Days Of The Week

Chapters

What Lies Before
What Lies Behind
What Lies Within
What Lies Under The Bed, and Other Curious Places
What Lies In Wait

What Lies Before

"Someday is not a day of the week."

-Unknown

What Lies Before

With the hour and a half of a break she had, she decided to spend it lazily, laid back, on a soft, cushion-like cloud, watching as her co-workers finished their work much after she did.

She knew they were slower than she was, but she also knew that they were all still hard workers, as well as occasional troublemakers, so she could appreciate and respect them, but also know that she was not the only one who would be on her boss's bad side at times.

"I love this job," she said to herself. She felt a sense of satisfaction whelm her mind as she crossed her hind legs and leaned back, resting her head on her forelegs. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of this..."

An absentminded thought that always ran through her head was the fact that being a weatherpony was so easy. The pay wasn't fantastic, but she lived on her own, so she didn't really need to count on a high income.

"Man, I must be living the Equestrian dream right here!" She closed her eyes and relaxed as best as she could, not having a single care at the moment.

"Ya mind tellin' me what y'all mean by the Equestrian dream?"

She looked out the corner of her eye and spotted the farm pony, buried in a pile of apples. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes again, resuming her relaxation.

"Oh, nothing much, just a--... Wait, what?" She opened her eyes again, sat up straight, and looked to the farmland beneath her cloud. On the ground, among the numerous apple trees, was a rather large and attractive pile of apples. Poking out from within was the face of a hard-working, twang-toned, apple-bucking, blonde-maned, gamboge-orange farm pony. Usually wearing a Stetson-like hat, there seemed to be an exception for not wearing it in her situation, for it was not every day that one was buried in a heap of apples. Her hat lied in the more useful part of a nearby carrier cart that appeared to be tipped over on its rear.

"Well, what're y'all waitin' for, Rainbow Dash? Some kinda special invitation from Pinkie Pie or somethin'?"

"It wouldn't be surprising, really," Rainbow Dash joked with a giggle. She then noticed her annoyed friend trying to wiggle out of the pile on her own. "Here, hold still, I'll help you out, Applejack." She hopped from her cloud lazily and swooped down, landing her on hooves within a few meters of the trapped mare.

"Thanks, partner." Applejack smiled and relaxed more, knowing she was probably in good hooves.

Rainbow went to work, pushing clumps of red and green apples from around the farm pony, first allowing her movement of her right foreleg, and then her left. "Thank ya kindly, RD. Ah reckon Ah can handle the rest from here."

Rainbow Dash backed off and watched while taking an obnoxious bite of an apple she had snatched, as her friend shifted and wriggled uncomfortably, slowly but eventually freeing herself from the pile. "Woo! Now that's more like it! Ah've was stuck in there fer over an hour!"

Rainbow stopped eating and looked at her quizzically. "Over an hour? Wow, Applejack, what hit you this morning?"

Applejack started stretching her legs. "A-Ah've been feelin' a might lazy today, Ah guess... Never really woke up until about eleven. Kinda sad, ain't it?"

Rainbow dropped her apple. "Whoa..." She trotted up next to her. "That's not like you at all! What's going on?"

Applejack started to look around for her hat, turning her head this way and that. "Ah haven't the slightest idea, really. Maybe Ah should jus' slow things down today. It's gettin' ta be pretty hard on mah hooves..."

Rainbow saw what she was looking for and, knowing where it was, marched over in the direction of the toppled apple cart. "Hard on your hooves?" she said, picking up the hat with her teeth. "Whash wrong wish you, AJ?"

"Ah told ya already, Ah haven't a single clue!" She reached a hoof out to take her hat.

Feeling an odd urge, Rainbow smirked and decided not to give it to her yet. She had the same intentions, but with a different idea. She stepped back a bit, keeping the hat in her mouth, away from Applejack's reach. Applejack stepped forward and reached out a bit further, only to have Rainbow step back again.

"...Rainboooow..." She stopped trying to grab it, giving the daredevil a glare. "Give it back now, alright? It's mine." Rainbow leaned forward and held the hat out with a hoof, seemingly teasing her with it.

"I know."

Applejack thought quickly and took a swipe at it, missing it as Rainbow pulled it away just as quick. Applejack groaned lightly in frustration, taking another swipe with the same results.

"This ain't funny, Rainbow Dash..." She took another swing, missing again. She began to grow more impatient than she was already.

"Just hold still, AJ." Dash held it out even further. Applejack took another swipe with the same results again.

"What for!? So y'all can just do whatever ya want with it!? Ain't gonna happen, RD!" She was determined to have it this time. Doubtless. She took one more try, this time almost like a well-aimed punch.

She still missed. That was it.

"PUT MAH PAPPY'S HAT DOWN, RAINBOW!" the farm pony yelled. Rainbow flinched, and almost had trouble keeping her balance. She didn't remember ever earning an outburst like that.

"NOW!"

Stunned and a little shocked, she dropped the hat, letting it hit the ground, and then she backed away. She was no longer smiling. "...S-sorry... I just wanted to put it on your head for you..."

Applejack closed her eyes gently and breathed in deeply, before opening them again. "Look, Ah'm sorry sugarcube... Ah didn't really mean fer it ta end up like that... It's just... That hat is really special ta me, an' Ah thought y'all were just playin' games with it. Ah'm real sorry fer yellin' like Ah did..." She walked forward slowly and then picked up the hat with a hoof, holding it against her chest. "Do ya think Ah can be forgiven?"

Rainbow smiled warmly. "Of course!" She walked up closer to her, stopping in front of her. "I guess I should be more, uh... mindful of that hat then..." She said, rubbing the back of neck.

Applejack chuckled lightly. "Oh, don' worry yerself, y'all didn' do nothin' wrong. Ah was jus' bein' overprotective, tha's all. Ya know what..." She then held out her hat, offering an apologetic look. "Here."

Confused, Rainbow slowly and hesitantly took the hat and held it awkwardly, not really doing anything with it. She then darted her eyes between the farm pony and the hat, as if asking what to do. She then saw her gesturing to the top of her own head. Now understanding, she smiled and put it between her teeth, careful not to get any saliva or make marks on it. She then leaned forward and placed it gently but firmly on top of her friend's head, adjusting it as it wasn't quite straight at first.

Leaning back, she accidentally brushed noses with Applejack, causing them both to twitch noticeably. "Oh," they said simultaneously. Rainbow stumbled backward.

"Sorry--"

"No, it's fine--"

"I didn't mean to--

"No, that was my fault--"

"I... kinda... yeah, uhm... Sorry." Rainbow held still, surprised that she was able to finish her words, albeit uncomfortably. She waited for Applejack to say something.

Applejack sighed. "It's fine, sugarcube. It was just an accident, right?"

Rainbow nodded a little too quickly. "Oh, uh, yeah. Accident."

"Right, okay. Yeah."

There was a terribly painful fifteen-second silence. Rainbow tried to keep her eyes occupied with something other than Applejack's muzzle. She found that the short contact may have been accidental, but what she also realized was that it wasn't a bad feeling on her own. In fact, besides the fact that it was Applejack's nose, she really didn't mind. But the thought of touching muzzles Applejack put a shiver down her wings, and she didn't know what to think about it. When she looked at Applejack, the farm pony seemed to be unaffected by the contact.

Applejack looked back behind herself at the Apple house. She then turned to the Pegasus and said almost obnoxiously, "Do you wanna head inside fer some apple cider?"

Rainbow nodded again. "Sure! I'd love some. Cider. Yeah, sure."

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Am Ah makin' you uncomfortable at all?"

Rainbow shook her head. "No, not really. That last little moment was just a wee bit too awkward for me, that's all."

"Well, sorry 'bout that."

"Don't worry. Not your fault." She started walking unintentionally slow toward the house.

"Ah guess not..." Applejack followed beside her.

Rainbow looked at her as they walked. "What? It's not. Really."

Applejack shook her head slowly. "If ya say so."

As they walked, both were awfully quiet, sneaking tiny glances at each other, and were pondering on if the other wanted to race or not. Applejack was the first speak up.

"Do you--"

"What? Do I what?"

Applejack hesitated then. "Nevermind."

"No, seriously, what were you gonna ask me?" Rainbow insisted. "I-I was just caught up in my thoughts..."

"Oh, well, Ah was jus' wonderin' if y'all were wantin' ta--"

"Race?"

"Yeah, that."

"Sure." Rainbow didn't sound enthusiastic.

Applejack waited for her to start the race, as she usually did, but there was nothing but the sound of quiet and maybe clumsy hoofsteps. She decided to say something else that would maybe help remind her.

"Right then."

"Right."

Still nothing. Now she was just confused. "Hey, Dash?" The pegasus turned her eyes toward her quickly. Applejack cleared her throat. "You feelin' alright?"

"Yeah. Fine. Just fine."

Applejack was not convinced, and she wanted to take it further to maybe find out what was bothering her, but she could see that Rainbow was trying to avoid that direction of conversation, so she instead chose to try and get her to start the race like the Pegasus usually would.

"You still wanna--"

"Race?"

Applejack almost slowed her pace. "Yeah, that."

"Sure, I mean, why not?" There was still no energy in her words.

Applejack stopped walking. "Well, then why don' ya start off like ya usually do?"

Rainbow stopped as well. She did usually start them, didn't she? "Oh, yeah... Sorry, I..." She assumed her ready position, crouching down on her forelegs. "...must be slow today..." She looked straight ahead, but the determination in her eyes was missing.

Applejack assumed the same ready position, also crouching down on her forelegs. "Slow? Well, that sure ain't gonna help ya win this here race, now is it?"

Rainbow faked a laugh. "I guess not."

There was silence again as Applejack waited. She waited for a full twenty seconds before sighing. "What's the matter, sugarcube?"

Rainbow looked back and forth a few times between Applejack and the trail they were on, before looking at the dirt beneath her. "I-I can't decide..."

Applejack stood up straight again. "Can't decide what?"

"I can't decide whether I should go with 'ready, set' or 'three, two, one'..." she admitted sheepishly.

Applejack choked on the air she attempted to breathe in. After recovering, hitting her chest a few times and clearing her throat, she crouched down again. "Well, uh... why don' ya go with 'ready, set' then."

Rainbow nodded. "Okay, yeah. Right." She looked straight ahead, and then toward Applejack for some type of approval. Applejack motioned her hoof in a slow, horizontal circle, asking her to get on with it. Rainbow nodded and looked straight ahead once again. "Ready... set..."

Applejack bit her lip, prepared to beat her fellow competitor once and for all.

"Oh, wait..."

"Hoomph!" Applejack tripped over her own hooves, comically planting her face on the ground.

"Did I say it too fast?"

The downed pony pulled herself up and tried to brush the dirt off of her face, walking up next to Rainbow Dash and repositioning herself. "What'd ya mean too fast? Isn't fast kinda yer thing?" She she sighed face-hoofed. "Yer word-speed was jus' fine, Dash. Ah don' know what's gotten into ya, but it's sure givin' me the creeps, ya hear?" She then shook her head sympathetically, muttering under her breath "Fer pony's sake... Too fast... Pfft, right. Good one, Rainbow..."

After thinking it over thoroughly, Rainbow crouched down for what they both hoped to be the last time. "Ready..." She turned her eyes toward the trail. "Set.." She was finally beginning to feel alive with energy again. She opened her mouth to say the last word, but it wouldn't come out. Her mind had gone blank. She looked toward Applejack for help.

Applejack noticed the silence and looked at Rainbow to find her looking at her for assistance. She then rolled eyes and mouthed the word go.

"Oh, right..." Rainbow whispered. "Uh, go!" Rainbow startled herself with her own words, causing her pace to falter, therefore giving Applejack a big lead. She looked at the pony who was now twenty feet in front of her and felt the competition, finally coming to her senses. She put more effort into her jog, quickly turning it into a full-on sprint, and eventually catching up with her rival. She didn't know what had come over her, but she was glad to be herself again.

~_~_~_~_~

Applejack took a generous bite of a fresh-baked apple pie and swallowed quickly. "So."

Rainbow looked up from her glass of cider.

"Now that y'all are feelin' normal again, do ya know what the hay that was all about?"

Rainbow put her face in her hooves and groaned. "Ugh... No, I really don't know. It was so weird..."

"Ah'll say..." Applejack chuckled.

"It was like I was turning into Fluttershy or something. The weirdest part is that I remember how I felt, too."

Applejack stopped eating and thought for a moment. It still didn't make sense... Why would Rainbow be so... careful? It was unlike her. It was alot like Fluttershy, though...

"Huh," they said simultaneously.

Rainbow took a small sip of cider before deciding to change the topic a little. "Well, I also think it's strange that you said you were feeling lazy today. Maybe we're both out of whack." Logic wasn't playing it's part in this conversation. At least, not correctly.

Applejack had had enough pie and enough of this confusion, and in turn, changed the topic to the only one she could think of that last for awhile longer before the same one came up again. "Rainbow..." she started, leaning on the table with one foreleg. "What do you wanna do with yer light-- Ah mean, life?"

Rainbow laughed lightly and watched her scold herself for letting her tongue slip, before leaning back into her chair and smirking. "I'm gonna be a Wonderbolt, remember?"

Applejack waved a hoof toward her. "Okay, Ah guess Ah should've known that already... Y'all are prob'ly well on yer way toward that goal, too, right?"

Rainbow sat up straight and her smile faltered a bit. "I'd like to think so..."

Applejack put both forelegs on the table and raised both eyebrows. "What? Hold on a minute... So yer tellin' me that after all this dreamin' ya had, they're not lettin' ya in? Ah thought y'all were at least right on yer way, what with ya goin' to that Wonderbolt Academy shtick, an' all."

Rainbow shrugged. "No, it's not like that. I'm just feeling, uh..."

"Lazy...?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that."

"Precisely why I did, sugarcube." Applejack smirked. "You know we'd never git along as a couple, right?"

"Yeah..." Rainbow scratched her head. That was awkward. "Wait, what does being a couple have to do with any of this?"

Applejack leaned back. "Nothin', really. Jus' thought Ah'd mention it fer good measure."

Rainbow tried to find something to look at, possibly to avoid looking at the pony across the table. But when she looked back at her, it was only then that she noticed her hat was off and sitting on the table. She had never really taken the chance to gaze at her blonde mane alone, and now, taking that opportunity, she found that it wasn't too bad. In fact, she kind of prefered the hat to be off now.

Applejack caught her gaze and blushed lightly before clearing her throat, snapping Rainbow from her oblivious stare.

Rainbow turned away for a second, before turning back and apologizing. "Sorry about that, I, uh..."

"It's fine, sugarcube."

Rainbow was a little surprised to hear that, but for now, she put the thought away and returned her question. "What are you gonna do with your life, Applejack?"

Applejack finished the last of her pie before answering. "I know exactly what Ah'm gonna do, Ah jus' don' really know how ta make it happen, really."

"What would that be?"

Applejack stood up and took care of her plate, before returning and sitting again. "Ya know how the Apple family's always wanted ta have ourselves a real business, right?"

"Yeah." Dash rest her own forelegs on the table as she took another sip. "Is that your dream?"

"Well, uh..." Applejack scratched her head. "Mostly, Ah guess. But ya see, we don' really wanna be the top brand of apples all over Equestria, but we would like ta have at least some exposure, ya know what Ah mean?"

"Yeah, I get it. You want to be a popular brand, but not that popular."

"That about says it."

"But what would your brand name be?"

"Sweet Apple Acres. Duh."

Rainbow slapped herself mentally. "Oh, duh, Rainbow Dash... I should guessed that. Cool, though. It actually sounds like a real brand name."

"Exactly, Dash."

"Right, uh..." Dash rubbed the back of her neck. "Oh! Uhm, since you asked me, how close are you to achieving?"

Applejack shifted in her chair uncomfortably. "Ah'm afraid not very close at all... We jus' can' seem to attract enough attention from anypony at the moment. Ah have mah little stand here in town, but the word never seems ta spread any further than that. At least, not that Ah've heard about."

Rainbow knew all about not being noticed. "I know how you feel. Not that I don't grab alot of attention already, but I know what it's like to not have the right kind of exposure."

"Yeah." Applejack grabbed her hat and put it on. "The right kind. Ah think ya said right there, Rainbow." Applejack thought for a moment on what the right exposure would be. 'Most brands usually have some sorta main attraction, like a quality or something that excites everypony. Well, what's a type of thing excites ponies if it's not food? Well, for sports, it's always a mascot... And for... Hmm...' She looked at the pegasus, who was currently downing a glass of apple cider, slowly and generously. 'Food brands do, too, Ah guess...' Applejack watched as she finally finished the cider, after taking such a long time to do so. '...Mascots... A mascot...' Would that be the solution? Would she finally get a chance to make the bits she needed for her family?

She took her hat off again. "Hey, Dash?"

Rainbow put her cup down. "Hm?"

"How much do ya like that cider?"

The daredevil smiled proudly. "It's the best cider I've ever had! Nothing could ever match it! If I ever become-- I mean when I become a Wonderbolt, I'll be sure to have Spitfire and the others try it! They'll love it!" She then lowered her hooves. "Uhm, why?"

This was already heading the direction she wanted. "Speakin' of which... How'd ya like ta be a mascot?"

Rainbow grabbed her glass and gave her a sideways look. "F-for Sweet Apple Acres?"

Applejack nodded simply.

"A mascot... Wow, uhm... What would I do? Dress up as an apple?"

Applejack tried not to imagine the idea for the moment. "Nah. Ah'd jus' have ya fly around town with a big banner. Nothin' too fancy. The fanciness, however, comes from what ya decide ta do with that banner. Y'all could probably make some pretty cool patterns with it, Ah guessin'?"

Rainbow was beginning to like this. "That actually doesn't sound too bad..."

"Ah know. Ah figured it would give you the attention you need, flyin' around with somethin' followin' yer pattern, cause you'll eventually be doin' it in different cities after a while. But it'll also give Sweet Apple Acres that attention, jus' make sure you hog it all to yerself. Like if they can't quite read the banner, and they ask what it says, y'all don't lie. Tell 'em what the advertisement really says. Ah'm sure it'll be heaps o' fun for ya, anyhow..."

Rainbow stood up, took care of her glass, and then came over to Applejack's side of the table with a smile. "You know what? I think I'll accept. It does sound fun, but I think it would be better if I did this, anyway. So, the fun part really isn't that important. If this will get us what we want, especially for you, then that's what really matters to me. It's a deal." She held her hoof out to seal this deal.

Applejack stared at the hoof for a moment, before pushing it aside and standing up to give her a one-legged hug instead. "Thanks, Dash. It means alot ta me."

Dash quickly recovered from the surprise and clumsily hugged her back. "Me, too. I-I think we're both in for good futures, what do you think?" She felt the orange mare nod against her shoulder.

"H-hey Big Mac?"

Their eyes widened as they heard Apple Bloom's voice. They then heard hoofsteps trailing up the stairs. "Do ya know when the market opens tomorrow...?"

They both let out breaths they were oblivious to holding in. They then ceased their hug and listened to the slightly muffled, high-pitched voice of the filly who was now on the higher floor.

"Well, Ah was gonna ask her, but she looked... busy, Ah guess. With Rainbow Dash. No, Ah... Ah don' know what they were doin'... It looked like--... Ah dunno... Anyhow, do you know when it opens? Ah wanna git a head start so me, Scootaloo, an' Sweetie Belle can git some, uh... equipment we've been needin' fer a while..."

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack called to her from downstairs. "It starts at nine o'clock, ya hear?"

"Okay," they heard her call back. "Thanks, sis!" They heard her lower her voice again. "Uh, nevermind Big Mac... Thanks, anyway, though."

"Ee-yup."

Applejack looked back at Rainbow Dash who was currently stretching out her wings. "Perfect. That's where we'll start then."

Rainbow nodded in agreement. "Sounds great, AJ."

What Lies Behind

"We turn back to the things we can't escape from every now and then."
-Garrison Ulrich

What Lies Behind

Applejack plucked an apple from a basket alongside the trail through the orchard as they walked. She hoofed it over to Rainbow Dash, saying "Here ya go."

Rainbow gladly took it with a smile. "Thanks."

"No worries, sugarcube," said Applejack, plucking another one from a different basket. She took a small bite out of it, and not even looking at it, she noticed the different flavor. She munched her bite and swallowed before pointing it out. "Huh. This is different, it's a pink-filly, rather than a red-delicious. We usually grow red-delicious 'round here... So, that's odd. Wonder how it got here." She took another bite, and she still hadn't looked at it.

"Beats me," said Rainbow. "I'm just glad you pretty much have instant access to food here." She took a bite of her own.

Applejack shrugged and swallowed. "Not much variety, though."

Rainbow looked at her. "Maybe not, but who cares!? It's everywhere! And that makes it awesome!"

Applejack shrugged again. "Eh, Ah guess."

"Oh, come on! You know it is!"

Applejack took another bite. "Well, ya kinda git tired of it when ya have it fer most of yer life, ya know..."

Rainbow didn't say anything. She instead imagined what it would be like to eat apples almost every day of her life. Delicious, mouth-watering, super-tasty apples, along with apple pies, apple fritters, apple tarts, and a whole load of other treats.

But then again... every day? Maybe she would get tired of it...

"Hey, AJ?" Applejack turned her attention toward her. "You haven't lost your taste for apples, have you?"

Applejack shook her head. "Course not. We do grow other things here, too, ya know. We jus' grow apples more frequently throughout the years. Sometimes, we'll have ourselves a nice salad ta go with egg-flower soup or somethin'. We usually have somethin' other than apples about twice or three times a week."

"Oh."

Rainbow looked at the apple she was eating, feeling a sense of gratitude for the fact that she was allowed this opportunity to put her teeth into such a fruit, even without having to pay for it or grow it. It made her wonder how much work the Apple family actually went through every year to produce such a mass quantity of them. She looked around, seeing the large amount of apple trees that surrounded them, knowing that there were still rows and rows beyond them.

Feeling the need for a little more insight, she looked toward her cowpony friend and asked "Hey, Applejack?" Applejack turned to look at her, raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah?"

She thought of her words before she spoke. "Who taught you all this?"

Applejack was flattered but confused. She faked a grin and asked "All of what?"

"This." Rainbow gestured toward the farmland around them, and then to the apple she was holding. "The apple-bucking, the recipes, the types of apples, when the times are right, when the seasons are in, and how to judge where the apples will fall so you know where to place the buckets. I think it's a heck of a lot to keep track of, and I still don't know how you Apples do it!" She calmed herself and continued. "I-I was just wondering who taught you, that all..."

The orange mare was only flattered now, and she blushed. But as she thought about it, it brought back memories of unfortunate sadness. The trees would always remind her of the occurrence. The poorly timed event, in which the two most important ponies in her life were taken from her. Hot tears turned cold as they weakly streamed down her cheeks.

"It was nopony's fault..."

"What was nopony's fault?" Dash tore her from her thoughts. Applejack looked at her with sad, teary eyes, looking innocent but scarred. Rainbow gave her a little space and kept to her own business. "Oh... y-you don't have to tell me... I was just curious..."

Applejack sniffed and wiped her tears with a hoof. "No, no... It's fine. Ah think y'all should have some background knowledge, anyway, if yer gonna be advertisin' fer us..." She sighed, knowing Rainbow needed to hear this.

It was nopony's fault...

<><><>

Granny Smith had just given all the responsibilities of the farm to my parents, knowing they would do well with it. They had been working under her instruction for quite some time now, and she felt they were ready.

I watched as my Pappy read the newspaper and ate his breakfast, while I finished my own. I never really had many connections with him. I could relate to my momma in several ways, but I never imagined I would be a daddy's-filly. Not until that day, at least.

He seemed to be really engrossed in some sort of story in the papers. For a while, I wondered why he was so slow at eating, but then I figured out that it was the newspaper distracting him. So, I still had one question...

"Pappy?"

I saw him lower his newspaper to look at me. "What is it, Apples?" He was the only one who was ever allowed to call me that, and the only one who ever did.

I looked at my empty plate, before asking "Why do ya like ta read the newspapers so much?" It came out like I had been waiting a lifetime to say it.

I saw and heard him chuckle lightly at my question, and then he began to rub his orange cheek. His coat and mane were the same color as mine, but he did have one difference that I knew I would probably never inherit. "Because it gives information. I like information, you know." His accent was that of the classy kind. Sort of like a gentlecolt, or a school teacher, some ponies would say. Not really snooty, but more like polite. I really didn't know how to describe it back then.

"Infermation?" I was only ten at the time.

He nodded and bit into his toast. "Yes. Knowledge. Useful knowledge."

"Oh," I said. "Why do ya always read it durin' breakfast-time?"

"Well, it's the only time I really have to do so." He went back to reading.

I leaned over the table and peeked at him over the top of the newspaper. "Do ya think Ah'd like that infermation, Pappy?"

He seemed to be thinking about my question as he put his hoof to his chin. I was confused for a moment, wondering if maybe I asked too much. But then I saw him pull the paper away and put them under his chair. "You know what?" He smiled at me, as if sympathetic in some way. "I don't think I need to read them at breakfast anymore. You probably wouldn't like them, anyway."

I got down from the table and sat in my chair again. "Oh... Okay then..."

He finished his food and took care of his plate, as well as mine. When he came back, he looked at me and ruffled my mane. "Don't worry about it, Apples. Just, uh... Just don't worry. The newspaper can wait."

He turned around and grabbed his Stetson hat. I was always a might curious as to why he wore it; he didn't even act like a cowpony. The way he walked, talked, even ate, it all seemed... sophisticated, I guess. I could only think of one reason he would wear it all the time like he did...

"Green Sleeves," I heard him call to my Momma. "I'm getting started on the orchard now. Are you going to stay inside or come along?" My mother must have always loved it when he wore that hat. He must have been okay with it, too, seeing as how he married himself a cowpony. She was a dark-green earth pony with both a mane and eyes like my sister's. She was who I took after in my tone.

"Ah'll come out at about ten o'clock, ya hear? It won' be long before then." My Momma was always insistent about helping out with the farm, but usually not right away. Big McIntosh was always the first one out in the orchard, though. "Jus' lemme finish feedin' Apple Bloom, alright? She's puttin' up a little fight this mornin'." Even as a foal, that filly was always a little troublemaker. It's still sad, though, seein' as she never really got to know her parents as well as Big Mac and myself.

"Love ya, Adam," Momma called.

That was his name. Adam Apple.

"Love you, too, sweetheart." He opened the front door and turned to look at me. "Hey, Apples?"

I stood up, excited for something that could be big. "Yes, Pappy?"

"How would you like to see how we do things with the apple trees?"

I was always wondering when I would learn about them trees. "Ah'd love to!" I scampered over next to him and hugged his leg tightly. He chuckled ruffled my mane again. I never really cared what my mane looked like, so I always let him do whatever he wanted with it.

"Come on, Applejack," he said as he moved me out of the doorway so he could close it. He and I left to start work in the orchard.

He taught me everything I know.

Except cooking. Momma taught me how to cook. Pappy couldn't cook worth a hill of beans.

He taught me about the apples. He told me and showed me what kinds of apples there are, and how to tell if they were ripe or unripe, bruised or not bruised.

He taught me about how vast and wide these acres really were. Thirty-seven acres, I think he said. I was amazed. I never even knew how much running I had all this time.

He taught me about the grass and the dirt. He told me why they were so important for all of the growth around here. How the trees and plants dug their roots into it to stay up.

And finally, he taught me about the trees. He taught me how to plant and water them, how to measure how tall they would be, where to place the buckets so their apples would fall into them the right way...

...and then he taught me how to buck the apples.

"Now," he said with some apple baskets strapped on his back, having placed a few buckets around a tree, "This is the fun part. It's hard, but it's fun."

I sat on my haunches and watched. "Pappy, are you gonna buck 'em now?"

He adjusted his position so that his rear was facing the tree. "That is the idea, but there's a certain way to do it just right, so every one of them falls off. Now..." He raised his right hind leg and pointed while still looking at me. "See this spot on the tree?"

I nodded.

"This," He tapped the spot with his currently pointing hoof. "Is where you need to land your right hoof. It's about a meter and a half above the ground. Your left hoof is supposed to be at just the same height, about one hoof apart from your right." He lowered his leg and stood up straight again. "Now, would you like to try, or would you like me to show you what it looks like?"

I stood up and walked over to the tree slowly. "Oh, Ah've seen ya do it before, an' it looks real fun. Ah think Ah wanna give it a try."

He smiled and nodded simply. "Very well, then." He took the baskets off and put them on me, tightening the belt and adjusting the baskets so they would fit right. "There you go. Oh, yes... I almost forgot... When you kick, normally a grown pony would use a balanced amount of strength, but for you, I'd say give it all you've got."

I was a little offended by that last one. "What? But Ah am grown!" I huffed. "Momma said Ah'm a grown filly!"

He just chuckled and said "If you say so, Apples."

"Ah do!"

Again he chuckled, but this time he gestured for me to get on with it. I turned myself so I faced away from the tree, and I turned my head to see if I was positioned right, and what it looked like, I was. I kept my gaze toward the tree and raised my right hind leg to make sure I could hit as high as one and a half meters. It was a might difficult, seeing as that was already my limit when it came to height. Finally, after finding the right spot, indicating that I could, I lowered my leg and took a deep breath. I couldn't believe I was already learning how to do this, only at ten years old! Well, Pappy said it was fun, so what was I waiting for?

I raised both hind legs up and held my breath as I shot them at the tree behind me with what I thought was a balanced amount of strength. When my hooves hit the bark, it felt harder than a firm wall of bricks. I felt a little pain, but I brushed it off easily. After putting them on the ground again and trying to regain balance, I waited for something to happen.

I waited for the apples to fall, but they never did, save one.

Bonk!

"Ow! What the--"

"Oh, whoops!" Pappy walked up next to me and rubbed the top of my head. "I forgot to mention... Make sure you're not, uh... directly under any apples either, heh heh... Sorry about that, dear."

I grunted and turned my head away from him, trying to tune him out. He spoke again. "It looks like you can take a hit pretty well, though. Good pain tolerance."

I still didn't look at him. "Thanks, Pappy."

I felt him turn my head so he could see my face. "Applejack... Why don't you try again?" He looked up. "There aren't anymore apples right above you... What do you say?"

There didn't seem to be any harm in giving it another try. "Ya know what? Why not? Ah might as well..."

He nodded and backed up, giving me space. "Go ahead then."

I repositioned myself and looked back at the tree, making sure I was ready again. That tree was certainly in for it now, pulling a stunt like that. For a second, I wondered if that ever happened to Pappy, but then I figured it probably did at one time.

Reserving the right to be smarter, I gazed up to check if there really weren't any apples above me. Satisfied, I looked at Pappy one last time, who gave me a nod, and then I closed my eyes, breathing in deep, and exhaling slowly.

Feeling ready, I held my breath. I then raised my hind legs up the same as before, and shot them towards the tree with as much force as I could, feeling my whole body shake and vibrate when they hit the bark. The slight pain in my thighs was easily ignorable, but when I landed my hooves back on the ground, I remembered what happened last time. Coming from a new instinct, I ducked my head covered it with my hooves, bracing myself for an expected impact...

...but I never felt it. It didn't happen, and I felt like it should've, but it didn't.

There was a wave of sound, consisting of what sounded like cereal filling up a bowl, but on a much larger scale. Several sudden but flowing thuds filled my ears, and I was confused. I lifted my head from my hooves and looked around.

I saw my Pappy. He was staring with a look of astonishment. Curious as to what seemed to be so astonishing, I followed his gaze and looked behind me.

The buckets... They were all full...

All three of them were full, and not a single apple had missed. Well, except for the one that hit me on the head earlier. I looked up in the tree to also find that not a single apple was still hanging. I had expected for maybe half them apples to fall, let alone land in the buckets perfectly. Standing up, I felt much more weight on my back. It surprised me and caused me to wobble from side to side, before I quickly regained balance. I then looked at my back and saw that the baskets were filled as well.

"Apples, you..." I turned my head to see my Pappy slowly walking up next to me, staring at the tree, and then the buckets. "I... I don't think I've... ever seen... a-a little filly like yourself do that before... You did it."

Again, I was slightly offended. "Ah told ya already, Pappy," I said, "Ah ain't little!"

He turned his head and looked at me. "I guess not..." he said with a smile. He raised his hoof, about to ruffle my mane for the nth time that day, but then he brought it to his chin, apparently making some sort of decision. The next move he made was with the same hoof, only he brought up to his hat this time. He took it off, brushed it off, and then placed it on my own head. I could feel how new it was; it didn't have the stiffness of one that was more used. It must have been special to him, cause I hadn't ever seen anypony else wear it before.

And that made me think...

Why would he let me?

What did I do? Was bucking apples really that special of a job?

I turned and shook my head a little to get a feel for it, but two seconds later, my vision was blocked and the part of the hat that was supposedly meant to be on my forehead was now resting on my muzzle.

"Hey! What in tarnation...?"

I couldn't see a thing.

"Where'd everythin' go!? Why's it dark all the sudden!?"

"Applejack," I heard Pappy close by. "You're fine, it's not dark." The dark was then lifted literally. I suddenly saw his hoof lifting up the front of the hat, and the light returned.

"...Oh."

He just chuckled and adjusted the hat so it was resting closer to the back of my head. That way it stayed on better and I wouldn't have to worry about it covering my eyes anymore. "Thanks, Pappy."

"No worries," he replied cheerfully. "I do want it back though, just so you know..."

Yup, the hat was sure special alright, and that made me realize how much I probably meant to him. That, and it made me wonder what he thought of me in every day of his life.

Was I really that special to him?

Looking into his eyes, the color of the sky on a good day, I not only saw the stallion who brought me into this world, but I saw him as a leader. This was the one who looked like he could teach anypony, but instead he chose to teach me, his daughter. Not his oldest child, not his only daughter, but certainly his oldest daughter.

It helped me see how much he meant to me, too.

He was the pony who would turn me into a leader.

I would wear this with pride and respect, even if I were only supposed to wear it for the day.

<><><>

Rainbow caught herself hanging on Applejack's words, but she didn't care. Until now, she never knew how much her friend was truly connected to her parents. She always knew that she and her siblings had a special bond with each other, unlike alot of families these days, but she never knew that there was something so strong and meaningful her and her father.

"What happened to him?" The eagerness was apparent in Rainbow's tone. "I've never really met him before. How come?" It was only then that she noticed the small streams running down the farm pony's cheeks. "I mean... You don't really... have to tell me, I just..." She saw that Applejack had stopped walking and started sniffling lightly. "...I'm done talking..."

She tried to help her get moving again by walking a little quicker, hoping she would follow. She didn't move.

"Momma an' Pappy took a train the very next day to Appaloosa," said Applejack, attempting to hold back any more tears, "takin' up an offer at becomin' a decent brand name. Said they'd be back in about three days. Pappy also said he'd... he'd write."

Dash realized where her story was leading. "H-he never did... did he?"

Applejack shook her head. "Ah had heard about a new route they were buildin' that was supposed ta be shorter than the regular one, an' it was bein' built over a fairly large ravine..." She paused and sighed, and her voice became shaky. "...T-the workers had forgotten ta switch the track back so the train would still take the regular route... The bridge wasn't finished yet..." She sat down on her haunches and began to wipe her tears away. "They had no idea they weren' on the right track, and they didn' have enough time ta stop before it... came to an end..." The tears had built up long enough in her eyes, and she couldn't hold them back anymore. She let them loose fully, not even bothering to wipe them away.

Feeling quite guilty for having asked in the first place, Rainbow walked over to her, sat down next to her, and rubbed her back, hoping to sooth her.

"Braeburn arrived at mah house two weeks later an' explained everythin' that happened... We were all devastated ta hear that our parents had passed in the horrible accident. He said he went to explore the wreckage..." She took her hat off and and looked at it sorrowfully. "He said the construction workers found this at the edge of the cliff that led down to the ravine. It was in fine condition and they didn' know how, but he was jus' grateful to at least have somethin' ta help remember mah Pappy."

She stopped letting her eyes water and looked at Rainbow, who then stopped rubbing her back. Applejack's voice was still a bit shaky and her lips were trembling. "To this day, Ah still don' know how much time Ah could've spent with mah dad, buildin' a better relationship than what we had..." She sighed again and looked back at the hat. "Big McIntosh said he would've wanted me ta wear it, but Ah had a hard time believin' that until a while later. Fer a short while, Ah was convinced that farmin' wasn't meant fer me, an' should live a more sophisticated life, but Ah'm sure you've heard where it goes from there..."

Rainbow nodded. "Yup."

She looked at Rainbow again. "Ah need this, Dash. This is what he wanted. This is what he was offered. This is what he was goin' for in Appaloosa. Now, the offer was dropped 'cause they knew that the Apple farm didn' have the same caretakers anymore, but even though that offer ain't standin', Ah'm shootin' for it anyway. An' if Ah have you helpin' me, Ah'm certain we'll be noticed by somepony. Ah really, really need this, Dash. Ah may not be able ta make him proud anymore, but Ah bet we would, doin' what we're gonna be doin' tomorrow, if he were here."

As Rainbow listened, her own eyes becoming a tad wet from all the emotional insights brought up, she didn't think that Applejack would ever be this open to her. She knew that she would be open with just about anypony, but not nearly this open, inviting her to help with selling apples, telling her back story on her parents, and even crying. It almost seemed as if she didn't even care if she saw her letting her tears loose.

Then Dash realized...

'She does need me...'

It may have been hard to believe, but here was Applejack, absentmindedly pleading for help with the farm. She was being all but stubborn. She really wanted to live this dream, and she really needed help. Rainbow then made a more firm decision.

Scooting so she would sit in front of her, she lifted the orange mare's chin and smiled. "Applejack, you have my promise, along with Pinkie Pie's, to do anything it takes for you to achieve this. I know you really want it, and your dad probably would, too. I'm sure he'd be so proud of you...! Just imagine! All of those popular brand names, all lined up through the streets, ready to make sales for the day, and then there's the one that has the fastest flyer in Equestria advertising for Sweet Apple Acres, doing awesome flips and stuff! Everypony will be blown away, and they'll notice who she's advertising for, and that will let them know how awesome Sweet Apple Acres is, and how delicious their apple-based products are!" By the time she was finished, Rainbow was standing on only her hind legs, hold her forelegs out excitedly.

Applejack was surprised she wasn't flying yet, and despite how egotistical it seemed, it sounded like something to look forward to. Smiling, she came to appreciate her friend's motivational speech. "Thanks, Dash. Ah hope it turns out that way."

Calming herself, Rainbow sat back down where she was and smiled sincerely. "No worries, AJ." She then looked at the the hat that was still on the ground. "You know," she said, smirking, "it never really looks good on anypony but you, Applejack."

Applejack looked at the hat, as well. "Maybe," she replied. "You should've seen Pappy wear it. Ah couldn' really decide if it looked good on him or not. But who knows? Maybe it'll look good on you someday..."

Rainbow blushed at the compliment, and then they're eyes widened, both blushing even harder and looking away from the Stetson, realizing what that could have implied when thought of the right way. This brought several pretty unimaginable and slightly disturbing images to their heads.

'...Wow,' they both thought.

They remained this way for a short and painful time, before Rainbow, turning her head back to look at the farm pony, broke the silence with a small cough, covering her mouth with a hoof.

Applejack looked at her and noticed her cheeks were still red. Thinking this was adorable, she couldn't help but ask, "What're ya thinkin' 'bout?"

Rainbow kept her face toward her friend, but turned her eyes far to right, trying not to smile as big as she was, but coming out unsuccessful. "I'd rather not talk about it... Besides, you probably already know..."

Applejack shook her head sympathetically. "Ah reckon Ah do, but Ah can' help but notice how embarrassed an' cute y'all look right now," she said with a chuckle.

Rainbow grinned sheepishly and turned her eyes to the left this time. But then, thinking back on what Applejack just said, she gained the ability to stop smiling and look at her quizzically. "Wait... What do mean... cute?"

"Oh, nothin' much, just--" She gasped and covered her mouth, immediately questioning her previous comment.

Cute?

Cute?

Why in Equestria did she say cute? What made her say it? She didn't think Rainbow Dash was cute...

'...Or do I?' she thought. 'Do I really think she's cute? Pretty, even? Gosh, that didn't come out right...' She glanced at her friend for clarification. What did she really think of her looks?

She saw her coat, covering the pony with a beautiful shade of the sky. She saw her mane, colorful but messily organized. She could admit that she was slightly jealous of that quality, but it would never match her orange coat. Finally, she saw her eyes.

Her beautiful, determined, magenta eyes. She could see how much this pony had to offer in her efforts of loyalty just by the look in her eyes. It wasn't just the color or the shape, but rather the thoughts said through the way they acted. They were always looking for always looking for a new adventure, but they were still caring for and concerned about her friends.

Applejack couldn't believe it, and she almost didn't want to, but she couldn't deny that Rainbow Dash, her best friend and fellow athlete, was pretty. Beautiful, even. 'Well,' she thought, 'it's certainly true that she's downright gorgeous... and I guess I do see her as that, but... but who cares? That's crazy! Ain't nopony ever gonna hear me admit it, anyway.'

"...Nothin' much," she decided.

Rainbow raised both eyebrows and began to slowly move her gaze away. "...Oookaayyy..." She couldn't have felt more awkward, especially since she never got a firm answer to her question.

Applejack noticed her discomfort and sighed. She knew that keeping secrets was basically a way of lying, and she knew that being around Rainbow with the thought of knowing she was pretty would be difficult to get through without somepony knowing, and she definitely wasn't tell anypony else know that she thought Rainbow was pretty.

'Maybe telling Rainbow herself will settle things...'

It seemed to make the most sense. If she told her, Applejack would feel more secure, knowing that somepony else trustworthy knew.

But what would Rainbow Dash think? There were about a million things that could go on inside that Pegasus's head. It would be chancy...

"A-alright," she said hesitantly, "Ah'm gonna give it to ya straight, Rainbow Dash, seein' as how Ah'd be lyin' if Ah didn't..." Rainbow drew her gaze back to the farm pony, slightly eager for the answer. Applejack took a deep breath before continuing. "A-ah think yer... pretty, Ah guess..." Rainbow blushed, becoming embarrassed once more. Applejack kept going. "Oh, hay with it! Ah said Ah'd be straight with ya, so Ah'm gonna be!"

Rainbow couldn't help but lightly at how contradictory her words could be. "You're not really talking... straight if you ask me..."

It was Applejack's turn for her face to flush. She cleared her throat awkwardly before continuing once more. "Ah... Ah think yer beautiful, Rainbow. Ah can' help but feel a little jealous, too. Yer jus' prettier than Ah am, an' Ah guess Ah'll have ta deal with that."

Rainbow's cheeks were so red that they almost began to hurt. She never imagined that such an unexpected topic would make her friend admit something like this. Applejack thought she was... beautiful? Where did this come from? "That's..." she barely managed the first word, "...uhm... f-flattering... AJ... I, uh... don't know what to say..." She was beginning to feel the need for movement again.

Rainbow looked back down the dirt trail they were currently stopped on and saw the pile of apples where she had seen her friend earlier today. She giggled at the memory, but grew silent again when she remembered what she had been feeling soon after they accidentally brushed noses. She shivered lightly and tried to occupy her mind with something else.

"What's so funny?" Applejack asked, hearing the giggle. "An' don't say it weren't nothin', cause Ah ain't never heard you laugh like that before."

Horse-apples! There wasn't a single way out of this without lying, and she knew lying would eventually lead to... to something... Something that was most likely bad...

"Ya know what?" Applejack pulled her from her thoughts. "Ah think y'all should prob'ly git on back ta work, anyhow. Ya don' really have ta tell me. And Ah'm kinda feelin' like the farm needs attention, too."

"Okay," Rainbow agreed simply. "Good idea." She then stood up and prepared to take off.

"Rainbow?" Applejack earned her attention again. "Why don' we meet here again later in the evenin'? Ta git some practice...?"

"Sure," Rainbow nodded. "Like at six?"

"Seven."

"Yeah, okay. Seven's fine."

Applejack then put her hoof on the Pegasus's shoulder. "Ah hope Ah haven't made ya too uncomfortable, sugarcube. An' Ah'm sure we'll find some way ta talk to each other without runnin' into an awkward moment every time."

Rainbow sighed. "Yeah, uhm... I hope so. I-I still don't know what to say, though..."

Applejack shrugged backed away to let her take off. "Well... Good luck then, Ah suppose... Fly safe."

Rainbow smiled. "Will do," she said as she expanded her wings. She then took off with leaving a small gust of wind. It was not what Applejack was used to, but it did give her the comfort of knowing her friend would fly safe. Her blushing, embarrassed, confused, and flattered best friend.

Applejack face-hoofed.

What had she done?

Author's Note

I do have a question... I noticed how many likes there are on this story compared to how many favorites there are...

Do some people just favorite stories without rating them?

Anyway, thanks, you guys, for all the feedback on the first chapter. :twilightsmile:

What Lies Within

"What lies before us and what lies behind us are nothing compared to what lies within us."

-William Marrow

What Lies Within

In the quickest way possible, Rainbow had finished her work in the clouds, buzzing like a bee, moving at seemingly unintentionally rapid speeds, hoping that nopony would see how red her cheeks still were. She would probably never hear the end of it if she was noticed.

She wasn't scared. She wasn't.

This was what she kept telling herself as she hid under her bed at home. She was not afraid of those few moments with Applejack. She was not afraid that she'd be red for the rest of the day. She was not afraid of the fact that she would eventually have to meet up with the farm pony again at seven to practice for tomorrow and probably end up humiliating herself to no end, ruining both her reputation and her once competitive but now awkward friendship with Applejack.

She groaned and buried her face in the floor, putting her hooves on her head and pulling lightly on strands of her mane. Who was she kidding? It gave her the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it all, and it wasn't like she could just tell it to go away, either. It would only keep invading the personal space in her head if she tried.

She then turned over onto her back. "Applejack thinks I'm beautiful?" She said to herself. The thought may have been much more than odd, but it made her wonder. It made her wonder if she really was beautiful, but also if anypony else thought she was beautiful. Was she beautiful to anypony else? She could only think of one way to figure out that answer, but she couldn't imagine she would ever be caught in the embarrassing act. The act of asking somepony if they thought she was beautiful.

And... What's so awesome about being beautiful, anyway? It's not that great, is it?

...Is it?

"Well, Applejack thinks I'm beautiful..." she said aloud. "And Applejack's the coolest pony I know, besides myself... So, there must be at least a few things about it that are pretty cool, but..."

But what was cool about it? Surely, there were a few things, but what were they? She honestly hadn't the slightest idea...

'Is there some sort of advantage in life that you have when you're beautiful?' she thought. 'Maybe all the attention gives you more confidence... But I don't need that, I'm already confident.' She rolled out from under her bed and stood up, walking over to a window nearby. She rested her chin on the windowsill as she looked out to the Acres. There was something she wanted to put her hoof on, but couldn't. It was hanging at the edge of her tongue, and she couldn't feel what it was. She wanted to say it, but somehow it just wouldn't come out.

Running out of ideas quickly, she gazed around the Acres, looking lazily for something that might be able to help in her useless quest of whatever she was looking for. The only thing it ended up doing for her was give her another headache of scattered thoughts.

It reminded her of what Applejack thought about her. Her cheeks turned red, once again thinking of how she had described her.

She turned away from the window, walking over to her bed. She sat on the edge of it, trying to think of anything but AJ.

She couldn't. She had not once been complimented on her appearance before. Never. It just didn't happen. The only time she could ever recall anything like that were a few times where she heard a pony or two mention her mane. But come on! Who else has rainbow mane?

There was certainly something uneasy about the way the farm pony had shared her thoughts. She seemed almost afraid to admit what she had. Her posture was almost shaken, her eyes were wandering, and her words were not very organized. AJ's mind must have been moving frantically at the time.

Why was that such a bother, though? What made it so important to her that she couldn't stop thinking about it?

As she pondered more, she came to thinking about how her friend normally acted. She was trustworthy, straightforward, strong, courageous, stubborn... honest...

There was still a whole list to go through, but she had stopped at the one trait. The trait that defined the farm mare's very being. The Element of Honesty. She must have known she wouldn't be able to hide it for long, so she just let it out then and there, right in front of her. There was only truth in what she told her. She said what she meant, and she meant what she said.

'She meant what she said...'

'She said I'm beautiful...'

"Applejack thinks I'm beautiful..." she said aloud.

For once that afternoon, Rainbow Dash felt more flattered than confused. Somepony actually took the time to notice something other than how awesome she was. Quickly, acting on curiosity, she galloped into the bathroom to observe her features, mostly around her face and mane.

She found nothing particularly appealing about herself. But, then again, this was from her own point of view. Anyone can think what they want about themselves, but when it comes to outward appearance, the true judges are anyone but the one being evaluated.

Hanging her head and sighing heavily, she moped out of the bathroom. There was no way of resolving this with anypony else without the conversation taking a massively awkward turn. Things were already awkward enough between herself and Applejack.

'It's not like it could get any worse, though...' she thought.

Perhaps talking to her again wouldn't be so bad.

With her mind set, she waited.

Actually, waiting could wait.

She dashed out the front door, in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

<><><>

"She'll never look at me the same again..."

Applejack sat at the table, continuously talking to herself about everything that had recently occurred. She didn't like it. Not. One. Bit.

She figured that Rainbow was probably thinking about the exact same thing, only from a recipient's point of view. It must be horrible! Applejack felt like dirt. Not because of the Earth Pony inside of her, but mentally. Figuratively. What kind of best friend are you if you make your friends uncomfortable around you? She felt unforgivable. Totally at fault.

She removed her hat and pathetically plopped her head down on the table. She felt as if she had been nothing but inconsiderate. A complete jerk.

How would Rainbow ever look at her again? There just wasn't a single scenario she could imagine without herself and Rainbow fumbling with speech, stumbling with hooves, and crumbling with emotions. All possible scenarios made perfect sense, too. But none of them ended the way she wanted them to.

...but then again, how did she want it to end? Given all the things that had happened, there wasn't really anything she could imagine would be good. There wasn't any hope of being the same as before, but is that what she really wanted? She lifted her head up from the table.

'What do I want?' she thought. She wanted a good, solid friendship, nothing more.

"No..."

"Ah don't..."

She wanted more, but she couldn't quite place the definition of more. There was something on tip her tongue, in the back of her mind, in plain sight...

...but she couldn't speak it, couldn't place it, couldn't see it.

She didn't know what to think or feel, except for the fact that she knew she was more stressed out than before.

"Ugh..." she groaned. There had to be some way to resolve this with going the wrong way. Or at least, some way to clear her mind. She was beginning to feel the presence of a headache coming on.

Headaches are dumb. That was all she knew about them at the time.

A sudden crashing noise came from upstairs, sounding similar to a mischievous sister who had just toppled something fairly large while snooping.

Grunting, Applejack stood up from the table began trotting to her room, leaving her hat on the table. "Apple Bloom! Ah told y'all not ta be reachin' up fer mah bandanas! They're on the top shelf o' mah dresser for a--" she stopped and gasped.

"Hey, AJ," said the cyan Pegasus, waving sheepishly. She had apparently crash-landed in the center of the room, and was still in the process of getting back on her hooves. Feeling sympathetic, Applejack rushed to her side to help her up.

"What're ya doin' here, Dashie--I mean, uh... Dash?" Applejack fumbled with her words.

Rainbow paused for a moment before shrugging the nickname off. "I guess I just thought you'd be in here, that way I could, uh... y'know, have a better landing pad..." She laughed nervously.

Applejack raised a brow. "Have a better..." She shook her head. "Look, that's not what Ah meant."

Rainbow stopped smiling and understood. She then rubbed the back of her head. "Oh, uh yeah, I kinda got work done early, so uh... I was wondering if we could start practicing. Now, I mean. Well, if you want to..."

Applejack felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she watch her friend fiddle with her words. Just looking at her made her mind wander. She almost sounded like Fluttershy in that moment...

Snapping back to reality, she found her own words a little too quickly. "Oh! T-that'd be fine. With me, Ah mean. So... yes...?" She then noticed that the Pegasus had not even been listening at the time. Sighing and face-hoofing, she then cleared her throat. "Rainbow."

"Huh, wha-?" The blue mare shook her head lightly.

"There's somethin' else, isn' there?"

Lips trembling, Rainbow sat down on her haunches. She let out a defeated breath. "...Yeah."

"Ah reckon Ah know what it is, too, am Ah right?"

Rainbow nodded.

Sighing again, Applejack decided to face her fears, sitting down beside her. Before she spoke though, Rainbow beat her to it. "I guess I haven't been thinking regularly, as of this afternoon. My mind just keeps going back to you, when you said I was beautiful." Applejack felt the heat rise again. "I've been thinking about non-stop this afternoon, as I already told you, and it still won't go away. I mean, the thing is, I still really, really want to help out with the whole thing about following your dad's hoofsteps, advertising for Sweet Apple Acres and everything..." Rainbow then looked at the farm mare. "...but after that awkward moment today, I don't how I feel about being around you so much. Uhp, no offense!"

Applejack nodded slowly. "It's fine, really. Ah kinda have the same issue right now. Ah also figured this might happen. Ah mean, Ah feel awful fer just leavin' ya with only that ta think about. Ah should've jus' kept it ta mahself, Ah guess. Ah mean, look at you. Yer not exactly in the best, uh... mental state, ya know, to be doin' anything in public, really." She then looked away and slouched. "This is all mah fault, too. Ah should've just left ya alone about it... Me an' my big mouth. Sheesh." She felt a few small tears well up in her eyes. "This is just dumb."

Rainbow could only nod every once in a while as her friend spoke. She was about to speak up, but Applejack began to talk again.

"...yet..." The farm mare sat up again and looked at the Pegasus. "...yet, it really feels like Ah should've said more. Like there's somethin' Ah missed, or something Ah'm missin'." She turned away. "Or..." She looked at Rainbow out the corner of her eye. "...or somethin' we're both missin'."

Rainbow looked at the floor, her eyes widened slightly. Her cheeks reddened noticeably. Thinking about what Applejack's words, there was only one conclusion she could come to.

'She has a crush on me... and she doesn't even know it.'

She then heard the pony next to her stand up. She looked up and saw Applejack looking right back at her. "Here's what Ah figure, Rainbow," she said, trying to hold back any sadness in her voice. "If this all is a bit... too awkward, uncomfortable fer you, it's fine with me if you quit right now. Ah can still do it on mah own. An' Ah'll still do whatever Ah can ta help you get into the Wonderbolts. Ah know it's what you've always wanted, so there's no point in tryin' ta stop ya. Ah'll still help ya, alright?"

Rainbow was staring speechless at Applejack. She would stay true to her word, even if Rainbow didn't? It wasn't confusing...

...it was dumbfounding. She just didn't get it.

She felt her heart start beating more noticeably. She could now feel every beat it made. She felt a warmness around that area, as well. She didn't know what to say.

And she had said nothing long enough.

With a huff, Applejack turned and started to walk out of the room. Rainbow was brought from her stupor seconds later, clumsily stumbling with her hooves to stand up. Once she finally managed, she quickly rushed to where she was standing in front the orange mare. "Applejack! I--"

She had lost her words once she realized she was not receiving a friendly gaze of any kind. She stepped back a bit, but the farm pony still looked at her in the same manner as before.

"What?" said Applejack, irritated. Rainbow then realized she had not only made things more awkward, but she had disappointed the orange mare.

'There... There has to be a way to fix this,' Rainbow thought. She had not a single clue how, but she knew she had to do something. To kill the awkwardness, and to gain forgiveness.

To have her friend back.

But what could she do? What was there to do? She had to do something...

'She has a crush on me... but she doesn't know it.'

It made the tiniest of sense, but at the same time, it could work. It had two results, each of which would happen without the other.

The first was that she would end up having their friendship repaired, they would feel more comfort around each other instead of discomfort and awkwardness, along with the possibility of something more.

The second was that of a ruined friendship. The last thing she wanted for either of them.

Only hope had driven her to make her decision.

Thus, she wiped her lips with a hoof, looked at Applejack, and stared right into her gorgeous green eyes, which were staring right back. Using only will-power, she forced herself forward and placed her lips on her friend's, somewhat harshly.

Applejack's eyes were wide. She had a hard time comprehending what was happening. Her thoughts, however, were quickly becoming more scattered and she eventually could not control them. As she tried to struggle, wiggling gently, she felt Rainbow's hooves surround her, looping around her neck and pulling her closer.

Rainbow felt the shame, pulling her friend into this. Something so intimate, she figured she had put her in a state of shock.

Applejack honestly didn't mind the kiss, but she knew it wasn't a thing that friends just did with each other.

Yet, somehow... it felt okay right now.

She stopped her struggling and gave in, closing her eyes, relaxing her muscles and returning the kiss. She still felt the little ounce of shame, but she didn't care anymore. At least, not for the moment.

She soon found her mind to be at ease with this sudden action that Rainbow had taken. Slowly, she copied the Pegasus, wrapping her forelegs around Rainbow's neck and pulling them closer. Feeling as relaxed as they could be, they felt each other give off a sigh of relief and contentment. They both stood on their hind legs, relying on one another for balance. Their kiss grew, gaining more reaction from both of them, which went from more lip movement to stroking each other's manes. They ran their hooves through the strands, as if searching for something. Rainbow eventually reached the hair tie at the end of Applejack's mane. Then, letting her instincts take over, she carefully untied it and dropped it to the floor.

Applejack enjoyed the freedom of movement she had in Rainbow's hair with her hooves. It was soft and silky, despite its constantly messy appearance.

They both felt like they could continue this for eternity, and they wanted to, but their lungs told them otherwise.

Feeling the need to breathe, they pulled their lips away and breathed deeply, staring into each other's eyes. It was the most wonderful of feelings to have. To see that the other was fully aware of what they shared. They were alone as a pair, but as individuals, they were not. They had each other.

While they both breathed heavily in anticipation, the silence was broken by Applejack. "Was... Is there really... that much between us?"

Rainbow swallowed. "I-I guess, but... I didn't really know, either... I guess, maybe I just--"

"It's okay, sugarcube," Applejack interrupted. "Ya don' have ta answer that. T'ain't fair ta neither of us." She paused and looked back toward her bed. "Ah'm guessin' it'll still be a while 'fore we start gettin' our heads together again." She looked back at Rainbow. "Not involin' our lips, Ah mean." They both blushed. "So, what'd ya say we take ourselves a li'l nap? Ah'm real tuckered out, what about you?"

Rainbow nodded. "That sounds awesome right about now. But wait, did mean... together?"

"Do you really wanna be sleepin' alone after a kiss like that? To be honest, Ah mahself am already startin' ta feel attached. It would really mean a lot to me, okay?"

Rainbow nodded quickly and let go so they could both stand on their own again. "Oh, it's totally fine with me, I just... I've never really slept with another pony before. Let alone a mare."

"Oh, well, come on then." Applejack gave off an almost-obnoxious yawn. "There's a first for everything. And me neither, by the way. Ah've only slept with Apple Bloom a couple o' times, like if she had a nightmare or somethin'."

"Yeah, but that's totally understandable. And different, anyway."

They stood on either side of the bed now. Applejack climbed in first. She then slid the sheet open for Rainbow, inviting her warmly. Rainbow complied and slid into the bed with her.

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack called.

"Yeah?" came a small, muffled voice.

"Can ya wake me up around six-forty-five?"

"P.M. or A.M.?"

"P.M.."

"Sure thing."

"Thank you, sis."

"Whatever. Yer gettin' kinda lazy, as of late."

"Oh hush, you..."

"Have a nice nap."

"Psh..."

Rainbow just giggled at her friend's conversation. She then realized what would happen if Apple Bloom were to wake them up. "Wait, won't she see us?" she whispered.

Applejack waved the pressure off. "Ah'll jus' tell her it's a sleepover."

"Oh." Rainbow shrugged. "Yeah, that'd probably do it."

After getting comfortable, they couldn't help but just lay there and gaze at each other, neither saying a word. They wanted to say so much, but they didn't know how. They couldn't find the words for it. So, instead, they both reached their hooves out and gently embraced one another, feeling the warmth of each other. They smiled peacefully, basking in the comfort they were offered from each other. It wasn't long before they felt their eyelids getting heavier, their exhaustion eventually welcoming them to their dreams.

They could only hope for the best.

Author's Note

OKAY. So... It's been a while, and I apologize deeply for the giant delay in all of my stories, because I haven't updated a single one of them until now. I've mostly been working on music as of late, because I'm actually doing a couple songs with Feather.

Yes, Feather.

Anywho, I finally took the time to make another chapter, because I've kept you guys hanging for quite some time now.

Have a chapter!

Also, let me know of any mistakes.

What Lies Under The Bed, and Other Curious Places

"A little nonsense now and then
Is cherished by the wisest men."

~Willy Wonka

What Lies Under The Bed, and Other Curious Places

The first to stir from slumber was Applejack. She had the odd feeling of being moved back and forth, two small hooves on her back being the cause. She opened her eyes slowly and sighed.

The light shaking wouldn't stop.

"Ah'm awake, Apple Bloom. Y'all can stop now," she said groggily.

"Ah was jus' makin' sure," the smaller Apple replied. She then stood back on all four hooves. "Would you mind wakin' up Rainbow Dash for me? Ah don't really know 'er as well as you do, sis."

Applejack sighed. "Sure thing..." She turned on her other side and watched as her sister left the room, closing the door behind her. She was confused. Not once had she asked what Dash was here for. "...Huh."

She then rolled back over and looked at the cyan Pegasus in question laying next to her. She could remember last night's events as clear as day. As she went over the memory, a smile inched its way up her face, followed by a small redness.

She had just kissed this pony. A pony who happened to be her best friend. A pony who was in the dilemma of feeling uncomfortable around Applejack. A pony tried to find a way to fix things between them.

Also, a pony who may have found the solution.

As a last resort of action, she had kissed the farm pony with little hope. And yet...

...it may have been enough. She may have done the right thing.

Applejack found herself wondering what this would lead to. The first thing that crossed her mind was dating. It would be fun, hanging out more often with each other, just them two. None of the others included. The second thing that crossed her mind was kissing. There would be kissing. And then more kissing. Different kinds of kisses. Different ways of kissing.

Despite trying to avoid the thought, she couldn't help but imagine she and Dash... the sun setting slowly... the bed ready and made... made to be turned into a mess.

She was glad the Pegasus was still asleep. Her cheeks were burning.

The last thought she had was that of coming home to each other. When she was done with the farm, and when Rainbow had a break from Wonderbolt duties, they would arrive back at the front porch of the Apple house, give each other a quick kiss, and head inside to talk about work. Rainbow would have moved in by then. They would share a life together, waiting anticipating, for the other's return. Rainbow would be away for large portion of their time. At times, it would be to much to bear for one or the other, and they would cry at one another's absence. And when they finally returned, they would confess about everything they felt for the other while they were away. There would be smiles, and there would be tears. Lots and lots of tears.

But then, there would be kisses for all of those tears. Many tears meant many kisses. Affectionate, meaningful, loving kisses.

Applejack found herself smiling stupidly. Maybe this was how it was meant to happen. She then stopped smiling at came close to a frown.

In the midst of their life's adventure...

...would they ever get married?

She didn't know. It was a foreign matter to her. She knew it would take a lot of love, devotion, and dedication for one another, but that was all she could think of for the moment.

Would they get married?

Would she really love this pony that much in the end?

She had become sweaty just thinking about it all, and her heartbeat had increased its pace.

She once again focused on her friend, finding her to still be asleep. The adorable obliviousness to the outside world was shown on her face. Such peaceful feelings could make one envious. Applejack sighed and then reached over and shook her lightly. In response, Rainbow took the farm mare's hooves into her own forelegs, hugging them tightly and snuggling with them. Despite this, she was still asleep.

Applejack raised a brow.

She then decided to use her left hind leg to brush up against Rainbow's own, in hopes of waking her. The Pegasus's reaction was similar to before, taking the leg and wrapping both hind legs around it. Applejack rolled her eyes and then blushed.

Finding another way of action, she flicked the sheets off with her tail, uncovering them both. She then opted for using her tail to brush up against Dash's face. However, before she managed to do so, her tail was caught half-way by none other than Rainbow's own colorful tail, which immediately caused them to twist together.

Applejack was now unconvinced that she was still asleep. These kinds of things didn't happen involuntarily.

Maybe playing the game was a better option...

Smirking, she slowly inched her muzzle toward her friend's. It was then that she realized Rainbow was, in fact, awake. Her breathing became faster the closer Applejack moved. The same went for a nervous shake the Pegasus seemed to have, as well as a loosening of her grip on Applejack's legs.

Knowing Dash would probably open her eyes soon if nothing else happened, she went in and finished what she started. She kissed her slowly, the hold on her legs becoming non-existent. Rainbow's hooves instead placed themselves on Applejack's rump, feeling every inch of it.

Applejack moaned quietly, and most of her thoughts were scattered and driven away by Rainbow's actions. The Pegasus's hooves roamed freely around the orange mare's flank, eventually moving slowly up her back, wrapping around her tightly and bringing the two closer together.

With the lack of space between them, Applejack shifted swiftly, rolling on top of Rainbow. She then began to put more effort into the kiss, poking at Rainbow's lips with her tongue. Feeling her friend's mouth open, she and Dash greeted each other half-way, trying to gain dominance over one another. Their duel last for a half minute, before Applejack surrendered, giving off a quiet whimper.

Deepening their kiss, both mares let go of their hesitation, completely tuning out any and all reality they were once aware of. The only thing they knew was each other. Their passion and desires had taken over them.

Their coats developed a light sweat, and they both blamed their arousal. Applejack found herself rubbing her right leg sensually against the outside of Rainbow's left, earning a small moan from cyan mare. They could feel the tempo of each other's heartbeat. Applejack's was calm and relaxed, as was Rainbow's.

Rainbow's hips writhed mildly in a slow rhythm of their own, showing her naturally growing impatience. Applejack's own hips replied in a similar manner. Their breathing became increasingly unbalanced, and, having the same idea, the let go of each other's lips.

Both of them keeping their eyes closed, Applejack gasped lightly before beginning to speak. "Are we really gonna d--"

"Yes," Rainbow said, breathless, her voice seeming more girlish than normal. Her lips trembled. "You and... me, I want... to..." she didn't want to finish her words, knowing she had already implied her desire.

Applejack laid quiet atop Rainbow Dash. Neither had opened their eyes yet, neither wanted to. Neither could comprehend what was happening, neither wanted to. Neither knew what would happen after this, and neither wanted to.

They wanted each other, and both were well aware of the fact.

What started out as simply being playful had become something that was now inevitable for the both of them.

"...alright then."

The farm mare slowly eased her head back down, meeting Rainbow's lips another time with her own. The world around them became blur once again. Both became in tune with one another, aware of every action the other made.

Nothing else seemed to matter anymore.

<><><>

Apple Bloom sighed and slumped against the wall. It had been an hour since she woke her sister up. A whole hour. What was the point of waking somepony up if they didn't actually plan to get out of bed?

They could use whatever sad excuse they could come up with, but still, a whole hour had passed since their wake up call, and not one of them had emerged from the bedroom. Apple Bloom had begun to lose her patience.

What were they even doing in there?

Apple Bloom knew that when two fillies shared a bed, it was always a sleepover, or something of the like. She sure as hay didn't know what two mares did while sharing a bed, but it definitely didn't seem like just a friendly sleepover when she first came in to wake those two.

She leaned over and placed an ear against the door to Applejack's bedroom. She could hear them whispering to each other, combined with the sound of rustling bed sheets, scattered breathing, as well as a few small moans and whimpers of each other's name.

Taking a step back from the door, she now had a basic idea of what they were up to. She didn't know the details, but what she did know was that fillies her age weren't supposed to witness such activities, or anything akin to them.

Needless to say, she was shocked. Her face wore that of discomfort and confusion. Her spine felt a small shiver run through it. Rainbow Dash and her sister were...

She couldn't even finish the thought.

...but... with each other?

...what...?

...Why?

The bedroom noises had died down. There was an anxious silence. She could then hear soft sniffling. First from one, and then from the other. It quickly grew into soft crying from the two.

She put her ear back up to the door.

"Applej--... AJ..." Rainbow sounded at the edge of bursting into tears. Apple Bloom couldn't recall a single time she had heard Rainbow Dash cry.

"Shh, shh..." Applejack seemed somewhat calmer than the Pegasus. "Don't cry, sugarcube..."

"We... I... we shouldn't have--..."

"It's okay, Rainbow. It's alright."

"I... I don't think... I think it's--... I don't think it is..."

A painful silence hung for a good ten seconds. The only thing heard was their gradually slowing breathing.

"...No... it's not..."

More sobs could then be heard, but with more volume this time around.

Apple Bloom was speechless. Her mind was plagued with confusion. She never knew Rainbow - or her sister, for that matter - could ever become so emotional. These were the two strongest mares she knew. They weren't supposed be this way.

It scared her a little.

Nevertheless, she shook her head, focusing on what she was originally planning to do.

She raised her hoof to the door.

<><><>

Three quick but hesitant-sounding knocks were heard the door.

The two mares in bed gasped. Their eyes shot open, quickly looking at the door before looking at each other.

They didn't want to answer it, but they both knew one of them had to. They were both willing to do it, but they also silently hoped the other would insist.

Neither said a word.

"Hey...!" came a muffled, high-pitched, squeaky voice from under the bed. The two jumped visibly. "Somepony get the door...! We don't wanna keep Apple Bloom waiting..."

"Apple Bloom?" the two said together.

"What? How'd ya know it was me?" came said filly's voice from behind the door.

Rainbow was dumbfounded, while Applejack was speechless. Rainbow spoke up.

"D--... Well, uh... Pinkie told us, I guess."

"...Oh."

"What'd ya need, sis?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, uh, nothin' really. Jus' wanted ta let ya know it's been a whole hour since Ah woke ya up. Ah really think it's time ta actually git up now, don'cha think?"

"Oh," said Applejack. "...Yeah... A-a whole hour? Really?"

"That's what the clock told me."

Applejack sighed. "Well, okay then. We'll be up in a minute. Ah promise, alright?"

"Ya better."

"'Kay, go ahead an' head back to the kitchen, Apple Bloom. Ah'll be makin' dinner in a jiffy."

"Whatever you say."

"Jus' git."

"Ah'm a gittin', Ah'm a gittin'..."

And gittin' she was. They could hear her hoofsteps leading to the kitchen. They looked at each other and sighed simultaneously. At least they had avoided anything that could have been more awkward than what it already was.

"That was close," said Rainbow.

"Yeah." Applejack nodded slowly and rested her head on Rainbow's chest.

"You're wel-come," came another whisper from under the bed, emulating a sing-song tone.

To know that there was a pony under your bed while you were doing it was quite a scary thought. Knowing that pony was one of your best friends was horrifying and more than a little creepy.

"Thanks, Pinkie," they said in unison.

There was no reply.

Hesitantly, Applejack leaned over the edge of the bed and peeked under it.

Nothing. Nopony.

"Huh."

Shaking her head, she pushed herself back on top of Rainbow. "Ya, know..." she started, "funny thing is... Ah'm so tired of that. And yet, Ah don't think Ah ever will be."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like something Pinkie would say."

Applejack chuckled. "Well, she's prob'ly rubbed off on more ponies than jus' me."

"That's true." Rainbow shrugged.

Another moment passed before either of them said a thing.

"...I still don't get it."

"Me neither. But she ain't worth tryin' ta understand, okay?"

"No, no that..." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. "I mean... this. Ya know... us."

The farm mare looked at her. "Yeah, Ah know what ya mean..." It took her a few seconds to think of her next few words. "...but somehow..." She saw Rainbow back at her. She continued. "...it feels okay. Ya know? It jus' feels like what we did..." She paused and swallowed. "... what we did was supposed to happen. Ah don' know what it is, but..." She looked Dash straight in the eyes. "Ah think Ah might be... A-ah might jus' be in love with you, Dash."

Rainbow raised both eyebrows.

"A-ah think Ah might wanna... maybe spend the rest o' my life with you."

It took Rainbow a moment to respond. She was no longer on the same planet as the pony on top of her.

"Dash?"

"Huh? What?"

"Didn't ya hear me?"

"Possibly...?"

"Ah said Ah'm in love you, an' Ah wanna spend the rest of my life with you."

"Oh, yeah, yeah. I heard that."

"Well..." Applejack twirled her right hoof in a circular motion. "Ain'cha gonna say somethin' about that?"

"Oh, well, uh..." Dash rubbed her neck again. She tried to think of something to say.

"You do make an awesome blanket."

Applejack face-hoofed.

"Sorry, sorry," Rainbow apologized, half-chuckling. She put a hoof under her chin. "Well, life with AJ, let me see..."

Applejack punched her lightly. "Ah ain't foolin', RD!"

"Owww..." Rainbow rubbed her foreleg. "Sorry, I'm just not sure it would work, alright?"

Applejack was taken aback. "What? Why not?"

"Think about it." Rainbow put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "You want to run a well-known brand of apple products. I want to be a Wonderbolt. You may be staying here your whole life, but I'd have shows to perform at in different cities, countries even. There's no way we'd ever have time for each other. I just... I don't think it's possible."

"Whoa, whoa. Wait half a minute... Y'all're the Element of Loyalty, am Ah right?"

"I'd be loyal to the Wonderbolts, yes. That's what I'm say--"

"Ya wouldn't be loyal to your friends!?" Applejack interrupted, rather loud. She then shed a tear and lowered her voice. "Or possibly even your own fillyfriend?"

Rainbow didn't say anything. She couldn't. She didn't know what to say.

"Ah know we promised we'd help each other with our dreams an' goals, Rainbow... but... just, y'know, think about this: If you had the chance to settle down with somepony, possibly even start a family, would ya really pick bein' a Wonderbolt over somethin' like that?"

Rainbow did think about it.

Being a Wonderbolt had always been her lifelong dream. Being with Applejack would probably keep her from ever becoming one, and it was very sudden. Applejack was everything she would ever want in a mate, if she ever really thought about it. Her spirit was sweet, yet strong. She was strict, but forgiving. She had endless work to do, yet she always made time for her friends. She was a pain sometimes, but she was always reliable in the end.

She was beautiful.

She was the Element of Honesty.

"...I don't know..."

Applejack stared at her. "There's no Ah don't know about it, Rainbow. There ain't no neutral zone in this. Ya do, or ya don't."

Rainbow put her hooves over her face and started shedding tears. "I don't know..."

Applejack buried her face in her own hooves, letting out a drawn-out sigh. She then lifted her head again and spoke in a shaky voice. "...Ah don't want you ta give up on the Wonderbolts, okay? Ah just want you ta see what you have. You can take what you still have to work for, or you can take what's bein' offered to ya here an' now. Ah know that becoming a Wonderbolt has always been yer dream, an' Ah think you'd be amazin' at it. But ya gotta at least gimme an answer..."

She waited.

"...Please, Dash?"

"Tomorrow."

"What?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Wh--... Why?"

Swallowing, Rainbow looked around at nothing in particular. "Well, it's just a little a pressuring, knowing that you're right here, and it makes it kinda hard to think, so... I think it'd be best if I had some time to think about it alone..." She looked back at Applejack. "...okay?"

Applejack could see her logic. Maybe that would be best.

"Alright, sugarcube." She sniffed a bit before adding, "Can Ah at least leave you with somethin' ta help ya think about it?"

"Sure, I guess."

The farm pony then leaned forward and placed a short, chaste kiss on Rainbow's lips. Rainbow almost followed her when she pulled away. Applejack then brought her muzzle to her ear and whispered, "There would be alot more o' those."

Rainbow laid stunned for the moment, but she quickly shook her head, smiling. "Yeah, I got it, I got it... That would definitely be worth it, but I still gotta sleep on it, okay?"

Applejack sighed and nodded. She then climbed off the bed and ushered Rainbow over to the window, briefly turning the Pegasus toward her for a second.

"Ah love you."

Rainbow stretched and spread her wings. She then smiled warmly. "...I think I love you, too, AJ." She looked out the window, but then back at Applejack and cupped her cheek with a hoof. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Applejack closed her eyes and held onto the hoof, nodding as a few tears escaped her eyes.

"...okay."

Rainbow frowned. "Hey, either way, I'm still gonna help you with your dream. That I can guarantee."

Applejack opened her eyes and stared at the Pegasus. She then hugged her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder. "Oh, Rainbow...! Ah know Ah've said it before... but you really have no idea what that means ta me." The crying only increased. "You mean so much to me. You really are amazin'...!"

Rainbow nodded and hugged her back. "This crying thing is really getting old now, ya know..."

Half-laughing, half-crying, Applejack let go of her and nudged her. "Hey, shut up. You've been cryin', too, alright?"

Rainbow blushed. "Yeah... Please don't tell anypony..."

Applejack smiled lightly. "Don't worry, Ah got'cha covered on that."

Rainbow then glanced at the bed. "Oh, yeah... You, uh... might wanna change your sheets..."

"Rainbow..." Applejack gave her a less sympathetic look with a raised eyebrow. "Ah ain't that hard-headed, alright? Now, go on! Git!" She slapped Rainbow's flank with a hoof.

Giving off a small whoop, the cyan Pegasus clumsily launched out the window, almost hitting her head on the way out.

Applejack used up what little laughter she had left in that moment, for she knew there were more tears to come.

Many more tears.

"Aaaapplejaaaack!"

She turned her gaze to the door.

"Ah thought y'all said ya'd be makin' dinner in a jiffy!"

She groaned.

"Ah'm a gittin', Ah'm a gittin'..."

And gittin' she was.

Author's Note

Once again, I apologize for all of the delaying I've been doing recently. I've just been focused mostly on my music lately. I actually got another song in EQD's Spotlight Music recently. It's called Emerald Eyes, if you're interested. And my YouTube name is 4EverfreeBrony.

I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up, but I am working on it, so have faith.

What Lies In Wait

"Always do right. This will surprise some and astonish the rest."

~Mark Twain

What Lies In Wait

Rainbow lay in bed, letting her mind swim. Her clock ticked away, reminding her that time was limited but not short. She stared across the room at her closet, eyeing her relatively-small collection of costumes and uniforms.

She also let her mind rest on the thought of Applejack many times. Whether it was her personality, her looks, her attitude, or the way she kissed, she would always end up letting herself become distracted by that mare in one way or another.

She knew, of course, that it was it never a question of whether or not she loved Applejack - of course she did! - It was more about whether or not she would let love steal her heart from the one goal she always had.

Being a wonderbolt had been the only thing she dreamt about for years. That is, until the farm pony turned her dreams in a another direction. The thought of being with her, breathing in her scent, treating her right, and coming home to her every day was all she could think about now, and it was making her decision rather difficult.

Lazily rolling out of bed, she stood up to get herself a drink of water. As she walked, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse one of her favorite costumes in the closet. Her old shadowbolt costume she wore for Nightmare Night that one year. She smiled and kept walking.

Walking into the kitchen she opened a cabinet, pulled out a glass and filled with the tap. After a refreshing sip, her mind wandered back to the shadowbolt costume, and the memories she'd made with it. She remembered where the idea came from.

She then nearly choked on her water as a realization tore through her. Catching her breath and hitting her chest a couple times, she set the glass down on the counter. She then went back to her room and hopped in bed, hoping to fall asleep, as she knew it would be near impossible.

She had made her decision.

=^=^=^=^=^=

Applejack awoke slightly irritated. She felt somepony softly but hastily climb into her bed. She stirred a bit and opened her eyes, feeling a set of hooves carefully make their way around her waist. She looked at her intruder and sighed, knowing she should not have been surprised. She gently accepted the embrace and hugged back.

Of course she knew her lover was waiting anxiously to tell her something. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to hear her answer yet, though, so she simply lay there, relishing in the warmth of her visitor.

"AJ," Rainbow whispered.

"I love you," Applejack whispered back.

Rainbow knew there was never any question about that. "I love you, too."

Upon hearing these words, Applejack hugged the pegasus tighter. She suddenly felt a little more at ease about their situation. She had thought about leaving the house early to start her morning chores, and ultimately avoid hearing Rainbow's answer, but she knew that she would be found eventually. However, she was now quite eager to hear what she had to say. "Just spit it out already, Dash."

Rainbow smiled and stroked the farm pony's mane. "Do you remember that time when we were headed to that old castle, and I had to fly across the gap to fix the bridge?"

Applejack nodded. "Yeah, and them shadowbolts tried to trick you into joining them, right?"

"Mmhm." Rainbow moved her hooves to Applejack's cutie marks. Applejack sighed, feeling around Rainbow's body, and eventually settled on her own cutie marks. "I remember the decision became easier when I had to choose between them and my friends."

Applejack felt a buildup of tears begin to wet her eyes. Her muscles tensed and her breathing sped up just a bit.

Rainbow continued. "That experience made me understand something about myself." She closed her eyes and pulled her friend closer. The realization struck Applejack.

"B-but Dash!" she stuttered. "You've always wanted to be a wonderbolt! It's been you're dream for as long as I've known ya..."

"Yeah, true..." Rainbow agreed. She then lowered her voice to a whisper. "...But I'd never leave my friends hangin'."

Applejack looked her in the eye. It was true. Everything the pegasus said was true, and Applejack knew honesty when she saw it. Nearly choking on her tears, Applejack made her a promise. "I promise you, Dash. I will do everything in my power to help you become a wonderbolt one day. I swear."

And she would. Rainbow knew it. She also knew that this was supposed to happen, having an overwhelming sense of how right it felt to be next to this pony. And she loved it.

She knew they would be happy, as long as they could come home to each other every night, no matter where they were, no matter what day of the week.

They would be happy.

"I love you, Dash," Applejack whispered.

"You said that already."

"So did you."

"...True."

They snuggled for a long while, hoping that time would pause for them just so they could kiss for a little while longer. They knew that the days would come and go without them, but they decided to just let the planet spin them for a bit.

All they needed in that moment was already in their hooves.

The End

Author's Note

Hey, so it's been more than like four years since I last touched this website, but felt that I need to finish this up. I feel like I've left too many chapter fics unfinished, so I thought I'd tie the knot at the end for this one. ^^ Thanks for reading!