapis asked. It dawned on her that Peridot was actually crying.

"It's not my fault they made me like this...it's not my fault I've never had a friend. I'm not vile...I'm just me..." Peridot said quietly, tears running down her cheeks

Lapis put her arms around Peridot's neck and held her from behind. "I know you are not like that Peri..." She said, rocking back and forth gently with her.

"I've always thought your were pretty cool." Steven said, trying to be upbeat.

"And smart!" Connie chimed in, hurrying over.

Peridot hugged her knees closer, trying unsuccessfully to stop crying. "Yellow Diamond made me like this. I haven't been allowed to develop a personality since I saw Steven for the first time..." She said, sobbing. "I'm just a vile little gem...a disgusting creature."

"Peridot never say that ever again. You are not disgusting. You're beautiful." Lapis said, moving so Peridot was looking at her. "You're a sweetheart."

Peridot let out a loud sob and wrapped her arms around Lapis, pulling her close and crying into her shoulder. Lapis held her, rubbing her back gently while Steven and Connie just stood there awkwardly.

"Thank you for being with me Lapis..." She said, calming down. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, even if I haven't known you very long..." Peridot said, looking up at Lapis through her visor and giving her cute puppy smile. (See image above. ^_^)

"Haha I'm glad I decided to stay with you." Lapis said, closing her eyes and smiling.

"And I'm glad you didn't destroy the earth." Steven said. Lapis and Peridot looked at him and just burst out laughing.

"Us too Steven." Lapis said, ruffling the boys hair again. She held Peridot around the waist with one arm and they both smiled.

"Are you two going to be like Garnet?" Connie asked excitedly. Peridot almost choked on her own tongue.

"Gah! What? Um, it's really soon to tell about something like that..." Peridot said nervously, trying not to make eye contact with Lapis.

"Haha maybe eventually Steven. I'll have to teach Peri to dance." Lapis said teasingly.

"I'm sure she would dance fine." Said Pearl, walking up behind everyone. She looked really awkward and guilty.

"What do you want?" Lapis asked, glaring at her. She was already angry with Pearl for keeping her locked up in that mirror, but now she was really mad because she made Peridot cry.

"I'm the only one allowed to make Peridot cry, and I can think of several, nicer ways to do that." Lapis thought to herself, rubbing Peridot's far side.

"I wanted to apologize for my outburst earlier...like Garnet said, we don't have visitors very often. I had been thinking out loud, but it was wrong of me to have said that. I shouldn't have even been thinking it." Pearl said, looking down. "I'm sorry Peridot. I'll try to make it up to you in the future...but here is this for right now."

She procured a gold chain with a small pendant, fitted with a chunk of rock. "This is a fragment of Homeworld. I fitted it into a necklace for you. I just figured that you might be missing home...so I'm giving you a piece of it." Pearl said, handing the necklace to Peridot.

"I hope that you like it...I don't have many things to give. Unless you like swords." Pearl said timidly. "Oh and Steven, Connie. Lunch is ready. I made ham and cheese sandwiches with carrot sticks." She motioned for the two kids to head up for the temple.

Lapis stayed with Peridot as the three headed inside. "The nerve of that Gem." She said, shaking her head. "First she keeps me stuck in that stupid mirror and then she has the nerve to insult my Peri in front of me and to her face! Ohhh I should just..."

"Lapis, did you say call me 'yours'" Peridot asked.

"Crap crap crap!" Lapis thought, thinking she screwed up. "Yeah...I'm...mmmm" Lapis tried to say, but Peridot had pulled her in for a kiss before she could finish, holding her tight.

"I love you Lapis..." Peridot said, barely breaking the kiss to get the words out before kissing her again.

"I love you too. My Peri."

"My happy Lapi."