Thanks everyone for the reviews and for reading my story till the end!

Band8PGeek and Optimum Energon: The ending is written in a way that'll let you decide whether James and Arthur ends up together. You'll see, xD.

RandomlyInsaneWhitePony: Don't worry. James escaped, in a sort of romantic way, xD.

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.

A New Driver for James

5. The Rescue Plan

James felt like he wanted to cry while he waited outside Sir Topham Hat's office. He was looking forward to working Thomas' branch line all morning, but he knew he blew his chance. James didn't remember what he did wrong, or if he did anything wrong at all. All he knew at this moment was that his new driver was controlling every aspect of his life and turning it into a living nightmare.

Just then, both Sir Topham Hat exited the office with the driver. He didn't look as angry as James thought he would. Despite this, James still cringed at the thought of being punished more so severely than the day before yesterday.

"James, I understand that you and your driver had some disagreements. Am I correct?"

"Yes, sir," James said quietly.

"I'll let this slide for now," Sir Topham Hat spoke rather kindly. "But if I hear another thing from you, it's back to the sheds you go. You understand?"

"Ye…yes, sir," James sputtered happily. "Thank you, sir," he smiled.

"You're welcomed, James," The Fat Controller said. "Now get going. You don't want to make Thomas' passengers late."

"You're right, sir," James gushed and ran off.

James usually enjoyed working passenger lines. It gives him a chance to show off his brilliant paint, while he sped down the track. Working Thomas' branch line though was a different story for James today. His driver didn't let him stand idle and show off his paint. He was basically ordered to pick up the passengers and drop them off in a timely and quick manner. Emily often passed James while she worked her branch line and noticed how miserable he looked. Once she tried to speak with him.

"James, what's wrong?"

"Can't talk now, Emily, I'm very busy," James glumly answered. He left in a rush.

"Oh…ok," Emily continued on her branch line, feeling a bit worried for her friend.

Later that day, Emily had to pick up some tourists at the docks.

"Hello, Arthur," she smiled at the nervous looking burgundy red engine. "How are you doing?"

"Uh…hello, Emily, I'm fine, I guess."

"You don't look so well," she observably stated.

"That's because James has a mean driver and it troubles me. That engine is just too gorgeous to be treated so unfairly."

"I agree," Emily smiled. "Maybe, James should demand a new driver assignment."

"Maybe…maybe, we should all petition to get James a new driver," Arthur looked on determinedly.

"Good idea," Emily agreed. "That's a great way to help our friend…uh, how do we go about doing this?"

"Well, here's what we'll do," Arthur begins to tell her his idea for the plan.

That evening, James crept quietly into the sheds, while the other engines were already fast asleep. He had just completed a hard day's work and was both miserable and tired as the result of it. Emily opened her eyes and smiled when she noticed James, thinking of her and Arthur's plan. James was too tired to notice as he quickly fell asleep with a troubled look on his face. He already started to dream of the dreadful day ahead of him that he'll share with his driver.

The next day, James was the first one early to rise, being that his driver was a workaholic and all. While the other engines were just setting out for the day, James and his driver already had some work completed.

"I've been working all morning. May I please have a wash down?" James pleaded to his driver as he was taking on water.

"Nonsense, we still have a day of work ahead of us," she firmly stated.

"But I'm filthy. I have to look good for the passengers."

"Frivolous bathes only waste time and does nothing for an engine's performance."

James looked like he wanted to cry.

All day, as James worked, Arthur and Emily tried to get petitioners through the other engines.

"Now do you understand why we have to help him?" Emily asked Thomas and Gordon.

"I'll help," Thomas immediately said.

"Why do I!" Gordon hissed angrily. "Serves him right for always shoving that damn paint in my face every freaking day."

Thomas, Emily, and Arthur tried to work with Gordon for him to join them. It took a couple of minutes, but finally he let in.

"Alright! Alright! I'll help you all. Now, please leave me the hell alone," Gordon whooshed. Overall, compared to all the engines, Gordon proved the hardest to persuade.

At the end of the day, Arthur and Emily had a nice amount of petitioners; Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Percy, and Toby, and even Bertie the Bus. The two engines were proud of what they were doing for their friend.