A few days had passed since Meredith had met her older brother, Brian. She had managed to have her buffers repaired at the Steamworks with little question from Victor, and to her luck, Gordon and Flying Scotsman were both fast asleep during the short time it took for her to be mended. However, during her time at the Steamworks she saw Edward. He had come in to be polished and Meredith could tell by his glistening boiler he had just been to the wash down. Meredith pondered why the little engine felt the need to sharpen himself up. She knew Edward was a tidy engine, but not even James cleaned himself up quite to that level.

This particular day following those events was dreary and cold. Fall had officially arrived to the island and there was an uptick in visitors to Sodor as they came over from the Mainland to see the vivid reds and oranges that decorated the island's forests. Meredith was huffing along Duck's branch line with goods for the harbor when she spotted her older brother, Brian, chugging towards her with passenger coaches. "Morning!"

"Mornin', Mer. You keeping warm?"

"Trying," Meredith sighed as they both stopped for a moment to talk. "I see you've got your new coaches. They look smart." And they were. Just like Meredith's coaches, Brian's coaches were painted to match his black livery, but while Meredith only pulled two; Brian was given four coaches as he was a sizeable tank engine.

"Thank you, darlin'. I quite like them myself." Brian said with a bright smile. Meredith then noticed his cheeks were dimpled. They really weren't visible unless the engine was smiling big. Meredith couldn't help but feel proud to have the privilege to call such a stately engine her brother.

"I'm sure the passengers will love you." Meredith said teasingly. "What with that southern American charm and all."

Brian rolled his eyes. "You're American too, you know."

"I might as well not be." Meredith said with a laugh. "I was built here."

"Ah, but the spirit is still there." Brian said with a wink as he started up again with a puff of smoke. "I'll be seeing ya."

Meredith shook her boiler before setting off with a goodbye whistle. "Bye."

Meanwhile, on the south western side of the island, the men at the Steamworks were putting the finishing touches on Gordon and Flying Scotsman. The brothers had hardly spoken a word to each other since a few days previous, which could be considered good given the circumstances. Gordon tried to remain as still as possible as his stripes were being painted on his boiler, but the feeling of the brush gliding over his metal tickled. "Are you almost done?" Gordon said, his cheeks running red as he held back his laughter.

"Just a little longer, Gordon." The artist said calmly, though he always felt a little nervous painting the larger engines. "You want these to be straight, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Gordon snorted.

Flying Scotsman was off to the side waiting for his base coat to dry and noticed his older brother struggling. He couldn't help but snicker. "I'm pretty sure the last time I saw Gordon's face that red was when he blew his boiler at The Great Railway Show."

"If I had hands I would slap you." Gordon grumbled.

This made Scotsman burst into laughter. "I think you've proven you don't need hands to hit me, little brother."

Gordon couldn't help but chuckle a little, though he still didn't look at his brother. "Stop calling me little brother. We're the exact same size plus I'm older than you."

"And that's something to be proud of, old man."

This time Gordon looked to his brother only to send him a murderous glare. "Piss off."

Scotsman kept on laughing but decided to leave his brother be. He couldn't help but feel slight relief. He was still sore about the fight, but he missed being able to safely badger Gordon and was hopeful that their relationship was still salvageable.

Several hours had passed and Gordon awoke from a nap to find himself back at Tidmouth Sheds. They had been repaired and appeared to be empty. The sun shone bright above the structure, forcing the big engine to squint as he puffed forward over the turntable towards his berth. The shed doors opened with a low creak. His boiler fluttered in excitement when he saw Meredith sleeping peacefully. He had nearly forgotten what she looked like and studied her face with a new intensity. He took in every detail from her sweet little nose to her supple lips and perfectly round cheeks. Gordon had to take a deep breath to calm himself as he drew closer. He stopped as her eyes opened sleepily. She beamed and Gordon's boiler nearly blew. "Meredith I-" Gordon was cut off by Flying Scotsman as he somehow rushed past Gordon and into the berth with Meredith. The shed doors slammed shut.

"What…" The sheds began to distort out of view and all Gordon could see was Meredith pinned to the buffers, her lips locked with Scotsman's. Gordon tried to rush towards them but as he did they drew further away until they had faded into darkness. "Meredith!"

Gordon jolted awake. He was relieved to find himself still at the Steamworks. He glanced around nervously and saw Flying Scotsman dozing beside him. Gordon took a few steadying breaths, sweat beaded down his forehead and boiler.

"Are you alright, my friend?" Victor steamed up to the nervous big engine.

Gordon shook his boiler. "I'm fine…"

"You were thrashing about in your sleep. Are you sure?" Victor said. He kept his voice low as Scotsman was still sleeping.

Gordon sighed. "No… when can I get out of this damn place?"

"Hmm." Victor took a moment to consider the question. Gordon was completely repaired, the brothers were told just to rest for a bit before returning to work. Being rebuilt could be hard on an engine. But the narrow-gauge engine felt it had been long enough. "How about now?"

Gordon perked up and Victor saw the big engine smile for the first time in months. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, Gordon. You go ahead. I'll let Scotsman sleep a little longer before releasing him."

"Oh, thank you, Victor, thank you!" Gordon could barely hide his excitement as he felt his driver and fireman climb into his cab to get his firebox warmed up.

Brian was driving along the Mainline with his coaches, whistling happily. Despite the gloomy weather he loved being out and about. It was a real change from being stuck in shunting yards back in The States. He had begun to ascend Gordon's Hill when he heard a loud whistle coming towards him from behind. "Awh, great." He grimaced. He could tell by the rumbling of the tracks it was a large engine, and a fast one at that. He looked around for a siding to slip off on, but it was too late. He heard the big engine slam their brakes on behind him, the scraping of metal cut through the otherwise quiet air.

"Oh you can't be serious!" The big engine's deep voice boomed behind him. "Not another small engine to get in my way. Move, you!"

Brian felt himself grow cross. "Hey, I can't move if there's nowhere for me to move to, pal! Why don't you just be patient?"

"Ugh, I don't have time for this." The engine behind him growled. A set of points came up and the large engine overtook Brian. The black tank engine watched as a massive blue Pacific stormed past him. He rolled his eyes. "Nice to meet you too!" Brian called sarcastically before he mumbled. "Asshole."

Meredith was waiting for her passengers to finish boarding at Wellsworth when she heard a whistle. She froze on her track. She knew that whistle. She stared ahead and heard it again. Her funnel fumed, and pistons puffed. Then she saw him round the bend on the other track coming towards the station. Meredith nearly choked on her own breath when she saw that smile. "Gordon!"

Gordon beamed from buffer to buffer. His boiler rumbled and it took everything in him to not switch tracks and kiss Meredith. "Hello, Mer." He slowed to a stop beside her. "How have you been?"

"I've been okay.." Meredith struggled to keep her voice steady. "Are you feeling okay? You're handsome. That's the best I've seen your paintwork look."

Gordon looked down with a stupid grin. "I'm feeling better now. Just ready to get back to normal again."

"I'm sure you are." Meredith said softly. She heard her guard blow her whistle and her smile disappeared. "I'm sorry. I've got to go. We'll talk later?"

"Of course." Gordon said, his voice low and sweet. He watched Meredith steam away. He was ecstatic to see her after so long, but he couldn't ignore the ache in his boiler. He knew Flying Scotsman still wanted Meredith and Gordon wasn't completely sure whether Meredith was capable of telling his younger brother no.

At Knapford later in the evening, Meredith and Brian were sitting at platforms 3 and 4. Brian was filling Meredith in on all the details of his very first passenger run. "It was all goin' smoothly and all, but when I came to the hill I met an extremely unpleasant engine. He overtook me in such a huff I almost lost my bearings."

"Did you happen to catch their name?" Meredith inquired with a raise of her brow.

Brian shook his boiler. "No, he was a big engine though. Seemed very unfriendly."

Before Meredith could say anything more, Gordon glided into platform 1 with his express. The little white tank engine simpered when she saw him. Henry and James had been taking turns pulling the express and seeing Gordon finally at it again felt so wonderfully perfect. "Hi, Gordon." She said shyly.

"Hello, my love."

Brian's jaw dropped. He had to double-take between his sister and the big engine. "Wait…" he started with a disapproving shake of his boiler. "This is Gordon?"

"What's that supposed to mean? And who even are you?" Gordon scowled.

"I'm Brian, Meredith's brother."

It was Gordon's turn to be completely flabbergasted. "Wh- what? I didn't know you had a brother." He looked to Meredith for clarity and she couldn't help but giggle.

"I didn't either until just a few days ago." Meredith paused for a moment, then the realization struck her. "Brian, is this the rude engine you said overtook you on the Mainline?" Brian nodded curtly, he and Gordon were then glaring daggers at each other. Meredith laughed again. "I can't say I'm shocked. Gordon isn't the most tactful engine, that's for sure." She winked at the big engine and he broke his stare down with Brian to give a half-smile.

Brian looked back over to his little sister in disbelief. "You have feelings for a big engine? Are you serious?"

"What's so wrong with that?" Meredith questioned.

Brian sighed. "You're a third his size, Meredith. I'm not exactly sure how that would even work."

"Oh it does," Gordon said with a mischievous grin and a wink at Meredith. "Trust me."

Meredith's face became scorching hot and she quickly looked to the platform on the other side of her where she saw Flying Scotsman watching quietly. She nearly jumped off the track when she saw the grinning green engine. "Where did you come from?"

"Oh, I just thought I'd do a little eavesdropping before heading back to the Mainland." Scotsman said confidently as he slowly inched forward and took notice of Brian. "Who's this handsome fellow? I'm Flying Scotsman."

Meredith glanced to Brian; he had his eyes narrowed at her. She could tell he was not happy with the engines she had gotten herself mixed-up with. She gave an awkward smile and his stare only hardened. "I'm Brian." He said at last, but he never looked at Scotsman.

"Charmed." Scotsman said flatly. He suddenly wasn't too impressed with this new engine and he didn't like the way he was looking at Meredith. "I suppose I should get going. I have to be back in time for an early morning express." He whistled as he started off and cast a sideways glance to Gordon. "I'll see you at Vicarstown tomorrow, little brother."

Gordon groaned and rolled his eyes. He was trying to not let his brother get the better of him again. But he felt as if Scotsman was toying with him, and the big blue engine didn't like it one bit.

"I figure I should get on to my own shed." Brian said with a yawn. "I'll see ya later, Meredith." He peered over at Gordon who was staring ahead with a furrowed brow. "Pleased to meet you, Gordon."

Gordon hmphed in response and watched as the black tank engine departed from the station. Then he returned his attention to Meredith who looked like she was about to burst her safety valve. "Well that was a bit much, hm?"

"You're telling me." Meredith laughed awkwardly.

"Meredith, Gordon."

The two engines heard their names and turned to see Sir Topham Hatt as he emerged from his office. "I need to have a word with you two if you'll meet me in the yard."

Gordon and Meredith exchanged a worried glance before chuffing out of the station and to a secluded set of sidings in the yard. They waited nervously for the fat controller as he strolled over with his two guards. He did not look happy. "First of all, Gordon, I'm glad to see you up and running again. You definitely had me worried there for a bit."

"Thank you, sir." Gordon said carefully. He didn't like where the conversation was going simply based on the controller's tone.

Sir Topham Hatt nodded quickly then turned his attention to both engines. "So I've been going over the reports from the Steamworks. I know you two have been spending a lot of time together, but I was extremely disappointed to discover that you've been… well, you've been intimate." Gordon and Meredith remained silent. "Gordon, you've been here much longer than Meredith. You should have known that I forbid this behavior and for good reason. Not only did you damage Meredith, but I'm only to assume the fight between Flying Scotsman and you was related to this in some way. Am I correct in assuming, Gordon?"

The big engine sighed and dropped his gaze. "Yes sir."

The fat controller sighed heavily. "Ohhh, you engines. You've put me in quite a bind here. I need you two. You're both hard-working, incredible engines, but Meredith is causing not only a distraction, but she's drawn a rift between you and your brother, Gordon."

"The rift was there long before Meredith, sir." Gordon stated sadly.

"Regardless, if you can't keep yourselves in line I'm going to have to send Meredith to another railway." Sir Topham Hatt was solemn. He didn't like sending his engines away, but the overall cost of the engines' personal drama was too great to ignore.

"Sir, you can't do that." Gordon had been calm the whole time, but the idea of never seeing Meredith again sent him into a panic. "Please…"

Sir Topham Hatt huffed with a cross of his arms. "I won't. Not yet at least, but if I catch word you two are behaving as more than just friends you'll leave me no choice, understood?"

"Yes sir." Both engines said as they glanced at each other.

"Good, good. Off you go now." Sir Topham Hatt waved his engines off and crossed the yard back to the station.

Meredith and Gordon both stood still. They weren't sure how to feel about the conversation and they didn't know what to say. Gordon looked over at Meredith; she was staring up at the darkening sky. Moonlight bathed her in an ethereal glow. He didn't want to lose her permanently. Gordon's boiler began to bristle. This was all Flying Scotsman's fault. That selfish pile of scrap just couldn't let Gordon have anything to himself. There was a low rumble in Gordon's boiler and Meredith glanced over. Gordon was seething. "Gordon?"

"You are to stay away from Flying Scotsman. Don't look at him, don't talk to him, don't even think about him." Gordon's voice was dark. "Do you hear me?"

Meredith swallowed. "Yes."

"Good." The big engine then took off. He was too angry to linger around Meredith. Gordon may have been cross with his brother, however, Meredith was not innocent either. Gordon had to be stern with her. He wanted nothing more than to be with her, but he first had to make certain he could even trust her.

happy dance* y'all have no idea how hard it has been for me to keep Meredith and Gordon apart, but such is the struggle of writing. This rivalry between him and Scotsman is pretty much permanent, minus a few nice moments they may have.

Pretty Katydid; I can always explain the "planking" if you wish, but I'll avoid it for the time being. Lol. I'm glad you noticed that little power trip Scotsman went on. I went back and forth on whether or not to include it, but I really wanted to stress Scotsman's "whorish-ness" as well as Meredith's finicky nature. Poor thing. She is such a kind engine, she's just a smidge... dumb.

I would ramble more but my husband is home and he's already annoyed at me for spending too much time writing so I'll expand more later! So feel free to ask me anything. I'm more than happy to gush on my strange theories and ideas.

Also to Cherry Lau; I've really appreciated your reviews! Thank you for reading and following, your loyalty has not gone unnoticed. It means a lot to me, your support. Thank you!

Much love;

Bumble