Previously on 'Don't Run Away'

"Come along Darling, you must be famished from working on our pipes."

Before I could reply my hunger decides to make it's presence know.

"... maybe" I say and follow a giggling Rarity down the stairs.

"... and that's how I asked Ms. Cookie Crumble to marry me." Hondo Flanks reached for Mrs. Crumbles' hand and gave it a quick kiss on the palm.

"Oh, you old charmer." Mrs. Crumble says as she gently slapped his arm.

"Aw, now that is an engagement story." I say as I finish my chicken.

"I'm telling ya girls, ya only get one shot at a soul mate so make it count." He says and points to everyone at us.

"I hear ya. Granny tells us 'if ya can't survive a friendly banter or a downright battle of insults then why are ya wastin' yer time.' She told us that my Ma and Pa used to get in arguments over the littlest things, but never went ta bed angry. She said they would be yelling in the orchards one minute and the next saying sweet things to each other like their fight never happened." I explain and took a sip of my water.

"I remember your dad, head over heels in love with your mom and one heck of a football player. Best on the team before he decided to marry your mom and settle down on the farm." Hondo explains.

"Eeyep, taught us how to play all kinds of sports growing up. He said it was a great way to keep our apple picking muscles on their toes." I laugh as I remember the day I asked him that question.

"Say, would ya be able to come over during the weekend to throw the old pigskin around for an hour or so. I love my daughters, but they seem to be busy every time I ask them." He says and looks shyly down at his plate.

"Oh no you don't! Just last weekend I amused you and threw that ghastly thing for two hours!" Rarity defend herself and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Then a friendly game of just the 4 of us. Your mother could keep score you'll be on my team and Sweetie will be on Applejack's', if that's alright."

"I have no problem with that."

"We are gonna kick your butts!" Sweetie Bell raises her voice up to a tone only dogs can hear as she puts her dish away. Rarity and I cringe a little as she said it and I nod.

"Then it's settled! We'll see ya here around 10 on Saturday if that's alright with ya." Mrs. Crumble asks.

"Perfect time." I say and look toward Rarity. She has a gentle smile on and a small blush forming on her cheeks.

I excuse me and start to make my way over to wash my dish when I feel someone take it from my hands.

"And what might you be doing?" I ask and raise an eyebrow.

"You are a guest, and I will not have you wash dishes." Rarity says firmly and starts washing them.

"How bout I dry and put them away? It only seems fair." I say and pull the towel from it's place and start drying a plate.

"Fine, I'll allow it this time."

"You saying I'll be over for more dinners?"

"... We'll see Jacqueline"

"I suppose I have to allow that one as well."

From the corner of my eye I see Hondo Flanks and Mrs. Crumble standing in the dining room doorway looking at us with a knowing look before leaving us alone to continue cleaning up.

Enjoy this while ya can. Who knows what will happen three days from now.

I grab a plate from Rarity's hands and our fingers brush against each other. She looks at me and smiles before she removes her hand and starts on another.

I won't be able to make it. I need to tell her before things get out of control.

We finish in complete silence.

"I believe it's about time I take you home darling; It is a school day after all." She says and grabs her keys.

"You don't have ta do that Rare, I can alway call Big Mac."

"Nonsense, now hurry and say goodnight to everyone." She says as she exits the Boutique.

I say my goodbyes and jog all the way to her car. When I enter the car she turns to me with wide shocked eyes.

"Ar… are you alright Rarity? Did you see someone? Was it Trender?"

"A… no, I was, I just realized something and I uh I'm alright… um let's get you home."

"You sure? Cause it seemed like y…"

"I said I was fine!" She says hastily. I stare at her and try to see if she was really ok but she wouldn't look at me. I turn to look out the window the entire way home.

Author's Note: "and here we go" :)