A/N: Thank you everyone for such a positive response to the last chapter. I love you all - reviewers and readers. Thanks to all the guest reviewers since I can't thank you personally.

Thank you, RoryFaller, for the beta.

Resolving Themselves

As they walked back, the pressure of his hold on her hand lessened with each step they took closer to the fence. Though Madge thought she'd understood why Gale felt free outside the confinements of the fence, it wasn't until this moment that she realized how exactly the woods spelled freedom. Out in the woods, they were just Gale and Madge, but once inside she would be the Mayor's daughter…she would be Spinner's girlfriend. At the thought, Madge dropped his hand completely and stopped in her tracks, unable to take another step forward.

"What happened?" Gale asked concerned turning back towards her.

"I-I don't want to go back in there," she replied looking up into his eyes.

He took another step towards her; as he cupped her cheek he reasoned, "We have to, Madge. Our families are in there. We're getting ready to start a fight for freedom." Leaning into his hand, she closed her eyes as a stream of tears flowed down her cheeks. He pulled her to his chest immediately. "I'm sorry I brought you out here. I shouldn't have."

She pushed back on his chest immediately and protested, "That's not what I meant. Today's been the best day of my…"

"I know; I just meant that I understand it's not easy to go back in there after the day we spent today," he said hugging her again.

Madge rested her head on his chest letting his strong and steady heartbeat comfort her. She was afraid of just what he said. They would have to go back to being nothing once back inside the fence. They may not even be able to stay friends once her relationship with Spinner went public. "I don't want to be proper all the time. I don't want to be anyone's pretend girlfriend. Gale, I don't want to marry a Victor. I don't want to feel guilty about not helping Spinner. I want to be with you." His hold around her tightened once he fully understood.

"Shh, Madge. We'll make it work, okay. I'm not going to let you marry anyone you don't want to."

"But you heard what Finnick said. No one can stop Snow. Please, Gale," she begged without actually framing a question.

He pulled back, "Madge?"

She looked at him through tearful eyes, filled with fear for his reaction…his response. "Take me away from here, Gale. Please don't make me go back in there. I don't want you to volunteer for the games. I don't want to be Spinner's girlfriend; I want to be with y…"

He placed both hands on her face, forcing her to look at him as he kissed her. "You don't know how many times I've thought about doing just that, but we can't, Madge. Not now when we can finally fight for our freedom. We have to stay. We have to do the right thing. I promise I won't let you marry anyone else. Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Then trust me that I'll take you away if it comes to that." She hugged him again soaking up warmth and comfort from him. They stood thus for a few minutes. Neither wanted to say aloud what it would mean for them to cross back into the District because neither fully understood it.

Gale worried when he didn't see Madge in the morning. He and his friends often stood at the entrance to the school in the mornings and watched the girls walk in. No Madge today. He knew he would check on her after school so he didn't linger too long in hopes of avoiding Peeta. Since they were in different parts of the school, he usually didn't see Peeta and hoped that today would be one of those days. Gale had no idea what to tell his best friend. Lying wasn't his style and telling the truth was not an option. At least not until he figured out if he should involve Peeta in the rebellion. If something went wrong he was counting on Peeta to take care of his family. It had always been their deal to take care of each other's responsibilities. So he couldn't tell Peeta; it didn't make sense to involve both. If Peeta was in his shoes, he would do the same. That's how much the two friends cared for each other and understood each other. He'd explain it all to Peeta, after the reaping, at the Justice Hall.

When he peeked into the cafeteria during Madge's lunch hour, he only saw Peeta and Katniss at their usual table. No Madge. He wanted to go in and find out from Katniss where Madge was, but he didn't want to talk to either of them about his feelings for Madge. He wasn't the type to lie easily so how would he tell them Madge was just a friend when she was so much more. Yesterday's time in the woods had changed it all. They'd fooled themselves into thinking they could stay friends, but that was no longer an option. He could almost feel Madge's soft blonde hair wrapped around his fingers, he could feel her lips on his own, and he remembered the way her body molded perfectly against his. The flush of her skin his fingers left in their wake was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He never thought he would feel so whole and at peace lying on the ground with Madge in his arms. Gale shook his head to dispel those thoughts and left school to see Madge. His mother would kill him if she knew he skipped out on school again.

When he walked past the bakery, he caught a glimpse of gold hair. Everyone in Town had blonde hair, but Madge's hair was more golden than blonde. While the kids in Town were mostly products of blonde haired parents, Madge had her dad's honey-brown hair to add to her mother's Town blonde hair. It was another way she was different from everyone else. She had a hair color her own that didn't belong to the Seam or the Town. Somehow her blue eyes could magically turn violet.

Without another thought he stepped into the bakery just as Katniss' oldest brother, Manna, looked up with a sour face. They'd never gotten along. Manna and Gale had only been in upper school together for a year, but that was enough to create a rift between the two boys. Madge turned around to see who walked into the bakery and she was clearly pleasantly surprised to see Gale. She quickly finished paying Manna and waved to him as Gale walked out behind her.

They walked quietly next to each other; neither knowing what to say. This was the first time they'd seen each other since their kiss. A mixture of anxiety and anticipation, kept them both walking silently. Gale bumped the back of his hand with hers and finally asked, "Are you okay? You didn't come to school today."

She sighed and said, "Some reporters from the Capitol showed up this morning wanting to interview me about Spinner."

He reached out to hold her arm, halting her progress, and asked more seriously, "How did it go? Are you okay?"

Tears gathered in her eyes…tears she refused to let fall out and answered, "I didn't realize it would be so difficult to pretend to be his girlfriend. I'm not in love with him; it's hard to answer questions about why I love him or how I fell in love with him. I barely know Spinner."

Gale looked at her distraught face and pulled her into an alley; they were close to her house. "Madge, you don't have to do this. I know it's hard. Spinner will figure out something else. And I already told you I won't let Snow make you marry anyone you don't want to."

She hugged him soaking up his strength and comfort. She sighed and said, "No! I have to do this. I need to channel all my strength. You have your fight and this is mine."

He pulled back and ran the back of his hand down her face as he asked, "How did it go?"

She gave him a conniving smile and said, "I think it went well. I thought of you and answered all their questions." He chuckled at the expression on her face and leaned down to quickly peck her lips. He straightened quickly as his brain screamed at him, you're playing with fire; this isn't safe.

"Come on; I'll walk you home and then I need to hunt to make up for the last couple of days."

"You can't; the reporters are still at my house. I can go myself." She hugged him quickly and gave him a kiss on the cheek before disappearing down the alley.

He went hunting all the while thinking about what to do about his feelings for Madge. He changed his usual order of doing things in the woods in hopes of missing Peeta. Her words about the interview played over and over in his head. Maybe it would be easier to watch that interview knowing she was thinking of him…that she meant those words for him and not anyone else. After finishing his work in the woods and trading at the Hob, he went home. "There's a mandatory viewing tonight for the Victory Tour," Hazelle reminded him as soon as he walked in.

When he put down his bag and removed his shoes, Posy launched herself into his waiting arms. "Will you stay home and watch with me?" she asked wide-eyed.

The 73rd games had really scared her last summer and not even their mother had been able to calm the frightened three-year old. Gale was the only one who'd been able to offer any kind of safety to the frightened girl. It usually broke his heart, but today it only strengthened his resolve to fight. "Of course, Pose, but only if you promise to sit with me the whole time," he said tickling her sides…hearing his most favorite sound – her giggles.

After dinner they all settled near their old television set to watch the mandatory viewing. He was sure it would have something to do with Madge's interview. Today he needed Posy more than she needed him; Gale pulled his giggling sister on his lap as she unsuccessfully tried to tickle him. "I'm not ticklish, Pose."

Before Rory and Vick could jump in to help, Panem's seal and music appeared on the screen. Everyone turned again to the screen. The usual reporter, Mora Bailey, who had covered the Victory Tour appeared and gave everyone a short re-cap of what had happened since the last mandatory viewing. She quickly summarized the Districts Ten and Eleven visits. Gale held his breath as she said, "We have a special treat of what happened in District Twelve. I assure you it was no usual visit. Ladies, hold on to your hearts. Panem's most dashing Victor may have lost his heart in District Twelve." A picture of Spinner and Madge hugging appeared on the screen.

Hazelle looked at Gale for his reaction as the boys bombarded him with questions. Vick immediately pointed out the obvious, "Hey that's Madge."

"Madge is in love with the Victor?" Rory asked confused. "I always thought she liked you."

"Rory! Your brother and Madge are good friends," Hazelle admonished the boys immediately. It was hard to tell if she was reprimanding her younger boys or calming her eldest. Gale remained quiet with his eyes on the screen. He hadn't factored in his family's reaction. He didn't want to lie to them too, but he had to protect them. His simple life was becoming more complicated by the minute as he found himself tangled in a web of lies.

The screen changed to Madge, dressed in an emerald-green gown that went all the way down to her feet. They'd curled her hair and put it up in an elaborate contraption with shiny green jewels. She had make-up on. The entire ensemble made her look older than she was. She didn't look anything like Madge Undersee.

"Madge looks pretty like a princess," Posy said reaching a hand out towards the screen and turning around in Gale's lap to fully see the screen.

"Why don't you sit with me, Pose?" Hazelle asked with worry clearly written in her eyes.

Gale waved dismissively and said, "She's fine here." He hugged his baby sister. He watched the looks of confusion on his brothers' faces, he saw the awe in Posy's eyes, and finally he saw the empathy in his mother's eyes. He wanted to get up and leave to escape it all. He wanted to go into the woods and feel free again, but the fence would be on and there was no way he could leave without worrying his mother even more. He finally turned his eyes back to the screen just in time for Madge to answer the reporter's questions about Spinner.

"He makes my heart race by just walking into the room. When he's around, I can't see anything else other than him. When he's away, I can't wait to see him again. I love the feel of my hand in his. When he looks at me, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because there are tenderness, understanding and mind-blowing amount of love in his eyes."

"Spinner has very sexy eyes, don't you think?" The reporter asked winking at Madge.

Madge blushed and replied, "I find myself forgetting how to breathe when he looks at me. Especially just before he kisses me."

"I think it's safe to say you've just made every girl in Panem wishing they were you. I know I'm jealous." The reporter turned away from Madge and continued for the camera, "There you have it, ladies. The District Twelve Mayor's daughter has lost her heart, like every other girl in Panem to the dashing Victor from District Four. Unlike all other girls though, we think Spinner lost his heart to her as well. Up next an exclusive interview with Spinner as we caught up to him in District Three."

"I guess she really is in love with the Victor," Rory said unbelievably clearly still confused about her feelings for his brother. All eyes were on Gale except Posy's. Her eyes were still glued to the screen waiting for Madge to come back. She was too young…too innocent to understand what had just happened. Gale remained expressionless. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the concerned look on his mother's face. She loved him; she wouldn't ask him anything and for that he was grateful because he didn't have it in him to tell his family the truth or lie to them. He stayed put on the sofa even though all he wanted was to get away.

Madge knew it was a bad idea to let Katniss talk her into going to Peeta's house for the mandatory viewing. Her dad was at the Justice Building and her mother asleep. She didn't want to watch it alone. She wanted to watch it with Gale, but that wasn't an option. So she'd let Katniss talk her into going to Peeta's. After watching her own interview she knew she should leave. No one asked her anything, but she felt Katniss' and Peeta's eyes on her throughout the interview. Mrs. Everdeen and Prim watched her too without anyone saying a thing. She should leave; she was making it uncomfortable for everyone in the room.

"I think I can make it back home before the next interview comes on," she whispered to Katniss.

"Don't be silly, Madge. It's already dark out. We'll leave together when it's over. Peeta will walk us back," Katniss solaced; ever since her incident she'd been afraid to walk alone in the dark.

"Peeta looks mad at me. I don't want to make it uncomfortable in his own house for him," Madge whispered pulling herself even closer to Katniss.

"He's not mad. He cares about you. Manna said you and Gale had both been at the bakery earlier?" Katniss asked curiously.

Madge nodded not knowing how to explain that. Thankfully the interview started, saving her from answering. Spinner sat on a chair, dressed in an elegant gray suit that made him look very handsome. She wondered what he would say about her. She'd thought of Gale when answering the reporters' questions so most likely he'll think of Rose as he answers questions about her. What a mess they'd all gotten themselves into!

"So, Spinner, the entire nation is waiting with bated breath to hear your side of this love story between you and the District Twelve Mayor's daughter. Are you as taken in with the young lady as she is with you?" The reporter asked the Victor.

Spinner smiled and answered, "Yes, I am. Madge is like no one I've ever met before. She's beautiful, kind, caring, loving…there aren't enough adjectives to describe her. I was a poor fisherman in District Four before the games. Becoming a Victor, gave me a chance for a better life. I've just now realized that if I wasn't a Victor, I would not have had any chance of meeting a girl like Madge. She's the Mayor's daughter; she would've been way out of my reach. And now she isn't. I couldn't be more thankful." He finished with a smile. It was obvious Finnick trained him well for the interview. All her life Madge had tried to make herself normal...tried to fit in and now Spinner had set her apart from everyone else.

"Awe; that is really sweet. But tell us, Spinner, what made you fall in love with Madge Undersee when there are hundreds of girls and women vying for your attention? What sets her apart from all the other girls who're also in love with you?"

Spinner laughed and said, "Madge is one of a kind. When I first saw her at her house, I knew my life was about to change. I've never really believed in love at first sight, but I think I do now. Though I spent less than twenty-four hours with her, I feel like I know her better than most others. She's beautiful so she caught my attention right away. I was attracted to her, but as we spent time together, I realized it was little things about her that turned the attraction into love." Somewhere in District Four a girl named Rose's heart was breaking with this interview. Madge couldn't fathom the thoughts going through Rose's head watching this; she had no warning and no clues anything like this was coming her way.

"Enlighten us, Spinner. What kind of little things? Tell us about Madge," the reporter goaded him. Madge tensed; what could Spinner say about her. He hardly knew her. Everyone's eyes turned to Madge and she smiled back politely doing her best to hide the turmoil inside. She wanted Gale…she wanted his arms around her. She wanted his lips on her. They'd only spent a few hours together as a couple, but she found herself addicted to him…his touch…his kisses…the safety of his arms – the strength he exuded from every pore of his body.

Spinner got a faraway look in his eyes; Madge assumed he was thinking of Rose as he said, "Hmmm…how to describe the little things that make Madge…Madge. She's really smart so it's hard to pull one over her. When she thinks you're trying to, she raises her left eyebrow high into her forehead and she has no idea how difficult it is for most to do that. She scrunches her eyebrows together when she's concerned. Her face and eyes go completely blank if you manage to catch her off guard. And that expression is so cute that it's hard to do anything but kiss it off her face. When she gets angry she stands in an adorable stance…back straight with her right hand on her hip. I think she believes she's intimidating, but once again she has no idea that she looks endearing…not scary. When she hugs me she balls the back collar of my shirt in her hands to hold me closer...longer. The thing I love most about Madge is that when I pull back from a kiss she looks into my eyes and gives me a shy, pretty smile that melts my heart."

The reporter whistled and said something sweet about Spinner's response, but Madge couldn't pay attention. Suddenly she found it hard to breathe. Those weren't Spinner's words. There was only one person who knew her that well and thought such of her, but how could he have told Spinner all those things?

Madge stood up and said, "I have to go. I need to go home, now."

Katniss grabbed her hand and said, "Wait; it's almost over." She held Madge in place as they turned back to the television screen.

The reporter concluded the interview with, "It's heartwarming to see such a wonderful story of love emerge from the games. They've always sent a positive message, but this perhaps is the most positive outcome from the games. I think I speak for everyone in the Capitol when I say we're all touched by your love for each other and we can't wait to see you take the next step in your budding romance. Good night, Panem."

Madge pulled her hand out of Katniss' grasp and headed to the door. She was almost out when she collided into what seemed like a wall of steel. Two warm, strong hands steadied her as an intense pair of gray eyes captured her. Gale! She couldn't face him in front of everyone. She needed to get away, but his hands held her in place. "Please let me go," she whispered so only he could hear.

"Hi, Gale," Peeta said walking to the door. "What're you doing here?"

He looked at Madge and then back at Peeta. "I'm sorry; I didn't know you had company. I just…Never mind; I'll see you tomorrow." He looked at Madge again before he turned to leave.

Madge grabbed his arm and said, "Katniss and I were just leaving. Please don't go." He nodded searching her eyes for what upset her so.

"Are you alright?" he asked formally. She nodded. "Do you want me to walk you home?"

She turned back to look at Katniss; her best friend shrugged her shoulders. "That would be nice, thank you," Madge replied just as formally to Gale. She wasn't sure how to act around him and their friends. She was fully aware of how uncomfortable everyone felt at the moment. Surprisingly Peeta grabbed his jacket too headed out with them.

The four of them walked along the dark, quiet streets of the District without talking. They all walked next to each other unsure of how to split up. Katniss and Peeta felt uncomfortable leaving Madge and Gale. Whereas Madge wanted to avoid being alone with Katniss and Gale with Peeta. So they continued into the night quietly. Peeta squeezed Katniss' hand a few times, but none of them spoke any words. At the fork for Katniss' and Madge's house, Gale said, "I'll walk Madge back." Peeta nodded.

Katniss hugged Madge and whispered, "Will you be alright?" Madge nodded. Peeta and Katniss took off to the right side of the fork.

Gale and Madge continued to the left. They walked on silently until Madge turned around to see her friends out of sight. She slumped against him and softly said, "I feel like a terrible friend lying to my best friend who is clearly worried out of her mind for me."

"I know; I do too," he replied. They'd reached her back porch and Madge sat on the top step. "Madge, why were you so upset when I got to Peeta's house? Did someone say something to you?"

"No, it's not that. It was Spinner's interview. I know those were your words."

He smiled sadly and said, "I didn't think you'd figure it out so quickly." She looked up at him surprised and he continued, "Earlier you said it was difficult for you to talk about Spinner because you hardly knew him. So I thought the same would be true for Spinner. If you're going to go through with this, then you both need to perform convincingly. So I sent a message to Spinner."

She stood us astonished and asked, "How did you get a message to Spinner?"

"Well, it was a message to Finnick technically. Finnick gave me a watch-like device that District Thirteen developed; it's called a communicuff. They're using an old – very outdated – technology of messages carried over radio waves. It's something the Capitol has completely abandoned so these radio waves are no longer monitored. Finnick left a communicuff with me so I could reach him. I sent him a message earlier and obviously they got it."

Madge hugged him. She'd been dreaming of being back in his arms from the moment she'd left him earlier in the alley. Gale hugged her and said, "Madge, this isn't fair to our friends and family. My whole family worries about me because of the interview. Peeta and Katniss worry about both of us."

She knew what was coming; she knew it was the right thing to do, but how could she let him go? She joked, "Maybe you weren't all that good at hiding your feelings for me?"

He chuckled and raised his hand to cup her face. "No, I don't think I was. I'm sorry, Madge, but I think it's the right thing to do. If we can't tell people we're together then we shouldn't be together; it's not right." He wiped the few tears that fell out of her eyes. She nodded. He moved in close, Madge closed her eyes anticipating the kiss, only to feel his lips on her forehead – not her lips. More tears fell out of her eyes at that. He wiped them one more time and said, "It isn't forever, Madge." She opened her eyes and he continued, "I'm not fighting for just my family; it's for you too...for us. One day we won't have to hide."

"I'll wait for you. No matter how long it takes because you're worth it and you're the only one I want," she said holding him close one more time.

He pulled back and quickly walked away. She waited; he never once turned around.

Walking away from her was the hardest thing Gale had ever done. If he turned around he'd never be able to leave her. Gale walked back towards his house and wasn't surprised to see Peeta waiting for him at the fork where they'd split up. Without a word, they fell into step together and Peeta asked, "Everything alright?"

Gale nodded and said, "Yeah, we're just friends." Just because he spoke the truth didn't mean it didn't hurt or his heart didn't break at the admission.

A/N: Guess who's coming to visit District Twelve?

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