Meredith was repaired quickly after a few days in the Steamworks. Her parts were delayed due to heavy snowfall, but once they came in the workers were fast to repair her. After that she stayed busy throughout the winter months running passengers, clearing snow from lines, hauling goods, and shunting coaches and cars for the larger engines. She was thrilled to find out that Flying Scotsman was to be returning to the island on a regular basis to help with historically busy times and to run Sir Topham Hatt's new coastline express during the summer months. She was excited to see more of her mainland friend. Other than that, not much of interest happened her first winter. Meredith kept busy being as useful as possible, but she still couldn't shake the empty feeling that plagued her boiler. Physically she had more work than she knew what to do with, however mentally and emotionally she was rather stagnant. The little white tank engine did find herself spending more and more time at Knapford. Specifically when she knew Gordon would be there resting or waiting to run the express. The big engine may have been a huge grump, but she enjoyed his company, and Knapford was the perfect place for her to escape Duck's criticism. The Great Western engine had become rather cumbersome in his mentoring of Meredith. He watched her every move and any small mistake made turned into a seemingly endless lecture. She knew he meant well, but she found herself growing more annoyed with Duck. Nevertheless, she listened to his advice, no matter how badly she wanted to curse him for being such a stick in the mud.

It was a warm April afternoon. Gordon was waiting for his coaches at Knapford station when Thomas puffed by. The tank engine gave a friendly peep at the big engine as he rushed on with Annie and Clarabel. Normally Thomas would be the one to shunt Gordon his coaches, but today it was Meredith's job as Thomas was tasked with running the local train that ran across the mainline and stopped at every station all the way to Vicarstown.

Meredith passed Thomas as he rushed away, the two tank engines exchanged quick whistles before Meredith turned off towards the shunting yard. She was in a bit of a rush herself as she was running late. She had overslept and the drive to Knapford from Arlesburgh wasn't exactly a short one.

She pulled into the yard where Philip and Stanley were busy organizing empty cars to be taken to the quarry. Philip noticed Meredith and honked excitedly. "Oh! Hello there! What are you looking for?"

"I have to bring Gordon the express coaches." Meredith said as she hurried along the sidings trying to locate said coaches.

"Oh, they're at the wash down." Philip exclaimed as he shoved another car into line. "Charlie should be bringing them along any moment."

Just then the purple tank engine chuffed around the corner with Gordon's coaches which were still dripping from the fresh wash. "Sorry about that." Charlie said with a sheepish grin. "There was a bit of a line."

"That's fine." Meredith said as she swapped with Charlie and had herself coupled to the coaches. "I'm sure Gordon will appreciate them being clean."

Meredith hurried along the line towards Gordon's platform but made sure to slow enough when she got close. She carefully shunted the coaches to Gordon then waited patiently to be uncoupled from them. She gave a warning whistle as she began to back up to switch to the next track. She had a few minutes before Gordon had to depart and she wanted to say hello.

"Morning, Gordon." Meredith said with a bright smile as she slowed to a stop beside him.

Gordon glanced to Meredith then smirked. "You're late."

Meredith huffed. "Are you capable of being nice?"

"I am," Gordon said confidently. "You're just too easy to rile up."

The little white tank engine rolled her eyes. "You're not gonna drag me behind your express are you?"

"Oh-ho no," Gordon chuckled. "I was a lot younger and much more troublesome when that happened. These days I just want to get my work done."

"Troublesome Gordon? Now that sounds like fun." Meredith said. She liked the idea of seeing the big engine's more rebellious side.

Gordon couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. He enjoyed how interested Meredith seemed to be in him, but he was apprehensive about letting himself get too close to her. No matter how badly he wanted to. He started to respond when his guard blew the whistle to depart and the big engine started up with a heavy hiss of steam. "We'll talk later." Gordon said, then gave two long departing whistles as he steamed away.

That day Meredith spent shunting in a mental fog. Her boiler was bubbly and she was putting out too much steam. She could hardly focus on her work because her mind continued to wander. She thought about that couple she saw months ago. About their loving embrace. She thought about babies and cuddly winter coats and what chocolate might taste like. Meredith wondered why humans had holidays and off-days while engines were required to work twenty-four-seven without a complaint. It made no sense to her. She watched people every moment she could. They had lips and noses and eyes just like her. They may not have wheels or boilers or smoke stacks, but they ate delicious food for energy and had to drink water for hydration. Much like an engine needs coal and water or diesel and electricity to run. In many ways engines were like people and people like engines. Even engines had accents and dialects, they spoke various languages, the same as humans. Meredith had seen people cry and she had seen engines cry, though not often. Why did they have more freedom? It made little sense to the small white tank engine. Meredith shook her boiler. She had to rid herself of those thoughts. She grew more frustrated otherwise and she needed to focus on her job. This fact only irritated the tank engine more and she slammed her cars into their siding before charging off for more.

Meredith trudged along the track towards her shed. The weight of her thoughts held her back like a train of heavy stone. She didn't want to drive all the way to Arlesburgh. She didn't want to listen to Daisy's whining about her springs or swerves or whatever, and she certainly didn't want to risk running into Duck after being late to Knapford that morning. She stopped in the middle of the track, glancing at the points that lead to Tidmouth. Maybe she could stay with the engines there. She pondered the idea for a moment longer before she reversed, whistled for the points to be changed, and took off towards Tidmouth Sheds.

She pulled up to the turntable and found all the engines talking amongst themselves. The sun had not disappeared completely and the sheds were a dark silhouette against the fiery orange sky. There wasn't an open berth, but this didn't dissuade the little engine. Meredith pulled onto the turntable and gave a gentle whistle hello. "Anyone wanna let me squeeze in with them?"

The engines all looked up at Meredith. Thomas was the first to speak up. "You could share my berth with me if you want, but don't you have a shed at Arlesburgh?"

"I do, but I'm just not in the mood to drive all that way." Meredith said with a shake of her boiler.

"Why don't you bunk with me?" James piped up before Thomas could respond. "It only makes sense that two splendid engines share a berth." The red engine offered a mischievous wink and Meredith's cheeks felt warm. James was such a flirt.

Thomas scowled, but was then interrupted by Henry's quiet voice. "What about me? I may be big but there's plenty of room for you with me."

"What makes you think she's at all interested in a scaredy-boiler such as yourself?" James huffed at the green engine. "Meredith needs a brave engine to make her feel safe… such as me."

Meredith sat still on the turntable while all the boys argued over who she should bunk with. All except Gordon, who stood quietly in his berth, his eyes flat until he saw Meredith looking in his direction. The two engines sat in knowing silence, Meredith gave a half smile, her eyes darting to the tracks in front of Gordon. The big engine picked up on this gesture and without a single word reversed as far back into his berth as he could.

The other engines were still arguing while Meredith slipped into the shed with Gordon, but she stayed facing him which made the express engine suddenly feel shy. Emily in her berth at the end noticed Meredith had disappeared into Gordon's stall and she whistled as loud as she could to cut through the bickering.

"What was that for?" Percy said with a wince.

"I think she's made her choice." Emily said flatly as she gestured to Gordon's shed with her buffers.

All the engines looked and noticed Gordon was in the back of his stall with Meredith standing just inches from him. Her driver and fireman had climbed out and were doing their end of day inspections. Meredith was quietly watching them poke and prod at her wheels and pistons. She giggled when her driver accidentally tickled one of her wheel bearings. "Careful." She said. She glanced up to Gordon who quickly averted his eyes. "You okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine." Gordon said, but Meredith was not convinced. He still refused to look at her. "Why didn't you back in? How are you supposed to see the turntable in the morning?"

"But how am I supposed to talk to you with my coal bunker facing you?"

Gordon could no longer fight the build-up of steam in his face. His cheeks ran hot and he finally looked at the little tank engine before him. "I- I'm not sure."

Meredith smiled, but it disappeared as soon as it came when she realized there were six sets of eyes all on her and Gordon and she suddenly felt embarrassed. "Maybe we should go to sleep." She said shyly while she forced a yawn.

Gordon let out a genuine yawn before he agreed. "Yes, let's."

The other engines sat silently as Gordon and Meredith settled down. They were shocked. They had never seen Gordon act so hospitable towards another engine. It was strange, but no one commented on it.

All the engines had settled down at Tidmouth sheds. The moon was high and the air was still. Meredith was restless, but she sat quiet. She didn't want to disturb Gordon who was fast asleep in front of her. Instead she took the opportunity to look the big engine over from funnel to wheel. His eyes were deep-set, nose straight and defined with thin, pouty lips. His cheeks were round and full, smile lines framed his mouth. He had extremely subtle wrinkles at the edge of his eyes that basically disappeared when his face was relaxed. Gordon was a relatively young engine. Older than Meredith, of course, but not the oldest on Sodor either, so his wrinkles were only starting to show. She admired his size, the complexity of his cylinders and coupling rods, his wide funnel and huge tender. He was much bigger than her overall, but she still sat nearly eye level with the big engine. But despite their similar height, she felt dwarfed by him.

Gordon stirred with a slight groan. Meredith forced her eyes shut, then opened one eye only slightly. His eyes were still closed and his mouth hung partly open. Meredith opened her eyes once again. She watched Gordon's boiler rise and fall with his sleepy breathing. Meredith yawned, but this time it was real. The little tank engine allowed herself one more look at Gordon before she herself dozed off into a deep slumber.

Sorry for the late update, all! This past week has been hectic. This chapter is definitely different given I was trying to focus more on exposition and less on dialogue. I hope it wasn't too wordy or anything. Finally working on the progression of Meredith's *possible* future relationship. I don't want to make it too cuddly and fluffy, but sometimes I just enjoy those sappy moments. Hopefully it's not too cringe for y'all. Anyhow, read, review, and favorite! And thanks so much for your reviews!

Much love!

Bumble

(And to racefangurl, yes, Meredith pushed herself too much in the snow and it caused her to breakdown. I imagine being new her parts need proper broken in and she tried to full-send in heavy snow which would've caused too much strain on her.

I appreciate your reviews, btw! Thank you! )