Back on Duty

Princess Luna was walking with Silent Spell on their way to get some lunch. The Inspector's work ethic was thoroughly impressive so Luna didn't mind taking the driven mare to her and Celestia's personal dining room for a much-deserved snack.

"I agree that the arrest was somewhat premature, but you must understand that Sister is quite distraught."

Silent Spell shook her head. "That's all very well, but I'm telling you if this goes to the courts, that could be a problem."

"You still must agree that Silvermane belongs in prison. Even if you disregard circumstantial evidence, Blossom gave us his name directly."

The inspector jumped ahead and faced the Princess with a frown on her muzzle. "What if they were talking about the son? We do not have an actual description, Princess!"

Luna shrugged a little. She couldn't envision the younger Silvermane doing something his father knew nothing about.

"Things have changed while you were on the moon," Silent Spell went on. "Yeah, once upon a time you and Celestia could toss anypony in prison and nopony would bat an eyelash, but we've come a long way since then. Partly thanks to your sister's efforts, might I add."

Luna was forced to admit that the Inspector was right and her ears splayed a little. "Agreed. But this is a special case, you must see that. I have not found Gregory despite nights of trying. Sister fears the worst! Might I add that there has been no sign of Spring Morning, either."

Silent Spell sighed and stepped out of the way so they could continue. "Fine. I'll interview Silvermane today."

"Thank you."

Before Luna could resume walking, the inspector laid a hoof gently on her foreleg. "He's fine, I'm certain of it. It wouldn't make sense for them to kill Mr. Gregory, not after all the trouble they've gone to already. The foal-napping plot was too risky, and it must have taken months to plant Spring Morning in the guard."

Luna just nodded and they continued on their way in silence. Soon they reached the correct door and she opened it with some trivial magic from her horn. She stepped inside and paused. "Sister?"

Celestia was sitting at the empty table, her head leaning on her hooves. She looked somewhat more... disheveled than usually.

"Anything?" Celestia asked.

"Sorry. Silvermane refuses to talk and he will not be intimidated. Silent Spell-"

"Hurt him."

"What?!"

Celestia lifted her head and turned red, bloodshot eyes on her younger sister. Were they just a little bit darker than usually? Luna resolved to visit the Canterlot Library and look for a certain book she'd seen just once, a thousand years ago. For now, she shook her head.

"This is not like you, Sister."

Celestia just shrugged. "Maybe not, but it is like you, isn't it? Are you sure there's no Nightmare Moon left? You could visit him in his dreams and frighten the truth out of him!"

Luna glanced at the Inspector, who shook her head almost imperceptibly.

"Sister, you are not thinking clearly. You are not yourself. Have patience and trust in your ponies. Trust in me."

The older sister opened her mouth to argue, but then she slumped back down. "It's been so long, Luna! I'm worried!"

"I have called the Elements like you asked. Rainbow Dash is already helping with the investigation and Fluttershy is keeping Blossom occupied. I'm not sure what the others will be able to do, but I've called them."

"Good. What about Shining?"

This time Luna shook her head firmly and put her hoof down: "No, Sister. He has a kingdom to run and a daughter to raise. We have guards and we have Silent Spell, we do not need Shining Armor. Be sure I will call for him if that changes."

Celestia looked like she was about to argue, but she just sighed and returned her gaze to the table.

"Have you slept at all?" Luna asked, despite already knowing the answer.

There was no reply.

"Eaten? The cooks have prepared some Devil's Food Cake."

Luna glanced up at the counter where the said cake was sitting, untouched.

Silent Spell followed her gaze and whistled softly. "Wow, that does look amazing!"

"Let us all have a slice, then."

Celestia didn't refuse and Luna hurried over to grab the cutlery and cut the cake. She made her sister's piece somewhat larger and floated all three plates to the table. The Inspector was already sitting and watching the floating dessert with rapt attention. Luna sat herself opposite her sister so she could watch. For a while it seemed that Celestia was just going to ignore the moist, rich slice of cake right under her nose. She was getting really worried when her sister suddenly lit up her horn and grabbed the fork. A large piece flew up into her mouth and Celestia closed her eyes in something approaching rapture.

"There, isn't that good?"

Luna was only taking small nibbles of her own cake, more to encourage her sister than out of hunger or enjoyment, but Silent Spell was exhibiting a nearly identical expression to Celestia.

A thought occurred and Luna seized it, because it wasn't related to their current trouble. "Tell me, how did you two meet?"

It was Silent Spell who answered: "Las Pegasus civic banquet. We both kept coming back to the pastry table and we started talking."

Even Celestia grinned at that, teeth flashing white in the middle of a chocolate-brown stain around her muzzle. "I remember being surprised when I heard that Las Pegasus needs a police department," the Princess added. "I thought of you about a year later when there was that bad business in Vanhoover."

Silent Spell nodded to that. "Interesting case."

"What was it about?" Luna asked, determined to keep Celestia's mind off the missing human for as long as possible.

"Smuggling," Celestia replied and the Inspector added: "They were exporting priceless Equestrian art into the Crystal Empire."

"How did you even realize it was happening?"

Celestia looked up at the ceiling and her eyes gazed, unseeing, into the distance. "We did not, at first. Not until they began stealing from museums and galleries. I asked Silent Spell to look into simple theft, but it turned out to be much more than that."

The Inspector suddenly chuckled to herself and twisted in her chair to look at the Princess beside her. "Remember the look on Cadence's muzzle when we told her?"

They both burst out laughing and even Luna had to giggle in anticipation of a good story.

"Do tell me everything!"

Gregory woke up from what felt like the deepest sleep of his life. His thoughts were sluggish and his muscles didn't seem to want to respond. The memory of the past few days was fuzzy, but some things trickled through. They were keeping him drugged, which made it essentially impossible to plan his escape. He'd tried everything he could think of: arguing, pleading, even resisting, but Spring Morning simply held him up with magic and forced the bottle in his mouth every couple of hours.

He tried keeping the syrup-like potion in his mouth so he could spit it out later, but the mare pinched his nose and tilted his head back until he was forced to swallow or suffocate. The utter defeat and humiliation of it burned, but until his captors made a mistake there wasn't a whole lot Greg could do. He was also naked, which further compounded the fact.

Luckily they let him put on a towel when they took him to the toilet or on short walks, but he didn't even know where his clothes were being kept - if they hadn't simply destroyed them all.

"Good morning, sunshine!" the hated unicorn said cheerfully. Gregory had come to detest her slightly mocking smile.

"When are you gonna let me go?" he demanded.

"Soon. Probably. Your sweetheart has the boss in jail, which complicates things. Until he's out, I have my orders."

"What is he paying you? I'm sure Celestia can-"

"Bah!" the mare interrupted. "I'm not after money, sweetie."

This was new. Until now, Gregory had always assumed that Spring Morning was being paid well for her obedience.

"Then what?"

Her smile grew wider and she shook her head slightly. "That's between me and the boss. Nothing for you to worry about. Come on, let's get you emptied out and then fill you up again."

Gregory groaned. Even with one of the unicorns helping him up, the trip to the bathroom was both tiring and uncomfortable. His only consolation was that they left him alone to do his business. If only the bathroom had a window. At this point, he'd risk breaking his legs and jump out, only for a chance to get away. Surely there would be passers-by who would help him. The most annoying thing was that he couldn't refuse. There was a definite pressure in his bladder and the only other choice was messing himself in the bed, which was unthinkable, even now.

"You'll pay for this..." he said weakly, but his heart wasn't in it.

Spring Morning's expression didn't change. "Sure. Here's your towel."

The mare floated over the piece of cloth and Gregory pulled it under the blanket so he could cover himself before she dragged him out of the bed. The magic pulled him upright and he tied the towel around his waist. His legs felt like lead, but it was good to move about. It seemed the fatigue went away and his mind cleared with exercise. Besides, he was starting to get worried about bedsores.

"How about a walk outside?"

The mare leaned her head to one side as she considered this. "If you're a good boy and take your medicine without struggling, I'll think about it tomorrow, okay?"

Greg grimaced at her tone, but it was the first concession she'd given so far and he didn't want to lose it. "In my clothes?"

"If you're good."

Gregory did his best not to glare. It would be an opportunity to see where he was. Maybe he would be able to surprise Spring Morning and get away. If he got out one good shout near a busy street, he might attract some attention. His heart began to beat faster at the prospect and he felt his steps lighten. Spring still held him upright with magic around his waist, but Greg felt he was leaning on it a little bit less.

If the unicorn noticed this, she didn't bring it up.

Celestia was chafing at the bit to do something. Anything. The pony and human trafficking ring should have been falling apart with their leader in prison and their mine shut down, but her guards had still not found the captives, nor captured any accomplices.

More importantly - just as importantly, she corrected herself - Gregory was still missing. Despite Silent Spell's best efforts and Luna's persistence in the dream world, Silvermane hadn't given up the location where Gregory was being held. The unicorn stubbornly maintained that he didn't know. That he had left the matter entirely in Spring Morning's hooves.

"I don't believe that!" Celestia told Luna for the umpteenth time.

"I do," her sister replied much too calmly for Celestia's liking. "He ordered Spring Morning to take Gregory... somewhere, and not even tell him. He must have expected we would question him. It is a reasonable precaution."

However much Celestia tried to convince herself otherwise, there was sense in what Luna was saying. She wouldn't be able to deny the logic of it much longer. "Well, what about Twilight Sparkle and her friends? Any news? Never mind, I will go ask her myself!"

She was about to stand up and go, but Luna laid a restraining hoof on her shoulder across the table. "We agreed, Sister. Remember your outburst yesterday? You are no use to them in this state."

Celestia hung her head and lowered her ears in shame.

"In fact, Twilight Sparkle-"

"Doing nothing is just so frustrating, Luna!" she growled under her breath, interrupting whatever Luna was about to say.

"You cannot help when you are emotional, Sister. Trust in myself and Silent Spell. Trust in Twilight Sparkle and her friends. We will find Gregory before long."

It was good advice, however much Celestia didn't want to hear it. She bit her lip and gave a slight nod. It had been nearly a week and Celestia didn't think she had another in her. Surely she would go crazy if they didn't find Gregory in the next day or two. She was just too worried. Her gaze landed on the plate in front of her and Celestia considered taking a forkful. The cooks had done their best, but she simply did not have any appetite.

Luna noticed where she was staring and smiled encouragingly. "Do try the casserole, Sister. It is delicious. There are pancakes for later - sadly not as fine as you make them, but still quite good."

Celestia shook her head. "Not hungry."

"If you eat, I will tell you news from Twilight Sparkle."

Her head snapped up and Celestia glared at her sister. "You have news?! Tell me!" she demanded.

"Eat your meal, first."

"Luna, this is not funny! If you know something we have to move fast!"

Luna shook her head. "An hour will not make a difference. One forkful?"

Celestia knew that look, which said that Luna wouldn't budge. Still glowering, she levitated a fork and stabbed it, viciously, into the meal. She put it in her mouth, chewed twice and swallowed. A small part of her delighted at the taste, but Celestia pushed it to the back of her mind and glowered expectantly at her sister.

"It is not much," Luna admitted, shrugging, "but Twilight Sparkle says she can join a scrying spell with whatever magic Spike uses to send letters and make it find Gregory."

"When will it be ready?"

"Soon," Luna answered calmly. She scooped up another mouthful before continuing, all the time looking pointedly at Celestia. It seemed she was going to trade mouthfuls for answers. Celestia glared at this obvious extortion, but her mouth was drooling and the casserole was delicious. In the end she gave in and took another bite.

"Twilight expects us in her guest room in two hours. She says you should cast the spell, since you know Gregory better than she does."

"Let's go then. Perhaps she will be done sooner!" Celestia said and stood up.

Luna's magical hold gently pushed her back down to the seat. "All you would achieve, Sister, would be to bother her and slow her down. Let Twilight finish. If she is done sooner, no doubt she will come find us."

It made sense and Celestia let her breath out.

"In the meanwhile, why don't you finish your casserole?" Luna prompted.

"Fine..."

Now that she had been reminded how hungry she was, Celestia no longer hesitated. She was still worried, but here was something concrete to do. Surely Twilight's spell would work - she was the Element of Magic, after all. It would work and they would know where Gregory was being held before the day was out.

Once they had him and Spring Morning, the other innocent captives wouldn't remain hidden for long. Perhaps it was hope which made the meal taste better, but it was one of the absolute best casseroles Celestia had ever had in her life!

Gregory drifted up from a gray, shapeless fog. The light hurt his eyes and he had a nagging, persistent headache. His mouth was so dry that his groan of pain came out as barely a croak.

"Here. Brought you some food," a voice said beside the bed. The man glanced over and saw a familiar unicorn. Her name...

"Spring Morning?"

"Yup, still me. Come on, you're not supposed to die on us."

"Ugh, why do I feel like-"

He shut up as memory came flooding back. In that first instant of realization, Greg would have leapt out of bed and tried his luck with the window, but his muscles didn't want to support him.

"You've been drugging me!" he said.

Anger, tinged with fear cleared his mind of the aftereffects of that dreadful potion Spring Morning was making him swallow. How long has it been? Days? Weeks?

The mare didn't react to the accusation in the slightest. "Come on, eat."

Gregory shook his head. "Water..."

Spring Morning blinked, but then gave a small shrug and exchanged the bowl and spoon for a glass from the bedside table. She floated it over to Gregory's lips and he strained, eagerly, for the life-giving liquid.

The unicorn tilted it up a bit too quickly and some trickled down his face, but Gregory was beyond caring. He eagerly gulped it to the last drop and lay there, panting.

"Okay, how about some stew, now?" Spring Morning asked, swapping the glass for the bowl again. "It's got meat in it!"

This last one made Gregory furrow his brow. Most ponies were repulsed by meat and thoughts of eating it. Spring Morning had to be really worried if she went to such lengths.

"Will you let me go?"

The mare shook her head. "Sorry. You know I can't do that until I hear from the boss. Come on, it's good stew!"

Despite his present situation, Greg didn't wish to die, so he closed his eyes and nodded in defeat.

"Afterwards I'll take you to the bathroom and then we can go up on the terrace and sit in the sun a little, okay? Would you like that?"

Again, the man gave a slight nod. Moving about and fresh air helped his fatigue. "Can we go to the garden instead?" he prompted.

That was his best chance for his escape. All he needed was for Spring Morning to be distracted for just a short while and for there to be a wall he could climb. The fact that he could hardly walk without the mare holding him with her magic was a detail Gregory chose to ignore. He had to try something!

Spring Morning lifted him up into a sitting position and brought the bowl closer. Maybe if he ate really slowly, that would give him time to shake off the aftereffects of the potion and gain back some strength. Perhaps enough to escape before the unicorn doused him again. For that matter, he should take his sweet time on the toilet as well.

"Can you get me some more water, please?"

Spring Morning glanced at the empty glass, then nodded. "Sure. Let's finish this stew and then I'll get you water, okay?"

Gregory nodded and opened his mouth for the spoon. Under the blanket he clenched his fists and tried to make his muscles obey like they used to.

"There we go," Spring Morning said as she was dabbing at Greg's mouth with a napkin. "Wasn't that delicious?"

He refused to answer. Being fed like that hadn't improved his mood, but it strengthened his determination. The hot food was doing him good and a short walk would do the rest. Maybe if he faked how weak he really was, he could catch the mare by surprise and hit her over the head with a rock or something.

Spring Morning hadn't let her guard down around him in the past, but perhaps today...

Gregory closed his eyes and focused on his breathing while the unicorn tied him up with her magic and left the room. When he was alone he strained against the bonds. He knew he couldn't overpower them, but maybe the exercise would help him achieve better control over his muscles. Pretty soon he was breathing heavily. It felt like trying to lift a mountain. He strained once more, then slumped back to rest. Spring Morning would be back very soon and he didn't want her to ask why he was winded.

Just as Gregory managed to get his breathing under control, the mare came back with his water. She had a whole jug with her this time so she wouldn't have to fetch more if he asked for it. There was also a bundle of cloth, which Spring Morning dropped on the chair. Gregory watched his clothes almost hungrily as Spring Morning poured a glass. She never left them in the room. He had been permitted to keep his boxer shorts, but nothing else.

His line of sight was interrupted when a glass bumped against his lips and Gregory eagerly accepted the cool, rejuvenating liquid.

"Thanks..."

The mare smiled pleasantly. "See? You can be polite if you remember to. Okay, let's get you up."

The magic holding him down vanished and was replaced by the now-familiar band of force around his waist. Gregory let the mare lift him up with almost no assistance on his part. It made Spring Morning frown in slight worry.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked. "You seem... Here, try to stand."

Gregory made a show of barely staying upright. He swayed a little to enhance the illusion.

The mare seemed concerned. "Hmm, I'll have to change your dosage," she muttered to herself. "This doesn't look good."

"Or you could stop!"

This time her sigh was almost sad. "Sorry, sweetheart. Orders, you see?"

Gregory didn't answer.

"Come on," Spring Morning coaxed, "let's put on your clothes and take you for that walk. Maybe that'll help."

Gregory let the mare lead him to the wardrobe and waited patiently as she pulled a shirt over his head. Moments later she helped him lift his legs for the pants, all the while supporting him with the ever present magic band around his chest.

"There, now sit on the bed while I figure out these things again..."

She meant the shoes, which weren't a common sight in Equestria. He didn't have enough fine control over his fingers to tie his shoelaces, so Spring Morning simply did her best, forming the string into crude knots.

That left him pretty much dressed and the mare looked him up and down. "Handsome," she said and chuckled dryly. "Let's go."

Her magic around his chest tightened and pulled him upright. All Gregory could do was follow, making sure his steps seemed particularly unsure and faltering. She took him down the familiar hallway to the bathroom and guided him to the toilet. Once he was leaning with both hands on the wall, the magical grasp vanished.

"You sure about this? Maybe I should stay this time. You don't look so good."

This was a downside of his act which Gregory hadn't considered. He shook his head firmly. "I'll be fine."

Spring Morning studied his face. "Really? You seem about ready to fall over. No way you can do this yourself."

"I'm fine!" he snapped back irritably.

His captor shrugged to herself. "Well, yell if you fall," she suggested and left him alone.She would wait outside the door until he was finished, something Gregory had verified a few times.

He sighed and unbuckled his belt before placing a hand back against the wall for balance. He froze in thought, then carefully turned around and let his pants slide all the way down. Pretending to go number two would buy him more time. He could almost feel the life gradually returning to his limbs. Twenty minutes, he estimated, and he'd be able to run. Maybe there would be a low wall, or a gate or something. A place he could, if not exactly jump, at least tumble over. Gregory leaned back against the wall and settled down to wait as long as Spring Morning would let him.

There had been no chance at all, which was making Gregory fume in anger. Spring Morning had watched him like a hawk the entire time. He'd asked for a glass of water once she had him sit on the grass, but Spring Morning simply refused. He could get it back in the room, she'd said. Once or twice the mare glanced away, but before Gregory could do so much as to think about finding a rock, she turned back. Her magical grip around his chest never wavered, even when he was sitting down.

It almost felt as if Spring Morning knew what he was planning. She never said anything and Gregory wasn't about to bring it up either, but the mare was simply too attentive. He'd asked to go farther, hoping he might get to see the wall or a street, anything, but Spring Morning kept him near the house. During the silence, Gregory had tried to hear traffic, or any signs of a city, but there was nothing. Surely this house wasn't in the middle of nowhere, was it? If he could get at least one good look at his surroundings he might recognize which part of Equestria this was! The potion didn't let him dream, but maybe he would build up some kind of resistance to it, or Luna would break through anyway.

Gregory was in a foul mood when Spring Morning led him back to his bed. She was measuring out the potion in an empty glass, all the while keeping the man in place with her magic. It was the ease with which she did it that irked the most. As if Spring Morning didn't even have to pay attention to Gregory! As if he was below her notice!

"Can we just not?" Greg tried.

She glanced over, but then went back to pouring the liquid. "I'll give you a bit less, since it's affecting you so much, but I can't let you dream. You know that."

"Celestia is going to find me anyway, you know?" It was an empty boast, but Gregory couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something. "Dreams or not, she's going to find me. If you let me go, I can put in a good word for you."

The offer made Spring Morning chuckle pleasantly. "No she's not."

"Your boss will crack sooner or later. He'll sell you out, you know? People like that only look out for themselves."

The mare pursed her lips for a moment before replying. "Possibly. That's why I made... arrangements of my own."

"What kind of arrangements?"

Her muzzle split into a grin and Spring Morning's voice became softer, gently chiding. "Now now, no weaseling out secrets from your captors, Mr. Gregory."

She levitated the glass towards his mouth. "Come on. It's a lighter dose, it shouldn't knock you out so heavily. You'll feel better tomorrow, I promise."

Gregory had another idea. If he could pretend like the potion was making him weaker than it really was, perhaps Spring Morning would keep lowering the dosage out of fear of killing him. Eventually the dose had to be low enough to lose its effect of suppressing his dreams, hadn't it?

That was it! That was the way out!

Gregory made sure not to show any of his glee on his face, but he didn't struggle against the potion. In minutes it would knock him out and he still had to get undressed.

"Oh, here, let me help you with that," Spring Morning said. She left the glass on the bedside table and her magic wrapped around Gregory' shoes.

Suddenly there was a low rumble and a distant crash. The mare whipped her head up and her ears focused on the door.

"What the hell was that?" Greg asked.

"Hush!" Spring Morning hissed. They listened until there was another loud bang.

Some dust fell from the ceiling and Gregory actually felt the bed shift.

"Oh no no no no," Spring Morning whined. "Stay here!" she ordered and ran for the door. The command was superfluous as Gregory could already feel the effects of the potion taking hold. He fought to stay awake. Whatever was happening - surely an attack, or worse - he couldn't defend against it if he was asleep.

"Fuck!"

He managed to half-stand, but a wave of weakness was spreading from his belly to his limbs. He shot out an arm to balance himself against the bedpost, but it slipped and he fell on his back.

"WHERE IS HE?!" somepony shouted. The voice filled his heart with relief and joy.

"Cel- Celly..." he managed, but it was only a whisper.

There was another boom, closer this time, which ended with a scream and a thud. "I WILL TEAR THIS HOUSE DOWN!"

The man smiled faintly to himself. It was no more than Spring Morning and her accomplices deserved. Finally the nightmare was over. He barely flinched when the door slammed open and she walked in. To him she was even more beautiful than before. Her muzzle, snarling in anger, changed to a relieved smile when she saw him.

Celestia rushed over, her magic already enveloping Gregory. "Are you alright?! Did they hurt you?" she asked.

"'m fine. Potion..."

The Princess glanced at the bedside table and floated the bottle closer to her. She sniffed it and grimaced. "Some kind of sleeping potion?"

By now Gregory could just shake his head. He wanted to tell Celestia that he would be fine, in time, but he couldn't make his mouth work. He hoped his smile would convey that he wasn't worried. Celestia gathered him up gently in her magic and righted him on the bed. She pulled the covers over him even as she kept examining his face. "I'll wait until you are better, my love. Rest. You're safe now."

Gregory gave a nod, making sure to keep smiling. Everything was going to be fine now.

"I've missed you. You can't know how much I've searched and searched!" Celestia said, very carefully laying a hoof against his cheek. "I'll keep you safe while you sleep and then we'll go home. Rest now."

For the first time since his kidnapping, Gregory went to sleep willingly. He just hoped it wasn't some kind of a dream or hallucination. He hoped Celestia would still be there when he woke up.

Gregory woke up to the gentle sound of rain against the window. He had to struggle for a moment to get his eyes open. His eyelids felt like they were made from lead and filled with sand, but he managed and took a look around the room. It was dim, but Greg didn't think it was night time. The curtains had been drawn from the window and he could see a hint of gray skies out there. Raindrops pattered against the glass, filling the room with their hypnotic, relaxing sound. He slowly became aware of a warm presence at his side. The blanket was pulled over it, but a few seconds of thought brought the memories back. His eyes found the door, still torn off its hinges and the man smiled.

Celestia had come for him. Just to further convince himself that it hadn't been some kind of a dream, he forced his arm into motion and lifted up the corner of the blanket. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he saw the white body pressed against his side. The Princess seemed to be asleep, her muzzle buried in the crook of his arm and her ears splayed. The ethereal mane, which had been caught under the blanket, lifted up when it was freed like it had a mind of its own.

His mind felt clearer than in a long while and Gregory smiled to himself as he observed. Celestia shivered a little and inched closer, pressing her flank more tightly against his side at the sudden chill. He let the blanket down again, but left the mare's head outside this time.

"Thanks," he murmured.

An ear flicked to focus on the sound of his whisper and an eye opened to regard him with its beautiful magenta iris almost invisible around the big, round pupil.

Celestia didn't lift her head, but Greg could see the corner of her mouth twitch up in a smile. "Hi."

"Hi yourself. Took you long enough."

The eye closed and for a moment Gregory feared he had said something wrong, but a moment later her smile was back. "Sorry. They hid you pretty far out of the way, you know?"

Celestia's voice was muffled, but Greg didn't mind. Her breath felt delightfully warm in his armpit. He decided to enjoy this moment for as long as possible before they had to leave. Besides, his muscles felt like jelly after the potion and it would take some time for him to even be able to stand. Now that he had been rescued, Greg didn't like the idea of being carried out like an invalid. His gaze darted to the broken floor and he remembered the sounds of battle he'd heard... yesterday? Earlier that day? It was impossible to tell how long he'd slept.

"Spring Morning?"

Celestia regarded him for a moment, then shrugged a little with her wings. "Dead, I think. I'm sorry, but I hadn't intended that. Heat of the moment."

Greg didn't like the thought of the Princess killing a pony, but in this case he could forgive it. He'd have preferred the mare alive - she hadn't been entirely bad, he was sure. With some time in the jail and maybe some counselling, Spring Morning might have been redeemed.

"Anyone else?"

He was thinking of the maid, whom he only saw a couple of times after that first day. Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. "Some were hurt. Servants, a cook and two... thugs," she admitted. "Captain Fire Fly took the prisoners to Canterlot. He left some ponies downstairs, guarding."

"When do we leave?"

The mare lifted her head, letting cold air touch Greg's ribs and make him shiver while she examined the window. "We can wait here," she decided. "It's safe - now that I'm here. I don't want you to fly in this weather, not as ill as you are."

"Ill?" Gregory asked, suddenly worried. "Surely now that I've stopped taking the potion..."

Celestia shook her head and focused her gaze right on Greg's. She seemed worried. "They fed you some nasty stuff, Greg. You'll go through withdrawal now that you're off it. I dare not move you, especially in this weather, and I dare not teleport you."

The mention of teleporting made the man wince and Celestia leaned down to place a warm kiss on his cheek. "Relax, I said I won't."

It looked like he would stay in the house for a bit longer, but now that Celestia was with him, Gregory didn't mind. It was just a house. He was getting bored with the room, though.

"Can we go downstairs? Or anywhere else?"

Celestia looked at the broken door, then gave Gregory a rueful smile. "Soon, my love. You're warm and comfortable. You need more rest before getting up. I'll keep you company, okay?"

It sounded like an acceptable compromise and Gregory nodded. His agreement made the mare smile. "I did miss you, you know? I was so worried! I'm happy you're fine!"

Greg returned the smile. He'd missed her as well. He would never admit it, but he actually missed her pancakes in the morning! "Will you make me pancakes? All they fed me was stew."

He remembered the meat Spring Morning had brought him the previous day. It hadn't been bad, especially after his mostly vegetarian diet in the Canterlot Castle.

"I think I'd like to have some fish once we're back. Or maybe some meat, every now and then. I can cook it myself."

Celestia nodded and her grin widened. "I think we can arrange that." Her ears suddenly splayed and there was a hint of a blush on her muzzle. She glanced away from Greg's face and her voice lowered. "I l-love you..."

It took some effort, but Gregory managed to lift a hand and place it against her muzzle. "Yeah, I love you too."

The words made her smile even more and the mare shifted her rump uncomfortably. Her gaze travelled down Greg's bare chest and she lightly bit her lip. Greg guessed she was trying to decide if he was strong enough for...

"I dunno if it'll work, but you'll have to do most of the work," he told her.

Celestia nearly jumped at having her mind read so precisely and her blush deepened. She shook her head and the smile came back, if a little more hesitant than before. "In time, dear," she promised in a low voice. "Rest first, there will be time for that later."

She nestled herself back down against his side, except this time she extended a wing across Greg's belly. Her muzzle went back in the crook of his arm and Greg covered her up to her neck with the blanket. It left his shoulder out in the chilly air, but he didn't mind, as long as he could glance down and look into her eyes whenever he wanted.

Everything was going to be alright and the man relaxed. A few more hours of rest and then he'd get out of the bed. His thoughts strayed to the flight waiting for them and to the open, pegasi-pulled carriage. They wouldn't fly in this weather, but surely it would clear up by the next day. It hadn't rained once in the time he was there, so it was probably a rare enough thing. Pretty soon they'd be in Canterlot, but even in this house, Greg felt at home. Wherever Celestia was with him was home.

He moved his arm and the mare shifted so she wasn't lying on it anymore. That allowed him to put his hand on her withers and start scratching. The motion elicited a deep, half-moaning sigh from the mare.

"Celly?"

She didn't look up. "Mmm?"

"How did you find me?"

The mare still didn't open her eyes, but she shifted a little to bring her mouth out from Greg's arm. "I think they gave you wrong dosage of that drug. Princess Luna sensed your dreams, only faintly."

"Huh. I don't remember dreaming," Greg explained

"She said you might not. It was very faint."

"Where is this anyway?"

Celestia gave a slight, annoyed grunt. "Does it matter?"

"Just curious."

"North of Las Pegasus, in the woods under Smoky Mountains. Silvermane has an estate here, I think as a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of Canterlot."

"Huh. Well, I'm glad you found me."

Celestia opened her eyes and smiled. "Me too."