Captain Mitchell Riley watched the Humvee drive up to the Maryweather carrying the last survivors. The Falklands being a low lying set of islands was devastated out of a population of thousands they were only a handful left. Riley had seen a lot these days but nothing could prepare what came out of the Humvee. His men had indeed picked up two survivors but they were nothing like any survivors he had seen before.

There wrapped in blankets and wearing pajamas underneath were 2 teenagers clinging to each other. The boy looking 14 and human enough held on tightly to his girlfriend. The girl did not look human from what he could see she had bright green skin and what looked like a stone on her forehead.

"We found them at Iris Winslet's cottage sir," reported his first mate when he finally brought the couple on board.

"Well I can imagine what they were doing but I bet they weren't drinking tea," replied Mictchell dryly.

"Actually sir we were," said the boy shyly.

Puberty came to Steven in the Falklands but he did not feel like a man until a few days later. After destroying the Cluster, the drill had surfaced at the bottom of the ocean. After fusing to save Steven's life the pair found themselves washed up naked on a beach in the Falklands. Steven was groggy and dangerously cold so Peridot went straight to work building a shelter from some hay bales and some tarps nearby. When she was done she wrapped up Steven and her in a tarp together with the hopes of keeping him warm. His body reacted to the closeness of her and when he tried to pull away she simply clung to him. Their first time was awkward and embarrassing but after it was over Steven never felt as close to anyone before,

"Miss Peridot I believe you have just made a man out of me," said Steven in his deeper voice.

Their gems glowed and they merged to become Stevidot once again. The new fusion stood up on his own feet with a grim expression on his face.

"Okay we're wasting daylight. Time to find us a proper shelter," said the fusion.

Stevidot ran for hours until he found a small stone cottage. The tsunami had pushed the door off its hinges. The windows were broken by the force of the killer wave but it was better shelter than a pile of hay bales. As soon as Stevidot reached the doorway he separated back into Peridot and Steven.

Peridot now a young woman walked ahead of Steven into the cottage, stirring strange feelings in the young man.

"Alright then let's seal up this place and start a fire," she said in a businesslike fashion.

Inside was a sad state of affairs. The tsunami had pushed and broken all the furniture into one far corner. Not saying a word, the couple looked for anything salvageable. On the ground floor most of the stuff was waterlogged and broken. By some miracle the kitchen still had a few tins of food and a sink that ran water. Steven smiled when he saw a set of ruined stairs leading upwards.

"Hey Dot, I'm feeling rather sleepy let's head upstairs," he said with an exaggerated yawn.

His stomach chose that time to growl.

"Let's get something for you to eat first," she laughed.

After a quick meal of meat paste and canned fruit, the new couple climbed up the stairs. It was hard going as some of the steps were damaged. When they got to the top Peridot squealed in delight. The upper floor was intact. The first room they came to was the master bedroom with a charming handmade quilt on the bed. Upon seeing this Steven picked up Peridot bridal style and carried her to the bed.

"Let's keep each other warm tonight," he said seductively as he looked down at his lover.

He awoke next morning to Peridot shaking him gently. The gem now looked to be 14-years-old. Her hair hung loosely about her shoulders. She wore a cable knit sweater and a pair of pants that were too large for her.

"Get up Steven, I found some fuel cylinders nearby and I need your help," asked Peridot.

She handed him a bundle of clothes. As Peridot watched him dress she admired the handsome body her lover now had. Steven was a handsome, toned teenager now roughly chiseled but still very nice to look at.

After Steven helped Peridot lift and carry the oil tanks back to the house. He explored their little cottage as Peridot worked outside fitting the tanks back to the cottage. From what he could tell the cottage belonged to a young shepherding couple with a little girl about five. Steven did not like to think what happened to the family. While much of downstairs was ruined the furniture and electronics were intact in the upstairs where two bedrooms and a functional bathroom existed.

The next few days were like a surreal dream by daylight Steven and Peridot would search the ruined countryside for any supplies. When the sun set they would do their best to repair their little cottage. They put the doors back on, sealed the windows with plastic and even managed to get the gas stove and heaters working thanks to Peridot. By a roaring fire Steven would prepare a meal while Peridot fiddled with the radio and a cellphone. After dinner the couple would go upstairs and make love until they fell asleep. When Steven woke up in the mornings there would be Peridot fiddling with the contraption she made trying to reach anybody out there.

It ended soon enough. One morning he found Peridot standing outside looking at some tire tracks just outside the cottage.

"Somebody drove by here last night," she stated.

"That's great it means we soon might be rescued," he said happily.

"Not soon enough, we're running out of food. Steven I'm going to get some."

"Where?"

"From the sheep of course." The little technician ran towards the sheep. She started to chase then going this way and that.

Steven could hear her say, "Die, die, die your flesh belongs to the diamond authority!"

Steven laughed at the ridiculous scene before him. Peridot's little legs pumped furiously while the sheep being much faster than they looked raced ahead. There was no way that Peridot could even hope to catch a sheep.

Peridot caught a sheep. Using her razor sharp teeth, she messily killed the animal. It got worse as the little gem dismembered and butchered the carcass. Steven could only stare numbly in shock. As she brought the meat over to him smeared in blood she looked repulsive and strangely desirable at the same time.

"I'm tired. I having a bath and going to bed. You eat your sheep meat," said Peridot as she slumped off.

When he finished his meal, Steven found Peridot curled up in the bed. The young woman looked hot and feverish as she lay sleeping. The young man chastely kissed his lover's cheek, found some pajamas and fell asleep. When he woke next morning Peridot was still asleep clinging to him. As he pulled himself out of bed he awoke the gem.

"Steven I'm sorry, I'll just go to the barn and start building a generator," she said hastily.

"No Peridot you've been working too much. Stay inside, it's time I took care of you," Steven said.

Only the assurances of bringing back the tractor motor made Peridot promise to stay indoors. When Steven came back she started working on the motor while Steven used the failing batteries to work the radio set nearby. From what the boy could tell there was a US Maryweather nearby searching for survivors. He tried fiddling with the controls trying to contact them but had no such luck.

Later on during the day he awoke Peridot and prepared them tea.

As he poured a cup of tea at the newly rebuilt kitchen table Peridot looked up at him. "Steven our relationship has changed and I want assurances for the future."

He hugged his lover, "Don't worry I won't let Garnet or the others hurt you."

"It's not that, Steven. I want to know where do I stand."

Tears were in her eyes. The gem was truly terrified. Saying nothing Steven cupped her face and kissed her softly. Suddenly the doors burst open and soldiers came pouring into the cottage shouting orders. He could see the laser sites all pointed at Peridot as the soldiers tried to separate them. Grabbing onto her he summoned his shield.

"Stop! Don't hurt her," he shouted.

As the soldier rushed at them he formed his bubble around Peridot and himself. One of the soldiers let off his gun. His bullet pinging off the bubble. There was more shouting and confusion until the leader a thickset middle-aged man ordered them to stand down.

"Sorry we got off to a bad start my name's Commander Reed. I'm second in command at the Maryweather," The man went on to tell the couple about the battleship stationed at the Falklands during a series of tsunamis and earthquakes that rocked the world. How they were looking for survivors and sheltering them at the Maryweather until more help could arrive. He ended by inviting Steven and his strange lover back to the ship.

When they got to the Maryweather Steven and Peridot told their story about how Peridot was an alien trapped on Earth, about how Peridot and Steven's family built a drill to destroy a monster living at the center of the Earth and how Steven and Peridot drove the drill destroyed the monster and surfaced from at the bottom of the ocean. Then Steven told him about his family.

"They're probably very worried about us so if reach them and tell them we're fine that would be great," said Steven.

For the next few days the young man refused to leave Peridot's side even when the medical officer was examining the couple. They received a small room were Peridot slept most of the time. Steven never left her side even to go out to eat. The crew had to leave his meals right outside their door.

Steven had been taking a nap with Peridot when he heard a knocking at the door. The knocking became more insistent as Steven gingerly got up and walked towards the door.

"Dad, Pearl," Steven cried out. "How did you get here?"

Pearl smiled gently, "Hello Steven, a couple of gentlemen from the military told us your whereabouts. We took Peridot's pod and flew straight down as fast as we could."

"Are there any others with you?" asked Peridot sitting up on her bed.

"No but there is something we've been meaning to do for some time," answered Greg.

Peridot held Steven's hand as they watched Captain Riley marry Pearl and Greg in a quiet ceremony. The wedding took place in the reception room with a couple of Senior officers and Steven and Peridot acting as witnesses. Steven and Peridot clapped and cheered as Steven father and Pearl kissed. Wasting no time, the newlyweds packed up the youngsters and headed back to the barn.

"So Steven, you've ah grown. How did that happen?" asked Greg.

"I guess it just was the responsibility of saving the Earth," lied Steven.

"Well whatever the cause I'm glad to see you've matured. We'll be heading back to the barn. It's ruined but Amethyst has been arranging for a place for us to stay in town," said Pearl.

"What about Garnet?" asked Peridot fearfully.

"She's on her own," Pearl said coldly.

To Steven's delight they ended up at Connie's home without Garnet. At first the Maheswarans made an effort to be civil but as time went on Connie pursued him and Doug eves dropped in on Peridot's dreams when he could. Putting his foot down Steven put a lock on the hallway closet for Peridot. Connie finally got the clue when she caught Peridot and Steven kissing on their rooftop. It seemed like Steven's problems were done with.

That is until Peridot started wandering Beach City. One day she left with Amethyst and didn't return. When he went looking for her Steven found Peridot in Amethyst's room holding little Onion and a robinoid.

"Hey Steven, you better step it up. There's a rival for my affections," said Peridot jokingly.

The joke reminded him of his commitment to her. After all his father and Pearl got married. Didn't Peridot deserve some sign of his love? After wandering around town and doing odd jobs he finally found the perfect ring for her. It was a golden friendship ring.

More days passed, Peridot's robinoids rebuilt the town but Peridot still hadn't emerged from the temple. It took a TV program from the BBC to bring Steven to his senses. His girlfriend felt guilty for all the devastation caused and was killing herself trying to rebuild the world. The young man took his ring and marched down to the temple. It was time to seriously take care of the woman he loved.

The first order of business was to get Peridot to sleep when that was done he went back home to get clean clothes and some shampoo. When he left home the next morning he did not see Connie following him. When he and Peridot emerged from the temple a couple of hours later there was Connie waiting for him in the skimpiest outfit he had ever seen.

His plans for a date with Peridot was ruined first with Connie following them everywhere, then with Garnet trying to worm herself back into the fold and finally with the arrival of Malachite on the beach. The fusion when she appeared set her sights straight on Peridot. As soon as Malachite set foot on dry land she assaulted Peridot with a huge wave knocking her into the cliff. When Steven tried to stop Malachite he was rewarded with punch from a water limb. The look of shock on Malachite's face as she realized what she had done was tragic. As far as Malachite was concerned, there was no turning back.

Peridot of all things managed to drag Connie back to the temple. As Steven, Connie, Peridot and Garnet cowered in Steven's Rose Room, Malachite pounded in from outside. As they pounding became louder and louder Peridot realized that the only way to stop Malachite was to give her what she wanted.

Garnet had to hold Steven back as he witnessed Malachite snatch up and forcibly fuse with Peridot. His eyes widened in horror as the monstrous fusion Labradorite formed. It had eight limbs, mottled green and orange skin. The worst thing was that Steven could see signs of Peridot in there with her old hairstyle and visor. Then the thing began to scream.

In desperation Garnet punched the things legs but that was like a gnat attacking an elephant. Clearly a physical attack wasn't going to work. It was time to reach Peridot himself and together they would defeat Jasper. The problem was he couldn't be conscious. So Steven took a rock and started bashing the side of his head until he lost consciousness.

Steven found himself in a dark place. His body glowed an unearthly green. His plan had worked. Now he was linked with Labradorite's mind. Behind him he heard whimpering and saw a large form huddled on the floor.

The once powerful warrior was a pathetic shell of herself. Her form was ripped and torn like paper. What was left of her uniform hung in shreds. Clearly Jasper was not in control.

Wasting no time Steven raced away to find and rescue Peridot. In no time he found Peridot and Lapis Lazuli. Lapis wore a crown and dress made of shattered gems as she slashed viciously at Peridot with blades of water. An ugly snarl marred her face.

Peridot gave as good as she got. Looking like the day Steven first saw her Peridot fired her guns at the blue gem while an army of nightmare robiniods did their best to swarm Lapis. The fight was brutal their mindforms looking torn and tattered.

"No stop this! If this keeps up, you'll end up corrupted. I can't lose you," called out Steven.

"Steven stay back let me finish this," snarled Lapis.

"I wasn't talking to you."

A look of utter shock appeared on Lapis's face, "Steven you don't know who she really is. That low caste gem is Yellow Diamond's-"

"I don't care. Peridot you are the best and bravest technician I have ever seen. I don't care about your past or who you were. Your actions speak for yourself. You saved the world, swam though hot magma and nearly killed yourself trying to rebuild this world."

Ignoring Lapis he walked over to Peridot and placed the friendship ring on one of Peridot's floating fingers. "Peridot over the past few months I have come to value our time together. I want to make a commitment to you."

Gem language is cold a precise but Steven felt he got his feelings across.

"Steven are you proposing cohabitation?" whispered Peridot.

"Yes I am," replied the young man as he kissed her.

Lapis screamed in rage and hurt. Her form morphing, she made one last attack at the couple.

"Keep away from my cherished paramour." Peridot said as she shot Lapis with her hand cannon.

The next thing Steven remembered was that Peridot was holding a baby that looked like Malachite. The last thoughts he had before he poofed were now I have two girls to take care of.

When he awoke a day later he was in the hospital. As he dressed himself in the hospital gown provided he noticed how much he had changed. Steven was fully grown at a height of about 6 and a half feet tall. He was muscular and much hairier. As he stepped outside his family rushed to greet him.

"Peridot's just emerged too," explained Amethyst. "You gotta see her."

Later after his family left the couple. Steven gently kissed Peridot as she held the baby Malachite.

"Thank you for making a man out of me," he said.