Big Mac splashed on cologne as his two sisters and grandmother watched in amazement. Bug Mac never got dressed up. NEVER! But here he was, all cleaned, shaven, hair slicked back, in his best clothes (which, in fairness, was only his cleanest shirt and jeans). He couldn't help but smile to himself as the others looked on in such surprise.

"Dang big brother, you clean up nice," Apple Bloom said.

"I don't know which is more surprising, you gettin' all spiffied up like this or the fact it's for an actual date," Applejack teased.

"She must be one fine filly for you to go ta all this trouble," Granny Smith added.

"Yup," Big Mac responded in his characteristic, monosyllabic manner. "Now, iffin' ya'all don't mind, I'd like to finish gettin' ready without ya'all lookin' at me like a gold fish." He was kept smiling as he talked. He really wasn't mad or even annoyed, he just liked playing things up.

"Looks ta me you already done there Big Mac. Unless you plannin' on flossin' or something," Granny Smith teased back. She had been so worried about Big Mac and Applejack. Both took on so much (too much) responsibility after their father died. Apple Bloom was still young, only about three, when he passed. This was the only life she knew. But the other two felt an obligation to step up and take on adult work. Applejack had just begun coming out and being a normal girl with her band; Big Mac was like his father, old school, quiet, get the job done, no crying. Seeing him getting ready for a date made her heart sing.

"Nope, but I gotta pee. So . . ."

"Alright, alright, no need to be vulgar boy. Girls, we'll await his highness down stairs."

*************************************************************************************************************

Big Mac came downstairs with his best cowboy hat and boots on. "Well?" he asked as he raised his arms and did a turn.

"You look great," Applejack said. She went over and gave him a hug. "Good luck Big Mac." She then kissed him on the cheek before stepping aside for Granny Smith.

Granny move a couple hairs that were poking out from under his hat. "But not too lucky now. You aint old enough to be a dad yet." She, too, then gave him a hug and kiss.

"Aww, Granny," he moaned.

"Go get 'er Big Brother!" Apple Bloom said and gave him a big hug.

Big Mac tipped his hat and left.

****************************************************************************************************************

Big Mac walked through the doors of Denny's exactly at 9pm. He looked around but didn't see Maud anywhere. Maybe she was running late. Maybe she was in the bathroom. Maybe she wasn't coming.

"Hi, welcome to Denny's. Just one?" Asked the hostess.

Big Mac was nervous. Should he say a two? Should he just say he was waiting for his date? He didn't know what to do.

"Two," a voice from behind Big Mac said in a familiar dead. He turned and saw Maud standing behind him; in a Denny's uniform. "I work here part time. My shift just finished. It saved time coming here. Plus I get a discount."

Big Mac shrugged and turned to the hostess who looked to be in a severe state of shock. After a minute she recovered and showed Big Mac and Maud to their table. The two sat down and said nothing. The hostess walk away, but kept looking back as if she was seeing Big Foot on a date with the Lochness Monster.

Big Mac turned to Maud. "She looks surprised."

"I'm not a people person," Maud said.

Big Mac looked around and saw every server and cook looking over at them. Some had their mouths opened, some whispered back and forth, even what looked to be the manager came out and looked. He turned to Maud again. "Mustin be." And then the two sat in silence until a server timidly came up to them.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaayyy I get you any drinks?" she asked as if she where Oliver Twist asking for more soup.

"I'll have water," Maud said.

"Same," Big Mac also replied.

The server threw their menus down and ran off. Big Mac and Maud continued to sit and say nothing until the server brought their drinks back. "Ready to order?" she asked again in that voice that was somewhere between terrified and shocked.

"Plain pancakes and toast," Maud ordered

"Plain hamburger please. No fries."

"Ok. I'll put this right in," the server said and almost ran off.

"I'm surprised you didn't order anything apple related," Maud said.

"I don't like apples," Big Mac replied.

"Bummer."

Big Mac shrugged. "I gotta pick 'em and sell 'em, not eat 'em."

"I love rocks. I have a pet rock; Boulder." Maud reached into her purse and pulled out a rock and placed it on the table.

Big Mac looked at it, nodded, and said, "We have a dog, Wynona."

"How much has Pinkie told you about our family?"

"Your family owns a mining company. You're in college for geology. You don't get along with your parents."

"They did make me into the person I am today."

"Well, that's literally true of everyone's parents I suppose."

"They crushed my soul like so much lime and sand stone." For such a powerful statement; Maud's voice never varied in pitch and her expression remained blank.

"Mine are dead. Mom died in childbirth with my youngest sister. Dad died three years later from a stroke."

"Wow. Once again, bummer."

"Yup."

For almost the rest of the night the two said nothing else to each other. Their food came, they ate, they rest of the staff spied on them, but still they said nothing. Their server came over and asked if they wanted anything for desert and both refused. She left them the check and quick walked away again.

"I'll pay for this," Maud said.

"Dutch at least," Big Mac responded.

"Ok. Same thing next Friday?"

"Yup." Big Mac went to get up when Maud touched his hand. He stopped, looked at her, and sat back down.

"You're the first person I've liked." For Maud, that was the equivalent to a complete emotional out burst. She never, well rarely showed any emotion. And when she did; it was always to her sister. To say something like that, even in her stone cold, dead pan way, was a major break through.

Big Mac looked at her. "Thank you." He tried to come up with something more profound to say, but could only come with, "I like you too."

Maud nodded. "Can we just sit here and hold hands for a minute?" Big Mac took Maud's hand and went to kiss it when she stopped him. "Not so fast. I'm not there yet," she said.

"Sorry," he said and just held her hand.

********************************************************************************************************************

Maud walked through the front door to find Pinkie and Sonata playing what they called "reverse charades". In this game, the person calls out something and the other has to find a way to act it out. It was one of their things.

"Maud! How was the date?" Sonata called out as soon as she saw her.

"Now how am I going to act that out?" Pinkie asked. Sonata pointed behind her and Pinkie turned around. "Oh, Maud! How was the date?"

"I already asked that," Sonata said.

"But I didn't," Pinkie responded.

"Ok," Sonata replied.

Maud looked at the two of them and said, "I met my future husband."

*****************************************************************************************************

Big Mac walked through the front door and was immediately pummeled by questions from Apple Bloom and Applejack. Granny Smith quieted them down. Then she looked at Big Mac. "It's only eleven. Date didn't go well?"

Big Mac walked over to Granny Smith, hugged her, and whispered in her ear, "I'm gonna marry that woman someday."

Author's Notes:

Ok, ok, a little fast paced you say. Well, yes and no. I want to finish this up before Friendship Games because I know if I don't, it's going to influence me. So somethings are just going to have to be sped up. However; Maud and Big Mac only said they "liked" each other. When you have two wounded souls who carry their feelings so close to the vest, I do believe they can find each other and bond at a faster rate. But, Maud is only up to the limited hand holding. I kind of think of Big Mac and Maud as the Sheldon and Amy of EG.

This relationship will not be a main plot in the story but will set up a major event involving Pinkie and Maud's parents later. Also look for Soarin to appear and start a relationship wit Rainbow Dash soon. And I'll be introducing human Sunset Shimmer and bringing in human Twilight as well in this second act. It's all to help set the stage for the third act which will be more in keeping with MLP (grand, magical battle between good and evil).