This chapter is dedicated, in loving memory, to Michael Angelis - narrator of the UK Thomas the Tank Engine episodes for 21 years.

You are still dearly missed, Mr. Angelis.

Gordon and Emily had just gotten done with their frozen yogurt when they noticed.

Stepping out of the shop together, they were giggling over something stupid they had seen on their phones and proceeded to share with each other... a meme, what else? But as they stepped out, they could swear they saw a car following them way too close for someone who was just passing…

But when it did pass, and rolled off down the street, they made sure to go in the opposite direction.

"Huh, that was… odd," muttered Emily.

"Yeah… very odd," Gordon echoed. "That kinda looked like Spencer's car, now that I think about it…"

"You think he's stalking us?" asked Emily, confusion coming to her eyes. Why would he do that?

"Don't know, but if that was him, he's in for a lot of… odd stares on Monday," Gordon muttered. "That wasn't exactly threatening, was it?"

"Hehehe, no, unfortunately not," Emily giggled. "Come on. Let's just go to the park and forget that happened."

"Okay, sounds good - I'm gonna text my stupids about this though," said Gordon. Emily nodded, and Gordon shot his brothers each a text.

Weird car just followed us. Might be Spencer, looks like his car - not tailing us anymore. Going to the park, will keep you fellas updated.

And with that, Gordon turned his phone off, and returned to holding Emily's hand as the two continued walking to the park.

"You know… I'm honestly so glad I met you," Gordon smiled. "You remember how we met?"

"How could I forget?" Emily giggled. "We were in the sandbox in primary school - and you were running, and not looking-"

"And I ran right into your sandcastle," Gordon laughed. He covered part of his face with his hand in embarrassment, before running his hand through his long black hair. "Oh gosh, I still feel so bad about that…"

"And then I started crying; so, being the absolute specimen of gentlemanly-ness you were, you did the first thing you could think of to cheer me up, didn't you?" Emily teased him.

"I… I kissed you," Gordon cringed, laughing. "Gosh, what was I thinking?"

"Ahead, evidently!" Emily laughed. "Thank the good Lord I quickly recovered from the cooties."

"Oh, come on, that's not fair!" Gordon said, now laughing in his speech. "If anyone had cooties back in primary school, it was totally you."

And with that, the couple forgot entirely about the odd car, now settled for continually speaking to one another lovingly.

-0-

Duke of Boxford's House. 7:00 PM.

Sammy was the first one to return to the Boxford house.

He pulled up in his sleek silver car, and took the cheap film camera out of his pocket as he walked up to the door. He knocked in a rhythmic fashion, and then opened - he didn't wanna risk Tanner pulling a gun on him (and more than likely shooting him).

"Got your pictures, boss!" Sammy said.

Tanner was sitting at the dining table, sipping a wine glass dry of red wine after finishing his supper. He smiled welcomingly at his assistant. "Excellent, my boy. Come, let us look at them."

Sammy moved over to the table, and showed Tanner the pictures. However, Tanner seemed… disappointed.

"That's not Thomas Awdry, Sammy," said Tanner, shaking his head.

"Huh… could swear that was him," said Sammy.

"That's his brother, my dear boy," said Tanner. "Doesn't look like him at all, I realize now… how'd you get them mixed up?"

"I guess I just remembered one of the Awdry faces from the trial," said Sammy dejectedly. "Sorry, boss. Didn't mean to let ya down."

"It's all right," Tanner assured him, taking another sip of wine. "Perhaps Davie will have had better luck."

At that exact moment, Davie knocked on then came through the door. "Got the photos, boss!"

"Excellent," said Tanner. "Come, my boy. Let's have a look."

However, again, the pictures were not of Thomas - they were of Edward, coming home with a bag of groceries. "Dang it, that's not him either?" asked Davie.

"Nope, again that is his brother - Edward, the eldest one," sighed Tanner. "Perhaps we will have better luck tomorrow."

"Wait… wait, hold up, is that the puffball's house?" asked Sammy. "See? His brother's going inside. And if his brother's going inside, that must be his house!"

"Huh… hey, I think it is! I still found a thing!" Davie said proudly. "Yay!"

"Huh… Well, in that case, well done my boy," smiled Tanner. "I'll keep a tab on this tidbit - it could be very useful information for later on."

"Nice job, Davie!" smiled Sammy.

"Thanks buddy! You too boss!" Davie said proudly, nodding in honor of himself.

Tanner smirked… it was time to go to work. He immediately pulled out his cellphone, and dialed up a very familiar number...

He was gonna need to reach out to some more folks for help.

-0-

Awdry Residence. Sunday, 3:00 PM

"Ah, hello there Harrison!" smiled Rachelle. "Are you here for your tutoring?"

"Y-Yes ma'am," 'Arry smiled. "Is, uhh… is Edward home?"

"He had to run off and see Henry about a flat tire on his bicycle, but he should be back any moment now," Rachelle smiled. "You just make yourself at home!"

"W-Will do, thank you," smiled 'Arry.

The Ironside twin stepped inside, and looked around the Awdry home… It was a very nice home. Two stories, typical looking house… but it had a homey feel to it. Something he didn't really feel in his and Bert's shared apartment with Diesel.

Rachelle could see the poor boy had a lot putting him down at the moment. So, she walked over, and tenderly placed a hand on his shoulder. He almost jumped in surprise… poor kid.

"Harrison, may I ask you a question? A bit of a personal one."

"Oh, uhm… o-of course," 'Arry said. "And uh, Harry is just fine, if you like."

"Alright then," Rachelle smiled. "Why do you run around with the Vintex child? You know he'll only get you into trouble, sweetie."

"Oh… I-I don't, I don't really… I don't really have anyone else," 'Arry said quietly. "That's… that's why. I would get away if I could."

"Well, sweetie, we have a guest room you could stay in until we could help you get started," said Rachelle. "I realize you came over some this summer outside of tutoring, and you seemed so happy to get to play with boys your age who were fun loving for the right reason."

"That's… that's true, ma'am," said Arry quietly.

"Well, you just be thinking about it, okay?" Rachelle smiled. "I know we've had similar conversations before when you've been over here, but I want you to know it really is okay."

"Thank you, Mrs. Awdry," smiled Arry. "And I mean it, I will consider the offer. I just..."

"I know it's not easy, hon," said Rachelle, her tone nothing but caring. "But trust me, these boys know you're a good kid. And I want you to make sure you know that too."

Arry nodded sheepishly… he wasn't used to feeling this cared for.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Edward came through the house into the living room, where Arry and Rachelle were.

"Hey, Arry! You ready for tutoring, dude?" Edward asked.

"Oh, y-yep!" Arry said, a bit startled by Edward's sudden presence. The eldest Awdry smiled, gave his mom a hug, and went to go get his backpack for their mathematics tutoring.

Arry felt so good in that moment, he completely forgot what he was supposed to be doing there…

-0-

"So… did you deliver it?"

"Uhm… I-It's not on me… so, so… I-I guess..."

"Harrison, 'guesses' are not good enough for our team," Tanner said, leaning forward in his chair at the dining room table.

Arry had come to the Boxford house with Diesel, Bert, and Spencer - they had finally gotten word from Tanner on where he was hiding out, and Diesel immediately ordered the three of them to join him in coming to greet his father once more.

And Arry was supposed to deliver something to the Awdrys… but he couldn't remember if he did it or not.

"Your little math boyfriend caught your eyes too much?" asked Spencer snarkily, shoving Arry's shoulder.

"Now, there is simply no need for homophobia, Mr. Gresley," Tanner shook his head disappointedly. His attention turned back to Arry. "Forgive him - he's very… uncultured, for his generation. And besides, you know Mr. Ironside does not swing that way; I expect you to treat your colleague better if you are to stay in this operation."

Spencer scoffed, trying to act like he didn't just crap himself from how chill Tanner was with his deathly threatening.

"Now, Harrison, I will ask again," Tanner said cooly. "Do you remember dropping off the package?"

"Umm…" Arry mumbled. "Oh… oh wait, I-I think I do!"

"There's my boy," Tanner smirked. "Where did you leave it?"

"I-I think I left it on the front porch," Arry said, now recalling hearing something as he left the Awdry residence. "I was, admittedly, distracted by my phone, but I thought I heard a little drop as I left. I'm sorry my methods were a little, uhm…"

"Unorthodox? No matter," Tanner smiled, standing up and patting Arry on the shoulder. "You did good, Harrison. I hope your fellows take some notes from your methods."

Bert smirked, impressed with his twin. Diesel just took a sip of his beer, and Spencer still looked unimpressed.

"So, what's next, dad?" asked Diesel.

"Are there any social interactions your school has coming up?" asked Tanner.

"The first basketball game of the season goes down this upcoming Tuesday," Spencer said, lighting a cigarette.

"Excellent," said Tanner. "Sammy, Davie - you two will attend as Arry and Bert's uncles. Get a photo with Thomas, or of Thomas, and if you go with the first, claim you were witnesses to my convicting trial and wish to remember meeting the kid who brought me down - briefly, of course."

"Yes boss!" Sammy and Davie saluted.

"What do we do?" asked Spencer.

"Just make sure nothing is out of order - I will be conducting my own business during this time," said Tanner.

He then smirked evilly.

"I'll have his head on a silver platter by next spring."

The game was on.

-0-

"Hey guys, what's this package on our front porch?" asked Thomas.

"Maybe Ted Kaczynski paid us a visit," said Gordon, laughing at the dark joke with Edward - the two were playing a video game together on the couch, and Rachelle was watching them; she didn't really get video games, but it was still fun to watch her boys smile.

"Haha, very funny," Thomas rolled his eyes. He opened the package envelope, and pulled out its contents…

And screamed.

His brothers and mom looked up instantly, and rushed over to their brother - he was shaking. Like, physically trembling. Rachelle immediately engulfed Thomas in her arms, and Edward consoled his brother as Gordon looked at what the paper said.

It was four words, written in... gosh, he prayed that was red ink…

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

- TANNER

-0-

And with that, we conclude Chapter 3! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, here are my responses!

Skarloey12345678: Thank you! Glad ya think so!

OnlyLonelyStars: SDJKDHFJKDFKJ thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying this, despite having no knowledge of the show! Love ya my dude. 333

Super Sudrian: Dude! Thank you! So glad you like the different plot line. :)

Guest 4: Thanks dude! Glad to see ya again!

Helen: Thanks!

And moving forward, we're gonna get the ball rolling here in just a little bit! Stay tuned for Chapter 4 on May 9th! Comments mean the world to me, and I would love if you left one :D God bless!