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Chapter Seven
Jamie tied his skates briskly, standing by the door, ready to leave for work.
Jan stood in the doorway, yawning, "You're off early..."
Jamie nodded. "I have an early run with a passenger train..." He groaned and stretched painfully. "Ooh, I ache..."
She skated over to him and rubbed his shoulders.
"Mmm," Jamie said, curling back closer to her.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah..."
"Good," she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Jamie grinned and kissed her back. "I'll be home for lunch."
"See you then."
Jamie nodded and disappeared out the door, heading for his first run.
Jamie tied his skates briskly, standing by the door, ready to leave for work.
Jan stood in the doorway, yawning, "You're off early..."
Jamie nodded. "I have an early run with a passenger train..." He groaned and stretched painfully. "Ooh, I ache..."
She skated over to him and rubbed his shoulders.
"Mmm," Jamie said, curling back closer to her.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah..."
"Good," she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Jamie grinned and kissed her back. "I'll be home for lunch."
"See you then."
Jamie nodded and disappeared out the door, heading for his first run.
There was a train of two sleepy coaches waiting for him, but, luckily they were both the nicer ones.
Jamie smiled a bit. They were pretty good about not giving him any trouble, and he didn't want any right now. "Morning, girls. Hitch up."
They did so, still half-asleep.
Jamie stifled his own yawn and gave them a tug. They were a lot lighter than a lot of the other coaches.
They rolled along easily behind him.
Jamie pulled them along, keeping an eye out for anyone else.
They made it to the station uneventfully.
Jamie uncoupled them and gave them a grateful smile. "Thanks. See you later."
"Uh huh..." the lead one said sleepily, "Jamie?"
"Yeah?"
"You look better without the pink..."
Jamie turned bright red and grinned sheepishly.
"See you later..."
"Bye." Jamie took off down the tracks.
Tank looked up as he heard Jamie coming. He smiled and leaned back to wait.
Jamie approached where Tank was, not paying attention.
Tank still waited, sticking out his skates.
Jamie didn't notice and went flying over Tank's skate, landing hard on the track.
"Good morning," Tank said brightly.
Jamie flipped over onto his back and gazed up at Tank with wide eyes.
Tank gazed down at Jamie over his glasses.
Jamie slowly got to his knees, then to his feet.
"Nice morning isn't it?"
Jamie shrugged. "I guess." Was nice 'til I got knocked on my face, he thought to himself.
"And I see that you're back to red..."
Jamie nodded, blushing slightly.
"Eat breakfast yet?"
"Um, kinda..."
"Oh. Well I haven't yet..."
"Oh," Jamie said softly.
"Yeah, I was thinking of going to the diner, and I think that you should come."
"Do... do I have to?" Jamie asked softly.
"Yes."
Jamie nodded slowly. "Okay."
Tank got up and started down the tracks.
Jamie followed him.
Once he reached the diner Tank sat down at the table.
Jamie sat down across from him.
"Go up to the counter and tell them that I'll have my usual." Tank ordered.
Jamie nodded and headed for the counter.
Tank leaned back to wait.
Jamie told the engine at the counter that Tank wanted his usual, then skated back over to the table.
"Wait until it's ready..." Tank murmured.
"But-"
"Order up!" the engine called.
Jamie skated back over to the counter.
The engine set a tray down on the counter for Jamie to take.
Jamie took it and headed back to Tank's table.
"See," Tank said, "Now you had to skate back and forth..."
Jamie didn't answer, setting down the plate and sitting down silently.
"Not hungry?"
Jamie shook his head.
"Then you may as well go, and besides, I think that you're nearly late..."
Jamie shot up and raced out the door to his next run. Darn Tank, making him late!
Tank laughed as he watched Jamie run.
Jamie dashed down the track, looking for his next train.
The freight cars were grumbling as they waited.
Jamie turned the corner and found his train. Lots of boxcars. Great...
"Well it's about time!"
"Sorry," Jamie mumbled, cutting the train in half to take the first cars.
"You're supposed to be responsible for us y'know..."
Jamie nodded. "I know, I know."
"so lets go then!"
Jamie nodded and pushed the first three boxcars, digging his wheels into the track.
They debated loudly about putting on the brakes.
"Don't even think about it!" Jamie hissed. He was having enough trouble as it was.
"Oh no? You were late this morning..."
"I'm sorry... I was busy..."
"Fine. lets just get this over with so we can get our real engine."
Jamie growled softly and gave the cars a hard push.
"oy! watch it!"
Jamie sighed and pushed them, straining to get them to move along.
They reached their spot and then hit the brakes.
Jamie almost tumbled onto the tracks. "Guys..."
"What?"
Jamie sighed. "Nothing." He turned and headed back down the tracks to go get the other half of the train.
These cars weren't waiting as loudly.
Jamie moved behind them and pushed hard.
They rolled down the tracks, slowly, one of the ones in the middle was barely putting his brakes on.
Jamie struggled, then stopped moving. "Okay, who's toying with the brakes?"
They all looked at him innocently.
Jamie sighed and pushed again.
Once again, the middle car gently put on his brakes.
Jamie groaned as the train almost jerked to a stop. "Guys, cut it out. I'm already running late..."
"We know..." he said smugly.
Jamie growled and gave the train a hard push.
The middle car yelped as he was taken by surprise.
Jamie grinned to himself and forced the cars down the track.
They grumbled, but behaved.
Jamie pushed them into place behind the other boxcars and leaned against the guard rail to rest a moment, brushing dust from his hands.
The cars grumbled a bit.
Jamie ignored them, rubbing his sore hands lightly.
The engine that was to take them was waiting, not very patiently.
Jamie looked up at the engine that was waiting. "What?"
"You're late."
"Sorry."
"I'm going to tell Tank..."
"He's the reason I'm late."
"Hmpf," he grabbed the train and rolled away.
Jamie sighed and closed his eyes.
*~*~*~*
Jamie was on his way home after work. Every muscle and gear ached fiercely.
Tank pulled up in front of him.
Jamie screeched to a stop and stared up at Tank.
"Where're you off to?"
"Home," Jamie said softly.
"You finished?"
Jamie nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"No you're not."
"I... I'm not?" Jamie asked softly.
"nope."
"Oh... What do I still have to do?"
"You have to come with me."
Jamie swallowed and nodded. "Okay..."
Tank turned to lead Jamie along the tracks.
Jamie slowly followed, wondering what was up, but knowing it couldn't be good.
Tank reached his house and opened the door, "After you."
Jamie swallowed and slowly moved inside.
The gang was all assembled.
Jamie paused just inside the doorway, not wanting to get any closer to them all.
"Inside," Tank ordered.
Jamie whimpered softly and moved further into the room.
The gang looked up at Jamie but didn't move.
Tank slammed the door behind him.
Jamie flinched and debated turning to run, but he knew he'd run smack into Tank, so he stayed put, not daring to move.
Tank skated around Jamie and sat down in his chair.
Jamie swallowed, feeling very short and small in front of all of the bigger engines. He slowly turned his eyes to Tank. "Why am I here?" he asked softly, his voice barely more than a squeak.
"Because I want to talk to you."
"Oh." Jamie swallowed again, wishing he could run out the door, but he knew if he did, they'd be after him in seconds, and he was definitely the slowest of all of them.
"Yes. You've mostly been doing this already, but I just wanted to make sure you continue."
"Wh... what's that?" Jamie asked softly.
"You doing exactly what I tell you to do."
"Oh." Jamie nodded slowly.
"And you are to continue to do so."
Jamie nodded hastily.
"Otherwise..."
Two of the gang stood up and skated around behind Jamie.
Jamie whimpered and tried to move away from them.
"Understand?"
Jamie nodded quickly. "Yeah."
"Good."
They grabbed his arms and pushed him down to his knees.
Jamie yelped and struggled. "Lemme go!"
Tank stood up and rolled over to Jamie.
Jamie whimpered and cowered.
Tank looked down at the little engine, "From now on you do as I say and you show me some respect."
Jamie swallowed and nodded, tears in his frightened eyes.
"Good boy Jamie," Tank said with a smile, "I knew that you would understand. We shouldn't have any problems then."
Jamie looked away in shame, his face red, his eyes stinging from tears.
Tank turned to go, "Oh, and that goes for them too." He vanished through another door.
Jamie whimpered softly.
The gang members looked at each other and laughed softly.
Jamie struggled a bit in the arms of the two that held him. "Can I go now?" he pleaded softly.
"No, not quite yet..."
Jamie went quiet, forcing back a painful knot in his stomach.
"We're gonna have some fun first..."
"But-" Jamie said quickly.
"Let's go," they jerked him up to his wheels.
Jamie wobbled unsteadily on his wheels, almost falling back into the arms of the ones that held him. "Where... where are we going?" he whimpered.
"Outside to the race track..."
"Why?"
"Because."
Jamie bit his tongue to keep himself quiet.
They reached the tracks and the two holding him let go, setting him in the center.
Jamie tried to move off the track.
"Stay put Jamie."
"But-"
"Stay put or we'll tell Tank!"
Jamie whimpered, but he stayed put.
"Besides, if you move too much we might hit you..."
Jamie screamed. "No! Please!"
"Then don't move!"
Jamie whimpered and squeezed his eyes shut.
They grinned at each other and whizzed down the tracks.
Jamie whined softly, like a puppy caught in a trap, and watched them with wide, scared eyes. They were going to hit him. He knew it.
They shot past him narrowly, just avoiding hitting him.
Jamie yelped and squeezed his eyes shut again.
They turned around for another pass.
Jamie whimpered, just wishing he could be at home and forget this ever happened.
Finally they tired of their game and stopped. They left the tracks without a word.
Jamie glanced around to make sure they weren't staying, then turned and bolted down the tracks, hoping to make it home.
They didn't follow.
Jamie reached his house and bolted inside, slamming the door hard, and leaning against it, sobbing.
"Jamie?"
Jamie looked up at Jan with wide, scared eyes.
"Jamie...what happened?"
Jamie shook his head and moved into her arms, hugging her tightly, sobbing.
She hugged him, very confused.
Jamie held her tightly, sobbing for a very long time, unable to talk.
She just waited.
Finally Jamie looked up at her with teary, blue eyes. "I... I think I need... to... to go to bed..."
She nodded, "Okay honey. You want anything?"
Jamie shook his head and made his way to his bedroom on wobbly legs, dreading getting up for work the next day.
She went into the kitchen and then made him hot chocolate.
Jamie laid down on his bed, shaking like a leaf. He reached for his old puppy, long since lost all its fur, but he still loved it. He held it close to his chest and just stared out at nothing for a while.
Jan knocked on his door.
Jamie looked up. "Come in," he called softly.
She opened the door, balancing the chocolate on a tray.
Jamie curled tighter into a ball.
"I made you some chocolate..."
"Oh. Thank you," Jamie said softly.
She sat the tray down next to him and then sat down on the bed.
Jamie took the hot chocolate, not looking at her.
She rubbed his shoulder.
Jamie slowly drank his chocolate to keep him occupied so he didn't have to talk to her.
"You don't have to tell me..."
Jamie nodded slowly. He wanted to tell her, but he was just too scared.
"It's okay..."
Jamie smiled weakly, grateful she wasn't forcing him to talk.
She rubbed his shoulders.
Jamie finished his chocolate and closed his eyes, feeling drowzy and worn out.
"Go to sleep now..."
Jamie nodded and slowly drifted off to sleep, hugging his puppy tightly.
She watched him for a few minutes.
Jamie slept restlessly all night.
Jan had gone into her parents room, "what do I do?" she asked softly.
********************************
Jamie got up groggy, sore, and ill-tempered the next morning.
Jan had made him pancakes.
Jamie sat down silently at the table.
She wordlessly set a plate down for him.
Jamie looked up at her with sad eyes. "I don't wanna go to work today."
"Are you feeling sick?"
Jamie nodded quickly. If it would get him out of work, he'd say he was dying.
She skated over and put a hand on his forehead.
Jamie swallowed hard, hoping he would have a sore throat, but, despite every other muscle hurting, his throat felt fine.
She sank down and looked at him.
Jamie couldn't meet her eyes.
"Hmm..."
Jamie bit his lip.
"Into bed," she ordered.
Jamie couldn't help but smile as he quickly moved to obey her command.
"Well don't look happy about it!"
Jamie quickly sobered himself and nodded slowly, praying no one would come and drag him out to work.
She watched as he skated back into his room.
Jamie curled up under his blankets.
She closed the window and turned up the heat.
Jamie closed his eyes. Why couldn't he do this all the time?
Jan left and then returned with several hot water bottles.
Jamie peeked one eye open. "What are those for?"
She stuck them under the blankets with him.
Jamie shifted uncomfortably.
"Stay still now..." she said, turning up the heat another notch.
Jamie shifted again. "Warm..."
"I know..."
Jamie looked up at Jan with wide eyes. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I'm trying to raise your temperature..."
"Why?"
"Because you aren't sick..."
"I am too!" Jamie protested.
"Yeah..."
Jamie cuddled his puppy tight.
"So stay put and get warm."
Jamie nodded slowly.
She closed the door as she left.
Jamie curled up under the blankets, closing his eyes.
In the kitchen, Jan picked up the phone and called Tank, calling Jamie in sick.
Jamie sighed softly. Why couldn't he do this every day?
Jan's voice was heard shouting at the phone.
Jamie raised himself up a bit. What was she doing?
Jan slammed the phone down angrily.
Jamie winced at the sharp sound.
She rattled around in the kitchen a bit to make herself feel better.
Jamie curled up into a ball, trying to make himself comfortable on top of all the hot water bottles.
A few minutes later there was a pounding on the door.
Jamie had been dozing and suddenly snapped out of it in fright.
The gang came in and Jan tried to stop them but they reached Jamie's room.
Jamie curled up under the blankets, trying to look sick.
"See," Jan said, "He could barely walk this morning, and I told him that he was staying home. He argued with me, but I won. Are you happy now?"
Jamie hugged his puppy under the blankets.
They growled, "He don't look sick to me."
Jamie went pale, praying they were going to leave him alone, at least for today.
"well he is!"
Jamie swallowed hard, curling into a tight ball under his covers.
One reached out to touch Jamie, who was, (thanks to Jan) very hot to touch.
Jamie flinched and pulled away from the engine's touch.
"He is warm..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Humpf."
Jamie curled tighter.
"Tank told us to bring him and he'd decide if Jamie was sick or not."
Jamie's eyes went wide. "But-"
Jan crossed her arms, "What he doesn't trust my judgement?"
Jamie prayed Jan's trick would work.
They shifted, "Well..."
Jan glared.
"Well you come tell him that then..."
"No!" Jamie protested.
Jan shook her head, "I will come then."
Jamie reached for her hand. "Jan..."
She looked down at her little brother, "You just stay still and concentrate on getting better..."
"Don't go," Jamie pleaded.
"Whyever not?"
"Cause... I don't want you to go to Tank..."
"but why not?"
Jamie sighed. "I just... just don't."
"I'll be fine honey."
Jamie bit his lip, but he slowly nodded.
She rubbed his forehead, "I promise."
Jamie nodded
She turned to the gang members, "Well lets go then!"
They looked at each other thoughtfully.
Jamie whimpered softly.
"Maybe one of us should stay here..." one started.
Jamie's eyes went wide in terror.
The others nodded in agreement.
Jan crossed her arms, "fne, but you wait in the kitchen."
Jamie felt a little relief wash over him.
"But Jan-" She glared deeper and he backed away slowly.
Jamie grinned to himself. He didn't know that Jan could be so fierce.
She chased the gang out of his room.
Jamie watched them go and couldn't help but grin.
Once they were out Jan turned back to him and winked.
Jamie smiled back at her, snuggling down under his blankets. "Jan, be careful."
"I will be," she said with a smile. She closed his door.
Jamie closed his eyes and curled up under the blankets.
*~*~*~*
Tank pulled up to the house with Jan unhappily hitched behind.
Jamie was dozing on his bed, feeling too warm for comfort, but at least knowing that he didn't have to work if he was warm.
In the kitchen, the waiting gang member looked up gleefully as he saw his boss returning.
Jamie sighed softly and cuddled his puppy closer to him, blinking sleepily.
Jan unhitched and ran into the house, into Jamie's room with a glare that dared anyone else to follow her.
Jamie looked up as Jan came back.
"I...I'm sorry..." she started softly.
Jamie's eyes went wide. "What?"
"I tried, but he didn't seem to believe me, something about how he knew what you were doing and it wasn't going to work."
Jamie whimpered. "Is he here?"
"Outside..."
Jamie whimpered and pulled the blankets up to his chin. "No..."
She leaned down and hugged him, "I don't know what it is," she said softly, "but I could come with you to work today..."
Jamie shook his head. "Tank wouldn't let you."
Her eyes narrowed, "I'd like to see him stop me."
Jamie cowered a bit. "Jan, you're a little scary."
She smiled, "That's 'cause nobody messes with my little bro."
Jamie smiled brightly.
"Well I guess that we can stop trying to make you warm..."
"Did he say I HAVE to work?" Jamie whimpered.
"He said that you had to come..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"And I'm coming too."
Jamie shook his head. "No, Jan..."
"But-"
"Jan, please... I don't want you to get in trouble." Jamie's eyes sparkled with tears.
She leaned down and gave him a hug, "I can take care of myself Jamie..."
"I know..."
"Don't worry about me."
Jamie sighed softly and nodded.
"Okay, are you ready now?" she asked gently.
Jamie sighed again and nodded slowly.
She gently pulled the blankets away.
Jamie groaned stiffly. "Too hot..."
"Yeah, I know..." she said, opening a window.
Jamie sighed and set his puppy down. "Is Tank mad?"
"a little I guess..."
Jamie whimpered and pulled the blankets back over his head. "I'm not coming out."
"Oh Jamie..."
Jamie shook his head under the blankets. "No."
She sat down on the bed, "Jamie, honey..."
"No."
"What is taking so long?" Tank called from the hallway.
Jamie whimpered and curled into a ball under the covers.
Jan gently reached down and rubbed his shoulders.
Jamie whimpered. "I won't go..."
Tank opened the door and skated in.
Jan glared at him, "You were not invited in."
Jamie whimpered and curled tighter.
"Remember when I didn't need an invitation?" Tank asked softly.
Jan glared, "That was a long time ago, back when you were sweet!"
Jamie couldn't help but smile.
Tank growled a bit, and
Jan did not back down.
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to move.
"Come on Jamie," Tank said finally, "You've got work to do."
Jamie didn't move.
"Come on Jamie..."
Jamie still didn't move.
"NOW!" Tank roared.
Jamie yelped and dove into Jan's arms, sobbing.
She held him close and glared at Tank.
Jamie held her tightly, sobbing, not daring to look at Tank.
"He can't work today," Jan said, "Look at him."
Jamie clung tighter, sobbing into her shoulder.
Tank shook his head, "He's gotta, come on Jan, you know that he does..."
Jamie sniffed softly. Why was Tank sounding so nice to Jan but so mean to him?
Jan shook her head, no.
Tank growled a bit, "I am in charge here..." he started.
Jamie whimpered and buried his face in Jan's neck.
"Well this is *my* house!"
Jamie nodded slowly.
Tank sighed, "I'm very sorry Jan..."
Jamie looked up at him in surprise.
Tank crossed his arms and backed away as his gang filed into the room. They pulled Jamie out of Jan's arms. Two of them holding his arms. One gently held Jan's couplings.
Jamie screamed and struggled. "Lemme go!"
Tank ignored him and had his gang pull the little engine outside.
Jamie struggled, sobbing softly. "No... Jan..."
Once he was outside Tank nodded and his gang let go of Jan. "My humblest apologies," he said, backing out of the room with a bow.
Jamie slowly went limp in the grips of the two engines that held him.
Tank skated out and regarded Jamie.
Jamie whimpered softly, cowering under Tank's gaze.
"Now," Tank started, "What made you think that you could get away with this?"
Jamie whimpered softly and shook his head.
"Now what do you think is gonna happen?"
"No!" Jamie pleaded, struggling. "Please, Tank, don't..."
"Bring him," Tank snapped to his gang. He turned and skated down the tracks.
Jamie began to cry, not able to find the strength to follow them, so he let them drag and pull him.
The gang pulled Jamie back to Tank's house.
Jamie whimpered softly. "What are you going to do?" he asked Tank softly.
They let him go and shoved him down to the ground.
Jamie hit the track and lay still, hardly daring to move.
"you know what happened this morning?" Tank asked.
Jamie shook his head slowly.
"When you didn't show up for work, I had to rearrange everything to get someone to cover for you, and then cover the routes of the engine covering for you..."
Jamie bit his lip. Tank did not sound at all happy.
"And that led to many mix ups..."
Jamie nodded slowly. He could imagine.
"Needless to say, this has not been a fun morning."
Jamie shook his head. Didn't sound like it.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Jamie whimpered softly. "I... I'm sorry..."
"Yeah you'd better be!"
Jamie whimpered again and cowered against the tracks.
"Well right now it's too late for you to take over your morning runs..."
Jamie nodded a bit.
"but you will be working in the afternoon *and* then tonight to make up for what you missed!"
Jamie's eyes widened, and he sat up quickly. "But-"
"That sounds fair to me..." Tank said.
Jamie whimpered softly and nodded. Night shift... There was no way he'd be able to get up tomorrow morning with less than 2 hours of sleep...
"Good," Tank said.
Jamie blinked back tears and tried to sit up.
"In the mean time..."
Jamie looked up with scared eyes.
"You will stay put."
Jamie's eyes went wide. "What?"
"Down," Tank ordered.
Jamie whimpered and knelt down on the tracks, feeling ridiculous and ashamed.
"Now stay put."
"But-"
"The more you argue the longer you gotta stay down there."
Jamie whimpered and obediently closed his mouth, tears stinging his eyes.
Tank's gang left, going their different ways, back to work.
Jamie looked up at Tank with scared eyes. "When can I get up?" he asked meekly.
"When I let you up."
Jamie whimpered softly, tears starting to fall down his cheeks.
Tank leaned back against the guard rails comfortably.
Jamie looked up at him again. "Wh... what are you doing?"
"Gettin' comfortable."
"Why?"
"Well I figure that there's no reason for *me* to be uncomfortable."
Jamie whimpered and bit his lip hard to keep from sobbing.
"Maybe I'll go get something to read..."
"How long am I gonna be here?" Jamie asked in a panic.
"As long as I feel like it, but don't worry, I'll let you up in time for work..."
Considering that was a few hours away, Jamie didn't feel very comforted.
"I'll be right back, don't move."
Jamie whined softly and nodded.
Tank turned and rolled away.
Jamie waited, feeling lonely and scared. The rough ground dug into his hands and hurt.
He returned a few minutes later with a lawn chair, which he opened and sat down on.
Jamie began to cry softly.
Tank ignored him.
Jamie sniffed softly, rubbing his eyes with one hand.
Tank looked up, and then decided not to say anything.
Jamie was getting more tired and more stiff by the minute.
"okay..." Tank said finally.
Jamie looked up hopefully at him.
"You can get up now..."
Jamie quickly scrambled to his feet, brushing dirt from his hands.
Tank stood up, "Take that..." he ordered, pointing to the chair.
Jamie brushed dirt from his knees and skated over to grab the chair.
"Take it inside..."
Jamie hurried to do as he was told.
Tank crossed his arms and waited.
Jamie put the chair inside.
Tank waited, "Okay...lemee see..."
Jamie skated back out and waited in front of Tank, his eyes on the ground.
"Okay, come with me, we'll see if you can take over working now..."
Jamie whimpered and nodded, slowly following Tank.
"If you can start now then you won't have to work later tonight..."
Jamie perked up a bit. "Okay."
Tank led Jamie along down the tracks.
Jamie slowly followed him.
There was a train of coaches waiting.
"You're in luck..." Tank said, "Looks like you can start working..."
"Okay," Jamie said softly, brushing more dirt off his kneepads.
"Go now then."
Jamie nodded and headed over to the line of coaches.
Tank watched.
Jamie moved in front of the line of coaches and glanced back over his shoulder. "Hitch up, girls."
One of them eyed his hands, "You're dirty..."
"So?"
"so...you're dirty," she said taking his couplings.
Jamie glared slightly. "It doesn't matter." He dug his wheels into the track and pulled.
"I didn't say it mattered, I just said that you were dirty..."
Jamie hissed softly.
"Well you don't have to get upset about it!"
"Well, you don't have to mention it!" Jamie shot back, giving the coaches an extra hard yank.
"Hey!" they yelped.
Jamie glared slightly.
"There a problem here?" Tank asked.
Jamie shook his head.
"That right girls?" Tank asked the coaches.
Jamie glared slightly.
The coaches looked at each other and then turned to Tank.
Jamie held his breath.
"Well it has been a little rough," the lead coach said.
Jamie growled softly under his breath.
"What was that Jamie?" Tank asked.
Jamie sighed and shook his head. "Nothing."
"Didn't think so. Take better care of them."
*Why?* Jamie thought bitterly, but he didn't say so. He just sighed softly.
Tank stepped out of the way so Jamie could go.
Jamie gave the coaches a tug to get them moving.
This time they silently rolled easily along behind him.
Jamie sighed and pulled the train down the tracks sullenly.
****************************
The sun had gone down awhile ago.
Jamie was dead-tired, and everything hurt. He leaned against a guardrail and closed his eyes weakly.
"Jamie." Tank said.
Jamie looked up to see Tank nearby. He moaned softly, pushing himself up using the rail. "What?"
"One more."
Jamie groaned softly and rubbed his eyes. "I thought I finished."
"No."
Jamie sighed. "Where?"
"You should be happy, you're actually going to go on a real run..."
Jamie looked up in shock. "What?"
Tank let him down the tracks where two coaches were waiting.
Jamie sighed softly.
"They know where to go, they'll show you."
"Okay," Jamie said softly, at least grateful that it was the two coaches that didn't want to see him land face-first on the tracks.
"Hi Jamie," the lead coach said.
Jamie smiled at her tiredly. "Hi Mary."
She took his couplings and her sister sleeper, June followed suite.
Jamie gave a soft pull, and they moved out easily.
The coaches quietly rolled along behind him.
Jamie sighed softly, slowing down a little. "Where are we going?" he asked softly, his whole body aching, so he prayed it wasn't far.
"Take the left set of tracks," Mary said.
Jamie nodded slowly and pulled them down the left set of tracks, groaning softly as his wheels protested.
"Are you okay?" Mary asked softly.
"Yeah, I guess... I'm just so tired... I hurt..."
She shifted her weight, trying to make herself lighter.
Jamie felt her shift and smiled softly. "Thanks."
"The first stop is just ahead..."
"Okay," Jamie said softly. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at her.
She smiled back warmly and then her eyes widened, "Jamie, stop!"
Jamie hit the brakes. "Oops."
She smiled, "Tis okay, can you back us up a little?"
Jamie nodded and pushed them slowly in reverse, going slowly so he didn't run them over.
"Stop," June said, "We're set."
Jamie stopped and disconnected them, then turned around to face them, smiling shyly at them.
"Thanks..." Mary said as she was loaded.
Jamie nodded and smiled. "No problem..." He looked down at his skates, then back up at her. "Do you have to go somewhere else?"
"yeah, we have two more stops along this line before we come back here, and then go home..."
Jamie nodded. "Okay." He yawned slowly. He wanted to go home and go to bed, but at least this was easy work.
"We're set," June said.
"Okay." Jamie turned his couplers back to them.
Mary hitched on, "Lets go."
Jamie nodded and took off down the tracks, surprised at how easy it was to do a run.
June whispered softly to Mary, who blushed. June giggled.
Jamie glanced back at them. "What are you two giggling about?"
"Nothing," June said quickly.
Jamie raised a brow, but he continued along the tracks, whistling softly.
Mary smiled in the darkness, "Take the left tracks..."
Jamie nodded and took the left, building up a little bit of speed.
The coaches glided along easily behind him.
Jamie whistled louder and glanced back at them with a smile.
"not too loud," June said, "You'll wake everyone up..."
"Oh. Sorry," Jamie said softly.
"Don't worry about it, just don't whistle so loud..."
Jamie nodded. "Okay."
They continued along the route.
Jamie pulled to a stop at the next station and turned again to smile shyly at Mary.
"Thanks for taking us tonight," she said softly, "You're a lot nicer then some of the other engines."
"I am?" Jamie asked in surprise.
"Yeah you are..." she blushed and turned away.
Jamie smiled, blushing a bit. "Thanks."
"Ahem," June said with a teasing smile at Mary.
Jamie blushed and turned away. "Ready to go?"
"yeah," Mary hitched on, giving his couplings a bit of a squeeze, "We're ready..."
Jamie blushed at the slight squeeze and pulled off down the track.
She was very glad that it was too dark for anyone to see how red she was turning, but behind her, June knew.
At the end of the run, Jamie was sore, but happy. He disconnected them at their station.
"Thanks for the lift," June said turning to go home.
Jamie nodded. "Yeah." He smiled shyly at Mary.
Mary smiled at him.
Jamie moved just a bit closer. "Thanks for being so nice."
"I... no problem."
Jamie smiled. "Well, I have to go..."
"Yeah..." she said softly, not moving.
Jamie gazed into her pretty eyes and smiled shyly. "Bye."
"Good night." She still didn't move.
Jamie thought about turning to go, but it wasn't working. He slowly moved closer to her, his eyes on hers.
She was still.
Jamie took a deep breath and slowly leaned close to her face.
Suddenly she leaned forward...
Their mouths met faster than Jamie had expected them to, and he almost pulled away. Almost.
She closed her eyes and moved into his arms
Jamie's arms slowly went around her, pulling her close, closing his eyes.
Time stopped.
After a moment, Jamie pulled away to breathe, gazing down at her with shy eyes.
She smiled.
Jamie smiled back and slowly let go of her. "I... I need to go..."
"Yeah... good night Jamie."
"Good night, Mary." Jamie backed away and almost bumped into the guard rail. He grinned sheepishly, turned, and skated away, letting out a loud, happy whistle as he went.
She laughed and then went home.
Jamie got home and went right to bed, a big smile on his face.
Jan was worried about her little brother, he had gotten in late last night and now he was expected to work as normal?
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