Author's Note

This is the reason my other stories have been taking time. I was going for major feels, tell me how I did. I take complements and CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms. NO! FLAMES!
I got the idea from.
1. Tom Jones~Delilah 'Song'
2. But First!! Here are some doubts- by Leslichu
3. My mind.
Be honest in your reviews.-They are my motivation.

The Date (Revised)

It was a wonderful day in Equestria, even more amazing in Ponyville. Usually a day like this would signal an adventure for the Mane Six.

Today was different.

It would be an adventure for Spike. Today he planned to finally confess his feelings to Rarity.

"Spike, are you sure you've planned this through?" Princess Twilight asked.

"Yes." The baby dragon answered confidently. "I've planned this out for weeks."

He wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

"Well...if you're sure."

"I even asked Shining Armor for advice." He admitted.

"What, why not me?" She asked.

She knew why and so did Spike, she just wanted to mess with him. Mom privileges. She thought happily.

"Well...uh, you see..." Spike turned tail and ran.

Twilight watched as the baby dragon made his way out the door. In all the time they spent in Ponyville she'd assumed his feelings were a crush he'd outgrow. Instead the opposite happened, Spike's feelings for Rarity only grew!

Twilight had even asked Princess Cadence to see into his heart. The answer was one she had expected and feared.

Spike was in love. Not a silly crush, but full on love.

This thought saddened her. If Rarity didn't return Spike's feelings then he'd be crushed.

"You'd better go easy on him Rarity." Twilight grumbled "Or all Tartarus will break loose."

Spike was practically skipping as he made his way towards the boutique.

When he arrived he raised a hesitant claw to the door. Maybe I should come back at another time. He thought. No! He steeled himself and began knocking.

After only three seconds the door opened.

"Welcome to the-Oh, hello darling." lilac mare greeted "You know you don't need to knock, it is a business during the day."

When Spike looked toward the beautiful mare he felt his heart speed up. Just being near her made it hard for him to talk, it was something Rarity took notice of.

"Spike darling, is something wrong?" Rarity asked concerned.

Spike tried to speak but when he open his mouth nothing came out. Buck! He needed damage control.

"I was wondering if you would like to go on a picnic with me?" Spike asked while hiding terrified he was. He felt proud that he didn't stutter or choke.

"That sounds lovely, who will be joining us?" She asked.

"No...uh." This was harder than he thought "It'd just be the two of us, as a...date."

Rarity was a little taken back by this. So he finally did it. She thought. I never thought he had it in him.

She, like every pony else, knew about his 'secret' crush on her. It wasn't shocking that he finally confessed, just inconvenient. Well, he does deserve a little reward.

"Well Spike..." She spoke slowly, making sure he saw her hesitation. "I can't..." She just loved to tease him.

His nervousness died out and was replaced with sadness.

"I...understand." He spoke sullenly "Sorry for bothering you."

Rarity saw the dejection on Spike's face as he turned to leave. The look on his face practically tore at her heart. She never liked hurting an admires heart, especially when it was such a close friend. She just enjoyed teasing every once in a while.

"Until later!" She quickly added drawing his attention "You really should wait for a lady to finish her sentences dear."

"Huh?"

"I was saying that I can't join you on a picnic until later this evening." She smiled happily "I have a...friend joining me in a few moments."

"Thank you!" He practically shouted in joy.

"Well run along darling and prepare." Rarity spoke. "A lady mustn't be kept waiting."

"Of course!" He gave her the directions toward the spot before leaving.

Rarity watched as the baby dragon made his way off to prepare for their 'date'. Ooh Rarity, maybe you're too generous at times. She really hated leading the poor dragon on, but wasn't heartbreak worse? It's just one picnic. She thought. What's the worse that can happen?

Spike was skipping as he made his way from the boutique.

As he did he noticed a stallion, he was making his way to the boutique.

The stallion was a Unicorn, he had a pure red beige coat with a short and darker red mane. The Unicorn looked strong and held himself with pride. He was also good looking, Spike had to admit that.

For some reason this bothered Spike, but he couldn't tell why.

As they passed each other Spike couldn't help but glare at the stallion. The stallion however didn't seem to notice Spike, his eyes were locked on to the boutique.

Now Spike wasn't skipping, he was stomping. His happy mood was replaced with anger. All because of... Why am I angry?

Just like that the negative emotion was gone.

Rarity even said it was just a friend. He thought reassuringly "Probably not even the same pony."

He had no time to dwell on it, he had a date to prepare for!

Rarity was happily working before she heard a knock at her door.

"Ooh, he's here!" She squeeled.

This lasted only a second before she calmed herself. A lady must keep her image. She mentally chastised.

She opened her door to see a tall and well-bred stallion.

Her colt-friend.

As soon as Spike walked through the door Twilight scooped him up with her magic. She pulled him into a tight hug and placed a tissue in his face.

"It's okay Spike." Twilight spoke soothingly "You'll get through this."

"What are..."

"There are other fish in the sea." She spoke mechanically. "Better to have loved and los-"

"What are you doing?!" Spike shouted in frustration.

"I'm consoling you." Twilight answered confused "I read a book that said after heartbreak it's good to have someone console you."

The Alicorn levitated a book to his face for emphasize. Soothing the broken heart. Spike took one look at the book before giving Twilight an annoyed look.

"Did it occur to you that she might say yes?" Spike asked angrily.

"Wha-She did?" Twilight asked shocked.

"Yep, she said this evening." Spike answered full of pride.

This time Twilight pulled him into a hug of joy.

"Oh Spike!" She exclaimed "I'm so happy for you!"

"I'm off Twilight." Spike announced as he left the library.

The baby dragon made his way towards Sweet Apple Acres. There he had everything set up.

"Hey there Sugercube." A voice rang.

"Hey Applejack." Spike greeted.

The mare took a look at the basket in his claw. "Ah take it she said yes since you're here."

Spike nodded enthusiastically in reply. "Yep, she said she'd meet me at the spot.

"Well we kept the land spic and span, just as promised."

Spike gave Applejack a gem in exchange for renting a part of her land for his date. He sometimes forgot that gems were more valuable than a delicious snack.

He made his way to the perfect spot. It was on a hill that gave a clear view of an undisturbed lake. It was one of the few places where apple trees hadn't been planted. All around you could see a miniature forest of flowers.

The baby dragon laid out a blanket for them to lay on.

He the placed an array of food that they would be dining on the blanket. It was a spinach quiche, jasmine tea and all of Rarity's other favorites. He had spent hours making the food himself so that she could enjoy them.

Spike even had a gift for her. He spent more effort in this gift to her than he did his fire ruby on his birthday. I won't tell you what it is now.

Now I just need to wait. Spike thought. Knowing Rarity, she would be fashionably late.

So the baby dragon waited.

As he did, he began to visualize his plan with a mental checklist. One that he was sure Twilight would be proud of.

He continued to wait long into the evening. He waited long past the point of Rarity just being fashionably late. He was sure that the mare of his dreams was going to arrive.

"Hey there sugercube." Applejack called, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Hey Applejack." Spike greeted.

"Ah came to offer y'all bottle of cider." She spoke presenting the bottle while looking around looking around. "Where's Rarity?"

"She's just being 'fashionably late'." Spike quipped.

"That's Rarity for you." The mare struggled to laughed. That mare should have been here dang near an hour ago. She knew of Rarity's habit, this was late, even for her. But Spike would wait forever. "Hey, granny Smith is almost finished baking a pie the size of my head, want to join us?"

Spike didn't miss a beat. "She's just late."

She left the baby dragon to his thoughts.

Rarity just giggled happily as she took another sip of her wine. The colt she was with was amazing!

He had treated her with relaxed respect, but kept a high standing.

He wasn't like the other pony's of the upper-class, he was more like her. He was born into a middle class family and strives to join the upper-class.

She didn't have a care in the world.

Though I can't help but feel as if I forgot something. She thought worriedly. Oh well, must not have been important.

"Another glass?" She offered.

Spike was pulled from his thoughts again when he heard the sound of hooves meeting ground. He turned with high hopes that were quickly dashed.

It wasn't his Lady Rarity, it was Applejack. She had a large slice of steaming pie with her.

"Now ah know you said no, but ah wouldn't feel right unless..." She stopped when she saw he was still alone. "No luck?" She asked.

"She's just late." He spoke "That's all."

Applejack sighed as she handed the pie to the baby dragon. "Fresh apple pie."

In trust she just wanted to check on the baby dragon, the pie was just a front. Come on Rarity, don't do this to him!

"Thanks, I'm sure Rarity and I will love it." Spike spoke.

"A'm sure you two will." She lied, luckily Spike didn't notice.

She left him again.

Rarity was currently showing the stallion her wonderful collection. He showed her an appreciation none of her friends could in return.

"I've never seen that piece before." He commented.

The mare followed his eyes to her favorite piece of jewelry, the Fire Ruby.

"Oh that." She commented "I got that one from a dear friend of mine, Spike...oh dear!"

As if his name was magic to her ears, he memories returned. She had an appointment with him. Looking at the window, she saw that she was late.

"Oh dear oh dear oh dear!" She exclaimed. "This. is. the. worst. possible. thing!"

Her little panic attack was stopped by the stallion. "I'd like to see you in it."

Whatever she was going to say was cut short by a cool sensation and familiar weight. When she looked down, she saw that he had placed the necklace onto him.

"I was right." He spoke smoothly "You look amazing in it."

Her white coat began sporting a red shine to her cheeks.

The red shines only grew darker and wider as he began kissing her. He placed the kisses on several parts or her, focusing on her neck.

"Well I thank you for the flattery." She begun "But I..."

Her words were cut in her throat as the sensation began to consume her. He certainly is talented. She thought.

"Stay here." He spoke in between the kisses "Let's get...closer."

"Dear" She spoke "My bedroom is up stairs.'

Spike will forgive me. She thought assured. I'll just...give him a few gems and kisses.

Rarity was sure that it would make the baby dragon happy enough to forgive her. It was all she ever needed to get a smile on his face.

Applejack never actually left the baby dragon. In truth, she only went as far as the trees. She was well hidden enough to see the baby dragon but stay out of his sight. She watched as he waited for the mare of his dreams to arrive.

He waited until the clouds in the sky began to expand and darken. It was obvious they promised rain.

He waited until the small animals stopped making their noises. They were heading into their homes for the night.

He waited until the sun set.

The baby dragon never stopped waiting, even after the last bit of the sun disappeared and the moon rose high into the air. When the rain finally started, it poured down on him by the gallons.

He never moved, he never thought to. He would wait forever if need be.

So he just waited.

"Oh buck you Rarity!" She whispered to herself.

Applejack made her way towards the lone baby dragon. Spike saw her coming and open his mouth in preparation for Rarity's defense.

When Spike opened his mouth. "She's just la..." Was as far as he got before Applejack placed a hoof on his mouth.

"Come along now Sugercube." She whispered.

Spike hung his head in dejection as he followed her. The meal was forgotten but the gift went with him.

Two things happened when Applejack and Spike made it to the farm. Big Mac took a look at Applejack then the dragon before clearing the room with Applebloom. Granny Smith shaking her head sadly as she followed behind the pair.

The second, Applejack let loose the loudest "BUCK!" he had ever heard. He was sure it was actually in the Royal Canterlot voice.

The Earth mare grabbed a towel and began rubbing the baby dragon and herself down.

"Ah'm sorry y'er meal went to waste." Applejack spoke sullenly.

"I'm sure she was going to show." Spike stated, not believing it himself.

She took a look at the dragon before her. His eyes were filled with mixed emotions and his scales lacked it's usual luster.

"Ah'll take you to Twilight's when the storm stops." Applejack offered.

Spike only responded by nodding.

The pain the dragon was radiating was making...

"Maybe I did something wrong." Spike spoke cutting off her thoughts.

"Spike, you can't blame yourself for this." Applejack spoke.

"No, I'm sure of it!" He stated frantically "I messed up somehow!"

"You didn't!" The Earth pony countered. "Maybe she just...got held up?" It was more to herself really.

But Spike didn't hear her. He had already dashed towards the boutique, hoping to salvage a chance with Rarity.

Applejack followed behind. To comfort the dragon or harm Rarity, not even Celestia knew.

Spike had almost arrived at the boutique, he was completely exhausted. Applejack however didn't even have so much as hard breath.

No time to waste! He thought frantically as he pushed on.

The baby dragon made his way towards the entrance door. Before he could knock, he began to think. It's late, she probably locked up. He reasoned. But he couldn't just give up, he had to be sure.

Spike gave the door a test push, not expecting it to give. The door was unlocked.

Spike made his way inside with Applejack following behind. It was dark on the entire floor, Spike thought his first guess was true. Until he saw that there was a light coming from the hallway leading to the second floor.

"Spike, we shouldn't be here." Applejack spoke "It's rude to be here without permission."

He didn't hear her.

What he did hear was a noise from upstairs. Normally Spike wasn't a nosy dragon, but this noise caught his attention. It was the sound of grunting and gasping that you usually hear with heavy lifting. Something that Rarity found to be very 'unladylike'.

He made his way to the stairs only to stop.

No, she's probably busy. Spike reasoned. He didn't want to intrude on her privacy. At least no more than he already has.

As Spike turned to leave a scream stopped him from taking a step. He paled when he realized where it came from. It came from Rarity. A second scream broke him from his paralyzation.

Spike began climbing the stairs as if his life depended on it. To him it did, Rarity was his life.

When Spike made it to the top he froze. The door to Rarity's room was slightly open. There he saw a sight that was too much for him.

It turns out Rarity wasn't screaming in pain, not in fear or even in anger. Rarity was screaming in pleasure.

The mare of his dreams was...rutting with a stallion. The look on her face told him she was enjoying it. A lot.

Applejack's anger began to rise at the sight before her. THAT NO GOOD... Applejack saw another kick to Spike's heart, she was wearing the fire ruby. His fire ruby. She thought. It added to the disgust she felt build. She just wanted to give the mare a hard kick and ruin her pretty face.

Spike's eyes began to burn as he watched. Tears that wanted to make their way to freedom but couldn't.

As Spike watched, he felt something in him snap. No, that's not the right word for it. Snap would signal that something was breaking. For Spike it felt as if something was being put back into place. Something he wished he'd never have to feel again, not since his birthday.

Something primal, telling him to go claim what was his.

Something greedy, telling him to take what was his.

Applejack heard a sound that unnerved her. It was a low growl that reminded her of a wounded animal, the most dangerous kind animal. They were more desperate, more savage. More deadly.

It was coming from Spike. He had a savage and unnatural look in his glowing green eyes! His fangs were bare and his claws looked as if they were extending! A column of smoke was rising from his nose with sparks of fire licking his mouth. It even looked as if his body was growing.

She couldn't help but back away from the creature. She had to remember that even if he was a baby, he was a dragon.

A small part of him, very small, was telling him to look away.

But he couldn't.

It wasn't because he was enjoying a chance to see her in a more...mature state. In fact, he was hating every second of it. It was because he was seeing her in such a mature state with another. Not him, but with some Unicorn, the stallion he passed on the way from her boutique.

Stallion.

The word stuck in his head.

It finally dawned on Spike as he watched. He was a dragon, a baby dragon. She was a mare in the early prime of her life. They were two different species, far too different. It only made since that she would choose to be with a stallion, they were compatible.

As his mind came to some form of ease, so did his body. Applejack began to relax as Spike began to change back.

"Did I stand a chance?" He asked the Earth pony beside him who could only look away. Applejack didn't the heart to answer him, he was heartbroken enough as is. "At least she's happy." He whispered to himself.

The orange mare was shocked at the words. He wasn't resentful to the Unicorn in the slightest. He honestly cared for her emotions more than his own.

Oh Rarity. Applejack had never felt such disappointment.

She's happy. That thought kept Spike in his right mind.

"Come on Spike." Applejack spoke pulling him away. "Y'all shouldn't be here."

With both the heart ache and primal emotions at bay, for now, the baby dragon made his way down the stairs.

It was time to go home.