The Midnight Train Crossing

Soon it neared quitting time. Charlie paused for a small break as he looked over the tracks. He thought that perhaps it was time to move on, things were getting very unstable up here, and the job was nearly finished anyway.
RC waited for the signal that Charlie was ready to move out and then as soon as he heard the whistle, the caboose set his mind back to the job at hand. "Ready when you are Charlie!" he called.
"Here we go."
RC grinned, his heart skipped a beat as they started moving. However, he stayed focused. Didn't want anything to happen....
Charlie went a bit slower then usual, "Be prepared to stop," Charlie called back to RC.
The caboose gave a nod. "Ten-four good buddy!" he called back.
"Now!"
RC put his brake down as quickly as he could.
Charlie came to a stop safely.
RC let out the breath he'd been holding.
"Thanks!" Charlie called back
"What I'm here for!" he responded with a grin and salute.
Charlie turned forward again

"Ne--" Charlie's words trailed off in a shout as the ground under the tracks gave out
"Charlie!!" RC shouted fearfully as he came to a sudden halt. He began to be pulled forward and tried to counter as he held his breaks and pulled back....putting all his strength in trying to save the steamer.
The steamer reached back to unhitch his cars - at least they were still on solid ground. They'd be safe...
"Charlie!!!" RC cried again. It was *his* duty to keep the others safe and he fought hard. RC held Charlie steady for a moment, but then the steamer started to fall again. "I *won't* let anything...happen!...." he said to himself. "Charlie!!" he cried again, feeling the engine slip again. RC gave a strained grunt and pulled back.
"Don't let anybody else fall!" Charlie called.
"I *won't*!!" he promised with a grunt. "I won't let *you* fall either Charlie!!"
Suddenly it seemed to get lighter as Charlie unhitched the cars. They all reversed, relying on RC to keep them from sliding forward.

"Charlie!!!" RC quickly unhitched when he felt the others were safe, and raced up to the front.
Charlie was balanced rather precariously on the edge of a cliff.
"Charlie!!" he cried again.
Charlie looked back at RC, "Everybody else okay?"
"Yeah! Now it's my turn to make sure *you* are!" He grasped his couples.
"Good," Charlie said, attempting to reverse, and then he stopped, "Uh oh..."
RC didn't like the sound of that....
"Let go." Charlie said calmly.
"No Charlie! I *won't* let you go!" He tried pulling back again.
"Then I think..." Charlie started, holding completely still.
RC blinked, truly scared of what Charlie may choose to do....
"We're going down..."

The ground fell out below them.
RC's eyes grew wide as the ground gave way and he let out a cry as he went down.
They landed on a ledge. Charlie fell forward and hit his head against the side of the mountain RC let out a sharp cry as he hit the ledge hard, his breath knocked out of him. "Charlie...." he gasped managing to glance quickly and seeing the engine's limp body before blacking out.
Charlie had been unconscious for quite a bit since he hit the side.

RC slowly came to. He groaned as his body ached with every movement. "Charlie?...." he groaned.
Charlie opened his eyes which looked a bit glazed.
"Charlie....." RC attempted to move but let out a cry as sharp pain shot through one of his arms.
"I think... I'm not gonna make dinner," Charlie said in an oddly detached voice
"No Charlie! don't think that!" Despite the pain RC moved slowly over to the engine.
"Tell... tell Daisy not to keep it warm?"
"Charlie no!!" RC said again, his voice cracking.
"She hates it when I'm late..."
"Charlie!!..."
He closed his eyes
"Charlie!!!" he cried out placing his hands on the engine's shoulders, shaking him gently. "Come on buddy.....don't do this to me......"
"Sorry," Charlie said, eye still closed, "Hope she doesn't bite your head off 'cause you'll tell her I'll be late..."
"Charlie....."
"Tell her I'll make it up to her?"
"yeah Charlie..."he said slowly. "I will...." RC swallowed.
"Thanks buddy. I know I can always... count on you..."
He fought back tears. "yeah.....always count on Ol' RC....."
Charlie was quiet
"Charlie?......."
There was no answer
"Charlie?......" his voice was more of a panic now.
No sound but the engine's even breathing

RC tried to sit up but when he put weight on his injured arm pain seemed to go through his entire frame. He found a way to sit up though, and looked up the cliff. He had a climbing rope for emergencies but wasn't sure how his injured arm would fair....The caboose *had* to get help for Charlie!
A different steamer whistle sounded from above.
RC heard it and called out, "Help!!"
"Who's down there?"
"RC!!.....and Charlie!!....."
"Right." the voice said, "Just sit tight and we'll get you down."
"Charlie needs immediate help!..." RC shouted back up. "Take care of him first!"
"Will do," the engine called back, "Just stay put."
RC sat down against the back of the cliff, cradling his injured arm which was no doubt broken. As he laid his head against the cliff wall, the caboose began to wonder how *he* had let this happen...

Charlie was ferried down to the ground via crane
RC silently watched from his spot, staying out of the way.
After Charlie was safely on the ground and ferried to the repair shop, they returned to get RC down. RC babied his arm from every movement on the way down.

"What hurts?" the repair truck asked
"My arm the most...." he replied. "Think I landed on it wrong...." His voice was *way* more serious then it ever had been.
The repair truck nodded, "Sit down."
RC did so and the repair truck checked RC's arm
Every once in a while, the caboose let out short cries as the repair truck hit *just* the right spot.
"Yes... broken."
"thought so....."
"Fixable though."
"Yeah..." his voice faded before he spoke again. "How's Charlie......."
"He will... take longer to repair."
"Just set my arm and go....." RC said in response.
The repair truck nodded and went to work on his arm
RC flinched every once in a while as the truck continued to work on his arm, but he didn't say a word.

"There," the truck said, "In a week or so it'll be as good as new."
"Wonderful....." was all he muttered.
The truck gave him a kindly smile
RC looked away, his mind on others thoughts.
"You can go."
The caboose stood to his wheels slowly.
The repair truck vanished into the shop to do other things

RC made his way outside. He most certainly wasn't his normal, cheerful self.
Lily darted over to him.
He looked up, hearing her.
"Ryan!" she called, running over to him about to give him a hug, but stopping when she saw his arm
The caboose gave a sigh
"Are you alright?"
"Just a simple fracture..." he responded. "It'll be healed in a week...."
"Good," she said, giving him a gentle hug.
He pulled away slightly.
"I'm sorry," she said, easing up, "Did I hurt your arm?"
RC shook his head. "no...it's fine..."
Lily nodded

"I've got to go....." he said softly to himself.
"Where?" she asked, hearing him.
He looked up. "Anywhere but here........"
Lily looked blank.
"Lily...any idea *how* my arm got this way?" he asked her.
"There was an accident," she said, "the tracks gave out-"
He nodded. "Right..." came his response. "I went up to try and help Charlie....then we both fell to a ledge below.........."
She nodded slowly
He shook his head. "I....I asked about Charlie....all they said was that they were working on him...........Lil............I gotta leave."

"Alright," she said gently, "Let's go back to your shed..."
"Lily..."
"come on."
With a sigh, he followed. "I'm still leaving Lil....I can't stick around......"
"You can't go anywhere right now," she said, leading him on.
They went past the diner which was empty
"Lily!..." He then caught himself, not meaning to shout like that. "I'm....I’m sorry Lil..." he apologized.
She turned back to him, "What?"
"I've *got* to go.....if he dies I.......I won't be able to live with myself. Plus the others will look at me knowing *I* could have saved him!...."
"Shh."
"Lily.."
"Ryan."
He fell silent.
"Ryan don't act like this," she said, looking into his eyes, "You're scaring me..."
"Lil, he.....Charlie *trusted* me with his *life*............"
"I know."
"I *failed* him!"
"Ryan, there was nothing you could have done..."
RC shook his head.
"I mean, you didn't just leave him to fall right?"
" 'Course not!..."
"So you did whatever you could..."
He fell silent again.

"And I'm sure that everyone knows that," she opened the door to his shed
He entered.
Lily followed him, "Sit?"
He sat down.

"We are leaving anyway..." she started to say
"No....can't be Apollo....."
"What?"
"If Charlie *does* die that....that'll be the first place they'll look for me..."
"Why would they look for you?"
"There are those, even with as long as I've been working here, who've had linger doubts about me Lil..."
"Oh no," she shook her head.
"It's true....They came up to me personally the first couple of times......Charlie always stood up for me though..."
Lily stroked his shoulder
"They still talk though...sometimes I catch fragments. Lil, If Charlie dies...they'll come after me..."
"but if you come to AV you'll be fine."
"Lil..." He shook his head. "Everyone knows that's where I'm goin'..."
She sighed, "but you don't even know if Charlie isn't going to make it..."

"If you'd have seen the way he landed......"
Lily hugged her caboose
He returned the hug, though weakly. "When he spoke he was.....seemed....completely out of it........."
She nodded, holding him in her arms
"Lily....if he does die....I wouldn't be able to face Daisy...."
She nodded silently
"She trusted me too...."
Lily hugged him tightly

He was silent and then...."I'm scared Lily..." he admitted.
Lily held him close, "I'm here honey, I'm here..."
"I know...thank you.."
She cuddled him
He sighed. He still had to get out and away...but wanted Lily by his side. However, he couldn't ask her to just....leave.
Lily held him close
"Lily...I really do love you..."
"I love you too. So much."

"If....I were to suddenly get up and leave what......what would you do?..."
"If you were to leave me?"
"Leave this place....no plans on going to Apollo...."
"Oh..."
"What would ya do?...."
"Well... I wouldn't let you go without me."
"I couldn't let you do that....I love you......with my whole heart but......you've got a sister....a nephew coming......" he spoke softly, "I couldn't ask you....."
"but you could ask me to live without you?"
"No Lil.....I couldn't......Cuz I know I’d be difficult for me to live without you.........." He reached up with his good hand and lightly caressed her face, "I'd want you with me..."
She leaned into his touch, "And I want to be with you..."
He gave a slow nod. "All right..."
"What if... we left... but I told Belle where we are... and then if they come looking for you at the AV then we'd know..."
"I don't know....but, I suppose ya'd want to keep in touch with her."
She nodded
"All right. You can.."
Lily nodded again.

"I want to leave as soon as possible..."
"But are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean, with your arm..."
RC shook his head. "My arm'll be fine long as I don't jolt it around."
"Okay..."
"Trust me Lily...I want to get out as soon as I can. ..."
She nodded silently, although she didn't look so sure about this.
"Lil...what would *you* do if you were me?....."
"I don't know."
He sighed. "I see no other choice......I'm sorry Lily..."
"I know Ryan..."
RC looked down.

She set a hand on his shoulder, "I'm coming with you."
He placed his good hand on Lily's.. "Thank you..." He looked up at her "when was Jacob coming to pick us up?"
She looked at a clock, "I think in an hour or two..."
"then we've got to go now."
"Okay..." she said softly, "Then I guess we'll go..."

He stood slowly and turned his couples to her. "Unless ya need to bring anything along...grab hold...."
"I was already all packed," she said, hitching up
He nodded, then headed out the door, making his way across the yard.
The caboose reached the gate. He looked back, both at Lily then at the yard for a moment, before heading out.

They were soon on the open rails and RC was going at a decent pace for a truck without an engine pulling him along, he sighed, wondering where they would end up.
They traveled on until darkness and then RC started to slow, knowing they would need to rest, and looked for a spot where they could do so.

He soon found a good spot and led Lily over.
"I'm so tired," she said softly.
He helped her to the ground. "get the sleep you need then," he whispered to her.
She nodded, laying down, resting her head in RC's lap.
The caboose leaned up against a tree with a yawn. He brushed a stray strand of hair away from Lily's eyes, giving another sigh.
She closed her eyes and slept.
He gave another yawn and closed his own eyes, wrapping his good arm around Lily some. He hated to have run off an hour before Jacob was scheduled to arrive...but there'd be no other way after.
He soon fell asleep, though the events of the day replayed through his head caused RC to have a troubled sleep.

RC woke with the sun, yawed, and looked down at Lily who was curled close to him.
He gave a slight smile at the sight of her, but his mood changed slightly as he remembered the events of yesterday.
Lily opened her eyes and then closed them promptly against the sunlight.
RC placed his hand over her eyes like a visor
"mmm."
He leaned over to kiss her.
She opened her eyes slightly after the kiss.

"We should start again soon..." he said. The nearest station was still a morning's ride away.
"Huh?" she asked sleepily
"We've still got a morning's ride ahead of us before we reach the next station." RC then noticed that she was still waking up and nuzzled her. "Of course, I'll wait until you're ready."
He held her while she cuddled close to him
RC ran his good hand through his moptop of blond hair.

After a few minutes she opened her eyes again and blinked, properly awake this time
His deep blue eyes looked into hers.
Not only did she look more awake, she also looked as though she remembered what was going on now
"Ready to continue?....." he asked quietly.
She nodded
"All right.."
Lily got up slowly
RC stood as best he could without putting force on his bad arm under the watchful eyes of Lily.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yeah, if you are." He turned his couples to her.
She nodded and took his couplings, "Where exactly are we going?"
"don't know..." he said honestly. "But I'll know it when we get there..." He started off once she grabbed hold.
"Alright..." she said
"Once we reach the next station, you can send a letter if you wish..."
She nodded, "What should I put for a return address?"
"the station we're at. I'll tell them to forward it the next whenever we head out again...."
She nodded

As the couple moved on, the sun got higher in the sky.
RC soon saw lights of a station as dinnertime approached. He was thankful, knowing they hadn't eaten since lunch the day before.

"Ryan?" Lily asked softly after having been silent for some time.
"Yeah?"
"Are we nearly there?"
"The station is right up ahead..."
"good...."
"Lil...are you okay?..."
"Not really," she admitted
"we're nearly there...hang on Lil......" concern was evident in his voice.
She nodded, "Yeah.... I think... I just need to eat something..."
He nodded.

They soon entered through the gate of the station.
Lily had closed her eyes and was just letting RC lead her
RC looked around, perhaps for the head engine and also for someplace to eat.
"Hey there," an engine greeted him
RC looked over to the one who had greeted him. "hey," he called back, pulling Lily as he skated over to the engine.
"New around here?"
The caboose nodded. "yeah, might say that."
He looked RC and Lily over, "Your coach doesn't look so well..."
"She's most likely hungry...we both are. haven't eaten since lunch yesterday. I know what you may say, but your station is the first we've come to."
"Oh," he gave RC an odd look, "Well the diner is over this way..."
"thank you.."
The engine nodded
RC followed the engine, pulling Lily behind.
He opened the door to the diner

A coach looked up from the counter as RC entered.
Lily perked up a bit at the sight of food
The caboose sat down and the coach skated over to them with menus. "There y’all go. I take special orders but no fancy foreign foods," she joked.
"Thanks..." Lily said softly.
she looked to the sleeper with some concern. "No problem hon. I'll make you whatever you want."
She nodded and looked over the menu, but didn't seem to see it, then she looked up at the coach, "I know it's not breakfast time..."
"I'll make you whatever you want." she repeated again. They were the only ones in the diner at the moment.
"French toast with cinnamon?"
The coach nodded. "All right."
RC looked to her. "A BLT for me. Extra bacon." With a nod, the coach headed for the kitchen.
Lily rested her head in her hands
RC took one of her hands with his good one.
She looked up at him
"I'm sorry Lil...." he apologized
"Just... let's stop to eat sooner next time..."
"I promise."

The coach came back with their meals after a while. "Here y’all go." She set the plates down in front of them.
"Thanks..." Lily said absently
"Not a problem..." she looked to the sleeper once more before heading back into the kitchen.
Lily massaged her temples for a second and then picked up her fork
He watched her a moment longer before beginning to eat himself.
She ate slowly but surely.
Every once in a while, RC looked up, wondering if taking Lily along had been a mistake. Jacob and Belle would just *love* him now.

Lily had finished eating and was chasing a bit of the crust around her plate
"Lily?..." concern was in his voice.
"Yeah?"
"Somethin's botherin ya..."
"Oh," she said, "I'm just tired."
"you sure that’s just it?"
"Pretty sure."
"All right. I'll try to see if they'll put us up for tonight. Could even see if there are a few odd jobs if ya want to stay around a bit...."
She nodded, "Yes."
"all right..." RC stood and offered his good arm to the sleeper.
She took it and stood up
He led her back out of the diner.
Lily followed, looking a bit better then she had when they arrived

He looked around for the engine that had met them and rolled over towards him.
"Hello," he greeted them.
"hey again. say, ya wouldn't have a place where we could sleep would ya? Maybe a few odd jobs here and there? Lily, my coach, wants to collect herself before we continue on and I'm not one to just take..."
He nodded, "I think so, yeah."
The caboose nodded. "Thanks. Name's RC by the way," he replied.
The engine nodded, "Name's Al."
"well, thanks Al,
He nodded.

"You'll be able to rest up Lil..." RC said to her, giving the coach a slight hug.
She smiled, "in a bed will be nice."
He chuckled. "All right Lil...we'll find ya a place."
"come with me," Al said
RC followed the engine.
Lily followed RC and Al led them into the roundhouse. "It isn't much," he said, opening a door and waving them in.
"it's something though," RC responded.
He nodded, "I'll have some work for you tomorrow morning."
RC gave another nod.
He left them alone.

Lily lay down on the bed in the smallish room.
"Sorry it's not bigger..." RC said motioning to the room as he sat down next to her.
"That's alright," she said, "I'm sorry I worried you..."
"I care for you Lily. It's my duty to worry..." He kissed her. "I'm just glad that hunger was all it was."
She nodded, kissing him back, "And being tired."
"That too..."
"I'll be fine, but I think that next time we shouldn't go so long between meals."
"Right. When we leave again, I'll ask Al if the diner could pack us something."
She nodded, "Great."
He gave her a smile.

Lily smiled back and gestured him over, giving him a kiss when he was close enough.
He returned the kiss willingly, slipping his arms around her, holding her.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," came his response.
She snuggled up against him "Then tomorrow while you're at work, I'll see if they could use some help in the diner..."
RC nodded. "Sounds like an idea to me."
"And I'll write Belle and tell her what happened."
He nodded again.
"But for now..." she snuggled close to him
He chuckled some and snuggled against her, "Nothing will tear us apart.."
"Ever," she agreed, closing her eyes.
"I love you too much to allow that to happen."