The Brother's Grimm

by AaronCottrell97

As one last special reward for her heroic actions that led to her becoming safety engine and No. 12, Emily is overjoyed that her brother Bernard is visiting Sodor for the first time. The two Sterling Single siblings have a wonderful time reuniting with each other, but all their cheerfulness fades after a dark and tragic secret regarding Bernard is revealed...

5. Bernard's Law: A New Rider

There had been quite a remarkable and outlandish road-block in Bernard's mission to rekindle his spirits, no thanks to three straight days of consistent teasing, grumpy meddling and even abuse from Diesel, 'Arry, Bert and even Seamus Holder the Grumpy Passenger when he finally went too far in his own grumpiness. Now Bernard was carrying on in a much calmer, more controlled manner than he had been a few days earlier. After Diesel, 'Arry, Bert and most especially the Grumpy Passenger gave Bernard such a slew of outrageous trouble, they had all been sternly and most severely put in their place. The three diesels were now being kept in their sheds as usual, but the Grumpy Passenger had committed such outrageous and unacceptable actions against Bernard and almost toward Emily the Safety Engine, that the Fat Controller, the Bank of Sodor, the SPD and the North Western Railway Board had all arranged to confiscate Seamus' assets, property and real estate, evicting him and condemning him to the streets until such time fate would change Seamus' course.

Ever since this very morning when Seamus Holder found out for himself that he had lost everything, the whole Island talked of nothing but Bernard, his poetic justice, and the Grumpy Passenger's sealed fate. The engines on the Main Line came to hear the news, the rest of David's crew at Arlesburgh, the Blue Mountain Quarry, Brendam Docks, Ulfstead Castle, and all the way up to Vicarstown had all heard the news and everyone was most surprised, astonished and happy for Bernard's shift in his position for the better.

And all through the day, all Bernard did was stick right by his No. 12 sister Emily. Everywhere she went with her passengers, Bernard followed. And everywhere Emily had to stop at, Bernard stopped too. They both felt as though they had to do something to start fresh and rekindle Bernard's spirits in time for him to leave Sodor.

"Well, Emily...it's over," Bernard said at last as he and Emily were going home with her last set of passengers. "The grumpy meddling is finally over."

"Yes, Bernard. It's safe now," said Emily. "You don't have to worry about any of those upstarts anymore. It's just you, me and your friends now."

"Yes, Emily. It is," said Bernard. "Which means...no one is in our way anymore...and now I'm wondering what we can do tonight. Everything's about to change, and before we go any further in rekindling my spirits further, I think we need to do something to have time to breathe and take everything in."

Emily heard Bernard and thought to herself...then she suddenly remembered what she, Thomas and Percy had mentioned to Bernard every once in a while...and she suddenly got an idea right there, thinking on her wheels again.

"Hmm...a chance to breath and take everything in, you say?" she said. "Well...I think I know just what to do about that, Bernard."

"Do you? What's that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well, my sweet brother," Emily said with a wink. "Let's get my passengers home, meet with Thomas and Percy...and you'll find out."

And so the Stirling Duo carried on through the evening together. Bernard began to wonder what Emily had in mind for him.

At Knapford Station, Thomas and Percy came back to the yards first, wondering what to do now. All while they had worked through their day, they had been thinking about Emily and Bernard and what they could possibly do now that all of Bernard's major obstacles were taken care of.

"Phh...crazy few days," Thomas remarked. "So very nice to finally be rid of that passenger and his grumpy trouble."

"Indeed, Thomas," Percy added. "I just wonder what Emily and Bernard could be planning now that the trouble is over."

Then at that moment, Thomas and Percy heard the two whistles and Emily and Bernard came back to the station too, smiling away to each other and batting eyes to each other. They looked to Thomas and Percy and whistled again with their smiles beaming even bigger. Thomas and Percy whistled back as Emily and Bernard went right to the station. There, Emily let off the last of her passengers, who all came out with quite a happy sensation themselves over the news they came to hear.

"Such a marvellous journey, Emily," said one passenger. "Smooth, efficient...and so peaceful!"

"Indeed, indeed, Emily," said another passenger. "Seamus will NOT be troubling our comfort on any journeys anymore."

"And you, Bernard, have all our confidence," said a third passenger. "We wish you a very good visit in the end. You and your sister."

The other passengers smiled and waved to Emily and Bernard, who smiled right back to the passengers as they left the station. Then Bernard and Emily saw David arrive with Bertie at the station. As the passengers left, he came striding toward Emily with a nod. Then he got in her cab and she and Bernard reversed back through the yards. Emily left her coaches in a siding, then she and Bernard came back to Thomas and Percy who smiled right back at them. Now that their day's work was over, things could start happening again.

"Hello, Emily and Bernard," said Thomas. "How are you getting on without the Grumpy Passenger?"

Just like Emily told Thomas about Donald and Douglas, Bernard spoke something similar.

"Fine now, Thomas," he said. "And next time, we know that no one will ever come between us during my visit."

Thomas and Percy both chortled to each other, as did Emily. Then both tank engines looked to the Stirling Duo again as they saw David in Emily's cab.

"Well, then. How did your day go, you two?" David asked. "Everyone's been talking about the news. The whole railway's been talking about it.

"It's been quite a day, David," said Emily. "Simple, but rather prominent too. And you're right. All everyone's talked about is Bernard and I, and Seamus' given situation. Everything's getting better now...and speaking of which, Bernard here has been thinking a little himself...and I think I have an idea as to help him start fresh again."

"How, Emily?" Thomas and David asked.

"Well, everyone," said Bernard. "The past few days have been quite tumultuous. My visit started as a golden reunion with my sister. Then it changed to a grey wall of guilt and shame when I realized what my accident with Murphy's father brought upon Sodor, and I've been given a great deal of trouble over these past three days. But now that the spawns of that trouble are no longer any concern to us, I believe the first thing for us to do is take a chance to finally breathe and take everything in. I told Emily about this while we were coming back. I think before we start rekindling my spirits properly, we need tonight to ourselves...but how?"

"A good question, Bernard. And yes," said Emily. "We all need this evening for ourselves before we start helping you all the way, Bernard. And now that we're all gathered together. I think I know the perfect place for you to be to start off such a feeling, Bernard."

"And where is that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

This was it. Emily could now bring forth her little idea. She winked to Thomas and Percy, then gave a glimmering look to her brother.

"We've talked on and off about it, Bernard," said Emily. "But now that you're here...how would you like to join us and your emerald sister Emily...at Black Loch tonight?"

Bernard heard what Emily just said and suddenly felt his heart begin to beat strongly with a sense of quite the enthusiasm. In the midst of everything he had been going through, he'd barely had any time to think about places to visit on Sodor, and after the few stories he had heard about Black Loch, he immediately thought this was a most superb idea.

"Black Loch? Your...your little kingdom, Emily? And Thomas too?" he asked with a growing smile.

"Black Loch? There's no better place to be for you this evening, Bernard," Thomas agreed at once. "You're gonna love it there."

"I know I will, Thomas," said Bernard. "After hearing you all talk about it every now and then, I think being there is an excellent first step. Will you take me there?"

"Well, then," said Emily. "Of course we will. Just wait here a moment."

David nodded to the other engines, then he and Emily then set off through the station. Thomas, Percy and Bernard waited, and within five minutes, Emily came back facing the other way. She bore a smile to Bernard and buffered right up to him.

"Come with us, Bernard. And we'll show you the way to our own little kingdom," she chimed as she pecked his cheek with a little kiss.

"Oh...I look forward to it all," Bernard beamed.

And the four engines all set off together with David looking out from Emily's cab. Emily and Bernard set off buffer to buffer, and Thomas and Percy huffed steadily behind. The whole while, Bernard watched where Emily took him. He looked left and right to the scenery around him, wondering what this Black Loch would be like. He remembered taking the huge trip from York all the way to Mallaig Station to meet Emily and David when they finally found Beatrice and brought her home, and it made him think back to some of what he saw on that journey...and if Black Loch would be anything like it.

Eventually, the four engines came to that particular bend in the line which Thomas and Emily knew like the buffers on their fronts. Then Bernard felt her slowing down. He looked up and saw her smile had become very steady indeed.

"E...Emily...are we...?" Bernard began to ask.

"Wait and see, Bernard," Thomas said with a chime in his voice.

"Just a little further, dear," Emily said softly as they went just a little more forward. "And...here we are. Open your eyes, Bernard. Look all around you, to all that you see."

Then Emily stopped. Thomas and Percy stopped close behind her...and with that, they had come to the very landmark of Thomas and Emily's little kingdom...which now Bernard would get to see with his own eyes. Black Loch itself. Everyone watched as Bernard's eyes scanned everything there was to see. The green rolling hills, the steep, old-looking cliffs, the castle in the far distance, and of course, the perfectly smooth lake reflecting himself, Emily and Thomas right there in the water. It was all such an amazing place to behold on first acquaintance for Emily's brother. He immediately began remembering a few things himself about the journey he took to Mallaig, but before he could say anything about that, his eyes were shining with ever-constant intrigue, admiration and absolute impression.

"Well? What do you think, Bernard?" Emily asked. "This...this is the gateway to a perfect place Sodor could ever have."

Bernard's eyes gazed a little longer, then he looked to his sister again.

"Oh, Emily...it's amazing...this is Black Loch? Your little kingdom with Thomas," he said at last.

"This is it, Bernard," said Thomas. "The place where it all began between me and your sister. It was here where our first date was enacted, where I staked everything to see Emily return to being happy and whole again, where I had my first kiss to the cheek from her, and so many more unique and amazing times have been shared here."

"And now here you are too, Bernard," said David. "Here in the place I treasure beyond all other places on this island. What do you think?"

Bernard looked around once again and thought about what he had been thinking earlier.

"It's all such a beauty to bestow...and you know, Emily?" said Bernard. "It...it reminds me of what I saw while I made the huge journey to Mallaig Station when you and David found Beatrice again."

"Really, Bernard? How?" Thomas asked.

"Well...past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, there's another loch called Loch Eil, which is even bigger and wider than this place. Just being here reminds me of how big and vast that loch really is...and you must have thought it was incredible, Emily."

"I did, Bernard," said Emily. "It's there where David met with me again when Lawrence rejuvenated him back to looking for Beatrice, and it was there where I fell asleep after Diesel 10's final defeat, but truly, no place can equal to Black Loch."

"Indeed, Emily," said David. "And you may have travelled the world, Thomas, but maybe in some ways, Gordon was right. When you look around Black Loch, it is your world. Yours and Emily's."

"Hmm...perhaps you're right, David," said Thomas. "This is Emily's and my little world...and Bernard's too, brother to sister."

Bernard smiled right to his sister and Thomas and David too. Then all the engines suddenly heard a distant splash. One that Emily had not heard in a very long time. But when she did hear it, she immediately felt her heart jump with enthusiasm. Then she saw the water begin to ripple. Bernard suddenly looked to the water too, wondering what it could be...until there was another splash right at the shoreline of the lake...and a barking sound began ensuing from below the four engines. Bernard looked to Emily, who was now smiling with such a lit face. Bernard looked right where she was looking...and what had appeared?

"Ooh...my little friends!" Emily squealed. "Hello there again! SO delighted to see you all again!"

There, huddled on the shoreline, the seals had come back. Emily's seals whom she came to find out were what she thought was the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Thomas and Percy were delighted to see them again too...and Bernard's heart was racing with such delight when he saw these fine little friends.

"Oh...by my funnel, Emily!" Bernard gasped. "Those are your little friends, Emily? Those are the seals?"

"Indeed they are, Bernard," said Emily. "My seals. Yours and mine as it were. They're such a lovely part of my life. Even in my days of pain, these seals gave me such light to my heart, as did my first ever date with Thomas...right here, where our heartstrings of love just began to be strung into our hearts."

"Indeed, Emily," said Thomas. "There couldn't be a finer sight for your brother to see tonight."

"Not at all, Thomas. You're absolutely right," Bernard agreed.

The four engines continued to idle here together and watch the seals. David looked to Bernard and Emily and felt much better seeing them smile again after all they had been through. He got a stronger and stronger sensation that things would indeed get better in time for Bernard to return to York once the time came.

Eventually, as the sun set over the hills, the engines looked to the seals again and watched as they returned to the lake and swam away. It had been quite a fitting evening for the engines. Especially Bernard, who was now feeling more and more that things would only get better and better. David and the three other engines looked to Bernard and thought of what to do now.

"Well, Bernard. Your first visit to Black Loch. Our little kingdom," said Emily. "I trust you love it here?"

"Oh, I loved every moment of this visit, Emily," said Bernard. "This was more than a chance to breathe after everything we've had to bear through together."

This suddenly gave Emily another idea. Something else Bernard had not yet done since his arrival. Perhaps they could hold onto their chance to breathe a little longer before the next day would come.

"Together, you say?" she observed. "Well, Bernard...I think you just gave me another idea."

"What's that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well, ever since you came here, we've always slept in Knapford Sheds, you, me, Thomas, and sometimes Percy."

"Emily," Thomas put in. "Are you suggesting...?"

Emily winked to Thomas and continued with her brother. "After this little outing, I think you've been through a lot and deserve a bigger treat, Bernard. While we have the time, I think you deserve to sleep with all of us...at Tidmouth Sheds. What do you think?"

Bernard heard Emily and thought to himself, looking to Thomas, Percy and his emerald sister. He had not slept there yet with the rest of the Steam Team, having been so caught up with his sister and telling her everything that had been thriving in his mind. But given the start of change for the better, he thought this was another divine idea. Then he smiled.

"Oh, Emily...I'd be glad to spent a night with the Steam Team," said Bernard. "With all the rest of the engines. Do you think they'll mind, though?"

"Oh, of course they won't, Bernard," Percy peeped. "I can sleep on the line right beside your berth, Emily. You can take my berth, Bernard."

"Please, Bernard? Will you?" Thomas asked. "I think all the engines would like to be seeing you tonight after all you've been through."

"Thank you so much, Thomas, Emily and Percy. I'll be able to sleep with the whole engine family...just like you and I are Stirling family, Emily."

"Of course, Bernard," Emily smiled sweetly.

"It's settled then," said David. "This has been a most divine visit. And with the setting sun, it's best we be on our way. Come, Bernard,"

And so, Thomas and Percy set off back down the line while David got into Emily's cab again. Then she and Bernard followed Thomas and Percy, and they all set off on their way back to Tidmouth Sheds. Bernard wondered what it would be like to see all the engines again, and just how they'd be feeling to see him again, especially after the big news about Seamus Holder had come to spread everywhere.

At Tidmouth Sheds, Rebecca, Gordon, Nia and James were already settled in their berths, their smokeboxes so very full of thought about Bernard and Emily, and what had just happened this very day with that Grumpy Passenger. They had all been wondering just what would happen next regarding Emily's brother. Then they heard four separate whistles and looked up. They saw Thomas first as he turned round on the turntable and went into his berth. Then came Percy. He turned around on the turntable, but didn't back into his berth. He set off again so he'd return on the line on the left of the sheds. Soon enough, he came back on the line beside the sheds and settled right on that line beside Emily's berth.

The other engines wondered what could be going on until they saw Emily and Bernard buffered together on another line. The engines watched as Emily settled on the turntable, then turned around to her berth with her No. 12 showing nicely in the engines' headlamps. Then she backed into her berth and smiled ahead. The engines looked again and there was Bernard. He settled on the turntable and looked all around to the engines from Rebecca to Gordon, Nia, James, Thomas then Emily. They were all wearing faces of quite a lot of curiosity and wonder about all they had come to hear today. None of the engines said a word as Bernard turned around to Percy's berth then backed inside, right between Thomas and his emerald sister. He looked to them both and managed to smile gently.

"Well...H...hello, everyone," said Emily. "I...I'm sure you've all heard the big news today..."

"That Grumpy Passenger losing all he ever had? Easily, Emily," said James. "It seems my urging came true. Sodor has indeed sent him packing."

Then David came out of Emily's berth from her cab and spoke next.

"Indeed, he has been sent packing, James," he said. "The Grumpy Passenger can't plague your express anymore, Gordon. You and Rebecca are now free of any trivial pursuits he could ever have caused."

"Yes...so we are," said Gordon. "Utterly remarkable...and such a fitting fate for such a man to do such things to you, Bernard! AND Emily!"

"Indeed!" Rebecca added. "Caning you when you're feeling low spirited over your past, Bernard...and trying to cane your sister too!"

"Absolutely atrocious, but happily for you, Emily and Bernard, he didn't escape with anything," said Nia.

Bernard and Emily just nodded in return. They both felt rather jumpy about this little realization as did the other engines. Then at that moment, everyone suddenly heard a familiar whistle. David and the eight engines looked and saw who was coming toward the sheds. They saw this engine look up, notably at Bernard, then he bore a look of concern and pity on his face as he stopped right on the turntable, having heard everything himself.

"Edward?" David addressed.

"Excuse me, David, I hope I'm not interrupting, but...well...I just had to come," Edward said little gravely. "Poor Bernard. So much trouble thrown upon him for absolutely nothing. Even I can't stand hearing such details of what has befallen him."

Everyone looked at Bernard again and felt steady pity as he shut his eyes for a few moments. Even now, he still felt a few flickers of the recollection, as did Thomas, Percy and Emily. David merely shook his head and held onto his silver charm.

"Well...if I can be of any help, Bernard..." Edward began, but noticed everyone remained silent. He almost began to leave.

"Wait," David spoke, looking back to Edward with a little idea. "I could use your help. If you can, Edward, please cover any work Bernard might have tomorrow. I believe he'll need to talk with me and my mother tomorrow, so as we can start rebuilding his spirits properly."

Edward pondered for a moment. "Well...that is a useful idea for Emily's brother. If that's your intention, I'll ask Sir Topham Hatt tomorrow and see what he says. You deserve every bit of kindness and guidance Beatrice has to offer you, Bernard. All your troubles from others are over, and you should only look forward now."

"I know, Edward," said Bernard. "My visit won't last forever, and I want it to end as wonderfully as it can, however that may come to be."

"It will, Bernard," said David. "Now, I must be going home again. Please leave me at Knapford on your way back, Edward. Bertie will take me the rest of the way."

"Oh, of course," said Edward as David got onboard. "Tomorrow is bound to be a much better day for Emily's brother. And after all, who'd be a better mentor to help this dear Navy Stirling than the Great Navy Captain himself?"

And Edward set off into the night with David, who looked back and waved to Emily and Bernard. They both nodded back as Edward set off into the night.

"Edward's right, Bernard," said Thomas. "We can only look forward from today onward."

"That's right, Bernard," Percy added. "I'm sure Beatrice will help you just as much as she helped me."

All the other engines agreed, and soon, one by one, the engines fell asleep until Bernard and Emily were the last to stay awake.

"So, Bernard...you'll have your first true talk with Beatrice tomorrow," said Emily. "You've talked with her once before, but tomorrow..."

"If Edward can work through anything I had to do tomorrow, perhaps I can finally articulate how I feel clearly to Beatrice," said Bernard.

"I'm sure you can, Bernard," said Emily. "Just like she helped Percy through his crushed spirits, I'd be very happy to hear how she can help my perfect brother. You have a lovely sleep here with all of us, Bernard."

"I certainly will. Especially right with you, Emily. You have a lovely sleep too, my perfect sister," Bernard whispered.

And so Bernard and Emily fell asleep too, thinking all about the next day and what it would bring...

The next morning, Bernard woke up with a little stir in his heart. He looked around and saw he was still at Tidmouth Sheds. It also dawned back to him that he knew he was now safe from the diesels and the Grumpy Passenger giving him any more trouble...and if David's plan with Edward would work out, he'd be able to talk with Beatrice and finally articulate his thoughts together. He suddenly began to think quickly over what he could probably tell her, and what she'd had to tell him in turn.

Then he turned to his left when Emily yawned and woke up. She looked to her brother and began to remember the previous night herself as the other engines woke up too and looked to Bernard.

"Good morning, Emily," said Bernard. "Well...I guess I'll be having my own line of therapy with Beatrice...if I can, that is."

"Yes, Bernard. You will," said Emily. "But will Edward and David's plan work?"

At that moment, the engines saw the Fat Controller arrive. He came out of his car and saw Bernard in the sheds with Percy on the line beside Emily's berth. Then the Stirling Duo noticed the Fat Controller looking notably at Bernard.

"Good morning, to you all," he said. "Yesterday was quite an interactive day indeed for you all to hear the news. But Bernard's visit is still going on, and I have a little news for him. Before we get this day started...Bernard, I had a little chat with Edward earlier this morning. He came by Knapford just as I arrived."

Bernard suddenly remembered Edward's visit from the night before. "He...he did, sir?"

"Yes. He told me he came by here last night and offered to be of any help. Then he told me that David asked if he could cover any work you might have had today, Bernard...so you could talk with Beatrice and bring your thoughts forth to her as clearly as you can."

The other engines looked hopefully to Bernard, whose eyes began to widen and his smile began to lift.

"Well...may I go, sir? Please?" Bernard asked.

"Well, you were to take some goods runs today along the Main Line, Bernard," said the Fat Controller. "But Philip has agreed to help Edward with that...so you may have your talk with Beatrice, the finest counsellor Sodor has ever seen. After Percy, I'm sure she can help you quite well too."

Emily smiled from buffer to buffer as she gazed at Bernard's growing smile.

"Thank you so much, sir," said Bernard. "This should work very nicely. I'm going to recover. I have to recover...for the sake of my sister."

"Good luck, Bernard," said Emily. "And tell me all about it once we meet up again."

"I will, Emily. I certainly will," said Bernard.

And so the navy Stirling made for the turntable, turned to the right line, then set off on his way for Arlesburgh. Emily and the other engines watched until he was out of sight before Emily looked to the other engines, who seemed a little unsure and concerned for Bernard even now.

"Hmm...just what will Bernard be talking about with her today?" Thomas asked.

"And will she be able to help him quickly enough?" Percy wondered. "I needed two whole weeks with her and Emily before Gina came back..."

"Now, Thomas and Percy. We mustn't lose hope," said Emily. "Bernard still has a visit to enjoy while he can. I'd love to see how Beatrice might help him."

"That's right, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "If Thomas and Percy can get past their crushed spirits from before, Bernard can weather his storm too."

"Hm. With all the trouble he's been given lately, that might not be so easy. Nice bluff, sir," James confided teasingly.

Before the Fat Controller or the other engines could sternly correct James, Emily spoke up.

"He wasn't bluffing! You don't know Bernard like I do. He'll never give up."

And Emily stared wistfully ahead as she imagined what Bernard and Beatrice would be talking about today. Even after the Fat Controller sent the other engines about their jobs, Emily continued to think and bask in thought as to what Bernard's day today would be like...

As for Bernard, he made his way swiftly and surely along the line, thinking further and further on what to tell Beatrice now that his meddling adversaries were all put out of the way. Bernard was sure he'd have a lot to tell Beatrice, then Emily, for he still felt flickers of guilt and shame for what his accident had laced upon Sodor, and with absolutely no way of knowing what it would bring way back when that accident occurred all those years ago.

Then he looked ahead and there was David's house. As Bernard came nearer, he saw Beatrice outside, waiting for him. She was already set to talk with her note pad and therapy chair right where she saw whenever she spoke with Percy before. By this time, Bernard had thought up plenty to say and was sure he'd get most of the help he needed, at least for today.

"Hello, Bernard. I've been expecting you today," she greeted. "Sir Topham Hatt called and told me about your little plan for today...which David thought of last night. So...you wish to bring your thoughts forth to me, now that you've had time to think clearly about everything?"

"Hello, Beatrice...and yes, that is all correct," said Bernard. "I'm ready to talk and bring my thoughts forward to you."

"Very well, then. Let us begin," Beatrice answered as she went for her therapy chair and was now ready.

"So...what do you wish to tell me, Bernard?" Beatrice asked.

"Well...due to everything that has happened between me, Diesel, 'Arry, Bert and Seamus Holder, I've barely had any time to articulate my thoughts...and now that I finally have the time, I have plenty to tell you...about my continuing inner guilt, the impressions placed upon me, and a little sense of recollection."

"Hmm. Well, you've come to the right place, Bernard," said Beatrice. "Impressions and sense of recollection are most certainly part of my counselling vocabulary. And in these given circumstances, those are very well chosen areas to address for you. So...I already know about the inner guilt you feel about feeling responsible for triggering all the chaos that came to happen here on Sodor, and Emily, myself and even Lawrence have brought on the fact that no one could ever foresee what would have happened and that you didn't make that mistake alone."

"I know, Beatrice," said Bernard. "And I really applaud how you, David and Emily all see those as the given facts...but I still can't escape the fact that the accident happened with me."

"I know, Bernard," said Beatrice. "But we're going to help you. Now...can you tell me about the impressions placed upon you?"

"Well, Diesel, 'Arry and Bert teasing me around, I suppose I had to see it coming," said Bernard. "But then the Grumpy Passenger saying I'm insolent and reckless, calling me out at Kellsthorpe Road in front of all the passengers, then sneaking onto my passenger train, pinning even more blame on me until I finally popped...to which he caned me. Nothing like that has EVER happened to me before, and it has indeed left me rather shaken. Emily may have kissed my caned spot better, but I still feel little flickers of that blow he gave me."

"Of course," Beatrice observed. "Would you say these impressions have made you feel any weaker of stronger since you revealed your truth to us?"

"I don't know if I can answer that quite yet, Beatrice," said David. "In a sense, I'm definitely stronger to not have those adversaries giving us any more trouble, but being able to think clearly about my grave truth again makes me sort of feel weak, and I know I shouldn't feel such."

"Yes, Bernard," said Beatrice. "And now...you said you had recollections. What would those be?"

"Well...actually, they're not just about me, Beatrice," said Bernard. "Emily shared some of that recollection with me through a nightmare we had together."

Beatrice's eyebrow raised as she remembered that night for herself. "Nightmare? Hmm...well, what it did encompass, Bernard?"

"Well, Beatrice, you see, Emily and I had a nightmare that very night," said Bernard. "It was just after I got caned, and we saw Seamus ditching you, Beatrice and the Arlesburgh Constable. Emily and I followed them, then Seamus ran to the Sea Emperor or and announced my ill-sounding presence to all he could, until David started climbing the rigging...and he challenged Seamus into a duel after suggesting that Seamus was a coward."

"Hmm...perhaps in some ways, he did behave cowardly all through those three days," said Beatrice. "Too scared to accept the real truth until too late."

"But that nightmare was a rather scary one," Bernard continued. "Not because of Seamus...but because of David. He was so angry at what had happened to Emily and, that he went for Seamus almost like a pirate with his sword. He eventually got Seamus' cane away and tossed it out of reach...then he...he..."

Beatrice immediately figured out what Bernard must have dreamt and spoke at once.

"I know what you're going to say, Bernard, and there is no need to think any deeper," she said. "That is a nightmare, and it will remain a nightmare only."

"I know it will, Beatrice," said Bernard. "As ambitious and military-esque David gets, I know he always does good in the end, and he always will."

"Actually...you know, Bernard," said Beatrice. "Now that you mention nightmares, David and I had a rather heated dream ourselves that night too. He and Seamus were in it, and they were both at Knapford Station, just arguing and shouting away to each other in a most outlandishly intense manner. Especially David. He kept citing over and over how Seamus makes Sudrian life joyless for everyone and how he wanted so much so fast. Seamus went so far as to say that David and Emily were so self-absorbed in protecting you that they didn't see you as a danger the way he did."

"Hmph. Well, I'm only most grateful that those subjects didn't spark up for real," said Bernard.

"But then what David burst out to Seamus in that dream was against all expectations," said Beatrice. "And it's actually a little eerie, given that some of what David screamed out in that dream actually came true. He said something about Seamus being evicted, begging and starving in the streets...and several other things too before he finally collapsed in tears over all the vitriol getting to him...he told me all about it when he woke up with me, and I know he'd never say or do such things."

"But all the same, I think those nightmares were due to the strong recollection," said Bernard. "And I hope that recollection can go away."

"I'm sure it will, Bernard," said Beatrice. "Dreams pass in time, and I know this whole visit means a great deal to you."

"Thanks, Beatrice...but once again, I don't know what to think or feel," said Bernard. "I...I just feel that sensation that after all the trouble I've been given, not only do I feel guilty and awful over Murphy's father's death, but with the teasing, embarrassment and caning I had to face, now I feel really done for. I've never burst out in anger like I did with Seamus before that day...and I feel like that was a low even for me...but I was just so angry by then."

"Oh, that's not being done for at all! You've been an excellent sport, Bernard," said Beatrice. "You can't go down now. It can only be up from here."

"I'd like to know how," said Bernard. "I've been fighting the barrier of teasing, blame and abuse for three days past, Beatrice. Now that it's over, I'm able to think clearly again...about my grave truth and accident all those years ago. I know I shouldn't feel responsible...but it still pains me to think I had to be the one. And since my visit won't last forever, I must know, Beatrice...is there any quick, but efficient way I can get past these inner wounds?"

Beatrice thought carefully and precisely for a few moments while Bernard waited...then he saw her eyes lighten up with what looked like a jolly good idea. She looked to Bernard again and spoke more surely.

"Well, as you probably know from the stories you've heard, Bernard, Thomas felt a great deal of conflict, anger and revenge when Emily took that big tumble with those Mainland Trucks. Then when his demon seized control of him, causing him to set that leading truck aflame, it made him retreat to the sheds for several days without opening his eyes or moving at all. Then over the course of four days more, Edward helped Thomas manage his emotions and find ways to help Emily stay out of trouble without the use of force and violence, and through all of that, his demon was hereby vanquished. Then Percy befell a similar and even grimmer fate when he was cascaded down that valley and ended up killing an entire innocent family. That took one week of a coma-like sleep, then two weeks of our care until Gina's return to see his spirits truly rekindled...as for you, well, your incident occurred decades ago, and you've always carried it rather heftily, but you managed to keep it hidden and not let it overpower you too much until you heard all the details of Sodor's chaos here."

"That's right, Beatrice," said Bernard.

"Well...in regards to Murphy's Law and what a dark and twisted meaning it carries, I think there's a better law to put together just for you. To help curb some of your inner guilt and encourage you to believe in yourself more...perhaps I may introduce my own law for you. 'Bernard's Law,' as it were."

Bernard immediately perked up to what Beatrice just said. "Bernard's Law? Well...I think I'd be the one to find it out for myself, but what do you believe it could entail, Beatrice?"

"Well, the reason I say it is partly due to the fact that you are Emily's brother," said Beatrice. "And I know you heard just what Emily kept saying to herself when she performed so many heroics and became our Safety Engine. She kept citing the 'Little Engine,' rally, saying she thinks she can and she thought she could."

"That, she did," Bernard nodded. "Such a delightful thing for me to hear about my No. 12 Safety Engine."

"Well, Murphy's Law states what can go wrong will go wrong," said Beatrice. "But I believe that given the way you think and feel, and since you are the brother of our No. 12 Safety engine, perhaps this can be Bernard's Law, Bernard. Listen and listen true and purely with both ears: If you think you can, you will. If you think you can't, you won't. Either way, you're right."

Bernard looked inward to himself and down to his buffers. Beatrice could see a budding smile forming on his face and his cheeks reddened just a little bit as he looked up again with quite a deep and impressed look on his face. He had come to hear that Emily cued the "Little Engine," rally when she performed all her heroic actions and became Sodor's Safety Engine, and for him to hear such words being addressed to him was indeed very special. It gave him a sense of wholesome strength to believe in himself again, and perhaps he would do something truly exceptional and heroic here on Sodor, just like his sister. He didn't know how, but he began to feel like something significant would happen soon and surely bring his spirits to a rekindled state much like Percy's.

"Do you really believe that about me, Beatrice?" he asked.

"I don't believe it. I KNOW it," Beatrice emphasized with a wink. That was enough for Bernard's spirits, at least for today.

"Oh, Beatrice...thank you," Bernard smiled. "Whatever would I have done without you? You are truly the best counsellor Sodor could ever be blessed to have, as it always has been since David found you and brought you home to Sodor. I...I think I'm beginning to feel a pretense awakening in me. I suddenly have a feeling that something very significant will happen with me in some way or other...that might really rekindle my crushed spirits in a similar way to Percy."

"You're most infinitely welcome, Bernard," Beatrice smiled. "I think you'll make a divine recovery if we can keep this up. If you feel strongly enough in what you feel now, I think that's a very promising sign."

"Thanks again, Beatrice," said Bernard. "I'll tell Emily all about it as soon as I can."

And so Bernard set off, feeling a great deal better than he had been for a long while. Beatrice watched him huff off until he was gone. She held a smile too as she could already see a steady recovery in time for him to return to York. Then Beatrice looked and saw David coming back for a brief break in his work at the harbour.

"Oh. Hello, David," said Beatrice.

"Hey, Mum," David answered. "I'm on a brief break before I have to return to work at the harbour. Did I just see Bernard leave?"

"Yes, David. You did. I've just finished talking with him, and I have some things I think you should hear," said Beatrice.

"Alright," said David.

Soon, David and Beatrice were in the living room. David had a mug of ginger beer while Beatrice had a glass of lemonade.

"So, Mum...how did your talk with Bernard go?" David asked. "It seems my suggestion to Edward worked. How was our navy blue patient?"

"I think today's talk has really helped Bernard," said Beatrice. "And I think it will do him well at least for today. His spirits still need rekindling for the absolute better, but the results from our talk look and sound quite promising."

Beatrice then told David everything she and Bernard had talked about, all while David listened with interest and several nods of agreement.

"Well, that all sounds most helpful for my engine's brother," said David. "And much more promising than what we all had to go through with those smelly old diesels...and of course, that sneaking, treacherous back-stabber Holder."

When Beatrice heard what David just said, she suddenly felt a little tweak in her heart. She had been thinking a little to herself throughout the morning, about what she had said to the Grumpy Passenger about not wanting to see his face knocking on their door for guidance for at least four months...but now that a little time had gone by, she began to feel a few more things about this matter which she thought to bring forth to David.

"Actually, David...I...I think I have something to say about that," Beatrice answered in an emphasized way. "I'm not sure what you've been thinking about this matter, but I couldn't help but start to wonder. For all we know, I'm just beginning to have flickers of thought...that maybe Seamus might come to understand that he shouldn't have been so tough and behave so outrageously toward Bernard. He might come to see that he shouldn't have scared Bernard and Emily so much. Therefore, as unlikely as you may find it right now, I'm almost hoping that Seamus won't have to be so scared of you."

David pondered to himself, looking into his mother's eyes and briefly thinking back to all that had transpired between him and the Grumpy Passenger. Indeed, some time had gone by, and he had to admit he had a few flickers of thought about the matter too...then after about a minute, he looked up again, then gave a nod.

"Alright, Mum. I almost don't want to admit it...but maybe I was a little too brash and aggressive toward Seamus...although he did behave most outrageously indeed."

"He certainly did, and I know you did what you did to protect our engine and her brother too," Beatrice nodded back. "And for the sake of protecting them, I do applaud your efforts. I'm just budding the thought that...if for any reason we do seek to find him again, maybe we could think something up to possibly tell him. Although it still seems quite unlikely at the moment. Bernard's help comes first."

David nodded to his mother, and was sure he heard his father's voice in his head. "She's right, David. Plant the words now and blossom them in good time."

"Okay, Dad," David thought with a little nod to the ceiling, which Beatrice noticed.

"David? What is it?" she asked.

"Oh...I...I think I could feel Dad speaking to my mind," said David. "Telling me to plant good words now and let them blossom in good time."

"Mmm...well, if that's what you heard, I couldn't agree more," said Beatrice. "Now, perhaps you should get back to work."

"I believe you're right, Mum," David answered as he drew his pocket watch. He then got up and left the house to return to work.

---

Through the rest of the day, Bernard huffed about the line by himself beaming and glowing with admiration and intrigue to everything Beatrice had told him and what it could possibly mean for him to make an efficient recovery from all he had been faced with. With every hour that ticked by, his pretences of something big and significant happening for the better became stronger and stronger. He didn't know if it would be the next day, or a few days later, but whatever would come at the right time, he knew it would be a powerful and impressive time for him, and maybe someone else too.

"Bernard's Law," Bernard said to himself. "If you think you can, you will. If you think you can't, you won't..."

Finally, as evening closed in again, Emily's work was done and she was making her way back to the yards. She had been thinking endlessly about what Bernard could possibly be talking about with Beatrice and what she might have had to say for him on how to get past his barriers now that they could be concentrated on much more clearly. When Emily returned to the yards, she looked around expecting to see Thomas, Percy and Bernard.

"Hello again, my dear sister!" came Bernard's voice.

Emily looked up to the eagerness in her brother's voice. Then there he was huffing back through the station, right up to his sister. Emily could tell by the glimmer in his eyes that he and Beatrice had a most stirring and beneficial talk together, and she now couldn't wait to hear all about it.

"Hello there, Bernard," said Emily. "It looks like you had a good talk with Beatrice...and I can tell you certainly talked a lot with her."

"Yes. Yes, Emily," said Bernard. "I've been waiting for your day to be over so you can hear it all. I don't know how long this feeling will last, but just let me tell you everything."

So Emily immediately settled where she was, and Bernard told her everything he had to tell her, leaving out no details about the inner wounds, impressions and recollections, then how Thomas and Percy had gone through similar times and made it through in their own good time. The whole time Bernard spoke, Emily was invested, intrigued and found herself opening up to just how Bernard was feeling now that he could think and feel more clearly than he had been able to of late.

"Oh...I...wow!" Emily panted. "That all sounds truly fantastic, Bernard! That talk is just what you needed today. Beatrice should be very proud of herself."

"I know she is, Emily...but you know what the most interesting thing is?" Bernard hinted. "To help me start getting past these wounds, she...she suggested a law all of my very own."

Emily suddenly perked to what she had just heard. There was Murphy's Law, the Emerald law, and now another law as it were for her own brother.

"Well...what is it, Bernard?" she asked.

"Beatrice thinks of it as 'Bernard's Law.' If I think I can, I will. If I think I can't, I won't. Either way...I'm right."

Emily felt her heart jiggle and her firebox burn steadily to these words. It made her think to how she cited the 'Little Engine,' rally while she saved the day, then spent the absolute steamiest night she and Thomas had ever partaken in. After another day of working and wondering how her brother could be doing, this was indeed such an uplift and inspiration for her to hear. She then buffered up to Bernard and gave him quite a steady kiss on his cheek.

"Well, Bernard...I think you did a most wonderful thing today," she said. "Beatrice is infinitely right that you must believe in yourself if you want to start looking past that tragedy all those years ago, and the recent trauma we've both been dealt."

Bernard nodded and kissed Emily's cheek just the same.

"She is right, Emily. So are you," he answered solidly. "And it's making me wonder, Emily...remember what I said to you just before Seamus caned me? About me probably rescuing someone and that would probably mend me of all my wounds?"

"Hmm. I do remember, Bernard," said Emily.

"Well...I've now been feeling a pretence that something big and significant will happen soon...and I'm wondering if my chance really will come for that."

"Ohh...I don't know, Bernard. That would be another remarkable feat yet for you, and me too," said Emily.

"Hey, what's going on?" came Thomas' voice. Emily and Bernard looked and saw him and Percy just come back.

"So...did you talk with Beatrice, Bernard?" Thomas asked.

"What did she say?" Percy asked.

It didn't take long for Emily and Bernard to tell Thomas and Percy everything Beatrice talked about with Bernard...right down to Bernard's Law. When Thomas and Percy heard this, they were suddenly rather intrigued and they looked right at Bernard with a great sense of assurance and pride.

"Well, Bernard...things are definitely getting better for you. And to your law, I say you should always think you can," said Thomas.

"Just as Emily did when she saved all of us," Percy added. "Both of you think you can."

Emily smiled sweetly to Percy, and Bernard's heart swelled with quite the pride to what Thomas said. Now he was sure beyond any doubt that something would happen very soon to change everything for the absolute better. By this time, the sun was setting, and the engines were starting to tire.

"Well, Bernard. This has been quite the news today. Your talk with Beatrice seems to have worked wonders," said Emily.

"It has indeed, Emily," said Bernard. "And I think now we should turn in together."

"I fully agree," Thomas said as he began to yawn. "Shall we?"

"Yes, Thomas. Of course we shall," Emily yawned too.

Before long, the four engines settled into Knapford Sheds together, once again in each other's company and feeling truly in harmony yet again. Things were indeed getting better and better for Bernard.

"You're coming a long way again, Bernard," said Thomas. "I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring. Sleep well now."

"Thank you, Thomas. You sleep well too, Thomas and Percy...and sweet dreams, Emily."

"Sweet dreams, boys," Emily yawned once more.

And so the four engines fell asleep together again, feeling rather chipper about today and what they had come to do and learn, but with Bernard's Law in the minds and line of thought between these engines, it was anyone's guess just what it would come to bring for Bernard's visit, and just what it would entail. Bernard didn't know it yet, but he was in for the greatest, most impressive revelation during his visit to Sodor, or ever yet in his life.

The next morning came and Bernard and Emily were the first to wake up yet again. When they looked to each other, they felt their hearts beginning to race as they wondered what this day would bring. Then Thomas and Percy were woken up by the sound of the Stirling Duo talking to each other.

"Oh...E...Emily...I...I..."

"What is it, Bernard?" Emily asked.

"I...I still have that feeling in my boiler," said Bernard. "I don't know what's going to happen...but something tells me it's going to be big."

"Good morning, Bernard," said Thomas. "Are you still feeling Bernard's Law piecing itself together?"

"I...I think so, Thomas," Bernard breathed.

Then at that moment, the Fat Controller arrived, opening the shed doors and seeing who was inside.

"There you are. Good morning to the four of you," he said. "Now, Bernard. I hear that you had a very useful talk with Beatrice yesterday. How did it go?"

In the time that it took to gather everything together, Bernard told the Fat Controller everything, who listened carefully and was steadily interested in everything Beatrice had brought about to talk to Bernard about.

"Well, well. That's quite impressive, Bernard," said the Fat Controller. "If you think you can you will...which reminds me, do you think you can return to work today? I have a new destination for you to take your load to."

"I think so, sir," said Bernard. "And I will."

"Excellent, then," said the Fat Controller. "It's time to get this day started. Thomas, you go and fetch Annie and Clarabel for your Branch Line. Percy, it's off with the mail for you again. Now Emily, you'll be on goods trains along the Main Line again. Which means watch out for the siren or anything you'll need to report on."

"Yes, sir," said Emily. She gave a wink to Bernard.

"And for you, Bernard, I need you to take some goods to Ulfstead Village," said the Fat Controller. "Emily will escort you to the right line until she can carry on by herself."

"Very well, sir," said Bernard. "I'm right on it."

So Thomas and Percy set off on their way, while Emily and Bernard made their way together. They gathered their loads and set off down the line side by side. Bernard soon began thinking again. He had not been to the Ulfstead Village before, but Emily knew a thing or two that happened there with Toby and David too.

"So, Emily," said Bernard. "What is Ulfstead like?"

"It's a small little village, Bernard," said Emily. "But it does have some serious history. There have been two times we had a lot of rain feed the Ulfstead River. The first story I heard was when the heavy rains damaged the dam, and Toby thought it best to get upstream and warn the others...but then as he was crossing the old bridge over the river, the bridge broke away and Toby got floated down the river towards the waterfall! It's only because Percy arrived and managed to haul him to safety with Harold's help that he made it safety."

"Ohh...Toby?" Bernard gasped. "That sounds truly frightful!"

"It was, but he made it through," said Emily. "And the other story is that David and I were called over to help get rid of a tree near the new bridge they had built, but Sir Lowham Hatt, the Fat Controller's brother was up to mischief and he ended up knocking David into the river along with himself. I followed the line upstream and while Sir Lowham got out safely, David almost got swept over the falls himself. I was lucky to take the chain with me after hauling the tree out of the water, and with Harold watching the scene, David climbed back to safety. That was a scary time for me, and I almost thought I'd lose him...but I didn't, and he was safe again."

"Ohh...by my wheels!" Bernard gasped. "That must have been horrific!"

"It was, Bernard," said Emily. "But again, David made it out safely and...oh...oh, goodness!"

"What is it, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"I've just noticed, Bernard. Now that we've just talked about those times...I'm beginning to wonder...since you're thinking of a coming time for you to rescue someone...maybe something will happen there, and you'll find your chance?"

Bernard's heart began to jump. He didn't know what Ulfstead Village was like, but based on these two little stories he heard just now, he really began to feel the pretences kicking in.

"Oh, Emily...I...I don't know what to think now," said Bernard. "I...I've been carrying the grave truth with me all this time...but...what if I miss the chance if something happens? What if something does happen...and I'm not able to save anyone who falls in danger?"

"Bernard...Bernard," Emily said solidly and directly to him. "If you think you can, you will...and here is the line to Ulfstead Village right ahead."

Bernard looked and saw the points change. The signal changed for him and he was now off on his own. He watched as Emily huffed on down her line and she whistled goodbye to him. Bernard whistled back, and so he was now off with his load for Ulfstead Village, where he would see the river where Toby faced that flood and where David took the plunge. Bernard continued to think deeply about his grave truth and everything he and Beatrice had talked about the day before...but very little did he, Emily and many others on Sodor know just what would happen along that river, and what it would entail for Bernard and his entire grave truth...

Bernard followed the line until he came to a small road beside the line. He looked ahead, and in the distance, he could see it. A little line of buildings on one side, and on the other side, the Ulfstead River. He took a look all around and suddenly felt some new sensations starting to tug at his smokebox. He could almost feel like his eyes and ears were going into full alert, ready to respond to anything, likely how Emily would feel when waiting to respond to an emergency. Bernard was sure this was part of the new awakening feeling he kept feeling in his boiler. But then as he left his trucks on the line beside him, something caught his eye and ear and made him suddenly feel a twinge of inner trouble all over again. He looked to the road beside the line and he saw a father and his son right there together.

"Look over there, Peter," said the father. "This must be Bernard, Emily's brother from the Mainland."

The little boy looked and saw Bernard right there. "Wow! It's really him! Emily's brother!"

"Oh...h-hello," Bernard said a little uneasily.

"Hello, Bernard. Are you alright?" the boy asked.

"Oh...well, I..." Bernard began.

"I think I know, Bernard," said the father. "But I assure you, we all understand everything that happened. Seamus gave you and Emily quite a lot of trouble lately...but now he's been taken care of."

"Yes...yes, sir," said Bernard. "I'm doing better than I started out, but I...I still wish I could move on from it."

"Well, your sister Emily seems to think so, and so does Ms. Rider with her counselling abilities," said the father.

"Chin up, Bernard," said the boy. "You'll be alright. You'll see."

Then the father and son waved to Bernard. Bernard watched as they both returned to a little green car and drove away together. Normally, Bernard would have been happy to see a father and son together...but after feeling so unusual for the past few days, and still fighting some of his inner grim situation, seeing that father and son together made Bernard's inner troubles trigger once more. As he watched as the car drive away down the road and around the bend beside the river, it made him fall back to his accident all those years ago and he shut his eyes and shook his head in troubling memory. It was as if he were so close and yet so far. He felt as though he'd really get a chance to do something amazing, and yet there was also that overwhelming sense of speculation that something would go wrong again and that history would repeat itself...and he didn't want Emily to feel any wounds of hers reopen if he ended up with another tragedy.

"Bernard, what's wrong?" his driver asked.

"I...If only Murphy could have stayed that way with his father," Bernard lamented. "That's such a lovely sight to see...but for me, it...it's such a cruel reminder to what could have been...if not for that damn accident."

"I know, Bernard. I know," said his driver. "But what is done is done. We're all going to help you through this, however that may be."

Bernard looked back and almost answered. But then...in that moment, Bernard heard what sounded like the screeching of tires in the distance, then the splintering of wood, and a loud splash. He suddenly popped his eyes further open and looked to where the noise came from. All thoughts about inner guilt and pain flashed away from him and he felt very urgent suddenly. Did something suddenly happen with that father and son? Something they needed to be saved from?

"Wait. That sounds like..." Bernard began, then became urgent. "That sounds like a car! That father's car must have wiped out and fell into the river! That father's in danger! I...I gotta help him! We gotta get help! Emily! Harold! Rocky! Emergency!"

Bernard called the names and the emergency, whistling out of alarm, even though he knew neither Emily nor Harold would hear him out here. But luckily, a workman along the line heard the distant noise and Bernard's calls, and he immediately ran to sound the alarm. Bernard began huffing quickly down the line along the river, his eyes scanning left, right, up and down for anything hazardous until his eyes locked onto what had happened along the road beside the line.

"I don't see...oh, no! The road fence is broken! What am I gonna do? Okay...establish the situation. If that car ran into the river, it must be getting swept downstream...on towards the waterfall! I...I'd better follow the river and see if I can spot that car and that father!"

"Here, Bernard!" his fireman exclaimed. He ran to one of Bernard's goods trucks and found a large chain.

"Excellent idea!" his driver put in. "If that car has landed in deep trouble, perhaps we can use the chain to save the father and child, like Emily saved David!"

Bernard whistled in agreement and followed the line. In less than a minute, his eyes caught something else. Right by the riverbank, there was the car, beginning to sink in the mud. Bernard watched in alarm as he saw one of the car windows roll down, and he saw the father lift his son out so he could get away from the riverbank safely.

"Wha happened?!" Bernard asked urgently as the boy scrambled up the bank.

"Oil slick!" the father shouted from the car. "An oil spill on the road sent us off the road and into this mud bank! I can't drive out!"

"Sir!" Bernard warned. "Get out of there and away from the riverbank before something happens!"

His driver and fireman hustled to prepare the chain, but before it was ready, something did happen. A big rush of current suddenly caught the car and began sweeping it down the river with the father still inside!

"Uh-oh! Looks like I'm down a river out of you-know-what!" the father panicked. "Quick! Help!"

All of a sudden, the boy started to cry with overflowing fright as he saw his father getting washed down the river, and Bernard was rather scared. But he also knew he had to do something, so he huffed along the line beside the river, trying to keep up with the swim-away car. Bernard took off down the line while the boy stayed put, rather frightened now until the workman who sounded the alarm came along and watched over him.

"Don't worry, lad. I've called the Search and Rescue Centre," he said. "Emily will be here as soon as she can with Rocky. We're sure to save your Dad. Maybe Bernard might save him too."

"Please let Dad be saved!" the boy cried out. "Don't let him drift away!"

Meanwhile, Emily was still huffing along the line on her way back from her goods run, when she suddenly heard the emergency siren. She immediately looked up and listened to where the sound was coming from.

"Ohh! The emergency siren! Maybe it's up at the Ulfstead River! Oh, I hope Bernard hasn't landed in trouble!"

So Emily started making her way back along the line to reach the line to go to Ulfstead. But only a minute or two into her run, she came to a red signal, and she had to wait. But then, less than fifteen seconds later, she saw the Fat Controller's car stop right by the line. He got out and waved to her.

"Hurry to the Rescue Centre and get Rocky, Emily!" he urged. "Your speed is needed at Ulfstead River!"

"My speed, sir?" Emily asked. "Ulfstead River? Is the Safety Engine needed again?"

"Yes!" said the Fat Controller. "See, there's a father and son who just left the village together, but their car slipped on an oil slick, and now the car and father are drifting down the stream, on toward the waterfall!"

Emily gasped and panted. "Ohh! Oh, no! Well, it's a good thing I'm almost there right about now! I'd better hurry!"

Right there, the signal went green and Emily rushed off as fast and efficiently as she could to fetch Rocky. But as she did this, she began to think about Bernard. Would this be his chance today?

"If he thinks he can...he will! This must be his chance! But I still have to get Rocky!" Emily began to flourish in her thoughts as she rushed to get Rocky.

Meanwhile, Bernard hurried along the river line until he came to the bridge where Toby's old bridge once stood, and the one Emily crossed to save David. He looked left and right, then he saw that car and the father still inside it, waving his arms frantically out the flooding window. Bernard's driver and fireman tried to cast the chain out and see if they could hook it to the car. They threw the chain out...oh! But the hook just missed, and that car swept right past the bridge, with Bernard's eyes following it right along. There was only one way to save that father now.

"Oh, my gosh! I hope I know what I'm doing!" and Bernard rushed onward, looking back to his driver. "Alright, sir. That car is rushing most unevenly through that water, but no matter what happens, keep me heading straight for that waterfall!"

"Well, you heard him! Get us ahead of that car!" his fireman urged.

"Onto the waterfall it is. Onwards and forwards, Bernard," said his driver.

The crew retrieved the chain, and Bernard set off again with all haste...but by this time, some distance behind Bernard's trail, Emily and Rocky were hurrying along the line, but taking care too. They came to Ulfstead and they suddenly saw the little boy being watched over by a workman.

"Sir! I hear this boy's father got swept away by the river with his car!" Emily cried.

"He-he has!" the little boy cried.

"Bernard's already ahead, Emily. He's trying to head that car off and rescue that father!" the workman exclaimed.

"Bernard's out there?!" Emily gasped. "Oh...oh, goodness! We'd better catch up! Come on, little one! Get onboard!"

As the workman and the little boy got in Emily's cab, she looked to the river but couldn't see any car or father, and she began to wonder just what would happen now. She took off again down the line with haste and care, praying that there wouldn't be another tragedy for Sodor to cope through, or even more damaging, if Bernard had to cope through it.

"It doesn't look good at all, Emily," said her driver. "I can't see any sign of that car."

"Oh, Bernard! Please hurry!" Emily pleaded to herself.

Emily and her crew huffed onward with Rocky rolling behind them. Emily was feeling building concern and a pounding heart, but she didn't let that slow her down. Before they knew it, Emily and Rocky came to the bend where they could see the waterfall. Emily darted her eyes around. She couldn't see the car or Bernard anywhere.

"Where could they be? Please!" Emily whistled with alarm.

"Papa! Where are you?! Papa!" the little boy cried out in fright.

Then right in that instant, Emily heard the cry for help. She and Rocky looked and saw that car sweeping away down the river with that father helplessly trapped on the top of the car now. He had climbed out through the open window and was waving his arms in distress. They came nearer and nearer to the waterfall. It was all or nothing now! Emily rushed to get Rocky close enough so they could throw his hook out and stop the car and save the father...but then, just as the car began to get sucked towards the big plunge over the fall, there was another whistle and a hiss of steam ahead of Emily...and a chain suddenly came flying through the air and anchored onto the back of the car, stopping it from going over the edge. The father lay flat on the car roof and clung his arms through the open window, holding on for dear life. Emily gasped and panted to what she saw...then she looked ahead...and who was right there, holding the chain by his front coupling, and holding the car as firmly as he could...saving that little boy's father's life?

"Look, it's Bernard!" Emily gushed with boggling eyes and a gaping smile of shock, surprise and joy.

"I don't believe it! Way to go, mate!" Rocky called.

"Can't talk, Emily, Rocky! Come on, sir! I've got you!" Bernard called behind his head as he began to carefully reverse along the line. "Don't give up, sir!"

Slowly but surely, Bernard managed to pull the car back, then away from the surging plunge. He reversed as far back as he could.

"Alright, sir!" he called. "I think it's safe for you to climb the chain towards me! But be careful!"

Everyone watched as the father slowly and carefully made his way to the chain, then gripped as tightly as he could. Bernard held his gaze right on the father. Emily's eyes boggled with astonishment and concern as they watched the father carefully climb and inch his way along the chain...until he was safe at last at the riverbank.

The father scrambled away from the riverbank and the workman and the boy helped him away from the bank and back to safety. The father was wet, shaky and a little incoherent after the rush of urgency and pretences of falling over the waterfall, but he soon regathered himself, then looked right to Emily's brother. Emily just stared and breathed so heavily and with such a pounding heart as to what she had just seen. But before anyone could say anything, the father's son came running towards him and throwing his arms around him.

"Oh...oh! Are you hurt, papa?" the boy asked.

"Not at all, Peter," said the father as he hugged his son. "I'm safe now...All thanks to Bernard here, I'm safe, sound and soon, I'll be dry."

"But first, we'd best get that car retrieved, and we need to get out of here and back to the village," said the workman. "Come on, everyone."

Emily brought Rocky closer so he could haul the car out of the water. Then the whole double-back along the river was silent for the two Stirlings, Rocky, and the father and son. As soon as they returned to the village, Emily and Rocky switched lines and came beside Bernard, who seemed lost in a daze and a mix of shock, pride, a pounding heart and joy all at once.

Emily's mouth began to gape with shock and absolute astound. But she was also exceedingly proud and happy to see what her brother had just done. Then she watched as the boy turned right to the navy blue Stirling.

"Bernard! Bernard! You saved my father! He's safe! He almost got toppled right over the waterfall, but then you saved him!"

Bernard had been breathing strongly and wholesomely for a few moments. But then he looked right to the boy and spoke.

"Yes, little lad...I...I saved him," Bernard said rather shakily, but very proudly. "I...I...I did it...I did it...!"

"It's okay, Bernard. You did it," said the boy. "Wow...oh, goodness! Lift me up to this engine, papa. Please?"

His father smiled as he took his son in his arms and lifted him to Bernard's running plate.

"Thanks, blue mate," the boy said as he hugged Bernard's face dearly. Bernard felt such a jiggle in his heart that made the moment feel so adorable.

"I'm sorry, sir," said the workman. "But your car is absolutely soaked from that dunking in the river."

The father looked to his soaked, water-logged car and was disappointed, but he knew what the stakes were, and just how fortunate he was.

"Never mind the car," he said. "The most important thing is YOU saved me, Bernard. And my son is so fortunate to have seen his father be saved by such a brave and kind engine like you."

"Oh...oh, sir," Bernard murmured.

"Wow, Bernard...you sure were quick to act when you did," said Rocky. "We were ready to make the rescue, but then there you were!"

"Oh...I...I just noticed," said Bernard. "I...I kind of beat my sister to it...I...I hope you don't...mind...?"

Bernard looked to Emily and the look on her face made his heart race even more. She didn't look shortchanged or disappointed in the very least. But as Bernard looked closer, he could see her axles shaking ever-so slightly. Then her lips began to quiver, but not as if she would cry. There was a great bubbling sensation waiting to awaken inside her.

"Hmm...Emily? I think you can return Rocky to the Search and Rescue Centre," said the workman. "I, meanwhile...shall inform Sir Topham Hatt."

"Oh, Bernard! Thank you again!" the boy smiled ecstatically. "You rescued my father!"

"Yes...yes..." said Bernard.

"A most heroic thing to do, Bernard," said the father. "You're a true rescuer, my navy blue friend...and Emily...you should be very proud."

Emily gave one look to Bernard...then she suddenly went on her way to return Rocky to the Rescue Centre. Bernard followed them along the way until they came to a set of signals. Emily took the line leading to the Rescue Centre, but before Bernard could follow, the signal went red for him and he had to wait. He suddenly began to wonder just what Emily would think. Not only had he just saved a child's father's life, but his sister, the Sodor Safety Engine was there to see it too.

It wasn't even ten minutes before Emily came back along the line...facing the other way. Bernard deduced that she used the Centre's turntable. Now he could see her face fully...and it made his wheels wobble unlike he ever felt before. She came closer and closer toward him until she slowly stopped a few feet away from him. Her axles were still shaking with such buzzing emotion and discovery to what she had seen her brother do.

"E...Emily..." Bernard said softly. "My...my emerald sister...did...did you see me...I...I did it..."

Emily stared at Bernard, only blinking once or twice. Then, very slowly, as if she were a goddess appearing before a god, Emily's face formed such a huge, broad smile from absolute buffer to buffer. Bernard shuddered as he cast his eyes upon his sister. Emily had seen just what Bernard had done, and she could not believe what had just happened. Her brother had been living with a scar and inner guilt and wounds he had been hiding for so long, and had been feeling rather downhearted about himself over how he felt about such a matter...and now here he was, just after rescuing a child's father from certain death. He had saved this boy's father's life and prevented such a tragedy from repeating itself. At last, Emily immediately rushed forward with reddening cheeks and such a glowing, angelic sisterly voice as she nuzzled up to Bernard and rubbed her cheeks and buffers with his. Her voice was so angelic and so happy, Bernard could feel his heart melting as she gushed and almost sobbed with so much joy.

"Oh, Bernard! You are magnificent! You are absolutely the hero of the day! Rocky and I were just about ready to catch that father and his car...but then there you were...you...you saved a whole family from suffering an awful loss! Oh...I...I...I just have no more words, Bernard! I...I LOVE YOU!"

And then, with no warning at all, Emily's lips pressed very strongly into Bernard's cheek, her lips smooching and suckling so strongly and so nosily against his cheek, and Bernard felt such a strong smooching and sucking sense on his cheek, his face turned a complete mahogany blush that started on his nose, then clouded right over his face until Emily's lips popped off his cheek.

"Mmm...AH!" she exclaimed strongly before she began panting with such ecstasy-driven joy and astonishment for her perfect brother.

"Oh...Oh, Emily!" Bernard whistled with fervor and victory. "I...I've never felt so alive! So useful! So...so really useful!"

"Whoo! Whoo-hoo-hoo!" Emily panted and squealed. "We MUST tell the others! This is the greatest day of your entire visit! Okay! Come on, Bernard! Right this way!"

Bernard and Emily raced all the way back along the line, whistling and cheering to each other in pride, joy and victory. Emily found a wye line, turned around again and she and Bernard were side by side again. This was more than either of them ever expected, and they could only imagine the looks on all the engines' faces once they came back to the yards and Knapford Station.

Then as they finally came curving around that bend, they could already hear the whistling and cheering. Emily and Bernard smiled right to each other as they came closer and closer...and then, when they looked up to Knapford Station, there they all were. Thomas, Nia, Rebecca, Gordon, James and Percy all gathered together, cheering and whistling away with such volume and precision. Emily and Bernard's hearts were filling with pride and joy as they stopped together, still smiling away and looking to all the engines surprised and astonished expressions as they began to quiet down and speak one at a time.

"Hey! Here he is! We heard about your heroics, Bernard!" Rebecca exclaimed.

"Yes. Impressive. Miraculous and intense, but impressive nonetheless," said Gordon. "Truly the work of a true safety engine, like his sister."

"They say you rescued a child's father from that rushing waterfall, Bernard! Just as Emily saved David!" Percy peeped.

"Yes. I'm sure Bernard doesn't want us embarrassing him," said James. "So...you're indeed a most impressive brother for our Emily, Bernard."

Before anyone could look awkwardly to James, everyone heard Bertie honk hastily from the station entrance. Everyone looked, and then, just as Emily and Bernard began to suspect it, David came rocketing across the platform and all the way to the Stirling Duo, jumping about as though something were burning his feet. Beatrice came running behind him while Bernard and Emily began cheering together with David.

"Whoo-hoo! Ha-ha! You've done it, Bernard!" David rejoiced. "You've done it, boy! HA-ha-ha-ha! Didn't I say the brother had greatness in him?"

To this, all the engines cheered and whistled so much and so proudly. Then out came the Fat Controller. He jumped a little jig on the platform as he came right up to Emily and Bernard too.

"Amazing! Astonishing! Remarkable! Incredible! Colossal!" he exclaimed one after the other. "Just wait until York hears about THIS! Bernard the navy blue Stirling! For what you have done, we will NEVER forget you!"

To this, all the engines cheered again, and David got on Bernard's running plate.

"Impressive work back there, solider," he complimented.

"I...I can't believe it myself, everyone," Bernard breathed. "I was thinking about how I could truly recover from everything, and then I suddenly heard the tires screech, the wood splintering, then the splash. I saw the father get swept away with his car...Emily and Rocky came by to the rescue, and there I was, already ready to save that little boy's father and get him back!"

All the engines stared for several moments more, then burst into another series of cheers and whistles until they finally settled down.

Then Bernard turned to Beatrice. The counsellor and David's mother who had helped so amazingly.

"Beatrice Rider...what ever would I have done without you? You and your impeccably helpful counselling and guidance. It's all perfect."

"It is indeed, Bernard. I'm nearly speechless by your accomplishment today!" Beatrice gasped "Well, then...I say we celebrate this affair! As soon as evening arrives, I'd suggest we go to the Campgrounds where Emily camped out with the Sodor Rangers!"

Emily's eyes immediately became big and her smile broadened even more.

"Ohh...Beatrice!" she whistled. "That's perfect! This is all becoming more and more perfect!"

"Camping out with my sister? Oh, yes!" Bernard whistled joyously.

And so it was arranged. The hours passed and Emily and Bernard continued to bask and glorify in each other's company, right with Thomas and Percy until the sun was just about ready to set. Thomas, Emily, Bernard and Percy were all waiting together in the yards...and then David and Beatrice came by, ready and set to go.

"Alright, then, Bernard!" Thomas whistled. "Let's give you a night of astoundingly received joy and harmony!"

"Come with us, then!" Emily chimed. "To the Campgrounds...to the Ranger's Camp!"

Emily and Bernard set off along the line with Thomas and Percy right along with the Stirling Duo. They set off right along the same route Emily took with the Sodor Rangers just before her first big adventure with David just a year and a half ago. They ran along the line, all the way back up to Black Loch, which Bernard recognized even in the dark. They ran along the curve into the line of trees, along the little hills, then in between the valleys...

And then, there they were. All four engines looked ahead, and there they were. The Campgrounds where Emily, Nia and the Sodor Rangers all spent the night and camped together, only two weeks before Emily learned of David's mother and went on her very first big adventure herself. Now here she was, back at the Campgrounds with her beloved brother right here with her. There were no flooded tracks or big trees along the line, and soon Emily and Bernard stopped right along the very same stretch of line she and Nia camped out at with the Rangers.

"Here we are, everyone," said Beatrice.

"Ohh...thank you! Thank you to all!" Bernard rejoiced. "I...I just feel so uncontrollably happy, just as Emily did when she became Safety Engine! Bernard's Law IS real! I thought I could...and I did!"

"Well, Bernard. Tonight is for you, and for all of us," Emily declared. "You have fully rekindled your spirits, and we are all so very happy for you too! Let the Rider Campout begin!"

Before long, the fire was burning warm, Emily and Bernard were buffered up to each other, Thomas and Percy were right behind the two Stirlings, and David and Beatrice had their marshmallows roasting over the fire, where Beatrice began to sing a certain song, and Thomas, Emily, Percy, Bernard and David all sang after her until they all sang together.

"The other day, (The other day,)
I met a bear, (I met a bear,)
A great big bear, (A great big bear,)
A way out there! (A way out there!)

The other day, I met a bear,
A great big bear a way out there!"

"A way out there!" David sang right after in solo. Then Beatrice and the others sang again.

"And so I ran (and so I ran)
Away from there, (A-WA-AY from there!)
But right behind (But right behind)
Me was that bear. (Me was that bear)

And so I ran away from there,
But right behind me was that bear!"

"Me was that bear!" David sang right after in solo.

Right at that point, his marshmallow began to steam. He brought it away from the fire and blew it cool.

"Cinders and Ashes, Fire and Smoke, Grease and Oil, Bernard...you did it!" Thomas gasped. "You are today's hero!"

"Absolutely amazing, Bernard. You've come full circle at last and saved a son's father!" Percy gleamed.

"Thank you both," replied Bernard. "I...I had a hunch that something big was going to happen today, but...I still find it almost hard to believe that is really happened."

And so the little campout carried on for a couple of hours. What goes around really does come around. Bernard was sure glad he helped that father. Bernard had lived through many decades with so many experiences of his own, but by far the best and most memorable experiences were those shared with his No. 12 sister. Those experiences pointed him the right direction, that was for sure...but then as David looked among the other engines, he suddenly began thinking about something...something that made him solely realize they were camping and making the most of what little they had.

"Hey, David?" Beatrice asked. "Is...is something on your mind?"

David didn't answer for a moment, blanking out briefly, but then he looked up and answered.

"No...no, Mum. It's nothing," he said. But secretly he continued to think.

At last, the time came for the engines to go home. Emily and Bernard led the way back with Thomas and Percy going their way too. They all whisked to Knapford Station, letting David and Beatrice off so as to ride Bertie home, then the four engines all whisked themselves to their shed. When Thomas, Emily, Bernard and Percy came back to Knapford Sheds, with Emily and Bernard still buffered together, they all knew they would sleep wonderfully tonight, all thanks to Bernard's brave and valiant actions today, just like Emily.

While Thomas and Percy were fast asleep at once after praising Bernard one more time. Emily and Bernard could finally feel themselves

"Bernard...I'm so happy for you, and this little boy's father," Emily gleamed with pride. "I knew we had to help you recover...but I must admit...I never thought it would come to you rescuing a son's father...that to me speaks louder and more meaningfully than anything else I might have expected you to do...I love you so much, my dear brother."

"I love you too, Emily. My sweet, lovely sister," Bernard smiled proudly. "I...I really did it, didn't I? I...I can't stop saying it. Today is a most blessed day."

"And you're my perfect, blessed brother, darling," Emily chimed as she gave him such a big kiss, leaving a little lip mark on his cheek.

"I will sleep amazingly tonight," said Bernard.

"So will I," Emily yawned. "Such an amazing day for my perfect brother. The sweetest of dreams to you, Bernard. I love you."

"The sweetest of dreams to you, Emily. I love you too," Bernard whispered.

And with a nuzzle to the cheeks brother to sister, Bernard and Emily fell so very fast asleep together, absolutely spellbound by all that had happened today. Neither one of them would ever forget this day. But even in the midst of all this victory, astonishment and ecstatic thrill, there were still a select few more things to be done.

While the engines slept peacefully and wholesomely in Knapford Sheds, at Arlesburgh, things were a little different. Beatrice managed to sleep for a few hours into the night. But then she woke up a little and saw a light on in the hallway. She wondered what could be going on and decided to see if David was asleep or not. But when Beatrice entered his room, she saw that he was not in bed. She then went downstairs to the living room and saw him staring out the window to the moon and stars, keeping quite still.

"David? What are doing awake at this hour?" Beatrice asked.

David turned to his mother. "Oh...hi, Mum...I can't get to sleep."

"Why not, David?" Beatrice asked. "We've had such a fun campout with the engines. I thought you'd be asleep by now."

"Yes. So did I...but...something's come up for me. Since we were camping out there tonight with the engines...it's making me wonder. Camping is about making the most you can out of mere resources...and...I'm almost afraid to say it. But...I'm beginning to wonder...about Seamus. I just can't help but wonder...will he be alright?"

"Phh! Why would you wonder about him after all he did to Bernard?" Beatrice asked.

"It's more time passage, and it's let me think a little more about it. I...I know what he did was insensitively enraging, and that such a heavy-handed punishment was more than deserving for his actions. But...what if he were to hear this news? The news of Bernard's Law coming true? Would he shun it and think it was an elaborate hoax, or would he truly turn over new leaves...and no longer be the Grumpy Passenger?"

To this, Beatrice took a deep, undecided sigh. "Well...you know, David...as much as I've tried not to think about this...I've actually started wondering about him too...and if I may end up going back on my own word."

"What do you mean, Mum?" David asked.

"As...as affronting as this may sound, David...do you think it's possible that perhaps...Seamus may have his own simple or unique reason for being as grumpy as he was all the time, to the point he reached with Bernard and Emily...and perhaps I should council him after all?"

David suddenly raised an eyebrow as he felt his heart jump. He almost opened his mouth to object when Beatrice spoke again.

"Yes, it's affronting and abolishing," said Beatrice. "I mean, it's not ideal after all he did to Bernard and almost to Emily, but all the same...being a counsellor is my special and important piece. It's my lot in life to provide for Sodor. Maybe if I find out a little more about him...he can have one more chance."

"Hmm...I...I know there's no point in telling you this, since it's so obvious...but that's very noble and mature of you, Mum," said David. "If you really have the intention of seeking him out and finding a few things out...I think that makes you the bravest woman on Sodor. I most certainly know that between you and me."

"Ohh...thank you, David," Beatrice gleamed as she kissed his forehead. "Now, what say we get back to bed? I think I know what we might be doing tomorrow."

"You know, Mum...so do I," said David. "I think tomorrow shall be the final big turn of events...then it will be completely done."

David and Beatrice then went back upstairs and managed to go back to bed. Today had been a major game changer for Bernard the navy blue Stirling and Emily's navy blue brother. But there was just one more significant thing to be had before the time came for Bernard to go home. There was to be a certain sense of closure and settlement with a particular person...

---

The next morning, Emily and Bernard were the first to wake up, and once Thomas and Percy woke up, they all gathered quietly at the station to relax before starting their day's work. Then they saw Bertie come by the station again. They saw David come out and come to the platform.

"David? Do you ever stop riding Bertie?" Thomas joked lightly.

"Well...Mum says she has a little plan for today...regarding Bernard's most astounding accomplishments today...she has a little something to do."

"Beatrice? Where are you going?" Bernard asked.

Beatrice took a deep breath and sighed. She had not come to this decision easily, but nevertheless, she made the decision. She looked at Bernard with a serious but truthful expression.

"Bernard, you've had the absolute revelation of your visit here on Sodor, and we are all very proud of you...but I feel as if there's just one more thing I need to do...something that I've been thinking over very, very carefully."

"Well, what is it, Beatrice?" Emily asked.

"I...well...wait for me to come back...I just hope it all works out...for all of us...I warn you though, you might be in for a bit of a shock."

And without another word, Beatrice then got onboard Bertie, and so they set off in search for a certain someone, wherever they could find him. Thomas, Emily, Bernard, Percy, the Fat Controller and David were all left to wonder what this could be about. All they could do was think and wait until Beatrice would come back...

Further inland on the island, not far from Haultraugh, where Bulgy's Bridge stood, there was one particular person huddled under the bridge. He had been huddled under this bridge for three whole days now, rather scraggly, dirty, poor and desolate. This person was none other than the Grumpy Passenger himself, Seamus Timothy Holder.

Ever since he had lost everything three days ago, he had changed completely literally and figuratively, on the inside and on the outside. He had drunk very little water and ate very, very little food. He had tried taking refuge in sheds over these three days, but workmen were always there to shoo him away. He had been taking refuge under this bridge ever since his assets were terminated, and so he continued to sit, idle and tarry every second that ticked by. He was losing weight quickly, and with no amenities to clean him, it was becoming very difficult not to have his clothes be torn and dirtied by wear and getting worn out...and above all, he had absolutely no idea of what had just befallen the very engine he targeted and bullied so very badly...but that would all change very, very soon.

"Three days since I've been marooned out here," he said aloud to himself. "I've not had a mouthful of proper Sudrian diet these three days. I've been ousted from Sudrian Society so justly. Stupid man that I was, caning Bernard the way I did, and in such an audacious manner...to now think I possessed such disoriented, imaginative cheek, even bestowing it in the presence of a navy captain, his mother and even the Arlesburgh Constable..."

It was in that moment that Seamus heard footsteps, making him look up. He didn't see anyone yet, but thought perhaps he should make himself noticed, whether it would bring him any help or not.

"Oh, unhappy and forsaken Seamus Holder, cast into the rocky, uncomfortable streets of Sudrian highways after the disappearance of all my assets and comforts of home. Who now shall enjoy the home I lived in?"

He looked up again, and to quite his surprise, there was Beatrice walking toward him. He was most certainly not expecting her to come along. She seemed as if she meant business and Seamus suddenly felt worried that perhaps there were some cold and harsh words she had not yet spoken to him since he had been caught in the act. But as he looked more closely, he got a sensation that perhaps she wasn't here to lace more hatred. If anything, it seemed like she was onto finding a few things out...although it was a little surprising to see her again after such a heated previous exchange of words.

"W...what are you doing here, Beatrice?" he asked. "I...I thought you said you didn't want to see me for four months...now look at me."

Beatrice took a deep breath and gathered her words.

"I've been here and there, helping Bernard of course...and I see that you, sir, are looking quite terrible. Torn clothes, dented hat...and you're worn thin."

"Isn't that obvious?" Seamus asked. "I've lost everything. But what do you want with me?"

"...Much," said Beatrice. "Seamus...I came here for your sake."

"For my sake, you say?" Seamus said gloomily. "Are you ready to yell at me some more and kick me down now that I have nothing else in this world?"

"No, Seamus. I'm ready to talk," said Beatrice.

Seamus Holder was admittedly surprised, but not very engaged to talk himself after losing everything and becoming a street-man.

"What could you possibly have to say to me, other than 'Oh, woe is me, you're such a terrible man!' 'I was wrong, Seymour Murphy is a nobleman compared to you'!"

Beatrice shook her head for a moment then spoke again.

"I just want to tell you...with my counselling experiences over the years...I've known where you've been. An outsider who's always lived among fellow engines and passengers, but isn't able to see the pleasantries life can bring. With a sense of displeasure and discontent bubbling in your heart and you feel like no one understands you and why you see things in such a negative light. You feel like you deserve more sympathy from those around you, regardless of whether you truly deserve it or not. I'm sure that's a whole lot to put on one man's shoulders."

"You don't know anything about me, Beatrice," said Seamus. "You can never know the thoughts and sensations that go through my head."

"Oh, really? Take a look at my log book," said Beatrice as she showed it to him. "See how thick it is? It's almost like a dictionary, and it's full of my previous counselling records ever since I first became a counsellor from the very start. And a fair few of those cases were of customers that weren't too different from you...minus the most extravagant grumpiness and overstepping boundaries."

"Oh...by my Scots! That's really something. Remarkable to put it lightly," said Seamus. "You've seen so many different people, have you?"

"Indeed. Now as for you, Seamus...being grumpy isn't very fun, is it?" said Beatrice. "It's exhausting and tiring, isn't it? And I now see it leaves you ashamed and in despair."

"It's not just that, Beatrice," said Seamus. "In this midst of a starving stomach and thirst with no roof over my head except for bridges, I've looked back to my previous incidents. I've thought back to my trivial behaviour with Duncan, Connor and Stephen and Sir Robert. I've thought all about how I have no more assets to return myself back to Sudrian Society, I know how it's going to end! I know I can never truly return back to the way I was! I know that everyone will be thinking to be sour and unfriendly to me just as I was towards them!"

"Hey, I don't like unfriendly people either," said Beatrice. "No one does. But you don't have to complain and lash out at everyone. Do you know what that makes you look like?"

"What?"

Beatrice stood tall and spoke very clearly. "A tool."

Seamus suddenly looked a little hurt. "Wha...I'm not a tool, Beatrice!"

"I know you aren't. But given the sort of man that you are, what do all the passengers and engines see? Some curmudgeon going around complaining about every last little detail of the railway, nitpicking every last crack and crevice of what you see as not done right, trying to purify the Railway's functionality through all your complaints of what they're doing wrong, and trying to attain perfection and safety at any cost, including treating Bernard as a misusing sort of engine who has a cold heart when all he's done was be useful? All that behaviour that you display isn't ideal. It's not safe and it's not allowed."

Seamus stood there, enthralled for the first time in a very long time in his life.

"Well...when...when you put it this way, you mean I can do much better than that?"

"Yes, Seamus," said Beatrice. "And...if it weren't for my friends...and my son David...I don't think I would have made the decision to help a man such as you...and give you another chance. Although I am very surprised with myself that I'm doing this right now with you. After all, I did make a statement on how I wouldn't help the likes of you...and being the woman that I am, I never go back on my word. And yet...and yet I wonder...if maybe you have a chance of escaping such a fate that could await you or not...if you come clean and tell me exactly why and how you behave the way you do."

"Come clean? How?" Seamus asked enviously.

"Ask yourself this," said Beatrice. "What's gotten into you, Seamus? You've become a miserable old Scrooge, and it shows in the way you complained so relentlessly about Emily's brother. Did you ever wonder what Bernard did just yesterday? Well, I'll tell you. You may or many not have heard of that father who's car crashed into the Ulfstead River and swept him downstream...well, Bernard stopped the car and that father from getting swept over the waterfall. He saved a child's father...and prevented a huge tragedy from happening here on Sodor. I'd think you should know that such heroics are more than enough to sway away such scars he held onto before...and recent scars he did not need to be inflicted by."

Seamus Holder listened to everything Beatrice had just said, and once again felt overwhelmed by all that he felt. He could feel sheer guilt, shame, humiliation and absolute scathing realization of truth all cascading through his heart. His face looked very remorseful, he looked away for a moment, then shut his eyes and bowed his head. Everything was washing through him once more. He had misjudged Bernard before, constantly under the impression that he was a dangerous engine and that he'd surely make another tragic mistake and end up causing even more despair and trauma to Sodor...and now just the day before, he had rescued a child's father, against all expectations of anyone who had come to hear the news. Beatrice waited and wondered what Seamus would say next...until he looked up right into her eyes.

"Yes, Seamus. Bernard is an engine of excellent heart, and you should have seen it so much sooner," said Beatrice.

"I misjudged him...badly," Seamus finally said with remorse. "I...I should NEVER have been the man that I was towards him. EVER."

Beatrice trailed her palm on her chin and gave a single nod.

"Well, then, Seamus. The first thing I would say is you should have expressed all of this so many years ago. This NEVER would have happened if you'd simply brought forward why you were the man that you were at a much earlier time...but now that you have told me this, I think you will have to return to Sudrian Society after all. You have caused so much negativity and so much stress and frustration to so many people, and you've recently caused a lot of hopelessness and shame towards Bernard and almost Emily...but despite the fact that I didn't want to see the likes of you for at least four months...I now know that you can't live on like this. You need to leave this bridge, and do something fast."

"But what am I supposed to do now, Beatrice? Everything I had is gone!" the Grumpy Passenger lamented.

"You have friends in the engines, Seamus," said Beatrice. "You have friends in the Railway and Sudrian Society."

"Not anymore, I don't," Seamus lamented.

"They're good engines and good people," said Beatrice. "They'll listen, and they'll care what happens to you."

"Are you seriously telling me that they'd care for a man as heinously despicable and despised as ME? They're surely wishing I was dead!"

"Well, perhaps there is a small number of people who do feel that way...but I think that if you come clean and truly listen to everyone this time, you'll have a chance of returning to your former state...and gain an even better state too."

"But...all of them. Thomas, Emily, Bernard, David...how do I know they won't just shun me and kick me down for the rest of my life after all I've done to them?"

"You don't. You never know that," said Beatrice. "But isn't taking a chance better than not having a home? Isn't it better than just sitting under a bridge with nothing else to live off of?"

Suddenly, Seamus Holder stood up and spoke a little desperately. "Please...I...I have a lot to confess, Ms. Rider...please hear me..."

Beatrice nodded a little sternly, then the words began tumbling out of Seamus Holder. The whole time, Beatrice listened and wrote everything down, and it took a few minutes to articulate everything, but when it was all done, Beatrice looked to Seamus Holder again...and she didn't seem so stern now. If anything, she seemed a little impressed by what he had just said to her.

"Are these...your true, and genuine reasons...for everything that you were before?" Beatrice asked. "And are you still the man I saw when you...insulted me in such a harsh and vicious manner?"

Instantly, Seamus Holder began to plea and almost beg with fright and regret.

"Hear me, Ms. Beatrice Rider, I'm not the man I was anymore! If I could be given one more chance to start fresh, I will honour this entire Railway and keep that honour year-round every year, I will honour you, your son, Emily, her brother, and all the really useful engines on the North Western Railway! I will take heed to what my actions have brought upon me to this point! I will NOT shut out the lessons that they teach! Tell me...TELL me I may sponge away my name on any gravestone that may bear such writing! Spare me! SPARE ME!"

"Mmm...You're damn right, I will," Beatrice said solidly, but truthfully.

She held out her hand and helped Seamus onto his feet. Then she turned and walked briskly away, followed closely by Seamus. Things would once again change during Bernard's pending closure to his first visit to Sodor.

Back at Knapford, Thomas, Emily, Bernard, the Fat Controller and David were all gathered together. They were all waiting for Beatrice to come back and see just what she had been up to. While they waited, they still felt absolute glowing pride coming from Bernard, and they all agreed soulfully that this was a day to be proud and very happy for the navy brother. His visit had now come full circle, and what a way to give it such a pinnacle and restore Bernard's spirits to an even better position than ever before, just like Percy.

"We're all so infinitely proud of you, Bernard. Especially me," said Emily.

"Yes...I...I did it, Emily," Bernard said once more. "I...I can't believe I did it...Lawrence would be very proud."

All the engines agreed, as did David. But then...that's when the engines saw it. In that very moment, something began to move in the corner of all their eyes. Thomas, Emily, Bernard, Percy, David and the Fat Controller all looked toward the station entrance, then fell silent. They saw Beatrice walk in first...but when they saw just who was beside her, and how he looked, everyone's voices withheld in their mouths for a few moments...and then...

"Well, well. Look who it bloody damn is," Thomas scoffed coldly.

"Who is it?" Bernard asked sarcastically.

"It's me. Seamus," came the voice.

"Why have you come back?!" the Fat Controller demanded. "And why are you looking so undignified?"

The engines, David and the Fat Controller all looked with great contempt and disapproval, then were all admittedly surprised. After three days had gone by since all his money and assets had been confiscated, Seamus Holder, the Grumpy Passenger was right there for everyone to see since his assets and property were confiscated...and he was an arguably ghastly sight. Scraggly, dirty and unwashed. His coat was dusty and shaggy, his trousers were a little torn, his hat was dented, and he looked rather worn thin from having no food for the past three days. Before anyone could say anything, Bernard gave an angry hiss of steam and started to leave the station.

"Bernard, where are you going?" Emily asked.

"Oh, no! He's leaving! Not...not yet, Bernard!" Thomas called.

Seamus ran a little along the platform, limping a little from his starving hunger and thirst, and he called weakly. "Bernard, wait!"

The navy blue Stirling stopped and looked back. "What?! You wanna CANE me some more, you lying freak?!" Bernard yelled angrily.

"No!" Seamus urged sadly. "I want to tell you I'm sorry...for every last dish of idiocy and shameless disgust I've ever thrown at you. I don't want you to be sent away. I'm really sorry."

David slowly turned around to Seamus and spoke quietly at first, but steadily got louder and more heated.

"You put the entire Island of Sodor's authorities from all directions on full alert...you cause the Railway Inspectors, Sir Topham Hatt, the Bank of Sodor and the SPD a MOUNTAIN of paperwork added together, not to mention setting my engine and her brother back emotionally by God knows how much of an impact you laced upon them...AND YOU'RE 'REALLY SORRY'?!"

"Bah!" said Bernard as he angrily let off steam at Seamus. "From you, 'I'm sorry,' are just hollow, empty words! You harass me, humiliate me, cane me and almost cane my sister...and 'I'm really sorry'...THAT'S your apology?! Why should I take your word for it if you don't even trust me?!"

"I DO trust you, Bernard," Seamus confided. "I don't know what's gotten into me lately...no. I'm wrong. That's a filthy lie. I know exactly what's come over me ever since the railway started talking consistently about me and Duncan...and...I have plenty to say for all of you. I've come to hear all about what you did today, Bernard...you saved that child's father while Emily was being held up helping James...you saved a child's father!"

"I did indeed...although I'm sure you'd dismiss it as an elaborate hoax!" Bernard glowered cynically.

"No, I wouldn't! I don't!" Seamus implored. "Please, everyone. I have a lot to say, which you all have to hear."

"Hmm," the Fat Controller glowered, quite unconvinced. "They might just be hollow, empty words coming from the likes of you...but I'll listen."

"As unlikely as it is that we'll believe in you...we'll still hear what you say," Thomas glared.

"What happened to you anyway, Seamus? You look terrible," said David.

Seamus Holder, the Miserable and Repenting Passenger looked up for a moment, his eyes glittering with shame and regret. He then removed his spotted bow tie, and tossed it to the station floor, looking absolutely remorseful and so very converted by what had befallen him. He had plenty to say to everyone, including Bernard.

"Look...Thomas, Sir Topham, Percy, Beatrice, Captain Rider...Emily the Safety Engine...and Bernard the Navy Stirling... I messed up bad. Very, very, inhumanely bad. Caning Bernard, then trying to cane our own safety engine Emily were the worst, most criminally despicable things I've ever done as a Sudrian Civilian...and always being the man that I was for all these years has made me realize just what a pathetic menace I am to this island. All these years, I thought being grumpy to everyone would make unfriendly people respect me, but instead it made everyone hate me, and it made me blind to everything that's important, like all the really useful engines who work on the railway. And likewise, I thought being grumpy to Bernard would make the dangers I thought he possessed go away, but all it did was make me become a complete madman, then it made me lose everything I never appreciated enough for all these years...including all the friends I could have had in all the really useful engines there are on this whole island. I don't expect you to forgive me, and you're all perfectly welcome to hate me, shun me and kick me down with every molecule of blood and steam in your bodies...but if for any reason you DO forgive me, whenever that may be, and if it ever happens...you can find me hunkered under Bulgy's Bridge...but then again, maybe you won't, since I've been starving and dehydrating under the burning sun, with nothing left to eat and drink. I don't have my money or my house anymore anyway. I'll be gone soon, and Sodor will be a much happier haven without me..."

And Seamus the Grumpy Passenger turned and began limping away, ready to give up forever. For Thomas, Emily and Percy, this was a rather stark reminder to how Gina came clean with Thomas after he discovered Lorenzo and Beppe...and to hear it come from Seamus Holder in a similar, yet somehow deeper and more poignant way made them all feel a little jumpy. But it was also in that moment when someone would do the unthinkable for the most least expected person in this bunch. Seamus Holder was almost halfway out of the station...when the next voice spoke up.

"Seamus, wait."

Seamus turned around to David's voice, and saw him writing on what looked like a bank cheque as he kept speaking.

"That bridge is a bit of a hike for me. I'd rather just have tea and cake and talk with you at home."

David held out the bank cheque to Seamus, who could see David's signature on it and came walking back. David handed it to Seamus, and then...

"What the...where'd you get THIS sort of money?!" Seamus asked with shock and astonishment, his eyes boggling and his legs quaking.

"What is it, Seamus?" Emily asked, noticeably a little jittery.

Seamus stared in shocked astonishment to the bank cheque. "A deposit to me on David's behalf...of seven...hundred...thousand pounds?!"

All the engines and Hatts gasped and exclaimed in utter shock. Captain David Rider smiled.

"It's easy. It's a piece of my fortune from all my diligent and exceptional achievements in the Navy, right down to Sailor John's flush-out, as well as making all my savings from my goods deliveries onboard the Sea Emperor. It all turned a most astounding profit. I carry a fortune of almost six million pounds. But I continue to work at the harbour because I love the atmosphere there...and since I'm such a rich man from my Navy and goods service, with a whole five million pounds to still hold onto now, I think it's only right to give you that little piece of my fortune so you can get your house and your assets back."

"What? ...WH-WHAT?!" Seamus choked as his voice began to tremble with absolute shock. "No...no, David! No! I don't deserve this, David! You and all the rest of Sodor have your own lives to live, all having your own stuff to do, and I don't deserve even an inkling of any of it!"

"Yes, you do," David said solidly. "You may yet change the shadows you've surrounded yourself with, by an altered life, so long as you don't shut out the lessons that they teach."

"D-David...I don't know what to say...I want to thank you...but I'm afraid you won't consider it genuine coming from me. I think you'll accuse me for not truly meaning it...but I want to assure you, I DO mean it! With every molecule of blood in my body, I DO mean it!"

"Hmm. Well...maybe it wouldn't sound genuine from you," said David. "But I DO know you are truly thankful. I can sense it in my soldier's intuition, and that's more than enough for me."

"I was wrong, David," Seamus answered. "You DO understand Bernard. It was I who did not. Until now. Ohh...forgive me, Bernard. Forgive me."

"Oh, please don't, Seamus," Bernard answered.

And so with Bernard's Law as it were, saving a child's father from death, the miracle had at last come to be, and the glorious new reign of Bernard's rekindled spirits had been born. In addition, the Grumpy Passenger had indeed been converted into a Sensible Passenger. Within hours, David had helped Seamus finalize the cheque at the bank, and inform the SPD of the plans. Since they knew it was David's personal calling to help Seamus, and that Seamus had indeed repented through and through, they all agreed to let David help the Sensible Passenger.

By that evening, Seamus Holder had his house back, and after three days without food and water, he was finally well-fed and watered. When he came back to Knapford Station for the engines to see, he had brand new assets, brand new clothes, and enough new money to make a fresh start. And even better, while Seamus managed to replace his damaged coat, pants and hat with a new set of it all, he was no longer wearing that clownish polka-dot bowtie. Now, he was wearing a smart, black necktie and a beaming smile, just like Scrooge's beaming smile when he woke up on Christmas Day to find he had not missed it at all. No one could ever recall seeing him looking so friendly. Seamus was now a reasonable, practical and sensible man. He still obeyed his suspension of travelling on the railways, but he had indeed learned for the better, and now the engines felt as if they could begin to trust him.

That night, Emily and Bernard puffed into Knapford Sheds alone. They knew that Bernard's visit was ending the next day, so this would be their last night together before Bernard returned home. Thomas and Percy had agreed to spend the night at Tidmouth Sheds so that Emily and Bernard could share one last moment together in their own company.

"Well, Emily..." whispered Bernard. "This is it. Our last night together for who knows how long."

Emily knew that it more than likely would be a long time before her and Bernard would be reunited again, and that though did upset her, but she also knew that she couldn't let that keep her from cherishing what little time they still had together.

"I know, Bernard. Rather than dwell on how long it'll be before we're reunited again...let's just enjoy the time we have left," whispered Emily.

Bernard smiled and buffered up closer to his sister. "Well, how do you propose we make the best of our time, my dear sister?"

"Please cuddle me, big brother," Emily whispered softly.

Bernard was more than happy to oblige to his sister's request. He moved closer and gently touched his cheeks to Emily's, then very gently leaned left and right, rubbing their cheeks together so softly. Emily shuddered and sighed contently.

"Yes…that's it, Bernard…" she whispered. "That feels nice..."

Bernard was pleased with how Emily reacted to his cuddling, and he loved how soft and warm her skin was against his own. He continued to gently cuddle her contently. He would certainly miss this when he had to leave. At last, Emily decided to try something else.

"Please, Bernard...kiss me like a loving brother would. Pretty-pretty ple-e-ease?"

"Well, when you ask me like that, I can hardly refuse, Emily," smiled Bernard.

And so, Bernard leaned in and gently kissed Emily's cheek. Emily sighed again as she felt her brother kissing her slowly, but gently and under control. He didn't just focus on one spot, instead he gave light kisses over as much of Emily's face as he could reach. Emily loved how Bernard's lips felt against her skin as he gently nibbling at her, but now she felt the need to repay his efforts.

"Alright, Bernard. It's my turn now," she whispered, causing Bernard to stop and let his sister return the favour. As always, Emily's kisses were as soft and gentle as a fox as she kissed and nibbled him wherever her lips could reach.

"Oh, Emily...this is lovely..." whispered Bernard.

"Then I think you'll like this," winked Emily, as she began to gently lick Bernard's cheek. The sudden change caught Bernard by surprise as Emily continued to lightly tickle him, and she did it so softly that Bernard couldn't help laughing. Before long, when Emily began to ease up, Bernard decided to tickle her back, gently licking her cheeks just like how she did to him, earning a similar reaction from her as he had from her tickling. Bernard could probably assume that Emily had spent many nights with Thomas tickling away just like they were doing now, and while he certainly wasn't keen on learning just how much more intimate and passionate his sister's love life with Thomas was, since there were somethings that a brother didn't need to know about, he could tell by her laughter that Emilly was very ticklish.

Eventually, the two siblings decided to stop their tickling and started cuddling each other once more in silence as they began to feel themselves getting sleepier and sleepier, until the silence was interrupted by Emily's adorable little yawn.

"Oh, Bernard…I love you, dear brother."

"I love you too, Emily. My dear sister," Bernard murmured as he gave her one last cuddle, before they both let their own big yawns and fell happily asleep in each other's warm embrace, knowing that it would be the last time they would so for an unknown period of time. But even with the fact that they were soon be seperated from each other, their slumber was still as happy and peaceful as can be.

And then...the day finally came. Bernard's day to leave Sodor and return to York Station on the Mainland and the Great Northern Railway. All throughout the day, preparations were being made by the Fat Controller to give Bernard a big sendoff, while Emily and Bernard worked as efficently as they could to get their jobs done in time before the sendoff. When at last the evening rolled by, all of the Steam Team returned to Knapford after finishing their jobs on time, while Donald and Douglas managed to make it as well, and just like before Bernard arrived, the twins had brought David and Beatrice from Arlesburgh. Once Bernard returned to Knapford, everyone began to feel a bittersweet sensation as they exchanged a few words with each other, and they knew that this truly was the end of Bernard's visit.

"You are indeed a most valiant engine, Bernard," the Fat Controller smiled. "In fact, from now on, and out of gratitude for saving a child's father's life, just as your sister became Sodor's Safety Engine...what say you be the Great Northern Railway's official Safety Engine with your own number and inspire everyone at York and around the GNR to stay safe, just as Emily does for us on Sodor? Would you like me to recommend you to the Mainland Railway Board that you be the GNR'S official Safety Engine too? And perhaps a number for you too?"

Bernard gaped and looked at his sister, then to the Fat Controller. A most familiar swell of joy and gratitude was glowing in Bernard's heart just like Emily's did when she was dubbed Sodor's Safety Engine. Emily was also truly and most infinitely happy to hear this and all she could do was gasp and pant with such joy.

"Oh...Sir...Sir Topham Hatt!" Bernard gasped. "I...I would be most honoured to follow my sister's wheels and be my own Safety Engine!"

"Because just like your sister, I know now that the Mainland Railway Board can always count on you," the Fat Controller added.

"Ha-ha! They can indeed, sir!" Bernard gleamed.

"Bernard, you have done Sodor a great service," said David. "In appreciation, I hereby declare you an official new Rider of the Rider family tree. As once Emily said her name would be Emily Rider, I say you are Bernard Rider among us."

Bernard could not have felt prouder than he was in these very moments. It was all such a sheer joy and his visit to Sodor had turned out even better than he ever could have thought, even when his visit first began.

"Well, everyone. This has been a most remarkable and unforgettable first visit to Sodor for me," said Bernard. "I've got to meet all of the Steam Team, right down to Thomas the Tank Engine, and most important of all, I got to see my sister again after another year and a half...and never have we spent this much time together since her first days at York until she had to move...and now, until I had to leave again. But now that time has come...it's not easy to say goodbye to all of you...and it will be even harder to say goodbye to my sister again."

"Oh...oh, Bernard," Emily said as her voice began to tremble with a sense of departure. "It...it seems only like yesterday you came here."

"I wish I could stay, Emily," said Bernard. "But I must return to York all the same."

"Well, Bernard," said the Fat Controller. "I assure you that whenever you find the time and chance again, you are always welcome here on Sodor. Now, I'll say goodbye and I wish you all the usefulness at York until you may come back again."

"Goodbye, Sir Topham Hatt," said Bernard. "Goodbye, Steam Team!"

The Steam Team, Donald and Douglas all bade goodbye and safe travels to Bernard on his long journey home, hoping he would come back again, before Thomas, Emily, Percy and Bernard all set off for Vicarstown. Once they arrived, Bernard rolled onto the turntable and was turned around so that he could face his sister once more before they parted ways. They spoke about what they had done together on this emotional and eventful reunion, one that had included many surprises that none of them could ever have seen coming.

"I know I'm just speaking on the fly, Bernard, but we don't want you to leave," said Thomas.

"Well, it's just as well he returns to York for the given time," said David. "You, Bernard, you're a free spirit like your sister, and many others on Sodor too. In fact...the more I think about it...I know you have to return to York, Bernard. But I can't help but ask to see what you would think. What say you move here to Sodor with all of us one day? You and my engine. Emily and Bernard. The Safety Duo of Sodor, and coming true and full circle with the Engine and Rider Family!"

Bernard looked down to his buffers for a moment, thinking with a little smile. David, Beatrice, Thomas, Percy and Emily all waited for him to answer and see what he would say to such a thought. Then he looked up, right to his sister, then answered.

"You know...when I first came to this island, I would have taken you up on that offer in a second. And perhaps one day, I really could move here. But for the time being, until we next meet, well...I met this navy captain again, and he told me that I can chart my own course and stick to it. So until the next time I come here, that's what I'll do."

"And what would you say this course you chart shall bring you?" David asked.

"A future," said Bernard.

"Why...look at you. Glowing like a solar fire," said David. "You're something special, Bernard. You're going to rattle the stars, you are."

Then Bernard watched as David got on his running plate and gave him a hug of departure until the next time they'd meet again. When David let go, Bernard felt a jump in his heart when he saw the navy captain wiping his eyes.

"Got a bit of grease in these navy eyes of mine," David said as he turned away and began to sniffle.

Thomas and Percy felt their eyes shimmering too. It was a powerful sensation to be faced with, saying goodbye to Bernard again after having such an experience with him. Bernard felt his tears coming too. Then he looked to Emily. Her eyes were glistening and shimmering with tears right on the rim of her eyes.

"Ohh...oh, Bernard!" she shuddered as she began to sniffle and her tears started to fall.

"Hey, Emily," Bernard consoled. "I'll see you around. Okay?"

Emily nodded and smiled through her tears. Then Bernard spoke again.

"Goodbye, Emily. My sweet, beautiful sister. I love you, dear," Bernard smiled as he kissed his sister's cheek so lovingly.

"Hm-hm-hm-hm!" Emily giggled. "Oh, Bernard. I love you too, my sweet, perfect brother."

Then Bernard turned right around on the Vicarstown turntable. He was now ready to huff onward to the bridge and go on his way home.

"I'll see you all again!" Bernard whistled. "Bye, Emily!"

"Oh! And one more thing," said David as he reached into his vest pocket and handed some paper to Bernard's driver.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Take this copy of the Emerald Law, Bernard. YOUR Navy Law," David said with a wink.

Then the four engines set off once more, right through the station, and on toward Vicarstown Bridge. They saw it just lowering down, ready for Bernard to cross over it and be on his way back to York Station again.

"I take the Navy Law with a promise and thanks to all of you," said Bernard. "Do not be sad. I love you, Emily. You are such the perfect sister, and to all the rest of you, I promise to come back one day, and with any luck, perhaps I'll come to live here one day...with my engine and Rider family!"

"Well until then, be really useful and stay out of trouble, my navy blue brother and fellow safety engine," Emily smiled.

"Why! Emily, dear! When will I ever do otherwise? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Bernard laughed merrily.

And with that, Bernard gave a goodbye whistle and set off across Vicarstown Bridge and steamed away with pride and joy all the way back to York Station until he'd get there and finish his journey. Thomas, Emily, Percy, David and Beatrice all watched as he went on his way until his body and tender disappeared around the bend, and then the last clouds of smoke and steam drifted away into the sky.

"Emily...every cloud has a silver lining," said David. "What's the lining for this cloud?"

"The cloud? Brother and sister had to say goodbye," said Emily. "The lining? He's always welcome on Sodor...and he'll be back again."

Eventually, the three engines felt the need to leave the bridge, turn around at Vicarstown Station and return to Tidmouth Sheds. When they finally returned, it was complete nighttime. The engines were all looking to the three engines and bearing such smiles of content and glowing harmony for how amazing Bernard's visit to Sodor had been. Now it was done and complete, with so many memories to hold onto and cherish forever until such a time would come when he'd return.

"We're all so happy for you and your brother, Emily," said Rebecca.

"Indeed in every meaning of those words," said Gordon.

"Well, may he come back one day and share even more great experiences with you, Emily. And all of us," said Thomas.

"Indeed, Thomas," said Emily. "It's not goodbye. It's just until the next time."

Then Emily turned around on the turntable, then buffered to Thomas. She kissed him on both cheeks, his nose, then his lips, all while Thomas kissed her right back. Then Emily turned on the turntable to Percy's berth, kissing him on both cheeks, his chin, then his nose. Then lastly, as she reversed into her berth, she blew a kiss to the sky.

"For you, Bernard," she chimed happily. "And goodnight, Thomas. I love you. I love you all."

"Goodnight, Emily. I love you too," Thomas smiled. "And happy dreams to all of us."

Then Thomas backed into his berth too, and the whole Steam Team fell asleep together. And just before Emily's eyes drifted shut, she gave one more look to the sky and saw how the wispy clouds drifted through the sky among the stars...until she could see them almost forming a shape of Bernard's face right up there in the sky, with two of the brightest stars right where his eyes would be, both twinkling brightly for Emily's heart to bubble with such fervor and thrill as her eyes eventually shut and she fell fast asleep with the rest of the Steam Team.

Later that very night, Bernard came home safety after a long and wholesome journey, back to York Station and his other GNR acquaintances, steamie and diesel alike. They were all so pleased and astounded by all the news they had come to hear about him, they had no words. They just smiled away as he backed into his shed and let off a thick cloud of steam, basking endlessly in all he had achieved and experienced with his beloved sister. One place suits one sort, another place suits another sort. And for Bernard's part, although he knew York was his home, he truly began to sense that he preferred to be on Sodor, and so his life would go on at York...until that day would come.

Bernard then looked to the sky himself, and he could see what looked like the clouds drifting through the stars and almost shaping into what looked like Emily's face, with two bright stars right where her eyes would be, glimmering down to her brother. Bernard looked at the stars and fell right to sleep,

"Goodnight, Emily. I love you, my perfect No. 12 sister," was he whispered into the night.

And back in Tidmouth Sheds, Emily whispered likewise. "Goodnight, Bernard. My perfect navy brother. I love you too."

And so came the end of Emily's most unforgettable experience with her blessed brother Bernard, and he had experienced his very first visit to the Island of Sodor, meeting all the Steam Team, unveiling a grave truth, facing a series of conflict and trouble, all while Emily and the Riders never gave up on him, and now he had gained the very same honours that Emily bestowed, and so he would carry on that legacy himself. And as they had spoken of, one day, he could come back again...along with all the great adventures that come with it.

---

And with that, Bernard's visit has come to an end, and just like his sister, he has been granted the title of Safety Engine of the Great Northern Railway after saving the life of a father, as the best way of redeeming himself for killing Seymour Murphy's father. And of course, the Grumpy Passenger is now a changed man after losing everything in the last chapter. Now, will Bernard be brought back later on? Eventually, yes, though I don't see it happening for some time. Will he eventually join the North Western Railway? That much I can't guarantee at the moment because I don't know if he will. But yeah, this was yet another emotional rollercoaster of a story, and I'm hoping the next couple of stories moving forward will be much less dramatic, since a lot of the stories we've done so far this year have been a competition of which is more heartwrenching and dramatic. Still, as always, tell us what you thought of this story, and stay safe.