Sir Topham Hatt sat idly at his desk. He hardly noticed the sweat dripping down his brow as he stared at a mound of paperwork before him. Gordon's incident at Kellsthorpe left him up to his neck in complete shit. He had been dealing with the families of injured passengers threatening to sue the railway for all it was worth. His job was in jeopardy and just then he had received a call from the Steamworks supervisor advising him that Gordon's restrictive panel had been removed. The fat controller was at a complete loss on what to do. His grip on his engines was slipping. They were more reckless than ever with Gordon becoming a very real danger to his workmen and passengers.
A whistle sounded at the platform beside his office. The controller lifted his gaze. It was Meredith. She had come to pick up passengers. Her behavior had greatly improved and Sir Topham figured it was time she returned to pulling passenger trains. She was talking happily with Emerson who was also there for passengers for the coastline express. The controller watched the two for a few moments. He couldn't help but wonder how on earth he could address Gordon's behavior, but as he watched his perky white engine gab on with her friend on the platform the answer became painfully clear. Sir Topham clenched his jaw then reached for the phone across his desk.
On the mainland, Flying Scotsman sat brooding at King's Cross. Spencer had told him about Gordon and Meredith's recent re engagement. It made the LNER engine want to spit fire. His psyche was beginning to crumble over his newfound feelings for Meredith. The normally proud and charming express engine had digressed into a ticking time-bomb, fit to blow at any given moment. He was furious about Meredith once again crawling back to his bossy, bitchy older brother. To make matters worse, Dr. Hart had discovered his engine was sneaking off to Sodor when he was explicitly told to keep away from the island. The mainland controller then ordered the engine's crew to rotate twenty-four hour shifts with their engine. Scotsman was to not be left alone and if he attempted to run they were given permission to fully override his controls.
As far as Scotsman's recent self-removal of his panel, the steamworks had attempted multiple times to replace it, but were met with blazing, steam-filled rage. Dr. Hart deemed it too unsafe to try and replace it, so Scotsman remained intact. It didn't matter. The green A3's interest in any other female had wholly disappeared. He made an attempt with Ellis but it only ended with her being kicked from his shed when he opened his eyes and realized she wasn't Meredith.
Scotsman took a moment to glance over at the platform. There were crowds of holiday-makers from all over gawking and photographing the station. He took notice of a group of small children running around playing with metal engines and airplanes. One of them ran right up to Scotsman with a gap-toothed grin. The big engine pretended to not notice the small human staring him down at first, but after a few moments he felt his patience wearing dangerously thin under the weight of those big brown eyes. Scotsman clenched his teeth. He knew better than to lash out at a child, but his valves began to push out more and more steam. Then he snapped. "Didn't your mother teach you it's not polite to stare, you snotty little creature?!"
The little boy's eyes welled with tears and he scampered away sobbing quietly. Scotsman let out a quick breath from his nose as all the waiting passengers turned to him in disbelief. They had never seen an engine yell at a child before. By then the guard had called for the passengers to begin to board the express, but they all stood still. They weren't sure about being driven by such a cruel and angry engine. That was when Ian stuck his head out from Scotsman's cab to address the crowd. "Don't you worry about nothin'! Ol' Scotsman is a right twit, but we will make sure you get to your destinations quickly and safely."
After another apprehensive pause, the passengers began to climb into the coaches. Flying Scotman shuddered his boiler as the guard blew the departing whistle. He didn't want to pull this train or any other train, but he forced himself onward. He had no intention of sending himself to the scrap yard.
Gordon was released from the Steamworks and into the glaring afternoon sun. There was no fanfare, no visit from Sir Topham Hatt. Nothing. The big engine was suspicious. He gave his undercarriage a slight flex. Still no panel. The Sodor express engine frowned. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his boiler that something far worse was ahead of him. Though he forced himself to swallow that feeling and chuff forward. He wanted to see Meredith. It had been a couple days since he last saw his partner and he missed her.
He started down the mainline towards Knapford. He wasn't sure what he needed to do for the rest of the day considering he had just passed Rebecca pulling the express. He then passed Sam who was turning off the mainline towards the construction site of the new sheds. The project was severely delayed after a brutal winter buried the site in thick, icy snow for weeks on end. Gordon wondered if he might be tasked with hauling heavy goods for the rest of the day. Though the proud engine despised pulling goods trains, he wouldn't mind helping Sam if tasked to do so.
Gordon had at last arrived at Knapford station. He could feel his boiler was running low on water so he decided to puff through to the yard and fill up at a water tower. Bernadette eagerly hopped out of his cab, climbing atop his tender to line up the water tube and begin refilling his water. Gordon let out a gentle sigh as his thirst quickly faded and his boiler once again felt full. He glanced around the yard and noticed Thomas watching him. "What?"
"You're back?" The little tank engine inquired with a slight bounce.
"Of course I'm back." Gordon sneered.
Thomas shrugged. He coupled to a set of empty cars and darted across the yard. "I didn't know if Sir Topham Hatt would bring you back after you crushed a whole coach full of passengers."
"That was an accident."
"Sure, sure." Thomas teased.
"It was." Gordon insisted with a frustrated huff. "You're such a pest."
Thomas giggled and pulled up alongside Gordon. "Maybe, but at least I don't have a body count."
Gordon narrowed his eyes at the little tank engine, but held his tongue. He wasn't about to feed into the tank engine's shenanigans. He knew Thomas was merely trying to get a rise out of him, as per the norm.
Thomas was about to say more when a desperate and loud whistle echoed from the junction. All the engines stopped and looked to see Meredith, red-faced and sweating as she flew down the line towards Gordon. She saw him and her eyes burst with tears. "Gordon!" She cried as she crossed through the junction with no regard for the signals and the engines trying to cross through. "Gordon!" She threw on her brakes and skidded right into the big engine's buffers. She was completely out of breath and could hardly catch it between the full steam driving and her guttural sobbing.
"Hey, hey," Gordon lowered himself to push his nose into her cheek as she continued to wail uncontrollably. "Meredith, breathe- breathe. What's the matter?"
"Sir… Sir Topham-" Meredith could hardly get any words out. Her throat was constricted and she felt as if she would pass out.
"What did Sir Topham Hatt do?" Thomas asked. He was worried. He had never seen Meredith that distressed before.
"He- he…" The little white tank engine managed to gain some hold of her voice. Feeling Gordon's warmth against her helped immensely. "He… sold me."
"I say, Scot, did you hear the news?" Mallard rolled up to speak with his cousin who was sitting in the shade outside the shunting yard at London.
"What news?" Flying Scotsman really didn't care, but he knew the blue A4 wouldn't leave him alone unless he first took heed to his announcement.
"We're getting a new engine." Mallard said with a mischievous smirk. "A new tank engine."
This made Scotsman perk up. He cast a sideways glance to Mallard. "Do we know their name?"
"Not a name, no," Mallard said with feigned remorse. "Just a color… White."
Scotsman's boiler bubbled. There's only so many possibilities of an engine with a white livery. The color wasn't exactly a common choice for engines. "Do we know when to expect this new engine?"
Mallard shrugged. "Not exactly. Sometime this week, I suppose. The deal is going down right now. Dr. Hart is on his way to finalize the paperwork for their transfer."
Flying Scotsman broke a half smile. He relished in the idea that maybe, just maybe this new engine was in fact his lovely little Meredith. He certainly hoped it was. He shuddered at the thought of finally getting to lure her back to him. "Mallard," Scotsman started to roll out from the shade. "I need you to try and find out who for sure this engine is, and when they're to be expected. Find me as soon as you have any new information, understood?"
"Understood," Mallard assured and then sped off back towards King's Cross to do some more detective work.
Flying Scotsman lingered behind in the sun for a moment. His boiler bubbled in anticipation. If the new engine truly was Meredith he knew he would have to work hard to woo her once more. She would no doubt be upset about being forced away from Gordon so he knew not to expect her to put out her first night on the railway. The work and the wait would be well worth it, however. The big engine licked his lips. Oh how he couldn't wait to have that sweet little engine under his tongue once more.
Edward had just pulled into Brendam Docks when he saw Sir Topham Hatt approaching him from his car. "Afternoon, sir!"
"Afternoon, Edward. Are you busy?" The controller stopped just short of Edward's buffers to look the little engine in the eye. He had removed his tailcoat, pushing his hands in his pants pockets. The fresh sea air felt a treat against his sweaty skin.
"I was getting ready to pull some goods to Suddary. Do you need something?" Edward was always happy to help when he could and if the task his controller had for him wasn't too time-consuming, he'd be thrilled to assist.
"Well if you wouldn't mind sparing a moment, I need you to fetch Rocky and a flatbed and take that to Knapford for me. Could you do that?"
"Sure, sir, but- what for?"
Sir Topham sighed. "Oh just in case."
Edward gave his controller a weird look but shrugged. He wasn't about to question his boss so he started towards the Search and Rescue center without another word.
After picking up Rocky and a railed flatbed, Edward was puffing quickly down the mainline towards Knapford like Sir Topham Hatt told him. He still wasn't sure what he was doing and was confused as to why the fat controller was so vague. He usually provides better details than 'just in case'. Edward was surely puzzled.
"Edward!"
The little blue engine stopped quickly when he saw James headed towards him on the opposite line with his coaches. "Hi, James!" Edward beamed at his partner. They didn't see much of each other during the day as James kept mostly to the mainline, but they always took the time to catch-up whenever they crossed paths.
"Where are you going with Rocky?" The splendid red engine inquired with a slight tilt.
"Oh, Sir Topham Hatt asked me to bring him and this flatbed to Knapford, but he wouldn't give me any details."
James raised his brow. "That's weird. I was just there and I didn't see any accidents. Meredith did come barreling through the junction but she didn't hit anyone."
"Why would she do that?"
James shook his boiler. "I can't say. She went straight to Gordon. She was upset about something."
"I hope she's okay." Edward had never seen Meredith upset before. Maybe she was just having a bad day. "Well, I've gotta get going and I'm sure you do too. I'll see you later! I love you."
"I love you more!" James squeaked before he took off with his coaches.
Edward made it to Knapford with his train and found Meredith pressed against Gordon. He could hear her sobs from the junction. Gordon looked mad. The big engine's steam billowed up and across the tracks. He was hot about something. That was when he noticed Sir Topham Hatt was already in the yard. He was stern and gestured for Edward to line up beside Gordon and Meredith. The little engine hesitated. He suddenly felt a weight fall in his boiler and he didn't want to move.
"Edward! Over here, now!" Sir Topham called as he walked up to Gordon.
Edward swallowed but did as he was told. He lined up on the track next to the two engines. Meredith's sobs were desperate and full of heartbreak. He suddenly wished he hadn't agreed to the surprise job.
"Meredith," Sir Topham's firm tone broke through the wailing. "Meredith! If you don't go to the mainland yourself I'll have Edward deliver you there on a flatbed."
"No! I don't want to go!" Meredith cried. She tried to bury herself deeper into Gordon's smokebox. The big engine's boiler grumbled angrily. "Why are you sending me away? What did I do?!"
"It's what's best for everyone, Meredith." Sir Topham managed to remain steadfast, however, inside he felt nothing but guilt. "Now please, you're due to London this evening."
"If you're selling her you better sell me too." Gordon finally snapped.
"Don't be ridiculous, Gordon. The mainland has plenty of large engines plus I need you here." The controller turned to Rocky and his crew. "Load her up."
"NO, please!" The crew swarmed around Meredith. Hayden and Alex both jumped out of her cab. Hayden quickly approached Sir Topham.
"Sir, please, you really don't have to do this. She's been doing so good!" The driver pleaded. He didn't want to see Meredith ripped away from Gordon. They were finally happy again and he certainly didn't want Meredith on the same railway as Flying Scotsman.
"It's already been done, Hayden. She belongs to the London and North Eastern Railway now." The fat controller kept stoic as he watched Rocky and his crew hoist a distraught Meredith into the air. She continued to pump her pistons and thrash her boiler to try and break the hoist, but Rocky held her steady as he put her on the flatbed.
Gordon kept surprisingly still and quiet. His gaze never once left Meredith. The big engine's expression remained completely unreadable. He watched carefully as his love continued to fight her chains. "Meredith." He said calmly. She paused her wriggling. "Let them chain you."
"But- but… I want to stay with you." Meredith whimpered.
"I know, my love. But you need to go. It'll all be alright. I promise." Gordon then smiled and Meredith nodded and allowed the workers to chain her down. Alex and Hayden exchanged a confused glance as they climbed into Edward's cab with his crew.
Edward was given the all clear from his guard and with a sad peep on his whistle he started back down the mainline. Gordon watched Meredith disappear around the bend as he fought back his own tears. It all made sense. Why he was never reprimanded and why his panel wasn't replaced. Sir Topham Hatt decided to simply remove the true source of the railway's transgressions.
The railway controller stood by his express engine quietly. He was surprised at how calm Gordon was. It seemed very out of character for him. "She'll be much happier on the mainland, Gordon. Don't you-"
"Unless you're assigning me work, don't you speak to me again." Gordon said plainly before he rolled off with a huff of furious steam.
Meredith's mind raced as she watched the treeline whizz by in a green and brown blur. They were well on the mainland at that point and she had no tears left. No energy remained for her to protest so she sat and stared. Hayden and Alex were both watching her from Edward's cab. The two were more than puzzled about the sudden transfer, but they had no time to truly think on it when Sir Topham dropped the news on them. They were just told she was allowed to say goodbye to Gordon and then they were to depart immediately after. Of course they didn't consider the fit they should have known she would throw, but Sir Topham clearly anticipated her dissent. Now they were en route to not only a new railway, but a new life.
The sun had begun to set on them as they crossed over into London. They were passed by all manner of engines, diesel and steam alike. Meredith was fast asleep by the time they pulled into Kings Cross where a crew and crane were waiting to unload the little engine and bring her to their own Steamworks. The little tank engine awoke with a start as she was lifted into the air once more. She caught sight of Hayden and Alex speaking with Dr. Hart on the platform. She wanted to call out. To make a big scene, but she had no voice and no will to do so. She had accepted her fate. As she was loaded onto the new flatbed, Meredith recognized the engine pulling her. It was Allan and he was too busy people-watching to notice his latest cargo was observing him. Meredith didn't bother to try and speak with him. Instead she glanced over to Edward who had just whistled his departure. "Bye, Edward. I'll miss you."
"Bye, Meredith. I'll miss you too. I'm so sorry." Edward couldn't even smile. He was heartbroken for her. He couldn't even imagine suddenly being ripped away from James the way she was Gordon. He chuffed away quickly because he knew if he lingered too long he would start to cry.
Meredith watched her friend leave and sighed. Then she heard another engine grind to a stop beside her. She breathed in and her body locked up. She recognized that expensive, earthy scent. She allowed herself to peek over and he was staring right at her with a subtle grin. "Hello…"
Flying Scotsman's grin widened. "Hello little Meredith. Welcome home."
Okay, so I didn't intend to end this fic so suddenly but I feel this is a good note to end it on. Lots of loose ends left to hang out and fester. Don't worry, I'll be punching out the third fic as soon as I can. I'll have all the time to do it as my whole family is now under quarantine as my husband tested positive for COVID which is cool. Lol. Gonna be spending lots of time in the house but hopefully not be too ill to write.
Pretty Katydid; yep, you've got me pegged pretty good. I don't quite like happy endings. They're boring and predictable. I like to jerk my readers around if I can do so in a way that's not exhausting. Lol.
Also that little idea about Stephen and Bernie is not... entirely awful. That's definitely crossing a line I didn't intend to traverse but here I am pondering it regardless.
Y'all have to also trust that I don't get a whole lotta joy out of torturing Gordon. He's my favorite canon character and I really hate hurting him in my AU, but it must be done. Why? I cannot exactly answer that. But it needs to happen. But do know I hold nothing but love in my heart for that big sweet boy.
Anywho; off to begin the third and completely fucked third installment. I really have no idea how long I plan to go but I'm gonna pump them out like George RR Martin with 'A Song of Ice and Fire' with just a little less death -maybe. Heh
Thank you so much for your continued love and support! I'll see y'all in the next one!
Much love;
Bumble
I've been trying to get you back; And it keeps getting worse; I'm burning on the inside; And the truth is that I didn't know how good you were; Until you were gone