A Full house of Ships

Chapters

Old Friends - An apology (Feat. Fluttershy X Rainbow Dash)
Making Plans - A Morning (Feat. Rainbow Dash X Applejack)
Guess What - A Game (Feat. Rainbow Dash X Pinkie Pie)
Golden Sands - A vacation (Feat. Applejack X Rarity)
Meeting the Family - A Reunion (Feat. Applejack X Pinkie Pie)

Old Friends - An apology (Feat. Fluttershy X Rainbow Dash)

Author's Note

Both of the first two chapters have been heavily altered from their first versions.

The originals were, quite honestly, awful. I apologise to anyone who read them.

Also if anyone knows the grammatically correct way to use speech marks in a speech, then I'd be grateful for the pointers if I'm wrong - you'll probably know which part I'm talking about once you reach it...

Old Friends - An apology (Feat. Fluttershy X Rainbow Dash)

Old Friends

Rainbow Dash landed, and looked up at the weather-beaten house she was all too familiar with.

Come on, deep breaths Dash... she thought, as she crossed the rickety bridge.It's just like ripping off a plaster...

Her hooves landed on the dirt trail when a traitorous voice in her head spoke up.Yeah, get it over with quicker, so it hurts less...

Rainbow Dash swallowed the lump in her throat, and knocked on the gnarled door. A few seconds passed, and the door opened. At least, it sounded that way, but she couldn't tell by looking.

"H-h-hello," Fluttershy's soft voice barely reached Dash's ears from inside. "Is...Is someone there?"

"Uhh... hey 'Shy," Dash replied, rubbing the back of one foreleg with the other. "How you been?"

"Rainbow Dash? Umm... I'm OK, I guess," a tinge of pale pink appeared through the crack in the door. "Would you like to come in..." the young mare started to ask, before flinching away from the door, the shadows of the unlit house filling the doorway once more. "Oh, but you don't have to if you don't want to... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked, you must be busy. I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing..."

Rainbow Dash's face fell into one of her waiting hooves. "'Shy, I camehere. I wanna," she started, before shaking her head. "No, I kinda need to talk."

Fluttershy froze. Oh no, those words are never good... she thought. She took a second to swallow the lump that had appeared in her throat, before answering. "W-we could talk through the door, if that would be easier..."

Jeez, Dash... Dash thought, as she realised what it sounded like, tapping her head with a hoof throughout. There's this awesome new thing. It's called 'Thinking before you talk'. Maybe you should try it some time?

"D-dash, please..." Fluttershy's shaking voice snapped Dash from her thoughts. The door was now wide enough for the timid Pegasus to poke her head round the door. "You're starting to scare me..."

"It's... It's nothing," Dash waved her old friend's concerns off. "Don't worry 'bout me, I can handle anything," the athlete puffed her chest out in her usual bravado. "Just watch me."

A small smile appeared on Fluttershy's face. "Of course, Dash. I'm sorry I doubted you."

Rainbow Dash shuddered slightly as Fluttershy vanished into the room. After waiting a little, she followed the shy Pegasus into the house.

Unable to see anything through the gloom, the daredevil started looking rapidly around the room, trying to locate her friend. "Hey, 'Shy? You got anything to drink?"

"Oh, umm..." Fluttershy's voice was joined by the clinking of metal on china. Seconds later, she emerged from the kitchen, a large tray perched across one wing and her back. Her spare wing flicked a switch on the wall, and the small cottage was instantly lit. "I'd just finished making tea when you got here. Or I could get you something else, I'm sure I have something, I know you don't like tea much..."

"Tea's fine, 'Shy," Dash took a seat at the table. "Don't worry."

"OK," Fluttershy placed the tray on the table between the pair. "Umm... so... why'd you come round Dash... if you don't mind telling me that is...?”

The cup froze on its way to Dash's lips. A sigh escaped her, as she turned her head away from her old friend. "'Shy, I‘ve never been any good at the mushy stuff, you know that. But I feel like I've gotta do this, before I lose my nerve and just try to brush it all off like last time..." Dash paused to take a deep breath, and turned back to Fluttershy. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now..."

Fluttershy's eyes widened as Dash spoke. Is she actually saying... she thought, biting her lip in anticipation. Please don’t let this be a dream...

However, after a minute of silence realised that Dash wasn't about to finish. "Ohhh, w-we can talk about something else if you're uncomfortable. I'm sorry for being so..." Fluttershy paused, noticing Dash's wince this time. "What's wrong Dash, are you OK?"

Dash nodded. "Yeah, I'm OK. Just, please, don't apologise..."

"Oh... I was doing it again, wasn't I? I'm sorr..." Fluttershy started, catching herself at the last second, gaze cast to the floor. "Umm... maybe... maybe we could go back to what you were saying?"

Dash silently gulped her cooled tea, baulking slightly at the taste. After finishing the cup, she screwed her eyes shut, and took the final leap. "'Shy, I’m sorry."

"Sorry," Fluttershy's face soured for a second. I knew it was too good to be true.... Once the thought had passed, she cocked her head to one side in confusion. "Sorry for what?"

"A lot, 'Shy, probably more than you can remember, but let's start at the beginning. I’m sorry for knocking you off the clouds at flight camp. I was meant to be saving you from those bullies, not nearly killing you.

I'm sorry for bringing you up a mountain to fight that dragon. I never even thanked you for saving my life.

I’m sorry I keep dragging you out to watch me do the same old tricks, instead of asking if there's anything you want to do.

I'm sorry 'bout forcing you into the Hurricane team. I got so focused on doing something with you, I didn't even think 'bout whether you'd want to.

I'm sorry I... I...." Dash shook, before the dam finally broke. "A book! My best friend for a book! Does that sound fair,Element of Loyalty?" she yelled at herself, tears streaming down her face. Her hooves started pounding at her temple. "Stupid! Stupid!

Fluttershy darted across the room, wrapping her wings and forelegs around the distraught Dash. "Shhh, it's OK Dash," she whispered into her friend's ear.

"I... I mean it, 'Shy. I'm sorry 'Shy," Dash murmured, while swallowing a lump in her throat. "For more than you'll ever know..." She started hastily rubbing away the tears. "Aww hay, how do you turn these things off?"

"Umm, normally you just wait for it to stop,” Fluttershy answered, absent mindedly stroking her friend’s back. “I'll... I’ll just go get you a towel..."

Dash watched her fly upstairs through bleary eyes, still wiping away at the tears rolling down her face. "You know, you're amazing, 'Shy...” she whispered to the now lonely room, before sighing. “I just wish you’d let yourself see it..."

***

It took a few minutes for Fluttershy to return. Dash just hung the towel over her head, as she felt Fluttershy drape a soothing wing across her back. "Thanks 'Shy," she said before sighing. "I think I should go before I make a bigger fool of myself..."

"Are you sure you'll be OK," Fluttershy started, before blushing and waving her hooves in front of her face. "N-not that I think you won't be..."

"Relax, I get it," Dash rested a foreleg across the back of Fluttershy's neck. "I don't know, but I just feel a lot better now I've said it, you know? Anyway, gotta fly," she offered an awkward chuckle. "Sky won't clear itself..."

Dash moved towards the door, softly opening it, staring across the endless grey above her.

Fluttershy watched her friend move across the room, her thoughts racing. Oh just tell her already... her mind screamed. She just said she feels better for talking, and she's not about to abandon you after all that. As she heard the door start to creak shut, her mind snapped back to reality.

"... Dash, wait..." Fluttershy said suddenly, as she heard the door start to creak shut.

Dash's head appeared through the doorway. "Yeah 'Shy?"

“Umm... I... Err...” Fluttershy stumbled over her words, the small amount of confidence she had gained just as suddenly evaporating.

Dash raised an eyebrow. “You OK there ‘Shy?”

“I...I...” she managed to mumble, before her gaze hit the floor. “I forgive you...” was all she managed to say, her mind instantly berating her.Coward...

“’Shy...” Dash studied her friend carefully as she spoke. “Even I can tell you didn’t mean that. So, either you’re lying, or you’re hiding something,” she slowly advanced on the shaking Pegasus. “C’mon ‘Shy, you can tell me.”

“...I can’t...”

“’Shy, c’mon, it’s me,” Dash took another step towards Fluttershy, who started to back away. “We tell each other everything.”

“If I tell you this, you’ll hate me,” Fluttershy said, as she shrunk closer to the floor. “I don’t think I could take that...”

Rainbow Dash sighed, sitting down in front of her trembling friend. “Fluttershy, I doubt there’s anything you could say to make me hate you. I mean, you’re... you.”

“...What about ‘New Fluttershy’?”

“That wasn’t yo...” Dash started, before finding a yellow hoof in her mouth.

“Yes it was, Dash,” Fluttershy turned away from her friend. “I told some of my best friends their talents were pointless. I was the one who attacked half the town over nothing...” she began wiping her face as the tears rolled down it.

“’Shy...” Dash started moving towards her, but froze as she spoke again.

“But...” Fluttershy added, as she reached the foot of her staircase. “At least back then I wouldn’t have been afraid to tell you how I feel...”

Dash stared at the space her friend had been stood in, only moving once she heard a door slam shut upstairs. Wait, what just happened? she thought, before she flew out the door. Aww hay, I don’t have time to sort this out right now, I’ve got a sky to clear.

***

Dash groaned in exhaustion as she flopped into the lonely cloud in the sky. “Stupid Everfree clouds...” she grumbled, as she reached around to start preening her unkempt wings. “Why can’t they ever stay over there," she grunted, before finishing the thought in her head. Hay, why can't they just stay still?

Spitting a mouthful of broken feathers out beside her, she began to massage her head as she looked over the edge of her cloud. “Alright ‘Shy...” she asked herself, as her gaze rested on the cottage. “What’re you trying to hide?”

Alright, she thought, closing her eyes and stretching out across her fluffy perch. I know it’s about me. And she’s worried I’ll hate her... she paused for a second, and shook her head at that. Yeah, it’s ‘Shy, she’s always worried about something like that... she sighed, and took a few deep breaths. Ok, it’s not gonna be that she hates me, or she probably wouldn’t be worried about me hating her... a brief chuckle escaped the tired mare’s lips. Not that ‘Shy could hate anyone... Maybe it’s that she likes me... the smile quickly fell into a frown. Nah, ‘Shy’s not like that. I mean, she was never checking out the other girls at... flight... camp...

Dash sat up, one hoof over her mouth as she tried to remember. Then again, she wasn’t really looking at the colts either. But, they were bullying her... the hoof moved to scratch her mane as she just confused herself even more. Actually, so were the other fillies... Really, the only pony she’d even talk to was...

“... Me...” Dash finished the thought aloud. She started shaking her hooves in front of her, trying to wipe away the ideas in her head. “Arrgh, all this thinking’s given me a headache. What was I thinking? I’m no egghead,” Dash flared her wings, and took off from her cloud, headed back to the small cottage.

A few seconds later, she turned back, and started pushing the cloud along with her.

***

Having finally stopped crying, Fluttershy looked at the bedside clock. ...Hmm, I doubt it’s 88:88... she thought, struggling to clear the blurriness from her eyes. When another look at the clock produced the same result, she moaned, and buried her head in her pillows. Another groan emerged, muffled by the cushions, as the light patter of rain against the windows filled the otherwise silent room. Just what I needed... Why couldn’t I have just kept my big mouth shut?

Her brooding was interrupted by a knock on her door. “G-g-go away, I’m not in,” she sobbed, before the knocking moved up to her window. She tossed a pillow at the window. “I said I’m not in.”

“You know I’m gonna keep knocking ‘til you open the window, ‘Shy,” Dash deadpanned.

“Why does that never work...” Fluttershy asked herself, before opening the window. “Umm... what do you want, Dash?”

“We didn’t really finish earlier, did we?”

“... I...” Fluttershy visibly sagged, as she moved away from the drizzle that was entering the room. “Guess not...”

“You wanted to tell me something,” Dash ventured, leaning in through the window

“Umm... no?”

Dash sighed. I figured as much... she thought to herself, before resting her forelegs on the open window frame. “ Fine, new topic then," she said, offering her friend a smile "’Shy, have I ever told you the whole story 'bout why I want to be a wonderbolt?”

“Umm... they’re... the best?”

“Well, that’s part of it...” Dash admitted, before beckoning Fluttershy closer. “I was kinda hoping I’d be more than a reserve before I told you this, but,” she whispered in the shy mare’s ear, before leaning back and kissing her. It didn’t last more than a few seconds, and Dash went straight back to speaking in her ear again. “It’s ‘cause I think you deserve the best.”

Fluttershy was frozen to the spot. “You like me?”

Rainbow Dash moved back and nodded to the blushing mare.

“You likeme?”

“Well, yeah...”

“You likeme?”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Yes, I, Rainbow Dash, like you, Fluttershy,” she said, wrapping her wings gently around her friends neck. “Do I need to kiss you again?”

“No!” Fluttershy shouted a little too quickly, before blushing deeper. “I mean you don’t need to... not that I don’t... but we... oh my...”

Dash smiled at her flustered friend, before leaning into the hug a little more. “Do you want me to kiss you again?”

I didn’t ask you to stop... Fluttershy thought, as her face turned a deeper shade of pink. “Umm... if you’d l...” she started, before being cut off by her lips meeting Rainbow Dash’s once again. Fluttershy closed her eyes, and just let herself melt into the kiss.

Once they broke apart, both Pegasi gasped a little for breath.

Fluttershy brought a hoof to her lips, as the tingling sensation started to subside. I’ve heard ponies talk about a ‘spark’, she thought as she . But I didn’t think they meant it like that...

Meanwhile, Dash was licking her lips, her mind refusing to move on from the kiss. She even tastes sweet. Almost like Honeysuckle... her mind repeated, as her eyes started to glaze over. However, once her breath was back, she shook the thoughts from her head, and decided to break the silence. “Wow...” was all she managed to say before her cheeks quickly did their best to try and match her eyes.

“Um...” Fluttershy struggled between gulps of air to make words. “I... Um... I...” she looked into Dash’s eyes, and felt the heat in her chest rise. “...Oh, buck it.”

Her wings wrapped quickly around the back of Dash’s neck, slowly bringing her through the window, and into a much deeper kiss. After breaking the embrace, the mares struggled for breath again, sitting side by side on the rug in Fluttershy’s room.

“Alright, I said it earlier,” Dash said, draping a wing over the seemingly exhausted Fluttershy. “But, wow...”

“Mhmm...” Fluttershy managed to murmur, as she nuzzled her head across Dash’s foreleg.

“Hey ‘Shy, you wanna grab something to eat later?”

“You mean like...” Fluttershy swallowed a lump in her throat. “A date?”

“Well, yeah...” Dash raised an eyebrow. “Unless they changed the word.”

“Umm... I don’t think it's changed?”

“Then, yeah, exactly like a date.”

Fluttershy leaned in closer. “Then yes, I’d love to...”

Making Plans - A Morning (Feat. Rainbow Dash X Applejack)

Making Plans

"Dang it..."AJ muttered as the sunlight broke through her window. She reflexively brought an arm up to block out the light, the other patting her bedside table as she searched for her Stetson, hoping to use it as a more permanent shield.

Unfortunately, it wasn't in its usual spot. After turning over, she soon saw why. It seemed her companion had had the same plan, her rainbow locks falling out from under the worn hat.

“Dash...” AJ whispered in the other girl’s ear, trying to avoid being heard through the thin walls of the farmhouse. After giving it a few seconds, and hearing no response, she tried again, a little louder. “Dash, what’re ya doin’ in ma bed?”

"Shit, not so loud, AJ..." Dash groaned, whipping the hat off as her eyes started to struggle open. It took a few seconds, but when she realised where she was, she sprang bolt upright in the bed. This achieved two things.

Firstly, it threw the duvet off of the pair. This in turn revealed that somehow, last night, Dash had ended up with AJ's hat, and AJ with Rainbow's football jersey.

It also revealed that, apart from those, they were completely naked.

It took a few seconds for the girls to snap to their senses after that, at which point the pair span around to face the opposite walls, both blushing heavily. Dash eventually broke the silence.

"Jeez," she laughed nervously, trying to resist the urge to just run home. "Maybe buy a girl a drink first, AJ?"

Applejack promptly face palmed. “Ah think Ah might've got ya more than one, sugar..."

Dash shuddered. "AJ, I know you always call us that 'n' all," the athlete bit her lip, her stomach feeling uneasy. "But, please, for now, can you just... not?"

AJ sighed, and nodded. "Alright su..." she started, before catching herself. "Sorry. But I'll try, Dash."

Dash let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. "'Kay, so first thing's first. What the hell happened last night?"

"Mind if we get dressed first, girl?"

Dash's blush returned. "Yeah, that was gonna be my second idea..."

AJ rolled her eyes as she pulled the jersey off, before tossing it over her shoulder towards her friend. "Sure it was."

Dash took the hat from her head, before placing it gently next to the farmgirl. She then threw the shirt over her head, and reached down for her jeans. "Shit..." she winced, as her own voice stirred the headache that had been subdued so far.

"What's wrong?"

"I think I figured something out about last night..."

"And what's that?"

"I got so blitzed, I got more than a pint of cider over my jeans..."

AJ laughed at that. "Well, all things considered, if ya got that trashed, Ah don't think anythin' else happened."

"What are you trying to say?" Dash asked defensively, her eyes trying to burrow through AJ's back. However, when she realised their stare had fallen a foot lower, she quickly spun back around, trying to shake the thoughts from her head.

AJ, oblivious, just laughed. "Dash, Ah know ya," she said, rolling her eyes. "An' if ya were so drunk ya spilled more than one pint, yadda been asleep ten seconds after ya head hit a pillow, cushion, chair arm, shoulder, or hell, a kinda soft spot on the ground..."

Dash folded her arms, and opened her mouth to snap off a witty response, before a war was waged in her mind.

***

Ok... her voice of reason started. Let's just go over this plan. We point out that we don't fall asleep that fast, and that we could have done something else last night. Either we fail...

Yeah, like that'll happen Her ego snarked.

... or we do convince her, she thinks we did, and she gets angry, her voice of reason continued as though the interruption had never occured. Which will most likely lead to her hitting us repeatedly...

Please, I can take a hit. Her ego waved a hand dismissively.

From AJ?

Well, who else would I mean?

The girl who hits trees?

Yeah, that's AJ? Her ego raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Who hits them all day, every day?

... Yeah? Her ego was beginning to lose its comprehension and a bit of its confidence.

Who, in fact beats them up, all day every day?

... Yeah...

Who sometimes even breaks them, especially when angry?

OK, what the hell's your point here? Her ego snapped, while her voice of reason just smiled.

We break easier than a tree...

Oh... yeah... her ego smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. So what do we do?

Simple. We just move on...

***

"Yeah... Good point..." Dash conceded, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Still, what am I gonna do now?"

"Just toss 'em in the laundry." AJ raised an eyebrow, a hint of disbelief entering her voice.

"Oh, I didn't think of that," Dash snarked, shaking her head. "Guess I'll just walk home like this then," AJ facepalmed, trying to shake that image from her head. "Yeah, didn't think of that, did ya?"

An' now Ah can't help it. Thanks a lot fer that, sugar... Wait how long's she been quiet fer? Better say somethin'. She thought, before saying the first reasonable thing that came to mind. "Ya could borrow somethin' o' mine, ya know?"

"Um, no offence, but we're not the same size..." Dash pointed, out as she started to sort through AJ's closet.

"Well, Ah do got some older stuff in there," AJ replied as she started gathering her own clothes. "Hand me downs fer Blossom an' such. Just check an see if anythin' in there that fits ya."

Dash rubbed her forehead as she found the only thing there that might fit. "Alright, I've got...something..." she forced herself to speak through her teeth, trying to keep pictures of AJ stalking through the orchards in the things out of her head. "But I want it on record, I am not happy about this..."

"What is i..." AJ asked, spinning around, her jaw dropping at the pair of Daisy Dukes the athlete was holding at arms length. The farmhand, meanwhile turned bright red. Partly from embarrassment, mostly from the pictures in her head. "Ah coulda sworn Ah'd thrown them out..." she started rubbing her eyes, only to notice what her friend was about to do. "Dash, ya can't put 'em on yet!"

"Why not?"

"'Cause ya ain't got any underwear on!"

"Well, mine's wet, so that's a no-go," Dash started crossing the options off on her hand. "I'm not exactly comfy with it, but even then, you're too big, Blossom's too small, and I hope Mac doesn't have anything that'd fit me for a few reasons, which means unless you want to drive over to my place or the store for a pair of boxers, I'm going commando..."

"Yeah, 'cause that's a much better image than her runnin' round butt naked..." AJ started, before smacking her hand to her mouth.

The pair of them froze for almost a minute.

"AJ," Dash asked, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Were you thinking about me naked?"

"What," AJ bit her lip, and started sweating. "Naw! Why would ya say that? What ever gave ya that idea? Ah, mean..." the farm girl started to speak faster, the panic on her face growing more and more evident.

Dash sighed, as she thread the belt into her new shorts. And I've lost AJ. Great job, Dash. OK, brain, I know I don't ask much, but I need to snap her out of it before she chokes... she pleaded internally. Catching sight of her friend's tied shirt, a plan came to mind.

AJ was too lost in her denials to notice Dash walk over. Her friend grabbing the knot just below her breasts registered briefly, but was soon lost as she was pulled down, and Dash's lips locked onto her own. AJ definitely noticed that. And very quickly decided her rant was probably very stupid, and unimportant. Or, as her head put it: Ahh, fuck it.

When the two eventually broke, Dash tried to catch her breath, while AJ fanned herself with her hat. "Alright," the farm girl said, sitting on her bed. "Maybe I've been thinkin' 'bout that... well, all mornin', really. An' Ah'm guessin' it ain't been much different fer ya either, huh?"

Dash nodded in agreement. "I guess we need to figure this out too," she said before sighing. "I'm not exactly good at this stuff..."

"Ah ain't got the best track record either," AJ pointed out, before smiling. "... Sugar."

The pair started to laugh. "Thanks AJ, I needed that."

A second later, there was a loud knocking on the door. The pair winced, clutching at their foreheads, their sleeping hangovers roused once more. "Abby, Ah know it's Sunday, but ya cain't sleep in all day, an' breakfast's done."

"Ah'll be down in a sec, Blossom."

Once the clomping sounds from the stairway echoing through their head died down, the pair looked back to one another.

"So..." they said in unison.

After a second, Dash continued. "So, are we... together now?"

AJ didn't hesitate in her response, a smirk on her face. "Depends. Ya wanna be?"

"Yup," Dash nodded, before returning her friends stare. "You?"

"Eeyup." AJ rose from her bed. "Although Ah ain't right sure we should say anythin' yet to mah family..."

"Why not," Dash asked, her face screwed up in confusion. "You afraid I'm not good enough for ya? Or..." Dash trailed off, as her mind thought over her friend's roots.

Seeing where this was going, AJ quickly cut her off. "Now it ain't nothin' like that, sugar, trust me. Ah mean," AJ grabbed a lock of her friend'm multicoloured hair. "it ain't like anyone we know died their hair ta make it obvious, and they got ran outta town," she looked her friend in the eyes. "Yer here every week, sugar. If they had a problem wi' anythin' like that, yadda noticed by now..."

"OK, so what is the problem then?"

"Well, we ain't had a first date yet, have we?" AJ asked, the smile returning to her face.

"Oh yeah..." Dash said, chuckling slightly. "So we tell 'em we're dating after we're actually dating. Makes sense. Now, what're we actually gonna do on this date?"

"Well, Ah ain't too sure..."

"Me neither..." Dash started, before a bolt of inspiration hit. "But I got something fun to do 'til we have an idea..."

"Alright, Ah'll bite, what is it?"

"From when we get downstairs, 'til noon, I'm gonna do whatever I can to get you blushing," Dash flashed AJ a toothy grin. "I manage to do it without setting everyone else off, I choose what we do. I fail, or go too far, you get to choose."

"One sec," AJ raised one hand to pause the other girl. "Ah think we need a couple of ground rules. No physical contact, an' ya can't talk 'bout anythin' that happened in here this mornin'..."

Dash sighed, before nodding. "Fine, those sound fair, I guess. So," she held out one fist. "Game on?"

AJ softly tapped her fist to the athlete's. "Game on."

The grin very quickly returned to Dash's face. She sauntered over to the rooms laundry basket, turned her back to AJ, and bent over. "AJ," she asked, very methodically moving the same thing back and forth at the top of the pile. "Did you put my stuff in here already."

"Yeah, they should be..." AJ started, before stammering at the sight in front of her - Dash wiggling her butt in the very flattering shorts. "R-right... near th-the top..."

"Thanks..." She said, smirking as she quickly grabbed her keys and wallet from her jeans. She slowly straightened up, turning her head to look out past her hair. AJ could see the look she was being given, and it said one thing.

Gotcha Dash thought, straightening up. She slipped her things into her pockets, and slowly walked over to the door. "Now, AJ," she tried to affect AJ's drawl, to moderate success. "I knew Ah was good, but I didn' expect ta beat y'all in th' warmups..."

The blush very quickly faded from her face, as she realised just how easy Dash had won that round. What have I gotten myself into?...

Author's Note

Alright, I'm finally done editing... whatever this thing was before I rewrote it to make it... actually feature something resembling AJ and Dash...

Yeah, this was long overdue...

I think the only thing that's exactly the same as the original now, is that nothing happened beyond the pair drinking a lot of cider, and that the story is supposed to be AppleDash

Guess it's up to you guys as to whether I managed the second part this time around...

Let me know what you think of the update?

Also, no idea what I was thinking on the ego/VoR war, other than it might be kinda funny...

Guess What - A Game (Feat. Rainbow Dash X Pinkie Pie)

Guess What

Pinkie placed the tray of muffins in front of Rainbow Dash, and sat down at the table. Sugar Cube Corner had only just opened, and Pinkie wanted to treat her friend to some, otherwise Derpy would just end up eating them all. Again.

“Thanks Pinks.” Rainbow said, staring at the tray, debating what to choose, before eventually settling on blueberry.

Pinkie stared across the table as Dash took a huge bite of the muffin. She’s really cute when she’s eating. Pinkie started smiling even more when she thought of that, and lingered on it for a few seconds, until a new thought popped into her head.

“Hey, Dashie, I have a really awesome game we can play”

At the mention of awesome, Rainbow Dash’s ears perked up, and she looked up at Pinkie.

“Uhh... can’t it wait until after breakfast Pinkie?” She asked, taking a raspberry muffin this time.

“Aww, that’s no fun Dashie.” Pinkie said, crossing her arms and pouting.

Dash sighed, and placed her muffin back on the table. “Alright, Alright, I’ll bite. What’s this game you have in mind?”

“I’m thinking the most super, duper, funerific, awesometastic thing ever. And you have to guess what it is.” Pinkie said, somehow managing to both hop in place and remain in her seat.

Dash thought for a few seconds. “Sure, I’ll play. Can I eat while we play though, I’m still hungry.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie.” Pinkie said, smiling at Rainbow.

“Hmm...” Rainbow said, rubbing her chin, before taking a bite of her new muffin. While chewing, she began to think over the possibilities. I need to think, what does Pinkie Pie like?

Well duh...

“Cupcakes.” Dash said, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on her fore hooves.

“Nope.”

“Parties.” Dash said opening one eye. Pinkie hadn’t stopped smiling at her.

“Nuh-uh”

“Laughter.” Dash said, sitting upright now, both eyes open.

“Not even clo-ose.” Pinkie’s smile widened as her voice took on an almost sing-song quality.

Dash began scratching her head. But those are her favourite things...

“Wait. Can I at least ask you stuff, try and rule things out?”

Pinkie nodded “It wouldn’t be any fun if you had to give up, would it, silly.”

“Alright, is it about a prank we pulled?” She asked, looking to the sky and hoping for a bolt of inspiration.

“Oooh, getting warmer, Dashie!” Pinkie started to giggle a little. “But still not right.”

Not a prank, but close? Wait...

Rainbow started to blush slightly, and leant across the table. “It’s not that thing we do with the streamers, is it?” She whispered into Pinkie’s ear.

Pinkie’s giggling got a little louder. “Nope. But you’re still getting closer...”

Rainbow’s blush just deepened as her mind raced. The streamers thing is getting closer? But if that’s not it... Maybe it’s something only she likes?

“Dashie?” Pinkie waved her hoof in front of Dash’s eyes, who finally snapped out of her dream world.

“Huh? Oh, sorry about that, Pinks. Got a little lost, didn’t I?” She scratched away at the back of her head. “Where were we?”

“Well, you asked me about the streamers, and I said that was getting closer, and then you blushed and your eyes went...” Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened, and went out of focus “and you didn’t say anything for a minute, and I went...” Pinkie waved a hoof in front of her face “And then you said mmph.” Pinkie suddenly found it difficult to talk. Having your muzzle clamped shut by a pair of hooves can do that...

“Yeah, I know what I said Pinks.” Dash let go of Pinkie’s face once she’d finished trying to talk through her locked jaw. Rainbow’s blush started to return as she spoke. “Umm... Is it to do with the bedroom stuff at all?”

Pinkie Pie looked to the sky for a few seconds. Her smile softened when she returned to the conversation. “A little? It’s not only about that. But I can’t say that it’s not involved at all...”

Rainbow just looked perplexed. Wait, so it’s linked to the streamers, but it’s not just about our sex life. It’s about the pranks we pull, but the streamers thing is closer. And her element, cutie mark and job aren’t involved at all? Rainbow wracked her brain for what seemed like an hour to her. And finally, she knew what she had to do “Alright, I give, Pinks.” Rainbow said, laying her head on the table. “The more I think about it, the more I have no idea what’s going on in that head of yours.”

Pinkie’s eyes shimmered a little, her voice breaking as she spoke. “I’m sorry Dashie. I know you don’t like the mushy stuff.” Her voice lowered to a whisper, and Dash barely caught her final words. “I should have thought this through...”

Before Dash could even think of a response, Pinkie had walked around the table, and was whispering into Dash’s ear “I was thinking
‘I’m really glad you’re my special somepony.’” She kissed Rainbow’s cheek softly, before skipping back to her seat.

Dash absent mindedly stroked the spot Pinkie had kissed, but she couldn’t hold back the questions. “But what does that have to do with the streamers, or our pranks, and how do we not have anything to do with your favourite things?”

Pinkie giggled, and looked Dash in the eyes. “Oh silly Dashie. Those are my favourite things. The pranks and the streamers are things we do together.”

“But tha...” Rainbow Dash started, before realising what she was going to say was stupid. She took a breath, and finished the final muffin. She stretched her wings, and rose from her chair. She took a few steps down the road before Pinkie moved alongside her.

“Hey, Pinks?” Rainbow said, before stopping and turning to face her.

“Yes, Dashie?” Pinkie tilted her head, looking Rainbow Dash right in the eyes.

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“I love you too.” Rainbow Dash leant in, kissing her marefriend firmly on the lips.

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long - writer's block is a cruel mistress. Didn't help that I'm really unhappy with how my AppleDash entry ended up.

The next one I post should be RariJack, with the prompt "A vacation". However, I might try to heavily edit the AppleDash entry first if the rules of the contest allow. If not, then everyone will be able to see how bad I am at writing romance.

Golden Sands - A vacation (Feat. Applejack X Rarity)

Golden Sands

Rachel gave a content sigh as she lay back onto her towel, moving her sunglasses further up her nose. “I can’t thank you enough for this, darling.”

“An’ Ah’m gonna keep sayin’ ya don’t gotta do that.” AJ shook her head and rolled her eyes, as she stepped behind the pair’s wind break. “Once were enough, sugar, an’ we both know ya needed a break before gala season rolls ‘round.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true...” Rachel started, smiling as she slid into a more comfortable position. “But the fact remains that you didn’t have to do this. Heaven knows this couldn’t have been cheap...”

“Ya sayin’ I can’t afford to do this?”

“No, not at all,” Rachel barely let finish AJ finish before answering. Think before you speak, you imbecile... she berated herself. “It’s just...” she started, before massaging her temple and sighing. “Oh, why can I never figure out how the right way to say anything to you?”

“An’ why do ya always gotta worry ‘bout the right way ta say somethin’?”

“I just don’t want to insult you...”

“Sugar,” AJ sighed before continuing. “Ya ever think that maybe tryin’ ta sugar coat everythin’ is what gets me mad in the first place?”

“I guess...” Rachel smiled. “Fine, I suppose I’m just worrying in general. I just don’t want you to think you have to do things like this to keep hold of me...”

“Well, Ah can’t say Ah was expectin’ somethin’ like that...” AJ said, laughing a little, as she picked her old hat from one of the windbreaker’s posts. “Rach’, Ah’m doin’ this ‘cause Ah wanna, not ‘cause Ah think Ah gotta...”

“I know, I know. I’m just not used to things going my way...” Rachel lazily sketched in the sand with her finger. “It just seems too good to be true.”

“Ah ain’t plannin’ on goin’ anywhere, sugarcube...” AJ quipped as she walked out from behind the sunshade, fiddling with the straps on her swimsuit. “Yer as stuck as Ah am with these flippin’ things...”

“Oh, come here...” the designer rolled her eyes and giggled at her girlfriend’s struggles. In less than a minute, the bikini top was secured properly. “There we go. Now, think you can manage that yourself next time?”

“Yeah, Ah can dress myself,” AJ said, smirking at the other girl. “Ah’m a big girl now.”

“I may not be able to match you in strength, Abigail,” Rachel said, a grin of her own appearing as she stared her girlfriend in the eyes. “But I’m a designer. Tongue lashings are in my job description.”

“That a threat or a promise?” AJ asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

“If you’re a good girl, maybe later you’ll find out...” She said, before stretching back out along her towel. “But for now, I feel like working on my tan...”

“Alright, have fun Rach’,” AJ sat on her towel facing Rachel. She leant over, and gave her a swift kiss on the cheek, smiling as she pulled away. “Join me in the water later?”

Rachel sighed and smiled. “I’ll see how I feel, but I won’t promise you anything. If not, then perhaps tomorrow...” She rolled onto her side, so she was facing the tall farm girl, who started to lean in towards her again. As their lips met again, AJ began stroked the nape of Rachel’s neck, slowly moving her fingers up to stroke through the designer’s hair.

Once they broke apart, the pair stared into each other’s eyes for a minute or two. AJ was the first to move, laying her hat beside her towel as she rose to her feet. “Keep an eye on that fer me, Rach’,” She asked. “Wouldn’t want it ta get ruined...”

“Of course.” She said, smiling. AJ smiled back, then headed for the shoreline.

Rachel watched her leave, biting her lower lip again. Now Rachel, it’s not polite to stare. Even if it is such a pleasant sight...she thought, before licking her lips slightly. Oh who are you trying to fool. You know you’ve always loved to watch her leave...

Letting that last thought linger, Rachel sighed, laying back down on her towel. The warmth of the sun and the distant sound of rolling waves soon led to her drifting away.

***

An hour later, AJ finally returned from the water. She laid out next to Rachel, reaching into the ice box to pull out a bottle of cider. She turned to her sleeping girlfriend, and rolled her eyes, gently shaking the sleeping designer.

“Five more minutes...” Rachel murmured as she rolled over.

AJ snorted a laugh, before shaking the sleeping girl a little more firmly. “Rach’, five more minutes an’ yer gonna start peeling...”

Rachel sat bolt upright. A shiver passed down her spine at the thought, before she turned to face the farm girl.

“That wasn’t funny...” She said, pouting as she took the offered drink.

“Sorry Rach’, but it weren’t meant ta be. Ya were dozin’ fer a while there.”

“Well, I should at least thank you for waking me in time.” Rachel said, before sipping at her cider, and placing the bottle beside her. “Did you enjoy your swim?”

“Yeah, it helped cool me off. It’s a mite hotter than Ah thought it’d be...”

“Hmm... I do suppose it is a little warm today.” Rachel turned to her bag, and pulled a bottle out. “Would you mind awfully giving me a top up, darling? It simply wouldn’t do for me to end up with sunburn so early on...”

“Sure, sugarcube. Just leave it ta me.” AJ said, measuring out a small amount of the sun cream. “Shoulders first alright with ya?”

“Sounds delightful.” Rachel purred, as she turned her back to AJ and leant in.

AJ worked methodically, until Rachel’s shoulders were fully coated. “Alright, lie down now sugarcube.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Rachel sounded distant. AJ just rolled her eyes, letting her hands move further down Rachel’s back.

The soft humming from beneath her did nothing but encourage her.

***

“There ya go, that’s everywhere.” AJ said, as she pulled her hat down over her eyes.

“Thank you, darling.”

“Don’t mention it, sugar. Think it’s mah turn for a nap now,” AJ asked between a yawn and stretching her back out. “Wake me up fer lunch?”

“Of course.” Rachel leant in and kissed AJ’s cheek. AJ smiled, before repositioning her hat to cover her eyes.

Just as soon as Rachel had settled and AJ was snoring, Rachel’s phone started to ring.

“Hello?” She answered, turning away from AJ to keep from waking her.

“Hi Rach’,” The voice at the other end’s accent was unmistakable. “How’re you an’ mah sis doin’? ”

“Oh, hello Blossom. Everything’s fine here, how are things back home?”

“Ain’t gonna lie, could be better... ”

“Why,” Rachel asked, sitting up on her towel as she spoke. “Whatever’s the matter?”

“Well, I had ta pull an all-nighter ta finish preppin’ fer all the work ya wanted doin’. So Steph got up first, an’ she tried ta make breakfast...”

“I said I was sorry... ” Stephanie’s voice squeaked through the phone.

Rachel took a few deep breaths. “How bad was it, Blossom?”

“Well, she tried ta make toast... ”

Rachel breathed a small sigh of relief. “Well, that’s not too bad, I suppose. Just mop up the puddles, and every...”

“Umm... Rach’, ” Blossom sounded even more nervous than when she’d started. “She was makin’ French toast... ”

Rachel’s eye twitched as she gave a few nervous laughs, before fainting onto her towel.

“Rach’? Ya there? ”

AJ lifted the hat from her head and groaned as her nap was rudely disturbed. A quick glance to her side revealed her girlfriend had fainted. The muttering wasn’t a good sign. The fact she was muttering in tongues...

Spying the phone in the sand, AJ took a deep breath and picked up the phone. She silently prayed whoever was on the other end could shed some light on the situation.

She coughed a few times to clear her throat, before speaking into the mouth piece. “Hello, Rachel Belle’s phone,” AJ spoke without a trace of her usual accent. “I’m sorry, but she can’t come to the phone right now.”

“Oh, hey sis. Ya got a cold or somethin’? Ya sound a little weird... ”

“Oh, hey Blossom...” AJ let loose a sigh of relief, and massaged her throat. “Nah, just tryin’ somethin’ I haven’t done in a while,” she started, before shaking her head quickly. “But that ain’t important right now. Ah’m gonna assume that Rach’ bein’ laid out has somethin’ to do with y’all?”

“Well, more Steph than me... ”

“Hey! ”

“...But yeah. Steph tried ta make French toast. ”

AJ sighed. Her surprise at Rachel’s reaction was quickly fading...

“Did ya get the fire out?”

“Both of ‘em. ”

“Anythin’ ya can’t fix?”

“Nah, Steph at least kept it all contained. ”

“And can ya get it done up again before we’re back?”

“Er... ” AJ could almost hear her little sister’s fidgeting. “Ah ain’t sure, sis. Ah’m gonna end up fallin’ behind with the renovations, thanks ta the clean up. Sure, it ain’t anything tough, but it still takes time... ”

“How much?”

“Few days, shouldn’t be more than three over. ”

“Alright, Ah gotta run it by Rach’, so Ah’m gonna put ya on hold,” AJ said, before dropping the phone to the sand again. She sat down beside her prone girlfriend, and waved a hand in front of her face. “Rach’, are ya in there?”

When there was no change in her response after a few seconds, AJ leant over, and gave Rachel a deep kiss. When she broke away, and felt Rachel try to follow her, she grinned. “Welcome back, sugar.”

“Mmm...” Rachel said, before shaking herself out of her stupor and sitting up. “Oh, AJ, I had the most dreadful nightmare. Blossom called, and said Steph had burnt down the Boutique trying to make breakfast...”

“Rach’, don’t worry, she didn’t burn it down,” AJ moved round behind her, and put a comforting hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “There were a couple of fires, but Blossom already put ‘em out. Says she can fix everythin’ an’ still do that work ya asked for. She’s just gonna need a few days more than planned,” AJ listened as Rachel purred, leaning into her. “An’ ah gotta say, ah don’t think ya wanna be goin’ back before the works done.”

“But what about my orders,” Rachel asked with closed eyes, biting her lip to keep focus. “I can’t just abandon them. You know how important the gala is for the Boutique - and not just because of the money...”

“Ah know,” AJ said, softly massaging the designer’s shoulder while thinking. “Ya got all ya numbers in ya phone, right?”

“I’m not sure, darling, but I suspect I have at least most of them...”

“Then Ah guess ya let all ya can know somethin’ came up, an’ it’s gonna take an extra week fer gala stuff. Anythin’ that can’t wait, or ones ya can’t get in touch with, ya finish them first, as soon as we get back.”

Rachel sighed. “I suppose that’s the best I can do...”

AJ nodded, before picking up the phone again. “Alright, ya got a few extra days ta sort everythin’. But ya better have done before we get back, ya hear?”

“Yep, got it sis. ”

“Oh, and do tell Stephanie she’s banned from the Kitchen. Again.” Rachel chimed in from behind AJ’s shoulder.

“Did ya catch that?” AJ asked.

“Oh come on! Seriously!? ”

“...Does that answer ya question? ”

“Eeyup,” AJ and Rachel chuckled a little at their sister’s responses. “Ya should probably get started, Blossom. Talk ta ya later, alright?”

“Yeah, talk later. Bye sis. ”

AJ passed Rachel the phone back. “So, what we gonna do with a few more days vacation?”

Rachel considered that for a few seconds, before looking around the rest of the deserted beach. “I do have one idea...” she stared AJ’s eyes as she spoke, hooking one hand around the other girl’s neck, drawing her in closer.

***

Blossom and Stephanie blushed in the middle of the kitchen, her phone now on the floor, at the other side of the room. Thankfully, the noises it had begun producing were being dulled by the distance.

“Do ya think they realised they didn’t hang up?” Blossom asked, eyes darting around the pristine room. She wasn’t willing to look at the phone right now, let alone approach the thing.

“Better questions – why didn’t you just hang up, rather than throw your phone across the room,” Stephanie squeaked, hands stuck to her hips. “And why do all of your plans now end up with me banned from someone’s kitchen?”

“It’s a new phone, Ah still ain’t figured out all the buttons yet...” Blossom shrugged, as though that was usual. “As fer the plan thing? Ah’ve seen ya cookin’, Steph. Ya burn cereal, turn toast in ta soup, an’ Ah don’t even wanna know what ya do ta make orange juice grey...” Blossom deadpanned, staring her friend in the eye, arms crossed across her chest.

“...I only did that twice...” Stephanie countered, shrinking beneath Blossom’s glare.

“It shouldn’ta happened once...” the young engineer spoke under her breath, before shaking the distractions from her head. “Mah point bein’, all we need ta say is ya tried cookin’, an’ no-one really pays attention ta the rest...”

“...Fine...” Stephanie finally relented. “Still, they’re gone for the rest of the week. Congratulations. One last question - what was the point of that anyway?”

Blossom’s victory grin faded quickly. “Ah... umm... gimme a sec...“ her eyes started darting around the room again. “They needed more than just a long weekend together?”

Stephanie face palmed. “They only need that ‘cause you traumatised my sister into thinking I was making breakfast,” she spoke, her hand still glued to her head. “Besides, I’ve been practicing...” she hastily added under her breath.

“Ah needed more time ta finish the renovations?”

“That’s the excuse we made up together, Blossom,” the young musician was glaring at the engineer again. “Try again.”

“Err...” Blossom started, before her shoulders sagged. “Fine, Ah forgot, OK?”

“Damnit Blossom. It was your plan,” she yelled, her voice cracking into its usual squeaks. She jabbed a pair of fingers into her forehead as she spoke. “What am I going to do with you?”

The silence that fell over the boutique was interrupted unintentionally, by a response from Rachel (despite being a thousand miles away). “Ride cowgirl, ride! ”

The two girls in the boutique turned bright red, and raced to hang up.

Author's Note

I've actually had this chapter sitting, waiting for a final edit, while I worked on rejigging chapter's 1 & 2.

Since I have no idea which of the prompts I'm going to be doing to get this to the five posted stories needed to actually finished the challenge's bare minimum, don't expect this to be anything but 'On Hiatus' for a while.

Meeting the Family - A Reunion (Feat. Applejack X Pinkie Pie)

AJ wiped the sweat from her brow, before placing the barrel at her feet on the table. The family reunion was in full swing now, and the cider had been disappearing faster than she could replace the barrels. Finally gaining a moment of respite, she leant back on the table, looking out over busy farmyard.

A wave of lights was flowing across the sea of tables, as each of their small lanterns were lit to fight the failing light. A lone fiddler played, the music wafting through the storm of chatter.

And, dancing through the chaos, was Diane, her brilliant smile never wavering. AJ's eyes struggled to keep up with her as she weaved her way through the tables with platters of fritters balanced precariously across her arms, but never once even threatening to fall.

Just as she turned to grab another mug of cider, she felt a tap on her shoulder. A quick glance over a shoulder revealed Diane, smile still beaming, with a platter of fritters held in her outstretched arms. "Thought you might want a snack."

"Well thanks, sugar," AJ replied, clearing space on the table beside her. "Jus' put 'em down here, an' pull up a chair..." a smirk started to spread across her face. "If ya can sit still that long, that is..." Diane just stook her tongue out at the farmgirl, before the pair burst out laughing. They attacked the food in silence. Once the platter was cleared, it was AJ who spoke first. "So, how ya likin' everything so far?"

It took a few seconds before she responded. "This is the best family reunion I've been to," she said, with a beaming grin, which rapidly shrank as she continued. "Mine are all really small and quiet..."

AJ raised a shocked eyebrow at that. "That so?"

Diane barely nodded before she leant her head back, eyes closed. A few seconds later, her fingers started tapping against the table in rhythm with the fiddler. "Say, AJ, you wanna dance?"

"Depends," AJ said as she began to stretch out her shoulders. "Ya know how ta square dance?"

Diane just put on an over the top expression of shock, before jumping down from the table, heading for the dance floor in her usual animated fashion.

AJ just shook her head and rolled her eyes as she walked behind the skipping baker. A chuckle escaped her lips as she watched Diane spin once she reached the centre of the makeshift dance floor. She watched Diane curtsy, before sweeping her hat off her head as she dipped into a low bow.

AJ wasn't sure when Granny started calling, or Mac and Blossom joined them. She wasn't sure how long she danced, or how many times she switched partners, but she knew Diane was still going long after she took a seat. She didn't mind too much, though. Watching her friend on the dance floor, she knew one thing.

The other girl was at home.

***

Just as the sun finally dropped below the horizon, the guests finally began to filter out from the Acres. AJ pulled back in from leaning through the hayloft's window, before slumping back against the barn's wall, panting for breath.

Diane giggled as she sat down at beside her, before putting on an over the top pout. "You're not tired already are you? The party's just begun..."

"As appealin' as that sounds..." AJ said, chuckling as she fanned herself with her hat. "Ah doubt this here hayloft's gonna be good fer a roll in the hay..." The farmer stopped talking to wince at her own unintentional pun.

The energetic girl's laughter also slowly died off. When she did speak, her voice was much more subdued. "...AJ, can we talk?"

"Sure we can," AJ smiled softly as she wrapped an arm around her. "What ya thinkin' 'bout?"

"We need to talk about us..."

AJ dipped the brim of her hat down past her eyes. "Well, that don't sound too good," she said to herself, before turning back to Diane. "What's wrong?"

"We keep putting this off, AJ, but I can't do it anymore..." Diane brought her knees to her chest, hugging them tight. "After what we found out, are we... still together?"

"Well, first thing Ah gotta say is we didn't find out nothin', sugar..." AJ said, squeezing her slightly. "Them books were mighty smudged... "

Diane shrank even smaller. "AJ, don't..." she managed to choke out, biting her lip.

Turning Diane round to face her, she could see the tears Diane was barely holding back. She closed her eyes, resting her temple against her girlfriend's. "This is really gettin' to ya, ain't it?"

Diane waited a few seconds, wiping her eyes, before nodding. AJ hugged her a little tighter.

"I don't want this to be over, but..." Diane started, until she found one of AJ's fingers pressed over her lips.

"Don't ya worry none 'bout that, alrigh'? Just come here..." AJ said, smiling at the other girl. Diane sidled up, before laying her head on AJ's lap, smiling up at her. AJ chuckled at her girlfriend's antics. "Now, Ah don't rightly know what people are gonna say or think..." she continued as she started stroking the baker's hair absent-mindedly. "But Ah know Ah don't care," AJ paused to lean down and kiss the other girl lightly on the lips. "Ah still lo-"

Her words were quickly cut off by Diane pulling her down into a much deeper kiss. Both were so wrapped up with their kiss that they didn't hear the steps on the ladder until it was too late.

"AJ? Granny told me ta see if Diane wants ta stay fer di..." Blossom started, before her mouth started to hang open. The other's eyes opened wide, turning to stare at the younger girl, their lips only parting as Blossom started to slowly descend the ladder.

"...Dinner's gonna be awkward..." Diane said, biting her lip.

"Eeyup..." AJ agreed, rising to her feet, and heading for the ladder.

***

When the pair walked into the kitchen, they weren't shocked to see the rest of the resident Apple's already sat around the dinner table.

Granny Smith didn't look up from the table before speaking. "Sit down."

AJ folded her arms, not budging from the doorway. "Why? So ya can yell at us?"

Granny Smith sighed, massaging her temples. "Abigail, Ah could holler up a storm if'n Ah wanted..." she said with her eyes glued shut. "An' last time Ah tried doin' that, all it did was end up with ya runnin' off ta Manhattan. So before ya get a bee in ya bonnet, an' go an' elope or summat else just as durned foolish, can ya at least sit down an' try ta talk it out?"

AJ sat down, refusing to look at the rest of the family. Diane sat down beside her, the usually vibrant girl trying to make herself as small as possible.

"Now," Granny Smith continued, her voice softening slightly. "How long has this been goin' on?"

"...Since the Rodeo Nationals..." Diane answered, after an uncomfortably long silence.

Granny Smith groaned at the answer. "Land's sake, Abigail, that was nearly a year ago. Why didn't ya tell us?"

AJ glared across the table. "'Cause Ah knew this'd happen! Ah knew y'all wouldn't understand..." she finished, her head slumping onto her folded arms.

"...Yer right. Ah don't understand," The elderly matriarch rose slowly from her chair, shuffling over to the stove, moving the now whistling tea kettle away from the flames. "But Ah also don't understand why plantin' Rome Beauty's gets us Granny Smith's, or how Blossom can go swimmin' in th' lake, and come home wit' sap-coated overalls..."

Blossom's attention suddenly returned to the conversation. "Hey, why ya bringin' me into this?"

"...But Ah don't have ta understand them ta accept them. An' if ya don't try ta help me, then Ah'll never understand, Abigail."

"...Can ya blame me fer bein' scared," AJ said, pushing herself up from the table. "When Ah said Ah didn't wanna stay at the farm..."

"Abby, the three of ya are all I got now..." Granny Smith sighed, bringing her Granddaughter into a tight hug. "Ah wasn't lookin' ta chase ya off then, an' Ah ain't plannin' on startin' now neither. Ah just wish ya'd come ta me before this here reunion."

"That..." Diane gulped after she spoke. "That was my idea. I wanted it be a big announcement, but I wasn't in town for the last one and then I found that book and everything got weird so we didn't know what to do... and... and..." she paused as she dissolved into a coughing fit.

"Breathe, sugar," AJ rubbed the spluttering girls back, until she'd calmed down. "Better?"

Diane nodded, laughing sheepishly. Granny Smith sat back in her chair, a warm smile finally on her face. "Now, Diane, how closely are ya related ta Abby again?"

"We're fourth cousins twice removed by a fifth cousin," Diane reeled off on reflex. "If we're reading the books right, at least..."

"So, we ain't sure if yer kin, an' it's not really close if'n ya are," Granny Smith summed up. "Diane, Ah'll let ya in on a little secret..." she said, inching closer to the girl, before whispering in her ear. "Ya go back far enough, and everyone's related to everyone else somehow."

"Wait, are ya sayin' what Ah think yer sayin', Granny..." AJ asked, turning to face the pair.

"Ain't mah place ta judge ya, Abby," Granny Smith replied, returning to her seat. "An since we ain't sure none bout that family tree, Ah ain't gonna stop ya neither. But there's somethin' ya shoulda done before ya even thought about tellin' us, an' Ah know ya know what Ah mean..."

"...Yeah Granny, Ah know..." AJ said under her breath after a long pause, biting her lip as she did. "Diane, are ya workin' tomorrow?"

"I can get the day off, I've got a few holidays saved up..." Diane smiled as she practically leapt from her chair, bouncing on her tiptoes. "Why, are we going somewhere?"

"...Somethin' like that..."

***

AJ and Diane walked through the Orchards, out towards the northern edge of the Acres.

"Alrigh'," AJ said as she stood infront of a fenced off section of the Orchards. "We're here..."

"What is it?"

"I guess ya could call it a memorial..." she said, swinging open the weather-beaten gate.

"Memorial," Diane asked, her face screwing up in bewilderment as she followed AJ through the gateway. "AJ, I don't get it..."

"All our family's Orchards an' Groves have one." AJ slowly walked through the trees, eyes glued to the grass beneath her feet. "When ya pass on, first tree ya planted gets taken home, and put in their memorial. An' ya don't just let anyone in..."

The farmhand stopped in front of two trees planted so close together, that their roots were almost intertwined. Her hands brushed across the two plaques, as tears started to slowly fall down her face. "Hey ma, pa..." she struggled to say, before walking back over to Diane. Placing one hand around her girlfriend's back, she walked them a few steps closer to the trees. "There's someone I'd like y'all ta meet..."

Author's Note

Quick Disclaimer: I'm not going to say I agree with the views presented in the story. However, after Pinkie Apple Pie, and my opinion being that they are related, writing and reading Apple Pie stories has become a lot more difficult for me.

Not that I actually plan on writing anymore of them, but you get the point, I hope.

Still, I had planned to do this for the fifth story, and as much as I dislike admiting it, focusing on writing it more about the issues than the actual romance directly made this easier to write.

With this, I have the five required to complete the challenge. I said when I started this, that I planned to do all fifteen. And that is still the plan, but I have finished the bare minimum, so if I struggle for ideas, it won't be as much of a sore point with me.

I also don't have any plans to go back and edit the previous chapters anymore, since I both have lost the notes (As mentioned in many places), and I'm tapped out of ideas for them. So at least any further updates on here will be new chapters. Even if they'll be a long time coming...