Chapter 12

Note: The song near the end is a small verse from "King of Pain" by The Police. It just fits that particular scene to me.

As of now my story is out of date because of the "In Too Deep." I have not decided on incorporating my story with the cluster and Lapis or Peridot at the moment but who knows.

You may now enjoy the real chapter since I've been hyping this for so long.

What Steven didn't know, and everyone else for that matter, was that rocks age very differently than most things. To a rock, time goes by very fast cause they last for an extremely long time. While to a human, time goes by normally like nothing happened. So to Steven, time is normal to him. To him it might feel like an hour. While in the real world... it's been over a month. Over the course of that month things hadn't really changed in terms of Steven's condition in anyway.

Greg visited him regularly but still had a car wash to run. The Gems visited whenever they can. Although they wanted to visit more, there was still a world to protect. They haven't found Peridot or Malachite for that matter. They tried their best but they had a hard time staying focused because there was someone missing. When they return home, it was quiet. No one said a word. Garnet says the last word saying that we did our best and we'll try again tomorrow. But this time Amethyst spoke out.

"Actually Garnet can we take a break? Greg said he was going visit Steven and I want to ask you if we can go with him."

Garnet thought for a moment. They hadn't seen Steven if quite awhile. She looked at Pearl and she was rubbing her arm and her head was down. She looked like she didn't want to get involved in the conversation. Garnet could sense guilt not only from Pearl but in herself as well. She looked back at Amethyst and she sense guilt from her as well but she had those pleading eyes. She then kneel to Amethyst's level and put her hand on her shoulder.

"All right. We'll go tomorrow." It was a quiet response but it could still be heard.

"Thank you," Amethyst said sadly.

"Okay, now let's just rest until tomorrow," replied Garnet. No one said a word after that. One by One, each went back into their own room.

The Next Day

It was a very cloudy day. I had rained hard during the night and it was very damp. A van pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. The doors opened and a man stepped out. He wore a dark sweater and long pants due to the weather. I wasn't freezing. He was carrying a guitar with him. Then from the left side of the van the door slid open and three more people came out. the one in the blue shirt was carrying flowers. They silently walked to the front entrance without saying a word.

"Good Afternoon," said the woman at the front desk.

"Afternoon," replied Greg.

"Are you all visiting someone?"

"Yes we are."

The nurse nodded and the 4 of them started to walk. Soon they arrived at their destination. Greg put his hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly. All of them walked inside and there was Steven still lying silently in his bed. He still had a face mask on him to help him breath. The group gathered around Steven's bed. Steven had looked a lot better over the course of the month. He also had gotten quite skinny but not like skin and bones. There was also a big scar where the cut had been.

"Hey Steven, were here," he said quietly. While he spoke Pearl had put the flowers down with the other stuff they brought from other visits. The was flowers, some pictures, and even Steven's ukulele.

"He looks so peaceful," Pearl said calmly. She wanted to move her fingers through Steven's hair but was too scared that's she'll mess something up. Then they heard the door open and they turned to see who it was. It was Dr. Maheswaran.

"Good Afternoon. How are we doing today?"

"We're bearing up," this came from Greg.

"Good," she was silent for a moment but spoke again, "So there hasn't been that much progress but we haven't lost hope yet."

'Still no progress. Just like any other day.' They all had the same thought.

After some awkward silence, Dr. Maheswaran turned to the Gems and spoke in a rather serious voice.

"Can I be alone with Greg for a little bit?" Pearl and Amethyst almost took offence of this but Garnet looked sternly at them.

"We'll go." The three walked slowly outside and closed the door. Once Greg and Dr. Maheswaran were alone. The doctor made a gesture so Greg can take a seat. There was a small chair near the bed.

"It's not too good is it?"

Dr. Maheswaran didn't say anything for moment. It's been hard since the accident and it certainly didn't make Connie very good.

"Do you really want to hear the truth?"

He nodded.

Silence.

"I'm going to be honest with you."

Silence.

"It's not too looking good."

Silence.

"Hope is dwindling faster each day."

More Silence.

"The other doctors wanted me to ask you..."

"NO!"

Dr. Maheswaran looked at Greg after his outburst. She kind of expected it though. Then Greg put his hands over his eyes and put his elbows on knees. Then the doctor herself walked up and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know it's hard Greg, it's effecting Connie as well. There are nights when I can hear crying softly at night. Then me or Doug have to calm her down. It breaks my heart," she paused for a moment. "It's painful to watch kids suffer."

Without raising his head, Greg said shakily, "Can I be alone... and tell that to them as well." Knowing what he was talking about, Dr. Maheswaran slowly started to walk to the door. But before she opened the door she said one last thing.

"The other doctors just want to know if you at least think about it. You can have all the time you need." Greg still didn't move. He gave only a small nod. "Take care Greg," she said softly before exiting the room.

Outside the Room

The Gems waited patiently in the hall. They would do anything to see Steven well and have his forgiveness.

Just then, the door opened and Dr. Maheswaran walked out. Pearl was first to speak.

"Can we please go back inside now?"

"Greg just wants some alone time with Steven for just a little longer."

Pearl was quite disappointed but Garnet spoke up.

"We understand," she said calmly.

"Okay I'm just going to tend to other business so hang tight." Then she walked slowly away.

Inside the Room

Now Greg was all alone with Steven. There was not much for Greg to do but watch Steven's steady breathing. Then Greg began to think to himself.

'If only there was something I can do for you Steven.'

'

"Hey, I know something you'll enjoy Steven."

Greg then grabbed his guitar and strummed it a couple times. He tried thinking of a good song he could sing for Steven. He thought as hard as he could. But he found it hard.

'I got nothing.' he thought. He then looked outside the window. Some of the clouds had cleared up, and the sun can be seen brightly. It was almost nighttime and the sun has setting and it looked beautiful. He just stared intensely at it. He thought his eye would catch fire but it didn't. As he looked, he thought he can see a black spot on the sun. Black spots on the sun was normal, but this was different. Then out of nowhere he began to play his guitar. A song began to play in his mind and began to sing. He had a slow, soothing voice:

"There's a little black spot on the sun today,
It's the same old thing as yesterday.

There's a black hat caught in a high tree top,
There's a flag-pole rag and the wind won't stop.

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain,
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain.

I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign,
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain."

He stopped strumming. The sun had already set and it was gone. Just then, the door opened and the Gems looked inside. He looked at them.

"I okay, you can come in now."

They slowly walked inside. Greg stared at them.

"They want to take him off," he finally said. The Gems stared back in disbelieve.

"WHAT! They can't do that!" Amethyst shouted.

"Don't worry they're giving me as much time as I need -"

"Then we have nothing to worry about. As long as Steven is still alive it will be all good," interrupted Pearl.

"But the thing is Pearl, Steven will be alive but he can't talk or interact with the world. He will just be that for rest of his life." He paused. "I just don't know if I want Steven to live like that." The sound of silence filled the room.

Then Greg looked outside and the moon was already out.

"I think we should go now, it's getting kind of late."

The Gems realized this and thought they go back as well. Everyone quickly went to Steven's bedside. They quietly said their goodbyes. Then they slowly walked out the door. Before Greg closed the door he said one more thing.

"Look after him Rose."

Then the door closed shut.

Author's Note:

What's up everybody I am back, now the explanation how time works for a rock comes from a short film I saw where these rocks witness the rise and fall of society in about 5 minutes. It's a German film by the way. They witness man discover the wheel and skyscrapers being built and then saw the world crumble to pieces. To them, time goes by extremely quick while to humans it's like normal time. So if you didn't understand hopefully that explains it. And if you still don't then I apologize for that.

Also I want to be clear and I don't know how hospitals work since I never needed to go to one but I tried.

But enough on that, today is a special day. Today, July 19, is the One Year anniversary when "Is It Me?" was first shown to the Fan fiction world. But also the day before (July 18) was the day I signed up on this website. So I just want to say thank you so much for all the support over the year. I'm still so shocked how successful this story became and I'm glad to share this with all of you. I've had highs and I had lows but I still made sure that I can entertain you and deliver the feels. Like I have numerous times before I will never abandon this story and I want to keep that promise. I may get depression but it's getting better over time. But thank you all again for being patient and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Okay, I guess that's it for now and I hope to see you all again, in the next chapter. Bye and the Summer of Steven is really good so far. :)