Only For Her

Chapters

Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 1
Chapter 6
Chapter 11
Chapter 16

Chapter 2

Fluttershy yawned deeply as she rolled over in her bed, bunching up the covers with her back legs. She moaned quietly as she attempted to kick the crumpled blankets away, but she only succeeded in making her tangled bed sheet situation worse. Eventually, the yellow pegasus merely resigned herself to laying in the bed, tangled hopelessly in in the sheets. Her eyes stayed shut for as long as she could keep them shut, but she failed miserably to stay asleep. She was already awake, so she'd might as well get used to it.

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked up at her ceiling tiredly. She didn't feel bright and energetic this morning, even though she'd gotten well over eight hours of sleep the previous night. A subtle, sick feeling laid in her stomach as she sighed deeply to herself. She longed for someone to be in the bed next to her. Sure, she'd had a relationship before, but to say that it was dysfunctional would be an understatement. Fluttershy's timidity eventually got to the stallion and he left her. So alone she had stayed for a long time.

She supposed that she had gotten used to it. Most days she was okay with it. She had her pet bunny, angel, and all of the friendly critters of the forest to keep her company. And then there were her friends. Her five friends who she loved above everything else in the world. They were always there for her and they usually alleviated the feelings of loneliness she felt...usually. There were some nights that Fluttershy really, truly wanted someone to hold as she went to sleep.

Despite these profound feelings, Fluttershy got out of her bed and moved into her kitchen. She made herself a cup of tea and sat down in one of her chairs before taking a small sip. She looked down to see Angel looking up at her, an eyebrow raised.

"Oh, hi, Angel." Fluttershy said. "Did you sleep well?" The bunny nodded and brought a paw up momentarily toward her.

"I slept fine." Fluttershy said. "A little uncomfortable with all the blankets, but it's fall. What else would I do to keep warm?" The bunny shrugged and jumped up into Fluttershy's lap before laying down and snuggling his head into her leg.

"Oh, Angel, you're so sweet." Fluttershy said as she gave her bunny a pet. "What would I do without you?"

The yellow pegasus was not looking forward to her agenda that day at all. She had to round up a group of raccoons from behind Café Du Mane that were constantly getting into the garbage, stop a pack of bunnies from destroying Carrot Top's garden and last but not least, she had to get the family of birds who had made a home in her attic out of her attic. The yellow mare was always used to going about her days leisurely, without a certain set schedule. But she felt a certain pressure to do these things, as she was probably the only pony in Ponyville who had the influence over animals that she did.

After finishing her cup of tea, Fluttershy stood and moved to her bathroom to freshen up for the day. Angel followed his loving master closely, still not believing that Fluttershy was perfectly alright this morning. She looked at herself in the mirror and smirked tiredly. Her mane was frazzled and she looked sort of worn from her sleep, but otherwise, she looked great. Fluttershy was almost always extraordinarily beautiful.

It wasn't as if Fluttershy received absolutely no attention from single stallions. She actually had received a good amount of flirtation in her life. But she was always so timid or scared, the potential suitor would eventually be turned off and move on to a different, more bold mare.

She stepped into the shower momentarily and washed herself off. She stepped out of the shower and dried off before brushing her mane into it's usual, perfect look. It cascaded from her head like a glorious pink fountain. She washed her face quickly and looked into her mirror once more after drying off her face. Much of her beauty was natural, and she only required a small amount of eyeliner to bring out her beautiful blue eyes.

"Well, Angel. Let's get you fed." Fluttershy said as she walked into the kitchen. The pegasus granted her rabbit a generously sized carrot, which the rabbit took and began to eat on. "Goodbye. I'll be back soon." Fluttershy nuzzled her rabbit lovingly. Angel returned the nuzzle and Fluttershy finally left her cottage to begin the day's tasks.

_____

"Sweetie Belle! Could you please bring me the number twenty-five glitter ribbon?" Rarity cried as she furiously sewed a dress she had forgotten to add to her most recent dress order. She was supplying dresses for a group of eighteen rich and prissy mares, that demanded the best quality. They had made sure to stress to Rarity that the only reason they were buying from her was that the boutique in Canterlot was already filled up with orders and they had heard she was the "next best thing". Rarity was deeply offended when they spoke to her in this manner, and she had prepared to refuse an offer from the snooty mares, but she had held her tongue when she realized that she was in need of money.

So she begrudgingly accepted the deal of nine hundred gold bits for eighteen dresses, and got to work immediately after their departure from the boutique. From that point on she worked herself to the bone all day and all night, only taking momentary breaks to eat and drink. It was extremely tedious work, and the way they had ordered the dresses had seen that every bit of meticulous work and observation of details was done. Eventually, to her great relief, the white unicorn finished her task...or so she thought. She had gone to bed forgetting about one of the dresses on the list. So now, on the very day of the group's arrival, she was bustling about her shop to finish the very last dress.

"Here you go, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle said adorably, holding the ribbon before Rarity with her magic. Rarity smiled and took the ribbon from her sister.

"Thank you, Sweetie Belle." Rarity said as she resumed her work. "Now I know I promised you that we'd go out as soon as we woke up this morning, but I accidentally forgot something with this most recent order. We'll go out as soon as I get done." Rarity looked at her sister. "You understand, don't you?" Sweetie Belle nodded, a smile on her face. The smile failed to hide the obvious disappointment her sister felt. Rarity frowned as she watched her sister leave the room before moving immediately back to her work.

The worst thing about this order for Rarity wasn't the constant work for the dresses. It was the broken promise to Sweetie Belle that they'd have some quality time together. Sweetie Belle always anticipated her time with Rarity with the utmost excitement and Rarity knew this, making it hurt all the more when she couldn't actually be with her sister.

But the gall...the very gall those mares had saying what they did when they did. Rarity was recognized all throughout Canterlot, maybe even throughout the entirety of Equestria, for her talent. She knew this, and everypony in Ponyville knew it. But these mares...it was sickening for the prim unicorn to take their order. But truthfully, things had been going slowly at the Carousel Boutique as of late. Usually, Rarity had a good amount of orders at any given time, able to keep busy for a good amount of her schedule. This usually had the money coming in quite regularly. But following an unexpectedly large and final purchase of some curtains for her room, Rarity was left flat broke and business had already been quite slow.

"Why, those stupid...prissy...bratty little pieces of..." Rarity growled through her teeth as she continued to work on the dress. "They should be honored...honored to have these dresses at their useless disposal. It isn't as if they're going to wear them to anything else but their stupid little prom. I mean, they're buying them with their parent's money, of course..." Rarity stopped herself in the middle of her angry ranting and stood up from leaning over the dress. She straightened her neck and counted to ten, breathing deeply and releasing her pent-up anger.

"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle said. "Are...are you okay?" Rarity plastered a fake smile on her face before turning quickly to her sister.

"Oh, I'm fine, Sweetie Belle." Rarity said. "W-Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you were talking to yourself." Sweetie Belle said. "And I know that when you start talking to yourself, something's wrong. I'm sorry if I interrupted you, I was just worried."

"Oh, Sweetie Belle, darling..." Rarity said, sitting on the ground and putting her fore legs out to hug her sister. Sweetie Belle eagerly ran into the embrace and squeezed Rarity with love. "You're not interrupting." When Rarity let Sweetie Belle go, the filly backed up a few steps before sitting down.

"Well, what's wrong?" Sweetie Belle asked Rarity, who sighed.

"It's...It's just..." Rarity said as she ran a hoof through her mane. "These eighteen mares came by to get me to make their prom dresses, which I was happy to do, until they told me that they only came because the boutique in Canterlot was completely booked out and they had heard I was the next best thing."

"But that's stupid!" Sweetie Belle said. "You outclass so many of the dressmakers in Canterlot."

"Oh, you're sweet." Rarity said. "I just...I just can't help but feel devalued after hearing that. I mean, I know that they were just wanting to stick to what they were used to...ignorant, ridiculously stupid little bratty-" Rarity stopped herself before she became too profane in front of her sister.

"That's ridiculous, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said. "Who cares what a few dumb mares think? You're the best dressmaker in Equestria, I'd bet. Now, you finish that dress," The filly pointed at the dress and smiled at her sister warmly. "and show those mares exactly how amazing of a dressmaker you are!" Rarity stood and smiled down at Sweetie Belle.

"You're right!" Rarity cried happily. "There's no need for me to sit around and mope! I'm going to show them exactly what this mare is capable of! Go wash up, Sweetie Belle. As soon as I'm finished with this dress, we're going out on the town." Sweetie Belle cheered happily and ran out of the room.

Her resolve strengthened, the designer began working again at the dress with a new and improved vigor. She effortlessly sewed ribbons and patterns together on the dress, which was beginning to come together quite nicely. At this rate, if those mares weren't impressed by their dresses, they were mentally challenged. Working at this new rate, the dress would probably be finished in a mere half hour, forty five minutes at the most. The white mare heard the door to the dress shop open from behind her.

"Rarity." Sweetie Belle said.

"Yes?" Rarity answered happily.

"They're here."

_____

Fluttershy walked slowly and quietly toward Café Du Mane, keeping a wary eye out for any of the raccoons she would be moving off the premises. She wasn't looking forward to this one particular task at all. This was for several reasons. Raccoons could be nasty, violent little animals when cornered, and Fluttershy had already felt the destructive power of a raccoon's claws once. She never would have preferred to again. Plus, this wasn't just a solitary raccoon she was going to be dealing with, but a whole family. Moving one animal would be difficult enough, but an entire family was a test, even given Fluttershy's influence.

The yellow Pegasus entered the restaurant and regarded the hostess, who smiled happily at her.

"Good morning to you." She said. "Just one today?"

"Well...actually..." Fluttershy muttered, becoming very timid under the vibrant and overbearing gaze of the hostess. "Sure, I guess...One would be-"

"Okay, then. Follow me." The mare said as she led Fluttershy to a table. The pegasus sat at the table and stuttered hopelessly.

"I- I would, um...I w-would-"

"A waiter will be right with you."

"Okay, thank you."

Fluttershy lowered her ears and sighed to herself, unable to say no to the overly nice hostess. She simply couldn't stand how unbelievably timid and sensitive she was. She could rarely say no to someone over anything, and even when she did, it was with a distinct sense of uncertainty. The yellow pegasus decided for herself at that point, then and there, she was going to tell the waiter that she wasn't hungry and that she was merely here to solve their raccoon problem. Her eyebrows furrowed and she took in a deep breath as she saw her waiter approaching her table.

"May I take your order?" The waiter asked her.

"I'd like a chamomile tea." Fluttershy said, wanting to hit herself in the face repeatedly. "Please."

"Coming right up." He said with a small nod before leaving her sitting at the table. Fluttershy began to lightly bang her head on the table in a steady rhythm.

"Stupid...Stupid..." She said in rhythm with the bangs.

"Fluttershy?" She heard a familiar voice say. She looked up and immediately blushed heavily at seeing her friend Princess Twilight Sparkle, accompanied by her assistant Spike. "What...are you doing?"

"You okay, Fluttershy?" Spike said, raising an eyebrow. Fluttershy's blush intensified as she scoured her head for answers to the alicorn's question.

"Uh...Uh..." Fluttershy said, but she sighed deeply and put her forehead on the table, unable to come up with any valid reason that she was banging her head on the table. "Sit down and I'll tell you." Twilight shrugged at Spike and sat down at the table across from Fluttershy.

"So what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"I...I just can't take up for myself." Fluttershy said. "I mean, I want to, but I can't. I can't even say no to the waiter. I don't even want anything right now."

"Then why are you here?" Twilight asked the pegasus, who rolled her eyes.

"I'm supposed to be getting rid of a family of raccoons that live behind the restaurant." Fluttershy said. "But instead, I'm in here waiting for some Chamomile tea."

"Ooh, raccoons." Spike said with a small nod. "Nasty business." Twilight looked at the baby dragon with an intensely confused look, making him shrug at her.

"Fluttershy, you know the waiter wouldn't be doing his job if he was disappointed or angry that you don't want to order something, right?" Twilight said. "You wouldn't be disappointing him if you just tell him why you're here."

"I know that." Fluttershy said. "I just really, really would hate it if he did really turn out to be disappointed. So now, here I am, waiting for my chamomile tea which actually sounds kind of good right now given the current circumstances."

"Well, I guess if you already ordered it." Twilight said with a shrug.

"What are you two doing here?" Fluttershy asked the two of them. Twilight smiled at her and placed a hoof on Spike's shoulder.

"We're just here to get some breakfast." Twilight said. "I promised Spike that I'd bring him here if he did all of his tasks yesterday."

"And I did 'em!" Spike piped up.

"So we're here." Twilight said.

"Oh, that's nice." Fluttershy said. "You two must be having a lot of fun."

"I suppose so." Twilight said. "We're not really going to be doing much after this besides going back to the library for a well-deserved break. Yesterday was an all-day-long workload, so we're going to savor this day."

"I'm happy for you." Fluttershy said. "I actually have quite a bit to do today."

"Like what?" Twilight asked.

"Well, after I take care of this, I have to go stop a pack of bunnies from destroying Carrot Top's carrot farm. Then, I have to get rid of the birds living in my attic. They move around a lot at night, and they keep Angel awake."

"That's rough." Spike said.

"Oh, it's what I do every day." Fluttershy said, smiling at Spike. "I must admit that my days aren't nearly this packed out, but it won't be the most difficult thing in the world."

"Well, how about this, Fluttershy." Twilight said. "After we grab breakfast here, how about you take Spike and I for a little ride-along?"

"A...ride along?" Fluttershy said. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar..."

"It's where you take Spike and I along with you to watch you do your job." Twilight said. "If anything, we could help you out. What do you think, Spike?" The baby dragon shrugged where he sat.

"I'm fine with it." Spike said. "I'd just be laying around in my bed all day otherwise."

"Oh, I...you don't have to." Fluttershy said. "Please, I...I don't..."

"Fluttershy, we insist." Twilight said with a warm smile.

"Well..." Fluttershy said. "I guess it would be nice to have company." Twilight nodded as the waiter approached them.

"You're chamomile tea." He said before bowing for Twilight. "Princess Twilight. Breakfast is on the house this morning."

"Oh, there's no need for that." Twilight said.

As her princess friend placed her and Spike's order, Fluttershy smiled and took a sip of her tea. A happy feeling welled up from within her and she sighed with contentment. She felt at ease.

She was beginning to feel better about her day.

_____

"So as you can see, the hot pink trim goes exquisitely well with the main dark pink color of the dress." Rarity explained to one of the last mares whose dress she had created. She had endured the constant and unfounded criticisms from the bratty little clique, and she was grateful the ordeal was almost over...almost. Rarity's body was filled with dread as she prepared to give a description of the last, final dress that she had yet to finish. The white unicorn gulped before continuing. "This last dress comes with an expression I sometimes weave into my dresses." The final mare, whose dress was so obviously unfinished, gaped at the dress.

"And what would that expression be?" She said, raising an eyebrow at Rarity, who giggled nervously and blushed.

"Less is more." She said.

"How is that supposed to make me feel better about...this?" The pegasus mare growled.

"Well, think about this, my dear." Rarity said, mentally preparing herself for a long line of complete and utter bull. "You're at the prom with all of your friends, and they have the most fashionable and good-looking dresses at the prom..."

"She thinks her dresses are that good?" Rarity heard the mare that looked to be the leader of the group whisper. This caused the unicorn to stop for a moment and breathe deeply before continuing.

"A young stallion who just bleeds calm, cool and collected is looking around for a lady to dance with. He's tired of the same old, same old. He's seen so much of the overly exaggerated dresses that they make him sick to his stomach. But then he lays his eyes on you. You're dress, so simple, yet so elegant will be sure to catch his eye among all of the flamboyant attire at the prom. One word will come to his mind when he thinks about you." Rarity said, before raising an eyebrow at the mare and smirking. "Modesty." The mare smiled at Rarity and nodded.

"Yeah, that actually does make some sense." She said.

"He'll be drawn to you, against his better judgement. Sure, he could be drawn to one of...these girls, but he's looking for adventure. Some spice, and he surely finds it with you." Rarity said. "You know, the idea just struck me."

"I love it!" The mare said in stark contrast to the way she was feeling a minute previously. Rarity smiled and nodded.

"I'm happy you do, dear." The white unicorn said with a smirk before addressing the lot of them. "Now, the payment?" The member of the group that appeared to be the leader scowled and reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a rather large sack of bits.

"Here." The mare growled through her clenched teeth before dropping it on the ground before Rarity. "This should cover it." Rarity, miffed that the mare hadn't even given her the courtesy to place it on one of the tables, frowned at the mare. The white unicorn changed her expression to one of kindness and nodded.

"Thank you." Rarity said through her smile, wishing she could have at the leader for a minute or two. But the unicorn was always strictly professional. "Enjoy the dresses." The other mares, wearing catty expressions on their faces with the exception of the pegasus mare who got the unfinished dress, left. The leader, however, stayed behind.

"Aren't you coming Sapphire?" One of the mares asked her.

"I'll be there in a minute." She said. "You guys go on. I just want to congratulate Miss Rarity on her fantastic dress making skills."

"But-" The mare continued.

"Go." The leader growled through her teeth. "I'll meet you outside." The other mare submitted to Sapphire's will and left the boutique. Rarity raised an eyebrow at Sapphire, who simply scowled at her. Once the snooty mare heard the door close, she began.

"You are pathetic." She said, catching Rarity off guard.

"Excuse me?" Rarity replied, her stomach beginning to boil.

"You may have fooled Sunshine, you hack, but you can't fool me." Sapphire scoffed. "I can tell that that dress is grossly unfinished, and I'm just sad that you lack the skills required to make a proper dress."

"First of all, did I not present you all with your completed dresses?" Rarity asked, cocking her head to the side, struggling to maintain her professionalism. "Secondly, Sunshine seemed to like the dress, so your opinion matters not to me."

"It's no wonder you're second to the dressmakers in Canterlot." Sapphire spat, raising an eyebrow. "You can barely keep yourself together for your customers. Such a tool. Such a hack."

"Well, I was up awfully late last night, so my capacity for interaction-"

"There's no debating it. You're a washed up hack who possesses no skills when it come to high fashion." Sapphire said evilly. "I'm out of here. This place looks like a cave." Rarity's eye twitched as Sappire turned around and headed for the exit. She didn't care what the mare said, right? Rarity was a professional...and there was no way the white unicorn would show this prissy little mare otherwise.

Strictly professional...

...

Buck it.

"You." Rarity snarled in rage before grabbing Sapphire and lifting her off the ground with her magic. "Turn around and face me."

"Ugh!" The earth pony cried out. "Put me down you-"

"If you call me a hack one more time, I swear to Celestia, you will regret the day you ever set foot in here." Rarity spouted. "I slaved away all day and all night, putting those dresses together for you ungrateful little brats. I got no sleep. None! I put so much effort into the dresses, and you don't even show the littlest speck of appreciation! You don't even have to show appreciation, you're just an awful pony. I mean, who in their right mind would want to go about their day being so horribly mean?! And for the love of Celestia and Luna, STOP acting like you're spending your own money on this! I know you begged your parents on your knees for this!"

"Put me down!" The mare said, visibly scared.

"As you wish." The angered unicorn said with a wide smirk before haphazardly dropping the mare onto her belly, the impact producing a loud thump. The earth pony stood and scowled at Rarity.

"I want the money back!" She cried with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, but of course!" Rarity said, furrowing her eyebrows and clenching her teeth. "Anything for such a WONDERFUL CUSTOMER!" Rarity screamed the final two words as she began lifting the bits out of the sack with her magic and hurling them at the earth pony's face, making the mare cry out in fear.

"You'll be hearing from my lawyers!" She screamed as she ran out of the boutique.

"Good!" Rarity screamed back at Sapphire. "Anything to get another crack at you!"

The unicorn stood in the middle of her boutique, breathing heavily, her eyes still widened from her encounter. Rarity then realized how much effort she'd put into keeping the earth pony mare suspended with magic for that amount of time. That, coupled with the hurling of the coins, was enough to make Rarity sink to her knees. Against her better judgment, Rarity's lips began to tremble and tears began to form in her eyes. She began to cry. It wasn't the loud sobbing, it was just the quiet crying that signified intense physical and emotional exhaustion.

"What was that?" Sweetie Belle said, her eyes widening as she entered the room. "I've never heard you scream that loudly-" Sweetie Belle stopped in the middle of her speech when she saw that her older sister was crying.

"Hey...hey, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, running up to her sister and placing a hoof on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine, Sweetie Belle." Rarity breathed before smiling at her sister. "I'm just exhausted, is all."

"Well, don't worry about taking me out." Sweetie Belle said with a sweet smile. "I want you to get your rest." Rarity immediately sat up.

"Nonsense!" Rarity spouted, standing up quickly and smiling widely at her sister. "I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it. Why, it'd take all four of my femurs being broken to deter me at this point." Sweetie Belle cheered happily and ran back up to her room.

"I'm gonna go get ready!" The filly cried excitedly. Rarity kept up her happy look until her sister left the room, after which, she slumped where she stood and groaned. The unicorn stored the sack of bits in her safe and moved slowly up to her bathroom. She began running her shower and stepped inside, not caring that the water wasn't hot yet. After she had washed herself properly, she dried herself off and moved to the mirror before applying a fresh set of makeup. Looking as fabulous as ever, Rarity smiled at herself before leaving the bathroom to take Sweetie Belle to go eat.

_____

Fluttershy walked with Twilight Sparkle and Spike up to Carrot Top's farm house tiredly. The raccoons had put up more of a fight than the yellow pegasus thought they would. She tried every single technique she could think of before finally using the stare to scare them away.

"Alright, well, rabbits are probably better to work with than raccoons, right?" Twilight asked Fluttershy, who nodded at her.

"Oh, yes." Fluttershy said with a small nod. "Raccoons have always had a particularly nasty temperament."

"I honestly always thought raccoons were nice." Spike added. "I mean, even that baby raccoon was as mean as a cockatrice."

"You should have let Fluttershy take care of it herself." Twilight said with a smirk. "What, your hand is still in pain?"

"It's not really pain as much as it is a sort of...left over feeling." Spike explained. "There's some kind of weird...pressure where it happened still." Earlier during the whole raccoon debacle, Spike had gotten a little too adventurous when it came to a small raccoon. It ended up chomping onto his hand, prompting the baby dragon to run screaming through Café Du Mane. Twilight had taken the liberty to heal it with a spell, of course.

"Well, the spell was mostly cosmetic." Twilight said. "It healed to top part of the injury so you're not walking around with a bite mark in your hand, but the rest will take a little time."

"I guess I should be happy dragons are immune to most diseases." Spike said with a small laugh. "Right?"

"Right." Fluttershy said with a nod before knocking on Carrot Top's door. After a few moments of silence, the carrot farmer arrived at the door and greeted Fluttershy gratefully.

"Oh, Fluttershy, thank you for coming." The orange-maned mare said happily before addressing Twilight. "Princess." Carrot top bowed where she was.

"Please, rise." Twilight said. "That's not necessary." Carrot top looked at the alicorn and nodded, smiling.

"So tell me about your problem...please." Fluttershy said, smiling.

"Well, there's been a rather large group of rabbits eating all of my carrots before they can be picked and sold." Carrot Top stated, a frown on her face. "It's cutting into a lot of my profits."

"How many would you say there are?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, I'd say in the neighborhood of forty to fifty of them." Carrot Top said. "Could you please help me? I'll pay you well."

"I can definitely help you. But you don't need to pay me." Fluttershy stated confidently before blushing sheepishly. "I mean, it's just what I do."

"Nonsense!" Carrot top said happily, moving closer to Fluttershy. "I'm going to pay you."

"...okay..." Fluttershy squeaked quietly, seemingly shrinking in on herself.

"Would any of you care for a cup of tea before you get started?" The carrot farmer asked. "I just made a fresh pot."

"...no thank you..." The pegasus nearly whispered.

"I'm sorry, come again?" Carrot Top said, raising an eyebrow.

"She said 'no thank you.'" Twilight stated with a nod.

"Very well! Come and let me know when you're finished and I'll give you your payment." The mare said before going back into her house.

"Okay, so...um, I guess we'll get started." Fluttershy said as she moved into the area the carrots grew and gingerly stepped through the fields, looking at the ground almost constantly.

"So what are we-" Spike began before Fluttershy shushed him. Realizing what she did, Fluttershy almost immediately shrank back and blushed heavily.

"I'm sorry!" She whispered. "I just...um...need quiet for this...If that's okay."

"Yeah, it's fine." Spike whispered back at her. When the pegasus turned around, Spike mouthed "What?" at Twilight, who shrugged as they continued on. Fluttershy moved to one of the holes, shoved her head inside and seemingly began to whisper into it. It went on for a while before it began to unsettle Twilight and Spike. They watched, eyebrows raised and eyes widened as Fluttershy whispered into the hole. Suddenly, the yellow pegasus brought her head out of the hole, which was immediately followed by a group of bunnies who looked up at her.

"Now, I know you like it here, but you're not welcome in this particular field." Fluttershy said kindly to the group of rabbits. "Now I'd like you to move to a different place please. It is for your own safety and the safety of ponies like me." The rabbits slowly began to come out of the hole, one by one. Twilight counted sixty-two before the chain seemed to stop. Fluttershy sighed to herself, nodded and approached Carrot Top's door. The carrot farmer came to the door, astonished.

"My word, that was fast!" She said. "How'd you do it?"

"I, um...I asked nicely." Fluttershy stated quietly.

"I never would have thought...Oh well. Here's your payment." The carrot farmer dropped a small bag of bits into Fluttershy's hoof.

"Thank you." The pegasus replied as she stepped away from the porch and walked down the path toward her cottage.

"So...where to now?" Twilight asked, to which Fluttershy began to fidget with her hooves.

"I was going to go back to my house and wash my face, because I still have to get rid of the family of birds in my attic." Fluttershy explained. "So...So, um. I was wondering if you and Spike would-"

"Say no more, Fluttershy." Twilight interrupted her with a small nod. "Thanks for this time. It was...fun. It was definitely fun." Fluttershy nodded back to Twilight and smiled widely before heading in the direction of her cottage.

"Goodbye." Fluttershy said with a happy smile as she waved back at her friends.

"See ya, Fluttershy!" Spike cried, returning the wave.

"Take care." Twilight said.

While they didn't really do much to help her, Fluttershy could not have asked for better company. They had helped her get through the majority of her tasks, while supplying companionship and interaction. As Fluttershy walked along the path, she felt her face and remembered that she had no soap at her house. There would be no way for her to wash the dirt off of her face. The pegasus diverged to the Ponyville market and bought some soap with her newly-acquired bits from Carrot Top. On her way out of the market, a familiarly-coiffured purple mane came into her view. Rarity smiled widely at the sight of her yellow friend.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity cried. "Over here, darling!" Fluttershy smiled as well and approached her friend before giving her a quick hug.

"Hi, Rarity." Fluttershy said, smiling. "What brings you to the market?"

"I just have to pick up some celery for the stew I'm making for Sweetie Belle tonight. Yourself?" Rarity certainly seemed to be noticing the dirt on Fluttershy's face.

"I had to get some soap."

"I assume for your face?" Rarity said. "Yes, I was going to make an inquiry about that."

"Oh, I just had to clear out some rabbits from Carrot Top's farm."

"Looks like the little ruffians gave you quite a bit of trouble."

"Not really." Fluttershy said. "I just had to stick my head in the ground to get their attention for a moment, is all. They were very courteous."

"That's good to know." Rarity stated with a small giggle. "It looks like I'm seeing all manner of my friends today."

"Who have you seen besides me?" Fluttershy asked.

"I saw Pinkie Pie in Sugarcube Corner when I took Sweetie Belle there. We talked for a while. I saw Rainbow Dash flying overhead, but she was going much too fast for me to get her attention. I swear, she's going to hurt herself." Fluttershy giggled at Rarity's statement. "And then I saw Applejack here at the market not ten minutes ago."

"Oh, that's nice." Fluttershy said. "How's your day been?"

"Awful." Rarity deadpanned.

"What's happened?" Fluttershy asked.

"What hasn't happened?" Rarity said. "I just had to finish a long eighteen-dress order for a bunch of unappreciative brats from Canterlot. One of them actually had the gall to stay behind and criticize me. Let's just say she won't be coming to Carousel Boutique ever again."

"I hope it wasn't too harsh." Fluttershy stated as they began to walk together through the market. The day was getting a little late, so the crowd was clearing out quite nicely.

"Oh, she didn't dish out anything I couldn't take." Rarity said, feeling another small boiling of rage in her belly. "What about your day, my dear?"

"I had to clear out some raccoons from behind Café Du Mane."

"Raccoons? Yech, disgusting little creatures."

"Yeah, they were a little mean. Twilight and Spike were with me...one of them bit Spike."

"And how'd that turn out?"

"He ran through Café Du Mane screaming with it still attached to his hand." Rarity laughed heartily, Fluttershy giggling as well. It took a moment before Rarity calmed down and noticed she was being stared at by several other ponies. The unicorn immediately straightened her posture and smiled at Fluttershy.

"Well, I can certainly imagine him doing something to that effect." Rarity stated with another small giggle.

"But other than that, my day's been pretty long too." Fluttershy sighed.

"Well, my dear, allow me to suggest a solution to both of our stress." Rarity said, raising an eyebrow at Fluttershy.

"Okay." The pegasus said.

"Sweetie Belle is going to go stay with Applebloom and Scootaloo in that treehouse tomorrow night, so why don't we go get dinner, maybe see a movie and go to the spa?" Rarity inquired. "We haven't done anything like that in a while."

"That actually sounds really fun." Fluttershy agreed with a nod. "I could definitely use some time to relax and unwind."

"Perfect!" Rarity said happily, clapping her hooves together. "I'll meet you at Café Du Mane at six thirty tomorrow and the relaxation can begin...oh." Rarity realized at that moment what Fluttershy had just gone through at Café Du Mane.

"Café Du Mane is perfect." Fluttershy said with a warm smile. "See you then."

"I can't wait." Rarity replied, returning Fluttershy's smile. The two mares separated and went back to their own houses.

Fluttershy could not wipe the wide grin off of her face if she tried.

Author's Note

So there's that chapter. I'm really looking forward to continuing this story. What will become of Rarity and Fluttershy's spa date? Or is it a date? Or maybe it's just a mutual getting together of a couple friends, who don't have romantic feelings toward each other at all?...It's totally not that last one. Cheers!

Chapter 3

"Are ya sure that this is the right choice, sugarcube?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash as they walked through the apple orchard on the way out of Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and scoffed quietly.

"Of course it is, AJ." Rainbow Dash replied, smirking at her wife. "When have we not gone to Twilight for advice?" Applejack rubbed the back of her head, accidentally tipping her Stetson down over her eyes. The farm mare moved the hat back up to it's regular spot.

"Ah just think we ought to think it through some more." Applejack murmured.

"We thought through it for three hours last night, AJ."

"That is true, Ah suppose."

"Trust me, Applejack. We're not gonna do what she says right off the bat. But you know Twilight. She's read a lot of books, so she'd probably know the best thing to do." Rainbow explained. "I mean, each has their own pros and cons, I guess. But Twilight will at least be able to give us some insight."

"You're right." Applejack said. "Though Ah'm kinda leanin' toward the artificial...That way she'll have at least one of our genes."

"Wait...she?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow at Applejack who smirked at her. "Who says it'll be a girl?"

"Well Ah do." Applejack replied, giving a small bow. "Ah've always wanted a little baby girl of my own."

"Well I want a boy."

"Why a boy in particular?"

"Because...well...why do you want a girl?"

"Because they're sensitive."

"Uh huh, sure."

"Ah don't see you comin' up with any good reasons why we should have a boy."

"They're self sufficient."

"Oh, wow." Applejack laughed. "That's the best you could come up with?"

"W-... N-No, I..." Rainbow stuttered. "Let's just go." The pegasus blushed heavily and continued to walk before Applejack laughed once again and wrapped Rainbow into a tight hug, nuzzling her partner lovingly. The farm mare then looked straight into the daredevil's eyes and smiled warmly.

"Ah don't care if it's a boy or a girl. All Ah want is to have a baby with you." Applejack said.

"Yeah. Same here." Rainbow replied, returning the nuzzle before looking away from Applejack and blushing. "I guess it wouldn't be too bad if we had a girl."

"That's the spirit!" Applejack spouted as she put Rainbow down. They continued walking until they finally reached Ponyville. The usual inhabitants were going about their daily routines happily. Rainbow and Applejack had both slept in so it was already relatively late in the day. The market was having their rush hour, peddling all of their wares to demanding customers. Neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash enjoyed the market at this time of day. Both preferred to go tot he market either earlier or later. Everypony was always so on edge and the tension was always palpable. Thankfully, neither of them had anything to get at the market that day, so they moved straight past it onto the street Golden Oaks Library rested on. They approached the tree building and stood in front of the door.

"You ready for this?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"Ready for what? To tell the first pony about the baby we're having?" Rainbow replied. "Buck yeah." The pegasus brought a fore hoof up and politely knocked on the door. A few moments passed before it was opened by Spike.

"Oh, hey, guys!" Spike said happily. "You wanna come in?"

"If it ain't any trouble, sugarcube." Applejack said with a genuine smile. "Twilight home?"

"Yeah, she's a little busy, though." Spike said. "Some kind of research project. Nothing important, though. I'll go get her." Spike ran up the stairs to Twilight's room and disappeared from sight for a few moments. About a minute passed before Rainbow looked at Applejack, confused.

"Uh, where do you think-"

"Hi guys!" Twilight said happily as she teleported right in front of Rainbow and Applejack, shocking the two of them. Applejack cried out and let out a small laugh right afterwards.

"Tarnation, Twilight. Ya darn near gave me a heart attack!" Applejack breathed.

"Yeah, I almost died." Rainbow added.

"I've been practicing teleporting on a whim with little effort." Twilight said proudly, placing a hoof on her chest. "I've been at it for hours."

"Yeah?" Rainbow said. "How's it been going?"

"Not very well, honestly." Twilight said, instantly changing to a look of subtle sadness. "It still takes a bit of straining, but I've gotten a little better, although not by much."

"Well, that's good." Applejack said. "At least you're gettin' somewhere."

"So what did you guys want to see me for?" Twilight asked the couple before her.

"Me and Dash were actually thinkin' about havin'-" Applejack began.

"Some hang out time with our favorite princess." Rainbow interrupted the earth pony, earning a raised eyebrow from her wife. Twilight's facial expression changed from tired to happy seemingly in an instant. The alicorn hopped in place for a moment and nodded at the two of them.

"That actually sounds great!" Twilight said happily. "I've been needing some fresh air. I just need to go get a quick shower, because I'm so sweaty. Teleportation is actually one of the more complicated spells in any unicorn's repertoire, and it takes a large amount of skill, concentration and-"

"Yeah, it seems tough." Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow at the alicorn, stopping her in the middle of her long exposition.

"Oh...I was ranting...wasn't I?" Twilight said.

"Of course not, Twi." Applejack said with a small smile. Twilight nodded before cantering toward her bathroom. As soon as Applejack heard the door shut, she slugged Rainbow in the shoulder lightly.

"Oww! Hey, come on, what was that for?" Rainbow asked the farm mare.

"Why did ya interrupt me?" Applejack asked. "Ah was about to tell her about the baby."

"Applejack...Oh, Applejack..." Rainbow murmured as she shook her head.

"What?" The farm mare asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Applejack, Applejack..."

"...What?"

"Oh, Applejack."

"What?" Applejack pressed Rainbow, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Do you know nothing about showmareship?" The pegasus inquired, making the farm mare tilt her head.

"Show what now?" Applejack asked.

"Showmareship." Rainbow repeated. "If we had told her right then and there, the news would have lost every bit of it's flair and novelty."

"Flair and novelty? What the hay-" Applejack shook her head.

"AJ, AJ. Just stay with me." Rainbow interrupted the earth pony. "Imagine we take Twilight to this beautiful scenic pasture and just start talking to her. After much exposition, we gradually work up to telling her that we're going to have a baby. The buildup will be so intense, she'll be jumping for joy!"

"Why couldn't we just tell her here?" Applejack asked. "It doesn't make a difference."

"Because, wouldn't you prefer that she get all ecstatic over the news rather than her just getting a little happy?" Rainbow said. "We want this to be big! Come on, think about it. Rainbow Dash and Applejack: Parents!" Rainbow said the last phrase as she draped an arm over the shoulders of her wife.

"Ah still think it would be the same if we told her here." Applejack deadpanned.

"You'll see." Rainbow said as Twilight teleported from the bathroom, with a happy smile on her face.

"That one was in a second and a half!" The alicorn said. "Ready to go?"

_____

"Oh, no. There's no way Starswirl the Bearded could beat Spitfire in a fight." Rainbow said to Twilight as she raised a hoof at her friend, who shook her head slowly. "She's just too fast for him." The mares had walked for a decent chunk of time before deciding to settle down on a particularly soft patch of grass to sit, relax and talk to each other. It had a nearly perfect view of the plains outside Ponyville. The only blemish on their view was a small tree that sprung up several feet away from them.

"Oh, Rainbow, Rainbow." Twilight said, closing her eyes with a certain self assurance of her correctness. "You clearly have no idea about the pure power Starswirl the Bearded possessed." Rainbow scoffed quietly.

"Oh, I'm not denying that he was really really powerful." Rainbow Dash said. "But Spitfire is fast. I'd even go as far as to say she's as fast as I am-" Applejack chuckled at the expression her wife made, interrupting her.

"What?" Rainbow said to her wife, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"Hun, Ah think you mean she's faster than you."

"Well, no!" Rainbow immediately cried. "Spitfire said that I broke her record on the training course!"

"Just sayin' Dash, you're talkin' about the captain of the thunderbolts."

"Geez, thanks for your support, my darling wife." Rainbow said. "And it's The Wonderbolts, not the thunderbolts."

"Oh, forgive me." Applejack rebutted, arching her eyebrows and putting a hoof on her chest. It felt good for the earth pony to annoy her wife a bit. After all, she still hadn't told Twilight about their plans to have a child. The whole "Showmareship" deal was ludicrous to the farm pony. Twilight giggled at the small exchange between the married couple and sighed quietly as she looked at Rainbow, expecting her to continue.

"Anyways, there's no doubt Starswirl was a pure beast, but Spitfire would just dodge all of his attacks and wear him out." Rainbow said. "That's totally how it'd go."

"First of all, Starswirl was a master of magic, so Spitfire would likely tire from flying before he would from casting the spells." Twilight said. "Second of all, Starswirl probably wouldn't even take the time to fight her anyway. He'd just cast a force field around himself and walk away."

"So he was a pacifist?" Rainbow asked the alicorn who shook her head.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that." Twilight said as she swatted at a bug buzzing around her head. "He definitely preferred not to fight, but he wouldn't hesitate to protect the weak and defenseless. He was a true hero."

"Well...he does sound strong...and noble." Rainbow murmured, nodding at Twilight, who nodded back, acknowledging her victory. "But Spitfire would still win." Twilight sighed and shook her head slowly.

"Well, Starswirl the Bearded has been dead for a very, very long time." Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "So I guess we'll never know." The alicorn was satisfied with this answer because it stopped the debate without her forfeiting to Rainbow Dash. The pegasus nodded and sighed.

"Things look like they're goin' pretty well for ya as a princess, Twilight." Applejack said. "Ah gotta say, though. It doesn't really feel like anything's changed since then. You're still the same, just with wings and more magic powers."

"That's true." Twilight agreed with her friend. "It doesn't seem to me like either of you have changed since I became an alicorn either. Well, except for the fact that you're married."

"Well...I wouldn't say that that's all that has changed about us." Rainbow said, furrowing her eyebrows at the alicorn, who tilted her head to the side.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked in confusion. "Is there something you'd like to say?" Rainbow looked at Applejack, winked at her and nodded subtly. Applejack's eyes widened as her expression brightened and a blush came over her face. The farm mare stood up excitedly with a huge smile on her face.

"Me and Rainbow are gonna have a foal!" The farm mare announced proudly. Twilight's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. The alicorn sat where she was and stared at the pegasus and the earth pony, completely stunned, the only movement she made was the blinking of her eyes. Perplexed, Applejack, arched a concerned eyebrow.

"Uhh...Twilight?" The farm mare asked. "Are you okay?" The alicorn suddenly let out a loud cry of happiness before bringing Rainbow and Applejack into her embrace with her magic. The princess happily squeezed her friends tightly. Rainbow, who was face to face with Applejack in the embrace, lowered her eyelids and raised an eyebrow at her wife.

"Showmareship." The pegasus said quietly.

"I'm so happy you're doing this!" Twilight cried as she put her friends down. "I didn't know if you were just going to live the rest of your lives without having a foal or not! But now that you've told me that you are, I just couldn't be more excited!"

"We're both really excited too, Twilight." Rainbow said with a small nod.

"So are you going to do it through adoption or artificial insemination?" Twilight asked before taking on a more serious expression. "You know, if I'm not prying."

"No, you're not pryin' sugarcube." Applejack said. "Your advice is actually why we came here." Twilight nodded and sat down in the grass.

"So you want my advice on what to do with your child?" Twilight asked before putting a hoof on her head. "Oh, Goddesses, I'm so honored!"

"It isn't really that big of a deal." Rainbow said with a small smile. "We just know that you've read a whole bunch of books on birth and stuff, so..."

"Right! So, you're asking me whether you should do an adoption or an artificial impregnation, correct?" Twilight asked the two mares, who nodded at her. "It honestly depends on what you believe in and what your preferences are. For example, if you wanted a risk-free situation, adoption is recommended, but with that option, you forfeit the prospect of having the child possess either of your genes."

"Yeah, we were talkin' about that." Applejack said.

"So you're both leaning toward artificial insemination, then?" The alicorn asked. When Rainbow and Applejack nodded to her inquiry, the alicorn nodded back. "Alright, then. So which of you were you planning to have give birth?""

"I don't think we really talked about that." Rainbow said as she rubbed the back of her head.

"You're right, we didn't." Applejack said. "Ah guess it didn't really cross either of our minds...What do you think, Dash?"

"I honestly don't care either way." Rainbow said. "I mean, I could do it, but if you had any other ideas, I'm listening."

"Ah think Ah'll do it." Applejack said, looking at Twilight.

"Yeah, you do have those nice, fantastic hips..." Rainbow said saucily as she hopped onto Applejack's back and gave her a kiss on the cheek, making the farm mare giggle. "Wouldn't be too far off from right."

"Oh, stop it." Applejack giggled at her wife before planting a kiss on her lips. "You do somethin' like that again, and Ah'll-" She was interrupted by Twilight, clearing her throat. The earth pony looked up to see the alicorn nervously rubbing the back of her head and blushing deeply.

"Oh, Goddesses." Applejack said. "Twilight, Ah'm so sorry, Rainbow, get off." Once the amorous pegasus realized that they were being watched, she jumped off of her wife and blushed as well.

"Yeah, Twilight, we're sorry." Rainbow said. "Just got caught up in the moment, you know?"

"No, no I understand." Twilight said. "You're both so in love. I can't really blame you."

"So we were talkin' about the artificial insemination." Applejack said to the alicorn, who nodded.

"Yes, we were." Twilight continued. "As I'm sure you know, there are a few small risks that come with childbirth. I assume since you volunteered that you're prepared to deal with the pain of childbirth?" Applejack nodded at her friend and smiled.

"Granny tells me that Ah've never felt pain anything like childbirth, but Ah've gone through my fair share of pain in my life." Applejack explained. "Ah'd go so far as to say Ah'm ready."

"Fair enough." Twilight said with a small nod. "And Rainbow. When Applejack is pregnant, her hormones will occasionally become unbalanced. This means that you'll often be the subject of anger or sadness."

"I get enough of that from her on a daily basis." Rainbow said as she raised an eyebrow. "I think I can handle her."

"Good." Twilight said. "There's a nice little..." The alicorn stopped in the middle of her sentence, confusing Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The alicorn merely stood for a moment and seemingly thought to herself on some subject.

"A nice little what?" Rainbow asked. "...Twilight?"

"Hey, Twi." Applejack said. "Can ya hear us?"

"Yes, I can hear you." Twilight responded to the inquiry, suddenly coming back to the conversation. However, on her face lied a peculiar smile that said she had something strange in mind.

"Why did you just suddenly space out like that?" Rainbow asked her. "That was really weird."

"Because if you don't want to deal with an artificial insemination, I believe I have an alternative plan of action." Twilight said. "One that will involve you getting offspring with both of your characteristics." This statement sparked a distinct feeling of curiosity in the married couple, who leaned closer to the alicorn and nodded.

"And that is..."

"Come with me to the library and you'll find out."

_____

The three mares entered the Golden Oaks Library together at a brisk pace. Twilight had put a rather quick spring in her step at the prospect of what she was about to do, forcing Applejack and Rainbow to keep up with her. They came into the main atrium to find Spike reclining in a large chair, snoring loudly. Twilight tapped his nose lightly, waking the baby dragon from his slumber. Spike roared and jumped up onto his feet, bearing his tiny fangs. Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow laughed at the young dragon who instantly blushed and began kneading his tail.

"I was dreaming that I was grown up and defending treasure from thieves, okay?" Spike said, raising an eyebrow and huffing loudly.

"Give it a hundred years, Spike." Twilight said with a raised eyebrow. "Listen, I'm going to need you to go up to the bedroom." Spike looked up at the alicorn and tapped his foot.

"Why?" He inquired.

"If you go, I'll buy you a comic book." Twilight bargained, to which the baby dragon nearly instantly jumped off of the chair and sprinted toward the bedroom.

"Deal!" He cried.

"Shut and lock the door!" Twilight called.

"On it!" He spouted before shutting the door quickly. Twilight giggled and turned to Rainbow and Applejack.

"Oh, that dragon." Twilight said. "Anyways, to business!" The alicorn instantly went about looking through each and every book on the shelves, sifting through each and every one, her keen eyes reading each title effortlessly before switching to the next one. After she'd finish with one, she'd replace it on it's shelf and switch to another one. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked around at all the floating books, confused.

"Twilight..." Rainbow said. "You still haven't really told us what this business is. I mean, you just brought us here and started looking over all of your books."

"Ah, that I have, Rainbow." Twilight said excitedly as she continued looking at each of her books. "That I have." The alicorn spoke no more as she continued searching. Rainbow looked at Applejack and shrugged, confused by the actions of their friend.

"So were ya gonna show us what you were gonna show us, Twi?" Applejack asked the princess, who looked at the farm mare as if she'd been snapped out of some sort of trance. Twilight Sparkle nodded enthusiastically and smiled.

"Oh, yes! Of course!" Twilight said happily as she replaced each book. "You see, the spell I'm looking for is in a book somewhere around here...I know I've read it before."

"Spell?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of spell?"

"I think I put it back down in here."

"Twilight."

"I must have."

"Twilight."

The alicorn was snapped out of her rambling by Rainbow's tone of voice, which was escalated, but not quite yelling. Twilight nodded and giggled nervously as she rubbed the back of her head.

"Right. I'm sorry. I'll explain it to you." Twilight Sparkle said as she brought Applejack and Rainbow into the parlor where they each sat on a chair. "Starswirl the Bearded developed hundreds and hundreds of spells. He's gone down in history in fame because of how many influential spells he's created. But there's one spell...one that is rarely talked about and has only been used three recorded times since the founding of Equestria."

"And I assume it has something to do with us having a foal?" Rainbow said, shrugging slightly.

"Yes it does, Rainbow." Twilight said. "The legend says that there were many fertility problems with some of the male ponies back in those old days. I think it was due to some strange vapor in the air... Anyways, Starswirl the Bearded, with the help of some shaman masters from Zebrica, developed a fertility spell for the infertile male population of Equestria. It was successful. Eventually, the eyes of a fillyfooler couple became fixated upon this spell. Now back then, same sex relationships were illegal, but Starswirl the Bearded was truly ahead of his time. He desired equality for all forms of love. So he performed the spell for the couple and it worked! The one who volunteered gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, which possessed the genes and characteristics of both the mares involved. After further experimentation, Starswirl discovered that the spell only worked when one of the parties involved had a womb. It would not work on male same-sex couples. Soon, Starswirl was discovered to have used the spell. After an investigation on the origins of the spell, he was ordered never to use it again...And so he didn't. But that didn't stop him from writing down a secret tutorial in his journal."

"Where did you get Starswirl the Bearded's journal?" Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, who smiled at her.

"Being a princess gets you all kinds of nice connections." Twilight stated simply.

"And this tutorial is in this journal you're lookin' for?" Applejack asked Twilight, who nodded.

"I hid it somewhere in this library, I know that. It's here somewhere." Twilight stated as she looked around the room slowly.

"Twilight, I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned some..."shaman masters" from Zebrica...why did Starswirl need them?" Rainbow asked the alicorn.

"Well...The kind of magic this spell involves isn't readily available to unicorns." The alicorn explained. "Starswirl had to call on the magic and skill of Zebrican shaman for advisement...And the way the spell's conducted is a little...unorthodox."

"Unorthodox?" Applejack said, feeling a subtle nervous shock go through her stomach.

"Yes." Twilight said. "Now if we do this spell...I warn you, it's going to be painful. But it will guarantee that the baby will have both of your characteristics." Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash, a worried expression on her face. Rainbow approached Applejack and nuzzled her softly, smiling.

"Ah don't know what to do, Dash. Ah just...What if-"

"Applejack, you're the one giving birth here. If you don't want to do it, we're not going to do it." Rainbow said comfortingly.

"But...the child will be both of ours, Dash." Applejack said, returning the loving smile Rainbow gave her. "And just the prospect of that..." Applejack shook her head and sat down for a moment. She had no idea what she could possibly be getting into. What if the spell malfunctioned and seriously injured, or worse, killed her?

"Applejack, it was just a suggestion." Twilight said, putting a hoof up. "I just thought it'd be nice-"

"Let's do it." Applejack interrupted her friend, mustering her courage to go through with this process. Twilight looked between the married couple, raising an eyebrow.

"You're sure?"

"Sure as sunshine, sugarcube." The farm mare said. "Ah don't know if it's gonna work or not, but if there's even a small chance Ah can truly have a baby with my Rainbow...Ah gotta take it."

"Wonderful!" Twilight said happily as she stood from the chair. "And I think I know just where I left the book." The alicorn disappeared from sight and all was quiet. Rainbow looked at Applejack and sighed.

"Do you know how much I love you?" Rainbow asked the farm mare.

"How much?" Applejack replied to the pegasus, raising an eyebrow and smirking widely.

"I love you-"

"Found it!" Twilight squealed happily as she appeared right in front of the two mares once more, shocking the two of them again.

"Goddesses, Twilight!" Rainbow said as she slapped a fore hoof on her head.

"Sorry, sorry." Twilight said. "I won't do it again, I swear."

"Okay, so..." Applejack breathed as she looked at Twilight, who merely sat beaming at them. "How're we gonna do this?"

"First, and I swear, this is the weirdest it gets. I'm going to need a small blood sample from each of you." Twilight said nervously, the tone of her voice eking higher and higher as the sentence progressed. Applejack looked at Rainbow and sighed.

"Why do ya need our blood?" Applejack asked, gulping quietly.

"The blood is so that the baby will have both of your genetic material. Starswirl mapped all of this out." Twilight explained as she ran into the kitchen and brought back a small knife, some rubbing alcohol and bandages. At the sight of the blade, Rainbow's eyes widened and her legs began to tremble.

"I just need a couple drops from each of you." Twilight said soothingly. "Just a small cut on your foreleg is all it'll take. Afterwards, I'll clean it and put a Band-Aid on it." Rainbow Dash, seeing how confident her wife and rival was at this notion, struggled to look more confident as well. She straightened up and breathed in even patterns, but her legs refused to stop shaking. Applejack brought a forehoof out toward Twilight. The alicorn made a small incision and dripped two drops into a bowl before cleaning the blade. Applejack nodded as Twilight cleaned the small cut and bandaged it.

"Okay, your turn, Rainbow." Twilight said with a smile before backing up a step and raising an eyebrow. "Uhh...Are you okay, Rainbow?" The pegasus merely looked at the blade for a small period of time before realizing that she was being spoken to.

"Oh, uh yeah." Rainbow said, her voice trembling. The pegasus cleared her throat immediately and straightened up. "Hay yeah, I'm okay! Let's do this!" Rainbow's bravado faltered almost immediately as Twilight neared the blade toward Rainbow's forehoof.

"It's okay, Dash." Applejack said soothingly as she walked around Twilight to get to the pegasus. "It doesn't hurt at all."

"I...I dunno about this, AJ." Rainbow said, looking at the knife, her eyes widening at the blade. "I just don't like anypony touching my hooves."

"Look at me." Applejack said as she moved Rainbow's head to face her. "It's gonna be fine."

"But-" Rainbow was silenced by a kiss on her lips. Applejack separated from the kiss and looked into her eyes.

"Ah'm here for ya." Applejack said. "You trust me, right?"

"Yeah...Yeah, I do!" Rainbow said, gaining a new sense of confidence about the situation. The pegasus turned her head to look at Twilight. "Alright, Twi. Let's-" Rainbow stopped mid-sentence to see that Twilight was already finishing up bandaging the wound.

"All done." The alicorn said with a small nod.

"What the-" Rainbow began.

"It's all in your head, baby." Applejack reassured her wife before looking at Twilight. "So what's next?"

"There's a few simple ingredients I need to add to the mix. Then we'll go from there." Twilight explained. "I think I have them all down in my lab. I'll be right back." As the alicorn ran out of the room, Applejack smirked knowingly at Rainbow Dash who raised an incredulous eyebrow at Applejack.

"What?"

"You puss."

"Hey, you take that back! Blades are a very rational fear."

"It was barely a little cut."

"That doesn't matter."

"Ya acted like she was gonna cut your hoof off."

"Okay, fine. I may have overreacted-"

"May have?"

"Cram it."

"You first."

"Okay!" Twilight cried happily as she came ambling back into the room. She carried several different strange looking plants. "Luckily I had every single component necessary! If I didn't, we'd have to take a trip to go see Zecora."

"That's good." Applejack said as Twilight immediately went to work mixing all the ingredients together. The farm mare looked over at Rainbow Dash to see that she was still annoyed at their small exchange. "Oh, come on, Rainbow. Relax. I was just funnin' ya."

"Well, excuse me for fearing the blade of a knife." Rainbow said. "And it was just so close to my hoof..."

"I get that, Dash-"

"I've kicked a dragon in the face, okay?"

"Okay, okay. Geez, Dash." Applejack said. "Ah'll stop makin' fun of ya for it."

"Okay. Good." Rainbow said with a small sigh.

"Ya puss."

"Alright, c'mere!" Rainbow cried out as she pulled Applejack onto the floor. The engaged in a short wrestling match, from which Rainbow Dash emerged the victor. She had wrestled Applejack into a hold. "Who's the queen?"

"Ah let ya win." Applejack grumbled.

"Break out, then." Rainbow spouted confidently.

"Ah don't wanna hurt ya."

"Oh, by all means. I can take it."

"Okay, ya left me no choice!" Applejack cried as she struggled against the hold. But it was useless. She couldn't escape it, and she lost her Stetson in the process of it, no less. Applejack grumbled and blew some stray hairs out of her face.

"Say it."

"...no..."

"Say it!" Rainbow cried. "Say it and I'll let you go."

"Nope."

"Who's the queen?" Rainbow asked her wife as she began to tickle her. Applejack began to laugh.

"Ah'm not gonna..."

"Who's the queen?!" Rainbow said as she stepped up her tickling game, digging into Applejack's sides even harder. The farm mare burst into hysterics on the floor.

"Okay, okay!" Applejack cried. "You are! You're the queen!" Rainbow immediately released her wife and sat up, satisfied.

"That's more like it." Rainbow said with a small sigh between shallow breaths.

"Hope ya enjoyed that." Applejack grumbled as she sat up next to Rainbow Dash, replacing the Stetson on her head. Rainbow quickly planted a small kiss on Applejack's cheek, making her blush heavily.

"Not as much as you did." Rainbow said with a wink as she stood and moved over to Twilight. "So how're we coming?"

"I've actually been done for the past two minutes." Twilight replied, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow. "You two have fun there?"

"I had fun." Rainbow said with a smirk. "I think Applejack's just a sore loser."

"Hardy Har-Har." Applejack said, apathy lacing her tone. "Let's just get on with this spell." Twilight nodded and motioned for Applejack and Rainbow Dash to move in front of her. The mares moved a few feet apart before the alicorn before nodding at her.

"Okay, so this is the part where it gets kinda weird." Twilight said as she dipped her horn in the strange potion in the bowl that contained the drops of their blood. "This first part is going to involved both of you. Don't move." Twilight's horn lit up with purple magic that enveloped the married couple. They stood in place for the moment that the magic worked on the two of them. The magic then seemed to be sucked back into Twilight's horn as it dissipated.

"Was that it?" Rainbow asked. "That's the spell we were so worried about?"

"That was just the first part." Twilight said, a frown suddenly forming on her face. "This next part is only for Applejack."

"Oh, alright." The farm mare said with a confident smile. "Let's go."

"Applejack, this is going to hurt." Twilight said. "Starswirl wrote that the process causes 'a great deal' of pain."

"So Ah guess Ah'll just have to prepare myself." Applejack said with a small sigh.

"Just brace yourself." Twilight said. "Here I go." A green magic, unlike the purple magic that had enveloped Rainbow Dash and Applejack earlier came from Twilight's horn and wrapped around Applejack. The farm mare began to levitate from the ground, and she let out a scared exclamation.

"Stay calm." Twilight said. "Get your bearings. Are you ready?"

"Hold on a second." Applejack said, struggling to control her increasing rate of breathing. After about thirty seconds, the earth pony nodded at Twilight. "Okay...Ah'm ready." Twilight nodded before planting her hooves square on the ground and steadying herself. Rainbow's eyes widened as she looked up at Applejack.

"Twilight." Rainbow said. "What are you about to-" The pegasus was interrupted by the shade of green of the magic becoming much brighter. Applejack's eyes widened heavily for a moment before she cried out in pain. Her abdomen felt as if it was being impaled by a sword, bringing tears to Applejack's eyes. The pain increased dramatically for a moment before calming down again, making Applejack scream in agony. Rainbow's stomach sunk as she looked frantically at Twilight.

"Stop! Stop it! You're gonna kill her!" Rainbow cried in fear as she looked back up at Applejack. Twilight looked at Rainbow and then back at Applejack.

"Applejack! Are you-"

"Don't stop!" Applejack nearly screamed. "Ah...Ah can take it!" The earth pony let out another scream.

"Applejack!" Rainbow cried.

"Stop it, Twilight!"

"Applejack, I don't feel comfortable-" Twilight began, agreeing with Rainbow.

"Don't you dare stop until this spell is..." Applejack paused at groan in pain. "...done!" The princess was distressed by her situation, but decided to respect Applejack's wishes and continue. Applejack was straining heavily, obviously controlling her urges to scream. The magic dissipated and Twilight gently placed Applejack back onto the floor. The farm mare's knees instantly buckled as she began to fall to the floor.

"Applejack!" Rainbow cried as she ran to her wife and caught her just as she hit the ground. "AJ are you alright?"

"Ah'm..." Applejack said in between heavy breaths. "Ah'm alright."

"What the buck were you thinking?" Rainbow said in anger. "You could've been killed."

"Ah was thinkin' about how amazin' it'll be when we see that baby...and how similar it'll be to each of us." Applejack said. "Instead of just one of us and some stallion we've never met." Rainbow sighed and placed her forehead on Applejack's.

"I was so worried." Rainbow murmured, her voice breaking slightly as she held back tears. "If I'd known that the spell would be like that, I'd have taken the pregnancy in a heartbeat."

"Ah know ya would've, sweet girl." Applejack said, smiling up at Rainbow Dash and stroking her mane lightly. "Ah know ya would have."

"Applejack, I'm so sorry!" Twilight cried. "I had no idea it'd be that bad!"

"Ah knew that it'd be painful, you illustrated that risk pretty well." Applejack replied as she shakily stood up. "Ya didn't do anything wrong." Twilight nodded and wiped some sweat from her forehead.

"At least it's over." Rainbow said, relief washing over her.

"Well, not quite." Twilight quipped. "There's one last part."

"Oh, Goddesses." Rainbow groaned. "I don't think I can take more of that."

"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash. I think you'll like this next part. Both of you will, in fact." Twilight said with a blush, sparking the attention of the two mares, who looked up at her. "Starswirl mentioned that after the spell is completed, both parties involved must engage in sexual activity within twenty-four hours of the spell being performed. Otherwise it has no effect." Applejack blushed wildly while Rainbow blushed to a lesser extent and nodded, smirking knowingly.

"Well, ain't that a change of pace...." Applejack mused as she looked at Rainbow Dash, who kissed her on the cheek suddenly.

"Hey, you won't find me complaining."

"Why do we have to get...intimate for the spell to work?" Applejack inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Starswirl himself didn't have a sure answer to that question." Twilight explained. "But he hypothesized that it is the power of the love between the couple that makes the spell set in." Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Applejack and winked.

"Yuck." She said. "How corny."

_____

Rainbow Dash and Applejack returned to Sweet Apple Acres walking on pins and needles. They weren't sure what as going to come of the strange and unorthodox spell they both had just undergone. Applejack had recovered completely from the pain she suffered during the last part of the fertility spell, and she was eagerly anticipating what would happen, given the prompt they had received from Twilight. The farm mare looked at Rainbow Dash and smiled lovingly. It took Rainbow Dash a moment to realize she was the subject of Applejack's affectionate gaze, and when she did notice it, she promptly gave her wife a kiss on her lips.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Applejack asked Rainbow. "Ya seem a little distant."

"I'm just considering our options." Rainbow stated.

"Options?"

"Yeah. I mean, what if the spell was just a big hunk of malarkey the whole time?" Applejack chuckled quietly at the question.

"Darlin', if you felt the pain Ah went through, ya'd know that there was a point to it." Applejack said with a smile. "Have faith."

"I know, I get that." Rainbow sighed as she nodded. "It's just...you know, if."

"Well even if the spell doesn't have any effect, we'll just get it done artificially." Applejack said as they sat down next to a rather large apple tree.

"Yeah, I guess so." Rainbow said. "But now that we've gone through all of that stuff...I really, really hope it's legit. I mean...I want to believe that it'll-"

"Ya know what Ah believe, my darling wife?" Applejack inquired, interrupting Rainbow's worrying.

"What?" Rainbow responded.

"Ah believe that we'll make it through no matter what we have to do. And we are gonna have this foal." Applejack said happily as she scooted closer to her wife, who blushed and moved closer to Applejack herself. "Ah love you." Applejack placed a loving kiss on Rainbow's lips, the pegasus returning the kiss lovingly and smiling widely. Applejack came up to her hooves, never breaking the kiss, and pushed Rainbow Dash onto her back before laying down on top of her. Rainbow separated from the kiss and giggled.

"Nice transition." Rainbow whispered before kissing Applejack again, the earth pony giggling as well.

"We are kinda on the clock here, sugarcube."

"What, we need some kind of objective for a good reason to bed each other now?" Rainbow asked in between kisses. "What ever...happened to...just doing it to...do it?" Applejack brought her face up to where she was looking down at her wife.

"What do ya call last Friday?"

"Okay, you got me there." Rainbow said as she took Applejack's Stetson off of her head and placed it upon her own. Applejack laughed as she brought herself down to kiss Rainbow again, their kiss escalating wildly in it's level of passion as time passed. Applejack took the opportunity to slide her tongue into Rainbow's mouth, which the pegasus gratefully accepted. Rainbow rubbed down Applejack's body with her fore hooves slowly...tantalizingly, making Applejack moan into the kiss. The skilled hooves eventually ended on the farm mare's well-rounded flank before giving it a long squeeze. Applejack disconnected from the kiss and moaned, looking into Rainbow's eyes.

"Ya just love-nya!" She was interrupted by Rainbow rubbing her flank in circular patterns. "Squeezin' me there, don't ya?"

"What can I say?" Rainbow said before pulling on her wife's tail lightly, making Applejack jump and let out a small moan. "I like the sounds you make."

"Ya know, Ah can do that too, ya rascal." Applejack said, furrowing her eyebrows as she began to massage Rainbow's wings, which currently were folded at her sides. Rainbow's body jumped at the sudden sensation as the wings slowly unfurled. Rainbow bit her lip and continued to massage Applejack's flank. They looked into each other's eyes, heavy blushes on both of their faces as they continued to massage each other. Rainbow Dash brought her back leg up and rubbed it slowly into Applejack's lower lips, making the farm mare let out a long groan.

"Ya always have to be the one to take it further..." Applejack moaned. "Not that Ah mind...at all."

"That's what I'm best at." Rainbow mused as she brought her one of her fore hooves down slowly from Applejack's flank to between her legs. Applejack breathed heavily at the sensation for a moment as Rainbow tenderly kissed her ear before whispering, "Pushing the envelope."

"Alright." Applejack said, standing up suddenly.

"Hey, what gives?" Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow, suddenly feeling a small chill on her leg from the combination of the autumn breeze and Applejack's moisture.

"Get up." Applejack nearly commanded.

"What's wrong?" Rainbow said as she stood.

"Turn around." Applejack merely stated. This statement brought a sultry smirk to Rainbow's face as she did what she was told and stuck her flank into the air before Applejack, exposing her wet lower lips.

"This what you want?" The pegasus asked saucily before giving her flank a quick shake. This little show pushed Applejack over the edge as she shoved Rainbow Dash into the tree roughly, but not rough enough for it to be uncomfortable for Rainbow. Rainbow grabbed the tree as Applejack grabbed her flank and brought it further into the air. "Well now!"

"You might wanna hold onto that there tree." Without any further words, Applejack shot her mouth to Rainbow's slit and immediately began diving her tongue into it, making Rainbow gasp and squeeze the tree in front of her. Rainbow ground her flower into Applejack's muzzle, increasing her sensation and breath rate. Rainbow smiled widely and let go of the tree with one hoof to hold onto the Stetson upon her head. She looked back at Applejack to see that the farm mare was rubbing her own lower lips while she serviced Rainbow's.

"Ooh! You're getting..." Rainbow bit her lip as she grabbed onto the tree with both forehooves again. "So much better." Applejack chuckled and took her mouth away from Rainbow's slit before rubbing it with one of her fore hooves. The farm mare took the other fore hoof away from her own marehood and used it to hold onto Rainbow Dash's flank. Rainbow began moaning louder as she brought her flank back in time to meet Applejack's hoof thrusts. Rainbow lost herself in the sensation as she closed her eyes, held onto the tree and moaned more and more.

"I'm...I'm getting close." Rainbow moaned. "Don't stop, okay?"

"Now why would Ah do that?" Applejack asked before bringing her tongue to Rainbow's slit as she furiously rubbed it with her fore hoof, sending Rainbow's pleasure centers into overdrive. Rainbow's rose eyes closed and she moaned louder and louder with each thrust of her flank. It wasn't long before she felt her fantastic orgasm take her over. She felt her juices flowing into Applejack's mouth and onto the earth pony's muzzle before she sunk down to the ground, breathing heavily. Applejack immediately walked up to the tree and stood up on her back legs beside Rainbow, giving the pegasus a full on view of her wet marehood.

"You just gonna leave me hangin?"

"Never." Rainbow said with a smile as she sat up. "I think I'll be generous today."

"There's no way Ah would let ya tease me right now, hun." Applejack said. "Ah just need it." Rainbow nodded and shoved her tongue into Applejack's flower, moving it around while she used her lips to stimulate it further.

"Ahhh, yeah." Applejack moaned as she ground her lower lips into Rainbow's mouth, stroking the pegasus' prismatic rainbow mane. "That's it..." Rainbow giggled as she brought her hooves to Applejack's flank and rubbed between her back legs on her anus. Applejack jumped and let out a loud exhale.

"I'm guessing you like that, then?" Rainbow asked, stopping her service.

"Hay yeah, Ah do." Applejack breathed. "Where'd that come from?"

"You know...just trying new things..."

"Well don't be all bashful about it." Applejack said as she smiled down at Rainbow. "We're married. We're supposed to talk about this stuff." Rainbow nodded and continued to pleasure Applejack, sucking on her marehood and massaging her tail hole at the same time. Applejack, unopposed to this new development, merely continued to grind herself on Rainbow's face. Rainbow herself felt a distict feeling of euphoria as she pleasured her wife, her eyes glazing over and a heavy blush forming on her face. The pegasus rubbed her own marehood enthusiastically as she went at her farm mare wife. The added stimulation from the second hole made Applejack climax sooner than she expected. Her marehood spasmed as her ejaculate flowed into Rainbow's mouth. The pegasus swallowed it lovingly before immediately laying on her back and spreading her legs. Rainbow breathed heavily, a large blush on her face.

"Let's finish it." Rainbow moaned. Applejack, recovering from her orgasm rather quickly, lowered herself onto Rainbow Dash until their marehoods rubbed together. There was no need for ceremony now, there was no need for delay. Both mares loved each other very much, both of them knew that. They both only felt the distinct need for one last wave of carnal relief. Applejack and Rainbow Dash began thrusting their hips together fervently, the combined moisture of their lower lips making the friction nearly unbearable. The breathed together, moaned together. Their lips met each other and clashed in a heavy kiss that served only to silence their moans which were beginning to cross the threshold into cries of delight. Applejack placed her forehead on Rainbow's as they both squeezed both of their eyes shut and cried out together, the pleasure coursing through their entire bodies.

They both felt the sweet release of orgasm a nearly the same time, Rainbow going a few seconds before Applejack. They rode out their orgasm together, mashing their lower lips together as hard as they could to extract every single bit of fantastic, intimate pleasure. Applejack fell off of Rainbow Dash, both mares breathing heavily.

"Okay..." Rainbow gasped. "Baby or no baby...that was bucking amazing."

"It is every time." Applejack said, leaning over her wife and giving her a gentle kiss on her lips. "It is sex between us we're talkin' about." They recovered from their well-earned exhaustion and stood together to return to the farmhouse. Together, in the waning sunlight of the evening, they returned to their home, prepared for a new world of possibilities.

Author's Note

Whoo! Now that was a steamy sex scene there! Before you ask, I made the spell up myself. Yeah, I know it's kind of weird, but I've read a lot of stories where Dash and AJ go to Twilight asking if they can have a baby with some kind of spell, and Twi almost always has some conveniently apparent spell that works completely well. This, I felt was a nice departure from that. Will the spell work? Will Rainbow and Applejack truly have a baby that is both of theirs? You'll just have to find out. Cheers!

Chapter 4

Singing a small ditty to herself happily, Fluttershy stepped out of her shower, feeling the sudden cool rush of the mist on her face. She was preparing for her spa date with Rarity, and she couldn't have been more excited. The white unicorn fashionista was always a charming companion to be around, especially when they'd go to the spa together, just the two of them. Now, as Fluttershy dried and brushed her hair, she began to think of all the possibilities of the upcoming night. They'd most likely go and eat a modest dinner at Café Du Mane without spending too much money. Then, seeing as neither of the mares really had a taste for genres like action of horror, they'd most likely see a romantic comedy movie at the theater. Then, after the movie, it'd be nothing but rest and relaxation at the spa. Fluttershy could almost feel the hooficure she'd receive later on that night. Angel, without any consideration for whether or not Fluttershy was decent, entered the bathroom. He pushed the door open and stood in the doorway, tapping his foot on the ground.

"Oh! Angel, what did you need?" Fluttershy asked with a small smile. The bunny continued tapping his foot and raised an eyebrow at his owner, who gave him a confused look. "Angel, I can't tell what you want if you don't tell me." Angel sighed and rubbed his belly slowly.

"Oh, you have a tummy ache?" The timid Pegasus asked. The rabbit slapped his forehead with a paw before making a motion as if he was chomping down on something. "Oh! You're hungry?" Angel nodded and pointed at Fluttershy happily.

"You just ate two hours ago." Fluttershy said, her eyelids dropping. Angel angrily pointed to the kitchen. "I don't think you need to eat again for a little while. Oh, how about I make you a nice snack when I get home tonight?" Angel shook his head angrily and crossed his front legs.

"I'm not going to make you more food." Fluttershy said as she finished combing her lustrous pink mane. The pegasus began leaving the bathroom and patted the rabbit on the head. "You'll get fat, silly." Angel protested in his small voice, but Fluttershy didn't hear him. Or rather, she pretended she didn't hear him. She never like to disappoint Angel, but the rabbit was always so demanding, and he had the worst attitudes when he didn't get what he wanted. This was a habit that had to be curtailed.

"I'm sorry, sweetums, but you'll just have to wait." Fluttershy said as she walked toward the door. "I'll be back in a few hours." On her way out, Fluttershy glimpsed a clock and saw that it was only five in the afternoon. She had gotten ready an hour and a half early. With a small groan, Fluttershy walked back into her cottage and took a seat on her couch. Angel, having now resigned himself to the inescapable fact that he'd have to wait until his master returned home to eat, jumped up onto the couch with Fluttershy and laid his head on the side of her back leg. The pegasus let out a small giggle and pet her rabbit on the head gently.

"Oh, Angel." Fluttershy said to him. "You always know how to melt my heart." From that point, Fluttershy laid her head down next to her rabbit and closed her eyes for a small rest in preparation for this night of fun.

_____

"Rarity! Rarity!" Sweetie Belle cried as she ran through the Carousel Boutique at full speed. The filly let out a small grunt of discomfort as she tripped on a step going up to Rarity's bedroom. She pounded on the door with fervor, jarring Rarity from drawing some new designs for some dresses she had coming up on her queue. "Rarity, open up!" She heard her sister's muffled voice through the door. The prim white unicorn sighed heavily and walked to her door and opened it, looking down at Sweetie Belle, frowning with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Sweetie Belle?" Rarity said with slight annoyance. "What is it?"

"Scootaloo is here."

"Hi, miss Rarity." Scootaloo said quickly from behind Sweetie Belle.

"She said that Applejack told Applebloom that we can come over early!" Sweetie Belle said. "I could go with her right now! Can I?" Rarity thought to herself for a moment and looked back at her drawing.

"Sweetie Belle, I am right in the middle of a design. Couldn't you just wait until I'm finished?" Rarity said plaintively to her sister, giving her a small smile.

"How long would that take?"

"Perhaps another hour...maybe an hour and a half." Rarity said, smiling nervously.

"Raaaarityyyy..." Sweetie Belle moaned loudly. "Come ooooonnn..."

"I would really just like to-"

"Pleeeease?" Sweetie Belle begged, giving her sister "Puppy-dog eyes", joined by Scootaloo almost instantly.

"I...I..." Rarity said before sighing deeply. "Oh, okay. Just let me get to a stopping point. That shouldn't take me longer than it would take you to get your stuff together."

"Yes!" Sweetie Belle cried.

"But you'd better hurry." Rarity said ominously to her little sister. "If I get to my stopping point before you're done packing, you'll have to stay here until midnight." Sweetie Belle gasped deeply and quickly turned to Scootaloo.

"Come on, Scootaloo! Let's go!" Sweetie Belle cried as she and her friend ran down the hall as fast as they could. Rarity laughed quietly to herself as she returned to her drawing. After about three minutes she sat back and nodded at the work, realizing it still needed much more effort put into it. But she could stand to leave it alone for the time being. She finished just in time for her sister to run into her room, overnight bag slung over her back.

"Okay!" Sweetie Belle said between breaths. "Let's go!"

"I've been done for half a minute, Sweetie Belle." Rarity mock-scolded. It fooled her sister and Scootaloo, as they hung their heads and began to move back to Sweetie Belle's room. Realizing that Sweetie Belle did in fact believe that she was going to stay until midnight, Rarity pursed her lips for a moment.

"Wait...It looks like I missed a mark..." Rarity said, leaning over to the paper and making a small mark with the pencil. "Well, it appears you have won the race after all!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cheered as Rarity stood to accompany them to Sweet Apple Acres. As Rarity left the house, she looked at her clock to see that it was only one o'clock in the afternoon.

'I'm good.' Rarity thought to herself. 'I'm made of time.'

The prim white unicorn escorted her sister and her friend toward Sweet Apple Acres, somehow not trusting the two of them to get there without engaging in any shenanigans that could lead to trouble. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo chatted happily together as they walked, speaking loudly. If it wasn't for years of tuning the loud ramblings of Sweetie Belle out, Rarity would have been privy to every single loud bit of it. A thought that repulsed her. While she loved her sister more than anything in Equestria, the filly could be extremely annoying on occasion. Especially when she'd get with her friends and babble about crusading.

Her thoughts drifted while she moved through the town, looking at all the different shops. Ponyville's only haberdashery, the Gentlecolt's Corner, reminded her much of Fancypants. The high-end, yet understanding stallion had sparked her fancy the night of Shining Armor's wedding when they had danced together. Since then, he'd been a fantasy of hers. Mostly fantasies of romantic dates and well put-together picnics in the sunset. But then there were some lonely nights when she'd think of him.

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle's voice snapped Rarity out of her stupor and she looked down at her sister, who looked up at her with a confused expression. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm sorry darling. I was in the middle of a thought." Rarity said. "I'm fine."

"We're almost there." Scootaloo said happily. "Should we ask her now?"

"I don't know..." Sweetie Belle said, putting a hoof on her chin.

"Ask me what?" Rarity asked, thoroughly confused.

"I mean, she's more likely to say yes if we wait until we get there." Sweetie Belle replied to Scootaloo, completely ignoring Rarity's question.

"I just think we'd better get it over with." Scootaloo said. "It'd give us more time to actually do it."

"Yeah, I guess that might be true."

"Ask me what?"

"I'm gonna ask her."

"Go ahead."

"Ask me what?!" Rarity cried out suddenly, gaining the attention of the two fillies before her, as well as the attention of several surrounding ponies. When Rarity noticed that she was surrounded by confused expressions, she giggled nervously as a heavy blush crossed her face. She cleared her throat before continuing. "Ask me what, my darlings?" She said as pleasantly as possible.

"We wanted to know if you would like to participate in our tea-partying crusade." Scootaloo said with a small grimace. "It's one of the things we haven't done yet. Sweetie Belle is the one who suggested it." Rarity brightened up significantly at the suggestion she received and nodded vigorously.

"Why, yes, I'd love to!" Rarity cried suddenly. "Oh, Sweetie Belle, I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Rarity!" The unicorn filly said happily.

"Rainbow Dash wouldn't get into this at all..." Scootaloo grumbled.

"She wouldn't at that, Scootaloo." Rarity quipped at Scootaloo. "But you'll never know until you try!"

The rest of the walk from Ponyville to Sweet Apple Acres was relatively short-lived. They moved toward the tree house to see Applebloom bent over a small fire with a grate holding a teapot over it. Beside the fixture was a medium-sized table and a smaller table next to it. Rainbow Dash and Applejack sat behind Applebloom, seemingly talking about something amongst themselves.

"Applebloom!" Sweetie Belle cried happily to her friend, sparking her attention. The farm filly shot her head up from tending to the teapot and looked at her two friends approaching her.

"Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo!" Applebloom said as she ran at her friends. They all collided in a hug that caused Rarity to roll her eyes.

"Must you all do that every single time you see each other?" The unicorn asked before being swept up into an extremely tight hug from Applejack, joined quickly by Rainbow Dash.

"What's wrong, Rares?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You against a little love?"

"I have no problem with the love." Rarity said, slightly strained. "I just feel that the massive amount of hugging is a tad...impractical." Rainbow and Applejack let go of Rarity and laughed.

"Well, you're just in time for the tea party." Applejack said, ushering Rarity toward the teapot.

"Did Applebloom assemble this herself?" Rarity asked, impressed at the display.

"Of course she did!" Applejack said in earshot of her sister before leaning closer to the unicorn. "Me and Rainbow actually did all the work." Rarity giggled to herself and nodded at Applejack.

"So are you ready for the best tea party ever?" Rainbow Dash cried excitedly, earning a happy cheer from the crusaders. Rainbow Dash then looked at the three fillies conversing excitedly. When she was certain they weren't paying attention to them, the pegasus made a gagging motion that caused Rarity and Applejack to break out into a fit of giggles.

"Okay, so y'all go ahead and take a seat." Applebloom said happily to the trio of older mares. "We'll have the tea ready in a few minutes." The three of them nodded before sitting down at the table.

"So, what is on the happily married couple's agenda today?" Rarity asked as she looked at Rainbow and Applejack.

"We're just going to go into town for a bit. Maybe go see Twilight." Rainbow said. "Just boring stuff. You?"

"Oh, I have the most fantastic date with Fluttershy coming up!" Rarity said excitedly. "We're going to have dinner and then-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Applejack said, interrupting the white Unicorn, causing her to raise an eyebrow at the farm mare. "You're goin' on a date with Fluttershy?"

"Well, what do you know?" Rainbow said with a rather large smirk. "Following in our footsteps!"

"I'll have you know it is a date that will be strictly platonic!" Rarity said, a large blush forming on her face. "We do it all the time!"

"Ya could've fooled me." Applejack replied, furrowing her eyebrows at Rarity.

"Applejack!" The unicorn spat.

"Oh, relax. Ah'm just messin' with ya." Applejack said, patting Rarity's shoulder softly. "We're just messin' with ya. Ain't that right, Dash?"

"Oh, yeah." Rainbow said, nodding. "Chill, Rarity."

"Well, I...I suppose that I...probably...maybe...overreacted." Rarity muttered as she adjusted herself where she sat.

"You think so?" Rainbow said mockingly, causing Rarity to furrow her eyebrows at the pegasus. Rainbow sniggered for a moment as Rarity let out a small sigh, accompanied with a roll of her eyes.

"Anyway, Sweetie Belle was simply chomping at the bit to get here, so I figured I'd bring her over." Rarity explained to Rainbow and Applejack. "Scootaloo was there as well, so I couldn't say no and feel good about myself."

"They give ya the puppy eyes?" Applejack inquired, prompting Rarity to nod at her, a slightly stunned look on her face.

"My word, how ever did you know?"

"Applebloom does it to me all the time." Applejack said.

"It's true. She's developed an immunity to it." Rainbow added as Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo approached the table and placed the three tea cups before the mares.

"Alrighty, the tea you have here is ginseng with a dash of honey." Applebloom said.

"Ha, she said Dash..." Rainbow said quietly as she took her cup. Applejack and Rarity took theirs as well and held them in front of them. Rarity looked curiously down into the cup to see that the murky liquid had an odd consistency about it. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at the three fillies who in turn looked at them expectantly.

"Oh, um, I'd be absolutely happy to sample this tea." Rarity said with a small smile as she brought the cup to her lips with her magic. Upon taking a sip, Rarity's eyes widened as she put the cup down.

It was awful.

The unicorn had no idea what the fillies had done to it, but it certainly wasn't ginseng, and she tasted no honey. It was utterly bitter with absolutely no payoff in aftertaste. It took every ounce of her skills as a proper lady to maintain a straight-faced expression.

"It's...well, it's interesting." Rarity said. "Go on, Rainbow. Applejack. Take a sip." Rainbow looked at Applejack for a moment and shrugged before she took a sip from her cup. Her face contorted into a strange expression as she bent over in her seat for a moment. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked disappointed at Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo merely raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"See?" The pegasus filly said. "I told you this wasn't going to be it."

"What are you talking about?" Rainbow asked, sitting up almost immediately. "This tea is amazing! I mean, it's so rich and flavorful. I don't think you could have done any better. Applejack?" The farm mare, throughly confused, shrugged and took her own sip. Her eyebrows raised dramatically as she nodded.

"It's really good." Applejack said. It's all she could say without gagging. The cutie mark crusaders all cheered before going to the pot themselves.

"Come on, let's try it!" Applebloom cried out as they poured some for themselves. Upon drinking it, they all spat it out and gagged, brushing off their tongues.

"Ugh, Ah can't believe y'all like that stuff!" Applebloom cried. "It's awful!"

"It tastes like dirt!" Scootaloo groaned as she poured her tea onto the ground.

"Must be an acquired taste." Rarity said, raising a fore hoof.

"So what're you and Fluttershy going to do on your date?" Rainbow asked. Rarity smiled at Rainbow Dash before nodding.

"I am glad you asked, my dear Rainbow Dash. We're going to go to Cafe Du Mane for dinner, and then-"

"Cafe Du Mane..." Applejack said with a smile. "There's a nice romantic place." Rainbow Dash giggled at this statement. Rarity, not as amused at the rainbow-maned daredevil, sighed deeply.

"After the restaurant, we'll be seeing a movie. I don't exactly know what kind." Rarity continued.

"Oh, dinner and a movie. Look's like you're treating her right, at least." Rainbow added in, barely able to contain her giggles.

"That is enough." Rarity said, an angry look forming on her face as she looked between her two friends. "I have no issue with your orientation, but it is not an orientation that I am a part of. So please stop. It's very irritating."

"Okay, okay." Rainbow said. "We'll stop, okay?"

"Yeah, we're done." Applejack said. "It's just fun to give ya a little ribbin'. Now what were ya gonna say?"

"After we see the movie, we're going to go get special treatments at the spa. You both know that I'm a preferred customer there." Rarity said. "According to our conversation we had the other day, it is precisely what the two of us need to soothe our frayed nerves."

"Yeah, it'll do the both of ya good." Applejack agreed with a nod as she grabbed the teacup before realizing once more what was in it. "Wait...no..." The farm mare placed the cup back on the table, prompting Rainbow Dash and Rarity to start laughing heartily.

"So, enough about me, how have your unified lives been?" Rarity asked with a small smile.

"Ah can't complain, really." Applejack said. "Harvest season's almost over and we got the Harvest Celebration Hoedown comin' up. Pretty much the same that it's ever been, except now Ah have the best company in the world." Applejack said, smiling at Rainbow Dash, who blushed and winked at her wife.

"You're so right about that." Rainbow said with a small laugh. "I wish I could say that it's been the same for me. I've had work and Wonderbolts training and it's nothing short of grueling."

"I guess I can say that I understand how you feel." Rarity said quietly. "Recently, I finished an enormous nineteen dress order for some young fillies for their prom. They told me that they only came to me because the Canterlot Boutique was full and that I was the next best thing."

"That's not cool." Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow.

"I understand that better than anyone dear." Rarity said. "It was as if they kept trying to remind me of that too. Then, after they came and picked up their dresses, their...well, I guess you could call her their leader, stayed behind and called me a hack." Rarity didn't bother to mention that she did forget to finish one of the dresses.

"You're kiddin' me." Applejack angrily said. "That ain't right."

"Well, I chased the ungrateful lout from my boutique and I will no long be doing business with them ever again." Rarity said proudly, again choosing to leave out the detail that she cried after the encounter. "Now if you will all kindly excuse me, I need to go prepare for my platonic..." She raised an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who acted as if nothing was wrong. "Spa date with Fluttershy." Applejack and Rainbow laughed and smiled at Rarity.

"Alright Rares." Rainbow said with a nod.

"You take care of yourself." Applejack said, giving a small wave. "And have fun. Sounds like you deserve it."

"Thank you!" Rarity said as she turned and began walking back toward Ponyville. "I'll see you two soon."

'She's right, Rarity.' The unicorn thought, smiling confidently to herself. 'You do deserve it.'

_____

Fluttershy patted Angel on the top of his head gingerly before she walked through her front door and out of her cottage. She was freshly washed, primped and preened and ready for her date with Rarity. She had even used a special perfume that Rarity had bought for her a few months prior that was supposed to be an especially alluring scent.

Fluttershy wanted to be with Rarity.

The normally-timid yellow pegasus had come to that conclusion a small amount of time after the reception of Rainbow Dash and Applejack's wedding. Rarity had reached out to her when she had been sitting alone and by herself. They danced together and Fluttershy couldn't help but be attracted to Rarity's natural sense of confidence and her suave, feminine personality. If it had not been for Rarity, Fluttershy wouldn't have had a very fun time at that reception at all. Now, on this day, Fluttershy was going to do everything in her power to have Rarity fall for her. She felt a chemistry between them that she felt with nopony else. Sure, there were her best friends Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Applejack; but when Fluttershy was with Rarity, she rarely felt down, sad or depressed. She knew that had to have at least some significance on an emotional level.

She walked down the path leading from her cottage to Ponyville before she arrived at the market. She walked straight to the flower stand and smiled at Roseluck.

"Well, good evening, Fluttershy." Roseluck said happily at the approach of the pink-maned mare. "What can I do for you?"

"I'll have a rose, please." Fluttershy said.

"Alright, a bouquet is twenty five-"

"Just one." Fluttershy said quickly, earning a raised eyebrow from Roseluck. "Please."

"Oh...are we wooing somepony tonight, Fluttershy?" Roseluck asked with a smirk that accentuated her raised eyebrow. Fluttershy blushed heavily and cleared her throat.

"Oh, well...uh...um...I..." After clearing her throat once more, Fluttershy continued. "I...I hope so." Roseluck let out a small giggle and placed the rose on the counter for the pegasus.

"On the house, sweetie." Roseluck said pleasantly. "I wish you all the luck in the world." Fluttershy took the rose gratefully and smiled at Roseluck before nodding.

"Oh, thank you very much!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "I truly appreciate this."

"It's my pleasure." Roseluck said as she returned the nod. "The stallion sure is a lucky guy."

The statement caused the smile to fade from Fluttershy's face for a moment before it returned in earnest.

"I hope so. Thank you again!" Fluttershy turned and left the flower stand, holding the rose in a hoof as she walked toward Cafe Du Mane. Suddenly, Fluttershy felt her new found bravery fading from her being as she was slowly filled with doubt about her intentions. She had never truly been in a real relationship with anypony before. Sure, there were couple bouts of puppy love in the past, but she'd never actually been committed to someone. The prospect of dating another mare was a daunting one, that was for sure. Rainbow and Applejack were able to do it easily, sure, but for her it seemed like a challenge.

Fluttershy wasn't really one for challenges.

It was also true that she could have just been desperate that night of the reception. Fluttershy had craved companionship beyond friendship for a period of time that was too long to her, and that night, Rarity showed her that she could have it if she tried. She felt wrong thinking Rarity wanted it too, however. Rarity was known throughout their circle of friends to be completely heterosexual, but Fluttershy couldn't help but get her hopes up as she walked. The way Rarity had looked at her that night of the reception, the way she had kissed her on the cheek...sure, it could have been platonic, but something inside Fluttershy told her that it wasn't.

She arrived at Cafe Du Mane and walked to the hostess, the grey earth pony greeting her happily.

"Good evening, ma'am. How many tonight?" She asked.

"Oh, um...I'm actually meeting someone here." Fluttershy said, looking away for a moment and blushing. "Has a white unicorn with a coiffured purple mane come in?"

"I don't believe so, ma'am. I've been here since four o' clock." The hostess explained. "Perhaps he or she hasn't arrived yet?"

"Oh, then I suppose I'll have a booth for two." Fluttershy said, letting out a small sigh of relief.

"Very well." The hostess said with a large grin as she grabbed two menus. "Please follow me." After a short walk through the restaurant, the hostess finally seated Fluttershy in a small booth with a quaint lamp coming out of the median separating that section of booths in half. The lamp cast a quaint, warm light onto the table, allowing for fitting ambiance for dining. The entire atmosphere of the restaurant was one that emanated calm and peaceful. It helped to put a soothing peace on Fluttershy's currently frazzled nerves. A rather attractive waiter came to the table and regarded the pegasus.

"Still waiting on one more, I presume?" He asked her. Fluttershy looked at him nervously and nodded slowly. "Then could I possibly get you something to drink while you wait?"

"Uhmm...water is fine." Fluttershy said quietly. "Thank you." The waiter nodded as he turned to leave, but he stopped upon seeing the rose resting on the table.

"Ahh, a rose." The waiter said with a smile. "Would you happen to be dining with a special somepony tonight?" The question brought a huge blush to Fluttershy's face as she gulped loudly. Picking up on her signals, the waiter began to turn again.

"My apologies. I did not mean to pry." The waiter said before stepping away.

"Wait!" Fluttershy called suddenly before shrinking back again, alerting the waiter to return to her.

"Yes, ma'am?" He said to her.

"I'm going to, um, give you a hypothetical situation. Okay?" Fluttershy began, speaking quietly to him.

"Alright." He said patiently.

"And you have to promise to give me the most honest answer you possibly can." Fluttershy continued, prompting the waiter to nod once more.

"Very well." He said. "What is this situation, exactly?"

"Well, what if...and please remember, this is hypothetical. What if a pony is...well...what if a pony likes another pony, but that pony isn't sure that the other pony feels the same way?" Fluttershy asked quietly. "I mean to say that...well...what should that pony do? I mean...Well, um...What would you do?...If you were in that situation?"

"If I were in that situation, I'd get to know that pony better and tell them how I feel." He replied.

"But I've known her-" Fluttershy stopped herself and let out a small squeak as she covered her mouth. The waiter smiled widely and let out a small chuckle. She blushed heavily. "I mean...What if that pony...knew...that other...pony..." Fluttershy gave up on the charade and dropped her head to the table.

"I've known her most of my life..." Fluttershy finally said, slightly muffled by her face on the table.

"If you've known her your whole life, then you must have some kind of indication that she feels the same way." The waiter said. "I'm just assuming that you've put a lot of thought into this. But if I were you...I'd do it. I'd tell her how I feel. Take a leap of faith." Fluttershy looked up at him slowly.

"A...leap of faith?"

"Sure, you may crash and it may hurt terribly, but you may land exactly where you mean to. And if so, it'll be glorious." He said to her with a warm smile. "I'll be right back with your water." As the waiter left, his warm words of encouragement lit a new fire ablaze within Fluttershy. She smiled to herself as she held the rose in her hooves, looking at the red petals.

'I'm going to do it.' Fluttershy thought to herself confidently. 'I am going to tell her how I feel!'

The pegasus looked toward the front of the restaurant, eager for the arrival of Rarity. She knew she could tell the unicorn how she truly felt...what she desired. She looked at the clock above the front door of the restaurant and realized that it was six forty-five.

Rarity was fifteen minutes late.

The fire inside Fluttershy began to whittle and fade as the pegasus shrunk in her seat. Her ears laid back and she looked down at the rose. There was no way Rarity wouldn't show. It wasn't like her to just stand up a spa day. She was always usually so punctual and on-time. The waiter brought her water to the table and smiled at her.

"You look like you're thinking about something." He stated with a small grin.

"She's fifteen minutes late." Fluttershy said with a small frown.

"She'll be here." The waiter said. "I'm confident. She'll show."

"I hope you're right." Fluttershy said as she looked at the clock wistfully.

'She'll be here.' Fluttershy thought to herself. 'I know she'll be here.'

7:00 PM

'Just running late, that's all. Something must have fallen over in the boutique.'

7:15

'She wouldn't stand me up, would she?'

7:35

Fluttershy looked at her glass dejectedly, a frown on her face. Condensation hung onto the sides of the glass and slowly moved down to soak the tablecloth. The small plate that held the stuffed mushrooms Fluttershy had ordered was now empty, only a few crumbs remaining on the hard white surface. With one last glance at the clock, Fluttershy stood and grabbed the rose from the table. The kind waiter approached her, a sad expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, ma'am." He said. "Sometimes it just doesn't work out."

"This just...isn't like her." Fluttershy said, holding back tears.

"Don't worry about the mushrooms." He said. "I hope you have a good night, ma'am."

"Thank you." Fluttershy said solemnly as she moved toward the door of the restaurant. She felt the cool breeze hit her as she left, looking up slowly at the sky which was beginning to turn dark. She began to walk slowly away from the restaurant before noticing she still held the rose. Furrowing her eyebrows angrily, she threw the rose into the bushes near the front door of the restaurant.

"So stupid..."

_____

Rarity sleepily opened her eyes and sighed happily to herself. The unicorn had certainly needed the nap she was currently waking up from. She could already feel the piled-high stress melting away from her. Her spa date with Fluttershy would completely and totally evaporate it. She sat up in her bed and let out a small yawn before getting off of the comforting mattress, letting the sheets fall from her body. She slowly moved to her bathroom and turned on her shower, letting the water run for a moment before it turned hot. Almost immediately stepping in, Rarity let out a happy sigh as she felt the hot water cascade down her head onto her body. She lathered a special shampoo into her mane and began the five minute process of letting it set into the scalp, re-invigorating the hairs to their maximum capacity.

Her thoughts drifted to Fluttershy and she smiled warmly at the thought of her friend. The pegasus was always so caring in every situation. She positively emanated compassion for nearly every living thing she ever encountered, no matter it's disposition toward her. No matter what anyone could say about her, she was truly a model pony for anyone attempting to get ahold of their personality flaws. Her thoughts then drifted to Rainbow Dash and Applejack's teasing earlier about their date. It was absolutely absurd, to be sure, but that was the sort of humor Rainbow Dash and Applejack usually employed when they felt the need to. There was no way Rarity would want to be with Fluttershy romantically. She was completely heterosexual.

But still...

What if?

Rarity supposed that if she were a homosexual mare, a fillyfooler, she would certainly desire to have a relationship with Fluttershy. She couldn't come up with enough words to describe how amazing of a mare she was. The fact that she was so scared of so many things most likely made her cuter when viewed by potential suitors, both male and female. The more Rarity thought about it, the cuter it made Fluttershy to her...completely platonically, of course. All of this being known, Rarity felt her face grow hot...strangely hot. As if it wasn't the shower water increasing her temperature.

Her thoughts wandered...and wandered. Realizing she was blushing, Rarity scoffed at herself and laughed quietly.

"As if." Rarity said to herself quietly as she ran her mane underneath the water, rinsing the shampoo out. "She's a friend...and probably straight as well." Rarity used her magic to lather some lavender body soap into a loofa before scrubbing down her body with it. The more she thought about herself having these same-sex thoughts, the more it made her stomach boil. She furrowed her eyebrows and continued to wash herself, unable to remove the uncomfortable feeling from within her.

"I mean, who hasn't had thoughts like that?" Rarity said to herself as she rinsed off. "Perfectly normal." She stepped from the shower and dried herself off promptly before moving her hair-dryer to her mane and tail, drying them quickly before applying the hair-styling cream she always wore. After curling her mane, she brushed her teeth and rinsed with mouthwash, making sure she didn't offend at dinner. After applying her usual makeup, she appraised herself in the mirror and sighed happily before exiting the bathroom.

Rarity moved through the boutique and found Opalescence sleeping soundly in her bed, as was per the norm in her household. Lightly kissing the cat on the head, Rarity poured some cat food into her bowl for the cat to eat once she decided to wake up. The unicorn walked into her kitchen and looked at the clock resting above her sink. Her mouth dropped in horror.

It was 7:25 PM.

She was almost an hour late to Café Du Mane.

Rarity sprinted out of her front door and ran down the path she knew led through Ponyville to Café Du Mane. She gritted her teeth, mentally kicking herself for sleeping through the first part of her date with Fluttershy. Breathing heavily, she passed pedestrians walking home and around the buildings about town, earning strange and concerned looks as she moved at top speed.

Café Du Mane came into her sight and she mentally praised Celestia and Luna that she had arrived. As she ran toward the front door, she saw Fluttershy, already walking away from the restaurant.

"Fluttershy!" She cried out breathlessly, causing the pegasus to jump where she was and turn around. Astonished, Fluttershy approached Rarity with a raised eyebrow.

"Rarity?" Fluttershy said, obviously confused as to why Rarity was so late. "Where have you been? You're an hour late."

"I know...I know..." Rarity gasped between deep breaths. "I'm...so sorry dear...I took a nap and it went on a lot longer than I thought. But now I'm here and we can get dinner! I'm...famished." The unicorn smiled happily at Fluttershy, who merely sighed.

"Okay." Fluttershy said with a small smile as she turned back toward the restaurant. "I had already gotten us a booth, if we hurry we can still make it." Rarity sighed and laughed through her breaths.

"I'm not sure if I can survive more hurrying." The unicorn said as they cantered inside. They approached the hostess quickly.

"Excuse me, but I had a table reserved for two. I was wondering if it was still open." Fluttershy said with a small smile. "I'm very sorry to inconvenience you."

"Not at all. It's no trouble." The hostess said as she looked at the small pad on the podium before her. "Acutally, it's still open. Looks like you two got off safe." Rarity and Fluttershy chuckled and gave her small nods. "Right this way, please." The hostess led them straight to the table and left the menus before them. The waiter from before approached them and smiled warmly at Fluttershy giving her a small smile that said, 'I knew it.'

"So, may I take your drink orders, my ladies?" He asked them as if he didn't know Fluttershy at all.

"Yes, please. I'll have a green tea with a slice of lemon." Rarity said quaintly.

"I'll just have water." Fluttershy said to him. He nodded and left for the kitchen. Fluttershy looked at Rarity, neither smiling nor frowning, to which the unicorn giggled nervously.

"Fluttershy, dear...I'm so sorry. I just closed my eyes for a bit to take a nap. My naps usually only last about an hour and a half at the most. I had no idea it'd make me so late." Rarity tried to explain to Fluttershy, to which the pegasus sighed and rolled her eyes subtly.

"I guess it can't be helped." The yellow mare said. "I guess you didn't mean it."

"You seem to be very irritated me with me." Rarity said, worry crossing over her face.

"To be honest, I was." Fluttershy said to her. "I had though you were going to stand me up with no notice...so..."

"Fluttershy, this was the bright part of my day that I have been looking forward to." Rarity said to Fluttershy as she continued to try to explain the situation to her. The waiter returned with their drinks. Rarity took hers. "Thank you." She said promptly. Fluttershy merely nodded at the waiter as he placed the water before her.

"Well what was I supposed to think?" Fluttershy asked her. "It really hurt when I thought you weren't coming at all."

"Why do you think I sprinted all the way from the boutique?" Rarity asked her. "I'm still a little out of breath."

"I mean-"

"I ran all that way as fast as I could to spend time with you." Rarity said, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's. "You're the one out of all my friends that I like to spend time with the most." Fluttershy's lips curved into a bashful smile and she blushed.

"Really?" At this point, the waiter returned with a small pad and a pencil.

"Are we ready to order?" He asked them.

"Oh, yes." Rarity said, taking up her menu quickly. "I believe that I'll have...the...garlic tortellini."

"I'll have the spinach dip." Fluttershy said to him.

"Wonderful choices. I'll be back soon with your food." He took the menus from the table and left them.

"Fluttershy, I won't lie to you, I'm at my happiest when I'm with you. I feel like I can tell you anything." Rarity said to her friend.

"Rarity, you're embarrasing me." Fluttershy giggled.

"I would not breathe a word if it was not true."

"Well...thank you."

"So how has your day been?" Rarity asked her, smiling widely that the awkward air of her lateness was removed from the air.

"Oh, it's been alright, I suppose." Fluttershy said. "Nothing very eventful happened. I just woke up, tended to my garden, played with Angel a bit and...well...by the time I was done with that, it was time to get ready to meet up here."

"You don't exactly do much with your days do you, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked, making Fluttershy giggle.

"Well, I suppose I don't." Fluttershy replied, taking a sip of her water. "But I don't exactly mind. It's actually quite peaceful at my cottage. I mean, you're always bustling about your boutique, you don't get much time to relax."

"I suppose you're right, darling." Rarity said, taking a small sip of her tea. "You know, I think it would definitely be beneficial to my mental health to take a vacation. Maybe a week or two away from everything."

"I can certainly see it happening." Fluttershy said with a small smile. "You told me that you have a lot of money in your savings account, right?"

"You're right. I do." Rarity said, her smile growing wider. "I'm going to do it. Maybe a sojourn at the beach would be what I need."

"Or maybe the mountains." Fluttershy suggested, making Rarity gasp happily.

"Oh, that sounds delightful! I could rent a small cabin with a hot tub on the patio. Just sitting out there, enjoying the crisp mountain air with a drink in my hoof...Oh..." Rarity said, half-lidding her eyes. She smiled widely at Fluttershy. "I'm going to do it."

"Good!" Fluttershy said.

"Why not, right?" Rarity said happily. "I only have one more order in reserve at the boutique and I could finish that tomorrow! Then I could close up shop for two weeks and go to the mountains! Oh, that was such a great idea, Fluttershy."

"Oh, thank you." Fluttershy said with a small smile and a nod.

"You're a genius!" Rarity said happily.

"I...Oh, well I don't know about that..."

"Why don't you come with me?" Rarity asked suddenly, catching Fluttershy off guard.

"Come with you?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes widening. "Oh, I...I don't know...I mean...Well..."

"Oh, why not, darling?" Rarity asked. "You're the one who suggested it to me! And I am definitely not going up there alone. I'll need some company!" Fluttershy blushed as the waiter returned with their food and placed it before them.

"Enjoy your meals, ladies." He said with a small bow.

"Thank you." Rarity said courteously before turning back to Fluttershy. "So...how about it, Fluttershy?"

"Well...I don't know...I'd have to find somepony to care for Angel..." Fluttershy said.

"Oh, bring him! In fact, I'll bring Opalescence!" Rarity said excitedly with a small squeal. "Oh, it'll be so much fun!...If you're coming that is."

"Well...okay." Fluttershy said with a happy smile. Rarity smiled back at her and stood before approaching Fluttershy and giving her a large hug. Fluttershy blushed heavily and returned the hug before Rarity went back and sat down where she was. "But Rarity..."

"Yes, Fluttershy?" The white unicorn asked before taking a bite of her pasta.

"I want to ask you something."

"Surely."

"Why me?"

"Why you?" Rarity asked with a small giggle. "Fluttershy, I just told you why about five minutes ago. I love all of my friends more than anything, but you...Fluttershy, you're the best friend I have. Nopony else goes with me on spa dates. I don't confide in Rainbow Dash or Twilight, for Celestia's sake. Out of all our friends, you're the one I would like to take with me the most!"

"Oh...I see..." Fluttershy said, unable to control the huge blush on her face. She thanked the heavens that the lighting was warm in the restaurant. "Thank you."

"Consider it recompense for being so late tonight." Rarity said with a small wink.

The two mares ate their food rather quickly after realizing that they were going to be late to the drama that was playing at the theater they had both decided on. Alas, despite their efforts, they were late for the movie and decided on a romantic comedy instead, much to Fluttershy's delight. The whole theater was empty, save for the two of them which allowed for them to react to the movie as they truly would, laughing at the jokes and commentating on the story. Eventually, though, they both calmed down and Fluttershy decided to lay her head on Rarity's shoulder. Rarity almost immediately laid her head on Fluttershy's. The movie ended and the two of them left the theater with exceptionally high spirits.

"I rather enjoyed that film." Rarity said as they walked toward the Ponyville Spa. "I will say that the ending seemed a little convoluted, is all."

"How so?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well, the stallion went for his childhood sweetheart instead of his current marefriend. But toward the end of the movie, he kisses the mare he's dumping for the childhood sweetheart and he tells her, 'I love you.' right before walking away from her. Then, at the train station when he's about to leave, it shows the mare he dumped on the train. Does that mean she's going to keep trying to get him back or what?"

"When you put it that way, it is kind of confusing." Fluttershy said as they approached the Spa. "But I still thought it was sweet."

"Oh, no doubt. It was heartwarming." Rarity said as she held the door open for the yellow pegasus. "After you, my dear." Fluttershy nodded and did a small curtsey before entering the Spa, followed by Rarity.

"Aloe! Lotus Blossom! We're here for the treatment!" Rarity called, immediately summoning the two spa ponies who began to escort them toward the hooficure room. "Prepare to be pampered, Fluttershy!" Rarity said happily.

_____

"Ahh, I will absolutely love the feeling of the air on my freshly exfoliated skin after leaving the spa until the day I keel over and die!" Rarity said happily, feeling a breeze as she exited the spa.

"It does feel fantastic." Fluttershy agreed.

"Shall I walk you back to your cabin, my dear?" Rarity asked.

"You shall." Fluttershy replied as they began walking.

"I rather wish the sky was clear tonight." Rarity said as she regarded the cloud-blotted sky above them. "The pegasi couldn't have just delayed the clouds?" As if on cue, right after Rarity finished speaking, rain began to fall on the two of them. Rarity cried out and began to frantically look around for a place to take shelter. At this frenetic display, Fluttershy couldn't help but erupt into a fit of giggles.

"Don't just stand there and laugh!" Rarity said frantically. "We must find somewhere to take shelter from this rain!"

"It'll be okay, Rarity." Fluttershy said. "It's just water."

"Just water?!" Rarity rebutted before noticing a gazebo in the distance. "There! The gazebo!" They both began to run toward it, attempting to get out of the rain. Just before they reached it, Fluttershy tapped Rarity's side.

"You're it!" She said happily and began to run away. Rarity stopped where she was and looked at Fluttershy, standing with a bench between them. 'Oh, what's the use?' She thought. 'My mane is already too far gone.' Rarity smiled and began to move toward Fluttershy.

"Oh, you're going to get it!" Rarity said with a dastardly grin.

"You'll have to catch me first!" Fluttershy said as she began to run away from Rarity. They both laughed happily as they chased each other through the raindrops. Eventually, Rarity caught up to Fluttershy and tapped her shoulder.

"You're it!" The unicorn said with a small victorious laugh. Fluttershy began to chase Rarity. The unicorn ran around the side of a building and stuck her tongue out to Fluttershy. This quick moment of hubris was enough to let Fluttershy get the upper hand. It wasn't long before the pegasus caught up to Rarity and tagged her. Immediately, Fluttershy began to fly up toward a building.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Rarity cried before jumping up and grabbing Fluttershy's back leg. With a squeak, the pegasus fell down and Rarity ended up on top of her.

"Oh, goddesses! Fluttershy, are you alright?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy merely looked at Rarity dreamily for a moment before snapping out of it.

"Oh! Yes. Yes, I'm fine." Rarity got off of her and looked toward the gazebo.

"We'd better take shelter for the time being." The unicorn said. Fluttershy nodded and stood before following her to the wooden fixture. It was a relief to the both of them to get out of the rain. Suddenly, a clap of thunder scared Fluttershy, causing her to jump into Rarity's fore hooves. Fluttershy almost immediately jumped away from her friend.

"Sorry! I'm sorry." The pegasus said.

"It's fine dear." Rarity said as she approached the banister of the gazebo and looked out into the rainy landscape. "Fluttershy, we should do this again."

"I agree." Fluttershy said hopefully as she began to slowly approach her friend.

"And I don't mean just the spa date." Rarity said. "Tonight I've had more fun with you than I've had in a long time. So we should certainly do this again."

"I feel the same way." Fluttershy said, her heart rate increasing.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening." Rarity said as she looked into the pegasus' eyes.

'She feels the same way!' Fluttershy thought to herself, her heart skipping a beat. 'Make your move! Do it!'

Fluttershy began to very subtly move forward.

'This is it!'

She moved slowly closer.

'Just...'

Closer.

'GO FOR IT!'

Fluttershy slammed her eyes shut and kissed Rarity squarely on the lips, hoping desperately for some sort of reciprocation. She very subtly felt Rarity move her lips. A glimmer of hope lit up within her before it was shot to the ground as Rarity separated from the kiss. Fluttershy's eyes flew open and her stomach sank. Rarity's eyes were widened and she was blushing heavily. Tears filled Fluttershy's eyes as she realized what a horrible mistake she had made.

"Fluttershy! What are you doing?!"

"I...I..." Was all the pegasus could say before she hung her head. "I'm so sorry..."

"I don't know if I was sending you signals, or..." Rarity said before coming to a realization. "I...I was...Oh, I'm so stupid!" Fluttershy merely began to cry before Rarity.

"Fluttershy, I'm sorry. But I don't feel that way about you." Rarity said, feeling very uncomfortable. She gulped before slowly walking toward the edge of the gazebo. "I have to go."

Fluttershy continued to cry as Rarity left her there.

Guilt filled Rarity's being. She should have gone back.

She should have comforted Fluttershy through this awful embarrassment.

But she was selfish, compelled by her own embarrassment.

So she did nothing but walk through the rain back to her boutique as the sobbing of Fluttershy grew increasingly faint until it faded from her hearing.

Drowned out by the rain.

Author's Note

Weeeelllp...For those of you curious as to how it'd go down...There's your answer. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. As I said earlier, I'll be alternating between chapters starring Applejack and Rainbow Dash with chapters starring Rarity and Fluttershy. So the next chapter will be Appledash! Be sure to review and tell me what you think so far! Cheers!

Chapter 5

The sky was grey, the ground was sopping wet, and Rainbow Dash was bone tired as she walked home slowly and steadily from her long, hard day at Weather Patrol. The thunderstorm from the previous night had really messed up Rainbow Dash's schedule. Not just Rainbow's schedule, in fact. Every employee who had worked through that day had not expected to work, especially as strenuously as they did. Rainbow Dash grumbled to herself as she tromped through the various puddles and mud spots on the way back to Sweet Apple Acres. The Pegasus tried again and again to find a bright point to the day she'd had so far, but didn't seem to find even one small glimmer of hope or optimism.

"At least I get to go home to AJ." Rainbow said quietly to herself.

"Rainbow Dash!" The speedster heard a familiar alicorn's voice call to her from above. She looked up just in time to see Twilight land next to her. "Hey! How are you?"

"Peachy." Rainbow said with a weak smile.

"Sarcasm isn't your strong suit, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said with a raised eyebrow. "Did Applejack kick you out again?"

"No, I- Wait a minute!" Rainbow said, immediately straightening up. "She didn't kick me out! I left to let off some steam!"

"Okay, okay." Twilight said. "But seriously, you look awful. What happened?"

"Well, I assume you're familiar with the thunderstorm clouds that are deciding to be big jerks by floating over Ponyville endlessly..." Rainbow grumbled.

"Yes..."

"Well, weather patrol hadn't planned for any of them at all. They just kind of...showed up." Rainbow spoke the last words with stinging contempt for the weather formations. "Weather Patrol's been having to work all day long just to keep the clouds from becoming any more dangerous than they are. I've been at them for the last nine hours...since seven this morning. I'm only getting two hours off and then I have to go back until nine o'clock tonight."

"Oh, that's rough." Twilight said with a small wince.

"You're telling me." Rainbow said. "So my current plants include heading home-"

"Did you just say, 'Your current plants?'" Twilight interrupted. Rainbow raised an angry eyebrow at her.

"Do you see how tired I am?" Rainbow asked, sounding more irate than she already did.

"Sorry, sorry. Go on."

"My current plans include heading home and begging Applejack to give me a back rub, and just collapsing on the bed for an hour and fifty minutes."

"But I thought you only had two hours..." Twilight said.

"You're forgetting that I'm the fastest Pegasus in Equestria." Rainbow said with a weak smile.

"You're right, you're right." Twilight said with a couple nods and a small laugh. "Well, I've got some groceries to get. I'll see you later, Dash."

"Bye." Rainbow replied as Twilight flew away. Struggling not to fall asleep as she walked, Rainbow tromped toward Sweet Apple Acres, moving more slowly as time went on.

It had been a month and a half since Rainbow and Applejack had had sex after Twilight's spell, and there was still no news or developments on any foal. By this point in time, Rainbow Dash had begun to lose hope. The idea of adoption or artificial insemination sounded quite unsavory to the Pegasus, especially considering the results that this spell Twilight had performed had promised to her and Applejack. If it all really was a farce, why did Applejack go through so much pain when she was enveloped in that strange magic? Why was there a reaction when the blood from the two of them was used? The whole situation was serving only as a stressor to Rainbow Dash, and she preferred to not think of it anymore in her state of physical and mental exhaustion.

Finally arriving at home after her long trek, Rainbow sighed heavily and pushed the door open steadily, earning the attention of Granny Smith, who was busy making an apple pie in the kitchen.

"Well hey there, Dash!" Granny said in a chipper manner. "How was work?"

"You mean, how is work." Rainbow replied. "I'm only getting a couple hours break and then I'm getting back at it until nine tonight."

"Aw, that's rough, sweetie." Granny Smith said. "There'll be a pie waitin' for ya when you get back." The old mare gave Rainbow Dash a large, happy smile which Rainbow returned.

"Why is it that whenever I get home, you're always doing some kind of sweet little granny thing?" Rainbow asked.

"Granny's in my name, sweetie." Granny replied. "It kinda comes with the title." Rainbow felt the hooves of her wife wrap around her body firmly and give her a small squeeze.

"Hey, AJ."

"How was work today, baby?" Applejack asked, giving Rainbow a small kiss on the cheek.

"I gotta go back in two hours." Rainbow said. "Working until nine tonight. But I get tomorrow off, at least."

"That's good." Applejack replied. "Ah can give ya a..." The farm mare looked at Granny Smith, who seemed to be busy on the pie. She dropped her voice to a quiet whisper. "Special massage."

"AJ, that sounds so awesome. You don't even know." Rainbow said with a small chuckle as she blushed adorably. "But I'm just so beat...I'd just like to sleep if it's all the same to you."

"You won't find me complainin'. I love takin' naps with ya." Applejack replied as they headed back to the bedroom. "And besides, Ah've got somethin' to tell ya." Rainbow barely registered the words, as her eyes were already closing. She threw herself onto the bed and shut her eyes, ready to drift into her catnap.

"Rainbow...I have somethin' I have to tell you, remember?" Rainbow heard Applejack's voice fade into the background as she began to fall asleep.

"Hmmm...Okay...Tell...Me..." Rainbow barely said, finally feeling herself really fall asleep.

"Rainbow! Wake up!" Applejack cried, jolting Rainbow out of her almost slumber.

"GAH! Jeez, Applejack. Take it easy on me, would you?" Rainbow sputtered before letting out a heavy sigh. The pegasus rubbed her temples gently as her head fell back on the pillow. "I'm so exhausted."

"Rainbow..." Applejack said to her wife, her voice sounding unsure, yet excited. "Ah think Ah'm pregnant." The words barely registered with Rainbow Dash at first, as her eyes remained closed for a few seconds before opening wide. Rainbow sat up and spun around to face Applejack, who smiled widely.

"Wait...are you serious?!" Rainbow said, incredible excitement rising more and more within the tone of her voice.

"Ah'm late for my cycle." Applejack said with a deep breath. "Now, it's nothin' concrete, but...Rainbow...We might have a baby comin'..." Rainbow's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Applejack to her as hard as she could.

"I can't believe it!" Rainbow said, struggling not to sob with happiness. Applejack, mildly surprised that Rainbow's reaction was more emotional than hers, squeezed her back with equal fervor.

"You're so sweet, Dash." Applejack said, her voice faltering and her eyes beginning to brim with her own tears as she felt Rainbow's emotion leak into her own being. Rainbow immediately jumped out of the bed and stood before Applejack, a newfound vigor flowing through her.

"Come on! Let's go to the doctor and get you tested!" Rainbow said enthusiastically, standing up as her wings flared out with excitement. "We have to know for sure!" Applejack was astonished to see Rainbow acting so uncharacteristically.

"Rainbow, what's gotten into you?" Applejack asked. Rainbow wilted a bit, her ears laying back and her wings folding back to her sides.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked, raising a slightly worried eyebrow. Realizing that she had probably just hurt Rainbow's morale a bit, stood up herself.

"No no! Don't take that the wrong way!" Applejack said. "It's adorable. Ah just haven't really seen you act like this."

"I thought we established on our honeymoon that I can show you my more emotional side." Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow, that spark returning to her eyes. Applejack giggled and merely smiled happily at Rainbow, which the farm mare could tell made the cyan pegasus a bit uncomfortable. "What? We probably have a foal on the way! I can act like this."

"You're right." Applejack said, moving toward Rainbow and giving her a loving kiss on her lips. After a few moments they separated, both smiling widely. "Let's go see the doctor."

"Awesome!" Rainbow cried, jumping up and throwing a hoof into the air. Applejack laughed heartily and donned her Stetson before walking toward the bedroom door.

"Come on, ya goober." The farm mare said, happiness filling her being as they walked down the hallway together. Granny Smith noticed the two of them and smiled widely.

"Leavin' already?" She asked. "Well, don't work too hard."

"Me and Rainbow are just going to get a bite to eat, granny." Applejack said. "Ah'll be back in about an hour."

"Oh, alright. Have fun, y'all." Granny said with a small wave as the couple exited the house. They walked together happily, an extra excited spring in their steps. Rainbow could barely contain her excitement and took off into the sky happily, doing a few quick loops in the air to get her excess energy out. The pegasus touched down next to her wife, still positively beaming. Applejack laughed happily.

"Oh, goddesses, Applejack! We're gonna have a baby!" Rainbow said. "I know it's not a sure thing, but...gah I just have this feeling in my gut!"

"Rainbow Dash, even if Ah'm not pregnant now, we're still going to have a baby." Applejack replied with a smile, nuzzling her wife's cheek. "You're excitement isn't for nothing. It is a sure thing, no matter what."

"I love you so much." Rainbow sighed, pressing her body against her wife's. "Here...hop on my back." Applejack smiled widely and climbed up onto her wife's back, taking care not to hurt her wings. With a quick kiss on Rainbow's cheek, Applejack signaled that she was ready. Rainbow took off into the sky, moving at a velocity that seemed fast to the farm mare, but was relatively average for the daredevil pegasus. It didn't take long for them to arrive at the hospital. They touched down in front of the door.

"I'm so nervous." Applejack said. "What if this is it? The place where we're gonna have our foal."

"It's gonna be amazing." Rainbow said. "I know it will. The best moment of our lives."

"Just remember not to get your hopes up too high." Applejack said. "Ah might not even be pregnant."

"Ahh, why'd you have to say that?" Rainbow said. "Now you've got me worried."

"About what, darlin'?" Applejack inquired curiously, cocking her head to the side.

"Well...I was really looking forward to having a foal that came from the two of us only...Not you and some other stallion we'll never meet. Don't get me wrong, if that ends up being the case, I know I'll love the baby just as much...I don't know...It just..." Rainbow struggled to find words, but eventually settled for not finishing her sentence. The pegasus was always a mare of action. She was never very tactful.

"Ah know exactly what ya mean, Dash." Applejack agreed. "Ah...Ah feel the same way."

"Let's just hope that freaky spell Twilight did worked." Rainbow mused. "Goddesses, that scared me so bad."

"Speakin' of that spell, we'd better not mention it." Applejack said. "Remember, Twilight mentioned that it was outlawed or somethin' like that."

"Twilight just said that they ordered him never to use it again." Rainbow corrected her wife, causing Applejack to raise an eyebrow at her. "I don't think it was technically outlawed."

"Whatever the case, we still shouldn't talk about it in front of the doctor." Applejack said. "Let's just say it's artificial, okay?"

"Sure." Rainbow replied.

"...Little know it all."

"Who are you calling a know it all?"

"Sunny right there next to you."

"Funny."

"Ah saw your eyes lookin' for 'ol Sunny there."

"I wasn't looking."

"Yeah, ya were."

"Applejack, I wasn't-" Rainbow Dash said before noticing that she was becoming annoyed. She looked at Applejack, who had a smug smirk on her face. "Forget it. We're here, I love you, let's go see if you're pregnant." Applejack laughed as they walked through the automatic door into the OB/GYN's office lobby.

"Ugh. Ah hate hospitals." Applejack growled, her eyebrows furrowing. Rainbow could see just a bit of fear behind the farm mare's fixated eyes.

"It's an OB/GYN office, Applejack." Rainbow said with a smirk.

"Same difference." Applejack sighed. "Ever since you got hurt, Ah..." Rainbow kissed Applejack on the cheek, causing her to smile.

"No matter what I'm here for you." Rainbow said with a gentle, sweet smile. The fear seemed to dissipate as the two mares approached the front counter and addressed the attendant.

"Hello, do you take walk-ins?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, that depends on how busy we are...And we're pretty dead today." She replied with a smile. "So we would be happy to take a walk-in. The name?"

"Applejack." Applejack said, barely containing her enormous smile.

"Very well, Ms. Applejack." The attendant said. "And what is the nature of your problem?"

"Well, Ah've missed my cycle and...Well, Ah want to know whether or not Ah'm pregnant." Applejack explained, hoping that they would still do the walk in for a pregnancy test.

"Oh, wonderful!" The attendant said happily. "We always love delivering good news. When did you get the artificial insemination?" This question struck a chord within Applejack. Would the time she underwent the Zebrican Shaman magic match up with normal rates of pregnancy? When she really considered it, she didn't know.

"Uh...Ah..." Applejack started.

"It was about six or seven weeks ago. We know it's a little early...we're just really excited." Rainbow came in and saved the day. The pegasus shot the farm mare a quick, knowing glance that told Applejack she knew how nervous she was.

"Oh, wonderful." The attendant said with a large smile. "It'll only be about ten minutes. I think she's finishing up with another patient."

"Thank you." Applejack said as she and Rainbow moved to sit down in the middle of the waiting room.

"Hey, remember that time I completely saved your flank from getting us discovered?" Rainbow asked quietly with a large, smug grin. Applejack sighed heavily.

"Thanks for that, by the way." Applejack said just as quietly. "Ah was at a loss. Ah didn't know what the hay to say. Ah didn't know if the time for the magic to kick in was the same as normal pregnancy.

"It was the exact same as normal." Rainbow said. "Six to eight weeks. That is why I'm so excited. That pretty much confirms it, babe!" Rainbow let out a quiet squeal and kissed her wife on the cheek.

"Ah wish Ah could record you right now and show you in a week." Applejack said. "You'd probably lose it."

"Do we have to visit the whole 'We're most likely going to have a baby' thing again?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope." Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash a quick kiss on the nose. They waited for what seemed like an eternity, and the doctor still did not show up. Time seemed to slow dramatically as they both waited with baited breath to hear the nurse call out Applejack's name.

"So...who are we gonna tell first?" Rainbow asked, struggling to keep her excited voice down.

"Well the family, naturally." Applejack said. "Applebloom and Big Mac are gonna want to know that they're gonna be an Aunt and Uncle."

"And then the girls, right?" Rainbow asked.

"Right." Applejack replied.

"Applejack?" They heard the nurse call, somewhat apathetically. Both of their stomachs jumped as they stood with fervor to finally find out for absolute certain whether or not the spell took effect.

"We'll organize a visit tomorrow at Sugarcube Corner. Like we did when we came out as a couple." Applejack said. Rainbow Dash smiled in fond remembrance at the memories they had of that night...But stopped when she remembered the bad memories. "We'll need to make it inconspicuous so they don't expect a big announcement. I wanna completely take 'em by surprise!" Applejack smiled widely at Rainbow Dash, who couldn't get the horrible things that happened out of her head.

"I don't know...what about the Cakes?" Rainbow asked.

"Dash, they already apologized such a long time ago and they've come to love us as ponies again no matter what we do. Mrs. Cake is actually supportive of same sex relationships now." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. "When will you forgive them, if ever?"

"I already forgave them. But trusting them...That's a different story." Rainbow half-growled. "I mean...after what happened, can you blame me?"

"Ah guess not." Applejack said. "Then maybe we can do it at our place."

"AJ, we'll do it wherever you want to do it." Rainbow said. "This is for both of us." Applejack smiled at Rainbow and kissed her on the cheek as they entered the first preliminary room. The nurse gestured to the scale which Applejack stepped onto.

"Ms. Applejack, you're a very healthy weight." She said with a small smile that she seemed to have to have on her face when addressing a patient.

"Well, Ah do Applebuck a lot." Applejack said. The nurse almost instantly brightened up.

"Oh, right! Now I remember you two! You're those two mares that saved Sugarcube Corner!" The nurse said with a now beaming smile. "Right this way." The nurse led them into the examination room and Applejack took a seat on the table, Rainbow Dash sitting next to her.

"So, what's happening, Ms. Applejack?" The nurse asked. Gathering that the question was simply to supply the nurse with the information the OB/GYN needed to make the conclusions she needed to make, Applejack began.

"Well, me and Rainbow Dash want to have a baby. So, we went to a sperm bank and Ah got myself artificially inseminated. That was about...seven weeks ago, Dash?"

"Seven weeks, yeah." Rainbow added quickly.

"About seven weeks ago, and now Ah've missed a cycle. We're just here to confirm it so we can start making preparations." Applejack finished.

"Excellent!" The nurse said. "And have you gotten morning sickness yet?"

"Now that Ah think about it, yeah, I got it a couple days ago." Applejack said.

"You got morning sickness and you didn't tell me?" Rainbow asked Applejack, just a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Ah didn't think anything of it." Applejack replied. "Ah thought it was just somethin' Ah ate. Ah haven't gotten it again since."

"Well, I'll go ahead and go see if the Doctor is free. It shouldn't be more than ten minutes." The nurse said as she stood up, a large smile overtaking her face. "And by the way, thank you two so much for what you did for the cakes. I have to work extra hard to keep this figure because I can't stop eating their eclairs, but it is so worth it." The nurse then left Rainbow and Applejack into a room.

"You're not mad at me, are ya, Dash?" Applejack asked her wife, who giggled quietly and cocked her head at the farm mare.

"Why would I possibly be mad at you?" Rainbow asked. "You're right. It's easy to mistake one bout of morning sickness for something you ate bugging you. Seriously, think nothing of it."

"Thanks, Dash." Applejack said. "Ah can't shake the butterflies in my belly! Ah'm so excited."

"I know." Rainbow said, struggling to keep her wings from flaring from excitement. "I've been running through possibilities for the future in my head since we got here."

"What are those possibilities?" Applejack asked Rainbow who covered her face with a hoof and blushed, her ears laying back.

"You'll laugh." Rainbow said, embarrassment having a distinct effect on her tone. Applejack, filled in adoration for her wife, placed a hoof on Rainbow's and moved it away.

"Ah one-hundred percent guarantee that Ah won't." Applejack said, that adoring smile Rainbow knew all too well on her face. Rainbow Dash sighed and nodded.

"There's one that keeps popping into my head." Rainbow Dash said. "I see you at home, just getting back inside from Applebucking. Applebloom is older, so she's babysitting the baby, who's still just a little tyke. You pick her up-"

"Oh, so it's a girl in your fantasy?" Applejack asked, mutely cocking her head.

"That's just the one I'm seeing now. I've thought about if it was a boy or a girl. I don't mind too much which gender it is." Rainbow said with a smile.. "So you pick her up and bounce her around a bit. Granny's in the kitchen, making dinner as always and Big Mac is finishing putting up the gear for that day's harvest. I come home and she stumbles up to me, you know, because she's just learned to walk, and I grab her up in my hooves and hold her close to me. You come up and give me that big hug and kiss you always give me when I get home from work and you, me and our baby all sit on the couch, playing little games...And I can just hear her laugh...It's the most beautiful sound...I wish you could hear it like I can right now, AJ..." Rainbow said, her blush having gotten twice as intense as when she started.

"Ah think Ah can, sugarcube." Applejack said, getting down from the table and moving closer to Rainbow Dash, tears in her eyes. Rainbow smiled and leaned forward. Applejack closed the distance between them and united their lips in a tender kiss that they shared for a few moments before pressing their foreheads together, causing Applejack's Stetson to hike up onto her head, pushed up by Rainbow's prismatic mane.

"We will have that." Applejack said. "We will." Applejack moved at got back onto the table, wiping tears from her eyes and readjusting her hat. They sat in silence for a moment.

"Aaaand scene." Rainbow said with a smirk, making Applejack burst into a short fit of laughter.

"And that's why Ah married you." Applejack said, recovering from her laughter.

"It wasn't my awesome skills or dashing good looks?" Rainbow asked, making Applejack giggle again.

"Those two sure didn't hurt none." As Applejack replied, the OB/GYN came in. She was a rather tall and stately-looking mare, a yellow coat being perfectly accentuated by her light brown mane. She regarded the two mares and smiled widely.

"Hello there!" She said happily, slightly surprising Rainbow Dash and Applejack by just how cheery she was in comparison to her initial appearance. "I understand we have a couple of hopeful mothers here." Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other for a moment and smiled nervously.

"That's us." Applejack said. "We were hopin' that we could get a test done to see for sure."

"That won't be a problem." The OB/GYN said, never losing her wide smile. "First, we'll do a standard urine test." Applejack, blushing heavily, nodded toward the doctor.

"Alright. So uh...where..." Applejack began.

"There's a small cabinet in the restroom. When you're finished, put the cup into the cabinet and close it." The doctor said. "I'd be happy to get you some water to well...speed things up."

"Uhm...No thank you. Ah...don't really need it." Applejack said, feeling profoundly awkward as she stood. "Ah'll...go ahead and go now." The large blush never left the farm mare's face.

"It's alright, AJ." Rainbow said with a comforting smile. "I'll be right here when you get back." Applejack nodded before opening the door and leaving the examination room. The doctor looked at Rainbow Dash with an inquisitive facial expression.

"Why did she seem so nervous?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's not a fan of medical places." Rainbow stated.

"Oh, that's not good." The doctor said. "Why not?"

"Because a while back...I was attacked by a timber wolf." Rainbow sighed. The doctor gasped and covered her mouth.

"Goodness!" She exclaimed.

"I lost a lot of blood. I almost died." Rainbow said. "Even after the blood transfusion, my chances were only about fifty-fifty. Applejack took it really hard."

"I can imagine." The doctor agreed. "But at least you're alright."

"I was in recovery for a long time. It cost us huge amounts of money...Ever since, Applejack has never wanted to go anywhere near a hospital."

"But this is an OB-"

"An OB/GYN office, yeah. I tried to tell her that to comfort her." Rainbow finished the doctor's sentence for her. "Sweet girl just doesn't like it."

"It might be the fluorescent lights." The doctor said. "Heck, I'm not a fan of them either." Rainbow Dash laughed.

"I wouldn't put it past her." Rainbow agreed. "She's a very old-fashioned mare."

"She seems unique." The doctor stated with a smile.

"The best." Rainbow said. "Every day I spend with her is a blessing. We want this baby more than anything so we can have the experience of raising it together."

"As good a reason as any." The doctor said happily as Applejack walked back into the room. The farm mare took a seat on the table and smiled down at Rainbow, who placed a hand on her wife's.

"Now just for confirmation, I want to give you a blood test." The doctor said to Applejack. "Do you want it? Because sometimes urine samples can be false. It's rare, but it's happened before."

"We wanna be absolutely sure." Applejack said with a nod. "Let's do it."

"Excellent." The doctor exclaimed. "I'll have a nurse in here in a couple of minutes to get it done." The doctor left the room and once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were alone. Rainbow smirked at Applejack smugly.

"Everything come out okay?" Rainbow asked. Applejack scowled at her wife.

"Shut up." Applejack growled, making Rainbow laugh.

"But seriously, AJ, there's no reason for you to be afraid." Rainbow said comfortingly.

"Ah ain't afraid." Applejack spouted.

"Applejack..."

"No. Ah'm not."

"AJ, I could see it in your face." Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow. "Even when Applebloom goes for a checkup, you find some reason to get out of it."

"Hey, Ah had to finish buckin'." Applejack said quickly.

"Alright, alright." Rainbow said, defensively putting her hooves up. "I'm just saying...you don't have to be worried." Applejack looked straight forward before sighing.

"Ah'm sorry, Dash." Applejack sighed. "Ever since that night you almost...were taken...Ah hate even steppin' hoof inside these places. They just remind me of death."

"I know, AJ." Rainbow said. "But hospitals and other medical centers are places where life is...kept going from day to day. They're for saving people. Just try to keep thinking about that." The nurse from earlier that escorted the couple into the examination room entered the room pushing a cart with a large syringe on it.

"Alright, are we ready for the blood test?" Applejack, vastly preferring this form of drawing blood to the method used in the Zebrican ritual, nodded with a smile on her face. Rainbow Dash casually looked down at her hooves and drummed them for a bit as the OB/GYN calmly inserted the needle into Applejack's foreleg. Applejack noticed this and chuckled.

"Still afraid of seein' blood?" Applejack asked the pegasus.

"What? Of course not." Rainbow said before sighing heavily, remembering now that she was far too exhausted to keep up an act of bravado, even if it did come naturally to her. "Look, I've seen my fair share of blood. It's just not my thing."

"It's perfectly understandable, really." The doctor said smoothly as she removed the needle. "I get plenty of patients who can't even be in the same room as blood. Well, that'll about do it. I'll be back in about ten minutes with your results." The doctor put a cotton ball of the needle mark on Applejack's foreleg, placed a piece of medical tape on it and left the room in a quick and efficient manner. Rainbow looked up at Applejack and smiled widely.

"This is it." Rainbow said. "In ten minutes we're gonna find out if we're gonna have a baby..."

"We're havin' a baby no matter what, sugarcube." Applejack said with a smirk.

"Right. Yeah, I meant a baby that came from both of us." Rainbow agreed. "I'm just really nervous. I don't know what I'll do if she comes back with a negative..."

"Dash, it won't be negative." Applejack said, stroking her wife's cheek. "Ah got mornin' sickness. It's happenin'."

"I know...There's just that...what if, you know?" Rainbow sighed. "I'm not going back either way, that's for sure. I'm calling in either way."

"Why's that, darlin'?" Applejack asked with a smile, happy that Rainbow would be staying with her.

"Well, if it's a positive, I'll go ahead and tell Mr. Storm the truth. He'll give me the night off." Rainbow explained. "And if it's a negative, I'll likely be so depressed that I won't wanna go back to work."

"Dash, we are havin' this foal." Applejack said with concern.

"I know we are. I know." Rainbow replied. "I just...This feels right, you know? Like it's supposed to happen."

"Yeah..." Applejack said. "Ah do have to admit, it wouldn't be the same if we had to do it artificially..."

"That's why I feel like this one's gonna stick, you know?"

"Yeah, Dash." Applejack said, giving her wife a small nuzzle. "Ah know." The two mares sat, heads nuzzled together, waiting with baited breath for the news, be it good or bad. Only a few minutes seemed to pass before the doctor reentered the room. She had a serious look on her face, not one that was particularly happy, but not one that was particularly sad.

"So, doctor, what's the news?" Applejack asked, her eyes widening softly as she removed her hat and placed it on her chest, as if to shield herself from hurtful news.

"You're pregnant." The doctor said sweetly, a smile appearing on her lips. Applejack and Rainbow Dash gasped nearly in unison before embracing each other, Rainbow Dash letting out a happy cry. They kept their forelegs around each others' shoulders as the turned back to the doctor. "About six weeks pregnant. Congratulations."

"Doctor, we couldn't be happier." Applejack said, glee lacing her voice.

"I'm gonna be taking extra special care of this one." Rainbow said, squeezing Applejack for a moment.

"See that you do." The doctor said. "In about eight months, she's gonna find it a lot harder than usual to move around. But of course, that's a given."

"Oh, that's no problem." Rainbow said, waving a hoof. "She sprained her right back leg once and I had to carry her pretty much everywhere."

"I'm very happy to have delivered this news to the two of you." The doctor said happily, smiling. "I must admit, I don't get many homosexual couples in here. But this has been just as pleasurable moment as it has been for any hetero couple I've ever worked with. I can tell there's a lot of passion in your relationship."

"Thank you so much doctor." Applejack said.

"Now I would like to advise you on the changes that are going to happen in your life. Because make no mistake, your lives are about to change dramatically forever." She said. "The next eleven months are most likely going to be the most stressful time in either of your lives. You two will have to battle nearly daily morning sickness, hormonal mood swings-"

"Mood swings?" Applejack asked.

"Yes. Pregnancy can cause chemical imbalances in the brain that cause dramatic changes in mood seemingly in an instant. One moment you'll feel absolutely euphoric, loving everything, and the next you'll feel so full of rage that you could punch the next pony you see. Don't worry, it's all very temporary and very normal."

"That sounds like fun." Rainbow said sarcastically.

"The physical limitations I feel will have the largest effect on you, Applejack, seeing as you're a farmer, correct?" The doctor asked.

"Uhm...Yes ma'am." Applejack replied.

"You usually live such an active lifestyle, you'll become more and more stressed as time goes by when you can't get out and really move. It is times like this that I recommend getting out and going on casual, leisurely strolls. Nothing intense, just a nice slow walk to get the blood circulating."

"Ah could do that." Applejack said. "Though Ah don't savor the idea of not bein' able to buck apples too much."

"These are all sacrifices you'll have to make for the next eleven months. But the reward is such a beautiful thing...You're having your very own baby. I'm very happy for the two of you." Applejack and Rainbow stood.

"We want to thank you again, doctor." Rainbow said, the ecstasy of this reveal still coursing through her.

"It was my pleasure. You can pay at the front counter. I want to see the two of you back here in three weeks for another check-up just to make sure things are going alright."

"There's a chance they won't be?" Applejack asked, a small hint of concern in her eyes.

"Well, there's always a chance of something going wrong, but they're very slim. You're in extremely good health and you're one-hundred percent pregnant, so I think it's safe to say you'll be fine. Goodbye!"

"Bye!" Rainbow Dash and Applejack said as the doctor moved out of the room to fulfill some other task. The couple embraced tightly once again and kissed each other passionately until they realized they were in a family establishment. They quickly returned to walking and came to the front counter and addressed the attendant.

"Do you have health insurance?" The mare asked.

"Uhh...no, Ah don't." Applejack said blushing heavily. Rainbow's eyes widened heavily as she looked at her wife.

"You don't have health insurance?" Rainbow asked, her pupils shrinking. "What the hay are we supposed to do?"

"A-Ah don't know!" Applejack said back.

"Why don't you have health insurance?"

"Ah just never saw the need. Ah'm always really careful."

"What about times like this? I mean you're gonna have to go to the doctor as some point for something."

"Well, Ah just don't have it, okay?"

"I can't believe I've been married to you for a year and I didn't know you didn't have health insurance until now." Rainbow said, throwing a hoof against her forehead for a moment before addressing the attendant once more. "Um, hello. My wife here doesn't have health insurance, but I do...So do you think we could just use mine?" The pegasus tried extra hard to lay on every single bit of her charm. The attendant regarded her tiredly.

"I'm sorry, but if she's the patient, we can't use your health insurance."

"Couldn't you just bend the rules just once?"

"Ma'am, if I did it for you, I'd have to do it for everypony here." The attendant droned. Rainbow looked around for a moment to behold an empty waiting room.

"But...there's nobody here!" Rainbow said, quickly getting angry. The pegasus took a deep breath and calmed herself down before continuing. "Look, we just found out that my wife is pregnant with our baby. Now you're telling me you can't find it anywhere in your heart to just help us out this one time?" The attendant sighed heavily before putting out her hoof for Rainbow's insurance card.

"Thank you so much!" Rainbow said with a large smile as she put the card in the attendant's hoof, earning no reply from the ragged-looking mare. "...Alrighty, then."

"Ah love you so much." Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, yeah." The pegasus said with a blush and a smile, her ears laying back.

"Please take a seat while I enter your information." Rainbow Dash and Applejack moved to two seats and sat for a moment.

"Geez, lot's of personality with that one, huh?" Rainbow said. "Better off working at a-"

"Please return for your card." The attendant nearly shouted, prompting Rainbow Dash to stand, and Applejack to laugh as quietly as she could.

_____

"Yes...Yes sir. Yes sir, I sure will. Oh no doubt about it. Thank you. Alright, see you then. Bye." Rainbow Dash said into the payphone she was using. She hung up and nodded at Applejack. "He's giving me three days off." Applejack smiled widely and kissed her wife.

"That's awfully generous of him." Applejack mused.

"He's great. He's always been flexible about my schedule, what with spending time with you and going to the academy." Rainbow replied as they began to walk back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Just take a look at that sky." Applejack said, content. "So beautiful." The sun was starting to set and a brilliant and vibrant orange glow shot throughout the few clouds left in the sky. The sky seemed to be in a parallel wavelength with the two mares' feelings at that moment. They were having a baby, and they couldn't be happier.

"Half that work was done by me." Rainbow said, smirking. "So really...thank me." Applejack's eyebrows furrowed at the comment and Rainbow laughed. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. It is awesome." Rainbow said.

"It's like it's the perfect sky for us. Ah couldn't be happier than Ah am right now." Rainbow giggled quietly and kissed Applejack on the cheek. They walked in silence from that point, their bodies pressed together affectionately. Most of the local stores and businesses were shutting down and it was getting to the point in the day in which everything was starting to settle down for the coming night. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were so wrapped up in their love for each other and their ecstasy at the news of their child, that before they knew it, they were back at Sweet Apple Acres, prepared to tell their family of this amazing new development.

"Oh, my gosh, I'm so excited to tell them!" Rainbow said, her heart racing within her chest.

"Let's get in there and get to it." Applejack said, a confident smile on her face. "Ah'm ready to get down to celebratin'."

"Oh, can we break out the cider?" Rainbow asked, her eyes going wide.

"Rainbow, Ah'm pregnant." Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, goddesses yeah I forgot!" Rainbow gasped, her eyes widening.

"That still doesn't mean we can't have some fun." Applejack said, giving Rainbow's neck a small nuzzle and a kiss, making Rainbow gasp silently. "We'll go in, tell the family...celebrate a little..."

"And then what?" Rainbow asked, already feeling that familiar tingle.

"Ah'll let you imagine it." Applejack whispered before opening the front door. "We're home, everypony!"

"Well look at that! Rainbow Dash ain't at work! Ah'd say this calls for some of my cowpony stew!" Granny Smith said happily, seeing her granddaughter-in-law entering the house.

"That sounds amazing, Granny!" Rainbow beamed. "But you know...there's a reason I'm not at work right now."

"Oh? And what's that, sweetie?"

"We'll we'd like to get everyone together to tell ya." Applejack added. Granny Smith's eyebrows raised as she smiled.

"Very well then." Granny Smith replied before exiting the kitchen. "Applebloom! Quit your homework for a minute and c'mere! You too, Big Mac!" The sudden yelling caught Rainbow and Applejack off-guard, making them laugh quietly together. Applebloom came bounding into the living room, followed by Big Mac, who appeared to be fresh out of the shower.

"Hey y'all!" Applebloom said sweetly."

"Applejack and Rainbow got somethin' to tell us." Granny Smith said simply. Big Mac nodded and took a seat before the couple. Applebloom smiled widely and nodded.

"Well..." Rainbow said with a large smile. "You wanna tell them or should I?"

"Ah don't care, hun." Applejack said. "You go ahead."

"Applejack is pregnant!" Rainbow cried, unable to hold her excitement in any longer. "We're going to have a foal!" Big Macintosh's eyes widened and his spine went erect before he simply fainted over onto his side. Granny Smith let out a massive cheer, leaping from the rocking chair she had just spent so much time trying to get into.

"My babies are gonna have a baby!" Granny nearly screamed. Her newfound vigor flowed from her into Applebloom, who also cheered.

"That's amazin'!" The filly spouted. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's a little too early to tell, AB." Rainbow said. "We'll know later on. But we're definitely-...Hey, is Big Mac alright?" Applebloom scurried over to her Big Brother and upon noticing her was breathing normally, smiled and nodded.

"We just found out this afternoon!" Applejack gushed. "In eleven months, we're gonna have a little foal. A new part of the family." With a groan, Big Mac rose from the floor.

"Y'all...Y'all are gonna have a foal?" Big Mac asked, receiving happy nods from Rainbow and Applejack. Immediately tearing up, Big Macintosh walked toward the couple with a large smile on his face. "AJ, for as long as Ah can remember, you've been my little sis...But now you've got such an amazin' wife and a baby on the way...Ya don't seem so little anymore. Ah love you two so much!" Big Mac sobbed the last words of his small speech, making tears come to Applejack's eyes as well. The stallion embraced his sister and sister in law tightly, but neither of them seemed to mind the pressure.

"This calls for cider..." Granny Smith said quietly. "This calls for cider! Oh, and-and my double decker apple fritters!" Big Mac released Rainbow and Applejack and they all agreed enthusiastically. They all ran to the kitchen and began preparing the cider and fritters. Big Mac held Applebloom on his back as she grabbed the mugs, afterward enthusiastically filling them each with the hard cider each of them loved so much.

"Now, Applebloom, you ain't havin' a whole mug of that cider. Now you pour yourself some normal cider, young filly!" Granny Smith said. "Ah'll let ya have some of mine."

"Ya won't like it." Applejack said, grabbing some plates from the cabinet. "Speakin' of, Ah'll have some normal cider too, as well."

"Who says so? Ah haven't had any. Ever." Applebloom pouted.

"Just trust us on this. You'll be glad you didn't pour yourself a whole mug." Rainbow added with a smile.

"We'll see." Applebloom replied before grabbing Granny's mug. She took a sniff. "Smells funny."

"Well go on." Granny Smith said. "Ah'm gonna want some here in a few seconds. Take a sip." Applebloom brought the liquid to her lips and coughed.

"It tasted good at first but then it got nasty." The filly grumbled between coughs. Every adult in the kitchen laughed.

"Told ya." Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow. With the food and drink now prepared, the group retired to the living room to celebrate. Rainbow and Applejack sat next to each other and knocked their mugs together before downing their ciders. Rainbow went into the kitchen to refill the mugs while Granny Smith elbowed Applejack.

"So, y'all do it at one of them clinics?" Granny asked. Applejack laughed nervously.

"Heheh, yup." The farm mare responded, saying nothing else. Rainbow returned and handed Applejack her second mug of cider.

"Well have y'all thought up a name yet?" Applebloom asked.

"Well...not yet." Rainbow said with a smile. "We already have a ton of stuff to think about, you know?" Applebloom nodded.

"How about a game of charades?" Big Mac asked. "Come on, it's our game."

"Big Mac's got a point." Applejack said, downing her second mug of cider. "Ah'm in."

"Sure, why not?" Rainbow agreed. "As long as Big Mac tries to be a chicken again." The group all laughed as they prepared to play their game. It was a merry time, and above all, everything felt like it was going to be alright.

_____

After the game had subsided, and everyone in the room save for Applejack and Applebloom were at least tipsy, they all went to bed. Rainbow was more than happy, seeing as how she didn't have to go to work the next day and that she knew she'd be doing some fun things with her wife in the bedroom.

The buzzed pegasus leaped onto her and Applejack's bed, causing it to creak slightly.

"Oh...did ya hear that creak?" Rainbow asked her wife, who stood in the doorway. "Let's make that happen some more."

"Ya don't have to tell me twice." Applejack said with a sultry smile. The farm mare walked to the bed, a certain, erotic sway in her hips. As she got on top of the sheets, and more importantly, on top of Rainbow Dash, she locked lips with her wife lovingly, moving her lips on hers'.

"This kinda isn't fair." Applejack said with a smile between kisses. "You're drunk, and Ah'm not."

"I'm not drunk." Rainbow replied, pulling Applejack's hips down to hers by her flank, making Applejack moan. As Rainbow kneaded Applejack's flank, she whispered in her ear. "I'm just buzzed enough to really enjoy this." Rainbow moved her hips on Applejack's slowly and sensuously, making Applejack moan once more and begin gyrating her own hips on Rainbow's. Applejack kissed Rainbow on the lips.

"Ah love you, Dash." The farm mare said with a joyful smile, tears coming to her eyes. "Ah love you...so much." Applejack's voice broke with the last words, snapping Rainbow out of her ecstasy.

"Whoa, whoa, hey. What's wrong, baby?" Rainbow asked, concern on her face.

"Nothing." Applejack said, tears streaming down her face. "Nothing at all. Ah'm just...so happy that Ah get to share the rest of my life with you...We're havin' a baby, Rainbow...We're...We're really doing it."

"There is no other pony in this world that I'd rather have this foal with. You are my everything and my only, and I love you." Rainbow said, sitting up and giving Applejack a nuzzle on the cheek.

"Ah...Ah love you too!" Continuing to cry, Applejack kissed Rainbow on the lips so passionately, that the pegasus was taken aback. Rainbow Dash closed her own eyes, which were filling with tears at that point as well and reciprocated the kiss completely. They kissed for what seemed like three minutes before they slowly separated.

"This has been a day to remember." Rainbow said trough her tears, a large smile on her face. "Let's end it in style."

With those words, their bodies united and their ecstasy continued until they slept peacefully together.

Author's Note

Ah, you were expecting a sex scene there, huh? Well, I find that sometimes, things are just better left to the imagination. This isn't a 100% clopfic, after all, just like the story that came before it. I had truly forgotten how much I love to write happy, loving scenes between these two mares and it just further cements them together as my favorite ship. I'll try to update more frequently, but no promises. Cheers!

Chapter 7

Applejack was somewhat surprised that Rainbow Dash had awoken before she did to get ready for their trip. It made sense, however, given how the week since they'd decided to go to Baltimare had gone. Rainbow's pure, unadulterated excitement about the trip had left her in an almost perpetual state of hyperactivity, especially in the mornings. It was all the cyan pegasus could talk about. Applejack didn't mind the excitement too terribly, as she was excited too. It also made the two times they'd made love since they found out about the trip very passionate and high-energy. They'd been doing so at a markedly increased rate since they found out that they were going to have a foal, but it seemed that the excitement for this entirely new journey fed their passion even more.

After five days of hearing about it, however, Applejack was excited to get there not just because of all the fun they'd have, but also so that Rainbow would finally shut up about it.

"Wake up beautiful!" Rainbow cried, giving Applejack a sweet kiss on the lips. Applejack's mild frustration dissipated immediately, replaced with overflowing love for her wife and her absolute zest for life. "We don't want to miss the train!"

"Ah'm up, Ah'm up." Applejack said, rubbing her eyes. Applejack looked at the clock at their bedside and saw that it was seven thirty-two in the morning. This was hours after she usually woke up and she smiled. Today was going to be a wonderful day, even though they'd be stuck on a train for most of it.

"I'm so excited!" Rainbow cried. "I've never been to Baltimare before. I've heard it's gorgeous." Applejack was almost certain that Rainbow Dash had said that at least once or twice in the past week.

"It pales in comparison to you, Ah'm sure." Applejack said through a smile. "Mornin', darlin'." She gave Rainbow a kiss of her own and stretched.

"I already dropped Applebloom off at Sugarcube Corner. She was so excited to spend the weekend with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo that she woke up before I did." Rainbow giggled. "She's so cute."

"Well she is a member of the apple family." Applejack said.

"Come on. Let's grab a shower." Rainbow said. "We'll save time if we take one together."

"Why do Ah get the sneaking suspicion that you have ulterior motives other than just a shower?" Applejack asked, raising a knowing eyebrow and smiling. Rainbow scoffed.

"Oh, Applejack. I honestly don't know where you would get such a crazy idea." Rainbow said playfully as she turned on the shower. Applejack enjoyed their verbal jousting, but she didn't feel like mincing words at that time. "I was thinking for breakfast we-" Rainbow said, turning around but being silenced by Applejack's lips on hers. Rainbow moaned into the kiss and they separated, both of them panting and blushing as the water turned hot, pushing steam into the closed-off bathroom.

"Oh, wow. You wanna go for the third this week?" Rainbow asked, giving Applejack a peck on the lips. "I just wanted to make out a little...maybe some light groping."

"What can Ah say? Since Ah got pregnant with our baby, Ah've been wanting to jump your bones pretty much every day." Applejack breathed as she took out her hairties, pushing Rainbow against the counter and grabbing hold of her flank, as they kissed again. Rainbow put her arms around Applejack's shoulders and spread her legs, allowing Applejack to reach a hoof down and lightly stroke her sex. Rainbow let out a high pitched moan, letting her head fall back, her eyes closing.

"Come on," Applejack said, backing up a few steps and allowing her wife to fall back on all four legs. "let's do it in the shower."

"Yes ma'am!" Rainbow chirped as they both stepped in. It was Rainbow's turn to be the aggressor, as she pushed Applejack against the wall, the water playing over both their bodies lightly. Rainbow kissed her wife deeply, and started rubbing Applejack's marehood, making her pant.

"Goddesses, you get me so hot." Rainbow said. "I might just have to get right to it." The pegasus sat down and began licking up Applejack's thigh, causing her wife breathe deeply. The farm mare put a hoof on Rainbow's head, making her ears lay back.

"Wait, Rainbow. Ah have an idea." Rainbow looked up at her with a lustful expression that telegraphed how much she desired Applejack, her eyes half-lidded and her lips slightly parted. The pegasus put her hoof on Applejack's marehood and began rubbing, making Applejack move her hips and bite her lip. "What if we have another round of that game we played-nya-on our honeymoon?"

"Can't it wait?" Rainbow asked, kneading Applejack's flank and giving her a kiss on her lower belly that made her shudder. "We still have to catch that train."

"That's my point, sugarcube." Applejack pointed out. "Same rules as last time, we finish up in here and from there on we do nothin' 'till Ah say. If you can make it, it's any time, any place." Rainbow stood, with an interested expression.

"Within reason, yeah I remember... Well, you know I can't resist a challenge." Rainbow said cockily. "Alright, it's a deal. I'll have you forfeiting this thing by the end of the night." Applejack giggled.

"You underestimate your opponent, Rainbow Dash." Applejack remarked and turned around, rinsing her hair. She made sure to stick out her flank right in front of Rainbow, who was slightly entranced. Applejack looked back at her and smirked, seeing how aroused her wife was. It was perfect. She was already winning. "Also, Ah have a surprise for you if you make it. Ah really think you'll like it."

The shower ended relatively quickly, Rainbow Dash opting not to put herself through the temptation of an extended shower with Applejack. They'd mostly packed their bags the previous night and only had a few things left to bring. As they prepared to leave, Granny Smith, Applebloom and Big Macintosh prepared to see them off.

"Y'all be safe now. Baltimare's a loooong ways away and Ah don't wanna travel completely across the land to bail you out if you get in trouble." Granny Smith chuckled.

"Granny, when have we ever gotten in trouble like that?" Applejack asked, half chuckling.

"Just foolin'. Ah hope y'all have the best time." The old mare conceded with a sweet smile as she received a hug from Rainbow and Applejack. Big Mac and Applebloom joined the hug, so as to not prolong the goodbye with individual hugs of their own.

"This is like a second honeymoon, huh?" Applebloom asked.

"You know, it is kind of like that." Rainbow replied with a snicker. "Except all our friends will be there."

"Take care of my sis, Rainbow." Big Mac said with a smile. "Y'all have fun. Ah'm gonna head back to bed." The large stallion clomped up the stairs and to his bedroom.

"Love y'all! See you Monday!" Applejack said as they left the farm house. Shutting the door behind her and adjusting her saddlebags, she regarded her wife. "You ready?"

"Yep!" Rainbow chirped. Feeling a shot of competitiveness shoot through her due to their earlier decision to play their little game, she raised an eyebrow at Applejack. "How about a race to Twilight's?" Applejack briefly considered this before smiling.

"You're on." Applejack said, drawing a starting line in the sand with her hoof before hunkering down next to her behind it. "No need for ceremony, just no flyin' like usual. Three..."

"Two..." Rainbow said.

"One!" Applejack cried and the two mares burst into a full sprint toward the princess' library. Shortly after they'd taken off, Granny Smith opened the door with two apples for their trip. Seeing they were already gone, she looked downward at the starting line Applejack had drawn.

"Those fillies..." Granny said with a chuckle, going back inside, maybe to knit.

"So I said, 'Anything for such a wonderful customer!' and threw the bits at her one by one until she left." Rarity recounted to Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie, whose eyes widened at the story. "It was an empowering thing, you know." Rarity chose to leave out Sapphire's threat of legal action, and how she cried after the encounter. The story flowed much better without the crying.

"Wow, Rarity, I honestly can't imagine you doing that." Twilight said with a smile on her face. "You must have taught her a lesson." Pinkie Pie had been laughing since Rarity had recounted the bit-throwing part.

"That's so funny!" Pinkie cried. "You actually threw the bits at her!"

"I am positively ready to get going. Where the devil are Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy?" Rarity said, flipping her luxurious hair. She worked not to show it, but she was scared Fluttershy wouldn't come, and that their talk that night five days prior hadn't meant anything.

"Well, here comes the answer to two of your questions." Twilight said, nodding toward something behind Rarity and Pinkie Pie. They turned to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack sprinting in their direction. They began to move out of the way before Rainbow slowed to a canter and then a stop, Applejack reaching her about a second later.

"Well, looks like I win!" Rainbow boasted, putting a hoof on her chest. Applejack rolled her eyes.

"Yeah. We all see that." Applejack grumbled. "Hey y'all! Where's Fluttershy?"

"We were wondering that ourselves." Twilight said. "We only have twenty minutes to get to the train station." The alicorn princess sounded worried.

"I can go check on her." Rainbow volunteered. "Give AJ here a little time to let off some steam from her humiliating defeat at the hooves of...me." Applejack sighed deeply.

"Slow your roll, you beat me by a second, and Ah'm preganant." Applejack almost snarled.

"Yeah, six weeks pregnant. You can't use that excuse yet." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, you know, you'd better go check on Fluttershy, Dash." Applejack said before leaning in toward her ear. "Ah am gonna make this game really really difficult for you." Rainbow snickered.

"Hey that's all part of the fun." Rainbow said, giving her wife a kiss on the cheek. Applejack couldn't help but blush and crack a smile at the display of affection. The cyan mare cantered backward and unfurled her wings. "Be back in like, five minutes!" With that, Rainbow took off into the sky and flew almost full speed to Fluttershy's cottage, taking care not to cause a sonic rainboom. The pegasus arrived within seconds and touched down in front of Fluttershy's cottage and knocked on the door before walking in.

"Fluttershy, what's the deal-" Rainbow was stopped in her tracks as she saw her friend leaning over a small bed in the living room. She jumped and turned toward Rainbow, smiling.

"Hi, Rainbow." She said sweetly.

"Uh, hey. You remember we're supposed to leave for Baltimare in less than twenty minutes, right?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry, Rainbow. I had to wait on Roseluck to arrive to watch over Angel Bunny. He's sick again." Her friend said, as she stood, looking back at Angel in a worried way.

"Uh huh, and where is Roseluck now?" Rainbow asked, tilting her head slightly.

"In the bathroom. I've already told her everything she needs to know. We can go now." Fluttershy said with an affirmative nod. "Roseluck! I have to go!" She called as she put her saddle bag on, which had been sitting in the corner ready.

"O-Oh, alright, Fluttershy! Have fun!" Roseluck called, somewhat awkwardly, from the restroom. Rainbow had doubts that Fluttershy's reasoning for being so late was truthful and she felt bad at having assumed wrongly. They exited the cottage and Rainbow flexed her wings.

"Try to keep up!" Rainbow said with a small laugh before taking off quickly. Fluttershy followed suit, and was able to keep pace with Rainbow rather easily. Rainbow had been deliberately going slow for Fluttershy's sake, but even with her saddlebag, Fluttershy had no trouble keeping up.

"Wow, Flutters! You've gotten fast!" Rainbow said.

"Thank you. I've been exercising a little more, flying more as well." Fluttershy replied.

"Oh, nice! I'm proud." Rainbow said approvingly. "What's with the sudden change in regimen?"

"I guess I've just felt better about myself lately." Fluttershy replied. "And I want to take better care of myself."

"Well I'm super proud of you, Fluttershy! Keep on with it!"

Fluttershy giggled and nodded at her friend. They returned to their friends before too long and touched down, Fluttershy receiving greetings from the group. Rarity in particular seemed happy to see her.

"So what took you so long, Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked as they began making their way to the train station, with time to spare.

"Angel is sick, poor thing. I had to get somepony to look after him, and Roseluck was the only one available. I had to wait for her to arrive. I hope...that's okay." Fluttershy elaborated, blushing and looking to the side.

"Of course it's okay, sillywillie! I was just asking." Pinkie replied as she ambled ahead toward Twilight.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming." Rarity said with a smile. Fluttershy was slightly startled, not knowing Rarity was even there next to her.

"You have a way of sneaking up on me." Fluttershy said with a giggle. "You're always startling me."

"Well perhaps you're just easy to startle, my dear." Rarity said.

"Not to be rude, Rarity, but...um..." Fluttershy breathed deeply and composed herself. "No duh." Rarity was stunned by the statement, which was so unlike Fluttershy to make. Rarity widened her eyes at her friend, and Fluttershy looked downward. The sweet yellow pegasus blushed deeply. The fashionista broke out into a fit of uncontrollable giggles, with Fluttershy unable to resist giggling herself.

"Hey, AJ." Rainbow said, cantering up next to her wife. "No hard feelings about earlier?"

"None whatsoever my love." Applejack replied. "Ah'm used to ya being a blowhard when ya win."

"Okay, you say there's no hard feelings but then you say that, so I'm still a little confused here..." Rainbow said, raising her eyebrows. She quickly looked to make sure none of their friends were paying attention. "Please don't be mad at me, I love you." She borderline whispered, pushing the words out quickly. Applejack laughed heartily at this and kissed Rainbow Dash on the lips.

"Ah'm not mad baby." Applejack said, still chuckling. "That still doesn't mean Ah'm not going to make our game awfully hard for ya." Rainbow seemed relieved at Applejack's reassurance.

"I'd expect nothing less." Rainbow replied with a knowing smirk as they approached the train station.

The train was spacious, as usual, but still felt somewhat confined as the six mares entered their car and took their seats. Of course, Rainbow Dash and Applejack sat together, the daredevil pegasus laying her head on her wife's shoulder. Twilight Sparkle was the next to choose a seat and seeing that Rarity had already taken the seat next to Fluttershy across the aisle, she settled on sitting with Pinkie Pie. The prospect gave the princess some apprehension. She loved her party pony friend dearly, but the prospect being the one to sit next to her in what was basically a mobile metal tube would be one that filled anyone with at least some level of nervousness.

"Guess I'll just take my seat here." Twilight said.

"Yep! You're stuck with me all the way to Baltimare!" Pinkie said happily. "We'll have so much fun! I thought maybe we could play twenty questions, then maybe I spy after that! I also brought a sketch pad so maybe we could draw. Or we could just talk about what your life is like as a princess! So what do you want to do? Here, I'll start. IIIIII spyyyy with my little eeeeyyee...." Twilight barely suppressed a groan as the attendant cried out:

"Aaallll aboooard!"

"Poor girl." Rarity said with a small chuckle, looking at Twilight who had already guessed, correctly, the door at the front of the car. As the alicorn began searching for something of her own to spy, Rarity turned to Fluttershy. "Soooo...I have some delicious information for you, Fluttershy." The yellow pegasus had been lost in thought, staring out the window when Rarity spoke to her. She turned and smiled.

"Oh, okay." She said, sounding moderately uninterested. "What is it?"

"Well...It involves Lotus Blossom at the Spa." Rarity said in an enticing way. Fluttershy perked up immediately and began to truly listen.

"Ooh, tell me." She said, falling into the gossip.

"Lotus has cheated on her coltfriend." Rarity stated. "With. A. Mare." This reminded Fluttershy that she wanted to be with a mare herself, the mare talking to her at that very moment. But they were just friends, they had to be, and Fluttershy had to accept it. She expressed her surprise with a small gasp, which was not untruthful, and at the same time suppressed the wants nagging her mind.

"Oh, goddesses, poor Axel." She said, putting a hoof on her mouth.

"Well, I wouldn't say that." Rarity replied. "I've also heard that he wasn't the best coltfriend to her. Aloe told me Lotus is almost constantly complaining about how he neglects her. Perhaps he's trying to play it aloof, but in my opinion, if you are in a serious relationship with somepony, that is not the path to take."

"Well, what path would you have had Axel take?" Fluttershy asked, genuinely curious to hear the unicorn's answer.

"I would have him be genuine. If someone is trying to sleep around, sure, they should play all the little love games they want. But if someone is serious about a relationship, and they love their partner, that partner should either love them in kind or let them go. You know, if they don't love them, and such." Rarity explained.

"I still don't know if someone being aloof is a good excuse to be unfaithful..." Fluttershy said.

"Well, there were other details that Aloe did not share." Rarity sighed. "I guess we'll never know exactly why."

"I suppose not." Fluttershy said and looked down to her lap. That feeling...that familiar feeling she'd thought had left her before this train ride kept trying to eek up to the surface.

"Fluttershy, are you alright?" Rarity asked, snapping her out of her slight stupor. Fluttershy employed her best acting skills to smile sweetly at her friend.

"Oh, I'm fine." She stated with a small giggle. "Just worried about Lotus Blossom, is all."

Minutes turned to hours as the train thundered down the tracks toward Baltimare. Pinkie Pie had completely fallen asleep, Twilight sitting next to her, attempting to read a book as she snored. Rarity and Fluttershy had both fallen asleep as well, Fluttershy's head resting on Rarity's shoulder. Rainbow Dash had almost fallen asleep herself, rocking back and forth with the train car as it moved, when she felt Applejack's lips on her ear. She subtly kissed it and took the tip into her mouth, sucking very lightly. This sent a tingle down Rainbow's body as she opened her eyes and looked at Applejack, who smiled saucily, lowering her eyelids. The pegasus blushed heavily.

"Applejack!" She whispered. "What the hay are you doing?"

"Come on, Rainbow. You're not stupid." The farm mare cooed, a blush on her face as well. "Ah'm sure you can figure it out." The orange farm pony's hoof went to Rainbow's lower belly, and she rubbed it in a circular pattern, making Rainbow bite her lip. With each rotation, Applejack came closer to Rainbow's lower lips. There was a blanket that covered the both of them, so there was no danger of being caught...unless someone walked by their seat.

"You know..." Applejack said quietly, her eyes darting toward Twilight, still attempting to read. It appeared that Pinkie was drowning out any sound they would've made below their normal moans of pleasure. "Ah think Ah'm feelin' generous." Her hoof dipped lower still, grazing Rainbow's sex, making her gasp quietly. Almost on instinct, Rainbow's legs spread slightly, inviting Applejack, giving her more room.

"What's...that mean?" Rainbow asked, looking sideways at Applejack, trying her best not to moan out loud. It really was true that since Applejack had become pregnant, she'd taken every opportunity she could to make love to her wife.

"It means..." Applejack said, kissing Rainbow's neck softly, and at the same time, grazing her sex once more. "If you forfeit the game now...We can go somewhere on this train and buck each other's brains out." Applejack whispered the last words straight into Rainbow's ear, her breath making the sensitive skin tingle.

That was it for Rainbow Dash, her pride could only last so long against such an arousing assault. She looked at Applejack with eyes that clearly desired her wife's touch, and stood up. Satisfied, both because she had won and because she herself wanted Rainbow immensely, Applejack stood and they walked down the car toward the door. Twilight noticed this and looked up from her book.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked, making the mares jump. Unable to conceal her blush due to her bright blue coat, Rainbow turned around.

"Uhh, we were just gonna see if we could grab a bite to eat." Rainbow said nervously, looking to the side. Applejack nodded an affirmative, keeping her cool when her wife couldn't. She derived yet more satisfaction from this.

"Oh, that sounds nice." Twilight said before closing her book and moving to stand. "I could use a stretch of the legs myself. I'll-"

"A-actually, Twilight, we were wanting it to be a just-us-date-kinda-thing." Rainbow explained, blushing even more and rubbing the back of her head. Making the reasonable deduction and rolling her eyes before sitting back down Twilight re-opened her book.

"You two be careful." Was all she said, returning to her story. Deciding not to continue making excuses for what they were obviously leaving to go do, Rainbow and Applejack left the car. Rarity had awoken herself hearing the small exchange and had lightly shook Fluttershy awake and they were both silently watching as well.

"So obvious." Twilight said, shaking her head.

"So obvious." Rarity whispered to Fluttershy and the two giggled together.

"I can't say I blame them." Fluttershy said, recovering from her giggles. "They're so in love...and they're having a foal. I want to be in love like that one day."

"I'm sure you will be one day, dear." Rarity replied, sensing Fluttershy's sadness and perhaps feeling responsible for it. The pegasus smiled and nodded, before she leaned against a pillow she'd brought on the window, and not on her friend's shoulder as she had been. This did not escape Rarity's attention.

"Um...I didn't bring a pillow...Could I possibly lay on your shoulder?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy simply nodded, not opening her eyes. Smiling, Rarity leaned over and rested her head on her friend's shoulder and went back to sleep.

Rainbow led Applejack through the cars, at least a couple ponies in each one, seemingly getting more and more frustrated at not finding a place.

"Wow, Rainbow." Applejack chuckled. "You're so flustered. Never seen you forfeit before."

"Shut up." Rainbow said simply, scanning each of the cars they passed through like a robot. Applejack simply laughed at her wife as they continued to move. Eventually, they reached the end of the train, where luggage storage was located. Rainbow looked up at the sign and then at Applejack, who raised an eyebrow.

"Last stop." Applejack said with a smirk. "Ah'm sure you remember last time we did this. You sure?" Applejack leaned in and kissed Rainbow lightly. Separating, Rainbow looked to make sure no one was watching and with a moan smashed her lips on Applejack's. The farm mare pushed Rainbow against the wall beside the luggage car door, as her wings unfurled. Hoof falls began to approach them and Rainbow hurriedly opened the door and led Applejack in.

"Think you're gonna get knocked out again?" Applejack asked teasingly between kisses.

"Shut up and buck me..." Rainbow gasped, laying down on her back. Applejack came down upon her and immediately shot a hoof to her sex, rubbing it lightly and sensually. Moaning, Rainbow opened her eyes, and looked into Applejack's which were also filled with sexual need. Applejack began sucking on Rainbow's neck and Rainbow ground her hips into the orange mare's hoof.

"Ah would say that you'll regret forfeiting..." Applejack moaned as she removed her hoof from between Rainbow's legs. "But it's hard to imagine you regretting what Ah'm about to do..." Applejack began planting kisses down Rainbow's body, each one closer to her waiting marehood. Rainbow breathed and opened her eyes, her vision hazy from arousal.

Something caught her eye.

A suitcase precariously balancing on its shelf, barely kept in place by the safety band.

Without a word, Rainbow sat up, removing herself out from underneath Applejack. The farm mare gasped and looked up at her wife, who had a confident smirk on her face, her eyebrows lowered.

"You almost had me there." Rainbow mused, narrowing her eyes, her smirk widening. It was Applejack's turn to be stunned, as she sat up as well, her eyes wide.

"Rainbow, what're ya-"

"The game is back on." Rainbow replied, cutting her off. She stood and began to move toward the door of the luggage car, her hips swaying back and forth, flashing her sex. Applejack wondered momentarily if she'd done so on purpose. Opening the door, Rainbow looked back at her wife, the confident expression still on her face. "If you need to take some time to recover...I'll see you back at our seat." With that, Rainbow left her wife in the luggage car. A smile of pure admiration came to her face as she stood and watched Rainbow leave.

"Well, color me impressed." Applejack said to no one in particular as she followed Rainbow back to their car.

"Hello, and welcome to the Baltimare Beach Haven!" A spirited attendant mare said to the group as they finally arrived at the beach house. They looked out at the dozens of other beach houses at the resort stunned, Rainbow Dash and Applejack particularly so. They'd both been working so hard recently, that this was a heaven for the two of them. "We'd like to inform you all of a party taking place at nine this evening at the community house by the pool. There will be compimentary food, open bar, and a live performance by our very own Baltimare fire eaters! Princess Twilight, it is beyond an honor to have you stay with us." The attendant bowed. Twilight had given up on telling ponies that she didn't require a bow some time previously, as nearly every pony she met after becoming a princess bowed to her. Twilight nodded and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you very much." She said simply.

"I think that sounds absolutely splendid!" Rarity said excitedly, her eyes falling on Pinkie Pie as she dashed about at her insane speed, marveling at everything. .

"I'm definitely in agreement." Twilight Sparkle agreed. "Lets go get settled into our house. We have a couple hours to kill before it starts!" The friends, all in agreement began the short walk to their beach house together.

"Goddesses, imagine how much all of this costs." Applejack whispered to Rainbow Dash who nodded, still rather stunned at the beauty of the place. Palm trees, a stark change from Baltimare's natural conifers lined the area by the sidewalks, and adorned the yards. There were three tennis courts, and on each of them, there was a pair of ponies. The community house was gorgeous and adorned with intricate architecture. There was even a small shopping mall. Adorning the entire south side of the complex was a gorgeous, white sand beach with shimmering water.

"The perks of being best friends with a princess." Rainbow sighed, looking around as Applejack put a foreleg around her shoulders. The married couple shared a kiss and a nuzzle as they continued.

"We have got to see that shopping mall while we're here." Rarity said to Fluttershy who nodded, struck a bit silent still by the splendor of the place around her. Rarity looked to the beach and saw several ponies getting some sun. "I have an idea. How about we go and get situated, then we go to the beach and lay out?"

"That actually sounds nice." Fluttershy replied with a nod. "We've spent enough time under a roof today."

They arrived at their beach house, and it was everything each of them thought it would be and more. There was a massive main area, with a television and large couches, each with silk seats. The kitchen was large as well, with a large array of complimentary fruit waiting on the counter for them. Rainbow ran to the spacious kitchen and opened the refrigerator. It was stocked with cheeses, several covered dishes and what she could make out to be many different luxury deserts. Her mouth watered and she looked at Applejack, who had followed her into the kitchen.

"Holy buck." She mouthed, making her wife giggle.

"Okay then," Twilight said, looking through the packet the attendant had handed to her, and taking out the three keys she was given. "Looks like its me and Pinkie to one room, Fluttershy and Rarity to another, and of course, the expecting couple gets their own room. And its one bed per room so just prepare for that. I'm mostly speaking to everypony here who isn't married." Twilight smiled at Applejack and Rainbow Dash as she floated each of the keys to the paired off mares.

"Oh my goddesses! This is amazing!" Pinkie cried out, hopping up and down.

"It truly is stunning." Applejack marveled, looking up at the high ceiling, complete with a skylight. "Up there with Canterlot Gardens, huh Dash?"

"Hay yeah. I don't think I've ever stayed in a place like this." Rainbow breathed.

"Come on, Fluttershy, let's go drop off our things. We only have about an hour or so before we need to start getting ready for the party." Rarity stated, as the two mares moved to the room that had 3 on the door, as it was the number on their key. The room was spacious, as was the bed. A television sat on a desk opposite the bed, and a table with three chairs sat in the corner. The bathroom was extensive, with two sinks, multiple drawers and a large, walk in shower. A sliding glass door lay in the far wall, leading to a nice porch with two seats.

"Fluttershy, we are truly being pampered." Rarity said with a smile. "Now come on, let's get to that beach!" The mares dropped their bags and left the house. The group had separated into their pairs and gone about settling in, as there was no one in the living room any more by the time Rarity and Fluttershy passed back through it.

From the house, it was less than a minute's walk to the beach. Descending the stairs Rarity scanned the sands to find a place with enough space to house the two of them. She was truly spoiled for choice, as the Baltimare Beach Haven was an exclusive resort, separated from everything else solely for the ponies wealthy enough to rent a house there. Given this, the beach had quite the large amount of available space despite there being at least a couple dozen ponies there.

"Rarity! Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie screamed from the water. Rarity and Fluttershy's eyes shot to the pink party pony, who had been accompanied by Twilight. The princess had had a similar idea to the two of them. The princess lowered her sunglasses and smiled, nodding them over. Rarity and Fluttershy joined their friend and laid down some towels before laying on their bellies.

"Twilight, I knew this was going to be fun but I truly didn't expect this." Rarity said happily, putting on her sunglasses.

"I honestly didn't either." Twilight replied. "I mean, Princess Celestia mentioned this place to me and that she and Luna had a beach house here always reserved. The best thing is that she told me that since I'm a princess, it's my beach house too! I'm thinking this might be a thing we do every summer."

"But Twilight it's Autumn already." Fluttershy pointed out, though it didn't feel like Autumn at all. The pegasus had already begun to sweat laying in the uncharacteristically intense sun.

"Well yes, I know that. I figured we could take the trip to celebrate Rainbow Dash and Applejack. I thought we could throw them a surprise party at the house tomorrow sometime." Pinkie Pie immediately rushed up to them from the water, stunning the three mares with her speed.

"PARTY?!" She cried happily, earning a shush from Twilight.

"Pinkie, quiet down. Rainbow and Applejack could be somewhere close." The princess said.

"Oh, sorry." She said before leaning down toward her and bringing her voice to a hushed whisper. "paaarrrttyyy?"

"Yes, Pinkie. I was going to mention it to you." Twilight said with a small giggle. "I was thinking tomorrow night after we get done with everything we plan to do. The three of us could find a way to distract them and you could go back to the house to set it up."

"I didn't bring my party cannon, though..." Pinkie said, sitting and putting a hoof to her chin. "Guess I'll have to do it the old fashioned way." Pinkie smirked confidently, nodding to no one in particular before turning back toward the water. "You should join me in the water! I already saw a starfish!" The party pony sprinted back to the water.

"This weekend is looking really good." Twilight said, smiling after Pinkie Pie, who bounded about in the water laughing gleefully. "I think each of us in our own ways really needed this."

"Oh, well speaking of looking good." Rarity said with a smile curving its way onto her mouth. Momentarily confused, Fluttershy and Twilight looked at their friend, who nodded in the direction behind them. They turned to see two stallions walking down the beach, engaged in some conversation none of them could hear.

"Well, there's yet another benefit to being here." Twilight said, a slightly saucy tone to her voice. The stallions approached them, and the closer they got, the more defined and toned their muscles became. They both clearly enjoyed fitness and knew just how good they looked.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle!" They said, giving a bow. One of them was incredibly excited, while the other one, while honored to be in her presence was markedly less so than his companion.

"I'm Bright Sun." He said in a smooth, deep voice with a small nod. "This is my brother, Golden Ray."

"I am so incredibly honored, Princess." He said, bouncing slightly with his words. His inflection was effeminate and he was the more slim of the two. It didn't take a lot of thought to come to the conclusion that he wasn't interested in the three mares on the basis of sexual attraction.

"The honor is mine." She replied. "Though to be fair, I get that a lot."

"I'm sure." Bright Sun said. "Me and my brother take a trip here every year. This year we couldn't afford it in time for the Summer but we were able to get our money together in time to be here now. Thank Celestia for this beautiful sun, huh?"

"Well, I suppose we really could." Fluttershy said, stunned by Bright Sun's good looks and his charming demeanor. She was the first to stand, offering a hoof. "My name is Fluttershy." Rarity and Twilight were shocked to see their normally shy friend introduce herself.

"Fluttershy, lovely name." He said, taking her hoof. "May I just say that is a beautiful mane you have. Natural pink."

"Oh, you knew it was natural?" She said, blushing deeply, the smile never leaving her face.

"Of course. When it's not, you can always tell." He replied. "It really brings out your eyes."

"Oh, thank you." Fluttershy said with a small giggle. Rarity couldn't help but stare at him as well, but not for the same reason as Fluttershy. For some reason, something about Bright Sun unsettled her. She couldn't put a hoof on it, he seemed like a nice enough stallion, but something about him rubbed her the wrong way. It didn't feel quite like jealousy, Bright Sun wasn't exactly her type, but seeing him hit on Fluttershy made her feel like squirming.

"Wonderful to meet you, Fluttershy!" Golden Ray said. "I hope you can share your hair care with me, I have the toughest time with mine."

"Surely!" Fluttershy said with a sweet smile.

"Goodness, where are my manners?" Rarity said, somewhat loudly, approaching them. "I am Rarity. This is Princess Twilight Sparkle, but of course you knew that already."

"Nice to meet you, Rarity." He said with a smile. There it was again, that feeling in Rarity's gut. He looked at Fluttershy again before continuing. "I assume you all have heard of the party tonight. Will I see you there?"

"Definitely." Fluttershy replied, somewhat dreamily. The affirmative replies from Twilight and Rarity seemed to go unnoticed to Bright Sun. His brother heard them though, earnestly smiling at Twilight.

"Wonderful!" Golden Ray cried. "I absolutely cannot wait!"

"If you'll excuse us, Ray and myself have someplace to be. We're going to get massages, he just really, really wanted to meet the princess." Bright Sun said, his eyes still not leaving Fluttershy. "But I truly look forward to seeing you there." Fluttershy, flustered beyond belief at this attention she was receiving, simply nodded at him. As the stallions moved on, the three friends lay back down on their towels.

"Well, Fluttershy, look at you!" Twilight almost gasped. "We haven't even been here for two hours and you already get hit on. Maybe you just had to get out of Ponyville for it to happen." Twilight gave off a small laugh.

"I will say he is definitely quite attractive." Fluttershy said, still blushing. "Do you think I should dance with him tonight?"

"Did Celestia give us this beautiful sun to lay out under?" Twilight replied, smiling. Fluttershy nodded, blushing even deeper as she considered the possibilities of that evening.

"Sadly I think his brother is off the menu." Twilight said with a wistful sigh. "He's plenty attractive too."

"Who knows, Twilight?" Fluttershy said, raising an eyebrow at her. "He did seem very excited to meet you." Twilight broke out into a fit of laughter.

"My my, Fluttershy, you really seem to be coming out of your shell!" Twilight said. "Maybe getting out of Ponyville was just what you needed." Fluttershy seemed embarrassed by the attention, but smiled back at Twilight all the same.

"Guys! Guuuuuyyyss!!! I found another starfish!!!" Pinkie Pie yelled in pure excitement. "Oh wait, no. It's the same one." This brought forth a new fit of giggles from Fluttershy and Twilight.

"I really think he's cute though. Maybe I'll kiss him." Fluttershy stated, and the two mares kept on laughing.

"Why don't we go out into the water with Pinkie Pie?" Rarity, who had been notably quiet since the stallions left their presence, spouted through their laughter as she stood up from her towel. "I don't think she'll forgive us if we don't."

Back in the beach house, Rainbow and Applejack lay on their bed, kissing each other deeply. Rainbow had suggested a nap, which Applejack thought sounded quite good, as she hadn't been able to sleep on the train since their would-be tryst in the luggage car. As they'd started to fall asleep, Applejack had climbed on top of her wife and kissed her neck, and it had gone from there. Applejack, who was now the one on her back, ran her hooves down Rainbow's sides, feeling her scars from the Timber Wolf attack that had happened so long ago. They had faded, but the impressions remained. They reminded her that her wife was, literally, her hero and it made Applejack want her all the more.

"Ah was hopin' we could get some alone time before the party." Applejack said before Rainbow kissed her neck again, sucking on it lightly. "Since that train ride, it's all Ah've been able to think about."

"I swear, when your pregnancy hormones balance out, I'm gonna have to take up smoking or something." Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow. "You've been spoiling me lately. I'm not gonna be able to cope with you not wanting to do me twenty-four-seven." Applejack laughed and turned them over. She kissed Rainbow again, making her moan, before kissing her jaw line, then her neck, and then her chest. The farm mare continued to progressively move further down Rainbow's body with each one, just like in the luggage car.

"Applejack..." Rainbow moaned. "If we do this...do I lose the challenge?"

"Nope. Ah started this. This one's on me, baby." Applejack said, kissing her lower belly. "Ah just can't resist you." Rainbow gave a soft, satisfied laugh and sighed as Applejack moved ever lower, finally reaching the point between her legs. She licked up the side of Rainbow's thigh slowly, making her quiver. Applejack danced around Rainbow's sex with her tongue, lightly swiping the areas around it, making Rainbow subtly jump with each movement.

"C'mon, AJ, don't tease me." Rainbow breathed.

"That's the thing about teasin'." Applejack chuckled. "Makes it better when it actually happens." This familiar statement sent shocks of arousal through Rainbow Dash as she moved her hips. "But Ah suppose Ah've tortured you enough." Applejack neared Rainbow's sex, and suddenly, it was not in front of her mouth anymore. Dumbfounded, Applejack looked up to see Rainbow hovering above the bed, her wings flapping beside her, creating small gusts of wind.

"That's true." Rainbow said, a devilish look on her face. "I think I'll tease you a little more then. You know, because you're not the only one who's capable of it." Rainbow landed on the ground beside the bed and began walking to the door.

"Oh, come on!" The farm mare cried from the bed, slightly outraged but riveted all the same. "This one was a freebie! You weren't gonna lose the game. Please, come back to bed. You win, okay? You win the game! Ah really really want you, Rainbow..."

"Let's go to the beach." Rainbow said, choosing to ignore her wife's pleas.

"Ah think Ah'll stay right here." Applejack said, crossing her forelegs, her frustration overpowering her excitement at that point.

"Suit yourself. I'm gonna go have fun with the girls. Maybe you can take that nap while I'm gone." With that, Rainbow shut the bedroom door behind her. The pegasus breathed heavily as she walked toward the front door. "Goddesses, that was hard." She said quietly to herself.

Applejack, who lay back on the bed grumbled to herself and quickly falling victim to her own boredom, went into the bathroom and grabbed a towel. She left to join Rainbow and the others on the beautiful white sands, settling on a different kind of good time.

The music at the party was thumping to where the six mares could feel the sounds reverberating in their chests. It exhilarated each of them as they looked upon the crowd of ponies on the dance floor. The bartender was moving about quickly, a unicorn obviously skilled in magic, as he made what looked to be three drinks at one time.

"Grab a table!" Twilight said to Rarity. "I'll go to the bar and get us some drinks." With a nod, Rarity led the others through the party, attempting to find a table that could seat all six of them. Finally after what seemed like a minute or so they found one unoccupied and sat down.

"This is insane!" Pinkie said. "I want to meet whoever threw this party. He has got some skiiillll."

"Ah gotta say, ya do kinda want to just get out on the floor and get movin' as soon as you walk in the place." Applejack said, looking at Rainbow. "Makes swingin' manes look kinda lame, huh?"

"I dunno about lame, but yeah it's definitely cooler." Rainbow mused. "Where's Twilight again?"

"Right here." Twilight said, laying a tray of fifteen shots before all the mares, who were all quite stunned by what they saw. "I got tequila, gold. Hope that's okay!"

"Goddesses, Ah wish Ah weren't pregnant." Applejack grumbled.

"Twilight, how much did this cost?" Fluttershy asked, concerned.

"Fluttershy, we're on vacation! It's no trouble." Twilight said happily before leaning in toward her. "Bright Sun is here too...I bought him a drink and told him it was from you." Fluttershy let out a small "eep!" but looked back and found Bright Sun. From his table, he looked at her suavely. Fluttershy gulped and immediately took a shot, earning a cheer from her friends.

"Alright, Fluttershy!" Rainbow cried, picking up a glass, tapping it on the table and downing it before letting out a small whistle. The rest of them, save for Applejack, followed suit, each downing their first shot.

"Woweee!" Pinkie said after a small cough.

"Be careful now, Pinkie." Rarity said. "Remember what happened the last time you took shots." Pinkie was after all, a notorious lightweight.

"I think I'll just have my three and that'll be it!" Pinkie said happily, earning a nod from Rarity.

"Speaking of which..." Rainbow said before downing her second shot. "Come on, guys! Follow the leader." In succession, each of them took their second shots, each reacting to it a different way.

"I really hope it doesn't get back to Celestia that I'm doing this." Twilight said, quickly taking her shot, making sure no one was looking. Pinkie Pie laughed and patted her princess friend on the shoulder.

"Twilight, what did she think you'd be doing here?" Pinkie asked after taking hers, making Twilight smile. Rainbow noticed that Applejack looked rather forlorn, being left out of the fun.

"Baby, I promise, when we have our kid...I'll take you out to Swingin' Manes and treat you to all the booze you want." Rainbow said, already feeling the effects of the alcohol.

"Sounds good, sugarcube." Applejack said with a halfhearted smile. Rainbow couldn't stand to see her love feeling sad, so she sighed.

"Okay, you know what?" Rainbow said, quickly taking her third and standing up, pulling her wife out of her seat. "Let's go dance." Applejack's half smile turned into a full one as she went with her wife.

"I think I'll follow their example." Fluttershy said, taking her third and wincing before leaving the table, walking toward Bright Sun. Rarity, noticing this, took her third shot as well, but she did not stand.

"Come on, Twilight! Let's do our third together!" Pinkie cried, and Twilight, letting out a sigh, nodded. They took their shots and left the table as well. Neither of them seemed to have need of a partner, though Twilight managed to find Golden Ray. The pony was ecstatic for the opportunity to dance with the princess. Rarity sighed and looked around at the other tables. Her attentions fell on a slight, moderately attractive stallion who was sitting alone himself. His coat was a dark orange and his mane was light blonde, and he appeared quite forlorn.

"Well, Fluttershy's going to do what Fluttershy's going to do, I guess." The unicorn said to herself, looking at Fluttershy talking to Bright Sun at his table before standing and moving toward the lonely stallion.

Applejack had cheered up rather quickly once she and her wife were on the dance floor. Dancing on their hind legs, Rainbow held Applejack close to her, her forehooves resting on her lower belly. Applejack brought a foreleg back and cradled Rainbow's head as Rainbow planted subtle kisses on her cheek and neck.

"Goddesses, you know how to get me movin' don't ya?" Applejack said, turning around and reciprocating Rainbow's loving assault, kissing her wife. "You fine thing."

"One of the many reasons you married me." Rainbow stated. "Name off some others."

"You're sexy." Applejack said simply, her breath husky, a blush on her face. "And you're darn good in the sack."

"Oh, so its because I can dance, I'm sexy and I'm good in bed. Thanks, I already knew that." Rainbow said, pulling Applejack close her her as the song ended, their lips inches apart. "Anything else?"

"We'd be here all night." Applejack said with a smirk, giving Rainbow a peck on her lips as another song came on.

Fluttershy had danced one song with Bright Sun and had enjoyed it immensely. His strong forelegs held her close, but didn't squeeze, didn't confine. Fluttershy remembered what Rarity had taught her on the dance floor at Rainbow and Applejack's wedding reception. She let the music move her, and it worked splendidly. A small wave of sadness came from recalling that night, but then she looked at Bright Sun and that feeling dissipated.

Rarity, by comparison wasn't having nearly as good a time. The stallion she danced with had introduced himself and he seemed nice, but she had already forgotten his name. He seemed to be enjoying himself significantly more so than she did. She found her eyes drifting again, and they fell on Fluttershy. She and Bright Sun danced quite closely, with his forehooves resting on her hips. She draped hers around his shoulders and laughed sweetly, the sound just barely reaching her ears over the thumping music.

"Miss Rarity?" The stallion asked. "Are you alright? You don't seem altogether present." He had an eyebrow raised in concern.

"I just have a lot on my mind." Rarity said, stopping her dancing, letting the stallion fall on his forehooves. "It's not you, you're very nice, I'm just...I just don't know if I feel like dancing right now." He seemed slightly hurt at her statement.

"You're the one who asked me to dance, but whatever." He said, following her off the dance floor. "Shows what I get. I'm the one who put all this stuff together. I can never get a mare to dance with me."

"Wait, you put this party together?" Rarity asked, raising her eyebrows. When the stallion nodded, she smiled at him. "Wait here a moment." The stallion, thoroughly confused, shrugged nonchalantly and sat at a table. He didn't seem to care that it already had some other pony's belongings resting on it. Rarity scanned the crowd, looking for Pinkie Pie, and finally found the pink pony dancing happily with no partner. Rarity ran to her and tapped her shoulder.

"Rarity!" She cried. "Wanna dance?"

"Not really, no." The unicorn replied before smiling. "I know of somepony who does, though! Follow me." Pinkie ambled after Rarity, who led her back to the stallion. "Pinkie, this is..." Rarity looked at him for his name. Offended, he furrowed his brows, gaining a light scowl. Rarity laughed nervously.

"Jumping Jamboree." He deadpanned, staring at Rarity. "But my friends call me 'Jam'."

"Jumping Jamboree, yes, that's right! Jam, this is Pinkie Pie! Pinkie, this is Jumping Jamboree, the stallion who threw this soiree." Rarity said with a smile.

"YOU did this amazing thing?!" She gasped, earning a nod and a smile from him.

"Guilty as charged." He replied with a small chuckle and blush. "I work for the resort. I do this a lot."

"We HAVE to go dance!" She cried, grabbing his hoof in hers and pulling him to the dance floor. His smile widened as he looked back at Rarity. With a penitent smile, Rarity waved at him, and he sent and appreciative one back her way. Taking one last look at Fluttershy having the time of her life with Bright Sun, Rarity sighed wistfully and went to the bar for a few more shots.

"Yes, you're jealous, Rarity." She mumbled to herself, hanging her head slightly. "Just not of her."

After a couple more songs played through, the dj leaned into her microphone.

"Okay, everypony! If you want to direct your attention toward the beach, we have a special performance of our very own Baltimare Fire Eaters! Enjoy, because there's still more to come!" The crowd cheered and looked over to see four stallions and a mare, each with tropical looking outfits made of large leaves, a wreath adorning each of their heads. One of the stallions, a unicorn, let out a guttural cry that echoed into the night. His magic enveloped the two torches that each member of the group held, and each instantly lit ablaze with flame. With another cry, they each began to spin their torches in succession, as a large stallion next to a large drum in the back began playing a tribal-sounding beat.

The dazzling spinning continued until each one in sequence going out from the middle, tossed their torches high into the air, each member of the group catching it with ease. They threw their torches in the air from behind their backs, spinning and catching them.

"Holy...That is awesome." Rainbow said, as they threw their torches into the air and switched places with one another, catching their compatriots' torches.

"That it is." Applejack said. "Remind me never to become a fire eater."

As Applejack said that, they each spat fire in a wave in front of them, making the entire crowd gasp. The routine went on for another five minutes or so before the drumming came to a halt and as it did the torches all went out at the same time. The crowd roared as the DJ came back to her microphone.

"Amazing! Now let's get back to dancin'!" She cried. "Also I'm required to tell y'all that the buffet is open for anypony who wants to grab a bite! Let's get to it!" The music came back on , and the majority of the dance floor crowd remained, with some ponies, including Rarity who was now quite drunk after four more shots, heading to the buffet. Twilight was in the line as well, and Rarity, not truly caring for her place in line, went to the princess to stand with her.

"Having fun?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, so much fun." Rarity lied. She was glad she wasn't so drunk that she slurred her words.

"Well I'm glad." Twilight said before leaning in to Rarity. "I think that Golden Ray might be into me." Rarity smiled at her and sighed.

"Maybe he's still just starstruck." Rarity said.

"Yeah, maybe." Twilight said. "Maybe a little more liquid courage by the end of the night would help me to actually make a move."

"Princess!" Rarity said with an exaggerated gasp, making Twilight laugh.

"Honestly Rarity, while I'm here, I kinda want to forget that I'm a princess. Just for a day or two." Twilight said. "I probably won't make a move...But I'm gonna have some fun!"

"I certainly can't blame you there." Rarity said, grabbing some asparagus and tomatoes for her plate before heading back toward the table and taking a seat. She ate some asparagus and despite how she was feeling, marveled at the taste, taking a bite of tomato as well.

"Is it yummy?" Rarity heard a light airy voice ask, making her heart jump. She spun around and saw Fluttershy, who was taking a seat next to her.

"Fluttershy!" She said. "You startled me."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I got tired, so I wanted to come sit down." Fluttershy said with a small smile.

"That's nice." Rarity said, sounding more apathetic than she wanted to. Perhaps it was the booze.

"Are you alright, Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, putting a hoof on her shoulder, real concern on her face.

"Oh yes, I'm fine." Rarity said with a smile. "I'm just thinking about some things."

"What things?" Fluttershy asked. "We can talk about it if you want." As Fluttershy said this, another song came on, and it happened to be one Rarity really loved. It was a song about dancing the night away, and not caring who you were dancing with. Rarity stood very quickly, surprising her pegasus friend.

"Well...We could talk about it..." Rarity said, quite nervously, looking to the side.

'What was it that Twilight called it?' She thought.

"Or..."

'Liquid courage.'

"You could come dance with me." Rarity said, a smile coming over her mouth as she offered a hoof to Fluttershy, looking into her eyes. Stunned, Fluttershy's heart skipped a beat. Perhaps against her better judgement, and without a word, Fluttershy nodded and put her hoof in Rarity's. The unicorn led her to the dance floor and immediately pulled her up close. So close, that their mouths were inches apart. Fluttershy could smell the alcohol on her breath as they started to move.

"You're drunk." Fluttershy said.

"And you're tipsy. I saw you have the drink that stallion bought for you." Rarity replied, lowering her eyelids. "Does that change things?" Fluttershy, not saying anything and not breaking eye contact, shook her head. They danced together, feeling the rhythm and each other, moving their bodies together as Rarity placed her hooves on Fluttershy's hips. The pegasus liked the feeling of Rarity's hooves there much more than Bright Sun's. The feeling she got the night of the reception flowed through her once more, but it was even stronger now, as she could feel Rarity's adoration for her.

'Is it?' Fluttershy thought to herself. 'Is it adoration?'

Rarity enjoyed the feel of the music, but more than that, she enjoyed the feel of Fluttershy. A burning in her lower stomach upped the intensity of her dancing, and she pulled Fluttershy even closer as they moved their bodies, their chests pressing together. Rarity breathed on her ear, and Fluttershy couldn't help but quake as Rarity held her. The unicorn's hooves ran to Fluttershy's flank, and the pegasus had to suppress a gasp as she looked into Rarity's eyes. The unicorn seemed to be entranced, a blush laying on her face.

'Yes. Yes it is adoration.' Her face seemed to say.

Five of the six friends returned to their beach house after about another hour. They all talked happily with each other about how the night went. Applejack and Rainbow Dash's love for one another seemed to be gushing out of them as they nuzzled each other and walked pressing their sides together.

"I can't believe that Pinkie Pie went home with that stallion!" Twilight said with a small laugh. "I guess everypony is surprising everypony on this trip." Rarity giggled herself.

"Well, he's the one who threw that party. I figured Pinkie Pie would be all over him." Rarity said, rolling her eyes, making Fluttershy giggle.

"Well, I'm glad she's having fun." Twilight said, stumbling slightly as she walked.

"Woah, Twilight, are you alright?" Fluttershy asked, putting a hoof on the princess' shoulder.

"I'm fine, I'm fine...I might have had just...A liiiittle too much to drink." She said with a small laugh. "We're on vacation, right?"

"Right." Fluttershy said with a nod. "But have you caught up with your water?"

"Fluttershy, I am a genius." Twilight said, slightly slurring. "I had a half cup of water for every shot I took."

"Well then you should be good." Rainbow said. "I actually haven't done that." Applejack looked at Rainbow with a raised eyebrow to which the pegasus shrugged. "What? I feel fine."

They arrived at the beach house and split off from one another, going to their rooms. Rainbow and Applejack walked into their bedroom, the first one in the hall. Before they got to their room, Rarity stopped Fluttershy.

"I don't feel too much like sleeping, dear." Rarity said. "I'm actually feeling quite awake. Would you like to go for a walk with me?" Fluttershy nodded and smiled.

"The beach?" Fluttershy asked, her heart rate quickening.

"Sounds lovely."

"Oh, my goddesses, that was amazing." Rainbow gushed, throwing a hoof into the air. "Do you think there's a chance that they'll-" Rainbow stopped her sentence when she heard the door close and the lock on the doorknob click. Rainbow turned around to see Applejack moving toward her, a devilish look on her face. With a confident smirk, Rainbow began speaking.

"What's on your-"

"Game's over." Applejack said simply, pushing her lips into Rainbow's, Rainbow moaning as she was pushed back onto the bed.

On the beach, Rarity and Fluttershy walked side by side, Rarity looking up at Luna's moon. Fluttershy simply looked ahead, her nervousness apparent on her face.

"Goodness, I don't believe I have been to a party like that since Rainbow and Applejack's wedding reception." Rarity said with a small laugh. "I certainly didn't drink as much then as I did tonight."

"Would you like to go lay down, then?" Fluttershy asked. "If you're not feeling well, that is."

"Oh no dear, I'm fine." Rarity replied. "I'm quite enjoying this."

"I had a good time too." Fluttershy continued. "The food was excellent, the dj was great, and the fire eaters..."

"Oh, the fire eaters." Rarity gushed. "I was watching from the bar, but it was an incredible show!"

"Yes, an incredible show. Bright Sun was really nice as well." Fluttershy said, and after hearing no reply from Rarity on that front, she decided to change the subject. "Rarity, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, my dear Fluttershy, fire away." Rarity replied.

"Why did you dance with me tonight?" Fluttershy asked. "I mean, why did you dance with me...like that?"

"Oh..." Rarity said, looking forward, her heart pounding in her chest as they stopped walking.

"Rarity I had fun dancing with you. I always do. But tonight I felt something again. And that something brought back memories that aren't altogether good for me..." Tears flooded Fluttershy's eyes, as what she was about to say hurt her inside. "Hurtful memories. Memories of things I'd rather not have to go through again. I just...please in the future I would like it if you didn't-" Rarity stopped Fluttershy with a hoof over her mouth.

"Shh..." Rarity said, her eyes half-lidded, feeling her stomach light up with excitement. A deep blush came to the unicorn's face. "Don't talk..." With that, Rarity moved her face toward Fluttershy's slowly, the pegasus looking adorable and gorgeous at the same time, illuminated by the moonlight with tears running down her face. It made Rarity's stomach tingle. As she neared, Fluttershy's breath hitched, the pegasus moving her lips back very slightly as Rarity neared them. The unicorn placed her lips on Fluttershy's in a tender kiss, closing her eyes, the sound of the waves drowning out the sound of her pounding heart. Rarity moved her lips on Fluttershy's and the pegasus did the same, closing her eyes as well. Rarity quickly separated from Fluttershy, her eyes wide with a small gasp.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry, you moved back-"

"No, no, no." Fluttershy breathed in want as she collided with Rarity in a deep kiss, the pegasus taking Rarity's bottom lip between hers and putting her forehooves around her shoulders. Rarity held Fluttershy close as Fluttershy pushed her back into the sand, the two mares continuing to kiss each other deeply. Only separating for gasps of breath, their hooves began exploring each other's bodies, with no one around except for Luna's moon shining down on them.

Fifteen Minutes Earlier

As Applejack pushed Rainbow onto the bed, her lips never leaving the kiss, Rainbow moaned and smiled, running her hooves through Applejack's mane. She mentally debated playing with Applejack a little more, as she had been the entire day. Applejack was putty in her hand, and it was a feeling that excited Rainbow Dash to no end. Rainbow separated from the kiss and placed a small peck on her wife's cheek.

"I think...maybe..." Rainbow said, as she unfurled her wings, beginning to wiggle out from beneath Applejack. "You haven't earned this-" Applejack cut her off, as she planted a hoof on her wing firmly, but not painfully. She applied enough pressure to the wing to where its movement was restricted, no more.

"No." Applejack said huskily. "You have been teasing me all day long. Ah have already conceded the game, and you are going to stay right here, with me." Rainbow felt a small tingle in her belly, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Well maybe I want you to-"

"Make you?" Applejack almost growled, looking straight into Rainbow's eyes and putting pressure on the pegasus' body with her own, keeping her from moving. The tingle in Rainbow's belly increased in intensity and she felt herself becoming wet very quickly.

'Oh...This is new...' The cyan mare thought to herself. The excitement from Applejack controlling her here in the bedroom was infinitely more engaging to her than the excitement she derived from teasing her wife.

"You will lay right here..." Applejack said. "And do what Ah say." Rainbow almost purred and smiled timidly at her, blushing heavily. A rush flowed through Applejack, both of arousal and satisfaction.

"Yes ma'am..." Rainbow said timidly. Applejack raised herself off Rainbow Dash ever so slightly, lightening the pressure she was applying. She took her hoof from Rainbow's wing, and sure enough, the pegasus stayed right where she was, breathing deeply. Applejack kissed her again, placing a foreleg between Rainbow's shoulders and pulling her up from the bed with one arm. Rainbow let out a high pitched moan as she immediately wrapped her forelegs around Applejack's shoulders, and her hind legs around Applejack's hips, almost latching onto her.

Instinctively, Rainbow began moving her hips against Applejack's, moaning even though not much contact was made with her sex. Applejack looked, satisfied, into her eyes as she did so and discovered they were slightly glazed over, as if she were in a light trance of arousal.

"Do you submit to me?" Applejack asked, plopping Rainbow down onto her flank, where she immediately spread her legs and moaned. She put a hoof on Rainbow's cheek, which she immediately grabbed with her own. Rainbow Dash kissed her hoof and let out a breath.

"Yes..." The pegasus almost whispered.

"Yes what?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good."

With that, Applejack sat back and spread her own legs and motioned to her sex, which had become quite wet as well. Rainbow, needing no other command, crawled forward on her belly and began to lick it with devotion. Applejack breathed, and put her head back, closing her eyes. Rainbow's arousal was at a fever pitch, and the pegasus couldn't keep her own hoof from her sex, as she began to rub herself fervently, spurred on by the arousal of servicing her wife.

"Do you like pleasing me?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow nodded, not taking her mouth from her flower. She let out a small "mmhmmmm....." Applejack moved her hips on her wife's mouth as she began to moan with more intensity, her fluids leaking onto Rainbow's tongue. Applejack placed a hoof on Rainbow's head and pushed it further, which only seemed to make Rainbow redouble her efforts. Applejack had never seen Rainbow submit like this, and truth be told, Rainbow had never submitted like this. The change was one that both mares welcomed. Applejack ground her hips on Rainbow's mouth more and more until she finally felt the glorious release of orgasm. Rainbow didn't let up, even as she was coming. She let out a moan as she bucked her hips slightly with each contraction the orgasm gave her. Rainbow sat up, her mouth soaked with her wife's ejaculate.

"I just...want to please you...Applejack..." Rainbow said in between breaths in a voice that sounded nothing like her. It was more akin to Fluttershy's. She decided she liked this voice...but only when it was used to address Applejack here in the bedroom, where they shared the most intimate interactions together. "I think...It's all I've ever really wanted..." Rainbow Dash continued to touch herself, letting out a small moan. At that moment, Rainbow was so cute it made Applejack's stomach bubble, and at the same time, she was so sexually attractive that it filled her chest with fire.

"Lay on your back." Applejack commanded with a small smile, struggling to keep cool and to not jump on her. Rainbow nodded eagerly and lay on her back, spreading her legs. "Looks like you already know what to do." Rainbow smiled at Applejack as she breathed deeply.

"Please..." She said quietly, as Applejack got closer to her steadily.

"Please what?"

"Please...Touch me..." The pegasus moaned with a smile of her own. "I can't keep from doing it for too long...Not now..."

That was about all Applejack could take as she jumped on Rainbow, sucking on her neck and rubbing her marehood, applying varying levels of pressure. Rainbow Dash threw her head back and to the side, a deep blush on her face as Applejack looked down at her aroused face with adoration, a blush appearing on her own. Rainbow put her forehooves on Applejack's shoulders lightly pulling on them.

"Kiss me." She gasped, her eyes spelling want to the farm mare.

'Oop, can't have none of that.' Applejack thought to herself as she withdrew her hoof and sat up. Rainbow let out a whine and sat up too, slightly confused, but getting what Applejack's angle was after a second or so.

"Please..." Rainbow said huskily, scooting closer to her wife. "Please kiss me...Please...touch me..." Satisfied, Applejack smiled and kissed Rainbow Dash deeply, sliding her tongue into the Pegasus' mouth smoothly. She continued to rub Rainbow's slit, moving to her clitoris every once in a while, making her hips buck slightly each time. Applejack separated from the kiss, while keeping her mouth hovering just above Rainbow's, which was letting out heavy breaths with each second. She opened her eyes slightly and took in the extremely arousing sight of Rainbow Dash being pleasured.

"Very good." Applejack said suavely. "Ah think you deserve a reward." The statement confused Rainbow, and at the same time sent a jolt of excitement flowing through her. The farm mare stood and walked to her bags, rifling trough them for a moment. When she turned around holding the surprise, Rainbow almost let out a gasp.

It was a double-sided sex toy with a strap.

"This is what Ah was talkin' about." Applejack purred. "This is the surprise." As Applejack climbed up onto the bed, Rainbow gulped and quivered, blushing madly. Her eyes widened and at the same time filled with arousal and want. Applejack sat on her flank and tossed the toy onto the bed in front of Rainbow Dash, who looked at it, and then at her. Applejack raised an eyebrow and nodded at her, spreading her legs. "Put it inside me."

Taking the toy in her hoof, Rainbow began to prod Applejack's sex with it, pushing it a little further in each time. Applejack let out a small squeak as the first few inches slid in. Rainbow looked up at her, and failing to maintain her dominant demeanor just for that moment, she nodded. Rainbow took the moment to move it back and forth a little bit, making Applejack gasp and moan. The farm mare became lost in the pleasure, moving her hips back and forth and smiling, letting her head droop to one side as she closed her eyes. The farm mare quickly put a hoof on Rainbow's head however, and looked straight into her eyes.

"Ah said..." The orange mare stated matter-of-factly. "Slide it inside me." Rainbow's ears lay back and her stomach fluttered again.

"Yes ma'am..." She moaned, smiling. With no more teasing, Rainbow slid the inside half of the fake member into Applejack completely, to where the strap sat snug on her wife's groin. Applejack suppressed a moan, but still shuddered at the purely arousing feeling of having it nestled inside her. Applejack quickly fastened the straps on her hips and stood, looking at Rainbow Dash's sexually charged expression.

The farm mare wasted no time in pushing Rainbow onto her back. Without a word, Applejack moved her hips forward, the toy entering Rainbow's sex. The pegasus let out a loud moan at the delicious full feeling, a feeling she hadn't had in years, no matter how wonderful her sex with Applejack had been previously.

"Oh buck." Rainbow moaned as Applejack continued to thrust into her before the Earth Pony silenced her with a kiss, Rainbow Dash immediately slipping a tongue into her mouth. They both kept their eyes open during the kiss as Applejack subtly began to thrust into her wife. They separated from the kiss as Applejack continued to thrust, Rainbow wrapping her legs around her wife. The way the strap was fastened to the toy, it allowed for some motion for the giver, stimulating the orange pony as well.

"Please..." Rainbow said, her breath hitching as Applejack thrusted slowly and steadily "Faster...Harder..." Applejack didn't mind taking the request, and quickened her pace thrusting into Rainbow with renewed vigor. Rainbow's moans became faster and high pitched, interspersed with lower, drawn out groans of ecstasy. Rather easily, Applejack lifted Rainbow up and slammed her into the wall, the pegasus gasping and throwing her head back, her mouth hanging open. The farm mare grabbed her wife's flank for support and thrusted into her even faster, placing her forehead on Rainbow's, both of their ears laying back on their heads. Applejack moaned as well, the friction filling her and at the same time sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Applejack spun around and they fell back down onto the bed. Applejack removed herself from Rainbow and grabbed the cyan mare's hips, pushing her in a way that told her to get on all fours. Rainbow complied happily and thrust her rear up at Applejack, her chest laying on the bed. Without a word, Applejack slid the toy back into Rainbow, her thrusting quickly escalating to an almost wild pace. Rainbow's mouth fell open and her moans became constant, her eyes glazing over as she pushed her flank backward into Applejack.

"I'm coming, Applejack..." Rainbow breathed, looking back at Applejack with pure lust, holding onto the pillow. "I...nya!...keep coming..." This spurred Applejack on even further, feeling her own orgasm come on. Rainbow Dash clutched the pillow she was laying forward on and kept thrusting backward into Applejack, the wet slapping sound becoming louder and faster. Rainbow momentarily buried her face into the pillow and loud out a scream before biting into it. Finally feeling a second orgasm take her, Applejack moaned out loud, giving it a final thrust, pushing her groin as hard as she could into her wife's flank, giving a few mini-thrusts for good measure. Applejack fell back ward, the toy still buried within her swaying back and forth, sending another set of small waves of pleasure with each of its movements.

"Goddesses...Applejack..." She said between breaths, slowly letting the muscles in her legs go, her flank floating downward, her sex leaking arousal. "That...That was...so...awesome."

"You say that after sex a lot." Applejack said, as she began to undo the straps on the toy. As Rainbow turned around, she saw Applejack, preparing herself to remove it.

"No! Let me..." Rainbow purred and took it into her mouth. She slowly pulled it out of her wife, smiling as she did so, delighting in the last moan she extracted from the farm mare as the toy slid out of her, slick with her ejaculate. Taking it from her mouth and wiping her lips, as the toy had been quite wet, she looked at it and smiled. "This...This was a good buy."

"Ah'll say." Applejack agreed.

"Where'd you even get it?"

"Remember that stallion we met at Swingin' Manes about a couple months back? The one who had all the money and bought us drinks?"

"Yeah."

"Well part of his fortune is a sex toy business he has on the side." Applejack explained. "He slipped me a card after seeing us dance together. Ah guess we got a little sexual out there and that told him all he needed to know."

"Okay...Not gonna question it." Rainbow said before dropping the toy over the side of the bed and leaping down onto her wife.

"Oof! You know when the baby grows a little more you're gonna have to stop doin' that." Applejack laughed.

"Well I might as well do it while I can, then." Rainbow replied smartly. "Duh."

"Rainbow...Ah never though you like bein'...submissive." Applejack marveled. "But Ah sure do enjoy it."

"Yeah. Honestly, I don't think I really knew until tonight either." Rainbow said, blushing wildly. "It was a new experience for both of us." Applejack turned onto her side, and they looked into each other's eyes. "I guess...I guess I spend so much time in control and y'know..being awesome and all that...That it felt good to let go and have somepony else take the reigns for once."

"Well Ah really got off on dominatin' ya, let me tell you." Applejack said with a smirk.

"But let's get this straight...This is an only in the bedroom thing. When we're not bucking each other...Business as usual, kay?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow.

"That's what Ah thought the situation was anyway." Applejack said with a small giggle and a kiss to her wife's nose. "Besides, Ah've always been more girly than you." As Applejack said this, they heard the front door open, and Applejack immediately stood and took a defensive stance, Rainbow doing the same. They relaxed slightly when they heard Rarity speaking.

"Oh, Fluttershy, you're so..." The sentence wasn't intelligible enough to make out the rest. However, it was followed by a giggle that was unmistakably Fluttershy. The two married mares sat on their bed and looked at each other, quite confused.

"They just now got back from their walk?" Rainbow whispered, earning a shrug from Applejack. Their hoof falls trailed down the hallway until they heard the bedroom door shut. Wide eyed, Rainbow looked at Applejack. "You don't think they..."

"Not a chance." Applejack said, but still she wondered...They both did.

Author's Note

I'm back, everybody! And I gotta say, it feels good. I honestly missed writing these stories, and I missed my two favorite ships which are of course Appledash aaaaanndd...RARISHY! I told you they'd be getting together and stuff. Well, I didn't actually tell you tell you, but I did through subtext, right?...RIGHT?! Anyways, this chapter is incredibly long, but not long enough to split into two I felt. (The wedding chapter in The Only Thing Better Than Flying was over 24,000 words so of course I had to split that one up.) Think of this as a big 'ol return chapter, to make up for the four years I've been absent. And how bout that sex scene?! I know from experience, sex with a partner gets...steamier on vacation. It's just a fact of life. I promise, at some point, Rarity and Fluttershy will get busy. Or will they? Nah, I'm just kidding, they probably will. Or maybe not! Or maybe they will. You guys/gals can expect the next chapter in about a week, maybe a little longer. I have the outline for the next seven chapters or so typed up so it's just a matter of me writing it. Cheers!

Chapter 8

Rarity awoke held in the forelegs of Fluttershy, gripped tightly yet lovingly by the yellow pegasus. She hadn't been drunk enough the previous night to forget what had happened, and while she didn't regret it at all, she was rather nervous about its many implications. Were they an "item" now? Would they tell their friends, or keep it a secret? (The latter half of that inquiry seemed much more attractive to the fashionista, at least until they figured out what exactly "they" were.) Despite the niggling little anxieties she felt about the situation, she was incredibly comfortable held by Fluttershy and sighed contentedly, snuggling into her. Fluttershy stirred and, quite adorably, her eyes fluttered open as she awoke. Rarity turned toward her and Fluttershy smiled in a way that filled Rarity with a wonderful warmth.

"Good morning." Fluttershy said dreamily, blushing.

"Good morning to you, my dear." Rarity said. She planted a small kiss on Fluttershy's lips, surprising herself slightly.

"Do you remember last night?" Fluttershy asked. "You were pretty drunk when you kissed me. But then again, you should have sobered up by now." Fluttershy giggled quietly.

"I wasn't that drunk." Rarity replied with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "And yes, I remember. Except whether or not we..." Rarity trailed off, trying to imply what she meant to Fluttershy, but the pegasus didn't understand, shaking her head slightly. Rarity cleared her throat and blushed deeply. "Whether or not we...did what Rainbow Dash and Applejack most likely did." Rarity said the last part quickly and quietly. Fluttershy became embarrassed and blushed as well.

"Oh! Oh no, we didn't. We just...had that magical kiss." Fluttershy said before snuggling into Rarity's chest. Rarity rather liked the feeling and held her closer. "Or...kisses..."

"My goodness." Rarity almost laughed. "Seems we were quite amorous last evening."

"But...you wanted that, right?" Fluttershy asked, looking up at her unicorn companion.

"I definitely wanted that." Rarity replied with a smile, making Fluttershy smile as well. "I won't lie to you, I was getting extremely jealous of Bright Sun, seeing you two out of the dance floor." Fluttershy sat up, her eyes wide.

"Oh my goodness! Bright Sun! I completely blew him off last night." Fluttershy lay back down and covered her face with her hooves. Rarity almost giggled in adoration at the sight. "I feel so awful."

"Oh, Fluttershy, it'll be fine. He probably just went and found another mare to dance with." Rarity said. "He is quite attractive, after all. I don't think it'd have been too difficult for him."

"I guess so." Fluttershy said. "I should go break it off with him...if there was anything to break off in the first place. I mean all we did was dance. Should I...break it off with him?" Fluttershy asked, looking into Rarity's eyes. Rarity smiled at her. Even after they finally kissed and woke up cuddling together, Fluttershy was still unsure if they would become anything. Neither was Rarity, but she knew that she at least wanted to give things an honest shot with the pink haired pegasus. And if this morning was any indication, things looked good for the two of them.

"I think you should." Rarity replied. "I honestly don't know if I could take more jealousy." With that, Rarity moved across the mattress and took Fluttershy's chin in a hoof. The unicorn moved Fluttershy's face up and kissed her, deeper than the peck she'd already given her that morning. Rarity looked into Fluttershy's eyes after the kiss, which were half-lidded with affection.

"I'll do it next time I see him." Fluttershy sighed with a smile.

"Fluttershy, can I be honest with you?" Rarity asked, a tinge of nervousness in her voice.

"Of course you can." Fluttershy replied.

"I wasn't having a very good time for much of last night, hence the drinking. But when I was with you...both on that dance floor and on the beach...that changed dramatically. And I quite like you...as more than a friend it seems." Rarity continued. "I would be open to having something with you, but...this is all...very very new to me. I just wanted to ask you if it was okay that we...take it slow? I just have to figure some things out before I dive into this with you head first. And until then, I would like for this to be kept between us." Fluttershy seemed to deflate a bit at the statement but gave a nod.

"Rarity, I completely respect that." Fluttershy said with a half-hearted smile. "Whatever you need. Whatever makes you comfortable, I'm okay with it." Fluttershy's demeanor was not lost on Rarity and she moved Fluttershy's face to hers again, giving her a sweet kiss.

"Let me repeat myself." Rarity said through a smile. "I really like you...And I also really like kissing you. I just need to think about some things, that's all." Fluttershy seemed to cheer up at the kiss, and nodded.

"Absolutely. Can we cuddle some more?" The pegasus asked lovingly. Rarity giggled.

"Absolutely we can." Rarity said, laying on her side and opening her forelegs. Smiling giddily, Fluttershy moved into Rarity's forehooves and sighed as Rarity wrapped her forelegs around her, giving her a small kiss on her head between her ears.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack awoke in a similar manner, just in their natural spooning sleeping position. Applejack was the first to wake up, as always. The farm mare silently delighted at the feel of Rainbow's flank situated soundly in her groin, and also at the fresh memory of the steamy night she'd had with her wife. The foal developing within her was also a constant point of joy for the two of them and whenever she thought of it, it filled her with excitement and contentment. Applejack softly kissed Rainbow Dash's ear, making the pegasus stir in her forelegs.

"Good mornin' you sleepy girl." Applejack said with pure adoration. Rainbow groaned quietly and looked back at her wife.

"Good morning yourself." Rainbow replied with a tired grin. "Goddesses, last night was fun, huh?"

"Which part?" Applejack asked, making a small flare-up of excitement manifest itself in her belly.

"Everything. The drinking, the dancing, the fire eaters...That awesome sex..." Rainbow dropped her voice slightly with the last part of her sentence, exciting Applejack just a little bit more. "No complaints about last night at all."

"You know...Ah might just be hungry for a little more..." Applejack said, kissing Rainbow's neck slightly. "Before we start the day..." Rainbow giggled at this and turned her head, also turning her body slightly, to kiss Applejack passionately. She put a hoof on the back of her wife's stetson-less head and pulled her into the kiss before separating.

"That actually doesn't sound too bad..." Rainbow replied, biting her lip. "Can I pee first? I drank a good bit last night."

"You can do whatever you need to do, my love." Applejack replied, planting three small kisses up her neck, making Rainbow shiver and moan lightly through a smile.

"Okay, be right back." Rainbow said before getting out of bed. The pegasus' eyes suddenly went wide and she staggered a bit, looking back at Applejack. The farm mare had been quite startled by what she'd just seen. "Uhhh...I don't know if that's actually gonna happen, AJ." Raising an eyebrow in concern, Applejack sat up quickly.

"Why is that, baby?"

"Because...um..." Rainbow, incredibly embarrassed, looked to the side, her back legs going together at the knees. "I might be...super sore..." Applejack stood immediately and went to Rainbow Dash to help her.

"Oh goddesses, Rainbow! Ah'm so sorry..." Applejack said, leaping out of bed and trying to help her wife, which she politely refused with a raised hoof. "Are you okay? Ah didn't mean to go that hard."

"No, its totally fine!" Rainbow replied with a smile, still incredibly embarrassed. "I think...I think it'd been so long since I'd had anything...y'know...like that in there...And we did go really hard, so it makes sense. I'm just...not too used to that kinda thing down there."

"Are ya sure you're okay?" Applejack asked, still worried. "Ah'd hate myself if Ah hurt ya...Especially during sex."

"Applejack, believe me when I tell you, that last night you were doing the farthest thing from hurting me." Rainbow assured her wife, placing a hoof on her cheek and giving her a light kiss. "I loved every second of it...And I definitely want to do it again. Just not for a little while...and we'll probably have to make love next time we do it instead of buck like we did last night, if you catch my drift." Applejack gave a small chuckle and nodded.

"Ah think Ah get your meaning...Ah might have gotten a bit carried away..." Applejack said, rubbing the back of her head and blushing.

"I think we both did. I mean, can you blame us? We're a couple a sexy mares, and we were doing some really sexy stuff." Rainbow replied with a wink before moving toward the bathroom, her back legs slightly stiff. The pegasus stopped in her tracks and sniffed the air before looking at Applejack excitedly. The farm mare was confused for a moment before the scent caught her nostrils as well. "You smell that?"

"Ah sure do." Applejack said, her smile growing more as the seconds passed. "Pinkie's breakfast."

Rainbow and Applejack were the first out of their room, having decided to forego a shower until after they'd eaten the breakfast they were expecting to find waiting for them. They were not disappointed. Pinkie had returned to the beach house sometime that morning and had gotten busy immediately with whipping up the food.

"Good mooorrrning! I've made us a crepe bar! You pick up your crepe or crepes here..." She gestured to the plate holding the pastries and then moving down the dining room table, named off the rest of the steps. "Then here you have your butter, your syrup, your powdered sugar...Then here are fruits, I got blueberries, strawberries and bananas, and then, of course whipped creeeaam." Rainbow and Applejack's respective mouths were watering. "Oh, and Applejack, I cut up a couple apples for your crepes in case you wanted any, but there was no room on the table so they're in the kitchen.

"Pinkie Pie, you've outdone yourself." Rainbow gasped, moving toward the stack of six plates. "And I'm so hungry too."

"Well, eat up! We have a big day planned!" Pinkie said happily.

"What do you mean a big day?" Applejack asked, making Pinkie realized she'd almost spilled the beans about their surprise party.

"Oh! Uuummmm..." Pinkie said nervously. "We were going to see the site of the Battle of Stable Hill..." A few seconds passed before Rainbow Dash nodded.

"Oh...Okay, sounds pretty cool." Rainbow said as she went back to preparing her crepe, quite nonplussed by the idea.

"And we were gonna go to that haunted house place. Twilight said the travel brochure reccommended it, so its supposed to be really fun!" Pinkie thanked Celestia that she remembered Twilight talking about the attraction the previous night at the party. "Then we were just gonna grab dinner and walk around all the tourist-y things around downtown!"

"Now that sounds awesome." Rainbow said happily, topping off her crepe with whipped cream. Applejack had already started on her crepe and was about halfway done.

"What sounds awesome is not having such a headaaache..." Princess Twilight Sparkle groaned as she collapsed on the living room sofa, earning a giggle from Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie.

"Go a little too hard last night, huh?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm a princess...I never get to let loose so...Yeah, I might have." Twilight replied. "I don't think I've ever been this hung over..." The alicorn put her hooves on her eyes, before grabbing a pillow and putting it on her face.

"Here, let me get you a water and some pain meds." Pinkie chirped, appearing quickly at the princess' side. Twilight gratefully accepted the help with a nod, sitting up. Her usually straight-combed mane was a mess and she had bags under her eyes.

"Thanks Pinkie." Twilight said before popping the pills into her mouth and drinking the entire bottle of water in less than twenty seconds. "Ah, so good. Where'd you go last night?" Twilight asked.

"Oh did you forget? I went back to Jumping Jamboree's place! It was really fun." Pinkie said happily before leaving the Alicorn to rest on the couch. Rainbow Dash, who had already finished her crepe, was washing her dish in the kitchen when Pinkie returned. "Wanna help me with finishing things up, Dashie?" Pinkie Pie asked. Initially, Rainbow wasn't too big a fan of the idea, but she nodded.

"Wait, so you went home with that stallion last night?" Rainbow asked, earning a nod from Pinkie. "Nice, nice. Did you two...uh...get busy?" Rainbow leaned in close to Pinkie and whispered the last words. Pinkie Pie, who knew that the only pony in that house who she could share such details with unabashedly was Rainbow Dash, checked the living room to see if any of the others were listening. Upon seeing no one was, she turned back to Rainbow Dash.

"After he threw that party? Oh, yes." Pinkie said quietly with a giddy smile. Rainbow smiled.

"Hay yeah! Me too!" The two mares hoof bumped before getting back to their respective tasks, Pinkie's being finishing frying up the crepes while Rainbow cleaned up some of the stray trash and drips of crepe batter that lay about the kitchen. It didn't take Rainbow Dash long to straighten up the kitchen and she left Pinkie Pie to finish with the crepes, sitting with Applejack as she gorged on two of them.

"Good morning, everypony!" Rarity said as she and Fluttershy entered the living room. They received greetings from their friends, half of which were muffled by the crepes being chewed in their mouths.

"You seem in high spirits." Twilight said, sitting up and attempting to be more present.

"Well, last night was a lot of fun, and we're ready for more adventures today, aren't we Fluttershy?" Rarity said happily, earning a nod from her companion.

"That's great!" Pinkie Pie suddenly interjected. "Twilight, you remember telling me about the site of the Battle of Stable Hill and that haunted house, right?" Twilight, momentarily confused, looked at Pinkie Pie, who stood behind Rainbow Dash and Applejack, nodding vigorously. Twilight, taking the hint, nodded, raising her eyebrows.

"Uh...I... yeeeaah, I remember that." Twilight said. "One of the most important battles Equestria has ever seen. And...that haunted house is supposed to be really cool too." Pinkie nodded quietly and went back to her business.

"You sure you're up for that, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked, and the alicorn nodded.

"Oh, definitely." Twilight said happily. "I just...need to get ready and that's it." Twilight regretted drinking so much the previous night deeply. "I guess I can kiss my brain goodbye, though." At her last words, Twilight's eyes widened and she gained a purely mortified look on her face.

"Twilight? You alright?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do we need to take you to a doctor or somethin'? You dehydrated?" Twilight shook her head and buried her face in her hooves.

"I just...I just remembered something from last night...Something I did." The alicorn groaned, slightly muffled through her hooves.

"Oh, goddesses, I don't remember you drinking that much." Rainbow said with a small laugh. Applejack elbowed her wife for her rudeness. "Hey! Ow!"

"What happened, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"I...I might have kissed Golden Ray last night." Twilight said, a shameful tinge to her voice, causing Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie to gasp. Rainbow and Applejack merely looked at everyone else, then at each other, in pure confusion.

"Uhh...Who the hay is Golden Ray?" Rainbow asked.

"Golden Ray is the brother of a stallion I was dancing with last night." Fluttershy explained, moving closer to Twilight. "He also is gay. Twilight, why did you do that?"

"I don't know! I was really, really drunk last night-"

"Well that's obvious." Rainbow said with a small chuckle, earning glares from each of her friends, even Applejack, who understood the context of the situation about as well as she did. "Sorry. I'll just shut up now..." The pegasus looked down at her forehooves.

"We danced pretty much all night, and I guess I got the wrong impression. We went to the bar to get more drinks, and before I knew it, I was kissing him. He was nice about it, but he left pretty quickly." Twilight sighed. "Oh, goddesses, I can't believe I did that."

"Well, I suppose a pony isn't themselves when they're that drunk." Rarity said, looking upward. "Obviously you were quite drunk, I mean, you blacked out on that until this moment."

"That's true." Twilight replied. "I hope we see them again before we leave...I have to apologize."

"I think I'll be able to relay the message, if not." Fluttershy stated, giving a small nod. "I'm going to let Bright Sun off the hook." This earned a surprised look from Twilight and Pinkie Pie, the pink party pony entering the living room after putting away all the crepe bar trays. Rarity looked at Fluttershy and attempted to convey surprise.

"Who the hay is Bright Sun?" Rainbow asked, the group once again looking at her. "Wait...Bright Sun...Golden Ray...You'd mentioned a brother" She pointed to Fluttershy at that moment. "I'm...Gonna go get some water or something." As Rainbow stood and walked to the kitchen, Applejack couldn't help but giggle at how clueless her love could be sometimes. Everyone present was silent for several seconds before Twilight Sparkle's memory triggered, and she continued where they'd left off.

"Fluttershy, I saw you two last night. You looked like you were having a lot of fun." Twilight said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I did like him. He's certainly attractive, and a good dancer. But...There was somepony else there last night that I wanted to dance with the whole time I was dancing with him." Fluttershy explained. "But I knew that if I did anything, if I tried for that, my chances would probably be ruined. So...I think if I can't stop thinking about them, then I have to break it off with Bright Sun." Rarity's heart melted at Fluttershy's story, and the unicorn wanted to kiss her right then and there. She saw the fondness in the pegasus' eyes when she talked about "that pony".

"Well...It's not like you two were going to be anything significant anyway." Rarity piped up, making Fluttershy look at her. The pegasus couldn't help but blush. "He'll probably be fine. I have to use the restroom, please excuse me. Pinkie Pie, could you warm up a crepe for me?" Rarity left the room promptly, remembering that any time she blushed it was quite apparent due to her snow-white coat. Fluttershy smiled after her.

"Ahh, I was hoping she would start finally feeling her hangover." Twilight said. "I just don't want to suffer alone." All of the alicorn's friends laughed, both with her and at her.

"Here, Twilight, I went ahead and made you a crepe." Pinkie Pie said, giving her a plate with a beautifully made strawberry crepe with butter and powdered sugar. "Soak up that booze. When do we have to leave for the battle site?" Twilight, being put on the spot, looked around for a moment.

"Uhh...nine?" The alicorn said.

"Okay! Get ready girls! At uhh nine, we hit the road!" Pinkie squealed, making Twilight roll her eyes.

"My goodness, this is amazin'." Applejack gushed, looking out upon the vast field where the Battle of Stable Hill was fought. It was surrounded by a treeline of massive conifer trees, and the early Autumn sun was still warm, while the incoming season brought with it a cool breeze that made the hills undulate with moving grass.

"It's...Just a field." Rainbow said, completely unamused, raising an eyebrow. Applejack scoffed and gave Rainbow a small shove.

"To a kid, maybe." Applejack replied to her wife. "Have a little respect. This is where the forces of Grogar discovered they weren't invincible...That when the ponies they bullied worked together, they could actually fight with the best of 'em."

"I thought Grogar won here." Rainbow said. "That's what they taught us in school."

"Ya clearly didn't pay attention, then." Applejack shot back with a hint of annoyance, which Rainbow detected. "It was what they call a phyrric victory. Do ya know what that is?" Rainbow, already feeling defensive, spouted quickly:

"Yes."

"Really?"

"...No."

"It means they technically won, but the price they paid to do so was so high, they might as well have lost." Twilight said, approaching the married couple, who were dangerously close to bickering.

"Yep." Applejack said simply with a small nod.

"Gee, thanks for the history lesson, teacher." Rainbow replied, rolling her eyes and leaving the observation room of the museum of the battle site. "I'm gonna go get some air, if that's alright with the rest of the class." Rainbow, in a bit of a huff, left the building.

"Ah think we made her mad. But she wasn't bein' very respectful." Applejack said to Twilight, who giggled and shrugged.

"Well, it's not hard to imagine a pony respecting the prospect of war." Twilight replied. "But you're right. She wasn't."

"Ah do still feel bad, though." Applejack said before letting out a sigh. "Ah'll go talk to her."

Rarity and Fluttershy walked through the area of the building with the display cases, each holding a different artifact from the war. Items such as spear tips and chunks of armor were on display alongside actual letters written by soldiers to their loved ones, and less warlike things such as canteens and untensils. The pegasus and the unicorn were enthralled by the items.

"Its as if each of these tells a story." Rarity breathed in awe.

"Literally in the case of those letters over there." Fluttershy said with a small laugh.

"Oh, come now." Rarity replied smartly, earning another laugh from the pegasus. "I wonder if this spear tip was used on anyone..." Fluttershy cringed at the notion.

"I'd prefer not to think of that." Fluttershy replied. "Do you want to go sit down somewhere? Maybe go watch the movie they have playing in that other room?" Fluttershy pointed to the theater playing the ten-minute or so documentary about the battle and Rarity looked at her friend and raised an eyebrow.

"Now why would you want to go in there, I wonder?" The unicorn asked. Fluttershy, who had completely innocently wanted to go watch the documentary, blushed heavily and widened her eyes. The pegasus' ears laid back adorably on her head. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Come on, then." Rarity said as she almost dragged the yellow pegasus into the theatre.

Rainbow Dash watched Pinkie Pie sprint around the field excitedly, looking at different plaques and reading them almost too quickly. The pegasus laughed to herself quietly as she admired her hyperactive friend. She barely registered her wife sitting next to her.

"Pretty, ain't it?" Applejack said.

"Huh? Oh, yeah...It is really pretty." Rainbow sighed.

"Somethin' on your mind?" Applejack prodded, already knowing the answer.

"I dunno...What we talked about in there..." Rainbow attempted to find the words to express her feelings before taking on a defiant look. "Just because I didn't know what a phyrric victory was doesn't mean I'm dumb, okay? Like, for example, do you know what causes your muscles to become tired when you're working out?" Applejack looked up for a moment in thought.

"Some kinda acid." Applejack replied.

"Yeah, lactic acid." Rainbow almost snapped before looking forward. "Looks like you didn't pay attention completely either."

"Rainbow Dash." Applejack said soothingly. "Ah never said you were dumb."

"Yeah, but you implied it."

"No, that sounds like you makin' assumptions." Applejack reasoned. "You were bein' a little disrespectful, so that frustration kinda came out in my words. Ah am sorry about that. But Ah would never call ya dumb, Rainbow Dash."

"I guess I was being a little sensitive." Rainbow sighed. "I was being a bit of a foal back there. A lot of ponies gave their lives here. It's funny that a place where so many were killed is so..."

"Beautiful." Applejack finished for her wife. Rainbow looked at her and nodded, giving a small smile. "Ah agree. It is beautiful...And Ah know what beautiful is." Applejack placed a hoof on Rainbow's cheek. The daredevil took on a bashful look, and put a hoof on Applejack's. She didn't care that her friends could most likely see them through the windows.

"I love you so much, Applejack." Rainbow said, closing her eyes in contentment. "I'll love you forever."

"Ditto." Applejack said simply, kissing her wife under the sun.

In the theater, only Rarity and Fluttershy took up seats, but they were not watching the film. Rarity ran a hoof through Fluttershy's pink mane, making the pegasus moan quietly. Rarity's stomach bubbled with excitement as she leaned over the armrest of the chair, pressing her lips onto Fluttershy's even more.

"I wish we could move this armrest." Rarity breathed, separating from the kiss momentarily before going in once more. Fluttershy giggled and separated herself, kissing Rarity on the cheek.

"Why?" Fluttershy asked quietly with a small giggle that sent chills down Rarity's back. "What would we be doing if we could?" Rarity couldn't take it any more and resumed their kiss, smiling and blushing. The unicorn ran her hooves down Fluttershy's sides, making her giggle again into the kiss. Fluttershy opened her eyes slightly, seeing Rarity's flushed face and she smiled in contentment.

"Rarity? Fluttershy? You in here?" They heard Twilight say as she entered the theater, prompting Rarity to throw herself off of the pegasus, both of them blushing heavily. "There you are! You guys didn't say anything about coming in here." Rarity's heart pounded in her chest.

"O-oh, um yes. I...m-must have forgotten." Rarity breathed, trying as hard as she could to sound natural. It seemed like Twilight hadn't seen them being intimate. "My apologies." As Twilight approached, Rarity and Fluttershy attempted to look interested in the film playing. To be fair, it did seem rather informative and interesting, there was just something both the mares were interested in more than anything else.

"I was wanting to see this before we left." Twilight said, settling down next to Rarity with a small sigh. "How has it been? Does it talk about the pony forces routing Grogar's forces back into the fort?" Rarity nodded, thankful that it was dark in the theater, so Twilight couldn't see her blush.

"Oh, great! I can't wait for it to start again!" Twilight said, clapping her hooves together as she settled into her seat. The feature was over within two minutes. Rarity and Fluttershy stood to leave when the credits rolled, and Twilight's ears laid back. "Where are you guys going?"

"We...already watched it, remember?" Rarity said. "We'll meet you out there."

"Oh, okay..." Twilight almost mumbled, sounding quite disappointed as her friends left. "That makes sense. See you out there."

Rarity and Fluttershy walked quickly from the theater and back to the display case section, both still incredibly embarrassed by what had just occurred. They'd both narrowly avoided having to do quite a bit of explaining. Fluttershy wouldn't have minded so much, but she respected Rarity's hesitancy to be discovered as being bisexual.

"Goddesses, how did she not see what we were doing?" Rarity breathed before looking around. Seeing no one in the immediate vicinity, Rarity pulled Fluttershy into an area where they were surrounded by display cases, all filled with artifacts. Adequately hidden, Rarity kissed the yellow pegasus again. She deepened the kiss, swiping Fluttershy's lower lip with her tongue. Fluttershy allowed her entry and Rarity did so, their passionate kiss continuing for several seconds.

"I'll say," Fluttershy breathed, looking into Rarity's eyes. "I'm really glad we couldn't move that arm rest." Rarity, surprised by Fluttershy's candor, broke out into a fit of laughter, Fluttershy joining her until they laughed themselves out.

"Come on, we should go find the others." Rarity said, moving toward the door that led outside. "Daylight will get away from us if we don't get moving."

"Six tickets, please." Twilight said happily at the booth. The pony inside, a stallion with makeup applied to have him appear corpse-like smiled at her in a crazy way, obviously a part of his character.

"Why thank you. Nice to see so many victims- I mean, guests..." His demeanor was one that sparked fear, and admiration for his dedication to his character from the group. Except for Fluttershy. All she felt was fear. "Twelve gold bits, please." Twilight placed the appropriate funds on the counter, and slipped an extra one in for him, before giving him a wink. "Oh thank you! I'll be sure they string you up last." The pony let out a maniacal laugh, and Rainbow turned to Applejack, an excited look on her face.

"So cool!" Rainbow said, smiling widely. "See this I like." Applejack raised an eyebrow at her.

"Ah thought you ended up enjoyin' the battle site and the museum." The farm mare scoffed.

"Well yeah, that place ended up being pretty cool. But this is just so freaky and awesome!" Rainbow almost cried out, taking her ticket from Twilight. The six mares walked toward the caged, rusty elevator that would take them into the attraction.

"We appreciate it." The stallion hissed. "But I don't think you'll feel the same when we butcher you for our dogs." Rainbow laughed and threw a hoof up.

"Hay yeah!" Rainbow cried, earning a genuine smile from the stallion in the booth before he interacted with the next guests in line, snapping right back into character. Pinkie Pie felt as Rainbow did and bounced up next to her.

"Do you want to lead or do you want me to?" Pinkie Pie asked, smiling widely at her pegasus friend. Rainbow scoffed and flipped her mane.

"Uh, obviously I'll lead. But I want Applejack with me too." Rainbow said.

"Ooh, ya scared, Dash?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow laughed.

"Hay no! I just want you with me so you can hold onto me when youget scared!" Rainbow put a hoof around Applejack's shoulders and pulled her close, making her laugh heartily. "Is it okay if you're third, Pinkie Pie?" Pinkie giggled.

"If you guys weren't married..." Pinkie said playfully, earning smiles from the married mares.

"I certainly don't mind being forth." Twilight said. "Rarity, you can go after me, is that alright?" Rarity nodded and looked over at Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus wasn't nearly as excited as the others, her legs trembling as she looked up at the elevator taking the group before them up to what appeared to her as their doom.

"Fluttershy, are you alright?" Rarity asked in concern for her friend. Fluttershy, attempting to seem brave and failing miserably, nodded. "We don't have to go up if you don't want to. I can stay down here with you."

"I-I want t-to." Fluttershy said shakily. "I can d-do it like everypony e-else. I wouldn't w-want you to miss out on my account."

"You're absolutely sure?" Rarity asked before nodding at the elevator. "Because we're next." Fluttershy let out a small "eep!" Before straightening out.

"L-like I said..." Fluttershy said, gulping. "I-I can do it." Rarity nodded, putting a hoof around her shoulders.

"If you get too scared, you can hug onto me and close your eyes." Rarity said sweetly, and somewhat romantically. Given the circumstances, none of the others would assume that what Rarity said was romantic in nature. Seeing that no one was looking back at them, Rarity gave Fluttershy a small kiss on the cheek as the elevator clunked down onto the platform.

"Alright. Come in." The attendant said, speaking in a scary, deep voice. His eyes seemed to be sunk into his head and he wore bloodstained overalls. The mares all entered one by one before he slammed the elevator cage door with some force, making Fluttershy nearly jump out of her skin. "So what's the deal with you guys?"

"We're just some friends on a vacation!" Twilight said happily, scared yet excited.

"Ready to see what y'all have to offer." Applejack added.

"Yeah. So far, I'm not terribly impressed." Rainbow said confidently.

"You say that when the nice, warm sun is shining down on you." The stallion said, a gravelly roughness to his voice. "But death is cold, as you'll discover." The statement gave Rainbow a happy chill, and she looked at her wife, who was also feeling the excitement.

"When you enter, walk on your hind legs, and hold the shoulders of the pony in front of you. Otherwise, you just might lose a limb. We've had ponies go missing in here." The stallion said, a fake disdain in his voice.

"I don't believe that." Rarity said incredulously.

"Oh yeah? Read the papers when you get out...If you get out." The stallion said. The statement, while most likely a bluff, still gave Rarity chills. She looked at Fluttershy, who was already quite terrified. "When it gets too dark to see, place a hoof on the walls next to you to guide yourself. Just be careful you don't let anything pull you into the dark." Everything this stallion said frightened the yellow pegasus more. He looked at the group and focused his eyes on Fluttershy.

"Ahh, and there you are." He said with an evil grin. "I see you shaking there. There's at least one of you for every group. Be careful with your crying. The things in there can smell fear. And they just love the sound of crying." Fluttershy gasped quietly, staring at the stallion, who went back to the lever that controlled the door. He pulled it and threw the door up, producing another incredibly loud clang, making Fluttershy yelp.

"Try to enjoy yourselves." He said, tipping his dirty cap to them. Fluttershy's legs felt like jelly and Rarity, sensing this. Placed a comforting foreleg around her.

"He's just an actor, my dear. They all are. This is all just for fun." Rarity whispered to her, as they entered the first room. Sounds that had the qualities of screams of the damned resonated through the dark room, only illuminated by a dozen candles or so, scattered throughout. An open coffin lay on a stand and what appeared to be a corpse lay within it. A sign above the door leading inside read:

Corpse Dirt's Embalming and Mortuary

The six mares all formed a line, standing on their hind legs, linking up at the shoulders.

"Alright, AJ, hold on tight to my shoulders. Everypony ready?" Rainbow Dash said confidently, earning happy and excited affirmative responses from the rest of the group. Her demeanor filled her wife and friends with excitement, save for Fluttershy. Fluttershy was stricken with pure terror, trembling as she put her hooves on Rarity's shoulders. The unicorn turned back to her and smiled sweetly.

"You'll be fine, love." Rarity said soothingly. Rarity calling Fluttershy "love" filled the mare with a warmth that lessened her trembling and made her fear less powerful. Rarity sensed this, and nodded confidently. They moved through, and Rainbow was immediately startled by a scare actor who came out of the wall.

"Buck!" Rainbow cried out, laughing immediately after.

"You sure you don't want me to lead, Dash?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow laughed again.

"You wish!" The pegasus said. Fluttershy, even though she was in the back of the group, had been startled by the actor. But it hadn't been as bad as she thought it would be. She smiled, still rather intimidated, but slightly more confident in her abilities to get through this experience. A cage lit up suddenly and a pony inside without half his face screamed at them. All six mares screamed, then laughed, save for Fluttershy who was simply terrified. This one had gotten her worse than the first.

"Help me! Help me please!" He cried, smashing his hooves on the cage, producing very loud clangs. "He'll be back soon!"

"Wish we could bud, but we're on a schedule!" Rainbow replied, making all of them laugh, even earning a small giggle from Fluttershy. The house was expansive, and the deeper the six friends got, the more unsettled Fluttershy became. Terrifying demons and corpses shot from the darkness from every conceivable direction, and Fluttershy's heart rate didn't slow for a moment. They came to a room where there was a large vat of boiling liquid. On top of the vat stood a massive beast that had a hunched back and three-fingered hands, each with sharp claws. In one of the hands the beast held a pony's skull. It seemed to be animatronic and it roared as they passed, holding up the skull to them. This made most of the party jump, and it startled Fluttershy so badly, that she slipped back and fell on her flank. From another vat elsewhere in the floor, a pony who had been dissolved by the liquid leapt out, splattering Fluttershy with a few drops. It was water, clearly, but she was still shocked. She stood, and saw that the party had gone on without her, Rarity apparently not noticing her absent hooves.

"Girls? Where are you? Girls?..." Seeing no other option, the timid pegasus forged on through the house, only this time she had absolutely no one to lean on. The darkness was oppressive and it made Fluttershy's breathing quicken. "Rarity?..." She called, but her voice was weak and trembling. The monster on the vat of acid roared again, which made Fluttershy run out of the room into the next hallway. It was so dark, Fluttershy couldn't even see her hoof in front of her face. Suddenly an insane pony opened the wall and red lights almost blinded her.

"Get out of here!" He screamed, making Fluttershy let out a wail. She ran as he receded back into the wall. A demonic beast, standing over a disemboweled mare appeared next, screeching at a deafening volume. The mare looked up at her.

"P-Please...Help meee...." She groaned in agony. The mare was obviously and actress but the illusion held true for Fluttershy and she gasped, running further down the hall. She tripped on some scenery and fell on her chin and chest. Tears came to her eyes as she stood shakily from the ground.

"Ow..." She almost sobbed, barely holding herself together. Her legs shook violently as she felt along the wall, desperately trying to catch up to her friends. She stumbled along in the dark, before she felt something in the dark come from the wall and grab her foreleg. Lights came on to reveal shelves of dead ponies, severed body parts littering the shelves, which dripped blood. Fluttershy screamed again, stumbling backward onto her flank. The scream turned into sobs as she lay on her chest, covering her eyes with her hooves. The crying came steadily and she didn't want to move anymore, as the more she moved the more horrible things she saw.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy cried out, and she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Screaming, she sat up and threw the hoof off. There stood Rarity before her, an incredibly concerned look on her face.

"Fluttershy, I am so sorry!" She said, both of them being startled by the wall of shelves lighting up again. "I didn't even notice you were gone. Come on, let's get out of here."

"Rarity, I can't." Fluttershy said, feeling better now that Rarity was there. "It's too much! There isn't an exit door somewhere?" Rarity shook her head.

"I know, it's stupid. That's why it came so highly rated. I guess adrenaline junkies are the only ponies who come through here." Rarity replied before noticing something. "Fluttershy look!" The unicorn gestured to the wall, and Fluttershy shook her head.

"No! It's too scary." Fluttershy spouted.

"Fluttershy, I am right here with you. You're going to be fine! Look." Rarity moved Fluttershy's head to observe the shelves holding the ponies' carcasses. "See that seam there? And do you see how not real that leg looks there? It's plastic!" Rarity moved up to the wall and knocked the leg off the shelf. Instead of making a squelch upon hitting the ground, it made a pompf sound, bouncing slightly. "See? Plastic." Fluttershy looked at the hoof that had grabbed her, and sure enough the seam was quite noticeable. The lights went out, and Fluttershy groaned in fear. Rarity was on it, however, and held Fluttershy closely.

"Now wait for the lights to come back on." Rarity said. After a few seconds, the lights flashed back on, surprising the next group of ponies who had come along. They screamed and laughed, but became very confused at seeing Rarity and Fluttershy standing right there in the pathway.

"Umm...Can you guys move?" The stallion who led the group asked.

"Right, right. Sorry, everypony." Rarity said before she started to pull Fluttershy along with her. "Now. Hold my hoof. The next thing that pops up-GAH!" Rarity jumped as a rotting corpse shot from the floor. Fluttershy cowered. "Look at it, Fluttershy." Sure enough, as the lights faded, Fluttershy saw all kinds of goofy things about the prop. There were exposed wires and it moved jerkily, as if governed by a crude mechanism within it. It didn't look real at all. It still scared her, but it didn't feel as...dangerous.

"I don't know if you saw the seams on that one, but it was bad." Rarity assured her, bringing a smile to Fluttershy's face. As they moved through, Fluttershy gripping Rarity's hoof, they both looked for the indicators that it was all fake and after a small while, Fluttershy began to legitimately enjoy herself. They had been splattered with "blood", but Rarity was quick to point at the droplets on Fluttershy's foreleg, and they were clear. Water. Fluttershy laughed sweetly and Rarity couldn't help but give her a quick kiss before they continued on. Toward the end of the attraction, a long hallway was illuminated by the light outside. This was it. The exit.

"That wasn't so terrible, now was-" Rarity began, being interrupted by a chainsaw revving. The sound was loud and jarring, and from the darkness, a massive stallion in a bloody apron and a skin mask charged them, brandishing it. The two mares screamed, running toward the light. Fluttershy didn't notice their screams turning to laughter. They finally exited the haunted attraction, both of them laughing hysterically, earning confused stares from the rest of their four friends.

"Uhh, where were you two?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah, suddenly neither of you were there anymore." Twilight said. "I was beginning to worry that what that pony in the elevator said was true."

"Oh, well...um..." Rarity attempted to come up with an excuse, that didn't paint Fluttershy in any negative way.

"I'd fallen behind and Rarity came back for me." Fluttershy said simply. "I was really scared but Rarity helped me see it was all fake. I ended up having a nice time." Fluttershy smiled at Rarity, who nodded at the rest of the group.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't get taken away by some spooky ghostie!" Pinkie Pie said happily. "The guy with the chainsaw at the end was the best!"

"Yeah, it was pretty cool." Fluttershy replied. "Shall we get some dinner? Then maybe we go to downtown Baltimare?" Receiving affirmative replies from the rest of the group, they all set out. Rarity walked next to Fluttershy, rather closely.

"Thank you for covering." Rarity said. "I was trying to come up with something. Failing spectacularly, too." Fluttershy giggled.

"What do you mean covering? I just told the truth. You were my hero in there." Fluttershy gave Rarity a small nuzzle, which warmed the unicorn's heart. "I'm really excited to eat. Being scared out of your mind will really make a pony hungry."

"I still don't understand why I can't go get Pinkie Pie some antacid or something." Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes as the group entered the Baltimare Beach Haven complex, the sun setting beautifully over the beach.

"Yeah. If she's that bad off, to where she couldn't even walk around downtown with us, Ah say we get her somethin' to help her stomach." Applejack agreed with her wife. Twilight Sparkle turned back to them and addressed the two of them directly.

"We already told you that she already had some stuff in her bag that'd help her." Twilight replied, turning around just in time to start unlocking their beach house door. "She will be fine. Buying anything for her right now would just be a waste of money."

"Not even a fizzy drink to settle her stomach?" Rainbow asked. "I don't know why literally none of you care."

"Just pay attention and you'll see." Twilight said, finally unlocking the door to the dark house.

"What the hay is that supposed to- GAH!" Rainbow said cutting herself off with a gasp as the lights came on and everyone around except her and Applejack screamed out:

"SURPRISE!"

The house was decorated wonderfully, with cyan and orange streamers alternating over the walls and from the skylight. Pinkie Pie, who was in the living room with all manner of delicious food sitting on the coffee table, seemed to scream louder than any of the others. Rainbow Dash breathed heavily, still reeling from being startled. Applejack laughed and shook her head.

"So this is why!" Applejack said happily. "Ah love it!" She looked at her wife, whose eyes were still a bit wide.

"Yeah, its awesome." Rainbow replied, putting a hoof on her chest and relaxing, giving a small smile. "Except I think between this and the haunted house, I'm still a bit too petrified to laugh." The rest of them laughed heartily as they entered, Twilight shutting the door behind them.

"Pinkie, they were both really mad when none of us would let them go get you something from the store." Rarity said with a giggle. "It was priceless!"

"Aww! You two were worried about me!" Pinkie said, giving her friends a hug. "How sweet! Almost as sweet as all the treats in here! Come on! Come inside and look. I also got champagne, some beers and some sodas for anypony who doesn't want to drink tonight."

"Thanks for that." Twilight said thankfully, prompting another laugh from the group. Applejack didn't bother repeating that she couldn't drink. She was just happy for the wonderful party.

"I also rented a couple movies. I couldn't decide between this horror movie, From Darkness and this comedy, called The Switch Up. So I got them both! I figured we could hang and marathon them and pig out on delicious food and drink until we can't feel our faces! Sorry Twilight, Applejack."

"No problem, sugarcube." Applejack replied. "This is amazin'...'Cept, what's the occasion?"

"You two are having a foal!" Pinkie cried. "Duh." Rainbow laughed and hugged Pinkie with one foreleg.

"This is great Pinkie. Really it's too awesome!" Rainbow said. "Now lets get some booze flowing! Which first, the horror or the comedy?"

"Can we do the comedy?" Fluttershy asked. "I think I'm a bit horror'd out for today." The six friends agreed and sat in the living room, eating the delicious food voraciously, despite the dinner they'd had about two hours previously. The comedy turned out to be quite good, and they were all laughing together and at the same time making fun of the movie. They talked about their plans the next day, which were to simply stay at the beach all day, and possibly go get dinner somewhere. When the comedy was over, Fluttershy, who was truthfully exhausted, excused herself.

"Goodnight girls!" Fluttershy said sweetly. "I had a wonderful day today. I'll see you in the morning!" As the pegasus left, Rarity stood as well.

"Actually I think I might turn in as well. I couldn't keep my eyes open for the third act. You four enjoy the scary movie." Their friends bid farewell to them for the night and the two mares went to their bedroom.

"What a day!" Rarity sighed and laughed as they straightened up the bedsheets, preparing to lay down. "But honestly...having had this day with you...I don't think I would change it for the world."

"Me neither." Fluttershy said as she got up on the mattress. "Well...I might have changed that I let go of your shoulders in the haunted house. I could've done without that fifteen minutes or so." Rarity laughed, both mares laying down.

"I'm honestly looking forward to a full day at the beach tomorrow." Rarity said. "Just a full day of rest and relaxation. The sun, the water...Maybe we could build a sand castle." Rarity scooted closer to Fluttershy as she said this, making the pegasus brighten up significantly, scooting toward Rarity herself.

"Oh, that sounds fun!" Fluttershy said, getting ever closer. "I can't wait." There were a few moments of silence, both mares' faces inches from the other. Their lips met in a sweet kiss, and Rarity pulled Fluttershy in close to her. Fluttershy happily reciprocated the kiss, moving her lips on Rarity's. They separated and Fluttershy giggled.

"How did I know you'd kiss me as soon as we laid down?" The yellow mare said with adoration, stroking Rarity's deep purple mane. Rarity giggled.

"What can I say?" Rarity mused. "You're irresistible."

"Would you like to..." Fluttershy said before kissing Rarity again in the middle of her sentence. "Pick up where we left off in the theater?" Rarity nodded, blushing deeply. The two mares kissed each other quite deeply, moving their bodies together underneath the sheets, intertwining their legs. Small giggles and the sounds of kiss after kiss came from their bedroom, but these sounds were drowned out by the horror movie being watched in the living room.

"I had so much fun." Twilight Sparkle said, as she and each of her five best friends all joined in a group hug. "I'm so happy you all could come. Love you guys." Each of the mares replied with varied versions of "Love you too." The final day of the trip had been absolutely wonderful. Pure rest and relaxation, as Rarity had said. Rainbow and Applejack, of course, found themselves racing down the beach. They both became quickly tuckered out, however, as running on sand was much more difficult than running on solid ground.

The six friends had worked together to build a truly stunning sand castle, which some young ponies accidentally knocked over as they played ball. Rainbow Dash had been absolutely furious, but Applejack was able to calm her down and remove her from the situation. It was quite hilarious to everyone else, as a picture had been taken of all of them around it. Twilight had gone and gotten six copies of the photo made, distributing them through the group. The memory had been made and they had photographic proof, so it didn't matter that the castle had been destroyed. After a wonderful dinner, the mares had all returned to the beach house to get sleep for the journey home. The train ride home was rather uneventful, more boring than anything else.

The cakes had sent a telegram before they'd left, saying they had to drop the cutie mark crusaders off at their respective homes a little earlier that day, as Carrot Cake's mother was in the hospital and not doing well. Considering this, there was no need to go and pick the fillies up. Twilight and Pinkie Pie left for Golden Oaks Library and Sugarcube Corner respectively, walking together on the way home as the two places were quite closely located.

"Y'all be safe!" Applejack said as she and Rainbow Dash began their walk home, pressing their bodies together.

"Bye!" Rarity called before smiling after them. "They really are a wonderful couple."

"Yes, indeed." Fluttershy replied. "Want me to walk you home?"

"That would be splendid." Rarity said happily. "I have some wonderful company with me." Seconds of silence passed as the two mares began their walk. "Fluttershy, can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, Rarity." Fluttershy replied, having a hunch about what this conversation would entail.

"We...We've obviously started something up together." Rarity began. Fluttershy's hunch had been dead on. Her mind went to bad places, but she quelled the thoughts in her mind, waiting to hear what Rarity had to say fully. "I'm still not exactly sure what it is, and I've never liked pressure very much, so I'm a bit hesitant to put a label on it right now."

"That's understandable." Fluttershy replied.

"That being said, as I said at the beach house...I like you. A lot." Rarity said with a smile. "I just wanted to reiterate that as long as we keep it between us...And go slowly...I'd like to start...dating." Rarity blushed deeply, lowering her ears and looking to the side.

"That's wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaimed giddily, wrapping Rarity into a hug. The unicorn couldn't help but smile, but she felt apprehension rise within her as well. "We can go as slow as you'd like...As long as I have you."

"Well good." Rarity said. "When would you like to go out? I was thinking our usual. Spa, dinner, maybe a movie." Fluttershy nodded eagerly.

"Would you want to go tomorrow?" Fluttershy asked, obviously eager to get things started. Rarity nodded and smiled warmly.

"Sounds wonderful." Rarity said happily. Fluttershy squealed slightly and kissed Rarity, happiness behind the gesture. Rarity smiled into the kiss, but after a moment, she disconnected and looked around. There were no ponies around, which sent relief flowing through her. She looked over and saw Carousel Boutique waiting for her.

"Well, my dear, it would appear that my stop..." She trailed off, seeing two ponies approaching her, apparently having stood on her doorstep. They'd clearly been looking for her.

"Rarity, who are they?" Fluttershy asked, a slightly frightened tone to her voice.

"That's Sapphire..." Rarity said in disbelief. "The pony I...Threw out of my store that time..." The two ponies neared and Rarity could see one of them was a stately looking stallion in a suit, who gave her a packet in a manilla folder. Sapphire gave an impetuous grin, targeted at the white unicorn.

"If you harassed my sister in any way..." Rarity said, standing her ground, but feeling frightened all the same.

"There wasn't an answer when we knocked. So we decided to wait for you." Sapphire said through her snide smile. Her eyes narrowed. "Told you you'd be hearing from my lawyer."

Author's Note

Oooohohohoho! Rarity's got some troooouble headed her way. I tried to have this one focus on Rarity and Fluttershy a little more. And speaking of, :yay: yaaaaay! They're together now! Well, kinda. Rarity is still figuring her shit out, as people are wont to do when entering these kinds of unfamiliar situations. How will everything go? You'll just have to seeeeeee in the next couple chapters. Just...prepare yourself. This chapter was another long one, and I think I'm gonna be shortening them a bit from here on out. There will still be long ones like this when the story absolutely calls for it, there's one or two I have outlined coming down the pike that will probably turn out that way, but 8,000-10,000 words is pretty damn long for a single chapter. Anyway, leave a comment telling me what you thought of this! I'd be eager to hear from you. Cheers!

Chapter 9

Two Weeks Later

"Come on...Come on!" Rainbow growled as she flew from Ponyville toward the Wonderbolts Academy. She'd overslept during her nap after a particularly exhausting day of weather patrol, and she was running late. The clouds had been thick and hard to dissipate, so while she wasn't necessarily surprised she'd slept so long, she still mentally kicked herself for being so careless in not setting an alarm. She was flying at speeds so great, she had to be careful to not inadvertently trigger a sonic rainboom. As she ascended higher and the academy came into sight, she felt a small wave or relief...that turned to horror when her saddlebag holding her cadet uniform fell from her body. Wide eyed, she watched it go and let out a scream of frustration before nosediving after it. The bag quickly hit terminal velocity, and Rainbow missed the first swipe she made with her hoof, groaning before successfully catching it with the second.

"Bucking finally." She snarled at the bag, spinning in the air and taking off toward the academy once more. The delay had only been a minute or so, but the cyan pegasus had already been running late. She moved at a speed so fast, the light around her began to bend as she landed in the courtyard, leaving behind a streak of rainbow. She immediately ran into the locker rooms to change. She didn't know Spitfire had been waiting on an upper deck for her, and had watched her arrive.

"She's late again." Spitfire sighed, shaking her head.

"Come on, Spitfire, give her a chance." Soarin, her second in command said. "She's one of the best cadets we've ever had...Hay, probably the best."

"If she's never on time, none of that stuff matters. The other cadets have already started on their warm ups." Spitfire said, raising an unamused eyebrow as Rainbow left the locker room, pulling the uniform onto one of her legs, stumbling a bit. The sight made Spitfire chuckle. "Even so, she's always making an entrance and wowing everypony around...Then the next second blundering into some stupid, clumsy mistake. She's great, no question...But one more tardy arrival and she's out of here." Soarin found it hard to argue with her as they entered the courtyard balcony. Rainbow Dash was looking around, clearly for the two of them, looking to apologize. "Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire called, making the rainbow-maned mare jump and spin. Upon seeing the look on her commander's face, Rainbow's ears lowered and she flitted up toward the balcony.

"Yes ma'am." Rainbow said, as steadily as she could, but her voice couldn't help but falter. She then addressed Soarin. "Sir." The stallion put a hoof up, and shook his head slightly, indicating her obviously deep contrition wasn't necessary, at least for him.

"My office. Now." Spitfire commanded. Nodding slowly, Rainbow landed on the balcony and followed the Wonderbolt leader. They entered the office, which had a few pieces of Wonderbolt memorabilia, but otherwise was decorated quite quaintly and was free of the pomp and frills of the rest of the academy. "Take a seat." Spitfire said, gesturing to one of the chairs before sitting behind her desk.

'This is it, Rainbow Dash...' Rainbow thought to herself, beginning to sweat. 'This is the day your dream dies...You've never begged for anything before...Today might be the day.'

"I'm going to be honest, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire sighed, adjusting a paper on the desk. "You're the most talented cadet I have seen in a long time. In fact, I don't think anypony has ever come close to my record on the obstacle course, save for you. Only about fifteen seconds' difference. That's damn impressive." Rainbow was slightly shocked by Spitfire's candor, but she was intensely flattered all the same. The terror she had been feeling was fading away. She blushed.

"Well thank you, ma'am-" She was interrupted by Spitfire putting a hoof up, silencing her. The terror shot right back into her heart as Spitfire continued.

"But. This is the fourth time in a row you've been late for training. This is unacceptable, especially considering the usual limit is three. You've been able to eek by because you consistently perform very well on your examinations, and you're the best cadet flyer here by a good margin, but this cannot continue." The fiery-haired pegasus explained. "I understand you have a wife, and that the two of you are expecting...And you have a job and that you also help around the farm as well, this is all very admirable. But you can't be so irresponsible with punctuality if you want to be a Wonderbolt. You just can't. We hold ourselves to a much higher standard than that, I'm sure you understand." Struggling to keep herself together, Rainbow nodded and replied in a slightly shaky voice:

"I know, I know. I'm really sorry. I'm not going to make excuses. This is something I have to change. I...I just...I'm...very, very sorry." She hung her head so her tear-filled eyes would not be visible to the commander, prepared to have her lifelong dream stamped to death before her.

"Now I like you, Rainbow. I really do. So I'm giving you one last shot." Spitfire said. Rainbow let out a small gasp and looked up, the tears having almost flowed down onto her cheeks. She wiped her eyes quickly and smiled, and Spitfire couldn't help but smile herself. "You're staying late today and completing your full training, is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Rainbow almost cried out, standing quickly and turning to leave. "I'll get started right now! I'll be done before any of the others! Just watch me, Spitfire!...I mean...Ma'am." Rainbow turned, worried her commanding officer had been offended by her addressing her so informally. Judging from the amused look she had on her face, she hadn't been.

"Don't disappoint me." Spitfire said, raising an eyebrow, still smiling. Rainbow gave a nod and dashed out to the training yard, beginning her first exercise of ten laps. All of the cadets had already finished the first exercise and had moved on to physical training, most of them doing the push ups that consisted of the first phase of the training, with a few of the more advanced cadets having already moved on to sit-ups.

Rainbow flew her laps, moving incredibly quickly and deftly, acing her turns and re-stabilizing herself at speeds most ponies wouldn't dare to attempt. Coming back out onto the upper balcony to observe the cadets in training, Spitfire sat next to Soarin.

"You didn't have to be so hard on her." Soarin said to her. "She's basically got three jobs counting this."

"We have to hold everypony here to the same standard." Spitfire replied. "Its unfortunate but we're the Wonderbolts. We're not known for taking it easy." Soarin sighed and nodded.

"I know, I know. You were kinda the same way, though. I even remember commander Blitz calling you into that same office to have a similar talk." Spitfire's eyes widened, as she'd completely forgotten about that day. Regardless it had, in fact, happened.

"Well, I pulled it together when he threatened to kick me out." Spitfire said. "Maybe she will too. Wait, how did you hear all that?" Soarin chuckled, his eyes drifting to Rainbow Dash, blazing through her laps, a confident smile on her face.

"It's not exactly soundproof. And I was right here." He chuckled, before his eyes widened. "Goddesses, she's already done with her laps?" Spitfire almost couldn't believe it as Rainbow ambled to the courtyard where the rest of the cadets were finishing with their physical training. Rainbow, seemingly only mildly winded, dropped down and began quickly pumping out push ups.

"Celestia and Luna..." Spitfire breathed. "She's unreal."

"Maybe all it took was you putting her hooves to the fire." Soarin laughed as he began to hover. "But then again, she was pretty much always that good. I'm heading down there to get a closer look. Join me?" He flew from the balcony down toward the courtyard. Spitfire, still slightly stunned, followed him to watch the cadets. But more than any of them, she wanted to watch Rainbow Dash, who was already starting on her sit-ups.

Rainbow Dash shot through the level three obstacle course, spinning through a small hole, before using her legs to bounce off a cloud wall to dodge several large leather balls, designed to block ponies with low reflex time. The rainbow streak then dodged around several poles, designed to test one's control in the air.

"Incredible." Soarin almost gasped. "That is the highest difficulty course we have. Nopony's ever gotten through it without messing up at least once, save for you and me." He looked at Spitfire, but the wonderbolts commander couldn't bear to take her eyes away from the spectacle of seeing a cadet achieve this feat.

Rainbow grunted as she pulled up hard, narrowly avoiding the ninety-degree angle wall. This wall turned into a loop, which she gracefully executed before going into a divebomb, avoiding projectiles hurled from holes in walls on every side of her, using her wings not to propel herself, but merely to adjust the direction of her fall. This turned into another loop which Rainbow executed effortlessly before coming to a blazing stop a dozen feet or so from her two commanders. They both were stunned and applauded her, smiles on both their faces.

"Rainbow, that...That was incredible!" Spitfire said as Rainbow approached them, breathing heavily. The cyan mare basically hadn't stopped since she began after her talk with Spitfire. "I don't think I've ever seen a cadet finish the level three course in that kind of time." Soarin looked down at the stopwatch he was holding, and his eyes almost bugged out.

"Spitfire..." He said, his voice quiet.

"I mean...The way you spun through that hole was quite impressive. The the bounce off the wall straight after was inspired." Spitfire continued to laud.

"Oh, well thank you, ma'am." Rainbow said, almost laughing.

"Spitfire." Soarin said a bit louder this time, gaining her attention. He looked at her and held up the watch. "She was...two seconds behind your time." Spitfire was shocked at the statement.

"From when I was a cadet? Or...from when I did it a few months ago?" Spitfire asked. Soarin smiled at her and then looked at Rainbow Dash.

"Spitfire, do you think I'd remember your time from all those years ago?" He asked, laughing slightly and shaking his head. Rainbow Dash beamed with pride and Spitfire clapped a hoof onto her shoulder.

"Goddesses. I think we have a future wonderbolt standing here with us." Spitfire said.

"Well you'd mentioned that thing about coming close to your record while we talked earlier, and so I thought about how I'd only tried the first two levels...and I got the idea to try and beat your record on the third." Rainbow explained as they began to walk toward the locker rooms together. "Maybe next time."

"I just might have to update my record then." Spitfire replied, raising an eyebrow. "Make it a little tougher for you."

"Oh, so you think you've gotten that much better in the last few months, Spitfire?" Soarin asked with a small chuckle.

"Yes, in fact, I do." Spitfire shot back. "And you'd better watch it. I still outrank you." Soarin laughed and went into a hover as they arrived at the mares' locker room.

"Alright you two. I'm headed home. Great job today, Rainbow! Keep up the good work. Maybe soon we'll be doing a show together." Soarin saluted and sped off into the sky. Rainbow's heart fluttered at his last statement, and entered the locker room.

"Uhh, hey Rainbow. You have a minute to talk?" Spitfire asked, following Rainbow Dash into the locker room. Slightly surprised, Rainbow Dash turned and nodded. "I...I feel like I owe you an apology." Spitfire said.

"What for?" Rainbow asked, genuinely confused.

"Well...I feel like I was too hard on you earlier." Spitfire continued. "You basically balance three jobs, including coming here...I should have been more understanding about your circumstances."

"Ma'am-"

"Spitfire. When we're not training and stuff like that, call me Spitfire. Please." The bright yellow Pegasus said. Rainbow smiled and nodded.

"Spitfire, I honestly messed up. I've been messing up, and you've given me break after break. You've had every right to get mad at me." Rainbow said with a smile.

"I saw your eyes, Rainbow." Spitfire said, clearly referring to the tears she'd almost shed earlier. "I was too hard on you."

"Well, it wasn't just because you were fussing at me." Rainbow explained, embarrassed that Spitfire brought up her tears. "It's just...Being a wonderbolt has been my dream...Ever since I was a little filly, all I could think about was being in this amazing group. And now that I'm here, every time I walk through that archway, I just can't believe it...The thought of potentially losing that...It scared me. A lot. But seriously, I don't want you giving me any kind of special treatment.

"Well Rainbow, you are special." Spitfire replied, a genuine smile on her face. "Look, from here on out, if you're late...I might give it to you in front of the other cadets, you know, for appearances and such. But I really want you here. Just try really reeeeally hard to be here on time, alright?" Rainbow smiled and nodded before turning to her locker and opening it, removing her saddle bag.

"I won't lie, though...I'm glad there's not another training day until next week." Rainbow said. "I'm completely spent." Spitfire laughed.

"Well yeah, you pretty much did all the exercises without stopping." Spitfire said. "I'm not surprised."

"Well you said not to disappoint you." Rainbow chuckled as she zipped up her saddlebag. "I took that as law." Spitfire smiled at the statement.

"With skills like that...I mean, not only did you destroy every other cadet's time, you looked good doing it." Spitfire said, raising her eyebrow. Rainbow looked up at her and saw that raised eyebrow and couldn't help but blush a bit. "Like I said earlier, that spin you did through the hole, coupled with the jump off the wall...That was wonderbolt caliber skill there, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow rubbed the back of her head, the blush not leaving her face.

"Gosh, Spitfire...Thanks. That means a lot." Rainbow said with a small laugh. Spitfire nodded and went toward the locker room door. She opened it and looked back at Rainbow, that eyebrow still raised.

"Keep looking good, Rainbow Dash. And keep wowing me. I think you just might become a wonderbolt if you do." With that, the leader of the wonderbolts left the locker room. Rainbow laughed quietly to herself as she put her saddlebag back on. She ambled out of the locker room happily and took off in flight toward Sweet Apple Acres. The pegasus thought of something that was somewhat disquieting to her. True, she was incredibly proud of herself for how she performed that day, and having Spitfire's personal admiration meant the world to her...But Spitfire's choice of words was slightly peculiar...and the way she raised her eyebrow...If Rainbow hadn't known any better she'd think that Spitfire had been flirting with her.

"That's ridiculous." Rainbow chuckled to herself as she sped home. It wasn't till she actually arrived at her home that she felt the exhaustion kick in. The sky was already well into the process of darkening, and her legs didn't want to move. Opening the door she was greeted by the sight of the cutie mark crusaders, who all quickly stood upon seeing her. They'd been coloring in the living room while Granny Smith was finishing up with supper.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo cried out, the exclamation seemingly being the prompt for all three of the fillies to run up to the mare, giving her three separate, tight hugs.

"Hey guys." Rainbow said with a small laugh. "Can...you let go of me so I could walk?" The fillies did as asked of them and went back to what they were doing as Applejack came from the hallway with a warm smile on her face. Seeing her wife gave Rainbow almost instantaneous peace and her chest filled with warmth.

"Hey baby." Rainbow said with pure love. "I'm totally beat. Would it be cool if we turned in early tonight?"

"You sure?" Applejack asked. "Granny's got a heckuva stew cookin'." Rainbow nodded slowly.

"I'm so tired." The pegasus mouthed, and Applejack smiled at her.

"Well...Truth be told, Ah aint that hungry tonight anyways." Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash a small nuzzle. Rainbow nodded appreciatively. "Hey, Granny. Save some of that stew for us. Ah think we're gonna turn in."

"Awful early, ain't it?" Granny asked, looking out from the kitchen.

"Ah think we're both just feelin' super sleepy. Rainbow pulled a shift and did wonderbolts training today." The orange mare explained. "Ah'm real proud of her. Ah also worked pretty hard out in the orchard today, myself." Granny nodded before walking back into the kitchen.

"Y'all have breakfast nice and early tomorrow mornin' then." Granny called. "Y'all need your nourishment!"

"We ain't fillies, Granny." Applejack laughed.

"Aww! I was hoping you could help me color, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo said, a frown coming to her face.

"Sorry, Scoots. I'm just totally beat. I thought you already tried to get cutie marks for coloring, anyway." Rainbow said to the filly.

"We did." Scootaloo said. "This is just for fun!" Rainbow laughed and nodded.

"Alright, then. Rain check?" Rainbow said, holding out a hoof. Scootaloo bumped it and nodded, running back to her friends. Rainbow sighed as she turned around, heading toward their bedroom. The walk seemed to take forever, and she let out a loud sigh as she leapt into the bed, making it creak as she landed.

"So ya had a big day, did ya?" Applejack asked, leaning on the doorframe for a moment.

"Definitely. Why don't you quit leaning on that doorframe all sexy-like, and come cuddle me so I can tell you all about it?" Rainbow opened her forelegs with the last question and raised an eyebrow, making Applejack laugh.

"Geez, Rainbow. All Ah was doin' was leaning." Applejack said as she laid down next to her wife. She took Rainbow into her forelegs and held her close, the pegasus snuggling into Applejack's chest. "So...You gonna tell me or are you gonna just drift off into dream land?" Rainbow giggled.

"Well, you know how I was running so late?"

"Of course Ah do. You were yellin' about it basically until you ran out the door."

"I got there, and Spitfire was not happy. The other cadets had already gotten started on their stuff and I was just then getting into uniform. Well, she pulled me into her office and gave me a pretty stern talking to."

"Ah'm sure that comin' from Spitfire, that wasn't too fun."

"Well, it was okay. She told me that I'd been impressing her, and that she likes me...But that I can also be irresponsible."

"Ah can empathize with that last part." Applejack said with a small chuckle, earning a light slug on the arm from her wife.

"Hey!" The pegasus spouted, making Applejack laugh.

"Keep goin' love." Applejack said, giving Rainbow a small kiss on the head. Rainbow smiled and snuggled into her wife more.

"Well, she also said she understood that I had another job, and that I have you and the baby coming and all that...She gave me what was basically one last shot. She said if I was late one more time, I was out." Rainbow said. "Before she told me she was giving me that last chance, I seriously thought I was going to get kicked out of the academy. I miiight've started to cry a little bit." A sheepish look came onto Rainbow's face with the last part of her sentence.

"Aww, Rainbow!" Applejack exclaimed, stroking her wife's mane. "Want me to go fight her? Ah can give her my mean right hook." Rainbow giggled and lightly slapped her wife's chest.

"You'll do no such thing." Rainbow said, still giggling. "Anyway, back to my story. I was seriously determined to not disappoint her, so I went at my exercises hard. It's why I'm so exhausted right now. So I finish off doing the hardest obstacle course, and only being two seconds slower than Spitfire herself."

"Rainbow, that's amazin!" Applejack said, looking down at her pegasus wife, pure pride showing on her face. "But then again, you're amazin'."

"Yeah, I know. Spitfire and Soarin couldn't stop telling me." Rainbow continued. "So we all pretty much left together, since all the other cadets were done and had left by that point. So Soarin left and Spitfire came into the locker room with me and apologized, and said how good I looked and told me to call her Spitfire and not ma'am when we're not training! Spitfire said that!" Rainbow let out a small fangirl squeal, sitting up from her chest and Applejack let out a quiet, close-mouthed chuckle. "So then she goes to leave and says, and I quote, 'Keep looking good, Rainbow Dash. And keep wowing me. I think you just might become a wonderbolt if you do.' Can you believe that?"

"That's really cool." Applejack replied, noticeably less excited, which Rainbow immediately noticed. She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow in concern.

"What's wrong?" Rainbow asked.

"Sounds to me like Spitfire was flirting." Applejack said. "And it seems like it either flattered you, or went right over your head." Rainbow Dash had been so engrossed in telling her tale, that she truly had forgotten that she'd had the same thought on the way home from the academy.

"Umm...Was I not supposed to be flattered? Applejack, do you not get that this day meant a lot to me?" Rainbow asked. "I mean, Spitfire is my idol, and to have her praise me like that meant the world."

"Ah know that, but-"

"And honestly, you were ecstatic for me until you got that thought in your head." Rainbow interrupted her. "Even if it was flirting, which I doubt it was, Spitfire has always been super chill and casual. It was harmless flirting. Which it wasn't. This was a really big day for me, can't you just be happy for me?

"Ah'm sorry. Ah wasn't thinkin' straight." Applejack rectified her demeanor quickly, putting a hoof on Rainbow's. "Ah know firsthand how wonderful and amazin' you are...Not to mention good lookin'." Rainbow blushed at what her wife said. "And sometimes...Ah dunno, it's not too difficult for me to imagine another pony fallin' for ya. Ah know because Ah fall for ya again and again every day." Rainbow smiled and kissed Applejack lovingly, her ears lowering as she separated from it.

"AJ, I'm promising you right now." Rainbow took Applejack's hoof into both of hers and held it up to her chest. "You never have to worry about that kind of thing. Even if somepony else did fall for me...I'd have no interest at all. I married you." Tears began to stream down Applejack's face. She closed her eyes in shame and hung her head.

"You're right. Ah'm sorry. Ah'm so sorry." Applejack said. "Ah don't know what Ah was thinkin'."

"It's okay, AJ." Rainbow replied, moving her head up by her chin to look at her. "Sometimes a little jealousy is good. It lets me know how much you love me." With that, Rainbow kissed her wife deeply, Applejack melting into the kiss. Rainbow pushed her wife onto her back, and moved her lips to Applejack's neck, making her moan.

"Aahn...Rainbow..." Applejack moaned. "Do you wanna..." The orange mare trailed off, looking into her wife's eyes, and Rainbow, getting the message, nodded happily.

"Yeah." Rainbow said simply, giving her wife a small, yet very sensual kiss on the lips. "I think I'm ready to do it like we did at the beach house again...We've had a couple times and...I think I'm more used to it now." The statement sent shivers through Applejack as Rainbow got off of her. Applejack moved quickly to the closet, and came back with their toy, smiling sexily. Rainbow bit her lip and laid back on the bed as Applejack climbed up, the toy gripped in her teeth. Putting it to the side, Applejack kissed Rainbow again, her hoof moving up the pegasus' thigh, getting ever closer to her sex. Teasing her wife, Applejack moved her hoof back down Rainbow's leg, making her moan. The cyan mare wrapped her forlegs around Applejack's neck and began to move her hips, almost begging to be touched without words. Finally deciding to stop dragging things out, Applejack began rubbing Rainbow's marehood, making her moan quietly. Panting through an open-mouthed smile, Rainbow began grinding her hips on Applejack's hoof, closing her eyes from the wonderful pleasure. The sight made Applejack bite her lip in anticipation for the coming events.

Suddenly a loud crash and the sound of laughing fillies broke their mood and they both opened their eyes wide. As if they'd been snapped out of some kind of trance, Applejack looked down at Rainbow, who looked up at her and they both blushed, laughing with embarrassment.

"We...ain't really gonna do this with them playin' around right in the other room, are we?" Applejack asked.

"No, I don't think that would be a very smart idea." Rainbow replied. "The way I was wanting it...They probably would have heard us. Thank Celestia for whatever they destroyed." Applejack laughed happily and laid back down on the bed, slipping the toy into the bedside table.

"Cuddlin' sound good enough for now?" Applejack asked.

"Cuddling and sleep with the best mare in the world." Rainbow said sweetly, once again assuming her position nestling her head into Applejack's chest. The two mares fell asleep together, content to put off their fun for just another day or two.

The Next Morning

Rarity rifled through papers on Fluttershy's coffee table, struggling to maintain her composure. Her court date earlier that day had seriously unsettled her, as she had already been losing money before Sapphire's lawsuit got dropped into her lap. It appeared as if this would utterly destroy her financially. The many prospects flooded her mind, the largest of which was losing Carousel Boutique. Her livelihood, everything she'd been working for through her entire life was about to be snatched from her hooves. Feeling her composure break under all the litigation and numbers she was facing, she let out a shout of frustration and threw the papers from the desk and began to cry. Fluttershy came running to her side.

"Rarity, are you alright?" The yellow mare asked, rubbing her back lightly.

"Of course I'm not alright!" Rarity snapped, making Fluttershy recoil, a hurt expression on her face. Rarity sighed and hung her head again. "I'm sorry, dear...I'm so sorry. I know you were just being your normal sweet self...It's just...I think I might lose the boutique." Fluttershy suppressed a gasp, merely settling on sitting next to her companion. Rarity and Fluttershy had been seeing each other since they'd returned from Baltimare. The unicorn had stayed the night with her, and there had been quite a bit of kissing, but no real sexual interaction just yet. Fluttershy understood, though. There was no rush for her, she knew Rarity was in very unfamiliar territory and as far as Fluttershy was concerned, she was just happy to have her.

"You really think so?" Fluttershy asked.

"That is what it's looking like." Rarity said, wiping her eyes. "I was already losing money before this lawsuit. This morning's court illustrated my situation to me further."

"I'm so sorry, Rarity." Fluttershy said, laying her head on Rarity's shoulder.

"Sweetie Belle and I won't have anywhere to live." Rarity said. "Goddesses, how could I have been so stupid?! I should have just let it go and let the little brat walk away."

"Rarity, she was bullying you and you stood up for yourself." Fluttershy said. "Don't talk like that. You're not stupid."

"I just...I can't lose the boutique..." Rarity said, letting out a small sob.

"Rarity, I'm telling you right now, that if the worst happens...You and Sweetie Belle can stay here with me." Fluttershy assured her, making Rarity look at her wide-eyed. "It would be no trouble. You know, since I like you so much." A fresh wave of tears came to Rarity's tired eyes and she kissed Fluttershy, making her stomach tingle.

"You're so wonderful, Fluttershy." Rarity said. "But I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen...Despite how much I like you back." Fluttershy giggled.

"How about you go into the bathroom and get ready, and we can go out on a date. Cafe Du Mane?" Fluttershy asked, bringing a smile to Rarity's face. "My treat." Rarity sighed and nodded, laying her head on Fluttershy's shoulder for a moment.

"I'm so happy that I have you." Rarity said. "I think I'll just sit here with you for a few more minutes, if that's alright." Fluttershy giggled and nodded.

"I have no problem with that." The pegasus sighed, the two of them sitting back against the couch.

It didn't take Rarity too long to get ready for the date. The unicorn had always cleaned up very well, and today was no exception. She looked stunning compared to how she did, as if she hadn't had the mini-meltdown she'd had earlier. Having nothing to do in the interim beside cleaning up the legal papers Rarity had thrown, Fluttershy had simply dozed off on the couch. Rarity found her snoozing away with her head resting on the arm rest. Giggling slightly at how adorable she looked, Rarity lightly shook her new love awake. She moaned quietly as she stirred, her eyes slowly opening. She smiled at Rarity.

"You look beautiful." Fluttershy said quietly, stretching for a moment.

"As do you, my sweet." Rarity replied, giving her a small nuzzle. "Ready to go?" Fluttershy gave a small nod and stretched once more, unfurling her wings for a moment before hopping down from the couch.

"Angel, are you going to be okay while I'm gone?" Fluttershy asked. Her pet rabbit, who was sleeping, sent up a small paw from his bed and Fluttershy giggled. "He can be a little cranky when he's asleep sometimes."

"I noticed." Rarity said as they left the house. "But I will say, you've put your hoof down with him. That's quite admirable." They ambled down the pathway together, keeping a brisk pace, just at a fast walk.

"Well, Rainbow Dash helped me out with that a bit." Fluttershy elaborated. "She came by one day when he was being particularly bad and she gave me a bit of a pep-talk. Then I became the bunny-mommy I was meant to be. He respects me a lot more now. Sometimes he can be a bit of a brat still, but I set him straight."

"Well I'm proud of you, dear." Rarity said with a smile. "I wish I didn't have this lawsuit on my mind...I'd be able to really focus on spending time with you." Fluttershy nuzzled Rarity a bit and smiled.

"Rarity, today is all about you. I'm just here to make you comfortable." Fluttershy said. "I hate seeing you stressed or sad."

"Well, I've been plenty of both, lately. So work your magic." Rarity said, making Fluttershy laugh. The rest of the walk was nice, the Autumn air having chilled quite a bit since they'd returned from Baltimare. They made light conversation here and there, but mostly just enjoyed the walk together. Before long, they arrived at Cafe Du Mane and entered the restaurant.

"Ahh, hello again, miss Rarity!" The hostess, an earth pony whose name Rarity could not quite remember, greeted them. Rarity nodded at her and smiled, not feeling up to making conversation with anyone save for Fluttershy. "Just two for this evening?"

"Yes ma'am." Fluttershy said sweetly as the hostess led them to their table and supplied them with menus.

"Your server will be with you shortly." She said with a small nod, leaving them together.

"I'll make sure to get some of that extra honey-wheat bread." Fluttershy said with a smile. "With an extra dish of butter. I know how much you like it." Rarity smiled and nodded.

"You know how to cheer me up." Rarity said sweetly. "I think I still have a coupon for some time at the spa that I haven't redeemed. Would you like to go there after this?" Fluttershy nodded happily.

"Sounds heavenly!" She beamed. Rarity felt a small rush of excitement within her, and surely enough, the doom of the lawsuit began to fade into the back of her mind.

"So enough talk about me and my awful day. How was yours?" Rarity asked. "I mean, I know we're not terribly far into it, but all the same."

"Well, I fed Angel." Fluttershy said. "Then I saw a bear coming a little too close to my fence. I think he wanted some of my berries. I ended up having to use the stare on him."

"Fluttershy and the stare." Rarity said as their waiter approached.

"Good evening, ladies!" He said. Fluttershy noticed it was the same waiter that had served her all those weeks ago who reassured her when she'd thought Rarity had stood her up. He gave her a small, knowing smile, which she returned. "What can I get you to drink?"

"I think I'll go against my type and get some lemonade." Fluttershy said with a smile.

"I'll just have a water with a lemon wedge." Rarity stated with a small, curt nod. "Thank you."

"No, thank you!" He said with a small nod, beginning to turn to leave.

"Oh wait! Could we have some extra honey bread and butter when you bring it out?" Fluttershy asked. "We're both pretty hungry." The waiter nodded with a smile and left them.

"So as I was saying...The Stare..." Rarity said. "It's quite amusing that a bear turned tail and ran from that."

"What can I say?" Fluttershy said with a small shrug. "When I have to turn it on, I turn it on." Rarity really liked how confident Fluttershy became when they were together. It was almost as if she just needed the white unicorn to come out of her shell a bit. It was quite attractive.

"It's just hard for me to imagine you being intimidating." Rarity said with a small laugh, perhaps intending to tease her date a bit.

"Oh I can do it if I need to." Fluttershy replied.

"Oh? Well show me." Rarity said with a cocky smile, leaning over on the table a bit.

"I'd rather not." Fluttershy said, looking to the side and blushing. "We're in the middle of a restaurant."

"Oh come now, Fluttershy." Rarity said, rolling her eyes. "I'm just asking you to stare at me."

"I don't know..."

"Come on..." Rarity urged. "Do it! If for nothing else, do it because I'm so beautiful." Fluttershy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Alright, since you're so beautiful." She said. "You asked for it. When I look up, make eye contact with me." Fluttershy lowered her head for a moment, then raised it, staring into Rarity's eyes. After a second or so, Rarity chuckled.

"Is that it?" She asked. Fluttershy said nothing and continued to stare. The gaze, while at first seemingly mild, seemed to get more intense the more she stared into it. Laughing nervously, the unicorn maintained eye contact. Each second that passed seemed to stack on the pressure she felt from the look. Only lasting for a few more seconds, Rarity looked away and let out a large exhale, producing a small exclamation. "Alright, point made." Fluttershy giggled as the waiter returned with their drinks and bread.

"Are we ready to order? He asked.

"Yes, I'll have the berry salad with blue cheese, please." Rarity said, not having to look at the menu.

"And I'll just have an order of the bruschetta, and could you put some mozzarella on there for me?" Fluttershy asked, not faltering or stuttering at all. Rarity noticed this, and it seemed to yet again increase her attraction to her. The waiter nodded and smiled.

"Sounds great. Those will be out in just a little while." He said and left them both there.

"You know, Fluttershy..." Rarity said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. "I like how confident you've become."

"Well...To be honest...I only really feel that way when I'm with you." The pegasus replied with a sweet smile. "It's like...It's like you give me strength."

"Is that you saying you'd like to spend more time with me?" Rarity asked, putting her hoof out onto the table, knowing how her companion would respond.

"Definitely." Fluttershy said, putting her own hoof on Rarity's. "You know, Rarity-"

"Rarity?" A voice sounded off from behind them. The two turned, Rarity taking her hoof from Fluttershy's. There stood a stallion who made Fluttershy immediately uneasy.

Fancypants.

"Goddesses, Rarity, it feels like its been forever!" He said as he approached their table. Fluttershy felt nothing but disdain for him, and she didn't know whether or not that translated to her facial expression. Frankly, she didn't care.

"Fancypants, it's so good to see you!" She said with a small laugh, standing and giving him a hug. "And I believe it was at Princess Cadence's wedding that we saw each other last. So yes, it has been quite a while. You remember Fluttershy, right?" Fancypants nodded at Fluttershy, and judging by his face, she didn't have too hateful an expression on hers.

"Of course I do." He said kindly. "How do you do, miss?" Fluttershy nodded at him.

"Oh, I'm surviving. It's difficult out there." Fluttershy churned out the small talk like a printer, without much inflection in her voice, starkly opposed to Rarity, who gushed with excitement at seeing him. Clearly she was starstruck.

"You blew me away on that dance floor, I certainly remember that." He said.

"So what brings you all the way to Ponyville?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy was annoyed their date had come to a complete halt just because this stallion had decided to crash it. But she had to compose herself, he didn't know she and Rarity were seeing each other.

"Well, I'm here visiting some friends of mine." Fancypants explained. "I'm not sure if you've heard, but Fleur de Lis has left me." Fluttershy almost scoffed at how stuck up the stallion sounded. Of course they wouldn't have heard about that all the way down here in Ponyville.

"Oh, I had no idea!" Rarity said, sounding a bit too enthralled by the information to Fluttershy. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm on the mend." He replied with a small chuckle. "It's been hard, but I'm getting through. It's why I came to see my friends."

"Well friends can do a lot to heal a broken heart." Rarity replied with a smile. "I know that from experience. My friend Fluttershy here has done a lot for me on that front, haven't you, dear?" Fluttershy merely gave a small nod, supplying an exceedingly fake smile. Rarity didn't seem to notice at all. At that point, the waiter returned with the two mares' orders.

"Berry salad with blue cheese, and bruschetta with mozzarella." He said happily, looking at Fluttershy and then at Rarity. He looked back at Fluttershy with a raised eyebrow and the pegasus merely shrugged, shaking her head. "I hope you enjoy! Please let me know if I can help you in any way." Fluttershy got the feeling he was talking to her more than Rarity.

"I suppose that's my cue to go." Fancypants said, giving Rarity's hoof a small kiss. "It's just as well, too. I think they're waiting on me for the next hand of cards. Enjoy your dinner! Maybe I'll see you around, Rarity."

"Maybe you will." Rarity replied with a small nod. He left the two mares to their dinner, Fluttershy having already begun eating her bruschetta. "Small world, isn't it?"

"Mmmhmm" Fluttershy replied simply as she chewed. "So...As I was saying-" Fluttershy began after she's swallowed her first bite.

"I can't believe Fleur left him!" Rarity said. "I had always thought they'd be inseparable. Looks like you never can tell, eh?"

"Looks like it." Fluttershy deadpanned, taking another bite, forgetting what she was going to say when Fancypants had approached.

"What do you think caused it?" Rarity asked. "I'll bet Fleur just found someone else she liked better. Fancypants was always an honorable stallion, and I never once trusted Fleur." Fluttershy simply nodded, figuring Rarity would run out of things to say about the stallion and focus on her again. She was wrong. All Rarity could talk about from then on until they'd finished their food was Fancypants. Starstruck as she was, Fluttershy was not surprised, but she was terribly disappointed. The date had been going so well until he'd crashed it. With every word Rarity spoke regarding her crush, Fluttershy became more and more beat down. When they'd finished their food, they stood and went to leave, Fluttershy stopping at the front desk to settle up. Rarity had picked up on Fluttershy's mood, but honestly couldn't figure out why she'd wilted the way she had. They left the restaurant and Rarity, attempting to brighten Fluttershy up, nudged her.

"Alright! Are you ready for two hours of rest and relaxation?" The unicorn posed the question in a way that attempted to hype Fluttershy up. It fell flat.

"Sure." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Fluttershy, what's wrong?" Rarity asked, stopping the two of them as they walked. "You got slightly...weird in there, and as far as I can tell you're still being that way." Fluttershy scoffed and raised her eyebrows at the unicorn.

"I'm being weird?" Fluttershy asked in an uncharacteristically heightened voice. "Are you really that blind?"

"That's rather uncalled for." Rarity replied, furrowing her brows. "What did I do?"

"How about forgetting that I existed in there the second your old crush walked up?" Fluttershy asked. "Or is he even your old crush? You could have fooled me the way you looked at him."

"Fluttershy, what do you mean? I just spoke to him, what did you expect? Did you want me to tell him to go away? He's a friend of mine." Rarity replied, trying to maintain her composure.

"He was all you could talk about for the rest of our meal. I could barely get a word in edgewise. I tried bringing up the spa, what we could do tonight afterward...Your lawsuit..." Fluttershy stated, and Rarity realized she was right. But even though she made that realization, she was still feeling defensive. "I felt like I didn't exist to you.... I felt like we weren't anything but just two friends on a lunch date. I thought you were my marefriend."

"Well, Fluttershy I told you that I wasn't sure about where this would head. I was very up front about that." Rarity snapped. "I don't even know if we were anything to begin with." Fluttershy recoiled at the words, and her angered demeanor melted away into one of hurt. Rarity regretted the words as they'd come from her mouth. Of course they were something.

"Fluttershy, I'm sor-"

"So the time we've spent together...All the times we kissed...That was for nothing? On the beach, our first real kiss, and how magical that was...That was...For nothing?" Fluttershy said, taking a step toward Rarity, tears welling in her eyes. "After more than two weeks, you still don't know if we're marefriends?" Rarity struggled to find the words to reply with.

"I...I don't know, Fluttershy." Rarity said.

"Well if you still don't know...What are we even doing?" Fluttershy asked, her voice breaking as she unfurled her wings quickly and took off.

"Fluttershy, wait!" Rarity called, attempting to use her magic to stop her, but Fluttershy overpowered it and Rarity let out an exclamation as the spell was broken, simply by the power of Fluttershy's wings. Rarity didn't bother running after her. Fluttershy was clearly mad at her and hurt. She would have to make it up to her. Rarity sighed, feeling her heart break as she began to walk back toward Carousel Boutique. The thought of losing the boutique, coupled by what she just went through with Fluttershy, considering how well things between them were going, made Rarity begin to cry.

"Rarity?" Fancypants said from behind her. "What's going on? Are you alright?"

"Oh, hello Fancypants." She said, turning around. She'd been startled by the stallion and immediately began wiping her tears. "Just several different things, you shouldn't worry about it."

"Well, I always worry when I see a beautiful mare crying." He said to her with a smile. "Would you like to talk about it?" Rarity let out a large sigh, and while omitting what she'd just gone through with Fluttershy, recounted her first encounter with Sapphire. He became noticeably angry at the story.

"And so now she's suing me for emotional damages. She says that when I lifted her up from the ground, she feared for her life." Rarity said. "The lawsuit has been bleeding me dry and I fear I may lose the boutique."

"Preposterous!" Fancypants growled. "Spoiled brat. This absolutely cannot stand."

"Well, I don't exactly have the means to do anything about it." Rarity said, struggling not to cry again.

"No, what I meant was that I'm going to help you. I'm going to cover your court costs, and make sure you have sufficient representation. We'll make sure you don't lose your boutique." Rarity was stunned and shook her head instantly.

"Oh, please, Fancypants...I couldn't." Rarity stated. "That is simply too much money."

"Rarity, I insist. If I have to have a delivery colt come drop the bags of bits at your door, I will." Fancypants stated matter-of-factly. "I'm going to make sure you don't lose your home. I have more than enough money, so absolutely do not worry about that at all. Now that Fleur has left me, I don't really have much to do with it anyway." Rarity began to protest again, and he put a hoof on her shoulder. "I insist, and I will insist until I run out of breath." Rarity, seeing no use in fighting it any more, sighed.

"Okay." Rarity said simply, giving a nod.

"Wonderful. Shall we meet for lunch tomorrow and go over the details?" He asked. "Say, three o'clock?" Rarity nodded happily.

"I'll be there with bells on." The unicorn said happily, earning a nod from Fancypants.

"Splendid, it's a date." He said. The statement struck a chord within Rarity, and Fluttershy instantaneously came into her mind. The happiness she felt at not losing her home overwhelmed the thought, and she nodded.

"It's a date." Rarity replied, a small sick feeling nagging at her. She felt as if she was betraying Fluttershy, but Fluttershy had just basically broken up with her, so she stuffed the feeling down. Even so, she decided that she would go to Fluttershy the next day and attempt to mend things.

"I'll see you then." Fancypants said, returning to his friends to continue whatever they'd had on their agenda that day. Rarity happily ambled home, humming to herself.

'Alright. So tomorrow, go have lunch with Fancypants and figure out how to save your home.' The unicorn thought to herself and she moved. 'Then go see Fluttershy and figure out how to save your love.' She didn't see Fluttershy, who had returned, and who had been gripping a beautiful flower in her mouth to give to her as an apology. She'd heard every word. The flower dropped from her mouth, which had fallen open slightly. Crying quietly, Fluttershy flew home to nurse her broken heart.

Author's Note

There's a little rug-pull moment there for you guys. I know, I know, I'm kinda cruel. Things like this happen all the time though, you know? Things don't always work out like peaches and cream. Shit gets crazy, people figure out things about people they get together with they didn't previously know...We're all human and we're all at least a little unsure of how we feel or what the future holds. Well, Rarity and Fluttershy aren't human, but you get my meaning. Rarity still wants to continue things with Fluttershy, but does Fluttershy feel the same way after hearing Rarity schedule a "date" with Fancypants, literally minutes after they've broken up? Next chapter should be up soon, probably not as quickly as I got this one up, though. I'm about to really start working again and I'm cast in a play so I won't be able to write quite as much. But it should be within the week. Cheers!

Chapter 10

"So I had to make up an excuse, right on the spot for why I didn't have this mare's fashion show review, when the issue was due to be printed in two days." Fancypants said, giving a hearty laugh. "I've never written a review so fast in my life, and I was hung over at the time too." He blushed for a moment and chuckled, looking to the side. "Forgive my candor." Rarity giggled before taking a sip of her sparkling water.

"Oh, believe me, I wouldn't judge you a bit." Rarity replied. "I actually happen to know how it feels and I empathize." Rarity didn't mention that the last time she'd gotten more than drunk, she had no hangover at all the next day. She'd had her fair share, but in all fairness it'd been a while.

"Well, still. I sounded a bit brazen around such a lady." He said, causing Rarity to blush and giggle.

"Oh, you flatter me." She said. "I must say, I don't think I've been this full in quite a while." During their meal, Fancypants had asked her about her situation with the lawsuit. Of course Rarity was hesitant to talk about it at first, but after repeated insistence from Fancypants, she gave in. She'd described how her court costs alone would put her in deep financial debt. Fancypants had mentioned the name of a lawyer that definitely sounded important, who was a friend of his, and would take over Rarity's case. She'd been quite tense for the first half of their date, and had wanted it to simply be a meet-up between acquaintances. But when he'd assured her of her future with the boutique, she loosened and had even had a few drinks, and more surprising to her than that, she began to see the date as something more than just acquaintances getting together. She really liked this stallion. Perhaps her longtime crush had been right on the money.

"Well, I can take you home so you can rest, if you'd like." Fancypants said, a warm smile on his face. "It's a short walk, but I'd like to go with you all the same." Rarity smiled and nodded, standing from her seat and thanking the waiter as he passed by. He smiled, and Rarity thought she had detected a moment of sympathy on his face before he departed. This had been the second time she'd had Cafe Du Mane this week, but besides Sugarcube Corner, it was the only remotely upscale eatery in Ponyville. The two ponies left the building, Fancypants having settled up and left quite the generous tip.

"It must be nice living so close to such a fine restaurant." Fancypants said, looking back at Cafe Du Mane with genuine fondness.

"It's nothing compared to the restaurants in Canterlot, I'm sure. I've only been to two or three of them and they were all much more beautiful than that place." Rarity sighed, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, after a while all the opulence of each and every one of Canterlot's restaurants gets quite boring. That place has a very welcoming atmosphere, and the staff are kind and patient, as of both times I've eaten there. It has quaint decorations that aren't excessive and compliment the overall theme of the restaurant, but don't overshadow it." He explained to her, before widening his eyes for a moment. "That's it! I'll write a review for Quill's column! I'll talk about how much I love it and ponies from Canterlot and all around will come to sample it. That alone will bring quite the money into Ponyville."

"Fancypants...I don't know what to say." Rarity said with a small laugh, as they arrived at Carousel boutique. "I mean, I agree on each of those points...And Ponyville has needed something like that for a long time!" Looking at him sideways with a smile, she giggled. "I'm quite happy you decided to take me out today."

"Well then, would you like me to take you out again?" Fancypants asked Rarity, making her heart skip a beat as she blushed deeply. "I have to go back to Canterlot today, but say...next week? Maybe Saturday or Sunday?"

"S-Sunday works." Rarity replied simply, stunned at her insane luck.

"Wonderful." He said. "I'll get back to you with some updates via letter in the interim, or if you'd prefer I could share things with you during our next date."

"Whatever you decide is fine." Rarity stated quietly as before, through a small smile on her lips. She shot her head forward and gave Fancypants a quick kiss on the lips, and the stallion smiled widely as she stepped back. Neither of them said anything for a time, the two ponies looking around awkwardly before Rarity piped up: "So next week, then?" She asked, as she opened the door to the boutique.

"Yes." Fancypants replied, also smiling.

"Alright...See you then." Rarity said before shutting the door and leaning back on it, breathing deeply. She'd just kissed Fancypants, the stallion she'd spent the better part of her life pining for. Without thinking about it, she let out a small squeal and jumped up and down for a moment. Opalescence, attracted by the noise and hungry for her late breakfast, walked into the room on Rarity mid-celebration.

"Opal, it's incredible! It finally happened! I'd been dreaming of this since my teens!" She screamed, actually scaring her cat away. "Oh, goddesses, I have to tell the girls! I have to tell-" She stopped herself mid sentence, when there came a name into her mind. A name that almost completely drained the happiness of the moment she'd been having. "Fluttershy..." Rarity almost whispered to herself, plopping her flank onto the ground and lowering her ears.

As she walked to Fluttershy's cabin, Rarity steeled herself for what was to come. She knew Fluttershy would either be aching to reconcile and continue their relationship, which sounded good to Rarity, or she'd be cold and that Rarity would have to fight just to keep the pegasus as a friend. Either way, she felt the need to talk to Fluttershy about the situation with Fancypants. Feeling intensely conflicted, Rarity wanted to be with Fluttershy, but she was also riding high on the excitement of dating the stallion she'd been enthralled by since she was an adolescent. Rarity didn't know what she'd say to her, even as she approached Fluttershy's cottage.

"Oh, goddesses, this won't be fun." Rarity said to herself.

Giving a swift triplet of knocks on Fluttershy's door, Rarity waited for a few moments before knocking again. Shortly after the second triplet, Fluttershy opened the door, looking wilted and definitely not like her normal self. The pegasus' expression hardened upon seeing Rarity. She fully opened the door and stood there, an eyebrow raised.

"Hello, dear." Rarity said with a small laugh. "How are you since the other night?

"I've been better." Fluttershy replied, devoid of her usual sweetness. "What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to come over and have a good talk with you." Rarity said with a small smile. "You know...See how you're feeling about...everything?" Fluttershy gave a small nod and went inside, leaving the door open, Rarity assumed for her. Fluttershy sat in the living room, and watched Rarity as she walked across the room and took a seat of her own. There was a distance between the two that made Rarity uncomfortable. Many seconds of silence passed, Fluttershy simply sitting where she was, nonplussed.

"Okay, I suppose I'll start." Rarity sighed. "I was feeling very bad after our conversation the other night outside Cafe Du Mane. I wanted to see if...you wanted...Agh I'm so bad at this." Rarity let out a small laugh.

"It's okay." Fluttershy said. "I heard you talking to Fancypants. I can tell you're more interested in him." Rarity raised her brows and blushed heavily at this new information.

"I...I didn't know you'd heard that." Rarity said, a bit stunned. "Well yes, I met him for lunch today, and he's actually quite nice. He will be helping me with the court case, which will save the boutique. We talked about going out again next week. I also came here to tell you that."

"Alright then." Fluttershy deadpanned, making Rarity's heartrate quicken.

"Well...I mean..." Rarity stammered, a droplet of sweat subtly leaking down her forehead. "What do you think about that? After our last conversation, I was convinced that you'd broken up with me...I'm trying to have a conversation with you, to see how you feel, so we can go from here."

"Okay, this is how I feel:" Fluttershy stated, not aggressively, but still in a way that made Rarity's mouth seal shut. "I feel like it didn't take you very long at all to move on from me, so I'm hurt in that vein. But, I can tell that from the start, your heart wasn't in this."

"No, Fluttershy, that's not-" Rarity began.

"Rarity, it's fine. You don't have to try to save my feelings. I know you didn't really want this in the first place, that it was you experimenting. Sometimes these experiments don't work out. It'll take a while to heal, but I'm fine with you doing what you want here. You obviously have strong feelings for Fancypants, so I won't get in the way of that." Fluttershy stated. "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Rarity was slightly stunned.

"Fluttershy, it's not that I didn't want something with you...I mean, we had broken up..." Rarity said quietly.

"I wouldn't say that, that wasn't the message I was trying to convey, but I understand how you could get that feeling." Fluttershy said, surprisingly evenly for this subject which clearly held a lot of emotional weight for her. "It's fine, Rarity. Date Fancypants. Again, just being real with you, it will take a while for me to heal. But at the end of the day, it just wasn't meant to be. I was actually in the middle of making some carrot stew, if you'd like to stay to have some." Rarity shook her head subtly as she stood up.

"No thank you." Rarity said, still somewhat quietly. "I wish this could have ended less painfully."

"There's pain, sure, but also a lesson." Fluttershy replied, as she stood herself. "Are you sure you don't want to have a cup of tea at least?"

"N-No I'm alright." Rarity said, sensing that it would be better for her to leave the cottage. "I have to get back to the boutique to handle some things. Are you sure you're okay?" Fluttershy nodded.

"I will be, yes." Fluttershy replied. "Like I said, it will take a little while for me to heal, but I'll be fine. I'm an adult."Rarity nodded and walked to her now-former marefriend and gave her a hug, which Fluttershy returned.

"I'm glad we can still be friends." Rarity said, as they separated. "It would be hard not to have you in my life." Fluttershy gave a small smile, which quickly fell away.

"We always will be." Fluttershy replied, but it was a bit difficult for Rarity to believe it. There was a...stiffness between them now. There were no witty quips, there was no adoration or happiness. There were just their eyes, looking into each other's then away just as quickly. "Be safe on your way home. I'll see you sometime later."

"Yes, right." Rarity said with a small smile and a nod, moving to leave. "Thank you for understanding, Fluttershy."

"Thank you for being up front." Fluttershy replied, giving a small wave to Rarity who was a ways down her walk, and who looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

'This is what's best, right?' Rarity thought to herself, watching Fluttershy wave at her with a warm smile and heartbroken eyes. 'The boutique isn't going to go under, you're going to be dating Fancypants, things are going to work out. And like she said, she'll heal.' Rarity turned her head and her stomach churned, no matter how many justifications her mind put out.

Fluttershy closed the door, and stood at it for a minute or so, her breathing escalating. Her knees began to tremble and after a moment of that they buckled. Tears had started welling in her eyes the moment she'd closed the door, and they now were spilling down her cheeks in steady streams. Her breathing trembled as she inhaled and let out a flurry of devastated sobs.

One Month Later

Rainbow, letting out a heavy breath, spun and bucked the apple tree with all of her might. Apples rained down from the branches and fell into their buckets, making the pegasus let out a whoop in celebration. Applejack, who'd just bucked a tree herself, laughed happily. The farm mare raised an eyebrow, giving Rainbow Dash applause as she walked over to her. Rainbow sat an nuzzled her wife, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Starting tomorrow, it'll be just me out here." Rainbow said. "After eight months of zero physical labor, you're gonna have to work hard to catch up with me." Applejack ruffled Rainbow's mane, making her laugh sweetly.

"Well a few days of this morning sickness, and you'd be begging me to take the pain away. Ah'm doin' work of my own. Besides," She stood and ran up to a tree, casually giving it a buck, making all the apples fall from it. Rainbow, who'd been putting her all into each buck gawked at Applejack's casual effort. "Ah don't think Ah'll have too far to go till I get better than you at this again." Rainbow smirked wryly and stood herself.

"Well, I'll have to just work extra hard then!" Rainbow spouted, giving another tree a buck, loosing most of the apples. However, her attempt to make it look casual like Applejack's last buck had resulted in less returns.

"Yeah, good luck." Applejack chuckled. "Ah don't think it'll be so bad, it bein' just me runnin' the stand in town. Ah can catch up on some readin'."

"Ooh! Read the Daring Do books!" Rainbow said happily. "They're my favorite!"

"Well, Ah imagine Ah'll have the time." Applejack replied. "You about ready to pack it in for the day?"

"Why are you so ready to end your last day of work?" Rainbow asked, picking up an apple from the ground and tossing it into a bucket.

"Rainbow, we've been workin' for an extra hour, and we've doubled our quota for today." Applejack deadpanned. "And contrary to how easily Ah've been out-buckin' ya this whole time, Ah do tend to fatigue easier when Ah'm three months pregnant. Ah mean, Ah have an actual baby bump now." Applejack turned and Rainbow might as well have had hearts in her eyes. The confident pegasus had always turned to jelly at seeing her pregnant wife's belly, unable to handle how cute it was.

"Oh my gosh, so so cuuuute." Rainbow gushed, giving her wife a tight hug. Applejack laughed and hugged Rainbow back, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Seriously, though. Ah'm beat, and Ah think we're good to stop. Wanna go grab some food somewhere?" Applejack asked. "Ah was thinking Sugarcube Corner?" Rainbow nodded vigorously, running and lifting a bucket of apples up into the cart.

"Let's go!" Rainbow said, grunting as she lifted a second bucket. "I just now realized how hungry I am!

It didn't take very long for the two of them to load the cart down completely. Applejack hooked Rainbow Dash up to the hitch. Despite straining for a moment, Rainbow got the cart moving. She pulled it easily enough, although it wasn't with no effort.

"Where exactly-Urgh-" Rainbow strained as she pulled a wheel over a rather pronounced root. "Where's Big Mac?" Applejack, seeing the hill they were approaching, moved behind the cart and began to push, assisting her wife up the hill.

"He's got a date with Cheerilee right now." Applejack replied, her added effort making the trip uphill much less of an issue. "Ah imagine he'll be makin' up for missing today."

"Geez, he's over there so much." Rainbow said. "You'd think Cheerilee would have to teach Applebloom and Scootaloo in a wheelchair." Applejack laughed loudly, losing some strength right at the top of the hill, causing Rainbow to pull harder, her eyes widening slightly. Applejack laughed hard, steadying herself against the cart and preventing its movement. Rainbow, when she no longer had to keep the cart from rolling downhill, laughed as well.

"Oh, that was a good one, baby." Applejack breathed as she began to push again. Rainbow pulled and giggled.

"Well I am pretty funny." Rainbow said, pulling the cart into the barn. "It just flows, you know? Is it sexy?" Applejack sighed and put a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.

"You know it is." Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. "But you know what's even sexier? Modesty." Rainbow scoffed and rolled her eyes as they left the barn.

"Modesty isn't a word I understand." Rainbow replied as they entered the house.

"That's a fact, and its a wonder to me that my grandbaby still married you." Granny Smith stated. She was busy knitting in her chair, and they hadn't noticed her so her sudden remark had made Rainbow jump. "You sure can back it up, but it wouldn't kill ya to be humble once in a while, Dash." Rainbow giggled and rubbed the back of her head.

"Yeah I know, Granny." Rainbow said sheepishly.

"We're gonna go get ready and go to Sugarcube Corner." Applejack said to her grandmother. "Want us to bring ya anything back?" Granny thought for a moment, resting her head in her hoof.

"Ah'll take a cupcake. Chocolate. Been eatin' apples so much lately its like applesauce has replaced the blood in my veins." Granny Stated with a nod.

"Alright, gross. Chocolate cupcake it is." Applejack laughed, as she and her wife went to their bathroom. Rainbow, as was customary, requested a bout of intimacy in the shower. And as was usual, Applejack refused, as Granny was right in the other room. Rainbow pouted as she cleaned herself, and Applejack delighted in how adorably Rainbow Dash pouted. They promptly dried themselves off, and were leaving soon after.

"My, that was quick." Granny said as they were leaving. "Ah guess y'all decided not to-"

"Alright, thanks Granny, we'll bring you that cupcake!" Applejack said quickly, pushing a laughing Rainbow Dash out through the door. Still laughing, Rainbow began to cough for a moment, wiping her mouth when she was done.

"AJ, why are you so weird about that stuff?" Rainbow asked. "You know she knows we do it."

"Well, that ain't your granny." Applejack replied, raising an eyebrow above the other furrowed one. "Ah'm sure you can figure out why it's just a little bit weird for me."

"Hey, she's my granny in law." Rainbow said in a mock-serious tone. "It's plenty weird for me too." Applejack laughed and sighed.

"If you say so." She replied. The walk to Ponyville was calming and happy, as it usually was for Rainbow and Applejack when they walked together. Somewhere before they arrived, Rainbow got the idea of challenging her wife to a race. She thought better of it however, looking at the baby bump Applejack now sported.

"Gah, I wish that we could race or something." Rainbow said, giving off a small sigh. This made Applejack frown, and she looked at her wife. She was smiling, but a small hint of want was present in her eyes.

"Who says we can't race?" Applejack asked. "Ah ain't got any 'bump', pretty much."

"Well, you say that..." Rainbow said, before looking down at her wife's belly. It was true, Rainbow could see the bump as it was beginning to form, but anyone not looking for it probably wouldn't be able to. Applejack slapped Rainbow's shoulder, making her laugh.

"Alright, race to Sugarcube Corner." Applejack stated, very slightly offended at Rainbow's implication.

"AJ, it's like twelve-thirty." Rainbow replied. "There's gonna be a lot of ponies out and about."

"Oh, so now the prospect of a race is making you nervous." Applejack scoffed. "Ah'll just consider this you forfeiting, and it'll go down as a win for me." Rainbow chuckled and shook her head.

"Hey, if you want to race me for a sec, then get tired and lose, that's up to you." Rainbow said, doing a stretch. "You sure about thi-" Rainbow almost gasped when Applejack shot past her, making her mane blow in the wind for a moment. Rainbow took off after Applejack, but despite her expectations, found it difficult to close the distance. She'd gotten somewhat closer to accomplishing this as they reached Ponyville, but Applejack had beaten her by a good margin.

"Well, well, well..." Applejack laughed, shaking her head. "Looks like its time for you to recant." Applejack poked her wife in the chest, and Rainbow laughed putting a hoof up.

"Okay, okay! Fine, you're still very capable, despite your pregnancy." Rainbow said, the last bits of her laugh still coming through her words. "Happy?" Applejack gave a small nod and they approached Sugarcube Corner. They opened the door and Pinkie Pie's constantly-high-on-life voice came through instantly as she happily chatted with some pony. Rainbow looked at Applejack and raised her eyebrows.

"Sounds like she's feeling pretty hyper." Rainbow said. "You know, its not too late to go to Cafe Du Mane."

"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie's voice called, seemingly on cue. Rainbow sighed and gave a small shrug.

"We been to Cafe Du Mane a lot lately anyways." Applejack sighed before nodding at the door. Rainbow, giving a small eye-roll and entered the confectionery, followed by Applejack. Pinkie Pie had been chatting it up with Amethyst Star, who Rainbow and Applejack hadn't seen in several months. The unicorn gave a happy wave to the couple as they walked in.

"Pinkie, I'm curious, how exactly did you know it was them before the door was even open all the way?" Amethyst asked.

"Oh, I saw a glimpse of Rainbow's light blue coat! Then a bit of AJ's blonde mane." Pinkie replied.

"But the door was only open an inch or two...And you were in the middle of talking to me. Like, mid-sentence." Amethyst said.

"Amethyst, Pinkie somehow has abilities beyond any of our comprehension." Rainbow said, approaching the counter. "It's something you come to understand when you're friends with her."

"Must be a wild life." Amethyst replied, giving a small laugh and a hug to Rainbow. She did the same with Applejack. "How have you guys been?"

"Well, we've been pretty great, actually." Applejack said. "Ah'm uh...Ah'm pregnant." Amethyst's eyes widened slightly and she smiled, letting out a small laugh.

"That's...That's amazing!" She said. "Oh my goddesses, I'm so excited for you two!" She gave them another hug, and Rainbow laughed as well and looked at her wife, perhaps a bit of disbelief in there.

"Thanks!" Rainbow chirped happily. "Y'know, we're moving through life and stuff. How about you?" Amethyst blushed and she looked at the small bag she was carrying next to her, levitating with her magic.

"Well, I'm putting myself out there." Amethyst replied. "I got a treat for this stallion I'm going to see tonight. This is our...third date." Rainbow raised an eyebrow and Applejack gave a genuine smile.

"Ooh, third date, huh?" Rainbow asked, making a clear implication, earning an elbow in her ribs from Applejack. "Ow!" She grumbled and rubbed the area that was elbowed.

"Well that's very nice, Amethyst." Applejack said politely, her wife nodding in agreement.

"Thank you. We'll see where it goes." The unicorn said with a small laugh before moving to leave. "Congratulations again, guys!" She turned her head as she walked out the door.

"Dashie, Applejack, romance is in the air, and it's amazing!" The pink pony cried out, bouncing behind the counter. "You know, Rainbow, she bought her stallion the same chocolate heart you bought for AJ here." Rainbow blushed and looked at Applejack, who was struck silent herself.

"Geez, that was more than two years ago now...Well give or take a month or two." Rainbow laughed. "I'd forgotten that I got that in the first place."

"Yeah...Ah remember putting it in the fridge because...Well, Ah just couldn't bear to eat it." Applejack said as she blushed too. "Ah hope its still there."

"We can look when we get home. We've been standing around enough. Can we get a table on the porch, Pinkie?" Rainbow said, fighting through her feelings of love that had filled her mind when Pinkie had talked about the heart. Pinkie, who could clearly sense the love between them, cared nothing about the delay.

"One table for two outside. Go on and get out there so you can be all romantic and stuff." Pinkie said knowingly. "The usual for the two of you, I take it?"

"That sounds fine, Pinkie. Can Ah get a tea as well, with a wedge of lemon? My throat's feelin' a little scratchy." Applejack asked, prompting Pinkie to nod. The two mares moved outside and took their seats. Rainbow had always preferred to sit on the outside of the porch, as the sunlight on her skin delighted her. Applejack had always chosen the table in the back-right corner of the porch for this reason, just a little thing she always did when they ate at Sugarcube Corner, because she loved her wife deeply.

"I had totally forgotten about that heart." Rainbow said through a small laugh, running a hoof through her mane. "Seems like it was so long ago, now."

"Well, it was." Applejack said. "Reminds me of a lot of things."

"Like the day I gave it to you." Rainbow sighed. "I have...mixed feelings about that day."

"Ah honestly don't like thinkin' about it." Applejack replied. "It was one of the times Ah was so needlessly cruel to you..." Rainbow put a hoof on Applejack's trying to stop the emotional train of those memories before it derailed.

"AJ, that's in the past now." Rainbow said. "We can talk about it. I know it was rough..."

"Really rough." Applejack said, her voice breaking slightly and her eyes brimming with tears. "Ah still think about your eyes that night."

"It was rough, but look at us now." Rainbow said. "The reason that bad stuff went on between us doesn't even exist anymore. We're so happy, everypony knows about us, and nothing's different. Well, things became different for a while after we came out, but we don't really have to talk about that." Applejack chuckled and wiped her eyes.

"Yeah, considerin' where we are." Applejack laughed.

"Besides, I don't consider that night completely awful..." Rainbow said, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow. Without a word from the pegasus, Applejack knew exactly what her wife was referring to. "That time we had...In the barn..." Applejack laughed out loud.

"Yeah, despite what Ah said...Ah definitely think that was my unfulfilled desire for you comin' through there." Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her head as she recalled their steamy night together. Despite the interaction having ended in a less than savory way, the tryst itself remained a fond memory.

"I like to think I fulfilled you pretty good." Rainbow said, looking at a hoof confidently, making Applejack laugh again.

"That you did, that you did." Applejack leaned over the table and kissed Rainbow Dash lovingly. Separating from the kiss, the farm mare saw something behind Rainbow that made her eyes widen slightly. "That's Fluttershy." Rainbow spun at her wife's words, and sure enough, Fluttershy was walking through Ponyville, no doubt to get groceries and go home. Neither of the mares had heard from her in weeks.

"Where's she been?" Rainbow asked, concern present in her words. "She...She looks so sad..."

"Do you...Do you think she needs help?" Applejack asked.

"If I had to guess, yeah. I mean, she's usually really polite about stuff like this, so I doubt she'd actually ask for help." Rainbow stated. "It'd probably take me asking her about it." Applejack, having had the flood of memories from the chocolate heart and their night in the barn, regarded Fluttershy's forlorn look with sorrow.

"Rainbow, you should go talk to her." Applejack said. "She's one of my best friends, but she's known you basically her whole life. Ah doubt she'd open up as much if Ah were there." Rainbow was slightly stunned by Applejack's assertion.

"AJ, we're on a date." Rainbow replied. "I mean...I don't want to just leave you."

"Rainbow we decided to come here in a bit of a spur of the moment thing. Don't worry about me." Applejack assured her. "We haven't heard from her in a couple weeks, and she's clearly not okay. Look, when we went through all that bad stuff toward the beginning, Fluttershy was there for you, wasn't she?" Rainbow looked down and nodded.

"Yeah, yeah she was." Rainbow said quietly. "At the worst of it...She was there."

"So go to her." Applejack said, rubbing Rainbow's hoof with hers, smiling warmly. "Help her...Because she helped us." Rainbow nodded and stood.

"Save my food for me, okay?" Rainbow said. "I love you."

"Ah love you too." Applejack replied before Rainbow walked out through the swinging porch gate. Watching her wife as she cantered after Fluttershy, she was filled with the warmth of devotion and love. Her bouncing, slightly-scruffy mane, her beautiful rose eyes, her confidence and desire to help others...All these things and more flooded her mind, and her stomach fluttered at the knowledge that this was a mare she was married to. "Ah love you so, so much." Applejack said to Rainbow, even though she was sure her wife couldn't hear her.

"Hey!" Rainbow called as she caught up to Fluttershy quickly, startling the pegasus. She smiled as Rainbow approached, but she'd clearly been crying, as her eyes were slightly red. Rainbow decided not to mention this. "Haven't heard from you in a while. How have things been?"

"Oh, hi Rainbow." Fluttershy replied quietly giving a small, polite smile. "Things have been okay, I suppose."

"Well, I just saw you walking all alone and forlorn and stuff." Rainbow said, letting Fluttershy know that her explanation wasn't working. She looked at Rainbow, who returned with a knowing expression. The cyan mare landed next to her friend and walked beside her. "Come on, what's wrong?"

"A critter just died, that's all." Fluttershy stated. "It's not that big a deal, it happens a lot."

"Well, do you want to talk about it?" Rainbow asked, still sensing Fluttershy's fib. "You know you can tell me anything, right? I mean, you were there for me." Fluttershy nodded subtly, and she definitely seemed to want to open up.

"Well...There is...Something else..." Fluttershy said, her voice becoming even quieter. "You can...You can keep a secret, right? Even from Applejack?" Rainbow nodded immediately which gave Fluttershy some modicum of relief. She sighed and continued, looking around for any other ponies. As they were moving onto the path to the Ponyville outskirts, and by extension, her cottage, she felt more inclined to openly share.

"There...There's been...Something has happened with me...and Rarity." Fluttershy said, causing Rainbow to raise her eyebrows, stunned. Deciding not to comment yet, however, Rainbow gave Fluttershy a small nod to continue. "It started a few months ago, but that was when I first kissed her. We'd had an evening together, and I had misread some signals. I kissed her, and she didn't feel the same way at the time. But I think that sparked some feelings, and those came out at the beach house...after that party. Rarity and I had gone for a walk on the beach...That was where she kissed me for the first time."

"You mean...Oh, wow...You know, I think AJ and I might have heard you guys get back from that." Rainbow replied, making Fluttershy blush heavily.

"Do you think she..." Fluttershy uttered, becoming mortified.

"We talked about it for a moment, but it was just us suspecting. I can throw her off the scent if you want." Rainbow assured her, once again calming the pegasus.

"Thank you." Fluttershy breathed. "I don't think that'll be necessary, but that makes me feel better."

"Wait, when you guys got out of the haunted house so late..." Rainbow began, connecting dots that had been there since their vacation.

"She came back for me." Fluttershy said, smiling wistfully through tears and looking up at the sky. "I was too scared to go on...And she came back and found me..." Fluttershy's eyes lowered. Sensing that Fluttershy was teetering on the emotional edge again, Rainbow Dash furthered the conversation.

"Keep going, Flutters."

"Well...She told me that she was in...unfamiliar territory with me." Fluttershy said, striking a chord within Rainbow. "She said that she wanted to start something with me. Things went really well for a couple weeks after we got back, but she...Well she got that lawsuit so she was really stressed...It was looking like she was going to lose the boutique. We went and had dinner. Fancypants showed up and after he left, he was all she could talk about. It didn't end well and I guess she thought we were broken up, so...she started going out with Fancypants."

"Yeah, I remember her mentioning that." Rainbow said with a nod.

"She...she dropped me like nothing." Fluttershy said quietly. "She came by my cottage, and we talked about it...She ended things there, and I told her that it would be okay...That I'd heal...But so far it hasn't healed too much." Rainbow sighed and nodded, putting a hoof on her shoulder as they got to her cottage. They entered, and Angel was asleep on the couch. Fluttershy, not wanting to disturb his rest, walked to the dining room. Rainbow followed her and she sat at Fluttershy's table. Fluttershy, almost reading Rainbow's mind, put on some tea before sitting herself.

"Well, Fluttershy I see this situation just about this way:" Rainbow said to her friend. "I think the healing process is different for everypony. So as far as that goes, I would just give you more time to let that happen. Do you still want things to work out with Rarity?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." Fluttershy sighed.

"Well, Flutters, I'm gonna be honest with you." Rainbow said, putting a hoof on Fluttershy's foreleg. "I think the more you hold out for this thing to happen, the less you're actually gonna heal. I'm not trying to say that Rarity has been trying to play with your heart, but I don't know if holding the torch like this is the best thing for you. She seemed really happy when she was telling me about Fancypants, though."

"Knowing that doesn't help." Fluttershy said, laying her head on the table.

"Fluttershy, I'm just trying to say..." Rainbow sighed, shaking her head. "Maybe it might be good for you to go ahead and let her go." The statement brought Fluttershy's head up from the table and she looked at her daredevil friend with tears in her eyes.

"I...I don't know if..."

"I'm not here to tell you to do anything in particular, but you wanted my advice, right?" Rainbow asked, prompting Fluttershy to nod. "Well then, I think putting more energy and emotion into this is just gonna hurt you more. Rarity knows exactly how you feel about her, right?"

"Yes."

"And do you honestly think she feels the same way about you?" Rainbow asked, prompting Fluttershy to shake her head in a forlorn manner. "Then as far as I can see, there's your answer."

"What about what happened between you and Applejack a couple years ago?" Fluttershy asked. "You held the torch for Applejack...Look how that worked out." Rainbow sighed and scratched the back of her head.

"That's funny, me and AJ were just talking about that." Rainbow said. "When I was going after Applejack, I could tell she was hiding her feelings. She pushed me away, became cold out of nowhere...But the whole time, I knew she still had those feelings for me. Rarity came and spoke to you about this?"

"Yes. She came and asked me how I felt about the situation, and that she was going to stay with Fancypants." Fluttershy explained. Rainbow sighed through her nose and nodded slowly.

"See, it sounds like she was pretty up front with you about it. With AJ, it wasn't like that." Rainbow said as tears welled in Fluttershy's eyes. "It sounds to me like Rarity was just...experimenting."

"I know...That's what I thought too. I think...I think I might have pushed her away..." Fluttershy uttered, a small sob coming from the back of her throat. Rainbow stood and walked around the table, putting a foreleg around Fluttershy. "I was...I was just so excited to have her..."

"I know, Flutters. I know." Rainbow sighed, rubbing her friend's back as she cried into her chest. Rainbow felt just a small amount of anger toward Rarity. It wasn't that she thought Rarity had done this to Fluttershy on purpose, it was simply how heartbroken Fluttershy was that stirred her. "Do you think you might have pushed her away for a reason?"

"I saw her with Fancypants...and I saw how excited she was when he asked her out." Fluttershy breathed, trying not to continue sobbing. "I could tell that I was already fading to the back of her mind." Rainbow felt rather unsure about Fluttershy's reasoning. She would even say that perhaps the pink maned pegasus had overthought the situation by just a bit. Even so, it was hard to disagree that Rarity seemed much happier now.

"Well...I know you're probably feeling pretty drained." Rainbow said, giving Fluttershy a small squeeze. "But AJ and I were gonna have some of Granny's carrot stew tonight for dinner. Plus, Im pretty sure there's still some leftovers from Sugarcube Corner. There's more than enough to share." Fluttershy sat up and wiped her tears, giving Rainbow a small smile.

"Oh Rainbow, I wouldn't want to impose." Fluttershy said quietly, but with sure appreciation in her words.

"How did I know you were going to say that?" Rainbow asked, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow, bringing a small giggle out of Fluttershy. The sight made Rainbow quite happy. "Come oooonn, it'll be fun. We're gonna chow down, maybe get a few hard ciders in us..."

"I thought Applejack couldn't drink." Fluttershy said, her tone evening out as the situation became less heavy.

"Well duh. I meant for you and me. Of course Applejack can't drink." Rainbow stated in a matter of fact way, making Fluttershy laugh again. "You can even bring Angel with you. I'm sure he'd like to see Tank and Winona. Also, I'm sure he'd be welcome to a bowl of the stew."

"Well...Okay! That sounds fun." The pegasus said as she nodded happily. The tea kettle started to whistle. "Well, there's the tea! Would you want to have some before we leave?" Rainbow nodded vigorously, standing from her seat.

"Hay yeah! It's getting chilly, too." Rainbow said. Fluttershy, feeling an overwhelming amount of love for her friend, walked to her and gave her a tight, but not uncomfortable hug. Rainbow returned it, smiling warmly.

"Thank you." Fluttershy said quietly, feeling much better about the situation at hand already.

"No prob, Flutters." Rainbow replied. "But...you may wanna get that tea."

Author's Note

Okay, so this was originally a 12K word chapter, so I split it into two and will post the second half in a day or two, with some stuff added to it. Cheers!

Chapter 12

The morning light slowly and steadily shone through the bedroom window of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The light, slowly rising with the sun that supplied it, hit Applejack's closed eyes. This caused her to stir from her rest. As opposed to her wife, Applejack loved to be woken up in the morning in this manner. Letting out a small groan as she stretched, she turned and wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash from behind, who was still quite dead to the world. Rainbow let out a small moan and turned her head, looking at Applejack sleepily.

"Mornin' gorgeous." Applejack said lovingly, giving Rainbow a small kiss on the tip of her nose. Rainbow giggled quietly and settled back in, scooting backward to be closer to the farm mare.

"Good morning." Rainbow replied with a sleepy rasp to her voice. "How'd you sleep?"

"Ah slept well. Tossed and turned a bit trying to get there, but once Ah was out, Ah was out." Applejack chuckled. "Maybe its the pregnancy."

"Mmmm...Yeah..." Rainbow moaned, her voice trailing off.

"Rainbow?" Applejack asked, leaning over the pegasus slightly. She discovered her wife sound asleep once more. Rainbow had been working extraordinarily hard, and deciding not to disturb her rest, Applejack got out of bed and thought about what she could surprise Rainbow Dash with for breakfast when she woke up. This thought process was interrupted when she felt a familiar burning sickness in her stomach. Suddenly, the dinner she'd eaten the previous night began to bubble up in her stomach. Applejack, who knew exactly what this sensation was, gasped and covered her mouth with a hoof. She fervently sprinted toward the bathroom the two mares shared. Rainbow Dash was awoken by this sudden shift on the bed and came to just as her wife sprinted from the room.

"AJ?" Rainbow called, confused. The sound of Applejack retching into their toilet put the movement into her as she got out of the bed and walked quickly toward the restroom to see the love of her life retch into the toilet once more.

"Ah...Ah hate..." Applejack's eyes widened and she quickly turned back to the toilet and retched once more, the vomit finally deciding to come up. "...Mornin' sickness..." Even though she knew it was a normal situation, Rainbow Dash absolutely hated seeing Applejack in this position. The pegasus got down on the floor next to Applejack and stroked her mane after flushing the toilet.

"I know, baby." Rainbow sighed. "But it's for the foal. I don't know exactly why it happens, but its for the baby." She continued to softly stroke Applejack's mane as she breathed deeply, her head hung low. Granny Smith appeared at the bathroom door and smiled down at her granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law.

"Oh, mornin' sickness." Granny said almost fondly. "Ah remember that. Good times, good times." Rainbow raised an eyebrow and smirked at her, and Applejack gave her a look of pure incredulity, her mouth hanging open slightly.

"That's rich comin' from you. You're not the one pukin' up her guts." Applejack borderline growled. Granny Smith scoffed at Applejack and shook her head.

"Girl, Ah'd give anything just for the ability to have mornin' sickness again." Granny said with a small laugh. "Back when my ovaries actually worked." Rainbow Dash burst into hearty laughter and Applejack's face turned beet red.

"Granny!" Applejack gasped.

"That was great." Rainbow giggled. Granny smiled at them and let out a small laugh herself.

"Oh Applejack, Ah said somethin' about my ovaries, not yours." The old mare stated, giving Applejack a look like she was crazy. "We're all adults here."

"Speak for yourself." Applebloom said, walking up to the bathroom herself. She looked in and cringed. "Ooh, mornin' sickness, huh? That's rough." Applejack scoffed and shook her head.

"Alright well nice town meetin', everypony. All we're missin' is Mayor Mare now." Applejack grumbled as she stood from the bathroom floor.

"What's everypony standin' here for-oh." Big Mac asked as he poked his head in, realizing it was a pregnancy thing, and pulled his head right back out. Everyone present laughed heavily, save for Applejack who lowered her brows quietly. The town meeting moved into the living room, and Granny resumed making breakfast, which smelled to be apple pancakes. Granny always included fruit with pancakes and had always insisted that anyone eating the pancakes had to eat all the fruit they were served as well. None of them minded it too terribly, save for Applebloom who, being a filly, would have preferred just the pancakes.

"But...Can Ah just let Applejack and Rainbow split my fruit, just this once?" Applebloom whined.

"Applebloom, you need that fruit for them nutrients and such. Ya won't get that from just the pancakes." Granny stated, taking a bite of flapjack.

"Ah've had just pancakes for breakfast before." The filly countered. "Ah definitely didn't waste away and die."

"Applebloom, just eat your fruit." Applejack sighed. "What's so gross about it? It's grapes, apple slices and cantaloupe. It's good!" The orange mare took a bite of cantaloupe and let out a small happy sound at the taste.

"Yeah come on, Applebloom. It'll make you-" Rainbow began.

"Big and strong?" Applebloom finished, raising an eyebrow. The pegasus gave Applejack a look that said "yikes" before continuing.

"No, actually. I was going to say that it'll make you smart." Rainbow retorted without a second of thought. Applejack raised an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, who pretended not to notice. "I mean yeah, getting fast and strong is an obvious benefit, but where the real cool stuff is at is the smarts." Applebloom, though still trying to give off the image that she didn't believe it, couldn't help but let off a slight interest in what Rainbow was saying.

"Yeah?" Applebloom said.

"Yep. The cantaloupe has a special molecule in it that lowers the lactic acid in the muscles. Then that frees up more energy for your body to use on your brain." Rainbow explained, earning subtle but disbelieving looks from Granny and Big Mac as well at that point. "Then the grape skins have a fiber in them that strengthens the nervous system. I know that would sound like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to just anypony, but you know what I'm talkin' about, right?" Rainbow smirked at Applebloom knowingly and the filly blushed before nodding, seemingly on instinct.

"Uh...yeah! Yeah, of course Ah know what you're talkin' about. The molecules and fibers and such." Applebloom said before taking a large bite of cantaloupe.

"Yeah," Rainbow said, smirking at the rest of the family with furrowed eyebrows. Applejack felt a small tinge of annoyance, and also significant attraction to her glib pegasus wife. "And such."

"Ah won't lie to ya, that was an impressive yarn you spun to Applebloom to get her to eat her fruit." Applejack admitted as she and Rainbow left the farmhouse. They'd decided to spend their day off together in Ponyville, and considering how tired both mares were, it was a prospect that was exciting and at the same time relaxing.

"It wasn't too hard." Rainbow replied cooly. "I just took a couple of actual scientific terms and mixed them with utter bull and yeah, fillies usually are none the wiser."

"Have a lot of experience deceivin' fillies, now do we?" Applejack teased, making Rainbow laugh.

"Hey, without my deception, she wouldn't have eaten her fruit. Where would little AB be without her nutrients for the day?" Rainbow inquired jovially and Applejack looked at her with a serious expression.

"She would've eaten her fruit." Applejack deadpanned. "Ah'd have shoved them down her throat if you hadn't done that." Rainbow raised an eyebrow at her wife, her eyes widening slightly. Unable to keep up the facade anymore, Applejack broke into a fit of giggles, Rainbow Dash promptly joining her. They laughed together for a steady half-minute before it died down.

"For like a second I thought you were being real." Rainbow said.

"Who says Ah wasn't?" Applejack replied, lowering her voice again, bringing forth another few seconds of laughing. "Really though, Ah liked what Ah saw in there. It made me think of what it's gonna be like when we have our foal." Rainbow's heart lit up with love as Applejack said this, and she nuzzled her wife. Suddenly the winter air wasn't as cold anymore.

"It's gonna be so great." Rainbow said, the warmth in her spreading out through her body. "Just you, me and our family." Applejack let out a small giggle and pressed her body into Rainbow's as they walked.

"So...Ah'm kinda tired of Sugarcube Corner and Cafe Du Mane." Applejack said before looking at Rainbow. "What do ya say to a picnic? We could grab some bread, some veggies at the market, make ourselves some sandwiches out in the fields." Rainbow smiled widely at the suggestion and nodded.

"Sounds amazing, AJ." Rainbow beamed, before something above them caught her eye. Gaining a confused expression on her face, she nudged her spouse and pointed upward. Applejack looked up herself to see Fluttershy descending toward them. She had a perturbed look on her face, one that telegraphed the anxiety she was feeling. Rainbow Dash had a sick feeling this had something to do with a certain white unicorn pony.

"Fluttershy!" Applejack said happily, though the surprise she felt bled its way into her words as well. "What brings you around here so early?"

"Is everything okay?" Rainbow Dash asked, as Fluttershy landed before them. She looked as if she'd just finished crying.

"I'm sorry to bother you so early...I just...I don't think anything is okay right now." Fluttershy replied. Rainbow nodded slowly, understanding at least the essence of the problem. She supposed Fluttershy had tried, and failed, to spark romance with Rarity once again.

"Oh no! What's wrong, sugarcube? Can we help?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy looked at Rainbow, who returned her look with understanding, and then back at Applejack.

"Does this have to do with who I think it has to do with?" Rainbow Dash asked, making Fluttershy nod as she blushed deeply. Rainbow sighed and nodded. "Alright. Tell us what happened." Applejack switched looks between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, exceedingly confused.

"Hold up, am Ah missin' somethin'?" Applejack asked. Rainbow remembered that Applejack had absolutely no knowledge of Fluttershy and Rarity's failed romance and lowered her ears.

"Well...I may not have been entirely truthful with you last night." Rainbow said, making Applejack raise a suspicious eyebrow.

"Rainbow Dash, please don't tell me that the two of you..." Applejack said with worry, looking to Fluttershy then back to Rainbow. Both mares' eyes widened and Rainbow Dash took a step back.

"Oh, hay no!" Rainbow immediately stated, and Fluttershy blushed heavily feeling her own confusion well up. "Applejack, there's absolutely no way!" Rainbow was angry that Applejack had the thought and the farm mare became defensive in return to Rainbow's rising tone.

"Well what the hay was Ah supposed to think, when you gave me that whole confession last night, and then she shows up here, talkin' about how things aren't okay?" Applejack asked.

"Confession?" Fluttershy said quietly, to no one in particular.

"That was years ago! And you were fine with it." Rainbow almost growled. "I told you that because I felt awful about it, and you didn't seem all that bothered."

"Girls!" Fluttershy cried, making them stop their arguing, and look at her. The pegasus surely had become more assertive, or perhaps her anxiety was keeping the much more important subject at the front of her mind. "First of all, what are you two talking about?"

"Rainbow...She told me last night that after she and Ah had that bad fight a couple years ago, she got drunk, went to your house and..."

"Kissed me." Fluttershy finished for the farm mare, surprising her. She furrowed her eyebrows at this assumption, and Applejack felt her annoyance.

"Well, yeah." Applejack responded. "And Ah assumed that when you came down here, talkin' about-"

"You're wrong." Fluttershy said plainly. "Rainbow was actually very wonderful and helpful to me yesterday. There was nothing romantic going on, at least between she and I." Rainbow sighed and placed a forehoof on her head.

"Fluttershy, you didn't." Rainbow said.

"No, I didn't." Fluttershy replied, prompting Rainbow to look up at her. "But she did."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Applejack said, putting a hoof up into the air. "Can somepony please tell me what the hay is goin' on?" Applejack looked at Rainbow, who looked at Fluttershy. When Applejack turned to the pink maned pegasus, she blushed and began.

"Well, Applejack...At the beach house, Rarity and I...started up a romance." Fluttershy said, and Applejack looked at Rainbow, putting together that no critter had died. Rainbow raised an eyebrow at her, essentially asking "What are you looking at?" Fluttershy noticed this. "And don't get mad at Rainbow for not telling you, Applejack. I asked her not to. She was just being a loyal friend."

"Ah'm not mad...Just...Surprised, Ah guess. Besides, Ah thought she was datin' Fancypants." Applejack said, looking back at Fluttershy.

"She apparently figured out that their relationship wasn't going to work." Fluttershy replied. Applejack nodded, choosing not to continue to ask questions.

"Keep goin' sugarcube."

"Well, it was very back and forth for a while. It was like she couldn't decide whether she liked me like that or not. I held a torch for her for a good while, but eventually, it just didn't work out." Fluttershy explained.

"What happened after I left last night? You know, after Rarity got there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, we made up and it was very nice. She treated me to a visit to the spa, but right as we were leaving, she...She kissed me." Fluttershy said, making Rainbow shake her head and sit down.

"Unbelievable." Rainbow growled. "I think I have a few choice words for her. She can't just play with your heart like that. She can't-"

"Rainbow, I'm not done." Fluttershy interrupted her friend, who cleared her throat and nodded, once again resuming listening. "Well, of course what you'd said to me rang true, and it just made me angry. I...I gave it to her pretty good before I left her there..."

"Good." Rainbow said quickly.

"But...She came to my house later that night and...and..." Tears welled up in the pegasus' eyes as she attempted to finish her sentence. "and....I think it would just be better if you saw for yourselves. Follow me." Rainbow and Applejack looked at each other in confusion before they followed their friend through the orchard. They didn't say anything to one another as they walked, their earlier tiff still fresh on their minds. After a short while of walking, Applejack sighed and looked over at her wife.

"Rainbow sweetie...Ah'm sorry for assumin' the worst." Applejack said regretfully. "Ah don't know what Ah was thinkin'."

"Well...I guess it makes sense how you could come to the conclusion. It hurt, but it does make sense." Rainbow replied, looking back at Applejack. "If it helps, I felt pretty guilty lying to you last night."

"Let's just put it behind us, okay?" Applejack asked with a small smile.

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow nuzzled her wife before remembering what they were doing. "Hey, Fluttershy where are we...going..." Rainbow dash trailed off, seeing a pony wearing a hood further down the path to the orchard. She wondered who this mystery pony was until she saw the purple mane sticking slightly out of the front of the hood.

"Hey!" Rainbow said, anger in her tone, walking toward the hooded unicorn quickly. "What is the matter with you, Rarity? Fluttershy told you she doesn't want anything like that with you. Make up your mind, already! Why are you being so self-" Rainbow stopped dead in the middle of her sentence and what she was saying when Rarity pulled her hood off to reveal the nasty bruise Fancypants had left her with. Rainbow's ears dropped and her eyes grew wide, the same happened with Applejack. Fluttershy began to cry quietly.

"Rarity...What happened?" Applejack asked, her own eyes welling up.

"Fluttershy, I assume you've told them what happened at the spa?" Rarity asked, her voice steady and stoic, despite her bruised face. Fluttershy, still subtly crying, nodded. "Fancypants happened to see me kiss Fluttershy. He verbally berated me and that I could take, because I honestly felt like I deserved it. I've been selfish."

"Rarity, you didn't deserve-" Fluttershy said.

"Fluttershy, please. I did." Rarity stated, cutting off the pegasus. "But then he insulted Sweetie Belle, called her stupid and whiny...Said I didn't take care of her...I snapped and hit him in the head with a small glass. Then he did this to me." Applejack was stunned silent. Rainbow Dash, on the other end of the spectrum, was absolutely fuming.

"Where is he?" Rainbow said, struggling to control her breathing.

"Rainbow Dash, its not that simple." Rarity replied.

"Of course it is. We find him, we break his teeth, and call it a day." Rainbow snarled, exhaling deeply through her nose.

"Dash, calm down. Ah don't think that's a realistic option. " Applejack said, remarkably coolly given the large amount of new information she'd received in the last ten minutes. The farm mare seemed to be in deep contemplation for a moment. "Rarity, did you two talk about going to the police?" Rarity nodded.

"Yes, that was the first thought we had when we woke up this morning." Rarity replied, before looking down to the side with shame. "But...I hit him first and it drew blood, so he has just as much of a case as me. In fact, if I hadn't hit him...I don't know if he would have done this."

"Did you feel unsafe?" Rainbow Dash asked, and Rarity gave her a small nod.

"He...He had me cornered when he insulted Sweetie Belle." Rarity stated somewhat quietly.

"Well there's your answer. He berated you, and insulted your sister. I beat the tar our of Amethyst Star for berating me and Applejack. You remember that, right, babe?"

"Yeah, Ah remember. But that wasn't one of your finer moments, Dash." Applejack said to her.

"Okay, sure, but my point is my point. Sometimes some ponies need to get hit." Rainbow stated, and Applejack sighed.

"Rainbow, Ah don't think...breaking his teeth would help matters much." Applejack said, looking at Rarity, who looked downward. She was clearly ashamed of her bruises, as her stoic exterior broke and she began to cry. Applejack approached her and placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Rarity, what do you think? What do you want to do?"

"I...I am...Tired." Rarity said through her tears which seemed to become tears of the angry variety. "I haven't been the best pony for the past few months..." She looked at Fluttershy through her tears, and saw that the pegasus was still crying. "The lawsuit, these bruises...I am tired of being a victim. I want to do something about this."

"Well tell us what's on your mind, Rarity." Rainbow said, approaching her as well. "We're here for you." Rarity looked at Fluttershy, who let out a small sob and ran to Rarity, wrapping her into a hug. Applejack and Rainbow Dash joined in as well, and for the first time in a month, Rarity felt alright.

Fancypants awoke in the afternoon with a massive headache. He groaned and put his hooves to his temples, rubbing them in slow circles. With a small gasp, he remembered the events that had transpired the previous night having been the reason for his headache. His eyes filled with tears at the thought that he had hit Rarity with such viciousness. It was because she'd hit him first, but he'd clearly done more damage to her than she had to him. He didn't even know if she was going to be completely okay. He'd fled the scene too quickly to be sure. He sat up and looked at the clock on his wall and sighed deeply. He still had a couple hours until his train to Canterlot left. He turned on the television in his hotel room and scoffed when he saw that it was a black and white TV.

"Of course." He growled to himself, depressed and desolate inside. He had really liked Rarity, maybe even loved her. Seeing what she'd done with that other mare, her name he'd forgotten, had driven him temporarily mad. Then their conflict came, which had lost him Rarity's affections forever. It was at that point he reminded himself that she probably never felt that way about him in the first place. Fully giving in to his depression, he went and simply sat in the shower. It crossed his mind to get himself off, but his pure apathy won out and he just sat there. Remembering Rarity's limp body, he cried for a few minutes before the dead feeling inside him took over. At that point he stared forward, focusing on the bottom left corner of a single tile. His eyes remained on that corner of the tile for a long time, until the vision around the point began to distort and the hot shower water became lukewarm.

He got out of the shower and was slightly pleased to see that it had been an hour and change. A little less than an hour and he would be at the train station, ready to leave Ponyville forever. He doubted he'd ever come back. Everything he could possibly need was in Canterlot, but he still lamented the quiet life he could have had in the small town with Rarity. Seeing no other option, he flopped into the bed, feeling the fading pain in the back of his head flare up slightly. He didn't care about that, though. At this point, he didn't feel like he could care about anything. He looked out his hotel room window and saw that night had descended fully on Ponyville. Deciding he'd just read a book at the train station while he waited, he packed up all of his belongings neatly into his suitcase. Arranging all of his possessions in such a way always gave him some degree of satisfaction, and this time was no different. Feeling slightly better, but still quite sad and apathetic, Fancypants left his hotel room.

Checking out was a relatively simple affair. He addressed the attendant cordially and made small talk for a moment. He normally detested small talk but he preferred it to discussing why he clearly looked downtrodden. He was able to tell that the mare behind the counter had noticed this. Giving a small good bye, he left the building, using his magic to roll his suitcase behind him. Most of the ponies in Ponyville had already packed up their shops and gone home for the day so it was a relatively quiet walk. He almost felt some happiness again when he was surprised by a hoof wrapping around his mouth and pulling him into a dark alley. The hoof disappeared and he wheeled around to find no one there.

"What the hay...?" He breathed to himself, his eyes wide as he looked around. A dark shape landed on a roof above the alley and he looked up to see something that shocked him deeply. "Mare-Do-Well?"

"Confess." The dark-clad mare called from the roof and his heart skipped a beat as she leapt down in front of him, landing on the ground with grace. Fancypants was astounded. He'd read about this in papers but never thought he'd see the actual Mare-Do-Well.

"Confess to what?" He asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"You know damn well." The unknown pegasus mare said before shoving him into a wall.

"Hey!" He cried out as another Mare-Do-Well stepped from the shadows. This Mare-Do-Well was an Earth Pony and had a slightly stockier build than the other.

"Tell us what you did to her." The pegasus mare said again. "And maybe we won't break your face." With that a third Mare-Do-Well, a unicorn this time, approached as well. Fancypants was sure he recognized the voice of the pegasus, but could not place a name. The unicorn brought a tape recorder out of the darkness with her magic and held it up to him, causing him to raise an eyebrow. The "record" button was clicked down. The pegasus mare-do-well shoved him again, into the earth pony, who shoved him roughly herself. He stumbled into the wall and grunted.

"I'm telling you, I don't know what you're talking about!" He cried, knowing full well exactly what she was talking about.

"A mare you assaulted last night hired us." The pegasus stated. "And she wants a confession. The boss says she wants a confession, she gets a confession." The pegasus roughly pushed him into a magic field generated by the unicorn, who used the magic to envelop him and throw him to the ground.

"Rarity?" He gasped, standing shakily back up. He wasn't physically hurt very badly, but he was quite rattled by what was happening to him. "Oh goddesses....I'm...I'm so sorry for what I did. I really didn't mean to...I got-"

"We need to hear specifically about what you did. For the recorder." The pegasus stated, nodding at the levitating tape recorder. He looked at it, and then at the three mares surrounding him. He looked back and forth between the recorder and the three mares several times, looking slightly frantic.

"I'm sorry...I can't." He said quietly. "I'll...lose everything."

"We don't care." The pegasus Mare-Do-Well stated. "You're gonna say exactly what you did, or things aren't gonna go too well for you." Fancypants stood quickly and backed up several steps.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I can't. I'll never come back to Ponyville again. None of you will ever see me...But I can't go to jail. I can't lose everything I've ever built." Fancypants stated, his voice trembling. "I'm going to go now." He turned and began running, and the earth pony mare blocked his path quickly. The pegasus grabbed his tail and yanked on it roughly. The unicorn held his legs with magic where they were.

"You're not taking another step until you confess what you did! You cornered her and knocked her unconscious! Confess!" Fancypants struggled against the three mares attempting to restrain him and managed to take a couple steps. He breathed heavily and quickly, his eyes darting back and forth wildly.

"I can't!" He cried. "Let go of me, and I'll leave!" The mares didn't listen to what he said, and the earth pony held fast, digging her hooves into the dirt, holding him still. His heart pounded in his chest. Everything he'd built for years was about to crumble to the ground before his eyes. He looked into the eyes of the earth pony, hidden behind the mare-do-well mask. "Please...Let me go..." He said to her, and she seemed to relent for a moment before furrowing her brows.

"No." She said simply. Crying out in anguish and feeling sweat drip down his head, Fancypants struggled greatly against his captors, breaking the magic the unicorn had on his legs and yanking his tail out of the pegasus' hooves. He pushed against the earth pony, who held him there soundly. He struggled, but simply couldn't break her hold on him.

"Let me go!" He cried. "Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" His cries became frantic, almost animalistic, and he continued to struggle. Without thinking, he shot a hoof out and caught the earth pony in the face, knocking her back onto her flank and breaking her hold on him.

"No!" Fancypants heard the pegasus scream as he began running. He didn't get more than four steps away before he felt the pegasus tackle him. She snarled as she pulled him back into the alleyway roughly and flipped him over. He couldn't get one word out before he felt her hoof collide straight into his face. Fiery pain shot through his head as he groaned. "Please-" Was all he could get out before she brought the hoof down again. Fancypants felt a pop in his nose accompanied by intense pain.

"Not her! Not her! You don't hit her!" He barely registered the pegasus yelling as his consciousness quickly faded. The fourth strike did it and Fancypants was out cold on the ground, his nose and mouth leaking blood.

"Alright Rainbow, that's enough." Applejack said, standing and moving toward Rainbow, removing her mare-do-well mask. Rainbow did not listen, and threw down the fifth hard punch, bringing her hoof back for yet another one. Applejack moved toward her wife. "Rainbow!...Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash, Ah said that's enough!" With the last words, Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash's midsection and threw her off of the stallion, who now lay motionless on the ground. The cyan pegasus took a small tumble, and stood, breathing deeply and heavily. Rainbow removed her mask, her eyes wide with fury.

"Applejack, he hit you!" Rainbow cried, pointing at his motionless form on the ground. Rarity removed her mask as well, tears streaming down her face.

"And Ah'm fine!" Applejack retorted. "Look at him! He's not moving! We were supposed to get a taped confession, maybe scare him a bit, and that was it! You went way too far!" Rainbow breathed deeply through her nose, realizing that Applejack was correct and choosing not to retort in any way. Fluttershy moved quickly toward them, having been hiding in a bush keeping watch.

"Did we wake anypony up?" Rarity asked Fluttershy, having composed herself. The pegasus shook her head.

"As far as I could see, nopony heard and nopony is out right now." Fluttershy stated. "Rainbow Dash, you weren't supposed to-"

"I know." Rainbow growled, still huffing her breaths. Fancypants groaned where he lay and began to move. The four mares were struck silent for a few seconds, before Applejack snapped quickly out of her stupor.

"We have to go now." Applejack uttered, looking at her friends. They fled the scene as quickly as they could, arriving at Carousel Boutique. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity removed their mare-do-well outfits quickly and threw them into a burlap sack.

"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked frantically. "What's going to happen? He's going to turn us in and we're going to go to prison!" Applejack put a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder reassuringly.

"Fluttershy, we're gonna be fine." Applejack said to her. "Rainbow Dash is the only one who really spoke, and he barely knows her. He only know's Rarity's voice, and she didn't say a word. Ah think we'll be okay."

"You don't know that though!" Fluttershy almost spat. Applejack couldn't blame her. The plan had gone south in a big way and even she, who was the most composed of the four, was soundly rattled.

"Well screamin' and stressin' about it isn't gonna help anything. Again, he doesn't really know any of us. Besides Rarity he's met the rest of us maybe two times." Applejack said. "Look, we can't stay congregated here like this. We need to split, and we can maybe get back together tomorrow."

"That sounds fine." Rarity said with a nod. "Thank you...All of you...It didn't go how we thought it would, but...I'm thankful that you all helped me. Fluttershy, would you like to stay here tonight? I wouldn't feel right leaving Sweetie Belle here all night alone." Fluttershy nodded quickly, and Rarity felt happiness flow through her, despite the circumstances.

"Alright, well good night." Applejack said as she and Rainbow Dash, who was still silent in distress, left the building.

The walk home for the two mares was quiet, and neither one said much of anything. Applejack made a comment about the moon, but Rainbow did not respond. The pegasus was fuming still, and Applejack became worried for her. They arrived at Sweet Apple Acres and walking under the archway, Applejack finally stopped where she was, resolute in sorting whatever this was out.

"Rainbow Dash, you're clearly not okay. Talk to me. Ah want you to be alright." Applejack said. Rainbow continued to walk past her.

"I'm fine." Rainbow stated simply and Applejack grunted, pulling Rainbow back to her by her tail.

"Bull. Rainbow Dash, it's all over. Yeah, it was stressful, but Ah don't think anything is gonna happen." Applejack said to her, putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"I said I'm fine. Can we just go home, please?" Rainbow replied, looking downward and trying to move again. Applejack held the cyan mare fast where she was and Rainbow looked up at her, tears in her eyes. "Please?"

"Rainbow..." Applejack breathed, feeling her heart break for her wife. The pegasus broke there, and her flank plopped down to the ground. Rainbow Dash wilted as she began to sob.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." She cried.

"Rainbow Dash, Ah-"

"I went too far...I know that...But when he hit you, it wasn't just that it was you that he hit...It was...."

"Our child." Applejack said, finally understanding Rainbow Dash's outburst. Rainbow let out a fresh round of sobs and Applejack pulled her wife into an embrace.

"Now we're gonna get arrested...I messed everything up...He hurt you....And...I just...I couldn't..." Rainbow sobbed. "I'm sorry, AJ...I'm so so sorry..." Applejack pulled Rainbow's head up to where she was looking into her eyes.

"Rainbow baby, Ah'm fine. Ah think my cheek's a little sore, but me and our baby are gonna be just fine." Applejack cooed, smiling at her. She gave her wife a kiss and nuzzled her cheek. "Ah love how protective you are of me...And our foal."

"But...he's gonna go to the police..." Rainbow said, and Applejack shook her head lightly.

"No sugarcube, Ah don't think he will." Applejack replied, stroking Rainbow's cheek lovingly. "Rarity's face would make it a long and drawn out legal issue and Ah doubt Fancypants is gonna want to go through alla that. He was comin' to less than a minute after you beat him, so you probably didn't buck him up too bad."

"Well...I guess you're right..." Rainbow sniffled, finally gaining control of herself after having been crying for more than five minutes. "Still...I'm sorry."

"Tell ya what, you can say that to Fluttershy and Rarity tomorrow." Applejack replied before standing up, Rainbow doing the same. "Now come on, Ah feel like that bed is gonna be pretty dang comfortable." Rainbow nodded and they walked through the orchard to their home.

"Can we go to the doctor? Tomorrow? You know, to get the baby checked?" Rainbow asked and Applejack let out a small chuckle before nodding.

"If it makes ya feel better, love."

"Are you sure you're okay? I mean, he knocked you back onto your flank."

"Oh, Ah'm fine. It was more a balance thing than anything. What, you think that dandy fop could hurt me? Seriously?" Rainbow laughed at Applejack's query. The sound, with its stark contrast to her earlier crying, brought joy to Applejack's heart.

"Just making sure." Rainbow half-laughed before looking forward once more. After a few seconds, she spoke up once more. "You know, AJ...I love how tough you are. It's honestly a real turn on." Rainbow said, her eyebrows lowering and her voice gaining a seductive lowered tone as she pushed her side into Applejack's. The pegasus gave her wife a nuzzle on her neck. Applejack looked at her and raised an eyebrow, Rainbow raising an eyebrow of her own that seemed to ask a particular question.

"Seriously? Now?" Applejack asked. Rainbow nodded eagerly and Applejack snickered. "Geez, you're somethin' else, ain't ya?"

"What can I say? I bounce back quick. Come on, we've been together for a good while now." Rainbow replied with a smirk. Applejack shook her head.

"If it's all the same to you hun, Ah'd prefer to just cuddle tonight." Applejack said, and Rainbow wilted slightly. The prospect of making love, while an attractive one, was one that Applejack was a bit too tired to fulfill at that point. Rainbow's sex drive had always been at least a bit higher than hers. But tonight, she was very very tired, and also pregnant.

"Ooohhh...okay. I guess I'll take what I can get." Rainbow said, obviously playing up her disappointment. Applejack, seeing Rainbow Dash disappointed, sighed and kissed her wife on the cheek.

"Maybe tomorrow?"

Rarity, after twenty or thirty minutes, she couldn't figure out which one, managed to calm Fluttershy down. She held the yellow pegasus on the couch as she wound down from sobbing, to normal crying, and from that to small sniffles and the occasional wiped tear. Rarity had started a fire in the fireplace to warm them from the winter cold, not to mention to burn the Mare-Do-Well outfits, and it cast a pleasing shade over the room. Fluttershy hadn't seemed to notice, or didn't care.

"I...I just hate what happened so much..." Fluttershy breathed. "If it wasn't for me..."

"No, Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was the one who took it too far. Granted, she was defending her wife and their child, but she definitely went overboard." Rarity stated with a smile. The prim white unicorn was definitely quite shaken by what had occurred and how far it had gone, but she'd regained control of herself rather quickly, especially compared to her pegasus companion.

"But...If I hadn't had the idea...Rainbow wouldn't have gone...overboard on anypony in the first place." Fluttershy replied, sitting up and looking at Rarity. "It's all because of me." Rarity suppressed a scoff and shook her head.

"Fluttershy, I find it absolutely sweet and wonderful that you had enough thought to come up with that plan." Rarity said to her, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "And truth be told, it was a good plan. No real violence, we'd intimidate him and get his confession and get back at him the right way." Fluttershy was slightly confused at Rarity's demeanor.

"Rarity, you seem very okay with what happened out there." Fluttershy said. Rarity was hard pressed to disagree with Fluttershy on that matter. True, she hadn't wanted him to be physically harmed at first, at least not too much, and the shock of what happened shook her deeply at the time. But Rarity had gone to the bathroom since they'd returned to the boutique and her black eye and bruised face took all of the regret and worry right out of her.

"Well...It is true that I would've preferred for it to have been...less messy. But my head still hurts from when he hit me...I mean, he knocked me out cold, Fluttershy. Have you ever had that happen to you?" Rarity asked, and received a small head shake from the yellow mare. "It was awful. It was honestly traumatizing. It...sort of felt good to see him get knocked out cold himself. I guess we only needed Rainbow Dash for that, eh?" Rarity let out a small laugh, attempting to lighten up the situation.

"It was so violent..." Fluttershy breathed, looking forward.

"Fluttershy, you saw him, he was already coming to by the time we left. He's going to be alright, but I highly doubt he'll ever show his face around here again." Rarity explained. "Also, the fact that you were so intent on getting him makes me feel quite good as well." Rarity explained.

"Well, I care about you, Rarity." Fluttershy replied, looking into Rarity's eyes for a moment before shooting her eyes back forward, realizing what she was doing.

"Oh, well thank goodness. I thought after I kissed you outside the boutique, you hated me."

"Rarity I could never hate you." Fluttershy's gaze remained fixated forward.

"Speaking of which..." Rarity said, prompting Fluttershy to look at her. The pink maned pegasus knew what was going to come next. "Where exactly do we stand...on that...?" Fluttershy blushed and looked downward.

"I don't know." Fluttershy said, a slightly dejected tone coming to her voice. "I...I'm just...There's so much going on and it's hard to think about that. I just know that I can't be hurt like that again."

"Fluttershy, I know you question my intentions when it comes to the two of us and...romance. I understand completely, as well. I just have to say to you, and I already said this outside the spa but I feel the need here to reiterate..." Rarity put her hoof on Fluttershy's and the pegasus' heart fluttered in her chest. Her eyes moved from the point on the far wall of the room she was fixated on and went to their hooves. "I couldn't stand Fancypants...All I could think about every second I was with him was you. I love spending time with you...more than anypony else I've ever met. Even more than Sweetie Belle."

"Now that's hard to believe." Fluttershy said, gaining a small smile. Rarity smiled herself. This was a good sign.

"I love Sweetie Belle so incredibly much, but I don't think it's a secret that she can grate on my last nerve from time to time." Rarity replied, smiling and looking downward, her eyes filling with tears. "When I'm with you...I find it impossible to be unhappy. You bring up this joy within me that nopony else can. Every day, I want to see you, and when I don't...Let's just say it's not the best of days. I know I hurt you...more than once. I know that and I'm so, so sorry." Rarity's voice broke slightly, and she re-composed herself. "I feel as if I'm rambling but I absolutely have to tell you this..." Fluttershy's hoof went to Rarity's chin and moved her head to where they were eye-to-eye. Fluttershy's eyes were tear-filled as well.

Fluttershy kissed Rarity.

Rarity's tears flowed freely as she closed her eyes. It was a soft and tender kiss and it filled Rarity's stomach with a fluttery feeling. They continued to kiss for a few more seconds and separated, Fluttershy pressing her forehead into Rarity's, both of their ears lowered. They looked into each other's eyes and Rarity let out a small laugh before pulling Fluttershy into an embrace, kissing her again. Fluttershy fell backward onto the couch and took Rarity with her. Rarity separated from the kiss and her mind threw words out in its romantic stupor.

"I love you." She said and her eyes widened immediately, realizing what she'd just said. Fluttershy's eyes widened as well and at that point, it was time for her tears to spill over onto her cheeks. She let out a small sob.

"I....I love you too!" Fluttershy pulled Rarity down and kissed her again, the two mares passionately showing their affection for each other. Fluttershy let out a small, adorable moan into the kiss and this spurred Rarity to kiss her neck. "Rarity! Ahh! I love you..." Rarity lightly sucked on her neck and Fluttershy let out a sensual moan. Rarity's hoof ran down Fluttershy's body and ended on her groin, slightly above her marehood. Fluttershy brought a hoof up to her mouth and gasped.

"Could we..." Rarity said, stopping her loving assault to look into Fluttershy's eyes. She was blushing heavily, which was quite visible through her snow white coat, and her eyelids were lowered in a sensual and loving expression. "Make love?"

"Yes." Fluttershy almost whispered and kissed Rarity again. The unicorn needed no other indication, and began to lightly rub Fluttershy's sex. The pegasus separated from the kiss and moaned uncharacteristically loudly. Rarity shushed her and Fluttershy's eyes shot open.

"A little quieter, my sweet." Rarity breathed, giving Fluttershy's cheek a small kiss. "My sister is asleep upstairs." Fluttershy blushed heavily and nodded.

"Sorry...It's...Been a while." Fluttershy said with a sheepish smile that filled Rarity with elation and adoration.

"Oh...you are just..." Rarity gave Fluttershy another deep kiss, bringing a moan out of her lover. "So adorable."

"Yeah, I guess it's kind of my thing." Fluttershy replied, making Rarity giggle before resuming her ministrations, biting her lip with a dizzying combination of lust and love. Fluttershy moaned again, much more quietly and threw her head to the side, giving Rarity full access to her neck, which the fashionista took full advantage of. Rarity gave Fluttershy's neck a slow, deliberate lick, timing it with her rubbing. Rarity breathed into Fluttershy's ear before giving it a small nip, increasing the rate at which she pleasured her beloved. Fluttershy moaned more with each passing minute, eventually putting a hoof on Rarity's shoulder and beginning to move her hips into Rarity's hoof, almost coating it in moisture. Rarity was quite aroused by this and kissed her lover again, sliding her tongue against hers.

Fluttershy's eyes opened slightly, and Rarity's did as well, and they looked into each other's eyes with love as they moved against each other. Fluttershy brought her knee up between Rarity's legs, Rarity getting the message and grinding her sex against Fluttershy's knee. It didn't take long with this to make Fluttershy climax, the mare quickly grabbing a pillow and biting into it as she came. Her eyes fluttered upward and after her orgasm had passed, she loosed the pillow from her mouth's grip and let out a triplet of small moans as Rarity wound down her movements. Rarity, quite satisfied with what she'd done, smiled down at Fluttershy.

"Well, my dear, I am glad that-woah!" Fluttershy interrupted her by shooting a hoof between her legs. Rarity looked down at Fluttershy and breathed heavily, smiling. "I guess...Ahhn...It's...My turn?" Fluttershy nodded silently, smiling knowingly as she pushed Rarity onto her flank. Fluttershy rubbed Rarity's sex, alternating pressure and frequency and Rarity closed her eyes, letting herself fall into the pleasure. Fluttershy decided to change things up and went downward, kissing Rarity's sex unexpectedly. Rarity's body jerked at the sudden sensation.

"Fluttershy! Are you sure you....Oooohhhhh...." Rarity's face changed from surprise to pure ecstasy as Fluttershy began to lick her marehood, a smile creeping its way over the lips. Rarity moaned beautifully, spurring Fluttershy on. The pegasus sucked on the lips before tonguing Rarity's clitoris. "Oh, Fluttershy..." Rarity breathed as she moved her hips on Fluttershy's mouth. Fluttershy ran a hoof up Rarity's body, and Rarity took the hoof in hers as she rode on Fluttershy's pleasuring. It didn't take long to bring Rarity close to climax. She wouldn't have wanted to admit it as readily as Fluttershy had, but it had been a long time for her as well.

"Fluttershy! I'm so close..." Rarity ground her hips into Fluttershy's mouth and Fluttershy's eyelids lowered as she brought Rarity closer and closer to glorious orgasm. Fluttershy couldn't help but pleasure herself as she did this. She'd been waiting for this so long, and the pegasus was determined to enjoy every minute. Rarity's muscles tightened and she came, her juices leaking into Fluttershy's mouth and down her chin. Fluttershy, satisfied with what she'd done, wiped her mouth and climbed up Rarity's heaving body. The unicorn breathed heavily and kissed Fluttershy once more with fiery passion. They separated and kissed once more, just a peck.

"That was incredible...And a long time coming." Rarity sighed, making Fluttershy giggle. "Remind me to...Get a taste of you, next time..." Fluttershy raised a saucy eyebrow, and it was an eyebrow that Rarity figured she'd be seeing much more from that point on.

"We have all night...I'm not tired..." Fluttershy sat back from Rarity and spread her legs, exposing her marehood to her lover. The look on her face was lustful and confident, uncharacteristic of her usual demeanor, and it set Rarity's arousal into overdrive. A similar look came to the unicorn's face. "So why wait?" Rarity crawled forward and kissed Fluttershy deeply on the lips before moving downward. She gave Fluttershy's wet, warm sex a long, drawn out lick, extracting a saccharine moan from her lover.

The pillows on that couch were bitten into several more times that night.

"Well...It looks to me that your baby is perfectly healthy!" The OB/GYN said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. This more or less just proved Applejack right, although Rainbow Dash was quite relieved to hear the news. She tried to play this off to Applejack, but the farm mare knew her well enough to see through her facade. "Now, if I may ask, why did you two feel the need to come in for this check-up? You weren't due back here for another two weeks." Applejack looked to Rainbow Dash for a moment before turning back to the doctor.

"Ah just had a little fall on the porch, and Dash here got all worried and such." Applejack said with a small smile. She didn't notice Rainbow Dash's small scowl. "Ah figured there was nothin' wrong, but Ah'm still happy to get the news that the foal is okay."

"Well, that actually was a good call on your part, Rainbow Dash. One fall that's a little too nasty can result in serious complications for the baby." The OB/GYN stated, raising an eyebrow. Applejack heard Rainbow Dash give off a small "hmph" but pretended not to notice it. "How about everything else? Have you noticed anything else that has worried you?"

"Nope, Ah'm feelin' fine. Well, apart from the morning sickness. Lost my breakfast before we came here, in fact." Applejack said.

"Yeah, it makes kissing her really gross." Rainbow interjected making Applejack let out a small scoff.

"Oh, shut up. Ah brush my teeth." Applejack retorted, lowering her eyebrows. "Speakin' of food, Ah'm feelin' a might peckish. Maybe we go grab some food after this?" Rainbow nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, with that, I believe we're all done here." The doctor said, standing from her rolling stool. "I'll see the both of you soon!"

"Thanks so much, doctor." Rainbow said as the two of them stood. "You've been a great help."

"Absolutely! And Applejack?" Applejack turned to look at the doctor and gave a small nod. She smiled at the farm mare warmly. "Do try to be careful." Applejack chuckled lightly and the married pair left the building.

"So....You fell? On the porch?" Rainbow scoffed at Applejack and let out a small laugh. "That was seriously the best you could come up with? I've heard Applebloom make up better lies than that." Applejack sighed.

"Can it, ya goober." Applejack retorted. "Ah hadn't thought about it till that moment, and Ah couldn't just up and tell her Ah got hit by the pony who we were tryin' to intimidate and all that other nonsense." Rainbow laughed and elbowed Applejack lightly in the ribs.

"Oh, chill. I was just teasing ya."

"Oop! Ya elbowed me! We'd better go back!" Applejack said in a mocking manner, and Rainbow laughed, shaking her head.

"Let's just go get some food, smart one." Rainbow sighed as they approached Sugarcube Corner. "How much money do you have on you?"

"Just under ten bits." Applejack replied. "You?"

"Eight."

"Well, we can't dine like hogs in the fathouse, but we can at least get a couple sandwiches."

"That's all we ever get at Sugarcube Corner."

"Well then, there ya go." Applejack said. "Ah wonder if Rarity and Fluttershy wanted to still get together today." Rainbow shrugged as they approached the sweet-covered building.

The two mares entered the confectionery and Pinkie Pie, who was dealing with a line of four separate ponies, shot them an overjoyed smile before being snapped back to her business by the customers she was dealing with. Rainbow looked at the line and then at her wife and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hey, chill here for a minute." Rainbow said, as Applejack turned to look at her. The pegasus ambled backward through the door. "I'll be back in a bit!" The pegasus flew off to wherever she was going to go, as she was wont to do. Applejack's wife was gone before the words, "Where are you going?" could exit her mouth. She sighed and found a table on the patio to sit at. Since it had been installed, the patio was usually where she, Rainbow Dash or their friends would sit. There was an unusual amount of business going on, even for the exceptionally popular eatery, and so Applejack was fine with not receiving service right away. She figured the Cakes were in the kitchen, dashing around the counters and trying to fulfill the orders that seemed to stream in. Pinkie Pie clearly had her hooves full with the line she faced.

"Hey, AJ! Look who I brought!" Rainbow said from behind her. Applejack turned to see Fluttershy and Rarity accompanying the pegasus. The unicorn had a pair of sunglasses on, presumably to mask her black eye.

"Hey, yall!" Applejack said with a smile, standing up from the two top she was currently at. "Come on over. Ah can move to a bigger table." It didn't take long for them to join the farm mare and they all sat together. "So...How're y'all holdin' up?" Rarity smiled at her.

"I'm...Actually better than I've been in a long time. I mean, nopony broke down my door this morning to arrest me, so I do believe we're in the clear." Rarity said, almost giddily.

"Rainbow Dash insisted we go to the doctor this mornin' to get the baby checked." Applejack said, nudging her wife with an elbow. "Turned out to be fine."

"Oh, good call, Rainbow." Fluttershy said, earning a look of mild disbelief from Applejack. The yellow pegasus noticed this. "It's usually a good idea to go get the baby looked at if the mother falls. Almost always."

"Ha!" Rainbow threw the declaration of victory Applejack's way.

"But Ah fell onto my flank! It wasn't even that hard a punch." Applejack tried to rationalize. "Ah don't even have a baby bump yet."

"Umm...Yes you do, dear." Rarity replied with a raised eyebrow. Applejack's eyes widened and she stood looking down at her side.

"Really? Y'all are tellin' me y'all can see this? Oh, goddesses." Applejack breathed, beginning to fret about her body shape. She looked up from her belly to see the three mares suppressing giggles.

"Well well, Applejack..." Rainbow said with a knowing smirk. "I didn't know you were so obsessed with your physical appearance." Applejack grumbled and sat down at the table, having been caught obsessing over exactly that.

"Oh, shut up." The mares all burst into laughter and Rarity placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder.

"Relax dear, we're only teasing." Rarity said. "We only notice it because we're looking for it. I'd give you another month or so until it becomes truly visible."

"Yeah, come on, ease up AJ." Rainbow said with another small giggle. Applejack smiled and shook her head.

"And Fluttershy? How're you feelin' after last night?" Applejack asked.

"Oh...I was pretty scared and freaked out, but Rarity was able to calm me down." Fluttershy said, looking at Rarity appreciatively. "Should we...Umm..." Fluttershy leaned in close to Rarity and whispered something into her ear. Rarity seemed to think for a moment before nodding with a small smile.

"You two have to promise not to tell anypony about this. Not even Twilight or Pinkie Pie." Rarity said to the two married mares, who looked at each other and then nodded at the unicorn. "Fluttershy and I are going to give things another shot." Rarity said, surprising Fluttershy, who had expected to make the declaration herself. The fashionista took Fluttershy's hoof in hers, making her blush.

"That's great!" Applejack said happily. "Why do y'all not wanna tell anypony though? Rainbow and Ah are proof that y'all can get by with ponies knowin' about it."

"Yeah, I mean, not even Twilight or Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"They both interact with so many ponies every day. Something could slip, and Ponyville's a small town. Word travels fast. We definitely plan to announce it at some point. Truth is, I'm still a bit nervous about it." Rarity said before putting a hoof out. "A-And I know that you two have made a successful go of things, but I just simply don't know how a lot of my clientele would react to the news. But until then, what I know for sure is that I love her." Rarity finished before adding the last note of: "And I hope that she loves me."

"Oh, I do." Fluttershy said dreamily, blushing at Rarity.

"Hey guys!" Pinkie Pie cried, zipping up to their table. "Sorry about that wait! What can I get you?" Rarity removed her hoof from Fluttershy's, which the yellow pegasus didn't seem to mind. This hadn't escaped Rainbow Dash's attention however, and the rainbow-maned mare did in fact mind.

"Ah'll have just a fruit cup, and some yogurt." Rainbow Dash registered Applejack say as her mind drifted. It drifted to unhappy memories of Applejack looking over her shoulder. Also of relentlessly checking to see if other ponies were around before they'd even kiss, of screaming and crying. Was Rarity truly ashamed of being with Fluttershy? It certainly was true that a pony should be able to come out when they are comfortable with it, and it was certainly true that Rarity was a mare that was almost universally identified as straight. Going off of that, would the unicorn change her mind again just as quickly as she had before once she found a stallion that struck her fancy? Applejack's voice snapped her out of her mini-trance.

"Dash? Daaash?"

"Oh, uh...I'll just have a water with a lemon wedge and the daffodil sandwich. You know what? Throw some onions, peppers and provolone on there, too." Rainbow said, playing off how deep in thought she'd been pretty well. Pinkie nodded happily.

"Alrighty! You got it!" Pinkie said sweetly before bouncing off.

"Wow, Rainbow. Changin' it up a bit, huh?" Applejack said and Rainbow laughed.

"Yeah, I'm a typical case of 'if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.' But hey, even I like to spice things up a bit." Rainbow replied and looked over to see Rarity's hoof once again on Fluttershy's. She looked at Rarity, and the sun hit the unicorn in a way that illuminated her eyes from behind the sunglasses, and within those eyes, Rainbow recognized real love. This eased her heart a bit, though some trepidation remained.

'Well...maybe I'm overthinking things.'

Author's Note

Now Rarity and Fluttershy are officially officially together! (With some sexytimes to boot!) I mean, yeah, Rarity's still trying to keep things on the DL, but to be fair, not everyone is as brave as Rainbow Dash. Coming out is a huge huuuuge deal. Sorry for the good while since the last update. Things are ramping up for me job-wise and I've been in a play where I've been pretty busy. I promise I will not stop updating until the story is done. And speaking of which, when all is said and done, if my outline is any indication...

It might just be longer than The Only Thing Better Than Flying

Cheers!

Chapter 13

Three Months Later

"Agh! I swear, I need a new curling Iron!" Rarity gasped as she stopped from applying her eyeliner quickly once she felt the beginnings of her mane burning. The unicorn silently thanked Celestia and Luna that she'd caught the instrument in time. Rarity had a bit of a hard time with many tasks involving her magic, namely moving heavy objects, but when it came to the maintenance of her beauty, Rarity was a magical ace. She was so skilled in this way of magic-use in fact, that Fluttershy, who sat next to her marefriend admiring her as she got ready, wished she could devote time and effort to perfecting her magic use for all purposes. Perhaps it was that the process of beautification came so naturally to Rarity. Then again, none of her makeup or beauty implements weighed more than a pound or two.

"Rarity, relax. We still have two hours. You'll have plenty of time to...let it all settle." Fluttershy attempted to reason with her love, but the fashionista paid no heed.

"Fluttershy, I simply have to make sure my look for tonight is perfect. Rainbow Dash is being inducted into the Wonderbolts, officially. It's probably the biggest day of her life."

"Besides marrying Applejack."

"Right, right. The second biggest day of her life."

"Soon to be the third, with the foal on the way." Fluttershy added, making Rarity turn around and raise an unamused eyebrow at her.

"Yes, yes there is that too, but you do see my point, don't you?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy giggled.

"Yes, I know dear, you like to look your best. I'm just saying you could relax a little bit...If you can help it."

Rarity couldn't help but smile at her (relatively) new love. There was a subtle change in the way Fluttershy conducted herself that she'd come to notice over the past three months. One of the first things about it that the unicorn noticed was that it was almost exclusively around her, though at certain times Sweetie Belle as well. She was much more sure of herself, and almost stood taller, but there were still little remnants of her inherent shyness that came through from time to time.

Rarity knew what her lover was saying was true, but she couldn't help it. Ever since Rainbow Dash had quite literally saved her life during the best young fliers competition, there was a connection there, at least for Rarity. Anything regarding Rainbow Dash and the acquisition of her dream made Rarity feel obligated to be ever-present for. She felt stupid for it, but she felt she should look her best because she believed she owed it to Rainbow, despite all the years that had passed since. Rarity let out a sigh and sat where she was, putting the eyeliner down.

She owed Rainbow Dash for another thing on top of all of that, though she wasn't vocal about this debt, even with Fluttershy. The more time that had passed since the incident involving Fancypants, the more she came to realize she was grateful for the action Rainbow Dash took that night. Though it wasn't for her specifically, Rarity still found a particular satisfaction in how the situation resolved itself. Applejack's prediction had been right on the money, as none of the four mares had heard anything from Fancypants since that evening, besides a tabloid article featuring his damaged face as he attempted to hide it from the paparazzo who took the picture.

"I think that's acceptable." Rarity said with satisfaction, smiling at herself in the mirror, now shiner-free. Fluttershy came up next to her and nuzzled her lovingly, looking into the mirror as well and appraising the way they looked together. "Good-looking couple, we are." The unicorn purred, kissing Fluttershy on the cheek.

"You're as beautiful as ever." The pegasus said sweetly. "Why were you so caught up with looking good? I mean, even more so than usual." The unicorn thought for a moment and turned to her marefriend.

"Well...since the best young fliers competition, when Rainbow saved me...I feel that there has been a sort of...confluence there. Between myself, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts, I mean." Rarity explained. "I feel I have to look my best because Rainbow Dash deserves it. In a way, tonight will be the culmination of events that began on the day of that contest. When Rainbow messed up her performance a month ago, and fell into Pinkie's cotton candy...My heart broke for her. I was mortified." Fluttershy smiled at Rarity and kissed her cheek.

"I honestly didn't know you were so concerned about Rainbow's success."

"I'd been a heel to her the entire day of the Best Young Fliers Competition. I'd completely stolen her thunder at every turn I could, knowing full-well that her idols were there watching. Then, falling to my death, I idiotically knocked those idols unconscious. She saved me so effortlessly, so thoughtlessly." Rarity looked down as she said this. Fluttershy, recognizing Rarity's top-secret self-loathing begin to bubble to the surface, put a hoof on Rarity's cheek. Fluttershy had learned to recognize the signs of this because she was the only pony Rarity was comfortable sharing this side of her with.

"Rarity, I'm sure that if Rainbow knew how much you were stressing about looking good for her big day, she'd appreciate it very much." Fluttershy stated.

"Or see it as me trying to show off again."

"And you're saying that like she doesn't show off. Come on, Rarity. She's changed since then. You have too. We've all...grown up a lot."

"You're right. I should stop fretting so much." Rarity conceded. "I'm done with it all, anyway. How do I look?" The unicorn turned toward her and did a cutesy mane-flip, making the yellow pegasus giggle.

"Beautiful, as always." Fluttershy was, at this point, one of the very few ponies to see Rarity without makeup and she loved the way her marefriend looked, always, makeup or not. Rarity gave Fluttershy a tender kiss on the lips that lingered between the two of them, which led into a couple more.

"Ugh, gag." Sweetie Belle sighed as she passed the doorway to the bathroom, making Rarity separate from the kiss and scoff.

"Excuse me, miss!" Rarity called. "That was rude!" Sweetie Belle slunk back around the corner and she gave a look of apology.

"Sorry, I was just kidding. You know I love you guys together." The filly admitted. "I think I was just feeling sad about not having anypony of my own." Satisfied, Rarity turned back to the mirror to appraise her makeup once more for posterity's sake. Seeing this, Sweetie Belle looked at Fluttershy and shook her head, mouthing, "No." Fluttershy giggled quietly.

"Well, it could be debated that you're still too young to have a special somepony." Rarity sighed, stepping back from the mirror. "But if it were to happen for you, I wouldn't be too terribly disappointed." Sweetie Belle felt the smallest bit of regret for fooling Rarity.

"You'll find somepony one day who you can't wait to kiss as much as you can." Fluttershy said, smiling at Rarity. "You'll want to shout it from the rooftops that you have that pony." Rarity blushed and gave Fluttershy a small nuzzle, letting out a small.

"Aww..."

"Speaking of that, when are you going to tell...well...anypony?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I still haven't told Applebloom or Scootaloo and its driving me crazy!" Rarity looked downward, feeling slight shame at her sister's inquiry. The filly definitely felt bad, then. Fluttershy didn't mind Rarity still wanting to keep the secret. Coming out as being in a homosexual relationship was quite a big deal, and the pegasus was just happy Rarity loved her. Three months had passed since they had become official and exclusive and Rarity hadn't shown the first sign of misgivings. It had been wonderful ever since the night they'd first given themselves to each other. Given this, the pegasus' anxieties revolving around the subject had dissipated by that point. Sweetie Belle scuffed a hoof on the ground and looked downward, ashamed of hurting Rarity's feelings.

"Rarity, I didn't mean-"

"No, it's alright, Sweetie Belle." Rarity stated, looking up at her quickly with a smile, and then at Fluttershy. "I think you're right. I think I'm ready to shout it from the rooftops."

"Rarity, sweetie, are you sure?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes widening slightly.

"Of course I'm sure. I've actually been thinking about this quite a bit recently. I love you, and I want ponies to know about it. It's time to stop being scared. No matter what happens as a result, I'll still have you, and that's enough for me. Tonight, at the induction, once Rainbow Dash's big moment has come and gone, I'll announce it to the rest of the girls." Rarity said, confidence rising in her voice, her body straightening up. Fluttershy's heart warmed and her eyes filled with tears.

"I love you too, Rarity." Fluttershy said, giving her lover another sweet kiss.

"Ugh, gag again." Sweetie Belle said mockingly, and Rarity immediately lifted a roll of toilet paper with her magic and chucked it at Sweetie Belle, who deftly dodged it and giggled madly. Fluttershy and Rarity couldn't help but giggle themselves.

Rainbow Dash breathed heavily as she punched the clock at Weather Patrol headquarters. While the weather order had called for a cloudy night, Rainbow Dash had mentioned to her boss that it was to be her induction night into the Wonderbolts. Rolling Storm had understood, and upon Rainbow Dash's request for a clear night that evening, he approved it without question. His only stipulation for changing the weather order so drastically was that she had to do the extra work of clearing the rest of the clouds herself. With her entire weather crew, it wouldn't have been a job that took longer than half an hour, but by herself that time was tripled and got harder cloud-to-cloud. Rolling Storm had helped her, despite receiving no bonus, and watched her as she replaced her timecard in it's receptacle.

"That was some impressive work out there, Rainbow." Rolling Storm complimented her as he ran a hoof through his gray mane. "Left me in the dust pretty well. But then again, I'm pretty old."

"I appreciate the help, all the same." Rainbow said with a warm smile. "And I appreciate you bending the rules for me."

"Well, you're my favorite employee, and seeing as how I'm gonna be losing you to the Wonderbolts soon, I figured I'd throw you a bone." He reasoned and gave a small shrug.

"Aww, I'm your favorite?"

"Don't get sappy. Look, I'm just trying to say it's been good working with you." He said to her, putting a hoof out. Rainbow's eyes got a bit misty, as her boss for years was showing her actual affection, something he almost never showed anything else. She gave him a hug, which he returned with a small smile. When she stepped back, he gave her a small nod. "Lucky me, you still have a few days until your two weeks is up." He turned to leave, and Rainbow couldn't help but call to him.

"Hey, Mr. Storm, did you want to come? To the ceremony I mean?" Rainbow asked him, causing him to raise an eyebrow at her. "It'd mean a lot for me to have you there. You were kinda one of my first mentors." Rolling Storm cleared his throat and looked to the side.

"Oh, uhmm..." He cleared his throat again, and seemed to blink rather hard. Perhaps he was blinking back tears. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll definitely be there."

"Awesome!" Rainbow said happily before moving to leave the office. "I'm gonna go home and grab a nap or something beforehand. You know where to go, right?" He nodded at her.

"Not one pegasus around here that doesn't know about the Wonderbolt Academy." He said, unable to keep the wide smile from his face.

"Cool. See you tonight!" She chirped before speeding off. It was then that Rolling Storm let that proud, stubborn tear fall down his cheek.

The flight home, as it always was, was exceedingly quick and easy. The castle of friendship stuck out next to Ponyville like a sore thumb, not that it was a terrible sight to behold. Rainbow rather liked the way it looked, it was just going to be a while until she got used to looking at the massive spires coming up and sometimes cutting through the clouds. Rainbow looked downward to see that in a combination of her exhaustion and her staring at the castle for so long, she'd flown right over her home. Sighing to herself, she went into what was almost a divebomb before landing gracefully outside the farm house. The pegasus opened the door to find Big Macintosh and his new marefriend, Sugar Belle, sitting in the living room together. Cheerilee had left Big Mac about two months prior and he'd been devastated. The sweet memory of herself, Applejack and Pinkie Pie watching him stumble through asking her out remained, but she'd fallen out of love with him and decided to do the right thing and let him go. Thankfully, this new mare seemed to be helping those wounds to close and heal.

"Hey, Big Mac. Sugar Belle." Rainbow breathed, walking through the living room toward the hallway.

"Hi there, Rainbow Dash. Rough day at work?" She asked, making Rainbow scoff and shake her head.

"Yeah, kinda. Didn't get a lot of sleep last night, either."

"Oh, because of the Wonderbolts." She recalled with a smile. "Big Mac mentioned that. I wish I could be there tonight. Congratulations!"

"Thanks." She said, smiling back at the nice mare before moving down the hallway. She hoped that Sugar Belle didn't find her to be rude, but Rainbow Dash was determined to get at least some semblance of rest before her induction that night. She felt that if she didn't, she'd collapse on stage, which was a thought that made her feel like trembling. She'd been on her probation for a month after her last mishap involving a certain nickname that she'd been assigned and some cotton candy, and given that the month was over, it was time for her to be inducted. This included all the ceremony, pomp and frills that came with the addition of each new Wonderbolt. Finally, after what had seemed like a ludicrously long trek, she came into her bedroom and found Applejack snoozing. The sight was an inviting one. Applejack roused from her sleep when Rainbow entered, and smiled.

"Hey, you." She said almost dreamily.

"Hey, gorgeous. How's the baby treating you?" Rainbow asked, climbing into the bed with her.

"Oh, fine. She's relaxed a good bit since yesterday. Ah'm gonna be ready by the time of your induction tonight, Dash. Ah promise. Ah just figured that Ah'd get a little nap-"

"Hey, no explanation necessary. I was actually about to join ya." The Pegasus snuggled underneath the blanket and received a warm closed-mouth chuckle from her wife.

"Mmm yes please." The farm mare said sweetly. "How was work?"

"Well, it would've been easy, but Rolling Storm gave me the go ahead to clear the clouds out for a starry night tonight. So I had to do all of that. So, long story short, could've been easy, and it was actually pretty hard. But this nap will put me back to rights, I think." Rainbow explained, laying down fully next to the earth pony. While it was true that the precise reason Rainbow hadn't slept the previous night was her excitement for the coming event, she was bone tired and closed her eyes, fully expecting to lose consciousness any second.

Her mind drifted to Spitfire, and then to Soarin, then to the gymnasium that would surely be converted into a banquet hall, lit by candles, stocked with food and drink and decorated all for her sake. Her eyes opened involuntarily and she suppressed a growl, choosing instead to grit her teeth. She closed her eyes again, and tried to think about Applejack and her friends, but soon the thoughts of the evening took over once again. The pegasus opened her eyes and groaned, rousing Applejack, who had begun to fall back into sleep.

"What's the matter, darlin'?"

"I can't get back to sleep. This makes zero sense. I got no sleep last night, worked my flank off at work, now I'm here laying in bed with you...And I'm wide awake." Rainbow growled. "I can't help but get a little annoyed."

"Ah don't blame you there." Applejack said, turning around, lifting herself a little extra to account for her now truly noticeable baby-bump. She finally ended on her side, looking at Rainbow. "We can just lay here and talk if ya want." Rainbow smiled at her wife and nodded.

"That sounds nice. But...I was thinking..." Rainbow ran a hoof lightly up Applejack's side. The sensation felt pleasant to the farm mare, but she knew what Rainbow Dash was about to ask for. "Maybe we could, you know, mess around a little? We could be super quiet...We don't have to use the toy, even. I know, it's pretty tough for me to be quiet when we use that thing..." Rainbow blushed and gave Applejack a cheeky, yet hopeful look. Applejack sighed and looked to the side.

"Ah...Ah don't think so, Dash." She said nervously. Rainbow's cheeky yet hopeful look made way for one that telegraphed frustration. The pegasus sighed through her nose deeply and looked away, seeming to deflate.

"Okay." Rainbow said, her voice lowering. She turned around, making Applejack's eyebrows furrow. She knew she had to be delicate with the coming matter.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's with the sudden cold shoulder?" Not the most delicate, but at least she wasn't yelling. Rainbow Dash spun back around, having known that Applejack would press the matter.

"Applejack, we haven't had sex in over a month and a half." Rainbow sounded angry, but it was more of a quiet, subtle, frustrated anger.

"Well maybe because that's because Ah'm buckin' pregnant." Applejack almost snarled, the words coming out in a completely different way than her mind had constructed them. There went the delicacy of the situation. Applejack could almost see it go. "Ah'd think that you'd understand that."

"I have been understanding, Applejack!" Rainbow snapped back, her tone becoming dangerously elevated. "I haven't said anything about it until now. I mean, for cryin' out loud, you could at least...you know... Reach over, or something..." Applejack scoffed.

"Oh, reach over, huh?" Applejack said almost mockingly. "Yeah, because that's really sexy." Applejack kicked herself mentally as the words came out. They were antagonistic, inflammatory and unnecessary. But there was a part of her that saw how agitated Rainbow was becoming, and so became all the more agitated itself.

"It's something, Applejack!" Rainbow cried, her tone increasing once more. Although it still wasn't quite yelling. With luck, Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle hadn't heard them. At this point, however, Applejack didn't really care. "We're married, and you haven't touched me in a month and a half! Going on a month and three weeks now. Don't you see how that's kind of wrong?"

"Ah'm not gonna apologize to you for carryin' our child around with me for the next six damn months!" Applejack growled before taking a deep breath. "Along with all the stuff it's doin' to my body, Ah don't see myself as being obligated to do anything that Ah don't want to do."

"Applejack, I don't want you to feel obligated." Rainbow said, her eyes widening slightly, the mind behind them possibly coming to a realization regarding the subject. "You're my wife, and I love you...I just...I want us to be close, you know? Intimate. I'm a sexual being, and I have the needs that go along with that....But...I know that I should be more understanding of you and what you're going through. I was being selfish. Look, never mind, okay? I love you, and I want you to be happy. I'm sorry." Applejack had to fight back tears and she felt her heart break for her wife.

"Rainbow...Ah'm sorry too. Ah kinda stoked the fire here a bit, and Ah'm not proud of it at all. Ah just have these mood swings, you know? My hormones are goin' wild basically twenty-four-seven." The orange earth pony replied, putting a hoof on Rainbow's, the pegasus holding it firmly. "Ah could be a little more...helpful...Ah could, you know...reach over or somethin'." Rainbow laughed at Applejack's playful jab at her earlier language.

"Oh, I like you." Rainbow sighed dreamily, kissing Applejack's hoof. "I really am sorry, okay? You're the one pregnant, you're the one making the sacrifice. Any time you feel like...helping me out, is fine with me. And you know I'll return the favor." Applejack giggled, and pulled Rainbow into her. Even after almost no physical activity for the past six months in her pregnant state, Applejack was remarkably strong. Applejack planted a firm, loving kiss on Rainbow's lips, which the pegasus happily returned. Applejack sensed Rainbow's arousal heighten, as the Pegasus let out a small moan and lightly bit Applejack's bottom lip.

"Well, if it's all the same to you, Dash..." Applejack said as she separated from the kiss. "Could we maybe postpone until tonight? Ah actually really do have a headache." Rainbow nodded and smiled, cuddling into her spouse's chest.

"Kissing you is just fine." Rainbow sighed contentedly.

"On my girl's big night, too. Maybe we can break out the toy...." Applejack mused, and Rainbow smiled widely, giving Applejack's shoulder a small, playful slap. "In fact, here's a preview." With that, Applejack connected with Rainbow in a kiss so passionate, that it brought the pegasus back to the fields of Ponyville, on a picnic blanket in the sunset. The farm mare felt her wife take the submissive role in the kiss, letting out a moan, making Applejack smile. Applejack lightly sucked on Rainbow's bottom lip and deepened the kiss even more before separating. The kiss had been so sensual and passionate that a small string of saliva briefly stretched between their lips as they separated and fell upon Applejack's bottom lip. Like that, Applejack lay her head back down, leaving Rainbow Dash slightly stunned. After a couple minutes of silent cuddling, Rainbow spoke up.

"So what did you do today?"

"Oh, prepared for the new harvest. Big Mac got in the barn and got all the equipment ready for when we...well, y'all get to work."

"A little early, huh?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, we didn't really have all that much to do today." Applejack reasoned. "Goddesses, it's gonna hurt to just watch y'all doin' all the applebuckin'." Rainbow giggled and placed a hoof lightly on Applejack's belly.

"Well, think about what you're staying out of it for." Rainbow said the words sweetly, gently rubbing her belly, love in her eyes. "And think about it this way, you can do all of my applebucking next year" Applejack laughed.

"It ain't like I wasn't doin' it all myself before you came along." Applejack retorted, giving Rainbow a small shove. "You probably won't be able to do it anyway, considerin' as how you're a Wonderbolt now." Rainbow smiled widely.

"Well, technically I've been one for a month. I've just been on probation until today."

"Which means today, you're a Wonderbolt." Applejack kidded and Rainbow laughed, snuggling into her chest. "Really Dash, Ah'm so proud of you. Not many ponies can say they went out and accomplished their childhood dream. And here Ah am, layin' in bed with the one Ah married. Ah feel so lucky." Rainbow gave her a small squeeze and looked up at her.

"Yep. You married an A-number-one winner." She said happily. Applejack prepared a retort along the lines of "Alright, don't push it." But she figured that this was Rainbow's day. She'd let her wife have the boast, because she deserved to make it, one hundred percent.

"Can Ah just say, how happy Ah am that we're havin' a girl?" Applejack asked, making Rainbow nod.

"I was hoping for a filly too." Rainbow sighed, looking up to the ceiling. "Can you imagine how bad the anticipation would be if we'd waited to find out the gender?"

"That's why Ah pretty much immediately wanted to know. Ah know you're impatient as all get-out and Ah definitely don't think Ah could've taken it either."

"Well I'm glad you can be honest with yourself." Rainbow said, giving a half-hearted smile before looking back up at the ceiling and letting out a sigh through her nose.

"What's wrong, Rainbow?" Applejack asked.

"To be honest, I'm a bit nervous." This slightly shocked Applejack and she looked down at Rainbow Dash, who looked downward herself.

"What do you mean, Dash?" Rainbow slightly shrugged at the question. "You mean about the induction?" Rainbow gave a small nod.

"AJ, their first nickname for me is Rainbow Crash." The pegasus nearly deadpanned. "I'm already known for messing up."

"Ah thought the rest of them had nicknames that were just as bad." Applejack said, confused. "You told me that yourself."

"Well yeah, I know. I'm just...I'm worried that I'm gonna crash again, and that's all I'm gonna be known for." Rainbow Dash almost buried her face in Applejack's chest. "I know it doesn't seem all that possible, but I can't stop thinking about it.

"Now hold up here. They selected you to become a Wonderbolt because you were at the top of the cadet list. You tell me all the time about how you impress Spitfire pretty much every time you go in there. Yeah, you've had some flub-ups, but so does literally everypony. You are becomin' a Wonderbolt for a reason, Dash." Applejack said, almost chastising the pegasus. She noticed this and lightened her tone slightly, to one of encouragement and love. "This is what you've been dreaming about your entire life, and Ah knew you could do it since long before you became my wife. Hey, look, Ah did a little rhyme there!" Applejack let out a small giggle and looked down to see Rainbow Dash fast asleep. Fighting away the very, very small feeling of annoyance with the intense love that swelled within her, Applejack smiled. Her encouraging words hadn't been heard, but at least Dash was getting some rest. She planted a light, yet adoring kiss on the prismatic mane of the mare she had vowed to spend the rest of her life with and let herself fall asleep again.

"I am honored to present to you, the newest member of the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire said happily, gesturing to the beaming cyan pegasus standing next to her. Tears welled in Rainbow Dash's eyes as the gathering of ponies erupted into thunderous applause, all for her. There weren't a ton of ponies there, in fact less than there were at she and Applejack's wedding reception, but the ponies who truly mattered were there. Applejack, Applebloom (Accompanied by the other Cutie Mark Crusaders, who all had their cutie marks), Big Macintosh, even Granny Smith had come all the way to the Wonderbolts academy. The girls were there, Fluttershy and Rarity with their forelegs noticeably linked. This hadn't escaped Rainbow's attention and it made her already full heart overflow. There were others as well that Rainbow Dash had invited. Rolling Storm was there of course, as were Cloud Kicker, the Cakes, Amethyst Star, even Gilda, who'd come all the way from Gryphon territory to see her on her big night. Fighting back the sobs that welled up in her throat, Rainbow approached the microphone after Spitfire gestured her toward it.

"Thank you so much, everypony who has believed in me. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie...you're the best friends a mare could ever have, and I love you. Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom, thank you for being such a wonderful family to me. I honestly don't know where I'd be right now without you. You've given me a home, accepted me as part of your family, and supplied me with so much love it's hard to put into words. But there's a pony out there who I'm more thankful to than anyone else...Sorry, everyone, don't hate me." Rainbow made the last statement with a wry smirk, bringing a hearty laugh from the small crowd.

"That's impossible!" Scootaloo cried, sparking another smaller laugh.

"My wife, Applejack. You've been there for me, listened to me, let me cry on your shoulder...Yes, everyone, even I cry sometimes. In the years we've been in love, you've become the reason I get out of bed every morning. You give me strength, you're the wind beneath my wings. In short, you light my fire, baby. I love you." The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Rainbow's eyes went to Applejack, who was silently crying with joy. The pegasus sent her a wink, and Applejack laughed with pure elation. Feeling the need to be right there next to her wife, Rainbow Dash went to leave the stage as Spitfire returned to the microphone.

"Alright, everypony! Go ahead and dig into those refreshments that I've seen each of you eye tonight at least once. In a little bit we're gonna dim the lights, turn some other lights on, and get dancing! Another thanks to our DJ tonight..." Spitfire's voice trailed off as Rainbow reached Applejack, the farm mare wrapping her into a tight embrace. The earth pony's tears made Rainbow's cheek wet and she laughed.

"Geez, AJ, you're crying more than me!" Rainbow said, her own tears spilling over. Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie all quickly joined the hug and Rainbow savored all the love that was coming to her. "I love you guys so much." Next were Big Mac, Granny Smith and Applebloom, who all jumped on Rainbow and Applejack, the second group hug in a row. Normally Rainbow wasn't a fan of being confined in such a way but when it was ponies she loved so dearly, she didn't mind it so much. Granny Smith gave Rainbow Dash a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah am so proud of you." Granny said, with tears in her eyes. "My granddaughter!" The last words brought a fresh wave of tears to Rainbow's eyes as she couldn't help but let out a small sob. She hugged just Granny this time, and there wasn't a dry eye among any of the seven ponies observing.

"Great job, sis." Big Mac said with a loving smile, giving Rainbow a hug as well. "Never a doubt."

"Aww, ya stole that from me! Ah was gonna call her 'sis'!" Applebloom cried, furrowing her eyebrows at Big Mac, who looked genuinely confused at the filly's outburst.

"Applebloom, ya never said anything of the sort to me." Big Mac replied, raising a brow. Rainbow giggled and leaned down toward Applebloom.

"You know, you can totally call me sis, too. I don't mind. It's just as cool hearing it the second time." Applebloom wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow's neck and squeezed, hard. Rainbow didn't bother to mention that the filly had cut off her breathing for a moment.

"Ooohhh, Ah love my family!" Applejack cried as the emotion overtook her, tears running down her face. She gained control of herself and wiped her tears, laughing. "Sorry. You know...Pregnant." The ponies present laughed heartily.

"Well, not to exacerbate the crying problem, but Fluttershy and I have something to say." Rarity said with a wide smile as she wiped her tears.

"Rarity and I are together." Fluttershy said, taking Rarity's hoof in hers.

"Wait....You mean, like, together together?" Pinkie Pie asked. Rarity and Fluttershy nodded, prompting Pinkie Pie to scream.

"Ohmygoddessesallmybestfriendsaredatingthisisthebestnightever!" Her mouth put the words out extraordinarily quickly, and the pink Earth Pony breathed deeply, her eyes becoming incredibly wide.

"That's wonderful!" Twilight cried with utter happiness with a dash of shock. "How long has it been going on?"

"Well, it's a bit of a long story, so we won't really get too far into it here. It's Rainbow's night. We just wanted to...Well, I just wanted to proclaim my love."

"I think I'm gonna make myself eat, despite all this excitement. I had so many documents to go through today!" Twilight said. "If I don't, I just might pass out from the dancing.

"Good idea, Twilight! Fluttershy?" Rarity looked at her love, who nodded. "Rainbow, Applejack, are you coming?"

"Yeah, in a little bit. I have other guests I have to go mingle with." Rainbow replied with a small nod. "You guys go ahead. We'll see you in a little bit." They broke off to go get some of the provided refreshments while there still were some.

"You know, Twilight, our friends are all getting together. Maybe we could-" Pinkie began as they walked.

"Not a chance, Pinkie." Twilight cut her friend off. "Love you, but not a chance."

"Oh, come on! One dance with me and you'll-" The party pony's voice trailed off as they got too far away for Rainbow or Applejack to hear.

"Goddesses, they're finally out. I never thought they tell them." Rainbow said with a small laugh. "It had a rocky start, but I'm so happy for Rarity and Flutters."

"You know, we had a rocky start." Applejack replied, giving Rainbow a kiss on the cheek. "Look at us now."

"Yeah." Rainbow said, turning her head and giving Applejack a kiss on the lips in response. "Look at us now." The farm mare looked into her wife's eyes dreamily for a moment before catching herself doing so.

"So...Guests? Mingling?" Applejack asked and Rainbow nodded. She looked over and saw Gilda approaching, with Amber Heart at her side, the mare's foreleg linked with hers.

"Gilda!" Rainbow said happily, closing the distance and giving Gilda a hug. "And Amber Heart! I didn't know the two of you were together!" Applejack walked over as well, but she did so noticeably slower than Rainbow Dash. This weighed on the farm mare, but she put on a happy face for Gilda and her cousin.

"Yeah, it's so great to see y'all have been happy." Applejack said, giving Amber heart a hug as well.

"So how'd it start up, if you don't mind me asking?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Spare whatever details you think you should spare." The two laughed and looked at each other, before Gilda began.

"Well obviously, you saw us at the reception." Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded. "Well, we got into sending letters back and forth, you know penpals and such. I just...I had to talk to her, you know? Hear about how her life had been and all that. Eventually, I took a trip to Equestria to visit and we ended up starting a relationship. She's been living in Griffon territory with me for...How long now, baby?"

"'Bout three months now." Amber heart almost gushed, the cute smile she was wearing never once leaving her face. "Been an item since two or so before that."

"Whoa whoa, hold up. You came to Equestria to visit and you didn't hit me up?! Come on Gilda, I thought we were friends!" Rainbow said in mock anger. Gilda wilted slightly, and her eyes widened, despite her partner getting Rainbow's sarcasm almost immediately.

"Gee, I'm sorry, Dash-" Gilda began, and Rainbow almost instantly burst into laughter.

"Oh, Gilda, did you actually think I was serious?" Gilda chuckled nervously, and it looked to Rainbow Dash that the gryphon was attempting to think of a snappy comeback. "I was totally kidding. That's amazing!" Rainbow exclaimed throwing a hoof around Gilda's shoulders.

"Ah second that. Ah'm so happy for y'all." Applejack said genuinely. "Thank you for makin' it here tonight, cousin."

"Well, Gilda was adamant about coming." Amber Heart said, raising an eyebrow at her partner.

"You know it. I still remember all those nights at camp where you'd rant to me about the Wonderbolts until I'd be quietly begging Celestia that you'd shut up." Gilda said before smiling widely. "I wouldn't miss this for anything." Rainbow smiled back at her, and embraced her old friend. This was not the quick friend hug she'd given her as a greeting. No, this was a full-on embrace, and Applejack couldn't help but remember when Rainbow had admitted that she and Gilda had gotten intimate more than once during their stint in Junior Speedsters Flight Camp.

'Tonight is about Rainbow Dash.' The farm mare told herself with a swift mental kick. 'Not you or your stupid insecurities.'

"Anyways, Ah thought it'd be a good opportunity to see my cousin again to boot!" Amber Heart exclaimed. Applejack noticed her eyes float to her baby bump and she smiled.

"Yeah, Ah'm pregnant." Applejack sighed, rolling her eyes slightly. "Y'all can talk about it, ya know. It's a girl."

"That's so awesome. Have you guys thought of names yet?" Gilda asked, causing Rainbow and Applejack to immediately look at each other, wide-eyed and blushing wildly. Gilda and Amber Heart laughed, with Rainbow and Applejack joining them, but still passing a look to each other as the other couple were caught up in the humor. The laughing made the married mares feel lighter, but both were still disturbed that neither of them had considered names for their foal who was now well on the way.

"It's whatever, guys. It's your foal, and you think of what to name it when the time comes." Gilda assured them, giving Rainbow's shoulder a small pat.

"Y'all probably have a bunch more folks that y'all wanna talk to. Ah think we're gonna go get some punch. Honey?" Amber Heart politely asked, looking at her partner.

"Yeah, I'm pretty thirsty. Dash, stay cool. Applejack, don't let this one go." Gilda said, and Applejack smiled with appreciation, but the mental image of her with Rainbow in their cabin flashed through her brain again. "See you guys on the dance floor?"

"You know it!" Rainbow said with excitement before turning to Applejack and quickly realizing that if she were to go out onto that dance floor, she'd be dancing either alone or with someone else after the first few minutes. Applejack smiled sweetly at her love and stood.

"Well, are we gonna get out there or aren't we?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, and the pegasus stood with a happy, albeit unsure, smile.

"Hay yeah!" Rainbow chirped. "But...AJ, are you sure?" The fact that Rainbow even asked the question put a small damper on Applejack that stuck with her. But nevertheless, the farm mare straightened up and smiled wryly at Rainbow.

"Who the hay you think you're talkin' to?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow, re-energized, ambled to her wife's side and the two mares approached the dance floor. The music was loud, but not terribly so, and the darkness of the night had descended so the lights were vivid and filled the dance floor. By the time the two got to the area, most of the young able bodied ponies present had started to dance, including their friends, Spitfire, Soarin and the other wonderbolts. Spitfire waved to Rainbow as she danced with Bright Blitz, another mare in the Wonderbolts. Rainbow and Applejack waved back.

"Ah guess Spitfire likes to dance with everypony, huh?" Applejack asked, elevating her tone to where Rainbow could hear her over the music, but no one else could.

"It makes sense, when you think about it." Rainbow replied with a small shrug. "She's always been such a free spirit. So cool." Rainbow let out a fangirl cry and Applejack gave a small laugh that was just the smallest bit fake. Despite her small anxieties, that remained with her even since their conversation with Gilda, and her building exhaustion, Applejack was having a great time. Rainbow was ecstatic, and so she was as well. She fed off her wife's energy as they danced, and for the rest of the first song and for about the first half of the second, her building fatigue barely registered. By the end of the second song however, her energy reserves had dwindled almost completely.

The farm mare pushed through her pure weariness for Rainbow, breathing deeply through her nose and trying to keep her wife's happiness in her mind. But after what felt like an agonizingly long first verse for the third song, Applejack was ready to stop. Still, the mare persisted, seeing her love happier than she'd been in a long time.

'Come on, Applejack.' She thought to herself. 'It's really no worse than pushing through the last couple trees when you're applebuckin'.'

The first chorus ended and another verse began, almost making Applejack cry out in frustration.

'Oh, Goddesses, it's so much worse.' Applejack screamed in her own head before looking at Rainbow Dash. 'But it's worth it, so shut the buck up and at least finish out this song.'

With sheer determination, Applejack pushed through to the last lyric. The mare had to dig deep and her legs felt more than wobbly by the end but she'd done it for Rainbow. Rainbow finished laughing at some funny thing Spitfire and Soarin did and she looked back at Applejack. As the fourth song began, Rainbow's face contorted into worry.

"AJ, are you okay?" Rainbow asked, almost scared, as she immediately moved up to Applejack, brushing her blonde mane from her face. "You're really pale." Applejack's heart jumped and she smiled.

"Oh yeah, Ah'm fine." Applejack replied, struggling hard to keep her breathing even. "Ah mean, Ah'm...Ah'm definitely winded. Ah'm pregnant, after all." Rainbow smiled at Applejack and nodded.

"Of course, what was I thinking?" Rainbow shook her head as they left the dance floor and approached the tables. "I wish you'd have said something. We didn't have to do three whole songs." Applejack threw a nonchalant hoof in Rainbow's direction and raspberried her lips.

"Not at all. Ah'm fine. In fact, let's take a rest, and then we'll...get back out there!" Applejack's stomach dropped at what she'd possibly signed herself up for. Rainbow shook her head, and Applejack tried to hide her relief.

"Nope. We're gonna chill here now. I think I've had enough dancing myself. I need to spent some time with my main mare." Rainbow sat down next to Applejack happily and the orange earth pony was filled with love for her. "Would you want a drink?" Spitfire quickly sat at their table, having retired from the dance floor with Soarin.

"So the mare of the hour and her beautiful wife! Couldn't be happier to have you on the team, Rainbow Crash." Rainbow blushed heavily at hearing the nickname she'd earned with the team already but smiled widely all the same.

"Thank you! I'm so excited to do more stuff with you guys!" Rainbow almost cried.

"I was thinking, since you're one of the only ponies in existence who can perform a sonic rainboom, we should incorporate it into our shows as the finale." Spitfire said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. Rainbow's eyes widened, and she looked as if she'd explode.

"Umm, that was my idea!" Soarin scoffed. "Remember, we were having sandwiches and I suggested it and choked on my bread." Spitfire raised an eyebrow at him, and he in turn furrowed his. "I remembered that because of the experience of choking on the bread."

"Anyways..." Spitfire continued, raising an eyebrow at Soarin. "I really think it'll work. We're gonna be at Swingin' Manes tonight in Ponyville if you want to talk about it more."

"Oh, o-okay!" Rainbow said happily, looking at Applejack giddily, before looking back at Spitfire. "But if it's alright, I think I'd rather stay with Applejack tonight. We can totally get drinks after the next practice, though!" Spitfire smiled and nodded. Applejack was taken aback by Rainbow's response to the invitation.

"No problem. If you change your mind, we'll be there. I'm serious about that sonic rainboom." Spitfire contined as she and Soarin stood. "So think about it! Again, the show, not the nightclub. Well, think about that too! See you out there?" The fiery-maned pegasus pointed to the dance floor.

"Uh...Yeah, maybe!" Rainbow replied and her now co-wonderbolts left the two of them sitting at the table.

"Rainbow, go dance with them." Applejack said to her with a smile, nodding at the two pegasi who had become embroiled in some kind of bickering. "This is literally your dream."

"Nah, I'm okay here with you." Rainbow replied simply, watching the dance floor, where Gilda now danced with Amber Heart. The ponies present at the ceremony already had drank enough to loosen up and start dancing. Rarity and Fluttershy laughed and danced together saucily, but not in a way that was obscene. Rainbow Dash loved her wife dearly, and had already made up her mind that she would stay at Applejack's side, but she still felt a yearning in her belly to get out there and move.

"But this night will never happen again." Applejack almost mumbled in a glum manner.

"You're kidding right? I'm a Wonderbolt now. These nights will happen all the time." Rainbow replied. "I said I'm staying with you, so I'm staying with you."

Blushing slightly, Applejack scooted her chair up next to Rainbow and she laid her head on the pegasus' shoulder. Dash smiled and kissed Applejack on the ear, making the earth pony's ears lay back for a moment.

"You know callin' me your 'main mare' hints that you have other mares, and that Ah'm the one you like the most, right?"

"Well, I have one other mare." This caused Applejack to widen her eyes, pull her head back and raise an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, who smiled cheekily.

"And who might that be, Rainbow Dash?"

"The one in your belly." Applejack's heart melted and she struggled to find words to say. Tears filled her eyes and her lips trembled. At that moment, a slow-dance song came on. The timing being too perfect to ignore, Applejack stood and offered her hoof to Rainbow Dash. Slightly taken aback as she knew how tired her love was, Rainbow looked up at her from where she sat through a tearful smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Come on...Ah mean, it's a slow dance, isn't it? Ah think Ah can handle it."

The two married mares walked onto the dance floor and began to sway together to the love song that was playing.

"You're blushin'." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow, whose eyes widened a bit at receiving the information. "Just like the Harvest Hoedown when we danced for the first time." It was true that even after having been with Applejack for such a long time, the Pegasus still blushed when they danced together. Rainbow, rather than say anything, simply lowered her ears and looked to the side, embarrassed. With a small giggle, Applejack moved Rainbow's head to kiss her. They separated, and Rainbow Dash's previous expression of embarrassment had been replaced with a dreamy smile.

"You know...I like Honeycrisp Flash." Rainbow said, a dreamy tone in her voice to match her face.

"What's that, some kinda candy or somethin'?" Applejack asked with a slightly confused expression, earning a giggle from Rainbow.

"No, ya nut, I mean as a name. For our foal." Rainbow stroked Applejack's mane slowly. "What do you think? Honey or Flash for short, depending on what she prefers."

"Ah really like it. To be honest, Ah'm surprised that Ah haven't put all that much thought into a name." Applejack looked slightly ashamed, and Rainbow nuzzled her love.

"AJ, it's okay. I came up with it like twenty minutes ago, and if we decide we don't totally dig it in a week, we can think of another. You literally have a little life growing inside of you. You're doing most of the work with just that." Rainbow said with a smile. "You're a freaking hero. My hero." Applejack sniffled as Rainbow lay her head on her chest. Hearing Rainbow Dash utter the familiar phrase brought to mind the memory of the timber wolf attack, and Rainbow Dash flying through the sky deftly, with Applejack clutching her tightly, both terrified and having the time of her life. This coupled with the fact that Rainbow had foregone a night drinking with the ponies she'd looked up to for so long, and was now one of to stay with her made her love Rainbow so much that tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Well, there's nopony whose hero Ah'd rather be."

Author's Note

Yay! Rarity and Fluttershy are out! The foal (a filly!) has a name! Rainbow Dash is a Wonderbolt! I mean, I know she's already one canonically in the show, but this has been a part of my story for a long time, since before I knew of the episode. I figured I'd be able to work the canon of Newbie Dash in by having the induction ceremony take place after the probation Spitfire put Dash on at the end of the episode. Also, to be honest, this chapter was looking be yet another 12k+ one so I decided to, yet again, split the chapter up. (Hence the shit goes down I put at the end of my latest blog post if you'd read that. Look at me assuming you read the blog post. I'm not that important!) I hadn't fully finished the whole thing by the time I realized this so it'll be a little while before I have the next chapter up, as I'm only about 1.5k words or so into that part. It shouldn't be long, though. Cheers!

Chapter 14

Rainbow Dash's heart was still overflowing with joy when she and her family arrived back at the farm house in Sweet Apple Acres. This translated to her movements which were vibrant and wired. The same could not be said for the rest of her family. They'd chatted merrily on the way home, but the closer they got to their house, the more tired each of them besides Rainbow got, including Applejack. Rainbow's excitement was still at a fever pitch and she knew she wouldn't be able to go to sleep if she tried. In stark contrast, the rest of the family looked ready to fall over.

"Good Celestia, it's past midnight." Granny Smith gawked as they approached the house. The family walked through the door and Granny Smith turned, giving Rainbow Dash a hug that emanated warmth. "Ah am so goldarned proud of you, sweet pea. So proud. That bein' said, Ah'm an old mare and Ah hear my bed callin' my name. Goodnight, y'all." The old earth pony turned and headed for her bedroom. Big Mac and Applebloom mimicked their grandmother's display of love.

"Ah'm young, but Ah'm still beat. See y'all in the morning." Applebloom said, punctuating her sentence with a yawn.

"Congratulations again, sis." Big Mac said simply, and Rainbow Dash couldn't help but hug her brother-in-law. Being called "sis" filled her with joy she never knew she'd have from being called as such. Big Mac followed his younger sister, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack alone in the living room. Applejack's eyes were heavy, but she still kept the smile on her face for Rainbow, who she correctly assumed was still full of energy.

"I can't believe it!" Rainbow gushed with a tiny hop, trying to keep her voice down. "I'm a Wonderbolt! My dream come true." Applejack gave a small chuckle and placed a kiss on Rainbow's lips.

"Ah'm so happy for you, baby. Come on, let's hit the sack."

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow said with a small purr in her voice, as Applejack's earlier promise came to her mind. She excitedly followed Applejack, trying to remain quiet on the floorboards while suppressing the pure energy within her. The earth pony walked a little too slowly for Rainbow's taste, and after what felt like five minutes to Rainbow Dash, they arrived at their bedroom. As soon as they both were in, Rainbow Dash quickly shut and locked the door before moving toward Applejack, who removed her stetson with a small sigh.

"Ah don't know about you, but-mmph!" The farm mare was cut off by Rainbow Dash pressing her lips to hers in a deep and unexpected kiss. Applejack lightly pushed Rainbow Dash off of her and cocked an eyebrow over her widened eyes. "Uhh, what's on your mind, Dash?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow herself in confusion and put a hoof up.

"You made me that promise earlier." Rainbow said, attempting to jog Applejack's memory. When Applejack's expression remained unchanged, Rainbow scoffed. "Remember, it was something you said we'd do...Or rather, something you'd do to me after my induction?" Applejack let out a small gasp, and she put a hoof on her head.

"Oh, Ah plumb forgot." Applejack groaned in an exasperated manner, striking an uncomfortable chord in Rainbow Dash.

"Well geez, don't be so ecstatic." Rainbow almost deadpanned, furrowing her brow.

"Ah'm sorry, Ah'm sorry. Come here, beautiful." Applejack said in a sweet tone, making that uncomfortable feeling in Rainbow Dash vanish. With a smile, Rainbow kissed Applejack once more, and with a small moan, pushed the Earth Pony onto the bed. Rainbow Dash deepened the kiss and moved one of Applejack's back legs around her waist. Applejack kept her leg there for a few seconds before letting it drop back to the bed. This was distracting and a turn-off to the Pegasus. This caused her to become aware that Applejack's kissing seemed to be almost half-hearted, that it lacked the usual energy and passion Applejack put into the kisses that they shared. Rainbow separated from the kiss and sighed.

"Is everything...okay?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah, honey." Applejack said, opening her eyes. "Why?"

"It just...I dunno, it seems like you aren't very...into this." Rainbow replied.

"Ah am."

"Come on, AJ. I've kissed you thousands of times at this point, I think I can tell when you're into it and when you're not." It took a few moments for Applejack to relent, and the orange mare let out a sigh.

"Okay, fine. Ah'm not really feelin' it right now." Applejack admitted, making Rainbow sit up and look to the side with a frown on her face, her forelegs crossed in frustration. "Ah...Ah don't really know what to say."

"Applejack, you promised." Rainbow said, deflating.

"Would you rather me lie to you about it?" Applejack asked.

"It's just that it's been a month and a half. The longest we've ever gone without doing it..."

"Ah know. Ah'm honestly just so tired. It has nothing to do with you, okay, Dash? Please, can we just wait 'till the morning? Ah'm fightin' sleep, even right now. Ah prom-" Applejack stopped herself, realizing how much her promises probably meant to Rainbow Dash at that point. "Ah'll make it up to you, Rainbow." Applejack said this with a voice laden with guilt. Rainbow Dash felt the frustration welling up within her, and she prepared to let that frustration out. But she looked at Applejack, who truly looked guilty, and recalled her at the induction, standing despite her clear exhaustion for one more dance. She looked at Applejack and saw that she'd rolled over onto her side, clearly from shame.

"Ah'm...sorry for lettin' you down." Applejack mumbled dejectedly. "And on your big day, too."

"It's okay. Really, it is." Rainbow sighed. "I can wait a little more, I guess. What's one more night?" Applejack smiled and turned around to see Rainbow, with that smile she loved so much on her face. She went to stand and Rainbow moved toward the bed, shaking her head before leaning down toward her. Applejack leaned forward and closed the two-inch gap between them, giving Rainbow a kiss.

"Are you sure?"

"Totally."

"Thanks, baby." Applejack pulled Rainbow down into a small hug and smiled at her when the Pegasus separated. "You know...If you want, Ah could...ya know, reach over."

"Nah, it's okay. You know I really can't do it unless you're into it." Rainbow replied.

"Ah dunno, Ah think Ah could get into reaching over right about now." Applejack reasoned, and Rainbow thought for a moment and shook her head.
"Seriously, It's fine, babe. Let's wait until you're down for getting some too. You get some sleep, my beautiful pregnant wife." Rainbow said, giving Applejack one more small kiss on her forehead. "Would it be cool with you if I went and met Spitfire and the others at Swingin' Manes for those drinks? I'm still pretty wired."

"Go on ahead." Applejack said. Smiling widely, Rainbow excitedly stood and moved toward the door. "Just be back by three, please." Rainbow stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at her wife. It had been small frustration stacked on small frustration lately for Rainbow Dash in her marriage to Applejack, but she supposed that came with the territory, especially considering the pregnancy. What was one more small one on the very top? Swallowing that frustration once more, and for what she hoped would be the final time for at least a while, Rainbow nodded and went to leave once more. "And Rainbow?"

'Goddesses, what now?' Rainbow thought before wheeling around quickly and lifting an eyebrow.

"Yes?" She said with the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice which she hoped desperately that Applejack hadn't picked up. From the way her voice sounded, however, it would have been hard not to, and Applejack was just about the farthest thing from stupid.

"Ah love you."

"I love you too." Rainbow sighed with a small smile as she closed their bedroom door behind her, feeling the slightest bit disgusted with herself.

"Hey, look who it is!" Spitfire cried happily, and drunkenly, as she saw Rainbow approaching the bar in Swingin' Manes nightclub where she sat with Soarin. Soarin sent a warm smile Rainbow's way, raising his beer stein before taking a swig. "Get your flank over here so I can buy you a shot!" Rainbow Dash, who'd arrived at the nightclub only minutes prior, blushed and nodded. "'Scuse me! Vodka for the newest Wonderbolt!" Even though she'd been a cadet at the Wonderbolts academy for a good while, she still got slightly nervous around her idol, and seeing her here in such a casual setting, as drunk as she was, was quite the change of pace for Rainbow.

"Thanks! I figured I'd come by and see you guys. This place is pretty popping tonight-"

"Stop!" Spitfire cut Rainbow off. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened slightly as Spitfire slid a shotglass over to her, full of vodka. "Not another word until you down it." Rainbow shrugged and took the shot like a champ, bringing the shot glass down quickly, the glass making a loud clack on the counter.

"That's how you do it, right there! So what made you decide to finally join us, Dash?" Spitfire asked.

"Well, Applejack was super sleepy and I figured it'd be alright if I came by. I was pretty wired and I couldn't sleep, so I left when she passed out. Didn't take long." Rainbow lied calmly, as admitting she'd cleared her visit to Swingin' Manes with her wife beforehand probably wouldn't be quite as cool, and the cyan mare was desperate to shed her Rainbow Crash moniker.

"Oooh, a clandestine trip to a nightclub. How saucy."

"No, it isn't really like that-"

"Hey! Can I get like...Five more shots over here?" Spitfire said loudly to the bartender, who rolled his eyes and got to work pouring five shots.

"Ma'am-"

"You know we're past that crap now. Spitfire's my name."

"Okay, Spitfire, to be honest, you seem pretty sauced already. You sure that's a good idea with our practice tomorrow afternoon?"

"You're right. I am quite drunk. It's for you, dummy."

"Oh, Spitfire, I can get my own-"

"Shut up. It's nothing to me, and you're the newest Wonderbolt. You're not paying for a single drink tonight." Rainbow was slightly shocked at being told so quickly to shut up, but the Captain of the Wonderbolts was quite convincing.

"Just do it." Soarin said before taking another swig of beer. "She won't shut up 'till you do."

"Well...I guess saying no would be rude..."

"There you go! Now get started, you need to play catch-up. Soarin stopped after five. With these five, you're gonna outdo him, Rainbow. Consider it your official initiation into the Wonderbolts." As Spitfire finished her sentence, the bartender finished pouring the fifth shot.

"I...I dunno. Maybe like three..."

"That doesn't sound like the Rainbow Dash I know. The Rainbow Dash who absolutely stuns us every day. You're seriously gonna let Soarin out-drink you?" Spitfire asked the question and squinted her eyes tauntingly, raising an eyebrow. Over spitfire's shoulder, Rainbow Dash could see Soarin become slightly offended.

"Hey, I already told you, I have this banquet brunch thing with my marefriend tomorrow. I can't go if I'm hungover-" Soarin began to protest.

"Shutupshutup. I'm just trying to get Rainbow nice and loose for some dancing." Spitfire harshly whispered in a tone that Rainbow could clearly understand.

"You know I can hear you, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, prompting Spitfire to turn around.

"No, I didn't say any-" The captain of the Wonderbolts began as she turned around but stopped dead in the middle of her sentence when she saw Rainbow Dash take the second shot of the five she'd gotten for her, her third overall.

"What? I figured I might as well. You're right, and I haven't got good and sauced in a while." Rainbow took the third shot and groaned slightly. "But I might need a little break after that one. Hey, bartender? Can I get some water?" The bartender went about his business, evidently not having heard Rainbow.

"No no no no...You gotta be aggressive with it. Like, yell at him, you know?" Spitfire urged her. Rainbow, unsure, glanced at Soarin who merely shrugged and sipped the cola he had in front of him. She looked back at Spitfire, who gave her a reassuring nod and smile. Rainbow, in such a casual friendly situation with the mare she'd looked up to for so long blushed and cleared her throat.

"Hey, bartender! Get me a water!" Rainbow Dash said assertively, yelling, but not quite screaming. Without a word, the stallion, who'd she'd already recognized as not being the nice one that she and Applejack had come to know, slid the glass of water toward her. After a couple gulps, the burning in her stomach from three back-to-back shots of strong vodka subsided enough to where she felt ready for another.

"There ya go!" Spitfire commended Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow felt excitement at the prospect of hearing those words cried out by Spitfire when they incorporated the Sonic Rainboom into their routine.

"So I'm just now kinda feeling those." Rainbow said with a small giggle. "It's always pretty cool when you feel it come on."

"That's why we do it!" Spitfire almost cheered, before ordering another shot. As the time passed, and Rainbow finished off her five shots, one by one, she felt herself becoming looser and she began to have more fun. She and Spitfire had taken to sending jab after friendly jab Soarin's way. Clearly being less drunk than the two mares, he took it with a smile and threw a jape their way here and there, making them laugh uproariously with each one.

"Ya know, Spitifire. I just gotta say, I am just...so happy to be a part of...um...um..." Rainbow began with her foreleg draped around Spitfire's shoulder.

"Have you seriously forgotten about what our-"

"Wonderbolts! The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow cried, slapping her forehead with a hoof. Spitfire began belly-laughing, with Rainbow and Soarin joining her.

"I can't believe it!" Spitfire squalled before they broke out into another fit, earning strange looks from ponies down the bar.

"Hey!" Rainbow said in a mock-serious tone when she noticed the strange looks, particularly from a couple that had been there as long as they had. "What're you lookin' at? This is what alcohol is for, isn't it? Havin' a good time? Yeah, yeah go ahead and take a picture, it'll last longer, huh?" Spitfire clapped her hooves together happily upon hearing the last part of Rainbow's sentence.

"Hey bartender guy! Are all those polaroids ones that you take?" Spitfire asked, gesturing to the large collection of polaroid pictures on the back wall of the bar, below all the bottles of spirits. The bartender nodded.

"Yep, sometimes I'll take a picture of ponies who I see having a really good time. It's like a little collection me and the other Stallion that tends bar here contribute to from time to time.

"Well Rainbow Dash here is the newest member of the Wonderbolts." Spitfire slurred, putting her foreleg around Rainbow's shoulders this time.

"I know, I've heard you guys tonight." He replied before nodding at Rainbow. "Hey."

"Hey." Rainbow deadpanned, throwing a hoof up for half a second, making the three Wonderbolts who'd been drinking break out into another round of laughs.

"So I was just wondering if you could- Well hey you already went and grabbed it!" Spitfire said with intoxicated cheer. "Look at you being a good bartender!" The stallion held the camera, a small smile on his face.

"Yep. If anypony here's having a good time, it's you three. Lean in, you guys." He said as he raised the camera. Rainbow, Spitfire and Soarin leaned into the frame, Spitfire in the middle with her forelegs draped around Rainbow Dash's and Soarin's shoulders, a wink and a smile on her face. The bartender snapped the photo and Rainbow let out a small whistle.

"Gonna have to sit still for a sec after that flash. Goddesses..."

"It'll be a few minutes for the picture to show up." The Bartender said with a small nod. "It'll be up here for you guys."

"Thanks! Three more shots for us." Spitfire said with a small nod.

"Spitfire, I've already had five-" Rainbow began, indeed quite drunk.

"Six." Spitfire cut her off, and both mares began to laugh again, Rainbow wheezing a bit.

"That's right! I've had six."

"One more for each of us before we start dancing. Come on, we're-hic-celebrating!" Spitfire said, as well as slurred, to Rainbow, and without more than a second or two of thought, Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"Oh, why not?" She said as the three shots were placed down before Rainbow, Spitfire and Soarin.

"Bottoms up, y'all!" Soarin cried. His usage of the word y'all reminded her of Applejack, and feeling a tiny panic in her belly, she wheeled to look at the clock over the bar. It was only 1:15 AM and she sighed quietly to herself in relief. She was made of time. Rainbow Dash felt her shoulders relax as Spitfire spoke up next to her.

"You're not gonna do it?" The Captain of the Wonderbolts almost challenged Rainbow. Snapping back to reality, Rainbow Dash hurriedly downed the shot and let out a small cough and a "whoo!" she felt herself sway where she was for a moment, and she put a hoof on the counter, steadying herself. With a small laugh she stood up straight, and concealed yet another small stumble quite well while doing so.

"Let's go!" Rainbow cried as she and the other two pegasi stood and approached the dance floor.

"See anypony you like?" Spitfire asked Soarin, who nodded almost immediately and gestured toward a unicorn mare dancing happily, albeit alone. Spitfire chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Nice choice, dude. Go get 'er." Moving quickly and smoothly, despite his clear intoxication, he asked the mare to dance. She seemed to recognize him and excitedly accepted, the two of them having no trouble working themselves into a groove.

"What about you, Dash?" Spitfire asked Rainbow, who caught herself surveying the crowd, and admiring more than a few stallions and mares that she saw. Snapping herself out of that thought process, she shook her head.

"Eh, not really." She lied, looking over at Spitfire and smiling. "I usually just dance with Applejack when we come here... You know, whenever we come here."

"Yeah, no offense to your wife, but this doesn't seem like her scene." Spitfire said as the two of them looked out onto the dance floor.

"Yeah. But in her defense, it doesn't usually take her long to get into a groove with me here, and she ends up loving it every time. She just can't do it all the time, you know? What about you? See anypony?"

"Yes, indeed I do." Spitfire replied simply.

"Oh-" Rainbow said, turning away from the dance floor to look at Spitfire and stopping when she saw her fiery eyes staring into hers. "...Who?"

"You're not stupid, are you, Rainbow?" Spitfire asked with a cocked eyebrow. Rainbow felt a spark in her belly, as she hadn't even known until that moment that she had desperately wanted to dance with Spitfire.

"Oh, well...I ummm..." Her face reddened and her ears lowered.

"Oh come on, it's just dancing." Spitfire laughed as she pulled Rainbow Dash out onto the dance floor. She pulled the new Wonderbolt along, clearly taking the lead, which also made Rainbow gain a little more pep to her step. As they began to dance, a new song that was sensual and heavy on the bass came on. It was an easy one to move to and soon Rainbow and Spitfire got into a good rhythm, standing across from one another. Rainbow closed her eyes and felt the music, smiling more as the seconds passed. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed it, the feeling of the music vibrating in her chest, the lights, all the other ponies around her. She opened her eyes, and couldn't bring herself to look at Spitfire, despite how good she felt, and despite dancing less than a foot away from her. She looked around the dance floor, her eyes coming to Soarin, who ground himself into the mare he was dancing with sensually. He gave them a happy, yet goofy smile, which made Rainbow belly laugh.

"Spitfire! Check out-" Rainbow said, turning back toward her new Captain. She was cut off as Spitfire grabbed her and pulled her in close, to where their chests were connected. Rainbow's stomach jumped in surprise and the tiniest bit of fear, but despite this feeling, she made no effort to separate.

'What's happening here?' Rainbow thought as she looked at her Captain. Spitfire smiled sensually at Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow couldn't help but smile back nervously. Nervousness clashed with excitement within Rainbow Dash, as she looked into her idol's eyes. Her head swimmed from the alcohol as bit by bit, she began to get back into the music, hips and all.

'Whoa, what are you doing?' She thought more quietly.

Spitfire's forelegs, one draped over her shoulder and one wrapped around her waist, squeezed slightly as they attempted to pull her closer. Becoming lost in the combination of the thumping music, the alcohol, dancing with her idol and being held in such a way, so closely, by that same idol, Rainbow's eyes closed and she wrapped her forelegs around Spitfire.

'Stop.' She thought, though it was nothing more than a whisper compared to the music and her heartbeat.

The music pounded on, and Rainbow subtly pressed her hips against the Wonderbolt Captain's, gyrating them and swaying them the the music. She felt Spitfire's breath on her neck and she bit her lip before letting out a sigh, letting herself relax. She felt Spitfire's hoof moving slowly down her back, giving her chillbumps underneath her cyan coat. Her hoof ended on Dash's flank and gave it the smallest of squeezes, and the freshly-anointed Wonderbolt had to work to suppress a moan.

'Well...It is just dancing...' She thought, the voice once again full-sounding and rich. The rest of the song was a blended delirium of intoxication, fear, elation and arousal. The background of her vision seemed to fade in and out as the music thumped and Rainbow laughed, Spitfire spinning her around and pulling her closer, her hoof resting on Rainbow's lower belly. Rainbow Dash's body moved almost instinctively to the music, Spitfire's breath on her shoulder and neck making her lean her head back, her eyes shut. By the end of the next song, one of Rainbow's forelegs had found its way up and backward, resting on the back of Spitfire's head, pulling her face closer to her own.

Rainbow's mouth was very dry, and she suddenly became quite dizzy, her world warping and tilting heavily. The cyan mare fell limp for a moment, pulling Spitfire downward. She let out a yelp of surprise and gasped, seeing Rainbow now coming to, but in quite a daze.

"Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire cried, being bumped by a mare's flank annoyingly. "Are you okay?" Breathing deeply through her mouth she said something Spitfire couldn't quite hear. Leaning in, she was able to understand Rainbow saying "I think so. Can we go sit down?" Spitfire nodded and they moved back toward the bar, which was substantially quieter and she wasted no time in getting Rainbow a large glass of water with a straw and some pretzels.

"I think I'm dehydrated." Rainbow breathed, after having taken several gulps of water. "I drank basically nothing since I first woke up at six in the morning."

"Yeah, that'd about do it." Spitfire said. "Take smaller sips, your body will acclimate to it better. And eat one pretzel every two or three minutes."

"Gee, alright, bossypants. You care an awful lot, huh?" Rainbow slurred before letting out a happy giggle that brought a smile to Spitfire's face. "I swear, passing out when I'm drunk...I wake up drunker."

"Well that's good, I guess. As long as you keep sipping that water."

"You know, iss really sweet that you're looking after me like this." Rainbow said, her eyelids lowering.

"Please, I'm barely capable of that. If we didn't have mister bartender there, you could've very well eaten it. It's because of his existence that you have water." Spitfire stated before chuckling. "Speaking of, how're you doing?"

"Better. Especially with this water. Should be good to go in about twenty minutes." Rainbow replied with a small nod. She looked up at the clock and sighed lightly.

"2:12, thank Celestia. AJ will-" She stopped her sentence, pursing her lips and widening her eyes. Spitfire raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. Rainbow said nothing and took a rather long sip of her water.

"Ah, so I gather this trip isn't all that clandestine after all." Spitfire mused, placing a hoof under her chin. Rainbow exhaled deeply and looked over at her.

"I didn't say that."

"Come on, now. You already proved you're not stupid back there, don't think the same 'bout me. Rainbow Dash, the most notorious free spirit in Ponyville, is worried about the time when she has nothing to do tomorrow save for Wonderbolt practice at five in the afternoon? It's not that hard to put together."

"Okay, yeah, I might as well come clean. I went ahead and talked to Applejack about coming here beforehand. Sorry, I know it's not cool or whatever. I just wanted to let loose a bit. Lately, we...Agh, forget it. I'm not gonna bring you into this stupid stuff." Rainbow sighed and propped her head up on a forehoof on the counter.

"Well, that's totally your business whether you want to share or not. I won't pry. But also, just know that I won't judge, you or Applejack. I'm not that kind of mare." Spitfire assured her with a small pat on the back. "But if I could ask, why lie to me about it?"

"I guess it's...Well, ever since I got the nickname Rainbow Crash I've been trying to be as cool as possible to you guys. I don't want to be the whipping pony of the group. I guess it was just...some misguided attempt for me to lose the nickname." Rainbow explained with a heavy blush. Spitfire chuckled and shook her head.

"Rainbow Dash, that was all just a bunch of healthy ribbing. I mean, yeah, you did crash pretty hard a few times, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't funny. But you've done nothing but blow each and every one of us away, pretty much since the best young fliers competition." Spitfire said, earning a grateful smile from Rainbow, who sat up from the bar.

"Really?" She asked, her heart warmed by what Spitfire said.

"I wouldn't lie to you, Dash." Spitfire said, resting a hoof on the greenhorn Wonderbolt's shoulder. "I get why you lied, but I don't think it was worth your energy to do it. And when it comes to somepony's S.O., I know better than to get in the middle of that stuff."

"Yeah, it's been kinda stressful, you know? I mean...Well, I guess I can tell you." Rainbow Dash sighed. Spitfire nodded and put a hoof up.

"It's entirely your choice, but I'll listen if you want me to."

"It's been...A long time since AJ and I have...You know..." Rainbow explained and Spitfire's eyebrows raised. "And I totally understand why and everything....I just..."

"You have needs. Like literally everypony I've ever met. But it's not the easiest thing in the world with a foal growing inside your wife. I get it." Spitfire stated with a small nod. "How long, if it's alright?'

"A month and three weeks." Rainbow sighed, and Spitfire blew an exhale through her lips.

"That does sound tough. Seems to me like you just needed to unwind a bit. Applejack's a great mare, and she's doing a lot for the both of you. It's cool that you've been understanding of the dry spell."

"Exactly. I just needed a little opportunity to let loose. I feel like I've gotten that tonight. I really needed it." Rainbow Dash sighed in a satisfied manner. "She danced with me tonight, you know." Rainbow said the last words looking upward wistfully at nothing in particular.

"Well yeah, she's your wife." Spitfire replied with a small chuckle.

"No, I mean...She was exhausted. She gets tired a lot easier these days, and its no wonder. But even though I could tell how absolutely beat she was, she still stood for one last dance. I'd have killed to dance with her at that ceremony like we used to in here. Well, maybe not exactly like we did in here." Rainbow laughed after finishing what she had to say.

"She's quite the mare, I can tell. Strong as an ox, but very pretty."

"So pretty."

"Soarin! Finally wore yourself out, huh?" Spitfire asked as the stallion ambled up to them. He laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm pretty beat. I think I'm gonna head out. It was a lot of fun, right? Let's all come back here soon." He said cheerfully.

"For sure! And don't worry, I won't say a word to Breeze about that little filly you had fun with back there." Spitfire kidded him, and he blushed heavily.

"Oh, come on. It was just dancing." He scoffed, throwing a hoof out.

"Yeah." Spitfire said before turning to Rainbow Dash and sending her a quick wink. "Dancing." That same nervousness coupled with excitement shot through Rainbow Dash again, reminding the cyan Pegasus that it had never left.

"See you tomorrow, Soarin!" Rainbow chirped quickly.

"See ya, Dash." He replied to her. "First practice tomorrow! Whoo!" He threw a hoof into the air with the last exclamation as he walked backward. Following that, he smoothly walked out of the bar area of the nightclub and through the doors.

"Well, the in-depth talk we just had has made me a little too sober for my taste. How about a nightcap for the road?" Spitfire asked. "Can you handle that?" The captain of the Wonderbolts posed the last question as a challenge, and Rainbow knew that immediately. Maybe Spitfire meant for it to be that way, and maybe she didn't, but it made the excitement within Rainbow begin to grow larger than the nervousness. Without thinking, Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly and Spitfire ordered two mixed drinks for the two of them. Rum and cola for her, while Rainbow got a vodka and orange juice, two shots in each.

"I must say, tonight has been something, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said. "I'm glad you got to let loose, it seems like you've needed it."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Rainbow Dash replied. She was quite surprised to see that she was already mostly through her mixed drink and she let out a small, disappointed sound and lowered her ears. This didn't escape Spitfire's attention and she laughed before ordering them another round of shots.

"I thought that these drinks were supposed to be the last ones." Rainbow said with a coy smirk, cocking her head to the side, already feeling the mixed drink bring her drunkenness back.

"Oh they are, I just ordered two more shots to finish my night, and you're welcome to one if you want. If you don't feel up to it, I'll take them both. I know you've probably had enough." Spitfire said with a small shrug. Rainbow raspberried her lips and threw a hoof out.

"As if. I'm not gonna let you show me up right before we leave. I'll take it."

They finished their drinks, including the shots, and stood to leave. As soon as she stood, Rainbow realized she was even more intoxicated than she had been when they left the bar to get to the dance floor. The mixed drink and the final shot had refreshed her inebriation and it was as if she hadn't sobered up from the water and pretzels at all. She stumbled slightly and Spitfire held her for a moment before Rainbow nodded at her.

"Okay, I'm cool. Let's go." Rainbow said as they began to walk out. They both stumbled as they went and laughed when they bumped their heads together, their giggling evolving into pure, gut-based guffaws by the time they left the building.

"Goddesses, that was fun." Rainbow slurred. "We need to do that more."

"You know I'd love to." Spitfire replied. "So...I guess this is where we part ways."

"I guess so. Till tomorrow, right?" Rainbow asked, holding out a hoof for a hoof-bump. Spitfire quickly pulled Rainbow into a hug, which she happily returned.

"I'm really glad you're a part of us now." Spitfire said sweetly as they separated. "I think you're gonna be a perfect fit."

"I think so too, ma'am." Rainbow replied before catching herself. "Oop! I mean-hic-Spitfire." Rainbow stumbled a bit again where she stood, and Spitfire, realizing she was just as impaired as Rainbow, if not more, sighed.

"I think we should walk together, honestly. Both of us are waaayy too drunk to fly, and I honestly feel like chilling a little more. I'll be fine getting back to Ponyville and I can get a carriage from here." She said. "You down?"

"Sure!" Rainbow replied, no longer worried about what time it was. In fact, she wasn't worried about anything. Her mind was focused solely on where she was at that precise moment. Her pure intoxication forbade anything further. The air was cool and there was an invigorating breeze, in stark contrast to the warm, moist atmosphere inside Swingin' Manes, where so many ponies breathed, sweated and danced together.

"I still don't believe it. I...I finally got what I've always wanted. I'm...I'm a Wonderbolt." Rainbow said as she beamed with happiness. "And I...I get to be friends with my idol!" Rainbow immediately blushed deeply and covered her eyes when she said that. Spitfire smiled and laughed at the sweet words that came from Rainbow.

"Aww! I'm your idol? That's so sweet!" Spitfire almost gushed, her yellow cheeks reddening.

"Nooooo no, you weren't supposed to hear thaaat..." Rainbow slurred. "I'm...I'm so embarrassed."

"Well don't be, I think it's precious. I'm honored, Rainbow." Spitfire said, wrapping a forehoof around Rainbow's shoulders. "You're the most impressive cadet...Well, you were the most impressive cadet we've ever had. After your first day, I knew you'd be a Wonderbolt. You've blown us away at every turn, and to be honest, there's nopony I'd have rather inducted tonight. There's nopony else I'd have rather drank and danced with tonight."

"Really?" Rainbow asked, turning her head and realizing her face was inches away from Spitfire's. Where she felt both excitement and nervousness earlier that night, there was only excitement now.

"Really." Spitfire replied before looking upward and taking her foreleg from around Rainbow's shoulders. The archway leading into Sweet Apple Acres loomed over the two of them. "Well, would you look at that? We're already here. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess, right?"

"I guess so." Rainbow replied. As she turned to face Spitfire, she noticed her face felt quite hot, possibly from the booze, possibly from something else. One way or another, Rainbow was sure her face was beet red. It was then that she saw Spitfire, bathed in moonlight, blushing as well, and she smiled warmly. "It was so awesome chilling with you tonight, Spitfire. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

"Me neither." Spitfire replied, and there were a few seconds of silence between them. Rainbow caught herself staring into Spitfire's gorgeous eyes, and coughed into her hoof.

"See you tomorrow." Rainbow said, her smile not leaving her face. "I won't lie...I've always dreamed about being your friend. I'm so happy it's happening."

"Me too." Spitfire replied, moving toward Rainbow and wrapping her into a hug. Rainbow's heartbeat quickened in Spitfire's embrace and her mind raced. It flashed back to when they were on the dance floor. It flashed back to the feeling of her idol's hooves resting on her shoulders, on her hips, and on her lower belly. Spitfire, despite having been drinking heavily and dancing in a hot nightclub, smelled good. The aroma caught in her nose and sent a chill up her spine, although that might've been the cool wee-hours-of-the-morning weather. Holding Spitfire so closely, Rainbow noticed Spitfire's pulse had quickened as well, perhaps even more so than hers. She realized in that exact moment how absolutely attracted to Spitfire she was, and she could tell that the feeling was mutual.

Without separating from the hug, without thinking, they kissed. Rainbow's stomach lit up like fire, the Pegasus letting out a half-squeak-half-moan into Spitfire's mouth. She felt stupid for not having seen the signs back at Swingin' Manes. She mentally corrected herself that she'd seen the signs, but had chosen to ignore them. Why she had ignored them didn't matter to her at that moment. All that mattered was how incredible sharing a deep kiss with Spitfire of the Wonderbolts felt. She'd dreamed of it for years, and it was happening. Spitfire's hooves ran down her back and squeezed her flank, making Rainbow separate from the kiss and moan out loud as Spitfire pushed her into the orchard fence, rather roughly. Rainbow had hoped she'd do that. They pressed their foreheads together as Rainbow breathed heavily at the sensation of her rear being touched in such a way.

"I've been wanting this since I met you, Dash." Spitfire said huskily before biting her lip and bringing a knee up to Rainbow's marehood. She moaned again and let Spitfire kiss her neck.

"Touch me..." Rainbow whispered, her wings unfurling. This caused Spitfire's to do the same and the Captain obliged, wasting no time in bringing her hoof to Rainbow's lower lips. She was incredibly wet, and Spitfire giggled sensually.

"Wow, it really has been a while for you hasn't it?" Spitfire asked, quickening the pace at which she pleasured Rainbow. Dash didn't respond, as she was too lost in the wonderful sensation. Why it had been a while since she'd had sex didn't matter either. She moved her hips against Spitfire's hoof and pulled her into a kiss, the two of them sliding their tongues together. A sudden sharp pain flashed through Rainbow Dash's head, and she opened her eyes to see an apple bounce once and roll to a stop behind Spitfire. Suddenly, those reasons she'd ignored the signs and hadn't had sex in a while mattered a great deal.

She'd ignored the signs at Swingin' Manes because she was married.

She hadn't had sex in such a long time because her wife was pregnant.

As the seconds passed, pure terror welled up within Rainbow Dash, as her eyes drifted from the apple, to the mare she was kissing who was not her wife, who was not the love of her life.

Who was not Applejack.

Rainbow, feeling a frenzy well up within her, shoved Spitfire back with all of her strength as he head swam. Spitfire fell back onto her flank roughly and exclaimed.

"Ow! What the-" She said, looking at Rainbow to see her trembling violently, tears constantly streaming down her face. She stared forward, not looking at Spitfire, who realized with her own brand of terror what exactly had just happened. They both stayed where they were for a few moments, until Rainbow's back legs trembled so much they could no longer hold her weight. As soon as Rainbow's back end hit the dirt, Spitfire stood.

"Oh....Oh, Goddesses, what have we done...?" Spitfire asked herself more than anyone else, as tears welled up in her eyes. "Rainbow...Rainbow, I'm so sorry...I'm so, so drunk-"

"A-Apple-Applejack...." Rainbow said, her voice trembling so much the word barely escaped her lips. "W-what did I do...to my...my Applejack?"

"Rainbow, I'm so sorry." Spitfire said, her tears now overflowing. "Damn it, I swore I was done with this stupid stuff...I swore I'd never do this again..." Her eyes shot to Rainbow when she heard the new Wonderbolt's breathing turn into hyperventilating. Sobs came out between the rapid-fire breaths and the tears streamed constantly, all the while Rainbow Dash trembled just as violently. Spitfire immediately moved to Rainbow and took her into her forelegs, cradling her, almost.

"Rainbow Dash...Rainbow Dash, listen to me, you're having a panic attack. Breathe...Come on, breathe with me." Spitfire began to do deep breathing exercises while trying not to panic as well. She'd had her fair share of panic attacks, and had recognized the signs easily. Spitfire's words did not register, and she continued to fall into her state of pure anxiety. "Rainbow, come on, breathe with me." She continued to breathe deeply, and eventually, Rainbow as able to match her breathing. They continued in this for about ten minutes before Rainbow merely cried where she lay. "Are you okay?"

"No..." Rainbow sobbed. "What have I done? What have I done? I'm going to lose her. I'm going to lose her forever."

"No, you won't Rainbow. You won't, because this never happened, okay?" Spitfire said to her, and again, her words went into one of Rainbow Dash's ears and out the other.

"I'm going to lose her...I'm going to lose my wife and our...Oh, goddesses, our baby....." Rainbow collapsed on the ground and broke into a fresh wave of sobbing. "We have a baby....Applejack...Applejack, I'm so sorry..." Spitfire pulled Rainbow up from the ground.

"Come on, Rainbow, we need to agree that this never happened, okay? We're both totally plastered, a-and we didn't mean it, we just got caught up in the moment, okay? Okay?" Spitfire desperately wanted Rainbow Dash to be alright, and even more desperately hoped she hadn't ruined the cyan mare's life. She cried herself, but she kept herself together, at least somewhat. "Rainbow, I'm sorry. I am so sorry. From now on, we're going to be professionals, okay? We're never going to talk about this, and we can just go on living our lives, okay? Rainbow, okay?" Spitfire became desperate for a reply from Rainbow, but the pegasus could only manage to nod slowly, her head hung as Spitfire held her. She let go of Rainbow, who sunk down to her flank, still without a words. Spitfire backed up, a fresh wave of tears coming down her cheeks,and unfurled her wings.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. I'm just...I'm so sorry." Spitfire took off into the sky, obviously desperate to get away. Rainbow had the smallest thought that she shouldn't fly so drunk, but she very quickly decided she didn't care. She didn't care about anything at that moment. She felt despair fill her as her heart continued to beat against her ribcage, and a fresh wave of tears came. The cool night air felt nice, and that was a drip on the tongue in the hell she currently sat in. She felt nothing, save for anguish and pure hatred for herself. She hated herself for not having more patience with Applejack, who had done absolutely nothing to deserve what she'd just done. She hated herself for going to Swingin' Manes that night. She hated herself for dancing with Spitfire in a moment of selfishness. She hated herself for not going home immediately after her dizzy-spell. But more than any of the other reasons, she hated herself because after leaving that nightclub with Spitfire she hadn't thought of Applejack once. Once she was finally composed enough to breathe evenly, a process that took what felt like at least half an hour, she stood and began to head back toward her home.

The prospect of seeing Applejack at that moment was one that made her begin to tremble all over again. She'd live with this secret, and eat herself alive every day, seeing how wonderful and sweet her wife was. How far she was willing to go to make Rainbow happy. She looked around at the trees she walked by and remembered both fondly and with great pain, her applebucking competitions with Applejack. She remembered the times they'd sneaked out into the orchard to fool around when there were too many ponies at the house. When the farmhouse came into view, she remembered back to when she had surprised Applejack on that porch with all of their friends the day after their first Harvest Celebration Hoedown.

"The hoedown." Rainbow said to herself, yet another wave of tears spilling down her face as she turned toward the barn. She still remembered walking through those doors looking through the crowd of happy ponies, and seeing Applejack's expression of pure surprise and elation. She remembered the way her wife had bounded to her and wrapped her into a tight embrace, so happy that she had been able to make it. Rainbow closed her eyes, feeling herself shake, and began to sob once again, unable to look at the barn. She had no idea how she would hide this from Applejack, and just knowing that she'd have to made her feel dirty, pathetic and cowardly. When she composed herself, at least relatively so, she entered her house and simply looked down on her way to the bedroom, because the house she was in held a wealth of memories that would surely hit her like the ones she'd faced outside.

'Gonna have to get used to that, you piece of garbage.' She thought to herself. 'Element of loyalty my flank.'

Despite not looking, her mind still flashed the memory of when she and Applejack had come out to their family, who proceeded to welcome her with open arms. It was as if her mind was punishing her and she knew she deserved it. Finally, the torturous walk to the bedroom came to an end and she quietly pushed the door open. Applejack lay on the bed asleep, and she stirred when Rainbow entered. The pegasus found it hard to look at her wife, the shame corroding her insides.

"Hey there." Applejack said warmly as she stretched, the blanket falling off her baby bump. "Ah missed you. Did you have fun?"

"Y-Yeah, I had f-fun." Rainbow said, trying desperately, and failing, to sound normal.

"So what, did y'all just drink, or what?" Applejack asked as Rainbow sat down on the bed, facing away from her.

"Mmmhmm." Rainbow managed to reply, unable to keep the tears from falling once more. She couldn't stop it and she damn sure couldn't act like nothing had happened. She knew what she'd have to do, but the prospect of doing so shook her to her core. She felt nothing but fear within her as she registered Applejack sit up in the bed. She almost jumped when she felt Applejack's hoof run down her shoulder.

"You know, Ah woke up not too long ago, and Ah didn't really get back to sleep. What do you say Ah go ahead and make things up to ya, my Wonderbolt-" Applejack stopped what she was saying when she realized how violently Rainbow was trembling. "Rainbow? R-Rainbow, are you alright?" Her wife turned toward her slowly and her eyes widened when she saw Rainbow's pure distress.

"AJ...I..." Rainbow squeaked out.

"Dash...Please...Tell me you're alright."

"I...I..." Rainbow attempted to form the words, which simply would not break through her lips. "I...I have...I have t-to t-tell you something, okay?" Rainbow said shakily, making an attempt to control her breathing. "On the way home...From the club..." Rainbow breathed deeply again, and Applejack took Dash's hoof in hers, and it made Rainbow feel sick inside.

"It's okay, baby. You can tell me." Applejack said, scooting toward her. Rainbow hung her head and sobbed again, tears falling onto the bed's comforter, making the smallest thump sounds.

"I...I...Look, just know that I love you so, so much, okay? I love you, Applejack." Rainbow said tearfully, looking into Applejack's eyes.Applejack's eyes widened slightly.

"Rainbow Dash...You're scarin' me..." Hearing this, Rainbow hung her head again, unable to look at Applejack. The words were in her mind, and she tried to get them out, but it was as if there was a mental block against the sentence she wanted to produce. With great strain and terror, she made herself utter the words.

"Me and Spitfire...We...We kissed." Rainbow Dash felt Applejack drop her hoof, and looked up in time to see Applejack's eyes wide and already filling with tears.

"W-What?" Applejack said quietly, clearly stunned. She looked to be absolutely shattered. "What do you mean?"

"We met at Swingin' Manes, and we had some drinks...A lot of drinks...We danced together."

"No..." Applejack breathed, beginning to truly cry, letting out a small sob.

"AJ, I was...I am...so drunk." Rainbow said, scooting on the bed closer to Applejack, who moved further away from her. She put her hoof on Applejack's and her wife promptly jerked hers away. "AJ, I'm so sorry...Please..."

"How could you?" Applejack said, looking into Rainbow's eyes, both mares shedding tears profusely.

"AJ-"

"How could you?" Applejack said, with both despair and anger, standing. "How could you, Rainbow Dash?!" They were both sure the question had been loud enough to wake the others in the house, but neither of them seemed to care.

"I was really, really drunk, and...And it's been such a while-"

"Don't you dare try to justify this, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack half-yelled-half-sobbed.

"I'm not-" Rainbow said before being cut off once more.

"What all did you do?" The words hit Rainbow like rocks and she knew the pain was what she had coming.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, and Applejack scowled at her.

"You're not stupid." Applejack said, bringing a painful reminder to Rainbow of Spitfire saying the exact same thing to her before this had all been put into motion. "Tell me. Right now."

"We kissed...And...She...touched me..." Rainbow admitted, and Applejack's anger faded quickly, replaced with sorrow. She stumbled and fell, Rainbow standing quickly to help her. "AJ, the whole thing didn't last more than thirty seconds, and I had to tell you-"

"Don't you come near me." Applejack said immediately, and Rainbow, hurt by this, stepped back. Applejack stood shakily and stared into Rainbow's eyes, tears continually streaming down both of their faces. "Ah...Ah think you need to go, Rainbow." As she watched Applejack point toward their bedroom door, Rainbow felt her entire world shatter around her.

"Applejack...Please no..." Rainbow breathed and took a step toward her wife. "You're my wife, and I love you...Can we try to work this out? Please, AJ I'll beg-"

"Ah don't want to hear you talk, and I certainly don't want to hear you beg. Now, leave, Rainbow." Applejack said, attempting to stop her tears and be strong. Her efforts didn't stop her tears or her voice from breaking.

"No. There's so much we have, AJ. Please. I can't live without you." Rainbow took a step toward Applejack, and Applejack in turn took a step back. "I need you in my life. I'm nothing without you. I can't imagine not living my life with you. I want to grow old with you. We have a baby..."

"Get out, Rainbow Dash." Applejack demanded. She was angry, but she continued to cry. Neither of them could stop.

"Applejack, I love you. I love you so much. Please, we're a family." Rainbow cried, moving even closer toward her. "There's got to be some way we can get through this. It's us. You're everything to me..."

"Rainbow, you need to-"

"I can't do it, AJ...I can't go on without you..." Rainbow began to attempt to nuzzle Applejack. The farm mare moved her head back to avoid it, unable to keep a sob from leaking out. "I need-"

"Get out!" Applejack almost screamed and shoved Rainbow backward as hard as she could into the bed. The Pegasus hit the back of her head on the wooden footboard, but the pain barely registered. All she knew was that she'd lost her wife, and that her entire world was crumbling around her.

"AJ....Please, I love you...Please, don't. I'll never touch alcohol again...I'll leave the Wonderbolts..." Rainbow sobbed on the floor, breaking completely and beginning to beg through her sobbing. She shook and her chest heaved, almost unrecognizable from the Rainbow Dash she usually was. The pain in the back of her head had at that point welled up and the pain only added to her misery. "Don't make me go...Please, Applejack, I love you...I can't..."

"Don't make me throw you out, Rainbow Dash." Applejack uttered, trembling herself, the tears never stopping. "G-get up off the floor and get out."

Rainbow stood shakily and without another word, left the room, Applejack slamming the door behind her. Rainbow failed to notice Granny Smith peek through a dark crack in her bedroom door to watch her lurch down the hallway, still half-drunk and stricken to the core with grief. The once-proud Pegasus sobbed freely as she left the house, and as she left, she registered the distant sound of Applejack crying in their bedroom, hard. She wanted nothing more than to go back and hold her wife, to tell her it was going to be alright, and then she remembered that she had been the cause of that terrible noise.

Rainbow smashed a hoof into her already aching head as she walked through the orchard. The hit made her already throbbing head explode with pain, but she didn't care. She deserved it and she knew she did. It was at that moment that she realized how drunk she still was, as her vision blurred almost completely when she got to the main gate of the orchard. The contents of her stomach spilled out of her mouth profusely, and she swayed where she stood. Not caring what happened to her, she let herself fall, and hit her head once more on the fence post. She lay on the ground, struck dumb and crying, only able to hate herself with every inch of her being.

She cried herself to sleep in the dirt, resolving to truly leave at first light.

Author's Note

I won't lie...That was tough to write. In fact it was downright painful at certain parts. I mean, the great thing about these characters is that they're fallable, and this mistake has been made many times before, and that will never change. But what always changes is how the victim (The other half of the cheater.) reacts to this mistake. You'll have to see what happens! I'm gonna play Borderlands 3 to cheer myself up. Next chapter should be up by the end of the month. Feel free to tell me what you think of the story, I'm a review whore. Cheers!

Chapter 15

Rarity, Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle arrived back at Carousel Boutique chatting merrily, all three of them still at least somewhat energized, despite the lateness of the hour. Rainbow Dash's induction into the Wonderbolts had been high-energy and full of positive feelings, which the three ponies had fed on. The effects of the afterparty hadn't left them.

"Now that was quite the night!" Rarity spouted cheerfully, kissing Fluttershy on the cheek. The pegasus giggled and nuzzled Rarity lovingly.

"And now ponies know about the two of us, and how much I love you." She said, beaming with what Rarity gathered to be elation. "There's something so...freeing about that." Rarity felt like she'd melt under the adorable look Fluttershy gave her. The fashionista couldn't help but plant yet another kiss on her.

"Geez, will the honeymoon phase ever end for you two?" Sweetie Belle asked, earning a scoff from her older sister.

"Well, I think it could be said now that we're truly revealed, it will bring on a...well, a second phase of the honeymoon phase, so just get ready for that, little lady!" Rarity replied cheerfully with just a hint of mischievousness. Sweetie Belle matured more every day, but at least some of that childlike aversion to romanticism remained within her, even if the filly preferred to play it off as a joke. "Now, it is after midnight, and I do believe that means it's more than two hours past your bedtime." Sweetie Belle groaned and hung her head.

"I think someone wants the party to continue." Fluttershy said to Rarity who rolled her eyes.

"She's partied plenty tonight." Rarity replied. Sweetie Belle, hearing this, slowly and somberly turned and began to drag her hooves, heading toward her room. "She needs her beauty sleep!"

"Rarity, come on, let's give her tonight." Fluttershy whispered, making sure Sweetie Belle was out of earshot. "It's kind of a big day, for a lot of reasons. I know neither of us are going to sleep soon anyhow." Rarity raised an eyebrow at Fluttershy suavely, making the Pegasus quickly turn a shade of pink.

"Aren't we?" Rarity asked, having interpreted more from Fluttershy's reasoning than she probably meant for her marefriend to. Fluttershy's wings unfurled and Rarity laughed, pulling Fluttershy into an embrace. "Promise that we'll take some time in the shower before bed?" Fluttershy smiled timidly and nodded.

"I wanted to tonight, anyway." She replied, and Rarity kissed her lovingly, adding a sensual, glancing lick to Fluttershy's bottom lip right at the end. This made her shudder, and Rarity silently congratulated herself.

"Sweetie Belle! Come here!" Rarity said, with a hint of fake urgency. Sweetie Belle groaned from her bedroom, prompting Rarity and Fluttershy to laugh as quietly as they could manage as they heard her hooves dragging back toward their bedroom door.

"What is it?" She deadpanned when she finally reached the doorway.

"Why don't you go grab Hotels and Hovels and go set it up in the living room?" Rarity asked, delighting in seeing her sister brighten up like a light. "We'll be down in a moment." Sweetie Belle cheered and shot downstairs to get to work.

"What did we just get ourselves into?" Rarity asked, and Fluttershy smiled lovingly.

"Well, if Sweetie Belle's record in Hotels and Hovels is any indication, I'd say a sound trouncing." Fluttershy replied, making Rarity laugh.

"Oh, I love you." Rarity sighed.

"I love you, too."

"It still feels so wonderful to say that to you."

"Let's hope it stays that wonderful."

"I'd bet on it."

Rarity and Fluttershy came down the stairs into the living room, and found Sweetie Belle finishing with setting up the gameboard. It was a large assembly and they were impressed with the speed at which Sweetie Belle had arranged all the pieces and cards. Then again, the filly had played the game hundreds of times with Rarity, and more than a few with Fluttershy since Rarity had started dating her. The game involved the creation of a new city as well as investments and the chances of those investments growing or falling through as the city progressed. Really, it was quite the mature game for Sweetie to be so skilled at. It was the reason she'd played it with Rarity so many times: Applebloom and Scootaloo hadn't the patience to play it seriously.

"Goodness, you really have the hang of that game, don't you?" Rarity asked, earning a nod from her sister.

"You two are going to owe me money by the end of this." Sweetie said confidently.

"You mean the in-game money, right?" Fluttershy asked.

"Unless you want to make it more interesting." Sweetie Belle replied coolly, looking at her hoof like the CEO of a company. "I have my piggybank upstairs."

"I think we'll stick to the game money, little sister." Rarity said, sitting down. "Okay, so...I'll be Miss Mares, the weathered and confident former CEO looking to make her way in this new city."

"I'll take Dr. Stallionsense. He's just interested in helping ponies be healthy and happy. All the money he'll make with his investments is just the added bonus." Fluttershy added, taking her piece.

"And I will be Millie Filly, the young entrepreneur who is desperate to escape from her country life to become a self-made, modern mare!" Sweetie Belle chirped, grabbing the piece she always did when they played Hotels and Hovels, as if she was playing the game for the first time.

The game, controlled by Sweetie Belle for the most part, was rather short. Sweetie Belle had a hard lead on the two mares, but Fluttershy wasn't too far behind. This was a change of pace for the three of them playing this game, as it was usually the pink-maned Pegasus who came in last place. That honor belonged to Rarity, at least for this game, and despite her natural competitiveness, she was being a remarkably good sport. Miss Mares wasn't doing too well in the new city, and owed vast sums of money to Dr. Stallionsense and Millie Filly.

"Well, looks like you have two options, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said snidely, narrowing her eyes at her sister. The white Unicorn looked at Fluttershy and raised an eyebrow. Fluttershy could only offer a sweet smile and a shrug. "You could take mine and Fluttershy's buyout offer. Or, Miss Mares can die of hunger in the streets. Your call."

"I distinctly remember the rule book saying your character simply moves into a homeless shelter when they go bankrupt. It says absolutely nothing about them dying in the streets." Rarity said, a surprised look working its way onto her face. "That's really very dark, Sweetie Belle." The filly shrugged and looked at Fluttershy.

"How about it, Fluttershy? You're the tiebreaker, you decide this now and forever. Do they die of hunger or live in a homeless shelter?" Sweetie asked. Fluttershy thought for a moment and giggled.

"They die in the street of hunger." She said simply, and gave Sweetie Belle a hoof-bump. Rarity's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity gasped, prompting Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle to break out into fits of laughter. "How could you do this to me?"

"What can I say? It doesn't have to be sunshine and rainbows all the time, right, Fluttershy?" Sweetie Belle asked, elbowing her sister's marefriend in the ribs. Fluttershy merely laughed and nodded at her. "It's really an easy choice, Rarity."

"I'd rather your character not die, honey." Fluttershy said and Rarity scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"You're the one who decided she'd die in the first place!" Rarity replied, raising a hoof before letting out an exasperated sigh. "I...I guess I'll take the buyout. I mean...look at her! Look at Miss Mares." Rarity held up the game piece, a unicorn pony, that despite the dark blue coat, rather looked like her. "She has such elegance. I couldn't allow her to die in such disgrace."

"That's good, Rarity. Here's your buyout." Sweetie Belle slid the small stack of game money toward her sister before looking at Fluttershy, who looked at Rarity dreamily, having toned the game out. Rarity noticed this and blushed, sending Fluttershy a small wink. This made the pegasus' face warm up, and she had to suppress a girlish giggle. "Fluttershy, your part?"

"Oh! Oh right, sorry." Fluttershy said before sliding her part of the fictional buyout over, looking up at Rarity for a moment, the blush never leaving her face. "Here you go, Rarity."

"I guess Miss Mares could retire to Baltimare...Ooh, to that nice resort! Remember that, Fluttershy?" The question did nothing to remove Fluttershy's blush and she nodded with a smile.

"Alright, so I think we can call it quits now. There aren't enough turns left for Fluttershy to catch up to me. Looks like Millie Filly is running the city!" Said Sweetie Belle, almost congratulating herself.

"Alright, miss mayor. Time for bed." Rarity said with a loving grin, lifting the filly with her magic and moving her up the stairs.

"Aww! Come on! Just one more game?" Sweetie Belle pleaded as her sister lightly placed her down on the upstairs landing.

"I already let you stay up too long with this round! You'll be sleeping past noon now." Rarity retorted. "Maybe we can play again tomorrow, alright?"

"Oh...okay...I had fun. Goodnight! Love you guys!" Sweetie called before shutting her bedroom door.

"Love you too!" Rarity and Fluttershy called back, almost in unison. Their eyes came down from the landing and ended on each other. Without a word, their lips collided in a deep and passionate kiss. Fluttershy wrapped her forhoof around the small of Rarity's back, pulling her closer, and Rarity held Fluttershy's cheek in her hoof. Taking Rarity's bottom lip between hers and sucking for a moment, Fluttershy separated. Rarity was thankful that it wasn't too much, as they breathed heavily through their mouths, their faces inches apart.

"I've been wanting that since we got here." Fluttershy almost gasped, attempting to keep her voice quiet.

"Me too." Rarity whispered before pulling Fluttershy in for another kiss that was relatively quick, but just as deep. "Would you like to go to bed, my sweet?" Fluttershy nodded happily and they both stood.

"That really was something, you and Sweetie Belle teaming up on me like that." Said Rarity with a small chuckle, running a hoof through her mane before they headed for the stairs. "You two were ruthless."

"Well, you always wanted me to be more assertive." Fluttershy replied.

"That's true. I guess I can't complain too much." Rarity said with a jokey shrug. "Even though you two have entirely destroyed poor Miss Mares' sense of self worth."

"Aww...I'm sorry. But...if you'll join me in the bathroom for a shower, I think I have a way to restore poor Miss Mares to her confident and elegant self." Fluttershy cooed, taking Rarity's hoof in hers. The pegasus led Rarity toward the bathroom with a saucy sway in her hips. She looked back at Rarity, her eyelids lowered and biting her bottom lip in a way that made Rarity's heart rate quicken.

The two mares got into the bathroom and quickly shut the door behind them. No words needed to be said, no smart quips or teasing remarks. They both knew what they wanted, and they were going to give it to each other. Their lips clashed in a fervent kiss, one that was sloppy, yet at the same time full of love and lust. Rarity pushed Fluttershy up against the bathroom wall, the cool tile sending a chill up her back. It was a pleasant sensation that heightened her arousal, causing her to let out a small moan.

"Ooh! Wait a moment." Rarity said, separating from her lover to turn the shower on. Closing the shower door, Rarity began to turn around.

"Now, where were-" She was silenced by Fluttershy's lips in a surprise kiss that was entirely welcome. Pushing Rarity into the shower door, the yellow pegasus moved down to Rarity's neck and sucked on it lightly, making Rarity gasp, and bite her lip. Without a word, Fluttershy moved her hoof down to Rarity's sex and began to lightly rub it, staying on the unicorn's clitoris for a few seconds with each movement. Rarity let out a whine and gave more of her neck to Fluttershy, who took advantage by giving it a long, sensuous lick.

"I've been-nya!-wanting you all night." Rarity breathed, a blissful smile on her face. "Ever since we danced at Rainbow's...Induction."

"It's been a little while." Fluttershy whispered into Rarity's ear, giving it a small nip, making her marefriend shiver. "I really...Really want to make you come." As Fluttershy finished her sentence, she applied more pressure to Rarity's marehood, making the white mare close her legs on Fluttershy's hoof and grind her hips on it.

"That sounds...Perfect." Rarity said as she opened her legs once more. Fluttershy removed her hoof and began to move downward, making Rarity giggle. "Wait...In the shower." Fluttershy bit her lip and nodded, and the two mares entered.

"Oh! I forgot about the seat." Fluttershy said almost giddily, and Rarity gave her another kiss, sliding her tongue into the pegasus' mouth for a moment and making her weak in the knees. She supposed it was appropriate considering she wasn't going to be standing for much longer. Rarity moved and sat on the seat, spreading her back legs and giving her marefriend a sexual smile. Fluttershy knelt down and gave Rarity's sex a slow lick. Rarity tensed up for a moment, and relaxed as Fluttershy began more consistent stimulation. Fluttershy kissed Rarity's lower lips the same way she had kissed her upper ones outside the shower, lips, tongue and all. Rarity let out a whine when she sucked on her clitoris, and began to grind her hips into Fluttershy's face.

"Just like that! Oh, goddesses, don't stop." Rarity moaned, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's wet mane. The pegasus was happy to let her lover push her face further into her sex. Fluttershy became lost in the act of pleasuring Rarity, and as she always did, she began to touch herself as she serviced her marefriend. It wasn't long before Rarity, her face red and her hips bucking slightly, came just as Fluttershy said she would. Fluttershy's eyes rolled back for a moment as she was overcome with the bliss of pleasuring her love, and she came herself, silencing her moan with Rarity's groin as she pressed into herself harder. Both of them breathed heavily for a few moments. Rarity sat up, having sunk on the seat slightly as she was being pleasured.

"I see...You're enjoying yourself, too." Rarity breathed, giving her legs a small stretch. Fluttershy, seeing that her orgasm hadn't gone unnoticed to Rarity, blushed and nodded.

"I...I just can't help it. You're so beautiful, and...It feels really good when I'm...doing you too." The pegasus said, not quite bashfully, just completely taken over by her lust.

"You like it that much?" Rarity asked, smirking at her saucily. "Why don't you show me?"

"W-What do you mean?"

"Sit back." Rarity purred, making Fluttershy's heart pound just with the sound of her voice. "Let me watch you."

"You want to watch me...Touch myself?" Fluttershy asked, and Rarity nodded slowly, the smile not leaving her face.

"Don't worry, Ill do it too." Rarity said, moving a hoof to her marehood and beginning to rub. She let out a moan, and Fluttershy, incredibly aroused by the sight before her, sat back and began to do the same, their eyes never leaving each others'. The shower was quite spacious, and allowed for the two of them to spread both their legs freely as they each pleasured themselves. Fluttershy lowered her ears and her mouth hung open, fighting the urge to throw her head back and maintaining her eye contact with her lover. It was torturous and hypnotizing at the same time, and she felt pure devotion to Rarity.

"How long...do we do this?" Fluttershy asked before quickening her pace for a moment, arching her back, yet never breaking their gaze.

"Until we can't stand it anymore, and we simply have to get at each other." Rarity replied before licking her upper lip slowly with a smile. "I'm close, and to be honest, you look quite delicious."

"Okay, well can you come here then? Because I need to touch you again." With a laugh, Rarity stood from her seat and sat before Fluttershy, kissing her for a moment before separating, giving her marefriend's lips a quick, sensuous lick.

"Lay on your side and spread your legs. I have an idea." Rarity said, and Fluttershy did what was asked of her without hesitation, eager to experience what ecstasy her marefriend had in mind for her. The unicorn moved and brought her hips toward Fluttershy's. Rarity held onto her raised leg and pressed their sexes together, grinding her hips slowly and deliberately into the pegasus'. Fluttershy lay back and moaned, smiling as she let her body move with Rarity's thrusts.

"This is...Nice." Fluttershy breathed and Rarity giggled, kissing Fluttershy's leg.

"I read about it in a magazine." Rarity cooed and ground their hips together again. "But that wasn't my idea. This is." Before Fluttershy could ask what this was, Rarity had taken the shower head with her magic, which Fluttershy had never noticed was detachable, and moved it to spray directly on their sexes. Fluttershy's lips gaped in a surprised and elated moan as she began to move her hips as well, falling deeply into the pleasure.

"Oh, goddesses..." Fluttershy moaned with a smile. "Good idea."

They exited the shower once they were both satisfied, and more had been done with the shower head. They dried themselves off, Rarity humming lightly to herself as she usually did after they made love. It was a small quirk of Rarity's that made the pegasus love her more every time she witnessed it. Unable to contain her affection, Fluttershy pulled Rarity in and embraced her, hanging back slightly and giving Rarity a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

"Is Miss Mares feeling any better?" Fluttershy asked, and Rarity laughed.

"A little. I mean you made her come three or four times."

"Three or four?"

"I honestly lost count." Rarity said with a small giggle. "The wounds aren't completely healed, though. It might take a couple more times. Of course, Milly Filly isn't invited, she was entirely too eager to see poor Miss Mares die in a gutter."

"Well yeah, that, and she's your sister." Fluttershy replied with a jokingly incredulous raised eyebrow. Rarity laughed loudly for a moment before covering her mouth. It was a sound that made Fluttershy feel yet another rush of love for the unicorn.

"Seriously, the two of you were utterly ruthless, teaming up on me like that." Rarity said once she had lost the urge to laugh.

"It seems like you're still pretty raw about it." The pegasus said, giving her love a peck on the lips. Rarity chuckled.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I love how well you two are getting along. My two favorite mares in the world." Rarity kissed Fluttershy again, and nuzzled her cheek before bringing her head back to look into Fluttershy's eyes. "I love you, Fluttershy. I love you more than anyone." Fluttershy blushed deeply and couldn't help but kiss Rarity yet again.

"I love you too. Where'd this come from?" Fluttershy asked.

"I just felt the need to tell you. I'm never going to let you forget it." Rarity stated before tears began to well up in her eyes. She looked to the side, shame making its way onto her face. "I know...I know that I wasn't good to you...You know...In the begin-" Rarity was silenced by Fluttershy's hoof on her mouth, and the yellow pegasus smiled lovingly at her.

"That's over now, Rarity. What matters is that we're here, right now, you and me, with these towels wrapped around our heads." She said, making Rarity giggle, despite her tears. "And you've made me the happiest mare ever. Yeah, what happened, it hurt, but I have you now. I'm holding you here in my hooves as we speak. So...I think things turned out okay." Rarity let out a small, happy sob, and kissed Fluttershy one more time before pulling her into a tight embrace, resting her chin on her love's shoulder.

"You have me, and you always will." Rarity almost whispered, the tears of shame and regret having transformed into tears of happiness as they flowed down her face to meet her contented smile.

Rainbow Dash groaned pathetically as she raised her head. Her vision blurred for a moment as the blinding pain in her head receded for a moment, then came back full force. She gritted her teeth and held her head for a moment, registering only then that she was laying in the dirt. She didn't care. Accompanying the headache was an intense nausea that simply exacerbated her miserable state. As her mind began to set itself back to rights, the memory of the despicable thing she'd done came back into her head, and she let her head fall down to the ground, the impact sending an intense shock of pain through her head and down her neck. She didn't care. Tears welled up in her eyes as she moved her legs underneath her, and bit by bit, she began to stand. Just as she stood up completely, the pain came back again in an oppressive wave that made her knees buckle. She grunted in pain as her side collided with the post of the archway leading into the orchard. Breathing deeply and slowly in a vain effort to mitigate the many different brands of pain she was feeling, she steadied herself yet again.

"Granny, we don't exactly have to get up at five am every mornin'." Big Mac said, his deep voice carrying through the entire orchard. Feeling her heart jump, Rainbow moved quickly to leave, though all she could manage at that moment was a brisk canter. She looked back at the orchard, wide-eyed and fearful, the despair taking root in her once again. She had lost her home, and looked back at it tearfully as she moved down the pathway. A sob escaped her throat before she felt the burning hot contents of her stomach begin to boil and make its way up her esophagus. Retching heavily, she fell once again, thankfully near the small ditch on the side of the dirt road. Her vomit spewed forward, caustic and painful, burning her throat and mouth. The foul taste seemed to suit her current state perfectly, and as she gave off a couple more painful dry heaves, she welcomed the pain. She welcomed the blinding headache, she welcomed the empty, sick feeling in her stomach, she welcomed the bruise on the side of her head that she'd created the previous night in her hatred of herself.

'You deserve every bit of it, you piece of trash.' She thought to herself as she stood once more and, still shakily, began to walk. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, and was the only thing pleasant about her present situation. The blackness of the night had become the dark blue of the early morning sky, and would soon give way to Celestia's sun. The pegasus began to weigh her options on where to stay, as she was now in the market for a new home, at least for a long while. Pinkie Pie was out of the question, as she was no longer just an employee at Sugarcube Corner, but a part owner, and therefore probably neither had the time or the space for Rainbow. Rarity and Fluttershy had just come out together and were probably still riding the happiness and elation from that event, so Rainbow mentally crossed them off, not wanting to rain on their parade. Twilight was a princess, and almost certainly wouldn't have the time to help her. Feeling utterly lost, Rainbow looked around aimlessly, as if doing so would help her. Surprising herself, she spied a small creek and decided to go for a drink.

Leaning down over the water, she took a few sips that gave her burning mouth and throat an intense wave of relief. She sighed audibly and her back legs collapsed, her flank plopping to the ground ungracefully. She leaned down again and took a couple heavy swallows. Almost gasping when she sat up from the water. With a creeping feeling of horror, she felt it begin to come back up.

"You've got to be bucking-" The water spewed from her mouth roughly and she fell once more, half her body falling into the creek water. Not caring what happened to her anymore, she began to cry again, not moving. She sobbed, her face laying in the dirt, each exhale sending out a small cloud. The tears that fell from her face clumped in the dirt, and she used that as her focal point through all of the misery. Her head still pounded, her legs were still weak and she was sure that if she drank any more water, she'd vomit it back up.

'Oh, well. If I die here, I die.' She thought to herself, as her consciousness began to fade away. 'Maybe Rolling Storm could let me crash on his couch, or something.' Rainbow went completely limp, half-in-half-out-of the creek, dead to the world, and dead inside.

"Rainbow? Rainbow Dash?" A small, inquisitive voice rang out through the blackness that encompassed her. Her body jerked and her eyes began to crack open, receiving a blinding light that made her head hurt all the worse. A dark shape in pure white was all she could make out when it spoke again. "Are you okay? What happened to you? I'll go get Applejack."

"NO!" Rainbow almost screamed, her head shooting up from where she lay. Her eyes, which had opened by instinct upon hearing her probably soon-to-be ex-wife's name, were blinded again momentarily before adjusting. As she began to make out purple and green, she attempted to stand.

"Whoa, Dash, are you sure that's-" The small voice began once again, but stopped when she fell back to the ground. "Yeah, that's about what I thought would happen."

"Spike?" Rainbow rasped, before breaking into a rough fit of coughs. It became so intense that her gag reflex kicked in, and had she anything in her stomach, it would've come up. Almost gasping, she leaned back over the water and took a couple swallows. It went down much easier now.

"Maybe don't guzzle it." Spike said, concern lacing his words. "Seriously, what the heck happened to you?" Rainbow stopped drinking and breathed deeply for a few seconds before regarding Spike in the bright, warm morning sun.

"I...Don't want to talk about it." Rainbow uttered, still feeling woozy.

"Why didn't you want me to go get Applejack?" Spike asked, putting a small hand on Rainbow's foreleg, which she yanked away. She didn't deserve a comforting touch, so to her, his hand was like acid.

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Rainbow snapped, and Spike recoiled slightly. Rainbow sighed and hung her head. "I'm sorry, Spike. That wasn't right. What happened....What happened doesn't matter, okay? I just can't be there right now." Spike raised his hands.

"Alright then, I won't pry." He replied before letting out a small sigh. "Look, at least come to the castle and get a shower. I promise you'll feel a thousand times better." Rainbow shook her head.

"Spike, I couldn't. Twilight is way too busy for that."

"Rainbow, it's a whole castle. I don't think you'd be getting in her way. I'm sure she wouldn't care if you stopped in to freshen up." Rainbow considered what the small dragon suggested for a moment. "Look, I said I wouldn't pry. Just do me the favor of coming with me, huh? If you don't, I can always get right back to prying." He tried in vain to cheer Rainbow up, and the cyan mare simply gave him a dead-eyed stare. "Not funny, I guess. Okay, sorry to bother you Rainbow." He began to walk down the dirt path once more.

"Wait." Rainbow said, and Spike instantly turned around. Giving off an exasperated sigh, she nodded. "I guess I could come to the castle and freshen up." Spike nodded back to her.

"Yeah, good. You stink like a dog, but I guess you knew that." He jokingly said and Rainbow breathed deeply as she stood.

"Don't I know it." She said. They began walking toward Ponyville, and Rainbow looked around, noticing that it was mid-morning, the sun shining brightly.

"Must've been out for a few hours. What time is it?" Rainbow asked, her voice still raspy from the vomiting.

"Little past ten A.M." The dragon replied. He gave her the quickest of looks, though Rainbow could tell it was a thoughtful one. He could tell something was gravely wrong.

'Celestia and Luna, almost five hours.' She thought. The morning sun's warmth had begun to bear down on Rainbow Dash, and although it was nice to see things illuminated, the heat had picked up and she quickly became uncomfortably hot. The walk back to the castle was mostly silent, with Spike making the odd attempt at small-talk. Each time Rainbow responded with a half-hearted "huh" or "wow". She utterly disliked small-talk, but she couldn't blame Spike. It was his way of dealing with this admittedly awkward situation, and everyone dealt with awkward situations in their own ways. She thanked the two Goddesses that they were getting close. The castle was within eyesight.

"Well, we're almost there. Oh, Goddesses, I totally forgot about what Twilight had sent me out for." He grumbled and slapped his forehead with a sigh.

"What'd she send you out for?" Rainbow asked, the first real sentence she'd spoken since they'd departed from the creek.

"Believe it or not, she was sending me to get apples from Applejack." He said with a small chuckle.

"Well, I guess there's no reason for you to stick with me the rest of the way. I can find my own way from here." She said to him, giving him a small hug. "Thanks, Spike. It means a lot that you stuck by me on the way here anyway."

"No problem. I'll be back soon, maybe the three of us can got get lunch when I get back." Rainbow let out a small "mm." in reply and he turned to leave. "Also, you're welcome. I know you needed my help. You were basically helpless...Almost a damsel, so..." Rainbow smirked and made a mock charge at him, and he ran, laughing.

"Get out of here, ya little jerk." She said, the mirth with which she said it surprising her. He laughed again and went on his way once more. "Oh, and Spike." He turned toward her. "Don't...tell Applejack you saw me, okay?" Her voice broke the slightest bit with the last word. Spike's cheerful expression was replaced by one of confusion and sorrow and he nodded.

"You have my word." He said to her, his voice almost somber, before heading back in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Spike wasn't stupid. He knew something awful had happened between Rainbow and her wife. Turning back toward the door to the castle, she exhaled deeply, looking up at its impressive size. Despite having gotten used to it being in Ponyville, it never ceased to be imposing.

"Well, time for your best performance yet, Rainbow." She whispered to herself before delivering three small knocks to the door. It wasn't very long before Twilight, as chipper as ever, opened the door. She smiled widely at seeing her friend.

"Rainbow! Come on in!" She said sweetly. Rainbow, in her constant misery, felt slight annoyance toward her friend, just for being so happy. That was quickly replaced by another bout of hatred for herself. Twilight hadn't done anything wrong, Rainbow Dash was just jealous.

'Misery loves company, I guess.' Rainbow thought to herself as she walked into the massive entrance hall.

"Spike tells me you've been busting your flank with princessy stuff."

"Something like that." Twilight replied before seeming to notice Rainbow's state. "Are...you okay? No offense, but you're filthy."

"Oh, uh...Yeah, I'm okay." Rainbow said with a small chuckle. "Just tripped and fell into some mud on the way here this morning. I'm supposed to pick up some stuff from the market. I just wanted to know if I could use your shower."

'Let's see how many lies we can stack up.' She thought.

"Your voice, it's...so hoarse." Twilight replied, raising an eyebrow. "You can definitely use my shower, but first would you like some tea?" The prospect truthfully sounded wonderful to Rainbow, and she nodded.

"That sounds great, actually. Could I go ahead and use your shower first, though?" Rainbow asked. "I'd hate to go to the market looking and smelling like this." Twilight nodded and gestured to the stairs leading upward before heading for the kitchen. Rainbow moved up the stairs when her princess friend had disappeared to make their beverages. Rainbow silently thanked Celestia that she didn't have to talk about Applejack, as it came with the danger of her bursting into tears again. Even thinking about her wife as she entered the bathroom got them going again. She hurriedly turned on the shower and sobbed, sure she was muffled by the water. Continuing to cry, she washed herself. Being clean was always good, and it certainly made her feel a bit better, even though she never stopped crying. She wanted to sit down in the shower and cry freely. She felt if she did, she might cry herself out finally. Thinking better of it, she turned the shower off when she was clean and dried herself off. Taking a moment to breathe deeply in the steam-filled bathroom, she exited and found Twilight waiting for her just downstairs, the tea still steaming.

"You know, I could smell it from in there!" Rainbow falsely chirped and ambled down the stairs.

"Well, that might just be the scones." Twilight replied with a small smile, though somewhat less chipper than she was before Rainbow's shower. "Fresh baked yesterday morning. I heated them up in the oven, so they might still be hot." Rainbow nodded, and began to reach for one, but stopped when she noticed Twilight's face.

"Uhh Twilight? What's up with your face?" Rainbow asked, and Twilight's expression remained unchanged.

"Rainbow Dash, can you please tell me what's going on?" The alicorn asked with nothing but concern in her words.

"What are you talking about?" Rainbow asked, unable to hide the nervousness on her face as she went to sit on the parlor couch.

"The sound carries here. I heard you crying in there, Dash. It sounded bad." Twilight pressed, raising an eyebrow.

"What? No, I was sneezing. It was all the..." Rainbow began to lie, but trailed off when she realized Twilight wasn't falling for it. It was always hard to fool her. "Steam."

"Rainbow, I'm not stupid." Twilight Sparkle sighed. "Please have the respect for me to not treat me like it." Rainbow looked down and her ears lowered, which made Twilight's stomach sink.

"I...I don't know if I can talk about it..." Rainbow said, her voice sounding uncharacteristically small and fragile. Twilight's observant eye caught a tear or two hitting the couch cushion between Rainbow's legs.

"Rainbow, please. I'm one of your best friends. We're sisters at this point, you know? You could tell me anything and I'd still love you the same as I always have." Twilight reached across the small table separating them and put a hoof on Rainbow's. The pegasus looked up then, and Twilight was shocked to see tears freely flowing down Rainbow's face.

"Twilight...It's...It's really bad." Rainbow said, her voice breaking, a completely foreign sound to the princess. "I don't know if you'd see me the same."

"Try me." Twilight said, a warm smile working its way onto her face.

"Okay, well this is going to be really tough to put to words. You're the first pony I've talked to about this." Rainbow sighed, her breath hitching as she breathed in deeply. "Please just hear me out."

"I'm all ears. Fire away."

"I...I cheated on Applejack last night." Rainbow said, her voice trembling as more tears came. Twilight let out a small gasp and brought a hoof to her mouth. "See? I told you."

"How? Why?" Twilight asked. Rainbow breathed in deeply, beginning to shake. It was about half a minute before she could bring herself to speak.

"I was at Swingin' Manes last night with the Wonderbolts to celebrate, you know, and I had more than a few drinks. I danced with Spitfire, things got heated, and....Well, we kissed and...did....other things..." Rainbow looked down in shame, releasing a couple more quiet sobs. Looking up at Twilight with pleading eyes, eyes that begged to be understood, her trembling lips continued to utter the horrible words. "I stopped it before it got too far, but..." Twilight simply stared at Rainbow Dash wide-eyed, her mouth hanging slightly open. Rainbow waited a moment for a reply, and when she received none, her feelings began to shift to panic.

"We....We hadn't...Applejack hadn't touched me in almost two months! I know that doesn't excuse it, and I'm a horrible pony, and that I don't deserve her. All we really did was kiss and touch a little bit, it never got further than that," As Rainbow talked faster and more frantically through more and more tears, Twilight stood, and approached her. "The whole thing was maybe half a minute! It's like my mind blocked her out and all I could feel was-" She was cut off by Twilight placing her forehooves around Rainbow. The pegasus stopped trying to explain herself and simply collapsed into Twilight Sparkle, sobbing heavily, her tears quickly matting the fur on the alicorn princess' chest. Twilight was taken aback, and for once, lost for words. She'd never expected Rainbow would do something this disloyal, especially to Applejack. Twilight doubted she'd seen any pony as in love with another as Rainbow was with Applejack. It wasn't only this that stunned her, however. She'd never actually seen Rainbow Dash breaking down like this before. Rainbow Dash, normally so boisterous and confident, looked small and terrified now, and it was an uncomfortable sight for her.

"I...I lost her..." Rainbow sobbed, her breaths coming in and going out sharply. Twilight just held her closer and harder, not judging, simply heartbroken and flabbergasted beyond words. "I lost my Applejack..."

Applejack awoke from her patchy, in-and-out sleep angry and heartbroken. Everything she saw in the bedroom had Rainbow Dash attached to it. The window that she'd flown in and out of back when she didn't live at the farm house, the bed, where they'd shared many a passionate night together, everything made her think of Rainbow. It made her sorrowful that the love of her life had done this horrid thing to her, and filled her with fury at the same time. Her rage succumbed to her despair, however, and she simply lay where she was, crying. She held her pregnant stomach, which made her feel somewhat safer, yet at the same time made her want to scream.

"How could you do this to us?" She whispered to Rainbow Dash, looking downward at their developing foal, feeling like a fool. "Ah love you so much...Ah support you, Ah even danced with you at that stupid induction...And you do this to me?"

The farm mare decided talking to Rainbow when she wasn't in the room was a stupid waste of time, and settled for simply laying on the bed as she continued to cry. Crying was cathartic for Applejack, but eventually her can-do attitude compelled her to stand up and go to the bathroom to shower. She felt pathetic, which was just about her least favorite way to feel. She almost recoiled upon seeing herself in the mirror. She looked awful. Bags hung underneath her eyes, her mane was tangled and frazzled, and her lips were cracked and dry. Scoffing at herself in disgust, she turned on the shower. The shower was always Rainbow's favorite place to...

'No! Stop thinkin' about her, consarn it.' She thought to herself, but immediately knew it to be futile. There wasn't a single thing in the farm house that didn't have Rainbow Dash attached to it. She washed herself, her mind constantly switching back and forth between the anger and the sadness, and she attempted to let the hot water relax her. To its credit it did make her feel at least a bit better, but it seemed to her that nothing would make the hurting stop. She let herself cry as she cleaned herself, it wasn't quite sobbing, but a steady, tearful cry. When she'd satisfactorily scrubbed herself and washed her face, mane and tail, she got out, and left a puddle behind her as she dried off. She'd forgotten to put a towel down, and didn't care. After the painful task of brushing out her mane was completed, she left the bathroom. Realizing as she entered the living room that she'd forgotten her hat, she simply grumbled and kept going, utterly apathetic. Granny Smith was knitting, as always, in her rocking chair.

"Mornin' sweetie." Granny greeted, the worry telegraphed on her face. "Rough night?"

"You could say that." Applejack grumbled, her voice a tired monotone. "Big Mac and Applebloom out?"

"Yep. Big Mac's workin' in the orchard and Applebloom's-"

"At school, yeah. Ah could gather that." Applejack almost, but not quite, snapped as she went into the kitchen. Granny, knowing more than she let on, decided not to say anything, and simply returned to her knitting. Applejack sighed and came out of the kitchen, nothing but pure sorrow and exhaustion on her face. "Granny, Ah'm sorry. Ah shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm really tired and-"

"Somethin' happened last night, did it?" Granny sighed, stopping her knitting and putting the kit down on her lap. She looked at her granddaughter and she simply nodded, her lips trembling slightly. "Do ya want to talk about it?"

"Honestly, Granny...No. At least not right now. Ah just want to eat my breakfast and go back to-" She was interrupted by a knock at their front door. Perplexed and definitely not in the mood for company, Applejack sighed and went to the door. She was absolutely shocked and infuriated to see Spitfire standing on her porch, bruises and scrapes going down her body. She appeared penitent from the second Applejack saw her, and even looked to be bashful, looking down at the ground.

"Hi, Applejack." She said simply. Applejack, unable to stop herself, shoved Spitfire backward. Eyes widened, Spitfire stumbled and fell off the porch, catching herself with her wings and breaking her fall somewhat. Applejack shut the door behind her and walked onto the porch, scowling at her.

"What do you want?" Applejack growled quietly.

"I take it...Rainbow Dash told you?" Spitfire said, standing up. "Can't say I blame you for that."

"You have about a minute to say what you're gonna say, because the why of this damnable situation has been eating at me since Rainbow confessed. After that, Ah'm not responsible for what happens to you." Applejack said through her scowl.

"I know you hate me. I can't blame you for that either, but I promise you don't hate me as much as I hate myself right now." Spitfire explained. "We were both incredibly drunk, that's true, but we both know how much she idolizes...Or maybe idolized me...Given that, I acknowledge that I took advantage of her. I have a problem with getting too drunk and sleeping with whoever I want...It's happened before, and I thought I'd kicked that habit. I guess not. Please, Applejack...Don't blame Rainbow Dash for this. Blame me."

"Oh Ah do."

"Good. Just know...I am so sorry for this." Spitfire said, visibly keeping herself from breaking down. She shook, and tears flowed, but she stood tall. "Are you...Are you going to leave her?"

"Ah don't see how that's any of your business. What, you want the chance to move in on her?" Applejack asked, narrowing her eyes, her lip curling up into a sneer.

"NO! Celestia on her throne, no....I'm asking because I'd hate myself for the rest of my life if I destroyed a marriage as beautiful as yours and Rainbow's. You should hear her, Applejack, all she ever talked about at the academy was you. Goddesses, Applejack, she's so in love with you. After she stopped our...well, our thing, she almost immediately had a panic attack." Spitfire's tears continued to flow and Applejack felt love well up in her heart for Rainbow, but it was accompanied by the great pain that came with knowing she could never fully trust her again. The farm mare couldn't help but shed a tear or two as well. "But explaining my horrible actions wasn't the only reason I came here."

"Well, go on." Applejack said, wiping her cheeks.

"I came to let you know that Rainbow has quit the Wonderbolts." Spitfire breathed. Applejack almost gasped. "She said that if it meant losing you, she didn't want it as her dream anymore."

"She...quit?" Applejack uttered, her voice suddenly quiet.

"Just about thirty minutes ago. She was crying the entire time. Applejack, please...Please give her another chance. Please. This is my fault..." Spitfire cried more and more as the sentence left her mouth. She stopped for a moment and composed herself. "She also said that if you want to talk, she's staying at the Castle of Friendship, with the Princess." She turned to leave and unfurled her wings.

"Spitfire." Applejack said, prompting the fiery-maned pegasus to turn around. "Ah still want to break your teeth...But Ah respect your honesty."

"Thanks." Spitfire said, a genuine smile working its way onto her face.

"What happened to you, by the way?" Applejack asked, once again noticing the scrapes and bruises on her face and sides.

"Oh. Well, after it happened, I flew home in a bit of a hurry. I crashed because I was flying drunk." She looked down and chuckled to herself, shaking her head. She looked up at Applejack, her eyes again, filled with tears. "A little justice, right?" She turned again and went into a hover before turning to Applejack one last time. "I'm...I'm so sorry." With that, Spitfire zipped into the sky and out of sight. Still sorrowful, Applejack turned back to the door and walked back into the living room.

"Baby, you're cryin'." Granny Smith said upon seeing her. Applejack had cried on the porch, she knew that, but she supposed a fresh wave of tears had come and she simply hadn't noticed them.

"Ah think...Ah think Ah'm ready to talk about what happened." Applejack sighed.

"Oh Applejack..." Granny Smith sighed, as she stroked Applejack's mane. They'd moved to the couch and Applejack had laid in Granny's lap. It was a cool wet rag on her head in a burning house, but it was better than nothing. The orange mare sobbed, holding on to Granny's leg. "Ah'm so sorry." She'd heard things the previous night and had figured something was wrong, and this had been the scenario she feared the most.

"Ah...Ah love Rainbow...Ah love her so much. But Ah hate her too." Applejack sobbed. "Ah can't believe she did this..."

"What are you gonna do? What with the foal Ah mean." Granny said, and Applejack sat up from her lap, and looked at the old mare with teary eyes.

"Ah...Ah don't know." Applejack uttered before hanging her head again. Her shoulders heaved as she cried, and Granny Smith couldn't help but wrap her into a hug, which Applejack melted into, wrapping her forelegs around her. It was slightly painful, as she was old and her bones frail, but she said nothing.

"Ah assume she's not livin' here anymore?" Granny Smith asked, knowing the answer, as she'd heard Rainbow leaving the previous night, crying the whole way.

"Ah don't know yet." Applejack breathed, separating from the hug and wiping her eyes. "Ah don't know about anything anymore. Ah could barely think straight when she told me."

"So she confessed?"

"Yeah. Immediately after it happened. She was beggin' me not to kick her out, but...Ah just couldn't bear to look at her." Applejack sniffled, and let herself flop back into the couch. She stared forward, her eyes tired and looking ragged, despite the shower she'd just taken.

"How uh...How far did it get? If you feel comfortable answering." Granny asked, prompting Applejack to look over at her. She didn't look angry or surprised, but Granny still became nervous all the same. "Ah-Ah just wanted to get a little insight. Was it a full-blown sexual thing, or just some kissin'?" Applejack sighed and looked forward again.

"The way she talked about it, it was somewhere between the two." Applejack said, her voice flat and deadened.

"Well, at least it didn't get as far as it could've." Granny sighed.

"Thanks, Granny, but that doesn't make me feel any better at all."

"Ah understand. Anything else ya wanna talk about?" Granny asked, placing a hoof on hers. "You know Ah'm always gonna be here for ya if ya do."

"No, Ah think Ah've said all Ah wanna say about it." Applejack deadpanned.

"Well, Ah was thinkin' Ah'd tell ya a story." Granny said. "Ah think it's one that you'd wanna hear-"

"Honestly, Granny, Ah don't think Ah do." Applejack said, standing from the couch. "All Ah can feel right now is pain, and the way Ah see it, sleepin' is the only way to escape it."

"Applejack, Ah really think this story would make you feel better-"

"No thank you, Granny. Ah'm goin' back to sleep. Maybe when Ah wake up or somethin'." Applejack said, moving toward her bedroom. Granny looked on after her and sighed, wiping a tear that fell from her cheek. She knew Applejack was tough, and was confident she'd pull through. More than anything, she felt worry for Rainbow Dash, who she hadn't seen since the previous morning. Grunting as she stood from the couch, she went back to her rocker to continue knitting the small foal's cap.

Applejack closed her bedroom door behind her and immediately bit into her forehoof to muffle the wave of sobs that came. She dropped to her flank and wilted, her neck and shoulders aching from having hung her head so much. She almost dragged herself to the bed and crawled into it, curling up in the mound of blankets. Her eyes drifted to the necklace that Rainbow had proposed to her with in Appleloosa. Her lips began to tremble, and a scream began to well up in her throat, which she muffled with a pillow.

Rainbow returned to the Castle of Friendship from the Wonderbolts Academy, still sniffling. On the balcony of the room Twilight had set her up with, Rainbow looked back to the late afternoon sky and sighed heavily.

"Brought it on yourself, Rainbow." She whispered to herself before entering her room. It had been a stressful day for her. First, she'd gone to the Wonderbolts academy and quit, which had been an emotional gauntlet in itself. Spitfire sinply cried and hadn’t said much of anything, and Soarin desperately pleaded with her to stay with the team, but Rainbow had refused and eventually had to leave prematurely, as it'd become too much to bear. She'd then gone to weather patrol and Rolling Storm gave her her job back without hesitation. Of course, he asked questions, one of which being whether or not he needed to go beat somepony up, which made her love him even more. Rainbow had dodged each subsequent question and left prematurely from there as well, so as to avoid breaking down in front of him. Then she'd gone to the market to get groceries for her stay at Twilight's castle. She felt as though she was imposing, which she knew wasn't true. Still, she got her own food to be as little a drain on her princess friend as she could all the same. It crossed the cyan mare's mind to take a nap, but despite her almost constant crying, she knew she wouldn't have been able to sleep. She decided instead to make herself some tea and begin reading the newest Daring Do novel. Twilight knew Raibow hadn't read it yet, and she was a princess, so it wasn't an issue acquiring the book. She went to the small kitchenette in her room, which was more of a suite, and put the tea water on to boil.

"I guess there's worse ways to spend time estranged from my wife." Rainbow sighed and began to look around, as she'd left for the academy almost as soon as Twilight got her set up. She was especially impressed with the bathroom, which had a spacious walk-in shower, and any amenity she possibly could have needed. This consisted mostly of perfumes, beauty products and implements such as hair curlers, almost none of which Rainbow planned to use. It still was nice they were there. The bed was massive as well. It was so large it called to mind the bed she and Applejack had shared at Canterlot Gardens on their honeymoon. This made her tear up once more, but she did not break down. She had become tired of feeling so weak, and on the way back from the academy, she'd already begun to think about ways she could re unite with her wife.

The tea kettle began to squeal, and Rainbow felt a small rush of excitement, as drinking tea and reading Daring Do was something she enjoyed doing immensely. Ambling to the stove, she picked the tea kettle up in her mouth. She moved it above the teacup she'd set up on a tray to take to the balcony, where she planned on beginning her book. She tilted her head, but in a moment that made her stomach leap, the kettle slipped from her mouth and boiling water spilled on her front right leg. She dropped the tea kettle and it hit the floor with a loud clanging noise. Gritting her teeth, she screamed and fell to her stomach. At that moment, every bit of pain and sorrow she'd been pushing up and away from her over the last hour came falling back down onto her. As tired as she was of breaking down, she broke, and flopped to the floor.

'Who're you kidding, Rainbow? You're not going to get her back. You never will.' Her mind almost taunted her. 'You should just tape your wings down, go to that balcony-'

'No! That would be selfish and cowardly. You still have Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie...' Not knowing whether or not she could still mentally list Applejack, Applebloom, Big Mac or Granny Smith, she broke into sobs once more, loud and full of anguish. She hit herself in the head.

"Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!" With each word, she let her hoof fly into her head again, and the pain exploded with each one, reviving the headache she'd shaken not more than a couple hours prior. Not feeling any satisfaction from physically punishing herself, she simply dropped her head to the ground and continued to cry.

"Rainbow? Rainbow are you okay?" Twilight asked, coming into the suite. She'd clearly heard the crashing of the kettle, and Rainbow wouldn't have been surprised if the princess had heard her sobbing as well.

'Sound carries here, hahaha' She thought manically.

"Rainbow! Oh, goddesses, Rainbow are you alright?" Twilight asked, pulling the almost limp pegasus off the ground. "What the hay happened?"

"It doesn't matter..." Rainbow cried as Twilight helped her back to the couch. "Nothing matters anymore..." This was followed by another wave of heaving sobs. Twilight felt helpless, and tried desperately to help her friend. She settled on holding Rainbow Dash. Rainbow simply lay limply against her, which Twilight didn't mind. Rainbow had always been quite the lightweight. Seeing an opportunity when Rainbow's crying died down, Twilight moved back from Rainbow and was satisfied to see that she was sitting up on her own.

"Rainbow Dash, do you remember your wedding day?" Twilight asked, and Rainbow sniffled, wiping her nose and nodding.

"I don't know how good it is for my sanity right now...But yeah." Rainbow said, wiping the constant tears.

"You remember Applejack's face that day, right? When you were saying your vows?" Twilight asked, and Rainbow simply nodded, her shoulders heaving slightly one more time as she suppressed another sob. "I do. I remember Applejack's face, and I remember her eyes. I was right there officiating, right?"

"Yeah, you were." Rainbow said tearfully, with a smile.

"What I saw in Applejack's eyes, and yours, was pure love in its most powerful form. I don't think I've ever seen somepony look at somepony else with as much love as she did you and you did her." Twilight explained calmly, and this made Rainbow's smile stay. "Now...You have a lot to atone for. You know that. But I'm certain that if you are patient, and that if you give her time and understanding, you can win her back."

"You think so?" Rainbow asked, the slightest hint of hope in her voice.

"I know so." Twilight said. "Seriously, I haven't seen anypony look at anypony else like that before or since. That includes back when Spike was head over heels for Rarity." Rainbow laughed.

"He isn't still, is he? Because Fluttershy might have something to say about that." Rainbow said, her trademark snark showing itself very briefly.

"I don't think so." Twilight said, chuckling, before laying a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "What you have with Applejack is special, Dash. You know it and she knows it. You just have to love her, maybe from afar at first, and be patient. I think she'll forgive you." Rainbow wiped a fresh set of tears and smiled, wrapping Twilight in a loving hug. Twilight returned the hug and smiled.

"Thank you, Twilight." Rainbow sighed before separating. "And thank you for letting me stay. It won't be long, and I'll pay you. How much per night?"

"Are you crazy? You have a throne downstairs! This is your home as much as it is mine."

"Now Twilight, I refuse to be a mooch. Tell me."

"No."

"Do it!"

"Nope." Twilight smirked and Rainbow laughed, giving her a small slug in the shoulder. "Oop! You just assaulted a princess. Guards!" She called out in a joking, singsong way. Rainbow laughed full-belly at that, and Twilight smiled happily. "Now come on, let's get this mess cleaned up."

Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle chatted as they cleaned, about different things. Twilight explained her duties as a princess, which were so long and in-depth that Rainbow started to become bored. Still, she was thankful that Twilight was staying with her and keeping her out of her own head. Rainbow told her about quitting the Wonderbolts. Twilight, knowing full well it was always Rainbow's dream to become a Wonderbolt, attempted briefly to convince her otherwise, but Rainbow's steadfastness in her decision deterred her efforts.

"Well, I think that about does it." Twilight sighed. "Good as new! Are you sure you're okay?" The question reminded Rainbow that she'd been scalded and in turn that brought the fiery pain to the front of her mind.

"I uh...I might have dropped boiling water on my leg here." Rainbow showed the leg to Twilight, who gasped.

"Alright, we're going downstairs to get this bandaged right away. Come on." Twilight said and Rainbow nodded, following her.

"Yes ma'am." Rainbow said with a small chuckle before remembering how badly her head hurt as well. Sneaking a peek at herself in a large mirror as they left the suite, she was intensely relieved to see that her mane covered the bruises she'd left on her head. As they descended the steps, a guard approached them with a worried look on his face.

"Princess Twilight, there is a Big Macintosh here to see Rainbow Dash." He said, making Rainbow's stomach jump. "It appears the matter is quite urgent." The two mares unfurled their wings and soared down the steps. Rainbow saw Big Mac waiting in the entrance hall, and his eyes were full of tears. She had the terrifying thought that Applejack had told him and that he was coming to confront her.

"Big Mac? What's going on?" Rainbow asked as they landed before him. A tear dropped down his cheek before he opened his mouth to speak words that terrified Rainbow Dash to her core.

"It's Granny Smith.'

Author's Note

AAAAAAAAAAA

I know the chapter is suuuper long, but I have an outline and I want the story to flow a certain way! I figured that since there's a lot of misery in this chapter, I'd put in some Rarishy fluff at the beginning to make it a little easier to deal with. Also, sexytimes. *Makes finger guns and clicks tongue* Also, I'm sorry about the time between updates. I know I said I'd get it to y'all by the end of September, but I had to move, and it's been super stressful, but I'm still working on this! So, what's going on with Granny Smith? Will Applejack take Rainbow back after such a breach of trust? Will I ever stop asking these annoyingly unhelpful questions? Doubt it, since it's what I've done since The Only Thing Better Than Flying! Be sure to tell me what you think so far! Cheers!

Chapter 1

The Autumn sunlight warmed the land of Equestria as it peaked over the horizon. The morning birds came out of their roosts and began singing new songs of new journeys to be had as the day began anew. The clouds moved along on their paths slowly and surely, the white puffs billowing out into the expanse of the sky...The sunlight shined through a certain window in a certain farmhouse...

And right into the eyes of a certain sleeping cyan, rainbow-maned pegasus.

Rainbow Dash groaned loudly as she rolled over in her bed. Well, it wasn't just her bed. Her wife, Applejack, slept soundly next to her and giggled at her disgruntled partners reaction to the sunlight.

"Sometimes Ah wonder if you're a vampire, sweet girl."

"If I tell you that I am, will you let me stay in bed for another hour?"

"That's a negative, Dash."

"Oh...ponyfeathers." The pegasus cursed as she sat up. "Might as well get up before you buck me out of bed like yesterday." Rainbow looked back at Applejack and raised an eyebrow. Applejack giggled and sat up in the bed as well.

"Well, if Ah hadn't, ya would've been late for work...again. And Rolling Storm would have threatened to fire ya...again." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. Rainbow shrugged and sighed to herself as she looked forward.

"Still, I wish I could just hang out with you, you know?" Rainbow said. "Buck apples and drink cider and stuff."

"There'll be time for that later." Applejack said. "When's your work shift today, anyway?"

"Five." Rainbow replied. "But I have to be at the academy at ten. We're having some sort of evaluation."

"Well, you better get out there and wow them Wonderbolts." Applejack said to her wife, to which the daredevil scoffed.

"As if I don't already every time I'm there!" Rainbow said, giving off one of her overly-cheeky smiles. "Geez, I kinda feel bad for you." To this quip, Applejack scooted closer to Rainbow Dash.

"And why is that, my dear?" Applejack asked, a smirk on her face.

"Because while I'm cruising in the clouds with the Wonderbolts and acing that evaluation, you'll be here...bucking some trees for your namesake fruit." Rainbow said, furrowing her eyebrows at Applejack and cracking a wide smile. "Must be envious, huh?"

"Well hey, now." Applejack said. "Ah happen to enjoy applebuckin' very much."

"Well yeah, but can it truly compare to-"

"Alright, c'mere, you!" Applejack cried out before grabbing Rainbow Dash and pulling her back onto the bed. They wrestled in the sheets, laughing and crying out to try to best each other. Eventually, Applejack ended up pinning Rainbow Dash against the mattress. Rainbow huffed and rolled her eyes preparing for the gloating of Applejack. This was the third time in a row she'd gotten Rainbow pinned while wrestling.

The rainbow-maned mare was pleasantly surprised to feel her wife's lips upon hers. She smiled into the kiss and held Applejack close to herself. Their bodies pressed together and they shared a beautiful warmth. As they disconnected from the kiss, they each looked into the eyes of the other. Applejack let Rainbow's forelegs loose which the pegasus immediately used to caress her wife's cheek and stroke her mane.

Applejack, even early in the morning, looked stunning. Her mane, though a bit tangled, was absolutely radiant and her eyes gleamed like emeralds. Her lips curved into a loving, yet slightly sultry smile. A small, adorable blush adorned her freckled face as she let out a small giggle.

"You look amazing." Rainbow almost whispered.

"You're just sayin' that." Applejack responded. "Ah probably look like a twister hit me."

"No seriously." Rainbow said. "I mean, your mane's a little messed up, but you always manage to stun me every time I wake up next to you."

"Oh, why thank you." Applejack said before giving Rainbow Dash a small nuzzle on her cheek. Rainbow giggled quietly and returned the affection by giving Applejack's cheek a small lick. "You're lookin' mighty fine yourself."

Applejack wasn't lying with that statement. Rainbow's mane, in contrast to Applejack's seemed to be exactly as it always was. Mostly straight and just a little messy. The looked worked perfectly for Rainbow Dash. This, coupled with her rose irises and cyan coat made Rainbow a living explosion of color no matter where she was or what she did.

"Oh, I know." Rainbow said. "I don't have to do anything. It all comes naturally."

"Oh, shut up, you." Applejack said, beginning to tickle Rainbow Dash's back hooves. Rainbow almost immediately burst into hearty laughter. She struggled against Applejack as the farm mare attempted to keep her back legs held fast, but Rainbow eventually bucked loose and began to wrestle with Applejack once more. It looked as if Rainbow would be victorious this time. But Applejack caught Rainbow's lips with her own again. The kiss nearly made the pegasus melt. Their kiss escalated as Rainbow slipped her tongue into Applejack's mouth.

"Goddesses, your kisses just..." Rainbow gasped, barely taking her lips off of Applejack's.

"Yeah, Ah know." Applejack said, giving Rainbow a quick wink before continuing.

"Y'all wanna wake up all of Equestria or what?" Granny Smith asked from the doorway. Applejack and Rainbow Dash immediately stopped kissing and flashed their eyes toward the doorway. Granny Smith stood there with a raised eyebrow that just barely implied a sense of knowing. Rainbow and Applejack looked at each other quickly before jumping out of the bed.

"Uh...Well, uh...Good morning, Granny Smith." Rainbow said before coughing awkwardly into her hoof.

"We were just uh..." Applejack began.

"Yeah, yeah y'all were just..." Granny Smith made an exorbitant gesture and widened her eyes, making Rainbow and Applejack blush intensely. Granny Smith winked at the two of them. "If yall're gonna do that, keep the door closed and make it quick! Breakfast is gonna be ready in ten!" The old mare closed the door. Once her hoof steps became distant enough, Rainbow Dash immediately grabbed Applejack and pulled her onto the bed.

"C'mon, AJ." Rainbow said before pressing her lips upon Applejack's once again. "You heard the mare."

"Rainbow, come on!" Applejack said, pulling her head back and raising an eyebrow at her. "You can't seriously-"

"Well, she did just give us clearance." Rainbow said.

"Well Ah was wantin' a shower anyway." Applejack said after getting off of the bed again. Rainbow immediately zipped across the room and caressed Applejack from behind before giving her ear a quick nip. Applejack shuddered.

"Let's do it...then we can wash off together." Rainbow whispered in her wife's ear.

"No, Rainbow." Applejack said, mentally stopping herself from being lured in by Rainbow Dash, no matter how hard it was. Her wife didn't boast about her charm for nothing. "Ah ain't gonna do it with my granny plainly aware of it."

"Well, you're no fun." Rainbow said, getting off of Applejack and giving her wife a pouting face. Applejack laughed and kissed Rainbow's lips softly.

"Ah'll make it up to ya tonight. Ah promise." Applejack said.

"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow said as she rolled her eyes and moved toward the bathroom.

"Well, think about it, sugarcube." Applejack said before dropping her voice to a sultry tone. "You're gonna be all worked up and sore from work...and my hooves can do some pretty special things..." Applejack gave Rainbow's cheek a quick kiss. "to your wings."

"Sold." Rainbow said almost immediately.

_____

"Applejack! Applejack!" Applebloom cried out happily as she balanced a spoon handle first on her hoof. The top swiveled around, but Applebloom moved her foreleg around enough to keep it suspended. "Look, sis!"

"Ah can't believe you broke the bucket, Big Mac!" Applejack said to Big Mac, who looked down at the floor guility. She didn't seem to hear Applebloom's cries for attention.

"Ah'm sorry, sis." Big Mac said. "It just kinda happened."

"How'd it break, huh?" Rainbow asked. "Maybe a little somethin' somethin' to do with Miss Cheerilee?"

"Rainbow!" Applejack scolded.

"What? It's a completely legitimate question." Rainbow responded.

"Ah stood on the bucket to get somethin' down from one of the lower lofts." Big Mac said.

"And that's it?" Applejack asked.

"Applejack! Look!" Applebloom cried. "Ah think Ah'm about to lose it!"

"Eeeyup." Big Mac said to Applejack, giving a quick nod.

"And you're sure it wasn't for anything else?" Rainbow asked him.

"Eeeyup." Big Mac said promptly.

"Applejack!" Applebloom said again.

"Nothing to do with Cheerilee?" Rainbow pried futher, making Big Mac all the more nervous.

"Rainbow, leave him alone!" Applejack said, giving Rainbow's shoulder a quick slap. "He don't have to-:

"Okay, fine." Big Mac said quickly. "She just wanted to lay down in some hay. We had some extra in one of the lower lofts and Ah used to bucket to try to get to it." Rainbow Dash slammed a hoof into the table.

"Called it!" Rainbow said happily.

"Siiiisss!" Applebloom nearly wailed.

"You didn't-" Applejack began.

"No! No we didn't do nothin' like that." Big Mac said before blushing deeply. "Just some cuddlin'."

"Awww." Rainbow mewed. "That's cute." Big Mac raised an eyebrow at her.

"She likes to cuddle." He said.

"Well, Ah guess Ah'll go to town and get a new bucket before Ah start Applebuckin' today." Applejack said with a sigh. "Don't worry, Big Mac, Ah ain't gonna fault ya. Just tryin' to do somethin' nice for your lady." Big Mac nodded.

"Applejack!" Applebloom cried out once more.

"What, Applebloom?" Applejack replied, turning around quickly.

"Ah balanced the spoon on my hoof like Ah told ya Ah could, but it fell before ya looked." Applebloom said, furrowing her eyebrows at her sister.

"Oh, Applebloom, Ah'm sorry." Applejack said. "Do it again, so Ah can see."

"Nope. Too late now. You've gone and missed it." Applebloom said.

"I saw it." Rainbow said. "It was totally rad." Rainbow did a quick hoof bump with the filly before smirking at Applejack, who merely furrowed her eyebrows and frowned at the pegasus.

"Funny." Applejack deadpanned. Rainbow looked at the clock and jumped from her seat.

"Oh no! I'm late." Rainbow said. "I've gotta get down to the academy." The pegasus patted Big Mac on the shoulder and rustled Applebloom's mane, earning a small "Hey!" from the filly. Her last order of business was to give Applejack a quick kiss on the lips.

"Be safe." Applejack said to Dash, who on the way to the door, turned around and walked backwards.

"Oh, come on!" Rainbow said casually. "It's me!" Rainbow Dash then bolted out the door and into the sky. Applebloom looked on after her and sighed.

"She's as awesome as you are lucky, Applejack." Applebloom said to her sister.

"Don't Ah know it." Applejack replied with a wistful smile.

_____

"Rainbow Dash! You're late." Spitfire called to the cyan pegasus as she bashfully moved into formation before the Wonderbolt captain. Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and blushed deeply.

"Yeah, I'm...I'm sorry." Rainbow said. "Just got caught up with Applejack and-"

"I don't care what happened, Rainbow." Spitfire said. "Next time, keep your eyes on the clock or you'll be doing fifty-five laps. Am I clear?!" Spitfire lowered her sunglasses and stared into Rainbow's eyes.

"Yes ma'am!" Rainbow barked.

"Good." Spitfire said. "As you all know, your midterm evaluation begins today. By the time we're through here, you'll all be bone tired and I'll be laughing my flank off...probably. The only way I wouldn't be laughing my flank off is if one of you mess up our equipment again...Snowflake." Spitfire glared at the musclebound pony from behind her glasses, making him nearly instantly start sweating. He gulped.

"S-Sorry...ma'am." He said timidly, very unlike his appearance.

"Yeah, I'll bet." Spitfire said before straightening almost instantly.

"Now all of you! Ten laps for a warmup! NOW!" She growled angrily at the trainees, who all took to flight and headed for the flight track. "Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire called suddenly, earning the attention of the pegasus who cringed and flew toward the captain.

"Spitfire ma'am, I'm so sorry that I was late, I-" Rainbow began as she landed before her instructor.

"Rainbow Dash, look-" Spitfire said, interrupting the pegasus and dropping the tone of her voice. "I know you have a family and a wife to keep up with now, and I don't want to punish you for fulfilling your obligations to them, whatever they may be. But what does that make me look like if I just let it go every time you're late?"

"A captain that plays favorites." Rainbow said with a slow nod.

"Precisely." Spitfire said before she furrowed her eyebrows. "This is the third straight time."

"I know." Rainbow said. "I'm really sorry. It won't happen again."

"I know it won't." Spitfire said before giving Rainbow a small nod. "Dismissed." Rainbow immediately turned around and flew toward the course and began to fly along it for her laps. She was a tough pony and she knew it, but it always stung when Spitfire got mad at her. She brushed it off and continued to fly until she came into a rhythm with the rest of the trainees. She flew beside Thunderlane, who raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why the long face, Rainbow?" Thunderlane asked her, to which she seemed to snap out of a stupor.

"Oh, me?" Rainbow said. "Nothing, don't worry about it, Thunderlane. It's nothing."

"You're not a very good liar, Dash." He said. Rainbow sighed heavily and nodded at the stallion.

"Okay, fine, I guess...something's up." Rainbow said. "But it's not bothering me much. Seriously."

"Wanna talk about it?" He asked her as he neared his third lap and Rainbow neared her second.

"I mean...If you really wanted to know..." Rainbow said, looking to the side and blushing mildly. "Everypony here thinks I'm Spitfire's favorite."

"Well, yeah." Thunderlane said. "You kind of are."

"No I'm not!" Rainbow said before looking at the stallion angrily. He brought his forelegs up in an 'I surrender' gesture.

"Okay, okay you're not." He said. "I just don't see what the big deal is about it."

"Okay, look...I'm only telling you this because we've known each other for a while, okay?" Rainbow said. "You cannot tell anypony else."

"Alright, then." Thunderlane said with a small nod.

"Swear." Rainbow said to him, furrowing her eyebrows.

"I swear, alright?" He said. "Now what's up?"

"Well, Spitfire's been letting me off the hook a lot recently because I have a wife and a family back where I live..." Rainbow said.

"I didn't know you went that way, Rainbow Dash." Thunderlane said. Rainbow immediately narrowed her eyes at him menacingly.

"Your point?" Rainbow said.

"Calm down, I meant no offense." Thunderlane said. "Go ahead and continue."

"Well, I just get the feeling that the others treat me different because of it." Rainbow said. "I mean, it's not like I'm just late without a good reason."

"There are ponies here that talk about you, sure." Thunderlane said. "Sometimes the things they say are unsavory, sure. But I'll tell you something that I know for sure."

"What's that?" Rainbow inquired.

"They're all intimidated by you." He said to her, raising an eyebrow. "Every single one of them. Hay, you even intimidate me."

"Huh." Rainbow said. "I thought they all just resented me."

"Well, some of them do, but you'll find that everywhere." Thunderlane said. "But you're good. Trust me. No one really singles you out unless they're talking about how awesome you always do in comparison to their own mediocrity." Rainbow smiled and looked at Thunderlane.

"Well, that's a load off my back." Rainbow said happily.

"Glad to hear it." The dark grey stallion said. They flew for a bit before Rainbow addressed Thunderlane once more.

"And Thunderlane...thanks. I appreciate it." Rainbow said with a small nod.

"Happy to help." He said just as Rainbow began speeding around the course, finishing her laps before anypony else. She stood in formation, her body straight and ready to work as hard as it possible could to finish the evaluation. Her renewed vigor empowered her. To help her perform to the best of her ability, she began to imagine Applejack sitting in the sidelines, cheering her on.

"Glad to see that you finished the warm up so quickly, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said as she looked at the rest of the ponies, who were all noticeably winded, then at Rainbow Dash, who looked absolutely fine.

"Pumped up and ready for more, ma'am!" Rainbow spouted. As Spitfire walked along the line of recruits, she couldn't help but crack a small smile.

_____

Applejack mulled around the Ponyville market for what seemed like an hour before she finally found a bucket that was at least similar to the one Big Macintosh had broken. The farm mare found herself wishing several times that Rainbow was there with her...if only just to have her wife's company for this short time at the market. She examined it, and upon finding no blemishes or cracks in the wood, she took the bucket to the front desk of this particular sector of the market and placed the bucket up before the cashier.

"Ah'll just take this here bucket and be on my way." Applejack said.

"Very well, three gold bits, please." The cashier said. After Applejack paid the meager fee, she took the bucket and began to leave. "Thank you for shopping here today. Have a nice day!"

"Yeah, you too." Applejack said as she tipped her Stetson to the cashier. The farm mare turned and headed back toward the farm before a familiar voice stopped her.

"Applejack!" Rarity called happily. Applejack turned and smiled at her friend, who approached her at a quick trot.

"Heya, Rarity." Applejack said. "What're you up to?"

"I just finished up with my most recent order, so I'm just trying to kill some time before I have to go get Sweetie Belle." Rarity said. "That's a....nice bucket." Rarity cracked a smirk.

"Big Mac broke one while he was in the barn with Cheerilee." Applejack said.

"Oooohh." Rarity said, delighted to hear some new gossip. "Do tell, do tell."

"Ah don't know if Big Mac would want me tellin' ya, Rarity." Applejack said. "Ah mean, it's nothin' too mind blowin', but still..."

"Oh, come on." Rarity said. "I promise, I won't tell a soul."

"Ya promise?" Applejack asked.

"Well, yes, I just said the words 'I promise.'" Rarity said smartly, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, okay, then." Applejack said, smirking at Rarity's humor. "Ah'll just head home now."

"Oh, Applejack, I was just teasing." Rarity said to the farm pony. "Come on. Please. I haven't heard anything juicy in weeks and I'm starting to starve."

"Well, Big Mac took Cheerilee into the barn. They wanted to snuggle, so he stood up on a bucket to get some hey from one of the lower lofts. It broke." Applejack said. A brief moment of silence passed between the two of them.

"...That's it?" Rarity asked.

"That's it." Applejack said with a nod.

"Well..." Rarity said. "You were right. My mind certainly isn't blown."

"Told ya." Applejack said with a small chuckle.

"So how are you and Rainbow Dash coming along?" Rarity asked the farm mare. Applejack almost immediately perked up upon hearing the question.

"Oh, we're great!" Applejack said. "We butt heads now and again, but honestly, married life just gets better every day."

"I'm so glad to hear it, my dear." Rarity said. "The two of you...I honestly can't think of a better match other than myself and Fancypants." Applejack chuckled.

"Ah always knew ya harbored a little unconscious lech for that stallion." Applejack said, elbowing Rarity in her side, to which the unicorn rolled her eyes.

"While it is true that he is still in a relationship with a certain Miss Fleur Dis Lee..." Rarity growled her competitor's name through her teeth spitefully. "It is well known that their relationship is strained right now and that it won't last much longer. I'm simply waiting for the opportune moment to strike."

"Sound's like you've got this planned out." Applejack said. "Ah mean, 'Waitin' for the opportune moment to strike.' That's just kind of creepy." Applejack furrowed her eyebrows and smirked at the prim white unicorn, who slapped Applejack on the shoulder.

"Oh, shut up, you." Rarity said. "So, have you and Rainbow thought about...it yet?" Applejack looked at Rarity, confused and shrugged.

"It?" Applejack repeated. "What's it?"

"Oh, you know, the hallowed thing that remains the one of the main reasons that most of the ponies in Equestria plan to get married..." Rarity said, trying to give Applejack as many hints as possible without being too obvious.

"...And ya lost me." Applejack said.

"Oh, for Celestia's sake." Rarity said. "Have either of you thought about having a foal?" Rarity smiled widely at Applejack.

The question certainly took Applejack off guard, as she merely stood straight up and raised an eyebrow. The prospect was completely intimidating, but for some reason, Applejack couldn't shake the feeling that it was something that should happen.

"Well...Neither of us have really talked to each other about it..." Applejack said. "Ah mean, who hasn't thought about what their children would be like?"

"Precisely." Rarity said. "You know, having a child and starting a family of your very own. One that you can look after..." The more and more Rarity described the situation, the more and more Applejack's chest hurt.

"Ah...Ah dunno, Rarity." Applejack said. "Ah just don't think either of us are ready."

"Well, many ponies who wind up pregnant with a foal rarely are." Rarity said before stopping herself. "Although it's physically impossible for you and Rainbow to biologically produce a child."

"Thanks for that." Applejack said, raising a cold eyebrow.

"Oh, Applejack, I meant no offense!" Rarity said, worried that she hurt her friend's feelings.

"Ah know ya didn't, Rarity." Applejack said with a small nod. "Ah know ya didn't. Ah have to get back to the farm...Do some applebuckin'." Applejack turned around and began walking back toward Sweet Apple Acres with the new bucket.

"Oh, well...have a splendid day!" Rarity called, giving Applejack a nice smile. As if it mattered when the farm mare's back was turned to her. Applejack turned around and tipped her Stetson toward Rarity.

"You as well, Rarity." Applejack said.

There was no way Applejack and Rainbow Dash could have a child right now. They were so busy working to stay afloat and a pregnancy could put a lynch in all that...Applejack forgot that they couldn't get each other pregnant. It just seemed so...Intimidating. She knew that they definitely couldn't do it, especially seeing as how they'd just very recently paid off the debt for the wedding. As if it was some sort of salt in the metaphorical wound, a couple walked by, seemingly very in love, with two young foals walking with them. They had what looked to be one central emotion on their faces.

Happiness.

_____

"Hey, nice job, Rainbow Dash!" Cloud kicker cried out happily as she witnessed Rainbow expertly buck a cloud into a oblivion. She was partnered with the awesomely daring pegasus, and she struggled just to keep up. Cloud Kicker didn't really mind all that much, though. When it came to besting Rainbow Dash...well...no one else in the weather patrol could do it. Cloud Kicker still held her own though and she couldn't help but smile after she saw all the work she and Rainbow Dash had done. As they sat, Rainbow Dash smiled at her.

"Whoo! How about that?" Rainbow said happily. "We've positively kicked flank today."

"Yeah. It's awesome being teamed up with a future Wonderbolt." Cloud Kicker said, making Rainbow blush. But despite her current blushing, Rainbow threw a hoof in the air.

"Hay, yeah!" Rainbow said as she attempted to catch her breath.

"Tired, are ya, Dash?" Cloud Kicker asked, elbowing Rainbow in the side.

"Oh, shut it." Rainbow said, playfully shoving her friend. "I've had to go through some pretty intense stuff already today."

"Yeah? Like what?" Cloud Kicker inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Like going through the midterm evaluation at the Wonderbolts Academy." Rainbow moved her head slowly and looked at Cloud Kicker.

"Touché." Cloud Kicker said with a small laugh. "You think Rolling Storm will let us off early today? Y'know, seeing as how we've pretty much gone above and far...far beyond our requirement for today?"

"I dunno." Rainbow said. "It would be cool, though. Why don't we go talk to him about it?"

"Sure." Cloud Kicker said as they both stood and moved toward their boss' office. "You wanna grab a bite to eat if he does let us go?"

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow said. "Yeah, I could go for some grub."

"Cool." Cloud Kicker said right as they opened the door to the weather patrol offices. They moved inside and found their boss, Rolling Storm. He sat at his desk and viewed what looked to be several documents. He looked up at the two mares from behind his glasses.

"Good work today, you two." Rolling Storm said. "Nothing short of what I expected."

"Glad to hear it, sir." Rainbow said.

"How have things been with Applejack recently, Rainbow Dash?" Rolling Storm asked, raising an eyebrow and smirking at her. Rainbow's stomach bubbled a bit at the mention of her wife.

"Oh, they've been going good, sir." Rainbow said with a smile. "I mean, as well as they could go, I guess."

"Well, that's good." He said before looking back at the documents and giving off a sigh. "I suppose you've both come to inquire whether or not you can take the rest of the day off." Rainbow Dash and Cloud Kicker looked at each other, their eyebrows raised, before looking back at him.

"Well...yes sir." Cloud Kicker said. "I mean...unless there was anything else you wanted us to do..."

"No, I think you're both cleared for today." Rolling Storm said. "You've both done much more than what was assigned to you. So go ahead and go clock out. Just don't let any of the others see you. Don't want them getting jealous now, do we?" Rolling Storm raised his eyebrow at the two mares, who nodded happily.

"Yes sir." Rainbow said happily.

"Thank you, Mr. Storm." Cloud Kicker said. "See you Monday!"

"Bye." He said with a nod as they left happily. They both clocked out and replaced their time cards where they were. They both then immediately flew toward Ponyville toward what had come to be one of Rainbow Dash's favorite places to eat. Café du Mane. They entered the restaurant and took their seats in a booth next to a bright window.

"Here are the menus, ladies." The waiter said in a funny accent. "And what can I get for you to drink?"

"I'll have a water." Cloud Kicker said.

"What do you have on draft?" Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Little early in the day for that, don't you think, Rainbow?" Cloud Kicker asked. Rainbow Dash giggled.

"We have the rest of the day off." Rainbow said. "I figure 'what the hay?'."

"We have icy chill, burnam and griffon's tail." The waiter said.

"Gimme some griffon's tail and a water." Rainbow said with a small nod.

"A-And let me get some griffon's tail too." Cloud Kicker said quickly.

"Certainly. I'll be back soon to take your orders." The waiter said with a small smile and a nod.

"Well, well..." Rainbow said, looking slowly at Cloud Kicker. "Little early in the day, isn't it?"

"Can it, Rainbow." Cloud Kicker said. "What the hay."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about ." Rainbow said with a happy nod. Cloud Kicker looked at the menu for a short while before looking up at Rainbow Dash and giggling slightly.

"Aren't you gonna look at a menu?" She asked.

"Oh, no." Rainbow said. "I already know what I want. I come here a lot." After Cloud Kicker seemed to finally decide on something to eat, she put the menu down and looked at Rainbow Dash.

"So, how are things really going with Applejack?" She asked.

"Oh, they're good." Rainbow said happily. "Better than good, actually. We've just paid off the debt from the wedding, and we've got some good money coming in from Weather Patrol and apple sales. Applebloom's gonna have a heck of a birthday, this year. She's been so patient and understanding."

"That's great." Cloud Kicker said. "I happy to hear that. But...there's one thing I've been wondering about for a while."

"And that is..." Rainbow said as the waiter approached.

"I'll tell you after we place our orders." Cloud Kicker said.

"Griffon's tail for the two beautiful mares." The waiter said. "And waters. Do you know what you'd like to order?"

"Yeah, I'd like a grilled daffodil and cheese sandwich with some hay fries please." Rainbow said.

"Okay. Lunch portion or dinner portion?" The waiter asked.

"Lunch." Rainbow said, taking a small sip of her beer.

"Very well, and you?" He asked Cloud Kicker.

"I'm going to have the garden salad with some blue cheese crumbles and a light bit of dressing." Cloud Kicker said.

"Okay. Thank you very much. Your orders will be out shortly." The waiter said with a curt nod before leaving the two of them.

"You were saying?" Rainbow said.

"Well, I heard a while ago that before you and Applejack really became a public thing, there was a time that you weren't speaking to each other." Cloud Kicker said. "And I was just curious-"

"On what the argument was about?" Rainbow said. Cloud Kicker nodded.

"But I totally understand if you didn't want to tell me." Cloud Kicker said. "I'm just curious."

"Well...it happened a long time ago, and Applejack and I are really happy now, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you." Rainbow said. "But I'm swearing you to secrecy right here." Cloud Kicker nodded and placed a hoof over her heart.

"I won't tell a soul." She said.

"When Applejack and I first got together, it wasn't really anything all that official. We just hooked up one night and we started dating. It didn't get too serious for a while, and Applejack didn't want anypony to know about us, which was understandable. But as time went on and we got more and more serious, she still was ashamed of me. Sure, she denied it, but it was true. Eventually, she just broke up with me and went off and started dating Caramel." Rainbow said.

"Isn't he with Berry Punch?" Cloud Kicker asked.

"They'd broken up a couple weeks earlier." Rainbow said. "She started deluding herself, and I started trying to get her back. I failed. I tried so many times, but I still failed. Things got really heated one night and we ended up splitting up completely. So for a while, we weren't talking. Eventually, AJ realized how much she really did love me and we got back together."

"Sounds like a romance novel." Cloud Kicker said with a giggle. "It's cute."

"You say that now, but it wasn't cute when it was happening." Rainbow said before taking another sip of her beer.

"Do you ever find yourself wishing you hadn't taken her back?" Cloud Kicker asked, earning a small glare from Rainbow. The blonde maned pegasus put her fore hooves up. "I don't mean any offense."

"Never." Rainbow said.

_____

Applejack finished up bucking the last of the day's quota of apples out of their perches in the tree. They fell in their buckets and Applejack moved to the stragglers on the ground, picking the up and putting them into the bins. Big Mac whistled quietly, standing hitched to the cart he would take the apples back to the farm in. Applejack moved the bins to the cart and picked each individual one up before putting it into the cart. She huffed and wiped her forehead just as she closed the back door of the cart.

"Alrighty, Big Mac." Applejack said. "This one's ready. Go on ahead and take it back." Big Mac nodded, moving the hay sprig in his mouth.

"Eeeyup." He said simply as he began to walk. Applejack trotted along next to him happily, slightly elated that the day's work was done. Finishing a good, honest day's work always gave the farm mare a small high.

"Almost done." Applejack said. "Finally."

"Eeeyup." Big Mac said simply.

"You about ready to get some grub?"

"Eeeyup."

Applejack looked toward the setting sun and sighed happily, but she wasn't without one small worry.

"Ah wonder what Rainbow's up to. Ah haven't seen her come home. You seen Rainbow at all, Big Mac?"

"Nope." He replied.

"Where do ya think she is?"

"Ah'd wager she's still at work, or on her way back, sis." Big Mac said with a small nod. "Most likely."

"Well, she'd better get back quick, or she's gonna be missin' out on some pretty amazing cookin'." Applejack said. "Ah can't wait to see what Granny's got on the menu tonight."

"Maybe cowpony stew." Big Mac said. "Ah am a might peckish, Ah must say." As they kept moving, a Rainbow blur appeared in the sky above them, metamorphosing into Rainbow Dash, sticking an awesome landing in front of them.

"Hey, guys." Rainbow said as she ambled toward the siblings. "What's up?"

"Always got an entrace." Big Macintosh said after giving Rainbow a quick hoof-bump.

"Well, it is me." Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Ah was just wonderin' where ya were, hun." Applejack said, moving up to Rainbow Dash and giving her a quick kiss.

"Oh, well me and Cloudkicker got off work early, so we went and grabbed some lunch. Afterward, we went and messed around town for a bit." Rainbow said.

"Yeah?" Applejack said. "What'd y'all do?"

"We went and checked out the music store and chilled with Pinkie Pie for a bit down at Sugarcube corner." Rainbow said. "She let us demo some strawberry temptation truffles."

"And?" Applejack said.

"Oh my gosh, they were heaven you could eat." Rainbow said, making Applejack laugh and Big Mac let out a small chuckle. They went into the farmhouse to find Applebloom sitting in the middle of the living room with a coloring book, alone.

"Where's Granny, Applebloom?" Applejack asked her little sister.

"Her back was actin' up, so she didn't feel like cookin' much tonight." The filly said. "But she said that there were still salad leftovers in the fridge if y'all wanted any."

"Well, Ah guess there's no gettin' her up." Applejack said. "Let's heat up some leftovers."

"Yeah." Rainbow said. "If it's alright with you guys, I'm gonna eat and hit the hay. I'm bushed."

"The great Rainbow Dash, tired?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. "My, oh my. Someone get Princess Celestia down here. Somethin' is wrong!"

"Oh, can it." Rainbow said. "You try doing a Wonderbolt evaluation and going to work straight afterward."

"Alright, alright." Applejack said.

The two mares ate some leftover salad while Big Macintosh sat in the living room with Applebloom. They talked idly and ate at the same time, which only served to increase the speed at which they ate. When they finished, they both stood and took their dishes to the sink and washed them quickly. They then moved toward their bedroom.

"Alright, y'all." Applejack said, giving her brother a hug and her sister a kiss on the head. "We're headed to bed."

"Night." Rainbow said, doing exactly what Applejack did.

"G'night!" Applebloom said with a wide smile.

"G'night, y'all." Big Macintosh said with a nod.

The two mares entered their bedroom and laid down on the bed and got down underneath the covers together. Applejack moved on top of Rainbow Dash and began kissing her. Rainbow smiled and held her wife close, accepting the kiss gratefully. As Applejack dipped her hoof down and began to rub Rainbow Dash's inner thigh, Rainbow pushed her wife away softly.

"What's this for?" Rainbow asked, holding back a pleasurable shudder.

"What does it look like?" Applejack asked before giving her wife's neck a kiss. "Ah'm makin' up for this morning." Rainbow pushed her wife away again, softly.

"AJ, I know you don't wanna hear this, but could we postpone this until tomorrow?" Rainbow asked. "I'm sorry."

"Wow." Applejack said, her eyes widening slightly. "You really must be tired."

"Spitfire worked me to the bone today." Rainbow said with a sigh. "I'm so tired. Could we just...snuggle instead?"

"You got it." Applejack said. "Ya want a massage?" Rainbow Dash thought for a moment and softly shook her head.

"I want to hold you." Rainbow said. "It's what I've been wanting all day long."

"Well, that can be arranged, my beautiful." Applejack said, moving into Rainbow's forelegs. The pegasus held her close as Applejack laid her head on her chest.

"So how was your day?" Applejack asked.

"It was cool." Rainbow said after giving her wife's head a kiss. "The Wonderbolt midterm was terrible, though."

"What'd you have to do?" Applejack asked. "Fly laps or something?"

"Oh, goddesses, I wish." Rainbow said. "We had to do different endurance tests like flying with five pound weights hanging from our wings."

"Five pounds?" Applejack said.

"I know it doesn't sound like much, but you just try tying five pound weights to your forelegs and flapping them for twenty minutes straight." Rainbow said.

"That does sound pretty hard." Applejack said.

"And that wasn't the worst of it." Rainbow said. "There was one test where we'd have to fly against hurricane force winds for ten seconds before doing fifteen pushups. We had to do that six times in a row as steadily as we could."

"Geez." Applejack marveled.

"Yeah." Rainbow said. "But work was pretty easy. I was already sore from the midterm, but I've never had a tough time with clouds. Even the thick ones."

"Ah'm glad it worked out for ya, baby." Applejack said.

"Well, what about you?" Rainbow asked the farm mare who sighed heavily.

"Ah went into town to replace the bucket that Big Mac broke." Applejack said. This reminded her of the sight of the two lovers with their foal, and how happy they looked. Once she realized that she was zoning out, Applejack continued. "And then Ah came home and bucked apples all day."

"Wow..." Rainbow said.

"Yeah." Applejack agreed.

"Your days really are that boring." Rainbow finished. Applejack slapped her wife's arm.

"Oh, shut up!" Applejack said, earning a small laugh from Rainbow Dash. They sat and cuddled in with each other contentedly, feeling the warmth of the other against the autumn chill. Rainbow sighed heavily as she began to doze off.

"Hey, Rainbow?" Applejack said, waking her wife.

"Hmm?" Rainbow replied drowsily.

"Come on, wake up." Applejack said quietly as she shook her wife's nearly-asleep body.

"Whaaat?" Rainbow said as she brought her head up.

"Come on, this is somethin' Ah really wanna talk to ya about." Applejack said. Rainbow sighed and nodded slowly before sitting up in the bed. Applejack moved and sat next to her wife.

"Okay. Okay, Applejack." Rainbow said. "What is it?"

"Rainbow..." The farm mare said. "Let's have a baby."

The statement made Rainbow look at her wife wide-eyed for a few moments. This sparked genuine confusion in Applejack, as she raised an eyebrow at the pegasus. Rainbow cracked a smirk and giggled quietly.

"Ohh, wow." Rainbow said. "That was a good one. Really had me going there for a second." The pegasus shifted in the bed uncomfortably for a moment.

"Ah'm serious, Rainbow." Applejack stated, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Uh huh. Sure." Rainbow giggled. The expression on her face changed when she saw Applejack frowning at her. "Oh, wow. You are serious."

"Yeah."

"AJ, I...I don't know about that. We just paid off the debt from the wedding, and that's not all we have to worry about. I mean...I mean, where would we keep it?"

"In here."

"But this house is already so crowded..."

"There's enough room for a small little baby."

"They make a lot of noise at night."

"Nopony here would mind."

"But-"

"Rainbow." Applejack said, taking the pegasus' hoof in her own. "My family has always had a new generation come in from the old. And in town today, Ah saw a mare and a stallion...they had a sweet little foal with them...and they looked so...happy."

"Applejack, that was a mare and a stallion." Rainbow said. "Now two mares. They aren't like us."

"What makes you think we should care what they think about us?" Applejack said.

"I don't give a buck what they think about us." Rainbow said, putting a hoof on Applejack's cheek. "I only care about how they'd treat our child. How badly she'd be bullied in school."

"None of that would matter as long as she could come home to a family that loves her unconditionally." Applejack said. "You've seen the way ponies here see us. Sure there's a couple naysayers, but most of everypony likes us as a couple."

"Applejack, I..." Rainbow said with a sigh.

"Rainbow Dash, please." Applejack said. "Think about it. You and me...and a beautiful son or daughter to call our own. Raising a child...just you and me. Ah'm ready to take our relationship just a little further. Please. Ah wanna raise a child...But most of all, Ah wanna raise a child with you." Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a soft kiss on the cheek. Rainbow sighed and shook her head.

"You're gonna be the death of me, you know that?" Rainbow said, giving Applejack a raised eyebrow and a cheeky smirk. Applejack smiled widely. "Okay."

Applejack laughed happily as tears brimmed in her eyes. She tackled Rainbow to the bed and kissed her passionately. They fell asleep holding each other, and whether or not they'd be prepared for the challenges that lied ahead, they'd face them side by side.

Author's Note

So there's the first chapter of Only For Her. As it says in the description of the story, this is the sequel to The Only Thing Better Than Flying. If I were you, I'd read that first if you haven't already. There will be a couple things you'll miss out on in this story if you're not familiar with the first. For those of you wondering about the possible Rarishy side to this, the story will alternate between AppleDash and (possible) Rarishy chapters, focusing on each couple in separate chapters, with the exception of a few chapters featuring the whole group. I'm really excited for this story! I hope you are too. Cheers!

Chapter 6

Rarity's heart pounded in her chest as she burst through Ponyville, both due to the exhaustion from all of the running and from the fear that she had just lost one of her best friends in the world. Her eyes darted from building to building frantically as she attempted to spot that familiar pink mane, those adorable constantly-worried eyes or that butterfly cutie mark, but to her despair, Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen.

It wasn't very hard for the fashionista to deduct why in fact her yellow pegasus friend was nowhere to be seen. The unicorn mare stopped and leaned on a gazebo. The same exact gazebo that had sheltered her from the storm the previous night. Rarity almost laughed at the cruel irony. The hazy, cloudy late afternoon did nothing to lift her spirits, which were already horribly low to begin with. She breathed heavily, looking around as she steadied herself on the gazebo for any inkling of a clue as to where Fluttershy was. Rarity's eyes fell upon Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who were walking together closely, large, beaming smiles on their faces. They seemed to be chatting giddily about something. Their eyes met Rarity's and the unicorn tried desperately to make herself look presentable for the two. She failed miserably.

"Hey there, Rarity." Applejack said, almost immediately noticing Rarity's chaotic and disheveled look. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you...okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine, darling." Rarity replied almost instantly, attempting to brighten up.

"Are you sure?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You look a little...peaked."

"I'm alright, I assure you. It's just..." Rarity began before sighing heavily. "Have you seen...Fluttershy today?"

"Fluttershy?" Rainbow asked, looking at Applejack, who mutely shook her head. "No, I haven't seen her today. Why?"

"Oh, no reason!" Rarity said with a small, airy giggle. "Just...Um..."

"Did you check her cottage?" Rainbow interjected, causing Rarity to raise an eyebrow at her.

"What?" The Pegasus asked raising an eyebrow of her own.

"Your business is your business, Rarity." Applejack said. "We just wanted to ask you if you could come to Sugarcube Corner tomorrow night at around eight o' clock. We haven't really had a hang out session in a while, you know?"

"Consider me there, my dear." Rarity said. "Now...if you'll excuse me...I need to go..." Rarity sped off with those words, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack more confused than when they had first seen her. The unicorn, not seeing any more use in running herself ragged, walked briskly around Ponyville, her eyes once more darting back and forth for some sign of her presence.

"Hello, Rarity!" Roseluck said sweetly from behind the counter of her flower stand.

"Roseluck!" Rarity spouted. "Hello! Have you seen Fluttershy anywhere?"

"Why yes, she's a little ways outside the nearest exit." Roseluck replied, her eyes widening slightly as Rarity sped past her. The unicorn finally had found her, after nearly a whole day of searching. After a short time, Rarity finally saw Fluttershy, sitting on a small rock outcropping, merely staring ahead at the beautiful setting sun. Rarity walked slowly over to the hurt Pegasus.

"Fluttershy?" She said timidly. Fluttershy jumped and shot her eyes toward Rarity, who stood there with a small smile on her face. She immediately began to unfurl her wings to fly away, prompting Rarity to envelop them in magic, gently preventing their movement.

"Fluttershy...please." Rarity said through strain. She was not accustomed to using magic like this. "Please talk to me." Fluttershy, recognizing Rarity's desire to speak with her to be sufficient enough to undergo the strain of the magic, nodded as a heavy blush overtook her face. Rarity put Fluttershy down on the ground before her, the pegasus not making eye contact with her.

"Where have you been?" Rarity asked. "I've been worried sick about you."

"...Why?..." Fluttershy asked, already struggling not to cry.

"What kind of ridiculous question is that?" Rarity asked, approaching her friend. "Because you're my friend and I care about you."

"It's only been one day." Fluttershy stated, still not looking into Rarity's eyes.

"Well yes, but you weren't at your cabin and you weren't at Sugarcube Corner or anywhere else you can usually be found, so naturally I panicked a bit, my dear." Rarity explained, feeling a peculiar sensation in her chest. It was small and nipping, but significant enough for the Unicorn to notice. She'd never felt it around Fluttershy before. Neither of the mares said anything for about a minute before Rarity piped up once again. "It's impolite to not look at a pony you're having a conversation with." Fluttershy's blush intensified as she still did not look at Rarity.

"I'm sorry." Fluttershy offered in a small voice.

"Fluttershy, about last night..."

"I'd rather not-"

"We're going to talk about it. You know me, Fluttershy, and so you know that I am a pony who values her friendships more than anything, so we're going to get to the bottom of this." Rarity stated sternly. Fluttershy, slightly startled at Rarity's sudden change of tone, looked at her...right in the eyes. It was Rarity's turn to be nervous.

"O-Okay..." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Uhm...I, um...Well..." Rarity attempted to fashion a sentence together from the strange, garbled syllables she produced, but she failed. Taking a moment to compose herself with a deep breath, Rarity began. "Last night, when you...well, when you opened up to me, it startled me so much that all I could think about was telling you how I really feel. It jarred me, to be more truthful, and I acted completely strange and I was not myself in that moment. I'm sorry I was so cold. I...I should have been more supportive. What I did...it was inexcusable and it is not what friends do."

Fluttershy said nothing. Rarity's heart raced as she desperately looked for some form of reaction.

"I'm sorry." Was all that came from Fluttershy's mouth. Her head was hung, so it was a little hard for Rarity to understand her. Though it sounded as if her friend was crying.

"Oh, no...No, Fluttershy, you don't have anything to apologize for." Rarity responded. "Please, can we go get a cup of coffee and talk some-"

"I'm sorry." The words came mixed with a sob as Fluttershy leapt into the air and flew away at a speed that even Rainbow Dash would notice. Rarity's heart skipped at beat at the surprise, but she quickly ran after her.

"Fluttershy!" Rarity called, getting no response, as if she expected one. Fluttershy was long gone before Rarity even ran out of breath. Heartbroken and exhausted, Rarity resigned herself to go about her business...if she had any. She hadn't gotten any new clients for the past few days, and it was a Sunday. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Rarity turned back to walk through Ponyville. Her mind began drifting to possibilities for the future. She was sure that Fluttershy would be fine, that she'd get over it...But there was also the possibility that Fluttershy wouldn't ever want to speak to Rarity again. The unicorn had heard of friendships ending over much less. The very thought of that possibility made tears brew in her eyes. Rarity made sure to take the back ways back to the boutique. She had to keep up appearances and no good would come of anyone seeing her cry.

_____

Fluttershy felt a few stray tears hit her ears which laid back as she flew faster than she ever had. She had to get out of there. Away from her. Away from that mare that she just couldn't stop thinking about. Her heart had been broken, but it still lingered on the source of that heartbreak...And it wouldn't let her rest. Fluttershy had to land at some point. Her wings hurt, her chest hurt, her head hurt...her surprisingly fast burst of flying had taken a lot out of her. Fluttershy looked around and finally settled on a clearing among some large trees. She knew the location and it was a short walk from her house. She landed very ungracefully and heaved for breath for minutes before her lungs finally began to stop burning. She wiped her tears as she sat down, looking around at the beautiful wilderness around her. Normally, such an environment would be Fluttershy's natural habitat...a place where she could feel completely serene and at peace. It wasn't that for her on this day. She silently cried as she sat in the grass, wiping her tears as they came down from her eyes.

She hated crying so much...It made her feel weaker than she usually thought herself to be. Rainbow Dash wouldn't be crying like this if she had simply been rebuffed by someone. She'd shrug it off and keep moving. Thoughts of that night Rainbow came to her cottage, completely drunk and sobbing about Applejack...but that was after they had cultivated a relationship, really developed feelings for each other. No longer finding peace in the beautiful clearing, the mare stood and slowly walked back toward her cottage.

The timid mare was happy that Rarity had apologized. She knew they'd get past that moment in the gazebo soon enough. But at that moment, Fluttershy couldn't lay her eyes on Rarity without feeling that pain in her chest. That pain accompanied with the realization that she could never be with the mare that she loved. Rarity had always been there for her, with the exception of that kiss. Their spa dates were almost always the highlight of her week, and she was always so kind and generous. True to her element. Fluttershy supposed that she had always loved Rarity, but the night of Rainbow Dash and Applejack's wedding, when the unbelievably beautiful white unicorn pulled her onto the dance floor and helped her to come out of her shell, she realized it for herself.

Angel was waiting for her on the front porch. Seeing her tears and hearing her sniffles, he immediately rushed to her aid, attempting to find a way to make her feel better. He wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her lovingly, rubbing his puffy cheek against hers.

"Hi, Angel..." She said quietly as she continued to walk. Normally Fluttershy would giggle, or hug Angel back...The Rabbit knew something was wrong. He squeaked in a concerned tone, Fluttershy's laid back ears perking up as she heard him, but quickly laid back once more. "I'm okay...I just need to take a nap, and I'll be fine." He squeaked again.

"Please, Angel..." She said as she shut the door behind her. "I just...need some time alone." He squeaked defiantly, insisting on helping her in any way he could.

"Angel." Fluttershy snarled, furrowing her eyebrows. Angel shrunk back, his feelings hurt. Immediately realizing what she had done, she wrapped him into a hug. "I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you're just trying to help." He smiled and hugged her back, before squeaking out a question.

"Well...I suppose it might make me feel better if I tell someone." The yellow mare sighed, looking at her rabbit, then up at the ceiling as she sat on her couch. "I...I think I'm in l-" She was interrupted by a knocking at her door.

"Oh...I wonder who that could be..." Fluttershy muttered as she stood to move to the door. She opened it to reveal Rainbow Dash and Applejack standing on her front porch, sweet smiles on their faces. "Oh. Rainbow Dash, Applejack. Come in."

"How're you doing today, Flutters?" Rainbow asked, giving Fluttershy a quick hug. The timid mare didn't say anything but the hug meant so much to her at that moment. Applejack followed suit, fully putting a smile on Fluttershy's face for the first time that day.

"Tea?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, we can't stay for long, Sugarcube." Applejack asked.

"We were just wondering if you could swing by Sugarcube Corner at around eight tomorrow night." Rainbow added.

"Oh, absolutely." Fluttershy said, the smile once again flitting across her face. "What's the occasion?" Rainbow looked at Applejack and smirked.

"Do we need an occasion to get everyone together?" Rainbow asked. "It's been a while, you know."

"Oh...Right." Fluttershy replied, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "I can't wait."

"Hey there, Angel." Applejack said, giving Angel a scratch on the head.

"Looks like he's been more well-behaved." Rainbow said, patting Fluttershy's shoulder lightly.

"He's been great." Fluttershy smiled, looking at her Rabbit being petted by a giggling Applejack. "That advice you gave me was just what the doctor ordered."

"Well, I think its about time we headed out." Rainbow said as she stretched. "It was good to see you, Flutters."

"Bye, sugar." Applejack said, standing and following Rainbow.

"Um...Wait!" Fluttershy spouted before squeaking and covering her mouth with both hooves, a heavy blush coming up on her face. Rainbow and Applejack turned confused looks on both of their faces. They looked at each other momentarily.

"Uh yeah, Fluttershy?" Rainbow asked.

"Would, um...I was just...Maybe..." Fluttershy struggled to get the words out, but her mind was racing too fast. She took a deep breath to compose herself. "Are you...sure you don't want some tea? I have this nice ginseng that would be really good with..."

"Flutters, are you okay?" Applejack asked.

"Sure, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be okay? Why do you ask?" Fluttershy spouted before she stopped herself.

"You know you can tell us anything." Rainbow said, moving toward her.

"I'm fine." Fluttershy said quickly.

"You sure?" Applejack asked.

"I'm perfectly alright." Fluttershy said. "Just a little tired is all."

"Well...try to get a nap or something, okay?" Rainbow said, putting a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder before heading back toward the door. Applejack smiled at her sweetly, giving Fluttershy a temporary feeling of peace. The yellow mare watched them leave the cottage. Before leaving completely, Applejack turned once more.

"We're here for ya, Fluttershy." Applejack said comfortingly. "Remember that."

Fluttershy briefly considered going after them, bringing them back into the cottage and giving them the entire story of the past couple days. But it would be selfish of her to bring them into her problems just for her own self-gratification. It would certainly make her feel better, but it would bring drama into the lives of two mares who already had too much.

"Well...I suppose I'd better go make that tea..." Fluttershy said to Angel, who looked up at her quizzically. "If I'm going to tell you everything, it's going to be a long night..."

_____

Rarity fell onto her bed backward and sighed heavily, running a hoof through her disheveled mane. Her mind raced...mostly with thoughts of Fluttershy. Opalescence jumped onto the bed and rubbed her body on Rarity's leg, purring sweetly. Rarity looked down at her pet cat and giggled, stroking the pearl white fur steadily, causing Opal to dip her back as the unicorn stroked it.

"Oh, Opal..." Rarity said, her voice sounding tired, even to her.

"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle's voice sounded from her bedroom doorway. Rarity looked up and smiled.

"Sweetie Belle, my dear sister...What do you need?" Rarity asked.

"I just wanted to check on you." The filly said, a concerned tone in her voice. "You've got bags under your eyes."

"Well, it has been a rather long day." Rarity said with a small chuckle, looking at Sweetie Belle.

"Yeah, I can tell. You just kinda walked inside right past me. I even said 'Hi'." The young unicorn said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, Goddesses, Sweetie Belle, I am so sorry!" Rarity nearly cried as she got out of bed. She moved toward her sister and wrapped her into a loving hug. "I really have had...a..." Sweetie Belle became even more confused as she felt her sister's body seize up slightly as she began to cry. Sweetie Belle, in an effort to be the most supportive sister she could, hugged her older sister just as tightly. It wasn't like Rarity to just lose her composure like this, though to be fair the usually stunningly gorgeous mare looked absolutely horrible.

"I'm sorry." Rarity said, putting Sweetie Belle down onto the bed.

"Geez, Rarity, what happened to you?" Sweetie Belle asked, her eyes still wide.

"It's a bit personal..." Rarity sighed, wiping her tears with a tissue enveloped in her blue magic. "I'd rather not bore you with the details." The unicorn looked over to see her sister, her eyebrows furrowed in a completely unamused stare.

"Rarity."

"Sweetie Belle, please you don't-"

"Rarity." The filly repeated.

"I-"

"Rarity. I am your sister and I love you." Sweetie Belle said intensely. "If you have a secret, you can tell me and I will take it to my grave."

"Sweetie..."

"You can trust me." Sweetie Belle said, taking Rarity's left forehoof in both of hers. "I promise." Tears fell from Rarity's eyes as she smiled, a warm feeling flowing through her. She took a deep, calming breath before beginning her emotional anecdote.

"Well...Fluttershy and I went to dinner and the spa last night..." Sweetie Belle gasped, cutting her sister off.

"Did you guys get into a fight?" She said, her eyes widening.

"I'm getting to it...We had a lot of fun and it was a great time for the both of us...We even played tag in the rain..." Rarity chuckled.

"Did you accidentally say something that hurt her feelings?" Sweetie Belle interrupted her sister again, earning furrowed brows from Rarity. The filly chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. "Heh...Sorry. Go on."

"We ended up taking shelter underneath a gazebo, and...Well...Fluttershy kissed me." Rarity finished her sentence and looked for some sort of reaction from Sweetie Belle. Her sister was stunned, with widened eyes and a large blush on her face. "Sweetie Belle? Are you alright?" Sweetie Belle snapped out of her stupor and cleared her throat.

"Oh, yeah...Yeah...Sorry." She replied. "Just really wasn't expecting that. Go on."

"Well...I honestly was so shaken by it that I basically alienated the poor mare...She opened herself to me in the most personal way...She took such a brave risk and I repaid it with coldness. I left her there underneath the gazebo...I didn't even care that my mane got wet. I simply had to get out of here." Rarity finished, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. "I left my best friend in the cold rain."

"Oh..." Sweetie Belle said quietly. "Well...What about today?"

"I spent this morning and afternoon searching for Fluttershy. I wanted to apologize, try to make things right...But I couldn't find her until late this afternoon." Rarity explained. "We were able to talk for a bit, and I think she will eventually be alright, but...at this point, she just doesn't want to be around me...And I hate it. I mean...it's Fluttershy...She'll...She'll be alright...won't she?" Rarity looked at her sister hopefully, who's heart was breaking for her. Sweetie Belle was at a loss for words. She'd never been a part of a situation like this before. She didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry." Rarity said. "It was selfish of me to bring you into this. You're still just a filly..."

"I guess my only question for you at this point is..." Sweetie Belle began. "Do you like Fluttershy...you know...like that?" Rarity hesitated for a moment, for reasons unknown to her.

"No...Not like that." Rarity said quietly. She had no idea why she had hesitated when asked the question. "I've never...I've never had feelings for another mare in my life."

"Well, then there's your answer." Sweetie Belle said, a small smile coming on her face. "Fluttershy will come around, I know it." She spoke in a comforting tone that frankly, wasn't doing anything to improve Rarity's mood. But the white unicorn smiled all the same.

"I don't know about you, but I am feeling a bit peckish. How about some dinner?" Rarity asked, hugging her sister.

"Sounds great!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed excitedly. "I'm so hungry!"

It was true, of course. Rarity had never developed feelings for a mare before. And she didn't see why she would start now...

_____

Twenty-Four Hours Later

Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked together happily as the sun finished setting, giving way to Luna's beautiful moon. It illuminated the town brightly, supplying vision for any of the other ponies out at this hour. The nightlife in Ponyville was almost non-existent, save for the few restaurants, the nearby movie theater and Swingin' Manes, so most of the townsfolk were getting ready to bed down for the night.

"Oohhh, I'm so excited!" Rainbow said, hopping into the air, a huge smile on her face. "We're finally telling them! Pinkie Pie will probably explode." Applejack chuckled.

"Well if that were the case, Ah'd hope that the Cakes wouldn't fine us for the damage." Applejack mused.

"Puh-lease, we saved their lives." Rainbow scoffed.

"A little more humility there would behoove ya, sweetheart." Applejack said, earning a kiss on the cheek from Rainbow.

"Applejack, are you asking me to change who I am?" The Pegasus asked. "I thought marriage was about being yourself. I don't do humility."

"Ah've seen it." Applejack said, nuzzling her wife. "You, the wonderful and amazing Rainbow Dash, have shown humility before, and don't try to deny it. But Ah wouldn't ask you to change who you are. Ah love ya too much for that."

"Well, I kinda hope that you love me." Rainbow said with a smirk. "We are having a baby together."

"It's still kinda hard for me to believe..." Applejack said, pure happiness in her voice.

"Me neither." Rainbow replied before leaning down toward Applejack's belly. "But you're gonna be the most awesome foal in Equestria, aren't you?"

"Uh, Dash, Ah doubt the foal can hear anything you're saying at this point." Applejack said, smiling down at her wife with adoration, her heart melting.

"I don't care." Rainbow replied. "As soon as the baby can hear something, I will be there, talking its ear off!" Applejack laughed and kissed her wife on the lips as they continued to walk. The farm mare looked up at the sky and sighed in a satisfied manner.

"Gah, look at those beautiful stars." Applejack said, looking at her wife momentarily and nodding to the sky.

"They are beautiful." Rainbow agreed as they stopped walking to take in the sight of the beautiful night sky. "But honestly they don't even compare to you." Applejack looked at her wife and smiled, her eyelids lowering.

"Rainbow Dash, you are too much." The orange mare said as a blush appeared on her face.

"Seriously, I mean it." Rainbow continued. "I could look at the stars all night, that's for sure...but you...I dunno, I just love you so much. No matter what it is that I do, I would always rather be doing it with you."

"Aww..." Applejack said in utter adoration for her wife, her blush intensifying.

"Speaking of doing it with you..." Rainbow said saucily, giving her wife a devilish look and pressing their bodies together, wrapping a wing around the farm mare's body. Applejack laughed and gave her wife a quick nuzzle.

"Later on, baby." Applejack replied with a wink as they approached Sugarcube Corner. It had a moderate number of ponies inside, enjoying the food and atmosphere. Both mares let out a quiet sigh of relief. Sugarcube Corner was always a little droll when it was deserted. Using newly accrued finances, the cakes added an outside area to their restaurant, lit pleasantly with warm, hung lights and decorated with beautiful plants.

"Dashie! AJ!" They heard screech from within the restaurant.

"Get ready." Rainbow said to Applejack with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"Rainbow, baby, I'm always-" The farm mare was interrupted by Pinkie Pie swiping the both of them up off the ground with seemingly unnatural strength and hugging them tight enough to where it felt as if their ribs would break under the pressure. "ready." She squeaked out. If Rainbow Dash could laugh, she'd be on the ground. Finally the notoriously hard hugger let them down to the ground.

"I'm so happy to see you!!!" She squealed.

"It's good to see you too, Pinkie." Rainbow said with a smile.

"Fancy seeing this lovely couple here!" Twilight Sparkle said happily as she landed next to them. "Don't worry, I won't break your ribs."

"For your information, Twilight, their ribs almost broke." Pinkie corrected the alicorn.

"Oh, excuse me." Twilight smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"Fluttershy is already inside! Let's go!" Pinkie cheered, bouncing her way into the building, followed closely by their friends.

"Are you sure there's no occasion for tonight?" Twilight asked the married mares. "The last time you guys organized something like this was when you two announced you were getting married." Rainbow scoffed way too hard.

"What? We can't just want to hang out with our friends at a super cool place?" The Pegasus said, half fake-laughing. After noticing the suspicious look she was receiving from Twilight, cleared her throat. "Let's just go...eat or something. Yeah." Twilight rolled her eyes and smirked. The couple let Pinkie and Twilight walk ahead of them a bit before following.

"Nice job, smooth operator." Applejack whispered. "Now she knows."

"You're forgetting that she's the one who did the spell." Rainbow replied. "Of course she knows." The four mares entered the pretty patio area of Sugarcube Corner to find Fluttershy waiting for them. Hugs were exchanged before the friends sat down for some conversation.

"How are you, Fluttershy?" Rainbow asked.

"Oh, I'm great." Fluttershy replied with a smile. "I saved a bobcat caught in a trap today. The poor critter was just making his way through the forest when some mean pony's trap caught him."

"I didn't know ponies trapped wildlife anymore." Twilight said, taking a sip of the water she had ordered earlier.

"Oh, it still happens. Not nearly as much as in the old days, but I suppose it might have been some recluse...Maybe the bobcat was eating his food or something..." Fluttershy trailed off a bit before reeling herself back in again.

"Well look at you, Fluttershy, forest warrior." Rainbow said with a smirk, making everyone at the table laugh.

"A fitting title, if I do say so myself." Rarity said as she entered the patio area, immediately being greeted happily by everyone present, save for Fluttershy, who merely smiled nervously. Upon greeting all the others, Rarity looked at Fluttershy and smiled kindly. The smile gave Fluttershy a fleeting sense of comfort as she was able to smile back. She could not stop thinking about how beautiful the unicorn was and how badly she wanted to be with her...She caught herself staring and immediately looked away, nervousness once again becoming the dominant expression on her face.

"So how is everypony tonight?" Rarity asked as she sat down. "Oh, just a sparkling water, Mrs. Cake." She said, intercepting Mrs. Cake before she could ask what she wanted to drink. The mare simply nodded and smiled.

"We're doin' fantastic." Applejack said, putting a foreleg around Rainbow Dash's shoulders.

"Well, Princess Celestia decided to alleviate my workload today so I've gotten some much needed R and R." Twilight said with a smile.

"And IIIIII......" Pinkie Pie began. "I worked here today!"

"Sounds enthralling, Pinkie." Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

"Oh, it was amazing!" Pinkie squealed. "A stallion came in today and ordered five. whole. candy bars!" Pinkie let out a small squee as she finished her sentence.

"Wild." Rarity giggled.

"I wonder if he was going to eat them all by himself?" Pinkie thought out loud, earning the giggles of her friends, again with the exception of Fluttershy, who didn't seem to make any sounds whatsoever. Rarity was fully aware of the fact that the timid Pegasus was avoiding her at this point. "Maybe they were for his family."

As the friends began to talk about different interactions they had had recently, Rainbow Dash had been tapping her hoof on the ground nervously, her gaze shifting back and forth between whatever mare was speaking and Applejack, who shook her head every time Rainbow looked at her. The anticipation of the moment was driving the Pegasus insane.

"Guys, we have an announcement!" Rainbow spouted, causing all others to go silent. Twilight Sparkle looked at her with a knowing, raised eyebrow. Applejack merely sighed and placed her forehead into her hoof momentarily. "AJ, you wanna tell them or-"

"You have the floor, sweetie." Applejack said in a slightly exasperated manner.

"Applejack is pregnant!" Rainbow cried, elation overflowing from her voice. "We're gonna have a baby!"

Save for Twilight, who merely nodded happily, every mare at the table either squealed in happiness or immediately began to frantically ask questions about the pregnancy. Even Fluttershy was snapped out of her wilted state of mind by the wonderful news. Rarity took a moment to notice and breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Ohmygoddessesisitaboyoragirlwhatareyougonnanameityoujusthavetotelluseverythiiiiing!!!" Pinkie screamed.

"Easy, Pinkie Pie." Twilight said soothingly to the pink party pony, who was breathing extremely deeply, her eyes nearly the size of dinner plates as she bounced at an unnatural speed.

"How did you do it?!" Rarity asked, her wide smile not leaving her face.

"We went and got it done at a clinic." Applejack explained. "It was a little weird, but...we're both so happy now...We're finally opening the next chapter of our lives."

"My goodness, I'm so happy for the two of you!" Fluttershy said, tears coming to her eyes.

"What will you do when you can't buck apples?" Rarity asked.

"Well, my darlin' wife is gonna pick up the slack." Applejack said, giving Rainbow a quick nuzzle.

"But what about weather patrol?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Still gotta do that too." Rainbow quipped with a small nod. "I am the captain after all. I can't just leave them. I know, I'm pretty awesome."

"Wow. You've found a keeper, Applejack." Twilight said.

"Ah'm reminded of it every day." Applejack mused. Rainbow blushed and threw a casual hoof toward Applejack.

"Ah, shucks, baby." Rainbow sighed. "Happy to do it. You're going through the worst of it in eleven months."

"Ah dunno. Eleven months of workin' all day every day versus ten hours of the intense pain of foalbirth?" Applejack asked. "Seems like the trade is a little one-sided to me." Rainbow put an arm around her wife and kissed her on the cheek, causing the farm mare to blush and giggle.

"Well, I have a proposition, given this new announcement." Twilight said, standing before everyone. "We should all take a weekend and go to my beach house in Baltimare, on Horseshoe Bay. There's always great performers and the beaches are gorgeous."

"That actually sounds awesome!" Rainbow cried happily. "How about it, AJ? One last chance to rock that amazing beach bod before you blow up like a balloon!" Applejack raised an eyebrow at her wife, who giggled nervously. "What? I said you look amazing." Applejack laughed and nodded.

"Sure. Sounds like a lot of fun!" Applejack agreed.

"I can bring my floaties!" Pinkie added.

"I certainly can't see why not!" Rarity nearly cried in happiness. "Ah, Baltimare. I've only been there once before. It will be a real treat to go again." Every mare at the table looked at Fluttershy who, if she had a shell, would have recoiled into it.

"Yes. I'd love to." She said with her trademark timid smile. Everypony cheered.

"Then its settled. I will contact Princess Celestia tomorrow and let her know so she can make the proper arrangements." Twilight stated in a satisfied tone.

"So you can just drop everything for a weekend?" Rainbow asked.

"The elements of Loyalty and Honesty, who are married, are having a child together. Princess Celestia would be happy to take over my duties for a few days." Twilight replied. "She did it for thousands of years before I came into the picture."

"I guess you've got a point." Rainbow said with a small laugh before raising an eyebrow. "By the way, where'd you get a beach house all of a...You're a princess. You got the beach house because you're a princess."

"It does have its perks." Twilight said with a small smile. "So, the beach house has three bedrooms and they're all massive. So two for each would be perfect. The married couple will obviously have one." Rainbow pumped a hoof in the air.

"Hay yeah, we will." Rainbow quickly nipped the tip of Applejack's ear.

"Rainbow!" The farm mare said quietly, unable to keep a smile and a blush from her face as she pushed her wife away, who smirked at her through a raised eyebrow and half-lidded eyes.

"Pinkie and I will take another, while Rarity and Fluttershy will take the third." Twilight said, earning a cheer from Pinkie. Rarity looked over at Fluttershy and smiled sweetly. The yellow mare returned the smile courteously before Twilight once again earned her attention.

"I'll talk to Mr. Storm, but it won't be a problem, cuz I'm his favorite and all." Rainbow quipped.

"And the Cakes will be fine with it so...yay!" Pinkie squealed.

"Let's meet back here Friday morning. It'll take us all day to get to Baltimare." Twilight said with a smile. "Let's get through this week. Because this weekend is going to be the weekend of your lives."

_____

Fluttershy walked quietly by herself back toward her cabin. She was immensely excited about the trip, but an undeniable clawing of nervousness resounded within her. She'd be sharing a room with Rarity. And Rarity made her extremely nervous these days. The Pegasus looked up at the sky and sighed, seeing her breath fog in front of her face as the chilly wind wisped past her.

"It is a beautiful night." Rarity said from beside her, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy cried, her eyes widened. "Where did you come from?"

"I've been walking beside you for the last ten minutes." Rarity said with a smile before it was replaced with a more serious look. "Fluttershy, you have to have this talk with me at some point. Especially considering this weekend."

"We don't have to talk." Fluttershy said quickly. "Really. I'm fine." As she unfurled her wings to fly away, Rarity immediately coated them in firm magic. They couldn't move an inch and Rarity didn't even seem to be straining.

"No, Fluttershy." The unicorn said almost angrily. "I am your best friend, damn it. And we are going to talk like responsible, adult mares." Fluttershy, utterly taken aback by this sudden and distinct urgency in Rarity's voice, nodded subtly as Rarity let her wings go.

"Okay. We can talk." Fluttershy said.

"Thank you." Rarity said, breathing in and composing herself. "Fluttershy, I love you and I can't stand for our friendship to be strained like this. Just because I don't want to be with you doesn't mean that we can't be friends. Yes, it was awkward at the beginning, but I would have thought that our friendship was...no, is stronger than this. I've known you for many years and you are one of the most important things in this world to me. I would do absolutely anything for you." Rarity choked back tears before she continued. "But I am giving you the choice here. Right now. You can throw away our long and beautiful friendship right now and fly away. I won't stop you. I won't make any more efforts to rekindle it. Or, you can come here to me right now and give me a hug. Now choose."

Fluttershy broke into a wonderful fury of sobs and tears as she embraced her friend.

Her best friend.

Chapter 11

Twenty Minutes Prior

Rarity tuned back in to Fancypants' story right as it ended. She was thankful for this, because it would allow her to formulate a response once he was finished jabbering to keep him unaware that she'd tuned him out in the first place. His constant talking coupled with the subtle back-and-forth rocking of the cab they were riding in had almost lulled her to sleep.

"And so I said, 'No sir, you may keep your store credit. You'll be hearing from my lawyer.' And so to that, he refunded me all my money right there." Fancypants finished his story with pride. Rarity felt a small tinge of disgust within her as he brought up the lawyer. The court case, while long-settled, was still a sore spot for Rarity. It reminded her of how powerless she'd been...And how powerless she felt now.

"Well, you surely made quite the stand there." Rarity said, putting all her effort into sounding at least slightly interested. However, a good amount of bored-to-tears deadpan came through as well. The honeymoon phase of dating the old object of her affections had faded two weeks into their courtship, and the unicorn couldn't be more bored with him. After saying what she did, Rarity turned back toward the window, lazily looking at the countryside as they approached Ponyville.

The mid-day date had gone well enough, and he'd treated her to a wonderful lunch, but she was ready to be home and away from him. Truthfully, the only pony Rarity wanted to see at that moment was a certain pink maned, yellow pegasus who had a sweet and airy voice. She'd been wanting to see her even as she was eating the meal Fancypants had bought for her.

"I like to think so." Fancypants said, interrupting her thoughts. Rarity became annoyed with him, but realizing there was no way he could have known what was in her head, she merely sighed her annoyance out. "Is something troubling you, my dear?" Rarity turned to him and shrugged slightly.

"I suppose I'm just not feeling very well, Fancypants." Rarity stated, thinking of different ways she could break up with him. There was no fear, no apprehension with the thought, just the begrudging dread that it was something she would have to deal with eventually. Her first decision regarding this was not to do it at that moment, as it would have the appearance that she wanted one last free lunch before dropping him. She figured the next day when he'd leave to return to Canterlot. "I think I just need to go to sleep."

"You can lay your head on my shoulder until we arrive at the boutique." Fancypants offered kindly.

"Thank you, but no." Rarity sighed, looking back out through the window. "I think I just need a bed." Through the window, she saw something that brought her a small jolt of excitement.

"Well, we could-" He began.

"Can we pull over here?" Rarity asked quickly. "My friend Fluttershy has some wonderful healing herbs that should do the trick." Fancypants, incredibly confused, shrugged and knocked on the carriage's door, prompting the ponies pulling it to stop where they were. Rarity, without much of a word, stepped out of the carriage and looked at Fluttershy's cottage. She knew what she wanted, and she was going to give it her all to get it this time.

"Uhmm, Rarity?" Fancypants called from within the carriage. "When can I expect to hear from you next, after tomorrow morning?"

"Oh, within the week, Fancypants." Rarity replied, turning to him quickly. "I'll see you in the morning before you leave." Without another word, Rarity shut the carriage door and moved toward the cottage.

'I have to tell her how I feel. I have to at least apologize...She may hate me for what I've done, but I absolutely have to try.' Rarity thought to herself as she approached the door to the cottage. Raising her hoof to knock as she closed her eyes and let out a breath, she brought the hoof down, and made contact with Rainbow Dash's head.

"Ow! What the hay-" Rainbow stopped upon seeing Rarity. The cyan pegasus was a bit flabbergasted at the sight. "Uh...Hey, Rarity." Rarity saw Fluttershy behind Rainbow, and she was blushing deeply at the sight of the unicorn.

"Hi, Rainbow! Sorry about that." Rarity said, giving a small laugh. "I was wondering if Fluttershy and I could have a word..." Rainbow looked back at Fluttershy, who nodded. This confused Rarity, and she wondered why it looked as if Rainbow was a sort of bouncer checking to see if she was worthy enough to see Fluttershy.

"Alright, I guess I can head on." Rainbow said with a small nod. "Rain check on that stew, okay? We'll save you some." With that, Rainbow took off into the sky. She left Rarity and Fluttershy alone together, to have a doozy of a conversation, she was sure. The flight home wasn't a strenuous one, the only thing that wasn't great about it was the chilly night air. Even that made Rainbow feel good, exhilarated, even. Suddenly a memory cut through that feeling. The night Applejack had screamed at her and told her to leave...When she was at the cottage with Fluttershy, drunk out of her mind...

She returned home, and went straight to her and Applejack's bedroom, not hearing the greetings of Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. She found her wife snuggled in bed, reading the first Daring Do novel. Rainbow Dash's heart melted at the sight.

"Hey, darlin'!" Applejack said happily, marking her place and closing the book. "You were right, Ah'm already hooked!" Without a word, Rainbow shot across the room, taking Applejack into a hug and pressing the book between them.

"What's this for?" Applejack asked, slightly strained, attempting to return the hug with equal fervor. Rainbow climbed up onto the bed and continued the hug, with Applejack noticing small jerks coming from her body. "Rainbow? Rainbow...?" Concerned, she brought Rainbow's head up and found that she was crying. "Baby...What's wrong?"

"I have something I need to tell you." Rainbow said evenly, despite her tears.

"What is it, sugarcube?"

"That night...That night that you told me you hated me..." Rainbow began. Applejack’s heart, which had been alight with love for her wife, sank slightly at the beginning of Rainbow's sentence. "You know how I went and got really, really drunk at Swingin' Manes afterward?" Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah do."

"Well afterward, when I was at Fluttershy's...I...I kissed her." Rainbow uttered. "I wasn't in my right mind, AJ...I'm sorry." Applejack was filled with relief and pulled Rainbow into her for a hug. She’d feared Rainbow would confess to more than just a kiss. That would’ve still been understandable considering what the farm mare had put her through that evening. The pegasus let out a sniffle and buried her head further into Applejack’s chest, and the orange mare felt pure love for her wife. Even for something as innocuous as a kiss, she felt as if she’d betrayed her.

"Rainbow, Ah'd done the same and more with Caramel at that point." Applejack said soothingly. "There's no way in tartarus Ah'm mad at ya. Ah had hurt you...very badly." Applejack looked down, and Rainbow noticed a definite drop in her demeanor. She fixed it promptly, as Applejack was wont to do. "Like you said today, all that bad stuff's in the past."

"I just wanted to tell you, because when I went to talk to Fluttershy today, I realized that I never had." Rainbow explained, wiping her eyes. "I don't want there to be any secrets between us."

"Well, Ah will say, the finer details of these things can stay a secret." Applejack said with a small chuckle. "Unless you want to know exactly how far me and Caramel got. Because lemme tell ya-"

"Aaaadadadadada..." Rainbow blurted out loudly as she covered her ears, making Applejack laugh as she pulled Rainbow beneath her, kissing her deeply.

"Ah love you so much, Rainbow Dash." Applejack said between kisses. "And despite this huuuge secret you've kept from me, Ah still find myself wanting to spend the rest of my life with you." Rainbow giggled and kissed her wife.

"Good. Don't tell anypony else, but I'd be a mess without ya." Rainbow quipped, and Applejack nuzzled her.

"So what was wrong with Fluttershy?" Applejack asked, moving the book that was still in the bed with them to the bedside table. "Is she caught up with some stallion or somethin'? Or...some mare?" Rainbow Dash gulped quietly.

‘Geez AJ you are smart.’ Rainbow thought to herself before she laughed and shook her head.

"Nah, a favorite critter of hers just died, that's all." Rainbow lied, feeling a metaphorical rock land in her gut.

"Oh, no! Was it puffy? He was getting up in years." Applejack asked, prompting Rainbow to immediately nod.

"Yeah, you know, his time had come. Circle of life, all that." Rainbow said, and Applejack nodded in understanding. Still feeling that rock in her gut, Rainbow nuzzled into her wife's chest and Applejack responded by hugging her tighter. 'Well, I just lied to my wife for you, Fluttershy.' Rainbow thought to herself. 'I guess I am the element of loyalty.'

"Hi, Rarity." Fluttershy said as Rainbow left the two of them on her front patio. This slightly surprised Rarity, as Fluttershy rarely took the initiative in a conversation. "How are things with you and Fancypants?" Rarity laughed, blushing deeply and scuffing her hoof on the ground.

"That is actually what I wanted to speak to you about." Rarity said. "I...well, how exactly do I put this...I've discovered that I have no feelings for Fancypants at all. There was the initial excitement of dating somepony new, but then that quickly faded...So I wanted to tell you that." Fluttershy merely looked at her, nonplussed.

"Okay, thanks for letting me know." Fluttershy replied simply. "Is that all you wanted to say to me?"

"Well, not as such." Rarity sighed, looking to the side. "I wanted...I wanted to apologize to you. You must have felt like I was jerking you around, what with the 'I don't like you like that, now I do like you like that' and such..." Rarity let out a small laugh, and upon seeing how unamused Fluttershy was, decided to continue. "I felt like I had been up front about how I felt, being with you and all...But as soon as things got a little rough between us, I started dating another pony. I didn't say anything to you, I just assumed we were over...And assuming is a stupid thing to do when you're in a relationship." Fluttershy softened at Rarity's words.

"Well...You were in some very new territory...I couldn't expect you to make the most logical decisions." Fluttershy said, making Rarity smile.

"Right. I just wanted to say...That if you were open to trying this again, we could. I'm saying I'd be open to it." Rarity stated, smiling at her friend.

"Rarity...If you'd said that to me when we talked a month ago...I think I would've done it. You asked me how I felt, but you'd already made the choice to date Fancypants. I've put my heart out there with you...twice. Both times you broke it. I'm not saying you intentionally did that, but it happened." Fluttershy explained. Rarity nodded, a frown coming to her lips. "I feel like, at least in this way, I have to let you go. I just...can't get hurt like that again." The statement cracked Rarity's heart, and threatened to break it, but she had to keep on a brave face. She'd brought this on herself and she had to accept what she'd lost as a result.

"Well...That is sad to hear, but understandable." Rarity said, taking a breath. "In any case, I wanted to offer you a spa night, my treat...Just like old times. I...guess they could be considered old times now?" Fluttershy smiled at Rarity sweetly, making the unicorn's heart swell.

"That sounds wonderful." Fluttershy replied. "I've definitely been needing a hooficure."

"Oh hush, your hooves look perfect." Rarity said, feeling a lighter air come over the two of them.

"You flatter me, ma'am." Fluttershy replied as she walked out of the cottage, closing the door behind them. "But I can tell you're lying to me."

"Why, miss Fluttershy I am doing nothing of the sort!" Rarity said, giving off a dramatic scoff and putting a hoof on her forehead. "The kind of guff you get for giving out compliments around here, ugh, it's grueling."

"So...You don't think things between you and Fancypants are going to work out?" Fluttershy asked. Rarity had thought talking about him would bring back the heaviness they'd worked through earlier. She found it remarkably much more easy to talk about now though, much to her surprise. She felt that way especially now that they were together again, at least as friends.

"Yes, it was surreal for the first week or so...But it got old quite quickly. He lives such a boring life, but he treats it like he has so many adventures." Rarity scoffed. "If his days are what he'd call adventures, his powdered flank wouldn't last a second with our crew." Fluttershy laughed out loud at this and let out a small sigh.

"Oh, I missed you, Rarity." Fluttershy said, regarding Rarity with warmth. This in turn filled Rarity with warmth as well and she returned Fluttershy's smile.

"I missed you too, Fluttershy."

The remainder of the walk, however short, was filled with jovial conversation. Rarity gave Fluttershy the latest update on the Lotus Blossom affair. Lotus had made up with her stallion, and they were attending couples therapy, the last Rarity had heard. The news seemed to further brighten up the two mares' already merry evening together. They arrived at the salon and entered. Lotus Blossom just happened to be running the counter.

"Miss Rarity!" Lotus Blossom said happily. "Two specials, I presume, at your customary discounted rate?" Rarity gave a small nod.

"Please and thank you, Lotus." Rarity stated.

"How are you this evening, miss Fluttershy?" Lotus asked, leading the two mares to the back. “It seems like forever since I’ve seen that stunning pink mane.”

"Oh, I can't complain." Fluttershy said sweetly. "I was just telling Rarity that I needed a hooficure, but she doesn't seem to believe me."

"Because she's always had near-perfect hooves." Rarity stated, making Fluttershy laugh.

"Oh, I thought my hooves were perfect." Fluttershy said, raising an eyebrow at Rarity. "What is it that makes them not perfect? I'm curious to know." Rarity smiled at Fluttershy as they entered the main room of the spa.

"Microscopic things, my dear. Microscopic." Rarity said suavely. Platonic friend-date or not, Fluttershy felt something stir within her from the way Rarity addressed her. Rarity felt warm all over, as if this was what was supposed to be happening. This is what felt right. They sat in the large chairs, letting their back hooves rest in warm bubbly water as the two spa mares got to work.

"So...Why exactly was Rainbow Dash there with you when I came over?" Rarity asked, leaning her chair back and closing her eyes. Fluttershy, not wanting to put a damper on the good time they were having, thought for a moment.

"She'd just brought me some Sweet Apple Acres cider." Fluttershy lied the white lie, and it seemed preferable to explaining how Rainbow had talked to her about letting Rarity go as a marefriend. The prospect still made Fluttershy's heart hurt, but as long as they maintained their friendship with things like this spa trip, she foresaw the wounds healing much more quickly than she thought.

The hooficures came and went rather quickly, and despite what Rarity constantly said to her, Fluttershy could see the difference in their hooves. They decided to forego the mane wash they were offered, instead opting to sit in the jacuzzi set into the spa floor. Content where they were, they dismissed Aloe and Lotus Blossom so they could have the room to themselves. The two mares sat next to each other, enjoying the piping-hot water.

"I'm glad that Lotus Blossom is doing better." Fluttershy said. "Though, I have to say I'm a bit surprised he decided to take her back." Rarity let out a small laugh.

"Well, when you love someone, you tend to make every concession you can for them...Sometimes a pony will just...make a mistake." Rarity stated almost quietly.

"I know how that feels." Fluttershy said, looking at Rarity for a moment. When the pegasus realized Rarity had been looking at her as well, she became nervous and hurriedly looked down at the water. "I wish I had one of these at home."

"If you did, would I have use of it?" Rarity asked.

"Of course. Any time you'd want." Fluttershy replied, looking at her friend again, no longer feeling that nervousness within her. "Goddesses, we wouldn't even really have to come here anymore, huh?"

"I don't believe we would." Rarity replied. "And I could give you a wonderful hooficure."

"Oh could you?" Fluttershy asked, raising an eyebrow. "Over the spa mares who have been doing it almost their entire lives?"

"I could out-hooficure them, just give me a chance." Rarity said, sending a suave look to Fluttershy who giggled.

"I see no problem with it." Fluttershy said, still giggling. "I'm not Rainbow Dash." This brought another laugh out of Rarity. The two mares finished with their bath, drying off and taking a complimentary perfume spray on their way out. Rarity paid the spa mares and made sure to leave a generous tip, as she always did. She could afford it again, now that her boutique had been saved. That brought Fancypants, and the uncomfortable prospect of breaking things off with him back to her mind. However she only felt more resolute in that being what she had to do. She and Fluttershy exited the salon, both of them feeling refreshed and loosened up.

"Fluttershy, I'm really glad we did that." Rarity said, blushing. "I really have missed you."

"I've missed you too, Rarity." Fluttershy replied, feeling her heart rate quicken slighty as she once again became nervous. They began to walk in the direction of the boutique together. "The idea of us never doing this again was a scary one."

"Goddesses know that a spa date with any of the other girls wouldn't have been half as fun." Rarity stated, looking up to the bright stars and the even brighter moon. "As much as I love them..."

"I know you love them." Fluttershy sighed.

"But not as much as I love you." Rarity said, striking a chord within Fluttershy. There they went, those feelings again. Fluttershy stuffed them down and turned toward Rarity.

"Rarity...I feel-" Fluttershy was caught off guard by Rarity placing a kiss on her lips. The pegasus was shocked for a moment, letting out a small squeak, before her eyes slowly closed. She felt Rarity's hoof stroke her mane, coming to a rest to caress her head. Fluttershy's ears lowered and she moaned, deepening the kiss for a moment. Suddenly Fluttershy's eyes shot open and she slapped Rarity, making the white unicorn recoil, holding her face. It was the unicorn's turn to be shocked, as she felt the slight sting in her cheek start to fade. The slap, while not full-force, had been a slap all the same. Fluttershy's eyes were overflowing with tears.

"How...could you...?" Fluttershy uttered.

"Fluttershy, I'm sorry!" Rarity gasped. Her eyes widened and her mind began to spiral as she took in Fluttershy's deeply hurt expression. "I thought there were signals...I must have misunderstood..."

"You can't do this to me...." Fluttershy breathed, her voice trembling. "You can't pull me back in and hurt me again..." The pegasus began to leave, and Rarity immediately followed her.

"Fluttershy, wait!" Rarity said quickly, grabbing Fluttershy's shoulder. Fluttershy pulled but didn't seem to have the strength or the will to drag Rarity. "Please, just listen. Dating Fancypants has been awful. After the first week, all I could think about was you. How I wished his stupid, annoying, talking face was your beautiful, sweet one. I thought about that wonderful night we had together on the beach... Fluttershy, please, I've missed you so much."

"So you got tired of me, and then got tired of Fancypants and so now you're just looking to have me around until you decide that you don't want to date me again." Fluttershy said. Rarity's heart sank. The pegasus was speaking in anger now, which she almost never did. She was liable to say something she didn't mean...Or, a more terrifying proposition, something she did. Rarity's own eyes began to overflow with tears. What Fluttershy was saying hurt, but she didn't blame her for it.

"Fluttershy, no...It's not like that..." Rarity said quietly, suppressing sobs that were welling up through her throat.

"Even if it wasn't...I thought we were just doing this as friends...I thought I was finally starting to heal from you...Things were getting better." Fluttershy said, yanking her shoulder from Rarity's grip. "You may not know what you want, but you need to stop using me to figure it out. There is no chance for the two of us to be together anymore. You are the one who made that happen. If you can't do things like this seeing me just as your friend...I don't think we need to be doing this anymore." Fluttershy turned to leave.

"Fluttershy..." Rarity called after her, but she knew it was futile. There was no talking this out, at least for that moment. After a second or so, Fluttershy was gone and she'd left Rarity in the dark alone. Since she was alone, Rarity took the opportunity to drop onto her flank and cry for a few minutes. She'd ruined things with Fluttershy, and she could hardly blame the pegasus for seeing the situation the way she had.

"She's right...She's absolutely right." Rarity said to herself, her voice hitching as she watched her tears create small, wet circles in the dirt. "You're selfish. You dropped her the second he asked you out on a date. She hadn't broken up with you. You're in love with her and the second he asked you out..." Rarity realized the word that had just left her mouth and her sentence trailed off. A fresh wave of sobs came and she stood. Shivering slightly from the chilly air, the unicorn began to move back toward Carousel Boutique. The cold was almost too much, and she was pleased that it was such a short walk away from the spa.

She arrived back at Carousel Boutique, putting the key into the lock and turning it, discovering that it hadn't been locked. She looked at the knob for a moment, perplexed as she was positive that she'd locked the door when she'd left earlier. Shrugging, she walked in and turned on her lights. Fancypants sat in her living room, his eyes fixated upon her. Rarity cried out, startled at how he'd been waiting for her...in the dark. There was a bouquet of roses on the table, presumably for her.

"Fancypants!" She breathed, recovering from the small shock. She attempted to put on a happy face for the stallion she'd just then remembered she was going to break up with. "Not that I'm not happy to be seeing you, but why are you here? I thought you'd gone back to the hotel."

"I came back because I realized that I'd forgotten this bag." He said, his tone low and deliberate, his eyes not leaving her. He lifted the bag momentarily with his magic before letting it plop back onto the floor. She became quite uncomfortable under his gaze but she played it off well, or at least she hoped she did.

"How did you get in?" She asked, struggling to hide her nerves.

"The hide-a-key. Remember, you'd forgotten your bits inside a week ago and had me run in to retrieve them for you?" He stated. "I bought you these roses because I wanted to surprise you before I went back to the hotel for the night."

"Always the gentleman." Rarity said sweetly with a smile and a small laugh, which trailed off when she noticed no change in his expression. "Is...Everything alright, dear?"

"Truth be told, Rarity...I don't believe it is." He growled, his nonplussed expression melting down into a meaner one. "I saw you out there...Outside the spa." Rarity's face turned beet-red and she looked downward with shame.

"I suppose...I suppose I owe you an explanation, don't I?" Rarity asked, earning an incredulous face from Fancypants.

"An explanation? Oh, definitely." He said, standing and walking toward her. "But more than that, I feel that my stupid, annoying, talking face deserves an apology." Rarity began to sweat, as she hadn't known he'd heard everything that had been said. As he moved closer to her, she took steps backward, not only to create distance but because she could feel the anger emanating from the hurt stallion, and it brought her shame.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Fancypants." Rarity said earnestly, tears forming in her eyes. Slight annoyance welled in the unicorn, as she was incredibly tired of crying. "It's complicated...Fluttershy and I are very close...We always have been. We got closer at one point and I...I dated Fluttershy for a while. Things had been going quite well...Then there was that day you found us at Cafe Du Mane. I was so excited to see you, that Fluttershy became jealous. We had a fight, and she left." Rarity stopped for a moment, as her speech had become rushed and slightly garbled. She inhaled deeply through her nose before continuing. "That was when you came like a knight in shining armor...You offered to save the boutique. I found you attractive because I'd had a crush on you for so long. But it was puppy love...It wasn't meant to be anything more than that, and I used you to get what I needed. What's worse, I was too much of a coward to let you go when I realized we wouldn't work...all because I didn't want to hurt your feelings." Rarity looked downward again and breathed out, hard.

"So that's what happened. I know it doesn't excuse my actions, but I'm just trying to explain. I'm very sorry." Fancypants scoffed and shook his head, making Rarity's heart sink. She'd, in some sad fantasy, thought he would be understanding and that maybe he’d help her get Fluttershy back. But this wasn't a romantic comedy movie. She'd played with this stallion's heart and broken it.

"How could you do this to me?" Fancypants snarled, continuing to move toward her, Rarity continuing to move back. "You've played me for a fool! I saved your life, and you played me for a fool! You're heartless!" His tone turned to one of a berating nature, and his words were starting to be screamed. His normally calm and reserved demeanor crumbled completely. He clearly had felt real feelings for her. He was crushed...full of rage. Rarity could scarcely blame him.

"Fancypants, please, it wasn't like that!" Rarity countered, in a way that begged him to understand.

"Have you had sex? I’ll bet you have. Why get it from me when you’re getting it from her, right?” He growled spitefully.

“There was no-“ Rarity began before once again being cut off.

“What did I do to deserve it!? What have I done so wrong as your partner that you would do this awful thing?" Fancypants pressed on, now fully cornering the white unicorn. Her breathing increased and she began to hyperventilate slightly.

"Fancypants, I told you, it's my fault! You didn't do anything-"

"I will not be made a fool of by a heartless wretch!" He yelled in her face, making Rarity shrink back. The name hurt, but the feeling that she deserved it stayed ever-present in her gut. "I truly feel awful for you. Figure out what you want, but don't play with ponies' hearts like toys to get there!"

"i'm sorry..." Rarity almost whispered. She felt a victim, but knew she didn't deserve to call herself that.

"I lament the mare Sweetie Belle will become. With such an awful guardian, it's no wonder she's so stupid and whiny!" He'd gotten personal, which Rarity couldn't blame him for. All the same, the mention of her sister roused something within her, and she straightened up and looked at Fancypants in the eyes.

"What did you say about my sister?" Rarity asked, anger subtly welling up through her words.

"You heard me." Fancypants said. Satisfied that he'd hit a nerve, he pressed onward. "I couldn't stand listening to her whine day in and day out. She's got no hope once she comes of age and has to leave your care. As if there was any care to begin with." Rarity's anger flared and she snarled, throwing a small glass from the coffee table into the back of his head. Fancypants stumbled a bit and grabbed his head, groaning. Blood trickled from the wound and got onto his hoof. His eyes met Rarity's which were wide and full of tears. They spelled pure disbelief at what she'd done.

"I'm...I'm so sor-" Rarity was interrupted when Fancypants let a hoof fly into her face. Letting out a small cry, she fell onto her side, her eyes fixating on the roses that lay on the coffee table as her vision faded.

'Sweetie Belle! Where's Sweetie...' She thought. 'Oh right, she's with Applebloom tonight. Thank goodness...'. Rarity fell into unconsciousness and Fancypants gasped as his legs began to shake.

"I...I don't...I'm sorr..." He stammered, moving toward her and reaching a trembling hoof toward her face, pulling it back quickly when he touched her mane and realized she was unconscious. He began to hyperventilate and ran from the boutique, leaving Rarity laying on her living room floor.

Fluttershy burst into her cottage, shocking Angel awake from his slumber on the living room couch. The bunny was initially happy to see his mother, but shrank away when he saw her angry expression. She couldn't believe what had happened. She'd been trying to be understanding with Rarity for such a long time at that point. She'd gotten used to the prospect of having Rarity as a partner and she'd been happier perhaps than she'd ever been. Rarity had destroyed that, for her own personal gain, and because she'd just been feeling selfish. The bearer of the Element of Generosity had been so selfish.

"Why...Why can't you just..." Fluttershy growled to Rarity, knowing she couldn't hear her. There was something cathartic in it for her though, so she continued. "Why can't you just make up your mind?!" Fluttershy grabbed one of her dining room chairs and tossed it across the dining room floor, the chair hitting a wall loudly.

She was angry at Rarity, and she had certainly been hurt by Rarity, more than once. But above all, Fluttershy still wanted Rarity. She wanted the white unicorn with everything in her, and that kiss at the spa had reminded her of that. She was so angry at Rarity because she'd just started to forget just how much she wanted her. The kiss had brought all of that, along with the horrible knowledge that it would be destined to fail, crashing back down onto her. She let out a scream and used all of her strength to throw her dining room table over. To be fair, it wasn't all that heavy, but she threw it over all the same. Panting lightly at the exertion, Fluttershy dropped her head and cried. She didn't break down into heavy sobbing, she didn't crumble to the floor, she just hung her head and cried quietly.

Angel, who'd been scared by her outburts, had been watching from behind a corner. When she started to cry, he cautiously hopped over to her and nuzzled her foreleg. She looked at him and let out a small laugh as she picked him up and held him close to her. Her breath hitched as she took it in, and he put his paws around her neck in a hug.

"I'm sorry, Angel." Fluttershy said, surprising herself with the evenness of her tone. "I didn't mean to scare you." He let out a small squeak and nuzzled her again.

"Here, let me put this table and chair back to rights..." She put him down and stood up, looking down at him with a smile as she wiped her tears. "Then I'll put on some music and make you some carrot stew." Angel let out a happy squeak and Fluttershy giggled. With some effort, she was able to lift the table back to its proper position. She turned and saw Angel attempting to move the chair, making her laugh at the sweet display. "Sure can't wait to get to that stew, now can you?"

She was able to replace the chair where it was easily and she put on a record on her record player, deciding on some classic dance tunes. The music was lively and jovial, and the effect on her mood was immediate. Bobbing happily with the music, she put on a pot of water to boil with some vegetables to make the broth. From there, still swaying to the tunes,she gathered the ingredients from the cabinets and pots, assembling them on the counter. She cut them and mixed them, singing with the music, laughing with Angel as he hopped onto the counter and danced along with her. As the broth boiled, she added the ingredients and seasonings.

"We should do this more often Angel!" She said, having almost completely forgotten about Rarity. "I miss our times where it's just-" A loud, slow and deliberate knocking at her door interrupted her, making her turn toward the source of the noise. “Wait here." She sais as she turned off the music and the soup and moved through her living room, slightly annoyed at this unexpected interruption to her and Angel’s fun. She opened the door and was shocked to see Rarity standing there, shivering violently with a shawl around her.

"P-Please...M-May I come in?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy could tell something was wrong.

"Rarity, why are you here?" Fluttershy answered the question with another. Without a word, Rarity removed the hood, revealing a large bruise on the left side of her face, accompanied with a black eye. Fluttershy gasped loudly, her ears lowering as she immediately stepped to the side. Rarity stumbled into the cottage and fell to her knees, obviously dizzy. Straining, Fluttershy pulled Rarity up onto the sofa.

"Rarity...What happened?" Fluttershy breathed, struggling not to cry.

"C-Can you...." Rarity said, still trembling. "Can y-you hold me?" Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Rarity and held her close, not letting go as Rarity told her everything. Her heart which had been so full of happiness from her fun with Angel lit up with anger as each word Rarity spoke stoked that fire. The unicorn eventually cried herself to sleep. Fluttershy did not sleep a wink.

Author's Note

OOOH I told you guys that shit was gonna get wild! Did you expect that to happen? I did. Whaaaats gonna go down??? Well, you is gonna have to see! Keep an eye on the site, I’ll have the next chapter up within a week! Cheers!

Chapter 16

Applejack held Applebloom closely in the Ponyville Hospital waiting room. Her little sister was terrified and crying harder than Applejack had ever seen her cry. Not twenty minutes earlier, Applejack had awoken in her room after crying herself to sleep to hear the pained moaning of Granny Smith. She had fallen in the kitchen, and Applejack had been horrified to discover that her Grandmother was having a heart attack. Applejack had pulled a cart holding Granny and Applebloom to the hospital.

"Is Granny gonna be okay?" Applebloom whimpered, her lips trembling. Letting out a shaky breath, Applejack looked down at her sister.

"Ah don't know, sugarcube." Applejack said simply. She was shocked, and couldn't manage anything more.

"Where's Rainbow Dash?" Applebloom asked.

"Hopefully with Big Mac on her way here." Applejack breathed, desperately hoping Applebloom wouldn't ask why Rainbow wasn't home in the first place. She fought desperately with herself to keep it together for Applebloom. Someone had to be strong in these situations, it was almost an unspoken rule. Still, as she continued to hold her sister, she wished desperately that Big Macintosh would arrive so that she would not have to bear the burden of staying strong anymore. There was also the fact that without a thought, on the way to the hospital, she had sent her big brother to retrieve Rainbow Dash at the castle of friendship. Despite what Rainbow had done, she needed to be present for Granny Smith. The farm mare was in agony over what had happened to her Grandmother, while at the same time, her wife's very recent betrayal stuck fast in her mind.

Suddenly, and without warning, Rainbow Dash burst into the waiting room. She looked around for a moment before her eyes, overflowing with tears, came to Applejack. With a sob, the farm mare stood and ran to Rainbow, her sister following closely behind. Rainbow wrapped her wife in a tight embrace that soothed Applejack's frayed mind. At that moment, what Rainbow had done didn't matter. She was there, holding her. Applejack breathed deeply as she finally let herself cry. She didnt have to be the only strong one anymore.

"I came as fast as I could when Big Mac told me." Rainbow breathed, giving Applejack a small squeeze. Rainbow separated from the hug so she could talk to her wife face-to-face, but she thought better of going in for a kiss, a decision that Applejack appreciated in the back of her mind. "Are you okay?"

"No, Ah can't say Ah am." Applejack sighed.

"You're right, dumb question. Sorry." Rainbow said, wiping her tears and letting out a small, nervous laugh. At that moment, Big Macintosh and Twilight walked into the waiting room. He hugged Applejack, and almost reading his sister's mind, took Applebloom to the vending machines to get a snack.

"You got here awfully fast, Rainbow." Twilight said. "Must've arrived before I even finished charging the teleportation spell." Applejack looked at Rainbow and smiled, the pegasus sending a bashful smile back.

"Well, Granny Smith is my family." Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her head before once more looking at Applejack. "Right?"

"Of course." Applejack said, feeling a small pang in her heart for Rainbow. At that moment, Applejack thought about how much her wife had probably been torturing herself for what she did.

"I'll go get the girls. They'd want to be here." Twilight said, as she began to power up another teleportation spell. Applejack gave her a nod before she and Rainbow each exchanged brief hugs with her. Bearing a sorrowful and grave expression, Twilight spoke not another word as she teleported out of the waiting room, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack by themselves. Not speaking, they moved to a couple chairs and sat.

"I've been at the Castle. It's pretty nice." Rainbow said, with a small smile. Applejack didn't react, and simply sank in her chair. After a couple seconds, Rainbow Dash mentally cursed herself as she nervously continued.

"So, you just found her on the floor?" Rainbow asked and Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah did. Honestly, Ah'd prefer not to talk about it right now, Rainbow." Applejack said, looking forward. Rainbow felt her stomach tense up just the slightest bit, and she had to keep herself from shaking. Though she'd experienced something similar once or twice before, also in a situation involving Applejack, it still was a completely foreign and uncomfortable feeling for Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, okay. Sorry. They say that talking helps, and I was just trying..." Rainbow attempted to explain, but trailed off as Applejack looked at her, her face unchanging. "To help. Sorry." Leaning forward for a moment, Applejack let out a sigh before looking at Rainbow Dash, whose ears lowered.

"Rainbow, Ah get that you're tryin'. Ah do." Applejack said, and Rainbow Dash could tell she wasn't just referring to the situation they currently were in. "But right now, Ah don't really care about anything else besides that mare whose life they're tryin' to save in there. " Her hoof pointed toward the doors leading to the emergency room, and Rainbow's eyes followed it as it did so. "So again, Ah appreciate that you're tryin' right now. But honestly, Ah'd appreciate it more if you just held me." Without a word, Rainbow scooted closer to her wife and wrapped her forelegs around her. Applejack rested her head on Rainbow's chest, and nuzzled into it slightly.

Shortly after, Applebloom and Big Mac returned with snacks in tow, and began to give them out. Big Mac had been very generous at the vending machine. Applejack received an apple danish, a bag of cheddar cheese chips and a bottle of apple juice. Rainbow Dash politely refused her snacks, and promised to eat them later. Applebloom went to the waiting room television and switched the station to one of the all night cartoon variety. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Big Mac sat in their chairs almost silently.

"So those snacks remind me of the time that me and AJ were just craving something sweet to eat. Remember, it was back when we were getting all that money into the farm." Rainbow piped up suddenly, grabbing the attention of both ponies. Applebloom was much too focused on the cartoons she watched, which was perhaps for the better. Applejack smiled at Rainbow.

"Ya mean when you were getting all that money into the farm." Applejack said, the smile not leaving her face.

"Well yeah, sure, whatever. But you remember, right? We had all this money, and we just wanted something sweet so bad! The cakes were on vacation, Pinkie Pie just happened to be sick." Rainbow continued.

"Yeah, we looked everywhere." Applejack sighed.

"Ah remember that too." Big Mac added before letting out a small chuckle. "You were a little testy that day, Rainbow."

"Well yeah, I was craving something sweet, which doesn't happen that much. Then Ponyville of all places doesn't have anything sweet to eat." Rainbow replied, and the three of them laughed. It wasn't uproarious laughter, but it was laughter all the same, and as far as Rainbow could tell, it was better than the tortured silenced they'd all been subjecting themselves to. "We finally came home after looking through the whole town, and Granny had made some apple fritters. They were perfect." The last bit of the memory brought tears to Rainbow's eyes. Applejack and her brother had the same reaction.

"So warm and flaky. Ah believe we got some right out of the oven." Applejack said with a small laugh, wiping her cheeks.

"Ah went light on dinner that night, for sure." Said Big Mac, the tears, while present, staying in his eyes. Rainbow felt warmth inside her for the first time in days, talking and laughing with her family. The thought of what she'd done came to her again, and she looked over at Applejack, who she discovered hadn't stopped watching her throughout the entire conversation. Rainbow smiled nervously at Applejack, and the farm mare took her hoof into hers.

Before too long, the rest of their friends arrived. Rarity and Fluttershy had been the first to arrive with Sweetie Belle in tow. The two mares had gone immediately to Applejack and Rainbow and the hugs had been emotional and comforting at the same time. During this time, Sweetie Belle joined Applebloom in watching cartoons after a quick loving exchange.

"Ah'm just happy they have that TV now." Applejack sighed as she watched her sister with her friend. "Ah remember when Rainbow was in there, and they hadn't gotten it yet. It was torture. Ah couldn't even read, there were no books or magazines."

"How are the two of you holding up?" Fluttershy asked, and earned a tired shrug and a shook head from Rainbow and Applejack respectively.

"Not too well." Rainbow said when she realized that Applejack hadn't wanted to answer the question. "I mean, considering...We could be worse, I guess." Applejack looked at Rainbow for a moment, and the pegasus became nervous. "Right?" Applejack felt it to be a little presumptuous of Rainbow to say that they all could "be worse", but she knew that her wife was just trying to stay positive. So Applejack nodded with a deep exhale.

"Ah suppose so." She said.

Twilight and Pinkie Pie arrived then, and the pink pony, whose mane was straight, ran to the two of them and went to give one of her signature hugs. She appeared to think better of it, and stepped back.

"Do you guys want a hug? I know they can be a little much sometimes." Pinkie asked, which absolutely warmed the hearts of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They nodded, and Pinkie wrapped her hooves around the two of them and squeezed. It wasn't her normal bear-hug squeezing, rather it was a simple reassuring squeeze that was not in the least bit unpleasant.

"I need to sit down for a bit." Twilight breathed before taking a seat. "I've been running-or well, teleporting, for a good while now." The rest of the ponies joined her in the waiting room chairs, while Spike settled for sitting at the foot of Twilight's chair. She urged him to go watch television with the fillies, who were now joined by Scootaloo after Big Mac had gone to pick her up at his little sister's request. Despite remaining loyal at her side for an impressive amount of time, he relented at his own boredom and joined them. For a good while, the support and love that came from having their best friends present worked wonders for Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Big Mac. They didn't talk about anything that any of the three of them didn't want to talk about, and just having them there lightened the atmosphere up significantly. Pinkie Pie's mane and tail even curled back up as jokes were made and fun memories were recounted. However, as the time went on and as the hour grew later, they had become tired and sluggish.

"Could be a good while longer before anypony can see her." Rainbow Dash said to the group as she returned from the help desk. "You guys don't have to stay if you're feeling tired."

"Nonsense, dear." Rarity said, throwing out a hoof. "We're here to stay."

"Rarity, your marefriend fell asleep fifteen minutes ago." Rainbow said with a raised eyebrow. "It's past eleven P.M. now, you've all been here for hours."

"Yeah, don't sit up here this waiting room on our account." Applejack added. "Y'all have been wonderful and we're so thankful for y'all bein' here, but please, go home and get some rest."

"But, we're family." Pinkie Pie said, a worried look on her tired face. "We can't just leave you like that."

"Come back tomorrow. I promise, it won't hurt our feelings, right Applejack?" Rainbow said.

"Right." Applejack concurred immediately.

"Pinkie Pie, you have to run Sugarcube Corner, I know that you can't run on no sleep, no matter how much energy you have." Rainbow said to the earth pony with an appreciative smile. "Rarity, Fluttershy, you guys have stuff to do tomorrow too, don't lie."

"Rainbow, the boutique can wait." Rarity replied, standing up.

"Yeah, so can Sugarcube Corner." Pinkie Pie added, standing up as well.

"There's no real reason for me to leave either." Fluttershy said sleepily from her chair. Rarity let out a giggle of adoration before kissing her on the head. Rainbow looked over at Twilight, who merely sat where she was, her head propped up on her hoof.

"I'm not going anywhere." The princess said, shaking her head. "We're here for you guys. Whether you like it or not. I'll arrange for some pillows and blankets."

"Twilight, you're a princess..." Applejack uttered, looking at her friend with a slightly stunned expression. "You can't just drop everything-"

"Why not?" Twilight asked, regarding Applejack almost jovially with a cocky smirk. "I'm a princess. I'm sure Celestia and Luna can hold things down for me while I'm here. Besides, Spike and the girls look pretty comfy where they are." She nodded toward the younger members of the group, who'd all fallen asleep in an adorable pile in front of the tv.

"You guys, this is...I don't know what to say." Rainbow said, her eyes filling with tears that for once weren't fueled by sorrow or despair.

"Don't say anything." Twilight replied sweetly, standing from her chair. "I'll go arrange for the pillows and blankets." Before long, silence had descended on the waiting room. The television droned on, having been turned down almost to silent. Applejack absentmindedly watched a commercial for some kind of skin ointment, her eyes heavy and her muscles tired, yet unable to fall asleep. She knew it was due to the stress she'd been through recently, both Granny Smith's serious heart attack and Rainbow's recent infidelity, combined with her pregnancy which was in full swing. Being momentarily reminded of her wife, Applejack looked over from the television to see Rainbow looking at her wistfully. The pegasus quickly looked toward the TV in a vain attempt to play it off.

"What're you lookin' at?" Applejack asked, taking care to keep her voice lowered so as to not wake her sleeping friends and family. Rainbow jumped slightly at her question, but coolly continued to watch the TV.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Rainbow replied, not moving her eyes from the screen, raising an eyebrow.

"Alright, if you say so." Applejack quietly chuckled. Rainbow shuffled in her seat for a moment. Predictably to Applejack, Rainbow couldn't resist piping up again.

"What, I can't look at my wife?"

"Ah didn't say that." Applejack said, giving a small shrug.

"Applejack, we need to talk." Rainbow said, after a few more seconds of silence, prompting Applejack to sigh through her nostrils.

"Ah don't think so, Rainbow." Applejack said, not taking her eyes from the TV. "At least not right now."

"Please?" Rainbow pleaded, laying her hoof on Applejack's. Applejack looked at her wife's hoof and then into those beautiful rose irises she fell in love with, which were glistening with tears in the TV light. "I don't know when we'll get this chance again. Please Applejack. I feel awful. Everything that's been going through my head, the questions, what I did, I feel like my insides have been melting."

"Okay." Applejack said with a small nod. Rainbow breathed in deeply through her nose, letting out the breath through her mouth quietly.

"I'm so sorry. I hate myself so much for what I did, I can't stop thinking about it. You're the most important pony in the world to me, and I let some sexual frustration lead me into hurting you in the worst way that I could." Rainbow said, her emotions quickly bubbling to the surface, despite her efforts to calm herself. "It was a horrible thing to do to you, and I will never forgive myself. You're pregnant with our foal, bearing this burden for us, and I've been so impatient and childish about things. This last day has been the worst in my life, and not only because of what happened to Granny. I've just....I've been so scared..." Rainbow's voice broke with the last word.

"Rainbow, Ah appreciate you sayin' those things. And Ah see you're truly sorry, so of course Ah forgive you." Applejack said, laying a hoof on Rainbow's. The pegasus smiled at Applejack hopefully.

"You do?" Rainbow breathed.

"Yes, Dash, Ah do." Applejack said as she shed a tear.

"Do you..." Rainbow said before pausing to gulp, her ears lowering. "Do you still love me?" Applejack ran a hoof through Rainbow's mane, and she nuzzled into it letting out a deep breath.

"Rainbow, Ah will never not love you." Applejack replied, feeling intense love and pity for Rainbow as she truly realized just how much the pegasus had been tormenting herself over what she'd done. "But-"

"Oh, no..." Rainbow sighed, as she held Applejack's hoof to her cheek. "Oh please, no, not the but."

"But" Applejack continued. "Ah don't, and Ah want to be honest here with you, Rainbow. Ah don't know...if Ah can ever trust you again." Rainbow looked at Applejack, somehow stunned when she knew she shouldn't have been. "Ah love you so much, Dash. But after this...it's just really hard to know where Ah'm gonna be when all this dust settles. Ah just...Ah just can't stop picturin' you with her..." Applejack fought back tears as she said this. Rainbow let go of Applejack's hoof and turned toward her.

"Applejack, I-" Rainbow began, looking as if she intended to resume pleading. However, Applejack could see on her face that she'd thought better of it. Rainbow Dash wilted slightly, and sat back in her chair. "I...I understand." Rainbow didn't make it for three seconds before she started to cry. It wasn't hysterical, it wasn't frantic, it was a defeated crying. Rainbow simply hung her head, the only sounds coming from her being the occasional involuntary whimper. Applejack teared up as well, and couldn't help but wrap her forelegs around Rainbow as she herself began to cry. It wasn't long before Applejack lay against Rainbow, sleep falling over the two of them.

Applejack was lightly nudged awake by Rainbow, and the orange earth pony found the doctor waiting for her. She took a second to look around, and saw that she, Rainbow Dash and Big Mac were the only ponies of the group to be awake. She rubbed her eyes and blinked at the doctor, who gave her a polite nod.

"Good morning." He said to her in a pleasant tone. He was a young earth pony stallion, clearly a newly anointed doctor, and quite attractive. Applejack felt a slight cut of guilt in her gut, but she decided that for that moment to not beat herself up for thinking so, given the circumstances.

"What time is it?" Applejack asked.

"It's a quarter to four a.m." He said to her, and she blinked at him, surprised. "Yeah, we've been working pretty hard." He said the last sentence with a hint of joviality, which Applejack could only barely appreciate.

"How is she?" Applejack asked, taking just a smidge longer than her brother and wife to stand.

"She's...stable. We're keeping her under close watch, but for now at least, she should be alright." The stallion explained. "But I don't want to lie to you. It took a good bit to bring her back from the brink. In my professional opinion, I'd remain guarded for what could feasibly happen." Applejack choked down a sob and nodded, trembling slightly.

"Well how is she...right now?" Applejack asked. "She's not in pain or anything, is she?"

"No, she seems...tranquil right now." He said with a smile. "In fact, I was about to say...She's awake, and I don't think there's anything wrong with a few visitors. Just you three, though." Applejack let out a small gasp and looked at Rainbow Dash, who smiled through tears back at her, giving her a nod.

"Let's go." The pegasus breathed. Without another word said, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Big Macintosh followed the doctor toward the room housing their grandmother. Surprisingly quickly, the doctor stopped and quietly opened the door.

"Granny Smith? You have some visitors." He said, maintaining a quiet tone of voice.

"Well, let 'em in, already, ya done went and said you were gonna do it when ya left the room." Granny rasped in reply. When Applejack heard her grandmother's voice, her heart jumped, and she gripped Rainbow's hoof. They entered, and the three of them joined Granny Smith at her bedside.

"My babies." Granny breathed from her bed. "Ah wanted to see y'all three more than anypony else. The only reason Ah don't want Applebloom here is because she's growin' and needs her sleep." Applejack, Rainbow and Big Mac laughed as Granny's ever-present snarkiness made itself known once again.

"How're you feelin'?" Big Mac asked.

"How do Ah look?" Granny asked, and Big Mac smiled at her.

"You look beautiful." He replied.

"Don't you lie to me boy." Granny scolded, earning another laugh from the three ponies at her side.

"We're gonna beat this, Granny. Ah know we will." Applejack said, lightly placing a hoof on Granny's.

"Yeah, you can look forward to the straight-up royal treatment when you get home." Rainbow added, and Granny Smith let out a weak chuckle.

"That truly sounds amazin' girls. Ah'd love that, but...Ah think we need to-"

"Don't." Applejack cut her grandmother off, the word barely eeking out over a sob. "Don't you say that. Ah can't lose you."

"Applejack, we just have to be realistic-"

"Granny, Ah don't want to hear it. You're gonna be alright, Ah'll see to it." Applejack asserted once again, and Granny could see Rainbow almost say something, but think better of it. Letting out a small sigh, Granny looked at her grandchildren.

"Big Mac, Dash, Ah love y'all more than I could possibly put to words. However, Ah think the staff're gettin' a little impatient to have me all on my lonesome tonight. Ah have somethin' that Ah want to say to Applejack one-on-one, so if y'all could give us the room, that'd be nice."

"No problem." Rainbow said before giving Granny Smith a kiss on the head. She squeezed Applejack's hoof for a moment, and nodded before departing. Big Mac hugged his sister and grandmother at the same time before leaving them as well. Applejack patiently waited until the door had closed behind him to continue the conversation.

"What's this all about, Gran-"

"You think entirely too much in the now." Granny Smith cut her off, almost in a scolding tone. At least it was as close to she could get to scolding, given the condition she was in. "You're like a dog. You can't see anything beyond what you've got right here in the room with ya." Applejack was stunned silent by what Granny said.

"Ah don't mean to call ya a dog, sweetie. Ah didn't mean it like that. Ah'm just tryin' to say, you would benefit from widening your view a little bit." Granny continued, placing a shaky hoof on her granddaughter's foreleg. Applejack raised a confused eyebrow.

"What do you mean, Granny?"

"Like with staying so set on the outcome of me leaving this hospital." Granny said, and Applejack immediately welled up. "Now, now listen to me baby. Please listen, can you do that?" Applejack nodded. "Ah'm just tryin' to say that you're so focused on the here and now, you can't look forward or back. Look back now with me. Ah've lived a full, wonderful life. Ah'm pretty goldarned old, aren't Ah? Been through the ringer, Ah have." Applejack nodded.

"You have lived a good life." Applejack said before looking downward. "Ah just don't want to lose hope."

"Ah know, baby. Ah love you for keepin' it, and trust me, Ah feel it. Ah just want you to be prepared. Now in terms of the lookin' forward part, Ah'm gonna tell you a secret." Applejack looked up at Granny Smith, intrigued despite her sorrow.

"A secret?" She asked, prompting Granny to give her a small nod.

"Eeeyup." She mimicked Applejack's older brother, and the orange mare gave a small laugh. "It's somethin' Ah've never told anypony as long as Ah've been in this world. Not your daddy, not your brother, not anypony." Applejack nodded slowly.

"Alright, Granny. Ah'm listenin'."

"When Ah was around your age, maybe a little older...Your granddaddy did somethin' pretty similar to what you told me Rainbow did." Applejack gasped and gaped at Granny, who merely nodded knowingly. "Came home from work one day and confessed."

"Oh, Goddesses...Did he...Did they..."

"All the way." Granny deadpanned, nodding. "Ah know, it's hard to believe. And Ah also know you know what it feels like." Granny said. "The agony it wreaks on your soul. It made me so angry that it stung, but all Ah could do was cry. There is somethin' truly special about the agony of hatin' somepony and at the same time loving them so damn much."

"What'd you do?" Applejack asked.

"Well, first of all, Ah probably slapped him four or five times...Then Ah let my anger make the decision to let him dangle for about a week and a half. But eventually Ah had to let him back in, because Ah loved him and all he did was torment himself. He didn't make a show of it or nothin', though." Granny explained. "He continued to do that for the rest of his days, until the day he died. Even long after Ah'd forgiven him, and our relationship was stronger than it'd ever been, Ah'd stumble upon him now and then, just weepin'."

"Granny, Ah-"

"Just let me finish, sugarcube. Please." Granny continued. "Ah went on to have a life with him that Ah have loved beyond words. He gave me so much happiness, so much love, and he gave me your daddy. So he also gave me you, your brother and your lil' sister. What Ah'm tryin' to say, was that he was flawed, just like all of us are. He made a mistake in a moment of weakness. Ah could have left him that day, and nopony in the world woulda blamed me. But in doin' so, Ah would have lost out on everything we had and experienced together. Ah would've lost out on you." She breathed in shakily for a moment, tears spilling down her face. "Please, please don't throw away this beautiful love you've found. You have so much ahead of you, and she loves you so much...You need to look forward..." Applejack sobbed, and felt her grandmother squeeze her hoof.

"Ah know." Applejack said as she struggled to maintain her composure.

"Your baby..." Granny said, taking in a sharp breath.

"Oh, Ah forgot to tell you, we found a name we like. Honeycrisp Flash. Honey or Flash based on what she prefers." Applejack said with a small laugh, tears steadily falling from her eyes. "Rainbow thought of it." Granny Smith's wet cheeks pulled up into a sweet warm grin, and her eyes brightened up. She opened her mouth to reply, but as the heartrate monitor went to letting out irregular and terrifying beeping, Granny's face contorted into an expression of pain. A sharp jolt shot through Applejack's chest, her heartrate spiked, and she repeatedly pressed the help button on the bed's control panel. As Granny's mouth parted in a groan of pain, the scream that had been crawling up Applejack's throat exploded forth.

"HELP!"

The nurses and doctor were there within a few seconds, but by then, the EKG had already been flatlining for a second or two. Two nurses struggled to move Applejack backward, both murmuring words that were supposed to calm her down, but Applejack could barely hear them over the EKG's horrid squeal. That, and her own anguished squalling drowned all other sound out.

"Get a defib kit, now!" She heard the young, attractive doctor shout. She watched the nurse whom the shout was directed at sprint from the room, and the farm mare couldn't help but feel a small pang of sympathy for the poor mare through everything else. The nurses continued to push on her, and the sensation was driving her insane. She knew that the nurses were just doing their jobs, but she was preparing to do whatever was necessary to get back to her grandmother. Rational thought had begun to fade from her mind, and she began to push back harder against the nurses, and their strength began to fail. Suddenly, Applejack felt a pair of hooves much stronger than either of the nurses wrap around her and begin to pull. She saw glimpses of cyan as they wrapped around her. She fought harder, but somehow she was held back and she heard a familiar voice say, as it broke,

"I've got her."

Applejack collapsed backward into Rainbow Dash, sobbing hysterically, her wide eyes focused on her grandmother as the group prepared to resuscitate her grandmother. The young stallion doctor held the paddles up, barking the customary "Clear!" before discharging the electricity through Granny Smith's body, causing it to seize up violently for a moment. Applejack jumped herself, before letting out a gasp and spinning around to bury her face in Rainbow's chest as the pegasus stroked her mane.

"It's okay, AJ. It's okay." Rainbow said, staying strong through her own tears as she began to pull Applejack out of the room, giving her a small kiss on the head.

"No change." One of the nurses said after a moment. As the doctor prepared for another discharge, Rainbow pulled her wife from the room completely. Applejack saw her Grandmother's body seize up once more through the door window, and something snapped within her. The hysterics came back full force. She screamed her grandmother's name, and pulled harder toward the door, yanking herself loose from Rainbow successfully for a moment. Rainbow luckily regained her hold on the farm mare just in time.

"Applejack, stop!" Rainbow cried, breathing heavily. "Please! We have to let them-" A stray hoof connected with Rainbow's face, sending her stumbling back. Applejack didn't seem to notice at all, and moved toward the door. Applejack was grabbed by a couple more nurses and one gave her an injection deftly. Gradually, over the span of about forty seconds or so, Applejack's cries had died down to small whimpers, and her powerful legs were only capable of small, weak movements.

"What'd you give her?" Rainbow asked, rubbing her nose.

"Something to calm her down." The nurse replied before letting out a small gasp. "Your nose." Rainbow noticed at about the same time that the nurse said this that the hoof she'd used to rub her nose had become virtually soaked with blood.

"Whoa. Guess she got me pretty good." Rainbow said with a small chuckle, despite the sorrow in her heart.

"Here." The nurse said, hurriedly grabbing several pieces of tissue. Rainbow nodded gratefully, and plugged her nose for her trip to the bathroom. "Thanks. I appreciate it." The nurse nodded and smiled at her, and Rainbow recognized her in that moment.

"Nurse Redheart?" Rainbow said, and the nurse turned, giving a small nod and a smile. "I'm sorry, I totally didn't recognize you."

"It's alright, you're under a lot of stress." Redheart replied and after making sure the other nurse could escort Applejack to the waiting room, approached Rainbow. "I'll be honest, I wouldn't have thought Applejack would act like that. She's usually so-"

"So what?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow at the nurse.

"I'm sorry, I was speaking out of turn." Nurse Redheart said promptly before giving a small bow. "I'll take my leave."

"No, wait. I'm just stressed out, and you never did anything but care." Rainbow sighed. "Go on."

"I just remember how she was with you when you were here after the Timberwolf attack. I wouldn't have thought she'd hit you and not even notice."

"Well, she's pregnant, for one." Rainbow said, and the nurse nodded. "And...Well...There's been other really stressful things that have happened to her lately...."

"Like what?"

"I'd rather not share, and I'm sure she wouldn't want me to either." The nurse nodded in understanding.

"Well, I'd be happy to send you to the female's locker room we have in the back to wash off. You kind of have blood all over your neck and chest." She said. Rainbow looked down at herself, and exhaled, her cheeks puffing up for a moment.

"Oh, yikes. Yeah, I guess that'd be nice." Rainbow replied before looking at the door to Granny Smith's room. "It's...It's hard to believe. I don't know what we're gonna do."

"Well, Applejack didn't know what she was going to do after she brought you in when you were close to death." Nurse Redheart said, looking at the door with Rainbow, before putting a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "I hope that helps."

"It does, I guess...I dunno, a little." Rainbow replied, giving the nurse a small smile. "Thanks for talking to me. It was nice to talk to somepony not wracked with grief tonight."

"No problem. You know me, I love to help ponies. Come on, let me show you the locker room. Normally it's employees only, but I doubt anypony would object, considering the circumstances. Hold on a moment-" The nurse grabbed the speaker for the hospital intercom. "Sanitation to intensive care for body fluid removal." She nodded at Rainbow and they began to walk, passing ponies going back and forth, rooms that were open and closed, each with their own frantic or grief-stricken ponies whose stories were entirely separate from hers and her family's.

"I've seen many ponies losing loved ones, you know." Nurse Redheart said to Rainbow, as they neared the employee section. "They all react to it differently. I've certainly seen ponies react like Applejack did, but I've also seen ponies react as you have."

"And how's that?" Rainbow asked, pretending not to look at the pale, emaciated stallion laying in one of the rooms whose forehoof was held by his apparent wife.

"You've been strong. You've been there for Applejack, and you are going to be her rock through this." The nurse said sweetly. Rainbow appreciated her sentiment, but given what she'd done, she had her doubts about that outcome. "I just wanted you to know that it wasn't lost on me."

"Thank you." Rainbow said, the both of them standing outside the showers.

"Alright, well, towels are over there, use the showers as long as you'd like. Can you find your way back to the waiting room? If not, I can stay behind-"

"I think I can manage. Thank you." Rainbow said, giving the nurse an earnest and much needed hug. "This means a lot."

"I like to do what I can for everypony I see here." The nurse said curtly before raising a coy eyebrow at the pegasus. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit biased toward you and Applejack." With a small bow, Nurse Redheart left Rainbow to cleanse herself. Sighing deeply, and wiping some straggling tears from her eyes, she entered the shower and turned one of them on. It heated up immediately, which Rainbow appreciated. The water was an instant relief from the deep chill she always felt after walking through a hospital. She rinsed herself off, scrubbing her neck and chest, watching the mostly dried blood dissolve into a crimson dye that ran down the drain slowly. Breaking herself from the trance the flowing blood put her in, she shook her head. She chalked it up to her intense exhaustion, and continued to wash off. Showers were normally where Rainbow was most comfortable crying. It was where she'd vent her emotions away from the prying eyes of any pony who wasn't Applejack. This shower was different, though. She'd cried more in the last day than she had in years, and the tears simply didn't come.

Rainbow returned to the waiting room more tired than she was when she'd stepped into the shower. Her friends and family, save for Applejack and Big Mac, were still asleep. Rainbow was thankful that the earlier commotion hadn't woken any of them, as explaining the situation would have only further contributed to her exhaustion. Big Mac seemed to be quite sleepy, while Applejack simply sat in her chair and stared forward, the drug given to her earlier still in full effect. Rainbow walked slowly across the waiting room and sat next to her wife. Applejack looked over at her, seemingly only then noticing her presence. Applejack's mouth turned upward in a slightly goofy smile, which Rainbow returned half-heartedly.

"Ah didn't hit you too hard, did Ah?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow shrugged.

"I wouldn't care if you had." Rainbow sighed. Applejack shook her head and put a hoof on Rainbow's.

"Ah would." Applejack replied. "Ah never like seeing ya hurt. Ah'm sorry Ah hit you."

"It's okay." Rainbow replied simply and Applejack shook her head.

"No, it's not...Here, lemme look at you." The words were slightly slurred and the farm mare took a hold of Rainbow's face, moving it to where she could look over it well. Rainbow almost chuckled, and settled for a weak smile.

"Those drugs are hitting you pretty hard, huh?" Rainbow asked, wondering if her wife was so high that she'd forgotten Rainbow had cheated on her. She was deathly afraid to ask.

"Yeah, Ah guess they-...Hold on, what's this?" Applejack asked, moving Rainbow's mane away from her forehead. Her stomach leaping in fright at what Applejack would almost certainly see, she attempted to move her head away. The cyan mare was too late, though, and as she moved her head she heard Applejack gasp.

"Rainbow....Did you...Did you hit yourself?" Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash was incredibly thankful that everyone present, including Big Mac, were still asleep. The pegasus looked downward in shame before giving a slight nod.

"Oh baby...." Applejack said, her voice breaking and withering as she began to cry again. "Why would you-"

"You really have to ask why I did it?" Rainbow asked, tears coming to her eyes again. She felt a sob welling up in her throat, but she angrily forced it back down. She was damned tired of crying. "I hate myself more and more every time I think about it." Applejack didn't have Rainbow's current aversion to crying, and broke, pulling Rainbow into an embrace.

"Please...Don't do that to yourself anymore..." Applejack cried.

"I...I wanted to, though. I still do. I ruined...everything." The sob tried again, and Rainbow forced it back down. She was prepared to fight with it for the rest of the night.

"You gave up your dream...The dream you had since you were a filly...You actually made it happen, and you gave it up." Rainbow looked into Applejack's eyes and nuzzled her before laying her forehead on the farm mare's shoulder.

"Only for you." Rainbow said quietly. "If staying with them means I can't have you, buck the Wonderbolts." Rainbow said the words with a small hint of acid for Spitfire. Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash, Rainbow doing the same, and they held each other. Time seemed to stand still, as neither one of the mares wanted to leave the hooves of the other.

About an hour passed, and Applejack, still under the effects of the drug, had long been asleep. Suddenly, a massive headache filled Rainbow Dash's skull with fire. Not wanting to wake Applejack, she simply stretched her neck, trying to alleviate at least some of the intense pain. Though there was tension in her neck, it wasn't the cause of the terrible discomfort in her head. It was at this point she realized she was incredibly nauseous. She held a hoof up in front of her face and saw that it was trembling quite severely. Rainbow Dash lay her head back and attempted to relax, but there was absolutely no relaxation for her in the position she was in. Just when she began to get angry at the sudden and seemingly causeless headache and nausea, she felt her stomach begin to bubble violently. Whatever was in there, it was coming up, and fast.

"Ugh... Applejack...Applejack, I-" She was cut off by a gag. "Applejack, I have to get up...I'm gonna puke." Applejack, fast asleep, did not move. Rainbow breathed deeply and evenly as she could, but the situation with her nausea was getting worse.

"Apple-ulp" She felt it working its way up her esophagus and she forced herself out from underneath Applejack, which succeeded in waking her.

"What the hay-" Applejack slurred before she saw Rainbow running for the waiting room door. "Rainbow? Are you okay?" Rainbow didn't answer as she turned in the hall toward the bathroom, now running. As she realized she wouldn't make it, bile spewed up and out of her mouth all over the floor. She retched heavily, her muscles tensing up violently as her legs buckled underneath her. The taste was foul and sour, which only made Rainbow Dash gag more. As she sunk to her belly, another bout of bile came from her mouth. Within moments, Nurse Redheart was next to her.

"Rainbow Dash, are you okay? What feels off?" The nurse asked. Rainbow looked up at her, trembling violently, her coat now an even lighter shade of cyan. "You're so pale. Have you eaten?'

"I...I guess I haven't...Haven't really had much of anything to drink either..." Rainbow breathed before retching again, though nothing came out.

"Since when?" Redheart asked.

"Since my hangover...This morning...Well, I guess it's yesterday morning, now..."

"Is Rainbow- Oh, Goddesses! Rainbow, are you alright?" Applejack asked frantically as she quickly came to Rainbow's side.

"She is severely dehydrated." Nurse Redheart said. "She says she was hung over yesterday morning, and didn't eat or drink anything. Would you know anything about this? Hey, bring me a stretcher! And get the janitor in here." Redheart yelled at a candy striper, but there was no malice in it, just urgency.

"No!" Rainbow cried, attempting to stand. "I'm...Staying with Applejack..." Applejack stroked Rainbow's mane and the power left her legs, the cyan mare flopping back to the floor.

"Dash, baby you have to go to a room. How could you not eat or drink?" Applejack asked.

"I...I guess I didn't care." Rainbow rasped, laying her head on the ground, next to the puddle of bile. "Or forgot. Or whatever..."

"We have to get you up, Rainbow." Nurse Redheart said as she attempted to pull. "I haven't seen someone this dehydrated in years. You need an IV drip immediately."

"I can take the IV in the waiting room. I'm not. Leaving. Applejack." Rainbow growled the last words and as they left her mouth. Nurse Redheart thought she looked like a cornered animal in that moment, and she froze. Cornered animals almost always bit.

"Rainbow, you've got to-" Applejack began.

"I said no!" Rainbow snapped.

"Dash, Ah'll pull you in there by your tail if Ah have-"

"It's alright. We can do it in the waiting room. It isnt normally something we do, but Rainbow seems pretty steadfast in this." Nurse Redheart said. 'Steadfast like a rock.' She thought. "Come on, help me get her up." With little effort, Applejack and Nurse Redheart picked the cyan pegasus up off the floor and held her up as they slowly moved toward the waiting room.

"I keep getting body fluid on your floor." Rainbow breathed and let out a small chuckle. "You gotta apologize to the janitor for me."

"It'll be fine, Rainbow. He gets paid for it." Nurse Redheart replied as they sat Rainbow down in the chair. "Now don't move anymore, alright? Applejack, could I speak with you privately for a moment?" Applejack followed the nurse out into the hallway, and after requesting an IV rig to be delivered to the waiting room, she turned to Applejack and sighed.

"I really don't want to overstep here, and I don't want to sound accusatory, but aren't the two of you married? How did Rainbow not drink or eat all day, especially considering how much heavy drinking depletes the body's resources?" Nurse Reheart asked, clearly trying not to sound angry or confused.

"Ah don't owe you an explanation." Applejack almost snapped. Nurse Redheart recoiled slightly.

"I'm sorry. I just care about the two of you, is all. I don't mean to overstep. You don't have to tell me anything that you don't want to." Applejack thought about what the nurse said for a moment.

"Well...Ah suppose there's no harm in you knowin'...Just please don't tell her Ah told you this, she'd be humiliated. Rainbow and Ah hit a pretty huge bump in our marriage the other night." Applejack explained. "She got a little too drunk and....Well, she got intimate with another pony. She came home and confessed, and Ah made her leave."

"I...I don't know what to say. I guess now, her being so dehydrated makes sense." Nurse Redheart breathed, realizing that this was the external stressor that Rainbow had mentioned earlier. She could see why Rainbow hadn't wanted to speak of it. "Wh...Why would you kick her out?"

"Are you kidding? Ah was furious." Applejack replied, raising an eyebrow. "Though, it's true, lookin' back now, she wasn't in a state to be thrown out."

"You love her, don't you?" Nurse Redheart asked and Applejack sighed deeply.

"With all my heart. Look, Ah'm already blamin' myself for what just happened...and to be honest Ah think Ah'm still a little too high from those drugs y'all gave me to talk about this further. Please don't think me rude, but-"

"O-Oh, of course. Yes, go get some rest. I'll keep you updated on your grandmother."

"Thank you."

Applejack sat back down next to Rainbow Dash, who still trembled underneath her blanket. Her head lay limply on the pillow behind her and she looked at Applejack, on the verge of sleep. Applejack opened her forelegs and Rainbow moved the pillow so that she lay on Applejack's chest.

"I'm sorry." Rainbow said, pain and regret in her eyes, the sight of which made Applejack's heart hurt.

"What for? The other night?"

"Just...Everything. I'm an awful wife. We were so happy together, and I ruined it..." She replied weakly as her eyes drooped more and more with each second. "I...I love you so much...I know you probably don't want to...stay with me, but I would wait forever...for..." Before she could finish her sentence, she was fast asleep. Applejack kissed her wife on the head and began to stroke her mane. The drugs still coursed through her system, and she felt herself becoming quite tired as well.

"Ah love you too, Rainbow." Applejack whispered. She decided in that moment, that even though Rainbow Dash would have to regain her trust, that she would take Granny Smith's advice, as she had so many times before.

Author's Note

This set of chapters has been emotionally exhausting to write, lemme tell ya. And I know, the updates seem to be getting more infrequent. That's because...well, they are. I've had a lot of stuff going on in my life, but I still work on this story, little by little. I truly love these characters and I've grown quite attached to this long form story that I've constructed. Thank you guys for reading. Let me know what you think of it so far! Cheers!