The four friends sat in silence for a while. Each with a less-than-impressed expression upon their faces. Twilight and Applejack were both annoyed. Twilight because of how bad the meeting turned out, and Applejack because of what Rarity said to Rainbow Dash. Rarity's expression of as one of guilt, for exactly the same reason, whilst Fluttershy's expression was one of concern for three of her best friends, and her marefriend.

"My goodness, I'm so sorry. I had absolutely no idea," said Rarity, pitifully.

"Ain't any of us you need to be apologisin' to," replied Applejack.

"you're right. I must find Rainbow Dash, immediately, and rectify my carelessness."

"Urmmmm. I'll come with you if you want," added Fluttershy.

"Darling, I do appreciate the offer, but there really is no need. It is something I must go about alone." Rarity made her way to the front door slowly.

"I hate to be a bother, but she's probably flown somewhere." Fluttershy hoped her marefriend would see reason and allow Fluttershy to go with her. After all, Rainbow Dash was her oldest friend, and Rarity was her marefriend. She didn't want a rift between the two to risk her - or anypony's - relationship with either.

"Oh, right," said Rarity, looking towards her back, where wings would be if she were a pegasus. "I suppose you can come with then, Fluttershy. But only to help me find her. You mustn't get involved otherwise. After all, I was the one in the wrong"

Twilight spoke next, "Oh Rarity, you didn't mean it. You didn't know about Rainbow Dash's feelings for Pinkie Pie. Nor did you, Fluttershy, nor did Applejack."

"Ah did," replied Applejack, "Ah could tell right from the start. Ah really don't wanna think of that night though."

"None of us do,"Twilight replied, voice heavy with remorse.

"Right then, Fluttershy, let us get going. We will return immediately once we find Rainbow Dash," Rarity's ears flattened against her head, "I just hope we are still friends when we get back."

"I'm sure she will forgive you," replied Twilight. Before long, Rarity and Fluttershy left the library to set about their mission. Applejack and Twilight were now left in the reception of the library all by their selves which meant Twilight could now speak to her orange colleague over a question her behaviour raised, "Applejack, we need to talk"

"Ah don't like the sound of this," replied Applejack.

"Oh it's nothing serious, just a question I need to ask you"

"Well, go ahead then Ah suppose."

"If you don't want to, or you can't answer this, you don't have to."

"Go"

"You see, I couldn't help but notice how defensive you got over Rainbow Dash back there. Is there anything I'm missing? Do you still have feelings for her?"

Applejack exhaled deeply before speaking. "Ya wanna know the truth?" Twilight nodded, allowing Applejack to continue, "All 'a this has been completely messed up. Ah don't think Ah wanna love anypony fer a long time yet. Ah just don't know if Ah'm ready. Ah mean after everythin' that's happened an' all, ah can't help but feel Ah'm lucky ta still have Dash as a best friend. Ah don't ever wanna see any harm come to her, and Ah genuinely hope one day she's happy with Pinkie Pie. Ah guess ya can say, ah just think all this has strengthened our friendship. But she ain't the only one, Twi. You were always there fer me. Always there to reassure me when Ah was in doubt. You were even there when I thought Dash weren't bein' serious about forgivin' me, an' not once has yer reassurance led me astray. Ah don't know Twi, I just feel like our friendship has strengthened as well. Ah just can't thank ya enough fer everythin' Twi."

Silence fell between the two. Twilight was lost for words.

"Is that how you really feel?" Twilight heard a voice come from behind her.

"Rainbow Dash? How did you get in?" asked Twilight.

"Open window upstairs," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Is this how you really feel, Applejack?" asked Twilight, parroting Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah. About both of ya. Ah mean no disrespect to Rare an' Shy, but you two were the only two who fully knew what was goin' on enough to properly support me. Ah also do feel like Ah'm lucky to still have Pinkie Pie as a friend too."

Quickly, from no where, a group hug with three ponies formed.

Twilight took the reigns, "Look, Rainbow Dash. I wasn't planning anything against Pinkie Pie, it's just, she has had a really hard time lately, and i wanted to remind her that she will always have us. I wanted to throw her a surprise party. I remember exactly what happened last time, and that's why I wanted your role to be keeping her busy while Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and I prepare the party."

"I'm sorry Twilight," replied Rainbow Dash, "I should have known that you wouldn't have been planning anything bad."

"It's ok, Rainbow Dash. You love her. I know love is more Princess Cadence's thing, and i don't exactly know a whole lot about it, but I know enough to tell that wouldn't want her feeling like she is without you, none of us want that, and that's why I planned this. Whilst you two are hear, I'll ask you two, would you be up for it?"

"Well as long as it doesn't end up hurting Pinkie Pie this time," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, Ah'll lend ya a hoof. Ah can arrange ta use the barn again if'n ya want." added Applejack

"It won't, Rainbow Dash. If you wouldn't mind, Applejack, that would be most useful."

"Of course," replied Applejack.

"Ok then," said Twilight, "Applejack, you are free to go if you want. Rainbow Dash, I need you to stay here, until Rarity and Fluttershy get back. Rarity has something she needs to say to you."

Rainbow Dash looked at the floor, nervously scraping her forehoof back and forth. "I over-reacted didn't I?"

Twilight gave no answer, instead turning her view towards Applejack. "See you soon, Applejack."

"Yeah, later AJ," added Rainbow Dash.

"Later Twi, Later Dash."

***

After a while of trying to find Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy drew up two conclusions. Either Rainbow Dash didn't want to be found, or she had returned to the library. "Maybe we should check the library. After all, we have got to see what Twilight wanted," suggested Fluttershy.

"I suppose it's certainly worth a try dear, but I was rather hoping I could ask for your help on something."

"Well you know I'll help. Or at least, try and help."

"You see, I have loved you a very long time, and if it weren't for Pinkie, I'd most definitely still be trying to find ways to declare my feelings for you. I feel maybe we owe it to her to maybe try and fix her up with Rainbow Dash."

Fluttershy thought on this for a minute or so. "That sounds wonderful, but there's a problem. You see, what I think Pinkie Pie did was to convince you to tell me how you feel using the fact that she knew how I feel about you."

"Oh yes. We don't know how Pinkie Pie feels about Rainbow Dash. Maybe that isn't such a good idea after all."

"Well it's a good idea if we find out how Pinkie Pie feels first."

"Yes, but I suppose we really shouldn't interfere. Both Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash have been through a lot lately. I suppose we should leave them to their own devices." The remaining five minute trot to the library was done in silence.

"Ahh, we're here" said Rarity. Slowly, the white unicorn lifted her hoof to open the door of the library. On doing so she saw two ponies. One, of course, was Twilight Sparkle, the other was the pony she needed to see. Rainbow Dash. Both of the ponies inside turned to face the door. On seeing Rainbow Dash looked towards her, Rarity shifted slightly out of nerves.

"Ahh. Rarity, Fluttershy. Do come in," said Twilight. On which, the couple entered, Rarity no better with nerves. Twilight Sparkle didn't at all help. "Now Rarity, Rainbow Dash. I believe you two need to speak," Twilight added in an authoritative tone.

"Urmmmm...yes. I believe we...do," Rarity responded in a volume that could match Fluttershy.

"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash.

"Ok, I will take Fluttershy upstairs and explain what is going on. You two stay down here and talk about this."

Quickly, Fluttershy and Twilight disappeared off upstairs, leaving Rarity and Rainbow Dash alone in the reception of the library. Neither of which knew how to approach the situation. Silence remained for a few minutes before Rarity spoke, "Rainbow Dash, I'm awfully sorry. I was so careless in what I said. I didn't actually know you felt that way about Pinkie Pie, but you must also understand, I meant no harm by it, just as you and Applejack meant no harm with how suggestive you were being in what Fluttershy and I were doing that made us so late. I know that doesn't justify it fully though. I know what happened to Pinkie Pie must have really hurt you if you loved her for all that time, and I understand you may not wish to even think about telling her until she has made a full recovery... I'm really sorry Rainbow Dash."

"It's fine. Yeah, I kinda did make a joke about you and Fluttershy. I can't really stay mad, I did deserve it," replied Rainbow Dash, who then drooped her head, "And yeah, I told her. I should have waited."

"Oh dear. Did it not go well?"

Rainbow Dash considered her reply. She decided to omit telling any pony about the holiday just yet, "it didn't go bad, but I just feel bad about it y'know. She was going through enough without finding out about my feelings."

"Oh don't be so silly Rainbow Dash. Sure she may need time, but I'm sure soon enough, she may grow to reciprocate your feelings. Perhaps what you need is a bit of time alone together to bond."

"Yeah..." replied Rainbow Dash, a small smile creeping onto her face as she thought about the impending holiday, "...maybe you're right."

Author's Notes:

Here you go guys. This chapter was really difficult. For some reason I had about a million different things distracting me. Usually, when I write, it puts me in a zone where absolutely nothing distracts me. This shouldn't happen again. Maybe it will be a shorter wait for the next part.