Winter had finally come to the mainland. London was blanketed in a beautiful duvet of shimmering snow; young children frolicked in their coats and gloves as they took turns sledding down open hills and starting snowball fights in nearby fields. The locomotives of LNER, however, we're not so receptive of their new wintery landscape. Quicksilver was seen begrudgingly adorning a snow plow before his morning passenger run along with Kestrel who was already properly equipped and ready to go. He appeared less put off by his new digs, though he inched from his shed with a heavy air of apprehension. "Ugh, why must we continue to work in such conditions?"

Quicksilver cut his eyes then watched his driver finish tightening the last of his plow's bolts. "The humans still need to be delivered to their stations, you sod. You can't expect such delicate creatures to traverse this terrain on their own." Just then a pack of small children tumbled by the engines as they aggressively pelted each other with snow and erupted in a chorus of excited giggles. "Well… not all of them at least."

"Children are a different breed," Kestrel said. He watched a bright eyed boy rip a large icicle from the side of his shed and begin chasing a much leaner boy with it. He cringed. "Little savages they are."

"Ah, yes, but there's no denying a child's resilience." Quicksilver checked there were no lingering littles before he puffed from his own shed. "Just imagine the railways if they were full of wee engines like that."

Kestrel curled his lip in disgust. "I'd prefer not to. Last thing I want is to constantly need to check the rails for someone's wandering offspring." Baby engines exist, indeed, though they are few and far between and almost always an accident. Most, if not all, railway controllers simply prefer the easier and cleaner method of building every engine by hand. Surprisingly, the process of building engines was easier and much, much cheaper.

Kestrel was certainly not the patronly type, but neither was Quicksilver, he just had a certain appreciation for the smaller life-forms that crossed his path. More or less he was fascinated by them. Of course the former loved to tease his older brother about it any chance he could. "Well if you think they're so great why don't you have one, Hm?"

Quicksilver rolled his eyes again, a gesture often made by the astute engine, particularly when around his younger, dumber siblings. "I don't want a child, Kestrel, and you know this."

"Perhaps," the green A4 replied with a smug grin. The two were just coming up to the mainline towards London when the signal turned red.

"Express coming through!" Meredith called playfully as she whizzed by while shunting Mallard's coaches. "Hi, Q! Hi, Kestrel!"

The two streamlined locomotives exchanged a bemused glance, chuckled, and watched the excitable little engine disappear over the hill. Their signal clicked to green once again and they continued their casual drive to Kings Cross. Kestrel could only keep silent for so long before he once again began talking Quicksilver's metaphorical ears off about a whole lot of stuff and nonsense. Quicksilver kept mostly muted, occasionally offering up a quick 'Mhm' or 'I see' just to make it seem as if he was listening. He wasn't. But he was a polite sort and at least put in the effort to fake his attention.

As they both pulled into the large station, Mallard was already there waiting for his first load of passengers to finish boarding. He gave his brothers a stiff nod hello though he didn't speak. His siblings remained reticent as well, until Kestrel, once again, had to flap his gums. "Have you seen Spencer recently, Mallard? Even in this weather I don't imagine the Duke and Duchess holding themselves up completely."

Mallard shrugged. "How should I know? I'm not that twit's keeper."

"I believe he's taken the Boxford's to Liverpool to visit family for the weekend." Meredith chimed in. She had shunted Kestrel his coaches and was just being uncoupled when she caught the tail-end of their brief conversation.

Mallard snorted. "Of course you know where he is."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Meredith hissed. She pulled onto the empty track beside the tactless blue A4. Normally she wouldn't allow herself to be so close to him, but with Quicksilver and Kestrel close at hand, she felt safe.

"I think you know exactly what that means." Mallard growled back. He locked eyes with Meredith and she returned his glower with fervor.

"Mallard," Quicksilver's calm voice broke the two's deadly stare down and the engine in question glanced at his brother. The silver locomotive raised his brow, quietly warning his hotheaded brother to stand down or else. Mallard had a sudden flashback to his brutal mauling at the hands of his stuck-up sibling and relented, but he continued to curse quietly to himself. Meredith flicked her attention to Quicksilver and he merely provided a reassuring smile.

Kestrel, being only slightly less dense than Spencer, was mentally absent from the whole exchange. He was distracted by a tiny baby swinging it's stubby arms around while his mother balanced him on her hip. The little creature grinned and giggled at the engine and Kestrel tilted his body similar to how a dog tilts its head when faced with a curious new noise. He had never heard a baby laugh before. It was a purely joyous sound yet also extremely grating. The baby began to reach and grab in Kestrel's direction and he recoiled, accidentally bumping Quicksilver with the sudden motion.

"Easy you!" He snapped, shoving his brother off his boiler. "It's not gonna hurt you."

Meredith giggled. "It's only a baby." Mallard had departed the terminal, but none of them took note of his absence.

"Why is it grabbing at me?" Kestrel tried not to appear disgusted, the mother was now watching him and he didn't want to offend her.

"Maybe the baby wants to touch you." Meredith said. "Maybe let him pet your face. My driver says our faces are soft— like satin, he says."

"Uh— I don't know…" Kestrel eyed the bug-eyed baby nervously. He was kinda cute in an extremely ugly sort of way. He continued to grapple at the air with his fat fingers. The mother then grabbed his arms, quietly telling him no. The baby's eyes welled, his bottom lip slipping in a messy pout. Kestrel cracked. "Oh… alright." He lowered himself closer to the platform with a small gesture to the mother to bring her child to him. She beamed at the engine and skipped closer, her heels making a pleasing clack on the concrete. She held her baby to him and the little thing didn't hesitate to grab the engine's cheek and hold fast. Kestrel tried his best not to move, but the child's enthusiasm was startling. He felt so warm and had a fresh clean smell that the engine never experienced. It was… not bad. After a minute of complete silence the mother peeled her baby from Kestrel, offered the engine a quick bow of thanks, then hurried back to his coaches that were brought by a diesel only moments before.

Quicksilver smirked. "Maybe you're the one who needs children, Kestrel." Meredith laughed. Kestrel glared.

"Go fuck yourself."

The engines of the mainland weren't the only ones working in the snow, Sodor too was a peaceful winter wonderland. Emerson was seen racing along the coastline with his coaches full of holiday-makers there to see the island's beautiful icy scenery. Lately he had found himself thinking an awful lot of Meredith. He knew of Gordon's visit to the mainland but only after the fact. He was disappointed, he would've had his blue counterpart send her his regards had he known beforehand. Emerson wondered how she was, but he had been so preoccupied with Ryan he hardly had a moment to miss her. Up until then at least. She was the first on the island to show him kindness and despite what many engines may think of her, Emerson considered Meredith his best friend.

Unexpectedly, the big engine had to brake. Well, it should have been expected, it was his next stop, but he was so busy daydreaming he didn't notice Arlesburgh Junction sneak up on him. Luckily his driver was paying attention and threw on the emergency brake and Emerson was able to stop right at the platform. Though his passengers were jostled and tossed in the process. He apologized profusely to his passengers as they stumbled from his coaches. Then he heard the familiar cackles of the miniature engines. Emerson's face ran red hot.

"I say, Emerson, you sure you know how to drive?" Rex teased from the top of the ballast ramp. "You seem a bit distracted."

"Get in a hot and heavy quickie before your passenger run today?" Burt teased as he arrived at his own platform with his carriages.

"Nothing quite a morning bop before work, eh?" Mike added. He was pulling empty cars and stopped beside Burt.

Emerson's blushing intensified. He hadn't actually had a lay with Ryan in a bit, his mind just wasn't where it needed to be. He forced a small chuckle. "I wish that's what was distracting me."

"Then what's the problem, big guy?" Rex inquired.

Emerson sighed. All the little engines watched him with bated breath. He really didn't wish to delve too deep on his personal feelings. "It's… complicated."

"Ugh," Mike groaned. "You're no fun sometimes, Em."

The express engine gave an apologetic smile then departed the platform quickly. He didn't like these new feelings rattling around in his smokebox. He knew he needed to shake them before they caused anymore discourse with himself or anyone else.

At the London terminal, Hayden sat with Alex. Meredith was busy with Flying Scotsman so the two took shelter at the station while Scotsman's crew napped in a far off corner. Hayden used the cold weather as an excuse to sit as close as possible to Alex who forced his own nonchalantness. Meredith's fireman puffed on a cigarette while he watched Hayden skim through his journal. They were both bundled in heavy overcoats and winter hats, but the sharp air still managed to cut through to their bones. Alex did his best not to shiver, but a few hard shudders escaped. Hayden glanced around then scooted his chair until he was pressed right to Alex and wrapped his arm around his back.

"What are you doing?" Alex whispered. His mind and heart were racing.

"You're cold, so am I." Hayden said matter-of-factly. "Just trying to be efficient."

"Right…"

A moment later Quicksilver rolled into the terminal covered in snow and ice. He gave his boiler a powerful shake, ridding his footplates of the slush that had accumulated. Hayden stared at the stoic engine then stood up, approaching him carefully. "Say, uh— Quicksilver, do you have a moment?"

"Depends." The silver A4's eyes locked onto Hayden as he drew closer. "What is it you need?"

"Well I've never properly introduced myself," Meredith's driver cleared his throat. The larger locomotives were certainly intimidating and while Quicksilver was without a doubt the most level-headed of the express engines, he carried with him an air of dominance that rivaled Flying Scotsman's. "I'm Hayden Jameson, Meredith's driver. I— uh, well I had a question regarding her, actually."

Quicksilver's gaze never softened. As the sun creeped further into the sky it reflected off his eyes and Hayden caught a glimpse of their deep amber shade. "What of Meredith?"

"Well I was wondering if maybe, perhaps, you could explain why she's the only female tank engine I've seen. I keep telling myself that it's an oversight on my part or just a complete coincidence, but I just can't shake this feeling that it's… not."

The express engine craned his body as he scanned the terminal for any listening ears other than the passengers. Then he returned his attention to Hayden. "Follow me." Is all he said before uncoupling himself from his coaches and rolling out of the station. Hayden glanced back to Alex and he just shrugged so Hayden followed the large locomotive out onto the track.

Quicksilver allowed the driver to climb up on his footboards and stand close to his smokebox as he drove along a side line. The driver was appreciative of the gesture as the engine was very warm, he hardly felt the cold standing in such proximity to the metal beast. "I want to preface my answer to your question with this: Meredith is completely safe so long as Flying Scotsman and myself and my two sensible brothers are around. So do not fret over her well-being. I'm merely telling you this because you're much more observant than most in your position and I know you care deeply for her." Hayden nodded, Quicksilver couldn't see him, but he felt the small movement and continued speaking as he coasted carefully down the line. "The lack of female tank engines is intentional. Because of Mallard. He has a twisted need for dominance and in turn takes his desires out on the littlest engines. Dr. Hart had ignored the complaints of the tank engines up until he killed one for not folding under his pressures. But instead of scrapping or selling Mallard, Dr. Hart sent away all the female tank engines. Of course he still keeps himself busy with the larger ladies, but they can hold their own against him should he try to be foolish."

"Then why did he buy Meredith?"

"I can't say for certain, but I'm sure Scot has something to do with that." They stopped at a signal, the engine sighed. "Meredith is very, very fortunate to have such favor with my cousin. It likely saved her life."

Hayden slid down onto the footboards with his back against the engine. He felt so lost. Like the snowflakes floating in the breeze, he had no control over the path he was traversing and wished there was some way to throw on the brakes. If even for a second. "I worry about her."

"Judging by the way your muscles tensed I'm assuming you'd like some advice?" Hayden nodded. "I'm certainly no expert in the affairs of other engines, but I can reassure you that the incident with Ellis and the twins will not happen again."

"But Mallard?"

"Pardon my language— Mallard is a dumb cunt, though he possesses enough sense to understand when he's outgunned. If he slips up again there will be no mercy."

Hayden breathed out slowly and watched his breath billow like Mallard's own steam. "I miss Sodor. Way less… drama."

Quicksilver snickered. "Yes, that's the fortunate part of working a railway with majority small engines. There's no one fighting for their place at the top. There was just Meredith's former lover, yes?"

"Yeah for a while," the frustrated driver dropped his face in his hands with a dramatic sigh. "God I miss Gordon. Things were great with him, no one was dying, Meredith was happy—"

"Was she happy though?"

Hayden stopped, looked up at the big engine, he stopped moving too. "What do you mean? Of course she was happy."

Quicksilver shrugged, though he was mindful of the human perched upon his fender. "Engines don't chase after another if they're happy with their partner." He could feel the human's eyes burning through him.

"But with Gordon she was loyal, she acted like she had some sense."

"I'm not going to put my wheels where they don't belong, Hayden, but Meredith and Scot are more alike than you realize and from what she's told me, yes, this—- Gordon fellow cared a lot for her, but he expected her to change who she is." Hayden was still. He had never thought about it that way. There was no denying the Sudrian express engine loved Meredith, but he hurt her several times. Granted she did the same to him, but their expectations for each other were completely different. He wanted unwavering loyalty from her but… she wasn't able to give it. Not out of spite or malice, it's just who she was. Maybe the only reason she expected that out of Flying Scotsman was because Gordon pounded it into her head that undying devotion was the end-all-be-all of a relationship. Afterall, she did fall in love with Scotsman knowing of his promiscuity. He slouched against the engine once more, the cold was becoming more biting as a winter storm approached. Quicksilver had already turned around and was en route back to the terminal.

"How are you so damn smart but your brothers are so—"

"Stupid? Simple; I don't think with my undercarriage."

Hayden let out a breath of a laugh. He really liked this engine. Why couldn't Meredith chase after him? He certainly was handsome enough and he wasn't a complete buffoon either. "So you don't like sex, hm?"

"Well I never said that." Quicksilver laughed. "I'm just not one to chase after every pretty boiler who crosses my tracks. Besides, I prefer solitude."

"I'm just sayin', Meredith is quite a catch and I know she really fancies you."

"Thanks, but I've no desire to become the railway's latest casualty."

"I dunno," Hayden said nonchalantly. "You seem like you could hold your own against ole Scotsman."

There was another chuckle. "Perhaps," as they were arriving back at the terminal, Quicksilver caught sight of Flying Scotsman and Meredith talking casually on the other platforms. His cousin glanced over and the silver A4 nodded hello. "But I'd rather not chance it all the same." He watched Hayden carefully climb down from his front buffers and while he was being helped onto the platform by Alex there was a whistle. One Quicksilver had never heard before. He darted his gaze over to Scotsman who was visibly furious. Then another engine came to a careful stop beside Quicksilver.

"What are you doing here?!" Scotsman pinned Gordon down at a secluded siding near Hatfield. It felt like a flash from when he pulled into Kings Cross to when Scotsman dragged his older brother to where they were now.

"I told you, I work here now." Gordon grinned. His brother pushed harder against his buffers and the Sudrian engine winced as pain shot through his front fender.

"How?!" Scotsman kept his voice low. "Your controller loves you! There's no way you convinced him to sell you."

"Oh I didn't." Gordon's voice was confident yet it strained hard against his younger brother's brute strength. "The great thing about humans is they'll do almost anything for the right price."

"So why?"

"You clearly need some help wrangling your subordinates."

Scotsman eased up. That was not the answer he was anticipating. "I do not."

"Really?"

The green A3 studied his brother. He was stern and never once let his gaze drift. "So…you're not here for Meredith?" He started to back away.

Gordon took a deep breath. "No— I'm not. Not in that context." Flying Scotsman inched further away. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. "If she wants to be with you there's nothing I can do to stop that, but I'm not gonna stand idly by without knowing she's safe."

Scotsman took a moment to consider his brother's words. He trusted Gordon was being forthright with him, but he was still hesitant. He knew how deep his sibling's love for Meredith ran. After a moment of pondering, he adorned a stern countenance. "Fine, but you're on my railway now, Gordon. You do as I say, understood?" Gordon nodded curtly. Scotsman began to reverse, but he had one more thing he needed to make crystal clear.

"Meredith is mine."

Okay, so I realize there's a lot happening now and I apologize that this is only the beginning of this roller coaster so bear with me. I'll do my best to make updates quick so shit doesn't go unresolved for too long. Lol.

Pretty Katydid; first of all; I'm curious of what line of work you're in to be stuck on a 24 hour shift. I myself am a 911 dispatcher and while I've never worked a 24 (thank God) I know they're certainly possible, especially when the weather takes a turn as it has for so much of North America.

Also; yes there is a bit of flirting going on between Hayden and Alex, while they're not necessarily the focus of the story I do like to sometimes pepper in the humans' lives just to mix things up a bit. I do enjoy a good human-engine dynamic myself. That's one thing I enjoy about TTTE is that it's not exclusively a world of locomotives and transportation vehicles, humans still exist and they interact with each other. I just wish they were a little more ambitious with the characters' relationships with humans. Unfortunately they were mostly static, not very complicated. It is a kids show however so I can't complain too much.

Yeah... with the way I'm writing the LNER controller he ain't gonna do shit about that lot unless they seriously fuck up. He's obviously very uninvolved unless his engines start killing each other or tarnishing his railway's reputation with the greater public.

About Quicksilver... I find myself growing more and more fond of him as I write and now I'm over here pulling my hair wanting something to happen with him and Meredith but I just cannot do that because it would not make any fucking sense with the way this is going but ARGH. Why'd I have to make him so devilishly mysterious. Like he doesn't care about sex but I imagine he's really ~spicy~ if one could manage to pull that side of him out. Ugh. *flips desk* these are the battles I fight on the daily. I might just have to crank out a fic of nothing but sexy bullshit to help stave off these demons that try to contaminate my ability to write a cohesive plot.

Well... anyway. I think that's it for my rambling... maybe. I'll see you all in the next chapter. I gotta get baptized or something.

Much love;

Bumble