Applejack danced around the house cleaning and dusting as she hummed a upbeat tune. Outside Rainbow Dash cleaned up around the barn, excitement hung in the air as she recalled the conversation with Applejack two days ago.
. . .

"Hey Dash?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash as she looked at a letter in her hoof.

"Yeah AJ? What is it?" Rainbow Dash replied from the couch a glass of cider in her hoof. Applejack had told her that she was welcome to stay with her if she wished after the night at the pub with Fluttershy. Stating she just was tired of living alone and she needed some help around the farm.

"Ah just got a letter from my cousin over in Appleloosa. They want to have the Apple Family Reunion here this year." Applejack stated excitedly before frowning softly. "This will be the first time it's been held at Sweet Apple Acres since Granny Smith passed."

Rainbow walked over and swept Applejack up in a hug and held her as she cried, Applejack nuzzling into the hug as she gained control of her emotions and gave a watery smile. "Thanks Dashie Ah needed that." Pausing she leaned up and place a soft kiss to Rainbow Dash's cheek before trotting into the kitchen to fix them both a cup of tea, leaving Rainbow stunned and blushing in the living room.

Shaking her head as if to clear it. she got up to head into the kitchen, only to pause as the sound of Applejack's alto voice reached her ears. Slowly she approached the kitchen to find Applejack dancing and singing as she set the tea, the song's words sounding different but no less beautiful in her southern draw. Will ye go lassie, go was the name of the song if she remembered right. Though she remembered it sung by a male group some years back, It was no less haunting when song by her oldest friend. The cadence was slow and the melody wrapped around the house like a warm embrace. As Rainbow stood and watched in the doorway she felt a spark of light, a slow burning fire in her heart. A fire who's embers had grown cold long ago, was blooming with new life. A short amused cough brought her out of her musings with a start, as she realized that she had been caught staring at Applejack. A deep blush bloomed on her face as she rubbed the back of her head and stared at the floor, chuckling nervously. 'Ponyfeathers!' she thought 'I'm acting like a lil' filly. I'm a grown mare dammit , but of she sure looked pretty dancing around and singing.'

"So, Sugar you like what you see?" Applejack purred with a coy smile, mirth filling her eyes as she gazed upon her oldest friend 'she's so cute when she's flustered, always was Ah reckon.' she thought before sauntering past, flicking Rainbow with her tail as she moved to her seat.

"very much so." rasped Rainbow, her voice a bit deeper and her tail swaying slowly as she sashayed into the kitchen, a more confident smile on her face and mischief in her eyes. As she passed she allowed her tail to slide along Applejack's arm as it rested on the table before taking her seat.

. . .

Rainbow Dash smiled at the memory. they had flirted a few more times since that day. she was looking forward to the reunion, hoping to get a dance or two with Applejack. With a heave and a groan she finished stacking the animal feed and dusted herself off but it was no use she would need a shower. Sighing she slowly trudged inside and called out "I'm finished AJ, I'm gonna get cleaned up."

"Alright, but hurry we got to go into town soon." Hollered Applejack from somewhere in the house. As Rainbow Dash meandered up the stairs to the bathroom she stopped as she spied Applejack sitting in front of her vanity brushing her damp mane. A blush rushed across Rainbow's face as she hurried to the bathroom before she was caught staring again, but as she closed the bathroom door she heard Applejack chuckle.

. . .

That afternoon found the two wondering the market as the picked up things need for the reunion. Excitement hung in the air around the market, it seemed that princesses Twilight Sparkle and Celestria were arriving this afternoon.

Nervousness filled Rainbow Dash, she was sure Twilight would have some words for her. Even though many of the expeditions she went on in her later years were ordered or sanctioned by the purple alicorn, like the other's she nary found the time to rite or send any kind of word.

"Bit for yer thoughts Dashie?" Said Applejack as she walked up behind Rainbow Dash.

Dash jumped and spun around to see who had sneaked up on her. Seeing that it was just Applejack she calmed and replied "Oh AJ you can't go around scarring old mares like that could have given me a heart attack." AJ snickered and rolled her eyes "To answer your question i'm sure you've heard that Twilight and Princess Celestria will be arriving today. . . and well i'm nervous I haven't seen nor spoken to either in decades. . . well i'm scared of what they might say. I'm suppose to be the element of loyalty and I all but abandoned you girls for over a half a century."

Rainbow dash felt Applejack move closer and nuzzler her lovingly whispering "Oh Dashie, you came back and that's what counts." as she moved back she placed a lingering kiss on Dash's cheek before saying come on i think everyone moving to town square might as well follow.

As if on que, trumpet blast could be heard and over head a golden chariot pulled by four armored pegasus. Dash smiled at the kiss even if her nerves remained. She quickly trotted behind Applejack, enjoying the view from behind with a mischievous smirk as the followed the crowd to the see the Princesses.

Author's Note

Here's chapter 6 next up a reunion between the princesses and the remaining three elements of harmony. For thous who are interested with Pinkie and Rarity's passing Twilight now bares the elements of Magic, Laughter and Generosity. When the remaining three element bearers pass she will bare all six elements until such a time comes that the elements need to be passed to a new generation. I will post links soon to the songs mentioned in the story for those who wish to hear them.