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Chapter Eleven
Jamie whistled softly as he sped along the tracks towards his first train.
The coaches were waiting.
Jamie sighed and pulled around to the front of the train.
"Oh it's you..." the lead coach said with a bit of a sigh.
Jamie nodded. "Yeah, it's me," he said grudgingly.
"Well lets get on with it then."
Jamie turned so they could couple up.
She grabbed his couplings a bit disdainfully.
Jamie sighed and began to pull the coaches, straining a bit.
One of the rear coaches giggled softly and the others rolled their eyes.
Jamie sighed and gave them a little yank to get them going faster.
The lead coach tutted a bit in disapproval of the rough ride.
Jamie glared back at her.
She batted her eyes at him once, "What?"
Jamie rolled his eyes and went back to pulling.
"Well if you're going to be like that..."
"What?" Jamie asked.
"Never mind," she said with the air of one putting up with something and trying not to show it.
Jamie sighed. Coaches. He would never understand them.
"Could we possibly go faster so that we could be somewhat on time?"
"I'm going fast!" Jamie hissed.
"Of course he is," the lead coach answered.
Jamie growled softly.
"Now now," she said.
Jamie hissed and slammed on his brakes, turning to them angrily.
She involuntarily took a step back.
Jamie grinned to himself. They had never done that before. It felt kind of good.
She sighed, "can we go?"
"Why?"
"Because we're supposed to..."
"So?"
"So that's your *job*..."
"Who cares?"
She looked shocked.
Jamie sighed and turned his back to them to hitch up again.
She took his couplings.
Jamie pulled hard to get them moving again.
The coaches didn't comment.
Jamie pulled them along, sighing to himself.
One of them whispered something to another and she giggled.
Jamie looked back at them. "What?"
"Nothing," they said in unison.
That meant something, but he didn't care. He just growled and went back to pulling.
Now all of the coaches started giggling.
Jamie slammed on his brakes again and turned around. "Will you cut that out?"
The lead coach smiled sweetly at him, "Bad mood today?"
"No."
"Oh. well keep going then."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"Fine. would you please keep going?"
Jamie sighed and let them hitch up again.
"See..." one of the coaches whispered.
Jamie turned around and hissed.
"What's wrong now?"
"What are you saying back there about me?"
"What makes you think that we'd talk about you?"
"I just know."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
"Ah well, if you must know we were talking about how nice it is that you'll keep pulling us along if we ask."
Jamie rolled his eyes. "Sure."
"Well we are..." she paused, "I guess that might not be exactly it."
"Then what is it?"
"Not quite Ask..."
Jamie hissed.
Again, she looked startled. Jamie may not have been much of an engine, but he was still an engine.
Jamie rubbed his eyes and groaned softly.
The coaches looked at each other uncertainly.
Jamie sighed. "Are we ready to go? Quietly?"
"yes and maybe."
Jamie sighed and let them hitch up again
The coaches hitched up.
Jamie pulled them along again.
One of them whispered something, but she quickly stopped.
Jamie glanced back at them.
The whispered averted her eyes.
Jamie smirked and turned back front.
The lead coach's eyes narrowed.
Jamie continued to pull them. He was a little behind schedule.
She softly leaned on her brakes.
Jamie almost stopped. He growled and glanced back.
She blinked innocently, "what?"
"Take off the brakes."
"They are off."
"Don't lean on them."
She eased off, "I'm not."
Jamie sighed and started to pull them again.
Suddenly she bounced a bit.
Jamie almost lost his balance. "Okay, that's it!" He disconnected the train almost violently.
She crossed her arms, still a bit annoyed that he had scared one of her friends.
Jamie glared at them all. "You think this is funny?"
"Not anymore"
"Good, cause it's not!"
"Yeah, thanks to you." she spat.
Jamie hissed. "You think you can do this? You can't." He turned sharply on his wheels and started away.
She glared, "Fine, come on girls."
Jamie skated off, heading for his next train, fuming.
"Lets go find Tank."
Jamie didn't hear them, already too far down the tracks.
The coaches headed down the tracks.
*~*~*~*
Jamie found his next train.
The freight cars were waiting.
Jamie separated his train and started to push them.
"You're not late..." one of them commented.
"So?"
"so... that's a good thing..."
"Yeah, I guess."
The truck nodded, "Calm down."
"I AM calm!" Jamie hissed.
"Sure..."
Jamie growled and shoved the train a little harder than necessary.
"Watch it!"
"Sorry," Jamie mumbled.
the cars nodded and were quiet again.
Jamie pushed the first half of the train down the tracks.
For the most part, they behaved.
Jamie went back for the second train.
The lead car wasn't paying attention.
"Ahem!" Jamie said sharply, pushing them.
The car jumped and rolled along.
Jamie pushed the train along.
The lead car mumbled something.
"What?" Jamie asked.
"I said sorry..."
"Oh."
"Yeah..."
Jamie pushed them silently.
They were nearly there when the lead car suddenly hit his brakes.
Jamie growled. "Now what?"
The freight train wordlessly moved off into the sidings as Tank pulled up.
Jamie gasped and backed away a few steps.
A coach peeked out from behind Tank with a smug look.
Jamie glared at her.
Behind Tank she felt perfectly safe to make faces at him.
Jamie hissed softly.
Tank turned back to the coach behind him, "Now, what did you want to tell me? and why did it have to be here?"
Jamie gasped.
she smiled and leaned closer to Tank.
Jamie turned to run.
Tank looked up, "Where're you going?"
Jamie froze and turned back around.
The coach smiled sweetly at Jamie.
Jamie glared.
She blinked and then glared back. She smiled and turned to Tank, "Well..."
Jamie held his breath.
"This morning..."
Jamie bit his lip.
She paused and smiled at Jamie again.
Jamie's eyes went wide. She was gonna tell...
"We were waiting..." she started again, still eyeing Jamie. She didn't *have* to tell...
Jamie slowly shook his head, his eyes pleading
"Out on the tracks, and we had a little problem," she raised her eyebrows questioningly.
Jamie swallowed hard.
"What?" Tank asked.
Jamie whimpered softly.
Tank turned around, "What's wrong with you?"
Jamie shook his head hastily.
Tank rolled his eyes.
Behind him she gave Jamie a sweet look, Don't have to, she mouthed.
Don't, Jamie mouthed back, his eyes pleading.
If, she mouthed with a smile and then nodded.
Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.
"And we were around here," she continued, "When Lois lost a screw... we looked all over but we couldn't fine it..."
Jamie almost melted with relief.
Tank sighed softly and she batted her eyelashes innocently at him.
Jamie smiled gratefully at her.
Tank turned to Jamie, "help her look."
Jamie nodded quickly. "Okay."
At just that moment the engine pulled up to collect the freight train.
Jamie skirted past him and moved to her side.
She leaned over and eased her skate down onto his.
Jamie looked up at her.
"It must be around here somewhere..." she said out loud.
Jamie nodded, going along with her.
"Perhaps you should look on the ground..."
Jamie nodded again and knelt down on the track.
She stood there and watched, "don't want to get my dress dirty."
Jamie sighed. Coaches.
Tank rolled his eyes and skated away.
Jamie looked up at her after Tank left. "Thanks."
She looked down at him coldly.
Jamie stood up and glared back.
"I didn't do it to be nice."
"Why not?"
"Because, you abandoned your train, and," she gasped, "Just imagine what Tank will do when he finds out."
"But you're not going to tell him."
"I didn't tell him this time, but..."
"But?" Jamie asked softly.
She smiled.
"What? Tell me!" Jamie said.
She gasped, "Are you threatening me now?"
"No!" Jamie said hastily. "No, I'm not!"
She put a hand over her heart, "I can't believe it, first he abandons my train and now he's threatening me..."
"Vanessa, I'm not threatening you!"
"Hmm."
"Please, don't tell Tank!"
Vanessa smiled and pushed back her blonde hair.
"Vanessa, please..."
She just smiled.
Jamie grabbed her hand without thinking. "Please..."
She yanked her hand away from him, "And then he grabbed me..."
"Vanessa!"
"Have a seat Jamie and I'll lay it out for you."
Jamie sighed and rested against the guard rail.
"You see I now have three things over you..."
"What?"
She ticked them off on her perfectly manicured fingers, "Abandoning my train, threatening me, and then grabbing me."
"I didn't threaten you!"
"Well two things then. Who do you think Tank will believe?"
Jamie bit his lip. "Prolly you..."
"My point exactly," she said turning down the tracks.
Jamie leaped up and raced in front of her. "Vanessa, don't tell him!"
"And why not?"
"Just... just cause... Please! I'll do anything!"
She turned around and smiled.
"Please," Jamie pleaded softly.
"So..." she said leaning against the rail, "You will do anything if I don't tell..."
Jamie swallowed and nodded.
"Deal."
"Okay," Jamie said softly.
"Now then," she said thoughtfully.
Jamie waited, scuffing his toe stop into the track.
"I think that having a personal servent for the next few days would be fun..."
"I do have to work, you know," Jamie said softly.
"Oh yes I know, and I wouldn't disrupt that, after all, then someone would probably catch on..."
Jamie nodded.
"But you don't work *all* the time..."
"Well, no..."
She smiled, "Now you will."
Jamie sighed softly.
"What do you have to do yet?"
"One more train before lunch, and two after that..."
"Perfect."
"Why?"
She studied her nails, and then smiled up at him, it was not comforting.
Jamie sighed softly.
"I will expect you to come before lunch..."
But-"
"After you finish your last route of the morning.
"But I have to eat lunch."
"Oh I know," she rolled over to him, "And you will..."
Jamie slowly backed away.
"Until then," she said with a smile.
Jamie swallowed and nodded.
She turned and glided away.
Jamie watched her go, wondering if it would be better just to let her tell Tank.
*~*~*~*
Vanessa was waiting outside her house, waiting for Jamie to come.
Jamie dawdled as much as possible as he made his way to her house.
She still waited.
Jamie found her outside her house.
"Hello."
"Hi," Jamie said softly, his eyes on the ground.
"Now then..." she said skating over and hitching behind.
Jamie groaned softly.
"Diner," she directed.
Jamie sighed and pulled out.
"Oh come on darlin' it won't be that bad..."
Jamie groaned and pulled her along, wishing he was anywhere but here.
She smiled and gave his rings a squeeze.
Jamie swatted her hands lightly. "Don't do that!"
"Aww, why not?"
"Cause I don't like it."
"What this?" she gave them another squeeze.
Jamie slammed on the brakes. "Quit it!"
She smiled, "Diner, else you'll be late."
Jamie growled and set off down the tracks again
She was quiet, hanging on properly now.
Jamie made his way to the diner, hoping no one saw him with Vanessa.
She unhitched and sat down.
Jamie turned to go.
"Oh aren't you going to eat?"
"I usually eat at home."
"oh, but today is special..."
"Not really..."
She smiled it, "I think so..."
Jamie groaned.
"Have a seat."
Jamie sighed and sat down.
"Now see, that wasn't so hard..."
"Speak for yourself," Jamie mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing," Jamie said softly.
"Oh. Good."
Jamie made a face.
"don't do that, you're face will freeze that way..."
"That's just something parents say," Jamie hissed.
"is it?"
"Yeah."
She leaned back, "I think I have something new for you to do..."
"What?"
"No more protesting."
Jamie glared.
She smiled sweetly.
"How about no?"
"hmm?"
"How about no, I don't do that?"
"I suppose that it depends on what "that" is..."
"Don't not protest."
"Ah. No."
Jamie glared.
She smiled at the waiter that had rolled over and placed her order.
Jamie placed his order too, wishing he was home with Jan.
The waiter nodded and skated away.
Jamie sighed and slouched in his seat.
She smiled, "Tell you what, tomorrow I'll let you eat at home."
"Good."
"Oh just relax Jamie."
"Why?"
"Because there isn't much of a point to getting all stressed out."
"So?"
"So just relax..." she leaned over, "If you won't..."
Jamie backed away.
"Then I'll just have to help you..."
"By what?"
She shifted her chair over towards him.
Jamie yelped and scooted away.
"hmm..."
Jamie stated at her.
"perhaps later..."
"How about no?"
She looked thoughtful, "I suppose so."
Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.
"We'll see."
"What?"
She looked up as the waiter brought their food.
Jamie wasn't very hungry.
She ignored him and started eating.
Jamie ignored her and nibbled at his food.
After awhile, she stood up.
Jamie stood up too.
"You are released from service until after you finish work tonight."
"Good."
"I'll see you then," she said with a wink.
Jamie made a face and skated out the door towards his next train.
*~*~*~*
Later that day Tank was on his way down the tracks.
Jamie was in the middle of pushing his last train.
Tank stopped to wait until Jamie was finished.
Jamie pushed the train into place, then turned to head for Vanessa's house.
"Jamie."
Jamie looked up, eyes wide and scared. "What?"
"How's your sister?"
"Oh... She's... doing better..."
"Good. Is she...up?"
"Not that I know of... She was still feeling kinda run down..."
"Oh." he looked a bit disappointed.
"She'll... prolly be up tomorrow, maybe," Jamie said softly.
"Oh. then I'll wait until then."
Jamie nodded. "Okay."
"Night..." he said a bit absently.
"Night," Jamie said softly and headed for Vanessa's house.
She was waiting for him inside.
Jamie moved into her yard and looked around.
"Inside," she called.
Jamie slowly skated inside.
"Right on time..."
"Oh."
She stood up, "come on, lets go..."
"Where are we going?"
"I want to get there before they close..."
"Where?"
"The store of course..."
"Why?"
"I need a new dress."
Jamie groaned.
"And..." she rattled off a longer list as she hitched up.
Jamie sighed and pulled out into the trainyard.
She kept talking outloud to herself all the way there.
Jamie ignored her, making his way to the store.
They arrived and Vanessa smiled in anticipation.
Jamie sighed and moved inside the store.
Keeping at least one hand on his couplings at all times Vanessa led him all over the place.
Jamie followed, usually being dragged sideways by her holding onto him.
She let out a little yelp and dragged him over to a display.
Jamie almost lost his balance. "Watch it!"
She ignored him and pulled something off the rack and tossing it into his arms, where there was already a pile growing.
Jamie sighed and caught the next item, feeling like a clothes rack again.
She pulled him along again.
Jamie almost lost his balance again.
She didn't notice and dragged him around for another few minutes, adding one or two more things to the pile.
Jamie sighed and rested his chin on the pile.
She took inventory of what she had gathered and then nodded.
"Can we go now?" Jamie pleaded.
"come on," she said, leading him on.
Jamie sighed and followed.
She pulled him over to a small room off to the side.
Jamie groaned. "You wouldn't."
"Well I gotta try them on..."
Jamie sighed and closed his eyes.
She smiled, "I won't make you wait in here while I try them on..." She took the top few things off the pile.
Jamie nodded gratefully.
She let go of him and gave him a nudge out the door, "Wait out there."
Jamie moved outside the door to wait, closing his eyes. *Why me?* he thought.
Giggling floated out from the changing room, followed by a soft "no"
Jamie shook his head. Girls.
A few minutes later the door opened and Vanessa skated out in a blue outfit.
Jamie wasn't looking, absorbed in watching the ceiling.
She turned and looked at herself in the mirror.
Jamie sighed softly.
"What do you think?" she asked.
Jamie glanced over at her. "Um..."
She twirled, "I'm not quite sure..."
Jamie sighed. *As if I'm gonna be much help.*
She looked at herself and shook her head, "No..."
Jamie nodded.
She skated back into the room, grabbing a few more things from the pile.
Jamie sighed and studied the ceiling again.
A few minutes later she skated out in a green outfit that was rather revealing.
Jamie looked away quickly.
"What do you think of this one?" she asked.
"Um, I don't really like it," Jamie said softly, not even looking.
"you aren't even looking."
"But I don't like it."
"Oh you know that without looking?"
Jamie nodded.
"How?"
"Well, I saw you come out..."
"Oh, well maybe you need a better look..." she started towards him.
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut.
Vanessa studied him and then laughed.
"What?" Jamie asked softly.
"You're cute."
"What?"
"Such an innocent..." still laughing she skated back into the changing room.
Jamie sighed and opened his eyes again.
She kept him waiting through several more clothes changes.
Jamie sighed and checked his watch. It was getting late, and he was really tired...
She finally emerged in her original outfit.
Jamie glanced over at her. "Can we go now?"
She heaped his arms with a consideribly smaller pile of clothes and then took his couplings.
Jamie sighed. "Are we going home now?"
"We're going to buy this and then yes."
Jamie nodded and pulled her to the checkout counter.
She unhitched to take care of that and then loaded him with two bags.
Jamie sighed and carefully balanced the bags.
"Now take me home."
"Okay, okay..." Jamie pulled her down the tracks.
She smiled and urged him on.
Jamie sighed and pulled her to her house.
She opened the door with one hand.
Jamie struggled a bit. "Um, can I go home now?"
She gave him a bit of a tug inside in answer.
Jamie sighed and followed her inside.
She directed him as to where to put the bags.
Jamie set the bags down and turned to go.
"What's your rush?"
"Uh, I have to work in the morning, and I need some sleep?"
She looked at her clock, "It's not *that* late..."
"But I have to get up..."
"You'll be able to."
"But-"
She skated over to him and took one of his couplings.
Jamie sighed. "Now what?"
She put one of her hands on his shoulders, "You're tense..." she sounded puzzled.
Jamie shrugged her off.
She set both of her hands firmly on his shoulders.
Jamie struggled. "Hey, let go!"
"Relax," she whispered sweetly.
"No!"
She stepped towards him, "Yes..." she purred, "Just relax, I won't hurt you..."
Jamie backed away. "What are you doing?"
She gently pushed him down onto a chair.
Jamie tried to jump back up.
"Now close your eyes..."
"Why?"
"Close them..."
"No."
"I'm trying to get you to calm down alright?"
"I don't need to calm down. I need to go to bed."
She smiled, as if an interesting thought had just occurred.
Jamie cowered a bit. "What?"
"Fine," she said softly.
"What?"
"You're right."
"About what?"
"It is late..."
"Yeah..."
She stood up, "Alright, you are free for the rest of the night."
Jamie leaped up and raced for the door.
"See you tomorrow."
Jamie groaned and opened the door.
She smiled and vanished further into her house.
Jamie raced outside and down the tracks towards his home.
The house was dark.
Jamie opened the door and slipped inside.
Jan was asleep.
Jamie collapsed in bed and was instantly asleep.
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