Twilight unzipped her suit, hung it up, and dropped into bed with an umpf. She was tired, and that was probably the easiest their missions were going to get! She was exhausted, even. Her horn lit up, and her muscles started to relax and unwind. It felt great. Once she was done, she forced herself off her bed and into the attached bathroom. The bunker sat next to an underground hot spring, so the entire bunker had limitless hot water. She pour some soap into the steaming water as it ran and watched bubbles froth, to and fro. She climbed in with a sigh, and lay her head back as she relaxed.

Rarity had recruited some of the mares from their quarters, and had started a mini pseudo-spa. They scrubbed her scalp, mane, tail and hooves and they gossiped, as spa girls often do. It had been a long day, and Rarity felt spent. She missed Spike. That little guy would do anything for her. The sound of a hair dryer snapped her out of her thoughts. Oh my. It would probably do me good to get some sleep.

Fluttershy was still in the ICU. She had been hooked up to various monitors, with several IVs attached. She hadn't woken up yet, and her charts indicated her leg would need some time to heal, as the bolt had scraped bone and muscle. Rainbow Dash had stopped by to leave a get well card. Pinkie Pie left some sweets, and Derpy and left a muffin. When Fluttershy woke up, it would be like nothing ever happened.

Pinkie Pie had just fallen in bed. Fast asleep. She had a lot of energy normally, but today had been a large strain on her psyche. Especially seeing the bolt sticking out of poor Shutterfly's leg. She would sleep of her exhaustion, mental and emotional.

Big Macintosh, being the stubborn workpony he is, stayed up to help irrigate and farm the underground farms. Unicorns had installed mini-suns, so that plants could grow.

Derpy had just got back into her room, and she was under her blankets. She had dropped off a muffin for Fluttershy, to help her get better. She started to suffocate. She had gotten to wrapped up in her blankets! She bucked and kicked in her bed until her head came free, and she took a big gulp of air. She smiled her cross-eyed smile and thought to herself, Silly me.

Vinyl Scratch had plugged in her turntable and was practicing her DJing. It helped her relax. After about an hour, she had had enough. She lay her shades on her nightstand, and went to sleep.

Rainbow Dash had just entered her room, which she now shared with Applejack, just in time to see Applejack come out of the bathroom. Steam had started to pour out of the entrance. Applejack smiled.

" Heya RD. I just started a bath. Where ya been? " AJ asked.

" I was just dropping off a get well card for Fluttershy. You? " Ranbow Dash asked.

" I was just checkin' up on Granny Smith and Applebloom. They're doing pretty good. I have to talk with Vinyl tomorrow. I'm about to climb into my steaming bubble bath. Oh boy, that'll feel nice. "

Rainbow dash blushed. " Yeah, I'll grab a bath after you get out. "

Slyly, Applejack turned so that Rainbow Dash could see a single eye look toward her. " You're welcome to join me. " She said.

Rainbow Dash nervously trotted into the bathroom. She watched Applejack as she took off her suit. Ponies normally didn't wear clothes, but there was something about it... She blushed. She took off her own suit. They climbed into the steaming water, bubbles shifting around them. They sighed as the warm water enveloped them. They washed and scrubbed as best they could, getting the smell of ash off. Then, Applejack turned around and said, " RD, you mind getting mah back? I can't reach it, hehe. "

" S-sure thing AJ. " She lathered up AJ's back and was rubbing out knots she had in her back. AJ moaned. It hurt, but in a good way that a massage does. Too soon, Rainbow Dash had whirled around, and said " My turn AJ! "

Applejack was a little less nervous that Rainbow Dash. When she started rubbing her back, her wings had extended to their full extent, and her head rested on her front legs. She chuckled. Rainbow Dash blushed, but kept still. Applejack saw.

" Ain't nothing to be ashamed of RD. Heh. " She said as she nuzzled up to her lover. Half an hour later, they climbed out of the steaming bath. As they lay down on their cot, Rainbow Dash suddenly nuzzled closer to AJ and wrapped her wings around her, closing her in. She was crying.

" What's wrong RD? " Applejack asked. She started to get worried.

" Oh Applejack. Today made me realize something. It'll be easier to lose you than I thought. I'm scared! Hold me AJ! Please! Please... Never let go..." Rainbow Dash cried.

Applejack pulled her close. I won't let you go Rainbow. Never ever. I love you too much. Next Chapter: Chapter 8: A warning shot Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes