Meredith raced across the Vicarstown rolling bridge. She passed Henry on his way out and didn't acknowledge his surprise whistle to her. She kept puffing until the station came into view. That's when she saw Gordon. He was stopped at his platform delivering his day's first round of express passengers. He looked sapped. His eyes cast downward. He didn't even notice Meredith until she slammed right into his buffers at near full steam. The two engines rolled backwards in a shower of sparks, but there was minimal damage and no one was injured. "Meredith?!" Gordon was shocked more at the sight of the little engine than the rough bump she gave him. "What're you doing here?"

"I had to see you." Meredith whimpered. She couldn't sleep after the onslaught of intrusive thoughts. All she could think about was the scrap yard and Gordon being ripped to bits. "I had to make sure you were okay…"

Gordon practically melted on his axles. He wanted to hold her and never let go, but he knew Sir Topham would be livid if he discovered she had shown up to the island uninvited. "I'm okay, my dear. Much better now, actually."

"Do you have time to talk?" He didn't, but he had himself uncoupled nevertheless and followed his partner to the longshed outside the Vicarstown goods yard so they could have privacy. He noticed the subtle hints of green in her paintwork and he couldn't help but bristle. He understood it was the color of LNER, but all he could think about when he saw it was his sleazy younger brother. It's like her new paintwork strengthened Flying Scotsman's grasp on her.

The two nestled into the shed facing each other. Gordon took in every detail of Meredith's face in the low-light. Her sweet eyes, plump lips, and the subtle lines beginning to develop along her cheeks. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. It made what he had to say next that much more gut-wrenching.

"Gordon, I-"

"I release you."

"What?" Meredith's voice caught in her throat.

"I- I release you." Gordon's own tone was strangled. Those were words he never thought he would have to mutter. At least not again. "It's not fair for me to continue to keep a lead on you. LNER is a different beast and you'll be faced with temptations that I know you're not mature enough to deny. I say this in the most loving way."

Meredith merely sat stagnant. She didn't know what to say or what to do. Her senses focused on everything but Gordon. She heard Connor's blaring whistle far in the distance. She felt the air as the temperature rose with the sun. She wanted to deny what her lover had said, but she knew he was right. After all, she gave into said temptations after not even forty-eight hours. The little engine's lip quivered, her eyes welled with tears. "You'll still love me?"

"Of course I will." Gordon murmured. He nuzzled her cheek and gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be counting the seconds until I can make you mine again."

Meredith's breath out was shaky. "Okay…" she took a few moments to steady herself before looking up at Gordon. He was smiling at her. It was warm and comforting. She trusted he knew what he was doing. "I love you so much."

The big express engine breathed in slowly and pressed his lips to her's. Meredith turned herself so she could fully take in his taste and his feel. She began to roll backwards on the track until the buffer stops caused her to halt abruptly. Their embrace never faltered. She sighed as Gordon lifted her up on her suspension and she felt the delicious pressure of his connection.

The love they made was intense and mournful. Mixed in with all the satisfied groans, whispered names, and growling sighs there were quiet tears. The two knew that it would be the last time they intertwined for a long while. If ever again. They savored every moment and every movement until they eventually had to say goodbye.

Back in London, Meredith was sluggish. She was helping shunt in the goods yard while a couple of the diesels were at the fitters. She was sweaty and miserable. The sun was beginning its dragging descent towards the horizon and the only shade that could be found was from the cars and trucks that lined the sidings. Meredith already missed Gordon and received a rather colorful scolding from Dr. Hart for running off the second she arrived back at Kings Cross. She hardly listened, the sound of her heart crumbling was too loud for her to focus on the human's empty threats.

She was just coupled to Mallard's coaches when she noticed Ellis at the other side of the yard collecting a train of heavy goods. The little tank engine clenched her teeth as she did her best to creep forward without catching the black K1's judgemental eye. Unfortunately, Mallard's coaches are big, blue, and noisy and Ellis quickly saw them rolling out of the yard. "Hello little tramp." She called in her expected snobbishness.

Meredith stopped with a frustrated groan. "My name is Meredith, not tramp."

"Oh I know tramp isn't your name sparkly titter." Ellis purred. She started to pull her train forward with angelic ease. "It's your title. Meredith the Tramp Engine." Ellis then slid from the yard with a sneering grin.

"Hmph." Meredith didn't like Ellis and clearly the goods engine didn't like her given the unflattering nickname she felt the need to assign the new engine.

At the station, Mallard waited impatiently for his coaches. He hated having to make late evening runs. They cut into the time that he could be using conquering little engines in his berth. He had no respect for small engines, but he did love the way they wiggled and squirmed under his weight. Coupling with engines closer to his size just didn't have the same dominating charm. He liked knowing he was the one in control.

"You really should learn to smile." Kestrel jibed to his brother as he rolled onto the next platform. His passengers stumbled out of his coaches. The engine may have been a bit eager to make it back. He held onto the hope of seeing Meredith again.

"You really should learn to stop talking." Mallard retorted with a salty frown. Kestrel was only slightly older than him, but the big green bastard liked to pretend he was the end-all-be-all of the pair. "What're you doing here so early?"

Kestrel shrugged. "Just helping my passengers have more time at home is all." Just then a man who had departed Kestrel's express wretched into a nearby trash can. The two engines curled their lips in disgust. "I suppose I was a bit overexcited." Meredith had then arrived with Mallard's coaches and as she shunted them to the big engine Kestrel caught glimpse of her. "Hello, snowflake."

Meredith was unamused. The number of new pet names was growing at a rate that grated her gears. "Hi." She said sharply. A platform attendant uncoupled her from the coaches and she began to back away.

"Now why would you run off like that? Stay and have a chat with us, won't you?" The green A4 was truly laying on the charm. It made Mallard nauseous.

Meredith's disposition remained flat and lifeless, but she relented, moving to the track that sat between the brothers. "So what exactly do you need to chat to me about?" She hated how easily she fell for larger engines' bullshit. It didn't help that this railway managed to put out extremely good-looking locomotives. The little tank engine was sure it was purposeful. No human would want to ride an express pulled by a deformed beast.

"Well why don't you tell us a little about yourself? You're a LNER engine now! We're practically family."

"You two are family. I'm an acquaintance at most." Meredith pointed out. "Anyway, there's nothing all that interesting about me."

"That's not what I've heard." Mallard said with a seductive smirk. Meredith wanted to run away at that point. Her reputation must've made its way to London and that only meant trouble for her. The larger males of the LNER railway were voracious and horribly aggressive. It wasn't uncommon for the big locomotives to all-out brawl over partners which was why Flying Scotsman never once ran away from a charging Gordon. Those outside the railway wondered why Dr. Hart allowed such behaviors, but he would merely tell them that what his engines do in their off time was of no concern to him.

"I heard you let a couple of Scottish brothers have you at once." Kestrel purred. He kept his voice low. He didn't want nearby children to tune-in. "Just when I thought you couldn't be more irresistible."

"Quiet now, Kestrel." Mallard barked. "I saw her first!"

"She doesn't want you! You've no skill when it comes to pleasure. You just rough them up so much they don't realize they went without."

"Like you're any better! When was the last time you laid anyone?"

"Forgive me for not whoring myself out like the rest of you slimy lot!"

The A4 brothers continued to bicker and lob insult-after-insult at each other. They didn't even notice Flying Scotsman pull in. He looked around Kestrel to Meredith and immediately noticed she was uncomfortable. The famous A3 decided to lay on his whistle which silenced the whole station as well as the bitching brothers. "What are you two prattling on about?"

"They're fighting over me." Meredith stated flatly.

Scotsman scowled. He had made it abundantly clear to both of his snarling cousins that Meredith was strictly his and he certainly didn't appreciate being undermined by the stupid A4 brothers. "And why, pray tell, would they be fighting over something that isn't available to them in the first place?"

"Oh, c'mon, Scot. You've never had issues with sharing before." Mallard whimpered. It was the first time Meredith saw the cruel A4 drop his typical cutting glare. He looked almost as pathetic as Spencer. Almost.

Scotsman growled. "Unless either of you want to end up in the scrap heap I suggest keeping your cocks out of my Meredith." The brothers sat quietly for a moment then exchanged a frustrated glance before proceeding to depart the station without another word to each other or Scotsman and Meredith. They decided the argument could progress another time and in a much less public arena.

Flying Scotsman stared relentlessly ahead at where the two engines disappeared. He knew he would have to work hard to keep Meredith safe from those two. Their lust overwhelmed his senses. It was concerning. Meredith, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't possess the same acute sense of smell as Scotsman, or any male engine for that matter. She had absolutely no idea just how narrowly she avoided becoming the two A4's next sensual meal. Which was why she couldn't understand why Scotsman was so tense. She puffed forward to try and look at his face, but he had already put on a smile for her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, my dear." Scotsman maintained his cool demeanor, but inside he was fit to rage. He was more than keen to change the subject. "How much longer do you have with your shunting? I'm already done for the day, surprisingly."

"I have a few more trains to piece together." Meredith said with a dramatic sigh. "You can keep me company in the yard if you'd like." She forced a smile. She felt heavy guilt, but after what happened between her and Gordon she didn't want to be alone to relive that sadness over and over. She desperately needed a distraction and the smarmy green express engine was certainly that.

Scotsman's smile widened. He looked so much like Gordon when he smiled big and Meredith's boiler ached at the resemblance. "I'd love to."

In the yard the two engines mingled casually while Meredith knocked around the cars and trucks. They laughed and carried on like old friends. Meredith still felt anguished over Gordon, but was comforted by Flying Scotsman's genuine presence. He would occasionally make a pass at her, bumping her buffers anytime she came close, stealing a kiss or two, but overall, he treated her respectfully. He hung onto every word and never took his eyes away from her beautiful build. Several engines cut through the yard during that time as the work day came to a trickling end. He paid none of them mind. Scotsman was focused on Meredith and when she had finally finished her work, the moon lit their way back to his shed.

The city was asleep and only a few windows in the surrounding neighborhood remained alight as the two engines bunkered down together. The crews hadn't even finished climbing out of their engines before Scotsman pulled Meredith into a passionate kiss. Ian and Gavin weren't fazed but Hayden and Meredith's fireman, Alex, were stunned at the engines' indifference to their presence. Ian casually grabbed a cigarette and put his arms around Meredith's crewmen to help steer them out the door. "Come on. Let's grab some dinner." He reached around to switch the shed light off then shut the door behind him, locking in the pair as they became lost in their embrace.

So I did it- I broke them apart. My heart is shattered, but I must. For the plot, for the dramatics, for the absolute mental fuckery I insist on forcing Gordon to endure. We've not seen the last of him though. Nay-nay this is merely the beginning. I've got this story down-pat and I'm eager to persist. I'm trying to keep to only a chapter every day or so just to avoid any mental strain and overall word vomit. My husband also just bought me a new phone so I can write without straining my eyes on a microscopic screen which is exciting considering I do most of my writing in Google Docs.

Pretty Katydid; I'm glad you're enjoying so far! I thought you might like my two newest additions. I know LNER ran a good lot of A4's during this specific time period but I don't plan to bog everyone down by naming every single one. Just a few that stick out to me. I think Kestrel is my last addition. I think. I'm still only starting on this fic so I may change my mind. We'll see.

Yes, I've some major *spice* regarding the A4 brothers brewing at the back of my mind but I'm wondering if it might be a bit too aggressive for certain viewers. I'll get a good feel of the response of this fic and proceed from there. I'm not trying to assault anyone's delicate sensibilities and draw too much away from the story. This one is sure to be a doozy however. I'm really laying into the AU here because the LNER/mainland railway's role in the TTTE universe is a bit more ambiguous so I can play with it more as far as lore n shit.

racefangurl; I don't want to reveal too much but I've no intentions for major character deaths at this point so you may rest easy with that fact. (:

Anywhooo; Thank you all for the continued support and love! It helps me keep going and keep honing in on this AU and hopefully I'll continue to satisfy those lurking about as well. As for now, I must go.

Much love;

Bumble

Since the love that you left is all that I get; I want you to know that if I can't be close to you; I'll settle for the ghost of you; I miss you more than life; And if you can't be next to me; Your memory is ecstasy; I miss you more than life; I miss you more than life