Chapter 38 - On the Road Again

Christine watched worriedly as Erika gaped at her, a light blush formed on her cheeks. "Is uh… something the matter, Erika?"

Her words snapped Erika from her trance and she blinked a few times as she remember where she was. "No…" she answered uneasily. "It's just… It's just a shame you have to wear those things, you look better without them."

Her shedmate chuckled, "I know, right? I wasn't built with these things you know. UP stuck them on afterwards. Though I guess they make decent sun visors, perfect for those long runs in the summer." She studied Erika briefly, grinning faintly. "I forgot to ask, but what are you here for anyway? You're not a Union Pacific engine."

"Flat spots on my drivers." Erka answered quickly, grateful to change the subject and get her mind away from thoughts of Christine basking in the summer sun… the sun glistening on her… The GS-4 looked away, her own thoughts catching her off guard and she quickly scolded herself for it.

'OK brain, I get it. She's pretty, can we move on now?'

"They must have formed while I was on static display, but weren't noticeable until recently… I guess." She explained.

"Hmm, you didn't feel anything before it got bad?" Christine asked curiously.

"I thought I was just stiff from not moving in years, but I've been on the road for a few good months. All the cobwebs should be gone by now, but when I felt that intense pain I knew it wasn't that."

"I'm afraid I can only partly sympathize since I've never been put out of service. I've gotten flats for other things."

Erika arched a brow, "Other things?"

The FEF-3's grin became slightly more visible, "Unconventional hobbies outside of work."

"Oh, I see." The GS-4 snickered, "Not so unconventional if you ever hung around my sisters for long enough."

The two big engines laughed amongst themselves, even more so as the workmen appeared to not have grasped the subject of their conversation. The pair continued to share stories and reminisce about the age of steam long into the night. Erika soon found herself more comfortable with Christine; she reminded her of herself in many ways, and it was nice to talk to another steam engine, and for so long. She didn't converse with Robert long after they switched duties so it was nice to just ramble on.

It was a little after midnight and long after the humans had turned in for the night. Erika couldn't help but look on with suspicion as she listen to Christine's seemingly tall tale about how she snuck onto NYC track to see a 4-8-4 Niagara type. "You're kidding right? How the hell did UP let you sneak into Chicago unnoticed?"

The FEF-3 gave a metaphorical shrug, smiling wide. "I dunno but they didn't notice I was gone for almost a week!"

"How did you even get to Chicago?"

"I use to date an H-1 from the CNW; his name was Brent."

That name jogged Erika's memory, "Brent? I know him!"

Christine blinked in surprise. "Really? He and I use to date." She chuckled a little, "Only guy I ever been with, he was great."

Her words made the GS-4 grin, she couldn't stop herself. "Only guy, huh?" She snickered before continuing. "I know what you mean, what it's like to find that one engine who's just perfect for you. And you can't imagine yourself with anyone else."

Christine smiled softly, taking note of the warm look on Erika's face. It made her feel relaxed. As she observed further, an old feeling began to form deep within her. The FEF-3 latched onto her lower lip as she contemplated. "Erika…" she muttered, "Have you ever… have you ever been close to another female engine that wasn't family?"

Erika pulled herself out of her lost love life of yesteryear to let the question simmer in her mind. A female engine who wasn't family? Well there was Sunny, the funny, green, boxy diesel for the Burlington Northern, but were they all that close though? Erika wasn't a hundred percent on that. There were the Black Widow sisters, Leliah at least, and of course Alice, but she considered Alice family. It suddenly came to her and she smiled. How could she have forgotten? "Yes, yes I have actually. Her name is Mitzi! She's a cab forward."

"A cab forward?" Christine asked with an arched brow in curiosity. "How did that work?"

"Oh well you know. They had to be reversed so they wouldn't choke out their crews." Erika explained, "They operated mostly in Donner Pass where the tunnels go on for miles and miles!"

The FEF-3 couldn't help but chuckle, her question clearly had gone over her head, but that might be a good thing. She kind of liked Erika's blissful ignorance; it was refreshing. The SP engine was also pretty, very much so. Her streamlined frame only intensified that fact. It had been a good long while since Christine had taken interest in another engine, even more so now that there were so few left in service. Still, she wouldn't object to having the GS-4 "on her arm," so to speak. They complimented each other well. She wouldn't make it obvious now though, Christine would wait, get to know her before making her move.

Ogden, Utah - October 1975

"Well that was rather exciting," Christine chuckled to herself. "I almost wish they hadn't fixed you in time so we could have talked more."

"Or," the former Daylight said matter-of-factually with a taste of sarcasm, "They would have replaced me with you."

"Well... I wouldn't have said no!"

Blue eyes rolled in their sockets as the other engine laughed. She didn't think it was very funny, the last thing she needed was another mishap. She'd had enough to last her the rest of her life. "Well, thanks for escorting me to my train, Miss 844...4." A smirk graced Erika's red lips as she added the extra four. She could have sworn she could have heard her new friend grumble and mutter to herself. On the way to Ogden to catch up with her train, Christine told her the about her number being changed and Erika would not let it go. "But in all honesty, it was nice meeting you. It's comforting to know there are more of my kind out there."

"Oh but the pleasure was all mine!" The smile returned to the other Northern's voice. "I look forward to spending time with you again. You're quite fun."

"Mm… you're not the first engine to say that." The pair laughed, but the sound of their couplers disconnecting told them that their time together had come to an end. She had to admit, the past few days were rather enjoyable despite the cause of her downtime. She had grown accustomed to waking up inside the UP shops beside the black 4-8-4. She'd gotten to know some of the workmen. It was a nice little vacation. But alas, it was time to get back to work and though she was grateful, she was also a little bit somber.

The two were quiet for a few moments longer, listening to the ambient sounds that surrounded them: men talking among themselves, their crews bidding farewell to one another, air compressors at work, the crunching of gravel, and the sigh of the AFT as she waited for the other engine to clear the line. She looked up as the other engine began to roll forward onto the switched points which placed her onto the adjacent track. However, she didn't stop beside her newfound friend to say goodbye and instead kept steadily rolling in reverse.

"Stay there a moment dear," she told the GS-4, "I want to bid you farewell properly!"

She watched with an arched brow as FEF-3 disappeared behind her. There really wasn't time for such things but whatever apparently. Her driver gave a half shrug before returning to her cab. It took a few minutes for the other engine to return, but when she did Erika quickly found herself looking back into those exotic olive eyes and that beautiful face all dolled up. Lips glossed in pink curled up into a mischievous smile. The GS-4 cleared her throat awkwardly, averting her gaze elsewhere as that feeling from before began to emerge, doing her best to fight off a blush.

"Well... hi."

"Good day," came a calm response. "I am going to miss seeing you. Do take care of yourself, yeah?"

"I… I'll try."

"Wouldn't want a pretty thing like you scratched up!" The FEF-3 giggled, "Oh look at you, you're all red!" She got no reply aside from a pout which only tickled her further. "You know, these deflectors are good for something," she inched closer, locking their couplers as her large deflectors shielded them both from the view of curious onlookers. "Privacy. Something we engines don't get, especially nowadays."

"Tell me about it…" Erika said under her breath. She went quiet again, staring at the deflector beside her as it shaded them. She then dared to look over at Christine. Olive eyes hooded slightly and glossy lips slightly parted. It didn't take much thought to understand what that look was signifying. She had seen that look back at the shops and the tension had been slowly building since. The more she thought about it the more that feeling intensified. Maybe it was the loneliness, lack of companionship, a way of coping with her losses, or a mix of all three, but she found herself begrudgingly giving in to the advances of the younger female.

Their lips met tentatively, both testing each other. Erika was surprised by the softness of Christine's lips and she found herself enjoying the predicament she had gotten herself into a little more, if only just. Not wanting to draw more attention than they already had, they kept it slow in a session of gentle kisses, lips brushing over one another. A barely audible groan told Erika which one of them was forcing themselves to hold back. It reminded her of her late nights with Adolf and how she'd use to tease him until he overtook her, which was always a delight.

Eventually Christine forced herself to back off, their lips making a light smacking sound as they separated. Her cheeks were a little flushed, but she was clearly satisfied with the outcome. "Mmm take care of yourself, dear Daylight. I look forward to seeing you again."

Erika on the other hand, was left in a slight haze, unable to stop herself from inching closer as Christine rolled back. It was only until she heard her voice that she was brought back to reality. "Uh yeah… you too Chrissy." She smiled, "I'm sure we'll meet again soon."

"I certainly hope so."

Sodor, Knapford Sheds - Thanksgiving 2013

Erika hummed lowly to herself as she recalled her first encounter with Christine. It was amazing how similar the two were and it only reminded her of when she courted Adolf back on Kollsvik. She wondered why she didn't pick up the FEF-3's hints until she made it so obvious. She glanced over at the others who continued to chatter and tell stories and wondered how long she had be reflecting on her own history. It wasn't until now that she realized how many accidents and trips to the maintenance shops she'd taken in her excursion career. She was never prone to breaking down pre-retirement. Perhaps no one could care for a Daylight like the SP? The thought made Erika chuckle inwardly.

Later that night after the festival had ended and everyone was busying themselves with taking down decorations and such, Erika spotted Mary-Ann and flagged her down. As the woman approached, the GS-4 frowned. "You… I know you! Why didn't you tell me we met before?!"

The historian laughed softly, "Ah so you do remember me. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten."

"I did," Erika replied remorsefully, "and I feel bad for doing so. You don't look that much different, despite the wrinkles and graying hair…"

"I see your sass is still intact," Mary-Ann rolled her eyes. She smiled warmly after a moment, "It's a shame they didn't return you to AFT colors for the event, but it's good to see you running regularly Erika. You deserve as much."

The Daylight smiled as well. "I'm glad they didn't, but I'm also happy to be back in regular service. I have been for… almost a year now? It's still a little strange to wake up every day and not wonder when you're next run will be, but I wouldn't change it."

"Neither would I, old girl." Mary-Ann said softly, taking a seat on Erika's pilot. "Neither would I."