The Emerald Engine That Could

by AaronCottrell97

A safety inspector is coming to the island to make sure everything is running well, and there will be an emergency drill to test how well the engines respond in an emergency. However, when the pretend emergency turns into a real emergency, Emily's quick and sensible thinking saves the day, earning her the title of official safety engine and finally becoming the NWR's Number 12.

Life had gone onward on the Island of Sodor after a most prominent and provocative evening at Arlesburgh, where Thomas, Emily, David and Beatrice all envisioned how else life could have been if David had come to Sodor earlier than he did. Then autumn came to pass on Sodor again, and winter came and went too, with another truly lovely Christmas for Thomas and Emily and all the other engines to flourish in. Now, it was the middle of spring in another new year. All the engines were working hard and being really useful, and Thomas and Emily continued to bask and glow in each other's romantic bond as well as keep being really useful themselves...and for a few days at a time, Thomas found himself thinking quite a bit about something rather particular about Emily. Something that had only happened once before...and if it could happen again, which he would bring forth to her when he could.

Then one evening, all the engines returned to Tidmouth Sheds after another day's work, and the Fat Controller was there with a little news for the engines.

"Tomorrow is going to be a special and important day. We have the Railway Inspector coming to Sodor again," said the Fat Controller.

"What for, sir?" Thomas asked. "Are they set to give the Railway another report like they did when I retrieved that golden watch?"

"Not quite, Thomas. And they haven't told me just what they're planning," said the Fat Controller. "All I know for now is that it has something to do with railway safety. The Inspector will be coming by tomorrow morning, and I shall find everything out in time for you all to start your day."

"Thank you, sir," all the engines said together as the Fat Controller left for the night.

The other engines wondered what would happen tomorrow, speaking quietly among themselves until they fell asleep. As usual, Thomas and Emily were the last ones awake, and they wondered a little more over what it could mean.

"Hmm. Safety, he says?" Emily spoke. "I wonder what that could mean."

"Well, as I always say, Emily. We'll just have to wait and see," said Thomas. "We'll see what tomorrow may bring us. Maybe they'll be inspecting us to see that we're in top-working order...and maybe the Railway Inspector will have a few things to inspect about you, Emily."

"Oh? Like what, Thomas?" Emily asked.

"Well, they may not be the most personable people, but they've never really pointed you out for anything particular," said Thomas.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure if they'd be the ones to point out my beauteous looks and, ahem, gorgeous curves," said Emily.

"Maybe, maybe not, Emily," said Thomas. "But it would be nice to hear what they could potentially say about you..."

"Maybe, Thomas," said Emily. "Their inspections always work by the numbers of course. Working to precise operation."

Thomas heard Emily talk, but when he heard "number," escape her lips, he suddenly widened his eyes just a little, then he began looking further back along her form, as if he were trying to see her tender, but she was halfway into her berth. Emily saw Thomas looking far back and wondered if what she said triggered anything in him.

"What is it, Thomas?" Emily asked.

Thomas looked to Emily and could feel what he had been thinking of late filling his boiler up...and based on what she had just said, he suddenly began to wonder all over again ever since Emily had learnt that fame isn't for everyone...when it came to something that was temporarily added to her livery.

"What you just said, Emily...how inspections work 'by the numbers'. It...it just made me remember...when you had your number."

Emily looked at Thomas and distinctly remembered that day when she was curious of her Stirling Siblings carrying the No. 1 and "GNR," on their tenders. She remembered how she had that little addition added to her livery. While some admired her new looks, others teased and pestered her quite a bit over clamoring over her basis' history to the point that such fuss exhausted her and she decided not to go with a number or initials.

"My number?" she whispered. "Why...why do you say that, Thomas? Are...are you thinking of me...actually having a number? For real?"

"Well...I don't know, Emily," said Thomas. "I've been thinking about it off and on for a few days now, thinking about your temporary experience. There's only one No. 1 on Sodor, that being me. But...I can't help but wonder again what your number could be...if you had one for real."

"Hmm...I don't know, Thomas," said Emily. "I've never thought or pandered much about having my own number aside from my No. 1 and 'GNR,' tender. All the engines from you to Oliver are numbered in chronological order, with the other engines having their own numbers...but for me? I...I really don't know what number I'd be...or how I'd come to earn a number. You earned your number with your official repaint in blue when you first ever arrived on Sodor, Philip considered 68 to be relevant after saving sixty-eight of Farmer McColl's sheep, Rosie had No. 37 painted on her new cherry livery because she simply likes how the number sounds when you say it...but me? Hmm...I do not know what number I'd have or how it would come to be."

"Hmm. Well, I was just wondering, Emily," said Thomas. "But for now, I say goodnight, my love. I feel that tomorrow will go very well for all of us."

"So do I, Thomas," said Emily. "You're sweet to wonder new things for me, and for now, goodnight to you, Tommy."

And so, Thomas and Emily fell asleep too, wondering what the next day would bring. Emily smiled gently in her sleep, feeling ready for the next day to come...but what Emily didn't know, what Thomas didn't know, and what many others on Sodor didn't know was there was yet another revelation just around the corner for Emily to be part of. In all her years on Sodor, she had gone through so many experiences with Thomas and all the other engines, and of course David when he came and joined Sodor's society...and in just a matter of the very day to follow...there would be the latest and greatest revelation for Emily the Stirling Single. She, the beautiful emerald angel, queen, and wife figure of Thomas the Tank Engine would be in for a truly amazing and remarkable departure from her previous experiences of wishing not to feel inadequate from time to time and wanting to be more than she was. What would come about for Emily, Thomas, and even a few select engines would be something truly astounding...

After a whole night's sleep for all the engines, the sun rose with a lovely pink glow in the sky, and it was another lovely spring morning at Tidmouth Sheds when the engines all woke up and greeted each other good morning. Then they saw Fat Controller arrive. The engines all remembered what he had said the day before and were ready to hear the news.

"Good morning, sir," said Thomas. "Is the Railway Inspector here now?"

"Good morning to you all," said the Fat Controller. "And yes, Thomas. He is here indeed. I've come to tell you all just what will be happening today, and I think it will be rather interesting to say the least."

"Oh. Good, then," said Emily. "So...what shall happen today?"

The Fat Controller walked along the shed berths, brushing his hat a little, then putting it back on. Then he announced the news.

"Today, the Railway Safety Inspector will be carrying out safety checks and an Emergency Drill."

All the engines looked to each other and felt a sense of wonder. They had not had a safety inspection for a considerable period of time, and never before had they performed an Emergency Drill. Percy couldn't help but ask what it would be.

"What's an Emergency Drill?"

"A drill, Percy, is where you practice what to do in an emergency," said the Fat Controller.

"But what will the emergency be?" Percy asked.

"Ho-ho, there won't be a real emergency, you'll just hear a siren," said the Fat Controller. "And whoever is closest to the Search and Rescue Centre should get Rocky. Everybody else can report to Knapford Station. And don't forget. Keep it safe."

And so all the engines got on with their jobs. Thomas and Emily were the last to leave Tidmouth Sheds, now wondering further what this day would be like.

"Safety inspections," said Thomas. "And a drill? I wonder which of us will be fetching Rocky once the siren reaches our ears?"

"I don't know yet, but you know me, Thomas," said Emily. "I'll do whatever needs doing. As long as I'm a busy engine, then I'm a happy engine."

"Well, that sounds really useful," Thomas smiled.

"Of course it is, Tommy. Now, we'd best make ready for those inspections once our time arrives," Emily whistled.

And with that, Thomas and Emily set off to go about their jobs with the other engines, and the Safety Inspector got on with his jobs. At Knapford Station, he told Emily to wait her turn, and for Thomas, Nia and Rebecca to wait beside the station while he inspected the station signals, and Gordon and James first.

"Steady, everyone. All in good time," said the Safety Inspector.

"Please let me know when I'm ready to be checked, sir," said Emily. "I wish to be safe and really useful too."

The Safety Inspector nodded while Emily stayed put and waited. While the engines waited, the Inspector checked that the signals were in tip-top shape and working perfectly. When it was Gordon's turn, the Inspector even listened through a stethoscope to the inner workings of Gordon's boiler so as to see fit that he'd be good to go for the express. Then he walked alongside the blue express engine.

"Full marks for safety, Gordon," said the Safety Inspector.

"Of course. 'Safety,' is my middle name," Gordon remarked.

Next it was James' turn. The Safety Inspector checked him over in a closely detailed manner until he was just about done.

"Extra marks for good looks?" James winked impressively.

As Thomas had told Emily, the Safety Inspector wasn't very personable about such details as this. Then he got to inspecting Rebecca, Nia and Thomas in sequence. He had them whistle one after the other to see they were all working properly, which they were.

"Your whistles are as fit as...well...a whistle!" said the Safety Inspector.

"Yes, well...thank you, good sir," Rebecca answered.

"Indeed, sir," Nia added.

At that moment, Thomas heard Emily's whistle come from behind the station wall as she came into sight, anticipating her turn to be checked.

"Now, sir...I know you told us all to wait. Including Emily. May she have her inspection now?" Thomas asked.

The Safety Inspector looked at Emily smiling and ready. To this, he agreed. Thomas watched from his siding, and Emily watched as the Safety Inspector looked intently at her features and condition. Her wheels were perfectly clean and in good working order, her bufferbeam and buffers were perfectly smooth and straight, and her golden handrails were all aligned perfectly straight along her sides, and curved neatly right over her smokebox.

"Hmm...Emily, blow your whistle for me, so I can hear it is working well," said the Inspector. Emily did so.

"Excellent. Your whistle is as fit as...well, a whistle," said the Inspector. "I see your buffers are in perfect order, your handrails are in perfect alignment, right along with the gorgeous curves you carry, as the Great Railway Show recalls."

Emily managed not to blush as she heard what the Inspector said. "Thank you, sir. So what marks do I get, sir?"

"I'd say as full as full can be...for sensibility and sense of reason," said the Inspector. "Now off you go, Emily. We still have a drill to run once the time arrives."

"Yes, sir," said Emily. "And I'll see you later too, Thomas, Nia and Rebecca."

"You too, Emily," said Thomas. "Congratulations on your inspection."

And with a whistle of surety, Emily set off down the line, while the other engines could now get to work for the day...but in just a matter of hours, all the engines had very little idea of just what would happen shortly. Especially Emily...who was soon in for the big revelation...

Throughout the day, on toward noon, the other engines got on with their work, and the Safety Inspector carried out further safety checks wherever he needed to, until at last, he finished his inspections right up to the Search and Rescue Centre as he checked Rocky to be sure he'd be ready for the drill. The Search and Rescue Workmen had brought along a special battery with a wire and a red button to be put to use. And after inspections for the drill, Rocky was confirmed to be in tip-top shape himself and all-too ready to be picked up by whichever engine would come for him. Everything was set for the drill...and for Emily.

"Well, you're safe and good to go, Rocky," said the Inspector. "Time for the Emergency Drill."

And the Safety Inspector drew the battery with the red button and live wire to the emergency siren. The Safety Inspector raised his hand to the button...then he pressed it. In the next moment, the emergency siren began blaring through the air. The noise echoed through much of the railway, and indeed whichever engines heard it the closest would have to make their way to fetch Rocky then report to Knapford Station.

Along the line, Percy was the first to hear the siren in the distance.

"Oh! There's the siren!" he whistled. "It's time to rush for Rocky and answer the drill!"

And Percy took off down the line...but elsewhere along the line, Rebecca and James soon picked up the siren through their ears and said the same as Percy, rushing on their own ways to follow the sound. But in the next little while to follow, no one had any idea of just what this would lead to, for themselves...and above all...Emily.

Further out on the Main Line, Emily had been huffing along the line, feeling proud of her Safety Inspection going so well, with an added comment of her gorgeous curves too...but then she heard the blaring siren through the air, quite closely. All sensations of simply going about her day suddenly merged into alert and a sense of urgency. This was the Emergency Drill, and even though it was practice, Emily still treated it very seriously.

"The emergency siren!" she gasped. "I must be the closest! Rocky, here I come!"

Emily made have been racing to get Rocky, but he still made sure she was safe. Only a few seconds after she set off with a race in her wheels, her signal ahead went red and she knew she'd have to stop. Even in emergencies, staying safe was still the top priority. So Emily stopped and waited for her signal to be green again...whereas Percy, he saw Emily waiting and took his chance to go quickly. He rushed down the line beside her...and right past the red signals. Emily suddenly saw her beloved son figure rush through the signal, and became much alarmed.

"Percy! The signal is re-e-e-ed!" she hollered after her son figure.

"Sorry! But it's the alarm!" Percy called back as he rushed onward. "I need to get Rocky!"

"But you're driving on the wrong side...!" Emily tapered off as Percy disappeared, then she felt a little shortchanged. "And I was going to get-"

Emily's signal went green and she was clear to carry on. She began to wonder if maybe Percy would be alright after all, and so she carried on.

"Oh, well. There's no point in two of us getting Rocky," she stated contently as she made her way back to Knapford Station to report as arranged.

Meanwhile at Wellsworth Station with Annie and Clarabel, Thomas heard the siren too.

"The siren! I should get Rocky!" Thomas exclaimed. But before he could make a move, he saw James rushing in the other way.

"You stay here! I'll face the emergency like the hero I am!"

"James, it's just a practice!" Thomas called.

"Practice makes perfect, Thomas! And that's what I am! Perfect!" James announced grandly as he passed through the station.

"Huh! Riff-raff!" Thomas huffed. "Well, if he wants all that glory, I'd best return to Knapford once these passengers are taken care of...but what about Emily?"

Further along the line, as Nia passed over the bridge where James and Emily had their big tumbles, she heard the siren too. She was almost inclined to respond to the emergency when she heard Rebecca whistle from the line below her.

"High, Nia, Rebecca! I'm getting Rocky!" the two engines said together in perfect synch.

"Oh, dear. We can't both get Rocky," said Nia. "You should go. You're faster."

Rebecca smiled big and whistled to Nia as she rushed into the tunnel, while Nia carried on.

And at Gordon's Hill, Gordon was thundering along the line with the express. As he came right to the top of his hill, he heard the siren too. He almost felt the rush of need to respond, but with the express, there were passengers who needed looking after nonetheless, and this was a practice after all. Someone else could easily respond while he kept to his passengers' schedule.

"Ohh! I haven't got time for practice," Gordon stated as he thundered on down the hill. "I have an express to deliver!"

By this time, Thomas and Nia returned to Knapford as instructed to do so. The Fat Controller and the Safety Inspector were both there and logged the two engines' arrival. Thomas wondered who'd be getting Rocky by this point...until he saw Emily huffing back to the station herself, which the Fat Controller and Inspector nodded to. It seemed that she had stayed safe enough, but if she hadn't gone to get Rocky, then who did? James? Percy? Rebecca? Gordon? Thomas wondered this for a moment as Emily came along the platform and gave a little smile to Thomas.

"Hello, Emily," said Thomas. "I see you're back here as instructed."

"Yes, Thomas. I am," said Emily. "Now there's not much else to do...but wait for the others."

So Emily, Nia and Thomas waited, expecting the others to come back any minute. But ten minutes passed. Then another ten. Then as 12:30 came upon the clock, the Fat Controller broke the silence.

"Where is everyone else?" he asked.

"Percy's gone to get Rocky," said Emily.

"So has Rebecca," said Nia.

"And so has James," Thomas added.

Suddenly, Emily's heart flipped a little and she began to wonder what would happen now. She remembered warning Percy before about missing his signal...but now James and Rebecca were on the run too...most likely due to intercept each other and bring on a bigger problem.

"Hmm?" the Safety Inspector eyed the Fat Controller.

"Well...you can never be too safe," the Fat Controller answered.

Never too safe indeed, as back on the Main Line, James, Rebecca and Percy would all find out in just a matter of moments. James was still hurrying along the line when he saw Rebecca hurrying along the line beside him.

"Emergency hero coming through!" James whistled.

"Huh? But I'm getting Rocky!" Rebecca replied.

"Rescue Engine coming through!" Percy whistled, just as he swerved from the junction right onto Rebecca's line! The two big engines looked, and disaster lay ahead!

"Percy-y-y-y!" James and Rebecca called out.

All three engines suddenly forgot about fetching Rocky and now rushed to stop. Rebecca applied her brakes, but it was too late. She was still going too fast, and when she bumped into Percy, the force and speed made both their wheels bounce. Rebecca tipped from left to right, then left, until she completely sprawled over on her side and skidded along the ground! Her bump had sent Percy bumping and bouncing to the other line, where James ran into him too, jolting Percy off the line once more, followed closely by James as he jolted off the rails and skidded a little further behind, along with Rebecca until they all stopped...directly on a level crossing.

"My shiny, red paintwork!" cried James.

Cars began piling up at the level crossing, honking their horns and drivers came out of a few vehicles to see just what had happened. The gates opened and shut several times over as no traffic could move now.

"Oh, dear!" Percy's driver exclaimed. "This isn't just a pretend emergency. It's turned into a REAL emergency! We need proper help, and we must make sure there's only ONE engine on the run to get Rocky! I'll call for help."

So Percy's driver ran to the nearest signal box to telephone for help...

Back at Knapford Station, Emily, Nia and Thomas continued to wait for any word about Rocky and the Emergency Drill. They all couldn't help but wonder to themselves who would have gotten Rocky with three engines on the run...or if something else had happened. While waiting, Emily found herself beginning to have little flickers of thought about what Thomas had said to her about earning a number in any way, shape or form and she began to smile at the thought. But then she remembered seeing Percy rush past the red signal again and she quickly lost thoughts of having a number and continued to wait with Thomas and Nia.

Then suddenly, as the Fat Controller came out of his office again, Albert came running onto the platform. Percy's driver had managed to call him and tell him to alert the Fat Controller of what had happened. Emily could see the urgency and suddenly felt urgent herself.

"Quick! There's been a big emergency!" he urged.

"Don't worry, Albert. It's just a practice," said the Fat Controller.

"No! It's very, very real, sir! Percy, Rebecca and James are all derailed!"

Thomas, Nia and Emily all gaped and popped their eyes and suddenly felt rather urgent.

The Fat Controller gasped. "Well...what about Rocky?"

"It seems the accident must have happened on their way to get to Rocky," said Albert.

"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" said the Fat Controller. "Thomas, you're coming with me to the accident site to see just what has happened! But who shall fetch Rocky now? We can't have more than one engine on the run for him this time!"

It was in that moment that Emily suddenly saw an opportunity. Not to be a hero or to gain any reward like James thought on his way to the pretend emergency before it became a real emergency. Emily knew this was a very real emergency and that proceeding efficiently, consistently and safely was what mattered beyond all else right now. In her ever-shining sensibility and sense of reason, she made her decision.

"I'll get Rocky, sir, and meet you at the accident site!"

Then Emily whistled off on her way to the rescue. Thomas heard what she had just said and suddenly began to feel a sense of excitement and anticipation in his boiler. What would Emily do to save the day? And depending on how this would turn out...would she have yet another revelation...like what he had been thinking? All Thomas could do was wonder and begin to smile.

"Go, Emily, go!" Thomas whistled. "Emily to the Rescue!"

"Yes, Thomas! Emily to the Rescue!" Emily whistled back as she proceeded quickly down the line.

"Now, then! Take me onward too, Thomas! Nia, you wait here," the Fat Controller ordered.

Thomas rushed to Platform 1 and picked up the Fat Controller, while the Safety Inspector left the station and drove onwards to find the accident himself.

By this time, Gordon was still racing along the line with the express...until he looked ahead and saw a workman waving two red flags. Gordon had to slow down of course, and was thinking this was a trivial inconvenience...until he saw James and Percy derailed...and to his sheer, overwhelming shock, his Golden Queen Rebecca completely overturned on her side! Never had he seen an image like this regarding his Golden Queen. What had happened to cause such a big mess?

"Huh? James, Percy? Rebecca?!" he whistled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I think so," Percy replied.

"Oh! We're fine. Just a little bump," Rebecca smiled, seeing the shock on her Big G's face, and trying to soften the blow.

"I'm not fine!" James huffed. "My poor paintwork!"

Then Thomas whistled in with the Fat Controller onboard.

"Oh, dear, oh, dear," the Fat Controller remarked, shaking his head. "I'm afraid you'll need to find a different route, Gordon. But don't worry, everybody. Emily is getting Rocky."

Meanwhile, Emily was still huffing along the line on her way to the Search and Rescue Centre, only imagining just where the accident could be so she could help James, Percy and Rebecca out of their little jam. As she could only imagine what the accident would look like, and if anything else would probably happen for her to overcome in only seconds to avoid further trouble, she began to think persistent thoughts...about not giving up...and thinking she can...rather like Rebecca once citied on Gordon's Hill with her trucks...about a story of a little engine who thought she could.

"Emily to the Rescue," she said steadily to herself. "I think I can."

But then, Emily saw a bridge up ahead...and a long line of traffic waiting on and behind the bridge. Seeing this gave her a budding idea of not only what accident might have happened...but just where it might have happened too.

"Hmm...all this traffic must be because the level crossing is blocked," Emily observed.

Emily began to piece everything together more and more as she approached the bridge. But then there was trouble. As Emily looked a little closer, she suddenly heard a little crippling, cracking noise from the bridge, and bits of mortar and dust came raining down...then a big crack began to snake its way along the bridge from underneath! Emily was suddenly afraid, but in that same instant, she remembered what David had said while telling his hurricane story. Emily may have been afraid, but she couldn't let fear stop her from prevailing. In the precious seconds she had, she immediately conjured another quick plan.

"Oh, no! Bertie! Get everyone off this bridge! It isn't safe!" she ordered.

Bertie immediately honked his horn and backed up, while the other vehicles managed to move off the bridge.

"But where are you going?" Bertie called.

"I've got to get Rocky!" Emily called back. As she disappeared around the bend, the Safety Inspector's car stopped behind the bridge.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

"Emily says the bridge isn't safe, sir," said Bertie. "It began to collapse, and now she's on her way to get Rocky!"

"Hmm...she must have figured out that the accident is at a level crossing," said the Inspector. "She's such a clever girl!"

Meanwhile, Gordon was thundering along the line on his different route, feeling rather shocked and sorry for Rebecca of course, but also quite indignant about the potential delay this emergency was causing him too.

"All this confusion and delay is making me very late with the express!" he huffed indignantly.

On her rescue route, Emily began to hurry and go faster and faster. But even then, she kept her eyes open and her ears listening away for anything else she'd have to watch out for. Her signals showed green, and her points switched her in the right directions toward the Search and Rescue Centre...and along the way, she began to cite that 'Little Engine,' rally again.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" she huffed surely and strongly.

And just a little while later, Emily looked and saw the Search and Rescue Centre just ahead. She rushed her way right to the platform where Rocky was waiting. Butch, Belle and Flynn were all outside too, and they all noticed Emily looking urgent.

"Hello, Emily. What's the hurry?" Belle asked. "This is only a pretend emergency after all."

"Not anymore, it isn't, Belle!" Emily whistled. "This has turned into a real emergency, and we actually DO need Rocky now! James, Percy and Rebecca were all rushing to get here, and they've all derailed at a level-crossing! I'm sure of it because there's a lot of stuck traffic!"

"Goodness! Well, you'd best hurry then, Emily!" said Belle.

And so Emily did. She hurriedly used the Rescue Centre turntable to turn back around, then collected Rocky and doubled back down the line again, making her way back for the bridge to see what she could do there...and so she could get closer and closer to the accident site. By this time, Emily felt a new part of her awakening. She felt a soaring glow in her boiler that she could really think on her wheels and solve problems. She had been building this ability over her years of experience, and now was her chance to bring it all forth in such useful cause.

"Come on, Rocky! We've got an emergency to get to!" Emily huffed strongly. "That bridge may or may not collapse. Let's hope no engine is coming that way!"

Meanwhile, Gordon kept racing on his way, still thinking of the potential delay his express had been caused...but he had no idea just what sort of trouble his route was leading him to...until he heard a Search and Rescue workman calling out to him.

"Stop, Gordon! Stop!" he called, waving two red flags again.

Gordon urgently applied his brakes, but by the time he stopped, he was right under the bridge...the very one that Emily had spotted collapsing...and that's just what it continued to do! The Safety Inspector, and many people watched on with great concern and worry as the bridge quivered and cracked more and more. Gordon quivered badly himself, and he thought for sure it would all fall on him...until there was a loud clank right beside him, and the crippling stopped. Gordon looked...and there was Rocky with his crane arm holding the bridge up...and there was Emily, smiling away that she had rescued Gordon, and withheld the bridge from collapsing.

"Thank you," Gordon sighed with glowing gratitude. Then Emily heard her reward of words right above her.

"Well done, Emily!" the Safety Inspector smiled. "You prevented a big accident and saved the day!"

Emily tittered happily and proudly. "T-heh! It was nothing, sir."

"Astonishing," said the Safety Inspector. "Now Gordon, you'd best pass on through there. Never mind any delay your express has. Emergencies are another matter where being on time is not nearly as important as staying safe."

"Of course, sir," said Gordon. "A thousand thanks, Emily! You really are a diligent, brave and safety-minded angel!"

"Oh, nothing to it, Gordon," said Emily. "Just wait until Thomas and Percy hear about...oh! Oh, dear! Percy! James! Rebecca! We have to help them! But what to do about the bridge? Okay...let me see. Bertie and all these cars behind the bridge will have to find another way. We'll have to see to it that a work team gets to fixing this bridge."

"Splendid, Emily! You took the words right out of my mouth," said the Safety Inspector.

"Just doing what has to be done, sir," said Emily. "Now, come on, Rocky! We have three emergencies to get to! One for each engine!"

As soon as Gordon was on his way again, Emily set off down the line with Rocky, moving onwards and forwards for the accident she could now get to safely and efficiently. She was so very full of shining pride and belonging, that she couldn't help but start chanting the "Little Engine," rally once more.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I CAN!"

Emily's wheels hummed steadily along the rails. White smoke billowed out from her funnel, her pistons pumped and her boiler, her fire burned strongly and her boiler steamed and bubbled warmly all while she kept going. And then, after several minutes more to count, she suddenly heard it.

"Emily! Rocky! You're here!" Percy's voice called from ahead.

Emily looked up and there she was arriving at the accident site. She was on the middle line and she looked ahead to Thomas, who was smiling hugely while the Fat Controller waved to Emily as they had met as planned. Then Emily looked to Percy, seeing that he wasn't too roughed up. James was quite swiveled...then Emily gasped when she saw Rebecca completely sprawled over on her side. But Emily was now at the accident site, and she could now settle this whole matter.

"Don't worry, everyone!" she said strongly and assuredly. "I've brought Rocky, and you'll all be back on track!"

"Whoo! Hooray for Emily!" Rebecca cheered.

"My dear, sweet mother to the rescue!" Percy peeped.

"Just be careful with my paintwork, Rocky!" James uttered.

So Rocky got straight to work. He maneuvered Percy back on track first on the outside track. Then James was brought back on track too, right behind Percy.

"There you go, Percy and James. Back on track again," said Rocky. "But you, Rebecca. You'll need a little more work."

"We're right on it, Rebecca," said Emily.

Rocky's hook as secured to Rebecca, and slowly, but surely, she was lifted right-side up again, then she was lifted right back on the rails herself. The emergency was finally resolved. Emily looked up to Thomas to see what he thought of all this. He had been wondering how Emily would manage all of this, and he did not know what to clearly say. What had started out as a pretend emergency turned into a real emergency, and Emily was the one who came to the rescue.

Then Thomas slowly came forward toward Emily with such a proud look in his eyes. The Fat Controller leaned out from Thomas' cab and smiled right at the emerald angel.

"Emily...you are the most diligent and amazingly sensible engine I've ever met," he stated. "This is a proud, proud day for you."

"Indeed, it is, sir," said Thomas. "I never thought this pretend emergency would turn into a real emergency, Emily...but to see that you're the one who saved the day...oh, my beautiful emerald angel! Congratulations Emily!"

And he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her right there for everyone to see and smile to.

Mm-hm-hm-hm-hm!" Emily giggled as Thomas let go. "Thank you, Tommy. It was quite simple, really...I thought I could!"

To this, Thomas smiled broadly along with Percy, James and Rebecca, then all the drivers in their cars cheered and honked their horns for Emily's rescue. Then all the engines cleared the level crossing, and the gates opened at last, letting all the traffic flow right through until they had all caught up on their way and cleared the level crossing again. By this time, the Fat Controller had seen that Emily had indeed come to the rescue...but he wondered if there was anything else she had done to save the day...and for such diligent and useful efforts, he began to form a few little plans.

"Well, Emily...you have done most amazingly today," he said. "Now that all the engines are back in order...I think I have some things to think over. Thomas, take me back to Knapford Station...there are some things that I must do...and Emily, meet us back at Tidmouth Sheds later."

"Yes, sir!" Emily promised. "I'll be there."

And with that, Percy, James and Rebecca had all been rescued and got on their way again to return to Tidmouth Sheds and await the other engines' return. Emily went on her way to return Rocky to the Search and Rescue Centre, glowing with glory and pride...and Thomas took the Fat Controller on his way back to Knapford. Thomas was indeed surprised, delighted and excited to see that Emily was the one to respond to such an abrupt emergency and think efficiently to get to Rocky and get everyone back in order, and it just made him begin to feel flickers of thought again...if she would really achieve just what the two of them had thought a little bit about just the night before...but he was too buzzed and delightfully excited to say anything about it as he couldn't wait to hear everything else with the other engines...then see what glory would become of his beautiful emerald angel.

At last, Thomas and the Fat Controller came back to Knapford. There, they saw that the Safety Inspector was there once again with a big and proud smile on his face. Thomas saw this and had a very strong feeling that it was something to do with Emily. The Fat Controller could see this and winked to Thomas as he set off for Tidmouth Sheds.

"Well, Sir Topham," said the Safety Inspector. "Has Emily rescued Percy, James and Rebecca?"

"She has indeed, sir," said the Fat Controller. "And for knowing just what to do and how when this drill turned into a real emergency, I'm beginning to think a few things over. But first...is there anything else she ended up doing to save the day today?"

"In fact, there is indeed, Sir Topham," said the Safety Inspector.

And over the next few minutes, the Fat Controller listened to what the Safety Inspector had to say...about the broken bridge due to the held up traffic, how Emily told Bertie to get everyone off the bridge, how Gordon had rushed in too quickly, then Emily saved him and the bridge. When the Fat Controller heard everything, he felt a great sense of surety and felt most exceptionally proud of Emily...and that was all he needed so that he could think even further and present Emily with quite a revelation.

"Thank you so very much for telling me all of this, Inspector," said the Fat Controller. "Emily is indeed one of our best engines on Sodor. Such a remarkable figure of love she is to our Thomas...and such a heroic, caring and sensible engine...it's all so remarkable. Now...I think I know just what to do for our emerald hero...there are some things I know I must do now...and you, Inspector, have a wonderful day."

"Of course, Sir Topham. All the best...and for Emily...she shall receive a truly magnificent report truly!"

"Oh, I know she will!" the Fat Controller smiled as the Safety Inspector left to return to the Mainland...and spread the word further.

Then the Fat Controller went right inside his office. For quite a long while, he sat right down and checked his timetable, looking several pages in toward several days ahead, and even weeks. He caught little glimpses of engines passing through the station on their way back to Tidmouth Sheds, but he didn't see Emily...yet. As he kept thinking about her, he drew a pen and began jotting down checkmarks, notes and a carefully and well thought-out organization...where there was a consistent series of Emily's name and different duties on different sets of days of each week for as far as he could count on the timetable. There was to be a great and powerful surprise for Emily and even Thomas once the whole Steam Team would be regathered at Tidmouth Sheds.

At last, the Fat Controller had finished his finalizations. He put his pen down and looked at his organization with such a smile. Then he looked to his telephone, putting together one more thing. He called the Steamworks and said something about a certain visit...and something about numbers too. Then as soon as the arrangement was met, he hung up, danced a little jig in his office, and then straightened his hat as straightly as he could. And with that, he hurried out of his office and drove right to Tidmouth Sheds.

When he got there, he saw that all the engines had come back, except Emily, still on her way back from the Search and Rescue Centre. All the engines were talking away endlessly to each other, all about Emily coming to the rescue. The word had circled to Gordon and Nia and they were both just as immensely fascinated as everyone else was.

"Well, everyone," said the Fat Controller. "It looks like you all know who our hero is today!"

"We do, sir!" Thomas beamed happily.

"Oh, Emily! She's our hero!" Rebecca whistled.

"I must say, she did a lovely job helping us all. Even me!" James remarked.

"Such a heroic mother! I knew she'd make it for all of us!" Percy whistled.

"She came and rescued all three of you!" Gordon remarked. "And even me! I was right under that bridge. I thought for sure it would fall on me...and then there she was! And she thought up everything so quickly, but clearly too!"

"Absolutely remarkable!" Nia beamed. "The Emerald Ranger with me and the Sodor Rangers, now she's the Emerald Rescuer!"

"Oh, all of Sodor smiles upon my emerald angel and wife today!" Thomas whistled vigorously. "Just what could be next for our Excellent Emerald Emily?"

"Well...you'll all have to wait and see," said the Fat Controller. "The Safety Inspector told me all about her heroic actions even before she got to the accident site. She figured out that the level crossing was blocked when she first passed that bridge, then she told Bertie to get everyone off. This is all such a splendor and astonishment in so many ways! And for all of that...I've been putting together something brand new for Emily...and a most fitting reward once she comes back."

All the engines gasped and beamed with such smiles...but Thomas suddenly found himself buzzing with the subject of Emily having a number, just like they talked of the night before...could this be the day? Would she finally have a unique number off of her very own? And what else would her reward be?

Then in that moment, the Fat Controller all the engines heard that distinct, beautiful whistle. They all froze...looked up...and there was Emily, huffing right toward the turntable and smiling from buffer to buffer at all her friends. For the whole ride home from the Rescue Centre, she had been bubbling and basking with such pride, joy and enthusiasm as to what awaited her here at Tidmouth Sheds. As she neared the turntable, she could tell that the rest of the engines had now heard just what had happened that day...and this was a proud, proud day for Emily to bask in.

"Hello, Emily...our Stirling Single, our beautiful emerald angel, our diligent, strong emerald!" the Fat Controller announced. "You're our hero of the day, and now is the time for your reward!"

Emily gasped and shuddered. "Ohh...what is it, sir?"

"Well, come right inside, and I'll tell you just what is to be done," the Fat Controller winked. "I have most immense news for you...and for all the Steam Team to hear. Today marks a day to remember in so many ways."

"Oh! Yes, sir! Wow...hello, all of my friends!" Emily whistled. "You've all heard everything, have you?"

"We have, my beautiful emerald angel, Emily!" Thomas smiled. "Let's hear it for Emily! The Rescuer of the Day!"

"Mother Emily to the Rescue!" Percy whistled.

"Yay! Ha-hey! Hurrah!" all the engines cheered as Emily approached the turntable and turned right around.

All the engines could see her emerald form and all her gorgeous curves turn and glisten in the sunlight as she turned right around to her berth and smiled proudly. She kept hearing all the cheers and praises from the whole Steam Team cheering her on for her heroics. And as she backed into her berth, the Fat Controller now had the big news to tell the emerald angel.

"I heard all about your heroic actions, Emily. You really know how to think on your wheels and solve problems. In fact, from now on, I'd like you to be our official Safety Engine!"

When Emily heard this, she felt a great rush of pride and revelation glow in her boiler as she gasped, "Ohh! Thank you, sir!"

And then in that moment...the Fat Controller spoke again...those very words that couldn't be better fit than for this very day in time.

"And another thing," the Fat Controller added. "It's also time you had a number, because I know I can always 'count' on you! He-he-he-heh!"

As soon as Emily heard "number," something clicked, sparked then fizzed in her firebox in such a strong and powerful way, she nearly let off a big burst of steam just from the excitement, but she managed to hold it in for a few moments so as to maintain the situation...and under Thomas' calm presentation and smile...something almost cracked inside him with almost a chain reaction as he heard Emily respond.

"Oh! You can indeed sir!" she laughed proudly.

All the rest of the Steam Team stared at Emily with big smiles and racing hearts when they heard that she'd get a number too. All of them began wondering immediately what number it would be, and they were very happy for Emily and her newfound accomplishment today, but above all of them, Thomas was the proudest of all. After a moment or two passed, he suddenly remembered just what he and Emily had talked about the night before...and now, he could not believe just how right he really was about her having a true number all of her own. Emily suddenly looked to Thomas and saw him huff forward a yard or two and they both felt that little conversation buzzing in both their fireboxes.

"Cinders and Ashes! Fire and Smoke!" Thomas wheeshed excitedly. "Oh...Emily! My beautiful emerald angel! Emily the Safety Engine! And a NUMBER?! I-I can't believe it! It...it's finally happening!"

"Yes...it...it IS, Thomas!" Emily gushed and shuddered. "I...I'm finally going to have my very own number! Oh...sir! SIR! I...Thank you!"

"Hmm. You both seem especially excited," said the Fat Controller. "Were you two talking about numbers recently?"

"Oh...by my funnel, sir!" Thomas gasped. "I...I knew today was just supposed to be a pretend emergency, then it turned real and Emily came to everyone's rescue...but it just so happens that we were talking about numbers just last night! I'd been thinking about it on and off every few days, and I was merely wondering what it would be like...but I had no idea...NO idea at ALL that Emily would be given such a reward as to have her own official number and title of the Railway!"

"Indeed, she is, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "And you deserve your number with every moment you'll have it, Emily. Now...as for which number you shall be, I know first of all that it won't be No. 1 or 'GNR' on your tender. I've thought of a truly different number."

"Oh...oh, sir!" Emily gasped. "And...what number shall I be from this day forward?"

"Hmm..." the Fat Controller pondered. "Well, Emily. I spoke with the Steamworks...and I've made my choice for your number. No other engine carries this number...until you shall...this very night when dusk falls. You, Emily, our Safety Engine, shall be...No. 12."

Thomas immediately looked back toward Emily's tender and could almost see the number right there already. As for Emily, she thought about the number and felt such a joyous bubbling glow in her boiler as she felt herself becoming happier and happier. This day was such a wonderful one for Emily. Then after a few moments, the Fat Controller spoke again.

"Now, Emily...as for your new title of Safety Engine...I've also come to tell you just what that will mean, and all the arrangements I've made for you especially. This is important for all the rest of you to hear too, so listen up."

"Oh, yes. Right. Of course," said Emily. "I was just about to ask. As I am now the Steam Team's safety engine...what does that entail? What shall my duties be?"

"That's right, sir. What shall my emerald angel be doing to protect and serve us all as my beautiful emerald safety engine?" Thomas asked.

"What shall my dear, sweet mother be doing as our safety engine?" Percy asked.

The Fat Controller looked to the new safety engine with surety and solidarity. "Well, Emily, Thomas and Percy, I'm glad you all inquire to this. I shall let you know just what being the Safety Engine means and entails."

"Alright, sir. What am I to do with this new title?" Emily asked.

The Fat Controller stood tall and straightened his hat once more. Then he explained it all.

"Not much is changing for you, Emily. There is no change in your line of work. After all, you're still really useful pulling goods trains and passengers too, especially with everything we shall be doing this year. You're so useful, that will not change at all. You'll still be doing the jobs you always do in mostly the same way on the Main Line and Misty Valley Line...except for three things: One, you are now the eyes and ears of the Steam Team when responding to emergencies. Two, it means you must know what to do and how to feel and react, depending on what trains you may be pulling. And thirdly, after extensive reshuffling and rearranging...your timetable is now permanently confirmed to be an equal share of goods trains three to four days a week, and passengers three to four days a week, vice-versa."

All the engines listened with stirring hearts, and Emily steadily took it all in, picturing just what that would look and feel like.

"Hmm. Okay, then," she said. "So...with goods trains, what are my duties, sir?"

"Well, Emily. If you're busy with a goods train, and you see or hear of a derailment emergency, see hazardous potential or hear the emergency siren, you may leave your trucks and goods at the next station or siding that you find, bring Rocky and or workmen to the accident site, then once the hazard is resolved, go back for your goods train once Rocky has done his part. As we all know, late goods aren't as serious as late passengers, and after all, following rules and regulations and staying safe is far more important than being on time. In addition, I have permanently arranged to have all your goods train schedules be lengthened so you can avoid delay yourself on those matters."

"Mmm...thank you, sir. That sounds quite workable," said Emily. "Now...what about passengers, sir?"

"Looking after passengers for your three or four days a week is your chance to rest, Emily. With passengers, you needn't worry about fetching Rocky yourself...but as our safety engine, with passengers, it is still up to you to sound the alarm if you hear the siren. Therefore, if you hear the siren with passengers, whichever engine you see first, you are to alert him or her to fetch Rocky while you keep to your passengers' schedule. Preferably one with a goods train so as not to upset any passengers. And everyone else, if you don't see or hear Emily send for Rocky, you are to continue on with your work. Whoever of you Emily addresses, that is the one to fetch Rocky while she looks after her passengers."

The other engines pondered this idea and thought it worked very nicely. The Fat Controller went on.

"In addition, Emily. You also have the added duty of watching for faulty signals, broken fences, jammed level crossings, or what have you, and reporting on it if necessary. If you'd like, you're welcome to give advice and encouragement to the other engines to take care and stay safe."

"Oh, she can do more than that, sir," said Thomas. "She's now our watchful protector, inspiration and beautiful emerald guardian."

"And with her safety and guardianship, she'll be protecting the sheds every night, with all of us safe with her," Percy peeped cutely.

"Oh-ho-ho, Percy," Emily tittered with a little blush.

"And one more thing, Emily," the Fat Controller concluded. "It is my duty to assure you that emergencies don't happen often. In return for your new duties and new title, all the engines are to pitch in and be careful with how they work, so they won't overwork our official Safety Engine...and with that, that is all that entails you being Emily the Safety Engine. What do you think, Emily?"

Emily had heard everything, picturing how it would all work out whenever the times would come and go for her role of Safety Engine to play its part, and now she was absolutely filled with joy. Her cheeks began to blush and her voice began to shake with such fervor and bubbly delight.

"Oh...oh, sir!" she gushed happily. "I promise that whenever I'm needed or my word is needed, I'll be ready! This all works perfectly, and...oh, it's all perfect, sir! Thank you, thank you, thank you! OHH! I'm just SO happy!"

And all the other engines in Tidmouth Sheds whistled and cheered for their new Safety Engine. But above all the engines, and almost above Emily's happiness, Thomas was even happier. His beautiful emerald angel had come such a long, long way since the very beginning, and this so far was yet another golden, jewel-studded pinnacle of glory that neither he nor Emily would ever forget. He simply could not wait to see Emily with her new number, whenever that time would come.

Soon, the Fat Controller left, and the other engines left to return to their remaining work throughout the afternoon and evening...but Thomas and Emily stayed behind as they had no more work to do themselves for the day. Now that they were back in their own company again, they could now articulate their thoughts clearly and only for each other. Thomas cast a look right to Emily and could see her eyes gleaming with such indescribably joy in the sunlight. Much like the Clean Engine Inspection all those years ago, except in a much purer and glorified spell of joy today, the sunlight made Emily's brass safety valve sparkle. It made her emerald paint look shiner than ever, and her wheels indeed glimmered.

At last, Thomas spoke again. "Emily...Emily the Stirling Single...my angel...my brave, beautiful emerald angel...!"

Emily cast her eyes right to Thomas and could see he too was sparkling, shining and glimmering in her view too. She could feel her entire body tingling, bubbling and fluttering all over inside with such glee, excitement and joy...until she couldn't hold her excitement in anymore and let off a lovely swirl of steam that seemed so very bright and conspicuous in the sunlight, and Emily let out such a giggly little titter.

"Thomas...Thomas the Tank Engine...my star...my faithful, handsome cobalt star...c...come here, my love!"

Thomas did exactly that and turned right around on the turntable, right until he faced the love of his life. Emily gave a little dance to invite him closer, and so he did come closer, right until he touched her buffers and touched his round nose right to her cute, petite little nose.

"Your thoughts last night, Thomas..." Emily shuddered all over. "By God...the power of words...the power of words...Never did I think that I should live to see this day! A pretend emergency turned into a real emergency...and a mere thought and wonder has now come true from both of us!"

"I...I know, Emily...I...I think our words last night were enticed by some sort of spell between us...I was only wondering what it would be like...but now? I still can't put my buffer on it! All these years, and you never carried a permanent number...of course that never mattered in the least. Number or no number, it has NO effect on how much I love you to my core, Emily...but...oh, I...I CANNOT wait to see my sweet, happy angel carrying her very own number!"

Emily could hold back no longer. She reached her tingling lips right to Thomas and kissed him so deeply into his mouth, making his lips tingle and almost buzz with such fervor and overflowing delight as to what would come along this very night...and even more besides.

"I love you, Thomas...and yes! I too CANNOT wait to see myself bearing No. 12 on my tender! My No. 12 and my very own unique number! Tonight is going to be truly amazing...both for my number...and for us."

"Oh, don't you worry in the very least, my beautiful safety engine," Thomas beamed. "Tonight will be a night to remember!"

And Thomas and Emily shared another deep kiss to the lips before he returned to his berth and he and his angel waited out the rest of the day for dusk to fall, then her number would be truly obtained.

The hours passed. Thomas and Emily continued to bask and glow in the warm and wholesome sunshine together as it slowly crept through the sky, bringing the further hours of afternoon through the day, all while their smiles never wavered and the enthusiasm kept building and building to a higher and higher state within both engines...until at last, just around sundown, all the engines steadily came back to the sheds and backed into their berths once again. By now, Emily's fervor and enthusiasm was almost right through her funnel, and she knew her new look was less than an hour away now.

"The time is drawing near, everyone," she whispered to all the engines. "From tomorrow onwards...I'm No. 12 Safety Engine."

"Indeed you are, Emily," some of the engines yawned as they were ready to sleep after such a busy-handed day. "Goodnight, dear, sweet Emily."

"Hm-hm. Goodnight to all of you, my very dearest friends," Emily smiled purely.

And one by one, all the engines fell asleep, except Thomas and Emily as the clock was ticking down by the minute...until at last, the great moment had arrived. Just as the sun disappeared over the horizon and the stars began to appear through the sky, Thomas and Emily heard the distant sound of a car... then the Fat Controller's car drove up once again. He got out and Thomas and Emily immediately looked in his direction.

He walked right toward Emily, and while she looked at him, he stood still for a moment. Emily almost felt her heart skip a few beats as she waited for any word. Thomas felt his heart nearly slow down too...then the Fat Controller gave a single nod, then gestured outwards toward the Main Line.

"It is time," was all he said...and that was all Emily needed to hear. She gave one look to Thomas, who looked right back.

"Here I go, Tommy," she whispered purely. "I will be back...as your No. 12 Safety Engine."

"Go, my love," Thomas whispered back. "I'll be waiting for you right here whenever you return...and then it's all down to you and I."

"Also, Emily, just in case," said the Fat Controller. "Henry is out there with the Flying Kipper. Be sure that you're standing by in case anything happens. Then tomorrow, you'll be starting with passengers as will Thomas."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," said Emily.

She then winked to Thomas, then to the Fat Controller...and she set off right across the turntable and into the night. It was then that the Fat Controller suddenly realized there were just two others who may or may not have yet heard of this stirring revelation...and with that, he drove right back to Knapford Station and unlocked his office briefly, then went for his telephone...

As the moon began to shine overhead at Arlesburgh, David and Beatrice were resting in his house after yet another day's work...but David wasn't exactly relaxed per say. As the word got around throughout the day, he too had come to hear some of Emily's heroic actions when his day's work was done. He was indeed very proud and very surprised to have heard of Emily being so diligent and strategic, but he did not yet know quite yet about her being the official Safety Engine...or her new makeover to be had this very evening. He was just about to leave his house and make for the bus terminal...then the telephone rang. Beatrice watched as David got up and answered it at once, while Beatrice listened.

"Hello...Sir Topham? Yes, I heard about Emily. I couldn't be more proud of her. So diligent and strategic. What's that? Yes...? O-oh...yes, yes, sir. Oh. By, my God, I...I did not know these aspects...this...this is all truly astounding...thank you oh, so much, sir. Goodnight."

David then slowly hung up and stood up. Beatrice saw him cover his head with his palm, almost as if he seemed disappointed...but underneath, he felt very, very different. Beatrice watched as he very slowly walked out of the living room toward the doorway. Then she saw him take a deep breath in and raise both his arms, almost as if he were going to react in some way. Then...

"WWHHOOOO!"

Beatrice almost jumped off the couch to this. But before she could ask as to what this was all about, David suddenly shot out of the house and sprinted down to the bus terminal like a rocket. Beatrice suddenly clicked that it had to be about Emily and suddenly felt excited herself. Outside, Bertie was just about to leave with the last of his passengers when David reached him just in time.

"Bertie! Crovan's Gate Steamworks!" David commanded. Bertie took off at once into the night...

Meanwhile, Emily was still huffing along the nighttime scenery all around her, feeling her heart beating stronger and stronger as she contemplated that she would no longer be numberless, or have any hassle with any numbers like she did before. She was going to get the real thing. Her very own unique, wonderful number which everyone would recognize, admire and respect her for.

Then she looked up and gave a big, wholesome sigh. There was the Steamworks, where she would go in and meet her revelation. As she began to huff inside the Steamworks, she didn't notice a certain bus park some distance outside, and just who came running out and then hid by the Steamworks wall outside, waiting for the Safety Engine to come out again. There was David, who had come along with Bertie to see the truth for himself once his best friend came out again.

Emily had huffed right inside, looking all around at the balconies, turntable and furnace...and right nearby, there was Victor and a workman waiting for her...with two buckets of paint. Emily turned around on the Steamworks turntable and smiled to everyone there.

"Welcome...No. 12 Safety Engine...we heard everything, and we will never forget today, Emily," said Victor. "We are here, and we are ready."

"Yes...yes, Victor. I know you are," said Emily. "I...I can't believe it...I...I'm finally getting a number of my very own!"

"Indeed you are, Emily," said Victor. "I'll bring that large mirror right over...and then it shall begin."

Victor huffed further into the Steamworks, then shunted a flatbed with the large mirror to Emily's right side. She could see herself from front to back. She was now ready. Emily stood right where she was, beaming from buffer to buffer as she watched the workman check the paint buckets. She saw one can was tan-coloured paint, and the other can was chocolate-brown. Then she watched as the painter opened one of the cans, prepared the brush, then came to her right side.

Emily held her breath as he carefully and exquisitely painted the outline of her number in the chocolate brown paint. Emily watched the mirror, and even though it was backwards, she could still see the number forming right there on her tender. She felt a tingle of close magic flash through her heart and through pipes and cylinders. It was now happening. Before she knew it, Emily looked again and saw that on her right side of her tender, in the middle yellow square, finished off with the tan paint...was No. 12. Then she looked back to the left as she sensed the workman finishing the final touch of paint as he painted the main aspect of her number there too, until he made the final stroke of paint...and there it was.

Emily the Stirling Single, Thomas' beautiful emerald angel and forever wife figure had a number at last. The No. 12 on her tender. From Thomas to Oliver, all those engines were numbered in order. There was of course Nia with No. 18, Rebecca with No. 22, Rosie with No. 37 and Philip with No. 68. But now, Emily had added to the chronological number of engines with her No. 12 at last, and she was so very happy to have achieved what she did. From today onwards, this would be her official look, for all the engines to admire ad enjoy, and above all, herself and Thomas.

Then suddenly, without warning, the emergency siren began blaring outside in the distance. Emily noticed it at once and set off at once, immediately remembering just who could be out there and needed her help, and feeling her safety instincts kick in.

"Sorry! Got to go!" she said as she huffed proudly out of the Steamworks and whistled into the night. "No. 12 Safety Engine to the Rescue!"

But as Emily was looking ahead, she didn't see just who was watching her go by in the darkness. David heard Emily from inside, then saw her glide out into the night...and in that moment, he caught glimpse of just what was on her tender. As Emily whistled away into the night, David's eyes widened and his mouth gaped immensely for several moments until he turned and ran back to Bertie as quickly as he could, then rushed back to Arlesburgh for the night. There was so much for him to find out and to tell...which he and Beatrice would then bring forth to Emily as soon as they could.

Meanwhile, Emily steamed surely through the night under the moon and stars, taking great care to stay safe herself. She watched for all the signals whether they were red or green, and she kept her eyes and ears open all the way. Within ten minutes, she saw a red tail lamp ahead on the line beside her, and her nose caught a whiff of fish in the air. She was sure this was the accident site. She came closer and saw that it was the Flying Kipper derailed once again. Emily then came up alongside Henry and could see he had been derailed too. But Emily then saw that Henry wasn't upset or dismayed by his accident. If anything, he was very happy to see Sodor's Official Safety Engine come to help him, since he had heard the news too, as did all the rest of the island.

"Wow! Evening...Emily the Safety Engine!" Henry exclaimed.

Emily blushed and tittered proudly. "Mm-hm-hm-hm! Hello there, Henry. So you've heard the revelation too! What's happened here, then?"

"Oh, another sense of frequency with the Flying Kipper," said Henry. "But it's not too serious a derailment. Just a little lift from Rocky, and I'll be back on my way. I trust you're the one to do the job...No. 12 Safety Engine?"

"He-he-he! Of course, Henry," said Emily. "I'll go and fetch Rocky at once. Won't be long!"

Emily huffed right to the Rescue Centre and fetched Rocky again. Then she came back along the line, right back to Henry and the Flying Kipper. Rocky then lifted Henry out of his displacement and realigned him back on the rails. Then he realigned the fish trucks as well, and the Flying Kipper could carry on. Henry wasn't much hurt and was easily able to carry on through the night.

"Marvellous! I can huff and puff again. Thank you, Emily the Safety Engine!" Henry whistled as he carried on through the night.

"Goodnight, Henry! And take care!" Emily whistled after him before she set off on her way to return Rocky.

They soon made it back to the Search and Rescue Centre and Emily placed Rocky right in his siding for the night.

"Goodnight, Rocky," said Emily. "You take your rest now. I'll be on passenger duties tomorrow and two days after that, as agreed in my new official schedule. But whatever happens, I'll be ready...and my new helpers will be ready too. All the engines will be ready when they need to be."

"I know they will, Emily," said Rocky. "You should be very proud and happy."

Emily just smiled. "I really am, Rocky. Truly and fully proud and happy."

Then Emily whistled and set off through the night again...with a growing smile of lust. With Henry staying safe for the rest of the night, and Emily now relieved of her direct duty to fetch Rocky until her next goods train, now she could do what she pleased. In these passing moments, all her attention was now bent on Thomas, and Thomas only. Emily could feel her lustful, excited seductive side beginning to awaken again, and she knew this would be yet another night to remember in its own grand, glorious and passionate euphoria, however she and Thomas would spend it.

Emily eventually returned to Tidmouth Sheds, and she saw that all the engines had fallen asleep...all that is, except Thomas. He had been waiting for Emily to come back ever since she left to receive her new number, waiting, wondering and brooding in endless, endless thoughts...and now that she was back, he knew the great moment had finally arrived. He would now see Emily the Stirling Single, his beautiful emerald angel...with her number!

Emily stopped right on the turntable and looked right at Thomas, who looked right back at her. His heart began to race and jiggle in such a manner that he thought all the senses would rush out of his head and make him faint. Emily had left the sheds with no number...but now she had come back, and after so many years of looking the way she did...she now had a brand new look to always carry.

"Hello, my dear, perfect Thomas," Emily smiled from buffer to buffer. "You've waited, you've wondered...and at long last...it is time."

Thomas' mouth slowly gaped. "H...h...hello, E-Emily...my perfect love and angel. Many, many years you and I have spent together through everything...and at long, long last...please show your true and faithful star...your number..."

Emily closed her eyes, smooched her lips and blew a kiss right to Thomas. Then Thomas heard every creak and grind of every gear and sprocket in the turntable as Emily slowly turned around to show her star her brand-new look. Thomas slowly watched as he saw her long, gorgeous, curvy body come into full view...then his eyes trailed to her tender...just as his headlamp lit up...the No. 12.

There it was. Right there for Thomas' glistening, glittering eyes to see and take it all in with every second that passed, and it made his heart jump right into his throat, almost unable to be swallowed down again as his fire burned so fiercely and his boiler bubbled so wildly, all while Emily kept turning around on the turntable, until her other side came into view and Thomas could see her No. 12 right there too. It was a true and absolute marvel for Thomas to behold until at last, Emily lined up with Thomas, face to face. She then slowly came forward and buffered up to Thomas.

"There, Thomas, my love," Emily whispered as she softly brushed her lips on his. "Your new and numbered emerald angel and safety engine."

Thomas remained silent and still for a fair while yet...until at last, he blinked and spoke, sounding ever-wholesome and ever-stirred by everything.

"Emily...my love...my beautiful, amazing, sexy No. 12 emerald angel and wife. No specific words of mine can fully express how so immensely, over-flowingly, ironclad, unbreakably...and endlessly PROUD I am of you to at long last have a number, and a new honour in the Steam Team...We've lived through so much together, and so that shall remain forever! I have said it a million times before, and I will say it more than a million times again...I love you, Emily!"

And he pressed his lips right to Emily's and kissed her so deeply and purely, making her feel his lips tugging and dancing with hers for several moments to count. She closed her eyes and returned the kiss just the same until they let go...and Thomas could now see her expression just beginning to emerge with that seductive temptress that had been slumbering within Emily, and now it had awoken yet again as her eyes began to narrow and she began to purr just like a cat. It made Thomas' wheels begin to wobble, but he had been letting it build up in him too. Beneath his boiler was the coy and alluring stud and knight in armour that Emily always treasured with all her soul, and as she began to look narrowly into Emily's eyes too. He leaned in just a little closer and spoke more heartfeltly than he looked.

"You are my No. 12 Safety Engine, my love," Thomas whispered. "You're such a diligent, strong, decisive and truly loyal engine to have done so much and do so much good for all of us, Emily...but your new title and number are only just a piece of your reward. Now...it is time for my reward unto you, my beautiful emerald safety engine."

Emily slowly gasped and she began to pant softly. She and Thomas looked around the sheds. Rebecca, Gordon, Nia, James and Percy were all fast asleep and completely motionless right down to their light smiles. Thomas and Emily then looked to each other again.

"I...I've been waiting all evening for you to say that, Thomas," Emily whispered wistfully. "I...I want you. I want you, Thomas...take me, Tommy...please, please take me. To the only place to ever be tonight. Ever..."

That was all Thomas needed to hear. "Everything for you, Emily...my Perfect No. 12 emerald angel..."

And they set off swiftly, yet quietly from Tidmouth Sheds. All along their journey through the night, they heard crickets chirping everywhere, filling the air with a great sense of frivolity between the No. 1 Blue Tank Engine and now the No. 12 Emerald Safety Engine. Then as they huffed further along the line together, they heard an owl hoot just above them, and they caught glimpse of tis silhouette glide right over their heads. That immediately made them think back to the steamiest yet sessions they had shared together, most particularly Emily's scoundrel by moonlight and Thomas' fragrant emerald. Much like both those occasions, this would be yet another major euphoria-driven night of endless spells of lust, desire and never-ending passion between these two very special engines.

Thomas and Emily carried on through the night, onwards and forwards to their destination...and then at last, as the moon shone over the silver-lit hills, there they were. Thomas and Emily looked out once more...then they stopped right where they were. Back at Black Loch yet again. So many occasions they had shared here together through so many different and wonderful times over the years, and this was yet another precious occasion to spend here, with the most astonishing and riveting revelation Emily had come to have yet.

"We're completely alone, Emily," Thomas spoke at last. "Nothing can disturb us now...not now, not ever...my No. 12 Safety Engine."

"Yes...yes, Thomas," Emily whispered. "Completely alone in our own little kingdom as king and queen. Nothing at all can ever disturb us here. Now that we are here...are you ready to dish out all your rewards for your Safety Engine...your sweet, beautiful, sexy safety engine?"

Thomas felt his heart jiggling and flipping with such a tingle in his boiler, but he managed to hold himself together.

"Ohh...oh...E-Emily...you're so endlessly beautiful tonight...and you now have a beautiful, radiant number to bring it all to a brand new level. We must make every instant matter more than gold and jewels put together, Emily. Neither of us can afford to waste the briefest instant tonight. And for all you've done and achieved today...I, your handsome cobalt star shall now start...with your brand new look from tonight onwards...oh, Emily. Every single one of your features must be pointed out tonight...it's only appropriate for your truly amazing revelation...so you may be gifted, rewarded and showered in every last present I have to give you tonight!"

Emily felt her heart beginning to jiggle and tingle widely in her boiler. She could only imagine just what Thomas had in mind tonight, and whatever it would be, it would be special. Some nights between Thomas and Emily start out big, steamy and lustful, and some nights start out quiet, gentle and intimate. But tonight, everything they would do, big, small, steamy, quiet, lustful and intimate all alike would surely bring yet more of the biggest stirrings and temptations they'd ever feel.

At last, as she blushed most profusely to what Thomas had just said, Emily could hold it all in no longer. Neither could Thomas. All the talking and anticipating had been brought about, and it could not go any further. The strings HAD to come out!

"Ohh, Tommy...Tommy!" Emily gleamed. "I...I'm ready for every last gift, reward and shower of presents you have to offer me tonight, and I promise you, I have just as many gifts, rewards and showers of presents all for you tonight. So...let it begin! Speak away, Thomas. Say how much you love my beautiful emerald body!"

Thomas took a deep breath and began taking a close, detailed look at every inch of Emily that he could...he even noticed that her tender was still on the curve in the line, which meant he could see her number once he got to it, but he had to start from the beginning and set the very mood.

"Yes...yes, Emily," Thomas breathed. "Here I go...your...your face is so lovely, Emily. Such big, round, soft and creamy cheeks you have...so sweet and warm and tasty...oh, your adorable, petite little nose. Look at it! It's so...SO cute! Your perfect, soft, warm lips...oh, they're so perfectly shaped...oh, Emily! Your perfect silver buffers and crimson bufferbeam...my perfect hands to hold with my buffers...and to kiss too on the rare, but perfect occasions!"

Emily tittered and giggled with such a chirp in her voice as she blushed further, and Thomas kept talking.

"Oh, your tall, fabulous funnel, Emily! The moon makes your angel's ring sparkle perfectly! Oh, and your hair-shaped smokebox, so curvy and smooth, just like a beautiful woman's hair...and perfect for 'Fragrance of Beauty'! And again...Ohh...look at your driving wheels, Emily...ooh, they're so...SO BIG!"

Emily blushed right to purple and she instinctively leaned to one side, almost as if she were trying to hide her big wheels from Thomas' gaze...but then she felt that instinct dissolve in the same moment as she leaned back again and let him see it all for himself. She had been so happy all day, and she was not going to let any of that happiness waste away. She would treasure and cherish every last crack, crevice and inkling of passion and outlandishly romantic stirrings that would come her way.

"And now...there it is, Emily," Thomas concluded. "Your No. 12 right there on your beautiful tender...the tender I kissed when you and I played 'Hide and Peep,' together all those years ago...perhaps whenever we're finished here...maybe I'd do it again...once we're back home?"

Emily began to gasp and pant as her heart nearly burst already and they hadn't even gotten started with any exchanging of their gifts. No more waiting or anticipating now. The gifts had to be exchanged. Not a second more to tarry.

"T-Thomas...Thomas the Tank Engine," Emily began whispering quickly and precisely. "No more waiting. I want you, Thomas. I w-want you...I love you. I love you, Thomas. Kiss me...nibble me...tickle me...lick me...love me, Tommy...L-love me..."

Thomas could see that Emily was already losing her mind, and he knew he himself could hold on no longer either. Not one second later, Emily watched as Thomas closed his eyes, puckered his lips, then pressed them deeply and purely right into her oh, so soft, warm and creamy cheek! Thomas felt how Emily's cheek pressed inward, and just how his lips tingled and trembled on Emily's cheek as he felt like her cheek was tingling with all the lust she was holding in and waiting for him to set its fire...which was exactly what Thomas did in the following moment.

He then began to kiss his No. 12 Safety Engine and angel with such glowing and golden lust. He slowly smooched his lips on her cheek, listening to her coo and whimper so happily, then as he let go, he watched as her beautiful, sensitive cheek slowly puffed out again. Then he buffered even closer and began kissing her cheeks persistently and purely, which all made Emily coo, purr and moan all the more. Her creamy, sweet skin was so, so soft and so very fun to play with as Thomas began to nibble and tug on her cheeks, brushing his lips very softly as he did.

"Tickle-tickle-tickle," he murmured steadily as he tugged the very tip of Emily's cheek.

"Ooh...hooh! Hah! T-Tommy...that tickles!" Emily tittered and began to shudder. "P-please...so...so good! Please don't stop, Thomas!"

Thomas would never ever stop, so long as Emily kept asking for more. He kept nibbling her cheeks and making her shudder all over until he reached right to the middle of her face, and very lightly touch his lips to her oh, so adorable little nose! As soon as Emily felt his lips flutter on the tip of her nose, she leaned upwards and squealed loudly with joy. Thomas then touched the very tips of his lips to her nose and began kissing it over and over. Emily tittered, giggled and laughed just like a hyena.

"Tee-hee-hee-hee-hee! Ha-ha-ha! Mmm-hm-hm-hm-hm! Ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ahh!"

Thomas was in pure, euphoria-driven heaven already as he felt her perfect, soft, rubbery little nose twitching and wriggling to every little kiss he gave it until he softly withdrew and let Emily catch her breath for a few moments. When she regained herself, she shot a narrow and deep look to Thomas.

"You're such a cheeky little boy, Tommy," she teased coyly. "And I LOVE it...what more do you have for your No. 12 beautiful queen? What does her handsome knight in armour have under that shield to flourish out?"

Thomas didn't say anything at first...until he leaned and touched his face to Emily's...then began sniffing her skin, just as he did before after their fragrant bath together. Emily's wheels began to wobble wildly now as she sensed just what Thomas would do next...something he did that brought about a certain maneuver that had never been done between them before. Emily heart her heart skip a beat as she saw Thomas look up again and seem almost nervous.

"Thomas...are you...o...?" Emily asked softly.

Thomas softly kissed her lips and spoke as honestly and humbly as he could.

"E...Emily..." he whispered a little shakily. "What I am about to do...and what I wish to bring about...has only ever happened once before...when you and I were here with you as my fragrant emerald. Before I do anything else...all...all I want is for you to be truly and fully happy...and I must ask you...may I...?"

And Thomas leaned in and whispered a few things to Emily. She listened and hummed quietly to what he was whispering...until she very slowly gasped, and her eyes became very wide and her mouth formed such a big, broad and truly wonderful smile as her eyes glimmered like sapphires with every star there was in the sky. They began to shimmer with such excited, touched and truly joyful tears of love. She blinked and let them trail down her delicate cheeks, which made Thomas feel a few tears shimmer up in his eyes too as he heard Emily's shaky, happy sobs through her voice.

"O...Oh, Thomas...my purely handsome cobalt star!" Emily gasped and sobbed happily. "You...you don't know how happy you have just made me! You...you want to...you really want to make me feel that...that beautifully wonderful again?"

Thomas nodded and kissed Emily's lips again. "Yes...but only as long as it makes you happy...and only if you say yes...whatever your wish may be."

"Thomas...my perfect love...my answer is yes...and that yes is for you and you alone...I'm ready, my love...come get me."

That was all Thomas needed to hear. Emily stood right where she was and kept very still as she watched Thomas prepare himself...then he smiled very deeply and genuinely to Emily. Then he came closer, then opened his mouth, reaching his tongue out toward her cheek...until it softly touched to her beautifully warm and sweet skin. Emily breathed in sharply and felt her wheels wobble even more as Thomas held his position...then started licking her cheek with such loving nurtures and devotion as he could taste the peaches and strawberries in her cheeks...as well as one other flavour he could only recall sensing once before. But before he could utter any whispers, Emily went first.

"Oh...hooh...ooh...oh, yes! T-Thomas...Thomas!" Emily gasped and moaned as she felt Thomas' tongue tickling her right on the tip of her cheek.

Then Thomas got his chance as he whispered so smoothly and wholesomely.

"Ohh...oh, Emily...Mmm...Peaches and strawberries...so sweet and luscious...oh...little marshmallows with pink icing..."

Emily heard just what Thomas was saying and it made her start tingling and tickling all over as if she had butterflies and feathers fluttering and tickling all over inside her boiler. Emily could already feel her steam creeping through her pipes, cylinders and steam ports, making ready to let off so much steam, that she'd turn invisible like Merlin.

"Hah! Ahh! Thomas!" Emily squealed like a schoolgirl. "You...you're making me tickle all over inside! Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo!"

"Yes...yes, my love," Thomas whispered as he turned to her other cheek and started licking it at a faster rate, which only drove Emily further to the edge.

"Oh...ho-ho-ho!" Emily shook all over as her axles began to shake. "T-Thomas...you...you're a marvel! You're a WIZARD!"

This made Thomas' heart begin to almost skip a few beats itself as he kept licking Emily's cheek like the cobalt collie she declared him once...until he suddenly changed course and began sucking on her cheeks steadily and gently, as if he were a baby nursing from its mother. When Emily felt the change on her cheeks, she took a wheezing breath in, then as she focused on just how much Thomas' lips were tickling her, she began to feel her pipes and cylinders jolt and jump a little more...which began to bring on the very sensation that Thomas had indeed. When she spoke next, she began to shudder vividly, and her voice was barely a whisper.

"Thomas...T-T-Thomas..." she shuddered vividly. "I...I'm going c-c-crazy...p-p-please let me go all the way, Thomas...make my pipes and steam ports wet. Please make me go all the way, Thomas! Pretty-pretty-ple-e-ease?""

Thomas heard Emily's cooing, begging whisper and could feel himself tingling all over as he continued for just about two minutes more, kissing, nibbling, licking and sucking on Emily's face wherever he could, until suddenly...just like what had happened before when Emily was Thomas' fragrant emerald, Thomas gave Emily one more perfect lick right on the tip of her cheek, then a big, smooching kiss...which sent her right over the whistling edge, and with the sudden sharp jump and sudden sharp jolt to her pipes, cylinders and steam ports...it happened again.

"T-T-Thomas...!" Emily wailed and squirmed. "My...my water is coming out! It-it feels SOO good! Hah! Ahh! T-T-Thomas! Tho-o-om-a-a-as!"

Emily's pure, unequaled voice wailed into the night, her voice echoing back through the cliffs of Black Loch...as a line of water squirted from her steam ports and made a little puddle beneath her wheels again, which made Thomas stop immediately and lock his eyes right onto what he had made happen...followed by such a huge hiss of thick, thick steam that blanketed Emily all over, almost twice as much as Merlin could ever conjure up with his steam powered wizardry, all while she continued to wail and howl like a female wolf with absolutely mindless euphoria now. Thomas gaped so proudly at what he had brought about and waited several moments for the steam to clear away. Then just as it did, Emily rushed out through the steam and buffered right to Thomas, pelleting and showering his face with at least a dozen kisses every few seconds all across his face.

"Oh...oh-oh! Tommy...my perfect...ad-adorable, sweet little Tommy!" she uttered between endless kisses. "That...that was...mmm...ah! P-Perfect beyond any words ever! Oh! I love you, Tommy! Mmm...ah! Mmm...ah! I love you, I love you, I love you, Tommy!"

And finally, Emily's rapid kisses slowed down and there she was for Thomas to behold, all in her emerald No. 12 basking glory as her face showed a steady shade of red and her body leaning up and down with every pant and deep sigh she let in and out. Thomas almost didn't feel entirely present until he spoke up again.

"Wow...wow, Emily...I...I can't believe either of us...absolute...magic..." he uttered shakily and purely.

"Oh...oh, Thomas...my perfect and only Thomas," Emily gushed and panted so very hard. "Absolute magic, indeed and INDEED! I couldn't imagine any other way you would have gifted and rewarded me for being Sodor's Safety Engine and No. 12 from tonight onward! I'm so truly and forever proud of you! You have the absolute perfect, passionate drive that makes me love you to my very core in my boiler's heart!"

To this, Thomas took a deep breath and let off a hiss of steam himself, letting it drift handsomely into the night air and Emily watched it swirl away for a moment...until she looked to Thomas again...and she now felt that particular feeling yet again. Thomas had gifted, rewarded, and showered her with all his presents for his share after she became Sodor's Safety Engine and No. 12...and now, for everything Thomas had done for her...it was now time for his reward. The rewards that Emily, and only Emily could give him tonight. If his wish were in any danger of being overlooked in any way, it was No. 12 Safety engine to the Rescue indeed...to the rescue of all his lustful wishes tonight.

"Thomas...Thomas..." Emily whispered his name a few times over, almost completely out of her mind.

Thomas heard her whispers to his name and looked right at her. He could see her eyes gleaming like sapphires again...and her smile was oh, so truly beautiful as she showed all her lovely white teeth, letting them sparkle away in the moon and stars too. Thomas could see she was excited, happy and lustfully urgent now...to give him everything.

"Dear, sweet, handsome Thomas...you've given me so much passion, fervor and euphoria tonight...it is now time for all of your lustful, steamy and I even say, by-the-numbers dreams to all come true..."

"Emily...dear, sweet, beautiful No. 12 Emily...take me, my love. As I've done for thee...kiss me...nibble me...tickle me...lick me...love me..."

That was all Emily needed. She gave Thomas such a happy giggle and batted her lovely eyelashes to him. She hummed and cooed so excitedly as she buffered up again, then closed her eyes and puckered her big, beautiful lips right to Thomas' cheek. Thomas held his breath as best he could...then it all began for him.

Emily leaned in toward Thomas again and pressed her lips right to the special spot on his cheek. The very spot that was the softest, smoothest and most sensitive spot for Emily's lips to ever weave their magic on. When Thomas felt Emily's soft, warm, creamy and tickly lips brushing so gently and lightly on his cheek's special spot, he then groaned so loudly and with such shivers all through his boiler. This made Emily issue a muffled giggle through her pressed lips, followed by a soft coo and whimper of love. Then Emily began to kiss his special spot on his cheek nice and slowly, smooching her lovely lips as purely as she could, all while she listened to Thomas' reactions usher forward to her ears.

"Oh-oh...Emily...Emily...I...I-Ohh..." he whispered and moaned with absolute shivering axles.

"Mmm...ah. Mmm...ah," Emily hummed and uttered softly as she kissed Thomas over and over. "You're so cozy and tingly, Tommy. Mmm...ah."

"Ahh...hah...oh, yes...aahh...E-Emily...Emily!" Thomas shuddered and quaked all over.

Emily kept trailing her perfect lips all along his cheek, kissing a little lower and closer to his lips, but not quite touching his lips yet, just to tease him in the most perfect way there could be. Emily then changed her move and began to tickle Thomas' cheek, nibbling, tugging and pinching his skin much like she did with Percy, but for Thomas, she went much more vigorously, steadily and lustfully.

"Tickle-tickle-tickle!" Emily teased sweetly as she watched and listened for Thomas to react.

"Ooh! Ahh! E-E-Emily! Ahh! Whoo-hoo-hoo! That tickles!" Thomas chortled and almost cackled with glee.

Emil's heart absolutely soared as she heard Thomas entering his own case of the giggles. While not quite like Gordon's laughable case, she was still bringing on quite a laughingstock from her perfect star...until it got pushed even further when she leaned upward and pressed her lips right to his round little nose and started kissing it over and over.

"Whoo! E-Emily-y-y!" Thomas sang and shuddered.

"Well, aren't you a petite-nosed little charm?" Emily tittered as she kept kissing his nose over and over.

Thomas blushed so wildly red that even his nose began to blush a little. Emily noticed this at once and rubbed her nose right with it, sending such a twitchy tingle through Thomas' nose until she withdrew and watched him pant a little to regain himself.

"Mmm...I can see you're excited,...but not nearly excited enough," Emily purred. "Are you ready to bathe in my most luscious presents, my little Tommy?"

Thomas shuddered all over and all he could do was make a sudden nod with his body as he could barely find his voice now. That was all Emily needed. She gave him such a pure smile, then slowly closed her eyes and opened her mouth, maintain her smile and reaching out her ever-beautiful pink tongue out to Thomas' face. Thomas' heart pounded so hard, he thought it would dent a whole in his boiler. It didn't go that far, but then when Emily's warm, wet and slippery tongue softly touched to his cheek's special spot, Thomas' voice could not hold in even with all the steam he had.

"AAGHH! E-EMILY-Y-Y-Y!" he howled into the night air, his voice echoing back through the Black Loch cliffs.

Emily tittered and giggled so happily as her tongue shook on his cheek. Then she began sighing and making soft little purrs and sounds as she started licking and lapping on his soft, sensitive love spot on his cheek, just like she did as his emerald lassie after they'd helped Fuzzy find a home. Thomas felt Emily's tongue tingling and tickling his cheek so overly relentlessly, and yet she was licking him so gently and softly, practically preening him like a little fox kit. Then Emily took a deep sigh, sending her warm breath along his cheek as she started licking his cheek even more steadily, trailing her shiny, glistening saliva along his cheek yet again.

"Hah...aahh...E-Emily...Emily!" Thomas groaned. "My...my steam can't hold in too long!"

"Shh...shhh..." Emily purred as she softly withdrew and looked at her star. "Just hold out a little longer, Tommy...I have yet to bring you to the pinnacle."

Thomas' heart jolted as he could only imagine what this pinnacle would be...until Emily buffered even closer, softly dancing left and right, rubbing her buffers to his while she did until she slowed down, then closed her eyes and opened her mouth again. Thomas watched excruciatingly as her tongue gently reached out to his other cheek. Then Emily stood right where she was and began to sigh so softly, sending more of her warm, cozy breath along Thomas' cheek...but before he could shudder to that...it happened.

Emily's warm, slippery and gooey saliva slowly began trickling down Thomas' cheek as she began to drool gently on his cheek again.

"Ah...ahh...there, Tommy...ooh, you like that, do you?" Emily cooed and purred with such a silky, flirtatious voice.

"Ahh...AHH!" Thomas exclaimed sharply. "E-Emily! No...no words...for...for THIS!"

Emily cooed and moaned so happily, she felt like there were pink and red hearts floating all around her as she stared at Thomas' lustful, almost mindless expression as she saw his cheek becoming so shiny against the moonlight and her lovely, sweet saliva...which is just what happened next. Thomas opened his mouth to gasp when he suddenly felt Emily's saliva trail into his mouth and made him freeze where he was. Emily froze too, but not of fear...of pure excitement and jittery passion.

"Emily...E-Emily...my...my pure angel and goddess..." Thomas whispered. "Your saliva...it...it's so s-s-sweet...sweeter than peaches, sweeter than strawberries...sweeter than honey! Ohh! I love you! I love you, Emily!"

Emily's eyes blazed with euphoria and sheer, quaking joy and love as she heard what Thomas had said. With that, she knew she had to reward him almost as hugely as he rewarded her. Suddenly, she pressed her lips right to Thomas' face and began kissing, licking, sucking, nibbling and tugging every little spot her lips could touch on his face. Thomas was rather caught off guard by this and began panting and crying out in passion just as he had made Emily do, and within moments, he could feel his steam building up too...but not quite as intensely as Emily's. Nonetheless, it felt strong, shaky and so powerful within his boiler, and he knew for sure he was going to let loose any moment now...and then Emily spoke again through a little pause in her showering presents.

"Oh, Thomas," Emily cooed purely. "As the story goes...I thought I could save the day, and I did...perhaps I think I can drive you to the perfect edge ever! I think I can!"

Thomas' heart swelled as he heard what Emily had just said. Then in that moment, as Emily resumed her kissing, nibbling and rubbing noses with Thomas, she then cited the "Little Engine," rally once again, driving Thomas right to the very edge they were both working towards with the love of his life and No. 12 Safety Engine from this night onward.

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I CAN!" Emily sang as she drove Thomas further and further.

Then only a few little moments later, it all came rushing through Thomas' boiler. He was now ready in this final surge of lustful power.

"Emily...I...I...I'm gonna burst! I'm gonna BURST!" he wheeshed and howled.

Emily almost squealed with joy as she pressed her lips to Thomas' cheek once more and gave him several more big kisses right there...which was just what Thomas' final surge needed. Almost like a jet engine, Thomas' wheels suddenly blasted out a large hiss of steam and Thomas cried out so loudly, that Emily had to cry out in passion right with him as his steam blanketed himself and her too. Both engines were now completely lost in each other's steam blanket together, and that is just how they loved it for the moments that passed, until the steam cleared away, and they saw each other's handsome and beautiful faces again...and from that moment onward...things finally began to cool off and calm down for Thomas and Emily. A deep, strong wave of peace steadily swept over their boilers and right to their hearts as their lustful expressions diminished and were now replaced with such a look of joy, and absolute shining love. Now was their chance to take things very easily...and melt into the pure, unwavering peace they could both indulge in now.

"Uhh...oh...Thomas..." Emily cooed and hummed softly and peacefully. "That...that...was s-so m-much fun...and so...so astonishing. You are a Sudrian God among engines."

"I...Uhh...that was golden, perfect fun, Emily," Thomas panted. "You are a Sudrian Goddess...my emerald angel and goddess...my No. 12. You've made all my most luscious dreams come true all the way...just like you said..."

"I...I thought I could," Emily cooed. "Thank you, my love...please, Thomas. Please let us feel each other's hold just a while longer...and nice and gently? Please?"

Thomas' eyes softened so much along with Emily's. After such powerful, strong and almost overwhelming love-making between each other, what better way could there be to finish the night off with such a gentle and heartfelt approach?

"Oh...of course we may, Emily. I love you," Thomas whispered.

"Yes...I love you too, Thomas," Emily whispered. "I...I love you..."

Then with that, they pressed their faces right together, leaned a bit to one side each, then began kissing each other's cheeks simultaneously, nice and softly as they felt each other's lips and cheeks tingling lovingly together, which made them both whimper and coo so happily and peacefully together. This went on for about ten minutes, although it felt more like twenty to both engines...then they made the final move for the night.

Thomas and Emily leaned in straight until their lips touched together once more and they spent the next twenty minutes softly kissing over and over together, touching their faces together and cuddling so very closely and warmly together. It was all too perfect for Thomas and Emily. Their tongues softly intertwined in every kiss they lengthened together and let each other writhe and dance in their mouths together. One more sensation of buildup crept through their boilers together, becoming warmer and more tingly once more...until finally, Thomas and Emily felt themselves feeling something build up once more in their boilers as they kissed and kissed with every passing instant there was between them. Then finally, as their lips powered upon each other at the strongest that they could, Thomas and Emily slowly let go, feeling their boilers tingle once more together. Then almost instinctively, they looked up together...and right in the precise spot they looked, where the stars seemed to pour out of the sky, they could almost hear Lawrence's voice echo through their heads, as it did in person with David at Arlesburgh and his tales of how else it could have been.

"Remember..."

To this, Thomas and Emily looked to each other again. Then Emily gave such a strong smile to Thomas. She took in such a deep breath...then let her whistle blow loudly and strongly into the night, sending a near fountain of steam into the air. Thomas whistled right with her, fountaining steam from his whistle as Emily whistled again, and so this went on for several moments to count until their whistling stopped, and both star-crossed engines of love finally felt everything coming to a very peaceful and drowsy wrap-up. At last, their night was complete. No. 1 Blue Tank Engine Thomas and No. 12 Emerald Safety Engine Emily had yet again exchanged every last gift, reward and shower of presents they ever could have hoped to give each other on this very night, and from this night onward, Emily was indeed a brand new and even more amazing engine, as was Thomas, right along with her wherever they'd go together.

"We did it, Emily," Thomas gasped happily. "You and I...my beautiful emerald angel, and No. 12 safety engine."

"Y...yes! We did it!" Emily gasped happily too. "And it was worth it, my handsome cobalt star and No. 1 blue engine."

And they shared one final kiss to the lips as they were now basking and glowing with such fervor and crystal-clear, diamond-cherishing love. And when they let go once more, the spell of sleep began sweeping very fast into both engines. Most especially Emily, the No. 12 Emerald Safety Engine.

"Ohh...ohh, Emily," Thomas yawned. "We'd best go home now...for the morning...and your passengers..."

"Ooh...ohh, but Thomas...I'm so, so sleepy, I don't think I can move until morning," Emily yawned again. "H...how will I get home?"

Thomas yawned again, but he wouldn't let sleep take him over just yet. He had one more service to offer his engine for the night. His Safety Engine.

"Give me your buffers, my No. 12 Emily," Thomas whispered. "Let me ride you home, my love. I see a beautiful safety engine who deserves a truly blissful sleep tonight."

To this, Emily smiled so drowsily and yawned once more as she relaxed and let her barriers continue to lower.

"Thank you so much, Thomas...take me home...cradle me, my love..."

"Always," Thomas whispered.

Then in that moment, he buffered right up to Emily and began pushing her gently on their way home after one of their most luscious, powerful and all-around best nights of passion yet. As they went along the line again with their headlamps shining gently in the night air around them, Emily gradually felt herself becoming sleepier and sleepier. She felt her eyes nodding off and getting heavier and heavier as Thomas pushed her along the line and on their way back home...and Thomas eventually found a wye line to turn around the right way so as to have Emily enter Tidmouth Sheds first, it was in that moment, when Emily's spell of sleep finally took full hold of her, and she fell fast, fast asleep right there in Thomas' ride. Thomas thought she looked so, so adorable as she fell asleep and let him ride her home, and so this went on all the way back.

At last, they arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds. Thomas felt such a sensation of being home again with his angel as he saw the turntable was open to them, right into Emily's berth. He softly rolled right over the turntable and placed her right on it...then reversed off the turntable. He had just one more little nurture he wanted to try...the little nurture he had suggested to Emily way back when their lust first began this night.

The turntable turned Emily right around until her tender was facing Thomas...and that was all he wanted. He then came forward and buffered steadily to Emily. This made her eyes flicker open just a little bit.

"Oh...hmm? We're home, Thomas?" she mumbled. "Uh...Thomas? Where are you?"

Even as Emily's sentence finished, she felt another buffering from behind her...then she heard the smooching of lips. She suddenly felt one more little tingle of glee as she knew Thomas had kissed her tender, just as he had suggested earlier. Emily then turned right around again, and there was Thomas smiling drowsily, but gently playfully too.

"I like your tender," he whispered with a little wink.

"Ooh...you like my beautiful tender?" Emily blushed as she did before the first time.

Thomas nodded sweetly, then came forward and very softly pushed Emily right inside her berth and gently placed her right at the back as her back buffers touched the back of the shed. Thomas was home, and Emily the No. 12 Safety Engine was home...on her very first night of having her number too.

"I love you more than anything in the whole world, Emily. Happy dreams, my No. 12 Safety Engine," Thomas whispered as he kissed her lips once more.

"Mmm...Ohh...I love you too, Thomas. More than all in this world. Happy dreams to you, my No. 1 Tank Engine," Emily whispered in turn.

Then with a final nuzzle to each other's cheeks, Thomas and Emily fell fast asleep for sure right there in Tidmouth Sheds. Neither of them would ever forget this day, and all that had resulted from it. It was truly the best revelation Emily had ever had in a very long time along with her previous revelations in recent years...and the very next day, there would be just two more little surprises for her. One simple one...then another truly amazing surprise.

When morning came again, Thomas woke up first, seeing the purplish red sunrise working its way through the windows. Then he noticed he was in Tidmouth Sheds...buffered up to his No. 12 emerald angel. There was Emily, sleeping peacefully and softly right there at his buffers. Thomas remembered all that had happened just the day before, and it made his heart beat so warmly right with Emily's as she slept just a little while longer...then just a few moments later, her eyes began to flicker and she slowly opened them to the coming sun. Thomas watched with such a smile on his face and in his soul as she slowly woke up...then right there to her cobalt star. She smiled steadily, then closed her eyes again and leaned upwards with such stretch and such a big, deep yawn. Then she smiled purely with all her glimmering white teeth as Thomas smiled right back just the same.

"Good morning, my beautiful emerald angel...my No. 12 Safety Engine," Thomas smiled proudly. "Your first full day begins."

Emily immediately thought back to the whole day and night before and smiled all over as she leaned in and kissed Thomas' lips purely and steadily.

"Good morning to you, Tommy. My handsome cobalt star...my No. 1 Tank Engine," she smiled just as proudly. "Today is a fully brand new day for me."

"Well...let us start that day," said Thomas.

He kissed Emily's lips again, then backed out to the turntable. He turned around to his berth and backed in as to pretend he was there all along. All the other engines began to wake up together. Then they all looked to see Emily coming out of her berth...right onto the turntable. They all immediately remembered hearing the news the day before and what Emily had been given just the night before, and as they all cast their eyes to their emerald friend, they all smiled immensely as they recalled what Emily's number would be...and there she was on the turntable, slowly turning around...for all of the engines to see her No. 12.

"Good morning, Thomas...and good morning...Oh...oh, my goodness!" Percy gasped. "There...there she is, everyone! Look! No. 12 Emily! Mother!"

All the engines indeed looked and they all smiled together.

"Oh, my stars! Here she is, everyone! Our Emily...our Safety Engine," said Rebecca.

"Good morning, No. 12," Nia greeted with such a smile, remembering how she learned how to read numbers with Annie and Clarabel.

"Good morning, safety engine," James greeted.

"So here she is...our No. 12 Safety Engine, right here for all of us to behold," Gordon said grandly.

Emily looked to all the engines from left to right with a beaming smile.

"Well. Good morning to all of you, my dears," she gleamed. "So. From today onwards, I am No. 12 Safety Engine. As long as I'm a busy engine, then I'm a happy engine. Therefore, as my first word of safety to all of you...Thomas and I are off to look after our passengers. All of you have a lovely day, take care and keep it safe."

"We will, Emily. We promise we will," all the engines said together. Then Thomas and Emily set off together.

The cobalt and emerald steamed proudly to Knapford Sheds, followed closely by Percy, where they saw the Fat Controller smiling right at Emily and simply giving her a nod. Thomas and Emily then passed through to the yard where Emily's coaches and Annie and Clarabel were waiting.

"Good morning, your ladyships," said Thomas. "Have you heard the news?"

"No. 12 Emily? Indeed we have, Thomas!" Annie declared.

"Well? What do you both think?" Percy peeped.

"Congratulations, Emily! Such brave efforts to help everyone out of that emergency!" Clarabel cheered.

"And now, here she is with her very own number and official title on the Railway! Busy and happy Emily!" Annie finished.

"Hello to both of you , Annie and Clarabel," Emily smiled. "And yes, I'll be busy and happy today, looking after passengers, but of course keeping an open eye out if anything or anyone needs my help."

"That's the Safety Engine spirit, Emily," the Fat Controller remarked from the platform. "We can always count on you."

"You can indeed, sir," Emily smiled as she did before.

And she and Thomas made their way to their platforms and picked up all their passengers. Percy waited alongside them, smiling away to his mother figure's new No. 12 right there. Then Thomas spoke again.

"So, Emily," said Thomas. "Once we're finished for today...what do you say we do on your first full day as Safety Engine?"

Emily thought for a moment. Now that all the newfound joy and discovery had been made with her revelation, she could now think clearly again...then she suddenly gasped at the very first opportunity she foresaw.

"Oh, Thomas! I know the very first thing I'd love to do once we have the time! If everything goes well today, I say we go see David and Beatrice...I'd LOVE to see their faces regarding how they took this most wonderful news!"

"Hmm...and so we will, Emily," said Thomas. "That is a soaring good idea, Emily. If all goes well, we meet back here this evening... do you agree, Percy?"

"Oh, yes!" Percy peeped. "I'll definitely come along once my work is done!"

"So it is decided!" Emily whistled.

Then Thomas and Emily's guards whistles blew, and they were ready to go.

"No. 12 Safety Engine coming through!" Emily whistled as she saw off on her way."

"Have a great day, Emily!" Thomas and Percy called together.

"You too, Thomas and Percy! See you later," Emily called back with a cheerful whistle.

All morning and all afternoon, Thomas, Emily and Percy all worked tirelessly along the Branch Line and the Main line with Annie and Clarabel and Emily's coaches alike. Everywhere they went, people and passengers alike talked of the newfound news of Emily's achievements, efforts and rewards all from just the previous day, and all of Emily's passengers took note of her new number and honour. And what made Emily especially happy was that no one made a major fuss over her like they did with her previous number and initials. And even better was that all throughout the day, there were no sirens to be heard, no hazards came out today, and so Thomas, Percy and especially Emily all had a perfectly normal day with Emily as Sodor's Safety Engine...and as they had planned together, they would have a considerable little visit with David and Beatrice that very evening. David would then get to see his No. 12 Engine all for himself, and so would Beatrice.

At last, evening came and Thomas, Emily and Percy all returned to Knapford Station together. Once their passengers were taken care of, and Percy's goods trucks were arranged back in their siding, all three engines came along side by side.

"Hello, Thomas and Percy. Have you both had a good day?" Emily asked.

"Oh, yes, indeed, Emily," said Thomas.

"Perfectly peaceful and no trouble at all, Emily," Percy added.

"That's lovely," Emily smiled. "Well...as my first day of being Safety Engine...it's turned out pretty much perfectly. No sirens, no alerts, no hazards. My eyes and ears were indeed open, but today turned out quite well...and now...since we're all here as planned...shall we go see David? See just how happy he is to know that his engine is now his Safety Engine and No. 12 engine too?"

"Why not, Emily?" Thomas asked. "Let's go right for it! Arlesburgh calls!"

"On our way, No. 12 mother!" Percy whistled.

Thomas then whistled on his way through the station, followed by Emily, then Percy. The Fat Controller watched them pass by his window and could tell they had all had a completely normal day. He was indeed very pleased with the turnout today for Emily's first day...and he had been thinking a few more things throughout the day...and as he saw that Emily would surely be back later that evening, he snapped his finger and got an idea. Emily would have just one more big reward. He picked up his telephone and began dialing...

Thomas, Emily and Percy rushed along to Tidmouth Sheds, where Thomas turned right around so as to be facing Emily. He then buffered up to Emily while Percy buffered behind Emily. Then they all took off together as a trio cavalcade for Arlesburgh. Emily was now bubbling with joy to see just how David would indeed take the news, and what he'd do or say once they got there.

"Cinders and Ashes! I still can't believe you actually have a number and title, Emily!" Thomas chortled.

"I know, Thomas. I can hardly believe it myself...but here it is, for everyone to see!" Emily gleamed.

"We're all so proud of you, Emily!" Percy peeped. "I know I'm very happy for my mother to have such a deserving number all for herself.

"I know, Percy! And here I am with my husband figure and son figure! I can't wait to see David and Beatrice's faces!" Emily tittered with such delight.

"None of us can, Emily," said Thomas. "But like you told us. Take care and keep it safe."

"Giving us advice and guidelines, just like the Fat Controller suggested you can!" Percy peeped.

"That's right, boys!" Emily gleamed as they continued onwards and forwards.

Eventually, as the evening continued to descend upon the island, Thomas, Emily and Percy all rode their way into Arlesburgh. They huffed right past Duck, Oliver and Toad, who whistled and called greetings right to her as the Safety Engine. Then Donald and Douglas whistled by and saw their sister figure too.

"HA-HA! It's the bonnie Safety Engine herself, lads!" Donald called.

"Aye, Emily! And look at us, Oliver! Nine, ten, eleven twelve! Twelve at last! Congratulations, Emily!" Douglas called.

"Hm-hm-hm! Thank you, boys! Take care, my brothers!" Emily whistled. "Hello? David, Beatrice? Look who's here!"

They all came along David's house, and Emily waited with a big smile to see if they'd come out. They whistled a few times, but neither David nor Beatrice came out. The three engines wondered where they could be...until Emily got a very sure idea.

"I think I know where my navy mentor may be just now," she pondered. "He must be somewhere...where we can meet him in class...and nautical quality."

"You're right, Emily," said Thomas. "He must be on-board the Sea Emperor."

"Indeed he must be," said Emily. "Right this way, Thomas and Percy."

The three engines huffed onward through Arlesburgh making their way toward the pier...until Emily's ears began to pick something up...something musical. She was sure it was the sound of a piano being played somewhere from outside. Emily, Thomas and Percy all listened closer, and they did hear the piano's music rising through Arlesburgh. It started in low...then it started to grow. Emily, Thomas and Percy all followed the music, humming and dancing softly to themselves as they came closer and closer to the pier...and the piano music became louder and closer too. Then, all three engines stopped together right by the Sea Emperor with beaming smiles now. They looked down to the deck...and there was David, playing away on the grand piano on the Sea Emperor's deck, with Beatrice right there beside him...and on the top of the piano, all three engines could see the giant newspaper heading stating what David had indeed found out.

"EMILY, NEW AND HEROIC SAFETY ENGINE OF THE STEAM TEAM - AND NUMBER 12 AT LAST!" the headline showed in big, black print.

David and Beatrice took one look up to their newfound No. 12 Safety Engine and both gave a navy salute. Emily gave a little dance in turn as she could see on their faces just what they were thinking and feeling as David continued to play the piano and sing and hum lightly to the tune. He had told Beatrice everything he had seen the night before, and when the newspaper arrived, their rumoured thoughts were now confirmed more solidly than a block of solid gold.

Eventually after about five more minutes, David's fingers stopped working the piano and the music stopped. He looked up to Emily again. Then he stood up, gathered the newspaper and he and Beatrice left the Sea Emperor and came right up the pier stairs, all the way to their No. 12 Safety Engine. Emily looked at David with shimmering and gleaming eyes as she waited for him to say something...until finally he did, in a rather similar way to how he addressed her about best friends.

"I've heard a great deal about you, Emily the Stirling Single. You took part in the Safety Inspections yesterday, went about your business, heard the emergency siren, rushed to get Rocky, yet still stayed safe. Three other engines got entangled into the mess, turning a pretend emergency into a real emergency. You hurried to fetch Rocky, discovered the traffic at the bridge, saved many cars from a big accident, saved Gordon at that very bridge, rescued James, Percy and Rebecca all at once, not out of wishing to be a hero, but out doing what is right and really useful. You're viewed as a hero and have gained your rewards, but only because Sir Topham Hatt saw fit for such amazing efforts you, my dear, sweet engine and best friend have given. You've earned yourself the official title of 'Safety Engine,' and...you are at long last, an engine with a number. My No. 12 Safety Engine."

Then there was silence. Thomas, Emily and Percy all looked at David and Beatrice as they all went still for a moment. Beatrice had her hands folded together and she was bearing such a look of respect, dignity and impression to Emily...and when Emily looked back to David, that was when it happened. David suddenly looked up and burst into a dance, jumping about and swiveling left and right. Even Beatrice began to dance a little herself, smiling very dearly, which made Thomas, Percy and Emily whistle in turn and dance a little themselves. Then David blurted it all out so quickly and with such joy as he jumped up on Emily's running plate and threw his arms around her face, hugging her so closely and purely.

"Cinders and Ashes! Fire and Smoke! Grease and Oil! Emily! You did it! You're our hero! That was high pressure! You REALLY stretched yourself!"

"Emily! I can't believe you!" Beatrice exclaimed. "Since when are you such a quick thinker and diligent rescuer! You totally saved the day yesterday! AND you've your own title and number too! Oh, this is SUCH an amazing revelation for Sodor's emerald angel!"

"Hm-hm-hm-hm! I know, David and Beatrice!" Emily smiled happily. "We all came here to see how you all took the news...and now I see you two could not have been more excited, happy and proud of your engine. Especially you, David."

"Yes! Yes! Emily the Safety Engine! Mmm...ah!" David kissed Emily right on her cheek and gave a cheer of joy, as did Beatrice.

"Thank you, David! I'm sure I know just what this all means to you and Beatrice," Emily smiled.

"Very, very indeed, Emily," said David. "Now...let us all linger here together...with my new Safety Engine."

So the three engines gave a little sigh while David and Beatrice settled right there on Emily's running plate, with Thomas and Percy in front and behind her. This was yet another most loving get-together for these five individuals, and today was the proudest Emily had felt of herself in a very, very long time. The last time she could recall feeling any pride like this was when she and Thomas finally came together in love all those years ago, and although that sensation could never be equaled, the pride and joy she felt now still gave her similar waves and shivers to how she felt on that very night.

"Yes, everyone...it's such a terrific turn of events," Emily stated. "I have a new title, a number, and a whole new way of working on Sodor. Thomas and I had such fascinating stirrings together last night, it's almost too much for words. All we can say is...it was absolute magic."

"I'm sure it was, Emily," David smiled.

Emily sighed, then suddenly felt a new thought come to her funnel.

"But you know, everyone...I never would have guessed something like this would come about for me in my life," she pondered.

"Oh, no? What do you mean, Emily?" Thomas asked.

"Hmm...well, I must admit, everyone," said Emily. "In all my years on Sodor, and even back at York with my lovely brother Bernard, going through everything life has given me to experience...I never imagined I'd be given my very own number and official title on the railway...it is such a wonder to behold for myself and all my friends."

Thomas, Percy and Beatrice all soulfully agreed. But to this, David thought a little deeper. What Emily said worked exactly into what he had been carrying right there in his pocket. He suddenly drew his hand into his pocket, and when he brought it out again, he had a photograph of himself, back when he was just a little boy of eight years old.

"Oh...David!" Emily chortled. "Is that you?"

"Indeed it is, Emily," said David. "And what you just said is very true for a lot of people. Even me. And even more so, your achievements yesterday really go to show just how close you and I really are. Just like you never suspected all of this to come into your life after all these years, I feel the same. When I was a small lad, I had my occasional fantasies of being a sea captain...but I never thought I'd be the one to flush Sailor John out of the Navy, gain my very own ship and crew, wind up on the Island of Sodor and be blessed with being the mentor and best friend of my father's engine...my engine...my best friend and Safety Engine...Emily."

Emily looked right at David, as did Thomas and Beatrice. Percy hummed in agreement, then Emily spoke again with a lovely smile.

"Hmm...well to that, I remember how I was Lawrence's engine for the first seven years of my life. I had certain dreams and fantasies through my life on toward Sodor...but as for me, I never imagined I'd meet Thomas the Tank Engine, build a friendship, then fall in love with him to hold onto forever...and I never imagined I'd wind up dreaming about Lawrence's very son before I even met him with my own two eyes...and his son came along to live in that stead with me, and gave me so very many unforgettable experiences to hold onto...and even make a best friend out of him."

"Well, through all of that, Sodor works in truly astonishing ways," said David. "Anyway...Emily, from what I read in this very paper with Mum, not only did you think on your wheels and solve every problem there was and gain such honours...but it seems here that you had a little saying to yourself. A very famous saying, if I may?"

"Oh...yes, David. I did," said Emily.

"Oh? What saying is this, Emily?" Percy asked.

"Well, Thomas already knows this," said Emily. "But I had a simple little secret to keep me going. As I huffed along the line to get Rocky, thinking on my wheels and solving problems along the way...I remembered a certain story about a Little Engine who kept saying to herself, 'I think I can.' And that's exactly what I thought while I overcame the troubles and emergencies involved...and that's just what I said and thought with Thomas last night for our most amazing night together...I thought I could."

Thomas, Percy and Beatrice all smiled from ear to ear and buffer to buffer.

"Oh...such a legendary story that is," said Thomas. "Simple, but so, so meaningful to many."

"It's in all of us," said Percy. "We think we can...and we thought we could."

David smiled immensely and turned right around to Emily and held her cheek.

"Well, well. You think you can, and you thought you could. If that's true, Emily...then in the words of that very story of that Little Engine who thought she could, just like you thought you could...I very well and potently believe that this makes you...The Emerald Engine That Could."

To this, Emily smiled as hugely as she could, then blew such a happy "toot-toot," on her whistle and gave such a deep and joyous sigh.

"Thanks, David," Emily smiled. "Now you have me not only as your engine and best friend, but as your safety engine too!"

"We all do. I love you so much, Emily," Thomas smiled. Then as he stared at Emily, then the Riders, then Percy...he got a little idea.

"Thomas?" Emily asked, noticing the glimmer in his eyes.

"Group nuzzle, everyone. Please?" Thomas smiled sweetly. "I love you through and through, Emily, my beautiful emerald angel."

Then he leaned in and touched Emily's nose, making her giggle happily.

"Ooh...I love you too, Thomas, my handsome cobalt star," she tittered. Both Riders and Percy saw this and immediately followed suit.

"You're such a special engine, Emily the Safety Engine. That goes for me double," David smiled as he hugged Emily's left cheek.

"Triple for me," Beatrice added as she hugged Emily's right cheek.

"And a fourth for me," Percy peeped as he buffered right up behind Emily and kissed her tender, giggling cutely.

"Oh-ho-ho-ho! Percy!" Emily tittered and giggled sweetly. "Thomas, David, Beatrice...I love you all, so much, my very dear, perfect friends. I love you all..."

"We all love you too, Emily," Thomas beamed. "We'll always love you."

And there they were. Thomas, Emily, David, Beatrice and Percy all nuzzled together. Thomas and Emily touched noses together, David and Beatrice hugged Emily on each cheek and Percy was nuzzled up at her tender. As these friends ensued in this loving caress, not even Diesel's peeking remark from the distance could do it any harm.

"Yech! That's so sweet, I feel like I've grown a cavity!" he remarked.

And so the five friends idled there together for quite a long while more, nuzzling, hugging and kissing Emily happily together, while she kissed Thomas and David in turn, until finally, they softly let go and decided to make way. It had been such an amazing day before and a truly amazing evening now.

"Well...thank you for such a lovely visit, Emily," said Emily. "I'll never forget yesterday. Ever. This is indeed one of the best years to start off even now."

"None of us will ever forget this, Emily," said David. "Father would have been very, very proud of you...and indeed he is."

"Yes, David. He smiles to all of us today," said Emily. "Now...we must be going. So...No. 12 Safety Engine on the move for home!"

"Goodbye, David and Beatrice," Thomas and Percy whistled together.

And so Thomas, Emily and Percy were ready to return home again. David and Beatrice waved goodbye to their new Safety Engine and David blew a kiss to Emily as she, her husband figure and son figure all set off together down the line...but when they'd return to Tidmouth Sheds, there was still yet one more big surprise awaiting Emily, regarding her most joyful revelation.

When the three engines returned to Tidmouth Sheds that very evening, the other engines were all smiling as they saw their Safety Engine come home again. Thomas backed onto the turntable first and went right into his berth. Emily then took her turn and turned right around, letting all the engines see her No. 12 again as she backed in with a smile. Then Percy backed in between his best friend and his favourite mother figure.

"Evening, everyone," Emily greeted. "Have you all had a good day?"

Emily had asked this question once before just after the Steam Team Rescue that rendered her into a night owl. Like before, all the engines answered and remarked that they'd had a splendid day themselves and thanked Emily for thinking about them. And just as she did before, Emily responded just the same.

"That's good. There's nothing I like more than seeing all your smiling faces at the end of a busy day," she smiled happily to them all.

All the engines, especially Thomas and Percy smiled right back to Emily...and then, they all saw the Fat Controller's car drive up to the sheds. He got out and had quite a smile on his face. Emily thought at first that perhaps he was proud that her first day had gone along so well.

"Good evening, sir," said Emily. "My first official day of being Safety Engine...and a peaceful day too. Just passengers and no emergencies, no sirens, no hazards on or along the line. Also, David and Beatrice are both very, very happy by the way. Thomas, Percy and I visited them this evening...and...oh, there's not much else to day. I'm so, so happy, sir."

The Fat Controller listened carefully to Emily and nodded to himself...for he now had one more big surprise for Emily. Something absolutely staggering and surprising against any expectations she'd probably have.

"Yes. So you are. That's all very well and good, Emily. You've definitely started out absolutely perfectly. You've been given so much achievement and reward for your efforts and diligence to the railway...but I've also been thinking quite a bit all day...and as happy as I see you are...I don't think you're nearly happy enough, Emily. Even now.

"Sir? What do you mean?" Emily asked. "I couldn't be happier than I am to have everything I do now."

"Well...the reason I say it," said the Fat Controller. "Is because...after a whole day of thinking...and a certain phone call I made this very evening, I have another big, big surprise and reward for you."

All the engines looked to Emily and saw her widen her eyes.

"Oh...sir!" Emily gasped. "I...I don't know what this could be! I have a new title, my very own number at last...what more could I possibly want?"

"Hmm...well," said the Fat Controller. "With the word that gets around Sodor...and on toward the Mainland too...it seems that the news of your new title and number have reached the Mainland...from London to Bristol...to most of the Great Northern Railway...all the way up to York Station. And...Given your adventures with David...I trust you know what this means...I have a real and very, very immense treat for you, Emily. And so does York Station."

And the Fat Controller winked. The other engines wondered what this meant, as did Thomas and Percy. Then suddenly, Emily felt a strong bubble in her boiler which made her tingle and almost fizz inside. Her prediction was right on the tip of her tongue.

"Sir...I...I feel as if I'm daydreaming...but...what do you mean? Did...did B-B-Ber..."

"Yes, Emily," the Fat Controller said with a nod and a smile. "Your brother Bernard has heard all about his sister's title and number."

Emily gasped and her voice shook excitedly. "He...he has?"

"Of course, of course," said the Fat Controller. "And he is very, very happy. But what's even more important, I remember hearing how you got to meet him on you first big adventure with David to find Beatrice, and what a truly lovely sibling reunion that must have been, until you had to say goodbye to him and come home with David and Beatrice again...until now."

Thomas and Percy gasped, and Emily's heart nearly jumped out of her boiler.

"Sir-sir-sir! Is-is B-B-Bernard...c-c...?"

"In two days," said the Fat Controller. "Two days...and then it will be your turn to have a big, basking reunion with a long-distance friend...and brother, Emily. Bernard is coming to Sodor...just like the two of you spoke of and had little hopes for...now they shall come true for our new Safety Engine. What do you think?"

In the passing moments, the engines all began to wonder and speculate, as did Thomas and Percy. As for Emily, this was even more. After such an amazing revelation, a truly spell-struck night with Thomas, then such a happy evening with David and Beatrice, Emily felt a great wave of near ecstasy begin sweeping through her boiler, through all her pipes, steam ports and valves, she felt absolute excitement and overpowering anticipation.

"Sir...SIR!" Emily squealed with shaking axles and a big, broad smile. "My brother! Bernard is coming for his No. 12 Sister!"

"We're...we're going to meet Bernard, sir?!" Thomas exclaimed. The Fat Controller nodded.

"We all will, Thomas! You can all meet him! The Brother Returns! Oh...BERNARD!" Emily whistled with basking delight. "Whee-HEE!"

And so it was concluded. A pretend emergency drill had ended up turning into a real emergency, and Emily had come to the rescue, not out of desire to be a hero like Percy, Rebecca and most especially James did, which wound them up into a real emergency, but because Emily knew it was the sensible and most right thing to do, and with her quick thinking on her wheels and quick ability to solve problems, she was now Sodor's official No. 12 Safety Engine. She and Thomas were so very happy to have this be a part of their lives.

And now, after about a year and a half since David and Emily's adventure, Bernard the Navy Blue Stirling, Emily's brother was coming to Sodor for the first time ever, to be with his sister again. His beautiful emerald No. 12 sister. Beyond that, Bernard would soon get to meet all the engines he could and have his own taste of Sudrian Life. But what was so much more to Emily's brother, far beyond their reunion at York Station was just what was in store for Bernard. This wouldn't be just any reunion. There were reunions, unities, and loving times to be shared. But also, there would be discoveries to be had and secrets to be unfolded surrounding Emily's navy brother...and for Bernard himself, there would be great self-doubt, brief conflict, but then revelation and sense of development all ahead of the next few days, and neither Emily nor Bernard had much idea of what was ahead for both of them.

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"Emily to the Rescue" may not be perfect, but for it to finally give Emily her number, frankly I couldn't be happier with it. Now I know some people will criticize this episode for not focusing on Emily wanting to be a hero because there was no motive for her in this episode, or for just having Emily's big moment happen just because Emily just so happened to be at the bridge when it started collapsing, and I have to disagree with those arguments. What makes this episode so great to me is the fact that Emily WASN'T trying to be a hero and she didn't want to be called a hero, she just went to fetch Rocky because she knew her friends were in trouble and she wanted to help them. That's what I love the most about Emily; it's not about her wanting to be considered a hero because that doesn't matter to her, what does matter to her is helping others in times of need, danger, whatever it is, and this episode captured that aspect of Emily perfectly in my eyes. If they had made Emily want to be a hero, then that would just be repeating the same concept that's been used for most of her recent episodes, and I was already growing tired of that thanks to "Emily's Best Friend", so the fact that this episode completely averts that concept makes it much better.

Also, having Emily come to the rescue in the moment makes the bridge scenario more realistic to me because while she's rushing to get Rocky, she realizes that the bridge collapsing is a more immediate danger and risk, so that had to take priority first before rescuing the engines since A) more people were at risk on the bridge and there very well could've been very little time to prevent a possible disaster and B) she had to go back to the bridge after getting Rocky anyway in order to get to the level crossing so she just killed two birds with one stone, all while she was in the moment and that's what I loved about it rather than Emily wishing people would view her as a hero, because just helping and looking out for others is what's most important to her, and that's part of why I love her so much. Sure, I will admit that Emily being Sodor's official safety engine is kinda redundant because that's pretty much already Belle's role, but again, that's just a minor nitpick as far as I'm concerned, as well as just the fact that we actually got an explanation to how and why she got the number and seeing her get it is more than enough for me, especially after we were deprived of a reasoning behind Rosie's repaint. Bottomline is I love "Emily to the Rescue" because they handled Emily perfectly in this episode and it will always be one of her best episodes in my opinion.