What If: My Second Life

CHAPTER 19: Bed Side Manner

Coal awoke in the same bed he had been in just a few days earlier. His vision was pretty blurry and he started to worry he had an ulcer or something...He's not a doctor. Coal tried to sit up, but found that he literally didn't have any strength in his body. Coal must have been on some serious meds or what have you. That or he was strapped down...Coal really hoped not.

After a while of sitting there, he soon got his vision back and looked around the white room. He was wearing a hospital gown and had a IV in his arm. He lifted his head and looked around, seeing a divider curtain. He was thinking about opening it to possibly talk to somepony so he would be bored, but her decided not too. Instead, he started to hum. He thought of singing, but really the only songs he knew were MLP songs from the past, and if anyone heard him singing those in a hospital, he could seriously eff himself! Coal hummed the tune to the theme, giggle at the ghostly, art of the dress, winter wrap up, you name it; he had time to hum it. Coal went through every song...TWICE! Before some pony finally came in to check on him. It was the pony he recognized as Nurse Tenderheart.

"Hey there...it isn't Nurse Redheart this time? Not that I'm complaining of course."

"Oh you're awake! No not this time dear. I'm Nurse Tenderheart. I would say it is nice to meet you, but I sure would of preferred it under different circumstances."

"Yeah...me too. What happened anyway? The last thing I remember is passing out at Rarity's..."

"She ran to the hospital and made us come pick you up in a hurry. I've known Rarity for a while, but I have never seen her demand obedience so adamantly."

Coal laughed "That is pretty funny. So...what happened to the grey stallion?" He wasn't concerned for him in the least, but he was curious.

"Oh yes...Earl Grey...he is...alright."

"Doctor patient confidentiality?"

"No no...he is in the criminal ward. We don't have to be confidential with patients like that; well...we do, but no pony enforces it. The uppers feel they don't deserve it."

"I understand if you still don't want to tell me. Just...I didn't kill him did I?"

"YOU DID ALL THAT!?" She looked at Coal with a mixture of admiration and shock...He thought.

"Ooooh...Rarity didn't tell you what happened?"

"She told the authorities, but we nurses don't hear much."

"I see, but yes...I did that. Whatever that is..."

"Well to answer your question; he isn't dead. He has massive bruising all over his body, and his nose is broken in six places. He is probably going to need surgery if he wants to keep his eyesight. Other than that...he is...fine."

Coal scoffed a little at her remark. "Sounds like it to me. I take it there is going to be a report about me now huh?"

"Well dear...maybe. I'm not too knowledgeable at how the authorities handle this sort of thing. I can guess that you probably did all that protecting Rarity, right?"

"Yes I did. I received quite a beating from that Earl Grey..I passed out shortly after I untied Rarity (shouldn't ah said that Coal)."

"She was tied up!?" He put on his serious face and just shut the hell up! "Eheheh...I won't pry dear; don't worry about it any. Your friends were here a little bit ago. I think they all left...Ooooh, but your daughter is still here!"

Coal looked at her confused. "My what!? I don't have a.....OH! MY! GOD! Scootaloo...."

"What is the matter dear?" She was taken back by his outburst.

"Scootaloo isn't my daughter, but I was supposed to be taking care of her...please tell me I wasn't out for three damn days this time!"

She gave Coal a comforting look. "No Coal...you were only out for one night. It is morning now. Scootaloo came by with the others about an hour ago."

"Oh thank God! If she is still out there...would you mind letting her know that I'm Ok...and that she has school today. So please don't skip out on my expense; I'll be fine."

Nurse Tenderheart laughed a little, but complied. He could hear Scootaloo talking now. He couldn't make out what she was saying, but when the voices stopped and only Nurse Tenderheart came back in; Coal assumed that Scootaloo listened.

"She said that she'll go to school, but that she is coming back once the day is over."

Coal gave her a smile. "Thank you Nurse Tenderheart. I appreciate all of this, but I do have one question."

"Yes?"

"Why can't I feel anything?"

"Oh...hehehe...well dear; you are on some pretty strong pain medication. According to your chart...your previous injury burst open again and there was a chance for infection. They had to sow the wound shut this time. Since that would hurt more than I would ever want to know; they put you on some maximum strength pain medication based on your weight. You're pretty light for such a big thing" (Coal is 6 ft 3' 150 lb)

Coal burst out laughing at her joke! "I haven't heard that in a long time! That was funny!" He beamed at her after my laugh attack subsided.

“Shhh! There is another patient right next to you...Please, keep your voice down. He needs his rest and will be in a lot of pain if he doesn't heal while he's in his drugged state.” She gave Coal a sheepish smile and Coal went wide eyed.

“Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know there was anyone over there..” He looked towards the curtains and sighed, laying his head back on the pillow.

“Well dear, as much as I would love to stay and chat; I do have other patients. Just press the button on the side of your bed if you need anything, and don't worry...the pain medication was given to you last night. They will be starting to weaken in a couple of hours. I hope you can hold tight until then."

Coal thanked her and she went about her business. With nothing else to do for he didn't know how long; Coal decided to try and get some sleep. It isn't like he hasn't been getting enough sleep lately right?

* * * *

Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity were sitting in the library talking about the latest event with Coal and Jace (Pinkie had work). Rarity was just about finished telling them what had happened.

"After that Coal came in and beat the creep right out of that foal! He was terrifying, but I was just so happy to be saved that I didn't care."

"Did any of you get a look at that stallion? Coal beat the pony feathers off of him!" Dash said with some pride in her voice. "I had no idea Coal could be such a bad-flank! It is probably a good thing he was still hurt. If he wasn't...he probably would of killed him!"

"Oh my goodness, please don't say that Dash! I would be so scared of Coal if he killed some pony." Fluttershy was trying very hard not to be scared of Coal as it is, and this latest incident wasn't helping.

“Yeah, and what about Jace? That feller is quite the stubborn one! I'll tell ya, he may be more stubborn then Ah ahm!” Applejack stamped her hoof to punctuate the statement.

"Twilight darling? You have been awful quiet. What are your thoughts?"

Twilight just shook her head. "I don't know what to think Rarity. It seems we can't go but a day without incident involving Coal or Jace around here. I'm more concerned with Scootaloo honestly. Rainbow knows, but did you girls know that Coal has basically adopted her?"

"Oh my goodness, no I didn't! Oops...I didn't mean to yell like that. So that is why she wanted to go with us to the hospital. I had no idea they were that close." Fluttershy was rubbing her cheek in contemplation.

"Me either darling! My what a man he is! He adopts a filly in need and saves me from a rapist! I think I need to ask him out sometime..." The others just glared at her. "What?"

"Rarity...you aren't put off of relationships...even for a little while; after what happened?" Twilight was giving her a rather perturbed face.

"Well Twilight...I don't see why I should wait; if it is something I may want."

"Yeah I get you there, but have you considered the fact that if you were to date Coal...you would basically be Scootaloo's mother figure? You already take care of Sweetie Belle as it is! And believe me! Scootaloo can be a hoof and a wing-full!" Dash was being surprisingly defensive about the concept of their relationship.

"That is a good point Rainbow Dash...I will have to give it some more thought."

"I think you're both right." Fluttershy had grabbed hold of all the attention in the room. "Oh I mean if you don't mind my saying. I think when he isn't being mean to himself he is very nice and friendly, but he now has a big responsibility with Scootaloo. But just because Coal has taken on that responsibility...it doesn't mean you have to as well. Coal is...very dependable. He always seems to be at just the right place at just the right time. I don't know if I should call him lucky though..." Fluttershy stopped talking when she looked up at her friend's wide-eyed faces. "Wh-what? Did I say something bad? I'm sorry..."

"Fluttershy...I...do...do you like Coal that way? It sounds like you have given this some thought..." Dash asked with a bit of concern in her voice.

"What!? N-no no I...*meep*...um well the thing is...*whimper*...maybe a little."

"What?...WHAT!?" Twilight was screaming so loudly her voice cracked. Fluttershy just curled up and whimpered. "Are all you ponies crazy!? He is one; a completely different species, two; he is from a completely different world, three; he has proven himself to me emotionally unstable and prone to quick decisions, and four; he is potentially a violent monster when he snaps! What good do you see in him!?" Twilight was panting she used up so much energy in her rant.

"No offense darling, but I would say I see the same good you did when you willingly kissed him in his sleep." Rarity stated matter of factly.

Twilight went completely red. "Yeah Twilight...what is your deal? I can't say I really like Coal that way, but for every bad quality you listed...he has good ones." Dash said with a bit of anger in her voice.

"N-not to make you feel too bad Twilight. I-I-I just have to agree with Dash and Rarity on this one. Surely you have seen the good Coal can do. He helped Dash and defended Rarity. He hasn't done anything like that for me yet, but I think he would if something happened."

Twilight sighed and groaned, she grumbled and grunted, she fumed with frustration. She finally hung her head and gave up. "You're right...you're all right." All eyes were on Twilight. "I think...I think I...like him...that way too." The girls let out a soft almost inaudible gasp. "I feel like I shouldn't admit it, but...I think I do. I have seen the good Coal can do, but these feelings are so confusing! I'm not ready to be completely blinded by romance! I haven't studied or sent letters to Princess Celestia in days! I don't even know why Spike isn't back yet! Coal has completely taken over everything I think and do and it scares me!" Twilight held herself and started to weep. She was so frustrated with everything that had happened. "I just feel like I can't ever do anything to help...you know?"

"Twi-Twilight...darling...you saved his friend's life before; remember?"

"Y-yeah! You levitated Jace off of the farm and took him to the hospital. If you hadn't done that then...well...Coal would of probably left, Scootaloo wouldn't have some pony to take care of her, and Rarity would of been...you know."

They all shuddered at the thought.

"Thanks girls...I needed that" Twilight calming herself tried to switch the direction of the conversation onto another pony. "Well Rainbow...it seems you are the only one among us who isn't giving thoughts to pursuing a relationship with Coal. I wonder if humans emit more pheromones than ponies do. That could explain this...unusual situation. Although that wouldn't explain why you aren't influenced."

Applejack was just really quiet in this conversation, not wanting to be a big part of it. She really didn't have much to say in all of this. She had feelings for Coal..More for Jace but she knew he already had a mare-friend and respected that.

Dash twiddled her wings with her hooves not sure of what to say. "Well...I wouldn't say I haven't given it ANY thought. I was the first pony he met after all, and he did help me. S-So did Jace! Not that I really needed it of course! It was still good of them though...I'm not helping myself any am I?"

The others just shook their heads. "I guess I was wrong then. Applejack, do you have anything to say in all this?” Twilight asked. Everypony's attention was turned to Applejack who turned beet red.

“W-Well...A-Ah...” She rubbed the back of her head with her hoof. “Ah mean, he's a good worker! Don't get me wrong! B-But Ah just can't relate ta him that much... Ah can relate ta Jace though, that feller is a hard worker and stubborn as Ah am! Shoot! Ah would've done the same thing he did iff'n Ah was the one injured and had nuthin ta do!” Everypony nodded in agreement. “But, he already has a mare-friend and we all respect that! Why can't we have feeling fer Coal iff'n someone like Vinyl Scratch can have feelings fer Jace?”

“I can see your point darling, I don't think it's wrong in my eyes.”

“I don't know if Pinkie has thought about it...I would be surprised." Twilight was so tired. She just couldn't bring herself to be ashamed or embarrassed anymore.

"Well darling, it is Pinkie we are talking about. Knowing her...she'd be giving more thought to it than any of us."

They all shook their heads and laughed.

"Well um...I think I know why...if none of you mind my saying." They all looked at Fluttershy." Most other stallions...they don't really pay us much mind. There aren't that many in Ponyville and we don't have a lot of experience with...males. I-I-I for one don't...I'm sorry...I shouldn't say we don't when I'm not sure."

"No no Fluttershy. I think you are on to something there. He seems to genuinely care about us and...his compliments are really nice too. With the exception of Rarity and Applejack; I don't think any of us have even had a real colt friend before. I haven't...have you Rainbow?" Twilight asked genuinely curious.

"Ehh uhhhm ummm well the thing is..." Dash was feeling put on the spot. She was rubbing the back of her head with her hoof trying to come up with something.

"Darling if you haven't had one that is fine. We aren't going to judge you for it darling." Rarity put her hoof on Dash to calm her. "If you don't feel like telling us, well...that is fine too." Rarity gave her a smile and after a moment Dash returned it.

"Ok...I'll tell you the truth, but please don't tell Coal!"

"Why-ever not Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "I don't think Coal would get mad at us for having a colt friend or something."

"It isn't that Twilight. It's...well...this is so hard to say...Ok! What worries me is what Coal did to that stallion after what he 'tried' to do...I don't want to think what Coal would do to a stallion if they 'did' do something."

The girls put the pieces together in their heads and a look of horror and dread spread across their faces. Their pupils shrunk and their breathing started to become irregular. Fluttershy was the first on to respond.

"D-d-dash...I s-see what you're g-getting at...y-you d-don't need t-to tell us. We w-will understand."

"Thank you Fluttershy, but I wasn't raped if that is what you're thinking of." The girls sighed with relief. "Wow...all of you were thinking that?" They bashfully nodded. "Ok no...that didn't happen. What did happen...was pretty close to it though. I was in Flight School and while I was there I would always get picked on by the younger colts. I hadn't earned my cutie mark yet and I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself. I was pretty small for a filly.

Well one day one of the older brothers of the bullies showed up. His name was Home-run. For his age; he was pretty large. He sat and watched as his little brother and friends picked on and teased me. I didn't think anything of it. I was just glad he wasn't joining in. I tried to fight back, but at one point they pinned me on a cloud and I couldn't get loose. They started laughing at me harder and kept forcing my face into the cloud. Home-run told them that isn't how you have fun with a filly. He walked over and picked me up by the back of my head. He raised my body for all of the colts to see. I had managed to keep from crying, but now I was really scared and started to tear up a little. He looked me up and down a few times before saying something like 'this one is too small for some real fun, but I think I could get something out of her'. H-He then used me t-t-t-to...."

Dash couldn't keep going. The memories were playing back out in front of her. She always took so much pride in herself, but she had no pride back then. Remembering herself when she was so weak was all it took for her to break down. She held back her tears this time, but she started to shake. She put her hooves to her eyes to try and fight the tears better. The others had gotten up and moved around her at this point and they all held her close. Dash managed to calm down after several minutes of contact with her friends.

"Darling...you can stop. We don't need to know so badly that it is going to hurt you."

"Rarity is right Rainbow. I'm sorry for asking you about it." Twilight looked to Fluttershy hoping she would offer some words of encouragement as well.

Fluttershy was having a hard time not crying for Dash and just nuzzled into her. With all this comfort Dash found the strength to continue.

"I-I can finish. I...I won't say what he did, but I'll tell you that after that incident...I never trusted males. I thought they would all hurt me if I let them. So when Coal and Jace helped me...I couldn't help but wonder if maybe I had been wrong. That is probably where my feelings are coming from, but please don't tell any other pony! It would totally ruin my reputation!"

"We won't darling. Cross my heart-hope to fly-stick a cupcake in my eye."

The girls shared a good laugh before deciding it was past time to call it a day. They said their goodbyes and went about their way. After confessing her darkest secret though...Dash felt she needed to give Coal another visit. Maybe he had woken up.

* * * *

Author's Note: HOLY BUTT. That scene with the girls was absolute HELL to get it to have both Jace and Coal in it. Not to mention Applejack! In Coal's version, she was in Appleloosa. I had to find someway to incorporate her into the conversation somehow. It was actually not that bad when you get ideas in your head and then you start typing it out to see if it's any good. Well, anyway, I'm going to post this chapter and then go to bed for a feel. I filled my chapter quota for the week!