"Why is there so much mail moving about today?" Porter asked, looking in confusion. "Normally we only need a single sorting coach on the back of the morning train, but there's two today!"

Izzy looked over and smiled. "That's because one of the best holidays of the year is approaching, and people want to get their things in order and their schedules prepared!"

"Namely?"

"Valentines' Day, of course!"

"Isn't that the one where people buy each other overpriced chocolate and flowers that'll wilt in a few days?" Charles asked, as he backed onto the coaches.

"It's not just that!" Izzy said. "It's an eternal celebration of love- one of the greatest emotions there is!"

Just then, Salty arrived, propelling some stock. "It's not just that," he said. "Love can be celebrated at any time of year. Based on what humans told me most weddings take place in summer."

"Personally, I'd go for winter," Sunny said. "If mom's dress was anything to go by I'd fry in the summer. Not that I have anybody- yet."

Just then, they saw some people boarding the train, being rather amorous with one another. "OK, that's just silly," Charles said.

"They're probably newly in a relationship," Zipp shrugged. "Mom and dad don't act anything like that around one another."

"They have been married a long time, mind you," Porter ventured.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing in particular. My point being they've been together for so long the over the top acts are no longer needed- no point in spending time pointing out the obvious."

"I'd best be off to the docks," Salty said. "Got some things to pick up. I heard, I heard, the old man say!"

There was no reply.

"Come on! Where's your voice?"

"Many sea shanties open with that phrase," a truck pointed out. "We don't know which one you're singing."

"John Kanaka," Salty said.

"OK then!"

Rocky was waiting down at the docks. A ship had recently arrived and was unloading some things. "Hopefully the supplies Pipp ordered for Mane Melody are here," he said. "It'd be awkward if they went amiss."

"Hey Rocky!" called a voice. Rocky glanced over and saw Jazz had come to join him. "Is the shipment here yet?"

"Just being unloaded," said a dock worker. "Mind your backs!"

Rocky had looked in another direction, determined to hide the fact his face had gone red. Truth be told, he'd noticed Jazz acting wierdly whenever she was around him. Hopefully the task would get his mind off of her.

"LOOK OUT!"

Suddenly, a crate fell from above, and without thinking twice Rocky dived and pushed Jazz out of the way. The container exploded, showering the ground with roses and red plants. The pair popped out of the mess, coughing and spluttering.

"What a mess!" said a dock worker. "Quick thinking there, sir. She's lucky to have you."

Rocky looked confused, until he realised what the dock worker thought. "I'm actually not in a relationship right now."

Just then, Salty rolled in. "What a mess!" he said. "Good thing you two were here!"

"Now, can somebody help us clean this mess up?" Rocky asked.

"Sure thing. Looks like you two could need a hand."

Throughout the cleaning process, Sunny noticed something weird between the two. They appeared to be avoiding looking at one another, but she couldn't detect any animosity at all.

"Right, I need to get up to Truro to grab some hairspray," Rocky said, and headed away.

"I'd best be heading back to Mane Melody," Jazz said, and she too set off on her way.

"Did you notice something?" Salty said.

"Not particularly," Sunny said.

"Jazz went back to her usual self when Rocky left. Something fishy is going on, Sunny, and we need to find out what."

"Jazz, you seem a bit distracted," Pipp said, looking over.

"Distracted, me? No way!" Jazz replied, as she continued to use a spray can.

"You dumped at least half a spray can into my hair!" Posey said. "How am I supposed to go about my day if my hair looks like a Christmas Tree ornament! It's January, for heaven's sake!"

"Jazz, watch how much nail polish you're using!" Pipp shouted.

Sure enough, a customer's nails was covered in gallons of the stuff. "Watch what you're doing," she said, looking annoyed.

Once the customer had gone, Pipp pulled Jazz aside. "Look, it's obvious what's distracting you, so there's no point in denying it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jazz said, though her face strongly suggested otherwise.

"I've been paying attention- frankly it's hard not to in such a confined space- and it's pretty obvious you have a crush on Rocky."

"Don't be ridiculous! We'd never work, we're not compatible for that sort of thing!" Jazz shoved her hand in her mouth when she realised what she had just said.

"Knew it!"

Jazz sighed, frustrated. "Fine, I have a crush on him. But it'll probably go away with time."

Sunny walked in, having overheard much of the conversation. "You know, I wouldn't worry about the whole compatibility thing."

"We're from totally different worlds. No way would it work."

Sunny shrugged. "My mom's a businesswoman and my dad's a college professor. They celebrated twenty years of marriage last summer. My point being is that love is blind."

"I also have two tickets for the stylist expo being held in Plymouth tomorrow, but I don't have the confidence to ask him to go with me. Despite how I feel, I've never really interacted with him outside of a professional setting. What if I make a complete fool of myself?"

"Just be romantic if you can!" Pipp suggested. "But try to be as direct as you can. Try to avoid getting lost in waffle."

"Why is there a waffle here?" Rocky asked.

"Just in case you want to give it to your special somebody," said a vendor.

"No thanks, Valentine's Day is not for a bit. Besides, I'm not in a relationship right now."

"But you might be. And you know where that leads."

Rocky shook his head. "Yuck. No way." He went on his way, collecting the items he needed from his collection. "Right, that should do the trick. And she'll probably like that one too."

"Shopping for a sweetheart, are we?" asked the shopkeeper.

"Nope, a colleague," Rocky replied. "We work in a hair stylist, and I'm looking for some sprays for her." Jazz drifted into his mind- her energetic nature, her compassionate style, those gorgeous bright blue eyes-

"I see. You're getting red in the face just thinking about her, I see."

Rocky jumped and looked over. "N- no I'm not!" he said, putting the items on the table.

"Best you'd calm down," said another person in the queue. "You can't think straight if you're flustered."

Rocky made his purchases and stepped outside. "What is up with me today?" he asked. "Is this what it was like when mom and dad were da- focus, Rocky! Grab the stuff and get back to Falmouth!"

Jazz decided the best way of resolving this problem would be to express her feelings through song. "How about a Motown style number?" she suggested.

Pipp grinned. "You have no clue how much I've wanted to do Motown inspired stuff! Let's do it! Backing vocals, folks!"

Invisible instruments started playing as Pipp and her friends started singing backing vocals. Then Jazz entered.

"Let me tell you bout the sweetest guy/
Every time I see him I get butterflies!
He's got a certain charm/
He's got a certain something/
And when we are together, I don't worry bout nothing!

"The way he walks into work!
The way he swings his mane!
The way his hair does sparkle makes me go insane!
I gotta get closer/
Show the love that I'm bringin'!
I can barely contain it/
Yeah, my heart is singing!

"I just wanna be your number one buddy!
I just wanna be your number one pal!
I just wanna be who you wanna love yeah!
I just wanna be your number one!
Your number one!"

Yeah, he's the only guy that I adore! (Ooh-ah)
No, there ain't nobody that I love more! (Ooh-ah)
Ooh, I grab a tingle in my shoes/ (Ooh-ah)
But I'm tryin' not to show 'cause I don't think that he knows it!

"I love it when he laughs and when he looks my way/
And when he says my name, it really makes my day!
I gotta get closer, show the love that I'm bringin'/
I can barely contain it, yeah, my heart is singin'!

"I just wanna be your number one buddy!
I just wanna be your number one pal!
I just wanna be who you wanna love, yeah!
I just wanna be your number one, your number one!

"I just wanna be your number one, your number one!
I just wanna be your number one, your number one!"

"Nicely done!" Sunny said. "Now let's hope Rocky's receptive."

Rocky got back in from Truro and dropped the items off before vanishing.

"Rocky?"

Rocky stopped, and swung round. "She's not here, is she?"

"Who? Your secret crush?" Pipp asked.

"I don't have a crush!" Rocky said, very much aware his face was betraying him.

Pipp snorted. "Like, sure you don't. I've noticed the way your face goes red when you look at her and how you both seem to clam up when talking about none-work related things."

Rocky sighed, and sat down. "Fine. Maybe I do have feelings for Jazz. She's a wonderful person and really helps to brighten my day, especially when I've had an awful one. And that's the problem. I'm not good enough for her. She deserves better than a hairstylist who lives in a seaside town."

Pipp looked over. "That's not true, Rocky. You're a great guy, and I know for a fact Jazz feels the same way about you that you feel about her. You just need the confidence to tell her how you feel."

"How do you know that?"

"Because she told me earlier today," Pipp said. "Now then, are those the items we need?"

"Bought with my own hands earlier today," Rocky smiled.

"That's an odd way of paying for them. I'd have assumed you'd use money."

"Figure of speech, Pipp."

"I know," Pipp smiled, as she spotted Argyle entering behind them. "Just trying to get you at ease- you seem really wound up."

"That's because I have a long history of terrible dating. What if this turns out to be another misfire?"

"I felt the same way when I broke up with my second girlfriend," Argyle said. "I was just about ready to give up. And then I fell into another relationship- quite literally- when I met Goldie in Dresden. We've been going strong for 20 years. My point being that you shouldn't give up hope, as this could be The One."

Rocky got up. "Thank you, sir. I'll give it a shot."

"That's the spirit!"

Rocky was walking in circles in the town square when he saw Jazz arrive. "Hey Jazz! Nice outfit you're wearing!"

"Thanks," she said, as she walked over. "Err, hey, I was wondering if I could ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Err, I was wondering if maybe there was a chance that you'd honour my hand."

Rocky looked confused. "I'm sorry, what?"

Jazz shook her head. "What is up with me today? OK. Do you want to go to the stylist expo tomorrow?"

"Sure. The funny thing is, I bought two tickets and was going to ask you to go. Funny how this works sometimes."

Jazz grinned. "Awesome! We can even invite two friends now!"

As the pair walked off, Izzy suddenly appeared with a boombox and began running about the town square.

"You did that stunt two years ago!" shouted a man. "It wasn't funny last time!"

But the point stood. With the help of two other people, Jazz and Rocky had found their feelings for one another.

Author's Note

This chapter combines the plotlines of the Thomas and Friends episode Rosie is Red and the Tell your Tale short Jazz loves Rocky. The title of the chapter is a portion of the poem A Red, Red Rose, written by Robert Burns in 1794.

Although a relatively straightforward adaptation, some elements had to be dumped; the montage from Jazz Loves Rocky was cut as there was no real way to fit it into the story, and a fair amount of Rosie is Red was reworked as considerable portions of the episode is quite cringy.