Second Chance: Fox

The day finally ended and the fox was glad for it making his way up to the Apple house James saw a couple of chairs on the porch immediately taking a seat he let out a small whine feeling his muscles slowly unwind James thought ‘Everything hurts.’ hearing someone chuckle James looked to his right seeing Applejack with a. Couple drinks in her hands. Groaning James reached out and took one of the bottles quickly taking a swig of the wonderful liquid Applejack leaned against the railing of the porch. Noticing a smirk on her muzzle James placed the drink on the arm of the chair and asked “What’s with the look ?”

“Nothin Sugarcube just can’t help but notice that you’re lookin a bit sore.”

“I think every muscle in my body is aching.”

“You can hang out In the house if you want.” Applejack said pointing to the house looking following her finger James said “ I think I’ll stay out here a bit longer.....you know enjoy nature.”

“James ?”

“Yeah Applejack ?”

“You can’t move can you?”

“No I can not.” James said giving the mare a small smile, giggling at the fox Applejack sat down beside the fox. Giving her a quizzical look Applejack leaned back letting it a small ‘groan’ smiling a bit James took a sip of his drink looking out to the fields Applejack said “ James you can call me AJ if you want.”

“Really but I thou-“

“James your a friend of mine so you can call me AJ.”

“Ok....AJ you mind if I get dinner with you guys ?”

“Of course we don’t mind....hell Granny Smith and Applebloom will be excited to have ya over.”

“YOUR GONNA EAT DINNER WITH US JAMES !” Applebloom yelled turning not James and Applejack saw her head sticking out the window a bright smile laughing at her Applejack reached up ruffling her sisters hair while saying “ Of course he is.”

“Yeah Applebloom I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

(After dinner)

Driving home James felt fuller than he’s ever been the Apple family can really cook. Smiling James couldn’t help but think about how lively that house and the happiness he saw. After a few more minutes James saw his house and he pulled into the garage. Exiting the truck he made his way into the house tossing his keys onto the table James couldn’t help but notice the.....quiet. Sighing he went to his bathroom to shower and get ready grabbing some spare clothes and and extra towel James went into the bathroom, turning on the water James stripped down and got into the water. After he finished washing his body James got out of the shower and began to dry off once dry he slipped into his sleep wear. Laying down in bed James couldn’t fall asleep he found himself staring at the ceiling thinking he was in this world for almost three months four in a week, and at this moment he finally realized how alone he truly was closing his eye James thought ‘Happy birthday sis...... sorry I missed this one.’

(3 days later)

Sitting in his shop James was cleaning the armchair and watching some T.V after finishing cleaning up he sat down a the facilities computer. Pulling out a sketch book James grabbed a pen and began to sketch his eyes glued to the paper his hand flowed over the paper and a picture began to form he was about to apply finish when “Whoa James that’s so cool !” jolting up James fell from the chair and landed in his back groaning James looked over to see Applebloom watching him standing up James said “ What’s up Applebloom.”

“Not much James I just came by to ask you something ?”

“Ok what’s up ?”

“What can you tell me about love.” Applebloom asked feeling a knot form in his stomach James gave the filly a confused look walking up to her James asked “Why are you asking me ?”

“Um between you and me my sisters haven’t had the best of luck at dating.”

“Oh I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah they always get stuck with big jerks.” Applebloom said blowing a raspberry laughing at her James looked at his watched smirking he said “Ok Applebloom let’s go get lunch and I can try my best to talk about this with you.”

“Ok..... can we go to my clubhouse ?”

“Yeah no problem.”

( crusader clubhouse)

As they walked up to the club house James had to duck down to enter the building, after finding a good spot James sat down while placing a bag with sandwich’s onto the table. Opening the bag James handed Applebloom her sandwich before taking out his own, looking at the filly he asked so “What’s the main reason for asking these questions.”

“Ok I’ve noticed that a lot of ponies in town are in or starting herds or relationships.”

“Right.”

“But why do my sisters have such a hard time?”

“I can’t really answer that Applebloom, even before I came here I was never great at he whole dating scene.”

“Really ?”

“Yup any and all dates I’ve been never turned out well.”

“How come.”

“We just never clicked I guess ?” James suggested scratching his head before taking a bit out a his sandwich looking at him Applebloom asked “What do you mean by click ?”

“Like........ok when you see Big Mac and his herd do they get along ?”

“Yeah they him and the others do.”

“Ok so clicking is basically that its when two or more people get along.”

“Really ?”

“Yeah a good example would be you and your friends.” James said pointing to the young filly tasing an eyebrow asked “What do yah mean.”

“Ok when you met your friends did you get along almost instantly.”

“Yup on the first day of school we started to hang out and became BFFs.”

“Right that’s clicking its meeting people you get along wth because of personality, hobbies and other stuff.”

“Wait so all Ah have to do if fine somepony they all get along with ?”

“Uh yeah I guess.” James said shrugging his shoulder smiling Applebloom was about to jump out of her seat when a knocking can from the door turning both of them saw Applejack standing at the door smirking she said “So ah take it you both are havin a meeting ?”

“No AJ I just wanted to hang out with James.”

“Really now, you guys want to get some desert ?” Applejack asked looking at both the filly and fox both of whom had large grins on their faces chuckling at them Applejack said “Ok c’mon let’s go.”

(Candy house)

Opening he door for the two girls James let them out and followed, happily munching on a bag of jelly beans he looked to see Applebloom eating some peanut/chocolate bark while her sister ate a candied Apple. Chuckling to himself James threw a couple jelly beans into his mouth turning to him AJ gave the fox a small glare while saying “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” James said giving the mare a small shrug taking a bit out oh her Apple AJ waved it at him with a glare while saying “Ah heard that chuckle James.”

“What I just think it’s funny how much you like apples.” James said giving her a small smile giggling at them Applebloom watched the two banter trying to one up each other. After a twenty minutes the three of them found themselves in the park seeing a play set Applebloom urned and asked “Can I go play sis ?”

“Course you can Bloom me and James we’ll be on the bench watchin you.” Applejack said poiting to a where they would be sitting after giving her a nod Applebloom ran off to join the other children and have some fun. Following AJ James took a seat after her smiling at the young Apple he said “ Do today has been fun.”

“Glad to hear.....you have been kind down the last couple days.”

“........yeah just been a bit stressful.”

“Ah heard since Spitfire showed off her fancy tattoo Twilights said you’ve had ponies callin nonstop.”

“That’s part of it starting next week I’m booked all the way to the start of school.”

“Wow that’s impressive.”

“Thanks.”

“So What’s the other thing ?”

“Other thing?” James asked turning to look at AJ placing a hand on his she asked “The other thing that’s bothering you.”

“Oh that.......I’ve told you girls about my sister right ?”

“Yes.”

“Well a few days ago was her birthday and I have never missed her birthday.”

“Never ?”

“Never ever I would always call, write, email or visit her on it and she did the same for me.”

“Sound like you two were close.”

“Probably a twin thing but yeah we never left each others side always helping and pushing to better ourselves.”

“And it’s bothering you that you missed it.”

“Yeah.” James sighed feeling Applejacks hand tighten on his he gave a small squeeze back and said “But today’s been fun and I think I feel a lot better.”

“Well you know what my momma always told me and mah brother ?”

“What ?”

“That the fastest way to smile is to have a little fun.” Applejack said while standing up and stretching a bit looking down at the fox she gave him a small push and said “So that why you are IT !” after the last word she turned and ran toward the set where Applebloom was finally catching up James pushed himself off the bench and began to chase the Apple sisters through the park each taking turns at being it. After playing tag for almost two hours the three of them were tired and ready to go home, as they began to make there way home James notice Applebloom drifting up stopping down he picked her up and carried her holding tight to him she rested her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes both Applejacka and James’s saw the house walking up to it James heard soft snoring coming from Applebloom whispering to Applejack he said “Man she is Tuckered out I can walk her upstairs for you.”

“Thanks James I really need a shower.” Applejack said giving him a pat on the back reaching the Applejack informed James where Appleblooms room was taking her up James gently sat her on the bed and tucked her in making sure she was comfortable he whispered “Night Ab.”

Turning to leave the room James gently shut the door and began to walk downstairs turning the corner he Alamo’s ran into a dark purple mare with bright pink hair. Staring at her wide eyed he notice all she had on was an oversized plaid shirt that was at least three sizes to big for her,smiling James quickly introduced himself and explained why he was in the Apple house smirking at him the mare said “My name is Cheerilee I’m married to Big Macintosh and I already knew who you were.”

“Oh.”

“Yup.....I heard from Twilight that your from another dimension ?”

“That’s true.”

“Hmmm I may need your help, I’m a school teacher and we both know that’s starting in a month.”

“I didn’t actually know that.”

“Anyway the second month of school I usually have a few gust speakers come in and talk to my class.”

“Ok and you want me to come in ?”

“Yes and talk to them about yourself and your job.”

“Ahh ok I could do that what day would you need me to come in ?”

“September the 15th if you don’t mind.” Cheerilee said pushing past James a little to head up the stairs keeping by his eyes trained to the ground James turned while saying “ I can defiantly do that for you.”

“Thanks James.” Cheerilee said heading up stairs turning back around he began to leave when Applejack caught him. Seeing her carrying a change of clothes James said “I’m about to head out AJ.”

“Ok James.” She replied smirking she turned to the staircase and said “Ah heard the conversation it’s real nice what yer doin.”

“Eh I did it all the time back home figured I could do the same here.” James said backing up to the front door following him out Applejack places her clothes on the coffee table. As both the adults stepped outside James found himself staring off into the horizon watching as the sun set smiling up at him Applejack said “So I talked to mah brother and Granny.”

“Oh about what ?”

“You mostly.”

“Oh.”

“It’s nothin bad ah was just telling them about how I was gonna give you an open invitation to visit the farm whenever you felt like.”

“Really now ?”

“Yes really the girls like yah, most of tha herd likes yah and even mah family thinks yer a good stallion.”

“Yeah I remember your grandmother saying something when you had me over.”

“James.” Applejack growled know exactly what he was going with smiling a bit he turned to the mare and said “Something about-“

“James ah’m warnin you.”

“-that you should really-“

“James ah will kick your-“

“Keep you guard up.” James finished booping Applejack on the nose he hopped the porches railing and began to run away yelling “Your IT AJ !”

“Ah’m gonna get you fer that James just you wait.” Applejack yelled while rubbing her nose growling a bit she turned to head back into her house until a raspy voice spoke up “Seriously AJ ?”

Turning around she saw Rainbow Dash standing on the porch arms crossed dressed in her usual work out clothing glaring at the mare. Frowning a bit she turned back to the door and made her way inside trying to ignore the look Rainbow Dash was giving her grabbing the clithes from the table she headed to the bathroom, huffing angerly Rainbow Dash began to follow Applejack while saying “Seriously AJ do you trust that fox !”

“Ah do now Dash, he’s a good stallion.”

“Please no stallion is a good stallion.” Rainbow barked at the mare sighing AJ ignored her and pushed into her bathroom and tossed her clothes onto the sink before saying “Rainbow ah’ve been getin to know him and he is a good stallion.”

“And how do you know that, you’ve hung out with him like once !”

“Three times actually a few days ago ah had a beer at his place and we watched horror movies.” Applejack countered as she started the shower growling at that Rainbow said “Wait you had beer with him at his house !”

“Yup and ah had a good time.”

“Wait was this during that huge storm ?”

“Yes why do yah ask ?”

“Did you spend the night over there !”

“Ah did.”

“WHAT !”

“Dash it’s not a big deal.” Applejack said noticing that some steam was coming off fron the shower she began to strip taking a breath she continued “Plus I still don’t know why you are givin James a hard time.”

“Oh well let’s see one he Is a GUY, two he came from an entirely different dimension and three he has to be up to something !”

“Dash how about instead of judging him YOU try to spend a day with him and find out what he really is like instead of spyin on him !” AJ growled back poking the smaller mare in the chest, ignoring the finger on her chest Rainbow started to ogle her friend in the buff grabbing her chin AJ adjusted her gaze to be looking her in the eyes “Now tomorrow he is gonna have to spend the day hangin out at Rarity’s and YOU are gonna join him !”

“What why !” Rainbow protested smirking at her Applejack used her other hand to grab Rainbows left ass cheek pulling her close she whispers “Cause if you want anything from me and tha girls fer the next couple weeks yer gonna do this.”

“Grrrrr fine i’ll Do it.”

“Good ah’ll text Rarity and let her know yer comin over.” Applejack purred taking her hand away from her chin she began to grope Raibows right breast while saying “Now let’s get you outta these.”

“Ok AJ.” Rainbow said as she felt her body starting to tingle but before anything could be done Applejack brought the mare into a deep kiss as she began to pull the mares pant off.

(The next day)

Walking up to the courisale boutique James couldn’t help but shake a bad feeling as if helping Rarity with a project was a bad ideas........ a VERY bad ideas. Staring at the door James taook a deep breathe and pushed his way inside only to see a completely empty store, walking in he saw a bell on the counter and rang it after a moment he heard Rarity’s voice call out “One moment darling I’m the back but I will be right with you.”

“Rarity it’s James !” He yelled to her waiting a moment James was about to make his way back when a familiar feeling of vertigo took over and he found himself standing next to Rarity looking down at the mare he noticed that she was dressed semiformal compared to how she usually did looking up at him she said “James so glad you could make it.”

“It’s no problem.....so what’s with the get up ?”

“Oh this well since the store has been a bit slow the last couple days I figured I would take the time to tidy up.”

“ahh ok.......but why are you dressed like your going to a small party ?”

“These are my cleaning clothes thank you very much.”

“Rarity what I’m wearing would be considered cleaning clothes.” James said motioning to his pant splatter shoes and shorts along with the t-shirt that had a couple bleach stains on it. Looking at him over Rarity scrunched up her nose and took a deep breathe turning around she said “Well I don’t-“

“I brought a change for you.” James interrupted showing her a brown paper bag that he had in his right hand “They may be a bit big for you but the clothes I bought would be a better fit for cleaning.”

“Wait you brought a spare set ?”

“Yeah I had no idea why till now.” James said handing her the bag groaning a bit she mumbled “But what if somepony sees me.”

“I’ll put up the closed sign so no one comes in.”

“But-“

“No buts these are cleaning clothes now go change.” James stated as he began to exit the room informing Rarity’s arguments about wearing this attire. As James made his way back to the front he noticed Rainbow Dash placing a closed sign on the door, glancing over her shoulder to look at the fox walking around he counter she said “Heard yah in the back figured I’d help out.”

“So you hear to help ?” James asked leaning against the counter and folding his arms

“Yup AJ said I had to do this.”

“Ahhhh.”

“What about you ?”

“Technically I was tricked into helping her.” James said shrugging smirking at him Rainbow walked up to the counter using her wings for lift she sat down on the edge and said “I can see that.”

“So what’s got you in a good mood.”

“What do you mean ?” Rainbow growled looking up at the fox holding up his hands he said “Well you never really talk to me and even than it’s a bit......aggressive.”

“I just am ok.”

“Not gonna argue with that logic.” James said hearing a noise behind the two they both turned to see the fashionista with a irritated look on her face wearing an old faded Scooby do t-shirt that had multiple stains and some basket ball shorts her hair was tied up loosely. After a moment Rainbow fell of the counter laughing while holding her sides James chuckled a bit and said “Jeez Rarity you don’t have to look so mad.”

“James darling I am in a stained T-SHIRT that has a cartoon dog on the front ALONG WITH BASKETBALL SHORTS !”

“C’mon you know you like it.” James said walking around the corner he gave the mare a small tap on the shoulder growling at him she said “ I assure you I do not like THIS.”

“Oh why ?”

“The collar rides to high on the front.” Rarity stated pointing to her neck following her finger James noticed the tag sticking out. Pulling herself off of the ground Rainbow was wiping away a few tears from her eyes when she saw James and Rarity staring at each other Rarity had an irritated look while James was bewildered but before Rainbow could say anything James said “Rarity you put the shirt on backwards.”