Whatever It Takes | TDC fix-it fic |

Thomas

Thomas felt a cool breeze hit his face. He opened his eyes to find himself on top of a cliff, overlooking the safe haven.
   He looked down to see his friends laughing together in the morning light. With a start, Thomas realized they were all the friends he had lost. Ben, Alby, Winston, Teresa, and Chuck. Ah, Chuck. It was nice to see him happy again.
   Thomas let out a happy sigh but felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He realized this wasn't real. It was just a dream. He would wake up soon to a world where his friends were gone.
   He shut his eyes in dismay as somebody walk up from behind and sat next to him. He looked over to see Newt sitting there, completely healthy with no veins or blood. He had content smile on his face, one Thomas had never seen given the circumstances they were in. It was nice to see him at peace.
Thomas felt tears trickle down his face.
   "What's wrong Tommy?" Newt asked.
   "This isn't real," Thomas answered, not even bothering to wipe his eyes. "You're dead. I couldn't save you."
   Newt gave Thomas a sad smile. "That's true, but I'm in a better place. And I'm with all of our old friends too." He gestured to the people down below. "You shouldn't be sad, Tommy. We're happy now."
   "But," Thomas choked on a sob, "I'm not. I miss you. I miss all of you. I can't live like this, I just can't."
   "Tommy, look at me."
   Thomas looked up to see Newt smiling.
   "It's okay, Tommy. We're okay now. You'll be okay too."
   Thomas closed his eyes, more tears spilling out. "I can't without you, Newt. Without any of you."
   "I'm right here, Tommy. Everything's okay. There's no need to cry. I'm here."

   Thomas woke up. Somebody was shaking his shoulder gently. He rolled over, not wanting to talk to Minho at the moment. He just wanted to go back to his dream for a little longer.
   "Not now, Minho," Thomas said groggily.
   Minho laughed but it sounded different, a bit higher and not as loud.
   "I'm not Minho," the voice said.
   Thomas recognized the voice. It sounded just like...
   No. Somebody was playing a trick on him. Maybe he was still dreaming. Thomas squeezed his eyes shut, willing reality to set in and stop playing with his mind.
   "Open your eyes, Tommy. I'm here."
   Thomas opened his eyes, turning around to see Newt.
Newt.
He was dirty and most of his clothes were ripped but there was no sign of the Flare anywhere. There were no veins, no blood, and none of the darkness in his eyes that haunted Thomas' dreams. He was here. And he was okay.
   "Newt," Thomas breathed, scrambling out of bed and pulling the older boy into a hug. "You're here."
   Newt laughed, a sound Thomas hadn't heard in such a long time. "'Course I am." He pulled back but kept a hand on Thomas' shoulder. "I wouldn't just leave you like that."
"But," Thomas sat on his bed, choking on a sob. "But you died Newt. I saw you plunge that knife into your chest and I couldn't stop you."
"I did it on purpose, Tommy," Newt explained gently, sitting next to him. "As soon as I found out you were the cure, I knew I needed your blood in my system. I didn't mean to stab myself, that was just my crank self reacting." He shook his head, recalling the memory. "It was hard enough to get the letter to you."
   Thomas' hand absentmindedly went to his chest where Newt's necklace hung. He'd been wearing it ever since Minho gave it to him.
"You did read it, didn't you?"
Thomas nodded. "Of course."
   "I guess it was hard to do what I asked, huh?" Newt asked with a sad smile.
   "What—what do you mean?" Thomas asked in between sniffs.
   "I told you to take care of yourself, to be happy." Newt reached up, wiping a tear from Thomas' face. "No offense, but you don't look all that happy to me."
   Thomas looked down, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't. I can't be happy after loosing so many people I love."
   "I guess you couldn't," Newt admitted but then broke out in a grin. "Good thing I came with a backup plan."
   Thomas looked at him, confused. "A backup plan?"
   Newt stood up. "Follow me." He walked out of Thomas' hut and motioned for him to follow.
   Thomas got up and followed his friend out the door. Outside, he took a deep breath, appreciating the view. Usually, Thomas the beauty of the safe haven bothered him. It reminded him of what his friends were missing out on. At least Newt was here to see it.
"No time for sightseeing, Tommy," Newt reminded him, walking towards the beach. "You've already been here."
"I know," Thomas said, jogging to catch up. "I was just...." his words faded out. On the beach was a Berg.
Thomas stopped in his tracks as Newt kept walking towards it. "Problem?" He asked, tilting his head back.
"No," Thomas answered. "Just surprised me is all."
"Well, this should surprise you even more," Newt said, pushing a button to open the door.
   Inside, were people Thomas thought he'd never get to see again. Ben, Alby, Chuck, Winston, and Teresa were standing there, looking happier than Thomas had ever seen them. They all looked dirty and beat up but it was still a sight for sore eyes.
"Newt did you—" Thomas was cut off by everyone running over and pulling him into a big embrace.
   Newt laughed as Chuck pulled him into the group hug. "I figured it would be hard for you to be happy while grieving," he explained to Thomas, "so I thought it'd be best if you didn't have to grieve at all."
   "Newt, I—" Thomas felt tears run down his cheeks, but this time, they were happy ones. "Thank you."
Newt nodded.
Thomas smiled and, for the first time, he felt at peace.

Later that night, the original Gladers decided to have one of their famous bon fires, in honor of those who had come back to them. Everyone enjoyed crossing their names off the stone.
   Thomas sat with all his friends. Minho, Newt, Chuck, Teresa, Alby, Winston, Frypan, Ben, and even Gally. They were telling stories of the good times in the Glade.
"You know," Frypan said. "One time, I undercooked the chicken and accidentally gave everyone in the Glade the stomach bug."
"You told us Gally poisoned it," Minho pointed out.
Frypan just shrugged as everybody, except Gally, started laughing.
   "That was not funny," Gally argued.
   "Chuck seems to think so," Frypan countered.
   Chuck continued laughing after everyone else had stopped. Thomas thought he might pass out from lack of air.
   After everybody finished telling stories of the good ol' days, they just sat, enjoying each other's company. Thomas looked out at the beach and saw the Berg. He realized he still had an unanswered question.
   Thomas pointed it out. "I know you guys flew that here but, how did you know where we were?"
Teresa shrugged. "It was pretty hard but." She smiled. "We couldn't give up. We agreed to do whatever it takes to be reunited with everyone again."
Thomas smiled. "I'm glad you did." Then he frowned. "One thing I still don't understand."
"Yeah? What's that?" Newt asked.
"How did you all survive? And how did you find each other?"
"Well, that," Alby began, putting his hands behind his head and resting it against a log. "Is a long story."
   "Then tell me," Thomas said, leaning forward. "Tell me the long story."