A small bead of sweat dripped from Derpy's neck, as her eyes shrunk and tried to absorb every last word on the page, before turning it. Her derped eyes hit the last period, and she turned the page, nervously looking around.

Again, she and Note Pad were alone in the train cabin.

Or rather, she and a sleeping Note Pad next to her. She heard him snore quietly, the sunglasses still on his face, as they always were. Derpy took a moment to appreciate the fact that the light red earth pony was asleep. She didn't want him to see her like this.

"This book is the sexiest I've ever read..." she said quietly to herself.

She bit her lower lip and looked at Note Pad again. He was still sleeping of course.

"Maybe I can..."

Derpy moved a hoof silently over to his sunglasses.

"Maybe I can take a quick peek..."

She made contact with his glasses before pulling away, looking down at her forehooves.

I can't do that... he trusts me...

She went back to her book.

No, it's wrong. I can't peek. I can't bother him...

She tried to get her mind off with more reading. The romance book, written by Scarlet Letter herself, was yet another book in a series that Derpy enjoyed reading. Derpy was a huge fan, and had the forehead autograph from earlier to prove it.

And here we are, trying to find her son...

Contrary to popular belief, reading was one of Derpy's favorite pastimes. She remembered the times in school where she would hide in the library from the other mean ponies, and read to her heart's content.

She set her book down and briefly left to use the bathroom.

The young red colt slipped out of bed and quietly descended the stairs. Careful not to make a noise, he left his home and made his way across the Manehattan street.

I won't get caught... there's no way I'll get caught...

He turned into an alleyway and carefully trotted to a dumpster. With effort, the earth pony colt moved the dumpster under a fire escape, climbing up and ascending the stairs, just like he practiced.

He finally reached the window he was looking for. Ever so softly, he knocked twice.

After a few seconds, the window opened and a filly's head poked through.

"You made it!" she whispered with excitement.

"Of course," he said. "I wouldn't miss it."

She moved out of the way and he climbed in through, stepping onto pink rug. He definitely recognized the room, even in the faint darkness. The moonlight from outside even reached the alleyway, but the little filly's night light illuminated the room just enough for them to see each other's faces.

"I've been thinking about you all day, Note," said the filly, smiling. She blushed softly.

Note kissed her cheek, his tail wagging happily. "You've been on my mind too, Candy Swirl."

He nuzzled the unicorn's pale-blue coat with his light red muzzle. She giggled softly.

"We still have to be quiet..." she said. "My dad doesn't like you too much..."

"That's fine," he said. He noticed her violet and pink mane were slightly disheveled. She must have been lying awake waiting for him.

He walked over to her bed and sat down with her, holding her hoof. Two innocent children relaxing together.

"I still like your eyes," she said softly. "I love them, even. I don't care what anyone else thinks."

He looked away. "Thanks..."

Candy Swirl poked his side. "Hey you. I mean it," she said sternly. "Don't you look away..."

He looked back and grinned, snuggling warmly with her. He couldn't be happier.

Note Pad awoke slowly, groaning. He rubbed his face.

"Another dream about her..."

He looked over and yawned. Derpy wasn't there.

His mouth was dry. He saw her book and picked it up and read the title.

"Blue and Gold," he said. Must be a cheap romantic comedy or something...

He turned to a random page, not even bothering to bookmark where Derpy left off.

"Oh Gold Star!" cried the stallion. "We shouldn't! What if we get caught?"

Note Pad closed the book immediately.

"Hell. No. I can't believe Derpy actually reads this crap."

He suddenly realized WHO wrote it, and chuckled to himself.

"Scarlet Letter, romance writer and currently missing a son," he waved the book around for emphasis. A particular snippet caught his eye, and he read the back of the book.

"...oh, I can't WAIT until Derpy gets back."

And as soon as he said that, the blonde mare came trotting down the lane.

"What are you doing?" she asked in surprise and fear. "Put that down!"

"Well Derpy," said Note Pad with a nasty smile. "I didn't know you LOVED reading stories like this."

She gasped. "You made me lose my page!"

He continued. "Especially lovey-dovey stories involving STALLIONS. Who would have THOUGHT that you read gay clopfiction!" he teased.

Her cheeks reddened deeply and her pupils dilated in embarrassment. "I-I don't! Keep your voice down!"

She tried to snatch it back, but he held it away.

"Were you in the bathroom just now?" he asked. "What were you doing in the bathroom, halfway through an erotic book, huh?"

Her jaw dropped. "I-It's not like that!" she exclaimed. "I didn't do anything like that! I didn't-" she lowered her voice. "I did not clop!"

"You totally did!" he laughed. "I can't believe you, Derpy."

She stomped her hoof. "Give it back now!"

He tossed her the book, which she grabbed and looked through.

"You almost bent the pages... and you made me lose my place..."

She looked up and scowled at him, sitting down next to him.

"I would have avoided you in school..." she said, an inflection of sadness in her voice.

Note Pad's smile dropped. "Derpy, I was-"

She looked away from him, clutching the book to her chest.

He slowly looked away and felt a thick veil of awkwardness and tension form between them.

He didn't mean to upset her that much.

"Derpy, I'm sorry," he said. "I was just kidding..."

"I heard you," she said. "But I'm not reading this around you."

Note Pad felt bad for putting her down. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It was going to be a long trip.

"Attention ponies," a voice said over the loudspeaker. "We will be arriving in Canterlot in one hour."