Author's Note: 323 reviews!? Guys, seriously- I can't get over how much love and support you have given to both me and this story! Thank you so, so much for your reviews, favs and follows! You're a great bunch, and if I could hug you all and thank you face to face, I would. But this small note will have to suffice.

Also, I've been brainstorming lately, and I've considered writing an adaption of Blue Mountain Mystery to make a trilogy. It will focus largely on the narrow-gauge engines and will have a lot more character development on Luke and his situation (as well as explain any minor errors in the movie.) I'd love to know what you guys think! 😊 Please let me know!

And I hope you enjoy this update! And, as always, reviews/favs/follows would be appreciated.

Goldsaddletank

"It all started when I was first told I was going to Sodor."

Dr. Moon nodded, allowing every word to transcribe into her memory, to be reviewed later. She listened patiently as Luke told her about his time in Ireland, and how his manager came to select him to come and work on Sodor, as a new engine at the Blue Mountain Quarry.

"So, how did you feel when you heard you were going to Sodor?" she asked him.

"Oh, I was so excited! I heard about Sodor from my fireman- he became a cleaner on my old railway after he was made redundant. He grew up on Sodor, and he said it was a beautiful, industrious place, filled with steam engines of all shapes, sizes and colours- even that other narrow-gauge engines worked there. And from that night he first told me about Sodor, it became my dream to work there- and when my manager told me I had been bought by Mr. Percival to work on Sodor- that my dream came true- made me the happiest engine in the world."

Dr. Moon crossed her ankles, brown boots squeaking loudly as they rubbed together. She looked over her glasses. When she remained silent, Luke told her about the yellow engine; how he had greeted him in a foreign tongue, and how there had been no available translators for them to communicate during their short- shared journey to Sodor.

He told her of the brief journey he undertook and the freak storm that had occurred. He explained his eagerness to get off the ship first upon arriving at Brendam, despite the workmen deeming it better that the yellow engine get off first, as he had been on the boat far, far longer- about two or three days, whereas Luke had been only hours.

But what he had to say next made him freeze up.

"Luke?"

"I…I'm sorry, Doctor… I… don't know if I can go on. I… I don't like talking about it."

"Is there any particular reason?" She asked, watching as Luke looked at her, his eyes full of cautious hope; like an abandoned puppy.

Doctor Moon sighed inwardly. She was not going to earn Luke's trust by pushing him on when he wasn't ready, and she needed his trust to help him; but it was also a matter of life or death. She hadn't time to wait around, not with a suicidal patient on watch.

"I understand that you may not wish to tell me at this stage," she said quietly. "But I can assure you; anything that you tell me will not be leaving these tunnel walls." She took a small step forward. "I do not wish for you to be frightened of telling me the truth. Only you and I will know what has been said."

Luke wavered; he didn't want to admit it, but he did need to let it out to someone. His friends brought her here to help him! But, try as he might, he couldn't bring himself to speak any more.

"I… still do not feel ready." He finally revealed, ashamed. "I'm sorry, Doctor Moon. I'm only wasting your time."

"Please, do not apologize."

The little engine saw that the therapist's aquamarine eyes had softened a fraction. "You have not wasted my time, Luke. You are indeed in dire need of help; but you need to be comfortable to allow me to help you. Hopefully, you will be able to tell me; but until then, do not force yourself to speak."

"… thank you…" the green engine whispered gratefully. "I still feel awful for wasting your time." He added, sadly.

She merely shook her head. "This has not been a waste of time. It is progress. And any progress, no matter how small, should be encouraged."

Doctor Moon adjusted her dress, before looking up at Luke's face; although it was lined with sadness, she deduced he had a nice smile, and he was also very kind. She found herself warming up to him already.

It reminded her of an autistic teenager she had once helped; many people found him odd and peculiar, but he was sweet and thoughtful, always asking her how her day had been; and he even thanked her by taking her to the Indian restaurant he worked at when he completed his therapy.

Not very professional, she was aware, but she hadn't the heart to politely refuse his innocent invite. They remained in touch every now and then as well; with Dr. Moon reminding him that if he needed her help again, she'd provide it.

That reminded her; she wanted to ask Luke about his friends, and how well he got along with them.

"Luke, we will resume the conversation another time- but I would like to ask one question before I need to leave."

"O... okay," Luke stammered, giving her a wide-eyed look.

"I merely wish to ask how you get along with your fellow engines here in the quarry." She said. At that, the tank engine relaxed a little; but he still didn't appear convinced. "Is that it?" he asked her, semi-warily.

"That is all for today, yes." She confirmed.

Luke hesitated, and let a whoosh of steam escape him. It filled the tunnel, clouding it in white, moist air, like an inescapable fog.

"Well, Rheneas and Peter Sam were the first engines I met when I arrived here." He told her shyly. "They were surprised to see me here, but regardless they were kind to me, and introduced me to the other engines."

Dr. Moon nodded. "And how close are you with these engines?"

"Well, Peter Sam and I found out we were cousins, so that made us quite close," Said Luke. "But Peter Sam always has others' interests at heart- even mine, when I never valued myself after the accident…

"And Rheneas?"

"He and I are very close," Luke confessed. "Rheneas just has a knack for understanding, and he's always been there for me whenever I fell ill or needed someone by my side…."

Dr. Moon's ears pricked up at the mention of Luke's illnesses. She made a mental note to discuss it later; despite everything else buzzing in her head from the session so far.

Sometimes having a photographic memory was a pain in the neck. She didn't need to remember everything! She made a silent note to herself to bring a notebook next time- that way, she could try and filter information as they went along.

"He's like an older brother I never knew." Luke surmised, helpfully, noticing her expression.

"And the other engines?" Dr. Moon asked, smiling gratefully. He just saved her from working herself into a headache.

"I do get on Sir Handel and Duncan's nerves sometimes- unintentionally." The little engine continued quietly. "But Duncan saved me from a fire in the tunnel and became temporarily blind in the process. And I also heard from him that Sir Handel was concerned for my welfare when I was struck down by a fever in his absence."

"So, they do care for you to a degree."

"Yes, but they hate admitting they care," Said Luke. "Well, maybe hate's a strong word… they're just more stoic. And I say Rusty's the same as Peter Sam and Rheneas- despite him being younger than me." Luke said, smiling at the irony. "He tries his hardest to help me when I'm struggling- and I owe him my life as well- which I'll explain later." He added.

The doctor nodded her consent. "Anyone else you could tell me about?" she continued.

"I've become great friends with Owen the Incline Engine," Luke informed her. "There's times when he and I struggle to find sleep, so we usually end up talking for a few hours." He said. "I also get along with Merrick the Crane; but he's usually asleep in his spare time, so I don't talk to him as much."

Dr. Moon allowed herself to pace around the tunnel to relieve the cramp starting to form in her leg. "Please, don't mind my pacing, Luke." She assured, seeing his face. "I'm just a bit stiff."

"Alright," Luke replied, bemused. His friends were right; humans were strange creatures. But he kept this thought to himself.

"And lastly, how about Skarloey?" She asked, giving her leg a quick stretch before gingerly rubbing her thigh. She felt embarrassed at her cramp playing up again, but she had very little choice- however she deal with it would lead to some discomfort.

Luke's boiler ran cold at this last question. How could he answer that? He liked Skarloey and he thought him to be a great leader and a caring friend; but he felt that in comparison to some of the others in the Quarry, Skarloey didn't entirely understand Luke's feelings. He was too quick to jump in and ty to fix things, whereas Rheneas and Rusty both slowed down and took the time to listen to him.

He knew, deep down, that this wasn't deliberate, as Skarloey tried his hardest to help- but he just kept jumping in when Luke needed a listening ear, a lifeline- not someone helpfully yelling about how to use that aforementioned lifeline.

…..

"Doctor Moon!" Mr. Bailey and Geoffrey Heron were standing at the tunnel mouth, next to an anxious Skarloey, who was waiting to take Doctor Moon to the Skarloey Railway.

"We're sorry to interrupt, but that's the hour up." Mr. Bailey hissed softly, tapping his watch.

"Ah, yes," Said Dr. Moon. "Thank you, Mr. Bailey- I didn't realize the time." She turned to Luke. "I will be back this time in three days to start talking with you about what happened after your friends met you, and how those events transpired to your situation." She said quietly. "But it won't all be at once, so please, take your time and tell me when you are ready to open up." With those words, she opened her left hand in a farewell gesture. "Until next time, Luke." She said sincerely.