Applejack hurts herself pretty badly on the farm, and she needs Twilight's help until she heals.
Applejack's got herself in a pickle. She broke a few bones in her hind legs when she bucked a tree too hard, and now she needs somepony to take care of her until she heals. With Rainbow Dash living in a cloud, Fluttershy tending to her animals, and Pinkie being busy at Sugarcube Corner, she has to choose between Rarity and Twilight.
Who will be able to take care of her more? And what feelings might crop up along the way?
Applejack wiped away the sweat pouring from her forehead as she bucked yet another apple tree. Her hind legs slammed into the tree, and a fiery pain shot through her legs. She moaned and fell to the ground, cursing under her breath as she waited for the pain to pass.
Big Mac approached, pulling a wagon full of baskets of apples, and he hustled over to Applejack as soon as he saw her on the ground.
“Applejack, what happened?” he asked with a pang of worry in his voice.
Applejack was breathing heavily. She looked up at her brother and blushed, then tried to pick herself off of the ground. Her hind legs wobbled and gave out on her, bringing her back into the dirt. Big Mac unhitched himself from the wagon and lifted Applejack onto his back.
“Will ya put me down, ya big oaf?” Applejack asked. “I can take care of myself.”
“I’m taking you inside. You need to rest.” Big Mac was already making his way towards the house.
“But we’re behind schedule on the apple bucking as it is!” she shouted, but her hind legs were aching, so she stopped protesting.
“How long have you been working today?” Big Mac asked.
“I started at sunup,” Applejack said in between heavy breaths.
Big Mac looked to the sky and saw the setting sun shining pink and orange. “Did ya take any breaks today, like for lunch?”
“Uh…”
“Applejack, I thought you knew better than that. Didn’t Twilight warn you about not taking too much on yourself?”
“Big Mac, I know you’re concerned, but I’m not really in the mood for lectures.”
“I know. I’m sorry, sis, but I get like this when I’m worried.”
“I’m gonna be fine, Mac. Just a little sore is all.” Another twinge of pain cascaded down her legs and she gasped.
“No way, missy. We might have to get Nurse Redheart to make a house call.”
“Will you quit fretting? This happens all the time.”
“How many times has this happened before?” Big Mac asked. The house was now in sight, and he hustled as fast as he could while keeping Applejack securely on his back.
“Uh...well, the last time it happened was...erm…” Another shot of pain had her reeling.
“Land’s sake, AJ, are you sure you didn’t break ’em?”
“I’m positive! For Celestia’s sake, you worry more than Twilight! Just give me a few minutes rest and I’ll be up and at ’em again before you know it.”
“Well, I’m definitely getting Nurse Redheart to check up on you. I wanna make sure you’re okay.”
Applejack let out a sigh. “Whatever makes ya feel better.”
“Good.” They arrived at the house, and Big Mac went immediately upstairs and laid Applejack on the bed.
“Now, you stay right there and don’t move a muscle. Do ya want anything for dinner? Some soup?”
“I’ll let you know when I’m hungry,” Applejack said. “Now, go on. Don’t mind me any. I’m gonna be fine.”
“Okay, I’ll be fine as long as you stay in bed,” Big Mac said. He backed away from the bed and left before shutting the bedroom door behind him.
Applejack huffed and turned over on her side. Big Mac’s just being a worry-wart. Maybe I was working too hard, but it’s just a little pain from a long day of work. I’m sure I’ll be fine in the morning.
Her hind legs were throbbing now, and Applejack was doing her best to ignore them and trying to fall asleep. The pain kept her awake, and she groaned in frustration as she turned over on her stomach and buried her head in her pillow.
There was a knock at the door, and Applejack cringed before lifting her head from the pillow.
“Big Mac, if that’s you checkin’ up on me, you can just forget it.”
“Sis?” came the voice of Apple Bloom. Applejack felt a pang of guilt at being so short with her sister.
“Sorry, Apple Bloom. You can come in.” The door opened, and Apple Bloom went up to the bed and stood up on her hind legs, resting her forelegs on the side of the bed.
“Big Mac told me you injured yourself. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Injured myself? He’s making such a big deal out of it! I’m just a little sore, that’s all. You can tell him to stop bein’ such a pain in the butt and leave me be!”
“Sheesh, don’t shoot the messenger,” Apple Bloom said. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”
Applejack was flustered, but she took a calming breath. “No. I’m real sorry, Apple Bloom. My hind legs really hurt, and they’re keepin’ me from fallin’ asleep.”
“I’m real sorry to hear that,” Apple Bloom said. “I wish I coulda helped you with the buckin’. Then maybe you wouldn’t have had to do so much on your own.”
“It ain’t your fault, Bloom. I just bit off more than I could chew today, and I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“Big Mac said he went to see if Nurse Redheart could stop by to check up on you.”
Applejack smiled. “I owe him an apology. I know he’s just worried about me, and maybe I was downplayin’ it a bit. They still hurt really bad…” As if on cue, a fiery shot of pain crawled up her hind legs. Applejack winced, and Apple Bloom gasped.
“Do ya want me to get some pain pills for ya? I think Granny Smith has some for her hip. Maybe you can borrow some from her.”
“No, no. She needs ’em more than I do. Just...let Big Mac know I wanna see him when he gets back.”
“Can do, sis!” Apple Bloom proclaimed before leaving the room. Applejack smiled. She couldn’t blame her family for trying to take care of her. Now she just hoped she could recover as quickly as possible.
Big Mac knocked gently on Applejack’s door, having heard no stirring from inside her room. When she didn’t answer, he opened it a crack and peered into the room. Her eyes were closed, she was breathing deeply, and there was a calm look on her face that he hadn’t seen in a long time. He smiled and carefully shut the door.
Big Mac made for his own room, but a door opened and Apple Bloom ran into his leg. He looked down at her, a bundle of nerves, and smiled.
“She’s sound asleep,” he said, and the panicked look on Apple Bloom’s face faded.
“That’s a good thing, right?” she asked.
Big Mac nodded.
“Oh, but I wanted to check up on her,” she said with a pout. “I wanna make sure she’s okay.”
“She’s sleepin’ like an angel,” Big Mac said, “and Nurse Redheart agreed to check on her first thing in the morning. I can sleep easy knowing AJ’s gonna get the care she needs, and you should, too.”
Apple Bloom gazed intently at Applejack’s door, but then returned her gaze to Big Mac and nodded.
“You have a goodnight, sis,” he said, leading by example and going to his room. Apple Bloom looked once again at her sister’s door before reluctantly returning to her own room.
“Applejack?” Nurse Redheart asked gently. She was in her bedroom with Big Mac and Granny Smith, all three looking at Applejack with concern. Big Mac had never seen her this sound asleep, and it was a little worrisome.
“Is she gonna get up?” Granny Smith asked, and Redheart turned to her.
“I’m sure the incident’s left her exhausted, but we’ll need her awake before I can check up on her.”
“Right,” Big Mac said. He then prodded his sister gently. “AJ? You gotta get up.”
“Huh?” Applejack said, gradually waking up. She looked up into Redheart’s face and her eyes shot open.
“What the—? Why in the world is...Mac!”
“AJ, I told ya I was bringing Nurse Redheart over to check up on you.”
“What for? I’m totally fine,” she said, rising from her bed. The other three ponies winced when Applejack’s hind legs touched the floor and she hollered in pain. Big Mac immediately helped her back into bed, and for once she didn’t object.
“We don’t want you moving anywhere anytime soon until we know what’s wrong with you,” Redheart informed her. Applejack nodded and rested her hind legs on the bed. Redheart took out a cuff connected to a large rubber bulb.
“I’m just going to take your blood pressure,” she said, wrapping the cuff around Applejack’s foreleg and keeping her eye on the meter as she began squeezing the bulb. Applejack felt the cuff getting tighter and tighter and could actually feel the blood pumping through her veins, but just as the pressure was about to be painful, Redheart stopped and slowly let out air. She eyed the meter with concern and looked at Applejack as she put it aside.
“Your blood pressure’s a bit high,” she informed her. “How hard have you been working in the fields?”
“Well, um...yesterday I worked from sunup to sundown, but that was just a normal day for me.”
“Normal?” Redheart asked, turning to Granny Smith.
“She and Big Mac are hard-workin’ ponies,” Granny Smith told her. “Hardest workin’ ponies in Ponyville.”
“While that is admirable,” Redheart said, “I’m afraid strenuous labor day in and day out takes a toll on a pony’s body. I need to have a look at her hind legs.” Redheart turned and reached for Applejack’s legs.
“Now hold on a second!” Applejack implored. “Is this gonna hurt?”
“It might,” Redheart said, “but if I don’t get a feel for what’s going on, I can’t properly treat you.”
She touched Applejack’s legs, and Applejack winced. Redheart took care not to aggravate the injury, but she felt around the leg looking for the source of the pain. When she kneaded the leg, she immediately stopped after Applejack cried out.
“Is she okay?” Big Mac asked in alarm.
“She’ll be fine,” Redheart said. “I know what the issue is now.”
“What is it?” Granny Smith asked.
“She has stress fractures in her hind legs,” Redheart announced, and the room went quiet. Applejack’s face was the picture of panic, while Big Mac and Granny Smith stared at her worriedly.
“She’s going to be okay,” Redheart said, “provided she stay in bed for a few weeks to give her body the chance to heal itself. In the meantime, I can prescribe some pain medication to ease the discomfort in her legs. She can take them twice a day with the morning and evening meals.”
“And I’m supposed to stay in bed the whole time?” Applejack asked. “What if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“Oh,” Redheart said.
“Oh?” Applejack asked, staring at her in disbelief.
“We have a host of unicorns on staff” Redheart asked. “They could help you get to the bathroom when you need it.”
“Uh...I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want some strange pony liftin’ me with magic. What if they drop me and injure me any more than I already am?”
“Well...I can’t think of any other way for you to get the help you need,” Redheart said, “unless Twilight or Rarity could take the time to assist you.”
“Seriously? Twilight’s a princess and Rarity runs a huge business. I can’t ask them to come over here and help me go to the bathroom. Oh, Celestia…”
“Uh, Applejack?” Big Mac asked.
“Yeah?”
“Maybe you can’t get them to come to your house, but maybe you can stay in one of theirs. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind taking you in for a few weeks.”
“Well, I ain’t going to Rarity’s,” Applejack said.
“Why not?” Granny Smith asked.
“She’s way too fussy, and I’m not in the mood to be babied. Big Mac, can you see if Twilight wouldn’t mind having me at the library?”
“Absolutely,” he said, leaving the room.
“Okay then,” Redheart said. “Well, if you need anything else, feel free to send someone to my office and I’ll make sure to stop by and assist you when I can. I hope you get well soon.”
“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack said, and Redheart waved goodbye before exiting the room.
“Uh...Granny Smith?” Applejack asked. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”
“Right here!” Apple Bloom cried, stumbling into the room buried under a huge piece of cardboard paper. Granny Smith helped her flip the paper onto the bed face-up. Applejack looked at it and smiled.
It was a crudely drawn picture of Applejack with her hind legs in casts and a note that said “GET WELL SOON.”
“You made this for me?” Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom nodded enthusiastically.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, ’cause I was worried sick about ya, and I decided while I was awake, I’d do somethin’ to help you feel better.”
“That’s mighty sweet of you, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said.
“It’s okay,” Apple Bloom said, “’cause now I get to take care of ya while you’re recovering!”
“Bloom,” Granny Smith said, giving her a sobering look. “Applejack’s goin’ to be stayin’ at Twilight’s while she’s recovering.”
“What?” Apple Bloom asked, already beginning to whimper.
“Don’t you worry none, Bloom,” Applejack said. “You can visit as often as you want. I’m sure Twilight won’t mind. And I’ll be better and back on the farm before you know it.”
“Oh,” Apple Bloom said. “I guess that’s okay…” She slumped out of the room, sniffling a bit before she was out of earshot.
“Granny Smith,” Applejack said, “can you—”
“I’ll talk to her,” she said. “You just focus on gettin’ better.”
“Thanks,” Applejack said. “I’ll make sure to focus on my recovery from here on out. I just hope Twilight doesn’t mind havin’ me over.”
“She’ll be more than happy to help you,” Granny Smith said. “You’ll see.”
“Yeah, I guess I will,” Applejack said with a smile. Hopefully I’m not a burden on Twilight. Celestia knows she has enough going on as it is...
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.
It didn’t take too long for news to spread about Applejack’s injury, and so Applejack was awoken from her nap by Rarity trampling into her room, with Twilight chasing behind her.
“Rarity, I told you, she’s sleeping!” Twilight called, but when she saw Applejack stir, she exhaled and rolled her eyes.
“Rarity, at the very least don’t smother her.”
“Applejack, darling!” Rarity cried, making no indication that she had heard Twilight. “I’m ever so sorry you’ve suffered such a physical malady. If there’s anything you need me to do, I will be at your hoof and willing to provide.”
“Rarity, there’s no need,” Applejack said. “Twilight’s already done more than enough.”
“Why didn’t you tell me right away?” Rarity asked. “There’s plenty of room at the boutique, and I could have pampered you with the utmost of care. Hot showers, delicious food, anything you could have asked for.”
“Rarity, I came to Twilight’s because I didn’t want all that,” Applejack said. “At least, I didn’t wanna take time out of your busy schedule to take care of me. To be honest, Twilight was freakin’ me out at first, but she and I have gotten settled, so I appreciate the offer but I will have to decline.”
“But what am I supposed to do?” Rarity asked. “I’ll be worried sick about you and have nothing to do to help.”
“Rarity, I’m already taking care of all that,” Twilight said, putting a hoof on her shoulder and smiling. “Applejack will be in good hooves. Although if something happens to Spike, I’m sure he’d be more than happy to have you help him recover.”
“Very funny, Twilight,” Rarity said with a laugh. “But of course I would be there for him and anypony else who needed me.”
“Applejack! Applejack!” came a soft voice from the stairs. In flew Fluttershy, who went to the bed and stroked Applejack’s head. “I heard you were at Twilight’s and had suffered a serious injury, and I just had to see you.”
“How’d you get into the library?” Twilight asked.
“Spike let me in.”
“Uh, Twi?” Applejack asked. “Could ya maybe ask Spike not to let anypony else in until Rarity and Fluttershy leave? It’s gettin’ a bit crowded in here.”
“APPLEJACK!” came a shrill voice, and they saw a pink blur zoom into the room and stop just short of the bed. Pinkie’s face was utterly distraught.
“Applejack what happened to you?” she asked. “Bon Bon and Lyra told me you got hit by a runaway cart and you were writhing on the ground screaming for help and nopony was there to hear your cries of pain!”
“Pinkie, that’s not what happened!” Applejack shouted, desperate to cut her off before she talked everypony’s ears off. “I bucked one too many apple trees yesterday and suffered some stress fractures on my hind legs. Nothin’ else happened, certainly not as terrifyin’ as whatever Bon Bon and Lyra told you.”
“Oh,” Pinkie said. “Well, to be honest, I kinda made it more dramatic than what they told me.”
“It’s a good story,” Rarity said with a smile, “perhaps for a novel. But the accident is horrific enough without embellishing whatever rumors you’ve heard.”
“Twilight, the door?”
“Right!” Twilight said, making her way out of the room. She was almost knocked over by Rainbow Dash as she rocketed into the room.
“So, got some battle scars, didn’t ya, AJ?” she exclaimed. “How’d it happen? Roseluck told me you got trampled by a stampede of cattle.”
“Where are all these rumors coming from?” Fluttershy asked.
“Nah, Rainbow, just bucked a tree too hard,” she said. “Nothin’ excitin’ about it.”
“Oh, but what didja get out of it? Break a leg? Dislocate your knee? Got paralyzed and can never walk again?”
“Stress fractures in my legs,” Applejack said curtly.
“Well, that’s boring,” Dash said, hovering above her and scrutinizing her legs. “You know how many injuries I got when I was in flight school? Pulled a few wing muscles, broke each of my hooves at least once, even dislocated a shoulder when I got into a fight with a griffon who was stalking Gilda.”
“That all true, Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.
“I don’t think he was stalking her,” Fluttershy offered, “but all the injuries are correct.”
“He was totally creeping her out, though,” Dash said. “Writing her letters and saying hi to her all weird-like. Had to beat the stuffing out of him so he’d leave her alone. Got me suspended for a few days. Worth it!”
“That’s great, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said nonchalantly. Dash exhaled through her nose and grimaced. “I think we’re making Applejack uncomfortable, though. It’s pretty crowded in here.”
“Oh my,” Fluttershy said. “I didn’t even think we’d be making Applejack feel uncomfortable. There’s so many of us here…”
“Yeah, and I’m feelin’ mighty tired right about now,” Applejack said. “I appreciate y’all for visitin’, but it’s probably better if we just stick to one-on-one visits from now on.”
“Okay, so who gets to stay?” Dash asked.
“I wanna stay! I wanna stay!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing up and down. “I want to find out all the gory details!”
“Pinkie, it really wasn’t that special—”
“I’ll stay and keep watch over her,” Rarity said. “Twilight needs a break, after all. Don’t you, Twilight?”
“I’m fine for now, Rarity, but thanks.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind staying,” Fluttershy said, “but only if nopony else wanted to. But I guess Pinkie and Rarity already said so, so maybe I don’t need to stay after all.”
“You know what?” Applejack asked. “None of y’all are staying. I kinda just want Twilight here for now. Maybe she can schedule visitin’ hours for you so we’re not too crowded in here.”
“An excellent idea,” Twilight said. “Okay, you heard the patient. Everypony out.” She ushered them all towards the bedroom door with her outstretched wings. The rest of Applejack’s friends were grumbling but moving slowly towards the door. Once they were all out, Twilight shut the bedroom door and turned to Applejack with a smile.
“Thank ya kindly, Twilight,” Applejack said. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I kinda gotta go again.”
Twilight blushed, but she nodded and lifted Applejack with her magic and moved towards the bathroom.
As the weeks rolled on, Applejack and Twilight maintained a friendly, if distant, repertoire. They realized pretty soon that Applejack didn’t need to holler for her when she wanted food or a trip to the bathroom, so Twilight suggested giving her a bell that would sound through the library. Twilight would always drop what she was doing to make sure she could tend to Applejack’s needs.
The bathroom trips, the primary source of awkwardness during this recovery, became almost second-nature. They talked, joked, and laughed while Applejack’s business went on in the background.
When Applejack was starting to get a little stir crazy lying in bed all day, Twilight brought her down to the library or even out into Ponyville to get some fresh air. A half hour or so was all Applejack could handle at first, but as the recovery went on, she could stay out for a few hours at a time. All of the ponies in Ponyville greeted her kindly and offered her warm wishes.
Applejack’s friends visited, too, according to a schedule set up by Twilight that fit everypony’s needs. As Applejack came closer to full recovery, one particular visit from Rainbow Dash resonated with her.
“Heya, AJ,” she said, floating over head with her trademark smile.
“Howdy, RD,” Applejack said with a tired grin.
“How’s the recovery going? Think you’ll ever walk again?”
“Har har,” Applejack said with a grin. “I can actually put some weight on my legs and stand on them for a little while, so walkin’ will come sooner than you think.”
“Awesome. So, uh...well, what’s it like having Twilight take care of you?”
“Dash,” Applejack said sternly. “I know that tone in your voice. I know where you think it’s going. The answer is no.”
“Oh, come on, AJ. She’s been at your beck and call for weeks, always by your side when you needed her. You telling me that doesn’t affect you at all?”
“Where’s this idea comin’ from all of a sudden?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You haven’t seen Twilight talking about you!” Dash implored. “Whenever you’re brought up in conversation, she always smiles and starts giggling at first. And then when she gets going talking about you, it’s almost like she’s glowing. Know what I mean?”
“That’s great, Dash,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes. “Nothin’s gonna come of it, so you can take off the shippin’ goggles and let’s talk about your job or something.”
“AJ, you’ve always been a numbskull about this stuff. Are you telling me you haven’t noticed?”
“I know she’s bein’ a good friend, and that’s all it is.”
“Okay, let’s forget the Twilight angle for a moment. How do you feel?”
“I’m grateful for all her support,” Applejack said, but she blushed pink for a moment. Dash noticed.
“Why are you blushing then?”
“I’m not blushing! Really, Dash, you gotta stop bein’ so gung-ho about all this. You’re fishin’ for somethin’ that ain’t biting.”
“Please, don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
“You know what?” Applejack said, glaring at Dash. “If you don’t drop this right now, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.”
“Okay, okay, geez. Don’t get your saddle in a bunch.”
For a time after that, they conversed about more mundane subjects, mainly Applejack’s recovery and Dash’s work as a weather pony. Applejack got hungry, though, so she rang the bell. A few moments later, Twilight came into the room with a nervous smile on her face.
“What can I help you with, Applejack?” she asked.
“I need some food,” she said.
“Right away. How are you doing, Rainbow Dash?”
“Great. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Applejack looked horrified, but Dash was already following Twilight down the stairs. Knowing Dash, Applejack knew this was bound to spiral out of control quickly. There was nothing she could do about it, though, except wait for Twilight to return with her food and then do damage control.
So, maybe she had grown a little attached to Twilight. Dash was taking it way over-the-top and she was afraid that her next conversation with Twilight would be awkward. She didn’t have long to wait, though. Twilight came back with a sandwich and a small bowl of soup and she was already blushing.
“Applejack…” she began as she set the tray down on the bed.
“What did Rainbow tell ya?” Applejack asked curtly enough to make Twilight’s heart sink a bit.
“She told me I had better confess my feelings to you,” Twilight said. “She already told you about me, right?”
“Yeah,” Applejack said, “and I don’t want this to become some gushy bare-all of our emotions. Look, Dash got me thinkin’, and maybe there is somethin’ there for me, but I can’t be sure right now and I think we need to hold off until my injury’s healed.”
“Nurse Redheart said that would only be a few more days,” Twilight said, now looking away from Applejack. “Will that be enough time for you to figure things out?”
“Well, I might need a few dates after that,” Applejack said with a wink. “But hey, you never know what might happen. What I do know for a fact is that I’m grateful for all the care you’ve given me over the past few weeks. You made me feel so much calmer than I would have been if I had stayed at home or gone to Rarity’s.”
“Well, Applejack,” Twilight said, running a hoof through her mane and smiling at her, “I’m really glad to hear that, I guess. Oh, there’s so much I want to say, but I should just let you eat your food. I don’t want to make things awkward.”
“It’s fine, Twi,” Applejack said, “we’ll have plenty of time to talk about those things.”
“Thank you, Applejack.”
“You’re welcome, Twilight.”
Two Months Later
“It’s your monthiversary!” Pinkie Pie screamed as Twilight and Applejack went into Sugarcube Corner walking side by side. She rushed over to them and offered them two cupcakes with frosting in the shape of a heart. “How are you guys doing?”
“We’re great, Pinkie,” Twilight said, looking to Applejack and smiling. “Really great.”
“Ditto,” Applejack said, nudging Twilight with her shoulder and winking at her.
“Well, I’ll get you two a private table,” Pinkie said, “but no getting all mushy-mushy around the other customers.”
“Relax,” Applejack said. “We don’t do that kinda stuff in public.”
“In private, on the other hand…” Twilight said with a roguish grin. Applejack chortled and started blushing. Pinkie Pie giggled and snorted while she led them to their table.
Twilight and Applejack stared into each other’s eyes as they dug into their cupcakes.
“I’m glad we’re giving this a shot,” Twilight said.
“Yeah, it’s really nice,” Applejack replied. “Honestly, I never would’ve predicted this would happen two months ago.”
“Me neither. It’s crazy, right?”
“Absolutely,” Applejack said, wiping some frosting from her muzzle. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
