Disclaimer: I do not own The Maze Runner trilogy. All characters belong to James Dashner except my OC, Tara.

—Chapter 37—

Newt

"Hmph, 'talk to her' they say," he muttered, ignoring the fact that Alby, Minho, Jeff and Clint were all staring at him.

"Okay, we saw how it goes when Newt tries to talk to Tara, we should. . . leave it," Alby shook his head.

"If only Tara wasn't a Runner, she can't do her job like this, and we can't even give her a break because of the punishment your genius brain concocted," Minho glared at Alby.

"She'll get over it." Alby reassured himself.

"Not by the looks of it," Jeff murmured.

"Whatever, I'm going to help Zart," Newt confirmed, his fists were clenched by his sides.

It was so horrible, all these days he had thought that he was the only one who felt hurt. But now he knew, that Tara too was hurt to be away from him. Then why did she pull away? He would never understand her.

His mind flashed back to the time when she first came, her eyes were always calculating, she was so guarded. But she had opened up to him in a few of hours. She and Minho always fought, from the beginning. He'd gaze at her while she laughed. Now he never even saw her smile.

They told him to stop caring for her, to try. And he did try, but he couldn't stop caring, he never could.

He walked over to the familiar Gardens and started pulling out weeds, no one to restrict him, no one to say no.

Tara

I won't talk to him.

She knew she was acting like a five year old, but it was necessary.

I can't be distracted. Got. To. Get. Out. Of. Here.

She went back to her room and took her book. It was a pity that she couldn't read it, but when she did, heh, she just dived in.

Her mind was bursting, literally bursting. The book had swallowed her whole. She wanted to cry, to yell, to bang her head on the wall.

"I used to think that love made me weaker, but it makes me stronger."

She read the line and snapped the book shut. She just couldn't handle it anymore. Tara got out of her bed, it was nine, everyone would be on bed by now. The door creaked as she opened it, she was wearing a grey tank top and black shorts, though she didn't care what she was wearing. Even before she could restrain herself, she reached out and turned Newt's doorknob.

He was sitting on the bed, his face towards the window. He turned to look at her as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. Instantly, his lips parted.

"Tara-" he started, standing up. His face was furrowed, he was obviously confused.

She said nothing, but pulled his collar and crashed her lips to his. Tara had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss him, his muscles were rigid at first, but then relaxed. He gasped against her lips, his hands flying up to her waist.

It was soft at first, his lips tender, but she pushed him towards the wall and he turned, causing her back to face the wall, they pulled away slowly, but keeping their faces close. Newt resting his forehead on hers.

"I'll never understand you," he whispered.

"Maybe you will," she whispered back, before gently pecking his lips.

Then he went all business again. He pulled away from her and sat on the bed.

"Tara, you haven't been sleeping at night, I-"

"Yeah you idiot, I need to sleep," she confirmed before lying on his bed. The bed sheets smelled like him, like safety.

"Oh I see what you're playing at," he smirked, lying next to her. His chest in front of her head, she had to look up to face him.

His hands were shaking as he ran the back of them across her cheek. Slowly, he extended his arms and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her closer.

"I've missed you," he whispered, digging his nose into her hair.

"Well, I was right next to you," she joked.

Newt chuckled silently and shook his head, then kissed her forehead. He didn't say anything back. She knew he loved her, even after all she'd done to him.

"I need to sleep," she muttered.

"I know," he said, pulling her so close that she could hear the thump of his heartbeat. "Sleep, I'll be right beside you."

She rest her head over his heart, so that she could hear the rhythm as it beat. Tara let his body heat envelope her, wrapping her arms behind his neck, she dozed off. After all these days, she would finally sleep.

Her head was buried in his chest when she woke up. She moved away, and saw that he was awake, his chocolate brown eyes regarding her with so much love.

"Mm, what's the time?" she asked sluggishly, sitting up and stretching.

"Well, you're the one with the watch." he raised his eyebrows.

"Oh right." Tara sometimes forgot that she even slept with her watch on, it had become a part of her body.

6:50 AM

"Oh no, Minho should be banging my door down any moment now," she remarked.

As if on cue, Tara hard a sharp bang on the door next to Newt's room. Her room.

Tara got up- Newt following behind her- and opened the door.

"Well, I didn't realise that was your room," Minho smirked.

"Oh tone down the sass Minho," Newt shot back, emerging from behind Tara.

"I would, if I could, but I can't, so I shan't."

"Shut up you two, I'm getting ready." Tara confirmed, leaving both boys chuckling behind her.

She shut the door of her room behind her, she felt so. . . complete. Like she didn't need anything else. But what happened to her thought of not letting love distract he? The thing is, she didn't feel distracted, she felt a thousand times stronger.

—Author's Notes—

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

*squeals*

I'm sorry, I just- AFTER ALL THIS TIME!

#ALWAYS

Sorry, Harry Potter fandom stuff. I really just couldn't stand hurting Newt anymore, I mean, yeah, Tara was hurting as well. But Newt, he's an angel, it's a crime of the highest order in the Clave to hurt an angel. I mean, I can't believe a demon like James Dashner made an angel like Newt.

Sorry Dashner.

Okay, so our ship hasn't sunk after all, besides, it's not shucking Titanic or something. I was having so much fun keeping you guys waiting like this, but, I didn't have fun hurting Newt. Just don't tell the Clave, okay?

Is it too lovey dovey for the start? I really wanted Tara to sleep peacefully in Newt's arms and stuff, but don't worry. It won't get too inappropriate. I myself am not a big fan of way too much romance, so yah.

They're so cute though, they are complete opposites. Like Newt is as precious as a cinnamon roll and Tara is a shucking dagger. She would make an awesome Shadowhunter. Anyway, opposites attract so. . .

I don't get why people always describe hot guys as, 'tall, dark and handsome,' it should be, 'blonde, bloody English, and Newt.' If that makes sense. It probably won't for people who don't like Newt. Oh, I forgot, that species doesn't exist, there's either, 'loves Newt,' or 'doesn't know Newt yet.' I mean, it's impossible not to like Newt.