A gentle breeze carried the smells of smoke and sea across the lines leading through Tidmouth. Autumn was slowly, but knowingly beginning it's descent across the Island of Sodor.

With temperatures gradually declining, passengers and tourists alike were seeking any opportunity to catch one last beach day before the seasons changed for the year.

Number 1 pulled charismatically to a halt at the platform. A sharp 'peep-peep' was sounded as passengers began to disembark for their connections. Thomas untucked his blue handkerchief from his breast pocket and pulled the cloth down his face soaking it. Even with cooler weather coming, his engine's firebox remained stoked and hot.

He leaned casually against the cab wall before pulling a Hornby magazine from his back pocket. Pages earmarked, cover ratty, this particular issue had gone through the ringer of casual flipping.

"Now boarding platform 1, now boarding platform 1." The voice over the loudspeaker droned expectantly.

Thomas yawned broadly and began rolling the magazine for further pocket storage when he heard a light 'tap tap tap' against Number 1's coal bunker. He leaned out the side of the cab, puzzled by the noise's origin when he was met face to face with a big bright smile.

Coal was strewn everywhere, soot filled the air, the dissonance of heavy curses boiled over from the cab of Number 9.

"Och aye lookit this jobby! scabby rockets, lavvy heid.." Donald stormed down the steps and went to yell at the hopper operator. Number 9's tender was so laden with coal that small mounds had formed around the wheelbase from the overflow.

"Spillin' into meh cab, righ' dobber makin' meh later than I alreadeh ahm." He kicked one of the taller mounds, sending a coal lump ricocheting off the tender back at his shin.

"OOOOOOOOHHHH" He howled. Gripping his aching leg he hopped on the other trying to distract from the raw pain of the forming welt.

"Donald what're you doin'! We should've left 15 minutes ago." Rosie called from Number 37 as she drove up on the parallel line. "Why're you pickin' fights!"

Donald grit his teeth and kicked the mound again, determined not to let it beat him.

"Go on ahea' then! It's only a small train anehwey!" He took another pointed kick at the surrounding coal before propping himself against the tender with his arm. His head resting against the cold metal as he swore again.

Rosie frowned. This couldn't keep happening if they were ever going to get their workload caught up. She tied back her hair with her burgundy handkerchief and jumped from the footplate.

"Emily! What are you doing here!?" Thomas shouted.

"Shhhhh keep your voice down would ya?" She wheezed through her grin. She pulled her sun hat low over her brow as she blocked her face from the crowds. "I'm catching the train to see me mam."

Thomas knew Emily had been ordered to take personal leave since the accident, but didn't expect her to still be using the railway, much less as a passenger.

"You better board then, the guards are doing final checks." Thomas peered over her head to watch as compartments were being shut to prepare for departure.

"Actually Thomas I have a favor to ask." Emily looked down sheepishly as she inched closer to the cab door. "Would you mind terribly if I rode with you? I miss being on an engine." She bit the tip of her tongue nervously.

Thomas grinned and scouted the platform left and right before ushering her in. "Quick quick!" He closed the cab door behind and Emily latched her hat on the hook below the back window.

"Ooh Thomas I owe ya one! I'm all a chitter!" She planted herself at Number 1's controls and looked expectantly over her shoulder for the guard's whistle

"Woah there! I said you could ride with me, not drive FOR me!" Thomas laughed as he folded his arms. "You're supposed to be on leave."

Emily brutishly scrunched her face. "Aye, forced to take it easy so I won't exacerbate my pitiful disposition." She pointed to her open mouth and made a gag. Thomas quickly covered his mouth as he laughed loudly.

"Please Thomas just let me. I promise you can take over at the next station."

Thomas saw the pleading desire in his friend's eyes.

"Well how can I say no to that?"

The guard's whistle sounded, and with a plastered smile Emily faced the helm once more.

Rosie rolled up the sleeves of her boiler suit and kicked a mound of burying coal next to Donald.

"Noo whatcha doin' then!" He exclaimed as she demolished the mini mountain.

"I'm workin' out some stress." She retorted as she let rip another raging pelt.

"You coul' play fer St. Johnstone with a foot like tha'" Donald's eyes were large and alert. "If'n ya need to talk Rose I'm here for ya."

Rosie laughed to herself when, all of a sudden, she had an idea. She faced the man, and looking him dead in the eye, hoped she could make him understand.

"Sometimes you can't talk about things. Things get overwhelming or you can't find the words. The world isn't fair. But we can at least beat the hell out of it." She stood her ground daring the twin to action.

Donald gaped. The wheels began turning in his mind as he realized what she was getting at. It wasn't fair Douglas had been in the accident. It wasn't fair he had been the one injured when he, Donald, could have taken lead like he always did. He'd been told over and over that, "It's okay. Things will be fine. It's not that bad." What did they know? Was their brother laid up in some stuffy hospital room too weak to reach for his bedside remote?

He felt the sting of tears as he smiled devilishly back at Rosie.

"Aye, who needs words. I've got size elevens tha' are reinforced wit' a steel toe." And he let loose an empowered strike to another stack of coal.

"We'll be late today. Late today for sure." Rosie thought. "But tomorrow we'll start over on better ground." She had a suspicion this is what Donald needed, and he was grateful she let him.

"She's a courtin' one, two, three,

Pray won't you tell me who is she?"

Thomas looked back over his shoulder as he rested casually on the frame of the cab facing the breeze. Emily had been singing since they passed through the tunnel. She had a lovely voice, but he had to tell her.

"You know those aren't the words right?" He grinned cheekily

"Aye, they're my words though." Emily shot back haughtily. She tipped her chin up in a confident sort of way.

Thomas held his tongue and continued watching the countryside pass and transition into the ravine as they crossed the viaduct.

"Thomas?.." Emily quietly spoke but continued focusing on the controls.

He redirected his head back over his shoulder. "What is it Emily?" He saw the change in her demeanor and fully turned to face her.

"I hope you know I really, really appreciate this. I've been…. Well I've been really nervous about coming back to work."

Thomas cocked his head, putting his hands in his pockets he kept his gaze.

"But Emily, you're a wonderful driver. Why wouldn't you come back?"

Emily turned away from him, willing her eyes to hold back the floods.

"I appreciate that too, I do. I'm just worried... It's silly honestly..." She was trying to find the words.

Thomas started to connect the dots.

"You're nervous about driving on your own because of the accident… right?" He put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Emily shook her head, letting her hair fall back over her shoulders as she turned back toward him, eyes slightly glassy.

"See, it's silly." She said half laughing. A pained smile trying its hardest.

"I don't think it's silly at all." Thomas shrugged. "But if you want to know how I feel, I think you should be proud of yourself."

Emily was caught off guard. She'd sat disoriented in Number 12's cab until the responders had come to take her to be examined. She wasn't proud of that at all.

"I don't think I know what you mean?"

Thomas gave a sympathetic half smile.

"You drove an engine today. You came on your own to try and drive an engine today. It may have been under the excuse of just 'catching the train,' but you took charge and succeeded. I think that's really brave."

It hadn't been Emily's intention initially. She knew the local train was Thomas' route. But she hadn't planned on pressuring him at the station. Something just ignited, and she knew if she had her friend there… it might be easier.

Emily scrunched her nose and made a face. "You're awful Thomas. Making a girl cry like this."

Thomas slapped a hand to his chest as he playfully fell against the back wall of the cab. He grabbed Emily's hat and covered his face.

"Oof. How could you. HOW could you say such a thing?" Thomas teased as he lowered the hat to show off a cheeky smile.

"Hang up my hat. Your dirty hands are getting it all grubby." She turned back to face the engine and smiled out one last tear as she began to brake for the station ahead.

Fluff! So much fluff! I'm sorry this chapter was so… gushy? I'm still figuring out personalities, but I felt comparing trauma and comfort was a nice mirror to bring Rosie back and introduce our title engine Thomas. (Also very fun to write for.)

I'm utilizing Thomas as a closer representation to the RWS series where he's mischievous, but not childish ya know? He can have fun but still retains that 'really useful' quality. Idk just giving it a whirl lol.

As usual Thank you for reading! And RaceFanGurl I agree that the Northern roots that connect the twins with Emily make for a fun interaction. I hope to get those three back together again soon =)

-REN