A/N: This chapter is the last on making reference to Season 7. The next one will show Emily's 'another side' and her struggles.

Guest 4 and the other Guest: thanks for saying that this story is affectionate and sweet. I love writing about the characters' nice side and showing that not all is arrogance and teasing between them. :)

Go Princess Moonstar: thanks for reading this story. It's also hard for me to imagine James singing with Emily, but after seeing them singing together at the end of TGR I got the courage to write that scene. :)

CHAPTER V

HENRY'S GUARDIAN ANGEL

"That's what friends are for, Henry... We must take care of each other." -Emily

The view was wonderful. It was not a sunset over the sea or a field dressed in flowers, but it was equally wonderful for her.

They were the Tidmouth Sheds, the home of the Steam Team.

It was night, and it had been a short time since Emily arrived on the Island. She wanted to know the sheds where her best friends slept, so that night she waited for James at Knapford Station and asked him to take her to the place. And now she was there, near the turntable, watching the immense building with a smile. James was at her side.

"What's your shed?" asked Emily. But there was no answer. "Hey... wake up, James."

"Wha...? Oh... sorry. What did you say?"

"I wanted to know what your shed is, so I can push you up to there. You're almost asleep."

"Oh..." James chuckled. "Actually there is not a specific shed for each one. We usually use the first one we find available."

"I get it. And what a night here is like?"

"Well, that depends on the circumstances. Sometimes we're all in a good mood and we talk and laugh until we fall asleep. But other times we're angry and we start to argue, although at the end we make peace again and sleep quietly."

Emily smiled. "That shows that the friendship between you all is powerful. Discussions are a sign of trust and strengthen bonds of union."

James was confused. "I don't understand... How can discussions be a sign of trust?"

"Think about it, generally when we're before a stranger we try to show our sweeter side with the intention of winning his or her friendship. But once we get it; we begin to show our teeth without fear or embarrassment, because we already know that this friend will not leave us or be angry with us for a long time. That's called trust."

Now James was surprised. He thought Emily was right. "Wow... So a discussion can strengthen friendship..."

"Yes, it can." Emily looked at the sheds and sighed. "I'd like to spend one night here with you all," she said. "Although in reality I'd like to live here with you all... between laughter, discussions, reconciliations..."

Those words touched James. He noticed that Emily was serious, and he wished he could make one more place appear in the building for her. In fact, he also wanted Emily to live there.

"I don't say that Annie and Clarabel are not good company to me in Knapford," continued Emily, "but they're coaches... They've other interests... So, despite talking whit them, I still feel alone and-" Emily saw that James was about to sleep again, so she cleared her throat. "AHEM!"

"OW! Erm... did you say something like Annie and Clarabel are interesting when they feel alone?"

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Oh, James! Better go to your shed. You're heavy with sleep."

"You're right," said James. "I'm sorry, Emily... I'd have liked to accompany you back to Knapford, but..."

"Oh, don't worry. I already know the way. I'll go right now."

"OK. But go you first to the turntable."

Emily obeyed, though she did not know why James wanted her to turn first. The reason was that James had heard several times that issue of 'ladies first' and he thought that between engines it should be like that too.

As Emily turned, James admired her beauty. James remembered how his friends had laughed at him when he said that a female steam engine should have 'many curves just like women'. No one could laugh now. Emily had gorgeous curves, and James liked them...

Emily noticed that James was watching her, so as soon as she finished turning, she looked into his eyes and smiled. "Do you like my paintwork?" she asked innocently.

"Huh? Oh… yes. It makes a pretty contrast with mine."

Emily chuckled. "I agree with you. Goodnight, James."

"Goodnight, Emily."

Emily moved from the turntable so that James could enter his shed.

Emily was about to leave the Tidmouth Sheds, but at that moment she saw Henry parked near the turntable. Henry looked sad, so Emily approached him.

"Henry…"

"Hello, Emily."

"What's going on?"

Henry sighed. "I think I'm ill again... I felt weak all day long."

"Why don't you go to your shed to rest?"

"I can't... I must take the Flying Kipper now."

Emily raised her eyebrows. "Take a train?! No, Henry. Not under these circumstances."

"But it's my job and I must do it. Sir Topham Hatt counts on me."

"But you're sick… You'll be stuck in the middle of the night and you'll have to wait until dawn for help."

"Emily... I appreciate you care about me, but I must tell you something. Sir Topham Hatt already spent a lot of money on my maintenance and I can't afford to disappoint him. I'll be able to take my train; it's just that I'll do it slowly. Don't worry."

Emily could see that Henry was a very honoured engine and she felt pity for him. She wanted to volunteer to take the Flying Kipper instead, but she did not know the itinerary of that train.

At that moment Thomas arrived. "What's the matter with you, Henry?" he asked on seeing his friend sad.

"My boiler is grumbling…"

Thomas thought Henry was joking, so he wanted to have fun. "Maybe it's grumbling at you."

"That's not funny!" exclaimed Henry. "You just don't care!"

Before Thomas could say anything, Henry puffed away. Then Emily saw that Henry was leaving a puddle of water behind. She was now very worried about him. "Could you take the Flying Kipper, Thomas?" she asked.

Thomas was surprised to hear Emily's voice. He had not realized she was there. "Emily? What are you doing here?"

"I came to know the sheds."

"Oh, well. It's not necessary that I take the Flying Kipper. That's Henry's job."

"I know. But he's sick. Look at the puddle of water he left behind."

Thomas smiled. "Easy, Emily, maybe they just forgot to close the lid of his tank. Henry always says he's sick. I bet he's just lazy tonight."

"No, Thomas... He doesn't feel well at all. I'll go see him." Emily pumped her pistons. "Oh… please take care of James, okay?" she said before leaving. "The poor thing stayed asleep on the turntable."

"O-okay," responded Thomas. He was moved by how Emily was so compassionate and attentive.

Emily left the Tidmouth Sheds full steam ahead, and as soon as she reached Henry, she offered him her help. "I'll take the Flying Kipper with you, Henry," she said. "I'll be your banker engine."

Henry raised his eyebrows. "Would you really do that for me, Emily?"

"Of course. Why not?"

"Well... you should go to sleep."

"I wouldn't sleep peacefully knowing that you're suffering there outside. Let me help you, so I'll learn the route of your train and I'll be able to take it for you when you need it."

"Oh..." Henry smiled and looked caringly at Emily. He could not resist such a sweet offer. "Thank you, Emily," he said. "I really need a little help."

Emily smiled back. "Well, I'm here for you."

And Emily helped Henry take his train.

The two friends talked a lot on the way. Henry told Emily about his accident with the Flying Kipper and how he was sent to Crewe to be repaired. He also talked about his constant health problems. Emily listened to the stories with amazement and realized that Henry was an engine that had already suffered enough. This made Emily feel even more respect and compassion for him.

The compassion that Emily felt for those who suffer was a virtue of her. She had shown it even from the day she was born, when she took her first ride...

After having seen the garden flowers at the square, Emily continued her ride. A few minutes later she got to a playground where many children played and she stopped to watch them. One group of children especially took her attention for the way in which they played with a ball, so Emily asked her driver to explain what they were doing.

"They are playing football," said the driver, "the most popular sport in the world. Two teams of eleven players each compete with each other trying to score a goal by moving the ball towards the rival goal area and putting it between two goalposts. It seems easy, but actually the players have to have ability to do it, because they can't use their hands, only their feet and head. Besides, each of the teams has a goalkeeper who tries to stop the ball."

"Wow... That's a really awesome sport."

Emily watched the game with enthusiasm. She even celebrated the goals with her whistle. But at one point, an incident made her enthusiasm flew out of her funnel. One child had tripped and fell to the ground, banging one of his knees against a stone. The child lay on the ground crying and clutching his aching knee with both hands.

"Oh, no!" screamed Emily. "That kid is hurt! He needs help!"

"Calm down," said the driver, "his mother is already going to see him."

In fact, a woman ran to where the child was. She caressed the child's aching knee and this stopped crying immediately. Then, the woman kissed the child's knee, which causing him smile. The child got up, hugged the woman and then he continued to play as if nothing had happened.

Emily watched the scene open-mouthed. "I don't understand..." she said afterwards. "How did the kid recover so fast?"

The driver smiled. "A mother can do such a miracle, Emily," he said. "Motherly love is the most sublime of loves and an effective balm against pain and sadness."

"Oh... What a wonderful thing..."

Emily was touched. The sweet scene of the woman comforting her little one was engraved in her heart. And she wondered if she could do the same with her friends. She also wanted to be a balm against pain and sadness...

Back in the present, the Flying Kipper's journey was going smoothly and all deliveries were made on time. After that, Henry and Emily returned to Knapford, and as they reached the station, they said good night at each other. Then Emily entered her shed and Henry went on his way to Tidmouth. Henry was very grateful for having counted on Emily's help.

At dawn, Sir Topham Hatt arrived at Tidmouth Sheds. "Thomas, Henry and Percy," he said, "I want you to collect some trucks from the Coaling Plant and take them to the Docks."

"Yes, sir!" responded Thomas and Percy and they puffed away.

Henry was feeling weak yet, but he did not say anything to Sir Topham Hatt. He knew that really useful engines do not complain. So he pumped his pistons and, with great effort, he came out of his shed.

As Henry slowly chuffed towards the Coaling Plant, Emily came along.

"Good morning, Henry," said Emily.

"It's not that good, Emily... I'm still feeling ill."

"I see. You keep leaving water everywhere. Are you going to the Steamworks?"

"No... I must take some coal trucks to the Docks with Thomas and Percy."

"Do you mean you didn't tell anything to Sir Topham Hatt about your condition?"

"Well... no. I had no courage."

"Oh, Henry... You can't go on like this. I'll speak to him right now. One maintenance done on time costs less money than a repair."

Emily moved quickly away. Henry could not refute her wise words.

Emily found Sir Topham Hatt at the Docks. "I'm worried about Henry, sir," she said. "Last night I helped him to take the Flying Kipper for he felt ill, and now he's still weak. He's leaving a puddle of water behind."

"Oh, dear...," replied Sir Topham Hatt. He got surprised that Henry did not say anything about feeling ill. "His tubes must be leaking... Thanks for advicing me, Emily. You better check how Henry is now."

"Yes, sir."

And Emily returned to the main line to look for Henry. She found him near Wellsworth Station with a long line of trucks.

"Henry... you look exhausted," said Emily. "Are you alright?"

"No... I'm stuck... I give up."

"Why have you taken so many trucks? I saw Thomas and Percy on the way and each of them was taking just two."

"They thought I'm just being lazy and played a trick on me... They told the Yard Manager that I wanted to take more trucks for I'm bigger and he believed them."

Emily raised her eyebrows. "How can they have fun by teasing someone who's sick?" she said. "That's a very bad thing! Come on, Henry; get uncoupled from your train. I'll take you to the Docks next to Sir Topham Hatt."

"But we can't leave the trucks here..."

"Oh, forget the trucks. Thomas and Percy would do well to come and take them."

Henry smiled. "Thank you, Emily. You're an angel to me."

"That's what friends are for, Henry," replied Emily sweetly. "We must take care of each other."

Henry was uncoupled from the heavy coal train and Emily hooked up to him to take him to the Docks.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Percy had already arrived at the Docks and had to explain to Sir Topham Hatt why they left most of the trucks to Henry. Both were very ashamed about their behaviour and Sir Topham Hatt was cross with them.

Soon, Emily and Henry arrived and stopped between Thomas and Percy.

"Well done, Emily," said Sir Topham Hatt. Then he spoke to Henry. "You were brave, Henry. Despite being ill, you still tried to pull the heavy trucks. That was an admirable act. But the next time; don't hesitate to tell me if you don't feel well, okay?"

"Y-yes, sir."

Thomas and Percy wanted to apologize.

"Sorry, Henry," said Thomas.

"We didn't think you were really sick," added Percy.

"It's alright, my friends," responded Henry.

"Well. Thomas and Percy," said Sir Topham Hatt sternly, "you two have caused confusion and delay with your sick joke! Go back and collect Henry's trucks right away!"

"Yes, sir," whispered Thomas and puffed away along with Percy.

Then Sir Topham Hatt asked Emily to take Henry to the Steamworks to be repaired. Emily was happy to be able to help her friend. She pumped her pistons, but when she was about to leave, a whistle took her attention. So she looked towards the left and saw James on a nearby track. James smiled and charmingly winked at her, making her blush. Emily chuckled and returned him the wink. Then, she left the Docks taking her precious cargo.

After having left Henry at the Steamworks, Emily worked hard the rest of the day. In addition to doing her own jobs, she also did Henry's ones. So when evening fell, she was already so tired and sleepy that she just wanted to get home and rest. But when she finally arrived at Knapford Yard and turned around on the turntable to go to her shed, she fell asleep halfway.

A few minutes later, one engine approached Emily. The engine closed the distance between them, and pressed Emily's buffers with exquisite delicacy. Then, the engine slowly began to push her towards her shed. Emily woke up and gasped, opening her eyes widely. "Don't be afraid...," soothed the engine, "I'm just taking you to your shed... You're heavy with sleep..."

Emily smiled with relief. "James...," she whispered tenderly.

"Relax…," responded James smiling, "you're very tired… for you're a hard-working girl… You need rest."

James' sweet words made Emily close her eyes again. Emily was really very tired. She completely relaxed, and confidently let James take care of her.

James pushed Emily up to the back of her shed. He noticed that she was sleeping deeply, so he carefuly moved from her buffers in order not to wake her up. "Have a good rest, beautiful," thought James, and then he set off for Tidmouth.

The next day, Henry returned from the Steamworks and meet up with Emily at Wellsworth Station.

"You're looking so much better, Henry," said Emily.

"Well, they mended my tubes," responded Henry, "but they didn't even look at my brakes, my gauges, my squeaky wheels..."

Emily laughed. "All in good time, Henry!"

Poor Henry.

Emily loved the Island of Sodor and being part of Sir Topham Hatt's railway. She worked on the main line by taking freight trucks, and also had her own passenger train. She felt happy to be 'the flower of her friends' garden' and work with them. She used to go to the Tidmouth Sheds in the evenings to spend some time with them before returning to her shed at Knapford Yard.

As time went by, Emily got to know the engines of the island very well and noticed that not all of them were as kind as they seemed. All of them had virtues; but they also had defects. Some of them more defects than virtues, like the twins Bill and Ben, for example. She found that Thomas could be as adorable as cheeky and that sometimes Henry seemed to get worried for anything. She did not like the way that Gordon thought he was superior to others, nor the rude treatment that Diesel gave to steam engines. She also did not like the troublesome trucks' bad behaviour. All this made Emily feel a little disappointed at times, although she would not change her life in Sodor for anything in the world.

But what disappointed Emily the most was found that the description that Thomas had given her about a certain red engine was not as exaggeratedly false as she thought...

One evening, while Emily was at Tidmouth Sheds, James arrived very happy to have got a new coat. He looked beautiful, but his way of showing off was unbearable. He thought that looking splendid made him special to Sir Topham Hatt. Thomas told him that looking splendid is not the same as being really useful, but James responded that best of all is being really useful and looking splendid like him. Everyone looked at James angrily. But the worst happened the next day when Sir Topham Hatt asked him and Percy to take coal trucks to the Docks. Instead of going straight to the Coaling Plant, James took a ride around the island 'enjoying being James' and wanting everyone to admire his brilliant paintwork while Percy did all the work. When he finally decided to go to the Coaling Plant it was already late, and the Yard Manager told him that he would have to take more trucks to make up for lost time. James gladly accepted the work, but the troublesome trucks were being very naughty and they left James covered in coal dust. Emily met him on the way to the Docks and felt pity for him, but she thought he deserved it for being so vain and having abandoned poor Percy.

Emily could not believe that James disobeyed Sir Topham Hatt because of his new paintwork.

Despite her disappointment, Emily did not regret having met James; but the idyllic image she had of him changed drastically. James no longer looked like the red rose whose petals she wanted to embrace with her emerald-green calyx, nor the lovely evening sun that sang in a perfect duet with the kindly mermaid when they first saw one another. James seemed to be just what Thomas said: Sodor's most troublesome engine...

Now Emily already knew the virtues and defects of her friends.

And she already trusted them enough to be neither afraid nor ashamed to be herself.

Now, Emily was ready to show... her own teeth.