Another request from tate310. I hope you enjoy reading.

...

James felt proud of himself for overcoming many of his fears. He was no longer afraid of flour, eggs, patience, Edward getting hurt and his brakes jamming. His friends; Thomas, Edward, Gordon, Sophie, Henry, Emily, Percy and Toby had all helped him wonderfully.

But he still had two big fears bothering him. This is the story of how he overcame his fear of melons...

...

James was at Tidmouth Sheds; reeling from shock at the news he had been given.

"You want me to take melons, sir?!"

"Yes, James. But you wouldn't be doing it on your own. Thomas and Percy would be taking them with you to the Sodor Supermarket. You will all collect them at Brendam Docks."

He strode away.

"Can't you two just go?" James pleaded. "I'll do anything for you in return."

"James, you have to come." Thomas reminded him firmly

"Please?" Pleaded Percy.

"I'm not going near them!" Huffed James, sulkily.

Thomas and Percy looked at one another.

"Alright," said Thomas "how about this- if you come with us and can get over your fear of melons, I'll pull all your goods trains for a month -if you take my passengers. You could gain yourself a new audience; there are plenty of regulars there."

James still wasn't sure about near melons, but he thought a chance to show off sounded tempting.

"Alright but what if I refuse?"

"You have to take the Flying Kipper for Henry for two months!" Challenged Percy.

"Good forfeit- but I think for the sake of our sanity we'll cut it down to a month and two weeks." Thomas decided.

"Alright." Percy conceded.

"Right- what will it be James? Kipper or melons?"

"I'll come! I hate fish!" He gabbled, rushing out of the shed.

"Thought you would," Thomas teased. "Come on!"

The three set off for the docks.

...

James was twitching nervously.

His driver had bought a whole melon to use to help James conquer his fear. Thomas told him to hold it up so that James could see it, but not to advance until he said so.

The melon was held 20 yards away from James.

He couldn't do it- he kept closing his eyes.

"James, please! Just keep your eyes on the melon for one minute. We can only do the next bit of you do it successfully."

James forced himself to look at it. He wanted to look away so badly- but he knew that if he gave in, he would be stuck with the Kipper for a long time.

Somehow, that ensured that he prevailed.

"Well done James!" peeped Percy as a workman's alarm clock ran shrilly.

"Yes I did it!" Cheered James jubilantly.

"Just the first bit. Now, tell the melon why you're afraid of it."

"What –why? Are you serious?"

"Because if you do then you wouldn't see why you're afraid. Go on- we wouldn't laugh. Oh, and I am being serious James. I know what I'm doing."

"Alright- but no one is to know of this!" Hissed the red engine.

"Okay then." Creaked Cranky.

James looked at the melon again- which was near his face.

"I don't like melons because they look like giant balls of yellowy green goo, and you also remind me of a giant egg."

"But you're not afraid of eggs anymore." Percy pointed out.

Thomas verified it.

"Well, I'm still scared of these things!" He huffed.

"Well now that you've admitted it, look at it again." Thomas instructed.

James did.

It shone a gold colour in the sun and that particular melon was a bit odd shaped- not as smooth as an egg would be.

Soon his fears dissipated completely.

"Well, shall we get these melons to the Supermarket or not?" Asked James, grinning like an idiot.

The two engines cheered.

So it was settled. The driver got a whole melon to eat, James had gotten over yet another fear and Thomas had gained a month of not taking Annie and Clarabel.

But it was worth not seeing them for a month, knowing James had gotten over another lifelong fear.

And James- well he was just happy showing off his red paint to the passengers.