{"id":33692,"date":"2023-03-03T12:09:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=33692"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:09:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:09:00","slug":"chapter-29-fallout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/03\/03\/chapter-29-fallout\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 29: Fallout"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was Monday morning, and Tabby was expected back. It had been five days since Thomas had last seen her, and he was looking forward to settling back into routine\u2026 unless he wanted to come out into the open with his feelings. Maybe he should talk to her, maybe he shouldn\u2019t. But it felt like <\/span>something<\/span><\/i> should happen, either way. He just needed to find the right opening.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Tabby slunk into the clinic around her usual time, Thomas noted that her face was pale with dark circles around her eyes. \u201cYou look terrible,\u201d he said without a great deal of consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, and good morning to you, too,\u201d Tabby replied with a frown, stashing her purse under the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously, though.\u201d Thomas scrutinized her face, wondering if it was travel fatigue or something else. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Yeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Tabby said, halfheartedly picking up some folders from the counter. \u201cJust waking up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was your vacation\u2026\u201d Thomas trailed off, his gaze landing on the ring gracing her foreleg. \u201cThat\u2019s new,\u201d he said, with a sinking sensation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, uh, yeah\u2026\u201d Tabby looked down at the band as if it was going to bite.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby!\u201d Strawberry bustled into the room from the front. \u201cThere\u2019s a gorgeous bouquet of roses from Toby and–ooh!\u201d she squealed upon seeing the ring. \u201cOh, my goodness! Did he propose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Yes, he did,\u201d Tabby said, a bit shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow exciting! I\u2019m so happy for you!\u201d Strawberry exclaimed, embracing her friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations,\u201d Thomas said, though he was certain that all was not well between the engaged couple. He thought Tabby looked very close to crying, and she wasn’t the type for sentimental tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby rallied her spirits and got her head in the game of work, but kept her interactions with Thomas at a minimum. She felt her control on life crumbling. What could she tell Thomas–that she loved him, and–by the way–she was the reason he didn\u2019t have magic? It was taboo, the worst thing one unicorn could do to another, and the guilt ate at her. The engagement to Toby couldn\u2019t stand–she knew that–and that meant another difficult conversation she was putting off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMeadowlark just called. Her husband is on his way over with their pit bull who ate a My Little People doll and isn\u2019t vomiting,\u201d Strawberry said, popping her head through the doorway, near where Tabby was labeling test tubes at the bench.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that’s just great!\u201d sighed Tabby. \u201cAs if we don’t have enough going on already with Lovelace\u2019s chinchilla getting run over by a delivery cart, and two cats with blocked UTs, and little Lorna running a fever, all on top of the regularly scheduled exams!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of those days,\u201d Strawberry agreed, looking a little haggard herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

The drama did not let up all day. Emergency cases jammed up the already full schedule, and Tabby and Thomas found themselves doing critical surgeries until nearly nine o\u2019 clock that night.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, I told you that Biscuit\u2019s IV bag needs to be changed,\u201d Thomas said, rather accusingly, as their paths crossed in the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I was kind of in the middle of something, like I told you!\u201d Tabby snapped. \u201cI\u2019m just checking on the isolation patients and then–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, do it after that,\u201d Thomas said irritably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I was going to do!\u201d Tabby said, wanting very much to stomp her hoof on the ground at his impertinence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine!\u201d said Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine!\u201d said Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a petty little argument, brought on by being tired and cranky at the end of what had been a very trying day. They stood in the hallway, stormy gazes locked.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas knew it was really just low blood sugar talking, and this wasn\u2019t even a fight, but he felt frustrated. Here she was, day after day, by his side, but he couldn\u2019t touch her, couldn\u2019t say how he felt, couldn\u2019t be <\/span>with<\/span><\/i> her. It was absurd, keeping his distance, when he needed her like he needed air to breathe. Why was he tormenting himself, when she was here, and he was here, and the rest all seemed very inconsequential in that moment\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

So Thomas reached out for her and kissed her.<\/span><\/p>\n

And heaven help him, but instead of pushing him away and ringing a peal over his head for taking liberties, she returned the kiss in equal measure as she leaned into his embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas had a dim notion that there were reasons why they shouldn’t be doing this, but at the moment he couldn’t bring to mind what they were. They were together, and that’s where rational thought ended.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby quickened his pace as he approached the vet clinic, eager to see his fiance. His own schedule had held him up, and he intended to surprise Tabby at work as she had alluded to her own late work day. Finding the back door open–and noting that that was a security risk that he would take Thomas to task for–Toby nonetheless took advantage of the opening. He entered the building and peered down the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

The distracted pair gave no indication of having heard him, and Toby found himself propelled forward with sure steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me\u2026 am I interrupting?\u201d Toby asked with deadly calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

At his words, Tabby sprang back guiltily, whereas Thomas looked irritably smug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was inevitable, I suppose,\u201d Toby said with derision. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. \u201cMaybe now that your curiosity is sated… Tabby, come with me,\u201d he beckoned, holding out his hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Tabby spoke, finding her voice. \u201cToby, I can\u2019t–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby laughed hollowly. \u201cDo you really think you mean more to him than any of his other flirts?\u201d he continued tauntingly. \u201cHe\u2019s toying with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay out of this,\u201d Thomas said in a warning tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay out of this!\u201d Toby repeated mockingly. \u201cYou forfeited that right when you kissed my fiancee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d said Tabby, in an attempt at calming the waters, though it was clear she had no idea what to say next.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd anyway,\u201d Toby continued, finding it impossible to stop his tirade now that it had begun, \u201cdo you think he would be carrying on with you if he knew what you took from him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToby, don\u2019t–\u201d she begged, holding out a hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised he has no qualms about dallying with an engaged mare,\u201d Toby said with a sharp look at the other stallion, \u201cbut he does have his pride, and what you\u2019ve done…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Tabby gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could destroy you both, you know,\u201d Toby spat, \u201cwith a word in the right ear\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToby, I\u2019ll go with you,\u201d Tabby said, desperately seizing at air, \u201cjust stop–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, let him talk,\u201d Thomas broke-in cautiously. \u201cWhat are you getting at?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you see?\u201d Toby smirked. \u201c<\/span>She\u2019s<\/span><\/i> the one that took your magic!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou promised!\u201d Tabby shrieked, turning red with rage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true, she was behind the whole tryptophan ring,\u201d Toby stated with authority, perhaps regretting now that it had come to this, that he had broken his pledge to remain silent on that part of her life–but hadn\u2019t she betrayed a pledge herself?<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas\u2019 eyes flickered between Tabby and Toby. \u201cIs it true?\u201d he asked quietly, his true emotion impossible to read.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to tell you,\u201d Tabby murmured, unable to meet his gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut not before you kissed me,\u201d Thomas stated flatly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>You\u2019re<\/span><\/i> the one that kissed <\/span>me<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Tabby snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou kissed me back!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Toby said sharply. \u201cTabby, come with me. You\u2019re done here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think I would go with you, now, after what you did?!\u201d Tabby cried, rounding on him. \u201cIt was my secret, <\/span>mine<\/span><\/i>, that\u2019s what you told me! To deal with on my terms!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exactly were those terms?\u201d Thomas challenged. \u201cI told you everything, <\/span>everything<\/span><\/i>, and you had every opportunity to fill in your part in the story!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t ask to be your confidante,\u201d Tabby snapped, turning her attention back to Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, and I\u2019m the fool for trusting you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here they were, falling apart, and Toby felt a perverse pleasure in watching the show. There was no way Toby would lose her to this bounder–Thomas would never have her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as we\u2019re being honest,\u201d Tabby huffed, \u201cthe tryptophan scheme was an obvious ploy, only meant to catch the most foolish, most naive!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou took advantage of well-meaning, though immature–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could still have your magic and be saving lives if you hadn\u2019t been such a <\/span>moron<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby cut him off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou yourself could have gone through approved channels and gotten licensed instead of <\/span>giving up<\/span><\/i> after one bad semester!\u201d Thomas declared. \u201cYou\u2019ll never be more than anyone\u2019s assistant!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby stood and stared, wide-eyed, all the fight draining out of her. That had been the killing blow. She turned and fled, Toby in pursuit.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can move on from this,\u201d Toby begged, grabbing at Tabby\u2019s foreleg as he caught up to her down the block. \u201cJust leave the clinic, leave <\/span>him<\/span><\/i> behind. We can go anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Tabby swung around to face him. \u201cI don’t love you, and you don’t respect me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI made a mistake!\u201d Toby blustered. \u201cYou’re not blameless yourself! Can’t we call it even?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could have made him understand, on my terms, not dropped like a bombshell!\u201d she expounded, gesticulating wildly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really; and then what, you join his retinue of flirts?\u201d Toby snapped. \u201cWhere did you think it could go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby felt her color rise. \u201cI don’t know what would have happened,\u201d she cried out, \u201cbut that’s not for you to decide! Now I don’t have the chance, because he hates me for lying to him!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe would never love you like I do,\u201d Toby reiterated, holding her by the shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s the problem; I don’t love you!\u201d Tabby shouted, jerking away and continuing to walk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re angry, you’re upset,\u201d Toby continued trying to placate her, \u201cand we shouldn’t make any rash pronouncements just now–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s exactly what needs to be done,\u201d Tabby cut him off, \u201cto put an end to this farce!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just don’t understand,\u201d Toby said, with the look of an injured puppy. \u201cWe’ve been happy, haven’t we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have let you tell me what’s good for me, and I’ve gone along with it,\u201d Tabby snapped. \u201cYou are so obsessed with me I keep letting you talk your way back into my life. You won’t let me go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby recoiled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t marry you!\u201d Tabby said emphatically, remembering that she still wore the ring and tearing it off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat isn\u2019t what you said when I gave you this,\u201d Toby said, unwilling to take it from her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what did you expect?\u201d Tabby said with exasperation. \u201cYou put me on a stage, and I was playing a part! It\u2019s over!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She tossed the ring down at Toby\u2019s hooves, and stalked off into the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

What a rollercoaster of emotions, Thomas mused, unfolding over just ten minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

He finished all the outstanding busy work, hardly aware of what he was doing, unable to stop playing the scene over in his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have the story, not really. He needed to get that from Tabby. She hadn\u2019t woken up one day and decided to steal magic on a lark–there were other characters at play. Thomas had let himself be goaded into a fight, when what he needed was a level-headed conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby could have told him earlier, that was true; and that\u2019s what had really hurt–the realization that he trusted her more than she trusted him, when he was coming to realize that she was his whole world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby had gone after her–had he succeeded in talking her around? Were they together even now? But Thomas couldn\u2019t sit and do nothing. Conscientiously locking the door behind him, he headed in the direction of Tabby\u2019s house.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby was packing her bags. She had to leave. There was nothing here for her. Her bad decisions had seen to that. She wildly tossed items in a suitcase, then tossed herself down on the bed and indulged in a fit of tears.<\/span><\/p>\n

The doorbell rang, and she immediately clammed up, her heart racing. Whoever it was, no good could come of a visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next there was insistent knocking, and a muffled call of her name. It was Thomas\u2019 voice, and her heart leapt. Why had he come here? To berate her more? He wouldn’t be outright cruel, though–would he? Did he want to hear her story before cutting her out of his life?<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby walked cautiously to the door and, bracing herself, opened it a crack. \u201cHi,\u201d she managed huskily, her voice affected by crying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should talk,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have anything else going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby nodded, grimly accepting her fate; she had to relive everything, even as it felt that all the life had drained out of her. It was the least she could do. She opened the door further and mutely stood there as he entered the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell me what happened in New Pony?\u201d Thomas asked softly as they settled into seats in the living room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had already pieced together the circumstances of you losing your magic, you know,\u201d Tabby mused, staring off into space. \u201cI’ve known for months. You gave me the perfect opening, but I was too cowardly to take it.\u201d She cleared her throat. \u201cAnyway, it was after I started work in the molecular biology lab,\u201d she admitted. \u201cOne of the researchers, he, uh, recruited me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d Thomas asked, reading between the lines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s stupid,\u201d Tabby sighed. \u201cHe fed me some sob story about lack of funding, and I swiped supplies for him. That’s how it started, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was abusing his position of power,\u201d Thomas said with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

To his credit, Thomas was trying to downplay the seriousness of her involvement, but that wasn\u2019t fair. \u201cOh, I knew what I was doing and it was of my own free will; don’t make me out to be a victim,\u201d Tabby said bitterly. \u201cI wasn’t adjusting well to New Pony academic standards, and I believed we were fellow misfits being misused by the system. The tryp scheme felt like getting payback.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cThere were no noble ideals at play. I started making the potions for him, and passed them off to another student who worked for him; she was responsible for distribution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was using both of you to do his dirty work,\u201d Thomas said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToby came across me at my workbench, and figured things out. We started hanging out. He wanted me to get out of it, go to the police, but I\u2026 I wouldn\u2019t. At the end of semester,\u201d Tabby continued, \u201cDr. Gordon told me to destroy everything, that he was moving on. He disappeared, and I left the campus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t heard from him since?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing.\u201d Tabby shook her head. \u201cI\u2019ve lived with myself this long by telling myself it was only the washouts that fell for that scheme, and I was just getting them to drop out sooner. But you–<\/span>you<\/span><\/i>–could have been extraordinary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my own folly that brought me to that point,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cIf it hadn\u2019t been you, he would have found another fall-pony, and things would have turned out just the same for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAren’t you angry with me?\u201d Tabby asked in a small voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListen\u2026\u201d Thomas took her hoof in his. \u201cI may not have known you back then, and maybe you made some bad decisions–so did I–but I know who you are now, and that is who I fell in love with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby quavered at the intensity of emotion she saw in his eyes. It was hard to mistake his intentions as he leaned closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, wait,\u201d Tabby protested, sitting up straight. \u201cIs this the treatment Athena and Moonglow and all the others get? Because if it doesn\u2019t mean anything, I\u2026 I\u2019d really rather you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe only reason I gave them any consideration at all, I think,\u201d Thomas said, turning her head to face him, \u201cwas to make it less apparent that I was pining for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Tabby, noting that she had forgotten to breathe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince I came to Misty Hollow, I haven’t kissed anyone but you,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cBefore that… well, I haven’t always been so circumspect, but I wanted the next time to be special. And it was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be the only time,\u201d Tabby said, a spark of spirit returning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs Toby very much out of the picture now?\u201d Thomas asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was wrong earlier,\u201d Thomas said, drawing her closer. \u201cYou can do anything you want. You won’t be an assistant forever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I don’t think you’re a moron. Not really,\u201d Tabby confessed. \u201cA bit hard-headed, but not a moron.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I’m<\/span><\/i> hard-headed!\u201d Thomas echoed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyes twinkling, she kissed him.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was Monday morning, and Tabby was expected back. It had been five days since Thomas had last seen her, and he was…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33692"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33693,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33692\/revisions\/33693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}