Disclaimer: I still only can claim the idea.

Strawberries and Coal

Part Two

She needs air

Everything was too much, the unrealistic expectations of a peaceful resolution to the war, the date she was forced to come with, but most of all the boy she couldn't stop loving.

The air is fresh unlike at home, no coal dust. She takes deep breaths to try and clear her head. She could make it through the rest of her night if only she could stop thinking about Gale Hawthorne. Like that was possible.

Her breath turns shaky and tears spring to her eyes. Is she going to be miserable for the rest of her days? She hopes not, though misery for the rest of her life is a small price as long as she gets to love him.

Fingertips graze her back and she lurches forward. He can't be here right now. No one can see them together; they are on opposite sides of a raging war. Lives are at stake, they can't give in to what they wanted.

"Go back inside." She hisses.

He doesn't listen of course because he never does. Instead he reaches for her again. Pulling her against him Gale's lips meet Madge's shoulder.

"Gale." Her tone is one of warning.

"Please Sweetheart, please let me be close to you for just a few minutes." His breath is warm as his lips move up her neck.

"I want this too." She thinks but then she turns and pushes him back. One of them has to think clearly.

"We don't get the luxury of a few minutes. My family could disappear. I could disappear." Madge needs him to understand.

"I would protect you." He takes her face in his hands. "They wouldn't lay a finger on you without my say so."

Shaking her head as best as she can she closes her eyes. An image of Gale dead on the ground comes to her mind. No, she will not let that happen. She would protect him no matter the cost. Even if that meant following Snow's tyrannical rule.

"No Gale, I love you too muc…"

She is cute off when Gale's lips crash into her's, she is definitely in trouble now.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

He needs her

When he decided to follow her outside he had only meant to watch her. That went out the window when his hand touched her of its on free will. Then he couldn't quite get himself to stop.

They belong together he knows it, he was just trying to convince her of this fact. He probably would have been able to, but when the words I love you came out of her pretty little mouth all rational thought went out of his head.

Her lips are soft against his and he knows he will never want anyone else like he wants Madge Undersee. She has everything he wants and needs. She has a compassion for people he has never seen in anyone beside his mother. She loves others without needing a reason and she forgives at the drop of a hat.

Plus, she loves him for some unknown reason. With all his ruff edges and violent thinking, she loves him unconditionally.

She was hesitant at the start of the kiss but she gave in and now he is kissing her like never before.

"Like we are one and the same." He thinks.

The kiss starts off intense. It's fingers tangled in hair, tongues fighting, gripping of shoulders and waists in the need of getting closer, but most of all it expressing the longing they both have. Then the kiss changes, it's slow, tender, and it burns them from the inside.

This continues for a little before she starts to pull away. He tries to go with her, but she won't let him. She puts her hand on his chest to keep them apart. Gale opens his eyes and the look on her face catches his breath. It's a mixture of love and agony.

"Your few minutes are up. They will start looking for me soon."

She pulls away and starts heading back inside. No, he wants to scream at her to stay. He has to keep her here. Convince her that they belong together.

"If you go back in there to them, to him, you will never see me again." He says this to recapture her attention and he does.

Madge looks at him in disbelieve.

"Don't do this, Gale."

"No you don't, Madge"

He had only said it for effect but now that it's out he doesn't want to take it back. He wants all of her, no more sharing.

"Please." She whispers.

"Decide, me or them."

"You, always you, just not right now."

With that reply she turns and goes back inside. He feels like she has ripped his heart out and thrown it on the ground. He wishes he could pick it up and shove it back into his chest. He can't though because it belongs to her. Turning away he starts walking, he is definitely in trouble now.