Worried about cupcakes.

"Today's going to be so much fun!" Pinkie Pie yawned and stretched, chanting the same mantra she did every day since she got her cutie mark all those years ago. However, there was something else hidden under all that potential fun... Nervousness. After all the other new feelings she had recently, she liked this one the least. It wasn't going to slow her down though, tonight was her date with James and it had to be perfect. She was going to ask Mrs. Cake if she could get off a little early and get everything ready. Just thinking about spending time with him made her giddy and she couldn't be happier.

James on the other... hoof, was losing his mind. He barely slept at all last night when Pinkie left. He had no idea what he was getting into or what to even expect from romance in pony culture... must less from Pinkie Pie, in pony culture. His mantra for the day was, "I'm 24 for Christ's sake. I shouldn't be this nervous!" James tried to go about his day like usual. He putted around his house to wait for any mail from the princess. He needed a job, but was worried that no pony would give him a chance since he's a human. He ate up all the food in his house trying to calm his nerves. When the mail-mare didn't show he figured it was a bust again. Having nothing else to do, he decided to go around and tell his friends the good news.

The first stop was Applejack. She always seemed to like him and he knew she was the most honest pony around. Plus he needed a pick me up after the tossing and turning he did all night.

James rounded the corner of the barn and heard two familiar voices inside. Creeping up to the open entrance, he spied a butter yellow pegasus standing over Applejack's dog Winona. The earth mare standing to her side saying something about a check-up. Now was the prefect chance.

"Hey girls!" James shouted to the pair, who were oblivious to his presence in the barn.

The two jump three feet off the ground. Fluttershy lets off a squeak, snapping her wings to attention, then falling over like a fainting goat on planet's funniest animals. James laughed until his sides ached. Applejack finally gained enough sense to speak.

"Sweet Celestia James, you 'bout scared the apples off my flank!"

"Ughhh" Fluttershy tried to speak but was stuck in some state of petrification.

"Sorry girls, I didn't mean to scare you that bad." He did. "So did you hear the good news?"

"What's that shug? Oh, yeah. 'bout you and Pinkie Pie? Sure did, She's tellin' everypony. I couldn't be more happy for ya'll." She smiled, tipping her iconic stetson.

"You're a nice stallion James. Pinkie is lucky." Fluttershy said, still laying on her side.

Being the nice guy that he was, James scooped up the frozen pegasus and turned her right side up sitting her back on her hooves. He kinda did feel bad now. He forgot sometimes how skittish she was.

"Really? You girls have no idea how nervous I am right now, I barely got any sleep last night."

Fluttershy giggles and Applejack smiles. "Don't you fret none sugar cube. Just be your normal self." Fluttershy gives an affirmative nod from behind her lock of hair.

James breathes out a long sigh. Finally letting go of most of the anxiety he had build up over night. "Thanks girls. It means a lot to hear you all say that... Well, I'm gonna get out of your hair... err, manes." The girls give him warm smiles as he practically floats out of the barn on a cloud.

As James approaches Twilight's... Castle? Library? Tree-house? Honestly, he had stopped trying to figure it out. The first time he tried to get a straight answer from the purple alicorn, he got a headache. She had a list... on hoof... with the characteristics of each building in a Venn diagram... Weirdo... His musings were interrupted by shouting coming from inside.

"Rainbow Dash! Seriously! How many times do I have to say it? You are a grown mare with two perfectly functioning ears. Go practice somewhere else!"

"Sorry Twi... I just get carried away with my moves sometimes and... well, here I am..." She trails off.

Twilight fumes, picking up the pieces of broken window, talking to no pony in particular. "Here she is she says. Training she says. It's a giant bucking crystal tree house, how do you not see it? Seriously."

"HA, so it is a Tree house then?" James interjects, popping his head in through the broken window. He felt more accomplished than he should of, now that she actually picked one thing to call it."

"Oh, hey James." Twilight beams, breaking from her mini conniption.

"Heyy Jamsey." Rainbow says in a overly sultry tone.... "Bahaha, you should see the look on your face!"

He couldn't see it but he could definitely feel it. Just the mere thought of Pinkie saying his name like that caused him to blush every time. It didn't help that the girls had front row seats to their little show not 12 hours ago. Rainbow continued to laugh and after a few seconds, Twilight couldn't help but join in.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, I'll have you know, that's why I came over here today. I wanted to tell you personally that Pinkie and I are going on a date tonight."

"Yeah we know." Rainbow says, her face still beet red. "Heck, half of Ponyville knows."

"Well, shit." James says under his breath. "Is there any one who doesn't know?"

The two mares pondered for a second, till Twilight spoke. "Rarity. Pinkie didn't see her all morning."

"Well, if you two will excuse me, I have a certain fashionista to find and tell her the good news."

"You do that stud. By the way, I still need that cupcake recipe." Rainbow smirks.

James shook his head, ignoring the obvious sexual harassment and made a bee line for Rarity's boutique.

The bell on the door chimed and James heard a sing song voice from the back room. "Just a minuute."

James didn't want to answer back. He knew he wasn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but it only took one time to learn that you DO NOT disturb the fashion unicorn when she was "in the zone." After about five minutes, she finally strolled into the show room smiling and practically oozing inspiration.

"Oh, hello darling! How is everything? I hope you aren't too embarrassed about last night..." She trails off, blushing.

"Oh, ha ha. Not at all Rarity. That's actually why I stopped by. I have a date with Pinkie Pie tonight! We're kinda hoping it will lead to something more in near future."

Rarity's smile quickly fades. It's replaced by an uneasy stare.

"Oh that's...wonderful dear." She tries to put on a small fake smile but he wasn't buying it.

"I thought you'd be happy Rarity. What's up?"

"Oh nothing James it's just..." She stops mid sentence, looking for the most tactful way to say what she's thinking.

"Look Rares." James says, gently grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face him. "I'm a big boy, just tell me what you think. I can take it."

She nods and sighs. "I'm just worried is all. Pinkie Pie, while I love her to death, she has never been the most... stable of ponies." Rarity smiled, but he could tell that her words hurt her just as much as it would have hurt Pinkie, if she had heard them.

"She doesn't have any experience in romance at all. Now she is jumping into a potential relationship with..." Rarity stops mid sentence and frowns.

"A human.." James finishes her sentence for her. "I never knew you cared so much that I was human Rarity." James says, trying to hide his hurt. He didn't think she was that kind of pony. Sure he had met a few here and there but... still, not from her.

"Goodness no!" Rarity corrected. "It's not that at all James. You could be a pony like me and I would say the same thing." She sighs again and flops down on her couch, not bothering to protect her perfect tail or mane. "I know it's not nice to hide things from ones friends but... I just... I'm worried that Pinkie is only doing this because of what happened last night.... I'm afraid of what will happen if it fails... I'm afraid she's moving too fast. I don't doubt that you like her James. She was there for you when you needed somepony. She is kind and funny. But she....She may not feel the same way, not really. I fear she may not know the difference between lust and love at the moment... We both know how that ends." She finishes by looking up at him, searching to see if her rambling were sinking in.

James visibly winced at the potential truth in her words. He knew what it would cause..Heartbreak, not just any old heartbreak but the FIRST heartbreak. Hell, he remembered his. Her name was Heather and she had kissed him after math class one day. He fell head over heels for the girl. Long story short, it didn't end well. That was the first of many. He however, may be a lot of things, but heart-breaker wasn't among of them. Even so... it wasn't that bad... right?

Rarity saw James lost in thought for a moment. "Are you okay dear? Oh, Sweet Luna. You must think I'm an awful pony for saying such things." She buries her head in her hooves and sulks.

James lets another long sigh for the day, he had lost count by now. "Not at all Rarity." He puts a reassuring hand on her head. "You and I think a lot alike...Pinkie came back to my house last night."

"Oh my... I know it's not very lady like to pry but..."

He chuckled and blushed. "We only talked Rarity, it was about that very thing. You're right. I do know I like Pinkie Pie. Maybe even more than like, but lets say you're right. Lets say its all a bust. Is heartbreak really that bad? We might be able to work through it. I mean, I've seen my fair share and I'm better for it... mostly."

"As have I darling but that brings me back to my first point. Pinkie is... well Pinkie. Do you really suspect it will be that simple? You didn't see her on her birthday... Secondly, our worlds are as different as night is from the day in that aspect." James tilts his head in confusion, cuing Rarity to continue.

"We have had many conversations about the differences between our worlds. Fashion, food, Hollywood, romance... war.. disease." Those weren't his favorite topics and it embarrassed him to talk about the more seedy portions of his history.

"James, on your Earth, people kill each other because they disagree on where they will go when they pass from this world. We DON'T have that in Equestria. There is an occasional monster or tyrant, but for the most part, ponies see little to no suffering from the day they are born. Sure we don't get everything we want but most dreams do come true here. That's what you need to understand. That is the kind of life WE are used to. You know how to handle the bad and the ugly but for the most part James... We don't. We've never had to. And that's not just for heartache, that's all emotions that go against the magic of harmony. Anger, hatred, greed, dishonesty, betrayal... Jealousy. " Rarity finishes, knowing she could have said more but he got the point. A slight sweat was forming on her brow.

"So are you telling me to not even try?!" James asks, a little to defensively, causing Rarity to draw back.

"Goodness no James. I know I'm a terrible pony but... I don't doubt your feelings for her but... I don't think you two are right for each other." This statement hit him like a ton of bricks. Even if he disagreed, who she was and the way she visibly hurt to say it really got to him. He knew Rarity was no dummy when it came to matters of the heart. She could give the princess of love a run for her crown.

"The gap is just too big. If it was just one of these things it might work but... culture AND romance ... I'm just worried that neither one of you are really ready for this." She breaths out hard, Her face burning for understanding. She searched his eyes for some sort of sign that told her that "Thinking out loud" wasn't about to blow up in her face.

"Jesus Rarity, I...I don't know what to say. I mean, this is some pretty heavy stuff."

"Yes it is darling. It may seem a bit melodramatic. You may be saying to yourself:"

Rarity drops her voice down as low as it can go and puffs out her chest, mimicking the human. "They can get over it, It's not that big of a deal Rarity har, har, har."

James can't help but laugh a bit at her display. He's glad she did it though. The mood in here was getting a little to heavy for his liking. She laid her head back and sighed again. "If it were your world, you would be right, but here... We just aren't built that way dear. You know the story of Princess Luna and how she was turned into Nightmare Moon?" He nodded. The story was pretty cool. Just another that seemed like it should be in a fairy tale. Hell, this whole place was a walking story book.

"That is what happens when emotions are too much for us to handle. Not to mention if suddenly you go back to your world and she's left here all alone... Not to say she would turn into a monster but.."

James holds up his hands in complete surrender. "Okay,...Okay. You have a lot of great points Rarity. Clearly you have thought about this way more than I have. All I know is ... She makes me happy Rarity"

The joy that formed on his face when he tells this makes her own heart swoon for a moment. It almost made her wish that she was the one going on a date with him. In all her potential, and failed, relationships in the past, she had never seen a smile like his. She would give anything to have a stallion look at her that way.

"I make her happy too and I can't even put into words how glad I am that she has a friend like you."

That not being the reaction she expected, Rarity is taken back for a moment. "Re-Really? I was afraid you would hate me or at least be upset with me."

"Not at all Rarity. I told you to tell me and you did. You held nothing back. I know how much you girls mean to each other and even if we disagree, I still care about what you have to say." The look on his face was a serious one.

There was a brief pause before Rarity laughed. Not just a chuckle but a deep, snorty laugh that she would never, EVER use in a public place. James returns a laugh of his own, half out of the confusion as to what was so funny and half at Rarity's expense because she looked and sounded ridiculous. He had never heard her more than chortle before... It was nice to see her lighten up a bit in front of him.

"I don't... I don't think I've ever seen you look so ... serious... or smart before." She says between snorts.

"Glad I could help Miss snort." James deadpans.

"No..no dear. It is wonderful. You are just usually so aloof and carefree. It's nice to see that you have a brain somewhere behind that handsome face of yours. Pinkie Pie is a lucky mare and I know I said all those things, but you must understand. I treasure Pinkie Pie, just like I do all my friends but I'm a top class worrier and well, you know the rest." She finishes by wiping a few stray tears away from her eyes.

James smiles at her. "It sucks Rarity."

"What does darling?" Rarity muses.

"That the only reason we know these things is that we've experienced them."

"Where's my wine? I'll drink to that!" Rarity exclaims, rolling off the couch.

She sighs once again. More due to the fact that just shed a heavy burden and less that she was tired at the end of a long day. "Good luck James. I really mean it. I do hope you both have a wonderful time this evening. Any idea on what she has planned?"

"Nope, none at all. Honestly... I don't think Pinkie is the kind of pony that plans anything but parties."

Rarity giggles again. "You might be right dear. Oh, I almost forgot. Pinkie's birthday is next week. You may want to start looking for gifts fit for a very special somepony.. You know, just in case."

"Funny, she hasn't said anything to me yet."

"Oh she wouldn't... She forgot it a few years back."

"Hmm, that sounds like something she'd do. Thanks for the heads up Rarity, and thanks again. Really. "

"I really DO hope it works out James. And anytime you need somepony to talk to, I'll be here.." Rarity says, bowing her head a little. Even if he didn't know she was the element of generosity, he knew it was a genuine offer.

"Later Rarity. " They smile happily and wave goodbye.

James sat in his house enjoying the quiet afternoon before his date. He barely thought about his deep conversation with Rarity and about the potential disastrous relationship he was stepping into. He didn't care. He didn't know why, hell he didn't even question why but he loved Pinkie Pie. He wasn't ready to admit it out loud just yet but still. He knew ending up here, with her, changed him. She made him happier. She made him...more. She, and no one or pony else could do that. It didn't stop there, he wanted to be a better man for her. That had never happened before, and come hell or high water, she was going to know tonight. He grinned from ear to ear at this thought. In only a short while until he would hear the unmistakable "bounce bounce" of Pinkie's hooves on the porch outside. Little to his knowledge, Pinkie had it all planned.

She was going to woo her stallion with a nice romantic picnic by lantern light. Lay in the soft grass and make him dough in her hooves with her perfect kisses and soft caresses. She would ask him to be her coltfriend then they would go back to his house and finally get started on that checklist. She patted her hair where she had stored said list. The plan was perfect. Pinkie's eyes grew brighter as she rounded the corner and spotted her Jamesy's house.

"If the bakery doesn't work out Pinkie, you could always open up a sandwich shop. These things are amazing!" James said between mouthfuls of the tasty treats.

Pinkie giggled for the, seemingly, millionth time tonight. All of it was perfect. Just like she had planned. She had picked up the nervous James at his home, walked and laughed their way to a perfect hill outside of Ponyville. They ate dinner and now he lay in her hooves, eyes closed as she ran her hoof through his short mane. She felt like the night couldn't get any better, until he opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"So... Birthday mare. When were you going to tell me? Huh?" James asked in mocking accusation.

"Oh yeah, he he. I forgot... again." How she could blush while already being pink was beyond him but still, it was cute. "You know what I want?"

"Uhh, actually Pinkie... I have no idea." He laughed out loud.

"You." She poked his nose.

"Well Miss Pie, you shall have me." She smiles but he wasn't done yet. He reached up and held her cheek. "Nothing in heaven or earth could keep me away from you." He finished by going through familiar motions, finishing by smashing a pretend pastry into his eyeball.

She didn't think, she didn't even know what happened. Before she couldn't stop herself she found her lips upon his. It wasn't like the heated, lust driven kisses from before, it was... beautiful. Her chest ached as if she had been kicked there. There was a electric tingle that ran from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail. She wanted all of him and he gladly gave it. He reached a hand up behind her head and held her there for the long slow embrace.

"Pinkie are you okay?" James voice had a quiver of worry to it.

"Of course Jamesy, wha.." She quickly realized why he had stopped kissing her. His face had tears on it... her tears. "I... I don't know what.." She tried to give an answer but found none.

James softly smiled, leaned in and planted his lips over top of the two small trails beneath her eyes. "There, all better." He beamed.

She lay there, lost in his deep brown eyes. There was only one thing she could say. She softly whispered... "I love you James."

And he answered. "I love you, my beautiful mare."

Author's Note

Sorry for the relatively long chapter guys. I could of split it in two but I wanted to end it on something sweet instead of ALL foreshadowing. Honestly.... It's taking WAYY longer than I thought to come out of that one shot. I need background. Feelings of other characters, The dramas!! ..... The jab, jab before the right hook so to speak.

Stay tuned. It's about to get bumpy.... God I hope you guy's don't hate me.