"Yes sir… of course, sir. We'll head right there... Alright, yes- of course." Kenneth clicked the phone back to the receiver with a sigh. He slouched down into the stationmaster's chair in frustration. "That damn engine." He grumbled. The engine driver ran a tired hand over his face.

"Everything alright?" The Maron stationmaster poked his head into his office where Kenneth sat. The driver had just got off the phone with Sir Topham Hatt. He wasn't happy.

"Yes, yes, everything's fine." Kenneth dropped his face into his hands. "My engine just doesn't know how to keep himself out of trouble."

The stationmaster glanced back out onto the platform towards Gordon. He sat quietly though he watched the door where the stationmaster was standing. He could hear them whispering about him.

Kenneth pushed up from the desk. "I'll have to leave the coaches here. Sir Topham Hatt has already sent Rebecca to collect them. She should be here in half an hour."

The stationmaster simply nodded as he stepped out of the driver's way. Kenneth placed his hands on his hips as he studied his engine. Gordon pretended like he had hadn't been eavesdropping, but the driver knew of the engine's superior hearing. "Well, looks like you've once again gotten yourself into the shits, Gordon."

Gordon scoffed. "What now?"

"Probably isn't the best idea to go around busting up your partner." Kenneth said nonchalantly as he politely stepped past a young woman standing a little too closely to Gordon's cab. "Ma'am if you wouldn't mind standing further back. This engine demands his space."

The woman was surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry." She moved further away from Gordon and she eyed the engine nervously. "Is he dangerous?"

"No, no." Kenneth stepped into the cab and offered up a reassuring smile. "He just has boundaries that he's very particular about."

"Oh, I see." The woman glanced at a couple next to her. They, along with the other passengers waiting to board the express, became uneasy. They watched as Gordon was uncoupled from the coaches and the woman called out to Kenneth. "Where are you going?"

Kenneth popped his head out his window as Gordon started rolling forward. "We have to take the big guy to the Steamworks! Another engine will be along shortly to collect your train."

All the passengers stood in a collective of confusion as they watched their engine chug away without them and their train.

Gordon came to a stop in Bay 1 of the Steamworks. He noticed Meredith up on the hoist. She looked extremely unhappy, but before he could say anything to her, Sir Topham Hatt stepped forward, he looked pissed. "Gordon, would you mind explaining to me what happened to Meredith?"

"Uhh," Gordon droned. He glanced up to his partner and noted her crumpled fenders and cracked axle. "Was she in an accident?" The big engine tried to play the ignorance card, but the fat controller didn't buy it. The express engine sighed slowly. "I suppose I did get a little carried away last night." Meredith shivered. Carried away in the best way possible. She could still hear his guttural moans and heavy sighs. Her undercarriage tingled and she bit her lip. The little engine's sudden arousal did not go unnoticed by Gordon. Hopefully she could be fixed quickly so the big engine could break her again.

Sir Topham Hatt shook his head in disgust. "Gordon, I've been very lax about the whole intimacy issue amongst my engines, but if this keeps up I'm going to have to reinforce the old rule. If you have to get physical with Meredith, or any little engine, you must be careful."

"Yes, sir." Gordon said with a respectful nod. "I'll be gentler from now on."

"Ah, ah," The controller waved his finger. "Don't think you're getting away with this without repercussions, Gordon." Gordon tensed up. He couldn't help but worry he might end up paneled again. The big engine remained quiet. Victor, Kevin, and a few workmen all stood in silent anticipation. Sir Topham Hatt crossed his arms as he mulled over how to punish his engine. He was once again not in his usual morning suit. Another short-sleeved polo and tan dress pants. It was too hot for his formal garb. "To make sure that you've learned your lesson, Gordon, I'm taking the express away indefinitely. Once you've shown you can act reasonably you may take it back over."

"What?! But, sir." Gordon pleaded. He didn't understand why he was being punished so harshly. It was just one time. "I promise, I won't be rough anymore. Please don't take my express away."

Meredith watched her partner with wide eyes. She didn't expect Gordon to get into trouble like that. She was just expecting the usual stern lecture and maybe a time-out in his shed. "Sir," she called to her controller who peered at her over his shoulder. "Sir, don't punish Gordon. I was the one who didn't tell him to be easy. It's my fault."

"Oh, I know. You're not off the hook either, Meredith. Until you get your own reckless behavior under control you're to work at the Vicarstown goods yard."

Meredith pouted, but didn't protest. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Sir Topham Hatt turned back to Gordon who appeared ready to throw a fit the way he was sitting up on his wheels. "You best be off to Brendam Docks. There's a heavy goods train there waiting for you."

Gordon groaned. "Yes, sir." He looked to Meredith once more who mouthed him a sincere 'I'm sorry'. Gordon gave her a weak smile. He wasn't upset with her, but he was still extremely confused about why he was being punished in such a manner. It didn't make sense. Nevertheless, the big engine reluctantly did as he was told and steamed off towards the docks.

The following morning Meredith was at Vicarstown shunting cars. She was once again repaired and looking as good as new. As soon as she was released from the Steamworks earlier she went to find Gordon and apologized profusely to him. She didn't mean to have his express taken from him and if she had known she would've told him to hold back in their love-making the other night. Of course, Gordon was grateful for Meredith's sincerity, but he reassured her that her apologies were not necessary. He'd pick her over the express every time. Afterwards the two had a quick jaunt in the sheds before they both departed ways to begin their day's work. Gordon was careful to not damage Meredith despite how badly he wanted to bust her buffers.

Meredith had just been coupled up to a line of flatbeds when she saw Flying Scotsman glide into the yard. His attention immediately went to her and Meredith nearly crumpled under his provocative gaze. Outwardly she looked like any giddy, star-struck engine might appear in the presence of a celebrity. Inwardly she cursed the engine for merely existing. For creating such feelings of unrest within her. She loved Gordon with all her heart, but his brother was nearly impossible to ignore.

Meredith shunted the flatbeds to their proper train. She stopped to shake off the excess condensation that had begun to build up on her boiler from the humid air. She heard a set of pistons puff up behind her and she sighed. "What do you need?"

"I need you to ditch your crew and get your pretty little fender to that long shed." Scotsman purred.

Meredith bit her lip then shook her cab. "You heard him. Go get lunch or something."

Hayden and Alex both hopped out of their engine's cab. Hayden crossed his arms. "It's eight in the morning."

"Then get breakfast." Meredith stated as she revered down the track with Flying Scotsman.

Alex and Hayden exchanged an annoyed glance before Alex started towards the station while lighting a cigarette. Hayden watched his fireman stroll away. "Where are you going?"

"To get breakfast."

Flying Scotsman had Meredith in a headlock as he pushed himself inside her. It had only been a couple days since their last lay, but she felt brand new as he went in at his typical rough pace. That time, however, Meredith spoke up. "Easy, easy." She breathed. This surprised Scotsman and he stopped completely.

"Easy? Since when do you want me to go easy?" He furrowed his brow in slight irritation.

Meredith breathed out slowly. "Well, let's just say I've been broken too much and it resulted in Gordon losing his express."

"Gordon lost his express?" Scotsman was shocked. He wanted to smile at the thought of his uppity brother being forced to act as a goods train, but refrained for the sake of salvaging his encounter with Meredith.

Meredith nodded. "I suppose four visits to the steamworks in one week for the same issue is considered excessive."

"Four?" Scotsman knew of the two times he broke her fenders, but what of the other two?

"Yeah…" Meredith trailed off. "You and Gordon and- someone else."

"Someone else?" Scotsman wasn't surprised she was still lying with Gordon, but he wasn't expecting to hear of her bedding another. "Who?"

Meredith's cheeks ran hot. "...Emerson."

Scotsman blinked. "I suppose that explains his sickeningly cheerful mood recently. I didn't realize you were entertaining others."

The little tank engine adjusted her position. Surprisingly, Scotsman had maintained his arousal, but it did make things a little uncomfortable considering the new topic of conversation. "Don't act so insulted. It's not like you've been exclusive to me." She noted Scotsman's hardened gaze and suddenly she was worried. "Are you kidding me? You have been, haven't you?"

"I've just not found anyone else who tickled my fancy is all." Scotsman said quickly. It was a rather blatant lie, but he held his ground.

Meredith raised her brow. "So you're okay with me being with Emerson?"

"Why would I care?" Scotsman shrugged, but his throat felt tight. He did care, but he didn't want Meredith knowing. "It's pretty on par for you anyway. I'm surprised you've not tried to fuck those mini-engines in Arlesburgh yet."

"Oh, you're one to talk. You slept with my brother." Meredith retorted. "I'm sure you've considered sticking it in Em too, huh? You narcissistic bastard."

"It crossed my mind." Scotsman purred. It really hadn't, he just wanted to rile Meredith up. He recollected their first time. Meredith was angry with Gordon and it made her wild. Scotsman could only imagine the insane time he would have with Meredith if he managed to piss her off a little more.

Meredith scoffed and shoved herself away from the big engine. "You're such a whore."

"Like you're any better you little slut." Scotsman glowered at the tank engine. "I heard you let those Scottish twins take you at the same time. I have to say, I would've loved to have seen that. How'd you do it? One in the back with the other sticking his rod down your throat, hm?"

Meredith's face ran red hot. "You're a cunt."

"Yes, but you can't resist me, can you?" Scotsman's voice was low and threatening. "Tell me, what about Gordon keeps you with him? It can't be the sex if you're coming to me as well."

The little white tank engine wanted to disappear right then and there, but she knew exactly how to get Scotsman to back off. "Oh, but it is the sex. Gordon knows every inch of me, he's had me forwards, backwards, and sideways. He can make me release in mere seconds. You may be world famous, beloved by all, but you'll always be second best when it comes to fucking me." She watched Flying Scotsman carefully. He sat completely still, his face deadpan. It made Meredith slightly nervous. Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say to him.

Meredith began to reverse when she found herself pinned to the buffer stops by a fiery Flying Scotsman. The LNER express regarded the little engine with a wicked smirk. He hovered his mouth over her's as he spoke. "This is a game you're not going to win, little Meredith." He said slowly. "I'm going to haunt you the way you've haunted me. Every whistle, every puff of smoke and steam you'll hope it's me. Every time you open your eyes in the morning you'll wish I was there. Once I'm through with you, Gordon won't be able to get close because all you'll want is me. I may be a whore like you say, but I'm a whore who is going to pound you until you can't even hold yourself up on your own adorable little wheels." Meredith gasped in surprised pleasure as Scotsman shoved back inside her. Her biting words didn't have the expected effect on the mainland engine, but the little tank engine wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

I have much I need to address, but I'm exhausted so I'll be speaking more in the next post-script. In the meantime, thank you for reading and all the love! I hope you all continue to enjoy this craziness.

Much love;

Bumble