A/N: Thank you again for all the added Favorites and Alerts each month. Thanks Belle453 for your partial beta. Any mistakes are mine.
The trailer was great, but I'll miss Madge terribly in this movie.
Snow and Plutarch scene was great! Philip Seymour Hoffman is playing Plutarch as I envision him ;-) I could definitely use that scene for my story!
The horizon was so far away. It was hard to tell where the blue ocean ended and the blue sky began. Waves lapped at the stones, not far from where she stood. The vastness of the ocean caused Madge to feel small and insignificant. Memories of being dragged below the water returned. If one were dragged below this, they would disappear forever. Madge's breathing became shaky and her heart raced. She closed her eyes as she fought the wave of dizziness. Tremors driven by memories of icy water and burning lungs shook her petite frame. She wrapped her arms around her middle as goose bumps covered her bare limbs.
"I can't go near the water anymore, either," a soft voice said.
Madge let out a breath and turned to meet the sea green gaze of Annie Cresta. Because there was something wrong with their train, they would be spending the night in District 4. It gave them time for an extended amount of time with the other Victors. The young woman had said nothing until now, following behind their band as they toured the city.
Effie had left them when they approached the fish-processing plan with its pungent odor. Haymitch was nowhere to be scene since they arrived in the district. After the seafood processing area they toured the center of the city, the docks and then came to their beautiful location.
Gale, Levi's brothers, Finnick and some other Victor's currently stood some distance from her and Annie on a small peninsula that was surrounded by smooth rocks rising up among the reeds. They were teaching Gale how to fish from the shores and then they were going to head out in a fishing boat. Madge desperately wanted to get out of that.
"After the river…" Madge's voice broke. She couldn't make her tongue mention her near drowning.
Shouting made her look to the others. Gale stood on a large rock and thrust his spear into the water. His spear came out with a fish impaled on it. The others cheered and Madge smiled at his success.
There were apparently many ways of fishing and Gale expressed an interest in seeing them all. Finnick, Rip, Kelp and Peter, other Victors from District 4, held tridents and were waiting to show Gale how to fish with those.
"We don't have to go in the water," Annie assured, her cold hand rested on Madge's shoulder.
The act of kindness from the Mad Victor made Madge smile. She squeezed Annie's hand and said, "I'm sorry you're afraid of the ocean, but I appreciate having someone understand."
"Crazy Cresta doesn't understand much." The arrogant, annoying voice of Rip broke into Madge and Annie's first conversation.
Pain flashed in Annie's eyes. She pulled her hand away from Madge and stared off across the ocean, her mind now far away after the insult.
"How dare you speak to her like that!" Madge shouted, anger burning through her. She pulled herself to her full height, putting her head even with Rip's nose and continued, "She survived the Hunger Games…"
"Without killing another soul," Rip sneered. "Just like you." His gaze roved over her partially clad body and huffed with distaste. "Neither of you deserve to be called victors."
Before Madge could respond, a net covered Rip. "What the hell!" he shouted as he staggered under the weight. Someone tugged on a long rope coming out of the net and caused Rip to fall to the ground. "Wha…"
A silver trident sailed through the air and pinned one of Rip's arms in the sand. The young Victor screamed in pain because one of the prongs of the trident imbedded in his bicep. Madge gasped and pulled Annie away from the injured victor.
"I warned you," Finnick growled. The warm, flirtatious man Madge encountered was gone and in his place was the Victor of the 65th Hunger Games. His green eyes blazed and every feature on his handsome face was set like stone. This was the young man who killed over a dozen of his fellow tributes to win. This young man was capable of killing again. "Insult a fellow victor again and you'll pay the ultimate price."
"Y-you son-of-a-bitch! My arm!" Rip wailed.
Finnick stepped up, yanked the trident out of his left bicep and stabbed it between Rip's legs. It didn't hit anything but Rip's scream caused Madge and Annie to gasp.
Both women were pulled back by strong arms and turned away from the scene before them. Madge looked up to see that Gale had moved them away. His eyes were still trained on what Finnick was doing to Rip, but his hold on them was gentle. Anger radiated from him as well and Madge knew everyone had heard Rip's opinion of her and Annie. Madge was proud that Gale was showing concern for the poor girl as well as her.
"Once Finnick is done with him…" Gale growled.
"There's no need," Madge interrupted. "I know I didn't kill anyone. I wish you didn't have to either…"
Gale had released Annie and placed both hands on Madge's shoulders. "Madge, if you ever killed anyone it wouldn't have been you. By not killing you stayed true to who you are. The Games didn't change you."
Madge's spirit was lifted because Gale found her weakness to be something to be admired. She felt her face flush and looked down from his intense gaze.
"You're both so sweet," Annie said softly. Her eyes looked coherent as they moved from Madge to Gale and back. "And you're beautiful."
"I wouldn't say I'm beautiful…" Gale started with a laugh in his voice.
"Beauty is a curse to the victors," Annie continued as if Gale never interrupted her. She was staring at Madge and then looked to Gale. "He'll twist it until it's something dirty." Fear crossed her face. "Just ask Finnick."
"Ask me what?" Finnick came up behind Gale and Madge, his trident clean once again.
Annie's eyes glazed over as they focused on the trident in Finnick's hands.
"Sorry," he said and set the trident down quickly.
"Annie just said beauty is a curse," Madge offered. The strange girl seemed more like a child than a twenty-year-old victor.
Finnick stiffened as he looked around. After he abused Rip, Kelp hustled Levi's brothers away while Peter led the crying Rip back toward the town. The four of them were now alone on the beach. "Sometimes you are kind of… vague." A smile spread over Finnick's face. He seemed to be searching her eyes for something, but Annie quickly looked away.
"It didn't sound vague to me." Gale looked at Finnick with suspicion. "She said, he'll twist it until it's something dirty."
"Who do you mean, Annie?" Madge asked.
"Just forget it," Finnick said. "Let's get to the docks. Since you got the hang of spear fishing, I'd love for you to try it out on the open ocean."
"No." Gale shook his head and looked at Annie. "Is it Snow?"
"No!" Annie's shriek caused Madge and Gale to start. She dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around her body and rocking. "Don't say his name. He's a monster. He'll come when you say his name." Tears ran down her face.
"Don't ever say his name around her," Finnick barked. He moved toward Annie but Gale got their first.
Madge watched him drop to his knees in the sand and take Annie's arms in his big hands.
"Annie, look at me," Gale said softly like he was talking to a child.
"Get your hands off her," Finnick growled.
Madge shushed him and stepped in front of his advance on Gale. "Let him try to help her," she said quietly. "He's got younger siblings. Annie seems like she's a child sometimes."
"Annie, don't be afraid of saying someone's name." Gale's voice was low, calm and soothing. "Don't give them that much power over you."
Annie looked at Gale when a sudden smile spread over her face. "Finnick, I like them."
"We like you too, Annie," Gale said, returning her smile. He got up and then offered her a hand to help her up.
"Yes we do." Madge stepped up to Gale's side. His arm automatically went around her waist as they faced the young woman.
"I hope we can be friends," Annie said softly.
"We'd love to be your friends," Madge replied.
"Did you hear that, Finnick? I have new friends." Annie's smile brightened up the beach.
Madge noticed that Finnick didn't seem happy. She thought it downright odd that he had a look of annoyance on his face. When it turned to panic, she approached. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he replied curtly.
"What did Annie mean about beauty being a curse?" Madge asked again. "What will Snow do?" Annie squeaked a little, but Gale's voice could be heard reminding her it was only a name.
Finnick looked back at Annie and Madge saw a look of affection, like Gale showed for her. "Stay with Annie tonight." He nodded to Gale. "You'll stay with me."
"And if I don't want to?" Gale drew to his full height and stood with his arms crossed.
"If you want the truth you will," Finnick answered. He seemed to deflate and his hands had a definite shake to them.
"I'm not sure Effie will let…"
"In District 4 the victors get to do what they want." Finnick looked between Madge and Gale. "There'll be no problem with you two staying with us."
Madge felt the same concern she'd felt after winning the Games. I just know life is going to become even more dangerous than it has been.
Gale was on edge the entire night. After a meal with Levi's family, Ursulla's sister and the other victor's, Angler and Peter, two older male victors from the district, escorted Madge and Annie home. Finnick, Mags, Harpoon and Kelp remained behind trading stories about fishing. Gale was leering of telling them about his hunting, but his skill with snares had to be explained. After he explained his past a friendly net tying competition started and lasted for several hours after dark. Gale found Finnick to be quite likable now that the man wasn't chasing after Madge.
"So is Annie only acting like she's crazy?" Gale asked quietly of Finnick after tying the other victor in a their last contest.
All the camaraderie of the night was gone as Finnick's green eyes blazed and his body went rigid. "She's not crazy," Finnick ground out through clenched teeth.
Gale felt like his life was momentarily in danger. He didn't say another word, only observed Finnick's reaction. When Odair seemed to calm, he continued, "I don't mean it to insult her. I've known plenty of people who've lost touch with reality. Most of them because of the hopeless situation they live in."
"Annie… She saw a boy get beheaded in front of her. His blood splattered all over her. She…" Finnick stopped speaking and rose to his feet. "Gale and I are leaving." The other victors said farewell and Gale got a kiss on the cheek from Mags after she hugged Finnick.
"You take care of that sweet girl of yours." Mags's eyes bore into his. "You've got lots of friends in District 4. Don't you ever forget that."
"That's nice to know." Gale kissed the old lady on the cheek.
"If I were younger that little pixie of a girl wouldn't stand a chance of holding your heart." Mags and the others laughed.
"My little pixie is a lot tougher than anyone gives her credit for." Gale smiled, but he hoped they heard the underlying seriousness in his voice. He wasn't going to allow anyone to call Madge a weakling.
"No one doubts how strong she's been," Mags clarified, her gaze drifted to Finnick and then back to Gale. "The concern is for how strong she'll need to be in the future." She nodded. "You two get home before someone comes looking for Hawthorne."
"I thought you said Victors could do what we want?" Gale asked Finnick as they stepped out of Mags's house. Annie lived several houses away from Mags and across the street from Finnick.
"We can, but I'm not too sure about you and Madge." Finnick motioned for Gale to be quiet and led him to his house. They stepped in and Finnick flipped on a light. The room was Spartan with the exception of an elaborate television system. "We need to wait a few minutes before we go."
"Go? Go where?" Gale felt dread rising again.
"To my private beach," Finnick explained. He motioned for Gale to follow him to a door off his kitchen. "I had it built for times when I needed to get away without anyone knowing."
Finnick opened the door, moved a couple of brooms out of the way and pushed on a panel in the wall. The entire back of the closet slid up to expose a ladder going under the house. The smell of dirt made Gale take a step back.
"What's wrong?" Finnick asked.
"If I didn't get reaped, I'd be in the mines." Gale took a deep breath. "My father died in a cave in."
"So you don't like being in tunnels?" Finnick surmised.
"Not really."
"Well, I've used this one many times, so I swear it won't cave in."
"So this goes to the beach?" Gale asked as he worked up the courage to step closer to the opening.
"Yes. Annie and Madge should already be there," Finnick said, as he dropped down the ladder. "When you come down, close the door and hit the button to the left of the ladder. It'll close everything up."
"Okay," Gale replied. He took a few more deep breaths and thought of Madge with her shy, sweet smile, hair like spun gold and eyes the color of a cloudless sky. I can do this. Without a second thought, he pulled the door shut and moved onto the ladder.
"Don't prove me right, Hawthorne," Finnick called from below.
"What the hell does that mean?" Gale snapped as he gripped the ladder rungs and noticed it was some distance to the base. Don't think about the amount of dirt on top of you. Madge is on a beach - in that outfit. Creaming shoulders and soft skin filled his mind. His hands had brushed her bare skin a few times during the day and at dinner. Memories caused his blood to race like it did then.
"That you're not man enough for a beauty like Madge Undersee."
"Bullshit." Gale cursed as he nearly dropped straight down the ladder to punch Odair. He found the other victor laughing and moving down a well-lit tunnel.
"You are touchy when it comes to her," Finnick smiled.
"And I'm the only one who gets to be touchy where she's concerned," Gale threatened.
Finnick only laughed as he led Gale deeper into the tunnel.
Madge and Annie sat on the beach next to a small fire. The odd girl from 4 brought some crackers and chocolate to heat on the fire. She said the melted chocolate was heavenly.
The more time Madge spent with Annie Cresta, the angrier she got at the Capitol. Here was a sweet girl, who was tormented with memories of so much death and dying. The memories took so much of her life away that she seemed to be only half a person.
Annie lived with a cousin because the rest of her family was scared she might kill them in their sleep. The Capitol doctors told Annie's mother and brother that she was unstable and capable of hurting those she loved. Madge had dealt with Capitol doctors and didn't trust them for a minute. She thought the idea was ludicrous, but Annie's cousin Aquanta said all their family believed it.
"Annie, did you know Finnick before you went… to the Capitol?" Madge was careful not to set her off, but she was curious about their relationship. Finnick seemed very protective of her but in a subtle way, almost as if he wanted to keep it private.
"We all knew Finnick. He was the most popular victor we ever had." Annie was fashioning some sort of sandwich with the chocolate, a sugary white substance and the crackers.
"But did you know him personally?" Madge pressed.
"No. I never met him before…" Annie stopped speaking, her eyes looked distant and Madge cursed her careless tongue.
"He's very kind to you and seems to be a great friend." Madge hoped to snap Annie out of her daze by just continuing to talk to her. It worked with mom so maybe it will work now. "I barely knew Gale before, but now it feels like I've known him forever. I never knew falling in love could erase all the insecurities that kept us apart."
"He won't let you stay together," Annie said in a bitter voice that Madge barely recognized.
"What do you mean?" Madge looked at Annie, who was busy with her treat. The cryptic comments were both frightening and annoying. "Why can't anyone give us a straight answer?" she muttered to herself.
"Because you won't like the answer." The deep voice of Finnick Odair from behind her and Annie caused Madge to shriek and jump up quickly.
She's spun so fast that she lost her footing and stumbled. Finnick moved toward her, but Gale's arms caught her first. Her breath stopped when his arms wrapped around her. The light fabric of her wrap did little to keep the heat of his arms around her waist from scalding her skin.
"Gotcha," he whispered near her ear as he helped her stand, his arms settling around her.
Where his arms were bare and touched her flesh, Madge felt like electricity was racing over her exposed skin. The play of his muscles as he tightened his hold on her, left her heart racing. How can the simple brushing of skin cause my body to react so?
"Sorry to startle you," Finnick said, a smile aimed at Annie.
"I knew you were coming, so I didn't get scared," she replied.
"Are you making some new creation?" Finnick asked as he took a seat next to her. He looked up at Gale and Madge. "Take a seat."
Gale released Madge and placed his work-roughened hands on her shoulders. It was a feeling that Madge couldn't get enough of. Gale's hands fed his family, provided for them and protected those he cared about. They weren't the soft hands of men who never worked and that filled Madge with pride and affection for him.
"Do you want to sit on the rocks?" Madge asked Gale.
"The sand should be softer," Gale said quietly, his tone was gentle as was his touch. "Are you okay?"
"I'd like to get to the bottom of this," Madge confessed.
"Finnick," Gale demanded. "Either tell us why we're on a dark, empty beach in the middle of the night or Madge and I are gone."
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Finnick looked at Madge and shook his head. "You're the daughter of a mayor. You volunteered. You didn't kill anyone. You formed an alliance of primarily weak districts. Then you had the audacity to survive." He stopped speaking and looked to Annie who was contently making her treats.
"I don't like what you're implying," Gale growled. His arms tightened around Madge and he pulled her closer. "You make it sound like she planned this to make them look stupid."
"Didn't you?" Finnick asked Madge, his face devoid of emotions.
Madge's breathing increased.
"That's ridiculous…" Gale started.
"I did volunteer," Madge said softly. She pulled away from Gale and sunk to the ground.
"Madge, you saved Prim," Gale said. He sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"I was going to volunteer no matter who was Reaped. I wanted to show that District 12 could have pride. That not everyone was terrified. I wanted…"
"You wanted to be important," Finnick replied.
Madge's eyes filled with tears as she looked into Finnick's green eyes. "Not exactly. I told you I never planned to live." Madge looked at Gale and grabbed his free hand. She was happy that he didn't pull his arm away. "Until you."
"We can't forget that you protected her," Finnick jumped in.
"That's why he threatened my family."
"Gale, I'm so sorry." Madge couldn't stop the tears. She threw her arms around him and pressed her face to his chest. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen to you."
"Madge, I've told you already that I don't blame you for any of this," Gale soothed, pressing kisses to her head. "So what is Snow going to do about it?"
Annie looked up with a gasp, causing everyone to look at her.
"Annie, it's just a name," Gale reminded. "Don't be afraid."
"It's the name of a monster," she added. "And he'll do horrible things to punish you."
"What kind of things?" Madge felt cold and Gale tightened his hold around her.
Finnick looked into the fire, but remained silent.
Madge lifted herself from Gale's chest to sit at his side. Gale wiped her tears and looked at her with concern in his grey eyes. The fire reflected off his features, casting them as if in stone.
They sat silently with only the waves and popping of the fire before them for noise. A slight rustling of the leaves signified a breeze coming from the ocean, bringing warm air with it. Madge thought she could sit there next to Gale forever, but something was wrong. Something terrible was hanging over her head and Finnick knew. All the Victors knew. "Don't you think I have a right to know what Snow has in store for me?" It was difficult to keep the anger out of her voice.
"None of the rest of us did," Finnick said bitterly. "We all thought everything was going to be perfect once we won. A big house. Never worrying about food for our families or us. Even bringing Parcel Day to our district." His hands clenched and his face twisted with so much pain that Madge felt it in her heart.
Gale tightened his hold on Madge and his breathing seemed to stop.
"Tell them, Finnick." Annie's voice was calm. She looked at Finnick with complete trust and devotion.
Madge knew in that instant that Annie was in love with Finnick as surely as Madge was with Gale. When Finnick looked at Annie with tears in his eyes, Madge knew he felt the same. How was it possible a playboy like Finnick could love an injured, traumatized girl? Madge was certain the answer to that question would be for another time because Finnick looked at her. His green gaze caught hers and wouldn't let her eyes stray.
"At first I loved the attention. Snow sent me to parties and the food and gifts given to me were beyond my wildest dreams. The golden trident I received in the Games could have fed my village for years." He laughed in disgust. "I thought I won the favor of the Capitol and the President by being the bravest and toughest Victor. But I was naïve."
Silence once again settled over them. Finnick was tossing small pieces of wood into the fire; Annie was humming to herself with her eyes closed. Gale moved closer to Madge and tipped her chin so she faced him. "It doesn't matter what Snow's go in store for you or me. We'll tackle it together. Just like in the Games."
"He won't let you be together," Finnick growled. "This love affair will end in a way that puts you in the worst light imaginable."
"He can't tell me who to care about," Gale barked. "So far you only told us how tragic your victory turned out. It doesn't look too bad to us. You've got a dozen Capitol woman showering you with gifts and attention every time you go. You've got a home, a private beach…"
"And I sold my very soul to get them!" Finnick shouted back. He and Gale were on their feet before Madge could say a word.
"And how much was your soul worth?" Gale spat.
"The life of my mother and sister," Finnick replied. "Not to mention the love of my father and family. They despise me now. I'm just a Capitol lackey to them. The only reason I was supported so much during your visit was because Levi was my tribute. If he'd been Mags' no one would want me there."
"That's not true, Finnick," Annie said softly. She stood and put a hand on Finnick's arm.
He pulled away like he'd been scalded. "Don't, Annie. Don't make excuses for me. I knew what I was getting into."
"Spit it out, Odair," Gale shouted. "What did you do that cost your family their lives?"
"I didn't want to be a whore anymore." Finnick lowered his voice and directed his words to Madge. "If you are handsome or beautiful or desirable in any way, Snow will use that. He'll sell you to the highest bidder and if you refuse… Well, you're smart enough to figure it out." He turned and walked toward the seashore, his yelling made Annie pull back and start humming once again.
"Get back here," Gale shouted, stepped forward and yanked on Finnick's arm. "You don't say something like that and walk away."
"You want the details?" District 4's Victor snapped. "I was invited to a party when I was sixteen. I thought I was so cool, older women throwing themselves at me. Hell, I can't even remember which one took my virginity. I was thrilled. But it didn't end there. When I finally asked when it would end, Snow killed my baby sister. Then when I refused to do something, he killed my mother."
Madge felt an odd mix of compassion and disgust as she looked at his tall, muscular body. The way he flirted with her and the way Cashmere flirted with Gale came rushing back. "You and Cashmere were supposed to separate Gale and I? We were supposed to be initiated by each of you."
"Never!" Gale roared. He strode back and pulled Madge into his arms. "No one is going to use you. Not while I'm alive."
"And what about your sweet little siblings?"
"We'll leave our district. I can survive in the woods. I've already thought about doing it…"
"You won't get away. He'll hunt you down," Finnick was laughing and crying now. "Don't you think we try to sail away? It doesn't work because they're out there." His arm swept at the vast ocean before him. "They're always watching. I guarantee you that they're beyond the fence in 12."
Madge trembled. A wave of nausea washed over her as she imagined the Capitol men who looked at her with hunger in their eyes having their way with her. She wasn't so ignorant of men that she didn't know what they'd do to her body. Finnick and Gale were still arguing about a way to get out of the situation. For every point Gale made, Finnick had a counter point. The sound of their voices began to fade as Madge stared into the black over the ocean. The reality of her and Gale's situation came down on Madge like a wave washing her innocence away with it. That explains why they let us both live. They now have two new toys for the Capitol to play with.
The voices got softer and a ringing sound increased in her ears. The blackness over the ocean, over her soul darkened out even the small campfire. Madge's last awareness before darkness fully engulfed her was Gale calling her name.
It was warm and quieter when Madge regained her senses. She was held against Gale's hard chest, his arms around her upper body. There was concern laced with anger in his voice as it pulled her back to consciousness.
"Finnick can't be trusted," he said softly. "You heard how he got caught up in it. I'm sure any sixteen-year-old could."
"Gale?" she said softly. "What happened?"
"I think you tired yourself out." He smiled at her, but his eyes still blazed from his encounter with Finnick.
"Did you make him leave?"
"No, Annie was upset so he took her home." Gale shifted Madge so she was seated between his legs, her back against his chest.
"I think they're in love with each other," Madge said, entwining her fingers with Gale's larger hands.
"Maybe, but Finnick said everyone he cares for dies or is turned against him." His arms pulled her closer. "I don't know…"
"He has no reason to lie to us. What does he gain by telling you and I that we're going to have to chose between our loved ones and our virtue?"
"Maybe he wants us to run," Gale's mused. "It could be a plan of Snow's."
"I don't think so," Madge replied. "I think he feels sorry for us or at least me. He wanted to prepare me."
"Why?"
"Guilt? The chance to do something good?" Madge twisted so her legs were draped over one of Gale's thighs.
"I don't buy it." Gale's body was shaking and his grey eyes looked as dark as steel. "And I won't let anyone turn you into a prostitute. I've seen what happens to girls who felt they had no choice but to sell their bodies."
"Gale," Madge gasped. "I won't risk your family…"
"No!" Gale's harsh voice silenced her. "We will figure something out. The fact that you didn't fall for Finnick and I didn't fall for Cashmere has to be in our favor."
"Or it will make him even angrier." Madge looked down where she held on to Gale's hand with both of hers. Her hands were so small compared to his. She was small compared to him, compared to everyone. Powerless if someone wanted to get their own way.
"Hey," Gale said, tipping her chin so he could see her face. "We're smarter than them. We survived everything they threw at us. Remember what Haymitch said about staying together?"
"He knows!" Madge exclaimed.
"He's probably known all along, which is why he hated you volunteering, why he hated you being in the Games." Gale shook his head. "I think I need to punch him a couple more times."
"We need to stay together." Madge smiled and framed Gale's face between her hands. "That's it!"
"What?"
"He's been helping us. Haymitch said we should never separate. He means as long as we're not afraid to be paraded around as two young lovers, Snow can't touch us."
Gale stared into her eyes for several minutes with a serious expression. She was starting to think her thought process was wrong under Gale's scrutiny, but when he smiled she knew he agreed.
"I told you we're smarter than them." He laughed for the first time in hours and waggled his eyebrows. "Since we really do care about each other that'll be easy." He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
The simple gesture melted Madge's resolve every time he did it. It spoke of caring at a level so much greater than friendship; it was only something she'd ever seen people in love do for the other. "I hope you're right because if I was the cause of anything to happen to your family or mine…"
"Shh." Gale placed a finger over her lips. "Don't say it. We saw our family in the Capitol and you better believe the masses want to see our happy reunion with them." Her fellow victor pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "Come on. Let's relax and look at the stars."
She nodded and once again turned so she was seated between his legs. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his hot breath caused her to shiver.
"Are you cold?" He pulled her even closer.
"N-no," she stammered. "I'm just not used to being so exposed."
"I don't like you being so exposed, but at least you weren't wearing those skimpy things the other girls wore in the water."
"And what if I was?" Madge was suddenly annoyed Gale noticed other girls.
"I'd drag you off the beach so no one could see you."
"Why?"
"Because I want to be the only one to see more of you than anyone else," Gale explained, his voice taking on a huskier tone.
Madge shivered again. "Gale, if we had to… you know… Would you still… care about me?"
"Madge, nothing that could happen to your body could change how I feel about you. You're beautiful, inside and out. But no one is going to touch you, so you don't have to think about it." Gale turned her so she faced him. "If I have to fight to keep you safe, I will."
Madge slid her arms around his waist and kissed him. When her lips brushed his, Gale slid his hands around her back and crushed her to him. The kiss turned from a sweet sign of thanks into a sign of love between two people fighting the insanity that pressed in around them.
TBC
A/N: It was hard to figure out how to write Annie. She's pretty much an open book since she has such a small part in the book. I hope you will continue to enjoy this.
I also had a hard time getting Finnick to trust Gale and Madge. I hope it