Epilogue – The Day Off

'What do people in love do in the snow?'

The summer had come and went. It was now late fall with winter approaching quickly. Erika was able to relax a bit more now that most of the visitors were gone. Instead she brought supplies and exports between Norramby and Vicarstown. It wasn't something she really enjoyed, but it kept her busy; and the townsfolk loved her for it. They even started calling her "The Daylight of Norramby." Erika had to admit, she too had learned to love the people here. Ever since she started meeting Gordon at the junction between the main and Norramby line, she had exchanged her blue and silver colors for orange and red. She was a Daylight engine after all, and those were her intended colors and they matched the season.

Still, she longed for the days back at Tidmouth. She missed her friends, she missed being with Gordon. But they still met up at their special place, so that was something to look forward to each day. Sometimes he'd stay with her in Vicarstown; she figured he had someone cover for him. Erika loved those days. She got to make fun of him for getting stuck on the turntable, until she got stuck herself once. Although she was somewhat bigger than him, Erika had always placed herself perfectly. She didn't understand what happened. Luckily, Gordon wasn't there that day.

One cold and cloudy day, Sir Topham Hatt arrived and told her she needed to head to Tidmouth where a train would be waiting for her to to deliver to Ballahoo. Erika was skeptical at first, why couldn't they just bring it here? Regardless, Erika was excited. She could see her friends again and hopefully Gordon. It was a long way to Tidmouth, but she didn't care.

On her way to Tidmouth, she ran into Emily at Wellsworth. She had a long train of cars attached to her. Emily was happy to see her old friend, "Erika! Oh, it's been so long." she said cheerfully.

"Emily, that's because you never visit!" Erika answered.

Emily's smile faded, "I know, I'm sorry. I've been so busy... I always tell Gordon to say hello for me though."

The two were silent for a moment. Erika noticed Emily's worried expression, something was going on. "Emily, is there something you're not telling me?"

The emerald-colored engine began to blush, "No! I mean - - Well…"

"Have you been seeing Spencer since I've been gone?"

"No! I mean… um… maybe?" Emily saw Erika's grin and frowned, "No, it's not what you think! We're just friends."

"So if I went to ask Spencer, he wouldn't - -"

Emily became redder, "Ok, fine…" she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I've been sneaking around to go see him at the summer-house. At first, it was just to talk about what had happened… then…" Emily's voice trailed off. She had an out-of-it look on her face, she was clearly in love. Erika only laughed. Oh how she loved it. She couldn't believe Emily was with Spencer or that Spencer was capable of loving someone other than himself. "But don't tell anyone! I don't want him to get in trouble for sneaking off to see me."

So that's why Gordon never told her, he didn't know himself. "Of course Emily, I won't tell."

"And don't tell Spencer I told you if you see him either. It's supposed to be a secret."

"Sure I won't tell. But you better before someone catches you." As the two went their separate ways, Erika was still grinning. If Erika ever saw Spencer, she'd just laugh, continue on her way, and leave him confused. It would be funnier that way.

Once she reached Tidmouth, she headed straight for the sheds. The train could wait, she had to check something first. She saw Gordon in one of the sheds, he was sleeping. Erika thought about waking up Gordon the way she usually did but she had a better idea. She got on the turntable and watched Gordon for a bit to make sure he was completely out. Then, she blew her whistle loudly. Gordon jumped and looked around frantically; someone was torturing that poor elephant again. He then saw Erika. He yawned and gave her an annoyed look, "Was that really necessary?" he asked. She answered his question with a kiss but Gordon still had questions. "What are you doing here?"

"Sir Topham Hatt said I had a train to pick up here, which is strange since the yards are in Knapford." Gordon tried to keep from laughing but failed, Erika raised an eyebrow at him, "What's so funny?"

"Yeah, that whole thing was a lie. I asked him to do it."

"Gordon!"

"Don't worry, Emily's got you covered."

"What about your express line?"

"I made James do it; you wouldn't believe how happy he was to be out of the shunting yards."

"So you dragged me out here because…"

"I miss you, everyone does. And I couldn't get you over here, but I knew the controller could."

Erika sighed. Well, at least Emily had an excuse to go see Spencer. "So, what are we gonna do?"

Gordon thought about it for a moment, "You want to race?"

"What?"

"Don't think I've forgotten that you beat me that one time. I was out of practice then, but I'm ready now."

Erika looked at him, she wasn't amused. She thought they were past this. But Gordon was serious. "Ok, fine. But don't get mad when you lose again."

He grinned at her, "Don't worry dear I won't, because I won't lose."

The two decided that they'd start from Knapford and go all the way to the top of Gordon's Hill. Erika couldn't believe she was doing this. Her own lover was challenging her to a race. She could have sworn he was mature than this. This is something she'd expect from Spencer. Unlike Erika, Gordon was excited. His firebox roared his pistons were pumping; he hadn't spent all that time speeding down the main line for nothing. He knew, although Erika was fast, she was out of practice. "I hope all that sand didn't get stuck in your gears, dear." He teased. Erika glared at him from the other side of the platform, now he was taunting her. However, she ignored him, she kicked him off that high horse before and she could do it again.

The two saw Percy had returned from his mail route and decided to make him be the one to start them off. "Are you two sure about this?" he asked. The only answer he got was the sound of Erika and Gordon releasing steam from their pipes. The green engine sighed; they were all going to get in so much trouble. "OK, I'll count on three! One… two… three… Go!" The two engines jetted off, leaving a rather large cloud of steam and exhaust behind.

Erika started off in the lead but Gordon quickly caught up to her, "You're going to have to do better than that, darling." Even at the speeds they were going, Erika could still see the big stupid grin still on his face. She had to beat him, she couldn't lose. They zoomed past Crosby, startling people on the platforms. The next stop was Wellsworth, then the hill. The two stayed neck-in-neck until they passed the Wellsworth Station.

Erika pulled ahead of Gordon again. "I hope you make it up the hill. It would be a shame if you stalled!" she shouted, it was her turn to grin stupidly.

"It's not over yet."

As they approached the hill, Erika put her pistons into overtime. Even though she spent months going up and down flat, sandy coast lines, she still knew how to go up a hill. She could see the top. She was going to do it! She was going to beat Gordon! That is until he suddenly passed by her. Erika tried to speed up but she was already so tired. Gordon had beat Erika. The blue engine's grin was even bigger by the time Erika got to the top. "You see dear…. I told you that first time was a fluke… I am still and always will be, the fastest engine on Sodor." He said in-between breaths. His face was red and he felt a bit dizzy, maybe he pushed himself a little too hard. Erika was busy trying to catch her breath; she was far too tired to respond. Gordon continued to gloat, "You maybe younger, but I have experience."

Erika became angry. If she had known Gordon brought her all the way out her for this, she wouldn't have come. "Gordon I swear you are such a - -"

"Erika, look at the view."

Erika looked over the hill. The sun was setting. Even though it was still cloudy, the sky had allowed an opening for the sun. Orange, yellow, and red light washed over the hillside and the towns below. Erika was in awe. "It's beautiful."

"After you left for Vicarstown, I use to come up here and watch the sunset. It reminded me of you, especially after you changed your colors. I guess it made those days apart easier. You always told me about how the sunset looked back in the US; they sounded so beautiful. I hope this version is good enough."

So that's why he brought her here, Gordon did have a romantic side. Erika couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Gordon." After the sun had set, they returned to the Tidmouth sheds where the others were waiting. Everyone was surprised to see Erika and her new paint work. The engines spent the rest of the night talking and catching up.

Erika woke up early the next morning to the sound of Gordon's whistle. The sound brought back memories of the summer. He'd always have to wake her up for the morning run otherwise she would over sleep. Her pleasant thoughts were interrupted by how cold it was. She shivered, why was it so cold? It wasn't this cold yesterday. Gordon was still calling her but she really didn't want to go outside her shed. With a bit of hesitation, she headed out to greet him. The blue engine smiled at her warmly, "Erika, look it's snowing!"

She looked up as little white flakes floated gently down from the sky. Erika had never seen snow before. This was a whole new experience, a cold one and she slowly backed into her shed. She didn't want to come out but Gordon wouldn't have it. "Now Erika, I went out in the rain for you; you can stand a little snow for me. It's not even that cold."

Erika didn't move and Gordon's warm expression turned cold. The Daylight engine sighed, "Ok, fine." She said as she forced herself out of her shed, and slowly made her way onto Gordon's track.

"See, that wasn't so hard. Isn't the snow pretty?"

"It's cold," she replied. She noticed she could see her own breath, "It's very cold." Though she had to admit, the snow was kind of pretty. She'd never seen it before in person, she had only heard about it. Emily, Edward, and Henry would always complain about how horrible it was. But it didn't seem all that bad. Then her teeth started chattering, "Oh God, how could you stand this?! This is nothing like the rain!"

"Are you cold?"

"Yes!"

"Let me help you out then." He kissed her softly. Erika was unsure if this was going to keep her warm, but she wasn't going to complain. They hadn't done this is a while; she had almost forgotten what his kiss felt like. He quickly reminded her how much she enjoyed it. As soon as Erika was starting to really get into it, Gordon broke away from her.

The Daylight engine pouted, "I'm still cold…"

Gordon chuckled, "Oh really? You felt pretty warm to me."

"Maybe you should double-check."

He was about to kiss her again, but he wanted to ask her something first. "So, what do people in love do in the snow?"

Erika smirked, "I don't know. We're not human."

"No, but we're in love."

"Well, if you keep kissing me, I'll try to figure something out."