A/N: Thank you everyone for the great response to the last chapter. Your thoughts and support are an inspiration.

I'm sorry I've been away for so long; this month has been crazy...endless meetings, sickness, wedding, funeral - all wrapped in one crazy month.

Thank you, RoryFaller, for the beta.


Complex Affairs

"How are you, Arnica?" Farl Mellark asked his once best friend. She hadn't been to Town in years. Arnica Everdeen had said goodbye to her life in this part of the District long time ago.

Arnica smiled back at the man she had once shared her deepest secrets with; a man who made it possible for her to marry the love of her life. She took a deep breath as she reminded herself that he was also the man whose heart she'd broken, unknowingly.

When she didn't say anything, Farl continued, "Thank you for helping Katniss get through her difficult time."

Arnica knew that Katniss' mother wasn't the kind of woman she would've envisioned for her kind friend. She also knew Farl well enough to know that he would never say anything bad about his wife to her, but she heard the unspoken words and knew that Mrs. Mellark wasn't much help to Katniss in understanding what she had been through. Arnica remembered how upset Peeta was when Katniss had finally told her parents about the attack. Her mother had brushed it off as nothing had happened and grounded her for sneaking out of the house. She had been more upset about Katniss spending the night with Hazelle than about the attack itself. Above all of that she was upset about Katniss dating someone from the Seam. She'd brushed off Katniss' relationship with Peeta as a teenage crush that would pass soon enough. Peeta was livid that night. She knew that for her son, at least, this was not just a teenage crush that he would outgrow someday.

"Katniss is a wonderful, beautiful girl. I think she's felt better and more confident in the last few months," Arnica said to her old friend.

"Yes, Peeta is a marvelous influence on her. He is really good for her; he treats her right – the way she deserves to be treated."

Arnica smiled sadly and said, "You probably didn't envision her with someone from the Seam…"

"Stop, Arnica. I've only wanted for Katniss to be loved and taken care of. This world that we live in does not take care of our children. It doesn't matter if they're from the Seam or Town; none of them are safe. All we can do is support them through the little happiness they have for the time being."

Arnica quickly looked around to make sure no one heard him. Farl had never been a fan of the Capitol or Snow's regime. "Farl!" she admonished immediately. Even when they were just kids, he used to scare her with his talks of a rebellion. Now that Peeta and Prim were all she had left, she was even more scared of such talks then she had been when she was a child. She smiled politely and said goodbye to her friend as she rushed off towards the safety of the Seam. The peacekeepers frequented the Town streets more than they did the grungy Seam areas. The Seam was safer; it was home.


"I thought I'm supposed to help you hunt," Katniss panted in between kisses. Before she could say anything else, Peeta caught her mouth in another kiss as his hands slipped under her shirt and up her back. He pulled her closer. Katniss shifted a little and Peeta moaned into her mouth. The young couple in love had sat against a tree, kissing for the last half hour. Katniss sat on Peeta's lap, straddling him, while the two lost themselves in each other.

"You are so beautiful," Peeta said kissing her neck. She squealed when his lips met her collarbone; that was her most ticklish spot. Just then a gust of wind brought the young lovers back to reality and the harsh mountain winter. Katniss hugged Peeta tighter to get some of his body heat and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I think you better go back home before you catch a cold," Peeta said.

"I want to use the bow again," Katniss pouted.

Peeta laughed and said, "You using the bow is what got us down here for the last half hour." She pushed off his chest to look in his eyes and he continued as he laughed, "I can't help myself. You're so sexy when you yield that bow; I can't control myself."

Katniss gave him her strictest glare and said, "I'm never going to learn to hunt if you attack me every time I pick up that bow."

Peeta laughed again and said, "Hey, I'm only human. I've never seen anyone pick it up as easily and as naturally as you. And your aim is amazing. I think you've held back on me."

"I already told you. I'm not hiding anything from you. You're the one that said it's easier for me to pull because of my muscles. It's those hundred plus pounds bags of flour. Growing up with two older brothers helps too. A few years ago, Manna hung three long elastic bands from the door and the three of us have competitions to see who can pull the furthest and hold it the longest. Manna and Baree can always pull farther than me, but I can usually hold it longer." She smiled cheekily at him.

Peeta laughed as he ran his cold fingers down her cold cheeks and said, "What can I say, its hot watching you hunt with the bow."

"Peeta!" she warned, afraid he was making fun of her again.

He pulled her back to him and said, "Hey, I'm sixteen years old. Is it so hard to believe that I get turned on by my hot girlfriend doing hot things around me." He kissed her again before she could say anything else. When he released her lips, he said, "You should've seen when I first met Gale. It took forever to teach him to hunt with the bow. Though I'll agree he caught on to the bow faster than I caught on to his snares."

Katniss laughed and asked, "Speaking of Gale; what's up with him and Madge?"

"I didn't think anything was up with him and Madge. They're friends. They say so every time we ask them."

Katniss rolled her eyes at his naïvety and said, "I know they say that, but, come on, you don't actually believe that do you?" Peeta shrugged so she continued, "They spend time together every day after school and they've done it for the last six months."

Peeta cut her off and said, "Aren't you glad they do? If they didn't, then Gale would be out here now and we would never get any time alone."

"Peeta, I'm serious," she scolded.

"So am I," he defended himself. Peeta turned her face back to him and said, "Look. I asked Gale a couple of months ago. I know what you mean. They spend an hour together every day after school and I know they go to each other's houses on the weekends too. But Gale has no reason to lie to me. I asked him if they were dating and he said no. Why would he lie to me?"

"I'm not saying he's lying. I've asked Madge too and she always tells me that they're just friends. It's weird though. I know they're not together, but in some ways I think they're more together than anyone else. Ever since that first time Madge and I came out in the woods, I've noticed a shift in their relationship. They're really close."

Peeta sighed and said, "If Gale likes Madge then I bet he doesn't even know it. When Gale cares for someone, there are no limits to what he'll do to keep them happy and protect them."

"What do you mean by that?" Katniss asked curiously.

"I don't doubt that he likes her on some level, but he won't ever let those feelings or even the thought of those feelings surface. Madge is the Mayor's daughter; in his mind she is un-attainable and there's nothing he can give her. He would feel like he would only be taking away from her."

"He is such a great guy and Madge is my best friend. He's just the type of person she needs in her life."

Peeta raised an eyebrow and asked, "Should I worry?"

"Worry…about what?" she asked confused.

"About you and Gale," he said.

Katniss pushed his chest and said, "Shut up. I said he's perfect for her; not for me. You are perfect for me."

"I'm kidding," he said as he kissed her again. He didn't doubt her intentions or Gale's for even a second. Peeta was happy that Gale and Katniss finally felt comfortable around each other. He'd even say they were bordering on a friendship. Life had been good the past few months; the four of them had spent a lot of time together and Peeta couldn't be happier.

She got off his lap and said, "I'm going home; you need to hunt before it gets dark. I'm sure Gale will be here soon."


Gale was lost in thought; he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. He was a hunter and could smell danger a mile away and all day he'd had a feeling of doom deep in his stomach. He had even gone home half way through the school day to make sure his mom was fine. Everything was normal in the Seam so he'd returned to school making sure his siblings were fine. It was his day to go to Madge's house, but he'd told her he would meet her in a bit. He wanted to walk his brothers home. When everything was fine there too, his mind turned to Madge. It surprised him that, in his mind, she ranked all the way on the top – right next to his family.

When he showed up at her house and settled on the piano bench with her, he finally felt better though the feeling of doom didn't completely disappear. Over the past few months, Madge had become a very important friend. He couldn't get enough time with her. They'd finished reading Pride and Prejudice and often engaged in debates over the book. It surprised him that they could easily agree on some points yet argue for days over other parts of the book. She was even smarter than he'd originally thought and sometimes he argued with her just to see 'feisty Madge' emerge. She was his favorite; when she argued with him her eyes sparkled, cheeks turned red, and her skin glowed. He almost laughed out loud when two days ago she suddenly crossed her arms, glared at him, turned around, and went inside her house when he refused to see her point on why Elizabeth should not have refused Darcy's original proposal.

When Gale lifted his head, he saw a few snowflakes which saddened him. Summer went by quickly with Madge, Peeta and Katniss. Now fall was gone too. Winter was here and each day marked a day closer to the mines. This was his last year in school; it was his last year of freedom. This summer he would have to go down in the mines for twelve hours a day, five days a week.

Gale was happy he had started taking Rory out in the woods. Once he went down in the mines, he wouldn't have much time to go to the woods. Rory would have to go with Peeta; he couldn't let Peeta be solely responsible for all the hunting even if Peeta would do it without ever complaining.

Madge nudged him with her elbow and asked, "Hey, where are you?"

He smiled and said, "Right here, with you. Play something happy, please."

She gave him a look that she knew better, but let it drop. She had tried to teach him the piano, but he liked sitting next to her and listening to her play. Her soft, small fingers danced across the keys nimbly – a sight he'd never get enough of.

Madge sighed and said, "Tomorrow the people from the Victory Tour will flood my house."

"Remind me who won the games this year?" he asked. Victory Tour for the 73rd games had started a few days ago but he hadn't paid any attention.

"The male tribute from Four. My dad said that Finnick Odair was his mentor so he'll be here too," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Gale rolled his eyes and said, "How long will they stay at your house?"

"District Twelve is usually only a quick stop during the Victory Tour, but this time they will spend the night here. That rarely happens."

"So what you're saying is that I won't see you for two days?" Gale asked.

Madge laughed, but before she could say anything, her dad cleared his throat behind them. Both Madge and Gale turned around on the piano bench to face the Mayor. Gale stood up out of respect and the Mayor shook his hand, as he usually did. "Gale, would you stop by my office for a bit before you leave?"

"Yes, sir. Would you like me to come now?" Hazelle grained respect for elders into his being.

The Mayor waved him off and said, "No, you kids carry on. Just stop by before you leave."

Gale looked at Madge when the Mayor left and she just shrugged her shoulders. Then she got a sly look in her eyes and said, "I did tell him about how mean you are to me; maybe he wants to scold you and tell you to be nicer."

Gale laughed as he playfully shoved her and said, "Mean to you? How about you being mean to me? Day before yesterday you just left me standing outside your house and went in without even saying bye just because I didn't agree with you." He joked, but worried about the talk with the Mayor. What if he asked me to stay away from Madge? It had to happen sooner or later; I'm surprised he hasn't already asked me to stay away. Gale didn't think he could do it. It was hard enough just staying friends with her; he didn't think he could give her up completely.

A half-hour later, Gale knocked on the door to the Mayor's office. The Mayor opened the door and let him in. He closed the door and motioned for Gale to take a seat. The Mayor sat in his chair and eyed the young man. He started a couple of times and then stopped, apparently not sure how to broach the subject.

Dread filled Gale, as it had all day, and he asked, "Does this have to do with Madge?"

The Mayor took a deep breath and said, "No, this isn't about Madge. I need something from you and I'm not sure how to ask you."

"You can just ask me straight up, sir," Gale said earnestly.

The Mayor nodded and said, "Finnick Odair, a Victor from District Four, will be here tomorrow for the Victory Tour with this year's winner. I'd like you to take Finnick out in the woods with you."

"Why?" Gale asked shocked; his immediate instinct was to refuse.

"There are things I've wanted to tell you for a few months and I never know how to tell you. You are friends with my daughter and I'm the Mayor of the District; I don't want either of those to play a role in your decision. So maybe it's best you hear it from someone you are not connected to in any way."

"I don't understand," Gale said confused.

"Son, can you trust me enough to not ask any questions until you talk to Finnick tomorrow?" Gale nodded so the Mayor continued, "Why don't you come tomorrow under the pretense of doing homework with Madge after school? I'll suggest you show Finnick the Seam and the Mines. You can both leave and slip under the fence and out in the woods. I'll make sure to turn the fence off."

Gale was just about to leave when the Mayor's video phone flashed on. He motioned for Gale to stay quiet and still with a slight flick of his hand. Gale saw him tense immediately. The video screen came on and the Mayor said, "Good afternoon, Mr. President, sir." Gale was behind the screen so he couldn't actually see the President or be seen by him.

"How is everything in District Twelve?" Snow asked casually. The hair at the back of Gale's neck rose; he was a hunter, he knew how to recognize the first signs of danger. It was a simple question, but Gale knew something bad was about to happen. This was the cause of the feeling of doom in his stomach all day.

"Everything is running smoothly here. Cray keeps order in the District," the Mayor replied cheerfully. Gale could see the act the Mayor was putting on.

"Excellent. I wanted to personally congratulate you on your daughter's upcoming sixteenth birthday. She is turning into a beautiful woman just like her mother."

The Mayor laughed as he said, "Yes, I often forget she'll be sixteen soon; I still see the five-year old with missing teeth and pigtails when I look at her."

Gale felt bile rise to his mouth; he didn't like the way Snow was talking about Madge. There was a carnal undertone to the way he called her a beautiful woman. Snow ignored the Mayor's attempt to dismiss Madge's age and said, "You've served me well so I will take care of your needs also. No one in District Twelve is good enough for our Margaret. I've asked my secretary to compile a list of suitable Victors for her. My Victors are well liked in the Capitol and an intelligent, innocent, beautiful wife like Margaret is just what they need. Children often do not understand the thought that needs to go into choosing a life partner; this is where we have to act responsibly for them. I'm sure Margaret is smart enough to know you'll make the best decisions for her. Some of my strategists have suggested adding a sixth day to the miners' work schedule. One of them will be in touch with you soon on how to move forward with the change. After that we can discuss if Margaret shall marry someone retired like Brutus, desired like Finnick or forgotten like Chaff. Good day to you, James." The screen flicked off again.

Gale's mind was still trying to process the words when he heard a loud crash. He looked up to see that the Mayor had thrown his glass across the room. The glass hit the far wall and shattered into hundreds of pieces. When Gale looked back at the Mayor, he saw a grown man with slumped shoulders and tears in his eyes…he saw a helpless father.

Before Gale could say anything, the Mayor looked up at him and said, "I'm sorry you heard that, son, but I couldn't let you leave and be seen by Snow."

"Can he really make Madge marry whomever he wants?" Gale asked unbelievably. Marriage to a partner of their own choice was the only freedom they had in District Twelve.

The Mayor sighed and nodded, "He can do whatever he wants. He'll hold Madge's happiness hostage to make me do what he wants. He'll make me increase the miners' work days without an increase in pay."

Gale sat back in his chair. He'd never really thought he and Madge could have a future together, but today she'd been taken from him undoubtedly. He felt an emptiness inside that he couldn't put a name to. "Maybe you could suggest some of the younger Victors for Madge to marry if she must." A Victor could at least take care of her properly; they had enough money and a big house to live in. Surely, anyone would fall in love with Madge; who wouldn't?

The Mayor broke into his thoughts and said, "I know my Madge; she doesn't need money or comfort, she only needs love." The Mayor looked into Gale's eyes meaningfully and said, "My Madge isn't sheltered or fragile. She would survive better in the Seam's poverty with a husband that loved her and cared for her than in a loveless marriage that only took care of her materialistic needs. Madge is strong and she doesn't need much, but she'll break without love."

After a short pause, the Mayor continued, "Of course, I'll do anything in my power to make sure Madge doesn't have to marry a Victor, but…" He took a deep breath and once again looked at Gale as he said, "But for now, it's probably best that Madge isn't emotionally attached to anyone. If she has to go…" James let his words trail off.

Gale closed his eyes and took a deep breath. For that fraction of a second the Mayor paused, the hunter allowed his mind to open to a possibility of Madge. He'd pictured her in his house as his wife, in the Seam. Just as quickly as her father had given him hope, he'd also squashed that hope. It was too late; Gale allowed his thoughts to drift to kissing Madge, holding her, and coming home to her from the mines.

The teenager raised his eyes appraisingly at the Mayor and for the first time realized what a calculating man sat in front of him. He didn't fault the Mayor…he couldn't. The man was just trying to protect his daughter, but he'd swung Gale's emotions from one end to the other. He had no doubts that the Mayor saw the swing of emotions on his face and knew exactly how Gale felt about Madge. In the hour the hunter had spent in the Mayor's office, he'd finally just begun to understand the complex man who ruled their District. Without saying anything out right, the Mayor had clearly gotten his point across to the young man. It would not be easy, but if he could get Madge out of marrying a Victor, then Gale had his blessing.

As he stood up to leave, the Mayor said, "I'm sure you understand this stays between the two of us." Gale nodded again. As he opened the door, the Mayor asked, "Gale, do you trust me because I'm the Mayor of the District you live in or because I'm Madge's father."

Gale looked the Mayor straight in the eyes and answered honestly, "Because you're Madge's father." The Mayor smiled for the first time since the phone call.

With this new information and just a shard of hope of a future with Madge, Gale wasn't sure how to act around Madge. Her father had given him hope and then yanked it out from under him right away. The biggest problem now was, that in the instance the Mayor gave him hope, Gale allowed his mind to imagine a future with Madge making himself realize his feelings for her…feelings he had denied all along. Could she love me?

Of course Madge was waiting for him by the front door. She walked him out to the gate and asked, "Well? Are you going to tell me?"

Gale laughed at her impatience and said, "Your boyfriend, Finnick Odair, wants a tour of the Seam and your dad asked me to be his tour guide." He'd said 'your boyfriend' jokingly, but now bile rose in his mouth again. Finnick Odair was a real possibility as someone for Madge to marry. Gale wanted her; he had never given any thought to marriage, but now he wanted it with Madge. He wanted to make her his wife. Hatred for the Victor he'd never met rose inside him.

"Is that all?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip.

"He wants me to come here with you after school tomorrow," Gale said and impulsively hugged her; he couldn't stand to not put his hands on her somehow. They hadn't hugged since her first time out in the woods, months ago. Other than a little nudge here and there and a soft brushing of their arms sometimes, they hadn't had any other physical contact.

It was clear he surprised her, but she slowly wrapped her arms around him and asked, "You okay?"

He nodded into her hair, not trusting his voice and pulled her closer for just an instance before he released her. Gale walked away from a very confused Madge and berated himself all the way home for acting on his impulse to touch her. Confused, he went home; he knew Peeta would've hunted and brought something back for both families.


As soon as Gale was out of sight, Madge turned angrily towards her father's office. She was aware of her parents' involvement in the rebellion; they'd shared everything with her a little over a year ago. She didn't want Gale involved. Madge wanted to protect him. She entered his office without knocking and immediately demanded, "You can't bring Gale into the rebellion! He has a family that depends on him." Madge stopped as she saw both her parents in the middle of a serious conversation.

"Calm down, Madge. Finnick is just going to tell him about the rebellion. Gale is a born leader; he's the most obvious choice. He could lead the miners. Hell he could lead all of District Twelve into a rebellion. He's smart, strong, rebellious and dynamic enough that everyone would follow him. This is his last year in school and then he'll head down into the mines. He could make a real difference."

"But, dad..."

"Honey, think of it this way...if District Twelve ever rebels wouldn't you prefer that he's aware of it and prepared for it? Do you really want him to get caught off-guard with something as big as that? I know you care for him and you want to protect him, but Finnick is only going to tell him about the rebellion. Then it will be his choice if he wants to lead the miners or not. We are not going to force him into it and that's all we want from him." The Mayor took a deep breath and a step closer to his daughter. He put his hand on her cheek and continued, "I have another selfish reason I want him to know about the rebellion. I don't know what will happen to me and your mother once it starts. I would feel better leaving you under his care."

She hugged her dad and said, "Oh, daddy. Please don't say that. You have to promise me you and mom will take care and not put yourself in unnecessary danger."

"We won't, honey. Not when we have you," James hugged his beautiful daughter. He looked back at his wife and she nodded so he took a deep breath and continued, "The President called about you today." Dread filled Madge's stomach. She knew this wouldn't be anything good. She looked up at her father as he said, "He wants you to marry a Victor of his choice."

"Marry? But I'm only fifteen years old," Madge protested sitting in the chair that had earlier been occupied by Gale. Children in Panem had very little freedom to do what they wanted and she knew she had even less freedom than most of them. She never dated anyone because of constant fear of Snow's influence in their lives. An image of the annoying Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice popped into her head. She shook her head clear of it.

"Daddy's not going to let that happen, honey. We'll discuss this with Finnick tomorrow."

Madge raised her eyebrow and her father answered her unasked question, "Yes, he is one of the better Victors on Snow's list for you." Madge hung her head. Girls around the nation would kill to marry the gorgeous, Finnick Odair, but not her. A fleeting image of Gale crossed her eyes and she closed them to keep those thoughts at bay. She couldn't taint his life with her complications.

"Promise, all you're going to ask Gale to do is help rally the miners?" Madge specified to her father.


A/N: Just when I thought April couldn't get any worse...both my son and I have the flu - we just came back from the doctor's office.

So what do you think...is that all the rebels want from Gale?