Thunderlane led his two new friends to the weather factory and touched down as close to the main entrance as he dared and tried to walk forward, but his hindleg was hurting far worse and he almost fell the instant he put weight on it.
“Hey Thunderlane!” called Soarin, striding out of the large building, “Where you been, bro?”
“Hiding in a cave while the storm went over” he replied, “I guess they’re sending out search parties if they’ve called in the Wonderbolts.”
“Yeah, the first patrols went out over an hour ago” he confirmed, “We’d better go and tell them to call it off. Btw, what in Equestria happened to you?”
“I would file a report myself” Thunderlane offered apologetically, “But I kinda injured my leg and the nurse here …”
“She’s his marefriend!” piped up Princess Erroria.
“Oh, I see” said Soarin with a knowing smile, “Definitely want to hear this one.”
“They’re going to be married …” continued the filly.
“That’s quite enough, young lady” her aunt chastised softly.
“But I’m sure you will” she went on, turning to Soarin, ”I saw them kissing and everything …”
“Princess Erroria!” Cloud Kicker cut in, “I’m sure this gentlecolt doesn’t need to know all the details.”
Soarin turned to Thunderlane and whispered admiringly, ”Fast work dude, she’s really cute too.”
“I’ve also got very good hearing” said Cloud Kicker with a mischievous smile, at which Soarin blushed deeply.
“They’re gonna get married, married, married ...” sang the filly cheerfully.
“OK, bro. Look, I’ll go sort everything out for you. Just get yourself down to the infirmary and get that leg seen to.”
“Thanks” he replied, “But just one last thing, who was flying the sweep over the weather factory’s test range today?”
“Er, dunno. Why?”
“Well whoever it was didn’t see that these two lovely ladies were in harm’s way. That’s why I had to go help them out. It could have ended a whole lot worse.”
“Standby one, I’ll go find out.”
Soarin went back into the building and spoke to a receptionist, returning shortly with a clipboard. He flipped through the pages with a forehoof, checking out the rosters for the day.
“Ah, here we are” he announced, “Hoops, Dumb-bell and Score. Know these guys?”
“I could have guessed” he sighed.
“So, these three should have found us?” queried Cloud Kicker.
“Provided you weren’t hiding under a rock, then yes.
“So, if we were having a picnic on a large red and white check groundsheet, then they would have seen us?”
“No doubt” said Thunderlane, “I’ll take it up right now.”
“Oh no you won’t; you’ve got to get that leg fixed” insisted Cloud Kicker, bristling with determination, ”Leave it to me. Princess, take Thunderlane to the infirmary and make sure he sees a doctor. I’ll see both of you once I’ve done here.”
Soarin moved out of the way, not daring to cross this mare who was clearly not in a mood to be stopped.
“Can I help you get to the infirmary, Mr Thunderlane?” asked the filly looking up at him with big bright eyes.
Soarin looked at him with a wry smile on his face, ”Bro, duty calls. I don’t think you need to hang around here; looks to me like your marefriend can handle herself.”
“OK, I know when I’m beaten” Thunderlane acquiesced, sharing a hoofbump before returning his attention to the expectant filly, ”Come on Princess, let’s go.”
***
Thunderlane lay on a hospital bed, his lower leg and ankle bandaged. He and Princess Erroria had been telling each other stories about brave pegasi in full armour rescuing fair damsels from mildly inconsiderate dragons, and if he was being honest, he would have to say he was rather enjoying it.
A gentle knocking echoed across the room, stopping them in mid story as the door opened and a lavender blue mare stepped in.
“How are you?” she asked sympathetically.
“He’s doing really well” Princess chimed in immediately, “He’s taken his medicine and he’s resting up like the doctor told him to.”
“I was actually asking him” said Cloud Kicker, correcting her niece with a loving smile.
“Well, I’m practically a doctor” she replied, “I have made sure he does everything he’s supposed to, although I have to say he didn’t like the ice very much.”
“I’m sure she’ll make a great doctor one day, if that’s what she wants to do” said Thunderlane supportively, “How did it go with you?”
“Ah, yes” she replied, stiffening, “Your three friends decided that they didn’t want to miss the start of the buckball final today, so didn’t actually check the area, but reported back they had done it anyway.”
“They what …?” he gasped in disbelief.
“Well, it’s the last time they’re going to do that, or anything else in the weather factory for that matter; they’ve been fired.”
“Best thing too” he agreed, “But you didn’t have to get involved, I would have done it as soon as I got back.”
“Oh, and I’ve got a copy of the complaint I raised against them; I thought you might like it” she added, before dropping the sternness of her demeanour and adding seductively, “It’s got my name and address on it, just in case you wanted to call round.”
Just then, the door moved again, and a grey colt looked round into the room.
“Hey, Rumble” his brother greeted warmly, “Glad you could make it! This is Cloud Kicker and Princess Erroria, they’re very good friends of mine.”
The filly made a beeline to the colt and started chatting happily about their adventures, giving the two grown-ups a brief diversion.
“You know” whispered Cloud Kicker, “This is the first time we’ve had any ‘us’ time, if you know what I mean.”
With that, she reached a forehoof over and gently stopped him from turning away as she planted a heartfelt kiss on his lips, and time stopped as they immersed themselves in the first of many intimate moments of closeness that were to come.
“You see” giggled Princess Erroria excitedly, “I told you they were going to get married!”