But First!! Here are Some Doubts....

           Applejack vaguely heard a choked shout as the door flew off it's hinges, but instinct deafened her to all things than her own pulse. She barely registered Rarity's scream as she jumped down the flight of stairs. The orange mare stood breathing for a second, taking in the scene before her. On the couch lay the colt, a black pegasus, with his wings lazily flopped over the cushions. One hoof was secured firmly on the unicorn mare's flank, clearly visible under the black dress. Rarity herself looked back at the Earth-pony with wide eyes, her hair disheveled and her hoofs pressed down on the colt's stomach and chest. Caught just before things had gotten good, or so said the rational side of AJ's mind.

             "Applejack what is the meaning of this!?" the unicorn stood, hastily pulling the colt's hoof out from under her dress.

             "You git your no good, lying flank up those stairs right now Rarity!" Applejack positioned her self lower to the ground, fully prepared to tackle the unicorn should she try to run.

            It was at this point that the colt attempted to calm down the irate Earth- Pony, hastily positioning himself between Rarity and Applejack.

             "Hey now, whatever this is I'm sure we ca-" his words were cut off swiftly as he was thrown backwards. Clearly Applejack was the much stronger of the two, the natural strength of the Earth Pony breed shining brilliantly in a near whiplash inducing shoulder ram. The Pegasus' wings flapped helplessly as he collided with a coffee table, the speed of the collision sending him flailing over the side of it straight to his back.

          "You best be gitttin' home flyboy, date's over," Applejack didn't even spare him the courtesy to look at him while she spoke, her eyes never leaving the unicorn rushing to his side.

            "J-just go dear, I'll see you tomorrow. Element of Harmony business you know." The fashionista gave the colt a brave grin and helped him to his feet.

         "Are you sure, I could.....you know..." the black colt kept tensed as he rose to his feet, obviously readying himself for another attack from Applejack.

           "No really dear it's all right, I'll see you tomorrow." The unicorn responded curtly and pushed him towards the door.

            Applejack stood still as she watched the other mare push the Pegasus out of her door, refusing multiple offers of help and protection. Once the door was finally closed the unicorn stood silent for a second, breathing deeply before turning to the Earth-Pony before her.

           "What in Equestria do you think you are doing!?" the fashionista's courage flared as she briskly crossed the room and shoved her snout onto AJ's.

           "Don't you play all innocent with me!" Applejack shoved the unicorn backward with her head, her Stetson flying off in the process. "You got that little dragon crazy bout ya, then ya go and do somethin' like this!?"

           Rarity looked back at AJ with a look as if she had swallowed something sour.

         "Spike? This is absurd, I'm free to see whomever I please," the fashionista threw back as she stood as tall as she could. In the process she exposed her neck, where the light from the fireplace caught a golden glint.

          "Oh you're jes pathetic ain't ya!?" Applejack shoved the fashionista to the ground before she ripped the fire ruby necklace from around her neck, eliciting a scream from the unicorn. "What else you used him fer huh?! What else didja git outta him Rarity!?" AJ's voice reached a monstrous crescendo as she flung the fire ruby across the room, where it shattered through a glass cabinet.

          The unicorn cowered before the Earth pony, her hooves shielding her face. "Applejack he's just a child!!" she screamed, fear working its way into her voice.

          The rational side of Applejack remained quiet for the first time in her life, presenting no reason for the mare to not snatch the unicorn up by her mane.

         "What's age matter when you're talkin' bout a dragon!?" the irate mare screamed over the unicorn's strangled cries as she threw her towards the stairs. It was at this point that Spike, being the brave little dragon he was, pitterpattered down the stairs, tears streaming down his face as he shielded the unicorn from AJ.

         "Applejack don't! She...she can't help it!" the dragon locked eyes with the Earth pony, never looking away as his eyes welled up.

        "Can't help what? Buildin' your hopes up and then flirtin' with every rich boy around!?" Applejack locked eyes with the dragon, her ferocious gaze frightening the dragon all the more.

         "She doesn't owe me anything!" Spike pleaded, not noticing Rarity perking her head up to stare at his back. The dragon held his arms out, trying to cover the unicorn as much as possible from the Earth Pony's anger.

         "Oh yeah? How bout an explanation?" Applejack craned her head over Spike to shout down at Rarity. "So how bout? What's so great bout this new one Sugarcube? He got more connections? More money?" AJ's voice practically oozed with disdain and disgust as she stared down at the fashionista.

            "He's not rich and he doesn't have connections," the mare shouted defiantly, "He's just a well-to-do gentlecolt!"

          Applejack felt Spike grab onto her legs as she lurched forward.

          "Oh really!? Do tell! How much does he do for ya, huh? Does he help ya dig diamonds too!?"

          Rarity's eyes welled up as the similarities between Spike and Thunderlane surfaced in her mind.

          "Well no but...."

           "Whadabout gettin' his tail whipped for ya? I'm sure this feller would fight a few o' them for ya too right!?"

           "He can't fight....."

           Applejack broke free of Spike's claws and shoved her face into Rarity's.

           "Then what's so special bout him?"

           Rarity's voice caught in her throat. Her eyes flickered between Applejack's face and Spike, who had been clutching her tail from behind. Even to this point, still trying to protect the unicorn against a much larger and ferocious opponent. It made her next words all the more harder to say. With her eyes flooding over and her voice cracking, she sobbed out

       "I want a family."

        All at once the anger disappeared from Applejack, leaving behind a cold, acidic lump in her stomach. She stepped back from the fashionista and lowered her eyes to the ground. Spike watched her as she marched across the room and retrieved her hat, his hands losing their strength when he heard Rarity's confession. His whole body seemed to shut down for a second, his willpower finally cracking and leaking out through his claws.

         The Earth Pony pulled the Stetson over her eyes as she turned towards the doorway. "Spike, go get your things Sugarcube."

         Spike complied but did not answer, creeping away slowly back towards the stairs.

              Rarity lay in the corner she was left in for a good twenty minutes after Applejack marched out of her shop. Had Spike always had her best interests at heart? Did Thunderlane? Why did this even matter to her in the end, wasn't Spike just a foolish dragon with a foolish dream?

            Wasn't she being the responsible one?

           While she was pondering this, she didn't even notice the dragon standing before her until she heard the clink of metal. He stared down at her with half-lidded eyes, his spines sagged low. In his claws outstretched before her rested the Fire Ruby pendant, the chain now broken but the ruby still perfectly intact.

         She stared at the gift in the dragons  claws,  unsure of how to proceed. What would it mean to accept it? What would it mean to him?

           After  early a minute of staring at the ruby, the unicorn took another long look at Spike, then placed her hoof on the fire ruby and pushed it away.

          "I'll tell Twilight where you are when she gets back dear,"

                ****Remember guys, comment, criticize, like, or just point out where my autocorrect jacked up! All is appreciated!