Applejack awoke with a groan as she tried to cover her head with her heaviest pillow. She finally had enough of bunking with Rainbow Dash. She whipped her head out to look at the mumbling sleeping pegasus. At first, Rainbow was just snoring really loud, practically in her ear since she got all emotional and wanted to be back to back with the gracious host.

Applejack was annoyed, especially since the snoring was not even or had any rhythm, but she was sort of used to it having a family of snorers and having to share a cave one time with Rainbow Dash and Rarity along with the CMC, much to Rarity's dismay. But when she started talking in her sleep, and kicking her hooves aimlessly, that's when Applejack knew as long as they shared a room, she won't be getting a visit from the sand pony.

For two hours now, her bedroom was filled with wails and cries, full of the, "No Fluttershy, Please don't leave me Shy, I miss her, I miss her!" It was sad, even a little pitiful since the two times Applejack woke her friend, tears would fall and the cyan mare would be embarrassed, yet somehow fall right back to sleep. AJ felt bad about the whole thing, but she barely got any sleep last night, and if this kept up, no sleep at all tonight.

"C'mon Dash! Quite being a baby." She whispered to her hurting friend.

"Please Fluttershy, talk to me! Say you love me!" Dash begged in her sleep as she shook her arms crazily toward the ceiling.

AJ looked to the clock, three hours until she had to get up. She growled, debating trying to wake her sad companion when an idea sparked in her head. Actually, two. "I can just bunk with Applebloom tonight. Her bed can fit us both. I just got to keep my old buddy nice and happy."

She grabbed her pillow and placed it in her flailing arms, Dash grabbing it tight. AJ tried to clear and softened her voice, "Rainbow Dash, I still love ya." Rainbow Dash started making kissing faces toward the pillow, making Applejack cover her mouth so she wouldn't laugh out loud. "Alright lover girl, let's not get any weirder than this." She thought to herself as she tried to steady her voice. "Please Dashie, don't ruin this. Just hold me close." She said in her best Fluttershy as she flicked her nose.

Rainbow grimaced at the pain, but a look of contentment took over her face as she softly held and cuddled the pillow against her body, the sad sniffles slowing down. "Thank you baby… oh Flutters."

AJ made sure she was covered as she snuck out of her room and into her sister's. She smiled at her sister who was peacefully asleep. She gently nudged the little filly she practically raised over and shimmied herself into the small bed, already pre warmed. She saw her little sister stir in her sleep, so she put an arm over her and held her tight. Applebloom instantly relaxed and gave a quiet snore. Applejack smiled to herself as she enjoyed the peace and quiet, "I hope you little ones can learn from our mistakes. G'night Applebloom." She said softly as her eyes easily closed shut and she fell asleep instantly.

Rainbow Dash slowly woke up, still clutching the pillow to her chest. She was having an awful time dreaming that Fluttershy would leave her, bring her to tears. But finally after the bad dream repeating the same way, Fluttershy finally returned her affections, and a burst of color erupted from their love as they held each other close until they slept.

She finally noticed that it was all just a sweet dream, and the pony who made her heart beat was just a pillow. She let it go as she rolled over, giving a sigh of defeat. She finally noticed that her apple farming friend was no longer in the room. The fall morning made itself known as she shivered in the blanket. She noticed that it was already almost noon. "Dang, I over slept big time. I wonder where AJ is anyway?" she questioned in her mind as she stretched out her aching body and followed her nose to the kitchen.

She saw Granny Smith preparing something fierce in a big pot. She crouched over, feeling rude when the eldest Apple Family member noticed her watching the food greedily. "Well good morning Rainbow Mash. Nice to see you ain't in a coma no more. Betcha the smell of my special apple gumbo woke ya right up eh?"

Rainbow Dash smiled as she trotted into the kitchen and next to the old mare. "It's Rainbow Dash. And yeah, smells pretty good Granny. How are you this morning?" Dash asked politely as the yummy yet strange smell helped her get her mind off of her trouble.

The green mare nudged her guest to the table and poured a healthy portion of lunch in front of her. "Doin as good as can be expected. This cold weather makes my elbows ache! But nothin can get this filly down, no sir. I just need me a little pick me up and I will be as spry as a spring chicken!" Granny slowly answered as she took a sip from a bottle on the counter that Dash hadn't noticed before.

Rainbow tried her best to ignore the prospects of alcohol as she focused on the food. She took a little nibble, which quickly turned into a mouthful once she decided she liked the taste and the kick in the mouth it gave her. "This is pretty good Granny! Thanks!" she managed to say after chugging a cup of milk to help with the spiciness. She raised her head from her meal as she saw the two oldest Apple siblings enter the kitchen, both looking like they had worked hard.

Big Mac nodded his head at the cyan mare, although not sparing a smiled as he went straight to the jug of water on the counter. Rainbow Dash wondered why he was covered in mud and gunk, deciding not to bother the stallion who looked a little angry. Applejack smiled at her friend as she trotted to the table and fanned herself with her hat, her golden mane sticking to her head from sweating so hard. "Howdy RD! Glad you finally awake! I was gonna bring you breakfast, but even Applebloom couldn't get you to open your eyes. And I swear, I thought that filly's special talent would be being an alarm clock!"

Her family all gave a small chuckle as they went about their business. Granny slowly put out two plates of gumbo for her grandchildren as Big Mac excused himself to the wash room. Rainbow Dash smiled happily at sharing a meal with a friend. The eldest pony in town grabbed a watering can and went out to the front porch, leaving the two young mares alone at the table.

Applejack washed her hooves and quickly started grubbing down her meal. She took a minute to swallow her food and look at her friend who was equally busy eating. "Poor Big Mac had a little accident feeding the pigs! He tipped the bucket and they all started stampeding, covering him in mud! " They both laughed at the unfortunate situation. "Yeah, my poor brother was pretty overwhelmed by it all. He was sayin I shoulda grabbed Fluttershy to do the job-" Applejack suddenly stopped midsentence once she realized who she mentioned.

Applejack frowned at seeing her friend's happy demeanor diminish into that of sadness, watching her slouch over and ears droop. "Hey there RD, I didn't mean to bring her up. I'm sorry."

Rainbow Dash put her hoof on her friend's chest, forcing a fake smile. "Hey, it's ok AJ. I mean, we are all still friends, I hope. We're just on a break is all. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. It's just, it's all still sudden and soon. You know?" The flyer sniffled a little as she played with her food, "I gotta be positive, and hope we can work through this little rough patch." She said both to herself and her friend.

The farmer smiled as she went back to her food. "I like your way of thinking Rainbow. Keep it up girl!" Applejack tried to encourage as a million things ran through Dash's mind.

Rainbow Dash licked her bowl clean, more than grateful to have a home cooked meal again. It would be a while before Fluttershy would do that for her. "Thanks a million for letting me sleep here AJ. I know it was real last minute and stuff."

The orange pony smiled at her friend, deciding not to give her a hard time for being such a noisy sleeper. "You're family RD, if you need a place to stay, you can always come here. I think next time though I will find the energy to clear up the guest room though." She joked and smiled, Rainbow Dash blushing, seemingly aware of her snoring now.

Rainbow Dash looked about the kitchen, feeling like a freeloader, "Is there anything I can do around the farm to help out?" she asked, wanting to feel useful to somepony again.

AJ patted her on the back, "Nah! My brother and I got it all taken care of. Fall is when the work load lessens some. Don't go and feel obligated." AJ reassured as Dash looked down, feeling useless again. AJ scratched her head, feeling bad for her down hearted friend. "So, are you feeling up to sleeping back up in the sky again? It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Rainbow looked at the Element of Honesty with sad pink eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, nothing coming out. She let her head fall on the table with a heavy thump. Her gaze shifted to the covered bottle of temporary relief that she could drink to help her get through today. She shut her eyes, remembering her promise. "I guess I better get used to sleeping alone again. I haven't spent the night alone since Shy was in the hospital." She played with the salt and pepper on the table, the feeling that it could be a permanent arrangement if things didn't work out. "I should go and find out where I could get help like Flutters said."

The apple loving farmer nodded her agreement. "I second that notion."

Dash avoided the thoughts of sleeping alone again for a while as she said her goodbyes to the Apple Family and flew lazily above her town. She sighed, trying to avoid the area near the Everfree where her lover lived. She thought long and hard about all the things Fluttershy wanted her to do as she sat on a cloud.

She watched as a few late birds started flying south. "I guess maybe I do have a drinking problem. I could have really hurt somepony. Physically I mean. I know they hold AA meetings in town, I just don't know where. Maybe Twilight would know? She knows all the ins and outs of Ponyville." She reasoned in her mind as she flew a little quicker to her lavender friend.

She actually felt a little better and more level headed after the flight, exercise good for her body, mind and soul. She gave a quick stretch before knocking on the door, remembering not to just fly in the window all the time. She smiled timidly when she realized Spike answered the door.

He instantly grew a scowl on his face as he gave an annoyed grunt. Rainbow Dash was blown away by how much he had grown recently. He was almost eye to eye with her it seemed. "What do you want Rainbow?"

Rainbow Dash contorted her face to a frown at the obvious lack of enthusiasm. All though she did vaguely remembered The CMC and Spike there during her little outburst. She decided try and practice anger management, a class she was sure she would be taking in the very near future.

"Good afternoon to you too Spike! Is Twilight around, it's important." She said, not trying that hard. He glared at her, and she stared right back. One day, the purple dragon would grow, and he would be a force to be reckoned with. But today, he was still little Spike, and Rainbow Dash could still teach him a thing or two on manners.

He raised an eyebrow at her as he stepped aside to let her in. He offered her a seat as he placed a few books away. "She should be here shortly Rainbow Dash." He said with a sigh as he watered a few plants. "Can I get you something to drink?" he said flatly. He at least stopped giving her dirty looks, and was trying to be hospitable.

A thought of alcohol crossed her mind, which she quickly shooed away. She leaned back on the sofa, stretching out her body. "Water, please."

Without a word Spike left and got her a cold tall glass of water, and without a word, he excused himself back to tiding up the place. Rainbow Dash was beginning to feel uncomfortable in the dragon's presence, and she knew why. She just wished her unicorn friend would return so she could get on to business. She flicked her tail in agitation at how it seemed the whole world was working against her. She just wanted to be happy with Fluttershy. She just wanted Fluttershy to be happy. She just seemed to be doing it in all the wrong ways.

"I really didn't like the way you treated Fluttershy that night." Came the slightly deep voice of the dragon as he dusted a book case.

Rainbow Dash was snapped out of her deep thoughts by the sudden calm statement. He looked over his shoulder. No annoyance, no contempt on his face, just disappointment. He was waiting for her to say something. She gulped once as she looked down.

"I don't like the way I treated her too." She said in a pained voice, not knowing where this conversation may lead.

He finally stopped cleaning and sat in front of the cyan pegasus. They both looked at each other, eye to eye. "It just isn't right, making her cry like that. Why Rainbow? We all looked up to you so much. Scoots was so shocked, she didn't speak the whole night!" he admitted, sounding hurt.

Rainbow flinched at the question. She hadn't thought about how bad she made herself look in front of the CMC or Spike, not seriously anyway. What kind of example was she to the girls, to Scootaloo most of all, who followed everything she did. The kid was already confused enough trying to figure out how to tell somepony she liked them, now she had her one example of a couple going for each other's throats practically.

"I don't know what came over me Spike. I just wasn't myself. You ever felt worthless, and jealous, like you could be replaced so easily. And it scared you, rocked you to the core. So you would do anything to stop it, change it. Even if it was crazy and stupid? " She fiddled with her hooves as Spike listened intensely. "I was just being crazy and stupid, instead of thinking with my brain and talking to Fluttershy."

Spike let out a deep sigh, his claws nervously scratching the wood in front of him. He looked at the sleeping owl who took care of things when he slept. He stared at the nocturnal bird, a sad look in eyes. "Yeah, I know what that's like." He said in a distant voice. His worst fear was being useless to his mentor and best friend, the pony who raised him since he hatched.

He looked back to her, his emerald eyes sparkling in sadness and understanding. "I guess I see where you are coming from. I just wish, I don't know, it wasn't so harsh to make her cry like that." He admitted as he looked down.

Rainbow flinched inside. Right now, her dragon friend wasn't trying to lecture her, wasn't trying to make her feel bad, he was just a confused child, trying to find understanding in the lovely yet cruel world of love.

She sighed again, leaning back against the sofa. She felt so tired, so overwhelmed by everything that has been happening the past few days. She thought to her special somepony, and thought about how overwhelmed she must feel. The thought of making her smile again was enough to push her forward, to keep her from not giving up. "Believe me Spike, I would give anything to stop myself from doing that, my wings to go back in time and talk some sense into me. And I am willing to anything to fix things between us and make her happy again." She said truthfully.

Spike gave a real smile at her. Rainbow couldn't help but smile back at the innocence behind it. First fix stuff with herself, then Fluttershy, then her image to the kids. Both their heads turned to the door when they heard Twilight enter.

They both raced to the door, and poor Twilight could not brace herself for the onslaught of blue and purple as they tackle hugged her. The student of Celestia grunted and wiggled her head out as she spurted out her surprise. Spike went on and on of how much he missed her and how long she had been gone, while Dash bragged about using the door instead of flying through the window.

Twilight stuck her hooves on each of their faces and pushed them off as she picked up her belongings with her magic. She gave them a stern look, making them give her her space. She rolled her eyes and opened an arm to give Spike a hug which he eagerly took. "I see the books still haven't been reorganized?" she asked. He smiled sheepishly and made a mad dash for the books, going back to work.

Rainbow Dash snickered into her hoof until she felt a pair of lavender eyes gaze at her. She sat up straight and gave a crooked grin. Twilight's gaze softened as she placed her bags down. She stretched out her back as she looked to her flying friend. "Nice to see you again Rainbow Dash. We were all pretty worried about where you flew off to. Luckily AJ gave us all a call this morning saying you slept over at her place."

The speedster pegasus rubbed the back of her neck, feeling guilty about leaving her friends in the dust after talking with Fluttershy. "Yeah, sorry about that. I hope you girls all understood, that wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. Although, it was better than what it could have been. I just, needed a good flight to clear my head, some space from everything? You know?"

Twilight sat in front of her, cocking her head to one side. "I wouldn't really know what flying would be like for clearing my head. But I guess I have run away when I was upset. We were all just worried for you is all. Two times in a row of you taking off, isn't exactly encouraging." Twilight chose her words carefully

Dash looked down, feeling like she had let her friends down again, not exactly Element of Loyalty material. She tried to clear her head and focus on what she had to do. "Sorry, I will try and let one of you girls know where I'm going." She explained. "Not like I knew where I was going either." She thought to herself. She noticed how Twilight was studying her every move carefully, seemingly reading her mind through her body language alone.

Rainbow sat up straighter and cleared her throat. "But where I flew to isn't what I came here to talk about Twilight." She nervously twitched her ears as she waited for a response.

Twilight smiled, "Let's take this to the couch, we can talk all we want there."

Rainbow Dash explained how frustrated she was with the whole deal, and how shocked she was to finally realize how addictive she got with drinking, especially since she wasn't near Fluttershy. She told her about all the close calls, and how hard it was to keep from stealing a sip and keeping her emotions in check. She laid on her back, chest rising and falling harshly after venting out how much turmoil she was in.

Twilight sat there, wide eyed, trying to process everything in her mind. She shared another small smile to her friend as she thought of solutions. "I understand, this is very hard for both of you. This won't be a quick and easy fix." Rainbow Dash looked a little sadder. Even though she knew that, it was still disappointing to hear.

Twilight walked to the couch and rested her hoof on Dash's shoulder. "But that certainly doesn't mean we can't fix things. Only the best of things are worth fighting for." She reassured, gaining a thankful smile from her blue friend. She moved her hoof from her friend to her chin in thought. "Well, I know exactly where we can get you help for your drinking. I know they hold some AA classes near the town centers. We can go over tonight if you'd like to learn about it."

Twilight levitated a check list with her magic, Rainbow rolling her eyes, yet thankful none the less. "So the alcohol will be first. But I think you may need some help with the issues that drove you to drink. All the inner turmoil-"

"I don't have that much inner turmoil!" Dash defended, her usual bravado kicking in.

Twilight raised her brow to her, making Dash sink back to her lying position. "I do think you do Rainbow. I think you usually put up a front, and don't truly face all those issues in here." The studious unicorn placed her hoof over Dash's chest.

The athletic pegasus sighed. All this sounded familiar to her, all of it making sense.

Twilight continued her lecture. "What kind of relationship could you hope to have with Fluttershy if you keep bottling these bad feelings out until they finally explode?" Twilight felt bad, she could hear the little grunts and groans coming from her often hard headed friend. She knew she truly cared for their shy friend, and she knew this was setting in, but she had to be sure she knew how important this was to them both. After all, Rainbow Dash was a proud pegasus, and it seemed her love for Fluttershy was one of the few ways to put away her pride to do what was always hard for her, ask for help.

She sat down and appreciatively took the tea Spike had prepared for the three of them. The little dragon quietly ate his gem snacks as he listened to his elders talk. "It's just, going to a therapist seems so weird for me Twilight. I know it's what's best, it even helped Fluttershy a lot. I just never thought I would need that. I know I do, and I will, but still. It just bugs me." Dash admitted her negative feelings of going to get help, even with the positive prospect of getting Fluttershy back.

"You know she asked you to do this because she knew you needed help, but she also knows you are strong enough to do it. She wouldn't have bothered on trying to give you guys another chance if she thought you couldn't hack therapy."

Dash smiled slightly at the mere thought of Fluttershy thinking anything good of her right now, even in her sour mood. "Ok, so, who do you have in mind?" Dash asked.

Fluttershy was barely making it through the day. Everything seemed dull and slow, not containing any of its usual wonder that had filled her entire world with ecstasy when her and Rainbow were still together. She took another shaky breath as she forced a smile for her animal friends, although she could tell they sensed her inner turmoil. "It seems no one in this home is happy today." She said softly under her breath.

She had made another appointment with Dr. Shrink ADink this morning, he was graciously going to make a visit from Canterlot to Ponyville later this week. At least she was proud of keeping her darker thoughts away during her heart ache, but she couldn't help but feel like the color was drained from her world.

She slowly walked to her writing desk where she kept her letters and mail. She had barely even eaten today, feeling too depressed and alone. She thought back to how Pinkie Pie and Rarity visited her this morning, checking in on her. Even in her sad state, she did smile a little to see that they had brought her breakfast muffins from Sugar Cube Corner and that Rarity was whipping up a special brew of tea to give her energy.

She rested her head on the writing desk as the past conversation of her friends where drowned out by sorrow. She was grateful that they had checked in on her, if not, she probably wouldn't have eaten at all today. Everypony earlier had avoided mentioning a certain pegasus' name in front of her as they went on about their day and awkwardly asked her how she slept, and how she was doing.

Fluttershy hated having her friends see her cry, but that was all she could do when they asked her how she was. She was thankful that it was a quick one, and even though she was embarrassed, she was happy to know her friends were there. Eventually they left, after Fluttershy assured them she would be ok.

And now here she was, alone again, save her animal friends. Alone with nothing but her memories of all the love and joy she shared with her special somepony. "At least, I hope she will still be my special somepony." She whispered to herself, a begging wish. She hated sleeping alone, she hated being alone. After finally experiencing all the wonderful things love had to offer, she couldn't imagine how she managed being so alone and antisocial for so many years.

After a while of thought, she lifted her head and pulled out a clean sheet of paper. She looked to her little cup full of pens. Her eyes began to water as she noticed how they were just so, that they formed such a beautiful rainbow. "Ra-Rainbow Dash." She stated sadly. She had to focus to stop her lips from quivering as she grabbed a green one, which would contrast nicely to her yellow sheet. She sighed, pen in mouth, as she began to write her weekly letter to her mother, trying to think of a way to let her know she was in distress.

Scootaloo and Applebloom were alone in their club house, waiting for Sweetie Belle to finish her afternoon date with her parents. The little pegasus played with a mini skateboard made for a hoof as she started doing tricks and pretended to be a crowd of cheering fans. Applebloom was busing herself cleaning the place.

Scootaloo snuck a peak from the side and felt the little fluttering butterflies in her stomach again. "I finally got this alone time with her. Let's see where this leads." She thought to herself.

The feathered pony didn't realize as the smallest Apple snuck up on her. "Gotcha!" Applebloom yelled as she tackled Scootaloo to the ground, making the pegasus yelp in surprise. Applebloom stood triumphantly above Scootaloo. "Haha, you were so easy to surprise that time Scoots!" The little earth pony jeered her friend as she flicked her nose.

Scootaloo frowned at being caught off guard, they usually all playfully wrestled like this, choosing to surprise attack whoever was not paying attention. "Well, I'm going to put these fluffy feelings aside and show her nopony gets the upper hoof on Scootaloo!" she thought to herself as she pushed her friend off. "You're going to get it now Applebloom!"

"You're gonna have to catch me first!" Applebloom jested as she took off around the club house, Scootaloo right on her tail.

The two friends laughed and continued to pass their banter back and fourth until Scootaloo managed to make one impressive leap off of the wall and right on top of her friend. They rolled about the soft rug, full of laughter until they landed side by side. Their laughter kept on going until they couldn't breathe anymore.

Scootaloo turned her head, face all smiles as she looked at the content looking Applebloom, still laughing silently. Suddenly the orange filly felt her wings tingle as her heart beat faster, noticing how they were up against each other.

Applebloom broke the silence by putting her hoof over Scootaloo's tenderly, almost as light as a feather. "I really enjoy hanging out with you Scootaloo." She blurted out, blushing, feeling like it came out dumber than it sounded in her head.

Scootaloo didn't think so though as her eyes widened and her smile grew. "Me too!" she said excitedly as she hooked her little orange hoof around the little yellow hoof.

Both fillies' minds stopped as they heard the door to their club house open and the hoof steps of adults walking in. Scootaloo was totally red faced and rather pissed off, while Applebloom herself looked annoyed. Although those feelings were soon forgotten and replaced with unease and awkwardness as they saw a smiling Applejack and an oddly shy looking Rainbow Dash.

Two of the three crusaders looked to each other and then back at them. Applejack cleared her throat as she took a step forward. "Sorry to bother you girls during your playtime, but RD here has had this thing on her mind she's been itching to get out for days now." Applejack said cheerfully and full of confidence, pulling the sky blue pegasus forward.

Rainbow Dash made eye contact with Scootaloo, neither wanting to look the other in the eye. She had not talked to any of them since she exploded in the barn. And the mere thought of acting so beastly in front of them, in front of Scootaloo the most, made her feel sick. She had to apologize for her behavior. Her therapist and AA meeting said it was part of the healing process, to make amends to those you hurt, and they seemed like the easiest to start with.

"Hey girls, you mind coming, uh, and sitting by me here, for a bit?" She asked in a quiet voice, a voice she had barely used around Scootaloo once. Both fillies look confused at this shift from the usual bravado from the fastest flyer around and took a seat next to her.

Scootaloo tried to look anywhere but at her idol at the moment. Applebloom kept shifting glances between Rainbow and Applejack. Applejack sat there, keeping her eyes glued to the apple trees outside. And Rainbow Dash was looking at her hooves, which she had scuffing the ground in a guilty fashion.

Rainbow Dash took deep breath, trying to focus. "Come on Dash! They're just fillies! They aren't going to rip your head off!" she encouraged herself in her mind as she glared straight into the fillies faces, a serious look on her. "I'm sorry for acting like a jerk!" she said in a very loud tone.

Scootaloo and Applebloom were caught totally off guard and grabbed each other. Applejack shoved Dash in the ribs rather roughly. Dash rubbed herself, smiling wearily. "Heh. Sorry for yelling. I just had to come and say sorry to you girls for the way I acted the other day." She admitted in a calm and friendly voice as she rubbed both ponies' manes.

They both chuckled nervously and let each other go. They stared up to the frantic flyer, settling down and grimacing as the memory of the surprise party entered their minds.

Both older ponies frowned at feeling the atmosphere change from bad to worse in the club house. Scootaloo was keeping her eyes closed, still ashamed by her hero. The disdain look on the filly's face left Dash's heart aching. She groaned inwardly, unsure if she was really wanted here like Applejack insisted.

"Now come on ya two. This is Rainbow Dash here. At least give her a chance. Come on Scoots, look at her." Applejack ordered, nudging the pegasus filly with a hoof.

The little pegasus kept her eyes and mouth closed. She opened them though when she felt a tiny earth pony bump her on the head. "Don't be like that Scoots, I know you've been wanting to talk to Rainbow Dash more than the rest of us." She complained with her little southern accent, eyes big and knowing.

The orange filly's face blushed slightly at the words. Both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had big sisters to help them cope with the act of cruelty they saw that day and explain the situation. Scootaloo was left completely alone for the whole thing though. Her mom was always too busy to talk to. She usually went to Rainbow Dash for problems she couldn't figure out, but she couldn't do that in this instance. And she couldn't bear bringing up that night to Fluttershy.

She even tried looking for her the next day to see what made her do it, just to find that she had skipped town. Just like her father had been drunk, just like he said things that tore open a mare's heart, just like he had flown away. Scootaloo steadied her breathing as she forced her eyes open to look at the pegasus she loved like family. "She didn't fly away. She didn't leave. She came back." She repeated in her mind.

Rainbow Dash placed her wing lovingly over Scootaloo, pulling her closer. She could feel the little pegasus gasp. She then repeated the process with Applebloom and rested her hooves on their shoulders. She bent her head down to their level. "Look, girls. I know what I did was inexcusable. That was no way for me to treat anypony, especially my friends, and especially Fluttershy. I was just, scared. You know? I was so scared everything I held dear was leaving me. I felt trapped."

Scootaloo was reminded of their camping trip. She remembered feeling scared, so scared she scooted off a water fall. Luckily for her, Rainbow Dash was there. She was always there for all of them.

"But that was no way for me to treat her. I shouldn't have talked to her like that. I shouldn't have thought about her like that. But I did, and now I have to live with the consequences I made for myself." Rainbow's voice felt as though it was meant for her own ears, although both fillies heard them loud and clear.

The two little fillies nodded in understanding. It was a tough situation for everyone involved.

"So promise me, you girls won't ever act the way I did. There is nothing worse than hurting a friend, somepony you love. Whenever you have doubts like that, you need to talk about it in a respectable and calm way. Don't go irate like me." Rainbow Dash said clearly, as if she had come to that conclusion then and there.

"I swear that sounds like Twilight's words coming out of your mouth." AJ joked.

Rainbow gave her farming friend a dirty look until she felt something go around her waist. She looked down to see the two fillies hugging her. Applebloom looked happy, like she knew things would work out just fine. But Scootaloo had her face hidden in her side, and she swore she could feel slight moisture there. She hugged them back, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.

They let go of their hug, AJ nudging Applebloom outside. "C'mon lil sis, let's give these here adrenaline loving pegasi some time."

Applebloom was using all her force to stay put, yet still not enough to stop her sister. "No fair, this is my club house!"

Dash couldn't help but laugh at the dynamic between the earth pony sisters. The small chuckle was gone though when she realized it was just Scootaloo and her. Two pairs of ears flattened against heads as they avoided eye contact, wings flapping once in frustration. "She really is a mini me. I need to start being a better example for the kid."

She cleared her throat, noticing how it felt drier than usual. She rested herself on her belly to get to her eye level. Scootaloo trudged slowly to her big sister and sat in front of her. Dash gave a crooked smile that was returned half heartedly. "Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

The small orange pony opened her mouth, but quickly shut it, screwing her eyes shut.

Rainbow Dash leaned closer. "You can tell me Scootaloo, I won't be mad." Dash flinched a little on the inside when she noticed a few tears fall down orange cheeks.

"I'm sorry too Rainbow Dash!" she whimpered, trying to keep her raspy little voice steady. "After what happened, I was so confused. I couldn't believe you could do that! And then, and then, the next day I went looking…for you, but you were gone. I didn't hear you were back… in town until yesterday!" she said between heavy breathes.

Rainbow Dash felt guilty all over again. She really meant so much for this pony. And she took off without a second thought. She did that to all of them, to her friends. Even Fluttershy. "How many times have I flown out on Fluttershy anyway?" she thought.

She blinked back the water works in her eyes and pulled the filly into a hug. "Hey, shhh. Hey, don't be sorry squirt. I shouldn't have flown off like that. I could have been hurt, and none of you would know where to find me." Dash tried to comfort as she felt sobs shake her slightly. Scootaloo was already pulling herself together.

"That's the thing, I gave up on you then." Her small legs gave out as she cuddled against Dash's forelegs. "I was so worried, you would leave, and never come back." She admitted. She hid her face against blue fur. "Like my dad." She whispered.

Dash's ears flicked, she picked it up. "That's what she is upset about. I know what it's like growing up with one parent. At least my mom didn't run away from me and dad. I wish Fluttershy were here, she would know what to say." She thought sadly as she rubbed the filly's back.

She used her hoof to make the little pony look at her. "Scootaloo, I will never leave any of you the way your father did, do you understand me?" she said in a serious voice. The purple mane pony nodded her head. "I know that may not seem like much after what I did. But I came back, you can't keep me away for long." She rested her hoof over Scootaloo's back. "Sometimes, even us grown up ponies do something stupid because we are hurting. I was just scared, and flying away for a bit seemed like the safest thing. But I am never doing that again. Not after seeing what I put you through, after seeing how it hurt my friends, and Fluttershy." Dash tried her best to explain.

Scootaloo nuzzled into Dash's chest, enjoying being held by somepony. "Ok Rainbow Dash. Thank you." Rainbow Dash rested her forehead against her number one fan's, and for the first time since coming into the tree house, she felt at ease, and gave a big smile.

"So, have you and Fluttershy worked things out?" the scooter riding pony asked innocently.

Dash let out a sigh as her gaze drifted out the window. "I don't know squirt. She said she needed time, so I'm giving it to her." Rainbow explained.

"Oh." Was all the little pony could say. "Well, I think things will be ok. Fluttershy's the nicest pony I know, she can forgive you!" she said cheerfully.

Dash had to chuckle at the innocence and trust displayed. "Jee, I hope you are right there Scootaloo. But I'm afraid there are only so many times you can take advantage of a pony's kindness before they give up on you."

Scootaloo forced her small head out of the big cyan forelegs, looking extra small. "Well, you are an amazing pony Rainbow Dash! And Fluttershy loves you. You can be so awesome when you aren't down. Just believe in yourself, I know I do!" Scootaloo managed.

Rainbow Dash smiled a big smile as she hugged the filly again, "Thanks kiddo! I sure hope you're right."

Rainbow said her goodbyes, leaving the little pegasus on the floor. Applebloom came running in and belly flopped her. "You're finally looking happy again!" Applebloom yelled cheerfully. They both laughed again. Soon the laughter turned into a nervous chuckle once they realized they were alone.

Scootaloo smiled sheepishly to her crush, the littlest Apple smiling back. They both shut their eyes as their lips grew closer. They both reared back their heads once they heard the door swing open and shake their tree house.

Applebloom quickly rolled off of Scootaloo as they both jumped to their hooves. Sweetie Belle and Spike where both right in front of them, sweating like they had just sprinted there. "Sorry we're late for the fun girls! Ready to play?" Sweetie exclaimed as Spike hunched over and caught his breath.

"Are we ever! So, what's the plan today?" she replied as she walked by a pull out sheet with a bunch of ways to get a cutie mark, a good chunk crossed out.

Scootaloo took a deep sigh as she rolled her eyes. "Opportunity ruined. Twice!" she whined in her head.

After Rainbow Dash had said her goodbyes to her good friend Applejack she made her way back to her cloud home. It would be her first night spent there in, forever. She was rather pleased with how well things turned out with the Crusaders, and very proud of how well she was doing in her AA classes.

Her mood got worse and worse as she saw her home, all the warm, loving memories of the nights shared with Fluttershy rushing back to her head. She was frowning by the time she landed at her door, her hooves getting heavier and heavier. She figured she may as well turn in for the night, if anything to keep her mind off her problems.

When she unlocked and opened her door, her sadness grew. She looked in her dark and empty home. She never realized until after she started dating Fluttershy, how empty her house really was. She was so used to the tweeting of birds, the pitter patter of clawed paws, squeaks barks, meows, and the glow of tiny and big eyes. But what made her heart ache was the fact she may never wake up to the beautiful singing voice that always wished her good morning. She might never hear Fluttershy's soft coos and gasps, see her squishable cheeks blush. She won't hear and feel the slight breeze her tiny wings would cause as she fluttered about. She may not feel the warmth as they cuddled, or smell her wonderful scent whenever her muzzle was pressed anywhere on the yellow body.

She shut her eyes as she leaned in the doorway, feeling like she wanted to fall down to her knees. She finally opened her eyes and looked at her hooves, imagining putting them through her pink mane when she noticed there was a note on the ground right between them.

She sniffled once and dried her eyes, picking up the note and heading inside. She turned on the kitchen light, noticing a box of stuff on her table. She blinked a few times and read the note.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I just wanted to drop off your stuff, I figured you would be needing this. There is no easy way to write this letter. I just hope you are ok and taking care of yourself . The girls told me how you flew off, so I wasn't sure if you were still in town or not. I hope you are feeding yourself well, and staying safe. I put a few ready to make meals and fresh veggies and fruits in your fridge. I promise I didn't go snooping around anywhere in your home. Please don't do anything dangerous. Since I wasn't sure if and when you will be home, I kept Tank to make sure he is well taken care of. You can get him when we see each other in six days. He misses you very much. All the animals do. So do I. I hope you surround yourself with loved ones, all the girls are around should you need anything.

Wishing You the Best,

Fluttershy

P.S.

Please don't be drinking too much. And if you do, stay home where you are safe.

Rainbow Dash felt the tears going down her cheeks again after reading the letter. She noticed how the hoof writing was shaky, "Fluttershy must have been upset writing this. How could I forget all about Tank?"

She put the letter down and went through the box. There were her tooth brush, comb, blanket, and her books and magazines she had there. Along with her photograph of the two of them. One of them posing in front of a giant heart of flowers, from Hearts and Hooves day. She held the blanket to her face, letting it soak her tears as she smelled it, catching the briefest scent of her beloved.

She managed to go to her fridge, feeling the old urge to drown her woes return. She saw that her fridge was completely stocked, grateful Fluttershy was always so caring, even when she had no obligation to be, She noticed how there was a half empty bottle of vodka in the back from a long time ago.

"That stuff can last forever, can't it?" she asked herself as she pulled the bottle out and set it on the table. She took a seat, holding her aching head. She thought about how she hurt Fluttershy, she thought about the promise, she thought about the CMC, her friends, and how easy it would be to take a drink. She looked at the note one more time, focusing on how many times Shy worried for her being, and that one line about missing her as well.

"Is she hurting inside as bad as me?" she said to herself as she felt the smooth glass under her hoof. "Does she want to be together again as much as I do?" she asked aloud, as if a mysterious voice would answer. She rubbed her aching head, then picked up the bottle in her mouth, her jaw shaking. She dumped it down her drain. She tossed it in the trash, walking to her phone. She remembered how she had a buddy in her class for whenever she felt weak. "Well. Now is as good a time as any to talk, because damn, I am feeling pretty powerless!" she thought to herself as she dialed the number.

It was day six since the last time Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had talked. The rainbow pegasus was making her way slowly to the picnic area. She was nervous to say the least. She hadn't been sleeping well at all, her appetite had gone down to barely one meal a day, and she found herself depressed when she was alone.

Her only solace was when she exercised and trained, and surprisingly enough, therapy. She had gone twice after the initial one, and had been going to her AA classes every night. She was often too embarrassed or depressed to talk to her friends about Fluttershy, so her therapist was good to talk to. But today, Twilight said they all had to meet at the park, something about Princess Celestia paying them a visit with urgent news.

That's why she wasn't racing to the meeting site, she was shaking in her horse shoes to be near Fluttershy, especially since it was before the original time to meet and talk. She wondered if Fluttershy was as nervous as her, if she felt ok with being near her, or even wanted to see her at all. She gave a small sigh when she realized Applejack and Fluttershy were not there. It was a mixture of anxiety of fearing rejection form her lover and the need to see her and be close.

Her other three friends greeted her happily, although Dash could see the slight worry in their eyes since she wasn't good with Fluttershy just yet. Pinkie went on about her hooficure while she tried to stop an asthma attack from all of Rarity's perfume. She took a minute to admire the beautiful day, it was rather sunny for fall. She complained about their guest being late as she hovered in the air.

"Shy will look so pretty basking in the sun on the grass. I could just imagine the sun light reflected off her mane. I just want to tell her how much I long for her!" Rainbow day dreamed as Spike's voice barely registered in the background for her. "Maybe today will turn out ok for us?" she eagerly hoped. When she heard the word Discord mentioned, she faced the other way to see Princess Celestia arrive. And she felt her stomach do a 180 when she saw the statue of Discord arrive right after.

"So much for turning out ok for us. We are all boned!" she thought as she felt her jaw hit the floor.

Hello again everyone! I am so sorry for the long update. There have been quite a few things going on that have been distracting me, the nicest one being Game of Thrones, worst being finding my path for life. But I am back. This chapter is a little on the short side, I apologize. It was a bit hard for me to write as well, I just wasn't sure how to go about it, as I had trouble outlining the whole thing. I will finally introduce Discord's part in the story, he will be a mini villain, whom will turn good, just as in the show. We will also get more of Fluttershy's point of view next chapter. I decided to end this chapter here and have the next deal with Discord and Fluttershy's relationship, a little idea I had when I saw the episode way back when, and what it will do to Shy and Dash. I would love to know what you all thought about this chapter, and if it feels natural and believable for Dash to be acting this way. Also, for anyone who likes Banjo Kazooie, my boyfriend and I did a let's play for it on Youtube, and we have the first three parts uploaded. Would love for you guys to check it out and feel free to tell me what you think about how well I play the game and entertain. Beware, I can be irritating to listen to, and please excuse my language, I get kind of mean when I play games. O.O My channel is ThyIronFist, and if you feel like it, my bf's channel has a lot of let's plays, his specialty being fighting games. That one is MakaraSouVideos. Just in case anyone is interested in hearing my amazingly chipmunk sounding voice lol. I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has taken their time to look at my fanfic. Seriously, it means a whole bunch. Especially to those who pm me or leave a review, to know that I am entertaining and producing such feelings with my writing, helping moving along someone's day, is very special to me. And of course, thanks for reading, I hope to have the next one up soon!