I laid down and watched Celestia walk around beside me. "I don't know what you think is going to change--"

"Shhh." Celestia's horn sparked a few times as she paced around me. "Are you going to need help getting to sleep?"

I sunk deeper into the bed. "You're gonna"- I watched as her horn slowly closed in on my head -"do that thing ag--" The world started to grow greasy and hazed. "I'm geeeting rul sik uph you dooing tat--" I closed my eyes and tried to die, only managing to pass out as usual.

I woke up in a field. The sound of guitar drifted around me as I laid there. It was a slow, extremely calm tune with just enough pep to it to keep the energy up. The low crackle of a campfire joined in as I sat upright in the tall grass. A few specialist in white were sitting around the fire, one had his mask up and was strumming away at a guitar.

The flat metal faceplate still glowed through the two perfectly round eyes. I looked around, the sun had set, the air was chilled, but the fire was warm and I couldn't help but walk over. One of the soldiers turned to me, their mask painted with bright yellow streaks. "Oh shit, Able, what's going on?"

I scratched my head. "Marlow?" I walked through the tall grass and into the clearing they'd cut away. A few camp stools were propped up and a stood around the crackling fire. "Holy shit, Marlow."

Marlow stood up and turned to me. He took his mask off and held his arms up. "What's up brother? Long time no see!"

I licked my lips and looked to the man with the guitar. He bore a long beard and a perfectly blue patch on his chest. "York?"

York looked up to me. "Hey man."

"Still singing you old bastard?" I laughed softly and walked up to him. "What's up man?"

York smiled and shook his head. "Nothing--" I put his hand against his guitar strings and put his free hand towards me. "Been a while though, hasn't it?"

"Hell yeah man! Glad you made it!" I was amongst ghosts, walking, talking, sitting around and enjoying a fire. I turned to face the last person, her hood was up, but I knew who it was. "Juno...Juno holy crap." I walked up to her and wrapped her up in my arms in a flash. "Oh my god, it's good to see you!"

Juno shifted around in my arms. "Hey Able." Her voice was soft as ever.

I felt a hand pull me back. Marlow pointed to a chair by the fire. "Man, relax, sit a bit." A flicker of the light showed the truth, his face torn to shreds, his eyes hollow from the blast at Saint-Pierre. But it only lasted a second before his smiling face returned.

I nodded quickly and found a seat. The fire was warm, the sky overhead a deep dark blue. The guitar picked up once again, leaving us in a small bubble of kindness amongst the violence these people had gone through. Blasted apart, burned, shot, stabbed, eradicated, but here they sat.

I looked past the group. More and more white coated men and women walked towards us. I knew them all, I'd watched them fight and die beside me. Yet here they were, lit up by the bright fire. I felt safe, I felt welcome, I felt at home.

I took my gloves off and held my hands towards the fire. The guitar picked up as a few other joined in or started singing. Conversation bustled aimlessly between my brothers. I was warm, I was with friends, and I could see them as they were meant to be. I could see them happy.

I opened my eyes. Celestia was standing over me. "Able?"

I took a deep breath, my eyes were already burning like mad. "I'm okay." I pushed up and sat upright. The sheets rustled loudly around me. "I'm alright."

Celestia smiled at me. "You didn't shake." She put a hoof up against my knee. "Able, how did you sleep?"

I looked past her, towards the window. The sun was slowly filtering through and bringing life to another day. "I slept...I-- I'm alright." I rubbed my head. "I don't even-- I didn't scream, I'm okay." I turned to face Celestia. "I'm okay."

Celestia's smile warmed my heart. "I'm glad. I said I could help-- Oh!"

I reached out and wrapped my arms around her head. I pulled her tight against my chest and stared out at the budding morning. "I'm okay.... I'm okay." I said again, still a bit shocked at my own rest. "...Thank you." I pulled her against me once again. "Thank you so much." I turned my head and kissed her neck. "Tell no one...."

Celestia pushed her head against my cheek. "I'll let you have your macho attitude." She giggled softly. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thank you." I dug my fingers into her mane. "I saw them again...they're okay." I nodded slowly. "They're alright." I let go and leaned back. Celestia met me, face to face, eye to eye. "Thank you." She was beautiful, and I couldn't bring myself to say anything else but thank you. "Oh Jesus...I need to go wash."

Celestia watched as I slid out the opposite side of the bed. "I'll leave you to it then. And Able, you're welcome." Next Chapter: Drop In Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 7 Minutes