Remade
There are so many thoughts running through my mind at this moment. Today was a monumental day, not only in my career, but my life as well. I've devoted pretty much every day of my life the past three years developing, and even helping in the design of Rebel Union Station. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be not only working with, but even taking orders from Effie Trinket. Truthfully, I think I may already be missing working with her. Maybe she'll need some input in some of her other designs.
Now that the big unveil is over, it feels like it will all be back to business as usual. I should remind myself that's a good thing. It means fewer trips to the Capitol. Truthfully, I'm sort of nervous about all the potential free time. I've kept myself busy intentionally. I'd say it been somewhat of a healing process.
I'm most proud that the Code of Ethics manual is complete and verified. Beetee and I worked really hard on it. It feels right to give back to our new society. Years of suppression and anger drove us to misguided answers. I know I never stop feeling the guilt and the pain from that day. I just hope they will all be able to see how much I'm trying to make Panem a place that she deserved.
Now Beetee will be back in the lab and happier than ever. It will be great to get in there with him and put my creative side back to use. I'd bet Beetee is back in there at this very moment. Considering that thought, I'm not even sure if he even has a home anymore. I think he just lives in the lab… it's got everything he needs.
The foremost focus of all my thoughts center on Madge. Everything that happened today seems entirely surreal. It's only going to be real when I can see her and feel her in the flesh…
When I held her in my arms today, I was overcome with memories and feelings that I haven't felt in a very long time. Until now I haven't allowed myself to feel or even remember most things. Yet one moment with her, it's as if I'm wiped like a clean slate.
"Okay!" I say aloud to myself. I need to take a shower and get cleaned up. Madge will here, soon.
Beep, Beep, Beep… sounds my communicuff.
"General, Operation: Quite Landing is in full effect. ETA is approximately five minutes" alerts sergeant Kyran.
"Thank you, sergeant."
I take one last glance in the mirror before she gets here. I didn't want to look too formal and scare her away. So I just went with my nice dark jeans and blue polo shirt. It says serious, yet casual.
"Wow!" I can't believe I actually feel nervous… or something else.
Ding. The doorbell rings.
"Here we go." I say out loud as I make my way to the side door off the garage.
As I open the door, my heart skips a beat as my eyes meet hers. I can't believe she is really here in front of me. She looks so… amazing! The sight of her at my door sends my heart racing.
"Welcome, I'm so glad you're really here" I say as I motion for Madge to enter.
She smiles, tucks in her hair behind one ear and nods, "General, thank you for having me."
I don't think I will ever be able to thank Kyran enough. At this moment, I'm on my way to becoming one of the happiest men in Panem.
"Thank you Sergeant. I believe Operation: Quiet Landing is a success."
"Yes. Thank you General. Enjoy your evening." Kyran says before he turns to leave.
I close the door behind him and then turn my attention to Madge. My eyes follow her body from head to toe, as if scanning her into my memory. Her hair sits right above her shoulders and is now a strawberry blonde color. It's not blonde and it's not red either, but it's beautiful… She's… beautiful.
WOW! She looks so… womanly. She is wearing a nice white short -sleeve blouse, tucked into a nicely form hugging black skirt that stops just above her knees. I follow her beautiful smooth legs down to her black high heels. I can't believe I didn't notice all of her earlier.
Whoa! What the hell was I doing earlier to miss all of this? I guess that doesn't matter, because she is here with me now.
"C'mon, follow me." I say as I lead her by the hand into my kitchen.
She stops and is looking around the kitchen warily. Hesitantly she asks, "What are we doing? I thought we were eating dinner here. Did you have something else in mind?"
I smile, letting out a brief laugh at her expression. "No, we are eating here. Actually, we are going to make dinner."
Her eyebrows raise questioningly, "What? You never mentioned I would have make dinner" She says like she's almost too shocked to be appalled.
I jokingly respond as I toss an apron at her. "Madge, since when did you start sitting back and let someone else do all the work?"
She smiles and lets out a little laugh. "Alright right General, what are we making for dinner?" she asks while reaching behind her to tie her apron.
"Pancakes"
She raises her eyebrow, "For dinner? You can't have pancakes for dinner?"
"Sure we can! There are no rules stating that we can't. Besides if there were…they would taste that much better."
Smiling, Madge deviously says to me "always the rebel, General Hawthorne."
When she does that… when she stresses General, it's so enticing. It's as if something out of my control propels me towards her. I love how she always just dishes it right back to me. Nobody ever does. In fact, I'm pretty sure Madge is the only one who has ever stood their ground with me.
"Do you want to stir or pour in the ingredients?" I ask Madge as she moves to stand next to me.
"mmm… I think I will stir."
"Okay" I chuckle. "I get the fun part then" I laugh, as I hand Madge the spoon.
As I begin measure and add the ingredients to the bowl, I catch Madge sneak little glances at me. Then she quickly looks down at the bowl, and stirs ever so dutiful.
As I watch Madge, I notice she moves so fluidly. I can't help but notice how beautiful she looks right now… I can't believe she is really here with me now.
"It's surreal to wrap my head around this moment." I say to Madge.
She stops stirring and looks up meeting my eyes. "Why?"
"You… you're really here. Standing next to me here in my kitchen… and we are making pancakes together… It all feels like a dream."
"I know exactly how you feel." She smiles
Standing next her and looking into her blue eyes, I just want to hold her tight and never let her go. I wish I knew what was going on in her mind when she looks at me like this. She looks so serious, but deep within her eyes I think I also recognize that same sense of longing. The same look that I'm sure mirrors my own.
"Let's get these pancakes going… I'm hungry." I say to her to redirect my focus.
Madge just naturally takes over pouring the batter on to the pan. Standing there with the spatula in hand, she turns to me and says, "I'm really proud of everything you've done Gale. I'm just amazed by… well everything really. It's incredible all that you've done."
I'm taken completely by surprise. "Thank you" I manage to squeeze awkwardly, sounding more like a question than a response.
"Remember all those years ago… we weren't really kids, but were not yet adults either." She smiles "You always amazed me with all your ideas. Then you'd blow me away by the way you always seemed to put them motion."
"You're like a catalyst to set in motion whatever is in your path." She says to me while watching the pancakes.
She flips the pancakes over in the pan and turns to face me.
"Back then I always felt like district 12 was holding you back from something special. Seeing you today with everything you've helped create… it's remarkable. Rebel Union Station is breathtaking. It's truly unlike anything I ever imagined could be in Panem."
"Madge..." I begin to say, but she cuts me off.
She smiles at me, "I could have never imagined Rebel Union Station or the Code of Ethics manual. But, you did… You set out and created both of them. You created wonderful things for all of Panem to enjoy."
"Gale, when I heard there was a chance to be on the Ethics Committee, I all but ripped heads off to get a spot on it. I had to have that opportunity to see you in the flesh."
She looks down and her voice trails off as she says, "It seems as if we were always one step behind one another…"
Madge closes her eyes and looks away to say, "I just had to see you one more time."
My head feels like its spinning as Madge confesses she's proud of me. She must not be aware of everything I've done.
No… She turned away from me again. I just so bad want to touch her and tilt her face, so I can look into her beautiful eyes.
"Madge" I say as I move in closer to her causing her to look back up at me.
"Seeing you… having you here with me now… it's more than I could have ever dreamt possible... It's like you're back from the dead."
Looking into my eyes she says, "I've waited so long to see you again."
She turns her head, bites her bottom lip then reveals. "Actually, until a few weeks ago, I had given up hope of ever seeing you again." She steps back creating space between us as she flips the pancakes.
The atmosphere of the room changes once those words slipped from Madge's lips. She had given up hope… of me. I feel like something is changing inside of me. I just want to hold her close. There is a need growing inside of me. The more time I spend with her, the deeper it grows.
Madge's eyes light up as she smiles. "Now I'm here with you… and we are making pancakes!"
It does feel surreal to have Madge here with me. We are working together again, but this time it's just for us… It feels really good… no, it feels right for us to be making pancakes together.
"Yep, pancakes…"
"Pancakes are ready, let's eat!" exclaims Madge.
We head for my small kitchen table. Madge carries the pancakes and syrup, while I bring the plates and silverware.
I look to Madge saying, "red or white" while I grab the wine glasses.
She raises her eyebrows questioningly at me.
"What? We are eating dinner." I remind her
She lets out a laugh "red"
"As you wish" I say to her.
I bring back a small bottle of red wine. One thing I picked up from the all those dinners in the Capitol and also Effie, is that offering wine makes a good impression. It doesn't actually taste that bad either.
As I pour the wine into our glasses, I say, "It really means a lot to me to hear you say that you're proud of me."
"Well, you have certainly caused a lot for me to be proud of General Hawthorne." She muses.
As she looks into my eyes, I can feel myself getting lost within her gaze. I'm not sure if I even recognize what I'm feeling at the moment… I've never felt anything like this before.
We take our seats at my small table. Frankie said it's called a bistro table. I just called it perfect, because it's only me using it… well until now.
The space is limited as we sit across from one another. My knees are touching hers under the table. As our body's contact even briefly, I feel that electric feeling again pass through my body… This table is perfect.
"You're different from before." Madge says startling me from my thoughts.
"No" I sigh.
"I'm still Gale Hawthorne…Just now with a fancy title and suit." I offer.
She hesitantly reaches across the table and places her hand over mine. "You are… you're just better."
"Thank you" I tell her as I look down at our hands.
I pause for a moment, "Madge how did you make it out of 12 that night?"
Madge's POV
I've been avoiding this memory for the past five years, but I know I owe him the truth.
"Raif and Lux"
Gale's eyebrows furrow, as if tasting the moment… or maybe he's just remembering that night.
Prickly stings begin to pierce my eyes as the memories start flooding back. I try not to think about them or even my life as Madge Undersee. Becoming Margarita Thorne saved my life… and admittedly my emotional state.
"I've really tried to forget all the events of that night… remembering only made living that much harder." I say as tears begin to well.
"Raif and Lux, were Peacekeepers that were assigned to stay with my father. They weren't anything like Thread. But, in my mind, I didn't care. I didn't like them at all."
"I remember watching the games on the television in the living room, and I was upset with my father. Not only was I forced to watch my friends potentially die in the arena, but I had to sit with two new Peacekeepers that had came to district 12 with Thread. My father was upstairs in his study, but he would check on me periodically."
I smoothly wipe my eyes and then take a bite of my pancakes. Compose yourself Madge, I think to myself as I finish my plate.
I look up at Gale. When my eyes meet his, it automatically brings a smile to my face. I don't know why, it must be something unconscious I guess… Or maybe it was all that time I spent fantasizing over him all those years ago with my school girl crush.
Gale has always been a reminder of hope to me. No matter what life throws at him, he seems to always push through. When I'm with him, I feel stronger… protected.
No matter how hard it might be, I have to tell him everything. I think to myself as I try to hold back any tears.
"I remember seeing Katniss… and then the screen went black."
I exhale a deep breath. "Then it all happened so fast. My father came down came down from his study with a look of panic on his face. Raif and Lux communicuffs started signaling loud… The house was in complete chaos."
Now traitor tears are falling from my eyes… I can't even look at Gale… Him seeing me so emotional, it hurts with a new kind of pain. Then I feel his body shift and his hand is on my shoulder as he stands next to me.
"Madge, I'm so sorry" he says to me as he pulls me from my chair into his tight embrace.
The feeling of Gale's strong arms wrapped around me protectively, send my tears into overdrive. I realize this is what I have been longing for. Someone to hold me, comfort me or just tell me it will be ok… I haven't really been connected to anyone in over five years.
Now here, with him… it's as if all that built up pressure is being released.
I'm sure he's wondering what to do with me as he leads me to the living room, where we sit on the couch. He must think I'm crazy… basically ripping his head off this morning and now sobbing into his chest after dinner…
Gale just holds me tight and lets me cry it out. As he smoothes my hair down he tells me "I'm here now Madge… I'm sorry I wasn't there for you before."
"Gale..."
"No Madge, I should have been there for you… I tried to find you that night, but it was too… late" He hesitates at the last word. "Your house was gone."
"Gale, you had to save your family. You had other people… whole families, whose very existence depended on you… Besides I'm here now."
"You don't have to finish. It's okay. I understand" says Gale.
"No… I'm fine. I want to..." I sigh "I need to."
"The house was in complete chaos… beeping alarms, loud conversations, my father's Capital radio sounding from his study. While my father was frantically talking with Raif, I just stood there watching them both questionably. I think maybe I was looking for some sort of answer between the two of them..."
I can't look at him now as the memory comes into my full view. So I turn my head looking in the opposite direction.
"My father walked over to me, hugged me tight and said, I love you Madge. Your mother and I love you more than anything in the world. You have to go with Raif and Lux. You'll be safe, but you have to leave now."
"I tried to comprehend what was happening at that moment, but it was as if my mind separated from my body. Lux was leading us away from my house towards the train station, while Raif was pulling my hand following. My body was moving, yet nothing felt real."
"We kept running and then suddenly we stopped. I yanked my arm from his grips to flee… but then I saw it… Fire spreading everywhere I could see. At that moment all I could think of was my family, you and your family. I tried to run back, but Raif held on to me. He looked right into my eyes and said, "Trust me" then he threw his bag at me and said get changed."
Gale's eyebrows remained furrowed as he studied my face still intently listening to me.
"At that moment my body reclaimed my mind, as the reality of it all dredged into my soul… my world was on fire, everyone I loved and District Twelve was all in gone in a blaze."
Hot tears fall from my eyes once again and Gale pulled me even closer towards him. I wipe away the tears, but they just seem to continue on a slow steady drip.
"I thought about my father talking with Raif and the look in his eyes and I knew I that I had to trust. I opened the bag and inside was a Peacekeeper uniform. I looked at Raif questionably and he said, "Now! We're almost out of time." As I changed into the white uniform I heard more blasts, and the sky grew brighter as the fires swelled into the sky."
I look up to Gale, but I just can't look at him as I reveal the next memory.
"I remember seeing flames licking at everything as far as my eyes could see, setting ablaze to everything in its path. There was a cloud of ash steadily falling from the sky. Our white Peacekeepers uniforms were grey and my hair was practically black from all the ash and coal dust in the air, by the time we made it to the train."
Gale's face and body remains rigid yet open as I continue. I am sure he just remembering his version of that night… Or he's probably pissed at me as I cowardly left with Peacekeepers.
"Lux turns to me and says "wear the hat, keep your head down and don't speak unless spoken to and get a new name." So I put the hat on, and I was thankful to be completely covered in ash, as I followed Lux and Raif on to the train… A train filled with the remaining District twelve Peacekeepers and other random people from the Capitol."
"Once on the train, Lux did most of talking. A man motioned us to towards the rear. I followed behind Lux, and Raif trailed closely behind me. It was as if they had formed a protective wedge around me, as we walked a through the train under wary eyes to a cabin that had been assigned us."
I studied Gale's face as I told him of that night. I was surveying him to see if he was mad or disgusted at me… yet he just looked open. He held me close and listened to everything that I was saying.
"Lux shut the door to the small cabin we shared. I sat in the corner of one bench, while Raif and Lux sat on the opposite bench. We just sat there silently. None of us said a word to one another. They let me have my moment… and maybe they even needed their own. I thought of what Lux had said about a new name, and I had remembered reading about Margarita in one of my father's old books. So I thought that would be a perfect name for me."
I look down, unable to look him in the eyes as I say, "I closed my eyes and sat there in silence with visions of fire setting a blaze to all the memories of my life… what would become my old life. I tried not to let myself think about anything that would hurt… But, no matter how hard I tried that night… for some reason I could only think of you."
"I had hoped that you had made it out of the fire… deep down I knew you did. Whenever I was with you, I felt different… like I could do anything. I had to keep a part of you with me. So I chose Thorne in case I ever got caught. I never wanted you to pay for my mistakes… where ever you were. So that's how I became Margarita Thorne. She was a part of me and a part of you."
I look up and see his eyes intensely focused on me. We are sitting as close as possible to each other. I've dreamt of a moments like this with Gale. But this… this is different. I am sharing my most intimate memories to him. Him seeing and comforting me, as I roll through the rawest emotions recalling my past, is an experience I expected to never share with anyone.
It just feels so natural and easy to reveal my true self, my true feelings… the real me to him. It's as if he feels the same connection as I do. At that moment Gale brushes my hair back behind my ear. His fingers slowly caress behind my ear then trailing down my jaw line. My body becomes a live wire under his delicate touch. His thumb hesitates under my jaw. He gently lifts my chin and leans into me.
I close my eyes in anticipation, and then I feel his warm lips gently caress mine. The moment our lips meet for the first time, I feel like I'm given a pathway to his soul. Everything about this moment feels so right between us, as if it was always meant to be. Gale slowly pulls away looking right into my eyes. He has the same look of surprise… and desire, I know mirrors my own.
"Madge… I"
I know he's going to say he's sorry, I can see it written all over his face. I can't let him feel that way. So I lean into him and kiss him before he can finish.
He kisses me back softly, but I can feel restrained passion behind it. My heart begins beating fast, feeling as if it was just delivered a dose of adrenaline. Kissing Gale feels like a whole new world is opening up for me. I've been hiding under Margaret Thorne all these years. It feels like Gale is releasing Madge Undersee from her own personal prison of solitude.
"That was… amazing" I say as I pull away from our kiss
"It is amazing" he says smiles, nodding his head lightly.
"So… You were on the train." Gale pursed his lips, "… with Peacekeepers…" He says interrupting my moment of sheer bliss, bringing back to the memory.
"We all sat in silence for what seemed like endless days. We were still covered in a mixture of ash, soot and coal dust… covered in the last charred dust from home I would see. Then suddenly the train stopped. Raif looked at me and I knew to follow their lead. We all got up and proceeded out from the train. Lux and Raif flanked both my sides as we walked through the train station. Half of us were covered in ash, and nobody really looked at us or said anything. There was just this weird feeling that hung in the air around us."
"I quietly followed them until we reached a house. When we got to the door, I hesitated before I entered. I wasn't sure what to expect behind it. But, I figured, what did I have to lose? My life… I really didn't care at that moment. However, it was just a regular house inside. Raif didn't say much except that I could sleep in the bedroom and he showed me to the bathroom where I could get cleaned up."
"That next morning Raif and Lux explained to me that we were in District Two and were on the verge of a war. The capital had accused my father of being a Rebel leader and that there was a death warrant out for me as well. Raif said to me, "you have to kill off Madge Undersee before the Capitol does." So I cut my hair to my short. Raif had beets growing in his garden; I boiled them and soaked my blonde hair in a bath of red dye from the beets. At that moment I became Margarita Thorne."
"I stayed there with Raif in District 2 for a while until it became unsafe. I remember the first time I saw you on TV during the Rebel propos. You and Katniss looked amazing as you were shooting against the Capitol in District Eight. I felt like my heart was going to jump at out my chest when I heard your voice. Seeing you and hearing your voice… just knowing that you were alive and leading the Rebels… it was like my heart began fluttering again, as if hope was beginning to build once again in my chest."
"Lux had arranged for me to stay with his family in District One. He stayed in back in district 2 to fight with the Rebels. Raif accompanied me to District One by Rebel transport. It was the first time I had ever flown in a hover craft."
"I had always dreamed of riding in a hover craft. However, I didn't even get to enjoy the excitement of my first trip. I just sat there empty, waiting for the next disaster to happen."
"From the moment I left District 12, to my time hiding in district 2, and then sitting on the hover craft to District One; I felt like a lifeless soul, living under the shell Margarita Thorne. I had a small bit of hope that I was holding on to after seeing you two in the propos. But, I had no idea what to expect once I arrived in District One. Once again I was entering the unknown."
"Lux's family was very kind and welcoming to me. They were also very big Rebel supporters, strategically and financially, the Carter family."
Gale's eyes grow wide, while he purses hips and nods intently. He is the General, I'm sure recognized the name.
"The Rebels had an extensive underground network, including Raif and Lux. I had no idea how vast that network was. Up until that point I had pictured you, and the Rebels of District Thirteen being the only ones doing anything. Mr. Carter introduced himself to me and said he had big plans for me. He said he had known my father, and believed I would be a good asset to have on his side."
"Mr. Carter's assistant Seth showed me to a small room located on the second floor of the Carter's home. Their house was very similar to my home back in 12, but much more grandeur. Seth pointed out I would have my very own bathroom and then the closet that was filled with clean feminine clothes. He told me to make myself at home, get cleaned up and then be down in the dining room for dinner and a briefing."
"He shut the door behind him and I went straight to the shower. That was the first real shower I had had in a very long time. I watched as the dirt and grime washed away from my body. Feeling that cleansing water against my skin seemed to peel away the layers of despair that had developing over my soul. I changed into a nice form fitted dress, combed my lightly colored red hair, looked in the mirror and then fully became Margarita Thorne at that moment."
"Once in the dining room I was joined by Raif and Seth. Raif explained to me that he and Lux had joined the Peacekeepers as a means to infiltrate the Capital's army. They remained undercover while they networked with other Rebels across all the districts."
"In 12 I hated Raif and Lux at first just because they were Peacekeepers invading my personal space in my home. That night of the bombing, Raif said to me "trust me" and I did. I trusted Raif and Lux even though they never said anything to me, until that moment. They had kept me safe and alive, so I trusted them.
I briefly feel a smile cross my lips as I notice his body shifts every time I mention Raif or Seth's name. Yet he still listens to me without any interruption.
"Seth explained to me that he was as an assistant and confidant for Mr. Carter. He explained that he was educated as a lawyer. Yet under President Snow it was mostly enforcing compliance of his wishes. With the Rebellion came the promise of practicing real democratic law. Seth then explained that Mr. Carter wished for me to be Seth's apprentice. He explained that the Rebel force was spreading fast, yet there were still breaks within the communication. That's where they needed me to help in the Rebellion."
"After that conversation I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I was no longer mourning over the loss of my family, district 12 or Madge Undersee anymore. I was wanted. I was needed to help fight the rebellion. Learning we were so close to overthrowing the Capitol and Snow's regime, gave me a new sense of hope and pride. I became proud that I had the opportunity to become Margarita Thorne, underground Rebel fighter.
He squeezed my hand, and I looked at him and smiled.
"It seemed as if we were always just one step short from one another. I had just arrived in District One, when I saw you and Katniss in district 2 when Katniss was shot. It felt horrible seeing her pleading for us to unite, instead of everyone killing each other, only to be shot. I felt I had to work harder on my end. I worked endless hours every day for months. I researched thousands and thousands of names of known and potential Rebel backers. We had and encrypted system to deliver messages and disguised couriers. I sought out for support, for financial as well as weaponry.
"It felt rewarding to know I was helping the cause. Although you were actually out there fighting hand in hand combat. I was still able to do a small part to make some of that a possibility. I didn't just work war propaganda this whole time though. Once word came across the wire that Squad 451 had infiltrated the Capital and thousands of Rebel soldiers were lining the streets. I finally was able to see what a democratic society looks like. Seth, myself and a team of Lawyers chosen by Mr. Carter began laying the blue prints for codes of conduct for a sovereign government."
"That first meeting was amazing. The possibility of self government was like my wildest dream come true. People of Panem were going to be able to make their own choices in life and were going to gain their own independence and freedom."
"So basically sums up what I've been doing all this time. I've been in District One working on laws, legalities and ethics pertaining to the rebuild and benefit of Panem."
I look him in the eyes, and say "I always wished I could've had your fierce tenacity towards a commitment. You bravely fought on the front lines. Then you returned from a death and sorrow plagued war, only to create these beautiful and amazing contributions to our society."
I look down at our entwined hands, as if studying his scars, "I worked in a building, hidden from immediate danger, and yet I have nothing to offer. I had hoped once things settled after the war, I could see you again. See anyone who was left from District 12, but it just never happened."
"You were a big war hero and then you became General Gale Hawthorne. As for me…Madge Undersee died the night of the bombing. I had actually done some good in the world as Margarita Thorne. So I had pretty much given any hope of ever seeing you again. I would occasionally see you in the newspapers or on TV, but I didn't go looking for you anymore."
"I figured Panem's most eligible bachelor has plenty of women to choose from, and could care less about an old imposter from his past. But then…"
I hesitated, "Then I heard about the opportunity for a spot on the Ethics Committee… a chance to see you again. I had to have it! I threw a big a stink in the office one day. Demanding to everyone who would listen, I even demanded to Mr. Carter, who rarely made appearances that I should be given the opportunity, given how well I performed on all my other projects. I did something right, because they told me to pack my bags the hover craft was leaving that evening for district 2."
"Sitting on that hover craft a few days ago I couldn't believe that I would actually see you again. We had the weekend to review you Code of Ethics manual and I just couldn't believe my Gale Hawthorne helped create such a beautiful thing. Then once we arrived at Rebel Union Station, seeing and feeling the magnitude of the building and everything that it represented, I wondered to myself if I had made a mistake."
"Why?" he asked with his eyebrows furrowed questioningly.
"Gale, look at all that you've done. You have always been fighting for and creating a better world for everyone. I've done nothing in comparison. I ran from district 12 the night of the bombing and then remained hidden as Margarita Thorne for all these years. It seems everything you touch turns alive beautifully. Then seeing you looking so handsome and important in your uniform, and then when you spoke it was with such fervor, I was in complete awe of the man you have become."
I look away, "I was just mad at myself for hoping that maybe I could have a chance. You are so perfect, while I'm the flawed, imposter of a woman you knew once upon a time. I'm sorry for the way I behaved at the hearing. I… I was searching for something to not be perfect with you."
A small smile forms on my lips at the memory, "You just kept dishing it right back to me. You never retreated, you just pushed forward. It reminded me of when we were kids back in 12 tossing heated ideas of politics and life between each other. Those feelings just came flooding back to me, like I was that same infatuated girl."
"You and I…" I sigh "when we dish it right back to one another like that… something just connects inside… like it's perfectly natural. I hoped maybe you would feel the same… maybe even find me hidden under lawyer's scowl and red hair."
"I'm sorry" Gale says to me as he smoothes my hair. "I was late… finding you. I wish I would I could've found you that night. I would have protected you and done everything that I could have just to see you smile every day."
"I'm sorry that you were all alone out in the world. Don't think for one minute that you hid from the war. Madge, you fought for the Rebellion too. You were safe… and alive. That's all that matters."
Gale's hesitates and he twirls my hair around his finger. "I'm sorry it did take me longer to find you under your red hair… but, we're together now."
He let the lock of my hair fall from his fingers, gently leans into me. My heart begins to flutter as I close my eyes in anticipation of his kiss. His lips ever so gently brush across my lips. Every nerve in my body feels like a live wire, as his sweet warm breath fans across my face and neck. With his lips hovered over mine he whispers, "We are together now."
As our lips connect, my body yearns for more. The more time I'm with Gale, the more intense my body responds under his touch. I feel Madge Undersee ripping through. I feel like I am becoming me… again.
The kiss starts out slow, but it builds as passion begins to explode from my chest. I part my lips, and feel his tongue delicately dance across mine. This kiss tastes of such sweet desire, I don't know if I could ever end it.
Gale begins to pull away from the kiss. He places two soft little kisses on my lips, then smiles at me.
I suck in a deep breath as reality hit me… Seth…
"Gale wait"
A/N: WOW! Thanks a million for reading my little story! I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all the wonderful reviews and feedback! It feels like a dream… Special shout out to my dream team: Ellenka, Solaryllis, Howlynn, EStrunk, Allium Banner, Roslyn Grey and luis1113…
So I hope this chapter is OK and not too OOC. I hope you don't mind the switching of POV's. I really struggled with the idea. However, I just didn't feel that the emotion of Madge's memories could be portrayed without her telling it. So I may switch between POV's during the story. Oh yeah… oops, sorry about that cliffhanger… stay tuned for the next chapter! ;)