This story is dedicated to tate310, who asked me to write this.

On the main line, James was pulling his coaches. A moment later, Percy came up beside the red engine, pulling some trucks with gallons of paint. Even though Thomas was his best friend, Percy appreciated James as a friend as well. James had returned Percy's friendship.

"Hey, James!"

"Hello, Percy!" The proud red engine sneaked a glance at Percy's load. "What are you doing with all that paint?"

"Oh, I'm taking all this to a building site over by Maithwaite. A few houses have been built, and the new owners can't decide what colors they want their houses to be. So I'm taking all the colors available."

"They should paint both houses red," James said.

"Both red? James, I think at least one of the houses should be another color, like green."

James scoffed. "Percy, you're just saying that because your coat is green and you like green."

Percy scowled. "You're one to talk, James. You want both houses to be red because you're red and you like red."

James could feel his cheeks heat up as red as his coat. He was fuming. He opened his mouth to say an angry reply, but then Percy spoke again.

"Everything can't be your favorite color, James. You've gotta make room for other colors to exist, you know."

James snorted. "I could say the same to you."

"Okay, fine!" Percy snapped. "They can make it blue instead of green if they want! That's Gordon's favorite color at least!" Speeding up, he darted ahead and left James, going onto another line to his destination.

James was still fuming. "What a little pip-squeak," he muttered fiercely.

Both engines went on with their jobs, not seeing each other for the rest of the day. When night came, they saw each other again when they moved into their separate slots in Tidmouth Sheds with the other engines.

Edward knew all about their fight. James had told him all about it. The same went for Thomas. Percy had told him the story, too.

"What colors are the houses going to be painted in, Percy?" Thomas asked.

"They're each going to be painted red and green," Percy said. "When I asked them why, the owners said it was because they wanted their houses to have the colors of their favorite steam engines, James and myself." The little green engine looked down, looking ashamed.

When James heard this, he also glanced down in shame.

Percy glanced at James. "James, I'm sorry. I didn't really mean what I said earlier. You and I have never fought about paint colors before. Your color red is special, especially since you're the only red engine I know on Sodor, besides Victor."

James looked at Percy and smiled a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, too. Your color green is a very special color, too."

Percy smiled. "Friends again?"

"Friends," James smiled.

The other engines smiled at the two friends. Before long, they had all drifted happily asleep.

THE END