Twilight looks at the white bottle in front of her. She reaches for it but stops. Should I? She keeps her hand hovered over the bottle, contemplating the consequences. Would she even be able to do it? She hesitated to even so much as grab the bottle. With a shaky sigh she closed the drawer and moved over to the bed. She sat on it and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She then began to concentrate on the voices.
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Luna sat in a chair across from the hospital bed Twilight lays in. This was the first time in a week she had time to come and visit the poor lavender mare, and she couldn't help but feel it was her fault. This wouldn't have happened had she not invited her to come star gazing. No. She would not be where she is. With a small sigh Luna scoots the chair forward until she is right next to the lavender mare.

She checked the machines which beeped and gave readings that she didn't understand. With another sigh she looks at Twilight with sad eyes. "T..... Twilight." Luna said trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She tried to think of something to say but nothing came to mind. Luna felt a hoof on her shoulder and she craned her head to find the orange farm pony. A small smile grew across Luna's muzzle and took a deep breath, returning to Twilight.

"Twilight, I know it's a little late but, happy birthday." Luna said, the pain obvious in her voice. Tears began to well up in her eyes but she quickly blinked them away. "We all miss you." Luna had to stop to swallow the lump in her throat. "I brought you this. It's a star map. I thought you might like it." she said while placing a rolled up piece of paper that was almost the length of the bed next to Twilight. "Celly says we have to just wait, but I'll be da... you need to come back soon."

Applejack could see the princess was taking this hard and rested another reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "There, there princess. Y'all just need to take it easy." Applejack cooed.

Luna turned to the farm pony, a few tears running down her cheek. "It's my fault. If I wasn't so foolish as to invite her to the castle none of this would have happened!"

"You didn't know this would happen, princess."

"I-I know..."

The sound of hooves entering the room draws the attention of both ponies, and they turn to face whoever came in. They find Celestia who stopped just at the foot of the bed. A look of worry took over the sun goddess's expression at the sight of her sister. "Good evening Applejack."

Applejack does a slight bow to the princess. "Howdy, princess."

"If you wouldn't mind I came to have a word with my sister."

Applejack glanced over at Luna before nodding and trotting out the door. Celestia moved over to her sister's side and sitting next to her. She could see where the tears rolled down her sister's cheek from the matter fur. "If you would like I can take care of night court for you tonight."

Luna sniffled a few times and nodded her head. "Yes, thank you."

"It's not a problem." Celestia replied with a smile. "She's a smart mare you know. She will find her way back."

"I certainly hope so."

Celestia noticed the large roll of paper and instantly recognized it. "Interesting choice of a present don't you think?"

Luna looked at her sister with a confused expression. "I wanted her to have it."

Celestia nodded with approval. "I think mother would be happy to know her star map is going into good hooves."

Luna let a small smile cross her lips, then turned to Twilight. "I think I'm going to stay here for a while."

Celestia faintly smiled before standing. "Of course. Take as much time as you need." Luna smiled and wrapped her sister in a hug that lasted longer than was necessary. Once Luna let go, Celestia began to trot out the room but stop just in the door. "And, Lulu. Please don't beat yourself up over this." She then went off to attend to the night court.
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"Are you getting this, sir?" A very frustrated female voice said over the radio.

The ship's commander looked over the shoulder of one of the lower ranking men manning the stations. On the screen is a video feed of the bunker Jessie had encountered. The commander pondered over this for a moment. "Yeah, I see it. It explains the choppy message we received back at Anchor seventeen."

"Choppy message?"

"Did anyone else notice Jessie's bipolar reaction to the base?" Rachel's voice comes over the radio.

Jessie lets out a groan. "Shut up Rachel! Now isn't the time."

"Oh dear. Umm, could you two not fight please? If it's not too much trouble..." the quiet voice tried to force itself in.

"I'm just saying, darling."

"And I'm saying to shut u-"

"Quiet!" the commander yells through the mic to end the small squabble. Both parties go quiet at the commanders sudden outburst. "You will let me handle this and I want you all to be quiet while I do so!" No one said anything after that and the commander let out a satisfied sigh.

"Sir, we're being hailed."

"Patch it through."

A few moments pass where no one said anything until the sound of static came through the radio. "Commander, good to see you made it." a male voice came through.

"Yes, we have. Could you explain why we are here mister?"

"Doctor. Dorctor Alexander." he replied. "And the irders you recieved should have given you all the details."

"The orders we were given were only partially provided, doctor."

There was a pause for a moment before Alexander replied. "That happens sometimes. The atmosphere here is a little thick and the messages have hard time getting through sometimes. The sensors decet your squad is present outside. I should let them in, the wildlife here tends to get nasty around here."

"Finally!" Jessie yelled over the radio. "It's fucking cold out here too!"

"Right, about that..."

"Alexander, I would like those full mission details."

"Of course."
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Author's Note

It's been a while, hasn't it?
I will be working on this a little more than I have been, so be expecting new chapters after this.