A/N: This is just a little story I remembered about recently and decided to write up. I'm feeling a little antsy lately, so I decided to let off some steam by writing this up. This will likely be a multi-chapter short story.

I hope you enjoy reading this, and reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated.

Disclaimer: Geoffrey Heron and Richard Wilson belong to me. That is all.

….

Luke the Irish Engine was the Thin Controller's newest engine on the Skarloey Railway, and, following his time hiding in the tunnels and his subsequent exoneration from a near-tragic accident at Brendam Docks, had been reallocated to help on the Skarloey Railway as well as the Quarry.

Though Luke had been initially nervous, his friends were patient when teaching him what they knew; even telling him amusing anecdotes to cheer him up when things went horribly wrong. His crew had been a huge help to him too; remaining encouraging and supportive no matter what life threw his way, and he couldn't show his gratitude enough for their patience, kindness and understanding for when he messed up.

….

One morning, Luke was sizzling happily in the sunshine at Skarloey Station when he saw Rheneas pull up. Luke was excited to see one of his closest friends, and he called out in greeting.

"Hello, Rheneas!" He greeted.

Rheneas jumped; he hadn't noticed Luke at first; but he smiled on seeing the spunky little Irish engine grinning at him. "Hello, Luke," He greeted warmly. "It's a nice day, isn't it? Lovely skies."

"I know!" Luke beamed broadly. "I love sunny days, Rheneas; it feels like the whole world is your oyster, and that something amazing will happen!"

Rheneas laughed kindly at his young friend's enthusiasm. "Aye, quite right, my friend." He agreed. He and Skarloey didn't like rainy or stormy days very much; it reminded them too much of when their line was threatened with closure and neither of them were in great working order and yet they had to keep going because they were all the railway had.

Luke sighed happily.

"So, what are you doing here, anyway?" Rheneas asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm just resting until my next train," Replied Luke. "Mr. Heron and Mr. Wilson said they'd be back shortly."

"I see." Said Gallant Old Engine. "Well, I'm due to take the coaches out in a few minutes. Skarloey's not too pleased; he was hoping to get the first passenger train with Agnes and the others; but he's stuck delivering coal with Duncan. And he wasn't too pleased about my getting the first passenger train either."

Luke chuckled.

"I did warn him that the last thing he needed was to be covered in a tarp again; and if it happens, I'd know all about it! That shut him up!" Continued the old engine with a chuckle, and Luke burst out laughing. Skarloey had told him all about his early years, and they were rather amusing stories to listen to.

"It's strange to think how defiant and bouncy he used to be," Luke continued.

"Oh, believe me, boyo you wouldn't have recognized him over 150 years ago," Said Rheneas with a weary sigh. "He really is remarkable though; and though times may have been hard here once, I never once wanted to be anywhere else, with anyone else; and neither did he. We were both determined to keep the railway going and not let it be sold and torn up." He finished.

Luke breathed in awe at Rheneas's confession. It was rare to hear either Rheneas or Skarloey give such a personal view of those days; they normally just told them as they had happened, or never talked about them at all.

Just then, Luke saw his crew returning from their tea break, chatting as they usually did. He was about to call out a friendly greeting to them and ask them how their break went, when he heard his driver, Geoffrey Heron, say something that completely changed his life.

"… you know, Rich, I never intended to end up driving a small engine; especially not one of the smallest engines in the narrow-gauge engine range. I've always dreamed of driving an Express engine, like Flying Scotsman. It's been my dream ever since I was a teenager, and…"

Luke felt something wet forming in his eyes, and he rapidly blinked to try and eliminate the dampness building up.

"… Luke, are you okay?" Asked Rheneas in concern, seeing Luke's pale face. "You looked like you were about to say something… and then got the news that your best friend died."

Luke glanced over at his driver and fireman, still in disbelief that his driver, his best friend, could ever say such a horrible thing. After all, Mr. Heron and Mr. Wilson were at a distance away from the two engines, maybe he'd just misheard what his driver had said?

It seemed very possible; but the more he played the scene over in his mind, the more he tried to prove that he had just heard wrong; the louder Mr. Heron's words got, and the more certain Luke became that he was, much to his dismay, very much correct.

His eyes hardened as he glanced over at his driver, still chatting with Richard as though he hadn't cared about the possibility of Luke hearing those words.

"I guess, in a way, you're right, Rheneas." Luke said coldly. The mere change in his tone frightened Rheneas.

Though he didn't know what had happened, he was concerned for his friend's wellbeing. He made a mental note to pass the word on to Skarloey and the others; so they could keep an eye on him.

After all, it wasn't like Luke to say something like that; especially not to his friends, or his beloved crew.