Only a few acres had been ready to harvest so things had ended early that day. However, Spike's mind was in a whirl as he left. The last part of his and Mac's conversation still running through his mind.

"Wait.you..you're joking, right, Mac?" Spike chuckled nervously. He had NOT been ready for this little revelation.

"Believe it or not, Spike, you've been turnin' a lotta heads these last few years, what all the helpin' out and such you've been doin' along with growin' up into..well.." He simply gestured towards him, "An' once these mares git word that you ain't after Rarity anymore, they're gonna act on it. Now, before you git all panicky, remember: if they decide to ask ya out, it's your choice if you wanna accept or not. And unless they ask you to be exclusive and you agree, it's perfectly normal, an' actually expected, actually, for a stallion to date 'round as he builds up a potential herd."

"But I'm not a.."

"Don't matter." Mac waved a hand to cut him off, "The fact remains that there's gonna be a lotta female attention headin' yer way. Now, some'll probably wanna honestly be with ya; an' others'll just want to go out, have some fun and whatnot, so it's usually a good idea to let the mare set the pace when it comes to intimacy." The second blush the big red stallion gained when he said that gave him away.

"So you and Cheer?

Mac's blush intensified, "Let's jus' say she's fond of roleplayin'. Anyway, if you're ok with goin' as far as they want to, there's no worries. But, if you aren't comfortable doin' that, don' be afraid to let them know. There's no harm or shame in bein' a stallion who wants to take things a lil' slow."

"Ok."

"Ah know it's a lot to take in, but 'least this way ya won't feel blindsided when the other saddlebag drops. " He looked over at an area of unbucked trees and sighed, "C'mon, we probably better finish up. Ain't got much left, but Granny'll have both our tails if she catches us lollygaggin' like this.

"This can't be real." He said to himself upon reaching the gate that separated the farm from the rest of the town.

Seems real enough to me. A little part of him commented, You're not going to let this slip through your fingers, are you?

"Let it slip..? You can't be serious!"

Oh come on! You consider Rarity as still a friend, and that's cool, but after seven years, don't you think you deserve to have just a little fun?

"Well..you got a point there"

Exactly! You don't have to look for anything serious right now, but Big Mac DID say dating around was considered natural for stallions. Think about it; Celestia knows how many gorgeous mares are out there and they are interested in a purple dragon by the name of Spike.

"You know, you're right...or I'm right..or...ah who cares! I'll be bucked if I'm gonna run from that like the guys in those corny manegas Snips collects!" With a running start, Spike vaulted over the the farm entry gate.

It was mid-afternoon and the market area was just now reaching its peak activity; it was also where, without his metaphorical blinders on, Spike saw just what was in front of him all this time. Now, even during his, well...

"Fah, who am I kidding, it was a freaking obsession, plain and simple!" He grumbled to himself. Still, even during that, he still noticed that there were a lot of Ponyville's female population who were really pretty. Now ,however...he was enjoying the view immensely.

Spike didn't want to come across as a perv, but Celestia was it hard not to drink in the sea of long slender legs, firm, toned flanks and backsides, shapely breasts, glossy coats and manes, gorgeous eyes, and cute faces all around him.

He was so engrossed with his 'sightseeing' he failed to notice a particular mare until...

*THUMP!*

"Whoa! What the..??" Spike jumped when he felt something collide with him. A small whimper brought his attention downwards

A pale yellow mare lay on the ground, rubbing her sore flank. Her raspberry-colored mane sprawled out over her face and shoulders, "Owie...

He instantly recognized her, "Rose! Oh geeze, I'm REALLY sorry!" He reached down and lifted her back up, earning a surprised squeak in return, "You all right?? I didn't mean to knock you over; I just got a little distracted and didn't pay attention!"

"It-it's ok, Spike. N-no harm..no harm done." She replied somewhat shyly, a noticeable blush adorning her cheeks.

"Something wrong?"

"N-no..it's just..um.." Her blush increased a bit, "Your hands."

"What about my..?" He quickly realized what she meant: in his hurry to help her up, he had lifted her up by her middle..or more specifically, her hips.

And they were still there.

"Oh, heh. Sorry." He gained his own blush as he let go.

"It's ok.' She chuckled, diffusing the awkwardness some, "So..what brings you out here?"

"Finished up at the farm so I'm just on my way back home; you?'

"Oh, it's kinda my turn to go pick up lunch for me and my sisters."

Soon as food was mention, the cavernous beast that called itself 'Spike's Stomach' made its presence known.

He chuckled nervously, "Hehe. Guess I better get something to satisfy this thing before it revolts on me."

Rose smile, "Well, I'm on my way to the Corner if you wanna come along."

"Sure." The two made their way over.

Along the way, Rose had the sudden urge to giggle.

"What?" Spike asked hearing her.

"Just something that came to me. It's.." She shook her head, "Nah, it'd probably sound silly to you."

"Try me." The smirk he gave her almost screamed 'I dare you'

Rose looked at him, "Well, if it wasn't for how well most of us know you, Spike, some ponies could almost see us as going on a date of sorts."

A date? Spike glanced at her as he held the door open. To be honest, she really was pretty, currently in a pair of snug-fitting jean shorts and blouse that hugged her slender frame; not to mention one of the nicest mares in town. Granted, he wasn't going to be looking for a relationship. For now at least; but, it didn't mean it couldn't be something they'd both enjoy.

"Well, how about we do go on one?"

"Especially given with how you're..Wait, say that again?" Rose slowly turned to face him in a mix of surprise and confusion.

"How about we do?" He smiled, "Roseluck, would you like to go out on a date with me?"

Author's Note

I apologize if that last bit sounds like an asspull, but that was the only way I was able to put it down WITHOUT it sounding like utter absurdity

And before the torches and pitchforks pop up, yes, next chapter will be dedicated to the date and we get to see Rarity's reaction.

Now, time to cast your votes again: Which one of the CMC should get to go out with Spike first when their time comes?

You have until the next chapter is posted to choose.