Big Mac was worried. Applejack's letter had come on the last train and he had been at Raeburn's home for lunch when it came, so he'd been able to read it right away. All she had said was "Dash is sick, please come home immediately. She's in the hospital, so we're all taking shifts being with her. The doctors don't know what's wrong yet, but we need you back on the farm."
As Mac stared out the window, he thought back to the times he and Rainbow Dash had spent together. He was worried because Dash wasn't just Applejack's friend, Dash was his friend. But he resolved to do his best to change that when he returned. Dashie being in trouble made him realize that maybe what he felt was more than like. He thought back on the times they had spent together.
_
"WATCH OOOOUUUUUT" Big Mac was halfway turned towards the yelling when he was suddenly out of breath and his midsection was bursting with pain.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, Big Mac! I overshot my landing and are you okay? Do you need anything? You need a doctor?" The rainbow-maned pony that had knocked him over was talking a mile a minute and he couldn't get a word in edgewise. When she slowed down and he had caught his breath, all he could answer with was a simple "Ayup." Mistaking this for a positive for her last question, she picked him up and and flew him to the hospital.
*The Next Day*
Big Mac was surprised. He hadn't thought that he'd needed a doctor, but it turns out Rainbow Dash had bruised some of his ribs. He'd have to rest for a few weeks, which meant that Applejack would need help with bucking the apples out of the trees that made up Sweet Apple Acres.
"Mac Attack, I feel just awful!" The sky-colored pony proclaimed as she walked into his room. "I'm so sorry I hurt you, I feel so bad! What can I do to make you feel better? Can you look out the window? I could do a show for you! Hard to feel bad when you're checking out my awesome flying skills!" She quickly pushed his bed to the window, punched his pillow in what he assumed was an attempt to fluff it, and ran back outside.
20 minutes later, he had to admit his mood was a bit improved.
That filly was a hurricane. Mac smiled. Wait, had she called him Mac Attack?
Over the next week, Mac found himself visited dailey by his remorseful attacker. Each day she caused less of a whirlwind and talked to him more. He watched through the window as she helped with the apple bucking, and was impressed when she proved herself almost as good of a bucker as a true Apple.
Soon, they had settled into an easy routine of hanging out together every few days. They shared their problems, mostly her, and they enjoyed finding new, corny jokes to share.
He enjoyed their talks and they found a surprising amount of things in common. He was even able to help her with some of her flying tricks by using what Applejack referred to as his "fancy mathematics" as it turned out that Rainbow was more of an egghead than she liked to let ponies believe. He was a bit better at math then her, so he was able to work out some equations that he used to show her how to be more aerodynamic and make tighter turns.
Rainbow Dash soon became Dashie to him, and she continued to call him Mac Attack.
She let herself be herself when they were alone. Usually they'd find themselves walking the orchards at night. She would describe the adventures she had with her other friends, and he'd share his plans for the orchard. Eventually he even sang a bit for her, and she convinced him to try out for the Ponytones, something he'd never have done. She'd even practice with him. She was a surprisingly good singer, and he enjoyed their duets.
She cried on his shoulder after her friend Gilda left town. He chastised her for hurting herself and his sister during their Iron Pony feud, which he quickly followed up with a hug. They laughed together over Twilight not believing in Pinkie Pie's "Pinkie Sense" and swapped stories of how they became believers in it.
He was rolling in laughter at the tales of Rainbow's adventures in Appaloosa. The thought of Applejack babying the tree, and Raeburn being so excited to show off the town he was oblivious to the problems they were trying to warn him about just got him going. He was glad they were safe, and went with Rainbow on a short trip to visit her new buffalo friends. He was quickly accepted by the buffalo. They appreciated a pony who listened more than he spoke.
She came to see him after the Grand Galloping Gala. She took his breath away and his heart beat a little faster. He told himself that it was just the excitement of the antics of the Mane Six.