The Midnight Train Crossing

Some time later, Rusty slowly slowed.
Jamie looked around. "Are we back?"
"Nearly," Rusty said happily.
Jamie smiled slowly.
Rusty picked up speed again.
Jamie clung tightly.
"Woo-woo," Rusty sang.
Jamie smiled slowly.
"I know where Poppa put Jan...so I guess we'll go there."
Jamie nodded. "Okay."

"Rusty!" a voice shouted. Rusty grinned.
"Who's that?"
"Dustin."
"Okay."
Dustin rolled towards them, grinning, "You're back!"
Jamie smiled at Dustin. "Hi Dustin!"
"Hi Jamie..."
Jamie smiled brightly.
"Welcome back," Dustin said a bit uncertainly.
Jamie nodded slowly. "It's good to be back."
"Are...are you here to stay now?"
Jamie nodded slowly. "For now."
"Good," Dustin said, "I'm glad."
Jamie smiled a bit. "Me too."
"Jan is in her new house..." Dustin started.
"Okay."
"You wanna come?" Rusty asked. "Sure..." Dustin answered, hitching up.
Jamie glanced back at Dustin and smiled
Rusty whistled and moved out.
Jamie followed, anticipating Jan's reaction.

Inside her house Jan looked up at the sound of a whistle. But there were so many steam engine whistles around here.
Flat Top raised a brow. "Rusty?"
"Is it...?" Jan asked softly.
"Yeah... That's his whistle... All high-pitched and squeaky."
"Do you think...?"
"Maybe... Let's go see."
Jan slowly stood up.
Flat Top took her hand and pulled her towards the door.
Jan followed, hoping, but afraid to.
Flat Top pushed open the door.
"There it is," Rusty said.
Jamie grinned.

Jan looked outside and blinked. "Please tell me that I am seeing what I'm seeing," she said to Flat Top.
Flat Top nodded and pushed the door open wider. "It is!"
"Jamie?" Jan whispered.
Jamie suddenly let go of Rusty. "Jan!" he cried. He tried to run to her, but didn't get anywhere because Dustin was hitched behind him.
"sorry," Dustin mumbled, letting go.
Jamie almost fell forward. He raced forward and almost tackled Jan in a hug.
Jan hugged him tightly. She blinked rapidly,
Jamie hugged her tightly, starting to cry.
"Jamie," Jan breathed, holding him closely, leaning her face into his hair.
Jamie clung to her tightly. "Jan, I'm so sorry."
"I missed you..."
"I missed you too."
"Jamie..." she started.
"What?"
"you didn't say good bye..."
"I know..."
"Please don't..." she started, then stopped.
Jamie looked up at her with sad eyes. "What?"
Jan's eyes were bright with tears, "Please don't leave again."
"I... I won't."
Jan hugged him again. Tightly.
Jamie hugged her tightly too, starting to sob.
Rusty shifted slightly, backing up to let the two alone.

Jamie looked up at Jan with scared, blue eyes. "Are... are you mad at me?"
"No. of course not."
Jamie smiled. "You're... you're not?"
"No way."
Jamie hugged her tightly. "I... I was scared..."
"I was too..."
"I... I'm okay..."
"Yeah," she brushed a hand across her eyes, "but when I found out that you were gone... I didn't know what would happen to you..."
"I..." Jamie suddenly stopped, feeling very, very dizzy. Every muscle in his body ached, and every place he had been hit suddenly throbbed like a white-hot pain. He collapsed in Jan's arms with a cry.
"Let's get you inside," Jan said softly.
Jamie began to cry.
"Help me..." she said, to no one in particular.
Flat Top moved to Jan's side. "Here, let me." He scooped Jamie up in his arms like a baby.
Jan opened the door to let Flat Top through.
Flat Top carried Jamie inside and laid him down on the bed.
Jan, Rusty, and Dustin all followed. "Here..." Rusty said softly, handing Jamie his pillow.
Jamie reached for the pillow, but his hand fell weakly to his side, and the world spun before his eyes.
Rusty set it down under Jamie's head.
"Out, all of you," Jan said gently.
Jamie groaned softly, his head pounding and swimming at the same time.
"out," Jan insisted.
"Okay...okay..." Rusty said quickly.
Flat Top gave Jan's hand a squeeze, then ushered Rusty and Dustin towards the door.
"We're going," Dustin said good naturedly.
Flat Top nodded and closed the door behind all 3 of them.

Jan pulled the blanket over her brother.
Jamie's eyes fluttered open painfully. "J... Jan...?"
"Right here."
Jamie nodded slowly, then closed his eyes. "I... I hurt..."
"I know honey... did you want something?"
"N... No..."
"Okay."
Jamie began to cry
Jan sat down next to him, "I can give you something to make you sleep..."
Jamie sobbed softly. "Am... am I gonna die?"
"No! of course not!"
Jamie sniffed softly,
"Oh Jamie...you're gonna be alright, I'm here now..."
"I... I'm scared..."
"Shh...shh..." Jan soothed, "I'm here. I'll take care of you, just like always."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Jamie smiled weakly.

Jan leaned down and stroked his hair, "Now go to sleep..."
"But-"
"You don't want to?"
"I... I dunno..."
"Oh... well I'll be here."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"And if you don't want to sleep then..."
"I..."
"Yes?"
"I... want to..."
"Okay...then you can."
"I... I can't..."
"Oh... I can give you something to make the pain stop..."
"You can?"
"Yes. Meg gave me some pain stuff before...and I'm sure it'll work for you..."
"O... okay."
"Did you want me to give it to you?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
Jan nodded, "It's in the other room, I need to go get it, but I'll be right back, okay?"
"Okay."

Jan stood up and skated into the other room.
Jamie curled up, then yelped in pain and squeezed his eyes shut.
She was back with a glass of water and a small bottle.
Jamie opened one eye just a bit.
"Okay honey..." Jan started, moving towards him.
Jamie whimpered softly.
"Just take it quickly... it'll help."
"What... does it taste like?"
"It's just a pill..."
"Oh, okay..."
"Ready?"
Jamie swallowed hard. "Yeah."
Jan handed him the small pill and the water.
Jamie took it in his hand and slowly opened his mouth, then suddenly got hit by a wave of dizziness that made him collapse suddenly.
Jan scooted behind him, holding him up.
Jamie began to cry.
"just take it..." she said softly.
Jamie put it in his mouth and forced some water in, but he gagged and almost choked, clapping a hand over his mouth to keep it all in.
"Swallow."
Jamie shook his head slowly, trying to indicate he couldn't.
"Okay..." she said, "Spit it out..."
Jamie sighed silently. That wouldn't get him anywhere. He forced him self to swallow.
"There..." Jan said softly, shifting Jamie so his head was in her lap.
Jamie coughed painfully and clapped the hand over his mouth again as a wave of nausea hurled its way up his throat, but he swallowed it back with a sob.

"Shh...shh..." Jan soothed, gently pushing back his hair.
Jamie began to sob, clinging to her skirt tightly.
"I'm here, you'll be fine..."
"I... I hurt..."
"I know. But it'll stop..."
"I-" Jamie cut himself off as he gagged again, his hand going back to his mouth.
"Bathroom?" she asked softly.
Jamie slowly shook his head as it passed. "N... No..."
"Okay... just calm down..." Jan's voice was calm and soothing, "The drugs'll kick in...then you can sleep...and when you wake you'll feel better...and I'll be right here..."
"You won't leave me?"
"Nope."
"O... Okay." Jamie yawned slowly.
Jan started to hum softly.
Jamie closed his eyes, letting her voice soothe him to sleep.
Jan gazed down at her brother, making sure he was asleep.
Jamie was sound asleep, the first real sleep he had gotten in days.
Now that he was asleep Jan took a shuddering breath, carefully looking over him.
Jamie slept softly, his mouth slightly open as he breathed calmly.
With a small smile, Jan leaned back against the wall. She closed her eyes as well.
Jamie slept soundly, curled close to his familiar pillow.

*~*~*~*~*

Outside, Rusty rubbed his sore arm.
Flat Top sighed softly.
"I'm glad you're back," Dustin said.
"I'm glad I *am* back," Rusty said.
"What happened to him?" Flat Top asked.
"Well..." Rusty started, "When I found him he was at Tank's house..."
"What was he doing there?"
"Working for Tank..."
"Oh. Did he seem all right?"
"When I found him, yeah I guess so, other then dead tired. He wasn't too pleased to see me though."
"He wasn't?"
Rusty sighed and shook his head, "No..."
"Is he gonna be all right?"
"I...I hope so..."
Flat Top sighed softly.

"What happened to your arm?" Dustin asked.
"Yeah, what happened? Looks like you got scraped up pretty good."
"Got pushed into a guard rail..." Rusty started, "Dragged along at a pretty fast pace..."
"How's that happen?"
"Diesel engines always cheat in races..."
"You raced?"
Rusty nodded, "Yes." He smiled.
"Against who?"
"Tank."
"Why?" Flat Top demanded.
"He challenged me..."
"For what?"
"He didn't believe that I was fast..."
"So?"
"So I told him I was, and he challenged me to a race."
"And you were stupid enough to race him?" Flat Top demanded.
"I didn't want to right away!"
"Then why did you?"
"Because..." Rusty trailed off and looked down, "I just had to...you wouldn't understand..."
"Try me."
"I just *couldn't* let him say all that he did, and then if I continued to refuse he'd think that I was afraid, and I wasn't about to let a diesel boss me around, *again*!" At this point Rusty was steaming slightly.
Flat Top rolled his eyes. "You're too sensitive."
"Yeah...well..."

"Is Jamie gonna be all right?"
"He should be..." Rusty said, "I hope so. At least he's back."
"Yeah."
Rusty yawned, and tried to stifle it.
"Go home. Go sleep."
"I'm going," Rusty said, "Anybody want a ride?"
"Nah. I'll stay here."
"Okay. Good night."
"Night."
Rusty rolled away, reaching his house and gratefully crawling into his own bed.

*~*~*~*

Jamie groaned softly under a mound of blankets that had migrated around him during the night.
Jan was asleep next to him.
Jamie groaned and lifted his head painfully.
Jan opened her eyes.
Jamie groaned and curled into a tight ball.
"Still hurt?" Jan asked softly.
"Mmm-hmm," Jamie mumbled.
Jan rubbed her brother's back gently.
Jamie curled closer to her touch
"You just take it easy," Jan soothed.

"I... I'm hungry," Jamie said softly, realizing he hadn't eaten in at least 24 hours.
Jan nodded, "I'll get you something to eat."
"Don't leave me," Jamie pleaded, grasping her hand.
"I won't. Ever."
Jamie smiled weakly.
"But if you want something to eat then I need to go into the kitchen for a second."
"No!" Jamie pleaded.
"Oh...okay honey. I'll stay here..."
Jamie nodded.
Jan shifted position slightly, sitting up.
Jamie curled close to his pillow.

"Maybe we could get the repair truck-Meg- to look at you again..."
Jamie whimpered softly.
"what?"
"She... She'll be mad."
"Why?"
"Cause..." Jamie held out his wrist, which was an ugly purple color and very swollen.
"Oh dear...what happened?" Jan started, and then she looked at his wrist again.
"T... Tank..."
She sighed and half-growled, "I figured."
"It... it was my fault, Jan. Don't be mad at Tank."
Jan took a breath and her usual pleasant expression returned.
Jamie rubbed his wrist with gritted teeth.
"Meg will fix it again."
"I... I know..."
"So then we can ask her."
"Ask what?"
"To take care of you."
"But..."
"Yeah?"
"I don't want to be a bother for her..."
"she's repair truck..."
"I know, but..."
"Yes?" Jan prompted.
"I... She's got other things to do..."
"Like?"
"Well... there are other trains..."
"But she fixes trains when they need it, it's her job."
"I know..."
"So?"
"I... But..."
"Jamie, just tell me." Jan said softly.
"I... I don't want to be a burden on Meg... I've cause her so much trouble already..."
"She won't mind... she took care of you before she even knew you...and now that she knows you.."
"I know..."
"So she'll take care of you."
"But..."
"We don't have to go for her right now..."
Jamie nodded slowly.

"Jamie..." She started slowly.
"What?"
"You...you don't have.."
"What?"
"Your...your wrists..."
Jamie looked down at them. "Yeah?"
"They're... you don't have..."
"Oh, the cuffs?" Jamie said softly.
"Yeah..."
"I know..."
"He...he took them off?"
"One of them... Rusty took off one."
Jan smiled, "Good."
Jamie sighed softly and nodded.

"Do you want some breakfast now?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Okay... should I go get you some?"
Jamie whimpered softly and clung to her.
"No?"
Jamie shook his head.
"Stay here or get breakfast? it's just in the other room, and I can keep talking if you like..."
Jamie whimpered. "Stay with me," he pleaded.
"I will."
Jamie nodded.

There was a heavy knock on the door.
Jamie looked up in terror.
Jan looked up as well.
Jamie whimpered and clung to Jan's corset. "Don't open it," he pleaded.
"Why not?"
"Don't leave me."
"Okay..." Jan raised her voice, "Come in!"
Jamie whimpered and clung to Jan tighter.
"Hello?" a deepish voice called.
Jamie yelped and yanked the covers over his head.
"In the bedroom," Jan called, "Come in Poppa."
Jamie tried to be as small as possible, shivering under the covers.

"I heard that Rusty had made it back," Poppa said as he came in.
Jamie curled tighter.
"Yeah..." Jan said with a smile.
"Jamie?" Poppa asked.
Jamie didn't answer.
He set a hand on Jamie's form.
Jamie yelped and scrambled away, darting out from under the blankets like a scared cat.
"Jamie...it's just Poppa..."
Jamie curled against the wall, shivering.
"Easy son, I won't touch you," Poppa said.
Jamie whimpered softly.
Jan leaned over and rubbed her brother's shoulder.
Jamie whimpered and curled close to her.
"Poppa?" Jan asked, "Do you think that you could get breakfast for him?"
Jamie hugged Jan tightly.
"Sure," Poppa said with a smile, going skating over to the kitchen.

Jamie whimpered and curled close to Jan.
"Shh...shh..." Jan soothed.
Jamie closed his eyes weakly, feeling dizzy again.
Jan stroked his hair gently.
Jamie curled against her touch.
"I'm so glad you're back," Jan murmured gently.
Jamie smiled weakly and held her tight.
"I thought I'd lost you."
"I... I was scared too," Jamie said softly.
Jan gave him a gentle hug.
Jamie curled into her embrace.

There was another knock outside.
Jamie gasped.
"Who's there?" Jan called.
"The repair truck... can I come in?"
Jamie looked up at Jan with scared eyes, but he nodded.
"Yeah Meg, come on in."
Jamie hugged Jan tighter.
Meg skated in, carrying a toolbox.
Jamie whimpered softly.
"Welcome back Jamie."
Jamie looked up at Meg and smiled weakly.
"So...what do I need to look at?"
Jamie glanced down guiltily at his wrist, then wondered how Meg could have known she would need to examine him.
Jan gave him a reassuring hug as Meg waited for him to answer.
Jamie slowly held out his wrist, his eyes scared.
Meg sat down on the bed and gently took hold of his wrist.
Jamie gasped in pain.
"Sorry..." Meg said softly, "Oh, this isn't as bad as I thought..."
"It's not?" Jamie asked in a pained voice.
"No. The setting that I did is still in place."
"It is? That's... good..."
"Very good, means that I don't need to set it again."
Jamie smiled a bit.
"What happened?" Meg asked gently.
Jamie turned bright red and looked away.
"You don't have to tell me exactly..." Meg said softly, "Just...what happened?"
Jamie bit his lip. "The cuff... got tighter...
"Oh..." Meg said, "The increased pressure on your wrist would do this then."
Jamie nodded.
"It's painful, but it will heal."
"It will?"
"Yes," Meg smiled, "Provided you let it."
Jamie nodded hastily.
Meg nodded, "Okay...I will take care of it, and then we'll let it heal. The sprain is healing nicely though...despite everything."
Jamie bit his lip in embarrassment.

Meg didn't seem to notice, she dug around in her tools.
Jamie sighed softly.
"Okay sweetie, I'm going to help your wrist along a bit."
"What're you gonna do?" Jamie whimpered.
"I'm going to re-wrap your wrist and put some salve on it."
"O... Okay," Jamie said softly.
Meg carefully unwrapped his wrist.
Jamie bit his lip. "Owww."
"Sorry honey..." Meg said, "Hold it still please."
Jamie nodded slowly.
Meg gently smoothed a clear salve onto his wrist.
Jamie made a face. "Ick."
"It will help..." Meg assured him, pulling out a new bandage.
Jamie nodded.
She carefully wrapped his wrist again.
Jamie fidgeted nervously.
"Hold still," she said gently.
Jamie sighed softly.
"There." Meg said, pulling her hands away.
Jamie looked down at his wrist.
"Now be careful with it."
Jamie nodded.

At just that moment Poppa came in from the kitchen, balancing Jamie's breakfast.
Jamie looked up at Poppa, then looked away guiltily.
"Somebody in here hungry?" Poppa asked with a smile.
Jamie bit his lip and nodded slowly.
"Thought so," he set the food down on the bed.
Jamie curled closer to Jan.
"All set?" Poppa asked. Meg nodded.
"For what?" Jamie asked softly.
"He meant if I'd taken care of you..." Meg said.
"Okay," Jamie said softly.
"Anything else?"
Jamie shook his head.
"You sure?" Jan asked softly.
Jamie nodded.
"Okay... you know where my house is," Meg said, heading towards the door.
Jamie nodded. "Th... thank you," he said softly.
"No problem sweetheart, I like doing it, but that doesn't mean that I want you to get hurt again."
Jamie smiled a bit and nodded.
"Take care," Meg said.
"I... I will."
"See you around then." With that she left.
Jamie watched her go.

Jan smiled, then looked up at Poppa.
Jamie curled closer to her.
"Thanks," she said to Poppa.
"No worries," he said, "I don't mind."
Jamie smiled gratefully and slowly reached for the food.
Jan loosened her grip on him so he could eat.
Jamie slowly lifted a forkful to his mouth, watching Poppa out of the corner of his eye.
Poppa sat down on a chair.
Jamie ate slowly.
"Now what?" Jan asked softly.
Jamie looked up at Jan.
Poppa shrugged, "You stay here," he said.
Jamie smiled a bit and moved closer to Jan.
"And Rusty told me about something else..."
Jamie bit his lip. What had Rusty said?
"All I gotta say is that I think we should wait until you've recovered a bit."
Jamie looked up in surprise. "What?"
"I think we should wait until you're a bit better before we start."
"He.. he told you?"
"Yes."
Jamie bit his lip, not sure if that was good or bad.
"That and...you had already asked me before."
Jamie smiled a bit. Yes, he remembered that now.
"So I figure that we should wait a bit before we start."
"How long?"
"Until you're feeling better."
"That could be a long time," Jamie protested.
"Well we aren't gonna start while you're still feeling horrible..."
Jamie looked away, tears stinging his eyes. "I always feel horrible," he said softly.
"But you won't for long. This time you'll actually get a chance to heal."
Jamie nodded slowly, but he knew the pain inside him would not go away for a very long time.
"Just until you can move without feeling dizzy," Poppa said gently.
Jamie nodded. "Okay..."
"It won't take that long, you'll see."
Jamie smiled a bit
"Now finish your breakfast."
Jamie nodded and moved to obey.

Poppa stood up and gently ruffled Jamie's hair, "I'll see you later son."
"Where you going?" Jamie asked.
"I've got some things to take care of..."
"Like what?"
Poppa smiled a bit, "You don't want me to go then?"
"I... I don't care," Jamie said softly.
"No?" Poppa asked gently, his eyes sparkling a bit.
Jamie shook his head. "You have... have stuff to do..."
"He is head engine," Jan said softly.
"Yeah, so he's probably busy."
"I'll be back soon to check on you," Poppa said.
"Okay," Jamie said softly.
Poppa smiled.
Jamie smiled back.
With a wave, Poppa rolled towards the door.
Jamie watched him go with a small smile.

Jan slid off the bed and stretched.
Jamie finished the last bite of his breakfast.
"Feeling any better?" she asked.
"A little..."
"That's good."
Jamie nodded.
"What was Poppa talking about?
Jamie smiled to himself. "He... he's gonna teach me to race."
"He's gonna teach you to *race*?" she repeated.
Jamie nodded slowly.
Jan looked stunned for a second, "And... he thinks he can?" she asked softly.
Jamie looked at her with confusion. "You... you think I can't race?"
Jan didn't seem to hear him, "My brother..." she said wondrously, "a racer..."
Jamie tried again. "Jan, you don't think I can race?"
"I'll be related to a racer..." Jan said with a grin.
Jamie broke into a wide smile.
"And Poppa thinks he can teach you?"
Jamie nodded.
"Isn't he sorta..."
"Old?"
"Well yeah..."
"Yeah..."
"But if he can teach you, then I guess it doesn't really matter."
Jamie nodded.
"I just can't believe that I'm gonna be related to a racer..." she said happily.
"I... I still have to practice," Jamie reminded her.
Jan grinned, "But they'll give you the chance."
Jamie nodded.
"And that's the important part."
"Yeah. Do... do you think... I can do it?"
"Yes." she said without hesitation.
Jamie smiled gratefully.

"So...are you up to walking?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Did you want to see the rest of the house?"
"Sure," Jamie said brightly.
"Come on," she said with a smile.
Jamie got to his feet and moved to follow her.
"We've got two bedrooms, a kitchen...and a little living room."
Jamie nodded. "Do... do I get my own room?"
"Yup."
Jamie latched onto Jan's couplers tightly. "But I wanna stay with you."
"You can Jamie, we'll still be in the same house..."
Jamie nodded and hugged her tightly.
"You don't have to stay in a room by yourself yet if you don't want to..."
"I don't want to."
"You don't have to. But did you want to see the other rooms anyway?"
Jamie nodded.
"Alright, come on," she gave a bit of a tug, moving them forward.
Jamie followed her.

She led him through the smallish kitchen and into the other bed room. On the bed was something that Meg had brought when Jan had moved in.
Jamie gasped in surprise and scooped up the bear in his arms.
Jan smiled, watching him.
Jamie cuddled the bear close, closing his eyes happily.
Jan leaned against the wall, brushing a hand across her eyes quickly.
Jamie looked up at her and smiled a bit.
"What?" Jan asked with a smile.
"What?" Jamie asked back, clutching his bear.
"I'm just glad that you're here."
Jamie smiled and hugged the bear closer.
"You..." she started.
"What?"
"You aren't gonna leave again...?"
"I... I don't know," Jamie said honestly.
"At least don't leave without telling me. Please."
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Thanks," she said a bit relieved, she brushed her eyes, "so...anyway...this can be your room if you want it..."
Jamie looked around. "I... I can't stay with you?"
"No... you can. but if you want to have your own room..."
"I wanna stay with you!" Jamie protested.
"Then you can," she said gently, "It doesn't really matter since this is our house..."
Jamie smiled brightly.
"Either way, it doesn't matter to me," she said with a smile.
Jamie smiled and nodded, hugging the bear.
"Well...I'm going to make myself breakfast."
"Okay."
Jan turned and skated out into their kitchen.
Jamie lay down on "his" bed, holding the bear.

Sometime later there was a knock on their door.
Jamie looked up from where he had been napping.
"Hello?" Poppa's voice called.
Jamie scrambled to his wheels and headed for the door, his legs stiff from his snooze.
"You two in there?" Poppa called.
Jamie opened the door, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Hi."
"Hey there. How you feeling?"
"Okay."
"Better then before?"
Jamie nodded.
Poppa smiled, "Okay, here's what I thought we should do..."
Jamie waited, not realizing he was still clutching his bear to his chest.
"First I want to have Meg look you over once more to make sure you're up for it..."
"But-"
"Yes?"
"But I feel fine!" Jamie protested.
"I'm sure you do, I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't!"
Poppa smiled, "good... so I take it you want to skip the check up then?"
Jamie nodded hastily.
"Okay...as long as you promise not to over do it..."
Jamie nodded again.
"Alright, come with me and then we'll begin."
Jamie hugged his bear tighter and followed Poppa.
"We'll go get Rusty and then we'll start."
"Okay," Jamie agreed.
"And you might want to leave that here..."
Jamie glanced down at his bear and turned bright red.
Poppa didn't comment.
Jamie tossed the bear into a chair and brushed his blond hair out of his face with embarrassment.
"Set?" Poppa asked.
Jamie nodded. "Yeah."

Poppa moved out slowly down the rails.
Jamie followed him.
Poppa let out a whistle and was answered a few minutes later with a higher pitched one.
Jamie moved closer to Poppa.
"Rusty's coming."
"I... I know.
"Oh." A few minutes later Rusty pulled up.
Jamie peeked around Poppa at Rusty.
"Hi Jamie," Rusty said brightly.
"Hi," Jamie said softly.
Rusty looked at Poppa questioningly, "Where are we going to start?"
"Yeah," Jamie added, wanting to know how much of a wreck he was going to be in.
"I think..." Poppa said thoughtfully, "That maybe..." He gave the name of the place to Rusty, who nodded, "Alright."
Jamie grabbed Poppa's arm tightly. "Where's that?"
"Not far, it's a good place to start practice, nice and level and pretty straight."
"O... Okay..."
"Let's go," Rusty said.
Jamie nodded.

Poppa led Rusty and Jamie along the tracks until they reached a flat straight area of the rails, that didn't look too commonly used.
Jamie swallowed. "This doesn't look too safe..."
"It's safe enough," Poppa said, "Or it will be in a minute..."
"In a minute?" Jamie squeaked.
"Yup, show him," Poppa said.
Rusty nodded and sped down the tracks, tearing up weeds as he went.
Jamie groaned and clung to Poppa's arm tighter.
Rusty continued along the tracks, clearing them as he went. "What?" Poppa asked softly.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"The tracks? Yes I am."
Jamie nodded slowly. "If you say so."
Rusty returned, "All clear," he said, "don't worry Jamie, this is where I learned to race."
"You learned here?"
"Yup. well...I started to learn here."
Jamie smiled a bit.

"Okay," Poppa said, "Now the first idea is to get used to going for distances without stopping."
"Okay..."
"So we're not trying for super speed records right now..."
"Okay."
"so what we're going to do is just work on making it through this stretch right here."
"How long is it?" Jamie whimpered.
"Not too far," Poppa assured him.
"Okay."
"So all you need to do is get down to the end. You don't have to go fast or anything like that..."
"Okay..." Jamie whimpered.
"Jamie, relax," Rusty said, "This is just a first practice run, it doesn't really matter."
"I.... I know..."
"So don't worry about it."
"Okay..."
"You ready?" Poppa asked.
Jamie nodded stiffly.
"don't worry about speed or anything, just about making it to the end...that's all that matters."
"By myself?"
Rusty looked at Poppa, "Well..."
Jamie clutched Poppa's arm tightly, his eyes pleading.
"I'll go with you," Rusty said, "I'll run next to you..."
Jamie smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Rusty."
Rusty nodded, "You ready?"
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Okay. you start, I'll start with you."
"O... Okay." Jamie stepped onto the track, trying to psych himself up.
"As soon as you're ready."
Jamie nodded, taking a deep breath.
Rusty waited.

Jamie suddenly took off down the track.
Rusty followed, keeping pace with Jamie.
Jamie tried to speed up, but he couldn't.
Rusty kept even with Jamie.
Jamie felt his wheels whirring under him on the tracks and wondered what it felt like to really race.
Poppa leaned up against the guard rails, watching the two engines.
Jamie whirred along on the rails, then suddenly his wheels hit a rough patch, and he hit the track, skidding a good ten feet on his side.
Rusty skidded to a stop next to Jamie, "You alright?" he asked.
Jamie gritted his teeth in pain.
Rusty offered Jamie a hand up.
Jamie reached up weakly and took his hand.
"You wanna go on?"
"I..." Jamie winced as he shifted, his paint all scratched on his side.
"You can stop..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie bit his lip, tears stinging his eyes.
"Up to you..." Rusty said softly.
"I..." Jamie groaned softly.
Rusty waited.
"I... Maybe... we... we should stop," Jamie admitted, his voice sad.
"Okay. You made it pretty far..."
"I... I did?"
"Yeah..." Rusty looked back, "I'd guess maybe... a little less then three/fourths of the way."
"Oh."
Rusty smiled, "That's pretty good."
"It is?" Jamie asked weakly.
Rusty nodded.
Jamie smiled a bit, then winced painfully.
"Let's get you back..." Rusty said softly.
Jamie nodded slowly.
Rusty offered him a hand.
Jamie took it weakly.
Rusty gently pulled him down the tracks.
Jamie covered a loud groan.

Poppa waited as they approached him.
Jamie turned bright red in embarrassment.
"Good," Poppa said, "I bet that if you wouldn't have fallen you would have made it."
"I..."
"he would have Poppa," Rusty said.
"No, I wouldn't've," Jamie said softly.
"sure you could have," Rusty said.
Jamie smiled weakly.
"I know you could have," Rusty said firmly.
Jamie smiled and touched his scraped side with a sick look.
"Let's get that taken care of," Poppa said gently.
Jamie nodded slowly.
"I'll run and get Meg," Rusty offered.
Jamie nodded weakly.
Rusty turned and sped away down the tracks.

Jamie clutched Poppa tightly. "I... I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For... for causing so much trouble."
"Trouble?"
Jamie looked up, confused.
"What trouble?"
Jamie bit his lip. "You... you mean, this was... okay?"
"Well...yeah."
Jamie smiled just a bit. "Really?"
"Of course."
Jamie smiled and gave Poppa a small hug.
Poppa hugged him back, "You aren't trouble."
Jamie smiled and laid his head on Poppa's warm chest. "I'm not?"
"No more then anybody else."
Jamie smiled.
"And I mean it..."
Jamie hugged Poppa tighter. "Really?"
"Really. I'm not upset about this at all."
Jamie smiled. "Good..."
"Did...did you think that I expected you to be perfect the first time?"
"Well, no..."
"'cause I didn't..."
Jamie looked up at Poppa gratefully.
"That's what 'learning' means..."
"I... I know..."
"So you don't need to worry about it."
Jamie nodded.

Rusty pulled up with Meg.
Jamie looked over guiltily at Meg.
"Lets have a look," Meg said.
Jamie moved slowly over to Meg.
She leaned over to examine him.
Jamie bit his lip.
Meg gently touched his side.
Jamie yelped softly.
"sorry honey," she said/
Jamie nodded slowly.
"Okay...I've got something to put on that..." Meg said.
"Will it hurt?" Jamie asked softly.
"Shouldn't...it's just a salve."
"Okay..."
Meg gently rubbed the salve onto Jamie's side.
Jamie bit his lip hard.
"There..." she said.
Jamie nodded slowly. "Th... thanks."

"Well as long as your paint is even more scratched now..." Poppa started
Jamie turned red.
"We may as well get you that full paint job now."
Jamie's eyes widened. "Really?"
Poppa nodded, "Come on."
Jamie looked over at Rusty. "You'll come too?"
Rusty nodded, "Yeah." He wasn't about to make that mistake again.
Jamie smiled gratefully.
Poppa moved out, Rusty followed.
Jamie followed close to Rusty.
They reached the paint shop.
Jamie grabbed Rusty's arm tightly.
"ouch..."
Jamie let go just a bit. "Sorry..."
"come on," Poppa urged.
Jamie looked over nervously at Rusty. "Will it hurt?" he asked softly.
"being painted? Starlight, no."
Jamie smiled just a bit. "What is gonna happen?"
"You just sorta...sit there and you get painted... Then you sit still until it dries..."
"How long will that take?" Jamie asked.
Rusty shrugged, "a few minutes."
"Okay."

"You know..." Poppa started, "Maybe as long as we're here..." Rusty backed away slowly.
Jamie smiled brightly. "Are we gonna paint Rusty too?"
"No!" Rusty said quickly, "I mean...um...no I don't need it..."
"But Rusty, you're-"
"What?"
"You're all faded!" Jamie said, none to bluntly.
"Oh... so??"
"You could use a coat of paint too..."
"No..."
"Yes..."
"Nah," Rusty said, "We're here for you remember?"
"So?"
"So...I don't need..."
"But-"
"He's right Rusty," Poppa said.
Jamie smiled brightly.
Rusty backed away slowly.
"Oh, come on, Rusty. I'll be all right," Jamie said cheerfully.
"Yeah...you'd probably better get started then..."
"But you have to come with!" Jamie protested, darting forward and grabbing Rusty's hand.

Rusty nodded slowly, feeling very very very trapped.
Jamie smiled and gave Rusty's hand a tug, like a little boy pulling on a puppy's leash. "Come on."
Rusty followed slowly.
Jamie led Rusty back over to Poppa. "We're ready."
Poppa nodded, "good. let's go."
Jamie nodded and followed, still holding Rusty's hand.
Poppa opened the door and led them through, "have a seat," he directed them, "we may as well do both of you at once."
"Okay," Jamie said agreeably, perching on the edge of his chair.
Rusty sat down a bit warily.
Jamie bounced a bit excitedly.
"Okay," Poppa said, "Sit still Jamie..."
Jamie obediently froze in his chair.
Poppa backed up slightly so he wouldn't be caught as the water turned out, gently spraying Jamie, cleaning his frame first.
Jamie coughed and sputtered, wiping a few droplets of spray out of his face.
"Sorry about that," Poppa said gently as Jamie was dried.
Jamie nodded and brushed his damp hair out of his eyes.

"Now you still want to be red?" Poppa asked.
Jamie's eyes widened in surprise. "I don't have to be red?"
Poppa shrugged, "Up to you."
Jamie glanced over at Rusty for help.
Rusty shrugged, "whatever color you wanna be..."
Jamie bit his lip and looked back at Poppa. "I like red."
"Red it is then," Poppa said, "Now hold still..." the painting process began.
Jamie tried not to twitch, but he couldn't help an occasional squirm.
It didn't take very long until it was finished. "Now all you gotta do is wait until you dry..."
Jamie resisted the urge to scratch. "Okay..."
"You wanna see what you look like?"
Jamie nodded hastily.
Poppa brought over a mirror for Jamie to see.
Jamie stared at his reflection in surprise.
"You like it?" Poppa asked.
Jamie nodded slowly. "Yeah..."
"good," Poppa said with a smile.
Jamie nodded.

Poppa turned to Rusty, "Your turn."
Jamie smiled.
"Poppa...I don't think..."
"It's okay, Rusty."
"I mean, I don't think that we need to take the time out right now, after all, I don't really need it..."
"But we're here!" Jamie protested.
"yeah..." Rusty stood up, "But we don't need...not right now..."
"But you need new paint!"
"No."
"Yes."
He stood up, "I don't really think that we need to right now..." He turned and bolted through the door.

Jamie leaped up to chase after him.
"I'll get him," Poppa said, "You make sure you dry."
Jamie nodded and sat back down again.
Poppa moved towards the door a bit slowly.
Jamie sat on his chair, shifting from side to side.
"I'll catch him, don't worry," Poppa said, going outside.
Jamie got up and skated after him, standing in the doorway.

Rusty had made it some distance down the tracks at this point and Poppa slowly gathered speed as he chased after Rusty.
Jamie watched them, wondering who was faster.
Rusty swerved, flat out running from Poppa, putting more distance between the two engines.
Jamie sighed. Why did he think Rusty would get painted with him?
Poppa suddenly sped up, gaining on Rusty, closing in on him from one side, forcing Rusty towards the guard rails.
Jamie gasped and clapped his hands over his eyes, afraid Rusty was going to get stuck on the rails again.
Poppa closed in towards his son, forcing Rusty into a corner, bringing the younger engine to a complete stop.
Jamie peered cautiously out at Poppa.
Rusty whimpered slightly as Poppa grabbed his wrist, pulling him back towards the paint shop.
Jamie smiled brightly.
Rusty pulled against Poppa, but wasn't successful at all.
Jamie stepped aside to let them in.

"Poppaaaaa," Rusty whined.
"You promised, Rusty!" Jamie protested.
"I promised that I'd come when you got painted, and I did."
"But you need to be painted!"
"I do not!" Rusty protested as Poppa sat him firmly down in a chair.
"Yes you do!"
Rusty looked up mournfully at Poppa.
Jamie smiled and sat back down next to Rusty.
The younger steamer once again tried, without success to pull out of his father's grip.
Jamie smiled and bounced in his seat a bit.
"Hold still and I'll let go of you," Poppa ordered. Rusty pouted a bit, but nodded sullenly.
Jamie smiled.

With a sigh Rusty closed his eyes and sat still as Poppa released his wrist.
Jamie smiled and bounced again. "Is Rusty gonna stay red too?"
Rusty mumbled something that sounded somewhat like a yes.
"Yay!" Jamie cheered.
Rusty rubbed his wrist.
"Better get out of the way," Poppa advised Jamie.
Jamie nodded and backed away.
Rusty closed his eyes and braced as he was washed.
Jamie watched with a beaming smile.
Rusty was silent and absolutely still, gritting his teeth, eyes closed.

Jamie shifted, his own red paint gleaming a bit.
"Wait 'til your sister sees you..."
Jamie smiled. "Do... do you think she'll like it?"
Poppa nodded, "How could she not?"
Jamie smiled. "Think she'll recognize me?"
"Of course she will."
Jamie smiled and watched the paint shine. "I'm pretty," he said softly.
Poppa smiled a bit, watching his newest charge.
Jamie looked up at Poppa and smiled. "Will I stay bright for a long time?"
"If you don't roll around in the dirt..."
Jamie blushed a bit.
"Hey, it's been done before..." Poppa said.
Jamie laughed softly and gave his wheels a soft whirl.

Rusty opened his eyes cautiously, he was done.
Jamie smiled. "Rusty, you look pretty."
Rusty looked down at his shiny new paint job.
Jamie bounced. "Hey, Rusty, we match!" he said happily.
Rusty looked up, "Poppa...this is too bright..."
"No it's not."
"For me it is..."
"But it looks good!"
"It's a perfect color for you but..."
"Rusty, you look fine!"
"I don't want to be this bright..."
"Why not?"
"Because...it's just not me."
"Yes it is."
"No...I'm not supposed to be this bright..."
"Yes you are!"
Rusty sighed, "Poppa...can I get a bit darker?" Poppa nodded. Rusty closed his eyes again as the painters closed in around him again.
"But we're not gonna match!" Jamie protested.
"Then you'll be unique..." Poppa said.
Jamie sighed softly.

When the painters cleared Rusty was restored to his preferred shade of dull red.
Jamie gazed at Rusty.
"Much better," Rusty breathed.
Jamie sighed softly.
Rusty stood up, "you happy now?" he asked Poppa.
"yes," Poppa answered, dead serious.
Jamie smiled a bit.
"Can we go now?"
"You're not dry," Jamie said softly
"Oh..." Rusty sat down again with a sigh.
Jamie smiled again.
"I told you he didn't like getting painted," Poppa said softly to Jamie.
Jamie nodded. "I see what you mean."

after a few minutes Rusty, now dry, stood up, "Can we go now?"
Jamie stood up too.
Poppa nodded, "Yeah, I suppose that's enough..." His eyes sparkled.
"You are too kind," Rusty retorted teasingly.
Jamie smiled. "Let's go show everyone!"
"Yeah..." Rusty said slowly.
Jamie smiled and grabbed Rusty's hand.

Outside, Rusty started down the tracks towards Jamie's house.
Jamie followed. "Jan's gonna like this."
Rusty nodded, "I bet."
Jamie smiled.
They reached his house.

Jamie opened the door. "Jan?"
"Yeah?" Jan called, she stopped short, seeing her brother in the doorway.
Jamie smiled and pushed the door wider.
"Wow..." Jan said, she smiled, "Turn around and let me see you."
Jamie pivoted on his skate, smiling broadly.
"wonderful," Jan said, "you look wonderful."
Jamie smiled. "Really?"
"Really."
Jamie smiled brighter. "Thanks. Rusty got painted too."
"did he?"
"Yeah."
"what color?"
"Red."
"Oh. So is he bright now too?"
"Yeah."
Jan smiled, "You look so...*nice*
Jamie smiled and moved closer.