Once Diesel took the last load of stone to Brendam Docks for the Christmas season, the narrow-gauge engines, save for Rheneas- who quickly excused himself to check on Luke, who was refusing to budge from the tunnel- returned to the Depot in silence. They were too tired and too cross with each other to remember the Christmas party at Skarloey Station. Well, Duncan remembered, as he had heard he was getting a mention for his heroics in saving the others from the avalanche; but he was too hurt that his friends had mostly forgotten about this.

Rusty hadn't, and he felt very sorry for Duncan. "Hey, I know this was meant to be your big night, but we still appreciate you for not letting us freeze in there." He said sincerely. "Even if you did want to leave Sir Handel to his fate." He added teasingly, which made Duncan chuckle.

"Aye, thanks, Rusty." The Scottish engine replied, feeling a little bit better already.

…..

Rheneas eventually decided to go home too, though he didn't want to; as the situation was too awkward with three engines in a quarrel, all in the Depot at one time. But at least he still had Duncan and Rusty- and hey, perhaps things would look better in the morning.

He wished a reluctant Luke goodnight, before chuffing back to the Depot to be with the other engines.

….

The engines didn't speak to each other at all that night. Peter Sam, Sir Handel and Skarloey were still very cross with each other for the fight, and refused to talk to either each other or the other engines, and the other three were too nervous of the thick tension to diffuse the situation, so they retired early and were asleep before very long, though they were still unsettled.

Eventually, the conflicting engines dropped off too; though they were still simmering and fuming by the time Morpheus claimed them, one by one.

...

The next morning, Skarloey realised he had been too rash about Luke's discovery by Old Bailey; especially since he was a more amiable foreman than his predecessor, and therefore it would be useful to make him an ally in keeping Luke's secret. So, with remorse and logic in mind, he apologized to his two friends for his hasty reprimands of the previous day.

"I should never have shouted at you two last night -I don't know what's got into me." The oldest engine said, now feeling rather distressed at having lost his temper, which made him feel terrible. In addition, he felt that he was starting to lose control of the situation at hand; he didn't know how to deal with it, but he was reluctant to ask his friends for help- after all, asking for help in dealing with this was different in asking for help up a hill with heavy trucks.

Skarloey had to keep on top of things- he was the leader, it was his job to look after his team, and ensure they looked after each other.

"That's alright Skarloey-. I should have more careful. I'm sorry." Peter Sam said sadly. "If I had been paying attention when talking to Luke, I wouldn't have attracted Old Bailey's attention. And the excuse was pathetic, I know, but-"

"That's absolutely poppycock, and you know it, Peter Sam!" Sir Handel snorted. "I got too worked up about keeping Luke safe to think how lonely he must be. He's being kept isolated in those tunnels like a hermit!"

"I think we all have been- and still are being- too overprotective of Luke." Skarloey admitted solemnly. "We must try and never fight over this again." He concluded, and the others quickly agreed with him.

"But what do we do about Old Bailey?" Sir Handel asked worriedly. "He still knows about Luke now, or least that he's here."

"Well, we've no choice but to tell him – and Sir Handel, please don't call him Old Bailey. It's not polite." Skarloey reminded him sternly. "He's Mr. Bailey, you know that."

"It's his name though!" Sir Handel protested. "What else do I call him?"

"Sir Handel..." Peter Sam warned, shooting a glance at his older brother, who sighed and huffed and puffed at his two companions irritably.

"Oh alright- Mr. Bailey it is!" The blue engine exclaimed dramatically, causing Skarloey and Peter Sam to laugh; they all felt glad to have finally made up- and on Christmas Day, too.

"Merry Christmas, my friends." Skarloey greeted warmly, smiling at his two companions.

"Merry Christmas, Skarloey!" The two brothers said in unison, before wishing each other a Merry Christmas. The greetings were then extended to their three remaining friends, who returned the greetings; save for Duncan, who just retorted his typical 'Bah, Humbug!'

Just then, the Thin Controller came up to see them; which surprised the engines, as they expected their controller to be at home with his wife and kids just now.

"Ah, Merry Christmas, engines!" Mr. Percival greeted with a wave, blowing on his mitten-covered hands.

"Merry Christmas, sir!" the engines peeped and tooted in reply.

"I must say, I was rather worried when none of you turned up to the party at Skarloey last night," Continued the Thin Controller worriedly. "Especially since you were all excited to come- and had promised to be there on time after you finished the last load for Diesel. Is everything all right?" He asked his engines in concern, his hands clasped behind his back as he fixed a kindly gaze upon his engines.

The engines all felt terrible- and they particularly blanched when they saw the stone-faced Duncan, sitting stoically in the shed between Rheneas and Rusty.

"Oh, um, everything's fine, sir," Said Skarloey hastily. "Well, it will be once we patch things up with Duncan for missing last night, eh, boyo?" He asked the yellow engine jovially.

"I'm sure you will manage to work things out." Mr. Percival continued, supportively. "Though if you need me to mediate, I shall be happy to assist you. Now, I know its Christmas Day and you all normally get a day off, but I have a very special job for you, Skarloey and Rheneas. I have some MPs coming to visit the railway today, and I have decided to have you and your brother taking them around our railway for a tour."

"Yes sir!" Rheneas said happily. He liked working up at the quarry, but he had been yearning for a change in duties, but Skarloey was less sure about the job.

"On Christmas Day, sir?" He asked in astonishment.

"I do apologize." The Thin Controller added, sincerely, "but this was the only date available, and they wanted to come when the railway was closed."

"Ha- sucks tae be ye twa," Muttered Duncan cheekily, with a smug grin on his face.

"Well, alright then, sir." Skarloey conceded, wisely ignoring the Scottish berk on the other side of Rheneas.

"The rest of you," Continued the Thin Controller, apologetically. "have to return to the quarry to tidy up the trucks. You will one hour, and the rest of the day is yours."

Skarloey nearly burst out laughing as Duncan's face quickly fell again.

"Now, I heard that Diesel has been bullying you, and I am dreadfully sorry for having to let you go through that; but rest assured, he has been warned to behave himself or Sir Topham Hatt will have a word with him. And, I have some good news for you; Paxton has been mended and will come here at five past four approximately."

This created a buzz amongst the other engines. Their friend was coming back! Of course, the two brothers were disappointed to have to miss welcoming their friend home, but their friends promised to greet him on their behalf.

So, with that, the two engines set off for the Skarloey Railway, whilst Duncan, Peter Sam, Rusty and Sir Handel dashed off to the Quarry, eager to get their job over and done with. The reason for them working on Christmas was because they hadn't tidied up the quarry properly when they left last night.

...

But when they arrived, they found Luke outside in the snow, shunting trucks with such determined precision that they couldn't help but wonder if he shunted in secret, when the others weren't there.

"Good morning!" Owen called out cheerfully.

"Morning, Owen!" They all whistled and (honked in Rusty's case.) They all stared at Luke with amazement.

"Morning, Luke!" Rusty called out. "Have you been up long?"

Luke stopped shunting. "I've been up since the crack of dawn." He replied.

"Say, how does you fire get lit if the firelighter is at the sheds?" Sir Handel wondered.

"Oh, Mr. Wilson lights my fire. He was a firelighter for a few years when he first started working on my old railway back in Ireland." Luke replied breezily.

"Yes, but that was a long time ago." Richard added, peeking out from the cab. "Were you guys meant to be shunting those?"

"Yes…" Said Rusty, glancing at the other three engines.

"Oh, sorry!" Luke gasped in shock, but the engines were all instantly relieved.

"Huzzah, Luke's saved us all from working!" Sir Handel cheered, triumphantly. Peter Sam whooped with joy on the news.

"Wait Richard, there's two missing!" Geoffrey noted, peeking out of Luke's cab to glare at the noisy duo.

"You're right Mr. Heron- where's Rheneas and Skarloey?" The little green engine asked curiously.

"Well, they're awa' on an important job." Duncan sniffed. "Takin' important passengers roond the railway!"

"They're MPs." Added Rusty, as if it explained everything.

"That sounds... interesting," Luke replied awkwardly, who knew just as much about politics as a potato.

"Here, what were you four fighting' aboot last night anyway?" Duncan asked curiously, remembering about the night before.

Memories from the quarrel soured Luke's mood, and he suddenly gave Sir Handel and Peter Sam a funny look. It didn't show anger or despising, just a very strange sense of disapproval. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his mouth sealed shut. All hints of joy from earlier had fled his face like ghosts fleeing from a new dawn. It made Sir Handel and Peter Sam so uncomfortable, they didn't dare look at him, lest their fireboxes began squirming.

Meanwhile, Duncan and Rusty agreed to move out of harm's way – this new, unseen side of Luke had never been seen before, and it frightened them more than the scariest ghost story on Sodor.

"Are you feeling scared, Rusty?" Duncan asked his best friend casually as they reversed as far away from the dramatic scene as possible.

"Absolutely terrified. If I'd been the focus of that stare, my diesel fuel would have turned sour." Rusty replied.

"And if that had been me, my coal would crumble to pieces in my bunker." The Scottish engine answered. "That kid's got some nerve, for all the self confidence he claims to lack."

...

"Does it have to come to this?" Luke asked his friends in a voice so disapproving that even the Fat Controller couldn't do better.

"Well, we don't know." Sir Handel admitted, swallowing nervously.

"It doesn't! I understand it hasn't been easy for you all, hiding me here for months on end, but I don't want you all to fight about this, especially at this time of year," The little Irish engine continued solemnly. "You have all been the best friends I can ask for, and I feel guilt for putting you through everything, and gratitude that you're all still going strong, day after day; but teamwork and friendship are vital to me being able to stay here and keep you guys all together as a family.

"I'm not asking to bottle up your feelings, but please, just try and stop arguing over my welfare. I don't like seeing friendships ripped apart, and being a part of that even less."

Tears of sorrow and guilt rose in the young engine's eyes. His stern gaze melted, and he found himself shaking over what had happened the night before. His friends fighting over his welfare was bad enough, but he had been terrified by Skarloey's shouting. Not just because it had been loud and out of character of him, but Luke could tell that his friend was scared; and he wouldn't be surprised if this change in the old engine's character affected the others too.

"You know, you're right." Sir Handel agreed. "We did resort to that last night, and it wasn't fair. We're really very sorry Luke."

"Yes, we're sincerely sorry." Peter Sam added, guiltily. "We didn't mean to upset you last night; we just panicked because Mr. Bailey saw you and we hadn't intended for him to find you, because he could say something to Mr. Percival. But that was no excuse for how we acted."

"Can you ever forgive us?" The two adoptive brothers concluded in chorus.

Seeing the penitence on their faces made Luke feel like he could trust them again, nd he allowed himself to calm down, relieved that his two closest friends had apologized to him and explained their actions.

"Go mbeannaí Dia dhuit." He spoke, in an unfamiliar tongue.

This confused Peter Sam and Sir Handel to no great end, but they soon had a rough idea of what it meant when they saw Luke's smile stretch from cheek to cheek and his eyes sparkle with happiness in the darkness of the tunnel.

...

Author's Notes: I've updated! For any curious people with little time who want to know what Luke said, he says 'May God bless you' in Irish. I might consider writing Luke being able to speak Irish. (It's cool, even though it hasn't happened in the series yet.)