Author's Note: Ok guys, serious warning here. Writing this next chapter made me an emotional wreck. Go on and judge me, but I know you'll all have your hearts ripped out too. Sorry in advance.

"Wait," Ashley looked around frantically. "Where's Buffy?"

Back at the diner, Buffy lay where she had fallen, stricken by Electra's brute force. She had braced herself for the jolt of electricity but nothing could have prepared her for the sheer intensity. She had felt the shock run down her entire body, bringing with it a crippling pain. Then, she felt her limbs seize up and lock; incapacitated, as if the electricity had been binding her tightly in chains. For a moment, it had felt like time had stood still. As she'd looked into Electra's frenzied stare, it had seemed like she had been suspended in the air, before she felt a huge release and she collapsed to the ground. Now, all that remained was an intense stabbing sensation in her chest that came and went in spasms, like someone had plunged a dagger into her and was slowly twisting it at periodic intervals.

Ashley, fraught with worry, burst into the diner and dashed to her side, gripping her hand as she fell to her knees, the other trains quietly congregating in the background. She only had to cast her eyes over the buffet car's broken form to realise she had been mortally wounded.

"Buffy…" the smoking car whispered, tears shining in her eyes.

As time had past, the coach's breathing had grown laboured, every breath harder than the last as she fought against the pain. Buffy could feel her heart slowing; in her solitude she had already surrendered to the fact she was losing the battle. Now, she took comfort in Ashley's presence.

"What are the chances of being struck by lightning? One in a million?" she let out a weak laugh, before wincing. The deep burning in her chest seared as a reminder. Ashley hushed the coach as she shook her head, gently stroking her hair as she cradled her. Trust Buffy to try to crack a joke.

"Aunt Buffy?"

The timid, trembling voice of the young girl made Ashley look up as she approached with Dinah, tears falling down her small rosy cheeks. Buffy slowly turned her head to face Luna and gave her a weak smile. She tentatively reached out a hand to beckon her closer. Luna carefully knelt and burrowed her face into the coach.

"Hey, listen," Buffy whispered, hearing the girl's muffled sniffles. She made Luna draw back to look her in the eyes. "You are super special. Always remember that and don't let anyone tell you different, ok?

Luna nodded. "You'll get better though, won't you?" The hopefulness in the girl's voice made Ashley choke on her sobs. If only that could be the case.

Buffy shook her head. "I don't think so, Luna," she whispered, biting her lip.

As realisation spread over the girl's face, Luna began to cry harder as she shook her head fiercely. "No!" she cried. "You can't go!"

Desperate to calm the child, Buffy grabbed her small hand. "Remember the Lights?"

This seemed to soothe the girl slightly. "Will you be up there with Rusty's Momma?"

"Yeah, I'll be watching from up there."

At that, Luna gave Buffy a final hug before shuffling back to allow Dinah to take the coach's hand as she desperately tried to fight back her own tears.

"You saved us…" she managed before she became choked up. Buffy drew her friend close and wiped away her tears.

"You've both had my back all these years…I had yours." Buffy shrugged, looking between both of her friends on either side of her, Ashley to her left, Dinah to her right. "It's what best friends do."

As a stronger searing jolt of pain shot through her chest, Buffy convulsed and gasped, clutching Ashley's hand tighter. Greaseball gently drew Dinah and Luna back to give her space as they looked on, the coach writhing in agony; her whole body in spasm. After a moment, the pain subsided and she visibly relaxed and sunk back into Ashley's arms, exhausted. She was fading away right in front of their eyes and she knew it. With every episode of pain, her vision deteriorated; becoming blurry and contorted, her breathing became shallow as her chest grew tight and she could feel her heart falter. She was running out of time.

"Ash…you've been the best friend a girl could…ever ask for," the buffet car said through ragged breaths.

It only made the smoking car's tears flow faster. "What will I do without you?" she wept. "You're my partner in crime. I can't…I don't know what to do without you! Please…don't leave me."

Hearing her friend beg was like a further stab to the heart. How she desperately wanted to stay. Despite the ache she felt, she smiled, a single tear trailing down her cheek. "You'll be alright. Just…look after Dinah and Pearl. Promise me you'll stick together..."

Ashley nodded vigorously, taking the coach's hand once more and comfortingly stroking it with her thumb. "I promise."

In the background, Pearl silently took Dinah's hand and gave it a firm squeeze as she cried softly. We'll stick together.

As the coach drew her last breath, another solitary tear fell down Buffy's cheek, before her eyes drifted shut and her body fell limp. Ashley pulled her close and sobbed uncontrollably.

The whole diner fell into a mournful silence, punctuated only by the sorrowful sniffs of the other trains. The room, despite being packed full, suddenly felt empty; the gaping hole left by their friend.

After a moment, Electra took a step towards the smoking car as she continued to cradle her friend, rocking back and forth as she wept. Seeing him approach, she drew a deep breath in an effort to control her tears and gently laid the buffet car down, as carefully as if she were made of glass. Then, she rose to her feet, her face darkening as she suddenly filled with anguish and rage.

"Get away from her!" she shoved the electric away forcefully, her voice packed with venom. "You did this! This is all your fault! You killed her!"

The tearful tirade from the smoking car shouldn't have surprised him. He raised his hands as if in surrender. "I didn't mean to shock her so hard! I was angry, just…let me try and fix it!"

"No!" Ashley cried, her voice trembling. "You don't touch her!"

Electra stood up tall, his face growing dark and serious. "I'm the only one who can save her!" he yelled.

He immediately regretted it. He didn't mean to raise his voice but he desperately wanted to get through to Ashley in her grief. If he could have had the opportunity to save his brother that fateful day he would have. At least now, he had the chance to try and make things right. He had made a terrible mistake – in his fury had been too powerful – and now he needed to rectify it. He had to. Because although he wouldn't dare admit it, he didn't want anyone going through the pain he had experienced with losing Sparx. Not even the smoking car. And Buffy, no matter how irritating he had found her on days when she had been all ranting and raving, she hadn't deserved this. She wasn't meant to die.

At that, all of the trains looked to the electric. He was right, only he was capable of potentially saving Buffy's life. Ashley was rendered speechless, shaking uncontrollably. Rusty gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

"He's right, Ash. Let him at least try," he whispered in her ear.

Taking a deep breath, Ashley forced herself to turn around and gaze at Buffy's lifeless form on the floor. She wanted – no, needed – her back. Buffy had been more than a friend to her, more like a sister. They had been together since they were kids. Inseparable. She would do anything to have her back. She turned back to face Electra and simply nodded, moving aside.

Electra approached Buffy and knelt beside her. The buffet car was so pale, yet, as he placed a hand on her chest, he could feel her skin was still warm, not yet turned cold. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, slowing down his heart rate and used his energy to deliver a controlled burst of electricity to her heart. Ashley and Pearl, standing on either side of Rusty, both turned away unable to watch. Greaseball held Dinah's hand as she looked on, Luna clinging tightly to her side. Volta drew Joule into a comforting hug as the other components watched in silence. Even C.B bowed his head. When Buffy remained unresponsive, Electra growled in frustration before gritting his teeth and calming himself again. He wasn't giving up, he refused to give up. I'm sorry, brother. Please, let me save her. Sending up a silent prayer, he shifted back into position and delivered another jolt. As he gripped the coach's wrist, he breathed a sigh of relief as he felt the reassuring presence of a pulse. He cast his eyes to the sky. Thank you.

He watched as the buffet car's chest began to rise and fall and retreated as her eyes began to flicker. The whole room gave a sigh, releasing the tension as relief flowed in. Ashley stood aghast before collapsing at the coach's side, fresh tears of relief and joy springing to her eyes as the buffet car awoke.

"The Starlight didn't want me then," she murmured, managing a smile.

The smoking car laughed, enveloping her in a hug. After a few moments, Rusty rolled forward and gingerly scooped the coach into his arms, gently kissing her on the forehead.

"We thought we'd lost you, Buffers. It's good to have you back," he grinned.

At that, he carefully rolled out of the diner with Buffy to take her back to her depot to rest, Ashley close on his heels. As the rest of the trains dispersed, Electra, Dinah, Pearl and Greaseball hung back. Greaseball silently took Luna's hand and led her out, giving Dinah a knowing glance. Pearl hesitated before she too turned and left, leaving Electra and Dinah alone. The electric remained silent and turned to leave, despondent and ashamed.

"Electra?" Dinah tilted her head. She watched as the electric's shoulders sank.

"I'm sorry, Dinah. For everything," he turned to face the dining car. "For all the hurt I've caused, for trying to take away that kid…" he blinked away tears as he recalled the girl's haunting words. I know you're hurting. He swallowed and continued.

"Buffy's right, that kid's special. She was sent from the Starlight, that I'm certain."

He hesitated then, resting his hand on the nearby bar stool as he contemplated what to say. "Did you hear about the crash a couple of year's ago with the electric and steamer?"

Dinah nodded, listening patiently.

"The electric was my brother. My twin. I witnessed the whole thing. I watched as a young girl clambered from the wreckage. I distinctly remember her eyes, such a startling blue…they had stared right through me that day, no emotion on her face. Today, I saw those very same eyes staring at me again."

Dinah's eyes grew wide as she realised what he meant. "So, you think Luna…"

"You were meant to find her, Dinah. You were always meant to find her. She was sent here to teach us all a lesson. Since the crash, I only had anger and hatred toward humans. They were a threat and nothing more. All my attempts to get rid of Luna…it made me a coward. I was frightened of her and the only thing I could think of doing was getting rid of her. I was just so determined to have her gone that I almost killed another train," Electra bit his lip. "I realised all too late that I had made a grave mistake. Luna was meant to bring everyone together, to teach us to trust and learn from one another…and I almost ripped that all away by taking her and Buffy."

Dinah rolled forward, seeing the tears form in the electric's eyes. She was about to speak when Electra shook his head.

"I can't believe that I suffered so much pain from losing my brother yet I was willing to steal Luna away from you…to hurt Buffy…for what? To avenge my brother's death by causing more pain?" Electra turned his back to the dining car. "He never would have wanted that. He would be ashamed of the monster that I've turned into."

A moment of silence sat between the two trains.

"A monster would have walked away just there," Dinah broke the silence. "You could have left Buffy. You didn't have to save her."

"How could I have stood there and done nothing when it was my fault? I saw Ashley and all I could think was how I was to blame for all her pain. For everyone's pain."

"That doesn't sound like a monster to me."

As Electra turned to face her once more, Dinah leaned over her bar with a small smile.

"I forgive you."

Electra arched his brow. Had he seriously heard her right? "What did you just say?"

"I forgive you. For everything." The dining car moved around from her bar, a look of sympathy in her eyes. "If there's one thing being a part of this family has taught me, it's that everyone deserves a second chance. We learn from our mistakes. I think we've all learnt a lesson from this one."

The electric stood, dumbfounded, as the dining car proceeded to fire up the coffee machine with a smile, as if nothing had happened. How could she find it in her to forgive him for all he had done? Noticing his astonished expression, Dinah laughed.

"Care for a coffee?"

The following morning, Pearl was surprised by a knock at the door of her depot just as she was due to leave to clock-in. Fussing with her hair, she opened to find the dining car.

"Oh, hi Dinah. Everything ok?" She moved aside, beckoning her inside.

She noted Dinah's hesitation as she stepped into the depot, how she was fidgeting with her hands. When the dining car didn't speak, Pearl tilted her head.

"Dinah, what's wrong?"

The truth was, Dinah had woken up feeling guilty. After reconciling with Electra, Dinah had had full intentions of paying Pearl a visit. She had not been a saint yesterday either and owed the first class car an apology and it had seemed wrong to have settled things with the electric and not one of her closest friends. But the day had flown by her and before she knew it, it was too late in the day. So, now here she was.

"I…I realised this morning that I didn't get the chance to apologise to you."

Pearl blinked. "What for?"

Finally, Dinah lifted her eyes from the floor. "For blaming you for what happened at the racetrack. I should have known you'd never do anything to harm Luna."

Seeing the dining car visibly upset, Pearl shook her head and quickly pulled her into a hug. "It's alright, Dinah. To be honest, I'd quite forgotten about it after what happened at the diner."

Dinah let out a laugh with relief as Pearl dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue. "Nearly losing Buffy yesterday made me realise all the fighting was so petty…I don't ever want to lose you as a friend."

"And you won't," the first class coach squeezed Dinah's hands with a reassuring smile. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me now! Buffy is right, we need to stick together."

The first class car watched as Dinah's face immediately brightened. "So we're ok?"

"As right as rain!" giggled Pearl, grabbing her bag.

"Speaking of Buffy, I was going to head down to her depot later to pay her a visit. Ash was saying she's already fed up with her moaning that she's bored stiff!"

When the pair visited later that day, they bumped into Wrench just as she was leaving, having performed a routine check-up.

"She's absolutely fine," she reassured, adjusting her helmet. "No seizures, no superficial burns…her chest pain has gone. Ridiculously lucky if you ask me. I've advised to continue bed rest today as a precaution although she should be ok to get back to normal tomorrow."

Despite being confined to her bed, the pair were relieved to see Buffy in high spirits. She was bright and rosy-cheeked; a big contrast to her pale and broken form yesterday, and was propped up with several pillows. As she perched on the edge of the bed, Pearl noticed the intricate tell-tale mark rising from Buffy's chest. It was strangely beautiful; the red fern-like pattern branding her skin like a tattoo.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Buffy smirked, seeing the young coach admiring the scarring.

"Does it hurt?"

Buffy shook her head. "Nah. Apparently it fades within a few days."

"She's totally gutted about that!" Ashley piped up from the kitchen where she was preparing tea with Dinah.

"You're just jealous!" Buffy shouted back, sharing a laugh with Pearl.

Just then, Dinah and Ashley rolled into the bedroom with a tray of drinks. Dinah handed Pearl a mug of steaming tea before joining her on the edge of the bed. Ashley set down a mug for Buffy on the bedside table before curling up on a chair beside the bed.

"So, I hear I have the Sparkplug to thank?" Buffy said, blowing gently on her tea.

Dinah and Pearl nodded simultaneously.

"The electric has become a saint overnight," the buffet car said bitterly, rolling her eyes. "After all he's put us through…"

"He seems genuinely remorseful," Dinah stirred her tea absentmindedly. "Just because I've forgiven him it doesn't mean all is forgotten. It's going to take time to rebuild trust."

Dinah's words seemed to ignite a spark in Buffy. She sprung up in bed, making Dinah and Pearl jump. "He's put you through hell, Dinah! For the past five years he's made it his mission to do whatever it takes to get rid of Luna. He tried to turn Greaseball against you. He tried to frame Pearl for what happened on the racetrack. He nearly killed me yesterday! And you forgave him, just like that?"

"Buffy…" Ashley interjected, sensing the buffet car was quickly losing her temper. But Buffy shot her a sharp look which made her lean back in her seat.

"No! I need to say this!" she insisted, before turning back to Dinah.

"I'm not saying I'm not grateful for what he did yesterday. I get it, I'd be dead if it wasn't for him. But he can't be made to think that because he's suddenly realised he's massively screwed up that he can just simply say sorry and all will be fine! Saying sorry doesn't fix what he's done!"

Pearl bit her lip and shifted uncomfortably on the bed. Dinah stared into her lap, unsure of what to say. She'd wanted to forgive Electra because it seemed the right thing to do. She didn't want to cause any more tension in the yard. She wanted things resolved, there and then, so that they could all move on.

After a minute in silence, Buffy sighed and looked at Dinah apologetically. She reached forward and took the coach's hand in hers, her voice now softer. "Look, I just care about you, ok? I don't want to see you getting hurt anymore."

"I know that," Dinah nodded. "I just want this to be in the past now. I want us all to be able to move on."

Ashley stood then. "There's no point fighting over it. Let's just start afresh tomorrow. Dinah's right; it's going to take a while for us to be able to trust Electra or Caboose, but we can at least all try and get along. Nobody is saying things are going to just magically go back to how it used to be before all this started."

All of them nodded in agreeance.

The smoking car nudged Buffy playfully, changing the subject. "Better prepare everyone for the return of Little Miss Sassy tomorrow!"

Pearl and Dinah laughed as Buffy swatted at Ashley jokingly. Then, the buffet car pulled the three coaches in for a hug.

"I'm really lucky to have you three. The Starlight really did give me the best friends."

In that moment, the four coaches felt maybe, just maybe, it wasn't impossible for things to return to some sort of normality. Little did they know they still had one final challenge to face.

*The temporary scarring I described on Buffy is referred to as a "Lichtenburg figure". It's a unique skin lesion which is caused by the capillaries under the skin being broken from electrical discharge.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to review or send me a PM with your comments.