Well, folks, it goes without saying that I'm in pretty bad shape right now. However that ain't gonna make me leave you hanging for a week or more without an update or some responses. As River said in the last post - which, apparently, several of you appreciated - I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Soooo....

PhyreLight, what makes you think you get blamed for everything? I'm just making a little merry, is all. God knows some merriment is badly needed now, and this time I have a hell of a lot more to thank you for than just beta work.

Angellemarcs, thanks - any River cuteness I can insert, in it goes. (Okay, I know 'River cuteness' is redundant but there it is.)

Jane0904, I saw you left a comment right before the site went Reaver and ate it. As I recall you also said something about River quoting 'The Little Engine That Could'. Can't remember what else you said, but whatever it was, thank you. You're most helpful keeping this thing in the air.

AMDOBELL, truth to say, I have been a little worried lately about infusing the fic with too much technical detail. Fortunately this should be the last of it for awhile. Unfortunately I never did get my steam engineer ticket before leaving my last job, but have since found that running a steamer is like riding a bike in more ways than one (amongst them, much much less pollutive than a diesel :P).

MDRLTC, *sigh*....I didn't even think of that. What I did think of, though, was an actual occasion when I moved a tank car that had been sitting out in the open and exposed to the elements for about that long. But thank you for enjoying it despite the inaccuracies. As to the bit with Book's breviary, yes, that was sort of a generic reference to a prayer book.

Katesfriend, don't get too used to the tension because I'm about to amp it up again. This is going to be the kind of post that, if televised, my mom would be unable to watch. Thank you for sticking by; you, too, are really helping