When James opened his eyes again a few moments later, something wet and slobbery was licking his face.
"Ugh, hey, what?" He looked up, and sure enough, Missy was licking his face. "Hey, Missy, stop it, I'm ok!"
She did so, and sat down happily, wagging her tail.
James then looked over at Flutters, who had also recovered at this point as well. "How?" He said after a long silence. "How could Patches have come here after he died on Earth? It just doesn't make any sense!"
Flutters thought for a moment. "Well", she said slowly, "When I found that cemetery, something, just felt, strange about it. It felt, different, like......something not of this world."
James looked at her curiously. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, to put it simply James, that cemetery is Earth in origin. And before you call me crazy, on some of the metal fencing, I found the words, 'US Steel Ltd. 1926.' I never knew what those words meant. Could you possibly shed some light on them?"
James thought for a moment. "Well, US Steel is one of the largest, if not the largest, steel mill in the world. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they're responsible for almost all of the steel products in the US. 1926 just means that that was the year that the fence was manufactured."
"And that cemetery wouldn't be the first Earth artifact to end up here in Equestria either. From what I've heard from stories, a strange metal craft appeared in the Celestial Sea after a storm a number of years ago. There were no creatures on board, and the words 'USS Cyclops' were visible on the bow."
"Now that name, doesn't ring any bells with me, but that doesn't mean that it isn't important. USS Cyclops, maybe Taylor would know about it. I'll have to ask him about it when I get back. By the way, what happened to the Cyclops after its discovery?"
"From what I was told, it's still moored up in Manehattan. It's been there ever since it was discovered, and it's still being studied."
James shook his head "First a ship, then a cemetery, then TF-28, or Blue 1, with Taylor on board, and then me! Earth artifacts, and inhabitants sure have a strange way of finding their way to Equestria."
Flutters nodded. "It's a strange world we live in, Mr. James. Sometimes, things just, happen."
"Well, everything happens for a reason, but the reasoning behind that reason, can often be just as mysterious as the reason itself."
Flutters looked at James curiously. "Um, what does that mean?"
James shrugged. "Um, it was something that my grandfather always told me. He always believed that God had control over everything, and that everything happened for a reason. I didn't believe him, however, my experience in the Pacific War changed all of that. God spared me for a reason. I was spared again from death in the Bermuda Triangle. I may not know the reason, but I'm certainly glad that I'm still here."
Flutters patted his arm gently. "As am I James, as am I. Now, it's starting to get late, and I'm sure that you have to get back to Taylor."
James looked at his watch. Sure enough, the time read 7:43pm. "Yeah, you're right Flutters. I'll be back tomorrow though. Would it be possible for us to maybe start cleaning up the cemetery a bit?"
Flutters nodded. "Yes, I think that that would be a lovely idea. I'll gather together some tools for the job."
After James got up from the couch, he and Flutters hugged one last time, and then after giving Missy her goodbye hug, James left once again for the hospital.
While all of this was taking place, Taylor and Redheart were still hard at work with the operations manual. Taylor was able to hold the book, but because of his broken arm, he was unable to write.
"Well, I can certainly say that when the time comes, I'm not going to miss this cast!"
"How come, do you miss writing?" Redheart smirked.
"What do you think? Of course I do! However, I'm more than grateful that you're here to take notes for me. Honestly Redheart, I don't deserve you. You're too good for me."
Redheart blushed a bit. "Well, as am I to you Taylor, you are to me."
Finally, after several hours of hard work, Taylor finally reached the last important page in the book. In that span of time, Redheart learned, and he relearned, all about airplane repair, the required tools, the do's and don'ts of engine repair, engine maintenance, and caring for a TBF Avenger. Most importantly though, Taylor worked out how to make the right kind of fuel, and the right way to do it.
"All we need is some high-octane aviation fuel. Not that moonshine-based knockoff."
"And how do we make that?"
"Well, that's the tricky part. It's petroleum based, and it does have to be refined, as well as have a few more chemicals added to it. However, on the plus side, it burns clean, doesn't smoke, doesn't typically flood an engine, and best of all, it doesn't tend to explode without any warning!"
(Taylor was forgetting to mention all of the warning signs that the engine was showing that fateful day, but Redheart didn't call him on this.)
"Well, that's certainly a relief! Maybe now, you all will have a chance to repair the plane once again."
Taylor nodded, but then he sighed sadly. "Yeah, maybe. Assuming of course that anypony even wants to do that anymore. I would have to get the Airplane 8 to agree, Celestia to fund us, and more chemists to help us make proper AvGas."
"Um, what's AvGas again?"
"Oh, AvGas is just short for Aviation Gasoline. It's the proper fuel for my plane."
Redheart nodded. "Ok, got it."
Redheart then began to help him pack up all of the notes into one single folder, which was then placed inside the book, before the book was closed, holding the folder in place.
"There, that's that I suppose, at least for now." He then turned to Redheart. "Um, when do you think that I'll be cleared to leave the hospital, even if only for a few hours?"
Redheart shrugged. "I don't know actually. That would most likely be left up to Dr. Stables."
"Yeah, I just hope that he lets me go back to the workshop, even if only for a few hours."
"I'm pretty sure that he would, provided of course that I go with you, but I guess that we could ask him tomorrow."
Taylor nodded. "Yeah. I vote that we should too. In the meantime though, is dinner still going on in the cafeteria? I'm starving."
Redheart nodded. "I think so, but I think that it might be almost over, so I think that we'd better hurry."
Taylor agreed, and after Redheart helped him up from the table by the window, they both went to the cafeteria.
Somewhere below them, James found himself back at the hospital as well. As he walked in, he said hello to the nurse at the front desk.
"Oh, um, Mr. James?"
"Yes?"
"Um, I was told to give this to you when you returned. It's important." She handed James an envelope.
"Who sent me this?"
The nurse shrugged. "I'm not sure. When I arrived for my shift, this was sitting here on the desk, with a note attached to give it to you when you returned."
James was both surprised and confused. "Huh? I wonder who sent me this." He thought.
He then took the envelope, and opened it. Inside was a note written in ink on a piece of notebook paper.
"My Dearest James", the note began,
"First of all, I would really like to apologize for my behavior earlier this evening. My outburst was completely uncalled for, as was my angrily pushing you up against the wall. As you said, Miss Flutters is your, or soon to be your, business partner. Maybe your friend on a good day, but nothing more. I should have realized this before I confronted you the way that I did.
I would also like to apologize for my actions regarding the little 'incident', in Taylor's room. I should not have just up and kissed you like that. That was not only extremely unprofessional, but it was also very unladylike as well. And for that, I offer you my greatest apologies.
However, this note is not enough, I would also like to apologize in person. Please meet me upstairs on the upper balcony. I'm off-duty now,and would like a chance to talk to you. I certainly hope that you take me up on this offer, and are willing to forgive me for my stupidity, and asinine actions.
Yours Truly,
Nurse Freckles.
P.S. How do you feel about.....*here the ink was smudged out, indicating accidental smearing, or possibly a sentence erased on purpose*"
When James finished reading the note, he read it over again, just making sure that he didn't miss anything.
"Ok", He thought, "Let me get this all straight. Nurse Freckles just left me a note, where she not only apologizes for everything, but she also wants to talk with me again on the upper balcony? This is too weird."
By this point, James had said goodbye to the nurse at the front desk, and began to make his way upstairs.
"Well", he thought as he walked, "Taylor has probably gone to dinner in the cafeteria, so I guess that I have a little time to go see what Freckles wants before dinner is over."
He then made his way up to the upper balcony.
When he arrived there a few minutes later, a strange sight greeted him. The upper balcony, (more of an observation deck than a balcony, often used by visitors wanting a good view of Ponyville,) was completely empty. Empty that is, except of course for the table set out close to the railing. As he stepped closer, James saw that the table was set for two, complete with a sheet for a tablecloth, cafeteria plates full of rice, re-fried beans, shredded cheese, and sour cream, in addition to a candlestick in the middle, with a candle burning in it, plastic cutlery, paper napkins, and two bottles of water.
When James had fully taken in everything, he was surprised and confused beyond words. "Wha....? I don't even..... Who put all of this here?! And more importantly, why?"
"Do you like it James?" A voice cooed behind him.
"GWAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!" James jumped so high he could have shook hands with Nightmare Moon on the moon. Once he'd gotten a grip on himself, and he saw Nurse Freckles leaning against the wall next to the door that he had just entered moments ago.
"Ok, now this is getting really weird." James thought. "She was still wearing her nurses's uniform, but something's different about her."
After scanning her over with his eyes for a minute or so, with a gasp, it all clicked. Her uniform, looked like it was fresh from the laundry room. It was so crisp, and didn't have a single wrinkle on it. It even still smelled of lavender detergent. Her nurses's cap was exactly centered on her head, and looked brand new. James also noticed that her black mane was perfectly brushed, and flowed gently to her shoulders.
Her tail was the same way, and James could have sworn that he smelled perfume on her as well.
"Ok, I'm just going to say this right now, but I thought that I had seen it all in the Pacific War, and my time in Blue Squadron, but clearly I was horribly mistaken. What on God's green Earth is going on here?!"
Nurse Freckles giggled a bit, before she slowly began walking towards James. As she walked, she seemed to be deliberately moving her hips and tail in such a way so as to appear more seductive.
"Isn't it obvious James?" She cooed softly. "I put all of this together as my way of saying sorry!"
James was not buying that. "Ok, I'm not buying that explanation for one second! If that was the case, why didn't you just come find me, and tell me in person? And even if you wanted to really apologize, I could understand the dinner setup, but what's with your change in appearance? There's clearly something more going on here!"
Freckles took a few more steps forwards, and then stopped. In all of her careful planning, she hadn't counted on James being so deductive. "He seemed so shy and insecure." She thought. "How's he figuring this out so easily? Maybe I kinda overdid it with our first date, but hey! I screwed up, and it is our first date, so isn't it supposed to be like this? Heh, it's SO much better than what 'Miss Flutters' would have done for him! Just keep up the cute charm Freckles, and he'll be yours soon enough!"
Out loud, she whispered, "Well, the truth is", I wanted to tell you in person, but after what happened earlier, I was too nervous. Then, after wracking my brain for a while, I came up with this current solution. Oh, and as for my appearance, I just wanted to look my best for this."
A she walked by James, she rubbed her tail against him in a seductive manor. Once she was next to the table, she looked to James again. "Well, are you coming, or what?"
"I swear, this is the strangest dream that I've ever had", James muttered. "No wait, scratch that, this has got to be a nightmare!"
While his mind was still reeling, James nevertheless seated Freckles on her side of the table, before going around to his side, and sitting down.
The next hour or so was among the strangest of James's life. He still had a very hard time convincing himself that all of this was real.
"I'm still really confused Freckles, but, I can say that this food is really good!"
She smiled. "Thanks. I may not be too good at cooking, but the hospital cooks sure are!"
"No kidding. I'll have to ask them for the recipe for this stuff. I wonder what they put into it to make it taste so good."
Freckles opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but then she closed it again before going back to eating.
The two of them continued to eat and talk for a while longer, but eventually, it was time to call it a night. James helped Freckles gather everything together into a basket for the trip to the hospital kitchen, the sheet for the hospital laundry, the table to a storage room, and all scraps and cutlery to the nearest trashcan.
Once this was all done, they both stood a little longer on the balcony.
"Well, I can say Freckles, that, this was actually very nice. I think that this was definitely a very creative way of apologizing, and I can say that, after all of this, apology accepted."
"Wait, so you forgive me for everything?"
"Yeah, I do."
Freckles jumped into his arms for a hug. "*Squee!* Thank you James! You don't know what this means for me!"
He hugged her back. "You're welcome Freckles. It's the least I could do when a beautiful mare like yourself invited me here for a dinner date."
When James said that, he was shocked. Those words had just popped into his head. "I didn't think those! And come to think of it, I feel a little lightheaded. Must be from the shock of all of this." He brushed aside his suspicions, and continued to hug Freckles for a while longer.
Once they finally broke the hug, Freckles gave him a quick kiss on the mouth before he left.
"Goodnight James. I'll see you soon."
"Goodnight Freckles. Tonight was fun. We should have another date again soon."
She giggled a bit. "Yeah, we really should. And I know that I'll probably see you tomorrow, but just know now that, if you ever want me for anything, even just to talk, just come find me, ok?"
"Sure. Goodnight Freckles." James then left the balcony to go back downstairs.
"Goodnight, James."
After the door to the stairwell closed, Freckles turned back to the railing, and stood looking over it for a while longer. From one of the pockets on her uniform, she pulled out a small bottle. The bottle contained a pink liquid, and was about half empty. The bottle's label had a heart on it, as well as the bottle itself being heart-shaped.
She smirked. "Wow, this stuff really works, and in record time too! James never even knew what hit him! I knew that my little plan would work. I just had to write him a note, set everything up, juice up his food with a little of this, wait a bit, then probe him with a few questions, and then BAM! He's all mine!"
He should feel no real ill effects, and hopefully as a bit more time passes, 'Miss Flutters', will hopefully soon just be a faint memory for him. I mean, after all, who would want a kooky, dirty, animal-caretaking hippie, when you could have a cute, lovable, nurse sweetheart like me?"
Nurse Freckles continued to giggle to herself as she continued to plan for the future; a future that she was planning on spending with James.