The Midnight Train Crossing

Rusty slowed as he approached the shed where they had left Jan.
Flat Top followed him, wondering if he was going to have to restrain Jan from throttling Rusty.
Rusty went slower...and slower...and slower.
Flat Top was barely moving. "Move along!" he ordered.
Rusty sighed and sped up just a bit. He mumbled something.
"What?"
"Don't wanna tell her..."
"I'm sure, but she's gonna wonder why Jamie's not with us."
"Yeah..." Rusty said softly.

They reached the shed. Jan was still asleep inside.
"Let's not wake her up," Flat Top said softly.
Jan rolled over and opened her eyes
"Okay, scratch that idea."
"you're back!" she exclaimed sitting up
"Yeah," Flat Top said softly.
She looked at them, and then looked up at Flat Top curiously, "But..."
Flat Top waited.
"Where's...?" she started
Flat Top glanced at Rusty and gave him a nudge forward.
Rusty yelped a bit as he was pushed.
Flat Top glared. "Come on," he muttered.
Jan stood up and glared at him, "Where is my brother?" she demanded.
"Well..." Rusty started slowly.
Jan crossed her arms.
"We tried Jan! Really we did!" Rusty said quickly.
"We did!" Flat Top insisted.
"You said you'd bring him back!" Jan exclaimed.
"He didn't want to come!" Flat Top blurted out, then fell silent. *Oops..*

"HE WHAT?!!"
Flat Top ducked behind Rusty.
Jan advanced on them. "Of course he won't want to, he thinks he's saving me by staying, you were supposed to convince him that he *could* come with us..."
Flat Top was backing away, leaving Rusty to defend himself.

Rusty yelped as the very angry coach advanced on him. He wasn't about to fight back against her. He backed up and backed into the wall of the shed. "N-now Jan...come on..." he said.
Flat Top leaped in front of Jan. "Jan, sweetie, listen..."
Jan made a face, glaring at them both. She wanted her brother back
Flat Top backed away, nearly tripping over Rusty.
With Flat Top out of her direct path Jan advanced on Rusty again. "Flat Top," he called in a rather highish voice, "Help!" At this point Jan had him pinned up against the wall.
Flat Top leaped forward and, with all the courage he had, grabbed Jan's arms and pinned them to her sides. "Jan..."
Jan struggled for a second and then went limp in Flat Top's arms. She wasn't used to being upset, her usual response was to get mad and *do* something, but this time she couldn't.

Flat Top held her tightly, trying to give her a gentle hug.
Jan sank into his hug. "But you did see him right?" she asked softly.
"Yeah. Yeah, we saw him."
"H-how was he?"
"Um... He was... in one piece..."
"T-that's good..." Jan started, waiting for FT to tell her more
Flat Top hesitated. "Well... Um... He was wet..."
"He was wet?"
"They... uh... dumped a bucket of water over him..."
"Oh no..." Jan sighed, and then she looked up, "well that's not the worst in the world..."
"No, it's not."
"That's good," Jan said a bit relieved, "I'm glad they didn't..."
"Didn't...?"
"do anything too horrible then..."
Flat Top kept silent.
"what?"
"Nothing."
"No...tell me..."
"Nothing!"
"They beat him up, didn't they?"
"Well, not when we were there..."
"but they had already...right?"
"...Right..."
"How did he look? Apart from wet and in one piece."
"Well, um... He looked I guess as well as could be expected..."
Jan let out a sigh of relief, "That's good..."
Flat Top nodded slowly. "Y... Yeah."
Rusty slowly shifted away from the wall. "D-did you talk to him?" Jan asked.
"Um... yeah..."
"And?"
"And...?"
"He's sorta okay then?"
"Yeah."
Jan sighed with relief. "I should've told you..." she started softly.
"Told us what?" Flat Top asked gently.
"Told you to tell him something for me..."
"Which was...?"
"Next time you see him...tell him that I...that I love him, and miss him..." Jan said softly.
Flat Top smiled gently. "I'm sure he knows."
"Just tell him for me." she said.
"We will," Rusty said, finally daring to say something.

*~*~*~*

Jamie was napping on his bed, the ice long melted into water.
*RIIIIIINNNNGGG!*
Jamie blinked sleepily, groaning, and rolling over, pulling the pillow over his head.
*RIIIIIINNNNNNG*
Jamie groaned and sat up, getting painfully to his feet.
*RIIIIINNNNNGGG*

Jamie stumbled to the phone and picked it up.
"Hello?" a voice said pleasantly.
"What?" Jamie mumbled, sleepily, still half asleep.
"Hello, would you be interested in saving money?" the voice asked
*What money?* Jamie couldn't help thinking. He dropped the phone back down with a moan.
"Hello....?" the voice from the receiver asked.
Jamie put the phone back in its cradle, disconnecting the other person, stumbling back to his bed.

There was a hesitant knocking on the door, then it opened...
Jamie looked up groggily.
Tank skated into the room.
Jamie groaned and flopped his face back into his pillow.
"oh you are awake."
"Yeah," Jamie mumbled into the folds of his pillow.
"I thought you'd still be asleep..."
"I was..."
"Was?"
"Got woken up," Jamie mumbled.
"oh really?"
"Yeah."
"Lemme see your wrist."
Jamie held up his arm, not bothering to look up.
Tank pulled the bag, now filled with water, off of Jamie's wrist and looked at it
Jamie sighed into his pillow.
"Swelling's gone down." Tank observed
"Oh. Good."
"Still hurt?"
"Not really..."
"Good."
Jamie nodded, which was hard to do, being face down.
"Of course, it's probably because it's just numb..."
"Probably."
"So it'll hurt again when it wears off..."
"Goody."
"Tell me if it does," Tank said, putting Jamie's wrist back down.
"Why?" Jamie asked, looking up.
"Because I want to know!" Tank snapped.
Jamie ducked his head. "Sorry."

Tank stood up, moving away from Jamie.
Jamie watched him go and pulled the pillow back over his head, wide awake now.
"Oh, and Jamie?"
"Hmm?"
Tank picked up the handcuffs he had set down on the table earlier that morning. "If these vanish..." he trailed off threateningly.
Jamie ducked his head lower. "Wouldn't lose them," he mumbled.
"good," Tank said.

Jamie gave his wrist with the cuff a shake.
Tank froze at the rattling sound for a second, then kept going.
Jamie groaned and slammed his wrist down on the bed. "Off!" he ordered it, as if it would listen to him.
Tank laughed.
Jamie glared at him.
Tank continued to laugh. *like that would work*
Jamie sniffed softly. "Tank?"
"What?"
"Can... can I have it off? Please?"
"no."
"Please?"
"no."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"NO!" Tank roared, "You ask again and I'll put the other one back on, sprained wrist or not
Jamie ducked his head, cuddling his pillow close.
Tank growled softly.
Jamie shivered.

There was a sound outside and Tank looked up
Jamie looked up too. *Oh please don't let it be Rusty...*

"Hey boss!' a voice called
"Oh no," Jamie mumbled, planting his face in his pillow again.
"Hey boss," the gang said, "we went to the phone company like you said, they weren't too happy to see us, but you won't be bothered no more..." as he spoke he moved into Jamie's room
Jamie curled up into a ball and cuddled his pillow close.
"Hey boss..." the gang said looking at Jamie
Jamie ducked and whimpered.

"Boss?" one of the gang asked, looking over at Jamie.
Tank shook his head.
"Aw, but we've been working all morning..."
*So I'm a stress-reliever now?* Jamie thought bitterly.
"Not now," Tank said.
Jamie sighed with relief.
"Aw come on boss, we wanna have some fun..."
Jamie curled tight. *Pleasenopleasenopleaseno*
"I said not now!" Tank said.
*Please let them leave...*
"Not even a little bit?"
Jamie whimpered.
One of the gang grinned, "See we're having fun already..."
Tank shook his head, "I said NOT NOW! and I meant it. Do you guys know what "not now" means?"
Jamie beamed. Wow. Tank was defending him? It seemed too good to be true.
"Uh..." the gang started.
"It means 'later.'" Tank explained.
Jamie groaned to himself. He shoulda known...
"Later?" the gang repeated amongst themselves. "Oh I see boss," one said, "You've got something planned..."
*How dim is that?* Jamie wondered, clutching his pillows as if they would protect him.
Tank nodded, "That's right, after all, you've gotta finish work before you can play..."
It took a second for the gang to process that. Then they all sorta nodded.
Jamie whined and buried his face in his pillow.

One took a step over towards Jamie, "Just a little boss?" he asked.
Jamie looked up, terrified.
Tank rolled his eyes as the gang member grabbed Jamie's not-hurt wrist.
Jamie yelped. "Let go!"
"Aw poor Jamie," the gang played with the handcuff.
Jamie struggled. "Stoppit!"
Tank rolled over to investigate.
Jamie looked up pleadingly at Tank, trying to get off the bed, but the gang held him tight. "Tank..."
Tank pushed his gang aside, taking the cuff from him.
Jamie sighed gratefully.
Tank gave the cuff a tug.
Jamie winced just a bit, more out of habit than pain.
"Let him have it boss," the gang urged, watching.
Jamie looked fearfully at them, then back to Tank.
Tank shook his head, no.
Jamie felt relief wash over him.

Tank jerked the cuff again.
"Ow!" Jamie protested.
"I need him in relatively good shape for later," Tank said, "It's always more fun that way..."
The gang nodded understandingly. "It's gonna be that good then boss?"
Jamie whimpered and tried to pull away from Tank, suddenly scared now that Tank was back in his tough-leader mode.
Tank nodded, holding Jamie firm, "It'll be that good."
Jamie struggled. "Let go," he pleaded.
"Don't wanna yet."
"But-"
Tank growled warningly.
Jamie instantly went silent, his eyes scared.
The gang grinned with anticipation. "You got it boss, we'll go," the spokes-engine said.
Jamie sighed with relief.
The gang took their sweet time leaving the room

Jamie watched them go, then nearly collapsed, but Tank was still holding him.
Tank finally let Jamie go.
Jamie nearly tumbled onto his bed, panting in fear and crying softly.
Tank gave Jamie a soft shove.
Jamie sniffed and curled into a ball. "Don't."
Tank didn't touch Jamie again, instead he just sorta looked at Jamie

Jamie looked up at Tank, scared. "Are... are you really gonna... gonna let them?"
"Gonna let them what?"
"Gonna let them... beat me up."
"We've done that before...several times in fact."
"I... I know..."
"Must come up with something original..."
Jamie whimpered. "But..."
"But what? You want to be beaten up again?"
Jamie quickly shook his head. "N... no."
"Didn't think so."
Jamie sniffed and whimpered. "What happened to you?"
"What?"
"You... you were so nice, and now you're trying to hurt me again."
Tank stiffened again, then rolled over towards Jamie.
Jamie curled tighter, not sure what his reaction would be.
"I..." Tank started
Jamie looked up at him.
"I told you before, I am NOT NICE!"
Jamie curled tighter and whimpered.
Tank nodded approvingly. "Good, don't forget that either."
Jamie looked away, ashamed.

Tank took the water-filled bag and rolled over towards the kitchenette.
Jamie watched him go, grateful at least that Tank didn't douse him with it.
There was a rattling sound from the other room
Jamie looked up. What was Tank doing?
Tank returned a few moments later.
Jamie shrank back down again, scared.
"Give me your wrist."
Jamie obediently complied.
Tank had put more ice in the bag and he gently set it back down on Jamie's wrist.
Jamie winced at the cold and inhaled sharply.
Tank carefully adjusted it.
Jamie held his breath until the ice seemed less cold, then sank down and sighed.

"Okay?" Tank asked gruffly.
Jamie nodded slowly. "Y... Yeah."
"Good. Now just relax and try not to move your arm too much."
"Okay," Jamie agreed softly.
Tank turned to leave.
"Wait!" Jamie pleaded.
"What now?"
Jamie bit his lip and softly mumbled. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For... for helping me and being so nice."
"What?"
"For-" Jamie cut himself off and clapped a hand over his mouth.
Tank suddenly loomed over Jamie. "I told you before..."
Jamie cowered. "I'm sorry."

Tank growled softly and raised a hand, smacking Jamie "lightly" across the face.
Jamie gasped in pain, clasping a hand to his cheek where a red mark was forming. He looked up, terrified, at Tank, his blue eyes filled with tears.
"I am not nice. And every time you say that I am..."
Jamie shrank down. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Good."
Jamie sniffed and rubbed his cheek gently.
"Anything else then?"
Jamie shook his head ashamedly.
"Good." Tank said, turning to go again.

Jamie watched him. "When... when will they be coming back?" he asked softly, wanting to know how long he had to live.
"Later."
"When?" Jamie pleaded.
"When I let them come back."
Jamie sniffled and curled up tightly, as if to protect himself.
"I'll see you later," Tank said.
Jamie began to sob, glaring angrily.
Tank closed the door firmly behind him.
Jamie cried himself to sleep.

*~*~*~*

There was a rather loud sound from outside.
Jamie slept on, taking what little peace he could get.
"Is it time yet?" one of the gang asked. "Nah," another said, "We're supposed to wait a few more minutes." "But I don't wanna wait any more!" the gang said.
Jamie continued to nap, unaware outside his fate was being decided.
Finally after a fierce debate it was decided. They pounded on the door
Jamie blinked and stirred. Was he hearing things?
There was another light rapping on the door.
Jamie groaned and got stiffly to his wheels, heading for the door, his wrist numb from the cold ice that had once again melted.
Another knock
Jamie wiped sleep from his eyes and opened the door. Then, when he saw who it was, he tried to slam it shut.

The gang blocked the door with his skate and smiled evilly at Jamie
Jamie backed away, terrified. "Go away," he pleaded.
"Tank wants you..."
"But-"
"Now."
Jamie whimpered and shook his head, finding himself pressed against the wall.
Two of the gang grabbed his arms and dragged him along outside.
Jamie struggled, beginning to cry. "Stoppit! Let go!"
"No, if you don't come when Tank wants you..."
Jamie sniffed and stopped struggling.

They pulled Jamie outside. "Do we have to wait for Tank?" one of them asked.
"What???" Jamie shrieked. "But you said-"
"I dunno..." one said thoughtfully
Jamie struggled and kicked.
One gave him a smack to keep him still
Jamie whimpered and squeezed his eyes shut in pain.
"I'll go get Tank, you guys stay here, with him," one of the gang offered. There was a general murmur of agreement
Jamie squirmed. "Please... lemme go."
"No, I don't think so..."
"Please..."
One of the gang grabbed Jamie's "leash"
Jamie gasped. "No!"
"Tank had a great idea with this one..." the gang said.
Jamie sniffed and glared hatefully.

"I can't wait any more!" one exclaimed, swinging his arm back to swing.
Jamie screamed.
There was a crashing sound as the punch connected.
Jamie would have hit the ground had he not been held up. He began to cry, blood forming at the corner of his lip.
"My turn," another said.
Jamie whimpered and struggled.
*another crashing sound*
Jamie cried out in pain and would have fallen to his knees as his legs gave out if he were not held up.
"Oh let go of him," one said, "He's not going anywhere..." The two holding him shrugged and let go...
Jamie collapsed flat on the ground, crying and panting.
One of the gang set a skate down on Jamie, as Tank had done so many times.
Jamie cried out and struggled.
"How does Tank get him to hold still?" the gang asked, trying to keep his balance.
*Fear?* Jamie wondered. He struggled again, trying to throw the other train off balance.
The gang did lose his balance, and tumbled ungracefully.
Jamie would have smiled if he had not been so scared. He tried to push himself up, but he fell painfully.
The others laughed at their fallen member.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Tank's voice boomed.
Jamie looked up in relief. *Thank Starlight!* He looked up pleadingly at Tank.
"I told you to wait for me..." Tank scolded
Jamie wiped blood from his mouth and reached up pleadingly to Tank. "Tank... please..."
"This was not my plan..." Tank scolded.
Jamie sniffed and reached up pleadingly to Tank. "Tank..."
"Sorry boss," the gang said a bit sheepishly.
Tank shifted a bit, coming rather near to rolling over Jamie's hand
Jamie pulled his hand back, trying to get painfully to his knees, but not succeeding.
"So wot do you wanna do then boss?" the gang asked.
"Get up," Tank ordered Jamie.
Jamie tried. He honestly tried. But he couldn't get the strength to push himself up.
Tank rolled his eyes and reached down a hand, holding it out.
Jamie looked at it in surprise, then slowly reached out and grasped Tank's hand.
Tank gave Jamie's hand a firm pull, which was actually more of a yank.
Jamie stumbled to his feet, holding back a wince at Tank's cruel pull.
"Now come on," Tank ordered.
"Come on where?" Jamie asked softly.
"Just follow me," Tank said, getting a bit annoyed.
Jamie nodded and moved to follow.
The gang grinned in anticipation and followed their boss. They were a bit curious as to why Tank wanted Jamie to come on his own, but they figured that Tank had a reason, he always did.
Jamie followed, edging closer and closer to Tank, feeling safer with him than with the rest of the group.

Tank led the group down the tracks, towards the fateful spot of last night's encounter.
Jamie looked around, growing more and more nervous as they went.
Tank grinned evilly at Jamie's expression.
Jamie ducked his head and slowed his pace, causing the train behind him to nearly run him over.
"Oy!" the gang behind him shouted, skidding to a stop, barely avoiding either running Jamie over, or falling himself.
Jamie sped up and nearly crashed into Tank. This was getting him nowhere.
"Careful!" Tank growled, grabbing Jamie's "leash"
Jamie inhaled sacredly and nodded, his eyes wide.
Tank rolled his eyes and continued on, not letting go of the chain this time.
Jamie had to go faster to keep up with Tank's pace.

Tank finally came to a stop, exactly where they had been last night.
Jamie looked around and shuddered, whimpering softly.
"What's wrong?" Tank asked sweetly.
Jamie shook his head.
"That's not an answer..."
"N... Nothing," Jamie pleaded.
"Oh. I see, nothing's wrong then..."
Jamie bit his lip.
Tank gave Jamie a shove towards the trestle...
Jamie nearly tripped, having to cling to the trestle to keep from falling down.
The gang laughed, "Looks familiar, huh boss?"
Jamie whimpered and looked away before tears could fall.
"Yeah it does..." Tank said, "Only y'know what the difference is?"
Jamie looked up, waiting for a nasty answer.
"This time it's daytime, and these tracks are pretty main ones, lots of trains'll come past, unlike at night..."
Jamie wondered if that was a good thing.
"So everybody'll see... When we left you here last night, there wasn't anybody to see you...but during the day..."
Jamie whimpered and sank to the ground, curled against the trestle as if to protect himself. "Please don't," he pleaded.
"No huh?" Tank said, "you didn't like that very much did you?"
Jamie shook his head.
"I didn't think so..." Tank said, "Still, it's something for me to remember..."
Jamie glared just a bit, wiping away his tears and refusing to let anymore fall.

The gang shifted, "Tank..." one of them said, pleadingly. "We're not just gonna sit here and watch him..."
"We wanna have some fun," another said.
Jamie whimpered and curled into a ball against the trestle.
"Oh, alright fine," Tank said.
Jamie ducked lower.
"Really?" the gang asked eagerly.
Tank nodded, "Knock your skates off."
Jamie yelped. "No!"
Two of them eagerly skated over to Jamie and grabbed his arms.
Jamie struggled. "Lemme go! Please don't!"
The gang basically ignored him, pulling him away from the trestle to where they would have more room
Jamie struggled wildly, his eyes scared and wide as teacups. "Please! Don't!"

The gang looked at each other, "On the count of three," one said. "One..."
Jamie gasped.
"Two..."
"No! Tank!" Jamie pleaded.
"What?" Tank growled, in a very dangerous tone.
Jamie reached out an arm pleadingly to him. "Please... don't let them do this...."
"Three!"
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut.
*WHAM!*
Tank just watched
Jamie crumpled to his knees, supported only by the two that held him.
"That was a good one, but watch this," one of the gang said.
Jamie screamed.
"Pull him up again," one of them said. The two holding him did so, forcing him upright
Jamie struggled. "No! Lemme go!"
*POW*
Jamie actually fell from their grip, landing hard on the ground beneath him, coughing hard, a trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth.
One roughly nudged his frame with the tip of his skate.
Jamie curled into a ball, shivering and moaning softly.

They grabbed his arms again, pulling him up
Jamie struggled slightly, reaching out for Tank again. "Tank..." he pleaded, his voice weak.
One of the gang took a swing at him again.
Jamie's head snapped painfully to the side, and he gave a muffled cry.
And another swing.
Jamie felt himself slipping out of consciousness. *Oh no! No, I can't! I have to...*
The two holding him decided that they'd had enough of holding him. One hit him again and they let go.
Jamie hit the ground hard. He laid his cheek against the cool ground a moment, his beaten, bleeding face hot.
They closed in around him
Jamie coughed again as he tried to draw in enough breath. He looked up, trying to find Tank through half-dead eyes...

Tank had no expression as he watched this, leaning up against the side of something
Jamie reached out to him, his darling face pleading with every ounce of energy in him. "Tank, please..."
"Don't even." Tank said coldly.
"Please," Jamie pleaded.
Tank skated over towards Jamie slowly.
Jamie watched him, his eyes begging him to stop them.
Tank sorta gently, (when compared to how the gang was hitting Jamie before) gave Jamie a kick.
Jamie curled into a ball and stared up at Tank as if a favorite puppy had just bitten him.
The gang skated in a circle around Jamie and Tank. Tank regarded Jamie thoughtfully.
Jamie tried to push himself up, but fell weakly again, coughing again.

Rusty, hidden under an overhead structure, had just pulled up with Flat Top.
Flat Top disconnected and peered over Rusty's shoulder.
"Oh no..." Rusty mumbled. The gang continued to circle around Jamie, occasionally hitting him.
Jamie was curled as tight as he could get, his hands up weakly to protect his head.
Rusty closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. "I can't watch this..."
Flat Top wondered if he was gonna be sick, pressing his hand to his middle. He never enjoyed watching this.
"I can't..." Rusty started, his engine whirring into motion
Flat Top looked up in terror. "Oh no you don't!"
Rusty looked at Flat Top apologetically and then his eyes started to glow
Flat Top ducked away, then grabbed Rusty's couplers to hold him back. "No! You're gonna get him killed!"
Rusty didn't seem to hear that.
"Rusty, no!"
"I can't just let them do this."
"You're not gonna help him any by barging into it all!"
Rusty glared at Flat Top, with the glowing eyes it was a rather interesting sight.
Flat Top backed away. "Stop that!"

Rusty, fighting against Flat Top's brakes slowly moved forward.
Flat Top dug his brakes in harder. "Rusty-"
"No."
Flat Top was losing his grip. "You're gonna get turned into scrap metal!"
"No."

Meanwhile, Jamie was losing consciousness, his eyes focusing and unfocusing on Tank.
"Stop," Tank said suddenly.
Jamie blinked painfully and looked up with the last ounce of strength that he had.
Tank pulled Jamie's head up by the hair.
Jamie shrieked. "Ouch!"
"You brought this on yourself y'know..."
"I... I what?" Jamie sniffed.
Tank's voice dropped lower so only Jamie could hear. "You keep expecting me to help you..."
"But-"
"But nothing!" Tank exclaimed, letting go of Jamie's hair.
Jamie fell at Tank's feet with a noisy crash and a sob of both anger and pain.

At a nod from Tank the gang closed in around Jamie again.
Jamie gasped in terror and curled up again.

Rusty was straining to get loose from Flat Top
Flat Top was barely holding on by his fingertips. "Rusty..." he panted. "Yer gonna... die..."
"Let go of me."
"No!"
"I'll whistle."
"No-" Flat Top began.
"I'll whistle, and then they'll see us both."
"You wouldn't!"
"If you don't let go of me."
"Yer not gonna help him at all."
"I can try."
"And get my ride home killed!"
Rusty let out an angry burst of steam.
Flat Top tumbled backwards, coughing and rubbing his eyes. "Quit!"
Rusty suddenly jumped, using the trick he had learned to jolt Flat Top's brakes loose.
Flat Top almost fell, catching himself but too late to stop Rusty.

Rusty let out an ear splitting whistle.
Jamie's head shot up with strength he didn't know he had. "Oh no."
Rusty, eyes glowing, and looking for all the world like something possessed, shot out, colliding with one of the gang and pushing him into another one. They both went down.
Jamie gasped. "Rusty, no!"
"What the-?" Tank shouted.
Jamie was absolutely terrified. Rusty wasn't supposed to come back!

"Get off!" the diesel he had landed on ordered.
Rusty shot steam into the diesel's eyes and jumped off, looking around defensively.
Jamie struggled to push himself up. "Rusty, don't!"
With defiant whistle Rusty stood his ground.
The gang, recovering from the shock of one of their own taken out by a steamer, was now closing in on Rusty, forgetting the battered diesel for a moment.
Rusty turned and rammed the nearest one, hard.
The gang member fell back, taking down the two nearest members with him.
Tank just stood there, watching in shock. Rusty whistled again.
Jamie clapped his hands over his ears.
Two of the gang advanced on Rusty, going for his backpack...
"Rusty, watch out!" Jamie yelled with the last of his voice.
Rusty let out a whoosh of steam and turned up his fire.
The gang members yelped and drew back, pulling their burned hands away.
Jamie smiled in spite of himself.
Rusty turned and rammed the gang once again.
The group nearly all fell over like a row of dominoes.

Tank blinked, coming out of his shock and reached down, grabbing Jamie's couplings and pulling him up.
Jamie yelped and struggled.
"You idiots!" Tank shouted, "He's just a steamer!"
Rusty let out a shrieking whistle again.
The gang got unsteadily to their feet.
Rusty, eyes burning brightly advanced on Jamie and Tank.
Jamie froze in Tank's grip, mesmerized by Rusty's eyes.
Tank let out a shout and the gang advanced on Rusty again.
Jamie struggled in Tank's grip, desperately praying that Rusty was not about to be scrapped.
Rusty shot hot steam into the nearest gang's eyes and gave him a shove.
Jamie winced as the train cried out in pain. *Sheesh, I think I'm gonna have to speak to him about that later...*

"You idiots!" Tank shouted, "He can't take you all at once!"
That seemed to click somewhere, and the gang all surged Rusty at once.
Rusty whistled and struggled as he vanished under the gang.
"No!" Jamie screamed. "No! Rusty!"
There was a burst of steam coming from the center of the mass of engines.
Jamie ducked his head, trying not to cry. They could kill him...
Rusty struggled a bit as they held his arms pinned back, carefully avoiding his hot boiler, but he was stuck.

Jamie couldn't stop tears. "No!" he whispered. "No!"
Tank pulled Jamie along towards Rusty, who was now being restrained by a large percentage of the gang
Jamie struggled against Tank. "Tank, please!"
Tank gave Jamie a shove towards the ground.
Jamie almost hit the ground on his face but barely managed to catch himself.
Rusty growled and struggled again.
Jamie looked up at Tank. "Tank, please let him go."
"Shut it Jamie!"
"But-"
"SHUT IT!"
Jamie flinched and ducked lower, closing his mouth.

Rusty growled and stared defiantly up at Tank as the diesel came closer.
Jamie whimpered and tried to sit up. "Rusty..."
"What on earth did you think you were doing?" Tank demanded.
"You can't do that!" Rusty growled.
"Rusty-" Jamie began again.
"This is my yard, I can do whatever I want, and you'd better be careful *steamer*!" Tank spat out the last word.
Jamie flinched and whimpered softly.
Rusty glared up at Tank, and then he smiled. "Nobody can do it like a steam train!" he sang.
Jamie raised a brow. Rusty had to be insane...
"Down," Tank ordered. The gang pushed Rusty down to his knees.
"Don't!" Jamie pleaded.
Rusty's only response was to whistle again.
Tank growled and then waved one of his gang forward.
Jamie began to cry. "Tank..."
The gang took off down the rails, as fast as he could.
"Tank, please let him go!"
"You gotta be kidding me!"
"Please!"
Tank crossed his arms.
Jamie struggled to stop crying. "Please..."
"Yeah..." Rusty agreed.
"What?" Tank asked.
Jamie glanced back at Rusty, as if trying to silence him.

"You diesel engines are all alike," Rusty said, "You always let your gang do all of your dirty work. Bet you wouldn't wanna face me alone!"
"Rusty!" Jamie gasped.
Tank's eyes widened in total fury.
"Rusty, please! You don't know what you're saying!"
Tank rolled over to Rusty, his hands rolling into fists.
Jamie scrambled to his wheels, swaying unsteadily. "Tank!"
That was enough to distract Tank from thoroughly pounding Rusty. He looked up for a second.
"Tank, don't hurt him!"
Tank growled, then looked up to see the gang member he had sent out returning. He turned to Rusty again...
Jamie looked over at the gang member, worried.
"You are one stupid steamer," Tank spat, "You outta learn your place, learn some respect for diesel."
Jamie ducked his head. *No diesel comments,* he pleaded inwardly.
Rusty growled and struggled again, with renewed vigor; that phrase burning in his memory.
Jamie almost collapsed again.

"Lock him up," Tank ordered, tossing a pair of cuffs to one of the gang.
Jamie screamed and instantly flung himself at Tank's feet. "No! You can't!" he screamed, gripping Tank's legs tightly.
Tank struggled to keep his balance.
Rusty struggled a little as the gang did as they were told, a bit hesitantly as they still were a bit afraid of being burned.
Jamie looked up at Tank. "Please, I'll do anything!"
"Jamie..." Rusty said softly, not fighting as his wrists were locked together.
"Please, Tank, please."
"There's nothing you can do!" Tank said
"There has to be something!"
"No!" Tank growled, "Not right now..."
"But-"

Feeling a bit more confident now that Rusty was wearing the handcuffs the gang were now teasing him.
"Stoppit!" Jamie pleaded with them.
"Bring him along," Tank said.
"Where are we-"
"My house."
"Why?"
"Because I can deal with him there."
"D... Deal with him?" Jamie whimpered.
"yeah."
"Please, Tank, I beg you."
The gang stopped their teasing of the trapped steamer and pulled him up. Actually, Rusty got up on his own, but it didn't look all that much different
Jamie sniffed and wiped at his eyes with the back of his hands. "Tank, please don't..."
"Jamie..." Tank started.
Jamie looked up at him.
"Just...be quiet!"
"But-"
"Fine, say what you want to then, doesn't mean I'll listen."
Jamie glared just a bit, something he should have known by now was not a good thing to do.

Tank crossed his arms, waiting a second or two before looking at his gang, "Take him back to my place, I'll be there in a minute."
"No!" Jamie said, trying to dodge past Tank to grasp Rusty.
Tank reached out to catch Jamie, and missed.
Jamie sped into Rusty's arms, nearly knocking them both flat.
Rusty had the only reaction expected, "oof!"
"Sorry," Jamie said, hugging him tight, not wanting to let go. "I won't let them do this!"
"Jamie..." Rusty said softly.
"What?"
"It's okay..."
"No! It's NOT okay! I won't let you get in trouble because of me!"
"Jamie, listen..." Rusty started. He glared back at one of the nearby gang members. "Do you mind?" he demanded, giving the gang a soft push, "Trying to have a conversation here!"
Jamie would have smiled if he had not been so worried.
"Jamie, I'll be okay..."
"No. Rusty, they'll kill you!"
Rusty shook his head, "I doubt it..."
"Rusty, I'm serious!"

Tank skated over and grabbed Jamie's couplings
Jamie yelped and held Rusty tighter.
Rusty growled, eyes glowing again as he glared at Tank
Jamie didn't notice, too scared that Tank was going to punish him for his disobedience.
Tank took a step back, startled at Rusty's eyes. He pulled Jamie along with him. *this engine is freakin' possessed!*
Jamie struggled. "Tank, please! Lemme go!"
"Can't you see him?" Tank growled softly, "There's something... *wrong* with him..."
Jamie looked up at Rusty, but he was too scared to notice Rusty's eyes now. "N... no..."
Rusty heard Tank and took a breath, "Wooooooo-woooooo!"
Jamie covered his ears.
"Don't do that!" Tank shouted, "Take him! Now!"
The gang complied, trying to keep away from Rusty, but at the same time pulling and pushing him along.
Jamie began to cry. He couldn't help it. He was too scared.
Tank gave Jamie a sharp pull. "Come on," he said gruffly.
Jamie almost tripped over Tank's skates.
"I said come on!"
Jamie sobbed and followed Tank.

Rusty winced at hearing Jamie cry.
Jamie trailed Tank, glancing back at his friend with soft sobs.
Rusty shook his head, Jamie being upset was not the original plan.
Jamie looked back up at Tank. "Tank, what do I have to do to make you let him go?" he pleaded.
"You want me to let him go?" Tank repeated incredulously, "He's freakin' possessed!"
"So why wouldn't you let him go then?" Jamie pleaded.
"He just attacked, and almost beat my gang, you think I'm just gonna "let him go"??"
Jamie sobbed. "Wh... what are you gonna do to him?" *To me?* he added.
"Not sure yet..."
"Are... are you gonna hurt him?"
Tank growled and picked up his pace.
Jamie was going as fast as he possibly could to keep up with Tank.

Rusty's eyes flickered and returned to normal as reality starting sinking in...
Jamie stumbled after Tank, crying softly.

Rusty was shoved into Tank's room. He put out his tied together hands to break his fall.
Tank, dragging Jamie behind came into the room shortly after.
Jamie tried to run to Rusty.
Tank grabbed the chain and pulled Jamie back
Jamie cried and struggled. "No! No! Rusty!"
Tank pulled Jamie over to the other side of the room. "Sit down!" he ordered.
Jamie quickly sat down, unsure what else he could do. He sniffed and wiped at his eyes again.
"Stay!" Tank ordered.
Jamie glared slightly. *Why do they treat me like an untrained puppy?* He sniffed again.

Tank skated over to Rusty and prodded the steamer with the tip of his skate. Rusty didn't move.
"Don't!" Jamie pleaded.
Tank rolled his eyes and prodded Rusty again. Rusty still didn't react
"Tank, stoppit!" Jamie said, his voice stronger than he thought it would be.
"I ain't hurting him," Tank retorted.
"But-"
"Quiet!" Tank shouted, "Or I *will* do something to him..."
Jamie instantly silenced, tears on his pale cheeks.

Tank returned his attention to Rusty. "What did you think you were doing?" he demanded.
"Fighting, I think..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie sniffled. "Tank..."
"This is my trainyard," Tank said, "Do you know what that means? What I can do to you..."
"No!" Jamie yelped, leaping to his wheels.
"Sit down or I'll cuff you to the chair again!" Tank growled.
Jamie sat down and whimpered, curling into a ball on the chair.
Tank looked back down at Rusty, "Well do you know what I can do?" he asked.
"Not very much..." Rusty answered softly.
*Oh, Rusty, don't say that...*
"What?" Tank asked softly in a dangerous tone.
"I said, 'not very much,'" Rusty repeated.
"Rusty!" Jamie protested.
Tank growled and yanked Rusty up to his wheels.
"Tank, don't!" Jamie pleaded, leaping up again.
"Jamie, what part of sit down don't you understand?" Tank said
Jamie gasped and sat down again, on the very edge of his seat as if he were a rocket about to blast into space.
"You've been nothing but trouble since you got here!" Tank exclaimed to Rusty.
"It's not his fault!" Jamie protested.
"I tend to do that," Rusty said softly.
"Quiet Jamie!" Tank hissed.
Jamie shushed, cowering.
Rusty looked over at Tank and said something softly, that nobody else could quite catch.
Jamie lifted his head to try to catch the words.
Tank's eyes widened and Rusty nodded. Tank growled and gave Rusty a shove. Not being able to keep his balance, or use his hands to try and stay balanced Rusty flopped down.
Jamie leaped to his feet. "Rusty?"
Rusty winced, that one had actually hurt.
Jamie whimpered and started towards his friend.
Tank growled and poked Rusty with his skate. "Where did you say you were from again?"
Jamie was almost right behind Tank now.
Rusty looked up startled, "W-why?"
Jamie ducked under Tank's arm and ended up next to Rusty, "Are you okay?"
Tank groaned, "Jamie!" he exclaimed, sounding more frustrated then angry.
"yeah..." Rusty mumbled.
Jamie nodded. "Good..."

"JAMIE!" Tank shouted.
Jamie ducked and almost hit the floor in terror.
"Don't do that," Rusty protested softly.
"What trainyard are you from?" Tank repeated.
Jamie clung to Rusty tightly.
"First tell me why," Rusty said, but making it sound more like a request then a command.
"Watch your tone!" Jamie whispered to him urgently.
"Because," Tank said, "Like you said before... but this is one thing that I *can* do to you..."
"What?" Jamie asked softly.
Rusty's eyes widened.
Jamie looked up at Rusty. "What?"
Tank rolled his eyes, "Jamie, move!"
"No!" Jamie said loudly, then ducked, realizing what he had just done.

Tank grabbed the "leash" dangling from Jamie's wrists.
Jamie gasped.
Tank grabbed Jamie's hand and pulled him up
Jamie struggled and began to cry again.
"Hey, don't you think that you've done enough to him?" Rusty asked softly
Jamie wanted to encourage Rusty, but he didn't dare.
Tank pulled Jamie over to the bed and pushed him down on it.
Jamie struggled. "What're you doing?"
Tank took the loose end of the cuff. "I told you to stay put....and be quiet...how hard is that?" He opened it.
Jamie screamed. "No! No, Tank, don't!"
Tank locked the cuff around the bed post
Jamie cried out and yanked it hard. "No! No!"
"I told you to stay still!"
"But-"
Tank rolled his eyes and returned his attention back to Rusty.
Jamie began to cry, feeling very scared and unsure, suddenly locked to his arch-enemy's bed.

"Trainyard," Tank ordered Rusty.
"Rusty!" Jamie pleaded, trying to touch the steam train.
Rusty mumbled something reluctantly.
Jamie strained with all his might, only a few centimeters from touching Rusty...
"There, now that wasn't so hard was it?" Tank asked condescendingly
Jamie struggled to stretch just another centimeter...
Rusty closed his eyes in defeat. Tank groaned and pushed Jamie back on the bed, smacking him as he did so.
Jamie hit Tank's pillow face first. Luckily it was somewhat soft. He lifted his head up and began to cry, his cheek stinging from the unwarranted slap.
Tank laughed and stepped over Rusty, going over to the door and closing it.

Jamie whimpered and curled into a ball, minus his arm that was locked up.
Rusty groaned and buried his face in his hands.
Jamie looked up meekly. "Rusty?" he said softly.
"What?" Rusty asked softly.
Jamie curled tighter. "Nothing."
Rusty closed his eyes, mentally replaying what had happened.
"Wh... where's Jan?" Jamie asked softly, as if afraid Rusty would be mad if he spoke.
"With Flat Top, I think..." Rusty said, "She's back in a shed just out side of the yard..."
Jamie looked up in terror. "You brought her with?"
"No...she's not in this yard, she's a good ways down the tracks..."
Jamie sighed with relief. "Good..."
"She's fine..." Rusty said. There was a soft jingling sound.
Jamie looked up. "What-?"

The chains around Rusty's wrists were rattling as his hands shook uncontrollably.
Jamie stared at Rusty. "R... Rusty? You okay?"
"N...leave me alone," Rusty pleaded.
Jamie curled against the backboard of Tank's bed, watching with wide, scared eyes.
*I can't believe...I could've...he could've...* Rusty was thinking as his entire frame shook.
Jamie was sure Rusty was about to die. "R... Rusty?"
*why did I... how stupid was that...*
Jamie pulled Tank's pillow out from under the blankets and held it close, his nervous habit when he had no one else to hold.
Rusty closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, but it didn't help much.
Jamie rocked himself back and forth comfortingly, hugging the pillow, wondering what Tank was going to do to him when he returned.

"Jamie...can you..." Rusty started, "No...never mind..."
Jamie looked up. "Huh?" he said softly.
"I'm cold..." Rusty said softly.
"You... you need a blanket?" Jamie asked softly.
"Maybe..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie pulled the quilt up and handed it to Rusty.
"Thanks," Rusty mumbled, trying to get it around him, with some difficulty.
Jamie tried to help, but he couldn't reach very well. "You... you gonna be okay?"
"I think I need something to drink..."
Jamie yanked his cuff again. "Can't... can't help you there..."
Rusty fumbled around for his water bottle.
Jamie hugged the pillow again, rocking himself like Jan would do when he needed comfort.
"Jamie?" Rusty asked.
Jamie looked up, his blue eyes scared.
Rusty pushed himself up and backed over to Jamie. "Can you reach it?"
Jamie stretched out and tried a few times before he grabbed the bottle and handed it to Rusty.
"Thanks," Rusty said again, opening it and downing it.

Jamie watched him. "Why do you drink so much?"
"I need it." Rusty said.
"For what?"
"I need it to run..."
"To create steam?" Jamie questioned.
"Yeah..."
"Oh."
Rusty closed his eyes again.
Jamie sighed softly. "I guess diesels are different."
"Yeah," Rusty said.
Jamie sighed softly again.

Rusty moaned softly again, "I am so dead..."
"Why?" Jamie asked, thinking that Tank had threatened him.
"No..." Rusty said softly, "I'm not dead...but just as good as..."
"Why?" Jamie asked quietly.
"This isn't my trainyard..." Rusty started softly.
"Yeah..."
"That means that Tank can't really do anything to me directly..."
Jamie's eyes widened. "He... he can't?"
"Well I guess he could...except..."
Jamie waited.
"I don't belong to him, I'm under a different engine, so if Tank did something to me..."
"He'd... he'd get in trouble?"
"Yeah."
Jamie's eyes widened. "Oh..." he said softly.
"what he can do...and is doing I think...is...call home."
"Tank call your head engine?" Jamie said softly.
Rusty groaned, "Yes..."
"Oh, Rusty, will you... will you get in trouble?" Jamie asked softly, feeling tremendous guilt.
"Not supposed to fight..." he mumbled.
Jamie's eyes filled with tears. "Rusty, I'm sorry!"

Rusty groaned, "He's gonna kill me..."
Jamie's eyes widened in terror. "No! Rusty, he... he can't punish you!"
"Yeah he can.."
"But it was my fault you got in trouble in the first place! Rusty, please! I have to explain it. *I* should be in trouble, not you!"
"Should've waited..." Rusty mumbled.
"Waited for what?" Jamie asked.
"Shouldn't have barged in like that..."
Jamie stifled a sob. "Rusty, I can't let you get in trouble for me. Please, you gotta explain what happened!"
Rusty looked up, "Jamie, you know why I'm here in the first place?"
Jamie shook his head, his eyes wide and scared.
"It was a punishment."
Jamie gasped softly. "You... you were sent here cause your leader sent you?"
"Yes."
Jamie sniffed. "You get in trouble during a punishment!" Visions of Rusty locked to a train trestle being beaten up by a dark shadow of a diesel engine floated through his mind, and he began to sob loudly.

Rusty sat up, "Hey Jamie..."
Jamie pried his face out of Tank's pillow.
"Hey, don't cry..."
Jamie sniffed and hugged the damp pillow again, briefly wondering if Tank was going to be mad he had cried into it.
Rusty stood up and rolled over to Jamie, with a little difficulty. "I'll be okay..."
Jamie cuddled against Rusty's chest and sniffed. "No you won't..."
Rusty sighed, "I will be okay..."
"Rusty, I don't want you hurt!"
"Jamie, listen to me," Rusty said, "I will be okay. I promise..."
Jamie shook his head and cuddled Rusty closer. "Rusty, I feel so bad... It's all my fault... I should be in trouble, not you..."
*you are in trouble* Rusty thought, but he didn't say that. "Look, the worst that'll happen is that I'll just get in trouble when I get home..."
"But you shouldn't BE in trouble," Jamie insisted.
"I already was in trouble..."
"But you shouldn't be in more trouble."
Rusty shrugged, "Well..."

Jamie sniffed and buried his face in the pillow again. "I should be dead."
"No," Rusty scolded, "Don't say that!"
Jamie sniffed again. "I should!"
"No!"
"Yes!" Jamie insisted. "If I were gone, you wouldn't have gotten in all this trouble."
"No," Rusty said, "If you weren't here then I never would've met you, never would've found a new friend in you..."
Jamie sniffed and looked up at Rusty with adoring, blue eyes. "We're... we're friends?"
"Of course."
Jamie began to cry again in happiness.
"Aw don't cry again..."
Jamie sniffed and wiped his face with the back of his hand. "Sorry."

There was a sound from outside and the doorknob turned
Jamie looked up in terror.
Rusty looked up as the door opened and Tank stepped in to the room, carrying a phone.
Jamie went pale and held the pillow tighter.
"What are you doing with my pillow?"
Jamie looked up at Tank. "What?"
"It's all wet," Tank said disgusted.
Jamie looked down. *Oops.*
"Great, now I need a new pillow..."
Jamie let go of the pillow hastily and tried to look sorry.

Tank groaned and turned to Rusty, "Come here."
Jamie gasped and reached for Rusty. "No!"
Tank held out the phone to Rusty who looked at it like it was a snake or something else undesirable.
"Lemme talk to him!" Jamie pleaded.
"No," Tank said. Rusty awkwardly rolled over to take the phone.
Jamie reached out to block the phone from Rusty.
Tank gave Jamie a shove.
Jamie tumbled back onto the soggy pillow.

Rusty took the phone. "Hello...?"
Jamie inhaled softly.
Rusty's eyes widened and he pulled the phone away from his ear slightly.
Jamie could hear noise from the other side and knew instantly Rusty was getting yelled at.
Rusty just sorta stood there, holding the phone a safe distance away so he wouldn't get his ears blasted off.
Jamie whimpered and cuddled Tank's pillow closer. "Rusty..."
"But-" Rusty started, speaking into the phone, he was obviously cut off by the voice at the other end.
Jamie held out his uncuffed hand with his wrist that was not swelling anymore. "Rusty, lemme talk to him."
"Quiet!" Tank barked at Jamie.
"I know..." Rusty said softly into the phone, "What? No... It's not-"
Jamie ducked his head and clutched the pillow tighter, unsure if he would ever let it go.
"But P-" Rusty started, "Yes...no... Okay..."
"Rusty-" Jamie tried again.
"No!" Rusty exclaimed, "That's not fa-"
"What's he gonna do?" Jamie whimpered, biting his lip.
"Oh come on," Rusty pleaded to the phone.
"Rusty-"
"I'm sorry, I... no, please just..."
Jamie sniffed, feeling tears starting to make a path down his face.
"Yeah... no, I don't wa-" Rusty sighed, "Yes sir..."
Jamie whimpered and looked angrily up at Tank. Why? Why did Tank have to do that to poor Rusty?
"but please, just listen!" Rusty protested into the phone.
Jamie whimpered. "Rusty, lemme..."
"Yeah, okay...I will..." Rusty murmured.
Jamie gave his chain a ferocious yank.
"Stop that, you're scuffing up my bed," Tank scolded.
"Yes sir," Rusty said, "But-"
"But-" Jamie began.
"Well you are..." Tank said.
Jamie sniffed. "How could you, Tank?"
Tank growled, "Be quiet!"
"But please," Rusty begged, "You can't...you gotta let me..."

Jamie glared, something he was quickly forgetting not to do. "You're getting him in trouble!"
"Well good, he deserves it." Tank said.
"What?" Rusty asked, "But I-"
"No he doesn't!" Jamie protested.
Rusty sighed and looked down at his skates, "Me too..." he said softly, "Okay... Yes. I will.... Yes sir..."
Jamie sniffed and buried his face in the soggy pillow again.
Rusty looked up at Tank, "He wants to talk to you..." he said softly, holding out the phone.
"Rusty, don't let him-" Jamie began.

Tank took the phone and Rusty sank to the ground.
Jamie was instantly leaning over next to Rusty. "What did he say?"
"what I expected..." Rusty mumbled.
"Which was?"
"When I get home..." Rusty started softly
"Yeah?"
"He didn't tell me yet what he's gonna do..."
"That can't be good," Jamie mumbled.
Rusty looked down. "Probably an extension on my current punishment..."
"Which was?"
Rusty groaned, "I'm not gonna get to see her when I get home either..."
"Her?"
"My coach."
"You have a coach?" Jamie asked in surprise, forgetting Tank was standing right there.
"Yeah." Rusty said, smiling, despite his current situation.
"Wow. I've never had a coach, 'cept Jan... What is she?"
"She's an observation coach...first class..."
"Wow, kinda like Jan..."
Rusty nodded.
Tank hung up the phone and growled softly, how did the steamer get a coach like that?
"What's her name?" Jamie asked, his eyes wide. Obviously this was something he wondered about.
"Pearl."
"Pretty."
"She is."
"Sounds like it. I wish I could meet her."
Rusty smiled.

"Okay, stand up," Tank said to Rusty. Rusty slowly rose up to his wheels.
Jamie made a grab for Rusty. "Don't leave me," he pleaded.
"He," Tank indicated the phone, "said that if I untie you, you won't do anything." "He told me not to..." Rusty said softly, "So yeah, that's right."
"What about me?" Jamie protested.
"If you're good I let you off the bed..."
"O... okay," Jamie said softly.
Rusty held out his arms and Tank unlocked the cuffs. Rusty moved his arms in circles, stretching a bit.
Jamie waited, barely breathing.

Tank skated over to Jamie, considering.
Jamie waited, whimpering softly.
Tank finally unlocked the cuff from the bed.
In an instant, Jamie was on his wheels, flung himself across the bed, still clutching Tank's pillow, and launched himself into Rusty's arms, hugging him tight, his face buried in Rusty's shoulder as he began to cry.
"oof," Rusty said, as he Jamie collided with him.
Jamie didn't notice, just clung tightly to Rusty, sobbing.

Tank rolled his eyes, "You take care of him then," he said to Rusty, "Have fun..."
Jamie hugged Rusty tighter, not really noticing that Rusty probably couldn't breathe all that well.
"Jamie..." Rusty gasped softly.
Jamie looked up at him, sniffing. "Wh... what?"
"Loosen up a bit..."
Jamie instantly let go. "Sorry," he mumbled, clutching the pillow to his chest.
"Okay, out," Tank said. "Go home Jamie. and you..." he looked at Rusty
"Can... can I go with Rusty?" Jamie ventured, as if unsure if he should talk.
"I'll take you home..." Rusty said softly.
"But... But I wanna come with you!" Jamie pleaded.
"Go back to your shed Jamie," Tank ordered.
"But-"
"Jamie..." Tank warned.
"But-"
"JAMIE!"
Jamie ducked behind Rusty.
"GO BACK TO YOUR SHED!"
Jamie nodded and hugged Rusty tightly around the waist, which was hard to do, since he still had Tank's soggy pillow.
Rusty slowly reversed, pushing Jamie along behind him...
Jamie followed, not noticing Tank's pillow, shivering as he tried to calm his heart beat.

"Wait," Tank said annoyed.
Jamie stopped quickly, hugging Rusty tighter.
Tank looked at the soggy squished material that used to be his pillow. *why did I chain him to *my* bed?*
Jamie quickly held out the pillow submissively and ducked his head.
"Oh keep it," Tank snapped, "You owe me a pillow though!"
Jamie shook his head.
"Whaddya mean no?"
"I... I don't have another pillow..."
Tank growled, "Then...you'll just have to work it off..."
"But-"
"Just...go!"
Jamie gave Rusty a pleading yank, dropping Tank's pillow on a chair.
Rusty did an about face, pulling Jamie out of the room
Jamie followed, sobbing softly.

Rusty silently pulled Jamie along. After awhile he looked back, "Aw Jamie, don't cry..."
Jamie sniffed. "Why?"
"Because..." Rusty trailed off, unable to think of a good reason.
Jamie hugged Rusty just a bit as they rolled along. "Are... are you in big trouble, Rusty?"
"Well..."
"Well?"
"I...I'm in trouble...but I'll be alright..."
"I... I feel so bad... It's all my fault..."
"It's not all your fault..."
"It is!" Jamie insisted.
"It's sorta mine..."
"No! Rusty, it's mine!" Jamie insisted.
"If I hadn't come out like that..."
"It was my fault that you did that," Jamie said.
"No, I could've waited..."
"But-"
"Jamie, it's not entirely your fault..."

Suddenly Flat Top materialized out of the nearby shadows. "What's not his fault?"
Rusty yelped at Flat Top's sudden appearance. "All of this," he explained, once he had calmed down
Flat Top was glancing warily around. "Are we ready to go home now?"
Rusty looked down at his skates.
Flat Top sighed. "That means no."
"I'm sorry..." Rusty said softly, "You were..." he mumbled the last word.
"I was what?"
"You were.... right..."
Flat Top grinned broadly. "Wow."
Rusty studied his skates, waiting for FT to finish gloating.
"I wish I had a tape recorder, cause I'll probably never hear that again." Flat Top skated behind Jamie and grabbed his couplers. "Giddyup."

Rusty groaned and moved out.
"Are... are we going back to my shed?" Jamie ventured.
"I guess so..."
"Okay..."
Rusty rolled slowly down the tracks.
Flat Top was humming under his breath again. The singsong about Poppa grounding Rusty.
Rusty stiffened and then looked down, his ears starting to burn. *Not now, not again...*
Flat Top hummed louder.
Rusty fought to change his rhythm, but it automatically fell in time with FT's song.
Jamie noticed Rusty's blushing as well as his rhythm and tried to distract him. "Why do your arms move like that?" he asked, ignoring Flat Top's humming in his ear.
"Huh?" Rusty asked.
"Your arms are circling. I don't do that... Why do you?"
"It's...a steamer thing..." Rusty said, "I just sorta do it automatically..."
"Really? Wow. I guess steamers must be really different than diesels. No offense," he added quickly.
"From you, none taken," Rusty said with a smile.
Jamie smiled just a bit. "Gee, you're nice."
"Thanks," Rusty said.
Jamie smiled. "We're almost there..."
Rusty looked up and slowed his motion a bit, breaking the rhythm with Flat Top's humming.

Jamie sighed softly. "Um... you guys don't have to stay with me or anything..."
"Well..." Rusty started softly, fighting against the urge to request that FT stop humming.
"I mean... I don't wanna get you in more trouble, and I'm already in trouble as is..."
"I'm in trouble too," Rusty pointed out.
"I know, but..." Jamie didn't want to say he was probably in a lot more trouble than Rusty.
"I guess it's because I won't be in trouble 'til I get home..." Rusty started softly.
Jamie sighed. "Tank's gonna kill me after you go..."
"That's only if you're still here..."
"I HAVE to stay here," Jamie said softly as they neared his door.
"No..."
"Yeah. I promised. I can't break that."
"I know..."
Jamie started to let go of Rusty. "I should get inside before the gang comes looking for me."
"Okay..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie let go of Rusty, and Flat Top let go of him. "Thanks for everything you've done for me Rusty..."
"Hey, I'm not leaving yet..."
"Oh, okay."
Rusty grinned.
Jamie reached for the knob. "You can come in if you like..."
"Maybe in a second," Rusty said.
"Okay. I'll just be inside." Jamie slid inside and closed the door halfway to give them some privacy.

Rusty looked to make sure that Jamie was inside before turning to Flat Top.
Flat Top raised a brow. "What was that all about?"
"You saw what happened..." Rusty started.
"Yeah?"
"When I...went out to stop them..."
"I saw. You got your a$$ kicked."
"Not right away..."
"Well, no..."
"So there."
"But you did eventually!" Flat Top had to add.
"Yeah..." Rusty said, automatically rubbing his wrists.
"Can we go in now?"
"I'd rather..." Rusty started.
"Rather what?"
Rusty looked up, "Look, I know that you wanna tease me some more, so just... just let me have it now okay?"
Flat Top raised a brow. "Why would I do that?" he asked innocently.
"Because I know you want to," Rusty said, "And I'll bet you'll love this part, Tank called home. Told Poppa what happened."
"Really?" Flat Top laughed.
Rusty looked down, "Yes..."
Flat Top choked on his laughter. "Omygosh, you are gonna get it!"
Rusty's ears burned red as his headband. "I know... Poppa talked to me...on the phone..."
"I bet Jamie heard the whole thing..."
"Yeah..." Rusty said a bit sadly.
Flat Top chortled. "This is just getting better and better."
Rusty sighed, "Okay, let me have it."
Flat Top laughed loudly. "Poppa's gonna ground Rusty again!" he chanted.
"Please, don't say that around Jamie," Rusty pleaded.
"Why not?"
"Just...don't... please."
"I won't. I'm not gonna give my brother in law a bad idea about you."
"Thanks," Rusty said automatically, "I...what did you say?"
"What?"
"Your...brother in law?"
"Well, I plan to make Jan my coach."
"I...wow... that's great!"
"Yeah."
"You know what I realized today? Jan's an observation coach..."
"Yeah?"
"She'll fit in fine." Rusty said with a smile
"Good," Flat Top said, smiling a bit.
"Let's go in," Rusty suggested.
"Okay." Flat Top pushed the door open.

Jamie was laying on his bed, his back to them.
"Jamie?" Rusty called softly
Jamie rolled over and looked at them, his eyes half-dead.
"Jamie? You...okay?"
Jamie nodded slowly. "Yeah," he croaked, but it sounded more like a no.
"You don't sound okay..."
Jamie sighed and rolled back away from them.
Rusty rolled over to Jamie.
Jamie snuggled his pillow closer.
Rusty set a hand on Jamie's shoulder.
Jamie almost jumped out of his skin.
"Sorry..."
"It... it's okay," Jamie said softly.
"I didn't mean to scare you..."
"I know."
"We'll get you to come with us..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie shook his head. "I can't."
"I'll figure something out..."
Jamie shook his head again.
"Jamie, what's wrong, you were all for coming home with me a few minutes ago..."
"I know."
"So...?"
"I... I just... dunno..."
Rusty raised his eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Jamie shook his head. "I... I can't leave, Rusty."

Rusty sighed, and then looked up, remembering something. "Jamie?"
"What?"
"I was supposed to tell you..."
"Tell me?"
"Yeah," Rusty smiled, "I've got a message from your sister."
"Jan? How is she?"
"She's fine, she says she misses you and she loves you and she'll see you..."
Jamie's eyes filled with tears, and he struggled to hold them back.
"And she will see you..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie shook his head. "No."
"yes."
"Rusty, I can't. I promised."
"You promised you wouldn't leave, not that you wouldn't see Jan again..."
"Well, I'll see her, but she has to come here, and I don't want her here around Tank again."
Rusty had no answer for that one.
Jamie sighed and laid his face back on his pillow.

There was the unmistakable sound of someone approaching outside.
Jamie looked up in terror. "Oh no."
Rusty looked up and out the window.
Jamie sat up, his body protesting in pain as he did. "You gotta leave."
Rusty made a face.
"Rusty, please!"
"Alright, I'm going..." Rusty said softly, "C'mon Flat Top."
Flat Top got to his feet with a quick glance at Jamie.
Rusty started towards the door as it opened...