"Ms Olivia hasn't been working fulltime as she hasn't been well for the last couple of weeks," the NRM Chairmen, Henry Stainer, greeted the Flying Scotsman the next day after speaking with Olivia. Sir Robert accompanied the man with a guarded smile.
The Flying Scotsman was defensive. Not because the man was a Stainer but because he had grown to like Ms Olivia. That and he was worried that Cain had come back and done something to her, making her ill. She'd been alright when she'd been discharged from hospital, if a little exhausted.
She'd grown close to him and his crew, especially Oscar, and he adored her and worried for her greatly. Her being ill had made him noticeably anxious and Gordon had pestered him about it.
"Why what's wrong with her?" He asked, concerned. "Is she okay? Will she be alright?"
Stainer raised his hands to calm the Scotsman's questions.
"Ms Olivia is perfectly fine, her illness was caused by something quite wonderful but it does mean she won't be as active as Director for the next year. You'll be seeing myself in her place a lot more often," Stainer reassured him.
"Wonderful? How can something that makes someone ill be wonderful?" The Scotsman snapped. "You aren't making sense!"
Stainer didn't answer but only looked at Oscar who blushed.
"I was going to tell him in private sir," Oscar mumbled, turning bright red.
"My apologises," Stainer said and turned back to the Flying Scotsman who eyed him suspiciously. "Well then Oscar will tell you later but I actually came to you today to ask about the engine, Green Arrow."
"Oh, I see," the Scotsman suddenly became sullen and quiet.
He'd forgotten about his cousin and from what he'd last heard, no one had seen him for a year now which was deeply concerning.
"He's been locked in a shed since your return," Stainer said avoiding giving him details. He didn't want to bring up bad memories for the famous engine. "We're not quite sure what to do with him, I wanted to ask your opinion on the matter. His actions were against you after all, it's only fair that you get a say in what happens to him."
"I don't want him to be scrapped sir," The Flying Scotsman pleaded. "He's a good engine he just got, dealt an unfortunate hand."
"He was Cain's father's favourite, he bankrupted himself to bring Green Arrow back into steam," Sir Robert said kindly. "It would be extremely saddening if his efforts were all in vain."
"But then I came along and stole his rebuild and his spotlight," The Flying Scotsman said sadly. "It's no wonder that he despises me so greatly."
"But the question is what to do with him," Stainer said. "Ms Olivia was planning to turn him into an exhibit. We don't have money to overhaul him and the longer he sits in that shed then the worse his condition will get."
The Flying Scotsman suddenly remembered what the Pannier Duck had said.
"Mr Stainer sir, if a new owner came along and promised to take care of him, would you, would you sell him to someone who could look after him?"
"Sell Green Arrow?" Stainer asked, shocked.
"He's no good to anyone locked in a shed, but if you were to sell him to a railway, like the Bluebell or a preservation society, maybe he could have a second chance and not cause mischief on the mainland." The Scotsman said. "I don't like him sir but, he's a good working engine. It would be a shame to see him rust away."
Sir Robert looked delighted by the suggestion.
"It's quite a good option Stainer, maybe the Flying Scotsman has a point."
Stainer didn't look convinced but looked as though he might consider it.
"It's certainly an interesting one," he said and then gave a slight bow to the Scotsman. "I will consider your suggestion."
With that Stainer strode away from them with Sir Robert who gave the Scotsman a smile and a wave as he left.
"You really want to give Green Arrow a second chance don't you?" Vincent asked and the Flying Scotsman gave a great sigh.
"I feel guilty for what happened to him," the Scotsman admitted. "And he's a V2, they're quite excellent engines if a little obnoxious."
Vincent smiled at him.
The Flying Scotsman looked at Oscar.
"What did he mean about Ms Olivia?" He asked and Oscar grinned.
"Ms Olivia and I, well, we've been together for over a year now and what happened was an accident but it was a good accident," he said awkwardly avoiding Scotsman and Vincent's gaze. "We're planning to get married as soon as possible."
"Wait, do you mean you got Olivia-" Vincent suddenly caught on to what he was saying.
"Ms Olivia's expecting," Oscar said with a red face. "She collapsed from low blood pressure. The Doctors ran tests to find the cause and well, it turned out she's a few weeks pregnant."
Oscar was cut off as Vincent suddenly tackled him into a hug and the Flying Scotsman roared with laughter as Oscar shrieked in fright as he was sent crashing to the ground.
"Vincent, get off me!"
News of Ms Olivia having a baby spread like wildfire that day but it was quickly overshadowed by the arrival of the new express engine Tangmere.
Gordon was less than impressed with the appearance of the new engine, even more so when Flying Scotsman had come down to Tidmouth Sheds to meet her with the others.
"You're looking much happier today Scotsman!" Edward greeted the Green Pacific as he reversed down the tracks to sit next to the sheds.
"Well one, turns out Ms Olivia's illness was a good thing," Scotsman said happily. "And two, the lovely Ms Rebecca is coming to assist you!"
"Do you know her?" Thomas asked excitedly.
"She's Tornado's bestest buddy, of course I know her!" Scotsman laughed. "That and she once pulled me out of the snow drift in the middle of the night and saved me from freezing to death."
"Really?" Thomas said in wonder. "Wow!"
"Ha! Trust you to get stuck in a snow ditch!" Gordon scoffed and Scotsman frowned.
"Oh? I remember James telling me you got stuck in one after showing off to Percy," the Scotsman shot back to which Gordon turned bright red.
"I remember that," Percy said. "That was funny. The Fat Controller scolded you for it too."
Gordon just wheeshed steam and shot a glare at James who just grinned cheekily at him.
"Is Rebecca really nice though? Tornado said she was her only friend for the longest time," Emily asked and Flying Scotsman grinned.
"She's a ray of sunshine, a bit clumsy but a wonderfully sweet engine" he said warmly. "She'll fit right in with you and you'll all be her friend whether you like it or not."
"That sounds like a threat," Henry observed and the Scotsman laughed.
"You don't often have a choice to befriend Rebecca," he said. "She's your friend and there's no arguing with her about it."
"Aggressive friendship," James noted worried. "It sounds terrifying."
"There are worse things in the world," the Scotsman put in and the other engines murmured in agreement.
Gordon was oddly silent though.
A large yellow engine suddenly appeared in the yards approaching them.
Her boiler was a strange box shape and she was a long and striking engine that stood out in the boring greys and browns of the yard behind her.
She slowly rolled onto the turntable in front of them with a wide beaming smile. She observed them all with excitement.
"Hello everybody! I'm Tangmere! But you can all call me Rebecca!" She called out cheerfully. "I'm here to help your railway! Your controller says it's gotten really busy because of some silly old man."
"Come now Tangerine," the Scotsman shot back at her with a wide grin. "One can't help but be the centre of attention."
The engines giggled at their banter but Gordon groaned loudly. The other engines looked at him annoyed.
"Gordon don't be rude," Edward scolded. "Rebecca is a welcome addition to our team."
"I beg to differ," he growled and Edward grew angry at him.
"Gordon, this is most inappropriate!" He argued but Gordon didn't listen, he steamed forward and glared at Rebecca.
"Now if you don't mind, some of us have express trains to pull!" He said haughtily.
Rebecca, despite Gordon's rudeness, gave him a brilliant smile and reversed herself off of the turntable and out of his way. Gordon chuffed off without so much as a thank-you.
"I do so apologise for Gordon's behaviour Ms Rebecca," Henry said deeply apologetic. "He's… not happy about having to share the Wild Nor Wester."
"I can see that," she smiled. "It's fine, believe it not, some of the engines on the mainland are far worse."
"Still, my brother should have known better," the Scotsman cut in. "But it's good to see you Rebecca, I hope Tornado is doing alright."
"She is, but she's a bit more grumpy these days," Rebecca said quietly. "She misses you a lot, but now that Ms Olivia is here and I'm away, she's getting very impulsive and agitated."
"Oh dear," The Scotsman looked worried. "Truro keeping her in line though?"
"Barely," Rebecca frowned and Scotsman's worried look deepened.
"But anyway, might I know the pleasure of who I'm working with?" Rebecca asked smiling at the other engines.
The rest of that morning the engines happily spoke with their big new yellow friend until the Fat Controller came to shoo them away to their jobs.
A few days later, Olivia returned to greet the Flying Scotsman. She didn't look as ill as she had but she was still clearly under the weather.
"Hello Ms Olivia!" The Flying Scotsman greeted her happily. "I believe congratulations are in order for you and Oscar?"
She smiled at him with a wide and proud smile.
"Why thank-you Scott," she said with a gentle laugh. "Certainly seems to be a fortunate day isn't it?"
The Flying Scotsman looked confused.
"Is it Ma'am?"
"Your suggestion about Green Arrow, it's been approved but not in the way you'd expect," She mused and the Scotsman raised an eyebrow.
"How do you mean?"
"The Museum is not going to sell Green Arrow, but, we are going to loan him to a railway," she said. "The museum will still own him but he'll be under the control of the railway that needs him. Said railway will have to pay fees of course but Green Arrow will be put to good use."
"I see," the Flying Scotsman was pleased.
The Green Arrow could be utilised and not rust away in a shed. As much as he disliked him, he didn't want Green Arrow to be scrapped or abandoned. That and he also felt guilty for stealing his restoration.
"A railway has stepped forward to claim him," Olivia said and Scotsman noticed her worried face. He then realised.
"It's the North Western isn't it?" He put forward and Olivia nodded, she looked tense, expecting some kind of reaction to the news.
The Scotsman gave a soft humm and gazed thoughtfully at the rail in front of him. He could tell Olivia was worried about Green Arrow being so close to him, considering their recent history.
"I will try to keep an eye on him," Olivia said. "Because Oscar is stationed here on Sodor while you are waiting for your overhaul, I have temporarily placed Stainer as director of the NRM. I will still have authority but he will be my representative on the mainland. I would much rather be here to keep an eye on things should things escalate."
The Flying Scotsman felt conflicted.
On the one hand, Oscar and Olivia could live together and raise their baby with Olivia stationed here for the time being.
But on the other hand, Green Arrow might cause conflict on this wonderful little island.
His worry must have shown on his face as Olivia stepped forward, climbing on to his running board and placed a gentle hand on his smokebox.
"I know you're worried but we have to try and we don't have many options," she assured him and the Scotsman knew she was right. "The only other option is to preserve Green Arrow and have him made into an exhibit which I want to avoid."
He pushed his worries to the back of his mind and focused on Olivia.
"Oscar's staying at the Castle, will you stay with him?" He asked and he saw Olivia frown slightly at him knowing he was avoiding the subject.
"Sir Robert has allowed us to stay in the castle, however we think it would be better if we were to get a house here, for when the baby is born," she said. "It'll be December when it's due so we have time."
Olivia paused and tapped his smoke box incessantly.
"I need to know if you are okay with Green Arrow coming to work on Sodor Mr Flying Scotsman," she pressed sternly. By her tone she wasn't going to drop it until he gave her an answer.
Ms Olivia wasn't going to let him off easy, the Scotsman lamented. He sighed and took a deep breath.
"I have many concerns ma'am," he said. "Green Arrow did try to help Cain, scrap, me but."
The Scotsman paused and gazed at Olivia with a thoughtful gaze.
"I don't want to be responsible for another engine getting scrapped or abandoned," he said and Olivia gave him a reassuring smile.
"You're a very noble engine," she said kindly. "I highly respect you for taking such a stance. No one else was willing to throw him a bone."
The Flying Scotsman looked away from her.
"It was something Pegler instilled in me," he said quietly and Olivia touched his smokebox comfortingly again. "I want to honour him, for saving me, so many times."
"Of course," Olivia said warmly. "He was a wonderful and noble man."
The Scotsman gave a shy smile and closed his eyes feeling Olivia's warm comforting touch against him.
It reminded him of the times Pegler would just sit on his running board and talk. Sometimes he wouldn't even talk, they just sit together in a comfortable silence. Happy to be in the other's presence.
"I miss him," the Flying Scotsman whispered in a barely audible voice.
Olivia seemed to pick up on his sudden sadness and quickly put her arms around him as best she could in a kind of hug. He leaned into it, happy for the comfort.
"I know sweetheart, I know," she assured him gently.
For the first time since his friend's passing, he felt a warmth he'd long missed.