My, Daughter, Maree

Rainbow Dash awoke sometime later; she couldn't find a clock from where she lay to tell just how long. She

still felt awful, but was less distracted by that and more so by her new surroundings. Her mind was groggy, and

her vision a little blurry. She was in a bed, in a well lit room, surrounded mostly by curtains. She eventually

recognized the place as a hospital. Was she really that ill? She started to recount the most recent events that

had lead up to this. She remembered walking into work, and then feeling very... tired. Dash wasn't sure if tired

was the right word for it. She just suddenly felt like she couldn't stay awake any longer. Again, she wasn't sure

if "awake" was necessarily the best word, but it was all she could do to describe her situation. Then after she

'went to sleep', she woke up here. She guessed she hadn't dreamt, since she didn't remember dreaming; then again,

she remembered very few of her dreams. Then she remembered, and began searching for a clock again: where was

Maree? Was it time yet to pick her up? How long had she been out? To her frustration she couldn't so much as

locate an open window for her to look out, as she was surrounded by curtains, so take a rough guess at how many

hours had gone by.

She slumped in defeat, and tried her patience and waited for someone to notice her. She gathered from the

total lack of noise, aside from basic hospital machinery and the gentle humming of an an conditioner, that she was

alone in this room. She made an attempt to call for attention, but her throat hurt too much to raise her voice,

and she just coughed some more. That did seem to help a little bit though, as only a minute or so later, a Nurse

walked into the room, smiling pleasantly when she spotted Dash.

"Ah good afternoon, Rainbow Dash! I see you're finally awake!" She commented cheerfully.

Dash, trying to be as quiet and using as few words as possible, nodded, and then asked, "How do you mean finally?

How long have I been out?" She asked in a very hoarse voice.

"I would say a few hours. A minimum of 3." The Nurse replied.

Dash, too weak to get tired, simply moaned instead. "3 hours?"

"Minimum." The Nurse corrected.

"I need to pick up Maree! I'm so late!" Dash said, coughing some more.

"I don't believe that will be necessary. I don't know the exact details, but I've been informed that you daughter

is well looked after. The doctor will explain more." As she spoke, hoofsteps could be heard approaching Dash's

room. A familiar stallion bearing a name tag that read "Doctor S. Leon" walked into the room, a small, polite

smile on his face.

"Good afternoon, Miss Dash." He greeted Dash politely. He nodded to the nurse, dismissing her.

"Dr. Leon? Where's Maree?" Dash cut right to the chase, skipping 'hellos'.

"Don't worry, Miss Dash, she's taken care of. Almost as soon as you went down, Miss Sparkle was contacted, and one

of your other friends picked up little Maree for you." Dr. Leon assured her. "In fact, she's waiting outside right

now." He turned to the door and called out, "You can come in now, if you wish!" A moment later, Applejack walked

into the room, and Dash smiled, doing her best to welcome her friend. Applejack walked up beside Dash's bed.

"Hey, sugarcube, how ya feelin'?"

Dash took a moment to answer. "Honestly, AJ, I feel absolutely rotten." Dash said flatly.

"Honestly, Dash, you look absolutely rotten." The two shared a brief chuckle. After a moment, Dash changed

the subject.

"Hey, AJ, sorry I had to displace you like that just to clean up after me. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

Dash said apologetically.

Applejack put a hoof on Dash's chest reassuringly. "Hey come on, you can't apologize for being sick. It was no

trouble at all for a friend!"

Dash smiled again. "Thanks a lot, AJ. I really mean it." Dash looked over at Dr. Leon. "So what is it exactly?

What do I have?" Dash asked.

"From what I can tell, you've got Pneumonia. And a pretty bad case of it, too." Dr. Leon replied. "It's not fatal,

but it's a nasty illness to be sure. Inflamed lungs leads to perpetual coughing, chest pains and a shortness of

breath, and it often comes with a fever and chills. I haven't seen a case this bad in quite a while. It's usually

nothing to get hospitalized over, but you were the exception today. You're lucky most of your symptoms were above

your chest, I would hate to see what would have happened if your lungs had been more inflamed. Then we might have

had a problem." Dr. Leon explained. "As it stands however, I can release you to your home by tomorrow. Even so,

I'm afraid you'll be recovering for the better part of 4-6 weeks thereafter."

Dash tried to sit up in her bed, which she recognized as a mistake, and instead settled for simply raising her

head. "6 weeks? But... I've got things to do! I've got work! And who'll take care of Maree?" Dash asked

frantically.

"Actually, Maree will be removed from the house during this time." Dr. Leon admitted.

Dash was upset, but not necessarily surprised. "Removed? What do you mean?"

Dr. Leon, sighed, before going on to explain. "Exposing your children to a potentially harmful illness or disease

that you yourself are aware of carrying is a form of child endangerment, which is illegal. I am actually obligated

by law to enforce her temporary displacement from your home."

Dash was worried to say the last. "But... Where will she go?!"

Applejack spoke up now. "Relax, sugarcube. Me and the Doc were talkin' 'bout this jus' a little while before y'all

woke up. I'll be takin' her in while ya get better." She explained.

"Are you sure, AJ?" Dash was starting to relax a little, but she was still not happy about having Maree taken from

her for all that time.

"No worries, Dash! We got lotsa spare rooms for guests, and we're not expecting any other overnight guests for

almost two months. She won't have to lift a finger if she don't want to, and she'll have all the apples she can

eat!" Applejack put a hoof on her friend's shoulder, telling her just with her facial expression that everything

would be okay. That honest, reassuring smile was all Dash needed.

"Alright, then I guess it's oka-" She coughed a few more times, and winced at the pain in her raw throat.

"..Okay." She said, more quietly now.

"Well then it's settled! Y'all get some rest then, and get better soon. Tomorrow the Doc says you can go home, and

Maree'll already be moved out by then. Doc says it's best not to say goodbye, keep the infection risks as low as

possible and all." Applejack started for the door. "I'll be checkin' in on ya every day to see how ya are,

alrighty?"

"Alrighty. Thanks. Thanks for everything, Applejack." Applejack left, and Dr. Leon looked as though he would

follow behind her shortly.

"well, since that's all sorted out now, I suppose there's nothing left to do but let you rest a little while.

Tomorrow you'll be discharged, and you will be home. Hopefully you'll be able to take care of yorself for the most

part, but we'll have Applejack drop by every now and again to ensure you're managing." Dr. Leon left now too,

leaving Dash alone in her room again, where she simply lay quietly in her bed, soaking in everything she had been

told. 4-6 weeks without Maree, work, or really anything. This was going to be a long sick leave.

Dash spent the night at the hospital. She found it remarkably uncomfortable. The beds were nice, and it

was plenty quiet enough, but between thinking about Maree's well-being, being off work for so long, and being

terribly sick the whole time, she barely slept at all. Being as sick as she was was simply miserable. Every time

she coughed; which was far too often; she felt someone was running a knife along the inside of her throat. Her

internal body temperature was all over the map, either to hot for a blanket or too cold without. He breathing was

increasingly labored, and she always seemed short of breath. She hated the idea of spending a month like this,

suffering through it alone. Dash didn't get sick often, which was probably why it got her so badly when it did.

A while after Dash awoke, a nurse came in to check on her, and shortly thereafter Dash was given breakfast

by her bed. She wasn't particularly hungry, as was the case with most folks who were sick, but she made herself

eat, knowing the importance of vitamins in times of illness. Eventually, she was told that she could leave at any

time, and was starting to be escorted out of the room by a nurse. As they made their way down the hallway, Dash

encountered a familiar little filly trotting towards them; it was Maree! She ran right up to Dash and gave her a

big hug, and Dash hugged her back. Right then, Dash realized it had been just a little over 24 hours since she had

seen her child, and hugged even harder. She remembered that she wasn't originally going to get to say goodbye, and

so she had to ask.

"What are you doing here, Maree? Where's AJ?" She knelt down and looked at her daughter.

"She's at the front. I heard about what happened, and I wanted to make sure you were okay, Mommy." Was Maree's

reply.

"So you know then.." Dash sighed sadly.

"Yeah... but Mommy! I don't wanna go!" Maree pleaded, hugging her mom again. "I wanna stay with you, Mommy, until

you get all better."

Dash was heartbroken. She knew that neither of them wanted to be separated, but it had to be done. "I can't do

that, Maree. believe me, I really, really, REALLY want you to stay with me, but I just can't do that. If you hang

around me too much, you might get sick just like me, and I just won't be okay with that. So, you go with

Applejack, and be a good little filly while I'm getting better, okay?" Dash was trying her best to to get

emotional, or cough on Maree at all. Both were equally, enormously difficult to do. "It'll be great there, I

promise. They've got that big, open ranch, where you can get all the exercise you need, lots of apples, and hey,

I'm sure Applebloom'll play with you too! It'll be great, like a little vacation, you see?" Dash tried to cheer

Maree up, and at least succeeded in brightening her own spirits, at least until Maree's reply:

"I don't want to take a vacation away from my Mommy."

Rainbow Dash started to bite her lip, trying not to get emotional. "Maree, come on, look, I promise it won't be

forever. It'll be all over before you even know it, and then we can spend all the time in the world together.

Alright?"

Maree took a long time to reply. She knew what she had to say, but didn't want to say it. "......okay." Maree was

starting to cry when she finally accepted the situation.

"Good, alright, now why don't you go find Applejack and get going, I'm sure they've got a wonderful lunch planned

for you!" She gave Maree an encouraging nudge, as Maree slowly starting to walk back down the hall, her head hung

low, sobbing softly.

A couple hours after Dash got home, Applejack stopped by, and Dash told her about all of Maree's personal

needs: she took calcium pills with her meal, and a protein powder mixed with her drink; she visited Twilight's

house every day for 2 hours for tutoring; she exercised everyday, usually twice; she loved to read in her spare

time; Dash also told her about any appointments she was due for in the next while. Applejack assured Dash that she

had everything committed to memory, and being the embodiment of the Element of Honesty, Dash trusted her.

The first day home was the slowest day of Dash's life. It was the first time in years that she literally

had nothing to do. No kid to pal around with. Nothing more productive she could be doing. All there was for her

was whatever was within reach. She snacked lightly throughout the afternoon and evening rather than preparing a

meal; she really wasn't in the mood. She periodically took some medicine she had bought on her way home to try and

relieve her fever and cough, and they were helpful. Now coughing less frequently, Dash tried to sleep, figuring it

would be much easier now. She found instead, however, that it was just as difficult as ever, since the fever had

made her much drowsier, and relieving hat made her feel more awake. So now all she could do was lay in bed with

her thoughts, waiting for herself to fall asleep. You'd think she had never been sick before, with the shortage of

entertainment she had laying around. She guessed she just never really had time to kick back and have fun before.

Then again, playing with Maree wasn't just for exercise; it was fun too. It was bonding, and it was play.

The days ticked by awfully slow. Dash thought she might go mad with boredom. After the first week, Dash

was well enough to leave the house. She made routine trips out of the house just for the sake of being out doors

and into the fresh air again. She wanted to just take off and start lying, but she wasn't quite that well just

yet. She always made sure to check in on Maree every day when Applejack came by to see her. According to AJ's

report, Maree was adjusting well. She and Applebloom played together often, and she was very polite. She said she

missed her mom very much, and always asked how she was everyday, and everyday Applejack told her she was a little

better than yesterday. It kept Dash's spirits up to hear that Maree was doing well, and it gave her strength.

10 years later, 2 weeks had finally past. Dash awoke once again, and to her surprise, she didn't feel too

bad at all. She had a light cough, but her throat was not more itchy than sore. Her head was a little fuzzy, but

it wasn't as dizzy now. Applejack stopped by that day, at around the same time as usual. Dash reported to her that she was feeling pretty good, but not quite 100% yet.

But by that evening, Dash actually felt quite good; almost great. After the sun had set, and it was dark,

she stepped out. It was the middle of Spring, and the air was cool and comfortable. There was a gentle breeze

blowing through the massive backyard Dash owned. She closed her eyes and listening, lost in the near silence of

night. She decided to go flying somewhere, anywhere. She spread her wings, which hadn't been used in 2 weeks, and

took off nice and gentle. The cool, relaxing wind flowed through her coat and down her mane. It was amazing the

things she took for granted. The act of flight was something she had known how to do as long as she could

remember, yet she had never really taken joy in it before. It was always for something, be it traveling, running

errands, or racing. But this one time, on this night, she wasn't going anywhere. She didn't have anything she

needed to do, no one to race, and no where to go. It was relaxing to know that she could do whatever she wanted,

even if what she wanted was nothing at all. Her mind and body, still ill at the time she left the ground, had

started clearly up substantially. She'd never felt so conscious of the world around her. When Dash finally got

home, she thought that for once she could really get a good night's sleep at last.

The next day started off normal. Dash awoke well rested, and didn't feel sick at all. But things went a

little differently than she had planned by the time Applejack stopped by for her daily visit.

"How's the sick girl feelin' today?" Applejack asked.

"Great!" Dash replied instinctively, but quickly withdrew her statement, and followed with "I mean you know, I'm

doing alright for someone getting over pneumonia." She forced herself to cough. "I wouldn't want to go exposing

Maree to me quite yet, bu soon... maybe." Dash had no idea what she was saying, or why. Her heart was starting to

race as she spoke.

Applejack, without even thinking twice, simply said "Well, that's good to hear, Dash! I'm glad you're starting to

feel better.

Tell her you're fine, Dash kept saying to herself.

"Maree's been missing you something awful. She always asks about you."

I'm better than fine. I'm great. I was flying around last night. I'm healthy.

"She's been doin' everything right and all, but she doesn't smile a whole lot. Kinda heart breaking, if ya ask

me."

I'm more than fit to take care of my child. Just take the custody of your own child back already.

"Anyway, I don't mean to rush ya into magically curin' yourself or nothin'. Anyway I ought to get goin'. See ya

later, Dash!"

Come on! Say something!

But Dash said nothing as Applejack walked out the door. Dash wasn't entirely sure what had just happened. Despite

being perfectly fine well in advance of her approximate recovery time, She seemed to be just fine with Applejack

walking out of her house, holding onto her daughter for yet another day. Dash wanted to see her desperately, she

really did. But, she realized, there was indeed a good reason for this. Her financial situation wasn't very strong

right now. As it was, Applejack was more than happy to accompany the extra company free of charge; it wasn't

costing her a dime, and Maree was well looked after. Dash wasn't expected to be healthy for over 2 weeks, so she

could hold out for a while yet; if she was smart about her hours, she might even be able to start working again.

It was all for Maree. She just needed a little break, so that she could help her to the best of her abilities. It

was all for Maree. That's what she kept telling herself.