((Sorry it took so long, but here it is! Also, I tried first person -erm, pony- in this one, let me know in the reviews or PM if you think it worked or not))

((This is from Fluttershy's POV))

I woke up early in the morning, like I do everyday. I opened my window to greet my animal friends. The birds came up to me singing their pretty song "Good morning," I greeted "as always, your singing is very pretty." The day was just so beautiful, I couldn't resist breaking into a song. I sang one of my favorites,

"There's music in the tree tops, and there's music in the vale, and all around me, music fills the sky! There's music by the river, and there's music in the grass, and the music makes your heart song in reply!" I was just so full of joy from the bright, beautiful day, I kept singing, not realizing somepony was listening.

I finished my song, and all my animal friends cheered, complimenting my singing. "Thank you, friends." I said, a little uncomfortable with their praise, I didn't really deserve it, did I? "Oh, you're too kind." I insisted, starting to blush. Then I heard a noise from behind a nearby tree, it startled me, and I called out "W-who's there?" I looked around but didn't see anypony, I was getting very scared. Then I heard a voice say "Hey, I-I'm Iron." I looked and saw a grey Pegasus coming out from behind a tree, he kept talking "I didn't mean to scare you." His face had scars on it and his ear had a big nick in it, he was so scary, I just sat there being as small as I could, hopefully he'd leave me alone and not hurt me. "Ok, I see," he said, looking down in defeat, something about him was different, "I know, I'll go." He started to leave, I wanted to say something, but I was too scared. "But before I leave," he said, turning back "I have to say. That was the most beautiful singing I've ever heard." Then he left, I quietly said "Thank You." as he flew away.

I couldn't stop thinking about the pony I had seen earlier, what did he say his name was? Iron, I think. I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if I hadn't been so scared. Now that I was out of the situation, looking back on it, I realized he wasn't being scary at all. In fact, he seemed, nice. "Oh Angel," I said, talking to my pet bunny "I wish I hadn't been so rude to that poor guy. Now he'll probably never come back." Angel wasn't interested in my words, he was too busy eating his carrot, but it helped me feel better to talk it out. "I hope I see him again, I want to apologize for the way I acted."

((Iron's POV))

I sat at home, thinking of Fluttershy. I knew Rain said to forget about her, and he was probably right, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was so beautiful, and her voice was heaven. Then the image of her cowering in fear from me came back. "No," I said aloud "I won't do that to her again."

"But, I have to see her again." I agued

"No, you don't Iron, you don't want to scare her again."

Then I said to Fluttershy who wasn't there "Fluttershy, I promise you will never have to cower from me again." Then I cried, I knew this meant I'd never see her again, but it was the price to pay to keep that promise.

I woke up the next morning after dreams of Fluttershy that always seemed to end with her cowering under my ominous shadow. I felt so stupid, what was I thinking, sneaking up on her like that? I kept berating myself as I got out the door for my morning flight. This time I pointedly made sure I went the other direction, away from the fragile angel. I flew, and as I flew, I tried to put Fluttershy out of my mind. I thought about work, How much am I going to have to do today to make up for what I missed yesterday? I wondered. When I was done with my flight I had successfully pushed my thoughts of Fluttershy into the back of my mind. Then I went to work, trying to avoid talking to anypony. I got my quota for the day, and went to it. I busted clouds for the better part of the day, I had asked for extra work, cause I wanted to keep myself busy. I was almost done when I saw Rain Cloud coming. Great. I thought He probably wants to talk about how it's going with Fluttershy. When Rain got there, he said "Hey, you still busing clouds? I finished almost an hour ago." I sighed "I asked for more work today." I explained, getting back to the clouds. "Oh, I see." he said, understanding.

"Hey, you what I think will help?" he said, getting an idea

"What's that?" I asked.

"We can go watch Rainbow Dash practice!" he offered,

"You know what? That sounds like a good plan." I said

Between the two of us, we finished the job pretty quickly, and headed over to where Rainbow Dash does her practice. Normally I avoid watching, cause she can get really cocky, but right now, I needed the diversion. We got there, and Rainbow was already in the middle of a routine, performing some really impressive stunts. I watched as she sped through an obstacle course like it wasn't even there. When she finished she checked a timer she had with her "Ten seconds flat!" she said, congratulating herself. Then she looked down and saw Rain and I clapping our hooves, and she came down to better receive the praise. "Hey, guys!" she greeted "How's it hangin'? Hey Iron, haven't seen you in over a week, what's up?"

"Hey," I replied "not much, same ol' same ol'. What about you? You're early to practice."

"Ya, I was hangin' with my friend, Fluttershy, but she just went on and on about somepony she'd wronged." she started "She kept saying 'I wish I could tell him I'm sorry, but I was so mean, I don't think he'll ever come back.' I tried to comfort her, but it was no use, so I came here to blow off some steam."

"Fluttershy said she was being mean to me?" I asked, incredulously

"Wait, don't tell me your the pony who scared her!" Rainbow Dash got defensive of her friend

This is where Rain Cloud jumped in "Hey, it's not his fault she's afraid of her own shadow!"

Rainbow Dash started getting angry.

"No, Rain, it was my fault." I said, trying to defuse the situation. They both looked at me, surprised. "I shouldn't have been sneaking around, popping up out of nowhere."

"Iron," Rainbow began to say.

I interrupted her "It doesn't matter, nothing can take back what I did," then a little quieter "I'll never forget the look of terror in her eyes. That's why I'm not going to see her again." The tears started coming again "I'll never make her cower in fear ever again!" I flew off, going home. I didn't care if they were going to say something, or if they would have tried to comfort me, I just wanted to be alone. I flew past my house, I needed more time to fly.

((Fluttershy's POV))

"Maybe I shouldn't have told Rainbow Dash about what happened." I said to Angel, he's such a good listener "Now she hates me, too. Oh I'm such an idiot!" Angel looked at me for a second before going back to his carrot. "What can I do, Angel?" I said, then I thought of something, "I'll ask Zecora, she'll know what to do!" I got my hopes up, and got together some things. I left my cottage and started to go toward the everfree forest.

I used to be deathly afraid of this place, wouldn't go near it, but now I can usually make it to zecora's and back. Usually, though, I have a friend with me. This time, I had to go alone. I walked along the pathway, shivering, every sound putting me more and more on the edge. I was just beginning to think that, maybe, this wasn't such a good idea after all, when I noticed it. The smell. It was probably the most distinctive smell anypony had ever smelt. It was a Timberwolf.

I froze, unable to move, unable, even, to scream. The beast breathed heavily down the back of my neck, the horrid smell of it's breath nearly knocking me out. I heard a low growl come from behind me, and I slowly turned to see the biggest Timberwolf I had ever seen staring me down with it's glowing green eyes. It bared it's teeth, grinning at my terror, my legs almost gave out underneath my body. I finally found the strength to let out a loud, bloodcurdling scream that echoed across the whole forest.

((Iron))

I flew over the forest, trying to gather my thoughts, and think rationally. I came to the conclusion that I may just have to uproot again and leave Ponyville (Yeah I know, not very rational). My thoughts were interrupted by the most terrified sound I'd ever heard anypony make. I don't know why, but somehow I just knew it was "FLUTTERSHY!" I screamed. I raced as fast as my wings could take me toward the distressed mare. I couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to Fluttershy. What if she was hurt? What if a Timberwolf was attacking her? The last thought made me fly even faster. I flew faster than I ever had before, closing in on where I heard the scream come from. There I saw Fluttershy cowering in fear from the same Timberwolf I'd run from earlier, suddenly I remembered her cowering from me that same day. Never again. I thought. Then I yelled toward the beast as loud as my lungs had power "NOPONY messes with Fluttershy!" I flew with all my momentum straight into the Timberwolf's terrified face, shattering the creature into small branches and twigs that showered everywhere.

I stood, enraged at the injustice the monster had put Fluttershy through. I breathed heavily for a second and recovered myself. Then I turned around and saw Fluttershy standing there, astonished. I calmed my tone and asked her "Are you alright?" Concern on my face.

((Fluttershy))

I didn't know what to do, I was stuck there, face to face with a giant, pony-eating Timberwolf. The scream had taken everything out of me, I had nothing left. I was about to succumb to my inevitable demise, when I heard somepony yell at the beast. Next thing I knew, the monster was gone and there was debris everywhere. I looked to see who my savior was, it was Iron!

Iron had saved me from a most terrible fate, I was amazed, I didn't know anypony who'd face a Timberwolf head-on like that -except, maybe, Apple Jack-, much less be so easily successful. He turned to me, his face hardened, and I began to get a little scared, but tried not to show it. Then his demeanor softened and he asked, in a kind, caring voice "Are you alright?" He had a look of concern, now, that replaced his apparent anger at the creature. My heart melted, and I couldn't control myself. I threw myself at him, hugging him tightly, forgetting any inhibitions I had about physical contact. "Thank you." I said, starting to tear up, "I thought I was a goner." He put his hoof around me, and made me feel safe. I wasn't scared of him anymore, in fact I wasn't scared of anything with him there to protect me. I think, even if a dragon came down right then, I would still have felt safe with him there.

((Iron))

I stood there, hugging Fluttershy, my heart beating a million miles an hour. I couldn't believe what was happening, I was actually hugging Fluttershy! "You aren't..." I paused "scared of me?" I almost cried, remembering, again, her terrified face."No." she responded "I-" she hesitated a moment "I think I love you." My heart skipped three beats, I was dumbfounded, how could she love me? Me, of all ponies. I had scared her so bad before, how was it even possible she could just forget? I started to cry silently, "How can you love somepony like me?" I sobbed.

"I love you, Iron," she said, more sure than the last time

"But-" I started "I scared you, I can't do that. I'll never scare you again."

She pushed loose from me, her face a little stern -with that Fluttershy way of still being caring-, "Would you just forget about that?" she said, exasperated.

I stood there, astonished from her sudden change of character.

"I over-reacted, I was the one at fault, not you. You just saved my life, and you're saying what a terrible pony you are?"

"I-" I started, but was interrupted

"I've seen what kind of pony you are, Iron, you hated to see me scared, you beat yourself up all day for the last two days for something that wasn't even your fault. And just now, when I needed you, you came-" she started to tear up "you came to my rescue, you battled a formidable foe, and now you're here, apologizing for it."

"Fluttershy, I-"

"I'm the one who should apologize, I acted like a fool." she paused a moment "I'm sorry, I caused your suffering these past two days."

I put my hoof around her again, "Fluttershy, you don't need to apologize. I'm sorry I snuck up on you like I did. I should ha-"

I was interrupted by fluttershy rushing in with a kiss, she kissed me for what seemed like ten minutes, I didn't struggle. Then all of a sudden, she stopped, looking down at the ground, back to her usual self, she said softly "Sorry, I didn't mean to blow up-"

"Don't be, I needed it, thank you."

"And the kiss, I don't know what came over me."

"I don't, either," I said, pulling her chin up "but I liked it."

"Maybe- we should- try it again." she said, leaning close

"Maybe." I replied, leaning in to meet her.

We kissed for what seemed like hours, standing there in the darkening forest. Luna's night was well upon us before either of us stirred. I moved back to look into her eyes which shone like diamonds in the night. "You are so beautiful." I said, truthfully. I could see her blushing, even in this darkness "I don't know about that." she argued "Rarity's certainly more beautiful than I am."

I chuckled a bit "Rarity, schmarity." I scoffed "That mare has nothing on you, nopony's as beautiful as you are, Fluttershy." she started getting redder "In fact," I said "Celestia herself doesn't even compare!"

"Oh, stop it!" she said, getting embarrassed.

"Why would I stop? It's true." I said, now looking her in the eyes. Then, more seriously, "You are the most beautiful mare I've ever seen. I knew that the moment I laid eyes on you. That's why I couldn't bare to see you frightened."

She stood in silence, letting me continue.

"I promise you, so long as I live, whenever I am around, I will never let anything happen to you."

"Oh, Iron." she replied, embracing me once again.

"We should head back," I said "it's getting late."

She released me, and we walked together through the forest, heading back to Ponyville. We walked past my house, and I walked her to her cottage, where we stopped.

"Thank you, Iron," she said to me "for this wonderful night."

"Thank you Fluttershy, for just being you." I replied "Goodnight."

"Don't leave me." she whimpered.

"Don't worry, Flutters," I said, giving her a quick kiss "I'll still be here in the morning."

"You better." she asserted

"I promise." I insisted "Goodnight."

She returned my kiss, and said "Goodnight."

((Wow! That took FOREVER! All kinds of crap going on in my life kept me from writing, but It's finally here! I apologize to those who didn't want a romance novel, I actually didn't expect it to become one, it just sorta happened. I've always stayed away from romance novels, cause it just "wasn't for me", but I really enjoyed writing this one. I think I might try it more in the future, what do you guys think? Should I try more romance (in other stories, I think this one's done with romance), or is it not working?))

((PS. Nearly 3,000 words, holy cow! That was a long chapter.))

(([edit] fixed markup issues))