Through Sickness and in Health

"Hello......Spike."

"I'm going to guess you have a lot questions?" Spike asked in a calm but somewhat strained voice. His expression unreadable for the time being.

Applejack simply shook her head no and replied with a simple answer. "No, just one."

Spike raised an eyebrow at this. "Applejack my dear, surely you jest, I've given you a golden opportunity that not many have ever had." Spike said making the room grow quieter as she contemplated her next answer and question.

"Spike I only have one question and then I'll be out of your hai-er-spines. Now quit your foolishness and tell me Why You hid this from me!" Applejack was at the breaking point tears struggling to flow free, but her stubbornness wouldn't let her show this kind of emotion in front of other ponies.

Spike's smile wavered for a few seconds before he stood up and pulled his tie off placing it neatly on the desk, before calling out. "Trixie..."

"Yah Boss?" Trixie answered with concern showing on her face.

"I need you, Vinyl, and Flim to give us a few." Spike said his voice cracking ever so slightly.

"But Spike! She's one..." Trixie's sentence was cut off when she saw Spike's melancholy gaze.

"O-of course... come on guys."

"Don't worry Trixie," Flim whispered. "Spike can handle himself." With that the three unicorns were out of the room the door clicking shut with the green arua surrounding the handle for a second before fading away.

Spike's smile had vanished completely, in its place was a worried frown, his eyes no longer shined with malicious intent, now they had dulled considerably nervousness taken place instead.

Spike slowly walked behind her and locked the door as to not be disturbed from their impromptu meeting. "Applejack..." Spike was cut off as Applejack socked him in the face with her right forehoof knocking him down with a groan of pain. Spike coughed a few times before a bit of blood was hacked up on the hardwood floor. "A-alright I guess I deserved that." Spike answered his voice hoarse.

"You deserve more than that you two timing lizard!" Applejack screamed.

Spike chose this time to look at her in the face...and quickly wish he hadn't. Her eyes were starting to turn red and puffy from all the crying she had done. Spike didn't even know when she started crying, mabey she didn't either.

Spike moved to get up and put a comforting claw on her shoulder, but was quickly pushed back down.

"Ah don't want you touchin me with those claws of yours ever again!" Applejack huffed, "You still haven't answered mah question either! Why did you do it!" All the previous noise seemed to cancel out as they looked at each other. Applejack's withering glare, and Spikes sorrowful gaze.

Spike was the first to break their stare down, as he looked down finding his claws more interesting.

"The same reason you joined the police force." Spike said calmly.

"Huh?" Was all Applejack could get out as she continued to look upon the still young drake. Her tears stopping for a moment.

"You joined the police force as response to protect your home, your family, your friends... and me." Spike took a deep breath before continuing, "But you were gone for so long I-I grew scared that the next mission would be your last. But I was tired of being scared! I wanted to do something instead of waiting around, like you I chose to act to ensure My friends and Families safety, Yours above all else!" Spike was breathing heavily now, tears already flowing freely. "So I came up with my own plan. If I could control what happened out there, then I could assure what would've happened to you out there!" Spike sighed as he said his next words. "Applejack every dragon has his or her own hoard, something they treasure most in the world, that they will guard with their very lives! Your my hoard, my hope, and my wife!" Spike raced around to behind his desk and quickly opened a drawer. He pulled out a simple golden ring with an inscription on it that she knew by heart, Forever mine, Applejack.

Applejack looked on in sadness as her heart ached to now comfort him, but let him be for the time being as he continued his emotional rant.

"I started out small, selling almost everything I own, gems, food, favors, anything that could grant me some sort of foothold on what was happening out their. Then I struck a deal with the Diamond Dogs,"

Applejack gasped recalling their first encounter with them. When Spike almost kissed me. Applejack thought.

"I worked for them for months working my class to the bone. In return they kept me updated on what was happening, Taught me about sound leadership surprisingly, and And at times protected you from the shadows. One day they found out a planned 'hit' on you, and informed me. I told them that if they protected you without interacting with you then I'd find them the biggest diamond they could ever hope to see. Of course they agreed and...succeeded."

Applejack gasped once again as she had no idea that she could've lost her life on one of her cases if it wasn't for Spike.

"It took me more than half a year to find something acceptable for them. You remember about...five hearts and hooves days ago I said Celestia had called upon me for 'Royal Business' Well that was the day i found the perfect diamond for them, though the worst part was that it was someone else's. one day I had stumbled across a quaint jewelry shop in PonyVille and in it was the biggest diamond I had ever seen. So late that night I broke in and stole it and immediately gave to the dogs, but I'd rather not prolong the inevitable. For I know you already hate, the true me, a villain..."