Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Yes, I know it's early and it's been months since I last posted anything, but here's something I'm working on in the run-up to Valentine's Day, a string of backstories for the shippings and pairings I support. I understand and know that there are other shippings and/or pairings you support and I totally respect that. So here we go with this first story!

Thomas & Rosie - The Playful Couple

Written by Scrubb1910

Thomas Billinton was just a typical run-of-the-mill young train enthusiast. If it was one thing Thomas loved, it was the old steam locomotives. He and his best friend Percy Postgate was there, too. Percy had been a childhood friend of his, even if he was a year younger. The two got up to mischief at times but were also polite and helpful. Little did Thomas know he was about to meet someone with so much in common...

He was waiting on the platform seeing a big blue tender locomotive passing by on a railtour. Thomas had just taken a good shot. He backed up a bit to fit the engine and the coaches it was hauling, but as he was doing so, he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oof!"

Thomas was sitting on the platform dazed and surprised. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't see you there..."

"No, that's okay," the girl replied, "I've bumped into a few things in my time."

"I'm...I'm Thomas," the teenage boy replied. The girl had red hair tied in pigtails and wore a cherry-red jacket underneath a lavender pink t-shirt exposing her belly, black denim shorts and red hi-tops.

"I'm Rosie," she introduced, "probably because of my red hair, maybe."

"Nice to meet you, Rosie," Thomas managed to say. "Do you...like trains?"

"Like 'em? I love 'em!" the tomboy replied.

"Me, too! The old steam trains?" asked Thomas

"Uh-huh!"

Thomas had been smitten by the girl. He felt his heart skip a beat or two. He blushed and smiled and so did Rosie.

"So, uh...wanna go out sometime?" asked Thomas. "Maybe we could get to know each other a bit more, please."

"Totally!" agreed Rosie. Then, she looked at her watch. "Oh, is it that time already? So sorry to cut things short, but I'll see you around later!"

"Alright, see you later, then," smield Thomas. "And welcome to Ffarquhar!"

The two smiled and Rosie set off. Just then, Percy turned up.

"Thomas! Thomas! Have you ever seen the most amazing thing ever?"

"Yes, Percy," Thomas managed to say.

"The North Western No. 4 in action - have you ever seen anything like that?" But Thomas' mind was on something else.

"Thomas? Thomas?" asked Percy.

"Hm? Oh! Sorry, Percy, it was, uh...it was amazing," Thomas suddenly answered.

"Are you okay? Did you fall over or something?" Percy wanted to know.

"I think I've fallen in love, Percy."

"With who? A railway engine?" asked Percy?

"A girl...named Rosie," sighed Thomas dreamily and then he explained about her. Percy then realised what his friend was talking about.

"You fancy her, don't you?" he asked cheekily.

Thomas didn't care. Sooner or later, he would meet her up again even when he'd least expect it!

And that's it for this first story - what will happen from then on? Stay tuned and find out next time!