The Midnight Train Crossing

Jamie made his way back to his own trainyard, arriving exhausted and dog-dead on his feet. He stood just outside the entrance, breathing heavily, feeling dizzy.
Tank was on his way back home.
Jamie slid inside the yard. Maybe if he could get back to his old house he could sleep for a while until he decided how to approach Tank.
Tank skidded to a stop and rubbed his eyes in disbelief, no, he couldn't be seeing what he thought he was seeing.
Jamie didn't see Tank, too tired to pay attention.
Tank just sorta stood there stunned, watching Jamie.
Jamie made it to the door of his house, leaning against it a moment, feeling sick.
Tank silently followed Jamie.
Jamie opened the door and slipped inside, starting to close the door.
Tank caught the door.
Jamie gasped and stumbled backwards.

"Whoh," Tank caught the little engine before he fell.
Jamie whimpered. "Let go," he pleaded softly.
Tank carefully pushed Jamie back to his wheels.
Jamie cowered a bit and backed away from Tank.
Tank watched to make sure Jamie was steady.
Jamie sat down on the edge of his bed and stared up at Tank with scared eyes.
Tank watched Jamie for a minute.
Jamie bit his lip and looked away, unable to meet Tank's eyes.
"Wow..." Tank said softly.
"What?" Jamie asked softly.
"What time did you leave there?"
"Um... early this morning..."
"You came on your own? all the way?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"I'm impressed..."
Jamie nodded slowly and hugged his pillow close to him.

"What-" Tank started
Jamie looked up at Tank, scared.
"What *are* you doing back here anyway?"
"I..."
Tank waited quietly.
"I... I wanted to come home..." Jamie said softly.
Tank was surprised into silence.
Jamie hugged his pillow closer.
"Jamie..."
"What?"
*Why on earth would you come back here?* Tank was thinking, out loud he said, "Jamie, tomorrow morning, wait until I come before you go outside..."
Jamie nodded slowly. "Okay..."
"I mean it..."
"Okay," Jamie said softer.
"Good." Tank said, going out and closing the door behind.
Jamie curled up on his bed and cried himself to sleep.

*~*~*~*

Tank gently knocked on Jamie's door.
Jamie opened his eyes weakly, blinking away sleep. "Wh... what?" he called, his voice croaky.
Tank opened the door and skated in.
Jamie was instantly wide awake. He sat up, clutching his blankets to his chest.
Tank closed the door and leaned back against the wall, watching Jamie.
Jamie whimpered under Tank's gaze and curled into a smaller ball.

"So...why are you back here?"
"Cause I... I wanted to... to come back..."
"yeah uh huh, real reason please."'
Jamie bit his lip and looked away. "I... I didn't... didn't want to stay there anymore..."
"You get in trouble *already*?" Tank asked with a smirk.
Jamie whimpered and shook his head. "No..."
"Then what?"
"I... I didn't... I wasn't as comfortable there as I thought..."
"Oh?
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Well I'll tell you one thing..."
Jamie pulled his pillow close again.
"That engine I talked to on the phone..."
"Poppa," Jamie said softly.
Tank didn't hear. "He sounded strict enough, what couldn't handle him?"
Jamie sniffed and laid his chin on his pillow. "He... he was nice..."
"Yeah I suppose since he wasn't mad at you...but on the phone..."
"Did... did he call since I got here?" Jamie asked, wondering if they had noticed he was gone and knew where he had headed.
"No..." Tank said slowly, then he smiled, "You ran from him, didn't you?"
Jamie bit his lip, hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Oh this is good..."
Jamie sniffed softly and whimpered.
"So if you ran from him, odds are he will call..."
"Don't tell him I'm here," Jamie pleaded.
Tank folded his arms and smiled, it was not comforting.
Jamie whimpered softly and backed away, suddenly scared at his request.
"maybe I won't tell him..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"maybe..."
Jamie sniffed again and cuddled close to his pillow.

There was a sound outside.
Jamie looked up in terror.
Tank looked up as well and an odd expression crossed his face.
Jamie whimpered and pulled his blankets closer. "Tank, don't..."
"Stay put," Tank ordered.
"But-"
"D'you want them to find you?"
Jamie shook his head hastily.
"Then stay put."
Jamie nodded and huddled against the wall, holding his pillow to his chest like a life raft.
Tank rolled outside, closing the door behind.
Jamie stayed still and quiet.
There was a murmur of talking outside.
Jamie curled into a ball, hoping that Tank was not going to reveal his presence. Why hadn't he thought about the gang more before considering coming back?

"You okay boss?" one of the gang asked.
"I'm fine," Tank snapped.
Jamie pulled the covers up to his chin.
Tank yawned, "I shouldn't be in a bad mood though..."
Jamie whimpered softly into his pillow.
"What were you doing in there anyway boss?" one asked.
Jamie's eyes widened.
Before Tank had a chance to answer Jamie's door flew open.
Jamie gasped and pulled his pillow against him.

"Wow, would you look at this!" the gang member exclaimed.
Jamie yelped. "Leave me alone!"
Ignoring Jamie's protests, the gang member scooped him up.
Jamie struggled. "Hey! Let go!"
The gang member half-dragged, half-carried Jamie outside.

Jamie struggled, blinded by the sudden bright sunlight, but not enough to not see the gang standing in front of him.
the one carrying him deposited him on the ground.
Jamie scrambled to his feet.
"Look at this," the gang laughed.
Jamie whimpered and looked around for Tank.
"So this is why you were in there," the gang said.
Jamie whimpered. "Tank..."
Tank nodded, stepping towards Jamie, "Yeah...found him..."
Jamie gasped and backed away.
"So...what now boss?" the gang asked
Jamie turned to bolt.
Tank shifted so he was blocking Jamie's path
Jamie gasped and turned back only to find the gang blocking his path.
Tank reached out and grabbed Jamie's (not hurt) wrist.
Jamie yelped and struggled. "Lemme go!"
Tank growled softly.
Jamie cowered and whimpered softly.
"What're you gonna do with him boss?"
Jamie struggled a bit, whimpering softly.
"First I'm gonna take him back to my house..."
Jamie felt himself relax just a bit. Tank wouldn't hurt him when they were alone...
"Yeah then what?" the gang asked eagerly.
Tank smiled evilly, "You'll see.."
Jamie felt a shiver go through his small frame, and he tugged on his arm a bit, trying to get free.
Tank shifted, so he was holding the cuff rather then Jamie's wrist.
Jamie swallowed. That was a little better, unless Tank decided to do something with that cuff, which Jamie was sure he wouldn't hesitate to do.

Tank gave the cuff a tug, indicating that Jamie should come with him.
Jamie swallowed and followed Tank.
Tank pulled Jamie along, taking care not to go too fast for the little engine.
Jamie noticed Tank was going extremely slow for him and was grateful for it.
Tank reached his house and looked meaningfully at his gang.
Jamie glanced back at the gang, scared. were they coming in too?
The gang laughed and turned to go. "Have fun Jamie..." one said teasingly.
Jamie whimpered softly and moved closer to Tank.
"Inside," Tank ordered.
Jamie hurried to obey.

Once Jamie was inside Tank slammed the door behind him.
Jamie flinched at the sound.
"Sit."
Jamie instantly sat down in one of Tank's big kitchen chairs.
"What am I gonna do with you?" Tank groaned.
Jamie whimpered softly.
Tank sighed, "Okay, I do know what I'm gonna do with you..."
"What?" Jamie asked softly, glancing down at his cuffs, expecting to be locked to another trestle overnight.
"And fortunately for you, this time I do not have mud on my skates..."
Jamie sighed with relief, a little more than he meant to.
"But in the event that I do get mud on my skates again..."
Jamie whimpered softly. "No..."
"And I think that there are plenty of other things that you can do for me..."
"Like?" Jamie asked softly.
Tank shrugged, "I'm sure that there are a lot of little things that I can't be bothered to do..."
Jamie bit his lip. "O... Okay..."
"which I'm sure you'll be happy to do for me."
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut and nodded slowly.

"Haven't had breakfast yet..."
Jamie looked up at Tank.
Tank considered, "You can make coffee right?"
Jamie nodded slowly. "I... I think so..."
"It's not difficult, you put the water and the coffee in the machine...even *you* can do it..."
Jamie flinched.
"I'll start breakfast, then you can serve it to me..."
"Okay," Jamie said softly.
Tank stood up and rolled into the kitchen, starting his breakfast.
Jamie curled into the chair, needing a bit more sleep.

After a few minutes Tank was finished.
Jamie was half-asleep on the chair.
Tank sat down at the table, looking at Jamie amused.
Jamie didn't notice, sleeping peacefully.
"Jamie..." Tank said softly.
Jamie stirred and blinked. "Huh?"
"Wake up!"
Jamie gasped and almost tumbled out of the chair but caught himself.
"Oh good, you're awake..."
Jamie nodded and rubbed his eyes.
"Now go get my breakfast..."

Only half-awake now, Jamie stumbled into the kitchen.
Tank leaned back and waited.
Jamie collected the things Tank had started and brought them out to Tank.
Tank waited for Jamie to set the table.
Jamie yawned and headed back into the kitchen.
Tank waited for a second longer.
Jamie came back in, carrying silverware and a plate. He set them down, arranging them in a half-conscious state.
Tank just watched, rather amused by all of this.
Jamie yawned and sat down in his chair again.
Once Jamie was seated, Tank started eating.
Jamie curled up into a ball, trying to fall back asleep.
Tank very purposely made a great deal of noise.
Jamie groaned and covered his ears.
Tank laughed softly, and went back to eating.

Jamie groaned, then felt his stomach growl and realized how long it had been since he had eaten.
"What?" Tank asked.
Jamie blinked one eye open. "Huh?"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Okay...suit yourself..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"What Jamie?"
Jamie shook his head slowly, afraid to tell Tank he was starving.
"Okay, if you're gonna whimper and groan at least do it quietly..."
Jamie sniffed softly and looked away, his stomach growling again.
That time Tank heard Jamie's stomach. He looked up at the little engine.
Jamie gasped and pressed his hand to his stomach, trying to tell it to be quiet.

"Is there food left in the kitchen still?"
"I... I don't know," Jamie admitted.
"Go find out."
Jamie got up and headed into the kitchen again on wobbly wheels.
Tank sighed, and waited.
Jamie peeked back out of the kitchen. "A little," he said meekly.
"Then get another plate...fill it...and bring it out here."
Jamie moved quickly to obey, coming back to his chair with a plate of food.
"Put it down, now sit down."
Jamie obeyed, sitting down in his chair again.
Once Jamie was seated, Tank started eating.
Jamie was silent as he began to nibble at his food.
Tank appeared to be ignoring the little engine as he ate.
Jamie ate, his eyes on his plate, not really tasting what he was eating, feeling numb and scared.

"Once you're done..." Tank started.
Jamie looked up, his eyes scared.
"Once you're done you can do the dishes..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"And stay inside..."
"Okay," Jamie said softly, deciding that was probably a good idea.
"Jamie..."
"What?"
"Why *are* you back here?"
Jamie bit his lip and looked down at his plate. "I... I didn't feel like I belonged."
"What with your new friends?"
Jamie nodded shamefully.
"Thought you wanted to go with...what's his name...Rusty."
Jamie bit his lip. "Rusty doesn't want me around anymore."
Tank raised an eyebrow.
Jamie swallowed his food as a painful lump formed in his throat.

"How is he anyway?"
"Rusty?"
"Yeah..." Tank smiled, "You never did tell me what happened to him..."
"Oh... He... He had to... to clean up a shed."
"Oh," Tank said, "I suppose that's what they told you?"
"I... I was there."
Tank smirked, "I bet that your friend didn't want you to see what was really gonna happen to him..."
Jamie bit his lip. "M... Maybe..."
"But you left before you could find out then..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
Tank got up slowly.

Jamie looked up, watching Tank with scared eyes.
"When you've finished, do the dishes, and clean up the kitchen."
"Okay," Jamie said softly, nodding his head.
Tank started towards the door and then stopped.
Jamie didn't notice, scooping up his plate and Tank's and heading for the kitchen.

"Jamie..."
Jamie turned around.
"How...how's...your sister?"
"Jan? She... well..."
Tank turned around to look at Jamie.
Jamie shook his head. "I guess she's okay..."
Tank raised an eyebrow, "How'd she take your leaving?"
"She... she doesn't know."
"She doesn't?"
Jamie shook his head
"Interesting..."
Jamie bit his lip and headed for the kitchen again.
Tank shook his head and rolled out the door.

Jamie moved into the kitchen, turning on the water to wash the dishes.
Outside, Tank was running several errands.
Jamie washed the dishes silently and was now sweeping the floor.

There was a knocking on Tank's door.
Jamie looked up in terror. Tank wouldn't knock on his own door, would he?
"Boss?"
Jamie gasped. Oh no. Where was Tank when he needed him to be around?
"You in there?"
Jamie bit his lip. Maybe they'd go away...
The doorknob turned slowly.
Jamie gasped and dropped the broom with a clatter.
The door opened and one of the gang skated in, "Boss?"
Jamie ducked out of the site of the open kitchen doorway.
"Hello?"
Jamie held his breath, his back pressed painfully against the wall.
"You in here boss?"
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe if he couldn't see them, they wouldn't see him.
The gang member had established that Tank was not in, "Good..."
Jamie bit his lip. *Please leave* he prayed.

Instead of leaving the gang member sat down on one of the kitchen chairs.
*Oh no* Jamie thought. He couldn't stay here forever.
The gang member eased one of his skates up and started rubbing one of the wheels.
Jamie bit his lip, his couplers pressed against the wall starting to hurt.
The gang member groaned and leaned back again, muttering something about how his wheels hurt.
Jamie wanted to scream. Why did he have to be here now?
"It wasn't even my fault..." the gang member muttered.
*What wasn't?* Jamie thought.
"He hit me first..."
*Oh no!* Jamie suddenly realized which gang member was in the room.
"It's not like I did something that nobody else was doing..."
Jamie bit his tongue to stop a growl.
He looked up as if he heard something, decided he hadn't and went back to massaging his wheels.
Jamie wished more than anything that Tank would come back.
"Not my fault...*mumblemumble* shouldn't have to do all this..."
*What is he doing?* Jamie wondered.
"Just because *he* hit me...shouldn't have to do all of this work..."
*Tank has ANOTHER train working for him?* Jamie thought.
The gang member groaned and leaned back.
Jamie was getting really claustrophobic in the dark kitchen.
There was a beeping sound.
Jamie looked around. What was that?
The gang member groaned again and got to his wheels.
Jamie held his breath.
He rolled out the door again, closing it behind him.
Jamie let out a sigh of relief and slid down the wall, leaning back against it.

Sometime later, the doorknob turned again.
Jamie gasped and curled into the corner, praying he wouldn't be found.
"Jamie?" Tank called.
Jamie let out his breath in a gasp of relief. "Tank?"
"Where are you?"
Jamie got to his feet and moved out into the next room.
"There you are."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Here." Tank dropped something at Jamie's feet, "Stopped by your house."
Jamie scooped up his pillow and hugged it close. "You... you brought it for me?"
"Yes."
Jamie smiled gratefully. "Th... thank you."
Tank looked away, silently, "yeah well..."

Jamie bit his lip and hugged his pillow closer. "Tank?"
"What?"
"Is... is Broc working for you?"
"What?"
"He... he came in here..."
"He what?"
"He came in here."
"While I was gone?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
Tank shifted, "He's not suppose to..."
"Well, he... he did."
"What did he do?"
"Just... just sat down at the table."
"Oh...he didn't bother you?"
Jamie shook his head. "I... I hid in the kitchen."
"Oh."
Jamie hugged his pillow tighter. "Is... is he gonna be working for you too?"
"What makes you ask that?"
"Cause... cause he said something about why he had to do all the work when he was... was only doing what everyone else was."
"Oh..." Tank looked away.
"Is... is that true?"
"Is what true?"
"It is true he's working for you?"
"Yes... He's one of my gang..."
"But... like I'm doing?"
"Oh...yes..."
"Will... will I have to face him?" Jamie asked softly.
"No."
"Good," Jamie said softly.
Tank nodded, "You won't see him...at least...you shouldn't have to."
Jamie nodded slowly, sighing with relief.

"I'll have to reassert the not coming in my room while I'm gone rule..." Tank said thoughtfully.
Jamie smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For keeping me safe."
Tank growled softly.
Jamie ducked his head. *Oops.*
Tank shook his head, as if to clear it.
Jamie backed away slowly.
"Never mind," Tank said, although if he was talking to Jamie or not wasn't clear.
Jamie sat down in his chair again.

"Is..."
"What?"
"Is there anything else you want from your old house?"
Jamie's eyes widened in surprise. "I... I don't think so..." He didn't have many possessions, and nothing that was really special.
"Okay."
Jamie curled into the chair a bit. "Thank you for my pillow," he said softly.
"I figured you might need it..."
"For what?" Jamie asked softly.
"I don't have any to spare..."
"You... you mean I... I get to stay here?"
"That way, I'll always know where you are..."
Jamie wondered if that was a good thing.
Tank looked at Jamie, guessing his thoughts.
Jamie curled his pillow closer.
"That depends entirely on how you behave..."
"I'll be good!" Jamie said hastily.
"Good."
Jamie nodded slowly, curling into a ball.

"However..."
"What?" Jamie asked softly.
"If I were you... if my gang ever turns up, I'd vanish..."
Jamie nodded quickly. "I... I will."
"Good-" Tank said, falling silent, *boy...*
Jamie curled up on the chair, pulling his pillow to his chest.
"Well..."
Jamie glanced up at Tank.
"I don't think that I have anything else for you to do right now..."
"Can... can I sleep?" Jamie asked softly.
Tank nodded.
Jamie smiled gratefully and curled up on the chair, putting the pillow behind his head.
"You..."
Jamie opened his eyes again.
"You can use the bed." with that Tank whirled and skated out of the room.
Jamie's eyes widened in surprise. Tank was offering Jamie his own bed?!? Jamie hesitated, but the thought of the warm bed was too much to resist, and he headed into the bedroom and curled up on Tank's bed.
Outside, Tank picked up speed, trying to leave his room behind.
Jamie curled up in the bed, trying to forget that he had once been locked to this bed.

A few hours later there was another pounding on Tank's door.
Jamie stirred but did not wake up.
The door opened, "Tank?"
Jamie blinked his eyes open at the sound.
"He's not here..." another voice said.
Instantly Jamie was wide awake. *Oh no!* He gasped and pulled the blankets closer.
"Did you look in *his* room?" "Yeah...he wasn't there..."
Jamie held his breath.
"But why would he be here of all places? You'd think he'd avoid the boss..."
They were talking about him! Jamie panicked. If they were looking for him...
"Well, lets look around anyway..."
Jamie gasped and scrambled out of Tank's bed, looking around for a place to hide.
The gang split up, searching Tank's house
Jamie headed for the doorway.

"Anybody check the bed room?"
Jamie gasped and pressed his back against the wall by the door, praying they'd not see him.
One of the gang put a hand on the doorknob. "We're not suppose to go in there..." another said a bit nervously.
Jamie wished Tank had a lock on his door.
"Who's gonna tell him?" the one said, turning the handle.
Jamie held his breath, trying to make himself as small as possible.
The door slowly opened, then closed again.
Jamie bit his lip.
There was the sound of a minor argument outside the door, then it opened again.
Jamie bit his lip so hard he left teeth marks in it, holding his breath in terror.

The door swung open.
Jamie squeezed his eyes shut.
"hey...look what we've got here..."
Jamie peeked one eye open cautiously, terrified
The gang member grinned down at Jamie
Jamie wished the wall would swallow him up as he stared up at the gang in terror.
"Found 'im."
Jamie turned to bolt for the door.
Another gang member appeared in the door, blocking Jamie's way.
Jamie hit his brakes to avoid a crash, spinning around again only to find himself trapped.
"Now we're gonna have some fun..."
Jamie whimpered and backed away.
The gang completely enclosed Jamie in their circle.
Jamie held his breath. He wasn't going to cry. He would be strong.
The gang looked at each other gleefully, Broc, having an especially good expression.
Jamie swallowed. No screaming, he told himself. You're not gonna act like a baby.

They closed in around him.
Jamie waited, his hands down limply at his sides. He wasn't going to fight...
Two of them grabbed Jamie's arms.
Jamie shivered but didn't move.
Broc skated up to Jamie.
Jamie gazed up at Broc with scared eyes, but he didn't move.
"So you're looking a lot better then last time we met..."
Jamie didn't answer, his face pale, but not wanting to give Broc the satisfaction of him begging for mercy he wouldn't get.
"Guess they found a repair truck to fix you up..."
Jamie swallowed, wondering if once they finished with him if there'd be anything left of him to fix.
"I hope it hurt."
Jamie didn't dare look away from Broc's dark eyes.

Broc's eyes narrowed.
Jamie swallowed, preparing himself for the pain he knew was coming.
Broc swung.
Jamie steeled himself for the blow, flinching at the blow that didn't come.
The gang laughed.
Jamie swallowed hard, his whole mouth suddenly dry.
*pow*
Jamie's head snapped painfully to the side, a soft cry of pain escaping his lips, his eyes closing in pain.
"My turn," another gang member said.
Jamie opened his eyes and gazed up at the gang, trying his best not to cry.
Broc moved out of his way and let the other gang member take his turn hitting the little engine.
Jamie's wheels collapsed under him, and he coughed painfully, tears stinging his eyes.

"WHAT THE?"
Jamie opened his eyes painfully.
The gang member who was about to hit Jamie stopped, mid swing.
Jamie looked up at Tank with scared eyes, praying that Tank wouldn't let this continue, but he was not going to beg.
"Oh good, you're all here," Tank said.
Was that a good thing? Jamie wondered.
"Come here," Tank said. The gang hesitated and followed, dropping Jamie
Jamie collapsed on the ground, curling into a ball, breathing hard.
"I see that you've all seen that Jamie is back..." Tank started.
That was kind of a given... Jamie thought bitterly, pushing himself up weakly on his arms.
"Well from now on, he belongs to me."
Jamie looked up at Tank, wondering how that would go over.
"Whaddya mean boss?" one asked, "Like...one of us...?"
Jamie got to his knees, staying there, not daring to get up.
Tank shook his head and smiled. "Oh..." one said knowingly, "I see...like before?"
Jamie held back a smile. Okay, so far so good...
Tank nodded, "So, because of that...I don't want you to beat him up anymore..."
Jamie sighed silently with relief.
"But boss..."
Jamie gasped softly.
"No," Tank said, "Trust me, I'll have a great deal more fun with him in one piece then constantly beaten up... you guys'll just have to find something else to do."
Jamie felt his arms give out, and he collapsed on the ground in relief.
The gang shifted and looked at each other, a bit confused.
Jamie curled up into a ball, hoping they would leave soon.
"But boss..." one started.
Tank shook his head, "No, I'd much rather boss him around rather then beat him up...it's more fun."
*That's good to know* Jamie thought. He stifled a sigh.
The gang looked confused, but they slowly started drifting towards the door.
Jamie wondered if Tank was going to be mad and yell at him once the gang left.
"Go find something else to do," Tank said to his gang.
Jamie moaned softly and shut his eyes.
The door slammed as the gang left.
Jamie whimpered softly.

Tank glided around Jamie into his room.
Jamie lay on the floor, not sure whether or not he could get up or if he even dared.
Tank, ignoring Jamie, started digging around in one of his drawers.
Jamie slowly pushed himself up with much effort, rubbing at the corner of his lip where it hard started to bleed. He could taste blood in his mouth too.
Tank continued to ignore the little engine.
Jamie groaned softly and rubbed at his lip again.
Tank looked up at the sound.
Jamie rubbed two fingers inside his mouth. He pulled them out stained with blood. His cheek inside his mouth was bleeding.
Tank looked over at Jamie.
Jamie didn't notice Tank, swallowing back a wave of nausea.

Tank slowly skated over to him.
Jamie turned and saw Tank. He cowered, his eyes frightened.
"I'm not..." Tank started, and mumbled the rest of the sentence.
"What?" Jamie asked softly.
"I'm not..." Tank started again.
"Not?"
Tank sighed, "I'm not gonna hurt you."
*That's good* Jamie nodded slowly and swiped at the blood dripping its way down his chin.
Tank sighed again, closed his eyes for a second, then opened them, "Did..."
Jamie touched his split lip tenderly with a finger. "What?"
"Did you want some help?"
Jamie looked up in surprise. "What?"
*don't make me say it again...* Tank thought with a sigh, "Did you want some help?"
Jamie's eyes were wide with surprise. "I... I guess..."
Without a word Tank tossed something soft and white at him, "Here, use this..."
Jamie caught the washcloth and stared at it as if it would bite him.
"Well..."
Jamie gently pressed the cloth to his bleeding lip, looking up at Tank with wide, adoring eyes. "Thanks," he said softly.
Tank turned away, "don't do that..."
"Do what?"
"Say 'thanks"
"Why not?"
"Because..."
Jamie nodded slowly and looked away.

Tank looked out the window, then pulled the shade down and growled softly.
Jamie backed away slowly, afraid the growl was directed at him.
"Great," Tank groaned.
"What?" Jamie asked softly, then winced at the pain from moving his lip.
"It's-" Tank started, and was interrupted by a gigantic boom.
Jamie yelped and almost dived into Tank's arms.
"raining," Tank finished, he looked down, "Get off me!"
Jamie whimpered and looked up at Tank with scared eyes
"I said get off me!"
Jamie let go hastily of Tank and backed away, eyes wide and scared.

Tank rolled his eyes as lightning cracked through the air.
Jamie whimpered and pressed himself flat against the wall, not daring to move.
Tank sighed, closing the window.
Jamie sank down the wall and curled against it.
Tank groaned, *great, stuck inside...with HIM*
Jamie closed his eyes and shivered.
Tank sank down into his chair, then noticed Jamie.
Jamie shivered, hugging himself with one arm, the other one still pressing the cloth to his lip.
Tank watched Jamie, as he realized what was going on, he started to smile.
Jamie warily opened one eye, only a slit of blue noticeable.

"You're..."
"What?"
"You're...scared."
Jamie nodded slowly and whimpered.
"Of the thunder?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"I don't believe it..."
Jamie whimpered softly and cowered.
He rolled his eyes, "I don't believe it, but it figures...why wouldn't you be afraid of thunder..."
Jamie bit his lip in shame, then yelped and pressed the cloth to his lip again.
Tank groaned and got up again.
Jamie looked down at his skates shamefully.
Tank left the bedroom and thunder rumbled again.
Jamie whimpered and dove into Tank's bed, pulling the covers up over his head.
Tank was busy doing other things in other parts of his house while the storm raged outside.
Jamie cowered under Tank's covers, hugging his pillow close.

There was an especially loud crash of thunder and then Tank's house was plunged into darkness.
Jamie screamed loud enough to wake the dead and almost suffocated himself burying his face in his pillow.
Tank groaned, "Jamie?"
Jamie didn't hear Tank, his pillow pulled up tight around his ears.
"Jamie?"
Jamie had his eyes squeezed closed in terror.
Tank groaned, "You'd better still be alive in there..."
Jamie was oblivious to everything except his own fear.
Tank, moving carefully, dug around in the kitchen until he found what he was looking for.
Jamie was terrified, unable to move from his spot.
Tank turned on the small light and, with great reluctance, went to check on the other engine.
Jamie was underneath the covers and was not moving to save his life.
Tank skated into his room, bumped into something and let out an exclamation.
Jamie heard something and lifted his head from the pillow.
Tank swept the light around the room.
Jamie yelped when the light swept past him and buried his face again.

Tank groaned, "You still alive over there?"
Jamie whimpered in reply.
"That a yes then?"
Jamie lifted his head slowly and pulled back the covers to peek over them at Tank.
"Guess so..."
Jamie nodded slowly and whimpered.
"Okay then..." Tank turned around.
"Tank!" Jamie pleaded.
"What?"
"Don't leave me!"
"what?"
"Don't leave me alone!" Jamie whimpered.
Tank rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Please?" Jamie pleaded.
"Fine." *I can't believe I'm doing this...*
Jamie's eyes widened in surprise, and he sat back up.

Tank sat down in his chair again.
Jamie pulled the blankets close.
"I can't believe I'm doing this..." Tank murmured.
"Tank..."
"What?"
"Tank, what... what happened to the light?"
"Huh?"
"The light...:"
"What about it?"
"It... it went out..."
"Very observant."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"What?"
"What happened to it?"
"It went out...guess 'cuz of the storm..."
Jamie whimpered and clutched Tank's covers closer.
"Well that's what happened..."
"I... I know..."
"Okay then."

"Tank..."
"what now?"
"Um..." Jamie just wanted to keep him talking.
Tank waited.
"Uh, why..."
"Why what?"
"Why... why did you come back?"
"What?"
"Why.. did you come back to your house?"
"When?"
"When they... they were... were hurting me."
"Again, when?"
"Just... earlier... when you came back about ten minutes ago."
"Oh...then."
"Yeah."
"Because I needed something."
"Oh."

Thunder rumbled again.
Jamie yelped and pulled the blankets over his head.
Tank sighed and rolled over to his dresser.
Jamie whimpered and peered over the blankets.
Holding the flashlight in his teeth Tank dug around in the drawer.
"What... what are you doing?" Jamie asked softly.
"If I have to stay inside in the dark I'm not just gonna *sit* there..."
"Wha... what are we gonna do?"
"*We*?" Tank repeated.
Jamie whimpered. "Well, I..."
"I don't care what *you* do..."
"But-"
Tank sighed, "What?"
"I... I don't wanna... wanna be alone..."
"I know that."
"But, I... I wanna... wanna do something..." To distract me from the storm, he added in his head.
"Oh."

Jamie whimpered softly and pulled his pillow closer. "I... I'm scared of... of the dark..."
Tank's response was to whirl and shine the flashlight on Jamie.
Jamie yelped and covered his eyes with his hands, blinded by the light.
"Better?"
Jamie started to cry.
Tank rolled his eyes, returning to his search.
Jamie sniffed and wiped the tears off his face, blinking to regain his sight.
Tank emerged victorious with something under his arm.
Jamie rubbed his eyes. "What's that?"
"You'll see...provided you're not too scared to get out of my bed..."
Jamie whimpered but slowly slid out of Tank's bed, still holding his pillow.
Tank turned around, shining the light near Jamie's skates, so he could see where he was going.
Jamie followed the light over to Tank's side.

Tank moved out of his bedroom and over to the kitchen.
Jamie followed quickly, scared to be left alone in the dark.
"Sit," Tank directed, pointing to the table.
Jamie instantly sat down, almost missing his chair in his haste.
Tank set something down on the table
Jamie gazed at it.
Tank moved over to the window, opening the blinds so they'd have some light, it wasn't very good light, but a little light none the less.
Jamie didn't dare look out the window at the lightening and rain.

"There," Tank said.
Jamie glanced back down at the table, clutching his pillow. "What's that for?"
"You don't wanna sit somewhere alone right?"
Jamie shook his head slowly.
"And I don't wanna sit here doing nothing..."
"O... Okay..."
Tank unfolded the flat wooden board.
Jamie looked up at Tank with confused eyes.
He ignored Jamie and moved a deck of cards to the side. *why am I doing this?* he thought for what seemed like the hundredth time today.

Jamie studied the board with interested eyes, not sure what it was. "What do we do?"
Tank tossed Jamie a pouch, "Put four stones in each section, not the big ones."
"Okay." Jamie let go of his pillow and did as he was told.
Tank looked out the window, watching the storm.
Jamie followed Tank's gaze and whimpered softly, clutching his pillow.
"Set?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Do you know how to play?"
Jamie shook his head. "N... no."
"Oh..." Tank trailed off, sounding a bit puzzled.
"Will... will you teach me?" Jamie asked hopefully.
"I have to in order to play."
Jamie blushed a bit. "I... I guess so."
Tank quickly outlined the rules.
Jamie nodded slowly. "I... I think I can do that."
"Good."
"You... you go first," Jamie said, wanting to make sure he knew what he was doing.
*As if I would let him go first* Tank went.

Jamie watched, then followed suit, capturing two of Tank's stones.
Thunder rumbled softly outside, but Tank ignored it, concentrating on the game.
Jamie was doing remarkably well. He captured a whole handful of Tank's pieces, a small smile on his face. He was actually doing well at something.
Tank made a small face, of course he had gotten several of Jamie's stones, but Jamie had considerably more.
Jamie scooped up another handful of Tank's pieces. "Wow," he said softly.
Tank didn't seem to hear Jamie, they were nearly finished.
Jamie picked up another handful of his own pieces and distributed them, capturing another of Tank's spaces, leaving only one hole left with about three stones in it.
Tank was bordering stunned, he *never* lost at this game.
Jamie took his last move and captured all Tank's pieces.

"How many?" Tank asked softly.
Jamie quickly counted. "Eighty-three."
"What?" Tank sorta growled.
"Eighty-three," Jamie said, a bit softer.
"I don't believe it..." Tank said softly.
*Well, it's the truth...* "Oh."
"You've never played before?"
Jamie shook his head.
Tank dumped his considerably smaller handful of stones down on the table.
Jamie swallowed hard. Oops...
"No one..." Tank started.
Jamie hugged his pillow, his eyes wide.
"No one's ever..."
Jamie was leaning hard against the back of his chair. Was he in trouble?
"No one has ever beaten me before."
"R... really?" Jamie asked softly.
"Well...hardly ever..."
Jamie bit his lip, forgetting how badly one hurt.
Tank was still, trying to process this.
Jamie hugged his pillow 'til it was nearly flat.

Suddenly Tank swept all of the stones into a pile and pushed them towards Jamie.
Jamie gasped, as if Tank had tried to hit him, and cowered.
"Set them up."
Jamie raised a brow in surprise, but he did as he was told, redistributing the stones in the slots.
Tank leaned back and waited.
Jamie put that last handful into place and looked up at Tank expectantly.

"Go."
Jamie started to protest, but stopped himself and moved as he was ordered.
Tank watched Jamie carefully and then made his move.
Jamie studied the board and moved again, capturing a handful of Tank's pieces.
This time Tank was really concentrating. He moved, taking a few of Jamie's pieces, but not nearly as many as he would have liked.
Jamie didn't seem to mind the loss, cause he captured another handful, then another, and another.
Tank was getting very annoyed by now, he had just assumed the first game was beginners luck. In his next move he took a few more of Jamie's pieces, but it was obvious he couldn't catch up.
Jamie glanced up at Tank, wondering if Tank wanted to stop before the game was over.
"Your turn," Tank half-growled.
Jamie quickly moved his pieces, making a bit of a dumb mistake and losing a few pieces, but nowhere near what Tank needed to win.
Tank collected the pieces that Jamie had just lost, and a few more.

Jamie looked up at Tank again. "Tank, do you... want to... to stop?"
"No," Tank growled, "It's your turn again."
Jamie swallowed and moved again, deliberately not picking up a few of Tank's pieces.
Tank watched Jamie through narrowed eyes.
Jamie glanced up at Tank.
Tank took his turn, wondering.
Jamie took his turn again, unable to avoid capturing Tank's pieces.
Tank made his last move.
Jamie made his last move very slowly, knowing he had won again without even having to count. It was a landslide.
Tank was silent.
Jamie was silent too, staring at the board in half terror, half shock.

"I thought you were just lucky..."
"Me... me too..."
"But you knew enough to cheat to give me more without making it horribly obvious..."
Jamie swallowed hard.
"And I did notice that..."
"Oh," Jamie said softly.
"Don't do that again."
"O... okay."
Tank swept the stone back into their bag, still in shock.
Jamie sat still and silent in his chair, afraid to move.
"I don't believe it..."
Jamie stayed quiet.
Tank was still for a second, then he slammed the board closed.
Jamie jumped at the sound and curled into his chair, eyes wide. Was he in trouble again?

Tank stood up, picking up the board.
Jamie stood up too.
"Sit."
Jamie quickly sat back down.
Tank rolled away slowly.
Jamie wondered how long he'd have to sit there before Tank came back and yelled at him.
Thunder rumbled softly, the storm outside was loosing power.
Jamie curled his pillow close to protect himself from the storm.
Tank returned, minus the game.
Jamie curled into a ball on his chair, trying to become as small a target as possible.
"I can't believe I lost to *you*"
Jamie swallowed hard. "Oh..."
"I mean...you're the only one who doesn't..."
"D... doesn't what?"
"Lose...on purpose."
"Was... was I supposed to?" Jamie asked softly.
Tank hesitated, "well...no...I guess not..."
Jamie almost sighed with relief. That was good to know...
"However...I can't believe that...*you* of all trains..."
Jamie swallowed hard again, his mouth gone dry.
Tank was dumbfounded, all of the others would be afraid that he'd get mad if he lost, so they let him win, and Jamie, who had the most cause to be afraid of him, hadn't.

Jamie shifted uneasily in his chair. "I... I'm sorry..."
"No," Tank snapped.
Jamie cowered in his chair. "N... no?"
"That's what I said."
Jamie whimpered softly.
Tank looked down at Jamie, looking at his hands and wondering how on earth he had lost to...to Jamie.
Jamie looked down at his lap, then suddenly became aware of the handcuffs on his wrists. He quickly shoved his hands under his pillow to hide them.
Tank made a noise that sounded similar to a growl, and absently dug a hand in his pockets.
Jamie yelped and shook his head. "Tank, please don't! Please!"
"what?"
"Don't lock me up, please! I won't ever win again, I promise!"
"You...what?"
"Please." Jamie was crying now, silent tears gliding down his pale cheeks. "Don't... don't cuff me. I'll be good, I promise."
"I...I hadn't thought of that..."
Jamie gasped in terror. Oh no! What had he just done?

"Jamie..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"Jamie, don't you dare..." Tank started.
"What?" Jamie asked, sniffing softly, still hiding the cuffs under his pillow.
"Promise to never win again."
"I promise!" Jamie said hastily.
"What are you promising to?" Tank asked thoughtfully.
"I promise to never win again."
Tank zoomed over and grabbed the back of Jamie's chair, "Wrong answer."
"What?" Jamie yelped, trying to leap out of his chair.
"I said, that was the wrong answer," Tank said, holding Jamie down.

Jamie struggled. "What do you want? Please, Tank..."
"Promise that you will not promise to never win again."
"What?" Jamie asked, his eyes confused and terrified at the same time.
Tank sighed, relaxing his grip slightly, "I do not want you to promise to never win again."
"O... okay," Jamie whimpered, wanting to be set free.
"Understand?"
Jamie nodded hastily. "Yeah."
"Good." Tank let go of Jamie.
Jamie instantly was on his wheels.

At that moment the lights flickered for a second.
Jamie yelped and almost tumbled back into the chair.
"Come on," Tank said softly, looking at the lights.
"Where?" Jamie asked softly.
"Not you..."
"Oh." Jamie curled into the chair, cuddling his pillow to his chest.
The lights flickered a second, then came back on.
Jamie immediately felt better in the lighted room.
"Good," Tank said softly.
Jamie nodded slowly.
"I wonder..."
Jamie looked back at Tank.
"I wonder if it's still raining..."

Jamie listened, then almost darted into Tank's arms at a soft rumble of thunder.
Tank groaned.
Jamie snuggled into Tank's arms.
Tank looked down at Jamie and made a face
Jamie sniffed softly.
"Get off," Tank groaned.
"But-"
"What?"
"But, I... I'm scared...."
*so what else is new* Tank thought, "Well the storm is stopping at least..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Yes, so..."
Jamie hugged Tank tighter.
Tank groaned and gave Jamie a light push.
Jamie let go, his eyes wide and scared.

"Stop doing that, I ain't your sister..."
Jamie sniffed softly and backed away from Tank.
"As long as we're clear on that..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Good." Tank started away.
"Tank!"
Tank rolled his eyes and stopped again.
Jamie hurried after the bigger engine. "Don't leave me," he pleaded.

"Jamie, a few things..."
"What?"
"First of all, it's still raining, I am not going to go outside and risk rusting."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Secondly, you are not leaving my house without my permission anyway..."
Jamie nodded again.
"So, d'you think that you're gonna be alone anytime soon?"
"Well..."
Tank waited.
Jamie whimpered softly. "I... I just wanna be near you..."
Tank rolled his eyes, "At least the lights are back on now..."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"I think..." Tank said softly.
"What?"
"I think that keeping you here..."
Jamie waited.
"I think that keeping you here may have some unpleasant side effects for me..."
Jamie whimpered softly.

Tank skated into the kitchen.
Jamie followed
Tank looked up, saw Jamie, sighed, then decided to ignore him.
Jamie followed Tank, not daring to wander alone.
The phone in the kitchen rang.
Jamie looked at the phone, then back at Tank.

Tank picked up the phone, "Hello?"
Jamie waited by Tank's side.
Tank looked at Jamie, then back at the phone and smiled.
Jamie's eyes widened. "Who is that?" he whispered.
Tank moved the phone slightly so Jamie could hear the deep voice at the other end.
Jamie panicked, latching onto Tank's leg. "Don't tell him I'm here!" he pleaded in a whisper.
An interesting expression crossed Tank face and he looked down at Jamie.
Jamie swallowed hard.
Tank picked up the phone again, "Yes?....yes..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"Really?" Tank said into the phone, "Gone?"
Jamie swallowed again.
"No...I don't. But you did manage to fix him?"
Jamie almost sighed with relief, but he kept quiet.
"Oh, okay good."
Jamie hugged Tank's leg tighter.
"You what?" Tank asked.
Jamie held his breath.
"You want him back," Tank said, more for Jamie's benefit rather then into the phone.
Jamie shook his head hastily.
"Well of course, yes, if I see him I'll ask him to talk to you."
Jamie shook his head again.
"Yes. Alright, I will."
Jamie closed his eyes weakly.
"Good-bye."

Jamie sighed with relief.
Tank hung up the phone, and looked out the window.
Jamie let go of Tank and sat weakly on the floor.
Tank stepped over the little engine, "Storm stopped."
Jamie nodded slowly.
Tank reached down and pulled Jamie up, looking into his blue eyes.
Jamie let Tank pull him up, his eyes scared.
Tank studied the little engine for a few minutes.
Jamie shifted uneasily.
"What did they do to you, that you're so terrified to go back...that you'd rather stay *here*."
Jamie whimpered softly and tried to struggle out of Tank's grip. "I... I just don't wanna go back."
Tank held Jamie firmly for a few more minutes.
Jamie whimpered again. "Let go," he pleaded.
Tank finally did so, letting go.
Jamie stumbled backwards and sniffed, swiping at tears on his cheeks.

"I am going out. You stay in. I won't be back by lunch. You can eat something if you're hungry, but clean up after yourself."
Jamie nodded slowly.
Tank turned and left.
Jamie watched him go, then made his way back to Tank's bedroom, curling up on the bed and crying himself to sleep.

*~*~*~*

Diana:Jan looked across the table at Flat Top and Dustin, who had been telling her about the trainyard. "Thanks guys."
Flat Top nodded and smiled, oblivious to Dustin by his side.
Dustin saw the expression on his friends face, but didn't mind being a bit ignored. "I've just got one more question..." Jan said.
Flat Top nodded slowly. "What?"
"That coach-Rusty's coach-"
"Pearl..."
"Yeah, Pearl. She seemed kinda...strange..."
"I... I think she was jealous."
"Of me?"
Flat Top nodded.
"Why? she's with Rusty...not you..."
"She thinks Rusty cheats on her like she used to on Rusty."
"Oh." was all Jan could say to that.
Flat Top kicked a wheel lazily to make it spin. "So..."

At just that moment the door to the dining room opened and Poppa rolled in.
Flat Top glared slightly.
Poppa looked around, saw them and skated over.
Flat Top groaned. "What do YOU want?"
"Is Jamie here?" Poppa asked, ignoring Flat Top's tone.
"Jamie? I thought he was with Rusty."
"No...he was...then he went with me..."
"So he's where you left him," Flat Top said impatiently.
Poppa sighed, "He needed to have Meg look at his wrist, so I took him..."
"So he's in with Meg."
Poppa shook his head, "No, she did fix him, then he wanted to go outside for a bit, so I let him, and then when I came outside he was gone.

Flat Top raised a brow. "Did you go back and see if he went to help Rusty?"
"This was closer..."
"Well, go check if he went to help Rusty."
"He was upset, I thought he'd come looking for his sister..."
Flat Top shook his head. "He's mad at Jan, remember?"
Jan shook her head slowly, "No...he's not..."
"Okay, fine, he's not. He's probably with Rusty, so why don't you go check and leave us alone?"
Jan stood up, "If he's upset..."
Flat Top stood up too. "What?"
"Where is Rusty?" she asked Poppa.
Flat Top rolled his eyes.
"I'm on my way there now," Poppa said, "You can come if you like..."
"Do we gotta?"

Jan rolled over to Poppa and uncertainly took his couplings.
Flat Top growled and hitched up behind his coach. "Come on, Dustin."
"I'll..." Dustin started, seeing that Poppa already had two cars.
"Come on."
"I'll come by in a minute..."
Flat Top growled. "Fine."
"Flat Top," Dustin said softly.
"What?"
"Flat Top, I don't wanna..."
"Forget it. Let's go find Jamie and get back here."
Dustin hesitated, took a deep breath and took Flat Top's couplings.
Flat Top sighed. "Okay, go."

Poppa moved out slowly.
Flat Top sighed. Why did Jamie have to vanish when he wanted to spend time with Jan?
It was downhill or level all the way to the storage shed so Dustin relaxed a bit.
Flat Top growled softly.
Jan heard Flat Top growl in her ears and looked back a bit surprised.
Flat Top didn't notice.
She continued to look at him as Poppa started to slow again as they approached the shed.
Flat Top caught Jan's eye. "What?"
"Are you okay?"
Flat Top nodded. "Yeah, fine."
"Oh...okay..."
Flat Top nodded. *Can we get there already?*

Poppa came to a stop midst the boxes and other assorted things.
Flat Top smirked a bit. Rusty was hard at work, it seemed.
"Rusty?" Poppa called.
"Yeah...ouch...what?" Rusty called.
Flat Top let go and stretched his hands a bit.
"Rusty, have you seen Jamie?" Jan called.
"What? no...I thought he was with Poppa..." Rusty answered.
Flat Top raised a brow. "He's gotta be here."
*Flat Top? great...* "No, he's not here," Rusty answered.
"Well, where is he then?"
"I don't... ouch...know."
Flat Top glared over at Poppa. "You lost him?"

Poppa sighed, "I told you what happened."
"Wh-what happened?" Jan asked softly.
"You lost him!" Flat Top accused again.
"He was upset," Poppa said, "And he said...he said something..."
"What?"
"I was going to take him to get painted..." Poppa said thoughtfully, "And Rusty-"
"What did Rust bucket say to him?"
Poppa shrugged, "Just that he had to finish, and that he'd see Jamie later."
"What did Jamie do?"
"He got upset for some reason, was convinced that Rusty was mad at him..."
"Oh no," Jan whispered.
"Oh no," Flat Top repeated.

Inside the shed, Rusty had been listening and he gasped, and sneezed.
Flat Top ignored Rusty. "Where could he have gone? It's a small yard..."
"He didn't..." Jan started softly, "He didn't say..."
"What?"
"He didn't say that he wanted to...go home..." she looked up at Poppa, who looked thoughtful.
"Did he?" Flat Top asked.
"I...wait, yes, I think he did..." Poppa said. Jan gasped, "Oh no!"
"He went back?" Flat Top gasped.
Jan leaned weakly against the wall of the shed, "He went back..."
Flat Top moved to her side. "Maybe he didn't... He could have just ran off... We'll find him, Jan."
Jan sank to the ground, "No... he did go back."

Flat Top looked up at Poppa. "Maybe you should go call Tank and ask if Jamie's there."
Poppa nodded, turning to go.
Flat Top turned to Rusty. "This is all your fault."
Rusty didn't answer. Jan buried her face in her arms.
Flat Top hugged Jan close. "Don't cry, Jan. He'll be all right."
"This is...this is the closest I've ever come..." Jan said softly into her arms.
"What?" Flat Top asked gently.
"Closest I've ever come to getting him away..."
"Jan, we'll get him back. I promise. Don't worry."
Jan didn't look up.

Rusty had silently eased the door of the shed open and came out.
Flat Top glared at Rusty from his spot hugging Jan.
Rusty, still covered in dirt, looked down, then he started shoving things back into the shed.
"How could you, Rusty?"
"I..." Rusty said softly, pushing a box.
"You knew how sensitive he was. You knew he looked up to you. How could you hurt him like that?"
Rusty didn't answer, giving the box a hard shove, it slid across the ground, to hit one of the walls with a thump.
Flat Top sighed and held Jan gently.
Dustin hesitated and then started helping Rusty move things back into the shed.
"Dustin!" Flat Top gasped. "Stop that!"
Dustin looked up at Flat Top, puzzled.
"Don't help him!"
"but-"
"But nothing! It's HIS job, and HE lost Jamie!"
"But FT..."
"No!"
Dustin sighed, "But I know what he's doing..."
"What?"
"It's suppose to rain tonight..."
"So?"
"So..." Rusty emerged, "So I don't want to leave all of this out."
"It's your job, so you do it!"
"I never asked Dustin!"
"So?"

Rusty gave the next box a shove and it landed inside with a crash, and something that sounded an awful lot like an avalanche.
Flat Top flinched, then smirked.
Rusty sighed, but continued transferring things back inside.
Flat Top hugged Jan again. "You gonna be okay?"
Jan sniffed, and leaned into Flat Top's arms.
Rusty went faster until he had almost everything back in, in effect undoing what he had done this morning.
Flat Top held Jan close, stroking her hair gently. "Shh. We'll get him back. He'll be okay."
Jan shivered and closed her eyes.

Poppa pulled up again.
Flat Top glanced over at Poppa. "What's the word?"
"Well... I talked to the engine..."
"Tank," Jan whispered.
"And he said that he hasn't seen Jamie, but if he sees him he'll ask him to call..."
Flat Top sighed. "If Jamie didn't go there, where could he have gone?"
"He might..." Jan started.
"What?"
"He might not have made it yet..." Jan started.
"You finished Rusty?" Poppa asked.
Flat Top nodded. "It is pretty far.."
Rusty put the last box into the shed, "Yes..."
"What're we gonna do then?"
"I don't know..." Jan said softly, as Rusty whooshed past them.
Flat Top glared at Rusty. "Where you going?"
"To fill up on water." Rusty answered, a bit sharply.
"For what?"
"Because I can't run without it."
Flat Top growled softly.
Dustin sighed sadly.
Flat Top hugged Jan again, then skated over to Poppa. "What's the plan?"
"Well if Jan's right..." Poppa started.
"Yeah...?"
"Then I think there's only one thing we can do..."
"What?"
Poppa started to answer when Rusty came rolling back.
Flat Top glanced over at Rusty.

Rusty looked down at his wheels.
Flat Top glared. "You better find him."
"I will."
"Go."
Rusty skated over to Poppa, where the two talked softly for a few minutes and Poppa gave him something.
Flat Top watched with raised eyebrows.
Rusty looked up at all of them.
Flat Top squeezed Jan's hand
"I'll..." Rusty started softly.
"What?"
"I'll find him."
"You do that!"
Jan looked up at Rusty, "Please," she said softly and Rusty nodded. He turned around and took a breath.
Flat Top hugged Jan gently.
Without even a whistle Rusty sped away down the tracks.
Flat Top hugged Jan gently. "He'll find him, Jan."
Jan closed her eyes.