I sat on the edge of the bed and just stared back at Apple Pie, she was looking down towards the floor and had a look on her face that told me she was trying to comprehend my reply. I kept my mouth shut and allowed Apple Pie her time to think, though I didn't have to wait long.

“So my husband wasn't wrong when he told me about the Griffons you...killed...”

I sighed. “I killed Griffons yes, but did your husband tell you that the ones I killed were the bad kind.” When I realised Apple Pie didn't know what I meant I knew I had to explain further. “I killed Griffons that killed other Griffons, I was the one responsible for taking out most of the organised crime in the Griffon Colonies.”

Apple Pie's eyes widen. “That was you? We read about that in a paper my husband gets from the colonies. Though they never stated who was responsible...” Apple Pie taps her chin.

I chuckle. “Applejack does that when she's thinking, wonder if that runs in the family.” I stand up and walk to Apple Pie, I kneel down and hold my arms out as I gesture for her to walk forward.

Apple Pie looks to the door and then back to me before she smiles and walks forward giving me a hug. I close my arms around her and give her a little squeeze before letting go.

“What was that for?” Apple Pie asks tilting her head.

“Pinkie always said that hugs say more than words ever could so I thought of giving it a try.” I reply. “I'm just glad that we have talked Apple Pie, I would have hated it if we didn't speak for the time you was here.” I stand up and head for the door, I grab the handle and turn back to her. “I have put your suitcases on the beds in the guest room so you two can fight over the beds.” I laugh as Apple Pie giggles. I open the door and I hear commotion down stairs, I walk to the top of the staircase and hear Applejack shouting at someone.

“Ah don't care who you are! Ah want ya out of my house!”

“I will not leave without my wife! I will not leave her with that monster!” A new voice shouts back.

I frown and head downstairs to see what is going on. Apple Pie follows after me. I walk into the kitchen to see Applejack staring down a large griffon. I walk forward two steps to witness the griffon push pass Applejack and knock her to the ground. Applejack rubs her back leg as I growl at the griffon. I teleport to the griffon and grab him by the neck, he squawks out as I open the kitchen door and fling him out.

The griffon lands on his head with a thump and Apple Pie runs by me.

“Commander no! That's my husband!”

I let out a snort. “Then tell him not to lay a claw on my marefriend!”

The griffon slowly gets to a sitting position and points to me while rubbing his head.

“See! I told you how dangerous he is! You coming home now!”

I teleport to stand next to him and point a finger at his face. “You know nothing about me! You think you know what happened in the colonies? You. Know. Nothing!”

“I went through hell everyday I was there! I almost died several times! I didn't come away unscathed either!” I remove my shirt showing the griffon the scars on my chest, I point to them as my anger grows. “I received these as a reminder of my time over there! I thought of nothing else but to get back to Applejack, if it wasn't for her I would never have survived!” I point my finger at Apple Pie. “What would you do for your wife!? I bet any amount of bits you would have done the same things I did! So don't you dare come here and pretend you know everything about me!”

I fall backwards and land on my ass as I feel all the emotions come running back, I feel the tears fall down my cheeks.

“You have no idea what I went through....” I put my head in my hands and break down in front of everybody present. “You have no idea...” I felt a hoof touch my arm, I look up to see Apple Pie smiling down at me.

“I don't know what you went through John but I can see that these tears are not fake. I believe you when you say you went through 'hell' to get back but you're back now and with your family. When the other elders get here I will give them my full blessing for you to marry Applejack.” Apple Pie gives me a hug which I return. “She deserves somepony like you.”

“Thank you...” I whisper back giving her one last squeeze before she let's go.

I watch as Apple Pie turns to her husband and a deep frown comes to her face.

“And you! I am not some piece of property! I came here to see my cousin and make sure she has a wonderful Hearths Warming!” Apple Pie points a hoof at her husband who flinches. “Go home! I don't what to see you for a while! Oh and one more thing! You're getting blue balled for a month!” The griffon squawks in shock but nods anyway. He takes to the sky and flies off leave a very angry mare behind.

I stand up and place a hand on Apple Pie's shoulder. “I'm sorry for throwing your husband out the door, when he pushed Applejack I kind of just lost it.”

Apple Pie turns to look at me. “It's OK, I had a feeling he was going to ruin this for me but I can handle him. Now let's get back inside and see the damage he's caused.”

I nod and follow Apple Pie into the house picking up my shirt on the way and slipping it on. I go to open the door but Apple Pie steps in my way, I give her a raised eyebrow until I notice she was looking at my chest. I go to say something when she looks up to me and gives me a smile.

“Applejack never told us about the scars.” Apple Pie states.

I sigh. “Only a few ponies know about them, I was going to tell the others but I'm not sure how.”

Apple Pie puts a hoof on my leg. “If you need any help in figuring that out, I'll be here.”

I put a hand on her hoof. “Thank you.” I remove my hand and touch the door. “Let's get in side.”

I push open the door and Apple Pie enters as I follow, I spot Applejack sitting at the kitchen table with Apple Fritter tying a bandage around her right hind leg. Applejack looks up and gives me a smile.

“It looks worse than it is.”

“My husband won't be harming anypony more, I sent him home.” Apple Pie said with a grin.

I turn and suddenly grab Apple Pie lifting her up. “In true Apple fashion too.” I give Apple Pie a slobbery kiss on her cheek before dropping her down.

Apple Pie rubs her cheek and splutters. “Eww! Stallion germs!”

I place my hands on my hips and give Apple Pie a menacing grin. “Oh really? Then how about this then!” I say lunging at Apple Pie but only to find out she was faster. “Damn Apple treachery!” I shout as I turn and point at Apple Pie.

Applejack and Apple Fritter both laugh as Apple Pie looks at me in horror. I turn to Applejack and smile.

“I think the Apple tickle torture might be needed here don't you think?”

Applejack grins and nods. “Ah was thinking the same thing.”

Apple Pie was looking very nervous as she looked to Applejack. “W-What's the tickle torture?”

I smirk. “Oh you'll find out...” I dash forward but was ready for Apple Pie's dodge, I have done this a lot with Applejack. I grab Apple Pie's back legs as she tries to crawl away.

“No! Mercy!” Apple Pie cries.

“Never!” I shout as I pounce and start the tickle torture.

“Ah can't believe ya did that to my cuz?” Apple Fritter says with a smile.

Applejack, Apple Fritter and I had moved out to sit on the porch of the farmhouse as Apple Pie sleep on the couch from the tickle torture. I looked to Apple Fritter and gave her a smile.

“You want one too?”

Apple Fritter looks to me with a grin. “Maybe later, ah still feel a tired from the train journey.”

I nod. “Fair enough.” I look down to Applejack laying her head on my lap. “You OK Applejack, how's the leg?”

Applejack cracks open an eye. “Ah'm fine, legs still hurting though but ah'm sure that will pass.”

I reach down and stroke Applejack's mane. “You take it easy on that leg, I don't want you injuring it more.”

Applejack sighs. “Ah won't.” Applejack rolls over so she was belly up, my signal to start.

I move my left hand to her barrel and start to slowly drag my fingers over her fur. I start with long lines like I'm ploughing a field then I move to making circles with my fingers. I get rewarded with an approving sigh.

“Ya two are so good together.”

I turn my head to Apple Fritter. “We get that often.” I look back to Applejack. “I would do anything for Applejack, she's my world Fritter. I don't know what I would do without her.”

Apple Fritter stands up. “Well ah think ah'm going to bed. Goodnight cuz, goodnight John.”

“Goodnight Fitter.” I reply.

“Night Frit.” Applejack returns.

I watch the front door as Fritter enters and closes it. “Looks like I made a good impression huh?” When I get no answer I look down to find Applejack had fallen asleep. “Well, guess it's that time.” I say looking up to the stars.