Going back to life can be hard

A rooster crow echoed across the acres.  Where is started she didn't care, but it reached her ears all the same making them wiggle to the side of her head.

Applejack yawned and opened her eyes as the rooster crowing woke her up.  She felt her sister squeezing tightly to her and groan.  "Ah don't wanna wake up yet."

"Apple Bloom, it's time to get up.  We gotta big day ahead of us."

"Applejack?" she asked groggily, "did ya sleep good?"

"Yeah.  You're a rough sleeper though: Bucked me outta bed almost."

"Whatever," Applebloom said as she rolled away from her sister and out of bed, "rooster's crowin' so time to get goin'."

Applejack smiled and rolled off the other side.  "Help me make yer bed before ya so," she said as she grabbed half the sheets and pulled them up.  Apple Bloom helped make the bed but didn't make eye contact with Applejack.  "Applebloom, everything okay?"

"I'm fine, let's just get breakfast."  Applejack let Apple Bloom leave without any discussion and followed her out; giving her space to walk ahead of her.  That filly has a lot on her mind, Ahm just gonna let her work it out herself.  I got chores to do; after a hearty breakfast.

After a fairly large breakfast made by Big Mac, Applejack went out to the barn, she gathered her apple bushels and a couple sandwiches for a snack before she went out to the orchard.

She had bucked a half dozen trees when she saw Big Mac pulling a cart full of bushels of apples to the barn for storage and sorting.  He was on his way to collect hers when she stopped him.  "Big Mac, we gotta have some words."

He looked at her with lazy eyes and just kept pulling the cart to her overflowing bushels, picking them up and putting them in the cart.  "Big Mac, what was Applebloom talkin' about yesterday?"  Big Mac stopped and straightened up, his eyes slowly widened and he huffed once.

He hooked up to the cart and began a fast trot to the barn with Applejack behind.  She knew he wouldn't stop until he was there so she waited.

"Nope."

"Big Mac.  You're gonna tell me what she was talkin' about.  Ain't no other way about it, so start spillin' the beans."

Big Mac sighed and unhitched himself then turned to face Applejack.  Already having a red coat his blush was hidden, however it was obvious he was embarrassed about something, Applejack could tell her brothers moods after all.

"Applejack..." he started slowly

"Get talkin' and make it snappy, Ah got chores to catch up."

"Applejack, me an Cherilee got carried away at school's all."

"What's that mean Big Mac?  How do you get carried away doin' anything?"

"Last Hearts and Hooves Day," he reflected, "those three gave me and Cherilee a love potion and the effects didn't wear off for a while.  She asked me to help her give a demonstration at class.  I showed up and..."

Applejack cautiously got closer to her brother.  "And what?  What did you do?"

"We lost control when we saw each other.  She jumped up on her desk and moved her tail, then I just forgot where I was."

"Big Mac," Applejack gasped, "you, you didn't?"

Big Mac dropped his head and nodded.

"Oh, Big Mac.  What the buck?  How could you?  And Cherilee?  At school?!  Oh horse apples.  Apple Bloom said we learnt a lot.  Was the whole class there?"

Big Mac just huffed, the hay and dust beneath his muzzle disturbing slightly.  "Ya danged fool!"  Applejack raised a hoof and brought it across his face hard. "What the Tartarus is wrong with you!?"  she hit him again

"In front of a classroom of foals and fillies and colts!" she growled.  She was seething with anger, rage, and disgust at her brother as she reared and hit and kicked him with all her might.  He stood there and took it all not moving except stumbles from the force of the strikes.  He did his best to keep his footing until she was spent.

"Applejack, I'm sorry," he said roughly, "I don't know how to explain and I can't apologize enough."

Gritting her teeth her eyes began to water as she spoke at him in a deeper and more threatening voice.  "Big Mac, I don't know what to do about this.  Yer family so Ah ain't gonna turn you into the police, same for Cheerilee cuz it'd come back ta us.  You messed up big this time, Big Mac, and there ain't no fixin' it if any other pony finds out."

"Applejack-"

"NO, I ain't hearin' nothin' else.  What you done..."  Applejack grunted and turned, galloping back to the orchard.  She bucked a tree so hard it tilted slightly and the sound of roots breaking under her were audible.  "Damn it.  DAMN IT."  She screamed as she bucked the air.  Her shout echoed across the orchard.  Pacing back and forth she tried to calm down she felt herself getting emotional again.

This time with her anger, sadness creeped in as she growled and closed her eyes.  There's some things young'ns should learn and a way to learn 'em.  What those two did...  Ain't no excusin' that.  Takin' that innocence from them little ones.  Love potion or no they both shoulda known better.

"Applejack?"

Applejack stopped pacing and felt herself tense as Big Mac's voice called her name.  "Applejack, I am sorry and I know I ain't ever gonna make what I did okay or better.  I don't want you to hate me, or Cherilee, or the girls.  It was all a big mistake that I regret more than anything."

"Brother, Ah don't wanna hear anything else ya gotta say."

"I know.  Just, lookit me Applejack."  Applejack looked at her brother and gasped at him.  He was covered with bruises, cuts, and scratches from her previous assault.  Blood droplets trailed behind him from the path he took as he opened his mouth to speak his top lip was split and bleeding into his mouth.  Unphased he continued.  "We're family and in the end that's all we have."

"Oh, Big Mac.  I'm so sorry," Applejack rushed to him and looked at his injuries and let her anger go, "We're family.  You're right.  C'mon to the house Ah gotta fix ya up quick."

He coughed and turned to follow her as he stumbled slightly and chuckled.  "AJ, you got one strong set of legs.  I ain't never been beat like that."

"Well ya deserved it at the time."

"That was five minutes ago."

"And," she sighed and smiled as she walked ahead of him, "that's the past.  We don't live there anymore."

Rainbow Dash stretched as she got out of bed and looked out her window to the cumulus cloud and rainbow falls outside her window, the blue sky beckoned her beyond. So, another day begins.  With a yawn she remade her bed with new sheets and put the old ones in the laundry then admired herself in the mirror.  Her mane was unkempt as always, just how she liked it.  Her eyes were as awesome as ever and her fur was... She sniffed herself and concluded she needed a shower, badly.

Walking into her bathroom she went to the far end and pulled a cloud into place and punched it.  The warm rain washing over her relaxed her as she sat down and closed her eyes and moved her head up, looking to the water.  She could feel her mane getting heavy with water and falling to her back and sides.  As the water washed her clean from all the sweat, scents, and saliva from the previous night she let her memory drift back to the events of last night briefly then she shook her head.  "Don't get sappy, Rainbow Dash.  You've got a lot to do and you can't let thoughts of how awesome yesterday was get in the way."

Hopping into the air she punched the cloud again stopping the warm water.  She shook as dry as she could then went to the mirror above the sink and hovered, looking at herself.  Water droplets clung to her reflection as she smiled and pointed at herself.  "You got it, mare."

She left her house and flew to the local weather office and landed on the roof.  Three entrances and Pegasi only used the roof while unicorns and earth ponies used the ground entrances.  The ground offices were used to file weather requests or the common complaint about a cloud being in the wrong place.  Filing paperwork was Rainbow Dashes least favorite task and she often delegated it to others as often as she could.  Today wasn't one of those days.  Walking into the office she garnered a few looks and a group of female Pegasus giggled when they saw her as she walked past.

Ignoring the stares and comments she went to her mailbox and saw it full.  Fuller than it should be for taking part of one afternoon off.  "Hey, what the flock?  Why am I drowning in paperwork and Flutterwing's box is empty?  She's been sick for a week!"

"Well, Miss Dash," a stallion said from behind her.  Her boss, Diamond Wing, was average in every way with a pitch black coat and silver mane.  He was, however, professional and very imposing as he was taller and slightly more muscular than most pegasi.  She grit her teeth as she turned around, "When you took a half day yesterday, Double and Misty had to cover the edge of the Everfree and the area over the southeast end of the valley."

"Oh, c'mon Diamond.  Ya know as well as I do that the Everfree weather usually takes care of itself and-"

"No, Dash, you listen.  As your boss I have to make sure that you, as a weather manager, set the best example for every other member of the cloud team.  Taking a half day and slacking on your work for any reason, personal or professional, is not excusable.  Do your paperwork and I want it by 3:00 or I'll have you do laps until I'm done for the day."

Grinding her teeth lightly Rainbow Dash knew she could fight and argue with the stallion before her in front of everypony and win.  There were already enough eyes and ears on their conversation.  "Yes sir," she said as she saluted sarcastically.  She flew to one of the many open cubicles to start her work.  If I fight him publically there's a chance my love life will come up then that'll turn into a tornado.  I'm better off just doing what Applejack said and let it go.

Entering the cubicle she sat at the desk and started organizing her paperwork by job type as a mare poked her head in.  "Heya Dash, ya got a second?"

Rolling her eyes Rainbow looked at the mare.  "What do you want, Quill?"

"I heard you and Applejack, the farmer, are having a thing and-"

"I swear if you make a joke I'll do something that'll get me suspended for a week."

"No-no-no, I was gonna ask if you two wanted to come to a party at my place Saturday night?  It's exclusive and only a few ponies will be there."

Thinking it over for a moment Dash took a smug expression.  "Fine, I'll see what I can move around.  Now, I have a lot of work to do."

"Okay, have a great day, Dashie."  Quill said a little too happily for Rainbow Dash as she trotted away.

Dashie?  Who the flock does she think she is?  And a random invite to a party for me and AJ?  Can we say suspicious?  I'll talk it over with AJ and see what she thinks.  Rainbow stacked all her paperwork into one pile then grabbed from the top, "Let's get this over with."

3:00 came by faster than she wanted and she wasn't even half way done with her work.  "Flock it, I'll start my laps now."

Getting her completed paperwork into the proper boxes took a few minutes and her uncompleted work went back to her mail slot, three pages left.  Flying to the roof she took a deep breath and flew a few hundred feet up, moved the clouds into a training formation that was commonly used for exercise, and began her laps.

40 laps in the last ten minutes-ish and I'm not even breaking a sweat.  Maybe I should speed up?  Pumping her wings faster she felt the air rushing by her, pulling against her mane and tugging at her tail as it resisted her efforts to push through it.  The whooshing sound in her ears was almost blissful.  No other noise could bother her.  Her thoughts drifted back to laying on the bed with Applejack last night and opening up to her.  The closeness she felt had surpassed anything any stallion had ever offered her and felt more fulfilling too.

Then there was the part with her last orgasm.  Screaming the name of my best friend; what was that all about?  Why her name while I was fantasizing a stalling rutting me?

A light flashing from below her caught her attention and she descended with the same speed she was flying.  The roof of the building sped at her at dangerous speeds as her heart began to race, adrenaline was pumping through her body made and world slow down as she neared 50 feet away and looked at the stallion holding a beacon widened his eyes, open his wings, ready to jump back.  She turned her body and banked in a full 360, wrapping her contrail onto itself, as she pulled her wings and stopped two feet from the roof in front of Diamond.

"Sir?  Taking an early day?"  She asked standing and saluting sarcastically.

"No, Rainbow Dash.  We need to talk and this isn't the place.  Meet me in my office in fifteen minutes."

"Uh, why?  I'm doing the laps like you wanted, sir."

"I'm taking three bits from your salary for your language today.  Set a better example and see you soon."

Rainbow Dash stuck out her tongue as he went inside.  She went back to flying laps. "275 laps should be about 15 minutes," she said as she flew up.

Applejack had patched Big Mac as best she could.  He looked silly with bandages across his muzzle and a few stitches closing his top lip covered with clay.  His head had a bandage and tape covering his largest wounds but the bruises around his eyes and neck were untouched.

"Big Mac, Ahm sorry bout losing my cool like that.  You okay to get back to work?"

He smiled at her and winced from the pain.  "Eeyup."

"Well we're an hour behind our chores, so let's get to it."

Granny Smith walked into the kitchen and cocked her head as she saw Big Mac.  "What happened to him?"

Applejack and Big Mac chuckled and looked at each other then Granny.  "We'll tell ya later.  Head on to nap now, less'n ya wanna do our chores?"

Granny smiled and turned back to the den.

"Okay Big Mac, I'm gonna go try and fix that tree I knocked over and you get back to your chores."

"Yup."

Walking into Diamonds office Rainbow Dash looked at the stallion sitting at his desk.  His dark coat almost blended into the brick wall behind him as he pushed a stack of papers aside and gestured for Rainbow Dash to take a seat opposite him at his desk.

"Okay Diamond," she huffed, "what's the deal now?"

"Rainbow Dash, I'm writing you up."

"WHAT? Why the flock are you writing me up?  I'm the best employee the company's ever had!  No pony alive is better than me when it comes to weather control!  Or anything else for that matter."

"You're a hothead and it's detrimental to your position as manager.  You are arrogant, brash, and cocky; more than any other Pegasus on site."

"But-"  Diamond held up a hoof as he continued speaking calmly.

"You are the best at what you put your mind to, Rainbow Dash.  You also are your own worst enemy.  You are this close to losing your position," he motioned from the desk a short distance up, "or taking an extended unpaid leave."

Rainbow Dash sat in place in front of his desk frowning; waiting for him to finish, "You see, Miss Dash, your personal life and professional life are none of my business or that of any other pony.  Let me get that out of the way right now.  This is about your attitude and personality, before you start claiming that as a defense.

"Over the past few months you've saved Equestria a half dozen times with your friends and since then you've become so lax in your duties that you've lost the respect of your flock.  If you need to take a day off from now on, and it's not about actually saving our world, you have to talk to me or corporate and write us a letter as well."

"But-"

"Do we have an understanding, Miss Dash?"

"Mister Diamond.  I know I have branches and confidence and all that.  Everypony tells me that all the time.  But, I deserve a-"

"**Miss* Dash, I am done speaking with you," he said placing his hooves on his desk, "you are being written up and fined three bits as I stated earlier.  Two more infractions and I *will have a corporate representative here for our next meeting.  Good evening."

Rainbow Dash growled and stomped out of the room slamming the door behind her startling the few Pegasi that were left on the floor.  As she flew out of the building she couldn't fight the feeling this was more personal than professional.

Rainbow Dash landed at the farm house and knocked on the door loudly.  From inside she heard Granny shouting.  "Applebloom, get the door 'fore they break it down."

"Alright Granny," Applebloom shouted as her hoof steps approached the door. "Who is it?"

"Uh, Applebloom?  It's Rainbow Dash."  A few seconds passed before the lock clicked and the door opened slightly with Applebloom peeking out.

"What'dya want now?" Applebloom asked flatly.

"I-I wanna see Applejack for a minute please."

"She ain't here.  Go away," she said as she shut the door and locked it.

From inside Rainbow Dash heard a short conversation.

"Who was it?"

"Some salespony tryin' to get us to but a toaster."

"Well why'd ya send 'em on their way?  We can always use a good toaster."

"I'm goin' upstairs Granny."

"Okay young'n."

"Oh, flock it," Rainbow said as she flew to Applejack's window and looked in to see if she was there.  She wasn't so Rainbow tried a couple other windows before finding Applejack in the bathroom.  Landing outside the window on the roof she peeked in to watch her friend as she looked in the mirror making faces.

Applejack made a pout, a frown, and a large smile, among others, then let her mane down.  Rainbow Dash felt her heart beating faster as she saw the long flowing blonde mane of her lover fall to her sides past her knees.  Even though she couldn't hear what Applejack was saying to the mirror she imagined it was something about her chores or apples.  What happened next surprised Rainbow.

Applejack picked up a picture of her and Rainbow Dash, taken after Rainbow had technically won the Iron Pony contest, kissed it, then set it on the sink.  Grabbing a comb she started to sing and brush her mane.  Normally it would mean nothing to watch another mare brush her mane, but this time Rainbow couldn't stop looking.  Applejack began to style her mane in a few ways before putting one of Appleblooms bows in her hair and staring at the photo.

With a snap of her head Applejack let her hair down and tucked the photo into her mane as she went to the door.  Opening it she saw Applebloom and made the logical guess it was her turn to use the bathroom.  Applebloom stopped and screamed as she looked out the window.  Rainbow Dash had been seen.  She usually flies away or hovers back but this one time she was paralyzed with passion and fear.

The real world and temporary terror snapping her back to reality made her stumble back as Applejack went crashing through the window at the peeper.

"You done messed up ya peepin'- Dash?"  They locked eyes as Rainbow tried to smile as they plummeted to the ground.  Opening her wings she locked Applejack in her legs and spun around breaking their fall as best she could.  They landed with a thud but were uninjured.

Rainbow wanted to fly away and hide for a week but Applejack stared at the hovering mare with a look of disappointment and frustration.

"AJ, I know what you might think but I wasn't trying to peep on Applebloom."

"So you was peepin' on me?"

"No.  Well yes.  But, I wasn't trying to, I just-"

"Applejack?  You okay down there?  You catch that peeper?"  Applebloom called from the damaged window.

"Ahm fine, just unlock the door so Ah can get back inside."

"'Kay"

"Rainbow Dash you come down here right now," Applejack demanded.  Landing cautiously Rainbow Dash complied and looked at Applejack.  "Now, you done messed up too.  All the people I love are havin' a bad day all around.  You owe me a new window."

"I know.  I'm sorry AJ.  I really wanted to see you after the day I had and you can't come to my house so..."

"Yeah, Ah get it.  But you coulda just knocked."

"I did.  Applebloom said you were gone and I was a salespony."

"She did that?  I can't say Ah blame her, she's going through a lot.  That don't make it okay though. You wanna come up?"

Rainbow smiled at the offer and nodded.  Applebloom unlocked the door and opened it to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack standing outside the doorway looking at her.  "Uh, heya Rainbow.  Applejack.  Ahm just gonna..."  With that she galloped back upstairs.

"C'mon in Sugarplum," Applejack said as she led Rainbow through the house up to her room.  "So, how much did you see when you were peekin' on me?"  Dash turned a light shade of purple as she blushed this time.

"Well I saw your mane down and you styling it."

"Oh you like my mane down?  Should Ah keep it that way?" Applejack asked flirtatiously.

"It's your mane."

"So, what happened to you today?"  Dash filled her in on her write up and loss of bits.  Her offer to go to the party and her feelings overall.

"Rainbow, Ah think it'd be great to go to a party!  We don't have to say we're together, if ya don't want."

"Well I think everypony knows and if they don't who cares?  If I'm off the market, it'll make 'em all the more jealous of what you've got."

With a giggle Applejack kissed Rainbow on the cheek again as she took her turn to fill her in on her day.

"Wow, so, Big Mac and Cherilee?  I never wouldn't taken them for that couple.  And in front of a whole class?!  Way to go Big Mac!"

"No, Dashing.  That's bad."

"What?  Why?  Everyponies gotta learn someday."

"Not like that!  Watchin' my brother rut some mare in heat just cuz of some love poison ain't no excuse."

"Whatever.  Maybe we can give the class a lesson on how filly foolers do it."

"Rainbow Dash, Ah am shocked and appalled," Applejack said with a certain amusement, "Ah don't think the world is ready for what we do to each other."

"Well, technically we haven't done much yet.  But, we've got time tonight right?"

"Rainbow, sugarplum.  Ah ain't in no mood for foolin' around tonight.  It's been one heck of a day and I just wanna sleep."

"Okay, c'mon then."  Rainbow trotted to the bed and opened the blankets and patted the mattress.

"Sugarplum, Ah don't think-"

"Good.  Then let's get some sleep," Rainbow said as she climbed in bed and laid down snuggling into the pillow with a comfortable smile.

"Sugarplum," she sighed and smiled again, "I ain't gonna win am I?"

Using her best Big Mac voice.  "Nope."  Then giggled covering her mouth with her hoof.

Applejack climbed next to Rainbow Dash and looked at her. "Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah AJ?"

"Can you say it again?"

"You mean how great I am?"

"No, you know what I mean."

"I-I'm not ready to say those words right now, Applejack."  They smiled at each other and kissed as they moved closer.  Rainbow wrapped her free wing around Applejack and they nuzzled each other as the fell asleep.

*Cocka-doodle-doo*

They both groaned and stretched as they heard the rooster crow.  "C'mon lover, time to get up."  Rainbow didn't move.  "That mares out to the world.  It ain't gonna cut it in this house.  Dashalicious, Applejack whispered into Dashes ear as she reached around her bed mates body, "Sweetie?  Gum drop?"  Rainbow Dash smiled and moved her head a bit.  "Sugarplum?  Time to wake up," Applejack cooed sweetly as she nuzzled Dashes neck.

"Mmm.  I love you so much, AJ. zzz"  Applejack pushed herself up in bed and looked at the sleeping cyan mare beside her.

I don't believe it.  She does.  With a giggle she hopped out of bed and bounced like Pinkie Pie for a few hops as she smiled just as wide.

A loud whinney startled her from her glee as Rainbow's snores took a comical turn making her land loudly.

"Yer up AJ?  Time for breakfast," Big Mac called through the door.  His hooves clopping away in the distance then down stairs with a distant yawn.

Giving a final nudge to Rainbow Dash she left the heavy sleeping mare and went to eat.

Breakfast was simple.  Oatmeal and scrambled eggs with mixed vegetables and orange juice.  "OJ Big Mac?  Really?"

"Ya know we can't live off our own product Applejack," he said knowledgeably, "now eat up."

"Ya gotta make one more plate."

"Applebloom doesn't get up for another hour.  It'll be cold."

"It's for Dash."  Big Mac stopped stirring the oatmeal on the stove and looked back at her.  His face was healing pretty good after only a day but, it had a long way to go.  "She slept over last night.  Just slept over."

He went back to stirring and made an extra plate and set it in front of Applejack then made himself a plate.  "I'm just gonna-" Applejack motioned upstairs as she picked the extra plate up in her mouth.  Big Mac nodded and started eating.

"Rainbow Dash you're late for work!"  Rainbow Dash jumped out of bed wings at the ready and in a position to fly straight ahead as she looked at Applejack she relaxed and yawned.

"AJ, what time is it?"

"Celestia just raised the sun."

"Oh my gosh, no pony should even be alive this early.  Wake me in an hour or fifteen." She laid back down and tried to cover herself but Applejack hopped on her and pushed her out of bed with a thud onto the wooden floor.  "Ow AJ.  What the flock was that for?"

"Ya know Sugarplum, Big Mac made you breakfast.  And it'd go a long way to show your boss you mean business to show up before him and get your work done early.  Fer once," Applejack said with a smirk.

"Ugh, fine.  I'm gonna do it but, only for you.  That's what ponies do for each other, right?"  They smiled at each other as Rainbow grabbed her plate and walked to the door.  "Ya comin' to bekfusht ur wat?"

Rainbow Dash arrived to work just as the sun finished rising above the horizon.  I swear if I have to be up this early every again I'll go crazy.  Landing on the building she had to dig into her saddle bags to find the door key.  I've never even used this thing.  I might have left it at home somewhere.  Just as she was about to leave for her house she found it wrapped in an old bundle of paper.  This is dated five years ago.  I really haven't ever used this key.

Walking into the offices it was almost peaceful how it was.  The opposite of how it would be in a few hours with a dozen or three ponies clopping through the area.  Turning on the lights and thanking some scientist in Baltimare for making electricity a thing she gathered her paperwork and started catching up.

A couple hours later the hustle and bustle of the office was in full swing as Pegasi flew from room to room and others shouted questions at others from across the room.  By 10 Rainbow had finished her paperwork and got her order sheets from the clerk.  Looking them over she sighed and almost face-hoofed but just smiled.  I have more to do than any other pony and I'm the boss.  Whatever.  I can't lose my position and I need to earn the flocks respect back.  Just do it Rainbow Dash.  Show 'em why you're the best in Equestria.

With that she stuffed her orders into her saddlebag and trotted to the roof.  Ignoring a couple snickers at her expense she was doing her job early and in the best way possible.  She greeted her co-workers and other Pegasus as she worked and didn't mention once how great she was.  She didn't take a break or nap at all until she was done.  Admiring her work she did a fly-by to make sure every cloud was in place or dispersed.  Nodding at her handiwork she looked at the time and laughed.  It only took her four hours.

Time for lunch then the rest of the day free.  She went to find Applejack to have lunch in town.  My first real date with AJ.  She smiled with determination as she flew to Sweet Apple Acres.