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A man sat astride a tall Palamino horse, staring at the sunset over the hills above a nearby ranch, when a woman in a light blue dress walked up the hill and called out: "Jack! There you are! Where have you been? Cadence, Shining and I were worried sick! I assumed that you were Shining Armor, I sent him out to look for you!" At this, Jack wheeled his horse to face the woman, and couldn't help but smile.

It was Celestia, an Anthro pony female, who had somehow wound up in this place with her niece, Cadence and her niece's fiancé Shining Armor. Celestia and Jack had taken a liking to each other, and they had actually gotten married a few months ago. Jack had been a Texas Ranger, but after he married Celestia, he quit that, and they bought a small ranch over near San Antonio.

Jack had tried to just be a simple rancher and settle down with his new family, but it seemed that fate had other ideas. The Rangers would still call on Jack from time to time, to help chase down some outlaw or other. Celestia hated it when he left, fearing that one day he'd never come back, and they almost always got into a terrible argument each time he informed Celestia he was off to help the Rangers again.

Jack nodded and slowly got down from his tall horse. He'd been given this horse as a present from his fellow Rangers the day of his wedding, they'd all pooled their money to buy Jack a fast horse, should he ever need to get away from his new bride, they'd teased. Jack laughed as he'd thanked them for the gift, and he'd named the horse Cyclone, as he ran fast as the wind. Almost nothing could catch up to Cyclone once he made up his mind to run.

Jack smiled and stepped close to Celestia, expecting to kiss her. But instead she slapped him, and turned away. Jack rubbed his cheek and stared at Celestia, as she wrapped her arms around herself. "Jack, don't expect a kiss from me, when I asked you not to leave in the first place, but you went anyway."

Jack sighed, and continued rubbing his cheek. "Celestia, darlin." He began, but Celestia whirled and stared at him angrily. "Don't you Celestia, Darling me! I can't do this right now, Jack. I'll have Cadence bring your supper out to the barn."Jack just swore under his breath. "How can I make her understand that I'm only doin' this to try to make this land a bit safer fer all of us? I ain't runnin' off, but when the Rangers need someone who can track an outlaw, they call me. I can't tell 'em no, I have a family now." Jack soliliquized.

After a bit, he led his horse to the barn, where he removed Cyclone's saddle and blanket, then removed the halter and made sure his horse had plenty of hay and fresh water. Then Jack tipped his hat to one side, and began walking out of the barn. Honestly he was tempted to saddle a fresh horse and just ride off, if Celestia truly didn't seem to care, then why should he? But Jack shook his head at this thought, and just began strolling to the road between the house and the barn. There, he turned right and began walking down the dirt road towards town. He wasn't leaving, just walking the half mile or so down to the fence line at the edge of his ranch. After a bit, he made it to the fence, and leaned against the railing, putting one foot on the lowest railing, he just stood there for a while, lost in thought.

Jack sighed as he seriously wondered how far it was to the closest Ranger camp, when he heard someone shouting his name. He paid no attention, and continued leaning over the fence, pretending not to hear. Finally, he heard footsteps a few paces behind him, and a soft voice called out "Uncle, I'd brought your supper to the barn, but you weren't there, so I came looking for you." It was Cadence, another pony. Jack sighed, briefly entertaining the thought that he just wanted some solitude. Cadence continued "Uncle? I brought you some supper, you must be hungry after all that time on the trail?" Truth is, Jack wasn't that hungry just now. He'd still had some Jerky and biscuits that he'd packed a few days earlier, and he'd kept a biscuit and a couple pieces of jerky in his coat pocket. He made no move to leave his perch leaning on the fence, but pulled the biscuit from his pocket and held it up.

Cadence sighed, and stepped close, whispering. "Uncle, truth is, I brought a peace offering from Aunt Celestia. She sent me down with a huge slice of apple pie, and begged me to ask you to please come up to the house, she's sincerely very sorry for earlier." Jack sighed, and finally turned his head toward Cadence. "Tell that aunt of yours, I ain't interested. If she's plannin' on waitin' for Ol' Jack to show up, then supper is gonna be mighty cold by the time I finally walk in." Cadence started to interrupt, but Jack held up a hand. "I know, I know. But I'm stubborn. She wants me, she can come get me herself. Please, return the pie with my compliments."

Cadence sighed, and swore under her breath. Jack chuckled "Now now, that's most unbecomin' fer a lady, Cadence. But please, go in, and get some supper, before your aunt gets upset with both of us. I'll manage. If I can survive on the trail with biscuits, jerky and whatever I can catch, it won't hurt me fer one night. Then, if Celestia is still upset tomorrow, I may take my horse and ride into Austin and run some errands. Run along now, before supper gets cold."

Cadence sighed again. "Uncle, supper is already cold. And, I know we all hate it when you leave, Auntie most of all. But I know you're not running off, you're trying to do good, Uncle. And auntie knows that too. She just worries. Even Shining Armor worries. He thinks of you like a father, you know." Jack nodded. "Is he back? Yer aunt mentioned she sent him lookin' fer me"

Cadence nodded. "He's been back for almost an hour. He got in shortly after Auntie stormed back into the house." Jack chuckled "Poor boy. Bet he had a hell of a time, with her so all fired wound up." Cadence nodded, but said nothing else. Just set the plate with the apple pie on a fence post close to Jack, and walked back to the house. Jack had a sudden urge to just tip the plate off the post, but he suppressed the urge. After a bit, he noticed that under the fork next to the pie, there was a note.

He rolled his eyes, and slowly unfolded the paper. It read:

"My dearest Jack, I am sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean it, I was hurt that you'd left, but When I returned to the house, Cadence reminded me, that you'd gone to help find some of the men who had burned the Macphereson's ranch and stolen their cattle. That you weren't just running away for excitement. And that you were trying to help people. That's what you do, isn't it? Always trying to help everyone no matter what? I know that, and it's one of the reasons why I fell in love with you. I was scared that you weren't coming back this time. I know we can look out for ourselves, if.....that happens. But you were one of the first, and only ones to befriend and help us when we ended up in this strange world, darling. I'd be devastated if I lost you. Now, please....come inside, and let's make up and be a family again?"

I truly am sorry, and I love you. With all my heart.

Celestia."

Jack sighed and folded the note to put in his coat pocket. Staring at the slice of pie, he couldn't help smiling. Celestia had given him a rather large slice. Not only that, but it was one she must have made recently. It was still warm. Jack shrugged, and quickly devoured the pie. Then grabbing the plate, he walked back up to the house.

Jack walked up the steps, his spurs jingling as he walked, he placed a weary hand on the doorknob and opened the door, quietly. Half expecting to find Celestia waiting to hit him over the head with a frying pan. Instead, he saw a blur of blue and white, and wound up on the floor with something...or someone, on top of him.

Jack smiled as he found Celestia on top of him, nuzzling him tenderly.

He wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed and hugged him tightly. Jack never said a word, just rubbing her back as she cried. After a bit, she raised her head to look at him, and before she could say a word, Jack kissed her, passionately. She closed her eyes, sighing as she leaned into the kiss, still giving an occasional sob, but Jack just held her tight. After a bit, she broke the kiss and stared at Jack for a moment before speaking: "Jack, I'm sorry about what I said. I know I was wrong, you were only trying to help. But I get so scared when-" At this, Jack put a finger to her lips.

"I know, darlin'. I know. You always worry about your family. Means you care.

Now, hush darlin' let's jus' forget it. I love you, sweetheart." He drawled as he couldn't help but smile. At this, she kissed him deeply. It was either that, or she'd start crying again. After a bit, they broke the kiss, and Cadence walked over, kneeling next to them, she spoke softly.

"Auntie...are you alright now? And uncle?"

Jack turned his head and smiled up at Cadence "I think we're alright now." He then turned and kissed Celestia on the cheek. Celestia just held Jack, resting her head on his shoulder as she still gave a few soft sobs now and then. After a bit, she turned to look at Cadence, who had placed a hand on Celestia's shoulder. "Yes...Cadence, I...We are alright now." Celestia gasped as she felt Jack shifting under her, turning to smile at Jack as she felt something hard brushing against her. She rolled off Jack and kissed his cheek playfully.

Jack just winked and kissed her on the nose as he scratched behind her ear. Cadence blushed, but giggled softly. "Now, supper is already cold, but I've put some of it back on the stove to warm up. Shining and I haven't eaten yet, and Shining has been on the trail for some time.....we're very hungry." Jack hopped to his feet, helping Celestia up and then grabbing his hat, he hung it up on a nail by the door. Double checking to make sure the blue gun he wore on his right hip was still there, he then picked up Celestia and carried her into the kitchen, with Cadence following them.

Jack walked over to the table, and found Shining Armor sitting there, somewhat annoyed. Jack gently set Celestia in a chair, and pushed it up to the table, before kissing her gently. Cadence stepped over to the stove and grabbed a couple of pots, and set them on the table, and Jack sat next to Celestia, leaning on her, as he found himself shivering. "Winter must be coming, nights are starting to get colder." Celestia nodded, and pulled jack into a quick hug, as they waited for Cadence to sit down. Once she seated herself next to Shining Armor, Jack nodded as Shining eagerly grabbed the ladle in a kettle of soup, and began to fill a bowl of soup for himself.

Normally it was Jack's habit that everyone should wait while he served them, but as Shining had been out on a long ride, and hadn't bothered to take any food, Jack let it slide. He did however stand, and once Shining was done filling his bowl, Jack took the ladle and began serving both Celestia and Cadence, then himself. Once everyone had a bowl, Jack sat down and they all began eating. After a bit, Jack nodded. "Mmm...this is good soup, Darlin'." Celestia giggled, and leaned a bit closer to Jack. This was Cadence's creation, I let her cook supper, while I baked a few pies." Jack nodded to Cadence, who smiled in return. "Cadence, this is some good soup. You did good." At this, Cadence blushed, and gave a soft smile. "I didn't normally get a chance to cook before we came here, but now, I'm really starting to enjoy it. If we get back to Equestria, I may have to cook for say...one night a week, just for the family meal....nothing extravagant." Jack nodded slowly. "I sure would like to see this place. It sounds amazin'." Shining nodded, but kept eating the soup before him. Celestia smiled, but said nothing.

After supper, Celestia walked out to the kitchen and came back in a moment with a pie in each hand. She set them on the table, while Jack cut a slice of pie for everyone but himself, and sat back down, resting his head on Celestia's shoulder once more. She turned to rub his cheek gently, and sighed "Jack. Don't you want some pie?" Jack chuckled and turned his head to kiss Celestia on the cheek. "Darlin, you're forgetting that you gave me a giant slice of pie earlier. If I eat anymore, I'll burst. You ladies really outdid yourselves tonight." Both Cadence and Celestia giggled, and Jack just closed his eyes, and soon found himself dozing on Celestia's shoulder.

After a bit, he stirred, and found himself in his large chair near the fireplace, his boots off, and his feet on a footstool. He looked around groggily, and noticed Celestia sitting next to him, eyes closed. He smiled, and kissed Celestia on the cheek. After a bit, he heard a noise, and reached instinctively for the Colt revolver he wore.

He cursed as he realized it wasn't on his hip, but gave a sigh of relief when he turned and noticed his gunbelt hanging from the arm of his chair. Jack quietly slipped out of the chair and put his gunbelt on, checking his pistol to make sure it was loaded, then holding the gun low with his hand in such a position that he could pull the hammer back and fire quickly if need be, he began searching for the source of the noise he'd heard.

Jack stepped through the house quietly, doing his best to keep from making the floorboards creak as he hunted for the source of the noise. Suddenly, he heard what sounded like a growl, and something clawing at the back door of the ranch house. At this, Jack crept silently back to the chair and retrieved his boots, slipping them on, he then dashed to his and Celestia's room, where he kept his Winchester rifle, and his shotgun. He grabbed the shotgun from above the door, and a box of shells from the dresser, when Celestia walked up and asked groggily. "Darling? What's the matter?"

At this, Jack shushed her, and pointed to the back door. "Sounds like something trying to get in. Figured I'd grab my scatter gun, and go have a look-see" Celestia gasped at first, and nodded, as she walked over to her side of the bed and retrieved the Winchester rifle, immediately grabbing a box of cartridges and loading it. She then levered a round and nodded to Jack.

"Alright, if you insist on taggin' along, keep close. Don't you dare get separated." Celestia nodded, and half crouched as she began following Jack. At the sound of Jack's heavy boots on the wood floor, combined with his spurs jingling as he moved, Shining Armor and Cadence both came out of their room and looked around.

Jack put a finger to his lips before either of them said a word, and motioned for Shining to go grab the Winchester that was kept in Shining and Cadence's room. Just as Shining ran into the room, the clawing at the door resumed, picking up in intensity, and the growl was heard again. At this, Jack double checked to make sure his shotgun was loaded.

He then knelt and leveled it at the door. As soon as he had knelt, Shining stepped behind him and Jack heard him lever a round into the chamber. At this, Jack nodded. "Soon as it crashes through, shoot. Don't stop until it quits movin'." Shining and Celestia nodded, but Celestia then knelt and put her hand on Jack's shoulder briefly. Keeping his right hand on the shotgun, so he could fire quickly, he brought his left up to clasp Celestia's hand briefly, before brining it back to his shotgun.

He'd taught these ponies to shoot properly, and Jack could shoot a dime at 100 yards, he wasn't worried. The former Ranger stared at the door with almost a steadied indifference as he waited. His expression betraying neither fear, nor anger. Then, suddenly, the bear crashed through the door! All three of them fired, as Cadence stood in the doorway to hers and Shining's room, fixed in fear at the sight of the large grizzly bear charging at them.

All the shots found their mark and hit the bear, but none of them struck anything vital, they only angered the bear. It roared in defiance and kept charging. Jack pushed Celestia aside, and pulled a knife that he kept on his gunbelt, and the second the bear looked over him, he stabbed the knife upward, sinking it into the bears heart, he then rolled aside before a large paw swung at him angrily. That paw connected, and sent Jack across the room, where he slammed into a wall. And suddenly everything went dark...

===============END OF CHAPTER 1==============