There was nothing quite like the sound of apples falling off a freshly bucked tree. Often times Applejack would just close her eyes and smile at the cascading sound. All daylong she bucked trees, gathered the stray apples that missed the buckets, and hauled them to the carts. She refused to rest or even slow down hating the idea of lagging behind. As a result, she would tire herself out and be forced to take a small breather.

Whenever she did her legs would be very unstable, and she would sit on her haunches, close her eyes, and picture a certain pony that always gave her a reason to push herself a little harder. This pony was a pale yellow pegasus with a beautiful pink mane and tail. She was the kindest pony Applejack had ever met and sweeter than a caramel apple. Fluttershy was her name and she took care of the critters as well as other ponies' pets when needed.

With a relieved sigh, Applejack opened her eyes. Her legs felt much better but there was a tradeoff. Every time she would reflect on that filly, there would be a dull throb in her chest. Applejack knew what it was. She wanted to tell Fluttershy how she felt, but she had kept her feelings to herself for the past year and aimed to keep doing so. As much as she would like to make that bold step, she could not risk their friendship. She was getting up when a familiar voice spoke.

"Finding your inspiration ah see," said Big MacIntosh. The large red stallion with the green half apple for a cutie mark never said much but always said what he needed to.

"Oh Mac," Applejack said as she was getting up, "yeah ah s'pose ah was." She closed her eyes briefly and pictured Fluttershy one more time before heading back to work.

"You ain't blushing this time," said Mac.

"What," Applejack asked her cheeks beginning to redden slightly. Sometimes when she would picture Fluttershy she would imagine what their first kiss would be like. Of course, when she had that image the throb became much sharper and the desire to tell her friend her feelings would change to a need. Still she kept her feelings to herself.

"Just noticin' is all. Guess ya ain't all that tired after all'. Anyway, we should get back to it now." Mac turned and started heading back to his cart.

"Yeah, ah'll be there in a sec." She gave her legs a stretch and walked back onto the path towards the cart. It was then when something hit her hat. "What'n the world was that," she asked to nopony. She looked over to where the object fell and saw it was a note. Looking up Applejack could not find the source of the note, so she sat down and read it. What was written shocked her:

Applejack,

Fluttershy is hurt!

Head to her house as soon as you can!

Applejack stared at the note in shock for a few seconds. Then the orange pony took off towards Fluttershy's cottage faster than she ever galloped before. She bolted past Big MacIntosh without a word and he could see concern and fear on her face, so he said nothing. He walked over to the note Applejack left on the ground and read it. 'She's always going the extra mile for that pony,' he though to himself before putting two and two together. "Oh," he muttered to himself with a small chuckle before returning to his work.

Ponyville was bustling with activity and the town square full of ponies. Ponies that were in the way of an Applejack that was not about to weave through them. She barreled through them and not once looking back and apologizing as she normally would. Cries rang out along with remarks about rude behavior and observations that she was crying. Applejack heard none of it. All she was thinking was Fluttershy. Various scenarios ran through her head. How badly was she hurt? It had to be serious for her presence to be required so quickly. She swallowed hard and pushed herself to run faster.

She reached the outskirts of Ponyville and saw Fluttershy's cottage in sight and Applejack kept running and did not slow down. She braced herself and charged through Fluttershy's front door knocking the bottom half off its hinge and knocking the top one loose. Large splinters bore into Applejacks chest and shoulder and just like the ponies she ran through back in Ponyville she paid no heed.

The main room was dark and Applejack quickly scanned the room for the timid pegasus. She saw Fluttershy laying in the middle of her living room shaking like a leaf, and Applejack ran up to her bumping into a table knocking off a large bowl which hit the floor with a loud splash.

"Fluttershy," Applejack called.

The pegasus laid there shivering and did not respond. Almost in a panic, Applejack tried to move her, and Fluttershy let out a squeak of surprise. Applejack stopped suddenly fearing internal damage. She looked over her friend tears still running down her cheeks. 'She don' look hurt,' she thought to herself. Applejack then lifted Fluttershy's foreleg and put her ear to her chest. Fluttershy's heart was beating far too quickly.

Applejack took a step back trying to think what could cause it. 'Poison,' she though. 'No. Fluttershy would know better, and there ain't no way some pony would poison her.'

She began to pace around in a slight panic before deciding to go get a doctor. It was then a quiet voice spoke up from the shadows.

"Applejack," the voice said as Twilight Sparkle stepped out from the kitchen.

"Twi," Applejack said relieved. "Look we ain't got no time to explain, but Fluttershy here might be hurt bad. We need to get her to a doc."

Twilight looked over at the battered door and then down to Fluttershy and back to Applejack. She was stunned to see so much concern and fear on the orange pony's face.

"She's fine," Twilight said softly.

The lights came on and Applejack could the room more clearly. It was decorated with balloons, streamers, and a big banner that read, "Happy Birthday, Applejack!" The table she bumped into had presents and cups. On the floor next to the table was a silver punch bowl turned over its contents spilled on the floor.

It was at this time Pinkie Pie and Rarity slowly made their way out of there respective hiding places; looks of concern clear on each of their faces.

A few moments passed before Pinkie said weakly, "Surprise."

Applejack was stunned. She was still breathing heavily and was beginning to feel the splinters stuck in her chest and shoulder. She looked down and saw Fluttershy slowly getting up her face full of regret.

In a flash, Applejack grabbed the meek pegasus and began covering her with kisses on her cheeks, face, forehead, and even her snout. "Oh sugarcube! I'm so glad ya'll are ok," she said relieved and not even slightly angry. She pulled away and looked at Fluttershy. Fluttershy was smiling now and most of the regret had left her face. Seeing into those beautiful blue green eyes, Applejack could not help herself. She quickly leaned in and kissed Fluttershy on the lips.

The timid pegasus froze for a second and slowly began to return the kiss. They remained that way for a few moments until a voice shouted out.

"What the hay is goin' on," shouted Rainbow Dash.

The shock of what happened hit Applejack like a bucket of ice water. She quickly pulled away from Fluttershy and took a few unsteady steps back looking at her friends. They all had concerned looks except for Rarity who looked as though she was about to burst from giddiness, always the romantic that one, and Rainbow who was clearly angry. Applejack was trying to understand what made Rainbow so mad when she suddenly winced.

"Ow," she looked down and saw Fluttershy had a large splinter in her mouth. There was some blood on it, and Applejack remembered her less than graceful entrance. "I'm mighty sorry bout your door there Fluttershy. I promise I'll git'r fixed for you good as new."

"Um, I'm sorry to bother you Applejack dear," began Rarity, "but if you could please tell us what is going on?"

Applejack sighed and was about to begin telling everypony how she always thought Fluttershy was cute and it wasn't until they became closer friends that she learned of her kindness, but a groan from Rainbow stopped her.

"Rainbow," Applejack said, "did I do something wrong? I understand if this is a shock to you but I can't help that I feel this way for Fluttershy."

Rainbow Dash scoffed, "Yeah yeah yeah. Nothing I haven't heard before. Fluttershy, Outside! Now!" Rainbow Dash made her way outside of her cabin and gave Fluttershy a stern look and a quick glare to Applejack.

Fluttershy quickly left the cottage stopping to examine what was left of her door before leaving. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak and then looked up. She shot up in the air and Fluttershy slowly followed.

"Um, anypony know what's goin' on," asked a very confused Applejack.

The two pegasus ponies made there up and over Fluttershy's cottage and once they were well over hearing range they stopped.

"Rainbow what's wrong," Fluttershy quietly asked her friend.

If the blue pegasus heard her she made no sign of it. She just kept mumbling to herself before saying, "I can't believe it! Applejack now thinks she can save you! Gah!" She looked to Fluttershy and became even more annoyed. "Don't even give me that look! I know what's going on here. Applejack thinks she can take care of you. Protect you. Heck I think she could." She flew closer to the yellow pegasus until their noses were touching. "But the real question is 'How long is she gonna put up with you?'" she asked with a poke of her hoof into Fluttershy's chest.

Fluttershy looked down to her cottage and said, "I, um, don't think she would do that. She isn't like that." She looked at Rainbow Dash and asked, "Why are you so mad?"

Rainbow Dash's expression softened a bit. She flew around Fluttershy a few times before saying, "Look I know you like her, and I know she [i]really[/i] likes you," she said flying closer to the yellow pegasus and placed her hooves on her shoulders with a look of genuine concern. "I just don't want you to have to nurse another broken heart." Fluttershy was about to say something but Rainbow Dash cut her off saying, "Don't get me wrong, I trust AJ. I know she'll treat you right. But tell me this," Rainbow Dash became serious, "Do you love her?"

"Um," Fluttershy squeaked slightly, "I don't know. I only just found out she likes me."

"Sorry Fluttershy but that just isn't good enough," said Rainbow.

"I want to find out for myself," Fluttershy said. "No. I need to find out. I know you are only looking out for me but I want this. If things don't work out I think we could still be friends."

With a sigh Rainbow Dash said, "Alright let's get you to your fillyfriend."

Fluttershy smiled and followed her down.

Once both pegasus ponies were on the ground Fluttershy ran back into her cottage. Twilight had already removed the splinters from Applejack's shoulder and chest and bandaged her up. Fluttershy ran over to Applejack and threw her forelegs around her giving her kiss on the cheek and a quick peck on the lips.

Applejack looked over to Rainbow and saw that she was no longer mad and now was concerned. Rainbow motioned for Applejack to follow her outside and she did so.

Once they were both outside Applejack said with a chuckle, "Ah hope you don' expect me to follow you on up."

Rainbow Dash just paced back and forth for a bit before looking Applejack right in the eye, "if you hurt her...," she began.

"Now hol' on there," Applejack interrupted. "I ain't lookin' to cause nopony any pain. I just fell for the filly and now I think I can..."

"Take care of her," Rainbow Dash finished for Applejack her eyes narrowing having heard the same line before.

Applejack just looked at Rainbow a little taken aback by what she said. She shook her head and said, "I don' know what you think mah motives are, but I am not lookin' to be Fluttershy's personal shield." The words seemed to surprise Rainbow Dash and she relaxed a bit. Applejack continued, "Now don' git me wrong. I want to take care o' her, but," she looked over to Fluttershy who was now nervously talking to the other ponies, "that pony is far more capable than she even realizes. You've seen it Rainbow. Remember how she dealt with that manticore and then with the dragon? That's a little bit of the true Fluttershy coming out. She can be as tough and dependable as she wishes she could be, and it can't be forced out. It needs to come out at its own pace at its own time."

Applejack looked back to Rainbow Dash and saw her smiling. Rainbow lifted a hoof and said, "Listen. I'm sorry I'm being so protective of Fluttershy, but she has had too many 'heroes' try to save her and end up hurting her." She lowered her head and with a sigh continued, "I wish I could say all the pain was emotional, but one just lost patience and resorted to a little 'slap her down' therapy." Rainbow shook with anger when she said that. She looked up to Applejack and saw genuine concern on the mare's face. With a grin Rainbow said, "Oh don't worry. He received more than a little 'therapy' from me. Of course that resulted in another of many disciplinary problems that led me getting kicked out of flight school." She looked back to Fluttershy who was finished cleaning up Applejack's 'heroic' entrance and was smiling at her friends. "I wouldn't do any thing different. I don't like to admit it and you better keep it to yourself," Rainbow said with a quick glance to Applejack, "but I can't stand to see her sad."

With a nervous cough Rainbow said, "Well anyway it's about time we started your birthday party."

"Yeah about that," Applejack said. "Ya'll do know my birthday ain't till tomorrow right?"

"Of course we do silly," squealed Pinkie, "but we figured that there would be no way we could keep a surprise party hidden from the Element of Honesty on her birthday. You'd see right through it!"

With a laugh, Applejack and Rainbow Dash went back inside the cottage. Applejack nuzzled Fluttershy's cheek and gave her an affectionate kiss, and after a cheer of celebration the party got underway.

As usual, it was another Pinkie Pie party success. All the ponies danced and laughed the night away, and Applejack told them all how it all became clear how she felt for Fluttershy when she dealt with the dragon.

"But that was almost a year ago," said Twilight, "you kept your feelings hidden all this time?"

Applejack nodded leaning in to nuzzle Fluttershy one more time and said, "Well, yeah. Ah just din't want to lose what we already had as friends. Though there were times that ah really wanted to let my feelings known, ah still kept them to mahself. It's silly now but then it seemed for the best." She looked back at Fluttershy who was smiling back and said, "though ah really wish ah said something sooner."

Once the party finished Applejack went to work rebuilding Fluttershy's front door. She made a few improvements to it. She made it lighter so Fluttershy would be able to open it easier and moved the hinges so the door would open wider in case she needed to bring in a wounded critter. Once the work was done the only ponies still there were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy who lived there.

"There," Applejack said admiring her work, "why ah reckon it's better than new." She looked over to the other two ponies and could see that Fluttershy was falling asleep and Rainbow still had something on her mind.

"Well Fluttershy," Applejack said to the sleepy pegasus, "I best be gettin' home." She gave her a kiss on the cheek and said, "Whatta you say we have lunch tomorrow?"

Fluttershy blushed and nodded. "Good night Applejack." She gave Applejack a kiss on the cheek and before the orange pony could turn away, she gave her a quick kiss on the lips earning her a blush from the earth pony.

"Yeah night everypony," said Rainbow Dash before she soared out of the house.

Applejack left Fluttershy's cottage with a huge smile on her face. 'Best birthday ever,' she thought to herself. She slowly trotted back home lost in thought and did not notice when Rainbow Dash landed next to her.

"There something you need to know," she started startling Applejack out of her thoughts.

The two ponies stopped and Applejack said, "well it must be mighty important if'n you din't want to say it back at the party."

"Yeah," said Rainbow, "Look. Fluttershy hasn't had a lot of relationships. She just isn't that kind of pony, but the few relationships she's had haven't ended well." Rainbow flapped her wings taking flight and circled Applejack as though she were looking for the next words. After a minute, she landed and said, "Most of what happened to Fluttershy is harmless. Some colt would get tired of her shy and timid nature and dump her. You remember the one that hit her?"

Applejack nodded and said nothing.

"Well like I said I got him," Rainbow said with a grin but her expression went dark, "but there was one I couldn't get, and it was the one that hurt her the most." She looked at Applejack who was very confused. "I'm telling you this because Fluttershy and me have a deal. If she has found someone she can truly trust then she'll tell them what happened. You know how long it takes Fluttershy to say things that don't matter so this will take a long time for her to tell you. But when she finally does, just listen." Rainbow's eyes were wet with tears, and she remembered what that colt did. She leaned into Applejack's neck and began crying into her mane.

Applejack did not know what to do so she just sat there holding the sobbing pegasus. After a few minutes, Rainbow regained much of her composure and gave Applejack a weak smile.

"Thanks," she began, "I'm sorry about that it's just that when she tells you about 'him'." She said that with a hiss. "When she finally tells you, you'll understand." Rainbow sniffed back some more tears before taking off.

"Night Rainbow," Applejack said to Rainbow Dash as she flew away. She wondered just what happened to Fluttershy to have this strong a reaction to Rainbow. 'She'll tell me when she's ready,' thought Applejack. She turned and slowly made her way home concerned for Fluttershy but smiling that now she finally shared her feelings with her. There was a new feeling in her chest. The throb was gone. It was replaced with a warmth that Applejack hoped would never go away.