The Midnight Train Crossing

A few minutes later the doorbell rang.
Ashley sat up with a groan.
Rusty rolled over, and rolled off the couch.
Ashley got up and skated over to the door.
Rusty pushed himself off the ground and back on to the couch as Ashley went to answer the door.
Ashley opened the door.
It was the nearly forgotten pizza.
Ashley smiled sweetly at the delivery train and handed him the money.
The delivery train handed her the pizza, tipped his hat and rolled down the tracks and out of the story.

Ashley watched him go, then skated back inside. "Rusty?"
"Present."
"Pizza's here," Ashley giggled.
"yay."
Ashley smiled at him and skated into the kitchen.
He got up and followed her eagerly.
Ashley set the pizza on the table.
He sat down and opened the box.
"Hey hey." Ashley swatted him with her fingertips. "Don't be a pig. Wait til we're all ready."
"Yes ma'am."
Ashley giggled and handed him a plate.
He set the plate down in front of him, "Now can I eat?"
"I guess."
He grinned, "Thank you."
Ashley smiled back.
Rusty pulled a piece out of the box and set it on his plate very quickly, wincing a bit.
"It's hot," Ashley warned.
"No really?" he asked.
Ashley smiled sweetly at him.
He licked his brunt fingers.
Ashley sat down next to him.

Rusty didn't notice, starting to eat.
Ashley took a piece of pizza and started to eat too.
After polishing off his third piece Rusty stopped for a breath.
Ashley was only on her second piece, eating slowly.
Rusty went for his fourth.
Ashley looked up at him. "Don't choke."
"I won't."
"Want something to drink?"
"sure."
Ashley headed for the fridge.
Rusty continued to eat.
Ashley brought him a glass of water and a juice for herself.
"thanks." he said.
Ashley nodded.
Rusty took a drink and then went back to his pizza.
Ashley watched him in mild amusement.
He looked up at her and swallowed, "What?"
"Nothing."
"why are you looking at me like that?"
"Cause you're funny."
"I thought I was cute."
"That too."
"Well make up your mind..."
"I did. You're both."
"Oh."
Ashley smiled at him.
He went back to eating again.
Ashley nibbled at her pizza.
Rusty finished his last slice and stood up slowly.

Ashley smiled at him. "Done."
"Yes," he agreed.
Ashley smiled. "Did you enjoy it?"
He nodded, "I was hungry."
"Good."
He rolled his neck around stiffly.
"You okay?"
"Yeah..." he started.
"You sure?"
"well... Ashley?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you..." he indicated his neck, "Like my back?"
Ashley smiled. "Sure. Sit."
Rusty sat back down.
Ashley moved behind him. "Lemme wash my hands."
He nodded.
Ashley rinsed her hands in the sink, then headed back over to him.
Rusty waited, closing his eyes.

Ashley leaned down and placed her hands on his neck.
He sat there waiting.
Ashley began to rub his neck gently, her thumbs digging into his tense muscles.
He relaxed under her touch much faster then he had before.
Ashley smiled to herself and rubbed his neck, tilting his head a bit so she could rub it correctly.
"I wonder..." Rusty said softly.
"What?"
"I wonder why I never let you do this before..." he said.
Ashley giggled softly. "Cause you never let me touch you?"
"Hmm." he answered.
Ashley giggled again.
He didn't mind her laughing at him this time, feeling very comfortable.
Ashley dug her fingers in deeper. "Take a deep breath and hold it."
He obeyed.
"This might hurt."
"Why?" he asked, "What're you gonna do?"
"Trust me."
"o...okay..." he held his breath.

Ashley placed her thumbs on his neck and pushed hard. A loud crack resounded in the silent kitchen.
Rusty's eyes went huge for a second.
Ashley rubbed his neck briskly. "There."
"ouch." he said.
"That hurt?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"But you warned me..." he said, "it's okay."
Ashley nodded. "It'll feel really good in a little bit."
"Okay."
Ashley smiled and rubbed his neck again.
Rusty slowly started to relax.
"Feeling any better?"
"Yeah..."
"A lot or just a little?"
"A little..."
"Oh, okay..."
"getting better..."
"Good."
Rusty closed his eyes again, letting Ashley work.

Ashley rubbed his neck easily, her hands slowly snaking around his neck just a little further to caress his throat.
He didn't notice her hands moving, but he discovered that she was right, he wasn't stiff at all anymore.
Ashley's hands slowly moved down his throat to his upper chest.
Rusty still didn't notice.
Ashley began to rub his upper chest, her fingers nimble on his chrome frame.
He moved his head experimentally.
Ashley's hands drifted a bit lower.
He opened his eyes and smiled, then realized what she was doing.
Ashley didn't notice, rubbing his chest with her hands.
He looked down at her hands.
Ashley still rubbed him.

"A-Ashley?"
"Hmm?"
"Th-that isn't my neck..."
"I know."
"Then...?"
"What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Doesn't it feel good?"
"But-"
"What?"
"My neck feels better," he said slowly.
"Good."
"Yeah, thank you."
"You're welcome..."

"Yeah so you can…stop?quot; he said.
"Why should I stop?
"Be...because..."
"Cause why?" Ashley purred in his ear.
He shied away from her.
Ashley held him tight in the chair.
He swallowed.
Ashley's hands traced over his chest again.
"I...I just remembered something."
"What?"
"I just remembered why I never wanted you to give me a massage before..."
Ashley giggled softly.
He struggled slightly.

"Oh, Rusty..."
"What?"
"Rusty, I'm not gonna hurt you."
"I know that."
"Why don't you just relax?"
"Wh-why? What are you gonna do?"
"Nothing bad..."
He tilted his head back to look up at her.
"What?"
"What are you going to do?"
"Just relax," Ashley cooed.
"Why?"
"Cause I said so?"
He shook his head.
"Please?"
"But-"
"What?"
"No..."
"No what?"
"Don't..." he said softly.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to?"
"Why not?"
He sighed softly.

"Rusty, why not?" Ashley asked softly.
"Because this never goes well."
"Rusty..."
"Well it doesn't."
"I know... Rusty..."
"What?"
"I... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but... I just... just want you to relax a bit..."
"I was..."
"I... I'm not gonna go any further, Rusty, I promise..."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay."
Ashley smiled and began to rub his chest again.
He swallowed nervously.
True to her word, Ashley's hands didn't go any lower.
Rusty slowly relaxed.
Ashley smiled, her fingers working up and down.
He closed his eyes.

"Is that okay?"
"Yeah..."
Ashley smiled. "Good."
"I just..." he started.
"Just?"
"I just don't want anything to happen..."
"Like?"
"Anything that wouldn't make us be friends anymore..."
"I can't think of anything that would do that..."
"I can."
"Oh? Like?"
"Like... what happened before..."
"Oh, that..."
"yeah... that."

"Rusty, I... I don't understand how that would break up our friendship."
"I don't either, but it did."
"I would think it would make us closer friends."
"Then why'd I end up locked in the basement?"
"Cause you didn't?"
"And I still wouldn't."
"I... I know..."
"so you'd...get mad at me...again."
Ashley sighed. "Probably..."
"see?"
"Yeah."
Rusty fell silent.

Ashley went silent too, her hands resting lightly on Rusty's chest.
He closed his eyes.
Ashley closed her eyes too, sniffing softly.
He heard her and sighed.
Ashley slowly let go of him and skated out of the kitchen, crying silently.
"Ashley?"
Ashley ignored him, laying face down on the couch.
He followed her, "Aw Ashley, what did I do now?"
Ashley's face was buried in her arms. "Nothing..."
He sank down to the floor next to her, "I'm sure I did something. I always do."
"No you don't," Ashley sniffed.
"Yeah."
Ashley sniffed louder.
"Yes I do," he said firmly.
"Rusty, please..."

"What hasn't been my fault?" he asked.
"Rusty, that wasn't your fault."
"No?"
"No."
"Then what was it?"
"My fault."
"Why?"
"Cause I shouldn't have done that."
"I shouldn't have said all that..."
"You were just saying how you felt."
"Yeah..." he said softly, "I gotta stop doing that..."
"No..."
"It always gets me into trouble."
"Rusty..."
"It does!"
"No..."
"Alright, so it doesn't *always* get me in trouble..." he conceded, "But it sure does it an awful lot!"
Ashley sniffed.
"see, I'm right."
"No... Rusty..."
"What?" he asked dully.
"It was my fault. Please don't blame yourself."
"Then stop crying..."
Ashley sniffed and looked up at Rusty through tear-streaked eyes.
"Please stop crying."
Ashley sniffed and scrubbed at her tears with the back of her hand.
He gazed up at her.
Ashley swallowed hard.
"okay?" he asked softly.
Ashley nodded weakly.
"Good," he smiled.
Ashley smiled a bit.

Rusty grinned and started to stand up.
Ashley curled into a ball.
"hey," he protested softly, "You said that you wouldn't be sad anymore..."
Ashley sighed.
"You did," Rusty said, looking at her with limpid eyes.
"I know..."
He blinked.
Ashley sighed softly and looked over at him.
Rusty sank down to the ground again and rested his head on the couch next to her.
Ashley reached down and brushed her fingertips over his shoulder.
He gazed up at her again.
Ashley sighed softly and curled back into a ball, her back to him.
Rusty sighed as well.
Ashley closed her eyes.

"Are you planning on being sad all night?" he asked.
"I... I don't know."
"Because, if my opinion counts for anything, I don't want you to be."
"I know."
"Does it?"
"Does what?"
"does my opinion count?"
"I guess."
"Oh. I was just wondering, because it often doesn't."
Ashley began to cry again.
Rusty sighed and slumped down, leaning against the couch.
Ashley sobbed into her pillow.
Rusty buried his head in his arms.
Ashley sniffed.
Rusty didn't move.
Ashley whimpered softly, her fingers digging into the pillow.
The steamer still didn't move.
Ashley finally stopped crying, just laying limp.
Rusty stirred into motion finally, slowly getting to his wheels.
Ashley lay still, her face buried in her hands.
Rusty looked at her for a minute.
Ashley lay still.
He sighed and rolled away, just as Buffy came into the house.
Ashley quickly pretended to be asleep.

Buffy sighed, "What have you done to her now?"
Rusty shrugged, "No idea."
Ashley kept her eyes closed.
"Okay," Buffy said, shooing Rusty away,
Ashley's fingers curled into a soft fist of sorrow.
Buffy sat down on the couch next to Ashley.
Ashley shifted a bit.
"You know what?"
Ashley swallowed.
"You're getting all worked up over Rusty."
Tears made Ashley's closed eyelids flutter.
"So..." Buffy trailed off.
Ashley sniffed softly.

"What is the deal?"
Ashley shrugged.
"come on Ashley, you can tell me, I'm your best friend."
Ashley shook her head slowly.
"Do you like him or not?" Buffy asked.
Ashley swallowed hard. "I... I do..."
"As more then a friend?"
Ashley nodded weakly.
Buffy leaned back, "I see."
Ashley curled up tightly.

"Ashley, honey, I don't know what to tell you..."
Ashley sniffed.
"Does he know?"
Ashley nodded.
"And?"
"And... what?"
"And what does he think?"
Ashley sighed. "I make him uncomfortable."
"Really?"
Ashley nodded.
"Oh." Buffy said softly.
Ashley sighed and closed her eyes.
"Do you know why?"
"Cause he doesn't want me to touch him..."
"No, do you know why you make him uncomfortable?"
Ashley shook her head.
"Have you asked him?"
"I... I don't think so..."
"Oh," Buffy said, "Maybe you should..."
Ashley nodded.
Buffy nodded as well.
Ashley sighed softly.

"Did you want me to ask him?"
"No!"
Buffy backed away slightly, "Okay sugar, I won't."
Ashley's eyes stung with tears. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Buffy said.
Ashley sighed softly and curled closer to the pillow.
"well..." Buffy started, "It's probably best to settle this as soon as possible."
Ashley nodded.
Buffy offered her a hand up.
Ashley slowly took it.

"I think that he's in the kitchen..."
Ashley nodded. "I... I can do it by myself..."
"Okay," Buffy said, "I'll be here if you needed me."
Ashley nodded and smiled weakly at her friend. "Thanks."
Buffy smiled back, "What are best friends for right?"
Ashley giggled softly.
Buffy smiled, "go on."

Ashley nodded and skated for the kitchen. "Rusty? Are you in here?"
Rusty was sitting at the table, "Yeah," he started to get up, "did you want something?"
Ashley paused in the doorway. "Can we talk?"
"Yeah, sure."
Ashley nodded, but didn't move from her spot.
Rusty didn't move either, waiting.

Ashley licked her lips and swallowed. "Um, I... I wanted to... to ask..."
"Yeah?"
"Uh... why..." Ashley looked up at him through scared, brown eyes. "Why do I make you uncomfortable?"
Rusty blinked, caught off guard by that question, "what?" he asked, trying to stall.
Ashley's eyes burned. "I... I can't say it again..."
"Oh. Okay. Well... It's just that.... I guess it's because..."
Ashley waited, twisting the hem of her skirt between her fingers nervously.

"Okay," Rusty said softly, "sit down."
Ashley slowly skated over to the table and sat down.
"Remember this?" he asked, pointing to one of his healing bruises that he had gotten, courtesy of Greaseball.
Ashley nodded slowly.
"He's always done that," Rusty said.
"He has?"
"Pretty much."
"Oh."
"And when we went to see Bobo?"
Ashley nodded.
"How I ended up in your room?"
Ashley nodded again.
"Because if I hadn't run, I probably would've been pounded in to the rails..."
Ashley reached over and gently squeezed his hand.
He smiled at her, and squeezed it back.
Ashley smiled, not expecting him to let her do that.
"So anyway..." Rusty continued, "You have an engine."
Ashley nodded.
"And... Ashley, what would happen if he saw me with you?"
Ashley bit her lip.
"Well?"
Ashley sighed softly. "I guess... he'd be kinda upset..."
Rusty nodded, "Kinda?"
Ashley swallowed. "Upset like I was when I thought he didn't want me."
Rusty nodded.
Ashley sniffed softly.

"Ashley, I..." Rusty started.
Ashley looked up.
"I do... like you."
"You do?"
He looked down, "...yes."
"Oh."
Rusty studied his hands.
Ashley toyed with the hem of her skirt again.
"but I can't."
"Why?"
"Because you have an engine!"
Ashley turned bright red and buried her face in her hands.
"Who would kill me before he'd be willing to lose you."
Ashley nodded slowly.
"So, I can't..."

"But why do I make you uncomfortable?" Ashley prodded.
"Because I like you and I can't."
"If... If I was free, you'd let me touch you?" Ashley asked confusedly.
"I guess."
"But you told me you'd never be comfortable with someone touching you like that..."
"I'm not sure."
"You're not?"
"No, I'm not. Ashley, I..."
"Yes?"
"I just don't know. But anytime you try, I always think that you have an engine already."
Ashley sighed softly.
"And it isn't really fair..."
"What?"
"I mean, you were so upset when you thought that Bobo was with somebody else..."
Ashley nodded.'
"So it wouldn't be fair on him if you were with somebody else."
Ashley sighed softly.
"I guess that's why." he said.
"That's why I make you uncomfortable."
"Yeah."
Ashley's head bowed til her chin rested on her chest.

"Are you gonna cry again?"
"No..."
"Good," he gave her hand a squeeze.
Ashley squeezed his hand back. "It... it's just so hard..."
"Ashley? Can I ask you something?"
Ashley nodded.

"When did you... I mean... when did this...start?"
"When did what start?"
"when did you start...liking me?"
Ashley bit her lip. "Well..."
He waited.
"I... I guess it was this week... I don't know exactly..."
"Oh."
Ashley looked up at him. "At first, I didn't like you... I just won you... But... I started to see who you really were, what you were like."
"Oh," he said again, "Because..."
Ashley waited.
"it didn't seem like it."
Ashley blushed. "I... I know I was mean to you, Rusty, and... and I'm sorry."
"...yeah..." he said softly.
Ashley blinked back tears.
Rusty didn't look up at her.
Ashley curled into a ball on the chair.

"I used to think that you were... well that you didn't like me... and you just like causing me trouble."
"I guess I don't show affection well."
"And then later... I wasn't sure if you liked me, or if you liked making me uncomfortable."
Ashley's eyes brimmed with tears. "I... I liked you, Rusty. I wanted you to squirm, but not in that way... I wasn't trying to make you feel bad."
"yeah..." Rusty said softly.
"You do believe me, don't you?"
"Actually, I do."
Ashley smiled weakly.
He smiled back.
Ashley sighed softly.

"You know what I really like?" Rusty asked.
"What?"
"being friends."
Ashley smiled softly. "Me too..."
"I think I like that better..." he said.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
"Oh..."

"so," Rusty said, looking up at her.
Ashley looked up at him.
"Let's plan this out then," Rusty said.
"Plan what out?"
"what we're going to do."
"Do?"
Rusty nodded.
Ashley nodded too. "Okay..."
"We both agree that we want to be friends right?"
Ashley nodded.
"So, we stay friends," Rusty held out his hand, "deal?"
Ashley nodded and took his hand. "Deal."
Rusty grinned as he shook her hand.
Ashley smiled back, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"And," Rusty continued.
Ashley waited.
"This will last longer then my term here right?"
Ashley nodded. "Yeah."
"Good," Rusty said, pulling his hand back.
Ashley released his hand and gazed at him.

"about that..." Rusty started.
"About what?"
"My...time here."
Ashley bit her lip. "I think it's over..."
"Yeah... but..."
"But?"
"Who knows that?"
"Well, me. You. Buffy."
"yeah," he agreed, "so..."
"Poppa," Ashley added almost as an afterthought.
"Oh," Rusty said softly, "well..."
"What? Tell me."

"Can't I stay longer?"
Ashley blinked. "What?"
"I want to stay longer."
"Rusty, you can't..."
"But..."
"Rusty, the deal's over... You have work you need to do..."
"but I don't want to."
"But it's your job."
"But Ashley, he'll kill me!"
"Who?"
"Greaseball."
"Why would he kill you?"
"I don't know."
"Rusty, you'll be fine."
"No I won't... he tried once already..."
"Rusty..."
"What?"
"Rusty, Greaseball's not gonna hurt you..."
"Yeah right."
"He won't."
"He will!"
"Rusty! He needs you to work!"

"No," Rusty said softly, "he wants...he...he wants..."
"Wants?"
Rusty closed his eyes tightly.
"Rusty?"
He shook his head.
"Rusty, what's wrong?" Ashley leaned closer.
He shifted and then suddenly burst into silent tears.
Ashley's eyes widened. "Rusty-"
He moved over into her arms.
Ashley gasped silently, but her arms went around Rusty in a motherly hug.
"He...he s-said that he... he was gonna... l-let his friends..." Rusty gasped out.
"Shh." Ashley pressed his cheek to her chest, stroking the back of his soft hair with a hand.
Rusty closed his eyes and shivered slightly, "I don't want them to."
"Of course you don't..."
He cuddled up against her.
Ashley held him tight, stroking the back of his head lightly. "Shh now."
Rusty slowly stopped crying.
Ashley rocked him back and forth gently.

"What'm I gonna do?" he whispered.
Ashley gazed at the opposite wall, her hand cradling his head to her cheek. "I... I don't know..."
"I don't either."
Ashley stroked his head. "Should we ask Buffy?"
"I guess. I mean... I know what I should do. But I can't."
"What should you do?"
"Act like he wants me to."
"What's that?"
"Like... like he's better then I am."
Ashley rocked him slowly. "But he's not."
"No. He isn't. But he thinks he is."
Ashley nodded.
"He'd like me to do whatever he tells me to, without arguing... and to act... I don't know..."
"Rusty..."
He cuddled closer to her.
Ashley held him tight, cooing softly in his ear.
"I can't do that."
"I don't want you to do that."
"But I don't want to be turned into scrap either."
"I don't want that either..."
"So what do I do?"
Ashley sighed. "I... I dunno..."
"I know."
Ashley stroked his hair again.
"I could stay here."
"Rusty..."
"I know, I know, I can't."
Ashley nodded.
Rusty sighed softly.

Ashley looked down into his eyes. "What can we do?"
"I dunno," Rusty said.
"Me either."
He sighed, "I guess...I just enjoy the time I've got left."
"Rusty, you say that like you're gonna die!"
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Ashley held him tightly
"I meant, that I should enjoy not having to listen to him..."
Ashley smiled weakly.
"Thanks..."
"For what?"
"for being nice...for being my friend."
Ashley smiled at him.
He smiled back and closed his eyes.
Ashley held him tight, resting her chin on his head.
Rusty relaxed in her arms.
Ashley smiled and stroked his shoulders gently.
He took a deep breath.

Ashley hugged him tightly. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"No, but I'm better then I was before."
"Good."
Rusty slowly pulled out of her arms.
Ashley let him go.
"I-"
Ashley stayed quiet.
"Thanks."
Ashley smiled at him.
He smiled back shyly.
Ashley squeezed his hand.
He squeezed her hand back and then let go.
Ashley let him go.
"well..."
"Yes?"
"Now what?"
"I don't know."

"Oh, because," he blinked and looked up at her with limpid eyes, "I never got any ice cream."
Ashley burst into giggles.
He smiled.
"Well, let's go get Buffy and go for ice cream."
Rusty grinned and stood up.
Ashley grabbed his couplers and gave him a soft squeeze.
Rusty pulled her out into the living room in search of Buffy.
"Buffy?" Ashley called out.
Buffy rolled out from her room, "yeah?"
"Wanna go for ice cream?"
"sure," Buffy said, rolling over to hitch behind Ashley.
Ashley smiled back at her, then gave Rusty a nudge.
"All set?" Rusty asked.
"Yes."

Rusty pulled out, pulling the two coaches out of the house and down the tracks.
Ashley giggled as the wind whistled by them.
Rusty picked up speed as he headed for the ice cream parlor.
Ashley held on tight.
Rusty whistled at the crossing and continued on, to pull up gracefully at the ice cream parlor.
Ashley gave him a squeeze, then let go of him.
He opened the door and held it for the coaches.
Ashley slid inside.
Buffy followed, "Thanks Rusty." Rusty followed behind the two of them.
Ashley moved so she was between Rusty and Buffy.
Rusty didn't really notice, looking up at the menu.
Ashley looked up too.
"so who's ordering?" Buffy asked.
"Me, I guess."
Buffy nodded and told Ashley what she wanted.
Ashley nodded. "What do you want, Rusty?"
Rusty looked thoughtful for another few seconds and then placed his order.
Ashley nodded and skated over to the counter to deliver the orders.
Rusty and Buffy went off to find a table.

Ashley skated back to them in a few minutes laden with ice cream.
Buffy stood up to help Ashley sort out the orders.
Ashley set down Rusty's ice cream with a smile.
"Thanks."
Ashley nodded and smiled sweetly at him. "Of course."
"Yeah.." Rusty said, picking up his spoon.
Ashley sat down next to him.

Dustin was sitting by himself, building a little wall out of stones, and rather enjoying being by himself.
Flat Top skated over to him and sat down at the table. "Whatcha doin'?"
"nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Yup."
"Then what's this?"
"what's what?"
"This." Flat Top pointed to the tiny stone wall.
"Oh. Nothing really, I was just playing..."
"Oh."
Dustin went back to building.
"Am I being ignored?"
"No."
"I'm not?"
"nope."
"I feel like it."
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Oh."
"Yeah," Dustin eyed a rock that looked like it would fit.

Flat Top sighed. "I'm bored."
"I'm sorry," Dustin said again.
"Why?"
"That you're bored..."
"Why are you sorry?"
Dustin shrugged, "What else am I supposed to say?
"I dunno."
"I don't either."
Flat Top went silent.
Dustin went back to building.
Flat Top checked his watch.

"You're telling me that you can't think of anything to do?" Dustin asked.
"Not really." Flat Top's eye caught something across the room. "Looks like Rusty's still Ashley's little servant..."
Dustin didn't answer.
Flat Top snorted. "Of all the stupid things for him to do..."
Dustin returned his attention to his little wall.
"Dustin, are you paying any attention?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because," Dustin said shortly.
"Why not?" Flat Top persisted.
Dustin looked up, "Flat Top, if I could answer no when you asked if I was paying attention, wouldn't that mean I was paying attention?"
Flat Top rolled his eyes.
Dustin sighed softly.
"What?"
"nothing. Never mind."
"Okay."
"Hand me that stone there please," Dustin said, pointing to a stone near Flat Top's hand.
Flat Top sighed and pushed it across the table to him.
"Thanks," Dustin set it into place.

"Dustin, this is just about as interesting as when you made that fort out of coffee straws."
Dustin shrugged.
"Come on, I'm bored."
"Then find something to do..."
"There's nothing to do in an ice cream parlor."
"Oh," Dustin shrugged, "There's always ice cream..."
"Had some already."
"Then if there's nothing to do here..." Dustin trailed off.
"Then?"
"Go somewhere else..."
"Why?"
"Well if you want something to do, and there's nothing to do here..."
"Why should I leave? You're here."
"Well where do you want to go?"
Flat Top shrugged.
"Oh," Dustin looked over at the other table for a second and then started gathering up his rocks.
"Where are you going?"
"Well you wanted to go somewhere else..."
"Yeah..."
"So we'll go somewhere else."
"Like?"
Dustin shrugged, giving the table across the room another glance as he demolished his wall.

Flat Top followed his glance. "Sheesh, he looks so dumb."
"He looks like he's fine to me," Dustin said.
"Dustin, you heard how stupid he was."
Dustin shrugged.
"What?"
"What what?"
"What did you shrug for?"
"Because... I didn't have anything else to say."
"Oh."
Dustin swept the rest of his rocks into a pile.
"But still, he was stupid to make a deal with Ashley."
"I dunno..." Dustin said softly.
"Well, he was. How dumb do you have to be to do something ridiculous like that?"
"He got a week off..."
"From pulling trains, yeah..."
"Yeah, from..." Dustin stopped.
"What?"
"Never mind," Dustin said.
"No, tell me."
"He got a week off from you, alright?"
Flat Top glared. "I'm hurt."
"You asked," Dustin said.
"Well, you didn't have to say that."
"I'm sorry," Dustin said.
"I thought we were friends."
"We are."
"Then why'd you say that?"
"Because you and Rusty aren't."
"So?"
"So what?"
"So why did you say that?"
"Because maybe it's true." Dustin sighed, he'd been getting quite sick of hearing Flat Top and Caboose talk about Rusty this week.
"So he got a week off from me. He got a week off from you too..."
"Yeah..."
"So..."
"So what?"
"Never mind," Flat Top growled.
"So lets go," Dustin said.
"Where?"
"out."
"Yeah, out where?"
"I dunno, just out. Find something to do. Like you said, there's nothing to do here."
Flat Top sighed.
Dustin moved over to the door and waited for Flat Top.
Flat Top followed, smirking at Rusty.

Rusty had been ignoring the freight cars through all of this. Dustin skated outside.
Flat Top followed him out.
Dustin waited for Flat Top to hitch up.
Flat Top hitched onto Dustin.
Dustin pulled out without a word.
Flat Top followed. "Where we going?"
"Freight yard."
"Oh."
Dustin moved along in silence.

"Hey, Dustin!" came a voice nearby.
"Hi." Dustin said.
"Hi. Hey, can I get a lift?" Caboose asked, skating over to the pair.
"Suppose so. If you keep off the brakes," Dustin said.
"Of course!" Caboose obliged.
Dustin nodded.
Caboose hitched onto Flat Top.
Dustin moved out again, giving the two cars behind him a tug to get them moving.
They followed behind.
Dustin gave another tug towards the freight yard.

"Rusty'll be coming off his punishment soon," Caboose remarked.
Dustin didn't say anything.
"I'm sure he'll be happy to get away."
"Nah, he prolly enjoys hanging around Ashley and Buffy all the time," Flat Top commented.
"Probably," Dustin agreed.
"Knowing Ashley, she made it worth his time."
Dustin looked puzzled.
Caboose laughed softly. "Probably."
"But Rusty's such a baby..."
Dustin gave them another tug, a bit harder then he needed to.
"Careful!" both of them hissed at the same time.
"sorry," Dustin said.
The two nodded and went back to conversing.
Dustin tried very hard to block out their voices.

"He probably had the time of his life," Caboose teased. Flat Top snorted in laughter.
*Probably* Dustin thought, *Away from you two*
"Maybe we should ask Buffy for all the details."
Dustin sighed softly.
Flat Top nodded. "I'd love to hear what a fool he was."
"I don't," Dustin said softly.
"Wasn't talking to you," Caboose told him.

Dustin came to a stop.
Flat Top looked around. "We're not there yet..."
Dustin reached back and unhitched Flat Top.
"Hey!"
Dustin took a few steps forward alone.
"Dustin!" Flat Top gave Caboose a yank to chase after his friend.
Dustin went faster.
Flat Top chased after him. "Dustin, cut it out!"
Dustin ignored him.
"Dustin!"
Dustin went faster.
Flat Top finally stopped. "What's wrong with him?"
Dustin brushed his eyes as he walked away.
Flat Top groaned.
Dustin reached the freight yard and stopped, having no where else to go.
Flat Top and Caboose followed at a much slower pace, moving from discussing Rusty to Dustin.
Dustin didn't look up.
They made their way to the freight yard.

Dustin skipped a stone across the rails with a satisfying clang.
Both of them flinched. "Dustin?" Flat Top asked.
"...what?" he asked flatly.
"What's wrong?"
Dustin sighed.
"Tell me."
"You two."
"What about us?" Caboose demanded.
"What you're talking about..."
"What, about Rusty?"
"Yeah..."
"What about him?"
"I wish you wouldn't talk about him like that around me."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like it."
Flat Top snorted. "Oh, come on, Dustin, we're not bothering him any."
"Yeah, but it's bothering me, just like it would bother me if somebody else was talking about you."
Flat Top rolled his eyes.
"Flat Top, you're my friend, but so is Rusty..."
"Yeah."
"Exactly."
Flat Top groaned.
"What?"
"Nothing, never mind..."

Dustin studied Flat Top for a minute, and then tossed another stone.
The two trains flinched. "Dustin..."
"What?"
"Will you quit that?"
"Why?" he tossed another one.
"Cause it's loud."
"I like it loud."
"Why?"
"Because it makes me feel better," Dustin answered.
"About what?"
"All of this," he said, *CLANG*
"Dustin!"
"Yes?"
"Stop that!"
"Fine."
"Thank you!"
Dustin stood up.
"Where you going?"
"it's time to go to work."
"Oh."
Dustin walked down the rails.
Caboose and Flat Top chased after him.

He didn't stop until he reached the station.
The two followed behind him.
He stopped and hitched up to their substitute engine.
Flat Top and Caboose hitched up unwillingly.
They went through the run in silence.
Caboose and Flat Top were strangely silent all the way.

Rusty stood up to throw the empty ice cream dishes away.
Ashley handed him her spoon with a sweet smile.
Rusty smiled back and went over to toss the dishes.
Ashley watched him, then turned to Buffy and smiled. "Nice to see him cheerful again."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed, "He's actually pretty sweet when he's not upset about something."
Ashley nodded slowly.
"I'll miss having him around all the time," Buffy said.
"Me too."
"I wonder if we could talk to Poppa about having him pull us more often..."
"He probably would."
"Proabably would what?" Rusty asked, coming back to the table.
Ashley looked up at him and shook her head. "Nothing, Rusty-kins," she teased.
"Rusty-kins?" he asked.
Ashley giggled.
"that's a new one," he said.
Ashley nodded. "Yup."
"don't call me that around anyone else please," Rusty said.
"Of course not! I don't want you scrap metalled!"
Rusty smiled, "Thanks. It's nice that there's somebody else that doesn't want that too."
Ashley smiled sweetly.
Rusty turned so she could hitch up.
Ashley grabbed him, wiping the last of her sticky fingers on her skirt.
Buffy hitched up behind Ashley.
Ashley smiled at Rusty. "Okay."

Rusty moved out, whistling as he moved down the tracks.
Ashley gave his couplers a squeeze.
He blushed slightly.
Ashley smiled at him.
Rusty picked up speed slightly.
Ashley held tighter.
He took a short cut back to Ashley's house, so as to avoid running into other trains.
Ashley giggled as they pulled to a stop.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"What's so funny?" he asked again.
"Nothing!"
"Alright..." he didn't sound like he believed her
Ashley smiled sweetly.

He opened the door, "After you."
Ashley grinned. "Thank you." She headed inside.
"Thank you darlin'" Buffy said, giving Rusty a kiss on the cheek as she passed him.
Ashley giggled. "Buffy!"
"What?" Buffy asked innocently.
Ashley smacked Buffy's arm lightly. "Behave!"
"What did I do?" Buffy asked with a sparkle in his eyes.
"You are kissing MY boy!" Ashley teased, putting on a pouty lip.
"Aww," Buffy pulled Rusty into the house, "I'm sorry."
Ashley giggled and closed the door.
"aw, you've had him long enough," Buffy teased.
Ashley pouted.
Buffy pouted back.
Ashley grabbed one of Rusty's arms. "Mine!"

"Excuse me," Rusty said, "Time out."
"Yes?" Ashley asked sweetly, smiling up at him and batting her eyelashes slightly.
"Are you two fighting over me?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Okay, just checking," he said.
Ashley giggled.
Buffy took Rusty's other arm.
"Mine!" Ashley yelped.
"aww, can't we share?" Buffy asked.
"Nope."
"Fine," Buffy hugged Rusty's arm.
Ashley hugged his other arm.
"C'mon Rusty," Buffy gave him a tug towards the living room.
Ashley followed.
Rusty, seeing as how he was being held by both coaches followed along.
Ashley followed Buffy to the living room.
Buffy clung to Rusty tightly.
Ashley clung tighter still, pushing Rusty onto the couch so all three of them tumbled onto it together.
Rusty yelped as somehow he managed to end up on the bottom of the pile.
Ashley giggled and sat on his legs. "We got him."
"Do we get to share him now?" Buffy asked.
"Maybe..."
Buffy grinned and shifted so she was helping Ashley pin the engine to the couch.

"Think Rusty's still ticklish?"
"No!" he protested.
Ashley giggled. "Poor Wusty."
"No tickling!" he protested.
"Only if you beg."
"Please don't tickle me!"
"Why not?" Ashley's fingertips rested on his chest, waiting for an answer.
"Because?" he tried.
"Nope." Ashley began to tickle him, her fingers dancing over his chest.
He struggled not to laugh.
"Come on," Ashley prompted, trying to get him to laugh.
"Stop," he pleaded, his voice sounding rather strangled.
"Nope." Ashley tickled his armpits.
Rusty brust out laughing.
"There we go."
"Aw come on," he panted out, "You promised!"
"No I didn't!"
"Yes you did!"
"No..."
Rusty laughed helplessly.
Ashley tickled the bottom of his skates.
"S-stop! Buffy help!"
"No..."
"Sure I'll help," Buffy said with a grin.
Ashley giggled.
Rusty groaned, but it came out as a laugh as he now had two coaches tickling him.
Ashley smirked.
Rusty went limp under the two of them, though he continued to laugh.
Ashley's face was bright, her eyes gleaming. "Take that!"

"I give up! I give up!" Rusty yelped.
"Do you?"
"Yes!"
"Too bad."
"Ashley, Buffy, come on!" he protested, struggling again.
"No..."
"Why not?"
"Cause I said no."
"B-but..."
Ashley giggled. "No..."
He closed his eyes and went limp again.
"Rusty?" Ashley gave him a shake.
"Stop..." he pleaded softly.
"Stop what?"
"Stop tickling me!" he said, "Please!"
"Why?"
"Cuz I'm getting tired..."
"Oh?"
He nodded.
"That's too bad."

He opened his eyes and looked at her wide-eyed.
Ashley smiled sweetly.
He attempted to back away from her.
"What?"
"Hold up Ashley," Buffy said, releasing her hold on Rusty, "I think something's wrong..."
Ashley paused her tickling.
Rusty swallowed and looked up at her.
Ashley slowly backed away. "Rusty?"
He sat up.

"Are you okay?"
He shook his head.
"Rusty?"
"Y...you sounded like..." he started softly.
"Sounded like what?"
"N-not what... who."
Ashley leaned closer. "Who?"
"G-Greaseball."
"Oh, Rusty!" Ashley's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry!"
Rusty blinked, "I...I know you weren't... but... you sounded like..."
Ashley reached out and hugged him tight.
He hugged her back. "I'm sorry," Buffy said softly, rubbing hs shoulders gently.
Ashley stroked his head gently.
He closed his eyes and leaned against her.
Ashley hugged him to her chest.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I'm trying not to think about him..."
"I know."
"I didn't mean to..."
"I know. I'm sorry."
He nodded.
Ashley hugged him close. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"No. But I will be."
"Good."
Rusty pulled away from her.
Ashley gazed at him. "I'm sorry."
"I know. I know you weren't gonna hurt me."
Ashley shook her head.
He gave her a small smile and pushed his hair out of his eyes.
Ashley touched his cheek gently.
He set his hand on hers.

"Do you need to go home?"
He shook his head.
"You sure?"
He nodded.
"Okay."
Rusty smiled at her.
Ashley smiled back.
"I'm going to stay," he said, patting her hand gently.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
Rusty smiled.
Ashley smiled back.

"But I still don't like being tickled..."
"I know." Ashley giggled.
He looked at her with limpid eyes, "It tickles."
"Wow, you're intelligent," Ashley teased.
He pouted, "well it does..."
"I know."
He stuck his tounge out.
Ashley giggled. "Very mature."
He shook his head, "I can do better..."
Ashley giggled.
Rusty proceed to make a series of very strange faces at Ashley.
"Ooh," Ashley taunted.
"See, I can be even mature-er," Rusty teased back.
"Of course."
He laughed.
Ashley grinned back at him.

Rusty leaned back against the couch.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, but tired."
"Want to take a nap?"
"I guess."
"Okay."
Rusty leaned back and closed his eyes.
Ashley glanced at Buffy.
Buffy shifted so that Rusty would have room to lay down.
"Should we go?"
He shrugged as he lay down.
"We can if you want to sleep."
He shrugged again and closed his eyes. Buffy started to skate away.
Ashley followed Buffy.
"G'night," Rusty said softly.
"Night."
Rusty dozed.

Ashley headed for her room.
"Poor Rusty," Buffy said softly.
Ashley nodded. "I hope he'll be okay..."
"He's had a long day..."
"Yeah.:
"I'm sorta worried about him," Buffy said, "I mean, after he leaves us."
Ashley nodded. "Me too."
Buffy glanced over at the steamer who was now sleeping peacefully.
Ashley smiled softly. "He looks so happy right now."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed.
"Wonder if he's dreaming."
Buffy shrugged, "Well I hope it's a happy dream."
"Me too. He deserves it after all he's been through."
Buffy nodded.
"Do... do you think we should let him stay?"
"Well..." Buffy looked thoughtful, "Can we?"
"I... I suppose... I don't know if Poppa would let us..."
"Yeah..." Buffy considered, "I wonder if... maybe we could talk to Poppa about switching Rusty's routes..."
"To ones that Greaseball doesn't control?"
"Yeah, or ones where one of us are there..."
Ashley nodded.
Buffy sighed, "well we can try... I'd say that we could talk to Greaseball but that probably wouldn't help things much."
Ashley shook her head.
"He'd just tease Rusty more..."
"Yeah, he would..."
Buffy sighed, "Well... I don't know."
"Me either."
Rusty slept all evening.
Ashley dozed in her room.

Buffy rolled out around dinner time and considered waking Rusty.
Ashley got up and headed for the kitchen, stretching lazily.
"I dunno if we should wake him," Buffy said thoughtfully.
"Let him sleep. He'll probably wake up soon."
Buffy nodded, "Well I've got dinner ready so..."
Ashley glanced back at Rusty. "We'll warm it back up for him. He needs sleep."
Buffy nodded and went back to setting the table.
Ashley moved to help.
Buffy set dinner on the table and then sat down.
Ashley sat next to her.

A few minutes into dinner, Rusty sleepily came rolling in.
Ashley giggled. "Morning, sleepyhead."
He yawned in response.
Ashley giggled and nudged a chair out with her toe. "Come eat dinner."
Rusty sat down obediently, attempting to wake up.
"Want some water to drink?"
"mmhm," he answered.
Ashley got up to get him some water.
Buffy set food on his plate and set it down in front of him.
Ashley set the water down too and sat back down
Rusty blinked and rubbed his eyes.
"You gonna be able to stay awake?"
"For dinner yeah," he said.
"Good."
He blinked again and started eating.
Ashley went back to her dinner.
Rusty started to eat.
All was quiet at the table for a while.
Rusty somehow managed to stay awake for dinner.
Ashley nibbled at her dinner, not really hungry.

"Rusty honey, after this I think you'd better go back to bed," Buffy advised.
"And get some much-needed sleep," Ashley added.
He nodded, too sleepy to argue, and besides, he agreed with them.
Ashley finished her dinner and sat quietly.
Rusty finished eating and let out a huge yawn, then blushed, "Sorry..."
"It's okay..."
Buffy swept his plate away from him, "Back to sleep," she ordered gently.
Ashley stood up to help Rusty to his feet.
"I can help-" he started to say.
"No. You sleep."
He nodded, "Okay."
Ashley smiled. "You need it."
He rolled back into the living room.
Ashley followed him. "Need anything else? Blanket? Pillow?"
"Got it," he said, showing her.
"Okay."
Rusty lay down on the couch.
Ashley smiled. "Comfy?"
He nodded and shifted sightly, pulling the blanket up.
Ashley adjusted it, then kissed his forehead. "Sleep well."
He smiled and pulled it closer.

Ashley smiled, then turned and skated for the kitchen.
"He settled?" Buffy asked.
Ashley nodded. "Yeah."
"good," Buffy handed Ashley a dish towel.
Ashley took it with a pout and swatted at Buffy's butt with it.
Buffy giggled.
Ashley giggled back.
Buffy started washing up the plates.
Ashley grabbed them and dried them, setting them on the counter. "I hate dishes," she whined.
"Ah, you'd rather eat off the table then?"
Ashley rolled her eyes.
Buffy smiled sweetly at her.
Ashley sighed and set a dish down with more noise than necessary.
"Hey Shh," Buffy pointed to the living room.
Ashley ducked her head. "Oops."

The clock in the kitchen clicked to One in the silent house.
Ashley was sound asleep.
Rusty was in the midst of a very powerful nightmare. With great effort he woke himself up and sat up panting, staring wide-eyed into the darkness. He shook his head trying to dispell the last remains of the dream.
Ashley rolled over and mumbled something in her sleep.
Rusty leaned back and closed his eyes but it was no use, he couldn't sleep. The dream would come back, he knew that it would.
Ashley slept on.

Without really thinking, the half-asleep Rusty gathered the pillow and blanket together and stood up. He tiptoed through the dark house and opened a door. The steamer rolled over to Ashley's bed and crawled in next to her.
Ashley snorted and blinked awake. "Wha?"
Rusty curled up next to her.
"Ru... Rusty?"
He closed his eyes and settled down.
"Rusty?" Ashley asked, almost fully awake now.
"mm?"
"What's wrong?"
"Couldn't sleep..." he mumbled, getting comfortable.
Ashley raised a brow. "So you're gonna sleep in my bed?"
"mmhmm."
"Why?"
"Cuz."
"Rusty..."
"Ashley..."
Ashley sighed. "Okay, okay..."
"Good. He can't get me here." Rusty said, closing his eyes again.
"He?"
"Uh huh..." Rusty said, drifting off.
"Who's he?"
"Can't say his name..."
"Why not?"
"Because he'll come... turn me into his pet again..."
Ashley raised herself up on an elbow. "What?"
"Greaseball. Turned me into... a dog," he answered, opening his eyes.

Ashley raised a brow. "Rusty, did you have a nightmare?"
"Uh huh..."
"Oh, Rusty..."
He cuddled next to her.
Ashley held him tight. "Are you all right?"
"I will be now."
"Okay." Ashley gave him a gentle squeeze.
"nightmare's can't come now..." he said, closing his eyes again.
Ashley sighed softly.
"only come when..." he yawned, "I'm alone."
Ashley gave him a hug.
He relaxed in her arms and dozed off.
Ashley held him tightly.
Rusty drifted off to sleep.
Ashley laid her cheek on his shoulder and went back to sleep.
Rusty slept peacefully all night.
Ashley did too.

And that's the way Buffy found them the next morning.
Ashley slept on, her lashes resting on her cheeks peacefully.
Buffy held back a giggle, Ashley and Rusty looked so cute.
Ashley shifted just a bit.
Rusty mumbled in his sleep and rolled over.
Ashley cuddled closer to him.
Buffy leaned back against the doorframe to watch.
Ashley sighed softly.
Rusty opened his eyes slightly.
Ashley slept on.
He blinked and looked around, confused.'
Ashley curled closer to Rusty's warm body.
He blinked and looked down at her.
Ashley sighed again.
Rusty smiled and started to shift away from her.
Ashley moaned and curled closer to him.

"Wake up," he said softly.
"Mmm-mmm."
"Yeah, it's morning..."
"No..."
"It is." he insisted.
"Sleep..."
"Okay, but it's still morning..."
"Mmm-hmm..."
He leaned down closer to her, "Ashley, it's time to get up..."
"No..."
"Yes," he wiggled away from her.
Ashley held him tighter.
He gave her a hug.
Ashley hugged him back.
"But it's still time to get up."
"No..."
"Yes," Rusty started to get up.
"No..."
He sat up, pulling her along with him.
Ashley groaned.
Rusty pulled her up to her wheels.
Ashley wobbled unsteadily.
He held her until she was steady.

Ashley groaned and gave Rusty a light smack.
"What'd I do now?" he asked.
"Woke me up..."
"Oh. I'm sorry," he gently pushed her back down on the bed.
Ashley curled back up on the bed.
He stretched.
Ashley groaned.
"I'm sorry I woke you up last night," he said.
"It's okay..."
"Good," he smiled at her and brushed his hair back.
Ashley groaned softly.

Rusty pulled his headband off and brushed his hair in his usual fashon.
Ashley slowly sat up, stretching.
He settled his hair out of his eyes in his usual messy hairdo.
Ashley slowly got to her feet, gripping Rusty to keep herself steady.
Rusty wasn't ready for that one, and nearly lost his balance.
Ashley held tight to him.
"Warn me when you're gonna do that please," he requested.
"Sorry."
"You alright now?" he asked.
Ashley nodded.
"Okay," he let go of her.
Ashley yawned deeply.

"well you two sleepy heads, breakfast is ready if you want it," Buffy said.
"I'm not sleepy," Rusty pointed out, "She is."
Ashley giggled and gave him a swat.
He turned around so he could pull her out into the kitchen.
Ashley held tight to him.
He pulled her over to the kitchen.
Ashley followed him.
He stopped and pulled her chair out for her.
Ashley sat down in her seat.

A few minutes through breakfast there was a knock at the door.
Ashley looked up in surprise.
Buffy looked over at Ashley and Rusty and shrugged, then went up to answer the door.
Ashley moved closer to Rusty.
"good morning Belle," Buffy said, letting the sleeper in.
Ashley smiled at the red sleeper. "Hi Belle."
"Hi all," Belle said, "I just came by to..."
"Get me," Rusty finished softly.
Ashley gave his hand a soft squeeze.
He squeezed her hand back and stood up.
Ashley stood up too.
"Well..." Rusty started, "I'll...see you then."
Ashley smiled weakly at him. "Bye, Rusty."
"Bye. It's been...well...sorta fun." he said.
Ashley smiled softly.

Belle took Rusty's couplings.
Ashley waved at the steamer.
He whistled softly as he left.
Ashley watched him go and sighed softly.
"He'll be alright," Buffy said, more hopefully than anything else.
Ashley nodded slowly. "I guess."
"Yeah... we'll make sure of it."
Ashley nodded vigorously. "Yeah."
Rusty whistled again as he pulled Belle homeward.
Ashley sat back down at the table, not hungry anymore.
Buffy swept the plates away absently.
Ashley didn't notice.
Buffy left Ashley alone with her thoughts and started washing the dishes.
Ashley sighed softly and shifted in her chair.

out on the tracks, Rusty pulled Belle along in silence.
The trains were just beginning to do their morning routes.
Rusty whistled at the crossing.
A deeper whistled responded to his own.
Rusty swallowed and tensed slightly, then continued on cautiously.
Greaseball's whistle sounded again, closer this time.
Rusty whistled again softly, and kept going.
Greaseball suddenly stepped onto the tracks in front of him.
Rusty came to a stop and bowed his head silently.
Greaseball surveyed him with an almighty sneer.
Rusty waited, not looking up.
"I see you're finally out."
"Yes." Rusty said softly.
"Doesn't look like she beat you up too bad."
"Oh."
"Actually, you look better. Not so rusty-looking."
"Oh. Thank you."
"I suppose she wanted you to be pretty."
"I don't know."

Greaseball smirked.
Rusty fell silent.
"I bet you had fun."
"Oh," he said again.
"That's wasn't rhetorical."
"Oh? I'm sorry."
"So, did you?"
"Not really."
"Aw, that's too bad..."
Rusty didn't answer.
"Why not?"
"Several reasons..." Rusty said vaugly. Belle cleared her throat meaningfully behind him.
"Like?"
"I wasn't very comfortable all the time," Rusty answered carefully.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"Why not?"
"Several reasons," Rusty answered, "Mostly because of why I was there."
"Oh?"
Rusty nodded.
"Why?"
"Because she won me," he said with a bit more force then needed.
Greaseball smirked. "Yeah, that was funny."
Rusty didn't answer.
"I didn't think you were that stupid."
"Oh," Rusty answered again.
Greaseball rolled his eyes. "But I guess I should never underestimate you."
"I guess..."
"I mean, you do do some really rediculous things."
"I'm sorry."
"Good."

"Greaseball," Belle said, "We really should be going..."
Greaseball slowly stepped aside.
Rusty waited until he had room and then slowly rolled past the diesel, keeping his head down.
Greaseball watched him go.
Rusty didn't look up until he felt that he was safely away.
Greaseball skated away