Several more weeks of winter had dragged on. Meredith was kept busy helping Hayden and Alex with their new housing project along with her regular shunting duties. She hardly had the energy to entertain Flying Scotsman at night and often found herself fast asleep before he would return from his evening express runs. He didn't mind. He understood she was busy, but he was feeling antsy. It was certainly a test of his loyalty, but he remained honest. Much to his chagrin. The whole relationship was new territory for him and while he did feel happy, he was worried about the temptation that surrounded him. With his brother Gordon sniffing around, Scot had the urge to essentially make his mark on all the females of the railway. Though he knew if he did that it might lead Gordon back to Meredith which was what he needed to avoid. However, Scotsman was completely unaware of Gordon's new interest. Ada, Ellis' older sister. A soft-spoken and perky engine, she was in many ways like Meredith. Playful and with an alluring fire that not even Gordon could resist. Though nothing but an occasional makeout came of their closeness as Gordon was still hesitant about being physical with another engine. It had been so long he wondered if he could even perform. That and he still greatly missed Meredith.

The little white tank engine herself had heard of Ada's attraction to her former lover and was happy to hear he was able to move on, but still… there was a pull in Meredith's boiler. The fact he had begun to move on made their separation feel final. Something she once couldn't imagine. Even with her involvement with Flying Scotsman there was still a part of her that wanted to be with Gordon. The pain of losing a first love was one she simply wasn't prepared for and one quiet evening she had forced herself to acknowledge it.

"He's moved on." Meredith whispered to Hayden. He and Alex were climbing out of her cab. "It's officially over…"

Her driver glanced to Alex. He shrugged though he too was concerned. "Don't you want him to be happy? He won't be if he doesn't let you go… and neither will you."

"I know… but—" Meredith's throat tightened. She could feel the tears fighting their way out of her eyes but she forced them back. She didn't think she would feel so much pain over Gordon. She was incredibly happy with Scot and she loved him so, but her heart ached over the end of her first love story.

Before Meredith could completely lose her composure, the doors to the shed creaked open. A swift breath of wind dried the wetness that lingered under her eyes. She watched Flying Scotsman ease towards her. He clicked his smoke shields back and out of his face. The smile he wore vanished as he laid his eyes on Meredith. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…" Meredith looked away. "Just something in my eyes."

Scotsman scooted closer to the little engine with a scrutinizing gaze. "Don't lie to me."

Meredith tried her hardest to keep herself from looking at her insistent new partner. She knew the second she did the dam would burst and she wasn't sure how he would react over her crying because of Gordon's new love. Assuming it was love and not just lust. Scotsman forced Meredith to look up with his buffers. He could tell by the glassy appearance of her eyes she was on the verge of tears. "Talk to me please. I know something is bothering you." Then her lip started to quiver. "Meredith…"

"It's stupid." She said, her voice was crackly. "I should be over it by now, but it feels like I'm suffocating."

"Why?"

"Gordon— he's found someone." Her voice was so quiet Scotsman had to strain to hear her, but once he understood he felt hot. "I don't know why I'm so upset. I just— I'm sorry."

"I know." Scot said. His boiler bubbled angrily. He was hurt that she was so torn up over Gordon apparently finding a lover, but he forced himself to take a moment to think it over. He had never been in love before Meredith. He didn't understand what kind of thoughts and emotions she was experiencing. He took a deep breath, releasing the steam that had built up while he sat. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm thinking he and I are officially done… for good." She sniffed, a few tears broke free.

Scotsman narrowed his eyes. "Were you not done already?" By then both the engines' crews had snuck out. They weren't about to stick around if the two started fighting.

Meredith breathed out slowly. "I was and I am." Saying that out loud was the final nail in the coffin. She had pushed it back for so long. "It's just… jarring."

"Should I be worried?" The green Pacific couldn't help but feel slightly troubled over Meredith's emotional state. He wanted her to be happy, but he also wanted her to be happy with him.

Meredith's response was to push her lips to Scotsman's. He held back, but only for a moment before he allowed himself to fade into her. He groaned, his undercarriage tingled. He could tell by the way Meredith was nibbling on his lips and going after his tongue she was going to let him slide in. A smile creeped its way across his face as their impassioned makeout continued. With Gordon wholly out of the picture, he could rest easy. Meredith wouldn't be going anywhere. With a quick chuckle, Scot pushed Meredith into the buffer stops. He intended to make her forget all the feelings she had for his brother and for the rest of that night she did.

Morning sunlight crept across Sodor. Thomas was up and about at the crack of dawn that morning as Emerson had to pull an early express. With Gordon being sold to LNER, the job of pulling the Wild Nor-Westrn was passed on to the maroon Pacific. He wasn't eager to take Gordon's place, he felt it wrong, but the job needed to be done and he wasn't going to leave Gordon's passengers without transportation.

Emerson had nestled into Platform 1 at Knapford station with a yawn. He shook the morning condensation from his boiler then clicked his smoke shields forward. Thomas had just pulled up with the express and gave the big engine a friendly peep hello. "Good morning, Emerson!"

"Ah, uhh, morning, Thomas." Emerson forced a smile. He was feeling out of sorts. So much was changing on the North Western Railway. Meredith was gone, Gordon was gone, Sir Topham had purchased Sam from his railway in America and he and Rebecca were an item, and just last night he and Ryan had a fight that ended in the dismissal of their semi-relationship. Emerson, needless to say, was unhappy.

"Are you alright?" Thomas chuffed onto the track beside the big engine. He had his usual childish curiosity about him.

"Sure, yeah, I'm fine." Emerson didn't really care to try and be genuine, but he also didn't wish to discuss his feelings. Especially not with Thomas. "Thank you for my coaches, but I'd really like to be alone now."

"Oh— of course. I'll be in the yard if you need me." Thomas furrowed his brow at the big engine before he rolled over into the yard. Emerson let out a breath of relief. He could hear the passengers beginning to fill the station; his guard unlocked all the coaches and soon they were filled with travelers. Then Sir Topham Hatt had stepped out of his office with a piping cup of tea.

"Ah, good morning, Emerson!" The controller exclaimed. He sauntered over to his engine with his free hand behind his back. "I was wondering if you might do me a favor?"

"Of course, sir."

"I've a goods train that needs to go to Cambridge tonight. Henry already has a late delivery and Sam is busy with construction. You'll have to bunk overnight in London." Sir Topham rocked on his heels before taking another sip of his tea. "I can tell you've been down recently so I thought maybe you could use a change of scenery."

Emerson considered his controller's proposal. Immediately his face lit up. Maybe he would be able to see Meredith. He gave Sir Topham an enthusiastic nod. "I'd love to, sir!"

"Great! The train will be ready for you to pick up at three in Vicarstown." He turned around to walk back to his office then stopped to give Emerson one final thought. "Please do well to stay out of trouble."

"Yes, sir. Of course, sir." Emerson said quickly. He then laid on his whistle and departed the station with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

The rest of Emerson's day dragged on as if someone had tied heavy sacks of rocks to the imaginary hand of time. He ran back and forth on the mainline delivering passengers as normal, but all he could focus on was his impending trip to the mainland. He was excited at the possibility of seeing Meredith as well as Gordon. He knew the latter was likely relishing in being reunited with his love. Hopefully Gordon would let Emerson have a moment to catch up with his friend before stealing her away to a private shed. He laughed. That lucky son-of-a-bitch.

When three o'clock rolled around, Emerson was already at Vicarstown. He nearly flew off the rails driving there; he was more than ready to make his delivery. He was coupled up at the station and promptly sent on his way and as he crossed over the rolling bridge and onto the mainland he smiled wider than he had in a long time. The air felt fresher, the rails smoother, he flew down the line as if he didn't have a long caravan of cars trailing behind. His wheels powered on and as he reached London he rolled through the station. He caught glimpse of a couple larger engines that looked a lot like Spencer, though their colors were different. Then as he veered off towards Cambridge he heard Flying Scotsman's whistle further on the mainline and he spotted Gordon's famous brother coming into the station he had just passed through. "How many express engines does one railway need?" Emerson mumbled to himself.

The Sudrian engine made his delivery to Cambridge and the sky was already dark and starry by the time he was released. Sir Topham said he would be staying in London that night so he meandered back towards the mainline. There he ran into Meredith. She didn't notice him at first but once he blew his whistle she squealed with delight. "Emerson! Oh my god! What're you doing here?" She hollered as she screeched to a halt on the line where her friend pulled up beside her. She didn't hesitate to rub up against him and of course Emerson's body heated up with arousal.

"I had a delivery to make. Sir Topham said to stay in London tonight. Would you know somewhere I can sleep?" Emerson did his best to ignore the hot feeling in his undercarriage, but she looked especially delectable in the cool moonlight.

"Of course," Meredith cooed. She gave him a friendly bump before starting down a separate siding. "If you would follow me, please."

Meredith led Emerson down towards the area where Flying Scotsman's shed sat. There was another shed on the other side of the yard that was hardly ever used as no one wanted to impede on the dominant engine's privacy. Scotsman himself didn't care if anyone slept in the spare shed. He would have his fun regardless of the presence of neighbors.

The little engine showed Emerson to the shed with an enthusiastic gesture and watched as he settled into the berth. The two engines exchanged smiles then Emerson spoke. "So, how's things now that Gordon's here? Much better I assume. I know he missed you tremendously." Meredith's smile dropped abruptly. Emerson was confused. "What?"

"Gordon and I aren't together anymore." Meredith said plainly.

"Why?"

"We grew apart." Meredith was incredibly happy to see Emerson, but she really wished he had picked another topic of conversation. "But it's okay. We're still friends."

"Well, well, well, what's this? Another engine from Sodor?" The two friends stopped to look at Flying Scotsman as he slowed to a stop beside Meredith. "Emerson was it?"

"Yes." Emerson narrowed his eyes. He saw how close Scotsman was to Meredith. "Good to see you, Flying Scotsman. It's been a while."

"Yes it has. Keeping well I hope." Scotsman grinned.

"As well as I can." Emerson was rushed with the memory of the confrontation he had with the mainland engine. How hostile he had become after discovering Emerson had coupled with Meredith. "Are you two—"

"We are." Scot said, his smirk grew. "Disappointed are we?"

"Surprised."

"Well I hope you're a heavy sleeper." Scotsman hummed. He caressed Meredith's boiler against his own with a low rumble. "This one here isn't the quietest." Meredith's face instantly heated up and she offered her friend an apologetic smile as Scot had started to force her into the shed. Emerson at that point was furious which made him feel stupidly vindictive.

"Trust me, I know she's not." The maroon Pacific said with a puff of hot steam. This comment made his green counterpart stop dead. Meredith clenched her teeth and decided she should slip into the shed and out of sight.

"What did you say?" Scotsman's voice was low and threatening. He began to inch towards Emerson.

"I said I know Meredith isn't quiet." The Sudrian engine repeated with pride. "In fact, I can still hear her calling my name as if it was only yesterday."

Scotsman was right in Emerson's face by the time he finished his sentence. He puffed a cloud of searing steam directly at the young engine. "You sure you want to do this? It's been a while since I've had a chance to send an engine to the scrap heap."

"I don't know if Meredith would appreciate that much." Emerson pushed back against Scotsman's weight. "Sometimes she's more than just a pretty engine for me to fuck, you know." Something about Flying Scotsman lit a fire under Emerson. The maroon Pacific wanted to rile him up.

Scotsman shoved Emerson into the shed and through the buffer stops. His face was red with anger. "I suggest you stop while you're still ahead. I may not kill you for Meredith's sake, but I'll certainly make you wish I had!"

"Hey!" Meredith's sharp tone ripped the two large engines from their scuffle. She had decided cowering in her shed wasn't going to help the situation. "You two knock it off! Seriously? You're acting like I'm some kind of toy you don't want to share!" Scotsman moved away from Emerson who continued to scowl at his assailant. He was overcome with a feeling of foolishness. He was so excited to see his friend but he let her new partner get to him. Was he jealous? No. Impossible.

Meredith was also furious with Emerson. "I thought you were my friend, Em? How could you talk about me like that?" She was trying her best not to cry. She had done enough of that.

"I— I don't know… I'm so sorry." Emerson bowed. "I just don't understand how you can pick him over Gordon."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Scotsman hissed. He had put himself back at Meredith's side.

"Let me put it simply for you: you're a whore— a selfish piece of shit."

"Fuck you!" Scotsman steamed forward, bashing into Emerson. Meredith cried out but there was no stopping the two, the shed collapsed around them. Luckily the commotion woke up nearby residents who were quick to contact emergency personnel as well as Dr. Hart. Meredith sat in shock for only a moment before she rushed away. She had to find help quickly and she knew the perfect engine to intervene.

"Quicksilver! Q!"

The silver streamlined engine forced his eyes open at the sound of a desperate voice calling for him. He blinked away the sleep and found Meredith speeding towards him. His boiler bubbled to life as he backed into his berth to avoid being struck by Meredith, but she still managed a forceful bump against the engine. He bashed through his own buffer stops. "Meredith!" He snarled. Luckily the noise hadn't woken either Kestrel or Gordon. "What in blazes are you doing?"

The little engine was only able to manage a few words between heavy breaths. "Scotsman— Emerson… they're fighting."

"Who?" Quicksilver had never heard of Emerson.

"My friend… from Sodor." Meredith backed away from Quicksilver, still fighting to catch her breath. "Please…"

"Take me."

Both Meredith and Quicksilver shot down the mainline back towards Scotsman's berth. They could hear the emergency sirens closing in on them as they entered the yard. They found Scotsman and Emerson locked together by the buffers as the former began to twist himself in an attempt to derail Emerson but the Sudrian engine was holding strong against his force. Quicksilver cut ahead in front of Meredith and locked his coupling chain onto Emerson's tender, ripping him from Scotsman's grasp. The maroon Pacific yelled out in shock as the silver A4 forced Emerson's tender into his cab before throwing him onto his side and off the tracks with a thunderous boom. Meredith stood by in complete disbelief at Quicksilver's speed and strength. Suddenly she understood why Scotsman favored him.

In a blink the four engines were surrounded by rescue personnel. A breakdown train was being shunted by Dirk who did his best to navigate the mangled track and clouds of dust and debris. Scotsman was loaded onto a flatbed as a crew worked to roll Emerson back onto the rails. Quicksilver's minimal damage was inspected before he was ordered to the Steamworks to be repaired. He passed by Meredith who was sitting in stunned silence. "Get some rest, dear." He said with an encouraging tap against her little cylinders. "We'll be okay." Meredith nodded, then watched the engines, workers, and ambulances carrying Emerson's crew clear the yard as quick as they arrived, leaving her alone in a daze.

Whew. I can only go so long before I have to throw in some conflict. Whoops. It's been a long time coming tho. Plus I figured it was time for Quicksilver to show off his own moves. Im still struggling keeping him and Meredith apart. One of these days I may crack. Maybe. I've not decided yet. Just know if I do it will be *fiery*. To the point I may have to include a warning at the start of the chapter. Heh.

Pretty Katydid; yes, Gordon has his new "lover" aka "rebound". Lol. I've been doing some digging on LNER locomotives to possibly introduce some more ladies and I may have a couple narrowed down. I just need to piece together their purposes, personalities, etc. you know how it is. I haven't decided if Meredith is gonna play nice-nice with Ada yet; I do think she's in desperate need of a female companion however. I'm just not sure her ex's new girl is the best for that. If anything they'll just likely be mutual acquaintances and nothing too deep.

And about Gordon not knowing the full extent of Mallard's shittiness that is very much intentional. The traumatic aspect of it kinda leaves Meredith wanting to not acknowledge it even happened and then there's the part that wants to keep Gordon from going into a blind rage. That sort of thing. Mallard is very two-faced and I was wanting to display that with his interactions with Gordon. If it's not been made apparent, larger LNER engines have very little respect for smaller tank engines which is why large females don't care if Mallard is a forceful pig to the little lasses. (I meant to address that previously but I forgot. Lol)

Also Mer is about to go through a major character shift so I just figured I'd warn y'all on that one. *evil laugh* And I'm sorry if the stuff with Mallard and Ellis is a bit weird. It was certainly weird for me to write. But yeah, Ellis is for sure the type to spank Mallard into submission. He hates it, but he's a cock and so long as he's getting his he'll take a bit of a beating for it. (Unless it's from Quicksilver or Scotsman)

Anyhow, thank y'all so much for the continued love and support! I'll see y'all in the next installment!

Much love;

Bumble