Big Mac knocked gently on Twilight’s door with Applejack draped over his back. They heard some shuffling from inside the library, and then Spike answered the door.
“Hey, Big Mac,” Spike said, “and...Applejack?”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you riding on Big Mac’s back? You okay?”
“Hi!” Twilight called, coming to the door. She saw Applejack and her smile diminished.
“Applejack,” she asked, “are you hurt?”
“What was your first guess?” Applejack snapped, then winced.
“Oh my goodness! Come in, come in. What happened?” Twilight ushered Big Mac inside and levitated the couch over so Applejack could lie in it. She lifted Applejack with her magic and set her down gently on the couch.
“I hurt myself buckin’ apple trees,” Applejack strained to say. “Nurse Redheart says it’s a stress fracture in both my hind legs. She said a few weeks of bed rest and I’ll be up and at ’em—”
“Applejack, that’s terrible news!” Twilight cried, fidgeting and looking around as if she was unsure which direction to rush off to. “Spike!”
“What?”
“Uh...get Applejack something to eat!”
“Like what?”
“Anything! Can’t you tell she’s famished?”
Applejack cleared her throat. “Twilight, I’m really not that hungry—”
“Oh, of course you are, don’t be silly! Big Mac, get her a drink of water. I need to find a book on stress fractures to see how I can help!”
Twilight rushed off to her room, and Big Mac was almost looking for a cloud of dust where she had been standing. She leaned over to Applejack and whispered into her ear.
“Sure you don’t want to see if Rarity can take you in?”
“Nope. You think Twi’s bad. She’d be nothin’ compared to Rarity. I’ll manage.”
Twilight flew back down the stairs so fast, she almost fell. Big Mac looked at her with concern.
“You all right there, Twi?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine. It’s Applejack we need to be worried about! Okay, so I found this book about physical injuries on the back of my shelf. It’s a little outdated because they still make references to acupuncture treatments for headaches when modern-day medication has been clinically proven to be more effective. Oh, but that’s not important right now! I have to find the chapter on stress fractures. Did you get her that glass of water, Big Mac?”
“Uh...eeyup.”
“She drank it that quickly?”
“I was thirsty,” Applejack said.
“Oh, of course. You have to get your fluids. Maybe get her a second glass, Big Mac? That would be great.” Twilight wandered off into the library proper to see if she could find any other books that might help. Big Mac looked at Applejack with even more concern.
“Still better than Rarity,” Applejack said. “Now you go on home. They need ya back at the farm. I’ll be fine here.”
“Do ya want me to check in on you later?”
“Whatever you want. Just go before she tries to rope you into anything more serious.”
Big Mac nodded emphatically and hustled out the door.
“Big Mac, where are you going?” Twilight called, but he was long gone. “Shoot, I needed him to try this experimental treatment. Oh well, I can probably elevate your legs and work the spell at the same time.”
“Twilight.”
“Spike, where are we on that food situation?”
“Still working on the entree!”
“Twilight, I really don’t need—”
“Applejack, if there’s anything you need, anything at all, just say the word and I’ll be more than happy to—”
“Twilight!” Applejack shouted, setting her completely off guard. The two of them took deep breaths and looked at each other for a moment.
“I appreciate the concern,” Applejack said, “but I really only came here for help on one thing.”
“And what’s that?” Twilight asked.
“Well, I’m gonna have a hard time gettin’ to the bathroom in my condition,” Applejack admitted with a gulp. Twilight just stared at Applejack with her mouth open.
“And here I am, making it out to be some complete catastrophe, and that’s all you need help with?” Twilight asked.
“Well, yeah, pretty much…”
Twilight’s cheeks were red now. “I’m sorry. I was probably just making things more stressful for you. But if you look at this over here, this technique might cut your recovery time in half, and all I would need to do is set up a sling for your legs to keep them elevated while I—”
“Twilight!” Applejack said curtly. “Just help me with the restroom, and I’ll take care of the rest. Don’t go out of your way tryin’ to help me when you’ve got your own work to do.”
“Okay,” Twilight said. “Okay. Spike!”
“Yeah?”
“We’re all set on the food. Applejack’s not hungry.”
Spike cursed under his breath. “I put a lot of effort into this bisque, you know!”
“Well, store it in the fridge and maybe we can reheat it later for Applejack’s lunch.”
“Fine,” Spike said, going to get the ceramic wrap. “It tastes much better fresh, but what do I know…”
“Sorry, Spike,” Twilight said. “I got a little out of control because I was worried about Applejack and I—”
“A little out of control?” Spike asked in bewilderment. “You were full-blown missed-a-letter-to-Celestia out of your mind!”
“What? That was way worse than this. I’m just trying to take care of my friend. You’re the one who’s getting all huffy.”
“Because I put my heart into everything I make, and you take it for granted!”
“I said she could have it for lunch later, so she’s going to enjoy it. What’s got you so testy all of a sudden?”
“I could be asking you the same thing.”
“Twilight! Spike!” Applejack shouted. The two of them took a break from glaring at each other and turned to Applejack, who was glaring at both of them.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m under a lot of stress right now trying to get over this injury. I can’t be spendin’ the time tryin’ to keep you two from doin’...whatever the heck this is.”
“Oh, Applejack, I’m sorry!” Twilight said, hustling over to her and kneeling at her side. “Spike and I...well, it’s been a little tense lately, but of course we shouldn’t be taking it out on you. We promise to get along and help you in any way we can.”
“You do?” Applejack asked.
“Yes.”
“Good, ’cause I gotta take a leak.”
“Oh,” Twilight said. “Well, let’s get going then.”
Twilight lifted Applejack with her levitation and brought her to the bathroom door. She hesitated when she got there.
“Twilight,” Applejack said, “you’re gonna have to go in with me.”
“Applejack…”
“I ain’t thrilled about it any more than you are, but you can’t be flyin’ blind here. You gotta make sure I’m right over the bowl, or you’ll have to do quite a bit of cleaning…”
“Applejack, please,” Twilight said, blushing fiercely. “Okay, I’m going to get you over the bowl and then I’ll look away while you do your business.”
“You can keep me steady?”
“As still as a rock,” Twilight said. “It’ll be fine.”
“Well, let’s go then.”
Twilight levitated Applejack into the bathroom and held her over the bowl before turning away. She was squeamish, and once she heard the sound of tinkling she started to shudder.
“Is this uncomfortable for you?” Applejack asked.
“A little,” Twilight said. “I mean, I can’t even listen to anypony else urinate when I’m in public, and…”
“Twilight,” Applejack said once the tinkling stopped. “This is the one thing you have to do for me. If you’re uncomfortable doin’ it, we can try goin’ to Rarity’s to see if she can take care of me.”
“No, Applejack, it’ll be fine,” Twilight said. Applejack flushed the toilet and Twilight smiled. “I’ll get used to it.”
“You sure?” Applejack asked.
“I promise,” Twilight said.
“Great,” Applejack said. “Now, I’m feelin’ like a nap. Can you bring me back to the couch?”
“Nonsense,” Twilight said with a smile. “You can have my bed.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, Twilight,” Applejack said with a grin. Twilight levitated her carefully over to her bedroom and laid her down gently on the bed.
“Just holler if you get hungry or need anything else,” Twilight said. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“Thanks, Twilight,” Applejack said.
“You’re welcome. Have a good nap.”
“I will,” Applejack said, shutting her eyes and already feeling like she could drift off to sleep.