The Boat On The Beach

Chapter Eight: Protection and Preparation

It was the day the small group where due to set off to the mainland, back to the scorch. The survivors had decided that it would be safer to go with your maze groups, as they worked best together and knew how each other functioned under pressure. It was safer. 

Thomas had been trying to keep Newt home for days, but to no avail. It was times like these Thomas wished he wasn't so shucking stubborn. The boy had been stabbed! In the heart! And was going back to the place it happened, and for what? To keep Thomas out of trouble? No. Thomas knew it had to be something but the blond insisted it was because Thomas was 'too bloody stupid and he needed supervision'.

So here they were, Minho, Teresa, Gally, Frypan, Newt, Thomas and Brenda (who had told them she'd had a hard time trying to convince Jorge to let her go without him), suiting up and grabbing supplies to take with them. Thomas checked the bullets in his hand gun and glanced around the table they were stood at, which was scattered in various weapons and what looked like explosives, which Brenda, of course, carelessly scooped into her bag. Teresa was packing various medical supplies and science things Thomas didn't understand into her bag, a steely face of concentration residing amongst her features. Frypan was, of course shoving food and drink into his large backpack, along with what looked like a pretty heavy rifle, which he slung over his shoulder. Gally was sorting out what ammunition was for what, and which knife belonged to who. Thomas swallowed. He'd be lying if he said knives didn't still make him uncomfortable. Newt was sweeping the hair out of hie eyes, and frowning softly. He loaded bullets effortlessly into a hand gun and practiced aiming it at the wall opposite, past Brenda's head.  The boy met Minhos eye, who was packing up sleeping mats and blankets. The boy smirked at Thomas. He could tell Minho was excited to get back to the action, and honestly, so was he. The american definitely thought he'd been cooped up for too long.

* * *

The group piled onto the boat, and he noticed Minho squeeze Newt's shoulder as he swallowed his discomfort. The blond gave Minho a curt nod back, and Thomas knew the vulnerable Newt he'd been exposed too the past couple of weeks was locked up again. Newt didn't muck about when he had gun in hand. 

"Damn" he mumbled.

"What?" Brenda asked as she passed Thomas.

"Nothin', I just realised how much of badasses you guys are."

"Says you" Minho chimed in. Newt snorted.

Teresa laughed softly. "I mean, that knee slide was definitely really sexy." She snorted.

"Oh yeah boy, I'd tap that." Minho said seriously. Gally just rolled his eyes and went below deck.

"I want off this boat all of a sudden." Thomas laughed. He loved his friends, and how they managed to joke whilst all that was on their minds was what they were going back too.

"No escape now Tommy" Brenda snorted and followed Gally. Thomas caught Newt scowling at the back of her head. It made his heart flutter.

"Uh oh Newtie, got some competition." Frypan smirked. The blond growled.

"I'll shank her before she comes within two metres of Tommy."

"Newt I don't think thats necessary." Thomas snorted and tried to make light of the fact that the brit being protective over him made his heart beat faster and a lump rise in his throat.

 * * *

Thomas found Teresa on the deck, leaning against the rail. She looked pale.

"You ok?" the boy and leant next to her. She chewed on her lip and nodded.

"Not a fan of the sea."

"Is that it?" She groaned at Thomas's accuracy.

"No."

"So whats going on?" He looked at her as she watched the horizon as if it would disappear.

"Just worried..you know how long it took me to regain any of the others respect or trust. I'm just worried that going back will root up some memories and they'll start hating me again." She mumbled and tried to memorise the placement of all the scuffs on her shoes.

"Teresa, thats silly. They understand why you did what you did, they've accepted it and moved on." He squeezed her hand.

"I guess your right."

"And I mean if were talking about holding grudges I don't think Newt will be very happy with me." he chuckled softly.

"Thats another thing!" She suddenly exclaimed and smacked his arm. "Why have you not kissed him yet?!" Thomas choked on his own spit.

I..I..W..wh..what?" he spluttered.

"Oh come on Tom everyone knows." she deadpanned.

"Do they?!" 

"Yes, it's not like you do a very good job of hiding it." Thomas groaned. No one was meant to know. Wait.

"Does he know?!" He bit his lip nervously.

"Nah, hes a fairly oblivious person." she shrugged. Thomas let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. "But seriously Thomas, he literally died, you spent a whole year grieving and pinning after him, and now he's back. You almost lost him, why haven't you made a move?"

"Because..be..I..I don't know." he sighed and hung his head. "It never even crossed my mind as an option. We never had time for romance, not like we do now." 

"We do when you get back."

"I know..i just don't want to ruin anything."

"Oh come on, even if he didn't like you back we both know he'd still be your best friend. He'd do anything for you. You seriously have nothing to worry about." She patted his arm and straightened up, motioning that she was leaving.

"I'll think about it." he murmured. She nodded.

"Good that."