Shining was the first to step off the train. He looked around at the small town in front of him. They had finally arrived at Galloping Gorge and the last settlement before the Crystal Mountians. He stepped aside to allow Cadence and the rest of the group to get off. Spitfire and Soarin stretched their wings and took off. Shining glanced at Cadence. "I guess pegasi can't take being grounded for so long."

Cadence giggled. "If you had wings, would you like not being able to use them?"

Shining smiled. "If I had wings, we could have flown the whole way."

Cadence gave him a small shove and began walking away. "Yeah. You ground ponies take the fun out of everything."

Shining caught up to her and motioned to Spitfire. She and Soarin came in for a landing and followed after them. The group walked away from the train station.

The small town that sat next to Galloping Gorge could barely be qualified as a town. It consisted of a Main Street with three or four shops. Past those there was a small grouping of homes. Perhaps a dozen at most.

Shining noticed a fork and knife emblem hanging over one of the buildings. "Let's get something to eat." They walked to the eatery and entered.

Soarin nodded to Spitfire. "Why don't you and Princ- Cadence sit down. shining and I can get the food."

Spitfire looked at Cadence and smiled. "I'm good with that. We need a little mare talk anyways."

Shining wanted to object, since he knew that Spitfire wanted to talk about him, but he held his tongue. The mares walked off towards a table and he followed Soarin towards the bar.

Soarin took a seat at the bar and picked up a menu. He started licking his chops as he looked over the available meals. Shining motioned for the server, who walked over.

The server glanced from Shinng to Soarin. "Passing through?"

Shining nodded. "We're going on a trip to the Crystal Mountains."

The server seemed confused. "Why would you want to go there?"

Soarin, without looking up from the menu, responded. "Camping trip. We like to rough it every once in a while."

Shining smiled at the server. "We also got our mares along for the trip."

The server nodded. "Gotcha. So what'll you boys have?"

Soarin set the menu down and smiled. "Four suns, one with a sprig, and a keg of the Daily"

The server smiled. "You got it. I'll bring the food out in a few."

As the server walked away, Shining looked at Soarin. "What did you just order us?"

Soarin grinned. "Sunflower sandwiches and cider. Didn't I make that clear?"

Shining shook his head, producing a laugh from Soarin. Soarin calmed down as his eyes fell on the corner table. Shining followed his gaze to see Spitfire and Cadence whispering to each other. Shining groaned and put his head against the bar.

Soarin chuckled. "You've got your hooves full with those two. I wish I could land two mares at once. What's your secret?"

Shining looked up at the stallion. "I didn't plan on either of them. And there's no secret. I got nothing on Spitfire. And Cadence..."

Soarin nodded. "I get it. Hard to explain. So you've really known her since you were younger?"

Shining lifted his head up. "Yep. She would always tease me for wanting to be a guard. Thought it was too serious of a job for somepony like me."

Soarin put on a look of disbelief. "Are you saying that you, Lieutenant, actually used to be...fun?"

Shining rolled his eyes. "I was a teenager. I grew out of it, I joined the guard, Cadence took on her official role, and that's that."

Soarin shook his head. "From what I've seen so far on this trip it certainly hasn't been that."

Shining glared at him for a moment before sighing. "I don't know what I'm doing. Why did I accept this assignment?"

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"It's obvious that he's protective of you."

Cadence did her best to hide her red face, but Spitfire had hit it on the button. Spitfire continued. "I do admit I'm not surprised since you two were friends when you were younger. He's hiding his feelings"

Cadence looked at Spitfire. "He's a sweetheart. But he's being protective because he's been assigned to protect me."

Spitfire gave her a smug look. "If you believe that, you're just as love struck as he is."

Before Cadence could retort, Shining and Soarin approached with their food. Shining smiled at her and she smiled back. Spitfire poked Cadence under the table and Cadence swatted her hoof away.

Soarin set his platter down. "Enjoy! Not that one with the green though. That's mine."

Spitfire smiled. "Oh really?" She tried to swipe Soarin's sandwich and he blocked her with his wing. Spitfire looked up at him through narrowed eyes. "You're fast."

Soarin winked. "Faster than you at least."

The two pegasi began arguing the point while Shining and Cadence were content with watching from the sidelines. Shining looked at Cadence and rolled his eyes. She nodded in agreement.

Cadence thought it funny that Spitfire didn't seem to notice that Soarin and her had been flirting back and forth since the journey had begun. Had Shining noticed? Probably not. He was a soldier. He didn't focus on love.... Or did he? She thought back over the past few days as she had been reintroduced to her childhood friend, a colt who had since grown into a fine, handsome stallion. He certainly seemed to enjoy being with her. And she enjoyed it too.

Cadence couldn't deny that she had always had a crush on him since they were younger. Foalsitting Twilight had been one of the greatest experiences of her life. Having Shining Armor hanging around was an added bonus. He had acted so indifferent, but Cadence knew he was hiding his feelings. Twilight had been all too happy to tell her about how Shining had a crush on her too. But neither one of them had done anything about it. Cadence regretted that now.

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Shining glanced at Cadence out of the corner of his eye. What was she thinking about? Whatever it was, she kept glancing at him every few seconds. He wondered if she was thinking about him. Possibly.....in a good way? A smile crept to his face. He had always liked Cadence from the first moment he saw her. Having her foalsat Twilight had been an added bonus to his life. He wondered if she had ever caught on that he liked her. It was silly to think about now though. He was a Royal Guard. She was a princess. And yet... She kept glancing at him.

Their eyes met for a split second. They both smiled.

"Are you to ready to go yet?"

Shining's attention snapped to Spitfire and Soarin. Spitfire was waiting for her answer. Soarin was winking at Shining. Shining cleared his throat. "Yeah. We'd better pick up some supplies and head out." He turned to Cadence. "Are you ready?"

Cadence nodded. "Lead the way."

Shining nodded and stood up. He placed some bits on the table and looked over at the server. "Thanks for the food." The server nodded and the group left.