A/N: *sighs* so, I've had a week and a half, so I ended up on some weird angst high this past week, pulling ideas out of my backside and putting them together, and, of course, they've mostly focused on the Skarloey Railway gang, as they are angst magnets for me ^^'

Anyways, I hope you enjoy these little oneshots I put together. They all take place at different time periods, and focus on different engines (though Peter Sam, Sir Handel Skarloey and Rheneas have taken over at present, as I needed some sibling angst. But, it'll vary, I promise. And I intend to add some light-hearted stories, too, just to balance this lot out.

This story was based off an incident that happened to Dolgoch in 1949. I don't have all the details, so I just used what I could find and added my own interpretations to write this piece. I decided to set this about two years earlier than the original though. Enjoy, and any reviews are appreciated!

August 17th, 1947

...

"Oi, take it easy, mate!" Snapped the fireman, Micky Flannigan, as Rheneas rattled on the worn rails, pulling a train of trucks loaded with coal. "These rails are in bad condition!" He swore as they hit a wobbly part of track.

"Oh, shut up, Micky!" the driver, David Wells, retorted, hurrying Rheneas's train on. "This train won't deliver itself!"

"Nor will a derailed engine!" Rheneas pointed out, but the driver just laughed rudely, and the old engine fumed silently in response. He did not take kindly to carelessness, less so to careless humans, as they could very easily cause accidents with their negligence and thoughtlessness- especially fatal accidents, which Rheneas didn't want to cause.

He just hoped that an accident won't happen today.

No sooner had he hoped that, than he felt his wheels hit another bump on the rails. With a yelp, Rheneas felt his wheels leave the rails- and heard a loud CRACK! before he ground to a halt. It was awful - no, agonizing, feeling the pain ripple from his frames, and he winced, trying to focus on something else, anything else.

"Well done, David!" Snapped Micky sarcastically, jumping down from his engine's cab. "What a fine mess you got us into! Now we'll be late!" He checked Rheneas over as David emerged from the cab, sulkily.

"Rheneas, you ok, lad?" Asked Micky in concern. Out of the corner of his eye, the young Irishman could see his colleague roll his eyes in disdain- and he forced himself to keep his temper in check, for as much as he wanted to give David a right hook to the jaw for mistreating their engine - and then to be so callous towards Rheneas's pain on top of that, he knew it wouldn't do them any good.

It didn't dampen his rage though.

"I'm fi"-Rheneas was cut off by a fresh wave of pain. "I"-

Seeing his engine's distress, despite Rheneas's stubbornness in vocalizing it, Micky checked him over again- and bit back a violent curse when he found Rheneas's frames had cracked. Sighing, the Irishman turned to his engine.

"Sorry Rheneas, old buddy, your frames have cracked." He said sympathetically. "You've derailed, too, so you can't go anywhere without assistance."

"Cracked?" Wheezed Rheneas pitifully.

"Afraid so," Sighed Micky, his heart breaking for the ageing engine. It was painfully -pun not intended- obvious Rheneas was sore, but he was refusing to admit it, refusing to react to the pain. He turned to his colleague, who had the audacity to lean on Rheneas's side. "You, David," he barked furiously, "can go up to the next signalbox and phone for Skarloey to come help us, seeing as it was YOUR actions that got us here in the first place!"

David rolled his eyes, but, as he knew his fireman would otherwise give him grief, he decided to obey, and slunk off to the nearest signalbox to phone for help. Rheneas and Mickey watched him go.

"I am so, so sorry, Rheneas," Said Micky, horrified at his superior's actions. "You deserve a far better driver than him."

"Don't worry- not your fault," Wheezed Rheneas. "You're-doing your best."

Micky, despite his horror towards David's recklessness, felt his heart warm at the old engine's words; but now, he was also worried what would happen once they were rescued. The railway was on thin ice as it was, and Skarloey and Rheneas, bless their souls, had soldiered on with minimal complaint, and did the best they could; but their current workload between two little engines, combined with the fact that they were wearing out, and the lack of money available to mend them, meant that the railway was getting dangerously close to closure.

Overhauling one engine would be expensive; to overhaul two would break them (though Micky hoped some miracle would come through which would allow these two brave little engines the overhaul they both sorely needed and highly deserved.)

He glanced over at Rheneas, who was biting his lip with the pain he had been put through so needlessly. Micky kept silent, and ambled to meet the guard, who wondered why he hadn't been sent to fetch help.

By the time explanations were given, Micky Flannigan wasn't the only man keen to give David a well-deserved swing.

….

Fortunately for the cavalcade, Skarloey arrived an hour later, with Lucy, Beatrice, a handful of workmen and some jacks in tow. "What happened, Rheneas?" he asked his brother.

Micky saw that Rheneas was paling rapidly, and trying hard not to speak, for fear of making the pain worse; so, he took it upon himself to inform Skarloey of the details, emphasizing the man to blame for it. By the time he had finished, Skarloey was trembling with rage.

"I would like to get a hold of your 'driver' and give him a well-deserved tongue lashing!" Fumed Skarloey. "He had some nerve to be reckless and not expect repercussions for his actions! Oh, when I get my buffers on that scoundrel…." He trailed off, softening as he heard Rheneas emit the faintest of whimpers. "Nonetheless, it's not your fault, boyo." He added kindly. "The lads and I will soon have you back on the rails again, and we'll take you back to be mended."

Rheneas didn't answer, for he felt a bit ill on realizing that that would most likely involve welding his frames together. He hated welding, for it hurt a lot, and he always felt so tender afterwards.

"I'm awfully sorry you had to be dragged out here for something that was so easily avoidable, Skarloey." Micky said, abashed. "I really wish we could have avoided this… but David, he insisted on hurrying Rheneas on to deliver the coal train…"

"Not your fault, man," Said Skarloey, soothingly. "You're a fine fireman, and one who clearly holds Rheneas in the fondest regard. I hold no blame towards you for this." He looked over his younger brother, giving him a kind smile before continuing, "Besides, Rheneas is my brother and my dearest friend- I'll help him on one piston if I need to." Skarloey promised- then muttered a quiet oath in Welsh under his breath. "Though an overhaul would help…"

"I wish we could give you an overhaul," Sighed Micky. "I'd gladly help in it if I could. But, tools and time cost money, unfortunately."

"Good men still need to earn a living," Mused Skarloey. "Never mind, Micky. I'm just happy to be of assistance."

"Thank you Skarloey," Said Micky gratefully, patting Rheneas's side gently. "I'm glad you were able to come and help us."

"No problem," Said Skarloey's driver. "I'll dare say David will not be popular when he gets back to the yard." He patted Skarloey's side, before he turned to Micky, "Come on in, mate- we'll give you a lift back."

"Cheers," Said Micky, before looking back up the line. "Shouldn't we wait for David?"

"Normally, I'd say yes, but I'm feeling a tad spiteful." Said Skarloey's driver. "David is a silly sod- he can stay here and find his way back!"

"Seeing as he doesn't appreciate rail travel, I agree!" Fumed Skarloey. "You know, you're more forgiving than I am."

"I don't forgive him, just wondered," Replied Micky. "Though, I'd shove him off Skarloey's footplate if I got the chance, so maybe it'll be wiser to leave him."

"Too right," Rheneas agreed wearily. He just wanted to go home, get the stupid repairs done and sleep for eternity; so, he was feeling grumpy, as well as tired and sore.

"Come on," Skarloey said to Rheneas, gently hauling his brother back to Crovan's Gate for repairs. "We'll get you patched up, boyo."

….

Back at the shed, Rheneas winced in pain as his frames were welded back in place.

With permission from the manager, Skarloey stayed to provide support and comfort to his sibling. He was saddened at his younger brother's pain- but also moved at how brave Rheneas was being, in spite of the dire circumstances.

Micky also stayed- both to provide comfort and support to Rheneas, and to report David's wrongdoing to the Manager. The Manager merely nodded and promised them that swift action would be taken.

….

Once the horrendous ordeal was done, Rheneas breathed a sigh of relief. He still felt a bit tender, but nowhere near as awful as before. "Micky, Skarloey," he addressed his fireman and his brother, respectively. "Thank you both for staying with me. I… I appreciate it."

"Anytime, lad," Said Micky, his soft Irish accent so gentle that Rheneas felt touched.

"You're my brother, Rheneas, I wouldn't leave you to face that on your own," Added Skarloey, earnestly. This heartfelt admission from his brother left Rheneas feeling warm in his smokebox.

"I appreciate that," Said Rheneas, smiling graciously. "And also… thanks for coming to rescue me." He addressed this to the workmen as well, who merely nodded in respect.

"Yeah, thank you so much, lads," Added Micky. His gratitude extended towards Skarloey's crew and the workmen as well. "This has been a rough day for all of us."

"I'll say," Said Skarloey's driver. "Tell you what, what if we take Rheneas's trains tomorrow morning, give you both some extra rest? Today has been awfully trying for you both."

Micky hesitated, glancing at his engine to gauge his reaction to this kind offer.

"If it'll allow Rheneas and you extra rest, I'll gladly oblige," Added Skarloey.

"Skarloey- I couldn't ask you to do that." Rheneas replied, horrified. "You do enough work as it is! And you've had to come out and rescue me today, despite…"

Skarloey snorted.

"A morning of extra work wouldn't kill me, Rheneas! I'd rather give you the whole day off, but I'm afraid I couldn't manage that." He finished, woefully.

Truth be told, Skarloey recognized that he was getting old, and ill. Trying to do a hard day's work got even more trying than ever, though he knew money was tight. New, or even second-hand engines, were rare to come by; why, the manager was left fuming after missing the prime opportunity to buy second-hand engines after the closure of another narrow-gauge railway on Sodor back in January; which the pair had been surprised to hear about.

Now, they were back to square one. And Skarloey was getting too sick to work for long, so now he dreaded the inevitable.

"I appreciate you offering to do my morning jobs though, Skarloey." Added Rheneas, trying to cheer his brother up. "I know you already get worked a lot, and for you to offer that opportunity even so… it means a lot. Thank you."

"Anything for my brother." Said Skarloey, managing a smile at his companion's heartfelt words. "You'd do the same for me."

….

Unfortunately, this meant that the older engine had to complete Rheneas's coal run. Skarloey's crew cursed David once again as the older engine struggled on, coughing, and struggling to keep steam up.

"Dear God," muttered his fireman. "He's struggling. How much longer will he be able to keep going?"

"Oi, I can hear you!" Boomed Skarloey. "Do you mind? I'm trying to pull a train here!"

Skarloey's driver just chuckled in amusement.

….

It was thus a great satisfaction to Skarloey and Micky when David finally returned to the yard later that evening- only to be greeted by a stern manager, along with Rheneas's guard from his earlier coal run, as well as Micky and Skarloey.

"Well, you took your time, David," The manager said coolly.

"It wasn't my fault- I got left behind!" David pointed an accusing finger at Skarloey, before calling him a horrible, unrepeatable name.

Rheneas was furious at his driver for calling his beloved brother such a horrid name and was about to call him out on this behaviour, when he saw Skarloey glare at David.

"I find it almost admirable," the old engine said icily, "that you have such a nerve to expect me to wait for you, after your reckless actions caused my brother to derail and his frames to crack. Not only did you cause him unnecessary pain, view thar aforementioned pain as an inconvenience to yourself, and delay his work, but I had to come out and rescue him, thus adding to my own wear and tear- and I had to take his train too! I would gladly aid my brother should he find himself in such trouble as he was in today- but I will not tolerate your reckless actions, not when my crew and I had to pay the consequences for said actions! I am very ashamed of you, David Wells!" Thundered the old engine.

Rheneas was most impressed by Skarloey sticking up for him. He watched David flinch momentarily, but then he sneered at Skarloey.

"Not you can do anything about it!" He snorted, rudely. "What are you going to do, you silly old goose?"

"Well, I can do something about this behaviour!" Interrupted the Manager, furiously. "Mr. Wells, you can consider yourself terminated as of this moment! Now, leave this yard at once and do not bother returning for work tomorrow."

….

Despite seeing Rheneas's pain following an accident that should have been avoided, not to mention his own struggles, Skarloey grinned inanely for the rest of the day.

After all, no one messed with his little brother and got away with it.