"Sparkle!" the orderly barked as he opened Twilight's door, "You have a visitor!"

Twilight, having been staring into nothingness at the wall, in a seemingly catatonic state, blinked a few times. She looked to the door, then managed to stand up. Life returned to her eyes as she stood, shaking a bit.

"Okay," was all she said.

"Alright Mrs Sparkle, you can come in," the orderly called down the hall as the front gates from the lobby creaked open.

Anticipating, Twilight stared toward the door, trying to keep steady on her loafers, even smoothing her hospital gown. Ascentia came around the corner, holding Sunrise who squealed excitedly and reached out for her mother.

"Mommy!" she exclaimed, "Mommy! Mommy!"

"...Sunny..." Twilight's hands shook as she reached out, but then lowered them. Her voice was hoarse, cracked even.

Ascentia carried her closer and Sunrise latched her arms around Twilight's shoulders, giggling as she nuzzled her mother, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" she squealed excitedly.

"...S-Sunny..." Twilight's voice shook as she gently touched Sunrise's back, giving her head a gentle nuzzle, "M-Mommy missed you, Sunny..."

Ascentia raised an eyebrow as she kept her hands under Sunrise's bum, "You gonna hold her or not?"

"Oh yeah... yeah..." Twilight gingerly took her, to which Sunrise snuggled more into her.

"Mommy!" Sunrise said happily, licking her cheek.

Ascentia smiled and sat down in the chair, "She missed you too, Twilight."

"I-I can tell..." Twilight murmured, snuggling Sunrise, "I didn't think I'd ever see her again."

"...Twilight, I'm not that cruel," Ascentia said softly, as she looked Twilight over. She was a wreck, seeming to get only worse as the weeks passed.

"No, I just... would have understood if you never let me near her again," Twilight said softly, managing to look at her, "So... really, thank you..."

Ascentia got up and sat down next to her on her bed, bringing an arm around the two of them, "You're welcome," she whispered.

As she held Twilight's shaking frame, her fingers brushed over a dark bruise on her shoulder. Sliding her gown aside, she took a closer look at the welt on her shoulder, finding more down her arms.

"...Twilight, how did you get these?" Ascentia asked softly.

"One of the patients. She's incredibly violent, just as much if not more than me," Twilight sighed, "I went to the rec room to do some things to keep my mind off stuff. I was trying to do a puzzle, but that patient kept telling me to move so she could take my chair. I didn't, so I stayed there, and didn't engage. But then she grabbed me and started beating me before the orderlies got her off me. Then I just came back in here."

"Oh Twilight..." Ascentia brought her other arm around her and gently squeezed her, taking care not to put pressure on her bruises.

Twilight stiffened lightly, but then relaxed against her, "Yeah... I can't say I didn't deserve it, though. It really.. you know, it kind of just... let me really see what it feels to be on the receiving end. I didn't realize it until it happened and just-I couldn't do anything. I felt that I couldn't."

Sunrise latched her mouth onto Twilight's shoulder and gave her suckle-kisses while Ascentia ran her fingers through her hair.

"You didn't deserve it, Twilight," Ascentia whispered softly, "That woman was just... an asshole."

"That's true, she was," Twilight agreed, giving a small laugh at the way Sunrise was suckle-kissing her shoulder, "Still, in some way, I can't say I shouldn't have gotten a taste of my own medicine. After that, I did my best to avoid her, and she threatens me a lot if she sees me. She's in solitary, though."

Ascentia made a mental note to pay this woman a visit before leaving, and hugged her tighter, "Shh, don't talk like that, it doesn't help," she whispered, kissing her cheek.

"Okay," Twilight breathed and nodded, "I was given a new therapist, actually. She's someone who specializes with people like me."

"Oh?" Ascentia asked, "What's she like?"

"She's really by the book about what she does, but she's been pretty helpful," Twilight nodded, nuzzling her cheek, albeit hesitantly, "She has a punching bag in her office, so that patients can vent a little if they need to."

Ascentia nuzzled Twilight's hair, settling her underneath her chin, "What's her name?"

"Her name is Doctor Thire," Twilight was surprised at this, but otherwise nuzzled her, "A lot of what she does is letting her patients vent, like I said, and to use a constructive way to do so. I... well, I ended up making my knuckles bleed on the first day, but it was very helpful."

Ascentia kissed the top of her head while Sunrise babbled happily in her arms.

"Mommy! Yes!" she giggled, booping Twilight's nose.

"Wow..." Twilight giggled, kissing Sunrise's nose, "I'm amazed... she's growing so fast, and already speaking some words."

"She just tells us when she's hungry and needs a change, now," Ascentia smiled, "And she's been asking for you since we moved into Rainbow's."

Twilight looked up, "She has?"

"Mommy!" Sunrise cooed, blowing a zerbert into her neck, giggling.

Ascentia nodded, "She missed you. You're still her Mommy."

"Oh... Sunny," Twilight kissed her daughter's head sweetly, "Mommy misses you, too. But you're in such good hands, aren't you, sweetie?"

"No!" Sunrise grinned.

Twilight looked at her, then giggled, "No? So you're not?"

"No!" Sunrise bopped her nose.

"She also likes to say No as often as possible," Ascentia giggled.

A set of footsteps drew by the open door as one of the patients was led past Twilight's room.

"Hey! Watch it, Sparkle!" the patient called as she was led past, "When I get outta solitary, your ass is toast!"

Ascentia looked up and let go of Twilight, "Excuse me for a minute."

"No don't go out-" Twilight was about to protest, but Ascentia was out of the room before she could stop her. Biting her lip, she cuddled Sunrise close, hoping to at least protect her.

Ascentia gave a silent "Yes!" when she realized the guard leading the woman back to solitary was her father.

"Daddy! Wait up!" she called out, and her father stopped and turned around.

"The fuck does this bitch wa-" the patient was silenced when Ascentia drove the hell of her hand into her nose almost dismissively.

"Long time, no see," she smiled, hugging her father around the shoulders.

"That's true," her father smiled, squeezing her back, "How's everything back home?"

"Pretty good," Ascentia smiled, "Listen, Daddy. This one here's been hurting my Twiley. Could you maybe do a little 'excessive use of force'?"

"Ascentia-"

"Please?" Ascentia cooed softly, pouting and giving her father big, round eyes.

Her father laughed and nodded, "Sure, why not."

Ascentia giggled and hugged him again, "Thanks! Love you!" she called as she hurried back to Twilight's room.

"Love you too," he called back.

Ascentia closed the door and smirked, "She's been dealt with," she said, sitting back down next to Twilight and hugging her again.

Twilight wasn't sure how to respond to that, but otherwise managed to hug her with one arm, "All right then, Ascentia...whatever you say."

Ascentia leaned back a little, "...You haven't called me Ascentia in three years..."

"I didn't? Oh..." Twilight realized what she was saying, "Wow, I haven't, have I."

Ascentia shook her head, "You always called me Kitten."

"Yeah, that's true," Twilight murmured, "...I guess I don't feel so right calling you that now. Unless you say I can."

Ascentia gently placed a kiss on her temple, and nodded, "You're the only one who calls me Kitten..."

A little blush marred Twilight's cheeks, "So, you don't mind if I do?"

"Mind?" Ascentia ran the back of her hand over her eyes, "I was afraid you wouldn't do it anymore for a second there."

Twilight gave a little smile, "Okay then. With your permission granted, I shall call you Kitten once more, Kitten."

Ascentia smiled and brought both her arms around Twilight's shoulders, squeezing her, "Still the same old Twilight."

Twilight looked up at her, a worried look on her face.

"...In the best way," Ascentia said sheepishly.

"Oh," Twilight giggled, and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I missed you, Kitten... But I'm glad you're doing better."

"I missed you too," Ascentia said softly as Sunrise started chewing Twilight's hair, "What about you? Are you doing better?"

Twilight giggled at this, making a slight nod, "Actually, in some ways, I am. When I was first here, they gave me this medication that...kind of made it worse, you know what I mean? But it wasn't just that, it was the side effects. Thing is, they couldn't tell what was the medicine and what was me. I couldn't, either. Anyway, so they actually gave me this new medication and monitored me off and on it for...about a week or two, I think. And it actually works to make me calm and think straight. I'm on it right now, so it's been pretty quiet. Admittedly, the only side effect so far is drowsiness and feeling feverish."

Ascentia kissed the top of her head and snuggled her closer, "That's good... I'm so glad you're doing so well. I.. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to bring Sunrise to see you anymore..."

"Me too," Twilight gave her a nuzzle, gently patting Sunrise's back as she lightly bounced her, "I was afraid of that, too. But I knew I deserved it. I said to Doctor Thire that I wouldn't be surprised if you did never come back. You know what she said? She said that there could still be a chance. I didn't believe her at the time. But there was a little hope I couldn't let go of."

Ascentia said nothing, only holding her tighter and rocking the both of them. Pulling back, Ascentia tilted her head and moved to kiss her, but Twilight pulled away.

"Believe me, I want to... but not quite yet," Twilight murmured, looking at her regretfully, "I think... I think we need to take it slow."

"...We've been married for nine years, Twilight," Ascentia said softly, looking hurt.

Nodding, Twilight gave her a gentle nuzzle, "I know. But I really, really don't want to screw this up. We should take it slow and see what happens for now, okay? There's a lot of trust I need to earn back before anything more can happen."

Ascentia was not happy about this, in fact a part of her wanted to storm out. But she squeezed Twilight's shoulders and nuzzled her, "...Okay."

Sunrise made a noise of discomfort, looking up at the two of them, "Mama! Can't beeve!"

"Oops!" Ascentia pulled back a bit so that her and Twilight were no longer squishing Sunrise between them, "Sorry, angel."

Sunrise giggled, giving her a snuggle. Twilight smiled and kissed her head.

"Smart girl," she smiled, then looked back at Ascentia, "I know you're upset, and I feel pretty bad about that too-but I think it's best if we don't rush anything. But anyway, I think we can do this. It'll just take some time."

Ascentia nodded and kissed the top of her head. Sunrise, meanwhile, was chewing at Twilight's gown and giggling.

"Mommy!" she lifted her hands up, wanting to be held higher.

"Okay, sweetie," Twilight giggled and held her a bit higher. She nosed up Sunrise's dress and blew a raspberry into her belly, making the infant squeal happily.

Ascentia sat back and watched the two of them play, "Are you okay with her alone? I just left Fluttershy out in the lobby."

Hesitating for a moment, Twilight looked at Sunrise's smiling, sweet face. She smiled herself and took a breath, "Yeah, I can watch her for a few minutes."

Ascentia smiled and stood up, hurrying back out into the lobby where Fluttershy was waiting for her.

"Sorry Shy, I lost track of the time," she said sheepishly.

"Is everything all right?" Fluttershy asked, looking up from the magazine she was reading.

Ascentia nodded, "Everything's fine. Sunny's back in the room with Twilight."

For a moment, Fluttershy's eyes went wide with fear, but then she caught herself and nodded. Obviously, if there was danger, this wouldn't be happening, "Okay. So how is she? I mean, it sounds like she's doing better."

Ascentia nodded, "New doctor, new meds, new everything. She's been doing much better," she smiled, sitting down next to her.

"Wow, that's wonderful," Fluttershy gave a smile, "I'm so glad to hear that."

Ascentia nodded and laid her head on Fluttershy's shoulder, "Mmhmm. I'm so proud of-"

She was cut off when an alarm started blaring overhead, and a loud voice came over the PA System.

"Code White, maximum security ward!"

Ascentia froze as she noticed the gate being lowered, "That's Twilight's ward..."

"What's going on?" Fluttershy wondered, biting her lip with nervousness, "I forget what Code White means..."

"Violent person is out of isolation..." Ascentia said softly as she watched the gate lowered, her mind making the realization that so far the only one in isolation was the one who had it out for Twilight... and Sunrise was in there as well.

Almost as if she were a ghost in her own body, Ascentia tore out of her chair without even thinking about it and sprinted toward the closing gate, sliding underneath it before it closed, sealing off the ward.

Inside the room, Twilight huddled in a corner, holding Sunrise close to her with protection. She could hear the screaming, getting closer and closer toward her wing. In her arms, Sunrise let out curious babbles, looking up at her.

"Shh... Shh... it's okay, honey... I'll protect you..." Twilight whispered to her, looking up fearfully toward the door, "It's okay."

"Come out of there, Princess!" the woman screamed like a lunatic as she approached her door, banging on the front of it as the alarm blared overhead, "Come out come out!"

She was brandishing a sharpened toothbrush to keep guards and other patients at bay while she banged on Twilight's door.

Distressed, Sunrise whimpered and sniffled. Twilight tensed all the more, trying all she could to keep Sunrise safe. A horrifying thought struck her then.

Ascentia was still out there. Knowing her...

Twilight gulped, trying to resist the urge to move, immense fear stabbing at her gut.

"Please, please, Kitten... don't make it worse... Save yourself..."

The lights went out, and the emergency lights came on as the power went out... along with the magnetic locks on the door.

"Oh no..."

The hysterical patient flung open the door and grinned down at her.

"Ooooh, two little Princesses, hmm?" she giggled.

Twilight shook with fear, holding Sunrise tighter, "Please... please, just... just don't hurt my daughter. You can do whatever you want to me, but please, leave my little girl out of this. She has nothing to do with any of it. Please..."

"Or, I could shank the both of you!"

"Or, you could get away from both of them, and I won't paint your brains across the wall," Ascentia snarled from behind her, holding her pistol level with the patient's head.

Sunrise, having been sniffling, stopped doing so upon hearing her mother's voice. Twilight did as well, looking around the other patient to see Ascentia there.

"Ascentia...! No... take Sunrise and get out of here!" Twilight squeaked, her voice cracking.

The patient pointed her makeshift knife at Twilight, "You're not goin' anywhere, bitch!"

"Five seconds," Ascentia said, her hands shaking as they gripped the gun.

"Or what?"

"Four."

"You gonna shoot me?"

"Three."

"Bitch do you know who you're fuckin' with?!"

"Two."

She stepped closer to Twilight, "I'm not touching her!"

"One."

The patient pointed the makeshift knife closer to Twilight's neck, and Ascentia squeezed the trigger. The patient fell over limp, bleeding from the shoulder and screaming in pain.

"You bitch! You fucking shot me! You cunt!"

Ascentia was seething as she lowered her gun, but only slightly.

Having been covering Sunrise's face and ears, Twilight gently loosened her grip. Amazed, she stood up, slowly, making sure not to step within reaching distance of the lunatic. Going to Ascentia, she kissed her cheek.

"For once... I'm glad you didn't listen to me," Twilight said softly, wiping a tear from her eye.

"She... she threatened you... and Sunny..." Ascentia shivered as she watched the lunatic trying to get up.

"I know..." Twilight murmured, looking out into the dark hallway, "I just wonder how she knocked out the power..."

"Might have... been the storm, I'm not-"

The patient had scrambled to her feat and screamed as she charged at Twilight... then a loud bang and she fell forward like a ragdoll, bleeding from the side of the head.

Ascentia was hyperventilating, looking from her gun, to the patient she'd just killed as if it were a reflex. Dropping her gun, she fell back against the wall, shaking.

"Oh my god....!" Twilight uttered, wide-eyed, panting a little, "Oh my god...!"

The power clicked back on just as several more guards rounded the corner and looked at the scene in Twilight's room, "What the hell..."

"I... I just... she ran and..." Ascentia couldn't form a proper sentence.

Sunrise began crying softly, to which Twilight tried to soothe her, "She was... attempting to attack me and our daughter... Ascentia shot her in the shoulder... Then she... she got back up and tried to attack again..." Her voice trailed off.

"And Mrs Sparkle killed her?" a pale blonde woman finished as she stepped between two guards.

The gun was on the floor. Ascentia was shaking like a leaf. Twilight wondered, if maybe, just maybe, she could take the fall for it. It would get Ascentia off the hook, keep Sunrise safe at home with her mother, while she herself would remain in the hospital.

"No. It was me," Twilight said, looking down, "She charged at us and I shot her in the head."

The woman, Doctor Tolrah Thire, looked at her with and expression of the most utter disbelief, "And where did you get a gun?" she asked, pursing her lips.

"It's Ascentia's. I grabbed it from her."

Tolrah looked from Twilight, to Ascentia, "And perhaps you'd also like to explain why you're so calm and why Ascentia is terrified out of her wits?"

Uh-oh. Twilight began to realize it was probably not going to work. She sighed, shifting Sunrise to her other hip.

"Doctor Thire, I apologize. I wasn't entirely honest here. I-I can't do that again... It was... It was Ascentia who shot her, in defense of us... I-I tried to take the fall for her so that she wouldn't get taken away from Sunrise... I'm so sorry," Twilight looked down in shame.

Tolrah looked to one of the guards, "Please escort Mrs Sparkle, Mrs Dash, and little Sunrise off the property. And confiscate her weapon."

"Yes, Doctor."

Twilight handed Sunrise over to one of the guards, kissing her head as she did so.

"Goodbye sweetie... Mommy loves you."

Ascentia lay curled up on her bed, breathing deeply as she watched the sun vanish below the horizon. It had been almost seven hours since they'd gotten home from the hospital, and Ascentia had retreated straight to her room.

The shock had worn off by now, and she'd fully realized what she'd done. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and sighed. Looking back, this had been why her father had taught her how to handle a gun in the first place.

A knock on the door, and Rainbow's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Ascentia? Ascentia, you okay? You've been in there all afternoon. Can I come in?"

"Yeah, come on in," she sighed.

Opening the door, Rainbow came into the room, "So... yeah, I heard about what happened."

"Yeah, I could hear Fluttershy telling you," Ascentia said, standing up and brushing her hair out of her eyes, "Never thought it'd ever come to that..."

"Can't imagine how that feels," Rainbow exhaled, leaning against the wall, "Still...you did it to protect Sunny and Twilight."

Ascentia leaned next to her, "Yeah... I'll be fine, ya know. Just really... shocking."

Giving her hair a ruffle, Rainbow kissed her temple, "Yeah, it'll be okay. Besides, you can take all the time you need to recover."

Ascentia shook her head, "I'll be fine. Besides, I wasn't doing much anyway."

"You need anything?"

"Sort of, but considering the circumstances, I'd understand if you don't wanna oblige," Ascentia shrugged, sitting down in the rocking chair Rainbow had bought for her.

"You can tell me anyway," Rainbow shrugged a little.

Ascentia raised an eyebrow and made a pumping motion with her fist near her jaw.

"You sure about that?" Rainbow chuckled, "But if it'll make you feel better, I don't see why not."

Ascentia smiled cutely and nodded, sitting up in the chair.

Chuckling a little, Rainbow went over to her and ruffled her hair, "Go for it, Asy."

Ascentia unzipped Rainbow's shorts and slid them down her thighs, uncovering her flaccid length. Smirking up at her, she licked her lips.

"Rainbow, have you gotten bigger?" she asked coyly.

"Oh yeah, my awesomeness of awesome fuels my size," Rainbow winked, laughing a bit.

Ascentia trailed her fingers over her shaft, giggling, "Talk nasty to me, Rainbow," she whispered.

"Well, you better be ready for that, you little whore," Rainbow smirked, grabbing hold of her hair, "Now get sucking. Doctor's orders."

Ascentia giggled and took Rainbow's head into her mouth, strailing her tongue over the tip as her lips slid further down.

"Nnngh.... ah yeah... that's it!" Rainbow moaned, shaking a bit, "Good little slut pet..."

Ascentia moaned softly and slid down to the base, curling her tongue around her shaft as her hands wrapped around her waist.

Moaning louder, Rainbow grasped Ascentia's head with both her hands, "Yeeaah, that's a good girl...!"

Suckling harder, Ascentia gently bobbed her head as she peered up at her. Giggling, she sunk in deeper and took Rainbow's head into her throat.

Panting heavily, Rainbow felt her knees buckle, "That's it... Gonna cum any second now! In or out, I don't care!"

Ascentia bobbed her head faster, her tongue wrapping around her and squeezing her length.

"YEAH!!" Rainbow groaned, her seed spilling out within Ascentia's mouth.

Ascentia milked her until she'd stopped, and pulled away, swallowing Rainbow's load and licking her lips, "And you even taste better, too," she giggled.

"That can't be true, I didn't change it," Rainbow chuckled, nuzzling her head.

"Well it's sweeter," Ascentia smiled, nuzzling her deflating shaft.

"Whatever you say," Rainbow smiled back and laughed a bit. She ruffled her hair, "Feel better?"

"Yeah," Ascentia smiled, stretching out and yawning, giving her another lick, "This is really soothing, actually."

"Who'd have thought I'd find girls who think it's soothing?" Rainbow chuckled, "Well good, glad to hear it, Asy."

"I'll bet you are," Ascentia smirked, kissing the tip again.

Rainbow winked and ruffled her hair, "You know what I mean."

"And you also meant what I mean," Ascentia smirked, taking the tip back into her mouth and suckling it.

"Whatever you say, Cocksucker Number Three," Rainbow laughed.

Ascentia nearly bit her when she burst into laughter, "Cocksucker Number Three! That's hysterical!" she laughed.

This made Rainbow laugh too, "Wow, you're right! That just came to me!"

"What's going on in here?" Fluttershy asked from the doorway.

"Cocksucker Number One, this is Cocksucker Number Three," Rainbow said, snickering.

"...What!" Fluttershy blinked, then began to burst into giggles, "Oh, Rainbow... you're terrible!"

Rainbow giggled as Ascentia slid her shaft back into her mouth, "You love it!"

Laughing still, Fluttershy came into the room and brought her arms around Rainbow's torso from behind, "I do, and I love you."

Rainbow leaned back against her while Ascentia sucked her off, "Oh yeah... this is how ya live!"

"Ooh, you really must be in heaven right now," Fluttershy sensually ran her hands along her chest and stomach, casting a saucy wink down to Ascentia as she did so.

Ascentia winked back and slid down deeper.

"Oh yeah... can we just stay like this forever?" Rainbow moaned softly.

Giggling, Fluttershy  lifted up her shirt, groping her breasts, "That would be absolutely lovely, Dashie," she whispered in her ear.

Ascentia suckled harder and curled her tongue around Rainbow's member, briefly detaching her mouth from it, "Absolutely..."

"An eternity of loving all over you," Fluttershy giggled, licking her earlobe, "I don't think we could ask for more..."

Ascentia slowly ran her tongue up Rainbow's length to the tip, "Maybe the occasional bathroom break."

"Well yeah, no kidding," Rainbow chuckled, "I need to take pisses, too. And maybe breaks for something to eat, too."

"That's true," Fluttershy kissed along her neck, "Oh well, at least we can enjoy it the way we have now."

Ascentia nuzzled her length as she watched the two of them snuggling above her. Pulling back, she stood up and wrapped her arms around Rainbow's waist, kissing the other side of her neck.

"Wow, you girls are sure affectionate today," Rainbow chuckled, reaching up to touch both their hair.

"Why wouldn't we be?" Fluttershy cooed, licking, kissing and suckling one side of her neck. Her hand reached down and grasped her length to fondle, "Helloo, it's been too long..."

"What are you talking about? It was just yesterday," Rainbow laughed, reaching behind her to run her fingers through Fluttershy's hair.

"Exactly," Fluttershy giggled, nibbling her ear.

"You're more insatiable than I am," Rainbow kissed her cheek as Ascentia nuzzled her hair.

"Mm-hmm, guilty as charged, Officer Dash," Fluttershy licked and nibbled her ear, fondling her length a little faster.

Rainbow smirked and wriggled her way out of their grip, moving to the door and closing it.

"Take off your clothes," she smirked, "Both of you."

"Sparkle!" The guard barked, "Your wife is here!"

Looking up from her notes and open books, Twilight was slightly startled by this. So soon? She hadn't expected it, but otherwise felt a burst of excitement.

"All right, bring her in," she said, going back to her writing.

Ascentia came in with Sunrise excitedly bouncing on her hip.

"Mommy! Mommy!" she squealed, reaching out to her and giggling uncontrollably.

Smiling brightly, Twilight placed her pen down and stood up, "Hi sweetie, it's great to see you!" She looked to Ascentia, "I didn't think you'd be back so soon, Kitten... not that I'm complaining, though. How are you feeling? I understand last week was...shocking, to say the least."

Ascentia shook her head, "I'm over it," she said simply, handing Sunrise to her and nuzzling her hair.

"Well, all right..." Twilight took her word for it, and otherwise snuggled Sunrise, "Awww, Mommy missed you too, sweetheart."

"Mommy!" Sunrise latched her arms around Twilight's neck and suckled her cheek.

Giggling, Twilight nuzzled her sweetly, "So, how are things with the girls?"

"The girls are alright," Ascentia smiled, kissing Sunrise's cheek as she sat at Twilight's desk, "Cielle is getting more childish as time goes on."

"Really?" Twilight chuckled, sitting down and going back to writing her paper while balancing Sunrise on her lap, "How so?"

"Eh, just the usual. Wants sex all the time and whines when she doesn't get it," Ascentia laughed.

Twilight laughed too, "Oh, same old Cielle, then. How about Rainbow and Fluttershy? I heard they finally had their baby a couple months ago."

"Eeyup," Ascentia nodded, "Little Spectrum. Total Mama's boy, and Sunny's new boy toy."

"Is that so?" Twilight grinned, looking down at Sunrise's smiling face, "Well! Look who's got a brother from another mother!"

"More like her new boyfriend," Ascentia giggled, "We've been taking bets on when they're gonna hook up. My money's on fourteen."

Twilight chuckled at this, bouncing Sunrise lightly, "All right, then I'll go with fifteen."

"I'll inform the rest of the pool," Ascentia giggled, "But they're all still pretty tweaked at you, so..."

She glanced down at the paper on Twilight's desk, "What'cha writin'?"

"This?" Twilight looked up, then indicated to one of the books, "I've been doing a little research for my paper. The hospital has these classes you can attend for different subjects, like being in school. They're meant to give patients some education and stimulate their minds. You know me, I'm happiest when I'm studying! So, I took one of the classes, and our assignment is to read a presentation about some things we regret in life."

"Oh I can already tell what this is full of," Ascentia said, looking at the incredibly long essay Twilight had been writing.

"It's my first draft," Twilight stuck her tongue out at her. "But there is one part I was working really hard on. Would you mind if I read it out to you?"

"Sure," Ascentia smiled.

Picking up the paper, Twilight turned to a particular passage, "All right, here we go. 'Another regret I have is one which I never apologized for. A long time ago, my ex-wife had a pet Camel Spider. Her name was Maexnna, she was her loyal companion since Ascentia was five years old. Despite her species, she was very docile and friendly, acting very much like a dog. You could just see that she was smiling with her big beautiful eyes, and the sweet sounds she would make. Even if you're afraid of spiders, it's hard not to fall in love with her.

I was afraid of her at first. But eventually I warmed up to her, especially since she liked me so much. I really enjoyed that little spider, she was like our baby. However, when times grew tough and I was eventually abusive, I did a horrible thing. To spite Ascentia, I took my encyclopedia and crushed Maexnna with it. She was killed moments after, from my doing. Since that day, it broke my heart, and I had repressed it with the refusal to face up to it.

But at this moment, I choose to do so. There's nothing I can say to bring her back, but I hope from here on, I can tell my wife the very thing I should have said before. It's the very least I can do for having brutally killed her best friend in the spiteful act that I committed."

At this, Twilight looked up, placing the paper down and wiping the tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. It was horrible of me to do, and I am so sorry."

Ascentia wiped her eyes, a shaky breath escaping from her lips. Standing up, she drew Twilight into a hug and squeezed her shoulders for support.

Twilight hugged her back with one arm, keeping Sunrise snuggled between them.

"...I miss her so much," Ascentia whispered, her voice quivering as she held tightly to her.

"I know... so do I," Twilight sniffled, holding her closer, "She was such a sweetie."

Ascentia sniffled and took another shaky breath, clinging tighter as she fought the urge to start crying.

"You can cry if you want to," Twilight said soothingly, sniffling again, "I'm right here."

That was all the validation Ascentia needed as the floodgates burst open and she started crying into Twilight's shoulder. Slowly and quietly at first, but quickly escalating into loud and mournful sobbing.

Sunrise sensed the distress and snuggled against her mother, making little sad whimpers. Twilight held Ascentia closer and nuzzled her, occasionally whispering soothing words to her. But mostly allowing her to cry on her shoulder. Just like old times. A sense of calm and ease, despite the grief, settled.

"I'm sorry, Kitten... I'm sorry... it was all my fault... You did nothing wrong to deserve losing her like that. She didn't do anything wrong, either. I'm sorry to have hurt you... I'm sorry..." Twilight murmured, "It's okay, let it all out... That's what we're here for, too. Let it all out..."

Ascentia sobbed into Twilight's shoulder, her legs quivering and her mind being wracked with flashbacks. Shaking, she squeezed her shoulders tighter as the memories flashed in front of her tightly closed eyes.

'Why can't you just stop being so difficult?!'

'This is the last straw! If you can't just co-operate...'

'Oh stop crying already!'

Ascentia squeezed even tighter and buried her face into Twilight's neck.

Carefully, Twilight placed Sunrise onto her bed, and wrapped both arms around Ascentia tightly. She sniffled and softly began to cry with her, but otherwise remained strong as possible. It broke her heart to recall the painful memory, but it was worse seeing Ascentia in such a despaired state. Nonetheless, she held her tight, rocking her gently, nuzzling her hair.

Ascentia sobbed harder and pressed herself tighter against Twilight, desperate to be held, "I... want my... spider back..."

"If I could bring her back, I would," Twilight sniffled, holding her tighter.

"...You were mad at me... why did you hurt my Maex..."

"I was a violent and abusive bitch... I ended up having wanted to hurt you, but without touching you. So I hurt her instead..."

This only made Ascentia cry harder as she squeezed her tighter, almost painfully.

Twilight squeezed her back, begining to cry a little more, "Maexy-baby deserved so much better... I'm sorry, Maexnna... I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Kitten...!"

The two of them sank down to their knees, holding eachother as tightly as they could while Sunrise watched her mothers with a worried pout. Clambering down from the bed, she crawled between her mothers and snuggled into Ascentia's midriff as she too began to cry. Next Chapter: When's Mommy Coming Home? Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 11 Minutes