Married to Her Job, Single in Her Heart

Chapters

Chapter 1 - A Vacation
Chapter 3 - "A Knight's Tale"
Chapter 4 - Sugarcube Corner
Chapter 5 - Broken Pieces
Chapter 6 - The Picnic
Chapter 7 - Emergency Ward
Chapter 8 - In Her Element
Chapter 9 - Dinner Date
Chapter 10 - The Wrench in the Machine
Chapter 11 - Not Just Another Patient
Chapter 12 - Distractions
Chapter 13 - A Stiff Drink
Chapter 14 - Drunken Confessions
Chapter 15 - Melancholia
Chapter 16 - Deja Vu
Chapter 18 - Memories, part I
Chapter 19 - Memories, part II
Chapter 20 - Breakthrough
Chapter 21 - Getting Away
Chapter 22 - Phone Calls
Chapter 23 - Trotsworth
Chapter 24 - Memories, part III
Chapter 25 - Memories, part IV
Chapter 26 - A Sort of Homecoming
Chapter 27 - The Living Daylights
Chapter 28 - Physical Recovery
Chapter 29 - Coming Home
Chapter 30 - Strategies for Healing
Chapter 31 - Conversations
Chapter 32 - Catharsis
Chapter 33 - The Picnic
Chapter 34 - Same Song, Second Verse
Chapter 35 - Does it Almost Feel Like We've Been Here Before?
Chapter 36 - An Intimate Morning Moment
Chapter 37 - Hearth's Warming Eve
Chapter 0 - Prologue
Chapter 2 - The Library
Chapter 17 - Response

Chapter 1 - A Vacation

The day was slow at Ponyville Hospital. The ponies were being unusually healthy and no accidents had occurred during the fine spring day. With fewer patients most of the hospital staff was off-duty; the only ones there were mostly nurses taking care of check-ups and tending to older patients, most of which were to be released soon anyways.

One of these nurses was a white mare with a pink mane and a red cross with hearts for a cutie mark. Her pink mane was tied up in a bun to keep it out of the way as her light-blue eyes scanned over a clipboard at the edge of one of the patient’s beds. She looked at the clipboard with a smile and looked up to the patient, a light-blue stallion with a music note for a cutie mark looking at her questioningly.

“Alright, Mister Noteworthy,” she said in a kind, sweet voice. “Your vital signs are all normal and it seems any traces of the virus have left. You can follow me and we’ll go and get you checked out of here.”

The stallion smiled and got out of the bed, trotting down the hallway after the nurse. “Thank you so much, Miss Redheart,” Noteworthy said. “You even managed to get me better by next practice session, and Octavia won’t be mad at me! How can I repay you?”

Nurse Redheart giggled. “Oh, it’s not a problem. It’s just my job. All you have to do is pay me for the time spent and we’ll have you on your way.”

Noteworthy followed Nurse Redheart down the stairs and to the main desk, where she had him fill out some paperwork for his release and filed a prescription for him before sending him off to get it filled. Once that was done, he headed back over to her desk with the medicine and Redheart ran up the charge for his hospital bill.

“Hey, you’re a pretty mare,” Noteworthy said to her as he counted out bits for payment. “I guess what they say about the nurses are true, then. Are you single?”

Redheart looked up at him questioningly. She took the bits from him. “Yes. Why?”

“Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to go out tonight and get ice cream from Sweetcream Scoop’s parlor.” A noticeable blush had appeared on the stallion’s cheeks and his face had turned into a sheepish grin.

Redheart smiled at him as she processed the payment. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested,” she answered, keeping her light tone.

“What is it?” Noteworthy asked her. “Do you already have plans?” His smile faded. “…do you already have a date?”

Redheart shook her head and her own smile lessened. “No. I’m just not interested.”

Redheart finished the stallion’s payment and went to work filing away Noteworthy’s paperwork in his file and updated the computers with the same information, the smile she had put on vanishing from her face. She organized some records and checked the cash in the registers. She soon went back to her office and started working on some more paperwork, records to turn in to her superior that afternoon about patient progress and her own work schedule.

The sky outside went from bright blue to orange and even pink. Evening had come and Redheart was making her way to the staff lunchroom after making another round of the patients. She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water and a daffodil and daisy sandwich, which she sat down at one of the nearby tables with. She started to unwrap the sandwich when her superior, a light brown unicorn stallion with a parted chocolate brown mane, entered the room.

“Evening, Doctor Stable,” Redheart acknowledged him dryly.

“Evening, Nurse Redheart,” the stallion said as he went and pulled out something from the fridge himself, what looked like a bowl of vegetable soup. “I saw that you managed to release the patient Noteworthy today. It certainly required some dedication to do so that fast.”

“It was nothing,” Redheart said dismissively. “Just a matter of finding the right medication. It’s strange that a case of the feather flu should have been found in an earth pony, but it wasn’t that hard to fix.”

“Yes…” Doctor Stable sat down at the table across from her and opened his soup, taking out a long spoon from one of the nearby drawers. “Look, Miss Redheart, your clinical procedures and attention to detail make you a valuable asset to our hospital. Vital, even, considering you are able to handle most patients with ease, confidence, and calmness some of the other staff don’t have, impressive work for someone so young.”

“You can’t freak out in this line of work,” Redheart answered him. “If you freak out the patient assumes you don’t know what you’re doing and begins to panic themselves. Calmness and confidence that you will heal them come first; whatever worries are left for behind closed doors.”

“Well, we’re behind closed doors now,” Doctor Stable answered her sternly, “and frankly I’m worried that your bedside manner is becoming… well, forgive the metaphor, but as cold and clean as the metal we use for our surgical equipment.”

Redheart stopped mid-bite. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Well, when you’re out in the rooms with the patients, you are very clean and practical, you do little more than what is necessary. However, lately you aren’t putting in any feeling into your work. You do care about patients and want them to feel better, but in the sense of that is your job and not another pony you are taking care of. You have been showing this distinct lack of personality more and more often the past few days, and I think I know what the reason is.”

Redheart looked at him as she set her sandwich back down, not bothering to take another bite.

“A mare your age usually has had one or two stallions in their life,” Doctor Stable said. “Some are even married. You… well, you’re married to your job. I don’t know how well you’ll be taking it, but I would like you to have a few days off to relax.”

Redheart glared at Doctor Stable. “And how long do you plan to have me away from my job?”

“Oh, just a week or so. That ought to give you enough time to get some fresh air outside of the hospital and some time to relax. Go out with some friends to the lake, get some sunshine. Or take a few hikes in the hills around town. Even better, do both. Heck, you could find that Noteworthy fellow and ask him to go with you.”

“Ha ha ha,” Redheart laughed sarcastically. “I’m guessing you saw that whole little conversation at the main desk.”

“Every second of it,” Doctor Stable said. “Oh, and you’ll be off early today, what with the few patients and nice weather we’ve been having. I’ll pay you full time for your work, but you can go ahead, pack up, and head home for the evening.” Doctor Stable finished his soup, rinsed out the dishes, and put them in a cupboard with his name on it. He turned back to Nurse Redheart with a smile on his face. “Enjoy your vacation,” he said, and walked out of the room.

Nurse Redheart couldn’t even complain. She rewrapped her sandwich, got her bag out of her own cupboard, packed up her bag and left the hospital for home.

Home was a small apartment in the center of town, close to the hospital but also close to the main marketplace where she did her shopping. Redheart unlocked the door and entered the apartment, sparsely furnished with a bed, a couch, a desk, a bookcase filled with her old textbooks and notebooks from nursing school.

Redheart went to the small kitchen and finished her sandwich, looking over the empty expanses of the apartment. It looked so bare, but that’s how she liked it. Clean. Simple. Organized. Just like her office at the hospital; the only change was a beige wall instead of white and simple lavender curtains in front of the windows.

Once Redheart had finished eating, she took out the pin holding her bun and let her mane down. She went to the bathroom and took a nice, cold shower to clean her off. Her soap was simple and plain, without scent and just enough to clean her whole body and keep her mane nice, clean, and not tangled. She finished and toweled off before going to her bedroom, depositing the pin in a little container with a bunch of other ones and took a brush to her mane. She gently brushed the mane until it was straight and flowing, then looked in the mirror and sighed.

Maybe I should have called Noteworthy, she said, considering I have a whole week with nothing to do. Ah, well. I can worry about it tomorrow. With that, she climbed into her bed, pulled the sheets until they were completely straight and without wrinkles, and fell asleep.

Chapter 3 - "A Knight's Tale"

Once at home, Redheart deposited the saddlebags in her bedroom and pulled out the little red book. She gazed at it for a long while, wondering about the reason why she had gravitated to that book in particular even though she hadn’t gone there for something that she would consider as light and fluffy for reading. Even with her being a mare focused on her work, Redheart sat on the couch, opened up A Knight’s Tale and began to read.

It started out simple enough. There was a unicorn knight of Celestia’s guard who was strong, powerful, and brave. He loved to go out on adventures and soon became known as a great adventurer as well as a knight. The stallion loved to go out and wander the roads of Equestria to find new treasures and places to explore for his princess. He took on all sorts of quests and soon became famous.

The stallion eventually took on a quest that had him rescue a young mare from the clutches of a dragon. So stereotypical, Redheart thought to herself, yet to her surprise she kept on reading. The stallion climbed a mountain and soon found himself at the cave where the dragon lived. He armed himself with his best weapons and magic and entered the dragon’s lair. The stallion fought valiantly, but it was soon found that no armor or magic could pierce the dragon’s skin. So the stallion decided to trick the dragon. It wasn’t long before he used his magic to distract the dragon while the mare ran around it and the stallion was able to take her to safety.

Afterwards, the stallion took the mare back to the city where she lived, much to the happiness of the mare and her family. The stallion, tired from his journeys, stayed with the mare for a few days. The stallion and the mare began to get to know each other. After a few days, the stallion decided he was getting restless again. The mare pleaded with him to stay, but the stallion shut himself away from her, believing that his true calling was adventuring. Redheart felt sympathy for the stallion, feeling the same sort of longing that the stallion had with her own work.

But the last few pages contained an odd stinger. The stallion ventured off and eventually took another quest as he enjoyed doing. While he was on that quest, the stallion was attacked by a group of rogues who he was searching for. However, the stallion eventually became swarmed by the rogues and was mortally wounded. In his last moments, he thought of the mare and how staying with her would have saved his life. He ended up dying alone and restless in spirit.

“What a stupid ending!” Redheart said as she threw the book across the room, causing a dull thud against the wall. The book fell to the floor and some of the pages were bent in the resulting fall. Redheart did not feel sorry about it at all and left the book there as she went to the kitchen, feeling hungry and thirsty.

A quick look of the time revealed why: Redheart looked with astonishment at the clock in the kitchen and saw it to be nearly six o’clock in the evening. Had she really read that entire book in one sitting? It was certainly plausible with how short the book had been, but Redheart didn’t believe it. She soon pushed the book out of her memory with a sniff, hoping she wasn’t coming down with a cold as she started to make herself soup for dinner.

Dinner was nearly finished when Redheart heard a knock at her door. Redheart assumed it was the landlord wanting to know when his pay was coming in and left her soup in the pot as she went over to the door with an annoyed sigh.

The knocking came again. “I’m coming!” Redheart said impatiently.

When Redheart opened the door, she found herself gasping at the sight. In front of her was Twilight, looking like the unicorn she remembered but with a little pair of wings folded neatly at either side of her. While she was initially smiling, Redheart quickly saw her turn embarrassed. “I’m so sorry, Nurse Redheart,” Twilight said. “Are you in the middle of something?”

“No,” Redheart said. “I… I thought you were my landlord looking to collect payment. I didn’t mean to be so irritated with you, Twilight. Is there something you wanted?”

“Well, I remember you saying earlier today at the library that you were off work this week.” Twilight’s face returned to a friendly smile. “I was wondering if you wanted to come out to the park with me and a few of my friends for a picnic the day after tomorrow since you had the day off.”

Redheart raised an eyebrow. “Um… thank you, but why?”

“Well, I’ve seen you around town and have had to work with you on a few occasions. There was the time with the bad muffins,” Twilight listed, counting off the items with the feathers on her wings, “the time when Rainbow Dash broke her wing, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake’s twins, and most recently the whole ordeal with my freaking out over a version of me that came from the future. But, despite all that, I never really got to know you.”

“Well, that’s all fine, but why would you want to get to know me? I’m just a nurse pony, and all the times you’ve seen me has been what I do normally: work with the rest of the hospital staff. Besides that, I don’t know what else there is to know.”

“Well, the main reason I was allowed to stay here in Ponyville was to study the magic of friendship,” Twilight said. “One of the ways I figured I could do that was to make friends outside the Elements of Harmony and learn more about the ponies around here. Well… for all intents and purposes, you’re one of the ones I hardly know or interact with.”

“That’s flattering, Twilight, but I’m not exactly interested. I, as of right now, would prefer to just stay inside and not worry about any sort of thing like that right now. I’ll probably just want to take some notes and keep myself working since it’s going to be a long week. Maybe later.”

“Oh…” Twilight seemed disappointed. Redheart could not figure out why to save her life, despite all her times being able to read patient conditions and emotions. “Well… are you okay?”

Redheart looked at her questioningly. “What do you mean?”

“Well, your eyes are all red like they’re irritated. Are you sick or something?”

“What? No. I’ve probably just been sitting in front of a fan for too long.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow suspiciously, but soon shrugged. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around, then.”

“You too, Twilight Sparkle,” Redheart said. She watched as Twilight turned around and left, then shut the door.

The soup was still trying to come to a boil, so Redheart decided to go to the bathroom to see what Twilight was talking about. She looked into the mirror and was surprised to see that Twilight was correct, in addition to a small wet trail going from her eyes and down to her nose. She gawked at her own image, wondering where that could have come from.

Her thoughts were only broken by the sounds of the pot of soup boiling in the kitchen.

Chapter 4 - Sugarcube Corner

The next day found Redheart sleeping in. The first time the alarm had rang she had eventually shut it off. The book, despite its forgotten position on the floor of her room, had wormed its way deep into her brain. It wasn’t until Twilight had pointed out that her eyes were watering that she had noticed its effects.

It wasn’t until after Twilight had left, after she had finished her soup and put the leftovers away, when Redheart slowly began to cry. First it was more sniffles that she continued telling herself were probably the beginnings of a cold. Next came more tears which she blamed on having allergies from the fan being on the whole time. It wasn’t until she was in the shower that evening when the sobs finally burst and Redheart could no longer deny she was crying.

It was the first time she had cried in nearly four years. Sure, she had been sad before like at the time when her mother wrote her a letter saying her father had died, but nothing had ever made her cry. All those years, she kept it all bottled up inside her. Yet there in the shower, with the cold water pounding her back and head like a massage, did the tears finally come and did not stop. Redheart forgot to even wash herself, simply letting the water rinse over her until most of the tears had subsided. With that, she had turned off the water, dried herself off, and crawled deep into her bed.

The pillow was still wet from the previous night. The sheets were still wrinkled and creased, and the blankets had been thrown aside; Redheart only lay underneath a thin white sheet, and that had one of her back hooves sticking out at the bottom of the bed. The alarm, flashing the time of nearly ten o’clock in the morning, was turned off.

Redheart finally woke at ten. She let her mane stay down, walking over to the kitchen as she began making a pot of coffee. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed her face was still wet and tear-stained and her mane was straight and loose. Redheart went to the bathroom and grabbed a towel, muttering “Stupid book” to herself as she rinsed the towel and washed her face before returning to the kitchen with her hair in a bun like it normally was.

Redheart looked at the time. Ten fifteen. Half the morning was already gone, yet she still had the day ahead of her once again. The books on medicine that she had checked out no longer held any interest for her, and she didn’t want to read the little red book again. Redheart sighed as she finished her coffee and headed out the door.

The day was bright and sunny like it usually had been lately. Redheart wandered through town, eventually coming to Sugarcube Corner. She remembered Doctor Stable always bringing in a box of donuts for the staff and how she liked them. She went inside the cupcake-shaped store, hearing the little bell tinkling.

A plump blue mare with pink hair like cake frosting was at the counter. She smiled at Redheart as she came in. “Oh, good morning, dear!” the mare said, looking over to the nurse pony. “Can I get you anything?”

Redheart shook her head. “I’m just looking around, right now.”

“Ah. Well, I’ve got a fresh batch of glazed and a batch of chocolate donuts coming out if you wanted one. I’ll be right back and let you have a look around.” And she walked back through a door behind the counter into the kitchens.

Redheart looked over the treats in the cases. Cookies, cakes, and donuts filled the shelves, including other things like croissants and fresh-baked sweet-breads. It all looked so appetizing. Redheart looked up and noticed a menu and found even more things she liked on there.

The plump blue pony came out carrying two large trays of warm donuts, placing them in their spots in the case before sighing contentedly and walking up to the register. “Alright, dear. Have you decided what you wanted?”

Redheart shook her head. “They all sound and look so good… You know what? I’ll take the ‘Today’s Special’ with an orange juice.”

“Alright! I’ll have that coming right up for you.” The mare turned and went back into the kitchen as Redheart went and sat down on a nearby table. It wasn’t long before the smell of scrambled eggs, cheese, and roasted tomatoes. It wasn’t long before the mare came out with a small plate carrying a croissant filled with eggs scrambled with diced tomatoes and melted cheese, along with a glass of orange juice and four small donut holes. “Enjoy!”

“Thank you,” Redheart said, pulling out a few bits. The mare placed the bits in a pocket of her pink apron and headed off back behind the counter as Redheart apprehensively took a bite of the sandwich. It was greasier than her normal fare, but the taste was undeniably wonderful. She found herself taking bite after bite of the sandwich, relishing the taste of the eggs and tomato mixed with the buttery croissant.

It wasn’t long before the blue mare was back out from the kitchen and another customer walked in. Almost as soon as Redheart recognized him, the enjoyment she had been getting from the sandwich disappeared and her feelings flared up. It was worse when the stallion turned around and noticed her, a smile appearing on his face while a scowl appeared on her own.

“Redheart!” the stallion called cheerfully.

“Caramel…” Redheart almost growled.

The light-brown stallion ordered a croissant with butter and honey and a small coffee and took his food over to the table where Redheart was sitting. He sat himself down in the seat across from her and started eating his own food.

“So… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here before,” Caramel said.

“Doctor Stable comes around here to buy donuts for the hospital staff break room,” Redheart replied coldly. “I’ve been here once or twice.”

“Oh. What about work? Aren’t you usually on today?”

“I’m off today.”

“Alright. How’s your sandwich?”

“Fine.” Redheart tore into her sandwich.

Caramel sighed. “Look, why are you not being nice to me? I still don’t get it.”

Redheart set down the sandwich. “Was the whole reason you came in here just to speak with me or did you actually come in here to buy your food?”

“I buy a croissant at least once a week from Miss Cake,” Caramel said. “I just figured I’d help support the local business. And yes,” Caramel blushed, “I saw you in the window. You know, you need to smile more. You look cute when you’re happy.”

“I was happy,” Redheart said.

“You can’t be happy when I’m around?” Caramel said.

“You could start by not flirting with me,” Redheart spat.

“Come on,” Caramel said. “Can’t we make small talk at least?”

“Alright.” Redheart sighed. “So… where do you work now?”

“I’ve recently got a job at the local bookstore, under a pony called Written Script,” Caramel said, taking a bite of his croissant. “I work the midday shift sorting books and taking over at the registers when needed. I’m almost done at the community college, too.”

Redheart nodded.

“What about you? How’s work at the hospital?”

“Like usual. I do patient check-ups, schedule appointments, do some record keeping, and give medications. I enjoy doing it. Not for everyone though. I’m surprised the bookstore hired you. From what I remember, you couldn’t keep track of your school notes together.”

Redheart gave a rather cold chuckle as Caramel’s face turned bright red. “Hey! No personal attacks, please!”

“Fine.” Redheart continued on in monotone. “Congratulations on getting the job at the book store.”

The red slightly lessened from Caramel’s face. “I’ll take it,” he said. “So… I was wondering, since you were saying you had the day off, did you want to go on a walk this evening when I got off of work? I know a nice little hike through the woods outside of town.”

Redheart cocked an eyebrow suspiciously. “Anypony else you’d have planning on going?”

“No,” Caramel replied. “Was there anypony you wanted to go with?”

“No,” Redheart said. “I would stop there, but that wasn’t the point. There are, however, ponies I wouldn’t want to go.”

Caramel’s face turned irritated for the first time during the conversation. “Okay, I see where this is going. I’ve broken up with Cloudkicker, had a falling out with Amethyst Star, and Derpy Hooves ran off with Time Turner. Happy?”

“Very. But not enough to go.”

Caramel slammed his head into the table as Redheart chewed on a donut hole. “You are so cold sometimes, you know that? You weren’t like that before.”

“Time does that to some ponies,” Redheart said indifferently, picking up another donut hole and popping it into her mouth.

“Time and a grudge,” Caramel said. He picked himself up and took a sip of his coffee, picking it up with a hoof as he went off. “Well, the offer is still open. I get off from the bookstore at four if you want to go.” And he left, waving to Redheart with a smile. When she didn’t return it, he nodded and left the store.

The blue mare – Redheart assumed this must be Mrs. Cake – came out and watched Caramel leave the store. She turned to Redheart. “How come you didn’t take his offer?”

Redheart sighed. “If only you knew…” she said plaintively as she deposited two bits into a tip jar.

Mrs. Cake didn’t inquire any further.

Chapter 5 - Broken Pieces

As soon as Redheart left Sugarcube Corner and began walking around town she began to think about things. She thought about her week-long vacation. She thought about the little red book she had borrowed from the library. And she thought about Caramel. She thought about going back to her apartment; the clean, organized, stark, lonely apartment, and suddenly she felt very much alone and unsure of what to do.

Had this been a normal work day, she would be getting ready to go to work. She would be able to go to work and to put her mind to a task and everything would have been fine. But she faced a long time ahead with nothing to do. And, from the sounds of it, Caramel was actually trying to be nice and get things together. Perhaps he wasn’t as bad as he was before. Shrugging her shoulders, Redheart headed for the local book store.

It was a small place located next to a coffee shop; visitors to the store were allowed to bring drinks in. There were a few small tables already filled with ponies sitting around them reading and discussing the newest releases, and others perusing the shelves. Redheart began to scan the aisles, looking for familiar faces. It wasn’t long before she had found Caramel, dressed in a green apron of the store’s workers, putting away books on a shelf in the fantasy section.

Upon hearing a set of footsteps coming towards him, Caramel’s ears perked up and his head soon followed. When he saw Redheart, his face initially went into a frown. “Have you come to berate me some more?” he asked pitifully.

“No, to be honest,” Redheart said. “I got to thinking after you left, and thought that just perhaps I was being a little hard on you.”

Caramel’s face became questioning but eager. “So…?”

Redheart sighed. “So I figured with nothing else to do that I’d go with you on that walk.”

Caramel just about squee’d, but he restrained himself. “There’s got to be some sort of condition, isn’t there?”

Redheart nodded. “None of us are to mention what happened four years ago, and you are not to be flirty with me.”

Caramel smiled and nodded. “I think I can handle that. That sounds good to me. So, I get off work at four, so meet me at the town hall at four-fifteen.”

Redheart nodded back. “I suppose I’ll leave you to your work and meet you there.”

As she left, Redheart checked the time. A clock on the wall near the exit said eleven fifteen. There was enough time to go home and read one of the other two books she had borrowed from the library. Redheart left the bookstore and went to her apartment, wondering if she had made the right decision in taking Caramel’s offer.

After eating some lunch and reading some of the history of medicine book, Redheart left her apartment at four and walked over to the town hall. She arrived ten minutes early and sat down on a bench, watching the ponies go about their own lives, feeling the warmth of the afternoon sun and the light breeze that was going by. It had been a long time since Redheart had gone outside like this and she started to remember how good it felt. Sure, it was nowhere near as clean as she liked things, but it was free and not as confining. Redheart took the pin out of her bun and let her mane flow freely, taking the pin and putting it at the base of her tail.

Caramel showed up at four fifteen exactly with his saddlebags. He saw Redheart on the bench and looked relieved. Redheart was in turn relieved that he had shown up… alone.

“Hey,” Caramel said as he approached. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.”

“You’re on time for when you said you would be.” Redheart motioned to the bags with a hoof. “What’s with the bags?”

“Oh, these? I have two water bottles and two trail mixes. I didn’t know if you’d pack anything and decided I should pack an extra in case you didn’t.”

Redheart felt the beginnings of a smile form on her face. Caramel motioned for her to follow and Redheart complied. Caramel ended up taking them just outside the town to a little path that went through a pine forest just outside of town, and soon they were started on the trail head, surrounded by Douglas fir and oak trees.

Had it been fall season near the time of the Running of the Leaves, Redheart would have enjoyed going through the forests and seeing the colors change to gold and orange and red just before they were to fall off through ponies stomping hooves. Now, the trees were fully bushy and green, providing mottled shade patterns as Redheart and Caramel walked along the gently sloping trail up the side of one of the hills.

“So,” Caramel asked as they walked, “how have things been for you lately?”

“I’ve worked,” Redheart said. “Not much else to say, I guess. It’s been a while since I really went out somewhere. You?”

“School and work together has been sort of a dampener, so nothing really has been going on myself lately,” Caramel responded.

Redheart hmm’d thoughtfully. “What are you studying again?”

“I was thinking of going into business, but now I’m just doing general math studies. I was hoping to transfer to a university, but I don’t know anything specific. You’re done with college aren’t you?”

“I don’t know. I kind of want to become a doctor, but being a nurse pays well so far and the hours aren’t as long. Plus, there’d be the whole factor of going for college tuition.”

Caramel nodded. They walked over a stream that trickled down the side of the hill, listening to the birds chirping their songs around them. The path, besides the sounds of their hoofsteps and the sounds of nature, was relatively quiet and Redheart found herself enjoying it, her face growing brighter and her smile growing a bit wider.

“I noticed you let your hair down,” Caramel commented.

“Yeah,” Redheart said. “I usually have it in a bun for work since it keeps it up and out of the way, but it’s nice to feel the breeze blow through it every once in a while.”

Caramel smiled. “You should wear it that way more often. It makes you look a little more feminine and cute.”

Redheart stopped and glared at Caramel. “What did I tell you about flirting…?”

“It’s just a compliment,” Caramel said, screeching to a halt. “I know you don’t want to go any further with it. I was… I was just trying to be nice.”

Redheart’s gaze softened and she sighed. “Yeah, I suppose you were. Sorry about that.”

Caramel smiled sheepishly. “It’s okay.”

The two continued walking in silence for a little while longer. The birds had stopped chirping, but Caramel himself had started whistling a little tune. Redheart found herself bouncing along the trail to Caramel’s whistles as they continued up the path.

At the top of the hill, Caramel stopped whistling and they both stopped for a break. Caramel pulled out the water bottles and trail mix and passed a bottle and a bag to Redheart. They both opened their little snacks and drank a little water, sitting at the top of the hill looking out over Ponyville.

“It’s interesting, isn’t it?” Caramel asked.

“What’s interesting?” Redheart asked in turn.

“Well, we knew each other a lot four years ago, but now it’s like we’re starting all over again from scratch. I hardly know you and you hardly know me.”

Redheart ate a few nuts from her bag. “It’s not like we’re complete strangers, though.”

“Yeah, but… I guess that time hasn’t really healed all the wounds yet. We’re still trying to pick up the pieces of something that got blown apart and it’s something that has to start from scratch.”

“You’re sounding like there’s going to be more to this relationship,” Redheart said.

“I suppose I am. If nothing else, though, I do want to be friends again. I understand if you don’t want to be in a relationship anymore, but that doesn’t mean we have to cut ourselves off from each other indefinitely.”

Redheart nodded. “Yeah, I suppose.”

Caramel smiled sheepishly at Redheart. His smile grew wider as he saw Redheart return it. “I never knew you were so deep,” Redheart said.

“Comes with working in a bookstore, I guess,” Caramel said. “I keep reading all the books in my break time.”

Much to her own surprise, Redheart found herself giggling at him.

A few minutes later, the bags of trail mix were depleted. Caramel collected the trash and the water bottles in his saddlebags and the two started walking down the hill. They exchanged light conversation as they talked, passing the time as the sun started to go down and the sky turned from blue to yellow to orange to purple and pink. By the time they got back down to the base of the hill, lights were turning on throughout Ponyville. The two didn’t separate until they got back to Redheart’s apartment.

“Thanks for the afternoon, Caramel,” Redheart said.

“It’s no problem at all,” Caramel said. “Like I said, I don’t want our relationship to be totally ruined even if you don’t want to be that way anymore.”

Redheart raised an eyebrow. “What did I say about talking about back then?”

“Sorry, sorry!”

Redheart smiled at him, though. “Do you… want to go get something quick for dinner?”

Caramel bit his lip. “I would, but I promised some of my buddies from the bookstore that we’d go out for a cider. You’re welcome to come if you want.”

Redheart shook her head. “No thanks. Doctor Stable would be on me quick if he found out I ever had even something as weak as a cider can get. Maybe some other time, though.”

Caramel nodded. “Some other time, then. Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”

Redheart smiled. “Thanks again.” Caramel waved to her as she turned around and went back into the apartment. When she opened up the door and started making herself some of the leftover vegetable soup for dinner, the apartment didn’t feel so lonely anymore. Redheart went to one of the windows and opened the curtains and pulled up the pane, letting a cool breeze run through her hair.

Chapter 6 - The Picnic

Redheart slept in during the morning again. She had not been restless as she had the previous night and she hadn’t cried again. The little book lay in its spot on the floor still and for the most part Redheart seemed to have forgotten about it. She was still thinking of Caramel.

Redheart kept telling herself the wrongs of four years ago were not to be washed away so easily. How could they, with what he had done to her? Yet… why was she already falling for him? It had merely been two days since the last time she had seen him, and even then she was seething with anger at what he had done. Could things have been changed over the course of a single afternoon with him? It certainly seemed like he had changed. Perhaps things could be different this time.

Redheart woke up later than the previous day feeling refreshed. She went and took a nice warm shower, letting the water rinse over her as she hummed to herself. It was so long since she had felt this good, but even then she regarded her feelings with caution. She didn’t want a repeat of what happened four years ago and yet she didn’t want it to be over so quickly.

At eleven thirty, there was a knocking on the door. By now, Redheart had gotten out of the shower and dried herself and was making herself a cup of coffee. Leaving the pot to brew, Redheart opened the door to see Twilight at the door.

“Good morning, Miss Redheart!” Twilight said cheerfully. “I was wondering if you wanted to come with us on the picnic this afternoon.”

“Are you going right now?” Redheart asked.

“Not yet. I was going to ask you if you wanted to come so I knew how much to take of things. If you were coming along with, I was going to pack an extra serving. If not, I would have just packed the normal.”

“Um… I guess you can count me in. What time are you going?”

“Oh, we were going to head over to the lake at about twelve thirty.”

“Okay. I… I was thinking I’d be coming by a little later. I wanted to do some housecleaning before heading over there.” It was a lie and Redheart could tell Twilight knew it. Even from the doorway, anypony could see Redheart’s apartment was sparkling clean without even having to step across the door. “However,” Redheart continued before Twilight could ask, “I do want to talk with you about the books, so I won’t be taking too long.”

Twilight smiled. “Great! I’ll pack an extra serving and I’ll see you later!” Twilight turned around and headed out, Redheart smiling back at her as she left.

Redheart was not going to clean. She didn’t have to. The lie was an excuse to buy some time for what she wanted to do next. She gave her mane a quick brush and left it loose instead of tying it in the bun before putting on a red sweater; the breeze from the past few days had kicked up and it was almost chilly going outside. Redheart made sure she had a few extra bits and walked down to the bookstore.

As she suspected, Caramel was there working. She didn’t go straight towards him, preferring to go to the magazines and find a medical journal and pretending to read it at the table as she watched him. Caramel, oblivious to her presence, went about his work putting away books. No one disturbed him as he worked and no one bothered him.

Redheart eventually let herself relax. She began to read an article in the journal instead of just hide behind it though her eyes still strayed upwards to watch Caramel every once in a while. Satisfied with the articles she was reading, Redheart decided to buy the copy of the journal but spent a few minutes more reading it.

She was almost glad she had stayed. Off at the far end of the bookstore, Caramel was talking with a mare wearing another of the green aprons; another employee. This one was an aquamarine unicorn with a similar colored mane boasting a skunk-stripe of white. She went over and at first was helping him put books away, but when the job was done, she went over to him and kissed him on the cheek. Redheart could not see Caramel’s face, but she could watch as his body stiffened up and then turned to look at her, his eyes wide. The unicorn giggled at him and continued talking. After a while, Redheart watched as Caramel relaxed as the unicorn finally left him, going off to the front of the store and the registers.

Redheart was distracted by the sound of a distant booming noise. She whirled around in her chair and looked out of the bookstore to see a flash of a rainbow going through the sky. There was nothing to worry about; Rainbow Dash had simply performed another of her signature Sonic Rainbooms. Redheart shrugged it off and went up to the counter, where the aquamarine unicorn was the only one available. Redheart got a look at her name tag as she approached: “Lyra Heartstrings.”

“Good afternoon, ma’am!” Lyra said cheerfully. “Is that journal there going to be all?”

“Yes,” Redheart said, placing the magazine on the counter. “You’re the mare who usually plays the lyre in the town square some nights, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Lyra said as she scanned the magazine, “but that doesn’t exactly pay the bills, you know.” She told Redheart her total, and the mare began counting out her bits. “You’re one of the nurses down at Ponyville Hospital, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I think I may have had you come in for an appointment once.”

“Cool!” Lyra said excitedly as she pulled out a bag for Redheart’s purchase. “I thought about becoming a doctor once, but I couldn’t focus in the classes. Oh, I almost forgot to ask if you wanted to sign up for subscriptions to the store newsletter. We’ll also let you know when more issues of the journal come in.”

“I think I’ll be alright,” Redheart replied. “It’s not too long of a walk to get here.”

“Alrighty, then! See you again sometime!”

Redheart took her bag and walked off. It was too quick to make accusations now. Besides, Lyra was just a coworker and could have been flirting with Caramel. Even if she was, Caramel had looked like he wasn’t comfortable with it. And besides, Lyra seemed nice enough that she would have backed down if Caramel asked her to. Redheart tried her best to keep from assuming any further things and walked off.

As Redheart walked off, the sight of a medical carriage confused her. Moreso were three things: the carriage was traveling in the direction of the hospital, the carriage was going particularly fast, and the carriage was coming from the direction of the late. Redheart picked up the pace as she walked to the lake.

At the lake was not the promised picnic that Twilight had been talking about. There was a single pony sitting at an empty blanket: an orange pony with a blonde mane and a light brown Stetson hat. Redheart sped up and galloped over to where the pony was sitting. She looked up as Redheart approached her.

“You must be Nurse Redheart,” the mare said. “Twilight said you were supposed to be coming this afternoon.”

“You’re Applejack, aren’t you?” Redheart asked.

“That I am,” Applejack responded.

“Sorry about the late arrival. Where are the others? And do you know anything about the medical carriage that just came from this direction going to the hospital?”

“I thought you’d be wantin’ to ask about that,” Applejack said. Redheart could tell her voice was full of concern, and she could tell why as Applejack continued. “Well, I saw everythin’. Twilight was tryin’ to practice her flyin’ skills since she became a princess not long ago. So, she was at least ten feet in the air when Rainbow Dash, herself tryin’ to make an entrance, pulled off a Sonic Rainboom and smashed right into Twilight and then into the ground. Rainbow Dash made it out okay, but that medical carriage you just saw was takin’ Twilight to the hospital.”

Chapter 7 - Emergency Ward

Hardly after Applejack had finished speaking Redheart had run off in the direction of the hospital. She galloped as fast as her hooves could take her. Even so, Applejack had no trouble keeping up with her as they dashed into Ponyville.

“What the hay are you plannin’ to do?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t care that I’m supposed to be on vacation!” Redheart shouted at her. “None of these stupid doctors are going to know how to act around a princess! There will be so much confusion nothing will get done!”

“And you think you’ll do better?”

“I at least will keep my composure,” Redheart replied. “Once working, I’ll know what to do and when.”

The scene at the hospital soon proved Redheart correct. While Twilight had already been taken into a room and bandaged with an IV placed into her, most of the doctors were standing around the room wondering what to do. They mostly talked among themselves in hushed whispers around the closed door to Twilight’s room in the emergency ward. Doctor Stable was at the head.

“Alright, alright,” he said. “There’s no use in sitting here wondering what to do. For now, we’ll treat Twilight as just another patient.”

“But what about the press reports?” came the voice of one of the nurses.

“What about the letters to Princess Celestia?” came another voice.

“Amateurs,” Redheart muttered to herself.

“Now, calm down,” Doctor Stable said in his most authoritative voice. “If we make a big deal out of this, it will become a bigger deal than it is. Again, all we need to do for now is to get Twilight in a stable condition before we report to Princess Celestia. Now, some of you get the pain medication ready and others continue working with the rest of the patients. I’ll be presiding over Twilight’s case for the time being.”

The nurses around Doctor Stable walked off yet they continued to talk amongst themselves about what to do. Redheart went up to Doctor Stable, who turned to look at her questioningly. “Redheart? What are you doing here? I thought I ordered you on vacation.”

“Sir, I was supposed to be going on a picnic with Twilight today,” Redheart said. “She invited me to go with some of her friends. I mean at least to check in on her and see how she’s doing. Also, her friend Applejack is here with me.”

Doctor Stable’s eyes went from Redheart to Applejack and he smiled. “Twilight is in this room right here. You may go in.”

“Thank you,” Applejack said, and walked in.

Redheart was about to walk in herself, but Doctor Stable blocked her progress with a hoof and closed the door before Redheart could get a good look at Twilight. He motioned with his hoof and she followed him to the next room over, where he closed the door and sat on the hospital bed.

“Would you mind telling me exactly why you’re here?” he asked.

“I’m not here on duty, sir,” Redheart said. “I’m here because someone who was trying to be my friend is in the hospital. I have spoken with and worked with Twilight on numerous occasions since she’s been here to Ponyville, and I want to at least let her know I wanted to show up and be a part of the thing she invited me on.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “How exactly do you know Twilight?”

“I worked with her during the baked bads incident her first year, the time when Rainbow Dash broke her wing, helped deliver Cup Cake and Carrot Cake’s twins at which she was present, and most recently the whole ordeal with her freaking out and restoring the town.”

Doctor Stable nodded again. She could tell he was listening and not just letting her speak. “What exactly was your observation of the scene just now outside of Twilight’s room?”

“Would you mind if I spoke plainly?”

“Please do.”

Redheart nodded. “Fine. The other nurses were making too big a deal about it, as you said. If none of them are able to calm themselves down, there will be press reports about the incident faster than they think. Furthermore, a formal letter needs to be sent to Princess Celestia letting her know we have Twilight in our hospital and are pursuing the best course of treatment. Finally, if the nurses are not going to calm down, Twilight will have the impression that none of them know what they are doing – which, if you were to ask me, they don’t – and will freak out more, potentially worsening her condition.”

Doctor Stable looked at Redheart with interest. “You’re lucky you’re not on duty, Miss Redheart,” he spoke quietly. “If that were the case, I would have docked your pay and made you work overtime. There are two problems with this. Firstly is your mindset is somewhat the same as mine, secondly is I don’t think you would have minded the overtime.”

“I don’t get what you’re trying to say, sir.”

“What I’m saying is at the moment I have enough staff working and I’m still not letting you back yet. However, I also believe that you have a point with your little spiel. For now, you can go and see Twilight. However, I won’t be calling you in. Not yet.”

Redheart nodded and went over to the next room. Applejack was there, as well as the cyan pony with a rainbow mane Redheart recognized as Rainbow Dash herself, currently with a bandage around her own head but otherwise unharmed.

Twilight’s condition was much different and much worse. Twilight had no less than five bandages; one on her head (concussion), one around her horn (likely cracked), one around each wing towards the back (dislocated or broken joints), and one that covered the top half of her chest up to her front hooves (broken rib). Her eyes were closed as she lay in the hospital bed breathing shallowly. An IV had been hooked up to her left forehoof, and a nurse was at the other side with a needle giving her a shot of what looked like a pain reliever.

Redheart went up to Rainbow Dash. “How are you feeling?”

Rainbow Dash looked over to Redheart. “Um… who are you again? I feel like we’ve met before.”

“I’m Nurse Redheart. Well, Miss Redheart since I’m off duty. I was one of the nurses who took care of you after you broke your wing.”

“Oh, okay. Yeah, I’m cool. I’ll be flying again in no time. But I hope Twilight gets better soon. I feel really bad for crashing into her like that, and the egghead was supposed to get the newest volume of Daring Do in soon.”

Redheart nodded. She went up to Twilight.

“You were supposed to come to the picnic today, weren’t you?” Dash asked.

“Yeah. I got held up by some errands I had to do,” Redheart replied. “I kind of wish I was there, though.”

Applejack came up to Redheart. “It’s not like you could have done anythin’, Miss Redheart. It all happened so fast it was over before I knew it.”

“Yeah,” Dash agreed. “Applejack usually is able to stop that sort of thing before it happens. You don’t need to sweat it so much.”

“It’s my job,” Redheart said. “I’m used to being able to respond to things quickly and assess them for the best course of action.”

“There must be somethin’ you can do, then,” Applejack said.

“I can’t do anything. Not while off duty.”

“Oh…”

Redheart kicked at the floor absentmindedly with one of her hooves. “So… any of you two know why she’d invited me to the picnic?”

“Well, Twilight’s a bit of an egghead,” Dash began, “and she spends most of her time as an egghead studying. Current topic: the magic of friendship. Well, long story short, she’s made friends with us and figured it was time to move on to the rest of Ponyville.”

“From the way things sounded, you were quite high on the list,” Applejack continued. “None of us quite knew why until she explained she’d worked with you a few times but never really got to know you. ‘Course, it was kind of weird when she told us you were comin’ to the picnic. She’d never done it with anypony else before.”

“Come to think of it, it kind of sounded like she was interested in you,” Dash commented.

Redheart raised an eyebrow. “Um… what?”

“I think Dash has a point,” Applejack replied. “Everypony else on that list it sounded like she had arranged one-on-one time with to learn more about them and observe. With you she wanted to invite to spend time with us like she wanted us to accept you as well.”

“I already owe you,” Dash commented. “After helping me get back on my wings as quick as you did, I don’t think I have any complaints about you.”

“Neither do I, after the bad muffin incident,” Applejack said.

“Well, that’s kind of you,” Redheart said. “I’m afraid I’m not that interesting, though, and not so lucky with friendship lately. Maybe at some point I’ll come and hang around with you, but right now, I think I just need to head home and think.”

“About what?” Dash asked.

“Anything,” Redheart said. “Anything to keep my mind off how things are being handled around here.” And she walked off without another word.

Redheart left the hospital and walked back to the apartment. She couldn’t believe that Doctor Stable, with all that he had agreed with her on, would still have docked her pay and wasn’t letting her back on even when the other nurses at the hospital were going against what both she and Doctor Stable had talked about. She paced back and forth in her bedroom, kicking the little red book in anger and causing it to move to another part of the floor.

Then there was what Rainbow Dash and Applejack had been talking about. Twilight Sparkle, interested in her? Inconceivable. Redheart was a simple town pony whose main interest was her job and nothing else. Of course, with that currently taken away from her, there wasn’t much to talk about. What could Twilight have seen in her in so few times that she would have invited her to be among her closest circle of friends?

Redheart washed herself for the second time that day and ate a quick dinner before getting into bed early. Her sleep was fitful and hardly lasted more than one hour at a time; too many thoughts were racing around in her head at one time. Her prospective picking up her relationship with Caramel. The actions of the mare Lyra Heartstrings. Doctor Stable’s refusal to bring her back to help. Twilight’s inviting her to the picnic and the implications from Applejack and Rainbow Dash about what it meant…

By the time a knocking came around on the door it was nine in the morning and Redheart had maybe slept for all of five hours. Redheart got herself up with an irritated growl and marched towards the door. She threw opened the door to find an equally tired-looking Doctor Stable standing just outside.

“What do you want?” Redheart asked irritably. “Have you come to make me resign?”

Doctor Stable sighed. “Redheart… I can’t take it anymore. The staff on-duty has done more tittering than work and Twilight’s condition has actually worsened since yesterday afternoon. I need you to come back.”

Nurse Redheart’s irritability faded. Instead, she sighed, then smiled at Doctor Stable. “I can be there in thirty minutes.”

“Can you make it twenty?” Doctor Stable asked.

“With pleasure.”

Author's Note

AppleDash

Chapter 8 - In Her Element

Redheart was at the hospital in fifteen minutes. By the time Doctor Stable had come into the changing room, Nurse Redheart had already placed on her nurse’s cap and had sanitized herself. Stable himself was carrying a small paper bag and a cup with a lid on it.

“Thank god, you made it here early,” he said. “I didn’t think you had time for breakfast, so I went by Sugarcube Corner and picked up a little something for you.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Nurse Redheart said as she placed rubber coverings on her hooves. “You can go ahead and put it into the fridge; I’ll take it later once I’ve examined the situation.”

“Well, it’s better than we thought when Twilight first came in,” Doctor Stable said, following Redheart as they made their way out of the changing room and into the hallways of the emergency ward. “Her condition is listed down on the clipboard, but I’ll give you the short version. There’s three broken bones including a rib, both of her wing joints are dislocated and refuse to go back into position, and she suffered large blunt trauma to the head. Most of the doctors are saying it’s a wonder she’s still alive.”

“Yes, and it’s a wonder she’s still alive considering they haven’t done much,” Nurse Redheart replied. “Tittering around… I can’t believe none of them went about procedure, and we can’t have anything like that happening with a princess. Has anyone sent a note to Princess Celestia yet?”

“Not yet,” Stable answered. “I was planning on getting someone to work on it.”

“Don’t,” Nurse Redheart said. “Once things have calmed down and we return Twilight to a stable position, I’ll take care of it myself. Has she been hooked up to a heart monitor yet?”

“A digital electrocardiograph has been hooked up to her body,” Doctor Stable replied. “Her readings over the past few hours have been stable and regular but low; around thirty beats per minute of a normal around seventy five.”

“What about her breathing?”

“Shallow but regular as well. She’s been hooked up to a ventilator to help her breathe better, but I’m afraid the trauma might have initially cut off circulation to the brain.”

Nurse Redheart found her way to Twilight’s room and went up to and examine the mare and her clipboard, stating exactly what the doctor had told her. Cords with little nodes were attached all over Twilight’s body and the mare had a mask around her mouth hooked up to a machine just behind her bed. The liquid in the IV bag was getting low. “How much medicine has she been given today?”

“She’s just been given a bag early this morning,” Doctor Stable replied. “She’ll need another one in an hour.”

“Get the staff in the pharmacy to make two fresh bags for the IV; one for nutritional needs and the other for medicine. Make them twelve hours minimum; we need a constant rate going into her body for as long as possible.”

“Alright. What about the broken bones?”

“Up the calcium for the nutritional content. If nothing changes upon her next exam, continue doing so until we report that the bones are healing. Firmer casts need to be placed around the arms and ribs to keep them steady until they’ve healed. As for the wings, keep them in place but I don’t think we’ll be able to push them back until she’s gotten stronger; the pain might be unbearable at the moment.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I suppose I’ll go and eat while the pharmacy gets the parenteral nutrition set up. I’ll be back to hook up the IV bags myself. Also, you can tell the pharmacist to stop with the shots for the time being since she’s being hooked up to the IV.”

Nurse Redheart began to walk out of the room.

“Redheart!”

Redheart turned around. Stable was looking at her with a straight face, though it soon broke into a small smile. “It’s good to have you back, nurse.”

Redheart smiled herself. “It’s good to be back, Doctor.”

Over the next thirty minutes, Redheart went into the staff break room to eat the breakfast Doctor Stable had picked up for her. She ate the sandwich and downed the orange juice quickly before pulling out a pen and paper and set about writing her letter.

Princess Celestia:

I am writing to inform you that your student and fellow princess Twilight Sparkle has arrived at our hospital and is currently in a coma due to blunt force trauma that has also broken three of her bones and dislocated her wing joints. While currently stationed in our hospital, I completely understand if you wish to transfer her to Canterlot for further treatment. Until we receive a reply, we here at Ponyville Hospital will be keeping her on parenteral nutrition until she can be removed and swear not to make a big deal out of the event to the press; the whole affair is kept private between the hospital staff and the Elements of Harmony present at the scene.

Nurse Redheart, Ponyville Hospital.

Doctor Stable – Head Physician, Ponyville Hospital

When the letter was finished, Redheart took it over to Doctor Stable for examination at his nearest free period. The doctor read over the letter what seemed like multiple times, then handed it back to Redheart with a nod of approval. “Good. I think that about covers everything she needs to know. Send it off as First-Class Mail with expedited delivery.”

“What about the dragon? Spike, I think it is?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard his fire can send messages to and from Princess Celestia. I don’t know where he would be at the moment, however; he might be with Celestia already so she can take care of him in Twilight’s absence.”

“Very well, then. I’ll go ahead and have it sent to the post office.”

Stable nodded and took the letter from Redheart again. Redheart went back to Twilight’s room where a technician was loading the new IV bags. Once both bags had a steady drip rate, the technician spoke to Redheart. “The bags will be good for twelve hours. Call us up one hour before and we’ll make another one; don’t do so any earlier so we don’t have a bunch of spare bags lying around that’ll go to waste.”

“Thank you.”

The technician nodded and left. Doctor Stable soon returned with the letter placed into an envelope and marked with his seal, in addition to proper postage. Redheart took the letter from him and told Stable to keep an eye on Twilight as she left for the post office. Almost immediately an attendant took her letter and called for one of the pegasi to take it; by the time Redheart had paid for the letter to be shipped and left, the pegasi was already flying off towards Canterlot.

Redheart returned to the hospital. Doctor Stable was at the front desk with a slip of paper under one of his hooves. Redheart went up to him.

“Letter has been delivered,” Redheart said. “Once the attendant saw it was for Princess Celestia and saw your stamp, she had it delivered almost immediately. I suspect it will make the Princess’ chambers by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

“Very good,” Stable said. “Until then, I have two pieces of information for you. First is that Twilight’s condition is stable; better than last night when I was afraid it would dip down and get worse. The second is that you’ve received a phone call from a stallion named Caramel; he asked if you would call him soon.” Doctor Stable pushed the piece of paper towards Redheart; it had a number on it along with Caramel’s name.

Redheart took the piece of paper. “Can I do so right now if you have no other jobs for me?”

“Currently, you’ve done in almost one hour what none of the nurses could figure to do in the time since Twilight’s arrival. You can call Caramel then head to the front desk for a few hours; I’ll manage Twilight for the time being and call for you if there’s anything else.”

Redheart nodded.

Redheart went to one of the office phones, picked up the receiver and dialed the number on the phone. It rang three times before a voice answered at the other end of the line.

“Hello, you’ve called the Ponyville Bookstore. This is Caramel; how may I help you?”

“Caramel; it’s Redheart.”

“Oh, good, so you got the message,” Caramel said, sounding relieved. “Listen. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go out to dinner on Friday, two days from now. Maybe if you got off in time we could meet up at the hospital at about six-ish? It doesn’t have to be somewhere fancy.”

“Oh,” Redheart said. “I’ll check with my head physician, but I’m sure he won’t mind. Why?”

“There’s something I wanted to talk with you about.” The voice wasn’t serious, like he was trying to break something to her. Rather, it sounded like there was something bottled up inside him, something he had been suppressing.

“Yes. I’ll let the physician know. Maybe he’ll let me off early.”

“Cool. So six o’clock works for you?”

Redheart didn’t respond for a while. Is it about that encounter at the bookstore with Lyra...?

“…Redheart?” came Caramel’s voice from the other side of the line. “Are you still there?”

“Yes, Caramel. Six o’clock works out perfectly.”

“Alright. Thank you so much. I’ll see you Friday, then.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Caramel.”

Redheart heard a click on the other line and put down the receiver. Even now, after not speaking with him for so long, she could tell what was going to happen next, and it had nothing to do with Lyra. It happened the same way over four years ago.

Caramel was inviting her on a date.

Even more surprising, she had said yes without the slightest hesitation.

Author's Note

I'm sorry about the rather large amount of medical terminology and procedure in this chapter; even more so if there are any of the finer details I got wrong. However, plot will happen, I assure you.

Chapter 9 - Dinner Date

After three days in the hospital, Twilight’s condition hadn’t improved. Then again, on the accounts that no press had come by the hospital and the fact that Twilight’s condition hadn’t worsened Doctor Stable had so far called it a success. After what had happened to the alicorn, Nurse Redheart agreed, though she now demanded new x-rays since she was holding a stable condition and that the medicine in her IV bags was increased.

Redheart was present for the x-rays themselves and stayed at the hospital until the results came through. She looked over the results with Doctor Stable, noting three broken bones and the ribs, in addition to the slightly caved-in lung.

“How is it, Doctor?” Redheart asked.

“The extra calcium boost is helping,” Stable said, “but it’s not attaching to the bones as well. We’ll have to up the amount of vitamin D in the nutritional supplement so that it absorbs. In the general course, we’ll also have to increase the amount of iron; she’s not taking in as much oxygen as we would have hoped. Though our measures are currently preventative and holding off much worse, we’ll need to do something fast in order to get her on the track to healing, likely heart or lung surgery sometime within the next week.”

Redheart nodded. The two went to Twilight’s room from the x-ray room and hooked the ventilator and the electrocardiograph machines back up to the alicorn. Redheart scanned the printouts from both the machines of the last few hours.

“Seems her breathing rate and heart rate are low but stable,” Redheart reported. “Her respiratory rate is an average of 9 breaths per minute, sometimes as high as 11 but sometimes as low as six or seven. Her heart rate is a steady 30 beats per minute as it was earlier.”

Doctor Stable sighed. “Have we gotten back a letter from Princess Celestia yet?”

“No,” Redheart replied. “Nothing in the last two mail runs or anything from special delivery.”

Doctor Stable shook his head. “I wish we could at least get a Canterlot physician down here,” he said. “Our ability to have kept things quiet around here seems to be the only progress we’ve got so far. Twilight’s currently in stable condition but there’s a chance we’ll have to perform not only surgery on the lungs but a blood transfusion.”

“Unfortunately, that area is not my expertise,” Redheart said.

“I didn’t expect it to be.” Doctor Stable looked at a nearby clock. “It’s about four o’clock. Do you have any plans for this evening?”

Redheart nodded. “Caramel asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner this evening around six. I was going to talk about it with you.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “I think I can keep Twilight going through the night. I’ll send someone to get you if there’s trouble, but otherwise, I can tell some of the other nurses to run a blood test on her and see how oxygen levels are and what her type is. You can go on and head out for tonight.”

Redheart nodded again. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Redheart left Twilight’s room and went to sanitize herself again. Once she was clean, she left for her apartment where she took a quick shower and brushed her hair. She thought about putting it in the bun like she usually did, but Caramel liked it better with her hair down, so she put it in a ponytail tied close to the back of her head. She washed her face in the sink and toweled off, making sure her coat was clean and glossy.

It was the first time in four years since Redheart had been on what could be considered a date. She had been wondering to herself what it would be like with Caramel, considering the last time ended as a disaster. Even so, she kept telling herself there were worse problems than Caramel at the moment such as a pony’s life at stake inside the hospital. Even if Caramel did do a repeat performance, she could easily put herself into her work.

For now, Redheart decided, tonight was about the date with Caramel. When she figured herself ready, she walked over to the hospital to wait for Caramel, finding herself thinking about Twilight Sparkle lying inside. She hardly knew the mare, only from small jobs they had worked on together and the library visit a few days prior; the times they met totaled probably less than seven.

Caramel soon showed up, distracting Redheart from the thoughts of Twilight for the time being. He was neat but not fancy, his mane brushed backwards in one group instead of parted in the middle. “Well, it’s exactly six,” he said. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

Redheart shook her head. “No, not at all. I’ve only been here for about ten minutes.”

Caramel smiled at her. “Come on. We’re going to a little place towards the center of town. There’s supposed to be music playing tonight.”

Redheart smiled and walked alongside Caramel. He seemed reserved, quiet, and well-kept, though not flirting with her. Redheart liked it for the time being; he had come off as too strong a few days earlier but she liked this more relaxed and friendly Caramel.

It wasn’t long before the two reached the center of town and the restaurant that Caramel had mentioned. It wasn’t very crowded, but Caramel had gone and reserved a spot for two on the patio where the music was playing. A classical quartet was up on the stage and playing quiet tunes on a cello, bass, violin and a small piano. Redheart and Caramel were sat down at a small round table with a candle in the center and listened to the music under the golden evening sky.

“This place is wonderful, Caramel,” Redheart said.

“I’m glad you like it,” Caramel said. “Also, no need to worry about paying; this is my treat.”

Redheart smiled.

A waiter came around and ordered drinks; both ordered a sparkling water with lemon. The drinks were quickly brought out along with a warm loaf of sourdough bread.

“You know,” Redheart said as Caramel began slicing up the sourdough bread, “the way you called me earlier this week was just like when you used to ask me on dates four years ago.”

Caramel’s ears perked as he passed Redheart a slice of bread. “It was?”

Redheart nodded, spreading butter over the piece. “You were always so straightforward when we talked in public, but when you called me over the phone to ask you became shy and reserved. Then when we went on the dates you would become friendly and not as forward. It’s a repeat of what happened last time.”

Caramel laughed. “I suppose it is.”

“So… is it a date? Is this what you wanted to talk with me about?”

Caramel blushed. “Well… I know you were talking about me wanting not to be too flirty, but I kind of wanted to see if we could start again. I mean, the hiking trip went decently well and you seemed ready to give it another chance. So… I wanted to try.”

Redheart smiled softly. “If you really mean it this time, I suppose I am willing to try again.”

The waiter came around and the two ordered dinner. The waiter left with the order as they continued talking.

“How’s work at the hospital lately?” Caramel asked, passing Redheart a second slice of bread.

Redheart shrugged. Her mind went back to Twilight, lying in her coma in the emergency ward, but she figured now was not the time to talk about it. “Well, it was busy. We had a patient come in today that made a bit of a fuss when the nurse tried to give her a shot and Derpy Hooves came in for a regular check-up.”

“How is Derpy lately?”

“Still her usual self,” Redheart replied eagerly, not willing to go to Twilight just yet. “She’s always so nice but every time we have to give her a shot she wants to cry. Sometimes I just want to hug her, but it’s funny because she always forgets about it and goes back to being her usual self in a few minutes. She’s probably one of the best patients we have; her, her daughter Dinky, and Amethyst.”

“Aww…” Caramel said. “I’ve always liked Derpy. She always comes in to the bookstore to see if there are any new cookbooks in. She’s started to call me ‘Mister Apple’ because my name always reminds me of caramel apples. I told her I couldn’t be ‘caramel apple’ because someone in the Apple family already has that name.”

Redheart put a hoof to her mouth, hardly trying to repress a giggle.

“You’re laughing!” Caramel sang playfully.

Redheart let it out. “It’s just cute!” Redheart said. “‘Caramel Apple’… I might have to start calling you that sometimes if I ever see you eating one.”

Caramel blushed again, but let out a laugh himself.

Dinner came around; a tofu burger for Caramel and a large salad with a vinaigrette dressing for Redheart, plus a platter of hay fries to share. It wasn’t long before the conversation settled down while the two ponies ate, though there were still bits and pieces throughout.

After the talk about Derpy, the conversation rarely strayed back to the hospital and Redheart felt more at ease. She lightened up around Caramel and found herself laughing more often at the jokes they traded. Her dinner was delicious and equally enjoyable, and Caramel surprised her by topping it off with them sharing a slice of chocolate cake.

After dinner, the two found themselves standing outside the restaurant. Redheart questioned to herself if there was going to be anything afterwards, but Caramel at first made no mention of it.

After a while, Redheart had to ask. “So… did you have any plans for afterwards?”

Caramel shook his head. “No, not really. And I didn’t have anything going on tonight, either.”

Redheart kicked a hoof at the ground. “Do you… want to come over to my place for some coffee?”

Caramel was at first silent. Redheart was initially disappointed until she saw a blush and a small smile creep onto his face. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt,” he said.

Redheart smiled and led him back across town to the apartment. She went ahead of him and unlocked the door to invite him in. Caramel started making his way across the floor of the apartment carefully as though he didn’t want to upset anything while Redheart calmly walked to the kitchen and started brewing a small pot of coffee.

“It’s so… clean,” Caramel said. “It’s almost like the interior of a hospital room.”

Redheart laughed. “I suppose it kind of is. I always liked things being neat and orderly.”

“I guess hospital work was a perfect line of study for you, then.”

Redheart nodded. “I do kind of want to make things a little lighter around here. I have lavender curtains on the windows and thought about painting the walls a mellow yellow or something like that. Maybe even just some tables and other furniture with a nice gold or red wood.”

“Probably would be better for you mood, too,” Caramel said. “Wouldn’t make you so stressed after a day at the hospital.”

Redheart poured two cups of coffee and gave one to Caramel. “You noticed?”

“It wasn’t obvious,” Caramel said, “but you didn’t like talking about the hospital. I figured I wouldn’t bring it up anymore after talking about Derpy, and you lightened up once that happened as well. Is there something going on?”

Redheart sighed. “Yes. I didn’t want to focus on it, though.”

“What happened?”

Redheart took a deep breath and exhaled a few times.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Caramel said softly.

“No, I do,” Redheart said. “It’ll be better for me to get it off my chest.” She took one more deep breath and told Caramel about Twilight Sparkle and her coma and how she’d been in the hospital for three days without signs of improvement. “Normally, I’d say this was normal for an accident that severe, but with it being a princess everything just seems worse.”

Caramel set down his coffee on a nearby coffee table and put his hooves around Redheart. Redheart set down her own coffee and returned the gesture. She could feel Caramel’s warm breath against her ear as he whispered. “It’s alright. You’re a good nurse and know just what to do; it’s even your special talent. I’m sure everything will work out alright in the end.”

Redheart found herself sniffing again. “Thank you, Caramel.”

“Also, know that if there’s ever somepony you need to talk to, you can always talk to me. I won’t tell anypony else.”

After a few more moments like that the two pulled away. They finished their coffee and Caramel started to get up to go. “Well, it’s been a nice night.”

Redheart nodded.

“Um… I guess I’d better get going.”

“Wait.”

Caramel looked questioningly at Redheart. “Is there something wrong?”

“Could you… stay the night here tonight?”

“If I may ask… why?”

“I don’t know,” Redheart said. “I suppose with how much stress I’ve had recently, you’ve been able to calm me down more than anything. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but… I don’t know how to put it.”

Caramel came up and put a hoof on Redheart’s shoulder.

“If you want me to stay, I will for tonight. I don’t have to work tomorrow so it’s okay. Maybe… maybe it will help you if I stay to calm you down so you’re not stressed.”

Redheart smiled. “Maybe it will.”

Redheart rinsed the two coffee cups and the two went into Redheart’s bedroom. The two laid down and got into the bed together, Caramel wrapping his hooves around Redheart once again as they pulled the sheets up. Redheart closed her eyes and put her head on the stallion’s chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart and breathing of his lungs. She could feel Caramel’s head move around for a while before settling in one position, and continued listening as his breathing and heart rate slowed down to a steady resting rate. Redheart kept listening to the rhythmic thump-thump and felt the gentle breathing until she had soon fallen asleep herself.

Author's Note

Before you ask, it's just sleeping. I have no intention of taking the fic in that direction.

Chapter 10 - The Wrench in the Machine

10.

Redheart woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and better rested than she had in weeks. She got up and stretched, looking at the sun beginning to peak through the lavender curtains. A grey mailmare was making her way away from the apartment, which meant that a letter had already been delivered at some point that morning. Redheart figured the letter could wait and turned to face her sleeping companion.

Caramel was still asleep. His breathing was gentle and steady, his mane still mostly neat on one side that hadn’t touched the pillow. One hoof was still around Redheart, while the other had folded up so that it was lying on the pillow and slightly squishing his nose. Redheart smiled at him and gently tapped his shoulder with a hoof. He stirred slightly before opening a single eye and pushing his hoof slightly away from his nose. He smiled at Redheart.

“Never thought I’d have this happen again,” he said.

Redheart tapped him on the nose. “You should have known better, considering you were the one who organized dinner last night.”

Caramel laughed softly. “You’re the one who insisted, though.”

Redheart laughed along with him. “Do you want me to make some coffee?”

“No,” Caramel said, pulling Redheart closer to him. “Not yet. Maybe in a few minutes.”

Redheart buried her nose in his chest, closing her eyes. He must have showered the previous night before dinner; he smelt clean with lingering traces of cologne and candlelight smoke. She felt Caramel doing the same thing with her mane.

“You look pretty even after just waking up,” he said.

Redheart giggled. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Caramel sighed and nuzzled Redheart on the forehead. She could feel his hoof rubbing gently up and down her back. “What was it that made you turn so fast? Earlier this week you didn’t want to see me again, and suddenly I’m your bed in your apartment less than a week later.”

Redheart’s smile faded, though she relaxed into the hoof on her back. “You looked like you changed,” she said. “You were just trying to be nice and wanted to make things up with me, so I figured maybe it was time you got a second chance.”

“I felt bad for what happened. I wanted to try and make things up with you. Figured I wasn’t in a relationship at the time and wanted to try again. I’m glad I did.”

Redheart turned her head so that her ear was once again on his chest. He was still registering the rhythmic thump-thump of a resting heart rate, the slow beat almost lulling her back to sleep. She forced herself to open her eyes, staring down at the sheets and out the door into the hallway and living room.

“You’re nervous about something, aren’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have used past tense.” Caramel’s voice was soft and reassuring and not hurtful or accusing.

Redheart exhaled loudly. “I saw you when I was at the bookstore one day. You were being helped with your job by a unicorn named Lyra Heartstrings. When the job was done, she kissed you. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if you were going back to your old ways.”

Caramel sighed. “She’s flirty but too forward. That kiss made me uncomfortable, especially considering I did want to try and get things started again.”

Redheart smiled again.

A few minutes later, Caramel was in the shower while Redheart was pouring two cups of coffee. Afterwards, she pulled out a few eggs, some fruits, and some bread and started to cook a small breakfast for two. As she waited for the eggs to cook, she went over and picked up the letter that had been delivered that morning.

Nurse Redheart:

I won’t need you to come in for the next three days. Celestia’s letter came in and said to do whatever it takes to keep Twilight alive; she trusts us to take care of her without sending a physician. As such, I’ve made the decision to have Twilight undergo surgery to remove the damaged skin of her lungs that might be causing complications. After a few days, if she’s strong enough, I’ll contemplate a transfusion. Until then, take a few days to relax and know I’ve got the staff covered, though I’ll call you in if I need you.

Doctor Stable

Redheart was relieved at the letter but found herself worried at the thought of Twilight staying at the hospital for who knew how long, especially if she stayed in her coma. Caramel’s words of encouragement from the previous night came back to her, and she steeled herself; at least he would be there for her now. Perhaps it was fate that they should have gotten back together at this time.

The water shut off and Redheart listened to Caramel as he toweled off. “I swear you’re the only mare I’ve ever dated who has unscented soap in their bathroom. It makes things easier for me; stallions like me never much care for scented soaps. Makes the other guys think we’re effeminate. You should have heard Big Macintosh the one day he came into the bookstore a few months ago looking for an almanac before I broke up with Amethyst Star. He started teasing me about teaching me a few things behind the barn. I told him not in a thousand years would I be stepping on to Sweet Apple Acres for his sake.” Caramel came out of the bathroom to Redheart barely suppressing a giggle. “Let’s move on, then. Certainly smells good around here.”

Caramel came and sat down at the table with Redheart, who served them both breakfast. By the time they were eating Caramel had noticed the note; Redheart caught him looking at the folded piece of paper on the counter.

“It’s from Doctor Stable,” Redheart said. “Twilight is going in to surgery for her lung. I won’t be needed again until she starts to get stronger so I’m off for a few days again.”

“Well, since you’ll need something to do, why don’t we head down to that ice cream parlor tomorrow afternoon?”

“What about today?”

“I’ve got to go get my pay stub from the bookstore and take care of a few things at home. Tomorrow, though, I’m free for the whole day.”

Redheart nodded. “I think I can be patient enough.”

When Caramel left soon afterwards, the apartment was quiet and clean. For the first time in years, Redheart did not immediately make the bed and the dishes were simply rinsed and left in the sink. But it didn’t feel empty and Redheart didn’t feel lonely anymore. Redheart spent the day reading one of the books she borrowed from the library and made it a point not to go out until Caramel picked her up the next day.

Thankfully, the wait was short. Caramel came around to Redheart’s apartment with bits gained from his recent paycheck and walked with her towards the ice cream shop. They ordered a medium bowl of vanilla ice cream with candy bits and two spoons before sitting at a table outside in the warm afternoon sun.

“Certainly is a nice day,” Caramel commented.

“It’s nice the weather ponies haven’t had to bring in a storm lately,” Redheart said. “They probably will by the end of the month, though.”

“We still have a few weeks until then,” Caramel replied. “There will still be plenty of days for other things before and after. Although, I sense a storm coming early.”

Redheart turned to see where Caramel was looking. Not far away from where they were seated was an aquamarine unicorn walking up to the ice cream shop. She was currently acting like she hadn’t seen them yet despite both sets of eyes staring at her. Without stopping, she went inside the ice cream shop and stood in line at the counter.

“Did she know?” Redheart asked as they peered inside the window of the shop at Lyra standing in line.

“Yesterday, she invited me to go to Vinyl Scratch’s club tonight. I told her I already had an engagement.”

“Did you tell her about the meeting here at the ice cream shop?”

“No.”

Now Lyra was fully aware of them looking in at her. She turned with a sly smile to Caramel and winked before turning back around and acting as though nothing happened.

“Well, she’s not a coward, I’ll give her that,” Redheart said.

“Yeah, but a little too brave,” Caramel said.

Lyra picked up a small strawberry ice cream and headed outside, upon which she immediately headed for their table. “Hey there, Caramel!” she said excitedly, pulling up a chair. “What a surprise to see you here!”

“Hello, Lyra,” Caramel said more out of politeness than actual returning the feeling. “I don’t know if you’ve met her before, but I’m here with Redheart. I was patching things up from a few years ago and we’ve decided to get back together recently.”

Lyra took a bite of her ice cream turned to face Redheart for the first time since her arrival. “Ah, so you’re the one he was talking about. I talked to you in the store when you bought that medical journal but I didn’t know you two were a thing.” Lyra turned back to Caramel, and Redheart could see Lyra’s eyes as she examined Caramel up and down. “You’re lucky to have such a stunning stallion as your partner,” she purred.

Jealousy. There was an emotion Redheart hadn’t felt for a long time. Currently it was only slowly boiling up inside her, but Redheart found herself suddenly feeling like Lyra was an intruder. “Yes, he certainly is. You know, it was his idea to get back together again.”

Lyra didn’t turn to face her. “Oh, really?” she said, taking a longer time than usual to pull the spoon out of her mouth. “Shame you initially decided to split apart for a while; he’s grown handsome over the years.”

Redheart felt like she could have punched Lyra right then and there if Caramel hadn’t stepped in. “Lyra, that’s enough,” he said forcefully. “I won’t have you flirting with me in front of my marefriend.”

Marefriend… the word took a while to process through Redheart’s brain, but when it did it filled her with joy despite the jealousy still inside her.

“Ah,” Lyra said, turning to face Redheart. “Then let me congratulate you on your getting back together. You know, Caramel,” Lyra said as she turned back to the stallion, “the offer’s still open for going to Vinyl’s club tonight.”

“I’m sorry, Lyra, but no. I’m not just going to leave Redheart now that we’ve finally gotten back. I made a mistake four years ago and I intend to correct that.”

“And I’m willing to give him the second chance,” Redheart put in. “So, considering you’ve interrupted us, I think it’s about time you should leave.”

Lyra frowned, seemingly to Redheart more out of irritation than hurt. The unicorn went to kiss Caramel, but the stallion drew away and closer towards Redheart. Lyra huffed. “Well, then. I… I suppose I’ll be on my way.” Lyra picked up her trash and threw it away, passing by Redheart as she did so, but walked back in the other direction to pass Caramel.

“You could do better than her,” Lyra whispered in Caramel’s ear, but it wasn’t soft enough for Redheart not to hear; the mare thought she deliberately was letting her. “You must have thought so once before if you broke up with her.”

Caramel growled. “Go. Away. Now.”

Lyra shrugged and walked away.

Redheart was fuming.

“Redheart… your face has gone red.”

“That smart, slimy daughter of Tartarus!” Redheart nearly shouted.

“Easy, Redheart,” Caramel said. “She’s gone now, although you now see what I mean about being too forward for me.”

“It’s not about you,” Redheart said. “It’s not polite even now to go up and ask a stallion in the middle of a date to go off with them. She’s forward and rude. I almost wonder how she got the job at the bookstore with that attitude.”

“Chance, perhaps. They needed to fill the position and she was one of few that applied. Can you imagine there was one of the applicants that had worse manners than her?”

Redheart didn’t voice her opinion, but she didn’t think so.

The rest of the afternoon went along much more comfortably. After Lyra left, Redheart calmed back down to her usual self and Caramel himself seemed to have forgotten about her entirely. They went for a walk to a nearby pond and watched some fish before heading out to dinner at the restaurant again. Afterwards, they went back to Redheart’s apartment as they had before and went back into the bedroom.

He still has the same taste as he did four years ago, Redheart thought as their lips touched. Like caramel apples.

Author's Note

Rating upped for two reasons: 1) the joke in this chapter, and 2) slightly more heated with a larger presence of Lyra.

Chapter 11 - Not Just Another Patient

11.

The next four weeks had almost the same schedule. Every day Redheart would go into her work at Ponyville Hospital in the morning and leave in the late afternoon. She would check Twilight’s heart rate and breathing rate every two hours while on duty and helped to make sure that Twilight’s IV bags got changed during the morning shift, amongst her other duties at the front desk and with the other patients. Sometimes the work would become light again and Doctor Stable would allow Redheart to have a few days off.

Twice a week, Redheart would go out with Caramel. One of those times would be dinner followed by Caramel spending the night at Redheart’s apartment. The other was never the same. Once, Caramel took Redheart to go watch the Ponyville Symphony Orchestra play. Another time, they went on a picnic in the hills outside Ponyville. On one other occasion, the two went to have a picnic at the lake where Redheart would have gone with Twilight. To Redheart, there was never a dull moment with Caramel, and Caramel once stated the same thing to Redheart.

Redheart never saw Lyra intrude on one of their dates ever again, but many times she caught her watching. Once, Lyra had been sitting with a few other ponies across the patio from them at a restaurant. She sat in the same section as they did during the symphony. And Redheart was sure that she could faintly see the aquamarine unicorn watching them during their time at the lake; this time it was a strong enough feeling that Caramel suggested they move but Redheart decided to try and not let it bother her.

After four weeks, they were in Redheart’s bedroom after dinner again. Caramel was lying on top of Redheart, separated from her only by the sheets on the bed that he hadn’t gotten under quite yet. Even so, Redheart could feel his heartbeat from his chest pushed up against hers as they kissed each other.

“I’ve never felt so good since I last dated you,” Caramel said.

“Good to know you weren’t entirely satisfied with the other mares,” Redheart said.

“Haven’t been yet,” Caramel said cheekily and kissed Redheart on the neck.

“What about Lyra?”

Caramel stopped kissing and looked at Redheart. “Um… I don’t get what you’re asking me.”

“What do you think of Lyra?”

“She’s good as a coworker. She does her job well, but she’s always up in my face. Always trying to invite me somewhere. It was cute, at first, but now she’s just annoying.”

Redheart pulled Caramel down for another kiss.

“Are you okay?”

Redheart sighed. “I’ve just been so… I don’t know how to explain it. Ever since Lyra showed up when we were having ice cream I just keep wondering if she was interested in starting something with you.”

Caramel went to kiss Redheart, but she pulled away and he only kissed her lips. “Maybe I would have taken up the offer if you didn’t take mine,” he said quietly. “But I’m not letting you go now that I have you.”

“You said that four years ago, and look what happened.”

Caramel frowned, hurt. “Please, Redheart. I do feel bad for what happened back then. Don’t let Lyra get into your head. I’m here with you.” He tried kissing her again and this time she was less quick to turn away. “Let’s talk about something else. How are things with Twilight going?”

“The surgery kept her condition from getting worse,” Redheart replied as Caramel slipped under the sheets. “However, she’s not getting any better. She still has a low breathing rate and a low heart rate. I’m getting worried. Princess Celestia said we were to try and take care of her as best as we could, but so far it’s not enough.”

Caramel wrapped his hooves around her. “You’re still making progress,” he said, “even if it is slow. I’d rather have slow progress than none at all.”

“Is that how you came in last at the Running of the Leaves last year?”

“You noticed?”

“Trying to stay away from you is how I got in the top twenty.”

“You aren’t running now.”

“I have no intention to.” Redheart pulled him in and kissed him. “Twilight’s been the hardest case I’ve ever had to deal with yet at the hospital and so far you’ve kept me calm and free from stress.”

Caramel smiled at her and pulled her close, letting her lay her head on his chest. “Whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

The next day, Caramel had to go in to work due to it getting busy and one of the others calling in sick. Redheart called up Doctor Stable later on to see about her going to work for a little bit, a request that the Doctor approved. Redheart was in after lunch and was soon taking notes on Twilight’s condition.

The day was still slow, so Redheart pulled up a chair next to Twilight and looked at her. If it weren’t for the medical equipment and the ventilator, she would have looked like she was asleep. Twilight herself hardly made any noise; any noise in the room was caused by the beeping of the electrocardiograph and the purring of the ventilator.

“Twilight,” Redheart called out. “Can you hear me?”

Twilight gave no response, not even a flutter of the eyelids.

“Twilight, I got a letter from Princess Celestia. She said you’re to stay here at Ponyville Hospital in our treatment.”

Redheart expected the mere mention of Princess Celestia to invoke some sort of response, but Twilight just kept lying in bed. Her chest moved slowly up and down with each breath she took, often helped by the ventilator. Redheart could see the large wound on her chest, and the stitches that would be taken out sometime next week from her lung surgery.

“Twilight, the lung surgery must be keeping you alive. Your friends have been so worried; they’ll be glad to know that part at least is taken care of. Rainbow Dash especially has been concerned. She wants to say she’s sorry for running into you like she did.”

No response. The ventilator kept purring. The electrocardiograph kept beeping at a steady rate.

Redheart sighed and put the chair back. “I’ll come back in and check on you later, Twilight.” And she left the room.

Doctor Stable was just outside. “What were you doing in there?”

“I thought talking and mentioning some familiar names would be able to wake her up,” Redheart said. “I mentioned Princess Celestia, who she has close connections with, and Rainbow Dash, who was the one who ran into her.”

“Did it invoke a response? Sometimes it can.”

“It didn’t. I’m surprised; she’s always going on about what Princess Celestia wants to do or what she has ordered that I thought the name would cause her to wake up near immediately.”

Doctor Stable nodded thoughtfully and began walking away.

“Doctor… I’m scared.”

Doctor Stable turned around to face Redheart. “I can’t say I don’t share your concerns. It’s not normal that we get a pony around here who goes comatose for as long as Twilight has and whose wounds are not healing as fast as they should.”

“Couldn’t we try and request a specialist be sent down from Canterlot?”

“We might have some leverage considering who the patient is,” Doctor Stable said. “However, Princess Celestia has already said that we are allowed to do whatever treatment we can on her. Tomorrow morning, between IV bag changes, we’ll have her go in for an x-ray to see what is going on with her. If no damage has been healed to satisfaction, we’ll call for one.”

Redheart nodded.

Instead of leaving right away, Doctor Stable looked curiously at Redheart with a slight smirk on his face. “What is with the sudden caring about her condition? This is quite a change from the mare I saw only a few weeks ago.”

“Well, extra care should be taken with a princess,” Redheart began strongly. “However,” she continued, voice quieting and becoming more fragile, “she asked me before falling into a coma if we could spend some time together. She mentioned how she had worked with me on occasion throughout her time here and wanted to know more about me.”

Doctor Stable’s face softened. “She’s not just another patient, is she?”

Redheart shook her head. “I was about to go on a picnic with her. I’ve been thinking about her being so friendly enough to invite me, somepony she didn’t even know, to spend time with her as a friend. I wondered how come that wasn’t me; how come I couldn’t just go up to somepony else and ask them to hang out as friends. I’m sorry if this sounds sentimental, but it was her getting me to think this that got me to get together with an old friend from school.”

Stable looked warmly at Redheart. “Perhaps that is why you have done your work dutifully and taken your vacation times admirably as of late,” he said.

Redheart nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Would you like more time off?”

Redheart shook her head. “I need more time. Perhaps there is a breakthrough around the corner and I have almost hit it. To not come into work would make me distracted and perhaps break what I have found working for me.”

Stable nodded. “If there’s anything you need, let me know.”

Redheart turned and looked through the window of the room at Twilight. “I want the first of the night shifts.”

Doctor Stable hadn’t even the chance to turn around. “I meant for you to take some time to think it over.”

“The night shift will give me time to think. Just let me keep the days off you give me and change my schedule to the night shift. I’ll perform any extra duties I have to.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “I’ll arrange for that to change starting a week from now. I can’t do anything about next week, but when I’m arranging the schedules I’ll give you what you want.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Doctor Stable smiled again. “Your one of the best nurses here. I can’t afford to lose you.” And he walked off as Redheart kept staring at Twilight, wondering if she had anything further to do with her affection towards Caramel even as she lay there doing nothing.

Chapter 12 - Distractions

12.

For every day over the next week, Redheart would sit next to Twilight’s bed and talk to the alicorn. Frequent things mentioned over the course of her monologues were medical terminology describing her condition, Princess Celestia, the state of the library (currently being run by Written Script), as well as the concern of her friends. However, nothing seemed to will Twilight into any different state. She simply lay there as though asleep.

Extra doses of medicine didn’t seem to wake her either. Doctor Stable thought that with the extra medication there might be a chance of putting her dislocated wings back into place, but the minute they tried to do so Twilight’s breathing rate quickened and they wondered if the pain would put her into shock and keep her in her coma, so they put it off again. Redheart almost considered writing a letter imploring Princess Celestia to send another, better physician in order to use magic on her.

“What difference would it make?” Doctor Stable said. “So long as we try to move the wings the pain has a chance of making her condition worse no matter what method. We need to try and see if she gets better.”

“There have been reports for ponies being in a coma for as long as three years,” Redheart protested. “If something isn’t done quickly, there is a chance that her wings won’t be usable by the time we place them back, such as the muscles atrophying in the wing joints and not being strong enough to fly.”

“I’m worried about that myself,” Doctor Stable agreed. “I don’t need her to be fully awake; just awake enough that we can put her wings back into position and not risk shock.”

It was a plan, but how could it ever work out when Twilight’s condition hadn’t improved over six weeks even with a slight increase in the medication she was given?

The problem bothered her on one of her dinner dates with Caramel. Caramel noticed that she wasn’t completely eating, pushing around the food on her plate instead of eating it. She took bites occasionally, but Caramel saw the food only looked eaten once he saw Redheart pushing around her salad with a fork.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Redheart nodded. “I’m just… not hungry tonight.”

Caramel cocked his head curiously. “Is it something I said? Have I struck a nerve?”

“No, it’s not you.” Redheart hadn’t even been paying to the conversation.

“Is it something with work?”

The strings of a lyre began to pluck with the quartet on stage. Redheart nodded.

“Do you want to tell me now?”

“If word got out about the patient, I’m afraid there would be mass panic.”

Caramel nodded understandingly.

“Maybe later,” Redheart said, trying to sound like it was less than it was. “When we get back to the apartment. There’s… there’s something else we need to talk about as well.”

Caramel poked his half-eaten sandwich with a hoof. Redheart could tell he hadn’t fallen for it. With a sigh she turned to the stage.

Somehow, she felt she could have seen this coming. Lyra was on stage playing with the quartet, and she wasn’t hard to spot; the others had grey or brown coats and played on deep wood instruments while Lyra stood out with her bright aquamarine coat and gold lyre. The notes she played were soft and flirted with coming into the spotlight; sometimes hiding behind the deep tones of the cello, and sometimes flitting amongst the higher strings on the violin.

For as rude as she was, Redheart had to admit that Lyra was a good musician. As Redheart began to think of it, Lyra was probably much more interesting than she was. She worked in the bookstore and probably was well-read as a result (though there was no guarantee of that). She played with the other musicians in her spare time and possibly had some stories of traveling on the road. And just by virtue of playing music she could entertain others with ease. It was quite prevalent on the patio of the restaurant and even amongst passing residents, some of whom stopped to listen.

“Redheart?” Caramel asked. “You’re swaying in time with the music.”

It was barely perceptible, but Redheart finally noticed it. On stage, the aquamarine unicorn smirked with a wink in their direction. Redheart felt her anger flare up but didn’t do much more than release a low growl that likely Caramel didn’t even hear.

“You’ve got to admit,” Caramel said, “she does play well.”

Redheart nodded. “I think I’d enjoy it more if she wasn’t trying to interrupt,” she said quietly in case anyone else was listening in.

“Redheart, it’s fine,” Caramel said soothingly. “You’re just letting her get to you. It’s probably the stress from work making it seem worse.”

Redheart sighed. “You’re probably right.”

But Lyra didn’t let up. Melody after haunting melody came through the patio of the restaurant, each time the sound of the lyre becoming less and less hidden, though subtle enough the other patrons didn’t notice. By the time the two had finished eating Redheart was eager to get out, but Caramel was as charmed as any other patron, his eyes glued to the unicorn deftly and mesmerizingly plucking the strings. The notes of the lyre became sweet and soft again, back to flirting and hiding away before coming out as though playing hide and seek.

It wasn’t until the rest of the band members forced Lyra to take a ten-minute break that Redheart managed to pull Caramel away from the restaurant, well aware of Lyra trying to come off the stage to talk with Caramel. The two left and started walking through the moonlit streets of Ponyville, Redheart refusing to talk to Caramel even when the stallion tried being nice to her.

“Redheart, if it’s about Lyra, I swear I’m not going to leave you,” Caramel said once they had gotten a fair distance away from the restaurant.

Redheart sighed. “I’m sorry, Caramel. Things have been getting worse at the hospital lately and Twilight’s condition hasn’t improved at all over the last six weeks. I’m just getting worried since there could be any number of medical and reputational consequences if she gets much worse.”

“Oh,” Caramel said. “I didn’t realize things were that serious. You know you could have just told me that at the restaurant.”

“I would have, but I couldn’t mention Twilight in front of all those ponies. Not to mention after a certain point in Lyra’s performance you couldn’t look away.”

Caramel blushed. “Sorry about that. Her playing is beautiful even if she herself is a bit forward.”

Redheart nodded. “Look, it’s gotten so bad Stable is putting me on the first shift of night duty. I won’t be getting off most nights that I work until eleven or midnight. I’m sorry, but our dates like this are going to be fewer and farther between.”

Caramel’s face fell. He went over to Redheart and nuzzled her, putting a hoof around her. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Promise me you’ll keep in contact and let me know when we can go out again. And hopefully this will pass and Twilight will get better.”

Redheart rubbed her face against Caramel’s coat and neck. His touch was warm compared to the cooling night air. “I promise,” she said.

Caramel didn’t stay with her that night. Redheart told him she wanted time to calm down and didn’t want to be angry with him or with Lyra the next time they met. Redheart felt sad when Caramel walked away, obviously hurt, and Redheart found herself feeling lonely again.

Redheart’s pillow was stained with tears the following morning.

Chapter 13 - A Stiff Drink

13.

The next few days, Redheart went to work without complaint and fell back almost into her usual routine. She tended to overnight patients, keeping track of their vital signs and medicine intakes, and sorted records until late at night when Luna’s moon was high in the sky. She answered some phone calls and cleaned the staff break room when there was little to do.

As for Twilight, there was little Redheart could actually do that hadn’t been done already. Doctor Stable noted she had made a successful recovery from surgery and that it would be possible to put her wings back into position without fuss or risk of problems if anesthesia was administered, though even he still was hesitant.

Caramel called once or twice during the week to talk to Redheart about when she would be off. Redheart hated those conversations; they always reminded her of the fact she had nearly broke things off with Caramel just for the sake of her job and made her feel lonely, a pain that never left her when she returned home. At home, she would lay awake at night and stare either out the window or out the ceiling, thinking of what she had told Caramel about buying a new house and painting the walls yellow. If the room was so bright, maybe she wouldn’t feel lonely.

On Saturday evening when she didn’t have work, Redheart was feeling worse than before. Twilight’s condition still hadn’t improved and she hadn’t thought of any new ways to make her better. When she called Caramel and asked her where she wanted to go…

“Berry Punch’s place,” Redheart said without hesitation.

“That’s not quite what I thought,” Caramel said. “What’s with the change?”

“I need a change of pace,” Redheart said. “And a stiff drink.”

Redheart could almost see Caramel shrugging over the phone. “Whatever works.”

He came around close to five in the evening and they were at Berry Punch’s bar a few minutes later. Unlike the restaurant they had attended, the bar was much more laid-back and filled with louder music, the thumping of bass and pulsing electronic administered by a white unicorn DJ at the controls and felt throughout Redheart’s whole body. The food was simple and cheap; celery stalks with ranch dressing, mini sandwiches called “sliders” with sauce, hay fries with extra spice, and a myriad of other plates.

In addition to ordering the food, Redheart and Caramel each ordered a drink. Caramel had a simple alcoholic cider that was sharp and spicy with a slight taste of honey. Redheart ordered the same thing plus a shot of whiskey on the side.

“You really meant it when you said you needed a drink, didn’t you?” Caramel asked.

Redheart downed the whiskey in one go. “The change did not work as well as I thought.”

“Twilight’s condition is still bothering you, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Redheart admitted. “I thought I’d be able to think of something new to try, but nothing seems to work. No changes medicine, no changes to her parenteral nutrition, and no talking to her and mentioning her letters or Celestia or the library seems to work.”

“You would think something moved out of place would wake her up,” Caramel thought aloud.

“With how strong the impact was, she’s probably still knocked out,” Redheart said. “Even if we did move something out of place, it wouldn’t be enough to jolt her awake.”

Caramel took a sip of his drink. “What is it about Twilight that makes you worry about her so much? I mean, you two hardly knew each other.”

Redheart finished chewing a slider and swallowed, following it with a sip of her cider. “I don’t really know. The best I can assume is that Twilight wanting to make friends with me was something of a push that made me realize I’d been shutting myself away from others for so long. When Twilight wanted to try and be friends with me, I felt like I’d been missing out on something.”

“You’re back together with me,” Caramel said.

“Twilight was the push,” Redheart said. “If Twilight hadn’t spoken to me before I met you in Sugarcube Corner that one afternoon, I don’t think I would have come to you at the bookstore afterwards.”

“So… Twilight has a hoof in bringing back our relationship?” Caramel laughed good-naturedly. “I ought to thank her when she wakes up.”

Redheart smiled at him.

“Caramel!” came a voice from across the room.

“Oh no…” Caramel put a hoof to his face.

“What is it?” Redheart asked.

“…Lyra’s here.”

Redheart turned around and looked around the room. Sure enough, there was the aquamarine unicorn with a group of a few mares and a few stallions that Redheart recognized as employees from Caramel’s bookstore. Lyra had broken away from the group and was heading over to Redheart and Caramel’s table.

“Caramel!” Lyra called again. “I didn’t think I’d see you here! I thought you were unavailable.”

“I am still unavailable,” Caramel said; Redheart could hear him trying to be polite but barely holding back irritation. “I would have been going out to dinner, but my marefriend wanted to go somewhere else.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. But you said you were unavailable to come out with us tonight. You could have at least called us and told us you were coming here and we’d all be able to hang out together.”

“I don’t think you get the point,” Caramel said. “I came here because Redheart wanted to come here and not because you wanted me to. It would have been somewhere else, but this just so happened to be the place she chose.”

“Oh, come on, Caramel!” Lyra asked. “This place is where ponies go to relax, not to be so stuck up like you’re acting! We can just have one little dance on the dance floor and kick back a few shots and everything will be fine.”

Redheart couldn’t take it anymore. Her hoof descended roughly on Lyra’s shoulder and she spun the mare around to face her; Redheart could smell the faintest traces of alcohol on Lyra’s breath. “What do you want, lady?”

“I am Caramel’s marefriend,” Redheart nearly growled at her. “As such, I would appreciate it if you stopped acting like I wasn’t here and actually attempt to include me in these things. I would also appreciate it if you had some common decency to realize you’re flirting with the stallion I’m on a date with, which I’m sure you wouldn’t like if I intruded on one of your dates, wouldn’t you?”

Lyra’s face scrunched. “Geez, calm down. I’m sorry I didn’t include you. Better?”

“No.”

Lyra “hmph”ed. “You’re not the boss of me, lady,” she said, pushing Redheart’s hoof off her shoulder. “Caramel’s a friend of mine and I can have a talk with a friend if I want to, can I?”

Redheart didn’t say anything.

“It’s okay, Redheart,” Caramel said. “We can still go out and listen to some music when we’re done here.”

“Yeah,” Lyra said, turning back towards Caramel. “Octavia’s playing tonight in the park. I’ve always loved her playing style.”

“Lyra, I’m not having a drink with you.”

Lyra seemed unable to comprehend what Caramel said. “Wait… wha…? I don’t… what do you mean?”

“I came here with Redheart. When we’re done eating, I’m leaving here with Redheart to go to the park to listen to music.”

“We could all go…” Lyra whined.

“Missy,” Redheart said, “you’re current blood alcohol percentage is about point zero-seven-five based on what I’ve been smelling from you. If you have one more drink, the guards will be able to fine you for being drunk in public. Besides your breath stinking, your manners also seem to be a little on the bad side, so please leave us alone.”

Lyra turned back to Redheart. “You have a problem with friends hanging out?”

“If you really wanted to be helpful towards Caramel, you’d be listening to him and realizing you’re intruding.”

Lyra scoffed. “Lady, you really need to take some friendship lessons from Twilight Sparkle. I’m sure she could—”

Lyra didn’t finish her sentence. In a split second, she was flying across the room and into a nearby chair. The chair was knocked over and clattered on the floor, causing ponies nearby to scatter and jump out of the way. One of Redheart’s forehooves was extended in the direction that Lyra flew, still pointing at the aquamarine unicorn now sprawled out and having difficulty getting up from the floor.

“Don’t you dare mention the name of Twilight Sparkle to me!” Redheart growled.

If she wasn’t dizzy before, Lyra certainly was now; the alcohol and Redheart’s punch to the side of her face was causing her to stumble and she could hardly lift herself up from the ground. Caramel hastily called for a waiter to bring the bill and paid for it before quickly ushering Redheart out of the bar and into the moonlit streets heading for the park.

“I’m sorry for making a scene back there,” Redheart said sorrowfully.

But Caramel wasn’t angry at all. “How did you know she was that drunk?” he asked. “I could smell it on her breath, but I don’t think I could make that accurate a reading just off her breath.”

“Have to learn about it in nursing school,” Redheart said. “Alcohol counts as a drug.”

Caramel put a hoof around Redheart’s back. “Come on, let’s head for the park. Maybe the music will be nice and soothing from the orchestra rather than that pounding mess back in the bar.”

Chapter 14 - Drunken Confessions

14.

The orchestra in the park did provide some relief. Redheart and Caramel laid down on the soft grass and listened to the sounds of the orchestra playing their sweet tones across the night, Redheart leaning against Caramel and vice versa. For a long time, Redheart felt calm though she noted the orchestra had one extra seat empty but she soon pushed it out of her mind.

When the orchestra was over, Caramel and Redheart began to walk home. As they wandered through the streets back to Redheart’s apartment, the two passed Berry Punch’s bar where a familiar aquamarine unicorn was sitting outside looking dazed and partially on the verge of crying.

“Should we leave her there?” Redheart asked.

“I’m tempted to,” Caramel replied.

Redheart thought about it. “You have work tomorrow, don’t you?”

“Yeah…”

“Do you know where her house is?”

“Yeah, it’s on the way back to the apartment… but why? You don’t like her very much.”

“You should bring her home and tell your boss,” Redheart said. “We keep her off the streets and out of being fined and you can let the boss know of Lyra’s behavior outside of work.”

Caramel considered the idea. “Alright. Let’s go get her.”

The two walked over to Lyra, who was still sitting in nearly the same position as she was when they first arrived. Caramel tapped Lyra on the shoulder. “Lyra… what happened?”

Lyra’s face initially registered nothing. She looked over to Caramel, looking at her with some form of concern. Redheart could almost see the light go off in her head as she realized Caramel was standing in front of her, then threw her hooves around him and started crying. If she hadn’t been so rude for her, Redheart felt she would have been sorry for her.

“Oh, Caramel!” Lyra sobbed. “I had one more drink and I felt so sick and I went to the bathroom and I puked and it smelled so bad that I puked again and when I came out the others had left me!”

“Did they say any reason why?”

“I just wanted one more shot. Said that would be fine.”

“Nothing about asking if you were ready to go?”

“I don’t know. Don’t remember… more. I’ve been sitting out here ever since I left the bathroom because I was looking for them and couldn’t find them.”

Caramel sighed. “Come on, Lyra, let’s get you home.”

Caramel put his head under Lyra’s forehoof and lifted Lyra up around his neck. Redheart ended up doing the same around the opposite forehoof and lifted Lyra up as best as she could; the mare was acting like dead weight and was not even trying to walk straight.

Lyra again seemed to ignore that Redheart was even there. She looked over to Caramel with dreamy eyes. “Thank you so much for coming back,” she said. “I knew you would… somehow. I’ve had dreams you’d come and rescue me like this. Galloping off into the sunset. We could leave that bitch who punched me behind.”

“That bitch,” Caramel growled, “is the one who said we should carry you home.”

Lyra turned over to Redheart in shock as though she just noticed her; in her drunken-induced stupor, that was entirely likely. Redheart did her best not to look at Lyra, though she ended up being unable to hide a smirk.

“Don’t act so… full of yourself,” Lyra said.

“And you don’t act like you’re above being helped by someone other than Caramel,” Redheart fired back.

Lyra fell silent for the rest of the walk.

The unicorn’s house was a simple one-story place with rather plain walls but nicely furnished and full of color, certainly a lot brighter than Redheart’s. Lyra had trouble even opening the door, so Caramel had to go up and open the door for her. The unicorn walked in a few paces before swaying and falling down to the ground.

“I thought you had a housemate?” Caramel asked.

“Left me,” Lyra spoke for the first time in a few minutes. “He… he found someone else. Broke leaving things off nice with me.”

Probably better than you deserve anyways, Redheart thought. “Did he have a problem with you?” she asked.

Lyra didn’t move her head but pointed a hoof at Redheart. “Shut up,” she said. After a few moments, she sighed. “He didn’t like how I got jealous of others. Said I was being paranoid. So I… he broke up. Said I was being jealous and mean. Wouldn’t let anyone else in. Didn’t care for else.”

“Is that really what happened?” Caramel said, starting to sound sympathetic.

She shook her head. “He cheated on me and I cheated on him. Figured we didn’t mean much to the other.”

Redheart scoffed, but Caramel hadn’t been paying attention. Redheart yawned and looked at a nearby clock. “Caramel, it’s getting late,” she said.

Caramel nodded. “Know something we can do to help her hangover?”

“Make sure she drinks some water. And we can write a note telling her to have some aspirin for the headache and to make sure she eats something decent tomorrow morning. Aside from that, not much we can do at this stage.”

Caramel nodded and pulled out a piece of paper and pencil from the drawers around Lyra’s house. Redheart wrote the note and put it on the kitchen counter where she thought Lyra would see it. Meanwhile, the unicorn got up and managed to lean against the couch for support, though she was still wobbling.

“If you’re tired,” Caramel said softly to Redheart, “you can go home. I’ll deal with her and make sure she gets into bed since I know you don’t like her too much.”

Redheart nodded but felt dejected. “Thank you,” she said. She opened her mouth to say something else, but nothing came.

Redheart walked out of the house, turning around to close the door as she watched Caramel get under Lyra’s forehoof again and begin walking her back to her bedroom. When the door was closed, she walked home with her head drooped wishing it was she who got carried back to her bedroom by Caramel.

Author's Note

...I think I'm somewhere between one-third and one-half done at this point.

...I think.

EDIT: It's not one-half.

Chapter 15 - Melancholia

15.

After the events of the previous night, it was almost a relief for Redheart to have a calm, quiet evening at the hospital. Things seemed to be constantly shifting with her and Caramel and they were often getting interrupted by Lyra; at the hospital it was the same old routine. Check the patient’s medicine, check the medical records to see if anything needs to be changed, check the vital signs to see if they’re stable or if there’s any changes, move to the next one. Despite the small size of the town, Ponyville Hospital often had as many as thirty overnight patients which meant at least a few hours of the same simple, yet necessary routine.

The work calmed Redheart. It was so easy for her to slip back into her work mind and be able to do things without bias. Once a grade-school bully that Redheart recognized came into the hospital and she acted as though she didn’t even know him. After he was out of the building, she vented to the rest of her colleagues about him yet even Doctor Stable admitted the assessment of his health had taken priority to old vendettas. It was one of the things that calmed Doctor Stable about Redheart; to be so young yet be so focused and able to work without hesitation.

The last part had faltered recently. Often when Redheart would pass Twilight’s room, she would stop longer than the others. Part of which was because she was the princess and a student of Celestia, which meant extra stress just to keep her stable. But some other part had arisen, something that Redheart couldn’t place. Redheart knew the mare to be someone who could put things into action, yet here she was so vulnerable that Redheart took pity on her despite hardly knowing her. Whereas she had been able to deal with those she knew as though it was the first time seeing them, Twilight evoked the opposite; she hardly knew her and yet she cared for her like a trusted friend while in her custody.

There was one night where Redheart was sitting on a chair, forehooves crossed over the back of it as she stared at Twilight. The examinations of the patients were finished and Redheart was about to go off-duty for the night, and yet she stayed in the dimly-lit room. The only noises Redheart could hear were the ticking of the clock on the wall and the steady beeping of the EEG machine. Eventually, even those began to fade away as Redheart focused on the mare’s face, looking as though she was simply asleep and would wake up at any moment.

What was going on in that head of hers, Redheart wondered. Was she dreaming? Was she reliving the moments right before the accident? Or maybe she didn’t have anything going on, maybe she was just floating endlessly in a void and searching for a way out. Redheart hadn’t much experience with coma patients, but sometimes she imagined it was like that when they woke up; that they had finally found the exit from a dark room they had trapped themselves in.

A set of soft footsteps broke Redheart from her train of thought. She turned around and saw Doctor Stable standing in the door, smiling warmly at her.

“Nurse Redheart,” he said, “your shift’s been over for fifteen minutes. You can go ahead and go home.”

Redheart turned back to Twilight and set her head on her hooves. “I must have not been paying attention.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “Quite alright,” he said gently. “It is quite normal for you to get wrapped up in your work.”

Redheart didn’t move. “What do you think is going through her brain?” she asked.

Stable thought about that for a minute. “I once had a patient that woke up from a coma and said it was like they were running a race they never could finish, that the goal kept going farther and farther ahead of him. Another said it was like he was calling out for someone, anyone, to help him out and yet no one responded. Is there a particular reason you ask?”

Redheart shook her head. “I haven’t had much experience with comatose patients. I learned how to deal with them, but I’ve never actually cared for one as long as her.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “Nine weeks, isn’t it? It was quite a hard fall, though. The harder the damage, the more time it takes to recuperate.”

Redheart got out of the chair and shifted the position of the nurse’s cap on her head. “…has there ever been someone you’ve treated that never woke up?”

Stable had to think about that for a minute as well. “Not in twenty years. Normally we don’t get accidents as serious as this. I’ve heard of it happening in Canterlot a few times; someone falls out of a high building or has a carriage knocked into them and ends up in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Ponyville is calmer and not so prone to such accidents.”

Redheart nodded and walked back to the staff room. Doctor Stable followed her.

“You seem particularly vested in Twilight’s condition,” he said. “While I have no problems with the work ethic you have as it seems to be normal, with Twilight you seem to have something personal in it. Did you know her much before?”

Redheart shook her head. “No. We worked together on some occasions, but that’s it. However, before her coma she invited me to go on a picnic.”

“Ah, yes, the fated day she was brought to us.”

Redheart nodded. “I hadn’t gone out in four years,” Redheart said. “The last breakup I had was too bitter, too full of fighting, that I closed myself into my studies and finished early. That was how I got here being so young.”

Stable put a hoof to his chin. “I recall you coming in asking for a job. When I asked if you meant internship, you simply replied to me ‘I’ve already done it’.”

Redheart nodded. “I put myself into work and kept out of relationships. I met with the family, but outside of them I had no one. For a long time, you were the closest to me, and even then it was simply a matter of a professional relationship.”

“Given I’m twenty or so years older than you, I’d say that’s perfectly fine.”

Redheart ignored the comment. “Well, a year after I started working for you, Twilight Sparkle came along. I initially assumed we needed to simply treat her as another even if she was just here for the Summer Sun Celebration at the time. Then she moved, we updated the records and she began her studies in friendship. I… I felt it was something of a stupid thing, but nopony says that to Celestia’s face.”

“We had three meetings,” Redheart continued, sitting down at the table in the staff room. “The first of which was for the incident with the poorly-baked muffins. Apart from being a student of Celestia, it was already well known by then that she was a powerful magician and a knowledgeable one, so we called her in to help out. She helped out with all the sick ponies then headed off to stop Applejack from working herself to the ground. I respected her, but it went no further.”

“The next time was when Rainbow Dash broke her wing; Twilight was one of the ones who brought her in and seemed to be the only one who could control the otherwise bull-headed and rambunctious Dash. I ended up calling her in to help with controlling Dash during her treatments and eventually helped you find Rainbow Dash after she stole the Daring Do book, with Twilight returning it to me later that same night. The interaction here was small and professional, but I began to see how she was around her friends; caring and loyal.”

“The third time was the birth of the Cakes’ twins. This time, I don’t think we talked at all, but something about the fact that she was there for Mister and Missus Cake struck me. She was there to offer friendly encouragement even if it wasn’t her own family. Something about this made me envy her. Not in a bad way, don’t get me wrong, but in the way that she was combining her work with her friends whereas for me it felt like I had to choose between one or the other. It lessened over time, but it wasn’t brought back up again until she invited me to go on the picnic.”

Doctor Stable remained quiet for a few moments longer just to make sure Redheart had finished. “So you wanted to go because you had the chance to recover from your envy of her,” he said. “You wanted to learn how she did it and at the same time maybe figure out how you could do it yourself.”

For a long time, Redheart did nothing. Then, she slowly closed her eyes and nodded. Something wet fell down her cheek. “I want her awake because I haven’t gotten my answer. I thought I came close, but I have begun to doubt myself.”

Doctor Stable looked at the young mare with pity. “Nurse Redheart,” he said. “Whatever happens, we’ll get her back. If it means bringing solace to you, I’ll do whatever I can.”

Redheart nodded and smiled. “Thank you.”

Stable began to walk out of the room, but turned around as he entered the doorway. “Perhaps you could have an extra day off this week. A time to rest, but not so long as I made you take before.”

Redheart nodded. “Thank you again, doctor.”

Stable smiled and walked away.

Redheart walked home. As soon as she stepped in the door, she picked up her phone and called the first number she could think of.

The voice on the other side of the line was still perky despite the late hour. “Hello?”

“Caramel, it’s Redheart.”

“Hey, Redheart! How has work been going for you? Any good news?”

“Nothing improving on Twilight’s condition, but I did get an extra day off from work this week. I was wondering if you wanted to go out somewhere… maybe to dinner.”

Caramel inhaled sharply. “I’m sorry, Redheart. I have plans with the family. I’m going to be going out of town. I meant to call you about it, but I haven’t been able to get around to it and you haven’t been home.”

“You could have called me at the office,” Redheart said.

“Yeah, but I figured you would be busy.”

Redheart gulped. “Okay. I’m sorry if I bothered you.”

“It’s alright,” Caramel said gently. “You don’t have to be sorry.”

Redheart nodded. “Well, hope your plans with the family go well.”

“Thanks. Hopefully Twilight’s condition will improve. Goodnight, Redheart.”

“Goodbye, Caramel.”

Redheart kept the phone to her ear for a while longer, hoping that Caramel would suddenly change his mind and want to keep talking to her. Instead, she heard a click on the receiver and the line went silent.

Chapter 16 - Deja Vu

16.

Redheart went to bed early that night and woke up later the next day. She felt lethargic and slow and wasn’t sure why. It felt like she only managed to cook breakfast for herself, and even then she felt like she could hardly taste anything. Afterwards, Redheart felt bored and thought she should do something, but nothing looked interesting to her.

Redheart looked around at the apartment. The dishes were dirty, but she didn’t feel like cleaning right now; it was such a small mess she could put it off until later. She remembered the two books from the library, but she figured after nine weeks she would already be charged a rather large late fee for the books; one more day wouldn’t hurt.

A bath sounded good; Redheart figured it might have been a day or two since she’d taken one and she’d have to for work later that evening. Redheart went to the bathroom and turned on the faucet in the bathtub, adjusting it until it was nice and warm. She prepared her towel and soap as she thought about asking Doctor Stable for the day off but didn’t feel like going to the phone and calling him. Redheart shut off the water and lay down in the tub, letting herself soak in the warm water.

She wished she could call Caramel. Damn him having to go out of town at this point for a family affair! She closed her eyes and pictured herself lying in bed with him, what she imagined she would have been doing if he hadn’t left. Instead he was gone, likely not even anywhere remotely near Ponyville, and she was alone.

It was a terrible feeling, Redheart thought as she opened her eyes, to feel like she was on the verge of happiness only for it to fall away. That had been what she felt, wasn’t it? The feeling of being safe and loved with Caramel, thinking of the times they had been together with fondness… that had to have been happiness. This feeling, the absence of the feelings… it went further than loneliness.

Redheart lazily finished her bath and drained the soapy water out of the tub. The place was so quiet; the sounds of the towel ruffling and the low hum of an overhead fan were the only noises that could be heard. The ruffling ceased and Redheart’s footsteps were muffled by the carpet floors as she walked to the living room.

There was nothing to do; her bath hadn’t taken long and she still had a few hours since she had to go in to work. Sighing, Redheart picked up her saddlebags, packed up the library books, and left for the library itself.

The day outside was beautiful but stark. Fall was nearly over, the leaves she had seen during her hike with Caramel weeks before had now all fallen off or had been knocked off during the Running of the Leaves. The trees were stark and the ground was bare with the exception of small patches of grass here and there. The air was beginning to take on the bitter, biting winter’s cold and Redheart guessed they would be due for rain anytime soon.

The library was mostly silent. Redheart walked in to see a somewhat cheerful young stallion at the desk, not the familiar face of Twilight. It was Twilight who had helped her the last time. Redheart pulled out the books and put them on the desk.

“I came to return these,” Redheart said. “They’re extremely overdue, but I’ll pay if I have to.”

The pony nodded and scanned Redheart’s library card and all three books. “Alright, that’ll come out to… twenty-one bits, one bit per week per book.”

Redheart pulled out the amount of bits required and was just about to walk out when she turned around and headed back for the desk. “Excuse me, but do you think it’s possible that I could check out the red book again? I promise I’ll return it on time this time.”

Redheart watched as the pony looked over to a stack of papers and shuffled through them. “Well, I don’t see anyone waiting to borrow this particular book on my list here, so I suppose it won’t hurt.” He scanned Redheart’s card again and the book and gave it back to Redheart. “That’ll be due in two weeks.”

“Thank you,” Redheart said, then left the library and returned home.

Why? Why had she bought the book again? The question plagued Redheart’s mind for a while as she walked through town, not really returning home after a while but walking to give her mind time to think. What was it about that book that had struck such a chord with her? Twilight had seen her crying after reading it once, it was the only one of the books she had ever managed to complete, and now she had rechecked it out from the library when she wanted nothing more to do with it. Why hadn’t she just left it there at the library?

Perhaps there was something within the pages, Redheart thought. There was often talk of the fates that brought ponies together and took them apart, but was it possible that there was something that had brought her to the book at the time it did? Could it perhaps be…?

Redheart didn’t have time to think. She had been so lost in thought that she ended up running into somepony else. Redheart stumbled and tripped over the other pony’s foot and fell on the dirt road that ran through town with a grunt. She lifted herself up with a groan and started dusting herself off. “I’m so sorry,” she said, turning to face the other pony. “I didn’t mean to run into you like… like…”

Redheart’s eyes opened wide with shock. The earth pony standing opposite her had a light brown coat and a parted brown mane, and currently he was very red in the face. Next to him was an aquamarine unicorn with a skunk stripe in her mane.

“…Caramel!?”

Caramel chuckled nervously. “Um… hey, Redheart.”

Redheart looked from Caramel to Lyra and back to Caramel. “But… I thought you said… what about your…?”

Caramel rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, about that… me and Lyra have been talking at work lately and she wanted to spend some time together.”

Redheart stared at Caramel, mortified. “But… I thought we were…”

Caramel sighed. “I meant to tell you earlier. I just didn’t want you to get hurt again.”

“Again!?” Redheart shouted, feeling something burning in her despite the cold winds. “It wasn’t enough to hurt me once, you had to start this whole thing again? I thought you said you were done with that!”

Lyra smirked at Redheart. “Hey, I just talked to him,” she said. “It was his idea to go through with this.”

If Redheart was burning towards Caramel, she was absolutely flaming when she turned to face Lyra. “You little bitch! If it wasn’t for your interference and flirting with him these times before, I wouldn’t be so angry with him! None of this would have happened!” Redheart’s vision became blurry. “Has he ever told you about what happened before?”

Lyra went from smirking to confused. “Before…?”

“Redheart, please,” Caramel said, stepping between the nurse pony and Lyra. “I didn’t think it was going to work out because I thought that what happened before would prevent you from fully opening up to me.”

Redheart was still furious. “I won’t have any of your excuses!”

Lyra was back to smirking. “Look, lady, if you really wanted him, you should have let him know. He’s taken now, so if you would please move along that would be great.”

Redheart couldn’t take it anymore. Without waiting for approval from anyone, she lashed out and struck Lyra hard in the face. The mare was thrown backwards from the force of Redheart’s hoof and sprawled out on the ground.

Caramel tentatively walked over to Redheart. “…do you feel better now?”

Redheart turned and glared at Caramel. With almost equal ferocity she lashed out at Caramel and slapped him with her hoof so that he had fallen over. “Now I do.”

Caramel looked up towards Redheart with tears in his eyes.

“I suppose you two were meant for each other,” Redheart said quietly to the stallion. “She cheated on her last lover, and you cheated with me twice now. I knew I should have just stayed angry at you those weeks ago.”

Redheart took her saddlebags and walked off, leaving Caramel and Lyra in the middle of the street cuddling each other out of fear.

Author's Note

Well...

Chapter 18 - Memories, part I

18.

It was Redheart’s fourth year at the Academy in nearby Trotsworth. It was nice having a decent-sized city so close to Ponyville, the mare thought to herself as she boarded a train at the local station, as she could always head home for the weekends and students rode for next to nothing. She was off to see her family again, tell them she had moved in and was acclimating fine to a new school year.

The white mare sighed and replayed the conversation over and over in her mind that she would have with her parents when she got home. Hi, mom. Hi, dad. I got myself moved into my dorm for this year. No, I don’t know anyone there this year. No, I haven’t seen that one stallion since high school. Yes, I broke up with that mare, but not because you disagreed with me on her. She was nice but we had an argument and I haven’t seen her since the beginning of summer.

There was a tapping on the seat next to her. Redheart was startled out of her reverie and looked over to see a young earth pony stallion with a caramel-covered coat and a parted mane looking at her and tapping the empty seat. “Excuse me,” he said politely. “Do you mind if I sit here? I can’t find another seat.”

Redheart looked around to find the car was indeed full with the usual college traffic headed home for the weekend. She shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose. I’m not saving it for anyone.”

The stallion nodded. “Thanks,” he said, placing his luggage into the top compartment and sitting down in the seat next to Redheart.

Redheart put her long pink mane in a bun pulled out a book from her bag and placed it on the table attached to the seat in front of her. The stallion sat nervously and looked around for a while before pulling out a book of his own and mimicking Redheart’s actions. Redheart looked over to his book to find it was a textbook on business management from the Academy before looking back to her own book.

A few minutes later, there was a poking at her shoulder. Redheart looked over to see the stallion looking at her expectantly. “Do you know if they serve lunch on this train? I’ve never taken this one before.”

Redheart nodded. “It’s served at eleven-thirty, choice of sandwich, side, drink, and dessert. We get into Ponyville station at two.”

“Thanks. Are you getting off at Ponyville?”

“Yes, I am. Why?”

“I didn’t know if you’d be getting off at the next station and I’d have to move out of the way.”

Redheart shook her head. “This train doesn’t get stop at Whitewater Ridge.”

“Oh…”

The stallion returned to his book, pulling out a piece of paper and a wooden pencil and started taking notes, becoming near oblivious to Redheart. Redheart was perfectly fine with this and returned to her own book, reading silently to herself as the train passed over green fields and started making a wide curve around a large town before going over a bridge and into a forest.

After they entered the forest, the bell for lunch sounded on the train. A stewardess went around and gathered orders for the car before leaving. A few minutes later, the stewardess had come back with a pushcart filled with trays and another followed her with multiple drink cups. The first set down two trays in front of Redheart and the stallion, while the next followed up with a drink for each.

The two ate lunch; Redheart was halfway through her sandwich before she realized the stallion had been staring at her for the past few minutes. She set down her sandwich and turned to face him. “Is there something you need?”

“You look familiar,” the stallion said. “Are you in my business mathematics class? Nine to ten fifteen am in the math building room 219?”

Now that he mentioned it, the stallion did look familiar to Redheart. “Mondays and Wednesdays?”

“Yeah. You’re the mare who sits in the back of the class.”

“Well, the front seats are always taken,” Redheart said, turning back to her sandwich.

The stallion nodded. “What’s your name?”

“Redheart,” Redheart replied.

The stallion smiled. “What’s your cutie mark?”

Redheart chewed a bite of her sandwich. “A red cross with hearts in each corner. I’m currently studying to become a nurse. What about you? What’s your name?”

“I’m Caramel,” the stallion said. “I’m there studying general business management.”

Redheart nodded. “And what do you plan to do with business management?”

“I wanted to open up and run a music store,” Caramel said. “Not like a place that sells instruments, but a place that sells records and CDs. I had the idea of maybe having a little area that has a stage where bands could play and then promote their music afterwards.”

“Do you work at a music store already?”

“No. I just work part-time at a bookstore in Trotsworth in the evenings.” Caramel was silent for a moment before leaning over to Redheart and whispering. “Better entry pay than the music store was.”

“Ah.”

“What about you? I know you’re studying to become a nurse, but what are you going to do from there?”

“I thought about continuing on and becoming a doctor next year, but the tuition prices for the right schools are through the roof. I figured settle back in Ponyville and try and become a nurse at the hospital there.”

“Cool. Do you have a job?”

“I’m doing an internship in Trotsworth at the moment. It’s my last year at the Academy and they require a year of internship before graduation. It’s hard work and late hours, but I like it.”

“You look the type that would like that sort of thing. Neat, clean, organized. I’ve never seen someone organize their folders as much as you did.”

Redheart found herself smiling.

Lunch finished soon afterwards and the stewardesses came around to pick up the trays with empty plates and trash. The tables were cleared and an announcement came that they would be arriving to Ponyville fifteen minutes early since weather had cleared up from earlier that afternoon.

Redheart and Caramel continued talking after lunch. They ended up sharing a lot of interests, like favoring Octavia’s cello over Vinyl’s dubstep but liking it even more when the two were combined; their favorite food was the order of hay bacon strips at a certain Ponyville restaurant that served them with its own honey mustard sauce; both their parents had some old Canterlot money in their background which allowed them to go to school in Trotsworth.

Even more intriguing than the fact that they shared a lot of interests was the fact that Redheart found herself laughing a lot with Caramel. To Redheart he was absolutely hilarious, from the way he would tell jokes so animatedly with his hooves waving around and gesturing to the simple fact of what happened – half him being embarrassed at what his friends put him through, half his attempts at getting back at them. After one story in particular, Redheart found herself out of breath.

Just like when the announcement said they wound, the train arrived into Ponyville fifteen minutes early. Surprisingly, Redheart found the trip being fifteen minutes too short as a result until she remembered Caramel was getting off at Ponyville station as well.

“Well,” Caramel said. “We’re here.”

“Yeah,” Redheart said. “Back home.”

As the train slowly eased into Ponyville station, Caramel got up and pulled his bag down from the compartment with Redheart following suit. The conductor checked their tickets and they walked down to the end of the train and out the door into the clear Ponyville sunshine. Redheart was glad to be back home; Trotsworth seemed so crowded and big to her sometimes. She began to walk down the platform when a voice stopped her.

“Redheart!”

Redheart turned around. There was Caramel trailing after her. She stopped outside the entry of the station and allowed the stallion to catch up.

“Huh? What is it?” Redheart asked. “Did I forget something on the train?”

“No.” Redheart noticed that Caramel’s face was flushed red. “I was… I was wondering if you wanted to meet up tomorrow afternoon at that restaurant we were talking about on the train.”

Redheart was confused… yet interested. “What about?”

Caramel shrugged. “I just… wanted to talk with you a little more. You seem nice and fun and I liked talking with you.”

Redheart found a smile starting to form on her face. “Alright. What time?”

Caramel’s face went redder and his eyes went wide with barely-restrained eagerness. “Maybe around twelve-thirty?”

Redheart nodded. “Twelve-thirty it is. I’ll meet you there.”

“Alright.” Caramel seemed like he was close to laughing. “Thank you so much. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Redheart waved to Caramel as he started walking down the street. She headed off herself in the opposite direction. This time, a new conversation was playing in her head. Hi, mom. Hi, dad. You’ll never guess what happened to me on the train ride home from Trotsworth. Oh, even better: I’ll be heading out around lunch tomorrow to meet with this stallion from the Academy…

Chapter 19 - Memories, part II

19.

It was a grey and rainy day six weeks later. Fall was finally in the air, the cold wind biting at the residents of Trotsworth as they went about their business. The Academy was not in session over the weekend, and it was a holiday anyway, so the students were often seen mingling in the main portion of town, a downtown area suited to both the older, year-round residents who lived and worked there and the younger Academy crowd looking for something to do.

One of these places was a coffee shop. It was a rather dingy-looking place on the outside with peeling paint that had lost its color long ago and a sign that had been worn away by wind and rain and the proprietor had never gotten around to fixing it. The inside, however, was warm and homey, featuring shiny new wooden floorboards, countertops, and polished hardwood walls. A fire was made in the stone fireplace at one end of the shop and a small area was filled with large plush couches and chairs close to a section of the wall lined with bookshelves filled with books.

Redheart and Caramel were at one of the couches, one of them farthest away from the fire and in a lonely little corner. Both of them had a sweater on their backs and a cup of steaming liquid in their hooves; Caramel had a hot cocoa, but Redheart had a caramel-flavored hot coffee.

“You never told me you drank coffee,” Caramel said.

“Helps with the later shifts I have to work,” Redheart explained.

“Is the internship paid, at least?” Caramel asked.

“Mercifully so,” answered Redheart, “but not very much. It wouldn’t pay for the school but I have something in savings and a little spending money when I need it.”

“And here I was going to act chivalrous and keep paying for our lunches,” Caramel said with a playful grin.

“Not always,” Redheart replied, an equally playful grin of her own starting to form. “But a lady does like to be treated every once in a while.”

The rain outside continued to fall as they took a sip, the warm liquids rushing down their throats and heating them up. “It’s too bad we can’t do much outside,” Redheart said. “Trotsworth Academy is rather lovely this time of year when the leaves start changing. I often like to take walks around the campus when the weather’s nicer.”

“Funny how a simple half a day’s train from Ponyville can change the weather so much,” Caramel said. “Of course, nothing is really grown out here; Trotsworth gets a lot of money from the Academy students and forwards from Canterlot with the academy in place. Besides, there’s plenty to do that’s inside around here.”

Redheart set her coffee down on a nearby table and fixed Caramel with a suspicious glare. “And what exactly do you mean?”

“Well, there are the bars and the dance clubs. The bars tend to be frequented by the old folks but have more powerful drinks and better food. The clubs are filled with other Academy age ponies like us, but have weaker drinks. I hear some of the combinations are amazing, though.”

“Well, is there one around here we could go to? I don’t want to spend all of my free day cooped up in here.”

“There’s one club just across the square. ‘The Trotting Mare’, I believe. It’s more subdued than most and has decent food. We could pick up a few items and be able to dance until evening.”

“Only until evening…?”

“You don’t want to be stuck there when the main crowds hit. Prices skyrocket and it almost becomes impossible to navigate.”

The two finished their coffees before heading off to “The Trotting Mare”. The outside was colored in faded yet recently applied blue and gold paint, the gold emblem of a rather shapely-looking mare adorning the wall just beside the door. A large pony in a black jacket and wearing a pair of shades looked at them suspiciously until they showed their licenses, at which point they were allowed to enter without fuss.

The inside was lit up by lights of all colors; blue, gold, and red seemed to be the dominant colors, though Redheart swore she saw some red and green as well. One end of the place was dominated by a bar and two other walls held tables, some of them built into smaller holds. At the far edge of the place, a tan earth pony mare with her long brown mane tied up in a ponytail was up at the music controls, blaring out just enough trance music to send the twelve or so dancers on the floor into a euphoric state filled with rhythmic motions and bass beats thumping until their own hearts matched with it. It was something Redheart had never seen before and she was amazed at the sight, almost equally so at the sight of the mare gaining something of a euphoric pleasure from the dancers herself.

Caramel soon pulled Redheart away from the dancers and into one of the niches where a table was; the mare’s ears thanked her as the bass beat lessened until it was merely background noise.

“Have you ever been to a club before?” Caramel asked.

Redheart shook her head. “Mother considered them distractions. She doesn’t mind the music, but never liked the sorts it attracted.”

Caramel shrugged. “You’ve seen me in class. I do well enough. Besides,” he continued as he pulled two menus off the wall and gave one to Redheart, “I don’t spend all my time down here. I just come to unwind every once in a while. Like on weekends after a big test or a really tough assignment.”

“You’re sweating the business math test, weren’t you?”

“You didn’t happen to get a decimal number for the answer to number twelve, did you?”

Redheart laughed at him and didn’t answer, instead perusing over the menu. The drinks section was filled with colorful sounding names and almost equally-colorful sounding alcohol types. The food had a moderate selection with simple ingredients.

A rather suggestively dressed unicorn mare arrived at the table a few minutes later. “Hello,” she said rather politely, “and welcome to ‘The Trotting Mare’. We have a few specials going on this evening. All of our drink prices are half off after five but you can still get a ten percent discount before then. Also, any of the appetizers are half off all day. Can I get you something to drink?

Caramel searched the menu. “I think I’ll go with the Red Apple Cider. Alcoholic, please.”

The mare nodded without even taking note of the drink. “And what about for the mare?”

Redheart found a drink that caught her eye. “I’ll have the Blue Fireball.”

The mare taking the order smirked. “One Red Apple Cider and one Blue Fireball coming up. I’ll leave you to look at the menu some more and bring a couple waters out as well." She left.

Redheart stared after the mare then looked back to Caramel, who was trying hard as he possibly could not to laugh. “What did I say?”

“That’s the third strongest drink on the entire menu,” Caramel said. “And that’s the one you’ve chosen to have for your first night at a club. Certainly breaking into the scene with a bang, aren’t you?”

“How strong is it?”

“By most clubs’ standards, relatively tame from what I’ve heard. There’s another drink in another place called ‘The Knockout’. Guaranteed to put you deep asleep in two hours and leave you with a violent hangover next morning. I’ve seen quite a few Academy students being carried back to the dorms after they’ve had one of those. Yours? Might be bad if you had two or three, but one won’t hurt too badly.”

Redheart nodded. “Guess we’ll definitely need the food and water then, won’t we?”

“A little dancing won’t hurt, either. Sweat out some of the alcohol so you’re not dizzy walking back.”

The unicorn mare returned with a rather golden-looking cider and a violently blue drink served in a slightly large martini glass along with two water glasses. After they had ordered the food, Redheart took a sip of the drink. It was cool and sweet and went smoothly down her mouth, but just when she thought the sensation was over she suddenly felt like her whole mouth and throat were on fire. Frantically, she reached for the water glass nearest to her and downed half of it before the feeling vanished.

Caramel was busting up laughing.

“You think that’s funny,” Redheart said, “then you take a sip of it.”

Caramel smirked victoriously and took a sip of the drink. He set the glass down on the table and for a long moment it seemed like nothing happened. “I haven’t had one of those before, but that’s not too bad. I don’t see what’s the pro—AIEEE!” Caramel’s face turned bright red and he began panting hard, possibly harder than Redheart. For a while, Redheart laughed as Caramel flailed around from the heat of the drink until the mare felt sorry for him and pushed the other glass of water towards Caramel, which he promptly drank from until it was nearly gone.

“You were saying you didn’t see what the problem was?” Redheart grinned.

Caramel wasn’t angry at all. “Well, it’s certainly better than the cold and rain outside,” he joked.

Redheart took another sip of the drink. The burning sensation returned, but it vanished quicker and she didn’t even need to go to her water. The food came and the drink became much more tolerable, with Redheart going between sipping the Blue Fireball, sipping her glass of water, then taking a bite of the vegetable trays and sandwiches garnished with a sweet and tangy sauce.

A little while later, their drinks and food were finished. Caramel paid the bill and they left the cozy niche where their table was and went out to the dance floor, where the pounding bass once again filled Redheart’s whole being. Caramel was leading her out onto the floor, though she was beginning to feel somewhat dizzy and wasn’t sure if she was walking straight.

“I might need to sit down a little while,” Redheart shouted over the thump of the bass. “I don’t feel so good.”

“It’s the alcohol,” Caramel replied. “Come on; we’ll dance a little to sweat it out then have some water before we leave.”

Redheart nodded and followed Caramel’s lead. Soon, she was shaking her whole body to the rhythm of the music, feeling and watching Caramel as he danced alongside her. Sure, neither of them were the most graceful ones out there, but Redheart still felt proud of herself, letting the rhythm take over her as they pranced and danced across the floor.

As the song hit a soaring climax, Redheart suddenly felt a pull from somewhere. She spun around only to find herself coming face to face with Caramel. Redheart flinched, but soon she felt something soft pressing against her lips and opened her eyes to see Caramel, cheeks flushed, kissing her with his own.

Redheart simultaneously went cold and felt like she was getting hot. Sweat poured down her forehead, more from the kiss than from the dancing, but she didn’t resist. Rather, she felt her eyes close and just accepted it. As she closed her eyes, the music and the thudding of the bass faded away into the background and the only thing she cared about was Caramel and how his lips had the sweet taste of caramel apples.

Redheart wasn’t sure what happened between then and the next morning. When she went to talk to Caramel, she heard he had eventually brought her back to the dorms, where she vomited for a while in the toilet before eventually letting Caramel put her to bed. He had walked out and locked the door behind him afterwards, deciding it was best to let her rest until she felt better.

What Redheart did know was this: she still felt sick from the previous night, and her whole body felt numb except for her lips, which she found out when she went and pulled Caramel in for another kiss.

The poor stallion became the one whose body went numb.

Author's Note

Fillies and gentlecolts, I am on a roll tonight.

Chapter 20 - Breakthrough

20.

Redheart might have woken up early that morning, but she didn’t actually get out of bed until it was nearly midday. The dream she had the previous night awoke painful memories within her, memories she did not want to relive so soon after what she had seen within the last week. She grabbed at the empty pillow in her bed, drawing it close and putting her nose to it. The smell – his smell – was faint but still there. For a moment, she relished it, then she kicked it off the bed in disgust.

Redheart had to force herself to get out of bed, telling herself that if she didn’t she would fall back asleep and she would see him again. She trudged over to the shower, her hoofsteps falling heavily on the floor and causing an occasional creaking noise that likely would disturb the tenants below her. She slouched into the shower and turned on the water, letting the warmth cover her and rinse her clean. This was normal, she told herself, this was routine. This was what she was supposed to do to get ready for work this evening.

She stayed in the shower until the heat fogged up the bathroom mirrors and window and the water eventually turned cold. The water was turned off and she continued her business in the bathroom, finishing by putting her mane in its usual bun. She walked out of the bathroom and over to the kitchen, still limping from the bruise on her hoof.

The first thing she did in the kitchen was tend to the bruise. She washed it gently with a fresh towel then wrapped it tightly in a white bandage that nearly blended in with the fur on her hoof. Afterwards came a small lunch, during which she contemplated which she wanted to do first: write a letter to her mother about wanting to move back to Trotsworth or pay the bills.

She did neither. As she was cleaning up the dishes from lunch, there came a knock at her door. Setting aside the clean dishes, Redheart dried her hooves and walked over to the door to see who was there.

It was Doctor Stable.

“It’s rare that the head physician makes a personal visit to my house,” Redheart said.

Doctor Stable nodded. “Yes, but we’ve had a peculiar series of events happen at the hospital lately.”

Redheart raised an eyebrow. “How so? Has someone let word out that Twilight’s in a coma? Has Caramel come in with a particularly clean record?”

“More on par with the first one, except I haven’t told anyone of it yet. You see, I was getting ready to leave the hospital last night when I stopped into Twilight’s room. I said what I considered to be a random string of words musing about things when Twilight’s heart rate climbed up by five beats per minute in response to what I was saying.”

Redheart became more attentive. “What was it that caused her to have the reaction? I’ve tried everything.”

“Almost everything,” Doctor Stable said. “Please, I can’t explain it to you very well. I need you to come with me and see what I saw then.”

Redheart considered. “Give me thirty minutes. I just need to get some things together.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “Do try and make it there quick,” he said, then closed the door and left Redheart alone.

Redheart gathered up some bits and her saddlebags and headed out. She stopped by a local deli to pick up a sandwich, fruit, and potato chips and carried the bag with her to the hospital, where she placed it in the staff fridge. Doctor Stable was waiting for her as she decontaminated herself and got her cap on.

Doctor Stable led Nurse Redheart from the staff room to Twilight’s hospital room. Her heart rate was still at a steady thirty beats per minute.

“Nothing’s changed,” Redheart said.

“It was a response to a stimulus,” Doctor Stable said. “I tested it again this morning and it happened again, even though I hardly believed it myself.” He closed the door behind them and locked it before heading over to Twilight lying down on the bed.

“Twilight,” Doctor Stable called out. “It’s Doctor Stable, head physician at Ponyville hospital.”

Twilight’s heart rate didn’t change.

“Twilight, I brought Nurse Redheart here with me.”

For a few moments, the heart rate didn’t change. Slowly, the rate climbed upwards until Redheart had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. It stayed at a steady thirty-five beats per minute.

“I’ll leave you two alone for the time being,” Doctor Stable said. “Perhaps Redheart has a few things she would like to tell you.” He walked out of the room and closed the door, leaving Redheart staring incredulously at the stallion walking away from the room.

Redheart turned back to Twilight. The expression on the sleeping face hadn’t changed and the heart rate began to climb back down again. Redheart walked over to Twilight and angled a chair so that she sat down next to the purple mare.

“Twilight,” Nurse Redheart called. “It’s Nurse Redheart. Can you hear me?”

The heart rate jumped back up.

“I’ve been the nurse presiding over your stay here. I’ve kept track of your IV bags, I’ve made sure the press didn’t catch wind, and I’ve been trying to keep correspondence with Princess Celestia about your condition.”

No response from the sleeping form, though the heart rate stayed up.

“Your friends have all been worried about you. Applejack is hoping you can wake up soon for the coming reunion and Rainbow Dash feels really bad about what she did. She’s actually paid for half your visit already.”

Twilight didn’t stir.

Why couldn’t Doctor Stable have stayed a little while longer and told me what to do? “Um… I hope your muscles haven’t atrophied too much, since you’ve been in here for nine weeks.”

There was another jump up, then it faded back.

Redheart got up from her seat and walked off. “Um… I… I have a few things I have to do, Twilight. But I’ll be right back.”

The heart rate faded a little more.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes. I just need to go and talk with my superior.”

Before another change in the heart rate could appear, Redheart left the room and walked off down the hall until she came to Doctor Stable’s office. She knocked on the door a few times out of courtesy before letting herself in.

Doctor Stable looked up from the paper that was on his desk. “Nurse Redheart!” he exclaimed as he saw her enter. “Is something wrong? Is there a change in Twilight’s condition?”

“Why did you just leave me in there without a clue as to what to do? I know I was supposed to talk, and I could hardly believe the level of response I was getting, but you just left me there to deal with it on my own and I hardly had even a vague idea of what I was supposed to do.”

“She seems to be enlivened by your presence,” Doctor Stable said. “You were asking me a few weeks ago what went through the heads of comatose patients when they were knocked out. I answered with some felt like they were calling out to someone. Perhaps she is reliving the day at the picnic and wondering why you hadn’t arrived yet. Perhaps she is calling to you, wanting to know if you made it there or not… or whether you even cared.”

Redheart stared at Stable for a minute or two before exploding. “I did care! I showed up at the lake where we had agreed to meet! I was the one who wanted to take over the case because of the incompetence of the other nurses! I’ve wanted her to wake up so I won’t have to deal with the worry or the stress of her anymore!”

Despite Nurse Redheart’s outburst, Doctor Stable remained calm. “Why don’t you try telling her that? At the moment, she is like a lost soul wandering in a void; she is waiting for a voice to come and show her the right way out. Right now, your voice is what’s needed.”

Redheart left Doctor Stable’s office, disbelieving though having no other options, and headed back to Twilight’s room. She helped the technician that had arrived in the meantime hook up the new IV bags and waited until she was sure he was gone before turning back to the unconscious mare.

“Twilight,” Redheart called out. “It’s me again. Nurse Redheart.”

The heart rate slowly perked back up.

“I… I’m sorry for leaving earlier. I just didn’t know what to say. Well, I suppose I should start from the beginning.”

Twilight’s heart rate remained the same.

“A little over nine weeks ago, you invited me to go to lunch with you and your friends by the lake. I told you I would think about it, but if I did I would arrive later. As a matter of fact, I went to see someone who I had been getting back together with, someone with who I am now broken up with yet again. I saw the Sonic Rainboom that knocked you out appear in the sky, but didn’t think much of it.”

“When I was done,” Redheart continued, “I did end up going to the lake. But by then you were gone, being carried off to the hospital in a carriage. Applejack told me everything that happened, and I rushed to the hospital to help take care of you.”

Twilight’s heart rate raised slowly.

“Twilight…” For a moment, Redheart remained silent, trying to figure out how she was supposed to continue. She took a deep breath and steeled herself as she continued. “I don’t know if this is what you were looking for, but I wanted you to know that I did want to go on the picnic with you and your friends. I was simply hoping that you knew that I did want to come and meet you and get to know you and the rest of your friends.”

Twilight’s heart rate continued to rise. For a moment, the room was still and quiet except for the ticking of the machines and the increasingly frequent beeping of Twilight’s heart rate. Redheart looked down at the mare and noticed there was movement coming from her. A simple motion, but her hoof was beginning to move. It stretched out in Redheart’s direction.

With one hoof Redheart reached forward and took Twilight’s in her own. It was comparatively cold, but Redheart could feel warmth beginning to flow back into her hoof with the rising heart rate. By the time Redheart had used her other hoof to press the button to call for Doctor Stable, Twilight’s heart rate had risen to and stopped at fifty-seven.

Doctor Stable came in a few minutes later, when Twilight had risen to sixty-two and given her first ear flick in nine weeks. Her eyes hadn’t opened and her breathing was still controlled by the ventilator, but there were definitely signs that Twilight’s condition had improved drastically. Doctor Stable gave a whoop and started running back to his office, likely to write a letter to Princess Celestia about Twilight’s condition being on the mend.

Redheart didn’t know what to feel. While she was happy that Twilight was now responding to her and was on the road to recovery, there was the matter of what would happen when Twilight awoke. There would be other things to do, other things to worry about, like the dislocated wings and the still broken bones. And there was the matter of what Twilight exactly had in mind for a friendship with Redheart.

For now, Redheart decided she should push those worries away. For the first time in nearly ten weeks, Twilight was waking up from her coma. It was a victory, and Redheart clung onto it for all it was worth.

Chapter 21 - Getting Away

21.

Despite Twilight’s risen heart rate, she had yet to open her eyes and awaken. She was, however, able to make small movements of her hooves and ears, and scans of her bones showed a near constant magical energy had staved off most of the effects of atrophy. Even with this helping the doctors, the bones in her wings and her hooves were weak and it was likely she wouldn’t be able to stand on her own immediately after awakening.

With Twilight’s condition increasing, Doctor Stable decided to undergo the still controversial operation of relocating Twilight’s wings. To allow time to see if Twilight awoke, the date wasn’t for a few days after her heart rate rising. Redheart kept Twilight updated on everything at the hospital surrounding her condition, and decided to tell Twilight about the surgery.

“Twilight,” she said. “We’re going to try and relocate your wings with magic. We’re hoping that the shock isn’t too much that you fall back.”

Twilight reached out a hoof towards Redheart, patting the area on the hospital bed next to her. Redheart placed her own hoof where Twilight had pointed to and felt the unicorn rubbing up and down her hoof.

“Are you awake?”

Two flicks of her ear, followed by a relatively weak spark from her horn. She was currently using magic, but likely didn’t have the strength to actually communicate further.

“You want me to be there with you while they do the operation?”

One flick.

“Alright,” Redheart said. “If it helps you, I’ll be in the room if my superior allows it.”

There was a soft knock at the door to the room and Doctor Stable peeked his head in. “I hate to interrupt the moment, but we have the results of the brain scans,” he reported to Redheart. “You’ll have to come down to the lab; we can’t quite release them yet.”

Redheart nodded and turned back to the mare. “I’ll be back in a minute, Twilight.”

Two flicks of the ear.

“Doctor Stable has finished scanning your brain. It’ll tell us how strong you’re going to be mentally when you wake up.”

There was a pause before Twilight flicked her ear once.

Redheart smiled and followed Doctor Stable out of the room and through the halls to the lab.

“It seems you’ve managed communication with Twilight,” Doctor Stable said. “So, how is our mare doing lately? Has she decided to awaken yet?”

“She seems to want to, but her energy isn’t enough yet. A few more days of rest and her eyes should be ready to open. And it isn’t hard to speak to her, just to get a response. We’ve worked something out. One flick of her ear means yes or happy, two flicks for no or dissatisfied.”

Stable laughed. “Interesting. Well, at least she’s on the mend, and the lab reports are good for the most part.”

Doctor Stable opened the door and led Redheart into a dimly-lit room filled with lighted areas on the walls that had semi-transparent screens showing the outline of a unicorn head as seen from the top and sides, horn included.

“I won’t bother you too much with the charts, but with the exception of one area she seems to be alright. Speaking will be on track shortly after she gains the energy to do so, as will movement once she starts exercising again. From the way she’s been acting in her brain ever since the heart rate went back up, I’d say she came out pretty well for as bad as it was.”

“Hold on a minute, Doctor,” Redheart interrupted. “You said this was with an exception. What is the exception?”

“Advanced magic,” Doctor Stable explained. “With the area of the brain that hit and the broken horn, she won’t be able to do much besides very simplistic levitating for a while and it might fizzle out on her. Teleportation is out of the question and I wouldn’t combine two or more magic spells together at one time, even if that’s levitating two different objects, until she is well on the road to recovery.”

Redheart nodded. “She won’t be happy to hear the news. I think she’ll manage, though. Oh, and she had a request. She wanted me to be present during the operation to relocate her wings.”

Doctor Stable smiled. “That’s easy enough to allow. It might even help with keeping her from going into shock. I do have another unicorn coming down to help with the relocation, though, so please keep this thing quiet for the time being, as no other nurses will be allowed in the room at that time.”

Redheart nodded again. “I will.”

The two walked out of the lab and darkroom and started walking back through the halls.

“I do have to ask what you currently think of Twilight,” Doctor Stable said. “You’ve managed to spend a lot of time with her lately ever since the heart rate rose.”

Redheart sighed. “It’s not exactly an easy question, Doctor. I mean, we might have something of a system to communicate, but it’s not exactly an intelligent or sophisticated one. It runs purely off the fact that she can respond only to very basic questions or stimuli. I should like to try and get to know her once she awakens, however.”

Doctor Stable nodded. “You didn’t tell her about your jealousy, have you?”

Redheart shook her head. “That is the sort of issue I personally think would be better if I talked to her about it face to face. It would be hard to explain if she didn’t realize where I was coming from, and I won’t get a decent reaction if she can hardly make a face towards me.”

“Well, then, where exactly did the idea to get to know her better come from? It’s not like you were interested much in her at the beginning of this.”

Doctor Stable stopped once he realized that Nurse Redheart was not walking beside him any longer. He turned around to see she had stopped in the middle of the hallway and was staring at him with a mixture of accusation and confusion. He playfully smirked at her. “You should have been named Nightingale.”

Redheart was taken aback as she continued following the Doctor. “That whole adage isn’t exactly true, you know.”

“Perfectly aware,” Doctor Stable replied as he barely held in his laughter. “But still, you must admit your concern for Twilight does not have very much grounding besides you taking care of her for the past nine weeks.”

“What about what I told you earlier about my jealousies?”

“All well and good, but it’s not a background of years and years of knowing each other on a more personal level. I will say that perhaps the change of pace and a new face will be good for you.”

Redheart gulped. “…I was actually considering moving back to Trotsworth.”

Doctor Stable stopped in his tracks. “…you what?”

“Back when I was at the Academy, I had an internship at a hospital in Trotsworth. They said with my grades and previous experience that I could move back there and they would set me up with a well-paying job. I… I’ve had too many memories about this place that I would want to get away from and I’m actually considering it.”

Doctor Stable was now trying hard not to look aghast. “Redheart, do you really think that would be an appropriate thing to do at this moment?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been taking care of Twilight for ten weeks, have started to consider trying to become friends with her when she awakens from her coma, and you want to move away?”

“It’s not an immediate thing,” Redheart replied. “It’s not like it takes days to move. I’d have to find a place there, let my current landlord know, arrange a deal with the landlord there, and arrange a move date. It takes a few months.”

“But…”

“I’ve had too many problems here in Ponyville lately,” Redheart said irritably. “I just saw my old stallionfriend, we got back together for about eight weeks, and then he cheated on me. I just want to get out of here and away from him.”

Doctor Stable blinked. “You never told me that part…”

“Well, now you know. That’s half the reason I’ve been so irritable and slow lately.”

Doctor Stable looked around nervously. “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t try and stop you if that’s what you want. But please, do think it over. At least wait until Twilight has completely recovered and is released before you start actually thinking about moving.”

Redheart didn’t respond.

A few days later, a unicorn doctor came into the hospital from Canterlot. He met with Doctor Stable and they talked for a little bit, then Stable called for Redheart to join him and the other doctor as they went to Twilight’s room. Redheart explained the conditions of Twilight’s coma to the doctor and how they were willing to try and relocate the wings now that her heart rate had risen and they weren’t afraid of her falling into a worse condition.

After Redheart’s explanation, scans were taken of the wing joints and the two physicians talked for a while about the procedure. After a few hours, they returned to Twilight’s room and brought her to the operating rooms along with Redheart, who helped attached the ventilator and the electrocardiograph up to Twilight before taking one of Twilight’s hooves in her own as the doctors began the procedure.

After about half an hour, Twilight was taken back to her room in the emergency ward with her wings back in place. While she had suffered a bit of a loss to the heart rate during the procedure, it was brought back up a few minutes later with Redheart’s consoling her. After Twilight was back in her room with the IV bags attached, Redheart’s shift ended and went to clean herself off.

As she left the hospital, she passed Doctor Stable taking care of paperwork at the front desk. She could feel him watching her as she left and she didn’t like it at all. Not because it was angry or looking down on her, but because it was a look of pity, and she had quite enough of that already.

Author's Note

Thank you to Tick-Tock for telling me about the Florence Nightingale effect.

Chapter 22 - Phone Calls

22.

“Trotsworth?” The voice at the other end of the phone was very confused. “But why do you want to move back there? I thought you said you were done with the Academy and the town.”

“A few things have come up around here lately, mother,” Redheart responded. “My old boyfriend came around. We got back together for a little while but then he cheated on me. I just… I want to get away so I don’t have to run the risk of seeing him again.”

“Well, alright,” Redheart’s mother said, sounding resigned. “Just know if you need help moving we can come around and help you out.”

“I was thinking of heading down there this next weekend and checking out the town to see if there was anything in particular. When I’m serious about looking for a place, I’ll make sure to let you know when I’m looking.”

“Of course, darling. And remember we’re willing to help with payments and such if you do decide to move back there.”

“Thanks, mom. How’s your fiancée Double Eagle doing?”

“He’s actually at a tournament practice right now in Whitewater Ridge. He’ll be heading to Canterlot in a few weeks to compete at a golf course there. He got second place in his last tournament and wished you could have come along with.”

“I know.” Redheart sighed. “It’s just been so busy here lately.”

“Well, it’s good to know you’re putting that degree of yours to work. Have you thought about going back to become a doctor?”

“I don’t know. The nurse pay is decent enough lately I could almost afford a small house on my own if I worked a few more hours a week. And tuition would be expensive for the right schools even with you and dad backing me.”

“Well, if you’re fine with that, I wouldn’t mind it at all. Probably would be plenty of openings for a nurse in Trotsworth anyways,” Redheart’s mother mused.

“They already said with the job I did during my internship and my grades they’d accept me back easily and with good pay. I figured if I didn’t have a place in Ponyville it would be good as a sort of backup plan.”

“That being said, it is sad you have to move away from home. And you wouldn’t know anyone there.”

“The head physician from my Academy days is still at the hospital,” Redheart said. “Considering the relationship I have with Doctor Stable, I dare say it wouldn’t take long for me to get into the swing of things. And it’s not like Trotsworth is on the other side of Equestria; just half a day’s train ride.”

“I know, I know,” Redheart’s mother said gently. “It’s just a mother’s worry. Now, you said you were heading down there this weekend? Do you already have a place booked?”

“Yes and yes. I found a little hotel near the main area of town. I’ll be gone until Monday; Doctor Stable said he’d give me the day off for a vacation, so I’m taking advantage of that.”

“Ah, well, it’ll be good to get out of town for the rest.” There was a slight pause. “I’m sorry, Redheart dear, but I have to be heading off to work in a minute. It was nice that you were able to call, though.”

“I’ll try to call you again sometime soon. I know your schedule’s as busy or busier than mine, but hopefully I’ll be able to come around for dinner again sometime soon.”

“We’d love to have you over. Goodbye, darling.”

“Bye, mother.”

Redheart set the phone down with a click and went off to take a bath. Tomorrow she would be heading off for a long weekend at Trotsworth, but now she had work tonight at the hospital and another visit with Twilight to look forward to.

Redheart had gotten her towels together and filled the tub with warm water when the phone rang again. The only logical conclusion that Redheart could come up with was the hospital and Doctor Stable either saying they needed her early or that she wouldn’t be needed, but with Twilight’s condition that wasn’t likely. Redheart wondered to herself who it could be as she walked over to the phone in the kitchen.

An idea of who it possibly could be struck Redheart as she picked up the phone, but she tried to push it out of her head. “Redheart’s residence. May I ask who’s speaking?”

“It’s Caramel.”

Redheart didn’t respond.

“Please don’t hang up.”

Redheart sighed. “What is it?” she asked impatiently. “Did you forget something the last time you were over here?”

“No.”

“Did I forget something that one time I went to your house?”

“No.”

“Well, then, hurry up and say what it is you wanted to say. I’m trying to get myself in the bath.”

“I was wondering if we could… hang out sometime soon.”

Redheart exhaled loudly. “Caramel, I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again: after what happened between you and Lyra when I saw you walking through town, I do not want to get back together with you. I’ve got more important things.”

“I was trying to say it’s been a misunderstanding. Lyra and I were just hanging out that day and nothing has been gone between us.”

“I don’t care if you were just hanging out as friends. What matters to me more are the facts that Lyra has been absolutely rude towards me even before then and that you specifically lied to me about going off to see your family.”

“Redheart, please,” Caramel’s voice was desperate. “Nothing was happening between us. We didn’t kiss, we didn’t go out anywhere. We just walked around town.”

Redheart sighed. “Caramel… I can’t do it. Not after I’ve walked in on you twice with some other mare while we were in full swing dating.”

“Even when it happened the first time you decided to give me a second chance recently. And didn’t I prove that I was interested in you for the most part? I mean, it’s not like what happened with Cloudkicker where you walked in and she was there with me.”

“Caramel,” Redheart said gently, “you have to understand it’s not that I don’t have feelings for you still, because admittedly I still do. I just don’t think I can trust you anymore.” There was a moment’s pause before she burst out. “I can’t afford to be with someone who for all I know is going to be having an affair with another mare while we’re together!”

There was a long silence between the two of them.

“Caramel, there’s something I should tell you. I was thinking of moving back to Trotsworth.”

“…moving? Like as in you’re going to transfer hospitals and get a new apartment over by the Academy moving?”

“Yes. I can’t stand to be around here anymore. When Twilight recovers completely, I’ll be searching for a new apartment to move to in Trotsworth.”

“But why? Your family and your life are here in Ponyville.”

“My mother and her fiancée are completely supportive of the move. Both hospitals are willing to undergo the transfer smoothly. As for my life, what I thought was decent of it went to shit when you lied to me to have an affair with Lyra.”

The other end of the line remained silent.

Redheart wished she had something to follow up, but for some reason she waited until Caramel had something to say.

“There’s no chance, is there?”

“You had your chance. I was going to say you should thank Twilight, but I don’t think she’d be very happy considering the outcome.”

“…are you going to Trotsworth this weekend?”

“Yes. First train tomorrow morning.”

“Where are you staying?” Caramel asked, trying to lighten up.

“None of your business,” Redheart replied sounding as hard and cold as she possibly could. “I would rather like to not have anything bothering me on my vacation.”

There was a moment of silence where Redheart could imagine Caramel flinching. “I’m sorry. I’ll let you go to get ready for work. And I hope you have a nice vacation in Trotsworth.”

“Thank you.” It was more out of etiquette than actual feeling.

There was no response from the other end of the line. “I’ll talk to you later,” Redheart said. She hung up the phone without waiting for a response from Caramel and went to the bathroom, hoping the water in the tub was still warm.

Author's Note

Double Eagle is a golf term for getting three under par. It's also known as an Albatross.

Random canon: Redheart's mother is Ms. Harshwhinny. Because why not.

Chapter 23 - Trotsworth

23.

Redheart’s evening at the hospital was uneventful. She filed some paperwork, checked in with Twilight, tended to a patient being released, checked in with Twilight, changed a few IV bags, and checked in with Twilight. The purple mare wasn’t needy but she was lonely, as Redheart suspected not having anyone to talk to for ten weeks would cause someone to feel. She was grateful for Redheart’s company but was less hesitant than the first few days when Redheart told her she had to go.

Before she left, Redheart informed Twilight of her vacation to Trotsworth. Twilight seemed to understand as far as their communication system allowed. Redheart did not tell Twilight about the decision to potentially move to Trotsworth, however, waiting until she was awakened and not at risk of falling into a deep comatose state again to let her know. It did seem rude to Redheart, but she reasoned with herself that somepony like Twilight would understand if that was the case.

On Friday morning, Redheart took her saddlebags and a suitcase and headed off for the train station. The train arrived punctually at nine in the morning and Redheart climbed in to a simple business class seating and was told that breakfast would be served within the hour. The train left a few minutes later with hardly anyone else boarding and soon Redheart was heading north through a sparsely wooded forest outside of Ponyville.

Breakfast was complimentary with the train ticket. Redheart got herself a glass of orange juice served with her eggs, fruit, and battered toast with a light dusting of sugar. Redheart watched the scenery flash by as she ate, looking at the familiar woods and streams that greeted her every time she headed back to the Academy.

There were hardly any others in the car with Redheart. There was an older stallion reading the paper, an older mare trying to get her younger son to stop playing his video games, and a young couple sitting a few rows away from Redheart. The couple was talking and laughing back and forth with the air of those who hadn’t known each other for very long and had recently fallen in love. There was an unmistakable blush on the mare’s face, and an equally apparent look of adoration in the stallions.

“Do you have a job?”

“You look the type that would like that sort of thing. Neat, clean, organized. I’ve never seen someone organize their folders as much as you did.”

Redheart shook her head of the memory. She was leaving Ponyville to get away from Caramel for a little while, maybe even find some peace there. If her journey was successful, the next time she was on that train it would be with her mother and her fiancée to find an apartment for rent.

A light rain began to fall as the train stopped at Whitewater Ridge. A few passengers got off and a few new ones got on and the train started again. The rain lightly tapped the top of the otherwise silent car and Redheart felt that the space was a lot more empty than it seemed; the nearest to her was the mother with her now sleeping sons. Redheart found herself staring out at the rain pitter-pattering on her window.

“Trotsworth Academy is rather lovely this time of year when the leaves start changing. I often like to take walks around the campus when the weather’s nicer.”

“Funny how a simple half a day’s train from Ponyville can change the weather so much.”

The train arrived in Trotsworth at around one in the afternoon. Redheart climbed out and pulled out the umbrella she brought with her to keep herself dry from the rain. Adjusting her saddlebags and grabbing her suitcase, Redheart walked through the misty streets towards her hotel.

Her hotel overlooked the main square. In contrast to the grey and misty streets, the hotel was three floors of bright white and gold and boasted an immaculate green lawn with decorative flower bushes. The lobby was filled with warm-colored wood floors and walls and had a brightly painted ceiling. She walked up to a counter where a young green mare sat at a simple computer.

“Hello, welcome to the Trotsworth Resort,” she said in a polite and refined voice. “How may I help you? Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, I do. It’s for three nights under the name Redheart, one person in the party.”

The mare went over to a clipboard behind her and flipped through the pages. After a while she found the page she was looking for and brought it over to Redheart. “Just sign there next to your name while I get you into the system and see what room you selected.” Redheart took the pen the mare offered her and signed the sheet on the clipboard. The mare took the clipboard from her and searched the computer for a little bit. “Alright, I have three nights for a Nurse Redheart with a garden-view suite for one. Is that correct?”

“Yes it is.”

The mare typed at the computer for a little while longer before telling Redheart her price. Redheart paid for the room and the mare gave her the keycard for the third-floor room overlooking the central gardens. Redheart took the keycard in addition to a complimentary ticket for the nearby botanical gardens and walked up to her room.

It was nice to be able to get away, and even nicer with the room. The room was painted in soft blues mixed with white and gold and relaxed Redheart as soon as she entered. The suite contained a simple kitchen, a living area, a bedroom with a queen-sized bed and a bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. The whole area was nice and clean and well insulated, keeping the room cool but still better than the cold and rain outside.

Redheart spent her first night in Trotsworth at the hotel, the rain making it near impossible to go out and do anything. She was not, however, limited by any means. She took a walk around the enclosed inner gardens and admired the flora within. She took a book and spent some time at the pool reading before going for a relaxing swim. She entered the sauna and spent a few minutes relaxing there. She went ahead and booked a massage at the spa and allowed herself to be pampered for about an hour before cleaning herself up and eating a late dinner at the restaurant in the hotel.

A small bar and dance floor was available on the grounds of the hotel, and Redheart decided to take a look at it. Like the rest of the hotel, it was mainly colored in soft earthen tones and had a small sense of refinement about it; most of the patrons were dancing to a jazz band or drinking wine and cocktails. Redheart sat herself at the bar and ordered a glass of a sweet apple cider, following it with a decaf coffee. The music was nice and light and infectious and soon Redheart found herself tapping her hoof to the beat and watching the dancers on the floor.

“Well, is there one around here we could go to? I don’t want to spend all of my free day cooped up in here.”

“There’s one club just across the square. ‘The Trotting Mare’, I believe. It’s more subdued than most and has decent food.”

Redheart left the bar and walked over to the lobby and looked out across the square. Not far away from the hotel stood “The Trotting Mare”, still painted in the familiar blue and gold. The thought struck Redheart that she should go there right that minute, but having already drank a glass of wine and not wanting any more alcohol in her system, she decided to hold off on it and go to bed.

Redheart awoke at a reasonable time the next morning and found the rain had finished and the sun was out and shining brightly. She went down to the restaurant for breakfast and wandered around the town for a little. The air was nice and clean after the previous rainstorm and a light dew rested on the grassy lawns of the hotel. “The Trotting Mare” was dark at the time being and Redheart decided to check out the botanical gardens.

The gardens themselves were lovely, the air filled with sweet scents of all the different flowers and fruit trees. It was nice to walk through the shaded paths and look at the different bushes and vines and flowers and fruit-bearing trees. No one else bothered her as she walked around, heading towards the greenhouses and the special viewing areas that showed the medicinal and health properties of plants.

The more Redheart walked around the gardens, the more alone she felt. It seemed to her everyone else was walking around with a special somepony through the gardens, pointing out favorite flowers or trees to their beloved. Redheart was the only one without someone to be with. Instead of being awed by the sights she was seeing, Redheart suddenly found herself walking along empty paths and wishing that anypony – even Lyra, though she was pushed out of her mind relatively quickly – was walking with her.

After the botanical gardens Redheart contemplated lunch at the hotel or at a restaurant in the square but decided against it and went to her room to take a nap. She woke up feeling worse than before, now not only lonely but sluggish. She drank some water with a glass from the kitchen and headed out on the town, singularly focused towards “The Trotting Mare”, mercifully open even at four in the afternoon.

The interior was just as she remembered it. One end of the place was dominated by a bar and two other walls held tables, some of them built into smaller holds. At the far edge of the place, a tan earth pony mare with her long brown mane tied up in a ponytail was up at the music controls, blaring out just enough trance music to send the twelve or so dancers on the floor into a euphoric state filled with rhythmic motions and bass beats thumping until their own hearts matched with it.

Redheart sat herself down at a table in one of the niches, thankful to be away from the pounding bass. She perused over a drink menu for a little bit as a rather suggestively-dressed unicorn mare approached her table in a rather seductive gait, attracting the attention of some of the ponies on the dance floor.

“Hello,” she said rather politely, “and welcome to ‘The Trotting Mare’. We have a few drink specials this evening. All our mixed drinks are half-priced and our beer selection is three bits per glass instead of five. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Do you still have a drink called a ‘Blue Fireball’?” Redheart asked. “I heard about it from a friend of mine and wanted to try it out.”

“We certainly do. So, that’s one Blue Fireball and I’ll make sure to bring out a glass of water to go with it.” The mare looked at Redheart, currently sitting at the back of the niche, with half-lidded eyes. “Are you by yourself this evening or are you alone?”

“Alone. I’m not waiting for anyone else.”

The mare flinched and Redheart had the feeling that she might have spoken too harshly. “Very well. Are you ready to order food or do you need a few more minutes?”

“I’ll take an order of the sliders and a small order of the vegetable plate.”

The mare nodded, seemingly sobered by Redheart’s order. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your order.”

Redheart waited at the back of the niche and waited patiently, listening to the music. When the waitress came around with the Blue Fireball and the water a short while later, Redheart paid her the full price for the drink, at which she lightened up again and brought out Redheart’s food even quicker. Redheart sipped at her drink, still the same violent blue color and still with the same cold, smooth taste with the hot finish, and ate her food in silence.

When her food and drink was finished, the waitress came up and asked Redheart if she wanted anything else.

“A salt lick if you have one.”

The mare nodded. “Just don’t dehydrate yourself too much, honey, since you don’t have a stallion to help you on home. Or a mare,” she teased. She came back around with a small cube of salt that had a slightly sweet flavor. Redheart paid her bill with a tip and watched the waitress as she went off to serve another table. By the time the salt lick was finished, Redheart was thoroughly dehydrated and grabbed another glass of water from the bar before leaving. Despite the late hour at which she left, the establishment hardly had any patrons and Redheart guessed most of the Academy students were on leave.

Redheart left “The Trotting Mare” without hindrance and returned to the hotel where she decided to order a proper meal from the restaurant; the waiter at the hotel had to constantly keep refilling her glass from how dehydrated Redheart was feeling. By the time she ate her food and had drank a fifth glass of water, Redheart was feeling much better and the alcohol had long worn off. Feeling tired, Redheart returned to the room and lay down on the bed, turning on the nearby radio to a classical music station.

There was something rather sad about the emptiness of the suite. It was calm, quiet, and dark, and yet Redheart felt the suite had been designed for two ponies to share. The queen-sized bed, the two chairs and the loveseat in the living area, and the kitchen and bathroom amenities all pointed to that; all with one extra item, one extra space, that Redheart wouldn't use. Redheart felt small within the confines of the large bed. With the radio still on, Redheart fell into a restless sleep filled with fits of sniffling and weak sobs.

Chapter 24 - Memories, part III

24.

Two sets of books were scattered across the floor of the dormitory bedroom. The rain outside the window beat hard against the glass and obscured most of Trotsworth from view. Unlike the girls’ dormitories, Caramel had his own bedroom and so did the three guys who shared the dormitory with him. Redheart had only had glances of them before but never cared much for them except for the bright blue pegasus who was always nice enough to let her in to see Caramel.

Redheart had come in an hour and a half ago. While she was quite near to a perfect score in their business mathematics class, Caramel was falling behind and wanted help. And so, on a rainy afternoon in the middle of March, they had agreed to spend some time at Caramel’s dorm for a study session. The door was closed and preventing the other stallions from barging in on them, but they never really bothered Caramel anyway.

The session covered the most recent section they had covered in class. Caramel was by now starting to get the problems and had done a few of them on his own. Redheart smiled at him with more than just approval; for a while she thought her kiss had done it for their friendship and it had in a way. They weren’t just friends anymore, which was quite apparent when they found themselves meeting each other at restaurants, skipping a class or two just to meet in private sections of the Academy, or conversations starting with lively talk and eventually degrading to silent adoration of each other that almost inevitably ended with a kiss.

It had gotten to the point that when Caramel had asked Redheart to come and help him study, she questioned him as to whether he had meant something else. To be fair, Caramel so far hadn’t been one to insinuate things, and it turned out to be a relatively standard study session with Redheart tutoring Caramel on what she deemed simple things like multiplying decimals and adding fractions and the various things you could apply them to.

“Thank you so much for coming over and helping me with the assignment,” Caramel said as he finished the final problem. “I feel like I should have known it before, but thanks for coming over and helping out.”

“It wasn’t a problem, really,” Redheart responded. “Besides, it was good to get out of my own dorm what with students not allowed to leave campus with the rainstorms.”

“I heard there was heavy flooding around Whitewater Ridge. The bridge got so damaged they’re not risking trains over it for a few days. Which means we’ll be hanging around here this weekend.”

“Damn. I was hoping to be able to head into town for my father’s birthday. I suppose I could always send a letter.”

“I’d say ask the Academy. They might be able to arrange a carriage to take you home.”

“Yeah, but it would take longer and there’s still the issue of getting over the river.”

“True, true… Well, I suppose we know what that means.”

Redheart raised her eyebrow as Caramel grinned. “Let’s compare interpretations, shall we?”

“We’ll be in the library working on our next few assignments. Seriously, that’s what I was thinking all along.”

Redheart giggled. “I would have thought you would suggest something else.”

Caramel grinned even bigger. “And you thought I had a dirty mind. Do you want to?”

“No. I’m fine with it being right where we are.”

Caramel’s grin lessened but didn’t disappear. “Fine by me.”

The two worked on a few more problems before Redheart started packing up her books and supplies to go. She had gathered all of it into her saddlebags before standing up from the floor and heading for the door of Caramel’s bedroom.

“Well,” she said. “Should we meet up?”

Caramel nodded. “Friday we have nothing going on. If the storm’s still going we can head for the cafeteria for lunch then head over to the library for work. And maybe a little something on Saturday…?”

Redheart blushed. “Oh, I might be interested by then.”

Redheart was reaching for the door when the lights went out. She screamed and jumped backwards. “Caramel!” she exclaimed. “Is this some sort of joke?”

“I didn’t do anything!” Caramel said. “The lights went out by themselves!”

Gradually, Redheart’s eyes became adjusted to the dark grey light coming through the lone window of the room. The rain was beating harder and harder against the glass to the point where they couldn’t even see past the Academy gates into Trotsworth. Squinting her eyes, Redheart could see that the switch was still in the ‘on’ position, but the lights remained out.

Caramel stumbled over to the door and knocked on it. “Any of you guys out there?”

“Yeah!” came a voice from the other side of the door. “Campus admins are coming around saying there’s a downed power line. They’re going to try and get the backup generators running and want everyone to stay inside whatever building they’re in until they get the generators going and the lights back on.”

Redheart sighed.

“You guys need a light? Neon’s lighting up some oil lamps if you need one.”

“Yeah. It’d be nice not to trip over anything in the dark.”

The door opened from the other side and a light blue stallion with a dark grey mane opened the door holding a small lantern in his magic. He gave it to Caramel, but Redheart took it in her mouth and set it on Caramel’s dresser, where it lit up the whole room with a soft orange glow.

“There’s enough oil in there to last for a few hours,” the stallion said, “but I doubt it’ll take that long. Hey, you two want to come out and play some cards?”

Caramel turned to Redheart. “Do you want to? I mean, you are going to be stuck here until the generators turn on.”

Redheart shook her head. “I… I don’t know. I don’t know any of them very well.”

“Come on, they’re fine.”

“I know. I just…”

Caramel turned back to the stallion. “Maybe later, Neon. You guys go ahead and start without us.”

The stallion nodded and shut the door behind him, leaving Caramel and Redheart alone while the stallions started talking amongst themselves in the main room. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed outside, momentarily blinding Redheart as the rain continued pounding outside the window. Redheart suddenly found herself feeling cold and she sat on the ground and held her hooves around her and shivered.

“You cold?” Caramel asked.

Redheart nodded.

“Right, air conditioner and heater probably went out with the lights. You want to curl up in the bed? It’s the only think we’ve got around here.”

Redheart looked over to the bed, then to Caramel. “Will it fit both of us?”

Caramel shrugged. “It’s a twin. It’ll be a tight fit, but I’m sure it will. I’ll go up against the wall; the stone can be kind of cold.”

Caramel pulled back the blankets and got in first, lying against the stone wall of the dormitory. Redheart got in afterward, putting her back to Caramel, who draped a hoof over her as he pulled up the blankets. Within minutes, Redheart felt warmer and more comfortable, the light from the oil lamp just barely casting a shadow of the two figures against the wall.

“Have you ever been in a bed with another pony before?” Caramel asked.

“Not with a stallion,” Redheart said. “I… I had a marefriend for a short while and we slept together once. Nothing explicit, but we shared a bed for a while last year.”

“What happened to her?”

“We got into an argument just before last summer. I haven’t seen her since. I’m okay with that, though; she was a little grating at times.”

“What was her name?”

“I can’t remember. She wasn’t from Ponyville, though. Her family lived about as far north of Trotsworth as we do west.”

Redheart felt lonely staring out into the room. She turned around with what little space she had and faced Caramel, her body scooting closer to him to get as much warmth as she could. Caramel wrapped his hooves around her as they continued lying in his bed, listening to the occasional whoops and whistles from the stallions in the room outside, still playing cards.

“Have you had another boyfriend before?”

“Just a high school crush. We didn’t pursue anything further after graduation and just sort of drifted apart after his family moved to Canterlot. What about you? Have you had a relationship before?”

“There was a girl who was interested in me for a while a few years ago. I got interested in her and we went on a few dates, but we never really clicked and separated after a few weeks.”

Redheart nodded thoughtfully as she wrapped her hooves around Caramel in return. “I would have thought a stallion like you would have been the star of the show back in high school.”

Caramel laughed. “I’m more average. I had some flirts but nothing serious.”

Redheart wasn’t sure what happened next, but she soon found herself pulling away from yet another kiss with the stallion.

“Are you serious now?”

Caramel pulled her in for another kiss. He tasted of sweet caramel apples. “What do you think?”

Redheart didn’t answer verbally. Instead, she pulled him in closer for another kiss. Caramel just had enough time to pull the blankets over them before Redheart was lying on her back with Caramel lying on top of her.

As the afternoon wore on and Redheart and Caramel stayed in the room with the oil lamp, the stallions outside began whooping and whistling more frequently. Redheart guessed they were no longer interested in the card game, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was being there with Caramel under the blankets and providing each other with a warmth unlike she had ever known before.

Author's Note

I just said I wasn't going in that direction, someone just mentioned what the other title sounds like, and then I pull this scene out of the hat.

Chapter 25 - Memories, part IV

25.

In May is when Trotsworth usually reached its warmest temperatures of the year. From May into July, the sun shines almost all day with the occasional rainfall that only lasts for a few minutes, and temperatures only run into the low eighties at most. After May, however, the breezes of other towns are pushed out with the summer weather, all of which seem to converge on Trotsworth, which makes for a decently warm but often windy summer.

Redheart enjoyed Trotsworth for that reason. Aside from the dreary rainstorms and the somewhat vicious thunderstorms, it was much cooler and more comfortable than Ponyville. No serious heat, but no freezing temperatures either, and no humidity that would make her coat sticky and impossible to clean. Her mother in particular always booked week-long vacations there during the summer, staying at a grand hotel called the Royale in the square just to get out of the heat. By the time her fourth and final year was coming to an end, with graduation coming at the end of the month, Trotsworth was like a second home to her.

She was thankful that she and Caramel lived in the same town. It meant that leaving the Academy did not come with meeting her lover. Caramel had told her how he would take her out to dinner at one of the fancier restaurants in Ponyville to celebrate her graduation. It was something that Redheart looked forward to.

She was walking across the Academy grounds right now, relishing the sunlight that felt like it was celebrating the end of the year with her. Caramel had asked her to come over to ask her something, but with her current spirits, she felt it would be nearly impossible to let anything bring her down.

Redheart approached the door of the dorm Caramel shared with the three other stallions and knocked on the door. She only had to wait a moment before the light blue unicorn opened the door for her.

“You’re Caramel’s lover, aren’t you?” he asked. “Miss Redheart?”

Redheart nodded. “Hello, Neon Lights. Is Caramel in? He said he wanted to talk to me.”

“Yeah. He’s in his room. Sounded like he was with someone, but I just got here a few minutes ago and Caramel’s door was shut. I’m not about to go in there, so you want something to drink?”

“Non-alcoholic cider, if you have any.”

“I’m sure we do somewhere. Here, come on in and sit on the couch and I’ll get you one. I’m sure Caramel won’t be long.”

Redheart walked in and sat down on the couch that was in the center of the guy’s dormitory living room. The couch stood next to a table that had a lot of drink glass stains on it but a surprising lack of dishes strewn about. The kitchen was nearly the same and the shower room even looked clean from Redheart’s vantage point in the living room; either they actually lived clean or they had the sense to clean up from the previous night.

There was the sound of a bottle being cracked open, then Neon Lights was in the living room with a bottle of non-alcoholic cider and a bottle of what looked like a weak beer. “There you go,” he said, holding out the cider with his magic. “Had a couple of non-alcoholics in the fridge.” He waited until Redheart had taken it before releasing it. “I’m gonna be in my room. If you need anything, you can knock and I’ll see what I can do.” He waved a hoof before heading back into one of the rooms across from Caramel’s and shutting the door.

The minute Neon Lights shut his bedroom door, it felt like the apartment lapsed into complete silence. Even with the knowledge of Neon in the dorm, it just felt empty; even Caramel’s bedroom didn’t have any noise coming from it. Which was strange, Redheart thought, if someone was in there with him. Still, Redheart told herself it wouldn’t be long.

As time passed, Redheart became impatient. There was the sound of a phone ringing from Neon Light’s room, but otherwise things remained silent. The ringing stopped and it went back to ear-grating silence again. After a while, Neon Lights left his bedroom.

“Hey, Redheart, I gotta go in to work right now,” he said. “So, I guess so the admins don’t get too mad, you should leave in a few minutes if Caramel doesn’t come out. They can get kind of irritated about mares hanging around the stallions’ dormitories for too long on their own.”

Redheart nodded. “Thanks for the information. I won’t be staying around too much longer.”

Neon Lights nodded. “See you around, Redheart.” He grabbed a set of keys from a small table near the door and left.

The dorm was quiet for a long time. Redheart was getting antsy and wondered what was going on and what was taking Caramel a long time.

Then she heard it.

It was a small noise from the other side of Caramel’s door. At first, Redheart thought it was a squeak like from a mouse and started looking around for any crawling around on the floor. But then the noise came again, and this time it was a little more distinct. It sounded like a high giggle. A high feminine giggle.

The noise intrigued Redheart. She walked over to the door as silently as she could and pressed her ear to it. There were two different voices coming from the other side, though they were muffled and she couldn’t clearly make out anything they were saying. She did hear a lot of other noises, though; moaning, creaking, panting, and some more giggling.

Redheart put up a hoof and knocked five times on the door, then pressed up her ear to the door again. The noises had stopped. The inside was silent for a while before there was the soft thud of someone hitting the floor. Then came footsteps, at which Redheart put her head up so it wouldn’t look like she had been listening in.

The door opened slowly. Caramel was standing there with a very concerned look on his face. For a while, the two sat there staring at each other, Redheart never really getting a good look into the dorm since Caramel’s body seemed to block it.

Redheart opened her mouth to say something to Caramel, but the stallion had his lips to her mouth before she could even begin to ask. At first, Redheart treasured the kiss, but there was something missing from it that she had felt so many times in the months before. It was sad, it lacked his usual tenderness and gusto, as though it was forced. When he pulled away, Redheart could see a pleading in his eyes.

“Redheart…” he said, voice already protesting before the words were out of her mouth.

“Caramel,” Redheart said, voice shaking. “Please. Let me in.”

Caramel looked like he wanted to say something back, but instead he bowed his head and stepped backwards. Redheart walked into the room and looked around. While most of the room seemed undisturbed and in neat order, there was something amiss. Redheart turned her head around to see a young mare in Caramel’s bed; a young cream-colored mare with a slight green tint, green eyes, and a two-toned red mane, looking shocked and confused.

Redheart turned back to Caramel, who appeared rather shaken. “Who is she?”

“I could ask the same about you,” the rose-maned mare replied. “But… I think I have a clue.”

Redheart hadn’t turned to face the mare. “Caramel,” she said coldly, “please tell me what’s going on.”

Caramel gulped. “I… I meant to tell you at some point.”

“You mean you hadn’t broken up with her yet!?” the mare replied angrily, climbing out of the bed herself. “And to think you charmed me into coming back with you! And we… we… ugh!” She went up to Caramel and slapped him with a hoof, then gave a huff as she left the dorm; Redheart could hear the door slam behind her.

Caramel steadied himself and looked back to Redheart. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t know what I’m expecting you to say, to be honest,” Redheart replied.

“I’m guessing sorry doesn’t cut it here?”

Redheart shook her head. “Nine months,” she said, voice slowly rising as she continued. “We’ve been together for nine months since we met on the train back to Ponyville at the beginning of the year. And we actually had sex for three of those months! So what was it, then? That wasn’t enough for you so you had to go and seduce another poor mare to fill the needs?”

“No.” Caramel looked like he could break down but wasn’t. “I just… I don’t know. We have a class together and I thought she was cute and one thing led to another and before I knew it I was asking if she wanted to have sex with me.”

“How long was that going on for?”

“A little over a month.”

“Managed to keep a nice façade there, didn’t you? You managed to keep it hidden very well not just from me, but from the both of us for a month. You know what? If it had been a single thing, you might have gained a little sympathy from me. But with how long you kept it up for… that makes you an even bigger son of a bitch than I originally thought you were turning out to be!”

“I don’t quite think I could ever understand how bad it was for you.”

“Then let me enlighten you. I have been out there in your dormitory’s main room for half an hour waiting for you to speak with you about the urgent message you have. I’m pretty sure of what the message was now, but I didn’t expect it to be delivered by another mare in your room!”

Caramel sighed. “There’s really nothing I can do?”

Redheart shook her head. “The next time I see a two-faced pony like you around again, it’ll be too soon.”

Redheart walked out of the dorm and walked back to her room. It wasn’t until the doors had closed that she fell on the bed and started crying. Surprisingly, it wasn’t from the breakup itself; young love never lasted that long anyways, she told herself. It was from how… humbly and sincerely Caramel had acted. Even when Redheart was angry with him, the stallion had merely taken the blows and never fought back…

The next month passed by like a blur. Redheart, as was expected, passed all her finals with high marks and left Trotsworth Academy with a three-point-seven grade point average and Bachelors of Science in nursing with a minor in chemistry. She attended her graduation but couldn’t match the other student’s urge to do so with her, especially after seeing Caramel alone in the stands. A few days later, Redheart packed her things with her mother’s help and was off home.

At home in Ponyville, Redheart first went home with her mother to drop off her things. She had unpacked her belongings and nailed up her diploma on the wall when she had the urge to head out and see if she could find a job.

The only place in Ponyville that she could work at to use her experience was Ponyville Hospital. She walked up to the front doors and found a sign saying ‘Applications Accepted for Registered Nurses’. She walked in and went up to a tan unicorn stallion with a parted mane sitting at the desk in the main lobby; he reminded her strangely of Caramel.

“Hello,” Redheart said. “I was wondering who I could ask for a job application.”

The stallion nodded. “You’ve come to the right stallion. I’m Doctor Stable, head physician here at Ponyville Hospital. I can get you an application. Now,” the stallion said as he started shuffling through papers, “you look pretty young. Do you mean you want an application for an internship?”

“I’ve already done it,” Redheart said as soon as Doctor Stable had finished speaking. “I had two years’ experience working inside a hospital while I went to Trotsworth Academy.”

The stallion originally looked at her with shock at how quickly she had responded to the question, then smiled. “Let’s see if we have an application here. Ah, yes, here it is.” He originally looked like he was going to give Redheart the papers, but pulled them back before Redheart could grab for them. “You said Trotsworth Academy, didn’t you? What was your GPA there?”

Redheart told him. “I also was told at Trotsworth Medical Center that if I was looking for a paying job I could go back at any time and they would hire me immediately.”

The stallion smiled again. “Here you are. Fill it out and bring it in as soon as you can. It’s been a while since I got someone so capable. I’m sure we could find a place for you here.”

For the first time in nearly a month, Redheart smiled.

Author's Note

This is the final part of the flashbacks.

Chapter 26 - A Sort of Homecoming

26.

Redheart woke to a bright and sunny morning that didn’t match her mood. It took her a long time to get out of bed despite having woken up early enough the sun had cast a light orange hue on the room. When she did wake up, she lazily trudged over to the shower and lay down in the tub while she felt the water from the shower head splash on her and fill the tub.

There was one day left in her stay. One day, she kept telling herself, but even then the place was detestable to her. She thought she could get away from the pain of Ponyville, and yet now she realized it wasn’t possible. Trotsworth, the place where she thought she could find shelter, was merely built on the fantasies and daydreams of the young college mare that she still held of the place. Yet it was here, not Ponyville, where she had caught him in the worst act.

The water in the tub nearly overflowed when she realized how high it was. She turned off the water and let some drain before washing herself off, violently scrubbing as though she was trying to wash the memories away. When she was done, she dried herself off and headed downstairs for lunch.

A unicorn waiter came around. “What will the madam have for lunch this afternoon?”

Redheart did not feel hungry. “Half a club sandwich and the tomato soup.”

The waiter nodded and wrote down the order. “And what will you like to drink?”

“Water with lemon. Also, your most powerful whiskey served on the rocks with a maraschino cherry.”

The waiter’s eyes widened. “Um… as it is not the normal drinking hours in this establishment, there will be an extra fee added on to the drink.”

“Don’t care. Just bring it out with the meal.”

The waiter nodded and slunk off to get the meal. A few minutes later he returned with the sandwich, soup, water, and the whiskey. Redheart gave him a few extra bits for the drink and ate her food in silence. By the time her lunch was finished, Redheart was not quite drunk but sufficiently liquored up she had almost forgotten the memory.

Oh, brilliant, she thought when she was leaving the restaurant. With how many drinks I’ve had recently I’m turning as much into an alcoholic as I am a workaholic.

Redheart spent the rest of the daylight hours perusing the shops. She felt antsy and walked almost continuously. She did buy herself a little pink ribbon that was slightly darker than her mane color from an arts and crafts store, but otherwise nothing really seemed to interest her. She returned back to the hotel for dinner and ordered the same thing she had for lunch. She swam in the pool until she was tired then returned to her room to dry herself off and go to sleep.

Redheart awoke early in the morning before the sun had even risen over the horizon. Even so, she packed her bags and left the hotel, making sure to pay for her stay as she left. By the time she had hit the train station the sky had become a dull grey and a light fog had settled on the ground with a slight mist that made Redheart’s fur feel damp. When the train arrived, she quickly entered the car with the fewest passengers and sat in a corner where there was no one else with her.

The train ride was a blur. Breakfast came and went, the dishes and trays being picked up as they passed Whitewater Ridge. Redheart ordered an extra sweet roll from a passing snack cart and chewed it slowly as the woods flew by. When they emerged from the woods and started rolling down towards Ponyville, Redheart sighed with relief at how she was able to come back home again.

The train stopped at Ponyville station early. Redheart took her luggage and made her way home to the apartment, a welcoming silence and simplicity greeting her. There was a blinking light on her phone indicating a message, and Redheart turned it on to listen to it as she put her things away.

“Redheart, it’s me, Doctor Stable. I heard you were getting back today and wanted to say that Twilight’s condition still hasn’t changed. Things are pretty slow around here, so I might give you tomorrow off as well, so unless I call you don’t have to come in unless you wanted to visit with Twilight. Anyway, I hope your vacation was restful and I’ll talk to you later.” The phone gave a small beep and clicked off.

Another day off. Redheart was, for once, thankful for Doctor Stable not needing her. It meant a day of rest after fitful nights of remembering what happened back then. She showered in her own bathroom and laid down on her own bed, thankful to be home again.

She woke up as evening descended on the town without ever remembering falling asleep. Hunger took over her as she made her way out into the early summer evening, the weather still cool and nice but showing signs of heating within the next few days, when the air-conditioned hospital would be her main refuge yet again. For now, she trotted through town to one of the stalls open for the holiday weekend, a small cart bearing a large apple on its signboard.

A familiar orange mare was tending the stall. “Well, hey there, Miss Redheart,” Applejack said as Redheart approached. “How are you this evenin’?”

Redheart tried to smile. “Tired.”

“You certainly look like you need somethin’ to perk you up,” Applejack said. “How’s about a bottle of cider?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

Applejack pulled out a bottle of cider and set it on the table. “Anythin’ else for ya?”

“Yes. One of your large apple fritters.”

“Alright. Comin’ right up.” Applejack brought out a fritter and Redheart paid for the two items. “Hey, before you leave, anythin’ come up on Twilight’s condition? Rainbow’s been feeling awful guilty about what happened and she wants to see what’s goin’ on. We all do.”

Redheart put the fritter and her bottle of cider in her saddlebags. “Well, there is improvement. Twilight’s heart rate has risen. It’s expected she’ll wake sometime this week, but we’re looking for some sort of stimulus that might make her eyes open.”

“That’s good to hear. Have you been at the hospital lately?”

“I was off for a long weekend away. But I received a call from Doctor Stable with the information. I’m hoping we can find something when I go back in.”

“Oh. Well it’s good to hear things are movin’ along. Say, we were wonderin’ if you wanted to head with me and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie to a little party goin’ on over at Sugarcube Corner.”

“Um… I get Pinkie Pie since she’s a party pony, and I get you and Rainbow Dash have been together, but is there any reason why I am invited?”

“Ya can’t sit around mopin’ all the time for someone, sugarcube.” Applejack’s voice was sweet and gentle. “Besides, if Twilight wanted you in our little circle as a friend, I’m not about to deny her request even if she is still conked out. Oh, and Rainbow Dash and I broke up a while ago.”

“Did you? But… you’re still hanging out together?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Applejack said. “Sure, we may not be as close as we used to be, but Rainbow Dash is still a good friend of mine. I’m not about to break connections with her over a little spat we had.”

Redheart nodded thoughtfully. “Do you know when it is?”

“This weekend in the evenin’. You can meet up with us at town hall and we’ll head for Sugarcube Corner then.”

“Thank you. I… I’ll think about it,” Redheart said. She waved to Applejack as she headed back home, munching on the fritter as she walked through town. “And a few other things too,” she added when out of range of Applejack.

Author's Note

Chapter with a song title #1 - Artist: U2.

Chapter 27 - The Living Daylights

27.

Redheart was up later that night than she had been in a long time. For all intents and purposes, she really was thinking about what Applejack had told her. Sure, ponies fell into and out of love all the time, but Applejack was the Element of Honesty and Rainbow Dash was the Element of Loyalty; there was no way in Tartarus either of them could hide or be caught cheating.

Would it be so bad to at least talk with Caramel one more time? It was not like he had been kissing Lyra when she had caught him, just walking and talking. Perhaps it was her own jealousy that had gotten in the way of their relationship. And yet it was twice now that she had caught him cheating, and perhaps had she found out at a later time it would have been the same as before.

But what brought her back to him nearly eleven weeks ago in the first place? Even after four years and a memory so burnt into her mind, her first idea of him had been to quickly allow herself to fall for him again. Who, then, she asked herself, had made the bigger mistake in the matter: him for thinking he could have gotten away with it or her for believing what was past was past? Even after practically walking in on him with another mare, she had quite nearly jumped into his arms when given even the smallest chance. Was this really a reason to be so spiteful?

No, Redheart reasoned with herself. The problem was not ever with him being with another mare other than me, nor was it with my foolish thoughts that everything was fine. It was with him betraying my trust in the worst ways imaginable.

But where did that leave Applejack’s response to her and Dash breaking up? Caramel was neither loyal nor honest. Yet Redheart had been neither kind nor understanding. As the night wore on it became a question not of whether or not Redheart should even try to talk with Caramel again but of who was more in the wrong. By the time Redheart went to bed, it was not a matter of her being tired so much as she didn’t want to think of it anymore.

Redheart was thankful when Doctor Stable called her in for a night shift the next afternoon; it meant less time to herself thinking. Knowing the night shift was slower, Redheart cooked a rather large lunch of vegetable and noodle soup and sandwiches and packed half to go, in addition to finding A Knight’s Tale and placing it in her saddlebags. When evening came around, Redheart ate an apple and packed her things before heading off for the hospital.

Doctor Stable was waiting for her at the front desk. “Redheart, it’s good of you to come. How was your vacation?”

“It could have been better,” Redheart said. “You know how it is. After a while, the hotel bed just doesn’t beat the comfort of home.”

“I suppose that is the case,” Doctor Stable said disbelievingly. He didn’t pursue the issue any further, however. “Anyways, I called you in because I’m going to have to be on the phone for a little bit and writing up some reports for the officials in Canterlot. There’s not much, but I would like you to make a few runs of the patients and help keep an eye on the phones. There are a few patients who need checkups, but they’re all for minor things. Think you can handle that this late?”

“Yes, Doctor,” Redheart said. “Do you need me to start the runs now?”

“Yes, if at all possible. I would like it best if you checked in on Twilight last. That way you can spend some time with her. I’m sure she’d appreciate you being back after the weekend away.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Redheart set off about her work as the evening turned into night. She stopped for fifteen minutes to have dinner, then continued about her work. She checked the patient’s vital signs, made recordings of any readings from any devices, and changed out IV bags with the pharmacy technicians when needed, in addition to ordering a few more.

After every other patient had been checked, Redheart went in to Twilight’s room last as Doctor Stable had asked her to. The room was quiet except for the soft whirring from the artificial breathing machine and the electrocardiograph’s occasional beeping. Redheart went and grabbed the little red book from her bags and brought it to Twilight’s room, where she sat down on the chair next to the hospital bed.

“Twilight. It’s me, Nurse Redheart.”

Twilight’s ear flicked happily. It was funny, Redheart thought, to see Twilight’s ear alternately flicking and pausing to express her happiness at Redheart’s return as though in Morse code.

“I’ll be quite honest with you,” Redheart said, “but I don’t really have much to tell you. If you don’t mind, however, I could tell you a story.”

Twilight’s opposite ear flicked. Redheart hadn’t seen it before, but guessed she was wondering.

“Remember a long time ago I went into your library and checked out a few books? One of the books I checked out was called A Knight’s Tale. I know you like all the little details, but I’m not a very good storyteller. So, I suppose I’ll give you a little synopsis.”

Twilight’s ear flicked once.

Redheart coughed to clear her throat and began. “There once was a unicorn knight of Celestia’s guard who was strong, powerful, and brave. He loved to go out on adventures and soon became known as a great adventurer as well as a knight. The stallion loved to go out and wander the roads of Equestria to find new treasures and places to explore for his princess. He took on all sorts of quests and soon became famous.”

Twilight gave no response, so Redheart continued. “The stallion eventually took on a quest that had him rescue a young mare from the clutches of a dragon, as most stallions in these kinds of stories do. Very old cliché, if you ask me, but that’s what the story was about. You know what? I’m going to tell the story a different way, since I’m assuming you’ve read this one hundreds of times before.”

Twilight flicked an ear.

“There once was a young mare who lived in a small town,” Redheart began again, not entirely sure of what she was doing. “She wasn’t strong, but she was determined. She wasn’t powerful, but she was smart. She wasn’t brave, but she could handle herself in whatever situation came her way. She worked at one of the local medical institutions and handled herself with ease. She could take on any patient that came her way, any sort of problem that she had to face, and took great pleasure in her work.”

“Eventually, another young mare eventually came into the hospital. The young mare was tasked with taking care of her, but then she found herself faced with a stallion. He was handsome and suave and made the mare feel good about him despite her base feelings and judgment of him. The mare fought with her feelings, but eventually discovered that she could not resist the stallion’s charms and fell for him without concern.”

“As time went by, the mare found herself unable to focus without him, unable to go through the weeks without him. She was like the dragons that lived in the mountains, always guarding their precious stores and unwilling to let them go. Yet she was nothing compared to the dragon that had her ensnared, the dragon to whom she had fallen for without him even trying. And while the mare held on to her doubts, they were not fully realized for a long time, and they almost slipped away from her. Her determination faltered, her mind was fogged, and she could hardly stand to even tread above water without him.”

“But soon, this dragon, this stallion, found himself focusing on an extra jewel for the cargo, another mare he was interested in. Using that time to escape, the mare left the stallion, left the dragon with his new jewel as her trick, and escaped him. She found solace in caring for the young mare that had arrived in the hospital, the mare whose life had been placed into her hooves.”

“Yet without the dragon, without the love of the stallion, the mare felt lost. She was unsure if she could take care of the mare, if she was even qualified to do her job. So she went off to a town that was familiar to her, thinking she could find refuge there. But the problem was that even there the memories of the stallion returned to her.”

Redheart stopped and sighed. “That’s where the story ends at the moment, I’m afraid. I have no idea what the conclusion to this one is. Because even with this conversation it’s still being written.”

For a long time, there was no response. Then, slowly, Twilight’s eyelids began to flutter. For a long time they refused to stay open, but after a while they refused to stay closed. Redheart watched as the clarity seemed to come back into Twilight’s eyes, the heart rate rose to her normal of 75 beats per minute, and her breathing rate came back up to a normal resting rate. For a while, she stayed looking at the ceiling, but eventually she turned over to and looked at Redheart.

“Please…” Her voice was faint, barely over the sounds of the cardiograph and the automatic breathing machine. “Please stay…”

“Twilight!” Redheart exclaimed, acting as though she was ignoring what she had been saying. “You’re awake! Please, don’t move until we’ve had a chance to examine you. I’ll call for the doctor.”

Redheart figured Doctor Stable must have dropped everything he was doing; he was there less than a minute after she pressed the call button. He came in and saw Twilight staring weakly around the room and nearly leapt for joy at the sight of it. He rushed over and started talking very rapidly.

“Oh, Twilight! Thank Celestia you’re awake! Speaking of which, we’ll have to send a letter to Celestia and let her know that her student has awakened, not to mention perhaps a letter to all the Elements of Harmony letting them know the element of magic is restored, probably one to the parents as well to let them know their daughter has awa—”

Redheart tapped Doctor Stable on the chest. “While I agree with you on all those issues, wouldn’t it be best to let Celestia know first, then get to work on checking Twilight’s bone and muscle mass to see what sort of diet and exercise regimes she’ll need? I wouldn’t want so much excitement so quickly.”

Doctor Stable coughed. “Of course. I’ll go and arrange appointments in the radiation lab to look at her bone and muscle structure and we’ll take a blood sample sometime tomorrow as well. I’ll leave you alone with Twilight for a minute. Let’s wait and see if her vitals are stable before taking her off the breather.”

Redheart nodded.

Doctor Stable turned around and started to leave the room, but stopped in the doorway and turned around. “In the meantime, you stick with her. It seems like she still wants you.”

Redheart turned around to see Twilight reaching a hoof weakly towards her. Doctor Stable left the room and Redheart took Twilight’s hoof in her own two, holding it there for a minute. Twilight, instead of being happy that she was awake, had a rather melancholy look in her face as she looked towards Redheart.

“Twilight, you’re awake!” Redheart exclaimed softly to her. “You’ve been in a coma for the past eleven weeks. It’s summertime now. Aren’t you glad you’re getting better?”

Twilight still looked sad. “You’re leaving?” It was slightly stronger than the previous yet still strained.

Redheart’s mouth opened slightly. “Well… I thought about it.”

“Don’t go.” It sounded like it pained Twilight to say it. “I looked for you for eleven weeks. I had no idea you were almost gone.” Twilight broke into a fit of coughing but settled down shortly afterwards.

Redheart shushed her until she wasn’t trying to speak anymore. “It’s alright. You haven’t been using those muscles much for the past eleven weeks. You’ll need to rest up. Tomorrow we’ll examine your muscles and figure out some diet, exercise, and vocal re-training programs for you to recover.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but shut it.

“I have to go and check on some of the other patients now, Twilight,” Redheart said. “I’ll be back after a while to check on you and see how you’re doing, okay?”

Twilight coughed again for a minute. When she saw that Redheart had not yet left the room, she spoke again. “Don’t leave Ponyville yet. Not when I just found you again.”

Redheart smiled. “I won’t,” she said then closed the door behind her.

Not yet, at least.

Author's Note

Chapter with a song title #2 - Artist: a-ha.

Chapter 28 - Physical Recovery

28.

Even with the surprising amount of strength that Twilight had in her first day of being awake, she was still weak. The strain ended up causing her to fall asleep a few minutes after Redheart left the room and stay asleep until morning. Redheart returned in the morning to help care for the now awake Twilight, keeping her attached to the IV for nutrition and recording the times she spent awake and asleep. Despite being able to talk for her first day, Redheart noticed Twilight had regressed back to ear flicks afterwards.

For the first few days, Twilight hardly moved or spoke. Redheart recorded her staying awake for an hour at the most and sleeping for periods of a few hours each. If she wanted a doctor for anything, she often grunted or moaned or alerted passing nurses with a magical spark, the limits of her magic at that time. Redheart still kept checks of her vital signs, but never reported anything to Doctor Stable while Twilight was awake, waiting until she had gone to sleep again before leaving the room or speaking with the doctor or another nurse.

After Twilight awoke, Redheart often found herself spending most of the day at the hospital, even on days where she would have been off. Doctor Stable had diagnosed Twilight with mild post-traumatic amnesia; the only ponies she recognized were Redheart and Doctor Stable; upon a first meeting with Rainbow Dash and Applejack trying to apologize to her, she turned to Redheart and gave two flicks of the ear.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash,” Redheart said. “She’s been in a coma for eleven weeks. It’s not uncommon for comatose ponies to have some amnesia after awakening. She can barely talk as is.”

“But I thought with her being awake that she would be back to her normal self!” Rainbow Dash protested.

“Not always,” Redheart told her. “If it was a few days long, she would recognize you by now. However, even an alicorn can have problems with memory after eleven weeks of not being fully conscious. Maybe after a few weeks we can get her to recognize you again.”

Rainbow Dash pouted and went off.

Applejack smiled. “It’s good to know she’s on the mend, at least,” she said. “Don’t be mad with Dash, though; she just thinks life doesn’t move fast enough for her sometimes.”

“Perfectly understandable,” Redheart said. “In the meantime, we’ll be contacting her parents to let her know of her awakened state. Again, we can’t have too many ponies coming in to see her all at once; can’t have the shock at this stage.”

“If this means keepin’ Pinkie Pie away from the hospital, I’ll do the best I can. She’s been waitin’ for her to wake up for weeks.”

“Even with her waking up, it may take weeks for her to fully recover,” Redheart said. “Just tell Pinkie to keep that party waiting for her for a little while longer,” she added with a wink.

Applejack smiled. “I don’t know what she would have done without you,” she said. “And I don’t even want to think about what could have happened with Twilight. Just keep takin’ care of her and bring her back to us soon.”

“I’ll keep trying,” Redheart said.

A few days later, Twilight was finally able to speak again and was able to eat and drink some food, in addition to being taken off the ventilator and IV bags. Redheart watched and helped her as she ate a soup and drank a glass of water with some medicines dissolved in it; she ate maybe half the bowl before Redheart had to take it back. Even so, it was a remarkable step, and one step closer to Twilight’s recovery.

Doctor Stable again took scans of Twilight and examined the results before coming in to tell Twilight and Redheart. “It seems that Twilight has around a ninety-five percent chance of making a full recovery,” he said, “with a seventy percent chance of only a partial recovery. It seems like she’ll at least be able to walk and talk and do basic magic again, but we’ll have to make sure she doesn’t stay up too late or it may damage her brain again.”

“What about my experiments?” Twilight asked.

“I’m afraid they’ll have to be cut short for the time being,” Doctor Stable said. “It is possible at this stage to overthink, especially with you using magic. Again, you’ll only be able to levitate one item at a time for a while.”

Twilight was downcast.

“Don’t worry, Twilight,” Redheart said as Doctor Stable left the room. “You’ve already made some big steps towards recovering. It just takes time.”

“I just hope I’m not a burden on Celestia after this,” Twilight said.

“You aren’t a burden on anyone,” Redheart said gently. “It’s our job to take care of you, and Celestia understands the physical troubles you have. For now, our first priority is making sure you get well.”

Twilight nodded. “I want to walk again.”

“Not so fast,” Redheart told her. “Maybe tomorrow I’ll bring out a walker, but you won’t be able to use four legs so easily.”

Twilight nodded again, then smiled at Redheart. “Maybe not,” she agreed, “but at least I’ll have someone to help me.”

Redheart smiled at her.

The next day, Redheart did bring out the walker. Doctor Stable came in to supervise and helped lift Twilight off the bed with his magic. Gently, Twilight’s back two hooves were set down on the floor and her front two hooves were set on the walker.

“Alright, Twilight,” Redheart instructed, “lean forward and put your weight on your front hooves. Very slowly, take your back right hoof and try and move it forwards. Don’t lift it so high off the ground, you’ll lose your balance! There we go. Now, bring it forward and set it back down again. Now let’s do it again with the left. Lift it up only a little bit, bring it forward, and set it back down. How are you doing so far?”

“Wobbly,” Twilight said, “but alright.”

“It takes time,” Doctor Stable said, “but we need to keep your energy up. Let’s see if you can do another step on your own.”

Twilight took four tentative steps. The adult alicorn was like a young filly learning to walk for the first time, every step taking a few seconds for her to process the motions required for each foot on its own. One time of the four she lifted one leg up and tried moving the other one, and Redheart had to go and pull the right one forward and set it down. After four steps, the alicorn’s head was poking out into the hallway from the bed.

“Six steps, with three on your own,” Doctor Stable said as he levitated Twilight back to the bed. “Not bad. How are you doing? Any pain? Are you tired?”

“My legs felt weak,” Twilight said. “But I don’t feel too tired.”

“Good. We’ll be doing this more for the next few days.”

Later that day a book was brought in for Twilight. The alicorn read the book for a little while, enjoying being able to do something that she loved after so long of lying still in the bed. After half an hour, Redheart came in and set the book out of Twilight’s reach and turned on the air conditioner, after which Twilight fell asleep a few minutes later.

The next day started a regime to get Twilight back in condition. She was woken up about mid-morning and was given breakfast to eat. It started simple with eggs and potatoes, peas, and carrots cooked until they were soft enough for Twilight to chew, along with a glass of orange juice. After breakfast, Twilight got to read for half an hour, then she was taken into the hall outside her room for walking practice. She would walk using the walker until she told Redheart and Doctor Stable that her legs were hurting her, then Doctor Stable would lift her back into the bed. By now it was usually lunchtime and Twilight would be served soup and soft wheat bread. After which, Twilight normally fell back asleep for a while and Redheart would take her vital signs and check her for symptoms of any possible diseases that could have set in. By evening she would wake again and the whole process would restart.

It was a joy to the whole hospital staff to see Twilight even being able to walk with a walker after the time she had spent unconscious. Every day she progressed a little further down the hall and around the building. Every day the food she ate got harder and harder to chew and she ate it fine. Every day she could read a little more without feeling confused or hurt or tired. Eventually, two weeks after starting the regime, Twilight could stand and walk on all four legs without needing assistance, her diet was back to normal, and she could even do basic levitations.

Nearly sixteen weeks after entering the hospital for severe trauma to her head, Doctor Stable deemed Twilight Sparkle fit for release from Ponyville Hospital.

Except for one thing.

“She won’t be able to take care of herself still,” Doctor Stable said. “While her recovery is astounding and I can say with near complete certainty that she will make the full recovery, the Golden Oaks Library may not be the best place for her to stay alone.”

“Ah, yes,” Redheart said, prying her own memory. “The building has three floors, doesn’t it? There are two above ground and a basement if I remember correctly.”

“Yes. I wouldn’t trust Twilight with the stairs in the house yet. If Spike returns it will be a bit more comforting, but I don’t know if he would react to Twilight’s other more complicated problems as easily.”

A light clicked on in Redheart’s head. “Let me take care of Twilight,” she asked Doctor Stable. “As part of my work, I could go over and take care of Twilight during the day, make sure she’s asleep, and be able to report back on her condition. She trusts me more than any of the other nurses at the hospital and I’d be able to take care of the medical issues as well as companionship needs and help around the library.”

Doctor Stable smiled. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“I’m certain.” Redheart smiled. “I wasn’t hired by you for nothing, now was I?”

Doctor Stable’s eyes lighted up. “You have both Twilight’s trust and my own. Starting two days from now, you are Twilight’s live-in nurse. A little extra will go into your pay for this job since you’ll be taking care of Twilight’s home as well as your own, but I know you can do it.”

Chapter 29 - Coming Home

29.

Two days later, Twilight was quietly escorted from the hospital early in the morning. While she could have walked herself home, Redheart did not feel it appropriate and arranged for a carriage to pick them up from the hospital. Twilight, with bandages still around her wing bases, was quietly taken home from the hospital without fuss or big mention made of it.

At the library, Redheart put on her saddlebags of medical equipment and motioned to Twilight. “Come on and put a hoof around my shoulders,” she said.

“But I can walk by myself now,” Twilight noted. “Even you said that was one of the primary reasons I was released.”

“That may be so, but you haven’t fully recovered yet,” Redheart said in a gentle though authoritative voice. “For a few weeks at the least, you’ll be more prone to injury since you just barely avoided muscle atrophy. Your muscles in your legs are weaker and need to rest for a few weeks before you can do much on your own.”

“That’s why you’re essentially a live-in nurse for the next few weeks?” Twilight put a hoof around Redheart’s shoulder. “I heard about that from Doctor Stable.”

“Yes,” Redheart replied as she shifted her weight to help support Twilight. “Lean on me if you need to. Also, you’ll need a little help taking care of the library. For now, let’s just get you in and up the stairs.”

Redheart walked with Twilight into the door and into the library. A pony named Written Script was already preparing the library for business. He went up to the two ponies and was about to start speaking when Redheart interrupted him.

“You’ll be taking care of the library for a few more weeks. Twilight is going to be spending most of her time upstairs in bed until she completely recovers.”

“Very well,” Written Script replied. “I’ll keep things clean and organized down here. And you can call me if you need any help with Twilight.”

Redheart gave her thanks, then started walking Twilight up the stairs. At the top, Twilight was already feeling tired from the energy needed to walk up, so Redheart went and put her in bed in the top bedroom and study before Twilight started giving her a layout of the top floor.

“There’s a bathroom down the hall on the left and a kitchen on the right,” Twilight instructed. “There’s also a guest bedroom down at the end of the hall if you want to make yourself at home here.”

“My apartment isn’t far away,” Redheart said, “but thank you for the invitation. For now, you can get yourself a book started and I’ll see what there is in the kitchen.”

“Might need to clean it out,” Twilight said. “I’ve been gone for twelve weeks; probably everything in there is rotten or moldy.”

“We’ll see,” Redheart said.

The kitchen itself was dusty though otherwise seemed to have been kept clean. The fridge, however, was exactly as Twilight had described. Redheart quickly slammed the door shut to stop the smell and examined the cupboards. The only thing that seemed to be edible there were two one-serving packets of oatmeal, which Redheart prepared for her and Twilight though she wished there was some fruit.

When the oatmeal was done and lightly steaming, she put some brown sugar on it and mixed it in before taking a bowl to Twilight, settled in and reading a rather large volume, and setting it down on a tray that Twilight had levitated over. “I’m going to have to clean out that fridge,” Redheart said. “It’ll probably take me most of the day to do.”

“Told you so,” Twilight said, suppressing a giggle. “If you need bits to buy groceries, I keep a small purse in drawer next to the sink. There should be enough for the week in there.”

“Thank you. Perhaps if the library is empty, I’ll have Script come up here and help with the cleaning.”

“Sounds good to me. With the oatmeal and a book, I’ll be good for a few hours. Were there any bananas?”

“Nope. All rotten.”

“Well, shoot. I figured some bananas would be good on the oatmeal if nothing else.”

Redheart grabbed some paper and a quill and brought it over to Twilight. “Write down anything you want me to get on this paper.”

Twilight nodded and Redheart went downstairs. Written Script was reading a book and nopony else was in the library, so Redheart had him come up to help clean out the fridge. It was simple but disgusting work; Written Script, being a unicorn, was able to pull out all the rotten and spoiled food and place them into trash bags, while Redheart started cleaning up the shelves with soap and water. Script also took the trash bags out to a nearby trash dump then returned to help Redheart with cleaning the fridge.

With that job complete, Written Script returned downstairs to help with ponies entering the library. Redheart cleaned the countertops and made the place absolutely spotless before heading over to check in on Twilight. Twilight was still reading the book, but she had finished her oatmeal and had created a list for Redheart. Much to her surprise, the list was astoundingly healthy and quite practical. It was then that Redheart noticed Twilight’s book: a basic medical textbook.

“You read up on coma cases, didn’t you?” Redheart asked.

“It makes your job easier, doesn’t it?” Twilight replied. “Besides, I normally have a pretty healthy diet. It wasn’t hard to amend it to help my current condition.”

Redheart nodded. “I suppose I can’t argue with that. You must be doing something right considering I don’t think you’ve ever had a poor checkup in four years of attending our hospital.”

Redheart went to the guest bedroom and emptied out her saddlebags of medical equipment and organizing it. She might not be staying there, but at the least she could use the clean room as a base of operations. She arranged her equipment and phoned the hospital to order some medicine for Twilight before heading out with empty saddlebags and Twilight’s bits to the market.

The day was sunny and hot and a lot of the stalls had moved in to the shade and cool of the central tower. Redheart visited all the usual stalls, checking things off Twilight’s list one by one as she filled the saddlebags with fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, milk, the occasional spice, broths, soups, coffee (mostly for herself), and tofu before heading back to the library with saddlebags nearly full to bursting. After putting the food away, she decided to head down to Sugarcube Corner for a quick treat.

Caramel was there with Lyra, sitting at a table just outside. He made no attempt to speak with Redheart as she went up to the counter and ordered a two-dozen variety of cookies. But as Redheart waited for the order she watched them patiently from a distance, standing behind Lyra and out of her view so she wouldn’t get upset with her.

Poor Caramel looked bored. Lyra was talking energetically and Caramel often replied; Redheart could hear nothing of the two speaking but felt as though Caramel seemed to be replying more out of politeness than actually being engaged. Eventually, Lyra seemed to notice this and made some gentle strokes, even bringing Carmel in for a kiss, but the stallion turned his head away.

At that point Redheart’s order was ready, so the mare turned away from the scene. She picked up the box and balanced it along her back before heading out, catching a small snippet of conversation as she passed.

“Caramel,” Lyra whined. “What’s got you so bothered?”

“I don’t know,” Caramel said. “I feel like I made a terrible mistake.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, sweetheart,” Lyra said gently. “You’re a fine stallion and you are nice and gentle and I love you so much.”

“I know,” Caramel said. “At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.”

Redheart saw Caramel turn around as though trying to face her, but by that time she had gone around a corner and had disappeared from his sight. Redheart shook the image out of her head and returned to the library.

Redheart went upstairs to find Twilight asleep, book turned upside down and lying on her stomach. Redheart put a slip of paper in the book and set it aside before grabbing another piece of paper and jotting a short note on it. “I’ll be back shortly. Gone to get some things I’ll need to stay here for a while. Redheart.”

Chapter 30 - Strategies for Healing

30.

Early that same evening, Redheart returned with two suitcases and her saddlebags full of things she would need for staying at Twilight’s library. She set up a miniature table in the guest bedroom and set about organizing her medical things on it before utilizing the closet for her clothes and personal items.

When Redheart went in to give a quick check-up on Twilight’s condition, the purple mare was smirking. “I thought you said you weren’t going to stay,” Twilight said.

“I said my apartment was close by,” Redheart replied. “Stretch your hoof out for me, please, I’m going to see what your blood pressure is. Now,” Redheart continued as she slipped the black cuff of a sphygmomanometer over Twilight’s hoof, “I figured it would be better if I stayed. I’d be close by if you needed anything and would be able to come immediately to your aid.” Redheart turned on the sphygmomanometer and air began pumping into the cuff through a little black cord. “I have talked this over with Doctor Stable and he said it was perfectly fine.”

“Well, I certainly know I’d feel safer,” Twilight said as the cuff filled with air until it was tightly inflated around her arm. “Given how out of energy I was just with a simple walk up the stairs, I definitely won’t be doing much lately.”

“That doesn’t mean you’ll be lying around in bed all day,” Redheart said as she watched the screen of the device until it beeped. “One twenty over eighty. Blood pressure normal.” Redheart tapped the device and it began releasing air out of the cuff. “Doctor Stable has said a day of bed rest, but that each day I am to try and take you walking for a little bit. We’ll start simple by walking around the upper floors. Then, it’ll be down the stairs and back up. Eventually, with exercise and a proper diet, your muscles will strengthen and you’ll be able to walk on your own again.”

“Brilliant,” Twilight said playfully. “I have to learn to walk again.”

“You already learned how,” Redheart said, quite seriously and without a smile on her face as she took off the cuff from Twilight’s hoof. “It’s now a matter of control and stamina.”

Twilight crossed her hooves over her chest. “You need to lighten up a little,” she said. “I was only making a joke. I know we went over how to walk already and that I was able to walk around the hospital by myself. I also know I’ve been unconscious for eleven weeks and I need to re-strengthen my muscles. I’m just trying to make light of the situation.”

Redheart was taken aback. Of all the things she had expected, it had not been for Twilight to be energetic enough to lecture her shortly after waking up from a coma. Moreso, it was something Redheart had never considered. “How about I go make us some soup for dinner?”

Twilight’s hooves remained crossed. “Redheart…” she started.

“That’s Nurse Redheart, Miss Sparkle,” Redheart half-scolded. “I might be living with you in your home, but it is as your nurse and caretaker. Formalities must be taken into consideration.”

“Okay, Nurse Redheart,” Twilight mocked, “you might be attending to the physical parts of your duty. But what about the mental aspects? Isn’t it stated somewhere in your own books on nursing or in any one of your notes from classes or even in your employee’s handbook of rules that a calm, patient, friendly demeanor is required when working with patients?”

“Are you saying I’m incompetent?” Redheart challenged.

“No,” Twilight said gently. “You’re over-competent. You work admirably well, but you’ve shut out emotion. You can cure anyone quickly and with precision once the diagnosis is made. But where is the Redheart that talked with me when I was just beginning to regain consciousness?” she asked in such a way that Redheart felt her eyes begin to itch and water. “Where is the Redheart that poured out her story to me? You were vulnerable then, sure, but you were you, not just some employee at work. You were the employee who loved her work and yet was willing to make the emotional connection with the patient to heal them.”

“I… I’m sorry but… can you explain?”

“Healing is not always a physical process, Redheart. Sometimes, the act of healing is an emotional one as well. Let us take my coma, for example. When I woke up from my coma, physically I was healed of the unconscious state. But I was scared. Hardly anypony was familiar to me. My surroundings weren’t familiar to me. Imagine me going from being in the park on a sunny spring day to being in a brightly-lit hospital in the dark early hours of the morning. How do you think I would feel?”

“Terrified,” Redheart answered. “Lost, perhaps. Alone. Maybe even stressed out.”

Twilight nodded. “I didn’t know what happened to me. It took me a few days before realizing what had happened. Until then, the fact that you and Doctor Stable were caring for me was vital to my mental health. You were familiar faces. You were those who were working to make me feel better. At a time when everything just seemed so off and strange to me, it was a source of stability and of peace knowing I was being watched for and being taken care of. That helped heal me physically as well as emotionally.”

Redheart had by now sat on the ground and was taking in Twilight’s words and filing them away in a part of her brain for later use.

“I won’t bore you with more details, but I’ll bring up one more question before you go. Did you know that some hospitals in Equestria don’t release their patients until they are as cured mentally as they are physically, and that studies found those patients are freer from disease and injury later on?”

Redheart didn’t know that, but she didn’t say so to Twilight. Instead, she got up and walked off to the kitchen to prepare a vegetable soup for dinner. As she cooked, she occasionally looked down the hall at Twilight sitting in bed reading. The book from earlier had been changed out and replaced with a new one, another copy of the little red book that Redheart had first borrowed so long ago. Redheart wondered if she had anything to do with Twilight’s choice of reading.

When the soup was done, Redheart put a bowl on a serving tray with a spoon and a glass of milk and brought it to Twilight. She set the tray in front of Twilight. “Thank you so much,” Twilight said. “It smells delicious. What spices are in it?”

“A little salt, a little pepper, and hints of parsnip and mint,” Redheart replied. “It’s a recipe I often use at home.”

Twilight took the spoon and took a bite of the soup. She chewed it for a while before her eyes lightened up and she smiled with delight. “You know, I’ve always loved experimenting in the kitchen, but it never occurred to me to try this. It’s delicious!”

“Thank you,” Redheart said. She took a seat next to Twilight, who stared at her curiously. “Look, I want to apologize for being so… stubborn, for lack of a better term.”

“It’s alright,” Twilight said. “Being a nurse isn’t exactly the easiest job there is.”

“It’s not just that,” Redheart said. “Yes, there’s stress from my work, but I have stress from other portions of my life as well.”

“Like what?” Twilight’s voice was curious, eager… willing to listen.

Redheart shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’ll get a bowl of soup for myself and be right back.”

“It’s not ‘nothing’ if it’s bothering you,” Twilight said. “Come on, you can tell me.”

Redheart sighed. “I don’t even know you,” she said. “We’ve met before and talked before, but for all those times I know nothing about you, and you know nothing about me.”

Twilight shrugged. “It sounds like I have time to find out if you’re staying here as my caretaker.”

Redheart thought about it. “Alright,” she said. “I’ll let you know on one major condition. Before we exercise, I will tell you one thing about me. We will exercise, then you will tell me one thing about you. After we’ve started to know each other, I’ll tell you the whole story.”

Twilight smiled. “Deal.”

Chapter 31 - Conversations

31.

The next morning, Redheart awoke to an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. For a moment, confusion overtook her until she saw Twilight still sleeping peacefully down the hall. Redheart could see her chest rise and fall as she slept in her bed, the covers slightly wrinkling as she adjusted her position. Redheart wondered how even after everything that had happened to her recently she could sleep in peace and act like nothing was wrong with her or that she hadn’t just survived an ordeal not many other ponies came out of as well as she had.

Redheart looked outside the window. It was still early enough that the sun had just barely risen, casting warm gold shades of light into the hallway. Redheart yawned and got out of bed and headed for the kitchen to cook a simple breakfast. The kitchen was quiet and the house seemed to hardly have any activity even from down below, the only sounds being the hissing of the gas stove as Redheart cooked or her hooves clopping lightly against the wood floors.

Twilight was still asleep when Redheart had finished cooking. Redheart arranged two plates of food on a tray with a few glasses of orange juice and a cup of coffee for herself and brought them into the bedroom before gently poking Twilight until the purple mare had opened her eyes.

“Breakfast is ready,” Redheart said. “Eggs, country-style potatoes, lightly buttered toast with jam and some fruit.”

Twilight straightened herself up in the bed with a yawn. “Have I overslept? I usually only sleep until about eight.”

“You slept in by fifteen minutes, then,” Redheart said. “I wouldn’t worry too much about your old schedules for now. Spike’s still in Canterlot and you have to stay in bed most of the day anyways. I figured we could have a little breakfast, let you sit for a while, then once you have the energy have our first little walk of the day. If you’re feeling good, we can exercise twice a day.”

“I’m not letting you forget the other part of the deal, though,” Twilight said as she levitated her tray over to in front of her. “You’re still going to be telling me a piece of information every time we exercise.”

Redheart nodded. “Since we’ll try and do it after breakfast, do you want me to start now?”

“If you’re comfortable with it,” Twilight said.

Redheart nodded and tried to come up with a decent starting point of information for Twilight. “Well, I suppose I can start with the fact that I went to Trotsworth Academy for five years. That’s where I got my degree.”

“I’ve heard the campus is absolutely beautiful,” Twilight said. “Canterlot has the royal elegance, but Trotsworth is supposedly like a little northern country village.”

“It sort of is,” Redheart said. “It rained a lot up there, but the days were often cooler and the weather never got real hot.”

“What did you think of the Academy?”

“It was nice. Certainly wasn’t the Canterlot colleges, but it’s a respectable one.”

Twilight nodded.

When breakfast was finished, Redheart picked up the plates and washed them and put them away. With Twilight having a little more time to wake up, Redheart went over to her and helped Twilight out of the bed.

“We’ll start simple,” Redheart said. “We’re just going to walk back and forth down the hallway five times under your own weight just to get you moving.”

Twilight nodded and started walking. Initially, her feet were nice and sturdy, but by the end of the fifth time coming back down the hallway, Twilight’s legs were shaking so much Redheart had to practically lift her into the bed. Twilight was left to rest for a minute while Redheart got her some water and brought it back to her.

“All that time unconscious certainly did a number on my leg muscles,” Twilight asked.

“This is why I’m staying here,” Redheart said. “You go down the stairs to the library and you might not make it back up without help. Don’t worry. We’ll keep doing this route until your legs aren’t shaking anymore before we even think about trying the stairs.”

Twilight took a long drink of water and nearly finished the glass. “So now I get to tell you something about me,” she said. “I’ll confess I actually got a C in one of my college courses.”

“You?” Redheart said. “The smartest pony in Ponyville and student to the Princess, got a bad grade in a course? Do tell which.”

“Art. I was lucky the teacher was going for improvement and not skill. I’ve always been more of a reading and writing sort, while art was horrible. I started the class doing stick figures and managed to just draw a simple pig by the time class was over. Dancing was bad, too, so I was lucky I never had to take a class in it.”

Redheart giggled at the information. “I never would have guessed,” she said through her giggles.

After that, Redheart left Twilight to sleep while Redheart did some housekeeping, like picking up the mail and making sure Written Script was down below to take care of the library. The dishes were put away and Redheart did some dusting in the library before Twilight woke up for lunch. Redheart made sandwiches and they had leftover soup from the previous night’s dinner.

“Since there’s not exactly much we can do,” Twilight said in between bites, “we could pass the time talking.”

Redheart shrugged. “I could dust or wash some windows.”

“You can do that after lunch,” Twilight said. “Come on! I wanted to know more about you before, so you can help me out by talking with me.”

Redheart realized that Twilight had a point; it was, after all, what she had been invited for to the picnic they both missed out on. “Well, I got my cutie mark after taking care of my mother when she got sick. I was probably about Apple Bloom’s age at that point.”

“What does your mother do?”

“She works at a school in Whitewater Ridge as the nurse. We’re originally from Whitewater Ridge, so we have a home there. Mother has a summer home in Ponyville, though, so for college I went to the academy in Trotsworth and coming home meant coming back to Ponyville.”

“So, what about your father?”

“My original father was a teacher. He stopped, though, when he had an accident while working on the house that made one of his legs unusable and the doctor ordered him to stay home. It drained the life out of him, not being able to teach. Eventually he grew so weak he just passed away in his sleep. Mom’s remarrying soon to a stallion by the name of Double Eagle, a semi-professional golfer who ranks high in tournaments. He’s just what mom needed; someone who was more active and more upbeat.”

“Was it hard losing your father?”

“I’ve only cried three times in my life. The first was at his passing soon before I entered college. Double Eagle has made the passing easier. I trust him and he’s nice to mom and helps her around the house. And mom likes to go watch his tournaments.”

“I’ve never known a professional golfer before,” Twilight said with awe.

“He’s not in the big leagues,” Redheart replied. “Sure, he competes and earns money for it, but he’s not alongside the big names.”

Twilight shrugged. “It’s something,” she said.

Redheart nodded. “What about your family?”

“Mom’s a published author. She’s the one who wrote the six Daring Do novels, in addition to the younger children’s novel Escape from Castle Midnight. I never liked that one much, but the Daring Do series are some of my favorites from her.”

“I’ve never met a published author before, and I love the Daring Do series,” Redheart said eagerly. “I should meet your mom and tell her how I used to be at the Whitewater Ridge bookstore for the midnight releases for all six books.”

“And I should meet your stepfather and tell him my dad idolizes him,” Twilight giggled in reply. “He’s always talking about how he thinks Double Eagle should go professional.”

Redheart went from giggling to laughing, and heard Twilight laughing along with her. It felt good to laugh like that, something she hadn’t done for a long time. She felt lighter, happier. It was the same sort of feeling she had when she first met Caramel long ago on the train to Ponyville back from Trotsworth Academy.

But Twilight didn’t have to know that yet. There was still time to learn more about this mare, something which Redheart found herself eager to do.

Author's Note

Mythology gag FTW.

Chapter 32 - Catharsis

32.

Over the next few days, Redheart learned a lot about Twilight, and Twilight learned a lot about Redheart in return. Redheart told her about her Academy days, and Twilight told her about the School for Gifted Unicorns, which their experiences were quite similar. Redheart told her about her time in the hospital, and Twilight told Redheart about some of the adventures she had been on that the rest of Ponyville didn’t know a thing about. It was strangely intimate and yet Redheart couldn’t help but enjoy herself and she had the feeling that Twilight enjoyed it, too.

There were the exercises still, even with the increased conversation. Every day, twice a day, Redheart would make Twilight get up and walk a short distance. First it was just through the top of the library, but soon it became up and down the stairs, and nearly eight days after their schedule started, Twilight finally managed to walk outside on her own for the first time. The walk only went around the base of the library, but it was quite an achievement for Twilight and Redheart couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Twilight giving tiny hops of joy and excitement at being outside again. Even so, she tired quickly and soon Redheart was helping her back up to bed.

Redheart figured it would be nearly time for her to move back into her apartment soon with Twilight nearly on the mend. A blood test and a checkup at the end of the second week and Redheart’s duty over Twilight would be finished. It was… sobering to Redheart when she realized this, and she wondered if Twilight felt the same way.

One evening when Redheart had made dinner, Twilight walked in and sat down at the table with her. It had been the first time she had gotten up of her own accord, and the first time she had walked anywhere without Redheart watching her. Redheart was confused at it but said nothing and continued making dinner. When the salad, soup, and sandwiches were finished, she set then down on the table along with napkins and utensils without commenting on Twilight’s accomplishment and they sat across from each other and served themselves.

“You’re quiet today, Redheart,” Twilight said. “Ever since we started having our little conversations, you’ve been quite talkative.”

“Yes,” Redheart said. “I suppose I have been today. I’ve just been thinking.”

“About what?”

“Your progress. You’ve done remarkably well lately,” Redheart said, trying to sound upbeat. “It surprises me that only eight days ago you were nearly confined to your bed and shaking whenever you walked a short distance. Yet here you sit in front of me after walking by yourself.”

“It’s thanks to you, Redheart,” Twilight said. “I’ve been exercising and eating well and making sure I get enough sleep, but I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

“You have other friends, though,” Redheart said.

“Yes,” Twilight said, “but none of them are medical professionals. They wouldn’t know what to do if I fell or I became sick. They’d just call the hospital and one of you would have come down here to help me.”

Redheart poked at her food. Twilight was halfway done with her meal, while Redheart had only taken a few bites.

“Is there anything else?” Twilight asked.

Redheart shrugged.

“Come on!” Twilight encouraged. “We’ve told each other some of our most personal thoughts and experiences, yet something still has you bothered. If you want, you can tell me whate—”

“I’m fine,” Redheart cut Twilight off. “I’m not bothered by anything.”

“Come on, Redheart. You can tell me whatever you want and I won’t tell anypony.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight. You’re still a stranger to me. You, your magic, your life, your friends… I don’t know anything about them. All I know you from is your medical records and these conversations we’ve had these past few days. I know about you, but I don’t know you.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation to something?”

“No. I just… it’s only been eight days and yet you’re acting as though I can tell you anything.”

“I’m not acting like it. I’m telling you.”

It was not what Redheart had expected to hear. “…what?”

“I’m being completely serious. Redheart, before I fell into a coma, I said I wanted to get to know you better. A few days ago when we started my exercises, I told you that I wanted to know more about you since you were being my caretaker and I hadn’t the chance before. Now is the chance I have to ask the question that’s been bothering me since I asked you out on the picnic.”

The room went entirely still. Redheart stopped mid bite, waiting for Twilight to speak. She felt like she should ask something in return, yet every muscle in her mouth was paralyzed as though waiting for Twilight’s command to speak. Twilight took a deep breath and let it out, an action that Redheart felt only prolonged her misery.

“Redheart… what was it that you were crying about that day I asked you to go to the picnic?”

That was it? That was all she wanted to ask. “I had just finished reading the book A Knight’s Tale.”

“There must be more to it than that,” Twilight said. “I’ve cried reading books before, but that was because they struck a particular chord within me. What had made you cry?”

Redheart knew there was something behind the question. “Twilight… I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress lately. Not from my job, but from other ponies.”

Twilight had stopped eating. Redheart could tell she wasn’t finished, but Twilight wasn’t paying attention to the food. She was paying attention to her, the violet eyes gently staring at her that was doing the poking and prodding at her that words were not. Redheart gulped.

“Alright, I’ll tell you. Before you invited me to the picnic, I had met up with a stallion I hadn’t seen in four years. He was a past lover of mine, the one who I had grown the most attached to. But four years ago he broke my heart by having sex with another mare before breaking off our relationship. He came around a few months ago intending to say he had changed. And for a while, I was drawn into him. He had charmed me as he did all those years ago.”

Redheart had noticed that her voice had gone from stern and almost guarded to soft and vulnerable, and yet she continued. “For a long time, I was with him and believed he had changed. He had me wrapped around his hoof, taking me out to dinner and going with me on walks and just having the sweetest personality. When another mare started flirting with him and disrespecting me, he stood up for me and defended me, saying that I was his marefriend and that he loved me. But then we grew apart as the mare intruded into our relationship more and more. Eventually, he said he was going off for a weekend and I walked around town feeling lost without him, only to find him still in town with the mare that had for a long time intruded in our relationship.”

Redheart took a deep breath. “Four years ago, I gave him up and focused on the work I had set out to do based on my college education and my cutie mark. I buried myself in my work and closed myself off to the world despite having a chance to settle down and have a normal life that was split between work and friends. But I didn’t take that chance. I went on doing the same thing, and when he came back to me a few months ago I did the same thing as I had done four years ago. I went along with him even though something in my head told me it would be the same as last time.”

“You’re probably asking yourself ‘what does this have to do with that book’? Well, I’ll tell you. I was the stallion knight, going about my work so dutifully. The stallion was both the dragon and the mare; the dragon by virtue of his faults and the way he guiled me into falling in love with him, and yet he was the mare for the sort of life I dreamed of. When I left him to devote myself to work, it was me leaving the mare to continue my passion. When he came back, it was as though I as the knight had been struck by the bandits, falling into the pattern of fighting without regards to the possibility of a normal life.”

Twilight was still silent and her food had gone untouched by the end of Redheart’s story. Redheart felt her eyes water and she took her napkin and dabbed her eyes with it to keep the tears from falling down her cheek.

“That’s why you told me the night I awoke that you were thinking of going to Trotsworth,” Twilight said. “You thought it’d be normal.”

“No,” Redheart said. “I thought it would get me away. I’ve had multiple chances for the normal life. But I’m about to run away from it all because I feel like I can’t stand it here much longer. That it’s not for me.”

Twilight got up from her spot at the table and walked over to Redheart and sat down next to her. “Have you thought about trying again?”

Redheart shook her head. She found she couldn’t look at Twilight and averted her gaze. “I don’t want to be hurt again.”

“Haven’t you ever thought about even finding just a close group of friends?”

“I’ve envied ponies like that.”

“Give me an example.”

“…you.”

For having said it to her for the first time, Redheart was surprised how well Twilight took it. “I can see that. But… what are the specifics? Why have you envied me?”

“I think it really hit me at the birth of the Cake’s twins. You weren’t even related to Mr. and Mrs. Cake, but because they were friends of yours you were there for them. It was like you were combining your work in the study of friendship with the fact that they were simply friends of yours, and you did so with ease. Meanwhile, I was sitting there on the sidelines feeling like I had to choose between one and the other.”

Twilight nodded. “There’s a time for work and there is a time for play. They say that to foals in school to get them to balance homework with playing, and yet it applies to adults as well. You, Redheart, have been so focused on work that you’ve forgotten the importance of play. You’ve been so caught up in your work you’ve forgotten to make relationships that are just for the purpose of being friends. You are married to your job, so to speak.”

“That isn’t the first time I’ve heard that remark from somepony,” Redheart commented.

“And yet it’s true. When I became a princess, I had gone on to a smaller project that allowed me to study friendship with others, to get to know other ponies. I chose you because all I knew you from was your work. I hadn’t seen you do anything or be with anypony outside of it. And, to be truthful, that makes me kind of sad. Even the cellist Octavia, who devotes herself to the study of tones and the practicing of her cello, has a small group of friends she goes out to drink with and can actually be very pleasant company. So can you if you’re not so focused on work, but I haven’t seen that much of it until recently.”

Redheart bit her lip.

“Redheart… I suppose what I’m getting at is I want to be friends with you. I want to know you. I want to see who you are when you’re not so wrapped up in your work.”

Redheart looked back up to Twilight to see a gentle asking in her eyes. It was all true, she thought to herself. Twilight had said what no one else had said. Not even Caramel. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt to be… friends.”

“So, when I get better, I’ll ask some of my friends to come along and we’ll have a picnic by the lake like we tried to have before. It won’t be much, but it’ll be a start. Oh, and I’ll introduce you to a couple of ponies around town in addition to my main group of friends. There are some of them like Octavia that I think you would like.”

Redheart nodded and managed a smile through her tears. “I think I should like that.”

Author's Note

ALL those Chekov's Guns are being fired.

Chapter 33 - The Picnic

33.

“Are you sure this was a good idea, Twilight? I mean, Doctor Stable said from the reports that I should be staying with you one more week.”

“Oh, don’t worry too much about it, Redheart. It won’t be long before we get there anyway. Besides, I need to get out of the library and I’ll be able to rest when we get there. And you need to learn how to make some friends.”

“All well and good, but are you sure it couldn’t wait until you were fully recovered? There’s always the problem of something not turning out quite as expected. I mean, you could have some sort of strange blood clot and need to go to the hospital for that, or maybe your mu—”

“Oh, Redheart, you worry too much. Yet another reason that proves you need to get out more. And here we are anyways! Proof you didn’t need to worry so much.”

Redheart sighed and put the blanket down on the cool grass. The lake was a nice, bright blue and the day was bright and clear with moderate weather and a light breeze, perfect for the end of summer and a week away from the first day of autumn. The grass was a bright green and felt soft under Redheart’s hooves as she and Twilight laid out the blanket and their additions to the lunch; sandwiches cut in little triangles and arranged neatly (Twilight’s contribution) on a platter.

Redheart sighed and sat herself down. Her pink mane fell lightly at her shoulders, Twilight having convinced her not to put it in a bun. “When are the others supposed to be arriving?”

“Not too long. Applejack is bringing cider from her farm, Rainbow Dash stopped to pick up something from Sugarcube Corner.”

“That’s it? I’ve met Rainbow Dash and Applejack before,” Redheart said.

“You have?”

“On the day you went into a coma,” Redheart said. “They were the ones who explained how it happened, with Rainbow Dash crashing into you and all.”

“Yeah, but Rainbow Dash is still my friend and she’s still more level-headed than the others can be.”

“How are you not mad at her? You were in a coma for twelve weeks and are just getting back on your hooves after fourteen and you’re not mad at her?”

Twilight looked around as though to see if anyone was coming. When she was satisfied that there wasn’t anyone else nearby, she leaned towards Redheart and said in a hushed voice, “To be truthful, I am. I am mad that fourteen weeks of my life were disrupted by a stupid accident that Dash should have realized was going to happen. But Dash is still my friend. I’ve recovered and moved on and my life is getting back to normal again. Plus, it seems like Dash is really sorry and was really worried about me.”

Twilight looked around again and returned to Redheart with a grin. “Not that Dash would admit it.”

Redheart nodded and managed to smile, even giggling a little bit. The incident with the book was still strong in her mind, and Dash’s revelation of her enjoying reading had caused Redheart a decent laugh (even if she was still making trouble).

It wasn’t much longer after that when two ponies with saddlebags came across the hills; Applejack and Rainbow Dash were coming in side by side, Applejack carrying what looked like a small case of bottles filled with a bright yellow liquid, while Rainbow Dash carried a large box.

“Hey, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash called. “Glad to see the egghead’s out of her shell once again. And hey, Redheart!”

“Howdy, Twilight,” Applejack said. “You’re lookin’ like you’re back on the right track. Good to see you too, Redheart. Twi was worried you might back out.”

“Well, the doctor told me to stay with her one more week due to some blood tests,” Redheart said. Anyways, at the end of the week, she’s due for a checkup and she should be all clear.”

“Yeah,” Twilight said. “Not as heavy magic usage still, but it’s something.”

“I’d say that’s more than just somethin’,” Applejack replied. “Quite a fine job you’ve done takin’ care of our Twilight like that, Redheart.”

“It’s nothing,” Redheart said, feeling herself get red hot from the praise. “It’s just my job.”

“Yeah, but you’re probably, like, the best nurse in Ponyville if you managed to take care of Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said.

“It’s what my cutie mark says I’m good at. Just like yours says you’re good at being fast.”

Applejack cracked open a few ciders and passed them around. Rainbow Dash set her box down on the blanket but didn’t open it up right away. Twilight put the sandwich platter in the middle of the blanket and they began eating, drinking, and talking.

“Well, it’s certainly nice to be enjoyin’ a picnic without havin’ to worry about there being any surprise pony downpours in the forecast,” Applejack said.

“Certainly is,” Twilight said, ignoring Dash’s indignant look. “The weather team certainly did a fine job of keeping the temperatures nice and mild this summer.”

“I’ll say,” Applejack said. “It’s the first time not one of my apple trees looked brown from dryin’ out.”

“The weather team manager’s been going easy on us this year,” Rainbow Dash said. “More cloud cover means less direct sunlight, he says.”

“I’ve never had to worry about heat,” Redheart piped in. “I swear the hospital sometimes reverses the temperatures so much summer feels like winter and winter feels like summer in there.”

“If you didn’t it probably would change pretty quick, though,” Twilight replied. “Better to be able to go from one extreme to the other than having to keep finding ways to make yourself warmer or cooler.”

“I suppose so,” Redheart agreed.

For a long while, Redheart sat quietly and nibbled her sandwich. It was interesting to listen to the other ponies, but it was hard talking to them. Comments like the one she had made earlier were not going to be enough and she knew it. Sure, they asked her questions and she gave answers of yay or nay or some other little comment, but she was still hardly able to talk. Strangely enough, it irritated her.

Eventually, Twilight pulled Redheart aside. Or, rather, she asked Applejack and Rainbow Dash to move a short distance away for a minute. “Act natural,” she told Redheart.

“How am I to do that?” Redheart said. “I suppose I’ve been hiding it for so long I don’t know how to make it reveal itself again.”

“If a topic interests you, say something. If that interests someone else, they’ll make a comment on it. Then someone comments on that, and someone comments on that, and so on. A conversation is merely a string of comments on a topic of interest. You have the comment part down, but you’re not following through.”

Redheart nodded. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were summoned back over.

“So, Applejack, I heard you were heading off to another rodeo show again soon?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, there’s this event going on in Dodge Junction,” Applejack said. “I thought about not attendin’, but hey, I know I could place so I figured why not?”

“Do you think maybe we all could attend this time?” Rainbow Dash asked. “That way you won’t be running off again after the performance.”

Applejack laughed. “Maybe.”

“…the judges thought you were going to win for sure. You were a favorite from what I heard of their chatter.”

The others at the blanket froze and all turned to stare at the white pony with the pink mane.

“You were there?” Twilight asked Redheart incredulously.

“Twilight always talks of you like a neat freak,” Applejack said. “I didn’t think you’d be interested in that sort of thing.”

Redheart nodded. “My late father was fond of rodeos. Whenever one came around to Dodge Junction, he’d prepare the family, book a hotel, and we’d head off for a long weekend to watch. From a young age, rodeo has been one of my favorite sporting events.”

“How’d she do?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“The barrel weave was excellent form and the pony who beat her did it only by a few tenths of a second. The shot-buck* was good, but out came this big male who walloped everyone on the field. In the agility competition, she would have won but barely nicked an obstacle and was put back on time a few seconds. But I must say this: I’ve never been so excited at a rodeo before.”

“Really?” Applejack asked. “Been a while since I’ve heard someone say that. Usually it’s just counted as the same thing over and over and over again.”

“Isn’t any sporting event?” Redheart quipped. “The game’s the same; only the competitors are different.”

“Speaking of sports, what others do you like?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, I’ve always particularly been fond of lacrosse and my mother’s current fiancée is a semi-professional golfer.”

“Wait, what’s his name?”

“Double Eagle.”

“…your mom is going to get married to Double Eagle?” Applejack asked, awed.

“Yeah.” To Redheart, this was normal.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Rainbow Dash suddenly burst out squealing. “He took down the pegasus contender from Cloudsdale last year, but that match was epic! First time I didn’t mind Cloudsdale being beaten in an event just because it was so close. You’ve got to let us meet him sometime!”

Redheart laughed, but she wasn’t the only one; Rainbow Dash squeeing over her soon-to-be step-father was adorable and was making Twilight and Applejack laugh. “I suppose I could arrange a meeting with a few friends.”

As the day wore on, Redheart became more comfortable with Rainbow Dash and Applejack. It was actually a pleasure to be around them, and was sad though satisfying when they finally had to leave. Not to mention the food had been delicious; Rainbow Dash had even brought a ‘Welcome Back, Egghead’ cake for Twilight, and Redheart and Twilight were currently taking a quarter of it home with them; Rainbow Dash and Applejack split the rest.

“You know,” Twilight said as they walked along the path home, “you need to smile more. You look cute when you’re happy.”

Redheart looked at Twilight, a grin across her face. “I am happy,” she said. And she was. She was happier, lighter, freer than she had ever felt before.

Perhaps staying in Ponyville wasn’t such a bad decision after all.

Author's Note

*In human sports, this would be the shot-put

Additionally, I think I'm about three chapters away from finishing.

Chapter 34 - Same Song, Second Verse

34.

A few days after the picnic, Redheart woke up early in the morning. She was excited and apprehensive about what was to happen that day, and the conflicting emotions had made her restless and unable to sleep for very long. She didn’t need to care about Twilight anymore; the young mare was back to taking care of herself, and even surprised Redheart the previous morning by making her breakfast in bed, her way of thanking her for taking care of her over the past three weeks and it being her final day.

That was what made Redheart excited, she mused as she went about preparing breakfast again in the library’s kitchen. She was excited that today – she was almost one hundred percent sure – Doctor Stable’s checkup of Twilight’s condition would state that Twilight Sparkle was as healthy as she had been fifteen weeks ago. Redheart would be needed no longer to care for Twilight, and the mare would be able to continue her life as normal.

But she was apprehensive as to what would happen afterwards. For the last fifteen weeks, her life had been centered almost entirely around Caramel and Twilight. Now, in just a few hours, both would be gone. Caramel had stopped bothering her long ago and she hadn’t seen him since that one day going to Sugarcube Corner. She had been at Twilight’s beck and call for nearly four whole months, but with Twilight recovered she wouldn’t be needed anymore. It seemed to her a dangerous prospect, having had two of what she considered the most important figures in her life being removed.

But that was life, wasn’t it? A series of hellos and goodbyes. Once the time was over, it would be time to move on again. For a few months, Redheart’s and Twilight’s paths had intersected. Now, it would be time for them to split off on their separate paths. Redheart choked at the thought for a minute on something nonexistent in her throat.

Redheart heard a set of hoofsteps coming behind her. She busied herself over the stove, stir-frying a mix of potatoes, peppers, and onions and buttering toast. The hoofsteps came into the room and sat down at the nearby table as Redheart got ready a fruit salad. After she was done cooking, Redheart set down the food on the table and sat down across from Twilight.

Twilight seemed oblivious to Redheart’s conundrum. She appeared bright-eyed and wide awake and walked with something of a hop to her step. “Certainly have come a long way since a month ago, huh, Redheart?”

“You certainly have, Twilight,” Redheart said, forcing what she hoped would seem to be a natural smile onto her face.

It must have seemed natural, because Twilight didn’t comment on it. “I know I’ll probably have a few checkups after this to follow up on my status, but it’ll be great to be free again.”

“What do you plan to do first?” Redheart asked, trying to sound supportive.

Again, it must have come out sounding natural. “I don’t know. I certainly need to catch up on my studies and I’m pretty sure I’m behind in my readings. Princess Celestia will need a letter sent to her regarding my condition and how I’m released from hospital care—”

“That part is already covered,” Redheart cut in. “Celestia herself told us to let us know of your progress. Her last communication told us that she was very pleased to hear you were walking on your own again.”

“I would still like to tell her for myself. Just a thing, let her know my magic is running close to smoothly again and whatnot. She’ll probably have to keep Spike for another few weeks, but I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Redheart watched as Twilight explained all these things. She wanted to feel happy for her, yet there was that pain still there. She ate in silence while Twilight continued talking, stopping only to take bites of her own breakfast.

After things were finished, Redheart started collecting the dishes, but she felt a hoof reach out towards her own. She looked over and saw Twilight smiling warmly at her. “What time is our appointment at the hospital?”

“Your appointment is at two o’clock,” Redheart told her. “It’s Doctor Stable’s first appointment after his lunch break.”

Twilight nodded. “Why don’t you let me get the dishes?” she asked. “You look tired.”

It hadn’t occurred to Redheart, but she certainly felt exhausted. “Yeah. That… that sounds like a good idea.” She trotted off to the room at the end of the corridor and closed the door behind her.

For a brief moment, she became wide awake. She organized all her medical equipment and put it away. The things she had brought for herself she had put away in her saddlebags. Once she was sure everything she had gathered, she became tired again and laid down on the bed but found it impossible to fall asleep.

It became further impossible to sleep once she heard a knocking at the door. “Redheart!” Twilight was calling to her. “It’s one thirty. Should we be heading over to the hospital now?”

Redheart stretched and got up feeling as though she had merely blinked and it was time to go. She put her saddlebags over her back and carefully balanced the case with medical equipment before opening the door and walking out. “Yes, it’s probably a good idea,” she replied.

The sky outside was sunny and clear. Golden Oaks Library had a warm glow to it in the afternoon sun of the final day of summer. Soon the leaves would be turning brilliant shades of gold and yellow and red and the grasses turning a light amber color. Cider season would be upon them again, in addition to Applebuck Season. Then there would be the running of the leaves. The trees would go dormant and hide away as winter’s first snow fell and covered the countryside in soft white sheets. Things would be as normal, as normal as they ever had been before, as if the last fifteen weeks had never happened except for records put on pieces of paper that would be filed away and perhaps never seen again.

“Redheart…?”

Twilight’s voice snapped Redheart out of her reverie. Redheart looked over to the purple mare.

“You had a sort of faraway look in your eye,” Twilight commented. “What were you thinking about?”

“It was nothing,” Redheart said quietly. “Just… thinking about how autumn officially starts tomorrow.”

Twilight nodded. “The Summer Wrap-Up Festival is coming up, isn’t it?”

Redheart nodded.

“Are you going to be at the medical station again?”

“I’ve been on-duty for the festival every year since I started working.”

“Have you never experienced it for yourself?”

“Never. Well, we get shifts, so I’ve been through it once or twice, but never really anything special since I would have to go back to work or work late.”

“Maybe you could ask Doctor Stable for a day off.”

“Maybe. He’s always considered me his best worker and is not fond of the idea of letting me go, especially for a time as busy as the Summer Wrap-Up Festival.”

“I’m sure one day wouldn’t be too much to ask of him.”

Redheart hmm’d thoughtfully.

At the hospital, they checked in at the lobby and waited in the waiting room for Doctor Stable to be available. Redheart filled out some paperwork and had Twilight sign the papers where appropriate and they waited a little longer. Eventually, Doctor Stable came to the room himself and smiled at the two of them.

“Miss Twilight Sparkle,” he said warmly. “It’s time for your checkup.”

Twilight and Redheart got up and followed Doctor Stable back into the examination rooms and Nurse Redheart went through the usual procedures: checking her ears, checking her weight, checking her blood pressure, and taking her temperature. When that was all clear, Doctor Stable led them to his own office and sat them both down at his desk.

“I have a few pieces of business to be discussed with the both of you,” he said, levitating a pair of glasses with a golden aura over to him and gently adjusting them on his face. “Firstly, towards Miss Twilight Sparkle. I am happy to say that your reports have all come back positive and as of this moment you are officially released from the care of Ponyville Hospital. Secondly, Princess Celestia has paid for all of the hospital bills and expenses, along with a sizeable bonus for helping to heal her student, and would like to inform you that the bill to be placed upon you and your family has been relieved.”

“Oh, wow!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’ll have to include that in my progress letter to her.”

“For now, Twilight, that is all the business that I have with you. However, I would like you to schedule a checkup for one month with the receptionists at the lobby just as one last follow-up on your condition. In the meantime, I will be speaking with Nurse Redheart.”

Twilight nodded happily, then turned to Redheart. “I wanna ask you something once you’re done. I’ll be waiting outside in the lobby, okay?” She didn’t wait for Redheart to answer, but turned and walked out the door without waiting for a response, cheerfully greeting another nurse passing just outside before her hoofsteps faded into silence and the room went dreadfully quiet.

Doctor Stable kept his warm look but his voice turned quite professional. “Our first order of business together will be your pay. For the time spent at Twilight’s house taking care of her, you shall be receiving not only your usual pay, but an added bonus. To make things a bit cheaper on taxes for us and perhaps a bit more advantageous for you, the bonus will be added onto the next four paychecks as overtime. You will also be getting a seven percent raise in pay.”

“Thank you very much, sir. I promise I’ll continue working hard and up to your standards to make sure that raise is not regretted.”

“It never has been,” Doctor Stable said warmly. “I was finishing the paperwork and getting it approved during the time you were Twilight’s live-in nurse.” An odd smirk appeared on his face as his voice became professional again. “To celebrate, I am going to give you a few days off, paid vacation, to relax.”

Redheart’s gaze went from reverently polite to glaring at Doctor Stable. “And how long do you plan to have me away from my job that I was just about to go back to?”

“Oh, just a week or so.” The stallion looked on the verge of laughing as though it was some sort of joke. “That ought to give you enough time to get some fresh air outside of the hospital and some time to relax. Go out with some friends to the lake, get some sunshine. Or take a few hikes in the hills around town. Even better, do both. Oh, and I won’t be needing you for the Summer Wrap-Up Festival this year, so enjoy your time off.”

Redheart looked at him, irked and perplexed.

“Well, go on,” Doctor Stable said. “I do believe Twilight had something she wanted to tell you.”

Redheart was near fuming, but took a deep breath as she got up and left the room. Doctor Stable had obviously gone mad. She pushed the thoughts away as she entered the lobby, seeing Twilight standing and waiting towards the reception desk. She walked over to her.

“Twilight?” Redheart asked as she approached. “You said you wanted to ask me something?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go out to dinner two days from now. Maybe if you got off in time we could meet up at the hospital at about six-ish? It doesn’t have to be somewhere fancy.”

“Oh,” Redheart said. “O-of course. Is there something you…?”

“There’s something I wanted to talk with you about.” Redheart recognized that voice. It was like there was something bottled up inside her, something she had been suppressing.

“Yes. As a matter of fact, Doctor Stable gave me a whole week off.”

“Cool. So six o’clock works for you?”

Redheart didn’t respond for a while.

“…Redheart?” Twilight asked playfully. “Are you still there?”

The silence from her own mouth was so deafening she had to break it somehow. “Yes, Twilight. Six o’clock works out perfectly.”

“Great. I’ll come and pick you up from your place. Same apartment number still?”

“Yep. Same number.”

“I’ll see you then, Redheart.”

“See you.”

Something told Redheart as Twilight walked out the hospital doors that dinner wasn’t going to be the last time they would be seeing each other. As she watched Twilight walk away and eventually followed her into the warm sunlight, she smiled completely genuinely for the first time in months, perhaps years.

Chapter 35 - Does it Almost Feel Like We've Been Here Before?

35.

Two days later, at five fifty, Redheart was looking at herself in the mirror trying to decide whether or not to have her mane be in a bun or loose. She had showered, given herself a good brushing, and put on a slight spray of a lavender and vanilla-scented perfume before spending the last five minutes standing in front of the mirror.

She had spent half that time thinking. She had never done this sort of thing for Caramel before. It was… something of a new experience, to feel like this. She’d done it twice before, once with Carmel and once with that mare at Trotsworth, but it felt like a new start with a new pony. But along with that came the apprehension, the feeling that maybe Twilight wasn’t entirely being truthful, that she was going to desert her again.

It was strange. The past two days had felt strange being able to return to her apartment. It was exactly how she left it: clean, neat, and organized, but also vacant, blank white, sterile. It was not like the warmth she had felt in Twilight’s home on the second floor of the library. It felt lonely and empty again. Even on a normal basis, Twilight at least always had her little dragon assistant and friend for company.

Eventually there came a knock on the door. Redheart went and picked out a red sweatshirt and put it on, deciding to leave her hair down.

Another knock came at the door. “Alright, alright, I’m coming,” Redheart called, straightening out the sweatshirt. She walked over to the door and opened it to find Twilight standing at the door. The lavender mare had worn nothing except for a small purple tie that put her mane in a ponytail. She looked kind of cute that way.

“Hey, Redheart.”

“…you came.”

“Of course I did,” Twilight said, looking confused while sounding cheerful. “I made sure to leave tonight free in my schedule. Something wrong?”

“No, absolutely not. I’m… happy you did. I suppose I just didn’t know what to expect.”

“Well, again, I have the whole night free. I have reservations for a little place by town hall. Limited seating, quite atmosphere, and a quartet is playing tonight. Are you ready?”

“Yeah. Just let me grab some bits.”

Redheart went and grabbed a small bag and put it in the pocket of her sweatshirt before following Twilight out the door. The sun was low in the sky and the first of the autumn breezes were beginning to come in and brought the night to an early chill. The two ponies walked side by side to the town hall and the little restaurant that Twilight had brought them to. They walked in to the warmly-lit place and up to the unicorn hostess in a black dress standing at the redwood podium in the lobby.

“Good evening, ladies,” the hostess said professionally with a hint of welcoming. “Do you have a reservation this evening?”

“Yes,” Twilight answered her. “It should be under Twilight Sparkle.”

The waitress flipped through her notebook for a little bit before nodding and making a check in it. She grabbed two menus from the shelf and nodded. “Twilight Sparkle, table for two. Come right this way, please.”

Redheart followed Twilight from the lobby into the restaurant. It was lit with a soft golden glow, lined with beige booths with green, red, blue, and yellow glass mosaic lanterns over the tables that cast brilliant patterns of color on the clean beige floor. A few deep brown oak and pine tables were arranged in the middle of the room, all covered by a pristine white table cloth that held two or three candles and a neatly-arranged place setting. On the far side of the room, a wooden stage set a foot or two off the ground held a four-piece quartet playing quiet tunes on a cello, bass, violin and a small piano.

The hostess laid down the two menus as Redheart and Twilight climbed into the booth, somewhere towards the middle of the room. It was a nice, quiet place that made Redheart feel calm though with a slight sensation of being underdressed. “I’ve never been here before,” Redheart said.

“I come here at least once a month,” Twilight said. “The other restaurants are good, but sometimes it’s good to be able to get away and find a nice quiet place to eat every once in a while. I almost always need a reservation though. Are you much of a wine drinker?”

“Actually… I usually prefer something harder. Apple cider, shot of whiskey, that sort of thing. Of course, if you had something in mind, I’d be willing to try something new.”

“Oh, good. This place sells an excellent peach moscato. You’ve got to try it.”

Redheart had never heard of a ‘moscato’ before.

The waiter came to the table. “Good evening, madams. I’ll be your waiter for this evening. Before you order, I’ll go over the wine specials: any wine tonight is ten percent off and we have the house chardonnay is only four bits per glass. Now, what can I get you to start off?”

“Ice water with lemon, please,” Redheart said politely.

“Can I get an ice water with lemon, too, and a carafe the Ravenswood peach moscato?” Twilight said confidently.

The waiter scribbled these down in his notepad. “Alright. Do you need a few more minutes to look over the menu?”

“Yes, I think we will,” Twilight said. “And can you make sure the carafe is brought on ice?”

“That will be an extra five bits.”

“That’ll be fine.”

The waiter nodded and walked away as Redheart gawked at the prices on the menu. “I can see another reason you come here only once a month. I’ve never seen someone ask fifteen bits for a plate of pasta!”

“This one’s on me, Redheart,” Twilight said. “I get paid enough to indulge myself every once in a while, and I want to share it with you.”

Redheart might have been breathing, but it was cut short for a second. “Thank you…”

“Now, I suggest an appetizer of the spring rolls. They’re made with fresh vegetables and mild cheeses.”

“Alright. I suppose you know the place better than I do.”

The waiter returned a few minutes later and brought around the two ice waters along with a large round container filled with a sparkling, pale yellow liquid in a small bucket of ice and two thin wine glasses. The waiter took the orders and left to take the orders to the kitchen as Twilight poured a small amount of what Redheart assumed was the peach moscato into hers and Redheart’s glass, leaving half of it left.

“There’s enough for another serving if you want one,” Twilight said. “Go on and try it.”

Redheart picked up the glass and took a sip of it. The white wine was cool and refreshing and bubbly and tasted faintly of sweet peaches. “This tastes pretty good,” Redheart said. “I’ve always heard you have to have a taste for wine to be able to drink it.”

“Oh, I never go much more than this,” Twilight said. “My family tried to introduce me to the red wines the last time they came down and I couldn’t stand them. Blech! Too bitter for me.”

“This one tastes kind of sweet, though,” Redheart said, taking another sip as their waiter brought around a plate of warm bread. “Almost like a stronger fruit juice.”

“Funny you should say that,” Twilight said, her grin extending slightly. “I said the same thing about it when I first tried it.”

Redheart giggled as Twilight passed her a piece of bread. Redheart buttered it and took a bite of the soft interior with a lightly crispy crust. It was probably the best she had ever eaten, tasting fresh like it was just out of the oven.

After Redheart and Twilight had finished the first round of the moscato, the waiter returned bringing two small salads with dark-colored lettuce, slightly peppery arugula, shredded red cabbage and carrots, and small cherry tomatoes lightly covered in a sweet vinaigrette dressing. The spring rolls had mushroom, eggplant, caramelized onions, and a light white cheese that Twilight referred to as parmesan, all wrapped in a flatbread and seasoned with wild herbs. The wine was temporarily forgotten as Redheart and Twilight each took a few of the rolls and ate them while the music continued playing softly in the background.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been treated like this,” Redheart said. “I mean, I hardly ever get to go out. Work at the hospital just makes me so tired and takes up so much time I hardly get any time to myself.”

“Doctor Stable gave you a week, didn’t he?” Twilight said. “I can treat you a little bit.”

“I suppose you could. I mean, I don’t want to just have you spend frivolously and waste all your money on me with all these fancy meals.”

“I don’t feel like I’m wasting my money.” Twilight’s expression softened. “You seemed surprised that I came around to get you. Why’s that?”

Redheart sighed. “My last stallionfriend left me for someone else without saying a damned thing. I suppose I’m still a little bitter about that, not to mention that I have to start things all over again in terms of finding someone else.”

“So… you were thinking it was a joke?”

“To put it bluntly and simply, yes.”

Twilight smiled at Redheart. “Well, I’ll have you know I meant it. I’m not exactly, shall we say, knowledgeable in the field of dating, but if you weren’t opposed to it then… maybe we could spend a little more time together. Like this. Just us.”

Redheart nodded slowly. “No Rainbow Dash or Applejack or anyone else?”

“Just us,” Twilight repeated.

Redheart smirked. “Did you know I had a marefriend at Trotsworth?”

“So… that’s a yes?”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

The dinner orders came around shortly thereafter. Twilight had ordered a plate of angel hair pasta with simmered diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil topped with a marinara sauce and lightly dusted with mozzarella cheese. Redheart had gone for a simpler marinara, browned butter, and mizithra cheese over angel-hair pasta with a side of broccoli. Twilight poured another glass of wine for the both of them to have with dinner. Redheart ate slowly but reasonably and enjoyed every bit of it. Twilight even let her have a taste of her ‘pomodoro’, which was almost as delicious as Redheart’s own meal; she offered a bite to Twilight who she thought may have had everything in the restaurant, only to find that Twilight had never had that before. There was a small, playful argument – “Yours tastes better.” “No, yours tastes better.” “But yours is richer.” “But yours has more flavors.” – which was quickly settled by them agreeing to order what the other had the next time they came.

By the end of the meal, Redheart and Twilight were both full and quite content. The wine had gone perfectly with the meal and the bill had come quickly. Twilight paid for the meal and left a tip for their waiter, who kindly escorted them to the door and out into the cool night.

“How about we head around to my place for coffee?” Redheart asked.

“Considering I’ve never seen the inside of it,” Twilight said, “that sounds like a good idea to me. And I’d really like to get out of this cold.”

The two walked a short distance to Redheart’s apartment. The doors and windows were closed and Redheart turned the heater up a degree or two before starting a pot of coffee. Twilight looked around at the pristine apartment with hardly a speck of dust.

“It’s so… clean,” Twilight said, almost in awe. “It’s almost like the interior of a hospital room.”

Redheart laughed. “I suppose it kind of is. I always liked things being neat and orderly.”

“I guess hospital work was a perfect line of study for you, then,” Twilight commented as she sat down on the sofa.

“Probably would be better for you mood, too,” Twilight said as the coffee finished and Redheart poured two cups. “Wouldn’t make you so stressed after a day at the hospital.”

“Alas, can’t have any serious remodels here, so the painting is out of the question. I could always sell the furniture and get some new stuff with brighter colors.”

“Certainly would help to lighten the mood around here,” Twilight said, taking a sip of her coffee. “I’ve always loved how the sun shines on the oak of the library and makes everything seem so golden. It’s like a sanctuary in there, a little safe haven. Even when I’m alone in there, it doesn’t feel like it.”

“Certainly a contrast from here,” Redheart said. “Every time I think about it too much, this place always has too much empty space.”

“You need a change of environment,” Twilight said. “Heck, I could pick a color or two and have Rarity help with picking a color scheme to go around it. Something nice and warm and natural, like yellows and golds and softer reds.”

Redheart smiled. “I think I’d like that sometime.”

Twilight finished her coffee and Redheart rinsed out the two cups.

“Well, it’s been a nice night,” Redheart said. “Thank you for taking me to dinner.”

“It’s no problem,” Twilight said. “I wanted to let you know I was serious about wanting to still see you and, judging by your reaction, I’d say you’d have no problem with that.”

“None at all,” Redheart said. “I’d be nice to see another soul around this place every once in a while.”

Twilight smiled and kissed Redheart on the cheek. Redheart felt her cheeks get warm and she gave out a little giggle.

“Well, I suppose I’d better head on back home. It was nice being able to get together again outside of me being in a hospital.”

Redheart nodded.

Twilight opened the door just a crack. Redheart waited for her to open the door the rest of the way, but she didn’t. Instead, she closed the door. “It’s kind of chilly out there,” Twilight said, turning around.

Redheart nodded as though it wasn’t interesting, but her voice said otherwise. “Do you… do you want to stay the night.”

“If I may ask… why?”

Twilight came up and put a hoof on Redheart’s shoulder.

“If you want me to stay, I will. Maybe… maybe it will help you if I stay to calm you down so you’re not stressed.”

Redheart smiled. “Maybe it will. But there’s only one bed.”

“Do you hear me complaining?” Twilight smirked.

Redheart nodded, amused. “In a little, I won’t be hearing a thing.”

A few minutes later, Redheart and Twilight had gotten into Redheart’s bed. Twilight wrapped her hooves around Redheart and their lips touched. Redheart was no longer in Ponyville; she was soaring in the skies as she rode on Twilight’s wings, letting the cool night air flow through her without ever feeling cold, as Twilight made her feel warmer than ever before.

Author's Note

Title is a line from the song "Pompeii" by Bastille. Which, oddly enough, seems to go along with this story rather well.

Chapter 36 - An Intimate Morning Moment

36.

Redheart was awake. She could hear the birds chirping outside her window. She could feel the warmth of the early morning sunlight peeking in through the window, and she knew despite her eyes being closed they would be casting a warm orange and gold light across her otherwise austere white room. Her hoof was outside the blanket and caught a draft of cool air that clashed so thoroughly with the warmth that Redheart pulled her hoof into the blankets to keep it warm… and touched something else.

A hoof. Another hoof that wasn’t attached to her. Redheart opened a lazy eye and found herself staring at the purple uni- alicorn that ran the Ponyville library. Memories of the previous night came rushing back to Redheart – the dinner at the fancy restaurant, the taste of the peach wine, Twilight coming over to her place for coffee, the cold wind that forced her to stay, her getting into bed and the two of them having a glorious night to themselves.

But now, Twilight was sleeping. Her eyelids were closed but Redheart could see the quivering motions of the eyes underneath. Her mane was flopped over to one side and quite messy in places from where she had probably rubbed it against the pillow. Her stomach gently rose and fell, the sight nearly imperceptible if it weren’t for the soft warm breaths that came from her nose and slightly opened mouth. Her wings were folded neatly against her sides as though nothing wrong happened.

Redheart sat there and relished the moment. Sure, she had similar experiences in the past, but this was different. She felt safe, comfortable, relaxed with Twilight. She felt secure watching Twilight sleep next to her. She felt protected as she recognized one of Twilight’s hooves wrapped around her. She felt… happy.

That was a feeling she hadn’t recognized for a while. She thought she had felt it when she was with Caramel, but she had begun to diagnose that as simple complacency; it was okay but she hadn’t done anything to improve her surroundings when things got tough; she cried at his leaving instead of talking it over with him. But here… this was happiness, wasn’t it? The warm feelings that Redheart had inside weren’t just being fine with where she was anymore. She recalled long ago how Twilight had told her she wanted to get to know her better. That certainly had happened last night in both forms of the phrase.

Redheart brought a hoof up and gently stroked Twilight’s cheek, feeling the velvet softness of her lavender coat under it. Twilight gave a contented sigh and Redheart was tempted to do the same, yet she held back for a moment for fear of waking her sleeping companion. The touch confirmed that everything the previous night wasn’t a dream, that everything that happened before had actually happened to her. Redheart turned around gently and scooted herself into Twilight’s embrace before closing her eyes again.

It was nearly an hour when Redheart awoke. The bed was moving slightly behind her, and she could feel the gentle stretching of muscles from the pony behind her. Redheart didn’t open her eyes but let out a soft chuckle.

The moving eventually stopped. “So you are awake?” came Twilight’s soft whisper from behind her.

“I was awake an hour ago,” Redheart replied. “I was facing you before, but it wasn’t close enough for me. So I turned around and scooted in closer to you. For warmth.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t for another reason?” Twilight asked, a hint of teasing in her voice. “Because it doesn’t feel that cold to me.”

“Hey, I’m not Applejack,” Redheart said with a laugh. “I can lie every once in a while.”

“I suppose so,” Twilight said. “And that’s a lie that at least isn’t entirely harmful.”

“It’s based in truth.”

“Which part?”

“My hoof got caught in a draft. And I can’t remember if I turned the heater on.”

Twilight pulled Redheart closer to her. “You forgot to turn one heater on, but the other one’s awake.” Gently, Twilight unfurled one of her wings and put it around Redheart. Almost immediately the temperature boosted as the feathers blocked the cold air from coming in and the warmth of the ponies’ bodies from leaving.

“There’s an advantage of having wings,” Redheart commented. “You have your own insulation.”

Twilight laughed. “So you do have a sense of humor?”

“It’s there. It’s infrequent, but it’s there.”

Twilight giggled a little more before settling down with a sigh. Redheart took her own hoof and pulled Twilight’s close to her, not wanting her to let go quite yet even though there was coffee to brew and breakfast to cook. She could feel one of Twilight’s other hooves stroking her back and occasionally run through her mane.

“It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way,” Redheart commented.

Twilight gave a tiny lick to the back of Redheart’s neck. It felt warm like the rest of her body. “Felt what way?” she asked.

“Happy,” Redheart said. “I… I think the last time I felt this happy was when I got the job at the hospital. And it’s been a while since I was in a relationship that made me feel that way.”

Twilight shifted position, putting a hoof under her head. “I was in a relationship with someone before I came to Ponyville,” she said. “He was nice to me and everything and was really polite and a gentleman. We even went out on a date. But then… then he told me of his idea of marrying me to get into favor with Celestia. Everything he did up until that point had a motive to me, then. He told me some of those feelings were true, but it was too hard to look past it.”

“Did you ever get… intimate with him?”

“Once. It was awkward and uncomfortable. He was gentle with me, and later apologized, but I couldn’t do it with him again.”

“Who was it?” Redheart said as she turned around to face Twilight.

“Oh, just some Canterlot noble at the School for Gifted Unicorns,” Twilight said. Her eyes gained a sort of faraway look. “We met for a short time after the Grand Galloping Gala my first year down here. I forgave him for his actions, but I couldn’t get together with him. He seemed to understand, though.”

“What about me, though? Why choose me, a small town nurse, over Canterlot nobility?”

“You’re smart, to start with. Nursing is a hard career and needs good grades, so we have that in common. You like to read and take notes, which is another thing we have in common. Also, the more we’re together, you remind me of me when I first came here.”

“Not many friends, difficulty relating to other ponies, developing sense of humor, needing to learn a thing or two about social graces… yeah, I can see that.”

Twilight smiled. “So, I suppose I should ask if you’d be willing to… continue this thing.”

Redheart smiled. “‘Thing’?” She laughed. “I would have thought a walking dictionary would be able to come up with the right word for it.”

Twilight gently bopped Redheart on the nose. “You know what I mean.”

Redheart nodded. “Of course I do.”

“You know what I mean?”

Redheart gently returned the hit to the nose. “No. Of course I want to continue this.”

“Do you… want to go to the Summer Wrap-Up Festival later today?”

Redheart smiled back. “That sounds wonderful.”

Author's Note

Twilight's story of a previous relationship might be expounded in a later story when this is finished.

In other news, I FINALLY UPDATED A THING.

Chapter 37 - Hearth's Warming Eve

37.

Caramel sat on the bench outside Sugarcube Corner and looked at the clock inside anxiously. Redheart was ten minutes late. From his memory, Redheart was never ten minutes late, and he wondered what was keeping her. She was the one who had arranged this meeting anyways.

Outside of Sugarcube Corner, a light layer of snow covered the ground in a thin white sheet. The day was covered in clouds and a wind blew through so cold it chilled Caramel through his black sweater, but no more snow had fallen. Festive lights in bright blues, greens, golds, and reds adorned the houses of Ponyville, and a large pine tree set up in the square had been decorated. Hearth’s Warming Eve was only a few days away; a large sign advertised a play for the occasion to be held at the stadium on the hills just outside Ponyville, and carolers walked through the ribbon-lined streets singing carols. The enthusiasm and friendliness of the lilting voices was infectious, and soon Carmel found himself tapping the snow underhoof.

It wasn’t until a little while later, after the carolers had come and gone, that Redheart appeared. Caramel almost didn’t see her coming, the white of her coat blending in with the pure snow, yet it was not so hard to spot the pink mane, loose and flowing instead of tied up in its usual bun, and the red sweatshirt she was wearing. She walked up to Caramel and told him to wait a minute before heading inside Sugarcube Corner.

Inside, the store was brightly lit. Cookies in the shape of ponies and deer and pine trees and ornaments filled the display cases. Bright, multi-colored signs advertised pies and loaves of bread freshly baked that morning, the steam lifting off in thin wisps. Redheart was soon at the counter and picking up a container with two cups of hot chocolate, a small dollop of whipped cream at the top of each one and a thin line of steam wafting from the surface.

The contained in her mouth, Redheart came back outside and sat on the bench next to Carmel, who had brushed the snow off a spot for her to sit. Redheart took out one of the cups and gave it to Caramel, who took it gratefully and immediately put the cup to his bright red nose.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Redheart said, taking the remaining cup. “I was packing my things together.”

Caramel looked at her. “You’re leaving?”

“Doctor Stable gave me the holiday off,” Redheart said. “This afternoon, I’m getting on a train and heading over to meet my mother and father in Whitewater Ridge for Hearth’s Warming Eve with the family.”

“Oh, good,” Caramel replied. “I thought you meant you were moving.”

Redheart shrugged and took a sip of her hot chocolate. “I thought about it.”

Caramel took a sip of his own cup, wondering where this was going. “So… you left me a message saying you wanted to talk. About what, if I may ask?”

“Oh, I just wanted to talk for a minute or two.”

Caramel blew a raspberry. “You’ve been avoiding me for months. There’s got to be an explanation why you suddenly called me up to talk. Have you and Twilight broken up yet?”

“Nope. Still going strong.”

Caramel nodded. “How have things been going with her?” he asked gently.

“Doing pretty good, so far,” Redheart replied. “I take my shift at the hospital, get off in the late afternoon, and we go out and spend the evening doing something. I’ve made quite the circle of friends lately.”

“Really? Like who?”

“She’s got connections with Octavia and Noteworthy, so we sometimes go to their concerts and hang out with them afterwards. She took me to a poetry reading with Written Script not long ago, too, and they’ve even got me into writing.”

“I bet that’s been fun,” Caramel said.

“It has. Matter of fact, I think I’ve been having more fun than I have for a while.” Redheart smiled and laughed at the thought, and Caramel thought she looked even prettier than she ever had. She turned and looked at him with bright blue eyes. “What about you? How have things been going between you and Lyra?”

Caramel sighed. “We broke up not long ago. I… caught Lyra cheating on me.”

“With who?”

“Bon Bon. That mare who occasionally helps out here at Sugarcube Corner but otherwise has her own candy business. What’s worse, afterwards, Lyra told me she wanted to continue the relationship, that Bon Bon was an old friend of hers that was just satiating a desire. I couldn’t do it.” Caramel sighed. “I suppose I understand how you feel now after seeing me with Lyra a few months ago and Roseluck back in Trotsworth.”

Redheart’s smiled softened but didn’t fade. “I suppose you do,” she said gently.

Caramel chuckled. “I thought you’d be laughing at me,” he said. “For making myself look like an idiot three times now.”

Redheart shook her head. “I’m not. Matter of fact, at the moment, I wouldn’t even think of doing so. It’s a hard thing to go through, and it’s not something I’d wish on anypony.”

They sat in silence for a while, sipping on their hot cocoa.

“What time does your train leave?”

“I’m meeting Twilight here in about fifteen minutes. Once she arrives, we go over to her place and grab her things, then over to my place to grab my suitcase, and hopefully arrive at the station in two hours’ time.”

“Twilight’s going with you?”

“So is her family. Well, her mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law are going, at least.”

“You’ve hit that point where it’s time to introduce each other to the family?” Caramel smiled.

“Oh, mother and father are in for a shock when they see I’m dating Canterlot nobility,” Redheart chuckled. “But, it’s not about that for me. Twilight’s treated me like nopony has for a while: like I’m special. Like I’m the one her world revolves around. And… I feel the same way.”

Caramel nodded. “I’m sorry about what happened with Lyra,” he said. “I wish… I wish I had just called the thing off the first time I felt something was going to go wrong.”

“When was that?”

“When we went to that one restaurant and Lyra was among the band playing on the patio. I should have gone up to her the next day and told her that she should have just stayed away. I wonder if things would have turned out differently if that was the case.”

Redheart shrugged. “I think I would have turned out a jealous lover anyways. Considering it had happened once before already, I would probably be quick to be suspicious of you. I wager it would have lasted a few more months before a spat.”

Caramel looked at his cup and took a final sip. “Do you think those wounds will ever be healed?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Caramel raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re going to start an affair with me while you’re with Twilight.”

“No, nothing of the sort. But Twilight taught me something.”

Redheart took a sip of her hot chocolate and set it down on the bench. “After she began to recover, we went out on a picnic with another pony, Rainbow Dash. Just to fill you in, Rainbow Dash created a Sonic Rainboom that, when she smashed into Twilight, caused her to fall at very high speed from ten feet up. The resulting crash led to Twilight going into a coma while Rainbow Dash went away with nothing more than a minor concussion. If you were in Twilight’s position and you woke up to find that fourteen weeks of your life were taken away by something as careless as that, how would you respond?”

Caramel thought about it. “Well, I’d be angry. Maybe even angry enough to reprimand them or get in a fight with how they were being inconsiderate of me and what they did to me.”

Redheart nodded. “Now, what if they had a sense of guilt over it? What if they wanted, for fourteen weeks, to tell you how sorry they were that it happened and how worried about you they were? Would you still harbor the same resentment?”

Caramel had to think about this one. “Well, I… I suppose I would… I would forgive them. If they were really sorry about it, I don’t think I could stay mad at them for too long.”

Redheart smiled at Caramel and put a hoof around his shoulder. It was warm and more intimate a gesture than Caramel had expected at this point. “For twelve weeks I was with you dealing with a tumultuous relationship. I dealt with stress from my life with you as much as I was dealing with stress from work, if not more so. But after what happened, you seemed guilty. I saw you once outside of Sugarcube Corner with Lyra talking about how you felt you had made a mistake.”

Caramel nodded; he could see where this was going. “But… you forgive me for all that? But how?”

“You were my best friend at Trotsworth and, for a short time, my only friend there. When I was dealing with the stress of work when Twilight was in a coma, you were able to make it go away for a little bit. And when we finally split up the second time, when I spoke with you later you felt sad about it. You can’t be all that bad if you’ve done something like that.”

Caramel found he could not meet Redheart’s eye.

“You’ve got a good heart in you, Caramel, I’m sure of it. It just needs some time to settle down.”

The snow in a few spots became darker and slightly melted away. “I… I can’t believe…” Caramel choked out.

Caramel felt a hoof on his cheek and the tears were dried away. “Caramel, I may still be in a relationship with Twilight and may continue to be for the foreseeable future. But I do want to be friends again. We don’t have to start from scratch. We just need to make sure we pick ourselves back up when we stumble again.”

Caramel finally picked his head up and looked over to Redheart. For a long time, he gazed into the soft blue eyes smiling at him. Finally, he smiled back. “Yeah. I suppose I could do that.”

Redheart smiled and put her hooves around him. Caramel returned the gesture. He wanted to hold on for as long as he could, but eventually he managed to pry himself apart from Redheart, who was looking down the street. Sure enough, Twilight was coming.

“Hey, Redheart!” Twilight called as she approached. “You ready?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Redheart said, getting off from the bench. “Twilight, come over here and meet Caramel. He’s the friend of mine from Trotsworth I was telling you about.”

“Oh, you’re the one who wanted to open the music store!” Twilight said, holding out a hoof. “I’m Twilight, ‘Twilight Sparkle’ or ‘Princess Twilight’ not necessary.”

Caramel extended his own hoof and politely shook Twilight’s hoof. “Pleasure to meet you, Twilight. And yes, I wanted to own a music store.”

“Have you found a decent space yet?”

“No, I’m still trying to earn money. I have a job at a music store now as a clerk. Better money than the bookstore I was at, I’ll tell you.”

“Pretty much the same job, isn’t it?” Redheart jabbed.

“Maybe it is,” Caramel said. “But the pay’s better, so I’m not complaining.”

Twilight looked around. “Anyone know what time it is?”

Caramel turned around and looked at the clock inside Sugarcube Corner. “It looks like it’s about one-fifteen now.”

Twilight nodded. “Well, we’d better head off, Redheart. We’ll need to grab our things and make sure to pick up our tickets early.”

Redheart nodded. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Twilight and Redheart turned to Caramel. “It was nice meeting you, Caramel,” Twilight said. “Perhaps you and your special somepony can meet us for a double date sometime?”

“Well, I don’t have any special somepony as of yet. But I’m sure there could be a mare or two I could invite to come along with.”

“Or guys,” Twilight said. “I’m not offended either way.”

Redheart laughed. “Of course you wouldn’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have treated me the way you did last night.”

Twilight’s face went bright red as Redheart and Caramel laughed. “Oh, please, Redheart! Nopony needs to know about that!”

Redheart whispered something in Twilight’s ear, to which the mare nodded. Twilight began walking off as Redheart turned to Caramel. Without much warning, she wrapped a hoof around Caramel’s neck and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, causing Caramel to go red.

“You’ll find someone, I’m sure,” Redheart said.

Caramel smiled back at her. “Thank you. For forgiving me.”

Redheart smiled at him. “You’re a good friend, Caramel. And for a while, you were a good lover. Don’t think it’s over yet. I’m sure you’ll find someone.”

Caramel wrapped a hoof around Redheart and they held each other for a minute. Eventually Redheart released Caramel and walked away. “Take care!” she called as she galloped off to where Twilight was standing a short ways away. Caramel waved to her as she left, then sat and watched as they walked down the festive lane side by side. Somehow, the cold wasn’t biting through him so much anymore.

“You too, Redheart,” Caramel said when they were out of earshot. “And take good care of Twilight. I know you will…”

Author's Note

It's been a fun time writing it, and I may include a few bonus chapters at the end, but for the most part Married to Her Job, Single in Her Heart is now complete. Thank you to all who favorited and liked my work and all who watched me over the course of my writing this, and hopefully you'll stick around as I've got a few more works to come.

Chapter 0 - Prologue

Doctor Stable sat at the reception desk of Ponyville Hospital and let out an exasperated sigh. The golden brown unicorn ran a hoof through his parted brown mane and tapped another impatiently as he stared at the file in front of him. Taking a nearby pen, he signed his name at the bottom of the top page and stared at the hospital entrance anxiously.

It wasn’t long when the subject of his impatience entered the mostly-empty lobby. She was a white-coated unicorn mare with a bright orange mane and a heart set on fire for a cutie mark. She walked in with a partner, a pegasus stallion with white coat and feathers and a syringe for a cutie mark. Neither could see the gaze of the unicorn at the reception desk boring into their skulls, but he could see the fur on the pegasus’ neck begin to stand upright and itch nervously. After a while, the mare started to look around as nervously as the pegasus until she finally turned around and saw the dark green eyes of the Equine staring at her.

“Ms. Fireheart,” Doctor Stable called. “Could you come over here for a moment? We need to talk.”

The girl hugged the pegasus, who scurried off down a nearby corridor, before approaching the counter. Doctor Stable could see her hooves were shaking. “Y-yes, sir?”

“I would like to discuss your performance as of late, Fireheart,” Doctor Stable said slowly, letting every word sink in. “When I hired you last year, you were competent and willing to work. As the months have trailed on, however, you’ve been late numerous times and have been spending the majority of your hours on duty in the break room.” He set down the pen he was holding and crossed his hooves, placing them on the desk. “Have you anything to say to defend yourself?”

“I… I don’t think I’ve been that late,” Fireheart stuttered. “And I’ve shown up and pulled my fair share.”

“You’re thirty minutes late, Fireheart. You were expected in at four o’clock today. It’s four thirty now. Also, your friend Nurse Quick Shot has had to take over your position three times in the past week that you’ve neglected to do your assigned tasks.”

“You’ve had Quick Shot take over for me? But I came to you with a complaint about him interfering and not doing his own work just a few months ago!”

“Well, it seems the tables have turned,” Doctor Stable replied, his calm demeanor and voice contrasting the girl’s near hysterics. “I’ll have you know I did have a little conversation with Mister Quick Shot regarding his behavior. So far, he’s taken it to heart. He has performed his duties admirably to the point I’ve considered hiring him once his internship is finished.”

Doctor Stable thought about continuing, but watched as the mare looked around the dark green eyes searching for some form of hope. Alas, for her, there currently was none. It was then that Fireheart noticed the file sitting on the desk in front of the unicorn. “What… what is that?” she asked.

“Your file,” Doctor Stable replied. “In here I’ve been keeping track of various things regarding your work. Some things include your hours, your paychecks, your position, your duties, as well as any complaints or strikes against your record. Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to file to have your license suspended, but unless you give me one good reason against it… I’m afraid I’ll have to fire you.”

“What!? I… I’ve been doing all my work!”

Doctor Stable calmly sorted through the file in front of him and pulled out a sheet of paper. “We have a complaint here from a nurse that said he had to take over attaching an IV bag to a patient because you left five minutes early the past three days in a row.”

“And I swear to you that I’ve been coming in on time!”

“There’s another one here from a pharmacy technician at the front counter that said he saw you coming in late on a particularly busy day, one which I had called in to see if you could come in early to help with the rush. And I didn’t get a response.”

“I haven’t been spending all my time in the break room!”

“There are two lunch times at this hospital, Fireheart, so that there is always staff on duty. I have near constantly over the last few months seen you attend both lunches in the cafeteria. I’m afraid that’s three strikes against you.”

Doctor Stable put the complaints sheet in the file and handed it to Fireheart, the notice of her termination as the top page facing her. Fireheart gasped at the file in disbelief and weakly accepted it.

“I know we are the highest paying hospital in the region,” Doctor Stable said. “And, I’ll be truthful about this: I’m willing to hire you again once you show you’re committed to the work. Spend some time in a community care center or a clinic and I’ll let you back in once I’ve received some good reports.”

Fireheart took the file and walked away without another word.

As she left, Doctor Stable sighed again and went back to his former work at the computer. Fireheart was yet another nurse lost to incompetence in the past few months. The staff was slowly dwindling, and with Ponyville’s population of ten thousand residents and growing that was never a good thing.

In part he blamed himself for possibly being too strict – Fireheart had shown up to work every day, unlike the last one who kept skipping days and was fired months after being hired – while the rest of him pushed that thought out of his brain. It was his job as head physician to make sure that the proper employees were added to the work, that they could withstand the pressure of a sometimes busy schedule where it was possible to have as many as seventy overnight patients, and as many as fifty a day come through the Emergency Ward. Fireheart had been suited to the work but hadn’t taken it seriously, and that was as important as being competent enough.

Doctor Stable looked towards the sign near the front door of the hospital advertising for an open spot to those qualified. His thought his standards were reasonable – a three point five grade point average from an accredited university, a nursing license, and a minimum two years of internship for a paying position. Sure the internship amount was more than some of the surrounding hospitals, and the grade point average was higher as well, but was that really such a deterrent? The higher ups in Canterlot thought they were quite reasonable and mature coming from the newly-appointed head physician of one of Equestria’s most up-to-date and growing hospitals in a growing town. Surely there must be someone who could answer the call and at least ask for an application.

A few minutes later, he got his answer. A young Earth pony mare with white fur and a pink mane that came to just below her shoulders walked up to the sign and stared at it for a minute. Even from a distance, Doctor Stable liked her; she appeared a few inches smaller than the unicorn (minus his horn), but she walked straight and confident like she was constantly due for something and she already had her papers in a firm grip in her mouth. She walked in and looked at Doctor Stable with a pair of ferocious blue eyes, crossing the lobby in quick strides towards him.

“Hello,” she said, voice calm and professional. “My name is Redheart and I was wondering who I needed to talk to about a job application.”

Doctor Stable smiled. “You’ve come to the right stallion. I’m Doctor Stable, head physician here at Ponyville Regional Hospital. I can get you an application. Now,” the stallion said as he started shuffling through papers, “you look pretty young. Do you mean you want an application for an internship?”

“I’ve already done it,” Redheart said as soon as Doctor Stable had finished speaking, startling him. “I had two years’ experience working inside a hospital while I went to Trotsworth Academy.”

The stallion originally looked at her with shock at how quickly she had responded to the question, then smiled. “Let’s see if we have an application here. Ah, yes, here it is.” He acted as though he was going to give Redheart the papers, but pulled them back before she could grab for them. “You said Trotsworth Academy, didn’t you? What was your GPA there?”

“I had a three point seven five grade point average over five years. I also was told at Trotsworth Medical Center that if I was looking for a paying job I could go back at any time and they would hire me immediately.”

The stallion smiled again. “Here you are. Fill it out and bring it in as soon as you can. It’s been a while since I got someone so capable. I’m sure we could find a place for you here.”

Doctor Stable watched as Redheart finally returned the smile as she grabbed the papers. She was quite pretty when she lightened up. “Atta girl. You need to smile a bit more. I find it helps keep the patients calmer and more responsive.”

Nurse Redheart gave a short laugh. “I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.”

Chapter 2 - The Library

The following morning, Redheart’s alarm went off precisely at seven thirty. Redheart pushed the button on the alarm exactly once, relishing the cool sheets and warm blankets of her bed as the first bits of sunlight came into her room. It was bound to be another beautiful day outside as far as the weather was concerned. After two more times of the alarm ringing, Redheart got up and let her day begin at seven forty-five.

The day began as usual with a morning bathroom routine. A quick wash of the hair, a quick toweling of her body, and her usual ordeal of getting her somewhat long pink mane into a neat bun that rested at the back of her head. Afterwards came the trip to the kitchen, where she collected her mail from the front door mail slot and made herself a cup of coffee as she perused through the arrivals: bills, a letter from her mother, and her paycheck from the Ponyville Hospital. When the coffee was done, she made herself a small breakfast of eggs, toast, and a fresh, sliced apple from Sweet Apple Acres.

As she sat down to ate, Redheart thought of what she could do on her vacation. It was not like her to take time off, and she had little to do in the meantime. There wasn’t much around that could interest her outside of her job; it was something she had looked forward to every day of her life. Already Redheart was thinking about the next week when she was able to get back to work again… Perhaps Doctor Stable was right; she was too focused on her job.

But what else was there to do? She could cash her check and pay her bills, but that took her twenty minutes for the bank run and twenty minutes to do the bills, still leaving her the whole day to do something. She could go to the marketplace and see what was on sale to restock her kitchen, but even that wouldn’t take too long. Even then, if she figured out what she would do that day, there was always the issue of what to do the other days.

With no idea of what else to do, Redheart finished her breakfast and washed the dishes. Afterwards she gathered up her paycheck and made a list of items to get from the market. Attaching her saddlebags to her back, Redheart left her apartment and trotted off to the bank, where she deposited her paycheck and pulled out some bits, and headed for the marketplace.

While she was in the marketplace, Redheart saw another young stallion approach her. This one looked like Doctor Stable but he didn’t have his horn and his coat was a shade or two lighter. He walked up to her and smiled. “Hey, Redheart.”

“Hello, Caramel,” she said impartially. “Glad to see you haven’t been inducted into the hospital yet, today.”

“Hey!” Caramel said, not offended but hurt. “Just because I’m a regular patient doesn’t mean you have to be so sarcastic about it. So… what’s going on lately?”

“Nothing much,” Redheart said. “I’m just going about my business as I usually do. I’m looking for sales.”

Caramel tried to smile again. “I heard the celery farmer is having a sale. Two bunches for the price of one for this week only since she has a surplus. And the Apple family had a particularly good crop, so they’re selling at five apples for three bits.”

“Thank you,” Redheart said, and walked a little faster with the intent to leave him behind.

Caramel wasn’t perturbed by this and walked a little faster himself, eventually passing Redheart and getting in her way. “How come you’re being so cold? I’m not trying to do anything but be nice and you’re treating me like I’m the last person you want to meet today.”

“You’re not the last,” Redheart said, pausing long enough that Caramel started to break into a grin. “But you’re pretty close.”

Caramel’s face fell again. “Look, are you mad at me for having to deal with me so often or is it something else?”

“It’s gotten to the point where I get paid extra every time you come in,” Redheart said. “So for that I thank you. But I would rather not speak with you.” And she sidestepped and continued past Caramel.

The stallion didn’t seem to be satisfied. “What did I do wrong?” he asked.

Redheart suddenly whirled around on him. Her normally light blue eyes had tinges of red in them as she glared at the now whimpering stallion. “Are you that thick-headed? Have you already forgotten what you did? I don’t care what you say, nothing is going to make me want to get back with you! So, if you would kindly leave me alone, that would be helping me more than anything else.” She turned around with a huff and walked off.

During the rest of her shopping, Redheart did not see Caramel again. Every once in a while she got the sense that she was being followed but whenever she turned around she never saw a thing. It got to the point that by the time Redheart was heading home she kept checking over her shoulder for signs of the stallion but she never caught him if he was. She was only at peace when she arrived at her apartment and had locked the door behind her.

After putting the food away, Redheart paid her bills and walked down to the mailbox with them, depositing them in the blue box for the mailmare before returning home. Normally, she would be putting on her cap and heading off to the Ponyville Hospital after a quick lunch, but today Doctor Stable had deemed the first day of a week-long vacation. The apartment felt silent and was oddly stark and stuffy compared to the weather outside, but Redheart could not take her mind off of work.

It soon struck her that if she couldn’t go to work, she could at least find something related to work. The library seemed like a good choice; she could check out a book or two on medical procedures and history of medicine and spend some time reading those. With that in her mind, Redheart again put on her saddlebags and headed off back in the direction of the marketplace, this time heading through it to reach the Golden Oaks Library.

Redheart opened the door of the library and liked it almost immediately. She had never been inside, but she appreciated the clean and organized nature of the place. The proprietor, a certain Twilight Sparkle, had recently undergone coronation and become a princess, but she still couldn’t rid herself of the old library and still took care of it. Redheart had met her a couple of times before, but she had never been inside the library she lived in and took care of; the mare knew how to keep a place neat, not to mention the warm colors of the wood and the multi-colored books on the shelves made the place seem welcoming.

At the moment, the mare herself was sitting at a table in the center of the room reading a rather large book on the night sky. The bell rang as Redheart entered and Twilight looked up with a smile. “Hello!” she said kindly. “Welcome to the Golden Oaks Library. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“I remember you,” Redheart said. “I’m Nurse Redheart from Ponyville Hospital. We called you over to help out when everypony got sick from the badly-baked muffins and your friend Rainbow Dash stayed in the hospital with a broken wing.”

“Oh, I remember that. Sorry again about her stealing the book.”

“It’s fine. Hardly anyone remembers it anymore.”

“Oh… well, in that case, are you here to pick up something for Doctor Stable?”

“No,” Redheart spat. Realizing how harsh it came out, she checked herself and calmed down before she continued though some anger still shone through her voice. “I mean, the good doctor has decided that I needed a break from work, so I’m off this week. As a result, I’m at a lack of things to do. I was wondering if you had any books on anatomy or on history of medicine here at all.”

“Something to pass the time?”

“Sort of. And keep myself focused for when I go back to my job.”

Twilight nodded and perused the shelves. She pulled out two books from the medical shelves in the nonfiction section of the library and pulled out two decent-sized books. She placed them on the table, where Redheart walked up to examine the titles.

“This one is A Basic Guide to Pony Anatomy,” Twilight said, pointing at a blue book. “It’s often used in beginning medical courses at larger universities. This other one” – Twilight pointed to the book next to it with a green cover – “is A Brief History of Medicine written by a doctor and historian working in the field for twenty-five years in Canterlot. It covers all the way from the time when Princesses Celestia and Luna first took the throne to about twenty years ago. It’s a little old, but I’m sure it will be long enough.”

“It will,” Redheart said. “Thank you for both of them. I’m afraid I don’t have a library card, though.”

“Oh, that’s fine,” Twilight said with a smile on her face. “I can get you one prepared in just a few minutes. You can browse around the library while you wait.”

“Is there any charge?”

“No charge at all. There are late fees, but you have two weeks to turn the books in so hardly anypony has that problem around here.”

Redheart nodded and Twilight went to a small, old computer sitting in the corner nearest to the library entrance. Redheart found herself wandering around the library, taking her time to look at each of the shelves. For some reason, Redheart found herself wandering over to the fiction section of the library, specifically the fantasy and romance sections. She found a small book with a bright red color and pulled it out to look at the title.

“A Knight’s Tale,” Redheart whispered to herself. She pulled out the book and flipped through the pages. By the standards of most of the other books in the same section, this one was very small and looked like she could finish it in two or three sittings. Redheart found herself opening the book and looking at the first few pages of the book.

A light tapping on her shoulder startled Redheart out of her reverie. The nurse pony turned around and saw Twilight Sparkle holding a small card in her magic. “Miss Redheart,” she said, “I have your library card ready. Are you ready to check out?”

Redheart nodded. “Yes. I must have been distracted.”

Twilight smiled. “It’s okay. Are you going to be checking that out?” she asked, pointing to the little red book in Redheart’s hooves.

Redheart looked from Twilight, down to the book, then back to Twilight. “Yes. This and the other two.”

Twilight nodded and picked up the three books. The card was scanned with a small machine, followed by the three books. When Twilight was done, she placed the books into Redheart’s saddlebags and gave the card to Redheart, who placed it alongside the books in her bags. Twilight offered a cheery reply and Redheart left soon afterwards, still mystified about her picking up the little red book from the library as she walked on home.

Chapter 17 - Response

17.

The time read 5:15 pm. Doctor Stable looked at the clock against the wall with a slight grin on his face. Today marked the first time that Redheart had ever been late in over four years working at the hospital. Normally, the younger nurses had at least one slip-up in their first six months. Redheart had shown up on time or early almost every day. Stable thought to himself that he would congratulate the mare on for once taking things easy.

Time passed. At 5:20, Stable decided a little ribbing was in order about Redheart and wondering if she had been with that one stallion she had been going out with recently. By 5:30 he was beginning to get worried about where she was. At 5:45, the worry turned to anger; not even Redheart could be excused from being nearly an hour late to work. Still, it was only her first infraction so the punishment wouldn’t be too severe. When Redheart finally came in at quarter after six, Doctor Stable initially went over to scold her for arriving so late without calling.

When he approached, however, he felt very differently. Redheart was limping and had what looked like a small bruise on her forehoof. Her eyes were red and slightly watery and her mane was unkemptly placed into her usual bun. She seemed tired and almost looked sick.

“Are are you alright?” It was a dumb question, but it had to be asked.

“Fine.” The word seemed choked out and her voice was rough.

“Did you manage to have any dinner before coming?”

“I ate something,” Redheart answered.

“What about your bruise?” Doctor Stable asked as he followed Redheart towards the staff room.

“What bruise?”

That wasn’t like Redheart at all. “On your forehoof.”

“Oh, that. I slammed my refrigerator door on my hoof.”

As Redheart started to go through the decontamination process, Doctor Stable anchored himself in the doorway. “Miss Redheart, I know you’re trying to put up a strong façade, but this isn’t like you. Now, please, I need you to tell me what happened.”

Redheart ignored him.

“Nurse Redheart, if you are getting sick, I should advise you go home and rest.”

“I can’t go home,” Redheart said. “He’ll be waiting for me, I know it. I can’t face him.”

Redheart tried to leave the room, but Doctor Stable had blocked her progress. He placed a hoof on her shoulder and motioned to the table in the staff break room where there was a large container of fruit salad. He pulled out a bowl and filled it up before setting it in front of Redheart, sitting at the table.

“A gift,” he said, “from the Ponyville Philharmonic. We’ve taken care of three of their members on overnight stays lately and they wanted to send thanks for the fast treatment. We’ll be expecting dinners paid by them for the next week.”

Redheart took a fork and halfheartedly took a bite of the salad.

“Now, please,” Doctor Stable said as gently as he could as he sat down in a chair across from Redheart, “I need you to tell me what happened. You’ve been working here for over four years and have never been as late as you are. I want to know what happened.”

Redheart moved the fruit around more than she did eat it, refusing to look directly at Doctor Stable. “I came here to escape. I thought if I worked, I wouldn’t have to think about what just happened.”

Stable nodded but kept his eyes fixed on Redheart. “Well, we’ve established a motive but not a context.”

Redheart took a bite of food and chewed it slowly; Stable knew she was stalling. “I had recently gotten together with someone,” she said when she finished. “I thought things were going well, but I found him cheating on me with another mare.”

“Oh, Redheart,” Stable said softly and sympathetically. “First the thoughts of Twilight, and now this. The universe has not been in your favor lately, has it?”

Redheart shook her head slowly.

“So, where exactly did you get the bruise from?”

“I really did get it from the fridge. I was angry and forgot to move my hoof out of the way.”

“Oh, good. I was hoping you hadn’t gotten into a fight.”

“No. I was pretty angry, though.”

“I would suspect so.” Stable tapped the floor with a hoof in thought. “I’m half thinking of sending you home for the night and leaving things to me.”

“I don’t want to go back home,” Redheart said, hardly letting Doctor Stable finish his sentence. “He came by my house and started trying to apologize when I told him I want nothing to do with him. He finally left when I told him I had to get to work and didn’t want to be standing around listening to him all evening.”

Stable was quiet for a moment, then smiled gently at Redheart. “Alright,” he said. “I’ll let you have some time to work. But I’m going to be patrolling the floors. If I see any signs of you slacking, I’ll have you head home immediately.”

Redheart nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.” She looked like she was going to hug him, but she kept to herself and merely blushed, most likely out of embarrassment. After a few moments of standing around, she left the room and went about her work.

Doctor Stable walked around the floors three times that evening in one and a half hour intervals. Every time he made sure to pass Redheart, he could see the mare working as hard and as diligently as ever as though the conversation in the staff room had never happened. She never faltered even though she had a tired look in her eye.

At eleven o’clock, Doctor Stable made a fourth round after finishing some paperwork and found Redheart in the middle of a routine change of a patient’s IV bag. He waited until Redheart was done to speak with her.

“Alright, Nurse Redheart,” he said. “It’s eleven o’clock. I wager it’s time you headed on home.”

Redheart allowed herself a yawn. “Yes, I suppose so. Thank you for letting me work, Doctor. I may not look it, but I feel better than I did when I came in.”

In some aspects she did look better; the redness was gone from her eyes and the bruise had lessened considerably. “You certainly do. However, you do need to get some rest. Keep calm and make sure you tend to that bruise; perhaps a warm bath to clean it and a bandage.”

“Yes, Doctor,” Redheart said. “Thank you again.”

Doctor Stable smiled. “I hope things get better for you soon. If anything, the universe needs to give you a reprieve.”

Redheart smiled at him. “It has so long as I can be here a few hours a day.”

Doctor Stable smiled to himself as Redheart left. He finished up a little bit of paperwork and made sure all the night staff was on duty before locking up his office and getting himself ready to leave, collecting his things from the staff room. On his way out, he stopped by Twilight’s room in the Emergency Ward and looked at the sleeping mare. The electrocardiograph gave a steady beeping noise and read at thirty beats per minute.

“Oh, Celestia,” Doctor Stable sighed as he looked at Twilight. “For what reason has your student Twilight come into our hospital? For what reason has it happened at the same time that you’ve placed such distress on our poor Redheart?” He hung his head and started to walk out of the room.

Without warning, the beeping sound quickened. It was hardly perceptible, but twenty years of being around such devices had tuned Doctor Stable’s ears to hear the minutest of changes. The unicorn turned around and walked over to the electrocardiograph.

Thirty-five. Doctor Stable had to rub his eyes to make sure he was seeing thing correctly, but there it was. Twilight’s heart rate had gone up by five beats per minute. He walked over to the sleeping mare.

“Twilight!” he called. “It’s Doctor Stable, can you hear me?”

No response came. For a long time, the electrocardiograph stayed at thirty-five beats per minute and Doctor Stable stayed put watching it. After a few minutes, Twilight’s heart rate decreased back to thirty, same as it had been for nine weeks.

Doctor Stable began to think. He had been musing aloud, so what if there was something that had caused Twilight to stir from his thoughts? While her name had been in there, there was no perceptible change in her condition from it. But, what else could have caused it?

“Celestia,” Doctor Stable said.

Twilight’s heart rate had no change.

“Hospital,” Doctor Stable tried again.

Twilight’s heart rate didn’t seem to be affected by that either.

There was only one last word that Doctor Stable would have considered key. “…Redheart?” The word came out more questioning than anything else.

Nothing at first. Then, Twilight’s heart rate slowly began to climb; first by one beat, then another, until it had risen back up to thirty-five. It stayed there for a minute before decreasing back down.

“…you want Redheart?” Doctor Stable asked.

Again, Twilight’s heart rate rose to thirty-five beats per minute. It stayed there for a short while, then decreased again.

Even with the confirmation (it had happened three times now) Doctor Stable was refusing to believe it. With a nervous trot, he left the room. “Right,” he said to no one in particular. “I’ll… I’ll bring her around tomorrow. Got to let her rest, but… tomorrow.” Then he left.