TROUBLE ON THE TRAIN

Written by Zack Wanzer and Rachel Ravens

Set during series 6-7

"Oh, not this again, Nancy, please!" protested Skarloey. Nancy, the daughter of Mr. Rushen, one of the Skarloey Railway's guards, was once again giving Skarloey's brass a good polish; tomorrow, he was to take a special train along the line, and the visitors had requested for him specifically.

"Come now, Skarloey," Rheneas teased. "A little polish never hurt any engine. If anything, I'd say you're afraid about what the passengers would think about you."

"I am not," insisted Skarloey. "I could take the old coaches covered in coal dust, quarry dust and oil and I could care less about how I looked, just as long as my passengers get to their destination."

"If that was the case, then I'd look as though I've worked a whole week without a bath," Nancy giggled. She was used to hearing Skarloey's protests about being polished. "Just imagine what Meghan would say if she saw me!"

"Pardon me, but who's this Meghan you speak of?" It was Duke who had spoken up; until now, he had stayed silent, listening to Skarloey and Rheneas making friendly jabs at one another, the latter more so.

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" said Nancy. "Meghan's this girl who goes to the same school as I, and she and I have been girlfriends for the past few months."

"You must be very close then, I reckon," smiled Duke.

"Oh, that's not quite what she meant," chuckled Skarloey. "They're closer than that."

Duke was puzzled at first by what Skarloey had meant, though he didn't need the red saddle tank engine to clarify what he was saying.

"Wait, hold on a minute," Duke said at last. "You mean to tell me, Nancy, that you and Meghan… are lovers?!"

Nancy suddenly stopped polishing Skarloey's brass and nearly fell off the ladder in surprise. Luckily, Skarloey's driver was there to help her regain her balance.

"Y-yes," she said at last. "We are. But I'm not exclusively attracted to girls, as I did find a few boys to be cute, but Meghan and I… one day, we found out that… we just clicked."

Duke didn't know what to say next.

"You're not telling all of us, Granpuff," remarked Sir Handel, "that you have a thing against Nancy dating other girls, do you?"

"Wh-what? N-no, I don't, Falcon," spluttered Duke indignantly. "I-I just find it a bit perplexing is all. I never knew that was a thing back on our old railway."

"I think you've been stuck in that shed a bit too long," Sir Handel muttered to himself; he'd heard this sort of talk before. The little blue engine couldn't really dwell on his and Peter Sam's past mistake now, and figured it would be best to give Duke an explanation of what he meant.

"Sometime before you were found, Granpuff," Sir Handel began, "I was taking out the old coaches…"

On that day, some time after his incident with George the steamroller, Sir Handel was taking the old coaches, Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice. They arrived at Glennock station to pick up some passengers. Among them was a little girl, no older than ten, accompanied by two men.

"It's such a lovely day today, isn't it, Alex?" said one of them. "Just you, me and little Cindy here."

"Indeed it is, Gerald," said his husband as they boarded Agnes, the first class coach. Almost immediately, she felt unclean.

"Guard! Guard!" she shrieked furiously. "Get these passengers out of me!"

Cindy looked at both of her fathers with a look of shock. "Daddy, papa, why is that coach being rude to us?" Before either Alex or Gerald could respond, the guard had come up to Agnes to see what was the problem.

"You've done nothing wrong," the guard said calmly. "Please, stay and enjoy the ride. I'm not sure what got into Agnes today."

"It's these filthy, disgusting excuses for human beings, that's what!" shrieked Agnes. "It's a sin to fall in love with anyone of the same gender! If they're riding this train, then I refuse to move! So there!"

Sir Handel and the other coaches were shocked at this.

"Agnes!" cried Ruth. "That's just rude. These passengers are just like any respectable people."

"Besides, you're scaring that poor child," added Lucy, "and possibly other children aboard the train."

"Ever heard of respect?" chipped in Jemima. "You're not doing a good job showing it!"

"I knew you were a rotten old cattle truck, Agnes," added Sir Handel, quite possibly the most furious out of them, "but this is a new low, even for you!"

"Oh, and that's coming from an engine who nearly lost to a steamroller?" retorted Agnes.

"Agnes, let's not get into banter right now," Beatrice was trying to reason. "We've got work to do."

But it was no use; Sir Handel was so infuriated by the memory of his run-in with George that he bumped Agnes hard, not only causing her to derail, but also damaging her buffers in the process.

"Good grief, Agnes!" scolded Ruth. "If you kept your mouth shut, this never would have happened."

The passengers inside Agnes weren't hurt, but they were badly shaken. The delay meant that Sir Handel was late for Henry's connecting train. But the little blue saddle tank engine wasn't worried about that; he was wondering what Mr. Percival would say to him once he'd found out.

At the sheds that evening, he did find out.

"Sir Handel, please explain to me why Agnes' buffers were damaged," he boomed.

"The old cattle tr- uh, Agnes got into a bit of a hissy fit all because two men were partners," Sir Handel explained. "I may have caused trouble in the past sir, but I never judge anyone by their lifestyle."

Mr. Percival, as well as the other engines at the sheds (barring Rheneas, who was still at the works at the time), gaped in shock.

"I didn't know Agnes was that judgmental," gasped Skarloey. "It's not right to judge people based on who they like. I'll have to speak with her later."

"Quite right, Skarloey," said Mr. Percival. "I understand your frustration, Sir Handel, and I do agree with you that bullying passengers for who they like is wrong. I have spoken with them and personally apologized for the incident. However," he continued, "you need to learn to control your temper, Sir Handel."

"Noted, sir," the blue engine said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"You wouldn't believe how much I wanted her scrapped following that incident," said Sir Handel, finishing his story. "Though Skarloey thought that was too harsh a punishment, and so I suggested she be converted into a stationary building instead."

"I… see," Duke responded after a moment. "I wasn't trying to be rude, I was just surprised, that's all. I personally support the choice that couple made, and the one that Nancy has made with Meghan. If it makes them happy, then there's nothing wrong with it."

"Thank you, Duke," said Nancy. She'd been quiet the whole time Sir Handel told his story. "Dad was on the train that day when the incident took place," she added. "He was quite flustered about it when he got home."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised about that," Rusty put in, having been quiet during the whole discussion. "Why can't the world just be accepting of things like that?"

"Who knows, Rusty?" sighed Skarloey. "We still accepted you after your rebuild."

"Er… what rebuild?" asked Duke curiously.

"This happened shortly after the rescuers went looking for you for a few days," Peter Sam admitted.

"When I was first built and eventually arrived here," said Rusty, "I was actually a girl, but I felt more like a boy instead. It was honestly kind of strange. But even before my rebuild, the others were very respectful and called me by male pronouns, so I at least felt comfortable in my first year or so."

"Maybe except for dealing with a certain rock 'n' rolling engine," smirked Peter Sam.

"I heard that!" grunted Duncan from nearby. "Even I didn't go that far!"

"Well, okay, we'll give him that," Rusty said calmly. "Regardless of everything, I did feel more at ease when I got rebuilt."

"I'm glad to hear that, Rusty," smiled Duke. "I guess I've got a few things to get used to, even though I've been out and about for a couple of years."

"That's what we're here for, Granpuff," chuckled Peter Sam, exchanging a wink with Sir Handel.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to you two being this cheeky," Rheneas said quietly.

"Well, I believe it's getting late, everyone," said Skarloey. "We have a busy day tomorrow."

The next day, Duke was taking his passenger run over the bridge with two bogie coaches called Gertrude and Millicent. Even now, it still amazed him as to how similar yet different the Skarloey line was to the Mid-Sodor line he was so used to.

"Still lots of hills to climb," he said to himself with a smile, "and I don't believe the Mid-Sodor line had a waterfall."

"It sure didn't, at least not one like this," said Gertrude. "It's just beautiful. Even after seeing it for years, I still marvel at it."

"I sure hope the passengers are having as good a time as us," Millicent smiled.

They were indeed, and among them were Nancy and her girlfriend Meghan, a teenage girl with shoulder length black hair with a dyed red streak. The two girls smiled lovingly at each other, but they had failed to notice a passenger glaring suspiciously at them.

"You're so lucky to be able to work on such a beautiful railway," said Meghan. "I wish I could work closer to you sometime."

"I know the feeling, Meg," said Nancy. "I grew up around the little engines, sometimes seeing my dad while he was at work. It was through him that I work part time, mostly cleaning the engines. Especially Skarloey," she added with a cheeky giggle.

"How can a wise old engine be so cranky sometimes," Meghan laughed, remembering all the stories she'd been hearing.

"Oh, did I tell you of when Skarloey was first brought to Sodor?" Nancy smirked. "It is hilarious."

"No, I don't think you have," Meghan admitted. "What's so funny about it?"

"Oh, sweetie, where do I start?" Nancy tapped her chin thoughtfully, but just as she was about to begin the tale, it happened.

Duke was cheerfully puffing along when he heard a cry of pain coming from Millicent, and then an angry male voiced shouting at someone.

"Driver, stop the train!" cried Duke urgently. "I think something's happened!"

"You're right, Duke," Millicent called up. "Someone's lost it in here." Quickly, Duke's driver slowed the train down to a stop, and the fireman jumped down to rush over to Millicent.

"Millicent, what's happened in here?" asked the fireman, opening her door.

"I… I don't know," she gulped. "Someone just sounds angry for some reason."

Duke's fireman looked more closely to see Nancy clutching the back of her head in pain, and a man behind her and Meghan angrily shouting obscenities at them (I daren't repeat what he said). Nancy was in a bit of pain to even notice, but Meghan was angry with how the man was acting.

"Who do you think you are, harming Nancy like that?!" she snapped. "Let her go right now!"

"Oh yeah?" retorted the angry man. "Who's going to stop me?"

"Mister, you'd better leave my daughter alone or else you'll be in more trouble than you are!" It was Nancy's father, Mr. Rushen, who had spoken to the angry man, and to say he was furious would be an understatement. "My daughter has done nothing wrong. She was just having a conversation."

"Do you want us to call the authorities on you?" came Duke's fireman, standing right by Mr. Rushen's side. "I can rush to the nearest phone box and do that right now!"

"Nancy, dear, are you alright?" asked Mr. Rushen. Nancy looked up to see her father's concerned face.

"I… I think so, dad," she groaned, "but whatever it was that hit me…" She removed her hand to reveal that a bit of blood was on it.

"I'll call the hospital as well," Duke's fireman said, going out of Millicent to do just that.

"Thanks," Meghan said gratefully. "Oh, Nancy…" She looked like she was about to cry. "I'm sorry you got hurt…"

"Meghan," came Millicent's voice, "it's not your fault. You tried to help your girlfriend. That was a very brave thing to do."

"You should be proud of yourself," added Gertrude. "Being able to fight for what's right is a great trait to have."

"Indeed it is," agreed Duke. "And looking out for those you love would certainly suit His Grace."

Both Nancy and Meghan couldn't help but give a small giggle at Duke's catchphrase, but they also knew he and the coaches had a point.

"Thanks, you three," smiled Meghan. "I'll remember that, I promise."

"And so will I," agreed Nancy. "I love you, Meghan, and no amount of ridicule will change that."

"Agreed," nodded Meghan, "I love you too, Nancy."

Just then, they heard two sets of sirens pull up. One was a bright white ambulance, and the other a black police car. Mr. Rushen then presented the police with the man who had assaulted Nancy while Meghan brought her girlfriend over to the paramedics.

"Get better soon, Nancy," Duke called to her. He wished he, Gerturde and Millicent could go with Nancy to make sure she was okay, but the hospital wouldn't fit an engine and two coaches. Plus, they also had other passengers to get to the next station.

"Let's make up for lost time for Nancy instead," suggested Getrude.

"That's a good way to put it, sister," Millicent agreed, and the trio were off.

Duke had made up some lost time when they arrived at Lakeside station. The passengers knew they were late, but after hearing about what had happened, they couldn't be cross.

"It's like when he held onto Sir Handel on the Mountain Road," one said. "Our Duke is always looking out for others, whether they be people or engines."

"Not just engines looking out for others, eh, you two?" Duke looked back at Gertrude and Millicent with a smile.

"Nope," giggled Getrude. "Coaches and people do that too. I'd be glad to have Meghan back on board the train with us one day."

"For sure," agreed Millicent. "I only hope Agnes learns her lesson about people of the same gender being couples."

Millicent was right; when Skarloey and the old coaches had heard about what had happened, the old red saddle tank engine glared back at Agnes.

"Now you see why we look out for our passengers, regardless of who they love?" he asked sternly.

Agnes was quiet for a moment, thinking back to her harsh treatment of the couple that had boarded her train back then.

"I… was being awful," she said quietly. "Judging them solely because of who they chose to date. Just like how that man was being awful to Nancy and Meghan." Agnes paused for a moment. "I… I'm sorry for all those times where I've been rude to people because of that."

"So you should be," Skarloey sighed. "If I see that couple and their daughter again, I'll tell them you said sorry, but don't be surprised if they continue to avoid you for a while."

"Noted," Agnes agreed.

"I hope Nancy gets better soon," said Lucy. "Do you know how serious the injury was?"

"Driver said that the man who assaulted Nancy threw something hard that hit her in the back of the head, causing her to bleed; says it may have been a rock."

"Oh, ouch!" gasped Ruth. "The poor thing. I know we get hurt when something, especially rocks, breaks our glass but a human's head would have been in even more pain."

"You're telling me," agreed Jemima. "That man should be in prison for life."

"I pray that he is," Beatrice snorted. "No one should ever get away with harming a person in such a way, especially after insulting them for their sexuality."

That evening, the engines were told that Nancy's injury wasn't too severe, though she would have to stay at home for a few days in order to recover. As for the man who assaulted her, he had been charged for his crime and sent to prison for a few years.

"At least we won't have to deal with people like him after that," snorted Sir Handel.

"Why would anyone be so cruel to do that?" asked Peter Sam. "Poor Nancy."

"I'm afraid that is the way of the world, Stuart," sighed Duke. "We shall see her again in a few days' time, and perhaps we'll get to know Meghan more."

"Yeah, Meghan sounds really nice," agreed Rusty. "I wonder if she's going to work here sometime."

"Maybe, if we're lucky, she might," Rheneas smiled. "But for now, I think it's best we give her as smooth rides on our trains as possible."

As it turns out, the little engines didn't have to wait too long the next time they saw Meghan. The first to meet her was Rusty, who was filling in for Sir Handel because his water feed pipe was blocked.

"Hello," Meghan called when Rusty pulled into the platform. "You must be one of the engines Nancy told me about. Rusty, right?"

"Yes," Rusty replied. "You're Meghan, correct?"

"That's right," the black-haired girl replied.

"A pleasure to meet you, Meghan," smiled Rusty. "Nancy has spoken many positive things about you."

"Likewise about you and your friends," Meghan smiled. "And judging by what I saw from Duke the other day, I know I'm in good hands with you guys… er, good buffers. You know what I mean."

"I understand," chuckled Rusty. "The engines here are all very supportive of just about anything that comes up. I mean… I did have my rebuild a few years back." He then explained what he told Duke a few days ago.

"And the others didn't question it at all." Meghan was impressed. "That's really sweet, Rusty. I definitely know I'm in a caring environment now."

"You sure are, Meghan," said Rusty. "I can't wait for you to meet the others."

The other engines were glad to meet Meghan, even Duncan. She was a bit rough around the edges compared to Nancy, but Meghan still had a big heart and they appreciated her company very much. It almost felt as though Nancy was still there with them.

A few days later, Nancy returned to the sheds.

"Welcome back, Nancy," smiled Peter Sam. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better than I was after being attacked," said Nancy. "I'm just glad to get out of the house again and see you all."

"It's great to see you out and about again," Sir Handel smiled. "Meghan has been good company here too, but we missed you."

"And I bet you missed me giving you a polish, didn't you, Skarloey?" Nancy smirked.

Skarloey just rolled his eyes at the remark. "That is one thing I'd safely say I didn't miss."

The other engines and the two human girls all just laughed, and even Skarloey couldn't help but join in too. Despite everything, he had to admit, it was good to have Nancy back, and Meghan was more than welcome to join her at the Skarloey Railway anytime.

"The engines have been wonderful," Meghan told Nancy. "I've never met more supportive and caring individuals in my life."

"They are special," Nancy grinned. "And we are both lucky to have them in our lives." She then wrapped her arm around Meghan and held her close, with Meghan responding in kind.

"And we are lucky to have each other too," Meghan smiled, as they leaned in for a kiss. "I love you, Nancy."

"I love you too, Meghan," Nancy replied, both girls well content.

THE END

Author's Comments

Wow, it's been ages since my last original Thomas story here, but at last, we return with what I've decided to call my head-canon, the Seventyverse! I've wanted to write a Duke-centric story for a while now, and hopefully I've managed to do him justice here. I've even given Sir Handel and Rusty supporting roles as well, especially when you consider how underutilized both Sir Handel and Duke especially were in the model series.

As neither Sir Handel nor Duke appeared in series 5-7, I thought it was fair to have this story take place during that period. (Side note: the Skarloey episodes are shuffled around, and Rheneas is not around in stories prior to Gallant Old Engine as he should be at the works during that time; same thing with Duke not being found yet.) Also, Nancy is a teenager during this period, and it was a lot of fun to write for someone who was a minor character in the stories. And yes, my take on Rusty is that he is a trans-female-to-male. The little diesel was accidentally referred to as female in the American dub of series nine, before he reverted back to being male per his Railway Series depiction. I'm not quite sure how an engine can change their gender during a rebuild - in Henry's case, he stayed male post-rebuild - but I don't want to delve too much into that. And speaking of the Railway Series, I've included Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima, Beatrice, Gertrude and Millicent into my head-canon. It'd be great to see coaches with faces again on the Skarloey Railway, if only to provide more female presence on the line; the latter two were added in by Rachel. Let's just assume that they were there the whole time.

More stories to come!