Epilogue

Rainbow Dash jolted awake in the officer bunk at the Wonderbolts' Cloudsdale base. Her teammates’ sleeping bags were spread out at random across the floor. Next to her (in fact, right up against her), sleeping soundly, was Soarin.

She blushed and put as much distance as possible between her and her fellow lieutenant, then focused on the digital clock in the corner of the room. Neon numbers swam in front of her eyes, and she could just barely make out 5:00 AM.

Great.

With a dramatic but quiet sigh, she pulled on her slippers, grabbed her bathrobe from the hook in front of the door, and exited the bunk.

The shower room was conveniently located...

Wait, where is it? Dash wondered to herself as the dizzying amount of rooms in the hallway became clear.

"Problem, Ms. Dash?" A spot of orange appeared in her peripheral vision. She spun in surprise; there stood Captain Spitfire, in the flesh.

"Captain! I, uh--"

"Spitfire will do, Lieutenant." She smiled, amused.

"Right, yeah. Uh, I was kinda wondering where the shower room was."

"I was actually going there myself," said Spitfire. "I can take you there, if you have to clean off right this minute."

"S-sure," Rainbow Dash agreed.

The two officers were silent afterwards.

There's nothing I can really bring up with the captain herself without me embarrassing myself, she thought. After all, this is just a walk to the showers. We don't have to talk about anything.

Still, Dash found herself staring at her feet most of the time. I guess I'm just a little nervous about running into her at this time of day, and with a circumstance like this.

They entered the shower room and went in opposite directions, without as much as a word in parting.

Not long after, the hot water ran on Rainbow Dash's already burning face. Whatever happened to "stay cool", Dash? she thought.

Come to think of it, stuff like that’s been happening pretty frequently…

A new idea came to her. I'm not crushing on her, am I?!

The blush returned to her face, then ebbed a little. No. I've always been straight, and I plan to keep it that way. Besides, I've already pretty much won Thunderlane over.

She smirked as she remembered how Thunderlane had stuttered his way out of going to her favorite restaurant with her yesterday. Later, Soarin had slipped by to tell her that Thunderlane had been in the sergeant's bunk beating himself up over refusing the date.

And speaking of Soarin...what was the deal with him? Probably a dream that led him over to me. The more she reassured herself, however, the less comfortable she felt.

Done with her shower (more of a rinse-off than anything else), Dash dried herself off, slipped into her lieutenant's uniform and made her way down to the café. Misty Fly, Soarin, Surprise, and Fleetfoot had already gotten up and were either just beginning or just finishing their breakfasts. Soarin was talking with Fleetfoot and Misty Fly, most likely discussing the new batch of recruits. Meanwhile, Surprise was spreading cream cheese, both jams, and both butters on her bagel. Dash's face contorted for a moment before she noticed Thunderlane sitting at a table by himself, drinking his coffee.

She walked over to the coffee machine and filled the mug to the brim with the kind of coffee that Surprise herself would turn down. She took a rather large gulp, as per usual, then approached Thunderlane.

"Heya, Thunder!" she began. "So I was thinking about my offer from yesterday, and...well, are 'ya going to reconsider?"

Poor Thunderlane had been startled by the sudden noise and spilled his coffee. Luckily it was only a little bit, but with his luck, it had landed in his lap. He had grimaced and winced somehow at the same time, then blushed as he realized who was speaking to him. He decided it would be best to set his mug down on the clean table for the time being.

Silence took the reins once more as Rainbow Dash waited for Thunderlane's reaction.

"...um. I - uh, well..." Thunderlane stuttered for a couple seconds before he answered, "...I - I guess so..."

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Thanks so much, Thunder. I guess I'll be seein’ 'ya at 7 PM tonight, then?" She planted a kiss on his cheek, downed the rest of her coffee, placed the mug in the sink, and turned her back on the café.

Unfortunately for Dash, Spitfire had been coming down the stairs at the same time, and they bumped right into each other rather forcefully.

"Oops! S-sorry, Captain! It won't happen again--!"

"Relax, Lieutenant! Sweet Celestia, you make it sound like you committed a crime..." Spitfire raised an eyebrow at her before turning around and addressing the whole café. "Session starts at 7 AM, guys. Better eat up, 'cuz we're going for four hours since it's the weekend!"

She examined the room, then sighed as she noticed Surprise. "Er...Surprise, what are you doing?"

"Makin' breakfast. Problem, Cap'n?" Surprise said, and tucked into her bagel.

"Uh…all right then." Spitfire turned around once more and whispered to Dash, "Loosen up a little, would you?"

Dash blushed and watched Spitfire walk away towards the kitchenette.

She skipped up the stairs two at a time and tripped at the top, where she ran into Blaze. She raised an eyebrow and began, "Good morning, Tomato-face--"

"I really don't have time to deal with you right now!" Dash got up and rushed past her, seeking refuge in the lieutenant bunk. Right as she reached her bed, she stiffened up like a twig and covered herself with blankets, trying desperately to clear her mind.