Despite the fact that he was exhausted and worried sick, Thomas still went to work that day. Leaving his best friend in Victor's care, he went off to go pull his coaches like he did everyday. He pulled Annie and Clarabel in absolute silence. The girls
didn't speak to him. They knew that when Thomas was quiet, it was best to leave him alone. Thomas pulled into his first station, where Oliver was next to the platform, with no coaches or cars or anything attached to him.
He was alone.
Thomas, concerned, pulled up next to him. It took all the passengers a few minutes to get off and on, so he had some time to talk.
"Hello, Oliver. You alright?"
The Great Western engine turned to look at him.
"Oh, hello, Thomas. I'm...sorry about Percy."
Thomas sighed.
"Yes...I am, too. Anyway, what're you sitting here for?"
"I'm just thinking."
"About?"
"Well...do you know any wise engines?" Oliver asked, cocking his head.
Thomas smiled.
"Of course I do," he replied. "I know a few. Why?"
"I...I need some advice on something," the green engine replied. "I've got this problem...and I'm not really sure how to handle it."
Thomas smiled in understanding.
"I'll let him know for you. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you."
"Okay...who is it?"
Thomas only grinned.
"Meet him at Tidmouth sheds in an hour. That's where he takes his break."
The guard blew his whistle, and Thomas, blowing his own whistle, set off. Oliver then set off too, back to The Little Western, his mind full of wandering thoughts.

As Thomas traveled further into his day, the sadder he became. Percy was sitting in the Steamworks, sick and destroyed, while he was out on the tracks, having a good time. He worked hard, but he loved it. He sighed.
I think I need some advice, too.

Thomas pulled into the last station, the absence of Percy making him feel worse. He didn't hear his whistle or his voice, he couldn't even see him...and all because some idiot ran the red signal.
And it was going to be a dark day if Thomas ever found out who. Duck's words suddenly ran through his head.
There's two ways of doing things. The great western way, and the wrong way.
Thomas sighed.
"Yes, I know. But, sometimes, maybe doing it the wrong way is the better way to do something."
Carefully, he backed into the station, where the Fat Controller was waiting for him.
"Thomas," he said.
Thomas only looked at him.
"Thomas," he said again. "I know this must be very hard for you. And I'm very sorry. But...Percy would want you to be a really useful engine and work hard."
Is that so?
"Sorry if I disagree with you, sir," Thomas began, "but I think Percy would want me to be there with him. We know how much repairs scare him...he'd need the comfort. He needs me, sir...I can't leave him...and I never will."
To Thomas's great surprise, the controller smiled.
"You're a good friend for being there for him all night," he said. "You're handling this well. I'm very proud of you."
Thomas was shocked. Why was the Fat Controller being so nice to him?
I wonder...does he know what I'm going through? Does he...understand?

Just like yesterday, questions, and this time, comments, were ringing through his head.
The Fat Controller's going soft.

Oliver approached Tidmouth Sheds an hour later, where Hiro was waiting for him. Hiro smiled.
"Hello there, young one."
"Um...hello," Oliver said, nervously. "Thomas said you were good at giving advice, and...I desperately need some."
Hiro smiled.
"Don't be shy, Oliver. Come over here, to this berth next to mine."
Oliver did as he was told, keeping his eyes on the older engine.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I know you too well..."
Hiro gave him a sympathetic look.
"That's true, we've never officially met. My name is Hiro. You're Oliver, correct?"
"That's me," Oliver replied, surprised. "How did you know?"
"Thomas told me about you," Hiro replied. "He said you needed my help. That's what I'm here for. You know, if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be here right now. He saved my life."
"Thomas saved you?"
"He did. He's such a kind, clever, hardworking engine...he talks about all of you all the time."
"He does?"
"Oh, yes...every time I see him."
Hiro looked over at The Great Western engine.
"Anyway, what do you need my help with?"
Oliver sighed.
"Well, for the past week...my best friend, Duck, has been having these bad dreams. They wake him up every night, and he won't tell me what the dream's about. I'm always there to comfort him, but he just won't tell me. He claims he's fine, but I'm not
so sure. I'm really worried about him."
"You must be aggressive," Hiro said. "But, do it gently. You need to let him know you care. If he says, 'I'm fine,' you need to say, 'No, you're not!' He'll come out easier that way. You just need to let him know you're there, and that you care."
Hiro's words made Oliver think.
It made sense now.
He needed to show Duck he cared, and to do it firmly, but kindly.
"Thanks," he said. "I need advice on something else, too."
"Go right ahead," Hiro said gently.
"Well...ever since Duck started having these bad dreams...I've been feeling different around him. Every time I see him or talk to him, I feel really shy, but really happy."
"How else does he make you feel?" Hiro asked.
"Well, he makes me nervous and jumpy, but other than that, that's it."
Hiro smiled. He was coming to a conclusion.
"Tell me some things you like about Duck."
Oliver laughed.
"Where do I begin? I love how passionate he is about the railway and his job, I love how kind and hardworking he is, I love how proud he is of being Great Western..."
Oliver looked up at the sky, smiling as he rambled on.
"I love how his eyes light up when he's excited...I love his smile...his laugh...his attitude...and above all...I just love him because he's my best friend."
Hiro chuckled.
"Do you have any clue what you just did, Oliver?"
"No...what?"
Hiro smirked.
"I told you to tell me what you like about Duck. Not what you love about him."
Oliver suddenly froze.
"Wait..." He began, "what're you saying?"
Hiro smiled.
"I've seen this before, young one. You told me you've been shy, jumpy, and much happier around your best friend. You then named all the things you love about him. Your results have come to a simple conclusion."
"Which is?"
Hiro smiled again.
"You're in love with this Duck."
There was absolute silence in the shed.
"W-What?" Oliver stammered.
"N-No...I-I couldn't be..."
Hiro looked at him in sympathy.
"Oliver, close your eyes."
Oliver did as he was told.
"Now," Hiro said, "imagine this. You're sitting in the shed at The Little Western. Next to you is the most loyal, friendly, engine you know. The engine that you want to be with forever. The engine that your heart desires. Answer me this. Who is that engine
next you you? Who do you see?"
Behind his closed eyes, Oliver could see the engine next to him. The engine that had been by his side forever, the engine that was just like him, the engine that he knew so well. He heard that familiar whistle, heard that familiar voice, and saw those
familiar eyes. His green paint glistened in the sunlight, and their paint colors matched. The engine smiled, and it was a smile Oliver could recognize a mile away. The smile of his best friend.
Oliver let out a gasp.
"I-I see...I-It's Duck..."
He opened his eyes to see Hiro smiling.
"See?" The old, Japanese engine said. "When you see your greatest desire, you see him. Correct?"
"Y-Yes...but...what do I do?"
Hiro smiled.
"You know exactly what to do."
Oliver nodded, and shakily drove out of the berth.
"Um...Hiro...how did you know?"
"Hm?"
"How'd you know I was in love with Duck?"
Hiro chuckled.
"Fifteen minutes before you arrived, Thomas came to me with the exact same issue. He too, is in love."
Oliver laughed.
"With who? Emily? Rosie?"
"No. He is just like you. He is in love with his best friend."
Oliver stared at him.
"His best friend...Thomas is in love with Percy?"
Hiro nodded.
"Yes, now go. You have got something to take care of."
Oliver nodded and chugged off.
He's right. I'm not loosing him this time.