Chapter 1: The Search

Steven was looking out the window when he saw his dad coming up the stairs with a weeks worth of groceries. "Dad!" Steven yelled as he ran to open the door.

"Hey kiddo," Greg strained as he brought the new items into the house and into the kitchen.

Pearl and Amethyst had come over to help put everything away, with Garnet still in the living room portion with new members Lapis and Peridot looking from a far.

"Um, Greg? Where's the rest of the food? I mean the good stuff atleast?" Amethyst said while looking through some of the boxes. "Well about that," he started, "I

haven't really been pulling in a lot of money from the car wash lately. Between money for gas, food, allowances and everything else, I've been kind of tapped out. I

had to make some difficult choices lately, but some things have been getting cut." He slumped into the couch. Garnet turned over and places her hand on his

shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure we will figure out something." That's when Steven's eyes lite as he jumped up.

"Guys! Why don't we all get jobs! There's lots of neat places to work in beach city!" He had the biggest grin on his face. "You know, that's honestly not a bad idea."

Pearl finally spoke. "However that might conflict with our missions, that is unless only some or one of us work, and only at the minimum hours needed if possible."

They all thought on the idea of them getting jobs. "Then it's settled." Garnet said as she stood from the couch and smiled down at Steven. "Everyone else will look

for jobs to help out with the other finances." "Wait, hold on. Why don't you have to look for a job?" Lapis questioned. "Because, as much as I would like to help,

there's much more important work to be done in the temple, as well as other locations." "Yea, that's true," Amethyst agreed. "Garnet does a lot of other missions

on the side that doesn't always require all of us." Greg signed with relief. "This actually might work out."

Garnet, Steven and Peridot were watching tv on Steven's loft when the rest of the gems came back in, somewhat looking defeated, yet content. "Hey guys! How'd

it go?" Steven inquired while hurrying down the stairs to greet Pearl, Amethyst and Lapis.

"Well, I didn't really have any luck finding any work." Lapis spoke with her head held low. "Awww, why not?" Steven said looking up. "Might have something to do

with someone stealing an entire ocean….," Amethyst muttered. Lapis somewhat glared at her, but she sadly agreed. "They just haven't gotten to know you just

yet. I'm sure things will get better." Steven spoke optimistically while hugging Lapis, which brought a smile to her face as she hugged him back. "What about you

Amethyst?"

Amethyst flopped onto the couch. "Well at first it wasn't really working out. A lot of the businesses around Beach City are family run, and not really looking for extra

help. However I ran into Vidalia and Onion, and she said that she might be able to help me out. Maybe even talk to Yellowtail about getting me to help him out on

some days. Who knows? If it all works out, I might even be able to convince him to let Lapis help!" Lapis face brightened at the idea. Steven ran to Pearl, eager to

hear of her progress. She looked down to him with a grin.

"Well if you must know, I did talk with the man that works at Funland, and after some discussion about my experience with mechanical engineering, we came to

an agreement that I would be paid for each ride and game that I could fix and basically maintenance, which honestly shouldn't take more than an hour at best."

She spoke with a sense of pride. "I planned on doing it tomorrow, as long as there's nothing else scheduled." She looked up to Garnet who was still up on the loft.

Garnet was already looking into the future to find out. "I don't see anything happening just yet, but I'll keep you updated," she spoke from above. "Great! Then I

should get everything prepared until then!" She processed into her part of the temple to find supplies.

After some time, most of the gems had left to go back into their separate rooms of the temple, leaving Steven and Peridot in the living room. "Peridot. How about

we go take a walk?" Steven asked while grabbing onto her arm. "Why?" she questioned, looking puzzled. "Well, it's just that you don't really leave out very often.

Thought you might want to go for a short trip to get from fresh air. It's just to the Big Donut for a little bit. Then we can come right back if you want. Please?" He

asked in almost a begging voice with his eye shining bright. Peridot shrugged. "Yeah I guess." Steven smiled as took her hand as he pulled her through the door

and down towards the beach.

After a short walk, the two had finally arrived at the Big Donut, but something caught Steven off guard. He looks up and stared at the sign in the corner of the

window. "Help Wanted?"

Hey guy! This is my first fanfic ever in life, so go easy on me! Let me know how you guys like this story so far, and if I should keep it going. Thank you!