Sleep.

For some the land of peaceful slumber is a rare and precious luxury. For others, a lifestyle choice.

The latter was the case with Spike. Escaping reality, and spending time within the land of dreams was one of his favourite pastimes.

* * * * * * * * *

"Spike! A..Are you sure we should be doing this? What if somepony finds out?" The sweat rolling down Rarity's forehead complimented the racing drum beat in her chest. "Our friends might not approve, or they might turn against us, or..."

"Relax. It will be okay, I promise." Hoof in claw, eye to eye, they moved closer to each other on Rarity's bed. "I love you, and I want to show just how much."

"Alright. You win, Spikey." Mane flipped back and eyes fixed in place, her demeanor transformed from nervous, to purely seductive. "Make me feel loved."

* * * * * * * * *

"Oh yea, babe. You got it, mmm..." *Snore*

Twilight sat beside Spikes basket, watching him enjoy what seemed to be a very pleasant

dream. Her original intention was to wake him so they could begin the days' chores and errands, but he was just so adorable, curled up and talking in his sleep. She didn't have the heart to disrupt this precious moment!

"Oh yea. Just come a bit closer..." Spike then grabbed Twilight's head with both claws and pulled her down to where their lips met.

Cute moment over.

*WHACK!*

"AAH! What happened?!" Spike tumbled out of his basket, sporting a very painful looking hoof mark on his cheek. "Ouch! What'd you have to wake me up like that for? I was having the best dream..." His face was the picture of contentment at the recollection of his 'exciting' night experience.

"I could tell. Blech!" Twilight's face contorted as she wiped her lips off. "Just keep your claws to yourself next time, alright Romeo?"

"Oh, he he. Sorry, Twi." Spike gave a sheepish grin at the realization of his subconscious actions.

"It's alright, Spike. It was just a little...awkward." She playfully nudged his arm, not wanting him to be too embarrassed. "Anyway, who were you dreaming about, if I may ask? Wait, don't tell me, I already know. Rarity, right?" She gave him a playfully suspicious smile, and his blush gave away the answer.

"Yea..." A dreamy sigh escaped his lips.

She had known about his crush on Rarity for awhile, and it was adorable, but she almost felt sorry for the young dragon. He's had this crush for so long, and Rarity has never even remotely reciprocated the feelings. At least not that she's ever noticed.

Spike suddenly snapped out of his love-introduced trance. "Speaking of Rarity, can I go to the Carousel Boutique today? Rarity said she could use some help with a few orders today."

"Well, I don't know... We've got a lot to do today." His pleading eyes went straight to her heart. "Oh, alright. But you have to finish your chores first. Deal?"

"Yes, ma'am!" He gave a quick salute, and he was off.

Twilight could only chuckle at her adoptive baby brother. "Oh, Spike. You never change."

* * * * * * * * *

Those chores were done in record time.

Spike dashed out of his library home, on his way to Rarity's. "Bye, Twilight! I'll be home later," he shouted at the unicorn behind him."

"Alrighty, have fun! But don't bother Rarity for too long!"

* * * * * * * * *

Spike stood outside the Carousel Boutique, getting mentally prepared to face his dream mare. 'Alright Spike, you can do this. Just be cool.' Heart rate quickening he pushed open the front door to the shop.

"Uhh, Rarity? It's Spike!" Scanning the room, he quickly spotted the white unicorn across the room, levitating and tossing various fabrics around.

"Too dark..." She threw one piece of cloth to the side and grabbed another. "No, no, no, too light. Let's see...., No! Too average! Oh, I'll simply NEVER find the right material for this project. Woe is me!" Rarity fell back on her conveniently located sofa, throwing her hoof to her forehead.

Spike couldn't help but laugh at Rarity's overboard dramatics. "It's alright, Rarity. I'm sure you'll figure it out. You are the best seamstress in all of Equestria after all."

Rarity's head cocked to attention upon hearing Spike's voice and immediately jumped of the couch with enthusiasm to greet the young dragon.

"Oh, Spike, darling! Terribly sorry I didn't notice you sooner, I was just so distressed about my latest project. It's for a very importatnt client, and the deadline is coming up, and I can't seem to get the look for it right. It's been so stressful!"

"Aww, Rarity. I'm sorry. Well, I'll help you with whatever you need. Just say the word!" Spike gave her the best, most confident smile he had.

Rarity pulled him into a suffocating, yet affectionate, embrace."Oh, Darling! Aren't you just the sweetest thing! You're wonderful!"

"D..Don't mention it," Spike mumbled out, a goofy smile plastered on his face.

Rarity levitated a mass of various fabrics and equipment over to where they were sitting. Spike suddenly felt his confidence turn miniscule at the sight of the seemingly impossible task he had just volunteered for.

"Alright, Spike! Let's get started, shall we?"

* * * * * * * * *

After hours of turmoil and anguish, the monumental job was complete. Spike had to question how Rarity was able to deal with stuff like that every day!

He and Rarity were now sitting in the dining room, enjoying a cup of tea. It was nice, just being with her. His heart was speeding up by just looking at her. That gorgeous purple mane, styled to perfection. Her beautiful blue eyes, her serene white coat. Everything about her was perfect.

Rarity gave him an awkward look, reminding him that he'd been staring at her for awhile now. It was time to break the awkward silence.

'Alright Spike, you can do this. Just be cool, and be yourself...'

"So, Rarity?"

"Yes Spike? What is it, dear?"

Spike searched his entire mental database for something reasonably intelligent to say. "Do you like... toast?"

*INSERT MENTAL FACEPALM HERE*

"He-he, Oh Spikey-Wikey, you're so cute sometimes with the things you say."

Spike's cheeks burned at his conversational fail.

"As a matter of fact, I do enjoy toast! It's a most enjoyable breakfast food." Rarity was trying her best to ease Spike's apparent embarrassment. "Anywho, on a different, non-food related topic, how have you been? I've had so much going on recently it seems I never get to see any of my friends anymore."

Albeit a tad disappointed at being friendzoned, the purple drake was just grateful the conversation had moved forward from its disastrous start. "I've been alright. Same old, same old. Helping Twilight with the chores and running errands and so forth. Nothing too exciting."

"Oh, well it's wonderful that your such a generous helper to Twilight. It's very sweet that you use your time for her."

Spike let out a sigh that dripped with disappointment. " Yea, it's alright... I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well, don't get me wrong, I love Twilight. Helping her with things around the house is actually really important to me. But..." A deep breath engulfed his lungs. " I wanna do something different! I want a little change in my life. I wanna get out more. Do you get what I'm saying?" Spike's eyes immediately traveled to the floor, a tad embarrassed by his sudden outburst. "Sorry, I didn't mean to unload all that on you."

"Oh Spikey, I understand exactly what you mean." Spike could hear sadness, and a hint of longing in her voice.

"You do?"

"Well, yes. I've been wanting to get out for awhile, also. To try something new, to get away from this town!" Her eyes started getting a distant look as her mind wandered.

"But I thought you liked it here with us." Spike's voice was quivering. He tried to mask the upset he felt at Rarity's sentiment, but failed even further as a few tear droplets formed in his eyes.

Rarity's heart dropped, and she reached over and wrapped Spike in a quick and tender hug. "Oh sweetie, don't get me wrong. I love all of the friends I've made, and the life I have here , and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But I just feel so.. trapped, sometimes." She used her spoon to stir her tea around, lost in thought once again.

Spike thought to himself,  before arriving at a wonderful idea. 'Here's your opportunity. It's now or never, Spike!'

"You know, Rarity. Maybe we should both get away from this place, at least for a little while." Spike gulped down his nervousness. "I think we should plan a trip together, just the two of us, to escape for a couple days."

Rarity dropped the spoon she was levitating, and looked up at him, a surprised look on her face. Spike was filled with anticipation, and a sense of dread.

"Oh, Spike. That sounds like a-"

*KNOCK! KNOCK!*

"Oh, will you excuse me for a moment while I get the door?" She walked out of the dining room, leaving a crestfallen dragon in her wake.

"Fail... And that was the perfect moment, too!" It was all Spike could do to sigh, and wait for Rarity to come back. If fate would turn in his favor, maybe he could get another chance to bring his trip idea back into the conversation.

No sooner was he practicing his conversation tactics, that the mare in question came running back into the room. But something was wrong. She had a rather worried look on her face, and it was making Spike concerned.

"Is something wrong? Who was at the door?"

"That was a messenger from town  hall. Everypony in Ponyville is being summoned to Town Square immediately. Apparently, the mayor has an announcement to make of extreme importance!"

"Do you know what it's about?" Spike asked, walking with Rarity towards the front door and opening it for her.

"No, they didn't say. But it must be urgent to call the entire town to a meeting on such short notice like this. I'm really worried, Spike. What if something terrible has happened?!"

Spike took one of Rarity's hoofs in his claws and gave it a comforting stroke. "Don't worry, it will be okay. I promise. But we better hurry before they start."

"Oh Spike, I do so hope that you're right."