Today was The Day, a fact which hadn't escaped the two equines who practically scampered out of the Maintenance stalls with a large package in hoof. It had taken more than a few cookies in bribes, and they still had to put the finishing touches on the surprise themselves, but everything had been arranged.

After all, Morale was their purpose, and that meant smiles. And what was in the package would be sure to get some smiles... even if getting the super secret surprise to stay a super secret had cost them an entire box of one of their namesake treats.

Today was The Day, Ironside mused as he stood off to one side, trying to avoid getting caught up in the frenzied flurry that had consumed his living room at the hooves of two positively perky pegasi. Furniture had been moved around, food had been brought in from the cafeteria, and one bewildered flutterpony had been conscripted into helping clean and decorate.

For his part, Ironside just inched as slowly as possible around the outside of the room, trying to make it from the bedroom door to the exit without drawing attention to himself. Mares were attracted to movement, and pretty pegasus ponies in particular could spot a sneaking stallion if he wasn't careful.

Slowly, carefully, pretending not to see Lorikeet's pleading look as Holly shoved a feather duster into the beleagured colt's hooves, Ironside managed to reach the closed door. Wincing, he braced himself for the worst and slapped the control, the door hissing out of the way... and somehow not attracting any attention. Breathing a sigh of relief, Ironside trotted out into the hallway, confident he was home-free... until a set of teeth grabbed his tail and hauled him back inside, Merry May refusing her husbands protests of having to start his patrol soon.

After all, today was The Day, and patrols could be handled by other ponies.

Today was The Day. Or so Damsel had been told. The doctors and nurses had given their all clear, she could finally hobble along without falling every few steps, and she was more than ready to leave the Medical bay. Not that she wasn't grateful for all their help, but after so long in so few rooms even the strongest-willed changeling needed a change... and sleeping in a real bed again would be a welcome change indeed.

All that was needed was for Ironside to collect her after his patrol, since the doctors hadn't quite cleared her for active duty yet, or even for roaming the Hive unaccompanied.

Which led to the question of exactly why Tagalong and Gingersnap were there, saluting the Security officer and presenting her with a well-wrapped box... and barely hiding their twinned expressions of anticipation.

Wary of what the two had cooked up, half-expecting some sugar-and-love filled concotion that could only loosely be called "cookies" as a get-well present, Damsel hesitantly took the box and opened it.

Her look of surprise was only matched be the glee of the twins who'd worked so hard on the gift.

When Ironside finally arrived to escort his old partner from her temporary home, he was completely surprised. But, with a smile and an approving nod, he took his place by Damsel's side, the pair started the not-so-long walk through familiar halls, quietly chatting as they went.

It was Time. Merry May's ear twitched as Lorikeet nodded, the gathered group taking a deep breath as the door hissed open.

"SURPRISE!" Damsel felt her tattered ears blown backwards by the force of the shout that greeted her as she stepped through the door, fully knowing there was a someone waiting beyond but not expecting this. The changeling looked around, her eyes wide with surprise at the impromptu party. A large banner hung on one wall, declaring 'Welcome Home', while a small feast practically buried the table in the middle of the room. Merry May was practically doing cartwheels of joy in the air, while Holly really was doing cartwheels. Though, that might have been from sugar as much as joy. Lorikeet, looking exhausted, was doing his best to salute and pray that nobody would notice the maid's cap Holly had stuck on him at some point.

Ironside just trotted in beside his partner with a knowing grin, nudging Damsel's shoulder as he went. "Welcome home, Damsel." His smile grew as he looked down. "Merry and me, we have a surprise for you, but maybe we should get the the other surprise out of the way first, yeah?"

"Yes," Damsel replied with a smile of her own, before walking into the room properly. Unaided. Clop. Clop. Clunk. Clop.

There was a moment of silence as the three fliers stared, confirming what their ears told them. Holly was the first to put it into words. "You've got a new leg!" She shrieked in delight, diving in for a closer look and crashing into her mother, who had tried the same thing. While the two featherbrains fought it out and tried to get untangled, Ironside led the way to the couch and snacks, much to Damsel's relief.

Damsel pulled herself onto the plush surface with a relieve sigh, extending her new foreleg onto the table, glad to take the weight off her hooves... and stump. A hint of concern and guilt caught her attention and she turned to see Lorikeet staring at the new appendage unhappily. "Officer Lorikeet", Damsel called out, making the young flutterpony snap to attention. She met his eyes for a long moment before simply nodding, a burst of reassurance and gratitude sent to her companion. "Well done, Lorikeet. Thank you."

The party was a great success, Merry May and Holly gladly bringing Damsel up to date on everything that had happened in the Stable, the three adults teasing Holly and Lorikeet about their new living arrangements, and everyone poking and prodding the changeling's new limb.

Eventually, though, the group was tired out. Holly and Lorikeet said their goodbyes, the latter almost dozing off on his hooves as Holly guided him back to their shared quarters. Damsel found herself squished between Merry and Ironside, just waiting and watching her new hoof moving.

It wasn't long before Merry spoke up, but much longer than Ironside or Damsel had expected. "Damsel," Merry began, her wings fluttering nervously, "Ironside and I have been talking and, well..."

Damsel rolled her eyes, genuinely surprised it had taken so long for the subject to come up. "Merry, I'd love to join your herd."

Merry's ears went back in surprise, then she glared at her husband. "You told her, didn't you?"

"We may have talked about it on the way back from Medical," Ironside stated with a shrug and a teasing grin. Merry glared at him some more, then snorted, throwing her forelegs and wings around Damsel protectively.

The broody pegasus nuzzled her new herd member. "Welcome home, Damsel. Welcome home."

Basking in the emotions coming from her old friends... no, her herd, now, Damsel stared at the dark metal, rubber and Maintenance Magic that had replaced her foreleg, and allowed herself a content smile. She really was home.