Only after the short black tail of the red doctor disappears behind the closed door does Captain Spitfire drop into her chair, pensively resting her elbows on her desk and her head on her hooves. She mulls over her options, none of them particularly attractive.

“Ma’am,” Fast Clip starts, his voice wavering slightly. He gulps, briefly glancing to Whiplash.

Even though Captain Spitfire hasn’t worked with the senior drill instructors as long as the other Wondercolts like Soarin and Fleetfoot, she still catches his meaning immediately. “I know,” she says neutrally, all of her brashness gone. She pulls out the rest of Rainbow Dash’s file. “We don’t technically kick them out for being pregnant, but because they can’t keep up, or it’s unsafe if they do.”

“And you’re afraid she might?” Fast Clip prompts.

“I’m not afraid of that, I know she can. And will.” Captain Spitfire flips to a picture of a filly Rainbow Dash performing the Sonic Rainboom. “But not for long. And the harder she has to push herself, the more dangerous it is. She might convince Doc Life Guard, and that…”

She motions to the closed door, scowling; M. D. Vac might be one of the best healers they have, patching Wonderbolts back into service past the point when others would have inquiring about their next of kin, but his eager willingness for them to get in those positions rankles her. “...Doctor would sign off until she pisses blood, and maybe even then. But I’m not putting her or the foal through that.” Captain Spitfire’s eyes narrow, and she stifles a strong urge to add another divot to the desk. “And we are not turning the Academy into a daycare.”

“Then what do we do?” Whiplash asks, his voice gruff.

Captain Spitfire sighs as she pages through Rainbow Dash’s file. “Unless she shows up here with that ‘discrepancy’ spontaneously cleared up, we need alternatives.” She taps a hoof against the desk a few times, a smile slowly crossing that hard muzzle. “Get Sight Seer back in here, and Fleetfoot. We need to give her a new dream. Or at least a three year distraction.”

Meanwhile in Ponyville

“Another down,” Doug says between deep breaths as he steadily pulls the applewood cart behind him past Sweet Apple Acres. It’s laden with bags stuffed with gems, Rarity’s climbing garb, and the mare herself. “You know, one of these days I’m going to make you drag the cart and I’ll sit on the back.”

“But I injured my hoof,” Rarity weakly whines, melodramatically holding up her foreleg. She limply dangles it back and forth. Her other forehoof blocks the sun from her eyes as she collapses onto the hard bags, staring up at the partly cloudy sky. “And it still hurts.” She sniffles, louder than necessary, teary blue eyes threatening to ruin her eyeshadow.

“Funny, it didn’t seem to hurt while we were in the cave. Must have been the allure of all those gems.” Doug glances back, winking at the mare. She seems to take it good naturedly. “Or the hands.”

“Must be,” Rarity concedes, pouting as she rolls to her barrel, then hops off the cart as they come into Ponyville proper. She winces with every step, trying to conceal it. “I appreciate the ride, I really do.” She walks next to him, or at least as close as she can get without her backside running into the cart. She tilts her head just slightly, hoping to entice him with the casual position of her mane.

“It’s alright,” Doug says. He briefly lets go to rub just behind Rarity’s exposed ear. “I’m just... I dunno, these days are starting to get boring.”

“I do believe you’ve made that particular pun before,” Rarity says with a light chuckle. She misses the contact, and can’t stand that he will be leaving her at the Boutique to return to Sweet Apple Acres. She feigns indignation as she sticks her muzzle in the air, “I’m afraid it’s all tapped out.”

“I’ll have to expose a new vein, then,” Doug says cheekily.

“Mm.” Rarity grins salaciously, putting a bit of sway in her step. “Perhaps you can help me sort. You just might find one.” She suggestively flicks her tail to the side, even though Doug isn’t in the perfect position to catch her intent.

“That’s a great idea!” Doug says with far too much excitement; a slight frown crosses Rarity’s muzzle. “I was thinking about what I wanted to get with whatever you’re paying me.” Doug purses his lips as if deep in thought, his head turning to the side as he looks up at the pegasi working the weather. He wishes that a certain chromatic blur was up there. “What do you think about making four… well, maybe just three sets of dice?”

“They may not be perfectly balanced, due to inherent impurities, but I have the tools at the Boutique.” Rarity nods to herself, suppressing her sigh. He has to be doing it intentionally, ignoring her subtle and not so subtle hints. Should I just outright ask him? “I assume different sets are different colors?”

“Yeah, that’d be good.” Doug hums to himself as he looks Rarity from head to tail. “What color would you prefer? Like, a clear diamond, or amethyst, or some lighter sapphires? You know, to match your coat, or mane, or cutie mark?”

“Oh, darling,” Rarity says with a coy shake of her mane, “you don’t need to spend your hard earned bits on me.”

Doug considers this for a moment.

Rarity’s jaw feels like it should hit the dirt road. Is he seriously this clueless?

“Alright,” Doug says after far too long a pause. “So, maybe one for Fluttershy? Ooh, or Big Mac. I wonder if he likes to play?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Rarity spits out, nearly biting her tongue, “but I think Fluttershy would appreciate anything you gave her.”

Doug nods along. “Yeah; chrysoberyls, if you have enough, would be great for ‘Shy. The darker topaz for Applejack.” He peers at Rarity, and after a moment she meets his gaze.

“See something you like?” she asks, batting her eyes and smiling.

Doug grins back. “I’ve always been partial to cobalt. Like your eyes.”

Rarity feels her heart flutter, but two can play at this game. “Then what color would you like for yourself?”

“Oh, I was going to take the cobalt. Dark sapphires or something.” Doug firmly nods. “If you’re making a set for yourself, I think amethyst would be great for you. Matches that beautiful mane.”

“You’re too kind,” Rarity says. Perhaps I shall ask. “And, speaking of, I have something for you back at the Boutique. Payment for last week, as it were.”

“Oh?” Doug asks, a little intrigued.

Rarity nods. “Three hundred bits.”

“But that’s nearly your entire profit margin!” Doug shakes his head resolutely. “I can’t accept that.”

“I was able to sell a few of the more precious gems at a good price.” Rarity’s hoof twitches at the reminder. “The one I got hurt from was considerably more valuable than I thought.”

“Huh,” Doug says, no longer as disenchanted with going on these expeditions with Rarity, even if the work is both more tiring and less interesting. “I look forward to the next one.”

A new spring lifts Rarity’s step as the two stop next to Applejack at her apple stand. The farmpony looks more than a little bored at the tail end of the afternoon lull, wearily pushing an apple back and forth on the counter, her Stetson nearly covering her eyes. More and more ponies are coming out of stores, many looking to beat the dinner rush. Applejack barely glances up at the two, recognition slowly dawning as she yawns.

“Here you are!” Rarity announces with aplomb, motioning towards Doug. “One stallion, safe and sound.”

Doug greets Applejack with a cheery wave as she rolls her eyes, pulling to a stop next to the orange mare.“Hey, ‘Jack! Mac make ya take a break?”

“No,” Applejack testily replies, a huff of hot air blowing her Stetson up.

Doug crosses his arms, staring down his mare.

“...It was Granny Smith,” Applejack admits as she breaks away. “She caught me nappin’ with half’a cart to go.” She sighs, looking down at the counter and the sole apple. “Ah shouldn’t be this tired.”

“Maybe I’ll have to stop keeping you up at night,” Doug says with an obvious wink.

Applejack rolls her eyes as Rarity chuckles to herself. “It ain’t that, partner. Celestia knows Ah sleep like a foal after those nights.”

“I heard foals are terrible sleepers,” Doug snarks.

“Quiet, you.” Applejack dismissively waves a hoof at Doug. She turns to Rarity. “Anythin’ Ah can get for ya, sugarcube? We got fresh apples, or a couple fritters that ain’t quite stale yet.”

“Well… there is one thing I would like to ask,” Rarity says, taking a deep breath to steel herself, though a chromatic blur in the corner of her eye catches her attention. She turns her head to get a better look. “Rainbow Dash?”

“Ah’m afraid Ah don’t got her under here,” Applejack says with a chuckle, motioning to underneath the counter, “or Ah’d’ve gone crazy from her askin’ me when we’re goin' back to makin’ fresh cider.” She follows Rarity’s gaze, curiosity turning to an uneasy clenching of her gut. “Wait jus’ a doggone second. What’s she doin’ back here so soon?”

The harried pegasus pulls to a stop amid whispers among the Ponyvillians, focusing solely on Doug. She wants to hover but feels beat from the long flight, unpreened wings folding uncomfortably to her sides. She closes the distance with a few quick steps, hating how Doug is looking at her askance.

“Hey,” the human greets with more than a little trepidation. He knows the Wonderbolt recruits are supposed to stay at the Academy, at least until they don’t make it. But the mare in front of him doesn’t look like she’s been crying over being kicked out or rejected, or elated that she joined. Instead she looks angry, demanding. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to talk to you,” Rainbow Dash says, quickly turning her head to glare at the ponies surrounding them, even if they are just curious. “Alone.”

“What’s this about?” Doug asks evenly.

“You want them to know? Fine.” Rainbow Dash takes another two steps forward, now next to Doug. A harsh tug of her hoof against his hand brings him to his knees and eye level. “I’m pregnant.”

Frenzied whispers break out among the crowd as Doug stares blankly at Rainbow Dash.

It can’t be.

Behind him Rarity faints, collapsing to the ground.

Next Chapter: Ch. 71 - Windscream Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 18 Minutes