Overlooked Love Ch. 2

A.N. Per GreenWiggle2018's request, William, Thomas' Father from 'Fractured' will be in this story. HOWEVER, this story and Fractured are not connected.

…

"Thomas, please! Slow down!" Cried Jason from his cab.

"Where are we going?!" Derek asked, slightly panicked. "We can't just leave Sodor like this!"

But Thomas wasn't listening. He couldn't. His mind was fogged and clouded with nothing except for the words his brother screamed at him.

Tears were streaming down his face, and his was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from crying out. Quickly, he raced down the tracks, to a place where he knew he'd always be safe.

…

William Barlette was inside his home, having a quiet lunch when he suddenly heard an engine race into a shed nearby. Thomas' shed.

"What in the world..?" But he was cut off by the sound of shed doors closing.

Confused, and slightly angry that someone would dare to even think of entering his son's shelter, he ran outside. He was about to demand who was inside, until he heard crying, and someone speaking.

"It's alright… it's alright."

"No… no it's not." Came a shaky, sob filled voice. "Edward… he- he…" But the one talking started crying again.

William's eyes widened. He knew that voice. "Thomas?!" He called out, nearing the shed.

The crying ceased and everything went quiet.

Gently, William reached out, and opened the right door. His breath hitched when he saw the little E2 tank engine he built. But he felt his chest clench when he saw he was crying.

"Thomas…" He whispered again, stepping in and closing the door behind him. "What… what happened? What are you doing all the way back here? Why are you crying?"

Thomas stared at him with wide eyes. But soon, they were overfilled with tears again, and he continued to weep. "F-Father…" He whimpered. "It- it was horrible!"

William moved forwards, while Jason and Derek moved back to give the two some space. "Shh, shh." He whispered, placing his hands on Thomas' buffer beam. "What was horrible? What happened?"

"My- my brother…" Thomas whimpered.

"Brother?" William asked. "What do you mean? I never made another engine after you."

"A-adoptive…" Thomas added quietly.

William nodded in understanding and Thomas continued. "His name is Edward." Thomas said. "He- he… he yelled at me. Before, he trusted me with a job. He needed me to deliver a glass swan for his driver's wife – it was a gift. He couldn't because he was too busy with his branchline. I said I would. Of- of course I knew to be careful. It was glass after all."

His Father nodded, listening carefully.

"On my way to Wellsworth – the place where the swan was supposed to go, James, my… well… boyfriend, was being pushed down the same track I was on by some Troublesome Trucks. They must've pushed him onto the wrong track, now that I think of it…" Thomas thought quietly.

"But anyways, his couplings broke, and he was able to get away from the trucks into a siding safely. But the trucks were still going, and they rammed into me. It caused me to go backwards, and the swan… broke."

"Oh dear…" William gasped. "What happened?"

"It was broken pretty much in half…" Thomas whispered. "The parts that were still intact were cracked heavily. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. I promised I wouldn't fail Edward; but I did." He whimpered shamefully. "I didn't know what to do… so I hid it. I had my driver and fireman, Jason and Derek, put the swan and other broken pieces into a box and into cars of scrap metal."

"Afterwards, I felt terrible. Hiding my mistake was not the best answer." He sighed. "But the worst part? The cars we put the swan in were the exact cars Edward was due to take to the scrapyard. I believe it was discovered when the inspection was done."

"Then… I was resting at a station after a long day. But Edward… he came and demanded to know what happened." Thomas said. "They discovered the swan and they were all angry at me – Edward and his crew. Of course, before I had… lied, and said the delivery went well. They knew then it was a lie."

"What happened?"

Thomas clenched his eyes shut. "He yelled at me!" He suddenly screamed out in sadness. "I tried explaining what had happened, but he cut me off! He said that he shouldn't have trusted me with anything!" He wailed as tears escaped his eyes again. "He asked, how- how the world could anyone teach someone like me… that he shouldn't have wasted his time on me…"

William gasped. He may not have known this engine, but from the way Thomas seemed to be talking, this was a very uncommon thing for that engine to do.

Thomas was sobbing. Quickly Jason and Derek ran forwards, and began to comfort their engine. William did the same. He knew Thomas was not done talking. "Shh, shh, little one." He whispered as he gently hugged him. "Take your time… when you're ready."

It took a while, but Thomas finally calmed down enough to continue talking. "I… I was already hurting by what he said. But then, he… he…"

"What did he do?" William asked.

"He said… he asked… how he could have ever loved me… let alone- like me." Thomas whispered.

William gulped. Never, in all his years of living, has he ever heard anyone, – engine or person – say such things. "Is he always like this?"

Thomas sighed. "No… he's the exact opposite. He's kind, calm, wise, and patient. But this time… he wasn't." He whispered. "I don't understand why he was like that…"

"And neither do I." William said truthfully.

"I should've known that he would've grown tired of me sooner or later. Everyone does…" Thomas mumbled.

William was stunned at his son's words.

"I guess it was all just for show… Edward really doesn't like or love me…. This… this is all my fault."

"What?" William inquired, feeling slightly nervous at his son's attitude.

"You heard me…" Thomas replied shamefully. "If I hadn't lied, and told the truth, this wouldn't have happened. This is my fault."

William went silent as he thought of an answer. "Well… yes. You have a point. But this is also Edward's, was his name?"

"Yes…"

"This is also Edward's fault." William explained. "If not more so."

Thomas was shocked. "What… how?"

"From what you told me, Thomas." William answered. "Edward is a serene, wise, and patient engine." He explained. "If he really was patient or wise, he would have known to listen to you and understand the entire situation."

"But everyone has-"

"Their limits? Yes, I know. And if that truly was Edward's limit, I could understand him being angrier than normal. But to say those things to you, his little brother. Even he should have known better. You are not the only one at fault, Thomas. Edward is too."

Thomas stared at him with still watery, tired eyes. Sighing, with a small sympathetic smile on his face, William went to go retrieve a cloth. When he did, he quietly climbed onto Thomas' buffer beam and wiped his eyes dry of tears.

As he did, he looked though a window outside. The sun was going to set soon. He looked back to his engine. "It's getting late, Thomas. Why don't you stay here tonight, and sleep."

"But… I have work-"

"I'll phone your railway, and explain everything." The red head reassured. "You just go to sleep."

"Alright." Thomas whispered. He knew he could trust his Father. When he finished wiping away his tears, it only took a few minutes for Thomas to fall asleep. He was exhausted.

When he was sure his son was asleep, William got down from his engine, and faced his crew.

"I'm sorry that I didn't have time to introduce myself. My name is William Barlette. I'm Thomas' creator. And you two are?"

Thomas' crew smiled a bit.

"My name is Jason Stone." His driver introduced. "I'm Thomas' driver on Sodor."

"And my name is Derek Woods." His fireman said. "I'm his fireman."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." William said, shaking each of their hands. "Um… I trust you have a way to contact Thomas' employer, yes?"

"Ah, yes!" Jason said as he dug into his pocket and took out a piece of paper. "Here's Thomas' employer's number. His name is Sir Topham Hatt."

William took it gratefully. "Thank you. Now, if you'll just follow me, I have two extra guest bedrooms inside that you two can have tonight."

"Oh, thank you so much." Derek said breathily. "I haven't been this tired in a while."

William chuckled. "Well, I'm glad to be of service. Just give me a moment." Then he went slightly further into the shed, and opened a cabinet. Quietly, he pulled out a lamp, before plugging it in and turning it on. When it was on, a gentle nimble blue light flooded part of the room. Then it slowly turned a warm golden yellow, then back to blue.

Jason and Derek watched in fascination as the lamp changed from blue to yellow. Then they were led out of the shed, and William soundlessly closed the door.

"What was the lamp for?" Derek asked curiously.

"Well," William explained. "While Thomas does quite like the dark, he also likes a little light with him. When I brought him the lamp, he loved it instantly. There were nights when he would use it, and nights when he wouldn't. But I figured after tonight, he would like it."

Jason and Derek silently agreed.

"Well, come on gentlemen." William beckoned. "I have a few things to settle. Best do it now."

…

Meanwhile, back on Sodor, Sir Topham Hatt was busy filing his engines work for the day. He was about to grab Thomas' file, when his phone rang. Reaching over and pulling it off the receiver, Sir Topham Hatt cleared his throat, and put it to his ear.

"Sir Topham Hatt, manager of the Northwestern Railway speaking."

"Sir Topham Hatt?"

"Yes…" He said slowly. "May I ask who I'm speaking with?"

"My name is William Barlette, and I'm Thomas' creator. I want you to know, he's with me on the Mainland."

"Excuse me?" Sir Topham Hatt asked, confused. "The Mainland? How is he there? Why is he there? What happened?"

On the other side of the phone, William sighed. "Thomas is with me, because he had a falling out with his brother, Edward. Do you know him?"

"Yes." He heard Sir Topham Hatt answer. "Edward is the number 2 engine here on Sodor. Why?"

William sighed. He did not look forward to what he had to say next.

…

Sir Topham Hatt's eyes were wide as William explained what happened. He could hardly believe it. "I see…" He said slowly. "And Thomas is staying with you, now?"

"For now." William quickly answered. "Just for tonight, as far as I know."

"I see. Well, I can get someone to cover for him soon enough." He reassured. "As for Edward, I'll see to it that I deal with him accordingly. Thank you for telling me this. Have a good night."

"You as well." William said, before Sir Topham Hatt heard a 'click' on the other line, signaling the end of the phone call.

Putting it back on the receiver, he put his face in his hands. "I'd better do this now."

Then he got up and left his office. As he closed the door, he saw Edward steam up to the station, pulling empty cars.

"EDWARD!"

Just like Thomas had, Edward looked up to the man in fear. "H-Hello Sir…"

"So… what is this I hear of you losing your temper at your brother, hm?" Sir Topham Hatt asked crossly as he walked up to the number 2 engine.

"W-well," Edward mumbled shakily. "I-I know it wasn't the best solution b-but…"

Sir Topham Hatt shook his head. "Be quiet, this instant!" He demanded. "I can't believe you, Edward! I've seen better from you! What ever has gotten into you?! I thought I knew my Number 2 engine, but today proves I really don't! I'm sorely disappointed in you, Edward. SORELY!"

Edward shook in fear. "Please Sir, I'm sorry!"

"Oh no, Edward." The man said quietly. "You do not apologise to me. You apologise to Thomas. I really thought you were better. I don't understand why you thought it was a good idea to yell at your brother like that. But it isn't only you at fault." Then he looked into Edward's cab at Dean.

Dean looked down in shame and slowly stepped out to face Sir Topham Hatt properly.

"Why didn't you stop him, Dean?"

"Because… I was upset, Sir."

"It was just a glass swan." Sir Topham Hatt said. "An important one, albeit, but still just a swan. You could have replaced it."

"I know that, Sir…"

"If you knew, why didn't you stop Edward?" Sir Topham Hatt questioned.

"Because I…" But Dean had no answer. "I don't know."

"Miscellaneous things are more than replaceable." Sir Topham Hatt explained. "However, a person's trust, is not. That is something that can be destroyed completely in only an instant."

"A-are you saying… Thomas doesn't… trust me anymore..?" Edward asked meekly.

"I cannot say for sure." Sir Topham Hatt said coldly, still upset with the engine in front of him. "But I'm betting more than likely. Especially after what you said. What on earth were you thinking, Edward?! He's your little brother!"

"I don't know…"

"Well, when Thomas comes back, you better be prepared to gain his trust back." Sir Topham Hatt ordered.

"'Comes back', Sir?" Kurtis asked.

"After your little stunt," Sir Topham Hatt said, looking directly at Edward. "Thomas ran off to the Mainland. However, I can assure you all that he is safe. He's with his Father, William. Just a moment ago, he phoned me, explaining the situation. That is how I found out what had happened. I believe he will come back sometime tomorrow. That is when you will see how to fix this, Edward. Am I making myself clear?"

Edward looked down below him in shame as tears of regret and sadness filled his eyes. "Yes Sir… crystal clear, Sir."