As I walked along the path, I could see Applejack load the cart with pies. I stopped walking and watched her.

Her mane, still in it's usual ponytail, swung idly in the cooling breeze that flowed through the orchard. I watched as she effortlessly picked up the boxes of pies and loaded them, her well-toned muscles glistening with sweat.

She saw me watching her and waved. I quickly composed myself and went over.

"Hey there, sugarcube." she said. "What brings y'all out this way?"

"Pinkie said you were getting more pies," I replied, "so I figured you could use some help."

"As a matter of fact, Ah do." she replied. "Y' will find boxes o' pies in the barn. Just load 'em into the cart."

"Sure thing, AJ." I replied, as I went into the barn.

I did a double take on seeing the many boxes of pies. The barn seemed to be full of them.

"Whoa, Nelly!" I called to Applejack. "Are all of these pies for Sugarcube Corner?!"

"Not all of 'em." Applejack called back. "Ah'm goin' ta sell some of 'em at the market. So load 'em all up."

I obliged and picked up as many boxes as I could, loading them into the cart.

It was hard work, and soon I was in the same condition as Applejack. I wanted to take my shirt off, but for some reason, that felt like a huge cliché, so I left it on.

"Thanks a lot, pardner." Applejack said, carrying two mugs on her back. "Ah really appreciate yer help, so Ah reckon y' deserve this."

I took one of the mugs and took a sip. The resulting explosion of taste in my mouth took me by surprise.

"What is this?" I asked. "It's delicious!"

"It's the famous Apple family cider, of course!" Applejack replied, giggling. "Though this batch was fermented."

"So, it's alcoholic?" I said.

Applejack nodded.

"Eeyup." she said. "Why, is that a problem?"

"Not at all." I responded. "I just didn't expect to find booze here."

"Ah'm guessin' ya haven't been to Berry Punch's shop then?"

"Who?"

"She runs Ponyville's only liquor store." Applejack replied. "Some folk say she drinks half her stock herself, but that's just a rumour."

I snorted.

"Rumours are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots." I spat.

"Ah know, right?" Applejack replied. "Why, Ah heard a rumour about you the other day."

I froze.

"What rumour?"

"That y'all have a secret special somepony."

"Is that it?"

"Pretty much." Applejack said. "Ah'm guessin' its a lie?"

"Almost." I said, blushing.

"Oh, Ah see it now." she said, a smile on her face. "Y'all have a crush on somepony, but yer too afraid ta tell 'em!"

"Got it in one." I said, as I took another sip of my cider. "I just don't know how she'll take it. I used to be a spy, after all."

"Ah know what ya were, John." Applejack laid a hoof on my shoulder. "But Ah also know what ya are."

"And what am I?" I asked, confused.

"Yer a good friend and a hard worker. And ya took a beatin' just ta prove the former! Any mare would be lucky ta have ya."

I nodded and finished off my cider.

"You're right. But what if the one I like doesn't like me?"

"Shucks, darlin'." Applejack replied. "Anypony who doesn't like you has to be off in the head."

I smiled and looked into her eyes, causing her to blush.

I knew then that I had to take action. If I was going to make my move, it had to be soon.

"So, if ya don't mind," Applejack said, "who is the lucky mare."

That was all I needed to hear. Leaning forward, I planted a kiss on Applejack's lips. She didn't respond, but she didn't pull away either.

I broke away and looked her straight in the eyes again.

"Does that answer your question?" I asked.

Applejack looked at me, shock written all over her face.

"Ah- Ah- ..." she trailed off.

"Yes, AJ." I said. "It's you. I love you."

"B-b-but ... why me?" she asked.

"Because you make me laugh, you gave me a job and a place to stay, you stood by me after my past was revealed, and because you're constantly on my mind."

Applejack laughed weakly.

"What's so funny?" I asked. "I am pouring my heart out to you, and you haven't even said anything."

Applejack stopped laughing and ran a hoof along the ground.

"Well, it's just that ... y' were saying about what if your crush don't feel the way you do?"

I felt my throat constrict and my heart stop.

"No, no," I said, on the verge of tears, "don't say it."

"Say what?" Applejack replied. "That Ah do feel the same way about ya? And that I've also been workin' up the courage ta tell ya how Ah felt?"

I stood in silence for a moment.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I said. "Tell me."

Applejack shook her head.

"No," she replied, "because Ah'd rather show ya."

With those words, she leapt on top of me, pinning me to the ground. Before I could protest, her tongue was in my mouth, vying for dominance.

We stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, our mouths intertwined as I ran my hands through Applejack's mane.

Eventually, we broke off and took in some air.

"So..." I said "... you don't love me?"

Applejack laughed and kissed my forehead.

"Ah do." she said.

She put her head on my chest and sighed contentedly.

"Honestly and truly, Ah do."

I smiled and stroked her mane, as the two of us lay together on the straw, listening to the birds, and enjoying the cooling breeze.

After a while, Applejack shot to her hooves.

"The pies!" she said. "Shoot, Ah plumb forgot about 'em. We'd better get 'em ta Sugarcube Corner 'fore Pinkie Pie decides ta send out a search party."

I laughed and stood up, dusting myself off. We went outside and Applejack fixed herself up to the cart as I stood behind it, ready to push it into town.

"Ya ready back there, darlin'?" she asked.

"Of course I am." I replied.

Applejack began walking and I began pushing, the two of us working in perfect sync.

As we walked, I stayed quiet, concentrating on making sure that the pies didn't fall out the cart.

Applejack broke the silence.

"You're rather quiet back there, mister." she said sternly. "Are y'all checkin' out mah flank?"

"No, not at all!" I quickly replied.

A beat.

"Why not?" Applejack said.

Needless to say, we both spent the rest of the journey laughing.