Complete silence filled the room, after Minho's wild statement, as if the world had been frozen, and every member of the Council stared at Minho, even the Gladers behind were stunned into silence.

Thomas and I sat stunned, waiting for Minho to say he'd been kidding. The silence dragged on. Gally's eyes flicked to me and stared so intensely it was like he was trying to read my mind and see if I was lying and in on this. But I was just as shocked as everyone else.

"That's ridiculous!" Gally finally growled.

There was instant chaos. Some guys were against it some were for it and some had other opinions all together. Minho was sitting, leaning back on his chair, arms folded tight. His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed.

Newt was storming up and down the chairs, yelling at Keepers to sit down and shut up.

I leaned over to Minho, "Well, you drama lama, you definitely caused a scene!"

He just gave me a small smug smirk. 

What is going on?

No idea.

Well you're helpful. 

I felt him huff, and I actually saw him fold his arms, like he was pouting. I snickered, and leaned over towards him, to whisper.

"Look, I have no idea what's going on either. This is a first for me!"

"What is?" He looked at me shocked.

"Are you shucken serious Tommy? Did you just ask that question?"

"You don't need to be so mean." He pouted again.

I rolled my eyes, "Come on man, but those few brain cells together and work with me here!"

"Jeeze! No wonder they call you Snips." 

"Because I'm honest and you can't handle the truth and it hurts you? Here have a band aid."

"No, I was gong to say your sunny disposition and warm welcoming personality, and your kind gentle words."

I snorted and started giggling. I felt eyes drilling into me, I turned my head and saw Gally on the other side of the room, sitting stiff, arms crossed, every muscle was tense and flexed. His eyes flickering back and forth between Thomas and me. I sighed and sat up straight, and glared right back at him. We were having an intense staring contest now. His intense eyes held me in place. My heart rate was picking up, and I bit my bottom lip. 

Shuck this tension was thick, I kinda wanted to break it and go kiss him. His eyes darkened just for a second and I saw them flick down to my mouth and then back to my eyes. My stomach flipped when I thought back not too long ago...his body pressing me up against the wall, making me feel all the feelings...

You paying attention?

Huh?

Charlie pay attention.

I don't want to. I was day dreaming and you ruined it.

Was it important?

Oh shuck ya it was...I was reliving passionate bathroom sex.

THE ACTUAL HELL? Please do not tell me that's what it was! Oh shuck Charlie, EWW! 

I mentally laughed at him. I could feel him shuddering, but I was now back to the present, I still had my eyes glued to Gally. 

 "...I've never seen so many shanks acting like a bunch of babies. We may not look it, but around these parts we're adults. Act like it, or we'll disband this bloody Council and start from scratch." Newt walked from end to end of the curved row of sitting Keepers, looking each of them in the eye as he spoke. "Are we clear?" 

A few nodded and looked sheepish. Newt stood off to the side and folded his arms. 

"Minho, that's a huge klunk to drop on us like that, you gotta defend this ridiculous idea." 

Minho sighed. I finally ripped my eyes away from Gally and looked over at Minho beside me. He finally let his guard drop, just for a moment. He looked exhausted. But stood up, planted his feet and hooked his thumbs into his runners vest, and sweet his dark calculating eyes over everyone. Slowed down and stopped on Gally for a few seconds longer. 

"It's all well and good for you shuck faces to sit here in your comfy chairs and safe jobs, and talk about something your all stupid about! Charlie has been running the Maze every day for a year, and your gonna accuse her of what exactly? I don't even shucken know! None of you know, only Newt, the rest of you are all stupid clueless shankes-"

"Not unless you count the time I-"

"Gally, I don't. I dragged your sorry shuck ass back here, and you're accusing Thomas over the same rule YOU BROKE!" Minho yelled. 

Gally's face was getting red, and I saw his hands opening and closing into fists. 

"Gally..." I said quietly, "Please just listen." 

His eyes ripped away from Minho and over to me. I saw him take a deep breath and breath slowly out. Minho took the oertunity to keep going. 

"We killed a shucken herd of Grievers, ya...If we hadn't we wouldn't be here and Alby would have died and you'd all be shucken screwed." He unhooked his thumbs and crossed his arms. "I've never seen anything like it. He didn't panic. He didn't whine and cry, never seemed scared. Dude, he'd been here for just a few days. An' just a few days after this guy shows up, he steps out in the Maze to save three shanks he hardly knows." 

He paused to take a breath. Gally's jaw was clamped tight, I'm surprised he didn't break it. I could see the fear flickering in his eyes. We were talking about the maze and the Grievers, his tow biggest triggers. I knew this was extremely hard for him. I could see the beads of sweat starting to form. I threw Newt and the Glades stupid rules out the window and I got up, heads all snapped to me. I hated all the eyes, I hated being the centre of attention, but I knew Gally needed...something...some kind of support. This was the closest to his Changing experiance we ever came to. I took the few steps over to him, and stood in front of him. His fear filled eyes looked up to me, almost pleading for help. My heart broke. I sat down, squishing between Frypan and Gally, perched between both chairs. I tried to hid the wince, my body hurt and stitches pulled.

Every set of eyes was watched, but no one said anything. Newt cleared his throat, I looked around to Newt, who had a frown on his face. 

"Charlie..you gotta-"

"No." I said simply.

Newt pushed off the pole, "Snips, you gotta go-"

"No. I think I'll stay here thank you for your concern and opinion." 

I slid my and into Gally's. I felt the slight tremor in his hand. Newt threw his hands into the air, obviously giving up.

"You're so bloody stubborn." He muttered. 

"I know." 

I heard a few snickers. Newt shook his head, he turned back to Minho, and nodded at him to continue. 

"All this klunk about Thomas breaking a rule is just beyond stupid.He didn't get the rules yet. But plenty of people had told him what it's like in the Maze,especially at night. And he still stepped out there, just as the Door was closing, only caring that three people needed help."  

He took a deep breath, seeming to gain strength the more he spoke.

"But that was just the beginning.  After that, he saw me give up on Alby and Charlie,leave them for dead. And I was the veteran—the one with all the experienceand knowledge, the shucken KEEPER! Charlie begged me to stay and help, but no, my own shucken fear got the better of me and I ditched them. Thomas saw me give up. He had Charlie, The girl who has lived in this shucken hell hole with nothing but degrading comments, being looked down on, and bullied, she had more reason to tuck tail and run, she owed the Green nothin' yet SHE STAYED BEHIND to help the Green save Alby's shuck life.  Think about the willpower and strength it took them to push Alby up that wall, inch by inch. It' s psycho. It' s freaking crazy! Even after running a full day, and carrying Alb'y's unconscious body...she still helped get him up the shucken wall!"

During Minho's speech, Gally had slowly wrapped his arm around and shifted, and moved me so I was sitting on his lap. His hand was still holding mine like a life line. He had placed his forehead on my shoulder. I knew he was doing everything in his power to not fall apart.

"Look, I don't know if he's or stupid. But whatever it is, we need more of it. And we need more of Tiger's loyalty and stubborn determination." he paused again.

That speech was mighty dramatic, like jeez! 

It's true though, Tommy, and you know it is. You deserve the credit and not this stupid gathering.

Gally sat up straight, lifting his head off my shoulder. I could feel his tense, barely controlled anger. I could almost feel it boiling. The tremor in his hand was only not visible because it was clamped so tightly on mine.

"So everything I said means jack? I've seen that shank! Remember I've been through the changing! I have memories! I've seen him! I think it's too coincidental More klunk is happening the minute he shows up, and now he's dragging Charlie into it!"

I could feel Thomas's frustration before stood up.

"Can I defend myself now? Thanks." before anyone could stop him he started talking, his tone was harsh and snappy. I felt kind of proud of it. I might have to share my title of Snips with him. 

"Look! I didn't do anything wrong. All I know is I saw two people struggling to get inside these walls and they couldn't make it. To ignore that because of some stupid rule seemed selfish, cowardly, and..."

When Thomas said that i felt Gally tense again. I knew he felt like a coward, he told me, but I didn't look at him any differently. He was also being held back, so I see no difference. But I knew he held himself to a higher standard since we were a thing, and he had been even more protective and self critical since I got pregnant, and we were still technically trying to recover from the loss. There was so much going on in our lives right now. I was actually surprised how well Gally was holding it together. 

.".. well, stupid. If you want to throw me in jail for trying to save someone's life, then go ahead. Next time I promise I'll point at them and laugh, then go eat some supper." Thomas finished, with a dramatic eye roll and flopped back into his chair, folding his arms.

Minho and I glanced at each other and looked away quickly, both of us smirking and trying not to giggle again. 

And you say Minho is dramatic.

Shut up.

Nice comeback you Drama Lama!

"I say we make him a runner. Replace me as Keeper." Minho repeated his beginning statement. 

"Come on, you can't be shucken serious?" Gally scoffed. I could hear how hard he was grinding his teeth, "You want to throw the shucken Greenie who breaks rules a parade? Fine! But the more you mess with the maze the worse it's going to get. You mark my shucken words!" 

"Noted. Right here, beside all the shucks I give." Minho rolled his eyes. 

Gally was growling. I  shifted a little on his lap, trying to put a hand on his back, trying in vain to help keep his temper down. It would do one any good. 

Newt was frowning. He finally stood straight, his thumb running along his bottom lip. 

"All right this is my recommendation. We can't have non runners running the maze, you're right Gally." 

I felt a slight relax, that they listened.

"So...one night in the slammer, no food."

"What?" Gally yelled, making me jump and then wince. Gally grabbed my hips and slid me off his lap so I was sitting in his chair and he was standing. "Seriously? One night? You think that's going to stop him going into the maze?"

"No. You're right again Gally, so lets make this official..." 

Newt turned towards Thomas who was sitting quietly, his mouth open, eyes wide. 

"Starting from tomorrow, Thomas, you're a runner." 

"Wow." Gally's voice was dangerously low. 

I stood up, and tried to grab his arm, he shook me off. 

"No Charlie. I've had enough." He walked to the gathering door, and flung it open, but turned back around, "Remember Greenie" He sneered, "I've seen you, so whatever you came here for...swear on my life I'm gonna stop it, you wont bring Charlie into this." 

He left and slammed the door. My heart cracked. I didn't know if I should go after him or let him cool off. I just leaned over, my head in my hands.

"This shucken gathering is over." Newt dismissed  everyone. There was thunders foot steps and then the gathering hall was quiet. "Well, that was some good bloody times." he muttered, he came over and plopped down beside me. I slowly sat up with a groan. Thomas and Minho were still here. Newt gave me a smile of compassion. 

"Keeper? Really? You wanted me to be Keeper?" Thomas asked in disbelief. 

Minho and I both snorted, I knew Minho too well. No way he would ever give up his Keeper role. 

Minho faked an evil grin. "Worked, didn't it? Aim high, hit low. Thankme later." 

I chuckled at Thomas's shocked look. "You got a lot to learn ya shuck face." I yawned. "But right now I have a date with my pillow. Minho, the three of us and some other runners will go check out that squished one, ya?" 

Minho nodded, but Newt cleared his throat. We all looked over at him. He had a guilty look on his face. 

"What?" Minho asked. 

"All your runners quite this morning." 

"WHAT?" Minho and I both yelled, I jumped out of my seat, and promptly hissed, and held my stitches. 

"Well yeah...after everything on on in the buggen' maze! Fred and Jax dead, Charlie, Ben and now Alby..."

"Shucken cowards!" I grumbled. Now I felt like throwing fists and breaking skulls. 

"Another reason you voted me runner."

"Very good Tommy." Newt grinned cheekily at him. 

"Well, then yes, the three of us will go tomorrow and check out that shucken squished Griever." 

"Good That." I nodded with another yawn, "I'm going to bed. Peace out shuck faces." 

I turned and left with a wave. 

________________________________________________________________________________

**Well...another longer one, kind a lot of info, sorry!**

**Hope this made Gally seem more like...I don't know not an angry jerk bully, more like...trauma recovery and he's despretly trying to cling to what makes sense to him, and he's acting out of fear and worry and not spit and anger.**