A/N: I have delivered! Thomas is a bit OOC here, but it is for the story's purpose. Hope you enjoy this chapter, everyone, and keep safe! 😊
….
Thomas woke up very early next morning, feeling confused as he saw he was not in Tidmouth Sheds, but was instead still in the Steamworks.
However, seeing Edward's unconscious body next to him reminded him why he was here, and it sent a painful drudging feeling in his firebox.
He saw Victor nearby, giving him a look of concern. "Buenos dÃas, amigo," he said in Spanish, before reverting to English. "I see you fell asleep here last night."
Thomas blushed in response. "Sorry, Victor," he replied, sheepishly. "I didn't mean to- I was thinking about Edward... and about what happens when he wakes up, and I guess… I guess I must have nodded off." The blue tank engine blushed, realising he couldn't pinpoint when he fell asleep last night.
"There is no 'guessing' about it, my friend," Teased Victor, before his expression softened. "But I do understand," he added. "It's hard seeing someone you're very close to undergoing a painful trauma and you can't do much to help them feel better. I forgive you, but don't make it a habit, please, my friend? I need the space for engines who need to be repaired."
Thomas was about to apologise, and agree to Victor's condition; but he was interrupted by Gordon bustling in. Victor winced as he glanced between the two engines.
"Morning, boss!" a familiar voice called out cheerfully. "What's the first job f..."
Kevin trailed off as he saw what was going on and put two and two together. He gave Victor an anxious look.
"I trust you remember that I need my whistle straightened!" The proud engine boomed haughtily.
"SÃ, Gordon," agreed Victor, rolling his eyes. "Come along, I'll"-
"How dare you." hissed Thomas suddenly, suddenly interrupting the Cuban engine.
"I beg your pardon, little Thomas?" Asked Gordon with a sneer.
"How dare you come here seeking to have your whistle mended while Edward is unconscious and possibly fighting for his life?!" snapped Thomas.
Pure, unfiltered rage seeped through his smoke box as he glared at Gordon. "Edward could be lost to us forever, and all you can think about is your damn whistle?!" The blue tank engine bellowed.
"I'll have you know, you silly little engine, that my whistle being crooked is hardly an issue of vanity alone." Retorted Gordon.
"Edward's condition still takes precedence over your whistle!" Thomas fumed in response. "How dare you complain of such a trivial matter and diverting Victor's attention from Edward repairs! You should be ashamed, Gordon, ashamed!" Thomas cried.
"That is enough, both of you!" Boomed Victor. Both engines were so surprised at Victor's sudden exclamation that they quickly fell silent.
"I understand your feelings, and whilst I agree that Edward's condition is my utmost priority," said Victor solemnly to Thomas, "but he cannot be my only priority. I will devote as many workmen, time and resources to helping Edward as I can afford, but I have other engines to repair and make Really Useful again, too."
Thomas was still seething with rage at Gordon's audacity to show up and -rudely- make demands to get his whistle mended, but he knew Victor had a point; the other engines were still needed to run the railway, to take Sodor's goods, to transport her passengers, to maintaining that healthy balance in the island's economy and social structure.
And, with Edward still unresponsive, an engine would need to run his branch line, as well as perform Edward's other usual jobs, including possible banking duties for big engines climbing Gordon's Hill with their heavy trains.
He looked sadly towards Edward, who lay still and silent, before turning his attention back to Victor.
"I'm sorry, Victor." He said quietly. "I... I don't know what came over me."
"I forgive you, my friend," said Victor calmly. "but I need you to be calm when you're here in future. As I said, I have other engines here who need to be repaired."
Thomas quietly conceded to this, though he still gritted his teeth at Gordon. He knew Edward would want him to apologise, but he couldn't bring himself to do that just yet.
Gordon didn't seem to be in a magnanimous mood, either so he was even less bothered at this point.
Thomas had to hurry if he was to be on time for all the work that he had to do on his branch line. In fact, if he could get out of the Steamworks and hurry away now, he might just get there in time for his first train. If he didn't hurry, Percy or Toby would have to take his passengers instead, and Thomas didn't want to risk falling out with them for leaving his work to them to do as well as their own.
Besides, he needed to talk to Annie and Clarabel about all this. He hadn't spoken to them much since Edward's accident, and they were worried sick about their little blue friend. And, hopefully, they'd have some sound advice on how to process his feelings.