Earth to anyone actually reading this- I know this is a pretty slow Gadge story. I will apologize for that. Just TWO more chapters until they come face to face with Gale Hawthorne. Don't act too excited. ;)

Also a little bit of a backstory can be read in the last updated chapter of Dream Catcher. It's also not Gadge though... so- sorry in advance.


In the morning, Madge explained to the group her idea about raiding Victor's Village and already she could hear the side conversations rising and the groaning of complaints. She bit her lip. "I need volunteers…" she called out, "people willing to travel with us to carry the load." After much debate, three men rose to the challenge. Just outside the new fenced fortress they convened.

"Fiddler Rogers?" Thom asked one of the men, "You worked in the Hob."

"Right," the man nodded, "but you can call me Rogers."

Thom and Madge nodded and turned towards the next volunteer, "Gordie Dalton," the Townie said, "I worked with your father in the Justice Building." He said to Madge. She tried not to look surprised.

"Sorry," she apologized, "but my father never discussed work," Madge murmured.

Gordie smiled and shrugged, "as to be expected." Thom glanced over at the other man.

"I just want to confirm you're Thomas Greenwood and Madeline Undersee," the second Seam man asked, skeptical, pointing between the two of them.

"That's right," Thom said and glanced over at Madge, "although, I just go as Thom and Madge goes by... oh… Madge." He rubbed the back of his neck, "sorry that sounded stupid." Madge patted his arm and smiled, "but we worked in the mines together, correct? Jordan is it?"

"Jordan Bowes," the man nodded.

Madge's patience was waning with every introduction and formality, "I'm sorry but we should get going, the group is waiting for us and I don't want to waste anymore time." The men shared a knowing look and followed the little blonde girl all the way to the edge of the district.

"Disturbing," Thom murmured as he stepped around another burnt body. Madge covered her nose and glanced back, trying not to focus on the destruction around them.

"Keep moving," she reminded them and turned towards Victor's Village. They started to jog, watching their footing and covering each other's backs along the way. "Let's start with Katniss' house, then Peeta's, and finally Haymitch's. Though, I'm not sure if we'll find anything but trash in Haymitch's."

"What about the other houses- the unoccupied?" Thom asked, "Do you think they have stuff in there?" Madge bit her lip in thought.

"I don't know but we can check at least one," they crept into Victor's Village just to be halted by a pile-up of bodies in front of it. They were shocked into silence for a few minutes.

"They tried," Jordan murmured finally, stating the obvious, "snipers," he continued glancing up at the roof tops, making lines of fire with his fingers. The group stayed close to the buildings and scuttled into Katniss' home. Madge pressed herself to wall with relief as the door closed quietly behind them. They stood around, watching each other. Madge put a finger up to her lips as a reminder and then shooed them off with a brush of her hand. She closed her eyes and slumped to the ground as the others moved through the rooms. It wasn't long after that someone touched her arm. Her eyelids fluttered open and she watched Thom kneel down in front of her.

"You were right about the supplies," he whispered, smiling, but it didn't mask his concern, "but are you doing okay?" She waved him off.

"Of course I was right," she joked, halfheartedly whispering back. She took a long breath and glanced up at him, "it's just too much," she told him seriously. "We lost everyone." He stared at her for a few breathes and finally sighed heavily.

"Everyone," he echoed softly and sat down next to her. They sat in silence for a moment before Jordan stuck his head out from the kitchen. He gestured for them to come. Thom waved him off. He glanced over at Madge before jumping lightly to his feet. He turned and extended his hand to her.

She smiled and took his hand. He surprised her by dragging her into a warm hug. She molded into him and closed her eyes. "Thanks," she murmured and pulled away, he nodded and they wandered into the kitchen.

It wasn't long before they packed four crates of food. They continued to check supplies, together they moved it to the front door and left it stacked against the wall, slowly and surely moving it outside with them. Once outside, they took a collective deep breath, "Let's head over to Peeta's, he might have different goods," Madge decidedly whispered, "if not we could always try Haymitch's... we at least know he has booze." The men chuckled to themselves and heaved the boxes into their arms, checking their surroundings. "I think it's better to keep it as we found it. I'll tidy up and follow you," Madge continued in the house and then departed, heading next door.

"Madge this is the jackpot," Thom whispered, meeting her at the door. "We're good on supplies if you want to skip Haymitch's." Madge grinned at him and glanced over at the parading party in front of her.

"We can still get some things from Haymitch maybe medical supply or something." She dropped down next to the men and started sorting through the supplies. She glanced over at Thom who was grinning from ear to ear down at a box of frozen tarts. His long dark hair was curly and out of control, and his eyes were bright in the sunlight coming through the window. The shadow of his lashes looked appealing over a dash of light freckles. He glanced over at her and she smiled back at him, taking in his composed expression. She shook her head and rolled her eyes as he glanced back at the food.

They had just finished packing the boxes when Madge felt the air shift and an uneasy silence crept in. Her smile dropped. "Be quiet," she hissed and the room went to silence. Outside a hum began to grow.

"Hovercrafts," Thom whispered, "have they come for us- were we too loud?" The group sobered. Madge ran and peaked out the window to see the hovercraft unload with only a few peacekeepers.

"We have time to hide," she told them, "get to it... closets, trunks, attic..." The men didn't think twice and parted from the kitchen and pantry leaving behind the packed goods.

Thom held out his hand, "come on," he said. Madge shook her head.

"I want to watch and take the hit," Madge told him seriously, showing him a hint of her knife, "but whatever happens you have to make sure to get the goods back to camp." Thom looked hesitant, "go!" She demanded and he left reluctantly, disappearing down the nearest hall.

The blonde pressed herself next to the wall, near the front window and turned slightly to peak out. The peacekeepers were closer to the house now but didn't look as though they were looking for them. In fact, they didn't seem in any hurry at all. Instead they walked right past the house and into Katniss' walking single file in and out, barking orders to each other. Madge watched counting the minutes to herself until they regrouped back onto the hovercraft.

She didn't move until they were completely out of site. Madge parted with the wall and ran down the hall pounding softly on the doors, "they're gone," she said over and over to random rooms. "They've left!" She practically told the house. Thom unfolded himself from a linen closet, stretching and popping his joints.

"Good riddance," Thom muttered, "what did they come for? What did they want?" Gordie hurled himself out of a trunk at the end of the hall, coughing and chasing the dust from his face. Jordan climbed out of the tub and Rogers slid out from under a bed. They connived in front of their packages of food in the kitchen.

"What would have happened if we had stayed in that house for a few more minutes?" Jordan asked quietly, rubbing his forehead.

"What if they had come in here?" Rogers sighed and glanced out the window.

"It didn't come to that," Madge reminded them softly, "I don't know what they came to do but I do know that we have to get out of here." The group divided the crates between them and set off through the district again, skipping Haymitch's house. This time their foreheads sweated and their eyes were alert on the sky and their surroundings the whole way back.

They were greeted royally upon their return and Madge was celebrated throughout the camp. They had enough food and water to support them for the upcoming days and Madge knew it wasn't long before the idea of finding the other group came up. Although many rejoiced, a few had publicly voiced their disappointment that she had not failed. "We're getting led by a child," someone argued.

"A lot you've done," others replied to the comments, "at least she cares." Medical supplies were passed around and fresh water was dispersed sparingly.

"We'll be leaving in the morning," Madge announced at the fire, breaking their thoughts. "We need to join the other group," she said seriously, "it is crucial to see who else is alive and to know their plans." Thom gave her a sheepish look but the people agreed loudly, rejoicing. "One last announcement," she said, hushing the crowd. "It is also critical we get further into the forest," Shocked reactions waved through the crowd, "I understand we have a base now but I'm positive we will find the other group." She left out the news of peacekeepers in Victor's Village and the additional supplies still there.

"Nice job today," people said, patting her back and grabbing her hands on her way to her pack and blankets. Many took her into their arms and others grinned from afar. Finally, she fell exhausted onto the ground next to Thom. She glanced back at camp, the survivors separated by a few bushes here and there.

"You're something else, Madge," Thom murmured, watching her. She glanced back at him and he smiled softly.

"Hope that's a good thing," she smiled.

"You have no idea," he winked.


So now they're going to go looking for Gale! How do you think it's gonna happen? And Peacekeepers? Also I'm thinking that Rogers, Gordie, and Jordan become a posse with Thom and Madge but more to come. Also will something become of Thom and Madge?

Think Gale will give her a warm greeting? They parted on fantastic terms- almost (dare I say) a little too friendly...

Erin