Mayor Mare made her way down the darkening street trying to think of the things she needed to take care of. There was at least a dozen letters that needed to be notarization and stamps, a handful of papers set by people complaining about something. And half a dozen proposals from the town council, if she was lucky she might be done by twelve in the morning, and everything would out of her hair by ten, then the next days work. The Mayor let out a sigh as she turned down the street she lived on, her home was nice all things concerted, good for someone like her. Nothing more she wanted and nothing less she needed.

:

:

Back at the library things could have been better. Twilight had become upset with herself. How could she had messed up like this, something so simple, and now because of this the mayor is now pushing herself because of it. Flash was talking to her upstairs while Spike was beating himself up over what had happened. He shouldn't have gotten so upset with Twilight, it was a small mistake nothing to get in an argument about. With a sigh he looked up from to the ceiling from his seat.

“What should I do?” He thought aloud with another hard sigh, small flames danced out of him making him blink, he breathed out again sprung more flames out hitting the ceiling they splay out and futter out, the magic flame not leaving a single mark. A smile came to his face as he did this. “God I’m an idiot.” He said rubbing his face with his hand. Hopping to his feet he walked over to the stairs and climbed them, his steps feel heavy as he went up. Reaching the top he turned to Twilights door. With a soft knock he spoke to it. “Hey Twilight... “ There wasn’t a response. “I-i’m sorry I got so upset, I didn’t mean to yell at you. Don’t worry about the Mayor, I’m going to help her.” Just as he finished the door opened and Twilight stood there her eyes puffy and red.

“It’s OK Spike. It’s not your fault, I messed up.” She said shamefully as Flash came and put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look back slightly. “So what are you going to do?” She asked making him smile.

“Come on Twilight, I’m going to do what I do best” He said going to his door. “I'm going to assist.” He said walking through it gathering up a few things he knows he’ll need, with his tools in tow Spike headed down the stairs and out the door, leaving the library to Twilight and Flash.
Spike confidently made his way down the street he could see a few couples walking up and down the street, he shook his head a little, pushing them out of his mind Spike took a turn and headed to Town Hall. Fixing the things on his shoulders he took the steps up to the door of the Town Hall and knocked on the door and waited for a moment…

:
He knocked again…

:
And again…

:
Just as Spike was raising his hand to knock again he heard a voice speak behind him.

“Spike darling what are you doing?” Asked an elegant yet tired voice he could recognize for miles turning to see Rarity wearing a warm coat, her hands tucked neatly in her pockets.
“Oh, well I ran into the Mayor today and she sounded like she needed help with some paperwork so… you know.” He said with a smile as she shuffled his stuff around.

“Oh, I see. Well you do know she doesn’t live in Town Hall right?” She asked raising her eyebrow. Spike looked confused for a moment before looking at the building, making Rarity giggle a little. “She spends to much time here to live here Spike, here.” She said putting her arm out to walk with him. “I’ll show you there Spike. She lives close to me.” She said making Spike look at her arm. “Come on, it’s a short walk, can’t keep her waiting.” Rarity spoke making Spike walked down the steps and take her arm, having her lean into him before leading him behind Town Hall and towards the bridge. “So how have you been Spike? It’s been a while since we last talked.” She said as they walked foot by foot.

“I’ve been fine… just living you know.” He said gaining an ‘Mmm” from Rarity. “Twilight has me busy, and then I’ve been working with the Princesses with some magic ruins that were found just outside of Appaloosa.” He sighed out.

“Sounds like you’ve been busy.” She said as they made there way over the water, the moon just started peeking over the hill as they did, reflecting the off the surface of the water. Rarity stopped making Spike do the same, there eyes both finding the moon in the water. “Spike… I miss you.” She said with a sigh. “You used to come over and talk when I worked…” She said softly.

“I miss you too Rar… I think life has us both at a point where time doesn’t play nice.” He said looking down at the water, he let out a deep sigh that shot some green flame that was quickly grabbed up by the wind dancing away.

“I still think about Canterlot sometimes…” She said with a faint giggle. “If it wasn't for that night...” She said softly. The air moved about as the words hung there, neither of them talked, they both let the words hang there. The water moved slowly, it was the only sound between them. “I really am sorr..” She was cut off by Spikes words.

“I don’t blame you Rarity, our thing...” He said making her get quiet again. “Wasn’t... perfect” Spike said with a soft sigh and a slow blink making her nod. “But you know Rar?” he said having her look over. “My jacket is getting pretty worn… do you think I could come by and have you take a look at it?” He asked softly making her smile and look just away and then down.

“You’re always welcome in my shop Spike.” She said back before softly tugging him away from the edge of the water. “Now come on, let's not leave the Mayor waiting.” She said with a smile as Spike followed along. The walk was short and quite as the two made their way to the Boutique, just as they were about to hit the steps of the shop they both stopped and slowly turned to each other. “It was nice walking with you Spike.” She said letting go of his arm with a smile.

“And it’s always nice to walk you home.” He said returning the smile.

“The Mayor's home is right there.” She said gesturing with her head to the place right next to the shop. Spike turned to look at a small two-story home with its lights on for a moment before turning to Rarity who was staring at Spike. Spike was about to open his mouth when Rarity leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Tag..” She said funly before making her way up the steps and going into her home.

“Rar…” He said feeling the spot she kissed with a small smile, the bottom lights inside the Boutique didn’t turn on but after a moment the upstairs lights turned on making Spike nod slightly before turning to the Mayors place.
Walking over to the house he could hear the sound of some light papers work before he knocked three times, and waited. The sound of papers stopped followed by the sound of a chair and then feet on the floor. Spike waited as the steps came closer and closer before stopping at the door.

“W-who is it?” He could hear the Mayor ask behind the door.

“It’s Spike ma’am, you sounded like you needed help tonight so…” Just as soon as Spike started to trail off the door was opened to the Mayor standing there, she had taken off her dress jacket and undone a few of her blouse buttons as well as put her glasses back on as well as some kind of pajama bottoms.

“Oh Spike. It’s nice of you to come but I’m fi…” Spike put his hand up to stop her making her get quite.

“I wasn’t asking. It’s clear you need help and I’m not about to leave you by yourself.” He said firmly making her take a small step back. “So may I come in or am I doing work out here.” He said looking at her with a look of assuredness.

“Alright then.” She said stepping aside letting him enter. Once she moved Spike started to walk inside, giving her a look at the bags he carried.

“So what needs to be done?” Spike asked as he walked in looking around seeing pictures of the Mayor standing with nobles, town folk, and even a few with the Princesses on different occasions including a picture of Luna as Nightmare Night and the Mayor dressed as a clown they’re both smiling. Spike looked over when he heard the door close the Mayor brushing past him.

“Well… I had to set dinner up and get comfortable, but you didn’t have to come Spike, there really isn’t as much as let on.” She said as she took a left turn into a room that looked to take up most the space on the bottom floor. “But if you're already here then I guess I could use your help, all of its in here Spike.” She said having Spike follow in. There were a few small stacks on a nice looking desk that she took a seat at motioned for Spike to come over and show him the few stacks. “So these.” She said putting her hand on a stack. Need to be notarized, and this just need a quick look over just to make sure there's no hidden budget increases or something.” She said with a hand atop on another stack. Spike looked about as she took a seat the small stacks and finding a seat at the table as well. “But before we get started, did you want something to drink? I was going to have a glass of wine if you wanted to join me, I think I can let age slide today for your help.”She said making him think for a moment.

“Uh sure, I’ll have a glass, thank you.” He said having her nod and scoot out of the room as Spike started with some of the papers that needed to be notarized, as he did he could hear the sound of glasses being picked up along with the *Bung* of a wine bottle opening. Spike was just about done with one of the papers as the Mayor walked back in a bit of sway in her step as she had already filled a part of one glass and was sipping from it.

“Here we go.” She placed it near him.”Just say when.” She said as she started to pour his glass. Putting hand up when the glass was about half full before she put the bottle in the middle of the table. “So Spike, how long have you been doing paperwork for, it looks like you know what you’re doing?” She said taking a seat and picking up her pen to start working herself.

“Oh man, when haven’t I.” He said taking a sip and taking a moment to taste the wine. “I’ve been helping people with paperwork as long a I can remember, doing it myself well… probably about ten years, I think. It’s hard to remember, it kind of blends together. “He finished taking another sip.

“Wait, old are you Spike?” She asked with a confused look on her face as if trying to do some math in her head.

“I turn twenty-five next month.” He said with a smile, making her open her mouth a bit. “I look really young right.” He said getting a nod. “How old did you think I was?” He asked as he set one of other papers off that he was working during the time of their talk.

“I thought you were nineteen.” She said with a nervous chuckle. “I never realized you were that old.” She said with a small shake of her head a little before looking down at a few papers and start working. “I guess we’ve never really talked for me to realize.” She said as she started looking the paper over, taking a sip from her glass.

“I guess we haven't really, you and Twilight always had business to do and I had mine.” He said looking back down and getting to work, the only sounds in the room ware now just papers pens and the sipping of wine every so often and making some questions of some papers and jokes to keep the conversation light, mainly from Spike

:

As the two worked the smell of food had slipped into the room and was quickly making both of them hungry but they kept working. It was only when the last of the peppers had been finished when the sound of an oven going off making the Mayor stop what she was doing and turn to the doorway. “Oh, the foods done.” She said before looking around the table in surprise. “And we’re pretty much done, we made really good time.” She said looking at Spike with a smile having him return it.

“What can I say, I work good and I work fast.” He said getting up and cracking his back a bit. “There wouldn’t be enough for two would there, I think Twilight might be back soon and I want to give them some privacy at least for a bit.” He said with a small chuckle.

“You’re lucky, I was cooking enough for the next few days. And it would be wrong of me to have you do all this work with me and not feed you.” She said picking up the bottle of wine and almost flinging it from the lack of weight. “Oh, looks like we finished it.” She said with a small happy chuckle It was only now that Spike realized he was a bit buzzed, and with the look on the Mayors face so was she. “Well then, time for food.” She said waving for Spike to follow, and that he did. She lead him down the hall again, more pictures of other events and other people but Spike didn’t care, between the buzz and promise of food he was feeling too good to care. Once they both made it into the kitchen the Mayor was over pulling two bowls out of a cabinet and moving over to make some grilled cheeses.

“Did you want something to drink with the tomato soup? I have water some soda… maybe some more wine?” She said shyly “I kind of want another glass but it's up to you if we open another bottle.” She said gesturing to a rack of wine bottles. Spike thought for a moment before taking a few steps ever to the rack.

“Is there any that go well with what we’re having?” He asked looking the bottles over, there were some reds and some whites, he could recognize some of them as being more expensive bottles and others as just cheap house wine that twilight would drink some nights for a buzz.

“The white one next to you should be good, the just off sweet taste pairs well.” She said as the smell of melting cheese filled the room as well as the smell of soup making Spikes stomach growl. “You can try the soup if you're that hungry Spike, I’ll bring the sandwiches over once they're done.” She said checking the sandwiches.

“Alright then.” He said before walking over to the pot of simmering tomato soup and grabbing the bowl next to it. Filling his about three ways up he picked up the other bowl. “How much would you Mayor?” He said turning to her who was already looking in his direction.

“Oh ah half, for now, thank you for getting that.” She said as she placed the cut sandwiches on a plate and walking over. “You know Spike I think today was the first time we’ve really talk to each this much or just one on one.” She finished setting the plate in the middle of the small square table.

“This is isn’t, it seems really easy to talk to you so I guess I hadn’t really thought about that. It feels like whenever we were close to each other it's always business.” He said before trying the soup, to which he was pleasantly surprised. “Wow this is really good Mayor.” He said going in for more.

“Please Spike, don’t sound so surprised I’ve been cooking this recipe since I was a little girl… well perfecting it. It’s kind of a family tradition to make a recipe and try to make it as best you can.” She said with a smile. “And Spike you don’t need to call me by my title, you can call me by my real name, Mardaye, Mardaye Way.” She said as taking a bite of the sandwich and eating some of the soup, leaving Spike with a small smile.

“Ok, then Mardaye.” He said before taking a sip and eating some more. “Do many people call you Mardaye?” Spike asked with another sip, the question made her eyes go to her bowl.

“Well, not as much as I would like, most know me as Mayor Mare.” She said with a small sigh. “I don’t mind really, it shows who really knows who I am. Being in my position I'm in I don’t really have time to get as close to people as I would like, I have to work and make sure everyone's alright.” She said taking a sip. “I mean it gets lonely sometimes but, someone has to do this work.” She said with a small smile. “Today's been really nice Spike. Most people don’t really think about helping me or just talking to talk. And tonight has been much nicer than I thought it would be.” She said as Spike looked at her slightly sadden, he watched as she took her glasses off and wiped her eyes a little. Spike put his arm out and rubbed her arms a bit making her smile a little but he could tell she was still saddened.

“I think I can relate a little, I’ve been...under Twilight for a long time, and because of that most people really don’t think to talk to me... It’s fine now, I have friends that I hang with sometimes. Then I was younger Twilights stuff came first and people took it as not to really talk to me or… yea. There were one or two people, but yea.” Spike said slowly before a silence took the room as they both sat. They ate for a moment like this, it was only when Mardaye started to another glass for herself and then held it to Spike was the silence was broken.

“One more glass left.”She said with a bit of a smile, wanting to leave the last conversation to rest. With a nod Spikes glass was filled and the bottle finished, having him realize again how much they had had.

“Cheers.” He said holding the glass close to hers, having her lift to meet his. “To public servants.” He said with a smile getting a small chuckle out of her before they both sipped there drink.

“Would you like some more soup Spike? or can we put it all away.” She asked getting up from her seat and walking over to the pot.

“I’m full thank you, it was really good.” He said getting up to help her. “Where are the containers at for the soup?” Spike asked going over to one of the cabinets.

“Oh they're over there honey…” She said messing with the soup ladle in one hand and pointing with the other, only realizing what she had said when Spike let out an ‘aah’ a blush could be seen on her face from where Spike was. “Oh god sorry Spike, I ah guess I’ve a bit to much wine…” She said before as Spike let out a small chuckle and got some containers from the cabinet.

“It’s fine, I really don’t mind you calling me that…” He said walking over with the containers and leaned in. “Mardaye.” He said in a sensual tone having her let go of a small gasp as well as straighten her back up. She then let out a small cough before taking the containers from him, still not looking at him tho he could see the blush had deeped on her face.

“That's not vary funny Spike.” She said filling the two containers with the rest of the soup. “You shouldn’t tease a woman my age ” She said continuing to fill the things. Spike didn’t move from his spot still close leaning in on one side of her. “If you are serious then... it just, wouldn’t be appropriate for this to go any further. I’m at least twice your age.” She said with a hint of regret in her voice.

“Well alright. I just thought we both deserved a bit of fun for everything we do.” Spike said stepping away from her with a bit of a wistful tone to it as he went to get some water that he really did need. “I guess when you said to ‘let age slide today’ you meant just all together.” He said opening the fridge and grabbing the water pitcher that was in there. “I’m sorry I got carried away.” He said before chugging the last of his wine and then filling the glass with water and drinking most of it. “Should we finish the paperwork?” Spike asked after drinking the water.

“We really should, but first.” She said walking over and doing the same as Spike did and chug the rest of the wine than a good glass of water. Once she drank the water she gave a little shack of her head and letting out a sigh. Her eyes looked about for a moment before she meets Spikes and held it for a moment, it was clear they were a bit toasted now, breaking the gaze she quickly looked Spike up and down before closing her eyes and turning to the hallway back where the paperwork was with a small exhale. “Back to it then.” She said grabbing her now water glass and walking back to the room, having Spike nod and follow, his eyes following the swing of her body. Making their way into the office like room they were working in before Spike made his way over to his seat while Mardaye walked over to a cabinet and started messing with something.”You don’t mind a bit of music do you?” She asked turning and looking at Spike.

“I think that's a great idea.” Spike said having her turn and press something letting the sound of some older sounding country music, Spike didn’t really recognize it but it had a quite soothing tone, once Mardaye had taken a seat they both got to work on the last of the paperwork, this time that worked in silence as the music played. It was when they were on the very last bit of paperwork when the song came on making Mardaye stop what she was going and look at the staro for a moment. Spike recognized this song, it was often used when he was learning how to slow dance. “You alright?” He asked making her look over to him and smile.

“I’m fine, I just haven't heard this song for a while.” She said looking back to the papers and drinking the last of her water “Or gotten to dance to it.” She said before writing something on the paper and looking it over before nodding slowly. Spike watched her for a moment before he slide his hand across the table and grabbed hers. “Spike…?” She said as he stood up and took a few steps closer, there his eyes firmly on hers.

“Come on, let's dance, Mardaye.” Spike said firmly having her slowly get up, she was clearly a bit nervous. Their hands slowly found their place on each other's side before they started to dance. As they did Spike could tell Mardaye had slowly leaned into the dance and gotten closer to him, by the end of the song the two ware fully touching chest to chest Mardaye was leaning on Spike. When the song ended the two stopped moving and took a moment before Mardaye moved away and looked up to Spike who stood about a head over her.

“Thank you, Spike.” She said staring at him, she continued to stare for a moment before Spike leaned in and kissed her. At first, she was taken aback but then just let it happen and even leaning into it a bit. Once the two separated they were both blushing a bit before Mardaye spoke again. “A-are you really ok with someone my age?” She asked lowly having Spike nod slowly. “Ok… I’m going to go upstairs and clean up when you finish the last paper come on up. My room is on the right, I’ll leave the door cracked for you.” She finished before kissing Spike once more only to turn and walk away, only to stop at the doorway and look at Spike for a moment with a smile and blush before walking away.
Spike stood there for a moment before taking a seat again and slowly worked on the last of the papers. He worked a bit slower to give her time, will he did he could hear the shower turn on for a bit then go off and then the sound of music.
With the final tape on the paper in front of him he nodded With that he stood up and made his way the doorway where he found the stairs up where there was a small crack of the wood, once he reached to the top he took a right and found the open door. Reaching up with his hand Spike knocked on the door having it open a bit letting Spike see Mardaye before she spoke.

“Please come in Spike.” She said with a longing tone.

Author's Note

Welp, I did it. Hope you guys like it, I'll start working on the next chapter soon, like for real. I've been a funk for the past while and have finally gotten out of it.