Applejack and Rainbow Dash were lying in Applejack's bed, bellies full and talking about how lunch was as Apple Bloom knocked on the door.

"C'mon in," Applejack said.

Opening the door slowly, Apple Bloom walked in with her head down and sat just inside the threshold. "Applejack, Ah wanted ta say Ah'm sorry for how Ah acted earlier. And the same goes to her," she pointed a foreleg at Rainbow while glaring briefly, "Ah guess,” she lowered her leg.

“Yer my sister and I do love ya, and Granny had a talk with me all mornin' ‘bout how I didn't have ta approve of who ya loved, but I still had to apologize and someday Ah'd understand, or somethin'. Also this is our family talk and not for Ponyville. Ah had to promise ta keep it from everypony else, so Ah'm gonna. But Ah don't have ta like her for any part of this."

"Sugarcube, it's okay. Ah love you and, in time, Ah know you'll understand and accept me, us, for what we have," Applejack said as she took Rainbow Dash's hoof in hers. Rainbow Dash blushed and couldn't find the words to say so she nodded slightly, glancing at Applejack.

With a final glare at, Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom left and shut the door quietly. "Sugarplum, I think it's time we took a few minutes to really relax. Ah'm gonna try and nap, and I'd love if you'd stay with me," Applejack said as she turned on the bed then again to align herself to the side closest to the window.

Rainbow Dash laid next to her and the lay on her back. Applejack turned and laid her head on Rainbow Dash's chest and began to rub the cyan fur in front of her face with her hoof. This worked this morning after breakfast why isn't she reactin' the same. Maybe Ah'm doin' it wrong.

Hearing a quiet snore followed by a light knicker, Applejack sighed and rested her foreleg across Rainbow Dash's abdomen and relaxed. Well that killed the mood quick. Might as well get some sleep too. Never waste a good opportunity to rest on a day off.

A knock at the door stirred Rainbow, who was laying on her stomach now, wings splayed out over Applejack as an impromptu blanket while she slept. "Hmm, oh. Huh? What's goin' on?" Applejack said as she opened her eyes. Three more soft knocks tapped the door. "Who's it?" she shouted groggily as a yawn groaned from her.

"Time fer dinner, sis. Ah wanted to talk to you over dinner since that preener isn't here and Ah can open up," Apple Bloom said through the closed door.

Jumping out of bed, Applejack galloped around the bed and to the door, pulling it open then pointing at Rainbow Dash, who was laying on the bed looking surprised and hurt at the unfolding scene. "That pegasus is my marefriend and she's still here, and stayin' fer dinner! Now git, and I'm tellin' Granny bout what you said." Apple Bloom looked terrified and embarrassed as she stumbled back at her sister's shouting. Turning Apple Bloom bolted from the doorway.

"And Ah’m gonna find out where ya learned them words and fix it right up,” she shouted at the filly that was scampering down the stairs. “That dang filly’s gonna eat soap for dessert if Ah get a say."

Rainbow sighed and shook her head before a smile crossed her lips. "Applejack, I like your style. C'mare and help me up," she winked.

Applejack's face went deadpan. "I just don’t get it, Dashalicious."

"I said stop calling me ‘Dashalicious’," Rainbow replied curtly, sticking her tongue out.

"Fair enough. Keep on jokin' and we'll see who's gonna win. Let's go eat, then Ah guess since I missed chores we can catch up tonight," Applejack winked. “Just kiddin’, everypony needs ta relax.”

Getting up and taking to the air Rainbow nodded. “Chillax,” was all she said before following Applejack. She was going out the door when Rainbow commented happily. "You know, we ate lunch then fell asleep 'til dinner. It's like we're eating twice in a row! I can get used to this country life."

"Yeah, well, that ain't all there is to this country life. Ah got chores and work ta do six days a week, and even my day off isn't a day off; always something going on," she mumbled. "Dashing, Ah'm gonna hit the little fillies room before I eat."

"I gotta go too," Rainbow said flying over Applejack.

"Well, it's my house," she stated stopping at the doorway to the bathroom.

"Well, I'm the guest so I have priority," Rainbow smirked while crossing her forelegs.

"That doesn't count cause you were here all day," Applejack challenged.

Rainbow smiled. "It'd be might neighborly for you to let me go first."

Applejack gritted her teeth and stepped aside. "Ya have a good one, friend," she emphasised with a stern look.

"I will. Don't wait up," Dash smugly said as she floated in and shut the door.

Ooo. That mare is gonna drive me batty before we get to our date. Wow, we haven't had a date yet and we're quarrelin' like a couple’a hens over seeds. Smiling, she returned to her room to tighten the sheets and blankets. The door to the bathroom opened and the sound of Rainbow flapping quietly made her ears turn.

"Where the hay did she go? I hope she didn't go all the way to that stinky outhouse that Granny uses."

Applejack hummed a tune quietly after making the bed. She turned to the mirror on her dresser and pulled her hat on her head. She acted as though she were alone while Rainbow landed and quietly stood at the door and peeked in to watch.

Applejack spent the next few seconds adjusting her hat before swaying her tail and bouncing her rump while her tempo increased until she was practically singing a country song about whittling away the day. Rainbow's eyes were stuck on the bouncing rump and soft coat of her best friend turned lover. She gulped loudly.

"Ah hope ya don't mind if I go now," Applejack said, quickly turning to face Rainbow. The mare’s eyes were as wide as they could be, her mouth slightly agape. Nodding slightly she moved back and nudged the door open with a wing. She watched as Applejack walked past and, with her tail, closed Rainbow's mouth. "Ya don't want a fly ta get in, do ya?" she said softly as she passed Rainbow.

"Hoo-wee. I'm so hungry I could eat a barrel full o' grains," Applejack shouted as she entered the dining room. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Rainbow Dash were sitting around the table with a spot next to Apple Bloom for Applejack. Apple Bloom stopped glaring at Rainbow Dash and smiled at her sister, beckoning her to take her seat by urgently patting the floor. "Ah'm comin', quit chompin’ at the bit," Applejack stated as she made her way around the table and sat on the floor beside her little sister.

Taking her seat she looked at Rainbow Dash, who was staring at her plate -seemingly deep in thought. Ah wonder how Rainbow Dash is holdin' up? She looks like she's thinkin' hard on somethin'. Must be Apple Bloom and her racist words. That little fillies gonna get it if she's misbehavin' again. Ah swear, Ah never thought my little sis would use such hurtful language.

I wonder what's for dinner, as much as I love apples I hope it's something not apple related. Unless it’s Applejack, that’s a flavor I can taste again. she smirked to herself. And what a wasted day. I could’a been exercising and all I did was nap with AJ. Well, I guess it wasn’t all wasted. She looked up to Applejack and their eyes locked.

Apple Bloom frowned at the exchange while Big Mac sat stoically. Applejack noticed the expression on the filly’s face and had had enough.

"Granny,” Applejack started, “Apple Bloom went’n said-" she leaned in to whisper to Granny Smith's good ear. Granny glared at Apple Bloom and shook her head slightly. Apple Bloom sank as she felt the skilled eyes of her grandmother burning into her. With a motion of Granny's head Apple Bloom got up and walked out of the room sniffling.

"That little fillies gonna have soap fer dessert at this rate,” Granny huffed, “now let's quick gabbin' away and eat, put this nonsense behind us." Granny grabbed for an ear of corn with one hoof and reached to grab some bread with the other.

"Granny!" Applejack shouted, stopping the elder mare midreach. "We gonna pay respects, or just chow?" Granny smiled while retracting her foreleg then put her hooves together as the others did the same. Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack inquisitively. "Just play along, Dashing."

Putting her hooves together she looked at Applejack and smiled.

Granny spoke the prayer. "Ancestors who gave us our lives and everything we have. Ancestors who taught us how to live from the land. Ancestors who live below us in the ground and help our trees grow. We thank, respect, and love you."

“And cherish you.” Big Mac and Applejack said in unison.

Rainbow Dash looked around the table as the Apple family, minus one, began grabbing food and passing fresh apple juice in a carafe around the table. Applejack made sure to fill Apple Bloom's plate with a variety of food. "So, um, what was that just now? Was that a prayer? I didn't know you had religion here," Rainbow Dash asked openly.

"Oh well, it ain't so much one of those popular ones; like where they say Celestia is the one true Goddess,” she snickered, “or that there's a higher horse in the sky that makes everything happen. Those ponies are kinda crazy ta begin with, and now that Luna's back everything they know is all topsy-turvy. We believe in payin' our respects to our ancestors though, cause we know they're real and we thank 'em for all we have and taught us."

Applejack finished her little sermon as Big Mac and granny ate silently; listening and smiling.

Apple Bloom was walking into the room as Applejack was finishing when Granny spoke up

.

"When we founded Ponyville, there was seventeen of us in our caravan. We picked us up a few extras when we left Canterlot, ya know. Anywho, when we went’n settled and built our first few houses, food was scarce and I went to pick them zap apples, ya know the story. But, what ya don't know is my sister, Ambrosia, was in love with another settler. Her name was Morning Seed, and she was a pretty filly if ever ya saw one. Not one of us knew about them til about five years after we had started the Ponyville the history books paid attention to.

"Now, keep on eatin' or yer gonna get cold food while I tell my stories. Apple Bloom, ya get yer medicine?" Apple Bloom nodded with a sniffle as she wiped her mouth and tongue with a napkin. "Okay then, eat up. Now, where were I? Uhm, auh. Then, seeds. Ah! Oh yeah. So, Ponyville had a few houses and shops and a train comin' and goin' all regular with ponies from all over the area stoppin' by. Some as far away as Manehattan, just to get some of our zap apple jam.

"We all was goin on dates and findin' our special someponies and she, my sister Ambrosia that is, was always just spendin' all her time with her group of friends. Now, we didn't think nothin' of it cuz mares her age were always gossipin' and talkin’ fer fun when they was together, but then one day my sister came home late one night and she had a lilly in her hair.

"Back then that meant you was with somepony special and we all was askin’ her all the questions and givin' her the dangest time. Well, come ta turn out she was spendin quality time with Morning Seed. So much so that Morning had put a flower in her hair when they was on a late night walk and my sis just done forgot about it in her excitement.

"Mommy and pappy wasn't havin' none of that stuff in our house when we finally was settlin', so my sister had to break it off with Morning. Well, wouldn’t cha know it, the next mornin' both of 'em was gone! We searched high and low but found not hide er hair from 'em. Then, two weeks later they came back to town walkin’ all close and wearin' matchin dresses and with flowers wrapped in wreaths on their heads, which back then was the same thing as sayin' y'all was hitched.

"Now, my parents were so happy to see them safe ‘n sound that they realized that having their daughter be healthy and happy was more important than losin' her, or any of us, to anger or somethin' silly like that. Soon, the same went for Morning's family too. It spread like wildfire across the town and even started a movement in Manehattan and Baltimare.

“Marrying whoever you wanted was always okay, mind ya, but ya couldn't live together in city limits unless ya was in a herd with both males ‘n females. A few years after what happened it was okay to get married in public and live together in any town ya wanted with a whole ceremony and all the trimmin's.

"That all came about after my sis and Morning was married though, but they lived a happy long life together inside Ponyville city limits, welcomed by all. That's why you only got one aunt, Orange Blossom. But, even with that all my little ponies grew up happy and so did theirs."

The table was quiet as Granny finished her story, all eyes on her. Apple Bloom looked at Applejack then to Rainbow Dash then at her plate. "Ah think Ah'm done with dinner Granny, can Ah be excused?"

"Sure thing, young'n. Just clean up." Apple Bloom nodded as she left the table with her almost empty Plate.

"Granny, I never knew that about Ambrosia. Why didn't you tell us about her?" Applejack asked, leaning a foreleg on the table and resting her chin on it.

"Oh, I told you everything you needed to know about all our family business when ya needed to know. Some things about everypony don't need to be talked about just cuz."

"Eeyup."

"Yeah, Ah recon you're right. I ain't sore at ya, nor did Ah mean to keep it secret. It just never came up.” Granny sighed. “Ah wish Ah told ya sooner, cuz I felt like I was lyin' to y'all for a long time, believin’’ ya liked mares ‘n all." Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash with a soft smile. "It ain't right to lie to yourself to make others happy."

Rainbow Dash smiled at Applejack then looked around the table, her smile faded and she quickly took the last bite of food from her plate and stood up. "Okay, well, thanks for the meal. I'm gonna go home, I've got a lot to do and I slept most of the day so, yeah." Rainbow started for the door but Big Mac got up and blocked her. "Can I get by Big Mac?"

"Nope."

"Really? C'mon big guy, I've gotta lot to do and probably a few clouds to move still."

Big Mac looked at Applejack who gave him a nod. Big Mac scooted back up and started piling up the remaining plates while Applejack got up and walked to the door and beckoned Rainbow Dash to follow.

"Usually, we clean up after ourselves, Rainbow. Big Mac has ya covered today. I'll walk ya to the edge of the farm, and we gotta talk about somethin' on the way."

"Anything that'll get me outside I'm down for," Rainbow said as she flapped then flew slowly to the door.

"I'll be back y'all. Don't wait up, this could be a tough talk." Granny and Big Mac nodded as they started cleaning up the table. Granny called for Apple Bloom to start her chores as Applejack walked out behind Rainbow Dash.

The night air was cool and fresh with a hint of apple scent. Rainbow Dash was flying at a steady pace as Applejack caught up. "Dashing, I love your tail, but maybe you could slow up a bit?"

Rainbow gasped and landed on her haunches, looking back at Applejack shocked for a moment. "Applejack what are we doing? I can't handle this all at once! We have a great night, then my life gets turned all upside down. Your sis hates me and other Pegasus are already making fun of me while I'm working; I had to knock two outta the sky today just to shut 'em up."

"Ya didn't hurt 'em too bad, did ya?" Applejack asked while she sat with Rainbow.

"I don't care, I'm not be treated like a ... whatever."

"Like a filly fooler? A mare lover?"

"I don't know! Maybe," Rainbow said as she stood and began walking ahead of Applejack, down the path out of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Sugarplum, don't get upset. Ya know as good as any pony that ponies tease just cuz they can. You're the worst one I know, Dash. Ya teased Pinkie for three days after she got better from that blue joke flower, remember how you kept asking her to lick your envelopes and stamps for her? And you called Fluttershy 'Flutterguy' for a month, until we all had ta talk to ya and make you stop with authority.

"You can't go fight'n every pony that makes a joke or has a laugh, or you'll never prove 'em one way or the other. Now, speakin' of which, are we gonna go for that date tomorrow or the day after? I'm free both nights and I'll gussy up nice and let Rarity do my hair, just this once, if ya want. Once, Rainbow Dash."

"Oh what the hay. Why not? Everypony thinks I'm that way anyway. I don't see what a dinner would hurt," Rainbow Dash grumped as she trotted ahead, then took to the air turning sharply to the right.

"Hey, where ya going, Dashing? This ain't the way to the road."

"I know. I wanted you to show me the barn. You said there's a place we can do stuff and I wanna see it, just in case."

"Well, slow up. Ah don't want you to trip or get tangled in some hangin’ rope since you can't run," Applejack said confidently as she galloped at her top speed passing Rainbow Dash.

"I'm not losing to you, AJ. Get back here and eat my dust." Following closely above Applejack, Rainbow Dash watched the galloping mare below her as she ran. Her mane waving in the wind, her neck moving forward and back as her defined muscles moved under her healthy orange coat across her body, and her blonde tail bouncing up and down with each bound forward.

As Applejacks hind legs jutted out behind her with every push forward, Rainbow felt herself staring and without realizing it she slowed down to watch Applejack gallop. "You can't go that slow, AJ, or I'm gonna pass you in no time," Rainbow challenged as she watched Applejack speed up.

Everything Rainbow Dash felt unsure about was easing away as she stared at her friend running at top speed. Oh my gosh this is so weird. I'm staring at her like she was a Wonderbolt going for the final stunt.

Arriving at the barn after only a 15 second race, Rainbow Dash flew in the top window and quickly scanned the room for areas to hide. Applejack opened the right door and walked into the darkness; the scent of hay all around her. "Rainbow, where'd ya go? I thought Ah was gonna show you my spot? C'mon outta the shadows."

I went to this place so few times with Twilight and always left after she did. I cried to myself so many times right over there, while she was back at the library readin' a book like nothin' happened between us. Why'd Ah say I'd take Dash here? Maybe I can back out before-

Rainbow Dash jumped out a pile of hay with a shout. Applejack screamed and reared up, falling onto her back and into the straw that was strewn across the barn floor. "Dagnabit, what the buck Rainbow Dash?! Ya scared the pee outta me!"

Rainbow Dash was laughing as she hovered over Applejack. She got a mouth full of hay and began coughing after she breathed some dust into her lungs. It was Applejack’s turn to laugh as she got to her hooves and trotted over to Rainbow Dash. "Ya know I won the race, and I'm havin' the last laugh ta boot. Double win."

Rainbow coughed one last time clearing her throat, spitting the last hay from her mouth then stared Applejack in the eyes. "I hate losing and you know it. I demand a rematch tomorrow."

"After our date?"

"At lunch time, I'll decide the challenge. Loser has to let Rarity dress them up for the date."

"Fine," Applejack replied raising a hoof.

"Fine!" Rainbow shouted and bumped her hoof to Applejack’s.

They looked away from each other then giggled. Looking back at each other they laughed out loud at the silliness of their challenge. They meant it, but it was still silly.

"So, AJ. Where's this place you were talkin about?"

"Well you're actually floating over it. This' the door to my little hidey-hole." Applejack walked over and pulled a rope that was hidden in the floor, exposing a short stairwell down into near darkness.

"Cool secret passage AJ. Where's it lead? Super secret spy lab where you work for a secret agency stopping an evil genius?"

"Yeah. Exactly that, Dash. Now you can't ever leave," Applejack snarked back.

"Oh my gosh, you're serious? I'm sorry! I won't tell anypony! Honest," Rainbow Dash stopped following Applejack down the stairs and covered her eyes with her hooves. "I haven't seen anything."

Rolling her eyes, Applejack continued on. "Rainbow Dash, I was joking. Ah've got enough on my plate with runnin’ a farm and savin' Ponyville and Equestria every few weeks than ta have ta take on some some evil pony from doin' anything. Now c'mon, it's only a couple steps til you're on the floor. I'll get the light."

Rainbow landed in the shorter cellar and watched as Applejack faded into the blackness. Applejack tapped a switch and a single magic light crystal illuminated the cellar. There were barrels of apples stacked two high lining the walls and several deep. "This' it, my secret place that nopony but us Apples know about," she said with pride.

"Wait, did you bring Twilight here?" Applejack's face turned to one of embarrassment and sadness at the mention of sharing her spot.

"Yeah I did, and Ah regret it. Ah spent more time sittin’ with sadness in the dark than cuddled up with somepony or even a good book. Ah brought you here so maybe Ah can have a new and better memory. Also, it's one of the last places in town that's safe."

"Safe?" Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah. Places ya can get caught are everywhere. The fine fer havin’ sex outside anytime that’s not durin’ estrus is too much ta wanna pay. Even the barn up there isn't safe. I tried to nap, alone, and got interrupted by birds, Fluttershy, and even Pinkie. I had a bad night once and there were critters all over the place. I couldn't get a second alone with my thoughts with them runnin' round makin’ a ruckus."

"I think you mean fracas."

"No, I looked it up. Ruckus."

"Whatever. So, we do it just right in the middle of the floor? That's not very romantic and the dirt would get some places that would be uncomfortable, but... hey, I'm game," Rainbow stated as she cantered in a circle looking at the dusty ground.

"No, Rainbow Dash, not here on the dirt floor, ya silly filly. We built in a secret room to house our special cider reserves that age inta a nice hard cider right over there, and that's where." Rainbow Dash almost bounced like Pinkie did when she heard the word cider.

"Ci-ci-cider? Secret stash? Secret room? Please AJ, ya gotta let me see!"

"Okay okay, don't get your tail in a knot." Applejack moved a few barrels aside with a few heaves and in view came a small door, wide enough to roll a barrel on its side through. Crawling into the hidden room, Applejack hit something in the pitch darkness and several gems sprung to life, shining the room with cascading rainbows of magic light.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in awe at the sight of several dozen kegs of hard cider strapped to the walls, the light cascading against them. Looking around the room she noticed a bed set up with a nightstand just to the left of the entrance with a few books, matches, a lantern, and a jug of water.

It was a place to relax for sure.

Applejack walked into the center of the room, which was larger than it seemed, and sat down on the finished cement floor. Light carpeting that was torn and ripped covered parts of the floor. Rainbow hadn't noticed it at first and didn't think much of it when she did.

"Rainbow, this is my home away from home. Sometimes Ah get so fed up with it all, so I come down here and just get away from it all. Granny knows I come here, so if I'm gone too long she'll have Big Mac come by and check on me. There's a magic crystal over there that lights a gem ‘round Granny's neck if Ah'm hurt or trapped. So, what do ya think?"

Rainbow Dash eyes were almost sparkling with awe, a single tear formed at the corner of her eye while Applejack smiled; waiting to hear something romantic leave Rainbows lips.

"So, are all these barrels full of hard cider?" Rainbow asked.

Applejack facehooved.

"So this' your hide out? I think it's pretty cool. The lights and magic are awesome, and the kegs of sweet sweet cider are, like, the best thing in here! Oh, except you. And I like this bed. It's really high quality. You must've spent a few bits on this. How'd you get it in here?"

"Well, with magic and help. The mattress was the worst part since it’s not a futon but a spring bed. Everything else in here I built piece by piece. It's all a labor of love and it pays me back every time Ah come in here.”

Rainbow flapped her wings. “This place sure is dusty AJ. And the ceiling is so low, too."

"Now Rainbow, ya gotta quit all this nitpicking. It ain't fixin' nothin' and this place here is just fine as is."

"But, I can't even jump on the bed. Look," Rainbow walked over to the bed and stood on it, her wings opened and touched the stone ceiling, "see."

"Well Sugarplum, ain't no reason to jump on that bed. I use it for sleepin', relaxin', and readin'."

"And sex," Rainbow Dash gave a seductive look at Applejack.

"A couple times, mostly alone. I spend most of my time with books and my thoughts.”

"Sounds kinda really boring and lame."

"Shut up, Rainbow Dash," Applejack playfully punched the cyan mare in the shoulder. “Let’s take a seat and see how the bed feels with us both on it.”