Rainbow Dash's heart was still overflowing with joy when she and her family arrived back at the farm house in Sweet Apple Acres. This translated to her movements which were vibrant and wired. The same could not be said for the rest of her family. They'd chatted merrily on the way home, but the closer they got to their house, the more tired each of them besides Rainbow got, including Applejack. Rainbow's excitement was still at a fever pitch and she knew she wouldn't be able to go to sleep if she tried. In stark contrast, the rest of the family looked ready to fall over.

"Good Celestia, it's past midnight." Granny Smith gawked as they approached the house. The family walked through the door and Granny Smith turned, giving Rainbow Dash a hug that emanated warmth. "Ah am so goldarned proud of you, sweet pea. So proud. That bein' said, Ah'm an old mare and Ah hear my bed callin' my name. Goodnight, y'all." The old earth pony turned and headed for her bedroom. Big Mac and Applebloom mimicked their grandmother's display of love.

"Ah'm young, but Ah'm still beat. See y'all in the morning." Applebloom said, punctuating her sentence with a yawn.

"Congratulations again, sis." Big Mac said simply, and Rainbow Dash couldn't help but hug her brother-in-law. Being called "sis" filled her with joy she never knew she'd have from being called as such. Big Mac followed his younger sister, leaving Rainbow Dash and Applejack alone in the living room. Applejack's eyes were heavy, but she still kept the smile on her face for Rainbow, who she correctly assumed was still full of energy.

"I can't believe it!" Rainbow gushed with a tiny hop, trying to keep her voice down. "I'm a Wonderbolt! My dream come true." Applejack gave a small chuckle and placed a kiss on Rainbow's lips.

"Ah'm so happy for you, baby. Come on, let's hit the sack."

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow said with a small purr in her voice, as Applejack's earlier promise came to her mind. She excitedly followed Applejack, trying to remain quiet on the floorboards while suppressing the pure energy within her. The earth pony walked a little too slowly for Rainbow's taste, and after what felt like five minutes to Rainbow Dash, they arrived at their bedroom. As soon as they both were in, Rainbow Dash quickly shut and locked the door before moving toward Applejack, who removed her stetson with a small sigh.

"Ah don't know about you, but-mmph!" The farm mare was cut off by Rainbow Dash pressing her lips to hers in a deep and unexpected kiss. Applejack lightly pushed Rainbow Dash off of her and cocked an eyebrow over her widened eyes. "Uhh, what's on your mind, Dash?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow herself in confusion and put a hoof up.

"You made me that promise earlier." Rainbow said, attempting to jog Applejack's memory. When Applejack's expression remained unchanged, Rainbow scoffed. "Remember, it was something you said we'd do...Or rather, something you'd do to me after my induction?" Applejack let out a small gasp, and she put a hoof on her head.

"Oh, Ah plumb forgot." Applejack groaned in an exasperated manner, striking an uncomfortable chord in Rainbow Dash.

"Well geez, don't be so ecstatic." Rainbow almost deadpanned, furrowing her brow.

"Ah'm sorry, Ah'm sorry. Come here, beautiful." Applejack said in a sweet tone, making that uncomfortable feeling in Rainbow Dash vanish. With a smile, Rainbow kissed Applejack once more, and with a small moan, pushed the Earth Pony onto the bed. Rainbow Dash deepened the kiss and moved one of Applejack's back legs around her waist. Applejack kept her leg there for a few seconds before letting it drop back to the bed. This was distracting and a turn-off to the Pegasus. This caused her to become aware that Applejack's kissing seemed to be almost half-hearted, that it lacked the usual energy and passion Applejack put into the kisses that they shared. Rainbow separated from the kiss and sighed.

"Is everything...okay?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah, honey." Applejack said, opening her eyes. "Why?"

"It just...I dunno, it seems like you aren't very...into this." Rainbow replied.

"Ah am."

"Come on, AJ. I've kissed you thousands of times at this point, I think I can tell when you're into it and when you're not." It took a few moments for Applejack to relent, and the orange mare let out a sigh.

"Okay, fine. Ah'm not really feelin' it right now." Applejack admitted, making Rainbow sit up and look to the side with a frown on her face, her forelegs crossed in frustration. "Ah...Ah don't really know what to say."

"Applejack, you promised." Rainbow said, deflating.

"Would you rather me lie to you about it?" Applejack asked.

"It's just that it's been a month and a half. The longest we've ever gone without doing it..."

"Ah know. Ah'm honestly just so tired. It has nothing to do with you, okay, Dash? Please, can we just wait 'till the morning? Ah'm fightin' sleep, even right now. Ah prom-" Applejack stopped herself, realizing how much her promises probably meant to Rainbow Dash at that point. "Ah'll make it up to you, Rainbow." Applejack said this with a voice laden with guilt. Rainbow Dash felt the frustration welling up within her, and she prepared to let that frustration out. But she looked at Applejack, who truly looked guilty, and recalled her at the induction, standing despite her clear exhaustion for one more dance. She looked at Applejack and saw that she'd rolled over onto her side, clearly from shame.

"Ah'm...sorry for lettin' you down." Applejack mumbled dejectedly. "And on your big day, too."

"It's okay. Really, it is." Rainbow sighed. "I can wait a little more, I guess. What's one more night?" Applejack smiled and turned around to see Rainbow, with that smile she loved so much on her face. She went to stand and Rainbow moved toward the bed, shaking her head before leaning down toward her. Applejack leaned forward and closed the two-inch gap between them, giving Rainbow a kiss.

"Are you sure?"

"Totally."

"Thanks, baby." Applejack pulled Rainbow down into a small hug and smiled at her when the Pegasus separated. "You know...If you want, Ah could...ya know, reach over."

"Nah, it's okay. You know I really can't do it unless you're into it." Rainbow replied.

"Ah dunno, Ah think Ah could get into reaching over right about now." Applejack reasoned, and Rainbow thought for a moment and shook her head.
"Seriously, It's fine, babe. Let's wait until you're down for getting some too. You get some sleep, my beautiful pregnant wife." Rainbow said, giving Applejack one more small kiss on her forehead. "Would it be cool with you if I went and met Spitfire and the others at Swingin' Manes for those drinks? I'm still pretty wired."

"Go on ahead." Applejack said. Smiling widely, Rainbow excitedly stood and moved toward the door. "Just be back by three, please." Rainbow stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at her wife. It had been small frustration stacked on small frustration lately for Rainbow Dash in her marriage to Applejack, but she supposed that came with the territory, especially considering the pregnancy. What was one more small one on the very top? Swallowing that frustration once more, and for what she hoped would be the final time for at least a while, Rainbow nodded and went to leave once more. "And Rainbow?"

'Goddesses, what now?' Rainbow thought before wheeling around quickly and lifting an eyebrow.

"Yes?" She said with the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice which she hoped desperately that Applejack hadn't picked up. From the way her voice sounded, however, it would have been hard not to, and Applejack was just about the farthest thing from stupid.

"Ah love you."

"I love you too." Rainbow sighed with a small smile as she closed their bedroom door behind her, feeling the slightest bit disgusted with herself.

"Hey, look who it is!" Spitfire cried happily, and drunkenly, as she saw Rainbow approaching the bar in Swingin' Manes nightclub where she sat with Soarin. Soarin sent a warm smile Rainbow's way, raising his beer stein before taking a swig. "Get your flank over here so I can buy you a shot!" Rainbow Dash, who'd arrived at the nightclub only minutes prior, blushed and nodded. "'Scuse me! Vodka for the newest Wonderbolt!" Even though she'd been a cadet at the Wonderbolts academy for a good while, she still got slightly nervous around her idol, and seeing her here in such a casual setting, as drunk as she was, was quite the change of pace for Rainbow.

"Thanks! I figured I'd come by and see you guys. This place is pretty popping tonight-"

"Stop!" Spitfire cut Rainbow off. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened slightly as Spitfire slid a shotglass over to her, full of vodka. "Not another word until you down it." Rainbow shrugged and took the shot like a champ, bringing the shot glass down quickly, the glass making a loud clack on the counter.

"That's how you do it, right there! So what made you decide to finally join us, Dash?" Spitfire asked.

"Well, Applejack was super sleepy and I figured it'd be alright if I came by. I was pretty wired and I couldn't sleep, so I left when she passed out. Didn't take long." Rainbow lied calmly, as admitting she'd cleared her visit to Swingin' Manes with her wife beforehand probably wouldn't be quite as cool, and the cyan mare was desperate to shed her Rainbow Crash moniker.

"Oooh, a clandestine trip to a nightclub. How saucy."

"No, it isn't really like that-"

"Hey! Can I get like...Five more shots over here?" Spitfire said loudly to the bartender, who rolled his eyes and got to work pouring five shots.

"Ma'am-"

"You know we're past that crap now. Spitfire's my name."

"Okay, Spitfire, to be honest, you seem pretty sauced already. You sure that's a good idea with our practice tomorrow afternoon?"

"You're right. I am quite drunk. It's for you, dummy."

"Oh, Spitfire, I can get my own-"

"Shut up. It's nothing to me, and you're the newest Wonderbolt. You're not paying for a single drink tonight." Rainbow was slightly shocked at being told so quickly to shut up, but the Captain of the Wonderbolts was quite convincing.

"Just do it." Soarin said before taking another swig of beer. "She won't shut up 'till you do."

"Well...I guess saying no would be rude..."

"There you go! Now get started, you need to play catch-up. Soarin stopped after five. With these five, you're gonna outdo him, Rainbow. Consider it your official initiation into the Wonderbolts." As Spitfire finished her sentence, the bartender finished pouring the fifth shot.

"I...I dunno. Maybe like three..."

"That doesn't sound like the Rainbow Dash I know. The Rainbow Dash who absolutely stuns us every day. You're seriously gonna let Soarin out-drink you?" Spitfire asked the question and squinted her eyes tauntingly, raising an eyebrow. Over spitfire's shoulder, Rainbow Dash could see Soarin become slightly offended.

"Hey, I already told you, I have this banquet brunch thing with my marefriend tomorrow. I can't go if I'm hungover-" Soarin began to protest.

"Shutupshutup. I'm just trying to get Rainbow nice and loose for some dancing." Spitfire harshly whispered in a tone that Rainbow could clearly understand.

"You know I can hear you, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, prompting Spitfire to turn around.

"No, I didn't say any-" The captain of the Wonderbolts began as she turned around but stopped dead in the middle of her sentence when she saw Rainbow Dash take the second shot of the five she'd gotten for her, her third overall.

"What? I figured I might as well. You're right, and I haven't got good and sauced in a while." Rainbow took the third shot and groaned slightly. "But I might need a little break after that one. Hey, bartender? Can I get some water?" The bartender went about his business, evidently not having heard Rainbow.

"No no no no...You gotta be aggressive with it. Like, yell at him, you know?" Spitfire urged her. Rainbow, unsure, glanced at Soarin who merely shrugged and sipped the cola he had in front of him. She looked back at Spitfire, who gave her a reassuring nod and smile. Rainbow, in such a casual friendly situation with the mare she'd looked up to for so long blushed and cleared her throat.

"Hey, bartender! Get me a water!" Rainbow Dash said assertively, yelling, but not quite screaming. Without a word, the stallion, who'd she'd already recognized as not being the nice one that she and Applejack had come to know, slid the glass of water toward her. After a couple gulps, the burning in her stomach from three back-to-back shots of strong vodka subsided enough to where she felt ready for another.

"There ya go!" Spitfire commended Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow felt excitement at the prospect of hearing those words cried out by Spitfire when they incorporated the Sonic Rainboom into their routine.

"So I'm just now kinda feeling those." Rainbow said with a small giggle. "It's always pretty cool when you feel it come on."

"That's why we do it!" Spitfire almost cheered, before ordering another shot. As the time passed, and Rainbow finished off her five shots, one by one, she felt herself becoming looser and she began to have more fun. She and Spitfire had taken to sending jab after friendly jab Soarin's way. Clearly being less drunk than the two mares, he took it with a smile and threw a jape their way here and there, making them laugh uproariously with each one.

"Ya know, Spitifire. I just gotta say, I am just...so happy to be a part of...um...um..." Rainbow began with her foreleg draped around Spitfire's shoulder.

"Have you seriously forgotten about what our-"

"Wonderbolts! The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow cried, slapping her forehead with a hoof. Spitfire began belly-laughing, with Rainbow and Soarin joining her.

"I can't believe it!" Spitfire squalled before they broke out into another fit, earning strange looks from ponies down the bar.

"Hey!" Rainbow said in a mock-serious tone when she noticed the strange looks, particularly from a couple that had been there as long as they had. "What're you lookin' at? This is what alcohol is for, isn't it? Havin' a good time? Yeah, yeah go ahead and take a picture, it'll last longer, huh?" Spitfire clapped her hooves together happily upon hearing the last part of Rainbow's sentence.

"Hey bartender guy! Are all those polaroids ones that you take?" Spitfire asked, gesturing to the large collection of polaroid pictures on the back wall of the bar, below all the bottles of spirits. The bartender nodded.

"Yep, sometimes I'll take a picture of ponies who I see having a really good time. It's like a little collection me and the other Stallion that tends bar here contribute to from time to time.

"Well Rainbow Dash here is the newest member of the Wonderbolts." Spitfire slurred, putting her foreleg around Rainbow's shoulders this time.

"I know, I've heard you guys tonight." He replied before nodding at Rainbow. "Hey."

"Hey." Rainbow deadpanned, throwing a hoof up for half a second, making the three Wonderbolts who'd been drinking break out into another round of laughs.

"So I was just wondering if you could- Well hey you already went and grabbed it!" Spitfire said with intoxicated cheer. "Look at you being a good bartender!" The stallion held the camera, a small smile on his face.

"Yep. If anypony here's having a good time, it's you three. Lean in, you guys." He said as he raised the camera. Rainbow, Spitfire and Soarin leaned into the frame, Spitfire in the middle with her forelegs draped around Rainbow Dash's and Soarin's shoulders, a wink and a smile on her face. The bartender snapped the photo and Rainbow let out a small whistle.

"Gonna have to sit still for a sec after that flash. Goddesses..."

"It'll be a few minutes for the picture to show up." The Bartender said with a small nod. "It'll be up here for you guys."

"Thanks! Three more shots for us." Spitfire said with a small nod.

"Spitfire, I've already had five-" Rainbow began, indeed quite drunk.

"Six." Spitfire cut her off, and both mares began to laugh again, Rainbow wheezing a bit.

"That's right! I've had six."

"One more for each of us before we start dancing. Come on, we're-hic-celebrating!" Spitfire said, as well as slurred, to Rainbow, and without more than a second or two of thought, Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"Oh, why not?" She said as the three shots were placed down before Rainbow, Spitfire and Soarin.

"Bottoms up, y'all!" Soarin cried. His usage of the word y'all reminded her of Applejack, and feeling a tiny panic in her belly, she wheeled to look at the clock over the bar. It was only 1:15 AM and she sighed quietly to herself in relief. She was made of time. Rainbow Dash felt her shoulders relax as Spitfire spoke up next to her.

"You're not gonna do it?" The Captain of the Wonderbolts almost challenged Rainbow. Snapping back to reality, Rainbow Dash hurriedly downed the shot and let out a small cough and a "whoo!" she felt herself sway where she was for a moment, and she put a hoof on the counter, steadying herself. With a small laugh she stood up straight, and concealed yet another small stumble quite well while doing so.

"Let's go!" Rainbow cried as she and the other two pegasi stood and approached the dance floor.

"See anypony you like?" Spitfire asked Soarin, who nodded almost immediately and gestured toward a unicorn mare dancing happily, albeit alone. Spitfire chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Nice choice, dude. Go get 'er." Moving quickly and smoothly, despite his clear intoxication, he asked the mare to dance. She seemed to recognize him and excitedly accepted, the two of them having no trouble working themselves into a groove.

"What about you, Dash?" Spitfire asked Rainbow, who caught herself surveying the crowd, and admiring more than a few stallions and mares that she saw. Snapping herself out of that thought process, she shook her head.

"Eh, not really." She lied, looking over at Spitfire and smiling. "I usually just dance with Applejack when we come here... You know, whenever we come here."

"Yeah, no offense to your wife, but this doesn't seem like her scene." Spitfire said as the two of them looked out onto the dance floor.

"Yeah. But in her defense, it doesn't usually take her long to get into a groove with me here, and she ends up loving it every time. She just can't do it all the time, you know? What about you? See anypony?"

"Yes, indeed I do." Spitfire replied simply.

"Oh-" Rainbow said, turning away from the dance floor to look at Spitfire and stopping when she saw her fiery eyes staring into hers. "...Who?"

"You're not stupid, are you, Rainbow?" Spitfire asked with a cocked eyebrow. Rainbow felt a spark in her belly, as she hadn't even known until that moment that she had desperately wanted to dance with Spitfire.

"Oh, well...I ummm..." Her face reddened and her ears lowered.

"Oh come on, it's just dancing." Spitfire laughed as she pulled Rainbow Dash out onto the dance floor. She pulled the new Wonderbolt along, clearly taking the lead, which also made Rainbow gain a little more pep to her step. As they began to dance, a new song that was sensual and heavy on the bass came on. It was an easy one to move to and soon Rainbow and Spitfire got into a good rhythm, standing across from one another. Rainbow closed her eyes and felt the music, smiling more as the seconds passed. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed it, the feeling of the music vibrating in her chest, the lights, all the other ponies around her. She opened her eyes, and couldn't bring herself to look at Spitfire, despite how good she felt, and despite dancing less than a foot away from her. She looked around the dance floor, her eyes coming to Soarin, who ground himself into the mare he was dancing with sensually. He gave them a happy, yet goofy smile, which made Rainbow belly laugh.

"Spitfire! Check out-" Rainbow said, turning back toward her new Captain. She was cut off as Spitfire grabbed her and pulled her in close, to where their chests were connected. Rainbow's stomach jumped in surprise and the tiniest bit of fear, but despite this feeling, she made no effort to separate.

'What's happening here?' Rainbow thought as she looked at her Captain. Spitfire smiled sensually at Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow couldn't help but smile back nervously. Nervousness clashed with excitement within Rainbow Dash, as she looked into her idol's eyes. Her head swimmed from the alcohol as bit by bit, she began to get back into the music, hips and all.

'Whoa, what are you doing?' She thought more quietly.

Spitfire's forelegs, one draped over her shoulder and one wrapped around her waist, squeezed slightly as they attempted to pull her closer. Becoming lost in the combination of the thumping music, the alcohol, dancing with her idol and being held in such a way, so closely, by that same idol, Rainbow's eyes closed and she wrapped her forelegs around Spitfire.

'Stop.' She thought, though it was nothing more than a whisper compared to the music and her heartbeat.

The music pounded on, and Rainbow subtly pressed her hips against the Wonderbolt Captain's, gyrating them and swaying them the the music. She felt Spitfire's breath on her neck and she bit her lip before letting out a sigh, letting herself relax. She felt Spitfire's hoof moving slowly down her back, giving her chillbumps underneath her cyan coat. Her hoof ended on Dash's flank and gave it the smallest of squeezes, and the freshly-anointed Wonderbolt had to work to suppress a moan.

'Well...It is just dancing...' She thought, the voice once again full-sounding and rich. The rest of the song was a blended delirium of intoxication, fear, elation and arousal. The background of her vision seemed to fade in and out as the music thumped and Rainbow laughed, Spitfire spinning her around and pulling her closer, her hoof resting on Rainbow's lower belly. Rainbow Dash's body moved almost instinctively to the music, Spitfire's breath on her shoulder and neck making her lean her head back, her eyes shut. By the end of the next song, one of Rainbow's forelegs had found its way up and backward, resting on the back of Spitfire's head, pulling her face closer to her own.

Rainbow's mouth was very dry, and she suddenly became quite dizzy, her world warping and tilting heavily. The cyan mare fell limp for a moment, pulling Spitfire downward. She let out a yelp of surprise and gasped, seeing Rainbow now coming to, but in quite a daze.

"Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire cried, being bumped by a mare's flank annoyingly. "Are you okay?" Breathing deeply through her mouth she said something Spitfire couldn't quite hear. Leaning in, she was able to understand Rainbow saying "I think so. Can we go sit down?" Spitfire nodded and they moved back toward the bar, which was substantially quieter and she wasted no time in getting Rainbow a large glass of water with a straw and some pretzels.

"I think I'm dehydrated." Rainbow breathed, after having taken several gulps of water. "I drank basically nothing since I first woke up at six in the morning."

"Yeah, that'd about do it." Spitfire said. "Take smaller sips, your body will acclimate to it better. And eat one pretzel every two or three minutes."

"Gee, alright, bossypants. You care an awful lot, huh?" Rainbow slurred before letting out a happy giggle that brought a smile to Spitfire's face. "I swear, passing out when I'm drunk...I wake up drunker."

"Well that's good, I guess. As long as you keep sipping that water."

"You know, iss really sweet that you're looking after me like this." Rainbow said, her eyelids lowering.

"Please, I'm barely capable of that. If we didn't have mister bartender there, you could've very well eaten it. It's because of his existence that you have water." Spitfire stated before chuckling. "Speaking of, how're you doing?"

"Better. Especially with this water. Should be good to go in about twenty minutes." Rainbow replied with a small nod. She looked up at the clock and sighed lightly.

"2:12, thank Celestia. AJ will-" She stopped her sentence, pursing her lips and widening her eyes. Spitfire raised an eyebrow at her and smirked. Rainbow said nothing and took a rather long sip of her water.

"Ah, so I gather this trip isn't all that clandestine after all." Spitfire mused, placing a hoof under her chin. Rainbow exhaled deeply and looked over at her.

"I didn't say that."

"Come on, now. You already proved you're not stupid back there, don't think the same 'bout me. Rainbow Dash, the most notorious free spirit in Ponyville, is worried about the time when she has nothing to do tomorrow save for Wonderbolt practice at five in the afternoon? It's not that hard to put together."

"Okay, yeah, I might as well come clean. I went ahead and talked to Applejack about coming here beforehand. Sorry, I know it's not cool or whatever. I just wanted to let loose a bit. Lately, we...Agh, forget it. I'm not gonna bring you into this stupid stuff." Rainbow sighed and propped her head up on a forehoof on the counter.

"Well, that's totally your business whether you want to share or not. I won't pry. But also, just know that I won't judge, you or Applejack. I'm not that kind of mare." Spitfire assured her with a small pat on the back. "But if I could ask, why lie to me about it?"

"I guess it's...Well, ever since I got the nickname Rainbow Crash I've been trying to be as cool as possible to you guys. I don't want to be the whipping pony of the group. I guess it was just...some misguided attempt for me to lose the nickname." Rainbow explained with a heavy blush. Spitfire chuckled and shook her head.

"Rainbow Dash, that was all just a bunch of healthy ribbing. I mean, yeah, you did crash pretty hard a few times, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't funny. But you've done nothing but blow each and every one of us away, pretty much since the best young fliers competition." Spitfire said, earning a grateful smile from Rainbow, who sat up from the bar.

"Really?" She asked, her heart warmed by what Spitfire said.

"I wouldn't lie to you, Dash." Spitfire said, resting a hoof on the greenhorn Wonderbolt's shoulder. "I get why you lied, but I don't think it was worth your energy to do it. And when it comes to somepony's S.O., I know better than to get in the middle of that stuff."

"Yeah, it's been kinda stressful, you know? I mean...Well, I guess I can tell you." Rainbow Dash sighed. Spitfire nodded and put a hoof up.

"It's entirely your choice, but I'll listen if you want me to."

"It's been...A long time since AJ and I have...You know..." Rainbow explained and Spitfire's eyebrows raised. "And I totally understand why and everything....I just..."

"You have needs. Like literally everypony I've ever met. But it's not the easiest thing in the world with a foal growing inside your wife. I get it." Spitfire stated with a small nod. "How long, if it's alright?'

"A month and three weeks." Rainbow sighed, and Spitfire blew an exhale through her lips.

"That does sound tough. Seems to me like you just needed to unwind a bit. Applejack's a great mare, and she's doing a lot for the both of you. It's cool that you've been understanding of the dry spell."

"Exactly. I just needed a little opportunity to let loose. I feel like I've gotten that tonight. I really needed it." Rainbow Dash sighed in a satisfied manner. "She danced with me tonight, you know." Rainbow said the last words looking upward wistfully at nothing in particular.

"Well yeah, she's your wife." Spitfire replied with a small chuckle.

"No, I mean...She was exhausted. She gets tired a lot easier these days, and its no wonder. But even though I could tell how absolutely beat she was, she still stood for one last dance. I'd have killed to dance with her at that ceremony like we used to in here. Well, maybe not exactly like we did in here." Rainbow laughed after finishing what she had to say.

"She's quite the mare, I can tell. Strong as an ox, but very pretty."

"So pretty."

"Soarin! Finally wore yourself out, huh?" Spitfire asked as the stallion ambled up to them. He laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm pretty beat. I think I'm gonna head out. It was a lot of fun, right? Let's all come back here soon." He said cheerfully.

"For sure! And don't worry, I won't say a word to Breeze about that little filly you had fun with back there." Spitfire kidded him, and he blushed heavily.

"Oh, come on. It was just dancing." He scoffed, throwing a hoof out.

"Yeah." Spitfire said before turning to Rainbow Dash and sending her a quick wink. "Dancing." That same nervousness coupled with excitement shot through Rainbow Dash again, reminding the cyan Pegasus that it had never left.

"See you tomorrow, Soarin!" Rainbow chirped quickly.

"See ya, Dash." He replied to her. "First practice tomorrow! Whoo!" He threw a hoof into the air with the last exclamation as he walked backward. Following that, he smoothly walked out of the bar area of the nightclub and through the doors.

"Well, the in-depth talk we just had has made me a little too sober for my taste. How about a nightcap for the road?" Spitfire asked. "Can you handle that?" The captain of the Wonderbolts posed the last question as a challenge, and Rainbow knew that immediately. Maybe Spitfire meant for it to be that way, and maybe she didn't, but it made the excitement within Rainbow begin to grow larger than the nervousness. Without thinking, Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly and Spitfire ordered two mixed drinks for the two of them. Rum and cola for her, while Rainbow got a vodka and orange juice, two shots in each.

"I must say, tonight has been something, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said. "I'm glad you got to let loose, it seems like you've needed it."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Rainbow Dash replied. She was quite surprised to see that she was already mostly through her mixed drink and she let out a small, disappointed sound and lowered her ears. This didn't escape Spitfire's attention and she laughed before ordering them another round of shots.

"I thought that these drinks were supposed to be the last ones." Rainbow said with a coy smirk, cocking her head to the side, already feeling the mixed drink bring her drunkenness back.

"Oh they are, I just ordered two more shots to finish my night, and you're welcome to one if you want. If you don't feel up to it, I'll take them both. I know you've probably had enough." Spitfire said with a small shrug. Rainbow raspberried her lips and threw a hoof out.

"As if. I'm not gonna let you show me up right before we leave. I'll take it."

They finished their drinks, including the shots, and stood to leave. As soon as she stood, Rainbow realized she was even more intoxicated than she had been when they left the bar to get to the dance floor. The mixed drink and the final shot had refreshed her inebriation and it was as if she hadn't sobered up from the water and pretzels at all. She stumbled slightly and Spitfire held her for a moment before Rainbow nodded at her.

"Okay, I'm cool. Let's go." Rainbow said as they began to walk out. They both stumbled as they went and laughed when they bumped their heads together, their giggling evolving into pure, gut-based guffaws by the time they left the building.

"Goddesses, that was fun." Rainbow slurred. "We need to do that more."

"You know I'd love to." Spitfire replied. "So...I guess this is where we part ways."

"I guess so. Till tomorrow, right?" Rainbow asked, holding out a hoof for a hoof-bump. Spitfire quickly pulled Rainbow into a hug, which she happily returned.

"I'm really glad you're a part of us now." Spitfire said sweetly as they separated. "I think you're gonna be a perfect fit."

"I think so too, ma'am." Rainbow replied before catching herself. "Oop! I mean-hic-Spitfire." Rainbow stumbled a bit again where she stood, and Spitfire, realizing she was just as impaired as Rainbow, if not more, sighed.

"I think we should walk together, honestly. Both of us are waaayy too drunk to fly, and I honestly feel like chilling a little more. I'll be fine getting back to Ponyville and I can get a carriage from here." She said. "You down?"

"Sure!" Rainbow replied, no longer worried about what time it was. In fact, she wasn't worried about anything. Her mind was focused solely on where she was at that precise moment. Her pure intoxication forbade anything further. The air was cool and there was an invigorating breeze, in stark contrast to the warm, moist atmosphere inside Swingin' Manes, where so many ponies breathed, sweated and danced together.

"I still don't believe it. I...I finally got what I've always wanted. I'm...I'm a Wonderbolt." Rainbow said as she beamed with happiness. "And I...I get to be friends with my idol!" Rainbow immediately blushed deeply and covered her eyes when she said that. Spitfire smiled and laughed at the sweet words that came from Rainbow.

"Aww! I'm your idol? That's so sweet!" Spitfire almost gushed, her yellow cheeks reddening.

"Nooooo no, you weren't supposed to hear thaaat..." Rainbow slurred. "I'm...I'm so embarrassed."

"Well don't be, I think it's precious. I'm honored, Rainbow." Spitfire said, wrapping a forehoof around Rainbow's shoulders. "You're the most impressive cadet...Well, you were the most impressive cadet we've ever had. After your first day, I knew you'd be a Wonderbolt. You've blown us away at every turn, and to be honest, there's nopony I'd have rather inducted tonight. There's nopony else I'd have rather drank and danced with tonight."

"Really?" Rainbow asked, turning her head and realizing her face was inches away from Spitfire's. Where she felt both excitement and nervousness earlier that night, there was only excitement now.

"Really." Spitfire replied before looking upward and taking her foreleg from around Rainbow's shoulders. The archway leading into Sweet Apple Acres loomed over the two of them. "Well, would you look at that? We're already here. Time flies when you're having fun, I guess, right?"

"I guess so." Rainbow replied. As she turned to face Spitfire, she noticed her face felt quite hot, possibly from the booze, possibly from something else. One way or another, Rainbow was sure her face was beet red. It was then that she saw Spitfire, bathed in moonlight, blushing as well, and she smiled warmly. "It was so awesome chilling with you tonight, Spitfire. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

"Me neither." Spitfire replied, and there were a few seconds of silence between them. Rainbow caught herself staring into Spitfire's gorgeous eyes, and coughed into her hoof.

"See you tomorrow." Rainbow said, her smile not leaving her face. "I won't lie...I've always dreamed about being your friend. I'm so happy it's happening."

"Me too." Spitfire replied, moving toward Rainbow and wrapping her into a hug. Rainbow's heartbeat quickened in Spitfire's embrace and her mind raced. It flashed back to when they were on the dance floor. It flashed back to the feeling of her idol's hooves resting on her shoulders, on her hips, and on her lower belly. Spitfire, despite having been drinking heavily and dancing in a hot nightclub, smelled good. The aroma caught in her nose and sent a chill up her spine, although that might've been the cool wee-hours-of-the-morning weather. Holding Spitfire so closely, Rainbow noticed Spitfire's pulse had quickened as well, perhaps even more so than hers. She realized in that exact moment how absolutely attracted to Spitfire she was, and she could tell that the feeling was mutual.

Without separating from the hug, without thinking, they kissed. Rainbow's stomach lit up like fire, the Pegasus letting out a half-squeak-half-moan into Spitfire's mouth. She felt stupid for not having seen the signs back at Swingin' Manes. She mentally corrected herself that she'd seen the signs, but had chosen to ignore them. Why she had ignored them didn't matter to her at that moment. All that mattered was how incredible sharing a deep kiss with Spitfire of the Wonderbolts felt. She'd dreamed of it for years, and it was happening. Spitfire's hooves ran down her back and squeezed her flank, making Rainbow separate from the kiss and moan out loud as Spitfire pushed her into the orchard fence, rather roughly. Rainbow had hoped she'd do that. They pressed their foreheads together as Rainbow breathed heavily at the sensation of her rear being touched in such a way.

"I've been wanting this since I met you, Dash." Spitfire said huskily before biting her lip and bringing a knee up to Rainbow's marehood. She moaned again and let Spitfire kiss her neck.

"Touch me..." Rainbow whispered, her wings unfurling. This caused Spitfire's to do the same and the Captain obliged, wasting no time in bringing her hoof to Rainbow's lower lips. She was incredibly wet, and Spitfire giggled sensually.

"Wow, it really has been a while for you hasn't it?" Spitfire asked, quickening the pace at which she pleasured Rainbow. Dash didn't respond, as she was too lost in the wonderful sensation. Why it had been a while since she'd had sex didn't matter either. She moved her hips against Spitfire's hoof and pulled her into a kiss, the two of them sliding their tongues together. A sudden sharp pain flashed through Rainbow Dash's head, and she opened her eyes to see an apple bounce once and roll to a stop behind Spitfire. Suddenly, those reasons she'd ignored the signs and hadn't had sex in a while mattered a great deal.

She'd ignored the signs at Swingin' Manes because she was married.

She hadn't had sex in such a long time because her wife was pregnant.

As the seconds passed, pure terror welled up within Rainbow Dash, as her eyes drifted from the apple, to the mare she was kissing who was not her wife, who was not the love of her life.

Who was not Applejack.

Rainbow, feeling a frenzy well up within her, shoved Spitfire back with all of her strength as he head swam. Spitfire fell back onto her flank roughly and exclaimed.

"Ow! What the-" She said, looking at Rainbow to see her trembling violently, tears constantly streaming down her face. She stared forward, not looking at Spitfire, who realized with her own brand of terror what exactly had just happened. They both stayed where they were for a few moments, until Rainbow's back legs trembled so much they could no longer hold her weight. As soon as Rainbow's back end hit the dirt, Spitfire stood.

"Oh....Oh, Goddesses, what have we done...?" Spitfire asked herself more than anyone else, as tears welled up in her eyes. "Rainbow...Rainbow, I'm so sorry...I'm so, so drunk-"

"A-Apple-Applejack...." Rainbow said, her voice trembling so much the word barely escaped her lips. "W-what did I do...to my...my Applejack?"

"Rainbow, I'm so sorry." Spitfire said, her tears now overflowing. "Damn it, I swore I was done with this stupid stuff...I swore I'd never do this again..." Her eyes shot to Rainbow when she heard the new Wonderbolt's breathing turn into hyperventilating. Sobs came out between the rapid-fire breaths and the tears streamed constantly, all the while Rainbow Dash trembled just as violently. Spitfire immediately moved to Rainbow and took her into her forelegs, cradling her, almost.

"Rainbow Dash...Rainbow Dash, listen to me, you're having a panic attack. Breathe...Come on, breathe with me." Spitfire began to do deep breathing exercises while trying not to panic as well. She'd had her fair share of panic attacks, and had recognized the signs easily. Spitfire's words did not register, and she continued to fall into her state of pure anxiety. "Rainbow, come on, breathe with me." She continued to breathe deeply, and eventually, Rainbow as able to match her breathing. They continued in this for about ten minutes before Rainbow merely cried where she lay. "Are you okay?"

"No..." Rainbow sobbed. "What have I done? What have I done? I'm going to lose her. I'm going to lose her forever."

"No, you won't Rainbow. You won't, because this never happened, okay?" Spitfire said to her, and again, her words went into one of Rainbow Dash's ears and out the other.

"I'm going to lose her...I'm going to lose my wife and our...Oh, goddesses, our baby....." Rainbow collapsed on the ground and broke into a fresh wave of sobbing. "We have a baby....Applejack...Applejack, I'm so sorry..." Spitfire pulled Rainbow up from the ground.

"Come on, Rainbow, we need to agree that this never happened, okay? We're both totally plastered, a-and we didn't mean it, we just got caught up in the moment, okay? Okay?" Spitfire desperately wanted Rainbow Dash to be alright, and even more desperately hoped she hadn't ruined the cyan mare's life. She cried herself, but she kept herself together, at least somewhat. "Rainbow, I'm sorry. I am so sorry. From now on, we're going to be professionals, okay? We're never going to talk about this, and we can just go on living our lives, okay? Rainbow, okay?" Spitfire became desperate for a reply from Rainbow, but the pegasus could only manage to nod slowly, her head hung as Spitfire held her. She let go of Rainbow, who sunk down to her flank, still without a words. Spitfire backed up, a fresh wave of tears coming down her cheeks,and unfurled her wings.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. I'm just...I'm so sorry." Spitfire took off into the sky, obviously desperate to get away. Rainbow had the smallest thought that she shouldn't fly so drunk, but she very quickly decided she didn't care. She didn't care about anything at that moment. She felt despair fill her as her heart continued to beat against her ribcage, and a fresh wave of tears came. The cool night air felt nice, and that was a drip on the tongue in the hell she currently sat in. She felt nothing, save for anguish and pure hatred for herself. She hated herself for not having more patience with Applejack, who had done absolutely nothing to deserve what she'd just done. She hated herself for going to Swingin' Manes that night. She hated herself for dancing with Spitfire in a moment of selfishness. She hated herself for not going home immediately after her dizzy-spell. But more than any of the other reasons, she hated herself because after leaving that nightclub with Spitfire she hadn't thought of Applejack once. Once she was finally composed enough to breathe evenly, a process that took what felt like at least half an hour, she stood and began to head back toward her home.

The prospect of seeing Applejack at that moment was one that made her begin to tremble all over again. She'd live with this secret, and eat herself alive every day, seeing how wonderful and sweet her wife was. How far she was willing to go to make Rainbow happy. She looked around at the trees she walked by and remembered both fondly and with great pain, her applebucking competitions with Applejack. She remembered the times they'd sneaked out into the orchard to fool around when there were too many ponies at the house. When the farmhouse came into view, she remembered back to when she had surprised Applejack on that porch with all of their friends the day after their first Harvest Celebration Hoedown.

"The hoedown." Rainbow said to herself, yet another wave of tears spilling down her face as she turned toward the barn. She still remembered walking through those doors looking through the crowd of happy ponies, and seeing Applejack's expression of pure surprise and elation. She remembered the way her wife had bounded to her and wrapped her into a tight embrace, so happy that she had been able to make it. Rainbow closed her eyes, feeling herself shake, and began to sob once again, unable to look at the barn. She had no idea how she would hide this from Applejack, and just knowing that she'd have to made her feel dirty, pathetic and cowardly. When she composed herself, at least relatively so, she entered her house and simply looked down on her way to the bedroom, because the house she was in held a wealth of memories that would surely hit her like the ones she'd faced outside.

'Gonna have to get used to that, you piece of garbage.' She thought to herself. 'Element of loyalty my flank.'

Despite not looking, her mind still flashed the memory of when she and Applejack had come out to their family, who proceeded to welcome her with open arms. It was as if her mind was punishing her and she knew she deserved it. Finally, the torturous walk to the bedroom came to an end and she quietly pushed the door open. Applejack lay on the bed asleep, and she stirred when Rainbow entered. The pegasus found it hard to look at her wife, the shame corroding her insides.

"Hey there." Applejack said warmly as she stretched, the blanket falling off her baby bump. "Ah missed you. Did you have fun?"

"Y-Yeah, I had f-fun." Rainbow said, trying desperately, and failing, to sound normal.

"So what, did y'all just drink, or what?" Applejack asked as Rainbow sat down on the bed, facing away from her.

"Mmmhmm." Rainbow managed to reply, unable to keep the tears from falling once more. She couldn't stop it and she damn sure couldn't act like nothing had happened. She knew what she'd have to do, but the prospect of doing so shook her to her core. She felt nothing but fear within her as she registered Applejack sit up in the bed. She almost jumped when she felt Applejack's hoof run down her shoulder.

"You know, Ah woke up not too long ago, and Ah didn't really get back to sleep. What do you say Ah go ahead and make things up to ya, my Wonderbolt-" Applejack stopped what she was saying when she realized how violently Rainbow was trembling. "Rainbow? R-Rainbow, are you alright?" Her wife turned toward her slowly and her eyes widened when she saw Rainbow's pure distress.

"AJ...I..." Rainbow squeaked out.

"Dash...Please...Tell me you're alright."

"I...I..." Rainbow attempted to form the words, which simply would not break through her lips. "I...I have...I have t-to t-tell you something, okay?" Rainbow said shakily, making an attempt to control her breathing. "On the way home...From the club..." Rainbow breathed deeply again, and Applejack took Dash's hoof in hers, and it made Rainbow feel sick inside.

"It's okay, baby. You can tell me." Applejack said, scooting toward her. Rainbow hung her head and sobbed again, tears falling onto the bed's comforter, making the smallest thump sounds.

"I...I...Look, just know that I love you so, so much, okay? I love you, Applejack." Rainbow said tearfully, looking into Applejack's eyes.Applejack's eyes widened slightly.

"Rainbow Dash...You're scarin' me..." Hearing this, Rainbow hung her head again, unable to look at Applejack. The words were in her mind, and she tried to get them out, but it was as if there was a mental block against the sentence she wanted to produce. With great strain and terror, she made herself utter the words.

"Me and Spitfire...We...We kissed." Rainbow Dash felt Applejack drop her hoof, and looked up in time to see Applejack's eyes wide and already filling with tears.

"W-What?" Applejack said quietly, clearly stunned. She looked to be absolutely shattered. "What do you mean?"

"We met at Swingin' Manes, and we had some drinks...A lot of drinks...We danced together."

"No..." Applejack breathed, beginning to truly cry, letting out a small sob.

"AJ, I was...I am...so drunk." Rainbow said, scooting on the bed closer to Applejack, who moved further away from her. She put her hoof on Applejack's and her wife promptly jerked hers away. "AJ, I'm so sorry...Please..."

"How could you?" Applejack said, looking into Rainbow's eyes, both mares shedding tears profusely.

"AJ-"

"How could you?" Applejack said, with both despair and anger, standing. "How could you, Rainbow Dash?!" They were both sure the question had been loud enough to wake the others in the house, but neither of them seemed to care.

"I was really, really drunk, and...And it's been such a while-"

"Don't you dare try to justify this, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack half-yelled-half-sobbed.

"I'm not-" Rainbow said before being cut off once more.

"What all did you do?" The words hit Rainbow like rocks and she knew the pain was what she had coming.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, and Applejack scowled at her.

"You're not stupid." Applejack said, bringing a painful reminder to Rainbow of Spitfire saying the exact same thing to her before this had all been put into motion. "Tell me. Right now."

"We kissed...And...She...touched me..." Rainbow admitted, and Applejack's anger faded quickly, replaced with sorrow. She stumbled and fell, Rainbow standing quickly to help her. "AJ, the whole thing didn't last more than thirty seconds, and I had to tell you-"

"Don't you come near me." Applejack said immediately, and Rainbow, hurt by this, stepped back. Applejack stood shakily and stared into Rainbow's eyes, tears continually streaming down both of their faces. "Ah...Ah think you need to go, Rainbow." As she watched Applejack point toward their bedroom door, Rainbow felt her entire world shatter around her.

"Applejack...Please no..." Rainbow breathed and took a step toward her wife. "You're my wife, and I love you...Can we try to work this out? Please, AJ I'll beg-"

"Ah don't want to hear you talk, and I certainly don't want to hear you beg. Now, leave, Rainbow." Applejack said, attempting to stop her tears and be strong. Her efforts didn't stop her tears or her voice from breaking.

"No. There's so much we have, AJ. Please. I can't live without you." Rainbow took a step toward Applejack, and Applejack in turn took a step back. "I need you in my life. I'm nothing without you. I can't imagine not living my life with you. I want to grow old with you. We have a baby..."

"Get out, Rainbow Dash." Applejack demanded. She was angry, but she continued to cry. Neither of them could stop.

"Applejack, I love you. I love you so much. Please, we're a family." Rainbow cried, moving even closer toward her. "There's got to be some way we can get through this. It's us. You're everything to me..."

"Rainbow, you need to-"

"I can't do it, AJ...I can't go on without you..." Rainbow began to attempt to nuzzle Applejack. The farm mare moved her head back to avoid it, unable to keep a sob from leaking out. "I need-"

"Get out!" Applejack almost screamed and shoved Rainbow backward as hard as she could into the bed. The Pegasus hit the back of her head on the wooden footboard, but the pain barely registered. All she knew was that she'd lost her wife, and that her entire world was crumbling around her.

"AJ....Please, I love you...Please, don't. I'll never touch alcohol again...I'll leave the Wonderbolts..." Rainbow sobbed on the floor, breaking completely and beginning to beg through her sobbing. She shook and her chest heaved, almost unrecognizable from the Rainbow Dash she usually was. The pain in the back of her head had at that point welled up and the pain only added to her misery. "Don't make me go...Please, Applejack, I love you...I can't..."

"Don't make me throw you out, Rainbow Dash." Applejack uttered, trembling herself, the tears never stopping. "G-get up off the floor and get out."

Rainbow stood shakily and without another word, left the room, Applejack slamming the door behind her. Rainbow failed to notice Granny Smith peek through a dark crack in her bedroom door to watch her lurch down the hallway, still half-drunk and stricken to the core with grief. The once-proud Pegasus sobbed freely as she left the house, and as she left, she registered the distant sound of Applejack crying in their bedroom, hard. She wanted nothing more than to go back and hold her wife, to tell her it was going to be alright, and then she remembered that she had been the cause of that terrible noise.

Rainbow smashed a hoof into her already aching head as she walked through the orchard. The hit made her already throbbing head explode with pain, but she didn't care. She deserved it and she knew she did. It was at that moment that she realized how drunk she still was, as her vision blurred almost completely when she got to the main gate of the orchard. The contents of her stomach spilled out of her mouth profusely, and she swayed where she stood. Not caring what happened to her, she let herself fall, and hit her head once more on the fence post. She lay on the ground, struck dumb and crying, only able to hate herself with every inch of her being.

She cried herself to sleep in the dirt, resolving to truly leave at first light.

Author's Notes:

I won't lie...That was tough to write. In fact it was downright painful at certain parts. I mean, the great thing about these characters is that they're fallable, and this mistake has been made many times before, and that will never change. But what always changes is how the victim (The other half of the cheater.) reacts to this mistake. You'll have to see what happens! I'm gonna play Borderlands 3 to cheer myself up. Next chapter should be up by the end of the month. Feel free to tell me what you think of the story, I'm a review whore. Cheers!