A/N: TheAlternativeKipper made a beautiful music video on Luke called 'Somewhere'! I thought of LTL2 when I heard it. Thank you, TheAlternativeKipper, for your wonderful work on this sweet video! 😊 It fuelled my muse!

Also, I would like to apologise for another prolonged absence- I'm loaded with college assessments, not to mention that my laptop is still driving me to the grave!

Before I launch into chapter 44, I just want to say thank you to my dear friend, Johnny Cdaman, for helping me get this chapter put together by providing information on how therapists work. Thank you, my friend! Your support and knowledge are much appreciated!

Back at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Mr. Bailey hung up his mobile phone and nodded at Luke and his crew. "I've got a therapist for you- Dr. Artemis Moon." He informed the little green engine quietly. Skarloey let a sharp exhale escape. He was relieved that some progress could be made on their situation.

"Thank you, sir." Luke answered sullenly.

"You have no idea how much this means to us, sir." Skarloey added.

"Dr. Moon is an old friend of mine." Mr. Bailey said warmly to the two engines. "I can think of no better a person for this...um, unconventional situation."

"But how will it be paid for, sir?" Richard asked bluntly, earning Geoffrey's elbow in his ribs. Luke blanched with shock on hearing this- he had no idea that therapists were supposed to be paid to help people! He felt even worse for needing help at all- he had imposed enough.

"Do not concern yourself, Mr. Wilson." Mr. Bailey answered sincerely. "I'll talk to Dr. Moon about that tomorrow." He replied. "She said she'll start with you tomorrow, Luke."

"Right, sir. Thank you, Mr. Bailey, sir." Luke replied stiffly.

...

Skarloey desperately wished Rheneas was back; as much as he wanted to help Luke, he was disillusioned about their friend's ordeal, and it was troubling him to the point where he didn't know what to say when Luke whispered incantations of hopelessness; didn't know what to do when he sobbed in the darkness of the tunnels.

He felt helpless, particularly since Luke seemed more reluctant to open up to him than he would be to Rheneas.

Peter Sam, bless him, had tried to lift Skarloey's mood. The others noticed too, and attempted to offer their support and solidarity.

Old Faithful knew Rheneas couldn't fix everything; but he had a way of helping Luke with compassion and rationality, and despite understanding the little engine's feelings better than everyone else, he was less affected by it than Skarloey himself was.

How did his brother do it?

...

Next morning, Edward arrived at the quarry with a flatbed in tow. He whistled a polite greeting to Paxton, who tooted his horn enthusiastically in return. He pulled to a halt near where Skarloey and Rusty were conversing. "Good morning!" he whistled cheerfully.

"Good morning Edward! We're so glad to see you!" Rusty tooted happily. "We haven't seen you here in a while"

"Morning, Edward," added Skarloey quietly. Edward looked over quizzically at Rusty on hearing his old friend's sad tone.

"He's been dragged down for a couple of days," Rusty explained quietly to their friend. "We're concerned about him- he's been keeping to himself more."

Edward winced. "Oh dear. I'm sorry to hear that, Skarloey." He said sympathetically. "But I hope that you'll find some comfort now that I've brought Rheneas back to the quarry."

"You have?" Skarloey asked, his mood lifting at hearing of his beloved brother's return. "That's great news! Welcome back, Rheneas!" he called out towards the flatbed.

"I've never been happier to see you in all my life!" Answered Rheneas mischievously. But he really was glad to be back again. As he'd learned during his 11 years away getting his overhaul in England, it was no fun not being present, in one sense or another, to talk to friends.

...

Rocky soon unloaded Rheneas and lifted him onto the rails. Whilst his fire was being relit, the engines were chatting happily, pleased to be reunited with their friend.

"So, what's been happening at the railway, Rheneas?" Asked Skarloey curiously.

"Well, Mr. Pound's been bothering the other engines again," Replied his brother, bitterly. "He insulted Duke at the shed not too long ago."

"Oh dear," Said Rusty. "Whatever happened next?"

"Well, I thought I'd put him in his place." And he recounted what he had told the ageist politician; by the end of his tale, Skarloey was laughing so much that tears were streaming down his face.

"Oh, Rheneas! You always had a sharp tongue in your smokebox!" He chortled gleefully, as he imagined his old friend at it with Mr. Pound. "I'm sorry I missed it!" He added regretfully. "After what happened the last time that we encountered him I was more than ready to witness him receiving a rightfully deserved tongue lashing!"

"Well, he'll have it in for me later," Sighed Rheneas, but the smile on his face betrayed his mischievousness as he recalled the event. "It did make me feel better after being cooped up sick in the shed for so long. Being back here with you all has topped that sensation though- by far." He finished sincerely.

"We're pleased to have you back at work with us again," Rusty said joyfully. "Are you feeling better?"

"Much," answered Gallant Old Engine, with relief. "I'm allowed to work again- though the Thin Controller told me to take work easy for a day or two just to be on the safe side." He looked at Edward. "That's why Edward brought me here, instead of me coming in under my own power."

"Don't worry- we'll keep you in check, Rheneas," Said Skarloey seriously, and Rheneas laughed. It felt great to be back at the Blue Mountain Quarry again- he couldn't wait to see Peter Sam, Owen, Merrick, Sir Handel, Duncan, Luke-

Memories of Luke arriving in the shed and confessing his newest suicide attempt made Rheneas' boiler churn in worry, and his euphoria at returning disappear.

Suddenly, as though sensing the mood change, a brown-haired woman stepped down from Edward's cab. She wore a white dress printed with blue flowers and brown leather ankle boots. She looked to be of 28-29 years of age, and her hair was done in a pixie cut.

She smiled at the engines warmly. "Good morning. I am Doctor Artemis Moon," She informed them, looking over her half-moon glasses politely. "And whom might you be?" she asked Skarloey.

"I'm Skarloey, and this is Rusty." Old Faithful answered. "We're pleased to meet you, Doctor Moon."

"Likewise." Dr. Moon replied politely. "Now, I understand you have a friend in need of help?" she asked, scanning the quarry.

"Yes, we do," Said Rusty. "I do hope you won't mind the...um, strangeness, of the situation. I know it's normally people you help, but we were running out of options on how to help Luke. He's already tried to commit suicide twice and he's been very depressed."

"Hm, I see," Murmured the therapist thoughtfully, placing a finger on her chin. "I shall meet him at once." she said.

"Where is Luke anyway?" Asked Rheneas suddenly. He saw Peter Sam, Sir Handel and Duncan milling about; and his brother and Rusty were here already. That left Luke.

"In the tunnel, I think," Replied Rusty, thoughtfully. "Though we should double check to make sure."

"And we should inform Mr. Bailey you're here, Dr. Moon," Added Skarloey's driver.

"We'll soon see to that!" Skarloey said determinedly. "Rheneas, you go and see if Luke's in the tunnel, if you're seeking a chance to stretch your wheels. Rusty, it might an idea for you to go and take over from Sir Handel's incline duties- otherwise we'll never hear the end of his moaning tonight. I'll inform Mr. Bailey that Dr. Moon's arrived."

Rusty and Rheneas willingly agreed, and the three engines split up to start at once, with Dr. Moon now riding in Skarloey's cab; wondering what Luke was like, and what she would be in for when she met him...