Author's Note

Normally I put this at the bottom of the chapter, but I felt I needed it to begin with. I just wanted to thank everyone for keeping with the story and sorry for the absence. Also, I just want to warn anyone this is my first time writing this kind of chapter before so I hope I did a good job of it.

Shytime

"You sure you're fine to start the chores on your own this morning, Big Mac?" asked Applejack over the breakfast table.

"Eeyup," Big Mac answered with a nod. "Just make sure you're back for the afternoon's work. I ain't against you having your fun, as long as you continue to work anyway."

"I... I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Mac." Applejack wavered under her brothers stern gaze.

"You've never been a good liar Applejack." Said Big Mac matter of factually.

"I... I..." Applejack gulped before sighing and looking down at her breakfast. "Alright, you're right, Big Mac. But, in my defense, it's not just fun."

"Hmm," Big Mac hummed over a slice of toast before swallowing. "So, you really like her?"

"What?" Applejack sprayed Big Mac with half a glass of orange juice. "Of course I like her, she wouldn't be my friend if I didn't."

"You know very well that's not what I meant, Applejack." Applejack shivered as Big Mac's unamused glare reminded her of Pinkie's sister, Maud.

"I... I know, Big Mac, and I'm sorry." Applejack stood up from the table and moved over to the sink, picking up a cloth and tossing it to her brother.

"It's just, I don't really know how I feel about her at the moment. I mean, sure we had fun the other night, but I'm not sure if it was just a roll in the hay or if I really like her. Then, even if I do like her, I don't know if she likes me."

"Well, I'm sure you know your friends better than I do. But Miss Fluttershy doesn't seem like the kind of pony to fool around. I'm sure whatever you to did, she only allowed it because she truly cares for you."

"Hmmm..." Applejack hummed in thought as she retook her seat at the table. "I guess you're right, but I should still probably ask her when I see her."

"Well, be careful when you do. Especially if you realize she ain't more than a friend. There's a lot more at stake than just a 'roll in the hay'." said Big Mac calmly.

"Don't worry, I don't want to lose her or any of my other friends. I promise you, I wont do anything more with her until I work out how I feel. And if I don't love her, I'll let her off as gently as possible." said Applejack before turning to her breakfast, Big Mac simply nodding his approval.

The rest of breakfast passed quietly, and soon Applejack stood up from the table, carrying her plate over to the sink. She began to turn on the water when Mac's hoof stopped her.

"I told you, I can handle the chores this morning. You said you had something important to talk to Miss Fluttershy about and you better not keep the poor mare waiting."

Applejack smiled and wrapped her hooves around her brothers neck. "Thanks again Big Mac."

"You're welcome, sis. Now hurry along and leave me be."

Applejack let go of her brother's neck as he turned his attention to the washing up. Leaving the kitchen, she paused only to pick up her trusty Stetson before leaving the house, the light of a new dawn greeting her over the top of the nearby apple trees. And, after taking a deep breath of crisp; clear; new morning air, she set off into town.

Richard sighed in relief as he heard the cry of the cock through the open window. After roughly eight hours of restless tossing and turning; sweat pouring from his every poor despite the open window and the blankets thrown aside; he was glad to have an excuse to stop trying. Flimsy as that excuse may be.

Slowly, he rose from the bed and groaned as his bed sheets came with him. Plastered by sweat to his skin. Peeling the sheet from his back and balling it up, Richard stood from his bed and threw the sheets in the corner.

'I'll deal with that later.' He thought to himself. 'Right now, I need to have a shower and then I want a coffee.'

Leaving his bedroom behind him, Richard plodded his way to the bathroom, his foot steps echoing through his one floor house. Opening the door and turning on the light, he was greeted to a sea swirl of colour of blue and green tiles.

Shutting the door behind him and locking out of habit (and respect of a certain curious pink pony) he turned the shower on to warm up while he relieved himself of a nights worth of waste. That task quickly taken care of, he was delight to see the room filling with steam and eagerly launched himself under the piping hot stream of water.

As he lathered himself up with soap and began to scrub away at his skin, feeling less filthy and sweat ridden with each stroke, he sighed in gentle pleasure as if the worries of the night before were running down the drain. Unfortunately, this thought brought the worries of the night before to the fore of his mind, causing him to chew his cheek as he mulled them over.

Firstly, he was clearly wrong about how easy it would be to deal with being in heat. Already a lump of guilt for his remarks about Fluttershy was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach. Not much he could do now however, he didn't want to do anything to even risk being seen as admitting defeat. He definitely didn't want to become a mare; even for just a week.

Richard sighed again. Thinking of mares brought a certain violet hue to mind. The same hue that had been haunting what little sleeping time he had managed last night. A colour which just so happened to match his opponent in the bet.

"Why do I keep thinking about Twilight," he said to no pony in particular. "I mean, sure, I like her as a friend. But it's not as if I spend that much time thinking about Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow or any of the others."

Richard shook his head, trying to remove that thought from it, as well as water from his hair, as he picked up the shampoo bottle and squirted some of the lavender scented liquid onto his scalp before rubbing in.

"I don't know what to think anymore. I mean, I don't think I like her more than a friend." Richard let out a growl of frustration as he dipped his head under the stream once more to rinse his hair.

"Eurgh... It's probably just the potion making me think about her so much. I mean it's only natural my mind would jump to her first after all she's done for me. Especially after her crazy display yesterday."

After a few more moments of letting the water cascade over him, he finally felt clean enough to face what the day could throw at him. Though, he had to admit, his schedule was pretty empty. Being a handy man for hire who depended on ponies being willing to hire him often left him with some empty days here and there.

Stepping out of the shower and toweling himself down even as he left the bathroom and headed for the combined kitchen/dining and living room, he mulled over what to do. First things first however, he took the empty kettle from its place on the stove and filled it with water before setting back in it's place and igniting the hob beneath it.

Leaving the water to boil, Richard busied himself with putting some coffee granules in a mug along with a dash of milk and a teaspoon. He also poured himself a bowl of cereal. Silently thanking Celestia that Equestria had cereals fit for human consumption. Though, not the healthiest of the available, sugar coated corn flakes were definitely his favourite.

Sitting at the table with his cereal, he began to eat his breakfast while waiting for the kettle to boil. He didn't have to wait long, and a few spoonfulls of sugar coated tastiness later, a shrill whistling filled the room.

Standing back up and moving over to the stove, he turned the hob off and removed the kettle, taking care to not burn himself as he filled the nearby waiting mug. After returning the kettle to the stove once more; this time to a cold hob; he carried his coffee over to the table, the teaspoon clinking as he stirred it.

Sitting back down, he carried on with his breakfast; finishing his bowl of cereal as he let his brew cool down slightly to avoid scalding his tongue.

Soon after the empty bowl sat washed and drying on the kitchen sideboard. Richard was sat in a battered old arm chair, clutching his mug tightly and sipping the brew steadily as he peered through a curtain at the world outside. The streets outside were still quiet, only a couple of ponies with bulging saddlebags walking towards the center of town could be seen. As he watched them walk out of sight, he thought he could vaguely recognize them as stall owners from his trips to the market.

Looking at the now empty streets, finally starting to perk up as the caffeine began to flow through his system, he let his mind wander once more. The more he thought about the events of the night and day previously, the more he realized that as reluctant as he was last night, he really needed to talk to somepony. And right now he needed some honest opinions. Which meant there was only one pony to visit.

Finishing his drink and quickly rinsing the mug, leaving it on the side to dry. He headed back to the bedroom to get dressed before heading out towards his first destination of the day. Sweet Apple Acres.

The streets of Ponyville were relatively quiet as Applejack headed through the center towards the other side of town. The only other ponies out and about were fellow farmers who happened to be setting their stalls up ready for when the market opened. Applejack waved to the few she knew more closely in passing, receiving a mixture of waves and friendly nods in return.

Applejack loved this time of day. Not only was it cool enough to make the hard work of the farm a lot easier to bear, but being one of the few ponies awake allowed her to run away with her own thoughts. Currently she had two things on her mind.

The first was Fluttershy, she wasn't sure how she felt about her yet, but she was determined to make her mind up as quickly as possible. The second was Richard. While she didn't exactly care about the bet - the human had made his own stupid mistake after all - Fluttershy didn't want him to suffer the indignity of being a mare for a week, and that was enough for her.

She had spent all night trying to work out a plan of action, and while she had had an idea, it didn't quite sit right with her. Betraying family tradition never did. She was had come up with something she was almost certain would work. There was also a plan b, but she felt Fluttershy wouldn't be too happy with that plan.

Not that she was completely against flirting with Richard, but she'd rather not have to resort to that. Upsetting Fluttershy and playing with the human's feelings in one move, even for the greater good, wasn't something she would do lightly. No, she had to hope plan A would be good enough.

Soon she was leaving the market place behind, the houses getting more sparse as she reached the far edge of the town proper, nothing more than the Everfree forest and a small cottage ahead of her.

Applejack shivered.

Free from the protective cover of the houses all around her, she became aware of a gentle but chilling breeze coming from the direction of the forest. And, though it was strange, she could swear she could hear the sweet but unintelligible notes of an faintly familiar song hanging on the wind.

Heading towards the distant cottage, she could swear the singing got louder with each passing minute. Soon it had become loud enough to recognize the words and she instantly knew who it was. Fluttershy was singing as she performed her morning chores.

"There's music in the treetops, and there's music in the vale..." The song sounded like the sweetest apples in her ears, and like a sailor following the sirens call to their doom, she followed the music.

Step by step, letting the music lead the way, Applejack found herself a short distance from Fluttershy's cottage and just before her was the mare herself. She was placing a large bee's hive on a rock in front of a dark and foreboding cave just as she reached a high point in her song. Standing there awestruck at the beautiful sigh, she gasped in excitement as Fluttershy launched herself into the air, the sun framing her.

Unfortunately the gasp didn't go unheard and Fluttershy's song turned into a strangled scream as she dove back to the ground as she realized she was being watched. For a few seconds, Fluttershy lay on the ground shivering and hiding behind her mane before Applejack had the good sense to go up and embrace her terrified friend.

"It's only me, Fluttershy." Said Applejack as Fluttershy flinched at the touch of her hoof. "I'm sorry for scaring you sugarcube."

"Oh, Applejack." Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief as she appeared from behind her mane. "It's okay, I was just worried for a second that somepony was spying on me."

Applejack let out a nervous cough. "Well, I kinda was to be honest. I'm sorry, but your voice... It's so beautiful." Applejack couldn't help notice the small blush that appeared on Fluttershy's face, nor the heat she felt rising in her own face.

"You're too kind, Applejack." Fluttershy let out a sigh as she pulled Applejack into a deep hug. "But thank you."

Applejack opened her mouth to respond but couldn't think of anything to say. Her heart had suddenly started beating a samba in her chest at the closeness, especially after the beautiful singing. Unfortunately Fluttershy seemed to misinterpret her silence and quickly let go, backing away quickly.

"I'm sorry Applejack, I didn't mean to upset you." Fluttershy hung her head and pawed nervously at the ground with her hoof.

The scene of her friend upset too much to bear, Applejack found herself quickly closing the distance and bringing Fluttershy into a deep hug of her own, the pegasus letting a out cute squeak in response.

"You didn't upset me 'shy." Whispered Applejack in her ear, easing Fluttershy's concern. "It's just, when you hugged me I felt all weird and I didn't know how to respond."

"You didn't know how to respond?" Fluttershy asked, a tinge of sadness to her voice.

"No," replied Applejack as an idea popped into her head. "But now I do." Slowly, Applejack nuzzled up the side of Fluttershy's muzzle, feeling the pegasus' hot breath tickle her ear with each exhale. Silently, Fluttershy stood perfectly still until they stood nose to nose with Applejack's forehooves wrapped tightly around her neck. For a second they stood like that, staring deeply into each others eyes as their breathing became ragged and desperate.

Then, with a little twist of Applejack's hooves, their lips met in a slow; passionate kiss; both mares closing their eyes as they melted into the moment. All at once, the doubts and fears plaguing Applejack were washed away. Eventually, desperate for air, Applejack reluctantly broke the kiss; taking in deep breaths as Fluttershy let out a moan of frustration.

Opening her eyes, Applejack felt a shiver run down her spine as she took in Fluttershy's hungry, desperate longing gaze. "I hope that was okay?" she whispered as she rested her forehead against Fluttershy's.

"That was wonderful, AJ." Said Fluttershy. "But is there any chance we could continue? Please? If it's okay with you, I mean?"

Something about the way she asked caused a yearning to rise within Appleajck. Perhaps it was the softness of her voice? Or maybe it was the look of sheer desperation? But Applejack wanted nothing more than to lay Fluttershy flat on the ground fulfill her request. Oh how she wanted to run her hooves over that yellow coat and caress those pretty pink butterflies, but even as thoughts of the other night filled her mind she had to remember who this was.

This is Fluttershy. Precious, beautiful, fragile Fluttershy. And she couldn't bare to think how she would live with herself if she did something to hurt this delicate little flower in her grasp by moving too fast.

"I'm more than willin' to continue, Fluttershy, and to do lots more. But are you absolutely sure you're okay with this? I don't want to do anything to hurt you by moving too fast."

"Oh Applejack..." Fluttershy's eyes began to glisten as they filled with moisture. "I've never been so certain about anything in my life. Ever since the other night, I can think of nothing but holding you in my hooves and making love to you again. I don't think I've ever felt as good during my heat as you made me feel that night." Fluttershy gulped as Applejack brushed a loose strand of mane away from her eyes.

"I know you may not want the same thing in the long term as I do. That's okay, you're a wonderful mare and I doubt I'd deserve you anyway. But please, make love to me, Applejack?"

An awkward silence filled the clearing as a cold gust of wind caused both mares to shiver. For a horrifyingly long moment Fluttershy was worried she'd scared Applejack off, but then the Earth Pony leaned forwards and once more their lips were locked. Unlike before, this kiss was fast and fierce, but no less intense as Applejack pushed relentlessly forward, forcing Fluttershy backwards and over onto the ground.

Breaking from the kiss, Applejack continued her ravishment of Fluttershy's body as she nipped repeatedly down her jaw line. As she reached Fluttershy's neck, she bit gently down on the area of flesh above the jugular, causing Fluttershy to shudder and cry out in ecstasy.

"Oh, Applejack... Please, more?" Fluttershy whimpered. Struggling to find her voice through the pleasure she felt coursing through her veins.

More than willing to oblige, Applejack moved on, nipping and kissing down Fluttershy's collar bone as she removed one of her hooves from her lovers neck trailing it down Fluttershy's chest towards a more intimate area. Deciding to take her time and stretch the moment out, she settled her hoof into a gentle circular caress of Fluttershy's stomach as her other hoof also left its spot on Fluttershy's neck to rub across the edge of one of her wings causing it to snap open in excitement.

Fluttershy was in heaven, the bites and caresses from Applejack driving her to height of passion she'd never felt before, her need building to an inferno she longed to have quenched by the mare in who's hooves she writhed and shrieked. Looking downwards, she stared longingly at the hoof drawing a circle in the fur of her stomach. So close to her aching pussy and yet still so far. She wanted to yell or beg, anything to get it to move to her quivering sex but her words failed her as Applejack bit down on her extended wing.

The cry of pleasure shook the nearby forest, startled birds taking flight as the sound of her lover caused Applejacks own pussy to leak excitedly. Realizing she'd been teasing Fluttershy long enough, she let her hoof trail lower, eventually reaching the raging heat and dampness of her slit. Gently, she caressed Fluttershy's quivering flesh, catching her cry before it formed, launching herself forward to smother her lips in a kiss.

Applejack gazed deeply into her lovers eyes as Fluttershy broke the kiss to cry out in pleasure once more as Applejack's hoof brushed against the small nub of her clit.

"Sweet Celestia, you're drivin' me wild with your squealing, Shy." Said Applejack, turning her full attention to Fluttershy's wanting sex. "But if you think you've been feelin' pleasure so far, you've got another thin' comin', sugarcube."

Applejack removed her hoof from Fluttershy's pussy, causing the pegasus to whine. However, the whine quickly turned into a coo of pleasure as Applejack's hot breath washed over it as she moved her muzzle mere inches away from it.

"I hope you're ready for this." Teased Applejack with a wink before giving the slit a tentative lick causing Fluttershy to let out another cute squeak. A second lick quickly followed the first and then a third and soon Applejack was happily lapping at Fluttershy's dripping sex, greedily devouring her nectar.

Craving more, Applejack placed her forehooves either side of Fluttershy's pussy, gently teasing the slit open to expose the beautiful pink flesh inside. "Oh Fluttershy," Applejack crooned. "You look so beautiful in the morning night."

Fluttershy could only whimper in response, the pleasure reducing her to a gibbering mess. Applejack inhaled deeply, shivering as the smell of Fluttershy consumed her. Slowly, and unafraid of the mess, she inched forwards and buried her muzzle into Fluttershy sticking her tongue as deeply as she could to taste as much of her lover as possible.

Crack

Applejack froze at the sound, the warm wetness of Fluttershy's folds torn away from her grasp as Fluttershy jumped in fright.

"Richard..." Fluttershy whimpered.

Looking up at Fluttershy, Applejack found her staring wide eyed in fright at the nearby hill. Following her gaze, Applejack turned in time to see a dash of brown hair disappearing quickly out of sight.

"Oh horseapples!" Applejack swore. "You don't suppose he saw us, do you?"