Enjoy :)

Applejack's foot tapped against the floor at an annoyingly fast pace. She sat back in her seat, her eyes on the clock, watching as the time ticked by slowly. Her mind was racing, swear words and violent promises of death to whoever caused this swirling around in her mind. She had her arms crossed, her phone clutched tightly in her right hand. The other girls, Jackson, and Strike were glancing at each other, somewhat expecting AJ to burn a hole in the clock and create a dent in floor where her foot kept tapping at.

Finally, Sunset, ever being the constant voice of reason, spoke up.

"Applejack, I don't think burning a hole in the clock will make time go by faster." She stated, careful to keep any form of sass out of her voice. "I understand you're frustrated and angry. Rainbow is our friend and Strike's unofficial daughter. We're worried, too."

AJ sighed, her shoulders sagging.

"Ah'm sorry. Ah just..... she's not doin' too good lately with her eat'n disorder, and the girls at school are makin' it worse and if they're the ones who hurt her, who knows how Rainbow's mental state is."

"Well, she's got us." Strike suddenly spoke up.

The girls looked over at the man. He was sitting beside Jackson, his legs swung over the arm of the chair, his feet resting on Jackson's lap. Strike was looking up at Applejack.

"She has a large support system and we're not gonna let this slide. Whoever did this to her is gonna be punished and expelled from that school. Or I'm homeschooling that girl."

Applejack chuckled.

"Rainbow ain't got the attention span or the ability ta sit still long enough for homeschool."

"Then I'll transfer her to another school. But she isn't staying in that school as long as the kids who caused this are there, too."

Jackson placed a calming hand on Strike's shoulder.

"Ah'm with ya. As long as those bullies are free in that school, Rainbow ain't safe. But for now, let's focus on seein' how she is."

"Rainbow Dash?" A female voice called from across the room.

The group looked up. There was a female doctor standing in the entrance of the main hospital area. She was looking around.

Strike stood up quickly.

"If they let me see her, I'll let you guys know how she's doing." He promised.

The girls and Jackson all nodded. Strike walked up to the nurse. The girls watched the two talk for a second before Strike was led in through the door.

It felt like an eternity, just waiting. Applejack had her phone in her hand, ready for if Strike called or texted her to tell her an update on Rainbow Dash. The time seemed to tick by slowly. It was killing her inside, and wearing her patience thin.

She jumped in surprise when a sudden tap on her shoulder brought her out of whatever other world she had been stuck in. Applejack looked up to see Strike standing there.

"Strike." She said, sitting up. "Hey. How is she?"

The man smiled.

"She wants to see you." Was not what AJ was expecting him to say. "I think you'll feel much better once you're with her. I can tell not being close to her is killing you. C'mon."

Applejack stood up, sliding her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. She followed Strike back to the emergency area of the hospital. Strike led her to a room and stopped in front of the glass door. He turned to Applejack and grinned, motioning to the door.

"Go ahead. I'm sure you'll want to talk alone. Be all lovey on her and gross."

Applejack rolled her eyes, a light blush on her cheeks.

"Shut up."

Strike chuckled.

Applejack turned around and slid open the glass door. She stepped into the room and closed the door. There was a big curtainthat hung from the ceiling that blocked people in the hall from seeing the patient on the hospital bed. Applejack took a few steps and peeked around the curtain.

"Rainbow?".

Green eyes met magenta eyes. Applejack took a step closer, taking in the sight. Rainbow was awake. Bruised and scraped up, bandages covering her head and a wrist. Her face was a bruised, also sporting a black eye. Rainbow stared in surprise but it dissolved into a pained expression.

"A-Applejack." Rainbow's voice broke, as if she was about to cry.

Applejack rushed over to the bed. She sat down and embraced the girl. Rainbow buried her face in AJ's shirt, letting a shaky breath.

"I thought they were gonna kill me."

Applejack rubbed her back slowly. She exhaled. She could feel Rainbow Dash trembling. She couldn't have imagined what went down in that bathroom. She could only comfort her girlfriend now. AJ let Rainbow to get it all off her chest. She cried, releasing all the fear she had been bottling up. AJ went into protective mode. She was livid, but held it back for Rainbow's sake. AJ gently kissed Rainbow on the forehead, then had Rainbow rest her head against her chest. AJ moves closer to her. She was able to wrap her arm around Rainbow's waist, her other hand was running through her hair, an attempt to soothe her.

"Ah'm here now, babe. It's gonna be alright. Ah won't let 'em hut cha again. You're safe."

Rainbow clung to Applejack. AJ held her close, relieved at the fact that Rainbow Dash was safe in her arms. Nothing would harm her now. Applejack would make sure of it.

So yeah. Your thoughts? :)