"Careful, big guy, I'm a quarter of your size, remem—" Meredith's playful scolding was cut short by Lammergeier's mouth finding hers in a voracious and heavy kiss. She sighed through her nose and let herself be absorbed by his newfound lust. For having never kissed another engine he sure knew how to navigate her mouth with his tongue and he tasted like summer spring water, Meredith was immediately intoxicated by her newest conquest to the point she was already planning sneaky midnight trips to Sodor. "Fuck…" she sighed as the German locomotive released her for a moment to breathe. Her expression was wistful and longing, he hadn't even connected with her yet despite the two having been in that lonely carriage shed for over an hour, their entire time together was spent in either a wet, open-mouthed make out or with Lammergeier nuzzling, kissing, and prodding about Meredith's little form. His extended front fender made for a perfect prop for Meredith's lead wheels and each time he'd lift her up she grew tingly with anticipation of his connection, but as well each time she was let down and the unaddressed arousal was beginning to hurt. She locked eyes with the engine and another happy groan escaped. God he was handsome. Dare she say handsome enough to rival her own Flying Scotsman? Perhaps, but her bias would always put her known lover on top. No one could match what that engine did to her in the berth.

"You seem distracted," Lammergeier stated in his cool native German. "Am I doing something wrong?"

Yeah, you're taking too long to fuck me. Meredith wanted to say, but she did well to keep polite. "Just a little antsy is all, I'm all for good foreplay, but after a while I do want to take it all the way."

"Hmm," he considered her words, making note of her wide, begging eyes. "How do you mean?"

Meredith stared blankly at the 48 and for a moment she thought he was serious, but a small twitch at the corner of his mouth gave away his true intentions. She decided to play along and put on an innocent face. "Do you not remember how I showed you?" She pushed flat against his buffers and batted her eyelashes.

"I'm afraid I don't," Lammergeier persisted, he could feel his smug grin fighting to make itself known as he lowered his lids, brow still raised. "You'll have to remind me."

Meredith feigned a frustrated sigh and hopped back up on Lammergeier's fender and he lowered himself so he could drag his lips over hers as she spoke in an enchanting whisper. "Just relax…" she breathed, taking in his soft lips resting just ever slightly against hers. "Push your steam to your leading axles and ju— OH!" She yelped as a familiar yet all at once brand new pressure shocked her undercarriage and nearly knocked her off the German engine's buffers. "Lammergeier!" She gasped and felt his mischievous grin break free against her mouth and when she opened her eyes she was met with a startlingly sexy set of hooded black eyes staring right back at her. "You sure you've never done this before?" She moaned as she felt him begin to slowly draw back out of her.

"Yep," he replied in a tone so low and dark it was comparable to distant thunder. He then rocked his body abruptly forward, forcing himself back into the little engine even deeper than before causing Meredith to groan in a way that rattled his smoke box. He then put his mouth right beside her face, his lips brushed her cheek as he whispered to her. "I'm just a fast learner, my pearl."

"Thank God…" Meredith closed her eyes and lost herself as Lammergeier took on a pace rough and slightly awkward at first, but once he found his footing so-to-speak he locked in and rocked the little engine until she was repeatedly knocking into the buffer stops behind her. She wasn't at all quiet and neither was Lammergeier at times, both cursed during heightened moments of ecstasy and Lammergeier found himself unintentionally switching between English and German, he even spit a few colorful French phrases through his clenched teeth which made Meredith giggle, though she had not a clue what he said. She just knew whatever it was sounded delicious in that burly voice of his.

When Lammergeier reached his first climax his eyes shot open as the voltaic sensation rocked his entire body from his axles to his steam dome. He seemed to feel everything and nothing all at once and he growled, moaned, and cried 'fuck' in a variety of languages. Meredith too was startled at just how hot everything got in her undercarriage, she didn't know a male's first ejaculation tended to be scalding and she would have hopped off him if it didn't feel so strangely incredible, throwing her over the edge just moments after her partner. The pair then slumped in a panting, steamy, sweaty mess. Lammergeier's eyes were still dark and wide, he stared right through Meredith as he worked to collect his breath, he was still well inside her and he quite enjoyed the warm sensation surrounding him, he certainly wasn't ready to pull out. He looked at the little engine with an uncharacteristically soft gaze though that fire in his eyes continued to flicker. "Are you… alright?" He asked in English.

Meredith couldn't stop her smile, his English was just as awkward as her German, but the code-switch gave her a moment to relax her mind. "Alright doesn't begin to cover it." She cooed as she pushed her nose into his cheek and she breathed out. "I really hope you're not done."

"Oh, darling," back to that seductive German. Lammergeier shuffled the weight on his wheels and started to move again slowly. "I'm nowhere near finished with you."

"Adler, you have to the count of three to tell me where Lammergeier went!" Denise was up on the mentioned locomotive's buffers. As well his eyes refused to meet his rightfully irritated human friend, he even flinched when she held up three fingers directly in his face. "One… two…—"

"I've said I don't know!" Adler whimpered, unfortunately for him, he wasn't as good a liar as his brother and his flushed face gave away his truth to the woman.

"If you don't tell me this instant where your brother went, I'm taking your engine butt back to Sodor!" Denise gestured angrily behind her. The Canadian engines and their crews all stood idly and awkwardly as they watched their German cohort have his metaphorical ass handed to him by the petite woman. "Spill! Right now, Alder!"

"Miz Doyon, please, I don't vant to get my brother into trouble," Adler sounded as if he would burst into tears, he hated when Denise was cross with him, but he also didn't want to betray his brother's trust. "I promise he's not far, he just vanted a little privacy…"

It was then Hayden stepped towards the German engine, his brow furrowed. "Did he leave with someone?"

"Uhh—" Adler flicked his nervous gaze between Denise and the strange new human addressing him, he then noticed Denise's final finger begin to fold towards her palm. "It vaz a little vhite tank engine!" He cried out suddenly and when he saw Denise's hand freeze he kept on. "She showed him how to start his own firebox zhen took him to a carriage shed somevhere outside ze yard!"

Denise dropped her hand then whipped around to Hayden. "He isn't talking about your Meredith is he?"

"She is the only white tank engine on our railway, miss, unless some other railway brought one." Dr. Blackman said casually. Alex stood beside him simply staring at the 48, his expression flat and unreadable, though his jaw was tight.

Hayden bit his lip and clenched his fists. That damn little engine. He looked at Adler and crossed his arms over his chest. In hindsight it probably would've been best to vet the engines being brought in, it was safe to assume the two 48s were similar in appearance and if Adler was any indication this Lammergeier was surely right up Meredith's alley. He cursed inwardly. She had impeccable taste, if only she had better impulse control. "I'm sure I know which shed your engine is talking about." He said after another moment of mulling over his grievances.

"Take us," Christophe said firmly. He wanted to collect his locomotive, but he was also painfully curious as to what exactly it was the two engines were doing.

Hayden looked over his shoulder at Dr. Blackman and Alex, his inspector simply shrugged and Alex appeared distant and non-responsive. Hayden regarded his partner with stern curiosity and approached him slowly. Alex had one arm under his breast to prop up his elbow as he held his hand over his mouth, a pose he forced away when he realized Hayden was watching him. "What?"

"Is something wrong?" Hayden whispered, Christophe and Denise were distracted comforting a frazzled Adler and weren't paying attention to the subtly intimate moment behind them.

Alex kept his eyes on the 48 and breathed in long and deep. "No, no," he said finally. "I'm fine, that engine he— he's just familiar is all."

Hayden peeked over his shoulder at Adler then back to his partner. Suddenly it clicked. "You've met him before?"

Alex locked his jaw. "I might have..."

Then Dr. Blackman was latched onto the conversation, he could see the red and smoke in Alex's eyes. He reached and grabbed the young man's shoulder, firmly. "Hey, relax, alright?" He said with a comforting smile. "Let's just go find Meredith and Lammergeier, okay?"

Alex rolled his shoulders and merely nodded before shoving his hands into the pockets of his trousers. Hayden gave his partner another concerned once-over before he returned his attention to Denise and Christiphe who were still fussing over Adler. He cupped his hands on either side of his mouth and called to them. "Do you wish to accompany us to the shed?"

The driver and engineer both looked back at the young controller and nodded in unison before giving Adler a set of goodbye pats to his fender and strolling back over to the group.

One brisk walk from the show yard's towering walls lead the mis-matched group to a massive open shunting yard left mostly abandoned aside from a few sets of goods trains neatly stored across scattered sidings. There was one tall, long shed at the very center of the yard with a manual turntable perched at its head. At first glance it appeared lifeless, but once Hayden focused hard on its doors he spotted familiar wisps of fresh steam. He sighed and gestured for everyone to follow him and they all carefully navigated the winding tracks and spurs. On any normal day the yard would be full of shunters and almost impassable on foot, but the show stole away all shunting engines and left many goods yards unmanned.

The closer they got the more Hayden's stomach churned, there was no noise because one of the first things he did after being assigned controller was fully insulate every single enclosed shed across the railway. Not a sound could get in or out, but he could feel the ground trembling with an intensity that only increased as they drew closer. He approached the massive door and placed both palms flat against it and pressed his ear to the heavy wood. He could hear the very muffled, but unmistakable sighs and groans of the two engines inside and with a single hearty shove, he pushed the doors wide open revealing Meredith and Lammergeier wholly intertwined in sex and a sloppy French kiss. "Meredith!" Hayden shouted over their moaning.

"Scheiße!" Lammergeier yelped and instantly withdrew himself from the little engine and backed away in a cloud of wicked blistering steam breathing hard and deep.

Denise's mouth was agape in complete shock over the state she found her engine. She glanced over at Christophe who was scrutinizing the two engines not with contempt, but curiosity. He had caught a brief glimpse of Lammergeier's male parts as he stored them away and was almost in awe. How had he not known engines had proper sexual organs? He always assumed it was appearance and pitch of voice that determined a locomotive's gender. It was extremely disturbing, but also oddly fascinating. "Mister Jameson," Christophe finally said after his moment of internal reflection. The mainland controller hesitated to look his guest in the eye but forced himself to do so and Christophe did well to hide his bemusement. "You said this behavior is regular for your engines, yes?"

"Yes," Hayden admitted with a defeated sigh as he helped guide Lammergeier onto the turntable. "I was hoping you wouldn't have to actually witness this so soon, but it seems you brought an engine that piqued Meredith's specific fancy."

"Which is?" Denise choked out as she glared daggers at Lammergeier who refused to look at her.

Hayden released the lever of the turntable with a petulant sigh and instead left the large engine facing the group. "Handsome, large, and most importantly— dominating. No offense to your other 48 but he appears a little… soft. One look at this guy and I know he runs off spite and just pure audacity, he could probably tussle with some of my more dominant locos if he so felt the urge."

Lammergeier couldn't stop the proud sneer that snuck across his face and Denise and Christophe glowered. If only Hayden knew.

"What do you mean by 'dominant locos'?" Christophe inquired cautiously.

Hayden shrugged, he was exhausted already and it wasn't even two o'clock. He watched Meredith limp out and stopped her to check her leaky undercarriage. "My larger engines function in a sort of hierarchy. Flying Scotsman is at the top —he's the strongest and Mer's main squeeze— beside him are Quicksilver and Golden Eagle, then there's Kestrel and Bittern, followed by Spencer. Those are the main ones. Mallard would be up there with the big dogs but he's much too unhinged. He's in his own little world with a couple freight engines who act as his sort of pin-headed lackeys. Then there's Emerson. He's strong, frighteningly so, but his head is just nowhere to be found. He used to be such a kind engine but now—" he glanced back up at Meredith whose expression sobered up at the mention of her former friend. Hayden exhaled. "Now there's no knowing whether one's coming or going with Emerson. It's a tragedy what happened with him."

"Truly," Dr. Blackman agreed. "Such a brilliant young engine with so much potential. Unfortunately his youth and naivety were his downfall. Mallard broke him and now he's a shell of his former self. I don't expect he'll ever be his old self again."

Denise and Christophe both felt uneasy at the sudden mood shift, the sun was out but it was as if a rolling storm cloud had formed over the mainland group. Even Lammergeier found himself feeling weighed down by what was said. Denise looked at Meredith and noticed just how upset she was. "It seems this Mallard has caused your railway a good bit of grief."

"Grief doesn't even begin to cover it." Dr. Blackman stated solemnly. "It's my opinion that the locomotive be scrapped but—" he looked to his controller who was openly glaring in his direction as he used his handkerchief to wipe off Meredith's face. "Mister Jameson has chosen mercy for him."

"I can't bring myself to kill an engine," Hayden whispered, he gripped Meredith's smoke box before he turned himself to face Denise and Christophe and pointed to Lammergeier whose boiler rumbled angrily at the unexpected gesture at him. "I heard the stories of that engine," Hayden began, ignoring the mechanical growling directed at him. "He had done things that well deserved him being scrapped, but you gave him a second chance, whipped him into shape, and it doesn't take an in-depth analysis to tell this bloke isn't exactly the most yielding. Whatever you did to him I need done to Mallard."

Christophe and Denise were lost on what to say, sure Lammergeier had misbehaved in ways most engineers and controllers would deem unforgivable, but they surmised it wasn't to the level of this Mallard simply judging by their extremely unpleasant first interaction with the contentious A4. They would most definitely have their work cut out for them, but they sympathized with Hayden's desire to keep his engine alive, they didn't entirely understand it, but it softened them regardless.

While the Sudrian workers contemplated Hayden's plea, Dr. Blackman and Alex hung back, the inspector decided to use the moment to examine Lammergeier with admiring eyes. A true Nazi built locomotive only feet from him, he felt absolutely giddy. Despite their atrocities, the engineers of Nazi Germany knew how to build beautiful and impressive locomotives. He slowly approached Lammergeier's tender and looked it over closely then frowned. It wasn't his original, but a modified tub tender. He stored that little note away for later, he didn't figure it was the best time to nit-pick the locomotive. He then stepped back towards Alex who was quiet, but the kind of quiet which was unusual, even for someone as contemplative as he. "What's on your mind?"

"Four eight zero one three," Alex whispered, seemingly more to himself than the inspector.

"What?"

"That's this engine's number."

Dr. Blackman raised his brow. "Indeed it is, how did you know that?" The engine was numbered, but with the angle they were standing it wasn't promptly visible, obscured by the sunlight.

Alex covered his mouth with his palm and took a steadying breath. "Because… I used to escort this engine and his brothers. It was my job," he swallowed hard. "I was a Feldgendarmerie… a military policeman assigned specifically to guard VIPs, I have my influential parents to thank for that one." He forced a half-hearted chuckle, he knew Dr. Blackman was staring at him and he wiped his hands on his jacket, clearing his throat. "Anyway, Lammergeier, Adler, and their third brother, Habicht, they went anywhere there was to be a big show of power in occupied states. They of course did regular work when needed, but for the most part they were just to look pretty and imposing. Intentionally built to be powerful and attractive almost as a way to entice those into the open arms of Nazi Germany." He snorted and shook his head. "Though I'm sure he doesn't remember me, I remember Lammergeier quite well. A real cut-up he was, stone-faced and stern when needed, but once away from public scrutiny he made for decent company. I'm glad to see he and Adler made it out. I wonder what came of Habicht…"

"You were a Nazi?" Dr. Blackman was in shock, what Alex said about Lammergeier and his brothers didn't seem to fully register and this of course irritated the man in question.

"Yes," Alex clenched his teeth and cast an incredulous glance to the inspector. "I lived in Germany during the war and was in my twenties, I wasn't exactly given a choice. I figured a man as smart as yourself would've been able to piece that together long ago."

"You always have a choice." Dr. Blackman seethed.

"Do you?!" Alex shouted, startling Denise, Hayden, and Christophe who had begun to discuss the handling of Mallard. They all averted their attention to the frazzled man and, naturally, Lammergeier had been listening the entire time. Alex stepped closer to Dr. Blackman and jabbed a firm finger into his chest. "You tell me how much of a choice it is when your options are to either cooperate or be shot on the spot like a dog!" The two were the same height, but in that moment LNER's chief inspector felt incredibly small. Alex shoved him back with a furious huff, ready to burst into tears. "I've seen things that would make your skin crawl, heard the cries of thousands of innocents being crammed into boxcars to be carried away to their inevitable and undeserved deaths, I myself walked every day in constant paralyzing fear for my own life, fearing someone would eventually catch onto my being gay. I watched children, women, boys, babies executed in the streets by men I was expected to call my friends, my brothers!" he whipped around to look at Hayden, his eyes had glossed over. "Once Nazi Germany fell I fled along with my parents, the loss of the war saved my life and I thought maybe I could put it behind me but here a mere step away lies one of the biggest fucking reminders of those years spent in the darkest pits of Hölle!"

Lammergeier was grinding his teeth listening to Alex, he had shut his eyes but when he did he heard nothing but horrified screams, explosions, and gunfire. Christophe was watching his engine with nervous eyes, he was all too familiar with that certain intense expression. A former Nazi soldier working for Hayden, how could he have guessed that little twist?

Hayden, of course, was horrified, it was the first he'd heard Alex speak of his experiences in Nazi Germany. He was familiar with his involvement, but knew it to be a sore subject and was smart enough to not push his partner for details. He could see the pain that riddled Alex's entire body tense, he was so angry it hadn't even occurred to him that he'd accidentally outed himself to his guests having not a clue how they felt in regards to homosexuality. Hayden watched Denise and Christophe carefully and prepped himself to step in should they speak ill of that subject, and nearly lunged as Denise began to walk towards a shaking Alex. Meredith started to roll forward as well but Hayden held his hand up and she stopped and watched with him as Denise closed in on his partner who grew visibly precarious until she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. It took Alex a moment to register what she was doing but when the moment settled he wrapped his own arms around her and began to sob into her shoulder.

Dr. Blackman watched and relaxed himself and rubbed Alex's back along with Denise, guilt collapsed on him like a load of stone. Hayden wanted to run to his partner, but he was still hesitant to let himself be known as well, he flexed his hands and focused his attention to Lammergeier who appeared mournful, avoiding eye contact with anyone and everyone around him.

There was a sudden weight down on the young controller's shoulder and he looked up to see Christophe watching him with a sober smile. "I don't suppose you could let me have a crack at Mallard first?" He then looked at Denise as she continued to comfort Alex, they were speaking as he dried his eyes. What words the two could hear from that distance were very clearly German, unknown to either party. "I imagine Denise will want to spend a little time with your… friend after that."

Hayden winced at the way he said 'friend' but nodded in agreement. "I can bring him over here if you'd like some privacy."

"No no," Christophe laughed and pat Hayden's back. "I think ole Mallard could do well for a public spanking in front of his band of equally uncouth brothers. I say we start fresh in the morning and give that engine a heartfelt what-for."

It was Hayden's turn to laugh, though it was quiet. He was still focused on Alex who had begun to walk back towards the show yard with Denise. Dr. Blackman crossed the turntable beside Lammergeier and offered his controller a quiet apology for pushing Alex the way he did. Hayden accepted though he was a tad miffed nonetheless. He sighed as the three men led Lammergeier and Meredith back into the yard. Christophe didn't even bother to think about the fact he was letting his own engine completely drive himself, let alone that very engine was looming behind him like a massive predator poised to strike at any moment. Meredith didn't give off that same feeling as she kept pace with them all, she seemed more like a young child simply following her parental figure around. Though feisty as she clearly was, it was obvious she had love for Hayden with no inclinations of an ill-temper to be found. Just a serious proclivity for being impulsive.

Once Lammergeier was settled back with his brother, the humans left with Meredith. Of course Adler was innately curious of what happened and his brother was more than pleased to share with him the sexy sloppy details though he made a point to leave out Alex's revelations, it simply wasn't the time or place to open old wounds.

Okay, I know I said this fic was gonna be more lighthearted but I figured it would be a good place for some solid character development so... sorry about that. :D do not fret, friends! The silliness will ensue soon!

Thanks for following and reviewing all! Your support keeps me building this crazy world and I hope you'll continue to enjoy!

Much love;

Bumble