A/N: My dear readers, sorry for having made all of you wait so long. I've been very busy and I had no time to write anything. But the fourth chapter is here at last and I hope the wait has been worthwhile.

For the guest who asked for some FlynnXBelle's romances: I'm sorry to have to say that I don't think about them as a loving couple, so it'll be very hard for me to write about them. Anyway, thanks for reading this story.

Guest 4: Thanks for being a faithful follower of this story. It's a pleasure to read your beautiful comments.

I hope this chapter fills your expectations. :)


CHAPTER IV

TUNNEL OF LOVE


"I wouldn't change this moment for anything in the world…" -Caitlin


Gordon was going fast as lightning towards Ulfstead Castle. He knew that Caitlin was still there, because when he arrived at Maron Station the signalman told him that she had not returned yet. "I must arrive before she leaves the castle," he thought. "I'll never forgive myself if something bad happens to her." As he approached his destination, he was even more eager to see Caitlin. But when he finally arrived at the castle station, what he saw broke his heart: Caitlin was crying inconsolably…

The scene was lamentable. Caitlin's face was covered with tears. Her fireman was trying to encourage her, but she insisted that she would not get to arrive at the mainland on the conditions under which she was. She hardly had strength to move her wheels and could not keep her eyes open for long. As for her passengers, they were complaining about the delay. This day had been hottest than the previous one and they did not want to wait anymore.

"She's suffering for my fault!" thought Gordon. He slowly approached Caitlin and swallowed hard. "Caitlin…," he said.

Caitlin held her breath. She knew that voice. It was the magnificent manly voice she loved so much. She opened her eyes and it took her some seconds to focus properly. Then she saw Gordon on the next track and felt that her heart was going to explode by the emotion. "Gordon?" she whispered tearfully. "W-what are you… doing here?" Gordon swallowed hard again. "I came to help you," he responded softly. "I'll take your passengers to the mainland, while you stay here to sleep." Caitlin looked at him in surprise, without being able to believe that he was really there to help her. "But… what about the Express?" she asked.

"Emily is taking it for me. I'll take your passengers now. You need a rest."

It was true that Caitlin needed a rest, but she did not want to be separated from Gordon. So she quickly thought of a better solution. "I really thank you, Gordon… but… I prefer you to push me to the mainland, so we can talk. I've something to tell you… something that hurts me inside."

Gordon smiled sweetly. He had an even better solution. "I also have something to tell you, Caitlin, something that hurts me inside. Please go to get some sleep while I take your passengers, and when I return..." Gordon paused and added softly, "I... I'll spend the night with you… so we can talk alone as much as we want."

Caitlin almost fainted. She was going to spend the night alone with Gordon! That was much better than she would have imagined. "Ok," she said, unable to control her joy, "I'll go to rest into the tunnel, near to the turntable. But, please, wake me up as soon as you return. Blow your whistle, or scream in my face, or hit me, whatever! Make a scandal! But wake me up, please?"

"Calm down. I won't miss this opportunity. I'll wake you up, I promise. But... with one condition."

"What is it?"

"You must be asleep."

"Ha! Ha! You funny!"

Both of them laughed. Then, Caitlin was uncoupled from her coaches and she looked at her saviour with affection. "Thank you, Gordon," she whispered as she began to move. "See you."

Gordon gave her the same charming wink of the previous day. "See you."

"My goodness!" thought Caitlin as she went to the turntable. "How can he be so lovely? He's going to kill me with those winks!" And, while her Prince Charming took her passengers, she turned around to enter the tunnel. She moved backwards until letting space enough for Gordon can enter when he returns. But, as the tunnel was not as long as to house the two engines completely, Caitlin's tender inevitably stayed outdoors. So some employees of the castle covered it with a tarpaulin to protect it, since the weather report announced rain in the night.

Caitlin sighed deeply and relaxed to rest. She remembered of Connor's words: "I'm sure if he falls in love with you, he'll do his utmost to spend a moment alone with you, even to spend… a night alone with you." Sweet Caitlin smiled. "Gordon," she whispered, "my lovely prince... I'm dying to know what you have to tell me..." And soon she fell asleep.

At that moment, dark clouds of rain began to cover the sky over Sodor.

Far from the castle, Gordon was puffing happily towards the mainland, smiling and blowing his whistle to all the engines who crossed with him. His friends already knew that he was helping Caitlin, because the news had spread quickly. So his friends were glad to see him happy again. But neither of them imagined he could be in love with Caitlin. Emily and Rosie had kept the rumour secret.

When Gordon arrived to the mainland, he left the passengers at Barrow Station and his driver informed the stationmaster about what had happened to Caitlin. Afterwards, Gordon went to a water tower to fill his tank up. Soon, Connor came up beside him. He had just arrived from Sodor.

"Hello Gordon! Thanks for helping Caitlin."

"It was a pleasure, Connor."

"But… where's she?"

"She stayed to sleep at Ulfstead Castle. She'll return tomorrow morning."

"Oh... I thought you were going to push her up to here."

"That was the idea, indeed. But I saw she was quite tired, so I asked her to let me do her job instead. Now I'll go back to the castle. She and I have some things to talk about."

Connor could not believe it. His face was brightened with a big smile. "Caitlin will be glad with that, Gordon," he said happily. "Finding a moment to talk with you was exactly what she wished. But before there's something you must to do."

"What is it?" asked Gordon confused.

"Sir Topham Hatt told me that he wants to speak with you. He's going to wait for you at Callan Castle."

Gordon gasped. Only now he remembered he did not notify Sir Topham Hatt about what he was doing. "Oh no…," he said, trembling with fear. "He shall be angry with me for having left the Express."

"I don't think so," soothed Connor. "When his meeting with the engineers had finished, he didn't get angry for I told him that Emily pulled the Express instead of you. Besides, he said he already knew that you went to Ulfstead Castle, because Sir Robert had just called him to give him thanks for having sent you to help Caitlin."

"Oh...," Gordon smiled with relief. "So, Sir Robert thought it was Sir Topham Hatt the one who sent me. That's funny!"

"And it was also funny how you went out of Knapford Station. You looked like an aeroplane!"

They both laughed.

"Well," said Gordon afterwards, "I just hope the conversation with my boss will not last long. I want to go back together with Caitlin as soon as possible."

Those words from Gordon made Connor even more eager to know if the 'sweet rumour' he heard from Emily and Rosie was true. Besides, as the good Guardian Angel he was; if Gordon was in love with Caitlin and wanted to spend the night with her, Connor had to be sure that he will do nothing to make Caitlin feel uncomfortable. So he decided to ask him.

"Gordon, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Do you feel something special for Caitlin?"

Gordon did not like the question. What he was feeling it was a secret that he kept under lock and key and did not want to tell anyone before talking with Caitlin. Besides, with that question he was immediately assailed by a doubt: how about if Connor was in love with Caitlin as well? Gordon knew that they were 'adoptive siblings', but nothing prevents that two adoptive siblings fall in love with each other... He armed himself with courage to respond with the true, because he felt that could not lie to Connor. "I think you deserve to know this, since you're her best friend," he said. "I just want this to remain between us."

"No problem."

Gordon swallowed hard. "I feel something very strong for Caitlin; something that I took my time to admit. I… I'm in love with her."

Much to Gordon's surprise, Connor smiled widely. "Did you really fell in love with her?"

"Y-yes. Do you agree?"

"Of course! You and she will be a good couple."

Gordon hardly believed what he just heard. "But… do you think she could also fall in love with me?"

"Well, all I know is that she likes you and is eager to talk with you alone."

"Then perhaps there is hope for me," said Gordon happily, looking at nothing.

Connor's smile faded and he frowned slightly. "But, whatever happens between you two this night; promise me you'll be kind to her. She's a strong, fast, enthusiastic engine, but she's also a delicate lady. So, please don't hurt her, okay?"

Gordon raised his eyebrows. "Connor... she's safe with me."

"Can I trust your word?"

"Of course you do."

Connor smiled again. "Thank you."

"You don't need to worry at all," soothed Gordon, smiling back. And at this moment he felt that his tank was already filled up. "I must go, Connor. Good night."

"Good night, Gordon. And good luck."

As Gordon started his journey to Sodor, Connor closed his eyes and thought affectionately of Caitlin, by imagining how happy she would feel at knowing that her love was requited. "My beloved sister... May this will be the best night of your life... May Gordon make you forget the bad experience of the past… I wish you enjoy every moment with him... You deserve it… As for you, Gordon, if Caitlin trusts you, I will do so too."

Connor went to his berth happily, feeling peace in his heart. And he did not stop sending good wishes to Caitlin.


Gordon crossed the Vicarstown Bridge pumping his pistons faster than ever. He was a bit confused about Connor's concern and could barely concentrate on his way. "Why did Connor think I would be able to hurt Caitlin?" he thought. "Am I so cruel like that? Or... did Caitlin tell him that I'm guilty of her disgrace for I've threw her out of Tidmouth Sheds last night? Oh dear... Can't wait to talk with my smiling shooting star and ask her for forgiveness!"

But the moment to meet up with Caitlin was still far away, because Gordon had first to go to Callan Castle where Sir Topham Hatt was waiting for him. And Callan Castle is far from Ulfstead Castle. Besides, there was something else that concerned Gordon: the sky was already totally overcast and thunder and lightning announced the imminent rain. Gordon did not want that Caitlin was awakened by a thunder, because, on seeing that he was not there, she could think that something bad had happened to him. Or, even worse, that he had abandoned her…

"Hurry! Hurry!" screamed Gordon to himself. But in spite of going very fast, the night had already fallen when he arrived at Callan Castle. Sir Topham Hatt went out to meet him and Gordon got nervous, but he was determined to tell the truth and accept any punishment.

"What's going on with you, Gordon?" asked Sir Topham Hatt in a calm tone. "You've been quite crestfallen and distracted today."

Gordon noticed that his boss was not cross with him, so he had courage to respond. "I was sad about Caitlin, sir," he began by saying. "Besides, I feel terrible because I'm guilty about what happened last night."

Sir Topham Hatt got surprised. Firstly, unlike James, Gordon was not so humble when it came to pleading guilty to something, and secondly; he did not imagine that Gordon had something to do with the fuss that Caitlin caused. "I don't understand..."

"Caitlin was very excited when she arrived to the sheds and it was obvious that she wasn't going to let us sleep. So I proposed her to take the mail train. Then, Henry proposed her to take the Flying Kipper and I supported him. That's why I feel guilty, sir. I was cruel to Caitlin and I deserve being punished." Gordon looked down.

Sir Topham Hatt remained silent for a moment. "Gordon," he said afterward, "there is nothing wrong with the fact that engines exchange their jobs sometimes, provided that they do it properly. I think the only one to blame was Caitlin for not being able to control her enthusiasm. So, I don't see any reason to punish you and don't understand why you say that you were cruel to her. It appears that you're only being hard to yourself."

Sir Topham Hatt was right. Gordon was being hard to himself. The love he felt for Caitlin did not allow him to forgive himself for having turned her away from his side, and that was the reason why he wanted to be punished. "Sir, I really was cruel to her," insisted Gordon. "She wanted to be with me, but I wanted to prove to myself that I felt nothing special for her. So I turned her away from my side. Please, sir, punish me. I just want to ask you to let me go to Ulfstead Castle to apologise to Caitlin. I had promised to spend the night with her and I don't want to disappoint her... Then, I'll accept any punishment from you."

Sir Topham Hatt raised his eyebrows. "You really are acting weird, Gordon," he said. "Is there something you're hiding?"

Gordon took a deep breath. "I fell in love with Caitlin, sir."

"O-oh..." Sir Topham Hatt smiled sweetly. This revelation from Gordon was a pleasant surprise to him. He always felt happy to know that his engines could experience romantic love. "So that's what is happening over here... My big, proud Nº 4 engine fell in love... I get it… Now I know why you left the Express to go to help her. You were lucky that Emily wasn't busy at that moment and could do your job."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Easy, it's all right. I see you've already learned what true love is like; forgetting yourself when it comes to helping the one you love. Just try not to cause confusion and delay because of love."

"So… do you agree with the fact that I'm in love with Caitlin, sir?"

"Totally agree. But, what about her?"

"Oh… well… I've not declared my love to her yet."

"Then I wish you good luck with it."

Gordon smiled. "Thank you, sir! Oh… and what about my punishment?"

"My goodness… Well, since you want to be punished at all costs; tomorrow morning you'll take the milk train to Brendam Docks while James takes the Express in your place, okay?"

"Excellent idea, sir!"

"Ha! Ha! You really are in love! Now go full steam ahead to Ulfstead Castle. The rain will fall at any moment. And don't forget to be at Knapford at 7:00 in the morning, did you listen well?"

"Yes, sir! Good night, sir!"

"Good night, Gordon!"

"Express coming through!" exclaimed Gordon and disappeared in a cloud of steam. Sir Topham Hatt stayed looking at him with a smile on his face. "Why do you say that, Gordon?" he thought. "You're not taking the Express now..."


Lightning lit up the sky more and more.

Gordon puffed down the line happily. His heart was beating faster as he approached his destination. He was grateful to Connor and Sir Topham Hatt for being in agreement with the fact that he was in love with Caitlin. He just hoped that Caitlin agrees as well…

Meanwhile, at Ulfstead Castle, Caitlin was sleeping soundly. She had woken up a couple of times because of the thunder but went back to sleep so fast that she did not have time to think about anything.

By the time Gordon finally arrived to his destination and began to climb the steep hill of the castle; the rain began to fall slowly. Minutes later, Gordon came into the tunnel where Caitlin was on and approached her. At first he had no courage to wake her up on seeing that she slept so peacefully, but he remembered that she had implored him to do it as soon as he returns. So he began to call her.

Caitlin did not wake up.

She kept sleeping soundly.

After several attempts, Gordon decided that he had to try another method. But it was not in his plans to blow his whistle, since it was late and it could bother the employees of the castle who slept in the tower just above the tunnel. It was not in his plans to hit Caitlin either. This he would never do. Then Gordon thought he had only one option: giving Caitlin a little push.

Gordon moved forward, carefully watching the space between his buffers and Caitlin's skirt. Despite of being an expert on soft couplings, this time he was very nervous. He did not want to damage Caitlin in any way. Besides, he still did not know if Caitlin's handrails would allow his buffers to touch the skirt of hers. But soon Gordon got a surprise: the handrails fitted perfectly between his buffers! He smiled as he softly touched Caitlin's skirt. "It appears that we were designed for each other," he thought. Then, Gordon looked up and saw Caitlin's face. It was the first time he was so close to her. "Oh dear... She... she's so beautiful..." Caitlin looked beautiful indeed. Her face was totally relaxed, showing her fine features; and her lips moved slightly to the rhythm of her breathing in an attractive way… Gordon could hardly contain himself. "Those sensual little lips..." An idea came to his mind. "How about if I wake her up with… a kiss?"

Gordon's lips were very close to Caitlin's. He was determined to kiss her. But, for some reason, when he was about to carry out his new plan he reversed his decision. "No… I can't do this... She doesn't know I'm in love with her... and I don't know if she'll fall in love with me... I can't do this..."

The reason why Gordon stopped is called RESPECT. Respect is the blood of love; the precious liquid that runs through its veins. Stealing Caitlin a kiss on the lips would be a total lack of respect. This kind of kiss should not be the result of a stealing, but the result of a requited love. Luckily, the respect that Gordon felt for Caitlin spoke louder than the selfish desire to kiss her lips without her consent. And Gordon still did not imagine how grateful he would feel for having waited for the right moment...

Gordon proceeded to give Caitlin a little push and stopped as soon as he felt that she had moved some centimetres. Then, Gordon slowly moved back. On seeing that Caitlin's skirt had suffered no damage, he sighed in relief and looked back to her face.

Caitlin's eyes were widely open.

Gordon could feel the beating of his heart even on his wheels. "I-I hope I didn't bother you with my push," he whispered.

Caitlin watched at him for a moment in silence. She found that Gordon looked adorable with his cute gaze and the raindrops that shone brightly over his face. "Did you really give me a push?" she asked afterward with a smile.

"Y-yes."

"But I just felt a… soft caress."

"Oh…" Gordon blushed. Those words made his heart beat even faster, although he did not know if Caitlin was speaking seriously or just wanted to have fun.

Caitlin found that Gordon looked even more adorable with his red cheeks. Actually she felt his push, but she was so happy to be alone with him that she wanted to have a little fun. "Could you show me how you did it?" she asked on purpose.

"O-of course," replied Gordon and began to move.

Caitlin trembled as Gordon was slowly approaching her, and she got surprised on seeing how her handrails easily accommodated between his buffers. "Wow," she thought. "It appears that we were designed for each other." Then she closed her eyes, hardly believing what it was happening. Being alone with Gordon into a tunnel, feeling his 'soft caress' as the mild rain filled the place with its music; it was something that she would never have imagined… She remembered that people usually say that mild rain brings blessings... And certainly, being with Gordon like this; it was a real blessing…

Soon, Caitlin opened her eyes back and noticed that Gordon was looked at her intently. She could swear there was love into his gaze… She did not want him to be separated from her. "If you don't mind," she whispered with a pleading look, "could you… stay like this?"

Gordon gulped. "S-sure."

"Thanks." Caitlin smiled sweetly.

Gordon smiled back. Then he cleared his throat, trying to hide his nervousness. "Well… I think we can talk at ease at last… You've said you had something to tell me."

"Yes. But firstly I want to hear what you've to tell me."

"No way."

"Please?"

"Ladies first."

"Hee! Hee! Okay." Caitlin paused. "It's about last night," she said then. "I wanted to tell that I'm very sorry about my behaviour. It was the first time I spent the night on Sodor and I was so excited that couldn't control myself. But I felt very ashamed this morning on learning that I kept the whole island awake. Besides, I… I feel bad for having woken you up with my whistle… I really didn't notice that it could bother you… So, I want to ask you for forgiveness."

Gordon swallowed hard. It was time to tell her the truth. "Don't worry about if your whistle bothered me or not," he replied. "The only one who must feel very ashamed and ask for forgiveness is me for having been cruel to you."

Caitlin raised her eyebrows. "Cruel? Why do you say that? You've always been a whole gentlem-"

"Caitlin…," interrupted Gordon, "I was the one who had the idea that you take the mail train, and then I supported Henry's idea that you take the Flying Kipper... If I had remained silent, you hadn't kept the whole island awake… Don't you see? I'm guilty of what happened last night and of all that you've suffered today… Forgive me, Caitlin… forgive me, please… I feel a deep remorse for having been that cruel to you… Forgive me…"

"Oh, Gordon…" Caitlin looked at him tenderly, touched by how he was being so sweet and humble, "don't feel bad… 'Cruel' is a horrible word that doesn't fit you… You're not guilty for I've accepted the proposal of taking those trains, nor for the scandal I made. I'm the only one to blame for all that."

"No… you don't understand," insisted Gordon. "Yesterday morning you said you wanted another opportunity to chat with me... But... when you arrived at Tidmouth Shed at night, I turned you away from my side on purpose..." Gordon's voice reflected all the pain he was feeling in his soul. "I didn't want you to be by my side, because I wanted to prove to myself that I was feeling nothing special for you... I was too much idiot to admit that I…I got crazy for you."

"W-what do you mean?" asked Caitlin, trembling.

"I mean..." Gordon trembled as well, "I-I'm in love with you… I'm in love with you, Caitlin..."

Caitlin felt that happiness got into her heart like an electrical discharge. Luckily she had no steam in this moment, because otherwise she would have made the entire castle shake with her whistle. "Do you... really mean that, Gordon?" she asked, choked with emotion. "Are you in love... with me?"

"Y-yes… You won my heart with your sweetness... with your enthusiasm for life... with your... beauty... You really won my heart... I just hope that this revelation doesn't bother you… "

Caitlin was about to cry tears of happiness. "B-bother me? N-no way." She could barely speak. "You… you won my heart too, Gordon… I'm… madly in love with you."

Gordon stayed open-mouthed. It was his turn to feel the electrical discharge into his heart. His 'smiling shooting star' was madly in love with him. What could be better? "Precious...," he whispered, "what have I done to win your heart?"

Now the tears began to roll down Caitlin's cheeks. "You won my heart with the caring manner in which you've treated me yesterday when I ran out of coal," she said between her tears. "Actually, from the day I met you; I was enchanted by you and I wanted to have one opportunity to get to know you better. And thanks to the incident of yesterday, I found that you've a golden heart and I immediately fell in love with you."

Gordon smiled sweetly. "I don't know what to say to show you how happy I feel, Caitlin… I never thought you would fall in love with me."

Caitlin smiled back, still in tears. "You don't imagine how happy I feel either. You know, when Sir Topham Hatt said that the bridge was closed last night; I was the one who asked him if I could stay at Tidmouth Sheds. I wanted to be with you… I wanted to get your attention… That's why I was more excited than ever."

"Oh, Caitlin… Now I feel even more remorse for my behaviour… You wanted to be with me but I turned you away from my side… Do you understand now why I insist on saying that I was cruel?"

"Please stop saying that horrible word and see the positive side," implored Caitlin. "If it was necessary for you to turn me away from your side to admit that you fell in love with me; I totally accept it. Besides, if it had not been for all the things that happened last night and for all that I've suffered today; we would not be like this now... enjoying this wonderful moment... Don't you think? I wouldn't change this moment for anything in the world…"

Gordon was speechless. Caitlin was absolutely right. Everything that had happened was necessary for them to feel like heaven now. Gordon was so proud as to admit that he fell in love that it was necessary a hard blow to open the door of his heart. And this hard blow; it was to see Caitlin in disgrace...

"I-I think you're right," responded Gordon. "Everything was necessary… And, in fact, I wouldn't change this moment for anything in the world either… Since this morning I was desperate to see you again… I needed to talk with you… But what is happening right now is much better than what I wanted, because I'm not only talking with you, but..." he added in a low voice, "I'm feeling your heartbeats through my buffers."

"Oh..." Caitlin's cheeks got red.

Gordon smiled at her with affection. "You're beautiful, Caitlin," he said. "You got my attention from the first moment I saw you. I was impressed by your joy, your speed, your cute smile with those... sensual little lips..."

Caitlin's smile faded. "Sensual little lips?!" she thought. "Why did he say that?! Why did he HAVE to say that?! Oh, no…" And she looked down.

"Caitlin?" Gordon was worried about this sudden change in her. "What happened?"

Caitlin looked at him again. She could not hide that from him. Gordon had to know it right now. Caitlin had to tell him about the event she wanted to forget. "Gordon," she whispered, "can I trust you with a secret? It's something that has hurt me and only Connor knows so far."

Gordon froze. He noticed a bit of anxiety in Caitlin's voice and he immediately remembered of Connor's words: 'She's also a delicate lady... Please don't hurt her'. Gordon thought that those words had something to do with Caitlin's secret and he worried even more. "You can fully trust me, Caitlin," he soothed with his reassuring manly voice, "I said our secrets are our secrets... Feel comfortable to tell me all you want to... I'll help you heal any pain you may have."

Caitlin smiled again, heartened by Gordon's words. "Thank you," she said, looking at him tenderly. Then she began her story. "Well, this happened far away from here; in my country…"