It was high afternoon on the island of Sodor. All the engines were busy chuffing about their day's work. Meredith was alone at Vicarstown goods yard after Rosie ditched her for a romp with Spencer. Meredith couldn't help but cackle. The little red tank engine's standards must be painfully low to chase after that rolling bozo. Sure he was handsome, but that sexy body and delicious smirk disguised a lazy lover. Oh well, that was Rosie's problem and Meredith was happy to be alone to relive her intense hook-up with Flying Scotsman just earlier that morning. Her wheels still felt numb. She didn't think it was possible for Scotsman to be even more godly than he was, but he certainly surprised her.

Meredith was backing down a siding when she heard a loud, echoing whistle behind her followed by a sultry southern drawl. "Excuse me, sweetheart, but you wouldn't happen to know where I could find Sir Topham Hatt?"

"Oh, um," Meredith backed up to get a look at the engine that new voice belonged to and her axles nearly collapsed. "Oh…" her eyes landed on a massive Persian green locomotive with two sets of six driving wheels and a tender that read 'Virginia'. His face was chiseled and perfectly matched that gruff growl of a voice. "I- uh… I think he's at Knapford. Do I need to show you the way?" Please say yes, Meredith thought.

"No need," the engine said with a grin. "This ain't the first time I've been to Sodor."

"Oh," Meredith could hardly hide her disappointment. "What's your name? Do you come from the mainland? You certainly don't sound like you do."

The engine chuckled. "I'm from America. Name's Sam. You don't sound like you're from here either."

"Technically I'm not." Meredith shrugged. She couldn't stop staring at Sam's surplus of wheels. He must be insanely strong. Meredith's mind then began to wander to a naughty place as she wondered what an engine his size was capable of in private. Though she pondered if his tall front plates would get in the way. "I was built here on Sodor but I was designed and parted by an American company."

"Ah, that explains it." Sam pretended to not notice Meredith's lecherous staring. A promising start to his visit. "And your name?"

"Oh," Meredith blushed with a small laugh. "It's Meredith."

"As lovely as you." Sam winked as he started up. "Maybe I'll see you later?"

"Maybe." Meredith shifted on her wheels as she struggled to remain coy. "Or maybe not."

Sam laughed as he started out of the yard. He wasn't able to see Flying Scotsman watching him and Meredith's little exchange from up in the station. Scotsman may have been too far away to hear their conversation, but he could tell the new big engine was flirting with his little Meredith. The LNER engine bristled and pushed out a heavy cloud of angry steam onto the platform. "I don't think so, you American prick."

Gordon was thundering down the mainline with a long train of heavy goods when he was passed by Sam headed down the mid-line towards Knapford, same as Gordon. "Sam?" The big engine called. He hadn't seen the massive engine in years. The American engine stopped suddenly and waited for Gordon to halt beside him.

"Gordon? I hardly recognized you." Sam offered up a friendly smile which Gordon half-heartedly returned. "You look like a whole new engine."

"I might as well be." Gordon forced a laugh. "What are you doing here?"

"Your controller has leased me for an indefinite amount of time. Apparently he has some big building project that he needs some heavy haulin' for." Sam said with an awkward shrug. Being his large size meant his body movements were much more stiff compared to his smaller peers.

"Oh, I wonder what it could be." Gordon replied. "Regardless, it's good to see you."

"And you as well." Sam went to start back up when he thought of something else. "Hey, I met a little engine at Vicarstown. Said her name is Meredith. Quite a looker she is. I was thinking of tryin' my luck when I had some free time. Do you know her?"

Gordon's steam rose from his pistons and his friendly demeanor vanished. "I do." He said slowly. The big engine furrowed his brow and raised up on his wheels.

The American engine noticed Gordon's defensive stance. "Oh, is she yours?"

"She is."

"I'm sorry, Gordon." Sam said. He lowered his boiler respectfully. Sam may have been much larger, but he was a guest on Gordon's railway. He wasn't about to overstep. "I didn't know."

Gordon relaxed, but only slightly. "It's okay. Just keep it casual with her, will you please?"

"Of course." Sam reassured. He then noticed Gordon's train. It wasn't the express like he remembered. "Say, where's your express coaches?"

Gordon sighed as he and Sam steamed down the track together. "Long story."

The two big engines chatted casually as they both made their way to Knapford. Gordon filled Sam in on all the drama that plagued the railway -leaving out a few 'minor' details, of course- and told him of his partnership with Meredith. Again, leaving out anything too damning or shameful. He didn't want to embarrass Meredith. She had grown up and she didn't need her past mistakes held over her smokebox any longer. Sam listened intently. Only ever speaking to inquire about some small detail. Many would assume that being American Sam would be loud and overbearing but much like Brian, Sam kept to himself most of the time.

The pair had pulled into Knapford station. Gordon continued onto the goods yard with his train while Sam sat patiently at the platform closest to Sir Topham's office. He could see the controller was busy on the phone at his desk. Then Sam heard the whistle of another engine as they stopped beside him. "Hello, there. Who are you?"

Sam shot his gaze to another large express engine beside him. It was Rebecca looking as bright as ever. "I'm Sam." The American engine said. "And who might you be, little lady?"

Rebecca giggled. She liked the charming engine already. "I'm Rebecca. Are you going to be working here?"

"Only until your controller no longer requires my services." Sam turned up the charm. He wasn't expecting such a flurry of beautiful engines upon his arrival. "So hopefully it'll be a long, long time." He gave Rebecca a flirtatious wink. The sunny express engine giggled again. She really liked this new engine.

"Ah, Sam!" Sir Topham Hatt's enthusiastic call distracted Sam away from Rebecca and her sleek boiler. "You ready to begin?"

"You know me, sir." Sam said confidently. "Always rearin' for somethin' to do." He passed another sly wink to Rebecca and her cheeks grew hotter than her firebox.

"Splendid!" The controller bounced excitedly then checked the time on his wristwatch. "It's a little late to start anything today. Perhaps you could help Emerson collect a train from the docks? He really doesn't need the help, but it'll be good to keep you busy."

"Sounds good, sir." Sam smiled. "I'll head that way." He peeked back to Rebecca. "Perhaps I'll find you later?"

"Perhaps." Rebecca said shyly. "Go safely now."

"Of course, darlin'." Sam cooed as he departed towards Brendam Docks.

Down at the docks Emerson had just been coupled up to his train when Brian puffed in. The two exchanged a quick hello then Emerson started up, but he was stopped by the dock manager. "Emerson! Wait!" He held his hands up but was careful not to stumble in front of the big engine. "Sir Topham just called. He said he's sending another engine to help with your train."

"Another engine?" Emerson was confused. He didn't need another engine. "Why would he send another engine?"

The dock manager ran a hand through his fiery locks and shrugged. "I'm not sure, but he said to wait until this new engine arrived."

Emerson let out an exasperated sigh. "Alright, alright." He said. He watched the dock manager saunter off to inspect a load of cargo Cranky and Carly had just sorted. "Does Sir Topham Hatt not think I can pull this train?" The maroon Pacific asked Brian as he chuffed by shunting flatbeds of steel.

"Who knows." The black tank engine said. "That controller is always makin' strange calls, but I'm sure he knows what he's doin'."

Emerson sulked. He felt insulted that the fat controller would send another engine for a relatively light load. Emerson had pulled much heavier trains before without the assistance of a back engine. He watched Diesel whir by with empty cars followed by Salty and Porter. They all dashed around the big engine and his train as he sat idly on his line. "Ugh."

Some time had passed and another engine rolled onto the docks. Emerson had begun to doze off when the engine's bell and whistle startled him awake.

"Ope, sorry there, partner." Sam said with a kind smile.

Emerson blinked a few times. He wondered if the bright sunlight was messing with his eyes. He'd never seen an engine like Sam before. "Hello? Who are you?"

"I'm called Sam. Sir Topham sent me to help pull a goods train. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you're Emerson." Sam was confident, namely because he noticed the stately Pacific's nameplates welded to his smoke deflectors. "Are you and Gordon related by chance? You're his spittin' image."

"No," Emerson said with a small laugh. "Just coincidence to put it simply."

"Ah, well," By then Sam had buffered up to the rear of the train and was coupled up. "Why don't you give me the complex version on our way to deliver this train?"

Back at Vicarstown station, Hayden and Alex were relaxing at the station's cafe. Meredith was yet again entertaining Flying Scotsman in the long shed so the driver and fireman were left to their own devices. Ian and Gavin didn't join them this go around. They decided to spend their free-time napping in the shade of a nearby park. Alex was sipping at his second cup of tea. He couldn't stop looking at Hayden. Something about him felt off, but he couldn't place it. "Did you change something?"

"Hm?" Hayden was busy counting the glass panels of the station's roof and didn't bother to look down at his coworker.

"Did you change something? You seem different."

"Oh," Hayden ran a hand over his face and it was then that Alex noticed his signature mustache was gone. "I shaved."

"Ah, I see. I guess I just didn't give your face a hard enough look." Alex set his glass down and crossed his legs. He looked up to the driver once more and found he had returned to his staring up at the glass. "It looks good."

Hayden dropped his head to look at his fireman. "Did you just… compliment me?"

Alex shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't read too much into it, okay?"

"Okay." Hayden repeated. "Thanks… I think?"

Alex kept silent as he propped his feet up onto the table, covering his face with his cap. "Wake me when Meredith is back." Hayden merely sighed in response and returned his attention back to the glass ceiling.

Meredith finally emerged from the long shed with Flying Scotsman right on her buffers with his usual shit-eating grin. She found Hayden, Alex, Ian, and Gavin all gathered around the closest water tower talking quietly. The two engines chuffed up to their crews and Scotsman gave Meredith's rear buffers a playful bump earning a giggle from the little tank engine. "Easy now." She said.

Scotsman chuckled as he waited for Ian and Gavin to climb back into his cab. Meredith's crew had already boarded and the two engines went on their separate ways.

Meredith coupled herself to a line of cars and began to pull them from their siding when Rosie steamed up looking flustered. "Oh, Meredith, have you seen the new engine?" She said dreamily.

"You mean Sam?" Meredith said.

"Yes!" Rosie grabbed her own train and pushed it onto an open track. "Isn't he a dream?"

Meredith laughed. "He's definitely good-looking."

"Maybe I'll get lucky with him." Rosie hopped over to another line to grab a brake van. "I can only imagine the things an engine with two sets of driving wheels can do."

"What about Spencer?" Meredith teased. "I'm not sure he'd appreciate his little lady bumping around with another engine."

Rosie scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Spencer wouldn't know the difference. Besides, we're not in a relationship. Just having fun."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Rosie shunted her brake van to its proper train then paused. "So are you and Gordon over?"

"What?" Meredith stopped suddenly.

"Are you and Gordon over?" Rosie repeated. "I mean, I see you go into the shed with Flying Scotsman. It doesn't take a genius to know what you two are doing."

Meredith's cheeks flushed. She thought they were being more careful than that, but they probably got too caught up in each other to notice if anyone was paying attention. "No… it's… complicated."

"I heard you two yelling this morning." Rosie laughed. "It must be really complicated. You sounded like an old married couple."

Meredith forced a laugh then she gave Rosie a serious glance. "You're- not going to say anything… are you?"

Rosie gave an incredulous gesture with her buffers. "Nah, it's none of my business what goes on in your private life. I'd just suggest being more wary about who is paying attention."

"Okay." Is all Meredith said and the two went back to their work without another word.

So I decided to throw in Sam because he seems like the kind of engine to fancy a bit of fun and drama despite his tendency to be more "good-hearted". His voice in my mind is waaay different than depicted in the clips he's featured in. No shade to Rob Rackstraw, he's a solid VA and extremely versatile; I just imagine an engine like Sam to sound like he smokes a pack a day and straight-shoots whiskey. Kind of like he rolled right out of Red Dead Redemption, ya know? Deliciously grizzly. That sort of thing. The voice they went for in his featured clips sounds much too uppity for my liking.

Speaking of grizzly let's have a chat for a second. I've basically turned this into my own special Thomasverse. Call it my 'Bumbleverse' if you will. So I would like to address a couple visual aspects of my AU. I don't imagine the engines how they appear in CGI. Nay-nay, quite the opposite actually. In my mind they're in a live-action setting. Their faces are obviously the same, no hyper-realization happening like what Michael Bay did to the ninja turtles *shudders*. They have that same sweet, cartoon-like feel to their faces, but their bodies are their true detailed basis. They've kept their respective colors of course, maybe muddled down a bit to not be as much of an assault on the ocular senses. And they're dirty. (I'm talking in a literal sense here, people) Steam engines get all sooty and oily after running for a bit and so do 'my' engines. Of course they get washed down at the end of the day much like one would have a shower after a sweaty day's work. As well, their bodies creak and pop whenever they move and sometimes their body movements make their wheels rub against the track in an unpleasant manner. They can spit, taste, smell, sweat, cry, run out of breath, ache, bleed, *cough* orgasm *cough, etc.

What I'm saying is if it's easier to visualize the engines and settings as I do, it might help make the stories more immersive. If y'all have any questions regarding my AU don't hesitate to ask. Also to answer your question racefangurl; yes, Gordon didn't notice his tears because he was half-asleep. Also, continue to update me on the progress of your fic! I'd be happy to give it a read once you've finished.

Pretty Katydid; your reviews came in as I was writing this post-script so now I am to address you. Lmao. Yes I'm having waaay too much fun with Scotsman and Meredith. Writing that dialogue I had the dumbest grin the entire time. I love making Scotsman deviate from his typical composed charm and I've been wanting him to yell at Meredith for a minute I just didn't know how to write it in until now. Your idea of Gordon already knowing is pretty solid. I may or may not steal that -not spoiling anything of course- for later use. I have to admit, if the owners of the true Flying Scotsman ever found this and confronted me on it I might vanish from existence. I'm sweating just thinking about that possibility.

I can't exactly say I'm sorry for dragging you from your own works because I am dying to see you put out more fluff. I love re-reading my own, but seeing someone else's take on it is a guilty pleasure I didn't know I had to partake in. Also if I missed a question you had please remind me. I try to go back and re-read your reviews but I'll admit I'm a bit of a dunce myself -not on the level of Spencer tho- and may miss something. Lol. I just noticed you said I answered 'some' of your questions and I don't want you to feel I'm skipping something over. I'm just a little distractible is all.

Anyhow; this post-script could be a chapter in itself at this point so I'll bid you all goodbye for now! Thank you for the continued support and love.

Much love;

Bumble

P. S. Happy New Year!!