The Midnight Train Crossing

Rusty left, speeding off to the freight yard
All of the freight cars were out in the yard already, waiting for Rusty to arrive. Well, almost all of the freight cars. CB wasn't moving yet, but that really wasn't of great surprise to the others.
Rusty pulled up quickly and stopped with a screech. He looked over the freight train, taking attendance. "Where's CB?" he asked
"last time I checked he was still in bed," FT replied.
"Well somebody get him up."
"I ain't wakin' him!" the brick truck replied. "He's not to happy when he wants ta sleep in."
"Dustin?" Rusty asked
The hopper was quiet, looking back at the roundhouse and biting his lower lip slightly. "Flat Top's right...." he said.
Rusty sighed and looked to the Rockies who all shook their heads.
"Starlights, I gotta do everything myself..." he headed off towards the roundhouse.
"Rusty... we don't really need him..." Three started.
Rusty ignored them.

The brick truck followed to the window once Rusty had gone in. This might be amusing
Rusty went over to the sleeping caboose
CB was curled up, nice and warm under his blanket. It was clear his alarm had gone off and he hit snooze *several* times.
"CB?" Rusty shook him slightly
The caboose muttered incoherently, subconsciously pushed the steamer's hands away, and rolled over.
Rusty backed up a bit and took a deep breath. He let out the loudest whistle he could manage: "WOOOOOOOOOO-WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!""
The caboose's eyes shot open and his hands went to his ears. "GAH!!!!" he cried.
That made FT barrel over in laughter once the initial shock wore off.

"Time to get up," was all Rusty said
CB told Rusty off with a few choice words and simply pulled the covers back around him and the pillow over his head.
"Up!" Rusty insisted
"No!" came a muffled answer.
"Yes!" Rusty shook the caboose
CB swore again and threw his pillow at Rusty. "I said *No*!!!"
FT's eyes widened. He turned back to the other freight. "This is great guys!" he snickered.
"I had to get up this morning, so so do you." Rusty snapped.
"Screw you!" he spat. It was clear CB had a late night.
Rusty smacked CB with the pillow that the caboose had just thrown at him and sped away
"Gah!" CB cried out again as the pillow hit him across the face. He then growled as he lay it back on his bed and lay down, pulling the warm covers back around himself. "Good riddance!" he shouted before turning over on his side.
FT quickly moved away from the door as Rusty sped out.

"Come on," Rusty said to the rest of the freight cars.
Dustin wanted to know where CB was, but one look at Rusty and a warning shake of the head from Flat Top told him that it might not be a good thing to bring up now.
The freight cars took their usual position behind the steamer and he sped off, going very quickly down the tracks.
FT found himself hanging on tighter then normal because of both the speed and the fact that *he* was now the last one in line.
Rusty came to a screeching halt at the station, and actually missed it a bit
They all jerked forward, then back at the sudden stop.
"Hey! Watch it Rusty!" Flat Top exclaimed, "Jus cuz ya had a run in with CB don't mean ya take it out on *us*!"
"Sorry," the steamer said, carefully pushing them backwards
He unhitched the freight cars to let them load.

Once they were ready, Rusty sped off again, bringing them to a much better stop at the next station
The brick truck tensed waiting for the sudden one, relaxing as Rusty came to a gentler stop this time.
"Much better man," Rocky complimented the steamer
Thanks..." Dustin agreed rather appreciative that the steamer hadn't stopped like before.
"Yeah.... sorry about... that other stop," Rusty said
"anything wrong?" the hopper asked him.
"I... I'm not sure..." Rusty said, "I didn't get much sleep last night."
"neither did CB..."
"No?"
He shook his head. "He don't know it, but I heard him come in. He woke me up."
"Yeah?" Rusty said
Dustin then nodded. "he did the sorta...sneak in...ya know like when ya don't want to get caught? Like I said, I just figure he didn't wanna wake the rest of us."
"Oh," Rusty said
"But yeah, tha's probably why he nearly tore your 'ead off."
"I guess."
He gave a shrug.
"We'd better go."
Rusty moved to the front of the train again, pulling them along. He still was going faster then usual, but this time he kept control over his train

The coaches rolled into the main part of the AV yard at the same time as the freight train.
"Hey guys," Rusty said to the freight train, "I'll be right back..."
He drifted away from the freight train, going over to the coaches' train.
Ashley noticed him first as he came over.
"Hey Rusty," Buffy greeted the steamer when she saw him.
"Hi girls," Rusty said
Pearl looked up, hearing Rusty's voice and then quickly looked away.
"Hi Pearl," Rusty said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Yes..." she said looking back to the other coaches and unhitching. "Sure..."
Rusty took hold of Pearl's couplings, pushing her away from the others
"Pearl..." he started
She looked to him.
Suddenly Rusty put his arms around her and kissed her rather passionately
Pearl was taken by such surprise and it felt so good, that she held it for a moment.
Rusty held the kiss for as long as he could and then when they had to pull away, he smiled shyly at Pearl. He took her hands.
The coach returned the smile and gave his hands a light squeeze.

CB came out of the freight roundhouse after realizing he had no chance of getting back to sleep once Rusty had so *rudely* awoken him. He now entered the main area of the station, stopping when he saw Rusty.
"Well, well, well, *now* the steamer's in a good mood!" he said with a slight sneer.
Rusty sighed softly
"Thanks to your rude wake-up *whistle* I couldn't get back to sleep!" he continued skating over.
"I'm sorry," Rusty said, and he did sound like he meant it
"That's *not* what I needed to wake up to after a late night!"
Rusty turned around to face the caboose, "I said I was sorry."
The caboose rolled his eyes. "Now you're tryin' to be the 'Good Steamer' an make it all right? Oh please!..."
Rusty sighed and looked back to Pearl with a 'Look-what-I-have-to-deal-with' expression
"Rusty, he has a right to be upset. That wasn't very thoughtful of you to wake him like that."
"Nobody's on my side this morning," Rusty complained
CB gave an obvious smirk.
"Rusty..." Pearl started
"I said I was sorry, what more do you want?"
She shook her head. "Just...lighten up on him...."
"Alright, alright..."
She smiled.
"I guess I'd better get back to work then."
CB snickered slightly and gave Pearl a wink.

"I'll meet you for lunch?" Rusty asked Pearl, "Around noon at the diner."
"Yes what.....?" she caught CB's wink and winked back, almost as though she hadn't heard the steamer.
"Pearl?"
"She quickly looked back to him. "Hmm?"
"I'll meet you at the diner at noon, alright?"
"Oh, yeah. Sure Rusty.."
"Okay. I'll see you then."
"Mm hmm, sure."
He rolled over to her, giving her a kiss goodbye.
When they parted he smiled, "I'll see you in at noon."
"See you.."
"Bye..." Rusty said, not moving
"Bye..."
He stood there for a few minutes just watching her

"C'mon already Rusty!" CB called, figuring it'd be best if he joined them now that he was up. "Thought ya were Champion Engine! Sure ain't moving like one!"
Rusty spun on one skate and turned around, "Come on then."
CB gave Pearl one final wink and she blew him a playful kiss.
Rusty blinked, but pulled out.
Once they had all hitched up, Rusty headed out again.
FT was just grateful that CB was back behind him.

The rest of the run went uneventfully and then Rusty dismissed the cars for lunch, and headed over to the diner. He sat down to wait for Pearl, he was a few minutes early. He waited, and waited, and waited…
A coach had come over to him and asked him if he wanted anything.
"Just wait a few more minutes," he said
Time passed and there was still no sign of Pearl. He was beginning to get rather worried.
Again the coach came over.
"Just another soda please," he said
She nodded and went to get it for him.
He looked at his watch and then back up to the door, absently playing with his straw

Just the, the door to the diner opened and Pearl came in. Her hair was mussed and she had no time to really comb it.
He got up to meet her. "What happened?" he asked, touching a loose strand of her hair
"Running late..." she replied.
"I see that," he said mildly
She took the strand that Rusty was playing with and tried to fix her hair.
"Come on," he said with a smile, "You look lovely."
"But I didn't have time to fix it...." she protested.
"Don't worry about it," he said, leading her back to the table
"But I look a mess..." she said. However, there was a slight smile.
"Not at all."
That made her smile more. Rusty was so sweet.
He held her chair for her and then sat down next to her with a smile.
"I hope you weren't waiting long…" she said
"Not too long," he lied
Pearl smiled again. "Alright.."
"Are you hungry?" he asked
Pearl nodded.
Rusty nodded and waved down one of the dining coaches
One came over. "Ready to order now?" she asked.
"Yes," he said with a smile, placing his order
Pearl gave hers as well and the coach went back to fill it.
Rusty took Pearl's hand
she squeezed it lightly.
"I love you," he said with a smile

She was about to answer when CB came in. "Hey Pearl," he greeted as he skated over to her. He then looked to Rusty with a slight smirk (seeing he had interrupted their moment). CB turned back to the coach. "We still on for later tonight?" he asked.
Pearl nodded. "Of course CB. I'd never meaningfully miss out on a promise."
Rusty looked to Pearl, plainly waiting for her to explain
Pearl looked back to Rusty. "Oh, I've promised CB I'd meet him for dinner."
"Why?" was the first thing that Rusty thought of to say
"He asked and I didn't want to turn him down."
"Why would he ask you out for dinner?"
It was CB's turn to speak up. "I'm allowed to have fun too, ya know."
"Well yeah..."
"So I asked Pearl to meet me for dinner."
"Alright..." but he didn't sound too pleased
CB gave another smirk.
"I just thought if you were to ask one of the coaches out it would be Buffy or Ashley."
"They get their share."
"Rusty, it's not like we *don't* ever spend time together," Pearl chimed in.
"Yeah but-"
"Rusty..."
He sighed softly
Pearl gave him a light kiss on the cheek to cheer him up.
"I'll see ya then, Pearl" the caboose replied and left.

Rusty sighed as he watched the caboose leave
Pearl heard the sigh and turned to the steamer.
"You know I'm not his biggest fan..." Rusty started
"I know that Rusty," she said in reply. "But I also wish you'd try and forgive him."
"I'm trying..."
She gave a soft sigh.
"I do manage to work with him now at least," Rusty ventured
"true.."
"Which proves that I'm trying..."
"I suppose.."
"I just can't forget it so easily I guess."
She gently touched his hand. "Wish you would Rusty.."
"I'll try."
"Thank you...."
Rusty smiled at her

Their food arrived and Rusty started to eat as soon as it arrived a bit faster then usual
The coach noticed this. "Rusty?..."
"Sorry," he said, blushing a bit, "but you were late and well... I don't have an infinitely long lunch hour..."
"I'm sorry.." she said again and began to eat herself.
"It isn't your fault," he said
She flashed him a small smile and continued to eat.

Soon they were both done and Rusty got up.
"I'd better get going," he said reluctantly
"alright..."
He kissed her, holding it for as long as he was able. His arms curled around her and he held her close.
Pearl snuggled up against him. "Don't go," Pearl said under her breath.
"Mm, okay," he said with a smile
She gave him another kiss.
As far as Rusty could tell, Pearl was the only other coach in the world

"Alright you two" a voice suddenly broke over the intercom. "Rusty! Don't you have a job to do?"
Rusty jumped at the voice and blushed
"You've got a freight train waiting for you! Let's move it!"
"Alright, alright," Rusty said, giving Pearl one more kiss
She held it until the steamer broke it.
"I'll see you at home then," he said, "Bye...."
"Bye..."
Rusty left the diner slowly

Rusty rolled over to the freight train silently, in a bit of a daze.
"Bout time," Flat Top said.
"Uh huh," Rusty answered, not listening, rolling over to the front of the train
He rolled his eyes.
Rusty rolled off down the tracks at a pretty good pace
CB simply shook his head with an amused smirk.
Rusty came to a stop at the station, waiting as the freight train went to load. He still had a bit of a dreamy smile on his face.

The caboose watched Rusty amused and then quietly snuck up on him. He dropped his hands on Rusty's shoulders, making a loud noise.
He squeaked in surprise
CB laughed, "You're so *easy*!" he exclaimed.
"That isn't funny," he said
"Sure it is!" he continued to laugh.
"No it isn't!"
"So what's on your mind?" He asked in such a way that he was almost taunting.
"None of your business."
He gave a smirk. "Bout Pearl, weren't ya."
"If you must know, yes."
He smirked again, shaking his head.
"And what's it to you?"
"Oh.......Nothing...."
"I can't see why you'd care."
He gave another smirk and shrugged.
"Ah, but you just enjoy taunting me."
"Course. It's too easy."
"I'd think you'd look for something more challenging."
"What? And leave you out of the fun?" He snickered.

"Just... get in the back."
At that remark, the caboose's mood changed completely and he let out a growl.
"Go."
"No." CB refused shortly
"We're gonna be late CB, let's go."
"No." CB said again.
"come on."
"Make. Me." His eyes narrowed.
"Just go caboose."
'I don't answer to *that* kind of talk!" he spat.
"What kind of talk?" Rusty wanted to know, "All I'm saying is that we've both got jobs to do."
The caboose growled and turned to go to his place at the back of the train.
"Thank you."
*He* wasn't going to get yelled at by Control. "Whatever..." he muttered.

Rusty waited until CB was in place and then started out. His good mood had faded, thanks to the caboose, but he refrained from being rough on the cars.
Every once in a while, the caboose would mutter something about engines.
"Last stop," Rusty announced after awhile, "And none to soon," he muttered to himself.
The freight unhitched once Rusty came to a stop.
"I'm off home guys," he called to the train

Pearl was in the bedroom, getting ready for the dinner "date" she had with CB.
"Pearl?" he called when he got home
"I'm in the bedroom," came her reply. She looked up at the steamer as he rolled in a few moments later.
"Hi there," he smiled at her
"Hello," she said with a smile.
He rolled over to her and gave her a kiss, holding it for awhile.
She then pulled away. "I've got to finish getting ready."
"Ready?" he repeated
"For my little 'dinner date' with CB she kidded.
Rusty sighed
"And what was that for?" she asked.
"I wish you wouldn't go have dinner with him."
"Rusty..." she started.
"He got all upset today at work for no reason," Rusty said, "I know you want to give him another chance, but he's just... not all there sometimes."
She shook her head and turned back to the mirror.

Rusty came up behind her, "I just don't want to see anything happen to you."
"nothing's going to happen to me Rusty."
"I know but..."
"don't worry.."
"I can't."
Pearl turned to plant a kiss before turning back to what she was doing.
The sudden kiss was enough to throw him off guard enough to stop worrying for a bit. He put his arms around her and pulling her close
"I promise, I'll be careful."
"Thank you..."
She began to brush her hair. With each stroke, Pearl's hair shimmered. She silently counted up to a hundred, taking a stroke on each count.
Rusty watched, mesmerized. "You're beautiful," he informed her.
"Thank you," she replied with a smile

She looked up at the clock after she had finished.
"D'you have to go?" Rusty asked, sitting on her bed
"I should."
He pouted cutely.
"Oh Rusty..." she had to smile though.
"please?" he looked at her with limpid eyes
"Oh, alright," she replied with a smile, going over and giving him a hug. She looked into his dark eyes and smiled.
Rusty gazed into her blue eyes
She kissed him again.
When they pulled away he was all smiles

"I really should be going now..." she told him.
"Aww I thought I'd convinced you to stay home..."
She thought a moment. "Well, I suppose CB won't mind. In fact, I'm sure he'll understand. You are my engine after all." she said with a smile. "My Dream Train."
Pearl giggled as she watched the steamer's smile grow as she spoke. She loved his smile.
He leaned forward to kiss her again, holding it for a very long time.
She finally pulled away and simply snuggled.
"I love you," he told her
"I love you too.."
"We haven't had much time to spend together lately."
"We've both been so busy..."
"Yeah," he said, "I'm trying to get my schedule rearranged so that I pull your train more."
"I'd like that."
"But I do sorta like the freight cars, they're good guys."
"Well, you've been pulling them long before us."
Rusty nodded, "Though I have known Ashley and Buffy for awhile."
"That's true," she gave a knowing sort of teasing smile.
"They were the ones that told me about you."
She smiled sweetly.
"And I'm so glad that they did."
"So am I."
Rusty kissed her again

Time passed and Rusty and Pearl continued in the same manner. It grew darker and Pearl forgot all about her 'date' with CB.
"It's getting late," Rusty said
"Hmmmm?..." she asked meeting his brown eyes.
Rusty shrugged and kissed her lightly, keeping her close in his arms.
She closed her own, just enjoying having him hold her.
They fell asleep