In Stitches

Rainbow laid her head back down. She smirked to herself, she could feel the ice in the air.

"You wanted to know."

There was silence, just silence. She lay there feeling satisfied in their shock and horror. It was probably twenty minutes before Rachel finally spoke.

"O- O- Oh..."

The doctor cleared his throat. "R- Right... I... I um.." He paused. "Have to run tests for... everything I guess."

They stood quietly for a bit. "Right, well, I'll go get that ready" He left and Rainbow was sure he muttered something to do with 'a freak show' under his breath. Rachel was still standing there silently.

"I- I-" she paused. "Rainbow..."

Her smirk faded and she could hear tears dripping. Next thing she knew she felt arms around her and a powerful hug.

"You poor thing! What in the world did they do to you?"

As much as it hurt the hug was comforting and she couldn't bring herself to push the dragon away right now. "I- I'm fine alright? I'm safe now right?"

The dragons arms suddenly retracted. "S- sorry. I'm probably hurting you."

"It's okay. You aren't hurting me."

The hug returned and the tormented blue pegasus snuggled into it. Years had passed since anypony had cared about her problems like this. Rachel was going to be a true friend.

*************

Rainbow awoke stiffly. All the movement the day before now left her hardly able to move at all. "owwwww..."

"Rainbow? are you awake?" asked Rachel

"Do I have to be?"

"Your kids want mommy."

"R- Right. I have those."

"Are you ready for them?"

"Not really.." She said with a sigh.

"I want to ask... But I am afraid to hear the answer."

"Ask away."

"Well... who is their dad?"

She sighed "I honestly have no idea. I was never" she paused "I never... did anything... that I can remember anyway. I remember someone shoving something into me... But it wasn't like that."

"Then how-" she was cut off.

"They said they had implanted me or something. That it would be a scientific marvel if something happened. I don't remember much though." She was aware of the doctor returning but didn't care too much.

"They inseminated you?" she jumped at his voice.

"Y- Yeah... something like that. I don't really know what it means though."

"Well it means ether you had someone else's kids or they were afraid to rape you..."

"Great, more complexity. Am I their mother or not?"

"Well I could find out but-" he started.

"But what?! Are they mine or not?" she shouted.

"It would involve a lot of needle work"

"Oh just do it... Please?" She said suddenly going submissive and blushing. "S- sorry."

"It's okay. What are you going to do it they aren't yours?"

"Well. Raise them I guess. What else can I do?" she felt like he had a retort but kept it to himself.

"Alright. Can you walk?"

"More walking? I hate life." She flexed her limbs. They were all sore and incredibly stiff but they responded. "I- I think. Why?"

"Well I'll take you over to my" He paused looking for the best word "Place of work."

"Fine... How far is it?" She said with hesitation.

"Just down the hall and down some stairs. I promise." He spoke comfortingly.

She forced herself upright and off the couch almost collapsing. "I- I got it" She seethed in pain slowly righting herself. She stretched out as much as her sore body would let her. "Th- There, let's go."

"Okay. Do you want to be lead or follow my voice?"

There was a pause in which everyone could feel Rainbow's pride being crushed. "Just lead me. I'll break my neck on my own."

"It's okay Rainbow" She felt his hoof on her. "Just follow me"

"I'll go watch the kids I guess." Rachel said.

"Thanks Rachel. It means a lot to me."

"Any time Rainbow"

She began to follow the doctors touch and bumped into a door frame lightly. She added fifteen steps to the door to her floor map. She kept trying to build in this manner till her guide stopped her. "There are stairs here. Can you handle?"

Her pride dropped another fer notches. "Can you carry me?"

"Yes Rainbow." She felt him pick her up and start down the stairs. She started to cry but she wasn't sure if it was from pain or having all her independence stripped from her.

"S- Sixteen steps. right."

"Are you okay Rainbow? You are crying" He said concerned.

"Oh why did you have to notice?"

"Rainbow?"

"Y- Yeah, a- all good here." She said as he set her down. She stumbled again but stayed upright.

"Alright, keep coming."

She followed keeping her head low and bumping into this and that lightly. She heard him push open a door and take her in. "There is a bed here, I want you to get on alright?"

"Okay. What are you going to do to me?"

"Just some needle work. And some shots. Is that okay?"

She sighed "Yes." She paused "Has to get done anyway right?"

"Pretty much. Might figure out a way to make you hurt less too."

She groaned a little and felt her way to the bed. Feeling it over she was sure it was a hospital bed. She pulled herself up with a pained gasp and flopped on top. "Is this what the rest of my life will be like? Always crippled?"

"It's hard to say Rainbow. I'm sorry. Would you rather I put you out for this?"

"Go ahead maybe I'll wake up in a different nightmare."

She lay still waiting. A needle pricked her side and she passed out.