A/N: Hey, everyone! I'm back and ready to introduce the first female member of The Steam Team: Emily! Yeah, I know she got a lot of flack for "replacing Duck" and "Only being made because parent complained about inequality" and Blah Blah Blah, but she was always one of my favorite characters. If you don't like her, that's perfectly fine. Its your opinion and you are entitled to it, just don't attack me for mine. But enough chit chat, let's get to it.

Disclaimer: Are you reading this on ? Yes? Then I don't own the franchise.

Chapter 112: Emily To The Rescue

One morning, Thomas caught the early passenger train to Knapford Station. Sir Topham Hatt had called him telling him he had a special job for him and to meet him at Knapford Station at once.

At Platform one, Thomas found Sir Topham Hatt and a woman he had never seen before. She was his age, with emerald green hair and sparkly green eyes. Thomas thought she looked beautiful and forgot how to speak.

"Ah, Thomas, glad you came as quickly as possible. This here is Emily, a recent hire."

Thomas quickly snapped back into reality.

"Oh, uh, hi. My name is Thomas. It's nice to meet you."

Emily giggled, blushing slightly.

"Well, how do you do, Thomas? It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Emily is new to the island and is still learning the ropes. Could you please teach her? Edward can help run the branchline."

"Of course, sir. I'm always happy to help people learn."

"Excellent. Let me show you the engine that you'll be using."

The three walked to a siding where the new engine was at. Thomas's eyes nearly popped out of his skull as his jaw hit the floor.

"Is that-"

"A Great Northern Railway G3 Stirling Single? Yes, yes it is."

"But I thought the only one left was at The National Railway Muesuem."

"The men and women at The Steamworks have been working on it in secret. They were a reliable engine, and I thought people might like a look at railway history."

"Thank you, sir."

"No problem, Thomas. Now here are the jobs you need to do today."

Their first job was to take some supplies to Brendam Docks. Emily took the driver's controls, while Thomas tended to the fire. Things didn't get off to a good start, however. Emily reversed too fast, and the engine hit the trucks with a loud bang.

"What happened?"

"You were going to fast. You should always reverse slowly so as not to cause any problems, especially since you can't see behind you with a tender engine."

"Oh."

The day only got worse from there. At Wellsworth Emily failed to see a red signal, and they were only saved from a collision with Henry by Thomas's quick thinking. While taking a passenger train to Vicarstown, Emily drove roughly, banging and bashing the passengers about so much that they swarmed out at the end of the line to complain. Emily could barely stop herself from crying.

That night, Gordon, James, and Henry were in the common house talking about Emily.

"That woman needs to learn how to handle an engine."

"Too right, James. I nearly ran her and poor Thomas off the rails at Wellsworth."

"Her passengers were complaining so loud I could hear them long after I passed Vicarstown with The Express."

"I feel sorry for Thomas, having to put up with someone so incompetent. At least when he started out he could properly control the engine."

Unbeknownst to them, Emily was in the other room and heard every word. This made her feel even worse.

A while later, Thomas was getting ready for bed when he heard crying coming from the next room. He ran in to find Emily sitting on her bed crying.

"Emily, what's wrong."

"I heard what the others were saying about me. How incompetent I am and how I don't deserve to be here. And you know what? They're right, I'm an absolute mess. I should just go back home."

Emily continued to cry. Thomas put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"Hey, hey, its okay. So you had a rough first day, so what? When I first took a passenger train, I was in such a rush that I left the coaches behind. And when I took my first goods train, I ran out of control down Gordon's Hill. It'll get better, I promise."

Emily sniffled, feeling a little bit better.

"Thanks, Thomas, and you're right. I just need to be better prepared for the future and not let what anyone says bother me."

"That's the spirit, now get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

And with that Thomas left the room, leaving Emily to get some rest.

Things went better the next day. Emily had gotten a better hang of the controls, and so far there had been no accidents.

After lunch, Thomas and Emily were headed to the sawmill to collect logs when they found James on the intersection with his goods train. He looked miserable.

"What's wrong, James?"

"My engine ran out of water. I wanted to fill up at the last station, but the tower was out of order. Obviously, I didn't make it to the next one."

Just then, they heard a loud whistle in the distance.

"Oh crud, here comes Gordon. Get out of here, now!"

"We can't leave you, James."

"Well, you'll never get me out of the way in time, so just go!"

Emily was silent for a second, then she got a determined look on her face.

"Oh yes we will."

Before anyone could stop here, she buffered her engine up to the back of James's train.

"Thomas, get your shovel ready. We're going to need all of the steam we can get."

"Right."

Without thinking twice, Emily pulled the reverser and set the train in reverse. It was hard going, but slowly but surely Emily pulled James and his train to the safety, just as Gordon thundered past.

Later that night, everyone was praising Emily.

"Splendid work, Emily."

"Truly excellent."

Everyone that is, except for Gordon.

"Pah. Knowing her, she probably bumped James onto the line by accident in the first place. This changes nothing."

"She didn't Gordon. She…"

"Its okay, James, you don't need to cover for her. She should stand by her mistakes."

"Now just because I made some mistakes on my first day doesn't mean I'm incompetent."

Gordon just snorted.

"We'll see, little Emily. I must get to bed. I have a hard day's work tomorrow."

Once Gordon had left, James turned to Emily.

"Hey, Emily, thanks for saving me today. I'm sorry I was rude to you."

"Its okay, James. We all make mistakes, after all."

"What do you say. Friends?"

"Friends."

With a hug, James left for bed as well, leaving Thomas and Emily alone.

"You really were splendid today, Emily."

"Thanks, Thomas, but you were pretty awesome today as well."

"Maybe, but you were the star of the show."

"Whatever you say. Oh, before I go, there's something I need to give you."

"What?"

Before Thomas could react Emily smashed her lips onto his, catching him by surprise before he returned it.

"Thanks for believing in me."

With that she walked away, leaving Thomas in a happy daze.

A/N: And Emily's introduction is done! Yeah, as you can tell I ship Thomas and Emily together. Once again, don't like, don't read, no hard feelings. See you next time.