Closing the door behind her Applejack looked to the bed where Rainbow had hastily flown to before landing cross legged and looking sullen. "Sugarplum, what's wrong? You've looked down for a few minutes now and that just ain't you. What can mama do ta make it better?"

"Come here AJ. I did something wrong," Rainbow said avoiding eye contact with her lover. Applejack trotted quickly to the bed and hopped up sitting on her flank looking concerned at Rainbow waiting for a response. Rainbow took a deep breath in and held it for a moment before closing her eyes and speaking softly. "I kissed Quill today."

She waited for a fight. Screaming, shouting, disapproval and disgust at her from Applejack at what she had done. It could even mean the end of their relationship, the fear was all encompassing.

"That's all that's got ya so worked up?"

Rainbows eyes opened wide as she looked at the compassionate face of her fiance, quickly scanning for any negative inflections. "What? I mean, you're not mad or furious that she kissed me?"

"Yeah, that's more like her. She kissed you, she kissed me, she even kissed Twilight, Muddy... She must've gotten mad or somethin' fierce but when she gets that way she kisses the first pony that comforts her. Don't beat yourself up sugar, even if you two did kiss ya kept yer hooves in a safe place, right?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

Rainbow sat up straight and shook her head quickly. "No no no no no, totally a hug. Then she kissed me and I was all like 'that was awesome but I've gotta go' and left. Totally not a 'kiss' kiss." Rainbow had raised her forelegs and was waving them dismissively to emphasize the lack of romance between the twos earlier kiss. She spent the next few minutes detailing the events that led up to the kiss as Applejack nodded and listened intently to every detail without interrupting.

"So, Diamond is out and Soarin is in? I reckon this' gonna be a big change. What about Lime, oh no..."

"What? What's wrong with Lime?"

"Lime's a jealous type and doesn't know about Quills hug 'n kiss thing. Is there time for us to all talk?"

"Uh, I dunno AJ. She said she was gonna tell Lime herself 'later'."

Applejack pressed her hoof to the bridge on her muzzle and sighed. "I really wish we could be there, you and Lime talked earlier and that's just gonna make it worse for them. Have you seen them fight?"

"Yeah, Quill yells and scares the feathers off of Lime," Rainbow smirked.

"No, that was different. That was Quill defending you, Lime drinks and has used drugs to help her handle the stress of almost any argument. That night we gave you the makeover, she was in the kitchen long enough to polish off a bottle of wine before she came out with that other stuff. How long does it take ta get a few glasses and juice? Not seven minutes for sure," Applejack had lowered her hooves to her lap and was looking seriously at Rainbow, "We need to make sure she doesn't do anything reckless. Can ya check on them after your shift tonight?"

"Yeah, I'll do that. I didn't know she had a problem like I do, did."

"Rainbow, sorry ta say, but it's worse sometimes. She uses drugs and drinks whenever she's under a lotta stress and only a few know it. We're worried it'll get worse but we can't stop her because just like you, it's hard to catch her. And lots of drugs like onn powder or egg fluff are almost impossible to see and can be hidden in her mane easily, used then it's gone. We can't treat her like a foal so we just have to wait for her to slip up before we can get her help. Fluttershy or some other pony or maybe even a real hospital like Broadhoof."

"Woah, that's extreme. That place is for total nuts that can't do anything," Rainbow made small circles by her temple as she spoke, "I wouldn't even be admitted there at my worst."

"They don't only take total crazies Dash. They also take anypony that needs help; suicide, depression, anxiety, drugs. Whatever that needs help."

"Well, maybe we should think about it then? I'm better now and I think she could use it too. I mean she's great but I wonder what she'd be like? Sober I mean."

"I reckon the same mostly. But no pony knows, let's just keep an eye out, okay?" Applejack asked with soft concern as she leaned forward and moved her body so she was laying on Rainbows lap. Rainbow softly ran her hoof through Applejacks mane in the most relaxing moment of their day Applejack closed her eyes and giggled while Rainbow pet her.

"What's so funny AJ?" Rainbow asked softly, not wanting to break the calm.

"Zap Apples. If ya can make 'em we're gonna have so many bits we could buy more land and plant more trees."

"Shh, don't talk about work honey. You're great at apple bucking and chores but I want to be with you right now. The mare I can be myself with."

Applejack moaned in approval as time passed too quickly. The sound of a door slamming heavily meant it was almost 9 which was not only bed time but it meant Rainbow would have to leave to finish her shift. They both laid down and Applejack let Rainbow hold her closely from behind, draping a wing over her as they nuzzled each other until they nearly fell asleep.

"AJ, I've gotta get my work done. Then you better believe we're gonna be like this again before ya know it." Rainbow kissed Applejacks cheek as she pulled herself free and looked to see Applejack had fallen asleep a moment before. Her chest rose and fell slowly and her mane laid flat and loose against the bed where Rainbow was a moment before. Resisting the urge to wake her lover with a kiss she hovered out of bed and blew out the lanterns before quietly opening the window, sliding it closed as slowly as she could and looking back into the room to see the silhouette of her fiances upper body laying on the bed before she turned and flew to the sky to gather the clouds together to storm the area.

The plan was to have one last thunder storm for the month to help the harvest so supplies would last the longer than usual winter. An extra week was scheduled for winter this year to make up for seasonal displacement after so many evil entities had made the world so chaotic. Arriving to find Quill and, to her left, Soarin was preparing the mission and orders while a gathering of Pegasus gathered on the cloud layer mingling and talking.

Several minutes after she arrived a few stragglers had finally shown up and Quill flared her wings, gathering the attention of every pony there. "Okay, it's late and I don't think any of us want to be here. Soarin is here to observe how we operate and to watch our efficiency. You are going to be split into teams of two, pair off like usual and don't pick favorites. We want this done as quickly and efficiently as possible. We're not here to socialize or gossip. Do you understand me?" She asked flapping her wings for show before she took to the air and landed behind Soarin.

"Hey everypony. It's nice to meet you finally and thanks to those of you who welcomed me to town at the party earlier. From what I've heard I should be expecting a lot of parties with that one around," he paused as a round of ironic laughter spread across the group, "well I assume this'll be a great experience overall then. So, don't let me hold you up and let's get to work. Show me how the best in Equestria make it rain." With a few flaps he was hovering in the air with Quill right beside him as Pegasi paired off.

"Hey Dash, can we be a team?"

"Flutterwing! I haven't been partners with you before, I think it's be great. Just try to keep up with me," Rainbow said confidently.

"Oh, I think I've learned a few tricks to impress the great Rainbow Dash."

"Oh yeah? Let's put your bits where your mouth is, three bits if you impress me."

"Deal, let's get to position." They flew to a large patch of clouds and hovered over it smiling competitively at each other waiting for the signal to start. Quill let Soarin handle that and with a controlled kick a roar of thunder filled the skies as Pegasi landed quickly starting a down pour below them. The rain falling steadily in turns the teams dove beneath the cloud layer and focused their magic to the underside of their wings and with a strong flap created heavy breezes that combined to form a typical thunderstorm covering every available area with water as quickly and evenly as possible.

Flutterwing waited for the breeze to get a good flow before she waited for her competitor to return above the cloud layer. With a nod she flew up and closed her wings falling in a tight corkscrew below the cloud layer. Rainbow landed and pulled open a small section to view the first trick. Flutterwing opened her wings and stopped mid air suddenly creating a powerful blast of wind to form below her flattening grass and with one strong pump she shot up really fast breaking the cloud layer and looping before hovering in front of Rainbow proudly. "Impressed?"

"Oh, that was supposed to be the start? I didn't even notice you do anything awesome. Let me show you a little something," Rainbow said cockily folding her wings and trotting across the cloud stamping her rear right leg making showers fall faster in certain spots before she placed a step forward and fell through the cloud acting surprised. Flutterwing quickly flew to the hole that formed and saw Rainbow slowly falling in a controlled descent with her wings closed, opening them several feet above the ground and flapping heavily, spiraling as she ascended, stopping near the cloud layer then plummeting at a top speed between her rainbow contrail to the ground skimming the surface with millimeters between her underbelly and the ground before rocketing back up to the cloud layer and through it stopping behind a surprised Flutterwing.

"That was it? You just did basi-" She was cut off by shards of ice water pelting her back at high speed following Rainbow's flight path. With a startled shout as her body went for comfotably warm to having an ice cold backside she flapped her wings to face the pelting instinctively and immidiately regretting the action as she felt her body shudder as she fell to her knees shivering. "Huh-huh-huh," she huffed, "what, the, buck? There's no way the water was that cold."

"Yeah, I learned to focus my magic to change water temperature a while ago. If you want I could make it hot enough to make tea with or I can make it hail. Your turn," she challenged.

Flutterwing pushed herself up and shook herself dry. "I owe you three bits," she smiled wide and offered a hoof bump.

Returning the bump Rainbow beamed. "I know, sorry ya can't match my awesome but that was almost pretty close."

"Rainbow Dash, is that part of the procedure or did I miss something in my training?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes as she planted all four hooves on the cloud and turned around lowering her tail slightly. "Yeah Soarin, it's a new policy you haven't gotten the memo on yet. I'll have a talk with my superiors and make sure you get one, m'kay?"

"Well you're still the mare I knew back then I see. And who're you, miss?"

"Don't call me 'miss' and it's Flutterwing."

Soarin hovered and placed a hoof to his chin thinking. "Ah, Flutterwing. The combat specialist that decided to take to the clouds. If you ever want a spot in the military I can pull a few strings," he offered genuinely.

"No, there's a reason I don't want to be in the service and that reason is mine. Now we have work to do, don't we Rainbow?"

"Wait, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to offend you ladies. Let me buy you a drink after shift and we'll talk this over, you can tell me how to treat locals, what do ya say?"

Flutterwing landed with a force that let lightning and thunder explode from the cloud under her. She smiled and nodded. "Sounds great to me, ya down Rainbow?"

Rainbow hovered in the air and thought for a moment acting like she was debating the options. "Sure, but nothing hard. I only drink juice and water now."

"Yeah right," Soarin laughed, "you drank me under the table a half dozen times in a week. No way you're not drinking." She shrugged and crossed her forelegs. "Wow you're really taking this seriously. Okay then, juice and beer it is. Finish up so we can get outta here and have some fun."

---

Flutterwing, Rainbow Dash, Soarin and Quill landed outside the Silly Filly bar. After some coaching and promising Quill and Rainbow were reassured they'd only be getting water and juice all four entered. The music was loud and ponies from all walks of life were there crowding the dance floor and shouting over each other.

"Why don't we get a table? They're enchanted, right?" Soarin yelled pointing to a high bar table that had empty mugs on it. The others nodded and went to it, pulling out a chair each they sat and the noise of the bar drowned into a loud whisper. Soarin sat between Flutterwing and Quill, opposite Rainbow.

Soarin sighed lightly in the magically enhanced silence. "That's more like it. You'd think that spending years flying through the skies at top speed would make me like the noise, but I really wore ear plugs most of the time."

"No way, you really wore plugs?" Flutterwing asked clapping her hoof down on a gem in the center of the table. "I thought only scouts wore those."

"Well, young filly," he replied with a wing that made Quill and Rainbow roll their eyes, "I was a scout. I could see eight miles through a blizzard and hear half that through a thunderstorm. Made me a great asset for scouting enemy encampments and training grounds."

"We aren't at war with anypony silly," Flutterwing said leaning forward slightly.

"Exactly. It's thanks to us scouts that wars are prevented."

Quill and Rainbow leaned in to whisper to each other. "Was he always this cheesy?"

"Worse, our first date I brought a box of crackers," Quill snorted quietly, "I'm serious. He's got a way about him that fits into any mare her talks to."

"Well he sure fit it in you," Quill teased as they both sat upright. Rainbow kicked Quill in the pastern as a waitress came over.

"Hey y'all. Names Silver and what'll ya have? Rainbow Dash, I haven't seen ya for weeks. Ya gonna have the usual?"

Rainbow held up a hoof and shook her head. "Water." Silver raised an eyebrow but nodded before turning to the others and taking their drink orders. Leaving quickly to the bar Quill began talking with Rainbow about weather patterns and the next weeks weather plan as Flutterwing and Soarin flirted openly.

"Here's yer drinks y'all. And, a water for the great Rainbow Dash. Or should I call ya Rainbow Dry now?" A light round of humorous chuckles rounded the table as Rainbow grabbed her drink then chugged it all before the waitress left.

"Refill me, feelin' kinda dry." Silver grabbed the cup and trotted back to the bar top.

"That was a really dry joke Rainbow," Flutterwing quipped as the others tried to think of another joke to keep it going.

"Well, we were having a dry spell before tonight so I guess I should dry harder." The table erupted in laughter as the Pegasus relaxed their wings and picked up their drinks. Raising their mugs they shouted 'Cloudsdale' before drinking. The waitress returned and delivered Rainbows drink before smiling and going to another tables, her ears pressed to her head Quill noticed as she exited the enchantment aura into the noisy room.

The lights were low and there was a DJ playing music in the corner, flashing lights turned on and the bar turned into a rave as unicorns cast spells that created nearly tangible light that other ponies would move through the air. Other ponies ran to a few buckets around the DJ's table and dipped their hooves or tails into the mysterious mix to pull them out glowing and flowing behind them as they galloped to the dance floor and began dancing.

"Woah, this place just got exciting. What's going on?"

"Rain party, 'when it rains, it pours' is the theme. Clear drinks are two drinks for the price of one for mares," Rainbow said flatly looking into her water sitting flatly in the mug before her. With a deep sigh she picked up her water and took a sip as Soarin watched her intently. Every facial movement and twitch didn't miss his gaze or peripheral vision the entire time since he met her eyes on the cloud layer earlier that evening.

He got up and held out a foreleg inviting Flutterwing to dance. She didn't hesitate to jump off her chair and join him practically pulling him to the dance floor as she began trying to dance to the thumping bass pounding from the speakers.

"Rainbow, do you even know what kind of music this is? I've never heard anything like it and it's really... Different."

"It's called moo-drop. Sounds just like the name if you ask me," Rainbow replied lazily tipping her mug back and forth, watching the water swirl, splash and ripple with more interest than she'd shown the entire night with their unofficial double date. "I've never been her and only had water. It's not as much fun like this, but at least I have you here to keep me company," Rainbow said glancing briefly at Quill. Soarin smirked as he began trashing wildly on the dance floor with every other pony.

At least half an hour passed before Flutterwing returned to the table laughing and exuding energy and sweat as she entered the enchantment screaming incoherently made up words to an instrumental song waving her wings before she flapped and landed on her chair pumping her forelegs before placing her hooves on the table and looking at Soarin walk to the bar. She leaned in to the center of the table and gestured for the other mares to lean in too.

"I am so getting laid tonight," she giggled, "and with out new boss. Oh Celestia he's so cute and he dances like a snake." She turned her blushing face to Rainbow her look changing to one of almost desperate pleading. "Please, tell me he's good in bed. Please tell me he is. I so need to get laid," she let her head fall to the table as she almost sobbed in desperation. The others looked on then to Soarin who was waiting at the bar for a round of drinks.

Rainbow and Quill looked at each other and shrugged in resignation. "Flutterwing," Rainbow started, "he's good enough to so that you'll never forget it." Rainbow felt a hoof strike her pastern but she ignored the stinging sensation. Quill stayed still as she stifled her giggling while Flutterwing sat up and began to smile widely.

"Oh thank Celestia, thank you girls."

"Ladies, what'd I miss?" Flutterwing sat up straight and cleared her throat as she composed herself and turned to resume flirting. Soarin put a fresh mug in front of each of them and smiled warmly at Rainbow before returning his attention to Flutterwing. "I got you a special drink," he passed a mug to Flutterwing. She smiled and held her mug up with the others, "Cloudsdale!" they said before downing their drinks. Finishing off the mugs they placed them all down and sighed with refreshment.

"Wow, apple juice? That was a nice surprise, thanks Sowararin," Rainbow said smiling.

"Well I guess that was some good AJ, huh?" Soarin joked returning a nod and his attention to Flutterwing.

"Rainbow, are you okay? You look funny," Quill asked.

"Fhunny? I'll shhow you funny," Rainbow said hopping down and trotting to the dance floor. She flattened her ears to her head as she left the enchantment and into the pounding of the bar, trying to pace to her hoof steps to the beat. Bouncing her head to the thumps she had a good rhythm then joined in the dancing fray.

From the midst of the dance floor everything seemed to make more sense as she bounced and flapped her wings in time with a half dozen other Pegasi across the floor. She could feel their magic flowing, and that of every other pony on the dance floor, flowing like a whirlpool around and around, she was just a leaf going with the flow. The colorful lights the unicorns were casting were more vibrant than any she'd ever seen and the sound of the bass from the DJ was transcendent. Rainbow could feel every pony, all their magic and almost taste the air she was moving through.

---

She came back to reality outside the bar with Quill holding her head in her lap rhythmically singing "It's okay, you'll be fine soon," staring angrily into the void of her mind.

"Qu-Quill?" Quill snapped back to reality and looked at Rainbow. Her eyes welled with tears as she breathed shaky breaths. "What happened?" Rainbow asked moving her body, "Ow, uh. I feel awful, did I get into a fight? Did I kick her flank?" She giggled as she forced herself up. Warily she tried to stand but her back half wouldn't cooperate and her head felt like it was spinning.

"Am, am I drunk? Quill, what happened?" Rainbow asked laying back down on Quill's lap.

"He drugged you."

"Oh, that's not very nice of him," Rainbow said calmly with a light yawn, "why'd he wanna go and do that for?"

"He left with Flutterwing right after you started dancing. I think he meant it for her, I checked and you both had apple juice only your cup had something at the bottom. Party pills."

"Heh, I had apple's juice in the shower tonight Quill. It was epic, I mean totally -yawn- awesome," Rainbow was falling asleep again as Quill ran her hoof through Rainbows colorful mane doing her best to keep herself calm and not do something horrendously illegal to another pony. "Hey Quill? I had a lotta fun today, and you kiss nice but I love AJ. And I really wanna be a mom with her and I wanna..."

"Rainbow? Rainbow? Oh thank Celestia she's sleeping aga-" The sound, scent and feeling of vomit spraying across Quills under body and lower legs was the final straw for Quills frayed nerves.

She carefully got up and picked the ill mare onto her back trotting quickly out of town to Applejack's house.

---

*tap tap tap*

*tap tap tap*

*Bang*

Applejack opened her eyes and turned over to the window to a startled jump to her front hooves. Seeing Quill hovering outside her window was one dream she hadn't had for a year and didn't think it'd happen now. Shaking her head she crawled from the bed and went to the window quickly as Quill beckoned her.

"Quill? Is that really you? What's got ya up so late?" Applejack asked opened the window and opening her eyes to Luna's moon rising in the sky.

"AJ come quick, Rainbow was drugged," Quill said in a loud whisper extending her forelegs to catch Applejack through the window. Without a second thought Applejack lunged ahead several feet to Quill who caught her and flew her to the barn at the best speed she could get carrying another mare 50% heavier than her.

"Quill, Ah know it's not nice ta say but did ya get sick at the party?"

"No, we went to the Silly Filly and this is her mess on me. But you better believe when I say this mess is far from cleaned up."

Applejack thought on those words for a minute before her head shook and she growled as fierce as a bear. "That bucking... HE DRUGGED MY GIRL!? If he's lucky he'll fly into a dragons nest and bathe in volcano fire 'fore I get to him." Applejack shouted like a raging bull. Quill lowered closer to the ground in case the orange mare had to be let go or escaped her grasp.

"AJ, don't. There's a way we have to go about this and you know it. Let's get her better then we get him back, alright?"

Applejack didn't answer and Quill couldn't see her face but the tense muscles and trembling body told her she shouldn't land any time soon and she should make sure to not mention where Soarin was staying just yet.

Arriving near the barn she let Applejack go and before her hooves hit the ground she was galloping, rushing as fast as a stunt pony she raced into the barn leaving a wake of dust particulates to float on the nights air reflecting the moonlight bathing the freshly wettened soil.

"DASHING. Oh, sweet Rainbow Dash, are ya okay? Please, say something." Quill flew into the barn after Applejack and stayed a few feet above the floor. "How long's she been out, how much did she take?"

"She's been asleep for about twenty minutes and as far as how much of what I don't know what to say."

"Say somethin' damnit! Give me something to work with, please." Applejack was shouting in anger to cover the pain she was feeling, a pain she thought she'd never have to feel again and now after not even a week sober her lover is drugged at a bar.

"I'm gonna get Fluttershy."

"Don't ya dare. She can't help this one, you're a drug user how long do these last?"

"Woah, I haven't used for months. And most only last an hour or two. She should have been coming down from the high. That's why she did this to my beautiful coat and legs." She pointed to her lower body with a frown as her fur was matted with the contents of Rainbows stomach and upper intestines. "And I hope for his sake this washes away quick."

Applejack had Rainbows head in her lap then moved her so if she did vomit again it wouldn't get on her.

"Oh har har, don't wanna get puke on you?"

"Quill, hush up and get us some water from the well. She's gonna need water when she comes to." Quill nodded then left for the farm well as Rainbow was caressed by Applejack in the darkness of the barn.

Rainbow groaned lightly. "wanna make sure she's... happiest mare... Equeshtrr... Little... AJ... me..."

Applejack smiled to know Rainbow was at least alright enough to ramble. "Dash, are ya wakin' up?" Applejack asked softly placing a hoof on Rainbows cheek as she stirred.

"I love my wife, Soarin. Buck off," Rainbow said turning over and curling her body around Applejack, still asleep. Applejack couldn't help but smile at the subconscious assault Rainbow was giving Soarin. They waited for a few minutes before Quill returned with a bucket of water.

"What took ya so long? It's been forever."

"Well I'm not gonna trot around all night smelling like apple juice. By the way she mumbles something about apple juice in the shower, what did that mean?" Quill asked teasingly as she handed a full bucket of cold water to Applejack.

"It means I like ta have a few secrets between my mare friend and me. This isn't the time Quill. Get me a ladle from over there," Applejack pointed to a bucket against the wall. Quill flew there and back in a couple seconds, ladle in hand and as Applejack tipped Rainbows head Quill gave water to Rainbow. At first Rainbow had a coughing fit but then reached up to take the ladle like a foal with a bottle and began drinking by the ladle full almost the whole bucket before she roused into consciousness.

"Ugh, why am I drinking like a foal? And don't make any mama jokes," Rainbow said rolling to her knees and flapping her wings until she was hovering comfortably in the air. "What the hay? I'm home? I was just drinking water with everypony, how'd I get here?"

Quill and Applejack looked at each other before Quill started. "You don't remember anything from the last couple hours?"

"Hours? No, and don't even think about saying I snuck a drink cuz I am not doing that to us," Rainbow pointed to Applejack as she stared at Quill who continued.

"Soarin got some party pills at the club and slipped them into Flutterwings drink, then gave that drink to you. You spent an half an hour on the dance floor before I knew something was definitely wrong. Normally you dance for a while but when I noticed you swaying like a zealot to a song of Celestias greatness I knew something was wrong. Half the dance floor cleared and you started doing the can-can dance."

Applejack snorted a laugh breaking her resolve for a second. "Rainbow, you danced to religious music? You must've been drugged," Applejack said doing her best to become stoic again. "We gotta fix this stallion like I fixed Winona."

"I thought Winona's a girl dog," Rainbow asked with a confused awkward look.

"She is, but... Ya know what, let's go buck his teeth out," Applejack said getting up and walking to the barn doors.

"Wait," Quill called as a grin began forming on her muzzle, "I have a better idea. Who's ready to go to my house and plan a game?"

Next Chapter: Operation Fly in the Soup Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 43 Minutes