Fractured Ch. 7

A.N. I'm sorry if this chapter sucks D:

Very early the next day on the Mainland, it was foggy and cold. Edward's driver and fireman, Dean and Kurtis, were currently back at the station, on the phone with workers from Sodor.

Edward, who was outside the station, bit his lip as his driver and fireman hung up the phone. When they walked out, their faces held somber expressions.

"That was about Thomas- he's still hurt tremendously." Dean explained quietly. "Even more so than yesterday." He added grimly.

"What? Why?" The sky blue tender engine asked quietly.

"It seemed he just had an emotional night." Kurtis said. "At least, that's what Derek said."

"Can't I come back to Sodor?" Pressed Edward, worried.

"I'm afraid you can't, old boy- we have work to do." Kurtis added sympathetically.

Edward growled in frustration. "Then what was the use in me knowing he's hurting if I can't come back to help?!" He snapped.

"We don't know; but Thomas has your words to go on until you can return." Dean said, trying to comfort his engine

"How will that help?!"

"Those words came from you, Edward." Kurtis said gently. "They came from the one he trusts the most. At this moment, they are all he has, as well as the other engines. You don't have the power to heal him. You can only provide comfort with words and deeds. Thomas still has your kindness to him to keep him going."

"Well, that's true," Replied Edward slowly. "I'm sorry for snapping. I didn't mean to- I'm just upset that this happened. Thank you for your support."

"Hey, that's what we're for." Dean said.

"And for keeping you in one piece." Kurtis said half jovially.

"In spite of the impossible odds!" Finished Edward with a smile.

But his smile soon faded.

"What the matter, Edward?" Dean asked quietly.

"I just… I still am worried deeply. Thomas- he is so young. He shouldn't have to go through this…" Edward sighed. "I know I can't heal him… but I wish I could."

His crew looked at him with sympathetic eyes.

"Perhaps I could help." Came a new voice.

Both Edward and his crew looked quickly to the new voice in shock.

Standing there was a male in a black raincoat, just a few feet away from the three. "Who- who are you?" Kurtis asked, moving forwards to stand with Dean.

The man smiled and took off his hood. He had red hair and blue eyes. He was fairly tall and had pale skin. "My name, is William Barlette. And I think I know how to help Thomas."

Sir Topham Hatt sighed as he watched Gordon, Henry, James, and Toby depart for their jobs for the day. Even though he had been in the Steamworks with major injuries, it was still unusual to not see Thomas go with the group.

He had yet to visit him, and the man felt intensely regretful that he had not done so. But from what he was told, he was in very bad shape.

As he walked back to his office, Elijah ran out, holding a cream coloured file, looking very shocked.

Sir Topham Hatt was a bit confused. "Elijah, what's the problem?" He asked.

Elijah took a deep breath before handing him the file. "This is another one of Thomas' files, Sir." He said, pointing to the words printed in black, 'E2 Engine – Thomas (personal)'.

"Personal? Now what does that mean?" Sir Topham Hatt asked staring at the words in confusion. "I thought we only had one file for each engine!"

"As did I, Sir." Elijah spoke, taking off his hat, his platinum blond hair falling onto his forehead. "But after sorting through the paperwork for today, I found that. Perhaps you should look at it?"

"Hmm… I shall indeed." He said after a few moments. "Yes, that'll be all, Elijah."

"Yes Sir." He said quickly before leaving.

Stepping into his office, and shutting the door, Sir Topham Hatt opened the file.

When he did, he was met with many pictures; each were labeled, and each had a picture of Thomas in his original, baby blue livery. And in almost every picture, Sir Topham Hatt saw a man he had never before. The man in the pictures had red hair and blue eyes.

Curious, he sat at his desk, and started examining the photos.

'Painted in his new livery!' – It showed Thomas being repainted green, and a huge smile was on his face.

'So proud of him!' – Thomas seemed to be smiling even bigger, now fully painted green. The unknown man was standing on Thomas' buffer beam, a hand gently on his cheek.

Sir Topham Hatt chuckled quietly, and continued to go through all the photos.

But when he reached the last one, he was surprised.

It showed the man, once again on Thomas' buffer beam, but this time, on his knees. They both looked sad. The man seemed to be gently hugging Thomas, but there was a ghost of a smile on his face.

'Off to greater adventures in new places! Be good, little Thomas!'

In the file, there were photos, little notes on Thomas' condition back on the Mainland, and some paperwork that was the same in the engine's other file. He went through all of it; besides the photos, nothing seemed really new.

However, the last piece of paper was different. It wasn't typed and on blank paper, it was lined and hand written.

Sir Topham Hatt gently picked it up, and to his shock, he found that it was a hand written letter. Quietly, he started reading.

To whom this may concern:

My name is William Rohan Barlette, and this is Thomas. A little E2 tank engine that I built myself.

As silly as this may sound, I love this engine dearly; and I hope that where he is going, he will be taken of and that he will be really useful. Sodor, I believe is the place.

I have prepared him as best I could for him to come to Sodor, but I fear that it may not be enough. For while he was with me, I spoiled him quite a bit.

You see, I built him because I desperately wanted to care for someone, and I wanted to show an engine kindness and love from the start. When he was finished – oh, how I cherished him. We never had any formalities; no calling me 'Sir' was a must. So he would call me either 'William' or 'Father'.

I never put him with other engines to work with. He still did work, just not with others. I pray this does not make me sound selfish, but… I did not want to share him. Though I knew he'd have to work with others sooner or later, I did send him to work with other engines for a while just before he would be sent to Sodor.

The only work he did however, was push around empty flatbeds, trying so hard to shunt them properly. I still chuckle, remembering his pouty face.

So, I do apologise if he has lack of familiarity of working with cars and coaches, and does not call his employer 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' if required.

Please care for him.

All the best,

William Barlette

The letter struck deep within Sir Topham Hatt's heart. He had no idea Thomas was this special. But it make him realise something. William had asked for Thomas to be cared for.

And Sir Topham Hatt had failed. Tremendously.

He closed his eyes, feeling them well up with tears. "I must do something… but what?"

Thomas yawned as he woke up a few hours later, the sun bathing him in a yellow, warm light. The warmth felt nice against his body; much better than the icy coldness he felt nearly every day.

He pressed his lips together, and he nearly cried with relief when he felt no pain. "No… no pain…" Thomas whimpered. "No pain…"

"Is that so, Thomas?"

Thomas looked to where the voice came from and gasped. "Sir…?!"

Sir Topham Hatt gave a small smile, and walked closer to his engine. "Yes Thomas, it's me. How are you?"

"I… I don't know…" Thomas answered truthfully. "I want to say I'm ok… but I know I'm not. And even if I was… it won't last, I know."

Sir Topham Hatt sighed. "I wish nothing but the best for you, young tank engine. I…" He chuckled sadly. "I wish I was able to turn back time."

"Why's that, Sir?" Thomas asked quietly.

Sir Topham Hatt looked at him with a serious and somber expression. "So this wouldn't have happened to you. It pains me to say this, but I failed you. I failed the very man that created you."

Thomas' eye widened. "William…?"

"Yes." He replied.

"How- how do you know of him?" Thomas asked, his voice quivering.

The man chuckled at the engine's innocence. "Every engine that comes to my island comes with a file. The file explains everything about the engine. Including their creators. However, you came with an extra file that was made by William himself. I know how much you meant to him, and how much he meant to you."

Thomas smiled a bit. "He does mean very much to me… I wish he was here."

Sir Topham Hatt didn't know what to say. He was about to give Thomas more comforting words, however-

There was a high pitched, quick whistle and the sound of an engine approaching the Steamworks.

Thomas felt his eyes light up- for he knew that whistle. "Edward! Edward! Edward!" He cried out as he watched the older tender engine come closer to the Steamworks while pulling a single flatbed and coach behind him. "Edward!" At this point, Thomas was sobbing with relief.

Edward smiled, but the smile disappeared as he neared closer, and saw Thomas better. He abruptly put on his brakes, stopping just outside the building. He felt as though all the steam was sucked out of his boiler.

"Thomas…" He said, horror struck- before realisation hit him. "THOMAS!" And he raced forward straight into the Steamworks, and stopped right in front of the younger engine still hoisted in the air.

"Oh, oh, Thomas…" He whispered looking over his charge in disbelief. "I… I didn't know it was this bad…" He gasped as tears came to his eyes.

"Wait, no, Edward please don't feel bad…" Thomas begged. "I'll… I'll get better!" But even Thomas knew that was a long ways away.

Edward closed his eyes, as tears flowed down his face. He clenched his teeth together, trying to remain strong- but it was hard.

"Edward…" Thomas mumbled softly after a moment. "Edward, look at me."

So, Edward did. He looked up at the younger engine, his black eyes meeting Thomas' dark blue ones.

Thomas sighed. "Let it out, Edward. Just… cry…. I did and it helped."

No sooner had Thomas spoken, Edward started to cry. Freely. He closed his eyes as they were once again flooded with tears. Soft sobs left his mouth as he started shaking. He couldn't believe that Thomas digressed this much.

Dean and Kurtis moved to the front of their engine, and started to gently pat Edward's face, trying to comfort him.

"I'm so sorry, Thomas." He gasped. "I wish… I wish I had gotten here soon- sooner." Edward said, looking up at him.

Thomas sighed. "It wouldn't have mattered Edward. But you're here now. And I don't have to face this alone anymore."

Edward let a chuckle leave his mouth. "You've never had to face this alone, Thomas." He said confidently as the tears finally started drying. "You have the others here. And your crew. You were…" He took a deep breath. "You were never alone."

Thomas smiled a bit. "Yes... I suppose you're right…"

"Ahem, Thomas." Kurtis said.

The blue tank engine looked to him. "Yes, Sir?"

"We have someone here, who would love to see you." Kurtis smiled.

"Oh?" Thomas asked. "Who?"

Then Dean walked away from Edward, and to the coach behind the flatbed Edward had been pulling. When the door was opened, and the person walked out, Thomas nearly screamed.

The man that had come to see him, was William.

"F-Father…." Thomas gasped, his eyes wide.

William, who had tears streaming down his face in both sadness and relief, smiled. "Hello, Thomas."

Then William walked to the flatbed, and pulled off the cover.

The smile that graced Thomas' lips was the biggest one anyone had ever seen since his accident.

Because on the flatbed, were six small blue wheels.

Thomas let a small, sob filled laugh leave his mouth.

William smiled, and wiped his eyes. "We're going to fix you, Thomas. I promise."