Stanley and Rosie were on their way back to the yards after a perilous runaway rescue to stop a terrible collision. The two naughty boys were turned in at the station office, where the stationmaster had called their fathers. The fathers seized their sons by the arm and dragged them out of the station to take home and wallop them soundly.
"Believe me, boys, this hurts you MORE than it does ME!" they roared to their sons.
Eventually, Rosie and Stanley returned to Knapford Station where the mess began. The Fat Controller was waiting for them with a smile of approval.
"Outstanding, Rosie!" he said. "You rushed with such effort to save Stanley! You prevented a terrible disaster for the railway! This makes you a very brave, selfless and really useful engine!"
"Thank you, sir," said Rosie. "It was my pleasure to save him."
"For your selflessness and bravery, you deserve a reward," added the Fat Controller. "I'd like to provide you with the duty of being the station pilot for Vicarstown Station. You can go there tomorrow to get a head start."
Rosie felt overjoyed to be given such honour and smiled greatly, but underneath her joy, she felt disappointed. To work day-in day-out at the station just before the Mainland would mean that she and Stanley would be more isolated.
Stanley was happy and disappointed too, but he felt Rosie deserved such an opportunity. He really hoped she'd return every evening to their shed, but he also knew that Vicarstown had sheds of their own. That would likely make occasional visits the only time she and Stanley would ever have to see each other, but if she would be happy, he wouldn't want to miss it.
"I think he's right, Rosie," he said calmly. "You'll do very well at such a grand station. You deserve this reward."
"Oh…y-yes," said Rosie looking a little less happy now.
Later that evening, Rosie and Stanley were resting in their shed. Neither engine spoke a word as they kept thinking and thinking about Rosie's reward and what it would mean for the chances of a relationship. When they looked at each other, they felt a sense of desire, but also a sense of disappointment. With Rosie working regularly at such a big and famous station, but having a strong friendship with Stanley was a prime case of being so close and yet so far. Stanley was happy for Rosie and wanted her to enjoy her reward, but it would mean he could be lonelier. He also knew Rosie wasn't fully sure about a relationship and didn't want to make her sad again. All through the night, Rosie and Stanley slept with a full mind with several unanswered questions…
The next morning, Stanley woke up first. He knew Rosie would be on her way to her new job right on this day. He looked at her as she was still asleep. He would miss her every day until he'd have a chance to see her every now and then, and before she left, he wanted to try a relationship offer one more time. He quietly snuck away for a while, and came back facing her, just as she began to wake up. When she saw Stanley, she looked a little sad as she too remembered she'd be leaving for Vicarstown later that day.
"Good morning, Stanley," she sighed.
"Good morning…" said Stanley. "So…I guess you'll be on your way to your new job today?"
"Yes…I guess…" said Rosie, looking away in thought.
"Rosie, I really think you deserve this treat…but I don't want you to be missing me all the time. This is a chance for you to be really useful at the biggest station on Sodor," said Stanley. "Even if you do have to sleep at Vicarstown Sheds, it doesn't change the fact that I love you."
"Oh, but Stanley, I don't want you to be lonely every day…" said Rosie.
"Rosie, I have many friends on this island, you're not the only one. And I can visit you whenever I have the chance…I know you're gonna be away much more often working at Vicarstown Station…but before you leave…do you think we could take a chance at being a couple…please?"
"Stanley…we'd be so far apart…" said Rosie. "Why?"
"It's not because I wanted a girlfriend…" said Stanley. "That was only a tiny reason. I want it mainly because I love you through and through…and I wanted to help heal your old wounds and become a new engine…but I guess you became a new engine already in some ways…especially your red livery…"
Rosie looked at Stanley for a minute or two before speaking again. "I don't know, Stanley…working at Vicarstown while you're still on the main line…"
"It won't change a thing for me…" smiled Stanley. "If it makes you happy in any way, I'll put up with the absence…and your happiness is all what's important to me…and Thomas would be happy for you."
Rosie remained silent for almost another minute, lost in thought about Stanley's proposal. She eventually looked at him again, with a difference on her face. She seemed stronger, and a little excited.
"Well Stanley…if it means making you happy…I would like very much to have you for a relationship," she said. "I love you…"
"I love you too," Stanley replied. Rosie smiled at her friend for a few moments. Then, both engines felt themselves inching closer and closer ever-so slowly. Their buffers gently touched together and their eyes glimmered in the sunlight. Rosie began to close her eyes and slowly pucker her lips. This would be her first pure kiss of love. This time there was no speed or desperation like there was with Thomas.
Then in that moment, Rosie and Stanley's lips came together and gently kissed for the first time. This time, Rosie felt great peace and happiness flowing through her as she gently kissed Stanley. She now felt true love that was not unrequited in any way at all. Stanley in turn felt very happy too as he blushed almost as red as Rosie. He loved her so much and only wanted to make her as happy as he could.
Eventually, they released each other's lips and exchanged big, happy smiles to each other.
"Oh, Stanley…" Rosie whispered. "You're such a gentleman…my silver stallion…"
"Silver stallion?" breathed Stanley. "That is some nickname…and I love it…my crimson rose."
Rosie's eyes popped wide open. "Aww, Stanley!" she squealed. "You're so sweet!" And she buffered up and kissed his lips again, making Stanley kiss right back.
"I've never been so happy, Stanley!" smiled Rosie. "You've given me a new strength! I can do my new job now, knowing that you love me and will come for me eventually."
"I know, Rosie," smiled Stanley. "But before you go…" he whispered something to Rosie, and she agreed. Together, they made their way to Knapford Station, where they met the Fat Controller.
"Hello, you two," he said. "Are you ready to start your new job at Vicarstown, Rosie?"
"I am, sir," she answered. "But before I do…Stanley thought we need to tell you something."
"As of this morning, Rosie and I have followed on Thomas and Emily's tracks, so to speak…we're in love now, sir."
"Is that so?" said the Fat Controller.
"Yes sir," smiled Rosie. "We're a couple now."
"We both understand that we'll be distant in spite of our love," said Stanley. "But as long as we're happy, it doesn't matter to me how far we may be…until we pay a visit to each other." And he winked to Rosie.
"That's right, sir," said Rosie. "Now that you know our new chapter of life, I'm ready to start my new work."
"Very well, Rosie," said the Fat Controller. "Off you go now."
"Yes sir," She turned to Stanley. "Until we meet again, my silver stallion…" Then she smooched her lips and blew a kiss to Stanely. Then she whistled and set off for Vicarstown. Stanley smiled as she huffed down the line.
"Stanley…every cloud has a silver lining," said the Fat Controller. "What are you thinking?"
"The cloud…Rosie and I will be more distant," said Stanley. "The silver? She isn't leaving the island…she just has a new home…one that I can visit someday."
Rosie huffed along the line, thinking endlessly about her achievement with Stanley that morning. She felt real love for the first time and was now starting her new life. That was enough to keep her happy. At last, she approached Vicarstown, she felt a sense of excitement inside her.
"Well…this is it," she said. "Stanley would love to see me here…whenever that time comes…" And she approached the station to begin work and learn new things.
And so, Rosie had a new coat of paint, rescued Stanley from danger, got a new job at a grand station and could now start a new relationship with Stanley. It was all an excellent step forward for the lively tank engine. Rosie had found a new place in life…but she wasn't the only one who found a new place to be. Edward was about to have a little change himself…but that's another story.
OK, so that closes the book on this story; Rosie has her new livery, a new job, and a new relationship with Stanley, and I'm still fearing when that Godforsaken hiatus is gonna come and bite us in the arse. Still, in case it wasn't obvious by the ending line, the next story takes place in *A Shed for Edward* - they really should have called it *Shedward* but anyway - another Season 21 episode that I love, and no it's not because Edward left Tidmouth, I honestly have no problem with that. Yeah, anyway, leave your reviews and I'll see you all soon with the next story; *You Won't Be Alone*.