It was February twelfth, and everything on Sodor was going smoothly. All the engines were out and about, most doing their usual tasks. Some were even pulling specials for Valentine's day.

Yes, the holiday was only two days away, and almost every engine on Sodor was eager for its arrival.

All of them, except Rosie.

To her, Valentine's Day was just yet another way for her to be forced to acknowledge the fact that she was lonely. She had nobody to spend the holiday with, and nobody wanted to spend it with her. All the other engines would to be spending time with their special someones.

Of course, Rosie had someone she loved. Thomas. She had loved him for years, but he never returned her feelings. If anything, he avoided her all he could, and she didn't know why. Maybe her lavender paint was to bright, or maybe she was to small? Regardless, Thomas always acted rather annoyed whenever she was around him, as if he didn't want anything to do with her.

This year, she was finally giving up. Previously, she had always asked Thomas to be her Valentine, and he always shot her down, so this year, why bother? His response wasn't going to change. This year, she was just going to ignore everything. The pink, white, and red decorations, the heart balloons, and the flowers. Why should she pay any attention to them? It's not like any of them were for her.

"Rosie!" a voice said, snapping Rosie from her thoughts. She looked down at the dock manager, who had his hands on his hips.

"Oh. Yes Sir?" she asked, blushing.

"I said you can go now." he repeated. Rosie tooted her whistle, and pulled out of the docks, her five freight cars behind her.

Maybe that was why Thomas didn't like her? She was a dock engine. Never noticed for her hard work, and never asked to do anything special.

A background worker, at most.

Rosie sighed to herself as she headed towards her destination. She decided she would never bug Thomas again.

What was the point? Her efforts spent trying to go after her handsome Thomas were always wasted, so why keep doing it? If Thomas wanted nothing to do with her, fine! She wouldn't even bother being nice to him anymore. She would just simply greet him if she saw him, and that would be it.

He'd probably prefer it that way, anyway.

Once Rosie arrived with her load, Sir Topham Hatt was there waiting for her.

"Rosie, I'd like you to pull a special goods train to the far side of the Mainland tomorrow. There's no need to hurry, as everyone will have the day off on the holiday. The train is important, however, so be careful with it. It will also be extremely heavy, and you might need help with it. Thomas will be putting the train together for you tomorrow morning. If you need help, ask him. I'm sure he'll be glad to help." he said. Rosie nodded, although she doubted Thomas would want to help her.

He probably wouldn't even stick around after putting her train together.

. . .

Thomas yawned, and groggily opened his eyes. It was early morning on February thirteenth. Sir Topham Hatt had asked him to get up early, and prepare a train for Rosie, who would be taking it to the far side of the Mainland.

As Thomas slowly chuffed out of his berth, and onto the turn table, he began to mutter.

"Of course Rosie of all engines. I've not seen her for a while, but of course, the day before Valentine's day, I have to face her. No doubt she'll beg me to be her Valentine." he grumbled, puffing off towards the docks. On the way, he thought about Rosie some more.

Contrary to most of the engine's beliefs, Thomas liked Rosie. In fact, he thought she was quite cute, but she had a tendency to be quite irritating while she was around him. For whatever reason, she adored him, and he didn't know why. She was always looking at him, or strongly suggesting that the two of them go out. It had gotten to the point where even seeing her put Thomas in a bad mood.

Oh well, orders are orders.

When Thomas arrived at the docks, he got right to work, organizing all the correct freight cars in a line, and then coupling them all together.

It was an awfully long load. Thomas didn't think Rosie could pull it by herself. She about the same size as him, and he wouldn't be able to pull this entire load by himself either. It would take two of him to do that.

"I hope she doesn't ask me to help her. I better get out of here before she sees me." he said to himself. Unfortunately, before he could reverse out of the docks, the engine he was hoping to avoid chuffed up next to him.

"Hi Thomas. Thanks for getting my load ready." she said quietly, before chuffing to the front of the load. Thomas stopped, and watched her in disbelief.

That was certainly odd.

She didn't look at him, she didn't frolic around him, she barely even spoke to him! That wasn't like her at all. He watched as Rosie coupled up to the long train, and tried to chuff forwards. Her lavender paint glinted in the moonlight, and her lamp shone ahead of her. But she wasn't moving.

Thomas could hear her groaning as she tried to move the heavy train. Thomas sighed, and chuffed next to her.

"Do you want my help, Rosie? I know this train is far to heavy for you alone." he said. Rosie huffed.

"I can pull this by myself just fine!" she said, as she made another attempt to move the load. Her wheels slipped and sparked on the rails, before she finally stopped.

"Fuh-Fine. You... can help." she panted. Thomas smirked, and chuffed back down to the other end of the train. He coupled to the rear as the back engine, and with a push and a pull, they slowly moved the large freight train forwards out of the docks.

. . .

To all of the engines they passed, Rosie did not reply to their greetings. In fact, she barely passed them a glance. As Thomas and Rosie passed Vicarstown bridge, Thomas was still befuddled by Rosie's strange behavior. Rosie was always friendly, and under normal circumstances, Rosie would have BEGGED him to help her, just for the sake of having him around. But now, the suggestion of having his help seem to make her cross. What was going on with her?

Thomas decided that it was just Rosie being moody, and pushed the load in front of him, hoping to prod Rosie to go faster. He wanted to get back to Sodor and be with his friends.

"Stop pushing!" Rosie shouted. Thomas stopped his nonsense, and Rosie seemed satisfied. The two engines chuffed on for another few hours, before stopping in a siding for coal and water. Due to the length of the load, Thomas had to uncouple from the rear, and go to the front to get refueled, after Rosie. Once Rosie was refueled, she forced the load backwards so that Thomas could fit under the water tower. Thomas pulled in, facing her as he stopped under the tower. The two of them were mere feet apart.

"Is something bothering you, Rosie?" he asked as fresh water was poured into his tank. Rosie looked down at the ground.

"No." she replied simply. Thomas frowned. He knew that wasn't true.

"Come on Rosie, what's wrong? I've never seen you so quiet. You're usually so up and about, talking my buffers off, and filled to the brim with energy." Thomas prodded. Rosie looked at him, with a spark of anger in her eyes.

"Nothing is wrong! Go back to your end of the train!" she snapped. Thomas was shocked. Rosie had never gotten angry with him. Ever. She always forgave him instantly for anything he ever did that involved her. But seeing the look on her face now, he decided not to bug her any further. He silently chuffed back down to the rear of the train, concerned for his friend.

. . .

By the time the two engines arrived at the mainland freight yard, it was late evening, and both Rosie and Thomas were quite tired.

"We have an unoccupied two engine shed at the rear of the yard you can use." the yard manager said. Rosie didn't look very happy, but she said nothing, silently chuffing to the shed. Thomas thanked the manager, and followed her.

By the time he had gotten to the shed, Rosie had already backed in, and had closed her eyes. He quietly reversed into the shed on the track next to Rosie, and sighed.

Looking at Rosie, he thought about all of his experiences with her. Sure, she was irritating, but she was lovable, in her own way. The beautiful lavender paint job, her six bright red wheels, and her adorable patches of freckles on her cheeks, always covered by her subtle blush when she was around him. She was always cheerful, and willing to help anyone who needed it. And she was always there to try and cheer Thomas up when he was feeling down. Sometimes, it even worked. Thomas suddenly looked up as he realized.

He liked Rosie. More than he had ever let himself believe. She was a very tough engine. She did so much work, and was rarely noticed or thanked for it. Maybe that's why she liked him? Because Thomas had the one thing she'd always wanted. Maybe she just wanted to be noticed by someone. Maybe she just wanted to be noticed... by him?

Thomas's eyes widened as he thought more about that. Was that what it was? Maybe Rosie just wanted someone to make her feel special? Thomas knew that Rosie liked him, so it couldn't just be that. She had claimed several times that she found Thomas handsome.

Eventually, Thomas's thoughts began to fade as he closed his eyes. But, before he drifted off, he decided he was going to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering Rosie in the morning, whether she wanted him to, or not.

. . .

Valentine's Day had come, but all was quiet at the freight yard. Thomas woke up quickly, and quietly chuffed out of the shed, before turning around, and heading back towards it on Rosie's track. There was no way she would be able to get around him, and he wasn't going to let her go anywhere until she told him what was troubling her.

Eventually, Rosie's eyes cracked open, and then opened fully when she saw Thomas sitting just mere feet in front of her. A mild blush appeared on her face as she looked at him, and Thomas smiled. That was the Rosie he knew. But suddenly, her blush was covered by a frown.

"What are you doing Thomas? Get out of my way, we have to go back to Sodor." she said. Thomas shook his head.

"I want to know what's bothering you. I know something is, and I want to help." he said. Rosie huffed.

"You won't help. Move." she said. Thomas was confused. "Won't" help? So then it was something she wanted from him. He looked back at her, determined.

"I won't, Rosie. Something is bothering you. I've never seen you like this before. So quiet, and restricted. You've never been like that. What's wrong?" he asked. Rosie tightly shut her eyes.

"Nothing! Leave me alone!" she said. Thomas released a cloud of steam.

"Rosie... I can sit here all day. It's Valentine's Day. Sodor won't be running any of the usual services today. Sir Topham Hatt gave us all the day off to spend with our special someone's." he said.

Rosie looked at Thomas with so much anger, she looked like she might pop a piston.

He backed slightly as Rosie's face turned red, and she closed her eyes, most likely to shout.

But she didn't. Instead...

She started crying. Thomas was taken a little off guard by her response.

"Rosie?" he asked softly as tears began to run down her face.

"I have no one!" she said, sobbing. Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"I'm forced to go through another Valentine's Day alone, while all the other engines spend time with those they love! Gordon has Caitlin, Toby has Flora, and even Gina is coming from Italy to spend the day with Percy! But as usual, I'll be spending it alone, dreaming about how it would be if you didn't hate me!" Rosie sobbed. Thomas's fears were confirmed. It was all because of him.

"Rosie, I don't hate you." he said. Rosie's cries intensified,and she looked at him with tear filled eyes.

"Then why do you torture me? You ignore me, and avoid me! You don't talk to me, and you act like I'm the worst engine on Sodor! Nobody notices me unless they want something done! All I've tried to do is be your friend, and tell you how I feel, and all you do is get mad, and puff away! It hurts! It hurts so much, and I can't take it anymore!" she said, sobbing quietly.

Thomas sighed. From what he had just heard, all of his suspicions seemed to be true. He took a breath.

"Rosie... I get mad because you try to hard. You don't have to go out of your way to try and impress me, or be like me. You are your own engine. When you follow me around, and imitate everything I do... it makes me uncomfortable. I ignored it at first, but after a while... it started bugging me. I don't hate you Rosie, I just... wish you'd be your own engine. I know you can be a very useful engine all on your own." he said.

Rosie looked at Thomas with wet eyes, tears still occasionally leaking from them.

"So... you don't hate me? You don't despise me, and avoid me because I'm a terrible engine?" she asked. Thomas smiled.

"Of course not. I respect you Rosie, a lot. You're a very tough engine. I realized last night that most of the work you do goes unappreciated, and I don't know how you deal with that. You always seem so happy. If all my efforts weren't noticed, I'd be miserable." he said. Rosie sniffed, blushing.

"I stayed happy because I always thought I could at least impress you with how hard I worked. You're the hardest working engine on Sodor. You have everything! Your own branch-line, a shed with your friends, and you get respect for what you do! I don't have any of that. I'm... just Rosie the dock engine. I'm nobody." she said, looking at the ground.

Thomas felt worse than ever. He had no idea Rosie felt like this. But he liked her. Maybe she just needed to know that.

"I do like you Rosie, a lot. I've always admired how tough you are, and how hard you work. Working at the docks isn't an easy job. I never hated you. I always kind of admired you. You do your best, even when no one notices. I don't doubt Sodor wouldn't run as smoothly if you weren't here." he said. Rosie was blushing, and so was Thomas. The two of them were quiet for a few minutes.

"Is... is there anything else you like about me? Anything at all?" Rosie asked quietly, looking directly into Thomas's eyes. Thomas felt his boiler grow hot.

"Uh... well..." he swallowed, then continued. "I like your... paint. You're the only lavender engine on Sodor, and I think... I think the color looks good on you. And... and your red wheels. They... highlight you nicely." he admitted. Rosie tried very hard to hold back her smile. Perhaps Thomas felt something for her after all?

"Anything else?" she prodded. Thomas looked away in embarrassment.

"I... your freckles? I like your freckles. They're... very cute." Thomas blurted. Rosie was in awe. All this time, and Thomas thought all this about her. The two were silent again for a while.

"Why do you like me so much?" Thomas then asked. Now it was Rosie's turn to be embarrassed.

"I... I don't know. I've always just thought... that you were attractive. Cute, and handsome. You are so friendly, and always do your best. You own up to mistakes when you've made them, and always try and do what's right. You're the star of the railway. I look up to you." she stuttered.

Thomas and Rosie looked into each others eyes for quite some time.

"You know, Rosie... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've ignored you for so long. I didn't know I was making you feel so badly. I didn't know that you felt so alone all these years. Valentine's Day never really bothered me, because I was usually busy with something. I never really had time to think about how I felt. All I've done is think about how avoiding you made me feel, and not how it made you feel. Especially on this day. But... if I'm being honest, I would prefer to spend the day with someone, instead of being alone." Thomas said.

Rosie nearly exploded.

"As would I." she said. Thomas looked at her, a kind smile on his face.

"Rosie..." he started.

"WouldyoubemyValentine?!" Rosie blurted, before looking away in shame.

"To soon, Rosie. To soon." she thought to herself. But Thomas smiled.

"If you think you can stand to be with me, then... yes. I'll be your Valentine, Rosie." Thomas said. Rosie perked up, looked at Thomas with a face of pure joy. The words she had wanted to hear for so long... had finally come.

Before she lost her confidence, she chuffed forward, and promptly pushed her lips into Thomas's. He was quite surprised, but he decided to deal with it, as the feeling of Rosie's lips on his was quite a nice sensation. He had never kissed another before. After a moment, he closed his eyes, and pushed into Rosie, and she let herself be pushed gently backwards.

Their lips continued to meet, and Thomas and Rosie began to breath a little heavier. Thomas prodded Rosie's lips with his tongue, and she immediately let him in, meeting his tongue with her own. They had a small tongue battle for a minute or two, before Rosie surrendered, and nibbled on Thomas's lips.

"Mmm..." she moaned, enjoying the taste of Thomas's lips.

After another moment, the two parted, both breathing and blushing heavily.

"W-Well... that was..." Thomas trailed off, unable to think of anything. Rosie however, was going insane.

"I've wanted to kiss you for so long!" she said, promptly nuzzling her face against Thomas's. The close contact felt nice, and Thomas held her close. The two of them sat in each others embrace for what seemed like hours. Suddenly, Rosie's eyes shot open as she heard something she never thought she'd hear.

"I love you Rosie. It took me a while to figure it out... but I do."

She backed away from Thomas, stunned. The blue tank engine was blushing furiously, and looking at the ground.

"W-What?" Rosie asked. Thomas sighed.

"I've always liked you Rosie. You're a very pretty and friendly engine, and I've been a fool to push you away for so long. I'm so sorry." he said, looking ashamed. Rosie slowly chuffed forward, and pulled Thomas into another kiss. A gentle one, filled with years of pent up emotion. When she released him, she sighed in bliss. Her wheels felt as if they might collapse. A shiver ran through her body.

"I've wanted to hear you say that for so long. I love you, Thomas. I always have." she said, nuzzling him again. Thomas sighed peacefully.

"You won't spend anymore Valentine's Day's alone, Rosie, or any days. I'll be your Valentine every day." he said. Rosie nuzzled Thomas harder at his suggestion, seeming to like the idea.

After a few more minutes, Rosie coupled herself up to to Thomas.

"You said all the engines have the day off, right?" she asked innocently. To innocently.

"Y-Yeah?" Thomas replied nervously. Rosie smirked, and started to pull Thomas deeper into the shed.

"Well then, nobody will complain if we show up a little later today... or even tonight." she whispered, the doors closing behind Thomas as he was pulled inside.

"I've got years of pent up things I want to do with you... my Valentine." Rosie whispered.

"H-Have Mercy..." Thomas begged, although he knew Rosie would never hurt him.

At least not intentionally.

The two tank engines became closer than ever that day.

But neither of them were complaining.

Sometime's a little communication is all you need to learn about each others feelings...

Happy Valentine's Day!