James woke the next morning with almost no memory of what happened yesterday, he was too distracted by a dream he had that involved him taking the Cutie Mark Crusaders from My Little Pony to live with his family. They were all human and probably aged at twelve, their clothes matched their colors from the show and their voices were exactly the same as well. James looked around his room, stopping briefly to look at the clock on his iHome, it was seven past nine on a Saturday. James remembered he had a two hour shift that started at eleven, he stood up and went to straighten his bed before Dart jumped up on it. James was moving a pillow over when he saw a tint of purple coming from under the sheets, it appeared to move slightly, there was also a mound under the sheets that appeared to be breathing. James then remembered that his dream was actually reality, he had rescued the CMC trio from behind the shipping container at the gas station. He carefully climbed over to see if it truly was Scootaloo. The purple hair was unmistakable because Scootaloo had turned over in the night and James was looking at the back of her head, the orange t-shirt was barely visible but James managed to see it. He moved the sheet and it was pulled away from him with a grunt of irritation coming from Scootaloo. James then remembered that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell were sleeping in the spare room. James went to go see if they were still asleep, he carefully proceeded down the hall and opened the door to the spare room, James looked at the bed and saw two masses under all the covers, each mound moved slightly but neither one stirred the other.
James shut the door and then went downstairs, his dad Dave was watching TV in the family room, he was watching a football match in England.
“Any good goals?” James asked his dad.
“Nothing so far,” said his dad not turning around, “Are you getting ready for work?”
“Eat first then get a shower,” said James opening the refrigerator.
After James had eaten, he went back upstairs and went into his room to get his work attire. He had thought of getting changed in the bathroom like he did when anyone else slept over, the only difference was that he would have to get used to it. As he found a shirt Scootaloo woke up and looked at him.
“James,” she said sleepily, “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready to go to work again,” James replied pulling his 1911 pistol out from under the bed, “You go back to sleep.”
“Will you be back?” Scootaloo asked.
“I will be back in a couple of hours,” said James carrying his stuff into the bathroom.
A half hour later James was dressed, riding with his dad to the gas station and then dropped off at work.
“Another slow and boring day,” James said as his dad drove off and he stepped inside the gas station. Ed was sitting with his back turned to James, James made a slight coughing noise to announce his presence.
“It better not rain today,” said Ed.
“Skies are clear from here on out,” said James activating his work card and clocking in.
“Darryl said you found some kids behind the shipping crate out back,” Ed said.
“It’s all true,” said James, “I found them and took them in.”
“You have them living in your house?” Ed asked James in a surprised manner.
“I know you wouldn’t,” James said grimly as he sat down.
“How can I?” said Ed, “My parents have to deal with me, and I’ll probably be a bad influence on them.”
“You seen any interesting cars so far?” James asked.
“Nothing like what you describe,” said Ed, “The last car that came in was over an hour ago.”
The next two hours passed with little incident, apart from one insane woman who wanted free gas because she was late for a doctors appointment at an office that didn’t exist. She threatened to run over Ed if he didn’t comply, James helped out by pulling out his 1911 and pulling the hammer back. The woman drove off without getting any gas. After that, the day seemed to be relatively normal. James was inside depositing the thirty dollars he had made in cash into the safe when Ed burst through the front door, James whipped out his pistol.
“Problem?” he asked.
“You wanted me to tell you if there were any interesting cars outside,” said Ed, “Come outside and see this.”
James holstered the gun and followed Ed outside, what ever James was expecting it sure wasn’t a military vehicle.
“Blimy!” James said, he was staring at an LAV-25. The driver opened a hatch and looked out.
“Do you sell diesel?” the man driving asked.
“No,” said Ed. James pulled out his iPhone and walked around the LAV taking pictures of it.
“Where did you get this?” James asked.
“Bought it off www.militarysurplusvehicles.gov,” said the driver, and with that he drove away.
“I’m getting me one of those,” said James.
“Why?” asked Ed, “Why not a pickup like everyone else?”
“Because I like military vehicles,” replied James, “And you said everyone else has a pickup, I don’t want something that blends in, I want something that stands out.”
Ed went back inside the gas station, James was about to follow when his dad pulled up.
“You done now?” Dave asked.
“It was only a few hours,” said James.
“Have you cashed out?” Dave asked.
“Yes,” replied James pulling out an envelope with his name on it and tossing it onto the passenger seat.
“Is this you pay?” James' dad asked.
“I picked it up a few minutes ago,” replied James opening the door and getting in the car, “Shall we get going now?”
Dave started up the car and drove away, as Ed gave a small wave James retrieved the paycheck from underneath him. Five minutes later James and Dave were back home, as Dave tried to adjust the mirrors James walked inside.
“I’m back!” he shouted after he stepped through the door.
“Hi James,” his mother’s voice drifted from upstairs the sound of Dart then emanated from James' room. As the dog bounded down the stairs to greet James, James heard voices coming from the family room.
“James is back!” he heard Sweetie Bell say.
“He is?” Scootaloo’s voice said.
“Quit lazing about and lets go say hi!” said Apple Bloom who had skidded into the hallway. Apple Bloom ran up to him and threw her arms around him, James was a little confused but returned the hug.
“Unusual behavior,” said James, “When did you get so affectionate?”
Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell peeked around the hallway and when then saw James they both rushed forward and hugged him as well. James had never experienced something like this, it had happened to him with family members but these girls had only just been here a day and already a bond was beginning to form between James and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“What’s with the hugs?” James asked.
“Because we love you,” said Apple Bloom.
“You’re the nicest person who’s adopted us,” said Scootaloo.
“Adoption?” said James, “I’m just taking care of you until you can go back home.”
“Oh yeah,” said Sweetie Bell, “We’d better make this last then.”
After the group hug James' mother looked down the stairs at James.
“Are you coming up to get the guns from the safe?” Katherine asked James.
“I forgot we were going to the range,” said James running up the stairs. One hour later James, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo and James parents were all riding in the SUV to the gun range that James and his family went to. The range was actually a gun shop with a indoor pistol range, James' parents knew all of the store employees and the owners of the shop. As they were nearing the shop James turned to the girls.
“I hope you done mind me saying this but I want to call you by different names,” he said. The three looked at James confusedly.
“What do you mean James?” asked Apple Bloom.
“I like my name,” said Sweetie Bell.
“I know but people around here won't really want to, well, accept your names,” said James, but the real reason was that he was doing this to protect them from any crazed MLP fans that might be at the store, James really didn’t want the girls to find out about their true existence in this world.
“Okay then,” Scootaloo said uneasily, “What do you want to call us?”
“Well then,” said James turning to Apple Bloom, who was sitting across from him, “I was thinking of naming you Abigail, it seems to match your rancher look.”
Apple Bloom thought it over, looked back at Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo and shrugged.
“Why not? It sounds nice,” Apple Bloom said.
“Alright then,” said James twisting around to Sweetie Bell, “For you I thought that the name Samantha was just right.”
“I like it,” said Sweetie Bell, “It still kind of sounds like my real name.”
“And now for you Scootaloo,” said James looking at her, “How’s Susie sound?”
“It sound girly,” replied Scootaloo.
“I’d thought you’d like it,” said James turning around.
“I’m just saying it’s not the name I would choose,” said Scootaloo, “I like it, really I do, I’m just wondering if my new name suits my personality.”
James could read the discomfort and nervousness in her voice.
“I’m guessing you’re afraid I’ll dump you on the streets,” said James.
“No,” said Scootaloo, “Why would you think that?”
“Because I can tell,” said James, “I know that you were abandoned several times and you’re taking precautions in order to avoid that happening again.”
“You’re right James,” said Apple Bloom, “Scoot was worried about your reaction and tried to make it seem like she liked the name so you wouldn’t get mad at her.”
James looked at Scootaloo.
“I would never do a think like that,” he said, he then held out his hand to Scootaloo, “I’ll promise that no matter how angry I get with you, it won't last long and anything I say won't be true.”
Scootaloo took hold of James' hand.
“And I promise to not make too much of a mess, and if I do, I’ll clean it up,” said Scootaloo.
“I’ll promise to make sure that I help you out with what ever you need,” said Sweetie Bell also taking hold of James' hand.
Apple Bloom followed and made her promise.
“I promise to never give up hope on getting home, no matter what happens,” she said.
“Then it’s agreed that we don’t break these promises,” said James gripping the hands of the girls.
“Agreed,” they all said simultaneously.
“We’re here,” said Katherine.