While leaning back on the wall behind the bench I was sitting on I just felt the sway of the train as I headed up to Canterlot. Not a bad ride, to be honest; took about three hours, give or take. It gave me time to think about things going on.

I had dropped Red off at Fluttershy’s place; he was doing well, still in pain, both physical and mental. The last few nights he had taken to bedding down right next to Jackie, on top of the blankets of course, rather than in the nesting perch Big Mac had helped make. She, for her part, didn’t seem to mind since we had talked about it. Red needed comfort and it was all we could do to provide that for him.

Winona had been quite attached too, she came in the last few days and sat just watching him and us sleep. I think she was worried about the bird, knowing his loss and how recent it was. I had to wonder just how smart she was. Well, for that matter, how smart all of the pets were. I’m pretty sure they are far more intelligent than they let on.

It was a lot to think about, because now I found myself responsible for yet one more life. Yeah, I guess in a way I took on a lot more than I really should. However, that’s just how I am, and as my friends are learning, there isn’t really any point in trying to change me.

I glanced back out the window as we came closer to the climb up the mountain. Giving a long exhale I gave up on catching a nap. I felt a slight nudge on my arm and glancing over I tipped my hat up to find a younger mare pushing a small cart.

“Sorry to bother you. Ranger McDonald, right?” her ears lifted as I gave her a nod. “We will be arriving in Canterlot in twenty minutes, would you like a snack. I have carrots and some roses left.”

I gave a soft smile. “No, thank you, ma’am. But, might you have coffee in that cart there of yours?”

She nodded and used her wing to pull open the side. Sliding out a carafe and pouring black liquid into a cup with the grace of a Tai Chi master she then looked to me, “Sugar, cream?”

Reaching out to take the cup I shook my head. “No, thank you. How much?” I started with my free hand and reached for the small pouch of bits in my left front pocket.

She shook her head at my gesture. “Oh, no. You’re riding on a service and support ticket, Sir; no charge,” she said cheerfully and as she gave a flick of her tail she continued on down the car.

Once more a little quote came out of my mouth as I shook my head in mirth. “Nice lady.”

---

A few hours later I was sitting at a meeting I had arranged. Currently I was looking across the table that had the remains of lunch spread on it at the midnight blue unicorn. Shimmer’s mane was an unusually dark shade of red, too. The overall effect gave her a rather somber look, it was so unlike most ponies, even among the night guard. I had just spent the last hour listening to her story and asking questions. I really wanted to understand her, to get to know her, and get to know that I could trust her when the chips were down.

“Look, Ran-”

I cut her off. “For the last time, Shimmer, just call me Shane, okay? We ain’t on duty here,” I said comfortably.

She shook her head. “Shane, look, I get it, okay. You have no reason to trust me. My uncle tried to kill you,” she frowned, “but I am not him, and I am not well liked among my family. Those are just the facts.”

I exhaled and gave her a nod. “You’re right, and the five of us are all the Rangers there are. If we can’t trust each other, then who can we trust?” I paused and looked up at her eyes as a smile crossed her face. I could see the relief in her smile and that was an important step.

“So, with all that said, Deputy,” I stated making it clear we were talking business now, “how are things working out up here for you, Cap treating you right? Do ya feel yer getting the training and support you need?”

She gave a nod. “Yes sir, I think I have gone over the manual they made from your writings a thousand times.”

I chuckled. “So, about five thousand less than Princess Purple?”

She blinked and her ears lay back. “Sir, you really shouldn’t use names like that for the princess.”

Ah, there it was; Miss Super Serious was back in control. “Relax, Deputy, the Princesses aren’t as uptight as people think they are.”

“Ponies, sir,” she replied with a smug smirk.

I groaned while rolling my eyes. “Great, now you too.”

---

Later the same afternoon I was in another private meeting with the two most powerful creatures on the planet, in their throne room, waiting as they glanced at each other then back to me.

“That is a reasonable request, Shane.” Luna spoke first.

Celestia spoke up a second later. “I see no reason why it cannot be accommodated.”

“Truly, it has been long enough, in that our sister and I are in agreeance”

“Raven,” Celestia motioned for her assistant, “please note in the record that Ranger Shane McDonald has the crown’s permission to share any movie using his technology with others, openly, that he deems not a security risk. This may include trusted members of other species aligned with Equestria.”

I smiled in appreciation and gave a slight bow from my seated position. “Thank you, both, Princesses.”

“Tell us, Shane, are thou ready for tomorrow night?” Luna asked warmly.

“As ready as I can get. I’m still not sure about playing host but…”

Both smiled, as did Raven who was sitting off to the side of the two thrones.

“You will do fine, Shane. You have come so far from the pon… er, pardon me, the man that I met in the woods.”

My smiled stayed on my face and I looked Celestia in the eyes. “I try, ma’am.”

“Speaking of, Princess Celestia; you wanted to talk to the Ranger about…” I glanced over at Raven who had just spoken a partial lead on sentence, then I looked back to the two alicorns.

“Oh, thank you for reminding us, Raven.” Luna then turning to me. “We have a plan to introduce our population to a movie from your world if you would agree to such?”

I tilted my head. “Oh? What one were you thinking about?”

Celestia grinned and looked at her sister who grinned back at her. “Perhaps, a tale from a galaxy far, far away?”

Now, I could not help but grin at that. If there was any movie that represented not only our creative side and our story telling, I couldn’t think of one.

“I believe that is an excellent choice, but we may wish to tell Twilight of the plan. Considering when I showed the four of you that movie she went around in a brown cloak and hood for a month at any chance she could.”

We all laughed, I even saw a guard crack a smirk. This was going to be fun, something I looked forward to. Better, I didn’t have to hide the tablet and phone from Jackie, didn’t have to keep the truth from her about my technology, and that alone made everything even better.

---

We were at Donut Joe’s, Jackie and I were sitting next to each other at the table. I had Applebloom crunched in on my other side while across from us were the other two Crusaders and their sisters. Dash and Scoots were talking about Wonderbolt stuff, like they always did, and currently I was listening to Sweetie Bell talk about how excited she was for tomorrow and her chance to hear music from another universe.

We all chose to stay up late tonight so we could nap tomorrow afternoon and be ready for the show tomorrow night. Donut Joe’s, a great little diner and a really nice guy. He’s about as genuine as any pony you meet. What my dad would call a ‘salt of the earth’ type of guy. Funny that’s he’s an earth pony, to boot.

Applebloom had just asked me if I was nervous about standing up in front of so many ponies to talk about the music when I heard a snort from near the door. I am not sure the others heard it, but I did note Jackie’s ears perk and pivot as my head turned.

“One can not even go to a simple shop anymore without having to deal with rubbish,” a snooty and well known voice spoke out.

I put my hand on Jackie’s leg to silence her and glanced over at the dark grey pegasus mare. I was far from nice about it, but reminded myself there were foals about. I gave my best fake candy smile and reached up, tipping my Stetson back.

“Well, Mrs. Trident, perhaps if you stepped outside again it wouldn’t be quite so odoriferous in here.”

I got kicked under the table by Rarity who gave a gasp and glared at me. The three crusaders all started to giggle and Dash, she flat out fell backwards out of her chair, as it crashed to the ground. The mare holding her sides as she laughed laying flat on her back on the floor wings splayed out.

I have to say, I got a none to pleased look from Jackie, but the one from the haughty pegasus and her uppity unicorn friend was the best by far.

They both looked like a fish out of water, mouths opening and closing, shocked looks on their faces. Finally, the mare gave a stomp of her hoof. “Why, I never! Your superior will hear of this. I will see you fired for being so rude, uncouth, and for insulting your betters.”

I know Jackie tried to get me to shut up, but her hoof didn’t make it to cover my mouth before I let more slip.
“My betters? I don’t see a Princess standing here. Now, don’t go away mad, just go away.”

The two stomped out, the whole time spouting off about getting me fired and how I would rue the day. Jackie smacked my leg with her hoof as Rarity admonished Dash for her actions in all this.

“Shane, that wasn’t very nice of you, Ah know she ain’t a good pony, but…” she gestured to the three giggling Crusaders. I exhaled and glanced at all three of them.

“She’s right you three, I shouldn't have been so rude, or said what I said. Don’t you be following in my footsteps, okay?”

As they gave a nod a throat cleared to my left. I glanced over at a frown on Joe’s face.

“I love having you Rangers in my shop, but rules stand. This place is neutral territory for everypony, doesn’t matter who it is. I hate to do it, but you get your one warning, Ranger McDonald. You keep it civil in my shop, princess or pauper, everypony is welcome here. I would have, and will, give them the same warning next time they come in.”

I reached up and took my hat off. “Fair enough, Joe, I am truly sorry.”

He gave a nod and gestured to the teen filly working the tables. “See to it the Ranger’s cup is full, would you please, Sweet Roll?”

Jackie leaned up and gave me a kiss on the cheek before returning to talking to the rest of the table. I smiled and slid my arm around her ribs, I was done with being a jerk for the night… I hope.

---

Even with the blackout shades pulled the room was warm and light enough for me to see the mare under me. Both of us were breathing hard and as I rolled off her, she rolled to face me and tucked her muzzle under my chin. I exhaled hard to blow her mane out of my mouth and shut my eyes, trying to get my breathing under control as I held her while smelling her natural scent. She gave a little nuzzle and kiss to my chest before speaking.

“Y'all ever find other mares attractive?”

Oh, a loaded question if there ever was one, but she was asking with a genuine tone. I pulled my head back so I could look down into her green eyes.

“There are a few, I would say are very pretty. However, there’s only one in all of this world I want to lay like this with.” I told her with an honest smile.

She smiled back and lay her head back on my arm, exhaling slowly. Her eyes closed as I reached out with my other arm and brushed my hand along her flank, feeling the sweat from our lovemaking.

I saw her eyes snap open. “Who?”

Well crap, now I was stuck. I glanced back at the orange mare’s face and noted her ears up, not laid back in anger.

“Truth?”

She gave a nod.

Rolling a bit on my back so she could lay her head on my chest, I hooked my arm under her to pull her closer. “Well, Cadence has a charm about her. Pinkie has that whole chubby girl thing going for her… and...”

She gave a chuckle. “And?”

“Well, I admit, Gilda has a whole bad girl thing going.”

Watching her eyebrow lift she turned her head so her chin was on my chest and she looked up at me. “So, you like fat mares and feathers?” she asked flatly, but her smirk told me she wasn’t being serious.

I snorted. “Clearly not, considering the mare I went and fell in love with,” I said quickly and leaned down to kiss her lips before she could talk back.

Kissing me back I noticed her ears lifted forward and a blush crossed her face. She gave me a love tap with her hoof on my side.

“Y’all keep talking like that I might just have ta keep ya close fer a while.”

I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I stared at her again.

“That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?” I asked, but before she could answer I added, "Anyway, we should shower off and get some sleep, we got a long night tonight.”

She rose to her hooves, bent her neck down and kissed me once more before stepping off the bed. I sat up, watching her sway her hips as she walked to the bathroom. When she was out of sight I glanced up at the ceiling of the castle room.

“Lord, I still don’t know why you put me here, but thank you. Thank you for bringing Jackie into my life and showing me I was wrong to try and avoid love after… well, you know.”

I got up, not bothering to put on my boxers and headed into the bathroom once I heard the shower start up, to join my girl… mare… damn it, Twilight!

---

Applejack entered the bathroom and had nudged the door, but it didn’t close. Her ears perked and she listened as her mate spoke softly. “Lord, I still don’t know why you put me here, but thank you. Thank you for bringing Jackie into my life and showing me I was wrong to try and avoid love after… well, you know.”

Her heart ached and her eyes welled with tears she wouldn’t hide after hearing the words he spoke, the most romantic thing she’d ever heard was just said about her by a creature from another world to a God she didn’t understand; and it was the best moment of her life.

Author's Notes:

and..I am back!

Thank you to Mocha for the edit, and thank you all for putting up with the long silence between chapters. A reminder the next 3-4 chapters are going to be the Summer Sun Celebration, a lot of music, a lot of slice of life stuff.