Yes! I was back home and I did it. I manage to get a date with Corona. Jackie had hoped back into bed. I suppose I should get some sleep too. Tomorrow after work I got a date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up, fire all around me. The barn's burning. I looked up to see a charred corpse in front of me. Oh Celestia... I killed StrawBell. I ran out of the barn. Nopony has noticed yet, I have a chance.

I ran to my house. I was packing some of my stuff and trapped Jackie. "Sorry girl, but we have to get out of here!"

I started towards the train station until somepony grabbed my shoulder. I turned around, scared out of my mind and saw my Uncle PichFork.

"My barn's on fire... blue fire?" he said.

"I know. I'm sorry." I said, trying to edge away.

"Everypony's runnin' 'round lookin' for ya and StrawBell. Where is she."

I looked into his eyes. I knew he could see my guilt.

"She's in the barn, isn't she?"

"She... She pulled a rifle out on me... I pan-... panicked." Tears were streaming down my face.

"She saw your eyes... didn't she?" He's voice sounded stern and foreboding.

"Yes. She saw my eyes... She freaked out and called me a... a monster, a freak... I didn't know what to do..."

"So you killed her and burnt down the barn?"

"I didn't mean to! She shot me... I... I accidentally shot some fire and... and... "

"Leave."

"What...?"

"Leave. Get out of town. They'll figure out it was you who started the fire and killed her, then they'll find out about what you are... Go. Leave, stay safe. Let nopony know your secret. I'll try to keep them off your trail."

"Th-thank you..."

"Never liked the idea of you marrying her anyways..."

I gave my uncle a hug and then ran towards the train station. I got on the first train and left... I looked out the back window as I saw my old home town disappear. I knew I'd never be able to return...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I sighed and sat up. I got out of be and looked out the window. It's still night time. Jackie was asleep in her little pet bed. I went downstairs and got a beer out of the fridge. I sat on the couch and turned on the TV. I started watching Bottom Gear. I finished my beer then passed out.

I woke up on the couch. I sat up and popped my back. I put on my shades and Stetson. I looked at the time... I was late for work. I ran out the door and ran as fast as I could to the bar. I went through the doors at the bar. Corona looked up for them bar towards me.

"Sorry for being late. I slept in."

"Eh. No worries." She gave me a sweet smile. "Bud I do need somepony to mop the the Stallions' room." She handed me a mop and gave me a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and took the broom.

___________________________________________

Fire Heart walked into the Stallions' room with the mop. I went back behind the bar. The rest of the day went pretty standard. Once he was done mopping, I sent him out to fetch a supply shipment. Ol' Red and NineMil showed up. Archy showed up and yelled when I cut him off from the drinks. Nothing really happened.

"NineMil, can you pick Bud up from school today?" I asked him

"Sure. Why can't you do it?" He looked at me questioningly.

"I have a date tonight." I gave a slight in-your-face-you-two-timing-bastard smile.

"A date? With whom?" He took a sip of his drink.

"If you must know, it's with Fire Heart."

"Fire Heart? Really?" He seemed so shocked.

"Haha!" Ol' Red laughed. "That should be interesting. Have fun lil' sis."

"Thank you Red, I will. It's closing time. You two head out." I gestured towards the door.

"Yes ma'am." Red got up and headed for the exit.

"Yeah... Sure... See ya around." NineMil got up and started walking out. He and Fire Heart met at the door.

"Howdy NineMil." Heart tipped his hat.

"Yeah..." NineMil kept walking. Once they were out the door, it was just Fire Heart and me.

"So... Ready to head out?" He asked me with a smile. I wish I could see his eyes, I bet they're beautiful. "Uhm... Corona?"

I zoned out thinking about him. Great, I look stupid. "Uh, yeah. I'm ready." I tried to recover from that with a smile.

"Alright. Well... You know this town better than me, what are the good places to get dinner?" He asked holding open the door as I stepped out. I locked the bar behind us.

"Well... What are you hungry for?"

"Uhm... Pasta? I guess."

"Ooh! Perfect. We could go to Olive Plantation?"

"Sounds good to me." He gave me a smile and we started walking.

We arrived at the restaurant and got a table. We sat down and started talking.

"So..." He said.

"Yes?"

"I have completely forgotten how to act on a date." He gave me a nervous grin.

I chuckled at him, "Well when was your last date?"

He looked at me and got this thinking look. He mumbled under his breath, "Last date I was on was when I proposed to StrawBell."

"Proposed?" He looked at me, I think he was surprised that I heard him.

"I... Uh... Yeah... Proposed. I dated a mare back in Koltucky and we got engaged."

"Well, what happened to her? What are you doing on a date with me?"

"She... Died. Before the wedding, she died." He seemed sad.

"Oh... I... I am so sorry."

"Don't be. It was a long time ago. I'm over it."

"Ok then..."

The rest of the date went pretty smoothly. We talked, laughed, and had a good time.

__________________________________

I paid the bill and we left the restaurant. I walked her home.

"Welp, that was a fun night." She had a grin on her face. "I really enjoyed it."

"Good, so did I." She looked at me, her eyes were beautiful. "Welp... I guess I'll head home then. See ya tomorrow."

"See ya tomorrow. And don't be late again." We laughed. Then she did something I wasn't expecting, she kissed me on the cheek. I stood there, stunned. "G'night." She gave me a smile then went inside.

"Night" I said after her.