Author's Notes: In this next installment we take a brief (note I say brief, enjoy it whilst you can!) break from all the angst. The next couple of chapters will be full of baby cuteness in case anyone needs a heads up on all that "butterflies and rainbows" stuff.

Thank you again for all your comments and feedback so far, it's always appreciated!

Back at the diner, it was eerily quiet. Wrench had summoned Purse and had him help carry Pearl back to her mechanical shed so she could examine the extent of her injuries further, leaving the three coaches alone. They couldn't find the words to express how each of them felt, so had allowed the silence to make itself at home. Ashley had resigned herself to sitting up at the bar, puffing her cigarette like there was no tomorrow. Beside her sat Buffy, whose tears had fallen silent although continued to streak her cheeks, now formed more from anger than despair. Dinah had sunken into a seat at the table opposite, staring into space, her mind overridden with thoughts of what Electra would do to Luna. She couldn't bear the thought of the electric harming her and the very idea brought a sickening feeling of guilt, which lay heavy on her chest. Just moments before she had been snatched from her, she had been seriously questioning her decision in taking in the child, worrying that she'd be a burden. Now she was sitting here retracting all those thoughts, apologising profusely to the Starlight and begging for Luna to be returned to her safe.

All in all, the trio felt like time had stood still, each minute dragging by painfully slow. They were just desperate for news.

Meanwhile, outside the diner, Rusty and the group approached. The steam train hesitated as Dinah's workplace came into view and he turned to the diesel with a smile, offering Luna to him. "Why don't you do the honours?"

Taken aback by the suggestion, Greaseball took a step back. "But…you were the one who saved her."

Rusty placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It was a team effort. Besides, you were the one who stuck up for Dinah back there."

Greaseball looked down at the infant as she looked up at him with her bright blue eyes, still red and puffy from her distressed cries earlier. He could see the longing in those eyes; she needed to be reunited with the one person who would devote all her love to care for her. He awkwardly took the infant into his arms and took a deep breath before stepping into the diner. Hearing the door, the three coaches sprung to their feet, their eyes wide with anticipation. Greaseball's heart skipped a beat seeing Dinah's face instantly brighten.

"Greaseball!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him and planting a tender kiss on his cheek, her eyes quickly falling down to Luna bundled in his arms. Tears of relief sprung to her eyes.

"Is she okay?"

Greaseball couldn't help but notice her hands were shaking as she lifted the baby into her arms, pulling her protectively close.

"She's just fine. We didn't let Electra touch her."

"Nor did Greaseball let Electra say a bad word about you," chipped in Rusty. "He defended your decision the whole way."

Dinah looked up at Greaseball in admiration, her cheeks now rosy. "You did?"

"Nobody gets to say a bad word about my lovely Miss America," he winked.

Dinah glanced behind the diesel to Rusty, Joule and Volta.

"Thank you," Dinah uttered, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of happiness and relief that washed over her. "Thank you for everything."

"Electra won't be troubling you any more," Joule reassured. "This is her home now."

At the word "home", Dinah lifted her head from looking at the infant with disbelief. "Did you just say…?"

Rusty rolled forward to join Greaseball's side. "She's part of the family now. We want you to know that we'd all like to help out. You don't have to do this alone, Dinah."

Dinah stood speechless. All her fears suddenly faded away. She wasn't going to be alone on this undoubtedly scary and uncertain journey; she'd have her friends by her side the whole way. It felt like a ton weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she could breathe freely again.

After a moment, she finally found her voice again. "Really?"

Rusty, Joule and Volta gave a nod of assurance. Ashley placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, whilst Buffy playfully nudged her hip. "We're here for ya, sis!"

That left Greaseball. Dinah looked at him for confirmation, biting her lip. His face was unreadable. But after a moment's hesitation, his lips curled into a grin and he nodded. Dinah beamed.

Ashley smiled at Luna and gently stroked her cheek. "Welcome to the train yard, cherub!"

That night, draped in the warm light of the bedside lamp, Dinah nestled in bed to keep warm whilst she fed Luna her bottle. It brought great comfort having her back in her arms. From her delicate, soft head to her tiny fingers, Dinah couldn't find any other word to describe her but perfect. She would never be able to comprehend how someone could possibly have been able to hold her like she was now, gaze into those innocent eyes one final time, before turning around and leaving her prey to the winter elements. It broke her heart to think Luna had very nearly been robbed of the chance of life. Finding the girl had stirred up so many emotions for her; surely the person responsible for abandoning her would have experienced them too? How could someone simply disregard those feelings and dump a defenceless baby? Did those feelings mean nothing at all?

The day's events had drained her and had not only given her a wake-up call, but also a new found confidence. The fact her friends – who had grown more to be a family in the past few months – had so readily gone to Luna's aid without hesitation and stood by her, meant so much. They had shown such unconditional support and caring for her; if Luna was important to her then it was important to them. Dinah vowed that from now on she would do everything in her power to protect Luna and raise her with the love and care she deserved. She would never be able to replace her birth mother, whoever she was, but she was going to be the very best substitute that she could be. Knowing her friends had her back meant she didn't have to face this challenge alone; the path was a lot less scarier than before.

"I promise I'll take good care of you," she whispered to the infant, gently prising away the empty bottle and stroking her head.

She curled up under the covers and pulled Luna close to her chest to soothe her and settle her for sleep. Tomorrow was already looking much brighter.

Greaseball returned from his late-night gym session to find Dinah fast asleep, Luna curled up in her arms. They both looked so peaceful; he couldn't help but take in that moment of calmness, especially after such a whirlwind of a day. Dinah hadn't let Luna out of her sight since the morning's reunion. Greaseball had likened her to a lioness, fiercely protecting her cub, and it was understandable. Just hours before Electra had snatched the infant with the intention of drowning her. The diesel shook his head vigorously to dispel the horrid images of what this evening could have been had they not intervened and confronted Electra at the river today. He turned his attention swiftly back to the scene in front of him. He approached the pair quietly and sighed. Gently, he extricated Luna from Dinah's arms, careful to ensure he supported the child's head as he'd observed Dinah doing, before laying her down in her cot. Although he would never dare to admit it, holding the infant scared him. She was so fragile and small, like a porcelain doll. He was convinced he'd drop her and all hell would break loose. The very thought made him shudder. It seemed to come so naturally to Dinah; one sweeping motion and the infant was cradled in her arms, handled with care. Yes, he thought, he'd keep the handing business to a minimum.

As he slipped under the covers, careful to not rustle the sheets, he found himself watching as the dining car slept, her features so serene, her blonde curls spilling onto the pillow. Although he wasn't completely sold on the prospect of having a kid in the depot, he found it impossible not to admire her dedication and genuine love she appeared to have for this tiny human. Lying on his back, now staring at the vacant ceiling as his mind went into overdrive, he felt a twinge of doubt in his stomach. They had never broached the subject of offspring, even before he had royally screwed up at the championship. He realised he had no idea if Dinah had even had any interest in having kids. Her two closest friends, Buffy and Ashley, who Greaseball often thought were a bad influence on the dining car, had never properly settled down and children now seemed an unlikely prospect. As a result, the diesel had simply assumed – perhaps quite naively – that Dinah wouldn't be broody either. But seeing how quickly she had bonded with Luna made him consider perhaps it had been something she'd keep buried and secret. Having Luna seemed to have given her a happiness even he couldn't provide her, and that hurt a little.

Thoughts still spinning in his mind, Greaseball rolled over and turned out the light. He lay awake in the darkness for a long time, reflecting on the past and worrying about the future.

The following morning. Dinah had risen early and was already making coffee, bouncing Luna on her hip as she made up the mugs. A knock at the door took her by surprise.

"Pearl!" She embraced her friend, beaming at the sight of the pink coach. "Thank Starlight you're alright!"

She felt the younger coach flinch in response and quickly pulled back, worried she had hurt her.

"It's OK," Pearl assured, waving a had dismissively. "I'm just a little sore…"

The pretty coach's eyes fell onto Luna, whose face had lit up with a look of wonderment, and she beamed. "I'm just glad this little cutie is safe and sound!"

Dinah grinned, opening the door further to invite her friend in. "How about some coffee?"

Electra, meanwhile, was simmering.

"You really were harsh on that first class coach, Electra. The poor girl could've died had you ramped up your voltage much more," condoned Purse, shaking his head as he paced the shed, not giving the electric any eye contact.

Electra gritted his teeth. He wasn't appreciating the lecture. That stupid pink coach had got what she deserved. It was just unfortunate the dining car didn't quite get the lesson she had also merited. And as for his so-called loyal components…

"I don't really see what the fuss is about…" Purse continued, blissfully unaware of the irritation he was causing. "She's just a baby, what harm could she possibly do?"

Electra slammed down his wrist, causing him to jump. "That little brat has successfully got the desired result! This is a trap! The humans drop a cute baby as bait so we can foolishly take it and they can take advantage of us! That baby will be the end of us all!"

Purse lowered his eyes and distracted himself by fidgeting with his bow tie. Growing impatient of being ignored and his concerns so easily dismissed, Electra grabbed his component by the throat, pinning him against the wall.

"They can keep their precious baby," he snarled. "Let them find out the hard way!"

He released Purse from his chokehold and rubbed his hands together, immediately relaxing.

"Well," he said smugly. "I'll just take the pleasure of watching them burn."

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