The Midnight Train Crossing

Rusty looked up at the sound of some steps. He hadn't really wanted anybody to see him like this, but he didn't really have much of a choice. He looked back down, hoping she'd just go away.
He didn't have much time to worry about it, because Poppa returned.
Rusty looked up slightly to see his father's wheels, and then put his head back down with a groan.
"okay, come on son," Poppa said sternly.
Rusty tried to obey, he really did. He started to push himself up, but didn't get too far.
"Rusty." Poppa said warningly.
"I'm trying Poppa..." Rusty said weakly.
Poppa reached down and grabbed Rusty's rings, pulling him up to his wheels. Rusty didn't protest, in fact he tried to not resist at all. He remained limp as his father pushed him along.
Finally they reached his room and Poppa let go. After a glance at his father he sank down onto the bed.
"Alright, what happened?" Poppa asked.
"I-I'm sorry..." Rusty started, "I didn't mean...He just...and then I couldn't...couldn't fight it...fought him...I'm sorry."
"In English please." Poppa said.
"Greaseball followed me out of the dining room, and then he stopped me. He...he wanted to start bossing me around again, but I told him no. so he started shoving me around...and...and I couldn't stand it any more so I tried to leave, but he hit me...I told him to stop but he...he wouldn't...and then he said...he asked if he should stop because I'm the Starlight, only the way he said it...and I couldn't help it...I didn't know I could hit that hard and..." he looked up, "Poppa I'm sorry."
"Fighting is not acceptable," Poppa said.
Rusty looked down, "I know..."
He looked up, "Wh-what are you gonna do to me?"
"For now you're grounded," Poppa said, "But then...First of all you're gonna continue with your normal routes, *and* I'm going to devise some more. When you are done with work you are to return here, with no side trips, understood?"
Rusty nodded, "Yessir..."
"Good."
"C-can I see Pearl first?" Rusty asked softly.
"I will tell her." Poppa said, "You may see her when she is in your train, when you're out at work."
Rusty nodded, not happy, but given the alternative he could live with it. "Yessir."
Poppa turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Rusty lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.



*~*~*~*

Pearl wasn't thinking straight since she'd been told about Rusty. All of a sudden, she couldn't remember what she was worrying about before, or when the last time something as awful as this happened!.
She saw Rusty, lying on the bed, his steamy beauty spoiled by the fierce, painful looking dents. She had to stop herself from throwing herself at him too hard.
"Rusty!!, Oh Rusty!, why did this have to happen?!" she winced, choking back tears, "My sweet.....Starlight!......why?!!!"
Rusty opened his eyes. "Aw Pearl, don't cry," he begged, "I'm okay..."
He sat up and winced, then, ignoring that, he gave her a hug.
"Pearl," he said, "Look, Poppa told you...everything right?" He looked down, "Then you know...about what I have to do now...how I can't...I mean I can still see you of course, but we can't, just go out. But if you stay in all of my runs today we can stay together."
Pearl sighed, "Rusty!, of course I'll stay on your runs!!, you don't think I'm going anywhere without you do you?"
"No..." Rusty admitted, "but I want you to stay with me, I won't get to see you otherwise..."
Pearl went silent, then said "I have a feeling things are going to be difficult for a while, but Rusty, I'm prepared, I want you to know that!"
Rusty smiled and hugged her, "Thanks Pearl."
"y'know?" said Pearl, "I heard what Poppa had to say, but Rusty, I still can't believe it!!, why in the name of starlight....I mean.....how..." she was lost for words
"It's sorta my fault I guess," Rusty said, "I mean...I shouldn't have fought with him..."
"But the way he was acting Rusty!! who wouldn't have!!"
"I know..." Rusty said, he smiled, "And I'm sorta glad I finally did that to him."
"He deserves everything he gets Rusty!!, ever since that race I've thought.....Oh what's the use in moaning about him" sighed Pearl, "It won't change things will it?
"I dunno..." Rusty said with a smile, "You should've seen him afterwards..."
"What was he like?"
Rusty looked down at himself, "Well he's not too much better then I am..."
Pearl couldn't help but smile, she knew it was a bit shallow of her, but she was glad GB had his faire share too, "Well.....that's his own problem" she said stifling a laugh poorly
Rusty smiled back, "And he deserves whatever it is that Poppa's gonna do to him."
"what's he got planned?" said Pearl, partly in worry, but mostly in delight
Rusty shrugged, "I don't know, but I know that Meg's got it in for him, and she was with them when Poppa pushed Greaseball away...and I saw..." he leaned in closer, "I saw Meg tie him up."
"Really, Meg?, the repair truck?" said Pearl. She didn't know Meg very well, but she had never imagined her to be like this.
"Yeah...she...well let me put it this way, you don't want to get her mad." Rusty said, "After...after that mess with Dinah she wasn't too happy with him."
"My goodness" Gasped Pearl. Whenever she thought about what Greaseball had done to Dinah, it made her want to do the same, and all of a sudden, she was very glad for Meg's actions, she only wished she could say she would've done the same, but she knew she was to weak, and moments like this made her feel even littler
"Y'know why I was so upset after that?" Rusty asked.
Pearl gave Rusty a look as if to urge him to go on.
"Well Dinah's Greaseball's coach right? And if he treats her like *that* all I could think of was that once you were his coach...so that could've been you..."
"Rusty!" Pearl said firmly, "We mustn't dwell on things like that must we?", but he was right, and it scared her to think what could have happened, after all, she was a lot weaker than Dinah at the best of times, so if she'd been with him any longer, then it very well could have been her.
"I know..." Rusty said, "So I was soo glad to see you afterwards then."

"I...I" stuttered Pearl "I.....guess, I must've sensed that side in Greaseball, all along, it was strange being with him", she faltered as if she didn't want to go on, but felt she had to....
Rusty looked at her, this time wanting her to continue
"I mean, Rusty, please don't feel upset about what I'm going to say....when I was couple to him, it sort of....made me feel cold....I mean, physically, not just spiritually, the way he spoke, even if he was trying to be charming, it wasn't doing anything for me....
Rusty nodded, but inside he felt a surge of happiness
"and somehow, I felt indebted to be with him, like I was condemned, and it was such a relief when he uncoupled me!!, I know I shouldn't say that, but it was!"
"Good..." Rusty said, "I mean good thing I was there huh?"
Pearl laughed, "Yes!!....Yes Rusty....the moment you touched me again it was like....a cleansing....I can't describe...it sounds so stupid, even cheesy, but it was a turning point for me, I haven't said this yet because it seems so typical, but you are a hero Rusty, to me, even if the world will never see!"
Rusty smiled, "Hey, what do you mean the world never seeing it, I did win..." He took her hands, "But I got you back too, that was the best part."
"you're more than a racing champ to me Rusty" she laughed, "sometimes it seemed you didn't belong here, amongst the likes of Greaseball...and Electra, you're 50 times the engine either of them will ever be.....but I never wanted you to leave...I guess that's why I never said so" she said half jokingly

Pearl gripped Rusty's hands tightly, looking into his eyes, mesmerized, she wanted to speak, but something was stopping her she felt not able to express herself in words
Rusty's eyes started to glow a little. Despite the fact that he still was in pain, and he knew he was in trouble, being with Pearl was enough to over power all of that.
Pearl felt her heart lift!, "Rusty...I..." but words had run dry again
"I love you."
The room seemed to disappear from existence as Rusty said the words "Rusty....I love you more than my heart can tell!....more than the word will ever know!!!!" she seemed to gripping his hands so unnaturally tightly, but yet, the grip went on

"only you..." Rusty started, singing softly.
"you are the Starlight" continued Pearl dreamily entering the song
"have the power to move me..." Rusty sang.
"and together we'll make the whole world move in sympathy" the melody that pearl held in her heart filled the air
"You and me, we'll be sublime..."
Pearl laid her head upon Rusty and shut her eyes "Only he"
Rusty smiled, "only she..."
"Has the power to move me..." Pearl thought she had perhaps passed on to heaven
"Take me, hold me, mould me, change me, and improve me..."
"Only you! have the Power to move me!......." Pearl dreamed on
Rusty's eyes drifted shut dreamily.
The song rang in Pearls head, it felt as if the whole world must have heard it and stopped to listen

Just then, at the most inconveniently possible time there was a knock on Rusty's door.
Pearl's head jerked upwards with a start, "Who..." she said
Rusty's eyes snapped open, "Uh oh..." he started, he looked at Pearl, "Bet it's Poppa..."
Pearls heart thumped, what could have happened
"Rusty?" it was indeed Poppa, and he pushed open the door...
Pearl looked at Poppa in concern, in all that had happened she could have easily forgot the unpleasant business 'til now, when it was staring her in the face
Poppa didn't comment on Pearl's presence there. Instead he turned to Rusty. "You're pulling Talck's train today as well."
"And the usual runs?" Rusty asked, almost starting to whine.
Pearl had been pulled back down to earth all of a sudden "And me? Poppa, I have to go to!"
"You're welcome to go where ever you like," Poppa said, "Just remember..."
"I know Poppa," Rusty answered, "When I'm done I come back here, no side trips."
Pearl looked between Rusty and Poppa, "We both know the score Poppa, we'll play it safe."
"Good," Poppa said, "Oh come on you two, it's not the end of the world."
Pearl forced a smile "Yes Poppa, we know, we'll get trough it, won't we honey" she said trying to sound optimistic.
Rusty took her hand and swallowed. "Yeah..."

*~*~*~*

Sometime later Dustin returned to FT's room. He sighed, Flat Top was asleep again.
Flat Top shifted, his brick cuddled to his chest.
"Okay." Dustin said out loud, "Now what do I do?"
"Shh!" Flat Top hissed in his sleep.
"No," Dustin said, "It's time to get up."
"No."
"It's 20 to ten...."
"SO?" He was almost wide awake now.
"So don't you think you've slept late enough?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Tired."
"Still?"
"Yeah." It was a lie, but it was an excuse.
"But..." Dustin started.

"Woo..." a half-hearted whistle softly sounded outside.
Flat Top shot up in bed. "Oh no."
"I told you he was coming..."
"No you didn't."
"Yeah, I said we had an early run this morning."
"Yeah, but that doesn't have the word Rusty in it."
"Well what did you think?"
"I don't know!"

There was a knock on the door.
Flat Top picked up his brick and held it like a boomerang. "Don't you dare let him in here."
"I won't let him *in*" Dustin said.
He went over to the door and cracked it open.
"Don't touch that door!"
"I'm going out, he's not coming in."
"Good. Bye."

Dustin sighed and went outside, "Hey Rusty... Rusty?" he added stunned.
Flat Top laid down and pulled the blanket up again.
"Are you two ready?" Rusty asked tiredly.
Flat Top groaned and stuffed the pillow tight around his ears.
"Well I am, Flat Top's not..." Dustin answered, "Rusty, you don't look like you should be pulling us today..."
Flat Top rolled over so his back was to the door.
"Flat Top's not ready?" Rusty asked.
"Nope."
"Good." Rusty answered.
"Shut up!" Flat Top yelled out the door.
"He's not up yet," Dustin explained.
"Oh," Rusty said, "can I come in?"
"You do, and you'll be one flat steamer!"
Dustin hesitated and then turned, coming back inside, "You're a little late..." he said softly.
Flat Top opened an eye. "What?"
"I said you're a little late, for threatening Rusty I mean..."
"Why? I always threaten Rusty."
"yeah..."
"Okay," Rusty said, sinking down into the snow, "Whenever you two are ready."

Dustin slowly pushed the door open so Flat Top could see.
Flat Top's eyes widened. "Holy smokestacks, what happened to him?"
Dustin shrugged, and looked over at Rusty, who was lying down, and didn't really care that he was in a snow bank.
Flat Top sat up, pushing the crumpled blanket away. "Wow, he looks like he got beat by Greaseball."
Rusty groaned.
Flat Top broke into a wide smile. "Oh, this is too sweet!"
"Flat Top!" Dustin snapped.
"What?" Flat Top demanded.
"Tis okay Dustin," Rusty said.
Flat Top got his wheels and skated out to stand in front of Rusty, standing critically over him like an art critic. "Wow. He got you good."
Rusty opened his eyes and smiled, "You should see him..."
"Who? Greaseball?"
"Yeah." Rusty started to get up.
"You expect me to believe you beat up Greaseball?" Flat Top nearly choked on a laugh.
"What ever you like." Rusty answered tiredly.
Flat Top grinned slightly. "Sheesh, you look like a scrap heap more than usual, Rusty. Maybe you should take the day off."
"I wish..." Rusty said, getting up. "You two ready?"
"Nope." Flat Top turned and skated back into his house, falling across his bed and pulling the covers up.
"Good," Rusty said, settling back down.

Dustin stood in the doorway, not sure which way to go,
Flat Top grinned to himself. "This is a day to remember."
Dustin looked at Flat Top and shook his head.
Flat Top raised a brow. "What?"
"You."
"What about me?"
"you're acting like you're happy about this."
"I am."
"You didn't seem too happy the last time you saw him like that."
"Yeah, but I wasn't getting picked on this time either."
Dustin made a frustrated sound.
"Oh, don't give me that," Flat Top moaned.
"What? I'm supposed to be happy that my engine is nearly scrapped? and then happy that my friend is happy about it?"
"Your engine?" Flat Top mumbled.
"Well I am in his train..."
"So?"
"So you didn't answer my question..."
"Why should it matter to you what I think about him?"
"Because you're both my friends..."
"Yeah..."
"Yeah, so it matters."
"So what if it does?"
"don't you care?"
"Not really..."
"oh thanks."
"You're welcome."
Dustin sighed
Flat Top closed his eyes. Day off!

"I gotta take you two out eventually..." Rusty said from outside.
"No chance, Rust Bucket!" Flat Top yelled back.
"Oh come on," Rusty said, "I gotta..."
"No!"
"But I'm supposed to..."
"So? Go find Pearl and get all smoochy-faced or something."
"Can't."
"Why not?"
"Not supposed to."
"Why not?"
"Either I'm to pull the freight train or go home..."
Flat Top sat up and gazed out the door. "You mean, you're grounded?"
Rusty didn't answer. Dustin gasped.
Flat Top hooted with laughter. "Rusty got grounded! Poppa grounded Rusty!" he chanted.
Rusty sank deeper into the snow.
"Flat Top..." Dustin pleaded.
Flat Top nearly tumbled off the bed in laughter. "Rusty got grounded! By Poppa! Oh, this is too good!"
"Flat Top, please!"
"Please what?" Flat Top asked, doubling over to catch his breath.

"Please...just....just..." Dustin stammered, "just shut it okay?"
Flat Top looked at his friend in shock. Dustin had NEVER told him to shut it! "Why?" he managed once he could talk again.
"Be-because." was the only thing Dustin could say.
"That's not a reason!" Flat Top shot back.
Dustin looked down, "I know..."
"So I don't have to stop."
"Well...then, give me a second," Dustin said.
Flat Top tapped his skate. "Waiting..."
"Just...just please stop."
"Why?"
"Because I don't like it."
"So?"
Dustin couldn't answer that one, he just sorta blinked in surprise
Flat Top grinned a bit. He had won.
Dustin sighed.
Flat Top raised a brow. "What?"

Rusty was still lying there in the snow, but he'd sorta sat up a little.
Flat Top glanced over at Rusty and smirked. "You should go home, Rusty."
Rusty started to get up, and then changed his mind. It was more comfortable to lay there.
Flat Top groaned. "Why in front of my house? I don't need a lawn ornament, steamer."
"I am not a lawn ornament." Rusty answered.
"You're acting like one."
"No, lawn ornament's don't talk..."
"Well, this one's making an exception."
Rusty made a face. "I'm waiting until you two are ready."
"Well, you're gonna be sitting there for a while.
"That's fine."
Flat Top rolled his eyes. "You're boiler's gonna go cold."
"I'll get up before that..."
"Sure you will."
"What?"
"Sure you'll get up."
"Yeah I will..."
"Sure." Flat Top went back inside and wrapped a blanket around himself, as if to taunt Rusty at how warm he was.
Rusty groaned.
Flat Top sat down in his chair and curled into it.
Rusty sighed and got up slowly.
Flat Top grinned. "Bye-bye, Rusty."
Rusty stopped, "Are you sure..."
"Yeah."
"Dustin?" Dustin hesitated
Flat Top looked up. "You can go if you want," he said a bit rudely.
"okay..." Dustin said, starting to move towards the door, towards a rather grateful looking Rusty.
Flat Top looked up, hurt.
Dustin stopped, seeing the expression on both of his friends' faces, unsure of what to do.
Flat Top glared a bit. "Go ahead. I don't care."
"Give me a minute Rusty?" Dustin asked.
"Sure," Rusty said, "As long as you're coming...cuz I don't wanna go back yet...it's a nice morning."
Flat Top rolled his eyes and mumbled something nasty but unintelligible under his breath.

Dustin closed the door and turned to Flat Top, "What is wrong with you?"
"Whaddya mean?"
"You're even more crabby then usual."
"So?"
"So that wasn't very nice..."
"Oh well." Flat Top curled into his chair and pulled the blanket close.
"You don't care?"
"Nope."
"Fine then. *I* feel bad for him."
"That's fine."
"So I'm gonna go to work..."
"Fine."
"You're not coming?"
"Nope."

outside suddenly there was another voice, "Rusty..." Poppa's voice said.
"I'm waiting for them Poppa..." Rusty's voice answered.
"Oh no." Flat Top pulled the blanket over his head.
"Okay Rusty..." Poppa's voice said, "But remember..."
"I KNOW Poppa...you've only told me hundreds of times." Rusty said.

Flat Top grinned. "Poppa grounded Rusty," he chanted under his breath.
Dustin sighed softly, listening to the two engines outside.
Flat Top groaned and curled into the chair.
"You still not coming?"
"Of course not."
"you sure?"
"Yup."
"Okay..." Dustin said opening the door.
Flat Top cuddled under his blanket and closed his eyes.
"Come on Dustin," Rusty said, turning and offering Dustin his couplings.
Flat Top opened one eye. "Close the door!" he ordered, pulling the blanket closer.
Dustin closed the door.
Flat Top didn't bother to thank him.

"Hold up Rusty," Dustin said, "I'm gonna try something else." Rusty sighed and waited.
Dustin opened the door again.
Flat Top looked up. "Forget something?"
"you're enjoying the fact that Rusty got grounded aren't you?"
"Yup."
"You do realize that in order to keep from having to return to his room he'll basically pull us around anywhere we want right?"
"Yeah, but who wants to go out?"
"Well you don't want to stay in here all day...all alone..."
"Sure I do."
"It's nice outside, it's not too cold."
"Only if I can go bar-hopping."
"Uh..." Dustin answered, "I guess."
Flat Top rolled his eyes. "You know Rusty's not gonna do that."
"Dunno..."
"He's not. He's too goody-goody."
"I do have other routes y'know!" Rusty called from outside.
"Then go!" Flat Top yelled back.
"Look if nothing else then...then you can sing your song some more."
"What?"
"the one I told you to stop singing before...
Flat Top raised a brow. "Hmm..."
"Are you two coming or not?" Rusty called.
Dustin moved towards the door.
"Um..."
He looked at Flat Top and then went outside.
Flat Top groaned.

Rusty let out a half-hearted whistle and started to get ready to go.
Flat Top groaned and got up, slamming his door. "Wait up."

They waited for FT to hitch up.
Flat Top hitched up right behind Rusty, a very convenient place to singsong.
Dustin grabbed FT's rings and nodded to Rusty.
Flat Top growled softly.
Rusty started to move, and didn't get to far...

Flat Top leaned in close to Rusty's ear. "Poppa grounded Rusty," he chanted softly.
Rusty frowned, took a breath and started again, with a rather abrupt starting and stopping beginning. Dustin hung on through this jerky ride.
Flat Top gave Rusty a shove. "Are you gonna move or not?"
"I'm trying, I'm trying!" Rusty said, staggering slightly under the shove.
Flat Top gave him another push.
Rusty's wheels, (his arms) spun a few times and then he finally started moving.
Flat Top leaned in and repeated his song again.
Rusty could feel his face beginning to burn as he pulled the two down the tracks.

Flat Top cast a glance back at Dustin, then suddenly repeated it loud enough for anyone within a few hundred feet to hear.
Rusty froze and stiffened.
Flat Top repeated it again.
"Uh oh..." Dustin said softly, watching Rusty's ears turn red.
Flat Top grinned a bit. This was too fun!
Rusty stiffened again. He took a breath and started moving again.
Flat Top raised his voice another notch and shouted again.
Rusty went faster...
Flat Top grinned. Aggravating Rusty had never been so much fun.
Rusty could feel his face and ears burning bright red, he gritted his teeth, he was in enough trouble as it was.
Flat Top leaned closer to Rusty's head and whispered it into Rusty's burning ears.

Rusty finally screeched to a stop. He couldn't take it any more
Flat Top grinned. "What's wrong, Rusty?"
Rusty's hands balled into fists and he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and held it, then he let it out and relaxed his hands.
Flat Top watched him. "Hand cramp?" he teased.
Rusty mumbled something under his breath.
"Didn't catch that..." Flat Top said, his voice light.
"Didn't drop it." Rusty responded.
Flat Top smirked. "Snappy."
Rusty snapped his fingers, turned and started moving again.
Flat Top smirked and repeated the chant in Rusty's ear again.

Rusty came to a stop again. "Flat Top!" he shouted, turning around, his ears a lovely shade of red.
"Yes, Rusty?" Flat Top asked innocently.
"Would you just..." Rusty started.
"Just?"
"Flat Top..." Dustin said softly, "I think you're going a bit too far."
"Oh? You think so?"
""yeah I do."
"Well, that's just too bad, isn't it?"
"Flat Top, please," Dustin said, gently pulling on FT's chain.
Flat Top raised a brow.
"That's enough." Dustin said.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"Too bad." Flat Top raised his voice and yelled the chant again.

Rusty yanked his rings out of FT's grip and turned around.
Flat Top skidded to a halt.
"shut it Flat Top!" Rusty exclaimed, "Now that the whole world knows you might as well."
"Do you insist?"
"yeah I do!"
"Okay, fine."
"Good."
Flat Top waited to hitch back up.

Rusty turned around, backing up so they could hitch behind again.
Flat Top grabbed his rings, then began to hum that chant under his breath.
Rusty made a face and started moving again. Then, without thinking about he started to move in rhythm with the chant.
Flat Top raised a brow.
Rusty realized it a split second too late.
Flat Top grinned and hummed faster.
Rusty sped up, trying to break his rhythm.
Flat Top adjusted his hum to match Rusty's motions.
Rusty growled.
He actually growled? Dustin thought stunned.
Flat Top grinned and began to sing again.
Rusty sped up, trying to out run the song.
Flat Top sang faster.

Rusty stopped again, and again his hands balled into fists.
Flat Top grinned and let go of Rusty. "Boiler problems?" he taunted.
Rusty whirled around and glared at FT.
Flat Top grinned a bit.
Rusty took a half step towards Flat Top.
Flat Top raised a brow. "Careful, Rusty. Don't want to start another fight..."
Rusty stopped, with a visible effort. Flat Top was right...
Flat Top smirked. "Poppa'd ground you again."
"I hate you..."
"Well, we feel the same way then, don't we?"
"okay...what do you want?" Rusty asked with a sigh
"Want? Nothing. Just to see you squirm."
Rusty sighed, and slammed his head into the side of a shed.
Flat Top grinned. "That had to hurt."
"Not really..."
"Yeah, I guess not, with your thick skull."
Rusty growled, "This is so not worth it..."
"Is it ever?" Flat Top taunted.
"Flat Top... Rusty..." Dustin said trying to stop them.

Pearl skidded through the snow on her way to Rusty.
She was going on his routes with him today, and was feeling a little cramped by the fact that Rusty and she were going to have to get home without any side trips after work, and she suspected Rusty must feel the same, if not worse.
She found him with Dustin and Flat-top, with his face burning redder than she had ever seen it. This was unusual for Rusty at the best of times, she thought. "Rusty!" she said not even acknowledging the others, "Rusty!, honey, how are things going today?, are you OK, you're looking real worked up!, things playing on your mind?". She motioned as if to couple onto them, "I still want to stay with you today, can I join you here?".
Rusty looked up at Pearl. Great, she'd probably heard too. was his first thought. NO he thought next, she knows, she wouldn't care, she doesn't care.
"yeah." was all he said, with a pleading look back at Flat Top, to get the car to shut up he was willing to deal.

Rusty looked back and unhitched the freight cars. with an 'I'll be right back' He grabbed Pearl and pulled her around behind the shed.
Pearl, a little bewildered, said "Rusty, are you sure it's not just the obvious that's playing on your mind?, what's been going on here?"
"I'm sorry Pearl," he said, "But I don't think I can stand it much longer..."

Pearl held both of his hands tight. She looked round the shed at the freight trucks, then back at Rusty. "Rusty!, what's been happening, has one of those two....I don't know!, Rusty!!, if you've had trouble..."
"Flat Top found out." Rusty said with a heavy tone of resignation.
Pearl shook her head in desperation. She knew only to well what Flat-top could be like. "Oh Rusty...I" she stammered, "He....it isn't his place to give you grief over it!, what's he been saying?, Oh that..." but she managed to restrain her agitation
"You haven't heard him singing then?" Rusty asked, "I thought for sure everybody would've heard it..."
"singing?" she said, sounding slightly confused, but then when she thought about it, she realized what he must have meant. "Oh Rusty!, that truck!, how immature does he want to be?!, how longs he been playing at that?"
"Since I started this run..."
Pearl shook her head again. She bit her lip to try and stop herself saying something she'd regret. "As if this whole situation wasn't bad enough for you as it was!, without him adding to it!", she said angrily
"And I can't do anything about it," Rusty said, "I mean...I almost did y'know...I almost..." he trailed off, "But you know that he'd go tattle to Poppa if I did anything."
"Rusty!.." she said "honestly, I really don't know how you stopped yourself!, but...I'm glad you did!, like you say, he'd only go to Poppa. It's not gonna be easy, but we have to find a way of dealing with the likes of Flat-top without resorting to things like that, haven't we?". She sighed and put a hand firmly on Rusty's shoulder
"Yeah," Rusty said, reaching up and putting his hand on hers, "I've just gotta stick it out. Either that or..."
"or?...." Pearl urged, worriedly
"Or I just give up," Rusty said, "I'm supposed to either be working or in my room right?"
"Well....yes" said Pearl "But..."
"Yeah... so if I can't deal it any more," Rusty said, "I could always...just...go home."
"you mean...like...pack work in for a bit?" said Pearl
"Yeah," Rusty said with a sigh, "But if I do that..."
"well...Rusty" said Pearl, "I see what you're saying, but...do you think it could really come to that?"
"I hope not." Rusty said, he looked up and made a face, remembering something.
Pearl looked at Rusty despairingly and lovingly, "what?" she said

"I just remembered I'm supposed to cover Talck's routes today too."
Pearl shook her head again, in surprise, "When?" she said
Rusty looked at his watch, "Soon I guess... you're coming I hope?"
"Well, of course!" said Pearl firmly
Rusty smiled.
"well, at least" began Pearl "it'll give you a break from Flat-top right?"
"Yeah," Rusty said with a smile, "And now that you're here..."
Pearl grinned and laughed "Exactly! even when you are with Flat-top, just put me between you and him!, I'll ease things a bit for you!, I'll do my best, you know that. Rusty, if you don't mind, I'm coming on all your routes, and I mean, ALL, even the freight ones!"
"Thanks Pearl," Rusty said, knowing what it meant for her to come on even freight runs

"I have to," she said, "Anything one of us has to face, we face together!, I'm not going to leave you alone only so little idiots can bring you down!" she said firmly, and slightly more loudly in the slight hope that Flat-top might hear.
"y'know, when Poppa told me that I was gr-grounded I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to see you..."
"Nonsense!!" said Pearl" I'd never! EVER let that happen Rusty!, you know I wouldn't!" she lowered her head, and smiled, then said in a quieter voice "I just can't keep away can I?, you know that!"
"I wouldn't let it happen either." Rusty said, "I mean after all we've been through..."
"that's what I mean" Pearl said "There's no way anything could stop us seeing each other, least of all any stupid trouble with Greaseball!"
Rusty half-growled at that thought.
"Nothing...not an entire world population of stinky Greaseballs, could ever do that!, know why?, cuz we're worth ten thousand times more than that!" She brought her eyes to meet Rusty's "And that Rusty, is why we're going to get through this business! we're going to win!"

"Win," Rusty repeated, his eyes glowing slightly.
Pearl smiled, a slight lift inside her again she felt, "Yeah!, she said, "...Win!"
He took her hands.

*~*~*~*

Flat Top stood impatiently in the snow, tapping a skate. "Are we going or not?"
"He'll be back Flat Top," Dustin said.
Flat Top glared. "What's he doing, anyway?"
Dustin shrugged.
"He has to pull us, he'll be back."
Flat Top glared. "I'm gonna go check."
"No, wait," Dustin said.
"Wait what?"
"just wait a second, can't you give him at least a little break?"
"Why? How long does it take to kiss and hitch back up?"
"Maybe he just wants to take a break from you..."
"From me, I'm sure."
"Yeah..." Dustin said
Flat Top groaned and looked at the sky. "It's gonna get late soon."
"Okay... *I'll* go get him..."
"I'LL get him!"
"No! Flat Top..."
"What???"
"Does it matter if he comes back sooner or later?"
"He'll come back later if you talk to him. Let me."

Without answering Dustin turned and ran, passing Flat Top and running over to where Rusty and Pearl had vanished.
"Uh Rusty?" Dustin called softly.
Pearl sighed, a little frustrated, then she looked at Dustin and smiled, a little weakly, "hello Dustin" she said. She had ignored him 'til now.
"Hi Pearl," Dustin said, "Um Rusty... Flat Top's starting to... y'know..."
Pearl sighed more angrily, "Not again! she said, "Dustin!, we have to do something about the way he's acting!, Rusty can't go on like this, and I'm guessing this whole thing is not very easy for you either"
Dustin sighed, "I know Pearl. I've been trying, really I have, but he won't listen to me, and if he won't listen to me..." "He won't listen to anyone," Rusty finished.
Pearl shook her head tiredly, "I know...believe me, I know!, I'm sorry Dustin, I didn't mean to snap at you!. Guess we're pretty desperate now!, just what should we do about that...oh, I'm sorry guys!"
Rusty shrugged, "Well with both of you *maybe* I can ignore him a bit better..."
Pearl forced a smile and a laugh, "Yeah" she said more brightly, "maybe when he realizes it's just not doing him any good, he'll quit"
"maybe..." Rusty said.
Pearl held Rusty's shoulder again "Remember what we said Rusty....Win!"
Rusty nodded and turned so Pearl could hitch on

A few seconds later all three came out, Pearl hitched behind Rusty and Dustin behind her.
Flat Top glared. "Now I get to play Caboose?"
Dustin sighed, and unhitched.
Flat Top took his place unwillingly behind the pretty observation car.
Dustin hitched behind Flat Top, as usual. "Ready?" Rusty called, in seemingly better spirits.
Flat Top mumbled something under his breath and nodded.
Rusty started out, this time without the false start.
Flat Top followed unwillingly, feeling Dustin behind him.

Rusty thundered down the tracks, a bit faster as if making up for lost time
Flat Top debated letting go and letting him and Dustin get off from this run, but he knew Dustin would be upset and probably leave.
Dustin wasn't sure what to think about this strange silence, but he figured that it was probably better this way. He was still thinking about it as they pulled up to their first stop.
Flat Top suddenly began to sing his song again, not loudly, but enough for Rusty to hear.
Rusty stopped rather abruptly. He wasn't going to react, he wasn't going to... Dustin unhitched so he could be loaded
Flat Top took a moment to rub his hands.
"Thanks," Dustin said softly to FT
Flat Top looked back at him. "What?"
"For not...for not doing anything..."
Flat Top glared. "You think I'm not gonna do it anymore?"
"You're not?" Dustin asked, "I mean you're not not? I mean..." he trailed off, having confused himself.
Flat Top shook his head. "I'm not letting this go for a long time."
"But why?"
"Cause I don't want to."
"But..."
"But nothing!"
"Flat Top..." Dustin started, almost whining, but not quite.
"What?"
"Why can't you just let this go?"
"Because."
"Because why?"
"Because I don't want to."
"But why?"
"Because it's too funny to watch Rusty squirm."
Dustin looked down, "that's not very nice..."
"So?"
"So it's not nice to not be nice."
"As if I care."
"I do." Dustin said, a bit sadly.

Meanwhile Rusty and Pearl had moved very close together indeed.
"But I don't."
"So?"
"So, I'm not gonna give it up."
Dustin sighed.
Flat Top turned back to Rusty, then glared. "Will you two get a room already?"
Rusty's head snapped up and he automatically stepped away from Pearl.
Flat Top grinned a bit to himself.
"Um, ahem, yeah, you two ready then?" Rusty asked.
"Waiting on you," Flat Top growled.

Rusty, a bit guiltily, stepped back onto the tracks, and hitched Pearl behind again.
Flat Top grabbed Pearl's couplers a little rougher than he needed to.
Dustin hitched behind Flat Top. Pearl turned around to glare at FT, but at a look from Rusty she turned around again.
Flat Top glared back at Pearl.
"Ahem," Rusty said and he started to move off again.
"Ahem yourself," Flat Top shot back.
Rusty made a face but continued on. Dustin, behind Flat Top, sighed, it was going to be a very long run.
Flat Top followed, his wheels whirring angrily on the tracks.
Pearl leaned forwards and whispered something to Rusty and he smiled.
"Secrets, secrets are no fun," Flat Top chanted.
"What you wanna hear what she said to him?" Dustin asked.
"I'm sure it's nothing we need to hear, but I'd like to."
"Exactly, nothing we needed to hear..."
"So?"
"So we didn't need to hear it."
"So?"
"So why worry about it?"
"Because I want to know."

Rusty let out an annoyed "whoosh"
"Whoosh yourself," Flat Top growled.
"I'm a steamer, it's what I do." Rusty retorted.
"No, you whistle."
"WOO-WOO!" Rusty retorted, as loud as he could.
Flat Top couldn't help it. He let go of Pearl and covered his ears, disconnecting both him and Dustin from the other two.
Rusty almost didn't stop. But he did.
"Rusty, don't DO THAT!" Dustin said.
"Yeah, don't do that!" Flat Top hissed.
"Sorry Dustin..." Rusty said, backing up.
"What about sorry Flat Top?" Flat Top groused, knowing he wasn't going to get one.
"Sorry Flat Top," Rusty said, spitting the words out.
Flat Top grinned a bit. "Thank you, Rusty," he mocked.
"Your welcome," Rusty said in the same tone.
"Go already."
"Hitch on then."

Flat Top grabbed Pearl harshly, enough to make both Pearl and Rusty jolt.
"Hey!" Rusty protested at the rough treatment of his coach.
"Hay is for horses," Flat Top taunted.
Rusty growled and started out.
Flat Top hung on and began to hum his song under his breath.

"Aggregates are really great," Dustin started to sing.
"Oh no," Flat Top groaned.
"Aggregates never complain..."
Flat Top groaned and tried to push Rusty faster.
Rusty grinned at Dustin's song, "Earth...water..." he started to sing
Flat Top hissed and disconnected again, clapping both hands back over his ears.
"What?" Dustin asked.
"Air...fire..."
"Will both of you quit?" Flat Top demanded, waiting for Rusty to put on his breaks and come back for them,
"I told you to stop it before..." Dustin said softly, "You didn't think I was just gonna let you tease him?"

Pearl shook her head furiously!. All this fuss was unnecessary. She through a loving look at Rusty, a sympathetic, apologetic look at Dustin, then turned on Flat-top, "OK!, this is going to far!" she shouted in a deepish voice, which sounded odd coming from her, "Look Brick truck!, I always knew you never grew up, but I never imagine that you were this stupid!!.
1) it's not your place to interfere with our business, 2) Even if it was, you'd be going about it in the most immature way possible, 3) please bare in mind that if you ever grab me that roughly again, I'm gonna do something completely out of character, and lump you one in the eye!, do I make myself clear?!". She then resigned herself, not quite believing what she had just done.
Flat Top was stunned a moment, then suddenly flared up. "What do you know? You're just a coach! A silly, giggling coach with fluff for brains! I may be a brick truck and a guy, but I have no convictions about hitting you back!"
Rusty screeched to a halt.
Flat Top nearly slammed into Pearl.
The steamer turned carefully and said something to Pearl. Then he gently pulled her away from the freight train and pushed her off to the side.
"Pearl," he said softly to her, "Go home. Please," he begged, "I don't want to get rid of you, but I can't have you around *this* I just can't. Please understand."
He gave her a kiss and then turned to go back to the freight cars

Dustin, getting used to this bumpy ride didn't collide with FT
Flat Top watched Rusty talk to Pearl and rolled his eyes.
Rusty skated purposely back over to Flat Top, fire burning behind his eyes. "Uh oh..." Dustin whispered to Flat Top.
"Uh oh nothing," Flat Top whispered back.
"No one..." Rusty started in a murderously calm tone.
Flat Top gazed back at him with the same look.
"No_one_says_that_to_*my*_coach..." Rusty said.
"No one says that to my coach," Flat Top mimicked. "Sheesh, what you think she said to me?"
"I DON'T CARE!"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU EITHER!"
"I don't care what you do to me, but you do NOT say that to HER!"
"Why? What's so special about her?"

"Um Rusty..." Dustin started, trying to get between his two friends.
"Shut it Dustin," Rusty hissed.
"No one talks to my friend that way!" Flat Top snarled, giving Rusty a mighty shove.
"Well no one talks to my coach like you did!" Rusty retorted.
"Rusty....Flat Top..." Dustin started again.
"Dustin, stay out of this!"
"But..."
"No! I can handle this."
"But..." Dustin started again. "Dustin!" Rusty exclaimed, "You heard him!"
Flat Top glared at Rusty. "Leave him alone." He turned to Dustin. "Dustin, let me do this!"
Dustin, hurt from both his friends, took a step back.
Flat Top turned back to Rusty. "What makes her so special?"
"Wait until you have a coach and see," Rusty answered.
"As if I'll ever have a coach, whistle-boy!"
"oh so now you hurt him too?" Rusty said, seeing Dustin.
"You hurt him, not me!"
Rusty growled, "Yeah I suppose you wouldn't understand... stick to your bricks."
Flat Top growled and gave Rusty another shove. "More honorable than your fluff-brained coach!"
Rusty shoved Flat Top back, "I told you not to say that!"
"Make me!"

Rusty's eyes started to glow...
Flat Top backed away a step, then glared.
Rusty took a step towards Flat Top and then...stopped suddenly.
Flat Top held up his fists, ready to swing if he had to.
The light faded from Rusty's eyes and he looked up stunned. Then he took a step back, a little horrified.
Knowing he had the upper advantage if swings came to blows, Flat Top held his position. "You gonna leave me alone?"
Rusty lowered his eyes and mumbled something.
"You wanna say that to my face, Rust bucket?"
Rusty looked up, "I said I have to," he paused, "And you know it too..."
"Of course. Otherwise, Poppa gets to ground you again," Flat Top teased.
Rusty looked down.
"Aww, did I hut Wusty's feewings?" Flat Top grinned.

"Flat Top..." Dustin started softly.
"Stay out of this, Dustin."
"But Flat Top..."
"But nothing! Dustin, stay out of this."
Once again Dustin backed off, hurt.
Rusty looked up, "Me I can deal with, and one of them, okay, but both Pearl and Dustin..."
"Then let me apologize to Dustin and leave it with Pearl, cause I ain't taking it back! Ever!"
Rusty growled.
Flat Top glared back. "You wanna do something about it?"
"Yeah." Rusty gave Flat Top a shove, a rather hard one.
Flat Top caught himself before he fell and lunged forward, tackling Rusty around the waist, sending them both crashing to the rails
Rusty pushed Flat Top off of him.
Flat Top got to his knees, ready to swing.
Rusty watched Flat Top warily.
Flat Top watched him back
"Both of you...please!" Dustin begged.
"Dustin, let us deal with this!"
"Dustin stay out of this!" Rusty said at the same time.
"Don't talk to my pal like that!" Flat Top took a swing dangerously close to Rusty's nose.
Rusty ducked and then snatched Flat Top's brick...

That was the final straw! No one touched that! With an angry yell, Flat Top leaped at Rusty, tackling him and landing a punch right across his jaw.
Rusty was stunned for a second and then he pushed Flat Top away with a burst of hot steam.
Flat Top yelped, rubbing his hand, then leaped at Rusty again, pinning the steamer down with his weight. "I ain't giving, Rusty."
Rusty hissed angrily and pushed FT off of him again. Then he stood up...
Flat Top got to his feet, securing his brick to his belt and dropping into a defensive position. "You giving up?"
Rusty, in answer backed up slowly...
Flat Top grinned. "Guess so. Come on, Dustin."
Suddenly Rusty stopped and went full speed ahead, straight at Flat Top.
Flat Top yelped and tried to leap aside....
Rusty didn't manage to hit FT head on, but... There was a crash as the two collided.
Flat Top landed hard on the rails but quickly got to his feet, pain throughout his entire frame. He doubled over, trying to breathe.
Despite the fact that Flat Top wasn't an engine he was also very heavy. And as a general rule, colliding with something heavy hurt, which Rusty was remembering right now.
Flat Top dropped to his knees, inhaling deeply, trying to catch his breath.
Rusty squeezed his eyes shut as a wave of dizziness swept over him.

"Well I hope you two are happy," Dustin said in a strangled voice.
Flat Top glared slightly. This wasn't over yet! With every last ounce of strength he had, he leaped at Rusty and knocked him to the ground, pinning him down with his knee on Rusty's chest, fist ready to sock him.
Rusty simply closed his eyes.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Dustin shouted.
Flat Top held Rusty a moment longer, then got to his feet and stepped back.
Rusty opened his eyes in surprise at hearing Dustin shout.
Flat Top nearly collapsed on the ground, grabbing Dustin's shoulder to keep himself up.
Dustin shrugged Flat Top off of him, glaring at both FT and Rusty equally.
Flat Top, without the support, landed painfully on the ground, breathing heavily, every muscle and gear aching fiercely.
Rusty quickly sat up.

"I can't believe you two," Dustin said, "All you ever do is fight, and I'm sick and tired of it. You've always argued, but this..." he trailed off and blinked, "this is the first time that you've ever done this!"
"And probably not the last!" Flat Top growled, glaring at the steam train.
"Look at yourselves!" Dustin exclaimed.
Flat Top groaned and closed his eyes.
"Is this what you wanted?" Dustin continued, "Well now you've got it. But I'll tell you what..." He threw something down in the snow at Rusty's wheels, then something down at Flat Top's. "I can't stand it anymore. I'm..." he hesitated, "I'm outta here!" With that he turned and strode away.
Flat Top pushed himself up to watch Dustin go, then reached for the item in front of him.

Rusty just sat there frozen, was that really Dustin?
Flat Top held the stone in his hand and stared at it. Wasn't this like the third time Dustin had done that in the last few days?
Rusty finally moved again, he reached down and dug whatever it was that Dustin had thrown down at him and stared at it.
Flat Top glared at the item in his hand and dropped it back in the snow.
Rusty sighed softly.
Flat Top tried to push himself up, but he hurt too bad and was just content to lay in the snow.
Flat Top lifted his head and finally got enough strength to get up to his knees. "I'm sure Pearl found your show of engine-ness impressive," he taunted.
Rusty groaned and didn't move.
Flat Top tried to get up, but he didn't have enough energy. "Oh well. What do fluff-brains care about anyway? Nothing, 'cept for whistling and coupling."

"I'm sorry..." Rusty started.
"For what?" Flat Top smirked.
"For driving away your *only* friend."
Flat Top glared. "Whatever."
"I mean it must be tough to have only one, good thing it's Dustin," Rusty continued.
Flat Top glared. "Least he doesn't like me for my whistling," he taunted.
"I suppose that's why he's the only one you have..." Rusty said thoughtfully
"You saying I ain't got friends cause I ain't a smelly, smoking steamer?"
"No, I'm saying that the only reason Dustin's your only friend is because he's so nice..."
"Unlike you and your hormone-crazed coach."
"only such a nice truck would be willing to hang out with you I suppose..."
"At least I know he's not gonna bash me in the face."
"Right, because he's so nice, why he hangs out with you is still a mystery to me."
"Why Pearl doesn't leave you for Electra or Greaseball is a mystery to me."
"She doesn't like them," Rusty retorted, making a visible effort to remain calm.
"That's what you think."
"Yeah cuz she told me so."
"Coaches are all alike, Rust bucket. They like you 'til someone better comes along who can offer them more."
"Oh like you know."
"I've been around them a lot longer than you've been."
"Yeah but we all know what coaches think of freight, now don't we?"
Flat Top glared. "Take that back!"
"why? You won't take anything back that you've said to me..."
"Why would I? It's all true."
"So's what I said."
Flat Top raised a fist. "You want me to shut your mouth permanently?"

Rusty fingered the rock in his hand and didn't answer.
Flat Top smirked. "Didn't think so, baby."
"I'm still an engine Flat Top..."
"So?"
"I'm still more powerful then you...if you want to believe it or not."
"Prove it," Flat Top growled.
"Don't have to. Tis common knowledge, why d'you think coaches go for engines anyway?"
Flat Top had no answer, just a balled fist which he let go centimeters from Rusty's face.
Rusty couldn't help it, he ducked.
Flat Top laughed. "Scaredy cat."
Rusty closed his eyes and chanted something under his breath.
"Wanna speak to my face, Rusty?"
"No."
"Aw, come on. Afraid I'll be mad?" Flat Top taunted.
"No..."
"Then tell me, fraidy train."
"Not afraid..."
"Then why won't you tell me?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Does to me. Tell me!"
"Why? Thought you didn't want me to sing..."
"You ain't singing."
Rusty sighed, "Earth...water..."
"Argh!" Flat Top covered his ears.
"Told ya so."
Flat Top glared. "Smart *ss."
"You're the one that wanted to know what I was saying..."
Flat Top had no answer.

"Can you move?" Rusty asked.
"Why?"
Rusty started to get up and groaned, "Because if you can't..."
"If I can't, what?"
"If you're hurt then I have to...to take care of it."
"Why?"
"Because you're in my train."
"And I'm your engine..."
"Not anymore."
"Look Flat Top, I've had enough of this..." Rusty said, tiredly, "I'm gonna go find Dustin..."
"No. Leave him alone. I'll go find him."
"No," Rusty said, getting up.
Flat Top got to his wheels painfully.
"I'll go find him, he's mad at you," Rusty said.
"You too."
"But I don't fight with him nearly as much..."
"No, you fill his head with dream stories."
Rusty growled, "Well at least I don't insult him..."
"What did I ever say?"
"You kept telling him to leave us alone when all he wanted to do was help," Rusty started
"That's not insulting him!"
"Well fine, arguing with him then."
"We argue all the time!"
"Yeah, my point exactly."
"What do you mean?" Flat Top demanded.

"He deserves someone better then you."
That hit a sour note. "What???"
"You heard me."
That did it. With an angry scream, Flat Top tackled Rusty and slammed them both against the tracks. "Take it back!"
Rusty growled, "Get off me..."
"Then take it back!"
Rusty pushed Flat Top away.
Flat Top leaped at him again, fist balled, ready to slug him.
"oh not this again," Rusty groaned
"You started it," Flat Top growled.
"You started it in the first place..."
"Did not!"
"Did..." Rusty pushed Flat Top, or attempted to push him, off, "too."
"Did not!" Flat Top resisted the push.

"WHAT NOW?" a very familiar male voice boomed.
Rusty's heart sank down into his skates.
Flat Top looked up. "Oh no. Another one."
"Well?" Poppa demanded, crossing his arms.
Flat Top glared, refusing to answer.
"Oh no, their at it again," Dustin said sadly, from behind Poppa.
Flat Top glared at his best friend. "Dustin, why...?"
"Ran into him on the tracks," Poppa said, "Offered to give him a lift back..." He looked over the two, "But he didn't tell me about *this*!"
Flat Top glared and released Rusty roughly.

Rusty looked up at Poppa and shrank down into the snow.
"Rusty's gonna get grounded," Flat Top sang under his breath.
"He's not the only one in trouble," Poppa said, grabbing FT's couplings and pulling him up.
"Hey!" Flat Top protested, struggling. "Let go!"
"No," Poppa answered. Rusty started to get up. "And you stay put!" his father commanded. "Yessir," Rusty mumbled.
Flat Top growled. "Let go now!"
"No."
"You're not the boss of me!"
Poppa's only answer was to tighten his grip.
"Ouch!" Flat Top yelped.
"Serves you right." Said Rusty
Flat Top glared. "Shut up!"
"Don't wanna..." Rusty started, but was silenced by a glare from his father.
Flat Top stuck out his tongue at Rusty.

"Lets see," Poppa said, thinking out loud, "I've got two naughty trainlets to deal with..."
"Who you calling trainlet?" Flat Top snarled, trying to twist away.
Poppa looked around and then dragged Flat Top over to a convenient gate...
Flat Top struggled angrily. "Where we going? Let go!"
Poppa sighed and continued to drag the truck along. He opened the gate, which led to a coal storage area and pulled FT inside. Then he quickly stepped outside and closed the gate, trapping FT.
"Hey!" Flat Top rattled the gate angrily. "Hey, this is illegal! Let me out!"
"Now you, up," Poppa commanded, returning his attention to Rusty.
Flat Top banged on the gate again.
Dustin hesitated, hovering uncomfortably. Finally he took a step nearer to FT.
Flat Top hissed.
Dustin stopped abruptly.
Flat Top glared. "Don't say a word unless you're gonna open this door."
Dustin looked down silently.
Flat Top glared and watched Poppa with angry eyes.

Rusty seemed to shrink, looking even shorter then normal under his father's glare.
Flat Top grinned. This would be fun to watch.
"Okay what happened?" Poppa asked.
Rusty sighed and looked down, not answering.
Poppa, after a minute or two of silence, said, "Now what am I to do with you. I say just go on your runs and then stay inside because you were caught fighting the first time, and then I catch you again, and with a freight car yet!"
"I resent that!" Flat Top yelled angrily.

Poppa turned and glared at Flat Top, "I'd keep quiet if I were you son..."
Flat Top glowered and slammed his fist angrily against the gate, making it rattle again.
Rusty looked at Flat Top and then at Dustin.
Flat Top glared and made faces at Rusty.
"I'm sorry," Rusty said, "But I just...I just couldn't deal with him any more."
Flat Top opened his mouth to protest.
Rusty started to go on, "He-"
"What do you mean? You started it!" Flat Top yelled.
"He found out about before," Rusty continued slowly, "And...and everything. and..."
Flat Top made a face.
"And then after Pearl came..."
"Fluff-brain," Flat Top muttered.
"Yeah..." Rusty said, "After he said that..."
Flat Top glared and hissed.
"I couldn't stop anymore...I tried Poppa, really I did!"
"Sure," Flat Top mumbled.
"I DID!" Rusty exclaimed in response to FT.
"DID NOT!"
"Did too!"
"DID NOT!"
"Argh!" Rusty exclaimed, going towards the gate.
Flat Top balled up his fists.

Poppa grabbed Rusty's couplings and pulled him away.
Flat Top grinned. "Bye-bye, Rusty," he taunted.
Rusty growled and strained against his father's grip.
"RUSTY!" Poppa shouted.
Rusty automatically went limp.
Flat Top grinned.
Poppa pulled Rusty over to the other side of the tracks and said something in a soft voice to him.

Dustin sighed and leaned against the fence.
Flat Top growled and banged on the gate. "Open up!" he ordered.
Dustin sighed and turned around, "What?"
"Hey, Dustin, open this, wouldja?"
Dustin gave the gate a halfhearted tug. It didn't open.
"Come on, Dustin. Just lift the latch."
Dustin tugged a bit harder, no luck.
"Dustin, come on."
"I'm trying!"
"Lift the latch!"

"Ahem," Poppa said, still holding a very subdued Rusty's couplings.
"Ahem yourself."
Dustin dropped his arms guiltily.
Rusty's eyes were closed and he seemed not to be paying attention to much of anything.
Flat Top glared.
Poppa turned his attention to Flat Top, "So you like the idea of Rusty being grounded then?"
Flat Top raised a brow. "Yeah...?"
"Well you'll get a chance to experience it first hand."
"What?"
"You heard me,"
Poppa took a step back, "I will be back and then I will take you home. You are confined to your quarters when I am not having you do something else."
Flat Top's mouth dropped. "But... but you can't... you can't do that!"
"Oh no?" Poppa asked.
"No! You can't."
"I believe that you are wrong."
"I believe YOU are out of your mind."
"I'll be back," Poppa said, more to Dustin then Flat Top, "Don't let him out."
Flat Top yelled and banged on the gate.

Poppa pulled the silent Rusty away down the tracks.
As Poppa pulled him along they passed Pearl. Rusty silently reached out to her, hoping she'd follow.
Poppa not-so-gently pushed Rusty into his room.
"Pearl?" Rusty whispered, "Please..."
"Alright." Poppa said, and left closing the door behind.

*~*~*~*

Flat Top watched them go, then turned to Dustin. "Come on, Dustin, open the latch."
Dustin looked down, "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?"
"Yeah..."
"Why?"
"I tried..."
"No you didn't."
"Yes I did! I tried to get both of you to stop!"
"Oh, that."
Dustin looked down, "I should've tried harder..."
"Nah, you would've just gotten hurt."
"But I could've tried *something*!"
"You want to try something? Open this latch."
"It's too late now..."
"What? No it's not. Come on, while Poppa's gone."
"I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later..."
"What was? Come on, Dustin, open this up!"
"It's hard y'know...having your two best friends hate each other..."
"Yeah, I know... Open the latch."
"Do you know then?"
"Know what?"
"Know what it's like to have your two friends hate each other?"
"Well, probably not... Dustin, for the final time, open the latch!"
"You're not even listening to me!"
"I am too! Open the gate!"
"Then what am I talking about?"
"How me and Rusty hate each other."
"What else?"
"That... that..."
"Well?"
"Well..."
"You don't know."
"So? Can you open this, please?" he tried.

Dustin sighed sadly. "Probably won't get to see either of you for awhile..."
"What? Come on, Dustin, you don't think Poppa's serious, do you?"
"What do you think?"
"Oh, come on. He's not Control."
"Without Control he is in charge..."
"No, he's not."
"Yes, I'm afraid he is."
"He can't control me."
"I don't think you have much of a choice," Dustin said softly.
"You don't think so? Watch me."

At that moment Poppa returned.
Flat Top glared and hushed.
Poppa sighed tiredly, before approaching the trucks.
Flat Top shook the gate angrily. "Let me out."
Poppa paused, with his hand on the latch
Flat Top glared, waiting.
Poppa slowly opened the gate, making sure to stand completely in the opening.
Flat Top glared.
Poppa started towards FT slowly.
Flat Top glared and held up his hands defensively.
"Thought you wanted out of here."
"I do."
"Alright then..." With a rather quick movement Poppa reached out and grabbed FT's couplings
"Ouch! Careful!"
The engine pulled the truck out onto the tracks.
Flat Top stumbled along, hissing and growling.

Poppa, ignoring that, headed down the tracks towards the freight yard.
Flat Top crossed his arms and glared at Dustin, trying to keep his balance.
Dustin stared down at his wheels as he automatically followed.
Flat Top struggled. "Where we going?"
"To your house."
"No!"
"yes."
"NO!" Flat Top gave a violent twist.
Poppa sighed, "That's a very old trick...almost older then me."
Flat Top glared and pushed his breaks down as hard as he could.
Poppa jumped, jolting Flat Top's breaks loose. "That's an old one too..."
Flat Top growled and crossed his arms again.
They approached Flat Top's house.
Flat Top twisted his head around to look at Poppa. "Let me go!"
"No, you'll run."
"Duh," Flat Top muttered.
"Then why would I let you go?"
Flat Top muttered a few nasty curses under his breath.
Poppa jolted sharply again.
"Ouch! Careful!"

Poppa came to a stop outside of FT's house.
Flat Top tried to pull himself away.
Poppa shifted his hold on FT to one hand and opened the door with the other
Flat Top gave a big yank, hoping now to break free.
Poppa whirled, FT did indeed break free, but inside of his house.
Flat Top stumbled forward, nearly falling.
Poppa started to close the door.
Flat Top flung himself against the door and tried to keep it open.
Poppa pushed from the other side, forcing the door shut.
Flat Top yelled and banged on the door, jiggling the handle.
"You are to stay in there until I let you out," Poppa said sternly, "In short, you are grounded."
"You can't do that!" Flat Top yelled back. "I'm not your kid!"
"I can and I have."
Flat Top yelled and banged on the door again. "Let me out!"
"No."
"Poppa, open this door!"
"No."
"Let me out!"
"I said No, and you keep that up I'll keep you in there longer."

Flat Top growled and kicked the door with his skate wheel, then leaned against the door and groaned, feeling himself hurt all over again.
"I'll tell you what I won't do though," Poppa said.
"What?" Flat Top growled.
"I won't make you sit through Meg."
"Good. Cause then I'd be forced to kill you."
"Good bye," Poppa said.
Flat Top banged on the door again. "Hey, open this! Now!"
The only answer was the sound of Poppa rolling away

Flat Top groaned. "Dustin, are you out there?"
"Yes."
"Dustin, unlock the door, will you?"
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't move this thing that's in front of the door..."
"What is it?"
"A big barrier thing."
"Helpful."
"Well I'm sorry, it's about up to my waist and it's long and yellow on top of some white legs...
"Joy."
"I can't move it..."
"Fine. I'll find my own way out."
"How?"
"I dunno... I have windows..."
"None big enough to climb out of.."
"I'll make do."

*~*~*~*

Rusty, laying face down on his bed hadn't bothered to open the curtains and was there in the semi-darkness.
He wasn't thinking about it anymore, about anything. He just was. and was considering going to sleep. He had almost banked his fire.
The door opened and he didn't look up.
"Rusty..."
"Poppa!" Rusty yelped, sitting up quickly and scooting away, "I haven't moved! I promise!"
"I know," Poppa said, setting something down on the end table.
Rusty hesitated and then looked up at Poppa.
"You're still not to come out yet."
"I know..." Rusty answered, looking down.
Poppa approached him and Rusty braced. His father set a hand on his shoulder, a comforting one.
Then he left, closing the door behind him.

Rusty sat there for a few moments and then investigated what Poppa had brought. It was lunch.
He stared at the food for awhile before slowly starting to eat.
As he finished Pearl skated in, he looked up at her.

Before Rusty could say anything, Pearl spoke, "Rusty.." she said uncertainly, "Rusty....you mustn't be angry...but...I didn't go home...I couldn't...I....I heard what Flat-top said....everything...I..I did...sorta....cry...but, now I'm just angry!. Rusty, I nearly opened one of my doors, took a crystal lamp from inside me and threw it at him!!!!, and now....Poppa!...Rusty....he must understand doesn't he?, that Flat-top caused all this?!. She looked at Rusty desperately.
Rusty blinked and looked up at Pearl. She was so upset. Regardless of how he felt he didn't want her to be upset.
But this time he didn't know how to comfort her.
"I don't know Pearl," Rusty said, "I guess so...Poppa wouldn't just think it was all me...but...I just don't know. Please don't cry."
Pearl gave a slightly surprised, but comforting smile. "Don't worry Rusty, I've done my crying!, I won't be doing any more in a hurry!, I realized that it's not going to solve anything. I guess we just have to face up to our problems, right?.". She lowered her eyes and spoke quietly, "Oh....Poppa...it seems he tries to see the best in everyone...must be hard to though...with the likes of FT about, not to mention....GB".
She realized that talking about these things was not going to make Rusty feel any better. Those things were starring him in the face enough already, without her bringing them up, so she decided just to take his hand in hers and stay silent. She was perhaps the only one who would have a chance of keeping Rusty's mind off things, and that's exactly what she planned to do.
Rusty was a bit relieved. He squeezed Pearl's hand. "Poppa does try," Rusty said, "And sometimes I don't agree...but he's fair. He won't break us apart. I know that much at least." He smiled, "whatever happens...I know that we'll be together, and anyway I know that I can handle it...with you..."

*~*~*~*

Poppa had decided what to do, and he went to tell Rusty. As he expected Pearl was there, and the reaction from the two of them was also expected.
"What?" Rusty exclaimed, "But Poppa no! Something else, ANYTHING else."
"No Rusty. This is what I have decided and that is what is going to happen."
"But..." Rusty started, and then he sighed and looked down, "Yes Poppa." He looked up, "Only..."
Poppa nodded, "Yeah, I'll leave you two alone."
Seeing the identical sad expressions on both Rusty and Pearl's faces he stopped.
"Oh come on you two, it's not forever, and Rusty'll be back before you know it."
With that he left.

"I don't know what to say," Rusty said, "I never thought he'd...Pearl, I don't...I can't..."
He gave her a hug. "Just don't cry. Please don't."
He forced a smile, "Poppa's right, it's not forever, and I'll be back. I'll hurry back, because you're here. And I love you."
He gave her a kiss.
"I have to go," he said softly, "But I'll be back before you know it."

*~*~*~*

Poppa, having finished with Rusty, headed down the tracks towards Flat Top's house.
Flat Top had destroyed everything in reach and had now settled for throwing his brick against the wall, catching it, and throwing it again.
Poppa, hearing the rhythmic crashes coming from Flat Top's house was preparing for what was to come
Flat Top gave the brick an extra hard toss that broke the shards of what had once been a lamp.
Poppa moved the barrier away from Flat Top's door. It made a rather loud scraping noise.
Flat Top looked up in surprise and sat up.

Having pushed the barrier aside Poppa slowly opened the door.
Flat Top squinted at the light and held up his brick. "You come near me," he threatened.
"I come near you and you'll regret thinking what you're thinking right now."
Flat Top glared, holding the brick defensively.
Poppa leaned back against the wall. "I've decided what to do with you."
"I thought I was grounded," Flat Top muttered.
"Yes that true, but you didn't think that that was all, did you?"
"Well..."
Poppa raised an eyebrow.
Flat Top glared.
"You and Rusty have never been close, usually I'd say you were barely tolerant of each other, but this...this has gone too far."
"Oh?" Flat Top mused.
"yes."
Flat Top shrugged.
"And I've had just about enough of it."
"Good for you."
"And so I've decided to do something about it."
Flat Top raised a brow.
"Perhaps what you need is a change of scenery..."
"I thought that's what my house was."
"No."
Flat Top groaned.
"I think that maybe you can't work out your problems here."
"I don't want to work them out at all."
"Tough."
Flat Top hissed.
"So you are leaving."
"I like it here."

"I am sending you out, away from here...from this line."
Flat Top looked up in terror. "I'm being expelled?"
"No...I'm sending you off on an errand."
"What if I don't want to go?"
"You don't have a choice in the matter."
Flat Top glared. "I need an engine."
"And you will have one."
Flat Top glared. "Who?"

Poppa folded his arms with a who-do-you-think? expression
Flat Top's eyes widened. "No! Absolutely not!"
"Well what did you expect?"
"I dunno..."
"It's a punishment Flat Top..."
"Haven't I been punished enough? Do we have to move onto torture now?"
"I could hand you over to Meg..."
Flat Top glared. "Now we're on to death threats?"
"I'm just saying it could be worse."
Flat Top glared. "I'd rather be dismantled."
"You and Rusty are going over to the next station." Poppa said, leaving no room for argument.
Flat Top crossed his arms.
Poppa turned to leave.
Flat Top laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. "I shoulda stayed in bed."
Poppa closed the door behind him, barricading it shut again.

There was a rapping sound on Flat Top's window.
Flat Top looked up. 'Something I forgot to break'. "Who's there?" he growled.
"Me." Dustin answered.
Flat Top groaned. "What do you want?"
"Poppa just left..." Dustin started, trailing off with a question.
"Yeah. Thankfully."
"What...?" Dustin started
Flat Top groaned. "Can you just shoot me now and get it over with?"
"Oh come on, it can't be *that* bad."
"It can, and it is."
"What then?" Dustin asked, not able to keep the pre-panic out of his voice.
"I gotta go on a run with Rust bucket."
"Oh," Dustin said, relief evident in his voice
Flat Top looked up. "Why you happy about that?"
"It's not that bad..."
"Yeah it is."
"Look I know that you don't like Rusty..." Dustin started.
"That's a given."
"But at least it's not any worse then just another run..."
"Except you're not going."
Dustin was silent for a second, "Maybe I can..."
"Please do."
"But it can't be that bad, even without me, it's just another run on our line..."

Flat Top wanted to yell. "It's not our line!"
"What?!?!?!"
"We're going over to the next station.
"For...for how long?"
"As long as it takes, I guess."
"You're...leaving?"
"Well, I'll be back if I don't kill myself on the way."
Dustin had to sit down at that one. "You're leaving," he repeated to himself.
Flat Top got up as Dustin disappeared from view. "Dustin? You there?"
"yes..."
"Good."

Dustin buried his head in his arms.
Flat Top sighed and leaned against the wall by the window. "Why doesn't he just hit me over the head and get it over with?"
"Who?"
"Poppa. Rusty. I don't care."
"I can't believe he's making you leave..."
"Me either."
"What am I gonna do without you?"
"Dustin, it'll only be a few days, for oil's sake."
"But you will be back," Dustin said hopefully.
"Of course."
Dustin looked up, "He's coming."
"Hide me," Flat Top muttered.

Poppa, with a rather unhappy Rusty in tow was coming down the tracks.
Flat Top growled and suddenly smashed his brick against the window, making sure everything was broken now.
"hey watch it!" Dustin exclaimed, moving out of the way of the falling glass.
Flat Top sighed. "Watch out."

Poppa, holding on to Rusty with one hand, pushed the barrier out of the way again.
Flat Top growled and held his brick tight. 'I could always disconnect along the way...'
Rusty was halfheartedly wiggling in his father's grip
Flat Top turned to the window. "Dustin?"
"yeah?"
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon, kay?"
"okay..."
"I promise. Real soon."
Dustin sniffed, "Okay."
Flat Top smiled just a bit. "Don't cry."
"I won't."
"Good."

"hey Dustin..." Rusty said halfheartedly as Poppa finally let go of his couplings.
Flat Top skated back to his bed and flopped into it.
Poppa opened the door. "Come on Flat Top."
"No."
"Come on."
"No."
"Now."
"NO!"
Poppa sighed, skated over to Flat Top and grabbed his couplings, yanking the truck to his wheels.
Darn. It didn't work. Flat Top groaned. "Loosen up a bit."
Poppa slacked his grip a little.
Flat Top growled and didn't move.

Poppa pulled him towards the door.
Flat Top let Poppa pull him, an angry frown on his face.
Poppa pulled Flat Top out of his room and outside, towards Dustin and Rusty
Flat Top glared at Rusty who looked a bit beat up. Flat Top imagined he didn't look much different.
Rusty turned around and looked down.
Flat Top glared. 'This'll be sooo fun'.
Rusty was silent. Dustin was *not* going to cry.
Poppa pushed Flat Top towards Rusty
Flat Top hit his brakes.
Once again Poppa jolted the brakes loose.
Flat Top growled.

"Hitch up," Poppa ordered.
"No."
Poppa growled and shoved Flat Top, almost pushing him into Rusty.
Flat Top yelped and caught himself, grabbing Rusty's couplers a little harder than necessary, giving Rusty a jerk.
Rusty wasn't ready for that one and yelped, trying ungracefully to keep his balance
Flat Top grinned.
"oh this'll be fun..." Rusty mumbled
"You bet, Rust bucket," Flat Top mumbled.
"Now when you get there make sure you go to the main station right away..." Poppa said to Rusty.
Flat Top hummed and looked around.
"Yes sir." Rusty responded automatically to everything Poppa said.

"Poppa?" Dustin asked softly.
Flat Top glanced back at his pal.
"what Dustin?" "Can I go?" Dustin asked softly, "Please."
"Please?" Flat Top added, biting his tongue afterwards.
"Please Poppa?" Rusty said.
Poppa looked at the three and shook his head, "No."
Flat Top growled.
"Please Poppa," Dustin begged. "I'm sorry Dustin, but no," Poppa said, looking kindly at the hopper.
"Oh, come on," Flat Top mumbled
"No," Poppa repeated.
Flat Top groaned.

"Time to go," Poppa said.
Flat Top sighed. "Bye Dustin."
"Bye," Dustin said.
Flat Top gave his friend a kind smile
Dustin smiled bravely back.
"Bye Dustin," Rusty said.
"Bye Rusty."
Flat Top rolled his eyes.
"Ready?" Rusty asked halfheartedly
"No."
"I know..."
"Shut it."
"Go..." Poppa started. Rusty sighed and slowly started to move.
Flat Top sighed and followed huffily.

Rusty slowly started to pick up speed.
Flat Top waited 'til he was sure Rusty was not paying attention and let go
Rusty stopped when he felt Flat Top unhitch
Flat Top let himself swing in a circle, then head back for the train yard
"Flat Top..." Rusty started
Flat Top didn't listen.
"FLAT TOP!" Poppa boomed
Flat Top ducked. Poppa was following them?
"If I have to tie you two together I will..." Poppa threatened.
Rusty looked absolutely horrified and gave Flat Top a pleading look
Flat Top glared and unwillingly hitched up to Rusty again.
"If I don't hear that you two arrived together at the next station..." Poppa let the threat hang
Flat Top glared.

Rusty suddenly took off.
"Slow down!" Flat Top ordered.
Rusty slowed ever so slightly
Flat Top glared and jerked him. "I said slow down."
"I did."
"No you didn't."
"yes I did, I was going this fast," Rusty sped up again, "and then I slowed to this," he slowed a little
Flat Top glared. "Smart ass."
Rusty didn't answer, just kept going
Flat Top groaned and looked around.

Rusty stopped looking up as all familiar landmarks passed
Flat Top sighed.
"Gone," Rusty said sadly.
"What?"
"We've left the line..."
"Oh."
"I haven't left in a long time..."
"Oh."
"have you?"
"No."
"Never?"
"I dunno," Flat Top growled.
"I've never left on my own before..."
"Oh."