Scootaloo sobbed into Virtue's mane trying to calm herself. She knew Virtue was right, she needed to confide in somepony what has been hurting her for so long. It stung her heart just thinking about it. She could feel pain in her chest, a pain that has been her companion for a long time. It was eating at her soul, her resolve and she needed it gone. The warm embrace of the other mare comforted her and eased the pain. She took a few deep breaths and pulled her face away from Virtue's mane.

"Well, let me start at the beginning... I never believed in love at first sight or all that mushy stuff because I thought I was a tough cool filly. I was a tomcolt, I liked to do boy things mostly. Except I always had a crush on this certain unicorn, she was sweet and so adorable although I'd never admit it at the time of course. This unicorn had an amazing singing voice but she was shy so it was truly amazing to hear her sing. Well one day it hit me, like a charging bull, love. I fell for her so hard it drove me insane. I never thought I could love or that love happened like that but it did. As it turned out she really liked me too, like we were meant to be. We stayed together all the way through high school. After is when everything changed...never in a million years would I have imagined doing what I did and if I could go back...I'd give up anything to go back. Everything changed around the time my dad passed away. We weren't very close, he worked long hours as a broker. He was often away from home on business trips but he loved me a lot, I was all he had." Scootaloo paused a little taking a breath. "After he passed away he left me a everything he owned, a more than adequate amount of money and a house and even a condo I didn't know he owned in Canterlot. But I guess that makes sense because it seemed he was there more than at home. Anyway, he left it all to me... except out of the blue my mother shows up with a lawyer to try and claim my inheritance. She left daddy and I long before I can remember. He never talked much about her but I think he said I was maybe a week old when she left. At first I was excited to meet my mother but believe me when I say I'm putting this lightly, she was a bitch, a greedy evil bitch. Cold, calculating...just rotten to the core. She had no interest in me, she barley acknowledged me, she wanted that money. While that was going on, one day my marefriend gets a record contract offer and everything fell apart. My entire life crumbled."

Scootaloo paced her room with annoyance. How could she just ignore me like that? How? My own mother! All she wants is daddy's money. She doesn't even know my name. I wish Sweetie were here. Out of anger she kicked her desk, making a loud crash as it slammed against the wall. She froze at the noise it made. I hope daddy didn't hear...oh yeah. Tears filled her eyes and she threw herself on her bed. She heard her bedroom door squeak and open slowly, she heard hooves approaching quietly.

"Scoots?" Sweetie Belle's concerned voice called out from behind her. "Hey baby, what wrong?" Sweetie Belle curled herself around Scootaloo on the bed, holding her tight.

"Everything." Scootaloo muffled voice replied. I'm so glad she's here. Scootaloo rolled over in Sweetie Belle's grip, letting Sweetie Belle spoon her. She felt Sweetie nuzzle her neck. She let the tears flow, as long as Sweetie Belle couldn't see her cry.

"I know it's hard, to lose somepony but it's okay, I'm here for you... and always will be."

"That's not it." Scootaloo said trying to keep her voice level. "I - I met my mom today."

"Oh?" Sweetie Belle replied, still unsure if it was good news or bad news.

"She didn't even know my name. She didn't want to get to know me or know anything about me. She just wanted that money and this house...there's a court date and a judge has to decide if she gets anything."

"That's horrible, I'm so sorry Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle kissed Scootaloo's neck and tightened her grip. She could feel Scootaloo shaking and she knew she was crying. "Scoots, look at me." She said softy. Scootaloo wiggled her body and rolled over so she was facing Sweetie Belle. She could see her puffy eyes and tears running down her face. She kissed her on the cheek.

"You always know how to make me feel better." Scootaloo said as she rubbed her face against Sweetie Belle's neck, clearing the tears from her eyes.

"Of course I do. I'm your fillyfriend, silly." Sweetie Belle said cheerfully. She rubbed her nose against Scootaloo's making her smile, the first time she's smiled in a while. "I'm singing at the Ponyville Lounge tonight. I'll be singing some of your favorite blues songs."

"I'd love to go but I have a lot of stuff to do. I have to meet my lawyer in a couple of hours then I'm going like full Twilight mode. I'm going to study all this legal crap. My mom is very legal savy and she's cold and calculating." Scootaloo sighed. "I do love it when you sing the blues, you are amazing."

"It's okay, I understand but if you do find the time..."

"If I do, I will stop by and be amazed, and with you singing...there's a one hundred percent chance of sex after." Scootaloo smiled and winked. Sweetie Belle smiled seductively at her. "My reward after every show you do, from your number one fangirl."

"I have a fangirl? I'd sure like to meet her. I didn't know any fillies were interested in my music."

"Oh, there's this one filly... I hear she's pretty cool." Sweetie Belle smiled at that. Scootaloo kissed her on the lips. "I love you Sweetie."

"I love you too Scoots." Sweetie Belle smiled at her for a moment. "I'd like to stay and have this fangirl of mine show me just how much she loves my music but I have some things to do before tonight and so do you. I hope I see you tonight." She kissed Scootaloo on the cheek then got up to leave the room. "Will you be all right, honey?"

"Yeah, thank you for being there for me." Scootaloo smiled as Sweetie Belle left.

Scootaloo jumped awake, the sun was shining in through the kitchen window. She was face down in a book, the page soaked in drool. She pushed the book away and looked at the clock. Noon! Oh no I slept through Sweetie's show and half of today. Why didn't anypony tell me this legal crap was so boring? Just as she was stretching she heard her front door open.

"Scoots? Are you in here?" Sweetie Belle's voice called out.

"In here." Scootaloo called out. "Sorry I didn't make it last night. I fell asleep reading this stuff."

"It's okay." Sweetie Belle said simply. Scootaloo looked at her and could tell she was just bursting with excitement.

"How was the show?"

"It was amazing! Guess what? This is amazing!" She said happily.

"Um what?" Scootaloo giggled a little at her excitement.

"I got spotted! I was offered a record deal!"

"Sweetie, that's awesome. I knew you could do it."

"Yeah, and I'm moving to Manehatten next week -"

"What?" Scootaloo said flatly. This is too soon.

"You are coming too, of course."

"Wha - no, Sweetie I can't just leave."

"Scoots, I have it all worked out. We can stay at Sham Song's house, he owns the label...he invited me to stay at his house until I get my own place...I'll just have to ask him about you too. He's going to take me out to the nicest restaurant in town. Oh my gosh Scoots, this is my dream!" Scootaloo just stared at her with a frown.

"Sweetie, what the hell are you talking about? I don't want to move to Manehatten. I've got to work out things with my dad's family. Some lived so far away they didn't make the funeral so they're coming next week to pay their respects. My dear old mother showed up out of the blue and now I've got tons of legal issues." Scootaloo said letting her frustration out. "Look Sweetie, it's great you got an offer but the whole thing just sounds weird. Why can't you do it here? Just set up a studio and do all your recordings here?"

"Because Manehatten has everything I need and the shows I'm headlining will be in the greater Manehatten area."

"I don't like the sound of it. It's too sudden. What did you sign? Why didn't you have a lawyer there?" Scootaloo asked concerned trying to keep her voice level.

"Nothing yet. I sign next week. But I looked over the contract, it's pretty standard." Sweetie Belle waved her hoof disregarding Scootaloo's concern.

"Damnit Sweetie!" Scootaloo pounded her hoof on the table. "Never sign anything unless you have somepony that knows something about contracts present! My mother's lawyer offered me a contract that looked pretty good too but if I had signed it I would be homeless and on the streets without two bits to rub together."

"Scoots, calm down! This is a music contract. Look, I know you can't come to Manehatten now but after things settle down, you could come."

"Sweetie, this is insane! This pony sounds like a creep! I may not know music contracts but I've been reading about these things in general. You don't just get a contract like that, you usually sit down with a bunch of lawyers and negotiate terms and conditions.."

"He was really nice! Just because your mom tried to take everything from you doesn't mean everypony out there is evil."

"No, but think about what you are doing. Think about the whole thing. It makes no sense and just sounds bad. You are too caught up in being a star to see it."

"See what Scoots?" Sweetie Belle asked angrily.

"Who knows, maybe he'll get you in shows and get your albums out there. But stay at his house, fancy dinner, sign a contract later...it sounds like he's wanting something in return..."

"That's ridiculous! You make him out to be some kind of predator! I think you are just jealous!"

"Jealous!" Scootaloo shouted letting her anger surface. "I'm trying to protect you! I can't believe you are being this stupid!"

"I don't need you to protect me! I can handle things myself. You are just jealous I'm going to be somepony and you are just going to be stuck here in this nowhere town and be nothing!" Sweetie Belle spat furiously.

Scootaloo exhaled sharply, Sweetie Belle had stuck her at her core. She bit her tongue fighting the tears. "That's - that's not it Sweetie Belle. Yes, yes I do fear failing but I'm trying to help you see... this is too good to be true." She said softly.

"It's not! Ever since your dad died, you've been a real bitch! He's dead! Get over it!" Sweetie Belle shouted in her ear.

Scootaloo's body shook uncontrollably, she clenched her jaw and ground her teeth. She raised her foreleg and swung with all her might, her rage. She didn't even feel it make contact with Sweetie Belle's face. How dare she call me that, does she know what I've been going through? How dare she talk of my father like that! He was a great pony, sure he wasn't always around but...Sweetie? Scootaloo jumped back at the sight. Sweetie Belle was lying on the floor in a small puddle of blood. "Sweetie Belle - " She looked at her hoof, a tuff of white fur covered part of it. "I - I'm sorry I would never -" Sweetie Belle got to her feet, blood trickling down her face. She backed away slowly. "Please, Sweetie... It was an accident. Please, don't leave -" Sweetie Belle turned and ran out the door without a backward glance.

"Tha, that was the last time we spoke until yesterday." Scootaloo sniffled, her eyes were dry from all the crying. "I can still see the scar. I will never forgive myself. I vowed to never hurt her."

"Scootaloo, you have to lean to let go. If you can't forgive yourself, you will never heal." Virtue said softly, still comforting the distraught young mare.

"I - can't. Especially if I'm reminded of it."

"If you love her, there are two things you can do. One, learn to let go, go back to her. Two, let her go. It isn't fair to her."

"Thanks, Virtue. I think I know what to do."