“Doctor, when did we arrive now? I hope I’m going to make it in time for work!” The Doctor walked toward the door to the TARDIS, about to open it when he turned to answer his companion’s question.

“Ditzy, you should be fine, I am pretty sure I have everything under control now. It was just a matter of calibrating the time vortex inside the TARDIS to the magical night/day sequence brought on by the celestial patterns of the princesses. You should be able to make it to work and only be about 5 minutes late. It says here that the current time is just before sunrise on the 14th day of the Icy-chill month.”

“What?! That’s over 2 months from when we left in the first place! Doctor!” Ditzy quickly began to panic as she ran around the TARDIS from her room to the kitchen. She grabbed her saddle bag and a muffin and ran past The Doctor, she looked outside and stopped. “Um, what day is this again Doctor?” She stood outside, and looked confused.

“The 14th of the Icy-Chill month, why?” Doctor peeked his head outside to see what she saw. He was as shocked as her as he saw what she did. Pink and red hearts hanging everywhere around Ponyville which could be seen from the attic window, where he always parked the TARDIS. “What kind of celebration is this, then Ms. Ditzy?”

“That would b-be Hearts and Hooves day, Doctor. My least favorite holiday in Ponyville.” She said sadly. The Doctor noticed her sadness but didn’t quite understand why. “I think I’ll just call in sick today. I’m not in the mood to deliver all those Hearts and Hooves Day cards.”

“What is Hearts and Hooves Day? Is it anything like Valentines Day? And why do you dislike it so much? Seems like a nice holiday, and everypony seems happy enough...”

“Um, if that’s what you call it. On Hearts and Hooves Day, ponies gives gifts to their very special somepony. They also go out on dates, or to the festival, or just...stuff like that. It’s really only for ponies who have a very special somepony and I...um..don't at the moment.” Ditzy stammered, and walked back into the TARDIS and toward her room. She did not want to see all those happy couples when she felt so alone. Having never had a “special somepony” she’d never been one to enjoy this holiday. Even in school, she hardly got any cards from the other fillies and colts in her class, and those were because the teacher made them. She shook her head slightly, putting aside the past as The Doctor turned toward her.

“Yes, very much like the Earth equivalent it would seem. Are you really going to stay here all day in the TARDIS? You said something about a festival, yes? Why don’t we go and have a look around together?” He had no idea of her feelings for him, and he most likely never would if she played her cards right. He had told her in the past that he may not always be around, that there may come a time when he would have to leave her. She tried since then to not have these feelings for him, but he was not like any pony she had ever known. He stirred something inside of her heart and mind that nopony ever had before, and she never wanted him to leave. Sometimes she could see a deep sadness in his eyes, such a strong emotion that she did not want to add to it. She told herself that she would never admit her feelings to him and keep them hidden forever, no matter how much it hurt her.

But lately he seemed to be acting a bit differently around her. This was not the first time that she had noticed it either. In the past week or two, he seemed to want to be near her more, and she’d caught him watching her and blushing. She’d played dumb at the time, but could it be possible that The Doctor was starting to have stronger feelings for her? She shook to clear her head, and smiled a small smile at him. He’s not even from this world, no way he’d have any feelings for her beyond a “companion”. But, maybe.... The thought made her blush and her wings flare out.

“D-Ditzy, are you alright? Do you feel well? Why are your wings straight out like that?” He spoke so genuinely concerned about her that it broke Ditzy out of her thoughts and suddenly realized what had happened. She’d let her mind wander too far and her wings had responded to her raise in emotions. She smiled brighter and laughed to loosen the tension in the air.

“Oh, I-I’m fine, Doctor, really! A-and as to going out, I’m not really sure... Ponies might get the wrong idea about us and-”

“Oh? What is so wrong about walking around a festival with a friend?” Ditzy’s world would have nearly collapsed, as it always did when he called her a friend. Her feelings were so much stronger then that, but she had gotten used to responding to this and her smile didn’t falter at all.

“Alright, Doctor. If you’re that intent on exploring, then I guess I’ll come along to keep you company.”

“Brilliant Ms. Ditzy! Let’s head out!” With that he strode outside the TARDIS doors with Ditzy not far behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Ditzy showed the Doctor to the festival, they walked in a comfortable silence. She noticed that The Doctor seemed to slow down when he saw the cutie mark crusaders, but he always seemed wary around them. They looked to be in a bit of a hurry, as if planning something, but Ditzy quickly brushed the thought aside as those fillies were always up to something. Ditzy had more important things to worry about, like how she would get through this day of love and romance without letting The Doctor know of her feelings. This day was hard when you didn’t have a very special somepony, harder when you wanted to and they hardly knew you existed. The pair were nearly at the festival, when The Doctor finally spoke and when he did, it was like he had been reading her mind.

“So, Ditzy, ah-um, what should I know about this festival? I mean, what should I expect in terms of interactions among other ponies? You've been to it before, right? With your-uh-special somepony? Surely you've had one at some point, yes?"

Ditzy swallowed hard, blushing hotly, "Um, Doctor, I've never- um - had a special somepony before. I mean, I never had those kinds of feelings before y- I mean for anypony special. Eh heh heh." ‘Ditzy, you need to get a hold on yourself. He's not from this universe, and you're his 'companion', nothing more and nothing less,’ she thought to herself, feeling stupid for even opening her muzzle. The Doctor did not seem to notice her slip-up and just blinked as if confused.

"Come on, surely there must have been somepony you.. Well, I suppose not, from what you told me of your past, not many ponies were nice to you, were they?" She nodded her head slowly in response. "Well, I've told you before that if I'd been there, I would have been your friend and protected you. That is the only right thing to do, after all. Now, let's not dwell on our dark pasts and think about how we can make this a really great day!" He smiled so brightly, that Ditzy smiled in return.

As they entered the festival, Ditzy's smile faded slightly. Red and pink streamers, garland strung with hearts, roses, X’s and O’s, and kissing ponies. That last one had Ditzy and The Doctor both looking away from the garland and each other, blushing hotly. Ditzy caught sight of a poster showing that there was a play going on soon. She’d always wanted to see this play, and now she had the chance.

“Um, Doctor? Would you like to go to a play telling the story of how Hearts and Hooves Day came to be? It has a princess in it, and a prince, and a love potion and everything!” She smiled brightly at him, not entirely realizing what she had said. She watched his blush creep across his cheeks, causing her to blush also.

“An origin story, eh? Sure, why not, could be interesting and I have been wondering about the origins of some of these holidays your world has. When does it start?”

“In a few minutes, we should have enough time to get a snack before heading over so we can get good seats!” Ditzy led the way with The Doctor following a little ways behind her, watching ponies as they went. Ditzy didn’t realize The Doctor’s eyes analyzing the different pony couples. She also didn’t realize he was silently comparing the pairings, coming to conclusions, all while trying to make sense of the feelings he had.

It only took a little longer then Ditzy had guessed to get to the stage where the play was about to be preformed, so all of the good seats were taken. Ditzy spotted Carrot Top and got her attention. She motioned for her friend to come sit next to her and her husband, Written Script. As Ditzy settled in between The Doctor and Carrot Top, she waved and smiled at Written and Dinky.

“So, you two managed to stop “traveling” long enough to spend some time in little old Ponyville with us, huh?” Carrot Top said teasingly.

“Trust me, I wanted to be back sooner, but we got a little lost,” apologized Ditzy. She felt a little embarrassed that she had been basically neglecting her friend all this time, but at least Carrot Top kept her secret of traveling time and space with The Doctor. Not any other secret, though, as would soon be quite evident.

“Nice seeing you again, too Mrs. Harvest, Mr. Script,” The Doctor completely missed the quip at him and erred on the side of politeness instead.

“So, you two managed to arrive in time for Hearts and Hooves Day. Does that mean that you and Ditzy are finally toge-”

“Carrot Top-” Ditzy quickly shoved a cherry flavored gummy heart into Carrot’s mouth “-aren’t these chewy hearts good? Here, have another one!” She put another heart into Carrot Top’s hoof, ignoring the look that her friend was giving her. Carrot Top had guessed Ditzy’s feelings for The Doctor long before now, but this was going too far! Carrot Top had managed to chew the unexpected candy and swallow before speaking again, in quieter tones as the curtains were just being opened for the play.

“So, when are you going to tell him? You can’t hide this from him forever, Ditzy, honey. I hate seeing you this hurt, like some kicked puppy.” Carrot Top really did care for her friend.

“Carrot, I told you I can’t. You know he’s not from around here, and I don’t want to hurt him in case he has to go back. Please, just let me make it through this day, okay?” The plea hung in the air around the two mares a few moments before Carrot Top nodded her head in agreement. She would respect her friends wishes, but not for much longer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“That was a marvelous play! Sad ending, but that is how some of the best love stories end, like Romeo and Juliet,” said The Doctor, seemingly pleased by the performance.

“Yea, I guess so. Wish they could have broken that spell earlier though, their kingdoms nearly fell because of that poison. If somepony had realized sooner, then they could have lived happily every after,” Ditzy said, while wiping a tear from her eye.

“Like some other ponies I know. Ponies who deserve a happily ever after,” Carrot Top spoke in her hinting, flirtatious tone while bumping Ditzy. Ditzy blushed hotly while Doctor looked anywhere but at Carrot Top. Ditzy looked at her friend from the corner of her good eye to see Written Script whispering in his wife’s ear. She seemed to understand, nodded acknowledgment, and waved at Written Script and Dinky as they wandered off. Ditzy wondered where they were going, but didn’t have to wait long to find out. “Written went with Dinky to play some games. Where did you guys want to go next? Hayride of Love maybe?” Ditzy nearly fell over her own hooves and The Doctor coughed as if he were choking.

“Um, I think not this time. At least not right now. What else is there to do here?” The Doctor recovered first and managed to speak.

“Well, there is the kissing booth, games with prizes to win to give to somepony special, a romantic picnic spot set aside for those who attend the festival. Also there is a hedge maze with little secluded spots. Um, let’s see, what else... Oh, and the gazebo has been decorated for the day. We should go see the flower garden around it, Pinkie and the other ponies did really good this year with the flowers!” The more Carrot Top talked, the redder Ditzy got, until she felt ready to pass out. Why did she agree to come here again?

“Uh, The gazebo sounds nice, doesn’t it Ditzy? Um, Ms. Ditzy, are you alright?” The concern in The Doctor’s voice broke through the haze Ditzy’s brain had been spiraling toward. She shook her head and managed a smile.

“Y-yes, that sounds safe enough. I mean, nice, it sounds nice enough!” She recovered quickly, but not quickly enough for Carrot Top to not notice. Ditzy and The Doctor followed Carrot Top to the gazebo, but it looked like somepony else had gotten there first. Ms. Cheerilee and Big Macintosh seemed to be enjoying a picnic under the eve of the gazebo. All three ponies blushed and turned back around, giving them their privacy.

“W-well, um, looks like the gazebo is off limits for now. How about a few games?” Carrot Top started to head back in the direction her family had walked in with The Doctor and Ditzy blushing hotly behind, and neither looking at each other.

It wasn’t long before they reached the first set of games. Written Script and Dinky were playing a game where Dinky had to catch a toy fish with a plastic fishing pole. Carrot Top, deciding she had teased her friends long enough, bid them a fun and “festive” day and ran to Dinky just as she caught a fish. Both Written Script and Carrot Top nuzzled their filly as she received her prize. Ditzy watched the interaction and sighed sadly. What she saw next made her blush and feel slightly jealous. Written Script and Carrot Top each placed a hoof on Dinky, still grinning wide from her win, and nuzzled each other. Ditzy reacted before she could stop herself. She hung her head low, turned, and headed out of the games area. It took The Doctor only a few seconds to realize that Ditzy was no longer at his side, and he trotted after her, quickly catching up.

“Ms. Ditzy, are you okay? We don’t have to stay, I can learn more later if this event makes you this sad. I don’t like seeing you like this. Can’t you tell me what’s wrong?” His voice was so soft, so concerned. Ditzy had done this to herself, coming here with him, how could she ever tell him what was wrong? She couldn’t admit it, she just couldn’t. He reached over, his need to help overpowering his better judgment, and put a hoof around her shoulders. She froze. What was he trying to do, make her confess? “Please, if I can help, let me.” She closed her eyes tightly, to fight the tears.

“You.... You can’t, Doctor. You just, can’t. It’s not something for you to worry about, please. I’ll head back to the TARDIS, I’m suddenly not feeling very well. Go enjoy yourself, and I’ll see you later,” she said that she was leaving, but couldn’t move. It was a rare time that The Doctor openly touched her, and with his warm hoof around her, she didn’t want to leave. With her head still down, she couldn’t hold them back anymore, a single tear, sliding down her cheek to drop on the dirt at her hooves. She should tell him, and let the rest happen. At least the pain of rejection couldn’t be as bad as hiding feelings this strong. She didn’t know if he couldn't see her crying, or simply chose to ignore it, but he did understand that Ditzy needed to rest and gather herself.

“Come on, I can study this anytime, time machine and all that. Let’s go sit by the gazebo, it seems to be empty now.” He walked on three legs, and one around her back, toward the gazebo. Big Mac and Cheerilee left their picnic mostly untouched, with some half-full punch glasses on a blanket. Neither noticed them as they sat on the benches, The Doctor waited for Ditzy to speak. Ditzy inhaled a deep, calming breath, and decided what she would have to do; Lie.

“Doctor, there is somepony I care for... very much. I have for a while now, but I’m afraid I’m not good enough for him. He’s so important and I’m just, well me,” ‘half truths are better then whole lies, right?’ Ditzy thought. She wasn’t watching the Doctor, but if she were she would have seen the hint of sadness in his eyes.

“Ditzy, I-I had no idea I was taking you away from someone you care for so deeply. I’m sorry. If you want, I can try to travel for a while, alone, so you can be with him. You know, spend some quality time and-” As he spoke, Ditzy started to panic. She knew he would not guess who she cared for, but now he was trying to leave her, and that was worse! She couldn’t imagine her life without him, and now he was offering to leave her behind for this “other pony”.

“Doctor, no! Please, no, I don’t want to stop traveling with you. This stallion hardly knows I exist, much less have any stronger feelings for me then friendship. It just hurts, being surrounded by all these happy ponies and I’m...” She trailed off, for fear of her voice cracking, and she covered her face with her hooves.

“Oh Ms. Ditzy, I can understand this sadness. I truly can. If there is anything I can do to help, please tell me. Who is this stallion, maybe I can talk to him for you. Tell him how kind you are, and sweet, gentle and warm, caring and pretty, and-” he stopped. Ditzy’s eyes widened with shock. She hadn’t been looking at him, but now she slowly turned to face him. He had been reaching out to touch her cheek, obviously not paying much attention to what he was saying judging from the blush on his cheeks and ears. He thought she was pretty? He looked to the side, dropping his hoof to the bench and tucking his ears back to try and hide them. He hopped off the bench, fully turned away from her before he managed to speak again. “For a pony, I mean. I suppose you’d be pretty, not sure why any stallion wouldn’t think so too. Just give him a chance, he’ll come around, I’m sure. Let’s head back to the TARDIS, we can leave this all behind us.”

“But, Doctor, I don’t think you can talk to him. He’s not from around here, he only visits from time to time and he’s not here right now. But it’s okay, I’ll be alright. Let’s go back,” she gave a weak smile to The Doctor’s back. He tried to make her feel better, but the more he talked, the more it hurt.

“Well, this is a sad state to leave a picnic in, isn’t it? I am a bit thirsty, let’s have some of this punch before we head back, yes?” The Doctor reached down and grabbed the half-full glass of punch and drank it in one gulp. He licked his lips, the action sent a chill through Ditzy. What she wouldn't give to be able to kiss those lips right now. “A bit tart, but not bad, would you like some-... Ditzy?” He turned to look at her, and their eyes met. Ditzy felt her cheeks heat up, and saw The Doctor blush too. Something had changed in the Doctor’s eyes, like some part of him shifted slightly.

“Doctor, are you okay? You look kind of, off.” What was that glint in his eyes? He strode purposely back over to her, never breaking eye contact with her. They were nearly touching muzzles when he stopped. “Doc-Doctor?”

“Ms. Ditzy, whoever that stallion is, the one you like, I have some bad news for him. If he won’t notice you and take you out on a date, then I will.”

“Wha-what?! Doctor, what are you saying?”

“What am I saying? I’m saying a care for you, Ditzy. Will you be my very special somepony?”

“Wha! Doctor, I don’t understand, what’s gotten into to you.” Ditzy dodged around him, she sniffed the cup the punch came from. It didn’t smell like any punch she had ever tried before. Before she could try some, Applebloom ran up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, looking panicked. “Girls, are you okay? You look like you're in a rush, everything alright?”

“Yes, fine, just here to pick up our love poison-I mean punch! Our fruit punch!” Sweetie Bell stammered a little too loudly. Ditzy looked at the girls quickly clearing the picnic supplies, a shock of realization struck her. A love poison. The Doctor drank a love poison, just like in the performance! Ditzy went to ask the girls how to break the spell, but they were gone before she could ask. The Doctor, meanwhile, was playing with Ditzy’s tail, flicking it with his hoof. She turned quickly, blushing suddenly.

“Doctor, you have to snap out of this! Your not being yourself, you're under a spell! Please, this isn’t you!” Ditzy had finally gotten what she wanted, but she didn’t want it like this. Not like this.

Author's Note

Sorry if this story feels a little broken. It was written in parts at different times, and I will adjust it as needed as soon as I have time. Enjoy it for now!