The Midnight Train Crossing

It was morning, halfway through the week, CB woke up and stretched. His 'sentence’ was half over.
Belle peeked into the door
He looked over and caught her.
"Hey."
"Mornin' Belle.."
"Did you hear the phone last night?"
The caboose shook his head.
"Ah," she said, "Well you'd better get up and ready..."
"why?" he asked.
"Because we're going to have a guest today."
He blinked it being still too early for the red 'boose.
She nodded
Then it hit him. "You mean...?"
She nodded again
A wide grin crossed his face and he sat up straight.
"He's coming by after lunch."
"Yeah!"
Belle smiled
"Be out in a moment."
"Alright," she agreed.
He waited until the Sleeper left then got ready.

Once he was done, CB joined the others. Belle and Poppa were out in the kitchen, Rusty was still asleep.
CB entered the kitchen.
"good morning," Poppa greeted him
"Mornin' " the caboose replied.
"Exciting day today I think..."
He nodded. "I’m excited anyway." The caboose's deep blue eyes showed proof of that.
Poppa grinned
CB sat at the table.
Backwards on his chair.
"And," Poppa said, "I think that for today, you may come with me to meet him."
The smile on his face grew. "Ya mean it Poppa?"
"Yes."
The caboose gave the engine another hug. The second that week.
Poppa smiled at that.
He looked at the clock. CB was already anxious.
Belle laughed lightly, but not meanly, "It'll be a few hours yet."
"I can't wait though."
"I know," she said with a grin
CB made a face. "Why's time gotta go slow when you're waitin' for something?"
"I'm sorry sweetheart, that's just the way it seems to work out."
"Ah well...." he sat once again backwards on his chair.
Belle just smiled at him.

"What ya got for breakfast?" he asked after a while.
"Eggs," Poppa said, setting down a plate for CB.
"Thanks." He picked up a fork and began to eat.
The other two started to eat as well, and were occupied in that for a few minutes
Every so often, the caboose would take a peek at the clock.
It continued to move at the same pace as usual.
Soon CB finished. "I'm gonna go to my room. Find something to keep myself occupied." He then looked at Poppa. "Less ya got something for me to do..." he figured if he had to work for Meg later on that week, he should get conditioned for it now.
Poppa shook his head, "No, I'll come get you when it's time to go."
"all right." CB stood from the table and hurried up to his room. He wanted to write it all down.
Poppa headed off to work

CB sat in his room. His models were out, but his attention were more on the ID tags.
Poppa knocked on the door
CB looked up. "Yeah?"
"You ready?"
His face brightened as he got to his wheels. "Yeah!"
Poppa smiled.
He opened the door.
Poppa turned to let CB hitch up
The caboose grabbed hold.
Poppa pulled him along out of the house
Excitement flowed trough his entire frame.
Poppa pulled the caboose down the tracks at a pretty fast pace.
A wide smile on his face.

The steamer came to a stop near the edge of the yard.
CB let go of poppa's couples but stayed near him.
"He should be coming soon."
CB gave a slow nod.
Poppa sat down to wait
CB couldn't just 'wait'. he had both his ears and eyes open.

A whistle sounded and Poppa whistled back
CB looked up from looking down at the ID tags. That *had* to be Charlie!
"Yes," Poppa said, guessing CB's thought, "That's him."
The caboose's eyes brightened.
Poppa stood up and shaded his eyes against the sun as he could see the engine approaching.)
CB started to become slightly nervous and began to play some with the tags.

A steamer pulled slowly into the station
He blinked, his heart beating slightly fast. He stood behind Poppa.
The new steam engine was wearing glasses (which was rather unusual for a train).
"Hello Charlie," Poppa greeted him.
"Jacob," Charlie said warmly, "It is good to see you again."
CB swallowed. What would he learn from this engine? Now that the engine was meeting him, even at 16 CB was unsure. However, he *wanted* to know about his father.
Poppa set his hands on CB's shoulders and guided the caboose forward
He slowly moved ahead. "H-hi..." he said.
"This is CB. CB, this is Charlie."
"Hi Charlie..." CB said gain using the engine's name this time.
The engine leaned down a bit to get a better look at CB, peering through the lenses of his glasses
The caboose was silent.
"Hello CB."
"I-I'm told my...my dad worked for you......"
"Yes he certainly did."
"I...I was hoping you could tell me some things....."
Charlie nodded, "Yes I know."
CB gave a slight grin.

Charlie sat down carefully on the edge of the platform, a bit stiff.
The caboose noticed the engine's stiffness. It could have been from old age but, he looked the same age (or close) to Poppa.
"now, what did you want to know?"
"first...what was he like? Poppa said he worked in the mountains. What'd he do?"
"He helped me with the brakes when I'd pull freight."
"did ya two get along? Or...did he fall into the 'boose stereotype?"
"We got along very well," Charlie said, "In fact, I trusted him with my life."
CB smiled with a slight pride. His father *didn't* fall into the 'typical 'boose' category.
"I think he saved it on several occasions."
CB continued to smile.
"I think that RC was the best caboose I ever worked with."
"Why'd he leave?"
"Because he met your mother."

"but, they both just...left." CB dug in his back pocket and retrieved the last letter his mother had ever written to Belle. "This mentions that they left and hadn't kept contact...."
"Oh," Charlie said, "You mean that."
The caboose nodded.
Charlie nodded, "Yes. It was the last day before RC was about to leave for the AV."
The caboose gave a nod showing that he was listening.
"It wasn't his fault," Charlie started
He blinked.
"There was an accident."
"An...accident?"
Charlie nodded, "Yes."
"Go on...."
"I don't remember it all that well..."
"What...what do you remember?...."
"I remember that the rails gave out, they were wearing out anyway, there really wasn't anything else RC could have done."
The caboose bit his lip.
"The next thing I remember was waking up."
CB gave a nod.
"In the hospital shed."
CB swallowed.
"I guess I'd been out of it for a few days."
He nodded again, staying silent.
"At least that's what Daisy - my coach told me."
The caboose looked down and shifted his weight slightly. Memories coming back again.
He smiled slightly, "She was the first thing I saw when I woke up."
"Yeah..." was all the caboose said. His memories and guilt tugging at him now.

"But RC was nowhere to be found."
"N-nowhere?..."
"He ran off."
CB understood that but...."you said it wasn't his fault..."
"No," Charlie said a bit sadly, "It wasn't, but I guess he thought it was."
He clutched his dad's tags. What if someone had told him Charlie was okay?......Would things have turned out differently? His parents still be with him?
Charlie was silent
"n-no one bothered to tell him otherwise?......" the young caboose asked.
"He didn't wait around to find out."
CB looked down. He knew the urgency. Especially at the thought of....harming a close friend. He shut his eyes, not wanting tears to fall but having them come anyway.
"I wish he had."
CB only nodded, tears falling as he clutched the ID tags. "Things would....would have been different......"

Poppa set a comforting hand on CB's shoulder.
The caboose tried not to cry in front of Charlie. he was 16 for Starlight's sake! however, he didn't bother to pull away from Poppa's hand.
Poppa rubbed CB's shoulder comfortingly, "It's alright son..."
That's when CB let the tears fall. He slipped the tags from around his neck and gripped them tight in his hand, holding them close. Almost like a sort of comfort.
Poppa gave CB a hug
He tried to shrug it away this time.
Poppa allowed it.

"sorry....." CB muttered to Charlie as he tried to wipe his tears.
"It's alright. I understand."
The caboose sniffled some.
"I don't blame you. I think I'd feel the same."
"If...if only my dad had known...."
The two steamers both nodded
"He might still be alive.....they both might...." He wiped a few more tears.
"Perhaps we should go back to the house."
CB gave a slow nod.
Poppa stood up, and Charlie did a bit slower
CB stood as well, face flushed from crying.
Poppa started to guide CB home as Charlie followed.

Soon the whole group reached the house and went inside
CB excused himself and headed to his room.
Belle looked worried and followed him.
He went into his room.
"CB?" Belle asked.
The caboose looked to her.
"can I come in?"
he shrugged.
Belle took that as a yes and came in
His face was still flushed, painted cheeks tear-stained.
He didn't say a word as she sat next to him and took him in her arms.
He gave a sad sigh. "If my dad had known...." he muttered mostly to himself.
She cuddled him close as though he were a trainlet.
"They'd still be here......." he continued muttering softly.
Belle held him close.
"Still be alive....."
She kissed the top of his head in a motherly sort of way.
"Why...." he muttered.
"I know sweetheart, things aren't fair..."

"No!!" he cried suddenly. "Why'd he leave?! why didn't somebody *Stop* him from goin'?!"
"I don't know," Belle said gently.
"I *hate* him for just running!! Hate them *both*!!"
Belle nodded silently, just holding him
He began to cry again. "I.....I *hate* them!....." CB sobbed.
"Shh, shh," Belle rocked him, stroking his hair
The caboose took the ID tags, which he still had in his hand, and threw them with all his might against the door. "I *hate* him!!...."

"You shouldn't." a voice said from outside the door.
"Why not!" CB demanded through sobs.
"I just don't think you should," Charlie said, leaning on the doorframe.
"but..." CB started.
"They certainly didn't do it on purpose. Everyone makes mistakes."
"But they left, got in that wreck, and left *me*!!"
"Do you think they would have done that on purpose?"
"Yes....maybe...."
"Not RC..."
"I don't believe you!" he said with a sniff.
"No?"
He shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Cuz I'm a no good brat....and they may have realized that..."
"Nah."
CB gave a slow nod.
"I don't think RC would've done that."
"Lily neither," Belle put in.
"But they *left* me!" CB said again through tears.
"But not on purpose," Belle said gently
"I don't believe you...." he muttered. He had never felt wanted before. Why should it be any different with his parents?
"Why not?"
"No one else wanted me!" he spat. "Why would *they*?" CB kicked the red caboose model with his foot.

Belle held him tightly, "I want you."
CB tried to pull away. "go away!" he demanded.
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes!" CB tried to get away again.
"Why?"
"You don't want me! No one *else* did! Why should *you* be any different?"
"Why not?" Belle asked softly
"Cuz I'm a 'Freight Brat'!"
"Ah, but you're my freight brat."
He tried to get away again but Belle wasn't about to allow that
The caboose gave a growl.
Belle didn't seem too bothered by that.
"Let. Me. Go." he demanded.
"No."
"Yes!" he growled.
"No Chris," she said, "You need me now."
"I need *no* one!"
She sighed.
"Haven't for ten years an' I don't now!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way," she said sadly
"I can find work! Live by myself!"

"Excuse me." Charlie broke in.
The caboose glared at Charlie.
"I hope you didn't have me all the way here to talk with me for five minutes," the steamer said, "I don't travel so well. I thought you wanted *me* to tell you about your father..."
"what else ya got to tell?" CB said turning his attention back to Charlie, though the fire hadn't quite left yet.
"Well he was one of my best friends."
CB looked away sharply.
Charlie knelt and picked up the tags, "His real name was Ryan - Ryan Christopher - but Lily was the only one he'd let call him that."
He looked down, listening to Charlie but not looking at him.
"Best caboose I ever worked with."
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Yes. Beyond a doubt"
"You....don't hear that said about a 'boose too often...." CB admitted.
"I guess you don't," Charlie agreed, "But all the same, RC and I were a good team."
"I guess....*that's* good to know..."
"Yes."

CB dried some more tears as he listened to Charlie. He slowly began to calm as he did so.
Charlie studied the tags for a moment
CB watched him.
"I don't think he'd want you to hate him... or at least, he wouldn't want you to hate your mother."
CB gave a slight sniffle.
Belle cuddled him
The caboose allowed Belle to cuddle him this time. He didn't really hate them. Neither of them.
"They loved you very much, I'm sure of it."
He sniffled again and gave a small nod.
"I know Lily did," Belle said

"I don't hate them....." CB said quietly as a slight tear rolled down his cheek. "I.....I don't mean to....."
Belle nodded, "I know sweetheart"
He looked back to Charlie. "And I'm sure my dad loved my mom...."
"He did. Very much."
"They look so happy in the pictures....that's how I guessed..."
Charlie nodded.
"I got two framed...on my nightstand..." he pointed to them.
Charlie nodded, "very nice."
He looked back to Charlie's hands, which held the tags.
The steamer held it out
He leaned out and slowly took it.
"I know he'd want you to have these."
He nodded slowly again.
"Also," Charlie said, "I brought something..."
CB blinked. "Yeah?"

Charlie pulled out a small thin case, "The morning before the accident... my coach was playing with her new video camera."
the caboose blinked again.
"So if you would like this tape..."
"yeah"
"I thought so."
CB took it from Charlie. He turned to Belle. "Can we watch it now?..."
"Of course."
The caboose stood, tape in hand.
Belle stood up as well
"You'll join us too, won't ya Charlie?" CB was liking the former steamer friend of his dad's.
"Of course," Charlie said. The sleeper rolled out into the living room
He followed, tape in hand.
She stood by the VCR
The caboose handed the tape to the sleeper and went to sit.
She popped it in and went to sit down as well
He sat between Belle and Charlie.
She hit play on the tape

"Well what d'you want me to say?" a sleeping car that looked a bit like Belle said.
"Just say Hi. I wanna see how well this works," a female voice said from out of sight.
"Alright Daisy," the coach said, she waved, "Hello out there in video land! I'm Lily the test tape subject."
"My mom..." he said quietly.
"Excellent," Daisy's voice said, "Now do something interesting."
"Interesting?" Lily said, "You mean do something that you can use to blackmail me later..."
"Aw c'mon, I wouldn't do that... Now your caboose on the other hand..."
Both coaches giggled.
CB had to chuckle along. It was contagious. What did they have planned?
"Come on Daisy, Ryan isn't *that* bad. I rather like him actually," Lily said.
"Well I'd certainly hope so!" Daisy giggled
A small grin crossed his face.
The camera panned around the diner
"Now what are you doin'?" Lily's voice asked.
"It's a scenery shot."
"A scenery shot? Of the diner? Turn back to me."
The camera went back to Lily, "You really ought to have a model..."
Daisy giggled softly as Lily pointed out the things in the diner.
He chuckled as he watched his mom. She *was* quite pretty.
"And this is a lovely booth," Lily pointed to it
He turned his glance away from the video to glance at Belle for a moment.
Belle was smiling, although her eyes glistened a bit.
He snuggled against Belle and she put an arm around him.

A whistle sounded on the video.
"Charlie's comin' down, I'd better put this away so I can make lunch for that hungry train."
Lily grinned, "Maybe you shouldn't put it away quite yet..."
She vanished out the door.
"Hmm," Daisy said in an overly dramatic tone, "I wonder what Lily's up to..."
CB chuckled again. Now he'd get to see his dad...
Lily and a red caboose with blonde hair walked in.
"Hi RC!" Daisy said.
"Gah!" the caboose yelped and then laughed lightly, "So that's your new toy."
CB blinked. To see both his parents alive and well on the screen was *far* different then just looking at still photos.
"Yup," Daisy explained that the camera had been a gift from her engine. "And this, obviously is RC, Lily's caboose."
"Hello out there in Video Land!" RC said to the camera, "Great day to be alive!" He turned to Lily and spun her around.
The camera faded out and then turned on a few seconds later to show RC and Lily kissing.
"And here are the lovebirds," Daisy narrated.
"Gah! Daisy!" RC chuckled.
"Aw c'mon, you'd think you were ashamed or somethin'," Daisy teased.
"Nope!" Lily answered cheerfully, turning Ryan's head and kissing him on the lips
CB gave a chuckle himself. His dad was funny.
"You just looked so cute," Lily said after the kiss.
"Good enough excuse if any," he answered.
"I love your laugh, just like I love everything about you," he said after she laughed. Lily kissed him again.
The camera turned to Daisy, "Pretty much always like that around here."
CB wiped tears from his own eyes as he snuggled more against Belle, still watching the video.
"Ya better believe it," RC said to the camera. Then in a stage whisper added. "Charlie and Daisy wouldn't know. They never been parted."
Daisy laughed, "Good thing too."
"that’s one of the reasons I'm so alert when I do my job. Daisy'd scrap me herself if anything happened to Charlie. Course Lily's number one and number two is I wouldn't be able to forgive myself," RC half-joked.
CB gulped back tears and looked over to Charlie this time.
Charlie sighed softly at that.
He turned back to the Video.

Daisy and RC teased each other a bit more.
"Anything else to say to the people out in video land?" she asked after a bit.
"Well, I guess I can say that no matter what happens, what can *try* to came between us, I feel Lily an' me were *meant* to be together and nothin' can break that!" he said sincerely.
"Aww," Lily said, "That's sweet."
RC kissed her again. "I mean every word." He then turned back to the camera. "Oh, and Charlie? Been fun workin with ya buddy! Enjoyed every thrilling moment." He winked.
CB looked down.
RC looked at his watch, "oh boy! Speakin' of Charlie..."
"Aww, time for work?" Lily asked
"I'm afraid so." He then gave her a kiss. "But won't be long now..."
She grinned, "Alright, go on."
He stood. "I'll see ya coaches later." He then winked at lily. " 'Specially you."
"Bye RC!" Daisy called, "Say good-bye to the viewers at home!"
RC waved and then the video ended.

CB gave a sigh.
Belle cuddled CB
He sniffled.
She held him close.
"Didn't have a clue...." he said sadly.
"No one ever does," Belle said softly
He looked down again.
"That was defiantly my sister," Belle said, changing the subject slightly
"She looked like you...more then the pictures show...”
Belle smiled gently
"They seemed to connect quiet well...."
She nodded.
And it was amazing how CB found himself like his dad in more ways then just inheritance of features
"You can keep the tape of course," Charlie said
"Thanks..." CB replied.
Charlie nodded
"It'll get it's worth...can tell ya that....."
Charlie nodded, "I'm sure it will."

At that point, Rusty rolled into the room, quite a bit more recovered, though still a bit sore.
"hey Rusty!" CB said standing, his mood changing slightly at seeing the young steamer.
"Hi CB."
"This is Charlie," he said introducing the steamer. "The one my dad worked for."
"Hello," Rusty said politely.
"Hi Rusty," Charlie said, "you must be Jacob and Belle's son."
He nodded
"And my good buddy." CB added
Charlie smiled
He turned back to rusty. "Charlie gave me a tape of my parents...." his voice faded but then he continued. "My dad had quite a sense of humor.."
"Yeah?"
The caboose nodded. "Would ya like to see it?"
"Sure."
"When ya wanna?" he chuckled. "As ya know my schedule’s completely open at the moment," he joked.
Rusty laughed, "well I'm still a bit trapped as well," he indicated his arm
Well...least they could joke about it.
"So later tonight?" Rusty suggested
CB grinned. "Ten-four good buddy," he replied with a salute. He then added, "sounds like a plan."
Rusty laughed a bit at that.
CB chuckled slightly.
"Sounds good," Rusty said.
CB grinned.
"Well would you like anything?" Belle asked Charlie, getting up and heading towards the kitchen with the steamer.
"Belle? would ya get me something to drink?" the caboose asked.
"Sure," she said, "You want anything Rusty?"
He shook his head, "Nah, just had something."
"Alright," the sleeper and the steam engine vanished into the kitchen
CB watched them go.

"So... he seems nice," Rusty said referring to Charlie
He nodded. "Yeah, found out a lot from him.."
"Yeah?"
The caboose nodded.
"Like?" Rusty prompted
"I know why my dad left the yard he was working at.."
"Yeah?"
"there had been an accident the day he and my mom were s'posed to leave for av.
"Oh," Rusty said softly
"He thought it was his fault...guess he thought he had killed Charlie.."
Rusty inhaled softly
CB looked down and blinked.
"That's... awful..."
CB nodded. "But...Charlie doesn’t blame him...."
Rusty nodded
"Charlie said that....he trusted my dad with his life...."
"He sounds like he was a pretty good guy then..."
The caboose nodded. "Yeah."

CB then smiled slightly. "My mom was the only one my dad allowed to call him by his real name.
Rusty grinned, "If she was anything like Belle I can imagine that."
He chuckled slightly. it was true, CB didn't mind if Belle called him Chris but if FT ever dared, he'd get a pound.
"I mean, you let her call you Chris."
He chuckled again. "And ya'd better not be goin' and spreadin' it around Steamer," he joked.
"Why not Chris?" Rusty teased.
CB gave Rusty a playful shove.
Rusty laughed lightly
"watch yourself steamer," he teased.
"Or what?"
"Or...jus' watch yourself." he chuckled.
Rusty laughed, "Of course Chris."
CB gave the engine another shove.
Rusty lightly shoved him back
CB returned it and grinned as Rusty laughed.

"Y'know... things have certainly been more interesting since you turned up."
"oh really?"
"Yup."
"I tend to do that...liven things up."
"Yup," Rusty agreed, "I'm glad you came."
CB grinned. "Truly?"
Rusty nodded, "Truly."
The caboose beamed.
"I like having a cousin."
"I like having an real family"
Rusty grinned
CB couldn't help but grin once more.

Belle emerged with a drink for CB
CB looked up.
"Here ya go."
"thanks Belle." The caboose took it from her.
She nodded, "And what were you two up to in here?"
"Jus' talkin' "
Rusty nodded, giving Belle his most innocent look
"Honest."
"Right..." Belle said.
"We are" He made an innocent face.
She nodded.
CB grinned.
Belle headed out of the living room
CB chuckled again.

"I suppose we should stop," Rusty said, "She'll kill me if I do anything to my arm..."
"True, and then some to me."
He laughed, "I can see it now: Irate sleeper declares this to be the "Last straw"..."
He broke into laughter.
"Yes," Belle said from behind, causing Rusty to jump.
"Eep!"
She smiled sweetly at them
he blinked.
"I'll keep that in mind when it does become the last straw..." she said with a wink
CB looked confused for a second then grinned.
Belle smiled at the two of them
"We can only hope it don't come to that."
She nodded, "I agree. So the two of you will have to be careful not to make it be the last straw."
CB saluted. "yes ma'am!" he teased.
"Mm, I like that," she said
He grinned.
Rusty grinned, "I'll be good too."
"Good boys," Belle said with a grin
CB looked to Rusty.
Belle headed back to the kitchen
Rusty grinned at CB
"I'm glad I came to AV. Funny how things work...ain't it?"
"Yeah," Rusty agreed

"Wanna go outside?" he asked.
"Sure," Rusty agreed.
CB finished his drink and started for the outside.
Rusty followed.
"Too bad I can't go any further then the gate....Ah well only a few more days."
"Yup," Rusty agreed, leaning against the fence.
"wonder how bad FT got it..."
"I think he's been grounded as long as you..."
CB gave a slight cringe at that. "Ouch"
Rusty nodded.
"did he ever get in this much trouble before?"
"I dunno, don't think he's ever been grounded for more then a few days..."
"Well, welcome to my world then" he joked.
"Heh..."

The caboose watched the bigger engines hurry by.
"You miss going out?" Rusty asked
"just a little.."
Rusty sank to the ground and played with a piece of grass as CB leaned on the fence.
"Well I guess I don't mind this so much..."
CB turned to Rusty. "Whadya mean?"
"Staying in, I mean, there are worse places to be..."
CB just gave a shrug.
He scratched his arm
"Like where?" he asked.
"Out somewhere in the rain?" Rusty suggested.
"Yeah...though if you watch yourself that can be fun."
"If you say so... I think it's cold and wet..."
"it all depends on what type of rain it is."
"I guess."
"See, thunderstorms are cold and wet, yes but then there's the gentle rain that don't really bother me."
"Ah," he said
"that's my reasoning," CB said with another shrug.
"it works," Rusty said
The caboose nodded.
"But sometimes it's nice to be home."
"yeah, that's true.."
"And you've only got a few more days anyway..."
He nodded.
"I’ve got a bit longer..."
"Yeah...."

Rusty closed his eyes and leaned back, letting the sun warm his face
CB took a deep breath, talking in all he had learned from Charlie.
Rusty was just enjoying the day
"I wonder what my parents' last thoughts were..."
Rusty shrugged
"I sound morbid I know....but I can't help wonderin'....Specially since my mom never got that letter to Belle..."
"maybe she was thinking about mailing it?"
CB shook his head. "I mean that moment when ya know you're gonna die...."
"Oh," Rusty shrugged, "I don't think anybody really knows that...."
"Like to think they thought briefly of me....."
"They probably did."
"yeah..."
"I mean, you're their kid, of course they thought of you."
"Yeah...like what would happen to me....after all, my mom didn't get a chance to tell Belle..."
"Yeah..."
"I wonder how they died...." He then stopped and rephrased that. "I mean...I *know* how they died but...." he couldn't find the words to say what he meant.
Rusty looked at CB curiously
he tried another way. "they were so happy in the video Rusty....If one had died before the other...."
"Oh I see..." Rusty said softly
CB fell silent.
"I don't know," Rusty said softly
"Part of me wants to know....has to know....." he said mostly to himself.
He nodded silently.
"And part of me....really doesn't...."
"Well, you know they loved you..."
"yeah, I know."
"So I think that they probably were thinking about you..."
He nodded. "yeah.."
Rusty nodded as well
CB still couldn't stop his mind from going back to that question. If there *was* a higher being....He would take them both at once...right?....
"I guess nobody can fault you for wondering..."
He shook his head.
"I probably would too."
"Yeah..."

"I mean, Starlight knows what I would be like if I lost..." he trailed off
The caboose blinked.
"Never mind..."
'Starlight knows...?' that was a new one to the 'boose.
"Huh?" Rusty said, "It's just an expression..."
"ever heard it..." he admitted
"Well y'know, Starlight as in Starlight Express."
He blinked again.
"The midnight Star train?"
He shook his head.
"Oh..." Rusty said
"Least I don't remember hearing about it...."
"Ah," Rusty said, "I see..."
"think I could hear it sometime?"
Rusty nodded, "Ask Poppa or Belle tonight, they know more about it."
The caboose nodded. "all right."
Rusty nodded and leaned back again
CB's mind wandered again.
Rusty hummed softly

The caboose sighed.
"Still thinking about your parents?"
"yeah...I guess..."
Rusty nodded, "I guess that with Charlie around it's hard not to..."
"yeah...like to know where they went...obviously they settled near Hilton...or else I would have ended up there..."
Rusty nodded, "Yeah. They must have-" he cut himself off
He looked to the steamer.
"Sorry," Rusty said, "What I was about to say wouldn't have been nice..."
"I think I'll go back in..." he said softly.
"Alright," Rusty said

The caboose turned and went towards the house and stepped inside.
Poppa, Belle and Charlie were in the kitchen
CB peeked in quietly, just to see what was going on and what they were talking about
"Yes," Poppa was saying, "You don't need to hurry off."
Charlie nodded, "thank you."
Well, Charlie wasn't leaving. That was good news to the 'boose. CB had hoped he would at least stay the night. this engine felt like is only real link to his father.
Belle looked up to see CB
He tried to duck out of the way before being seen but with no luck.
"Come on in," Belle said
CB skated in slowly.
"Hello," Charlie greeted him.
"hey..."
"How're you doing?"
"I'm okay..."
"Good," Charlie said, "I'm glad of that."
"So...you're stickin' around for the night?..."
He nodded, "Yeah, it's hard for me to travel long distances, so I will be staying for a day or so."
"great!" He grinned some at that..
Charlie smiled, "well it's nice to have a fan."
He chuckled.
Charlie grinned
CB skated over to him.
Belle glanced at Poppa behind his back and smiled, happy to see CB so happy about something
CB looked at him.
"So I suppose you would like to hear more about your father," Charlie said
CB nodded. "yeah!"
"Come with me."

Charlie sat down in an easy chair in the living room
CB joined his side sitting down next to him.
"RC was with me for quite awhile before Lily came," Charlie started
CB gave a nod.
"I told you that he was one of my best friends and that I trusted him with my life right?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"What I didn't tell you was what a sense of humor he had, despite the stressfulness of the job, he rarely ever lost his cool."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Charlie said, "I remember one time we were up there and it started to rain, everybody was pretty ticked off that we'd have to stay up in one of the shelters 'cause the rails were too wet to come down."
he gave a nod.
"But RC wasn't that upset at all."
The caboose grinned.
"I’m not sure how he managed it but pretty soon he had us all laughing."
He chuckled slightly.
"RC certainly was something..."
"he sounds like it..."
Charlie was chuckling a bit himself
"Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
"I know ya just met me but from what you've seen am I like...my dad at all?"
"I can certainly see some similarities."
"really?" CB blinked. "Like what?"
"The way you and Rusty are."
"Yeah?"
"Reminds me a lot of me and RC."
"Yeah? Hope Rusty an' I are always close friends like you an' my dad were..."
Charlie nodded
He moved closer to the steamer, feeling Charlie was his only real link to his father.
"RC used to salute too."
Yeah?"
He nodded
"That’s just a habit I happened to pick up on my own just recent." He grinned. "Makes Rusty laugh and Belle seems to find it funny too."
He smiled, "Coaches do tend to think it's cute."
CB grinned.
"You may want to keep that in mind when you get a bit older," Charlie said with a wink
"Oh I will, believe me." the caboose replied with a wink of his own.

Charlie told CB several more stories about RC.
CB listened to them all. quite a few made him laugh.

It grew rather late
CB gave a slight yawn.
"It's getting late," Belle said
"Awww belle..." came the caboose's response. He wanted to hear more of what Charlie had to say.
"Don't "Aww Belle" me," she said, "It's bedtime."
He gave her the 'sad puppy dog look'.
"Come on now."
CB sighed. "All right...." He then remembered what he and Rusty had talked about earlier. "Belle?..."
"Come on," she said
He stood. However, before CB followed the sleeper he turned around and gave Charlie a quick hug. "All right Belle...only if you an' Poppa tell me 'bout the Starlight Express...""
"Deal," Belle agreed.
He grinned.
"But only if you get into bed while I tell you."
"Deal!"
Belle smiled and entered his room, waiting for him to do just that
CB followed and hopped into bed.
She pulled up the covers and sat down on the edge of the bed
he rolled over on his side facing the sleeper, ready to listen.

"Now, what would you like to hear?"
"Just anything. Never really heard of it until Rusty said somethin' to me earlier," he admitted.
"No?"
He shook his head. "Nothin' I can remember anyway."
"Oh," Belle said, "Alright then, I suppose I shall have to start at the beginning."
"Good a place as any."
"Makes more sense to start there then at the end," she said with a wink
He chuckled.
"Well the Starlight Express starts at night, in the stars. On a clear night when the sky is filled with thousands of tiny diamond like stars and you are alone, just you and the sky, you might hear a distant sound, perhaps it's the wind, but perhaps it is the whistle of the midnight train."
He yawned again and grinned, though sleepily.
"You may not be dreaming, but you're not entirely awake either when you hear it coming closer, and closer..."
He yawned again and his eyes seemed to grow heavy. such a train the Starlight was....
"And if you are very lucky, he will come down and take you with him across the sky."
"Mmmm...." the caboose mumbled sleepily.
"Where all your dreams come true," she said softly, "You will have many adventures, but he will always deliver you safely home to your bed."
With a final yawn, CB closed his eyes. a smile on his face.
She smiled and got up to leave
His breathing was slow and steady.
Belle gave him one last smile before she left, turning out his light and closing his door
CB drifted off to sleep.

The wind whistled against his window
CB opened his eyes (though still asleep) and looked around. He could have sworn he heard a train whistle. He looked up, finding himself outside, the night filled with stars.
The stars seemed brighter and closer then they were usually
He found this a little odd.
Several of them shot across the sky
The caboose tried to follow them with his deep blue eyes, but the sped by too quickly.
A little one sped towards his hands
he held his hands out wanting to see if he could catch it but not knowing what he would do with it if he did.
It sped down into his hands and sat there for a minute, glowing)
the caboose watched it glow, sitting there in his hands.
It glowed for a few minutes and then faded into some sparkly dust
He smiled slightly, watching it glow and then fade. His eyes went back up to the sky.
More stars made their way across the sky
CB began to wonder if he had imagined the train whistle, until it sounded again
he blinked, his eyes gazing around once more. Could it...?
There was the sound of a distant train
The caboose moved forward some.
One star seemed to grow brighter then the others
CB moved closer
It came closer
He stopped, watching it move towards him.
It wasn't a star, it was the headlight of a train, and it was speeding right at CB
As it quickly sped up to him CB instinctively ducked, closing his eyes and hoping it wouldn't hit him.
Wind whooshed past him
He opened his eyes and turned, following the rush of wind.

A dark engine, the color of the night sky and glistening with starlight stood behind him
CB gave a gasp of surprise at seeing the engine standing there.
"Hello CB."
The young caboose finally managed a few words. "are...are you...?
"The Starlight Express."
A slow grin crossed his face. "You are real then!" It was more out of being amazed then anything else.
"Well here I am."
CB stood slowly, taking a slow step towards the Starlight. "will you...can I....' he started wanting to know if he could go for the midnight ride Belle had told him about.
"Come."
His grin grew wider and went over to the engine.
He turned around so the caboose could hitch up
CB did so, holding tight.
He started forward and the caboose held on tightly.

The engine went faster and then left the ground
CB gasped slightly as they lifted off
The engine whistled
He looked down at the world below him.
It was laid out under his wheels like toys
CB watched for a moment then looked back to the engine.
The engine went faster, the wind whistling past them
CB hung on tight.
"Where would you like to go?" the engine asked
"Can you...take me to see my... my parents?..."
"Your parents?" he repeated, "If that is what you wish..."
"If... you can do that, yeah....I'd like to see them..."
"Hold tight then."
The 'boose did so.

The Starlight Express turned around
He lowered his head against the wind.
They went faster and the wind rose to a shriek
CB closed his eyes against the wind, now coming at him full force.
Despite the wind fighting against them, the Starlight never slowed, although eventually he started to descend
The caboose felt the engine do so and opened his eyes slightly.
He came down to rest on the ground gently. "Here we are."
The caboose looked around with deep blue eyes.
They were in an empty landscape
He slowly unhitched from the Starlight.
He whistled, a deep commanding sound.
CB looked off into the distance, waiting.
"They will come."
He nodded, full of belief that this engine could do anything.

Two figures suddenly appeared slightly down the tracks
CB blinked, seeing them.
"Go on," the Starlight said giving him a light push.
With that he moved closer to the pair and said softly, "Mom?...D-dad?....."
A coach with dark hair stepped forward
CB blinked again. She looked exactly like the picture. A red caboose with wild, blond hair stepped up next to her. There was no doubt who he was...
She smiled at him
"Mom?...." he asked again.
"Chris."
He swallowed a lump forming in his throat and looked to the caboose. "Dad..."
The older caboose nodded
"It's me CB."
The young caboose embraced the coach, the older placing a firm hand on CB's shoulder.
The coach put her arms around CB and hugged him close
A few tears began to fall, but they were happy ones. Happy that he finally got to see his parents after ten long years....
The older caboose squeezed his son's shoulder affectionately.
The coach stroked CB's hair
"I miss you..." he whispered
"And I you my sweet little caboose."
"We both do CB." his father added.
The coach hugged him tightly

"I....I found Belle and Poppa...." he said between the soft sobs.
"I'm glad of that."
The older 'boose gave a nod. "We were hoping you would."
Lily hugged him again
"I met Charlie too..."
"Charlie?" Lily repeated
RC looked at his son.
CB nodded. "Yeah, I met Charlie..."
"How is he?"
"other then his slower movement, he seems healthy to me..." the young caboose replied.
Lily nodded
"He had nothing but nice words to tell me about you two," CB said with a grin. " 'Specially you dad."
RC had fallen silent during all this and looked to his son as CB turned from his mom and embraced him.
Lily smiled.
A smile crossed RC's face as well. It was clear how CB felt about him. It showed.
Lily rolled over towards them as well
" I got your ID tags dad," CB said the pride still in his voice. "wear them all the time." He took then out from under his shirt. "And I keep them right here."
Lily smiled at that.
"So I see," RC said giving CB an affectionate, gentle fist to the shoulder. "Tell Charlie I say 'Hi' won't ya son? And that I'm sorry."
CB replied "But Charlie said..."
"Just tell him I'm sorry." RC interrupted giving his son a gentle nuggie.
"Sure," CB replied.

Lily watched them happily
CB turned back to his mom.
She smiled, her eyes glistened a bit with tears
"Mom...?" He saw the tears sparkle in her eyes.
"I'm so happy to see you all grown up like this."
"Aww mom..." He could feel the blood rise to his cheeks.
She kissed him lightly on the forehead
"Now Lil, don't embarrass the boy," RC said with a chuckle.
"Oh why not? It's in my rights as his mother."
"I suppose," RC replied. "But remember, he's gotta deal with your sister too." The older 'boose gave the younger one a knowing wink and CB had to chuckle himself.
Lily stuck out her tongue at RC
That made RC chuckle again. CB watched them. They were laughing and joking, just like in the video.
Lily smiled at the two cabooses
RC placed his hands on his son's shoulders and stepped back. "Grown into a fine 'boose," he said with a smile.
"That he has."
CB embraced both parents this time.
Lily hugged him close
Tears slowly began to fall again as the young caboose wrapped his arms around the sleeper's waist.
She cuddled him close when a faint whistle sounded

CB looked up when the whistle sounded. it could be him yet...
Lily looked up as well
RC too, looked in the direction of the sound.
An engine was approaching.
CB tried to hide his disappointment. It *was* him...
Lily hugged him close, stroking his hair affectionately
He cuddled close against her, fighting back tears. It was too soon...he had just gotten there...
RC turned his gaze back to his son, placing a firm, gentle hand one his shoulder.
"I love you Chris," Lily said softly
"I love you too CB. Don't ever forget that."
CB shook his head slowly. "I won't.....I-I love you both too..."
Lily kissed him.
RC gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"As long as you don't forget us, we'll always be with you," Lily said softly.
He wiped away tears on her dress. "I won't mom....Won't ever forget...." CB promised.
"that's my little caboose," Lily said with a smile
"We'll always be here for you..." RC added.
"Always," Lily echoed
CB only nodded, tears continued to slowly roll down his cheeks.
Lily brushed them away
"I miss you..." he repeated again softly.
Lily nodded, "but don't cry."
CB took a deep breath. “I won't...”
"Good boy," she said, "I don't want to make you cry."
"I won't..." he repeated.
She smiled

The Starlight Express pulled up
CB didn't see him pull up because his face against his mother.
Her eyes widened when she saw the engine, but she said nothing.
RC saw the look on his coach's face and slowly turned, his own eyes widening and falling silent as well.
Lily inclined her head respectfully to the engine, but didn't let go of CB
RC did the same. CB realized how quiet it suddenly became and lifted his head slowly.
The Starlight Express regarded all of them
The young caboose turned and looked to the engine, slowly.
Lily met RC's eyes, silently telling him not to make CB cry at their parting.
RC gave a nod, understanding.
"Already?...." CB asked the engine softly.
"I am afraid so."
He nodded, falling silent and fighting back his emotions for his mother.
"It is getting close to dawn, my power is fading," the Starlight said, "And I need to get you home before that."
CB turned back to his parents. Though he fought hard, there was still a slight glimmer in his deep blue eyes. "I...guess I've got to go..."
Lily nodded and hugged him tightly, "It was so wonderful to see you my sweet Chris. Make sure that you tell Belle I said to make sure she takes good care of you."
CB nodded. "I will mom...." RC then gave him a hug. "Yes it was great to see you CB. Remember my message to Charlie?" The young caboose nodded and RC ruffled his son's hair before CB turned back to the Starlight.
"Whenever you are ready."
He turned and gave his mom a quick kiss on the cheek. "Love ya mom.....love ya dad......" Still looking back at them, the caboose grabbed hold of the engine's couplers.
Lily gave CB one more final kiss before backing off
RC gave his son on final big hug before he too backed away.
The Starlight Express whistled.
CB swallowed the lump in his throat as he glanced back to his parents. Deep blue eyes shimmered as he fought to stay strong.
Lily smiled and waved
RC stood next to her, one arm around the sleeper waving as well.
The Starlight started forward
CB kept his eyes on his parents but held on tight.
Lily watched her son as he vanished off into the just starting to get light sky
RC gave a sigh, watching his son go.

The Starlight sped away
CB turned back to the front when he no longer could see his parents, head down and still fighting tears.
The wind whipped past them again
He kept his head down.

Eventually the Starlight slowed
CB lifted his head, feeling the engine slow down.
They were outside of CB's house
CB looked down again. He was home...
He continued forward into the house straight through the wall
the caboose closed his eyes, thinking they were going to run into it, and looked slightly surprised when they didn't.
They stopped in his bedroom
CB unhitched slowly. It was really over...
The Starlight Express started to vanish
CB wanted to call to the engine, but no words came out.
He whistled once before fully disappearing
As soon as the engine vanished, CB let out a sob. He had *tried* to be strong, really...
The Starlight's whistle echoed through out the room

And as that last cord faded, the caboose woke up. He had awakened in tears. The morning sunlight peeking through his blinds.
There were the normal morning sounds for that house
CB sobbed one last time and quickly dried his tears. He wouldn't cry! He had promised.
A ray of sunlight fell across the pictures next to his bed
He turned his head, seeing his parents picture and managed a small smile.
They seemed to smile back at him.
He touched the ID tags lightly and, remembering he had messages to deliver, hurried to the kitchen.

Belle and Rusty were eating breakfast
"Mornin' Belle...Rusty," CB greeted.
"Good morning," Belle greeted him
He sat down at the table, looking as if he had something on his mind.
Rusty smiled at CB
CB gave the young engine a slight smile back.
Rusty waved a not-bandaged hand at the caboose
CB grinned.
"Breakfast?" Belle asked
"Hm?" He looked to belle. " Oh! please."
She nodded and went to get it
He decided to just tell her. "Belle?"
"Yeah?"
"Mom say to make sure you...take good care of me...."
"did she now?"
He nodded.
Belle smiled

"Where's Charlie?" he asked.
"He's still sleeping."
"Oh, okay. Got a message for him too," was the caboose's explanation.
"Ah," Belle said.
Rusty was looking at the caboose oddly
CB looked back to Rusty and caught his look. "What?" he asked simply.
"A message from who?"
"My dad."
He looked puzzled by that
CB gave a nod. "Talked to him and my mom last night."
"You what?"
"Talked to him and my mom last night."
"Yeah that's what I thought you said..."
"It's true..."
"How did you manage that?"
"The Starlight," he explained.
"Express?"
The caboose nodded.
"But," Rusty sputtered, "How?"
"Last night."
Rusty looked rather impressed
CB gave a slight smile.

Belle came out with CB's breakfast
He looked back to her. "Thanks Belle."
She nodded, "So you slept well last night then?"
He nodded. "Yeah"
"Good," she said with a smile, "And I'm glad you had a nice dream."
"Oh, it wasn't Belle!" CB objected. "They were right there."
"It was very vivid then."
CB shook his head. "I could hear them...touch them......"
Belle nodded.
"The Starlight Express took him to see them," Rusty explained
CB nodded in agreement. "He came and got me last night."
"Oh I see," Belle said
The caboose grinned.
"That must've been cool," Rusty said
"It was! We raced through the night sky together and then landed where I met my mom and dad again after 10 years..."
Rusty grinned. Belle smiled softly.
"It was great seeing them again..."
"I bet," Rusty said softly.
"And just the ride itself! The wind blowing past...Belle told me about him yeah, but until I actually *experienced* what he could do!"
Rusty looked rather in awe
"He's *amazing* belle!"
Belle smiled at the caboose
"I hope he comes again tonight."
She nodded
CB began to eat.
Rusty had finished and he took his plate into the kitchen, happy to have full use of both arms again
The caboose was also glad to see the steamer in full function of both his arms again.