Skarloey had to think quickly in order to sneak past Paxton- and sure enough, a plan formed in the old engine's funnel. It did, however, rely on two engines aiding him, at least- one being Paxton himself…
Whispering a warning to Luke, he suddenly began wheeshing very loudly. As he hoped, the steam quickly shrouded Luke from view- as well as give an alarming effect of him having burst a valve.
"Skarloey, are you alright?" Paxton called in concern. "You're letting out so much steam! Well, more than normal."
"Ohh...Paxton, I think I've burst a valve!" the old engine replied, faking a groan. "Please, go and fetch another engine to help me!"
"Oh, alright! I'll get Sir Handel! I wouldn't be long, Skarloey!" The young diesel tooted in reply, and reversed away from the entrance- and from Luke.
"Skarloey, what are you"- Luke asked, confused.
"Shh- I've got this. We'll get you in there, boyo!" Skarloey replied confidently. Luke became curious as to see what the crafty old engine was up to.
...
As Paxton came back into the quarry, Sir Handel came dashing up. He overheard the commotion outside- and being a master of lies, could immediately tell that Skarloey was tricking Paxton. He immediately realised that Old Faithful would require help to smuggle Luke back inside.
"What's happening, Pax?" He asked, faking concern.
"It's Skarloey- he's burst a valve!" Paxton replied, worriedly. "I can't help him in- but you can!"
As the young diesel began jabbering in fright, Sir Handel winked at Peter Sam- who got the message and darted for the entrance as fast he could.
He was relieved to see that Skarloey was actually undamaged- and also...
"Luke!" He whispered in delight, causing the smaller engine to smile a little. "You're alive!"
"Peter Sam, is the coast clear?" Hissed Skarloey, before Luke could reply to his cousin.
"Yes-Sir Handel's occupying Paxton. How"-
Skarloey winked. "We engines know teamwork!" He chuffed. "You alright back there, Luke?"
"...Skarloey, this could go wrong...please, isn't there another way?" Luke pleaded.
Skarloey made a sound in the nugatory, and then he waited as Peter Sam quickly coupled up to him, before chuffing into the quarry with more caution than when he, Sir Handel and Luke went to the old Mid Sodor Railway.
...
Once inside, Skarloey could see Sir Handel successfully keeping poor Paxton at bay with all sorts of questions, which flustered the latter to no end.
"Poor Paxton," Old Faithful mused quietly. "I do feel bad for tricking him so- he was concerned about me."
"We're all living with stained consciences," Replied Peter Sam glumly, surprising Skarloey- a statement like that he expected from Rusty or Rheneas, or perhaps Duncan- but sweet, cheerful Peter Sam?
But before it could be questioned any further, the Tattoo was uncoupled from his friends- and they were shunted into a nearby tunnel, out of sight from Paxton.
"...thanks, my friend," Skarloey sighed shakily with relief.
"We're glad you're back- Duncan had to get called away to get his eye bandages removed, and with you away and Rheneas out of commission..."
"Oh dear Proteus, Peter Sam- I forgot about Duncan's appointment! I'm so sorry!" Skarloey wheeshed in horror.
"That's alright," Replied Peter Sam, perking up a little. "It couldn't be helped. I'm just glad you two got back safely."
Skarloey smiled, and then asked if he had been missed by anyone whilst he had been away at Crovan's Gate.
"Well, Mr. Bailey found out- but I covered your work so he's on our side. And Mr Percival doesn't know about it, as far as I'm aware. The quarry hasn't been much busier than usual, so we all managed our jobs. You know, weirdly enough- it was a bit like before my accident, having you, Rheneas and Duncan away," he commented.
"What accident?" Luke asked weakly form behind Skarloey.
"I...ahem...lost my funnel after an accident with some trucks- and then some icicles in a tunnel," Peter Sam answered. He recounted the story to his cousin- when they were suddenly joined by a fourth engine
"What are you guys doing? You're making the tunnel even more of a nightmare for claustrophobes!"
"And hello to you too, Sir Handel," Skarloey replied dryly.
"Guess what, Sir Handel- Luke's alive! He's back in the quarry!" Peter Sam peeped.
"Great!" Said Sir Handel, managing a smile, for a change- he was glad to hear that Luke had failed his second attempt. "I got Paxton out of our buffers for a while, too- I told him you got to Skarloey before me and took him in to be inspected." The blue saddle tank added to Peter Sam.
"Great job, you two! I know we were wrong to deceive Paxton like that, but you two worked really well together." Skarloey praised.
"Yeah, well- don't expect two engines who grew up together to not be able to hatch schemes at the blow of a whistle." Sir Handel replied. "Peter Sam and I used to hatch all sorts of harmless pranks to play on Duke. Though, you are terrible at conning other engines, you know- I could smell your lie a mile off."
"At least I've no reason to be good at lying!" Retorted Skarloey, causing Sir Handel to snort, irked that Skarloey dared to refer to his idleness.
"Sorry about them, Luke," Peter Sam whispered to their friend. "You'll have to get used to this- we do end up in arguments like this a lot."
"I thought so," Luke replied. "Do they last long?"
"Not usually. How are you feeling?"
Luke sighed helplessly. "Lost...but then, that's not new to me..."
"Oh Luke," Whispered Peter Sam.
