As Molly made her way safely and slowly along the line with her load of stone, she was constantly thinking about what just happened with James, Hiro and Norman. She had been rebuffing James all these years, and in spite of that, he still saved her from a certain nasty accident.
"I just can't believe it," she murmured. ""And I thought he didn't like me anymore after he teased Percy so badly…What can I say about this? What can I do with the bravery he showed? I can't rebuff him for that…"
She eventually arrived at the harbour and delivered all her stone. As she began to slowly make her way back, she began thinking to herself about her relationship with James even after it ended. She never admitted it, but she wanted peace with him again and she wanted her relationship with him to rekindle. She too had been lonely all those years. She felt like James brought his misery upon himself, but she lost him too. It wasn't just him who was brought low. She had someone taken from her too, and being rescued certainly rekindled hope within her.
At that moment, Molly saw Emily shunting tankers to a siding. Molly whistled to Emily and she whistled back.
"Molly!" said Emily. "Hello there."
"H-h-hi, Emily," stammered Molly.
"What happened, Molly? You look nervous," said Emily.
"Oh…Emily…It was so scary. It's James. After I gathered my stone, James tried to convince me something was wrong with me after he heard a squeaking sound coming from me. I thought he was bluffing again, but as I went down Gordon's Hill, it turns out his concern for me was right. My brakes aren't working. I was rocketing down the line, towards Hiro! Then James came up behind me, called for the points to be switched to the left, then he pushed me with all his might out of Hiro's way, but then he was accidentally switched to Norman's line and I heard him crash into some tar wagons!"
"Dear me, Molly!" gasped Emily. "You must have been frightened."
"I was, Emily…but…I can't believe he actually tried to save me…after all these years I've been avoiding him," said Molly.
"Molly," Emily said a little desperately. "PLEASE, try to forgive James. What would have happened if he didn't follow you? I'll tell you what what would have happened. YOU would have had that accident instead of him. He likely saved your life back there! You can't keep rebuffing him after he sacrificed himself for you!"
Molly knew Emily was right. "I guess you're right, Emily," she agreed.
"But before that," said her driver. "I say we get your brakes fixed, Molly. I don't want to face another horrific event like that again."
"Yes, sir." Then she turned to Emily. "I understand what you mean, Emily. James did make a sacrifice. Whenever he's repaired, I'll be sure to meet him and listen to whatever he has to say to me."
"But first things first, you need to go to the Steamworks, and with dodgy brakes it's probably too dangerous for you go on your own. I'll shunt you there myself, so you won't get into anymore trouble," Emily suggested.
"Thanks, Emily..." Molly replied quietly. As she buffered up behind Molly slowly shunted her way out of the harbour, Emily sighed to herself. All she could do was hope and have faith with Thomas. Molly was indeed thankful for James' bravery. It was just a matter of if that would be enough to seal the cracks on the ruby…
Meanwhile, back at the scene of the accident, Harvey arrived to clear away the smashed tar wagons, Edward had brought Judy and Jerome to help James to safety and Harold had brought the Fat Controller.
"There he is, sir," said Harold as he landed beside the line. "He looks rather battered to me."
"James!" The Fat Controller began crossly. "What is the matter with-"
"He's unconscious, sir. He can't hear you," said Norman. "In fact, you should be thanking him. Molly came rushing through here and James pushed her to safety while he crashed into me. He likely saved her life."
"Oh! Well, that does make a difference," said the Fat Controller. "When he comes to, I'll be sure to reward him."
With that, the unconscious James was hauled onto Judy and Jerome's flatbed and escorted to the Steamworks. Once he was there, he was lifted up into the air to be checked over, and he still didn't come to.
"Goodness me!" exclaimed Victor. "Whatever has happened to James?"
"I don't know, boss," replied Kevin. "Must have taken a bump to the head."
Workmen came by and examined James front to back to see what had to be done to fix him. As they checked from buffer-beam to tender, they found many things to do. Aside from a badly twisted front and disfigured wheels, James' paintwork was indeed covered in black tar that would take quite a while to scrub off, as well as scratches from his accident with the wagons.
While the men inspected James, Emily arrived with Molly. Emily didn't dare try to catch a glimpse of James' damage, so she left as quickly as she could, only whistling to signal her departure.
"Molly, my friend. What brings you here?" asked Victor.
"My brakes aren't working," she said. "They'll need fixing and…" Molly stopped as she took a glimpse at James.
"Oh-Ohh! James!" she exclaimed. "My gosh! Is he alright, Victor?"
"I'm not sure," said Victor. "He seems to be knocked out after quite a crash."
"Oh my!" gasped Molly. "He took all that damage just to save me!"
"Save you? But how?" asked Victor.
"I was on Gordon's Hill when my brakes failed," said Molly. "And James was right behind me. I would have crashed into Hiro or Norman, if it hadn't been for James. He pushed me to a clear line and let himself crash."
"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Victor. "How brave! Well, you shall have to wait for your brakes to be checked, Molly. The workmen are busy checking James now, but they'll get to you in good time."
"Thank you, Victor," said Molly. "I can wait for my turn." But as she found a rail to settle on and wait, Molly couldn't help but look at James again. Now she could see what a big sacrifice he really made for her. Risking himself to the point of being knocked out never crossed her mind or even her comprehension of any possibility.
"I hope he's mended soon," she thought. "He said he has something to say to me…I think I have a few things to say too."
Eventually, the workmen took a chance to check Molly's brakes.
"Oh, it's not too bad, Molly," one of them said. "But with James to work hard on, it may take until tomorrow morning before you fit to go again."
"That's alright, sir," said Molly. Luckily some workmen were able to get a start on her brakes while the others began to start on James. They lowered him back down to the rails and got to work cleaning the tar off. On into the evening, the work continued on James and Molly. All Molly could do was think deeply and hope to herself that she could come back to James somehow. In spite of somewhat noisy work checking her brakes and cleaning James, Molly soon became tired as her workmen had to work on James again. Hearing the sounds of the Steamworks actually lulled Molly a little. Her eyes became heavy and she yawned softly to herself.
"Molly…" she whispered to herself. "There's good in James…I know. I know there's…still…" but as she whispered those words, Molly's eyes shut and she began to sleep deeply. As the work continued, she began to snore peacefully and whisper in her dreams.
"Zzz…James, thank you…Zzz…for being such a friend…Zzz…Thank you so much…" she whispered.
The next morning, as Molly woke up, another particular engine began to regain his nerves and senses. He heard creaking, cranking and greasing. He could feel a sense of something or someone working on him…James very slowly opened his eyes as he regained his consciousness and breathed in…then he felt great pain. He felt a strong ache inside him from all the damage…He looked slowly around himself and figured out he was in the Steamworks, but then he groaned. He had such a bump to the head, it hurt to even move his eyes.
Presently, he heard Victor's voice speaking to him. "James...can you hear me?" From somewhere else nearby, Molly heard Victor and listened intently for a response.
"…Yes, Victor," came the long awaited reply, making Molly sigh quietly in relief. James had such a strike to the head, he didn't remember everything that happened at the accident…but then…
"Where is Molly?" he asked, looking at Victor. "Is she safe? …Is she alright?" Victor remained quiet for a moment, thinking about what to say, and James waited nervously. Molly was right there in the Steamworks, remaining silent herself. James was actually worried for her.
After a moment or two, Victor spoke. "…It seems, in your bravery, you rescued her."
"Oh, thank goodness!" James exhaled. "I was afraid she might have got into more trouble."
"Not at all, James," said Victor. "She arrived just after you did and her brakes are just about fixed. You, however will take quite a while to be fixed. You'll need a new front and new wheels, as well as a good scrubbing and paint over scratches. That could take a while to arrange…as long as a week."
James was disappointed to hear that, but still glad that Molly was alright. Then he heard her voice somewhere from the right.
"Are my brakes ready now?" she asked a workman.
"Yes they are, Molly. Take care now," said the workman. And Molly slowly made her way out of the Steamworks…but not before taking a glimpse at James. James saw her wink as she left. That gave James a ray of hope he had not felt ever since his redemption mission was still in operation. But that hope soon became nervousness as he comprehended the fact that he'd be stuck here under repair for a week.
The days passed. James was gradually repaired and checked over. During that week, Molly waited endlessly for James to be ready and Thomas and Emily kept praying to themselves that all would be well for James and Molly in the end.
At long last, by the end of the week in the evening, James was repaired. His front was fully mended, he had a new set of fresh black wheels and his paintwork was smooth and red again. The cracked ruby was now ready to approach Molly and try one last time to make up with her.
"Alright…no more thinking. It's time to do it," he said to himself as he huffed out the doors. He slowly made his way past Tidmouth Sheds, through Knapford Station and into the shunting yards. To his surprise, he saw Molly waiting for him. Thomas and Emily were with her too, buffer to buffer and waiting for either engine to say something. Molly noticed James and blinked. James swallowed hard and came closer to her, feeling excited and a little frightened. Thomas and Emily didn't dare make a move or a sound.
Eventually, James stopped just a few inches away from the yellow engine. Molly took a moment or two before she spoke. "James…so you're here."
"Molly…" he replied. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"James? What you did for me a week ago…was very brave…and kind of you to do. You actually rescued me from a horrible crash and let yourself crash for me…I do hope you're alright now."
James closed his eyes, his energy building up rapidly.
"Also…I remember hearing that you had something to say to me when you met me outside the quarry," continued Molly.
"Yes…yes, I did," answered James as he felt a lump begin to form in his throat. Then his eyes began to water. Molly saw this and grew a little worried. At last, James' barriers fell and he couldn't hold in his guilt.
"Please, Molly…I saved you because you're my Shining Sun and you always have been! I couldn't bear to see you get hurt, even if you didn't love me! I could see you still didn't approve of me, but I've been trying every last thing over the years to convince you that I still care for you, and I know you're a sensitive engine, but I've been so desperate and so lonely without you in my life. I really want you to know right now…I'm sorry for deceiving you about Emily…I'm sorry for every last thing I did to her alongside Gordon and I never wanted you to be betrayed by me! I'm truly so sorry for what I am and who I've hurt over the years, and I really don't enjoy doing it! I don't expect you to forgive me, but I really hope you know…I'm sorry, Molly! I'M SORR-Y-Y-Y!"
Molly had listened to everything James had just said and thought deeply. She knew that James had been trying to win her back ever since he lost her and she had rejected and disapproved of all his efforts. He had manipulated and hurt Emily for years alongside Gordon and Molly felt that he could never have a chance with her again…but she was also aware of her predicament just that past week. She couldn't believe that James saved her from a very nasty accident. In that moment, she could finally see that despite everything he had done to Emily, James was truly sorry for it and he remained in love with Molly for all those years.
Molly finally smiled at her cracked ruby.
"You know what, James? I can see how much I mean to you now. You wanted to make me happy during all those years of your attempted redemption, and only recently, you rescued me from a terrible accident. The more I think about it now, you really did want to prove your worth during your redemption mission, even if it had rough spots at times. I must admit, you didn't just lose me…I lost you. Even I was hoping every now and then that we could be rekindled somehow, but I couldn't hold onto those hopes because of my sensitive nature. You've done so much to help your friends, and to help me. For all that, I must say…I now accept all your apologies. You've proven yourself well-meaning, truthful and unselfish."
James could not believe the words he just heard. His Shining Sun was actually happy, and she actually forgave him. He had been waiting for years to hear these words and now his miracle finally came. What Molly said next made him shudder with overwhelming joy.
"Give me your buffers…my Radiant Ruby." James slowly and shakily came forward, closer to Molly's buffers. And then after so many years, Ruby and Sun's buffers touched gently together. They looked into each other's eyes…then finally spoke the words they always wanted to speak.
"I…I love you, Molly," whispered James.
"R-really?" Molly gasped. "Do you love me?"
"More than anything…my Shining Sun," smiled James.
"Oh, James!" Molly gasped as she began to cry with joy. "You don't know how much I wanted you to say that, even when we first met and began our relationship! I love you too, James!" She buffered closer until her nose touched James'.
"Oh! I promised myself I wouldn't cry…AHH!" James sobbed as he and Molly cried happily together. Thomas and Emily were very happy too.
"We DID IT!" Emily whistled.
"Hallelujah! Ruby and Sun are shining together again!" whistled Thomas. And the two engine couples rejoiced together for several minutes before they finally calmed down.
In the end, the stars began to appear in the darkening sky, and a thought hit Emily's mind. For the past six evenings of telling stories as well as the extra week of waiting for James to be repaired, she and Thomas had not done their nightly routine of affections. She looked at him smoothly.
"Oh, Tommy…" she purred. "James and Molly have finally reconciled…which means…are you ready for some fun at Knapford Sheds?" She smooched her lips at him, making him blush deeply.
"Uh…y-yes, I'd like to have fun…but not in Knapford Sheds," said Thomas.
"What? Why not?" asked Emily.
Thomas turned his gaze to James and Molly. "You two can take Knapford Sheds and reunite even more there if you want," he smiled.
"Thank you, Thomas," James and Molly said together as they set off.
"Goodnight, you two!" called Emily before she turned to Thomas. "As for you…" she said seductively.
"Uh-oh," Thomas giggled madly. Then he and Emily came together and gently started exchanging their long-overdue kissing.
James gave Molly a ride by pushing her smoothly along the line until they reached Thomas and Emily's beloved shed.
"Here we are, Molly. Come in, come in!" James chimed as he gently pushed her inside.
"So this…is Thomas and Emily's 'Love Shed'…it's very cozy, James," Molly said sweetly.
"I know. This is where I told them everything from beginning to end about you and I," said James.
"Well, I'm just so happy we can start building our relationship again," Molly said before sighing calmly. She and James remained silent for a few moments, still trying to comprehend that they were back together at last. As James looked into Molly's eyes, she suddenly felt a strong desire to do something. As sensitive and shy as she could be, she got a tremendous urge to do something she secretly thought herself for a while way back when.
"James…" she whispered. "I…I want…to…"
"Yes, Molly?" James asked kindly.
"You know…we're back together…"
"What is it, Molly?" smiled James.
Molly didn't answer as she buffered as close as she could to James. James watched her movements intently. Suddenly, Molly began to blush very deeply…she buffered even closer…her lips very slowly puckered, then for the first time in her life, she kissed James very softly on his cheek.
"Mmm…" she moaned excitedly as she felt James' tender cheek on her lips. Much like when Emily kissed Thomas, Molly always wondered to herself what it would be like to kiss an engine…even James when she still liked him back then, and she thought this was the loveliest moment of her life.
As for James, no words could describe what he was feeling. Just like Emily, Molly's lips were so soft, warm and gentle…almost like the pedals of a flower upon his cheek. He blushed a deeper red than he ever did in his life and sighed blissfully. Molly eventually let go and looked at James, smiling very happily. James smiled right back, still feeling her velvet-like lips on his cheek. At last the silence was broken.
"I love you, James, my Radiant Ruby," Molly purred peacefully.
"I love you too, Molly, my Shining Sun," James murmured back.
"James…" Molly whispered. "Kiss me…please? Kiss me, James…I really want to feel what love is like…"
"Are you sure, Molly?" James asked a little worriedly. "You're a sensitive engine and I don't want to do anything wrong for you."
"Come on, James," giggled Molly. "Kiss me! You know you want to!"
"A…alright," he said nervously. "Let me know if you want me to stop. If anything is wrong, let me know…" He carefully buffered to her, then for the first time in his own life, James gave his first kiss, to Molly's cheek. Her cheek felt very warm and soft, just like Emily. James never felt happier in his life kissing Molly. He felt impossibly powerful peace and joy in his heart, even more so when he heard Molly react.
"Aww, James…you're so gentle and sweet," she cooed. "Please don't stop."
"I know, sweetie," whispered James. He kissed her other cheek, just as gently, making sure he didn't surprise her too much. Molly's boiler bubbled madly as she felt James' tender kisses. For an engine who could be rather conceited and full of himself, when it came to the engine he loved, James was a gentle soul with a heart full of care and devotion in its own way.
The two engines continued to carefully and calmly kiss to the cheeks, whispering "I love you…I love you…" for almost an hour.
At last, James and Molly stopped to rest and catch their breath. They did not perform any kisses to the lips…yet. James respected Molly for being a delicate soul and wanted to let her decide if and when she'd become more passionate like Emily.
"Sweet dreams, my Shining Sun…" yawned James before kissing her cheek once more.
"Sweet dreams, my Radiant Ruby," Molly yawned, kissing James back before they both fell asleep. Indeed, Ruby and Sun were shining together again…
Meanwhile in the yards, Thomas and Emily were kissing happily too. It felt very lovely to be kissing after two weeks of not doing so. Just like Emily said, it was certainly worth, if not more than worth the wait.
"I'm so happy James and Molly are back together, Tommy," Emily smiled as she kissed Thomas all over his cheeks.
"So am I, Em," Thomas smiled back, dotting her cheeks with kisses too. Emily giggled from the tickle his kisses gave her.
"You like that, don't you?" chuckled Thomas. "Now for the part we love best."
Emily winked and kissed his lips. Thomas kissed her right back, relishing in the gentle, passionate wave that swooned over them.
Eventually, Thomas and Emily were satisfied with all the time they spent kissing again and returned to Tidmouth Sheds. The other engines were waiting for them and wondered where James was.
"Hello, you two," said Henry. "A little late to say it now, but you've been gone from here for six nights last week."
"Long story, Henry," said Thomas. "We'll tell you some other time."
"Where's James?" asked Edward.
"Elsewhere," said Emily. "And all I will say is, he's doing very well." And she winked to Thomas.
"Yes. He's doing better than usual," he said. "It's good to be back with the rest of you."
"Yes. We did miss you a little," said Emily.
"Thank you," said the other engines before they all settled down for the night.
So the truth prevailed. Molly finally accepted James' care and devotion to her and they came back together in great joy and peace. As for Thomas and Emily, they too were happy with the recent events, but in just a few days, another event would come and go through their lives…one that could possibly spawn some unexpected events in the future. There was an exciting, but also unusual phase in the future that was to come and go for them. But that's another story.
As the stars shone through the night, somewhere faraway on the Mainland, a stationmaster was looking at a poster for the very event that would possibly cross Thomas and Emily's path…a Great Railway Show. An event in which engines from all across the world would compete in competitions of strength, appearances, racing and shunting, as well as just being seen by many excited people.
"That is going to be an exciting day…Who can we get that would surely excite the audiences?" the stationmaster wondered to himself. Suddenly an engine came whistling in. As the engine stopped, the stationmaster remained silent. The engine looked very much like Gordon. He was big and green, his class was LNER A-3…and most of all, he had two tenders!
"Excuse me…you," said the stationmaster.
"Yes sir? What is it?" asked the engine, in a deep, powerful voice.
"I was just thinking about the upcoming Great Railway Show…Would you like to join the show in perhaps racing…Flying Scotsman?" said the stationmaster.
"Oh, of course, sir," said Flying Scotsman. "That would be fun!" Then his whistle blew and he set off into the night. As he went on his way, he suddenly thought of one particular engine and got a teasing idea.
"Racing at the Great Railway Show! Ohh, just wait until my 'little' brother hears about this! Flying Scotsman coming through!" he called through the night and into the darkness.
This should not have taken nearly a year to complete, it just shouldn't have, but the fact of the matter is it's finally complete. Now it's finally onto The Great Race adaptation. At the time of this upload, pretty much all of the second half of the story is about finished, so really we just have the first half to do and everything should be all hunky dory. So yeah, look forward to *The Great Railway Show*, leave your overall thoughts on this story and I'll see you all, hopefully, soon.