Take the Chance part 1 and part 2

------ Part 1
The two walked along together, side by side. Applejack had her hands shoved into her pockets while Rarity's remained folded at her center. Rarity began talking about the town's history and buildings. Coming up shortly was Sugar Cube Corner, which worried Applejack a little because Pinkie would be there. But as Rarity went on, Applejack's thoughts about this whole situation started coming into her head louder and louder. This was just supposed to be for today only. Just for a chance to win a large amount of bits for her family and the farm. But now she's deceiving a friend? She didn't agree to this. Rainbow Dash had her good points... but where was this really going to lead in the end? In the end Applejack would have to tell Rarity who she really was. She would have to tell her why she did it in the first place, and why she continued with the charade. It would be humiliating, for the both of them... wouldn't it? What was the point of Applejack pretending to be someone else for the chance that Rarity might end up liking her male self? To be closer to her for a brief moment in time? In the end Applejack couldn't have Rarity because Rarity didn't like her the same way... right? It would make things weird between them, their friendship would be ruined by lies and well, just plain friend zoned awkwardness. Applejack's heart would be broken, because she couldn't just be herself around Rarity anymore. Not with what has happened. And what would her other friends think about this whole lie? Surely Twilight would lecture her, Fluttershy would shake her head in disapproval, and Pinkie Pie.... well her reaction definitely would vary. Maybe put on a mustache and giggle a lot. Surely it wouldn't help the situation. Applejack now had no clue what to expect or do. So for now till she was back with Rainbow Dash, she'd have to just go with it.

"...They really do have the absolute best sweets you could have, Jack. You simply must try them sometime." Rarity stopped just before Sugar Cube Corner, looking back at Jack.

"Uh-yeah, sounds delicious." Applejack watched Rarity lean towards the door. Thoughts were still buzzing around in the mares head. Looking at her facial expression Rarity thought she was boring the stallion with all her talk about sweets Sugar Cube Corner had to offer. Perhaps Jack wasn't fond of sweets, or Jack wasn't much of a talker.

"Wont you come in? Perhaps I could interest you in some Rose Tea while we talk about where you're from?" Rarity placed her hand onto the doorknob, ready to hold it open for her.

'...talk about where you're from?' played again in Applejacks head. Her eyes grew. No, not more lies. Applejack didn't want to make up a false life. Not only that Pinkie was there, and that would perhaps make matters worse. Applejack suddenly reached for the doorknob, grabbing Rarity's hand with it, keeping it shut.

"No! No that'll be-uh---fine. Miss Rarity." She looked up, almost nose to nose with the purple haired mare. A pink hue rushed across her snout, as they locked eyes for a moment. Applejack took her hand away and shoved it into her pocket once more, as her heart raced. "Ah-ah-ah think we should tour the town uh bit further before we sit and eat!" Applejack watched as Rarity's facial expression looked confused. As if she didn't know whether Applejack was rejecting her offer or not.

'Oh no, ah might've offended her....' she thought.

"Ah mean, ah haven't worked up an appetite an ah'd be happy to have dinner with you later. My treat."

Facehoof. Big facehoof. Applejack wished she hadn't said that. She just set herself up for more disaster. A large blush came across Rarity's face. Applejacks eyes wandered all around with thoughts that only made her panic inside.

"Yes I suppose dinner is a better way to talk about it. Don't want to feel rushed over a cup of tea. Now just a little ways further over here is the Farmers Market...." Rarity pointed forward, leading Applejack away from Sugar Cube Corner, trying to compose herself from blushing too harshly. Applejack caught a glimpse of it. Which made her question... What was Rarity exactly thinking? Did the thought of dinner with her (or him rather) make her blush? Her thoughts ran again, she was definitely good at over thinking things. Rarity must've thought that Applejack buying her dinner meant.... she had just asked her on a small date. Right? It had to be the reason why she was blushing. Or was it the fact that they had just touched hands and were snout to snout? Ugh! The thoughts only made Applejack more flustered. Applejack finally looked up from the ground as they approached the Farmers Market. Her eyes caught Applebloom and Granny Smith, who was working at the apple stands Applejack said she would tend to later. Her face froze as she stopped in her tracks. She couldn't go any further. Not one hoof. Rarity stopped as well, turning her upper body towards her.

"Everything alright darling?"

"Ah-ah don't feel well!" Applejack put her hands on her stomach and bent over, turning away from the crowd. "Yep! Ah must've pulled a muscle when ah kicked Iron Will. That must be it." Her eyes shifted around, looking for a place to limp off to. Rarity lowered her ears. She found it rather odd and a bit discouraging Jack wasn't very willing to go anywhere with her. She could tell Jack was faking being in discomfort. Opalescence always a little drama kitty, and after many visits to the vet it gave Rarity the ability to recognize when someone was faking pain. She didn't understand why Jack was doing this, but decided not to confront her about it.

"Shall I get you to a sofa then? Perhaps you can rest up a bit?" she crossed her arms and quirked a brow. Applejack glanced back at Rarity, hobbling a bit forward away from the Farmers Market.

"Uh-yeah, that sounds nice actually. Maybe uh... furniture store around here somewhere?"

Rarity stepped in front of Applejack, leading the way once more. "Nonsense, the furniture store would eventually make you leave if you weren't going to buy anything. And surely you don't want to loiter in such a place, do you? Of course not. So we are going to my boutique, since you have no place to stay. I have to fill a few orders anyway and I can do that while you rest up."

Well the good part about this was Applejack wouldn't run into anypony who might recognize her. The bad part was that she would be left with Rarity alone... Which secretly Applejack really hoped for that moment to someday come.

Onward they walked till they reached their destination, The Carousel Boutique. Unlocking the door Rarity took applejack inside, setting her down on the sofa to let her rest. Opalescence greeted Rarity with a blank unhappy stare as she knelt down to pick up her kitty..

"This is Opalescence, my lovely little kitty. Say hello to Jack, Opal!" Rarity held out Opal, who hissed angrily at Applejack. Applejack leaned away as the cat jumped out of Rarity's arms. "Oh Opal quit being such a fussy kitty, for mommy please?" Opal looked up at Rarity with her angry blank stare, refusing to cooperate.

"Uhh- hi there, Opal..." Applejack reached out to the cat, only to take back her hand before it was scratched. "Ah don't think your cat likes me."

"She hates everyone, try not to take it personally." Rarity laughed a little. "Now go ahead and rest your legs while I finish up these dresses. If you need anything I will be through this door right here." Rarity walked away, leaving Applejack in the room with a very unhappy cat. Opal sat, staring at Applejack while Applejack stared back. The two didn't care for each other, and Opal knew right away who she was based on her smell. The cat growled, and lowered her ears.

"If Winona were here ah'd let her chase you up a tree again...." Applejack smiled devilishly, watching Opal run away at the name of the dog. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Applejack turned around and laid on the couch, acting as if she were too hurt to get up. Rarity came to the room and looked down at her.

"You really must be in discomfort, Jack. I'm glad I have a place for you to lie down." Rarity said while she opened the door. "Oh! Crash.... hello."

"Hey Rarity, is Jack still with you?" Rainbow Dash said, peeking around the room. Applejack shot up from the couch and walked to the door, looking out.

"Hey Da-CRASH!! HEY CRASH!!" she clears her throat. "Crash... H-how'd you find... us?" Applejack nervously looked at Rarity, then at Dash. Dash smiled widely and shrugged.

"Everypony knows everypony around here. All's I had to say was 'where does Rarity live?' And here you are! I figured you'd still be with her since you know, you don't have a place to stay. What with plans suddenly changing and all.... forcing you to stay in Ponyville for the week.... to you know.... Win the competition." As Rainbow Dash continued with her words Applejack's glare grew more harsh. She was definitely upset at Dash for the situation she was put in just now. "Uh anyway Jack could I speak with you in private for just a few minutes? Don't worry Rarity he'll be all yours once I'm done talking with him." Dash gave a wink to Rarity as she stepped away, letting Applejack outside.

"Alright well, don't stand for too long Jack you don't want to get hurt again." She said, giving Applejack a small wave before closing the door.

"So uhh.... how you doing?" Dash said with a large grin. Applejack clenched her fists as she walked right up to Rainbow Dash, shaking.

"Ah've been having one rough hay ride of uh day, Dash!!"

"Shh!!! Its Crash. You don't want Rarity to hear you."

"Ah am so nervous an' worked up, mah knees have been shakin' since we went to Sugar Cube Corner!!"

"Wait you went to Sugar Cube Corner? What happened there?"

Applejack began to pace back and fourth, crossing her arms and glaring at Rainbow Dash. She took large breaths and looked around to see if anypony was listening. "Almost, we didn't go inside. Ah was too afraid to sit down for tea an' talk about some---- made up life ah've never had!!" she threw her arms into the air and paced quickly. Rainbow Dash watched her pace back and fourth.

"So she invited you for tea? What did you say?"

"Ah put my hand on hers stopping her from opening the door and I told her Id buy her dinner later."

"What? Way to go Jack, you asked her out! I knew you had it in you!"

"No, Crash. This isn't good. This isn't supposed to happen-none of this was! Ah was supposed to just enter this competition in which ah'd win bits from but now this has turned into this fake stallion thing with Rarity. For-for what? To get closer to her just to be rejected in the end?"

"What? Jack this is an opportunity of a life time. You have a chance to show Rarity a good time, because she'd never give you a chance as a mare. And when the date is over and you get your kiss you tell her you're sorry and you have to go home back to.... wherever you live!"

"Ah can't lie like you can Crash! Ah can't! And what good does this do me in the end? Ah kiss her an' we say our good bye's an' ah never get another chance with her after that? Ah'd be leaving her with a broken heart, and mine would be broken too. In the end she wouldn't love me, the real Applejack. She'd be in love with some stallion named Jack." Applejack felt tears coming to her eyes as she thought of the worst thing that could happen to her. "An' what if she finds out who ah really am, Crash? She finds out its really me beneath all this-this fake stallion? I'd lose her friendship, forever." Tears flowed from her eyes as she walked up to Dash, putting her hands on her shoulders. Rainbow Dash could see the pain that Applejack was going through about this. "Ah can't lose her, Crash. Its why ah was never honest with mah feelings for her in the first place. Why ah never told her how much ah'm in love with her." Applejack's knees buckled, and she fell to the floor, sobbing. Rainbow Dash could feel her friends pain. But remembering all those nights where Applejack had her come over just to cry all night long about how she could never be with Rarity.... was pretty motivating. She knelt down, lifting Applejack's chin and wiping away her tears.

"Hey... Its okay to be afraid, Jack. It is alright. But do you really want to spend all your life never knowing? Always wondering 'what if?' And you know what, if she loves you as Jack then she'll love you as Applejack. This is just a way for her to give you a chance."

"No, its a way for her to give Jack a chance."

"If she loves you when you're male whats the difference really if you're female? It's the inside that counts, not the outside. Sometimes it takes odd ways to make a pony realize that. Just be yourself, Jack. Be who you always are, act like nothing has changed about you. Which it hasn't, just your appearance has changed. Inside you're still you and that's who shes going to fall in love with. Shes going to see that in the end you're just as good if not better than any other stallion that crosses your path. You are her knight in shining armor. "

Applejack's tears stopped from coming as she heard Rainbow Dash speak to her in such a sincere voice. Maybe she was right. Maybe this wasn't such a big way to screw things up after all. Applejack was tired of hiding the way she felt from Rarity, and tired of night after night asking what if questions. It was time to finally try. Finally do something about her feelings. She was going to do it, and she wasn't going to mess up... at least she hoped. Rainbow lifted her friend off the ground and dusted her legs off.

"Great.... now ah'm all dusty for mah date tonight." Applejack said with a weak smile. Rainbow patted her back and laughed.

"That's the spirit!" Dash continued to dust Applejack off as she forced her to turn around and walk back to the Boutique. As she knocked Rarity came to the door and looked at them both.

"Oh, all finished? What's going on? Are you okay?" Rarity looked at Applejack's eyes, seeing that they were red from crying.

"Miss Rarity, how would you like to go to our dinner tonight? By that ah mean what time is good for you?" Applejack said while fixing her hat. Rarity put her hand to her cheek, trying to cover her blush.

'keep it together Rarity.' she thought.

"Oh well It is getting dark out. But I suppose I can be ready in an hour." she said looking back into her home at the unfinished orders she had. She rolled her eyes at them, they would be late but it wouldn't be a problem. She would just have to make a few notices. Applejack agreed to meet her in an hour, which would be enough time for both of them to get ready. As Applejack turned away and Rarity closed the door, Rarity looked down seeing Opalescence staring up at her.

"What?" She said. The cat merely continued to stare, its tail flicking back and fourth. Rarity rolled her eyes and walked to her wardrobe to look through a few of her outfits, not exactly knowing what to wear. She thought to herself, if she wanted to make a good impression, shouldn't she wear something really nice? Not too nice, Jack was from the country so sometimes simple was better. But what if Jack was different? What if he appreciated what a girl wore just as much as the girl herself? She didn't know much about him but when he took her hand and got close, it seemed as if he wanted to be near. They had just met and already there was a connection. But then again.... he did sort of avoid going anywhere with her. Something was up, Rarity didn't exactly know what but she was determined to find out why he was avoiding going anywhere. Pulling a dark blue dress from the closet Rarity placed it on the bed and looked for matching earrings, gloves, and possibly heels to go with it.

------ part 2

As the hour went by Applejack came back to the boutique, standing outside with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow put her hands on Applejack's shoulders, giving her another pep talk before her big moment.

"Alright this is it Jack. You're gonna march up there, take her hand, and go out to dinner."

"Right!"

"You're gonna show her the confidence you always have with her. The nice pony you are and the best possible choice she can make in a mate!"

"Right! Wait ah have to hold her hand?"

"Well no... but you know what I mean."

"Right!!" Applejack shut her eyes as the thought of her and Rarity being together made her blush furiously. Dash walked behind her and pushed her forward. "Go! You'll know where I'll be if you need me."

Applejack walked up to the door, knocking it lightly. No answer. She knocked lightly again. Still no answer.

"Quit knocking softly! Knock like you mean it!!" Dash said while walking away, looking back at her.

Applejack cleared her throat and knocked loudly this time. She listened for Rarity's voice, which told her to come inside. Opening the door she looked down only to find Opalescence sitting right where she was last time. "Freaky cat...." Applejack glared. The cat hissed and walked away, tail up high and nose as well. Applejack rolled her eyes and looked around for Rarity.

"I'm almost ready darling, just wait for me by the door." she called out. Applejack took a deep breath, the thought of them going on a date made her heart race, and her blood rush. She worried she was going to perspire from being nervous. She hated sweating when she was nervous. It gave her away so easily. And she didn't want to be smelly and sweaty for the date. The sound of heels hitting the floor grew closer and closer, only making Applejack fidget. She stomped her hoof to the floor, refusing to let her nerves get to her.

"Here I am." Rarity said with a smile. Applejack's eyes met with hers and she couldn't help but stare at the beautiful sight that was Rarity. Her whole outfit seemed to match top to bottom and went well with her personality. From the way she had her hair to the way she stood with her heels. Rarity was ready to knock Applejack out. And she almost did. Applejack was almost too stunned to move, but managed to force herself to open the door for Rarity.

"After you Miss Rarity."

"Please, just Rarity." She said with a smile. The two walked into town as they passed a few words back and fourth to each other before arriving to the small cafe just past Sugar Cube Corner. As they sat looking over their menu's, Applejack ran through the answers Dash had gave her in case Rarity asked questions. They were answers to where Applejack didn't have to really lie in order to answer. Perfect.

"So Jack." Rarity began, placing her menu down on the table. "Where do you live?"

"Oh uh... I live out in the country, on a fruit farm."

"Really? Interesting, what kind of fruits do you grow?"

"Only the best in all of Equestria!" Applejack laughed trying to avoid the answer. "But uh-enough about me. My story's a little bit borin. What about you, Rarity? What's your story?"

Rarity smiled. She loved to talk about herself. It was definitely her thing. She could go on for hours and hours about what she does for a living, where she goes everyday and who she associates herself with. Applejack was smart to put Rarity in the spotlight. But.... Rarity wanted to know more about Jack, so she wasnt going to let her get away with it. The waiter came to take their orders, while serving them bread for a small appetizer.

"Ill have a salad please, with your signature dressing." Rarity said handing him the menu.

"An' ah'll have the daisy sandwich please." The waiter took Applejacks menu and walked away.

"Well you've seen my business." Rarity began. "I enjoy making glorious outfits for ponies and would someday love to live in Canterlot or perhaps design dresses and gowns for the Princess herself!" Rarity looked up at the sky, seeing stars begin to shine as it drew dark. She sighed softly while gazing at them.

"Tell me, Jack.... do you wish upon stars?"

"Ah do."

"It seems every night I wish upon the first star I see and... well.. it seems all of my wishes have come true so far except one."

"Is that so? Do ya' mind if ah ask what that wish is?"

"Oh I can tell you unless it comes true, Jack. I'm still giving that star a chance to grant me my wish."

"Oh well... Fair enough. But now ya have to tell me once it does come true."

Rarity giggled, "Of course! Have any of yours come true?"

"Uh well uh yeah!" Applejack didn't know what to say.

"Really? What did you wish for?"

"Uhm.... Ah wished for... a bigger friendship." Applejack wanted to facehoof herself. But the answer she gave made Rarity smile.

"Bigger friendship? Really?" she leaned in closer, noticing Applejack trying to avoid eye contact. She looked at her facial features paying close attention to detail. Applejack began to slowly lean back, hoping Rarity would stop staring. But it was no use.

"Yes. Bigger friendship!"

"By that, what do you mean? There's different types of friendships. Which one are you talking about?" Rarity's eyes locked with Applejack's. And Applejack was now stuck, gazing back at her. Her stare was hypnotic, one that Applejack simply couldn't break away from.... really, Applejack didn't want to. A tingle rose up her spine, as the stare became more intense. Everything seemed to slow down to her, Rarity seemed to even blink slower.

"Ya know..... the friend kind." This response made Rarity laugh, and sit up straight again.

"You remind me of a pony I know.... a dear friend of mine." she began.

'uh oh.' Applejack thought. "Oh-oh yeah? Who's that?"

"Her name is Applejack. Maybe you two are related? You sure do act like her and you both even have the same hat." She said pointing upward at the hat she was wearing. Applejack looked all around.

"Oh uh I've never met a pony named Applejack!" She leaned back as her sandwich was placed in front of her. "Thank you!"

"Really? Well you'll have to meet her sometime." Rarity said putting a fork in her salad.

"Sounds great!"

~~ After dinner the two began to walk around Ponyville without another pony in sight. The streets were dimly lit with lights from the moon, the stars, and the lamps. The air was cool and damp, cold enough to see your breath but with no wind it wasn't enough to bother you right away if you kept moving. Rarity walked along side Applejack, taking their time to get back to the boutique. A small stone bridge that went over a little pond was just ahead of them.

"Oh isn't it lovely out Jack? Simply wonderful! I love this weather its the best. Not too cold, no wind to mess with my hair... but..." She placed her hands on the stone wall of the bridge and pushed herself up, sitting on the edge. "These heels always hurt my feet after a while...." she said loosening the straps and taking them off. "Can we take a small break? I can't walk any farther and I refuse to get my feet dirty."

Applejack stopped and smiled at her, sitting down next to her on the bridge. "Sure no problem. It is very nice out tonight. Haven't seen a night like this in a long un'." she said rubbing her arm, feeling the temperature begin to drop just a bit. There was a small moment of silence between the two as they both looked up in the night sky together thinking about their wishes. Applejack glanced back at Rarity, who was still gazing at the stars. AJ had always wished she had more courage to show her feelings, and to only be strong when Rarity rejected her if she didn't feel the same. She felt a spark in her chest, right next to her heart. Looking down at her lap and to her right was Rarity's hand.... and something was telling AJ to go for it. She held her breath and looked away, shutting her eyes tight as she slid her hand downward onto Rarity's. Applejack could feel her heart begin to race, and almost ached as if she had already been rejected. Tingles shot through her right arm as she felt her forehead become hot when suddenly..... Rarity's fingers laced with her own. Applejack's eyes lowered to where their hands were... and it was true. Rarity was holding her hand. Applejack let out a large breath as she looked up, seeing Rarity stare right at her, a light blush across her face. Applejack's own face turned dark red, and she swore to herself that steam was coming off it. She prayed to the goddesses her hand wouldn't get sweaty. But with her nerves jumping around it probably would only be a few moments till she began to sweat. Rarity smiled and blushed a little bit darker when she became aware of how long they were staring at each other. Applejack smiled as well, not knowing what exactly to say. She wanted this night to last forever, but saying that out loud was really too soon. At least, that's what she thought Rarity would think. Applejack looked down at Rarity's shoulders, noticing she was shivering a little bit.

"You're cold." Applejack said sliding off the bridge, their fingers still laced together. "Lets get you home."

"No, my feet still hurt.... just five more minutes please?" she said, looking down at their hands. But Applejack wouldn't take no for an answer. She placed Rarity's shoes in her lap and with one arm reached beneath her legs, the other around Rarity's back, picking her up off the bridge.

"Ah can carry you."

This made Rarity blush red as she held onto Applejack, not knowing exactly what to do. "Oh you really don't have to do this...."

"Mah pleasure..." Applejack said, carrying Rarity down the road to the boutique. Rarity tried not to stare at Applejack, it was hard but she managed to pass a few glances at her. Looking forward she looked at the arm that was carrying half of her. She wondered to herself if she could sneak a squeeze, and she did. She liked how the arm felt. Toned but not overbearing with muscle. Applejack carried Rarity all the way back home, which really wasn't too far away. All those apple barrels Applejack carried made Rarity feel like nothing. It didn't slow her one bit. Placing her down on her step Applejack fixed her hat and nodded to Rarity.

"Ah had a lovely time with you, Rarity." She said looking up into the mare's eyes with a little bit of confidence this time. She wanted to make sure Rarity knew she meant it. Rarity smiled and nodded her head, looking back at her.

"I did as well, Jack."

She felt another spark in her chest, one aching her on to do one more act out of courage before the night ended. She then took Rarity's hand once more, bringing it up to her lips and kissing it delicately. "Good night."

Rarity smiled, a pink blush lightly drew across her face. "Good night."

Author's Note

phew! that was a long one!

hope you guys are just as excited about the next chapter as i ammmmmm!!!