Manehatten Hospital

Spitfire was in a deep sleep. The world ceased to exist as she floated in the dark void. No dreams. No nightmares. No thoughts. Just absolute darkness and peace. Light became visible and she heard a sound, like a soft grunt. It repeated several times in a rhythm of sort. What was that strange noise? Soon the grunts were accompanied by a voice counting.

"Fourty-four, ugh... fourty-five." it said.

The voice sounded familiar to her. Spitfire began to roll as she felt a sharp dropping sensation like she fell off a ledge. "Holy hurricanes!" Startled by the feeling she was jolted awake to find herself in the hospital bed looking around. Trixie was off to the side doing sit-ups watching Spitfire, but not stopping.

"You OK there, Spits?" she asked.

Spitfire looked over to Trixie rubbing her arm embarrassed. "Yeah I'm fine." she stretched her body in a cat like manner flexing her wings slightly. "Glad to see you're OK. The bump on your head sure didn't slow you down did it?" She leapt off the bed gliding next to Trixie as she stood up from her morning routine.

"Yeah, but it still hurts a bit. Trixie had no idea the bar table was that hard." she said rubbing her horn at its base. "Trixie intends not to do that again!"

They both shared a laugh hugging each other. The sun shined through the window warming them both up. As they broke apart there was a knocking at the door. Spitfire opened it to reveal Doctor Gore, Octavia, and Silver Spoon. The metallic filly ran past the adults leaping into Trixie hugging her. "Trixie you're OK! I was worried when they brought you here! Are you OK? How's your head?" she bombarded her in a panic.

Octavia walked over pulling Silver Spoon off giving her an unamused look. "Young lady that is not how we greet ponies especially after they've been through a great ordeal such as yesterday." she scolded the filly. Silver Spoon looked ashamed. "I'm sorry about this Trixie. Silver Spoon often gets worked up when a friend is hurt." she looked over to the filly nudging her gently. "Go on say you're sorry."

Silver Spoon walked over sitting in front of Trixie looking dejected. "I'm sorry for being a bother Miss Trixie." To everyponies surprise, Trixie hugged the little filly petting her head comfortingly.

"It's OK Silver Spoon. I'm glad you were worried about me." Trixie looked over to the group specifically the doctor. "So Doctor Gore was it? When can Trixie be discharged?"

The stallion walked over looking at his board scribbling something down before he handed it over to Trixie. "Just sign here at the bottom and you're free to go."

"That's it?"

"That's it. You didn't sustain any permanent injuries aside from a bruised head. I'd still say lay off magic for the next week and come back for a checkup. Other than that your free to go!" he said cheerfully smiling.

Trixie eyed the doctor oddly. It seemed so strange for a stallion with a name like GORE, to be so cheery all the time. It struck her as odd. She wasn't the only one, everypony who wasn't part of the staff took a step back from the cheerful stallion looking nervously at him. Trixie signed the papers and within a few minutes she was out the main entrance with everypony around her.

Silver Spoon was walking next to Trixie with Octavia Spitfire was on the other side of Trixie, walking so close it looked like she was touching her. "So Trixie," Spitfire said getting the unicorn mares attention. "What you planning on doing tonight? Anything you want to do since you can't use your magic?" Trixie was opening her mouth to speak when Spifire spoke first stopping her before a word got out. "And no you aren't going anywhere until the doctor gives us the OK. Got that?"

Trixie huffed sticking her nose up in a snooty manner. "Yes mother. Trixie promises to also take her vitamins." she said sarcastically as possible.

Silver Spoon laughed at her as Spitfire placed a wing over Trixie's shoulder. "Hey now mother knows best Trixie." she said jokingly giggling, Octavia and Silver Spoon joined too. Trixie scowled at the filly as a dark cloud appeared over her head. "Traitor." she said to the metallic filly.

Silver Spoon stood on her hind legs hugging Trixie around the neck. "Don't worry Miss Trixie you're my second favorite pony in the world!"

Trixie quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, so who is better that the Great and Powerful Trixie in your eyes young Silver?" she asked curious.

"My friend DT of course!" she yelled still standing awkwardly throwing her arms in the air. AHEM. She looked over her shoulder to see Octavia tapping her hoof on the pavement squinting her eyes at the filly. "I-I mean my auntie of course!" She hugged Octavia who rolled her eyes and continued to walk dragging the disgruntled filly with her. "Oh come on auntie I'm sorry!"

Spitfire and Trixie laughed at the scene of Octavia dragging Silver Spoon not even phased from having her hanging onto her neck. As they continued walking Silver Spoon finally let go of Octavia and Spitfire still had Trixie in a wing hold. They continued to walk until them came to the Ivory Tower Apartments. "So, Octy, you and Silver coming up?" Spitfire asked the older earthpony. Octavia glared at her tapping her hoof again. Trixie noticed she tended to do this when aggravated. Must be a nervous twitch.she thought.

"As much as I'd love to Spitfire I have to get Silver Spoon home. Her mother is strict on timing since the incident in the forest. So we can't stay but thank you for the offer. Perhaps another time?" she looked down to her niece who bobbed her head excitedly.

"Sure next time then." she knelt down to Silver Spoon. "You take care now and make sure your aunt doesn't kill her marefriend." Whack! Spitfire winced gripping her head as Octavia swung a hoof across her head leaving a tinging sensation behind. "What was that for?"

"Humph. Come along Silver Spoon. Say goodbye to Trixie and the horse- I mean Miss Spitfire and let's be off." she turned and looked at Trixie. "I look forward to seeing you again Trixie. It was nice to meet you and I'm glad you're alright." She held out a hoof. Trixie inspected the hoof before shaking it. "Thanks Miss Octavia."

"Please, Octavia is fine." she responded sternly tightening her grip on Trixie's hoof.

Trixie pulled her hoof away from the earth ponies vice grip. Rubbing her hoof she glared at Octavia who was grinning. Grinning back Trixie walked over to Silver Spoon and whispered into her ear. Spitfire listened in too and all three began to giggle looking at Octavia. Silver Spoon hugged Trixie rubbing her nose against her chest. "Bye Trixie. Promise you'll visit sometime?"

The unicorn hugged her back. "Of course little one. I will." she released her and the two earth ponies left after a quick wave goodbye leaving the two show ponies behind. Spitfire walked beside Trixie. "Come on let's head up. I want to make sure everything is still there after the crew came by." As the two headed upstairs a letter was taped on Spitfire's door. Spitfire took it off before unlocking the door and letting Trixie go in first. After wards she followed closing the door behind them throwing the note onto the counter intending to read it later.

The apartment was all in order. The damage fixed and Spitfire wasn't happier to see here place in one piece again. Her gym was completely redone with new equipment and her cloud track was redone. The floor was polished to a perfect shine that one could see their reflection in it. As the two ponies walked about they heard a bark come from one of the rooms. A high squeaky bark muffled by the walls, but it was an unmistakable bark sound.

"Spitfire wait. Trixie hears something." the azure unicorn stopped in her tracks glancing around. Spitfire looked around trying to pinpoint it, her ears twitched ever so slightly like a radar trying to detect the faintest signal from any direction. BARK BARK! Spitfire pointed down the hall outside the gym. "I think it's coming from the guest bedroom." she spoke in a low tone to Trixie. Trixie nodded and together they crept silently heading down the hall as the barking became louder the closer the got. The sound lead them to the room Trixie was staying in much to their surprise.

Cautiously Spitfire opened the door heading in first followed by Trixie. When they entered the first thing they noticed was a new edition to the room. A bush with small ping flowers was in the corner of the room shuffling every few seconds. Spitfire regarded it with caution, but Trixie looked excited as she threw caution to the wind and trotted over to the bush.

"Trixie!" Spitfire called in a hushed but urgent tone trying to stop her. "You don't know what that is."

Trixie ignored the pegasus and sat next to the bush. She then crouched like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. She then she poked it with her nose saying, "I found you!" Suddenly the bush opened up into a small green dog with grass like fur and light blue eyes. It too was crouched wagging its tail happily at the sight of Trixie. It licked her nose before she scooped the little guy up embracing him. "LINK it is you!" she spun in place as the young timberwolf licked her barking in a happy tone wagging his tail.

Spitfire all the while watched in bewilderment. Never had she seen such a sight. She fought monsters of all shapes and sizes seen many magical creatures, but this one was new to her. Seeing the look on her face, Trixie held Link up to Spitfire so she could see him. "Spitfire, Trixie would like you to meet Link!" Spitfire tilted her head unsure of what Trixie was getting at. "Link is the timberwolf cub she told you about." she said seeing the disgruntled look on her face. Spitfire made a small O with her mouth as recognition came to her. Link then squirmed forward licking Spitfire in the nose making her rear back. "Blegh! It's in my mouth! Gross!" she spit several times as Trixie laughed at her cradling Link in her arms rocking him.

"Har har." she said sarcastically. "So, this is Link?" she walked over to Trixie looking curiously at the young timberwolf. She noticed how different he looked compared to the timberwolves she'd seen and read about. He was green and full of life, like a little chia pet come to life. The little cub looked up at Spitfire, trying to wiggle closer to her Trixie put him down and he crept closer to Spitfire. The pegasus took a step back not taking her eye off the cub. She knew how dangerous timbewolves were, and she didn't trust this one any more than she could throw Soarin of of Pette's Pie Bar.

"Trixie?" she asked warily.

Trixie could see her discomfort. Walking over next to the pegasus, Trixie sat next to her using her magic to make her do the same. Link continued to creep forward with his look of wonder, and Spitfire was shaking ever so slightly. Trixie wrapped an arm around her. "Don't worry my yellow feathered friend. Link won't hurt you as long as you don't hurt him." She then crouched down to meet his height. "Come here Link! Come here boy!" she tapped the ground as the little cub scampered to her licking her nose. Trixie giggled as she rolled on the ground and he followed her example rolling as well.

Spitfire smiled at the childish display She crouched next to the cub as he laid sprawled on his back looking at her. He barked once hopping back to his feet licking Spitfire on the nose before rubbing his body against hers like a cat. Spitfire couldn't help thinking he was the cutest thing in the world. She allowed him to sniff her and become accustom to her. "He seems so tame Trixie," she said surprised, "you trained him well for a wild animal."

Trixie looked offended scooping Link up in her arms protectively. "Link is no wild animal, and you will refrain from calling him such!" HUMPH. She stuck her nose up. Link did the same. Spitfire rolled her eyes sighing in exasperation. "Gosh Trixie, he's just like you. Is he going to start talking in third pony as well?"

Trixie puffed her cheeks glaring at the pegasus. Her horn glowed as Link was levitated to the bed, Spitfire watched as the cub landed softly on the bed before Trixie tackled her to the ground with a wild scream. The two ponies wrestled on the ground giggling like school fillies while Link barked happily running back and forth on the bed too afraid to jump down.

Spitfire eventually pinned Trixie to the ground. Holding her down by the shoulders. They looked at each other panting heavily, their coats damped from sweating. Spitfire then brought her wing to Trixie's sides causing her to squirm. "Now Trixie," she said grinning, "you can't escape justice! And I'm about to bring it down on you like Commander Hurricane did to the other tribes of old!"

Trixie was panicking inside. She hated being tickled almost as much as she hated ursas, but she wasn't strong enough to get the pegasus off her. Link barked from his spot on the bed sparking an idea in her mind. Lighting up her horn Trixie took hold of him levitating him behind Spitfire. Spitfire noticed her horn glowing and rubbed her nose to Trixie's. "Now Trixie, if you do anything rashly I won't go easy on you afterwards-" before she could finish Link popped up in front of her licking her in the mouth once again forcing her to release her captive spitting off to the side.

"You'll never take Trixie alive!" she yelled playfully.

Trixie stood up and made a break for the door placing Link on her back. "Good boy Link, mamma's so proud of you." She ran down the hall into the living room placing Link on the floor hiding in a nearby room giggling to herself, as Spitfire came rushing in the living room she spotted Link siting on the carpet licking his paw. She walked over to the cub sitting next to him petting him on the head. "So little one. Where's Trixie hiding?" she asked him. He made a sort of purring as he laid on his back exposing his belly giving a cute expression at Spitfire. She rubbed his belly making him kick his little green leg over and over. "Aww, you're just the cutest thing, yes you are. And to think i thought of you as nothing more than a simple animal." she looked around seeing one of the doors ajar. Her eyes widened as panic began to envelop her. "Aw crap."

She bolted for the door opening it to a large study that had newspaper clippings all over the walls, pictures, books, medical journals, and research papers on pegasus anatomy all around a single large crescent shaped desk. The only light was from a candle that Trixie held with her magic. Trixie was reading a document on pegasi wings and how they function when she saw Spitfire stood beside her. Trixie looked at her guiltily as she closed the document with her hoof looking at Spitfire in the eyes.

"Sorry. I know I wasn't allowed in here but..." She was cut off by a hoof gently pressing her lips. Spitfire looked at her not with anger, or disappointment, but understanding. She knew Trixie meant no harm coming in here. She slowly took her hoof across Trixie's cheek placing it on the back of her head leaning inwards kissing Trixie on the forehead.

"It's OK Trixie. Don't worry about it," she gave her a quick kiss on the lips, "There are somethings I need to tell you about myself, and well, since Soarin blabbed his yowling howler, I need to tell you about Vector and me." she said picking up a book opening it, but Trixie's magic closed the book. Spitfire looked over to Trixie with a surprised look. Trixie was shaking her head as she reached for the book with her hoof. "Trixie doesn't care right now," she placed her hoof on Spitfire's, "she only cares about you right now. Come on let's go to your room and maybe, The Great and Powerful Trixie will show you her amazing abilities to preen a pegasus." she said walking past Spitfire who held a dumb expression. Spitfire snapped out of her daze, grinning at Trixie she leapt after her both running to her room slamming the door to the study shut. In her rush Spitfire had dropped the book she was holding and it fell open to the page she'd marked and a photo floated down landing next to the candle.

The photo was Spitfire and Vector in a loving embrace kissing each other at Pette's Pie Bar. Vector was holding onto Spitfire by the hips while Spitfire held Vector by the neck both sitting at a table with nopony in the back ground. At the bottom of the photo was a short written message that read: To the secret Fire in my heart now and forever. See you next week for our secret date.

Love Vector.

Author's Notes:

Greetings from the great beyond! A new chapter has arrived at last. I've been working lately and haven't been able to update s frequently as I 'd like but I won't be on hiatus or anything like that.

On another note, I'm changing things up a bit. I have to things in mind and I want you the readers to decide which I do. Do you want a chapter for Fleetfoot and her date with Star Stripe, or more TrixFire? Let me know in a comment PM or whatever and the majority will be the choice I go with. Otherwise I'll flip a coin.

Fans are temporary. Friends are forever!