TraumerdeAmore: Chapter 2! Thank you to the followers and reviews after one chapter! Eep! I have a lot going on now but I will try to update at least once a week. Sorry. QQ

Disclaimers: I do not own The Maze Runner or any of its characters.

Different Text: Italicized words are people's thoughts or flashbacks, which will most likely be 'memories' in this story.

And they slept that way; hand in hand. Forgetting the terror of the world around them. Neither one stirred the rest of the night. The break of dawn giving a golden hue to the glade as the first of them awoke.

"Newt," someone whispered, "Newt ya shank get up."

The boy groaned and turned his head to face the ruin of his slumber, "Ugh. Alby."

The dark-skinned boy snorted, "Well good morning to you too," he knelt and smirked towards the other boy, "What do we have here."

Newt, finally realized he was still holding Mary's hand, smiled and tucked it back with her before sitting up with a long stretch, "Woke me up crying. Her name's Mary."

"Mary eh? Bout time she spoke," he rubbed his temple, "And showed a reaction to this place," he stood again, "Better wake her though. Get her a shower while the others are still out. Then come meet me at the wall."

"Good that."

The leader nodded and walked away. He eyed his way around the glade, making sure everything was in check. A rooster crowing in the distance the next sign that another day in the maze had begun.

Newt watched his friend for a moment before turning to the girl next to him. She slept peacefully, a hint of a smile on her lips. The sleeping bag rose and fell in rhythm with her gentle breathing. He reached out and caressed her cheek. Somewhere deep inside his mind he knew that they knew each other, and it scared him. A change to the order he knew so well. He smiled nonetheless.

"Mary, love, it's time to wake up."

-/-

As the girl showered, Newt guarded the door. When finished, they made their way to Alby. He was standing close to a wall that lay on the east side of the glade. As they got closer she could see it was covered in names.

Alby turned when he heard their footsteps approaching, "You're one of us now greenie," he held a knife out to her, "Time to find your place."

She looked at it hesitantly, before studying the wall a bit closer. The names of all the gladers were carved in the stone. There were also some that she didn't recognize; they were crossed out. A shiver went down her spine as she figured what that meant. She took a deep breath before shakily taking the knife from him. Gathering her composure she made her way towards the wall. A smug look crossed her face when she found the perfect spot, a space underneath Newt's. She drove the blade into it.

"Do you think she's going to be alright," Alby crossed his arms.

Newt smirked as he watched her carve her name, "Are you kidding," he chuckled, "One girl, roughly thirty boys? She's not who I'd be worrying about."

"Good that," the boy chuckled.

"She's gonna be a toughie. Quite the handful I'm sure."

"Great. Another regular pain in my ass."

The boys exchanged looks before busting out in laughter.

"Mary," that oh so familiar accent called, "Love?"

Mary giggled as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, "Newt. How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" Secretly though, she absolutely adored when he called her love. Especially with his accent, it made her weak in the knees.

"At least once more love," he beamed as he reached her side.

It was closing in on a month since Mary had arrived in the box. Any thoughts that she was going to be a hindrance to their world quickly disappeared. For the most part, the guys took an elder brother stance towards her. Alby said it gave the boys a bit of a purpose, having someone they felt needed their protection. She played her part just as well as any of them. Her place resided in the gardens, bringing life to the plants, and food to her family. Throughout the glade you could hear her singing as she worked. After her initial fear of everything passed, she really started to open up to everyone. She got along famously with her keeper, Zart. He became the person she was closest to; next to Newt and Gally. Although, he was the first to see that she wasn't as in need of defending as much as the others thought.

Today she was harvesting corn with a basket held against her hip. Her hair up in a messy pony tail, her button up shirt tied around her waist. She loved working in the gardens, especially because a certain boy spent his time there as well. Even when he had second-in-command business to take care of, he always seemed to find himself there at breaks. But she didn't mind, for neither could deny the immediate connection they had.

"I'm almost done, just a few more stalks to tend to," she glanced over at Zart who was smirking at her. Crimson flashed across her face as she continued on.

Newt snapped his fingers, "Oh yeah. Talked to Alby about that sewing kit you want. Said he'll throw a note in the box next time."

"That's good. Some of you are starting to look downright ratty," she mumbled.

"Hmm? You say something love," he fidgeted with the leaves on one of the corn stalks.

"What," she jumped, "Oh, no, nothing."

She blushed even harder as she turned and watched him. The wonderful colors of the sunset casting shadows across his face, making him even more handsome. Assuming that was even possible. She all but melted into a puddle. Hnn… He should be against the rules.

Newt noticed the girl blatantly staring at him and chuckled to himself. He let it go for a couple of minutes before he turned to her and gave a wink. Snapping back to her senses she jerked away, cursing at herself. Trembling, she managed to finish her gathering.

She turned but was careful to not meet the boys eyes, "Come now. Let's get these to Frypan," she hurriedly walked right past him, "See you later Zart," she waved.

"Later, love," he mocked.

She stopped dead in her tracks before shaking her head and proceeding to the kitchen. Newt right behind her.

The colors of the fire danced around the glade. Illuminating everything in its reach with an array of reds, oranges, and yellows. The flames reaching heights many feet above the tallest gladers. People scattered around celebrating the arrival of the fourth greenie since Mary. Laughter, play fights, and dancing. Many with a jar of Gally's special drink in their hands. This time, even Mary had one. She hadn't participated in the monthly occurrence before; but the boys convinced her it was time to let loose.

She sat against a log with Newt, Alby, and Zart. They laughed as they watched the others partying. A tinge of red flushed her cheeks from one too many drinks. Her arms draped over her legs and she leaned against Newt's side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

"Excuse me lovebirds," someone shouted.

They jerked and looked to see Gally approaching.

He crouched in front of them, "We got you good and drunk, now, time for a dance."

"Oh please Gally," she chuckled.

He rose and outstretched his arms, "Dance with me Mary!"

She gawked at him before turning to Newt. He nudged her forward and nodded.

"Alright alright," she sat her drink down and Gally yanked her on her feet. She brushed herself off and they made their way to an open area a little ways away.

Without warning the boy wrapped an arm around her waist and closed the space between them. He winked before proceeding to lead her through lifts, turns, and all sorts of maneuvers. He mimicked the rhythm the gladers on the drums provided. They kept their eyes locked on the others', grinning the whole time. A few moments passed and they ended their dance laughing with an embrace.

"Time to pass you off," he whispered in her ear.

"Wait what-"

The boy was already making his way back over to where he found her. Oh dear not Newt. Yeah right. Gally had already convinced the boy and was dragging him over in a similar fashion. Literally pushing the two together. He saluted the couple and walked away with naught but a smirk on his face.

The red on her cheeks deepened, "I'm sorry Newt I had no idea."

He grabbed her hands, "Forgive me. Not as graceful on two feet as Gally," he said sheepishly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and nervously pressed herself against him, avoiding his gaze, "We can slow dance if you'd like."

He placed his arms around her waist holding her as close as possible, "Sing us a song?"

Shivers went trickling down her spine. Every word he spoke she could feel his warm breath against her neck. She nodded against his shoulder. They started swaying in circles slowly.

Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

"Mary," he whispered, "There's something I've meant to tell you."

"Hmm? What is it hun."

"Please don't stop singing," he flinched against her.

Newt? She was getting scared, "O-Okay."

How to be brave?

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

"Not many people here know this," his voice cracked, "The story of why I have my limp."

But watching you stand alone,

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.

"If a greenie doesn't just assume, I tell them I got it running for my life from a griever."

The intensity of the moment brought tears to her eyes, "Newt."

One step closer

He backed away just enough to look her in the eye. Trails of tears already marked his face. He pressed his forehead against hers, "But they couldn't be more wrong."

A sob escaped her as she knew what was coming. He reached up and cupped her face in his hands, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs.

He took a deep breath, "I got this limp trying to end my life. Climbed halfway up one of the walls and jumped."

Her hands were now against his chest grasping his shirt. She was full on crying now. The thought that she may have lost him was too much for her to handle.

He embraced her, "I'm sorry Mary, I shouldn't have done this here," he looked around and it didn't seem anyone had noticed, "Let's find somewhere more private."

He kept her close as he led her away from the festivities.