She leaned back and opened her palms over the counter, the cool granite calming her. The orange hanging lights above seemed like swinging wind-chimes, though they made no noise but to ring the music around the glass shades. Whisking her multi-coloured hair behind her ear with a sharp turn of her head, she sighed aloud. The barmaid smirked a bit as she watched the girl finishing up another Rum and Coke, her fall-back drink of choice.

“I love Tuesdays,” Rainbow Dash mused pleasantly, tipping back and forth on her usual uneven chair.

“Y'only say that 'cause it's so slow y'get off early,” Applejack murmured, her eyes jumping up to the hostess across from her knowingly.

“Well yeah, then I get to spend the night up here in the bar with you.” Rainbow Dash smiled as she ran her thumb along the condensation of the glass, causing it to drip onto the counter.

“You do that anyway,” the barmaid reminded her with a huffed laugh, adjusting the stand-up drink menus along the bar.

“Yeah, but now I don't get in shit for it, and I can drink when I do it,” Rainbow Dash added, tipping the glass to Applejack.

“Ah reckon so,” Applejack couldn't help but agree, nodding slowly as she did.

“Hey, you want to make me one of those naughty drinks now?” Rainbow Dash asked excitedly, leaning forward on the chair and tipping the uneven leg forward.

“Ah knew it was only a matter o' time b'fore that came up again,” Applejack said in a chuckle.

“Okay, so what were they called again?” Rainbow Dash pursed her lips as she went through a couple in her head and tried to fit them in the right order. “How about we start with something simple. What was that... oh right, a Kiss on the Lips, maybe?”

“Y'already got one'a those.” Applejack smirked teasingly, and Rainbow's expression fell into an irritable frown.

“You're a funny girl, Dolly,” Rainbow Dash said in a sarcastically high voice as she shook her finger in an amused manner. “So how's about that drink?”

“What're we, on a cruise 'r somethin'?” Applejack made a face, but began to make the drink anyway. Noticing Rainbow's uncertain expression, the barmaid went on, “Kiss on th' Lips is a drink often served on cruise lines, it's served with crushed ice, so it ain't much of a winter drink.”

“Well, considering I have no where else to be tonight, I'm sure you can warm me back up before I have to walk home.” Rainbow Dash just shrugged nonchalantly.

“You're walkin' again?” the barmaid asked gently, peering back at the girl while her hands grabbed some peach schnapps and mango mix.

“Yeah, what's wrong with walking?” Rainbow frowned stubbornly, crossing her arms over the counter.

“It's negative-who-knows-what out there, an' still snowin',” Applejack reminded her, gesturing to the window with a nod.

She was right to be concerned, the snow had begun to fall more heavy and was sticking to the ground by now. It hit the window silently, but the wind howled about out there without reservation. There appeared to be an inch or so on the ground already, though the wind kicked it up in waves and lines and scattered it. Applejack frowned at the frost on the window, imagining that cold bite along Rainbow's cheeks.

“I like the snow,” Rainbow Dash told the barmaid simply, her eyes settling on the glass with a softer gaze.

“Yea', but,” Applejack grumbled then sighed, stopping herself before arguing with the girl. She had a much better and safer idea. “Al'right, listen here. We close in less than an hour, an' since it's s' darn slow, Ah shouldn't take too long closin' up. What say y'hang 'round a bit longer, an' Ah give you a ride home after work, that sound good?”

Rainbow Dash blinked with surprise, her shining eyes set on the barmaid as she replied, “You'd do that?”

“O'course Ah would,” Applejack grinned and pointed a thumb to herself before she began blending some crushed ice with the schnapps and mango mix.

“Far be it from me to turn that offer down.” Rainbow Dash bowed her head gratefully in a nod.

Applejack smiled in relief as she continued to blend the drink, checking the consistency. It was a rich, golden orange colour, and the sweet fruity smell was toxic in the stale air of an old-style bar. Nabbing a hurricane glass, the kind she rarely had to use, Applejack flipped it around in her fingers and placed it on the counter. Rainbow smirked as the barmaid turned around and hesitated in grabbing the Grenadine, probably remembering what happened last time it was left near Rainbow Dash. Regardless, she brought it over to the drink and swirled it into the glass before and alongside the bright orange slush.

The liquid poured in perfectly, an accurate amount for the glass down to the last speck of crushed ice. Applejack topped it off with an orange slice on the side and pulled a little cocktail umbrella out of seemingly nowhere. She pierced the umbrella through a maraschino cherry and stuck that into the glass, making it drinkable by adding a translucent straw to it.

The drink was placed in front of Rainbow Dash, who turned it around and around to get a look at the swirling of colours before giving it a taste. She was pleasantly surprised by how tropical it tasted, though she was partial to some of the harder drinks. Still, the sweet, sweet taste was somewhat reminiscent of a pleasant kiss, though she preferred the real thing.

As Rainbow Dash was silenced by the straw in her mouth and the taste that reminded her of smoothies or slushies in the summer, she noticed a cocktail waitress come around the bar. Her grey dress was longer than some of the other servers, and still Rainbow subtly watched her like she was a threat. Usually the cocktail waitress was there until closing, on busy nights anyway, and was responsible for serving the lounge area while Applejack made the drinks for the whole pub. But this evening, she did not need to stay so late.

The cocktail waitress was just about finished her own shift, and she had just sorted through her receipts and money and balanced it all out. Her straight black hair seemed something like a curtain, and between the runs of drapes fell her somewhat expressionless face. Her bangs traced her brow perfectly, and she was dressed right up with a bow tie and white collar buttoned to her neck. Rainbow drank more and more as she suspiciously watched the girl approach the barmaid, though she winced when she got a brain-freeze.

“Applejack,” the cocktail waitress addressed the barmaid, who glanced over at her from her closing duties. “Do you need me to watch the bar before I go, perhaps so you can take a break?”

“Naw, y'know Ah ain't much for breaks, Octavia. B'sides, we're almost closed up any who.” Applejack pleasantly responded, though Rainbow Dash watched through only one eye, as she closed the other from the pain of her brain-freeze.

“I just thought I'd offer.” Octavia shrugged somehow delicately.

“Mighty kind o' you,” Applejack thanked and tipped her Stetson appreciatively. “But go on ahead, Ah can take it from here.”

“Well, I hope you can take a break long enough to stop by on Saturday,” Octavia added as she began to put on her coat, which she had brought up by the bar a few moments before.

“What's on Saturday?” Applejack asked curiously, pausing in her duties.

“Didn't Pinkie tell you? My, I told her to text invitations instead of writing those silly songs she does.” Octavia sighed irritably but went on, “She's holding a staff Hearth's Warming party at her house, I'll pin the details up on the bulletin board.”

“Ah'm sure Ah could make th' time t' stop by,” the barmaid replied simply.

“Oh, and she said you could bring your girlfriend, if you wanted,” Octavia added as she wrapped her scarf around her neck, and both Applejack and Rainbow Dash went rigid and tense.

Applejack gulped nervously, remembering that she had told some of her co-workers about a certain night a few months prior, though she had never said anything about dating at all, especially dating women. And even if she hadn't told them all, it did spread around and break into something of a rumour. Rainbow forced the stinging in her head away and carefully watched Applejack's reaction, hoping it wasn't true.

“Wha—Ah ain't got no girlfriend!” Applejack loudly denied, her face flushing at the accusation.

“What about that mysterious Blue Bla—?” Octavia pondered as she pressed her finger to her chin, but Applejack frantically stopped her before the words came out of her mouth. After all, that mysterious Blue Blazer Girl of which she spoke was right in front of them, though the server had no idea.

“This is why Ah don't tell y'all nothin',” Applejack growled, her face reddening further.

“You have a gi~irlfriend, Dolly?” Rainbow Dash purred, dragging out the word playfully and teasingly. Hearing Rainbow Dash say that made Applejack feel weak, though she fought it off.

“Shuddup Rainbow, Ah do not,” Applejack snapped at her, a deep frown contrasting her embarrassed and shy eyes.

“Is she pre~etty?” Rainbow went on, leaning closer over the counter and grinning.

“She ain't, 'cause Ah don't have one.” Applejack crossed her arms stubbornly. However, the host at her bar kept prying with her great, big puppy-dog eyes and pouting lips. “Rainbow Dash, if y'don't cut that out, I'munna—”

“Wait, you're Rainbow Dash?” Octavia cut back in, glancing at the bright-headed girl.

“In the flesh and garb.” Rainbow popped her collar and smirked.

“Well I hope you can make it on Saturday too, then,” the cocktail waitress invited her in a polite voice, pulling her gloves on by the wrists and tugging them tightly.

“If Dolly's making the drinks,” Rainbow Dash responding, winking over at her barmaid and causing her to flinch and blush again.

“Dolly, as in Applejack?” Octavia smiled amusedly at the cute nickname, meeting Applejack's serious gaze. “My my, that is adorable, isn't it?”

“Zip it, Octavia.” Applejack pointed at her and frowned again, though the cocktail waitress was not intimidated by this at all.

“Have a good night, you two,” Octavia mused as she waved at them before starting down the stairs for the front door, taking her leave.

Rainbow Dash went back to leisurely sipping at her drink, and though Applejack's expression was still nervous, she let the subject slide. Getting back to her cleaning, the barmaid finished wiping down some bottles and placing them into the correct spots. She bent down a bit to tuck something under the sink, and Rainbow tilted her head to get a better look. With the Kiss on the Lips on her lips, Rainbow Dash went to keep up conversation.

“So, Pinkie Pie invited me, too?” Rainbow Dash asked carefully, treading unknown waters.

“Yea', Ah reckon so.” Applejack chuckled a bit and nodded.

“Hard as it may be to believe, I don't get asked to parties all that often.” Rainbow Dash pushed her straw around in the glass, mixing the crushed ice and liquids about so it would be easier to take up the straw.

“Even if she didn't, Ah would'a snuck you in any who,” the barmaid told her with a sly look.

“Oh, I bet you would,” Rainbow replied eagerly in a suggestive voice. “Well, my father, the perverted womaniser he was, always did prove that you can't have a Hearth's Warming Eve without a quickie behind the tree.”

“That ain't what Ah meant!” Applejack denied firmly, though such a story of the girl's family made her sad to hear. “Jus'.... jus' drink up already.”

“You don't have to tell me,” Rainbow tipped the glass to her barmaid before looping her tongue around the straw and sucking it into her mouth.

Applejack just huffed a small laugh, letting the girl drink enough to give herself another brain-freeze. Since the pub was mostly empty by then, the amount of drinks she made for the rest of the Joint was about equivalent to how many she made for Rainbow Dash alone. But sure enough, last call was issued and the pub closed up for the evening, leaving the two alone up at the bar. Granted, there were still a few workers cleaning and closing up the kitchen.

Finishing cleaning down all the instruments and putting the rest of the glasses away, Applejack went over the check-list in her head. It was something that Twilight had gotten her into the habit of doing, even though she rarely forgot a thing anyway. However, it was rather difficult to concentrate while Rainbow Dash rambled on about whatever was on her mind. The more she drank, it seemed, the less she filtered the words from her mouth. And Applejack came to find, the more she drank, the more flirtatious she became; something the girl had possibly warned her about on their first encounter.

“You think that counter is high enough for me to crouch under and give you a good time without anyone seeing?” Rainbow Dash asked simply, leaning over the counter and sipping at the usual Rum and Coke she had fallen back on.

“Ah dunno, maybe.” Applejack shrugged passively as she tucked away the float for tomorrow's shift. “Ah ain't about t' let you try.”

“Well not right now, anyway, I mean there's no one around to see,” Rainbow's words came out aggressive and over-pronounced.

“Yea', tha's th' only problem with that scenario.” Applejack chuckled sarcastically, hiding her pleasant smile with her back turned. “Al'right, Ah'm jus' 'bout done back here.”

“Fi~inally,” Rainbow groaned the word loudly, though she hardly noticed the time pass. “Wait, does this mean that this is my last drink?”

“If y'wanna get home conscious, prob'ly.” The barmaid tidied up the rest of the area behind the bar before turning off the computer screen used for ordering.

“Baby, you, you don't have to get me drunk to get in my conscious pants,” the drunken hostess stuttered a bit while tipping her glass around, barely catching it from spilling.

“Ah'll keep that in mind.” Applejack undid the apron she had tied around her waist, while Rainbow Dash watched curiously, hoping more clothing would fall off. “Finish that up 'r pass it over so I can toss it, an' let's get outta here.”

“Awesome,” Rainbow Dash responded over the liquid slurping into her mouth as she finished up the drink.

Sliding the empty glass over the counter at the barmaid, who caught it easily and chucked the ice into the nearby sink before tipping it upside down and leaving it there, Rainbow hopped off the barstool. As Applejack went around and made sure the other doors were locked up tight and the lights were off, the hostess shrugged her coat over her shoulders. The scarf was next, though she squeezed it around her neck a little too tight at first. She looked around nervously, wondering if the barmaid had abandoned her, considering she had been gone so long, but it became quite clear what had stalled her.

When Applejack returned, she had a jacket of her own hugging her body. As Rainbow's eyes trailed down her form, she noticed that she had slipped a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt on instead of her usual get-up, which she had folded up over her arm. Of course, she opted to keep her Stetson over her blonde hair, which had been done up in a new ponytail. With a cute, crooked smile, Applejack gestured for Rainbow to follow her, and started for the door.

“You couldn't wait to get out of that outfit, could you?” Rainbow smirked and hurried after the girl, nudging her playfully.

“It's winter, Ah ain't wearing that impractical, frilly napkin anywhere Ah don't have to,” the barmaid iterated her dislike for the uniform with a frown, glaring at the thing in her arms as she went through her jacket pocket for the keys.

Glancing over at the host while fingering the key-chain for the correct jagged piece of metal, Applejack noticed her friend's lack of appropriate attire. She didn't seem concerned with the weather at all, leaving her jacket undone and her scarf loose. And again, there were those scraggly half-gloves being pulled on over her fingers. Applejack opened the door and held it that way, letting Rainbow Dash exit before she followed.

“Holy balls, it's cold as tits out here!” Rainbow called loudly, the steamy breath rolling out of her mouth in thick white puffs.

“Really? Ah dunno about your tits, but mine ain't often that cold,” Applejack responded bluntly, shoving the door shut behind her before locking it up tight, pressing her hand against the rigid old wood to keep it in place while she did.

“It's an expression, Dolly,” Rainbow murmured into her scarf, which she was nestling her chin behind to keep warm.

“C'mere, truck's just over yonder.” The barmaid chuckled and wrapped her arm around the shivering girl, guiding her out from under the overhang of the roof.

The snow crunched beneath their feet, though it was only a few inches deep at most and the wind carried it around lightly. It still fell from the sky in gentle flakes, but with the truck in sight, that hardly bothered them. The parking lot had been covered in ice earlier that day, but the fresh snowfall provided better grip to prevent slipping, which Rainbow Dash might have done due to her slightly intoxicated state.

As the two arrived at the truck, Applejack clasped the cold handle of the passenger's side and tried it once, noticing the freezing in the door. Placing her foot against the truck this time, she heaved and managed to crack it open. Snow fell around her feet from the force of the door opening, as it had gathered on the ledges and roof. After tossing her uniform into the back seat, the barmaid reached into the truck and revealed a wind-shield scraper for just such instances of winter weather. Rainbow Dash stood by patiently, shaking and shivering as Applejack cleared the snow from the wind shield and hood, knocking it off the headlights and windows to boot.

“Al'right, let's get y'all warmed up,” Applejack gestured for Rainbow to hop in, and she did as she was commanded.

Applejack climbed into the driver's side and kicked the snow off her boots against the lip under her door. Even after the truck had been resealed, their breaths were translucent and pale in the cold air. Rubbing her hands together to return the feeling, Applejack drew her keys back out and looked over them, finding the correct one.

“So how far aways d'ya live, any who?” the barmaid asked casually, adjusting in her seat.

“Like ten blocks, tops,” Rainbow Dash replied with a shrug, and Applejack tried to gauge the distance in her head. “City blocks, not your half-kilometer country blocks.”

“Yea', Ah thought so,” Applejack agreed as she pressed the key into the hole behind the steering wheel, turning it forward.

The truck huffed and heaved, groaning at the effort, but did not start. Applejack frowned knowingly, as the vehicle had given her trouble before. Trying it once more, the barmaid listened to the whines and whimpers of the vehicle before letting it rest cold once more. With a long and disappointed breath, Applejack yanked the keys from the ignition and sat back in her seat.

“That can't be good,” Rainbow Dash muttered, peering over at her chauffeur.

“Nnope,” Applejack held the word for a few seconds, her breath rolling out visibly, contrasting her otherwise lack of action. “Al'right, Ah'munna hafta take a peek.”

Applejack reached down and plucked at the little lever beneath the dashboard by her foot, and the pair heard some release noise. Knocking her door open once again, Applejack jumped back out of the truck, the wind whistling gently against the metal and humming around them. At first, Rainbow Dash just watched the barmaid go around the truck and pop open the hood, but after a few seconds, she felt left out and kicked her own door open. Besides, it wasn't any warmer inside the truck.

Rainbow Dash pressed her feet into the snow once again, swinging around the door before closing it after her. She went around in front of the vehicle, curiously peering at what she could see of the barmaid as she did. There she was, Applejack, leaning under the hood and squinting to see any possibility. Her hands squeezed at the lip of the truck as she kicked one foot off to get deeper into the darkness, and Rainbow debated disturbing her at all. From where she was standing, even with the cold nipping of winter at her ears and nose, Applejack sure looked hot.

“Ah can't see much,” Applejack murmured with a grunt, reaching out to brush some fallen snow off the engine. “Ah dunno how long it'll take for me t' repair, if Ah even can.”

“Great,” Rainbow muttered with a pouted lip, looking under the hood herself as if she knew a thing at all about it. The wind and snow blew into her face, causing her to cringe and look away.

“Ah'm sure Ah could fix it up no hitch, in a better light with a little time t' spare,” Applejack told the girl confidently, but looking over at her, she didn't seem so certain she wanted to have her wait around. “But it's mighty late an' cold out, you're prob'ly freezin' out here.”

“Yeah, a bit.” Rainbow shrugged her hands deeper into her pockets, sighing a white breath that carried with the wind a foot or so from her mouth. “So much for a ride home.”

“Well.” The hood slammed shut, causing some loose snow to fall and break off to the ground. Applejack tightened up her jacket and went over to Rainbow Dash. “Ah ain't the kinda girl who goes about takin' back her word.”

“What do you mean by that?” Rainbow Dash asked, tilting her head questioningly.

Gesturing with her hands twice by curling her fingers then turning around and leaning over, Applejack replied, “Hop on, honey.”

“Wait-wait-wait, you are not serious. You can't be serious.” Rainbow Dash blinked with shock, noticing what the girl wanted her to do. Bending over that way, it was obvious that the barmaid was actually offering her a piggy-back ride. “You're serious.” Gawking at the ridiculous idea, Rainbow found herself compelled to comply. “No fucking way I'm turning down the chance to ride you, baby.”

Applejack grunted as Rainbow jumped on top of her, swinging her legs around her hips. Easily wrapping her arms under the appendages, Applejack shuffled the girl's weight until she was comfortable. This was not the first time Applejack had carried someone around, she used to do it all the time with her little sister, no matter how big she got. The barmaid stood up straight and tested her step, finding it rather easy due to the girl's slim size.

“Y'ready?” Applejack shrugged and let Rainbow Dash lock her arms around her neck and rest her chin on her shoulder.

“Mmm, your hair smells good,” Rainbow mused an irrelevant response into the girl's ear, sighing pleasantly in the odd embrace.

“Your breath smells like Rum,” Applejack retorted with a frown, heading down the parking lot step by step.

“Would you prefer a taste?” The girl on her back grinned against her ear slyly, causing Applejack to blush even in the crisp cold. Neither would admit it aloud, but the heat between their bodies was tantalizing.

“Just hold on,” the barmaid grumbled passively, trying to avoid remembering she had Rainbow Dash's thighs in her hands.

“Oh, I'm never letting you go, Dolly.” Rainbow Dash squeezed tighter, letting her hot breath sneak into Applejack's jacket.

Once she was certain she was going the right way, as Rainbow Dash had been less than directly responsive due to her tipsy state and attention on their position, Applejack found the walk somewhat short. City blocks sure weren't much to talk about, and she was certain by then she had made it half the way. Her back was aching a bit though, but she was accustomed to carrying much heavier loads around the farm, and the warmth from Rainbow's body provided a nice soothing sensation.

The snowfall was gentle and quiet now, though there was a good amount of it. Applejack could see the white specks clinging and gathering across the folds of her jacket, but didn't mind it all that much. What she did mind was the constant teasing and taunting of the girl she carried, who didn't seem to consider leaving her alone. It was true, she did get more talkative and flirtatious after a few drinks. And besides that, she finally began to notice how poorly she had dressed for the weather.

“Man! My hands are going numb!” Rainbow Dash groaned loudly, trying to curl her cold fingers against her gloves, which were wrapped around Applejack's neck and crossed over her chest.

“Ah ain't tellin' you again t' get new gloves,” Applejack reminded the girl with a nudge, looking down at her pinkish fingers.

“I have a better idea,” Rainbow Dash's voice fell into a hush as her hands moved.

Squeezing Applejack tighter with her legs to keep balance, which in itself made the barmaid uncomfortable and apprehensive, Rainbow broke her hands apart. Applejack grunted in nervous question, but said nothing as the girl shook some gathered snow off the gloves and her hands. Rainbow fed them clumsily and playfully into Applejack's collar, despite the barmaid trying to shake her off.

“What—?!” Applejack yelped and tensed up as cold hands went into her jacket and right down her shirt without reservation. She moaned in either distress or excitement, neither of them could be sure, as Rainbow Dash dropped them much deeper and fingered under all the fabric she could find. “Heavens t' Betsy, 're those icicles in my bra?!”

“Kinky, huh? ” Rainbow Dash snickered deviously, rubbing her chest over and over until some sensations returned. “Your skin is really smooth, you know.”

“Ah thought your fingers were numb?” Applejack huffed with a glare tossed over her shoulder.

“You're so hot they thawed back out.” Rainbow winked at the girl, who rolled her eyes in response. That wasn't the best course of action though, as Rainbow Dash did not like to be brushed off or ignored.

“Right,” the barmaid grumbled evenly, though she twitched and flinched as Rainbow's fingers felt around for their next target. Due to the chill in her shirt, it was easy to tell where the girl was touching, and became more inappropriate the further she wrestled under her bra. “Hey! Th-those're my—!”

“I know what they are; they perk up when you get cold so they're easy to find.” Rainbow Dash continued with her fondling, hearing the barmaids stifled groans.

“For Pete's sake, do y'want me t' drop you on th' ground right here?” Applejack asked in a pleading tone, leaning her head back against Rainbow Dash exhaustedly.

“If you're going to find a better way to keep me warm,” Rainbow coyly responded, murmuring into Applejack's cold ear with a pleasing breath.

“You're killin' me,” Applejack breathlessly stated, finding no better words than those to express how utterly at a loss she was.

“Hey, wait,” Rainbow Dash told her ride as she sat up strighter on her back, her hands retreating from Applejack's bra. Applejack paused in her step and followed the girl's attention to a tall apartment building just beside them. “I live there, don't I?”

“Don't ask me!” Applejack snapped back, breathing a sigh of relief as Rainbow entirely pulled her hands back out of her shirt.

“Sorry, yeah, that's my place,” Rainbow giggled nervously, rubbing the back of her head until Applejack began walking again, causing her to hurriedly get her hold back.

Applejack carried Rainbow over to the building, taking her up the stairs and right to the front door. Through the glass, she could see the well-maintained lobby, and signs that said something about condominiums for sale in the building. The barmaid was glad the lobby area was unattended, or it might have seemed somewhat odd to have been piggy-backing one of their residents. Applejack crouched down a bit to let Rainbow climb down off her back, and exhaled comfortably as the weight on her feet was relieved. The rainbow-haired girl plugged in some combination of numbers and swiped a smartcard, something the simple farm girl was not accustomed to. Finally, she took hold of the handle and pulled it open, pausing to look back at the barmaid.

“You want to come in and warm up?” Rainbow Dash asked politely, gesturing with a nod into the building.

“Naw, that's fine, Ah don't wanna inconvenience y'all 'r nothin'.” Applejack shrugged her sore shoulder and looked away, excusing herself.

“Oh shut up.” Rainbow reached out and snatched up Applejack's arm before yanking her into the building despite her protests.

Rainbow dragged her through the lobby in a near sprint, taking her right over to the elevator and holding her in place by the hand. Glancing down curiously at their hands, Applejack watched her friend fondle her palm and fingers with both of her still chilly hands. She gulped nervously, noticing the stirring in her chest that was pulling and entrancing and the tensing in her stomach that was guilty and uneasy. They got into the elevator without waiting long at all, since it often rested on the main floor and was rarely used at that time of night.

The ride, however, was somewhat longer than Applejack expected, as Rainbow Dash must have lived on the top floor. Even the elevator was perfectly shined and brand new, and it make Applejack feel like a bumpkin standing in it all stiff. As the destination dinged and the elevator opened, Rainbow Dash pulled her out and led her down the hall to the door at the very end.

Applejack knew that she should not have been there, her whole body cried out with anxiety. It was not that she didn't want to be, but rather that she couldn't. She knew her place, she knew her responsibilities, and this had the potential to screw all of that up. If Miss Jubilee had found out she had gone home with a co-worker like this, she would surely be punished, or possibly even fired. And if her family knew any of it at all, she sure would have some explaining to do. Still, the only direction in which her boots moved was towards Rainbow's door.

“Home sweet home,” Rainbow Dash hummed as she unlocked the door and nearly kicked it right open, swinging and stumbling in while hanging onto the doorknob.

Applejack hurriedly reached out and helped catch the girl, who giggled profusely at her own clumsiness. Noticing the darkness of the room, Applejack blinked a few times to try and get her eyes adjusted. Rainbow Dash pried herself off the door and shoved it shut behind her, dousing the pair in mostly darkness, besides the slivers of light coming in from the draped windows. Fumbling around the wall, Rainbow Dash found the light switch, but chose to leave it untouched while she fingered for another button.

With a surprised flinch, Applejack glanced over to the source of the odd electronic noise. It became very clear that this condominium was brand new and state-of-the-art, as the drapes across the windows moved of their own accord and presented enormous, nearly floor-to-roof windows. Applejack's eyes widened more and more as the drapes pulled apart and the entire cityscape of Ponyville came into view. Mouthing a “wow” and dazedly stepping forward, Applejack was drawn across the room in awe.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Rainbow beamed, following her in lazy strides.

“Y-Yea',” Applejack muttered, her eyes sparkling and reflecting the city lights in her lively green orbs.

“My dad bought this place for me right when it went on the market, it's a little more his style than mine, but the view can't be beat.” Rainbow stood beside Applejack as they reached the window, and the farmer pressed her hand against it enviously. “Then again, I guess I am a bit like my father, bringing a woman home at all hours of the night like this.”

“Uh-huh,” Applejack absently responded, still staring at the city.

It sure was beautiful, what with the snow falling and obscuring distance, coating the buildings and twinkling the lights with the purest of shades. Of course, Applejack was always partial to the countryside, but this wasn't half bad either. She was so intent on gawking, in fact, she had almost forgotten her manners to take off her hat when entering the house. Her inattentive hand reached up and took it from her head, holding it instead over her heart as if her breath was caught in it. Rainbow Dash laughed a bit at the girl's lack of focus, before reaching out and taking her by the arm again.

“Come on, I think we've seen enough snow for one night,” Rainbow pulled the girl away from the window and over to the couch.

Sitting the barmaid down on her couch, which was dirtied with a blanket and throw cushions, Rainbow went over to the far wall made of slabs of stone and a pane of dark glass. Placing her hat on the far armrest, Applejack squeezed at the fabric fondly, feeling both support and softness in it. Suddenly, her face was illuminated in a great orange glow, and she noticed the black square of glass had turned into a roaring fireplace. The false fire may not have been as warming or comforting as those Applejack knew from home, but she could already feel the heat of it spreading through the room.

“Wow,” Applejack repeated, watching her friend as she came around the cluttered coffee table and plopped down beside her. Noticing the nearness of their positions, something occurred to Applejack, “Wait, 're you tryn'a seduce me?”

Rainbow Dash snickered and moved closer, raising one eyebrow and tracing the girl's body with her gaze. “Is it working?”

“You wish.” Applejack nudged her and echoed the laughter.

“You know, usually the first thing I do when I get home is just take off all my clothes.” Rainbow leaned back into the couch, and Applejack waited for more to that story. “And maybe put on my pyjamas.”

“Well, Ah mean,” she paused to clear her throat and hide her intrigue from the light of the fire. “Don't stop on account'a my behalf,” Applejack murmured and looked away coquettishly, leaning against the couch.

“If you insist.” Rainbow Dash stood up, removing her scarf and tossing it onto the coffee table haphazardly.

Applejack gulped apprehensively as she returned to watching the girl; she couldn't hope to keep her gaze away. As Rainbow pulled the jacket off her arms, Applejack shifted in her seat, her leisurely position juxtaposed by the focused expression adorning her face. Undoing her belt and a few buttons of her shirt, Rainbow glanced back at the barmaid on her couch, whose eyes were glued to her with restrained desire. She couldn't hold back the pleased smirk, and continued to remove her outer layer of clothing. Though the beginnings of some strip tease were tempting, Applejack found her good sense.

“It's,” Applejack started, sighing in a bothered way and turning to look at the windows again. “It's gettin' late.”

“I know,” Rainbow shrugged her shirt off, leaving just her under-shirt and bra to cover her top half. Her pants still hung open temptingly, and Applejack could have made out a style or colour of underwear if she had been looking. “Take off your jacket already.”

Applejack's eyes met Rainbow's once again, the only light to provide vision being the distant lights of the city and the flickering of the fire. “Ah should get goin'.”

“You said you'll need more light and time to fix up your truck, right?” Rainbow tilted her head curiously, and Applejack couldn't deny it. “It's pretty dark, and like you said, getting late. Just... stay over, at my place.”

“Ah shouldn't,” the barmaid denied, her face flushing to imagine what could happen if she let herself hang around too long with the drunken girl.

“Come on, I have more than enough room,” Rainbow went on convincing her. “It'll be for just one night. And you should probably make sure I get to bed safe, I'm feeling pretty light-headed and dizzy after all those drinks.”

Noticing the way Rainbow kept her distance and made no further move to take off clothing, Applejack agreed, “Al'right.”

Applejack did as she was told and removed her jacket, handing it to Rainbow to hang on the coat rack by the door, which was otherwise rather empty. Her boots were also discarded and placed past the far side of the couch. By then, Rainbow Dash was sitting on the arm rest of the couch, yawning and rubbing her eyes. It was pretty clear that the haze of alcohol was beginning to have a soporific effect on the girl.

“It's okay if Ah take th' couch for the night?” Applejack asked as she looked over the thing, which was already equipped with that blanket and a few pillows.

“Yeh,” Rainbow replied mid-yawn, stretching her arms out all the while. “Whatever you want, babe.”

“C'mon, you,” Applejack chuckled lightly and went over to Rainbow, putting her arm around the girl and guiding her down the hallway where she assumed her bedroom was. “Let's get you t' bed.”

“I like where this is going,” Rainbow purred as she tip-toed alongside her friend, hurrying her along.

Applejack shook her head with a smile as Rainbow leaned further against her, nuzzling into her shoulder. Rainbow's bedroom was just down the hall, easily spotted since the door was left open. Upon entering the room, Applejack was once again astounded by the size. She had drapes covering her windows again, but more than enough room to walk around comfortably, and what looked like two closets and an en suite bathroom. She whistled out loud as she looked around, noticing a dull blue glow from a terrarium in the corner with what looked like a tortoise inside.

Applejack released the girl as she bent down and began removing her pants, and looked away with flushed cheeks, “Um, Rainbow.”

“I can't sleep in pants,” Rainbow whined as she kicked them off her heels, leaving her under-shirt barely long enough to cover her underwear. “Unless I'm in yours, maybe.”

Saying nothing but chewing on her lip, Applejack rolled her neck and kept her eyes averted. That is, until she felt herself get led over towards the bed. Rainbow Dash clumsily fondled around for the hem of her covers, as they were wrinkled and tossed about randomly. Applejack easily helped her and began tucking her under the covers and adjusting her pillow. It reminded her of how she often took care of her younger sister, or her grandmother when she was sick. Except she wanted to climb into the bed with this woman, not just wish her well and leave.

“Thanks again, Dolly.” Rainbow sat up on her elbow and leaned closer to the barmaid, a smile slowly crawling across her face the longer the two remained silent. “You know, my bed is probably a lot more comfortable than that couch, you're more than welcome to share.”

“That's mighty kind'a you, but thanks anyway, Ah'll be just fine,” Applejack brushed the suggestion off and sat down on the corner of the bed herself, making sure Rainbow was all covered up and comfortable.

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything right away, she just propped her head up on her palm, digging her elbow into her pillow and staring at the girl on her bedside. Her eyes softened and her smile became warm and fond, her body relaxing into the mattress and enjoying the likely high thread-count of her wrinkled sheets. Not that Applejack could see any of it too well, due to the darkness. She cleared her throat to break the silence, and shifted in her seat nervously.

“Well, uh, g'night, Rainbow,” Applejack almost whispered, her finger drawing circles in the sheets.

“Mhmm,” Rainbow Dash hummed affectionately, shifting just an inch or two closer.

“Yea', Ah should—” Applejack started to speak and get up, but Rainbow's free hand landed on her own and stalled her.

As she turned to curiously inspect what expression the drunken girl might present her with, she felt Rainbow Dash shift again on the bed. Stopping in her pivot suddenly, Applejack could feel the heat from Rainbow's breath better than she could see the girl. She could feel just how near their faces were, but for the life of her, she could not pull away.

Applejack allowed her eyelids to fall gently, and adored the way Rainbow's hand found its way to her neck, her fingers just barely touching her hair. They connected at last, a union of body and soul in the darkness and crisp winter air. It was sweet and passionate, this particular kiss on the lips. Pressing back into the act, Applejack gingerly slipped her hand under Rainbow's waist and lowered her onto the bed. Rainbow's hair fell gracefully around her as Applejack leaned over her, kissing her into the comfort of the pillow.

It did not last, though, and shortly after Rainbow had begun to relax, Applejack pulled away. She still hesitated moving fully away, supporting herself barely above the other girl with a firm hand on the bed while she reached up and tucked her fallen hair behind her ear. Without another move, the two huffed light, monosyllabic laughs and left it unaddressed. Applejack shoved off the bed and sat upright, awkwardly smiling and playing with her hair.

She should have felt guilty, she should have felt afraid or regretful, but she did not. She should have been uneasy thinking what could come of this, especially if Rainbow Dash would tell anyone, but again, she wasn't. Instead, she was quite giddy and content, wishing it could have gone farther. But what she lacked in correct emotional response, she made up for in reasonable will. Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, was entirely captivated and pleased, though she casually went about snuggling in deeper beneath the covers.

Her eyes softly closed up again, and through the amorous and confident smirk playing on her face, Rainbow Dash spoke, “Night, Dolly.”

“Yea', see ya t'morrow,” Applejack replied, trying to keep her smile from altering the sound of her voice.

She got up off the bed and left at once, only pausing in the doorway to cast a glance back over her shoulder into the darkness. Not that Rainbow Dash was looking back, she was too busy revelling in the moment and sighing contently to notice. Applejack returned to the couch and walked around it, at first sitting directly in the middle and clasping her hands in her lap. Her heart was racing, and she found that she still could not stop that smile from cracking her lips.

Relaxing with a slow exhale of her own, she kicked her feet up to one end of the couch and sprawled out on the rest. Crossing her arms behind her head and staring up at the ceiling, Applejack could feel her cheeks cramping up from the constant grin. She hadn't felt so fantastic in a long time, especially not since she had moved to Ponyville and begun working at Jubilee's Joint.

But there was still something plaguing her mind. She wondered if normal friends just went around kissing each other on the lips like that and not discussing it. But more, she wondered how long she could keep it at simple occasional kissing, or what Rainbow Dash might have thought about it all. Surely there was a huge part of her that wanted to march back into that room and entwine their bodies together, to throw herself into a relationship with the crazy girl. But those things could very well ruin her necessary business connection to her boss and client, and she could not screw that up on a whim. Applejack knew very well just how wrong it all was, how troublesome it would all become, and yet, she just kept smiling.

Author's Notes:

So this one is a bit longer than usual for this story, but as anyone who reads my other works would know, it's not too surprising coming from me. Not sure if I particularly like this chapter compared to some others, but... meh.