Foduck let out a huge sigh of relief as the flames fizzled and hissed before trickling out. He turned his hose off and looked over at George worriedly.

"Are you alright, George? You must have had a nasty scare."

"You're telling me," Grumbled George. His face was unusually flushed when he realized the significance of the other tug's quick thinking. "You… you saved me."

"Why yes, I did," Replied Foduck.

"But why? I didn't listen to your advice to get my smokestacks checked out." George said, embarrassed and ashamed of himself for ignoring his friend- and for having to pay the price for such arrogance as well.

"George, just because you didn't listen to my warning doesn't mean I want you to get hurt." Foduck said. "You're my friend, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Even as he spoke, the rescue tug felt something astir inside him- especially at using the word 'friend.' Almost as it didn't fit George at all.

He swallowed his feelings down and instead gave George a friendly nudge on the bumper. "I'm glad you're okay, George." He said sincerely.

"Yeah, me too," George replied, sounding almost like his usual self. Then he added quietly, "If anyone thought you weren't ready for you V word today, you've certainly proved you are now."

Foduck was very humbled by this sentiment- especially coming from George. "Well, thank you, George. I…. I appreciate being told that."

He didn't add that the sentiment was even more special coming from him.

…

Foduck and Theodore were having a friendly game of 'Bumper Buoy' when George came floating by. "Hello!" The large tug called cheerfully. "What are you two doing?"

"We're playing 'Bumper Buoy!'" Exclaimed Theodore, happily, looking over at Foduck, who also had a goofy grin on his face. "Would you like to have a go, George?" He offered kindly.

"Nah- I've got to go and meet up with Owan," Replied George. "But this looks more fun…" he said cheekily, before he whirred up and gently bumped Foduck on his rear bumper, and then he sailed away again, chortling to himself.

"What was that about?" Asked Theodore, feeling confused and curious about the queer interaction between his friends.

"Um… what was the score, Theo?" Foduck inquired, hoping to avert the conversation away from what had just happened. He didn't want his friend to see how his face was suddenly flushed with both embarrassment and pleasure at George 'bumping' him.

…

Foduck is a very smart tugboat- not only does he possess a natural gift for problem solving, but his knowledge about matters such as safety in the Big Harbor and ocean life are very expansive. In addition, he also knows- and uses- a lot of words the other tugboats don't use.

What he doesn't understand, however, is George suddenly complimenting his intelligence out of the blue one sunny afternoon.

This incident happened when he was telling Hank and Emily about the bioluminescent squid he had recently learned about, when George sidled in next to Emily.

"Hey, Foduck, do you think you're so smart?"

"Why would I even need to dwell on something I know?" Foduck replied. "I prefer to focus on learning things I don't know."

"Fair enough," Said George wryly. "Well, I was wanting to know if you know what the rarest sea creature in the world is."

Hank looked at the safety tug in alarm- only to find that his friend was grinning goofily. "Well, that I can answer, George- it's an Allonautilus scrobiculatus, a marine mollusk."

Two jaws dropped into shock- the third only allowed a smile to form.

"Well, well, Duck, you certainly now your ocean life," Replied George loftily. "You have some intelligence."

Realizing that the other tugboat was complimenting him, Foduck stammered a thank you and watched as George got closer, closer; until their bumpers were literally just brushing each other.

"You just proved my thesis. Clearly, you value your smarts." George purred seductively, and he smirked as Foduck's eyes widened. Clearly, he hadn't seen that coming.

He was missing a few boats in the harbor, but it sure was nice getting the opportunity to surprise a smart tugboat such as Foduck sometimes.

He only wished he could have taken a photograph. That expression would have been a priceless memory and invaluable blackmail material in the years to come.

…

It had been a long, tiring day at the Big Harbor, and Foduck was ready to rest in his dock with Emily and George.

Well, he was hoping not to talk to George too much; lately the other tug had been embarrassing him in front of their friends- but for some reason, he liked the attention he was getting from George.

On his way home, he saw George completing his job for the day; to pull in a big passenger ship called 'The Green Arrow'.

"Wow, George, you're very, very strong," he said. He had always known- but it was still impressive to watch his friend pull large ships by himself.

"Yes, I am very strong!" George said boastfully. "Maybe I should pull you sometime!"

Foduck hadn't expected that remark; so, he found himself stammering like mad. His cheeks were quick to match his hat, and his eyes were quickly distracted by the aquamarine waters around him.

…

It was the Dispatcher's fault.

The Dispatcher had received word that Sunshine Maid was making an emergency docking in the harbour at midnight, due to technical failures with her systems. As he couldn't let her remain at sea in the dark alone, he had to send two V tugs to go and rescue her. Theodore and Hank were smaller tugs, and not ready for violent weather such as tonight. So Foduck and George had to stay up later than usual to go and help her. It was ironic that the Sunshine Maid was docking in total darkness. In the pouring rain. During a thunderstorm.

Foduck and George had to battle choppy waves sending them flying violently back and forth; high winds whistling in their smokestacks; lashings of rain on their faces and bumpers.

"We must be nearly there!" George yelled over the wind to Foduck, who was trying to keep some balance against the rough and temperamental ocean.

Foduck squinted- through the darkness, he could see two large lumps, illuminated in shadows against the cloudy, midnight blue skies, drawing closer… and closer… and closer still to the two large tugs.

"Hey, George, I hate to burst your bubble, but we haven't even left the harbor yet!" He called out, letting out a wail as a particularly large wave caught him off guard and almost tipped him over.

George just bellowed his rage to the winds in reply, even though his voice was lost to its screeches and moans.

….

Soon, the intrepid pair found themselves to sea, where they began their search for the Sunshine Maid.

"Do you see her, Foduck!?" Yelled George.

"No!" Replied Foduck. "I don't think she has any power to show her lights, so move cautiously." He added.

George agreed, and the pair resumed their search. They looked up and down, left to right across the watery plains- but no sign of the Sunshine Maid could be found. Her horn didn't sound, and her lights weren't showing.

Foduck heaved a sigh. This was not only looking more futile for the determined pair, it was also getting extremely dangerous. Due to the technical failures aboard the Sunshine Maid, the risk of her accidentally running into George or himself were very high- and these accidents were often fatal for tugboats, even for larger ones like George.

The safety tug was suddenly distracted by a flickering light. George's lantern had gone out, and now he had no source of light!

"George! Stay close!"

…

Five minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. Half an hour was spun from dismay and frustration at their plight. Eventually, the clock ticked to quarter to.

It was five minutes to one in the morning when Foduck made a HUGE mistake.

Now, Foduck had a problem with seeing things that weren't there. This was especially prominent when he was tired- and he was exhausted. This didn't usually happen, due to his late-night safety patrols; but he hadn't had a quiet day since George's fire, and was feeling unusually sleepy.

This was when he noticed- or thought he noticed- a ship near Willie Island, about at least 4 nautical miles away from their current position.

"George! Over there!" He called out, revving off to investigate.

"Foduck, wait!" George yelled. He muttered a mild French curse and sped after his friend/crush. Then, he gasped in horror, and immediately froze where he was.

Illuminated only by Foduck's lantern, George espied a large black iron object slowly gliding across the ocean towards the safety tug. It could only be identified as a hull…. And it was much, much larger than Foduck.

Slow he may be, George was able to add two and two together. Letting out a loud and powerful bellow, he revved his engine as loudly as he could, and sped to the rescue as fast as he could go. He could have given Hank a run for his money that night, he was pleased to boast afterwards.

A surprised rescue tugboat was sent flying across the ocean, the rain pricking at his face much faster than before, before he slowed down as quickly as he was launched. His lifeboats were flooded in seawater and rain, but he paid no heed. It was only when a majestic horn was heard right behind him when he realized just how close he had been to being dashed to pieces by the large ship.

He shivered quietly, allowing the sound of his near-death knell to blast across the ocean.

….

It was dawn before both Foduck and George (thank goodness he had survived his reckless act last night, Foduck had thought) both limped back to their dock, battle worn but triumphant that they had succeeded in their mission.

"Ah, there you are!" Said the Dispatcher warmly but quietly as they finally snuck in to the docks. "How did it go? I never expected you two gone all night, even with the storm. I hope you are both alright."

"Well, we had a hard time finding the Sunshine Maid, sir," George said politely, and he recounted the night's events, as Foduck was still badly shaken from his encounter. He didn't mention Foduck's near death experience at her hull, though. "But none of us got hurt." He finished. "But… I do need a new lantern for night journeys, sir. Mine busted during the storm."

"I see," Said the Dispatcher thoughtfully. "I'll get that seen to later in the day. But, regardless, well done boys. I'm sorry you both had to go out in that storm at all. But the Sunshine Maid and her crew were at risk of being run aground- you saved their lives.

George accidentally let out a loud yawn before he could stop himself. "Oh, excuse me, sir," he mumbled sleepily.

"No, no, it's quite alright," Replied the Dispatcher soothingly "I understand you're both tired after your hard work and your bravery, so I'm giving you two the day off to rest. The others will take over your jobs for today,"

"Thanks, sir," Replied George, and he led Foduck over to the V dock, where Emily still lay asleep. He was worried- Foduck hadn't spoken since his near-death experience out in the ocean- and he had no idea how to break the silence.

"Hey, George…" a whisper uttered. George felt relief seep his smokestack, and he looked over at his friend- Foduck's face was still ashen, but he had a small smile on his face.

"Yeah?" he asked, trying to remain calm and casual.

"Thank you- for rescuing me last night." Foduck said at last, shyly.

"Hey, no need to thank me, Duck," Said George, with a teasing smile on his face. "Merely repaying the favor."

"Still…. I almost died last night. You saved me from danger when I wandered blindly into it." Foduck replied. He hesitated a moment after that statement, before he plucked up his courage and added "Listen, I wanted to say…."

"I was wanting to tell you…" George added, also feeling the strength to finally confess how he felt- the reason why he had been treating Foduck differently since the fire.

They both trailed off, their eyes slowly widening in simultaneous realization at what the other was going to say. Slowly, both their cheeks began to blush as their gazes lingered on each other.

"I… I love you, Foduck," George admitted at last.

"I… I love you too, George," Smiled Foduck.

The two shared a secretive smile, before gently nuzzling bumpers with one another. Then, satisfied that the other was safe, both tugboats drifted off into sleep, with the widest smiles on their faces.