Four or five weeks passed since Ash’s arrival to Sweet Apple Acres, but in all honesty, Applejack was exactly keeping track. Her days had been quite busy recently from her teaching gig at the school to keeping the farm running as smooth as buttermilk. An though she had initially though Ash Bark would inhibit her productivity (and if there was anything AJ hated, it was the feeling of falling behind), however, he proved much the opposite. He was adept at bucking the trees in the orchard, and after a little coaching, was able to clumsily pull the farm plow behind him, and the brand-new seedling that were planted would eventually grow into a grove of granny smith apples (much to the actual Granny’s and Ash’s amusement).
 
 
All of her orders had been fulfilled (included a large catering order for a party in Canterlot), she was able to get some well-needed fire mitigation completed, graded all her student’s homework, and even had a time to spend a day with her friends in The Crystal Empire (and while the mares didn’t really discuss their friend’s guest, several meaningful glances had been exchanged over AJ’s shoulders). So, one Thursday evening, AJ was feeling in high spirits as she walked down the hallway towards AB’s room to collect her for supper. Just as she raised a hoof to knock on her door, the mare paused when she picked up a soft, slightly fluctuating noise from within the filly’s room. Intrigued, she slowly turned the doorknob and slightly pushed the door open so she could peer inside.
 
 
“As the sun sets over our horizon…lay your head ‘gainst mine and watch the barely in the field sway…and just spend the day with me….spend it with me…”
 
 
Applejack was quite taken aback for a moment as she realized what the noise was. Ash sat on the edge of Applebloom’s bed, while the filly faced him in reverence. The dark stallion held a genuine, obviously well-loved acoustic guitar, and he was gently strumming his hooves over its strings, singing a gentle tune to the soft music. Applejack could only stand at the doorway, not realizing she had pushed the door completely open and stepped over the threshold. Her eyes remained fixed on the stranger-turned-friend, listening intently to each note. She hadn’t heard such beautiful playing - and singing - since her mama passed…
 
 
“Applejack!” Applebloom’s adorable twang broke the trance. The filly leapt to her feet in excitement. “Didja know Ash ‘here can play the guitar real good? Like, real, real good? He even said he’d give me some lessons sometime!”
 
 
“Did he now?” AJ questioned, unable to help the smile on her muzzle. She noticed Ash’s cheeks had taken on a rather pinkish hue, so she quickly added, “Well after all this singin’, y’all must be starvin’. Granny and I put together a tasty dinner, and Big Mac is feelin’ better enough to sit with us. Now, scoot those boots!” AJ chirped, turning away and hoping her own freckles weren’t pink themselves. The other two ponies followed her into the dining room, AB chattering with excitement about Ash’s hidden talents.
 
 
Soon, the Apple family and their guest were seated at the table. Big Mac’s ankle had healed enough to where he could talk with Sugar Belle’s assistance, and his mood had certainly improved since Ash’s arrival. Everypony seemed rather chipper, chowing down on some delicious garlic butter buns and roasted carrot and noodle casserole. Between bites, animated conversation floated over the table, passed between bowels and ladles and various supper additions. Applebloom was soon regaling the family with Ash’s talent on the guitar, describing with great gusto the music he’d made and how he’s gotta play for them. AJ was just the beginning to clear the dishes away from the table when Ash chuckled dryly and patted the top of Applebloom’s head.
 
 
“Well, we will definitely see when I get back. But I’m a-thinkin’ I’ve found somepony to keep an eye on Old Faithful for me.” He said gently, and the room immediately quieted. All eyes traveled to the soot-colored stallion, the Apple family wearing expressions of surprise. AJ turned back towards the dining table, feeling something in her chest sink into her hooves. However, before she could even open her mouth, her little sister beat her to it.
 
 
“What, huh?! Where ya goin’, huh?” She demanded in almost an accusatory tone, slamming her hooves on the table hard enough to rattle the remaining dishes.
 
 
“Enough, Applebloom,” Granny Smith scolded before turning towards her young guest. “Now, y’all got some explainin’ to do, sonny. What’s all this about droppin’ somethin’ like tha’ at supper?” Her amber eyes narrowed, tapping her hoof while waiting for an answer. Ash dropped his own eyes, brow furrowing.
 
 
“I gotta catch the first train outta here tomorrow morning. I’m heading back to Appleloosa.” He said quietly, nudging his drink glass and keeping his eyes down. Applebloom’s face crumpled, looking quite upset.
 
 
“But, why?! Don’cha’ like us?!” The little filly cried out, her lower lip trembling. Ash then smiled and reached over to pat the top of her head affectionately.
 
 
“Of course I do, Springy, but I’ve got some work to do.” He finally looked up then, his blue eyes meeting AJ’s deep green ones. “Knife Edge was spotted yesterday in Appleloosa’s outskirts, I received word last night. I’ve got to take him down before he ruins anypony else’s life, so I’m going back to finally end this.” Ash’s expression darkened as he finished his statement. All was silent for a moment as the family absorbed this information, before Sugar Belle spoke quietly.
 
 
“There’s a train leaving the station in another half hour. We could walk you down together, so we could all say goodbye.” Ash cast her a smile as well, the two having developed an amicable relationship after the past few weeks.
 
 
“That’s a fine offer, but if its okay with y’all, leaving in the morning will create less suspicion. I hate to wait that long, but Sheriff Silverstar doesn’t want me arriving back in town and creating a panic. We’re trying to keep this as under wraps as we can. A town-wide panic is the last thing we need, especially if Knife Edge catches wind of it.” Ash said with a shake of his head. “And I’ll be staying in Appleloosa until he’s jailed for good.”
 
 
“And what abou’ after?” Applebloom asked quietly, looking thoroughly crushed. Ash Bark sighed.
 
 
“I’ll be more than happy to visit, but y’all have been so kind, I can’t impose any longer. I’ll most likely shack up at the lumber mill. Get your sister to agree, and you can come see. Its a pretty walk.” He said with a weak chuckle. He got to his hooves and began to gather dishes before AJ stopped him.
 
 
“No, no, ah got this. Y’all need some decent sleep if ya gotta git the early train and catch ya a criminal.” She said, taking the stack of dishes towards the sink. She picked up bits of conversation as Big Mac, Sugar Belle, and Ash Bark exchanged goodbye pleasantries. However, her focus drifted from the dishes towards the sudden change in the household’s atmosphere, like something was suddenly missing…
 
 
“AJ?” A small voice asked from beside her. Applebloom set a leftover glass on the counter, then flashed the orange mare a winning smile.
 
 
“Ah just remembered Scoota-uh, Sweetie Belle invited me over for a sleepover and try out her new hooficure set. Can ah still go? Ah don’t wanna upset Sweetie.” AJ quirked a brow and fixed her sister with a glare.
 
 
“Ya jus’ now remembered?” AJ asked bluntly, giving the cup she held an extra-hard scrub. Applebloom nodded.
 
 
“Yeah, ah’m sorry. Ah’ve been so distracted with that huge math test next week and all the practice quizzes Miss Cheerilee keeps givin’ us. Ah’d sure feel better if ah got to hang out with Sweetie Belle.” Applebloom said, fixing AJ with her best Winona-worthy puppy dog eyes. AJ couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. To her little sister’s credit, the homework-hating filly had actually been quite diligent in completing those quizzes and even asking Twilight to double-check her work (AJ had tried to help, but parabolas and Pythagorean theorems were a bit beyond her scope). And she probably wanted to rant to her friend about her new idol suddenly up and leaving the farm. Heaving a sign, AJ patted her sister’s head.
 
 
“Yeah, Ah guess it can’t hurt. Need me to walk you over?” She offered, but AB adamantly shook her head.
 
 
“Nah, its still light out! Ah love ya, ah’m grabbin’ mah saddlebag, one sec,” She said quickly, rushing to her room. AJ looked after her to see Ash and Granny Smith lingering by the table.
 
 
“Now ah told y’all ya need some rest. I’ll walk ya down to the station tomorrow, Ash.” She said, a little more snappishly than she intended. Ash’s ears dropped but he gave a single nod and turned to head towards his room, casting a poignant glance at Granny Smith that AJ didn’t fail to notice. Granny did not follow the stallion. Instead, she walked back into the kitchen, muttering something about, “gettin’ bossed around in mah own home.” She rested her front hooves on the counter as AJ finished up the washing.
 
 
“So. Yer jus’ lettin’ tha’ colt walk outta yer life, eh?” The elderly mare ashed rather bluntly.
 
 
“He has his job, his life, and we have ours.” Applejack replied in a similar tone, not looking at her grandmother. Granny quirked a brow. Luna’s stars, this girl was just as stubborn as her parents.
 
 
“So did Sugah Belle…” the green pony began, before her granddaughter suddenly turned.