As the sun rose over Sodor one fine summer morning, Percy was woken from his slumber and let out a long, cute yawn. As soon as he woke up, he remembered that today was a very special day. He looked over at his friends as they too began waking up for the day. "Good morning, everyone! Isn't it a beautiful day today?"

"Mmm, morning, Percy…" Thomas yawned. "You're pretty chipper this morning."

"My driver Mr. Roberts is coming back to work with me today!" Percy said with a big grin. "He's been on perennial leave the past few weeks since he adopted Audrey, but he's finally back!"

"I think you mean parental leave, Percy," Edward chuckled warmly. "But yes, that is great news! I'm sure you'll be happy to have him back."

"You've acted like you haven't seen him this whole time!" Gordon puffed, rolling his eyes. "But if I recall correctly, you've been visiting him almost every day!"

Percy just smiled. "Well you didn't expect me to not say hello to my favorite driver and little Audrey once in a while, did you?"

"How is Audrey doing, Percy?" Henry asked as Gordon just huffed indignantly.

"Oh, she's doing wonderfully!" Percy grinned. "Mr. Roberts takes very good care of her. Maybe he'll have some stories to tell me! If he isn't too tired that is. He's often very tired from taking care of her."

The Fat Controller soon arrived to give out jobs for the day. "And finally, Percy," he said, "you'll be handling the goods train on Thomas's branch line. Mr. Roberts also requested that you pick him up at Tidmouth Station."

"Yes, sir!" Percy replied, although he was curious as to why his driver hadn't just come to the sheds like he usually did. "I'm sure my fireman will be able to help me to the station."

"As long as you aren't on your own," Topham nodded before getting in his car and driving away.

"I would never want to go anywhere without my driver," James said. "Not after what those naughty boys did when they messed with my cab and caused me to run out of control."

"You mean the day when I got to save you, James?" Edward gave a cheeky smile. "Me? Little 'Old Iron'?"

"Yes yes yes, I remember, Edward!" James blushed, making Gordon chuckle deeply.

"I don't think I could drive myself either…" Thomas said. "The whole reason I ended up crashing into the station master's house a few months ago was because I tried to move on my own for the first time. Even if they did give me new parts to make it easier, I'd prefer to have my driver do the work at all times."

"It is a bit scary…" Percy said, "but my driver believes in me! I think all of us could do it someday!"

Percy let out a cheerful whistle as he and his fireman set out to Tidmouth Station. It was still early in the morning, so there weren't too many people waiting there. Percy spotted Mr. Roberts right away. "Good morning, Mr. Roberts, sir! I'm so happy to have you back!"

Mr. Roberts quickly boarded Percy's cab before anyone spotted him. "Yes, good morning, Percy. Let's get a move on, shall we?"

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, um, of course, sir." He let out two peeps of his whistle before leaving the station. Once they were out on the Main Line, Percy asked, "Is everything alright, sir? You were acting a bit strange back there."

Jonathan was looking at Mr. Roberts in disbelief. The driver sighed. "Everything's fine, Percy, it's just…"

Suddenly, Percy heard a happy babbling noise in his cab. He realized what it was immediately and gasped. "W-Wait a minute! Is Audrey in my cab?!"

Mr. Roberts held his new baby daughter in a baby carrier that strapped around his torso. He hid her with her baby blanket and even managed to lug in a bag full of supplies. "Yes, Percy, Audrey is with me today."

"B-But but…!" Percy stuttered, worry bubbling up in his boiler, "babies don't belong in engine cabs! If they need to ride with an engine, they need to be in a coach!"

"I understand that," Mr. Roberts replied. "However, I was unable to find someone who would be available to watch Audrey today. It seems everyone has something they need to do. I had no choice but to bring her with me."

"B-But sir! What if something terrible happens? What if I get in an accident?!"

"Percy…" Roberts started calmly.

"You know I'm nothing but bad luck!I'm always getting into accidents, no matter how hard I try! I can't let Audrey on!"

"Percy, just liste-"

"The line will get flooded, or I'll smash into trucks of fruit or limestone, or a giant boulder will barrel towards us! Or… or..!!"

"Percy!" Roberts shouted, effectively quieting the panicking engine. "Relax…" He patted Percy's side comfortingly. "I trust you, and you need to trust yourself too. Don't you worry, Percy. If anything did happen, Audrey would be alright. I promise I'll help keep her safe. Just be the useful and reliable engine I know you are, alright?"

Percy thought over his driver's words. "You really believe in me, sir… I'm just not sure I can. I don't want Audrey to get hurt."

"Just take it easy," Mr. Roberts said with a warm smile. "You've pulled passengers before, remember? It will be just like doing that."

"I suppose… but I have a goods train to pull, not passenger coaches."

"Then just handle them like you would passenger coaches, Percy," Mr. Roberts replied. "Oh! And please don't let anyone know that Audrey is with us, alright? If the Fat Controller hears word of this, that could mean trouble for us."

Percy didn't like keeping secrets from the Fat Controller, but he didn't want to get Mr. Roberts and himself in trouble. Despite his anxiety still bothering him, he wanted to prove to be trustworthy not only to his crew but to himself as well. "Alright, sir. You can count on me. I will help take good care of baby Audrey today!"

"That's a good engine!" Roberts grinned. "Now let's get to work!"

Percy let out another two peeps of his whistle. He picked up the goods train he'd be pulling and headed down Thomas's branch line. He made sure not to go too fast or rattle his trucks about. His wheels spun gently and with care. Everything was going splendidly!

James was at a red signal. He glanced over at Percy as he rolled up carefully beside him. "Come now, Percy. You may not be nearly as fast as me, but I know you can at least go faster than that!"

Percy stopped and huffed at him. "I'll have you know that I have very special cargo today, James! So special, in fact, that it's something even you haven't done before!"

James was appalled. He puffed right back at him. "That is most certainly not true! The Fat Controller has given me the most important of important jobs before! It looks to me like you're just pulling an ordinary goods train."

That was when both of them heard a little cry. James gave Percy an odd look, but he also seemed a bit worried. "N-Now now, little Percy. There's no need to cry. Goods trains are still important jobs."

"I'm not crying!" Percy said, his face turning a bit pink. "That was-!"

He stopped himself. He promised Mr. Roberts that he wouldn't tell anyone about Audrey. Percy cleared his throat. "Th-That was my… wheel! I need to get my wheels oiled. They're very squeaky things today, hehe..."

The signal turned green. James wanted to ask more questions, but he couldn't make his passengers late. He chuffed off. Percy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Fire and smoke! That was close!"

"You're a clever little engine, Percy!" Mr. Roberts chuckled. He had given Audrey a pacifier to soothe her for a moment, but he knew it wouldn't work for long. James left just in time. The soother was spat out and Audrey began to wail.

Percy didn't like such a loud noise, but he was more concerned for her than anything. "W-What's wrong, sir? I-I didn't hurt her, did I?" He asked nervously, raising his voice a bit to be heard.

"Of course not. Audrey's just hungry. I have to warm up a bottle for her real quick." Roberts said.

Percy was relieved that everything was alright, although Audrey's crying was a bit bothersome for him. He waited patiently while Mr. Roberts got Audrey's bottle ready. Roberts couldn't help but feel rather proud of the idea he had to heat it up. He used a pair of metal tongs to hold the glass bottle up to Percy's firebox. The warmth from the flames heated the milk like a marshmallow over a campfire. Once he figured the milk was warm enough, Roberts dribbled a bit of it onto his wrist to make sure it wasn't too hot. "Perfect!" He grinned, looking down at cranky Audrey being suspended in the carrier. He held the bottle up to her lips and she latched on immediately.

Percy sighed happily as silence filled his cab. "Thank goodness all that crying stopped!"

"For now at least," Roberts replied, getting Percy moving again. "Crying is the only way she can tell us she needs something after all."

Percy continued to the station. He looked at the clock. "Oh dear… I'm a couple minutes late! I hope the Fat Controller isn't upset with me."

"Terribly sorry, Percy. That was my fault," Roberts said as they stopped. "I'll make sure we continue on time from now on."

As Percy waited for his goods to be unloaded, Thomas arrived beside his best friend. "Good morning, Percy!"

"Good morning, Thomas!" Percy grinned. Suddenly, a strange sound came from Percy. It sounded like a burp!

Thomas made a confused face before he burst out in laughter. "P-Percy! What was that sound?!"

Percy's face turned red. He knew he had to come up with something on the spot once again. "O-Oh, um… that was just my whistle. Got a bit of quarry dust in it the other day. It makes that sound every now and then. Better stop by the Steamworks to get cleaned later today!"

As soon as Percy heard the guard's whistle to signal that his delivery was finished, he was about to whistle to alert others that he was about to leave. But to really sell his story to Thomas, he puffed out his cheeks and warped his usual peep peep into a strange wrrt wrrt instead. "G-Gotta go! See you later, Thomas!" Then Percy left the station as quickly as he could, leaving a perplexed Thomas behind.

Once no one was around, Percy slowed down a bit. "I can't believe I got away with that again!"

"You're quite quick on your wheels today, Percy!" Roberts chuckled, continuing to burp Audrey after her bottle. "A wonky whistle. That's pretty clever!"

"I only hope Thomas bought it!" Percy replied. "Same with James and my squeaky wheels."

He was able to make up for lost time and managed to make his next delivery on time. The same happened on his next stop. Both Percy and Mr. Roberts were quite proud of how well they were doing. But it wouldn't stay that way for long. Percy was almost nearing the end of Thomas's branch line, enjoying the sights and sounds of the summertime. That's when out of the blue, a terrible stench hit his nose. He put on his breaks.

"Uggh!" Percy wrinkled his nose in revulsion. "What is that awful smell?! Is there a skunk on the line?"

Mr. Roberts and Jonathan didn't look too pleased either. "Oh, um, well… Audrey needs a new nappy, Percy. This should only take a moment." Roberts stepped out of the cab and took Audrey over to a wooden picnic table nearby. Percy was starting to get annoyed by all the confusion and delay she was causing. As he waited, Duck passed by.

"Good day, Percy! Lovely day, isn't it? The clear, blue skies! The fresh, crisp air-" Duck's face suddenly twisted up. "Phew! That isn't fresh or crisp! What is that stench?!"

Percy held back a sigh. He'd have to cover up for Audrey yet again. "I-I, um… I had to visit Whiff's garbage dump today! I was pulling a long line of smelly garbage trucks… a-and some of the rubbish got on me while I was shunting them! I shall have a good washdown before I take the mail train tonight..!"

Duck gave Percy a suspicious look. Percy tried to smile back, but he knew Mr. Roberts would be returning with Audrey any minute. "Hmmm…" hummed Duck, squinting his eyes at the little tank engine, making Percy nervous, "…you really must be more careful, Percy. I never had to shunt garbage trucks back on the Great Western, but I can assure you that getting covered in stinky rubbish isn't the Great Western way!" Duck gave a whistle and headed off again just as Mr. Roberts came back.

"This is a lot more work than I thought it would be, sir!" Percy groaned. Then he sniffed the air again. "Oh! Hey, that smells rather nice! What is it?"

"That's talcum powder, Percy!" Mr. Roberts chuckled. He got onto Percy's running plate and held Audrey up to him. "It's a very pleasant scent, isn't it?"

"Yes it is, sir! Much better than before!" He looked down at Audrey and smirked. "Now don't you do that again, young lady!"

Audrey giggled and grabbed Percy by the nose. Percy yelped loudly. "Owowow!" He cried. "Let go! Let go!"

Mr. Roberts pulled Audrey's hand off of him. "Sorry, Percy! She's got quite a grip, doesn't she? I know better than to wiggle my finger in front of her now."

"You can say that again!" Percy pouted as he looked down at his now rosy red nose. Hopefully that wouldn't last long, he thought. Percy tried his best to get to the next station on time, but when he got there, he realized he was even later this time!

"Oh no! I'm late again, and even more so this time! Now I know the Fat Controller won't be happy!" Percy sighed. "How do you do it, sir? How do you manage to take care of Audrey? She's been nothing but trouble all day, and I'm honestly finding her quite bothersome!"

Mr. Roberts felt bad for his little engine. "I'm sorry, Percy. This is all my fault. You were right. Babies don't belong in engine cabs. I should've known that trying to juggle work and caring for her would be too much to handle. I'll explain to Sir Topham what happened so he won't be cross with you."

Percy was at first grateful that his driver offered to take the blame, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized something. "But if you tell Sir Topham what you did, you might get in big trouble!"

"That's true…" Mr. Roberts sighed. "This really was foolish of me. I just… I didn't want Sir Topham to think that I wouldn't be able to work anymore now that I have to take care of Audrey. I wanted to show that I was…"

"Trustworthy?" Percy finished. Mr. Roberts nodded. The engine listened to the playful cooing Audrey was making. "Taking care of babies is really hard work, isn't it, sir?"

"It is, Percy." Mr. Roberts looked down at his daughter. "These past few weeks, the only thing that's been keeping me going is tons of coffee and sleeping whenever I can. I guess that's what made me think bringing Audrey along would be a smart idea. It wasn't. I could've put her in danger. I'll see if I can find a spare driver who can cover for me so I can take the day off to care for her. She won't be any more trouble for you, Percy."

The little green engine had to admit that having Audrey back at home instead of in his cab would save him a lot of trouble. However, he also felt sorry for his driver. He thought back to what they had discussed that morning. "No, sir. You don't need to do that."

"Whatever do you mean, Percy?" Roberts asked.

"I told you that I would help take care of Audrey today," Percy explained. "I told you that I would keep her safe and not put her into any danger. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, I'll say that. Babies are very needy, but you've been taking care of her all by yourself! Sometimes I need help with my work, sir, and I want to help you with yours. I'm not quite sure how I will yet, but I'll find a way! I'll find a way to help you care for Audrey! I Percy Promise!"

Roberts took in every word his engine said. His heart became deeply touched. Even Jonathan was amazed by such a heartfelt promise from the little saddle tank. Mr. Roberts carefully stepped out of the cab and onto Percy's running plate, supporting Audrey with his arm. He walked up to face Percy. "Thank you, Percy. Truly, thank you. I've never known an engine quite as thoughtful as you." He lifted Audrey out of the carrier. "While I've never heard of an engine taking care of a child before, I believe you are just the engine for the job."

Audrey stretched her arms out towards Percy's face, and Mr. Roberts let her hug his cheek. Percy had never been hugged before. He remembered one time when he got a kiss from Mrs. Kindley's daughter as a thank you at her wedding for arranging her good luck package. It left him blushing beet red and flustered for quite some time. But this was different. It was a bond, a close bond Percy knew was starting to form between him and this little baby snuggled against him. Then he heard a strange sound. He could even feel it.

Thumpthump, thumpthump, thumpthump…

It was coming from Audrey. "What's that sound?" He asked his driver. "It sounds like Audrey swallowed a drum!"

Mr. Roberts laughed. "That's her heart, Percy!"

"Her heart..?" Percy listened again. It was very fast yet soothing to him. That mixed with Audrey's gentle breaths made him feel warm and cozy. His boiler bubbled happily as he closed his eyes and brushed his cheek against the little baby.

A deep, long whistle pierced through the air. This startled both Percy and Audrey. Percy grew cross when Audrey began to cry.

"Gordon…" He snarled.

Gordon came to a stop next to Percy. His express coaches were trailing behind him. "Percy! There you are! I wanted to talk to you briefly."

Percy frowned angrily at the big tender engine. "Gordon! Your loud whistle scared Audrey!"

"Audrey?" Gordon saw Mr. Roberts standing on Percy. He then saw and heard little Audrey crying as her father gently rocked her to calm her down. Gordon felt a pang of guilt and softened up just a tad. "M-My apologies, Percy… Anyway, I've heard that you've been late to many of your stops today. Now here you are stopped in the middle of nowhere! I don't suppose she has anything to do with this?"

Gordon gazed down at Audrey who was eyeing him up. He then looked over at Mr. Roberts. Gordon didn't want to say anything directly to Percy's driver that would upset him. People were very important after all; they kept the entire railway running along with the engines. Instead, he just asked Percy's driver, "Has Audrey been in Percy's cab with you, Mr. Driver?"

"She has, Gordon," Roberts nodded.

"With all due respect," Gordon continued, "I find that quite dangerous for something so small and fragile. When infants travel with their mothers on my express, they are in safe, clean, comfortable coaches. Engine cabs are cramped and dirty, not to mention our burning fireboxes right under her little nose."

"I understand," Roberts replied, suddenly looking quite downcast. He brushed a thumb along the side of Audrey's face, "but I had nowhere else to take her. I couldn't find anyone available to look after her while I was working. It will just be for today, just one time. I only ask that you keep this from Sir Topham Hatt.

"And I've been careful all day!" Percy added. "I promised that I wouldn't let anything happen to Audrey."

"Accidents still happen, little Percy," Gordon said softly yet sternly, "whether we let them or not."

Percy was getting upset. "That won't happen to me! I won't let anything happen to Audrey! I Percy Promised my driver that I would help take care of her. I love her too much to do anything silly."

Gordon looked slightly intrigued, but the expression on his face still showed that he wasn't convinced. "Love is a very strong word, a word only people understand. I don't think you understand what you're saying."

"Yes I do, Gordon! I know I do!" Percy argued back.

Gordon just sighed and rolled his eyes. "You can't even care for a baby, Percy! You are a tank engine. She is a little human. Tell me, can you feed her when she gets hungry?"

Percy was caught off guard. "W-Well, um… not really…"

"Can you clean her when she gets dirty or smelly?"

"Uh… I-I'm not sure…"

"And can you rock her to sleep when she gets fussy?"

A moment of silence passed before Percy let out a defeated sigh and looked down at his buffers. "No… no, I can't…"

"That's what I thought," Gordon chuffed. "Now no more playing babysitter, silly Percy. You're an engine, not a nanny! Leave the caretaking to the people, and get back to being useful!" With a blow of his whistle, Gordon continued down the tracks. "And on time!" He boomed before disappearing from view.

Percy felt very disheartened. "Bust my buffers… Gordon is right. I thought I could help take care of Audrey… but I can't do anything you can, Mr. Roberts."

Mr. Roberts turned to face the sad, little chap. He knew he had to find a way to cheer him up. "You may not be able to do everything, Percy, but that doesn't mean you haven't been of any help."

Percy was surprised. "Really? What do you mean, sir?"

"Your firebox helped me warm up Audrey's milk earlier. Babies aren't that fond of cold milk, so you were a big help then!"

Percy smiled. "Wow… I didn't notice you do that, sir."

"Plus Audrey has been very calm this whole time with you," Roberts grinned, "even though she still cries sometimes. I think train rides are relaxing to her. And I know she's always happy to see you, Percy!"

Mr. Roberts's words were cheering up Percy immensely. "I think you're right…! I think Audrey does like me!" He glanced down at Audrey and saw her smile. He smiled back. "And I like her too! Even if she does make a lot of noise and smells sometimes. Gordon's wrong! I can help take care of Audrey and still be a really useful engine!"

Roberts smiled proudly at his engine. He got back in his cab and started Percy down the line again, but then there was trouble. Audrey began to cry again, squirming around and being very fussy indeed.

"Oh no, not again..!" Percy groaned. "What's wrong now?"

"I think someone's ready for her nap," Roberts said, cradling her in his arms. He rocked her gently back and forth, but Audrey was still crying. "Maybe she'll calm down once we get up to speed."

Percy pumped his pistons to try to pick up the pace. Not too fast, though! Not too fast! Percy reminded himself. But going faster did not help Audrey. She was still whining from being so tired.

Percy tried to think of any way he could possibly help get Audrey to sleep. Then an idea flew into his funnel! "I know! I could sing Audrey a lullaby to help her sleep!"

Roberts and Jonathan glanced at each other with unease. Percy wasn't exactly known for singing, well… well. "Do you know any lullabies, Percy?" His driver asked with a hint of relation in his voice. "Any gentle, soothing ones?"

"Edward sings to us all the time," Percy grinned, remembering the various songs he had heard from the old engine. "And I think I know just the one." Percy slowed down and recalled Edward's relaxing voice as he began to sing.

Come stop your crying

It will be alright

Just take my hand

Hold it tight

Audrey's whines quieted down. She focused instead on the sweet voice she was hearing.

I will protect you

From all around you

I will be here

Don't you cry

Roberts and Jonathan looked at each other amazed. They looked out the cab windows at their engine.

For one so small,

You seem so strong

My arms will hold you,

Keep you safe and warm

This bond between us

Can't be broken

I will be here

Don't you cry

Percy felt something stirring deep inside of him. As he continued to sing about his love and devotion to Audrey, his whole body began to rock side to side just slightly.

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more

Roberts and Jonathan were caught off guard by Percy's sudden rocking movement. It was subtle, but they worried something might be wrong. Then they heard a tiny yawn and saw Audrey being lulled to sleep by the singing and rocking. Mr. Roberts grinned. "Keep going, Percy…" He whispered.

You'll be in my heart

No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart

Always

Percy thought back to what Gordon had said. Was love really too complicated for him to understand? Did Gordon himself even understand? Was it really silly that Percy wanted to help care for this little human?

Why can't he understand the way we feel?

He just can't trust what he can't explain

I know we're different, but deep inside us

We're not that different at all

Percy beamed. That's right! Sure, Audrey may have been human, and he may have been a tank engine, but they weren't as opposite as night and day. He thought about Audrey's curious eyes. His own eyes would stare back. He thought about her happy smile. That made him smile too. He would laugh, then Audrey would laugh too. If they could share these traits, who's to say more similarities couldn't be found?

And you'll be in my heart

Yes, you'll be in my heart

From this day on

Now and forever more

Percy felt his love growing stronger the more he sang. And the stronger his love grew, the more he began to move side to side like he was a rocking cradle. It looked less bumpy and rigid now; it was more slow and gentle. He eventually passed by Gordon who was stopped at a signal. Gordon dismissed the little engine at first until he noticed the bizarre sight of him rocking about. "Percy?! What are you doing?!"

Don't listen to him

'Cause what does he know?

We need each other

To have, to hold

He'll see in time

I know

Percy no longer cared about what Gordon had said. He didn't even care about what he might say later down the line. All that mattered to him was his love for Audrey and the need to protect her. And that dedication caused something extraordinary to happen. The stiff rocking he had been doing before turned into a smooth swaying motion that made Percy feel like he was dancing. His driver and fireman could only stare at each other in shock, but a quick look down at Audrey showed them that she had fallen fast asleep.

We'll show him together

'Cause you'll be in my heart

Believe me, you'll be in my heart

From this day on,

Now and forever more

Oh, you'll be in my heart

No matter what they say

You'll be here in my heart, always

Always

"Always…" Percy whispered sweetly as he headed to the last stop on the line. No matter what came toward him, he felt ready to take on whatever he needed to in order to keep Audrey close by his side. It might be difficult at times, he understood that. But if it meant that he could keep Audrey safe and happy, he was willing to climb Gordon's Hill a hundred times over.

While Jonathan wanted to take Percy to the Steamworks to have him looked over, Mr. Roberts could only smile proudly. "Percy," he whispered, "I knew you could help. And I'm very proud of you. You really are like… a big brother to Audrey."

Percy's eyes twinkled at the compliment. "A big brother… Yes, sir! I'll do anything to help Audrey! Me, big brother Percy!"

Mr. Roberts chuckled happily as Percy continued. "I'll always be there for you, Audrey. Always."

https/youtu.be/E67pKeBMAT8

Author's Note: Here's the song (and Tarzan in general) that inspired much of this fic: "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins, specifically the Broadway version. I was debating for a while whether or not to actually put this song in the story. I felt that this lullaby moment between Percy and Audrey was essential for their relationship and character development, so I left it. And Percy is starting to move in the way everyone did after Journey Beyond Sodor, so you'll get my commentary on that controversial phenomenon.

"You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins is not owned by me and is used under Fair Use.