//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Falling in Love Quietly // by Calm Wind //------------------------------// MLP: FiM Falling in Love Quietly By: Calm Wind Chapter 6: Fluttershy hummed to herself as she casually glided along towards Sweet Apple Acres. Today was Mac’s cart pulling day. It was the only day he had a huge chunk of time to rest in between his chores. He would be taking his second lunch break soon, so Fluttershy decided to bring another picnic for him. Instead of one basket this time, she decided to bring two saddlebags full of food. Mac was big pony after all. She wanted to make sure he was well fed. It would take more than a few small cucumber sandwiches at least. She also had time to prepare. No surprise dates from Pinkie. She had felt a huge weight lifted off her chest since she told Mac about Rapidfire. Sure he was still around, but just having Mac be aware, made her feel safer. Without a care in the world, and her hums slowly changing to cheerful la-la-la’s, she continued gliding towards the orchard. Mac Casual heaved along a very large cart filled to the brim with Apples. He kept his eyes forward and his legs moving. Just another day on the farm. Almost. He had acquired a new helper. He didn’t get all the details, but Rainbow Dash for some reason had requested assisting him in his work. He didn’t mind the extra help, but he wondered why the hell a pegasus would want to do heavy farm work. Dash was having a hard time with it from the get go. He had made multiple passes by her as she tried, and was making another one by her now. “Ugh, how does Big Mac do this all day?!” she yelled as Mac trotted passed. Mac paid no mind as she glared at him from behind. She wanted to do this, he wasn’t gonna tell her she couldn’t. Mac perked up as he heard the sound of heavy hooves behind him. He glanced to see Dash forcing herself after him. He nodded as he looked back ahead, slightly impressed, but again kept his mind on task. He felt like warning Dash about keeping a steady pace, but if she wanted to work, she could learn it the hard way. He was more excited about second lunch time. He ate two lunches throughout the day to keep him fueled for all the tough work he did on this particular day. It was also the longest break he took between chores all week. Fluttershy was probably on her way now. It was one of the few times he really got a chance to just relax with her. The thought brought a soft goofy grin to his face. He really loved that little mare. She made his heart swell every moment she was with him. Maybe there could be more between them. He sure wished there could be. Maybe he would try to find more time for her. Applejack wouldn’t like it, but Applejack could stuff it. Fluttershy was special, and worth every moment he could muster. “Last carts, then we lock up for the day.” Explained Applejack as she finished unloading the carts Dash and Mac had just brought in. “Second lunch, then plow Mac, we gotta get some new trees planted in the east field.” “Eeyup.” Mac replied and began down the path to grab one last load of apples from the fields. “Ah, wait up!” Dash stood up from resting and trotted after him, earning a chuckle and smile from Applejack. Fluttershy continued singing happily to herself as she landed in the orchard. It was such a nice day. A perfect day to have a picnic with a stallion she loved being with. She was never ready for how good it would feel to have a love interest. She felt happier, more confident, and much more alive. She wasn’t very far from the barn, but she enjoyed walking amongst the trees. She took it nice and slow, thinking about Mac every step. For the first time in her life she felt like she hadn’t a fear in the world. She probably shouldn’t have thought that. Because she passed a tree and the color orange appeared in the corner of her eyes to the right. She froze mid step. Nearly all the air left her lungs and her eyes widened. She managed to turn her head very slightly and looked directly into a pair of eyes that almost completely paralyzed her. It was Rapidfire. He was leaning against the tree, the sly smirk on his face. He looked her up and down and stepped off. “Aren’t you such a cute little thing?” He said as he moved towards her. Fluttershy had no control over her body. She faced him and began backing up with every step he took. “Eep!” She squeaked as her plot pressed against a tree behind her. Her pupils shrank as she found she could no longer keep the space between them vacant. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” His voice slithered through her ears as he drew closer. “I, uh, I mean I’m, I’m going, um.” Her quiet voice became frantic and panicked. As Rapidfire advanced, she turned sideways and slowly lowered further and further to the ground with no other direction to go. Rapidfire placed a hoof on the tree over her shoulder and stared down at her. Fluttershy wanted to scream, but she barely had enough breath to whisper. She couldn’t run and she couldn’t call for help. Her body began rebelling. She was having a nervous breakdown. Her breathing quickened. Her heart began beating faster. Her brain began repeating the same thing over and over again: Macintosh! Help me! Please help me!!!!! Macintosh help!!!!!!! He promised he would protect her. He promised he would keep an eye on her. Where was he? Please, please, please let him be near! “Hey, hey, no need to be scared.” Rapidfire started lowering his head down to hers, “I’m just looking for some fun. I wouldn’t dare be rough with a delicate little thing like you.” The closer he edged his face to hers, the more she tried to curl up. Eventually she shut her eyes tight and began whimpering. Tears started squeaking out. What kind of pony would do this? Couldn’t he see how frightened she was? He didn’t even care? “Don’t worry, I’m a gentle stallion,” she yelped in fear as she felt his hoof pass into her mane and stroke it. She was feeling light headed, she felt like her heart was going to rip itself right out of her chest. She couldn’t do anything. Where was Macintosh? WHERE WAS MACINTOSH?! She flinched as the sound of hooves slamming to the ground came from nearby. Her eyes shot open, bloodshot and watery. She saw a light blue hoof hooked over Rapidfire’s shoulder. “Rapidfire! Enough!” It was Soarin. “Sweet Celestia Soarin, can’t you just leave me be?” Rapidfire rolled his eyes. Fluttershy frantically glanced between the two stallions. She was completely helpless beneath the sheer presence of the two. She knew Soarin wasn’t like Rapidfire, but in her current state they were just both ponies she didn’t really know or trust. She wanted Mac. She would only feel safe when she saw him. “None of us are going to leave you alone if you keep bothering every mare you come across!” Soarin yelled into Rapidfire’s face “Oh get over yourselves!” Rapidfire chuckled, brushing Soarin’s hoof from his shoulder, “What I do is my business. Why don’t you go back to Little Rainbow?” “Don’t bring her into this!” Soarin gritted his teeth. “Such a temper over one mare? Face it Soarin, you’re head over hooves for her. She’s quite a little bundle of tough isn’t she? You know the ones that resist the most are always the most satisfying when—” “Say one more word. I dare you. Say one more thing and screw the Wonderbolt code of conduct, I’m gonna pull all the feathers from your damn wings!” Soarin crouched down, ready to charge at Rapidfire. Rapidfire only laughed and glanced at Fluttershy. She felt her heart jump painfully as he looked at her again. She inhaled sharply and felt like she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t even swallow. Her throat had completely tightened up. “Oh don’t worry Soarin, you have time,” he leaned his head towards Fluttershy. Her body shook as it fought to find air. His presence was suffocating her. “I’m a little occupied at the moment, but I’ll be sure to pay Little Rainbow a visit right after!” Soarin leapt at Rapidfire, tackling him to the ground. Fluttershy’s voice erupted from the pit of her stomach. She screamed in bloody terror, and gripped her head tightly with her hooves. They were fighting. Two ponies were fighting in front of her. What was going on? What was she supposed to do? Every part of this situation crushed her inside out more and more. No more. Please no more! Macintosh! Where are you? PLEASE!!!! Suddenly, as they leapt at each other again, two strong hooves caught them by the necks and forced them both towards the ground. They both gasped for air as the hooves held them tight to the dirt. It was Big Mac. Mac glared down at the two of them. What the hell was going on? He was just passing by and heard fighting. Mac looked around and his eyes grew wide as he saw Fluttershy curled up tightly, shaking, and hyperventilating against a tree with tears flowing from her eyes like rivers. He wanted to go to her, but these two were sure to keep fighting if he let them up. Luckily it seemed that Dash was nearby too. She was by Fluttershy’s side quickly. “Fluttershy! Fluttershy!” Dash bent down and draped a wing over the quivering pegasus, “Fluttershy it’s me, Dashie, it’s alright, just breathe.” She comforted Fluttershy. Her breathing slowly calmed and she stopped shaking, but she was still crying. Mac glared down at the two Wonderbolts. What a way to be introduced. He recalled Fluttershy’s descriptions of them. One of them fit the description of Rapidfire, and that’s all Mac had to know as he glared at the orange pegasus stallion. “Hey don’t look at me! He started it!” Rapidfire motioned towards Soarin while addressing Mac. “Says you! I’m not gonna let you get away with your antics!” Soarin spat back. Mac glanced between them. He didn’t care who started it, they had scared Fluttershy to the point of a massive panic attack. As far as he was concerned, both of them had done wrong. That was, until Rapidfire decided to not keep his mouth shut. “Oh please, I just wanted to have a little fun with her, what’s the big deal?” The words echoed in Mac’s head. Have a little fun with her… Have a little fun with her? HAVE A LITTLE FUN WITH HER?!?!?!?! Something snapped. Mac was a strong pony. He had always been an incredibly strong pony. From a young age he had learned to keep his emotions in check in fear of hurting another. He was a stone wall emotionally. It was nearly impossible to anger him. There were very few times in his life that he had lost control. Once when he was younger, the pony he beat up for insulting his sister ended up hospitalized. Another time when robbers came to the farm and hurt Granny Smith while trying to make an escape, they had to tend their bruises in jail. Once more when he yelled at Fluttershy for barring his path in the blizzard. He wasn’t proud of any of them. Every time he felt terrible because he hurt another either physically, or in Fluttershy’s case, emotionally when he really could’ve avoided it. This time it was different. This time it flowed completely unhindered and it had never flowed stronger. As soon as Rapidfire’s words registered in his head, he felt his anger pour out instantly. This pony was planning to get fresh with her? He cornered her and forced himself on her? If Soarin hadn’t stopped him, he would have… His anger grew stronger still. Nothing had ever pushed Mac this far beyond his control. His teeth grinded together and his eyes narrowed into the heaviest glare his brow could form. “I’m a stallion, I’ve… got… needs…” Rapidfire’s voice slowed as he looked back up to see Mac glaring down at him with an expression filled with immeasurable rage. Mac slowly released the pressure he was applying to Soarin and simultaneously began forcing more of his strength down on Rapidfire’s neck. “Yer were gonna do what to Fluttershy?” Mac spat in Rapidfire’s face. His breath became hard, his nostrils flared, and if he pressed his teeth any harder together they would crack. Fluttershy looked up, still sniffling, gasping for air, and trails of tears staining her face. Mac was there! He was there! He came to save her! Happiness filled her heart, but was instantly overflowing with concern as Mac glanced towards her. The look on his face was nothing she had ever seen before. His gentle face was gone. Completely gone. It was replaced by one of pure anger and hatred. What was happening to him? Mac snapped his eyes back down to Rapidfire. There was only one thought on his mind. This… little… SHIT… just tried to violate the mare he loved. He wanted to crush the life out of him, little bits at a time, as painfully as he could make it. Using his free hoof, he swung and connected a strong blow to Rapidfire’s chin. Rapidfire was sent flying from his spot on the ground and tumbled to a halt a few feet away. “Ahhh AHHHH!!!!!” He patted his chin furiously. Mac approached him, growling and snarling as his breath was forced between his grinding teeth. He stood over Rapidfire, fire alight in his eyes, and anger burning as he stared down. Not many ponies could push Mac’s anger, but the value in which he regarded Fluttershy was almost stronger than his own family. Rapidfire had touched something more sacred to him than something he had devoted his whole life to. He would make Rapidfire feel what he had done. He would break every bone in his body, twice. He would squeeze all the air out of his lungs. He would beat his face in until it was no longer recognizable. Mac had lost all restraint. He didn’t care who this stallion was. He was going to kill him. “GET UP!” Mac’s voice boomed loudly out across the fields. Rapidfire struggled to support himself and tried to crawl away. Mac wrapped one hoof around Rapidfire’s neck, hoisted him up. He glared into Rapidfire’s face again. Rapidfire struggled in his grip, fear and pain all over his face. Good. That was how Mac wanted it. Mac used his other hoof to connect another strong blow to Rapidfire’s stomach. Rapidfire exhaled loudly, saliva flying from his mouth and splattering on Mac’s face. The more pain he could make this asshole feel before he ripped his head off, the better. Mac eyed a tree a few feet away. He shifted his weight and flung Rapidfire over his back and into the tree so violently that it split the trunk and toppled it. Fluttershy watched with a new kind of horror. She began shaking again as Mac unloaded his fury into Rapidfire. “Macintosh…?” She whimpered as she shuddered. What was she seeing? Who was this? This wasn’t her Macintosh. This wasn’t her Macintosh at all! “No… No… Please stop…” She sputtered as her lips quivered. “Please… stop…!” “Mac!” Mac heard Rainbow Dash from behind him, “that’s enough Mac!” Mac grunted as she grabbed his hoof. No. Rapidfire was getting every bit of Mac’s rage shoved down his throat. Mac shook her off easily, knocking her to the ground. Rapidfire lay sprawled out, badly cut and bruised with a black eye and bloody nose. It wasn’t enough, Mac wasn’t satisfied. Mac reached for him again, but lurched slightly as Dash jumped on his back. Soarin had gotten up and stepped in front of him. “Whoa! Cool it big fella! I hate him too, but you’re gonna kill him if you keep this up!” Soarin spread out his wings to bar Mac’s way. Kill him? That’s exactly what he was going for. Everypony else better get out of his way or he’d MAKE them move. Mac reared back, knocking Dash off. He landed roughly and glared at Soarin. He swung his head around and struck Soarin in the side of the neck, knocking him aside. Mac stood above Rapidfire, who looked up at him with fear and horror. Rapidfire was scared? Good. He was in pain? Even better. No pony touched Fluttershy. No pony will EVER touch Fluttershy and get away with it. He glared down at the heap of pegasus in front of him, forcing his will and presence down on Rapidfire. But oh he wasn’t done. He was far from done. It was time to break him. Completely. Mac lifted a hoof over Rapidfire’s face, ready to stomp down, “Stop!!!!!!!!” A voice reached him. Neither Soarin nor Dash could talk sense into him, but this voice… This voice… Fluttershy galloped up beside him and dove at his hooves. She wrapped her arms around one of his large, strong front legs, “Please stop Macintosh!” She wailed up to him. Tears flowing, voice cracking. She couldn’t stand it. She couldn’t stand seeing her big gentle giant beat another so violently. “I’m just fine,” She repeated as she squeezed his arm. “Please! Stop hurting him!” She pleaded. Mac blinked. The sight of Fluttershy begging him to show mercy caused all of his anger to dry up almost instantly. All the rage, all the hatred, all of it vanished at the sound of her voice, at the feeling of her body shaking as she gripped his arm. His expression slowly regressed back to normal. He stared at Fluttershy, realizing what he had been doing. His anger had completely blinded him. Rapidfire struggled to his hooves and wiped the blood from his nose. He tried to hobble away before anything else could happen to him. Mac looked towards the beaten pegasus. No. This wasn’t the same as the other times. Did he go a little far? Maybe. But this time he felt like the pony on the receiving end deserved everything he got. “You,” Mac directed his voice towards Rapidfire. He froze as Mac’s voice floored him, “if I ever see yer face ‘round Fluttershy again, I’ll rearrange it for ya. Got it?” Rapidfire only whimpered in response and fell back to the ground. “What the hay is going on over here?!” Applejack came running from the trail. Spitfire and Fleetfoot flew down from above as well. Applejack ran up between Mac and Rapidfire, staring horrified at the beat up pegasus. She turned to her older brother, nearly speechless, “Mac, ya didn’t—” “Rapidfire!” Fleetfoot called out as the two landed. She helped him get up, but Spitfire was glaring at Soarin, who in turn tried not to make eye contact with her. “Mac! He’s one of our guests! How could ya?” Applejack stared headlong into her brother’s glare without flinching, a mixture of disbelief and shock in her eyes. Mac showed no regret. He wanted Applejack to see it. He wanted her to know his anger was well placed. He reached down and pressed his arm against Fluttershy as she continued to shake and whimper. She clung to him tightly. She hadn’t let go since she stopped him. Mac scoffed at his sister. “Y’d rather I let him violate Fluttershy and get away with it?” He spat in his sister’s face. Applejack gasped and looked over her shoulder at Rapidfire. Spitfire’s eyes darted back to Rapidfire, furrowing her brow with disgust. “Fleetfoot, bring him over here. Soarin, line up!” Spitfire barked. Soarin flinched, but obeyed, walking over to stand beside Rapidfire, who could barely keep his hooves. Applejack came around to Mac’s side as Spitfire began to drill her fellow Wonderbolts. “Oh god, what did he do t’her?” Applejack crouched down and placed her hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. Fluttershy couldn’t stop shaking. Her tears were still flowing. She had just seen and felt way too much. She felt completely overwhelmed. “He cornered her.” Mac growled as he thought about it. “He said he was gonna have ‘fun’ with her.” Mac gritted his teeth. Applejack looked up at him as his expression began turning to anger again. She quickly reached up, grabbed his yoke, and pulled his head down to her level. “Mac! Calm down!” She looked at him sternly. “I get it. He deserved a punch across the face. But ya went too far!” “I didn’t go far enough!” Mac pressed his head to hers. She couldn’t force him back, but she held her ground and stopped him. “Get a’hold of yourself!” She snapped and motioned to Fluttershy. “She’s been through enough! No more!” Mac looked down to Fluttershy. Something was wrong. Fluttershy was safe now, but she looked completely broken mentally. She couldn’t stop shaking or crying. “Go take care of her Mac.” Applejack suggested. Mac looked at her in surprise. Applejack was trusting him with Fluttershy? “She clearly needs you.” Applejack admitted after seeing how she clung to him. “I’ll handle this alright?” She released her face from against Mac’s and turned as Spitfire approached. “Golly, I’m so sorry ‘bout all this. I ain’t never seen Mac lose it like that, I’ll make sure he gets it good from Granny.” Applejack frantically apologized. Mac rolled his eyes. He didn’t even care what Granny said. He was sure Grandpa would have done the same thing for her back in the day, Celestia rest his soul. “Hey, hey, settle down cowgirl, he had it coming.” Spitfire chuckled, “What’s important is he just got beaten up, nothing broken or injured. A few days rest and he’ll be fine.” “Still,” Applejack tried to reply, but Spitfire walked up to Mac and Fluttershy before she could. Mac averted his eyes. He was tired of Wonderbolts for one day. Spitfire crouched down to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, I’m so sorry, I should’ve kept a closer eye on him,” Spitfire apologized. Fluttershy didn’t respond. She remained attached to Mac’s arm and remained silent save for her soft crying. “Hey big guy,” Spitfire addressed Mac, “this is a heck of a way for us to be introduced. I know Rapidfire’s a no good menace, but next time go a little easier on him.” Mac replied with a grunt. She shrugged, not exactly expecting him to like them very much now, and turned back to the rest of the Wonderbolts. Mac looked back down at Fluttershy as Applejack followed Spitfire to apologize more. Her grip had finally loosened on him, but she still looked no better. She leaned her tiny body against his leg as it kept shaking. “C’mon.” Mac put his arm over her. He looked around and picked up the saddle bags she dropped. “Let’s get outta here.” He nudged her along with him. It seemed like she had no control over herself. She only moved as he guided her along. Fluttershy shakily walked with her body firmly up against Mac’s leg. She was glued to his side, broken and still crying. Every sniffle and whimper stabbed at Mac as he led her away. He didn’t want her to be anywhere near any more Wonderbolts, any other stallions, or any other ponies in general besides him. He wanted her to feel safe and secure. It was what she was always seeking and it was clear she was in need of it. Normally just his presence could do the trick, but it was clear she needed more this time. He led the shivering little mare to the old tree they recently shared a personal moment under. A picnic was out of the question now, but Mac wanted her to be somewhere familiar and heartwarming. He couldn’t take her all the way back to her house in her current state, so this was his best bet. He began to look at the situation a little differently. First and foremost in his mind, he felt like he failed her. She came to him yesterday seeking protection from something that made her uneasy. He promised he’d help her, look out for her, and keep her from harm. Then the very next day he failed to do so. There was really nothing he could have done about it, you can’t just bend time and place to your will. But it didn’t matter to him. He wanted nothing more than to keep Fluttershy from harm. She was a small, but precious treasure to him and he would do anything to protect her. Anything? What if that scares her too? Make no mistake. Rapidfire got every bit of pain he deserved. If you asked Mac he deserved more. He wasn’t sure if the violence had anything to do with how Fluttershy was feeling, but he suddenly felt ashamed that she witnessed it. She had been on the receiving end of his anger in the past, but all he did was yell. Fluttershy was not one to easily forget things that frightened her. Mac remembered how scared she was when he forced her to the snow with his voice during the blizzard. Just now she saw him get violent. He snapped completely and beat the tar out of Rapidfire right in front of her. The past few days he had established himself to her as the large but gentle pony that loved wild animals and would never hurt a fly. He hoped he hadn’t just ruined that image forever. While Mac’s worry was well placed, and his rage had indeed scared Fluttershy, it wasn’t what kept her from calming down. She had faced his anger directly once. There was something else here that she had never faced before. It was Rapidfire. She couldn’t force the image of him from her head. It was stagnant, stuck, and stabbing at her. She wanted him out of her head, she wanted to forget how terrifying he was, but she couldn’t. His smirk was still clear in her mind. He just wouldn’t go away, just like he wouldn’t when he cornered her. She had been pressed against a tree, and gave every visual sign that she was scared and slowly breaking, but he kept advancing, as if he didn’t care at all about her well-being. She had never experienced a pony like him before. His intentions outweighed his sympathy. He was a pony that got what he wanted and didn’t care how he got it. He forced every bit of himself down upon her. Her head still hurt as she remembered how he forcefully stroked her mane with an air of blind lust. If not for Soarin stepping in, who knows what he would have done to her. The very thought made her body ache and tense. Why wouldn’t he go away? Why was his image stuck in her mind? Please… get it out… get it out! She clung to Mac’s leg as he sat down beside her. “Macintosh…” She sniffled as she said his name. “He was…” she whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut, “So… scary…!” Mac realized she was talking about Rapidfire. Broken promises, and his anger aside, he couldn’t forget what she went through before he showed up. The state she was in when he initially pinned down the fighting stallions suggested she had been traumatized heavily. He couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t stand seeing her this way! He quickly scooped her up in his arms and put her at eye level. She threw her hooves around his neck and he returned the embrace tightly, but gently. He was always gentle when hugging her. He would probably snap her like a twig if he really put muscle behind it. But a soft hug wouldn’t be enough here. He carefully hugged her tightly, she needed a heavy embrace from somepony who cared and he would provide. His heart sank as he felt her little body shake against his neck and her tears began to drip off her face and land on his shoulders. How could he stop this? How could he stitch together this emotional wound? “He won’t… go away…” She wailed as her grip tightened on him. “I can’t get him out…” She buried her face against Mac’s neck and rubbed her eyes back and forth, smearing her tears on him. “Fluttershy…” Mac quietly said her name into her ear as he held her tight. She hiccupped and removed her hooves from around him, pulling them into her body and curling up in his arms. “Macintosh… he won’t go away!” She cried, shaking her head. “He won’t go!” She suddenly pressed her hooves against Mac and looked up into his eyes. Mac stared down at her, wishing he knew how to save her from all of it. “Please!” She pleaded as her eyes continued to spill tears. “Please Macintosh… Make it go away!” She slammed her eyes shut, refusing to open them, and shook her head back and forth. “Make him go away!!!!” She actually yelled. Make him go away. That’s all she wanted. Make the thoughts of Rapidfire disappear. So he had to do something that completely refocused her. He thought of only one thing. With a look of newfound determination, Mac released one arm from around her and put his hoof to her chin to tip her head up. He leaned in. And he kissed her. It wasn’t a gentle peck on the cheek. He pressed his lips to hers. He put force behind it. Fluttershy’s eyes fired open as she felt the touch of Mac’s lips. It was like a miracle cure. As soon as Mac kissed her everything stopped. Rapidfire was completely pushed out of her mind and replaced with Mac. Her body slowly stopped shaking as she reached up and caressed his face with her little hooves, returning the kiss. This was something both of them had wanted. Neither of them knew when or how to approach it. It was a shame that only through a traumatizing event they were able to create a new connection, but from the beginning the two of them were more comfortable showing than telling. Mac loved her. Seeing her in such a broken mess gave him the strongest possible urge to make her as happy as possible. How do you make a mare you love happy? Through sincere and meaningful care and affection. Fluttershy loved him. She had fallen in love with him already, but this… This sealed it. How quickly he mended her mental wounds with just one kiss… He offered her safety and protection, and she wanted to show how much she appreciated it. Mac made the first move, effectively ridding her of the terrible thoughts that plagued her and acknowledging her desire to be loved in return. Once again. All without words. The two gently broke apart. Mac looked into her eyes, his face still wrought with concern. She stared up at her protector. Her body was no longer shaking and her mind was no longer focused on Rapidfire, but she was still crying. The damage had still been done. There were no smiles, but there was comfort. Mac drew her in for another tight embrace. She latched onto his neck quickly as he pulled her near. He simply held her close as she wept, letting her cry all the tears out in the presence of one who cared deeply for her. “Thank you… Macintosh…” She sputtered in between sniffles and hiccups, as she tried to nestle herself as close to him as possible. “Eeyup…” Mac quietly whispered into her ear as he held her tight and refused to let go until she was ready. --- To be Continued ---