The Midnight Train Crossing

A crane car and a flatbed came after a few minutes, and with the help of the other freight cars, CB and Rusty were taken to Meg's house. CB was kept awake during the trip, though he *did* manage to sneak a 'doze'.
She got them settled into two different bedrooms
CB muttered incoherently when she returned back to his room.
Meg rolled up his sleeve and stuck something in his arm
The caboose felt pressure but not the needle itself because of the pain.
"You've done well CB," Meg said, "Now you can go to sleep."
"Sleep?......." he muttered looking up at Meg looking ready to give up the 'struggle'.
"Yes."
He gave a dazed, drug-induced smile and closed his now seemingly distant, haze-covered, blue eyes.
Once he was out, Meg got to work on repairing him.

While Meg was working on CB and Rusty, Rocky One had called the remaining freight cars together
"I don't think that we should tell Control what happened," he said
"I agree..." Dustin replied. "Who knows what he'd do..."
"CB's one story...." FT spoke up. "But it wasn't *him* this time...."
"That's what makes this all so weird."
"Creepy if ya ask me," the brick truck replied.
"I'm used to seeing that look on CB," Rocky Three said, "But not on Rusty."
"It don't fit on Rusty...."
"Not a bit."
"And the way Rusty giggled...." Dustin shuddered.
"Sounded exactly like CB."
"Exactly..."
"We're *all* doomed to go nutso!" FT groaned. "Wonderful...."
Rocky shook his head
"Don't ya see?"
"But still," Three said, "Having them *both* in our train..."
Dustin shuddered again. "Neither would 'arm us...right?"
"No," Rocky One said firmly, "They wouldn't."
Dustin gave a small nod.
"Well not much else we can do here," Two said, "I'm sure that Meg will be shooing us out soon."
Dustin said, "I 'ope they aren't 'urt too badly..."
"Yeah...." Three agreed
"We'll come back tomorrow morning and check on them," the Rockies decided

Later on, Meg periodically checked on Rusty and CB to make sure they were still doing all right.
The caboose stirred after some time. He began to panic slightly when he found he couldn't move. He struggled, but to no avail.
She entered the room. "Hi there," she said, walking over to him
"Why can't I move?" CB asked frantically.
"Oh is that all that's worrying you?" she asked. She uncovered him and undid some straps that held him down to the bed. "There now."
Now the caboose could move, though it hurt some.
"Take it easy now."
"My brakes....!" he suddenly seemed to remember.
"Brand new."
"....Yeah?......”
"Yup."
He took a relieved breath.

"You did a number on yourself this time," she said
"I didn't...."
"Well whatever happened, there was quite a bit of damage to the both of you."
"Stupid Steamer...." he muttered
"Ah yes. He was rather banged up as well."
"serves him right!"
"So what happened then?"
"I tried to stop but my breaks went out," he said, "That stupid engine kept gettin' faster."
She nodded, “and then what happened?”
"ya know that curve right outside AV?"
"Yeah."
"Let's just say, Rusty 'forgot' to turn!" he spat going to sit up. However, his frame objected and he gave a painful groan.
"Careful," Meg said
"Whatever..."
"Be careful," Meg said firmly, "I just fixed you two days in a row and I'm hoping that we won't make it a third."
"And what if it was?" he shot back.
"Then I might not untie you right away next time."
"Sure."
"I mean, I suppose I should be flattered that you like my company..."
"ya know neither were my fault..." He tried to sit up.
"No?” She didn’t sound accusing.
He shook his head.
"Alright."

"Meg? Can I sit up?..."
"If you move slowly."
CB did just that, but had some difficulty.
"Would you like some breakfast?"
"Please..."
Meg nodded, "Don't move too much and I'll be back shortly."
"okay..."

Meg brought CB some breakfast in bed
"Thanks Meg...."
"You're welcome."
The caboose took a bite
"I still don't want too much movement out of you today," she warned
"But Meg..."
"No buts."
He gave a frustrated sigh.
"I mean it CB. You had a lot of serious damage. You've got a complete new set of brakes, I had to replace the axles on one set of your wheels, bend the other set back into shape, hammer out all manner of dents and deal with a concussion," she did not sound pleased.
"and you make it sound like it's *my* fault!..." he grumbled.
"All I'm saying is that I want you to stay in bed."
He crossed his arms, "whatever..."
"CB...." Meg said warningly
"I'll do what I want," he said defiantly. "And I *feel* perfectly *fine*!"
"And why are you so opposed to staying in bed?" she asked
"I'd rather be doin' somethin'," he muttered.
"Like what?"
"Like not lyin' in bed!" He crossed his arms again and turned his head away from Meg.
"Well, as you will of course. Why in Starlight's name would you listen to me?"
CB uncrossed his arms for enough time to push his food away. He then went back to how he was, not answering the repair truck.
She stood up and left

The caboose turned his head back as he heard Meg leave and muttered something under his breath. He attempted to swing his wheels over the side of the bed... however, they were still too stiff and sore to move and he swore as a dull ache followed his attempt.
Meg was waiting, just out of sight, to make sure that he didn't over exert himself
The caboose tried again after a moment of rest to make the ache go away, this time managing it. CB then attempted to stand to his wheels. He managed to get to them but after a moment, began to wobble slightly. He was growing dizzy and shut his eyes a few times to try and stop the feeling. It wasn't working.
The caboose grew weak before he felt himself fall.
Meg darted over to him, making sure that he landed on the bed. He moaned softly as he hit the soft surface. She shifted him, getting him to lay down properly, tucking him in,
he indeed landed back on the bed, moaning some as he hit.
He opened his eyes then only to find himself looking up at Meg once more. He looked away from her. She had been right – yet again.
"Just take it easy now," she said, without a hint of 'I told you so' in her tone
there was no more from the caboose

there was a knock on the door then, and Meg went to go answer it, “Hi Pearl, come on in.”
She rolled in. "How's Rusty?..."
"He'll heal."
"Can....may I see him?"
Meg nodded, "Come with me."
The pink coach followed her in to a bedroom. "Is....he awake?" she whispered to the truck.
"Yes. Or he was a few minutes ago."
Pearl rolled towards the bed. "Rusty?" she asked softly.
The steamer was lying down, but he opened his eyes at her voice. He tried to get his eyes to focus on her.
"Rusty...." She knelt by the bedside, lightly touching his face, trying not to hurt him.
He leaned into her touch
"Poor Rusty....." she whispered almost sadly.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, "Pearl?"
"Yes?" she asked meeting his eyes.
"I... I don't know... what happened."

"I had only heard that there'd been a crash... that you were the engine involved..."
"Uh huh..."
"That CB had been in the accident too...."
Rusty closed his eyes, "...yeah."
"But Meg told me you both will be okay."
"Do.... do you know anything else about what happened?"
Pearl shook her head.
"I just.... I know I had the freight train...."
"None of the others were hurt."
"Good. I didn't want any of them to get hurt..."
"And you did the best you could at that."
He nodded slowly and then winced
She gave a light gasp at his wince. "Easy Rusty..."
"My head's pounding," he confessed
Pearl moved her hand through his hair. "I'm sorry Rusty..." It was heartbreaking to see him in pain like this.
He leaned into her touch, "I must've hit it when I crashed..."
"I can't believe this happened..."
He opened his eyes and looked up at her
"When they brought you in..." she started and then shook her head, "You looked horrible..."
He closed his eyes sheepishly
"CB was talking nonsense."
"I don't remember..."
"You were out..."
"Yeah.... I... I guess that was sorta lucky then..."
"What do you mean Rusty?"
"I was out.... so I don't know how much I was hurt..."
Pearl gave a soft sigh. "I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later... With all the crashes CB had caused, one of them was bound to backfire..."
"Ah..... yeah."
"Why?" she asked - more to herself then the steamer.
"I just...” he trailed off, “My head hurts..."
"I'm sorry...maybe I should go...." she offered, slowly standing.
"No!" he exclaimed with surprising forcefulness, "Don't go!"
"Alright Rusty. I won't...."
"Stay with me."
"I'll be right here," she assured him.
"Promise?"
She gave his forehead a light kiss. "I promise."
He smiled, "Good."
“Just concentrate on getting better."
He nodded slowly, “But you have to stay with me...”
She gave a slight smile, "I will."
"Good."

"Are you hungry at all?" she asked.
"A little... Meg was gonna come back.... but I think I fell asleep again."
"want me to call her? Let her know?"
"Yeah."
She called for the repair truck.
Meg stuck her head in the room a few minutes later
"Rusty's wanting something to eat," she explained.
Meg nodded, "I'll get him something then."
Pearl turned back to Rusty.
He gazed up at her, "Pearl?"
"Yes?"
"I... don't think that I can move... well.... I mean.... I *can*..."
"But you don't want to?" she asked gently.
"Yeah - it sorta hurts... and Meg told me to stay still."
Pearl nodded.
"She didn't tell me what she all had to do to me," he said, "I don't think I even *want* to know..."
"You looked horrible..."
He blushed. "But what I meant was... well... when Meg brings in breakfast...."
"Don't worry about it Rusty." Pearl gave a knowing smile.
"I'm still hungry though."
"....I'll help...." she said softly.
He smiled slightly

Meg chose that moment to enter with Rusty's breakfast. "Here we go," Meg said
Pearl looked up then, standing to take the tray from Meg.
She handed it to Pearl, "I think that you can handle it from here."
She nodded. "Thank you Meg."

Pearl went back to Rusty's side and set the tray down. "Breakfast is here," she told Rusty with a smile.
He smiled back, "Good."
"She made your favorites."
He smiled again and gingerly started to sit up.
Pearl helped him sit up.
"Thanks..." he said softly
She smiled, and took a spoonful for him.
With her help, he started to eat. He tried not to think about the fact that she was actually *feeding* him
Pearl found it amusing, almost fun. She had to smile.
She moved onto something different after a few bites, to give Rusty variety, and fed him until he was full.

"Thanks," Rusty said softly
"No problem Rusty"
"Ah Pearl?"
"Yes?"
"Don't tell?"
"Don't worry." She kissed him. "It's safe with me."
Rusty held the kiss
She smiled.
"I love you..." he said softly.
"I love you too Rusty... always...”
He held out a hand to her, taking her hand and giving it a slight tug, pulling her closer. "Come here?"
Pearl sat on the bed.
"No... I mean..."
She tilted her head to one side, letting her pink-blond hair waterfall across her cheek.
Rusty carefully scooted over so that she could lie down – which she did, cuddling against him.
“Yes.” he smiled, "Stay?" he asked, snuggling against her.
"Of course, if you want me to."
"I do," he closed his eyes.
"Alright." She ran a hand through his brown hair.
"Good," he smiled slightly, relaxing against her.

Two days had passed. Pearl, Rusty and CB had been living at Meg's house. Rusty - with the help of Pearl - was obeying Meg's directions of staying in bed.
CB however was starting to wear on her nerves. He was complaining every time she rolled into his room, and this time was no exception.
He was sitting up in bed arms across his chest.
"Hello there,” she greeted him
"Can I get up yet?" he asked.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?" He didn't like the sound of that.
"Yes, maybe. It depends upon two things."
"What?"
"First it depends on what I find, and secondly it depends on how much you co-operate."
He gave a huff.
"So, it's basically up to you."
"Fine." he said shortly.

She nodded and sat down next to him, "I need to examine you - brakes and all."
"But ya said ya gave me *new* brakes!” he exclaimed, “Ya already fixed me!"
"Ah but I need to make sure that your new brakes are functioning properly."
"They *are*!"
"Then it shouldn't be a problem for me to look?"
That area was verrrrrry sensitive for him and he shook his head, “No!”
"CB....." she sighed.
"I said no." he said firmly.
"You either let me look, or stay in bed," she said
"I'm *not* staying in bed."
"Ah then you will let me look," she said
"No!"
"CB," Meg said firmly, "Why must we go through this every time?"
"Cuz I'm *fine*!" He swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Meg sighed, "CB, you've been in bed long enough, but I can't let you up until I've checked you out."
"If I've been in bed long enough, why won't you just let me go?"
"Because I *must* look you over first."
"Who says?" he demanded.
"I do."
He gave a "Ptf!" and went to stand up.
“Alright,” Meg sighed, "I'm sorry CB," she started
"I’m outta here!" he said with a smirk.

Meg grabbed his arm firmly, pushing up his sleeve with her other hand.
He let out a startled cry "Lemme go!!" He tried pulling away.
She held on to him, holding a syringe in her other hand
"No!!" he spat. "No no no!!" He struggled.
She looked up and met his eyes, "Then hold still and allow me to work."
He wasn't giving up. CB took the arm Meg was holding onto and shook it as forcefully as he could. "Let. Me. Go!!" he growled.
She pressed the needle into his arm
He gave a slight cry as the needle went through his frame. She allowed him to pull away from her now. As the drugs began to work, the caboose became less wound up.
Meg eased him down on the bed. He didn’t fight back, didn’t struggle against her anymore.
"I hate to do this to you," she said sadly, stroking his hair
He only groaned softly in response.
"Shh, shh," she soothed
"Get away!" he demanded.
"Why?"
"I said 'get away'!"
"Only if you tell me why."
"I *want* you to go!"
"Yes, I understand that, but why?" she asked patiently, “Tell me.”
CB's eyes narrowed. "I'm *sensitive* there!" he growled. It was clear the drugs were kicking in.
"I know that sweetheart," she said
"leave me alone..."
"I have *never* hurt you, you know that."
CB gave a halfhearted growl.
"You know that CB," Meg said, "I know that you wouldn't trust anyone else to touch your brakes."
"No!" He squirmed, trying to move away from her.
Meg stroked his blonde hair back again before getting up.
"Just...leave...."
Meg didn't answer him, shifting the blankets
"No!" CB tried to kick but his legs were heavy. He tried to struggle, but couldn’t move.
She got out a few rather non-threatening tools. She very gently started to examine his wheels.
He squirmed as she worked.
After finishing with his wheels, Meg moved on to his brakes, and she was even more gentle, but it made him squirm more.
It didn't take her too long to finish, and then she was done. He stopped squirming when she removed her hands.

CB's deep blue eyes followed her as she moved up to the head of the bed and sat down.
"It'll wear off in about an hour," she said, "And then you're free to go."
He glared at her.
She sighed softly, "I'm sorry."
"No you're not!" he muttered.
"I'm sorry that you force me to do these things to you."
He growled. "Get away." he ordered.
Meg left him alone.

As time passed, the sedative started to wear off. Slowly, CB began to notice that he was able to move a little better and like always, there were no side effects to Meg having just examined his brakes.
He worked them briefly and found out that they were good as new. He went to sit up and then slowly got to his wheels. The room finally didn’t spin. He headed towards the door slowly.

Meg was sitting in the living room, reading.
He stopped, seeing her in the living room.
She looked up at him and then looked back to her book
The caboose was about to roll on by. Instead however, he found himself rolling into the living room. She looked up at him as he rolled towards her.
CB simply hugged Meg without a word. She had always been there, like a 2nd mom. "Thanks...." he said softly.
"You're welcome."
"May I go?"
"Yes."
He gave her another hug, then headed out the door, going outside.

It was quite a nice day and the caboose looked around for his fellow freight
"Hey CB!" Dustin called, hurrying over to the caboose.
He looked up, "Hey Dustin..."
"How're ya feelin'?"
"great now." CB said, “Got new brakes and everything.”
Dustin smiled, "That's good."
"Yeah"
"So... they'll be workin' now?"
He gave a nod. "They should."
"Good," Dustin said with his classic smile, "It's been rough without you."
"Course it'd be rough without me," CB joked.
"Well with both you an' Rusty out..."
"Oh...yeah..."
"It was weird."
He looked away.
"but now you're back, so things should be gettin' back to normal.”
"yeah..."

Pearl meanwhile, was visiting Rusty daily. "Rusty?" she asked before entering.
He was sitting up on his bed and he looked up at her
She entered. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Rusty said
"That's good. It's gotten lonely at home." She kissed him.
"I get to come home soon," he said with a smile after they'd finished the kiss
"I can't wait."
Rusty very slowly got up to his wheels, with a little bit of help from Pearl. She knew that Meg had given the steamer permission. He was steady on his wheels.
He made it a few steps and then grinned at her
She giggled.
"C'mere," he ordered with a smile. Once she was close enough, he kissed her rather passionately
Her eyes grew ask he kissed her, taking the coach by surprise.
He was all smiles when they parted, which made Pearl smile.

"And y'know what else?" Rusty whispered
"What?" she asked in the same tone.
"She said that I can go home now."
She gave a soft gasp and then gave him a hug. "That's great!"
"Right now even," he said.
"Then let's go," Pearl agreed.
He smiled and headed towards the door, with Pearl following.

"I'm happy to be home," he said once they'd gotten home
"I'm happy to have you home."
"but Meg said that I can't be pulling trains yet," he said
Pearl nodded. "that makes sense."
Rusty smiled, "Which means...."
"Time with me?"
He nodded with a grin.
"Wonderful."
"I'm glad you think so too."
"Of course I think so, Rusty."
Rusty smiled, running a hand across her cheek
The coach leaned in at his touch.
He sat down on the couch with Pearl and commenced to cuddling.