Senator Devall repressed a sigh as he trudged towards his new domicile. He had just finished sending a report to the Exodus Team detailing the outcome of his meeting with the surviving Enclave leaders and right now all he wanted to do was see his wife for the first time in weeks and get some rest. Unfortunately, any rest Devall did get was likely to be limited.

Truth be told, the Senator was seriously considering fetching Fleur, acquiring a Vertibird and moving to the Exodus building. It was in an incredibly precarious position; what with the Brotherhood of Steel being aware of its location, Super Mutants surrounding it and the huge amount of raw magic stored on-site, but at least there he could trust the people in charge. With Acheson trying to weaponize his own stock of magic, Adam's Air Force Base was probably the most dangerous place in the entire wasteland.

Turning past a Protectron recharging station, the Senator finally let out that sigh as he saw his assigned building. It wasn't much, little more than a glorified bunker really, but it was a place to sleep, and his wife was waiting.

Devall opened the heavy metal door as gently as he could. A dull metal corridor stretched out in front of him with a couple of doors spaced evenly on either side. "Fleur?" He called out softly, not wanting to wake her if she was asleep.

A quiet cry of surprise and shuffling footsteps preceded the arrival of Fleur herself. Devall barely caught a glimpse of her long silky brown hair, refined features, and somewhat protruding belly before she threw her arms around him. "Finally," she purred. "God, I've missed you. Talking over the radio just isn't the same."

"I heartily agree." Devall kissed Fleur's forehead before dropping to one knee and laying his hands on her belly. "And how is our little one doing?"

"Kicking me right in the bladder every ten minutes," Fleur huffed, though she smiled as she said it. "Anyway, I'm sure that you want to relax and tell me exactly what the hell has been going on over the last few days, and God knows I want to hear it, but it's going to have to wait. You've got a visitor."

"Of course I do," Devall sighed. Fleur led him through one of the doors into a surprisingly cosy sitting room with a big squishy sofa, a matching loveseat, and an electric fireplace burning brightly.

The visitor was standing next to the loveseat; a young woman clad in a nondescript black suit with black hair pulled back into a tight braid. A plasma pistol was holstered at her waist. Devall was surprised to recognize her as the Secret Service Agent from the earlier meeting.

"Senator Devall, it's a pleasure to officially meet you," the agent said, extending her hand in greeting.

Devall nodded as he shook her hand. "The pleasure is mine, Agent…?"

"Bonnie Drops, but everyone calls me Bon Bon," the agent replied.

"Very well, Agent Drops. Please, take a seat," Devall said, the use of Bon Bon's title setting the formality for the meeting. He and Fleur settled themselves on the sofa while the agent perched on the edge of the loveseat. "Now then, what can I do for you? I must admit I'm curious as to why a member of the Secret Service would be calling on me."

"I'm here to discuss the results of the meeting with Senator Lily and Acheson," Agent Drops said without preamble.

Devall kept his expression carefully neutral. Agent Drops had voted in favor of a peace treaty, but that didn't automatically make her trustworthy. Prudence required that he figure her agenda before giving anything away. "What exactly would you like to discuss about them?"

Agent Drops gave Duvall a calculating look. "I noticed that, despite the many things we covered in that meeting, no-one happened to mention anything about installing a new President."

It was a statement, not a question, but it certainly gave Duvall an idea of what the agent was after. "I can't speak for the others, but I felt that pushing for a vote so soon after losing Raven Rock would simply cause more conflict and confusion among our ranks."

"I see." Agent Drops slowly arched an eyebrow. "With respect, Senator, I'd appreciate it if we could skip the bullshit and talk openly." Devall blinked in surprise at her sudden brusque attitude, but Agent Drops just rolled her eyes and said flatly, "You and I both know that the only reason Senator Lily didn't announce her presidential campaign there and then is because she wasn't certain that she would win, and the current lack of oversight plays into whatever schemes she's pulling behind the scenes."

Agent Drops leaned forward to frown at him. "The other Senators are non-entities, but you… you're the only Senator left that can directly challenge her. You know you would most likely win if you aimed for the Presidency. So why didn't you push for it?"

It was exactly as Devall had expected. He supposed he should be grateful that it was only Agent Drops that had come knocking. With a heavy sigh, he said firmly, "I agree that I would most likely win, but I have absolutely no intention of becoming President of the Enclave."

Shock flitted across Agent Drops' face. "Why not?! You would be able to push through a peace treaty with the Brotherhood of Steel and put the brakes on this insane magical experimentation!"

Devall could practically feel the surprise and curiosity wafting off of Fleur, but she knew better than to let it show on her face. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders before replying, "I'm afraid I am not a selfless man. In a few short months I am going to become a father, and I have no intention of putting my family in any unnecessary danger. Becoming President would paint a colossal target right across our backs." Devall allowed himself a small smirk. "Having said that, I'm not simply sitting idle. I've been putting out feelers and laying the groundwork for someone else to take up the Presidency; someone far more qualified and, if I'm being honest, far more intelligent."

Silence fell in the wake of Devall's little speech. After a few seconds, to his great surprise, Agent Drops smiled wryly. "I assume the fact that Horrigan is back is going to factor into your plans somehow, and maybe the experimental technology that Doctor Strong apparently used just before the as-of-yet unexplained destruction of Raven Rock?"

"How do you know about that?!" Devall demanded. He himself had only learned of it during his communication with Lieutenant Colonel Strong just before he came home, and he certainly hadn't mentioned it to anyone else yet.

"I have a contact at Project Exodus," Agent Drops told him. "She hasn’t been there long, but Horrigan is kinda hard to miss, and there's a few things going through the grapevine among the personnel stationed there."

Devall narrowed his eyes at the agent. "What exactly do you want?"

Agent Drops stopped smiling and straightened up. "You know what I want; a decent President who has the best interests of the whole wasteland at heart, not just their own agenda." She stood and smoothed out the creases in her suit. "I would like things to be done peacefully, but somehow I doubt that's going to happen. I suspect, and I think you do too, that a rift is opening up in the Enclave." Agent Drops looked Devall dead in the eye. "I know which side of that rift I'm on, Senator. Am I the only one?"

Devall stood and crossed his arms, giving the woman an appraising look. Finally he extended a hand to his new ally. "No, Bon Bon, I don't think you are."

---

"Hey, y'all wanted to see us?" Applejack called out as she and Rainbow entered the Great Hall.

Elder Lyons was standing alone in the middle of the room between the c-shaped tables. He turned as the girls closed the door behind them. "Applejack, Rainbow, thank you for coming."

"Where's everyone else?" Applejack asked.

Elder Lyons stepped over to one of the tables and perched himself on the edge of it. "It's just me, for now. I'd like to keep this conversation relatively private. How is Fluttershy doing?"

Applejack and Rainbow shared a dark look. "We managed to strap her down safely. She still ain't back to herself, yet, but Twilight says she's gonna study up on FEV and see what she can do."

"I'll have the scribes bring her everything we know about FEV," Elder Lyons said with a nod. "In the meantime, I know that this is not a good time, but I'm afraid I have a request for each of you."

"Is this about Rivet City again?" Rainbow asked.

"It is," Elder Lyons admitted. "They have requested Applejack and Rarity specifically, and I was hoping that Sunset would go with you as well." He held a hand up as the girls tried to interrupt. "I realize that Sunset is not in the best frame of mind right now, but that is exactly why I believe that going to Rivet City might be good for her."

Applejack looked at him skeptically. "How do you figure?"

"For a start, it'll take her mind off fighting," Elder Lyons replied. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Besides, there is little she can do to help either Adam or Fluttershy here. At least if Sunset goes to Rivet City, she'll be able to help them with their magic problem and actually being able to help someone with a problem will be a lot better for her mental health than sitting around feeling useless." He sighed again and shook his head. "Trust me, I speak from experience."

With a jolt, Applejack remembered that his daughter was in the infirmary, too; stuck in a coma next to Adam. "Alright, Ah'll talk to her," Applejack told him. "Ah can't promise that she won't kick up a fuss, though."

Elder Lyons nodded. "Fair enough. A squad will be back from Project Purity in around two hours to escort you to Rivet City. Please try to be ready in the courtyard by then."

"What about me?" Rainbow asked. "Am I going to Rivet City too, or what?"

"I actually have something else in mind for you. If it works, then you might actually be able to help both Twilight and Fluttershy, and possibly even the entire wasteland." Elder Lyons fixed Rainbow with a serious look. "I warn you, this will potentially be an extremely dangerous mission, and you'll be going in solo. I'm only asking you because between your speed, your ability to fly, and your proven track record against Vertibirds; you are the only person that I believe can pull this off safely."

Rainbow stared at him blankly. "Super dangerous mission that might help fix Twilight and Fluttershy?"

"Indeed," Elder Lyons replied gravely. "If you don't think that you are up to-"

"I'm in, what's the plan?" Rainbow cut in.

Elder Lyons raised an eyebrow, but quickly explained, "I want you to sneak into Project Exodus and try to contact the scientists that helped you escape from there. See if you can find out what the likelihood of a peace treaty is and, if it seems unlikely, gather as much intel about the Enclave as you possibly can."

---

Twilight winced as Pinkie pushed her wheelchair through the corridors. She was wearing a special brace that immobilized her arms and shoulders to prevent tearing her wounds back open, but even with painkillers she still felt the odd twinge.

"Is this the right room?" Pinkie asked.

Twilight looked up at the door they'd stopped next to. "I think so?" A low snarl from within the room served to confirm their suspicions. The two shared a worried look, then Pinkie opened the door and carefully wheeled Twilight in.

Fluttershy was lying on a hospital bed inside, with several sets of padded cuffs restraining her arms and legs and a thick leather strap around her torso keeping her from squirming too much. Her wings were awkwardly splayed out beneath her and a drip poked out from a bandage on her elbow. Sunset, sitting on a chair next to the bed, looked around as the pair entered. "Oh, hey, how're you feeling?"

"Uh, could be better," Twilight replied as Pinkie made a so-so gesture. "I tried walking earlier, but it didn't go so well, so the medics told me to stick to a wheelchair for now." Twilight considered asking how Sunset was, just to be polite, when she was startled by Fluttershy suddenly trying to lunge at them. Fortunately, the restraints foiled her attempt, so she settled for letting out a blood-curdling hiss of frustration.

"Alright, I'll get you some more now," Sunset said wearily.

"Get her some what?" Pinkie asked.

They watched curiously as Sunset reached down to a bag at her feet. Twilight recognized it as Fluttershy's nursing kit. Their curiosity turned to horror as Sunset pulled out a blood pack, snipped a corner off, and carefully held it up to Fluttershy's mouth. Fluttershy sucked at it greedily.

"Sunset?! W-what are you doing?!" Twilight asked incredulously.

Sunset shrugged. "She wants blood, so that's what I'm giving her. It might help."

Twilight stared at her in shock. "Help?! That doesn't even make any sense!"

"None of this makes sense!" Sunset spat. "The FEV, the radiation, the violence, this entire world is beyond insane. All I know is that Fluttershy's drinking a lot slower than earlier, the first two of these disappeared in seconds. I don't know if that means it's helping, or she's just getting full, but I'm going to keep doing it until either Fluttershy is back to normal or I'm out of blood." Sunset crumpled up the empty blood pack now that Fluttershy was done with it and tossed it aside.

Twilight sighed internally. She couldn't bear to watch her friends suffer like this, but she didn't know what she could say to try and make things better. "Sunset, I-"

"M-more." The three girls stared at Fluttershy, hardly believing their ears. "P-please… mo… more," she whispered again.

"Holy shit! Is this actually working?!" Sunset snatched another blood pack out of the bag, cut it open, and held it out for Fluttershy.

Twilight and Pinkie watched in amazement as Fluttershy closed her eyes and slowly drained the pack, sighing and letting her head fall back against her pillow once it was empty. When she opened her eyes again she just stared up at the ceiling blankly. "What's happening to me?"

The others all sighed and sagged with relief. "FEV," Sunset told her, "but don't worry, we're going to do everything we can to help you, okay?"

Fluttershy opened her mouth to reply, then snapped it shut as her cheeks turned a pale green. "I think I'm going to…"

"Don't throw up!" Sunset cried. "You've only got one blood pack left and the Brotherhood will go nuts if I start stealing theirs!"

Fluttershy gritted her teeth and groaned. "Wh-what's in the IV drip?"

"Uh… I think it's just ordinary fluids?" Sunset replied.

"Standard saline solution," Twilight confirmed with a quick glance at the bag.

Fluttershy nodded stiffly. "Sunset... Cyclizine, in my kit. It should be in a syringe. And someone get me out of these restraints."

Sunset snatched up the nursing kit and started rifling through it as Pinkie set to undoing Fluttershy's restraints. It wasn't until she found the requested drug that Sunset realized that releasing their vampiric friend might be a monumentally stupid idea, but before she could say anything Pinkie undid the last restraint and flicked it aside.

Thankfully, instead of attacking them in a feral rage, Fluttershy just held a hand out for the syringe. Sunset wordlessly handed it over, feeling a little guilty for not trusting her friend.

Fluttershy checked the syringe to make sure it was correct, then bit the lid off, attached it to the catheter in her elbow one-handed and slowly administered the Cyclizine. The girls watched in silence as Fluttershy gave herself measured pushes of the drug over the course of a few minutes. The time seemed to crawl by until, when she was finally done, Flutters carefully removed the syringe and tossed it aside before sinking back against the bed, her wings creaking beneath her.

"Er, what was that? Sunset asked.

"Cyclizine, it's an antiemetic," Fluttershy replied. Seeing the blank look on Sunset's face, she sighed and lifted her arm to rest it above her head. "It helps prevent vomiting. Can everyone please just… just be quiet for a little while?"

The room fell silent as everyone dutifully obeyed. Twilight couldn't help but feel a little frustrated at how useless she was at the moment. Without her arms her magic was limited, leaving her as little more than an observer while everyone else did the work. Admittedly, there wasn't much she could do in this situation anyway, but it would be nice to at least have options. Until then, Twilight swore that she was going to study harder than ever before, especially about FEV.

Eventually, Fluttershy sighed again and looked up at Sunset. "Hey."

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Sunset asked.

Fluttershy blinked and looked back up at the ceiling. "Um, in the last few hours I've tried to kill my boyfriend,-"

"Wait, what?!" Sunset blurted out.

"-ran out of the Citadel," Fluttershy continued heedlessly, "got kidnapped by raiders, nearly got raped, bit out a man's throat, killed a bunch more raiders, mutated into some sort of vampire and drank a ridiculous amount of blood," she ran a hand across her forehead. "Somehow though, I feel pretty… I don't know… not good, but… mellow?"

"You're probably in shock," Twilight supplied.

"Probably," Fluttershy agreed. She groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "The last few weeks have been fucking awful."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at her candour, not to mention the casual profanity. Apparently, either the FEV or just the situation in general were affecting Fluttershy pretty severely. Twilight was about to suggest maybe letting her get some sleep when she noticed Sunset shaking with barely suppressed mirth.

"What's so funny?" Pinkie asked.

Sunset snorted, holding up a hand at the surprised looks of the others. "S-sorry. It's just… I never expected Fluttershy to say the word f-fucking!"

Twilight stared at Sunset in mute shock as she started snickering. Her surprise grew as Fluttershy and Pinkie joined in, gradually losing control of themselves until finally the three of them were howling with laughter. Twilight just sighed heavily and shook her head. "We're going to need some serious therapy after this," she said flatly.

Next Chapter: Chapter 70 - Flutterbat Estimated time remaining: 30 Hours, 18 Minutes