TTTE (Edward x James) Part 11: Plans in the making

The snowplow that James had on during his accident only needed a few repairs and adjustments, so it would it would be mended before he had to take the final train, they gave him the choice of coming back later for it or he could wait in the works until it was fixed, since James had to leave straight for the station he decided to stay and wait for it to be mended, it also gave his temporary driver Pete and Fireman Chuck a chance to understand how he worked since they had never driven a tender engine before. James was more polite than he normally was when ever they made a mistake, although he would never admit it to the others.
"You know I've always admired you James" Pete said out of the blue from where he was laying on James' buffer beam, James had a hard time trying to see him so he just looked ahead instead.
"What makes you say that?" James asked as he looked at the sky that was crossed between a sunset and the night sky.
"Well aside from your cocky attitude" James could tell there was a smirk in that sentence "you seem more hard working and caring for the kids that want to have a look in your cab.
"That's what I was made for" James replied proudly "to pull stuff you people cant do yourself as well as making children happy, as long as they're happy, I'm happy" his voice trailed off as he remembered the truth about himself.
Pete also detected it "your tone says differently, there's something on your mind isn't there?"
"It's nothing you need to be concerned about" James snapped, his frame shook slightly from the force making Pete nearly fall off.
"Hey watch it" Pete warned as he tried to balance himself again "look James, I may not have gotten to know you properly but I want to help, I can keep a secret James and I always know how to help others, who knows maybe it will work for you engines as well"
"It's more of a 'personal' matter that I'm trying to come to terms with" it couldn't hurt to tell Pete that, from he had been told from the other engines Pete was a very sensible person that you could tell your secrets to and wouldn't tell anyone unless you gave him permission to.
He was brought of his thoughts when Pete patted his left buffer for comfort "well if you need someone to talk to I'm here for you okay?"
James smiled even though he couldn't see Pete "thanks"
"Hey" called a workman "can you get James over here? We think we have it fixed up"
Jumping into action Chuck and Pete scrambled into the cab and got to work. It was tricky at first but once again James was being patient until they got a proper handle on him. Eventually they managed to get the hang of him and drove him to where the workman wanted him to be, his plow was fitted perfectly and secured tightly before James left the workplace.

Edward was at the main station when James arrived and already had his coaches coupled up to him.
He smiled when he saw James puffing backwards on the rails next to him "good to see you back on the rails again"
James could practically see the light radiating from Edwards face, even if he couldn't see him, considered making a rude retort until he remembered his owners advice, he knew that he couldn't be nice on the spot as Edward would know something was up, he had a knack for that.
"It's good to be back on the rails, now everyone will be brightened up by my splendid red paint" James replied in his usual tone.
Edward chuckled lightly "it's good to have the old you back"
"Were you expecting anything else?" James replied in a cheeky tone as Percy shunted his coaches behind him.
"How bad was the pipe damage?" Edward asked cautiously, hoping James wouldn't get too sensitive about it.
"How should I know, I've never had a pipe damaged in the cold before" James snapped before mentaly hitting himself, he took a deep breath before trying again "from what I heard from the workers it wasn't too bad hence why I was only in there for a few days" James took another chance "does it take longer depending on how severe and how many pipes were damaged?"
The question caught Edward by surprise but politely answered the question, especially since James had never had his pipes damaged before "that is correct James, I remember when I first came to the Island and my first winter here" James noticed a happy, distant look appear on Edwards face "I was still getting used to the rails and didn't notice the frozen points, halfway I got stuck in a snow pile as a result and had to stay there for a whole day"
"A whole day?" James nearly cried out.
"Bare in mind James that in those days they didn't have telephones on the side of tracks, they had to walk on foot to the next station or signal box, I had crashed between both of them and the distance was the same to each of them, so no matter which way they went it would have taken the same amount of time and I would have still had to wait a whole day because there was also less station than there is now" Edward explained.
James now realised how lucky he was, Edward clearly had it tough in those days, but as he looked closer he realised Edward's face didn't show sadness, he showed happiness.
"And you weren't upset at having to stay there for a whole day?" James asked before he could stop himself.
"Of course not, sure I was stuck in the works for five days, but it wasn't the signalman's fault even though he felt guilty about it"
5 days? He was stuck in the works for 5 DAYS!? I'm surprised he didn't go crazy, I know I would have James thought.
The guard blew his whistle and Jame knew that the conversation as over, until the next time anyway. When the final trains were finished James and Edward had no problems sleeping that night, they slept peacefully till sunrise.

"Alright engine" announced The Fat Controller that morning "I have an announcement to make" he waited every engine was quiet "because of the winter tourists I have hired two new engines called Stacie (1) and Marklin (2) to help out with the extra work, especially when I need two engines to help me with a special project"
This got all the engines interested bar James as he already knew what it was.
"I will be needing two engines to help me with making a new station that I am building, I will also be rewarding the engine who can give me a name for the station"
All the engines except for Edward began shouting and begging The Fat Controller to choose them, James only did it so it wouldn't seem suspicious.
"I have already chosen the two engines who will help me" The Fat Controller interrupted "as they are the only ones who don't have much work, James and Edward"
The engines could understand why James was asked, but not Edward, why him of all engines? He wasn't as strong as they were.
"Now all of you get your snowplows fitted on and get to work, except for James and Edward"
Not needing to be told twice the engines did as they were told.
"The station is located in a mini forest near a hill and cliff you two will rest there when you have been given instructions from me or the workers" he informed them "the first task is to get the supplies needed for a water tower and coal depot, otherwise you will have to go somewhere and  the work would never get done"
For once James didn't mind collecting trucks and flatbeds "yes sir, are we picking them up from the docks?"
"Oh no, if you picked them up from the docks it would have taken longer to get to the new station, anyways I asked Salty to drop it off at the shunting yards" he then handed Pete a map that he then shared with Keith who was Edward's Driver, they examined it for a while.
"I trust you guys know the safest route?" he challenged them.
"Sure do sir" Keith said "I have a photographic memory so I know where to go as well as remembering everyone's timetable, I will need Edward to be the front engine though"
James was about to say something but was stopped when Keith and Pete began arguing about who would be in front, he sighed angrily before finally snapping "ENOUGH! Edward is the front engine since his driver knows where he is going, Pete you are only my back up driver and you are still not used to driving me, end of"
Pete was the only one shaking in fear, he didn't know James had this bad a temper, the way everyone described it he thought it was a child's temper.
"Are we going or not?" James continued, he may have had a decent nights sleep last night but the other restless nights were starting to catch up to him.
Pete and Keith both scurried into their engines cabs and began to fire up their boilers.
"After you Edward" James said tiredly.
Edward looked at him for a moment, he softly replied "thank you" before getting onto the turntable and making his way to the shunting yards.
James slowly chuffed after him when it was his turn, he wanted time to collect his thoughts and control his emotions before he catch up with Edward. He didn't want the angel (I mean Edward) to know something was up, but he knew that he couldn't be too slow, that would be a dead give a way.

Boy did James wish he could disappear the moment he was at the shunting yards, Diesel was there and arguing with some trucks.
"Can it you ugly pieces of scrap" Diesel growled.
Both Edward and James rolled their eyes, both mentally agreeing to leave Diesel since they both knew that he wouldn't listen to the advice of a 'Steamie'.
"Hello Edward, hello James" both engines knew that voice "how are you both today?"
"Hello Hiro" they both said in unison.
"We're doing fine Hiro" Edward responded.
"Are you two the ones that are going to be helping with the new station?"
"Yes we are" James replied cheerfully.
Hiro laughed at James' enthusiasm "is it true that Sir Topham Hatt is going to reward the engine who comes up with a suitable station name?"
"You heard correctly" Edward answered "though knowing all the engines they will say something that is about themselves, not to mention that my choices would be old fashioned and not worthy of a station name" he sighed sadly.
"They thought the same thing when they thought the Driver and Fireman would choose them because they were bigger and stronger" James interrupted "look what happened afterward" he had been told of what happened a few days after he had been bought.
Edward looked at him in shock
"What?" James asked feeling slightly uneasy.
"This is the first time I've seen you defend some engine" Hiro replied first, there was a hint of awe in his eyes.
"I can be nice" James defended "I just don't want to most of the time"
"By that you mean at all?"Edward teased, all trace of shock gone.
James sniffed and looked away "maybe"
They all began to laugh before they were interrupted.
"Alright ladies, lets talking more working" Pete called from the cab.
James had no complaints and left to get turned round, Edward following behind while Hiro left to do his other tasks.
Once Edward was coupled at the front and James from the back, they both set off to the new station.

The ride was something James never thought he would enjoy, the country air mixed with the sight of snow and children playing the snow making snowmen and snowball fights. He could tell Edward was enjoying this as well, even if he was more concerned about the rails than the view.
"How much further is it?" James called out, hoping he was heard.
"Not long now" Edward called out since James wold not have been able to hear the driver "should take us another half hour as long as there's no trouble from here on"
Both engines were content for the remainder of the journey.