Scootaloo sat in silence with Sweetie Belle for what seemed liked hours. She couldn’t believe what Sweetie Belle has asked. After all this time, all the hurtful things that were said and done, she wanted her back. Deep down, Scootaloo wanted her too. Yet she feared that too much damage had been done, too much pain on both sides. To Scootaloo there was nothing like that love she felt for Sweetie Belle when they were just school fillies.

The sun was setting and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat on the bench watching ponies pass through the park in silence. There was nothing to say. She knew where Sweetie Belle stood and she had a decision to make. It was simple one yet hard for her as she contemplated her life and all bad decisions she had made. It came down to one thing; did she trust herself to not make the same mistakes she had before? She didn’t know and that scared her.

“Well Scoots, I have to work early tomorrow. I’m glad we got to talk. I hope to see you tomorrow.” Sweetie Belle stood up from the bench reluctantly. She looked at Scootaloo as if she may never see her again before walking away.

Scootaloo wanted to say something as she watched her walk away but her sudden abruptness left her speechless. I love you Sweetie, always have and always will. Scootaloo left the park and returned to her hotel room. She sighed at the wrecked state of the room and began gathering her belongings and stuffing them back in her suitcase. She grabbed the bag in the middle of the room carefully and rushed into the bathroom and flushed it. Proud of her self, Scootaloo collapsed on her bed and fell asleep.

Scootaloo woke later than she wanted to. She felt refreshed, the previous day was traumatic to say the least but it brought closure to a lot of pain she had endured over the years. The thing that still puzzled her was Sweetie Belle, she still wanted her back. Scootaloo racked her brains of the days leading up to their horrible break up. That was three years ago...and since then I was a complete and total mess. She wants to start over then we just sit there. Why didn't I say something? There was nothing to say... then she just walks away. I don't think I can go back to her, I love her but I love a memory of her. Tears began to roll down Scootaloo's face as she rolled out of bed and began to pack her things. She knew Sweetie Belle deserved better than a washed out addict in recovery, she deserved somepony better than her, one that wasn't so self destructive and unstable. I should at least say goodbye to her, I owe her that...

The taxi ride to the east side of Manehatten took no time at all. She paid the driver then walked down the street where she knew Sweetie Belle worked. She passed the blues lounge she met Sweetie Belle in a few days ago. She stopped to look inside but it was closed. Sweetie said she worked in the shop at the corner... Scootaloo stood at an intersections, searching for a music shop. There were many small shops at the intersection and none stood out as a music shop.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew of a music shop around here?" Scootaloo asked a random passing pony.

"There's one over there." The pony pointed across the intersection. "I've heard good things about it but very expensive."

"Thank you."

Reaching the music shop, Scootaloo paused at the door. She took a second to reconsider her decision. She imagined they could live together and have a nice house and be lovers again. That fleeting of fantasy shattered upon one look at herself through the reflection in the glass. She peered beyond her reflection, she could see Sweetie Belle using her magic to move a large grand piano. Scootaloo sighed, well, here goes...something. She pushed the door open and strode inside.

"Hi there! Welcome to Pianos And More, we sell pianos and, well everything else too. I'm Coda shop owner and my assistant is best piano tuner in Equestria. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Scootaloo shook her head as she was greeted by a over zealous light blue unicorn with a pink mane. The shop was much bigger than it appeared from the outside and there was a second floor where she could make out pianos and various other instruments. She noticed Sweetie Belle was still in the back trying to move the same grand piano. "Um, yeah. I was just hopping to speak with Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo watched as Coda's expression changed from confused to sudden understanding.

"Oh, Sweetie has told me all about you. She was right, you are good looking, that flank -" Coda stopped talking abruptly, blushing a little. "Oh Sweetie, a certain somepony is here to see you!" She called out. There was a loud crash and a loud clang that rang out through the air as Sweetie Belle turned her head, letting the piano fall. It only fell a few inched but it made enough noise everypony had to cover their ears.

"Sorry. Scoots! You came to visit my work!" Sweetie Belle squeaked with excitement.

Scootaloo's heart fluttered, she thought it was the cutest thing when Sweetie Belle squeaked like that This just got a lot harder and will that Coda pony stop checking me out? "Can we um talk?"

"Oh...yeah. We can use the office upstairs." Sweetie Belle said, the excitement leaving her voice.

Scootaloo followed Sweetie Belle upstairs into a small office. There was a single desk and a couch, the walls were cluttered with pictures of Coda standing with various ponies, Sweetie Belle appeared in a few and some awards Coda has won. She turned her attention to Sweetie Belle, her eyes were locked on Scootaloo with a look of hopefulness. Scootaloo took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Sweetie, I love you, always have and always will. I don't think I could love anypony like I do you. I know you have forgiven me but the fact remains that I can't forgive myself. What I did was horrible and right now... I'm a mess. You have something good here, really good. I don't want to mess that -"

"Scoots, what are you saying?" Sweetie Belle asked, tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"I'm saying it can't work Sweetie, as much as I want it to -"

"No, it can... just give it a try."

"I - I wish I could but it's not fair to you, to keep you hanging on like this. I don't want to mess up what you got here. All that music for a big time production coming up... you will be a star."

"But that's where I went wrong and I lost you, I would throw it all away for you but I guess you already made up your mind." Sweetie Belle lowered her head, she held back the tears. She knew fighting was pointless, Scootaloo came here to say goodbye after all.

"I do have one last request Sweetie... let me look into those big green eyes of yours." Sweetie Belle looked up, her eyes connected with Scootaloo's. Those big green eyes, mostly what made Scootaloo fall in love with her. "Goodbye Sweetie Belle, I love you and always will be your number one fan." Scootaloo's eyes teared up as she leaned in a kissed Sweetie Belle on the cheek before leaving the office. She left the shop quickly and let her tears flow. She remembered all the good times they had together, she remembered the Sweet Apple Acres Cider Gala and all the crazy events leading up to that. She smiled at the warm memory, one of her favorite and most happy times with her. She collected herself and walked the streets a little, she stuck out a hoof to flag down an oncoming taxi.

"Where ya headed?" A scruffy stallion asked in a think Manehatten accent.

"To the Clydesdale Inn then to Manehatten Central Station, I'll pay double if you hurry." Scootaloo said as she climbed into the taxi.

"Skippin town eh? Where are you in such a hurry to get to?"

"Just shut up and drive!" Scootaloo snapped annoyed. Don't want to deal with this crap now... The cap driver rolled his eyes and broke into a canter.

Sweetie Belle sat on the couch in the small office, her face against the arm rest as she wept softly. She had a feeling this was going to happen but she wished it hadn't. Her heart ached no matter how much she had prepared herself. Scootaloo's farewell words struck at her core destroying all the mental strength she had mustered. There was a small gleam of hope in her heart that she would find Scootaloo at one of the Bridleway preformances, knowing that Scootaloo would probably go to a show she wrote the music for.

Sweetie Belle's ears perked up as she heard the sound of hooves coming up the stairs. She knew Coda was coming up to check on her. She didn't bother to wipe her tears and pretend everything was fine, she knows everything anyways...

"Sweetie darling, is everything all right?" Coda called out. There was a soft knock at the door before she walked in. "Aw Sweetie, what's wrong?" Coda sat down next to Sweetie Belle wrapping a foreleg around her.

"Scootaloo is gone." Sweetie Belle said sadly.

"Gone gone?" Sweetie Belle nodded.

"Where did she go?"

"Who knows, probably catching the next train out of here."

"Well, there's still time! If you leave now...here I'll give you bits for the taxi."

"No point -"

"Sweetie! Don't say such things. You two belong together. You both messed up, I get it but after three years she just happens to walk into that blues lounge? Call me a hopeless romantic but that's no coincidence, you two are soul mates."

"She can't forgive herself, I don't think she ever will."

"You told me she lost all of those close to her. It sounds like she's a little lost. She needs you and you need her. I think, deep down, you know that too." Coda rubbed Sweetie Belle's shoulder. "Now, go get your mare."

"But I work until three today." Sweetie Belle said quietly.

"Not today you don't, this is more important... I'm not going to fire you."

"But -"

"Not buts Sweetie. Besides I was going to send you home anyway, there hasn't been a customer all day. Now, hurry. Before she gets away."

Manehatten Grand Central was an enormous station with high arched ceilings and massive marble pillars. Scootaloo stood in line to purchase a ticket as she gawked at the sight of the station. No matter how many times she had been there, she always had to just stare at the ceiling like the many tourists.

"Next!" An impatient voice yelled. Scootaloo jerked her head and moved to the counter. "Where to?" The pony behind the counter asked in the same impatient voice.

"Doesn't matter, I'll take the next train going anywhere."

"Hmmm, Ponyville platform three leaves in ten minutes." .

"Umm, except there. Anywhere except there."

"I thought you said it didn't matter!" The pony behind the counter barked. "Appaloosa platform nine, leaves in thirty minutes."

"Okay."

"Thirty bits... thank you - next!" Scootaloo stumbled away from the counter quickly, ticket in her mouth. The sales pony gave her no time to put her ticket away in her saddlebag.

Hmm, platform 4...platform 6 and there's 8. So, even numbers are on this side and odd numbered ones are where? Ugh I hate this place! Scootaloo spun on the spot trying to locate her platform. Aha, a map! She approached it eagerly. Okay, I am here then it must be...oh of course all way back by where I came in at... dumb train station. It was a long walk to the other side of the station but after much wlking, she found her platform. Boarding in ten minutes, nice.

Manehatten Central was busier than ever, there were ponies from all over. Some were just families and others were groups of friends, there were also ponies in business suits rushing about. Scootaloo sat and observed the train station letting her mind wander. She knew very little about Appaloosa, in fact she had never even been there. It was perfect, she had it all worked out in her head, Appaloosa was the perfect place to start over... a brand new life. Scootaloo shook her head, she had been staring into space while imagining her new life. Only thing was, she thought she caught a glance at a certain white unicorn. She scanned the crowd again but didn't see anypony she knew. Mind is playing tricks on me... good thing I'm leaving.

Scootaloo noticed the train began boarding, she got in line behind a croup of ponies trying to get on. She kept her eyes forward and her mind focused on what a possible form of employment would be in Appaloosa when her thoughts were interrupted.

"Scootaloo!" An unmistakable squeaky voice screamed out. She turned her head to see Sweetie Belle charging toward her at a full canter. In spite of everything Scootaloo smiled, Sweetie Belle was just so cute when she ran. "Scootaloo wait, please!" She halted in front of Scootaloo panting. "Please don't leave me Scoots, I love you and I need -"

"Sweetie Belle, why did you come after me? You are making this harder -"

"Do you know what my day is like?" Sweetie asked abruptly cutting Scootaloo off.

"Um, no not-not really." Scootaloo said taken aback.

"I get up every day and work in the music shop until three in the afternoon then I go home and write music. Sometimes I go to the blues lounge to sing then I go back to writing music. I make it so I am always doing something because I know that if I stop long enough I'll be reminded of how lonely I am. We are soul mates, meant to be together... and I know you can't forgive yourself but you have to let go honey, I'll be patient with you, I'll love you and take care of you. Scoots, I know you feel that loneliness too and if you get on that train you will always be lonely. I love you Scootaloo, more than anything, please don't leave me."

Scootaloo stared at Sweetie Belle with a look of surprise as tears ran down her cheeks. She had never heard anything more beautiful before. She had never heard Sweetie Belle pour her heart out or be that direct before. Sweetie Belle had given her something to think about, she had never thought of them being soul mates but it made sense to her. They had been through a lot together and somehow fate decided they weren't over and put them together in that blues lounge. Scootaloo glanced at the train then back at Sweetie Belle's pouty eyes. It's that damn cuteness, wins every time. She smiled at Sweetie Belle and kissed her on the cheek. She whispered in Sweetie Belle's ear, "I won't leave you, Sweetie, never again."

Author's Notes:

Sorry this took a while to get done. This story is pretty much done. Just an epilogue I think.