Tornado squealed with delight as she saw Flying Scotsman, awake and bright eyed.
It was a far cry from the depressed Engine that Thomas and Gordon had been so worried about. The Director had told her that the brothers had reconciled and work on repairs had progressed faster as he struggled less and less with his demons and fears. They weren't completely gone and they didn't know how he would react when he returned home but it was an improvement.
"Hello to you to you ridiculous engine!" The Flying Scotsman laughed at her.
Tornado excitedly went up and bumped her brother's buffers which she immediately regretted after he gave a loud yelp of pain.
"Watch it!" The Director snapped at her and she blushed, embarrassed and regretful. "He's still being repaired!"
"I'm sorry sir, I'm sorry Scotsman," she apologised profusely. "I'm just glad that you're okay."
The Scotsman gave a weary chuckle.
"It's okay," he smiled at her. "I missed you, Storm girl."
The Director and her crew climbed out of Tornado's cab and went to find Jeremy leaving the two engines alone.
"Does it still hurt?" Tornado asked looking at his half reconstructed side. Parts of him were unpainted and part of his cab was still missing. His first tender was still being repaired a little distance away.
The Flying Scotsman looked at Tornado, clearly not wanting to tell her how much it truly hurt, however he had promised Gordon to try and confide in her after the blue Engine had threatened to steal his second tender and paint it blue.
"It hurts a lot," he admitted meekly. "It's not as bad as the cold I was in when I was in a coma though."
Tornado was surprised. Usually she had to try several times and be considerably persistent to pry Scotsman's true feelings out.
Scotsman gave a quiet laugh as he saw the look on Tornado's face.
"Gordon and I spoke about things," he said. "It's been a long time since I felt like I could confide in someone else. At least since-"
He trailed off and Tornado knew who he spoke of.
"Gordon told me that you weren't built to replace me and that you never could," Scotsman said hesitantly. "I'm sorry that I believed such a stupid story."
"I wouldn't and couldn't ever replace you," Tornado said with admiration in her gaze as she stared at him. "I'm Tornado, not The Flying Scotsman. No matter how much that wedge shaped pompous idiot thinks."
The Flying Scotsman could only smile warmly at her as he felt a warmness grow in his boiler that he hadn't felt for a very long time.
"Thank-you, Tornado, that truly means a lot," he said feeling tears form in his eyes. "I'm glad you're getting along with Gordon. He can be a bit, you know."
Tornado gave a smirk.
"He's rough around the edges and he likes to appear tough but he's just a big softie," Tornado cooed. "Just like you."
"He suggested that you take my place in the Great Race next time, seeing as you're faster than me and don't have a second tender to weigh you down." The Scotsman spoke of Gordon and Tornado gave an indignant snort.
"He just wants to race me so he can show off," she scoffed and Scotsman only raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh and you don't little miss speed demon?" He pressed and Tornado blushed.
"I'm not as bad as either of you!" She deflected and the Scotsman only laughed at her. "You're both appalling for racing and showing off."
"Give it a couple decades, we'll see," he smirked and Tornado could only huff at him, annoyed.
When Tornado arrived at Knapford the station was packed with people wanting to see her and Gordon together. The Clergymen were especially excited and bombarded the Fat Controller and Museum Director with questions.
"It's a shame that Flying Scotsman can't be here," Tornado commented as she pulled alongside Gordon. "It would be nice for all three of us to be together."
"We will soon," Gordon assured her. "We just have to wait."
"Why do you have those things on your face?" Percy asked Tornado as he stared at her. "They look weird. Can you even see sideways?"
"Percy don't be rude," James hissed behind him.
"But how can she see past them?"
"They're smoke deflectors, little one," Tornado smiled at him. "They assist my driver's vision. As for my vision, I can slide them back and forward when I need to. Flying Scotsman can do the same with his."
"Oh, okay," Percy blushed as the bigger green engine smiled sweetly at him.
"I'm James!" James beamed proudly at her to which she only raised an eyebrow. "I'll be double heading with the Flying Scotsman next week!"
A confused expression came across the Peppercorn's face.
"I don't mean any offence," she said with a glance at Henry on one of the platforms. "But aren't you a bit small to double head with Scotsman? Why not that Green engine over there?"
James frowned at her while Percy and Thomas laughed at him.
"I've double headed with Henry when he came out of repairs," James retorted stuffily and Gordon gave a snort.
"Henry is not as big as our class James," Gordon reminded him. "I suspect that Scotsman won't even notice you there."
"Rubbish!" James hissed angrily as the other engines laughed at him.
"I'm sure you'll do fine James," Tornado offered feeling a bit sorry for embarrassing the red engine. "I will warn you though, Scotsman will play tricks on you if you're not careful. There's been a few times where he's tricked me into pushing him and the pulling coaches by myself. Or he'll test you to make sure you're concentrating."
Gordon suddenly grinned widely. "I knew there was a reason why the Fat Controller chose James," he smirked at James. "Maybe you'll learn something James."
James only huffed and gave a pouty face for the rest of the afternoon.
"Hello, I never caught your name at Knapford," Tornado said as she pulled into Ulfstead Castle beside Henry. They waited as the Earl was to come out and greet them.
"I'm Henry," the Green Engine said with a shy smile.
"Hello Henry, I wanted to ask you about your design if that's okay? You look… strange," Tornado said and Henry blushed.
"I was originally a Gresley prototype made from stolen plans, it made me sick for the longest time," Henry shamefully looked away from her. "After my accident I was built into a Black 5."
"You look stunning, does your new shape treat you well?" Tornado asked and Henry beamed at her.
"It does," he gazed at Tornado thoughtfully. "You're a lot nicer than the other mainland engines I have to deal with at Barrow. Most of them are snobbish and don't talk to 'filthy goods trains' like me."
"I'm proud to not be one of those stuck up engines but Scotsman jokes that it'll take me a couple decades," Tornado said with a laugh and Henry giggled.
"You're lovely Tornado, Thomas always says about how great and nice you are to him."
"Well, my only friends on the mainland are smaller engines, the big engines don't like me," Tornado said with a hint of sadness. "Flying Scotsman was the only big engine who talked to me. Maybe it was because he saw me being built. I don't know. But I like talking to station pilots and shunters, they always have the best juicy gossip on people." Tornado giggled and Henry couldn't help but laugh with her.
"Ms Tornado! And Henry! Hello there!" The Earl waved at them excitedly as he approached them.
"Hello sir!"
"My look at you! It's been such a long time since an engine like yourself was fresh out of the steelworks," the Earl admired and Tornado blushed.
"I'm a decade old sir," Tornado blushed. "Hardly a baby."
"That's very young for a steam engine," Sir Norramby told her. "But I summoned you here to discuss a celebration I'm planning for you and your brothers."
"A celebration sir?"
"Yes! Finally, three great Gresley's together after years of planning, it'll be grand," he said excitedly. "When Flying Scotsman comes out of repairs, I would love for all three of you to join me here, to celebrate the gathering of three great Gresley Engines, maybe even Spencer could come!"
Tornado suddenly paled and looked frightened at the mention of Spencer.
"Please don't invite Spencer sir, we have a… history," Tornado said a hint of terror in her voice. "Flying Scotsman and Spencer will not get along."
"Oh really? Why is that?"
"Spencer tried, he tried to trick me into stealing one of the Queen's Engines coaches to try and get me scrapped because he thinks I'm not a true Gresley," Tornado stammered in fright. "Flying Scotsman stopped me from being tricked but then found out what Spencer did and… well lets just say Flying Scotsman has a bit of a nasty side to him when he's angered enough."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry that happened!" The Earl gasped. "Your poor dear! I will certainly make sure that this event will accommodate the both of you."
"Thank-you sir, I'm sorry sir," Tornado apologised humbly. "I know Spencer comes here regularly but I'd rather not cause drama with my presence here. I know Spencer and Scotsman avoid each other at all costs."
The Earl nodded at her and gave her a sweet smile.
"I won't press any further, your concerns will be addressed young Tornado, don't you worry."
"Thank-you sir."
The following evening Tornado, Edward and Gordon waited outside the Steamworks with Sir Topham Hatt, the Director and Flying Scotsman's restorers as the famous engine went through his final safety checks.
"I think you're ready, nothing is coming up red," Victor's voice came from within the Steamworks. "Safety check is all done."
"Mmm yes I am quite ready aren't I?" Came the Scotsman's boastful tone to which Gordon rolled his eyes.
The famous engine rolled out into the late afternoon sunshine, his new coat of paint gleaming in the light.
"You're green!" Tornado gasped and the Flying Scotsman laughed at her.
"I've always been green silly girl."
"No, I mean you're a different shade of green," she said, staring in awe.
"His original apple green livery," the Museum Director declared with pride. "As requested by the Flying Scotsman himself."
"I also requested my chimney changed back to my original but that can wait," the Flying Scotsman said with a side glance at the Director.
"I haven't said yes yet," the Director frowned, crossing his arms.
"But my fans will," the Scotsman teased.
"You look fantastic, Flying Scotsman," Edward chipped in. "Your original colour looks quite remarkable."
Gordon stared at his brother in shock. Apart from the Smoke Deflectors, chimney and other details, he looked as he had so many decades before. He couldn't find the words to say anything.
"You are all repaired but I stress that you mustn't push the repairs too much," Victor spoke kindly. "Your new parts still need to settle with the old parts and will be quite stiff and uncomfortable for some time. I suggest not pushing past 70mph until the new parts wear in. Otherwise it will be extremely painful."
The Director nodded at Victor.
"Thank-you for your work," he said with a slight bow. "I admit, we did have doubts about Sodor's ability to repair our engine but you've definitely proven yourselves."
"Having Scotsman's brothers spare parts made it easier this time sir, if possible, could we maybe move Scotsman here whenever we need to give him attention? Perhaps Tornado too if her owners will allow it?" Jeremy asked as he and his crew milled around admiring their work.
"Perhaps," the Director said thoughtfully. "But I'm sure that right now the Flying Scotsman simply wants to get out of the Steamworks."
"How do you feel?" Gordon asked and the Scotsman looked pensive.
"It still hurts a lot," he admitted. "But not as much as yesterday."
"One day at a time then," Victor said and the Scotsman looked at him.
"Thank-you for putting up with me," the Scotsman said to the little engine with a smile. "I know I was a hassle."
"Not at all," the engine beamed at him.
"Now then, Gordon and Tornado will be staying at the sheds in Vicarstown so they can start the Sodor to London express," the Fat Controller informed everyone. "The Flying Scotsman will be coming back to Tidmouth with myself and Edward so he can work on Gordon's express tomorrow with James."
The Flying Scotsman seemed to pale suddenly and become apprehensive.
"Sir, I would very much rather take my own Express with Gordon," the Flying Scotsman suddenly cut in. "Tornado can cover for Gordon."
"Your express would put too much strain on you too fast," the Director pointed out. "We need to test your repairs before you can go back into your regular service. The Wild Nor Wester will be less stressful on you and will allow us to run tests on you."
"Not if I double headed, Tornado or Gordon can take my slack," the Scotsman argued but the Director held up his hand.
"You have a reputation for pushing yourself too far and too aggressively," the Director scolded. "Your refusal to be rescued and pushing on despite your crews orders caused more damage than your initial crash. You have proven yourself untrustworthy to be put straight back into service without restrictions."
The Flying Scotsman looked furious and ready to argue but with the amount of people around he did not want to come off as indignant and so held his tongue.
"Yes sir," he spat out angrily.
"Sir, I could stay in Tidmouth for the night and join Tornado in the morning," Gordon cut in knowing exactly why his brother was opposing the plan.
"No Gordon, you would waste too much water and coal," the Fat Controller pointed out. "You will go to Vicarstown with Tornado."
Gordon stared at his brother who was looking at him desperately. Gordon knew that Scotsman was terrified of being left alone with his nightmares again and didn't want anyone else to see him so vulnerable.
"Can Scotsman at least have my berth in Tidmouth sheds then? The other engines can keep him company while he recovers," Gordon said and Edward seemed to pick up on the growing concern the two brothers were having.
"I can keep the Flying Scotsman company sir," Edward piped up. "He just went through an extensive rebuild, I think he could use a friend."
The Fat Controller was confused by the engines but otherwise agreed.
As the engines split ways to their sheds for the night, Edward couldn't help but notice that the Flying Scotsman was extremely nervous and on edge. He decided to try and ease the famous engine's nerves.
"I don't think I introduced myself," Edward said with a friendly smile. "I'm Edward."
The Green Engine gave him a tired smile in return. "I remember," he said. "The first engine on this railway."
"The coffee pots were here before me but yes, I guess I was," Edward said. "The coffeepots still work here, up at the castle."
"You still have coffeepots?" The Scotsman said bewildered. "I maybe saw two when I was younger. They were redundant by the time I was built."
"We even have the original Stephenson's Rocket," Edward said. "The Earl brought him here when he restored Ulfstead Castle."
The Flying Scotsman stared at Edward in shock.
"What a remarkable little Island," he mumbled to himself.
"Oh that reminds me, the Earl really wants to meet you," Edward said brightly. "Maybe you can meet Stephen and Glynn when you go up to the castle. Something to look forward to while you're with us."
The Scotsman was silent for a long second.
"Director?" Scotsman asked the man in his cab. "Why is Gordon going to London on my line when Tornado can handle it herself?"
"Because we need another steam express engine to be on hand to cover lines on the mainland and to do that, Gordon will need to know your line," the Director said. "With you on Rail Tours for half the year we're struggling to cover the steam engine routes. We'd be excited to have Gordon join the team, if it is only for brief periods."
"I see," the Scotsman said pondering over his words.
"Is there any particular reason why you are so oppose to Gordon taking over your line?"
"I am not oppose to it I'm just, I don't," The Scotsman paused unable to explain or rather not wanting to. "I have personal problems."
"You're struggling with nightmares, I know," the Director said with sympathy. "But Gordon won't be with you when you return to the mainland."
The Flying Scotsman was silent.
He didn't know what he was going to do about the nightmares but he knew that the director was right.
Edward and Flying Scotsman continued the journey to Tidmouth in silence.
