"A-a-a date!?" Rose squeaked, staring at him in a mix of disbelief, surprise, and slight shock, "But..but you and Rarity..!"

Spike simply shook his head, "To be honest, Rose, I've decided to stop..."

"LADIES! MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION FOR THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT?!" The familiar voice of Pinkie Pie called out from outside.

"Pinkie? What's she up to?" Rose asked, "Mr, Cake, are you guys having a promotional or something."

"Nope." He replied, "She's not even working today."

Spike and Rose looked out the door to see her standing on a box, bullhorn in hand.

He could scarcely take his eyes off the town's resident party girl. Even with her addiction to baked goods, she was FAR from fat. She did retain a slight bit of poundage, but for some reason, it managed to just make her look sexier, some of it settling into a firm rear that damn near SCREAMED to be held and squeezed, resting in shorts he was convinced she had simply painted on, and a wonderfully rounded pair of breasts that, even from his vantage point, made it clear as day there was no bra under the snug shirt she wore. Coupled with those big Baby Blues, almost nonstop smile that made it almost impossible to get mad at her even at her most random moments, her fun-loving nature, and adorable personality, Spike had to ask himself one question; How in the name of Tartarus is she still single??

That was answered with the very next thing she said.

"IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INFORM YOU THAT, AS OF TODAY, OUR LITTLE DRAGON SPIKEY IS NOW AVAILABLE! I REPEAT; SPIKE IS NOW OFFICIALLY SINGLE!" She called out, quite possibly one of the biggest Pinkie-class smiles she'd ever had covering her face as she did.

"Hang on a minute, Pinkie!" A skeptical mare spoke up, "This mean what I think it does?"

"Yep!" She chirped raising the horn again, "HE IS NO LONGER CHASING RARITY! WE GOT OUR CHANCE!"

"Ooh-boy.." Spike facepalmed when he saw several nearby mares look his way as the news began to sink in:

Several of them began whispering excitedly (He could've sworn he heard a familiar, and barely audible voice call out, "Yay!"). Ones nearby looked his way, blushing and giggling. It was the ones giving him a somewhat predatory gaze, licking their lips as they did, that brought him up short.

"Sweet Celestia...I thought Mac just meant a few, but not this many! He thought before Rose's voice brought him back to reality.

"Wow, so..you really did..?" She asked.

"Yep, I kinda had a realization yesterday that's it's just time for me to move on." He let out a weak laugh, "Though, I didn't really expect a reaction quite like this when it became public."

"I'll say." The two stood in silence for a moment, catching snippets of the eager murmuring, "So..this means you're serious about asking me?" She absentmindedly played with the bottom of her shirt.

"Well, yeah. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to think I'm treating you like a rebound girl or anything. Then again..it is kinda hard to be on the rebound when you've never dated to begin with..."

"It's ok, Spike." She smiled, "We all know you aren't that kinda guy." Rose glanced at him, "So, how's tomorrow at around Four sound?"

"Huh? Oh! Y-yeah, four works great for me!"

"See ya then." Her smile turned coy as she headed to get the food, a little sway in her hips this time.

"You..you too..." Spike stood there, an expression of bemusement scrawled across his mug.

At least, until his stomach made an encore.

Twilight rubbed the bridge of her nose, her head currently felt like a jumbled up mishmash.

Less than two hours ago, Pinkie had informed her that her assistant-and for a long time her only real friend- had unknowingly earned the attraction of several mares in town, and even a few from Cloudsdale, simply by virtue of being himself.

Unfortunately, that also reminded her that she had never told him about pony courtship. Though, in her defense, he was so besotted with the fashionista she didn't really thought of it..

She knew she would have to tell him, though that brought up a significant batch of conflicting emotions; on one hand she was happy Spike had been able to move on like he had: But the mere thought of some strange mare or mares swooping in on him...

"Twilight, I'm home!"

"Spike?" Sighing in relief at the momentary mental reprieve, she looked to see him holding up a bag.

"Stopped at the Corner on the way back. Wasn't too sure if you'd already eaten or not."

Taking the pack appreciatively, her expression instantly brightened when she saw a BLT (barley, lettuce, and tomato) and a slice of Sugar Cube Corner's signature blueberry cream cheesecake, "Ooh! I haven't had one of these in a long time!"

"Heh, kinda figured." He replied, "Um, Twilight? Pinkie was over here earlier, wasn't she?"

She paused mid-chomp, "Yeah, how'd you....oh no..she didn't." At his resigned smile, she groaned, "Oh great! I'm sorry, Spike. I know I should've let you be the one telling it, but when she came saying Rarity wanted your help getting ready for her date..."

I..I just got so angry, I.."

"Twi, it's ok, really. I don't think either of us were expecting that; her or Rarity. Wasn't exactly expecting the mares that heard her to react like they did, though." He recalled the experience for her.

"Oh! And THAT reminds me, I need to let you know about the courtship practices..!"

"Don't worry, Big Mac told me. He had noticed the change and asked what happened. He also warned me about..well, my admirers, but I didn't think it was quite as many."

"Ah, well, that's good." She replied.

"Oh yeah, and..well, I have a date tomorrow too."

She froze. Did he say what she thought he did? "A-a date?" She asked, trying to ignore the inexplicable feeling of dread that was trying to settle in her gut, "With..with who?"

"Roseluck."

The feeling subsided a bit, but not by much. Rose was a nice girl, and Twilight knew she really didn't have any reason doubt that.

So why did she feel like this?

Doing her best to ignore it, she smiled as best she could, "That's great, Spike. Any thoughts on what you were going to do for it?"

'"Well, " He scratch his head, "I guess something simple. Like a picnic, maybe."

"That'll work. Especially until you get a more experienced." The feeling returned with a vengeance. Why'd she say that!?

Spike gave a half-hearted shrug, "You're probably right on that." He stretched and yawned, "For now, though. I'm just going to kick back and relax for a bit. This has been a heck of a day."

"You have no idea." She murmured, forcing her attention back to the sandwich.

It didn't taste right anymore for some reason.....

----------The next day----------

Rarity's PoV

Rarity was not a happy pony. Far from it! First Pinkie Pie had the nerve to say her Spikey-Wikey was too busy to come help her yesterday.

What a preposterous notion! He had never been 'too busy' before! Still, it had forced her to take longer than necessary preparing her dress for the night.

Celestia, what a nightmare THAT was. As if insisting they 'go dutch' was bad enough (and right when they entered the restaurant, no less!). He had seemed like such a refined, cultured stallion when they met...

How was she supposed to have known he actually found f-f-FLATULENCE funny! It had been barely twenty minutes when..IT
happened.

It was if the entire population of Ponyville had blown a raspberry all at once. The entire place had gone silent, just before the laughter. Then..the odor.. oh god, THE STENCH!!

And he was PROUD of that!? Thinking it was humorous!? She couldn't get out fast enough! It took five hours and almost three bottles of shampoo before she was certain she had washed the smell off her! Oh! That poor dress..

Thankfully her destination was in view. Now she could get to the bottom of things as well as some much-needed failed date comfort.

However before she could knock, the front door opened and she was greeted with a somewhat unexpected sight.

It was Spike, yet he was dressed in a manner she'd never seen him, wearing a simple long-sleeve shirt and slacks. A basket was in his hand and, judging by the mouth-watering aroma wafting from it, something he had just recently cooked.

"Ok, Twi, here goes nothing." He called back inside.

"All right, Spike. Just get try and get back before it gets too late if you can, ok?"

"I will." Came his reply before turning to see her, "Oh, hey, Rarity."

Something was wrong.

VERY wrong. His greeting was so flat, so..casual. It felt positively alien!

"Oh, Spikey, there you are!" She gushed, regaining her ladylike composure, "I do hope nothing had gone wrong yesterday, since Pinkie had the absurd notion you were too busy to come to the Boutique yesterday..."

"Um, Rarity? I WAS busy yesterday. I was helping at Sweet Apple Acres for the better part of the day."

"Oh..really? Well.."

"Look, Rarity, I'd like to stick around, but I gotta hurry before I'm late for my date."

"Oh, certainly.." She trailed off, "Wait, what??" Unfortunately he was already jogging off.

A date?? Her Spikey-Wikey was on a DATE!? Had she even heard him right? She needed answers.

Twilight! Of course! She'd be able to clear this up!

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

"Coming!" Lily Valley called out. Opening the door, her smile promptly widened, "Well, hel-lo Spike. Look at you."

"Hi, Lily." He grinned sheepishly, "Is,,um, is Rose ready?'

"Yeah, let me get her." She turned around an inhaled, "ROSE, WE GOT HUNK INBOUND! GET YOUR FLANK DOWN HERE!"

Spike managed to stifle his snigger at how she called her sister as the clip-clop of hooves came down the hall. When Rose came into view, he couldn't help but notice the curve-hugging blouse and skirt she had on, "Wow...!"

Rose blushed, "Thanks. Not too bad yourself." She took a whiff and her eyes brightened up, "Is that what I think it is?"

He held up the basket, "Never been on a date before..so kinda figured something simple would be a good idea."

"Works for me. Nice day for one too." She took his free arm, hugging it a little in the process.

Daisy poked her head out from nearby, "Have fun!"

"Don't do anything me or Daisy wouldn't do." Lily grinned.

"That'll be a short list." Rose smirked at the tongues they stuck out.

The two made their way to one of the small knolls dotting Ponyville Park where Spike began setting things up.

"Sooo.." Rose piped up, digging into a plate of grilled daffodils, "Just why the sudden change, Spike? I'm not trying to be nosy or anything, but it's hard not to be curious. I mean, you've been pining for Rarity since you and Twilight first came to town."

"Basically, I learned the hard way that it just wasn't going to work out. Seven years of chasing her and I never really got anywhere." He shook his head, "Decided I had been at it for long enough and I'm moving on."

"Well, considering what you just witnessed in town..." She grinned and edged closer to him, her skirt riding up a bit in the process to show off her supple thighs and part of her cutie mark, "Her loss."

"I guess you could say.." He was cut off as her lips met his.

-----------Back at Golden Oak-----------

"You..you..you're serious!?" Rarity yelped, hearing Twilight's confirmation.

Twilight found the urge to roll her eyes, "Yes, Rarity. On his way home, Spike ran into Roseluck on his way home yesterday and she agreed to go out with him."

"....."

"I don't see why you should be so surprised. Didn't YOU go out just yesterday?" She knew she shouldn't take pleasure in her reaction, but still...

"....."

"Rarity?

"..."

"Rares? You there?" Twilight snapped her fingers in her face.

Nothing.

She gave her a light poke...

And could only watch with a poleaxed expression as she toppled over, stiff as a board.

She had actually fainted standing up.

-----------Back at the park-----------

The initial plan had been pretty basic: take her out for something simple they'd both like, enjoy each other's company, and maybe enjoy a goodnight kiss. Fairly standard as far as dates go that he was aware of.

Having Rose liplock him this early wasn't something he took into account...

Nor the fact he was enjoying.

A few moments into the kiss, he felt something warm, rough, and moist slide in between his teeth and began wrestling with his tongue. The delighted moan she let out quickly informed him of what it was.

Her own.

Not really one to take something like THAT lying down, he retaliated, showing her just how flexible a dragon tongue was.

Rose's body tensed slightly before she scooted closer to him. Eyes still closed, she took his hand and promptly pressed it against her warm breast.

His tail spasmed in alarm when he felt her do that. He'd felt mare's breasts before, but only when they were pressed against him when he was hugged.

Never like this. So he was rather unsure as what to do

That's not to say it didn't feel nice through the fabric. It wasn't large; just enough to fill his hand, but it was soft and perky. he noticed she didn't have a bra on when he felt the hardened press against his palm.

It was then she began moving his hand, making it gently squeeze and knead the flesh, grabbing his other hand and doing the same to her other breast.

Spike quickly took the hint and began going along, earning pleased moans and light squeals when he gently rotated his thumb over one of her hardened pebbles. Their tongues fighting for dominance the whole way.

After several moments of the hot and heavy action, both were forced to pull away for air.

"W-wow..!" Spike gasped, his face bright red.

"I'll second that!" Rose replied, equally flushed, staring at him with half-lidded eyes, "Heh, think I'm gonna have to change my panties when I get home." She brushed a few loose strands of hair out of her face, "Not too shabby for a first date."

"Thanks." He replied, "Um, Rose..I.."

"It's ok. Spike." She smiled, seemingly reading this thoughts, "I've never met anyone who was after a serious relationship right from the start, mare or stallion. Besides," Her smile turned rather coy, "There are plenty of other gals in town looking for their turn. Now, maybe we better finish what you brought before it goes bad."

It was just getting dark when Spike returned home, a somewhat dopey smile on his face. Twilight was curled with a book on the couch when he got inside, "I'm back."

"Spike!" She looked up, "I take it things went all right?"

"I..I think I'm gonna enjoy dating. I'll be back in a few minutes, Twi. Gonna go change."

"Ok." She watched him head up to his room, fighting back the unwelcome stinging sensation in her eyes the whole way, "Stupid hormones.."

Author's Note

Holy crap! This is the longest chapter I have ever written out of any fic! i might actually break the habit of stopping at around 1k.

Think I need a bit more practice with emotional turmoil though.

Also, this is THE first date I've ever written out, sooo, I guess in a way it can count as good practice for the ones later on.

As for the winner of the poll:

Looks like It's Scootaloo who get's to go first.