That evening, Duck and Gordon were going to be pulling two fast trains from Knapford Station. Gordon always leaves first with an express on the Main Line. Duck would follow 5 minutes later with his train for the Branch Line. Gordon was a few minutes away for leaving and Duck noticed something.

"There a lot less passengers." said Duck, as he watched his passengers getting in. Gordon looked at his passengers at Duck was right. He knew exactly why, lots of passengers got injured and were confirmed dead when he had that accident with a goods train, he felt very ashamed with himself. It wasn't easy for the Fat Controller either, as he had numerous angry letters saying his railway is horrible and he had hundreds upon hundreds of lawsuits.

'At this rate, I might need a big miracle to take care of it.' he said to himself. He has ordered Toby and Edward to make sure everything was in order before the day starts, such as the tracks, brakes from the brake coaches and brake vans, the functionality of the hoppers, and much more.

At Tidimouth sheds

Edward had just returned to Tidimouth Sheds before everyone else, today's work used almost all of his puff and all he wanted was a good night's rest. Soon Edward heard two noises coming in, it was of two engines, they were going really really fast.

'Don't tell me Gordon did something again.' said Edward to himself, but then he saw Thomas and Emily racing along the track, they were about to reach the turntable, then they stopped.

"I won!" said both Thomas and Emily at the same time. Just recently Thomas was able to get back at Emily for spoiling the milk he had to deliver, so today he raced her and won, now they raced for a third time and are currently arguing who won.

"Oh please, you were taking that shortcut just to go neck and neck with me." said Thomas.

"No, I was taking the normal track, you took the shortcut." countered Emily.

"Yeah yeah yeah sure." said Thomas sarcastically "What's next? You're gonna tell me Gordon's coaches don't look like someone stretched out the goods van, so he was doing some real hard work for a change?"

"Naw, what's next is that you'll find out that there was a eyewitness that will say I won." replied Emily "Right Edward?"

"Tell us Edward, who won?" Edward just chuckled, he loved seeing both his son figure, in the form of Thomas, and the Stirling Engine being so lively.

"Um... let's just go to sleep, I might tell you both tomorrow." puffed Edward as he went inside the sheds.

"Ladies first." said Thomas to Emily.

"Thank you Thomas, you are a gentleman." replied Emily flustered completely as she went on the turntable and got inside her berth, then Thomas went to the berth right next to her.

Next morning

The Fat Controller arrived at Tidimouth Sheds, he had a very important job.

"I need two engines to go to the Smelters yard and collect scrap from there." boomed the Fat Controller, this gave Edward an idea.

"Please sir," puffed Edward "Can Thomas and Emily do it?"

"Good thinking Edward." said the Fat Controller, Thomas and Emily were happy to work together again.

"First Smelters Yard job in the day." said Thomas as he remembers how every other time he went to work there, it was always night time.

"Edward, I need you to take Timothy's place. There is a new road that needs to be constructed on your Branch Line, Timothy sadly broke down. I need you to help George the Steamroller." ordered the Fat Controller. Edward did cringe at the idea of working with George, he knew all about George, how he caused trouble with Sir Handle, insulted Skarloey, Rheneas and Percy even though they were helping him, got Thomas to crash into a barn, got in Duck's way which resulted in Gordon destroying a Freight Car, he wasn't looking forward indeed "BoCo will bring over the equipment needed." this did cheer up Edward a little, he gets to see a very good friend again. Thomas and Emily soon got ready and steamed away. Soon Thomas and Emily arrived at the Smelters yard, right away it looked much better in the day than in the night.

"Getting to work here in the day feels much different than when I get to work here at night." commented Thomas.

"It sure does look better." agreed Emily. Thomas and Emily were soon seen shunting, pulling and pushing up and down the Smelters a series of Freight cars, they were making good time. Sometimes, Thomas and Emily would make jokes and try to have some fun, it did feel like forever since they last worked together, so they wanted to make it all count. Thomas also had more ideas, he tried to talk to Emily directly about what is happening to her. Emily was currently seen shunting cars when Thomas puffed next to her.

"Emily... I have a question." said Thomas.

"What is it Thomas?" replied Emily as she saw a whistle.

"Well... not sure what else to put it, but you want to talk about... you..."

'Damn, if I answer him he might be getting the impression something is wrong, knowing Thomas he would most likely try to question me further. Need to think fast.' Emily spotted an old whistle, she let off steam and it blew. Thomas was now scared.

"THE GHOST TRAIN'S WHISTLE?! ITS NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN YET!" until Thomas noticed an old rusty whistle and felt very silly, since he remembered the time Duck left him behind in the Smelters after teasing Percy a lot, he didn't even want to act scared around Emily again.

"Oh, must have went off." said Emily as she steamed away as fast as she could, she didn't want Thomas to find out about Timothy. Thomas tried again and again, but each time he tried, Emily would either be steaming away with some cargo or something would happen which Emily would immediately take the opportunity and leave. Thomas soon had to do something else.

'Well, if talking to her directly won't work, than I guess I have to follow her.' said Thomas to himself 'I just need to finish work as early as possible and find Emily first.'

Around the same time

Edward was seeing Thomas and Emily leaving to the Smelters, he enjoyed seeing both Thomas and Emily having fun together. Soon BoCo arrived, he looked impatient and cross.

"Here is your load Edward." said BoCo angrily.

"Hi to you too BoCo." replied Edward "What's happening?"

"I don't know where to start. George is being more rude than ever before, I can't stand it anymore." said BoCo impatiently. Edward was surprised, BoCo is usually very patient and can stand up to Bill and Ben's antics, but the fact he is now in a bad mood speaks volumes "Timothy at some point was doing everything he can to have his brakes fail, like going down Gordon's Hill with a heavy load of freight cars, he said 'I would rather stay at the Steamworks for a year than work with George again.'. Anyway, here is your load, there is more that needs to be done." BoCo was then uncoupled to the trucks and went away. Soon enough, Edward arrived with the load. Soon enough, two familiar whistles can be heard arriving in the background.

"You go first!" said Bill angrily.

"No, you! I need to bring those freight cars!" replied Ben. Edward was somewhat taken a back, neither Bill or Ben were seen this mad, that didn't involve something happening to each other, like when they went to play on the turntable or when Ben got new buffers.

"You go and say hi to the steam engine on wheels!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Will you two stop it and bring the cargo here!?" said Edward, he didn't lose his touch when it comes to getting Bill and Ben back in working orders, but they were still as cross. Soon, Edward heard a noise of a steamroller "Oh no its..."

"Railways are no good! Turn them into roads! Pull them up, turn them into roads! Railways are no good! Turn them into roads! Pull them up, turn them into roads!" said a rude voice that Edward instantly identified as George. The steamroller soon noticed Sodor's No2 mixed traffic engine "Oh I guess you must be Edward."

"And you are George, its a pleasure to meet you." said Edward trying to be polite.

"Pah!" spluttered George "Meeting an engine is never nice! I wreak old engines like you on a regular basis!" Edward is starting to feel his patience waiver, Bill, Ben, Thomas, Gordon, James, no engine has ever tested Edward's patience to this extent, he even chuckled as a response and Thomas was like a son to him so he was more patient around him. George on the other hand, felt like if you took Gordon's boastful and rude factor and dialed it up to eleven, even Emily's current attitude that she expressed, such as how she bossed Percy as if she was a Queen, is nowhere near George's.

"Lets just go to work, I bought the equipment YOU need to build your fuc... roads." said Edward, almost cursing for a second there.

"Better not ruin them on your bumpy rails." said George rudely as Edward steamed away, he just wanted to ignore George "You are a useless puff ball of steam!" but Edward wasn't listening at that point, he just did his best to get the work done and was more careful than ever around George, as he heard about the accidents he caused. It wasn't fun what so ever, George would usually get in the way intentionally or he would just throw insults around at Bill and Ben, which he knew makes them cross and want to payback, but Edward tried his best to restrain them. Soon enough the work was done.

"Well done Edward." said the Fat Controller who just recently arrived from the Smelters "You are a very reliable engine indeed."

"Thank you sir." replied Edward still in a bad mood, but he did his best not to show it.

"I need you to deliver pipes that are in the Docks." ordered the Fat Controller.

"Yes sir." replied Edward as he steamed away.

At the Docks

Edward arrived at the Docks, still fuming. Thomas and Gordon were already there. Thomas was excited. A new crane has just arrived on the island.

"He looks strong." puffed Thomas "I'm sure he could even lift you up, Gordon." he chuckled. Gordon didn't this was funny and Thomas chuffed away to work with Emily.

"That crane might be big." huffed Gordon "But he has no engine. He can't move unless another engine pulls him." Edward looked at the crane. Maybe its because he was still angry over George, but he thought Gordon was right for some reason, he would have knocked some sense into Gordon, but he was too much of a bad mood.

"Then I don't think he can be really useful." puffed Edward.

"Quite right, Edward." huffed Gordon "He will only get in the way." Just then Percy arrived. He was very excited to see the new crane too "He's not very useful." boomed Gordon.

"He will only get in the way." echoed Edward.

"New-fangled nonsense." wheeshed Gordon and he chuffed away.

"What's a new funnel nonsense, Edward?" peeped Percy.

"New-Fangled nonsense, Percy." huffed Edward as grandly as he could "Its something that is new and not really useful."

Meanwhile

Thomas soon puffed up to Emily, she was ready to pull the trucks that the Fat Controller ordered for them.

"What was all that about Thomas? We pass by the Docks and you overhear a 'Rocky' then leave, what is it?" asked Emily.

"Oh it was this new Breakdown Train!" chuffed Thomas excitedly, Emily knew how much Thomas likes seeing new things and she loved hearing him talking about it "It was this big strong Breakdown Train, he can most likely even lift Gordon up!"

"No way! There is no way he can look that strong!" replied Emily as Thomas was getting ready to couple up to her.

"Oh yes way." replied Thomas as he was coupled up and soon went away with their delivery "You should have seen Gordon's face."

'Am I getting soft? I can't lose my persona.' huffed Emily to herself 'I guess that is what Thomas' pure heart has on an engine.' just then, they arrived at a segment where Edward was present. Pipes were on their way and Harvey could only lift one at a time.

"We need to get through." tooted Thomas "Why don't you go and get Rocky?"

"No, no." tooted Edward "Harvey is doing a fine job. We must be patient." Thomas found it rather odd, Edward is a very intelligent engine and wouldn't do something that Gordon or James would do.

'My chance!' said Emily to herself 'I can't have Timothy being suspicious of me.'

"I don't like being patient." pouted Emily "We have a very important job to do."

"Emily, I don't mean to start an argument with you, but lets see if we can convince Edward to get Rocky first." said Thomas.

"Alright alright." replied Emily.

'But seriously Edward, what happened? Did George do something to you?' asked Thomas to himself. They then heard Gordon. He was going fast. Gordon hit the pipes with a loud crunch. He came off the tracks. It was a terrible mess.

"I can't lift Gordon." sighed Harvey "He's too heavy."

"Edward, we need Rocky!" tooted Thomas. Gordon sniffed.

"New-fangled nonsense." But Edward knew this was a disaster and he knew Harvey couldn't lift Gordon. There was only one thing to do.

"I'll go and get Rocky." Edward wheeshed and he raced off. Thomas was cross with Gordon.

"You haven't seen Rocky in action yet and you call him a new fangled nonsense?!" huffed Thomas crossly.

"And now look at the mess you got yourself in." echoed Emily.

"You have caused confusion and delay." finished Thomas. Gordon was indeed in disgrace, he thought about it and yes Rocky was the only one right now who could lift him. After sometime, Edward arrived with Rocky.

"I can fix this." Rocky smiled. And with his mighty crane arm, Rocky lifted Gordon back onto the tracks. Gordon was surprised.

"Thank you, Rocky." he huffed "Good work." Then Rocky lifted all the pipes back onto Edward's flatbeds and they were soon enough properly tied down this time. At the same time, this allowed Thomas and Emily to continue their work.

"I'm sorry for everything I said." huffed Edward.

"Its alright." replied Rocky.

That night, at Tidimouth Sheds, Thomas went up to Edward.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with Emily." said Thomas.

"No problem." replied Edward "I know how much she means to you." Thomas started to blush.

"Um... no, she is friend alright?"

"Than why are you thanking me for working together with a friend?" teased Edward.

"I just thought it would be polite." puffed Thomas and he chuffed away. His face was as red as James' paint.

Next day

Thomas was able to finish his Branch Line work as fast as he was allowed and soon tried to follow Emily. He started off at Knapford and waited for Emily to arrive and finish her passenger run. When she did, Thomas was ready to follow her. Emily was now puffing along the line to make a delivery, Thomas was tailing behind her as quietly as possible. Soon she came by Timothy, who noticed Thomas tailing her.

"Never knew you grew a tail Emily." said Timothy. Emily was confused at first, but she had a feeling she was being followed. Emily found a old siding with a old signal box as well, that is covered by trees, she blent in perfectly. Thomas followed Emily into the old sidings.

'Damn, she went into these trees. I have to be quick.' puffed Thomas to himself, as he went on as fast and as careful as possible to find Emily, not knowing he already passed her. When Emily saw the chance, she got out of there as quietly and as fast as possible. Thomas was puffing along the line searching everywhere he could. This all happened until.

'Wait.. this is where I started.' said Thomas as he notices the old signal box, then he immediately dashes out and tries to find Emily again, but she was long gone 'Damn, I lost her. Where are you?!'

1 week later

Emily was going along the Main Line, she needed to go to Edward's Branch Line to help Edward with some trucks. Suddenly, she heard chuckling.

"Hurrah, hurrah hurrah!" laughed the trucks, but something was off, they seemed relieved that they were broken free and it was not to cause trouble, they just wanted to get away, Emily couldn't catch on to that "Get us out of here! Get us out of here!" they yelled. Emily immediately reversed as fast as she could. She looked closely and saw Timothy in the back.

'Oh no!' said Emily in distress to herself 'Is he willing to go that far?!' Emily was blazing by the line as fast as she could, but the trucks were catching up 'At this rate we might reach Knapford! I need to act as soon as I can!' Thomas was arriving at Knapford stations to work on his branch line, when suddenly, he heard Emily's whistle.

"Wait what?!" wondered Thomas as he saw Emily going blazing by the station with a line of trucks headed her way "Oh no! Emily!" Thomas then reversed as fast as he could to catch up to Emily and the Trucks. His pistons were pumping and his boiler was bubbling. He had to eventually catch up to Emily and save her first.

'Almost there... just one more mile and I can hold them back.' said Emily but suddenly.

"Points!" yelled Thomas to a shunter and the trucks switched to Thomas' line.

"THOMAS!" yelled Emily. Thomas tried to brake as hard as he could, but the trucks were heavier than he thought.

'Just a little more, I can do it!' said Thomas to himself, but suddenly, Thomas was accidentally derailed by a line of coaches. Thomas' driver and fireman got out just in time but Thomas was moved into a nearby building. Thomas broke through the wall then destroyed multiple beams holding up the building, causing all of it to collapse and workmen were killed in it. Emily arrived and saw the damage, it was a terrible a mess and people were most certainly killed. Harvey arrived with Rocky to the rescue. As fast as they could, Harvey and Rocky were clearing the debris and a hospital van arrived. Soon enough, Rocky found Thomas, he was damaged to a great extent, with holes in his boiler, scars on his face, buffers destroyed and much more. Emily felt distress.

"Thomas?! THOMAS WAKE UP! PLEASE JUST WAKE UP!" yelled Emily crying at the same time as well, the Steam Team, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Percy, even James surprisingly were deeply saddened by the turn of events, and most of all, the workmen's loved ones were all saddened as well, about as much as Emily over Thomas. Timothy who caused the whole incident was watching everything in the background.

"If I hear this correctly, a loved one can tell a lot about a person, a lover, crush, sibling, friends. Well, Emily did witness Thomas getting in the worst crash possible, one she could have even prevented. I guess you could say, I have broken her."

To be continued

Author's note: Sorry that this chapter took too long to make, but I was very busy irl and I still wanna work on my manga. Please, leave your thoughts if anyone has any.