Gems in Uncharted Waters

chapter 1

Pearl, Ruby, and Sapphire were sleeping in the bed they set up in the temple together. Gems don't need sleep, of course, but they have been sleeping more lately.

Amethyst convinced them to try it out. She said it's great. And she was right. It was nice.

It was a nice way to bond with her girlfriends. Sapphire, Ruby, and her, snuggled up together. They cuddled and watched the stars from the window as they dozed off into sleep.

Pearl was feeling tranquil, elated. And close to the two gems she loved more than anything.

But suddenly a sharp pain hit her. She felt horrible in an instant. Still, she carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake up Ruby and Sapphire. She quickly tiptoed to the bathroom.

Pearl looked at herself in the mirror. She looked pale, even paler than usual. She was sweating. And she looked bloated.

The pain got worse. Her stomach groaned as she hurled into the toilet. She heaved into the toilet, her stomach and mouth burning with pain, a rancid taste filled her mouth. It made her gag, and vomit even more. She felt like it lasted forever. Then, she felt a cold, tiny, hand rubbing her back. She heard Ruby stomping into the bathroom.

"Pearl!? Are you ok?"

"Shh... you'll wake Steven," Sapphire whispered, in her calm, cold voice.

"Oh..." Ruby said in a quieter voice. "We heard you, Pearl. Are you sick?"

"I... I think so..." Pearl said in a weak voice, before vomiting again.

Sapphire was very concerned. She had never seen pearl this ill. And she didn't see Pearl vomiting in her visions. Something was... off. Sapphire silently examined her lover with her eyes. Her stomach looked bigger. No... it can't be.

When pearl got up, Ruby gently hugged her. She led Pearl to the couch and gave her a glass of water. Sapphire was sitting next to her. Without warning, Sapphire touched Pearl's stomach. It was as she had feared. She felt a faint heartbeat.

The calm and collected Sapphire, the one who always knew what to do, felt scared.

"Pearl...?" She said quietly.

"Hmm?" Pearl stared at Sapphire quizzically.

"Well... you see..." She stammered. "Being nauseous in the morning can be a sign of pregnancy... and your stomach looks bigger... so maybe..."

Pearl said nothing. She was in shock.

"What!" Ruby exclaimed. "Is that even possible? Sapphire," Ruby gripped her firmly. "Did you see Pearl having a baby in your visions?"

"I... I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"My future vision has been less clear lately."

"Well," Ruby said. "I guess there's only one way to find out."

Sapphire nodded. They held hands and glowed purple. They fused. Garnet put on a trench coat, a hat, and a different pair of shades.

"I'll be back soon," she said. "Love you." Garnet kissed her forehead.

Pearl still said nothing. When Garnet left, tears slid down her face. Was she really pregnant? Would she die? Would Garnet think she cheated?

- - -

Garnet came back quickly. She unfused again. Sapphire did her best to remain calm. She took out a small box.

"This is a pregnancy test. You..."

"YOU PEE ON IT!" Ruby blurted out.

"Yes..." Sapphire said, slightly annoyed. "Lines will appear here. If there are two lines, it means you're pregnant."

"Ok..." Pearl disappeared into the bathroom.

She came back out after a few minutes, slowly. She covered up her mouth with one hand and held up the test with the other. Two lines. Tears slid down Pearl's face.

"Hey... it's ok." Ruby said in the calmest voice they could muster.

"No it's not..." She sobbed. "How is this even possible?!"

There was a few moments of silence, then Sapphire spoke. "Well... did you..."

"NO!" Pearl could sense what Sapphire was about to say. "I would never do that to you two!"

"I'm sorry. I just didn't know it was possible for two gems to create offspring in this way."

"Well..." Pearl said, placing her hand on Ruby's shoulder gingerly. "You must be the other parent."

"Yeah..." Ruby said. She blushed. She felt Pearl's stomach. She felt the heartbeat of the child, and somehow she knew it was her's.

Sapphire smiled, so did Pearl. "I... I think we're going to be ok."

Ruby pulled them into a group hug.