James just got a new driver and his ways does not go well with her like he thought it would. Will he finally learn to behave and will he also be saved from her tough disciplinarian clutches. Tune in to find out. Please enjoy and review. I accept all reviews, both positive and nice constructive criticism, but no flames.

I do not own Thomas and Friends, but wish I own that naughty splendid engine, James.

Notes: This is rated teen, not kids, due to a more complicated story line in later chapters and a few mature (or not so mature) words. I apologize for any of the OC (out of character) but it's supposed to help the plot along. There is gay unrequited love in this, so if you are against shonen ai, don't read.

A New Driver for James

3. A Punished James is a Sorry James

Sir Topham Hat somehow knew that James refused to take his freight train. He always seemed to know these things, of when his trains misbehave, so he was waiting at the next station for James.

James chugged happily into the station, believing he avoided his dreaded task once and for all, that is, until he saw Sir Topham Hat. He slowed to a complete stop, as his happy face disappeared quickly.

"This is absolutely unacceptable, James!" the Fat Controller boomed. "Because of your refusal to take the fish to the market, there will be no fish on sale tomorrow. You have caused major confusion and delay! Not just confusion and delay, confusion and delay to the 5th power. Not only that, you fooled around and showed off after being repainted, instead of getting straight to work. You also held up the other engines at the engine wash. These engines had important responsibilities to take care of and you made them late!"

James only looked down, regretting the extra display of foolishness he had put on today.

"Now for your punishment…," Sir Topham Hat then thought for a minute. "You will stay in your shed until I give you the permission to come out. You will also receive absolutely no wash downs for the rest of the day. Do I make myself clear!"

"Yes, sir," James answered meekly.

That evening at Tidmouth Sheds, James, who was punished for the day, was being teased by the other engines.

"Serves you right for rubbing that damn red paint in my face each and everyday," Gordon hissed angrily.

"Look who's not looking useful now," Percy squeaked cheekily.

James felt like he did not have the will to argue back. He just blushed and sat there looking very sad, as the other engines giggled.

Later that night, Sir Topham Hat and James' driver had a meeting outside Tidmouth Sheds since the Fat Controller wanted to speak with the driver. While the other engines slept, James listened intently on the conversation.

"I'm afraid this isn't working out," the Fat Controller told the driver. "I gave you a chance before, but your handling of James has not improved. You still allow for him to get away with this…these extreme cases of naughty behavior."

"I'm sorry, sir," replied the driver quietly.

"I gave you and James too many chances to improve both of your behavior. I'm afraid I have to take immediate action."

"Oh, no! This is it. He'll scrap me for sure," whispered James. "I'm sorry I was such a naughty boy…" (AN: Too late for that, eh, James?).

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to find someone capable of handling the engine. James needs someone that will lay down the law, someone with more discipline…I'm afraid I'm going to have to release you," Sir Topham Hat spoke gravely.

James let out a sigh of relief for he wasn't going to be scrapped. As he listened to his driver pleads to keep his job, something clicked in his mind.

"What will happen to me if I don't have a driver?" he whispered, feeling scared again. "No driver means I can't go anywhere and show how splendid I look…No driver to make me move. I'll be stuck here forever." James cried a few silent tears in the darkness of the sheds. (AN: Aww).

The next morning, Sir Topham Hat came to the sheds to speak with James.

"James, I'm going to assign you a new driver, one that can handle you better than your previous one. In the meantime you'll wait in here till I ask for you, which is your punishment, by the way. Henry will do your work."

"Yes, sir," James answered sadly. Henry smiled. James' work for today was supposed to be pulling passenger trains which Henry will enjoy. James can only glare at Henry while he exited Tidmouth Sheds with the Fat Controller on board him.

That day, all James can do was look on sadly as the engines worked and had their fun while doing so. Gordon often passes by just to pester poor James.

"Beep, beep. Now you know how it feels when someone constantly rubs something in your face," Gordon chuckled.

Meanwhile, Sir Topham Hat was in his office interviewing driver prospects.

"Too young," he thought of a first year college freshman with a can of beer in his hand.

"Too weak," he thought of a computer geek who talked about how he would computerize the trains so they can run on their own.

"Too preppy," he muttered to a happy cheerleader girl decked out in American Eagle. After twenty or so more prospects, the Fat Controller felt like he'll never find the perfect driver for his naughty red engine. That is, until she walked in.

Who will be James' new driver? Only the next chapter will tell…