Emily has been on good terms with Donald and Douglas ever since she and Thomas worked with them at Arlesburgh. Then after a little trouble one winter with a shipment of steel pipes and a giant snowball, Donald and Douglas made it up to Emily by giving her a Christmas tree all to herself. Then Emily had worked with Donald after Douglas had an accident, helping save Skiff from a storm, finding Dilly again and managing ballast trips with Donald. In short, Emily's sibling relationship with the Scottish Twins was spot on.

But one night, while the rest of the island was asleep, David Rider was outside the house he had been living in ever since he moved to Sodor. He was staring at the moon and gripping an old newspaper he had held onto for a long while, lost in thought. He was thinking lately about that night he and Emily saw Lawrence appear before them. Being a dedicated son, David would not go back on the promise he made to his father. He really wanted to explore the whole of Sodor over time so he could enjoy every aspect he could, but before he could do that, something was holding him back. Ever since he came to Sodor, and even for a little while when he was still doing goods deliveries onboard the Sea Emperor, a secret shadow of anger was hidden within him. He never showed it, but it was always in him to feel every once in a while. Among the other aspects in his life, there was one thought that had stuck with him like glue ever since he first heard about it. This thought had formed a grudge he held against a certain someone, or two. And Emily would find out very soon exactly what this was all about.

David stood up, still looking at the moon. "I will not let…them…stand in the way of my happiness…or Emily's." And he walked inside to go to bed.

The next morning, as the sun began to rise and light up Arlesburgh, Donald and Douglas woke up, rather keen to start work together. There was to be a passenger tour for the harbour that afternoon, and they were eager to be a part of that.

"Well, Donnie. This tour ought to be a fine one. Don't you think?" said Douglas.

"Aye. Always a bonnie job to oblige to fellow passengers," said Donald. And the two brothers set off to start work until the tour would be due.

Meanwhile, at Knapford Sheds, the sunrise was peaking beautifully through the windows. Fast asleep, inside the shed, Percy and Emily were snoring away after enjoying another mother-to-son ritual the previous night, like Percy proposed some time ago to help Emily feel less lonely.

As she felt the sunlight beaming on her face, Emily woke up and yawned. Then she looked to Percy who was still sleeping happily in her hold. She giggled happily as she puckered her lips and began kissing Percy's cheek to wake him up.

Percy giggled as he felt Emily's lips on his face. Then he woke up and saw her lovely smile.

"Good morning, sweetie," Emily greeted.

"Good morning, mother," Percy replied. "Did you enjoy last night?"

"Very much, Percy," said Emily. Then she looked outside. "Goodness, Percy! Look at that sun!"

Percy looked out and saw the pinkish clouds against the sun. "What a sight to wake up to!" he peeped happily.

"Well, Percy. We should start the day now. Good luck with the mail," said Emily.

"Thank you, Emily," said Percy. And they set off together to start their day's work.

At Knapford Station, Percy collected the mail wagons and waited at the platform for his green flag. Just then, the Thin Controller came out of the office with an envelope and approached Percy.

"Excuse me, Percy?" he said.

"Yes, Mr. Percival? What is it?" said Percy.

"This envelope has a passenger ticket for the tour of Arlesburgh harbour…and I wondered if our new friend David would be at all interested in the opportunity."

Emily heard that and thought this would be a possibility for David to explore the harbour, as a starter for what Lawrence wished of his son.

"I think that'd do nicely for David, sir," said Emily. "If Percy sees him, he can give it to him."

"Of course," said Percy. So the envelope was placed in a mail bag and placed onboard one of the mail wagons. Then the green flag waved and Percy was off. Along the way, he delivered the mail easy as pie, keeping watch for David to see if he would take the ticket.

Eventually, Percy stopped at Maithwaite Station to deliver more mail…and to his surprise, David was there, watching other trains go by. This was Percy's chance.

"Oh! David?" he whistled. "Good morning! We have something for you!"

A workman came by and checked the envelope for David, then handed it to him. David opened it and saw the ticket, and a small letter from the Thin Controller with it. He began to read it, but then suddenly frowned when he saw Donald and Douglas' name on the ticket, implying they would be pulling the train. He looked up at Percy with disinterest. Percy was puzzled.

Then suddenly, David tossed the envelope over his shoulder and walked away. "Keep it," he said as he left the station. "I have other things to be doing."

"What?" Percy asked. "What did he do that for?"

His driver shrugged and picked up the envelope. "I don't know, Percy. Something's clearly eating him. Maybe we should just give the ticket to someone else who may want to take the tour."

And Percy carried on with his mail run, but he didn't understand why David would turn down an offer like that. No one had ever done that with anything Percy delivered. He thought he should mention this to Emily when he next saw her.

When he did, Emily was perplexed with David's motion when she heard it from Percy.

"Oh…that's strange," said Emily. "I'll talk with him tonight, Percy. I promise."

"Alright, Emily," said Percy.

In Arlesburgh, the passenger tour went well, even without David being a part of it. Even Donald and Douglas hadn't heard of him yet. They both performed nicely and the passengers were all rather happy with the tour.

By the time Emily's work was finished, it was nearly dark. When she returned to Tidmouth Sheds, the other engines were already asleep…but she saw a few things that caught her eye. David was outside her berth beside the track, standing rather still. In his hand, he held a newspaper…the one he had the previous night. Beside him, between Emily and Molly's track, he had a wooden stand that had a big map of Sodor on it.

"David?" Emily whispered as she backed into her berth. "What are you doing here…and what's the map for?"

David looked up and seemed rather annoyed and restrained. Emily felt nervous. "David…are you alright?" she asked carefully.

"I've been better," he said gruffly.

"Well…I was looking for you today. Percy told me that you were given a ticket invitation for a tour of Arlesburgh harbour…and you rejected it. Why?"

"Well, I was busy getting some springs," said David. "The ones in my bed are a little weak, and I wanted to be ready. I was also busy getting some aluminum and iron springs to see if Daisy would be at all interested, and I sent them off to her. Just a little helping hand for her."

"Out with it, David," said Emily. "Why did you reject the ticket Mr. Percival sent you?"

David felt as though he could share his true thoughts with his father's engine and decided to speak the truth.

"Well, Emily," he said intently. "I thought the ticket was a big tease to me…especially given the names I saw of who was going to pull that train!"

"Why would you say that?" asked Emily. "When I heard about it this morning, I thought it would be a good start for you reaching out to the island like your father wanted you to do."

"Well, I want to fulfill his wish, no doubt. But given what you've been through all these years…and recently, I figured you would know why I rejected that ticket!" David replied.

"Well, I don't know what you're talking about!" Emily said, starting to get exasperated. "If you're thinking about Gordon and James bragging about pulling the express, you are wrong! They weren't the ones taking that Arlesburgh passenger tour, and I do not want you teasing or targeting them as such!"

"That's right," David said more quietly. "They weren't the ones pulling that train. Teasing Gordon and James doesn't matter to me like it did to Thomas. For a year and a half now, my personal target…has been two twin brothers."

Emily was confused at first, until David showed her the newspaper he was holding onto. It was dated two winters ago, and he turned a few pages in, until a small headline appeared. Emily looked and suddenly remembered.

"EMILY BADLY DERAILED ADMIST DONALD AND DOUGLAS' ARGUING," the headline said. Emily looked up and saw David looking her directly in the eyes. When he spoke, she could feel his anger building inside him.

"How is it that two Scottish twins, who have a sheer distaste for diesels and their devious deeds, had the nerve, the gall, and the audacity to try and seriously harm the most beautiful engine Sodor will ever see? How did they escape with nothing but a scolding, while your Christmas spirit was destroyed?!"

Emily now understood why David was suddenly so different compared to how he started out on Sodor and immediately answered. "So that's why you refused the ticket," she said. "How did you hear about my accident?"

"During my goods deliveries at sea, I picked up that news two winters ago," said David. "I knew most of Thomas' stories and some stories about you…but I NEVER imagined something like that would ever happen to you!"

Emily sighed. "Well, look, David. Donald and Douglas did cause me great trouble that day. That's a given. I was indeed quite frightened when I saw that snowball coming for me, and their arguing had gotten so out of hand, I had to scare them back with my temper to make them help me. And even as we approached Vicarstown, they were arguing among themselves again. That's a given too, but that doesn't mean they're bad engines…"

David didn't answer and placed a hand in his pocket. Out came four, fine-edged darts. Instead of him using a dart target, it became clear to Emily. He was going to throw the darts at the map of Sodor.

"David, exactly what are you doing?" she asked.

"Where are Donald and Douglas, Emily?" David asked back. "They caused you great fright and undeserved pain that day, and they need repercussion and consequence for such actions. I do NOT wish to hurt them. I only intend to give them a piece of my mind."

This told Emily that David would not do anything serious to the twins, but being Donald and Douglas' sister figure, she decided to hide some truth to protect them from any verbal attack they didn't deserve.

"I don't remember where they mainly work, and until you calm down about the matter, I won't bother to help you find them!" she wheeshed defensively. This woke Molly up as she looked over and saw David and the map.

"Well, let's see if I can do something to refresh your memory," David said as he took aim at the map with the first dart. "Now, as I asked before…where are they, Emily? Douglas, for example…is he on Rocky…RIDGE?!"

On "ridge," he suddenly threw a dart at the map, hitting right next to the "Lakeside," label, where the Rocky Ridge Line was located.

"…or Crovan's Gate…STATION?!" and on "station," another dart hit the "Crovan's Gate," label.

"What do you think, Molly?" David asked, looking at her.

"Hmph!" Molly sniffed, then went back to sleep.

"Hmm. I see," David pondered as he prepared the third dart. "Right smack in the middle at Blue Mountain Quarry…UHH!" And the third dart struck on the "Blue Mountain," label.

"Am I getting warm?" David grinned.

"I told you, I don't remember!" Emily replied stubbornly.

"Don't you realize an accident like that could cost a life?" David huffed with frustration as he threw the last dart at the map's sea. "I just wanted to issue a warning to them. For your own well-being and happy life. You were my father's engine after all, and I for one will NOT see them jeopardizing your happiness here ever again!"

"Please, David!" Emily begged as he retrieved the darts and put them away. "You don't know everything that really happened when-"

"Yes, Emily!" David glared. "I know all-too well of what they did to you two winters ago, trying to kill you when you were only trying to help them out! And their drivers agreed to let them swap back, proving they didn't care about you either! But you mustn't fear. Their arguments and excuses will be WORTHLESS against the power of the greatest sailor in the whole of Britain!"

"The greatest sailor in the whole of Britain was Sailor John…but for all the wrong reasons!" snapped Emily.

"Sailor John is GONE! Now, I'm going to teach those Scottish deceivers a lesson! You didn't do anything wrong that day, Emily…but they…they tried to kill you! Th-those TERRIBLE engines! Ohh, if only I was there that day, I'd show them!"

"Rubbish, David!" said Emily. "They DID NOT try to kill me! It was a situational, accidental circumstance! And to answer your earlier question, my Christmas spirit was NOT destroyed! They apologized sincerely to me and gave me a beautiful Christmas tree all for myself, and they had a choir sing "Silent Night," for me! My favourite Christmas song ever!"

This made David's anger fade a little and he looked a little surprised to hear that from Emily.

"And given your animosity against them right now…that reminds me," Emily continued. "Last summer, Thomas had a journey beyond Sodor to a Steelworks of sorts which was quite perilous for him…but that's not the point. Just a few nights before he went on that journey…I actually had a dream about you."

"About me?" David asked with surprise.

"Yes," said Emily. "The first time I ever saw you was in a dream. I was on a rail raft in the middle of the ocean when your ship came by and hauled me on deck. You came out and found me. I urged you to come home with me to Sodor, but you rejected as you were too busy at sea…then you mentioned how your fellow workers would argue over you leaving your work at sea. I compared it to how I was caught between Donald and Douglas…and then you told me to 'Stay away from those Scotsmen.' Those were your exact words…then you dropped me off at Brendam Docks, and I woke up."

"Hmm…" said David. "That's quite interesting. You dreamt of me even before we met…but when it comes to what I said about Donald and Douglas in that dream…I'd say that advice is pitch-perfect! Those words mean something here and now too, Emily! You stay away from those Scotsmen!"

"Too late for that, David," said Emily. "I've worked with Donald quite a bit already after Douglas had an accident. We are all well-connected as brothers and sister! I implore you to give them a chance! Then you'll see they mean well!"

David opened his mouth to speak, but then settled again, thinking about what Emily said. He didn't want to disobey her since he liked her so much, like his father did.

"Because I care for you, and because I want to oblige to what you wish for…I won't disrespect them, Emily…but I won't praise them either. If you want me to open up to them, they'll have to prove their worth to me directly or indirectly, with or without my demanding."

"Hmm. Fair enough," said Emily. David took the map of Sodor, folded it up as much as he could and placed it in his coat pocket. He then placed the wooden stand off to the side of the shed to move later. But as he turned to leave, he spoke an omen that would continue to play out for a quite a while.

"But if anything should happen to you again, by their doing…" he said as he turned around to Emily once more. "Let's match the power of David Rider, Captain of the Sea Emperor against the famous Donald and Douglas."

And with that, he turned once again and walked away into the night, leaving Emily to wonder exactly how the next few days would carry out between her brother figures, and her new friend…


The next day, Donald and Douglas had duties on the main line and started their day out at Knapford Station. David was there, watching them casually, but looking out for any dodgy behaviour. When the whistle blew, Donald and Douglas set off. David immediately left the station and waved down Bertie as he approached the entrance. David got onboard and rode Bertie alongside the line.

As Bertie sped along, David gazed out the window at Donald and Douglas. He was sure they were talking as he saw their mouths move. Through Bertie's entrance door, David could hear their voices faintly, and clearly heard displeasure and disagreement. It was clear that they were arguing. David looked further down the line and suddenly saw a signal turn red, and Edward was coming from another line. Donald and Douglas were still arguing and not paying attention to the red signal until Edward whistled with alarm.

"Oh dear! Look out, Edward!" called Douglas. He and Donald applied their brakes hard and just managed to stop before Edward's line as he huffed on forward.

"Douglas! You have to watch where you're going! You almost hit me!" Edward scolded behind him.

"Donnie, you nae should have started all this!" huffed Douglas. "I dinna want to hurt our dear Edward!"

"You didnae pay attention to the signal!" snapped Donald.

David shook his head as Bertie kept on his way until he got off a few stations later. He then took time to walk along the line on the road until he saw Donald and Douglas come along again. This time, they were approaching a set of points from other tracks. On one line, James was coming along with a goods train, and Percy was taking Annie and Clarabel for the day.

Donald and Douglas missed another signal, but Douglas caught on and applied the brakes again. When he and Donald stopped, their train was blocking both James and Percy's lines.

"Uhh, come on!" James exclaimed impatiently. "What's the holdup?!"

"Donald! Douglas! I have passengers to help!" called Percy.

"It was Douggie!" Donald complained. "He missed our signal!"

"Nae! You didnae alert me for that signal!" argued Douglas.

And they started arguing all over again, not making any effort to move for James or Percy.

David was not convinced by Emily's words. He decided to cut in to help James and Percy.

"Well! So much for being practical and proud!" he called out to the twins, who stopped arguing and looked at David as he called out some more. "You aren't being really useful, responsible or reliable at this rate!" And he walked on, leaving Donald and Douglas perplexed. They had no idea who that person was or why he suddenly called them out. They had never done anything to him.

"What be that lad's problem?" asked Donald.

"Must be another grumpy passenger, like the one who ruins the express for some," huffed Douglas. "Come on now, brother!" And they set off again, settled down for once.

"Finally!" huffed James as he continued with his train.

"Come on, Annie and Clarabel," said Percy. "We can go now."

"Very good, Percy," said Annie and Clarabel. David didn't bother to follow Donald and Douglas anymore and just turned around and walked back for the station to wait for another train to ride back to Knapford Station and hang around the village there until he saw Emily again.

That evening, Emily returned to Knapford Station to see David sitting on a bench on the platform.

"Hello, David," she said. "Did you try anything with Donald and Douglas yet?"

"Yes and no," said David. "I observed their behaviour since this morning. They didn't run into you, I can see…but they still caused some trouble for Edward, James and Percy. They missed a signal and nearly crashed into Edward, and they held up James and Percy's trains! They would not stop arguing over absolutely stupid, trivial and absurd reasons! They seem to spawn an argument over nothing! It's pretty clear they aren't very trustworthy when they work together!"

Emily listened to what David had said and was ready to answer. "Well, I can understand your point of view as far as their arguing goes. They can be very quarrelsome indeed. But that's how siblings are. They argue over small things quite commonly. But that doesn't make them a bad sort."

David sighed. "I just can't believe their arguing got you into such an unexpected and ill-spirited predicament."

"It may not be easy for you, David, but I urge you to open yourself up to those twins and give them another chance," Emily replied. "There will be a time when they behave responsibly, and when they do, they can be really useful. Now if you'll excuse me, I have something to do myself. I'll see you tomorrow, David." And she set off by herself while David made his way home.

Donald and Douglas were both waiting at a red signal at a junction on their way back to Arlesburgh, when Emily came by to see them.

"Donald? Douglas?" she called.

"Oh! Hello, Emily," said Donald. "What brings you here?"

"My brothers," said Emily. "Did you see David anywhere during your day's work?"

"David? Who is David?" asked Donald.

"Young looking man. Purple shirt, black sailing coat?" said Emily.

Douglas remembered. "Aye, Emily. That's his name? He just seemed like a grumpy passenger to me."

"Aye, calling us out during our little quarrel on the line with James and Percy!" said Donald.

"He is not a grumpy passenger," Emily corrected. "He is my original driver's son!"

"Lawrence?" said Douglas, suddenly feeling sad over his death. "I'm so sorry, Emily. I never knew Lawrence was a father."

"Neither did I," said Emily. "But David is his son, yes. He's been with us for several months now. He used to be a Navy member when he was much younger, and he captained his own ship, the Sea Emperor. Then when he heard of Lawrence's death he decided to come live here in his stead."

"Ohh," said Donald. "Most interesting, Emily."

"Lawrence seemed to like us well enough," said Douglas. "But why did David show so little enthusiasm for us? I know we weren't doing our best today…"

"Well…he's rather touchy about what happened to me two winters ago," Emily explained. "That's why he must have approached you with disinterest today…but I'm trying to make him see past that. You see, he doesn't know everything that happened between us over this past little while. I hope that if we all give each other time, he can be a good friend to the two of you."

"Oh…well, I hope he can come to like us," said Donald. "He'd surely understand better once he knows everything aboot us and you."

"I believe he could be a fine addition to our vocabulary of friends," said Douglas. "He certainly know how to speak up in a quarrelsome situation."

"I hope he can warm up to you too," said Emily. "Maybe he just needs time to get used to you. Have a good evening, you two." And Emily set off for home while Donald and Douglas returned to Arlesburgh. As night fell over the island, Donald and Douglas fell asleep, wondering what David would bring to them, good or unpleasant. And Emily fell asleep, hoping for a fair outcome for the situation.

But that night, as he slept in bed, David was dreaming something terrible and frightful for him to see in his mind…

David was on Gordon's Hill, when he heard Emily's voice.

"Wait! No! I don't think this is a good idea! Please, you two! I can't hold the train!"

On the line beside him, a long train of steel pipes was creaking and groaning at the angle of the hill, when it slowly began to slip down again. David could hear the voices of Donald and Douglas arguing above him higher up the en suddenly, a giant snowball thundered right past him. He looked down to where it was going and gasped. He saw Emily struggling against the heavy flatbeds down below and trapped against the oncoming snowball.

"Emily! Look out! EMILY!" he yelled as he began running down the hill.

Emily was at the back of the train, straining against the weight, when she looked up and gasped. The snowball was coming down…straight for her!

"Oh no, oh no! Oh NOOO!" cried Emily. She cried out again and shut her eyes.

And suddenly, the snowball hit her head-on, right in the boiler and burying her deep in snow as it sprawled her over. A big cloud of snow burst into the air and all that could be seen beneath it was a big blanket of snow. Nothing else.

"EMILY!" David yelled as he felt himself spiraling away from her…

Agh!" David exclaimed as he woke up and looked around. His clock read 5:30 a.m. He frantically got out of bed, washed up, dressed and ran down to Tidmouth Sheds as the night began to brighten into morning. To his relief, Emily was there, perfectly alright…but after the nightmare he had, his anger had just been reopened and with a basic image of what happened to Emily, he forgot all about the promise he made to her about not disrespecting the twins. He immediately went to find a certain engine to talk to and make arrangements with…and Donald and Douglas' belief about David would soon be greatly challenged.

It was rather cloudy and bleak when morning came. Emily and Gordon were at Knapford Station, waiting for their passenger trains to be ready. Emily looked up and could only see white and grey clouds everywhere. It was a rather colourless and cool day. She also noticed that David was nowhere to be seen.

"Hmm. Gordon? Have you seen David at all this morning?" she asked.

"Well…I recall seeing him riding with Caitlin as I came here earlier," said Gordon. "She has no work for today. That's all I know."

"On Caitlin?" said Emily. "I wonder why he'd go with her…" And she set off with her passengers, having very little idea of exactly what David would soon do out there…

Donald and Douglas, meanwhile had passengers of their own to take to Black Loch. Since Emily's passengers were bound for the main line stations, Donald and Douglas were chosen to take the Black Loch route. With the cloudy day above them, the passengers were not as pleased as they could have been on a clear day, but still took the chance to walk around the beautiful route while Donald and Douglas waited. They gazed at the lake and the cliffs around them, and the castle across the lake.

"A fine place, ain't' it, Donnie?" said Douglas, trying to make conversation.

"Aye indeed," said Donald. "A lovely place for any engine to be."

Unawares to Donald and Douglas, Caitlin was hiding behind the bend by the cliff, and David had stepped outside of Caitlin, listening to everything the twins were saying.

"It's easy to see why Emily loves it here, isn't it, Douggie?" said Donald.

"Aye. And Thomas loves it here too…wherever he may be out in the world right now," pondered Douglas. "…I just wonder when he'll be back."

"Hard to know, brother," Donald replied blankly.

"He was quite a persistent little lad when he was here with the rest of us," said Douglas. "He was certainly cheeky, but he still persisted to do his best whenever he could. I just wonder what stories he may have to tell us…and tell Emily when he comes back."

"We're also persistent lads, Douglas. Even if it can even be exhausting at times, we still be hard workers, do doubt," said Donald.

"If only we didnae argue as much as we did," said Douglas. "I still hear Emily's yells of anger that day…we should have been together at the back in the first place."

"And Douggie…just what could be up with that David fellow?" asked Donald. "Even though we were arguing a-plenty yesterday, I wonder if he could have been a little more open up to us, like he did with the rest of the Steam Team. We'd never did anything to him, unlike what accidentally happened to Emily…"

A few seconds later, Donald and Douglas looked ahead…and there was David, walking solidly towards them. All the passengers turned to look, and Donald and Douglas just looked at the young captain, who had a look of strained frustration in his eye.

"It seems, despite your exhaustive, persistent strategies, you still have a relentless arguing problem, Numbers 9 and 10," David said coldly. "And I'm afraid it's quite extensive. How dare you stand where she stood. Tell them how it happened that winter! Tell them how you LOOKED her in the eye - an engine who TRUSTED you - and tried to KILL her! Tell them!"

Before Donald and Douglas could speak, Caitlin suddenly steamed out from behind the bend into view, with a look of steel fury in her eyes. She had no idea of what happened to Emily when she saw her arrive at Vicarstown that day before she left herself. Such a thought filled Caitlin with a strong sense of anger too.

Suddenly, she took a short, but sudden lunge toward Donald and Douglas, hissing steam loudly. Donald and Douglas began to reverse ever-so slightly in little waves of fear. Then Caitlin lunged again, slightly faster and hissing more steam. Then another lunge. Donald and Douglas reversed quickly with the empty coaches rolling behind them, and off the Black Loch property.

Caitlin then began to chase the twins head-on, as if she were about to crash into them, even if she had a skirt instead of buffers. Suddenly, Donald and Douglas reversed so roughly that their coach coupling jolted off their tender and they both retreated down another line to escape Caitlin.

"COWARDS!" Caitlin yelled after them before looking at the coaches. "Well, I had no work today. I may as well make myself useful."

After finding a wye line and turning herself around on it, Caitlin retrieved the empty coaches and returned to the Black Loch property to take the passengers on their way until their run was done back to Knapford Station. While the passengers were on schedule, they were all a little confused about what happened at Black Loch and why.

David got off of Caitlin and left the station before the passengers got off. Then as the passengers left their coaches, Caitlin heard Emily's whistle as she pulled up alongside the streamlined engine.

"Hello, Caitlin," said Emily. "You seem angry. What's wrong?"

"Oh. Hi, Emily," said Caitlin. "Earlier today, I heard the most monstrous scheme I ever imagined! I never knew all this time, that Donald and Douglas tried to…to…to do away with you, two winters past!"

"What? No! Never!" Emily exclaimed. "Where would you get such a thought?!" All the passengers who were still on the platform turned and listened as Caitlin answered.

"I remember glimpsing you when you came to Vicarstown that day as I left…I could see you were spotted with snow…but David and I were at Black Loch today, and we heard Donald and Douglas mention you and David. Then David walked out and accused them of such. After what he demanded Donald and Douglas to confess to the passengers that they had tried to kill you that winter…I…I could hardly bear such a thought about you. So I went for them. I lunged for them like an angry mother bear protecting her cubs, as it were."

"Excuse me, Caitlin," said Emily. And she told Caitlin all about that incident just being an accident, how Donald and Douglas were very sorry and how they made amends the very next day. And about how she helped Donald while Douglas was away. When Emily finished explaining, Caitlin felt quite ashamed, and the passengers all settled down. They now understood just as well as Emily did about the twins as they left the platform.

"I'm so sorry, Emily," Caitlin sighed. "I didn't know it was just an accident. Just so you know, Donald and Douglas are both okay, they're alright. They just left very quickly and I helped their passengers the rest of the way. I'll apologize to them as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Caitlin," said Emily. Then she frowned. "And I think I have to talk to David."

"Thank you, Emily," said Caitlin as she set off again.

Later that evening, after Emily had finished all her work for the day, she saw David on the platform at Knapford again. She remembered everything Caitlin had told her and was ready to get a little rough.

"David!" Emily said loudly. David looked up alertly.

"Yes, Emily?" he asked, sounding nervous.

"What were you thinking?! You assured me that you would NOT disrespect Donald and Douglas!" Emily scolded. "And only two days after that promise, you break it by hiding inside Caitlin and making her think they tried to kill me, when I CLEARLY told you they did NOT try to!"

David sighed and explained himself. "Well, Emily. Last night, I had a terrible nightmare about your accident." As he described the nightmare, Emily listened to everything and understood his point of view again.

"Hmm. Well, your nightmare was pretty close, David. Except the snowball didn't hit me head-on. It just hit my tender and lurched it right over. I was partially sprawled over, but not buried."

"Well, that makes me feel a little better," David replied. "I'm very sorry, Emily. I want to hold my promise to 's just that, that nightmare made me feel a great wave of anger that I couldn't hold in for your sake. You lost an old friend, and I lost a father. I couldn't bear to lose you too!"

Emily managed to smile. "I admire that you care so much about me, David. That's what friends do. They care for each other very dearly. But in Donald and Douglas' case, I have an order to make of you. NOT a request. An order."

"I'm a captain, you know…but what order is that, Emily?" asked David.

"Do not make the same mistakes that Thomas would with his 'inner demon,' as we called it," Emily ordered. "There was a time when Thomas would go to major extremes just to defend me from insults or accidents. I won't talk about all the details now, but I'll just say, while it was to assure my safety and happiness, it was still a dangerous trait of his until he managed to vanquish it with Edward's help as well as mine."

David nodded. "Yes, Emily. I will hold to this order. No exceptions. And as I told you two days ago, I don't want to harm Donald and Douglas by any means. It's not in my person to do so. I just wanted them to know that if they ever did do anything wrong to you, accidentally or intentionally, I would be very unamused by the matter."

Emily straightened her lip as she left the station and David went home. As it turned out, David's first encounter with Donald and Douglas was rather heated and unpleasant. He had seen how the twins behaved together, and he didn't like what he saw. But next, he would observe how they worked separately. There was no telling yet on whether it would be a better or worse result for David to see for himself. Only time would tell.


Alright, our next big story is here, Jeremy has practically been itching to get to this one since almost of it was his idea. Get ready for more drama, cause there's an insane amount more coming in the upcoming chapters. Until then, leave your reviews, tell us what you thought of it, and we'll see you all in the next chapter.