“Rainbow Dash,” a voice called from behind her as she flew away from town to waste the rest of her afternoon and plan on a new career. She stopped and looked back to see a blue contrail dissipating but no pony behind her. “You’re still too slow,” Soarin said from above her.

She looked to him and scowled. Looking at Soarin she felt her blood boiling and her muscles tense and a little mirth at his current image. A light pink pegasus, blue mane, black eye, bruise on his right ribs, and a tissue in his nose with blood lightly soaked into it.

“Now what? You can’t fire me twice.” She crossed her forelegs and huffed as she watched him hover to her side. Turning to face him she waited for his next witty remark.

“Rainbow Dash, I’m sorry.”

The words hit her like a crash to the earth from a bad stunt. Twice in the same few minutes she worked her jaw to say something but nothing came out.

“What I said was out of line and I was wrong for doing that to you in any way, shape, or form. Can we talk this over, in a public place?” he asked as he held a hoof out; a smile graced his face genuinely.

Rainbow looked at him with wide eyes and looked to his extended foreleg and hoof. “Why?” she asked meekly. “I hit you, a lot. I said words that would make Luna blush while I kicked you and wing slapped you. Why would you forgive me? I’m,” she hesitated, “I was mean to you.”

Soarin kept his hoof extended to her. “And I was a jerk for letting my emotions turn me into a predator. I spent six years in the Wonderbolts and not once did I lose my cool. Not when I was hazed for being new, or when I was hurt doing a stunt and grounded, or when I fell for an underage tryout who really was contender for the team.”

“Really? I was gonna get on the team?” she asked hopefully becoming excited again.

“Not with your attitude,” he said. She sighed and looked to the ground below them. They were so far up but hardly that high at all.

“Is that why I’m banned from the Wonderbolts?”

“Banned? Who the hay said banned?”

Rainbow’s ears perked up and she looked to him again. “But, I got a letter that said I wasn’t gonna be on the team since I was with a Wonderbolt.”

Soarin laughed heartily and clutched his sides as Rainbow looked at him confused.

“Rainbow, did you read the letter? Every recruit gets one of those!” he shouted. “It’s a test to see how you’d react to failure; you failed by the way, but you’re not out.”

Rainbow gasped and covered her mouth.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re one of the top pegasus in Equestria in every area. Get your attitude under control and you’re at least going to be in the reserves,” he said straightening up and talking like a leader.

Rainbow rushed him into a tight hug for a second before pushing him back with enough force to make him lose balance. “Sorry, but I’m still mad at you for what you said. Even if it was true,” she said softly. “I’m not broken, Soarin. I’m just being put together.”

“Wow, that was really philosophical,” he said looking to her skeptically.

“Filly-what-ankle?”

He chuckled. “It means smart.”

“Oh, AJ said that to me a while back. I guess that’s me though,” she shrugged. Looking to the sky she found the sun and looked to the horizon. “What’m I gonna do now that I don’t have a job, Soarin? All I wanted to do is be a weather pony and a Wonderbolt,” she asked looking to a cloud on the horizon.

Feeling a hoof on her shoulder she turned to look at him. He was still smiling. “I never said you were fired. I got two loose teeth and a bloody nose for what I spat at you in anger, and we’re even. Still wanna set those meetings up?”

“Really?! Oh my gosh, AJ’s gonna be so happy,” she squeaked, “this is so awesome, you’re a great boss. Thanks Soarin,” she said puckering her lips and leaning into him. He placed a hoof to her lips and she stopped. Blinking quickly she looked to his hoof over her mouth and turned away spitting and wiping her lips.

“Holy Celestia what was I doing just now?”

“Dash, it’s okay. Most mares can’t get enough of me as it is, you just happen to have slipped up is all,” he said grinning.

“Flock your ego is big.”

“Yours is bigger and everypony in Equestria knows it,” he quipped while looking behind her to the town. “Speaking of the known world, yours is still in that town.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve heard about how much you and that apple farmer have going on. It’s more than I’d ever want, personally,” he said rolling his shoulders, “but you’re you, so go for it. Can I expect to see you at work in an hour?”

“...Sure, whatever,” she said trying to hide her smile, “thanks, Soarin. You saved me, finally.”

He cocked his head slightly and looked at her. “When’d you save me?”

She let her cocky smirk cross her muzzle. “Sonic. Rainboom.”

He blushed and looked away. “Yeah, well. Your friend kicks like a Buffalo.”

“Either way, you were out and I saved your feathers.”

“Well, thank you then. The thank you I never said, you know, for saving my life and all that. I’m, uh, gonna go and get back to work and change my nose plug,” he said looking to the end of his muzzle at the slightly reddened tissue in his snout, “and maybe see a doctor about these loose teeth, before our meetings.”

“‘Kay, see ya.”

They turned and both flew back to Ponyville, separating at the town’s border. Rainbow flew back to Applejack and landed with a beaming grin beside her.

“Rainbow Dash, what’re ya doin’ back so soon?” she asked turning to face the cyan mare.

“I have great news-”

“Ya got yer job back already?!”

“Nope.”

“Well what the hay are ya doin’ here then?” she asked starting to frown.

“I never lost my job. He caught up to me and apologized, then I did. He’s gonna see a doctor quick and then I have a meeting and a few more,” she said happily.

Applejack started to smirk. “Yer fulla surprises, sugarplum.”

They leaned in and nuzzled each others cheeks then Applejack rolled her chin over Rainbow’s head to nuzzle her other cheek.

A few ponies hooted in the background causing the mares to blush and withdraw slightly in embarrassment.

“Get a room you two,” a mare said with a giggle as she passed.

“Ah can’t believe we did that. Shoulda just kissed,” Applejack said reaching to her hat and pulling it down slightly.”

“Bah, let ‘em laugh, they’ll never have what we do. But let’s try to keep it cool in public, sheesh.”

They stood up and gave each other a kiss. “Sugar, get ta work. Ah’ve got a bushel ta sell. See ya fer dinner?”

“Eeyup. 7:00.”

“6:30, Dashing.”

“I know, just messing. See ya, Awesome Jack.”

Rainbow took to the air and flew up and away while Applejack turned to the crowd to resume selling apples.

That mare is fulla surprises. What next?

Two days later

Rainbow, Applejack, and Quill were sitting in the soft grass of the park enjoying oat-cinnamon-apple caramel rolls they had purchased from Sugarcube Corner.

“Rainbow, how’s the office been? Lime’s doing better so I might go back in a week or so. You know, gotta pay bills.”

“Must be nice owning your house, right Quill?”

“Yeah, it has its ups. I can do what I want, when I want, how I want. Someday I’ll finish that bathroom and have a party in there.”

“Now, what kinda party ya thinkin’? Ah’ve heard about parties like that and I only want Dash here.”

“Oh heavens no, not an orgy, silly filly; a bubble party or something.”

“Did somepony say bubbles and party?!” Pinkie shouted from above them, falling to the ground lightly with a balloon tied to her mane.

“I was just talking about the future, Pinkie,” Quill said forcing a smile while looking to Pinkie, “I have to finish my bathroom and was thinking of having a party to celebrate, would you like to plan it?”

“OhmygoshIwouldloveto! First I have to-”

“No,” Quill interrupted. Pinkie sat on her haunches and looked at Quill with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t want streamers or confetti. I want a party like they have in Canterlot; fancy and refined. I’m not a filly anymore and I want a real party.”

“Balloons are okay still, right?”

Quill tapped her chin in thought. “Earth colors, not filly colors.”

“Sugarcube, why do ya want a fancy party for? Pinkie’s parties are fun.”

“I want to try something different is all. I want a regal party, the kind a princess would go to,” she said softly looking toward Canterlot’s mountain.

“Well, I guess I could work some of my rustier party skills, but sure. I owe you a favor anyway, so it’s a deal. Just let me know when,” Pinkie said hopping to her hooves and smiling again. “Well, if that’s it I guess I’ll just mosey on that way and bug somepony else.”

Turning she began a happy trot out of the park.

“That mare’s fulla surprises.”

“Yeah, but her parties are pretty awesome.”

“Yeah, but they’re always set for foals. What about those of us that are trying to grow up? You’re gonna get married, I’m a manager at the weather office, Lime’s… Oh, I forgot to check on Lime. I’ve been so busy trying to catch up with my friends that I’ve gotten side tracked. Wanna help me shop for supplies and see Lime?

“She’s only had one other visitor, Fluttershy said, since she went there.”

“Oh, who was that?”

“Honey Well, a bee farmer from a ranch in the north. She’s pretty cool and I guess she gave a jar of honey to Lime, for when she’s better.”

“Oh, that’s nice of her. Why’d she just show up, did you tell her, Quill?”

“No,” she said laying on the grass and looking to the sky, “I thought Rainbow Dash told her, you know how she can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

“Hey! I haven’t told anypony! Lime’s a good friend and I wouldn’t hurt her reputation like that. That’d be totally lame,” Rainbow said falling back into the grass, “and if there’s one thing I’m not is lame. I’m the best.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at the two pegasi enjoying the afternoon sun. “So, if neither of ya told, how’d she know?”

Quill shrugged and moved her forelegs under her head. “I dunno, that’s a good question. Somepony must have said something to somepony. AJ, heard any rumors about her?”

Applejack thought for a long minute. “Nope, the market’d be the place ta hear any rumor and last I heard of Lime is she was takin’ a week to visit family. I wasn’t gonna call her out just like that,” she said stomping a hoof to the ground. “So, who else knew?”

Rainbow hummed lightly and exhaled in a steady rhythm. “Well she’s napping,” Quill said looking to Rainbow. “I dunno,” she sat up and ruffled her wings. “I think only us four and Davenport and Muddy know. They have no reason to gossip about recovery, Fluttershy wouldn’t. We didn’t.”

The feeling began to tense as Applejack and Quill looked around at the other ponies in the park enjoying their own time in their own ways before looking at each other. “When did Honey Well stop by, Quill?” Applejack asked with some concern in her voice.

“Uh, erhm,” she cleared her throat, “yesterday afternoon while I was out buying her flowers for a snack. She almost cried asking, but she never said anything… about… a visitor,” Quill hesitantly said taking to her hooves and opening her wings. Looking up she took to the sky while Applejack pushed Rainbow.

“We hafta go!” she urged, “Lime might be in trouble, hurry Dash.”

Rainbow stirred and yawned fluttering her eyes open to look at Applejack. “AJ, what’s up?”

Hopping to her hooves she turned to the street. “Hurry to Fluttershy’s.” Taking a hopping start she entered into a full gallop reaching her top speed in a few lengths. Rainbow flapped her wings and took off after her taking a higher route to avoid the dust cloud in Applejacks wake.

Looking at Applejack galloping at top speed was always a turn on for Rainbow. Watching her taut muscles contracting under her skin, sweat beginning to form on her sides, her mane standing straight behind her while her tail bobbed with each stride. A grin began to form on Rainbow’s muzzle as she watched Applejack turn through town and dodge other ponies.

Maybe we’re gonna be kinky and do it in Fluttershy’s tree, or in the bushes behind her cottage. That naughty pony, she thought as she took a slight lead and lowered herself to Applejack’s side as they left town down the path.

“AJ, ya gonna tell me what’s up?”

“Just hurry,” Applejack said with a slight strain in her voice.

She’s really pushing herself, I hope she’s not too tired when we get there.

Taking the last turn they saw a flurry of animals outside Fluttershy’s home and the front door ajar. “Hurry Dash, we gotta check on them.”

Rainbow finally realized the gravity of the situation and landed in a full gallop behind Applejack as they reached the walkway and slowed to a fast trot inside the home. Animals were in a tizzy, some gathering fruits and items and flying them upstairs while others huddled in groups together.

Looking at the scene the couple looked to the stairs and ascended as quickly as they could to see Fluttershy and Quill holding Lime on the floor. A jar of sticky honey spilt beside the bed and three rodents dead beside it. The sight hit them like a cart full of bricks.

Quill cradled Limes head in her forehooves while Fluttershy looked sadly at the mare below her, she was sitting over her with her hooves resting on Lime’s chest, tears dripping onto her green coat.

“Quiet, my friends,” Fluttershy said softly. “It’s time to sing her to sleep, like the others.”

Critters silenced instantly and an eerie quiet befell the cottage.

Quill looked to Fluttershy with teary eyes and mouthed words but couldn't make a sound, save for an occasional squeak sound.

Fluttershy sat up and moved off Lime and looked to the critters around the room. With a nod they began a soft chorus, holding a steady tone.

Fluttershy placed a hoof on Quills shoulder and began.

“Hush now, quiet it now, it's time to lay your sleepy head.”

Quill’s eyes widened. “N-no.”

“Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed”

“No, Fluttershy. D-don’t, please don’t tell me…”

“Hush now, quiet now, close your sleepy eyes. Hush now, quiet now, my how time sure flies.”

Quill let her tears flow onto Lime as she pulled her into a kiss. “Please baby, please don’t go. Please, I can’t be without you. Don’t leave me like this.”

“Drifting, drifting off to sleep the days excitement behind you.”

Lime’s eyes fluttered open and she raised a hoof to Quill’s cheek. She whispered to Quill then her foreleg fell to her chest and she exhaled her last breath.

“Drifting drifting off to sleep, let the joy of dreamland find you. Goodbye Lime.”

The chorus of animals stopped and only the sound of Quill’s crying broke the silence. Looking to the ceiling she grit her teeth and groaned, then took a deep breath, and screamed a sorrow so deep it could cut through the most steel resolve.

Rainbow listened and hugged Applejack tightly as tears flowed slowly from her clenched eyes.

Quill screamed.

Critters left the room quietly and Applejack’s rear legs gave way as she looked at the sight.

Quill screamed.

Fluttershy turned her head but kept her hoof on Quills trembling shoulder.

Quill pulled Lime to her chest as tightly as she could and rocked her slowly as she looked to her love and a single tear that had trailed partly from Lime’s eye down her cheek.

Kissing her repeatedly Quill sobbed until she too fell into a quiet cry.

“Lime, I love you; always and forever,” Quill whispered as she traced Lime’s face, committing it to memory, engraving it into her heart, “and when I meet you again I’ll be yours, as your were mine.”