//------------------------------// // Chapter - 8 - Spitfire // Story: I Treasure Your Love // by Hawker Hurricane //------------------------------// After her slightly unusual meeting with Celestia, Spitfire walked back to her office where a light blue white maned Pegasus was waiting for her. "Hey Fleets," said Spitfire. "Hey Spits," replied Fleetfoot, "Where you been?" "Just to see the Princess to deliver a message to Connor?" Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Who?" "Oh you won't know, he's a human from a different world that I met." Fleetfoot stayed silent a few moments while she took this information in, "An alien from a different world?" "Yes. He's rather nice actually. I introduced myself to him in a rather unorthodox manner." "What do you mean?" Spitfire proceeded to tell Fleetfoot about the events of the last few days, including her meeting with Celestia. "So," said Fleetfoot. "So.....what?" asked Spitfire, unsure what Fleetfoot was getting to. "Are you going to let him see you in your-" "Not you too. Look I acted inappropriately towards him. Yes I'm in heat but that's no excuse I should have controlled my self better." "All you did was nuzzle him and hug him?" "Yes. For Celestia's sake I know I acted in a manner not becoming a Wonderbolt." "It sounds like you did control yourself if the stories I heard Soarin telling the other stallions are true," Fleetfoot said with a smirk, trying to hold back her laughter. Spitfire's fur took on a slight shade of red, "I have no idea what you're talking about." "No of course you don't," said Fleetfoot with a mischievous grin. Spitfire breathed a sigh of annoyance and proceeded towards her desk where a rather large pile of paperwork awaited her. Spitfire loathed the paperwork. She understandably preferred action over quill-pushing jobs. Her wing was still healing so it gave her the ideal opportunity to catch up with the paperwork. She couldn't help but think back to Connor. He was polite and friendly towards her, not to mention rather good looking. One thing that did bother her though was how he doesn't seem to bothered about being ripped form his home and family. He hasn't freaked out over being in, from his perspective, an alien world with no other humans in existence. Well, she thought, there was that incident with Blueblood and he had that private meeting with Princess Celestia so he could have freaked out then. She recalls the letter Connor sent to her. She remembers Connor wanting to see her again and the other Wonderbolts. No problem, he may not be here long so we may as well let him while he has the chance Spitfire felt sad all of a sudden. He may not be here long...... Why did that upset her? Fleetfoot noticed Spitfire's expression, "Spits, you OK?" "I don't know," said Spitfire with a bit of sadness in her voice, "I.....I feel......" "It's this Connor isn't it?" asked Fleetfoot with concern. Spitfire could only nod in response. "Take some time off and go see him. It might put your mind at ease. You're supposed to be resting anyway. Me and Soarin can handle things." Spitfire looked at Fleetfoot for a few seconds and sighed, "OK Fleets. If you think it will help, I'll go now." The yellow Pegasus made her way to the office door, "Just make sure the newbies don't slack off." "They won't. Now go." Spitfire waved her hoof at Fleetfoot and left the office and made her way to her private officers quarters in the castle to pack a few things for her trip. ------------------------------------------------------------ Celestia was making her way to the dining hall for lunch when she bumped into Spitfire who was out of uniform and had a saddle bag with her. Curious, she decided to ask her where she was going. "Group Captain Spitfire, it's a pleasure to see you." "Princess," Spitfire was a little startled by the Princess as she bowed to her. "Rise my little pony, you do not need to bow to me in informal situations. How are you Group Captain?" "Fine thank you Princess. I was just going to Ponyville to see Connor. Fleetfoot suggested I take a break." Celestia smiled at this, "I am pleased to hear that, take all the time off you need." "Thank you Princess." "Before you go, regarding our conversation this morning. My joking aside I was serious when I said there may be something between you. Connor may not be showing it but he is hurting deep down. He needs all the friends and support he can get," Celestia said looking slightly sad. "Is there something wrong Princess?" asked Spitfire. "Maybe," replied Celestia, "I received a report from Arch Mage this morning. His teams preliminary scans are not promising. We still don't know how Connor arrived and it's looking like we will not be able to send him back to his world." This saddened Celestia deeply. Her new friend has been ripped from everything and everyone he has ever known and loved and may not be able to return home. As long as she's there for him and does her best to help him he will be OK she thought. "I can't imagine how terrible he must be feeling," said Spitfire. "So long as he has the support if his friends he will be fine, I assure you," Celestia said with a warm smile, "Also could you deliver this to Connor." Celestia magicked a necklace into view. It was identical to the one Celestia wore, only smaller to fit a human neck. "It is enchanted. It will prevent excessive amounts of magic being used against Connor, I don't think I need to remind you about the incident with Prince Blueblood?" Spitfire shook her head, "No ma'am, Connor looked absolutely terrified after that." "That is why I am giving him this. It will act as a sort of shield against magic for him. It will also act as a location beacon and health monitor, so if his life should be in danger I can act immediately. It is magically linked to my own necklace so I will know immediately. It cannot be forcibly worn or removed from him with or without magic. It is entirely his decision whether he wears it or not. This scroll will explain what I have just said to you." Celestia put the necklace into a white box with an image of her cutie mark on the top. Spitfire took the box and scrolls and put them into her saddlebag. "I'll be sure he gets them. Good day to you Princess." "Good day to you as well Group Captain." Spitfire nodded and made her way out of the castle and towards Canterlot Piccadilly Train Station. Celestia couldn't help but smile. Spitfire has had problems in the past with relationships and is very particular in who she trusts and who she considers a friend. Celestia is one of very few ponies who knows of Spitfire's problems, and Connor may just be the one to help her with them.