Broken Wings, Chapter 6 - Overkill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RSN0toTbFA
>Yep…that’s the one.
>Close enough to town, plenty of land, near Sweet Apple Acres, nice big home.
>It’ll strain your finances for awhile, but you got enough saved up.
>Barely.
“I’ll take this one.”
>You point to the plot of land on the map as the Mayor nods, fishing the appropriate deed out from her files.
>”Very well Anon, you can make payments on the property at City Hall. I’ll go ahead and wave the fees for you.”
“Oh? Why?”
>The mayor blushes. “Well, I’ve gotten so many compliments on my tail today…”
>…
>Well, lucky you.
>A few signatures, a couple stamps, and done.
>You now own a small ranch on the outskirts of town.
>You fold the deed up and place it in your pocket as you step out of City Hall.
>You should have a few hours before Rainbow Dash is lucid enough to talk to, following the rod removal.
>Enough time to check the house out, make plans for renovations and…
>…is that…
>Yep. Here comes AJ, galloping up the street right towards you.
>Hoo boy, she looks pissed.
>”ANON! WHAT’S THIS AH HEAR ABOUT YOU MOVIN’ OUT?!”
>She skids to a stop in front of you, out of breath and clearly hurt.
>How did she even find out?
>Probably called the hospital, looking for you.
>You sigh and get down to eye level with AJ, who was in such a rush she forgot her Stetson.
“Well…it’s true. I have to, immediately.”
>”ANON, IF THIS IS YER IDEA AH TAKING THINGS SLOW, IT’S NOT FAIR T’EVERYP0NY ELSE!”
>You place your hands on AJ’s shoulders as she fights back tears welling in her eyes.
“No nonono…it’s not you or your family, it’s…”
>”It’s what?” Applejack sniffles, about to break out in a full-on cry.
“It’s Rainbow.”
>You proceed to explain the situation. As you do, AJ’s anger subsides, though her obviously hurt feelings persist.
“…so I’m going in to private practice. General medicine, surgical consults, that kind of thing. While I do that, Rainbow will live in my home, and I will see to her rehab.”
>AJ looks down at the ground, forming the right words.
>”Ah…Ah guess that’s as good a’reason as any…but…ah wish y’would have talked t’me first.”
>You sigh and hug Applejack, who nuzzles into your chest.
“I know, I’m sorry, but…I didn’t have a lot of time, and I have a lot to do…”
>You ruffle her mane as AJ looks up at you.
“It would mean a lot if you could help me with this, AJ…”
>AJ sighs, defeated.
>”Yeah…ah suppose.”
>You reward AJ’s flexibility with a smile and a kiss, enough to bring a red shade to the mare’s cheeks.
“Thanks darlin’, sorry for all of this…”
>The pet name just makes AJ’s blush more furious as a smile cracks across her face.
>”Alright sugarcube…you go back n’see t’Rainbow. Ah’ll go and explain t’everyone what’s goin’ on an’ start gettin’ yer stuff moved. It’s slow today at the farm, so we ain’t got nuthin’ t’do anyway.”
>You two share a goodbye kiss as you stand, heading back towards the hospital.
>”ANON, DON’T GO BELIEVIN’ YOU DON’T OWE ME FER THIS!”
>Oh, you believe it.

--------------

>The sun is setting by the time you get back to the hospital.
>You make a beeline for Rainbow’s room.
>She looks at you listlessly.
>”Oh…hey Anon.”
>Either she’s still loopier than a NASCAR track, or she’s still upset at you.
>For what? You don’t know.
“Hey Rainbow. How are you feeling?”
>Rainbow stretches gently as you look over her chart, finally able to move her forehooves.
>They seem to have gotten thinner from disuse over the past week, rehab will be interesting to say the least.
>”I’m feelin…well, pretty good.”
>Still loopy.
>You sit down next to her as she keeps her purple gaze locked on you.
>”Nurse said…I’m getting out of here tomorrow…”
“That’s right…”
>”Insurance…said..no rehab?”
“It’s all taken care of Rainbow.”
>She groggily cocks her head to the side. “Whaddya mean? What did you do?”
“Well, long story short, I’m starting a private practice.”
>”…I don’t see what this has to do with me.”
>You just cough.
“I bought some land just outside of town, open an office, and you will live with me. I will handle your rehab.”
>For the first time in almost two days, a smile spreads across Rainbow Dash’s face.
>”R…really? You’d do that for me?”
>You would?
>You made a promise…
>You aren’t sure why, maybe it’s your friends and their relation to her, or maybe it’s all the extra time you’ve spent with Rainbow.
>What you do know is that she’s not just another patient.
“Yeah,..I mean, I promised I would take care of you, right?”
>Rainbow sinks a little into her pillow. “Yeah…”
>You can’t help but smile. It’s an adorable scene.
>You can’t wait to see her back in her element.
>”Anon…”
“Yeah, Dash?”
>”Would you read to me some more?”
>You are genuinely surprised. At first, she was embarrassed you had to read her books to her.
“But, you can use your hooves again. Walking might take a bit, but you can certainly handle a book.”
>Dash just looks away, groggily embarrassed.
>”Yeah…but…I just like it when you read to me, okay?”
>Wow…just…wow.
>You didn’t think this mare could do anything else that surprises you.
>Oh well…you got some time.
>You smile and open her book as Rainbow snuggles in to her bedding, getting comfortable.
“Daring Doo and the Search for Fucks to Give, Chapter 12…The Search for More Money…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj2CD5xgpNY
>The next few days pass as a blur.
>First things first, you hand in your resignation as chief surgeon.
>You keep yourself available for emergencies though, you’ll be spending a lot of time here still, as needed.
>No need for goodbyes, however Nurse Redheart does convince you to hire her as an assistant.
>You spend the morning boxing up your office.
>You take a moment to look at the bare room.
>You built your new life behind this desk.
>Well…now it’s your old life.
>You finish up by handling Rainbow’s discharge as the three of you make way to the new digs.
>Dang.
>When AJ said she’d get your stuff moved, she apparently meant get the whole place fixed up.
>By the time you arrived with Rainbow, the place is nearly fixed up, and all your stuff is moved in.
>They even got some human-sized furniture.
>Big Mac and Applebloom were disappointed to see you go, but they got over it.
>Applebloom when she learned she could come play on your land anytime.
>Big Mac when you told him you’d give him a discount on your services.
>As for AJ, well, she got over it after a romantic dinner in town.
>You managed to talk her down from rutting to a night spent asleep in your arms.
>This girl needs a new definition of slow.
>While the Apples saw to the house, and Redheart saw to Rainbow, you went to the library.
>You check out books. Books on things like rehab techniques, pegasus aerodynamics, advanced unicorn sexually transmitted diseases.
>Horn rot…ugh.
>Twilight is a big help. You’d expect nothing less from a librarian.
>She also helps you find that p0ny dating guide you wanted to keep on the down low.
>You meet with patients, explaining what is going on, inviting them to your private practice.
>Most say yes, that’s a huge load off your toad.
>By dusk of the second night, you stand in front of your new place of business.
>At least you nailed the sign up yourself.
>But this isn’t just a place of business, it’s a home.
>A home for you.
>A home for Rainbow until she can return to her true home.
>Perhaps a home for you and Applejack to grow old together.
>Are you diving in too deep?
>Oh well, no time for regrets.
>You open your front door and step inside.