That morning was muggy and miserable. Flying Scotsman had just pulled into Vicarstown station alongside Spencer. His boiler was soaked and his cheeks ran bright red. Surprisingly it was not because of a recent romp with Meredith. It was merely the intense heat taking a rather painful toll on the big engine. He glanced over at his sleek, silver cousin who was busy eye-balling streamlined Caitlin on the other side of the station. "Keeping busy, old pal?"

Spencer nearly leapt off his wheels at Scotsman's voice before whipping his gaze over to the smug A3. "As busy as I can be. With this heat the Duke and Duchess hardly leave their home which forces me to stay in the shed. Unless Sir Topham or the Earl need to lease me for whatever reason."

"So what're you doing here?" Scotsman managed to start cooling down in the slight shade offered by the station's tinted skylights.

Spencer rolled his eyes. "I was able to convince my driver to let me stretch my wheels so I thought I'd come over here and entertain my little sneaky link over in the yard."

Scotsman's interest was suddenly piqued and he raised a brow. "Oh? And who might that link be?"

"You know that cute little red tank engine?"

"The one with the freckles? Really now?" Scotsman smirked. "She doesn't strike me as the kind to fancy a casual lay. She seems a bit ditzy- no offense."

Spencer laughed. "None taken. Her head may be truly full of just steam, but she's great fun. And she sure knows her way around a big engine."

Scotsman chuckled, casting a quick glance to the station's big clock. He had a bit more time to mingle before his departure. "I bet you can't guess who I'm now bumping buffers with." The green engine gave a playful sneer.

"Who?"

"I told you to guess." Scotsman said flatly.

Spencer did a little bounce as he ran through his list of possible prospects. Scotsman's was much longer than his own. The LNER engine wasn't exactly exclusive. After much pause Spencer shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"I'll give you a hint: you've had her before." Scotsman said.

Spencer scoffed. "Oh, that really narrows it down. Just tell me."

Flying Scotsman glanced around then leaned closer to his cousin to whisper. "Meredith."

"You dog." Spencer grinned. "How did you manage that? Her and Gordon are basically welded at the fender."

Scotsman shook his boiler as he watched Ian grab a newspaper from a nearby stand. "Something must have happened. She's avoided me for years, but as luck would have it just the other day I happened upon her working in the goods yard. She was reluctant at first but I've hardly been able to keep her off me since."

"I wish I could get another shot at her." Spencer pushed out a bit of steam with a sigh. "I really messed up last encounter."

Flying Scotsman gave another nonchalant shrug. "That was years ago. You can't seriously still be bogged down by it?"

"You know me, Scot." Spencer was the only engine who could get away with that particular nickname and even so, it did make Scotsman twitch a little. "I don't typically disappoint my conquests."

"Meredith isn't like your typical little engine, Spencer." Scotsman chuckled. "My brother can be a real animal and he sure gives Meredith the runaround from what she's told me. She probably was merely expecting a certain degree of… intensity."

"Oh, and you can provide that?" Spencer couldn't help but feel irritated that he hadn't known that information prior to his night with Meredith.

Scotsman couldn't hold back his laughter. "Don't be so offended, Spencer. It happens to the very best of us. You're a fine engine and have your pick of the railway. Why dwell on one bad lay?"

"It's the principal." Spencer grumbled. "And you're one to talk. You sulked around over Meredith for what felt like ages."

Scotsman's smirked dropped and he shifted uncomfortably on his bearings. Yes, it was true he pouted over Meredith for some time. It even resulted in a halt to his late-night - and day- shenanigans. But the engine didn't like being confronted about it, especially by his airheaded cousin. It made Scotsman feel small, which was a difficult feat to achieve.

Spencer sighed. He realized he re-opened a wound that had nearly healed. "I'm sorry." The silver engine said. By then Ian had returned to Scotsman's cab with his newspaper and a cup of coffee. It may have been well over a hundred degrees out, but the driver habitually drank his piping hot coffee with little regard for the equally steaming weather around him.

"It's fine." Scotsman said as he forced another smile. The guard on the platform waved his flag and Scotsman's pistons groaned to life as he began to steam forward. "I'll see you later. Good luck with your little flame."

Spencer snorted as he watched Scotsman depart. "And good luck to you as well. You may very well need it!"

"Either of you catch the cricket finals last night?"

"No, I was too busy watching paint dry." Alex scoffed at Kenneth from the other side of their table. He flipped his newspaper over as he rolled his cigarette between his teeth. The mismatched group of drivers and firemen were taking a moment to relax in the shade while Gordon and Meredith both napped in the Knapford shunting yard. The heatwave was getting to everyone and the engines' workload had been lessened to help combat any overheated boilers. It was too hot for the pair to even consider any physical fun during their breaks. All they wanted to do was rest together so that's what they did.

Hayden shot a cold glare towards Alex who returned it with a rude gesture of his middle finger. "Are all Germans this horrendous or are you just an exception?" Meredith's driver hissed. He had removed his cap, jacket, and rolled up his sleeves, but the driver was still dripping with sweat.

"I suppose the events of the last war have been lost on you." Alex said flatly. He didn't like being jeered at over his nationality. He certainly wasn't proud of the atrocities committed by his country, but his lack of tact caused him to make light of it. A poor way of coping one might assume.

Sean and Kenneth both sat across from the pair awkwardly. None of them -including Hayden- knew how to respond to Alex's comment, which it could be surmised that was what he wanted.

Kenneth clapped his hands together in an attempt to break the tension. "Hey! Perhaps we should talk about something else. Sean, what's going on in your life, hm?"

The young fireman looked to his peers and adjusted his posture. "Uhh, well, I've finally finished unpacking all my things."

"Oh, you moved?" Hayden inquired as he rested his arms on the glass of the table. "When was this?"

"About three years ago." Sean let out a small laugh. "I, uh, have a bad habit of draggin' my feet."

"Clearly." Alex grumbled. He set his newspaper down on top of his own cap and jacket and crossed his arms over his chest. "My parents are visiting me next week."

"Oh?" Kenneth wiped his brow. "What's the occasion?"

"My dad's birthday." Alex said. His tone had lightened somewhat, but he maintained his stern countenance. "They're ferrying in from Australia. They moved there long before the war."

"Australia?" Hayden and Kenneth said in shocked unison.

"Isn't that the continent where everything is trying to kill you?" Sean paused from picking at his fingers.

Alex shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure. I've never had a chance to visit for myself."

Hayden leaned over the table and watched as a group of young women strolled by gossiping before he himself spoke. "I heard the spiders down there are massive."

Kenneth shuddered in disgust. Sean laughed. "I think I might prefer the monstrous spiders over that whiny twit." He gestured towards Alex who frowned.

Hayden couldn't help but laugh though he put his hands up. "Alright, alright. Enough picking on Alex. Kenneth?" Gordon's driver raised his brow to show he was listening and Hayden continued. "How's Gordon doing? I know Meredith has been worried about him. Especially after- you know."

Kenneth sat back in his chair. He clenched his jaw. He wanted to tell them about what Gordon had said to him about bad memories, but he didn't want it getting back to his engine that he betrayed their confidence. His gaze drifted between the three sets of eyes watching him intently. Kenneth sighed. "He's doing fine. Not great, not good, just fine. I'm worried about him too, but he won't talk to me and I know better than to push him for answers."

Hayden peeked over at Alex who remained as straight-faced as ever though the fireman did cast a quick side-eye towards Hayden. They were both thinking the same thing. Should they tell Kenneth and Sean about Meredith's affair with Flying Scotsman? Hayden bit the inside of his cheek and crossed his legs then Alex let out a dramatic sigh. "Meredith is cheating on Gordon."

Later that afternoon, Emerson pulled into Vicarstown goods yard to pick up a train bound for Harwick. He stopped for more fuel when he noticed Meredith zipping around the yard with Rosie. The two little tank engines were giggling as they shunted and shoved their cars. Rosie had then disappeared around a corner but Meredith had stopped when she noticed Emerson. She smiled and darted towards him. "Emerson!" She sang as she slowed to a stop in front of him. "How are you?"

"I'm good." The maroon engine chuckled at her excitement. A cloud had blessed the yard with a moment of shade as it drifted slowly across the sky. Emerson blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden change in light. "What're you doing here?"

"Eh, just helping shunt while it's crazy busy with summer orders." Meredith said. She had been working hard. Her face was covered in sparkly sweat.

Emerson smiled sweetly. Then he got an idea. "Meredith? Am I- am I attractive?"

"What?" Meredith was surprised to hear him ask such a question. Emerson was never an engine to care about his looks. "Why would you ask me that?"

Emerson sighed. He was extremely embarrassed but he had been growing increasingly self-conscious. He just needed a little assurance. "I'm not sure. I think my lack of interest from other engines is starting to get to me I guess."

Meredith offered Emerson a loving smile. "Em, you really have no idea just how precious you are." She said, this made Emerson blush, but it didn't answer his question. Meredith continued. "Yes, you are attractive. Insanely so. I'd steal you for myself if you'd let me." She said with a giggle.

The red in Emerson's cheeks intensified. "Yes, but you're committed."

Meredith puffed closer with a sneaky smile. "Let's just say - for fun- that I'm not so committed. Then what, hm?"

That took Emerson by surprise. He felt a wave of heat burn through his boiler and down into his undercarriage. His eyes darted all over her. She was such a beautiful engine, but he'd never had another before. And he didn't want to upset Gordon by bedding his partner. Perhaps she was only being silly. Meredith was a pro at acting nonsensical. "I'm not- I don't know." Emerson stumbled over his words. He wanted to think that she was only kidding, but there was a fire in her eyes that contradicted that idea. "I'm not used to this."

"Then why don't you let me help you?" Meredith whispered. She was right on Emerson's buffer by then. The big engine could feel her breath against his face. His reluctance in laying her began to wane, quickly.

It was only moments later when the two engines found themselves at the same longshed where Meredith and Flying Scotsman had their steamy trysts. Meredith had Emerson pinned to the buffer stops in a heavy, sweaty kiss. The big engine had no idea what he was doing, but everything seemed to come naturally to him. He found himself groaning softly and he hadn't even connected with Meredith yet. He savored the way she tasted on his tongue. Like the sweetest, purest water. Emerson could hardly get enough of just the kiss, but there was more he needed to explore. He noticed Meredith had already adjusted herself up on her suspension. She was ready to take him. There was a little apprehension on Emerson's part as he tried to quickly figure out how these parts he'd never messed with worked. Though he managed to keep steady and soon found himself deep in the little engine. Meredith let out a giggly moan as Emerson found his rhythm then he locked his lips with Meredith's once again with a satisfied breath out.

So I wasn't originally going to have Emerson and Meredith go there whatsoever, but as I began to write it kinda made sense. It might not to anyone reading this presently however. I merely beg that you trust the process. I'm getting a little more comfortable with being more 'descriptive' as well, but I'll never be vulgar. It takes me so long to write the sexy bits because I have to pause and work through my own personal embarrassment. My poor laptop needs to be dipped in holy water.

Pretty Katydid; I saw your review on the last chapter of 'Engines' and I'm so glad you enjoyed! Hopefully this one meets any expectations and brings about the same buzz. And if you wanna play with Emerson in your own AU writing be my guest! Lol. He's a lovely boy and deserves all the attention. I'm contemplating a fic centered around him, but I really don't have a story developed so for now it's just an idea floating around my skull.

Anyhow, thank you all for the love and support! I'll see you lovely individuals in the next chapter!

Much love;

Bumble