Author's Note: I just want to say Merry Christmas to everyone on FanFiction! Thank you all so much for your amazing support, your heart-warming reviews and your dedication to this story! I appreciate it so much, and I want to hug you all so bad, but I can't, so to say thank you, here is a Christmas update on LTL2! Seriously though, guys, I wouldn't be this far without your love and support.

On with the show!

Speaking of which, how do people feel about the changes to the show? Just curious to hear opinions.

...

"Does he often hide in here?" Dr. Moon asked, as Skarloey pulled up in front of the tunnel.

"That's an understatement, Doctor," Replied Skarloey gravely. "He practically lives in the tunnel, you see. He rarely comes out of there, as our diesel friend Paxton doesn't know about him."

"Right. Is Paxton the little orange diesel engine back there?"

"No, that's Rusty. Paxton's standard gauge." Skarloey sounded unusually irritated, but Dr. Moon ignored this. She dealt with worse.

"Skarloey, that's not very polite." His driver said sternly. The old engine sighed.

"I know, Driver. I'm sorry, Dr. Moon. I"-

"It's quite alright." Dr. Moon replied coolly, cutting him off. "I have seen worse."

"Still, it's hardly right of me to be so rude."

Dr. Moon gave him a quirked smile, which never reached her eyes.

"Shall I..."

"Yes. These sessions are confidential and should be treated as such." Doctor Moon answered curtly.

Skarloey felt miffed at her sudden change in tone, but he didn't want to argue, so he backed away carefully to give Dr. Moon space to talk to Luke about the trauma of the past.

...

It was awfully dark. The therapist could now fully appreciate the phrase – the light at the end of the tunnel- in a more literal perspective, as well as metaphorical.

"Hello?" She called out, as boldly as she dared. "Anyone in here?"

"Who's there?" A new voice responded. She noted an Irish lilt behind the panicked tone. She had a feeling she knew whom this was.

"I am Doctor Artemis Moon, and I believe I am here to see you." She replied, feeling a little braver now that she had figured out the voice's identity.

Silence. Dr. Moon began to feel uneasy- but refused to let this discomfort show in any way. Suddenly, she heard the silent squeaks of wheels turning, inch by inch.

She stepped awa from the tunnel entrance, her shoes click-clacking against the stone floor of the quarry.

'Click-clack! Click-clack!' echoed off the tunnel walls in time to the creaking approaching her.

At last, there was a loud screech, followed by a wheesh of steam. She looked up from the ground and was left speechless at what she saw.

A small green engine- even smaller than the ones bustling about the quarry- was peeking out of the tunnel. He had green paint the colour of peas, enrobed with quarry dust from the tunnels. On closer inspection, his paintwork had not been well maintained, for it had dulled and was embroidered with scratches.

There was also dullness in the engine's eyes. His face was set into a solemn and almost depressed frown and he looked as though he couldn't cope with life anymore.

"Hello, Doctor," he spoke. His Irish accent, though dead in tone and quieter than a whisper, also gave an impression of gentleness and politeness.

"Hello, Luke." She answered, when she could find the breath to form those words. "I presume you know why I am here?"

"Yes. You're here to help me because I'm suicidal." Luke whispered. Dr. Moon felt her heart begin to break.

This was not supposed to be someone who wanted to die- this should be someone full of life and enjoying it to the fullest.

"Now, Luke, in order for me to help you, I need you to tell me what's happened to make you feel like this." She said carefully.

At this, Luke clammed up in fear. "I... I can't." He whispered.

"It is imperative you do so." Dr. Moon answered coldly, not wishing to deal with any conflict. On seeing Luke look away from her, she softened, realising her error. "My apologies. But it is important that you tell me what I need to know to help you."

Luke looked uncertain, so she thought of a plan. "Perhaps we can start with how it's affecting you." She suggested. "Just tell me everything that's been affected by your trauma. And don't force yourself to hurry- take your time if you so need."

"Thank you," Breathed Luke, before beginning. "Well, I've been having nightmares that are keeping me awake; I'm too scared to go out and help my friends in the quarry most of the time; I've fallen ill quite often; I've been so...so...

"Depressed?"

"Yes. More than I was before I left home." Luke answered quietly. "I came from a railway in Ireland, and I was mostly just a bit shy then. But now I feel my nerves are wrecked."

"That's why I'm here." The doctor replied, taking notes in her notebook. "Now, anything else?"

"I... I just want to die." Luke finished.

"Have you..."

"Twice."

Dr. Moon felt a chill to the bone at how quickly he answered her unspoken question. She knew this matter was now looking to be more serious than she realised, and she silently resolved to herself to help Luke, no matter what it took.

"I don't have to talk about those, do I?"

"Well, it is inevitable, but don't worry about it at the moment. We'll talk about them later," she replied quietly, writing down more notes, and her pen scratched at the paper like a chicken's claws playing the violin.

"Now, tell me more about your relationship with your friends." She instructed politely. She had to admit, even without the professional interest, it was a point of great intrigue considering his circumstances. But she told herself to focus. She was here to save his life, not write about his life for the local paper.

"Al-alright. It's not easy to explain, but I'll try my best." Luke replied quietly.