Chapter 4: Sharing the Load

"CRACK!" The sound of Applejack's hooves connecting with an apple tree echoed out across Sweet Apple Acres, followed by the dull thuds of the fruit falling into the barrels she had carefully positioned in advance. Satisfied that the tree's branches were emptied, she moved to the next tree. "CRACK!"

Applejack was always a hard worker, but her pace frightened Big Macintosh. He had rarely seen her like this before, and it was usually when she was upset about something. She tried to distract herself with work. He hoped she would calm down soon, so he could try to get her to tell him what was wrong, but it didn't look like she was planning on slowing down. Whatever was going on, it clearly weighed heavily on her mind. He moved away, letting her have some space until she wore herself out a little.

"Darn it!" Applejack growled as another rain of apples fell around her. She was working as hard and fast as she could, but she couldn't get it off her mind. Why? Why would she be so attracted to an alien that she had only met yesterday? Why? No matter how she pushed herself, all she could see in her head was Lewis' face, and as she worked, she could also feel herself becoming aroused.

"You okay Applejack?" Lewis asked, standing behind her as she wound up for another charge.

"EEEP!" The sudden cry surprised Lewis and Applejack alike. To Applejack's eternal shame, the sound was identical to Fluttershy's trademark squeak. Lewis, on the other hand, found it utterly adorable. Of course, he would never say so out loud, at least not in Applejacks presence. He still thought of her as 'The Goddess' in the privacy of his own mind.

"Ah'm alright," said Applejack once she recovered, "Yer kinda sneaky, huh?" Lewis bowed in a self-mocking manner, getting Applejack to chuckle, which seemed to delight him.

"I gotta admit, I never thought to see fruit bein' gathered like yall do it," said Lewis.

Applejack was confused. "Whaddya mean, I'm just buckin' the trees. Apples been gathered this way since 'afore Granny Smith was born. How do humans get 'em outta the trees?"

Lewis walked over toward the tree she had targeted. At first, she thought he would strike it in some unexpected way. But then he hugged it. "What are y’all . . . oh." Even as she asked, he quickly shimmied up the trunk of the tree to one of the lower branches. He picked an apple and dropped it neatly into an empty barrel waiting below.

Lewis chuckled at Applejack's surprised expression. "A long time ago, before my species fully evolved, our ancient ancestors lived in trees. We still haven't completely forgotten how to climb, it seems." With a skillful leap he dropped to the ground, landing with bent knees to absorb impact. "I'll admit," he said as he stood up, "I'm probably better at it than most."

A thought struck Applejack. "Ain't you supposed to stay outta sight? What if somepony spots you?"

"Look around," Lewis said, gesturing to the surrounding trees, "They ain't gonna spot me from tha road, and I ain't living with you folks without earnin' mah keep." With that, he snatched up one of the barrels full of apples and hefted it with a grunt. "You keep these over by the barn, right?" he asked.

Applejack merely nodded mutely, not sure if she could carry on the conversation any more. He was too . . . perfect. They had been willing to let him rest that morning, getting up for work quietly so as not to disturb him. Yet here he was, waking himself on his own volition, and rather than asking for breakfast or lying low, he was risking exposure simply to help them, out of gratitude for their hospitality. The Apple family occasionally had guests, and the hard-working clan generally found them unhelpful, lazy, and constantly complaining. Even her friends only seemed to come by occasionally to visit when they needed something, and then they seldom offered to help out around the farm.

Yet here was this near-complete stranger, lugging a barrel full of apples for her without being asked. He was shirtless now, and she could see the contours of his upper torso. It was utterly strange to her, of course. Never had she seen a body that resembled his. And she liked it. "I want you . . . ." she whispered.

"Sorry Applejack, didn't catch that," said Lewis, turning back.

"Ah, um . . . ah want ya to, er, take that 'un down to the farmhouse, I think Granny Smith said somethin' 'bout making some pies this afternoon," she said, hoping her nature as the Element of Honesty wouldn't interfere with her dissembling. She wouldn't have been convinced. To her relief, Lewis nodded his understanding and marched down toward the farmhouse as instructed. She sighed, letting out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Close one," she muttered to herself more carefully, "Gotta watch that." The confused farm pony braced to buck another tree.

Lewis looked back at Applejack as she charged. "CRACK!" She was graceful, yet powerful, and he admired her form as she executed the kick perfectly. He thought about how she had looked away when she spoke, and what he had thought he had heard. "She wasn't . . . no way," he decided, continuing along toward the farmhouse. But the thought wouldn't leave his mind.

Lewis spent the day much in that manner. Applejack would buck the trees, and Lewis carried the barrels full down to the barn. The barrels were heavy, and his arms burned with the continuous effort. At last, around midday, Big Macintosh called a cease to their efforts for a brief lunch. Lewis declined an offer to split a dandelion sandwich, opting instead to try a couple of apples and some water.

"Hope ya like 'em," said Big Macintosh, handing Lewis the fruit, "The apples here are the best in Equestria, ya won't find nothin' else like 'em." Lewis accepted his lunch with a nod, and took his first bite of genuine Sweet Apple Acres produce.

Big Macintosh looked up to see that Lewis was crying. He wept, unashamed, yet wore the biggest grin she had ever seen. Big Mac looked on in concern as he tapped him on the shoulder. "Lewis, ah, are ya OK?" Lewis nodded.

"Well, is it bad?" he asked, fearful of the answer.

He shook his head no.

"Are ya chokin'?"

Again, he shook his head.

"Well then," said the worried stallion, "Why are you crying?"

Lewis looked up and in one fluid motion, brought Big Mac into the tightest bear-hug he could manage with such a large pony. "Thank you Big Mac. That has to be the best thing ah have ever eaten in my life."

He wasn't lying. The flavor of it exploded in his head, like every one of his favorite desserts all at once. It didn't hurt that he hadn't eaten in more than a day. It was without exception, the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. After releasing Big Mac, Lewis quickly devoured the remaining fruit, sticky juices running down his beard.

Big Mac chuckled as he watched Lewis eat. He had never seen such a passionate reaction to the apples his family grew before. As the last of the meal disappeared, he decided that the food from 'Earth' must be pretty terrible, for Lewis to take something as simple as an apple like that.

Lewis placed a hand on his stomach, suddenly feeling quite full. It was a satisfying feeling. Before he could enjoy it, Big Mac stood again. "Time for me tah get workin' again." Lewis forced himself to his feet with a groan. Big Mac noticed his fatigue. "Listen, ah appreciate all the work yer puttin' in, but ifn ya ain't used tah this kinda thing, forcin' yerself is just gonna get ya hurt."

Lewis nodded. "I know, I live on a ranch, and hard work ain't new to me. It's just that I kinda spent some time in the city recently, and it’s sorta made me soft. I just need tah find my second wind is all." He looked around and noticed something amiss. "Hey, Big Mac, where'd Applejack get to?"

A loud crack sounded off to the east, answering his question. "Seems she's gone and worked 'erself up again," said Big Mac, "I figure she'll calm down soon though. She's learnt better than to overdo it. If'n ya still feel like workin' ah could always use a hand." Lewis nodded his assent, slightly saddened that he couldn't work with Applejack any longer, but if she was upset, he figured she could use some time to herself. He knew people like that from home, the kind that had to immerse themselves in hard labor of some sort to work off their emotional problems. His father was exactly the same way.

As the day progressed, Lewis got to talking to Big Macintosh. Apparently, the large red pony wasn't worried about meeting an alien, for to him that was exactly what Lewis was. "Yall seem harmless 'nough," he said. The two had already become fast friends, and they cheerfully talked about themselves, their interests, and their homes. Big Macintosh was primarily interested in what one learned at "college." Lewis tried to dumb down some of the concepts. It wasn't that Big Mac was stupid, or slow. He was a farm pony, and had been all his life. Because of this, his education had been fairly limited. Still, Lewis soon learned that his new friend had a quick wit and an excellent sense of humor.

At one point, Lewis found himself chuckling. "What's funny," Big Mac asked.

"Well," said Lewis, chortling away, "yesterday I was workin' on a farm, got sent through some kinda wormhole, to a world inhabited by talking alien ponies and dragons, where I'm now back to workin' on a farm."

Big Mac chuckled, his deep voice booming out loudly. "You seem to have farm work in yer destiny," he commented. Then he grew quiet for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face as he loaded a cart with apple barrels. "Say Lewis, I don't wanna ask ya somethin' too personal like, and ifn ya don't wanna answer me, that's fine, it’s just that ya haven't volunteered the infermation . . . ."

"Big Mac," said Lewis with a mildly reproving look, "you and yours have shown me the kindest hospitality. There ain't nothin' you can't ask, and I've got nothin' in particular to hide."

"How did yah get here exactly?"

Lewis was thoughtful and quiet for a moment, while Big Mac waited expectantly. At last, he spoke. "Well, ah don't have a problem answerin'. Last night ah kept mah mouth shut fer fear of offendin' and such, but I'll tell all a yall tonight when all concerned parties are present, so ah don't have to go repeatin' mahself. Is that fair?"

Big Mac nodded. "That's right good thinkin' Lewis, that way ya just gotta tell it the one time. I shoulda thought a that."

They continued in this way for some time, and both managed to learn quite a bit about one another. The work was easier for having company, and the afternoon began to fade into evening, and the sun began to set. As they walked back toward the farmhouse, the smell of something delicious wafted toward them, just as the first few stars of the night came out. "That smells just heavenly," said Lewis, enticed by the scent.

"That'll be Granny Smith's apple pie, fresh baked it smells like," said Big Macintosh, a grin spreading on his face, "and that means dinner tonight is gonna be a grand ole feast!" With that, he picked up the pace, Lewis struggling to keep up behind him as he slipped his shirt back on, not wanting to go inside bare-chested, although he hadn't seen much indication by his new friends that clothing was required.

Big Mac was right, and the spread on the dinner table was considerable. Granny Smith looked up as they came in. She and Applebloom were busy setting the table. "Big Macintosh," she said, "You were out workin' kinda late today. And is this the young feller that yah mentioned was so kind to our little Applejack?"

"Sure is," said Big Mac, nudging Lewis.

"Mighty nice to meet you mam, yes ahm Lewis," he said, removing his hat, "I don't know about the rest though, seein' as what I said sounded mighty dumb at the time. . . ."

"Nonsense youngster!" Granny Smith said, waving a hoof dismissively at him, "A fine young mare like my granddaughter deserves a nice compliment once in a while, and yer a perfect gentlecolt fer sayin' nice things to 'er, whatever it was that yah said."

Big Mac and Lewis chuckled. Granny Smith's forgetfulness seemed to be a familiar part of life at Sweet Apple Acres, and Lewis found himself instantly endeared to the old mare, especially when he saw exactly what dinner that night would consist of; more of those magical apples. There were other things of course, other fruits and vegetables, some of them recognizable, but these were distractions from the main event: the biggest, best-smelling and Lewis was certain best-tasting apple pie he had ever beheld.

"Hang on dearie," said Granny Smith when she noticed Lewis' hungry stare, "We don't eat 'til everypony is at the table. Now Big Macintosh, where's yer sister? She was 'sposed to be in here already."

Big Mac and Lewis looked at each other. "Y’all don't think . . .?" Lewis began.

"That she's still out there, actin' a fool? Yeah, I 'spect she is," Big Mac answered. He knew his sister well after all.

"Well Big Macintosh," Granny Smith said, "I need yer help in here right now. Mr. Lewis? Would yall be so kind as to fetch her. She'll be out in the eastern fields now. Just follow the path toward the road, then turn when ya get to the old well. There's a smaller path off to one side, just foller it and you'll find 'er easy 'nough."

"Yes mam, I'll go and get her," Lewis said, shooting a longing glance at the heavily laden table as he left.

When he was gone, Big Mac looked at Granny Smith expectantly. "What is it?" she asked, noticing his glance.

"Ya said y’all needed my help . . . ." he began.

"Oh horsefeathers," Granny Smith snorted, "Ah just wanted you to let 'im go find 'er on his own."

"Why's that?" Big Macintosh asked, confused, "He might get lost without nopony to look after 'im!"

"Oh don't worry dear, the moon is bright and the path is easy to find," the wily old mare replied, amused by her grandson's slow grasp of the situation. "Besides," she added, as she turned toward the kitchen, speaking mainly to herself, "Ya have ta know the heart of a young mare to really understand . . . ."

Lewis found the path by the old well without any trouble. He hadn't thought to wonder how Granny Smith had known where Applejack would be. She seemed to speak with authority, and he knew there would be no point arguing. He just hoped that she was right. He followed the small foot-trail through the trees, the moonlight making it fairly easy going. "Safer than running blind," he thought. After a few minutes, the path sloped upward, and he saw an open space ahead.

As he emerged, the beauty of what he was seeing struck him like a hammer. A hill overlooking all of Sweet Apple Acres rose above him, with the full moon hanging overhead. There, atop the hill, sat a familiar silhouette. He moved closer, remaining silent as he approached, for fear that the beautiful sight would melt away or shatter if he disturbed the silence.
At last, he got close enough to hear that Applejack was whispering. Worse, she was crying.

"Ah just don't know," she said, looking into the sky, "ah don't know what tah think, what tah feel right now. I need help! Ma, pa, I don't know if y’all 'kin hear me, but ah need a sign! It's all too much right now! I feel so strange! Please . . . ." she broke off into sobs that rent Lewis' heart in half. He realized now that he had intruded on a private moment, and made to back away.

Sadly, his luck ran out, and he stepped on a small stick. The snap alerted Applejack, whom stood bolt upright. "Whose there! Come out where I can see ya!" Knowing that there was no point in hiding, Lewis stepped forward.

"Heya Applejack. Granny Smith sent me to tell ya supper's ready. I didn't mean tah intrude."

Applejack turned, sniffing and wiping her eyes to clear away the sign of tears. "Ya didn't have tah come, I'd 'ave been down soon. Just needed some time alone."

Lewis nodded. "I'll leave you alone then." He turned to leave.

"Wait." He looked back at Applejack. He could see confusion in her eyes, and pain, but something else as well, something deep and impossible to define. Something that shook him to his core, yet left him elated, every nerve in his body tingling in response to something he could not yet begin to understand. "Stay," she said at last, "Please stay. Ahm . . . done being alone for now."

"Okay," he said, taking a seat next to her. She smiled in thanks, but blushed and looked away when he returned the smile. She prayed that he would not guess what her reaction meant, or that if he did, he wouldn't find her disgusting. Disgusting for feeling so strongly about him. She hoped that they could be friends . . . no. No, she knew that his friendship would ultimately be insufficient for her. But, if she could only have him there beside her for a little while, just a little while . . . .

"You really miss them, don't you?" Lewis' statement confused Applejack. It wasn't what she had expected and she looked back at him. "Your folks," he clarified, "Big Macintosh mentioned they were . . . that they had passed. I'm sorry; I heard what you were saying before."

Applejack tried not to cry. She really tried. But she could feel the tears welling up inside, the pressure behind her eyes building. Partly because she did miss her parents, but also because a part of her, a small, treacherous part of her, had hoped Lewis would guess her feelings.

Before the fountain inside her could pour forth, she felt something on her shoulder. It was gentle, yet firm, not like a hoof, but supporting, and warm. She looked up and saw that Lewis had placed his strange "hand" appendage on her, in a universal gesture of support and comfort. "Yes," she said in a shaky voice, "Ah do miss them. Ah wish they were here. I feel so lost right now."

"Could be worse," said Lewis, putting his arm around Applejack, not noticing her blushing furiously in the moonlight, "Ah know about feelin' lost. Wish ah could talk tah my folks too." He squeezed her and looked up at the sky. "Least ah got a friend like you, Applejack. Least we can feel lost together."

Applejack looked at the alien that held her, and followed his gaze upward, to the stars. "Yeah," she said, "Yer right 'bout that."

She leaned into him, and the two sat there for a long time, watching the stars.

Author's Note

I probably should have noted this earlier but credit to JBL for some big help on checking for grammar and spelling errors.