Luke sighed as he looked around him. The Blue Mountain Quarry was in full swing as always. He couldn't bear to have the Quarry any other way because it was his home and the place he loved the most on Sodor.

However, the quarry was just as capable of hurt as it was of industry. For many years ago, Luke had found himself hiding from a secret so dark, it kept haunting him in the darkest corners of his mind whenever he himself was in the dark. He had pushed a yellow foreign engine off the ship that they had both arrived on, and his biggest fear was that he would be sent away.

But thanks to a kind blue tank engine named Thomas, Luke found out that what had happened at the docks was not his fault- it had just been an accident due to faulty chains. Victor, the engine had fallen off the boat, bore no blame to Luke, and the two were now good friends.

If anything, however, Luke owed his friends at the Blue Mountain Quarry a lot for their kindness, compassion and understanding during his first few days here. Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handel Peter Sam Rusty and Duncan as well as Owen and Merrick all supported Luke and tried their best to help him. If it hadn't been for them, he might still be hiding away.

But he was out of the tunnels and still of Sodor just where he wanted to be.

Thank you everyone he whispered allowing his words to float with the wind.

"Luke!"

"Oh sorry Owen -must be daydreaming again." Luke replied sheepishly.

"You're not thinking of Millie, are you?" Owen teased.

"Come again?" The Irish engine asked politely.

"She's here!"

"Is she-where?"

Sure enough a beautiful Decauville 0-4-0 well tank engine chuffed in the Blue Mountain Quarry.

"Bonjour Skarloey." She greeted in her French accent.

"Hello Millie! Here's the stone for the Earl's repairs." Skarloey replied cheerfully.

Millie whistled happily. "Merci mes ami-thank you!" She responded cheerfully as Sir Handel shunted her trucks.

Peter Sam, who was also up on the Upper Terrace of the quarry, asked his younger cousin;

"Well, Luke, aren't you going to say hello?"

"I suppose I could, but who will keep an eye here?"

"I'll do it -just go!" Perter Sam replied.

Luke sighed as he puffed into a tunnel. His cousin was determined that Luke and Millie will fall in love at some point.

...

"Hello Millie. "Luke said shyly as he arrived.

"Bonjour Luke!"

Grinning knowingly, Skarloey Rheneas and Sir Handel retreated from their friends, leaving them on their own.

"Nice day?" Luke asked awkwardly.

"Yes it sure is." Millie responded.

"Millie?"

"Oui, Luke?"

"Will you... That is do you...I...I really like you." He stammered.

The smile on Millie's face could have rivalled the moon, the sun and all the stars combined in that moment.

"Really- I like you too Luke." She told him.

The green engine blushed on hearing this.

"So can I kiss you then?" He asked.

"Oui, Luke."

So they did. And Luke never felt more alive- apart from when the truth was found out about the accident.

Yes, for him, discovering the truth was the best feeling in the world.