My week went fairly smoothly. Only had to punch one other guy for getting too close to me, and wouldn't back off. Alby and Newt were both around to see it, having a conversation with Zart and when he dropped in a spray of blood, they stopped their conversation and looked with mild interest, Zart shuffled away a few steps.

"Keep your dirty hoe hands to yourself!" I growled. 

Newt raised an eyebrow, silently asking if I was all right, I nodded at the group, picked up the crate of fresh veggies and stepped over him. Alby and Newt went back to their conversation like nothing happened. I smirked to myself.  Finally, if they were going  to actually let me stand up for myself, this would be a whole lot easier. 

I kept myself in the Kitchen mostly, staying busy in the back. Tim and Vinny were great. They didn't pry or ask any questions, and knew how to keep the kitchen light hearted. When Fry shooed us out for a break I went straight to the Map Room. I had started working on the gluing. It was taking longer then I hoped. Gluing twigs is not a fun chore. But Minho had set the two runners who weren't on duty to help. Each day it was a different guy. Minho had a good system, each day a runner would get a break, having one of the subs jump in, it kept everyone active, everyone had a chance at running a section and and gave each guy a much needed break. 

I was feeling a whole lot better and couldn't wait to actually get into the maze. But I still needed to be cleared by Jeff, and that would be in two days. Tomorrow was Greenie day, the day a new kid shows up to this hell hole, and we get a supply of stuff. I had helped Jeff go through the supplies in the Med Hut, making an inventory of everything we had, and then making a chart of things we needed, or a resupply of. I did the same thing with Fry and the kitchen and cooking supplies I tried with Zart, on Alby's orders, but he refused to be anywhere close to me. So, I worked with Newt instead. After showing Alby the lists, he asked if I would do that for each Keeper and keep a binder or notebook of all this, so the request lists were done right and all on one piece of paper. 

"I'm making a new title for Charlie!" Alby announced the evening before Greenie day. All the heads turned to look at him, I was sitting with the Keepers, going over the list with Minho, adding a few things. I looked up curiously, this was news to me. He stood up, and crossed his arms, glaring at each Keeper at the table.

"She is now the Manager of the Glade. She will take a day every two weeks and meet with each keeper and go through their stuff keeping an inventory of stuff, and requests for supplies. She has done a shuck wonderful job keeping it all straight an' organized. And if ya don't like it too bad. Suck it up Princess." Alby said with finality. There was no arguing it, it was already done in his mind. 

"Good that!" Newt nodded in approval. 

"Perfect! Makes my life easier!" Jeff grinned at me. 

"She has done a very detailed job, I agree!" Fry boomed over the table. 

There were a few other nods, But I didn't really work with them. Dug would be a problem, he was a nasty shank, with a dirty mind and filthy mouth, but I could bring someone with me. I smiled, Alby saw value in my skills. Maybe...it would take some time and I could fit in here. Minho saw my potential and made me a runner, Alby saw my hard work and praised me for it, giving me a job title. I felt my cheeks warm up. 

"Snips, after supper can you go through inventory with Winston and Gally? Then we can send the list down after Green bean shows up, and by next supply day it'll be here?" 

My stomach dropped. I felt my cheeks warm up, but I forced a smile. 

"Yeah Alby, I'd be happy to." He nodded and sat back down.

I quickly looked down at my supper. I hadn't spoken with Gally since our big explosion the day I collapsed. I think we both took turns glancing at each other, but for the most part, we existed like the other wasn't there. My stomach would flop every time I caught a glance  at him, or I thought maybe he was looking. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I blinked a few times, and looked around, Newt was leaning towards me. 

"That's gonna be a bloody awkward meeting." 

"Only if we let it. I'm sure we can act professionally, and get it done." I sniffed, lifting my head loftily. 

He snickered. I glared back at him. 

"You'll either hit him, kiss him or yell at him. Mark my bloody words Snips. There is only so much ignoring you can do, and only so much tension two people can take." He whispered, sitting up straight, and going back to his supper. 

With a growl of frustration I turned back to my plate. I felt eyes on me, and glanced up, sitting at the end of the table opposite me was Gally, and he had his eyes on me. I could read what was behind them. His mask was always a frown. He quickly looked away. I silently groaned. This was going to be harder than I thought. And Newt was right, the shank, I was bound to do one of the three things. Maybe all of them.

______________________________________

My meeting with Winston went quickly, we met by the fence and did a quick walk through their tool shed and food for the animals. He just asked for a new clever, the one they had was chipping. It didn't take nearly as long as I hoped. I was trying to delay the inevitable. With a sigh of resignation, I trudged over to the Builders work station. I saw Gally leaning on the table, his ankles crossed and his arms folded. His tight white shirt showing off all his chest, arm and shoulder muscles.  

Shuck. His hair had grown a bit more in the month I'd been here, it hung a bit into his eyes, and he used a hand to run it through his waves pushing it out of his eyes. Shuck he was hot. But I still would rather strangle him. But what I wouldn't give to be carried in those arms again. 

Tell him. 

My mind buzzed. I hadn't heard that stupid voice for a whole week. I was almost hoping it wasn't there anymore. I felt the familiar warm presence of that voice. 

Shuck no! You have the worst advice and the worst timing!

I tried to talk back to this voice. I had no idea what I was doing, but it seemed to understand my thoughts, which was kinda creepy and uncomfortable, I hope it can't read ALL my thoughts. But I must have done something right because my head vibrated, but in a very different way, like something was humming. I realized the voice was laughing! I blinked with that realization, and shook my head, the voice would hear me! 

Trust me, Charlie.

As fast as it happened the vibrating stopped and I felt cold and empty. The shuck is happening to me? I'm having a shucken conversation with a voice in my head, most people would call that psychotic and lock me up. I shook my head again, rubbing my temples, my head was starting to pound. I took a deep breath and walked the rest of the way over to where Gally was standing. 

I cleared my throat to get his attention. He lifted his head. His intense steel blue eyes locked me into place immediately. My feet froze to their spot and my heart beat faster, and my mouth went dry. I couldn't read his expression, he kept his face neutral, and I did my best to shove everything back inside and deep down out of reach.   

He nodded his head, "Charlie." 

I tried to swallow, but my mouth had gone dry. "Gally." 

We both stayed put, watching the other. 

Tell him.

The voice was back in a flash, with no warning. Making me jump a little  in surprise. I blinked a few times, I shook my head. I felt the voice sigh in exasperation. The shuck? I'm feeling its emotions now? First the laugh and then the sigh? What is going on with me. I shook my head harder, trying to ride the distracting voice, I had a job to do. I felt the vibrating stop and the empty feeling reappeared, meaning the voice was gone. For now.  

I looked back at Gally. His face had morphed into one of concern. 

"Headache. Sorry." I sighed, "Lets get this over with. I have a date with my pillow." 

Gally hummed and pushed off the table. I followed him around writing everything down as he listed it, and making a note of things he said they needed. I work table was done, and he moved onto the tool shed. He swung the door open and stepped inside. I leaned against the door frame and continued to make notes. He finally finished going through everything and turned back towards me, I was still trying to finish writing, I didn't notice he was watching me with his hands in his pockets, a small barley there smile on his face. When I finished, I sighed and looked up. I did see the glimpse of a possible smile before it disappeared. I frowned slightly. 

"Are you done now Pipsqueak?" He asked, the light tease the last time he used that nickname wasn't there, so it stung. 

"Yeah. You're free to go." I snapped. I spun away and back to the builders work table, I had to go through the list again, double checking I had everything. 

Gally walked up and leaned on the table again, uncomfortably close. 

"Can I help you?" I growled, not taking my eyes off the paper. 

"Just a question for you." 

"Oh yeah?" 

He hummed and I felt his eyes on me. 

"How come you're spending every afternoon in the Map Room?" 

I could hear the sharpness and venim to his words. 

"Why would it matter?" I snapped? 

"Because non Runners aren't allowed in there. Minho and Alby's rules." 

"Oh I know you love your shuck rules Gally." I growled. Finally throwing my pencil down and straightening up to face him. Shuck he was tall, even with my average height. 

"Yes. I do, it's what keeps this place going and maintains order and peace." His voice was sharper, his eyes had a fire in them.

"Well you'll be right happen to know then, Minho AND Alby know about my ventures into the Map Room. I'm working on a project for Minho. So get off  your high horse about rules. I haven't broken any!" 

He grinned, but it wasn't a happy one. 

"So you're the one who took the glue." 

"Am not." 

"Yes, you did. You must have made Newt do it for you." His grin turned into a smug smirk. 

I could feel my face heating up. Shuck. I knew Newt would throw me under the bus, or say something. But now I was caught, and I felt my face grow warm, and my mouth went dry again. I had to open and close my hands a few times, they were tingly and sweaty. 

"Fine. Yeah I'm using the shucken glue. Happy?" 

"Why didn't you ask for it yourself?" 

I narrowed my eyes and growled. 

"You know very well why." 

"I want to hear you say it." He growled, he pushed off the table and turned his body to mine. 

"No." I said stubbornly, crossing my arms. 

"Say it Charlie. I know you want to, you have for a while." 

His voice was demanding and gravelly and when he took a step closer, we were toe to toe... Shuck, my knees felt weak, and my stomach was twisting and turning. If he couldn't hear my heart beating I would think he was deaf. 

"I don't want to." I whispered. 

His eyes were a darker blue now. I could feel his warmth and his breath was fanning my face, he was so much taller than me he was looking down. 

"Say it Charlie. Say it out loud." His voice dropped again. 

"Fine." 

"Good." 

"I hate you Gally. I hate you so much!" 

We both knew that was a lie.

He grabbed my face in both his warm callused hands, pulling me roughly to his chest. Before I could think, he pressed his lips aggressively to mine. I didn't fight it, I let it happen. And then I had my arms around him. His hand around my back and another at the nap of my neck. 

He pulled away just enough to whisper against my lips. 

"I know. I hate you too Charlie." 

________________________________________________________________________________

**SHUCKEN YEEEEEAAAASSSSS!!!**

**Squeals in Frypan and Newt**