"We can't keep allowing a little titter to hold such a position on the railway."

"We agree, but what are we to do? Once she's repaired, Scotsman won't let her out of his sight and he certainly won't let any of us near her now."

"That and my bastardous brothers are now completely against me. I can't go anywhere without one of them lurking about in my direction."

"It's best we lay low for now. Bide our time. I'll figure something out soon."

At Hatfield just outside London, Alex was seen taking a casual stroll along the stone streets. The weather was splendid, not a cloud in the sky or a chill in the air. He was dressed casual in light trousers and a white button-up. He glanced around at all the buildings with their a-lined rooftops, white walls, and earthy roof tiles then slipped his hands in his pants pockets and watched a group of teenagers rush by chasing a small stray cat. The clean sunlight made his hair appear nearly white and left his fair cheeks and hooked nose tinted with pink. He thought about Meredith who was still in the Steamworks due to her face requiring special conditions to heal properly without noticeable scarring. She had little mechanical damage overall, but her coal bunker was crushed as was her crew cab. Everything else was mostly cosmetic and was repaired in no time at all. So until she was completely cleared for duty, he and Hayden were left to their own devices. As well Alex was not charged in the death of Ellis' fireman; it was determined his actions were in defense of Hayden so he walked free. Though part of him wished he wouldn't have been let off. He felt immense guilt for his oversight so he decided the best way to distract himself was to take long walks around town. He thought about visiting Hayden, but he was still recovering from his own assault so he likely wouldn't want company. So instead, Alex started towards the town's little train station in hopes that maybe he would see a friendly engine willing to strike up a conversation. He was just that bored.

As he approached the station he flashed the ticket booth attendant his railway ID before passing through to the platform. There was a considerable crowd awaiting a local passenger train pulled by a surly B17 Alex didn't know the name of. The fireman sighed then made his way through the crowd towards the steps to the side of the station. That was when he heard a high-pitched peep of a whistle. It was Dirk and he was stopping at the station with a single flatbed of miscellaneous crates. Alex was overcome with curious excitement at the sight of the German-made engine. He had never spoken to the little fellow before and figured it was a good time to introduce himself. "Hello, little engine!"

Dirk started and his eyes shot to Alex as he approached him. It was the first he had ever heard anyone speak to him in his native tongue. "H-hello, can I help you?"

"Well it's the first I've been able to speak to you, Dirk." Alex said and he offered the nervous engine a friendly smile, which was quite a rare gift from the snarky fireman. "I'm Meredith's fireman, Alexander Hoffmann, but I prefer Alex if that's all the same with you."

"Ah, yes, I remember her telling me one of her crew was of Germany." Dirk returned Alex's smile with great enthusiasm. It was overwhelming how refreshing the conversation was. He felt back at home. "I have to say, it's nice to have met someone who speaks proper Deutsch."

"I understand that one." Alex chuckled. The two strolled together as Dirk moved off the line and onto a siding. He quickly understood why Meredith took to the little shunter so quickly. He was dashing and extremely friendly. "What brings you here and away from the steamworks?"

"We had some extra tools to donate. There's a factory just a few miles from here that needs them."

"I see… so, can you tell me how Meredith is fairing?"

"She's good. I can tell she's growing restless. I expect her release within the next few days." Dirk watched the passenger train huff by from the station in a contemptuous cloud of steam. "I don't suppose you'd stop by soon? I'm sure she would love a visit from her crew. I worry she's becoming weary of my company."

"I don't see why not." Alex said as he lit another cigarette. At that point he was leaning comfortably against Dirk's buffers. "Maybe we'll swing by sometime this evening, yes?"

"That would be great!"

The two continued to talk for another hour or so, but Dirk had to return to his place of work and Alex was famished. They exchanged a friendly goodbye and Alex started back towards town. He decided he would impose himself on Hayden. That reclusive driver has had enough time to mope on his own. So on the way to Hayden's apartment Alex stopped by a little bakery and picked up a few delicate confections. He figured it might soften the blow of his unexpected visit.

As Alex mounted the front steps of Hayden's flat he hesitated. He had never actually been inside his coworker's house before. He felt a slight flutter in his belly which made the stubborn man scowl. He hated how flustered he let himself get sometimes. It was humiliating. Deep breath, he thought to himself. It's just Hayden. As he reached to knock on the door there was a moment where he froze and could move no closer, he heard Hayden fumbling around inside, likely with a pile of books or some related nonsense. Just then a man rocketing down the street on a bicycle startled Alex and with the sudden burst of energy he gave the door a firm knock then stepped away, clutching his little box of pastries close to him. A moment that felt like a year passed before the door cracked open and Alex saw a pair of wide, dark eyes staring at him. "Oh! Hello," Hayden opened the door completely to greet his friend. His neck was yellow and purple and his voice was painfully hoarse. He had a blue robe over his striped pajamas with a worn journal held in his hand. Despite his disheveled getup his ebony hair was slicked and styled to perfection. Typical. "What's up?"

"Just thought I'd stop by, say hello," Alex said after clearing his throat. He gestured with his gaze to the white box in his hands. "I brought sweets." Hayden's face lit up and Alex did his best to not stare at his dimpled cheeks too long. "So… uhh- may I?"

"Oh, yes! Of course!" Hayden gestured into his entryway and Alex stepped inside. His walls were littered with childhood photographs, maps, and random nonsensical artwork. There was a small table beside the door with an empty flower vase and a tiny porcelain dish which contained Hayden's key ring. The wood floors creaked as they ventured into his sitting room where a small television sat at the focal point with a matching set of floral armchairs and a loveseat tucked between them. It was cozy and vintage, much like Hayden. An old soul trapped in a young man's body. At least the flat smelled of bread and coffee rather than mothballs. Hayden grabbed the box of treats from Alex and set them on the coffee table before straightening back up. "Would you like some tea?" Alex nodded and the driver scurried into his kitchen of course Alex followed. He watched Hayden dig around in his cabinets for a moment before he pulled out a box then turned to give his friend a smile. "I've been saving this for whenever you felt the urge to finally visit. You know I'm not a tea drinker myself but-" he opened the box and pulled out a beautiful ceramic teapot decorated in intricate florals and lacework. "I picked this up because I know you are."

Alex crossed his arms and smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Cost me nearly a whole paycheck but when it's not in use it will make for a fantastic centerpiece for my table." Hayden clicked on his stovetop and went to fill another pot with water. "I'll be honest, I've had it for a while. I just… well I just wanted to open it whenever you were here."

Alex stood quietly at the kitchen door while Hayden returned to perusing his cabinets for tea bags. He was there to talk about visiting Meredith later, but suddenly he didn't want to talk about her. He was content just watching the driver stumble around his little kitchen. Hayden soon sat at his small dining table while he waited for the water to boil. He flipped through his journal and Alex sat across from him. "What's that?"

"Notes," he said. He picked a pen from a small cup on the table and began scrawling furiously.

"Notes?"

"Yes, more or less it's a journal of daily happenings." Hayden began to chew his pen in thought. "It kinda helps me keep my head on straight. Of all my years working with steam engines I've never… never experienced this shit. And I've worked this railway before! I literally drove Flying Scotsman for two years before moving to Sodor. Sure the engines were a bit raunchy but there weren't turf wars. Engines weren't being mauled by other engines simply for sleeping around!" He dropped his head onto the table with a frustrated breath out. "We killed a man, Alex…"

"I killed a man," Alex corrected sternly. "Trying to save you. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Hayden lifted his head slightly. "So there's no reason to keep fretting over it." Alex looked away from the driver. He felt his face growing hot but before Hayden could speak the kettle on the stove began to whistle to life from the hot steam. Hayden pushed himself up, grabbing his new teapot and tossing in a tea bag before he added the hot water. He then pulled out two white cups from the cupboards and took them to the sitting room along with the tea pot. When Alex didn't follow he popped his head back into the kitchen. "You coming?"

"Oh, yeah, right." The fireman swallowed nervously then followed Hayden back into the sitting room. He sat on the loveseat beside Hayden and after pouring the tea, the driver started back in on his journal. Alex sat quietly and listened. After a while he had completely forgotten to discuss a visit to the Steamworks to see Meredith.

Fortunately for Meredith, her long bout of loneliness was coming to an end. Flying Scotsman had just rolled into the eerily quiet Steamworks. He could see Dirk shuffling around some tools towards the back beside the only private medical bay closed off from the rest of the building. He continued forward, careful to avoid the scattered workmen using their free time to mingle with one another. As he approached the closed door he searched around for a way to open the lock. That was when Dirk took notice of the big engine. "Would you like me to get that for you?"

"Please." Scotsman watched the little engine scoot towards the back wall where he gave a single small button a delicate tap with his buffers and with a few scattered clicks and metal groans the door opened revealing a peacefully sleeping Meredith. She looked perfect aside from the ghastly scar under her eye. Flying Scotsman hasn't visited her since the incident and he felt tremendous guilt. He spent the days of her absence working with the A4 brothers he trusted to work out some sort of rotar. Specifically who would guard her and when.

He inched closer then gave her a gentle peck on her forehead. She groaned and pried her eyes open. "About time you came to see me." She teased with a sleepy smile.

"I'm sorry, I was a bit… distracted."

"With other engines?" Meredith said with a sideways glance to an eavesdropping Dirk. The little engine quickly scuttled away.

Scotsman winced. "You found out about that?"

She laughed. "He may have let it slip." She was surprised at the shame that unexpectedly washed over his face. "Hey, it's okay. Yeah… it hurt a little when I found out but we're not really an item so…"

"I suppose."

"I did want to talk to you about that, actually." Meredith started with a careful breath out. Her face still stung whenever she moved it too much. "What exactly do you want from me? Do you want a relationship? Or is this just for fun? You confess your feelings for me but never fully laid out your intentions."

The big engine swallowed and glanced around. The Steamworks was still a ghost town. "I'm not sure… I've never been serious with another engine, well- aside from Ellis..."

"I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you couldn't stay loyal."

"…yes."

"And I'm different how? Because up until Dirk I've not heard of you running around."

"I don't have an answer."

Meredith didn't speak as she averted her gaze from him. Was she crazy? Did Gordon mean nothing to her all of a sudden? But at the same time would she ever be able to be with him again? They weren't together anymore, so why was she suddenly overcome with intense remorse over her desire to be with his brother? Assuming it would even last. Scotsman clearly cared about her more than any other, but in the end he still couldn't fight his promiscuous nature. She laughed. She demanded loyalty from Scotsman when she herself couldn't give that to Gordon who deserved it more than his younger sibling ever would.

"What?"

"Nothing." Meredith said with a smile. "I just… I don't know…"

Flying Scotsman took a moment to look her over. His boiler bubbled nervously. He had fought so long to make the little engine his and now she was there and wanted him exclusively. It was almost too much for him to process. "So… what do you want?"

"I want what no one else had," Meredith said quietly. "Your loyalty."

Flying Scotsman said nothing. Instead he pressed his lips to Meredith's in a gentle kiss. She pushed back with excitement but before they could completely melt, he pulled away, leaving Meredith to pout. "I'll see you later… my love." Then he reversed out of her private bay, out of the steamworks, and back into the fading sunlight.

Hayden and Alex were proper drunk by the time midnight hit Hatfield. They had broke into Hayden's untapped liquor stores and completely indulged. Alex was slumped against the wall, his cheeks bright and warm. He watched Hayden fiddle with a half-empty bottle of brandy, nearly spilling it all over himself and his couch. "Stupid shit…" he grumbled. "You know, I'm sick of this fucken place, Alex. So- sick! The engines are horrid! The weather sucks, I just wanna go back to Sodor."

Alex gave a half-hearted grunt of agreement as he stared down his empty glass. He straightened up, the movement was slow as if his entire body were being held down by bags of sand. "Too bad Sir Topham doesn't want Meredith."

"Yeah…" Hayden sighed. He shook the bottle. "You wanna know something weird?"

"Sure?"

"Meredith is the only female tank engine on the railway." Hayden dropped the bottle. Luckily his rug prevented the glass from shattering all over the place. He grabbed another journal from its spot on the coffee table and fingered through its penciled contents. "I'm sure we've not seen the entire roster of tank engines, but I've noted every one we've come across. No others are female."

"That's… bizarre." Alex had scooted himself to the coffee table. He kept rubbing his face as if that would somehow sober him up. "Maybe it's just a coincidence."

"Maybe… but isn't it odd how quickly Ellis attacked Meredith? Absolutely no hesitation, and she clearly has it out for smaller engines."

"What? You think she killed all the other females?"

"Not Ellis exclusively, but… big engines." Hayden made a wide gesture with his hands. His robe from earlier had been removed as well as his shirt. He was sweaty, an unfortunate side-effect of the alcohol. "I bet the big engines killed them… maybe accidentally or on purpose or both."

"So why would Dr. Hart buy Meredith if he knew it was unsafe for her?" Alex was dug in by then. Hayden may have been drunker than a sailor but he was making sense.

Hayden shrugged and slumped back on the couch. "That part I've not figured out yet. Maybe Scot talked him into it."

Alex laughed as he poured himself another drink. Then he stopped. He knew Hayden was just running his mouth but again, it made sense. He started to address his friend again but when he looked back at Hayden the driver was snoring profusely.

Evening, all! My chapters may take a little more time as I'm trying to make them longer, but I hope y'all can forgive me. Lol. The COVID has officially left my system so I feel worlds better. I'm excited to keep writing now that I've my energy back.

PawsForEffect; I'm glad you've enjoyed! I hope I continue to impress. It's fun writing these characters in a darker context. The potential for it has been there and since no one really decided to take on the task I figured I'd give it a whirl and here we are. Lol

Yes, I've noticed the fandom tends to stay away from the 'raunchy' content unless it's humanized which is fine. I don't mind being the odd man out. Lmao. I'm glad you don't mind it.

As far as writing in diesel characters I can't say for sure. I don't see it happening yet but it might, I'll just have to see where my writing takes me.

But anyway, if y'all have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask! I'll be glad to answer them! If I missed anything just let me know. I'll see y'all in the next one!

Much love;

Bumble