Rainbow Dash shot through the crowd as Applejack was getting off the train. She couldn't wait to see her after her business trip. They had become closer friends since The Running of the Leaves Race. It seemed like it was just yesterday and yet it was months ago. It was just that special feeling of competition never got old to her.
Applejack saw a blur of a rainbow and felt the breath being knocked out of her lungs. "H-howdy Dash." She finally sputtered out after finally catching her breath.
"AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, I’m sooo happy to see you again!" Rainbow cheered happily. "There wasn't any other pony quite as athletic as you, so it kinda got boring racing them." She trailed off. Rainbow looked down and softly said, "Plus you're the only pony who can beat me..."
"Ah'm sorry hon but can ya repeat that last part fer me? The train kinda messed with mah hearing." Applejack teased.
Rainbow pushed on AJ jokingly, “Hush, you know what I said. So what are we gonna do today?!”
“Dash, Ah’m sorry but Ah’m just too tired right now. Ah couldn't get a wink of sleep on that train. Yah know how Ah get if Ah don't get enough slee-," she was cut off by a yawn that proved her point. "So if ya don't mind Ah think Ah'm gonna head home and take a well-deserved nap." She knew this was a way around telling her closest friend what was wrong. She wouldn't be able to lie to Dash. Even if she did, Dash would catch it as she is never good at lying. Applejack just wanted to avoid the whole confrontation and just think about the choices that could change her life forever.
As Applejack lay in bed, she started thinking back to her trip to Appleoosa and what Braeburn had offered her. She could hear her cousin’s voice replay in her head, "Ya know AJ, out here, it's kinda hard findin' helping hooves ‘round these parts. Ah was wonderin' if yah wanted to move here to work with me. Ah'll bet Bloomberg would be happy to see ya again." This was the reason why she couldn’t sleep on the train. There were too many questions left unanswered Did she go and live a whole new life without the ponies she grew up with just to help one cousin expand their farm? Was it that important to get the Apple name out there past Ponyville? Then again since Applebloom is aging pretty quickly she could take her place. ‘Now why ya have to go thinkin' like that AJ? Ya like it here just fine..’ She thought to herself. She was frustrated with herself. She tried to roll over and go to sleep, but to no avail.
The sun finally rose over Sweet Apple Acres when Applejack got up. So many ideas were whirling around her mind that she forgot to put on her ribbons. She looked out of the window to see Big Mac already bucking apples and Apple Bloom playing by the orchard. Applejack sighed which quickly turned into a yawn. She walked down the stairs, grabbed her hat, and went out the door to help Big Mac with bucking, grabbing a muffin on her way out. As she was approaching the orchard, she saw a rainbow streak fly through the sky, stopping at the entrance to the farm. Applejack knew she would have to face her eventually.
Rainbow walked up to Applejack silently. Applejack quickly noticed open wounds on Rainbows face, “Rainbow what happened to ya? Here, let me get ya a bandage.” AJ started to trot towards the house. She was stopped by Rainbow’s hoof on her shoulder. Applejack turned and asked “Why ya stoppin’ me? Ah’m just tryin’ to help ya.”
A look of a sad smile was upon Rainbow’s face. “Sometimes we just need to help ourselves.” Rainbow said this with a sincere tone looking at Applejack.
Everything stood still for Applejack. 'What did she mean by that? Did she know? No she couldn't, Ah haven't even told mah family yet!'
“Applejack what’s wrong with you, why have you been in a bad mood since you got off the train?” Rainbow questioned.
“Hmmm? A-Ah’m fine sugarcube just a lot of things in mah mind right now.” Applejack flinched, looking away from Dash.
“Well if there is anything wrong, you would tell me, right?” Rainbow pressed on.
“A-Ah would tell ya if something drastic came up, yes.” Applejack danced around the question.
“You sure?”
“Ah’m sure.”
“Fine, but there is something I have to do first.” Rainbow said as she got closer to AJ’s face.
Applejack flinched, as she could feel heat rising from her cheeks as Rainbow got closer. “What might that be?” she whispered, it felt like thats the only thing she could do at the moment.
Rainbow reached around AJ’s neck pulling her a bit closer to her. Until she was eye to eye with the green eyed pony. “You forgot to put your hair up today. It looks nice.” Dash smiled sheepishly.
“Oh, uh thanks... Whoops.” AJ sighed , 'Why did mah heart race like that?’ “Anyways, what brings ya ‘round the farm sugarcube?”
“Well your trees are the best napping spot on the ground. Free food and a nice bird’s eye view!” Rainbow laughed at her joke. Applejack raised her eyebrow, clearly not amused. Rainbow noticed and quickly added “I’m just kidding. Sheesh lighten up sour apple. I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out today.”
“Ah would love ta Dash, but Ah’m gonna have to finish mah chores. Since Ah haven’t been on the farm fer a while now.” AJ said with a frown. “Ah’ll be done lickety-split, just for you though sugar." her frown slowly disappeared. 'Maybe this will take mah mind off things for a while.' She smiled looked at Dash and walked around her. Applejack then brushed Dash's nose with her tail as she walked towards the orchard, laughing a bit.
Dash smiled dumbly as the scent of apples and shampoo filled her nose. "I'll never get tired of that smell." She thought out loud, to herself a bit too loud for her own good.
"Ah'm sorry were ya talkin' to me hon?" Applejack turned around to face Dash.
"Uh nothing!" Rainbow said trying to figure out if Applejack had heard her. She silently cursed herself in her head.
Applejack smirked, she heard what Dash had said and felt bubbly. "Alright well Ah have to go help Mac plow the fields now. Ah'll see ya'll around."
"Sounds great AJ. Because I want to ask you something later, it's kinda important." Dash seemed serious for a second.
"Would ya like to talk 'bout it now? I could spare a few minutes for ya." AJ suggested.
"Nah, it can wait. Plus I need to think about it." Dash hovered up into the air. "I'll be at the orchard near the edge of Everfree forest, seeing if things are okay over there."
"Ya can just tell me you're gonna take a nap in my trees." AJ laughed. Clearly knowing the pegasus all too well.
"Yea, yeah..." Rainbow hugged her friend and headed off to the edge of Sweet Apple Acres.
She reached a tree that had several small branches reaching out. That created shade over a big 'U' shaped branch. "Perfect." She said as she laid down, as she closed her eyes. Her mind started to wander with thoughts. 'What was with you today? You seemed so nervous around AJ! Why do you feel this way? You know her too well to get nervous. Plus you're Rainbow Dash! You don't get nervous!' It seemed that when Applejack left for her trip that Dash didn't know what to do with herself.
Everyday after sunset when Dash had finished practicing her flying, and when Applejack had just finished her chores. Rainbow would fly over to the farm to hangout with AJ. But when she was gone, Dash felt so empty and just plain miserable.
Dash sighed, "Applejack what are you doing to me?" She laid there and thought about Applejack, smiling. This seemed to put her mind at ease and she soon drifted off to sleep.
