//------------------------------// // Flatlining // Story: Operating on a Heart // by The Silent King //------------------------------// "Spike? Are you in here?" Nurse Redheart called for him eager to find the purple and green dragon. It had been a month since Spike started working at PonyVille hospital, he was getting tired of the whole library scene and Twilight didn't really need his assistance anymore now that she was a princess. He had also found that Rarity was not interested him in the romantic sense and wished for them to be just 'friends'. He had taken it pretty hard at first, but he couldn't hold Rarity responsible for why. He was too young for her, one. Two they had barely shared any of the same interests apart from gems, but eating them and using them were entirely different things. But in the end, their friendship had grown stronger and they always went to each when they needed a shoulder to cry on, or gain advice. The more difficult part in Spike gaining the job at the hospital, was Twilight not wanting to let him go. Keeping him around for frivolous and repetitive tasks. At first he had sympathy and continued to work for Twilight, but that sympathy turned to irritation having reshelved the entire library 4 times a week. Eventually he had enough and quit working for Twilight. It started of as him doing odd jobs around PonyVille but even those started to dwindle down to almost nothing. It was then the young dragon had found a application for an assistant in the hospital. Starting our small love story today As Nurse Redheart entered the break room she couldn't help but reminisce all the moments they shared. The lame jokes he had always used. His ego always swelling with pride when he shared good things...about himself. But, to her disappointment he wasn't in there. Sorrow invaded her normally chipper mood...again. He was disappearing more and more showing his face at the hospital less and less. She was starting to think that he had found a better job, perhaps one that paid better? No, he would've told me if something happened, Right? Redheart thought solemnly. Despite being a certified nurse, her heart was swelling and would beat faster every time she was near him, and she couldn't make sense of any of it!, but after a week the symptoms painted a clearer picture. Light headedness, illusions, burning cheeks, muzzle, and ears, and lastly stammering incoherent sentences whenever he was talking to her. Diagnosis? Love. And boy was she deep into it. Though she won't admit it, (Not if I can help it.) it seemed to unprofessional with them being co-workers. I mean we are friends. I can even consider him one of my closest friends if that. I can't believe I used to just work all day and not...socialize. With anyone at that! and it was true she didn't have many friends due to her work taking up most of her time. She would work from the wee hours of the mourning till the dark hours of Luna's embrace. Now though, with Spike here, it makes me want to come to work to know that he can brighten up my day with a simple yet dopey smile. giggles contently Well, used too. *sigh* "Where are you Spike?" Redheart mumbles to herself. The sound of hoovesteps clopping behind makes her ears twitch in alertness. "Nurse!" A stallion yells approaching her. "Twilight Sparkle, has arrived with...uh...patient. And you are needed in the E.R. Immediately! "Well, don't just stand there lets get a move on, shall we?" Redheart asks galloping down the hall towards the E.R. "So, who is this patient? I need a diagnosis." The stallion stops and looks his head down avoiding her gaze. "Why did you stop? I need to know the patients name!" Redheart yelled a little impatient. The stallion mumbles incoherently "What?" "Spike" the stallion whispers. "W-who?" Redheart asks unsure if she heard him right, Please n-not him, not now. Her hopes were crushed as the stallion whispered that one name. "Spike." She ran Ran faster Ran so fast that her speed would impress Rainbow Dash. Tears had already started welling up in her eyes. The memory of how her crush on Spike started played through her mind. Flashback "Ugh, what I wouldn't give to be a unicorn right now." Redheart says to herself. "But you don't need to be a unicorn. You're perfect the way you are, besides that's why I'm here!" "Thanks, Spike, but flattery won't get you anywhere in he medical business." Redheart stated "A guy can dream, right?" Spike asks a little to enthusiastic for her taste. ALARM, ALARM, ALARM Sirens blazed throughout the hospital. "Redheart what's going on?!" Spike asked worry etched on his face. "I fires been started on level C of the hospital!" Redheart yelled. "What level are we on?!" Spike asked worriedly. "Level C..." Redheart says, before she snaps out and yells as loud as she can. "Everyone we need to evacuate all the patients first before the fire gets out of hand!" The surrounding doctors and nurses nearby rush to spread the news and carry out her orders. 20 minutes later The fire was at its climax and showed no signs of slowing down but thankfully the last of the patients had been evacuated, all that remained were a small purple drake and a white earth pony to make sure that everyone got out. But before they could take the first step towards the exit the fire cut off their escape. A tear escaped Redheart's eye as she silently began to cry. "This is it, I guess...I just never thought it be so soon. I want to thank you Spike, for everything you've done." No response. The dragons mind thinking of an escape plan rather than accepting defeat. I can make it through the fire, but she can't..... gasp I got! Redheart looked up at the sound of the gasp and saw Spike with a smile. She let out a "Eep" as he picked her up. "S-spike? W-wha-t are you doing?" Redheart asks "Getting You out of here." Spike replies rather simply. With that he carried bridal style out of the building and away from the fire. "Thank you." Was all she managed to say before she passed, the adrenaline no longer pumping her blood to keep her going. She slept with pleasant and rather...suggestive dreams about a certain purple and green drake.