As the weeks passed, Mac slowly grew stronger. Octavia had been released the third day after the fire, but she came to visit Mac in the hospital every day and spent most nights sleeping by his bedside. Mac had had somepony anonymously give him their skin to graft on, and the pony had the same skin/fur color that Mac had. The surgery had occured later, then the rest of the time was spent in physical therapy for Mac. Finally, the day arrived that Mac would be able to leave. Octavia remained by his side the whole time, leaning against his shoulder gently, insuring he wouldn't fall. As Mac hobbled slowly out of the hospital, he was greeted by a small crown of well-wishers. Smiling and giving his thanks to them all, he made his way through the crowd. "Ah can't wait ta get home." he said, letting his thoughts drift to the farm. His family had visited him often in the hospital, but they thought he was still in for another week. Wouldn't they be surprised! Smiling, he nuzzled Octavia's neck. "Ah'm sure thay'll be excited ta meet ya too Tavi." he said, calling her by her favorite nickname. Octavia giggled. After they had kissed in the hospital, they had officially become a couple. However, Mac's family had yet to find out, as Mac had wanted to surprise them. As they proceeded slowly toward the Apple residence, Mac let out a sigh. He was trying to think of a way to make Octavia happy. Sure, she acted fine around Mac, but he could tell she was saddened. It took some time to realize that her cello had been lost in the fire. It had slipped from Octavia's back as they were running out of the house. Mac looked down at the pony supporting, and made the decision right then to buy her a new one.

Applejack reared up. Lunging backwards at the tree, she felt the familiar and satisfying thump of the tree shaking and several apples falling into the buckets on the ground. Moving towards the next tree, she glanced around as she suddenly heard Apple Bloom calling her. "Applejack! Applejack!"
Applejack turned. Apple Bloom had run up close to her and was jumping around in delight. "What is it sugahcube?"
"Big Mac's home! Big Mac's home!'
Applejack gasped. "He wasn't suppused ta get out til' next week!" she exclaimed. Forgetting the apples, she ran for the house, Apple Bloom following close behind her. Upon reaching the house, Applejack let out a cry of joy at seeing her brother standing on front porch of their home. Running up next to him, she hugged him gently. "Hey brother. Ah thought ya wasn't s'posed ta get out 'til next week."
Mac nuzzled his sister affectionately. "Ah guess ah got lucky." he said with a smile.
Applejack smiled back, then noticed Octavia next to him. "Hey, isn't that tha pony ya rescued?"
Mac nodded. Octavia came out from next to him and shook Applejack's hoof. "Name's Octavia." she said with a grin. Applejack grinned back.
"Nice ta meet ya Octavia. Would ya like ta come in?"
Octavia nodded and followed Mac inside. She smiled when she saw the furniture and everything else in the Apple home. It was very quaint and had a comforting atmosphere to it. Feeling the blanket laid across the back of the sofa in the main room, she turned to Applejack. 'You have a very nice house."
"Why, thank ya kindly. Ya want the grand tour?"
Octavia nodded and was about to follow Applejack held her back. "Applejack, if'n ya don't mind, ah'll give her tha tour mahself." Applejack gave her brother a long look, then nodded. Mac smiled reassuringly at her and led Octavia through the house. He showed her the kitchen and other rooms, then led her upstairs. Upstairs, Octavia got to see the doors to Applejack's, Granny Smith's and Apple Bloom's rooms. Then, she got treated to actually seeing into Mac's room. Then, there was the guest bedroom. Going back downstair's, Mac said "We don't have much, but it's home."
Octavia only smiled. "I love it."

Finally, there came dinner. Octavia had been introduced to Granny Smith and Granny had gone on about what an attractive and beautiful young mare that Octavia was. Octavia had blushed her way through all of Granny's comments. As they all sat down, they gave thanks and the meal began. Octavia sniffed at the meal laid before her. Of course, it smelled delicious.
"That there's apple pie, baked by yurs' truly!" Applejack said with a proud smile. Octavia giggled and took a bite. Loving the taste, she ate more and more. Finally, the meal neared an end. Octavia leaned back in content. Mac, however, was still eating his way through more apple fritters. Octavia watched him and giggled. Mac looked at her, swallowed, and said "4 weeks without mah apple pie is torture." then gave her a small wink. Octavia giggled again. Granny Smith leaned forward and said "Now, ah may be jumpin' ta conclusions heah, but i'd say ya two are ah couple?"
Mac looked over at Octavia, who gave him a small nod and a smile. Mac looked back at Granny and said "Yes, we are, Granny. Ah do hope ya'll approve."
Applejack, Granny and Apple Bloom all nodded and voiced their approval. Octavia planted a small kiss on Mac's cheek and looked outside. "It's getting dark Mac. I should be getting along back to Vinyl's."
Mac shook his head. "You're stayin' here with us."
Octavia gave Mac an odd look? "I wouldn't want to intrude..."
Mac shook his head. "You'd be mah guest. And ya'd stay in tha guest room."
Octavia smiled. "You'd really let me?"
"Of course!"

Later, Octavia was all nestled up in the guest bed. Mac checked her over and said "Ah do believe y'all good and tucked in now."
Octavia smiled and nuzzled his gently. "Thank you for letting me stay here Mac."
Mac smiled. Turning towards the door, he headed towards it. Octavia watched him, then gently said "I love you Mac..."

Octavia sat in her old home. Her beloved cello was perched in its stand. Octavia let out a delighted gasp and rushed over to it. Picking it up, she ran her hooves lovingly across it. Beginning to play a familiar melody, she closed her eyes. The sound of screaming made her reopen them. Octavia screamed herself as she saw again that her home was on fire! Jumping to her hooves, she started for the door, but a burning piece of timber fell and blocked her path! As she screamed for help, Big Mac burst in took hold of her. Octavia looked into his eyes and saw love and care. Relaxing instantly, she got onto his back and headed for the door. However, another piece of wood fell and hit Mac! Dropping to the ground, he threw Octavia off his back and outside just as the building collapsed on top of Mac...

Octavia woke up in a cold sweat, panting and gasping heavily. Seeing herself back in the Apple family's guest room, she curled her knees up to her chest and began to cry quietly. After crying for a few minutes, she got off the bed and left the room. Heading down the hall towards Mac;s room, she gently pushed his door open and looked in. Mac was sleeping peacefully in his bed, the rays of moonlight falling across his body. Octavia gave a small sigh of relief and entered the room. Jumping lightly onto his bed, she nestled down next to him. Watching his sleeping face for a few moments, she cuddled into his body and closed her eyes. Soon, she was asleep. However, if she had stayed awake, she would have felt the red arm slowly wrapping around her body and hugging her close.

A/N: PTSD. Reviews are always appreciated.