I made it back to Ponyville just before sunrise. I was glad the jeep had been equipped with search and fog lights considering there was little to no other light until I reached the town. This is no big deal in normal driving, but nothing about driving in Equestria is normal. The few roads available were intended for horse-drawn wagons, and they only went about halfway to the site.
After dropping Slag off Sawdust directed me to a house with a similar outbuilding next to it.
"This is my home," he said, "You're welcome any time, but try to make it daytime."
"I'll keep that in mind," I laughed.
He tried to pull the door handle but couldn't get a grip with his hooves. "um, do you mind?" he asked defeated.
"No problem." I reached across the cab and pulled the handle for him, "I hope we meet again soon."
"Me too," He yawned as he climbed out and headed for his house.
I made it to Twilight's castle to find her pacing outside the front door. I guess Zecora knew her after all. She ran to my door as soon as I showed up, forcing me to slide the window open to talk to her.
"You're finally back!" She seemed to be trying to wake the neighbors. "I have a surprise for you!"
"What would that be?" I asked.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you," she teased, "How do you open the door? I want in."
"Just turn the handle," I said, but she had already run around the jeep and figured it out.
"Now we need to go to the Apple farm," She stated.
"And where would that be?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah," she chuckled, "You don't know that yet. Go straight and take the second left, we'll want to follow that road out of town and it's just past the edge."
"Alright," I said and did as instructed.
Just a little way into the trip Twilight spoke up about the music. "Who is this song about? Is there a famous human cellist named Octavia?"
"I guess so," I said, "truth be told, I don't really remember buying this CD. I feel like I have a few memories just out of reach."
"Minor amnesia is no surprise with what you went through," Twilight said, "I'm sure you'll remember after getting some sleep."
"Speaking of that," I said, "Weren't you going to find me a bed?"
"That's where..." she suddenly covered her mouth and let out the most adorable squee sound, "I did, we just have to do this first. Turn right up here."
"But the farm is straight ahead," I argued.
"We're meeting the Apple sisters at the guest cabin," She explained, "So we don't wake Granny Smith." She seemed to have rehearsed that.
"OK," I turned down the requested road holding in my laugh about the 'Apple' family having a 'Granny Smith'. Was that her name as a foal? I thought Slag and Sawdust's parent's had odd choices. 'What do we name our newborn dear?' I thought, 'Why not Granny? I bet she'll have grandkids. You should always name your kids after what you think is gonna happen to them. Ain't that right, Stabbedinjail?'
We reached a log cabin about a half mile down the road. Apple Bloom was waiting outside a large wooden shed.
"Did you tell him?" She asked Twilight as soon as we got out.
"No, I was waiting for AJ," Twilight answered.
"Good idea," Apple Bloom admitted, "Can I have a moment alone with Jerry?"
"If you really feel you must," Twilight rolled her eyes, "I'm OK with it, but its also up to him." Twilight looked at me.
"As long as its quick," I said, "I'm tired."
"Alright then," Twilight said, "I assume AJ is inside, I'll go wait with her."
"She sure is, she said she was gonna start the fireplace since it's a little cold tonight." Apple Bloom confirmed as Twilight walked to the door.
As soon as she closed the door behind her I was knocked over as a set of hooves wrapped around my neck and I felt a furry cheek rub against mine.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Apple Bloom was losing her composure and beginning to cry, "You saved my life."
"Calm down," I said trying to sit up but failing under her weight, "I wouldn't have it in me not to try, I couldn't just leave you there."
"But, if you knew..." She cried.
"If I knew what?" I asked.
"That...." She let out a wail and couldn't finish.
I pushed her back so I could sit up and cradled her in my lap. She was a little big to do this with but not by much, and at that moment I didn't care.
"That you cast the spell that brought me here and there may be no way to send me back?" I asked.
"Who told you?" She asked drying her tears a little.
"Well it is kind of obvious that you brought me here," I said, "You were the only one there. You were under the effects of a rather powerful magical backfire of some sort. I knew you brought me here before you knew I wasn't a pony."
"Ah suppose you're right there," She sighed, "and ah was all worried about how you would react. Are... Are you mad?"
I thought about that a moment. I remembered enough about my life to know I didn't leave a whole lot behind. Just a lousy job and a house I couldn't afford. That seemed irrelevant while looking in those giant tear-filled eyes.
"I can't say I'm happy," I decided to be honest, "but I can't be mad about something you didn't mean to do, only disappointed that you didn't know better. I can't say I know you well enough to actually be disappointed either. So I really have no opinion."
"Well ah plan on making it up to you," she seemed to cheer up, "as long as you're stuck here, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are at your service. We can be here around noon if you want a tour of the town."
"Sounds good to me," I said, "But why would we meet here?"
"Oh, um," she looked around frantically, "I meant Twilight's castle. We can meet there at noon."
"Ok," I knew something was up now, that's why I don't like surprises, they raise undue suspicion. "Can we go in now. It's cold out here."
"Sure thing," She said, "Applejack is eager to meet you."