A month passed. A long month, eventful and abundant.
The Greenie that had come up after Eve's incident was a much-needed pair of hands. He had been apprehensive and frightened, but as always, after Alby took the time to explain the dire situation, he had settled down. Two days after he came up in the Box, he remembered his name. Dan was of an impressive build and Alby decided he was too solid to become a Runner. Gally tried him out on his team for a day, working on the tower building. He was impressed with his willingness to listen, learn and practice. The two worked as a well-oiled machine and Gally was relieved to finally have another Builder on his team.
Small teams were beginning to develop in the Glade and everyone seemed to have a place.
Except for the Glade's only girl.
Eve had done as she was told and worked thirty days with the Med Jacks, keeping out of the sun as much as she could. Her activity level decreased significantly, but she still managed to keep her shape. For a few days after her reinstatement, Clint and Jeff thought that she had become pregnant. Sickness plagued her and it was thought to be the first sign. But after a week, she recovered and regained her strength. Her burn peeled away and she could work long hours without any symptoms of sickness. Another week passed, then another and then another; nothing changed. Clint eventually confirmed that the impregnation had been unsuccessful. There was no extra heartbeat, no weight gain and no increase in hormonal change.
It was official, Eve was not pregnant.
It was common knowledge by now and Alby knew that a new plan of action would need to be announced. Another meeting was in order.
Gally sat opposite Alby and Newt, an elbow on his knee, his chin resting in his hand as he leaned forward. The other hand was stretched across Eve's legs, his hand resting on her thigh. She sat close to him, her hands clasped together in her lap. Eve had not been surprised when Alby called the meeting and she sat still beside Gally
Alby and Newt sat with backs against the dirt wall. Minho would have been present if he had not been busy in his own meeting with Ben; he would be filled in on the decisions later. A lengthy silence had sat between the four of them as no one knew quite how to start. Eventually, it became obvious that no one was going to speak, so Alby cleared his throat and eased into a conversation.
"Your month in the Med Jack's Hut is over. Are you willing to climb for Gally again?" His question was gentle, no pressure implied.
"Yes sir, I could use the exercise,"
Alby smiled for a brief moment before leaning forward.
"I must ask you both. What are your plans moving forward?"
Gally brushed his thumb over Eve's leg before responding.
"You want a definitive decision?"
Alby nodded slowly, spreading his hands out as he explained his reasoning.
"The Glader's have begun to ask questions. They know that Eve is not pregnant. For a while, it gave them some sense of hope. Now that it hasn't been successful, they are looking for what they can hope for next. Minho is working around the clock on the Maze, but he doesn't have any new answers. A new idea or a second try could very well be what the Glader's need to believe in something again. I hate to see it, but they're losing motivation and they need something to start the fire again,"
They both understood what he meant, it wasn't hard to see the destruction of the Glader's hope. It dwindled day by day and something drastic needed to be done if they were to restore hope.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Gally spoke up again.
"So what happens if we don't try it again? You say we need a new plan, do you know what that is?"
Alby shook his head and Newt piped up.
"We'll decide that once we know what your plan is,"
Alby spoke up again.
"We merely need to make a decision and move on, there is no pressure one way or the other. Minho is making progress and I believe he will have a real breakthrough soon,"
Gally turned his head to look at Eve, who met his eyes for only a moment and looked away. Frowning, Gally looked back at Alby, his eyebrow furrowed with concentration.
"So there are two options. One is that we can throw the idea away, think of something new. The second option is that we can try it again, to rule out infertility for sure. I don't know how often this sort of thing is successful, but I couldn't imagine it is as easy as one try,"
Alby scratched his forehead; he agreed with Gally, but stating the options was not what he needed. He needed a decision.
"Eve?" Alby tilted his head to her.
Gally pulled her a bit closer, looking over her face.
"Did you want to say anything?" His voice was quiet, comforting. Eve nodded slowly, staring at the ground.
"Those are the only options,"
Alby nodded, sensing she had more to say.
"Do you have any thoughts different from Gally on the matter?"
Eve furrowed her brow.
"Not exactly, but…," The word caught in her throat and Gally gripped her knee, his face contorted. "I think it would be best to drop the idea,"
Alby nodded in silent agreement. Gally shifted, turning his body to her.
"Why is that?" Gally moved his arm around Eve's back to pull her towards him by the hip.
"What are your thoughts, Eve?" Alby pushed gently.
Eve swallowed gently.
"I just don't think we talked enough about how hard it would be to raise a child in the Glade,"
Newt spoke up, curious.
"But we decided we would try it, despite the risk,"
Alby lay a hand on Newt's shoulder, reminding him to be gentle.
Eve nodded, her face reddening slightly.
"I know that… I just, I don't think we discussed it enough. There are a lot of risks,"
Newt frowned, sincerely interested.
"We decided it was worth it though, right?"
"Ah shuck Newt, it's our decision," Gally turned on the skinny second, his eyes glaring.
"Yes, we did," Eve continued. "But now that we almost had that reality, I don't think we really thought of all it would entail,"
Alby raised his hand before any more could be said.
"Eve, I hear you. I merely wanted to hear your thoughts. This is between you and Gally. We will accept either decision you make,"
Eve wrung her hands out before her, looking at the ground.
"Why don't the two of you talk about it in private?" Alby gave her a comforting look.
Eve nodded and Gally agreed.
"Thank you, Alby,"
The night was growing colder and by the time the evening meal fire was doused, Eve was reluctant to go out to the pond. But she decided, like always, that being clean was worth it. After the last boy had settled in for the night, Eve grabbed her towel and with Gally following close behind, walked out into the darkness, already shivering.
Gally was quiet, walking behind her at a slow pace, strangely preoccupied. They hadn't had a chance to talk, just the two of them. But now was as good a time as any.
The pond glistened in the light of the moon and Eve stopped short of the banks. Gally turned around, allowing Eve some privacy as she disrobed and slipped in, gasping softly as the cold water embraced her. Ducking her head under, Eve began to scrub her body down with soap. After a moment, she resurfaced and drew in a deep breath, the wind pulling at the water on her skin and causing her to shiver.
Gally broke the silence as she turned to face him.
"Are you alright? Something is off about you," His voice was not accusing, but he sounded frustrated. He wanted to know and he would not let up until he did.
Eve turned her back to him, rinsing her hair clean of the soap. She couldn't say that he was wrong, but she wasn't sure it was worth bringing up.
Would he even understand? She had had time to think in the last few weeks and she had decided that she knew couldn't do it again. She didn't want to and with that knowledge, she felt selfish and guilty. How was she supposed to admit that?
Gally clicked his tongue and when she turned, he tilted his chin to her.
"Answer me," Once again, Gally was not harsh, but determined.
Sighing, Eve slid deeper into the water, surprisingly warmer now.
"I'm fine. I just don't think it's worth trying again. Do... do you want to try it again?" Her voice was small, not at all convincing.
Gally's eyes widened.
"Eve…," He took a step closer to the water, curling and uncurling his hands, unsure of what to do. "Eve, I don't care about trying again. I just want to know what's bothering you,"
"It doesn't matter... Does it? If we're both in agreement, then that's it,"
Gally pounded his fist, suddenly frustrated.
"It does matter! It matters to me, Eve! Something is bothering you, just tell me! What's wrong?" His voice softened with his last question.
Eve turned away.
"It's nothing, Gally, honestly,"
"But it is something… Eve! So help me, I'm going to come in there and drown you if you don't tell me!" Gally was having trouble not getting angry, so used to bullying others to get his way. He took a deep breath and looked at her. "I just want to help, Eve,"
Eve bit her lip. She knew he was being sincere, it was so much easier to read him now that they were truthful with each other.
She had to tell him.
"I'm afraid," Her voice was so quiet.
"You're what?"
Eve groaned and rolled her eyes.
"I'm afraid,"
Gally tilted his head back.
"Afraid of what?"
Eve rubbed her face, the cold making her short, frustrated.
"I'm afraid of the birth, Gally,"
Gally raised an eyebrow.
"The birth?"
Eve was tired and cold.
"Yes Gally, the birth! The birth of a baby! I'm scared, okay? I don't want to do it!" Eve didn't mean for her voice to get so loud. "I can't do it! I'm afraid! Have the Med Jack's ever birthed a baby? Do they even know how? No, of course not! They don't have the tools! No pain medicine, no equipment. They won't be able to help me! I could die! I could die giving birth to a baby. I could die in this Maze! I can't do it! I won't!"
Her voice echoed strangely off the water, her words reverberating back to Gally, his eyes wide and his body stiff. Eve sunk lower into the water, drained.
If this was anyone else, Gally would've told them to suck it up, walk it off and get over themselves. Stop being so selfish and think about the Glade! But this was Eve.. this was his Eve. And she was right… she could die. She could die giving birth to a child in this Glade and if she did, where would that leave them? Where would that leave him? He couldn't lose Eve… he just couldn't. They had already decided they wouldn't try it again, but now Gally was determined. He couldn't risk losing this girl, not now.
All these thoughts came in a rush and he shook himself. He took a step forward and then another, his shoes in the water.
"Come out, you're finished,"
Hesitantly, Eve moved back toward the shores. As soon as Gally could touch her, he swung her towel around her shoulders and pulled her into him. He held her there, tightly, spreading warmth through her as she squirmed into the towel. Gally rested his nose onto her head, breathing deeply of the soapy smell left behind.
"You don't have to worry, Eve. We don't have to do this again. We don't need to. We've tried it already; you've already done your part. Minho will solve this Maze one day, we'll get out of this. I know we will!" Gally's voice wavered.
Eve tilted her chin to look at him, amazed at what she saw. Gally's eyes were glistening, his cheeks wet. Eve had never seen him cry, she had never believed him capable of it. His eyes were squinted and small tears trailed down his rugged face. Eve stood up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. He picked her up, her bare chest pressed against his as he held her close, burying his face in her neck. Eve held his head in her arms, feeling Gally shake beneath her.
"I didn't know you cared so much,"
Gally turned his face up to her, the tears already drying on his cheeks. His face was distorted as he fought to control his emotions.
"It's more than that Eve… it's much more. I... I love you," His voice dropped to a hush, a few more tears escaping, his eyes searching Eve's for a response. Eve took his face in her hands, her tears returning as she stared into those green eyes.
"I love you too Gally,"
She leaned down to kiss him and he let her slide down his body just enough to level out their interlocking lips. After a moment, Gally let go, breathing deeply. Eve lay her head on his neck, her breathing matching his own. Gally pulled her towel closer, knowing that she was going to get too cold soon. Slowly, he bent just enough for Eve to step down onto the ground. Smiling softly, Gally looked down at her.
"I can't lose you, Eve. I won't,"
Eve took a deep breath, shaking visibly.
"Then we aren't going to try again?"
Gally shook his head.
"It didn't work. We tried and proved that it didn't. I want you safe, Eve," He brushed back a strand of drying hair from her face and she smiled, looking at the ground. Gally took her chin in his fingers and brought her head back up.
"Are you going to be okay?"
Eve nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist, breathing in deeply once again. Gally pushed her back, smiling gently.
"If you don't get changed now, you're liable to catch a cold. I need you strong if you're coming back to work on the tower tomorrow,"
Eve smirked gently and pushed his shoulder. Gally took the hint and turned around to allow her to put her clothes back on. After she had finished, Eve picked up her towel and the soap and walked around Gally.
"Ready?"
Gally strode into step behind her.
"I'll inform Alby of our decision tomorrow,"
Eve nodded slowly and Gally followed her to the hammocks. Both were tired and ready for a good night's sleep.
Newt was already asleep when the two arrived under the soft, skin covering and they were quiet as they climbed into their hammocks. Just before Eve ducked under her covers, Gally leaned across and kissed her on the head. He rested his forehead on hers for a moment afterward.
"Goodnight Eve," He whispered, his voice soft and rumbling.
Eve breathed in his musky smell and whispered back.
"Goodnight Gally,"
The blonde leaned back and climbed into his hammock. After they had settled, it was not long before they were both asleep. The coolness of the night made their cocoons all the cozier and they slept soundly in their poor excuse for a home.