A/N: So I have the narrow gauge engines starring in this chapter! I really can't get enough of these guys. Okay, now, for the reason why Ashima has been in these past few chapters - I fell sick on Tuesday and whilst stuck at home, I finally got round to watching Great Race- and it was really good! Not phenomenal like SLOTLT, but it was very enjoyable for me. I really wanted to try writing Ashima, as she's so cool as a character! I hope I can do more with her and possibly other TGR characters in the future.

So please, please review! I would appreciate it so much! Even one little word!

Disclaimer: I only own Dana.

...

Ashima and I continue talking as we puff along to the Quarry. We had passed Whiff's Waste Dump, and Hiro gave us directions from there, and after we thank him he heads off to Vicarstown.

"So, Dana, you never told me where you're from!" Ashima teases me, but I tense at that. How can I explain how I was turned into an engine by a witch? I would surely be made a mockery of. I doubt Victor believes my story, and I don't blame him, either- but if I'm going to look for a cure, then I need allies, and of course, no doubt about me.

"I'm from America." I just answer, lamely. It was the best I could say, under the circumstances. And about after half an hour, we reach the quarry.

"Well, here we are!" Ashima declares. "Isn't it nice?"

"…yeah…" I agree, weakly- though I'll admit, I don't get much of a chance to be in a quarry when I'm a human, because I do not work in one.

"Do engines get asthma?" I ask suddenly.

"Well, no." Ashima answers. "Why ask?"

"I'm just curious- engines seem to resemble people, you know…"

Ashima just stares at me in disbelief, as though she doubts my words, but then we are interrupted by a chorus of loud whistles- coming from little engines chuffing towards us!

"Hello!" A little dark green steam engine whistles. "My name's Peter Sam! Who are you?" He asks, before looking over at Ashima, and suddenly ends up looking suspiciously dreamy.

"Oh, for crying out loud- what's wrong with you, Peter Sam?" A dark blue steam engine huffs rudely.

"Leave Peter Sam alone, Sir Handel!" An orange-red steam engine interrupts. "Peter Sam, are you okay?"

"I just met an angel…" the green engine whispers in awe, and Ashima giggles in response.

"Don't worry yourselves- I'm used to engines swooning." She admits sheepishly, with not the slightest hint of boasting of her beauty- and she is a remarkably pretty engine…

"Well, if you say so," The orange-red engine continues. "You must be Ashima- the engine that Thomas befriended at the Railway Show, am I correct?"

"Yes." Ashima replies. "How did you know?"

"He told us about you the day after he came back with the others. Were you there too?" He asks me suddenly.

"Who, me? No, no. I wasn't. I'm just…new." I blurt out, staring at my buffers as I feel my cheeks flush again. "My name's Dana, by the way." I add, in an attempt to sway the conversation elsewhere.

"Well, pleased to meet you both- I'm Rheneas, and these are my friends- Sir Handel and Peter Sam. I gather you already know who is who, though."

We both acknowledge his response in the positive.

"Now, where shall I put these trucks?" My Indian companion suddenly asks.

"Oh- I do apologise, Ashima! Follow me, ladies, and you can leave them by Owen." The little engine says, and we obediently follow him to Owen, who turns out to be a giant incline that is working alongside a little orange diesel. The diesel gives a friendly toot of his horn, and Rheneas whistles back.

"That's Rusty- he's the only Skarloey Railway Diesel in Mr Percival's fleet, and he's one of the best diesels too! He's always ready for work, no matter what, and a very helpful fellow. So I guess that leaves Duncan, Skarloey and Luke."

"What sort of engines are they like?" Ashima asks Rheneas excitedly.

"Duncan is a very grumpy ...um, soul, to say the least," Begins our little narrow gauge companion.

"Goodness!" Ashima exclaims.

"Luke is a very gentle and shy soul, and Skarloey...Let's just say that so long as you don't get on the wrong side of him, you wouldn't come to any harm." He sees my alarmed expression and he laughs. "Relax, Dana! He can't hurt anyone! Besides, our Skarloey's a kind engine really, and he's always up for meeting new friends and making them feel welcome here."

We smile at seeing Rheneas describe this currently unseen presence. It is clear to me that Rheneas holds a great affection for whoever this 'Skarloey' is.

Suddenly we hear a loud 'PEEP! PEEP!' and a small engine rushes out of a nearby tunnel. He's a lot smaller than Rheneas, and dons a light green livery with white lining. His funnel looms in a more dignified fashion than a bonsai tree. He has dimples, buck teeth and a concerned look on his face.

"Rheneas, we have a problem on the Upper Terrace." He says.

"What is it, Luke?"

"It's Skarloey- he derailed on a broken bit of line and...Crashed straight into the quarry wall,"