The Midnight Train Crossing

Greaseball hammered impatiently on Rusty and Poppa's door one morning.
Belle sleepily opened the door.
Greaseball glanced past her. "Is Rusty here?"
"Yes dear, he lives here..."
"Tell him to get out here."
"Polite as always," she commented, closing the door to go find Rusty.
Greaseball waited, adjusting his sunglasses.

A few minutes later Rusty emerged, "Good morning."
"Let's go!" Greaseball hissed, grabbing Rusty's neck and giving him a push.
Rusty let out a yelp.
"Move it!"
Greaseball led the way down the tracks at a rather fast pace. Rusty followed in silence, wishing not for the first time, that somebody else could do this. How much teaching could be needed to learn how to pull a freight train anyway?

Greaseball halted at a dingy track.
Rusty came to a stop, still deep in thought, I mean it's not like I've never been in the freight yard before...
Greaseball motioned to a group of trains waiting nearby. "Couple up."
Rusty obediently moved into place.
"Come on."
Rusty reversed so that the freight cars could hitch up.
Rocky I took his couplers. "New on the job, Rusty?"
Rusty nodded and looked back with a smile, "I'm on my own today." he looked over at Greaseball, "Well...sorta."
Greaseball huffed. "Come on already. I got better things to do."
"You don't have to stay..." Rusty started, starting forward with a bit of a tug.
"I'm s'posed to."
Rusty sighed and gave the train behind him a soft pull. They were heavier then he'd expected and he didn't get very far.
Greaseball glanced over his shoulder. "Are you coming or not?"
"I'm tryin'..."
"Well, try harder. We got more stuff to do..."
Rusty took a deep breath and gave the train a hard yank. They finally started moving.

Halfway down the train, Flat Top groaned. "This is boring."
Coupled in front of Flat Top, Rocky Three rolled his eyes.
Flat Top glanced back over his shoulder at Dustin, the only hopper in the yard, who he had only met a little while ago. "Isn't it?"
Dustin shrugged and then winced as they were jolted a bit roughly.
"Watch it!" Flat Top yelled up the train.
"sorry..." Rusty called back sheepishly, "I'm new at this..."
"So are we," Flat Top muttered.
Rusty mumbled his apologies again as he got the heavy train back under control.
Greaseball groaned. "Come on, faster."
"I'm going as fast as I can without derailing..."
"You can go faster..."
"Not without derailing..."
"You're barely moving. Come on!"
Rusty gritted his teeth and sped up just a bit
Greaseball nodded. "Better."

The diesel sped up, waving to the coaches who were pulling along the opposite track.
"Wait," Rusty panted, trying to keep up.
Greaseball glanced back at him and grinned evilly. "Wait what?"
"please."
"Why? Too fast for you?"
"You aren't pulling freight!"
"So?" Greaseball sped up just a bit.
Rusty panted and tried to speed up, but Greaseball just went faster.
"Slow down!" Rusty pleaded after Greaseball
"Why?" Greaseball taunted.
"Cuz I can't..." Rusty sighed, "Can't keep up."
Greaseball hooted with laughter. "Stop."
Rusty stopped, more or less successfully.
Greaseball backed up and gave him a shove. "Disconnect."

He hitched the train up. "Watch me."
Rusty backed off into the sidings.
Greaseball began to move along the tracks, pulling the train easily.
Back along, Flat Top grinned. "Now this is moving!" he said to Dustin.
Rusty sighed softly and started after Greaseball.
Greaseball finally stopped and disconnected, grinning at Rusty and at the coaches who were now parked on the tracks nearby.
Rusty made a bit of a face, "Well you're older then me..." he started
Greaseball shrugged. "Not hard."
Rusty groaned softly
"Now, come on."
"What now?"
"Yeah. Get the train. Come on."
Rusty sighed and went to the rear of the train, taking Dustin's couplings and pushed.
Greaseball raised a brow. "Only wussy engines push trains."
"Whatever."
"Oh, come on, Rusty. Don't be such a baby."
"Not a baby," Rusty muttered.
"Prove it."
"And how am I supposed to that?"
"Pull the train."
"Why? We're still gettin' there if I push..."
"But that's dumb."
"Why?"
"Cause only wussy trains push."
"Can you come up with anything better to say?"
Greaseball glared. "How about you're late?"

Rusty looked up at the large overhead clock and gasped, then pushed harder.
Greaseball stepped aside to let him go by.
Rusty kept his head down as he pushed the freight train, actually making it up to a semi-reasonable pace.
Somehow Rusty managed to push the train to where they were supposed to be. He unhitched and stood there panting.
Greaseball groaned. "Come on. We're meeting a new train."
Rusty nodded, trying to catch his breath.
"We're getting a new caboose, I guess." Greaseball grinned, "One more freight for you to pull."
Rusty made a face.

Greaseball grinned. "Come on." He took off down the tracks.
Rusty sighed, forced his breath to return and chased after Greaseball.
Greaseball halted by the front entrance and checked his watch. "Oh, look at that, we're early."
Rusty pulled up a few seconds later and gripped the guard rail to stay up.
Greaseball glanced over at him. "Whats'a matter, Rusty?"
Rusty panted and pulled out his water bottle. Once he'd taken a few swallows he felt better.
Greaseball shaded his eyes. "Ah, here they come."
"goody..."
Greaseball gave him a light shove. "Shut up."
Rusty made a face but fell silent.

The engine that had just arrived, an older diesel engine nodded in greeting to Greaseball
Greaseball nodded back. "Do you have our new train?"
The engine nodded and indicated the last car in his train.
Greaseball stepped around to look at the little caboose who was much smaller than he had thought.
Rusty followed Greaseball, wanting to see the new train.
Greaseball glanced back at him. "Who said you could follow?" he snapped. The caboose grinned slightly.
"Free country last time I checked," Rusty muttered.
Greaseball glared. "Country, yes. Trainyard, no."
Rusty rolled his eyes and reversed.

Greaseball turned back to the main engine and skated over to him. "So, anything I need to know?"
"Well..." the engine eyed Greaseball, "Am I supposed to be talking to you about this?"
Greaseball nodded. "Yeah. I'm the one who's supposed to pick up the new car..."
"Oh, alright then. No, nothing really. Well he was involved in a minor accident a few days ago, but he's been repaired."
Greaseball raised a brow. "He's not damaged?"
"No, he's fine."
"Good." Greaseball glanced back at the silent caboose. "Does he talk?"
"Sometimes," the engine said with a shrug, "Look, I've got some other things to do today so..."
Greaseball nodded. "Okay, okay. Come on, Caboose."
"Red Caboose," the little car responded, disconnecting and moving to Greaseball's side.
The engine nodded, said his goodbye and took off down the tracks at a rather fast pace, out of the trainyard and out of the story.

Greaseball glanced over the little caboose, then turned to Rusty. "Let's go."
Rusty nodded silently.

Greaseball raised a brow. "Come on."
"I'm comin'!"
"So get him and let's go!"
"Well you didn't say *that*" Rusty mumbled, pulling up so that the caboose could hitch up.
Greaseball raised a brow. "Well, you don't think *I* was going to pull him, did you?" He feigned shock. The Caboose smirked.
Rusty rolled his eyes, "Well if you weren't going to pull then I don't see much purpose in you being here."
"Well, did you think you were important enough to talk to another engine like that?"
Rusty whistled.
Greaseball glared at him and moved out down the track.

Rusty looked back at the caboose, "Sorry about that..."
Caboose nodded and smiled at him. "No problem... We better go catch up, don't you think?"
Rusty nodded, "I know where we're going anyway." He turned forward and started to go.
Caboose followed along willingly, looking all around with interested eyes.

Rusty pulled the caboose down the tracks over to the freight yard.
As they went along, Caboose leaned closer to Rusty to be heard. "I'd like to know whose speed I'm enjoying..."
"Oh..." Rusty said a bit sheepishly, "I'm Rusty."
Caboose smiled strangely. "Rusty? Why are you called that?"
"I just am."
"Oh. Is it cause you're a steamer?"
"Wha?"
"Are you rusty cause you're a steamer?" Caboose asked, his voice completely innocent.
Rusty didn't answer.

They reached the freight yard and Rusty came to a stop.
Caboose looked around. "Is this where I'm gonna live?"
"More or less, the roundhouse is that way..." Rusty pointed.
Caboose nodded. "Ah. Cozy-looking."
"Yeah..." Rusty said unhitching.

Greaseball glanced back at him with a wary glance. "Who said you could unhitch?"
"I did..." Rusty said slowly.
"Well, I didn't! Hitch back up! Now, Steam Train!"
Rusty growled softly and reversed, backing into the caboose who almost fell. Greaseball glared at Rusty. "What are you trying to do, kill him?"
Rusty looked back, "I'm sorry!" he said quickly, "I didn't mean-"
Caboose nodded and smiled brightly at Rusty. "No harm done, Rusty. Don't worry about it."
Rusty relaxed and offered Caboose his couplings.
Caboose took them, giving Rusty a smile, but when Rusty wasn't looking, he gave Greaseball a wink.
Greaseball's eyes widened, but he nodded slowly. "Take Red Caboose here out and show him the yard."
"What now?"
"Take him around. He needs to know where everything is. Move it!"
Rusty rolled his eyes and looked back at the caboose, "If you want to..."
Caboose nodded eagerly. "Sounds like fun."
"Alright then," Rusty said, slowly moving out.
Caboose followed, glancing back over his shoulder at Greaseball, then focusing forward.
"I need to make a stop first," Rusty said softly.
"Oh, okay. Where?"
Rusty pulled off to the side at a water tower.
Caboose stood and waited, looking around with dark brown eyes, studying the yard carefully.

Once Rusty was finished he pulled back on to the tracks.
Caboose followed. "So, where we gonna go?"
"Give him a tour, show him around..." Rusty was mumbling.
Caboose tilted his head to the side. "Rusty, did I do something wrong?"
"No, I'm sorry it's not you..." Rusty said.
"Are you sure?" Caboose asked softly.
"Yes," Rusty said, picking up speed slightly to make himself feel better
Caboose smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Rusty whistled at the crossing and continued on.
Red Caboose leaned closer to him. "Can we go faster?"
"Sure..." the caboose was light enough not to cause a problem and Rusty picked up speed.
Caboose grinned evilly at the back of Rusty's head. Perfect...
Rusty glided along down the tracks, not at his fastest speed, but at a pretty good pace.
Caboose grinned slowly. The track beneath them was older, which provided great cover... Just a few more feet...
Rusty slowed as they rounded a bend.
Caboose groaned inwardly.
Rusty slowly accelerated again, picking up speed. Caboose grinned slowly. Almost there...
Rusty whistled as they flew down the tracks, he liked going fast, it always made him feel better.
Caboose grinned. Perfect time. He suddenly hit his brakes as fast as he could.
Rusty skidded, not at all prepared for that sudden stop. He fought a losing battle to keep his balance.
Caboose suddenly let go of Rusty, letting himself roll easily to a stop.
Rusty went flying, tumbling ungracefully to land in a heap off to the side of the tracks.

Caboose raced over to Rusty and knelt down next to him. "Rusty?"
Rusty groaned and rolled over
Caboose peered down into his face. "Are you okay?"
Rusty mumbled something.
"Rusty? Talk to me..."
"What happened?"
"My wheel caught a rough patch... I wasn't ready..."
Rusty groaned and pushed himself up to a sitting position.
Caboose brushed a few patches of dirt off of Rusty's frame. "I'm so sorry... Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah... I think so..."
Caboose nodded.
Rusty slowly got up to his wheels.
Caboose stood up too. "Can you make it back to the freight yard? Otherwise I think I could go myself..."
"No..." Rusty said softly, "I can..."
Caboose nodded. "Okay... I don't want you to get hurt on my account..." He hid a grin.
Rusty slowly got back onto the tracks in front of the caboose.
Caboose took his couplers. "You sure you're all right?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright..."
"Okay... I don't want you to have to be decommissioned or anything cause of that..."
"No, it's alright," Rusty said softly, "I'm fine..."
Caboose nodded. "All right..."
Rusty slowly pulled the caboose down the tracks and back to the freight yard
Caboose disconnected in the freight yard. "I think I better go..."
Rusty nodded absently, ignoring the ringing in his head
Caboose looked around. "I think I can find my way all right... Why don't you go, Rusty?"
Rusty nodded again and started to go down the tracks.
Caboose watched him go with an evil smirk, then headed for the roundhouse to meet the freight train.
Rusty somehow made it home. Poppa was out, which was good, he didn't feel like talking to anyone. He crawled into bed.

About an hour later, Greaseball banged on Rusty's front door.
Rusty groaned and pulled the pillow over his head, "Go 'way!" he called.
Greaseball banged harder.
"Go Away!"
"Open the friggin' door, Rusty!"
Rusty groaned, "If you're so eager to come in, open it yourself."

Greaseball growled and pushed open the door. Rusty got out of bed and met Greaseball in the hallway, "What now?"
Greaseball's shaded eyes were dark. "You coulda killed out new caboose!"
"It was an accident!"
"You shoulda been more responsible! Especially with a new train!"
"But it was an accident! It could've happened to anyone."
"Well, it never has! I don't think you're responsible enough to take care of any train at all!"
Rusty blinked and took a step back.
"You better apologize to him the next time you see him, or you may have a REAL accident, understand?"
Rusty swallowed, "I already did..." he said softly, "I mean, I apologized already."
"He said you didn't. He apologized to you."
"I--" Rusty stopped, "Oh." Greaseball was right.
Greaseball nodded and shoved his shades up on his nose. "Needless to say, the freight train is all upset about it too, considering you almost killed the new guy..." He looked down at the steamer. "I suggest you grow up a bit, Rusty."
Rusty swallowed, suddenly feeling rather short.
"Think if I give you another chance to pull the train tomorrow you can do it without killing any of them?"
He nodded.
"Good." Greaseball turned to go.
Rusty frowned slightly as a thought occurred to him.

Greaseball headed for the door.
"No..." Rusty said softly.
Greaseball turned around. "Excuse me?"
"No," Rusty smiled.
"No what?"
"Since when are you *letting* me pull the freight train?"
Greaseball smirked. "Sounds better than making you."
"But you aren't."
"Aren't what?"
"You aren't *making* me do it. You're supposed to watch me do it..."
"You want me to MAKE you do it?" Greaseball hissed, clenching a fist.
*Oops* Rusty gasped and shook his head quickly.
Greaseball grinned. "Good. I'd hate to have to hurt you, Rusty," he said sarcastically.
"Sure you wouldn't..." Rusty mumbled.
Greaseball glared. "I just don't want to get your rust all over my clean frame."
Rusty growled softly.
Greaseball glared at him. "Someone forgetting his place, Rust bucket?"
"Yes."
"I suggest you find it then before I gotta show it to you."
"I never said that it was me..."
Greaseball glared. "You think you're so cute, don't you?" he hissed, his fist balling up by his side.
Rusty smiled sweetly.

"Ahem," a deep voice cut in.
Greaseball turned to see Poppa in the doorway.
"And what's going on in here?" the older steamer asked.
Greaseball skated over to Poppa. "I suggest you talk to your son, Poppa, about being more responsible."
"Really now?" Poppa asked Greaseball.
Greaseball nodded.
"No," Rusty said, "No, it was an accident!"
Greaseball shook his head. "He still should have been more responsible, especially with a new train who's never been around the tracks before."
"Wait, time out," Poppa said, "Now, what happened?"
"As you may recall, we got a new caboose today," Greaseball began.
"Yes I know," Poppa said.
"And *he* told me to give him a tour..." Rusty said.
"So he took him out on the tracks, got out of control, and crashed them."
"That's not what happened!" Rusty sputtered, "Well...it is, but it's not!"
Greaseball smirked.
"So what happened then?" Poppa asked.
"I was pulling him and then suddenly we crashed..." Rusty started
"Almost killed the poor caboose..."
Rusty made a face, "But he said that it was *his* fault."
"He said that his foot hit a rough patch and he wasn't ready for it because Rusty didn't warn him, and he was going too fast."
"I didn't feel any rough patches!"
"Maybe YOU didn't, but he did, obviously, cause you crashed!"
"*I* crashed," Rusty said softly, "But I didn't see him fall."
Poppa sighed, trying to sort all of this out. "Okay, so while you were pulling the new caboose you crashed," he said.
Greaseball nodded.
"I'm tellin' you, it was an accident!"
Greaseball glared. "Accident or not, you weren't responsible."
Rusty started to retort but Poppa cut him off with a "Quiet Rusty.”
"But-"
"Quiet!"
"Yes sir..."

Greaseball smirked at Rusty, then turned to Poppa. "Do you think I can trust him to pull the freight train tomorrow?"
"By tomorrow I'm sure that you will be able to." Poppa answered.
Something in his father's tone made Rusty visibly shrink.
Greaseball grinned. "Very well. I'll tell Red Caboose that Rusty will be back tomorrow, so he can apologize to him.
Rusty glared but was silent.
Poppa nodded.
Greaseball paused. "Unless you want me to send him by? You haven't met him yet, Poppa... I suppose he should meet the head engine at some point..."
"Eventually, but I think that I will have my hands full tonight." Poppa said.
"Okay. Maybe tomorrow?"
Poppa nodded.
"Okay. See you later." He headed out the door.

Dustin was in the freight yard, sorting through some stones. Flat Top was leaning against the wall next to him, playing catch with his brick.
Dustin reached for another stone at the skates of his new friend.
Flat Top raised a brow as he glanced down at Dustin. "What are you doing?"
"Looking for good stones..."
"Why?"
Dustin shrugged, "Cuz I like them."
"Oh." Flat Top flung his brick out on its chain. He just missed a shadowy figure that ducked as the brick went sailing over his head.
Dustin looked up, "Careful FT!"
Flat Top glanced around as Caboose glided out of the shadows. "No harm done..."
"Are you okay?" Dustin asked, rising to his skates.
Caboose nodded, straightening his cap. "Yup."
"Good," Dustin said.
Caboose nodded and moved closer.
"You must be the new caboose..." Dustin said remembering.
Red Caboose nodded and skated over to them. "Yup, that'd be me. Red Caboose, at your service." He gave a sweeping bow.
"Red Caboose?" Dustin asked, "Okay, well I'm Dustin and this is my mate Flat Top."
Caboose grinned. "Nice to meet you both. I assume you both are in the freight train I am supposed to join?"
Dustin nodded.
Red Caboose grinned. "Good." He grinned at Flat Top who regarded him with lazy eyes. "So, what are you two up to?"
"Nothin' much," Dustin answered, "We're off for the rest a the day."
"Oh, good."
Dustin nodded when the yard was pierced by a deep whistle.

Caboose looked up. "Who's that?"
"Poppa," Dustin answered, "Why's he coming here?"
Caboose shrugged. "I don't know... Unless he has Rusty with him..."
Dustin looked at the caboose puzzled.
Caboose raised a slender brow. "You didn't hear what happened?"
"Uh uh."
"Rusty almost derailed us."
Dustin's eyes widened and his mouth formed an O
"I coulda been decommissioned before I even start working!" Caboose feigned shock.
"That doesn't sound like Rusty..."
"It doesn't?"
Dustin shook his head, "It must have been an accident."
Caboose shrugged. "I'm sure it was, and I don't blame him, but I think he needs to be more careful."

A thick cloud of steam down the tracks showed the approach of Poppa.
Caboose moved closer to Dustin, watching as Poppa pulled up with Rusty hitched behind.
Caboose smiled brightly. "Well well. You must be Poppa."
Poppa nodded, "Yes, and you must be our new caboose."
Caboose nodded and stepped forward. "Red Caboose, simply call on me," he said, giving another grand bow.
Poppa nodded, "Well...welcome to our trainyard."
He gave the silent steamer behind him a bit of a nudge forward.
Caboose smiled. "Hello, Rusty."
"Hi," Rusty said softly, looking at the ground, "Look, about what happened..."
Caboose waited, hiding a vicious grin.
"I'm really sorry."
Caboose smiled brightly. "Oh, don't worry about it, Rusty... I'm sure you didn't mean it or anything."
Rusty nodded and hazarded a look up.
Caboose grinned. "I'm sure you'll be much more careful, won'tcha?"
Rusty nodded again.
Caboose smiled. "Good. Then we're all cleared up, are we not?"
"I hope so..." Rusty said.
Caboose nodded. "As far as I'm concerned we are." He smiled at the steamer.

"Dustin," Poppa said, "Can you help me out with something?"
Flat Top narrowed his eyes but Dustin nodded, "Sure Poppa, what is it?"
"Can you come with me?" Poppa asked, taking Rusty’s couplings.
"Alright," Dustin said, hitching up behind Poppa.
"I'm coming too!" Flat Top insisted, not caring where they were going.
Flat Top hitched to Dustin. Caboose agreeably hitched to Flat Top.
Poppa gave Rusty a bit of a nudge and the two engines pulled the three cars.
Flat Top gave a snort of indignation. "Still not going very fast..."
Poppa looked back, "I didn't see a reason to..."
Flat Top glared slightly but when Poppa met his gaze evenly, he looked away.

Poppa turned away and they came to a stop on an empty set of tracks.
The freight cars all unhitched.
Caboose moved to stand by the guard rails. "Wow. Are these your practice tracks?"
Poppa nodded.
Caboose smiled. "Cool."
Rusty stood there silently, not sure what Poppa had in mind, but not looking forward to it what ever it was.
Flat Top crossed his arms. "So, why did you drag us all over here?"
"He only asked me ta come..." Dustin pointed out.
Flat Top glared slightly. "I had nothing better to do."

Poppa turned to Rusty and gently pushed him over to Dustin. "Hitch up."
"What?" Rusty asked.
"Hitch up," Poppa repeated, "You need to practice pulling heavy cars."
Rusty lowered his eyes, "Yes sir. Come on Dustin."
Dustin hitched up and Rusty slowly started forward on the tracks.
Flat Top leaned on the guardrail to watch.
Rusty picked up a bit of speed and rolled down the tracks, pulling Dustin along behind.
Caboose watched with interest, memorizing Rusty's movement pattern.
Rusty went a little faster, but, pulling Dustin, that was as fast as he could go.
Flat Top yawned.
"How long do I gotta do this for?" Rusty almost whined as he went past for the third time.
Flat Top grinned. "I don't think whining is going to make you go any faster, Rusty."
Rusty made a face.
"Three times more with Dustin," Poppa said, "And then switch cars."
Flat Top raised a brow. "What?"
"No, it's alright," Dustin called, "I don't mind." Flat Top grinned at his friend.
Rusty fell silent, saving his breath for moving.
Caboose leaned out further, watching Rusty's wheels.
Rusty completed his next lap and Dustin tried to shift his weight to make it a bit easier for Rusty.

Caboose sighed. "Do you practice too, Flat Top?"
Flat Top shook his head. "No," he said softly.
"You *could* practice..." Poppa pointed out.
"With Rusty?" Flat Top spat.
Poppa rolled his eyes and went back to watching.
Caboose smiled. "Could I?"
"What?"
"Could I practice with Rusty?"
"I suppose so..." Poppa said, "Wait 'til he comes around again."
Caboose grinned. "Okay."

Rusty was panting a bit.
"Okay Rusty, come in," Poppa called.
The younger steamer gratefully skated in.
Caboose grinned and moved closer.
"You're switching cars," Poppa said.
Rusty's face fell, "I thought I was done."
Dustin unhitched and Poppa pulled him off the tracks.
Caboose grabbed Rusty's couplers securely. "Okay, let's go."

Rusty looked a bit startled at who was hitched behind him, but he went.
Caboose grinned and held tight.
Rusty slowly made his way around the tracks.
Caboose grinned. "Looks like I'm easier to pull..."
"Yeah..." Rusty said.
Caboose grinned. "Good. We can practice a lot then."
Rusty slowly continued along, not wanting to risk another accident.
Poppa looked at his watch, "Rusty, if you plan to sleep tonight..."
Caboose gave Rusty a nudge. "Better go faster..."
Rusty sighed softly, he was tired. He closed his eyes and pulled, speeding up slightly.
Caboose waited... Almost...
Then he suddenly slipped one foot off the rails onto the siding, digging his toe stop into the ground.
Rusty let out a very very high pitched shriek as he went off the rails and into the sidings with a crash.
Caboose followed, not bothering to disconnect, landing on top of Rusty hard enough to make it look serious. Rusty cried out as the car landed on top of him. Caboose tumbled to the ground next to him, cradling his arm to his chest, his eyes glinting a moment. This was going to be good...
Rusty closed his eyes and moaned softly.
Caboose curled into a ball, keeping his eyes open to watch for Poppa.

Poppa ducked under the guardrail and skated over to the wreck.
Caboose looked up at Poppa with pained eyes.
"Are you two alright?" Poppa asked.
Caboose started to nod, then winced.
Rusty opened his eyes and then closed them again.
Poppa reached down to give one of them a hand up.
Caboose reached out his "good" arm to get up to his wheels, swaying a moment before glaring down at Rusty.
Poppa got the caboose steadied.
He rubbed his arm angrily. "I thought you were going to be careful, Rusty!"
"I..."
Caboose glared. "Do you have a death wish for me or something?"
"No!" Rusty exclaimed, sitting up, "I'm sorry!"
"Then why weren't you more careful?"
"I'm sorry!" Rusty exclaimed, "I'm still new at this."
"Maybe you need more practice alone before you take someone out on the tracks with you!"
"I was doin' fine before..."
"Well, you certainly aren't now!"
"I..." Rusty started again.
Caboose looked up at Poppa with hurt eyes.
"Get up Rusty," Poppa said.

Over in the sidings Dustin was watching with wide eyes.
Flat Top smirked. "That was stupid of him..."
Dustin sighed and started down the tracks.
Flat Top followed. "Dustin?"
"I'm goin' home," Dustin said.
"Why?"
"Because."
"Why?"
"Because I want to!"
Flat Top glared slightly. "Don't gotta snap about it!"
"Sorry," Dustin said, "I just...well... I don't like seeing trains get hurt."
"Dustin, they both took that risk."
"I don't care. I still don't like it."
"So? You don't got to go home."
"I know I don't have to. I want to."
"Why?"
Dustin sighed, "Because I don't feel comfortable over there, alright?"
Flat Top sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll go with ya."
Dustin smiled, "Thanks Flat Top."
Flat Top nodded. "Although I do wanna see Poppa yell at Rusty," he paused.
Dustin sighed, "Well I'm going home. Do what you want."
Flat Top glanced at the track. "Well..."
Dustin started walking again. "I'll see you later then."
"Bye." Flat Top moved back to the track to listen.

Rusty had gotten to his wheels, eyes downward.
Caboose continued to massage his arm. "So, what are we gonna do about all this?"
"I'm sorry Poppa..." Rusty said, "I...wasn't paying attention...I got tired..."
Caboose raised a slender, dark brow. "That seems kinda like irresponsibility..."
"I know..."
"Right," Poppa said, "I'll take you home," he said to the caboose, "And I will be back for you," he said to Rusty.
"Yes sir..." Rusty said.
Caboose moved closer to Rusty. "Rusty..."
Rusty looked up.
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"I guess..."
"I'm really sorry about all this, getting you in trouble, and all."
"Uh huh, I'm sorry for getting you hurt."
Caboose nodded. "I'll be okay..."
"Good," Rusty said. Poppa turned so the caboose could hitch up.
"See you tomorrow," Caboose said, hitching onto Poppa.
"Yeah..." Rusty said as Poppa pulled out.

Caboose gave him pained wave, then followed Poppa. He sighed a bit.
"Maybe we should get you to the repair shop," Poppa said.
"I think I'll be okay," Caboose said softly, trying not to sound concerned.
"I don't know..." Poppa said softly.
"Honest. It's not bad. I've had worse."
"Have you?"
Caboose nodded.
"Interesting." Poppa stopped at the roundhouse.
"Is it?" Caboose asked, all innocence.
"Yes. Good night."
"Good night," Caboose said, nodding his head and heading inside.

Rusty, sitting in the sidings, sighed and studied his hands.
Flat Top skated over to Rusty and stood over him.
Rusty looked up, and then back down.
"That was really graceful, you know..."
"Oh thanks," he said in a flat tone.
"Are you too dinged up?"
"I'll be fine."
"Darn. Guess that means you're pulling the train tomorrow then."
"Maybe."
"I doubt Caboose is gonna wanna do a run with you anymore though."
"Probably not."
"His first day here, and he's already been in two crashes. With the same engine, no less..."
"I know..." Rusty said softly.
"How can one car be so unlucky?"
"How can one engine..."
Flat Top shrugged. "Not like you came out the worst... Oh wait. You did." He smirked.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Rusty asked crossly.
"Nope."
"Fine then.” Rusty leaned back and closed his eyes
Flat Top shifted slowly. "Although you never were great at pulling anyway, so maybe you won't have to pull us."
"You can't expect me to be perfect the first time."
"No, but I think we can expect you to be on time..."
Rusty sighed.
Flat Top grinned slightly.
"You're enjoying this I suppose..." Rusty said without looking up.
Flat Top nodded. "How'dja guess?"
"Oh, just picking up some hints..."

Rusty looked up at the sound of Poppa's whistle.
Flat Top glanced over his shoulder. "Mind giving me a lift back to the roundhouse?"
"Where'd Dustin go?" Poppa asked.
"Home."
"Oh, okay, come on Rusty."
Rusty stood up and Poppa took his couplings, Flat Top hitched onto Poppa and the train moved out.
Rusty sighed and then fell silent as Poppa pulled up at the roundhouse.
Flat Top nodded his thanks at them and headed inside.
Poppa continued on, pushing Rusty home.

Dustin was absently tossing a small stone back and forth between his hands.
Flat Top gazed at Dustin. "What are you doing that for?"
"No reason, just thinkin'..."
"About what?"
"Stuff."
"Like?"
"Like how come some stones are heavier then others, how come it gets dark at night..."
Flat Top rolled his eyes. "Dustin, you need a hobby." Dustin just smiled at that.
Flat Top sighed as Caboose came skating over.
Dustin looked up and caught his stone.

Caboose grinned at the two. "Hey guys."
"Hi," Dustin said getting up.
Caboose leaned against the bedroom wall.
"How... how are you feeling?"
"Fine."
"Are you sure? I mean... after that crash..."
"I'm fine." He looked around, "Either of you got an extra blanket?"
Dustin nodded and opened a chest, pulling out a dark blanket which he tossed to the caboose.
Caboose caught it. "Thanks."
"Yeah..." Dustin said sitting down again.
Caboose adjusted his cap with his "injured" arm.
Dustin didn't say anything, suddenly seeming very interested in the stone in his hand.
Caboose sighed softly. "Well, I should go to bed... I'm worn out from the trip here."
"Yes," Dustin said.
Caboose turned and skated away. Flat Top watched him go.

Dustin sighed and tossed the stone again.
"Will you quit that?"
"Oh, sorry," Dustin said a bit absently, going over and laying down.
Flat Top moved to his own bed.
Dustin lay there in the dark for a few minutes, "Flat Top?"
"What?" Flat Top was half-asleep.
"What do you think of the new caboose?"
"He's nice..."
"Yeah he *seems* nice."
"Why?"
"I dunno...it's just... well..."
"What?"
"Rusty was going along fine when he was pulling me."
"So?"
"He only crashed when he was pulling the caboose."
"Dustin, will you get to the point, or I'm going to bed."
"That was the point," Dustin said sounding a bit hurt.
"Rusty's careless when he's with the new caboose?"
"No." Dustin rolled over.
"Then what are you saying?"
"Rusty crashes when he's with the new caboose."
"So?"
"and not with anyone else."
"So? What's your point?"
Dustin sighed, "Maybe there's a reason behind that."
"Dustin, you saw him. He got hurt too, you know."
"He didn't look hurt a few minutes ago."
"So?"
Dustin sighed, "Well I don't trust him."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't." Dustin pulled the blankets over his large frame.
"Dustin, you are confusing. I'm going to sleep."
Dustin sighed, "good night."
"Night." Flat Top was out like a light.

The next morning, Caboose slept in. Dustin, who had had a rather rough night, was also still asleep.
Flat Top was up, tossing his brick around.
Dustin was snoring softly.
Flat Top groaned and hit the alarm on his clock, making it ring loudly.
Dustin mumbled something in his sleep and rolled over.
Caboose was up in an instant. "I didn't do it!" he mumbled sleepily.
Flat Top sighed and let his brick hit the floor loudly.
The hopper didn't move.
"DUSTIN!"
Dustin muttered something about rocks
Flat Top moved over to him and grabbed his shoulders. "Dustin!"
Dustin let out a yelp and then rolled out of bed, with a rather loud thump.
Flat Top grinned. "Wake up."
"I'm up..."
"Good."
Dustin yawned and pulled himself up.

Flat Top gave him a pull. "Breakfast. Come on."
"I'm comin' I'm comin'..."
"Okay okay."
Flat Top pulled him towards the door, right past Caboose who had fallen back asleep under his blanket.
"Hey, you think we should wake him?" Dustin asked.
Flat Top shrugged. "If you want. I'm hungry."
"Okay, I'll be over in a second."
"Okay."
Dustin turned over to the sleeping caboose as Flat Top left.

Dustin looked at the caboose who was still sleeping peacefully.
Dustin paused and then yanked the blanket off Caboose.
Caboose yelped and shot up in bed.
"Good Morning."
"What time is it?" Caboose mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Time to get up..."
"Didn't answer my question..."
Dustin smiled, "It's a little after Seven"
Caboose groaned and reached for the blanket. "Wake me up at ten."
"You'll miss breakfast."
"I don't care." Caboose found the blanket and yanked it over his head.
"And work..."
"I don't care," the sleepy caboose mumbled.
"I think that Poppa might."
"Too bad."
Dustin sighed, "Look, I'm trying to help you out..."
"Thanks. I'm going to sleep now."
"Not my fault if you get in trouble."
"I'm new," Caboose mumbled.
Dustin sighed, "Alright, just..."
"What?"
"Just... Be Careful."
"I'm just sleeping in."
"That's not what I mean..." Dustin said softly as he left.
Caboose was already asleep.

Dustin lightly tossed a stone in his hand and looked at the caboose. Then he turned and left the room.
Flat Top was waiting outside the door. "Where's Caboose?"
"Sleeping."
"I thought you were going to get him up."
"I thought I was too..."
"Well, come on. I'm starved."
Dustin nodded and followed Flat Top down the tracks.
Flat Top led the way to breakfast. Dustin followed and very quickly had his very large breakfast in front of him.

After a few minutes of eating, Red Caboose stumbled into the room, rubbing his eyes and almost tripping.
Dustin looked up, and then went back to eating.
Red Caboose landed next to Dustin, grabbing a plate.
"Look who's up..."
"Was hungry," Caboose mumbled.
"I told you..."
Caboose didn't answer, stuffing a piece of toast in his mouth.
Dustin rolled his eyes
Caboose rubbed his eyes again. "Who decided I work in the morning?"
Dustin shrugged, "Well if you're going to be in the freight train..."
Caboose moaned and Dustin shrugged.
Caboose went back to eating, silent.

At just that moment there was a shout and smoke started pouring out of the kitchen.
Caboose looked up in shock. "Wassat?"
Dustin looked up, "I dunno..."
Ashley came screaming out of the kitchen, cigarette in one hand, almost knocking Flat Top over, who had gotten up to see what was going on. Buffy was shortly behind Ashley, coughing. Belle, rather unperturbed and armed with a fire extinguisher skated into the kitchen.
Ashley sank down in Flat Top's chair, waving imaginary smoke out of her face.
"Are you alright?" Dustin asked.
Ashley nodded and brushed a limp piece of reddish-purple hair out of her face. "Yeah... I hope nobody wanted any bacon..."
Dustin held back a laugh.
"Fire's out," Belle called from the kitchen.
Ashley looked up and made a face. "I think I'm going to go to the diner for breakfast. Come on, Buffy."
Buffy nodded and followed after Ashley.

In the kitchen Belle was trying to assure Dinah that *everybody* burns things some times.
Greaseball suddenly skated into the kitchen, then started to cough.
"I'd turn around if I were you," Belle suggested, her voice somewhat muffled through the towel around her mouth.
Greaseball backed away, fanning what was left of the smoke from his eyes.
Belle gave Dinah, who was somewhat covered in soot, another hug and started to usher her out of the kitchen.
Greaseball followed. "What happened?"
"A very small fire..." Belle said, "Nothing to worry about and *not a big deal*."
Greaseball nodded slowly. "Why's Dinah upset?"
Belle dropped her voice to a whisper, "Cuz she sorta... started it."
"Uh oh. Is she all right?"
"She will be once she realizes that it's not that big of a deal."

Greaseball slowly skated over to Dinah.
She sniffed and then realized that Greaseball was right there. The pretty dining car blinked and vainly tried to brush some of the ashes out of her hair.
Greaseball gently pushed her hands away and pulled out a red bandana from somewhere on his frame and started to clean soot off of Dinah's smudged face.
Belle smiled a bit and backed off. Dinah blushed.
Greaseball grinned and ran a hand lightly through Dinah's ashed hair. "Lookin' a little better..."
"Thanks..." she said softly, in barely a whisper.
Greaseball nodded. "Anytime." He gave her smudged cheek a final rub, then handed her the bandana. "Here. Go get yourself cleaned up."
"Thanks..." she said again, slowly backing up.
Greaseball nodded. "See ya later, Dinah."
"Uh huh..." she said softly.
Greaseball turned and skated for the door.
Dinah clutched the bandana he had given her and smiled.

Ashley burst into peals of laughter, her cigarette crumbling in her hand.
Dinah looked up and blushed furiously, quickly stowing the bandana inside her.
Ashley wiped tears from her eyes and stood up. "Want to all go to the diner for breakfast?"
"Yeah..." Dinah said, sounding a bit distracted. She absently followed Ashley.
Ashley led the way, Buffy and Dinah hitched up just as Rusty was on his way past.
Ashley snickered softly.
"Maybe we could get a ride," Buffy said softly, "If we did it right..."
"With HIM?" Ashley scoffed.
"Well would you rather walk?"
"Get some exercise..."
"Fine," Buffy said, "Well you pull then." She looked back, "Ah, too late anyway."
Ashley shrugged and flicked the butt of her cigarette away. "Okay. Come on, gals."
"Go then," Buffy teased.
Ashley gave her a playful glare and gave them a pull.
Buffy and Dinah rolled along behind her.
Ashley led the way, searching all her little pieces for where she had stored her pack of cigarettes.

Rusty chugged slowly into the dining room.
Greaseball looked up from where he had been wiping away the last of the soot from the floor left by Dinah's skate wheels. "Well, look who's here, late again, as always."
Rusty almost raised an eyebrow at what Greaseball was doing but didn't. "I ate at home."
"Don't think you're good enough to join the rest of us?" Greaseball sneered.
"No, I didn't think that I'd be welcome."
"Wow, you're a smart one, aren't you?"
He smirked and tossed the rag at Rusty. "Here. Go bring this to the kitchen."
Rusty caught the rag and skated into the kitchen where he set it down.
Greaseball sat down at the table by Caboose. "So, Caboose, enjoying being here?" Caboose nodded, still only half awake.
Rusty skated back out of the kitchen and looked around, surveying who was all there.
Flat Top glared slightly at Rusty.
"What?" Dustin asked.
Flat Top shook his head. "Nothing."
"Okay..." Dustin said, not sounding convinced.
Caboose was almost asleep again, curled up on his arms on the table.

Rusty rolled over, hating to have to ask Greaseball, but there was no one else to ask.
Greaseball looked up at him and glared. "Yes?"
"What's the schedule for today?"
"You mean, you don't know?"
Rusty shifted, "Well I'm not officially on it yet..."
Greaseball snorted in contempt. "But you don't know?"
"Look, if you aren't going to answer me then I'll assume that I'm not working at all so I'm going to go home."
"You're not going anywhere, Steam Train. You got work to do!"
Rusty folded his arms, "Then tell me what."
"Perhaps you should find out, take some responsibility for once..."
Rusty opened his mouth to respond when Belle skated out. "Oh, there you are Rusty...I've been looking for you."
Greaseball glared. "Saved by the Belle," he muttered so only Rusty could hear.
Rusty's ears went red and he glared before turning to follow the sleeper.
Greaseball watched him go.
Dustin stood up slowly and started towards the door.
Flat Top got up to follow.
Dustin waited at the door for his friend to hitch up.
"Bye Rusty!" Dustin called, then to Flat Top, "Hang on." He moved out down the tracks.
Flat Top nodded, glancing back at the snoozing Caboose.

Rusty pulled Belle down the tracks, his next assignment was to pull the coaches, and as it was the first time he needed someone experienced along.
Ashley was leaning against the side of the diner, smoking.
"Good Morning," Belle greeted her.
"Morning, Belle," Ashley said, flicking an ash off the end of the cigarette.
"Sorry to interrupt you, but it's time for work..." Belle said a bit teasingly.
Ashley sighed. "Goody."
"Where are Buffy and Dinah?"
"Inside, finishing up."
Belle nodded, unhitched and went inside.
Ashley glared at Rusty. "Why are you here?"
"Nice to see you too..." Rusty said softly.
"Not that I don't want to see you, Rusty..."
"I know..." Rusty said softly, with a bit of a sigh.
Ashley took another deep breath of her cigarette and offered the pack to Rusty.
"No thanks..." he said softly.
Ashley shrugged a petite shoulder. "You too, huh?"
He nodded, "I smoke enough," he joked.
Ashley smirked and pocketed the pack.
Belle emerged with Buffy and Dinah. Ashley ground out her cigarette under her toe stop.

"Come on girls," Belle directed, indicating Rusty.
Ashley groaned and brushed one limp piece of hair out of her face. She hadn't yet mastered fixing it up into its smokestack perfectly.
Belle hitched on behind Rusty and waited for the others to hitch up.
Ashley pushed Dinah and Buffy ahead of her, hitching onto the back. Rusty looked back to make sure that everyone was hitched up and then he moved out.
Ashley blew her hair out of her face before reaching for another cigarette with one hand.
"d'you think that you should take it easy on those?" Buffy asked looking back.
Ashley raised a brow. "Why?"
"They aren't exactly healthy... and besides, between you and Rusty..."
"Oh, come on, Buffy girl. You drink, I smoke."
"Yeah but which ever way the wind is blowing I either get the smoke from you or from him."
Ashley giggled and let go of her cigarette, watching it fly off behind them on the track.
Rusty was easily pulled the four coaches along. They were so much lighter then the freight train was.
Ashley was having fun switching hands and skating along on one foot.
Buffy looked back at Ashley and laughed, "What *are* you doing?"
Ashley shrugged. "I have no idea."
Buffy laughed again, "Girl, you're crazy, you know that?"
"Crazy, can you believe me, I'm crazy," Ashley sang, waving one arm at an imaginary engine.

At the front of the train Belle was coaching Rusty along. They neared a crossing and she gave his couplings a bit of a squeeze to remind him to whistle. "Woo-woo!" Rusty called.
Ashley bit her lip in an evil smirk. "He thinks he's so cute."
Buffy looked back at the rather interesting expression on Ashley's face.
Ashley shook her head. "He's not much compared to the other engines..."
Buffy laughed, "Well duh!"
Ashley grinned. "So, who do you like?" she asked, switching hands.
"Wouldn't you like to know..." Buffy said turning around.
"Aw, come on, Buffy suga. Tell me."
"Nope."
"Come on," Ashley coaxed.
Buffy leaned forward around Dinah, "Hey Rusty, d'you think that you could maybe pick up the pace a bit, please?"
"You tell me yours, I'll tell you mine," Ashley offered.
"I'll tell you later," Buffy said as Rusty sped up, "Thank you darlin!"
"Aw, come on..."
"What? I said I'd tell..."
"Tell me now. We got nothin' better to do..."
"We've gotta concentrate on the run," Buffy said perfectly serious.
Ashley made a face and switched to her other skate, the first one up by her knee, bent, in what would become a future racing pose.

Rusty came to a stop at the station.
Buffy unhitched and turned around, "Come on," she said softly.
"Come on what?" Ashley fuffed a strand of hair out of her face.
"Come on and lets talk," Buffy said meaningfully.
"Okay." Ashley let go of Buffy's couplers and moved off the track.
"Hey," Rusty protested softly, "Where are you two going?"
The two coaches ignored him.
"Wait a minute... come on..." Rusty said.
Buffy turned around to face him, "don't worry sugar, we'll be back." she winked at him.
Ashley smirked and leaned against the guardrail, fishing a smoke out of one of her ashtrays.

Rusty returned back to his place and Buffy skated over to Ashley, "You just gotta know how to convince them," Buffy said with a grin.
Ashley grinned at her. "You're sweet, eh, Buff?"
"Of course," Buffy said with a little bow.
Ashley smirked and lit up the cigarette. "You're sugar, I'm spice, and Dinah's everything nice, hmm?"
Buffy laughed and then looked around secretively. Ashley leaned in closer.
"I'll tell you, but you gotta promise me two things."
"Okay..."
"First that you'll tell me who you're interested in..."
Ashley nodded.
"And that you won't tell *anyone* what I tell you."
Ashley nodded. "Of course."
Buffy leaned in close. "Nobody yet." she whispered.
Ashley's eyes went wide. "What?"
Buffy looked down, "I know, crazy isn't it? but I haven't found anybody yet."
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Buffy, gal, there's a hundred engines out there in that yard... Why can'tcha find one?"
"I'm still lookin'..."
"Why?"
"Because I am. Now it's your turn."
"But... but you didn't tell me anyone!" Ashley shrieked.
"Yes I did. I told you who I was interested in. It just happened to be no one yet."
Ashley made a face. "That doesn't count!"
"Why not?"
"Cause you didn't give me a name!"
"But I don't have one!"
"So then why should I tell you mine?"
"Cuz you said that you would... oh, wait, I see..." Buffy trailed off knowingly.
Ashley raised a brow. "See what?"
"I know why you won't tell me..."
"Why?"
"Cuz you don't have one either."
"I do too!" Ashley spat.
"I don't believe you..."
"I do!"
"Then why won't you tell me who he is?"
"Because you didn't give me an answer!"
"I did. Yeah, your answer must the same as mine..."
Ashley shook her head, her hair flopping loose from its smokestack. "I have someone!"
"Alright, alright..." Buffy looked around, "Oh, I get it... So *that's* why you won't tell..."
"What?" Ashley asked, trying in vain to pin her hair back up.
"Cuz he'd hear..."
"He's here?" Ashley asked, her brown eyes roaming the yard.
"Well it is Rusty isn't it?" Buffy's eyes twinkled.
Ashley's eyes went wide with fury. "That little thing?" she spat. "Why would I ever like him? It's not him! It's Bobo!"
Buffy smiled, "I knew that I could get you to tell." She paused, "The French one hmm? Nice."
Ashley smirked and nodded. "Ain't it?"

Buffy grinned and then looked up to see Rusty shooting rather pleading looks in their direction.
Ashley sighed and ground her new cigarette under her toe stop.
"Should we be nice?" Buffy asked.
"To him?"
Buffy shrugged seeing Ashley make a face, "We don't have to..."
"Then let's not."
"If we wait too long, Belle will probably come and yell at us..."
"Probably."
"Yeah..." Buffy was pondering if they should risk that or not
Ashley shrugged. "They can wait a bit. We're passenger trains. We're supposed to be late."
Buffy laughed.
Ashley flipped her hair back out of her face and growled at it.
Rusty looked at Belle pleadingly and she gave him a soft push over to the coaches.

Rusty made a face at Belle, but she was telling him in no uncertain terms that he had to do this himself.
"Oh speaking of..." Buffy said, seeing the steamer roll over.
Ashley rolled her eyes lazily and lit her cigarette.
"Hi..." Rusty said softly.
Ashley checked her watch. "Looks like it's time for all good steamers to be in bed," she teased.
Rusty blushed, "It...it's time to go."
"Oh, is it?" Ashley asked unconcernedly, exhaling a puff of smoke into his face.
He nodded, "Please?"
Ashley puffed some more on her cigarette. "How about no?"
"Come on," Rusty pleaded.
"No."
"But-"
"No."
"But why not?"
"Cause we don't want to."
Rusty turned to Buffy hopefully.
"Well..." Buffy started, going over to Rusty.
"Bu-ffy!" Ashley whined.
Buffy leaned over and kissed Rusty on the cheek, "Maybe later sugar."
Rusty turned a very interesting shade of red.
Ashley giggled. "Looks like Rusty swallowed some red paint."
"I um...I..." Rusty stammered. Buffy grinned innocently at him and Ashley snickered.
"Oh I give up," Rusty said.
"Bye bye, Rusty," Ashley giggled, waving at him.
"Catch ya later sugar," Buffy said.
Ashley gave him a light push but Rusty caught her wrists lightly and started to reverse and screamed.
Rusty promptly let go, "gosh, I'm sorry..." he said softly, "I didn't... I mean, I was only kidding..."
Ashley glared and took a puff of her cigarette.
Rusty lowered his eyes to the rails, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you..."
Ashley flicked her head, tossing her now loose hair.

Belle rolled over, "What's going on over here?"
Ashley puffed on her cigarette angrily, “Nothing.”
Buffy nodded and then Rusty slowly did too.
"Well if it's nothing then we've got a run to continue," Belle said, taking Rusty's couplings.
Buffy hitched up behind Belle.
Ashley ground out her cigarette.
"You comin' Ash?" Buffy asked looking back
Ashley sighed and hitched up.
Rusty moved out down the tracks, stopping to pick up Dinah before moving down the rails, slowly picking up speed.

"Hold it, Steam Train!"
Rusty skidded to a stop and looked up.
"You're late."
"Sorry..."
"Will you ever learn to be on time?"
Rusty looked down and mumbled something.
"What was that?" Greaseball mocked.
Rusty looked up, "Nothing."
"No, I want to hear it."
"But I didn't say anything," Rusty protested.
"Yes you did."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, I said that I was sorry, then I said "nothing" and then I said that I didn't say anything..."
"What did you mumble into the ground, where you belong?"
Rusty looked up a bit angrily.
Greaseball glared back and crossed his arms.
Rusty swallowed a bit, but returned the diesel's gaze.
Greaseball glared back. "You got something to say to me, Steam Train?"
"No," Rusty said softly.
"Good."
Rusty lowered his eyes.
"Now move!"
Rusty started forward.
"Without them," Greaseball hissed, pointing to the coaches.
Rusty looked up startled, "But I'm supposed to be... pulling them."
"Not anymore."
"But-"
"I said, not anymore."
"Why?"
Greaseball raised a brow, his fist clenching at his side. "You wanna say that again?"
"What, you mean "why?"?"
Greaseball glared and raised a fist. "Git! Now!"

Rusty shakily reached back and unhitched, then, still watching the other engine, he backed off into the sidings.
Greaseball watched him with a smirk, then moved to hitch to the train.
Ashley smirked at Rusty.
Belle rolled her eyes and hitched up.
Dinah peered shyly around the sleeper at Greaseball.
Greaseball glanced over his shoulder at Dinah and smiled.
She blushed and moved her head out of sight.
Buffy looked back at Ashley and raised an eyebrow. "Dinah," Buffy whispered, "And him..."
Ashley shrugged. "Don't know."
"Hmm," Buffy turned around again.
Greaseball started off, giving Rusty a hard shove off the track.
Rusty yelped and put his hands out to break his fall, landing hard on hands and knees. Ouch.
Greaseball pulled to a stop and smirked at him. "That's right, Rusty. Where you belong. In the dirt, on your knees."
He took off down the track, spraying Rusty with dust.
The steamer coughed again, trying to protect his eyes.
Greaseball pulled the train down the tracks, glancing back at them all and smiling.
Belle rolled her eyes. Dinah smiled back shyly and Buffy held back a giggle. Ashley grinned brightly.

Greaseball pulled to a stop at the station.
Belle unhitched. "Belle..." Dinah said softly, "do you think that we could, trade places?"
"Sure Dinah," Belle said, moving to let the dining car ahead of her.
Greaseball checked his watch. "'Ey, we got time for a break now."
"I thought that we were late," Belle said sweetly.
"We were," Greaseball said evilly. "We aren't now."
"Have you perfected time travel?"
"Nope. I just know how to ride fast."
"Eh, I've had faster," with that Belle skated away.
Greaseball glared after her, then turned to Dinah behind him. "Got time to talk, diner?"
Her eyes widened and she nodded.

Greaseball took her wrists in his hands and reversed, pulling her off the side of the track.
Dinah followed along, somewhat amazed by his power.
Greaseball pulled her around the side of the shed and let go of her, leaning against the wall.
She smiled mutely at him.
Greaseball smiled back. "So. Dinah..."
"Yes?"
"I noticed you were staring at me."
She blushed and looked down, "Oh well...I..."
Greaseball grinned. "Such innocence is befitting you, diner."
She looked up, "I wanted to...to thank you..."
"For?"
"For... helping me out...before... in the kitchen..."
Greaseball grinned. "Hey, I didn't want your pretty frame all scorched."
She smiled shyly.
Greaseball leaned closer, gazing over his shades at her, his dark eyes meeting Dinah’s blue ones.
Greaseball leaned down and touched her cheek with a gloved hand and then traced his other hand over her other cheek.
"I..." Dinah started softly.
"Yes?"

She leaned closer to him and closed her eyes.
Greaseball grinned and leaned down, touching his mouth to hers.
Dinah rolled into his arms happily. Greaseball held her, holding the kiss tightly.
When they finally pulled away Dinah just about collapsed into his arms.
Greaseball held her up in his strong arms. "Are you gonna fall if I let you go?"
"Yes..." she said dreamily.
Greaseball grinned and held her closer to his chest. "Then I guess I'll just have to hold you forever."
"Good..."
Greaseball grinned at her and laid his cheek on her head.

Belle rolled over to Ashley and Buffy, "Girls," she said, "I have a feeling that the rest of the run is cancelled."
Ashley shrugged and pulled out a smoke. "Oh well."
Buffy looked at Belle, "Dinah?" Belle nodded and Buffy giggled delighted.
Ashley grinned. "Glad that girl finally found someone." She shot Buffy a piercing glance.
Buffy stuck her tongue out.
Ashley would have, but her cigarette was in her mouth.

Flat Top and Caboose rolled down the track, Dustin behind them. They passed Rusty who was sitting forlornly in the sidings.
Flat Top pulled to a stop and smirked. "Well, what do we have here?"
"FT..." Dustin said warningly.
Flat Top ignored him. "Whassa matter, Rusty? Lose your job again?"
"None of your business." Rusty mumbled.
"Why not? You'd think you'd be able to at least pull a bunch of coaches." Behind Flat Top, Caboose laughed
"I did"
"Then why you sitting here on the tracks?"
"Because I'm done."
Flat Top checked his watch. "It's not even noon."
"It was a short run."
"Really? I thought they were going on the longer run today."
Rusty shook his head.
Flat Top smirked. "You're just weak."
Rusty shrugged, "Not my fault it was a short run."

"It probably was short cause they made you stop."
Rusty didn't answer.
Flat Top and Caboose guffawed. "Guess so."
"Guys..." Dustin protested softly.
Flat Top and Caboose ignored him. "So, who made you quit, Rusty? Greaseball?"
Rusty stood up and pushed his way past the freight cars.

"Touchy touchy," Flat Top smirked after him. "You'd think Poppa would make Rusty behave and not push other little trains around."
"Not like he can," Caboose muttered.
"What?" Dustin asked.
"Hmm?"
"What did you say?" Dustin asked Caboose.
"Not like Rusty CAN push anyone around."
"Oh. That's what I thought you said."
"Then why'd you ask?"
"Because I was hoping that I was wrong."
"Hoping," Caboose muttered. "Why would you hope that?"
"Because." Dustin said shortly.
"Very articulate, Dustin."

Dustin turned and started to skate away.
"Aw, hey, come on, Dustin. We're only joking," Flat Top called after him.
Dustin turned around, "You know that he's my friend."
"But we're your friends too," Flat Top defended.
"Yes, and if Rusty was making fun of you I'd be upset."
"As if Rusty'd ever make fun of anyone. He's too much of a wimp."
Dustin turned around again.
"Aw, come on, Dustin!"
Dustin sighed softly.
Flat Top moved closer, dragging Caboose with him.
Dustin didn't exactly stop, but he didn't really keep going either.

Flat Top moved in front of him, leaving Caboose behind him. "Dustin, don't be like that."
"Like how?"
"Like... the way you're being."
Dustin sighed, "well how am I supposed to be?"
"Well... not like that..."
"Then how am I supposed to be?" Dustin asked, getting a little frustrated
"Well... I don't know... just don't be so mad at us."
"I'd ask you not to tease my friends, but I know that you wouldn't be able to do that..."
Flat Top and Caboose shook their heads as one.
"That's what I thought. I'm going home."
"Dustin!" Flat Top protested.
Dustin kept walking.

Flat Top raced around in front of Dustin and skidded to a stop, placing his hands on Dustin's wide shoulders to stop him. "Dustin, don't."
Dustin stopped, as there wasn't much else he could do.
"Dustin, don't do this."
"...alright."
"Thanks." Flat Top let go of him.
"Yeah."
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"Sure."
"Okay." Flat Top gave him a smile.
Dustin smiled back

"Wanna go somewhere?"
*Home* Dustin thought, but shrugged.
"Tell me."
"I dunno..."
"Aw, come on."
"But I don't know..."
"Well, what do you want to do?"
Dustin shrugged again.
"Not helpful, Dustin..."
Dustin shrugged as a familiar whistle sounded.
Flat Top rolled his eyes. "Oh goody."
"Come on..." Dustin said, "Let's get out of here."
"Yeah, let's."