Disclaimer: I do not own anything! This is just my imagination.

Gale watched with an unidentified horror as Katniss kissed Peeta Mellark. He was dead. Well, nearly dead. Katniss couldn't save him. Why was she kissing him? That was the thought that kept replaying over and over in Gale's head. The rule change was something, certainly, and even though they could both make it back alive, she didn't have to kiss him? Did she? Deep down, Gale knew the answer, but the rational part of his brain refused to work. Quickly, he went outside of his house. No one would be out now, everyone was watching the games. But he couldn't stand it. Not anymore. The air was cool and he started to walk briskly. The streets were empty, a bag blowing in the wind now and again. He walked around town and the seam for a while, not sure where to go. The electricity was on, so hunting right now was out of the question. Gale's eyes were focused on the ground, the cold stones all that he saw. Then, his skull collided. He wobbled, but stayed on his feet. Then he saw who he collided with. Madge Undersee. She had fallen, and was rubbing her head where they had collided. He offered her his hand and she gratefully took it.

"Why are you out? Shouldn't you be watching the games?" Gale said, hoping she wouldn't ask the same question.

"Needed some air. Guess it was the same with you?" Madge said looking up into Gale's eyes.

Gale swallowed and nodded. Was it really that obvious? "The games are tough." He kicked a pebble with his worn shoes.

"Yeah. But, I mean, she seems to be doing pretty alright." Madge stuttered. "Have you been to see her family?"

Gale nodded. "A few times. I haven't really talked to them. Just dropped off some food and stuff. They seem to be doing alright." Gale didn't know why he was lying. They were terrible. Mrs. Everdeen was a wreck. Prim was scared out of her wits. He guessed he didn't want others to know their business.

"It's okay for a family to be broken," Madge said. "In a time like this," She saw through his words. Somehow. Maybe he was too broken to lie convincingly.

Gale only nodded.

"Maybe I'll go visit them sometime. I don't know them very well though," She added as an afterthought.

Gale still nodded. "I think…I think they'd appreciate it. I'm the only one who goes and visits them."

Madge stared Gale straight into his eyes. "It's hard being around them right? It reminds you of her?"

So he was transparent. At least, that's how it seemed, with Madge. He nodded again. He was doing too much nodding. "Is it really that obvious?" He finally had the courage to ask.

It was Madge this time who nodded. "Be glad she's alive though."

"I am. I really am." Gale started. "It's just hard…with…" His eyes dropped to the ground.

"With Peeta? They're doing it to survive Gale." Madge said levelly.

"Do you think that's all that there is?" Gale asked, a hope sparking within him.

Madge swallowed and forced herself to say her next words. "Yeah, I think so. Have hope."

Gale nodded and curtly said goodbye, making up some excuse about going back to the house. He walked off with a new spring to his step.

Madge stayed behind in the spot where they were just talking. She whispered, although she knew he would not hear. "There are other girls out there." But he wouldn't hear. He probably wouldn't ever hear. She had fed him those lies so he wouldn't give up hope. Because if there was one thing she wanted more than for him to hers, it was for him to remain the Gale she loved. And if he didn't have that spark in him, he was as good as gone. She needed to keep that spark alive.