Chapter 10

"Rainbow Dash..." Applejack said quietly, shaking her lover gently from her intensive slumber. Rainbow rolled over drowsily and pulled the warm blanket she was under completely over her head. Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Aw, come on, Dash. Wake up. It's three p.m. Ah've already gotten a shower." Applejack spoke in a much plainer, more audible tone of voice at this point.

"I'm sorry." Rainbow barely uttered. "I can't hear you. I'm sleeping." Applejack chuckled. A cruel idea struck her as she took the blanket between her teeth. With a rough yank, Applejack pulled the comforting thing from Rainbow Dash's body. Rainbow remained motionless...for a moment. Eyes still shut, Rainbow felt around for the blanket, a feeble attempt to regain warmth. She grunted, blindly moving her back legs around to find the blanket as if she thought it was pulled down but still in range. Rainbow Dash then thrashed once, a sort of mini tantrum without screaming. She thrashed about a second and third time, making the bed rock back and forth with a mute creaking noise.

The sight made Applejack giggle as she watched Rainbow struggle to find any sort of blanket. Finally, Applejack bunched the blanket up into a tight ball and took aim at Rainbow Dash, who had accepted the abscence of the blanket at this point and had contented herself to simply lay in place without it. Applejack let the blanket loose, scoring a direct hit on Rainbow's flank with the projectile, shocking her awake. Rainbow cried out in suprise, making Applejack burst into a fit of laughter.

"Oh...oh, yeah. Very funny." Rainbow said, furrowing her brows. "I'm so getting you back later."

"Ah gave ya fair warning, Dash." Applejack said.

"Warning? You asked me to get up, and then hit me in the flank with a blanket ball. Speaking of which..." Rainbow picked up the blanket and wrapped herself in it once more before sticking her tongue out at Applejack. "Thanks for this back." Applejack sighed and smiled in adoration at the sight of just Rainbow's content face sticking out of the mountain of warm cloth.

"Oh, alright, then." Applejack said with a small smile. "Ah guess you don't wanna go on a date with me today." Rainbow immediately leaped out of the blanket and stood before Applejack.

"Why didn't you just say that?!" Rainbow exclaimed happily. "Let me go home and freshen up a bit first. Then, I'll come back and we'll go! What did you have in mind?"

"Ah was thinkin' a picnic in the fields outside Ponyville, and then, maybe a walk together. Just you and me." Applejack said. Rainbow nodded happily and smiled sweetly, her wings becoming unfurled, preparing for takeoff.

"Sounds great." Rainbow said happily before placing a small kiss upon Applejack's lips. "I'll be back in about an hour and then we'll go."

"Ah'll see ya then, Dash!" Applejack said as Rainbow jumped out of her window and flew into the sky. Applejack sighed before nodding to herself.

Rainbow Dash burst through the door to her cloud home happily, smiling as if she had just won the lottery. Tank, emerging from his shell, looked at her. Rainbow ambled through her home, putting away different things that were out of place, simply because she could. This was very much unlike Rainbow Dash, and Tank noticed this. Slowly, very slowly, he approached her, placing dishes into her cloud cabinets merrily.

"Hey, Tank!" She said sweetly before picking her tortoise up and rubbing her nose against his affectionately. "I know I haven't been around...but that's because I've been with Applejack! I..." She stopped when she saw that Tank looked rather unamused at her good fortune. She frowned in slight shame and sighed.

"That's still a pretty shoddy excuse for leaving you here all alone, isn't it?" Rainbow said. Tank merely looked at her. Rainbow nodded her head and looked down for a moment. "Well, look. I've got a date with Applejack today...so I'll be gone until later on. But I'll spend the night here with you, okay?" Tank nuzzled her. She giggled and put him down.

"What am I doing putting dishes away? I've gotta get ready!" Rainbow said to herself, and possibly to Tank if he was still listening. She ran to her bathroom and jumped into her shower. After punching one of the many clouds she had in storage a few times, water began to fall from it she immediately shivered at the cold feel of the water. That was one thing Applejack's house had over on this one for sure. Hot water.

Rainbow hurriedly washed her mane and tail, scrubbing in Shampoo and Conditioner. She then washed her body, taking special care of her wings, washing the sensitive appendages with care. When she was done, she exited the shower and dried off before performing her ritual of one comb for her mane and tail, and brushing her teeth. She cringed as she picked up the perfume Rarity had bought for her. She sighed heavily as she looked at it apprehensively.

"Applejack likes it...she likes it, so I'm gonna use it..." Rainbow reaffirmed to herself before spritzing some over her freshly-washed mane, as well as some on her neck. She had to admit to herself that it smelled very pleasant. Rainbow Dash exhaled as she put the small bottle down and turned to leave the bathroom. Walking out, she noticed the open, spine-up Daring Do novel on her bed, most likely put down when she had fallen asleep reading it.

"Why did I leave it like that?" Rainbow asked herself before closing the book, putting it on her nightstand and making a mental note to finish the adventure novel at a later time. Now that Rainbow's preparation was complete, she was ready for the date. She ambled into the kitchen and poured some reptile chow for Tank. He slowly began to eat as Rainbow Dash petted his shell. The pegasus then stood and walked through the front door before looking back at her tortoise with a smile.

"Bye, Tank! See you tonight!"

Applejack smiled as she made her bed, pulling the strewn about sheets to evenly fit on the mattress. As reserved as Applejack usually attempted to keep herself in these instances, she could barely contain her excitement. She and Rainbow Dash had not been on a date for quite some time, and the opportunity to do it once again with no fears or reservations about being seen with Rainbow filled her with anxious anticipation. Her stomach fluttered as she finished making the bed. She sighed as she ambled into the living room where Granny Smith sat in her rocking chair, knitting some sort of cloth. Big Macintosh snoozed lightly on the couch.

"Heya, Granny." Applejack said happily, walking into the living room with a small spring in her step. Granny Smith raised her eyebrows and smiled.

"You're lookin' awful happy." The old mare stated. Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah'm feellin' pretty good right about now." Applejack responded. "Didja have anything that ya needed me to do today?"

"And why exactly are ya askin' me this?" Granny Smith asked her Granddaughter. Applejack blushed as she rubbed the back of her head, tipping her Stetson slightly forward.

"Ah uh...Ah've got a date with Rainbow Dash today..." Applejack said, feeling moderately uncomfortable. Her discomfort was not due to talking about Rainbow Dash specifically, rather the feeling of slight unease was present even when she had discussed her coltfriends in the past. Applejack just became nervous when speaking of relationships in general.

"Oh. Well, Ah suppose that you can take a break for today. Nothin' really needs to be done that Ah can see. Go ahead and go on your date. Big Mac can pick up Applebloom today." Granny Smith said with a sweet smile. "Now go get all prettied up for her. Put on that perfume Ah got ya." Applejack smiled widely and nodded.

"Thanks, Granny." Applejack said before walking quickly back to her room. Once her bedroom door was securely closed and fastened in place, Applejack could not supress a small, happy giggle. She ambled into her bathroom and stood in front of the mirror, appraising herself and making mental notes of all the things that she had to fix in order to look presentable for the date.

Stray hairs poked out of the brim of her hat, sticking into the air in every direction. She looked back at her tail, and after observing the same phenomenon, Applejack sighed to herself.

"Might as well start there..." She said quietly as she removed her stetson and placed it on the counter. She slowly removed each of her red hair ties and set them down on the counter beside her stetson. She watched her long, flowing mane drop down freely around her shoulders. Her tail hung mere inches above the ground. Applejack, despite her hatred of boasting, could not deny the natural beauty of her mane and tail when they flowed freely. She tossed her head back and forth and flicked her tail, allowing the long, golden locks to fling minutely around. The earth pony briefly considered leaving her hair down for the date. Her hair suddenly falling over the front of her face rebuked this consideration.

"Nope." She said before taking a hairbrush to her mane, working to at least get the hairs paralell with each other. It was at times like this that Applejack truly envied Rarity. The prim white unicorn could easily use her magic to efforlessly move the brush through her mane, stroking it to perfection. Applejack had to awkwardly use both of her front hooves to hold the brush and precariously move it through her mane. She wasn't doing too bad a job, however, and succeeded in her task with both her mane and her tail.

Replacing the hair ties, Applejack smiled proudly at her work before placing her stetson on her head and looking back into the mirror. Applejack then grabbed her toothbrush and proceeded to brush her teeth. After a healthy rinse and spit, Applejack sighed.

"Hmmm...maybe some blush..." Applejack said quietly to herself. The orange farm mare rarely wore makeup, but this was a special occasion. This was Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's first date since their previous conflict, and Applejack wanted desperately to make it special. Slowly, deliberately, Applejack reached for her blush. At that moment, she heard her bedroom door open.

"Applejack?" Granny Smith said, pushing the door open. "What're ya doin' in here with the door shut?" Applejack, not feeling up to explaining to her grandmother that she didn't want to be seen mid-celebration, merely shrugged.

"Ah don't really know why Ah shut the door. But come on in, if ya want to." Applejack responded. "Actually...Ah might need your help a little..." Granny Smith giggled to herself as she slowly walked to Applejack's bathroom doorway.

"Do ya, now?" Granny Smith asked. "The pretty, young mare wants my help gettin' ready for her date, huh?" Granny Smith smiled sweetly to her granddaughter. Applejack smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Well, whatcha need?"

"Ah, uh...Ah wanna put on a little makeup." Applejack said nervously. Granny Smith raised her eyebrows, slightly suprised. "This is our first date in a while, so Ah wanna make it kinda special. You've always been pretty good at doin' makeup, so could ya help me?" Applejack's grandmother nodded.

"Well, let's see here..." Granny Smith said, pulling what little makeup Applejack had toward her and taking a seat on a stool. Granny Smith motioned for Applejack to sit down in front of her. Applejack complied, sitting on her haunches, and awkwardly looking to the side. Granny Smith grabbed some blush and patted Applejack's face lightly with it on different spots of her cheeks.

"Alright...a little bit here..." Granny said before grabbing Applejack's eyeliner. "Close your eyes." Granny Smith said. Slowly, unsure, Applejack closed her eyes and gulped. However much makeup her grandmother was using, it seemed like the old filly was piling it on. Once her Grandmother finished with her eyeliner, she sighed. "Alright, now. Ah think ya can look in the mirror now. Ah'm done." Applejack apprehensively looked over into the mirror and gasped.

She looked stunning.

Her cheeks were rosy and attractive, just light enough around her freckles to not appear too overdone. The eyeliner lined her eyelids and accentuated the natural beauty of Applejack's emerald irises. Her features were brought out so perfectly and without failure she looked over at her grandmother.

"Ah...Ah..." Applejack said, stunned.

"What? How do ya think Ah looked so pretty back in the day?" Granny Smith asked. "Ah used to have to pile that stuff on. You're so naturally beautiful, ya don't really need all that much...just like your mama." Applejack teared up at the mention of her mother and hugged her grandmother sweetly.

"It looks perfect..." Applejack said, her voice breaking slightly before pulling away from her grandmother. "She'll love it."

"Aw, don't cry, now!" Granny Smith teased, lightly slapping Applejack on the shoulder. "Ah just got all that done!" Applejack laughed heartily and nodded, smiling at her Grandmother, who could not remove the mile-wide smile upon her own face.

"Ah love you, Granny." Applejack said appreciatively. "If it wasn't for you...Ah don't know where Ah'd be now." Granny Smith lightly and slowly hugged Applejack.

"Applejack...Ah just wanna tell ya...Ah've watched ya grow up from birth, and durin' that time, Ah often wondered who ya'd turn out to be, what ya'd do with your life..." Granny Smith placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Ah just wanna tell ya that Ah could not be any more proud of you if Ah tried." Applejack placed a hoof on Granny Smith's and sniffled.

"Now, ya tell me not to cry, then ya go and say somethin' like that to me!" Applejack said before wrapping her grandmother in yet another hug, which Granny Smith returned. Granny Smith and Applejack both heard a light knocking at the door. Granny Smith separated from the hug.

"Sounds like that's you, sweetie. Go have fun for both of us." Granny Smith said. Applejack slowly nodded and smiled before hugging Granny Smith one more time. Applejack, followed by Granny Smith, ambled into the living room. The knocking had not roused Big Macintosh from his nap. Applejack rolled her eyes slightly before opening the door to reveal Rainbow Dash.

Applejack smiled at the sight of her lover standing before her, a rose clenched in her teeth. Applejack smiled widely as she stepped through the doorway.

"Oh, Rainbow, it's beautiful." Applejack said appreciatively. Rainbow took the rose from her mouth with a hoof and smiled, closing her eyes.

"Yeah, I had the thorns removed before I put it in my mouth." Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Hold on, a sec." Rainbow Dash raised the rose up and put it behind Applejack's ear in her mane. The stetson hat on the farm mare's head helped even more to keep the flower in place.

"You're so sweet." Applejack said, nuzzling Rainbow. She poked her head in momentarily and waved at her grandmother, who had just resumed knitting. Granny Smith winked at her. Applejack closed the front door and turned to Rainbow Dash.

"You look amazing." Rainbow said, smiling.

"Oh, well, thank you. Ah figured Ah'd spruce up a little more than usual today, seein' as how it's our first date in a while." Applejack said before placing a small kiss on Rainbow's lips. "Ready to go?" Rainbow gestured to her saddlebag, lined with food and drink for their picnic.

"Got everything here." Rainbow said. "Let's hit it!"

"Ooohh, Goddesses..." Rainbow Dash said, exasperated, laying back on the quilt that she had packed for the picnic. "I don't think I've ever eaten that much in my life..." Applejack chuckled as she layed down next to Rainbow.

"Don't ya think that's a little bit of an overstatement, sugarcube?" Applejack said, raising and eyebrow. Rainbow rubbed her chin with her hoof slowly for a moment before snickering.

"Yeah...probably. I'm just really full." Rainbow said happily. "This is great...y'know...just you and me, out here...not a care in the world..." The pegasus sighed.

"Yep. This truly is nice. Ah don't feel like today should have gone any other way." Applejack said. As she said this, a cold wind blew, chilling the earth pony. Applejack slowly scooted closer to Rainbow Dash, who smirked as she wrapped her front leg around Applejack.

"Feeling chilly?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow at Applejack.

"Maybe just a little..." Applejack said. Rainbow scoffed slightly. "Maybe Ah just wanted an excuse to snuggle with ya." Rainbow shrugged.

"I'm good with either of those, really." Rainbow held Applejack, their respective body heats melting into each other, increasing the comfort of the two mares exponentially. They laid there, taking in the beauty of the day given to them to have each other. Time seemed to pass quite a bit as they breathed in synchronization. Applejack suddenly stood up.

"So, are ya ready for that walk now, Rainbow?" Applejack asked her lover. Rainbow, who had dozed off, blinked slowly as she looked up tiredly at Applejack.

"Sure, I guess." Rainbow said. "Just lemme get all this stuff together. I wouldn't want to leave it here." And so, after Rainbow Dash folded the quilt and put the food containers in her saddlebags, they began their walk. Side by side they strolled together, taking in the wondrous sights of the Equestrian countryside outside their hometown. The mountains surrounding Canterlot to the north demanded awe and respect with their regality.

"I guess that since we're walking back toward Ponyville now, that means that the date is getting closer to an end?" Rainbow said, somewhat sadly, looking over at Applejack.

"Only if ya want it to be. We could do somethin' else if ya like." Applejack said.

"I'm still a little bit tired, actually..." Rainbow said. "What would you say to putting this quilt down in the apple orchard and sleep together?" Applejack blushed and looked at Rainbow.

"Y-Ya mean...Applejack said, raising her eyebrows. Rainbow blushed as well when she realized what exactly Applejack was talking about.

"Oh! Oh...well...If you wanted to...I actually meant just a nap...I want to go to sleep in the Apple orchard with you..." Rainbow said, her ears laying back upon her head. "It just sounds really nice. But if you wanted to have a little roll in the hay, I wouldn't exactly be opposed..."

"Dash, that sounds wonderful...the nap, Ah mean." Applejack said, placing a small kiss on Rainbow's cheek. "There'll be time for that later." Rainbow smirked.

"Well, alright, then." Rainbow said. "Race you back to Ponyville!" Rainbow quickly took off into a sprint toward the town before Applejack had time to react. Applejack, completely taken by suprise, sped off after her marefriend.

"That ain't fair, Rainbow! Aw, come on!" Applejack yelled. Rainbow Dash laughed before looking ahead again. Applejack, determined not to come out of this competition the loser by any means, increased her speed until she was a foot behind Rainbow Dash. "Ah'm catchin' up to ya, there, Dash! Watch out!"

Rainbow looked back slowly and confidently. This confidence quickly turned to fear of defeat as her eyes widened and she clenched her teeth, picking up her momentum as well. Looking back at Applejack appeared to be an unwise decision on Rainbow's part, however. As the pegasus looked back, distracted by Applejack gaining on her, she failed to notice the rock lying straight in her path. She tripped and with a suprised cry, toppled forwards, end over end until she skidded on the ground to a rest. Applejack quickly stopped the race and ran to Rainbow Dash's aid.

"Rainbow! Rainbow, are you okay?!" Applejack asked frantically as Rainbow Dash slowly stood up.

"Yeah...Yeah, I'm alright." Rainbow said.

"Ah'm sorry!" Applejack said, making Rainbow Dash raise an eyebrow.

"What the hay for?" The pegasus asked, half laughing. "You didn't do anything!"

"Ah distracted you...Made ya look back. You would have seen that rock if you were lookin' forward." Applejack said.

"Applejack...don't worry about it. Seriously. It's my fault. You didn't do anything wrong." Rainbow said giving Applejack a nuzzle. "I appreciate your worry, though."

"Still...Ah can't help but feel guilty. Ah did distract you." Applejack said, returning the nuzzle. "Can ya walk alright?"

"Yeah, Applejack. I'm gonna be fine. Just a couple little scrapes, is all." Rainbow said, smiling, before beginning to walk back to Ponyville.

"So, what exactly was goin' through your head when you took me by suprise back there, anyways?" Applejack asked. Rainbow Dash chuckled and stretched her wings before folding them back down at her sides.

"I figured that I'd get us both tired. Y'know, in preparation for the nap." Rainbow said. Applejack shook her head slowly.

"We ain't takin' that nap until we get those scrapes cleaned off." Applejack said.

"Oh, come on, AJ. It's just a little dirt!" Rainbow said. "You've never had any kind of problem with dirt."

"That may be, but Ah do have a problem with infected wounds." Applejack said slightly sternly. Rainbow smirked at her.

"Well then, yes ma'am." Rainbow replied. Applejack pushed her body into Rainbow's affectionately.

"It's just 'cause Ah care about ya." Applejack said. Rainbow nodded. They entered Ponyville, completely unabashed at their current positioning in relation to their two bodies. They were stared at, mostly in purely inquisitorial manners, but the odd malicious stare was noticeable. Notably, Mrs. Cake, who had just finished putting up a "HELP WANTED" sign outside sugarcube corner. Applejack merely smiled at her. Mrs. Cake scowled at her and stomped up into Sugarcube Corner, where her bigot husband was most likely waiting for her. They noticed a local earth pony, Roseluck approaching them.

"Oop, prepare yourself. Roseluck's coming..." Rainbow Dash said. Roseluck stood before them silently for a few moments before offering up a small smile.

"I didn't know you guys were fillyfoolers, but I'm glad to see the two of you being yourselves. I'm happy for you!" She said. "Sorry if that was a little awkward. I just thought that I'd tell you guys. I don't know if you've been getting any mean comments." Applejack, slightly spellbound, nodded slowly at Roseluck.

"But how do you know we're fillyfoolers?" Rainbow Dash asked Roseluck with a small smile, raising an eyebrow. "We might just be close friends." Roseluck smiled back at her.

"I don't see you walking that way with Fluttershy or Rarity." Roseluck said, raising an eyebrow. "I've only seen couples walk that way. It's a known sign of affection here in Equestria. I just thought I'd let you two know how happy I am for you. You make such a cute couple!" Rainbow Dash nodded.

"I'm happy that you keep an open mind, Roseluck." Rainbow Dash said. "We'll be seeing you around!" Roseluck waved at the couple before returning to her flower shop.

"Did she just say what Ah think she said?" Applejack asked in disbelief. Rainbow Dash nodded.

"Yep. There's bigots everywhere, sure, but Ponyville's a pretty accepting place, it looks like." Rainbow Dash said. Applejack nodded and smiled.

"Ah gotta say, Ah'm a little suprised..." Applejack said. Rainbow Dash kissed Applejack on the cheek sweetly.

"Things are looking up for us around here!" Rainbow said happily. The pegasus spoke too soon, it seemed. Rainbow Dash looked up to see an old aquaintance of hers, Amethyst Star looking at them repeatedly and snickering. She whispered suspiciously to Twinkleshine, a friend of hers, before laughing to herself. Twinkleshine looked unsure at the phantom comment and frowned at Amethyst Star.

"Come on, Amethyst...leave them alone. They're both nice. We know them." Twinkleshine said. Rainbow Dash tilted her head slightly as he ears perked up after hearing the comment. Applejack looked in the direction of the conversation as well, her interest piqued. Rainbow Dash began to walk toward the duo. Applejack, in an attempt to stop her, placed a hoof on her shoulder, which Dash shrugged off.

"Oh, come on, Twinkleshine...I was just saying-" Amethyst Star began in rebuttle.

"Saying what?" Rainbow Dash interrupted the unicorn. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear."

"You heard?" Twinkleshine said worriedly. "I'm sorry, I don't agree with her-" She was silenced by a hoof placed over her mouth by Amethyst Star.

"Oh, it's nothing..." Amethyst Star said with a small scoff, rolling her eyes. "You wouldn't really care to find out, anyway."

"No...No, I really think I would." Rainbow said, narrowing her eyelids.

"Well, you're a fillyfooler with...what's-her-face over there?" Amethyst Star said, gesturing to Applejack briefly.

"Her name is Applejack, and yes, we're in love. So?" Rainbow said. Amethyst Star laughed and raised an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash.

"Do you really think that what the two of you do is okay?" Amethyst Star asked, causing a burning feeling to rise up within Rainbow Dash. The pink unicorn was getting under Rainbow's skin and she knew it. "What do you think Princess Celestia would think of this?"

"I'd like to think that she'd be okay with it. Princess Celestia doesn't seem to be the judgemental type, but if she was, that would be fine too! We don't need everypony's permission, especially not either of yours." Rainbow responded with a frown, her eyebrows furrowing. "Who do you think you are, to just sit back and make snide little comments about us? We never did anything to either of you." Twinkleshine slapped Amethyst Star's hoof away from her mouth, earning a scowl from her judgemental companion.

"You're disgusting, both of you." Amethyst Star said with an inherent sneer. "What you two do, it's unnatural. I heard that the Cakes fired Pinkie Pie for being your friend. Serves her right. And your marefriend back there? I'm not suprised you went for the country bumpkin." Rainbow was filled with complete, seething rage at Amethyst Star's comments. Rainbow Dash began to walk toward her menacingly.

"What did you just say?" Rainbow said. Amethyst Star chuckled nervously to herself as she stepped back slightly.

"I said that...I think you're..." Amethyst Star gulped. "Disgusting. You and your marefriend here."

"Rainbow, come on. Let's just get out of here." Applejack said. "She ain't worth it." Rainbow did not seem to regard Applejack's kind words, however, as she continued to tromp toward Amethyst Star.

"What're you gonna do anyway?" The pink unicorn asked, looking to the side. Rainbow huffed in anger.

Rainbow Dash said nothing as she made a beeline for Amethyst Star's position. The unicorn, in a panic, attempted to run away, but was blocked by a mailbox. This small delay in Amethyst Star's movement was all the time Rainbow Dash needed to close the distance between them. Rainbow brought her front hoof back and let it loose into Amethyst's face, sending the Unicorn stumbling. After Amethyst recovered, a flare of magic projected from her horn as she quickly levitated a potted fern and threw it into the side of Rainbow Dash's head as she moved in for another hit, making it shatter and stunning the pegasus momentarily.

Rainbow clutched the side of her head in pain as a small trickle of blood moved down to her cheek. She clenched her teeth in utter fury as she looked up at Amethyst Star, a wild look of hate in her eyes. Amethyst Star's eyes widened in fear.

"Rainbow, stop it!" Applejack said, moving toward her love quickly and wrapping her front legs around her in an attempt to hold the cyan mare back. This attempt failed as Rainbow shook Applejack off and charged for Amethyst Star yet again. Her cry of anger attracted a few ponies to spectate the current events. Amethyst Star madly threw different odds and ends at Rainbow, who easily dodged each one all while closing the distance between her and her target. Rainbow threw her shoulder into Amethyst Star's chin, making her stumble back. Rainbow kept up her assault and threw a hoof into the side of Amethyst's face.

Applejack was at a loss for words when it came to the scene before her. She didn't know exactly what to think of this unbelievable development that her marefriend had caused. On one hoof, she felt like cheering Rainbow Dash on, due to the awful and terrible things the pink unicorn had just said about them. On the other, she felt like she needed to stop her lover, before she dug herself a hole with the ponies of Ponyville. Applejack looked over at Amethyst Star's companion, Twinkleshine.

"Why aren't ya helpin' Amethyst?" Applejack asked the unicorn.

"Because what she said was awful. As long as I've been her friend, she needs to sort this out for herself." Applejack frowned at the reply and furrowed her brow before charging at the two dueling ponies.

It wasn't exactly a duel, however, as Amethyst star recieved much more of a beating than she was giving. Rainbow Dash was by far the physically superior mare, able to easily outmatch the unicorn in strength and speed, all without trying very hard at all. With a wound up punch, Rainbow sent Amethyst Star staggering back. Amethyst's legs trembled as the strength faded from them. Her eye had swollen shut and blood leaked from the side of her mouth. She groaned as she stumbled to the side, ready to fall. As Rainbow Dash ran in for another strike, she felt a pair of strong hooves wrap around her body from behind, successfully stopping her attack.

"What the hay?!" Rainbow exclaimed as Applejack pulled her away from Amethyst, who swayed seemingly with the wind. "Lemme go, Applejack!"

"No!" Applejack yelled sternly. "What is this solving, Rainbow Dash?! What are you fixing?!"

"I'm teaching that awful-"

"NO, Rainbow! You're not teachin' her anything! You're just making things worse!" Applejack let go of Rainbow Dash and jumped in front of her, effectively blocking her path to Amethyst, who had now fallen on her side, groaning. "You're not doin' anything but spreadin' more hate. Now, she's had enough. Let it go."

"But Applejack-"

"Let. It. Go." Applejack reaffirmed. Rainbow backed up a few steps and looked over Applejack's shoulder at Amethyst Star, seeing Twinkleshine checking on her friend.

"I thought we were friends, Amethyst!" Rainbow yelled before frowning in a look of sorrow, her ears splaying back. "Why?" Amethyst Star did not reply.

"Let's go, Rainbow." Applejack said simply. "We've got nothin' else to do here." Applejack looked around at the few spectators who had observed the altercation. What truly caught her eye about them is that most of them were nodding or even smiling.

"She deserved it." Applejack heard one stallion say to his marefriend, who were watching the occurence. "Did you hear what she said about them?"

"Yeah. I don't blame Rainbow." The mare replied. Applejack's eyes widened slightly as she turned and walked all the way through Ponyville with her love in silence, neither saying a word to one another. When they were out of Ponyville and nearing Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack looked at Rainbow, who still had her head hung in sadness and perhaps regret.

"What the hay were you thinkin' Rainbow?" Applejack asked her. Rainbow's ears perked up as she looked at the farm mare. She frowned, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"What was I thinking?" Rainbow said. "What was I thinking? Maybe I was thinking that I needed to give that peice of trash what she deserved!"

"Rainbow, that's not how it works! There's gonna be ponies like her everywhere we ever go!" Applejack said, raising her voice. "Ya can't just go beatin' the tar outta anypony who disagrees with ya!"

"She wasn't just disagreeing with us! Did you even hear what she said about Pinkie Pie?!" Rainbow yelled, anger filling her once again. "About us?!"

"Yeah, Ah heard her!" Applejack yelled back. "But that doesn't change the fact that what ya did was wrong!"

"I wasn't just going to let her say all that stuff about us! I wasn't just going to let it go!" Rainbow yelled, stomping a hoof to reaffirm her statement. "She deserved everything she got back there, and there's nothing that you, or anypony else can do to change it! I...I..." Rainbow's voice broke as tears flooded her eyes. Rainbow sniffled as she plopped her flank on the ground as her ears splayed back. Applejack's heart melted at the sight as she walked over to Rainbow and wrapped her in a sweet, loving embrace.

"Rainbow, darlin', Ah appreciate what ya did back there...and you're right. She probably did deserve it. But ya went about it the wrong way. Beatin' her down is just gonna make her hate us more. You need to let it go and not let what she said bother you." Applejack said.

"I don't care about what she says about me. I never did." Rainbow said, wiping tears from her eyes. "I care about what she says about you. I'll never let anypony talk about you that way. Ever." Applejack smiled and nuzzled Rainbow Dash. The pegasus sniffled again as a tear fell onto Applejack's cheek.

"It don't bother me." Applejack said sweetly, lightly placing her forehead on Rainbow's. "Ah can take care of myself. Don't you worry about me."

"I can't help it." Rainbow replied. "I just can't believe how quickly some ponies can snap when they hear something about you. Amethyst used to be a friend."

"Well, sometimes, you just need to watch out who you become friends with." Applejack said. "Roseluck was pretty sweet." Rainbow Dash nodded.

"Yeah, but that was the worst timing in the world. Roseluck came up to us and congratulated us, and then Amethyst Star goes and berates us." Rainbow said. Appplejack nodded, The farm mare smiled before standing up.

"Come on, sugarcube." Applejack said before kissing Rainbow on her forehead. "Let's get back to the house and get you cleaned up. Ah can't imagine that that potted fern to the side of your head helped your disposition towards Amethyst much." Rainbow Dash smiled as she stood up.

"Yeeeaah...It sure did hurt, though." Rainbow said, rubbing the side of her head gingerly as the two mares headed for the Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse.

"Howdy, Miss Dash." Big Macintosh said as Rainbow Dash and Applejack entered the house. The large red stallion raised an eyebrow at seeing the dried blood on the side of Rainbow's face. "You alright?"

"Yeah. I'm fine, Big Mac. I just tripped and fell while me and Applejack were racing. Those stupid little rocks, y'know?" Rainbow lied as Applejack closed the door behind her. Big Macintosh nodded.

"Eeeyup." He said simply, moving the hay sprig in his mouth.

"Where's Applebloom and Granny Smith, Big Mac?" Applejack asked her brother. He nodded toward the back door.

"They went out for a lil' walk. Ah actually promised Ah'd join 'em after a drink. And seein' as how Ah'm done with the drink, Ah think Ah will. See y'all later. You probably want some time to yourselves." He said as he exited the farmhouse through the back door to join the rest of the Apple Family on their walk. Rainbow's eyes widened slightly in apprehension.

"Applejack..." Rainbow said nervously. "He didn't mean..."

"No, Rainbow. Knowin' Big Mac, he probably meant that we actually really did want time to ourselves and not just for sex." Applejack said with a smile. "C'mon. Let's getcha cleaned up. We still have to take that nap." Rainbow smiled as she followed Applejack to her bathroom.

"Applejack, did I ever tell you how awesome your bathroom is?" Rainbow asked her.

"Ah'm sure ya would've if ya weren't busy invading my shower." Applejack responded with a wink as she grabbed a washcloth. "Go ahead and sit on that stool there." Applejack turned on the water and soaked the rag. Applejack softly rubbed the cloth on the two scrapes Rainbow Dash sustained during their race. The cleanup was relatively simple.

Applejack then gingerly brought the rag to Rainbow's face and began gently rubbing away at the dried blood. The blood washed away easily enough, but the dirt from the fern was slightly tougher, requiring Applejack to apply more pressure to clean it.

"Does that hurt, Dash?" Applejack asked Rainbow slightly concerned.

"Sure, it hurts..." Rainbow said. "But when you're doing it, it's easier to take." With that, Rainbow planted a kiss on Applejack's lips, making the farm mare smile into the kiss. Applejack stopped wiping Rainbow's face for a moment to focus on the kiss. Rainbow moved her lips on Applejack's softly, breathing deeply. After Rainbow disconnected from the kiss, Applejack began to rub at the grime again, wiping it away as tenderly as she could manage.

"That actually feels pretty good, AJ." Rainbow said. "Could you just...do that for the next hour and let me sleep in here?"

"In a bathroom?" Applejack said, half chuckling. "Ah don't think so. The orchard will do just fine." Rainbow scoffed.

"Well then, get it done so we can get to it!" Rainbow playfully demanded. Applejack merely sat back and eyed Rainbow, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, if you're gonna tell me like that..." Applejack said, humorously crossing her front legs in front of her. Rainbow frowned.

"Oh, come on, AJ. I was just kidding. Could you finish wiping my face?" Rainbow asked, more politely the second time. Applejack smiled and finished her task. After the grime was washed away, Applejack grimaced at the core wound caused by the flying potted fern. A small gash was present on Rainbow's head, just below where her mane grew.

"Geez, Rainbow. She got ya pretty good." Applejack said while applying an antibiotic cream to Rainbow's wound.

"It looks worse than it is." Rainbow said. "You should see the other mare." Rainbow Dash snickered.

"Ah did." Applejack said, chuckling. "Ah think you did enough damage." Rainbow smirked as Applejack slowly put a small adhesive bandage on the gash. Rainbow sighed as she stood up and looked over at Applejack.

"Finally! Now let's go. The more and more I think about it, the better and better a nap in the orchard sounds." Rainbow said. "And a nap with you...it just can't be beat." Applejack giggled as she stood and nodded.

"Ah sure am glad Granny Smith gave me the day off today." Applejack said happily. As they walked out of the bathroom, through Applejack's room and into the living room. Rainbow quickly grabbed the quilt out of her saddle bag.

"Well, you do work pretty hard." Rainbow said raising an eyebrow. "You deserve more days off, if you ask me."

"And who exactly is gonna cover for me?" Applejack asked with an inquisitory smile.

"Uhm....Winona." Rainbow said. "Winona can cover for you." Applejack laughed at the statement as they walked out of the farmhouse and through the apple orchard, searching for the right place to lay down their quilt for their well-deserved nap. Finally, the pair came upon a clearing with just the right amount of sunlight and shade gracing it. Rainbow smiled at Applejack.

"Right here." The pegasus said, laying down the quilt. The pegasus quickly leapt onto it and patted the spot next to her. Applejack happily accepted the invitation and sat next to Rainbow, giving her a small nuzzle.

"Okay...So, how ya wanna do this? Ya wanna just lay next to each other, or do you want me to lay on you, or-" Applejack said.

"I'll lay on you." Rainbow said. "You're really warm." Applejack shrugged and layed on her back, removing her stetson and placing it next to her head. Rainbow eagerly dove into Applejack, burying her face in Applejack's chest before finally snuggling in with an exorbitant sigh. Applejack giggled.

"Comfy?" Applejack asked her lover. Rainbow nodded contentedly.

"Yep." She said before looking up at Applejack, who looked down at her, smiling. Rainbow adjusted the rose that she had stuck behind Applejack's ear earlier. "It makes you look even prettier." Applejack smiled.

"Does it? Ah don't usually wear flowers in my hair." Applejack responded before kissing Rainbow on the nose. Rainbow Dash happily snuggled into Applejack and closed her eyes. The cyan mare felt a hoof run gently through her rainbow hair as Applejack stroked her mane. The effect was extremely therapeutic and relaxing.

"Rainbow." Applejack said soothingly to the already-drowsy pegasus.

"Hmm?" She responded.

"Ah love you." The farm mare said, giving Rainbow Dash a small squeeze. Rainbow Dash quickly shot her lips to Applejack's and gave her a peck on the lips.

"I love you too." Rainbow said, hugging onto Applejack, while Applejack held onto her. Applejack closed her eyes as well as both mares fell into a peaceful slumber, with only each other to worry about.

Obligatory End-of-Chapter Author's Note: D'AWW. There's some fluff for you guys! The fights scene was actually extraordinarily fun to write. Ah, well. THANKS FOR READING! If you're enjoying the story, give it a like. Feel free to leave a comment telling me what you think of the story so far! Cheers!