The Midnight Train Crossing

A few days later....
There was a squealing of brakes and angry shouts. CB and FT had been playing chase and tackle managing to run *right* in front of an on-coming engine.
"CB! Flat Top!" the Control of the yard called
The two trucks came to a halt hearing the voice, then quickly fled, snickering.
Rusty eeped as the two cars darted in front of him.
"Sorry Rusty!" FT called and then broke into snickers again. They had both *definitely* earned their pair name, "The Brat Pack" (though not really a 'pack') among the older trains of the yard
Rusty watched as the two ran off

Soon after, there was another squealing of breaks and a shout of, "Damn Caboose!"
The caboose *laughed* this time as the engine glared and cursed at him before going on his way once more. Yes, word *would* get around to Poppa, but right now, the pair could care less.
Control called Poppa's name rather commandingly, "Report to the central station!"
CB screeched to a halt. "Eep! Beat it!" he told FT and the two split ways.
CB sped on, not knowing where but just going.
Suddenly a strong hand grabbed his collar
"Eep!" the caboose cried out as the hand grabbed hold.
"There you are," said a familiar deep voice
"heh... heya Poppa..." he said with a nervous laugh.
"Now why has Control called me?"
"Control? Called *you*? Uh....I ain't got a clue?"
"Yes, didn't you hear him?"
"Oh! that was him?....hehe....uh...."

Poppa held CB firmly but not painfully and led him over to the central station.
The caboose 'eeped' again as he was led to the main building.
When they arrived, Poppa still didn't let him go however much CB squirmed.
"Ah there you are," Control said, "And with CB." he took on a sterner tone when referring to the caboose.
The caboose wanted to say a few words but kept his mouth shut.
"Since you are here, you can tell us about the.... 'game' you have been playing today," Control ordered.
"It was jus' a game," CB said simply. "One chases the other until the one tackles the other. Then the roles switch. Fun actually." he gave his goofy grin.
"But running in front of oncoming trains?"
"They stopped, didn't they?"
"But what if they hadn't been able to?"
"But they did, didn't they?" CB repeated
"That is not the point!"
"then what *is* the point? ya interrupted a fun game that I wanna get back to."
"This is not the first time you have nearly caused a crash."
The caboose shrugged. "Not my problem."

Poppa gave CB a slight shake
"gah!" CB cried as Poppa shook him. "Wha'? Wha'd I say?"
"Hush," Poppa said to CB, "Just don't play that game with Flat Top near any of the tracks that are in use."
"But they're *all* in use!"
"Then play it in one of the yards, or off in the sidings."
"yes Poppa..." CB muttered and then muttered more about what Control could do with those tracks, under his breath.
Poppa heard him and gave him another little shake.
"Gah!"
"Behave."
"Yes Poppa..." he muttered again.
"I will let you deal with him once more Jacob," Control said, "But the next offence he answers to me."
"Aw shut it Control!...." he said under his breath. "ya don't scare me!..."
"I understand," Poppa said to Control.
CB glared in Control's direction.
Poppa gave CB a slight tug, "Come on, we're going home."
CB gave one final "Eep!" as he was led away.
Poppa led the caboose home
CB struggled some, but really couldn't all that much due to Poppa's hold on him.

Once inside, he let him go.
CB started off.
"Hold it right there.” Poppa pulled out a kitchen chair, "Sit."
"But Poppa..."
"SIT!"
The caboose quickly did as he was told.
Poppa sighed softly.
CB looked down and began to swing his legs.
"What am I going to do with you?"
"We were jus' havin' fun Poppa..." He didn't look up to meet the steamer's eyes.
Poppa nodded. "I know."
He continued to swing his legs. "Stupid Control's out to get me..." he growled.
"Only if it's because he's trying to make sure everybody in this trainyard is in one piece..."
"No! he's out to get me...don't want me to have fun...." again CB muttered where Control could stick the tracks.
Poppa sighed and started to walk back and forth in the kitchen.
"You're making me dizzy..." CB complained.
"That's the least of your problems."
"Oh yeah *Contol's* gonna 'deal with me' next time. Ooo *scary*...."

Poppa rested his hands on the counter, "You're grounded."
"Wha?!"
"You heard me."
"ya *can't* ground me!!"
"Yes CB. I can."
"On...on what grounds?!"
"On the grounds that if I don't do something, Control will, and he'll be a lot harsher then I am."
"I ain't afraid of Control!"
"Let's see, I can also ground you for nearly causing several crashes, and for mouthing off..."
"Wha?! " The caboose couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I-I'm a busy 'boose! I got places to go! Other trains to meet!"
"That can wait for a week."
"A *week*! Damn!"
"Hush."
He crossed his arms in a huff. "it ain't fair!"
"Consider it a punishment for all of the times that I've had to get you out of all the messes you've gotten yourself into.
"Yeah...whatever..." he muttered.
"So this means that you are to stay in the house or in the backyard."
"Whatever....."
"go to your room now."
CB stayed put, arms crossed angrily.
"CB..."
He didn't budge.
"NOW!"
CB moved, but it wasn't the quick response he had given earlier.
Poppa watched
after some time, the caboose made it t his room.

A few hours later Belle knocked on CB's door
"Go away!..."
"It's dinner time...."
"don't care..."
"Aren't you hungry at all?"
There was a pause. "....no...."
"Alright," Belle said
There was a thump from his room...as if something had hit the wall hard. Then another..."
"CB?"
"What?!"
"What are you doing?"
" None of your business!" Thump! Thump! Thump!
"What's that sound?"
"My models!" he shot back. Thump! Thump! They seemed to be getting almost louder...harder...
Belle opened the door.
*That* was when he sent one rolling and it crashed against the wall from his might. It *had* been a steamer.
Belle jumped a bit at the crash.
CB muttered something under his breath, not really noticing Belle was there.
She sighed and closed the door again.
He sent another steam engine model crashing into the wall and a mutter about 'Stupid steamers" followed.

"How's he doing?" Poppa asked Belle.
She sighed, "Same as before, if not worse."
"I wish I knew what to do," Poppa said, "I hate this... I hate having to have him think of me as somebody who's spoiling his fun."
Belle nodded and gave him a gentle hug, "I hope he calms down..."
CB stopped a moment, hearing Belle talk to Poppa, he listened as best he could to what they were saying.
"I just don't want anything to happen to him," Poppa said.
CB gave a snort at that, though he had stopped crashing his model engines into the wall.
"He's just as much ours as Rusty is," Belle agreed, "I hope he sees that..."
CB blinked again, his mysterious 'mood' beginning to fade slowly. The caboose slowly opened the door to his room, what was rest of his 'mood' faded.
Belle and Poppa turned as he came out
"I'm hungry...." he said simply. "Supper still available?....'
Belle nodded, "Of course."
"Okay," CB said and joined the two. There was no hint of what Belle had witnessed only moments before.
They quietly went out into the kitchen and Belle took out a plate that she had been keeping warm for him.
The caboose began to eat as if nothing had been wrong.
There was silence for a few minutes as Belle left the kitchen
The caboose looked up at poppa for a moment, but quickly went back to eating
Poppa set a hand on CB's shoulder for a moment.
CB shrugged it away.
He sighed and left the kitchen.
The caboose finished his meal.

Rusty came out into the living room and promptly got down on the ground and looked under the couch.
CB pushed his plate away and went to see what Rusty was doing.
Rusty, at this point, was halfway under the couch.
"Whacha lookin' for?" he finally asked after watching him a moment.
"Ouch!" Rusty bonked his head on the couch.
He sniggered slightly.
Rusty emerged with a notebook. "don't ask..." he said.
He blinked.
Rusty brushed his hair back out of his eyes
"What's that notebook doing under there in the first place?"
"I guess it got kicked under there..."
CB shrugged. Though his *was* curious.
"What's in it?"
"This would be a pretend diary."
"Ah."
"Because I've a feeling that Ashley's going to try and ransack my room for it..."
He snickered.
"But I'll be ready for her," Rusty said with a grin.
He grinned as well. "Good idea".
Rusty headed back towards his room.
CB followed some ways behind, giving a sight sigh.

Rusty glanced back, "You okay?"
"Would ya believe I'm grounded?..."
He nodded.
"One week...." he muttered.
"Not *that* long," Rusty said
"Yeah it is, when ya got things to do..."
Rusty shrugged, "Yeah, I suppose you're right."
He sighed again. "How *not* fair...."
"Well it could be worse..."
"What could be worse then being grounded for a week?"
"Being grounded for longer?"
The caboose simply rolled his eyes.
"Um, being in the repair shop for a week?"
"That’s nothing," was CB's reply
Rusty shrugged, "I'm trying here..."
CB shrugged and said simply, "don't matter anyway..."
"Ah," Rusty said, "alright then..."
CB wasn't one to be held back by 'rules' before though he had encountered *quite* a few. He just never bothered to follow them. The whole grounding situation was just an new one to see what he could get away with.
Rusty headed back to his room and closed the door after saying good bye to CB.
The caboose gave a barely noticeable smirk. *he* wasn't to be bound by rules and was already planning on how to sneak out. CB went into his room, kicking the broken models aside.

The next morning Poppa left for work early and Rusty went out a bit later. Belle continued to sleep
CB had woken up, but on his own this time.
He quietly opened the door to his room and skated out.
Not seeing anyone, the caboose quietly exited the house and quickly left the yard.
CB had to laugh. He had successfully gotten out with no one to stop him.
The trainyard was filled with trains going about their usual activities
He watched them a moment before heading on.

"Hey CB!" a voice called from one of the sheds.
The caboose looked up at his name, jumping slightly. He then realized it was the brick truck and shushed him, looking from one side to the other.
Flat Top was half leaning out of a window.
CB hurried over. "Keep it down will ya?"
"Sorry," Flat Top said, "but what are you doing out there?"
"had to get out," he explained. "No *way* I'm staying confined to that house for a whole week."
"Lucky."
"take it there's no chance of ya sneakin' out, huh buddy?"
"Well..."
He waited for an answer.
"Sneaking out maybe, but I dunno how I'm gonna get back in."
He looked back at the break truck slightly confused.
"Well once I get out, how'm I gonna explain it when I try and get back in at night?"
"Good question." CB shrugged. "I jus' don't worry about it. Cross *that* bridge when I come to it. No problem." And it usually was for CB.
"Alright," Flat Top said, "You're better at gettin' out of trouble then I am..."
" 'course I am! Ya coming or not?"
"Yeah," Flat Top said, "Hang on."
"All right."
Flat Top vanished from the window for a moment and then returned to view.
"C'mon!" he whispered.
Flat Top eased himself out of his window
CB kept his deep blue eyes out for any one who would rat to Belle or Poppa.
FT dropped neatly to the ground
"C'mon!" he said with a grin. "Coast clear."
Flat Top grinned, "you bet."
The caboose sped off hoping Flat Top would follow. If they stuck around his shed too long, they might risk someone waking up.
Of course, Flat Top followed CB.

"Wanna play Chase and Tackle? Won't be a problem if we 'watch out for engines,' the caboose said saying the last bit mocking Poppa's voice.
Flat Top nodded, "Yeah, c'mon, I know where we can play."
"All right! You lead!"
Flat Top led CB over to an empty area of the freight yard.
He studied the area with his eyes.
"Not as big as where we normally play I know," Flat Top said, "but at least we won't run into anybody."
"It'll work. Get Poppa off my back at any rate."
Flat Top nodded and grinned at CB, "You're it!" He darted away
"Gah! You..!" The caboose chased after him.
They played for quite awhile.
Eventually, it started to migrate out of the little yard but neither seemed to notice.
"Can't catch me!" Flat Top taunted.
"Bet I can!" CB yelled back and raced after him.
Flat Top ran
The caboose made a dive and tackled him. "Ha! You're it!" he quickly got to his wheels and raced behind a pile of scrap to hide.

Rusty let out a loud alarm whistle and slammed on his brakes, but nearly fast enough...
CB heard the whistle and tried to stop as well however, he too, was not fast enough and there was a sound of colliding metal.
Rusty landed on the ground and didn't move.
CB had fallen to the ground but hadn't blacked out just yet. He tried to get a look at the steamer. "Rusty?...." CB then groaned and blacked out.
Flat Top's eyes widened when he saw what had happened and he ran off to find Poppa.

Soon after FT left, CB's body allowed him to come to. he let out another groan.
Rusty was still out cold.
He remembered what had happened and lightly swore. "Rusty?" Turning as best he could and seeing Rusty still out he swore again. His mind then went to the brick truck. "Flat Top!" he whispered frantically. "FT!"
There was no answer, as Flat Top had run off to get help.
His head pounded, Rusty's whistle still ringing through his head. His entire frame sore...
"Oh Starlight..." a deep familiar voice commented.
CB groaned again upon hearing the voice. He was *so* going to get it....
"CB?" Poppa knelt next to the caboose.
CB looked away not wanting to look into the engines eyes.
Poppa set a hand on CB's back
He cringed at the touch. CB had landed on his back when he fell. there where slight dents and a painful bruise to show that.
Poppa frowned
"Make the ringing stop....." he muttered to no one in particular about his pounding head.
"Alright," Poppa said, taking hold of CB and pulling the caboose to his wheels.
With Poppa's help, CB managed to stay on his wheels. He turned d back to look at Rusty.
Several other trains had come with Poppa, and the others had lifted Rusty carefully off the ground.
the caboose became slightly frightened. "Will....will he....?"
"We're going to Meg's," Poppa said without expression.
"But Rusty....will he....?" CB looked back to the young steamer being taken away.
"Meg's a good repair truck."
At the moment that didn't mean a thing to the caboose,. he simply stood there watching the other's leave with Rusty with wide eyes.....memories he thought he had pushed away for good, once again coming back.

Poppa led CB to Meg's house
CB followed, though he appeared dazed.
He took CB inside and sat him down on the couch.
The caboose began to take deeper breaths then before. It was clear his was scared.
Meg emerged from one of the back rooms.
The caboose looked up, shaking slightly.
Meg skated over to CB in a rather professional type manner
The caboose's eyes quickly glanced down.
"Look at me."
CB didn't...he couldn't.
Meg tilted his head up.
He swallowed, meeting her eyes.
She looked at them carefully.
They held both fear on the surface and sadness of a painful memory deep within.
Meg noticed this, but she was more concerned about how they were focusing.
At the moment his vision was slightly blurred, tough he could make out shapes. He didn't seem to notice thought. his mind was elsewhere.
"I'm going to shine a light in your eyes," she told him.
He gave a slow nod.
Meg shone a small light into his eyes.
He blinked once at the sudden light difference.
"Hmm." she said, pulling the light away and waiting for his eyes to adjust. Then she held up the flashlight, "Follow this with your eyes." she directed, moving it around slowly in front of him.
He could barely see the shape of it through all the fuzzy haze in his head.

Meg frowned. "Can you stand up?"
"I...I think so...."
Meg nodded, "then see if you can."
He did so slowly, slightly unbalanced at first but quickly regained control.
"Come with me," Meg said gently, leading him towards one of her bedrooms.
He followed obediently.
She led him over to the bed, "Lay down now."
He did so, though on his side however.
She ran a hand lightly over his back
He cringed as she touched his bruise.
"hmm." was all that Meg said.
He didn't say a word.
"I shall be back," Meg said
CB gave another slow nod.
She left the room
A couple tears slowly escaped from his eyes.
She returned with a glass.
he wiped his tears away as best he could.
"Drink this," Meg said gently.
He took it, hesitating for a moment.
Meg looked at him kindly.
He then drank it.
Not long after, CB's eyes began to droop, and his head heavy.
Meg took the glass back from him before he dropped it
Soon he had fallen asleep completely.
Meg left the room for a moment and then returned with her tools to repair him.

Time passed and soon the caboose began to stir again.
He was alone in his room
His head was hazy but only because he had been asleep. "Where....." he muttered wiping the sleepiness from his eyes.
He was in the same room that he had been in when he was first brought to Meg's. There didn't seem to be any other sound in the house
as the fog cleared he realized he was at Meg's and the events that led him to be there came back to him. "Rusty!" he shouted fearfully.
"Rusty!" he shouted again. No one seemed to be there and he *had* to know what became of his good buddy.
Meg entered CB's room and shushed him gently
"Meg! Where's Rusty? How is he? I *gotta* know!...." he asked just as scared.
"He's next door and he'll be fine."
"he....he will?....."
"Yes."
CB let out a shaky sigh of relief.

"Now how are you?"
"fine...."
"Can you sit up?"
"Haven't tried yet...."
"try?"
"all right..."
Meg waited for him to sit up
CB did so, though slowly and with a slight groan.
She pulled out her flashlight again
CB sat all the way up with effort, though not any true pain.
Meg watched him carefully, and then turned the light on, "I'm gonna look at your eyes like I did before, alright?"
CB nodded slowly.
She shone the light in his eyes and studied his pupils
He squinted some.
"Good," she said, turning off the light, "Let me know when you stop seeing spots."
CB blinked a few time, trying to get rid of the spots. they soon disappeared. "All right...." he said quietly.
"Now follow it with your eyes," she directed, moving the flashlight in front of him.
The caboose followed it perfectly.
Meg looked pleased. "good," she said, putting it away, "You're very lucky."
"Meh...." CB muttered.
"You'll need to take it easy for a bit, but you'll be fine."
"won't be when Poppa gets a hold of me....." he mumbled inaudible.
Meg didn't hear that. "You can get up and walk around if you're careful, but stay inside please."
The caboose gave a slow nod.
"Did you want anything?"
"maybe a glass of water...but that's it...." CB replied.
She nodded, "Alright. Be back in a flash." She left the room
CB gave another groan, but this one was at the thought of Poppa might do to him.
She returned with two glasses of water and handed him one.
CB took it and took a sip.
Meg turned to go

a thought crossed his mind. Meg?....."
"Yes?"
"Wh... What about Rusty?.....What happened to him?...."
"He's got a major headache, and a minor fracture."
"And that's all?...."
She nodded, "And some little dents and dings."
"Good.....I mean...good that it-it hadn't been worse..."
She nodded and turned to go again.
It would have been horrible if Rusty had ended up like....Smokey....

CB slowly moved his skates over the edge of his bed. He couldn't lay in this room and Meg had given him permission to move about.
She had closed his door, but left it open a crack
He slowly skated over to the door and opened it.
CB had to see how Rusty was doing himself. he went down the hall.
One of the doors was half closed (As opposed to the others which were open)
The caboose peaked in slowly.
Rusty was lying on the bed, with his head in Meg's lap
He wasn't facing the door so the steamer didn't see CB.
CB turned and was about to go when the floorboards gave his presence away.
Both Meg and Rusty looked up
He turned back around, knowing he had been heard.
Rusty gazed at CB dully
"may...I come in?...." he asked Meg.
she nodded.
He opened the door and rolled in.
Rusty closed his eyes again
"Rusty I....I'm sorry....." CB said quietly, looking down at his skates.
He gave a tiny nod
"really Rusty.....I'm relieved you'll be okay...."
Another little nod
CB fell silent, still looking down at his skates, digging into the floor with the toe of one.
Meg stroked Rusty's hair gently and the steamer opened his eyes
"Guess...guess I should go back to my room 'case Poppa wants to....'speak' with me......."

"CB?" Rusty asked softly.
He looked back to the steamer. "Yeah?...."
"What happened?"
"I snuck out and went to get Flat top... we then went to an empty freight yard to play Chase and Tackle... guess we got a lil' to into it cuz the next thing I knew I raced to hide from FT who was it an'…. pow... ran into you....."
"I don't remember..." Rusty said softly.
"Maybe it's a good thing ya can't.....though I'm sure you'll hear Poppa talkin' 'bout it...."
Rusty nodded and winced.
"I better go..."
"Okay..."
"Get better soon Rusty..."
"Thanks..."
CB turned and skated out just as Belle was skating in
He came to a complete stop.
"You're up," she said.
"Yeah...." he said softly.
"That's good."
"yeah..." He moved around the sleeper and out the door.

CB wasn't looking forward to Poppa's talk. He had: 1) snuck out while he had been grounded, 2) ultimately ended up playing in a busy part of the yard, and 3)ended up crashing into and injuring Rusty....the older steamer's own son.
Meg emerged from Rusty's room, having traded places with Belle, "Hi CB."
His thoughts were somewhere else and didn't seem to hear meg.
"CB?"
he turned, hearing his name that time.
"You alright hon?"
"Yeah......"
"You don't look it."
He looked down.
"Sit down," she said, sitting on the couch.
The caboose hesitated.
Meg waited for him.
He finally sat down and she took his hands, "Now then."
He glanced up to her but only for a moment before looking back down.

"Poppa will probably be by in about an hour..."
"Yeah......" CB said quietly.
"That's what you're worried about isn't it?"
"Yeah..........." he replied even softer.
She set a hand on his shoulder.
"He's gonna kick me out.........."
"What? Oh no honey..."
"Gonna send me back to Hilton......knew it was all too good to last......."
"No," she said again.
The caboose gave a nod. "I crashed into Rusty........"
"I know."
"Parents are protective of their own children.......I've encountered that quite a bit......"
"Yes," Meg said slowly.
"In *his* eyes I'm a potential danger to his son.....He'll *want* to send me back......."
"CB..."
"I could have *killed* Rusty......" he continued not hearing meg.
"But you didn't."
"And Poppa'll want to send me back so I *don't*!......." he shouted. It was clear he was all worked up.
"CB!"
"He'll send me back Meg.....I don't want to go back......I like it here....."

"We won't send you back," Belle said from the doorway.
CB jumped slightly then turned to face belle, looking up at her slowly. "Ya.....ya won't?....."
"No," she said
"Wh.......Why not?....." he asked looking down.
"Because we love you."
"B-but...." even after the time CB had already spent with them, he found that simple fact hard to understand.
Belle skated over to the couch.
He didn't look at her.
She set a hand on his shoulder
He fell silent.
"Chris," Belle said gently.
CB looked up at Belle. that was the first time some one called him that. granted no one but his mother and father knew it to begin with, though the caboose supposed his mother called him that though he couldn't remember.
"No one is going to make you leave."
CB wiped a tear from his eye that was ready to fall. He still didn't under stand why they loved him or was convinced that they wouldn't make him leave.
Belle took him in her arms
"I'm sorry Belle...." CB said softly. "really....."
"I know sweetheart, I know you wouldn’t do this on purpose..."
He sniffed some.
Belle hugged him.
He wiped some more tears.
Belle held him gently for quite awhile.
CB didn't notice the time past, else he probably would have gone to hide as it got closer to Poppa's arrival

Meg's front door opened.
CB heard it and his head shot up.
Belle kept him in her arms as Poppa rolled in.
The caboose tried to squirm away, to run.
Belle held him tightly and looked at Poppa who nodded.
he continued to squirm though CB knew it'd be pointless to try and get away now, Poppa'd catch him.
Belle let go.
Despite what he knew as his chances, CB tried to escape the room anyway.
Poppa stood in front of the door
He came to a halt right in front of the older steamer. Eyes automatically went down.
"Hello there."
The caboose didn't say a word, swallowing hard.
"Interesting day?"
"Yeah...." CB answered barely audible.
"Well?" Poppa said, "what do you have to say for yourself?"
"I..." he started.
Poppa waited silently.
"I-I'm sorry........." he said quietly, still not looking into the steamer's eyes. "I-I never meant to........"
Poppa nodded.
"Honest......." he said barely audible.
"I know."
"Can....can I go to my-my room now?......"
Poppa nodded
The caboose skated slowly around the steamer, head still down, and to his room. Reaching it, he dug under his mattress and pulled out his notebook and began to write in it. Every once in a while, the caboose would let out a small sniffle.

After a bit there was a soft almost knock on the door.
He looked up from his writing. "What?" he muttered.
"Can I come in?" Rusty's voice asked softly.
"I guess...." he hid his notebook behind his back.
Rusty pushed the door open and rolled half way into the room, leaning against the doorframe.
CB looked up only briefly.
"Sorta up to walking," Rusty attempted to joke
The caboose didn't crack a smile.
"Provided things stop spinning."
"I didn’t plan for it to end up this way.....Flat Top and me were gonna stay in the empty freight yard...."
Rusty nodded.
"then just...sneak back as it grew dark...."
"CB. I don't think you ran into me on purpose."
The caboose slowly gave a nod.
"It was just an accident."
"yeah....that’s all it was...."
He nodded and winced slightly.
"look....if there's anything I can do...." he offered.
Rusty shrugged and shifted position, balancing his hurt arm in his not hurt one
"I.....I mean it Rusty....." He looked back down.
"I know," Rusty said, "And I appreciate it."
CB didn't share his fears with Rusty like he had with Meg.
"Just... don't run into me any more, okay?" he half teased
"ten-four good buddy..."he said in the same half tease.
Rusty grinned and then winced a bit as he moved his arm.

He sighed. "wonder what Poppa's gonna do...."
"Hmm?" Rusty said.
"I mean as....punishment..."
"Oh," Rusty said, "Probably ground you."
"yeah.....just what I need....another week...." he groaned.
Rusty shrugged and then decided that that was a bad idea
CB cringed at the thought of the pain Rusty was in. "You'll 'member not to do that next time...Bit of advice? try to move as little as possible at first...."
Rusty nodded, "Thanks..."
He nodded. "judge everyday how much you should make yourself move for the day by stretching *slightly* before ya get outta bed..."
"Okay..." Rusty said, "I'll keep that in mind."
CB gave another nod. "least I could do..."
Rusty sat down on the bed carefully.
The caboose suddenly found his skates quit interesting once more.

"Did you want some?"
CB looked back at Rusty.
"With Poppa? Don't argue with him..."
"Thanks…"
Rusty nodded, "But I'm sure things will be fine."
"We'll see..."
Rusty nodded.
He sighed . "Wish he'd get the punishment over with so I knew the sentence I was facin'.."
"Yeah," Rusty said, "Have you talked to him yet?"
"yeah....wasn't much though..."
"What happened?"
"Just asked what I had to say for myself...."
"Hmm. and what did you say?"
"Didn't argue...can tell ya that....couldn't even *look* at him....."CB now found that bit of fact strange. He had *always* been able to mouth back to engines before.
Rusty nodded.
CB fell silent again
"Well, it'll be alright I'm sure."
"hope you're right..."
Rusty nodded, "I'm sure I am."
"You've known Poppa longer then I have..."
"Yeah I have."
CB grinned slightly..
Rusty smiled
"may need to share more of that ya know later on...would ya?"
Rusty nodded, "sure."
"okay"
"Anything else you want to know right now?"
the caboose shook his head.
"Okay," Rusty said, "But just ask if you do..."
"Okay.."

There was a firm knock on the door
CB looked up quickly.
Another knock.
He looked to rusty then back at the door. "It's open.....he muttered knowing it had to be Poppa.
The door opened and Poppa (for indeed it was) rolled in.
The caboose's eyes quickly went down again.
"Rusty." Poppa said meaningfully.
The younger steamer slowly got up.
Rusty exited the room and Poppa closed the door behind.
here it came...
Poppa sat down in a chair next to the bed
He slowly forced himself to look at the engine.
"Well, now what?"
"Do what ya gotta do......." he said quietly.
"What do you think I should do?"
"send me back to Hilton......" he replied in his same tone without a second thought.
"do you really want that?"
"No.....but all the others have in similar cases...."
"Hmm."
CB didn't say a word and looked back down.
"Why should we do that?"
"I'm a Menace....a danger to the yard..." those were the two he had heard most often. "And..." he started but didn't continue.
"Are you now?"
CB shrugged. "That's your judgement.....maybe you might come up with some more...'colorful'."
"Well," Poppa said, "Guess you learn something new everyday..."
he still didn't say anything.
"Now for my part, I don't think you'll be leaving."
"I...won't?..."
"In fact, I don't think you will be going anywhere for quite some time."
The caboose blinked. "Wha'? h-how long?...." he asked, though was afraid to.
"Well, you were grounded for a week first off," Poppa started.
The 'boose knew that.
"For sneaking out that adds another three days I think..."
CB had figured on getting time for that too
"And then after that you should be sufficiently recovered to help Meg paint her storage shed."
The caboose groaned.
"And that I think shall be that."
"But Poppa..." He then bit his tongue, remembering Rusty's words.
"What?"
CB shook his head. "Nothin'..."
"Good," Poppa said, "And..."
"yeah?....."
"I hope you realize now that we weren't just being mean to you before."
"Yeah...sure...." he said with barely any emotion.
Poppa set a hand on CB's shoulder.
He moved away. "I wanna be alone now..."
"Alright..."

"Poppa?....."
"Yes?"
"You'll still find out 'bout my dad, won't ya?...."
"Of course I will."
"Thanks..."
Poppa nodded and squeezed CB's shoulder gently before getting up to go.
CB took his dad's tags from under his shirt, looked t them, and gave them a tight squeeze before sighing and placing them back safely where they belonged.
Poppa left the caboose alone.
He closed the door and sat at the head of his bed, knees to his chest.
The caboose sat in his room, doing nothing, not moving. Not a sound came out of it.

After awhile, Meg came in to check on him.
He had his dad's id tags off his neck and looking at them in his hand, stroking them gently with a finger.
She watched him for a moment
He didn't seem to notice her presence at all.
"CB?" she asked softly after a moment.
nothing...
"CB?"
still nothing...
"CB!"
He looked up quickly. "oh meg.....didn't see ya there......"
She nodded, "I thought so, yes."
He looked back at the tags, about to slip them over his neck and out of sight once again.
"Did you want to go home or spend the night here?"
"you know what'd be best for me...." CB said with a shrug.
"You're well enough to move home if you want, or you can stay here."
He shrugged again. "Guess I'll go home....no reason for me to be hear any longer...."
"It's up to you hon."
"I’ll...go home," he finally decided.
"Alright," Meg said, "Belle's in the living room."
"Okay..."
She turned to go.

"Meg?..."
"Yeah?"
"would it be okay if....when I felt a need...I could drop by?....after my punishment of course...."
"Absolutely. You can come over whenever you need to. I'm always here."
"Thanks..."
"Of course."
The caboose gave a sigh and stood.
Meg watched him. She was confident in her repair work, but still...
CB picked up his notebook and slowly skated pass Meg , out to find Belle.
She was waiting for him near the door.
He went over to her.
"Ready?"
the caboose gave a silent nod.
She turned to let him hitch up
CB grabbed hold.
Belle started to pull him forward
"Where's Rusty?..." the caboose asked after some silence.
"He's spending the night at Meg's."
""Oh..."
"He isn't up for the trip home yet."
"So...it's just me, you , an' Poppa at home tonight then..."
She nodded.
He fell silent again.
Belle was quiet as well, if CB didn't want to talk she wouldn't force him.
"Think I'll just stay in my room for the night....."
"Alright," she agreed.
his eyes went back down as they continued.
They reached the house and Belle opened the door.
CB went on in and headed in the direction of his room.
Belle sighed softly as she watched him go
The caboose entered and shut the door behind him. He saw the two broken model engines on the floor yet and made a mental note to fix them...but not now. CB sat at the head of his bed and took off his father's ID tags once more.

Early the next morning, Belle tiptoed into CB's room and pinned a note to the inside of his door before leaving again.
The caboose woke up around 10:30. He lay in bed looking at the ceiling awhile before turning his head and noticing the note on his door.
"Good morning sweetheart," it said in Belle's handwriting, "Get up and have breakfast/lunch if you want. There is food in the fridge for you."
The caboose thought about this. He wasn’t really all that hungry but also didn't want Belle to worry over him not eating. CB stood to his skates, deciding to make something small.
He went into the kitchen and to the fridge, looking for something to make a sandwich with.
There was quite an assortment of lunchmeat as well as slices of cheese and lettuce
CB took out the things he wanted and carried them over to a counter. Getting bread out, he began to make a sandwich.

Half way through sandwich construction, the phone rang
CB, being the only one in the house, answered it. "Hello?"
"Hello," an engine-ish sounding voice on the other end said, "Is Jacob there?"
"Um...no he's not at the moment...."CB replied.
"Ah-" the engine on the other end said, "Well do you know when he will be back?"
"No I don't...could I get message and have him call you back?"
"Yes. My name is Ralph, he was calling around my yard looking for an engine named Charlie. Do you have a pen?"
CB quickly found one and a sheet of paper. "Yeah, got one!"
"Alright, I'm going to give you Charlie's phone number."
The caboose nodded. "Go ahead."
He read off a number. CB copied it. He then read it back to make sure he had heard right.
"Yup, Thanks. Give that to Jacob for me?"
"I will."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Thanks, bye."
The caboose hung up and went back to finishing his sandwich. Upon doing so, he grabbed something to drink and turned to go to his room once more.

A few hours later, Poppa came home.
CB was still in his room. He had decided to fix his broken models. After all, he *was* a caboose so he knew basics of repair.
Poppa peeked his head into CB's room
He had one of the two engines fixed and was slowly coming along with the other.
He smiled and turned to go
The caboose looked up and happened to catch Poppa turning to go. "Phone call for you.." he said simply.
"yeah?"
"Ralph. Said he found Charlie.."
"Oh," Poppa said in an entirely different tone, "Good."
CB noticed the change and looked up. "Number to call's by the phone..."
Poppa nodded and skated out to the kitchen
CB, now curious, quietly followed.
Poppa didn't notice the caboose right away, dialing the phone number.
He watched and listened, staying out of the engine's sight.
"Hello," Poppa said into the phone, "I'm looking for Charlie."
CB continued to stand watching.
"Jacob." Poppa said and then waited.
the room fell silent
"Hello Charlie? You might not remember me, but my name is Jacob, my coach's name is Belle, and her sister's name was Lily..."
CB blinked hearing his mother's name and listened even closer.
"Yes," Poppa continued and was silent for a few minutes, listening to the other end of the line.
"Yes," Poppa said again, "I see. Yes of course."
what this Charlie saying on the other end of the line? The caboose wondered.
"Well if you would like to make the trip out here there is someone you should meet."
He blinked again.
"Yes, Oh yes I understand completely."
'What?' CB wanted to say.
"Yes. Yes, we will wait for your next call. Thank you very much. Good bye."

CB wanting to say something but wasn't sure how Poppa would react to him listening in.
Poppa hung up the phone and smiled when he saw CB standing in the shadows
Seeing the smile, CB slowly stepped from his hiding place.
"So I suppose you're curious..."
he gave a slow nod.
"Come sit down then," Poppa sat down at the table
He slowly went over.
He waited for the caboose to sit down and then reached over and gave the chain around CB's neck a little tug, "I told you that trains that work in dangerous places wear those?"
he nodded.
"When Lily met your father, it was before Belle and I were married, we were passing through a mining operation in some mountains. That's where Lily met RC."
CB nodded slowly.
"RC worked with a steamer named Charlie."
"The one on the phone?" he asked.
"Yes."
The caboose nodded to go on.
"So I called him, because I figured that if anybody knew anything about your dad, it would be him."
He nodded again
"And now Charlie said that he would try and come visit us."
CB gave a small grin.
"I thought that would make you happy," Poppa said with a smile of his own
CB nodded again.
"He is going to call me when he gets close, he said that it may take awhile."
"I understand."
Poppa smiled fondly at CB.
All of a sudden and without a second thought the caboose hugged the steamer.
Poppa smiled and returned the hug.
When he was able to pull away, CB hurried off to his room to write the events.

Rusty came home from Meg's house the next morning.
CB, being allowed out into the yard as long as he didn't go beyond it, went to me the young steamer.
"Hey CB," Rusty greeted him.
"Heya Rusty!" he said with a grin.
"How're you doing?"
"Just fine. How're you feelin'?.."
"Better then before," Rusty said, although he was taking care not to move his injured arm which was in a sling.
"Ya'd never guess what happened last night!"
"What?"
"Poppa found someone who knew my dad!"
"Really? Cool."
CB nodded. "A steamer like Poppa. My dad worked for him I guess."
"Cool."
"He's coming for a visit too," the caboose continued as he and Rusty moved towards the house.
"Really? Cool!" Rusty said again.
He grinned.
"When?"
“Poppa said he'd call again when he got close.”
"Cool," Rusty said, "He found him fast..."
"Yeah."
"I hope that he comes soon," Rusty said, "I know you wanna find out more about your dad."
CB nodded. "yeah, I do. Wonder what I'll find out..."
Rusty nodded, absently itching his sore arm.
The caboose held the door open for him.
"Thanks," Rusty said
"no problem."
"I'm glad she finally let me out," he said
CB nodded in agreement. "been dull here without ya."
Rusty nodded, "Much as I like Meg, I was getting bored."
"not much ya can do if she insists ya need rest, right?" CB gave a slight grin.
"Right."
"Ah well."
"Yeah, I guess nobody's ever died of boredom."
CB chuckled slightly. "We'll see if that's true or not." Of course he was referring to himself and the grounding.

"Rusty!" Belle called, "I was going to come get you..."
"That's alright, I came home on my own," Rusty said.
CB looked up as Belle spoke.
The coach rolled over to Rusty, "Are you alright? You should sit down."
Rusty gave CB a withered look as Belle bustled him over to the couch.
CB gave a shrug.
Rusty sat there quietly as Belle fussed over him.
The caboose fell silent.
"Now just stay there and relax," Belle ordered.
CB looked to Rusty.
The steamer made a face, "Belle, I'm not gonna break..."
CB had to smile slightly at this comment.
Belle gave Rusty an odd look.
"Alright, alright, I won't break any more..." Rusty amended
CB's smiles grew slightly.
Belle vanished into the kitchen to get something for Rusty to drink.
CB shook his head. "well, guess she has right to worry. She's your mother after all."
"Yeah," Rusty said, "But everybody's treatin' me like I'm made of glass..."
"That's the way it is..."
"Yeah," Rusty said softly, "I guess so..."
CB nodded.
Rusty rubbed his sore arm absently.
It was silent a moment.

Belle came out with a tray and a bunch of various and assorted snacks.
CB looked in her direction as she came in.
She set it down on the table and smiled at the two.
The caboose smiled back.
"Thanks Belle," Rusty said.
"yeah," he replied. "thanks."
"I guess extra attention isn't *that* bad," Rusty said after she'd left
"not at all.." CB let Rusty have first dibs of the snacks.
Rusty took what he pleased from the table with his free hand
Then CB took what he wanted and began to eat.
"I just hopes she doesn't make me sit here all week..." Rusty said.
"Least you can go off and have fun once the week is up. I gotta paint Meg's shed."
"Oh."
He sat down backwards in a chair, elbow on the back, head in his hand. "yeah..."
"Well it won't be *that* bad."
CB shrugged.
"I mean, it's Meg..."
CB nodded again. "Yeah, she won't work me too hard.."
"Though she will work you..."
"Yeah...."
"but not that hard."
"Right."
"You'll survive," Rusty said teasingly.
CB made a face in response.
Rusty grinned
"ah well...don't need to worry bout that just yet.."
"Nope," Rusty agreed.
"ah well, least I got somethin' to look forward to now."
Rusty nodded, "Yeah. I wonder when he'll come..."
"I don't know. Hope it's some time soon..."
Rusty nodded
"I wanna meet him. See what he knows..."
Rusty nodded, "Yeah, I mean, if it was me, I'd want to know too."
CB gave a nod.