The Midnight Train Crossing

Rusty was pulling the freight train, an assortment of freight cars, and a certain red caboose.
CB was actually behaving himself. Course it helped that he got along with most in the train.
They came to a stop at the station at the top of a hill, having made it up there with no trouble. Rusty pulling and CB making sure that he supplied the brakes when needed.
Once they reached the top, all of the cars unhitched.
"Whew," Rusty pushed his damp hair back. It was a hot day.
CB took off his hat for a moment and started to fan himself some before placing it back on his head.
"We can afford a five minute break I think," Rusty said
Flat top gave a nod and went off for those five minutes.
Rusty settled down in the shade, and then looked up as Dustin sat down next to him.
"Hey Dustin," Rusty said with a smile, "How's it going?"
"It's goin' okay,"
"Not too hot?"
"The heat's a little more then I like."
Rusty nodded, "Yeah, me too."

Dustin glanced sideways at Rusty and smiled, "it's good to see you an' Pearl finally got together…"
Rusty grinned
"Most of us were kinda hopin' you would.."
"Thanks Dustin," the steamer smiled
"It's true."
Rusty smiled again, "You're a true friend."
"I try ta be," was Dustin's response.
Rusty grinned and then looked at his watch, "Guess we'd better get going."
"s'pose so. They'll be wondering where we are."
"Yeah," Rusty got to his skates and let out a whistle
Flat Top made a slight face.

"Time to go!" Rusty called
"Yeah yeah..." the brick truck muttered as he waited for the Rockies to hitch up first, before taking his place behind them.

Rusty headed slowly down the hill
CB placed on his breaks when he felt them slip.
The split second when they did slip was enough to make Rusty eep slightly
"I got ya!" CB called in reassurance.
Rusty relaxed only slightly, putting on his own brakes and bring the train to a complete stop
The train came to a halt.
The steamer took a breath and then looked back, "Everybody okay?"
"Yep," was all FT said. Dustin gave a nod. CB gave the steamer a salute and a grin. The Rockies all gave Rusty a thumbs up and then Rusty nodded, "Alright, let's go then."
CB let up his breaks first, slowly of course.

The train started down the hill
CB grinned, loving the feeling of going down hill. It meant a lot less he had to do really, just supplying the breaks when needed.
They went down the hill as slowly as Rusty could manage
Rusty let out a relieved burst of steam at the bottom of the hill, and picked up speed, heading off to the station.

Pearl was waiting at the station for Rusty's return. Hearing his whistle, she smiled and waved at him. She headed out to meet him.
Rusty unhitched the cars at the station and rushed over to Pearl, arms outstretched
Pearl embraced him, but soon pulled away. He was sweaty and quite possibly dirty!
"You picked the right station to meet me at," Rusty said with a smile
"Well, we had a run too, and stopped here." she explained. "The other three are somewhere around."
"Ah I see. Are you done with it?"
She gave a nod.
His smile grew, "I'm done too." He turned around, offering her his couplings, "Shall we?"
She hesitated.
"Ah I'm sure the engine pullin' you won't mind."
"Umm..." she slowly reached for his couples.
Rusty smiled cutely at her, and then once she had grabbed hold, he sped off with a whistle.
As Rusty whistled, Pearl giggled slightly and closed her eyes.

They arrived back at their house
The moment he stopped, the coach unhitched and glanced down at her gloves briefly, observing that they were slightly smudged.
She tutted softly and took out a pink, laced handkerchief and tried to wipe the smudges.
Rusty held the door open for her
"Thank you Rusty," she said entering. She sighed softly and went to change her gloves and to place the ones with smudges in the wash.
Rusty caught hold of her couplings and gave her a gentle push
She gave a soft squeak.
He smiled at her and went to give her a hug.
"I'm getting something to drink," she said quickly pulling away. "Care for anything?"
"Yeah sure, I'll take a soda," he said
She went into the pantry area and grabbed a soda for Rusty and a diet for herself. She returned to the living room and stopped in the doorway, seeing that Rusty had flopped down on the couch
He looked up and smiled at her
She returned it with another small smile and handed him the soda.
He moved over to give her room on the coach.
The coach sat down, though not too close. Rusty made up for that by moving closer
Pearl moved away slightly again.

"Pearl?" this time, Rusty couldn't help but notice
"Hmm?" she asked.
"What's wrong?"
'Oh, nothing... nothing at all.."
"You do look tired..."
"I am.." she responded.
"Aww," he gave her a light kiss, "You should rest then."
She nodded and stood.
"I'm gonna go take a shower then."
"You do that," she said with a smile.

Several minutes later, a now shiny clean Rusty came over by her
She looked up at him.
"Hi," he said softly
"Hello..."
"May I?" he indicated next to her
She gave a nod and moved over, letting him sit down next to her. He moved closer to her, and this time she didn't pull away. Now that he was clean and smelt good, she liked him being close.
Rusty cuddled next to her, sliding his arms around her.
She snuggled against him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I love you." he said
"Mmmm...." was all she said with a smile.

The two snuggled together for awhile and Rusty was very content
Pearl looked to the clock. "Oh, I should be going," she said realizing how late it was getting.
"Where?" he asked
"I told someone I'd meet them..."
"Now?" he looked at her with limpid eyes
"I am meeting for dinner."
"Aww, alright." He put his arms tightly around her
She gave him a quick kiss and stood.
Rusty whined softly, sitting up
"I'm already 3 minutes late Rusty," she responded brushing her hair so that it seemed to shine.
Rusty got up, came around behind her, and put his arms around her
"I've got to get going," she insisted sweetly.
"Mmm, can I come?"
"Well, it was kinda just a get together for me and them..."
"Who're you meeting?"
"just... someone.."
"Just someone," he repeated teasingly
She giggled. "yes, just someone."
"Someone who is apparently not important enough to have a name..." he teased
Pearl gave his shoulder a gentle tap with her hand. "Why should it matter to you?"
He laughed lightly and gave her a hug. "Don't stay out too long," he said with a smile
"Of course I won't," she replied.
"Good," he answered
She pulled away from the steamer and headed for the door.
Rusty followed her
She turned back to him and received one more kiss.
"Good-bye for now Rusty," Pearl said with a smile as they pulled away.
"See you later," he said cheerfully
She nodded and headed out.

Rusty occupied himself with other things that evening. He started glancing up at the clock occasionally, and his glancing grew more frequent as it grew later
The sun set and Pearl had yet to return.
Rusty had decided to go over to the diner to look for her. It was dark, and he rolled around it for awhile, before determining that she wasn't there.
A very worried Rusty finally returned home

Night turned to morning and Pearl tried to make it into the house without waking the steamer.
She needn't have bothered, he was already awake
She came to a stop, seeing him sitting there on the couch, "Hello Rusty..."
"Good morning," he answered.
"I didn't expect you to be up this early... even when you do work."
"Yeah." He looked at the clock, "In another two hours."
"So...why are you up?"
"Well... when you didn't come home...."
"Oh... you didn't stay up all night...." she started.
"I did."
"Rusty, you shouldn't have...."
"I sorta hoped you would call..."
"I'm...I'm sorry Rusty....I fell asleep..."
"I was worried something had happened to you...."
"Well nothing did because I'm standing hear."
"Where were you?"
"I told you, I had fallen asleep at the house."
"Who's house?"
"Rusty, I've already told you, you don't need to worry."
He stood up, "but where were you?"
"Rusty!" she said getting tired of this. "Why the "2o Question"? I'm okay, I'm a big coach, nothing happened."
"but Pearl-"

She went a shower, locking the door behind her and soon the sound of running water could be heard.
Rusty let out a frustrated sigh He ate something for breakfast, although he wasn't really paying attention to what it was
Pearl came back a few minutes later. She entered and pretended to take no notice of the steamer, getting her own breakfast.
"I was just worried about you," he said finally.
she didn't answer
He got up and put his dishes in the sink. "I'm going to work."
"Okay.." was all that she said to him.