"Come on, come on, I want to see how it looks!" Rarity gently teased Fluttershy while she tried on the outfit Rarity picked out for her. Fluttershy had been released from the hospital about two weeks ago with a clean bill of health. She moved in with Rarity's family and finished up what school work she needed to complete her sophomore year. Now she was officially on summer vacation and to celebrate Rarity had taken her to the mall for a shopping spree.

As soon as they got there, Rarity took Fluttershy straight to the salon where Fluttershy got her hair, nails and make-up done. Then it was on to the clothing stores. Rarity let Fluttershy pick some things out at first but grew frustrated by her picks. So Rarity decided this time she would pick for her.

The outfit Rarity picked was a tan vest with a white back, a pair of distressed skinny jeans, and a pair of strappy, wedge sandals. Fluttershy had protested, but not overwhelmingly. She eventually agreed to try it on and went into the changing room. After what seemed like forever; Rarity started to needle her friend into hurrying up.

"Rarity, I don't think this is really me," Fluttershy called out in a mixture of fear and embarrassment.

"No offense darling, but you don't know what really is you and what isn't. Now let me see."

Fluttershy pulled back the curtain and stood in front of Rarity, turned around, and asked, "Well?"

Rarity gasped. "Oh darling, you look AMAZING!"

Fluttershy smiled briefly before starting to complain again. "I feel ridiculous. The pants are too tight. I can barely move. And the vest is crushing my boobs."

Rarity smiled. She knew her friend was protesting just for show. "No honey, it's showing the world you have boobs. As for the pants; limited mobility is worth it for what it's doing for your butt there. No offense, but that booty is banging!"

Fluttershy looked at Rarity with a strange expression on her face. "Um, does this conversation feel familiar to you? Like we had it before?" Fluttershy asked.

Rarity returned her friends odd look with one of confusion. "No. I can't say this gives me deja vu . But then, those things are subjective, aren't they?" Rarity smiled but felt a little worried inside. The hospital did say Fluttershy was fine; but she still worried her friend might have hidden brain damage that they had missed.

Fluttershy shook her head. "I guess they are."

"Good. Now let's try on those other outfits I picked out for you."

"Oh Rarity!" Fluttershy rolled her eyes and closed the curtain again. This was going to be a long day.

By the time it was all said and done; Rarity had bought Fluttershy ten new outfits. Fluttershy protested but Rarity insisted. A new life needed a new wardrobe she argued. Fluttershy felt bad though. She didn't like her friend spending that much (or any) money or her; but Rarity was determined and it seemed to make her happy.

As the girls were headed to the food court for lunch, Rarity's phone began to ring. She fished it out of her purse and answered. At first she looked confused, then irritated. She tried to make some arguments with whoever she was speaking to but then backed off and acquiesced. She put the phone back and sighed.

"That was Mother. She's coming to pick us up," Rarity said with a tired frustration.

"Oh," Fluttershy said, surprised. "I didn't think she was picking us up for another two hours."

"She wasn't; but apparently plans changed."

Mrs. Geisel picked the girls and drove home in silence. Rarity tried to ask her mother what was going on but she would not answer. She would simply bat the questions away and say to keep quiet. While Mrs. Geisel was the sterner of Rarity's parents; this was a bit much even by her standards.

Mrs. Geisel pulled into the driveway and parked her car in front of their garage. As the girls were getting out; Mrs. Geisel stopped Rarity. "Rarity, why don't you join me and Sweetie Belle in the back yard. Fluttershy, you can go inside. There's someone there for you."

Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged glances. It sounded strange, almost ominous, but if it was anything really bad, Rarity's parents wouldn't allow whoever it was inside the house. They both nodded and Rarity went with her mother while Fluttershy went inside the house. Once in, Fluttershy knew why Mrs. Geisel had been so secretive.

"Dad!" She called out in surprise.

Her dad was standing with Rarity's dad in the front entrance way. She hadn't seen her father in four years. His hair was a bit longer, his glasses were gone, he'd put on a little bit of weight and had a tan, but it was still him. Fluttershy looked back and forth between him and Mr. Geisel; not knowing what to think.

"Hi honey." It was all he could think to say. What do you say to a child you haven't seen in years and who you just found out was sent to the hospital by your ex-wife? "Um, I know this is a bit strange. I . . . I was informed about what had happened. I thought we could talk."

"I'll be outback if you need me," Mr. Geisel said and started to walk off.

"Mr. Geisel said we could go into the family room and sit down if you want?" Mr. Shy said.

"Ah, . . . no. I'm fine here." Fluttershy was still in shock and couldn't process her feelings. All she knew is she wanted to stay as close to the door as possible.

Hank nodded. "I understand," he simply said.

"No, you don't. You don't understand. You don't understand what it's like to have your father take your brother and leave you behind to be yelled at, cursed, hit! You don't know what it's like to cry yourself to sleep, wondering why nobody loves you! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE YOUR SOUL CRUSHED INTO A TINY BALL AND TO BE SO AFRAID OF OTHER PEOPLE YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO ANYONE!" The pent up rage and resentment were now coming out of her like a flood. Repressed emotions burst forth in hot, steaming jets of lava from her subconscious.

"YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT ME THERE! WITH HER! KNOWING WHAT SHE WAS LIKE; KNOWING WHAT I WOULD GO THROUGH! YOU LEFT ME THERE! NEVER, NOT ONCE CHECKING UP ON ME TO SEE HOW I WAS DOING! YOU LEFT ME THERE TO SUFFER AND DIE! WHY? WASN'T I GOOD ENOUGH? WAS IT BECAUSE I WAS GIRL AND YOU ONLY WANTED A SON? WHY? WHY! TELL ME! JUSTIFY YOURSELF TO ME! I deserve as much!" Fluttershy calmed down just a little one her last sentence; but the fire still raged within her.

Hank looked down and fiddled with his pants pockets. "I deserve that. And you're, you do deserve an explanation. I wanted to take you with me, I did, believe me. Your mother was becoming unstable. I knew it. I felt I had to get out. For my sake, your brother's, yours'. I went to Family Court and tried to get custody of both of you. But you have to understand, being a man in Family Court is like being black at a Klan rally. At first I thought I wasn't going to get either of you. My lawyer and I argued over and over that Crystal was an unfit mother, but he didn't want to hear it. Eventually I did get him to give me custody of your brother, but he said a daughter's place is by her mother's side. So I had a choice, save your brother or leave both of you behind to suffer."

"So, I was collateral damage?" Fluttershy asked bitterly. "An acceptable loss?"

Hank looked down and then into his daughter's eyes. "Yes." It was all he could say. It tore his heart out to say it and he felt like a monster for saying it; but it was the truth.

Fluttershy stood for a moment with her mouth open before she could go on. "And you never checked on me; to see how I was doing?"

"I couldn't. If I were to have visitation with you, she would have had to have visitation with him. I didn't want that. There's no telling what she might have done to him, to you. I couldn't run the risk."

Fluttershy just nodded her head. "Ok Father. You made your decision, cut your losses, that's fine. Now get out!" She pointed to the door.

"Fluttershy, baby, I suffered everyday knowing I left you behind. I . . . "

"YOU suffered! Oh, yes, forgive me! Here I was being selfish. I never considered how you were the suffering one. Get out. GET OUT! You made your choice, cut your losses, so live with it. Just get!"

"I can make amends now! What about your brother? Don't you want to see him? I'm remarried now. We can have a good life," Hank pleaded.

Fluttershy shook her head. "You made a hard choice. Fine. You got to live with it. You don't get a do-over. I can't have one, so neither can you. Now, for the last time, get out!"

By law, she was his daughter and he could take her. He could have the police bring her to him. But what for. The anger, the hate, the resentment she felt for him was real. She would never accept him; especially under those circumstances. No, he would do as she said. Maybe she would come around, maybe she wouldn't. But, as she said and he knew back then, that was the risk he took when he left her behind. It was a horrible decision, but the best he knew to make at the time. In a way, maybe this was the price he had to pay; his pound of flesh.

"As you wish." The Princess Bride was one of her favorite movies when she was really little. Every Saturday and Sunday night they would watch it together. It had been their thing. And at a time like this, all he could do was quote the movie. He then walked out the front door.

As soon as he had left; Fluttershy collapsed on the floor in tears. The Geisel family came running in and comforted her. But this was more than just crying, this was an exorcism. All the demons, all the baggage, she was letting go. The years of pain and hurt were being released on tear at a time. When she was done, she didn't feel better, but she did feel whole.

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Three weeks had passed since Fluttershy had come to live with Rarity's family. They were absolutly wonderful. Fluttershy loved them all and hopped to spend the rest of her high school years with them. They included her in on everything they did and made her feel like part of the family.

On this night, Fluttershy was in Rarity's bedroom being her model again. Every new creation Rarity made she had Fluttershy try on and model it for her so she could see how it looked. Rarity said Fluttershy's proportions were perfect. In fact, Rarity said the two of them should go into business together. She could be the designer and Fluttershy could be her model and muse. She would even fake a french accent sometimes when she said it.

Fluttershy loved the idea but had no interest in being in the public eye. What she really wanted to do was work with animals. She loved the animal shelter and thought about something like that but only bigger. Maybe she would buy a farm and turn that into a huge animal sanctuary. She could become a veterinarian, but the idea of operating on animals or putting them to sleep, even if it was for their own good, was something she couldn't see herself being able to do.

No matter what she did or decided to do, she knew it was all out there for her now. These last few weeks had given her a sense of freedom and happiness she had never known before. The world seemed alive with new possibilities. She was no longer afraid to get dressed in the morning, afraid of saying the wrong thing, of just breathing. The weight of worry had been lifted from her shoulders and it was hard to not just give in and go hog wild.

"Alright Fluttershy darling, go look in the mirror; see what you think," Rarity said, knocking Fluttershy out of her daydreams.

Fluttershy walked over to the mirror to see how she looked. Rarity's latest dress as an evening gown. The main color was a gorgeous, deep, royal purple. Accent colors were teal and white. It had a nice v-cut neckline that was low enough to pique interest, but not so low as to look slutty. The top was extremely form fitting and flared out a bit at the waist. On the left breast there was a small outline of a butterfly.

"Oh Rarity; it's beautiful!" Fluttershy was amazed at not just how well the dress looked but how she looked in it. "You've out done yourself this time."

Rarity smiled. "You like it? Good, it's yours."

Fluttershy spun around with her hands over her mouth. Her eyes bulged in surprise. "Oh Rarity, I couldn't!"

"Honey, I made that for you. It's my gift. That butterfly there, that's you; what you've become, what you've blossomed into. You deserve it and it was an honor to make it for you."

Fluttershy went over to Rarity and gave her a giant hug. "Thank you. Thank you," she said.

"It's all right darling. Now, change back and we'll put this up in you closet ok?"

Fluttershy changed back into the clothes she had on before - white shirt and blue jeans. Rarity gently took the dress and folded it up and placed in a gift box she had from last years' Christmas. They went to Fluttershy's room and she put it on the top shelf in her closet. Fluttershy then laid on her bed and Rarity sat down on the floor beside it.

"Oh Rarity, since coming here, I can't tell you how much I've changed. The world is a brighter place, I feel more alive and assertive, you've help me become an entirely different person."

"Oh pish-posh darling. You always were this person. You just needed the space to realize it."

Fluttershy laid back on her bed and put her hands behind her head. "Rarity, you ever think about the future? About who you'll marry and all that."

"You know I do. We've talked about it lots of times before." Rarity was a bit confused by Fluttershy's question. They had had so many conversations about the future that the question was without any reason.

"I know. But, I don't know, I mean seriously. Everyone thinks they're going to get this dream job, marry that perfect ten, have this wealth, all that. But life isn't like that. Things happen, things go wrong. Nobody thinks about those things; do they?"

"I can't say I like your line of questioning there darling. But, I suppose if people did think about the bad, you'd have no reason to pursue the good."

"I disagree. Thinking about the bad let's you plan for it, anticipate it. I think about the bad. I think about the good as well. I think more about the good now more than ever."

"I'm glad for you darling, but, I guess for most people we need necessary delusions. We need to think we'll be ultra successful, even though we know the odds are stacked against us. It's like the lottery, which I do know something about. Everyone knows that their odds of winning are nil to none. But they also know that someone has to when it eventually and that person's odds are just as low as everyone else's. So what brought all this up?"

"Just thinking. I never would have guessed my life would have turned out as well as it has these past few months. But I never thought my life would have been as bad as it was when I was a little girl, before my dad left. I've seen bad, I've seen good, it's all just random. Most of it. You never know what to expect or what's coming or why."

"True. So much of life is out of our control. A person can chose not to drink and drive for their own safety; but then get hit by a drunk driver on their way to work."

"I used to think I'd be alone. I never imagined I'd ever have a boyfriend. With a mother like mine, no way. That, and in a way, I thought I was unlovable. But now, now I think I want to start dating." Fluttershy finished so softly, the last line was almost inaudible.

Rarity jumped up in delight. "Ewwww. That's wonderful darling! Any potential suitors?"

Fluttershy shook her head and laughed. "No, no one specific. Just a general, em, feeling."

"Well, we have hands to take care of those 'feelings'," Rarity said and they both laughed. "Seriously, though darling, I'm glad to hear it. A lady as beautiful in heart and body, deserves a fellow on her arm. Just so long as you pick the right one."

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Since it was summer, Fluttershy had increased the number of hours she volunteered down at the animal shelter. In fact she was there so much, she was actually offered a paid position. She loved it and she didn't feel like such a mooch on the Geisel's anymore. In all things it felt like her life kept getting better and better. Who knows; maybe she would find a boyfriend here soon. She laughed to herself as she thought that. Her life was already better than she could have ever imagined, she really couldn't ask for anything more right away.

Fluttershy was on lunch break at the animal shelter and decided to eat her lunch outside today. It was another cloudless, sunny day. In some ways that was really bad since California was in a drought, but Fluttershy still loved a good blue sky. Right down from the shelter was a small café where she liked to eat at. She could watch everyone driving and walking past. Sometimes she would come up with names and stories for the people she saw. It was her thing.

"Uh, hi. Fluttershy right?"

Fluttershy turned around to see a boy from her school standing before her. He had dreadlocks that were dyed green and a blue cap. He wore a vest with a peace sign on it. He was handsome but she had never really gotten to know him. "Yes, hi," she said nicely in return.

"I'm Sandalwood. We go to school together. Mind if I sit with you?"

Fluttershy could tell he was nervous. It was really an amusing turn of events that someone should be nervous to meet her. "No. Go ahead. I would enjoy the company."

"Thanks," he said and sat down. "I wanted to ask first. Didn't want to invade your personal space."

"It's fine. So what brings you here?"

"Oh, well I was collecting signatures on a petition to ban all fracking in the United States. But then I got hungry, so I came here. My Uncle owns the place, so I eat free. Well, not free, I got to do chores for him, but I don't have to pay money. You?"

"I work in the animal shelter there. I'm just on lunch."

"Awesome! Helpin' the little critters out. No doubt. I wouldn't mind helping out. Need anymore people?"

"Sure. We could always use more volunteers. We don't have any paying positions right now though. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh no way. I just want to help in whatever way I can."

"Good. Be here tomorrow at seven a.m. . Oh, and my friend Rarity and I will be volunteering at the homeless shelter on Sunday if you want to come there. We'll be there at ten."

"Whoa, you're like super awesome there Fluttershy."

Fluttershy titled her head to the right and narrowed her eyes. Something was off about him. He was acting too nervous, too excited. Could it be he was trying to ask her out? No, couldn't be. But what if it was? She had to ask. "Sandal, do you want to go out on a date sometime?"

"Um, well, ah, um, " Sandalwood stammered. He had been attracted to Fluttershy since eighth grade. He had hoped volunteering at the shelter would be a way to get closer to her so he could ask her out. Hearing her ask that that caught him off guard. Was she serious or just feeling him out? He was afraid to answer one way or the other for fear of screwing up.

Fluttershy laughed. "It's ok. I'll do it. Providing you show up here tomorrow."

"Will do!" Sandal responded enthusiastically.

Fluttershy shook her head. "I know you will. In fact, I kinda think you already did."

"Huh?" Sandal asked confused.

"Never mind. Just a little deja-vu."

"Oh, right on." Sandalwood answered back, nodding his head.

For the rest of the time the two just talked about everything and anything they could.

Author's Note

As any of you who read "Mountains" I incorporated more of that story into this chapter. It'll be the last I do it for this story as now the two timelines will completely diverge. But there is a reason for this other than me being a lazy writer which you'll see in the next and last chapter of this story. Until then, love you all.