A/N: Those who know me well know I NEVER write short stories. But it is a snowy day outside and the Catching Fire photos on the web have me drooling over Gale. Since my new avatar is Gale being taken to the whipping, this is where my brain took me. It will not be a long story.

The bitter cold cut through Madge's clothing. Her District 1-made coat and boots did nothing to protect her from the driving snow and cold. It was so thick and so dark that she had no idea where she was going. Lights flickered in some of the houses, hidden behind rags or other items stuffed in the windows and cracks. Madge had never been alone walking in the Seam before, but tonight she didn't want to be anywhere else.

After leaving Victor's Village, she raced along the lighted path until the lights were gone. The constant sound of the mines echoed ahead, so she knew she was in the Seam.

Somewhere in this place was Gale's family. His mother was already with him, so his siblings were alone. The wind howled and tore at her but she plodded on. Her desire to comfort them drove her. How will I find them?

After she lost feeling in her feet and hands, she finally stopped at a house and knocked. A young woman opened the door.

"Do you know where the Hawthorne's live?" Madge asked through chattering teeth.

"They are in section 39." The woman quickly slammed the door.

"Thanks." Madge was used to the reaction. As soon as someone realized she was the Mayor's daughter, she was ignored. People seemed to feel she was a spy or something. How do I find Section 39 in the snow? She went back to trudging through the darkness toward the next light.

Luckily the next light was a large building with many people inside. This must be The Hob. Her petite body was no match for the wind and try as she might, she couldn't get the door open. She had to wait until someone pushed the door open from inside before she could enter.

Warmth engulfed her from the coal fire in the center. It was filled to the ceiling with all kinds of items that would be classified as junk in the capitol, but in the districts they were treasures. As she looked around, she was met with fearful and hostile looks. Taking a deep breath, she spoke as loudly as she ever had. "I'm trying to find the Hawthorne residence."

At the mention of his name, everyone looked away.

"I know he traded here all the time. I'm sure he was a friend to many of you." Anger coursed through her. "His family is alone in the storm. I am going to help them. Will someone please tell me how to get to his house!" She was screaming now, her voice echoing through the building.

"You got something to trade, sweetie?" an older woman next to a black cauldron asked.

"My coat is made of cashmere and my boots leather," Madge offered. "As long as you give me something to wear you can have them."

The old woman narrowed her eyes. People started talking amongst themselves and moving around. It was as if Madge were this woman's problem, so now they could go back to what they were doing before. If only they had the backbone to stand up. Like Gale and Katniss. We'd be able to rebel like District 8.

"I also need food," she added.

"Don't we all," the lady cackled.

"Sorry," Madge said quietly.

"I'll take your fancy coat because I know just the person who wants it, but keep your boots. They're so tiny wouldn't fit anyone but a child." The woman reached under her counter and pulled out a thick blue blanket – or it looked like a blanket to Madge. She held it over the counter.

Madge pulled off her coat and grabbed the cloth. It had a hole to put her head through and a hood sewn on the back. It smelled like coal and the building, but it felt warmer than her coat.

"As for the food, that will really cost you." The woman leaned close, so Madge mimicked her movements. "Promise me you'll keep those kids warm and fed. The little one Posy has the measles."

Madge gasped. She knew Gale's little sister was four and that the measles could be dangerous. The Mayor's daughter nodded as the woman gathered several containers and took the stew from her pot to fill them. "The Hawthorne's aren't far from here. I'll put this in a box so you can carry it."

"Wait, I've got more." Madge remembered she had a necklace and pulled it off. "Will this get someone to go to the Everdeens, get medicine and bring it to us?"

The woman's eyes widened and a smile lit up her face. "Mason!" she called to a tall middle-aged man, who walked over.

"Think you could melt this down and get some Peacekeeper to buy it?"

Mason's eyes widened when he saw the gold necklace. He wiped his hands before reaching for the necklace. The skinny fingers shook as he took the gold from the old woman. His grey eyes looked to Madge. "You're not so bad. I'd love to get my hands on this Sae."

"Thanks," Madge replied with a forced smile.

"Roger!" Sae shouted.

A short, thin boy approached with a look of hostility aimed at Madge.

"Roger, the Mayor's daughter would like to go to the Hawthorne's. She'll need help with these supplies." Sae set the box with the food down on her counter.

The boy huffed, but took the box from the counter top. "Come on, Goldie," he growled. "I don't want to die in a snow bank for the likes of you."

Madge was shocked when the old woman smacked Roger up side the head with a large ladle. "Don't be talking like that! Take her there and bring my box back. If I hear you said anymore nasty things, I'll cook you in the stew pot."

"A winter like this might make even you appetizing," Mason added, the necklace clutched in his hand.

Madge looked horrified, as did Roger until Sae and Mason laughed. A chuckle escaped from Madge, but Roger only glared. Her first encounter with folks in the Seam didn't go as badly as she thought it would. I've got food and will have medicine. Now to get the kids to let me help them. I imagine they're as stubborn as their brother.

Madge hoped Roger wasn't leading her into a ditch. The Seam boy in front of her hadn't looked back once to make sure she was there. He just plowed through the snow that was now approaching her knees. Another inch and it would be over her boots.

"If you want the house, it will cost you," Roger stopped in front of her and turned.

"I already paid Mason and Sae," she said.

"Well now you have to pay me," he said.

It was dark so she couldn't see his face, but fear rose inside her. She was totally at his mercy. What could he want from her?

"I need this food for my family."

"No! It's not for me. It's for the Hawthorne's! Without their brother, they'll starve!" Madge was quickly losing her temper. Her small, frozen hands formed into fists. In front of her were six houses, so it wouldn't take long for her to find which one was the Hawthorne's. Unless he brought you to the wrong place.

"Sae asked you…"

"I don't care what that old crone wants. I only hang out there to get scraps of food." He turned with the box and headed back the way they came.

"Stop!" Madge shouted.

"Go to hell, little rich girl."

Madge looked around for something to throw at him and only saw snow. Suddenly a memory from her early childhood when her mom and dad had time for her, before he became Mayor of the district came to her.

A door to her right opened, sending out a weak stream of light. Just enough so she could scoop up some of the heavy wet snow, form a ball and throw it at Roger's head.

"Ow!" he shouted. The icy ball hit him right on the ear.

"Put that food down!" Madge grabbed another handful and threw it. "When Gale's better and I tell him you stole from his little brothers and sick sister, he'll pound you into the ground."

"You don't know him!"

"She's his girlfriend, you jackass!" a boy's voice yelled as another ice ball hit Roger from the house.

Madge looked and saw a boy that was much taller than her standing next to the porch. The boy grabbed more snow and pelted Roger with it. Madge grabbed more and threw it. Another boy emerged from the house and added to assault on greedy Roger.

He realized he wouldn't get out without having his head pummeled, so he put down the box and ran off into the storm.

"Rory! Vick! Get that door closed," a girl shouted from the house.

Gale's brothers! Finally some luck. She ran to the box and lifted it. Sae had to have filled the six containers to the top because she could barely lift it.

"I'll help," Rory said and he took one side. "That's heavy."

"Sure is," Madge said as they headed into the house.

After getting the food inside, the snow shaken off her clothing and the boys, Madge took stock of their surroundings. The two-room house was immaculate. Everyone in the town assumed people in the Seam lived in as shabby conditions as their environment, but they were wrong.

"She is not Gale's girlfriend," the dark-haired girl who was in the house sniped.

"N-no," Madge said as she and Rory set the box on the large table. "I'm a friend."

"Right," the girl replied.

"Doesn't matter. She brought food for Pose," Rory barked. "Why don't you head home, Leevy?"

"Right."

"The storm is getting very bad. I don't think it's safe for anyone to be out there," Madge added.

"Take care. I'm sure your mom will be home soon." The girl shot daggers at Madge and pulled a blanket around herself.

"It's really bad out there…"

"If I you could make it, so can I." Hatred filled each word.

Madge stepped back.

"She is here to help! Be nice to her," Rory shot back.

"With charity that you know Gale would never take from the likes of her." Leevy glared at Madge before she left, slamming the door in her wake.

"I'm sorry," Rory said. "She's one of my brother's many admirers."

"Oh," Madge replied. "I'm Madge Undersee."

"We all know who you are," Vick said, his eyes quickly looking to the floor.

"Gale said you were okay." Rory was taking containers out of the box. "Wow, Greasy Sae loaded us up."

"Gale talked about me to you?" Madge was shocked. Their strawberry conversations, as she called them, seemed strained at best.

"He said you were a good friend of Katniss and not a snob like everyone thinks." Rory moved around their tiny kitchen, taking out bowls and utensils.

Vick stayed in the background, always looking away when Madge looked at him. He was smaller than Rory, who was on his way to looking exactly like Gale. At twelve, he was already a half a head taller than Madge's five-foot frame.

"What can I do to help?" Madge said, still shocked Gale would mention her to his family.

"Have you had the measles?" Rory asked.

"Yes. I did as a little girl."

"Then you can bring Posy her dinner. Vick and I never had them so Ma said we need to stay away from her." Rory put some of the stew in a bowl. "Do you know when Gale and Ma will get back?"

Madge had no idea what to tell the two boys. Her eyes darted between two pairs of grey eyes. "Uh… He won't be back for a few days. He…" The boys were hanging on her every word. "He was arrested."

"What!" Vick jumped to his feet.

"No!" Rory said, his shoulders slumping.

"But he'll be okay. Just a few days and he'll be back home." Dumb, Madge. Dumb. Dumb. Why did you tell little boys their brother wasn't coming home?

"Your father will get him out?" Vick asked. "He is the mayor."

"Gale will be home in a few days. I promise." Madge turned to the boy who was only ten.

"Okay." Vick smiled and then looked away with a red face.

"Don't lie to us, Madge," Rory said.

"I'm not. I made sure Gale would make it home." She looked up at the twelve-year old and tried to appear confident. My mom said Mrs. Everdeen always helped those who were whipped. The morphling has to help. It just has to.

Madge stepped into the bedroom, which was separated from the other room by a large door. The room was dim and a tiny lump was huddled in the middle of the bed. A tuft of black hair stuck up above the blanket and tiny coughs broke the silence. This had to be little Posy.

"Posy?" Madge said quietly as she closed the door. Her stocking-clad feet allowed her to walk softly and not startle the little girl.

A longer bout of coughing caused the little girl to sit up and start to wheeze.

"I'm sorry I scared you, sweetie." Madge rushed over to sit on the mattress. "I'm Madge. I'm here to keep you company until your mom gets home."

"M-madge?" Posy gasped. Tears ran down her cheeks and she swatted at them. Red dots covered her face and hands, signifying measles.

"That's right. My name is Madge." She offered a smile and was rewarded with one in return. "I have some food if you are hungry."

"Thirsty," the little girl said before going into a fit of coughing.

"Okay." Madge reached out and rubbed the girl's back. She tried to remember what helped her when she coughed. Drinking water, raising your pillow up and steam in your room.

"Miss Undersee?" a female voice said close to her ear.

Madge blinked and tried to roll over but her arm was stuck under something. Posy. The little girl was delirious with fever the night before so Madge pulled her close and sang a lullaby, which calmed the little girl. The last three days kept Madge in Posy's room with few forays outside except to use the small bathroom and make sure the boys were eating.

Hazelle hadn't returned because the blizzard became too harsh for anyone to travel. Madge was amazed how Rory managed to make the stew last for so many meals, but he did. They supplemented it with some root vegetables, cheese Prim had given them and fruit. Her admiration of those who lived in the Seam increased immensely. Her anger over the poverty they lived in also escalated.

"Madge?" the woman said again.

Madge finally rolled over and opened her eyes. She looked into silver eyes that were filled with tears.

When she pushed herself up, Hazelle Hawthorne engulfed her. "I can't thank you enough for saving my son and my children. Without your help, there would have been no food and Posy wouldn't have gotten medicine." The woman who mothered four children wept in Madge's arms. Her own mother stopped hugging her years ago, so she was stunned at first. After a moment, she wrapped her arms around the woman before her. Posy moved and pressed against Madge's side, while she hugged the little girl's mother. For the first time in Madge's life, she felt like she did something important.

"I'm sorry," Hazelle said as she finally pulled back. Her eyes fell on her little one curled toward Madge. "The boys said you slept with her all the time."

"I told her stories…"

"And sang." Her face broke into a smile. "The boys said you have a beautiful voice."

She moved off the bed and straightened the shirt that she was wearing. Gale's shirt. Madge felt herself turn red. I can't believe his mother caught me wearing her son's clothing. What a fool."N-now that you're home, I should be going."

"I wish you'd stay, but I understand you want to get home." Hazelle took Madge's place on the bed and kissed her daughter. "Her fever came down."

"Yes, the medicine helped. And I do wish I could stay, but I don't want to be a burden to your family. I only wanted to help."

"By starving yourself so the boys and Posy could eat?"

Madge spun around, her eyes wide. "Since there's not much of me, I don't eat much."

"Just a lot of the strawberries my son brings you." Hazelle smiled, a smug expression on her face.

Gale moved stiffly down the street to his house. His time at the Everdeens was frustrating. For a while he enjoyed the attention Katniss showed him, but then it was too much to hear her with Peeta and Haymitch. The Catnip he knew was gone and he needed to realize that. This one tried to live in two worlds, but couldn't handle the reality of either.

No one would look him in the face. It was like he had a plague about him. The hell with them. They're all cowards. They would rather wait for scraps to fall off the table than go out and do something to survive. Although his days of hunting were over, he didn't regret it. He'd only regretting causing his family pain.

When Gale got to his house, he paused to take it all in. It was so different from where Katniss now lived, but it felt real. Genuine love and family resided in it. Not the warped relationship Katniss had in hers; she was more of a mother to Prim than a sister and her own mother was like a servant. It never bothered Gale before but after being there for several days, he couldn't take it any more. His mother was the cornerstone of his family and he could never treat her as less than the heroic woman she was.

"Gale!" Vick yelled as he tore out of the house with Rory a few steps behind.

Gale's mom wasn't supposed to tell them about his whipping. He wanted to do it himself and it looked like he'd have to do it sooner than later. "Guys!" He held his hands up to ward them off, but the brothers rushed full speed ahead.

"Boys!" Hazelle yelled out the door. "Don't tackle your brother. He's not feeling well."

That brought them to a stop. Rory looked at his mother and then back to Gale. "What did they do to you after you were arrested?"

"Arrested? How did you know about that?" Gale looked at their mother.

"Madge told us," Vick said, his eyes straining to see a sign of what was wrong with Gale.

"Madge Undersee?" Gale's shock was apparent.

"Yes, Gale, the Mayor's daughter." Hazelle motioned for them to come inside.

Gale carefully stepped onto the porch and kissed his mother on the forehead. His brow furrowed. "Madge was here?"

"Didn't Katniss tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Gale growled.

"Gale!" Posy squealed from the doorway of the bedroom. She was on her feet and wrapped in a thick blue blanket. A pink ribbon tied her hair back from her speckled face. "Look what Madge gave me." She tugged on the ribbon and smiled.

Gale smiled at his baby sister. He wanted to pick her up but the pain in his back was returning. He'd need some more morphling. Prim said it was addictive and he should only use a little each day.

"Gale needs to rest." Hazelle scooped Posy up and hugged her.

"Can I crash with you, Pose?" Gale asked.

"Just like Madge did."

Gale looked at his mother and then his brothers. "Why was the mayor's daughter sleeping in our bedroom?"

"Boys, can you leave Gale and me alone for a bit? You can return the stew containers to Greasy Sae." Vick and Rory obviously wanted to stay, but his mother's word was absolute.

"I'll see you guys later and tell you all about what happened. I promise," he said with a smile to his little brothers.

Gale sat at the kitchen table with a groan.

"Do you need…"

"Not yet." He put up a hand. "I don't want to waste it unless it really hurts."

His mother put Posy back into bed with the promise of a story and then joined Gale at the table. "Katniss was supposed to tell you where the morphling came from. It killed the pain so you could heal faster."

"I figured it came from her mom."

"It's a very expensive drug from the Capitol." Hazelle leaned forward and took his hand. "Madge Undersee brought it to Katniss's house during the blizzard. She then went to The Hob, got food for the kids, sent someone to get medicine for Posy and stayed here for three days with the kids."

Gale was stunned. He remembered selling strawberries to Madge and talking with her about the Games. She believed Katniss would win and never lost faith. Once she even gave him a wad of money for the collection in The Hob. The more time Gale spent around her and watching her, the more he realized she wasn't a snob. The girl in the white dress was just trying to be a good friend. He resented the meals she got and the wealth in her home, but he couldn't resent her. She was just too damned sweet. And now this. "What possessed her to do that?"

"I believe she's sweet on you," Hazelle said.

"What? Oh, I didn't realize I said that out loud." Gale felt a smile touch his face and his heartbeat increased. "Really? The mayor's daughter? And a criminal like me?"

"Stranger things have happened," Hazelle replied. "Not to mention your siblings adore her."

"I had no idea she had that kind of… courage." Gale looked at the covering of snow outside. "Haymitch said he'd never seen a blizzard like it. Three days of blinding snow and freezing temps. I heard at least a dozen folks froze to death the first night."

"Then you owe her one big Thank You," Hazelle said as she got up. "And this one better not involve a visit to the slag heap."

"Ma!" Gale gasped as she closed Posy's door. How do you thank someone who has everything?

TBC

A/N: This won't be more than two or three chapters. I just wanted to try a different take on the aftermath of Gale's whipping. Thanks for indulging me.