The office phone's abrupt ring shocked Sir Topham Hatt out of his unplanned catnap at his desk. He fumbled around, knocking a cup of pencils to the floor before managing to grab the phone from the receiver. He cleared his throat. "Sir Topham here… oh, hello Dr. Hart, how can I be of assistance this morning?" The fat controller leaned back in his chair. It creaked ever so slightly under his weight as Sir Topham bounced his leg nervously. The LNER controller spoke quickly and with much enthusiasm, Sir Topham Hatt nearly missed the man's pivotal question. "Wait, wait." Sir Topham pinched the bridge of his nose. "You want to do what now?… Buy Meredith? But she's not for sale… yes, but- yes of course, but I've no intentions of selling her. If you need a tank engine I'd be happy to maybe lease her to you, but I won't be selling… When would you need her?… Tonight?!" The Northwestern controller was standing and pacing nervously at that point. He had no issue with loaning out his engines, but he was never one to sell an engine. He was a sentimental being and held each of his engines in high regard. He could never part with a one of them. He couldn't exactly understand the sudden interest in Meredith. LNER possessed a large army of both steam and diesel locomotives all built and designed to the controller's liking. What would he need a little private commission engine for? Sir Topham sighed as he leaned up against his desk. By then he could see Gordon pulling in with the express. He had caved and gave the big engine his proper job back. More or less due to pity for how Gordon had to be forcibly violated at the Steamworks earlier that week. "How long do you need her?… Well, I suppose a few weeks couldn't hurt… Yes, I'll send the paperwork with her crew. I'll mail an invoice for the cost of her lease when she's returned to my charge… Of course… And you as well. Goodbye." Sir Topham clicked the phone back to the receiver and crossed his arms. He glanced back to Gordon outside. The big engine was watching Kenneth stretch his legs on the platform. "Oh, Gordon is going to be cross with me."

"Meredith!" Hayden ran towards his engine after talking on the phone with Sir Topham Hatt. "Mer, guess what!"

The little engine yawned. "What?" Gordon kept her up the entire night. Her undercarriage was sore from intense overuse and all she could think about was finding a way to sneak in a nap.

"We're going to London!"

"What?!" Meredith was suddenly wide awake. London? Why the hell would they be going to London?

"Why are we going to London?" Alex had poked his head out from Meredith's cab when he heard his coworker's excited calls.

Hayden hopped into his engine's cab with Alex. "Sir Topham Hatt said the LNER controller has requested to lease you, Mer. We have to head back to Knapford immediately to pick up paperwork then we head off."

"Lease me?" Meredith choked as she reluctantly departed from the station at Wellsworth. "For how long?"

"Couple months." Hayden shrugged. "Apparently they're busier than usual this year and need some more shunters."

Meredith scoffed then her heart sank. Gordon. It would be the longest she had gone without seeing her partner and she felt her throat tighten. She didn't want to leave him. She continued onto Knapford in complete silence. Most engines would be overjoyed to have been requested to assist at another far-off railway, but Meredith felt sad. She had heard of the engines that worked the LNER railway. They were a haughty bunch who looked down on and bullied tank engines. Thomas originally came from the London, Brighton, and Southern Coast railway and he had many stories to tell of the rude big engines that he interacted with from LNER. Then Meredith remembered another itty-bitty detail: Flying Scotsman was a LNER engine. The little tank engine had mixed feelings regarding that fact. On one hand it would mean she was likely safe from any rude jeering from the other engines, but on the other hand it would mean the big engine would be able to pester her more than normal. Meredith did love what the big engine did in the berth, but he had a pretty insatiable libido and was worried that her ability to have a gainful rest would be seriously hindered by his new proximity to her.

The little white tank engine had made it to Knapford and pulled into the platform closest to Sir Topham's office. She watched as Hayden leaped onto the platform and sauntered over to the controller's office. She couldn't help but find her driver's enthusiasm endearing. He must be excited to return to his old railway even if only for a short time. Alex remained in her cab taking a moment to enjoy a cool autumn breeze that rushed through the station. Meredith sat quietly while engines rushed about around her. None of them took notice of her idling. They must've figured she was having a break even though Meredith had only completed one of her many jobs for the day.

Meredith had dozed off by the time Hayden returned to her cab. He carried with him an envelope which contained Meredith's specifications, maintenance records, and the contract for her lease. Hayden carefully slipped the paperwork into his shoulder bag which was placed against Meredith's coal bunker before he gave the little engine a gentle pat on her siding. "Mer, we gotta run back up to Arlesburgh so Alex and I can get our bags packed then we have to head out. We're to be at King's Cross by nightfall." Meredith merely gave a sleepy nod before she rolled on. She held onto the hope she would be able to see Gordon and give a proper goodbye before she had to leave, but she knew either way her partner was going to throw a rod.

Later that afternoon Gordon was back at Knapford when Sir Topham Hatt emerged from his office looking stern. He straightened his tie as he approached his engine. "Gordon," he started. The express engine turned his attention to his controller, but he didn't speak. "Gordon, I have something I need to tell you and I need you to be sensible, okay?"

"Umm… yes sir." Gordon raised his brow. He didn't like where the conversation was going already.

"Good," Sir Topham took a deep breath. He could see the passengers accumulating on the platform and hoped that the large crowd would deter his engine from becoming unhinged. "Now, bear in mind that this arrangement is only temporary, but Meredith has been leased by LNER. She will be gone for a little while. I just wanted to tell you myself before you took note of her absence."

Gordon's boiler bubbled furiously. "You sent her to work at LNER?!" The big engine clenched his teeth.

"Easy now, Gordon." Sir Topham put his hands up. He knew Gordon wouldn't be happy about her leaving, but he wasn't expecting the blistering anger. Passengers were beginning to look at the bristling engine warily. "Calm down, it's not anything to get bent over."

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Gordon growled. His valves pushed out thick, hot steam and forced the express passengers waiting to board away from the engine. "Call her back immediately!"

"Don't you dare use that tone with me, Gordon!" The controller scolded. He managed to keep his voice low, but Gordon was close to shouting at that point. He had to regain control over his engine. "You're my engine, Gordon. You do not give the orders, I do."

The grumbling from the big engine's boiler intensified. Gordon's gaze was deadly as he locked eyes with his controller. "I'm not your fucking engine."

Meredith rocketed over the Vicarstown rolling bridge. She cried quietly to herself. She wasn't able to say goodbye to Gordon and she felt terrible for leaving him in such a manner, but she had to hurry to London before it got too late.

The journey was long and Meredith passed many big engines along her way. She hardly saw any tank engines, which made her extremely nervous. She hated to admit it, but she hoped that Flying Scotsman would be nearby when she arrived at King's Cross. As slimy as he was, she at least knew he would help her feel welcome.

Finally they came to a junction just outside London. The sun was beginning to disappear behind the city skyline and she noticed the distinctive outline of an extremely large station further in the distance. She could see the lights of King's Cross and as they drew closer Meredith's hope to see Flying Scotsman diminished. There was an engine at the first platform, but it was a streamlined A4 like Spencer. This engine however boasted a brilliant deep blue livery along with a gentle face, unlike his smarmy silver counterpart. Meredith felt hopeful that this engine was as kind as he looked as she rolled in beside him. "Hello." She said then she noticed his nameplates. Mallard. "Aren't you Spencer's brother?"

"I am." Mallard scoffed. He had that same snobbish accent his brother spoke with and Meredith's first impressions of the new engine were completely wiped away. Looks could definitely be deceiving. "Are you lost?"

"No, I'm supposed to be meeting your controller here." Meredith felt uneasy under Mallard's scrutinizing gaze. She found herself liking Spencer more-and-more. "He's leased me."

Mallard let out a hefty laugh. "Leased you? What use could a petite little titter such as yourself serve other than to provide company late at night."

Meredith blinked, but before she could say anything a whistle sounded out in front of them. The two engines turned their attention to Flying Scotsman as he glided onto the next platform with a single passenger coach. "Well if it isn't my beautiful Meredith. I see you've already met Mallard."

"You two know each other?" Mallard was perplexed.

"You could say that." Scotsman said with a wink. Meredith couldn't stop herself from smiling. "We've crossed paths many a time when I worked on Sodor."

"I see." Mallard grumbled. "Meredith was it?" The tank engine merely offered a curt nod. "Well I'm sorry for being so rude."

"No you're not, but thanks anyway." Meredith huffed. Mallard went to lay into the mouthy engine but was stopped by Flying Scotsman's murderous glare.

"It's getting late," Scotsman said to Mallard. "Maybe you should head off to get some rest."

Mallard took the hint and puffed away quickly. Meredith glanced back towards Flying Scotsman. "He called me a 'titter'. What does that mean?"

"Oh, it's just a little nickname for smaller engines is all." Scotsman said. The big engine made a mental note to talk with Mallard about not calling Meredith such a name again. "I do have to apologize about him. He can be a real cock. He makes Gordon seem like a newborn puppy."

Meredith laughed then a door to Scotsman's coach swung open. Out stepped a skinny man dressed similarly to Sir Topham Hatt, though his trousers were black and his vest was the same shade of green as Flying Scotsman's livery. He strolled over to Meredith with a relaxed confidence before he stopped just short of her footboards. "Hello, Meredith. I'm Dr. Derrick Hart the controller for the London and North Eastern Railway. I'm very pleased to meet you."

"I'm pleased to meet you too, sir." Meredith offered up her best smile. The controller was younger than Sir Topham Hat though his dark beard helped give him a little age.

"I plan to make the most of my lease of you so expect to work hard, young Meredith." The controller said with a wave of his hand. "I've heard nothing but good things about you so I look forward to seeing of all that boasting was truly warranted. I know for certain, you are one of the loveliest engines I've seen. It feels a bit of a waste to use such a lovely engine for only shunting."

"Well I pull coaches as well, sir." Meredith said humbly.

Dr. Hart nodded. "I know, but this railway is much larger and runs mostly express trains. Perhaps if you prove yourself up to the task I'll have you run a local train for the holidays."

"I'd love that, sir."

"Good, good, well," The controller grabbed a briefcase from Scotsman's coach. "My car is just outside the station. I'll see you two in the morning. Oh! I'll take that paperwork from your driver, Meredith." Hayden was already ahead of the controller and had the packet in his hand ready to hand-off. "Thank you, Hayden. It's good to see you, lad." The controller gave Meredith's driver a friendly pat to the shoulder before he continued his way towards the station's exit.

The two engines waited patiently for the controller to be out of earshot before Scotsman chuckled. "Why don't you let me drop off this coach and I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."

"Okay." Meredith said with a wide yawn. She truly was exhausted, but she knew Flying Scotsman would likely try to partake in activities that were certainly not sleeping. She followed the engine over to a massive shunting yard just outside the city where a red diesel shunter quickly collected the express engine's coach and stowed it away. Then Scotsman rolled up to Meredith and stole a quick kiss before leading her to a large roundhouse outside the shunting yard. It was occupied by engines of various sizes, but all of them were bigger than Meredith. She noticed an empty berth between two snoozing B17s -the same class as Henry- and figured that spot was her's.

Meredith looked at Scotsman with pouty eyes. She didn't feel comfortable sleeping with engines she'd never even talked to before. The big engine smiled and gestured for her to follow him. He took her to his cozy private shed a good distance from the larger roundhouse. Meredith breathed a sigh of relief. She wanted to sleep so bad, but she knew what sharing a berth with Flying Scotsman meant. She backed into the shed and watched as Alex and Hayden unloaded their luggage before quickly vanishing out the door. They didn't want to stick around for the noise.

Flying Scotsman creeped in with Meredith. He looked her over and noticed her exhausted eyes and posture. His undercarriage was a throbbing mess but he didn't want to force Meredith to make love if she wasn't up to it. "Mer, do you want to just sleep tonight?"

Meredith hesitated, but she really was tired. "Yes…" she whispered as she dipped her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Scotsman said with a smile. He gave Meredith's forehead a gentle kiss before nuzzling her cheek. "We'll make up for it tomorrow night." But Meredith didn't hear him, she was already fast asleep. The big engine let out a brief breath of a laugh as he cuddled closer to Meredith and soon dozed off himself.

Little Mer is on the mainland! Oof. This will end well. Lol. I swore I had some stuff lined up for this post script but I'm exhausted. It's very late where I'm at. Meh.

Pretty Katydid; I'm so excited to experience this fluff you're creating, but it is kinda funny how there's a very subconscious connection here. Lol. I can't wait to read it! Also, I am toying with the idea of a good fight between Em and Scotsman because I love me some big engine violence. He he.

Also you'll have to forgive me for bringing in *soft* Scotsman. I was feel mushy and that translated in this chapter. Lol. But it's easy to forget he does actually *care* about Meredith, he's just a right selfish prick. Lmao.

There's a lot in my mind I have to work out. Prepare for some new engines and new drama because I love me a good net of nonsense. I'll do my best to discuss it next chapter but I'm just very very tired at the moment, but I was determined to get this up ASAP. Lol.

Anyhow, thank you for the support you wonderful lot!

Much love;

Bumble