The following morning after Gordon's outburst, Flying Scotsman was traveling down the coastline of Sodor. He hadn't yet heard about his brother's meltdown but he could tell something was wrong when he came up on Meredith who was barely inching along with her goods cars. "Meredith? What're you doing going so slowly?"

The little white tank engine peered up at Scotsman. Her eyes were red and puffy. She had been up all night crying. This took the big engine by surprise and he furrowed his brow in concern. "What happened?"

"Ask your brother." Meredith snapped then she sped up, leaving a very confused Flying Scotsman in a cloud of hot steam.

Gordon was at Knapford again. He spent the time in his shed yesterday brooding and regretting ever opening his mouth. He hated himself for being so crass and he hated Thomas for provoking him in the first place. He didn't want to see the silly tank engine again, but he would have to settle for the short time it would take for Thomas's wheels to be replaced. The express engine hoped for a major parts delay and grinned at the thought of that little blue nuisance dangling from the gantry as he collected dust.

Gordon was snapped out of his thoughts when Percy shunted the express coaches so hard into Gordon's tender the big engine nearly leapt off the tracks. "Hey! What was that for?"

"For being a bully!" Percy retorted before chugging away.

"Why, you little cun-"

"Gordon, watch your tongue! Don't make me send you to your shed again!" Sir Topham Hatt warned from inside his office. Gordon huffed and continued crudely cursing Percy under his breath.

Flying Scotsman came to a gentle stop beside his brother who was still grumbling to himself. "Hey, what's up with Meredith?"

"How should I know?" Gordon said quickly.

"I just saw her, she was crying and she said to ask you why."

When Gordon heard Meredith was crying his bearings nearly caved. He really hurt her. "I said something rather cruel about tank engines and… well… she heard."

Scotsman shook his boiler. He wasn't surprised. His brother was always quick to snap without thinking about what he was saying. "What did you say?"

"Can I tell you later?" Gordon said quietly as his guard blew the whistle. "I'm really not in the mood."

Scotsman was uncoupled from his coaches and followed after his brother. "Sorry, but no. Meredith is my friend. What did you say?"

Gordon groaned in annoyance. He wanted to try and outrun his brother down the Mainline, but he knew that Scotsman could easily keep pace. "I may have said all tank engines should be scrapped."

"Gordon," Flying Scotsman's mouth dropped open. He had heard his brother say some extremely unkind things, but had never heard him advocate for engines to be scrapped. "What is the matter with you? You don't truly feel that way, do you?"

"Ugh, of course I don't." Gordon growled as he slowed to his first stop at Wellsworth. "I was cross with Thomas."

"But still, you should know to not say that of an engine." Scotsman was stern, which was rare for him. He watched Gordon as he stood at the platform in silence, only breaking his glare when a small child waved at him and the big blue engine couldn't help but crack a small smile. Flying Scotsman knew his brother was capable of being one of the kindest engines, but Gordon's rocky beginning made the engine hard. He was constantly trying to prove his worth when he didn't need to. "Gordon?"

"What?" Gordon snapped as they both started back down the Mainline to the next express stop.

Scotsman took a deep breath. Sometimes even he struggled to keep his head level when Gordon acted this way. "You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"For who?"

"For Meredith."

Gordon took pause then gave his brother a sideways glance. "Is it obvious?"

"To me it is." Scotsman chuckled. "You wouldn't be this bent out of shape over the situation if there weren't feelings there."

"Well if you're such a relationship expert tell me what to do." Gordon retorted.

"I've never been in a real relationship. Any intimacy with another engine has been purely… fun." Flying Scotsman smirked and Gordon felt like he would be sick.

"Don't you even think about trying anything with Meredith." Gordon said flatly. His brother laughed again.

"Oh, Gordon. I've already thought about it, but don't worry. I won't try anything." Scotsman said with a wink.

Gordon rolled his eyes and picked up speed. Of course Scotsman kept up with ease.

The remainder of Gordon's express run the two kept silent. Gordon still felt weighed down by guilt, but he was happy to have his brother's support. He didn't know what he could say to Meredith to mend things. Assuming the situation could, in fact, be repaired. He wanted to try though. She was worth the effort.

Later that afternoon Meredith was having a rest at Tidmouth Sheds. She didn't feel like being around any other engines so she decided to use her break time in the privacy of a berth. She had backed all the way into the shed and had her driver shut the doors. She couldn't stop thinking about what Gordon had said. It made no sense. One moment he was kissing her, the next he was shouting about tank engines being scrapped. The sudden shift made her smoke box ache. She didn't want to believe he felt that way, but he said it with such conviction it was difficult for her to feel otherwise.

Meredith sighed then shut her eyes. Light still managed to creep into the shed through the cracks in the doors. The air was humid still from the engines that occupied it overnight. She wondered which berth Gordon had slept in then she shook her boiler furiously. Why did she care? He was a cruel engine who only worried about himself. He was probably planning on using Meredith for whatever sick desires he had then just toss her to the wind. The more she thought about Gordon the more steam she blew off. She wanted to forget him, but she couldn't. She opened her eyes once more and saw another engine coming towards the shed through the frosted glass windows. She held her breath. It was a large engine. "Oh please don't be Gordon."

"I guess this is your lucky day then." The doors opened slowly and revealed Flying Scotsman giving Meredith that handsome mirk.

Meredith frowned. "What're you doing here?"

Scotsman shrugged as he pulled into the berth with Meredith. "I was worried about you. I've never seen you so distressed."

"I'm fine." Meredith hissed.

"Well color me unconvinced." Scotsman chortled. "An engine who is fine wouldn't be fuming in the sheds all by herself."

Meredith rolled her eyes but remained silent. She hated how charming Scotsman was. Why couldn't Gordon be that way?

"I heard what happened." Scotsman finally said. "I understand your anger."

Meredith's expression softened only slightly. Her vents were still puffing out quite a bit of steam however. "Why is he so horrid?"

"I wish I had an answer for you, but even I don't know." Scotsman chuckled; Meredith still looked sad. He inched closer to her. "Try not to let him get to you. You're a brilliant engine, Mer."

Meredith looked up at Scotsman. He was dangerously close, and her mind began racing with ways she could make that big engine hurt like her.

Flying Scotsman noticed her prodding eyes and he couldn't help but feel the pull of temptation. He began to weigh his options. He promised Gordon he wouldn't fool around with Meredith, but she was right there. She was understandably furious at Gordon. It was the perfect opportunity to curb his desires, if only temporarily.

Meredith couldn't handle the silence anymore. She wanted to forget Gordon. Forget those horrible words that played on repeat inside her head. She used her buffers to push Scotsman down and locked her lips with his. Scotsman didn't hesitate to close his eyes and lean in, shoving Meredith into the buffers behind her. A smug grin grew across his face while he and the little tank engine melted into each other.

On the other side of the island, Gordon was pulling the express. He was completely ignorant to what was happening in his berth at Tidmouth Sheds that very moment. His mood had improved, but he was still worried about his relationship with Meredith. He came to a stop at Kellsthorpe station where he saw the purple tank engine, Ryan, pulling Annie and Clarabel. "Hello there!" Ryan said excitedly.

"Hello." Gordon said quietly. He felt relieved it seemed what he said hadn't circled the whole island… yet. "I've not seen you on this line before."

"Yes, well, Sir Topham Hatt has me filling in for Thomas while he's being repaired." Ryan said with a smile.

"You heard about that?" Gordon said with a grimace. Ryan nodded. "How much… did you hear?"

"Oh, well… all of it." Ryan said, but a little less cheerily.

Gordon sighed. "I'm sorry I-"

"Don't worry about it, Gordon." Ryan cut the big engine off. "Everyone knows you have a tendency to say things you don't mean when you're upset. As long as you're truly sorry there's no harm done."

Gordon stared at Ryan in disbelief. He felt his throat tighten. He'd never really spoken to the purple tank engine, and he never realized what a kind engine he was until now. "Thank you… Ryan."

"Of course, Gordon." Ryan let off a quick peep on his whistle as he began to depart. "Everyone makes mistakes, it's how you decide to correct them that shows who you really are."

Gordon watched RyAn leave and suddenly felt a new wave of energy rush over him. He heard his guard blow the whistle and the big express engine eagerly rushed off, a joyful smile creeping its way across his face as he thought about making things right with Meredith.

Meanwhile, Meredith had sputtered into Knapford to pick up her coaches. Her face and boiler were covered in hot condensation and she had a slight wobble, but she did her best to work it out as she backed into her coaches. The little tank engine felt giggly from the adrenaline and ecstasy of her encounter with Flying Scotsman. Her eyes were heavy from a new type of exhaustion she had never felt before, but she had passengers to collect so she had her driver splash cold water on her face.

Meredith pulled onto her platform where she saw Sir Topham Hatt standing with a clipboard and pencil. He appeared irritated. "Is something wrong, sir?"

"Ah, Meredith, I'm just figuring out how I'm to arrange my engines while Thomas is out at the Steamworks and Edward is delayed on the Mainland." The fat controller clenched his jaw as he made several scribbles on his paper.

"Is Edward okay?" Meredith inquired.

"Yes, he's fine. He just had a little incident with his trucks and had to be repaired in Manchester. He should be home in a day or so."

Before Meredith could say more, Gordon pulled onto the platform beside her. He tried to smile at her, but she simply glowered at him then looked away. The big engine sighed. "Meredith."

"I'm not talking to you."

Gordon cast a worried glance to Sir Topham Hatt, but he was not paying attention thankfully. Gordon leaned towards Meredith and spoke in a hushed tone. "Meet me outside Tidmouth later tonight please, Meredith. Let me make this right."

Meredith lightened her glare and reluctantly nodded. "Fine."

Later that night Meredith kept her word and waited at the junction outside Tidmouth for Gordon to finish his late express. She couldn't help but let her mind wander to her and Scotsman's little affair earlier in the day. Part of her felt completely horrible for being unfaithful to Gordon, but they weren't even a couple. They almost were, but almost doesn't count. At least, she hoped it didn't.

Finally Gordon chuffed up. He was breathing quickly, he had hurried as fast as possible from Vicarstown after an ill passenger caused a delay. "I'm sorry about that. Humans are so finicky. I go too fast and suddenly there's disgusting fluid all over my coach's upholstery."

Meredith wanted to laugh, but she forced herself to keep a straight face. It irritated her how much she still wanted to be around Gordon despite his horrible behavior. Even after her time with Flying Scotsman all she could think about was what it would be like to have Gordon in that way. The thought made her axles ache in such a wonderful way. "So what did you want me here for?"

Gordon took a deep breath in and moved onto Meredith's track to be in front of her. "I wanted to tell you how deeply sorry I am for what I said. Even though it wasn't directed at you it was still something that should have never been said, and I didn't mean it. I was mad, and when I get mad sometimes I do impulsive, stupid things. Your anger with me is completely valid. I'm sorry, Meredith."

Meredith scanned Gordon's face. She could see the remorse written all over him. He truly was sorry. "Are you going to give Thomas that good of an apology as well?"

"I've already apologized to him." Gordon said. "This isn't the first time he and I have fought, but this is definitely the worst."

"Yeah, you got pretty personal, huh?" Meredith said with a small snicker.

"Just a little." Gordon grinned awkwardly and suddenly Meredith felt overwhelmed with guilt. Gordon was the engine she wanted to be with, and she betrayed him before they even had a chance to exist together. With his own brother. She couldn't help but visibly wince, and the little white tank engine felt sick to her boiler. She had to make sure Gordon would never find out about her and Scotsman. She had to live with the guilt herself, but she didn't care. As long as Gordon didn't get hurt she would bear that weight herself.

"Are you alright?" Gordon noticed Meredith had tensed up and was staring off at the starry sky behind him.

"I'm... yeah I'm fine." Meredith said. "I'm just really tired, I guess."

"Would you like to come back to Tidmouth with me? There's an open berth with Edward still being on the Mainland."

Meredith finally came back to earth and beamed at Gordon. "I'd love to."

Before they started back to the sheds, Gordon pulled Meredith to him with his coupling hook and kissed her. It was longer and heavier than their first one and while Meredith was shaking and enjoying the moment, she couldn't help but think about how Flying Scotsman was a much better kisser.

Aaaand here's this. I originally didn't want to go this route, but I started writing and it was too fun to not do. Of course I'll never go into full detail about any intimate moments because 1) It makes me a little uncomfy writing about it and 2) this just isn't that kind of fic. I'm not sure why but Flying Scotsman gives me subtle womanizer vibes. I feel like he gets around but just never brags about it. (For the most part at least.) Maybe it's because he's much more suave than Gordon. He's certainly a lot nicer, but he does maintain that arrogance Gordon has, he's just a little more... reserved about it? Idk. I'm rambling. I was also hesitant to resolve the misunderstanding with Meredith and Gordon so quickly, but honestly I didn't feel it was substantial enough to drag out over several chapters. I find it rather exhausting when writers milk a small fight for all its worth. Anyway, I hope ya'll enjoy reading this because I'll admit I had a bit too much fun writing it. I'm not a dramatic person, but I do live for a perfectly imperfect relationships. Don't forget to read and review!

Much love;

Bumble

Pretty Katydid;

I'll be honest I approved all those reviews not even realizing they were pretty much the exact same. Lol. So I went back and deleted the other two. My bad. Lmao. Your reviews are so lovely and I appreciate the in-depth analysis you provide. Also, I love angry Gordon much more than nice Gordon. Even in the show when he's being kind it feels forced almost and in the most recent series (22-24) he felt too nice to me, but they gotta keep it tame for the kiddies I suppose, but don't even get me started on his "revamped" self in All Engines Go. That nonsense is criminal. But, like you, I love Gordon and Flying Scotsman and really do wish there was more of Scotsman in the series. I did appreciate his cameos, I just wish there was even more. There were whole episodes around the other engine siblings (Bill and Ben and Donald and Douglas), so it was kind of strange that a main character like Gordon didn't get more features with his brother. I even feel The Great Race should have been centered around them rather than Thomas. I think it would've made more sense considering Gordon basically lives in Scotsman's shadow and quite literally changed his whole physical appearance to try and outdo him. Idk, I felt it was a missed opportunity on the part of the writers. Maybe I'll write my own version of The Great Race because it bothers me more than it probably should. Lol. Well, I guess I'll stop rambling. Thank you for you support in this little story of mine! 3