While he admittedly was no college graduate, Big Macintosh was far from the simpleminded bumpkin his quiet, laid-back demeanor seemed to indicate. He liked some of the more cultured things of life; good literature, art, music. Heck, one of his favorite pastimes was catching up on a good mystery before bed.

Which probably why he was so curious about the current one in front of him. As long as he had known the young dragon, Spike had always been somewhat of an upbeat, energetic kind of guy; throwing himself into work with a respectable bit of gusto.

Today, though...

He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something new with his co-worker. It was kind of subtle, but it was there. The whole thing started when Spike arrived this morning. Now it wasn't uncommon for the young dragon to come in with a spring in his step or anything, but today he looked more relaxed, easygoing.

He was also showing a lot more energy during his apple bucking, like he didn't have a worry in the world anymore.

It was refreshing in a way, but damn if it wasn't befuddling as hell too.

"Aw, horseapples!" He grumbled to himself, "Ah gotta find out what the deal is!" Without a second thought, he marched over to where Spike was in the middle of swinging his heavy tail against an apple-laden tree. The loud thud on impact echoed slightly, followed by an ensuing rain of produce.

"Spike." He called out, getting the dragon's attention before he could turn to another, "Ah need tah talk tah ya." He noticed the hint of concern and quickly waved it off, "Now don't worry, it ain't nothing bad. Ah jus' gotta satisfy mah curiosity, is all."

"Oh. uh, ok. Shoot."

"I know something's different 'bout ya. Been broadcastin' it ever since ya arrived an' it's drivin' me plumb loco tryin' tah figger it out. C'mon what is it?" The large stallion ended in almost a whine. He just had to know.

Spike chuckled, "Oh, that, huh? Well, to put it bluntly, I," He paused to let out the breath he'd been holding, "I've given up on chasing after Rarity."

Mac immediately stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it, "Think somethin' got in mah ear. Sounded like yah jus' said yer not goin' after Rarity anymore."

"I did." Not really wanting to go through the details of exactly why, he simply added, "I've realized it just wasn't going to happen, and I've decided to stop. Wasn't really doing either of us any good, or really anypony else, any good for that matter. Now, all that time and energy I used to spend doing that can go into other things."

"Wow...Ah..uh, well..huh." Mac felt at a loss for words, Over the years, seeing or hearing the dragon boy trying his hardest to get the fashion mare's attention had become a part of daily life to some of the town's inhabitants, but hearing it straight from his mouth, "Well, dang. Feels like the end of an era now, ya know. Does anyone else..?'"

"Aside from you, just Twilight. Though it's probably gonna be everywhere before long anyway, so I'm not really going to worry about it. Now, don't get me wrong, I still see her as a friend. I'm just not going to put her ahead of everything and everypony anymore.

Mac grinned, "Well, Ah'm glad to hear that. So, ya ready fer when word does spread?"

"If they ask, I'll just tell them it's my decision."

"No, Ah mean the other mares and fillies when they learn yer pretty much single now."

If either of them had been paying attention, they probably would have noticed a certain bow-wearing young earth pony mare within hearing range. However, before they could spot her, she quickly scampered off to inform her friends soon after hearing that sentence.

Spike gave him a confused look, "What are you talking about? Should I be worried or something?"

Mac's smile faltered, "Didn't...didn't anyone tell you?"

"About what? You're starting to weird me out, Mac."

"Uh-oh."

Now dressed, Twilight was now engrossed her most trusted method of problem solving: any book she could find dealing with the subject.

"Of course!" She exclaimed in what she believed to be relief, "It's all here; hormones. That's all it was. Simply a hormonal reaction. An attractive, unattached male in that close proximity. And Celestia knows I haven't had a date since...since..well, never." She was severely thankful no one else heard that, "Just a biological stimulus and response. I mean, Spike's my brother for all purposes, there's no way I could see him like that."

"See Spike like what?'

Not expecting anyone today, Twilight wasn't prepared for the new voice and whirled around to see a familiar floofy pink mane and wide smile.

"Hi, Twilight!"

"YAHH-HA-HAA!" Twilight shrieked, falling out of her chair and landing in a heap, dragging several books with her. "Pinkie!"

"Nice form, but I've seen better." The pink party pony commented, holding up a sigh with a 7.9 on it.

"Where'd you come from?"

"Well, when a stallion and mare love each other very much, they partake in actions that normally can't be repeated on a children's television show, sometimes involving ice cream toppings and handcuffs."

"Wha...? No wait.." Shaking her head to clear whatever the heck was just said, she continued, "I mean why are you here? I wasn't really expecting anyone today."

"Oh! I came to see if Spikey was here.'

'No, he's working at Sweet Apple right now." She replied, calming down some from the shock. "Why? Did his chipolte marzipan come in?"

"Not yet. But Rarity said she wanted him to come over to help get a dress ready for...a ..a date. she..has.to..tonight...." Pinkie trailed off. Thankfully, she was pretty sure the look on Twilight's face wasn't intended for her.

Otherwise, she'd be pissing her shorts right about then.

Author's Note

Finally getting into the meat of it all!

The quarry is being discovered, and soon the huntresses shall move