With Duncan's encouragement, Luke sought out Skarloey, and plucked up the courage to confide in his friend about the pain and utter hellish agony he had endured over the past few days; from his two attempts at suicide to his fallout with Mr. Wilson.

Poor Skarloey was heartbroken at hearing these events, and from Luke himself. He was also shocked at the revelation that Luke had been partly responsible for the fire that had nearly killed him and blinded Duncan. However, Luke admitted his shame and guilt over that attempt, and made Skarloey promise not to tell the other engines about the fire until he himself was ready to own up to it.

"I wish I knew what to do, Skarloey. I can't even end me own life without getting someone else hurt."

"We're not standing by and watching you kill yourself." Skarloey said in reply. "We'll find another way out, boyo, and make no mistake about it."

I don't know how possible that will be anymore," Sighed Luke, giving the old engine a mournful look." "I've just, well, been feeling..."

"Worthless…" The old engine finished carefully.

"Yes. Though how did..."

"I knew because you're often devaluing yourself; even with us trying to help you..."

"I know!" Luke burst out, his voice quivering with tears...and alarm? "I just don't know what I'm going to do, Skarloey! Nothing you've been doing is helping!" he stopped in horror when he realised what he'd said, and his eyes clouded over with guilt.

At once, Skarloey felt pained. He remembered his earlier argument with Rheneas, and he didn't want to have the same situation with Luke, too. He knew his friend was hurting badly, and was seriously in real danger of making an irreversible mistake. He wanted to help Luke more than ever.

But he was as clueless as the rest of them- he hadn't seen this coming, and now it had come, what could he do to help?

Apart from staying, that is.

"I'm sorry," Squeaked Luke, pathetically. "I didn't mean that, really. Duncan saved me from my first attempt, and you've all been so comforting and so understanding, even when I feel I don't deserve it."

"It's ok, Luke. I know you didn't mean that," Replied Skarloey graciously.

...

Thankfully for the two engines, Rheneas had returned from his sojourn to Owen and Rusty and heard the commotion; to which Luke apologised repeatedly for what he said to his friend- especially since he had heard Rheneas and Skarloey talking about their argument and felt terrible for making things worse.

"Hey, Luke, buddy- it's okay, you couldn't have known." Geoffrey reminded him gently. Skarloey and Rheneas both gave quiet affirmation to this statement; to which the little Irish saddle tank managed a smile of fondness.

Suddenly, Peter Sam whistled loudly next to Rheneas, drawing up alongside the cavalcade.

"Oh, for crying out loud, Peter Sam, can it wait?" 'Gallant Old Engine' inquired, groaning with annoyance.

Peter Sam looked hurt. "It can't," He said, as though this would make the two old engines see things his way. When they merely exchanged glances of puzzlement, he added "I've got a special visitor in my cab."

As if on cue, a brown-haired man stepped out of the Tattoo's cab; his chocolate brown eyes filled with excitement, and he started wiping sweaty palms off onto his coal stained overalls. And Luke knew at once who it was- he wasn't the Pope or a king, but he was special to the little Wren all right.

"Hello, Luke." Richard's Wilson's gruff, masculine voice greeted his engine awkwardly, albeit warmly. "I just...I just want to say that I'm really sorry for walking out on you like that. Could we possibly talk this over?"

"Yep- grab a seat, mate," Geoffrey replied, patting Luke's running board. He failed to note that Luke was silently crying tears of joy to see his dear friend and fireman back with them.

...

Well, seeing as it's Christmas, I've decided to update again, and I've got a happier moment here! Yay! It'll be a bit more light-hearted here for a while, and then it will get dark again, as it does, so be prepared, readers!

Also, thank you so, so much for your wonderful reviews! I appreciate the fact you're taking the time to read this and the loyalty this story has received is incredible! So, all terrible jokes aside, I think this is doing really well. I hope you guys had -or are having- a wonderful Christmas and I hope to see you guys in 2017!

Thank you so much, y'all!

thegoldsaddletank