It was about 4:30 or 5 am.

As soon as she became aware of it, Twilight giggled and squirmed a little. The sensation of Applejack nibbling on her ear sent a little electrical charge right down her spine and then to that recently discovered and wonderful spot between her legs. Twilight though still half asleep was somewhat excited about what it possibly meant, but she still had questions. In any case making love to Applejack was always welcome. Using magic she lit the large candles that stood on the new wall mounted iron candle holders over the headboard.

"Mmmmm you're such a naughty pony" she said with a sleepy smile.

"It’s all your fault, you make me frisky, sugarcube," replied Applejack.

It took a moment for it to register. Then Twilights eyelids flew open wide. She rolled over until she was atop Applejack with her hooves resting on the bed, propped on either side of AJ's chest "Did you just call me sugarcube? You did didn’t you?" Twilight leaned down and started to rapidly kiss her neck. “Sug-” *kiss* “-gar-” *kiss* “-cube!”

"SugarCUBE That's the secret word?!! Finally!!" Applejack said then suddenly started giggling and squirming as Twilight kissed her on the side of the neck. Twilight paused.

"What do you remember? Anything else?" she asked, her eyes bright with excitement.

"I know this sounds crazy, but did Spike ever build me a mountain of rocks?"

"YES!! He did!!" Twilight began to kiss her all over her chest and make her way down her front. AJ was squirming again and giggling.

"Oh yeah my naughty little Princess! Keep going!” Applejack craned her neck up a little to look down past Twilight’s head at her two magnificent lavender wings that had begun to open. “Are you getting ready to take off or are you just glad to see me sugarcube?”

Twilight, still kissing the rich blonde coat over her firm taut tummy, looked up and rolled her eyes at the now familiar joke. Her happiness had only enhanced her arousal. As her head moved down to Applejack’s hips she caught the scent of her sexual musk. It bought out the deeper feelings of love and desire.

Then a cry of agony erupted from Applejack as a sudden shock of pain ripped through her skull. She put her hooves on either side of her head and screamed out, trying to say what had happened but all she managed to get out was “…Twilight..." she burst into tears and pulled up her knees, going into a fetal position. “…it hurts so much, what’s happening?” she screamed shutting her eyes tight and gritting her teeth, her hooves still pressed to either side of her head. Then, just as suddenly it stopped and she unclenched a little, still breathing fast and whimpering in pain.

Her eyes, full of panic, stared out at nothing. She suddenly looked at Twilight. "Oh Twilight, I think I'm going to be sick” she cried, panting hard from the pain. A bucket suddenly materialized in front of her. Twilight took hold of it and held it for her. Applejack looked up at Twilight. The young earth pony shook her head slowly, not wanting to believe the look of fear she saw in Twilight’s eyes. Suddenly she turned and vomited into the pail. A damp washcloth materialized and Twilight took it out of the air and wiped Applejack’s face.

Applejack looked up at her, crying in agony, "Everything is wrong Twilight,” her voice trembled with fear and pain, “something very bad is happening.” She pressed her hooves to her eyes to ease the pain. Her cries built until her mouth strained open in a silent scream. She drew in a deep sharp breath before breaking down into sobs. Suddenly she vomited again, shuddering. Twilight had never seen the strongest, most protective of all her friends, so terrifyingly helpless. A fresh cool washcloth materialized and Twilight wiped the sweet blonde face with it. "It hurts so much” Applejack cried, “it feels like something inside me is tearing itself apart." The pain became so intense, she began to started hyperventilate “What’s happening Twilight? I'm scared, I'm so scared.” the terror in the little pony’s voice as she cried, ripped at Twilight’s heart, threatening to completely unhinge her. “It feels like I’m drowning, please don't let me die, I'm begging you, don't let me die," she sobbed.

“You’re not going to die, you have to believe that. Just try not to panic, I’m right here.” Twilight had never worked harder in her entire life than she did at that moment, trying to be brave for her friend and love. She kissed her forehead and then gently helped her like back down, using magic to pile the pillows up behind her. As she started to ease her back into them, Applejack suddenly wrapped her arms around Twilight and hugged her hard. Twilight pulled her close, squeezing her own eyes as tight as she could to hold back the tears.

"Just don't let go of me Twilight and I can't die. As long as I stay here in your arms then I'm safe, right?" The panic in Applejack’s voice seemed to ease a little. “That's all. Death won't take me from my Princess, will it? It can't pull us apart if we don't let go of each other, and we won't will we? Don't let me go, please promise me you'll never let me go..."

Twilight could barely whisper, “I promise you Applejack..” but as she spoke Applejack’s eyes rolled back and she went limp in Twilight’s arms. “No, no, oh dear Celestia, please no…”

She couldn’t get a hold of reality, couldn’t grasp what was happening. Twilight had no idea what to do. She leaned forward, laying Applejack gently on the pillows and put her ear to her chest, listening. There was a heartbeat, fast, but steady and strong.. Her breathing was rough, but that was to be expected with all the stress she was under. Physically, she was fine.

Applejack’s eyes slowly opened. Twilight let out the breath she’d been holding in and hugged her tight. She did her best to sound brave.

"It's okay sweetie, it's okay, just try to relax, you're not going to die. That is not going to happen, you have to believe me, I will not let that happen. Your heart is strong and steady, your breathing is solid and clean." She sat up and looked at those green eyes that held more love for her than she could bare. “You’re going to be fine.” Twilight’s voice was steady, though the tears wouldn’t stop. She stroked Applejack’s mane. “You still owe me a romantic dinner in Canterblanca; you’re not getting out of that you know.”

Applejack, laying back on the pillows, looked back at her and gave her a little smile and a nod. She blinked and fresh tears spilled from the corners of her eyes.

“We had so much fun Twilight, I loved every moment,” she reached up and caressed Twilights cheek. “No pony could ever have loved me more.”

“Don’t talk like that! You’re just being a drama queen now. Stop it!” Twilight was angry, and immediately felt bad about it. “Obey your Princess” she said softly.

Applejack smiled but her eyelids were getting heavy now. “Hey, I’m your evil Queen, don’t forget,” her words began to slur “so behave, because I’ll be watching you…”

“You’ll remind me yourself,” Twilight’s voice had become a strained whisper “won’t you my Queen?”

With tremendous effort Applejack raised her hoof and caressed the soft lavender face again. “Your Queen commands that you stop looking so sad” she mumbled and paused. The two of them looked at each other, not saying a word. “Please don't’ look so sad sugarcube.”

Tears spilled from her lavender eyes and fell as Twilight gave an earnest little nod and tried to smile but it was shaky. “I-I will. I’ll try to obey everything you tell me to do, I’ll be so good sweetie, you won’t believe it, only please don’t leave me alone again. Please. If you go, what will I do with nothing? Because no pony will ever know…” But Applejack had closed her eyes.

“…just please don’t leave me.”

Twilight, her arms wrapped around the sweet blonde pony, gently rested her head on Applejack’s chest. She lay there and wept, her head on Applejac’s chest, feeling her breathe.