Day 1

James awoke in the morning to some slight snoring to his left and right. When James got his bearings of his surroundings he saw that Rarity and Fluttershy sleeping on each of his sides. James slid his body out so he could go take his shower. If they were sleeping next to him then it was most likely that they chose to be part of the harem. James could feel a little happiness in his chest but it didn’t last long. As quick as that ray of happiness it just disappeared into nothingness. James headed for the shower to help clear his head of some of the past events over the last two days. Rarity and Fluttershy woke soon after James left the room. They rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and saw that James wasn’t with them. Before thoughts of worry could enter their thoughts they heard the shower water turn on. Upon hearing the pouring water they smiled and went downstairs to get breakfast started. As they were cooking they talked about their choices.

“So Fluttershy are you sure that you want to do this? I mean he said that he wouldn’t hate you if you weren’t a part of it. He did leave the choice up to us whether or not we wanted to join.”

“I’m very sure Rarity. He is willing to split his love between us and is trying to keep us all happy. I just really hope that Spitfire will give us a chance is all.” Fluttershy looked at her friend with a smile spread across her face. Rarity returned the gesture with her own but she had her own doubts. Rarity knew that she loved James but she wasn’t sure if she could like or even love any other mare that may be a part of this harem. As far as she and Fluttershy knew the harem has so far included herself, Fluttershy, and Spitfire. James did mention that he knew about the bet so he may want the other eight to join but that was just a guess at best on that. Then there was that problem with Aloe and Lotus that took advantage of him. As she thought about those two spa mares she didn’t see that she crushed the wooden spoon that she was stirring with.

Rarity felt the little splinters in her hand and looked at it. Rarity took a deep breath to compose herself before she let her anger get the best of her. Fluttershy told her that they came by later in the night apologizing for their actions. Both Rarity and Fluttershy were uncertain if they could forgive them because what they did could have hurt James more than what he was already. As Rarity put the bandage around her hand there was a knock at the door. When Rarity opened it she saw Octavia standing outside in a simple jeans and t-shirt. She was probably trying to keep her appearance to a minimal because of how famous she was. Rarity stepped to the side to let the cellist in. Octavia gave a bright smile to Rarity and then to Fluttershy who came out of the kitchen to see who was at the door.

After Octavia was finished shaking hands and giving her good mornings to the two mares she saw James at the top of the stairs. She could see that James was being very solemn but still gave her a smile as she waved to him. James turned around to pack his clothes, as he was certain that Octavia was here to pick him up and take him to her house. Octavia helped Rarity and Fluttershy set up the table as they waited for James to come back down. James walked down the stairs and placed his bag next to the door. He joined the three mares at the table and ate breakfast in silence. James didn’t need to have a quiet breakfast but could still feel the tension in the air so tried to avoid any conversation so they wouldn’t rip the two spa mares apart. Once breakfast was over James cleaned the dishes as Octavia pulled Rarity and Fluttershy to the living room so they could talk.

“So is it true that Aloe and Lotus took advantage of him?” Octavia asked looking back in the kitchen to make sure that James wasn’t listening to their conversation.

“Unfortunately yes it did happen and I am very upset. I can’t help but blame myself for that incident. I brought up the idea of taking him to the spa and didn’t think of any consequences.” Rarity answered as tears were starting to fill her eyes and her anger was slowly coming to a boil. Fluttershy and Octavia gave Rarity a hug to help calm her nerves and let her know that it wasn’t her fault.

“It’s not your fault Rarity. Nopony could have seen this coming. We just need to keep a closer eye on James and make sure that this didn’t hurt him.” Fluttershy assured Rarity as she watched James finish putting away the dishes and leaving the kitchen.

Octavia and James left the boutique after giving their goodbyes and each other some hugs. James followed Octavia down the street keeping his distance a bit. Octavia saw that he was slightly hanging back but didn’t pay it much mind as he was still following her. Octavia had to take the time to go shopping to get the supplies for his drink that he still needed to take. The doctor told them that he needed to take it for ten weeks to help keep the magic in his system stable. Octavia was able to keep his exercises in priority since she had a gym membership. She never had much time to go to the gym since she had to practice so much. Though she had it just in case if she had time and was glad that she kept it. Octavia talked to the owners of the gym if it was okay if James could use her membership to exercise there. They said that it was okay as long she came with him to make sure that it wasn’t a lie.

Octavia smiled that she will be able to keep James in shape and keep him safe from any harm now that she was on her watch. Octavia had a few plans later in the week to do with James. She knew that James would enjoy it somewhat since he did enjoy music. He may not be able to do much since he has been staying in his shell but he was still going to make some effort. They reached her home and she let them inside. The inside was clean and smelled of fresh lilies. James followed Octavia to one of her spare rooms that he would be staying in. James placed his stuff on the ground and laid on the bed while Octavia went to the kitchen to make lunch. James was thinking to himself how he has been training for two weeks and only has made little progress in getting his strength back. It was still hard to lift heavy objects and James could only walk around so much before he started to feel tired. James had this itching feeling that he wasn’t ever going to be himself again.

James heard Octavia call for him from the living room and headed for that area. James reached the bottom and joined Octavia at the table and ate their lunch. Lunch was much like breakfast where there was nothing but silence and James just let it sit there. James was certain that Octavia and the other mares knew about what happened at the spa and was a little worried. James was even more worried on how Spitfire had taken the news when she was told. James knew that she could be very protective if she needed to be and her flaming mane and tail were not just for show. Though James has never seen any signs he could feel the little heat that came off from it. James was certain that it could possibly turn into real fire but never wanted to see that happen ever.

Lunch was over and Octavia walked him to the gym after dishes were cleaned. When James reached the gym he was greeted by two stallions running the front desk. They were very nice to James as they welcomed him to their gym. They ran over the safety rules and equipment usage as they did with new arrivals. James knew how the equipment was to be used and what to be careful with but let them do their job just because it needed to be done. Once the introductions were done James began his workout routine. James went light as Octavia watched him from one of the chairs placed around as she read a magazine. James finished his exercises and they headed back home. Once home James took a shower as Octavia got started on dinner. James finished his shower and went downstairs to eat with Octavia. Octavia made small talk with him as she asked if everything went okay in the gym and got everything done. James assured her that all went well and he would keep up the pace that he needed to get better. When dinner was over James helped clean up and then headed for bed to relax his racing mind from the worries of the next six days.

Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

James woke up in the morning and went through the now all too familiar routines that he had to. James kept receiving the mysterious drink and even though Spitfire told him to talk to Twilight about he just had to ask the others if they knew what it was for. They all avoided the question and just told him to talk to Twilight about. James thought to himself that Twilight better have a good explanation about the drink because he was starting to get a little angry at the run around that he was going through. James kept going to the gym and doing his exercises and on a couple of days Octavia joined him.

Octavia then had James help her with her music when they were at home with no plans. James helped by making steady beats as Octavia let the notes come to her and she wrote them down. After the music was written she would play it on her cello for James to hear. James would point out where there could be some changes in the music and they were some good points. When Octavia put down some the changes to the music and then played it again it sounded more heavenly than before. James may not have studied music much but knew how a steady rhythm should be and how to created a soothing melody.

After a couple of days James was letting his weakness get the better of him. James was waking up sadder and sadder than he was feeling before. James could feel the tears fill his eyes as he was filled with dread and worry. James never had this problem before when he was having to exercise after a long hospital visit. Before James let the tears fall from his face he went to the bathroom. James stared into the mirror at his ruined body. James looked at his three scars and the tiny hole sized scar in his abdomen. As James stared at his destroyed self he couldn’t control the anger that came. James was so full of anger at this point that he punched the mirror and shattered it. Octavia heard the shattering glass and quickly ran to James’ room. When she entered the bathroom she saw James holding his right hand that was dropping blood. Octavia went over to James and pulled out the first aid kit. She grabbed his right hand and started treating it.

“James why did you punch that mirror for?” Octavia asked as she looked at James worry in her eyes.

“Because Octavia it has been nearly three weeks and I have made no progress. No matter how hard I try and do the exercises I can’t get my strength back. I don’t like being in this state any longer that I have to. I used to be able to heal from something like this quickly back in my world but now I don’t know.” James let some of the tears that were building up in his eyes. Once Octavia was finished bandaging his hand she went and wiped away his tears. James looked at her as she just smiled and hugged him.

“It may take a while James but that is why we are all here. We are here to support you and make sure that you are your old self. So just keep trying because I believe that you can do it.” Octavia just continued to hug James so he would calm down. James was slightly calmer than he was before and they left the bathroom so he could eat lunch before going to the gym.

James was in the gym and training very hard. Octavia left but had the two stallions keep somewhat of an eye on him. Since Octavia was gone James decided to push himself as hard as he could. Sure the mares that would watch over him wouldn’t like it he needed to do this. James intensified his workout that he worked himself to the bone. After James finished one set of the first exercise he could feel himself about to vomit. James ignored it though and just kept going. After his third exercise James couldn’t hold it any more and puked into a trashcan. Once James was finished emptying his stomach he went back to his exercises. James was now sweating profusely more than ever before and could feel that he was going to vomit again. James was able to hold it in this time as he finished his exercises.

Octavia left James at the gym so she could walk around Ponyville and think about how she felt. During her time in the orchestra she enjoyed playing music and the wonderful fans that showed up. Octavia never wanted to be famous playing her cello but when a reporter came to one of the concerts he did an article on her performance. It talked about how beautiful she was and how heavenly her music sounded. Octavia was tired of having to hide her face if she wanted to get around Canterlot so that is when she decided to move to Ponyville. When she came here a few ponies recognized her but didn’t make such a big deal about it. They welcomed her as any other ordinary citizen and treated her fairly. Octavia enjoyed her time in Ponyville and she made a few other friends as she was living there. Though as time was going by Octavia was starting to get bored. She was bored of her music and the orchestra. She was thinking of quitting until James showed up. When she met James she thought that he was some punk that probably didn’t know good classical music. She was proven wrong as he shared his taste in music and that he was well versed in multiple genres. Octavia would always feel her chest tighten everytime she was near James and couldn’t tell if she was in love or not. During his stay Octavia was becoming more enamored with the man. As Octavia was working on her music that she left blank for weeks because she couldn’t think of anything. Though her time with James she was able to write some music. When she sat at her stand she just wrote the music out as it sounded and let it run freely. Once the music was done and she started playing she saw that it was a love song. As she played she added little lyrics to the song and as she sang it she noticed that James was the reason for this song. Octavia then knew that James was the one that she wanted to stay with. She would never let her thoughts ever waver from James because he was so inspirational to her. Octavia was glad to meet James and wanted to be with him no matter what it took. There were some stallions that tried to court her but she turned them all down. James knew of her reputation but never treated her differently. James treated her as a fair mare and never made and straight forward advances to her. Octavia saw this a nice side to him and knew that he was everything for her. Octavia was finished with her thoughts as she was determined to keep James safe and went back to the gym, as he should have finished his exercises.

Day 7

James got up early in the morning and started doing a small workout routine that he came up with. He would begin with push-ups and then switch to sit-ups and then finish with some pull-ups. James worked himself very hard on these three workouts until he felt himself getting sick. James finished his three workouts and headed for the shower. He passed Octavia on the way to the bathroom and told her that he needed to talk to her after breakfast. Octavia nodded to his request and headed for downstairs and towards the kitchen. James went to the shower and looked at the newly repaired mirror. James felt a little pang of guilt for having break that mirror but easily pushed it away. James didn’t know where these push off feelings that he was getting were coming from but hoped they would stop. Not only did James want his strength back he wanted to have some feelings again. James took one last look at himself before getting into the shower.

Once James was finished he went downstairs to join Octavia for breakfast. James took his drink first so he could just get it over with. After his drink was gone he cleaned the dirty glass. As James cleaned the glass Octavia got the table set. Once James was done he joined Octavia at the table and ate. Once breakfast was done James and Octavia cleaned their dishes. Once they were cleaned they headed for the living room and sat down on the couch. James looked at her with a serious tone and before she could say anything James began to speak.

“Octavia I know that date bet that all of you made those weeks ago. I wanted to apologize that you thought that I wanted a herd. I want to actually start a harem with those that I love. I have Spitfire already as the lead mare for it and I have already told Rarity and Fluttershy. I believe that they want to join and I hope you do to. I won’t be hurt if you choose not to join but I want you to give it some consideration. If you do decide to join you will need to speak with Spitfire about because she decides who joins.” Once James was finished he gave Octavia a small hug and went on his way upstairs. As James was upstairs Octavia stared out the window at the setting sun. She placed her right hand over her heart and closed her eyes. As she did this she took a few breaths and cleared her head. After her head was cleared and she had some time to think she got up and left for her bedroom, as she was certain on her answer. She went to her room with a smile on her face and ready to tackle any day as long she was with James.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to ErikTheSoulReaper for the order of who is watching James during these weekly watches.