Author's Notes:

So here is a much lighter chapter to help ease all that darkness from the last chapter. I hope you all like it. I also hope it makes up for my last chapter to all those who pushed off by the last chapter. So I don't have much more to say on this note, so I guess I should close it out. As Always: comment, like, follow, tell and share. I hope to get a few more The Fabled Warrior chapters done before I move into Solar Son. So Solar Son fans, just wait until next Monday and I'll be back in that story. So you all next time.

Healing
Twilight POV

I walked the market of Ponyville. I looked down at the list in my hands. It was all the stuff I needed to gather for the library. I looked back at the crowd as not to run into anypony. As I walked, I looked at all the happy ponies. I wish I was that happy. Nearly three days had passed since my rape at the hands of Calvin. But before Xavier and I left Canterlot to return to Ponyville. Blood Fang told us that Calvin was found dead. The killer was still at large, but I didn't care. When I heard he was dead, I smiled just for a minute. I was happy that I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

When we returned home, and after Moon got out of school. I just hugged her and held her tight. It felt good to hold her. It helped get my mind over what had happened to me. Xavier called together the harem when Moon went off to play with her friends, and we told them everything. They instantly hugged me and said they were there for me. When Moon came home, we told her a gentle version that I was hurt and that I wasn't going to be the same mother. But she understood everything Xavier, and I told her. So everything was running smooth, but I still wasn't myself.

I looked down again and went to a stand and bought some vegetables that we needed. I looked back down when I heard my name called. I looked to see Fluttershy. She was smiling as she walked towards me. I smiled, but it still felt so fake. We came into a hug as we met.

"Hi, Fluttershy," I said

"Nice to see you out Twilight. So you're doing some shopping." Said Fluttershy

"Yeah got to make sure we have plenty of food in the house," I said

"Mind if I join. My class finished early today, and I have nothing else to do today." Said Fluttershy

"I don't mind, I could use the company," I said

We began to walk as I looked back down at the list. Not much was left to get before I could head back home.

"How have you been doing Twilight?" Asked Fluttershy

"I wish I could be better, but I'm not. I'm still having nightmares, and I swear Xavier naps more around the house because of it. I swear that nothing looks to the same to me. I look in the mirror every morning, and I just see my dead, lifeless eyes. Some days I swear I see Calvin's. Certain noises cause me to flash back to my rape. Right now my life is shit. But even though it is, you all are here for me. Xavier stays up until I'm asleep. Barb is doing everything for the library. Even Flame helps with Moon. Or when I feel down, he curls up and purrs and lets me pet him. So I guess, I'm better than the day after my rape," I said

"Glad to hear, just know we're all here for you Twilight. A harem helps out those in need. I'm just happy to see you coming around. So have you tried to perform magic." Said Fluttershy

"Yes, but it makes me feel like I'm back in Magic Kindergarten. But I'm slowly getting it back. I'm happy to say I should be able to perform magic maybe in the next month or so," I said

"I'm so excited for you, Twilight." Fluttershy paused for a second, "Mind if I hug you."

I smiled, "Sure."

We came into a hug. Because certain actions caused me to flashback, my friends asked if it was ok for them to do certain things. After we had parted, we continued to shop around. We got everything I needed except new quills and ink for the library. We were about to enter the store when a stallion bumped into the back of me. In an instant, I flashed back to my rape. My body then went into overdrive to defend myself. I turned around and slugged him in the face. Like I told Calvin, being raised by a father who is a major-general for Celestia meant I could defend myself. I started to sweat and breath as I tried to stop my mind from flashing back.

"My nose." Said the stallion

When I heard those words, I began to shook myself back together to see the stallion holding his muzzle. I saw blood coming from his hand.

"I think you broke it." He said

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just couldn't control myself," I said

"I'm not too sure about that with the way you threw that punch." Said the stallion

"Please forgive Twilight; she's going through some things right now. Come on Twilight, let's head home. I'll pick up some ink and quills for you later this week." Said Fluttershy

"Thanks," I said

We left the market and headed back to the library.

***
Xavier POV

"So that's what happened." Said Fluttershy

I sat in the kitchen leaning back in my chair as Fluttershy recounted what happened today to me. After Twilight had got home with Fluttershy, she walked up the stairs, and I heard the bedroom door close. I then asked Fluttershy what happened while she was out. I was in thought, but that ended when Flame started to burst out laughing.

"Oh, I would have loved to see that. I always thought Twilight the bookworm could never throw a punch. But she slugs a stallion right in the muzzle and breaks his nose. Oh, that would have made my day." Said Flame

"Flame this isn't laughing matter. Twilight did it out of instinct to protect herself. She never got a chance to do so when Calvin attacked her." Said Fluttershy

"Oh come on Fluttershy, I was trying to lighten the mood. Every since Xavier and Twilight returned, this library just feels thick with bad mojo. I'm trying to lighten the situation. I know that it's not a joking matter, I saw her the day they came back. Her eyes barely showed any signs of her old self. They just seemed dead. Yours were the same brother for a while. Though I am happy to see a little life in her eyes." Said Flame

"Flame's right to point as well as you Fluttershy. I am happy to see her coming back to her old self, though slowly coming back. But I know that she'll never be the Twilight I remember before this," I said

"So did you ever find her help. I'm afraid of what she could do when her magic comes back to her. A startled unicorn with high levels of magical power is a dangerous combination." Said Fluttershy

"I'll take your word on that. But yes, I have gotten Twilight help. Celestia pointed me to a therapist who lives on the outskirts of Ponyville. Celestia tells she is the best at what she does. So I signed her up for tomorrow morning. I just hope this therapist helps out. I can't stand seeing her so depressed all the time," I said

"I hope so too." Said Fluttershy

"Well, thanks for watching out for her Fluttershy. I think I'm going to see her. I just want to make sure she's ok. Flame if Moon comes home, have her start her homework before she even thinks about going out," I said

"You got it, brother." Said Flame

Fluttershy got up and kissed me on the cheek before stepping out. I closed the door behind her and walked up to the room Twilight, and I shared with ever so often sharing it with Barb. But for the past few days, it was just Twilight and me. I know I was neglecting the others of my harem, but they all understood. They told me to be with Twilight until she got back on her hooves. I was happy they were understanding.

I reached the door and opened it up. The room was dark, which wasn't natural of Twilight. I saw her lying on the bed with her head on a pillow. She just laid there. I walked forward and crawled onto the bed. I curled my hands around her and rested my head on my pillow. I didn't say a word as I held her. I knew that's what she needed, a rock to hold onto her. So I held onto her. I watched as she began to flip herself over. Her violet eyes were looking into my sea blue eyes covered by my glasses. I stroked her face as I looked at her eyes. I wished they were full of life again instead of the dead look they gave. I wanted a lot of things, but I knew that none of them would become real.

"Xavier." Said Twilight

"Yes Twilight," I said

"Why do you still hold me?" She asked

"Huh," I said

"Why do you still hold this hollow shell. I mean everything you loved about me is gone. All you're holding is a shell of the mare you fell in love with a week ago. You put your whole life on hold so that you can care for me. But you have four other deserving females, but you put all of your life into me. Why do you want to be near me? I'm nothing but damaged goods with no purpose." She began to tear up as she continued, "I beat you at night when I have a nightmare. I'm causing you to become sleep deprived. I'm causing you to fail at work. I can't even walk outside because if something brushes up against me, I'll freak out. You can't even sexually touch me without flashbacks or consent sexually with you. I'm not even sure if I'll be the unicorn I was and be able to perform at the same level of magic, I was at before. I'm nothing but defect, a defective harem beta. But still, you keep me, why Xavier, why. Why do you keep me as your beta, why keep me in the harem? I'm not worth being in your harem. I feel like I should be thrown to the curve with garbage and taken to the dump. Because that's all I am, garbage. But you hold onto this garbage, and I ask why?"

I felt a tear run down my face as I pulled her close to me. I ran my hands softly across her back. It hurt hearing speak of herself like that. It hurt because I wasn't able to save her. I knew I failed her and that hurt the most.

"Why I keep you Twilight is because I love you. I could never see my life without in this harem. I told you that when I first created the herd with you and Applejack. I meant what I said to you and Applejack. That statement still holds true today. You're not a defective unicorn, your just a wounded one. I'm your rock for you to hold onto and to survive the waves of life. I don't care about anything that concerns mating because that's just a bonus of loving you. True love comes from being right here holding you and knowing you're my beta. But still, I'm sorry." I started to break down in tears, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm supposed to be this hero that protects you, but instead, I failed you. I let you get hurt and raped. I should have been there faster. I should have been by your side. But no, I wasn't I was asleep. I let you become what you are. All your problems are all my fault. I wish I could go back in time and change everything so that it was before all of this. But I can't, and I'm just sorry. I'm your knight, your protector, how can I even be that if I let you get hurt. How can I protect the others if I can't even keep you safe? Twilight forgive me, this all my fault. This whole thing is my fault."

I closed my eyes as I began to cry everything out. But I lightened up when I felt Twilight's muzzle brush against my cheek. I opened my eyes to see her gently rubbing it back and forth. She stopped and looked at me. She ran her hand across my cheek and smiled.

"Xavier I forgive you. Nothing that happened to me is your fault. Neither you or I am at fault here. Whoever gave Calvin those powers is to blame here. So please stop crying. I don't like to see my rock cry." She said

I wiped my tears and looked as I heard the door open. Moon poked her head into the room.

"Mom and Dad." She said

"We're in here, honey," I said

She came in and closed the door, "Uncle Flame told me you would be up here."

"What do you need honey?" I asked

She walked forward, and I could hear her crying. I got up and walked over to her. I picked her up and started to wipe away her tears as Twilight got up.

"Why are you crying dear?" I asked

"Because I don't like seeing you and mom sad." She said

"Oh, Moon." Said Twilight

"I want things to go back to the way things were. I want them to go back to when things were happier." Said Moon

"So do I honey, but we can't change the hands of time. But I know what you could do to help make everything go back to normal," I said

"That would be." Said Moon

"For you to give your mother a big old hug," I said

I handed her off to Twilight, and they hugged. It made me happy to see Twilight embrace Moon. I think it helped her when Moon was around.

"Please stop crying mom; I don't like seeing you sad." Said Moon

"Same here Moon. I hate to see my little girl cry over me, just like I hate seeing your father cry. You are my rocks, and my rocks should be robust against the waves." She pulled Moon from her shoulder and wiped away her tears, "How about we make a promise? If you stop crying, then I'll stop."

"What about dad?" Asked Moon

"I think he should join in as well." Said Twilight

"Yes, I will. So let's promise to stop crying about this and move forward. We can move together as one loving family," I said

"What about Uncle Flame and Aunt Barbara?" Said Moon

"Them to and my other lovers. Together we will stop crying over the past and look to the future. But most of all we look at what's happening right now. For today is a gift we shouldn't spoil any gift with tears," I said

"Your right Xavier." Said Twilight

"Yeah, Dad." Said Moon

We came together in a loving hug. I yawned as I was quite tired. I got about five hours of sleep last night. Twilight stroked my face and crawled onto the bed and patted for me to follow. I followed suit and wrapped my arms around my beta and my daughter. Twilight kept her arms tight around Moon as she snuggled into Twilight's arms. I kissed each on the forehead before laying my head on a pillow.

"I love you both," I said

"I love you both as well," said Twilight kissing Moon and me on the forehead.

"I also love you both," said Moon as she kissed us on the forehead.

I smiled as I yawned again and pulled my family closer to me. I watched as Twilight and Moon drifted off to sleep. I knew we all needed it. So I didn't mind having my daughter not doing her homework right after school. I watched as a smile came to Twilight's lips. I smiled as I held them as close as I could. I then closed my eyes let sleep take me, but not before I uttered a few words.

"Sweet dreams."

***
Twilight POV

I sat in a chair looking over a magazine that was originally lying on a table next to me. Xavier was napping next to me. Today was the day, the day I entered counseling for my rape. Xavier had been speaking with Celestia and found a therapist that lived just on the outskirts of Ponyville. I read that she was the best at what she did. I knew this was the start of the healing process I needed to go through. I flipped through a page and heard my name called.

"Twilight Sparkle."

I shook Xavier awake, and I watched as he stretched out.

"Huh." He said

"I'm going in, just wanted you to know. You going to stay and wait for me," I said

"Yeah, Moon told me she could make it home on her own. But you might have to wake me up when you finish your session." He said

"Ok, see you in an hour," I said

"Twilight wait," I looked back at him. "Remember that you can tell her anything. She can't say a thing to anypony else. So please tell her everything you want to say. Don't hold back anything. This session is your time to talk."

"Alright Xavier," I said

I walked up to the desk, and receptionist pointed the way. I followed her to a room. The receptionist opened it for me, and I thanked her. I walked in and found it was quite a lovely place. It had a peaceful vibe to it. Two chairs sat in the middle of the room. A desk sat at the other end with plenty of items on it. Framed documents hung on the wall showing that the mare I was seeing had everything to qualify as a psychologist. Then there was another door that led outside to a garden. Different types of plants grew in the garden.

"Hello." Said a female voice

I turned to see a mare come in from the garden. The mare stood the average height for a mare. The mare's coat was a rose color with a light blue and white mane. She had gray eyes that a pair of black framed glasses. She wore a white dress. She didn't have a horn or a pair of wings, so she was an earth pony.

"Yeah, nice to meet you. I'm Twilight Sparkle," I said

"Glad to meet you, I'm Doctor Peace. Shall we take a seat."

She pointed to the chairs. I took the one nearest the entrance to the room. She took the other chair and pulled a file next to her and opened it up and seemed to be scanning over it. She closed it and then pulled a notepad over and opened it.

"So Twilight from what I gained from your stallion. You are here because somepony raped you." Said Dr. Peace

"Yes, by my ex-coltfriend," I said

"I see, so you dated before you fell in love with your new stallion. So tell me are you in a harem or are you monogamy." Said Dr. Peace

"Xavier is in a harem with me being a beta," I said

"I see, so let's talk about how is this rape is affecting your harem." Said Dr. Peace

"Well, the harem is understanding of my rape," I said

"How understanding?" Asked Dr. Peace

"Well, they've been letting Xavier stay exclusively with me. They have also been spending time with me when I go out in public. It's been nice to have them close through all of this," I said

"Ok, so how many are in his harem?" Asked Dr. Peace

"With me, there are four others. So that makes five altogether," I said

"I see, so is the harem healthy." Said Dr. Peace

"Healthy," I said

"Yes, a robust harem means that the stallion has a relationship with all the females in the harem. Unhealthy ones are ones that have the stallion paying attention to only one mare in the harem and leaving the others in the dust." Said Dr. Peace

"Oh, well I guess we've been healthy. But Xavier has only ever had an intimate relationship with me and the alpha of our harem. The other three are still virgins, so they are waiting for the right time for Xavier to finish the bond," I said

"Hm, so ever since your rape and return to Ponyville, has Xavier had any intercourse with any mare in the harem." Said Dr. Peace

"No, Xavier has put a pause on his sex life to take care of me," I said

"I see, but do you feel like he should be doing that." Said Dr. Peace

"I don't know why he even is putting so much devotion into me. He has four other girls he could be cuddling in bed with instead of me. If I get a single nightmare, I thrash around in the bed and beat him up. But instead of getting mad or lashing out or even leaving. He stays up and calms me down and doesn't sleep until I've gone back to sleep. He barely gets enough sleep, which causes him to nap on the couch. He also has started to take fewer hours in his job. But I also think he's holding off his urge for sexual acts because he doesn't feel right for him to be in pleasure as long as I'm not up for any sexual acts. I don't know how he could do such things when I'm a broken mare. Nothing can change what happened to me. I don't see why he doesn't just throw me out of the harem and leave me. But no, he just continues to be my rock, no matter what I say," I said

"So you feel Xavier should dump you out of the harem because you're imperfect goods." Said Dr. Peace

"That's what I felt since we came back. But Xavier keeps telling me that he loves me and that nothing that happened to me will change that," I said

"Hmm, so do you love him?" Asked Dr. Peace

"Yes I do, every aspect of me loves him. He isn't anything like my ex-coltfriend. Xavier is sweet, caring and loving. He might be spending all his time taking care of me, but it lets me appreciate how much I love him. It lets me see how much he cares for me. I would trade anything to be with Xavier. He is my soul mate," I said

"Then you answered your question, Twilight. But it also allowed me to see Xavier for the stallion he is. Most stallions with herds or harems that have problems like these reject the broken female completely. But Xavier isn't; he is spending all his time to make sure you are ok. That is something you should be happy for because it shows a stallion who cares. It sounds like Xavier would gladly give anything to make you or the other females in your harem happy. So you have nothing to fear from this rape, Twilight. Sure no mare wants to go through such a horrific act. But you shouldn't let it blind you to the love Xavier gives you. We can't erase the past, Twilight and sometimes it is hard to move forward from it. But we all have to go on, and I believe with Xavier by your side, you will make it through it all." A clock began to chime off, "Well, it seems our session is over. Don't worry yourself with the expenses. Princess Celestia is covering it. Twilight, I want to see you three times a week to start out. Then when you feel more comfortable, we then can begin to move it down to twice a week and then once a week. Just make sure to stop by the receptionist to schedule your next appointment." I got and smiled as I shook Dr. Peace's hand. I then left for the door. But I heard her call out to me. "Twilight," I turned my head back to her. "Remember, none of this is ever your fault. Also, Xavier loves you ever much. Hope to see you soon."

"Thank you, Dr. Peace." I grabbed the knob to the door and opened it. But before I left I turned back, "Also, it was finally nice to talk to somepony about all of this."

"I'm glad, Twilight. Have a wonderful rest of your day." Said Dr. Peace

I stepped out and made my way to the front desk. I made my next two appointments and then went over. Xavier was in the chair with his head back as he was snoring away. I smiled as I looked at him. Dr. Peace is right, Xavier loves me no matter what happened. I gently started to nudge him awake.

"Xavier time to wake up," I said

"Huh." He blinked his eyes and stretched out as his mind came back to him. He then looked up at me, "Oh Twilight, you're done. Wow, that hour went by fast." Xavier got up and started to crack his back, "Oh man, I don't think the pony who designed these chairs didn't think any pony would sleep in them."

I giggled as I planted a loving kiss on his lips.

"Then let's get you home and get you someplace more comfortable to sleep," I said

"Yeah, I couldn't agree more." He said

He looped his arm, and I looped my arm around his arm, and we began to leave. I rested my head on his shoulder, though careful of my horn.

"So, how was it?" Asked Xavier

I looked up at him and smiled, "It was perfect."