Gale took her down deeper than she'd ever been before. When they finally arrived, all Madge saw was a heavy metal door.
"What's in here?" she asked nervously. Gale smirked.
"Well, there are a few things, but I just want to show you one," he put his hand on the doorknob, but hesitated. "Close your eyes actually," he suggested. Madge did as he said, reaching for his hand so he could guide her. They were met with a blast of cool air upon entering. Gale did not speak as he took her around, heading for the door on the other side of this room. He made sure she didn't knock over any of the weapons in the room. Beetee would have him out if anything was damaged. Once they were safe in the next room, a warm breeze circulating around them, Gale let her open her eyes.
What she saw stunned her into silence. Big trees with leafy branches towered over them, bright pink flowers bloomed amongst orange and yellow ones, hummingbirds fluttered in the air while a butterfly landed on Madge's shoulder. She giggled and held a finger to it so it would catch on. She let it fly off, watching it settle on a flower.
"Gale... this is beautiful! What is it? I mean, where are we?" she turned to him, seeing him sit down on the lush grass.
"We're still in 13, don't worry," he patted the ground next to him. "This is where Beetee works," Madge sat next to him, still looking around in awe.
"Are we allowed in here?" she asked, reaching to put her hand over his on the grass.
"This is where I work, too. From now on, at least. Beetee said he needed my help, said he wanted to pick my brain on snares," Gale chuckled lightly, then leaned in towards Madge's ear. "Do you like it?" he said softly, his breath moving her hair. She shivered and nodded.
"I love it, Gale," she leaned back so she was lying down. The ceiling appeared as a blue sky without a single cloud to mar its brilliance. Gale joined her laying down, making sure he could still hold her hand.
"You love it?" he asked and she nodded. "Well, guess what?
"What?"
"I love you," he turned his neck to watch her reaction to this. She didn't move, but a tear rolled down the side of her face making Gale frown. "I-I'm sorry, please don't be upset, don't -"
"Do you really feel that way about me?" She asked, interrupting his panic.
"Of course. I think I have for a long time, I just never realized it was love." Gale wiped the wet streak left from the tear away from her cheek. "Why are you crying?" Madge smiled.
"Because I never thought I would be so lucky to hear Gale Hawthorne say that he loved me," she explained, turning her head so she could kiss him. She felt as though fireworks should have been going off; everything about this moment was beautiful.
"I love you, Madge Undersee," he repeated, pulling away to look into her hazel eyes.
"I love you, too, Gale."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she cuddled into his side. She began to hum a song, some Sonatina she knew on piano, her soprano mixing perfectly with the happy chirping of birds. Gale felt himself slip into a euphoric sleep. Madge closed her eyes as well, not caring that she was in District 13 as long as Gale loved her.